Instruments of Darkness is a short story written for Seanan McGuire's Patreon supporters. It is the sixth story in Tybalt's historical timeline.
| “ | These instruments of darkness tell us truths, Win us with honest trifles, to betray |
” |
Author's Summary[]
Tybalt and his sister work to stabilize their Court.[1]
Plot []
After Chalcedony and Cailin pay a brief and unwelcomed visit to the Londinium Divided Court to try to visit the other side of her family, Tybalt must reprimand them and decide on suitable punishments for the Court of Fogbound Cats' princess and for his beloved niece. Chalcedony is sentenced to a week of mouse-catching, and Colleen suggests that Cailin spend a week working on her shapeshifting skills with her uncle.
Tybalt tries to explain to Cailin how her family history relates to her punishment, and consoles her when she takes it to mean that the Divided Courts didn't want her. The two of them begin the shapeshifting lessons, but Cailin discovers she has a much different skillset than they anticipated- instead of being able to use her magic for shapeshifting, she is instead gifted with skilled and undetectable illusions, presumably inherited from her Daoine Sidhe father.
Tybalt is delighted, thinking of ways the skill could be put to use in the Court. He tells Colleen, who becomes frightened that the remnant trace of Cailin's father might cause the Divided Courts to come for her. Tybalt decides to wait and see, rather than fleeing prematurely.
Characters []
- Tybalt: King of Fogbound Cats
- Cailin, Tybalt's niece
- Colleen, Tybalt's sister, Cait Sidhe Queen, first in line
- Chalcedony, Cait Sidhe Princess, second in line
- Agnet, Chalcedony's sister and Tybalt's chatelaine
- Bram, Agnet's son
Mentioned[]
- Jill (deceased): Tybalt's sister, killed by Ainmire
- Ainmire (deceased): Tybalt's adoptive father, killed by his hand
- Tybalt's mother (deceased)
- King Heydon and Queen Lettice, monarchs of the local Divided Court
- Prince Santon (deceased): Heydon and Lettice's son and former heir; Colleen's lover and Cailin's father
- Princess Cyne: Heydon and Lettice's daughter
- Chalcedony's mother
- September Torquill, a woman Tybalt loved
Places[]
- London and Londinium
- Shadow Roads
- Court of Fogbound Cats
Mentioned[]
| Tybalt Shorts |
|---|
| A King Without a Court |
| Remembering to Rule |
| Caring for Cailin |
| September |
| Hero's Quest |
| Court of Silver |