“And the stones?” Dagobert leaned forward. “We understand this will have necessary expenses. Your time and magic, as well as the materia.”
Vitus nodded. “I am thinking rubies and pearls - the former from elsewhere, obviously, but British pearls if I can find suitable sets, to anchor them nearer home. Likely othermaterials as well, and I expect extensive inscription work. I may need to lease a suitable ritual space for a week or two, depending on the specifics, to allow the work to be done over a period of days at a propitious time. I’ll have to look at the charts in detail once I have more specifics, but it may be necessary to do a temporary piece or pair of pieces if the best days are not soon.”
Laudine snorted; something in her had relaxed during Vitus’s explanation. “That is all understandable. We will want the steps laid out, you understand. Not your crafting secrets, but what each part is designed to do.”
“Certainly, my lady, you have more than enough understanding to follow.” The honorific came out easily this time, and Vitus glanced at her, suddenly wondering if that form were more palatable. “I have two prying queries to begin with.”
“Yes?” Laudine took a breath. “We had best know what they are.”
“First, I will need a list of the other household talismans, architectural magics, and so on. Anything that needs routine upkeep or renewal, whatever those lists include, as well as personal jewellery items you wear regularly. Let’s say once a lunar month or more.”
Laudine’s eyebrow arched at that, and Vitus added, “It is a tad cautious. But I’ve found that Philodorus Minor’s investigations of the impact of talismans in the same geomantic location have been more reliable than either William the Elder or Honoria Bessette’s.”
“At some point when I can focus on it, we might argue about the Bessette, but no, I see your point.” Laudine nodded. “I will look forward to that debate in due course. It is pleasant to have something to anticipate.”
Vitus smiled suddenly, before he said, “The second point?”
She nodded. Dagobert leaned forward. “Go on.”
“I would ideally need to know the date and time of the curses. I can guess near enough to within a few days, but a precise chart would be far better.” Vitus said it as evenly as he could, because he could think of a dozen reasons why they would not tell him.
“Last summer solstice.” Dagobert gave it quietly. “I would have to— Laudine, would you?”
“I’ll have to check my notes on the time, but I can likely get it to within an hour, possibly closer. Is that sufficient? Not long after midnight, at the latest.”
It wasn’t as if people normally kept track of that sort of thing in the moment. “I might need to consider rectification against the ebbs and flows of the effects. More prying questions, I’m afraid.” At least they were not horrified at the idea. Laudine had been trained well, and her father had obviously shared a lot about the general expectations for these kinds of pieces. Though that raised a question that Vitus very much wanted answered.
Laudine nodded. “I will have some notes for you promptly. Or as promptly as I can.” She grimaced, and Vitus suspected that Isembard was perhaps being active or somehow uncomfortable. “You had further questions?”
“This one is prying, but also— um. Relevant?” Vitus swallowed. “May I ask why your father is not consulting? I would have thought that in terms of prying questions, he might be perhaps more comfortable. He is obviously fond of you, as his daughter.”
“Ah.” Laudine glanced at her husband again, then went on with barely a pause. “My husband’s oaths on the matter explicitly excluded speaking with any of the family by blood or marriage who were not involved. You do not qualify.” She waved a hand. “Neither does Thessaly, I should note. Betrothal and marriage being two different magical rites.”
“I did not expect to speak to her about it. With your permission, that I was doing work for you, but that is all, in keeping with the Guild’s standards of confidentiality. I maintain a private workroom for a number of reasons.” Vitus attempted to sound proper.
Laudine shook her head. “That is fine. Just— we could not ask Papa. Even for recommendations, without revealing the scope of the problem. I know he has guesses. If he asks you directly, you may use your best judgement outside the specifics covered by the oath.” With that, she took a couple of pieces. “Here is what I would like you to swear here and now. And here is what I would like you to agree to, in the contract, witnessed by representatives for each party. Your solicitor, a representative from your bank, whoever you prefer on your side. That gives no details, simply confirms the contract as made in agreement with the documentation.” She waved a hand. “The top oath now, the other when you have presented a complete proposal.”
The oath for the moment was what Vitus had expected. It had the terms of a confidential consultation, not to be shared with others without permission from all parties, with a release at death. It obliged him to take the usual precautions for such things with his papers and notes, and to store them in a locked vault once the work was completed. Nothing there was unusual, and Vitus made the oath promptly.
“There.” Laudine grimaced this time, as if something in the magic had upset some balance in her own system. Dagobert, too, had begun to look rather faded. “If you do not mind, we should rest. Can you find your way out?”
Vitus stood, promptly. “Of course. I’ll send a note round when I’ve got a proposal in hand.” With that, he excused himself, and a footman walked him out to the portal in silence.
37
MAY 20TH IN THE EVENING, AT BRYN GLAS
Thessaly took one look at Vitus and said, “Come to the grove?”
He blinked, stopping where he stood. “Are you sure?”
“Mmm.” She gestured. “Can you grab that blanket?” It wasn’t yet six. They’d have a good two hours or so of light.
Vitus did not argue, which Thessaly considered a particular virtue of his. She went down the stairs ahead of him, pausing to let Emeline and Collins know they’d be outside for a bit. Supper around sunset would be grand. Neither of the older women asked her what she was up to, which was good, because Thessaly wouldn’t have known how to explain.
She wasn’t sure she could explain it to Vitus, honestly, and he had more right to know. But she could read the shifts in his magic, the way something had flickered into focus in him. And also, she was desperately curious about the appointment. He hadn’t come straight back, she thought, but had taken time to make notes or whatever it was he did.
Once they were in the centre of the grove, Thessaly let out a long breath. She settled down on the blanket and made sure her skirts didn’t take up the entire space. Vitus settled next to her, though turned, so that he could face her more easily, reachingfor one of her hands. He laced his fingers through it, then he also let out a slow breath. “All right. Here is the right place, maybe.”
