“Five people waiting behind cover,” said Saracen. “Sorcerers. Necromancers, I think. We’ll need to burst through, take them by surprise. But these doors have steel bars running through them.”

“Wilhelm,” said Vex, “think there’s a sigil you could use to sort this out?”

“Of course,” Wilhelm said. He stepped forward, pulling a long piece of chalk from his pocket, followed by a compass, a protractor, a ruler and a set square.

Aurora narrowed her eyes. “Did you get those from a mathematical set?”

“Yes,” said Wilhelm. “Best place to get them.”

“But why do you need them?”

“Do you know how exact these symbols have to be? Everything has to be precise. If I had time on my hands like that China Sorrows, yes, I could draw sigils without taking measurements and that would be wonderful, but not all of us can be ladies of leisure with nothing to do all day but read books and learn things.”

Frightening frowned. “Would you want to be a lady of leisure?”

“That’s not what I... Please, I must give this my full attention.”

They all stepped back as Wilhelm took out a battered notebook and flipped through the pages. When he found the sigil he wanted, he started sketching a rough outline on the door.

Aurora looked at Vex. “I thought you said he was practically fluent in the language of magic.”

“Ah, ah, no, you’re misremembering,” said Vex. “I’m pretty sure I didn’t say practically, and I certainly wouldn’t have said fluent. And if I did, I definitely meant something else. Wilhelm has, I would say, a passable knowledge of the language of magic.”

“And, in this context, what does passable mean? Workable? Or needs a classroom math set to copy a picture?”

“I can hear everything you’re saying,” Wilhelm reminded her.

“I’m aware of that,” said Aurora. “Just keep drawing, there’s a good boy, and try to ignore me as I mock you.” She turned back to Vex. “Seriously? This clown is our sigil expert?”

Vex shrugged. “He was the only one who made himself available. Remember, I had to assemble this team as quietly as possible. I couldn’t exactly advertise for the post. When Wilhelm came along, I knew he wouldn’t be much good, but he’s better than nothing. Not much better, admittedly, but he has other qualities.”

“Such as?”

“He’s quiet. He has manners. He doesn’t speak out of turn.”

“He has manners? That’s it? That’s what he brings to the table?”

“Like I said, it’s not much, but it’s something.”

“It’s barely something. It barely registers. The guy’s inept. Look at him. Look at the way he sticks his tongue out when he draws.”

“This is actually very demeaning,” Wilhelm muttered.

“Hush, you,” said Aurora.