Thoughtful now, Crispin looked at the other man. ‘Is it difficult?’ ‘What? Creating the birds? Yes, it was.’ ‘I’m certain of that. No, I meant being aware that the world cannot know what you have done.’ Zoticus sipped his tea. ‘Of course it is difficult,’ he said at length. Then he shrugged, his expression ironic. ‘But alchemy always was a secret art, I knew that when I began to study it. I am . . . reconciled to this. I shall exult in my own soul, secretly.’
