Brimstone

by Skinner, Alan

  ‘Nonsense!’ Antrobus snorted derisively. ‘There are always rumours about what this or that alchemist is on the verge of discovering. None are found to be true and most are found to have been started by the alchemist in question in order to increase his reputation.’

  ‘True,’ said John. His voice softened slightly. ‘Why, just the other day I whispered loudly in the market to an imaginary friend that through my study of crystals, I could transform a mere garnet into a flawless ruby, or turn a piece of cheap azurite into perfect sapphire. Since then, there has been a steady stream of people at my door, all with pretty gems and large wallets.’

  Jenny stared at John, surprised at his admission of deceit. Then she saw the twinkle in his eye and she laughed.

  And so the evening passed in good humour and light-hearted banter. Antrobus had appeared gruff and abrupt in his dealings with people, but with John he was relaxed and happy. He evidently loved his son and valued his company. From their conversation it seemed that Antrobus had seen little of his son over the past three years. After completing his articled apprenticeship, John had sought to broaden his knowledge by seeking out other alchemists. He had travelled to the neighbouring city of Cleve, where lived the only other living alchemist said to come close in skill to Antrobus. His name was Master Perroquet, the gentleman she had met that morning at the palace.

  It was clear that Antrobus held Perroquet in little regard. He glowered when his name was mentioned, though Jenny noticed that his eyes filled with interest on one or two occasions when John mentioned some process or other Perroquet used in his experiments. Whether Antrobus’s disapproval was more than professional rivalry, Jenny couldn’t tell.

  There came one of those moments of silence that inevitably occur, even in the easiest conversations. Jenny took the opportunity to show her master her gift.

  ‘I have something for you, Master Antrobus,’ she said. She reached into her cloth bag and drew out the astrolabe and placed it on the table. In the candlelight the brass gleamed, a bright burnt orange. For the first time Jenny realised just how beautiful it was, and how much effort and skill had gone into making it.

  John gave the instrument an appreciative look. ‘Do you know what it is, Jenny?’ he asked.

  ‘An astrolabe, I believe. To help chart the sky.’

  John looked surprised. ‘Quite correct. Where did you learn about astronomical instruments?’

  ‘I didn’t,’ Jenny confessed. ‘The man who gave it to me told me what it was.’

  ‘Gave it to you?’ said Antrobus. His voice was neutral and he sounded only mildly curious. But there was an intensity in his face that betrayed a deeper interest.

  ‘A trader at the market. I was admiring it but I had no money. He learned I was your new apprentice and he gave it to me as I was leaving.’ She felt awkward. Perhaps she shouldn’t have taken so generous a gift. ‘He insisted. He said you would know how it works.’

  ‘Is that what he said to you? I would show you how it works?’

  ‘Not exactly. I think he said you would know what to do with it.’

  ‘It’s a good example of Moorish craft,’ said John. He reached across and picked up the astrolabe. ‘It’s older than I thought.’

  ‘Moorish?’ said Jenny.

  ‘Arabian scholars have a long history of science. Longer, I’m afraid, than we do.’ John showed Jenny the back of the instrument. It was covered in intricate ribbons of writing, like she had seen on the book in Antrobus’s study. ‘See. The tables in the back are in Arabic. Unfortunately, that language isn’t one I ever mastered despite my father’s –’ He grinned at Antrobus like a naughty child. ‘– encouragements.’

  ‘Your mind was too frequently in the laboratory and too seldom among your books. Well, perhaps I’ll have better luck with my next apprentice,’ said Antrobus. He held out his hand and John passed him the astrolabe. For a minute he studied it.

  ‘Did this generous trader give you his name, by any chance? A trader who gives away his wares freely is a trader to visit. While he’s still in business.’

  ‘Robert. He said his name was Robert. But I don’t know when he’ll be back again. He said he doesn’t come to Vale very often.’

  Antrobus nodded, absently, as if his thoughts were far away. He stared at the astrolabe for a minute, then handed it back to Jenny. ‘It’s yours, Jenny. The trader gave it to you. When the time comes, I’ll teach you how to use it.’

  ‘I’m sure he meant for you to have it!’ protested Jenny.

  ‘How can you be so sure what a stranger intended? It is rarer than John realises. It’s Moorish, but from a very renowned Moor; a great alchemist and astronomer. In our language he was called Morien, and he died over three hundred years ago.’

  ‘Are you sure?’ said John, clearly startled. ‘Jenny, there’s more to that gift than I thought. There have been few in our profession before or since who could hold a candle to Morien.’

  Jenny took the astrolabe. It was beautiful; its markings were delicate and it was finely engraved with the sun, the moon and the planets and various stars. She gazed at it a moment longer, then held it out to Antrobus.

  ‘Would you take care of it for me? I think it belongs here more than at Rumpkin’s,’ she said quietly.

  Antrobus nodded and reached to take the astrolabe. Abruptly, he drew back his hand. ‘No, I think it’s fitting that you hold on to it for a while. Bring it to the workshop when you start,’ he said.

  Jenny was pleased. She felt comforted, yet excited, by the instrument. And she was pleased that Antrobus entrusted it to her. She put it back in the ragged bag.

  ‘Now,’ said Antrobus ‘we have other things to discuss. Tomorrow, I will take you to get your colours. And then we’ll visit the Mystery, and after that, we’ll go to my work den.’

  None of it made sense to Jenny. ‘You don’t work from here?’ she asked. ‘What about the sky room? Isn’t that where you work?’

  John laughed and Antrobus smiled. ‘The sky room, as you call it, is only for one part of what I do. I don’t wish to spend my days and my nights hidden in a foul, dark room – which is what my other place of work is, and where you will go each day,’ said Antrobus.

  ‘His laboratory, as they’re being called these days,’ John added. ‘It isn’t so dismal. A bit dark, perhaps, and in the oldest part of the palace. You’ll get used to it, as I did.’

  ‘And what are the colours? And what is the mystery I need to visit?’

  ‘You really have led an isolated life,’ said John. ‘The colours are your apprentice robes. All apprentices have a set of clothes; cloak, blouse, tunic and breeches – you’ll have to get used to blouse and breeches – for formal occasions. Each guild has its own colour. For us alchemists, the colours are gold, silver-grey and red.’

  ‘And the mystery?’

  ‘The Mystery is a place. After their master’s workshop, and their own guild house, the Mystery is the most important place for an apprentice. It’s the common name for the Great Guildhall. Each guild has its own house and rules, but it’s the task of the Great Guildhall to oversee all of them,’ Antrobus explained. ‘Its members are drawn from all the guilds.’

  ‘So, you are a member of the Guildhall?’ Jenny asked.

  ‘My father is a very powerful and influential member,’ John put in. ‘The guild lord of every guild is entitled to a seat in the Mystery. And my father is the guild lord of one of the most important guilds in Vale.’

  Jenny stared at Antrobus for several seconds. She knew nothing of politics or diplomacy or intrigue, but her master was truly a man to be reckoned with in the city.

  Antrobus ignored her look. ‘There are other guilds with far more apprentices than the Guild of Alchemists and Astronomers, Jenny. The guilds of chandlers, coopers, bakers and wheelwrights, for instance, outnumber us three or four to one. But we are fortunate to have a Duke who is a man of learning and under his patronage we have advanced in importance.’

  ‘My father’s too m
odest, Jenny. His fame has had as much to do with the influence of the guild as the Duke’s interest in science,’ John pointed out. ‘There isn’t a city in this part of the world that hasn’t tried to persuade him to leave Vale and join them.’

  ‘I am happy where I am,’ said Antrobus. He pushed back his chair. ‘But now, Jenny, I must ask you to excuse me. My injury makes me somewhat tired and I think it best that I retire to bed. Meet me here at eight o’clock tomorrow and we’ll get an early start on the day’s errands. John has offered to escort you home, so let me say goodnight. And goodnight to you, John. Don’t leave it so long before coming to visit an old man.’

  ‘Goodnight, Master Antrobus,’ said Jenny.

  John moved round the table and embraced his father. ‘I hope you sleep soundly. I’m going back to Cleve in a couple of days, but I’ll stop by before I go.’

  Antrobus nodded, then patted his son on the shoulder before going up to his room.

  It was a clear, mild night, and Jenny and John strolled back to Rumpkin’s, continuing their easy chatter. At one point John slipped his arm through Jenny’s. He did it casually and gently, so she didn’t notice at first. When she did, she felt a flush of pride, for it seemed just like what a gentleman would do for a lady.

  At the door to the rooming house John unhooked his arm from hers and turned to her. His dark eyes searched her face for a moment and Jenny had a sense of expectation she didn’t understand. She waited for him to say something but he hesitated, as if weighing his words, before speaking.

  ‘My father speaks lightly of his enemies,’ he said at last, ‘but they do exist, and the harm they wish him is real. You’ve seen it for yourself. I don’t believe that the incident in the forest was a chance attack by an outlaw. Rumour has it that there’s been an incident with Cleve and that the Duke himself has asked for my father’s assistance. Perhaps they wish him to make a new weapon, like the alchemist Kallinikos did when he made the Greek fire to sink the ships of Persia. If rumour is true, then he’s in danger. And if he has invented some terrible new weapon, there are others who would go to any lengths to extract the secret from him.’

  It was all so bewildering to Jenny. ‘Some would murder him? For a rumour?’

  ‘Cities have gone to war because of a rumour. But perhaps it’s because it’s also rumoured that he’s close to revealing the secret of the stone. He would be a powerful man if he did that. Power causes more jealousy than love, Jenny. And eternal youth and limitless wealth would bring with them unimagined power.’

  ‘What would you have me do?’ she asked.

  ‘Keep your eyes and ears open. Watch over him. Look for things among his work and words that will help us know what danger he’s in. Encourage him to share what he knows. If others know, there’s no reason to single him out. Encourage him to confide in someone he trusts. He may not think I’m yet worthy to be his peer, but I am his son. I would rather share the burden and danger with him.’

  Jenny looked at him blankly, unsure she knew his meaning. ‘Are you asking me to spy on him? To search his papers and notebooks? I could never do that! Besides, he would never trust me. I am only his apprentice, and one he has just met!’

  John shook his head. ‘No, Jenny, I don’t want you to spy on him. Just keep your wits about you. He may let slip something; and if he does, let me know.’

  Jenny nodded dumbly. John offered a small bow of his head. ‘Thank you. Now, you had best be off to your bed. You have only thirteen days of freedom left before seven years of bondage. Make the most of those days, Jenny. Get to know Vale. It will be your home from now on.’

  Hearing “home” stirred the sadness inside Jenny. She didn’t think she could ever call Vale home. There was only one place named home for her. The sorrow must have shown on her face, for John squeezed her hand briefly and spoke very cheerfully.

  ‘And I believe that it’s your birthday soon. It is said that any apprentice who takes the Pledge within a sennight of their birthday will one day be a master. Now, that would be a thing! A woman master. An a master alchemist at that!’

  Jenny drew back from her sadness. She could not ignore John’s smile and his earnest effort to cheer her up.

  ‘I have a long way to go and I’ll need a good friend,’ she said, then added with smile, ‘especially one who has answers.’

  John bowed, an exaggerated, sweeping gesture. ‘At your service, Mistress Jenny – though you’re a beautiful young woman and will soon have more young men wishing to be friends than you’ll know what to do with.’

  His words startled Jenny. She had never been called beautiful, except by her parents (and parents are never counted, though their words perhaps matter most), and she didn’t think herself beautiful. Emily, she thought, is beautiful.

  As if to prove Jenny’s point, at that moment Rumpkin’s front door opened and out flounced Emily, almost bumping into them.

  ‘Oh, excuse me, I didn’t –’ she began and then looked at the couple. ‘Why, Jenny! It’s you! And I nearly bowled you over!’

  Jenny smiled at her irrepressible friend. ‘What are you doing out at this hour?’ she said. ‘Rumpkin will lock it in a minute and we’ll both have to shiver in the street for the night.’

  ‘Oh, the old hag!’ exclaimed Emily. ‘She’s up in the boarders’ sitting room gossiping with the girls. I could hear their cackling right through the walls. I just had to get out for a bit.’

  ‘I was just going in. John ... Master Antrobus ... kindly walked back with me,’ said Jenny. ‘Master Antrobus, this is my room-mate, Mistress Emily Trickett.’

  Emily turned coyly to Jenny’s companion and gave a polite nod of her head. ‘Good evening, Master Antrobus. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I hear you’re following in your father’s footsteps in both profession and reputation.’

  John laughed. ‘The pleasure is mine, Mistress Trickett. And I doubt anyone has been spreading tales of my skills as an alchemist. I have a long way to go before I achieve even a small measure of what my father has accomplished.’

  Even in the dim light of the street torches, Jenny could see that Emily’s eyes were fixed on John’s face, and that she had a curiously coquettish smile.

  ‘We should go in, Emily,’ said Jenny. ‘Or Rumpkin will lock us out.’

  ‘What? Oh, yes, of course,’ murmured Emily distractedly. She dropped her eyes demurely and held out her hand. ‘I hope we meet again soon, Master Antrobus.’

  John took her hand with the tips of his fingers. He bowed, lightly kissed the hand, then bid the young ladies goodnight. He waited until they were safely inside, then made his way home, an amused smile lingering on his face.

  As John Antrobus disappeared into the night, Jenny and Emily were climbing the stairs to their room.

  ‘Who’d have thought that old Antrobus’s son would be so handsome?’ Emily remarked.

  ‘Is he?’ Jenny replied. ‘I hadn’t noticed. I suppose he is.’

  ‘You suppose!’ said Emily in disbelief. ‘He’s very good-looking! How could you not notice?’

  Jenny realised then that Emily was smitten by her master’s son. She looked out of the corner of her eye at her friend. The smile on Emily’s face and the glow in her eyes made her even prettier. She wasn’t playing a part; she genuinely was taken with John Antrobus. For no reason she could think of, Jenny suddenly felt annoyed.

  ‘Well, I’m sure he’s far too busy to think about women,’ she said tartly.

  ‘My mother says that no man is ever too busy to think about women. He may not remember them, but he is always thinking of them,’ replied Emily.

  ‘And, anyway, he doesn’t live in Vale any more. He’s become partner to an alchemist in Cleve.’

  ‘Then it’s time he had a good reason to come back.’

  ‘But you’ve only just met him,’ protested Jenny.

  ‘Why are you making such a fuss? I only smiled at him.’ Emily looked at Jenny out of the corner of her eye. ‘But perhaps you wish to keep him for yourself?�
��

  Jenny stopped dead on the stairs and stared at her

  friend in amazement. ‘Wha–? Of course not! How could you think ...?’

  The thought had never even crossed her mind. John Antrobus seemed like a very pleasant man, friendly and courteous, certainly, but that was all.

  Emily was looking at her, head cocked to one side. ‘Then why are you so snappish with me about him?’

  Jenny looked back at Emily for a moment, then rested her hand gently on her friend’s arm. ‘I was, wasn’t I? I’m sorry, Emily. I don’t know why. Forgive me.’

  Emily smiled and took Jenny’s hand. ‘Forget it.’

  They continued up the stairs to their room. As Emily opened the door, she turned to Jenny with a mischievous look in her eye.

  ‘But he is handsome. And since you’re not interested ...’ She laughed and walked into the room.

  Jenny sighed. Emily was very pretty and already very shapely, and with her lively manner and bright laugh, she’d have little trouble attracting admirers, probably even John Antrobus if she set her mind to it. She had no idea why that bothered her, but it did.

  Chapter 7

  The Mystery

  Jenny bit her lip. It was the next morning and she couldn’t make up her mind whether she should take the astrolabe with her. She thought it would be perfectly safe left in her room but somehow, she didn’t want to be parted with it. The bag was a nuisance to carry, of course. Perhaps, if Emily could help ...

  It took only a few minutes for Emily to fashion a belt from scraps of fabric and make a simple, strong tie to which she could attach the bag. With her passion for making and designing clothes, Emily was remarkably clever with a needle and thread. She rather disapproved of the tattered bag and wanted to make another, but Jenny said she didn’t mind the one she had. It rather matched her clothes, after all. Jenny put the belt around her waist and tied the bag to it. The astrolabe, snug in its ragged sack, sat comfortably against her hip. She thanked Emily, bid her farewell, then went to meet Antrobus.