Goulder End, a building owned by the Guild of Philosophers, was an old townhouse that had been donated to the guild some twenty years ago, and had since been remodelled to suit its purposes. A notice board had been erected outside the front steps, relating upcoming events or recent notable publications.

  A large poster on the board announced the lecture taking place that evening.

  “Eidouranion?” Artemisia read aloud.

  “It’s a large orrery with a projection,” Simon said, coming up behind her. “This is the first time it’s being exhibited to the public. I believe the creator is running this lecture to build up interest whilst he arranges for it to be shown in a theatre.”

  “Huh.” The only time I’ve ever seen an orrery before was in a museum. It was pretty cool. An image of the clockwork machine floated into Artemisia’s head, tiny brass models of the planets in orbit around a lamp that had stood in for the sun. “I’ll have to check it out when I get the chance.” She turned to Simon. “When are we to meet with Viscount Aesernia?”

  “I told him we would arrive for half-past one o’clock.” Simon took out his pocket watch and opened it with a flick of his wrist. “And it is twenty past now. Shall we proceed?”

  The front door was propped open, leading into a large foyer. In front of the twin staircases leading up to the next floor was a life-sized marble statue of a man and a woman side-by-side.

  Most of the people in the foyer were dressed in the livery of servants, and one stood beside a large book on a pedestal. It was to this elderly man that Simon guided Artemisia.

  “Good afternoon, Huygens,” Simon said loudly. “It is I, Duke von Loambarn. I have arranged to meet with Viscount Aesernia.”

  “Good afternoon, Your Grace,” replied the old man. “And may I extend a warm greetings to this young companion of yours?”

  “It is my honour to receive them,” Artemisia inputted, nodding respectfully. “My name is Artemisia, second-born of the von Lindt family.”

  “A pleasure to make your acquaintance.” Huygens smiled, revealing a mouth missing several teeth. “What brings a lovely lady like you to this den of vice?”

  “Den of vice?” Artemisia echoed. “But this is a building of science, is it not?”

  “He’s only teasing,” Simon said. “Huygens has been working here since before the house was given to the guild. He is a witness to everything that has ever happened here, both the good and the bad.”

  “So you must have some good stories to tell then.”

  Huygens’ eyes crinkled as he grinned. “That I do, my lady.”

  He’s the character who would come in clutch at the darkest hour, when a single piece of information will turn the tide. I’ll need to stay on his good side.

  Huygens wrote down their names in the hefty tome on the pedestal.

  Huh, a visitor’s book. Didn’t expect to see something like that here.

  “Hm, is one of the viscount’s brothers here?” Simon asked, taking notice of a name in the book.

  “Yes, Master Quintus is assisting his brother with some research today,” Huygens replied.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  Quintus… ah, there he is! Quintus der Pentriss, here as the guest of Tiberius der Pentriss. That’s the viscount.

  “Would it be possible for us to go straight to Viscount Aesernia’s study?” Artemisia asked. “Or must someone come to fetch us?”

  “We may proceed as we want,” said Simon. “However, there is something I wish to show you first, if you would not mind.”

  “What is it?”

  “Goulder End has a small gallery that depicts portraits of distinguished members, as well as some of the greatest scientific inventions of the Seraphim Empire.”

  “Ooh!” I wonder what they’ve got! “Yes, I would indeed.”

  “The gallery is up on the first floor. Come.”

  Huygens bowed. “Enjoy your visit, honourable lord and lady.”

  Artemisia and Simon walked up the stairs to the first floor, passing by the statue of the couple, who were depicted when later in life. Artemisia tried to look for a plaque or anything that would volunteer information, but there was none to be seen.

  “Duke von Loambarn, who are these two?”

  “That is Lord and Lady Grentille, who donated this building to the guild in their will. Goulder End is not the true home of the Guild of Philosophers, as you might have guessed.”

  “It does seem a little small to house such an old guild.”

  “Goulder End was donated to be a building solely for natural philosophers as their disciplines have become more separate from the rest of the guild.”

  “I see. As their studies take them further towards the scientific, of course natural philosophers would grow apart from true philosophers. Not that I think that natural philosophers are not true philosophers – not at all! I simply mean that—”

  “I understand, Lady Artemisia.” Simon chuckled. “On behalf of natural philosophers, I take no offence at your words.”

  Artemisia emitted a breathy laugh, placing a hand on her chest. Watch what you say, girl! Don’t get carried away and say something foolish. Remember, being impulsive is what gets you in trouble.

  “So, these inventions?” she asked as a way to move the conversation on.

  “Just through here.” Simon opened a dark wooden door with brass doorknobs. “Ladies first.”

  Artemisia was all too happy to oblige.

  She entered a room that had once been a library, and indeed still contained books in abundance. However, half of the room had been given over to glass cases containing various artefacts, and one immediately caught Artemisia’s attention.

  In the centre of the room, sat on a pillar like a marble bust might, was a tube-shaped telescope – old-looking even for the setting. Artemisia recognised it at once, as she had seen something similar in a museum on Earth.

  “Is that…?”

  “That is the very first astronomical telescope in the entire Seraphim Empire, my lady.”

  Oh my goooood. And it’s just sitting out in the open like this? It’s a piece of history!

  “Pardon, Lady Artemisia, but are you well?”

  Artemisia looked up from where she was crouched in front of the telescope. “Yeah, I’m fine. I just wanted to see it from this angle.”

  “Would it not be easier for you to simply handle it?”

  “Handle it?!” Artemisia gasped. “But it’s so precious! It would – do people just pick it up?” She buried her head in her hands, muffling her next words. “At least people are usually wearing gloves in this era… but it should be kept in a space with much better temperature and humidity control than this old library.”

  “Lady Artemisia?”

  Oops. “Sorry, I was, um, just thinking out loud! You didn’t hear any of that… did you?”

  “I did not,” replied Simon, although Artemisia could not tell if he was being polite or not. “But I think we should go to see Viscount Aesernia before we get too distracted.”

  You mean me, don’t you, not yourself. Artemisia sighed. “Very well. He is who we are here to see, after all.”

  Simon opened the door for Artemisia, but as she stepped through the doorway a figure barrelled down the corridor.

  “Ack!”

  The two of them would have collided if not for the man’s quick dodge, and he immediately dipped into a bow, spluttering. “My apologies, I was in a rush and not looking where I was going, please excuse me!”

  “Oh, um, it’s – it’s fine!”

  The man had already hurried away however, leaving Artemisia only with the impression of sharp features and wide eyes. His hair was drawn back into a small ponytail, which fluttered back and forth as he turned to go down the stairs.

  “Who was that?” Simon asked, who had missed the majority of the interaction.

  “I have no idea,” Artemisia replied, feeling a little windswept.