Cold Magics (37 page)

“I can’t believe you got in a fight with them. Who did you say stabbed Charles?”

“I didn’t.”

“But you must know.”

It was another few measures of the music before Amelia, realizing the answer was not to be forthcoming, took up her monologue again. “Well, no matter who stabbed him—and I can’t believe anyone would have—the point of it is, here you are dancing with me while she dances with the baron. And while I’m sure the baron considers himself above such things, if she should truly catch his eye, well, there’s not a thing you could do to prevent him, is there?”

“I suppose not,” said Thomas. He didn’t have anything more to say, and to his surprise, neither did Amelia.

The music drew to a close and Thomas led Amelia from the floor. He spotted Eileen with Baron Goshawk, who was holding both her hands and leaning in close to speak. Eileen was biting her lip and looking pensive. A moment later, the two joined them.

“Thomas,” said the baron. “Please excuse me for stealing Eileen away.”

“The baron asked if I would join him tomorrow in a tour of the city,” said Eileen, looking uncertain.

“That’s very generous of him.” said Thomas.

“Not just Eileen, of course,” said Goshawk, his annoyingly pleasant expression giving Thomas no hint his intentions. “Lady Prellham and Rose will accompany her. And whoever else she wishes to bring, though more than four would be uncomfortable in my carriage. It is dependent on her brother’s approval, of course, but given the events of the last few days, I think it behooves me to show Eileen that we are not all uncouth here.”

Now that, Thomas could not argue against. “We’ll see what George has to say, then.”

“George is rather occupied,” said Amelia, “with Cecily, of all people, who I hardly think is a good match for him. Baron, may I claim this dance?”

The baron managed what Thomas thought was a rather civilized smile. “Of course.”

He led her to the floor and Thomas held out his hand to Eileen, but Sir Lawrence tapped his shoulder instead. “Lord Henry wants a word. And I am to dance with Eileen while he has it.”

Thomas nodded. “I’ll have the next dance, then,” he promised Eileen, leaving her in Sir Lawrence’s hands. He found Henry sitting at a table near the wall, a cup in his hand and a bottle in front of him. He gestured to a seat near himself and pushed the wine bottle towards Thomas. “Have a drink.”

Thomas took the chair, found a clean-looking cup amidst the others on the table, and poured. “And how is my lord Henry?”

“Well enough,” said Henry cheerfully. “My father apparently was talking with the priests all afternoon.”

“And apparently enjoyed their company enough to throw a party,” said Thomas, looking around the room. The group around the envoy had expanded, with more merchants joining his company. “Though I noticed your father didn’t react too favourably to his toast.”

“It’s far too early for Roberts to be putting that idea forward,” said Henry. “After all, he’d only just offered my father men for the war.”

“How many men?” asked Thomas, warily.

“A thousand, I believe. Enough to make one think.”

“What did he want in exchange?”

“The freedom to hunt down and punish all whose witchcraft is an affront to the High Father.”

“Me, in other words.”

“Anyone who is using witchcraft,” said Henry. “But mainly you.”

Thomas took a drink. “How long before your father accepts the offer?”

“No idea. Certainly not before spring, since he has no intention of letting anyone out before then.”

Spring
, Thomas thought.
I have until spring.

To do what?

The same decision that kept Father Roberts in the city prevented Thomas from doing much to help. He couldn’t help Henry chase down the enemy, couldn’t see how they used magic first hand.

But I could talk to those who already have.

Cursing himself for an idiot, Thomas surveyed the room. “Baron Gallen isn’t here.”

“No, he isn’t. Is that important?”

“I want to find out what he can tell me about the enemy. You didn’t invite him tonight?”

“Not my party,” said Henry. “I didn’t pick the guests.”

Thomas slumped back in his chair, thinking about the men they had fought in the snow and the burnt out villages they had passed on the way in. “Does anyone have an idea why the enemy is attacking? Or who they are?”

“Not a clue. They just appeared.”

Thomas thought more about it. “Starting tomorrow, I’ll talk to the people who’ve been driven out of their villages to see if there’s a pattern to the attacks. Maybe that will tell us why they’re here. Or at least how many people they have using magic.”

Henry nodded approval. “Good plan. And now you’re going to dance.”

Thomas was confused. “Is that an order?”

Henry grinned. “Sort of.”

“Lord Henry,” said Amelia, coming to a stop in front of them. “I have not had the pleasure of a dance this evening.”

“And I’m afraid I have to deny you that pleasure,” said Henry. “For I must talk to several people before I can dedicate myself to the dance floor. But Thomas here is currently without a partner.”

You miserable…
“Actually, I was planning…” Thomas looked and found Eileen being led out onto the dance floor by Patrick. “…but I would be honoured.”

“Thank you, Thomas,” said Amelia holding out her hand for him to take. “Lord Henry, you will save me one, will you not?”

“I will try,” said Henry. “Enjoy yourself, Thomas.”

Thomas rose, bowed politely to Henry and made a rude gesture out of Amelia’s line of sight. Henry grinned. The tune was light and tripping and the dance steps complicated. Amelia was quiet for the first three bars, then started in again.

“Goshawk said that Lord Charles is out of danger. The inquisitor claimed it was miraculous. He thought Charles was going to die for sure. He also thought you were the one that stabbed Charles but the baron said you weren’t. But he won’t say who did. Why not?”

“Because it isn’t his story to tell,” said Thomas. “Any more than it is mine.”

“But that’s silly. Everyone who was there knows who stabbed whom, so why can’t I?” She was silent for the length of another bar of music. “It wasn’t you and it wasn’t Baron Goshawk and it wasn’t Henry or the knights. And if it had been George, Charles would probably still be stuck to the wall.” Her mouth and eyes went wide. “Eileen! By the Four!” She looked over her shoulder, trying to spot Eileen in the crowd. “How could she? No wonder none of the lords are talking about it!” She glared at Thomas. “Is that why you were chasing her this morning? Because she’d stabbed Charles?”

“I was chasing her because she was crying,” said Thomas.

“And she was crying because she stabbed Charles! Did you think she was going to kill herself?”

“Amelia,” said Thomas, his voice quiet and very, very serious. “Leave the matter alone. Now.”

Amelia almost protested but something in Thomas’s expression held her back. They danced in silence, moving through the steps with fair ease. Amelia was a very good dancer, and even managed to stay graceful when Thomas himself missed a step. The music was only halfway though, however, when Amelia broke out of Thomas’s arms, grabbed his hand and pulled him from the dance floor. “Father! Mother!”

The couple were older, distinguished and obviously merchants. At once, Thomas could pick out which of their features had gone into their daughter. Amelia held his hand tightly as she introduced him. “Mother, Father, I want you to meet Thomas Flarety. Thomas, my parents: Archibald and Wanda Parks.”

Thomas freed his hand to bow to them. “I am pleased to meet you,” he lied.

“So this is Thomas Flarety,” said Wanda. “Amelia was telling us of the terrible brawl this morning. Why, it’s lucky you weren’t flogged for stabbing a noble like that.”

“Now, now, the young man will live,” said Archibald. “Besides, it wasn’t Thomas who stabbed him, was it?”

“No, it wasn’t,” said Amelia, who then surprised Thomas by holding her tongue. “Thomas is courting Eileen Gobhann, who is the sister of that new knight, George.”

“Which is Eileen?” asked Wanda, peering into the crowd.

“The redhead dancing with Baron Goshawk,” said Amelia, pointing.

“Well, she is pretty,” said Wanda. “Despite her hair. How old is she?”

“Sixteen,” said Thomas.

“And Thomas is eighteen,” said Amelia.

“The difference between eighteen and sixteen is quite large,” said Archibald. “Why, I think back on what our Amelia was like when she was only sixteen… Well, it hardly bears mentioning.”

“You shouldn’t set your heart on a girl that age,” said Wanda. “Especially now that she’s become a member of the nobility. Why, there are so many young men here of noble blood, you are likely to get swept aside.”

“Baron Goshawk seems to like her,” said Archibald, peering at the dance floor. “Though she looks somewhat morose.”

“It has been a difficult day,” said Thomas.

“I have heard as much,” said Wanda. “Most unpleasant, the whole business. Pity about Eileen’s hair. Why on earth did she cut it like that?”

“Thomas Flarety.”

Thomas recognized the voice even before he turned to look at the man. “Father Roberts.”

“It has been a most wonderful evening,” said Father Roberts, “and I thought I should make an effort to speak to everyone before I retired for the night. May I ask you to introduce me to these fine folks?”

“I am Archibald Parks, Father,” said Archibald, before Thomas could, “and this is Wanda. We’re Amelia’s parents.”

“It is good to meet folks who can raise such a charming young lady,” said Father Roberts. “Especially in these troubled times.”

“They are troubled indeed,” said Archibald. “It is most difficult for a man to run a business when he is trapped inside the walls. We have most of our supplies in already, of course, but even so, it makes for tight times when one cannot get more when needed.”

“It certainly does. The duke is doing what he thinks is best.”

“He is indeed,” said Archibald. “And no one wants a winter war. But at the same time, trade must continue.”

“Indeed it must,” agreed Father Roberts. “And what do you think of the claims by some that your enemy is using witchcraft?”

“‘Claims’ is the right word,” said Archibald. “There’s an enemy out there, there’s no question, but until I see witchcraft myself I’ll not believe it.”

“That is the greatest problem with witchcraft,” said Father Roberts. “No one believes in it until they have proof, and by then it is usually too late. Take young Thomas, here.”

“How do you mean, Father?” asked Amelia, stepping closer to the priest.

Oh, by the Four…

“Thomas was brought here by Lord Henry especially for his knowledge of witchcraft.”

“Thomas, a witch?” Wanda’s eyebrows went up.

“He was investigated by both the crown and the church for that very thing, weren’t you, Thomas?”

“Truly?” breathed Wanda.

“Truly,” said Thomas, before Father Roberts could speak further. “The investigation lasted a month, and at the end of it my friends and I were found to be innocent of all charges.”

“Not by the church,” said Father Roberts.

“The church had no jurisdiction.”

“The king loves to protect his students. Even the ones who murder a bishop.”

Wanda’s eyes grew large, and her hand went to her mouth. Archibald looked ready to pull Amelia forcibly away from Thomas.

“Bishop Malloy,” said Thomas, speaking slowly to keep his anger from bursting out, “was sacrificing children to the Banished.”

“There was no proof—”

“There was evidence enough,” snapped Thomas. “Including the corpse of the child he’d murdered. And now, if you will excuse me, I wish to dance the next song with Miss Eileen.”

He bowed to Amelia and her parents, and left without sparing another word or glance to Father Roberts. He kept his hands in fists to keep them from shaking with anger. Eileen was still on Patrick’s arm when Thomas reached her.

“If Miss Eileen does not object,” said Thomas, “I would like to claim this dance.” He bowed to her. “May I?”

“Of course,” said Eileen, though she sounded more tired than happy. She curtsied to the knight. “I thank you, Sir Patrick.”

He bowed back. “The pleasure was mine. And I hope you will save me another for later.”

Eileen took Thomas’s hands and waited until Patrick was out of earshot before saying, “I hope there is no
later
.”

“That’s two of us.” The musicians began a stately piece, and Thomas and Eileen moved into the steps. “Father Roberts just told Amelia Parks and her parents how I was brought north for my extensive knowledge of witchcraft.”

“He called you a witch?”

“No. But he mentioned the investigation. And that I killed the bishop. And since he mentioned it to Amelia and her parents, we can assume it will be all over the castle before the end of this dance.”

“Gods,” Eileen looked ready to weep. “Will it never end?”

“Not with him here,” said Thomas. “I want to leave.”

“Me, too,” said Eileen.

“Then let’s go.”

Thomas came even with George at the edge of the floor, just as the music was ending. “We are ready to leave,” said Thomas.

“Already?”

Thomas gave George a fast précis of his conversation with Father Roberts as they returned to their table. George looked grim. “That’s no good.”

“Which is why we’re leaving,” said Thomas.

“You most certainly are not,” said Lady Prellham, rising to her feet. “You will stay here and support Lord Henry.”

“Lord Henry doesn’t need our support,” said Thomas.

“Don’t be foolish,” snapped Lady Prellham—just loudly enough, Thomas noticed, that it reached all of their ears but barely carried beyond them as the musicians struck up the next song. “Tonight isn’t about games and dances. It’s politics.”

“Politics?”

“Of course,” said Lady Prellham. “Why do you think the duke left early?”

“He always leaves early,” said Thomas.

Lady Prellham rapped a knuckle sharply into the side of Thomas’s skull, just behind his ear. “Think, boy. The duke invites Father Roberts, but does not put him in a place of honour, nor stay to talk to him afterwards. That says that the duke is not yet ready to accept the offer the envoy made in his toast.”