Part 30 (1/2)

”A castle?” Yarrow gave him a doubtful look. ”Well, I'd suggest you do one of two things. Apprentice your- self to a good master or hire someone who knoWs what they're doing.”

”Sound advice, but I'm afraid I can't do either of those,” Jarrod said evenly, ”but I'd be happy to pay you for your information.”

”I see, pick my brains and then give the commission to someone else. It won't work, you know. Use inferior people and you'll get a botched job. Oh, it may look ail right when it's first up, but as soon as you move in the problems will start.”

”That isn't the way of it. The site I have in mind is extremely remote and there's no way of getting a crew there.”

”Then it can't be done,” Yarrow said flatly, and took a long pull at his porter. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

”You're forgetting the Magic,” Jarrod replied with a faint smile.

”Ah. So I did.” He gave a faint shrug. ”If you can do it all with Magic, what would you need me for?”

”I can't just look at a picture and reproduce it,” Jar- rod explained. ”Well, that's not quite true,” he amended. ”I could produce an illusion solid enough for you to have to open the door to get inside, but it would disappear the moment I stopped concentrating.”

”This begins to sound interesting,” Yarrow said, draining his tankard, ”but it's poor advice I give on an empty stomach.”

161.

Jarrod looked around and caught the innkeeper's eye.

The man came over, bowing and rubbing his hands.

”Master Yarrow and I would like some food.” Seeing the renewed nervousness in the man's face, he said, ”Perhaps you have a private room where we could con- duct our conversation.”

”Oh indeed. Your Grace, if you and your guest would be kind enough to accompany me I can a.s.sure you of complete privacy. Perhaps some wine with your repast?

My wife does a very nice capon and there are those who swear that her syllabub is the best in Stronta.” He was backing and bowing and motioning them to follow him all the while that he was talking.

”Does this happen to you all the time?” Yarrow asked as they followed.

”I very rarely frequent taverns,” Jarrod answered.

The innkeeper ushered them into a small, comfort- able room on the second floor, bowed yet again and disappeared.

”Now, Excellence,” Yarrow said as they settled in, ”perhaps you could tell me a little more about this project.”

”In the strictest confidence.”

”Oh aye. This comes under the heading of a profes- sional secret and I didn't get to be a Master Mason by having a loose tongue.” He smiled for the first time, ”Besides, it isn't healthy to cross a Mage, especially one who is prepared to buy me a meal. I am about to be in your debt.”

”Very well then,” Jarrod said, and launched into an explanation.

Moresby Yarrow ate stolidly while he listened. Serv- ing girls came and went with platters and wine. The food was simple but well cooked and the wine was good enough to make Jarrod check his coin purse to see how much money he had brought with him. When the meal

162 and the dissertation were over. Yarrow pushed his chair back so that he could stretch his legs and belched con- tentedly.

”A pretty tale. Excellence,” he said, ”and an even prettier problem. It intrigues me. The first people to push to the edge of the Alien Plain, the G.o.ds know how many years from now, come across a splendid, well- fortified castle where no such buildings should be.” He leaned back and patted his belly. ”I like it. What I like even more is the challenge of imagining something prac- tical that will seem absolutely modern, oh, say a hun- dred years from now. Yes indeed, that's a commission worth taking.”

”So you'll tell me what I have to know to build it?”

Jarrod said with barely concealed relief.