Jenny remembered the poor and ragged she had seen; she thought of the woman who had nearly fallen under the hooves of her horse. So that’s why, she thought.
The chancellor went on. ‘This year’s sowing will start soon. If the same thing happens to the next harvest, there will be great hardship in Vale.’
Jenny was bewildered by what she was being told. Hidden away in Queerwood, where there were only a few forest villages, she had heard nothing of the failure of the crop nor of the hardship faced by others. Yet, surely crops do fail occasionally. Why were they so worried that it would happen again this year? Before she could speak, the chancellor continued.
‘And the same thing will happen.’
‘But you can’t be sure,’ Jenny said.
‘We can be. The failure wasn’t Nature’s doing,’ the chancellor said. ‘We have reason to believe that Cleve was responsible.’
Though she had spent her life secreted in Queerwood, she could not help but know of Cleve. It had been the great rival for so long that the neighbouring city state was part of what defined Vale. But they were peaceful rivals; enemies whose battles were confined to songs, stories, insults and sporting contests every couple of years. It had been centuries since there had been war fought on the battlefield between the two cities.
Montebray went on. ‘We have people loyal to Vale –’
‘Spies,’ Antrobus interjected.
The chancellor ignored the interruption. ‘– in Cleve. The information they’ve gathered has led us to believe that our rival city state was responsible. If that information is correct, Cleve will do the same this year.’
‘Why would Cleve do such a thing? I don’t understand,’ said Jenny.
‘Neither do we,’ admitted the chancellor. ‘We’re working to find out. And we have no proof so we can’t accuse them of anything.’
‘Why are you telling me? What has it to do with me?’ asked Jenny, whose head was full of confusion.
‘I’ve been asked to discover how they have done this,’ Antrobus answered. ‘While Chancellor Montebray and his diplomats seek a more ... political ... solution.’ He sighed. ‘Though frankly, how I am do that is a mystery to me. Almost as much as what Cleve would hope to gain by this.’
‘I still don’t see –’ Jenny began but Antrobus waved her into silence.
‘You will have to help me, Jenny. We will turn that talent of yours loose on the problem. Yours will not be quite the usual start to an apprenticeship, I fear.’
‘There will be risks,’ put in the chancellor. ‘It’s possible that the attack on Antrobus yesterday was by agents of Cleve. They’ve guessed – or learned, for they have their own spies – that your master is working on countering their plans.’
Jenny was reluctant to speak, but Antrobus was watching her closely and saw her hesitation.
‘If you have something to say, say it,’ he said. ‘You’re part of this now.’
‘Why would Cleve try to kill Master Antrobus? If they are attacking Vale, they’re doing it in secret. If they kill Master Antrobus, they risk bringing it out into the open. Besides, there are other alchemists in Vale who would take his place,’ she said.
The chancellor looked at Antrobus and gave a small smile. ‘She’s quick, Richard.’ He turned to Jenny. ‘You’re quite right. We do have other alchemists. But none that can match your master’s skill. And I cannot ignore the coincidence.’
Jenny looked at her new master. She was just beginning to appreciate the regard in which he was held.
‘And, well ...’ she started to say, then stopped. She saw the look of disapproval on Antrobus’s face at her reluctance and decided speaking took less courage than not speaking.
‘Well, since we don’t know how they did it, how do we know if we can find an answer? What if they didn’t do something to the crop but did something to the soil? It will be spring in two weeks. Sowing will start shortly after. We could have only three or four weeks to find an answer and even then it might be too late,’ she said.
Both Antrobus and Montebray looked at her. Her master gave a sharp nod and rose from his chair.
‘We have much to do. But we need to observe the formalities of your apprenticeship. Master Antrobus will explain all. And you must become familiar with Vale. You’ll have a busy fortnight,’ he said.
The chancellor remained seated. His demeanour changed slightly, still serious, but more formal.
‘It is the custom for me to meet new apprentices,’ he said to Jenny. ‘To wish them well, and remind them that, for the next seven years, they have a bond with their masters. To remind each of them to keep their master’s secrets and heed his counsel. I believe I can trust you will do so. You have had a great expectation and a greater burden placed on you, Jenny. I am sorry for that. Please remember, if you need anything – anything – and Antrobus is ... indisposed ... you are to come to me.’
‘Thank you, Chancellor. I will,’ she replied.
The chancellor’s eyes bored into Jenny’s. ‘You have lived all your life coddled by a loving father and mother and the trees of Queerwood. Finding your way along the overgrown trails and paths of the forest is child’s play compared to navigating the twisted road of palace politics. And the fiercest animals of Queerwood are like playful puppies compared to the predators of the court,’ he warned. Then he smiled and his eyes twinkled. ‘Even I have my arse nipped once in a while.’
Jenny’s mind was whirling. She wasn’t sure how her life had changed so quickly but the chancellor’s words and good humour steadied her. She bobbed her head as she had been taught and said, ‘Yes, sir.’
‘Now, Richard,’ said Montebray ‘you’d better get Jenny to the Chancellery Hall so she can sign her pledge. Kneeler’s expecting you.’
The chancellor walked Antrobus and Jenny to the door. He opened it and shook hands with Antrobus. Then he laid his hand on Jenny’s shoulder.
‘You’ll have some hard times,’ he said. ‘People are not as tolerant as they’d always wish to be. But you have a great opportunity. Your teacher is one of the most respected men of science in the world. You will learn more from him than from any living alchemist. He is also guild lord of one of Vale’s High Guilds. That will protect you more than you know.’
With those words, he closed the door.
Chapter 4
Rumpkin’s
‘This way, Jenny,’ said Antrobus and he strode off down the corridor. Before he had gone a dozen steps two men blocked his path.
One of the men looked to be about Antrobus’s age. Tall, he had a full, greying beard and the hair, though mostly covered by a close-fitting cap, matched the colour of his beard. His robes were rich, made of expensive cloth and trimmed with fancy embroidery. His nose was not as prominent as her master’s but his eyes had the same dark, piercing quality. Jenny could feel them studying her before they switched to Antrobus. The smile that came to his face wasn’t reflected in his eyes and he had a proud and arrogant air.
His companion was a little shorter and much younger; a few years past twenty, Jenny guessed. Rather than a long cloak like Antrobus and the other man wore, his clothes were more fashionable: a short brown doublet over a blue tunic that came to his knees; under the tunic, a white linen shirt embroidered around the collar and cuffs. His legs were covered in black hose and he wore brown leather shoes that buckled at the ankle.
He had a handsome face, strong and clean-shaven, with sharp brown eyes and a generous mouth that broke into a broad smile when he saw Antrobus. Jenny glanced at her master and saw that he returned the smile.
‘Ah, Antrobus,’ said the older of the two men. ‘We were hoping to see you.’
Antrobus bowed politely. ‘Good day to you, Master Perroquet,’ he said stiffly.
Antrobus turned to the younger man and his warmth returned. ‘Hello, John,’ he said. He embraced the young man with his good arm. ‘It’s good to see you.’
‘Hello, Father,’ said John. ‘I was on my way to find you. I just
heard this morning about the attack. How’s the wound? Should you be out of bed?’
‘I’m fine, John, just fine. Don’t fret. I received the best of care,’ said Antrobus. Jenny was surprised at the change in him. He seemed in boyish good spirits. ‘My new apprentice, Jenny.’ Antrobus put his hand on Jenny’s shoulder and pushed her forward gently. ‘She took very good care of me.’
‘So this is the girl!’ said John. ‘I’m very pleased to meet you, Jenny.’ John offered his hand. Tentatively, Jenny extended hers and John shook it warmly.
‘I’m very sorry, my girl,’ said Perroquet haughtily. ‘I thought you were a servant, or I would have expected an introduction.’ He cast a quick, dismissive glance at Jenny and didn’t offer his hand. He raised his eyebrows and spoke to Antrobus.
‘Well, Antrobus, you certainly don’t mind the opinions of others, do you? Your girl will have tongues wagging.’
‘My apprentice, Master Perroquet,’ said Antrobus stiffly.
‘Don’t mind Perroquet, Jenny,’ said John. ‘He’s very old-fashioned. It’s part of our partnership agreement. I will teach him how to be modern, and he will teach me how to be serious.’
‘Partnership?’ said Antrobus, frowning. ‘I didn’t know you were taking this step.’
‘I can only get out of your shadow, Father, by casting a little light of my own,’ said John lightly. ‘And what better way than to partner one of the only living men who might be considered your equal?’
‘You have a brilliant son, Antrobus,’ said Perroquet. ‘One to outshine both of us.’
‘I have no doubt regarding my son’s talents, Master Perroquet,’ said Antrobus. ‘Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must get my apprentice settled in her quarters.’ He laid his hand on John’s arm. ‘Come to the house for supper tonight.’
John embraced his father. ‘I will,’ he said. He turned to Jenny. ‘It was a pleasure to meet you.’ He leaned forward conspiratorially. ‘And something I learned when I was his apprentice. He possesses a mighty growl but very few teeth. And no sense of humour at all.’
John waved and Perroquet bowed, then they continued on down the corridor. Antrobus watched them for a moment, his brow creased by a frown, before walking briskly out of the palace into the sunlight. Again, Jenny followed, through archways, gates and squares. The buildings around these squares were not houses; they were imposing and official. Above the main entrance to each, Jenny could see the names and insignias of a guild and Jenny realised that each was a guild house. She also noticed that each building was adorned with statues or carvings of an animal, be it an eagle, a dog, a bear, a lion, a goose, a rabbit or a wolf; almost every animal she could think of. Jenny tried to read all the names of the guilds as they passed: Apothecaries, Mercers, Fletchers, Bakers, Bowyers, Coopers, Chandlers, Butchers, Wheelwrights; there seemed to be no end to the occupations one could have in the city. She fell further and further behind Antrobus as she strained to read each name.
‘Come, Jenny!’ he yelled back at her. ‘Later, you can look at your leisure. We mustn’t keep Kneeler waiting.’
Beyond the next square they entered the large forecourt of the Chancellery. Though the chancellor’s office was in the palace, it took a good many officials to ensure the efficient running of a city state like Vale and it was here that those officials came each day to work. Statues of Olympian gods, alternating with tall, slender trees, lined the edges of the forecourt. Lush green lawns dotted with spreading, leafy trees lay beyond the statues. At the far end was a sprawling, misshapen, but magnificent building. It had been extended over the years in different styles of architecture, yet the result was a wonderful mixture of blue, white and grey stone; there were arched windows and round windows; old oak doors and newer maple ones.
No sooner had they entered when a very tall, thin man greeted them.
‘Mas-ter An-tro-bus! We’ve been ex-pec-ting you,’ said the man. He had a treacly voice, thin but with each syllable flat and drawn out. His long, spindly arms reached out like a spider’s limbs and he managed to bow and slip Antrobus’s cloak from his shoulders at the same time.
‘Good day, Kneeler,’ said Antrobus coldly. ‘This is Jenny, my new apprentice. Jenny, this is Kneeler; he is one of the chancellor’s clerks. Among his various responsibilities – most of which seem known only to Kneeler himself – is the welfare and recording of all the city’s apprentices. An important duty to ensure the welfare of apprentices is to help them get settled.’
Jenny bowed her head politely but stiffly. She did not warm to the clerk. He was too eager to please, and though his eyes never stopped flitting from her to Antrobus, they never met either’s gaze.
‘I trust the pledge is ready to sign?’ Antrobus asked.
‘Oh yes, Master Antrobus! All ready!’ Kneeler bowed and bobbed as he talked. ‘I have made the adjustments to the usual papers, allowing for her, ah, sex. But they’re all in order. Please, come to my office.’
They followed Kneeler to a small room. He sat behind his desk and picked up a piece of paper that he handed to Antrobus. The alchemist read through it quickly, then handed it to Jenny.
‘Jenny, this is your pledge,’ said Antrobus. ‘Our pledge, to be exact. You will sign and I will sign, then, at the pledge ceremony, you and all the other new apprentices will swear to it before the Guild. In legal words much loved by solicitors, it says that you will serve as my apprentice for seven years and that you will be honest, hard-working and moral. In return, I promise to provide lodgings and food, to stand surety for your good behaviour and to teach you all the skills I know pertaining to my craft.’ Antrobus smiled. ‘We have removed the sections regarding the apprentice’s promise not to take advantage of his proximity to his master’s wife or daughters. That is for hot-blooded young boys who sometimes want to learn things their master is ... ill-equipped ... to teach them.’
‘And you have replaced it with your promise not to take advantage of your proximity to me?’ asked Jenny pointedly.
Kneeler’s jaw dropped; he fidgeted nervously with the quill in his hand. He had never heard an apprentice be so forward with a master. Antrobus just stared at Jenny for a few moments, his eyes fixed on hers. Defiantly, she held his gaze. Then the alchemist smiled again, faintly.
‘That is a fair request. I shall see that it is amended. I suspect the guild lords will argue, saying no guild master would do such a thing and to include it would admit the possibility. And I suspect they don’t want to include more than necessary for a female apprentice. Many are against me taking you, and determined to keep the door firmly shut against this happening again,’ he said. ‘But you have my word that I will treat you with the utmost respect with regard to your sex.’ Antrobus paused and Jenny saw a flash of amusement in his eyes. ‘You have the guarantee of my promise and the protection of my advancing age, Jenny Swift.’
Against her will, Jenny smiled. ‘The first is good enough for me, Master Antrobus. As for the second, I am far too young to understand its worth.’ She took the quill from Kneeler, then looked at Antrobus out of the corner of her eye. ‘And I suspect that modesty makes a liar of you. Now, where do I put my name?’
Antrobus laughed. He showed Jenny where to put her signature and then added his.
‘Now, Kneeler,’ he said, ‘make sure you deliver this to the Guildhall in time.’
‘Thank you, Master Antrobus. You can count on me. Always count on me,’ said Kneeler.
Antrobus ignored Kneeler’s words. ‘Take us to her lodgings. You have chosen a suitable place, as I asked?’
Kneeler smiled his oily smile. ‘Of course. I have found her a most suitable place, in the most reputable boarding house in Vale. She will room with a very fine young lady, not with any riff-raff,’ he said. Jenny caught the glance he gave her out of the corner of his eye; the same look, thought Jenny, that he gives riff-raff.
‘How many times do I have to tell you, Kneeler? They are all apprentices; they are all the same. There are no riff-raff,’ Antrobus
admonished him. ‘At least, not among the apprentices,’ he added pointedly.
‘You are, of course, quite right. I forget myself. It is just that compared to you, all others seem like either riff or raff, Master Antrobus.’
‘Save your flattery, Kneeler,’ said Antrobus irritably. ‘It’s fortunate indeed that a man is judged by his enemies and not by his flatterers. Fine words damn more than curses when they come from a small mind and a mean tongue.’
‘Thank you, Master Antrobus,’ said Kneeler, bowing again. ‘You are never miserly with your wisdom. I shall try to remember.’
Antrobus made a noise of disgust. Without another word he turned on his heel and walked from the room. Kneeler scurried after him, motioning impatiently for Jenny to follow. They caught up with Antrobus at the front door.
‘Follow me. It’s not far and only a short walk for the young lady each day,’ said Kneeler and he scuttled ahead.
Once more Jenny was taken through the city. After several twists and turns she thought the paths and trails of Queerwood were simple compared to the streets and alleyways of Vale.
Within a few minutes, they came to a large house in a respectable-looking square. Antrobus stood to one side while Kneeler tugged a small brass knob on the end of a cord by the front door. Jenny heard the sound of a bell ringing inside. After a few moments they heard the slow clacking of shoes on a wooden floor. The door opened and Jenny found herself looking at the most unpleasant face she had ever seen.
The woman who opened the door had small mud-coloured eyes almost hidden by a thick unbroken eyebrow. Her nose was short and flat and her lips were so thin that at first Jenny thought the woman had none. Her high, protruding cheekbones and a small pointed chin gave her face the appearance of a skull. Her skin was thin and covered in small red and blue veins, even in the places dotted with brown blotches. Tufts of dark hair sprung from under the kerchief tied loosely on the woman’s head. There was a large mole on her neck that also sprouted hair.
‘Good morning, Rumpkin,’ cooed Kneeler.
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