well, but we would not usually have appointed someone so young and of such unknown origins to the post.”
“Lord Tensevery—”
“Has never heard of you.”
Nate’s chest seized up. The Seneschal continued. “You chose your cover story well. It took me weeks to get word to him in Duviel, and weeks more to get an answer. I assume you got your hands on one of the directories of courtiers, and picked the most remote one.” He waved a hand. “Oh, I don’t care. You’re a better magus than Arkady was. And our system is too tightly controlled, sometimes. I’m glad to have a fresh perspective.”
Nate swallowed hard. He couldn’t speak. All he could do was nod.
“If you accept the position, you may continue to live in the manor on Limley Square, which is owned by the House. You will have reasonable lines of credit at the better merchants in town; other funds are available to you on request. If you desire rooms in the House, you will be given them. Although I would encourage you not to abuse that particular privilege.”
Nate recovered his voice. “As Arkady did, you mean.”
“Yes,” the Seneschal said bluntly. “The post is a prestigious one. It is also complicated, and involves a great deal of discretion and unquestioning obedience. There will be times when you will be told to do things you do not like. You must do them anyway. To do otherwise would be treason, and the penalties for treason are severe.”
“Death?”
“If you’re lucky. Understand, magus: I am offering you the post, but I am also offering you a chance to leave. Say the word and the phaeton will take you back to Limley Square. You may pack your things and leave the manor. But you will never come back inside the Wall, or speak of anything that happened here.”
“I accept the position,” Nate said. Four words, so simple; and yet, they were the most important words he’d ever spoken. It was odd that such a momentous occasion took place in a dingy room with unswept corners, the only witness an unconscious boy full of Elban’s foul, poisonous blood.
“Are you sure? It is a lifetime appointment, one way or another. If you do not leave now, I will have to tell you things that are...irrevocable. Once you hear them, you will belong to the House. You will not leave Highfall. You will not marry. If you have children, you will neither acknowledge them nor pay for their rearing. When Lord Elban returns, he might revoke the edict allowing you to live outside. He might also disapprove of my choice, and have you put to death. Do you understand?”
Nate nodded.
“Do you still accept the position?” The Seneschal’s voice was always formal, but now it was somehow more so.
“I do,” Nate said, just as solemnly.
The corner of the Seneschal’s mouth curled with something like relief. Nate realized this was the answer the man had hoped for. “Good. I’m glad to have someone with experience of the world beyond Highfall. Of course, I’m the only one who knows you’ve deceived us. Should anyone else find out, things will go badly for you.”
A threat. No; a leash. But if Nate accomplished what he’d come here to do, and unbound the power beneath the House, things would go badly for Elban and anyone associated with him. So the Seneschal’s words didn’t matter. “I understand.”
The Seneschal nodded. “Then we must speak even more frankly,” he said, “but not here.”
Outside, Lady Eleanor waited expectantly. The Seneschal said, “Lord Gavin will be fine. Nathaniel Magus believes he will awaken within the day. I have offered him the position of House Magus, and he has accepted. Now, he and I have some business to attend to.”
Lady Eleanor’s mouth fell open and her face came alive with indignation and anger. “Seneschal—” she said, and Nate was glad that fierce, implacable tone wasn’t addressed to him.
The Seneschal barely appeared to notice. In fact, he cut her off. “Later, Lady Eleanor. We will be back shortly.”
He bowed politely—Nate following his lead—and then walked out. Nate followed him there, too. As the door closed behind them, he heard a strangled female cry of indignation.
“She is emotional,” the Seneschal said. “It has been a difficult day.”
“I’m sure she’s worried for Lord Gavin.”
“It has been a difficult day,” the Seneschal repeated.
He led Nate down one corridor and up another, until finally they stopped at a heavy wooden door. It felt central, but after so many turns, Nate couldn’t be sure. Before opening