Searing 12 121
Considering the last time the Ladies had gathered, and the end result of his presence there, Mino had a fair amount of apprehension at being summoned. Even more so as he took in the solemn expressions on their faces. Seated around their favorite tea time table, basking in the light streaming in through the trees that hung over their garden meeting spot. Such an open location; he never knew why they held their conferences here. Anyone could — would at some point, really — find themselves privy to information they shouldn’t. But he supposed that was it. Anyone that could have made it this far would be met with an impressive blockade on the way out and the reason for their unannounced visit could be garnered from a lovely chat in this same spot.
He swallowed, listened to the crunch of stone beneath his shoes as he walked down the path. The warmth of the day left him, replaced instead with a cold dread that made his temperature drop with each step he took. He bowed deep as he came to the head of the table. He remained this way until he heard to stand upright, an order delayed by the sipping of tea and the quiet, pleased munching of hand sandwiches.
“Good boy, you’re right on time.” Lady Merlot lifted her cup, thin lips spread in a smile as she observed the rathari.
“We were just talking about you.”
Of course, they were. They wouldn’t have summoned him otherwise. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other as he forced a smile onto his face. Congenial, even if forced.
Lady Blue gestured toward the only free seat. A wonder she hadn’t made him sit on the ground. “There’s a matter that needs to be discussed with you.”
“And no, it has nothing to do with that lovely lady you’ve been meeting.”
Lady Lavender barked out a laugh. “Lady? You mean that street urchin?”
“You were no different than the woman you speak of, perhaps even worse as a charlatan.” Lady Honey’s words came with a yawn, as if thinking about them bored her. Here, among the ladies, she did not need to hold so tightly to the face she presented to the public. The veins for which her name stemmed from along her face were more prominent as she smiled next, gaze shifting over to Mino. “Oh, dear, we’re getting sidetracked. What did we call him here for again?”
Lips pursed, Mino endured. This would be a fleeting moment that he had to withstand. The last thing he wanted was another punishment for speaking now, even in defense of Fawn.
“You know as well as anyone else why we called him here, since it was your idea.” Lady Sage shrugged, reached for a slice of shokupan. “But I would rather not waste any more time; I’ve things to do and it’s pointless to keep tormenting the cat when we could be doing something better with our time.”
“Sage is right.” Lady Blue nodded her head, set her teacup down gently on the saucer. Her gaze remained on the cup as she spoke. “This is a timely matter. So let us be plain: Mino will be finding himself an arcane tutor. The competition for our sphere of work is changing with time and we must be at the forefront. Which would mean that we need more than just the training we are able to provide here.”
Lady Honey hummed. “Mino should consider something like Kinetics or Traversion. Oh! Perhaps even Masquerade would be good for him.”
“He’s sneaky enough without the use of distraction, but being able to get himself out of a sticky situation quickly would be beneficial.”
The conversation continued this — speaking of him but not to him. He knew better than to interject, to add his opinion or outright call them on what they were doing. It was another reminder that he was a possession of theirs. That they could call on him whenever they wished and that he would have no choice but to obey. Because the consequences of otherwise could be dire.
“Besides, it wouldn’t be odd if he did get magic.” Lady Merlot’s spoon was noisy as she stirred another sugar cube into a fresh cup of tea. “Lots of young lords have one or two magics to their name. Look at the Crown Prince; he’s quite the prestigious mage. And those lesser house fellows — I believe the one we hired for the Cotillion? — he’s got a few tricks up his sleeve.” One brow arched, a grin flashing teeth. “Not sure how they fit there with all that muscle.”
Mino felt the chill of her touch as she placed a hand on his arm, fingers curling to grip it. She gave a short squeeze before letting out an appreciative hum, hand trailing further down his arm as she drew away from him. None of the others made a comment, their own chatter going toward something more mundane for the moment. Likely follow up gossip to the lords they’ve mentioned.
“Yes, and with that in mind.” Lady Blue finally turned to look at him, and if he could have gotten colder, he would have. Her gaze fell to the peek of the brand they’d placed on him earlier in the season as she stood. Hands smoothed over the front of his tunic before she fixed the clothing, fussing over it as if she actually were his mother and not his master. “We must make Mino look like all the other little lords.” A laugh, empty of mirth, left her. “We cannot have him falling out of place. Already, they talk about him and his peasant girl and the last thing we need is for more of his...behavior to come into question. So, like anyone else, he will be a mage and he will excel. Because that is what we do.”
Finally, she looked him in the eye. One last run of her hands over his shoulders, a gesture devoid of any affection, and she stepped back. Sighed, before she turned her head and looked at the ladies around the table. Right; she was above them all and as much as their petty squabbles had been something Mino would laugh at in secret, they were all brought to heel as he was by this singular woman. A breeze passed through the garden, rustled the trees and blew at their napkins. Floral notes filled the air as the scent from the flowers carried in the wind. It was quiet for a moment.
“Yes, well. That will be all.”
Lady Lavender pushed her chair back, grin on her face. “Wait, wait. While we’re here — we ought to discuss the wonderful penmanship of his lady friend.”
“Weren’t you just calling her a street urchin?”
“Yes, I was. Especially when she dresses the way she does, but. Her penmanship.” The words were followed closely with an exaggerated flourish of her hand, ended by a clasp of both hands with a deep inhale. “If well taught, she could become quite the master at imitating more...literary-minded individuals. Could do more than pen some ditzy love letters to our precious cat.” Her tone might not have been malicious and a smile might have been on her face, but Mino felt the sting of those words no less.
The hairs on the back of his neck rose as all eyes turned to him. A scattering of snickers, callous chuckles as they turned their attention back to their tea. They wouldn’t discuss it with him present, even if he hadn’t been formally addressed. Even with him standing right there.
“Thank you, Lavender, for bringing this to the table.” Lady Blue lifted her cup once more, inhaled the aroma of the tea as she seemed to meditate on the idea. “We should make appropriate arrangements for this, but for now, our focus remains on making sure some of the children have some magic tutelage, starting with Mino. He is quite the asset as it is, and this will only benefit us.” A beat, then: “All in favor of ending this meeting?”
“Aye, I’ve some brains to pick about things. Projects to oversee.” Lady Sage stood, bowing swiftly before she walked off.
Lady Merlot clicked her tongue. “If you were going to leave anyway, why vote? Aye.” She pushed back from the table and Mino moved for the first time since he’d been made to stand there. Flinched back a slight step. She didn’t notice, or she didn’t care, as she looped her arm in his and smiled. “I’ll have our little kitty take me back to my office. There are some things I need to see to.”
The others’ votes came and off they marched as Lady Merlot lead him slowly back into the house.
“I hear there’s a nice little den somewhere that some of the noble children go to.” He glanced at Lady Merlot as she spoke. “They like to share quite a bit, including where their mage tutors come from. Not all of them are...upstanding citizens.” She let go of his arm, pat him on the head and turned the corner.
A good enough start, but one that he would probably owe her for. A shudder rippled down his frame. It didn’t bode well for him.
