The Fool rose quietly from the table and went to his bedchamber. When he returned, he had a small pot of cosmetic. He set it on the table near Chade’s elbow. When the old assassin glanced curiously at it, he spoke quietly. “This is most efficacious for the skin peeling. There is a bit of color in it to lighten the skin, as well. If the color is too much, let me know. I can change it.” I noticed that he did not ask Chade what had happened to him, nor did Chade volunteer anything. The Fool added cautiously, “If you wish, I can show you how to apply it. We might be able to restore some of your eyebrows as well.”
“Please,” Chade said after a moment. And so a place was cleared at the corner of the breakfast table, and the Fool brought out his paints and powders and went to work. It was, in a way, fascinating to watch him at his task. Chade appeared uncomfortable at first, but soon became involved in the task, studying himself in a looking glass as the Fool restored his appearance. When the Fool was finished, Chade nodded, well pleased, and observed, “Would that I had had paint and artifice of this quality when I was playing Lady Thyme. I would not have had to wear so many veils, nor smell so foul to make folk keep their distance.”
The memories that aroused made me grin. At the same time, I knew a moment’s unease. It was unlike Chade to speak so carelessly his secrets, no matter how old they were. Did he assume I had told the Fool all there was to know of us? Or did he trust the man that completely? He raised a hand to pat his cheek, but the Fool made a cautioning gesture. “Touch your face as little as possible. Take these pots with you, and make an excuse to be alone with a looking glass after meals. That will be when you will most likely need to make repairs to it. And if you need my aid, simply send me a note inviting me to visit you. I’ll come to your chambers.”
“Tell your page you have a question on how the game of Laudwine is played,” I interjected. Without looking at the Fool directly, I explained, “That was my pretext for visiting Chade’s chambers this morning. That you had invited him here for breakfast and to show him a new wagering game.”
“An invitation I declined, due to poor health,” Chade added. The Fool nodded gravely. “And now, I must go. Carry on as you have been, Fitz. Have Lord Golden pass me a message with the word ‘horse’ in it if you wish me to meet with you. If you can find out from Thick where Laudwine is staying, let me know quickly. I’ll send a man round to snuff about.”
“I think I could do that myself,” I said quietly.