“Ah.” Flutek covered himself with the eiderdown and gave a pained smile. “Undoubtedly a sign of saintliness… On the other hand, I’m not surprised Huss didn’t recant… He preferred the stake to the pain… Christ, Reynevan, do something, I beg you…”

“I’ll give you something to relieve the pain in a moment, but the stones must be removed. A barber-surgeon is necessary. Or ideally a specialist lithotomist. I know one in Prague—”

“I don’t want one!” bellowed the spy, either from pain or fury. “There was one here! Do you know what he wanted to do? Cut open my arse! Understand? Cut open my arse!”

“Not your arse—your crotch. You have to be cut open to reach the stones. Long forceps are inserted through the cut to access the bladder—”

“Stop!” bellowed Flutek, paling. “Not another word! That’s not why I brought you here, why I sent relays of horses after you… Cure me, Reynevan. With magic. I know you can.”

“You must be delirious. Witchcraft is a peccatum mortalium… The Fourth Article of Prague orders the death penalty for sorcerers. For now, I’ll prepare you a potion to relieve the pain. And nepenthes, an intoxicating medicine for later. You’ll take it when the lithotomist arrives. You’ll barely feel it when he makes the incision, and you’ll endure the forceps going in. Just be sure to grip a wooden peg or leather belt in your teeth—”

“Reynevan.” Flutek went as white as a sheet. “Please. I’ll cover you with gold—”

“Aha, of course you will. For a moment, because sorcerers sent to the stake have their gold confiscated. You must have forgotten that I worked for you, Neplach. I’ve seen a lot. And learned a lot. Besides, it’s vain talk. I can’t remove the stone using magic because, firstly, an operation like that is risky, and secondly, I’m not a sorcerer and don’t know any spells—”

“You do,” Flutek interrupted coldly. “I know very well that you do. Heal me and I’ll forget that I know.”

“Blackmail, is it?”

“No. Minor cronyism. I’ll be indebted to you. As part of paying off the debt, I’ll erase certain matters from my memory, and if you’re ever in need, I’ll be able to repay you. The Devil take me if—”

“He’s taking you anyway.” It was Reynevan’s turn to interrupt. “We’ll carry out the operation at midnight. Without any witnesses, just you and me. I’ll need boiling water, a silver jug or goblet, a bowl of hot coals, a copper cauldron, honey, birch and willow bark, some fresh hazel rods, something made of amber—”