There was a note on the table, and I had not seen it when I came in because Mel had been talking and the porridge had been demanding my attention.
It was written in my father's careful handwriting on a piece of leather offcut.
Elric — gone to the river to start the tanning. Come and find me when you are awake. Bring the smaller blade. Janus.
I read it twice. My father's handwriting was the same handwriting I had grown up with. The note was real in the way that the room was real, and I could either reject the note or follow its instructions.
I put the note in my pocket and stood up.
"Where are you going?" Mel said.
"To find Dad."
"Take the smaller blade."
I arched an eyebrow, "How do you know about the smaller blade?"
"Because I read the note before you did, dummy. I read it early this morning when he wrote it. Obviously."
I rubbed my forehead, feeling that familiar headache beginning to resurface, "Mel."
