Chapter 326 — A Secret Gathering
Blade of Dawn · Page 2 of 4
There were only two kinds of people here: the first kind, who wished to curry favor with the Cecil family, and the second kind—Cohen's kind—who wished to curry favor with the first.
A young man with curly brown hair, a hooked nose, and fine silken clothes came over. Cohen recognized him as a collateral member of the Straun family, and at once rose with a smile, lifted his cup in salute, and did his utmost to strike up a few words.
The two had no real acquaintance, and the talk did not last long, but Cohen believed he had left a slight impression on the other. After that young master of the Straun family had gone, the young mage let the stiff smile fade from his face, breathed out softly, set down his cup, and left his seat.
A serving man in a red vest immediately stepped forward to ask whether he needed assistance. These attendants were all hired and dispatched by the crown; after Duke Gawain Cecil's resurrection, the King, seeking to show goodwill, had continued to supply money and men to help manage this property during the Duke's absence in the Southern Marches. Cohen waved a hand, saying only that his chest felt tight and he wished to step outside for some air.
He left the brilliantly lit parlor and came out into the cold wind. The giant sun was already sinking, and the sky was darkening bit by bit.
Cohen sneezed, rubbed his nose, turned, and made ready to drink one more cup of the precious Kalna wine and then go home.
But just then he saw that young woman of somewhat dusky complexion, in a long gown, named Gipley, walking toward him.
Santis truly had good fortune, to have such a beautiful young lady at his side.
Cohen thought this with no little envy, then gave a slight nod of greeting to the apprentice mage before him. "Miss Gipley."
He must pay his respects to the Duke's messenger, yet he must also maintain the reserve proper to a formal extraordinary—the other party, after all, was merely a mage's apprentice.
Gipley lightly touched her forehead with her fingers, returning a standard mage's salute, and asked with a smile, "Mr. Cohen Bonat, is it not?"
"That's right, that's me. Is there something you need?"
"You meet the requirements. Mr. Santis asked me to give you this."
The young apprentice mage handed Cohen a folded letter and a brooch that looked quite ordinary. After taking the letter, however, he could not help frowning slightly and said hesitantly, "But... I haven't made ready to—"
"This is not a registration letter for the Southern Marches, only an invitation to the next gathering," Gipley said with a smile. "Please do not miss this chance. Wearing the brooch is your proof of attendance at the gathering."
Cohen wanted to ask more, but Gipley only smiled mysteriously, shook her head, and turned to walk away. Having no other choice, Cohen could only lower his head, open the folded letter, and read it with curiosity.
It bore but a single sentence: After the first bell tolls tonight, remain here still.
Yet behind that sentence was a small symbol, a symbol bearing the pattern of a lightning bolt and an eye.
"A mages' secret gathering? What is Santis up to... Does he mean to use this chance of running errands for the Duke to hold a private gathering of his own? Does he still mean to return to the mage circles of the royal capital?"
Cohen muttered curiously, frowning, but all the same carefully put the letter away.
Whatever Santis intended, a mages' secret gathering of this sort was well worth attending. Spellcasters exchanging views among themselves was in itself a fine opportunity to hone one's strength and gain knowledge; it was only that organizing a respectable gathering was not cheap. Since someone had stepped forward to organize this one, and one could go on savoring fine wine and good food in the Duke's mansion besides, Cohen was sure most would not let the chance slip.
He glanced at the sky outside and found the sun all but wholly sunk beneath the horizon: the first bell was not far off.