Deathscent: Intrigues of the Reflected Realm. Robin Jarvis

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СКАЧАТЬ reproach. He resented having to work on anything belonging to those who had caused Edwin’s death and he was tired after so long and bitter a day.

      The other apprentices were leaning on the bench, watching. Although the hour was late and they were both drained after the night’s awful events, they were also eager to see the inside workings of this wonderful creation. Never had they seen such cunning devices; there was a delightful harmony of swinging weights and clicking levers. Wheels spun smooth and silent, while brass chains slipped gracefully across their gears. It was all ingenious and engrossing, but the most fantastic element, which drew a long, low whistle from Henry, was the quantity of ichor.

      The three usual humours were there in long glass cylinders, but next to them was an even larger vessel containing the black cordial – the most expensive of all.

      “This mannikin must be smarter than all of us put together,” Henry marvelled.

      “Imbeciles,” the Doctor commented, “whether human or not, are tiresome society.”

      As the minutes passed, Henry began to nod, but Adam was becoming concerned at Jack’s treatment of Lantern. He was being inordinately rough and ham-fisted. Where gentle, persuasive tappings with a small hammer were required, the older boy bashed and bullied the damaged metal as though venting his anger and frustration.

      Despite being brutalised in this way, Lantern remained quietly tolerant and suffered every fresh attack with remarkable forbearance. He even assisted Jack by passing him the tools he needed and at last Adam saw what was kept inside the tall, conical hat.

      It was a stout candle and, now that it was lit, tiny punctures were revealed over the whole copper surface from which the warm light pricked and twinkled, casting a field of fiery stars across the wall.

      “Is that where he gets his name from?” Adam asked.

      Doctor Dee said that it was not, but he explained no further for he was also beginning to realise that Jack was applying more force than was entirely necessary. Sternly, he drummed his fingers on the bench until the boy moderated his technique.

      “That’s the best I can manage,” Jack said at last. “If I carry on it’ll be doing more harm than good.”

      Lantern was lifted from the bench and set on the floor. But when he tried to walk, he limped so badly that Jack actually looked guilty and embarrassed. The small mechanical hobbled gamely about the workshop, tottering unsteadily between the disassembled sheep and cows which still littered the place. When eventually he halted before his master, he shook his head in such a dejected fashion that Adam felt sorry for him.

      “It’ll need proper attention when you get to London,” Jack said.

      The Queen’s astrologer gave a curt nod and led the faltering Lantern to the door.

      “You did that on purpose,” Adam hissed at Jack.

      The older boy smirked and began climbing the ladder to the hay loft. Adam watched the little mechanical struggle to the yard then ran after both him and his master.

      “Stay a moment,” he pleaded. “I believe I can be of service. The injury may not be as serious as we thought. If you could spare a little while longer.”

      Sir Francis Walsingham was shaking his head, anxious to leave, but Doctor Dee assented and so back to the stables they went. Adam worked quickly. Sitting Lantern upon his own bench he was appalled at the sloppy workmanship of the older apprentice, but made no comment. Carefully, he put new steel pins into the knee joint and tapped out the remaining dents.

      “You are very skilled,” the Doctor complimented. “Previously, in the barn, you excelled with Belladonna where I could not. You know your trade well – I foresee a prosperous future for you.”

      Adam laughed. “Tell that to Henry!” he said indicating the boy who was now lying fast asleep across two sheep in the corner. “He’s the one who wants to be rich.”

      “And you do not share that ambition?”

      “I don’t want to leave Malmes-Wutton. I like it here. This is where they found me and this is where I belong. Lord Richard’s been more than kind – even lets me read the books in his library. The ones he didn’t have to sell, of course.”

      The Doctor was impressed. “A scholar, in addition to your practical accomplishments.”

      Again Adam laughed. “I just like to know things, that’s all.”

      “Knowledge is all,” came the compelling reply.

      Pausing in his work, the boy looked at the old man’s lined face. The pale hazel eyes were ageless, and wisdom more ancient than his august years was written across those brows. Almost without realising what he was saying, Adam asked, “Do you really dig up bodies and speak to the dead?”

      The impertinent question did not irritate the Doctor in the least. “I use whatever means I can to further my understanding,” he said warmly. “I have studied necromancy, alchemy, I am a cabalist, hermeticist, mathematician and much more besides. I alone have cast the Queen’s horoscope without fear of losing my head, for it was at Her own bidding, you see – I luxuriate in the indulgence of Her Majesty.”

      “Is She really as beautiful as talk would have Her?”

      Doctor Dee’s features took on a solemn aspect and in a low, almost reverent voice said, “She is Gloriana. In the old world that is gone, She ruled us with honeyed words and a lion’s heart. Flattery deified Her then, but now She is indeed a Goddess. Though we ordinary folk endure our extended years more ably than before, hardly a mark of age blemishes Her countenance. Where we weather one year, a single day passes for Her. Yes, She is beautiful, but then what is beauty? The sea may be deemed a ravishing sight, and yet ships are lost and men drowned.”

      At that moment, a stern voice called from the yard. Walsingham would wait no longer.

      “I think that’s as much as can be done anyway,” Adam said. “I’ve strengthened the joint and fixed a few bits that Jack overlooked.” Covering the mechanisms, he helped Lantern from the bench and the copper secretary took a couple of hesitant steps.

      Adam had proven better than his word for the leg was stronger than ever. The limp was gone completely and, as his confidence returned, Lantern gave a dance for joy and bowed repeatedly to the apprentice.

      “We are grateful,” Doctor Dee announced. Then, giving the scrawny boy a long, appraising look, said, “This is not the end of our acquaintance, young Adam o’the Cogs. We are destined to encounter one another again. Perhaps you will even inspect my library at Mortlake; it is considered to be the greatest in all Englandia. I look forward to that day.”

      Wrapping his dark red robe about him, he left the stables and Lantern went skipping after.

      At the entrance, however, the mechanical paused. His round head swivelled about and the green eyes shone back at Adam, the gentle light flickering uncertainly. Retracing his steps he stood before him once more and opened a small door set into his side.

      “What are you doing?” the boy asked, puzzled. “They’re waiting for you.”

      Taking an empty bottle from the workbench, Lantern proceeded to syphon a small quantity of black СКАЧАТЬ