private army. It was thus a privilege the king rarely granted. But the numerous plots aimed at Richelieu had made it necessary in his case, as well as a mark of the trust which Louis XIII accorded his chief minister.
The cardinal's civil household encompassed all those who were not men of war. In addition to the multitude of domestic servants, kitchen boys, and stable hands, along with other minor employees occupied with necessary but largely anonymous tasks, it included: a high almoner and master of the chamber who filled the role of general superintendent and thus controlled the household's purse strings; a confessor; three auxiliary almoners; secretaries; squires and gentlemen servants, all well-born, the first looking after the cardinal's horses and teams, the second accompanying him about his duties or carrying out delicate missions on his behalf; five valets who commanded the lackeys in livery; a maitre d'hotel
who reigned over the ordinary staff and dealt with suppliers; a bursar; three chefs, each assisted by their own cooks; four wine stewards; a bread steward; two coachmen and four postillions; a mule driver; and porters.
To which list, one could add a physician, an apothecary, and two surgeons.
Plus one master of magic.
Every great household had to have one. Of course as the practice of draconic magic was against the law, masters of magic were not themselves magicians. Or, at least, they weren't supposed to be. But their knowledge of dragons and associated arcana was much sought after in order to detect and thwart any possible threats. Some of them called themselves astrologers or seers; others were doctors or philosophers; some were even men of the Church. Many were simply charlatans or incompetents. However, for a select few scholars, draconic magic was an object of serious study which required a reasoned approach.
The cardinal's master of magic was named Pierre Teyssier. He possessed a brilliant and original mind and although Richelieu rarely called on his services he did finance Teyssier's research and publications, in his capacity as a patron and friend of the sciences.
Teyssier lived in rue des Enfants-Rouges, and he was expecting a visit from the Cardinal's Blades.
Agnes and Marciac, accompanied by Ballardieu, decided to go to rue des Enfants-Rouges on horseback and thus spare their boots from contact with the foul Parisian muck, which — in addition to being sticky and smelly — was corrosive and ruined even the best leathers. They would also be able to breathe more easily, with their heads above the crowds in the streets which would soon become oppressive in this heat. Indeed, they made a detour in order to take the Pont Neuf across the Seine, more to benefit from the breeze from the river than from the lively street entertainers performing there. This bridge, unlike others in the city, was not lined with houses, making it possible to enjoy the open air, as well as the unique view of the capital's river banks.
Having travelled along the quays, however, they were finally forced to return to the stuffy, noisy, and polluted atmosphere of the city's streets. With Ballardieu bringing up the rear, the three Blades crossed the narrow, populous Place de Greve, in front of the Hotel de Ville, without even glancing at the bodies rotting on the gallows. Next they took rue des Coquilles and rue Barre-du-Bec, tiny mediaeval alleys where passers-by were tightly squeezed, then rue Sainte-Avoye and rue du Temple, until they reached their destination.
Located in the northeast of the capital, rue des Enfants-Rouges was named after the hospital of the same name, a hospice for orphans whose little inmates were dressed in red. The neighbourhood was peaceful, still dotted with cultivated fields and dominated by the hulking donjon that rose in the Lnclos du Temple. Surrounded by a crenelated wall, this former residence of the Templar knights now belonged to the Order of the Chatelaine Sisters. Marciac pointed out the house La Fargue had described to them before they left the Hotel de l'Epervier.
'This one,' he said.
He and Agnes dismounted, knocked at the door, introduced themselves to the old manservant who came to open up, and followed him inside. Ballardieu was left with the horses. There was a stall selling refreshment further up the street and the former soldier, with his eyes shining and his mouth dry, cheerfully envisaged a long wait.
'Don't get drunk,' the young baronne warned him before they parted.
Ballardieu made his promise and went off, leading the mounts by the bridle.
The cool air inside the magic master's dwelling was pleasant.