Cassia decrescendoed until her dynamic fell to pianissimo, but it was too late. Their covert whisperings were over. Throughout the night Cassia marveled at her mother’s cheery tone. Clearly something more pleasing than magical truffles must have been the topic of conversation.
The evening drew to an end not soon enough. Before retiring, Mistress Retton suggested both girls, excepting Gynelle who was still not fully well, should walk with Master Clovis to Meryton the next day. Alyria couldn’t have responded with any more possible volume or a more emphatic sigh of delight. Cassia nodded, grateful for the prospect of at least leaving the house the next day.
* * *
“May I use your carriage to go into Meryton?” Gaius asked Blythesome the next morning.
“Of course, though I ought to come with you, if we are to hold a ball here at Netherfield. I need something splendid to wear…”
“Go easy on the gold trim. It gives you away,” said Gaius.
Blythesome chuckled. “Why do you wish to go?”
“Ember warned me it may be in Meryton,” Gaius watched his friend nod his head. This wasn’t the first time Gaius had left Blythesome to chase what he had lost.
His chase was for good reason.
As soon as they reached the tailor’s shop, Gaius told Blythesome not to wait for him and set off toward the town square.
A relic always remembered its owner. The Darkwood relic came from his mother’s line in the form of a pocket watch, and it had been missing since last winter. Relics retained additional power for the owner. When a family member lay dying, they could imbue into it their power, increasing the family relic’s power. Gaius still had plenty of business ability—his words and persuasive mental pressure usually convincing others to agree to his ideas. But the relic would give him even more ability to do so, and in the wrong hands it could do serious harm.
Such an item ought not be lost, especially in the Darkwood’s case, for generations had made it extremely effective and strong. The danger and agony of its disappearance tore at him. It was stolen away from him just a few months ago, reported lost at Pemberley while Gaius had been traveling.
Ember had informed him again that the relic was in Meryton. Gaius had searched last week but found nothing. Now that familiar heat, the feeling he recognized when the relic was close, rose inside of his chest and propelled him down the street.
The sound of militia drums pounded. Finding that pocket watch would be impossible. It could be anywhere with anyone here—though only a skilled mage would know how to access its power. Regardless, he never should have left it at Pemberley.
The pounding inside of him grew stronger, his own internal pressure mounted. He came to the street corner and watched the militia march by, scanning each face for...for something. He did not know what, exactly.
The group passed and then seemed to disband, the drums coming to a stop. As the cloud of dust from their march settled, Gaius saw two ladies and a rather portly, uncomely fellow waiting as a few officers scurried to join them. The man he did not recognize, but the pleasant face of the one female and the overly giddy shrill voice of the other told him they were the two younger Retton daughters.
An officer turned back up the street toward the waving hand of Alyria.
“Lieutenant Deston, do come say hello! And tell us of your new friend.”
Gaius stood on the other side of the street, and none of the party had any awareness for anyone except for the people directly before them.
That was when Gaius noticed Lieutenant Deston’s friend.
It couldn’t be.
An urge to rush across the street and throw the man to the ground rose within him.
He had sworn if he ever beheld his face again, he would—
Instead he reined in his anger and listened.
“This is Lieutenant Malum,” said Lieutenant Deston to the giddy Alyria. “He has been transferred to our regiment.”
Malum bowed gallantly, and then proceeded in a quieter tone, which Gaius could not quite make out. The customary warm manners and captivating charm of Tytus Malum clearly impressed the ladies.
Gaius’ anger still burned, and he tried to pay attention to the call from the pocket watch. Was it Malum, then, who stole it? Gaius had assumed it impossible. People with no magical ability couldn’t generally use a relic. Perhaps it was Malum's mere presence that caused him anger now.
Without further thought Gaius strode across the road.
“We are purchasing ribbons; would you care to join us?” crooned Alyria toward the new gentleman.
“Of course,” answered Malum.
