Scrivener's Tale (75 page)

He looked at the doorway. He'd never been to a brothel, not even in his wayward youth. The timber-framed, slightly ramshackle house was how he'd imagined an old French brothel should look. He took a breath and pulled on the cord, hearing a bell ring distantly on the other side of the door. Gabe waited what he felt was an inordinately long time and was about to pull the cord again when the door opened and he was met by an older woman, who filled the doorway without a crack to spare. Her white hair was neatly groomed into a high bun with a jewelled clasp and her plump fingers dazzled him with their gold and sparkling stones.

‘Greetings, I'm Mistress Pertwee,' she said, eyes sparkling. ‘I want to ask you if you're in the right place. A strapping and handsome man like you should have no trouble finding a woman without having to pay for the pleasure,' she said, looking him up and down.

‘Er, I'm here to see Vivienne.'

‘Vivienne? Of course, oh Shar save me, you're the fellow she keeps hoping would come back for her.'

‘No, I …'

‘We met, remember?' she said, holding out her hand, which he took, not wanting to give offence. ‘Cassien! That's right.' She managed to somehow swivel her bulk in the doorway. ‘Elkie! Go fetch Vivienne. Quickly, girl!'

She turned back. ‘Come in, come in.'

He followed, wondering if it was worth trying to explain.

Beautiful girls crowded around him — at least eight of them. They touched his clothes and oohed and ahhed at his fine skin, his hair shot through at the temples with silver, his beautiful dark eyes. He squirmed and smiled, made excuses for not wishing to touch the products on sale or sample the wares for a special price.

Still wriggling out of a particularly determined set of hands that clutched his, he caught sight of a tall, voluptuous woman with strawberry-coloured hair and skin that made him think of ripe peaches in a summer orchard. She looked flushed and confused.

‘Cassien …' She shook her head, her bright and lovely smile faltering. ‘No, forgive me. I … I am mistaken, sir.' He could see she was breathing deeply as if her heart were pounding.

He smiled crookedly, stepped forward. ‘Vivienne?'

She nodded, her expression suggesting he'd just dashed her hopes.

‘The apology is mine,' he began.

A tear escaped. ‘Oh, I'm so sorry,' she said, quickly reaching for a linen and dabbing at her eyes. ‘I've been expecting … er, well, hoping to see someone. He …' She trailed off to a silent shrug. ‘You remind me of him.'

‘Cassien?'

Her mouth opened in surprise. ‘Yes,' she said, shocked.

‘Vivienne …' he looked around and realised he could hear a pin drop in the room. Everyone was hanging on his next words. He was determined. ‘Vivienne,' he began again. ‘I am Gabriel. Brother to Cassien …'

She searched his face and knew. ‘Cassien is not coming, is he?'

He shook his head slightly and the other girls gave a sigh of regret for their friend. Mistress Pertwee shooed them from the room. ‘You need to be alone, I suspect,' she said. Then whispered to Gabriel, ‘You can buy Vivienne tonight if you need. I'll do you a good rate.'

He looked at the woman, startled, but didn't answer and she mercifully continued on out of the door. Gabe returned his gaze to Vivienne. Ham was right. He could easily fall for this woman on sight.

‘He's dead?' she said, her intuition serving her well.

He didn't know how to explain that Cassien's spirit had been separated from his body and was lost. It was easier just to think of him as dead. ‘Yes. His last words to me were that I should find you.'

It impressed him that she didn't shriek or dissolve into sobs. Her tears were silent and calm. ‘Thank you for coming. It is alarming how alike you both look. I'm sorry if I have upset you.'

‘You haven't. I've travelled a long way and I'm very glad that I could meet you.'

She straightened at the news of his journey. ‘He left me plenty of money and a small heart-shaped wreath. I don't have to live like this — but I hoped he might return for me. Where are you staying?'

‘I came directly here. I've never been to Orkyld before. I've not been to Morgravia since I was born.' She frowned. ‘Cassien and I have only recently been reunited. We were separated when he was an infant.'

Her face fell. ‘That's sad. I'm glad you found one another.'

He nodded. ‘I think you know our youngest brother too. His name is Hamelyn.'

‘Ham?' she said giving a moue of shock. ‘Shar's breath! You are full of surprises.'

He shrugged. ‘I'm sorry. They both send their love. I wish Cassien could have delivered it in person, but I hope I'll do.'

Maybe it was his choice of words, or maybe it was just her private grief, but Vivienne's expression softened as she regarded him. ‘Yes, I think you'll do,' she said, almost in a whisper. ‘You can stay here if you wish.'

He hesitated. ‘Ham said if I met you I would never want to leave Orkyld.'

She found a shy smile. ‘What do you do?'

‘I'm hoping to be a scrivener at the cathedral in Pearlis. But for now, I am simply a traveller, looking to belong, and hoping my journey will help me come to terms with my recent losses.'

Vivienne stepped forward and he smelled perfume like freshly mown grass envelop him. She took his hand. ‘Come, Gabriel. Let's help soothe each other's sorrows.'

For a decade now I've maintained it was unlikely I would return to a previous landscape. However, when the opportunity arose to write a single-volume fantasy, I knew page-space to build an imaginary world would be limited, so it was a happy homecoming to the familiar realm of
The Quickening
. I hope you enjoy your return to Morgravia as much as I have.

My thanks to Voyager around the world for allowing me to go back and play in the land I have held a soft spot for, and especially to my editor, Stephanie Smith, who went along with the curious idea to set a story in the contemporary, real city of Paris and the imaginary, medieval capital of Pearlis. Special thanks too to Anne Reilly and Deonie Fiford for wrestling the manuscript through its various phases. I have to thank Darren Holt for his gorgeous artwork and the hardworking HarperCollins sales team that is relentless and upbeat in its efforts to preserve sellers of fantasy books in the ‘high street'. My gratitude is extended to booksellers around the world — now more than ever — as the complexion of our industry changes. Thank you for recommending my stories and for your determination to keep the traditional book moving through welcoming hands.

To family and friends who are always so supportive — thanks for being there, especially you Mum and Dad. Draft readers — Pip Klimentou, Judy Bastian, Steve Hubbard, Nigelle-Ann Blaser … thanks for having my back. Walking buddy, Marianne D'Arrigo … thanks for all the weekend kilometres that helped to clear my mind for storytelling. Baking has been a quiet escape from work but became a passion during the writing of
The Scrivener's Tale
and I must thank my baking muse, Belinda Jeffery for her recipe books and her wonderful friendship this past year.

Ian … first reader, harsh critic, best friend … love always.

Will and Jack, forever crazy about you two … xx

TRINITY

Betrayal
(1)

Revenge
(2)

Destiny
(3)

THE QUICKENING

Myrren's Gift
(1)

Blood and Memory
(2)

Bridge of Souls
(3)

PERCHERON

Odalisque
(1)

Emissary
(2)

Goddess
(3)

VALISAR

Royal Exile
(1)

Tyrant's Blood
(2)

King's Wrath
(3)

The Whisperer

Fiona McIntosh left the UK at 20 to travel, discovered Australia and fell in love with it. She has since explored the world working in the travel industry but now writes novels full-time and roams the globe for her stories. She lives with her husband and twin sons in Adelaide.

‘It's a “just one more chapter” sort of book. Don't start reading
Myrren's Gift
in the evening if you have to get up early the next morning!'

ROBIN HOBB

‘Fiona McIntosh is a seductress. I have not moved from the sofa in three days.'

SYDNEY MORNING HERALD

‘A romping good read … will have readers “hanging” for more.'

GOOD READING

‘Enchanting … McIntosh manages to sustain suspense while deftly handling a large cast of characters and an intricate plot.'

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

‘Relentless, twisty plotting … compulsively readable'

KIRKUS REVIEWS

‘Stunning … Nothing short of astonishing. McIntosh weaves a captivating web of action, escapes, and intrigue from which you cannot break free'

BOOKREPORTER.COM

‘Reminiscent of Raymond E. Feist's classic
Prince of the Blood
and John Marco's
Tyrants and Kings
trilogy … McIntosh's utterly readable
Myrren's Gift
is a book fantasy fans will have a hard time putting down … this fantasy has it all. Highly recommended.'

BARNES & NOBLE EXPLORATIONS

‘
Betrayal
is a book for lovers of traditional fantasy, a fast-paced tale of forbidden love and magic'

SARA DOUGLASS

‘From the very opening chapter to the very last word [
Revenge
] has the reader savouring every scene, every character and every moment.'

ALTAIR MAGAZINE

‘A rattling good adventure that fulfills all the requirements of fantasy'

ADELAIDE ADVERTISER

‘Leaving the reader with a fantasy debut as good as Sara Douglass's, if not better'

GOOD READING

‘Delightful and fast-moving story'

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

‘Two words on the cover — “Fiona McIntosh” — always let me know that I'm in for a good read'

ROBIN HOBB

‘Fast and furious … a great read'

SUNDAY HERALD SU
N

‘
Odalisque
is a novel of relentless pace and passion from one of our best fantasy voices. Five stars.'

AUSTRALIAN BOOKSELLER
&
PUBLISHER

‘Powerful, imaginative, action-packed and passionate'

WOMAN'S DAY

‘Even when you manage to put the book down, you're still thinking about the characters. A fascinating read.'

THAT'S LIFE

‘Fiona McIntosh keeps getting better and better'

ADELAIDE ADVERTISER

‘Fiona McIntosh follows in the footsteps of greats such as Jean M Auel and Guy Gavriel Kay … a truly grand vision brought to life on the page.'

GOOD READING

‘A tight, action-packed and immersive fantasy'

THE AGE

‘McIntosh is set … to assume the mantle of the late David Gemmell'

CANBERRA TIMES

‘A detailed world and a compelling plot'

AUREALIS XPRESS

‘Keeps up the pace from page one'

WEST AUSTRALIAN

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A Paperback Original 2013

Copyright © Fiona McIntosh 2012

Fiona McIntosh asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

This novel is entirely a work of fiction.

The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

Cover design by Darren Holt, HarperCollins Design Studio
Cover images: Roman bridge by Mats Silvan/Getty images;

all other images by shutterstock.com

Map by Bettina Guthrie

Source ISBN: 9780007503933

Ebook Edition © January 2013 ISBN: 9780007503940

Version 1

FIRST EDITION

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