“You know that the trap spell’s not on it.”
“I know,” Saeldian said. “But thereisstill a spell on it, and we should also replace it with no fingerprints on it.”
“Fair.”
This was Saeldian’s job, and they settled down to scry the casket and get a sense of any magic on it. The whole thing smelled like rosemary, the sea, the delicate scent of orchids. There was an illusion, but its perfume was not enough for Saeldian to know what the magic was, so they laid two fingers around the impostor gem and concentrated.
“Oh, interesting.”
“What is it?”
“It’s a bunch of little spells stitched together. Nice work, actually. One of them compensates for the glare on the casket, effectively eliminating it so you can always see the man inside.”
“That’s…I don’t know how I feel about that. I guess it’s convenient?”
“It feels frivolous? Wait till you hear this. It glows when it gets dark. So you can always see him.”
“So she can come and mourn anytime,” Kell said.
There was something in Kell’s voice that Saeldian didn’t have time to notice. “These aren’t big spells, but Briona was right. I’m not sure there are many people who could sneak through these and leave no trace. Hush, now. Look like you’re meditating. Sit on the other end, like we’re having a talk.”
Kell moved to rest at the foot of the coffin. “You know, spells like that could be valuable to people. Imagine being able to look out windows with no reflection barring you at night.”
“Are you trying to convince me to go straight?”
He didn’t answer at first. “I just remembered something. From way back. After I’d escaped.”
“I’m still sorry about that.”
“I know. But I remember how Lorzok found me in my camp. The first one I made after my escape. It was miserable. I had a fire but no tent, no food, and the boots I’d stolen didn’t fit, and my feet were one big blister. He shared his food, he healed my feet, and I told him everything.”
“About the storm harp?”
“And you.”
Saeldian couldn’t look at anything but their task of holding spells like spiderwebs, woven together by a logic that wasn’t obvious. “And what did he say?”
“He asked me what I would change, if I could go back to any point.”
Saeldian couldn’t change the subject. But they also didn’t want to. “And what did you tell him?”
The warmth intensified. Closer now.
“I would have talked you into becoming a duo act,” Kell said. “My music and stories, your illusions to make them more vivid, and we’d look for the way back to the Feywild.”
If they dropped this weave now, they’d have to start over. “A magic show? With stories and jokes?”
“I know it’s stupid.”
Saeldian couldn’t find it in them to agree. “Art is the only choice that pays worse than crime. But…”
“What?”
“Hold on,” Saeldian said. “I have all the spells wrapped around my hands like a cat’s cradle and I can’t actually remount the gem. I need you.”
Kell joined them and saw. “Can I touch?”
“I’m holding the whole thing away. You’re fine. Be quick. Don’t mess it up.”
