Pierre Pevel - By The Alchemist in the Shadows Page 0,108

before coming across a path.

What was it Saint-Lucq had told him? Beneath a very big oak tree in the forest, not far from a stone cross that stands where two paths meet.

If Leprat wanted to explore the underground tunnels below the ruins of the black tower that once stood in the middle of the Dampierre pond, first he needed to find the entrance to them.

The afternoon was ending when Arnaud de Laincourt crossed the Petit Font and, with long strides, passed beneath the dark archway of the Petit Chatelet.

I lis surmises upon seeing the pentacle described by Saint-Lucq had been confirmed by Teyssier, the cardinal's master of

magic, who explained that there existed several different kinds of pentacles and, despite possible errors, omissions and guesswork, the one he had drawn was intended for a beneficial ritual. Certain features of its general design left no room for doubt in the matter.

'I can affirm to you,' he had said, 'that the person who drew this pentacle did not wish to harm anyone. In fact, in my view, quite the opposite.'

But Teyssier had been unable to say which particular type of ceremony the Dampierre pentacle was intended for. Protection, healing, benediction, rejuvenation? The sketch was too imprecise. He would have to compare it with all the others he had recorded in his grimoires and then, after careful cross-referencing, he might be able to reach a conclusion. Hearing that, La Fargue had permitted the magic master to return to his home, accompanied by Ballardieu who would remain with him until the pentacle had been positively identified.

Laincourt followed the old and very narrow rue de la Bucherie, towards Place Maubert.

Saint-Lucq had not lingered after Teyssier's departure, saying simply, 'I'll see you this evening in Dampierre, no doubt.' La Fargue, Marciac and the cardinal's former spy had continued the discussion in the fencing room at the Hotel de l'Epervier, while Almades contented himself with listening in. They had traded various hypotheses back and forth, trying to integrate the pentacle into a possible plot by the Alchemist and the duchesse de Chevreuse against the king. None of these speculations led anywhere. They didn't have enough facts and in the end were left with nothing but reasons to worry. Chief among them was the presence of Savelda, the Black Claw's most trusted henchman. The threat was therefore real.

Rather than continue going round in circles, Laincourt had decided to find out more about Mauduit, the duchesse's master of magic. After all, he was directly involved with the pentacle, wasn't he?

Laincourt had thus gone to the Hotel de Chevreuse, which he found almost empty and where he had learned nothing about Mauduit except that he had only recently entered the duchesse's service. The man was troubling

and elusive. He was said to be a sorcerer. People tended to avoid having anything to do with him, and even the Swiss guard on duty at the mansion gate did not know his address in Paris.

After rue de la Bucherie, Laincourt crossed Place Maubert which, at the entrance to rue de la Montagne-Sainte-Genevieve, was one of the five places in the city where prisoners were tortured and executed. Preoccupied by his mission, the young man did not even spare a glance for the gallows or the sinister wheel that was being set up on a new platform.

Upon leaving the Hotel de Chevreuse, it occurred to him that the duchesse was fond of luxury. She only allowed herself the best, the most beautiful and the most expensive items available. Her new master of magic was, no doubt, no exception to the rule. Mauduit had probably been recommended to her or was at least fairly renowned in certain circles. The fact that Laincourt didn't recognise his name wasn't significant, since the small world of magic masters was extremely secretive.

But there was someone who was well-acquainted with this small world.

On rue Perdue, Laincourt entered Bertaud's bookshop.

An hour later, just as night was falling, Laincourt arrived back at the Hotel de l'Epervier, out of breath. He had hoped to find La Fargue still there, but the captain had already left for Dampierre with Almades and Marciac.

'What about Ballardieu?' he asked Guibot.

'Monsieur Ballardieu has not yet returned,' replied the old porter.

'Too bad. Fetch me a horse. Quickly!'

But just then a rider entered the courtyard. It was Ballardieu. He had come from the home of Teyssier, who had finally succeeded in identifying the pentacle described by Saint-Lucq.

'You're not going to believe this!' the old soldier announced as he jumped down from