by Jane Routley
“Shine is a clever girl,” she said to Lady Glisten as she did so. “She would like to study to be a lawyer or an assistant. And having grown up in poverty, she dreads bringing up children in similar poverty. And I dread it also.”
“Oh, Eff, not you too. Do you know what struggles this family has faced since that dreadful business with Flara and Radiant? We’re all on short rations. And you two must do your part. Though if Bright and Shine are the results of your mothering, Eff, I wonder if we should not bring Shine’s children up to Elayison after they are weaned.”
I turned, shocked at such an awful thing said so casually, and saw Eff’s face in the doorway behind me. It was set and calm.
“Indeed, Lady Glisten?” she said. And closed the door in my face.
I stood there starring at the door, appalled at what had happened, at what I had exposed Eff to. I wanted to storm in and tell Lady Glisten what a wonderful mother Eff had been and how much better she was than any of them.
“You really told her, didn’t you, Ghostie?” sneered a voice nearby. Lumina was leaning against the stair rail at look of triumph on her face. She bought me to my senses, which would probably have annoyed her had she known it.
“Lady Lumina,” I said giving her the barest of nods. I turned and stalked away along the balcony and didn’t even stop when Lumina started sniggering. Rat Queen!
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
I FELT SO wretched that I almost ran back to my room to hide. But I had things to finish. I ran down to Lucient’s room.
One look at my cousin told me that here was not the place to unload my feelings. He was leaning on his side with his head in Sharlee’s lap, smoking his pipe. He was so smoked, I had to glare at him for a couple of moments before he sent her away to get some wine.
“Someone came in and startled me and I dropped your jar. I’m sorry. It broke. You’ll have to go in and pick it up.”
He didn’t seem overly upset about the loss of his smoke jar—or about Hagen, when I told him what happened.
“I should have known someone else had the situation under control.”
“So is it true, what I hear? That this Hagen is the Premier’s intelligencer?”
“I hadn’t thought about it,” said Lucient vaguely. He sat up and held out his hand for the cloth bundle. “Maybe. I thought he was just keeping an eye on things for Uncle Nate. This family does get itself into trouble a lot.” He untied the cloth and shook the weed inside gently. “Interesting. You can’t tell there’s any Open.”
He took some smokeweed dust on the tip of his finger and dabbed it on his tongue.
“Yes, I can taste something funny, now I’m looking for it.”
“I don’t think you should smoke that. Lady only knows what it will do to you.”
“True,” said Lucy. “Someone should give that Blazeann a good thrashing. What are you doing, darling?”
“I’m going back to my room. You’ll be quite safe from Toy tonight, and it’s been a busy day. Far too busy,” I said, pulling open his window. “Come on. Lower me down, will you?”
“Oh, you want to make a discreet exit. I get it.” He touched the side of his nose. “Got to keep up the pretence. But you’ll stay with me tomorrow night, won’t you?”
“Of course I will, darling.” I wondered what Lady Glisten would do when I ignored her advice. It was none of her business. But best not to tell Lucient what she’d said. He’d only worry himself into a state.
By the time Lucient had deposited me gently on the flower bed four storeys beneath his window, depression had settled on my chest. The garden was cold, but it would be just as cold in my room. I missed my ghost; I could have told him all about everything. But he was Klea’s ghost now. He would probably go up to Elayison with her, and I would stay here as was sensible. And I’d never managed to find out anything about Ghostland from him.
Perhaps Great Aunt was right. I had to stay here with Eff anyway, now. Perhaps this year I’d try and get pregnant and get on with my life as it was always going to be. And never go anywhere, nor meet anyone interesting, nor find anyone to love me.
Katti came bursting out of the bushes and leapt up on me, her feet on my chest, her mind full of joy.
Come, come! It’s hunting time. Her thoughts exploded into my mind.
She pushed off me, almost knocking me over, and loped away into the garden. What could I do but laugh and run after her?
The garden was silver in the moonlight. The limbs of the freshly budding trees were stark black. Tree mice were busy scrabbling and hissing along those limbs. Perhaps it was Blessing time for them also. The young males kept dashing down the tree trunks and scampering across the grass ahead of us in a way that smacked of bravado. Katti knew they were playing with her, but she could not resist chasing them, hunter instincts all aquiver. She bounded from tree trunk to tree trunk, ignoring her bandaged paw and missing them every time. I was caught up in the excitement, wanting them to escape and wanting her to have the pleasure of a capture at the same time and laughing at myself and at all of them. Nature is a thing of beauty and joy even as its teeth and claws are cruel and red with blood. Being out among the trees with Katti always lifted my spirits and filled me with gratitude. But after a while the cold became too much.
You need fur, Katti told me.
“Sometimes I wish I was a cat,” I said to her.
Only sometimes?
She could be so smug.
I looked up at the house. No sign of light in Eff’s room, so no point in going up there to commiserate with her. She would probably be curled up with Auntie Four in the little guest room in the attic arguing about peasants’ rights the way they always did.
I could see the glow of a stove in the winterhouse. This was a kind of doorless shed overlooking the stream, built by an ancestor who wanted a shelter from the rain during winter picnics. I ran over and was glad to find no one in it, which meant I could pull up a bench near the stove and get warm.
But as I headed for the bench, a dark hooded shape rose out of the corner and came at me, reaching out with ghostly pale hands
I squeaked.
“It’s me,” hissed Shadow. He put his finger to my lips.
“What are you doing here?”
“Klea came to check about her letter.”
“Why’d she bring you?”
“I did not want to stay at the hut alone. You were right. It is very strange out there. All these flying mice, glowing and nipping.”
Katti put her head in the door and gave an enquiring chirrup, before seeing that I was unharmed and going away again.
I was so pleased to see him I put my arms around him and hugged him. I could feel him hesitating in my grasp.
“Oh, you’re so nice and warm,” I said, to hide the soppy moment. I pulled him over to the bench by the fire. “How have you been getting on with Klea?”
“Fine,” he said, sounding as if he meant it. “She’s been very good to me.”
“Really?” I said.
“No, not in that way.” He laughed. “No she’s not going to do that. She’s got too much else on her mind.”
“Did she tell you what was in the letter?”
“No,” he said.
“Are you telling the truth?” I felt a sense of being left out. Or maybe it was jealousy at not being the centre of his story any more.
“Yes. But I have an idea, now, of what it might be, and we do need to find it.”
“So, come on,” I said after a little silence. “Tell me what it is.” I was dying to find out what was in this all-important letter. What could Klea have done?
“I cannot. Because I am not sure.”
I whacked him on the arm.
“You are mad at me?” asked Shadow.
I already felt ashamed for hitting him. Childish to be jealous like that.
“I’ll get over it,” I said.
He put his hand through my arm and squeezed my elbow.
“I understand, Shine, I do. Do not
worry. I will not let Klea go up to town without you.”
The way he read my mind made me feel happy.
“She’s a mage. You’ve got no say in it.”
“But I think she will keep a promise. You were right about her. She is a good person at heart. Have you got any way of contacting her? She is waiting in your room for you.”
“I’d best go up and get her. Already spent most of the evening running round after mages.” I sighed and stretched out my legs, unwilling the leave the warmth and comfort.
“I begin to understand what you mean,” he said wryly. “Tell me what’s been happening.”
Strangely enough, now he was here I didn’t want to ruin my good mood by whining about Glisten, so I told him about Blazeann’s plot. Halfway through the story, there came a rustle of leaves and a glow of magic. Shadow threw himself back into the dark corner, but it was only Klea dropping down through the trees into the winterhouse. She had her hat pulled down well over her head, but her crystal still gleamed through the felt.
“Any sign of my letter?” she asked as Shadow got up and dusted himself off again. “What are you doing down there, Ghost?”
“He was scared you were Illuminus, and I don’t blame him. Why on earth did you bring him back here?”
That was no way to be talking to a mage, but I was feeling testy.
“Did you find my letter?” she asked again.
Always the letter. What was in that letter? What could possibly be so important?
“No. Blazeann tried to poison your mother and I’ve been busy trying to sort that out.”
Her eyes widened. “Really? Do tell!”
“Well, not poison exactly. More like drug.”
But, of course, I had to tell her everything.
“That was a narrow escape,” she said, when I’d finished. “Toy’s a real rat. And Blazeann is just plain stupid.”
“You know Toy wants to take Lucient as her consort?”
“Lady of light, poor old Lucy. Why on earth must she torment him like that? Now what about my letter?”
She seemed much more anxious than she had been before. She kept rubbing her hands as if she were washing them. What could it be? Something as serious as crystal-smuggling. What else could be that serious? Curiosity was eating me up.
“We need the combination to Toy’s treasure box,” I said.
“Does it need to be the right number, or can you try a few on the chance?” asked Shadow.
“No. Those things are built to be touchy,” said Klea “It’s the right number or nothing. Sometimes you set them off even with the right numbers. Maybe Lucy would know the combination. Ask him, will you? And search Toy’s maid’s room. Toy sometimes gives her things to mind.”
“Very well,” I said, irritated at being ordered about so heedlessly. Elders are one thing, but your cousins... That’s annoying. “But you need to keep your side of the bargain. This is no place for Shadow. What if Illuminus had let his hunting cats into the garden?”
“I’ll put him on the roof next time, if you like. There’s lots of places to hide here. There were all these weird mice at the hut. They gave us the shivers.”
“You didn’t think to kill them?”
“Yes, I did, but there might have been more. Those woods are scary. There’s a tree that moves, just by the clearing. And something is talking. I’m not sure what. It didn’t actually make any sense.”
“It’s probably a night spirit. You know, those tree-climbing things with the big ears. They make a sound like talking.”
“It’s not fair on Shadow to leave him there alone. He wanted to come.”
It seemed so ridiculous that a mage like Klea should be scared of the woods, but I thought of the Mooncat that might still be out there and decided to stop being difficult.
“Well, you might be best to go back to the hut now,” I said.
“I guess. I wish I could help poor old Lucy.”
“Maybe you should get him to come and live with you.”
“Not unless he’s willing to lose his allowance. Impi insists everyone lives under the same roof. He says it keeps us respectable. As if.”
“So why hasn’t he cut your allowance?”
“He did. And Mother let him, too, damn her. But my dear friend Fabi Trudison got me work as a singer at the Golden Bubble in Crystalline. So I don’t need my allowance.”
“Do they pay a lot?” I asked. Her boots were the very finest leather.
She laughed. “Not much but, oh, darling, it’s lovely in Crystalline. Everyone’s so excited to meet a member of the Imperial Family. And be seen out at the best eating houses with one. And have her wear their clothing. And as for loving... The place is full of rich merchants who would adore to have it whispered that they’re my favourite, and if I bloom because of it...?” She threw out her hands. “Think of the kudos for them.”
The lucky beast. Magic, looks and all this too.
“Oh, look at you, all envious,” she cried, surprising me with her perception. She pinched my cheek lightly. “Come down to Crystalline and join in. You’re a member of the Imperial Family too. A ghostie girl like you would be a big hit there. Everyone’s crazy for ghostie things at the moment.”
“Small problem of how I’d eat,” I said.
“Oh, nonsense. We’d find you something to do in the theatre and my friends’ll pay for your food.” She patted my cheek. I didn’t believe a word she said, but I couldn’t help smiling at her. “Come on. We’d have lots of fun. I’ll take care of you. I promise.”
“I can’t leave Eff,” I said. “This place would go back to rack and ruin.”
A door slammed and people started laughing on the other side of the garden.
“We should go back to the hut,” said Shadow.
“I know, I know. Don’t worry, little Shadow. I’ll look after you,” said Klea.
She put her arm round Shadow’s waist and pulled her hat down low over her head to dim her crystal light. “Shine, find that letter or I’ll be unable to help you. Let us return to our elegant abode, Sirrah Shadow!”
With a rustle of leaves they shot up into the air and very quickly her light was gone.
I called Katti a couple of times, but in typical cat fashion she had got interested in something else and gone off. I knew I should go and talk to Eff, or at the very least go to bed, but it was hard to leave the warm fire. I lay down on the bench feeling drowsy and cosy, thinking I’d lie here and get really warm before going up to my chill room.
It only seemed like a moment later that I was woken up by someone shaking my arm.
“You should go to bed,” said Hagen Stellason. “Preferably with me.”
“Oh, don’t be such a pepper groin,” I said, rubbing my eyes. I thought about Klea and the ghost, and scanned the winter house for any sign that they’d been there. No sign. It looked like Hagen had safely missed them.
He sat down on the bench and offered me a drink from a flask, which I declined. I didn’t need to feel any sleepier.
“So who put you up to changing your aunt’s smokeweed this evening?” He’d taken hold of my arm.
“No one!” I cried. “This is not your business. Will you unhand me, man?” I slapped his hands away.
“Now come,” he said. “Tell me who. And why.”
This was getting annoying.
“Nobody. Do you think I can’t think for myself? I overheard... some people talking and decided to do something about it.”
“Why not tell Lord Impavidus?”
“You’re joking. He doesn’t like me. And how do I know he’s not involved? I’ve no time for the mages’ petty politics. The only thing I care about is the Blessing. If Splendance had been taken ill... It would be a nightmare. No crops for the next year at least.”
“Nothing to you. You’d eat.”
“That’s a selfish attitude. You’re a town dweller, aren’t you? Here, people go hungry when the crop fails.”
“Yes I’ve heard you radicals
are very close to the peasants.”
“All good estates are run with the peasants in mind,” I retorted.
“So no one put you up to it? I’m not sure I believe you.”
“Believe what you like. It’s hardly any of your business.”
He stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“You are a remarkably clever little person,” he said. “So what’s going on with you and Illuminus? He’s spending so much time in your room I’m beginning to think you are having a Blessing affair with him as well.”
I couldn’t help laughing. “Illuminus! I’m not doing anything with that stupid dog. Hey, I’ve heard a rumour that he’s a crystal smuggler.”
Looking back, I don’t know why I said that. At the time, it seemed like a good idea to tell someone who might be able to do something useful with the information.
His face thinned to seriousness. “Who told you that? Your cousin Bright?”
“Perhaps,” I said, suddenly realising I might have got myself into trouble. What if Hagen was Illuminus’ man? Or if I had betrayed the ghost?
“Did Bright bring you something?” asked Hagen.
“Some books,” I said casually. “Nothing else. I guess Illuminus thinks he left something else, though. I figure that’s why he’s been searching my room.”
“You are a clever little person, aren’t you? Why is the family keeping such a clever little person holed up here in the country?”
“Lady Glisten has just been telling me they’re too poor to do anything else. And I’m damn good at running my mother’s estate. And cheap. Apparently.”
“Which will be the real reason they keep you here,” said Hagen. “You should be careful of Illuminus. Try not to be alone with him.”
“And how would I prevent that?” I said. “Well, I guess if I took you to my bed I’d be safer, wouldn’t I?”
He grinned. “It’s one way. “
I laughed and he leaned forward.
“I could get you out of here,” he said. “My master has a need for clever people to serve him.”
Another pointless lure; I was here at Willow for as long as Eff was. But that didn’t mean I couldn’t pretend to be interested. And I wondered if he knew the combination to Toy’s treasure box. How to ask him?
