Guild Mage: Apprentice

41. Freeport

The capitol was at least twice the size of Whitehill, with street upon street of merchants’ shops, houses, inns and taverns, and buildings that served no purpose that Liv had ever seen before.

"What’s that?" she asked, for probably the third time, jabbing her finger at the carriage window.

"A theater," Master Grenfell said. "For an acting troupe to perform regularly."

"An acting troupe?" She turned her face back into the carriage, looking between the mage and the chirurgeon.

"I sometimes forget you’ve never been out of the mountains," Mistress Trafford remarked. "Men who dress up in costume and act out a story on stage. The whole business is often quite rowdy and disreputable. We’re not passing through the best part of town, at the moment."

"Do you think we can go and see?" Liv wondered aloud, turning back to the window. Now that it had been mentioned, she did notice a few men who seemed obviously drunk, along with a beggar who’d set up shop with his bowl at the end of an alley.

"Certainly not without an escort," the chirurgeon told her. "You’re a young woman under the care of House Summerset, and here in Freeport that means what you do will reflect on Baron Henry. While you haven’t officially been adopted as a ward of the family, it’s close enough people will treat you that way. You can’t be seen in public some place like that among the rabble. Perhaps in one of the boxes."

The procession of carriage and mounted guards turned a corner onto a street that led downhill, toward the ocean. Now that Liv had time to examine it, she saw two arms of land stretching out to embrace the water, far enough away to just be visible along the outer edges of the horizon. "The bay must be enormous," she observed.

"It is." Grenfell nodded. "No reefs this far north, like there are at Coral Bay, but there are several sandbars to break the worst of the surf. Three, if I recall correctly. To the south are the city docks, where fishers and trading ships weigh anchor. You can see them there," he said, leaning over to point out her window. Liv followed his finger to a forest of masts, all standing up from scores of ships tied up to the quays. Above, white birds circled low, as if hunting for something.

"What’s that to the north, then?" Liv asked.

"The King’s Port," Master Grenfell explained. "For the exclusive use of the royal family and their guests. Much smaller, and walled away from the rest of the city, along with the entire palace compound. We’re going in that direction, though not inside."

"Does Baron Henry own a house here?" Liv asked.

"He does," Grenfell said. "Though he’s rented it out for many years now. We are going to Acton House, where Lady Julianne lived as a young woman. It has remained in her possession, one of her wedding gifts from her father, if I recall correctly."

Around them, the rather disreputable neighborhood of the theater gave way to walled estates and wide streets as the procession turned and made its way north. The houses were all at least three stories, if not four or five, and each was made entirely of stone, though they had far too many windows to be defended like a castle. Even the walls looked, compared to Castle Whitehill, rather ornamental. They were often of brick or iron, or perhaps of stone that matched the home they closed off, and some weren’t even as tall as a man. Even here, however, there were signs of those less fortunate: a young girl with sunken cheeks and an old dress watched the procession pass with solemn eyes.

Finally, the procession wheeled to the left and passed through a gate of wrought iron, where two guards held the way open for them. Beyond the gate was a circle paved with cobblestones, where the three carriages had plenty of room to pull to a halt in front of the house. The center of the circle was unpaved, and featured a marble fountain surrounded by a flower garden, now somewhat wilted in the late days of harvest season.

The house itself was of white stone, with wide steps leading up to the door. It was four stories tall, with a wing extending out to either side, all surrounded by more gardens. Beyond the house, Liv could see the ocean, though the water looked somewhat distant and below their current height. Lined up to receive them were a dozen or more servants, including maids, cooks, and one portly man with a wild mop of white hair.

Master Grenfell led the way out of the carriage, then extended a hand to help out first Mistress Trafford, and then Liv, who made certain to tuck her spellbook under her left arm and take her staff in the other.

"Lady Julianne," the portly man exclaimed, opening his arms wide.

"Basil!" Liv was surprised to see Julianne rush forward and embrace the man.

"It’s been far too long, my lady," Basil exclaimed, catching her by the shoulders so that he could examine her at arm’s length. "You look well."

"And you look like you’ve gotten old," she teased him. "You remember my husband," Julianne said, stepping away from the portly man.

"Baron Henry." Basil extended his hand, and Liv saw that the guards had already unpacked the litter which was used to transport the crippled man. Henry took the man’s hand from his seated position.

"Basil, this is our son, Matthew," Henry said, beckoning the young lord forward. "Basil is Steward of Acton House, and has been in your mother’s service for many years."

"It is my honor to meet you, Lord Matthew," Basil said. "We have all greatly looked forward to this day. Baron Henry, Lady Julianne, the house stands ready to receive you, and we are all at your service."

"Excellent," Julianne said. "Rooms have been prepared for Master Grenfell and Mistress Trafford?" Basil offered his hand to the master mage first, and then proceeded to the chirurgeon.

"Of course," he said. "I believe you will both find your chambers quite adequate. And I believe there was one more? You asked for a daughter’s room to be prepared?"

"Indeed," Julianne said, beckoning Liv forward. "This is Miss Brodbeck, Apprentice of the mages’ guild. While she is not officially a ward of the family, that is how the staff should treat her."

Basil’s eyes flicked to Liv’s ears, and she resisted the urge to flinch. Rather than say anything cruel, he took her hand and bowed over it. "Our young miss was always very kind," he said, meeting her eyes. "It does not surprise me at all to find she has taken in such a treasure. Ah! Archie, you old scoundrel! Get over here!"

Liv blinked, unable to square her image of the first footman with the sight of Basil catching Archibald up in a bear hug and pounding him on the back. Indeed, Archibald stiffened for a moment, as if he might resist, but then relented and hugged Basil back.

"I see you haven’t changed a bit," Archibald muttered. "No sense of propriety whatsoever."

"Not a bit!" Basil said. "I don’t think I’ve had a good partner at honours since you’ve left."

"No scandals this time," Henry warned the two of them.

"Of course not!" Basil promised. "We’re old men now, after all. Much more dignified. Come on in, come along, let’s get you all settled."

Liv found herself led up to the third floor by a mousy-looking maid who ushered her into a suite panelled in finely carved wood, with carpets, a small fireplace and mantel, end tables, a desk and chair, and oil lamps ready to be lit. There were even two cushioned benches, like the one in Lady Julianne’s room at Whitehill, for receiving guests. Beyond, through a doorway, she saw a four post bed already made and with the curtains drawn aside.

"This can’t be the correct room," Liv said, turning to the servant. "I’m not actually a member of the family."

"We were instructed to prepare the room meant for the eldest daughter of the house for Miss Brodbeck," the maid said.

"It’s too much," Liv muttered. This was more luxurious than any room at Castle Whitehill. It had been one thing to be told that Lady Julianne was the king’s daughter, but now Liv was starting to get an inkling of just what sort of wealth she’d grown up with.

"If anything isn’t up to your standards, m’lady, just let me know and I’ll have it fixed," the maid said. "I’ll have your things unpacked shortly."

"I’m sorry," Liv said, turning away from the bed chamber. "Did you say you’ll unpack my things?"

"I’m to be your maid while you’re at Acton House," the woman said, curtsying. "Thora, at your service, m’lady."

"Your pardon," Liv said. "I’m not used to having a maid. Please forgive me if I don’t do things quite correctly." The sight of the bay caught her attention, and she walked over to the window to get a better look.

Acton House, it turned out, was perched above the dunes, with a long stair of cut stones leading down from the gardens behind the house to the beach below. Liv couldn’t imagine how much it had cost to wall the entire thing in, down to the sand. There, the wall turned inward, and a second iron gate closed off the stairs that led up to the house.

"If you go down to bathe in the bay, be certain you take one of the guards," Thora cautioned her, coming up beside Liv to point out the window. "You can’t build on the sand, really. So while the house is private, any one of the neighbors could come wandering along the beach. Mostly it isn’t a problem, since the houses to either side of us are all owned by families of good quality."

"I don’t need anyone to guard me," Liv said. Would the girl have urged Matthew to take someone for protection? He hadn’t even been able to kill one of the blood-monsters, while she’d taken care of two.

"That’s right, you’re a mage, aren’t you?" Thora commented. "That must be wonderful. I can’t even imagine. Anyway, there’ll be tea served in the library, when you’re ready. I can show you the way?"

"Please," Liv said. She almost - almost - set her staff against the wall in the corner. After all, the house was walled in and private, and Baron Henry had brought six of his best men, including Piers, whom she’d known for years. But then she thought of the night at the Sign of the Terrapin, and kept it in her hand.

"That’s a magic staff, is it?" Thora asked her, as they descended the grand staircase to the second floor.

"Not magic itself, really," Liv said, absently. Everywhere she looked were thick tapestries, sculptures on pedestals, and rich panelling of carved and polished wood. "It helps me to focus my mana, so that I don’t waste so much when I cast a spell."

"It’s funny," Thora said. "You don’t see most young ladies carrying one of those. Maybe because they haven’t been to college yet? Here’s the library, m’lady. Ring if you need me."

"Thank you, Thora," Liv said, and stepped through the door.

The library could have fit four of the old baron’s Room of Curiosities inside it. Every wall was stuffed full of books, with built-in shelves reaching up to the ceiling. A fire was banked in the hearth, and a low circular table had been set with a pot of tea, cups, and trays of snacks. Cushioned chairs and benches were arranged around the table, and two men rose when Liv entered.

"Ah, my Apprentice," Master Grenfell said, reaching out an arm to invite Liv over. "I’d like you to meet my nephew, Isaac Grenfell, Baron Ashford. Isaac, this is Liv Brodbeck."

"A pleasure to meet you, my lord," Liv said, offering a curtsy. It still felt odd not to shorten the address, but she could practically feel Lady Julianne glaring over her shoulder, even if the woman wasn’t actually in the room. The baron took her hand and bowed.

"Apprentice," he said, then released her. "I feel I know you from my uncle’s letters." Isaac was clearly several decades younger than her teacher: where his hair was now more gray than black, the younger Grenfell wore a neatly trimmed mustache and beard as dark as midnight. "If I had a son the right age, I would have brought him along," he said. "But my eldest is only ten. A pity. I was just bringing Uncle Kazimir up to date on how the council is shaping up."

"Then don’t let me stop you," Lady Julianne said, striding into the room. "My husband would greet you, Baron Isaac, but travel is difficult for him these days. He has retired to his rooms, but be assured that you are most welcome."

"Thank you, my lady," Isaac said, stepping forward to take Julianne’s hand. "It is a pleasure to see you again. Duke Thomas will be here tomorrow, they say, and I imagine we’ll all be meeting up once he’s settled."

"I intend to visit my father tonight," Julianne said. "Please, everyone, take a seat. I imagine my son will be down in a moment, but we don’t need to wait for him." Liv made certain everyone else sat before she did, and then took it upon herself to pour tea, beginning with Lady Julianne. "Thank you, Liv," the baron’s wife said.

"The king rarely received visitors these days," Isaac said. "I must warn you, Julianne, your father has grown old in your absence. The man’s over seventy. Most audiences these days are held by Queen Milicent or Prince Benedict."

"My father will see me," Julianne said, with all the certainty of a rock tumbling down the mountainside.

Isaac accepted his tea, and shrugged. "As you say. It’s good you brought Miss Brodbeck here; Princess Milisant is hosting tea for the young ladies of the court tomorrow. I don’t have a daughter to send, but I suspect there will be just enough novelty about the apprentice, here, that she would be received."

"The queen and the princess have the same name?" Liv asked, frowning. With everyone else served, she found a seat in one of the cushioned chairs.

"Quite a statement, isn’t it?" Isaac said, turning to offer her a smile. "Really tells you where Benedict’s mind is at. He’s more of a Sherard than anyone wants to say out loud."

"House Sherard," Master Grenfell explained to Liv, "is the queen’s family. Be cautious around them."

"You might as well come out and say it, Uncle," Isaac broke in. "They’re snakes." The door to the library opened, and everyone looked up to see who it was. Liv let out a breath when she saw it was Matthew.

"Ah, good," Julianne said. "Isaac, this is my son, Matthew. He’ll be off to Coral Bay shortly. Matthew, this is Isaac Grenfell, Baron Ashford."

"A pleasure to meet you, young man," Isaac said, rising to clasp Matthew’s hand in his own. Liv leaned forward, lifted the teapot from the table, and poured another cup, which she handed to Matthew as he came over to take a seat.

"If we’re to send Liv to a tea at the palace, I need the seamstress this afternoon, rather than tomorrow," Lady Julianne said, reclaiming her seat. "Matthew, you will escort her there, with two of the guards. It will give you a chance to meet some of the young women of the court when you drop her off and pick her up. Perhaps you can even bump shoulders with some of their brothers, while you’re at it."

"Yes, Mother," Matthew said, leaning back in his chair. "Don’t be looking to marry me quite yet, though. There’s plenty of time for that after college. I want to do some travelling first."

"If there’s an alliance to be made to help the family, you’ll do it without complaint," his mother shot back. "That’s enough about our enemies, Isaac. What friends do we have coming?"

"Thomas Falkenrath, of course," Baron Isaac said. "Miss Brodbeck, I imagine you’ll meet his daughter, Cecily, tomorrow at tea. The Crosbie’s have been at it with the Trading Guild; I think with a bit of work, we could have their vote. If you had a second son, we could wrap up the Corbett’s, but that’s right out. What Duke Richard will do is anyone’s guess, but I can’t see why he would side with the guilds over us."

"I thought we were meeting about the monsters," Liv said. Everyone turned to look at her, and she flushed. "I mean, because of the fire in the sky, and the blood-things rampaging through the countryside."

"That’s why King Roland called for a great council, certainly," Isaac said. "But once the politics begin, they won’t stop at that. My people tell me the guilds finally have enough votes to make their push."

"Their push?" Liv asked. Any talk of the guilds always made her think of the old mayor, Alban Cooper, and how he’d tried to take advantage of her.

"For seats on the great council," Lady Julianne explained. "They’ve been trying for thirty years, and for thirty years they’ve been put off. But money can buy a great many things, and I fear it’s finally bought them enough influence to make their play."

"This whole place is a snakepit," Master Grenfell said.

"Are you starting to understand, Liv, why I was so eager to flee to the mountains?" Julianne asked. "There’s no helping it, however. Now we’re here, it’s time to sharpen our knives. Matthew, Liv, you’ll both have your parts to play, and that begins tomorrow."