A Shadow Bright and Burning (Kingdom on Fire #1)(17)
Magnus handed me his stave. It was almost two feet long, with odd images decorating it. It wasn’t as heavy as I’d thought it would be. I twirled it about a few times, entranced. Cradling it to my chest, I inspected the line of stars that someone had carved with great delicacy.
Taking up the plain brown rock, Magnus held it toward me and said, “Swing the stave in one fast arc, as though you’re chopping wood. It should split the rock down the center.”
I’d never swung an ax before, and at first I felt like I was trying to smack him with the stave and not doing an especially good job. I focused. I wouldn’t fail when I was so close. When I next brought the stave up to swing, I pictured the rock shattering in my frustration.
Magnus covered his eyes as the stone exploded into dusty fragments. There were gasps throughout the room, but a smattering of applause as well.
“It worked. Well, in a way,” Magnus said, laughing while he dusted his hands. “You must have a great deal of power.” He gave me a handkerchief to wipe off his blood. “Congratulations, Miss Howel.”
“Congratulations indeed,” Agrippa said, coming forward. His eyes seemed to glow. “I believe you have the makings of a true sorcerer.”
The boys rushed in on me, gripping my hand and shaking my arm as if they’d wrench it free. Magnus caught me about the waist and whirled me in a circle.
“Julian! Put that young lady down,” Agrippa said, laughing.
Blackwood was the only one who didn’t join the merriment. He watched me from the fireplace, his great green eyes narrowed. I turned from him, cool as could be. Let him glare.
The Imperator stood and stepped forward. The room quieted.
“Yes,” he said. His voice was almost a whisper. He turned his watery eyes to Agrippa. “Yes,” he said again with a nod.
With that, he shuffled out the door and into the hall. I heard him collect his hat and coat, and call for his carriage. Agrippa said nothing; apparently the Imperator was allowed to be rude.
Palehook took my hand in his. His eyes searched mine, a small smile playing on his lips. “My dear girl,” he said. “Happy day, is it not? The queen shall commend you. Yes, Cornelius,” he said, nodding. “The Imperator has spoken. You may train her. The Order grants permission.”
—
WE WENT TO DINNER, WHERE THE aromas overwhelmed me. There was buttery oyster soup, roast duck with cherries, a succulent leg of mutton, a rib of beef, marrow and potatoes, three types of vegetables, and a plum pudding. Sorcerers ate better than kings, I decided. I’d been too nervous to eat before, but I wanted to make up for that. I yearned to tuck in with the most unladylike relish possible, but I managed to contain myself. Brimthorn had schooled its girls in nice table manners.
“A toast,” Agrippa said, raising a glass, “to our lady sorcerer.”
The gentlemen joined him. Looking down the candlelit table, seeing all these men toasting me, I felt as if I’d entered some bizarre dream world. Nervous, I tried some wine, coughing at the taste.
“Once you’ve received Her Majesty’s commendation,” Palehook said, sawing at his duck, “you’ll be the most admired woman in all of London. We shall host a ball in your honor, Mrs. Palehook and I. Of course, there’s certain to be an undercurrent of nasty gossip. The masses are always ready to condemn a young lady of such independence. But you needn’t worry, Miss Howel. I’ve seven daughters, did you know? They should be glad to meet such a charming and unusual girl. To get on well in society, why, the Misses Palehook might be instrumental.” His tone indicated I must force myself to become chummy with his daughters. He was apparently used to getting his way.
“I suppose they might.” While Palehook intimidated me more than I cared to admit, I bristled at his veiled order. I would choose my own friends. Taking a sip of water, I said nothing else. Magnus elbowed Cellini. This exchange had captured his attention.
“Mmm.” Palehook took a bite of potato. “Cornelius tells me you’ve an Unclean friend who’s joined this household as a servant. We typically send the Unclean away, you know. To a colony near Brighton, where they might live peacefully.”
“I’m sure Rook will be peaceful here,” I said, keeping my tone pleasant. “You have nothing to worry about.”
Palehook nodded. “We shall see.” Before I could respond, he turned to Blackwood. “Your father designed that system, did he not, Blackwood?”
“He did,” Blackwood said without looking at Palehook. I got the feeling he didn’t much like the sorcerer. Well, that was at least one thing we had in common.
“He was a great man. You must be careful not to let down the family name. You work hard, but you haven’t your father’s charm. Well, children cannot inherit everything.”
Blackwood nodded, his eyes fixed on his plate. “Yes, sir. How right you are.”
I couldn’t think of any response to this shocking display of rudeness.
“Cornelius also tells me the boy’s scars probably came from Korozoth,” Palehook said, turning back to me as if nothing had happened. “And as you know, Korozoth often attacks London. This puts all of us in a precarious position. But for you, we will make an exception and allow this boy to live behind the ward.”
“Rook is the best person I know,” I said, clenching my fist. This was not the time for going up in accidental flames. “The Order is so wise and kind to show him mercy.” I swirled the wine in my glass, watching it catch the candlelight and make a beautiful, glowing pattern of red on the tablecloth.