Chapter 20

JUNE 18TH IN TRELLECH

V itus had taken the afternoon to go look at plausible shops to let. There was nothing suitable near Niobe’s workshop in the crafting quarter, certainly nothing he could afford soon. The spaces he could afford had awful lighting, the ones that had the light he wanted were far out of his budget and would be for years yet. And there weren’t exactly many of either, just two with terrible light and worse floors, and three entirely out of his reach.

The problem with talisman work was needing space for the equipment on one hand, keeping in mind that grinding wheels did need appropriate flooring, for both weight and vibration reasons. But also, it needed a space that could be sufficiently secured. Especially given that the working tools were probably worth something to a burglar and the collection of stones in progress or waiting to be worked certainly was.

Niobe handled the latter with extensive warding, though she also took other precautions. At least half her stock waiting to be worked was in the bank vaults of the Scali, and they’d ensure secure delivery as requested. That also cost, though, and getting them to come across town outside of the Crafting quarter cost even more. It looked like he might have to, though.

He could, however, make do with an ordinary flat, if the floors would take the grinding wheels, unlike the alchemists. Sensible people didn’t want to live in a building with a commercial alchemy lab in it. Between the smells and the chance for entirely unwanted magical explosions and more subtle, but possibly more upsetting, effects. A home stillroom was one thing, but anything beyond that was tightly licensed and restricted to specific areas of town and buildings with additional protections. Talisman work, however, could be done in a second bedroom, if the other conditions suited.

He didn’t particularly want to move out of home - he enjoyed meals with his parents, and with Lucas when Lucas could get free. But he wasn’t entirely opposed to it, if it made sense. It simplified some of the security measures if he lived on the property. In that case, his presence could be anchored into reinforcing the warding and alerting him immediately if something was wrong.

The flat he’d just seen was fine, he supposed. But the light was only decent in one room. Ideally, he needed two with good light, one for a consulting room and office and one for a workroom. Plus, he supposed, a bedroom. The bathroom had been small and cramped. The kitchen was tiny, though there had been a landlady and housekeeper who saw to the building, including meals if he wanted that.

Maybe something better would turn up tomorrow, or next week. Well, likely not next week. Everyone more or less went on holiday for the Midsummer Faire, whether people had booths or exhibitions or not. He made his way along the street, past the various smaller shops, heading back to Trivium Way. He’d just turned down the street for Niobe’s workshop when he heard someone calling out his name. Down the street, just to the south, he saw Philip Landry, his mother, and his brother.

Landry waved once, and Vitus walked down that way, nodding, but first tipping his hat to Philip’s mother. “Magistra Landry, Magister Landry, Mister Landry.” The last one made Alexander Landry look amused, more than offended. It was the proper term, given he hadn’t yet even begun his formal apprenticeship. It was interesting seeing them together, and not in formal dress. Alexander was still growing into his adult height, Vitus thought, and possibly his shoulders would also fill out more.

Philip Landry offered a smile. “We were about to see to the last of the luggage for Alexander’s travels. You are just the person who might have proper advice.” He considered, and without glancing at his mother, added, “Please, do call me Philip, if you prefer.”

Magistra Landry inclined a head. “A pleasure to speak. Philip spoke highly of your intellect after your consultation.” From anyone else, Vitus would have been crowing with delight, but from her, he was sure he was missing about five layers of meaning, at least three of them dangerous.

Alexander stuck out his hand, glanced at his brother, got a brief nod in reply, and added. “And Alexander, if it’s easier.”

“I’m glad you thought so well of me. And please, do call me Vitus.” It was only polite to offer the same, especially to his elders. “The consultation was a tremendous help, actually. I’m just finishing the piece now, but it’s come together better than I’d hoped.” Vitus hesitated a moment. “Philip, perhaps we might find a time after Midsummer Faire for some further conversation? And I happened across a piece of turquoise. If you were minded for any talisman work in the future, I thought I would see if you had an interest first.” He stumbled a little over the offer. The three of them were looking at him intently, and with matched confident gazes.

Philip looked at his mother this time, just for an instant, but then he nodded. “Once Alexander is off on July first, shall we say? I expect we’ll be tending to various odds and ends until then.” There was a quick glance at his mother, before he added, “And the Fortiers have a call on my time for a project, as well.” It was a neutral enough comment, but Vitus got the sense it was not the way Philip would have chosen to spend his time at the moment. It made visible that both mother and son - sons, perhaps - had obligations there.

Magistra Landry nodded once, as if there were some undercurrent that made sense to her sons. “Just so. I hope you have some pleasant plans for the solstice and the Faire, Master Deschamps? Are we likely to see you in the Fortier tent at all?” From her, the formality and the courtesy title he hadn’t quite formally earned was a nod at treating him like an adult. He was fairly sure of that, anyway.

As to the tents, that was still something of a nebulous delight. Many of the landed families took tents at the Faire to show their particular local wares or highlight crafters and artisans. Others took tents to watch the pavo and bohort in comfort, rather than crowding into the stands and bleachers. The Fortiers did both, though Vitus didn’t think either Childeric or Sigbert would play any matches this year.

“The Fortiers offered me an afternoon at their tent, along the Winding Way. On the Wednesday.” It was not likely to be a particularly busy day. But Wednesday at least suited the work he did, and perhaps having fewer in the crowd would mean more chance to talk to people interested in his work. If they’d been favouring him, he’d have had time on the Saturday or on Sunday afternoon, or perhaps the last day of the Faire. “And I hope to attend, of course, several other days. There are quite a few lectures on the Monday and Thursday I’m interested in, particularly.” He hesitated, then added, “And my family is invited to the Council rites this year, and my mother is looking forward to that.”

“Ah.” Again, Magistra Landry was near impossible to read. “We will see you then, I hope.” Her mouth curled up slightly. “And I have no daughters, so you need not fear being prevailed upon to dance.”

It was a common problem, for all Albion’s upper society mostly ran to as many daughters as sons. But women who were expecting rarely travelled, and it made the dancing uneven in the younger generation. Vitus considered, then took a slight risk. “And I have no sisters, so Philip and Alexander are safe from the same.”

It made the two men smile, and from Alexander, at least, it was a fairly honest smile. He added, “Ummi has made sure I am sufficiently skilled as a dancer to partner her. Philip doesn’t care for it.”

Vitus blinked. That was a piece of information he hadn’t expected. Philip snorted, clearly at ease with his brother teasing him. “The truth is, Alexander has had more cause to learn it. I can manage, but I am not, mmm.” He searched for the word, visibly enough Vitus was sure of it. Alexander murmured something in a language Vitus didn’t know at all, and Philip nodded. “I am competent, but not decorative. Duelling training both is and is not a help.”

“Do you duel then, Alexander?” Vitus would not ask Philip, not directly, though that answer implied something. As had the way Philip moved during the consultation, that suddenly popped into his mind. But Alexander had just finished Schola, and not only was it potentially part of his study, but there was the Duelling Club, and various other activities of the kind. It was certainly a less threatening inquiry, a less personal one.

“Oh, yes. Protective and Martial magics, as well as Duelling club.” Alexander shifted his weight slightly, and Vitus noted he did not brag about his skills, not like others did. “Do you? I’ve been trying to figure out who to arrange a bout with, to keep up my skills, before I leave. Besides my brother.”

Vitus held up his hands. “I am not fit for that. I had the basics at school, and I do not quite have two left feet - I am a competent dancer - but duelling? Not my skill. I do work in stone, so I suppose it makes some sort of sense. Stone is rarely quick to respond.”

It made Magistra Landry chuckle, as if actually amused. “I appreciate a man who knows his own limits. I told you, Alexander, you ought to see if Thessaly has a little time. Of course, I don’t know her current standard.” She glanced up to consider Vitus again, and Vitus did his best not to shrink from her evaluation. He felt all of a sudden like all his conversations with Thessaly were on display, as innocent and simple as they had been. As public as they had been.

“But Master Deschamps - Vitus - is here, and Thessaly is not.” Alexander pointed out, with admittedly entirely correct logic. “I should say, sir, I appreciate the notes you gave Philip. He did a trip of the same kind, but it was years ago, and not all the same places I’m going.”

Philip cut in, his voice a smoother baritone than his brother’s tenor. “Time in Egypt, though, with some of Ummi’s extended family. And you will like that.”

“And that is not somewhere I have experience. But for what I could share, I am glad to. I don’t feel it’s necessary to make all my own mistakes, when I can learn from other people’s adventures and perhaps make different choices in a few places.”

“Just so.” Philip was definitely amused now as well. “You did share admirably detailed notes. I was expecting, I don’t know, a page or two and perhaps a letter of introduction.” He considered. There was a glance at his mother and her minute nod. “Not everyone chooses to extend themselves on our behalf.”

Vitus considered the possible answers to that, then he said, feeling his way through and trusting to trained instinct , “One theme of my apprenticeship has been figuring out not only what I wish to do, or which skills I might wish to build, but how to go through the world. Perhaps more than all the lore about the stones and materials and inscriptions.” He nodded once at Alexander. “And as I said, I agree with the idea of sparing a younger brother the discomforts that serve no purpose.”

A little to his surprise, Magistra Landry nodded, an unusual four times, emphasising it. “Just so. You are fortunate, then.” Her eyes moved from Vitus to where he had come from. “I gather you are establishing yourself?”

“A slow one, but that is my aim, yes, Magistra. I was just coming from looking at a possible flat for a workshop, but I’m afraid it wasn’t all I was hoping for.” Vitus gestured with one hand. “Magistra Hall, my apprentice mistress, is glad to share space with me for a while longer, but I do not want to impose on her longer than necessary. And I know she hopes to take another apprentice sooner than later. She has an eye on a few who are entering their last year at Schola, I believe.”

Alexander considered, “I would be glad to call on her, if anything I might share would interest her. I admit I would like to learn a bit more about talisman work, beyond what Ummi has taught us. We have a number of family techniques, mostly for ritual purposes.” He said the last a bit hurriedly, as if he were unsure if it might give offence.

“I’d be glad to speak to her and see if there’s a convenient time. You’re leaving at the beginning of July, then? I will see if she’s free before then, and may I send a message round?”

Alexander reached into his pocket, pulling out a slender calling card case of engraved copper rather than the usual silver. “We’re here to Solstice Eve, then at Arundel through the Faire.” Vitus nodded, glancing at the address, presumably also Magistra Landry’s home, before slipping it into his own pocket.

“Of course. I should be able to send a note around.” The bells chimed, and he’d lost half an hour somewhere. “Oh, my. I should get back. She has a client calling in half an hour, and I can make myself useful fetching and carrying. I do hope we’ll speak again soon.”

“And I.” Philip offered his hand, and Vitus shook it, then Alexander’s. He bowed over Magistra Landry’s, who dismissed him with a slight smile. As Vitus crossed the street, he glanced back to see the three of them continuing south toward, presumably, their further errands.