Brimstone

by Skinner, Alan

  Rumpkin’s eyes narrowed even more. ‘Wot yer want, Kneeler?’ she demanded. ‘Makin’ me walk all th’ way from th’ kitchen.’ The woman caught sight of Jenny. ‘’Oo’s this with yer, then?’

  Antrobus stepped into the doorway. ‘This is your new boarder, Rumpkin,’ he said sternly. He gave both Kneeler and Rumpkin a cold, hard look. ‘But I’m not sure that this will be a satisfactory arrangement.’

  Rumpkin gave Antrobus an ingratiating smile. Her face creased and wrinkled, making it look like a puddle into which a stone had just been thrown.

  ‘Master Antrobus! This is a n’onour,’ gushed Rumpkin. ‘I fergot t’day was the day you brung yer new ’prentice. Oh, ’ere she is! Oh, she is lovely! Come in, it’s all modesty in ‘ere. Quite safe fer gentlemens.’

  Rumpkin stepped back and bobbed her head to Antrobus and then to Jenny, saving a scowl for Kneeler as he followed them into the house.

  Rumpkin led them into the front room. It was spacious and clean, though the furnishings had seen better days. To Jenny, it had the air of belonging to someone who had aspirations far greater than the amount of effort they were prepared to expend realising them.

  ‘I’ll git one o’ the girls ta git ya some refreshment,’ said Rumpkin. ‘Make yerselves comf’table.’

  It was an offer that seemed beyond the ability of the sagging couch and worn chairs. Antrobus looked at the furniture, scowled, and remained on his feet. He turned to Kneeler.

  ‘You should have told me that you had made arrangements with Rumpkin. I would have asked you to find other lodgings,’ he snapped.

  ‘Master Antrobus, there are few boarding houses in Vale just for women,’ whined Kneeler. ‘And fewer that take women of quality. She keeps a clean house, as you can see, and she has two new young servants who are very diligent.’

  ‘Very well. We’ll see how Jenny likes it here,’ said Antrobus irritably.

  Rumpkin returned, followed by a young woman carrying a wooden serving tray. The young woman set down the tray and picked up the jug.

  ‘No need fer that, Agnes. I’ll serve th’ guests,’ said Rumpkin. ‘Git back to yer scrubbin’.’

  Rumpkin poured and handed each of them a mug. Jenny put hers to her lips and was surprised that Rumpkin had sweetened the water with honey. Doubtless it was Antrobus she was trying to impress rather than her new boarder,

  ‘This is yer new ’ome, lass,’ said Rumpkin. ‘We ’ave five young ladies with us at the moment. I’ve put yer in with a quality young lady. I’ll take yer ta yer room when yer’ve had yer drink.’

  ‘I’ll have the lodgings fee sent to you each quarter-day, Rumpkin,’ said Antrobus. He took out a purse and counted some coins. ‘Here is your first quarter.’

  Rumpkin’s eyes fixed on the coins in Antrobus’s hand and never left them until they were safely in hers. The landlady thumbed them, counting each one as she thanked the alchemist.

  ‘Now, if yer care to foller me, I’ll show the young lady ’er room,’ said Rumpkin.

  She marched from the room and up the stairs.

  ‘My room’s that door there,’ she said when they reached the first floor. ‘An’ at the front’s my personal sittin’ room.’

  Along the landing on the next floor were four doors. Behind them, the stairs continued upwards to a third level. ‘Agnes and Mary sleep up top,’ said Rumpkin, waving in the direction of the stairs. ‘Th’ room at th’ end is the day room fer the boarders. Yer can use it any time yer like. And up the stairs is a throw-all room for things yer need ta store.’ She looked at Jenny’s clothes. ‘Though I ’spect yer won’t be needin’ that.’ She stopped at one of the other doors. ‘Right, this is you.’ She pushed the door open triumphantly.

  The door swung into the room. There was a dull thud, followed by a sharp cry, then the door swung back and slammed shut, just as Rumpkin was about to enter.

  ‘Ow!’ cried Rumpkin, rubbing her nose.

  The door flew open. A girl stepped from the room, rubbing a red mark that ran down her forehead from her hairline to the bridge of her nose. She looked far from happy.

  ‘Rumpkin!’ the girl yelled. ‘I told you to knock! Before you enter my room, knock! Is that so hard to understand? Do you know how to knock?’ She shook her fist at Rumpkin. ‘Shall I show you how? Look what you’ve done!’ The girl turned to Jenny and pointed to the mark on her head. ‘I can’t see it! Tell me what she’s done! She’s disfigured me, hasn’t she?’

  ‘Emily Trickett!’

  Antrobus’s voice stopped the girl dead. Still rubbing her forehead, she looked at Antrobus and grinned.

  ‘Hello, Master Antrobus,’ she said pleasantly. ‘This is a surprise! How are you, sir?’

  ‘Well enough, though for a moment, I feared the noise of your yelling would send me deaf.’ His voice was gruff but Jenny detected a note of indulgence in Antrobus’s voice she hadn’t heard before.

  Emily smiled. ‘You feared no such thing. If you heard me yelling, how could you fear you were being made deaf?’ she said.

  Jenny made a quick study of the girl, judging that Emily was slightly older than herself. If not, then she had made quicker progress in her maturity than Jenny had. She wore a simple dress, but the cloth was expensive and carefully tailored; she was also very pretty, and had a lively look in her eyes. Yet there was also a haughtiness in her demeanour that made Jenny slightly wary.

  ‘Excuse me for a moment, Master Antrobus, while I ask Rumpkin what is so important that it warrants breaking my head open to tell me,’ said Emily.

  ‘Now, Em’ly, girl,’ protested Rumpkin ‘I didn’t crack yer head with th’ door a-purpose. I thought you were out.’ She looked slyly at Emily. ‘’N why wasn’t you out there with the other girls?’

  ‘I was writing a letter,’ said Emily defensively. ‘To ...’ She stopped. ‘Rumpkin, why were you barging into my room!?’

  Rumpkin smiled, a malicious, insincere smile. ‘It’s not just yer room now. I was showin’ yer new room-mate ’er quarters.’

  Emily’s face fell. Realisation came to her and she turned and looked at Jenny.

  ‘But-but ...’ she stammered, looking Jenny up and down. ‘You?’

  For the first time, Jenny was embarrassed by her rough handmade clothes. Emily would think her shabby and ignorant. For some reason, Jenny wanted Emily to like her.

  Jenny nodded.

  ‘Emily, this is Jenny Swift, my new apprentice,’ said Antrobus.

  Emily couldn’t hide her surprise. ‘Yours, Master Antrobus? Your apprentice is a ... girl?’

  ‘It would seem so,’ he said.

  Emily looked at Jenny, weighing her up. She was certainly poor; and she looked like a foreigner, with that dark skin and those oval eyes. But she had a nice face; in fact, it was definitely a very pretty face. Most importantly, Antrobus had chosen her as his apprentice and Antrobus was no fool.

  ‘And what brings you to seek lodgings here?’ asked the alchemist. ‘Your father surely hasn’t grown tired of your high spirits, I trust?’

  ‘My father has obtained a position at the palace for me,’ Emily answered. ‘Now that my family has moved to the estate outside the walls, I took lodgings here. Temporarily,’ she added quickly. ‘Until accommodation at the palace can be arranged.’

  Antrobus smiled wryly. ‘Palace residences are scarce. You may be here some time,’ he said. ‘I must say I am glad that Jenny will be sharing her lodgings with someone I know. Even such a mischievous one as you, Emily Trickett.’

  Emily laughed, not taking offence. ‘I’m learning to be a very proper young lady now that I’m at the palace. Jenny will doubtless find me a boring companion.’

  ‘Master Antrobus, I beg your pardon,’ Kneeler broke in. ‘I am so very sorry to seem forward, but perhaps we could leave the girl with Rumpkin. I do have other appointments – not as important as you, of course – and if it pleases you, Master ...’

  ‘Yes, yes, Kneeler,’ said Antrobus sharply. ‘One moment.’

&
nbsp; He turned to Jenny. ‘Tomorrow we’ll arrange for your colours. And I’ll show you my workplace at the palace. Tonight, dine with me. We have much to discuss – and I dare say you have questions. Seven o’clock.’

  ‘If you wish. Thank you,’ said Jenny, who did have questions. Too many.

  Antrobus raised an eyebrow at Jenny’s tone but said nothing. Then he looked at Kneeler. ‘I hope you’ve chosen Mistress Swift’s lodgings well. I shall hold you responsible if there are complaints.’ He turned to Rumpkin. ‘When you enter into an arrangement with me you enter into an arrangement with the guild, Rumpkin. Abide by it. Take the burden of responsibility lightly and you will discover how heavy the rod of punishment can be.’

  Antrobus bowed to Emily, then swiftly descended the stairs, Kneeler hurrying after him.

  ‘Don’t yer fret now, Master Antrobus,’ Rumpkin called after him. ‘Like me own, I treat ’em. Like I suckled ’em at me own breast!’

  Behind Rumpkin’s back, Emily screwed up her face in horror. Jenny caught her eye, and the two girls laughed.

  Rumpkin stared suspiciously at the two girls. ‘Well, I can see you two’ll be good friends soon enough. Yer ’ave a fine, carin’ master there,’ she said to Jenny. ‘Yer oughta be grateful. Ain’t many masters’d take on someone like you.’

  ‘I know exactly how grateful I should be,’ Jenny replied archly. ‘Now, perhaps you could finish showing me my room?’

  ‘You ’eard yer master. I ’ave responsibilities. Important responsibilities that I ’ave already neglecked. I’m sure Miss Em’ly will be pleased ta show you yer new room. But you r’member – you need anythin’, you come ta me, hear? Day or night, I’m always available. Long as I’m not sleepin’.’

  Rumpkin smiled her unpleasant smile once again and took a step towards Jenny. For one horrible moment, Jenny thought the ward mistress was going to kiss her. Instead, Rumpkin gave Jenny’s hand a quick pat, then left them.

  ‘The room’s a bit of a mess, I’m afraid,’ said Emily. ‘Let’s get you settled, then I’ll show you around.’

  Following Emily into the room, Jenny got as far as the doorway, then stopped and stared.

  There were two comfortable-looking beds, each with its own nightstand, under the large window on the far wall. Between the beds was a desk and chair. To the left of the door was an open wardrobe, currently filled with Emily’s dresses.

  The room was quite spacious enough for two young ladies. It wasn’t big enough, though, to accommodate two young ladies and all of Emily’s things. Dresses, fabrics and ribbons were piled on both beds. Needles and pins, scissors and tapes littered the floor and the two nightstands. Sheets of paper, filled with drawings of dresses, hats, gloves and shoes, lay everywhere.

  Emily went to one of the beds. She scooped everything she could in her arms and dumped it all on the other bed.

  ‘This one’s yours,’ she said. ‘Help me put this stuff on my bed. I’ll sort it later.’ She took an armful of clothes to the wardrobe, realised that she had no hope of fitting anything else in there, and dropped everything on the floor. ‘I’ll have to make some room for your things,’ she said apologetically.

  Jenny was trying to navigate her way across the room, her arms full of clothes and fabrics. ‘We could sort it out now, if you like,’ she offered.

  ‘Now?’ exclaimed Emily. ‘Your first day here and you want to spend it tidying my mess? Definitely not. Right. Your bed’s clear. That’s start enough.’ She looked at Jenny with open curiosity. ‘You’re not from the city. Where was your home?’

  ‘In Queerwood, with my father and mother,’ answered Jenny.

  Emily reached out and touched Jenny’s cheek. ‘That skin and those eyes came from further away than Queerwood,’ she said. ‘They’ll cause a lot of talk in Vale.’

  Jenny smiled. ‘More than my clothes?’ she asked.

  Emily laughed. ‘Those we can change – if you wish. Now, have you seen much of Vale?’

  Jenny shook her head. ‘I haven’t had time. I only arrived last night.’

  ‘Well, today is market day. No better time to be in Vale,’ said Emily. ‘Come on, let’s get out of here and I’ll show you around.’

  Jenny followed Emily from the room. As she closed the door, she took a quick glance back and smiled. She had a feeling that Emily was another thing to have to get used to.

  Chapter 5

  Rayker

  Vale was interesting – and confusing, fascinating, frightening and fun. Emily guided Jenny through its alleys and arches, its squares and courtyards. They walked through the markets and the warehouses and they walked down narrow lanes filled with pubs, eateries and shops. Some shops had open fronts and goods of every description spilled out into the streets.

  The girls entered a large square filled with stalls and barrows. It seemed to Jenny that the whole world was on sale here. There were stalls selling everything she could think of and many things she had never even imagined. On the far side of the huge market Jenny recognised the gates through which she had entered Vale the day before.

  ‘This is the Gates,’ Emily shouted. ‘I think it must be the biggest market in the world! It’s one of my favourite places. You can find things here you’ll never find anywhere else. And some things you’ll only ever find once, like they appear just that one time and you have to make a decision right then or the chance will be gone forever. When I’m looking for something special, something out of the ordinary, this is where I come.’

  They weaved through the stalls and barrows. Jenny was glad that Emily wasn’t inclined to stop at every stall and examine whatever the trader was selling. Jenny knew she’d have time for that another market day. Right now, she just wanted to take in the noise and the colour and the bustle. It was another world compared to the one she was used to and she was surprised to find that she liked it. A pang of guilt stabbed her; Jenny felt she was betraying her parents by being fascinated by Vale; betraying the tragedy of her mother’s coming death by finding something new in life that she wanted.

  They had walked through most of the market and were coming to the far side when Emily saw a stall strewn with fabrics and lace; with buttons, bows, ribbons, needles and pins.

  ‘Oh, Jenny! Just a minute, please! Let me have a quick look.’

  Emily was soon lost among the trader’s goods. Jenny smiled. She watched for a moment, then strolled towards the edge of the market.

  The merchants who had stalls in the centre of the market did better trade than those at its fringes, but it was one of these quieter stalls that caught Jenny’s eye.

  The stall was small and shabby, tucked right against the town wall next to the laystall where the merchants threw their rubbish. It was a shaft of sunlight reflecting off metal that drew Jenny’s attention. She wandered over, and as she got closer, she could see that the goods scattered on the rough wooden table were curious devices, most made of wood or brass or cheap metal; a few were richly decorated with intricate motifs, scrolls, figures and plants. She recognised one object: a beautiful sundial mounted on a polished wood plinth. And another object appeared to be a smaller version of something she had seen in Antrobus’s observatory: it looked like a small table, with its top tilted on its side.

  The trader looked at Jenny intently, though he remained silent until Jenny spoke.

  ‘What’s this?’ she asked, pointing to the object she had seen in the observatory.

  ‘Some call it a turquet, others call it a torquetum,’ said the trader.

  ‘For looking at the skies?’

  The man smiled. ‘You might say that. We use the sky for finding our way in the world. In more ways than one,’ he said. His voice had a trace of an accent. ‘These are all scientific instruments. This, for instance.’ He picked up a brass item about the size and shape of an apple pie, with glass over the face. Jenny peered and saw a small needle, quivering in the centre of several intersecting lines. ‘This is a ship’s compass. Do you know what a compass is for?’ He handed it
to Jenny. It was heavier than it looked and she had to hold it with both hands.

  Jenny studied it for a minute, then turned to her right. Then she swung round quickly and faced the opposite direction. ‘It tells you where north is!’ she cried. ‘No matter where I face, the needle always points north.’

  ‘You’re a quick one, girl,’ said the man. Jenny handed back the compass and picked up another object. This one was a brass plate, smaller than her face, ornately engraved. A smaller disc, marked with arcs and curves, sat off-centre within the plate, and a movable arm was attached in the middle. The bottom of the plate was also engraved with circles and curves, and its edge was marked in tiny, equally spaced notches. ‘That’s very special,’ said the trader.

  She had never seen anything like it before. Whatever its purpose, she thought it one of the most beautiful things she had ever seen.

  ‘It’s called an astrolabe. It does many useful things. Do you study the skies?’

  ‘No,’ said Jenny, handing back the astrolabe. ‘My father taught me the names of many stars and the patterns they make, that’s all. My master does, I think.’

  ‘You think? I would guess that knowing what your master does is a distinct advantage when you’re learning,’ said the trader good-naturedly.

  ‘I only met him yesterday,’ said Jenny. ‘He’s very skilled and clever, people say.’

  ‘May I know the name of this very skilled and clever master?’

  ‘Antrobus. The alchemist.’

  ‘The young one or the old one?’

  ‘The old one,’ said Jenny. ‘Do you know them?’

  ‘The old one by reputation, the young one only by name and gossip. Richard Antrobus is quite famous, even outside Vale. He’s spoken of with respect, which is not always the case with those of his profession. A great many alchemists are frauds. They lie, cheat and promise what they can’t deliver. They preach things they don’t hold to be true and make people believe things that they can’t make sense of,’ said the trader.

  ‘There are cheats in every profession,’ said Jenny. It surprised her that she felt defensive. She didn’t choose to be an alchemist. Why should it matter to her what others thought of them?