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The matron’s caution about the Archidux was fresh in my mind. I took a deep, slow breath, trying to pull my thoughts together. “I don’t really know the rules of this type of visit.”

“I know. Marta and I had a little talk about you this morning. The rules are that we can talk and eat and adjust the fire. We can walk together out onto the balcony. But I can’t touch you.”

I had been watching the flames, but at this I turned toward him quickly.

He raised his palms. “Which I have no intention of doing, in any case, so please don’t be alarmed. I’m not interested in tirae.”

I felt a wave of relief. At least I wouldn’t have to navigate more than conversation tonight. And yet, if not that, what was his interest in me?

“Sir, if you’re not interested in the tirae bidding, why are you here at midsummer? And why have you asked to see me?”

He didn’t answer. Instead, he rang a little bell on the table next to him.

Almost immediately the door opened, and a servingman in black livery came in. The man had short, shaggy blond hair and immense shoulders. He was so tall that he had to duck beneath the lintel. With a nod, the man passed the Archidux a worn leather case.

“Thank you, Don. Also, please bring us a large plate of berries dipped in honey. And some light fruit wine for Anna.”

I watched the servingman depart. “Who is that?”

“Don is my own man,” the Archidux explained. “I prefer to have him wait on me.”

“I see.” I was struck by the influence he must have here, that he could bring his own servant instead of relying on those employed by Casa Caligine, as other guests did.

He opened the leather case and pulled out a brass disk about the size of his outstretched hand. He passed it to me. “What do you make of this?”

“What is it?” It was heavier than I expected, cool and solid.

“It’s an astrolabe. The book you’ve been reading is named for this. It’s attributed to Semiarchus, but scholars think it is far older. He likely didn’t invent it. This one comes from the Kingdom of Ohrid and is very old, but they are still made there today.”

I had never seen anything like it: a brass circle deep enough to contain several movable flat plates, engraved around the edges and across the back with delicate symbols. Two narrow hands could be turned to point to different areas of the plates.

I ran my fingers over the engravings and then glanced up. “I think these markings indicate how to use this instrument.”

He nodded. “What else?”

“Can I turn the pieces?”

“Go ahead.” He leaned back in his chair and watched me investigate.

It was an interesting puzzle to unravel. I moved the plates and the arrows, lining them up with one side and then the other. I studied the resulting pattern. “Oh! These are constellations. And the engravings around the rim are—I cannot tell what they—Oh! This part tells time.” I stared at the delicate instrument in wonder. “What does it do?”

His rough voice had a hint of warmth to it. “You’re a quick learner, and you’re right. Those are constellations. Given enough time, I suspect you’d figure out on your own what it does. But I’ll tell you. The astrolabe can be used to calculate the positions of the fixed stars at any time of the year. Travelers use it to navigate.”

I ran my fingertips over the engravings, imagining a traveler studying the device by firelight beside a dark road. “It’s beautiful.”

Don came in with a silver tray piled with honey-dipped fruit. He placed it on the side table along with a slim crystal flute of light wine. He bowed and left.

“Did you learn about this at a university?” I had started to relax, and I was now more curious than nervous.

Sebastianus inspected the pile of fruit and took a strawberry. “Yes. I studied at the university at Arcadium.”

I handed back the delicate instrument. “Arcadium. The great city founded by the Mighty Arcadius.”

He nodded curtly. “Yes.”

I suddenly remembered the tale I had heard the night before. “Just yesterday I learned he founded another city, a cave city, but it was lost long ago. I had never heard that before.”

His face stilled, as though he was working to conceal his surprise. “What do you know of that?”