Page 16 of Elemental Truth (Mysterious Fields #3)

16

DECEMBER 10TH IN TRELLECH

“ T hank you, yes, there. Now the deposit is properly registered. I’ll be in touch with more details about the timing once I’ve had a chance to work out the proper calculations. Sometime around January second or third for the working, and then some additional time for the setting.”

“And you’re certain you can’t do it sooner?” The woman in front of him wasn’t being presumptuous or demanding, instead she was something more like plaintive. Mistress Fellowes was yet another referral from the Carringtons.

“I’m afraid not. For the best potency, we really do want the moon moving through the constellation of Perseus. The sun might be better still, but I’m certain you don’t want to wait for April or May.”

“No, no, not that. If you say early January, then, well, I suppose I’ll continue being cautious about going out in the rain.” The woman twisted her hands slightly. “And you’ll let me know the costs?”

“Of course. I’ll be going to London to select coral for the work later this week. And I’ve noted your preference for white coral, but also your agreement for the best piece for the purpose.” Vitus had, in fact, made quite a few notes, well beyond his usual form for a consultation.

“The red pink is lovely, but it’s so hard to match to anything to wear, isn’t it? Though, of course, I want it for what it does, not what it looks like.” She stood, rather abruptly, and Vitus stood as well, moving to pull the chair she’d been sitting in back. “I should let you do your calculations, shouldn’t I?”

“Let me walk you out, of course. Here, this way. The cafe across the street does some lovely baking, if you’d like to sit for a moment and gather yourself.” They tended to let him buy what hadn’t sold at a discount, and he cheerfully mentioned them to his clients. That was a delightful and often tasty symbiosis.

Once she was making her way across the street— indeed, to the cafe— Vitus retreated back upstairs to his workspace. That was the third consultation this week wanting protection against lightning, and it was only Tuesday. He’d have to consider, rather carefully, how many talismans he might make during the proper hours. Ideally, he’d get out away from the bustle of the city for it. Perhaps Thessaly would allow him to do the work up at Bryn Glas. The enchantment of the stones didn’t need any particular tools or space, though the carving and setting would. He didn’t much fancy being outside in very early January with bare hands, but needs must. And all three clients so far had been very willing to pay well, not even questioning the deposit or summaries of the cost.

It was all rather baffling. He’d inquired, each time, if there was some particular reason for the desire. Each time, they’d said they’d had horrible dreams of a lightning storm. Vitus couldn’t see a pattern in them. Two had come via referrals from the Carringtons, the other entirely independently, he’d been at some of the electricity lectures. They lived in different parts of Albion; they did not have any obvious shared family connections. Thessaly would probably know, if he got a chance to ask her.

That side of things had been— well, worrisome and also complicated. For a fortnight, he’d only a handful of notes from her. Then she’d written about visiting Laudine, but he’d been so busy they’d not talked about it. Besides the requests for stones related to lightning, there had been several requests for talismans against nightmares. He had jasper for those, and he could come up with something less anchored to the constellations or fixed stars for that, thankfully.

He was hoping he might have a chance to talk to her properly soon. She’d indicated it was possible. But of course, her family had its own customs for the holidays. She had to turn up for at least some of them, even if her mother was still in formal mourning for her aunt. And Thessaly was, at least so far as other people knew, in mourning for Childeric.

The problem of Albion, Vitus decided, was that it wasn’t as if they could just ignore all of that. Whatever choices Thessaly made, or whatever choices Vitus made, for that matter, people knew them. Other people knew their families, they’d make decisions based on what they saw or thought they saw. Whatever interpretation they put on a choice, certainly. There were times Vitus found that a little reassuring, in having an idea of what might be good for business. And there were times it was utterly infuriating.

Now, he sighed, and went to gather up something for his luncheon from the keep-cold box in the kitchen, reheating soup and putting together some bread and butter. The woman in the next building who did his cleaning kept him stocked with that sort of thing, and Vitus appreciated not having to think about it much. The restaurant where she bought the food was quite good, or possibly she got it from more than one. He hadn’t expected to feel run off his feet this quickly, establishing himself. Vitus couldn’t complain about it - his personal accounts definitely were more reassuring than they had been. And it would be even better in January, when he got payment for final pieces rather than just the deposits for the work.

Once he was done eating his soup and bread, he washed out the dishes. Back by the front door, he touched the panel that would change the sign downstairs, at street level, to show that he was at home to callers. He had no other appointments this afternoon, and he didn’t intend to start anything that couldn’t be interrupted. There was plenty of research to do, and the list to finalise for his visit to the gem merchants in London.

It was perhaps three in the afternoon when he heard the bell ring, indicating someone was downstairs and seeking him. Vitus closed the notes he’d been working on, with bookmarks in place, tidied his jacket, and went downstairs. He was startled to see Cyrus Smythe-Clive there, waiting in the vestibule.

“Good afternoon, Council Member.”

“I was in Trellech, having a visit with my sister, and a look at something in the library, and I thought you might help with a question. A consultation, of course, at your usual rates. Half an hour to an hour, most likely, but let me know if you have another obligation?”

Vitus certainly would not turn that down. “Of course. And no, that timing should be fine. Please come upstairs.” He led the way; he had to open the warding on the door, of course, and Smythe-Clive didn’t jostle his elbow. Vitus showed him through into the consulting room, which was showing to good effect in the afternoon sun. “Either the table or the chairs, depending on if you think we might need reference materials out. And may I offer you tea?”

“Oh, the chairs, I think. Though if you take on the request, I suspect you’ll want the books.” Smythe-Clive settled in what looked like a remarkable degree of confidence. “And thank you, no tea is required.”

Vitus took his cue from that, gathering his working notebook and fountain pen from the desk before settling in his own chair and opening the notebook. “Please begin.”

“I am here both at my own behest, and the Council’s. Hereswith— Council Head Rowan— was curious if you had seen any tendencies in your consultations. We are not, of course, asking for any confidential information, specific names, but, as she put it, the pulse of the inquiries.”

Vitus twitched once. “I was just thinking about that, actually. I’ve had an outsize number of requests for protective talismans of various sources. Some more general, half a dozen of those since I set up properly. That’s about what I’d expect. But then some specifically against lightning this week, and some against nightmares. Several others where the focus we settled on was not primarily protective, but where those considerations were in play.”

Smythe-Clive nodded slowly. “That’s exceedingly intriguing, yes. And we appreciate that information, formally and informally. If there’s anything else you feel you can share, now or later, Hereswith would be pleased to hear it. She mentioned you’d offered some information previously, as well as some talismans for the general workings at the most recent— erm, my— challenge?”

“I did, in collaboration with Magistra Hall. I’d be glad to consider similar requests in the future, of course.” That was the simple answer. Honestly, he’d be a fool to turn down that kind of work. Not only was it financially practical, he’d enjoyed the challenge and the quality expectations.

“Oh, I’m fairly confident Hereswith will have some ongoing requests for you, then. I’m likely to play messenger. I’m a tad less busy yet than the rest of them.” Smythe-Clive tapped his fingers, but of course he didn’t explain what was keeping the Council so busy. Vitus did have the sense, at least, that it was uncommonly busy. Instead he changed the subject. “The other aspect, as I said, is more personal. One part is information, another is a request.”

“Yes? Go on.” Vitus tilted his head, showing his focus.

“My sister Andie, and I were pleased to host Thessaly Lytton-Powell for tea, last week. I don’t know if she’s had a chance to mention it to you?” Now, the other man’s voice was completely smooth. Absolutely of Fox House, Vitus was certain it was something they trained in. Vitus did not know how to respond to that, what answer might remotely be safe. Sensibly, he stayed silent, just nodded once.

Smythe-Clive went on, as if there were no awkwardness. “She mentioned that Childeric Fortier did not respect the agreements in place, including about her choice of association with others. That’s not on. And I have appreciated her skills since we were in school, though it was more commonly partnering in Alchemy or Materia than anything less academic.”

Vitus let out a breath. “Not a duellist, then?”

It made Smythe-Clive chuckle. “Not at her level, though on one of my better days, I could give her a bit of practice. Have you had a chance to see her duel? I suspect not.”

“No.” Vitus would like the chance, but he absolutely could not think of a way to ask. A duel required an opponent, an opponent of proper skill. And it would need to be someone who would not be difficult about Vitus’s presence. Perhaps if Alexander Landry had been in the country, he might have done on both counts. “I suspect it would be good for her to do more of it, but it’s not the sort of thing I could casually suggest.”

Smythe-Clive looked thoughtful. “I will see if I can encourage her again. Perhaps after solstice, when it would be a bit more acceptable. I certainly know a few people who would be glad to.”

Vitus let out a slow breath. “I appreciate that. I want the best for her.” That was all he said, but suddenly Smythe-Clive was leaning forward.

“Oh, you have fallen hard, haven’t you? I remember how that feels. I wish Thessaly well, and you as well. She and I plotted a touch, putting around the comment that she and I discussed the matter of making a match, as I am suddenly vastly more eligible. I said I would not consider a marriage of convenience when there was someone she truly cared for, but we are both glad to use the conversation to defer pressure. I give you my word, and I’d give you my oath, if you wished, that is all we agreed on.”

“I do not need your oath, Council Member.” Vitus felt himself retreating into the formality like a shield. “I understand she’s under a great deal of pressure and expectations.”

“I hope, in the circumstances, that I might ask you to call me Cyrus. But I thought you should know how the landscape looked, from my end.” He paused for just a moment to signal the change of subject. “The last query I have will, I think, be easier. I would like to have you craft a talisman for my sister. We do not have a tidy gift-giving occasion just yet - she has a September birthday - but that’s no matter. Something that would be of help in her healing work, whatever that might mean. I have an idea of a budget, of course, but I am interested more in the right thing.”

“To be a secret from her, or with her cooperation?” Vitus was up for the former, but he added, after a moment, “With her cooperation would likely produce something more effective.”

“Indeed.” Smythe-Clive— Cyrus, the enthusiasm for his sister made that a little easier to manage— tapped his fingers together. “Could we discuss some options, then have her visit, without you detailing the full plans? Get whatever information from her that would be a help, and then the final choices could still be a surprise?”

“That would be quite satisfactory on my end. Now, did you want something to match with Healer’s red, then? A ruby or garnet or spinel, they all have different properties.”

“Do, please, instruct me.” Cyrus settled back, posed to listen. Vitus had to smile.

“Let me talk through some options, and then if you can wait a few minutes, I can bring out a few specific examples. I gather you don’t have more than the ordinary understanding of different stones.”

“I have some idea what I like, but no, you may consider me entirely untutored in anything that doesn’t have a strong association with ritual, especially the more elemental forms. Do please assume you should explain from the basics?”

This might, in fact, be a delight. Vitus nodded. “In that case, let me begin with colour as one aspect.” He settled into his lecture amiably, half his mind running through his current stock and what he might bring out by way of demonstration. Vitus only had the one small ruby right now, but he was seeing the gem merchants tomorrow. He could at least explore their stock. And he had a number of garnets and spinels in his storage cases.