"I don't understand. Why is something so valuable appearing now?" Leopold was brimming with questions.
Egon sighed. "I had seen this artifact with my father once, Uncle. He concealed it within the walls so well that even the restoration work didn't uncover it."
"An item that my brother kept hidden like this?" Leopold asked emotionally. "What does that letter say?"
Seeing the vein on Egon's face throbbing, Adela decided to take control of the conversation.
"The letter is written in the script of the fallen Empire. It's addressed to Atticus and mentions that his tree in Lanark has borne fruit, and the sender must come and see it."
When Leopold's pained expression showed signs of confusion, Adela decided to be direct; there was no need for circumlocution.
Locking eyes with Andreas, she readied herself to ask the question she had come here for.
