“Then have the College proctor investigate,” she said. “This Council cannot be seen o’erstepping its mark, Brice. You know how fiercely Hahren defends the College’s independence. It occurs to me that had we not so vigorously objected to Bellamie Ranowen’s appointment she might never have been taken on as a tutor in the first place.”

“So this is our fault?” Shari laughed, disbelieving. “Venette, you never cease to astound me.”

“Enough!” Brice snapped. “What’s done is done. I suggest we concern ourselves with what must be done next. Sallis, am I right in thinking you’ve already assured Lord Jordane of our support?”

Sallis had the grace to look abashed. “Well, yes. As it happens. Nevin was most distressed and—”

Brice lowered his hand. “Which means a proctorial investigation is out of the question. Your presumption is noted, Lord Arkley. As for Jordane’s claim, I shall instruct Morgan to investigate.”

“Morgan?” Sallis shifted again, displeased. “Brice, I don’t think—”

“I do,” Brice said flatly. “He wasn’t part of this Council when Mage Ranowen was appointed. As far as I’m aware he does not socialise with the Jordanes. And since he’s absent this morning, he’s not privy to the circumstances of the complaint. That renders him impartial. You said there were two matters you wished to discuss, Sallis?”

Venette was hard put not to laugh out loud at the look on Sallis’s face. Biting the inside of her cheek, she shifted her gaze to the still-weeping sky and wondered what Morgan would make of being given such a task.

It will do him good, I think. He needs to believe he’s valued. He needs to trust that Brice sees him as—well, not an equal, but not as an afterthought either.

Dear Morgan. So proud and so prickly. Not a comfortable combination.

“I did,” said Sallis at last, his temper recovered. “As you all know, I keep my ear close to the ground when it comes to certain… foreign purveyors of catalytic supplies. Not all of our neighbours are diligent when it comes to observing the relevant restrictions. Word’s reached me from a reliable source that someone of late has purchased a good deal of azafris.”

Brice sat a little straighter, his own ill-temper forgotten. “And when you say a good deal?”

“More than the law permits. It’s a clear violation.”

“This purchaser’s name? You have it?”

Sallis shook his head. “Alas.”

“Perhaps now, Brice, you’ll revisit the question of keeping a tighter rein on such items,” said Shari. “Freedom is all very well, but when unscrupulous mages seek to circumvent the law, freedom must be held forfeit—for everyone’s sake.”

“The penalties for illegal catalytic import are already severe, Shari.”