A
Little Investigation
My composure restored, I decided to more closely examine Momus'
unusual gift. After some study, I concluded that it seemed to be a
focusing device, for lack of a better word. I attempted to cast a scrying
spell through it, and was amazed at how much easier it was...and how much
more powerful. Would the same hold true for a communications spell? I
would have to test it to be sure, but I had a feeling that it would. A
rather useful gift, I had to admit, and one remarkably suited to my
tastes. It disturbed me a bit that Momus could know me so well. Surely
we had not spent sufficient time in each other's company for him to have
gained such insight. Perhaps he merely was possessed of extraordinarily
good taste.
Turning my thoughts from Momus and his mirror for the moment, I left
my rooms in search of Sarah. I knew she had been alive during Theocritus'
fall from grace, and I was hoping she remembered enough about him to
confirm what Momus had told me. Given how badly Momus appeared to want to
find Theocritus, I could not be certain that his words to me about
Theocritus' nature, or the events surrounding his disappearance, were
accurate. Not without some corroborating evidence.
I found Sarah easily enough, working in her study. I waited in the
doorway for her to notice me before asking, "Are you free for a few
moments?"
She set down her quill and motioned for me to be seated. "Of course,
Melanie," she replied with a slight smile. "And how is the errant Lord of
Jesby today?"
I smiled slightly at her question. It was amazing how Sarah always
seemed to know everything that was happening around her. Even
insignificant things, like my having Momus over to tea. "He has quite the
silver tongue, I must say," I responded. "But he seems distressed by the
personality of his new Duke. He fears the man lacks sufficient backbone
to be a truly effective Head."
Sarah laughed softly. "His mother and grandmother can no doubt steer
him through the difficulties, but I doubt that is a satisfactory answer
for Momus. No doubt he wishes Stead to be more independent..."
"That seemed to be the gist of his complaint, yes. He appears to miss
the presence of an old friend of his, one Theocritus by name. I am afraid
I never met the man, myself."
If Sarah realized that I was steering the conversation in a certain
direction, she gave no sign of it. "Then I'm afraid Momus will have to
become inured of disappointment. Theocritus disappeared a great time ago,
and is presumed dead. A pity, really," she added diffidently.
I raised an eyebrow. "Indeed? Why do you say that?"
"He was an amazing painter, plain and simple," she replied. "His
politics were unwise, but he was an artist like none other. When he came
into prominence, House Jesby had fallen into a very stilted style of
painting...utterly lifeless...and he revitalized art in the Courts." She
smiled. "He painted the portrait of me that hangs in my personal library.
A flattering portrait, admittedly, but that is the nature of court
painters."
I knew the portrait in question. It depicted Sarah standing beside
the grave of her predecessor. His grave marker, a simple geometric
obelisk, stood to the left of the portrait, looking worn and eroded. To
the right of the painting was a large leafless tree...dark and damp.
Sarah leaned against it slightly, contemplating a white rose in her hand
with a slight smile. The rose was wilting fast...one could see a tinge of
brown to its petals that was almost muted by the mist clinging around her.
Sarah, however, stood out in the painting. Amidst all the muted tones,
she appeared bright, young, strong. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, her
eyes were bright, and the midnight blue gown she wore was vividly
colorful. Just on the right edge of the painting was another headstone
with some writing on it. It read, "All things fade...save I." It was a
fascinating painting, one that I had admired on more than one occasion. I
had not known that Theocritus was the one who painted it, though, until
now. Interesting. I considered how best to continue my probe, in light
of this new information. "A memorable piece, to be sure. I have often
thought its style to be unique. I am sorry I never had the opportunity to
meet him. He simply vanished from the Courts without warning?"
"There was rumor that he became involved in a struggle for control of
House Jesby...but I could never verify it, one way or the other. He
simply vanished, never to be heard from again. He wasn't the most
pleasant man, regardless of his talent, and so he wasn't much missed, save
by those who appreciated his work."
"So if he ever turned up again, only art lovers would have a reason to
rejoice," I observed, more a statement than a question.
"As I said, I have no knowledge of what transpired in House Jesby at
the time. I know only my own appreciation of his work," Sarah replied
diffidently. "But why do you concern yourself so with the matter? Are
you planning on resurrecting his shade?"
I laughed, while inwardly I marveled at how close she had come to the
truth. "I am afraid that lies far beyond my skills. No, Momus seemed to
respect the man highly, so I was simply curious as to his history. Pity
he is dead, I think I should have liked to learn from him." There, that
was a logical enough reason. And parts of it were even true.
Sarah considered my words for a moment. "Perhaps you could find one
of his former students in House Jesby. One of them might be able to pass
along some useful information, or perhaps provide access to his paintings
and writings."
I smiled. "A fine idea. I believe I will do just that. Thank you
for the suggestion." And with that, I curtseyed and left her to her work.
I had probed as much as I could without arousing her suspicions unduly.
The question remaining was, had I learned enough? Sarah's tale matched
the one Momus had told me, but she admitted that she had never been able
to confirm any of it. It had merely been rumor. And Momus could have
based his story upon those same rumors. Still, if Theocritus had shown
any signs of interfering with Chanicut before, Sarah would have mentioned
it. And if Momus was telling the truth about Theocritus' skill as a Trump
artist, the things I could learn from him... It could not hurt to see if
he was still alive, at least.
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All text on this page is © 1999 by Kris
Fazzari.
Last modified on July 25, 1999 by Kris Fazzari.