The Marriage of Gryphons (Penny White Book 3)

by Chrys Cymri

  I bit my lip. ‘Even if I could get you some antibiotics, I’m not certain what dose you’d need.’

  James hovered at a distance which ensured that he wouldn’t be asked to assist. ‘What about the unicorn horn?’

  ‘You still have it?’ Morey asked me.

  ‘Wrapped and hidden away in my wardrobe,’ I confirmed. ‘But, James, you must keep that to yourself. We don’t need people invading Lloegyr to hunt unicorns for their horns. Think what’s happened to rhinos on our world.’

  ‘But we might as well use it,’ James said. ‘Just a small bit of horn saved Clyde’s life, after all. Shave off a bit. I’m sure it could heal Morey’s ear.’

  The snail shark, perched on the kitchen table nearby, chirped in agreement.

  ‘I’m not ingesting powdered unicorn horn,’ Morey stated. ‘Who knows what it might do to me.’

  ‘Doesn’t seem to have harmed Clyde,’ I pointed out. ‘But we don't have to give it to you in a drink. I’ll just touch you with the tip.’

  ‘I’ll visit a doctor.’ Morey fluffed his feathers.

  ‘When?’

  ‘I’ll do it now in a minute.’

  ‘And if that doesn’t work?’ James asked. ‘Then the horn?’

  ‘Then the horn,’ Morey agreed reluctantly. ‘Now, Black, you do remember that my matriarch’s coming round this evening? You will be back in time?’

  ‘Don’t worry, I’ll be back in time.’ I wound a fresh bandage around his ear, and my brother opened the door for him to fly out. Then I scooped Clyde off the table. ‘James and I are going to be gone all day,’ I told the snail as I carried him into the back garden. ‘But I’ve had this built for you.’

  The dog run took up a good third of the garden. The chain-linked fence was six feet tall, and the grass inside had been stripped back to ankle length. At the far end was a small doghouse, with a heater installed into an upper corner.

  I opened the gate, and stepped inside. Clyde looked around, his body grey with disapproval. ‘Garden.’

  ‘No, Clyde,’ I said firmly. ‘I know you can climb the fence, now that your foot is as big as my hand. I’ve seen you. Can I trust you to roam free? A lot of my neighbours have cats.’

  ‘Cats,’ he repeated hungrily, his body now pulsing orange and yellow. ‘Tasty?’

  ‘You’re not going to find out.’ I put him down and walked back out again, shutting the gate firmly behind me. ‘But look, there’s no top. Birds can still get in.’ Between Clyde and Morey’s hunting habits, I was surprised that there were any garden birds left in the greater Northampton area.

  I glanced at my wristwatch and hurried back into the house. ‘Ten minutes,’ I told James before gulping down the last of my coffee. ‘I’ll drive.’

  He grinned. ‘I’d get us to the train station quicker.’

  ‘I’m not planning to pack an extra pair of underwear.’

  At least my choice of what to put on was easy. I went up to my bedroom, and pulled out a black clerical shirt and my best suit jacket. Morey’s claws had left a few holes along the shoulders of the grey material, and I scrubbed in vain at the marks. My black trousers had been ironed for the first time in months. I slid my feet into a new pair of dark shoes, fed a plastic dog collar into my shirt, and felt ready to face the world. And government ministers.

  James was already at the wheel of his yellow BMW Z3. I decided that we didn't have time for an argument, so I dropped into the passenger seat and bunched my coat into my lap.

  Despite my worry, we arrived in good time to park and find our platform for the train to London Euston. Only once we had taken our seats did I take a good look at what my brother was wearing. ‘Very smart.’

  James ran a hand down his dark jacket. The blue shirt clung to him as if tailor made, and the striped tie looked equally expensive. ‘Debbie’s dead impressed that I’m going to meet the Prime Minister.’

  ‘But we’re not meeting the Prime Minister,’ I said. ‘The reception is with the Minister without Portfolio, Sue Harkness.’

  ‘Debbie won’t know that.’ James ran a hand through his brown hair. ‘Do you think I can take a selfie with the minister?’

  I sighed. ‘James. Don’t make me regret choosing you as my plus one.’

  ‘Morey doesn’t look as great in a suit.’

  ‘Actually, Morey wasn’t invited.’ I drew the letter from my inside jacket pocket. ‘The reception is for Vicar Generals, or equivalent, across the Church of England. But it specifically states, “Associates/Familiars are expected to make other arrangements for the day, as this is a gathering for humans only.”’

  James frowned. ‘I wonder why that is. Are you going to ask?’

  ‘I wasn’t planning to.’ Actually, I was somewhat nervous about meeting the minister. Two bishops, my human one and a dragon one from Lloegyr, had told me off for taking matters into my own hands when I’d convinced the board of Wiseman Agricultural that Lloegyr didn’t exist. I just hoped that I wasn’t going to be pulled aside for some official governmental reprimand.

  The miles slipped past the windows, and we arrived at Euston Station on time. My bishop had given me permission to claim the expense of a taxi to Whitehall. The frosty temperature as we waited outside the door of an imposing cream-coloured building made me shiver, despite the coat over my suit jacket. I slipped my hands into my trouser pockets, and froze. A swear word escaped before I could help myself.

  James glanced at me. ‘What’s wrong?’

  I swallowed hard. ‘I’m still carrying my penknife.’

  My brother whistled, low and long. ‘Into a ministerial office? Don’t they still hang people for that?’

  ‘This is serious,’ I hissed. ‘More likely they’ll confiscate it, and I’ll never see the knife again.’

  ‘So what?’ James shrugged. ‘You can buy another one, can’t you?’

  ‘This one was specially made for me.’ My fingers curled protectively around the warm wood handle. ‘I can’t lose it.’

  The door pulled open. ‘Welcome,’ said a man who was either a butler or a security agent. Or both. ‘Names, please?’

  Too late now. I could only hope that early confession might restore the penknife to my hands upon our departure. ‘Reverend Penelope White, and Mister James White. I have--’

  The man’s hand flashed out, and the metal detector was sweeping over our bodies before I could say another word. ‘Please step inside, and I’ll check your ID in the warm.’

  I slid my hand free, and handed over my passport. A man glided over and smoothly removed our coats. I tugged down my jacket lapels, and caught James’ smile. ‘Alan always called that your battle gesture. Like a knight getting her armour ready before a fight.’

  ‘So he did.’ I braced myself, but the pang of sorrow I usually felt at the mention of my dead husband did not come. It has been more than two years, I reminded myself, so don’t start feeling guilty.

  A smartly dressed woman led us up an imposing set of stairs. ‘Looks like you worried about nothing,’ James said in a low voice as we passed portraits of important looking men, many mounted on horses.

  I didn’t dare respond. The knife blade had been forged from a meteorite which Raven had obtained specifically for that purpose, but surely the iron should have set off the metal detector?

  We emerged into a hallway. My shoes sank into the thick carpet. More paintings lined the cream walls. My fingers curled into my hands as I saw a realistic portrait of a unicorn. The dark eyes seemed to catch my own. I wondered if I could ever see a unicorn again without suppressing a shudder.

  Tall leather-covered doors swished open. ‘The Reverend Penelope White, Vicar General for Incursions in Nenehampton Diocese,’ the woman announced. ‘And her brother, Mister James Alfred White.’

  Around fifty people were milling around in the large room. I blinked for a moment as my eyes adjusted to the bright light streaming through the tall windows. A glance upwards confirmed that the ceiling was as heavily decorated as the w
alls, mostly in images which I assumed were from Greek or Roman mythology.

  ‘Penny?’ A large dark-haired woman pulled away from a group and strode over. ‘Kate Amhurst. Good to finally meet thee.’

  ‘Kate.’ I accepted her hand with enthusiasm. ‘How are things in Banbury?’

  ‘Ah, tha ‘members me.’ Her bright green eyes matched her dress. ‘T’was good o’ thee to help me ‘bout Lloegyr.’

  ‘I’m certain others here could have helped you equally as well,’ I said. ‘Can I introduce you to--’ But my brother had already wandered off, and was speaking to a young woman holding a plate of canapés. I wondered if Debbie’s days were already numbered.

  ‘Did I hear that you’re Penny?’ The man who wandered over was wearing a black cassock. His pale face and white hair were a startling contrast. He held out his hand, and I made the welcome discovery that a glass of wine had somehow appeared in my hand. I carefully shifted the glass to my left, and accepted the hand shake. ‘Albert Sherring, Wye Diocese. I’ve been meaning to speak to you.’

  I took a sip of wine. And made immediate plans to liberate another glass. A vicar’s budget doesn't run to champagne. ‘What about?’

  ‘I’d like to arrange a conference for us Vicar Generals,’ Albert explained. ‘With our Associates, of course. Sometime in the autumn, perhaps. Would you be interested? I think a get-together could be good for us all.’

  ‘Definitely,’ I agreed. ‘What about our ecumenical partners?’

  ‘Monsignor Abelli,’ Kate offered. ‘He covers all o’ t’ country fer the Catholics.’

  ‘Let me have his contact details,’ Albert said with a nod. ‘Are you both full time?’

  ‘Nay,’ Kate said. ‘Not much call to deal wit’ Lloegyr in our diocese.’

  ‘I’m half time.’ I felt the usual twinge of regret. ‘I also look after a small parish.’

  Albert peered down at me. ‘Seems a bit short-sighted of your bishop. There’s more to being a Vicar General than just dealing with those who wander through thin places.’

  ‘It was Bishop Nigel’s decision,’ I said, forcing myself to be loyal. ‘I take it you’re full time?’

  ‘Oh, yes, there have been some interesting mission opportunities--’

  Albert cut himself off as people turned towards the door. A man announced loudly, ‘The Right Honourable Susan Harkness.’

  ‘Thank you, George,’ said the minister as she strode into the room. She was about my height, which immediately made me warm to her. Her shoulder length hair was dark grey, and laugh lines softened her determined face. The impeccably cut red skirt suit made her glow against the dark clothes worn by most of the priests. ‘As you were, please. Lunch will be served at noon, so there’s plenty of time to enjoy some chat and drinks.’

  I turned back to Albert. ‘What do you have as an Associate? A gryphon?’

  ‘A were-owl.’ He grinned at my look. ‘I know, it seems very Harry Potter to walk around with a tawny owl on my shoulder. If I ever want to wind him up, I threaten to send him off with some post.’

  I managed to speak briefly with more of my counterparts, and meet their spouses, before we were summoned through to the dining room. The number of utensils lined up beside the plates warned me that we were in for a long eating session. I only hoped that I’d be able to work out which course demanded which fork.

  James was placed on my right. This did nothing to stop him from flattering the young woman on his other side. The fact she wore both a dog collar and an engagement ring seemed to make no difference to James’ patter. I sighed inwardly, and turned my head to talk to the heavy-set man on my left.

  The courses were announced in Welsh. I was pleased to be able to work out what most were before the food arrived. We had a soup of smoked salmon, leek and potatoes, before a main course of Welsh lamb. Dessert was Welsh cakes. The wines were unfamiliar to me, but I assumed that these were Welsh as well.

  I was tucking into crumbly Caerphilly cheese when the Minister without Portfolio rose to her feet. The room fell silent as she beamed at us. ‘I'm very grateful that you’ve all come here today. I know how busy your lives are. This is my opportunity to thank you, on behalf of Her Majesty’s Government, for all the work you do with our sister country, Lloegyr. I hope to talk to more of you over coffee, but please do contact my office should you ever need help or advice.’

  We were escorted through to a wood panelled library. I decided to have my coffee black to counteract some of the effects of the champagne. And the two glasses of white wine which had followed. Small chocolates nestled in nearby bowls, and I took two.

  ‘Reverend Penny?’

  I slipped the chocolates into my jacket pocket, hoping that they wouldn’t melt through their gleaming wrappers. ‘Minister,’ I replied, turning to face her.

  She laughed. ‘Oh, Sue, please. How are things in Nenehampton? You do seem to get more than your fair share of incursions.’

  ‘I understand we have more thin places than other dioceses.’

  ‘Have there been any incidences which particularly concern you?’

  Did she know about the murders carried out by unicorns? The snail shark infestation which had brought Clyde into my life? The death of Miranda in a dragon’s longhouse? ‘So far, so good,’ I said carefully. ‘My Associate is a great help. He would have enjoyed being here today.’

  Her smile slipped. ‘All Associates are citizens of Lloegyr.’

  ‘Well, yes, of course.’

  ‘And their first loyalty will be to their own country.’ Then she was back to full on cheerfulness. ‘What species accompanies you, Penny?’

  ‘A small gryphon.’ I took several gulps of coffee, wishing I were more sober for this conversation. ‘He’s already destroyed one winter coat. Those claws are lethal.’

  ‘I’m sorry to say that I haven’t been outside today.’ Sue waved a hand. ‘I have a small flat upstairs. Is it that cold?’

  ‘You could say that,’ James said, suddenly at my elbow. ‘It’s cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey.’

  ‘James,’ I remonstrated quietly and fiercely.

  Sue laughed. ‘The phrase is a naval one, Penny. It refers to the brass structure on which cannon balls were stacked.’

  ‘This is my brother, James,’ I said.

  The minister shook his hand. ‘You live with your sister, I believe?’

  ‘Have for most of my life,’ he replied breezily. ‘Somehow I’ve managed to survive.’

  ‘Oh, I’m sorry.’ Sue winced. ‘I heard that you were orphaned very young. You’re an expert in IT, I understand? I’ve heard that you did some good work in New Zealand.’

  James started to boast about his networking skills. I hid my face behind my coffee cup. The amount that the minister seemed to know about us was slightly alarming. Then I told myself not to be paranoid. She had only revealed information which was public knowledge, after all.

  ‘And it’s great that the temps are usually higher in Lloegyr,’ James was saying. ‘I’ve crossed over a couple of times. Like going to Tenerife for winter sun, only cheaper.’

  ‘Don’t go today,’ Sue warned him. ‘There’s been a real cold snap for a week. There’s even a frost fair on their Thames.’

  Suddenly I was very sober. ‘Frost fair? Llundain has frost fairs?’

  ‘When Afon Tafwys freezes solid.’ She studied me for a moment. ‘You’d like to see a frost fair?’

  ‘If I were welcomed into the TARDIS,’ I said fervently, ‘that’s where I’d ask to be taken.’

  ‘Which Doctor?’

  ‘Sylvester McCoy.’ My loyalty to the Seventh Doctor was unwavering.

  ‘Jon Pertwee will always be my Doctor,’ Sue replied. She leaned in close. ‘I need to go and mingle, but stay behind when the rest leave.’

  ‘What’s a frost fair?’ James asked as Sue marched away.

  My giddiness had little to do with the wine. ‘Sounds like you might get to see for yourself.’

 
I concentrated on downing black coffee as Sue worked the room. Kate came over for another chat, and we agreed on a date to meet. After what was no more than thirty minutes, but which felt like an eternity, the minister asked for our attention. She gave a short speech about the importance of our work, and then handed out black boxes to each of us. Of course most of us immediately peered inside. A beautiful wooden pen rested inside mine. I hoped it wasn’t too valuable, as Clyde had the habit of shredding any pen left within his reach.

  My fellow priests and their guests began to leave. James and I hung back, pretending to be intensely interested in one of the books lying open on a desk. Finally we were alone with Sue. Well, alone beyond a bodyguard and three waiting staff.

  The minister grinned as she joined us. ‘There’s a thin place in the cellar. Come with me, and I’ll get you to the fair.’

  Chapter Four

  The cellar was large and warm. The mix of tables and chairs made me suspect that it was used for informal functions. Sue pointed at a rack of thick boots, and James and I each found a pair. Then she handed us two full length coats. I shuddered as my fingers sank into the soft depths. ‘It’s fur.’

  James held his out at arm’s length. ‘I don’t want to wear dead animals.’

  ‘It’s perishing cold in Llundain,’ Sue said patiently, ‘and it’s best that you blend in. If we send you through wearing something from human-made fibres, you’ll stand out. Besides, aren’t you wearing leather shoes? What’s the difference between a dead animal on your feet or a dead animal on your shoulders?’

  ‘A lot,’ James muttered. ‘At least we eat the cow.’

  ‘Ever thought what sort of life that cow had?’ Sue asked. ‘Much of our leather comes from countries like India and China, which don’t enforce animal welfare laws. On your feet, you’re wearing the product of a factory farmed animal. That coat is about a hundred years old. The minks were living in the wild before they were trapped. They had a life before they died.’

  I slipped into my coat. The brown fur was enticingly soft. The sleeves were longer than my arms, and the bottom of the coat reached below my knees. With a sense of guilty pleasure, I stroked the long fibres.