their complaints. I cannot speak for the lower classes, but in our class of society, Jason Cameron, young ladies are forced to live atop pedestals, and let me tell you, they are hideously restrictive places to reside! I choose to live down upon the ground where I can actually accomplish something, and if that makes me an 'unwomanly woman,' well, so be it.' She crossed her arms over her chest and gazed at him with challenge in her eyes. 'Certainly my 'unwomanly' nature has stood you in good stead! A fainting, missish, hysterical lady would hardly have done you any good in your current predicament!'
He only waved a weary paw at her and settled back into his chair, half-closing his eyes. 'Enough. I am not about to debate the cause of women's rights with you. But to take the subject of our reading, are you so certain you want to pursue our researches here, in my suite? I can make you forget that all this happened, if you choose to permit me to do so, and we can return to our former arrangement.'
And have him messing about, planting whatever ideas he thinks fit in my mind? No thank you!
'I would not have made the offer if I did not intend for you to accept it,' she replied. 'What is more-is there any reason why I cannot take du Mond's place and perform the functions of your Apprentice? It does seem to me that you require some kind of help when you attempt Magickal Working.'
'You?' he replied, turning at last to face her, with his eyes wide, aghast. 'Help as an Apprentice? Have you any idea how dangerous that might be? Are you out of your mind?'
'I don't believe so,' she said, with a little, forced laugh. 'But if you won't have me, perhaps you ought to ask for someone else to help you? Some great Magician, for instance. Like-' she searched her mind for a name, hoping to think of someone who had appeared in the newspapers as an expert in the occult, and offered it up to him. '-like Aleister Crowley, perhaps?' This time his bark of laughter was contemptuous. 'Crowley? As soon trust myself to a circus clown! The self-named 'Wickedest Man in the world' offer help to anyone? I would extract blood from a stone before I got help from Aleister Crowley, my dear Rose, and any aid he gave would be so encumbered that my condition would be worsened rather than bettered by putting myself in his hands.' He laughed again. 'There are only two kinds of men who follow him; those who use others, and those doomed to lose everything including self- respect. He caters to the rapacious and the pathetic-and he uses both to his own ends, bringing satisfaction to none but himself.' With great effort, he shook his head. 'No, there is no one we can call upon for help at this juncture. Even my old Master would only say that since my own pride got me into this predicament, I must find my own way out of it.'
Perhaps that is true, but- She grimaced. 'That sounds rather harsh-'
'That is the way of Magick; only the skilled and fit survive, or deserve to.' He managed a one-shouldered shrug. 'You have read that for yourself, in more than one of the works I have sent to you.'
She sighed, and repeated her offer. 'Very well, then. You no longer trust du Mond and you cannot turn to any other of your own level of ability. I tell you again, truly; I will help you to the best of my own abilities as your assistant if you will have me.'
He turned a blankly astonished gaze upon her. 'You see this, you know that Magick brought this upon me, and still you persist?'
'I would make the same effort for anyone else I admired,' she replied, with complete truth. 'And although I do not care for some of your morals or your behavior, you have a first-class mind, and that I admire. I think it a shame that you have paid so dearly for so minor a sin as pride.'
She held out her hand by way of sealing the bargain. He looked at it dubiously for a moment.
'I do not understand you,' he said at last. 'But if you are going to throw yourself into the breach this way, I would be an idiot to refuse to accept. You are old enough to be aware of the consequences and to live with them if need be.' He hardly sounded gracious, but she didn't care. He also did not offer her his hand, but she did not press him for it. In his position, I would be shy of offering a lady my paw, too.
'Fine. We're agreed.' She looked him over carefully, finding it easier now than it had been a few minutes ago. Perhaps she was getting used to the way he looked. 'Well, logic suggests that you should be in bed, but I have no notion of how to get you there. Frankly, I do not believe I have the strength to carry you further.'
Put him to bed! No proper lady would have spoken so boldly. She was truly changing. If I continue to think of him as a naughty little boy, I believe I can say these things without blushing.
'The Salamanders will help me,' he said, with indifference. 'Just at the moment, your assistance really isn't needed.'
She glanced at the Salamander for confirmation, and it nodded, as if it understood what she wanted.
'Very well then,' she replied, standing up and brushing off herskirt. 'I will leave you to make your recovery. Master Pao directs you to drink his tea whenever you are in pain or fatigued, but no more than six cups a day.'
His lips writhed in distaste. 'I am not likely to endure that devil's brew more than twice a day! Be off with you, if you're so concerned that I get some rest.'
She suppressed the urge to say something quelling, and simply nodded. She gathered up her package with the remaining packets of herbs in it, and turned, walking out the door of the bedroom into the hall.
He did not thank her, but she didn't expect him to.
