Council Head Rowan looked amused, rather than angry, but she let out a little sigh. “Owain, would you let Cyrus know that I’d like a word in a few minutes?”
Council Member Powell sighed, looking a little resigned, but he nodded, going off and out through the door. Now, Council Head Rowan sat, taking a moment to smooth her skirts out. “I do not like the idea of you taking this risk. Metaia is dead, almost certainly because she either found something or someone thought she had.”
“And I am staying within the wards or accompanied. Emeline’s out in the main hall, you know that,” Thessaly said. “I have picked up my own duelling again, and Emeline agrees I am a little out of practice, but skilled enough to handle any concern I can see coming. I will meet no one at the gate I do not expect. I will check to see it is the person I anticipated.”
Council Head Rowan opened her mouth, then closed it. “Check?”
“I am training in illusions.” Again, Thessaly folded her hands, entirely prim and tidy. “Near enough my journeyrank. Of course I know the ways to dispel them or at least know they’re there.”
“I’m not going to convince you, am I?” Now that steady and rather heavy gaze fell on Vitus. “Or you, Master Deschamps.”
“No.” He said it cautiously, but as firmly as he could. “How do we go forward, then?”
“What did you have in mind for this afternoon? And you had a thought earlier. May I hear it? Especially if you think it is relevant.” Council Head Rowan spoke clearly and evenly, but this, at least, didn’t feel like a command.
“The thought was that a watermill can do a great many things. I was talking with friends, oh, months ago now. November, perhaps? I could check my notes. We were talking about ideas such as a Faraday cage, which generates fields that affect the world around them or within their confines. It occurs to me that what information we know suggests such a field, though the means by which it’s generated or the reason are obviously mysteries.” He took a breath. “I can probably find out. At least enough to do a more thorough investigation.”
“You’re going to do it whether or not you have permission.” Council Head Rowan sighed. “You’re right, I can’t stop you. And you have access we do not, not without an act of the Courts or the Guard. Thessaly, will you please make arrangements with Cyrus to share information with him regularly? It would be much less obvious if you pass along something after duelling or find some excuse on a Friday or so.”
Vitus said, “I’m working on a commission for him, for his sister. Between us, Thessaly and I have enough reason to be in touch that has little to do with anything obviously of Council interest.”
Council Head Rowan turned her palms upright. “All right. Don’t get hurt, please. If there’s anything that looks like an actual threat, anything we can act on, anything that can go to the Guard or the Penelopes, you are to bring it to us. Whateverthe hour. I’ll let the staff know that any message from you is to be sent along to me immediately if you mark it urgent.”
Thessaly inclined her head. “Agreed.” She then stood. “Do give Cousin Owain my good wishes. I really ought to get to Trellech, Magistra North will be waiting. Vitus?” She inclined her body, and he immediately offered his arm, murmuring his own farewells briefly. Mama would scold.
He waited until they were outside in the courtyard before clearing his throat. Thessaly looked up at him, arching one eyebrow inquisitively. “You were going to say something in there?”
“Oh.” Vitus swallowed, recalling what he’d been thinking. “About the problem not being solid. It seems to me that there’s no small part of an illusion here, or at least a distraction. Guiding the eye to one place, so you ignore what else is going on. The question is which part is real, and which is a feint, yes? Putting it in duelling terms.”
“Mmm.” Thessaly made a contented sound. “Yes. And that’s a fine thought. We’ll discuss more, when we get a chance? I really do need to get back to Trellech.”
“Of course.” Before she could turn to go through the portal, he pushed himself to a bit more bravery. “May I come see you duel sometime? When we can arrange it. I believe I would enjoy watching your skill— again— very much indeed.”
Thessaly laughed. She didn’t embrace him, anyone might see, or kiss him. But she was glowing with the compliment. He had made it just right. Vitus felt the satisfaction of that, and he knew she’d arrange it at some point, when she could. Whatever else there was, she understood what he’d said.
25
JANUARY 17TH AT BRYN GLAS
Aweek later, they had their chance. That was how Thessaly saw it. Now she had to convince Vitus of it. “They’ll all be away tomorrow. From mid-afternoon until late evening.”
Vitus was leaning against the arm of the sofa. He looked exhausted, like he had slept little that week. “How do you know that?”
“It’s Bradamante Nevill’s birthday. There’s a gathering, family only, but all the family, at the Nevill estate. The Fortiers are all going, but Sigbert made a point of apologising for the fact I wasn’t invited.”
Vitus lifted his head, peered at her, and then leaned it on the back of the sofa again. “So at least someone is being slightly informative.”
It made her smile. “Yes. And I think we can trust the information.”
“There was reason not to?” This time, he lifted his head and kept peering at her.
“This is how we are certain that I was in Fox House and you were not. Or that I learned something from Mother and Father. Probably both.” She gestured at the book open on the desk. “That’s the Gold Book.”
“Which lists.... oh.” Vitus looked bemused now. “It lists the births and marriages and deaths and education and such of everyone in the Great Families. Which includes Bradamante.”
“Exactly. So I can confirm that yes, her birthday is tomorrow. And she’s turning fifty, so a good year for a bit more fuss, even if the family is still in mourning. Hence the family only. And not being currently betrothed to Sigbert, I do not count as family for these purposes.”
Vitus grimaced, pushing himself upright, standing to go pour himself some more tea. “Not for any purposes, I hope.” There was a note in his voice she wasn’t sure of. Thessaly could manage that sort of basic strategy, so she waited until he came back, patting the sofa beside her.
