Page 36 of Apple Boy

“Very good, sir.” Luca nodded. “I require particulars about this Evan Sewell. Could I question the young man as to some details?”

“Of course, of course.”

Luca addressed Adam, who was seated beside me, and opposite my uncle. “Master Sewell, First I’d like you to understand that Serein is a prodigious city, and its population is well beyond my counting. Finding one man in this city this big will be a difficult task. Therefore, I need any descriptions or information you can tell me about your brother.” Luca retrieved a notebook from his breast pocket and a tiny pencil. He licked the tip, and as Adam spoke, he scratched the pencil on the page.

“He’s… um, twenty-eight summers, a head shorter than me and stockier of build, much like my pa. His hair’s a lighter shade o’ brown than my own, straight, and last time I saw him, it was long past his shoulders an’ worn in a wolf’s tail.”

“And his face? Anything you can tell me that would help identify him?”

“His nose is the same mine; his eyes are blue.” Adam scowled, deep in thought. “Oh yes, Evan has a small scar beneath his left eye where a stray branch cut him,” Adam informed.

“Are there any other marks—scars or tattoos that would help me?”

Adam’s eyes widened as if he’d just thought of something pertinent. He pressed his lips closed.

“What… what is it?” I cajoled. Adam took a breath and then revealed, “My brother has a tattoo—but I don’t think he’d be best pleased if I told anyone about it.”

“Do you want to find him or not?” I said sharply. I regretted my tone immediately.

“Aye… but—“

“Anything you tell us is confidential,” Ivon interrupted. “Luca here grew up on Cheapside. He knows this city from the sewers up. If any can find your Evan, it’s my man Luca. But you must give us all you can to help in his identification. Remember, this is a city of millions, and so even Luca will have his work cut out!”

Adam’s cheeks burned crimson, and he gestured towards Luca’s notebook.

“May I… draw it?”

Luca handed over the notebook and stubby pencil. Biting his lip with concentration, Adam made a quick sketch on a blank page. He handed the notebook back. Luca looked at the page, narrowed his brows, and then seeking an explanation pinned Adam with a confused glare.

“Evan was engaged three summers back to Bess Mackee. There was an open house at the Mackee farm to celebrate an’ her brothers got Evan steamin’ drunk on Tayta wine. When he woke the next day, he said his lower-back ached. T’wasn’t until he got Ma to take a look that we discovered that damn tattoo. They’d all taken turns wit ink an’ darning needles—got all infected, so it did. Gods, there was war. Suffice to say, the weddin’ never happened!”

Luca turned the notebook outward and let Ivon and me see the drawing. It was of two leaves and an apple stalk, and if that was tattooed on Evan’s lower back. Oh! My hand moved swiftly to cover my mouth as I tried to hold in a burst of laughter. I wanted to ask Adam if his brother had a nice round bottom, but that would have been thoroughly inappropriate. What rotters Bess Mackee’s brothers were!

“This is perfect!” Ivon let out a roaring belly laugh. “Luca, you must ask around at the brothels. If Adam’s brother has particular tastes in bed partner this will be easy—Does he have singular tastes? Is he a bit of a rapscallion?” Ivon teased, waggling his brows at Adam. “Maybe he fancies something a little taboo? Boys, girls—filthy back alley strumpets?”

“Uncle!” I barked reproachfully. The coffee had not sobered my uncle enough for my liking. It seemed that he was enjoying this far too much. Adam appeared horrified by the intrusive questions and teasing innuendo.

”Um… eh, I don’t know. He likes ladies—” he stuttered weakly, his cheeks rosy with embarrassment.

“Well then,” Ivon thundered, “That’s a start. Luca, talk to a few of the Madame’s—Mistress Sheena at Mother Madrigal’s, and Betti at The Pink Pearl and, oh yes, Ginger at The Serpent’s Tail. Mention that you work for me, they should be very… accommodating!” He suggested, tapping the side of his nose with a finger and giving a sly wink.

“Worry not my lad. I’m sure that tattoo will lead us straight to Evan’s door!” Ivon scoffed and slapped Adam on the thigh. He winced.

And with that, Luca pushed his notebook back into his breast pocket, nodded to his master, and stepped out of the coach.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

COPPERDALL

The Gentries district was just as uncle Ivon had described in his missives—a hillside of terraces featuring spacious tree-lined avenues where huge stately mansions overlooked the eclectic vista of the city.

Serein was a coastal city and therefore, prone to changeable weather. Rain fell at last as we ascended the hill and what a downpour it was. I was grateful to have shelter in the carriage for the deluge was of such force that on foot we would have been washed straight back down the hill. Adam was unusually silent as we trundled up the steep roadway. Gone was the awe I’d seen etched on his face earlier, replaced by a look of solemn introspection. Discovering our magic was alarming and life-changing, so, like me, I supposed Adam had a great deal to think about.

I dearly hoped that my uncle’s man, Luca, was able to find Evan Sewell because I sensed that Adam felt his brother’s absence keenly and it pained me to see him unhappy. Such was his loyalty, Adam would not return to Mallowick without a word of his brother and, I was certain he would not cease in his search if we could not locate him in this city. Gods forbid, if Evan had taken employment on a ship, or was a resident in the city gaol—or worse.

The mansion Ivon leased was named CopperdallHouse. With the oppressive cloudburst above, my first glimpse of the house made it appear a little eerie and foreboding. It was a white stone building of three storeys in height with a green verdigris copper roof that sparkled against the tempestuous grey sky. I felt that same curious, unexplainable curl of power in my gut that I’d experienced when first entering the city.

The rain cleared as swiftly as it appeared and the sun erupted through the clouds as we rounded the final bend and made our way up the long drive to Copperdall. The house was set in gated verdant grounds and the sparkling; rain-soaked terraced gardens appeared well-tended and efflorescent. In keeping with much of the architecture of Serein, the house retained curiously shaped windows and carved stone details decorating the exterior. The carriage came to a halt outside the house. A young uniformed footman scurried down a flight of rain-soaked steps and opened the carriage door for his master.