Val's eyes snapped open. The sun was not yet up, but a pale, gray light was starting to peek through the windows. He had barely slept, his mind still racing with the mess of numbers. He tossed on the bed before finally getting off his bed and walked out of his sleeping chamber. He expected to find the great room just as he had left it: a chaotic mess of books and scrolls.

And it was. Just as he thought—a mess. But there was something else.

He saw a small figure lying on the table, ...