“And you have made dresses for them, I presume?” questioned Gaius as he lowered his shoulders.
“They will be at the rectory waiting for them! You know it is part of my gift! Such experiences need proper attire, and I am sure the friends of the Clovises have nothing of the sort. It is only kind.” It wasn’t the first time his aunt had magical dresses tailored for her guests. It was her ability, as she claimed it, but Gaius always felt suspicious that her magic had something more to it. Magic often did in his family.
“Indeed,” said Gaius, attempting to catch Caliazo’s eye and failing.
“Shall we?” She said as she led them toward their meal. She seemed to almost float toward the dining room as her elaborate emerald gown hovered around her.
* * *
“My esteemed cousins!” exclaimed Master Clovis with outstretched arms as Cassia and Gynelle drew up the park. “How good of you to come. My sweet Cidel has looked forward to this day since our marriage a month ago.”
Cidel curtsied beside her husband, giving him time, like a tea kettle, to blow off its extra steam before attempting anything else.
He welcomed them three more times before handing them out of the carriage, talking nonstop of his improvements here, there, and everywhere, not to mention his wife’s excessive good taste and numerous contributions. The house did seem quite elaborate for a rector, and a relatively small space. Too many ornate decorations. Apparently Clovis cared for fine trim and paid for it out of his truffle business.
“Yes, thank you for visiting,” Cidel finally said when they entered the house. “Now if you don’t mind, dear, I shall show them into my parlor? You are free to tend to your garden or check on your fungi…”
Cidel offered a relieved exhale as soon as the ladies were alone. “Welcome. It issogood to see you. I must confess I’ve missed female companionship these last few weeks.”
If she missed it already, Cassia feared for her friend’s future.
“Now let me show you around. This is my special parlor. I know it doesn’t face the road, nor is it as fancy as my husband’s study, but the afternoon light is good, and it offers the most quiet.” That quiet was surely a prized possession, Cassia guessed, almost as prized as the truffles.
“I am thrilled to have you meet Magess Degowyn. Tonight will be one of many ‘events’ she condescends to throw.”
Cassia thought, before coming, that surely Cidel would confide in them her dislike of this woman, but she sounded as though she genuinely approved of her.
Cidel smiled toward Gynelle. “Magess Degowyn is rather punctilious about attire, though. She loves to design dresses and always insists that all her guests wear some creation of her own. It’s her ability—they always look incredible and possess magical elements. She’ll have a new gown for every event, so one will be provided to you as her gift to you.”
“Oh, what exceeding generosity,” exclaimed Gynelle. Cassia knew her sister was always first to compliment the kindness of others and attribute such gifts as reflective of goodness of character, rather than any other possible motive.
To Cassia it seemed curious. “She demands for us to dress in her gowns? When she hasn’t even met us or knows of our station?” Something in this request did not sit well. She couldn’t stand a mage or magess who had to flaunt their abilities and station. “How, pray tell, will the good lady know our sizes?”
Cidel’s eyes shifted. “That’s part of the magic!” Cassia drew her lips into a tight line, unamused. “Oh Cassia, you can’t blame the woman for wanting to utilize her ability. If you or I had any magic, I’m sure we’d love to show it off.”
Maybe you would,thought Cassia. Not herself. She crossed her arms. “I refuse to go. I do not like such ostentatious displays of magic. It cannot, most of the time, be trusted.” Although, Cassia recalled quickly, she had been grateful for Caliazo’s magic. Without it, Master Clovis would have tried hard to persuade her that this should beherspecial parlor. She shuddered. Caliazo used his magic for others at least.
Gynelle pulled her sister toward her and dropped her tone. “Cassia don’t be so uncharitable! Cidel just wants us to meet her new acquaintance.”
Perhaps Gynelle was right. Cassia saw the sadness in Cidel’s eyes and immediately wished she had not lashed out.
“I’m so sorry Cidel. Of course it will all be lovely.”
A few hours later the gowns arrived. Cidel and her maid turned down the hallway and the girls followed. Cassia heard Gynelle’s sharp intake of breath as soon as she saw the gowns hanging with small name tags.
“Oh my...it is so lovely,” she said. As the maid did the back buttons, Gynelle gasped. “I can feel it tightening and loosening in just the right places!” Cassia watched as the translucent blue silk overlay shimmered over the silken gown. The bottom of her gown seemed to liquify as the skirt flowed becomingly to the floor.
Cassia eyed the sea green dress hanging in the room more warily. It was beautiful, with pearls lining the wide neckline, but it mocked her. It seemed to say, you are the second, less beautiful sister. The one lacking.
She’d show that gown. And the Magess for that matter. She didn’t need magic. With the help of the maid she huffed and donned the slightly pleated gown. The feel was very fine, if she were being honest. But she’d never allow such compliments to her Ladyship. Clearly Magess Degowyn guessed her slightly more plump, but as the maid pulled on the sash below the bodice, Cassia felt the dress tighten. Somehow, though, it didn’t seem to conform as perfectly as her sister’s did.
“I shall change as well,” said Cidel. A dark blue gown waited for her, with white lace at the hem. If one looked closer the lace seemed billowy almost as if a foamy tide tickled at the hem of the gown.
An hour later the four of them stood at the front doorway of Rosings Park, three extremely anxious people, and Cassia rather unimpressed, despite the opulent splendor that engulfed her. Never had she seen anything like this estate. The tapestries boasted Merlinian era frescos, with stars and nightscapes and ancient creatures. The staircase showcased a central newel with intricate filigree floor to ceiling, as the stair spiraled around it. A butler ushered them into the massive parlor. To Cassia it radiated a slightly damp and musty aura. Gynelle, however, seemed thoroughly impressed as her eyes flitted around, while Clovis and his bride reverently cowered in exactly the fashion Cassia imagined. A sudden whooshing sound filled the parlor until the doors opened and a woman came through or glided, rather, for her dress never exposed her feet. Her hair sat piled on her head, full grey and wiry, with pearls surrounding the bun like a halo. As Cassia peered harder, the pearls almost appeared to swish on some type of suspended water. The woman’s gown matched her hair, the blueish silver fabric seemingly liquid.
Cassia suddenly took stock of her own gown. As soon as the Magess entered, her dress seemed to take on more magical properties. The others’ dresses seemed to become more watery too, the fabric almost looking like liquid though it was dry to the touch. Cassia noted her greenish hue bubbled at the bottom like seafoam. Gynelle’s almost appeared to drip, and Mistress Clovis’ ebbed and flowed nicely, like a tide. Cassia clamped her eyes shut. It was beautiful, but how could it be possible? This woman’s magic must surely be powerful.
The other women gazed down at their dresses, smiling over the surreal effects of the magic on their gowns, and Cidel and Gynelle curtseyed deeply. Cassia quickly remembered herself and followed suit.
