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that’s exactly what we did.”
    â€œI like the sound of that . . . ‘Brimstone,’ very mysterious,” said Oleander.
    â€œBrimstone, otherwise known as sulfur, is a product of volcanoes,” said Virden. “The name was quite fitting at the time.”
    â€œIt’s all so remarkable,” said Juniper. “The secrets of who we are, finally unfolding.” He glanced at the Council. “Elvi, are you all right? You look like you’re miles away.”
    Elvi shook her head as though coming out of a trance. “Oh,” she said, “I was just thinking of a rat I used to know in Tosca. He would be very interested in our recent discoveries.”
    â€œReally, and who was that?”
    â€œJust another ignorant Toscan with outlandish ideas. By now he’s quite insane.” A wisp of smile formed on her lips. “When I left Tosca things did not look good for him.”
    â€œWhat a pity,” said Mother Gallo, patting Elvi’s paw.
    Clover cocked her head. “Are you sure, Elvi, that all the Toscans are as ignorant as you’ve always said?” She gazed thoughtfully at Oleander. “The bats always believed the swamp rats were that way, but plainly that was not the case.”
    â€œI suppose some could have
normal
intelligence,” Elvi replied with a sniff, “but nothing like us.” All eyes on her, she shifted awkwardly in her seat. She smiled around the table. “I do see your point, but I lived in Tosca for a good part of my life. I
know
the Toscan rats. They are
nothing
like us.”
    â€œWe believe you, dear,” offered Mother Gallo. “Our Clover likes to see the good in everyone.”
    Elvi raised a curious eyebrow. “Even Billycan?” she asked. “Do you see the good in him?”
    â€œYes,” said Clover, nodding her head resolutely. “I do. That night in the Catacombs, when we were surrounded byKilldeer’s loathsome sisters, the old Billycan would have killed us without hesitation, as the first step in regaining control . . . but he didn’t.” She glanced at Vincent and Victor. “As far back as any of us can remember, Billycan hated everything about Julius Nightshade. And now I have Billycan to thank for keeping Julius Nightshade’s and Uncle’s dream alive . . . for keeping
all
of us alive.”
    â€œWell said, my dear,” said Juniper.
    Rolling her eyes, Elvi muttered under her breath, “Next thing you know she’ll be calling him
Uncle
Billycan.”
    Mother Gallo’s ears perked up at the remark.
    There was a knock at the door. “It’s him,” said Suttor, rising to his feet.
    Suttor opened the door to a sizable rat with fur the color of carrots. Once a chubby fellow, Suttor’s little brother had thinned out. He was now a strapping young rat with a strong, square jaw, broad shoulders, and muscles to spare.
    â€œDuncan,” said Juniper, “thank you for coming.” Juniper had a fondness for Duncan. After all, it was he who had told the Council about the Topside chimneys that led down to the Kill Army kitchen in the Catacombs—an instrumental part in Nightshade’s victory.
    Glancing timidly around the room, Duncan nodded at the Council. Though he was much older now, he was still a daydreamer.
    Shrinking down in her chair, Elvi pulled the hood of her cloak farther down over her face until only her snout was visible. She folded her arms around herself and hid her paws in her sleeves. Mother Gallo nudged her softly. “Elvi, what’s got into you today?” she whispered.
    â€œEveryone, young Duncan has an interesting story,” saidJuniper. “When he was a boy, living in the Catacombs, he had quite an adventure in the Trillium City Museum.”
    â€œAfter our parents died,” said Suttor, “and before the Kill Army had come to round us up, Duncan ran off. He slipped past