Hooves clattered , muffled on the driveway .sx Men on horses loomed through the now-driving snow , huddled in cloaks and hats ; the sharp lines of musket barrels jutting up from their silhouettes .sx The White Crow narrowed her eyes .sx Grey bulks emerged against the pale clouds .sx A horse and rider ; another ; two more .sx One .sx Two .sx And three more horses , each with two riders tandem on the back .sx " Yeah .sx " Cynicism in her tone , that Hazelrigg clearly heard , and a prepared knowledge .sx " So where's the rest of them .sx .. " .sx She brushed her wrist across her eyes , clearing wet flakes .sx Automatically , despite the absence of belt and blade , she tucked her sword-hand up into the opposite armpit , flexing fingers for warmth and readiness .sx " Madam !sx " .sx The leading rider attempted to rein in a big dapple mare .sx The beast dropped her head between her shoulders as soon as the grip on the rein slackened .sx Horse-breath huffed , clouding the raw air .sx The White Crow stepped forward and touched a hand to the horse's foam - rimmed nostrils .sx " Are you their captain ?sx You're killing this animal !sx " .sx A boot passed within inches of her face as the man swung down from the horse .sx Snow chalked his felt coat and tricorne hat .sx " Madam , I apologize .sx We gambled with the weather and lost .sx The beasts suffer as we do .sx " .sx He took off his hat .sx Oddly brilliant eyes gazed down from a lined face .sx Snow settled into the glossy brown curls of his full - bottomed periwig .sx A man perhaps forty :sx riding some eighteen stone , and well over six feet tall .sx " I have the honour to command this free company of gentlemen-mercenaries .sx " Hat in one hand , the mare's reins in the other , he contrived to sweep a passable low bow .sx Her gaze went over his bent back .sx The other riders sat slumped in the driving cold particles of ice .sx One gelding whickered .sx " Are you the lady of the house , madam ?sx " .sx Under the coat , faded lace showed at his throat .sx A scabbarded sword clinked .sx Snow crusted on scuffed boots .sx His strong , large - featured face contrasted sharply with the curled wig and lace .sx The White Crow stood bareheaded , ignoring the snow soaking through her hair and cold on her scalp .sx " I'll show you the road to the next estate .sx " .sx " Madam , earlier this morning I had the honour to give your residence - distantly visible as it was before this confounded snow - as a rendezvous for the remainder of my company .sx They will arrive here soon .sx " .sx " How many is the remainder ?sx " .sx The big man turned his head , calculating horses and riders present .sx " Enough , madam .sx " .sx " We'll send them on after you .sx " .sx One deep-cuffed hand moved to rest on his hip .sx He squinted up at the house eaves through the snow .sx " I'll wager not .sx You can hardly muster more than ten men , I think ; and not so many experts with arms .sx Madam , it pains me to be impolite .sx I swear it does .sx You have food and shelter , my company stand in need , and I have business here .sx " .sx She met his brightly dangerous eyes , hearing equally compounded bluster and humour .sx The White Crow lifted her head , looking round at the circle of riders :sx hard and weary faces visible under the brims of plumed hats .sx She shook the cloak back from her shoulder .sx Cold cut through her body .sx " It isn't as if I haven't stood in your shoes , captain .sx But no .sx " .sx Without shivering , without faltering , she raised her warmed hand and sketched a complex sign on the air .sx A rose-and-gold luminescence tinged her fingers , brilliant against the falling snow .sx Where her hand passed , air coalesced and tingled :sx shone the colour of the absent sun .sx Ground thrummed underfoot .sx Snow like a handful of thrown gravel stung her jaw .sx The temperature plummetted .sx Air contracted :sx blasting icily across the riders , ripping at hats and cloaks , numbing hands .sx A musket clattered to the cobbles .sx Men swore .sx A watery light emanated from no clear point , unless it was the hands of the White Crow .sx The little dappled shadows of the snow flocked to her feet .sx Blue shadows on white snow .sx The whiteness rose and flowed about her ankles , warm as fur .sx She cast the colour of bone and ivory , dipping her hands to skim and touch the wind-devils of snowflakes .sx Wind-devils that whirled out , hardened , began to become solid .sx .. The shapes of great snow leopards prowled across the yard .sx Blue patterns their pelts , shimmers over muscle and ligament , shadows their great jaws , and sits in their eyes of flowers .sx The colour of bone is cold in their mouths .sx One brown gelding screamed .sx Its head jerked up and pulled the reins from a dismounted mercenary's hand , and its forefeet rose , hung pawing ; and the bugling scream ripped out as it backed , jostled , and half-reared again .sx The other horses began to back and fret .sx The White Crow paused with one hand halfway to her dagger .sx She drew no confirming blood .sx " Madam !sx " .sx Still holding the mercenary captain's gaze , his face blue-white in the sudden freeze , she all but completed the air-drawn hieroglyph , then dropped her hand to the dapple mare's neck .sx Potential predators faded into greyness .sx The exhausted horse whickered and raised her head .sx Snow ran into water around the White Crow's boots .sx Yard - cobbles gleamed .sx Sudden warmth breathed into their faces .sx " Magia !sx " The captain swore .sx A horse clattered back .sx One sword among the group snicked back into its scabbard .sx She heard startled whispers .sx " My name is White Crow .sx Master-Physician Valentine White Crow , of the Invisible College .sx Now .sx If we don't have muskets , I suspect you don't have magia .sx Probably we could discuss this in a civilized manner .sx " .sx The man's gaze went past her .sx The White Crow took two steps back before she glanced over her shoulder .sx " Excuse me .sx " Three skidding steps took her across the wet stone .sx She grabbed the Lord-Architect's fat arm as he walked into the yard .sx " Casaubon !sx What in damnation do you think you're - " .sx " CALMADY !sx " .sx The White Crow fingered her cold ear , a pained expression on her face .sx " 'Calmady' ?sx " .sx The Lord-Architect , beaming , lumbered between horses and riders to enfold the mercenary captain in an ursine embrace .sx " Rot it !sx Pollexfen Calmady !sx " .sx Captain Pollexfen Calmady studied the hole in the heel of his stocking .sx He eased down in the wing-armed kitchen chair , one boot still on , sinking his chin into the yards of lace swathing his throat .sx " That's luck .sx Death and damnation , but it is !sx " .sx The heat to the oven fireplace beat against him .sx " Post sentries , Captain ?sx " .sx " Post lookouts for Bevil , death take him .sx " Calmady shut his eyes .sx The gentlemen-mercenary's footsteps departed .sx " Messire Captain .sx " .sx Without moving anything else , he opened his eyes .sx Half a dozen mercenaries , in various stated of disarray , lounged in the great fireplace .sx A pale snowlight shone on the kitchen's whitewashed vaults .sx He smelled salt bacon , herbs , and sawdust .sx A red-headed woman of perhaps thirty sat with one hip up on the scrubbed table .sx She watched him with tawny-red eyes .sx " Messire Captain , I want some answers .sx " .sx " Apply to your husband for them , madam .sx I confess myself so exhausted , I couldn't plead my case , were I before the Lord Chief Justice herself .sx " .sx " Try .sx " .sx Slowly , he finished unbuttoning his frieze coat , letting it fall open .sx Melting snow crusted his scarlet silk breeches and the embroidered hem of his scarlet waistcoat .sx He sighed .sx " Calmady of Calmady , " he rumbled .sx " That is my lord Gadsbury ; that is Lord Rule ; over there you'll find Lady Arbella Lacey , Sir John Hay , Margrave Linebaugh , the Countess of .sx .. but they have manners enough to introduce themselves .sx " .sx He saw the woman's mouth tighten .sx Lord Rule , black periwig somewhat wetly draggled , swept the plumed hat from his head and made an exquisite bow .sx " Servant , ma'am .sx " .sx " Likewise , madam , likewise .sx " Bess , Lady Winslow , flashed paste rings , whirling a lace kerchief in a flourish .sx She stretched one silk-breeched leg to the fire , hand casually resting over the larger of its patches .sx " I don't like gentlemen-mercenaries .sx " The woman's mouth remained tight .sx " I don't like your particular brand of noble brutality .sx " .sx " As Physician-magus , madam , you're at liberty to dislike what you please .sx " Pollexfen Calmady watched snow light glint off the last remaining gold rings on his large fingers .sx " Were you both scholar and soldier , as some of your College are , we should find a less cold welcome .sx " .sx " I am - I have been a Scholar-Soldier .sx As for the present , your welcome depends solely on your conduct in my house .sx " .sx She slipped from the table to stand on the stone flags , hands cupping elbows , looking at him with her head cocked to one side .sx He let her hostility slide by him .sx He leaned forward , smothered in the riding-coat , to pull off his other boot ; failed , and snapped fingers for Gadsbury .sx The stocky man knelt and dug his fingers into leather , mud , and slush .sx " Any sign of him , Gadsbury ?sx " .sx " Not yet , Captain .sx " The boot jerked free .sx " Boy's a damn fool .sx " .sx Gadsbury grunted agreement , rising .sx " Anyone who doesn't make it through this soon , isn't going to make it at all .sx " .sx Cold blasted through the cracks of the kitchen door .sx A few particles of snow dusted the floor .sx Calmady rested his foot down , wincing as the stocking-hole let bare skin touch the flagstones .sx Beyond the snow-pasted glass , a blizzard whirled .sx The wind's buffets echoed through the kitchens .sx " Light the lanterns .sx " The red-haired woman signalled to a clutch of country-dressed men and women whom Calmady assumed to be the servants , and turned back to him .sx " Messire Captain , you - " .sx Thunderous bangs rattled the kitchen door .sx Lord Rule , having applied his eye to the crack , wiped sleet from his face and wig and unbarred the door .sx It clanged open .sx A cluster of figures stumbled in , shedding cloaks , shouting .sx Calmady sat straighter in the chair .sx As they saw him , they quietened .sx " Captain - " .sx " Report first - " .sx " - Captain !sx " .sx A familiar gangling figure pushed his way forward to the fireplace , swept off his triple-plumed hat and bowed to Calmady , scattering snow over flagstones and Bess , Lady Winslow , impartially .sx The woman-mercenary swore .sx The boy pushed his long , yellow curls out of his face .sx " Father - Captain , I mean - we did it !sx " .sx Lieutenant Bevil beamed with a sixteen-year-old's enthusiasm .sx The tip of his sharp nose shone red in his cold-mottled face , and a drop of moisture hung from it .sx He fumbled , stripping off lacework gloves from practically unprotected hands .sx " No trouble !sx My lord Thompson , be so kind as to show the captain .sx " .sx Calmady turned his head .sx The Physician-magus , caught in mid-speech , shut her mouth and leaned up against the inglenook wall in silence .sx Their cloaks shed , in blue and scarlet and orange silks and brocades the gentlemen-mercenaries crowded close .sx The boy pulled his torn lace cuffs into more splendid falls .sx The high folds of his cravat , soaked , subsided onto his azure-silk shoulders .sx " Here !sx " he proclaimed .sx Enthusiastically , Thompson and Arbella Lacey spilled the contents of four hessian sacks onto the kitchen floor .sx A dozen shirts , two patched doublets , odd pairs of hose , and innumerable sheets piled up .sx Calmady met the boy's pale blue eyes .sx " Bevil .sx .. " .sx " You said we needed material to patch our uniforms with .sx We ambushed Captain Sforza's troop .sx We stole their laundry !sx It's perfect .sx " Doubt crossed his raw features .sx " Someone's going to have to wash it first .sx .. " .sx Very still , Calmady looked down at the heap of dirty clothes .sx " I have a message .sx " Bevil frowned with effort .sx " From Captain Huizinga .sx He's holed up on the other side of the moor .sx He says , would we mind returning the cow we stole from them .sx Their troop doesn't have any milk .sx He says he'll exchange her for two hens - but one of them isn't a good layer .sx " .sx Loud argument broke out :sx Gadsbury staggering to his feet to proclaim the value of the bargain , Hay contradicting ; others on their knees , sorting through the clothes-pile .sx Pollexfen Calmady sat motionless .sx " Captain .sx " .sx He turned his head and met the red-headed woman's gaze .sx Prepared to challenge at the merest hint of a smile , and ( for all his exhaustion ) to draw sword on a magus if this particular one should chance to laugh .sx With equal parts gravity and courtesy , the woman said :sx " I came down to bring you a message , messire Captain .sx