Imager

by L. E. Modesitt Jr.

  “You’re freezing. I’ll have Nellica get you a plate and some hot food, and some spiced wine. You can eat in the family parlor, right in front of the stove. It’s still warm, and I’ll have her find you some dry and warm clothes. We’ll see you after our guests leave. They’re most important for your father. He’s interested in a large contract for the Navy.”

  “You’d better see to them.”

  “After I make sure you get fed and warm.”

  Before long I was wrapped in a heavy wool robe in front of the parlor stove with a platter of chicken naranje and basamatic rice with orange sauce. I ate slowly, trying to think matters through.

  Even if I had imaged the fire into being, I had not really meant to kill Master Caliostrus, but I could not say that of Ostrius. Yet intended or not, the deed had been done, and I needed to discover what else I might image, for I was not about to travel the Bridge of Hopes and make my case to the imagers that I should be considered for their Collegium on the basis of an image that had killed two men.

  “Here is some more of the hot spiced wine, sir …” offered Nellica, pouring some into the mug on the side table.

  “Oh … thank you.”

  “Was it a terrible fire, sir?”

  “I’m afraid it was, Nellica. Master Caliostrus and his son Ostrius died. I was working down in the grinding shed when it happened, or I might have been burned or injured.”

  “Sir … there’s a burn or two, little ones, it looks like, on the back of your neck. After I serve the dessert, I can get some ointment … and some warm water.”

  “Thank you. That would be good.”

  When she left, I took another sip of the hot spiced wine.

  My parents would house me for a few weeks, but certainly not longer, not unless I had something firm in mind, and not without more than a few questions, and more than a little pressure to return to the fold, so to speak.

  I tried to wait for them, but their dinner went on and on. So I decided go back to the main-floor guest chamber. Nellica had set out water and towels, and the water was still warm. I washed up and then sat down in the one armchair. I thought I might try to see if I could image something, but I was so tired that my eyes kept closing, and I finally just stumbled over to the bed and climbed under the covers and went to sleep.

  Before I knew it, Nellica was knocking on the chamber door on Vendrei morning.

  “Your parents would like to know if you would care to join them for breakfast.”

  That was as close to a summons as possible, and I struggled awake, finally mumbling, “If you’d tell them that I’ll be there in just a few moments.”

  “That I will, sir.”

  I just pulled on the heavy robe and some slippers that had been left and padded down the back hallway. They were both in the breakfast room.

  Mother set down her tea. “Are you feeling better this morning, dear?”

  “I’m still tired and sleepy,” I admitted, settling into the chair at the side of the oval table.

  Nellica immediately set a large mug of steaming tea in front of me, too hot even to sip.

  “I can certainly understand, dear, seeing a fire like that and helping fight it, and then walking all the way here in the cold.” Mother sniffed, but sympathetically.

  Father finished chewing a mouthful of what looked suspiciously like trout and egg soufflé, took a swallow of tea, and cleared his throat.

  I put my hands, still cold, around the mug of tea and waited for the onslaught.

  “It’s clear the portraiture business wasn’t for you,” Father said briskly. “These sorts of things, tragic as they may be, aren’t to be ignored as portents. I also heard you had the best painting in the journeyman’s competition, but that it wasn’t picked because it was too … unconventional.”

  The reference to my painting of the chessboard surprised me. I hadn’t mentioned it to him or to Mother or Rousel. “Who told you that?”

  “I do have my sources, Rhenn. Merely being good at figures and trade isn’t sufficient to succeed, especially not in L’Excelsis.”

  “I take it that your dinner was successful last night?”

  “That’s likely, but only time will tell.” He fixed both of his slightly bulbous eyes on me. “Let us not change the subject. What do you plan to do?”

  “I could say that I hadn’t thought about it,” I admitted, “but that wouldn’t be true. I have thought about it, but I haven’t come to a decision.”

  “What’s to decide?” He snorted. “You don’t have two silvers to rub together, let alone the five golds necessary to pay for another journeyman’s position with a master, and that’s if you could find one willing to take you on.”

  “I’m a good portraiturist,” I pointed out.

  “No, son … you’re better than good. I saw the one you did of Masgayl Factorius. He boasted of what a great portrait it was and how little it cost him. Your ability is your problem. You’re better than many who are masters. Why would they want to raise up someone who could compete against them for patrons as soon as you became a master? You’re good enough that the guild couldn’t possibly turn you down, even now. That means that no one will take you as a journeyman. Those who might will fear retaliation from the others, and I couldn’t afford the gifts required to get you accepted. It was costly enough when you were just a talented student coming out of grammaire. Now …” He shook his head.

  “I wasn’t asking.”

  “I know you weren’t. That wasn’t my point. What I was trying to get across was that if I can’t afford that … you couldn’t, either.” He took a deep breath. “But you’ll likely not listen to me, not yet. I’d suggest that you make the rounds of some of the other masters and see what reaction you get. Then, we’ll talk.” He pushed back his chair. “Take your time. You’ll need to be sure, and I need you to understand how matters stand.” Then he stood and smiled, and it wasn’t a cruel smile, but one that was almost sad.

  How matters stood? Even with his sources, he hadn’t half the idea of where matters truly stood. Yet … what if he were wrong? I was a good artist. What if someone would take me on? How would I know if I didn’t at least ask?

  “All of us, all of us, Rhenn, we do what we can. You’ll find that’s true for you as well.”

  I just watched as he turned and left.

  “He’s just trying to be helpful, Rhenn.”

  “I know.” And I did, but I wasn’t finding his attitude as helpful as he thought it was. What was I supposed to do? Come crawling back to the factoring business and work for my younger brother at something for which I had little talent and even less inclination? Or throw myself on the mercy of the imagers of Imagisle? Who knew if they even had mercy?

  After finishing breakfast, silently, I washed up, and changed into some older clothes that had been someone’s, possibly my father’s or my late uncle’s. I’d have to get another razor, and more than a few other items, assuming I could beg or borrow the coins from my parents.

  Then I sat down in the chair and tried to image a small box. Nothing happened.

  I walked over to the dressing table and picked up a polished bone hair comb—probably one of a pair of Remaya’s that she’d left on one of their visits because she’d broken or lost the mate. I set it down and studied it, then concentrated, trying to image its mate, lying on the polished wood of the dressing table beside the first. I didn’t see anything happen, but then, as if it had been there all along, a pair of combs rested on the wood.

  I’d leave them, of course, if only to confound Rousel and Remaya, except that they’d probably just assume that someone had found or repaired the broken comb.

  That proved to me that I could image something beyond oils on canvas. It also reinforced the likelihood that I’d been guilty of killing two men, even if it had been unintentional.

  If I wanted to keep painting, I still needed to talk to some of the other portraiturist masters.

  14

  755 A.L.

  In tru
th lies falsity, in falsity truth.

  Chasys’s studio was the closest of any of the portraiturist masters’ studios to my parents, but it was still a long walk to Daravin Way, Thankfully, the morning was sunny, and the blustery wind of the day before had died down. Even so, my feet were cold by the time I stopped outside the small two-story dwelling that held quarters and studio.

  I used the bronze knocker on the outside studio door, expecting Sagaryn to be the one to greet me, but Chasys himself appeared. He was a thin figure, slightly taller than I was, but no one would have thought so, because he was always stooped over. His graying brown hair was frizzy all over, but trimmed short. He wore a leather apron.

  “Rhennthyl, is it?” He stepped back and held the door open. “Might as well come in and get warmed up.”

  “Thank you.”

  Chasys closed the door. Beyond him was the studio, a space less than a quarter the size I had worked in with Master Caliostrus. On the easel was a portrait, scarcely begun, but I could tell that it was of a young matron, not that I would have recognized many with the golds to commission such a work.

  “After I heard what happened to old Caliostrus …” He shook his head. “Always knew he was spoiling that boy … man, I guess he was.” Then he looked squarely at me. “Sagaryn thought you might be asking around. I liked that study you entered in the competition, that I did.”

  I had the feeling I knew what was coming, but I just said, “Thank you, Master Chasys.”

  “It’s not that I couldn’t use another journeyman, especially one with your skills, but … we’ve barely got enough work these days for Sagaryn and me. I haven’t seen so little work in maybe ten-twelve years, and it’s not just me. Jacquerl and Teibyn were saying the same.”

  That didn’t surprise me, because Sagaryn had mentioned that times were sometimes tight, but I had to start somewhere. “Is there a master you might suggest?”

  Chasys cocked his head, then frowned. “I don’t know about Estafen or Kocteault.”

  “I’ve seen Kocteault’s place, but not Master Estafen’s …”

  “Estafen … you walked within fifty yards of his place coming here. He’s on Beidalt—the short place just beyond the end of Bakers’ Lane.”

  Since Estafen was nearer, that was where I went next, a far shorter walk.

  An apprentice opened the side door to the studio, painted white and trimmed with the thinnest line of green—zinc green, but green, nonetheless. Most doors in L’Excelsis were either stained and oiled or painted one color. “Might I say who’s seeking the master?”

  “Rhennthyl, from Master Caliostrus.”

  “If you would wait in the foyer … sir.”

  “Thank you.” I stepped inside and looked around while the apprentice scurried through another door. Estafen’s studio had a foyer, bare, except for a single portrait hung there on the wall facing the door. It was a most flattering image of a redheaded young woman, a subtle but direct indication that he could indeed portray redheads with skill. Still, I didn’t think it was that much better than the ones I’d done.

  “Yes, Rhennthyl, you do portray redheads well. It’s one of your many talents.” Master Estafen had slipped into the foyer so silently that I had not even noticed him, far more quietly than I would have expected from such a rotund figure.

  “If I might ask, sir, how did you know?”

  “I was privileged to see the one you did last year of Mistress D’Whaelyn. High Factor Whelatyn, the brother of the girl’s father, asked my opinion. I told him that he could not have done better, except if he had commissioned one from a master.”

  I smiled politely. The portrait had been better than some of the masters’ works with redheads, although I had to admit that the one Estafen had hung was quite good. “Thank you, sir. I imagine you know why I’m here.”

  “I could pretend to be dense and quite solicitous … but I won’t.” Estafen’s smile was pleasant and cool. “I understand Master Caliostrus perished in a fire. Why no one suspects you of any part in it is, first, you were nowhere near where the fire started for half a day and, second, you have so much to lose, and nothing to gain. You, of course, could be my gain, but, alas, I already have two journeymen and two apprentices. None of them are quite so good as you, but they’re most competent, and even I do not have enough work for them … and you as well.” His smile turned apologetic. “Times are difficult, and with a possible war looming and trade and commerce profits being threatened, fewer of those with coins are likely to spend them on portraits.” He shrugged. “I wish I could offer you more encouragement, Rhennthyl, but that is how it must be. I trust you understand.”

  “I understand your situation, sir, and I respect and appreciate your kind directness. You must understand that I must attempt to find a position. Do you have any suggestions, sir?”

  “Would that I could suggest a master, Rhennthyl, but I cannot, and I fear that what you seek may prove most difficult. Because of your talent and aspirations, I would hope otherwise.”

  “As would I, sir.” I inclined my head. “I thank you for your time, sir.”

  “The best of fortune to you, and I would be the first to hope that you find the proper master for your abilities.”

  I bowed again and took my leave.

  As I walked back along the Boulevard D’Este, toward Jacquerl’s studio, I thought over Master Estafen’s words. They bore an ominous similarity to what my father had said. Estafen had as much as said that he wasn’t about to have someone as good as I was as a journeyman.

  It was early afternoon, and my feet were getting sore, when I reached Jacquerl’s establishment on Sloedyr Way. I wished I’d had the coins for a hack, or the wealth for my own carriage, but if I’d had that, I wouldn’t have been trudging from master portraiturist to master portraiturist.

  Rogaris met me outside, even before I could knock at the door. “You can talk to him if you want to …” He raised his eyebrows.

  “But he’ll say no.”

  Rogaris nodded.

  “I’ll talk to him. I’d like to hear how he turns me down.”

  “I thought so.” Rogaris shook his head, then opened the door—painted a dark brown—and stepped inside, waiting for me and closing it behind me. The wooden floors could have graced the foyer of many dwellings, far finer they were than most studios in which I had been.

  Jacquerl stepped away from the easel, setting down a brush, and walked toward me. He was short and dapper, and even his leather apron was almost spotless. “Rhennthyl.” He smiled politely. “Rogaris said you would wish to speak to me. I was so sorry to hear about poor Caliostrus. He was a good man, and we’ll all miss him.” He paused. “I assume you are here to see if there is any possibility of becoming one of my journeymen.”

  “That was my thought, sir.”

  “Directly said, as might your father have put it, a direct man, as factors must often be.”

  “He can be very direct, sir, more so than I.”

  “That well may be, Rhennthyl, but you never did strike me as a young man amenable to the subtle. That can be both a strength and a weakness in Solidar. That’s particularly true here in L’Excelsis, where, at times, one must be subtle and perceptive enough to see what is and why no one will mention it, and yet strong enough to pursue what is necessary without seeming to do so.” Jacquerl paused. “Then, there are other times, such as these. Much as I would like to support an artist of your ability, I cannot. The commissions would not be there, and we would all suffer. You will pardon me, I trust, if after all the years I have been a master, I would prefer not to suffer.”

  “I can appreciate that, sir.”

  The dapper portraiturist smiled, if sadly. “I wish it were otherwise, but we artists do not make the times. We only live in them and portray others who do.” After a pause, he added, “My best to you.”

  Rogaris followed me out onto the front stoop. “I told you …”

  “Who told them not to take me on?”

  “What?
”

  “I’m not stupid, Rogaris. I may not be subtle, and I’m certainly not very good at being indirect, but your master as much as said he was told he’d never get another commission, or not many, if he took me on as a journeyman.”

  Rogaris shrugged. “I don’t know. He didn’t even say as much to me as he just said to you. I think it’s a measure of respect to you that he said as much as he did.”

  That kind of respect I could do without, especially if it kept me from being a portraiturist. “I know you didn’t have anything to do with it.”

  “You’re still going to try others?”

  “There aren’t that many more left, but I will.”

  Rogaris nodded. “I thought you might. Best of fortune.”

  He watched as I walked off down toward the corner and the winding lane that would take me back out to the boulevard. I thought about stopping at the confectioner’s on the corner, until I realized I had but a single silver and three coppers in my wallet—and no way to get more, except through the charity of my parents. That grated on my sensibilities, and I could feel more than a little anger churning inside me. Could it be that I was going to be forced to choose between being an ineffective wool factor or chancing the unknown world of Imagisle?

  A half glass later, I stepped up to Master Kocteault’s studio door.

  Aurelean opened it. “Ah … dear Rhennthyl. After I heard the news about Master Caliostrus, I’d thought you might make an appearance at Master Kocteault’s studio door. Alas, he simply has no position for a journeyman and is unlikely to have one for at least two years.”

  “Oh? Two years? That’s rather precise, isn’t it, Aurelean?”

  “His very words were that one journeyman was more than enough difficulty and obligation, and since you—he was referring to me, of course—have two years before I’ll recommend you for master, there’s no point in talking to the poor fellow.”

  “Is he in?”

  “Alas, he is not. He is doing a sitting at High Factor Zatoryn’s—his wife. She is striking, quite beautiful, you know?”