Delphinium, or A Necromancer's Home (TCoLaD Book 2)

Hospital

~ Iunday, 24th of Maius, 11831 ~

The new moon. A month and a half since Pierre's first journey to see the hospital, its advances, and its corruption. Today he was leaving his blossoming clinic in Vivien and Lizzy's hands, going to see what changes had been made after his purge of the staff. Tibault and Charlot would be coming with him, the former not well known yet among the people and could go unnoticed, and the latter providing silent support and authority as the brother-in-law to the prince. Aimé, of course, offered to come as well, but Pierre insisted he stay behind. It was enough that Charlot was at his side, the prince himself would detract attention. Lady Rhianu, having bought a home in the city with her husband to spend more time in this plane, would meet them at the hospital.

It was the first show of full support from his advisors. They had helped and done much with setting up the clinic, but this was more public. They had chosen him and he would not let them, or their people, down.

Pierre had not written or announced that he would be going today, even though he was in contact with the head doctor, Adam Roland. While he believed that changes had been made, he wanted to see how things seemed naturally without giving people time to prepare deceit.

He did not wear his most formal attire, instead wearing the usual style of tophat and even forgoing a jacket in the warm weather. He brought Pluta with him as well, who lay purring around his shoulders.

"Is it something about being fay?" Tibault asked from right next to him, stroking Pluta's head as they made their carriage ride down. "Elwin and his wolf, and you with Pluta."

"I think we both just love our pets," Pierre said. "Elwin used to train hounds when he lived in this plane. A wolf would be a greater challenge. And Piers, the future comte d'Eichel, has a similar fondness for horses and is not fay."

"He has a winged Scorpiurian steed named Shetan, no?" Charlot said. "Sister said the horse is massive and it frightened her."

"Yes, it was a present from his grandfather. It had been disgraced after a race and had its wings sheared off, but it still runs like death is following. Piers rode it from University to his home to visit his wife on breaks," Pierre said. "The trip takes a week or so if you ride very well. He managed it in three days."

Charlot shook his head and disbelief. "How he managed that..."

"Have you ever ridden Shetan?" Tibault asked Pierre.

"No!" He blushed slightly at how quickly he yelled it, and at the snickers from his advisors. His friends. "I do not have such a fondness for horse, or riding."

"Lady Eglė is fay, though, so that does not rule out the hypothesis that those close to that plane are close to animals."

"What of Wolfram and that swan I saw near him!"

"That's his love, Salome. She is a swan-maiden."

"Cygnati," Pierre corrected.

"Then she herself is close to swans if she can take their shape, and she was taken to Faery."

"She could take the form before she was spirited away, though."

"Perhaps that is why? Because they are similar, kin?"

"And what of Lady Sabine and her giant spider?"

"She is friends with Elwin."

Their discussion was cut short as the carriage stopped in front of the hospital. Pierre breathed a quiet sigh of relief. It was good luck that those who practiced necrocræft were often aligned with Faery, and their familiars could be seen as fée-kith. But then again, Faery had not the same strict laws against necrocræft, so perhaps it was not luck at all.