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The gold still shimmered on the page eight centuries after its meticulous application by a medieval monk who had spent years in a scriptorium bowed over the little manuscript. Lily appreciated his dedication. The manuscript was stunning. A large initial sat at the top left of the folio with pen flourishes curling out and trailing down alongside the text. She ran a single finger in the margin, careful to avoid touching any of the ink. The gold leaf had only been applied to the capital R that opened the passage. R for Rex. Lily didn’t know Latin, but she knew
