Chapter 24

JUNE 20TH

V itus had been making his way through the Great Hall, a slow pass where he’d paused to talk to people here and there. He and Niobe had talked through who to speak with, as well as his conversations with his mother. There’d been no hope with Hesperidon Warren. He was swarmed with people wanting his time and attention.

There’d also been no chance with Lord Phineas Sisley. He’d made it clear three sentences in that he wasn’t interested in talismanic work, without ever actually using the words. He’d just strongly implied the family already had sufficient pieces. He preferred ancient pieces re-endowed with magic. That was that.

Conversations with Lord Siward Alton had been more promising, thankfully. That was especially true since Vitus had noted that he knew of an excellent supply of topaz to match a piece that Jenifry was wearing. What he had in mind would take inscription and enchanting well. Vitus was glad he’d correctly pegged Lord Siward as someone who liked to indulge his daughter. He’d equally spotted Jenifry as someone who very much wanted all the shiny delights to be hers. It would not be the sort of piece that made his name, but it might lead to other connections, and it was a straightforward sort of commission.

He’d also had a brief but promising conversation with Lenore Wallace, and with Psyche Milton, both of whom were looking for pieces for daughters who were coming of age. Both had asked when he’d be at the Faire, and he’d promised to have a few initial thoughts sketched out when they talked. They both wanted the usual enchantments to go with jewellery for social events, something that put the wearer in the best light physically and encouraged sparkling conversation. That sort of work was the bread and butter of a talisman maker. While it wouldn’t make his name, doing it well would be a boon to a steady income. Do a piece that someone liked, that meshed well with their magic, and they’d want similar ones to go with other outfits.

He was just considering another turn around the Great Hall when he saw Thessaly again. She had just finished a conversation, the sort that meant she wasn’t looking back, a far more successful Orpheus. It made his heart beat faster. That was not an emotion he ought to be having about her at all. And yet, there she was, determined and graceful. Also rather stunningly dressed, and he was sure he’d heard something about that garnet in the past. He angled himself, so she might see him, and to his surprise and delight, she turned, before gesturing. “Perhaps you might escort me for a breath of air?”

Of course, Vitus offered his arm, as well as pleasantries. “At your service, Thessaly. This way? You look lovely today. I hope you’ve been having a joyful solstice?”

It was still pleasantly warm out, though the sun had set at half eight, a good two hours ago now. The courtyard was lit with charm lanterns, more than enough light to see. And more than enough to avoid the corners where people who’d gone in search of privacy for more intimate reasons. Not that anyone was crude enough to consider outright indecency here, everyone with sense knew they didn’t know enough about the protections and charms in this keep. But they could arrange an assignation for later, simply enough.

Vitus and Thessaly ended up strolling north of the main tower, though Vitus didn’t suggest the steps up. They wouldn’t be kind to an evening gown. “Are you warm enough, or may I offer a charm?”

Thessaly tilted her head. “I’m tempted to say yes, just to see what you offer. But I am quite warm, thank you. I hope you’ve been having a good evening?”

“Oh, yes. A number of conversations in hope of later work on offer, mostly, but it is always good to see who’s here to be seen. Your gown suits you very well, as I said, and also your aunt’s. But I admit, I’m exceedingly curious about the garnets. The pendant, especially.”

Her hand came up to touch it, silk-covered fingers obscuring it for a second, then she lowered her hand. “Aunt Metaia gave it to me outright earlier today. She’s worn it on and off for ages, including in her challenge for the Council.” Vitus saw her shoulders shift. “Perhaps I might employ you for a consultation about it, when we’re past the Faire? So I best understand what it can do, and how to help it settle to my needs?”

“I would be delighted.” Vitus made a slight bow. He thought back to what he knew about key pieces. “It was made by Mariel Alderscroft, wasn’t it?” She was one of the talisman makers Niobe had looked up to, two generations older, and she’d died a decade ago.

“It was. Aunt Metaia told me the basics, of course, but I know that’s not the same as having someone with expertise look at it. I’d much rather you than someone else.” She leaned in a little, and he was sure it was deliberate. She couldn’t be flirting. Surely she wasn’t.

“Glad to. In good light and with all my tools handy, of course, but we can arrange whatever space you’d feel comfortable in.” He gestured back toward the hall. “I’m a little surprised not to see you in the midst of the dancing?”

“I promised Childeric another dance tonight, but...” There was a brief twitch of her shoulder, and something in it caught his attention like a poorly angled facet on a jewel. Not that it was obviously wrong, but it was not shining the way it ought to. He made note of it, but he didn’t know what to say.

Of course, he had to say something. The silence was drawing out, more and more obvious, and she also wasn’t saying anything. He cleared his throat. “I would also be glad to offer you a dance, if you wish.”

Her face lit up, and he knew it wasn’t the talisman. It wasn’t designed for that. It was all her, without artifice or magic. “I would enjoy that very much. When we’re ready to go in, please.” The shape of her shoulders changed again, something that underlined the shift in mood, and he smiled back at her, knowing he must look at least a little ridiculous.

“Do you have plans for the Faire?” It was the obvious question here, and it would at least get them back onto what felt like safer ground. She smiled at him again, and yes, she did. If you had asked Vitus what she’d be interested in, he’d have guessed about half of what she said. She was hoping to see several of the pavo matches. She knew people playing on the relevant teams.

There was a duelling demonstration of particular interest, though she was not taking part as one of the duellists and seemed a little put out by that. Thessaly apparently had a fondness for some of the agricultural shows, including the oxen. She added after a moment. “And some of the kitchen item demonstrations. Not that I cook, but I find the banter fascinating. It’s actually useful in illusion work, the way people talk about what they think people will like.”

That wasn’t an angle Vitus had thought about directly. “Huh. You mean the language about why you should pick this device over that one?”

“Like that. What vocabulary they choose, it, what’s the word?” Thessaly looked up, visibly thinking hard. “If you listen to the hawkers, they describe common fantasies, common desires. A lot of illusion work is based on that, how to satisfy the eye one way or another. I suspect it’s the same for talismans, yes?”

“Yes.” Vitus could hear the calls of the men and women in the vast barn full of booths. Certain words enticed, particularly, and those booths would be ringed by people listening and buying. Selling a talisman didn’t work the same way, but learning to describe what was on offer more that way might well be worth doing. “That’s going to give me a lot to think about. If you know when you’ll be wandering through the halls, perhaps we might meet up, if it’s convenient?”

“I’ll have to check the diary and the schedule for the Faire, of course.” Thessaly said. “But I’d like that. Mama finds it tedious and lower class, but she admits it’s not actually a problem that I enjoy the booths. Naturally, if we see anyone of our sort there, the standard line is being aware of what new items might be helpful for the housekeeper and staff, though I don’t really have an excuse there, it’s not like I’d be running my own household once I’m married. Never mind, I can claim I’m scouting things for Aunt Metaia’s staff. Company would be delightful.” Then she lifted her hand again. “Perhaps we might go in and dance again? I should probably be visible.”

“Dressed as you are, more people should have the opportunity to admire you, yes.” Vitus offered it with as much gallantry as he could manage, then held out his arm to escort her. As they were coming in, the music picked up a waltz, which was well within his dancing skills and not too energetically demanding. They swung into the patterns of the music, passing other couples. Thessaly was beaming. Once they’d made a turn around the dance floor, there was an honest joy at the physical pleasure of it she wasn’t hiding at all. Vitus felt triumphant that he could be so close to it, that he hadn’t marred it for her, with some awkward comment or misstep, with either foot or tongue.

It was a long waltz, longer than he’d expected, and when they finished, he offered his arm again to escort her from the dancing space. She glanced around, then frowned. “Do you see any of the Fortiers?”

Vitus looked, first faster, before he made himself settle to the steady view that didn’t skim over knots of people in the crowd. The hall had thinned out a bit, some people gone to side rooms for quieter conversations, some gone home. But no, he didn’t see any of them. “Your aunt, yes. Your mother and father, there.” They were tucked in a corner behind several other people. “My mama will have noticed. Shall I go ask her?” He hesitated. “Bring you some punch back, as an excuse?”

“I’d appreciate both, thank you.” She took several steps further out of the way, and she was fidgeting slightly. It was noticeable because normally she didn’t do that sort of thing. He’d noticed all her gestures were normally deliberate. It went with the illusion work or maybe with the duelling training. As Virtus went, he made a note of who was still there. Magistra Landry and Alexander, but not Philip. None of the Fortiers he could see, though he saw Jacinthe and Amalric Howard talking with several people from Amalric’s year at Schola. He could see Hannah Morris, no gentleman hanging on her attention, and Ilanit Rosen. He couldn’t see the two men in the group. They had their backs to him.

“Mama.” He bent to whisper in her ear. “Have you seen where the Fortiers went? Thessaly Lytton-Powell wanted to know.” His mother was seated in one of the chairs at the side.

“Left, I am guessing for the portal, I don’t know. Ten minutes ago? Rather early for them, and none of them stopped to say their farewells. Lord Clovis, Lady Maylis, their sons, and Dagobert and Laudine Fortier too. I think Bradamante’s still around somewhere, and I’ve seen both the daughters I expected to recently.” The eldest of Bradamante’s daughters had moved to France with her husband a few years ago, and thus no one factored her into the social calculations the same way. His mother sniffed slightly. “Abrupt, but I don’t know if anyone commented about it.”

“Thank you, Mama. I’ll bring you some punch in a minute, shall I?” He kissed her cheek, then went to gather up a glass for Thessaly, bringing it back to her. “Mama says they left, all together, perhaps ten minutes ago. A bit abruptly, she thought, but no idea why.”

He was about to hand the glass to her, when she was in fact wringing her hands, little twists that moved the gloves against her fingers. “Oh. Oh dear. I, no, I promised Childeric a dance, of course. Do you think they were angry? Does your mother mean angry, when she says abrupt?” Then her hand came up to her mouth. “Pardon. I’m...”

“You don’t want Childeric to be angry at you.” It came out of Vitus’s mouth before he could stop himself from overstepping. He managed to stop before asking why she was afraid of that, why she thought he’d be angry at her in particular. “Here, may I escort you back to your mother? Or your aunt seems to be on her own at the moment.” He rather thought her aunt was far more soothing than her mother, from what he’d gathered so far.

“Aunt Metaia, please. You are kind.” She didn’t speak again as they circled around to where her aunt was.

Vitus made a slight bow, then said, “Thessaly was a trifle concerned that the Fortiers had left with little notice. May I fetch you punch as well, Council Member?”

Her aunt tsked, gently. “Thank you, no, but you are most considerate for offering. Please, don’t let us keep you, I will reassure my niece.” It was a kind dismissal, but a clear one, and it was obvious to Vitus that Thessaly was in sensible hands now. He made his bow, and turned back toward the punch table, so he could keep his promise to his mother.