As he rode in Holger saw a cobbled street where children, dogs, and pigs played, winding between half-timbered houses toward a market square where stood a wooden church rather like a Norwegian stave kirk. Papillon stepped through a noisy clutter of workmen and housewives, who gaped, made clumsy bows, but didn’t venture to address him. There was no sense in advertising himself, so he had covered his shield. Alianora, who rode ahead with Hugi, was well known, and Holger heard how they called to her.
“Hoy, there, swan-may, what brings you hither?”
“Who’s the knight?”
“What’s new in the woods, swan-may?”
“What news from Charlemont? Saw you my cousin Hersent?”
“Know you aught of the hosting in Faerie?” An anxious voice, that; folk who heard crossed themselves.
“Is’t a lord you bring to ward us?”
The girl smiled and waved, though not quite happily. She didn’t like so many walls or people around.
She guided Holger to a house even narrower and more irregularly cornered than average. A signboard hung from the gallery, above the door. Holger read the florid script.
MARTINUS TRISMEGISTUS
Magister Magici
Spells, Charms, Prophecies, Healing, Love Potions
Blessings, Curses, Ever-Filled Purses
Special rates for parties
“Hm,” he said. “Looks like an enterprising chap.”
“Och, indeed.” said Alianora. “He’s also Tamberg’s apothecary, dentist, scribe, dowser, and horse doctor.”
She swung lithely down with a flash of long bare legs. Holger followed, looping the reins to a post. A few rough-looking men lounged across the way, their gaze intent on the animals and gear. “Keep an eye on things, Hugi,” he said.
“Why, if any tried to steal Papillon, I’d bewail ’em.” answered the dwarf.
“Ja, that’s what I’m afraid of,” said Holger.
He was doubtful about entrusting his secret, such as it was, to this horse-and-buggy wizard. But Alianora had recommended the fellow highly, and he didn’t know where else to turn.
A bell jangled as they entered the shop. The place was dark and dusty. Shelves and tables were heaped with a jackdaw’s nest of bottles, flasks, mortars, alembics, retorts, huge leather-bound books, skulls, stuffed animals, and Lord knew what else. An owl on a perch hooted, a cat leaped from underfoot.
“Coming, coming, good sir, one moment, please,” called a high thin voice. Master Martinus trotted from the back rooms and rubbed his hands together. He was a small man in a shabby black robe on which the zodiacal symbols had faded from much laundering. His round bald head showed a wispy beard and weak blinking eyes; his smile was timid. “Ah, how do you do, sir, how do you do? What can I do for you?” Peering closer: “Why, it’s the little swan maiden. Come in, my dear, do come in. But of course, you’re already in, are you not? Yes, yes, so you are.”
“We’ve a task for ye, Martinus,” said Alianora. “It may task ye in truth, but we’ve none other wha’ micht help.”
“Well, well, well, I shall do what I can, my dear, and you too, good sir. I shall do what I can. Excuse me.” Martinus wiped the dust off a parchment hung on the wall, which was one way of drawing Holger’s attention to it. The writing thereon declared that whereas Martinus filius Holofii had met the standards set by the examining board, etc., etc., now therefore by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Regents of the University of Rhiannon, I do hereby confer upon him the degree of Magister in the field of Magic, with all privileges and obligations thereunto pertaining, etc., etc.
“I’m afraid I can’t—” Holger was about to explain he had no money, but Alianora dug an elbow in his ribs.
“There be frichtful secrets in this yarn,” she said quickly. “’Tis no for any common hill-wizard to scorch his soul wi’.” She gave the magician such a smile that even Holger, who stood on its fringes, felt sandbagged. “So I brocht the knicht hither to ye.’’
“And very wisely, my girl, very wisely, if I do say so myself. Come in, please, come into my office and we will discuss your problem.” Martinus puttered ahead of them to a cubicle as grimy and cluttered as the shop. He dumped books from chairs, muttering something apologetic about his housekeeper, and piped aloud, “Wine! Bring wine for three.” After a short silence: “Hi, there! I say, do wake up! Wine for three.”