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.A smaller table held two bottles of wine and several glasses, while a bookshelf held copies of the Corps’ accounts.The walls held several portraits; a regal portrait of King George IV, a joint image of the first three Master Magicians and a large painting of Queen Elizabeth, a droll reminder that a woman had once done an extremely good job of ruling the entire country.At the far end of the room, the original Battle of Philadelphia hung on one wall, showing the surrender of George Washington and his army of rebels to the British Redcoats.The members of the committee rose to their feet as she entered the chamber.Gwen nodded politely to them, took her seat at the end of the table and motioned for them to sit down.She couldn’t help noticing that several of them had taken wine from the table, but others had chosen to try to keep a clear head.That was good, she supposed.Magic and alcohol didn’t mix very well.Besides, if she had taken a glass for herself, people would have commented.“The meeting is now in session,” she said, primly.They didn’t like having a chairwoman, any more than Gwen liked attending the meetings in the first place.If Master Thomas had told her that the post included so many worthless discussions, she would have had second thoughts about accepting his offer.“God save the King.”“God save the King,” they echoed back.Gwen nodded.It was customary to start the meeting like that – and it also reminded them that King George, who had taken a much stronger interest in governing his country after the Swing, was one of her supporters.Not everyone liked the King, or respected him, but they’d be careful not to show disrespect in public.They never knew who might be listening.“Before we start,” she continued, “do we have any urgent business?”Sir James cleared his throat.“Ambassador Talleyrand has requested permission to visit the Royal College,” he said, shortly.“It is my very strong advice that permission be denied.”There was a general rumble of agreement.Talleyrand was France’s Special Envoy, the man King Louis used to handle diplomatic incidents.and one of the smartest men in the world.Gwen doubted he was smarter than Lord Mycroft, but it hardly mattered.Allowing him to see the Royal College might have unforeseen consequences in the future.Who knew what piece of intelligence he’d find that could be put together with something else to create disastrous results?But it was Gwen’s decision.and if her refusal caused a diplomatic incident, she’d be blamed.“We could organise his tour so that he sees nothing useful,” she mused, aloud.“It would be difficult to be certain,” Sir James said.“As you know, I have recommended that we move out of the city entirely.”Gwen scowled as the old argument washed over her.After the Swing, when Cavendish Hall had been attacked and captured by the rebels, several of the younger magicians had advocated moving out of London.Cavendish Hall could serve as their headquarters, the Royal College could continue its research.but most of the magicians would train and live out of the city, where they would be less vulnerable to enemy attack.And, for that matter, less tempted by the pubs and fleshpots of London.“But that would seem like a defeat,” Lord Brockton insisted.He’d said the same thing at a dozen earlier meetings.“We cannot run from our own capital city.”Sir James scowled at him.“It isn’t a retreat,” he insisted, icily.“If we did our training outside the city, if nothing else, we would.”“.Not be able to call on a reserve of magicians, if necessary,” Amherst said.“Besides, many of our trainees have other.requirements.We should not take them from London.”Gwen tapped the table, exasperated.Had the senior magicians given Master Thomas so much trouble? “That is a debate for another time,” she said.Personally, she was inclined to agree with Sir James; moving the training facilities out into the countryside would give them much more room to operate, as well as keeping the young magicians away from London’s temptations.“For now, we shall deal with the French Ambassador.”She was tempted to insist that Talleyrand be allowed to visit, knowing that it would annoy them, but it would be pointless spite.And Sir James did have a point.“We shall politely deny his request,” she continued.“However, he may attempt to pressure our superiors into allowing him to visit.In that case, we shall conceal as much as possible before he arrives [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
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.A smaller table held two bottles of wine and several glasses, while a bookshelf held copies of the Corps’ accounts.The walls held several portraits; a regal portrait of King George IV, a joint image of the first three Master Magicians and a large painting of Queen Elizabeth, a droll reminder that a woman had once done an extremely good job of ruling the entire country.At the far end of the room, the original Battle of Philadelphia hung on one wall, showing the surrender of George Washington and his army of rebels to the British Redcoats.The members of the committee rose to their feet as she entered the chamber.Gwen nodded politely to them, took her seat at the end of the table and motioned for them to sit down.She couldn’t help noticing that several of them had taken wine from the table, but others had chosen to try to keep a clear head.That was good, she supposed.Magic and alcohol didn’t mix very well.Besides, if she had taken a glass for herself, people would have commented.“The meeting is now in session,” she said, primly.They didn’t like having a chairwoman, any more than Gwen liked attending the meetings in the first place.If Master Thomas had told her that the post included so many worthless discussions, she would have had second thoughts about accepting his offer.“God save the King.”“God save the King,” they echoed back.Gwen nodded.It was customary to start the meeting like that – and it also reminded them that King George, who had taken a much stronger interest in governing his country after the Swing, was one of her supporters.Not everyone liked the King, or respected him, but they’d be careful not to show disrespect in public.They never knew who might be listening.“Before we start,” she continued, “do we have any urgent business?”Sir James cleared his throat.“Ambassador Talleyrand has requested permission to visit the Royal College,” he said, shortly.“It is my very strong advice that permission be denied.”There was a general rumble of agreement.Talleyrand was France’s Special Envoy, the man King Louis used to handle diplomatic incidents.and one of the smartest men in the world.Gwen doubted he was smarter than Lord Mycroft, but it hardly mattered.Allowing him to see the Royal College might have unforeseen consequences in the future.Who knew what piece of intelligence he’d find that could be put together with something else to create disastrous results?But it was Gwen’s decision.and if her refusal caused a diplomatic incident, she’d be blamed.“We could organise his tour so that he sees nothing useful,” she mused, aloud.“It would be difficult to be certain,” Sir James said.“As you know, I have recommended that we move out of the city entirely.”Gwen scowled as the old argument washed over her.After the Swing, when Cavendish Hall had been attacked and captured by the rebels, several of the younger magicians had advocated moving out of London.Cavendish Hall could serve as their headquarters, the Royal College could continue its research.but most of the magicians would train and live out of the city, where they would be less vulnerable to enemy attack.And, for that matter, less tempted by the pubs and fleshpots of London.“But that would seem like a defeat,” Lord Brockton insisted.He’d said the same thing at a dozen earlier meetings.“We cannot run from our own capital city.”Sir James scowled at him.“It isn’t a retreat,” he insisted, icily.“If we did our training outside the city, if nothing else, we would.”“.Not be able to call on a reserve of magicians, if necessary,” Amherst said.“Besides, many of our trainees have other.requirements.We should not take them from London.”Gwen tapped the table, exasperated.Had the senior magicians given Master Thomas so much trouble? “That is a debate for another time,” she said.Personally, she was inclined to agree with Sir James; moving the training facilities out into the countryside would give them much more room to operate, as well as keeping the young magicians away from London’s temptations.“For now, we shall deal with the French Ambassador.”She was tempted to insist that Talleyrand be allowed to visit, knowing that it would annoy them, but it would be pointless spite.And Sir James did have a point.“We shall politely deny his request,” she continued.“However, he may attempt to pressure our superiors into allowing him to visit.In that case, we shall conceal as much as possible before he arrives [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]