#jonah week

Jonah is vaguely aware this all is a dream. The shapes of the world are not fully clear. The feelings are missing certain level of satisfaction. And also he cannot remember how he’s gotten here. He knows it is his creation. Of course it is; it must be! Yet no matter how hard Jonah is trying to remember the dream doesn’t tell him how to achieve the world. Not even a hint. It exists; it lures him in with promise of unlimited knowledge and immortal glory but how to create it? The dream is beautiful but it is not real he wants to know. He needs to know. If only he could focus there must be some clue how to achieve this perfect world he feels he is close but then-…

“Jonah, dear, are you aware you need to get up at some point?” There is a kiss on his cheek. There is a kiss on his lips. There is a kiss on his neck. There is more kisses and-

The dream is gone. He is lying in bed which is not exactly his but he has woken up here enough times he might call it that. There is his dear friend lying in the bed next to him having no idea how unwelcome is his interruption.

“I am awake, Barnabas,” Jonah whines and turns his back toward him. He closes his eyes again in the pointless hunt for the feeling that is no longer there. He knows the dream was important but the details are slipping between his fingers every second and it is so hard to focus because-…

“Are you? It doesn’t look like it Mr. Magnus!” Barnabas pulls him into a hug and the tight grip around his waist will now certainly prevent him from falling asleep. However it feels nice. And it is so tempting to let those dreams disappear and focus on the warmth of the body next to him.

“You keep insisting on me going to bed. Now you keep insisting on me getting out of it. You should decide and settle on one Mr. Bennett you are sending me contradicting messages.”

“Ah, yes! How dare I interrupt you in the middle of the night after ten hours of sitting behind that table of yours and try to persuade you to finally lie your smart head down! And how dare I try to suggest you might leave the embrace of blankets behind when the sun is up several hours. You missed the breakfast and there is a high chance you might miss the lunch as well!”

“There is still dinner?” Jonah suggests upon hearing dramatic speech of his dear friend. However he is not amused.

“Jonah!”

“I am all awake now, happy? Away from the realm of dreams. Speaking of dreams, you had any?”

Jonah finally turns to face Barnabas again. His chestnut hair is messy which is concerning because it means his own are in even worse state – curse those damn ginger curls! There is also cute blush in his cheeks and so he becomes genuinely curious about the answer.

“Oh I did actually. I dreamt about us. We were attending a ball. And I invited you for a dance. Everyone was looking at us. And they were all admiring us for we were the most beautiful couple. Then you kissed me and everyone was only jealous of us. No judgment no disgust. And we danced more. I know you will probably find it silly but it was really nice...”

Jonah smiles. Oh dear Barnabas even his dreams are as sweet as him. Almost too sweet. “On the contrary I find it lovely.”

“What were you dreaming about?”

The memory comes back to him. The world which is always looking and seeing. The promised unlimited knowledge and the flow on information. It all belongs to him and him only as the immortal ruler chosen by the Eye as mean to behold the sigh of the world he created.

“I cannot remember it properly but it was very similar to your dream I believe.”

Barnabas smiles at him and by the look in his eyes it is clear that only thing occupying his mind is Jonah.

“Good morning to you too, Jonah.” Jonathan haven’t check the clock but the color of the sky is seeming to be more shade of the dark blue than the blackness of a night. Rubbing his eyes he lets his friend in. It would be only waste of time trying to reason with him to come at another time when the sun has fully risen – he tried that in the past.

“I apologize but you know that I would never interrupt you if it wasn’t important. But this time it might really be matter of life or death!” Fanshawe in fact does not know that. Probably because what he finds important and what Jonah finds important are two very different things.

“Hm…”

“Are you even listening to me Jonathan?”

“Yes… please feel free to elaborate. What are the symptoms of your illness?” He resists adding this time for it would only lead to melodramatic cries about not being taken seriously enough. For how knowledgeable his friend usually is he has never met anyone more paranoid about being struck by a sudden illness. Not even any of his elder clients living past their expected age are so worried by the littlest sign something might be out of order.

“I’ve come here as soon as I noticed it,” Jonah starts quite pointlessly since Jonathan was not about to assume that symptoms appeared yesterday’s afternoon and Jonah simply chose to visit him in the most inconvenient hour. “I’ve just finished work in my study and started to undress to go to sleep. But as I was untying the bandages-…”

“Wait. Pardon me but have you said you were just about to go to sleep? It is… well, I am not certain what time it is exactly but the sun is about to rise. Jonah I thought we talked about your sleeping regime quite thoroughly last time.” Only real health issue that Jonah presented to him in past few months was his tendency to unexpectedly faint sometimes. At first Fanshawe was naturally very concerned for it might be just first sign of something more serious. However upon further interrogation of Jonah and one conversation with Mr. Bennett which provided him further context Jonathan was successfully able to pinpoint lack of sleep as the culprit of described problems. Jonah seemed not very happy with his verdict. Nor he has seemed to take his advice to heart.

“I am trying to improve my schedule it is special case this time. I could not simply leave in the middle of work what if I forgot till the morning what I was about to write? Anyway that is not important right now Jonathan!”

It is way too early to try arguing with him. “Apologies. Please continue.”

“Yes, so just as I was changing my clothes to sleep I have noticed the pain in my chest. Well not pain exactly more of a pressure? As if I was lying on my back and someone has trapped me under a heavy rock. It appeared out of nowhere I might have had it for a bit longer but you know how hard it is notice needs of the flesh sometimes when one is occupied by work.”

Jonathan is doing his best to keep his eyes open. “So, sudden pressure in the chest and… is it all?”

“It makes breathing harder. And also actually when I move in certain direction there sometimes appear a little stab of pain too… Before you ask it cannot be broken rib I haven’t been doing anything that could lead to me hurting myself in such a way and I also already examined my ribcage myself. Oh, something like stabbing pain was a symptom of heart failure isn’t it? Do you think it might that? Jonathan you must help me!” The panic on Jonah’s face is rising as he decides to self-diagnose himself first and ask questions later as per usual. He takes back all those wishes for his patients to be more aware and educated about their bodies. His dear friend knows way too much for his own good.

“No. Calm down Jonah. I think I might know what the problem it. But first you are still regularly binding your chest because of… your condition?”

“Naturally since as I said before it makes my condition a bit more comfortable. Now how exactly is this relevant?”

“I was just wondering.”  His dear friend Jonah Magnus happened to be born with a wrong body which is something he never heard about before. Though he can imagine whoever was unfortunate to be born this way would very unlikely be able to get someone to believe them.

After all even he had a bit of hard time to overcome the conflict between the clear biological evidence and Jonah’s manners and intelligence which has undeniably been pointing towards him being a gentleman. But after enough consideration he must have admitted that it probably is not even the biggest curiosity he encountered during his career.  As morbid as that may sounds if Jonah died sooner than him he would love to do an autopsy to study more of his condition and whether there really is no biological prove of conflict between one’s body and one’s psyché…

Ah but this line of thought is a bit off topic. He probably tortured his friend enough with uncertainty.

“Well? Can you finally tell me what illness I have? Can you cure it?  Do you not wish to examine me closer?”

“No need for that. You would have much less problems if you followed my advice for once Jonah. I’ve been telling to you for a while you should not be tying the bandages around your chest so tight. And also there is no reason why you should wear them at your home. They are most likely cause of the discomfort as they are pushing on your ribs.”

“But… You don’t understand I need to… uh, are you completely certain it might not have any different cause? Or maybe…-” Jonah whines and Jonathan would probably feel much more pity for how uncomfortable his friend must feel if he didn’t wake him up. He might have been awake but all his compassion is still asleep.

“Good evening, doctor!” as soon as he enters through the doors his housekeeper Frieda welcomes him. She is a widow and even though she’s somewhere in her sixties she is always full of energy no matter if she is cleaning the house or informing him about newest gossips in all the nearby villages.

“Evening, Frieda.” He gives her a tired smile and hangs his coat on a hanger expecting flow of questions. She could never stay quiet for too long; no matter what is the topic she has something to say. In the past these kinds of people used to annoy Jonathan but now no matter how exhausting it can be he prefers it over the alternative of being trapped in silence only with his own thoughts.

“How was your day? The autumn is almost here. There is always much more sick people when the summer ends. We are lucky to have you. You were visiting that Butcher’s kid today right? How is he doing?”

“Hm? Yes, yes… The fever is almost gone. Few more days and Wilhelm will be back on his feet.”

Fanshawe has been living here for almost three years now. He had to deal at first with lots of hostile looks but they quickly changed to more accepting ones as soon as people learnt he is a doctor. Then they changed to fully welcoming when they realized he is a real and actually good doctor who can do more than just offer to people some herb tea. And so no one bothered to ask him too many questions what exactly made him leave all the comforts of London and move in remote village in foreign country.

“You look tired. Go get some rest I will start making dinner. I’ve prepared the fireplace for you it was quite chilly in your room. The autumn really is here isn’t it? As I said more people will start getting sick soon. It is always like that when autumn arrives…”

“Call me when it’s ready.” He might maybe spend the evening by reading next to lit fire place. Maybe he will even pour himself a glass of… well he isn’t sure what kind of alcohol it was exactly, he got it as a gift from one of his patient as a thank you. But it doesn’t taste the worst and he could not exactly be picky here.

“Oh also I would almost forget, a letter for you arrived today. Isn’t it strange, doctor? I don’t remember that you would ever get any.” It is indeed… unusual. There is a seed of worry starting to grow inside him. He doesn’t receive letters very often. He is doctor after all so when someone needs him it is usually way too urgent to wait for post to deliver message since they usually come by only once every two weeks. Still it doesn’t have to mean… “Do you have any idea who might write you? It looks rather fancy it is even in an envelope!”

Jonathan feels a horrible feeling of dread washing over him. “Yes… I mean no. I have no idea. Where is the letter, Frieda?”

“I left it on your table-…”

“Thank you. That is all I… Good night,”

“There will still be a dinner, doctor!” Fanshawe barely registers her words. He rushes into his room. Since Frieda keeps whole house very neat it takes him only few second it find a single letter lying on his writing table. He doesn’t know how long he only stares at it before he finally dares to pick it up.

The space for sender’s address is empty but Jonathan doesn’t need it to know who exactly has sent it to him. Even without the extravagant envelope; even without the seal with the owl imaginary; even if he couldn’t recognize the handwriting he still knows painfully well; there is only one person who could.

It has been years since he cut any contact with Jonah Magnus.

Unfortunately Jonah Magnus still hasn’t decided to cut a contact with him.

When he return from his… “trip” to Germany he was welcomed at his house in London by series of letters from Jonah questioning his decision. And they haven’t stopped coming. After a consideration Jonathan decided to move away, afraid Jonah might eventually try to reach out to him personally. ‘It is just because he doesn’t want to have anything to do with him,’ he was telling himself at first. ‘He has no reason to be afraid. What could Jonah do to him after all?’

The answer on his question was waiting at him every night in his nightmares which were full of eyes. Sometimes they are just floating in nothingness. Sometimes they are staring at him from Albrecht’s dead body. And sometimes he sees himself and he is the one covered in eyes.

After thinking about some of their past conversations and after looking at some of their past correspondence he started to notice lots of double meanings he chose to overlook at the time but which he can ignore no longer. Also what was the name of Jonah’s ‘dear friend’ who so mysteriously disappeared few years ago? Barnabas? There is no doubt something is very wrong with Jonah Magnus. And one should rather get out of his way before they find themselves standing in the middle of it.

He thought simply moving to a different city will solve his issue. He found out he has thought wrong since just as he is settled another letter from Jonah Magnus arrives. Jonathan was more annoyed than worried. At this point he assumed Jonah obtained the address through some acquaintances; he seemed to have some everywhere. And so Fanshawe thought that maybe staying abroad for year or two might solve his problem. He returned to Kingdom of Württemberg but then he very quickly moved to Baden. Then to Nassau, several parts of Saxony, Luxembourg, Hanover and many others German countries.

But the letters never stopped coming. Sometimes he received letters only weeks apart. Sometimes it took months. Now it has been the longest time since the last one. He really hoped that he managed to disappear from his sight. Or that at least Jonah got finally tired and decided to stop bothering him.

As many times before he is wrong. The letter in his hand is proof of that.

He should just throw it out. Destroy it. But he needs to know – it would later bother him too much – he needs to see for himself if there will be some threats. Requests. Curses.

He opens the letter.

 My dear Jonathan,

It has been a while since my last letter and I would like to apologize that I haven’t find a time to write to  you any sooner but I have been very busy with my Institute lately. I have finally found a perfect place where could I relocate my institute I think that I mentioned my intentions to do so in the past somewhere in our correspondence. I must admit that I might have helped it a bit by…

 Jonathan tears the paper in half.

There are no mean spirited words no laughs at him for thinking he might be safe. No. There is just politeness the words written as if they were intended for an old friend. Just mundane information about his everyday life Jonathan couldn’t be less interested in. He doesn’t want to know any of this. He doesn’t care. He doesn’t want to have anything to do with Jonah Magnus and his damned institute.

He tears the letter again. And again. And then once more. Only as he is throwing the scraps of paper in the fireplace he notices how much are his hands shaking. His heart is beating fast and the feeling of dread is swallowing him whole. Defeated, he sits down on a chair by the fire.

He feels so silly now. How could he think he can ever escape him? How could he think he is able to get rid of him?

The content of the letters really isn’t the point. It doesn’t matter whether Jonathan reads them or not because they already fulfill their purpose by just successfully reaching their destination. All Jonah wants is to remind Fanshawe from time to time that no matter where he moved no matter where he tried to hide he still knows his exact position. He isn’t about to hurt him. But he wants Jonathan to know that he could if he wanted. He is still at his mercy.

Jonathan should be probably angry. Enraged. But he cannot. He can no longer even bring himself to feel spite for what happened to Albrecht and for what probably happened to so many other people surrounding Jonah Magnus; for all the evil Jonathan unknowingly helped him to spread. He is only exhausted. He only wishes for it to finally end…

Fortunately for Jonah his dearest friend was a member of it. Unfortunately said friend could not be less interested in anything happening during any of their meetings. Whenever Jonah asks him about what they were talking about Barnabas only shrugs because he never pays attention. He is member just because it seemed to be appropriate for man of his position and possession. That is also most likely why he was even invited to participate in the first place because – with all respects for his friend – it certainly could not be because of his wits. And if he was not losing so much money gambling there with other members he would be probably already kicked out.

“It will be delightful having you there, Jonah. You wouldn’t believe how boring the talks of most of the members are,” Barnabas says and Jonah only politely smiles. He cannot wait to engage in exactly those discussions that his friend describes as boring.

His dear friend Barnabas Bennett is – well – quite interesting person. He usually manages to be quite entertaining company for he seems to know everyone’s secrets and loves nothing more than sharing them with him. Also he is very fond of Jonah and very kindly offered him to stay at his place for unspecified amount of time. Unfortunately he can also be incredibly ignorant sometimes. There is only so much time Jonah can stand talking about art, poetry and music – which are the only subjects of any substance Barnabas has any knowledge about.

They arrive to a reasonably large house. Reasonably for this part of city; anywhere else it would be considered quite big. Jonah’s nervousness grows every second and he adjusts his collar even though there is not anything wrong with it. He would love to ask Barnabas for a hundredth time how exactly he looks but he is already raising his hand to a knocker. Upon knocking young gentleman opens with a frown on his face.

“Mr. Bennett, you are late. As always.”

“What can I say I am a busy man,” Barnabas waves his hand even though only thing he has been busy with today was interrupting Jonah’s reading by complaining about how this morning his eggs were a bit overcooked and by trying to get him to help planning his next travel abroad.

“And this is?” the man glances towards Jonah who has a bit of a hard time to hold smile on his face. He glances to Barnabas who for once remembers there is some etiquette to be followed.

“Mr. Smirke let me introduce you to my dear friend, Jonah Magnus. I brought him here today with me for he has expressed an interest to join our little gatherings.”

“Pleasure to meet you.” Jonah offers his hand. Smirke hesitates before shaking it for the shortest amount of time which politeness requires.

“I would like to say likewise but I am sorry for I am about to disappoint you,” Despite his words there is no sign of regret in his words; only annoyance which is at least much more than on Jonah aimed at Barnabas towards whom Smirke turns. “As you should know Mr. Bennett we are currently neither looking for nor even considering accepting any new members.”

Jonah should have immediately known that as always by: ‘it is fine Jonah no need to worry,’ Barnabas meant: ‘I have no idea that if it is really all right but I intent to argue until it is.’

“I don’t see what the problem is Mr. Smirke, it is just a one person.”

“The problem Mr. Bennett, and if you bothered to pay attention for once you would know, is that matter we are discussing is too delicate and sensitive to just present them to anyone. Not to mention that their nature is also quite complex and complicated. Last thing we need is to trying explain it all to someone new and risk one more tongue to getting lose.” Jonah hangs desperately on every word painfully aware how close yet so far he is. There is million questions in his head and he would love nothing more than to start asking. However there is no point; it’s not as if he had the power to force people to answer him.

“But I can guarantee that there won’t be any issues with that. I give you my word that Jonah is one of the best educated and intelligent gentlemen I know. You do not need to worry about his ability to comprehend nor doubt his ability to be discreet.”

“Yes, well, apologies Mr. Bennett but I would have to hold some value to your word first so I could take it as an assurance for anything.”

“I do not like what you are suggesting. Also as I said before-…” Jonah puts a hand on his friend shoulder. Last thing he needs is for that fool to start a proposing duels or something similarly unreasonable. Besides he has learnt to have certain amount of distrust in his friend’s promises and so he has been doing a bit of research and preparation in case something like this happened.

“It is alright Barnabas[m1]  I would hate to intrude. Please trust that was never my intention and I will leave immediately since my presence is not welcomed,” he turns towards Smirke who seems to be grateful enough just for holding Barnabas back. He has at least a polite smile on his face now. It is a good start. “Though I must admit it is really shame for I have wished to make an acquaintance with you for some time as I admire your work greatly Mr. Smirke.”

“You do?” there is mixture of curiosity and distrust in architect’s voice. Probably because Barnabas asks with surprise the same question. Jonah puts on his best excited expression.

“Of course! I have seen your work in Brightling Park, great use of classical style indeed. But of course the most impressive design of yours is at least in my humble opinion the Covent Garden Opera House. It is so unique I do not think I have seen any other Greek Doric building in London. I would love to learn more about your work! I have heard you have been commissioned to do a design for Castle for Earl Somers. Is it true or just rumors? Have you started planning yet?”

“Yes I indeed am about to start working on Eastnor Castle. You really seem to know a lot about my career.”

“Yes as I said I am a fan of your work but… oh apologies I’ve probably gotten way too excited. You are surely busy man Mr. Smirke and you have better things to do than discuss all your great accomplishments with me. Plus you have your club meeting right now. I would hate to be keeping you.”

“But Jonah…” Barnabas whines and Jonah smiles at him apologetically though he pays him almost no attention. By corner of his eye he catches glimpse of Smirke carefully measuring him with a thoughtful expression. There is hesitation. But there is also a great deal of interest.

“I will see you later Barnabas.” Jonah turns around but he does not make more than one step before he is stopped.

“Wait… Mr. Magnus, right? Perhaps I might have been a bit too abrupt with the rejection. I am trying to keep the number low but I think that our… let us say community of gentlemen could use more men like you. I cannot promise you anything but I think there is no harm letting you participate at least this once.”

“I am very honored. It would be my utmost pleasure”

Robert Smirke opens him the door and leads Jonah in walking by his side leaving Barnabas one step behind. Jonah has hard time to keep only moderately enough excited face because he cannot believe that few well prepared compliments and charming smile is really all he needed to turn the situation in his favor.

“Also… I suppose you can keep a secret? As I said certain things we discuss might be quite delicate.”

“Of course, any secret is safe with me.”

...

However there is one new thing. Next to the house is standing a newly built chapel where the ceremony is about to be held. Of course, even for his own wedding Mordechai apparently cannot get out of his current state of isolation and leave his estate. He hasn’t visited any gentleman gathering in London for quite a while and even most of his business he handles by correspondence these days.

Since no one is still paying him any attention he decides to approach the new building and carefully lurk inside. Few of Mordechai’s relatives are already sitting in the benches few of them are even engaged in quiet conversation. Right next to the altar is nervously standing Mordechai’s future wife. They very likely haven’t given her any instruction where to wait or whether she can sit or when will her to-be-husband arrive.

Even though her dress is completely new, it looked like someone was wearing them for years. It was mostly because of their color – that shade of blue which, unless under direct light, looked much more like gray. The whole design is also quite simplistic which must be intentional choice and not issue of money. The Bride herself looks rather plain. She started the day with a bright smile which turned to a nervous one then a polite one and now she is not smiling at all. (He would not really need a power of the Beholding to guess that.)

Jonah slips back out. Mordechai must be still in the Moorland house then. He surely won’t mind if he just lets himself inside will he? He enters the large empty halls of the house and he shivers. The weather outside isn’t exactly warm yet it seems to be even colder inside the building. He makes only few steps in when a servant blocks his way.

“I am sorry, sir, guests are not supposed to be here yet.” He tells him with monotone soulless voice. (Of course, now the Eye stays silent. It could not warn him someone is approaching, could it?)

“Apologies I must have gotten lost. I will let myself out.” Jonah puts on a charming smile. He hoped to stay unnoticed a bit longer but that has probably been a quite unrealistic ambition on his part he musts admit considering there is maybe ten people in total including the parson from nearest church which is here to perform the ceremony.

“It’s… wait, may I see your invitation, sir?” the servant gives him suspecting look. What has given him off? The smile, or the fact that he is, unlike rest of the guests, dressed in more than one color?

“Ah yes about that…”

“It is quite long way from Edinburgh to just get lost in the moors of Kent, Mr. Magnus.”

As if he materialized out of nowhere Mordechai Lukas appears and for once he seems to be almost in a good mood. He doesn’t have to say anything for the servant to disappear as quickly as possible head shamefully down. He will still probably be in trouble later – Mordechai hates seeing servants and being in any way reminded about their existence.

Jonah lets the smile from his face disappear and put on a more serious one. “I wish you good morning as well, Mr. Lukas. Have you not expected to see me here today?” As he is facing him of course he cannot help himself but look at his clothes of choice. If Jonah hasn’t known he would not suspect him to be a groom as his attire is almost identical to his every day wear. Though the dark gray is truly a shocking change from his usual a bit lighter shade of gray or blue.

“On the contrary. I knew you wouldn’t show up if I did invite you therefore I chose not to.” The thing about Mordechai is that he never smiles. However sometimes corners of his mouth rise into a mean grin. Usually when he beats someone in cards, makes fool out of someone or catches Jonah of guard.

“Why do you even want me present?”

“Why do you think so?” Mordechai makes a step forward and leans towards him almost as if he wanted to kiss him. “Just to enjoy the loneliness reeking of you, of course. Tell me Jonah don’t you feel a bit rejected right now? Abandoned? Lonely?”

Jonah scoffs. “Those are all quite bold accusations which all come from a false assumption that I care about you or your marital status.”

“You are here Mr. Magnus. That is enough of a proof for me”

“Have you built this chapel just to have more privacy for the wedding?”

Mordechai shrugs. “It will be good for funerals too.”

“Your future wife is already waiting for you inside. How do you like her? ”

“I don’t know. I haven’t met her nor seen her yet.”

“Of course you haven’t,” Jonah has done his research naturally. She was almost three times younger. An orphan with a good family name but no relatives to take care of her and very little money. The offer from such a well-off gentleman must have seen like a lucky miracle to her. Naïve girl. Jonah feels almost sorry for her for he is certain she would have bigger chance to find happiness living as a beggar on the street than being married to Mordechai. “She is actually quite pretty. For a woman I mean,” Jonah decides to inform him, “Though I don’t think she is your type”

“I don’t care about her looks. All that is important is that she will be able to bear a child.”

“You intend to have children?” Jonah asks surprised. Yes one usually gets married to start a family but in Mordechai’s case… He would hate to sound like the world is spinning around him but he would not be surprised if he learnt Mordechai has done this just to spite him.  In any case he thought he plans to isolate the girl in loveless marriage without any kind of affection or even marital action from her husband. “I hate to criticize your plans, dear friend, but starting a family doesn’t sound very lonely.”

Mordechai is still smiling as if Jonah was missing some hidden joke. “I reconsidered my approach but worry not it is all to serve the Forsaken“

“As you say… In that I cannot wait to get better acquainted with your spouse and even with your future offsprings.”

“I will make sure to keep them far away from you. I do not wish for you to attempt meeting them in any way.” There is threat in tone of his voice. As if it could really intimidate Jonah. But no need to dwell on this topic too much right now.

“As long as I am getting funding for my institute I have no reason to intervene with your affairs any closer.”

“I have a good reason for my mistrust. As for example I remember there has been no issue with the founding lately and yet you are here right now.”

“You are contradicting yourself haven’t you said you expected me to arrive? In any way I think I’ve seen all that I needed to.”

“Since you traveled all the way here do you really wish not to stay for the wedding itself? There will be a cake afterwards.”

Eye decides to provide him with further details. (Why? Why does the Beholding consider this information of all necessary?) The cake has been soaked in brandy and covered with almond icing. It sounds delicious. If Jonah didn’t know any better it might really persuade him to stay. But he didn’t come all the way just so Mordechai could mock him with his marriage. He came here only to gain more information. Because he wanted to See and Know more about future plan of his acquaintance. That is all.

“As delightful as your ceremony will certainly be; I already have different plans. So please do not let me hold you and keep your bride waiting.”

“In that case goodbye, Mr. Magnus,” Mordechai gives him a one more cold smile and there is sense of finality in his farewell. Does he think this is how their ways will part? That is rather silly of him. And so Jonah returns the smile.