Call of the Void
July 2023 | by Dani
Fiction | Ittoril
33 Taurid 229
Dr. Hart,
I am writing you concerning a peculiar oil painting that has recently come into my possession. I have heard, on many occasions and oft in accompaniment with great commendation, that your portion of the Empyrean Academy deals in the collection and preservation of historic and noteworthy artefacts, and thus upon my acquiring this painting, my first thoughts turned to you. It is a painting whose nature I think you will find most exciting, as unless I was mistaken on my first appraisal, I believe it to belong to the lost paintings of Alois Vidius.
As best as I am able to, I will describe the painting to you now. It is a depiction of a sky filled with fields of clouds, which stretch into the far distance where they are lit by a golden light from somewhere behind. The sense of depth Vidius conveys with his brushstrokes is one that I have not seen paralleled in the work of any other artist. This appears to be achieved partially through the physical construction of the painting, where the canvas has been layered with some other material, which gives the painting not just a depth but a fullness and texture to it. It is like looking into an entire other world that Vidius has built from scratch.
If you will oblige me, I find I am entreated to speak also for the painter's attention to detail, which is utmostly impeccable. From afar, it gives the illusion that you can see the brushwork of the artist, swept hastily across the canvas; but upon approach, one finds fractal-like detail, which only contributes to rendering the painting's subject more distant and looming than it otherwise would seem to be.
The painting positively lightens up my estate, and I would be inclined to keep it. However, if I am correct, and it is indeed one of Vidius' paintings, I must endeavour to transfer it to your Academy's keeping, where I understand it will be best preserved and protected. Assuming the Academy is able to spare the funding, I would be willing to part with it for perhaps 200,000 Silver Libra, and I am well sure the painting is worth that sum, if not more.
Awaiting your consideration,
Mr. Pedigree Shrew
Chief Barrister of Standard Holdings, LLC.
36 Whitbury Park
Silomouth, Reseggia
The Empyrean Academy's Head of Artefact Storage is sitting in a quiet room. And, despite the fact that she is holding a quill, and that she had sat down with the intention to write, the sheet of paper on her desk still remains blank.
Her head rests in the hand not holding the quill, and her eyes stare across to the other side of her desk, where beside the blank sheet of paper lays a creased piece of parchment. The letter had arrived on her desk last night.
It is at this point that the door behind her creaks open, casting a quadrangle of light into the room. As the woman straightens herself, she is struck momentarily by the thought of how dark it had been in here before, lit only by her candlelight.
"Goodmorning Belle," the young man in the doorway says, as Dr. Hart pushes away the letter and swivels around in her chair.
"Mornin' Cillian," she replies, relieved for the distraction. Cillian was one of those students that Belle almost considered a friend. He didn't study under her, but a while back he began taking an interest in the things she kept in Artefact Storage, and she was more than happy to tell him all about them. A year later, and comes by most afternoons.
"What's got you down here so early?" she says. "Do you need me unlock the door for you?"
Cillian sniffs the air. "Nah, just thought I'd pop in and say hello. Awful musty in here, isn't it?"
"Yeah. How're your studies going? Marlin treating you to harshly?"
"He's not too awful, but you know him." He laughs. "Actually, I'm out on a field mission next month, down in Reseggia. First time on my own, actually."
"Excited?"
He smiles. "A little."
"Who's the old spymaster got you snooping on this time?" She grins.
"Oh, it's various people. Hey, what about you? What's got you up so early, huh?"
She glances back at her desk, and sighs. "I... got this letter last night."
"Oh, is it from Abigail?" He perks up.
"No, there's still no word from her. It's this guy from down in Reseggia. Pedigree Shrew. Wants to sell us a painting. Thinks it's a Vidius."
"Well, is it?"
"Well, that's the thing; I don't know. I'd have to see it, and it's all the way down in Reseggia. That's the issue, really. If it is a Vidius, it's paramount we get it into the collection before anything happens to it, but I'm not sure if I'm comfortable blowing the Academy budget on this guy's hunch." She swivels back and faces the letter. "And now, I have to make the painful decision of whether to risk it."
"How much is he asking?"
She turns back to him. "Two hundred grand. Silver."
He whistles. "Hmm. Can't say I'm envious of your position."
"Yeah, I can't say I'm envious of it either." She chuckles.
After a moment, Cillian seems to remember something.
"Wait, where did you say the guy was from again?"
"Silomouth. Works at 'Standard Holdings', apparently."
"Oh, hey!" His face lights up. "Silomouth is one of the places I'm going next month."
"Oh, really?"
"Yeah, yeah. Say, would it help if I paid our Mr. Shrew a visit and checked out the painting?"
She thinks about this for a moment. "Do you think you could tell if it was a Vidius? I suppose you could, you've seen the ones in storage plenty of times, right?"
"Would it be alright by you? If I did that?"
"Of course it would! Takes a load of my chest, anyhow." She smiles.
Cillian is beaming now. "Can I have the letter?"
She passes it to him. "I appreciate the help."
He holds the letter firmly. "Just glad to be of service."