The Apprenticeship of Julian St. Albans

by Crook, Amy

  Alex finished off his second cup of tea and stood; there was nothing but crumbs left on the plate. “I’ll bring this,” he said, grabbing the cake box with a proprietary air.

  Geoff chuckled. “I’ll make sure you don’t eat it on the way,” he said, standing and stretching, watching as the dishes floated into the kitchen and began washing themselves. “Damn, how do you get a house-brownie again?”

  Alex chuckled. “I’ve no idea, mine arrived by recommendation.”

  “Hm, well, at the very least I’ll have to start putting bread and honey out again, I used to but I broke my bowl and then there were ants,” said Geoff with a sigh. “You’ve got a set of charmed bowls, right?”

  They went outside to show him the bowl, and a full one even appeared by the door inside to be swapped on their way out, which gave Geoff a chance to admire them. “These are nice, were they expensive?”

  “I don’t know, Flora gave them to me as a housewarming gift, so I expect so,” said Alex. “But I know there’s less expensive versions, what’s your price range?”

  They locked up and talked about fairy bowls and other such practices on the way to MacLean’s house, snuggled up in a cab with Julian in the middle. Geoff was big and warm and tried to leave a polite distance, but Alex put one long arm across the back of the seat and poked him in the shoulder. “It’s fine, I know you’re not trying to steal my Julian,” he said.

  Geoff flushed and laughed awkwardly, but he relaxed enough to make the rest of the ride more comfortable. “How did you get to be so confident?” said Geoff.

  It was Julian’s turn to look smug. “I make sure he knows I appreciate him,” he said, snuggling up to Alex. “We fit.”

  Alex grinned. “Plus, Horace is still technically mine.”

  That set them to laughing, and the conversation went back to magic, and Geoff even coaxed Julian into talking about his new job a little. “I don’t like to bring it up, you know, in case people think it’s boring,” he said.

  “Well, I’m interested,” said Geoff. “What exactly does your talent do?”

  “Well, the first thing it does is make plants grow better,” said Julian. “I have this sense that tells me what they need, plus I give them energy so they end up more healthy than they would otherwise.”

  “And magical plants are more magical, so they give potions and amulets more oomph,” said Alex. “Which is really useful to have around, let me tell you.”

  “Oh, that’s really neat. Maybe once you’re allowed, we can get you in to work on the infirmary greenhouse. It’s up on the roof, and I’m terrible about keeping it up,” said Geoff.

  “I might be able to do it for free now, depending on what Master Stone says,” said Julian. “She thinks I need more diverse experience, and most of the stuff at her nursery is non-magical things like flowers and houseplants.”

  “Well, once the case is done, I’ll give her a call, then,” said Geoff. “If we get them used to you while you’re an apprentice, maybe you can get an Agency contract like Alex once you’re a journeyman.”

  “Making it a family business,” teased Alex. “Not that I want murder to be our thing,” he added, making a cutely distraught face. “I hate that you got dragged into this one.”

  “It’s not like you did it on purpose,” Julian reassured him, giving Alex a kiss.

  “I’ll get this,” said Alex, as the cab pulled up, and he handed off the cake so he could get out and pay. There was a bit of juggling with everything, but soon enough they were in the elevator on the way up to MacLean’s flat.

  “Why do you still use that cane, anyway?” asked Geoff, as they stepped into the hall.

  “It’s proven its worth,” said Alex.

  “It’s a wand-cane,” said Julian, poking him for being vague. “He uses it for his magic, he’s got all sorts of neat toys.”

  “I do, and I’ve been researching how to make a few more. I had totally forgotten how much I enjoyed making things while I was living off consulting the past few years, so I’m keeping it up,” said Alex.

  “It makes him happy,” said Julian, “and I can sit and read in his lab unless he’s doing dangerous stuff.”

  Alex knocked, and MacLean opened the door with a huge grin on his face. “You brought cake!”

  Julian giggled. “It’s from Alys, we don’t know what it is yet,” he said, “but she likes you, so it’s bound to be good.”

  “She’s not even mad at me for anything,” said Alex, going in when MacLean stepped back.

  “She doesn’t like me that much, but she did give me biscuits with tea,” said Geoff, handing the box off to Thomas.

  Lapointe laughed. “You must’ve thanked her for something, that always makes them grumpy.”

  “Maybe,” said Geoff with a sigh.

  “So, movie first, or me getting to see Thomas’ new game?” asked Julian, settling on the couch next to Lapointe.

  “Cake,” said Thomas and Alex in unison.

  Lapointe laughed and stood. “I will take Alex in to make tea and explore the cake, you show Julian your game.”

  “I’ll go with the boys,” teased Geoff.

  “Yes, the adults will make your snack,” Alex shot back, claiming the cake box from Thomas.

  Julian got up, too, and he and Geoff crowded around Thomas’ gaming computer, with its giant monitor and specialised keyboard setup. Thomas didn’t talk about the hobby much at work, but once you got him started and showed some interest he lit up from the inside, and Julian could see how much he loved it. “All right, what’s this new game again?”

  Thomas launched into an explanation, showing them his character and some of its different gear, and the beautiful castles he was building in the virtual landscape. He’d decorated them inside and out, and he explained which quests got him what stuff, and told Julian all about how they used a mix of real and made-up plants for the magic in the game.

  At some point during his enthusiastic monologue, Alex handed out cups of tea and Lapointe followed with slices of a rich chocolate cake with hints of some floral flavour, enough for Lapointe and Julian to adore it, and the other boys not to mind. They all joined in the conversation around Thomas’ computer.

  “Okay, I admit it, that is really cool,” said Alex, heading over to flop in one of the chairs once Thomas had sheepishly realised they’d spent an hour there.

  “I’m glad you guys weren’t bored,” said Thomas, shutting everything down carefully.

  “It was interesting,” said Murielle; she’d been mostly quiet, but Julian could see she was more fascinated than she let on.

  “But now there needs to be movie, beer, and pizza,” said Geoff, flopping on the other chair, leaving the big sofa for the other three. Julian curled up in a corner, shoes off and sweater on, forcing Thomas and Murielle to sit together.

  “Beer’s in the fridge, what does everyone want on their pizza?” asked Thomas, pulling out his phone.

  The resultant negotiations took another twenty minutes, but their bickering was good-natured, and everyone was happy in the end. They all got started on a beer while they waited for it to show up, and Julian solved the issue of who had how much cash by paying with his card and making Murielle get the tip.

  After that, they started the movie and relaxed, and Alex even scooted his chair close enough to hold hands after the food was gone. The movie was especially interesting to Julian because it explained a lot of little things people said that he never quite understood except from context.

  “Can we watch another?” asked Julian when it was over, which made everyone laugh.

  “I wouldn’t mind, if Thomas isn’t tired of us all yet,” said Alex. “I want more food, though, that pizza wasn’t enough for a working mage.”

  “I demand Padma’s,” said Geoff. “You guys talk about it all the time, but never take me there.”

  “Ooh, so do I,” said Julian, uncurling. “We can eat there and then come back here?”

  “Two cabs, though,” said Alex,
making a face.

  “Nah, we can all fit in Thomas’ giant monster truck,” said Murielle teasingly. “I get shotgun, though.”

  That got protests, both from Thomas about the perfectly reasonable size of his vehicle and everyone else about shotgun, but Thomas agreed to drive them. They spent a few moments straightening up, making sure pizza was in the fridge and bottles in the right bins, and then they all filed out and climbed into the car.

  “This isn’t that big, at least it’s easier to park than a limo,” said Julian, taking the middle again as the shortest. Alex was on his left behind Murielle, with poor Geoff squished in behind Thomas.

  “The limo would have more leg room, though,” said Geoff.

  “Yeah, but there’s nowhere in Thomas’ flat for Jones to sit, too,” said Alex cheerfully, “and he’d want to join in the fun.”

  “That’s true, how’s he doing?” asked Murielle, and that started a round of asking after each others’ acquaintances, which turned into a game of annoying the single people about their lack of dates, making Murielle grump good-naturedly that it was none of their business, Thomas blush a truly impressive shade of red, and Geoff lament the lack of commitment-minded men in the world.

  “Back so soon?” said Padma, giving Julian a shameless hug and kissing Alex’s cheek.

  “They insisted,” said Alex, sounding proud. “This is Dr. Tamlinson, Geoff runs the infirmary at the Agency, and you know Murielle. Agent Thomas MacLean works with her.”

  “You’re very welcome here, did you want a table or one of the rooms tonight?” she said, shaking everyone’s hands. They agreed on a table, and she led them to a good one. “How are you, dear?” she asked Julian as they got seated, “Everyone’s being extra careful, going out back tonight.”

  “I’m doing really well, Dr. Geoff looked at me and Alex has been putting a potion on the bruise,” said Julian. “I’m glad they’re taking care, that guy didn’t seem to have his act together very well but he could’ve hurt someone less well-protected.”

  “Your Alex takes care of you,” said Padma, sounding very proud. “He’s a good man.”

  Julian kissed her cheek and then patted his own chest. “He is, he even fixed my amulet so it’ll protect me again.”

  “Good,” she said with a nod. “Now, tea for everyone, and you’ll want lassis with your curry, yes?”

  “I’d like rose milk instead, please,” said Lapointe.

  “All right, anyone else? Mango all right?” asked Padma.

  “Plain for me, please,” said Geoff, then, “Oh, thanks,” to the waiter, who set a cup of chai and a glass of water in front of each of them.

  Padma nodded. “I’ll send out some papadums, too, I know you like those,” she said, heading back to the kitchen.

  “Well, so far I’m impressed, and I haven’t even had the food,” said Geoff.

  “Alex has a way with waitresses,” said Murielle teasingly.

  “Hush, you, Padma is not a waitress,” retorted Alex. “And she’s both married and perfectly aware of my preferences, unlike some others.”

  “Jenny knows your preferences now,” Murielle shot right back.

  Alex was saved when their waiter came out to ask about starters, and they had to look at the menus. They talked about food through the whole meal, not just what they were eating now but current favourites and childhood memories. Alex waxed eloquent about Julian’s Courtship banquet, and Julian told them all about their two dinner dates, and how Padma had been sweet to him even then.

  Geoff snuck off and paid the check, refusing to let anyone repay him on the grounds that his desolate love life left plenty of money for treating his friends, and besides, everyone else had provided something already, from the cake to the beer.

  There were no leftovers, so they all piled empty-handed and full-bellied in Thomas’ SUV for the ride back to his place.

  “What’ll we watch next?” asked Julian, cuddling shamelessly with Alex now that night had fallen and it was cooling off.

  That started an intricate discussion that Julian was mostly left out of, so he let his mind wander, thinking about his studies and where they were taking him. He liked the idea of doing something to help at the Agency, and he had already scouted several places in MacLean’s flat where he’d be able to put plants, should Julian happen to make a gift of some. Julian kept having this urge to give plants away, to make sure there were green growing things in the spaces of all the people he cared about, and he saw no reason not to indulge it.

  “We’re here, love,” said Alex, pulling him out of his reverie.

  “Sorry, just thinking,” said Julian. “Did you come to a consensus?”

  “We did,” said Alex, “Well, they did, I’ve not seen half the things they wanted to show you, since I grew up the same way you did.”

  “It’s a little weird, realising all the stuff we missed because it was common,” said Julian softly, letting Alex escort him upstairs. “But I don’t know, I would’ve missed all the books I read, too.”

  “Yeah,” said Alex, kissing his hair. “And now we have all these things to discover with our friends.”

  “Yeah,” agreed Julian with a smile, “we do.”

  CHAPTER 8

  Julian was well-rested enough he didn’t even mind the alarm going off at an ungodly hour the next morning. He snuggled up closer to Alex and mmed happily. “Going to fix the nursery today.”

  Alex kissed his hair and snuggled right back. “We’ll make it better than before, my love.”

  Julian yawned and stretched and demanded a quick kiss, then slipped out of bed to start his day. They did a sketchy wash, knowing they’d get a full purification at the Temple, and dressed simply. Alex had bought Julian a silk tunic and trousers like his own, and both sets went into a silk bag for later. They ate a good, hearty breakfast from Alys, and passed on the praise for her cake.

  “I’ve made these up for you and your priest,” she said, pulling out three old-fashioned tin lunch boxes. “You’ll eat them after you’re done, before you go to that crime scene.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” said Julian. “You take good care of us.”

  “You really do,” said Alex, when a large thermos began to fill itself with tea, sugar and milk.

  “There’ll be cups at Mary Margaret’s,” she said, “and this is for drinking with your meals. It’s proper tea with a bit of extra something.”

  “So if it tastes odd, that’s just the extra,” said Julian. “Got it.”

  “Now, go get yourselves gathered, I’ll pack these up for you properly,” said Alys, shooing them away. Julian got his big herbal and a fresh notebook, along with his coloured pencils, since he wasn’t likely to have Lapointe’s sparkly pen collection to raid this time, and packed everything up in his book bag, then he carefully separated out plants from both of the lucky clover pots from the window box, which Alys was kind enough to levitate inside for the process. Alex vanished into his work room and emerged with a bag of his own, and the food and plants were put in a sturdy box for the trip, along with a separate treat for Jones.

  Jones came up and carried the box down for them, which meant that they were getting doors for once, a change of circumstances that amused them all.

  “How have you been, anyway?” asked Alex, as they settled into the car.

  “I’m doing quite good, except for my inability to get Jenny’s number,” said Jones. “Victor gave me a raise, and a few more responsibilities to go with it.”

  “That’s wonderful,” said Julian. “You’ve been more than just a driver to him for a while now, anyway.”

  “Thanks to Alex, mostly,” said Jones. “I’m not sure Victor would’ve ever noticed me enough to care if I hadn’t ended up driving him around during your Courtship.”

  “Which really makes it thanks to Julian,” Alex prevaricated.

  “Well, no matter why, I’m glad,” said Julian. “You’re a lot nicer than Sheffield.”

  Jones chuckled. “No comment,” he s
aid. His attention was mostly on the road anyway, getting them safely from home to Temple along a route that had grown familiar to all of them. “Victor said to tell you I’m at your disposal all day, by the way.”

  That got them talking about their plans for the day and everything that had led up to it, the tale of which took until they arrived at the main Temple just a few minutes before the hour.

  “Alex, Julian, good to see you,” said Father Stephen, stepping out of the Temple doors to meet them. “Will your driver be joining us today?”

  Jones looked sheepish. “No, thank you, Father, perhaps another time.”

  “As you will,” said Father Stephen affably. “Go in peace, and we’ll see you again in an hour.”

  Jones relaxed. “Yes, Father. Would you like a coffee when I get back?”

  “You’re not going all the way to see Jenny, are you?” asked Julian slyly.

  “No, it’s too far for just an hour,” said Jones with a sigh. “There’s another cafe nearby that’s good for reading in.”

  “Then I would love one, with milk and a little bit of cinnamon, if they have it,” said Father Stephen. “Thank you for offering.”

  “You know what we like,” said Alex.

  “Yep, I’ll bring some for everyone. Will Murielle be at the nursery, too?” said Jones.

  “She will, and I bet she’d love a good coffee, Mary Margaret only ever has tea,” said Julian, warmed by Jones’ thoughtfulness. “You might as well get some extra black ones in case there’s other people, I think there’s spots for eight in the back of the car, right?”

  “There are, yeah, I’ll do that,” said Jones. “Victor said expenses were on him today, so it’s covered,” he added, mostly for the priest’s benefit, Julian suspected.

  “We’ll see you in an hour, then,” said Alex.

  Jones got the first of Julian’s pots out of the box in the trunk and they took their leave, Jones back into the car and the rest of them going into the interior of the temple. Father Stephen handed the plant off to an acolyte and led them back to the changing room.