The Golden Specific by S. E. Grove

go in person?”
    Remorse inclined her head. “Precisely. And, as is the case here, only Nihilismians are granted entry. Your investigator’s card from Boston would not give you access, but you could apply again for a card in Granada.”
    Sophia took a moment to absorb this information, her understanding of what lay before her quickly reshaping itself to accommodate the circumstances.
I’ll have to go in person.Shadrack and I can go. But . . . Shadrack may not have time. Even if he wanted to go halfway across the world to visit a Nihilismian archive, he might not be able to. But I could go with Burr and Calixta. They wouldn’t mind sailing to the Papal States, would they? Maybe I could persuade them. The question is, can I persuade Shadrack to let me go all the way to the Papal States without him? And how am I going to get an investigator’s card in Granada? I don’t even speak Castilian. . . .
    She saw the diary disappearing from view, like a boat sinking into the horizon.
    â€œThank you. I have to go,” she heard herself saying. “I have to . . . make some plans.” Quickly, she copied the entry into her notebook. Remorse watched silently as she closed volume 27, put it back on the cart, and packed her satchel. “Thank you for all your help,” Sophia said.
    â€œEvery—” Remorse said, getting to her feet. She glanced up at Whether and stopped. “I’m very glad you have found what you were looking for.”
    â€œThank you, Remorse. You’ve been very kind.”
    She hurried out of room 45. Shadrack would be at the ministry.
I just have to persuade him,
she said to herself.
I just have to tell him the truth, and he’ll understand.
    â€œEvery.” Remorse had followed her into the corridor. “Wait just a moment. I wanted to tell you something. About the Papal States.”
    Sophia looked up at her. “Yes?”
    Remorse drew close and lowered her voice. “My mission is to the Papal States, you may recall.”
    â€œI remember.”
    â€œAs I mentioned this morning, my ship departs tomorrow.” She glanced at the open doorway of room 45 and lowered her voice even more. “If you like, I could ask the captain if there is room for you and your uncle.”
    Sophia’s eyes widened. “For me and Shadrack?”
    â€œYou have Nihilismian credentials,” she said with a meaningful look, “and though your uncle does not, exceptions have been made in the past for relatives and paying passengers. I believe Captain Ponder could be persuaded.” She paused. “If you travel with me, I could easily gain access to the Granada archive. After you read the diary, you can return to Boston with your uncle.”
    The Papal States. Tomorrow.
Sophia could barely conceive of it. And yet, she realized the opportunity Remorse had placed before her would never occur again. Was it rash to accept? Or was she simply following the signs sent to her by the Fates? Suddenly the words Minna had spoken that morning found her, winding their way into the dark corridor of the Nihilismian Archive:
Take the offered sail.
    Sophia felt a surge of elation. “Yes,” she said. “Yes, we’ll go.”
    Remorse reached out impulsively and squeezed Sophia’s hand. “I’m glad. We leave at fifteen-hour, and you can board any time after midday. The ship is called the
Verity.
Speak to Captain Ponder when you arrive.”
    â€œI will. I just have to tell Shadrack. But I promise—I’ll be there.”

 9 
    The League of Encephalon Ages
    February 24, 1881
    Finally, on our fifth night aboard the Roost , we made a discovery that exposed the breadth of Captain Wren’s deceit.
    Some part of me had been expecting it, of course, but neither Bronson nor I anticipated the form it took. We were waiting for the captain in his cabin. He had invited us to dine with him, as he always did,