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Chapter 10 |  |
After the event, Speranda filia Laurentii wrote to her sodales in House Bonisagus, at Petrusca.
After the invasion of the Covenant's Sanctity on Midsummer's day, the Council gathered to discuss responses. There was worry as to whether their visitor had been an Hermetic Maga in Færy disguise, or a true Fæ. In the former case a crime had been committed under the Hermetic Code, while in the latter case, the Council itself might commit a crime if it sought retribution. The Quæsitor Iuris Perita was especially keen to find any possible offender, and so responsibility for the investigation was passed to her.
Since she would rather spend the new season working to set up her new Laboratory, or minimise distractions from that task, Iuris Perita determined to first send out servants to learn what they could without magic: she charged her maid-servant Pernelle with questioning the local peasants as to Færy happenings or passers-by.
Pernelle, a French speaker, decided in turn to pick grogs who spoke Breton, or rather, the best that the Covenant could offer. This turned out to be Jean Rouet who of all the guards was the only fluent Breton speaker, but speaks almost no French; and Pierre Martin, the carpenter, as the best compromise interpreter. (Jehan, the Vilicus is fluent in both, but is too frail for adventures, and the other bi-lingual grogs arrived too recently to be trusted.) These three began a tour of local farms, asking whether any had seen ought of report. Two farms stood out as particularly important:
Several other farms and cottages were visited, through and beyond Plaintel, until they came to the outskirts of St. Brieuc and turned back.
With Pernelle's report, they were left with little evidence of direct involvement of the Fæ, so Iuris Perita turned her mind to Magi. and to shape-changers. Lacking reports of Hedge Wizards, she referred to the Tribunal Rolls, and the members of nearby Covenants. Suspicion inevitably fell upon Wirbelnia, with two Merinita Maga present. A Quæsitorial Visit was made ready.
To reach Wirbelnia, they must walk a day to St. Brieuc (since horses will not carry the Maga Iuris Perita), and then hire a boat to Sercq.
For this trip, a scribe (Arnaud) seemed necessary to record the Investigation, two Shield-grogs (the twins Donal and Duncan), and the Consortis Jimena to negotiate and bargain with Mundanes. However a small argument broke out before they left, as to the conditions for a discreet passage through a City such as St. Brieuc: that while it may be enough for a Maga with the normal Gift to go hooded and cloaked, yet it drew undue attention to their party to contain two Large, Identical-Twin Scotsmen, armed and armoured. Eventually reason won over personal favour and trust, and Duncan was replaced by Zacharias (deemed least likely to cause a bar-room brawl).On such travels, Jimena reverts to her old-time habits of disguise, and re-dons her boy's garb and crops her hair, and so passes well enough as the "young man" speaking for her "Mother", handling the Mundane matters of city Gate-Tolls, and hiring a room at an Inn. At the Inn, Jimena left the others and walked on the further two miles to the Fishing village and port of Légué.
Asking on the quay-side, she/he was directed to the Bleiz Guen (White Wolf), a Légué Lugger, and her Master, Maudez. To her/his request to hire the Bleiz for the trip to Sercq, Maudez opened with a generously high bargaining position, which left Jimena floundering, until he took pity on the youth and made a more reasonable closing bid, which he/she accepted with thanks. It was agreed they would hire the boat per day, and while she would stand off and fish each day, would return each dusk to pick up the party at their request. They would sail on the morning tide, on the next morning that the wind rose, and the still June air turned to a breeze that would fill the sails, for Maudez swore his crew would not row so far as Sercq; and, he stated that it was his firm belief that the still heat was set in and would not change.
Back at the Tavern, Donal heard the sweet tones of the Gaelic in the talk of a striking pair - a young man and a young girl of some ten years. Glad of a chance to exercise his proper tongue, he greeted them and learnt their tale: of travels, of woes, of losses, and of the sister's sweet gift of Song. Donal petitioned the Maga Iuris Perita to hire this noble soul, so far from his home, and so kindred a spirit to himself, and managed to move the Maga so that she accepted his plea, but left then them to their swapping of clan and ancestors' tales.
The next morning, it would seem that the Lord favoured the party, for a breeze drifted over St. Brieuc, growing to a gentle blow off-shore when they reached Légué and the Bleiz.
Carried by wholly Mundane breeze, through Mundane waves, and the Aura of gently festering Sea-weed, the passengers were struck with the notion that it were better both to have a stable horizon, such as granted by dry land travel, and that breaking their fast might not have been such a good idea that morning, so they did empty their bellies. The Bleiz Guen took most of the day to complete her passage to Sark, and never was there a day so long.
As the Island emerged through the afternoon shimmer, they set look-out for the Covenant, and made a progress around the Island. As they sailed, they had time to study the high granite cliffs, dropping sheer into the sea, with green grass and wild flowers seen high above them on the plateau. After sailing round half the Island, they had begun to despair of any sign of habitation, let alone an Hermetic Covenant. Finally they came upon a small Harbour, later identified as Creux Harbour, with people working on the tiny quay; they pulled in and disembarked before the Bleiz left to set her nets.
Knowing that the Covenant held the Manor of the Island, and caves, they asked directions of the fishermen, who pointed them into a tunnel-like cave into the rocks. Thinking that they had truly arrived they set off into the dark, only to emerge shortly back into the day at the foot of a sheer slope, with a foot path seemingly painted on. Making their way up this, they emerged onto a flat greensward, with a single obvious track leading inland.
Following this track they spied first the Spire of a Church, and then the stout buildings at its base, gathered as if for protection by the Mother Church. Small children had noted their passage, and run ahead to alert the village, so that by their arrival, there was one man planted firmly at the cross roads, to greet them.
This voluble fellow would answer all of their questions, but, lacking teeth, tact and clear accent could be understood by none of the listeners, no matter what he said, nor how loud. This frustration was shared by the listeners, who could not make progress without guidance to the Covenant, and did not wish to go to the Church, as being the least Hermetic site around.
Seeing as the one comprehensible offering of their guide was his gentle tugging at the arm, they acceded to his guidance, and followed to the Church, hoping to find that they had only made an error of location and needed simply to progress further to find the Covenant. Introducing themselves to the Priest, Père Landri, they were in turn introduced to Huidemar-the-Mumbler, the Captain of the Watch (wherein it seems that the locals had the means to understand this dreadful man).
Père Landri led the travellers into the cool dark of his church, and bid them convey their business, that he might help them. Although none of the other islanders had made any attempt to communicate, yet they were reluctant to admit their intentions to the Priest, and he in turn did not volunteer much, being content to listen to their evasions. As the two sides jointly traded words and avoided release of any full knowledge, the Maga's robe slipped open and allowed sight of her badges of House and Office which she had sought to conceal from the clergyman.
When he did see the badges, his eye was caught, and he read and clearly understood their meaning: the badge of the Order of Hermes, and the Badge of the House of Guernicus, and the Rank of Quæsitor, for he changed his tone and addressed Iuris Perita in good Latin, as Honoured Lady, and that he would send word of her arrival to the Princeps. He apologised for the delay and allowed that had she identified herself openly, her reception would have been much different; and too, he now led them from the church proper to the Manor House, where "the aura would be more comfortable" to the Maga.
Staggered that a priest should be so intimate with the matters of the Order, the travellers followed in silence. Waiting now in the Hall of the Manor, they realised that they had, in fact, arrived at the Covenant of Wirbelnia, caves notwithstanding.
Within some Half of an Hour, the Magus Gareth o Fflint ex Miscellanea, arrived to handle the situation, and to bid the Quæsitor welcome, and to ask her Business. Gareth appears in his mid-40s (92 Hermetically), charismatic and strong-willed, and possessing the Gentle Gift; tall, well-built, with brown hair peppering with a touch of grey. He has a reputation as a Master of Certamen (from the training of his first Parens, Quintillianus Tremereris).
Now Iuris Perita held forth on the serious business of the invasion of their Covenant, and of the Færie nature of the invader, and of their departure northwards towards Wirbelnia; and since that Covenant has two members of House Merinita, that they render to the Quæsitor an account of their activities on and around Midsummer's Day.
Gareth was clearly not happy with this, and forcefully defended the Magae of his Covenant. He could excuse Alan Kerbol ex Miscellanea as too old and infirm, and Anna Le Bail ex Miscellanea as not gifted with færy matters, and Bartholomeus Mercereris as not Gifted; yet he must allow that Mari Amwithig Merinitæ and Gwénolé le Guen Merinitæ might just match the description offered.
The Magi of Saxum Caribetum were well advised to have sent a Quæsitor as their representative, as by the fire in his eyes and his vigorous defence of Sodales, he would rather have challenged her to Certamen - and been expected to win. Yet as a Quæsitor, he offered her apologies in delay, for the two Magae were not present and could only account for themselves later: this he expected would be upon that evening for the one, and on the morrow for the other.
As Iuris Perita did not yet press her investigations to the less likely members of the Covenant, he called for refreshments and left them to their peace, until the evening. The maid seemed wary of them, but held on, seeming indecisive, until she blurted out that "if they would be staying overnight, they would be well advised to shutter their windows and stay abed", but would not elaborate upon this, but left in haste. The visitors from Saxum Caribetum were left to contemplate this notion, undisturbed by any except for an occasional apologetic servant.
Late that day, an Hour after Sunset, another maid announced the return of Gareth, who in turn introduced Mari Amwithig, and then took his place to sit as observer and witness to the investigation.
Mari Amwithig is a striking young woman, in her early twenties to look at her, with jet black hair, and bold dark eyebrows and a flashing glare. She is said to be a Master of Perdo magics, and as if to prove this, the herbs and flowers scenting the room wilted as she passed despite no magics being cast. Disturbances beneath her clothing, and a pointed face and beady eyes revealed the presence of her Familiar, a black-furred Mink, her constant companion - said to do nothing to improve her Temper.
She was bold and aggressive in response to questions admitting freely that
she consorts with the Fæ - the Night People, as she had it, and that
she would come and go to the Mainland as and when she thought fit;
that she had visited the Glade of Caribet within the Calendar year, but could
not be precise as to when;
that she was not willing to be precise as to her exact whereabouts on Midsummer's
Day, as she held that that business was private and not germane to the
Question;
but finally denying that she had been anywhere near the Glade of Caribet
during their "silly ceremonies".
Iuris Perita had demanded that she submit to the Frosty Breath of the Spoken Lie, and not one breath had turned misty, although it must be allowed that with Mari's Mastery of Perdo, she could dispel the Auram effect without using words nor gestures...
When the Quæsitor was done, Mari turned and flounced out through the door, and Gareth was left to sigh, and send for a carpenter to clear away the fragments and fit a new one.
Iuris Perita and Arnaud then retired, and took the advice to shutter their windows and to stay abed; for even if the only night-stalker was Mari Amwithig, in the Temper she had, none would wish to tangle with her.
On the Morrow, with the Sun bright and hot already, the Covenant Grogs could only apologise for the continued absence of Maga Gwénolé, for she had been gone and not expected to return immediately, and they could not account for her movements, so-sorry Madame Quæsitor...
In late morning there was word that the Maga had returned, and would be sent for, but they were waiting an hour more before Gareth brought the Maga to the Hall.
Gwénolé would be a pretty maid, as fair as Mari is dark, and with a Look to turn any man's heart; but this day she had taken upon herself the Form of a young Man, and too that Man had her Look, so that now she would turn any maid's heart, or so it might seem.
Gwénolé too consorts with the Fæ - the Bright People,
as she had it, and that she comes and goes to the Mainland as and when she
thinks fit;
that she had visited the Glade of Caribet within the Calendar year, but could
not be precise as to when;
that she was not willing to be precise as to her exact whereabouts on Midsummer's
Day, as she held that that business was private and not germane to the
Question;
but, that she had been in the Forêt de Lorge that day, perhaps near
the Glade, for she had become lost while "dancing with the færies";
and, that she had been wounded that day, in the leg, by a ferocious Boar,
but that her Færie Friends had healed and tended her - for that is
where she had been;
but finally denying that she had been anywhere near the Glade of Caribet
during their "ceremonies".
As the questions became more difficult, at each peak of intensity, Gwénolé would sigh slowly and undo another fastening of his/her chemise, and smoulder in a sultry fashion, that had Iuris Perita thinking very hard of her duties as a Quæsitor.
Iuris Perita had demanded that Gwénolé submit to the Frosty Breath of the Spoken Lie, and not one breath had turned misty, and it must be allowed that Gwénolé is not known for her mastery of Perdo, nor Auram, so that her words must be True...
Recalling the blow by Maga Saskia (in Heart-shape) to the invader, Iuris Perita cast the Vision of the Marauding Beast with a touch to the healed wound, revealing that from the perspective of Gwénolé the attack had come by surprise from behind - nothing seen, but matching the circumstance of Saskia's strike.
Iuris Perita had become suspicious of the members of this Covenant, and their evasions, and admissions that amounted to much and yet nothing. Although Gwénolé had passed all the tests of the Frosty Breath of the Spoken Lie, yet somehow this had made Iuris Perita more suspicious than less. Now she stated that she would press further and that refusal would be sign of Guilt, and that she would insist upon Peering Into The Mortal Mind. Gwénolé protested, and Iuris Perita insisted, and it would be a stand-off, except that Gareth spoke to Gwénolé, and then she allowed that the spell be cast.
Now, here, it must be that Iuris Perita had to lose some face, for the Manor House might not be in the Church proper, yet it shares the common influence of the Dominion, and the Peering Into The Mortal Mind is a greater spell than those used before, so much so that Iuris Perita must push herself to cast the spell (for she is not long out of Apprenticeship, and had not sought to reveal this as her First Investigation). So, then, the Quæsitor must not only insist upon the spell, but also upon an removal to a more favourable Magical Aura, into the Covenant Proper.
This, clearly, Gareth had been reluctant to allow until now, for all had been confined to the Manor and to the areas frequented by Grogs, and no mention made of Caves or Magi's Laboratories or Sancta. Faced with this request, and the Admission by a now very Junior Quæsitor, Gareth was able to be Magnanimous, and agree to assist the Quæsitores in their Investigations, and to aid the casting of "so very difficult a spell". (For Gareth himself is said to be a Master of Mentem magics, and so should know this spell.)
And so, they left the Manor House, and by ways of secret hidden paths descended a steep and hidden cliff down to a sea-and-rock girt cave, protected in all access except by this one precarious way. And, in this cave, there were ever-lights set into the walls, and doors that would open for those who were known to the Doors, and other signs to show this were a Covenant Proper. And too, the Scribe Arnaud could feel that tingle of excitement that he always met on entering a Magical Place. And, by these signs, Iuris Perita knew in turn that she would be able to cast her spell without failing.
Peering Into The Mortal Mind of Gwénolé is not, it would seem, a task for the unwary, for although she is of Mortal Blood, yet she was raised by the Fæ, in Arcadia proper, and the ways of her mind are like Arcadia, and not easy to follow. There are no clear paths through the mind of this strange woman, and yet if you seek what you will and follow to that which it is like, you may still find her thoughts.
Her memories fit her story to perfection, that she had been with Færies, dancing the Magic Mushrooms, and other things fitting to the Day of Midsummer; and still Iuris Perita was suspicious, although perhaps only she can say why she was (and she is secretive of her own ways). So, now she turned her search from the Midsummer, to the morning of this very day, and her return to the Covenant. Following the mood of arrival, showed her being ushered to Gareth, and now told of the Investigation, and her Questioning by Gareth, and her Admission of her deeds. And, too of the Complicity of Gareth, for he had altered her Mind, and planted a false trail, that was so perfect because it was so similar to the true passage of memory, and yet covered her excuses. Gwénolé, then, believed all she had told, and Peering at those memories confirmed her story, but they were false, by being created.
Now accusing not Gwénolé, but Gareth, the Quæsitor turned her Just Anger upon him instead. He must now yield and admit that he was party to this deception and must stand account.
With this as evidence Iuris Perita had enough evidence to take to tribunal and accuse the Magi of Breach of the Code, and of Deceiving the Quæsitores, but also evidence of the embarrassment of the Magi of Saxum Caribetum, as they fell to the small pranks of a Fey Maga. Thinking and planning how she might phrase an Accusation, it no longer seemed so attractive to stand before their Peers and state the full facts of the case; and too that a Covenant risen to Summer, accuse by a Spring Covenant (with enemies) might be able to pull favours to reduce or even dismiss the charges. It thus seemed appropriate to take Gareth's admission and negotiate a private settlement: one that could be entered quietly into the records of House Guernicus, but not go further than the Archives, not to embarrass any of the parties.
So, then it was agreed that Maga Gwénolé le Guen filia Sîan Merinitæ should be fined 5 pawns of Vis, being the amount of Vis that she had stood to gain had she gathered the Vis from the Beards of all 5 Trees; and the Maga Gwénolé pay 5 pawns of Vis in compensation to the Covenant of Saxum Caribetum, for invading their privacy, and using her Magic to Spy on her Sodales, albeit without Menace.
Relieved that Saxum Caribetum could claim a victory, and yet not be embarrassed before their gathered Sodales at Tribunal, the Visitors gathered themselves up and returned to the harbour, known as Creux, where the Bleiz had agreed to return each evening. Being picked up by the boat, they left Sark, happy to be away from their strange Sodales.
And, again, they faced the trials of the Sea, for they must spend the night afloat, anchored off-shore drifting on the end of some thin seeming bit of rope the sailors threw overboard - surely not capable of keeping their boat safe from the stomach churning waters of the Channel.
From St. Brieuc, after another night in the Inn, they could make a March back to Caribet, having gained a fee for the Quæsitores (to be held by Iuris Perita until she hand it over to the House, or use it on Official Business), and trophy Vis to boost the Covenant's meagre stores. They also returned stronger by the addition of another Shield grog, with Angus accepting unquestioning the strange ways of his new Mistress: her strange Air, her going always barefoot, her refusal to ride (and indeed the beasts obvious reluctance to go near her). Stronger too by the gain of the child Margaret, for she has a truly beautiful Voice, and a gift for Song almost magical (though wholly Mundane in truth).
To complete this tale, and return to her Laboratory, and the Season's work and the next, to make it usable from bare Stone, Iuris Perita need only make her Report to the gathered Sodales in the Council of Saxum Caribetum...
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