Trial by Fire

“And are these other worlds full of resources like energy and food and medicine?” Gideon asked.

“All that and more,” Carrick promised quietly. “The shamans say that everything you could possibly imagine is real in some world somewhere.”

“Nonsense,” Roberts scoffed. “That spirit walking stuff is a tall tale used to comfort poor Outlander children when they realize their lot in life.”

“But what if it’s true?” Danforth proposed quietly. “An infinite number of worlds with an infinite number of resources…” He trailed off dramatically, and for the first time, Gideon understood why his father was head of the Council. He had a knack for using greed to get everyone in line with his agenda.

“If Lillian has found a way to bring a person from one world into another, is it so hard to imagine that other things could be brought as well—the very things we lack, for instance?” Gideon added smoothly, after a suitable pause.

Bainbridge looked Gideon in the eye. “We’d need proof that other worlds exist before we make any move against Lillian.”

“It’s easy enough,” Carrick suggested quietly. “Find Rowan Fall, and you’ll find the other Lillian. Ask her where she came from.”

Bainbridge grew quiet, internalizing all the ramifications. He shook his head suddenly. “No. Fall still has all of the Witch’s favor and protection. She was always especially fond of him.”

“And he profited by it,” Roberts said lewdly. “I hear he owns the whole building he lives in. Great neighborhood, too. Could charge whatever he wants for rent in that area and make a fortune.”

Gideon stifled another wave of frustration. The Council always was jealous of the Coven’s wealth, and they begrudged how well the Coven paid anyone who worked for them—from the lowliest farmers who maintained the greentowers all the way up to the mechanics who were practically showered with riches.

“Does he still draw a salary from the Coven?” Wake asked, like the beancounter he was.

“No,” Gideon answered sharply, hoping to end this line of conversation. “I’m Lillian’s head mechanic now. What does it matter how well Lillian paid him?”

Roberts smirked at Gideon. “Proves how much the Witch cared for Fall, doesn’t it? Their fondness for each other is practically anecdotal. The two of them may have had a tussle over that business with his father, but magical folk are queerly tied to each other with all of the claiming nonsense. Much more than regular flesh and blood and common sense would deem suitable, in my opinion. All of this hullaballoo could be that this ‘other Lillian’ is simply the Salem Witch visiting her favorite.”

“In the Woven Woods?” Gideon interjected incredulously. “Not very likely.”

“But far more likely than what you’re suggesting,” Bainbridge countered. “No, you can’t openly challenge Rowan Fall without Lillian knowing. And even if he is no longer drawing a salary, she’s made it clear that Rowan Fall is still to be afforded all the privileges of a head mechanic. Making a move against Fall is far too risky. You need to find your proof elsewhere.”

“Yes,” Wake agreed, his pensive tone matching Bainbridge’s, “we’d need proof to convince the whole Council and a plan for how to access these other worlds, before we’d sanction you making any move against the Witch or Rowan Fall.”