Titus broke into a cold sweat. The Inquisitor had realized that he must keep Iolanthe Seabourne nearby. The Irreproducible Charm prevented her image from being drawn and disseminated. But it could not prevent her from being recognized by those who knew her.
Thank goodness she was away at her picnic with Kashkari and Wintervale.
Would that distance be enough to keep her safe?
We have been provided a list of all your known associates, sire, said Lady Callista, smiling. We are determined to greet them all.
Iolanthe and Wintervale lay on a small knoll by the Thames. Kashkari had been with them earlier, but had left for a walk.
Fat, fluffy clouds drifted across a perfect blue sky. The river shushed and soughed against its banks. Warm sunlight fell gently upon Iolanthes skin.
She opened her eyes, grimacing. She must have fallen asleep. And even after such a short nap, her handsher entire arms, in facthurt. She tried to tell herself that it was a good thingmore pain probably implied a more fierce struggle between her potential and what remained
of the otherwise spell. But it was taking too long, and her mastery over air was still questionable.
Damn it, exclaimed Wintervale, startling her.
Whats the matter?
He sat up. Remember what Kashkari said about the tennis tournament?
That today is the perfect weather for bouncing a vulcanized rubber ball on grass?
That and he wants to hold it next Sunday, said Wintervale gloomily. I forgot I have to take a short leave that day.
Iolanthes foot twitchedboys usually only took leaves to visit their families. I thought your mother was in Baden-Baden.
No, she came back last week. I didnt say anything about itidiots like Cooper wont understand why she chooses to remain home on the Fourth of June.
Oh, she said.
You dont have to look so alarmed, Fairfax, said Wintervale, looking a little put out. Most of the time she is all right. In fact, shealready back, Kashkari? You didnt go far.
Kashkari sat down between them. The strangest thing happened. I hadnt gone five minutes before someone appeared out of nowhere and said that Id stepped out of school boundaries and Id best turn back. I walked north a couple of minutes, then turned west again; a different person popped up to tell me I couldnt pass.
Iolanthe frowned. The resident houses relied on a number of daily checks to make sure boys werent absent without leave, but nobody patrolled Etons ill-defined boundaries.
Thats ridiculous, huffed Wintervale. This is a school, not a prison.
Gentlemen! You have been summoned.
They started at Sutherlands booming voice. He had not come alone; with him was Birmingham, their house captain.
Ive never seen such pomp and circumstance in my life, complained Birmingham, a broad nineteen-year-old with a well-developed mustache. Frampton made me come personally, in case Sutherland isnt enough of a messenger to fetch you three.
Fetch us to what? asked Kashkari.
To the traveling court of Saxe-Limburg, answered Sutherland. I always thought Titus was one of those princes with an acre to rule. Guess I was wrong.
His family came? Iolanthe was alarmed. He hadnt mentioned anything.
What? cried Wintervale at the same time. He, too, knew that there was no such thing as the traveling court of Saxe-Limburg. Or Saxe-Limburg altogether.
Just a great-uncle, but what a dame he brought, said Sutherland. He turned to Birmingham. Did they ever say whether Helen of Troy is the great-uncles wife?
Ill wager shes just his mistressEuropeans. Birmingham remembered himself and turned to Wintervale, who, like the prince, was also said to be from a small European principality. No offense.
None taken, said Wintervale, still looking flabbergasted.
Lets go, gentlemen, said Sutherland. It took us a while to find you. His Highness must be getting impatient.
Tituss skin crawled.
The Inquisitor was not conducting an Inquisitionthe sheer size of the crowd presented an obstacle to a mind mage wishing to examine one particular mind in detail. But sitting next to her was still nerve-racking. Half a dozen of her minions had their eyes trained on him, making sure that he did not attempt anything that might impede their quest.
But all that he could have endured if Fairfax were somewhere in Siberia. Instead she must be on her way to him, escorted by Sutherland and Birmingham.
The day grew warmer; his shirt stuck to his back. Human nature being what it was, the line of people waiting to be presented to the court of Saxe-Limburg had grown exponentially, boys and Old Etonians making up connections to Titus, hoping to get closer to the once-in-a-generation beauty that was Lady Callista. The sisters and mothersdidnt English women usually pay no mind to Continental princelings? Yet they stood patiently in the queue, their white parasols like so many pearls on a string.
Unfortunately, the length of the line would not matter when Fairfax arrived. She would be instantly swept to the front.
If his heart pounded any harder it was going to crack one of his ribs.