Interlude - Keats meets Corteaz

Keats cranes his neck against the shuttle's g-forces to stare out of the window.  Suryada drops away.  They punch through cloud, then out into blue sky.  A layer of wispier clouds passes, the shuttle creaking as its seals expand.  Keats sets his head back on the headrest, remembering Arcadia, the look on her face when he had denied her.  She'll never look at Keats the same way.  He couldn't just go back to her.  Time to move on.  He should've left a note.  No - he had to leave there and then. He'd felt it, a longing inside to flee into the black.  Keep moving, like he always used to.  The blue of the sky deepens, darkens.  The shuttle isn't accelerating so hard now.  Stars appear, and the blue fades to black.

On the station's central concourse, Keats feels the reassuring push of artificial gravity.  Nobles' delegations pass in bright livery, full of purpose. Loaders and stevedores shift cargo.  Alone, with an oversize pack, Keats looks every bit the space vagrant. He scans notice-boards for bills announcing ships docking and due to dock.  Still in Ravenna's gravity-well.  Still close to where he lost Tigerlilly, and maybe Arcadia is lost too, or maybe she was lost years ago.  Everything gone from that time of carefree childhood.  What's left?
The Gratuitous Velocity.
That ship name is familiar.  A few enquiries, and Keats discovers that Cortez, low Lieutenant Cortez, travels in it, bringing a cargo of exotic goods.  Word has gone out to buyers: Cortex holds court in one of the station's coffee-shops in a few days' time.  Keats barely hears the rest.  Cortez is coming!  Keats actually grins.

In his room aboard the station, Keats drifts off to sleep.  Maybe Hemlock was just a dream, best abandoned.  Far below, Ravenna turns.

The Gratuitous Velocity is small enough to dock with the station directly.  The umbilical locked, Cortez strides aboard with his coterie.  He's darkly handsome, with jet coiled hair and a narrow, precise moustache.  His coat flares as he walks, cut close at the waist, with rows of gold buttons down the chest and on the cuffs.  In the dark of a side-passage, Keats hides, and watches him pass.

“Pancreator's beard!” In his booth at the coffee-house, Cortez leaps to his feet, “No, Slylvia, let him pass.  He's a friend!”
“He's armed,” an imposing woman calls back.
“Of course he is.  It's Keats!”
The guard looks at Keats as if she'd heard his name before.  The stern look vanishes, and she steps aside.  At the table, Keats and Cortez embrace, with much manly back-slapping.
“Join me!  Sit!” Cortez grins, taking his place, “Coffee?”
“Thank-you,” Keats tentatively sits opposite.  The table is strewn with papers.
Cortez pours coffee from a sliver pot, “I thought I might find you.  'Ravenna!' I said to Sandra, the captain, 'That's where Keats went, back to see his family.'”
“'Sandra'?” Keats glances over at the guard, too, who is distinctly handsome, “You seem to have surrounded yourself with a lot of women.”
“Bees to honey!  What can I say?  I am irresistible!  But I thought I would find you in your estates!  Where is 'Sir Hemlock'?”
Keats looks into his coffee, “It's complicated.”
“Wait!” Cortez grins, “Was there a woman?”
“Sort of.”
“What do you mean 'sort of'?  Tell me!”
Quietly, “I was engaged to be married.”
Cortez leans back in his seat and laughs, “And it did not go so well, and you need a fast ship before her father catches you?”
Keats looks up from his coffee.  Cortez's laughter is infectious, and Keats twitches a smile, but it's soon gone, “A fast ship would be nice.”
“I am sorry,” Cortez reaches across the table and claps Keats on the shoulder, “I should not make light of matters of the heart.  I'm just happy to see that you have finally discovered the fairer sex.  I did wonder, you know.”
“Wonder what?” Keats blurts.
“Never mind.  You ol' heart breaker!” Cortez grins.
“It looks that way,” Keats sighs, then, “When you ship out, have you room for one more?”
“Of course!  It'll be like old times.”
“I've been away a while.”
“You stuck with me when things got bad.  When a deal went sour, you had my back.  Keats, you've always been a loyal friend.”

Those words weigh on Keats for the rest of the day, as he arranges to join Cortez's entourage.  He returns to the billboards, but there's no news of Arcadia or any of the others.  In the evening, Cortez's suite hosts his coterie, now including Keats, for dinner.  Captain Sandra joins them.
Keats had been silent the whole meal, letting the conversation wash over him, gazing into the mid-distance, blinking a lot.  Half-way through dessert, he sets down his spoon and looks up.
“I'm sorry,” Keats cuts into the conversation, voice catching, “I can't go with you. I would love to.  I really would.”
Cortez shrugs and smiles, “The woman?”
“She's in trouble.  I can't just leave her.  I can't!”
“The galaxy is wide, but the ships I travel in are very fast.  We will meet again. Count on it.  At least enjoy the meal with us.”
Keats nods, smiling, relieved, sad.  He doesn't say anything for awhile.
Cortez adds, “Is there anything we can do?”
“I couldn't -” Keats stops, and looks around at all the faces staring at him, “Do you leave soon?”
Captain Sandra answers, “Yes.”
“Then could I borrow a little of your time for some misdirection?”

On the station, there is a tavern favoured by the noble entourages, many in Hawkwood colours.  Today, Captain Sandra sits at a table eating lunch with some of her officers.  Sir Hemlock enters the tavern, no cloak hiding his fine studded armour, his sword at his belt with its decorated hilt. He doesn't have the long hair any more, but his short hair has been cleaned and tidied into a pixie-like cut.  A cloaked woman walks with him, face shadowed, but clearly powerfully built.
Sir Hemlock sits at the captain's table, and they discuss swift outward passage for himself and 'the lady'.  Then he stands, glances around the room, and strides out with his cloaked companion.

The stars disappear as the sky grows blue.  Out of the porthole, Ravenna's cloudscape spreads out below.  Keats sets his head back against the headrest.  Cortez had promised to see him again.  Keats couldn't honestly reciprocate.   He may die soon, fallen at the hands of Arcadia's enemies.  He said goodbye to Cortez, knowing that it could be for the last time.

Session eighteen - The fate of Arcadia

Hasimir protests the accusations of occult power and challenges Father Konrad for evidence of his accusations and the priest reveals that his novitiate is none other than Cassie the, now penitent, psychic the cadre rescued from Deepcore 104. She has read Hasimir's aura and can tell he is a psychic. Konrad remains calm though and explains that he has only been sent to find out details of the fate of the village, which he has done. Everything else was done on his part to try to establish the veracity and trustworthiness of his witness (Hasimir). He has no plans to pursue Hasimir for witchcraft, but he points out how associations with heretics, traitors and individuals of ill repute (Josay, Arcadia and Beorn) reflect poorly on Hasimir, especially if he himself is psychic. The priest and Carrie are then escorted off the ship and Lawrence challenges Sir Hasimir.

Hasimir confirms that he can read minds and explains that he kept his gifts secret as he felt to do otherwise would put the rest of the cadre at risk. As his power requires touch Lawrence notably starts wearing gloves at all times.

They continue to make preparations to launch the ship, recruiting crew (hiring both Albert and Biggs to share the pilot and navigation responsibilities) and equipping a group of fifteen Muster mercenaries with shotguns and plasteel half-plate to act as ship security and boarding parties. Mort has organised engineers and computechs but he and Biggs have had run ins as the pilot wants access to engineering to check configurations for himself.  Biggs asks Lawrence to intervene on his behalf.

During a review of preparations with Arcadia over lunch on the following day Lawrence notices she is wearing a Hawkwood signet ring.  He challenges her on it and she simply says she "acquired it" and offers to get him one.  He declines but his and Hasimr's suspicions are aroused.

Keolang the Vorox is taking his role of "Security chief" very seriously and has taken to patrolling (prowling) the ship. While padding around near the starboard cargo bay he hears a slight and unusual noise.  Investigating he finds that a cell in the brig is occupied.  In it is a frail and obviously viciously beaten Hawkwood maiden. She tells him she is Lady Amanda and begs to be freed.  She has no idea why she was abducted or by whom.

Above: Beauty & the Beast?

Seeking to understand why "weak woman" is there, Keohlang goes to speak with Sir Hasimir.  Hasimir is shocked by the news and visits the Lady.  She doesn't trust him but he manages to learn that she was a guest at the function at the Cathedral and was abducted from the reception by Arcadia. The Torenson knight goes straight to find Arcadia who is working out in the sparring room. They argue, with Arcadia dismissing Hasimir as a lackey who has ideas above his station and he retorting by saying that her actions are putting them all at risk.  She says that she acted out of revenge but plans to possibly ransom the lady (she is well known as a dancer, performer and much loved philanthropist), Hasimir continues to deride her plan though stating that she has become a liability.  He threatens to through her from an airlock when they leave the planet and she suggests that if he wants to kill her he ought to step up and do it now; implying she still sees him as a foppish fool.
Sir Hasimir goes to update and confers with Lawrence. Lawrence is non committal, saying that they should kill "her" but purposefully leaving it ambiguous as to which lady he means.  He then leaves the room to try to give himself deniability.

Above: The conspirators plot Arcadia's downfall

Hasimir takes Keohlang off to instruct him in what to do but seems torn and indecisive, at which point Lawrence returns, interrupting and pushing them to action.  Lawrence and Hasimir free Lady Amanda, masking her so she doesn't see their faces and abandoning her some way off the ship to be found by others. Meanwhile Keohlang, under Hasimir's orders locates Arcadia, surprises her and with a single charging blow overloads her shield and mortally wounds her.  He finishes her and takes an eye from her corpse as a trophy.

Above: Dame Arcadia's final moments

Once he is sure the deed is done Hasimir organises the clean up, taking Arcadia's shield and searching her rooms before incinerating her corpse.

Session seventeen - "The interview panel will see you now..."

Hasimir returns to the ship. He is escorted by Keats who then excuses himself and heads back to the city on a "personal errand."

Striking while the iron is hot" Hasimir finds Arcadia in the gym on board and tells her the current fate of her parents.  She flies into one of her rages and declares that her mother must be rescued. Hasimir stands up to her and explains the foolishness of such action.  She says she will not yet attempt a rescue but will not be inactive.

Above: Hasimir with his new Oath Bound furry friend, Koelang the Vorox

The following day Lawrence and Hasimir welcome aboard Koehlang, their new Vorox Bo'sun and "security chief" and start interviews for the role of pilot. A variety of candidates have been sent by the Muster and include:

• Boris - a surly and monosyllabic figure who hails from Decados space and insists he brings his own navigator, Igor.
• Alfred - an old man with a thick white beard and bowed legs.  Obviously experienced (and had flown Al Malik ships in the past) but has a tendency to go on about his old anecdotes
• "Flash" - a "frat boy" who obviously thinks a lot of himself but is straight out of the Academy
• Biggs - Well turned out, competent flyer.  Flew fighters for the Hawkwoods during the Emperor War but has been doing freighter runs since.

Meanwhile De Havilland is attending Baron Christopher's commission ceremony to celebrate his entitlement as Baron and appointment as Duke Cassius' "Lord Protector" of the Midden Barony.  The congregation in the cathedral is a veritable who's who of Ravenna and De Havilland sees not only his mother but also Count Innocence Decados and his daughter, Count Otto and Countess Cassandra of the warring Austrum isles and the leading Justinians Earl Kiruda (highest ranking of the Justinians on the world) and Baron Tochiro (who has been advocating strong action against the "rebellious elements" of his own House to the Hawkwood rulership).
 

At the reception afterwards the Marquis speaks with his elder brother (and original liege lord) Count Otto.  Otto berates his brother and asks when he'll be coming back to "do his duty"; he could do with an officer of his calibre on the front lines of the war.  De Havilland respectfully declines; his sword is the Emperor's now. The Marquis is handed a note, someone wishes to meet with him...He soon discovers it is Arcadia, she has slipped into the reception to see her "enemies" at first hand. She thanks De Havilland for not hindering her so far and warns him not to interfere with her vengeance.  She also explains to him why she tried to kill the Duke originally (his adherence to a conservative and traditional stance was, in her opinion, holding back the progress of House Justinian) and why she realises now that that wasn't the best method forward, but that doesn't mean she won't have her revenge.
 

Back at the ship the cadre receive a visitor; a local Orthodox Priest, Father Konrad and his young novitiate assistant.  He has been asked to come and inquire about what the crew know of the fate of the village where they recovered the ship.  Hasimir tells him about the events there (the Husks and the Antimonist) and signs a sworn testimony to that effect.  He also gives the priest a generous donation to "help with the rebuilding effort".  It then appears that the priest knows more than he originally let on.  He asks Hasimir increasing probing questions about: 

• Arcadia, the "Justinian Traitor", her fate and Hasimir's connections to her, to the Baroness and whether he is actually now legally in the employ of Baron Christopher
• Beorn - He was seen in the company of Hasimir in Deep core 104 and handed in the body of Arcadia but he also fit the description of the man who murdered the Inquisitor sent to apprehend the heretic priest who was previously an associate of both Arcadia and Hasimir (Brother Josay)
• The events in Deepcore 104 surrounding the psychic peasant girl, Carrie.

All of which he uses to reinforce the common perception that Dame Arcadia was a heretic and deviant with very questionable practises and therefore by association there are implications on Hasimir's character. He concludes by stating that he knows Hasimir is a psychic...

Building a Vorox

So my 13 year old son is looking to change character again (he initially ran Brother Josay, then Beorn and currently Engineer Mort) and he'd hit on the idea of playing a Vorox that the cadre recruit as the Bo'sun on the ship.

Frankly an over excited  teenage boy playing and over excited 10 foot tall, six limbed alien in charge of crew discipline? What's not to like?

Now, as you may have seen, we make good use of miniatures in our games (I find it helps players visualize things and leads to less arguments over who can see/do what, plus I LOVE making models...) so a new Vorox character presented a new challenge;  A Vorox miniature.  Back in the day there was a vorox figure produced as part of the limited run of miniatures produced by Holistic Design. However it's a) now rarer than rocking horse droppings b) honestly not all that "vorox-y" when you consider the source artwork (a restriction of casting in metals at the time, I'd guess).

Therefore it was off to the bits box for components.  I had a rummage and found some Star Wars "Yuzzem" aliens I didn't mind cutting up and so started work.....

Above: All the gathered components cut and filed

Above: The assembled Vorox. The yellow stuff is two-part epoxy clay used to fill gaps and cover a multitude of sins and mistakes....

Above: The assembled Vorox, a slightly different view.

Above: Undercoated...

Above: The final piece.

 

 I'm actually quite proud how it turned out.  He was actually quite a joy to paint.  Next I ought to do some images of him next to "normal" cadre members just so you see the scale of the beast....

Session sixteen

This time we began our game with a recent flashback; Marquis De Havilland Hawkwood is visiting a veteran knight of the Order of the Phoenix, Sir Vim Militas-Djinn Al-Malik. He goes over the events, from his perspective, so far (in a wonderful piece of summary narration) from the tournament through to the present day. He explains his concerns and fear for the machinations of Baronet Christopher Windsor Hawkwood and seeks counsel from his brother in the Order. Sir Vim points the Marquis to thet objectives of their order: to find the cause of the Fading Suns, to defend the weak and to avenge the wronged. Does De Havilland's planned actions fit under one or more of those? He feels yes, he is defending the weak and possibly avenging those wronged.

We jumped forward to the present.  The ship is docked at Suryada spaceport and undergoing repairs and refit. An intercom message comes through the ship that Arcadia wants to see Keats in her ready room.  He attends to her and finds her in her bedroom, lying in a state of undress. She tells Keats that they are living on a knife edge and that she wants to ensure that she leaves a suitable Justinian legacy.  Therefore she would have him now so that she may bare a true blood Justinian child. He objects, protesting that they are too closely related, she counters that they are "only" cousins, and as half Masseri she might as well be a Decados...Keats attempts to leave but she jumps him, he vaults away but is trapped further in the room. She locks eys with him and tells him she will not be denied, Keats responds that he will not be able to provide her with a child.  The intercom squawks that there is an uninvited guest in the cargo bay just as Arcadia says "Tiger-lily...?"

Above: "Who ordered the Ur-Obun?"

The cadre gather in the cargo hold to find the daily laundry delivery has arrived but there appears to be a stowaway in the basket; Tonbei vo Khaan, De Havilland's Ur-Obun Imperial Cohort. He has been sent with a message of warning.  De Havilland wants them to know what, the now Baron, Christopher has been up to and that he knows that they are here. Arcadia is enraged that the Hawkwoods have taken her family lands and want's to know what has happened to her mother.  We see a new side to Sir Hasimir as he stands up to Arcadia and shouts her down; as far as the world (& law) is concerned this is his ship and he is the ranking noble here.  He will speak to De Havilland and she will remain here and not risk their safety or blow their cover. Meanwhile Keats is outside looking for possible alternate ways off planet.

Lawrence asks Mort for an update on repairs and an estimated completion time.  Mort responds with both barrels as some of the parts that the Scraver helped arrange are incorrect and they need replacements before the work has a hope of completion.  

Tonbei, Hasimir and Keats head into the city to speak with the Marquis. Tonbei calls ahead and they arrange to meet in a public baths. Hasimir and De Havilland take a dip (Hasimir being careful to hide his stigma) while Keats and Tonbei remain watchful.

Lawrence has also headed into the city to meet with a local Scraver leader, Boss "Frisky" Wilson.  Although Lawrence goes under an assumed name Wilson knows him by reputation and they dispense with the charade. They quickly come to an agreement over the parts and that they might be able to do further business once they can get the ship off world.

Hasimir and De Havilland discuss issues at length. The Marquis confirms the situation in detail to Hasimir and the potential impact on the Austrum War. They are then approached by Count Innocence Decados. He speaks with them as openly as any Decados ever do and asks if Hasimir is now available for hire (as he has a three year old daughter who needs instruction in ettiquette).  The Torenson politely declines. The Count infers that he knows Arcadia is still alive and wants to be remembered to her. He also alludes to the fact that the three of them are not yet allies but he wishes them no harm.
After leaving the baths De Havilland and Tonbei discuss what to do next and how to keep Arcadia's cadre in the loop.  We end with Tonbei being delivered to the ship in another laundry basket to pass on the information to Mort and the ship's crew. 

Interlude - The Baron receives news

Tonbei was becoming used to watching and waiting.  He'd heard of small winged mammals on Urth.  He believed the Humans called them "cats".  He imagined himself as a cat, hanging as he was by his legs, upside down from the vine covered gazebo outside the window.  A dark cloak wrapped around himself instead of leathery wings. No. Bat. They called them bats.  Humph. It was a clumsy and inelegant language anyway.

The now recently raised to Baron, Christopher Hawkwood was looking through notes and dispatches, preparing as he was to leave Suryada and take control of the Midden Barony of Deepcore 104 on behalf of Duke Cassius. The pride and ego was virtually blazing from the man.

An aide had entered and placed more papers on the desk. The Hawkwood barely looked up.
"Sir?" the aide ventured.
"Hmm?" He still hadn't looked up.  "What is it Ralph?" A hint of irritation in his voice.
"There are two things I'd like to highlight for sir, if I may?" The aide's voice remained level, calm.
"Well?"
"Firstly sir, it appears that one of the "Justinian Traitor's" allies has surfaced.  A ship registered to Sir Hasimir Fenrig Torenson arrived at Suryada spaceport a few days ago.  It appears that Sir Hasimir was aboard."
Ralph had the Baron's attention.  He placed his pen down and met the servant's gaze.
"Oh really?  How bold.  And I thought this Torenson was practically destitute?"
"Indeed sir.  That was what our interrogations had led us to believe."
"You said there were two items?" The baron had picked up the report pertaining to the ship's arrival and was scanning the details.
"Yes mi'lud, it appears that the ship was brought here as a domestic transfer and originated on the Follari continent, near Deepcore 101."
"I see." He wasn't looking up again, and he obviously didn't "see" as Ralph had yet to get to the point.
"The ship was reclaimed from a village in Hawkwood lands to the west of the Deepcore city. A village that was also mentioned in a recent dispatch from the region to the office of the Planetary Duke. The local lord thought the place insignificant but a recent patrol reported that the villagers have all been slaughtered and the buildings destroyed or burnt to the ground, including the local chapel. The Orthodoxy are clamouring for a full investigation and blaming both the local lord, for failing to protect his own lands, and the Guilds who they believe responsible for the act. The Muster remain extremely tight lipped on the subject, which infers that they know something. Regardless of their reaction however, I feel we could make good use of this information."

The baron was looking up again, Tonbei could see the broad smile upon his face.
"Indeed..."

Session fifteen

Sir Hasimir looks up, beyond the horde of Husks and sees Dro and Madro, the twin red gas giants of the Ravenna system, known locally as "The Eyes of Azzurayelos" reaching conjunction. He feels the psychic energy build and knows that the suspicious peasants believe that the conjunction is a portent of death and calamity...

His thoughts are disturbed by Arcadia requesting a situation update, and he briefs her about the witch and her zombies before returning to the bridge of the ship.

They discuss plans and agree that Mort should try to come up with some sort of weapon using the ships coolant system; possibly they can freeze the corpses. Meanwhile, across the other side of the village Keats has reached the church.

Keats has found no life in the village; even the wildlife appears to have deserted the place.  But upon entering the church he finds the true horror of the place.  The building has been completely desecrated in a spectacle of debasement, filth and slaughter. Keats advises the ship and then sets to work to try to burn the place down.

Above: The Horde of Husks outside the ship while the crew debate on the bridge.

Meanwhile Mort is making slow progress and the Husks are clamouring ineffectually at the hull of the ship. They then notice that the witch has disappeared. Keats soon discovers her location though as she sneaks up on him at the church and attacks, catching him by surprise. They trade blows and Keats soon sees that he surpasses her in skill but she seems possessed of a manic fury (a very large sword...). When he strikes her he finds she is wearing a Shield so swaps to his frap stick.  They battle around the despoiled chapel, ending up standing on the desecrated altar as they fight. Keats finally incapacitates her with a blow to the ribs, and she falls onto the altar.  he finishes her by taking her own blade and severing her head. A chill passes through him, and as the blood drips down the altar stone a wind rushes through the chapel and Keats distinctly hears the name of Hemlock's sister "Tiger-lily....".  Completely freaked out he runs.

Above: The battle in the chapel

In the ship they decide to forget the expense (although Lawrence informs Keats that he will be billed...) and launch a rocket at the church, destroying it.

The Husks are still a threat though and while Mort is making progress on the freeze weapon he is still at the "theory" stage.  They have no food and limited weaponry, other than melee weapons and so need a plan of action; they open the fore airlocks and allow them in, using the other bulkhead doors to control where they are.   They then open a single door and try taking them out one at a time.

Above: "Whose idea was it to let the Husks on board?"

Arcadia leads and cuts through a number but takes a few wounds in the process.  It becomes clear that the approach isn't sustainable. Instead they decide to evacuate via the rear access, head back to Deepcore 101 and hire a squad of Muster mercenaries with flame guns or similar to clear out the vermin.

We summarised events from then on as the cadre has the money to organise things;

  * Arcadia and Keats lead the Muster squads to clear the ship and village of Husks
  * Hasimir heals up in hospital
  * Louie helps arrange transport of the ship to a spaceport
  * They leave Louie at Deepcore 101 but he says he'd be pleased to deal with thenm again (as he counts his commission for arranging things...)
  * Keats notices that Arcadia's wounds don't seem to be healing as quickly as they ought and might be infected.  She dismisses his concern but says she'll sort out some elixir or something
  * Upon arriving at the spaceport Sir Hasimir, as legal owner, signs the ship in with the port  authority and the crew realise that Louie has arranged for them to be berthed in Suryada spaceport, just north of the Hawkwood planetary capital. It was the most direct spaceport from the crash site and has arguably the best facilities. They are now "hiding in plain sight"....

Interlude - The Dead Whisper

“I am a respected and learned member of my order, loyal to the Church and Pancreator; enlightened scholar,  principled, gifted perhaps….I am not some skulking wriggling nematode!” fumes Lady Althea, tearing another clawing insect off the back of her neck as she and Tonbei crawl their way through a dimly lit tunnel.  Tonbei moves over the dirt as though he had legs along the length of his body.  It’s not clear how he manages it but he seems to just be able to move in a way that is, well, alien.  This is all the more infuriating for Lady Althea

“You might want to keep it down…we’re probably within the walls now” whispers Tonbei.

“I notice your beloved Lord isn’t crawling down here with us.  Don’t you think that’s a little unfair of him?” queries Althea, spitting out small pieces of loose dirt.

“He doesn’t need to…” responds Tonbei, probably trying to sound as mysterious as he can about proceedings.

A few minutes later and Tonbei finds the rock he is looking for and the end of the tunnel.  He’s amazed that all of this still exists; that these humans were once able to build so precisely and yet now seem barely capable of keeping themselves fed and watered.  The rock has a small indentation in it, with a rounded dial.  Tonbei raises a green light source that was clipped to his back and looks at the stone carefully.  Lady Althea is now plunged into darkness.  Time passes.

“Well…?” queries Lady Althea, “You can open it I presume?”  Tonbei just grunts and continues about his work.  “Our lord believes there was a trap set on the stone to collapse the tunnel.  Designed in case the enemies of his ancestors found out about it and tried to use it themselves…”

There is a period of protracted silence.  “And you had planned to tell me of this fact when, precisely?” came the voice from behind him.

Tonbei ignored her and continued about his craft.  The release mechanism in front of him was simple, but used some exotic materials he wasn’t certain of.  They had obviously aged very well, but no way to know for sure what the intention of the mechanism was.

Althea hears a faint click and a scraping noise as Tonbei pushes open the stone doorway from the tunnel.  She lets out a held breath and takes in another fresh draft of it.  “Figured it out then…” came Althea’s voiced as they clambered through into the main crypt.  “Not really”, responds Tonbei brushing himself down, “Just guessed.  It was fifty-fifty actually.” Althea is busying herself ruffling dirt from her hair when the Ur-Oban’s comments finally register.  Just as she is about to follow up with a cutting response Tonbei unfastens a rolled up bag hooked to his side and opens the contents onto the floor.  “Okay” ” whispers Althea “let’s party!”

Small lights in trees change hues and projected images of monuments, temples and citadels from all over the known universe onto the lawn of the Planetary Dukes residence.  The chatter of hushed conversations mixed with bursts of laughter could be heard throughout the gardens.  It was a beautifully warm evening and joy filled the air.  Two figures step out from the dense foliage of a Cyprus tree. 

A young partly clothed couple dressed as Hazat Cohorts meander passed, sipping decorative pungent cocktails.  The young girl lifts up a fuzzy looking jaguar mask and in a drunken wobble points at Althea and giggles. 

“Ooooh mmmmmy goonezz, I can’t beleev it!” Altheas fists clench instinctively.  “A freakin meedget priest…”  (She suddenly notices the albino Ur-Oban standing next to Althea), “An a white hurrr….hur…..Ur-Hobarn naz well?”  She shrugs her shoulders at her male escort.

“Haw en na heck duz za dewk always fine neez sortz za freaks?”  She looks at the man hoping he might have the answer to her pressing question.

She turns back to Tonbei and Lady Althea, “Tell yew wot, before yew go give me your detailz an I’ll have yew com to won o my parteez to entertayne mi…. geezts ….tew”.  She pinches Tonbei cheek and slaps him on his backside and the pair slip off noisily.

Althea and Tonbei turn to look at each other.  Tonbei  asks, “Am I dreaming this or did she just..”

“Absolutely not”, responds Althea, “It never happened.”  Althea walks off as Tonbei is left wondering if he had just dreamt the whole thing up.

An hour later and Lady Althea and Tonbei have secured themselves into a folded weave of leaves next to a garden folly.  They sit in absolute silence, their eyes taking in every movement around them.  “So….” Althea whispers, to Tonbei’s annoyance, “This party…it’s”  Tonbei leans forward gently and focusses on some movement some way off in to the distance.

“The Human Hawkwoods hold it every year in secret at this place.  They dress up as their enemies in some form of ceremonial mocking process…”

Althea suddenly catches a glimpse of a guest dressed as an Eskatonic priest.  “I both pity and hate them in equal measure…” she utters.  Tonbei turns to look at her carefully.  For one brief moment he feels there is an understanding between them.  “I like this tree” Althea offers, quickly changing the subject.

“It’s a Berevinmar tree”, Tonbei answers, “It’s from my home planet.”

“It’s very beautiful.” Althea feels compelled to compliment it.  A general sense of awkwardness the pair seemed to share returns again.  For Althea it feels like she’s been invited to a blind double-date with the other couple getting on really well and her and Tonbei just left to undergo some form of polite chit-chat.  She just would really rather be anywhere else at this moment in time.  Althea takes in a deep slow breath to steady herself and to refocus her mind.  As she exhales again she hears a strange harmonic tinkling noise around her.  Tonbei taps her on the shoulder, “Do not worry about the noise…it’s the tree…”  The tinkling continues as the tree around her is gently buffeted by a warm breeze.  It’s a wonderfully rich and warming sound to hear, especially when sat so close to the trees trunk; hearing the tune play all about her.  Althea is certain such a thing would prove invaluable with her own dedications to the holy Pancreator.

“That noise is why we are sat here...just wait.”

Lady Althea and Tonbei sit in silence, watching all the various guests mingle, cavort and generally amuse themselves.  Although Althea hasn’t undergone the same physical punishment that Tonbei inflicts upon himself, but she has still more than suffered over the years at the hands of her church elders, and so the discomfort she now feels cramped up at the foot of a tree is lost to her.  Suddenly, Althea sits upright.

“There…”, she points out for Tonbei, “That’s our man isn’t it?”

Althea points over to a hardwood decked area where a number of the guests are congregating around a banquet table lavishly filled with scented flowers, ice sculptures and the most wonderful looking food.  Talking to a large group of the assembled guests stands an imposing broad shouldered man dressed in a Decados Mantis Knight costume.  He appears to know the people there and gets introduced to some others who he clearly hasn’t seen for some time.  There is a lot of excitement and frantic chatter going on; people are obviously desperate to find out what he has to say.

“Yes, that’s him, keep an eye on him.  I’ll watch the other guests” replies Tonbei, pulling himself upward slightly to get a better view of the other people present.

The Mantis Knight does the rounds, flirts with more than a dozen of the ladies present and then eventually gets asked by a male attendee to speak to an obscured lady sitting quietly in shaded corner of the garden.

“Damn, we’re nowhere near him” vexes Althea.

“I wouldn’t worry yet, If it is worth hearing they’d have come up here” responds a calculating Tonbei.

Althea cuts him a sideways glance, “You’re pretty certain about that…”

Tonbei looks back at her, “This folly and the noise from the tree provide the secrecy some of the guests crave.  It’s the very reason the tree would have been planted in the first place.  It’s a blasphemy to me that these trees are put to such work.  They have a much more wholesome role on my world…”  Althea wants to ask more but knows now is not the time.  The fact that Tonbei is sharing anything like this with her at all is more than a little unexpected, but strangely welcome.

Eventually the ‘Decados Mantis Knight’ makes a flamboyant return to the other guests at the party.  Lady Althea watches him like a hawk, takes note of the way he mingles with the guests, who he speaks with, how he reacts, his mannerisms. 

“My goodness doesn’t De Havilland really just love himself” she croaks, shaking her head in disbelief.

Tonbei flashes a brief smile himself but keeps his eyes focussed elsewhere.

The hours pass.  Lady Althea is feeling a painful ache in her short cramped limbs.  She is thoroughly disgusted and equally bored by the meaningless debauchery that appears to be going on at the party all around her.  She starts to recite short but powerful excerpts from the Omega Gospels in an effort to keep herself sharp and awake.  The temperature has dropped significantly and many of the guests have taken to wearing thick animal pelts as cloaks.  Large firestones are brought out and laid on ornate marble plinths to act as a source of heat to the revellers.  The look of the warm glowing stones and the scent from the food is beginning to make Althea feel more than a little miserable.  How such comforts seem wasted on these degenerates, when not one mile from here there will be hunger, thirst and frozen citizens desperately clinging together for shared warmth.

Suddenly there is some rapid movement as a pair of shadowy cloaks briskly make their way over to the folly, right next to where Lady Althea and Tonbei are sat motionless in hiding.  Hushed whispers begin to start up frantically and with the greatest of excitement.  Althea tries to hear what is being said but it is all very low, just barely whispers.  She catches the sound of a young man’s voice, but she can also detect a woman’s scent on the air.  With the utmost care she gently moves a few densely covered leaves out of the way of her line of sight and tentatively looks up to see if she can catch a glance of the couple.   All she can make out are a few closely huddled silhouettes, that is until one of the decorative lantern lights hanging in a tree nearby briefly casts a little illumination.  For just one second Althea is able to look right up into the face of Baronet Christopher Hawkwood, but fearing he might spot her too she instinctively shrinks back into the fold of the tree around her.

It is almost impossible to make out the words being spoken, especially as the Berevinmar tree masks much of what is being said.  Althea looks over to Tonbei and he nods to her; Time for her to deliver.  Carefully Althea lowers her short body down to the carpet of leaves around the base of the tree.  She creeps forward to get a better look out at the feet of the people nearby.  She can just about make out the sandaled foot of a woman brushed up against the thick foliage.  Tentatively, Lady Althea extends bare fingers and holding her breath makes contact with soft skin.

 

 

A pair of heavy set doors are swung open, and two exhausted figures pull themselves wearily into the luxury of the Delphi Regnum Suite.  They drop a series of small bags and heavy tools on the warm marble floor and achingly move themselves out to the palisade which is now beautifully decorated by glorious morning sun.  De Havilland sits on a gold inlaid ornate wooden chair next to a marble rail overlooking the gardens of the hotel.  In front of him on the table is a small platter of exotic  fruits and nuts and an assortment of warm fresh breads. He holds a small sharp knife in his hand and is busying himself cutting up a succulent peach.  He balances a cut piece of the peach on the edge of his blade and lifts it to his mouth.  Chewing, he looks up at Lady Althea and Tonbei and gestures for them to take a seat and eat.  They sit in silence, eating, Tonbei and Althea slightly dazed by a lack of sleep.

After Lady Althea has finished she sits back in her chair and looks across at the Marquis De Havilland.  “Don’t you even want to know what we found out?” she asks, clearly quite exasperated.  De Havilland is munching on an apple and turns his face back from the horizon in front of him.  Tonbei is concerned as De Havilland looks unsettled to him.  This is not expected.  De Havilland speaks first.

“I‘m sorry to have put you to so much personal risk Lady Althea, that was unfair of me.”

Unnervingly, Althea senses that De Havilland is being genuine about this. 

“Well, don’t you want the grisly details?” she answers.

De Havilland turns back to face the gardens below him.  He takes in a slow breath.  “Go on” he responds coldly.

Tonbei speaks first, “We had lost hope that he would ever show up, but we were fortunate.”

“…Thank the Pancreator” interjects Lady Althea.  Tonbei recomposes himself and continues.

“It was very late when the Baronet finally made an appearance.  He spoke to a few of the guests but then eventually to one in particular.”

“A woman” follows Althea, “I think you know her...”

Tonbei looks at Althea and then turns promptly back at De Havilland. He notices that his lord shifts in his seat ever so slightly. 

“They spoke in quite some depth but were very keen not to be seen together.  They were obviously concerned that others may be watching them closely.”

“And did they?” questioned De Havilland, abruptly.

“No Lord, they were safely hidden.”

De Havilland seems to be nodding, as though he is working through a series of questions.

Tonbei, leans forward and in hushed tones continues, “The Baronet spoke specifically to her.  I caught most of the conversation, and Lady Althea was able to read the woman’s thoughts.”

“Well done”, De Havilland mutters and makes an attempt at a smile, “You both did very well, better than I had hoped.”  He looks into Lady Althea’s eyes seeming stern again to her now, more composed as though he were either preparing himself for an attack or as if he had come to terms with an inevitable defeat.

To Althea there is a wealth of emotion involved here, something personal.  This was not expected and she can feel that Tonbei has been caught off-guard by it too.  She decides nonetheless to continue with the debrief.

“You seemed to know the woman,…when you spoke with her last night.”  De Havilland looks back to the view from his balcony and casts his mind back to last night’s meeting.  The Decados Mantis Knight costume had been wearing had been ill fitting and even though it provided a believable cover, he had hated the very touch of it.  He remembers very vividly the conversation he’d shared with that woman, overshadowed by the knowledge that somewhere ‘out there’ hidden amongst the Planetary Dukes gardens were two of his people, spying on him and the other guests.  He felt as though perhaps the Decados family might have approved of his costume and his tactics.

“Her name is Lady Frieda Hawkwood.  She’s a very influential and powerful member of the Suryada elite.  She’s the mother of Count Otto Kierkegaard Hawkwood, my liege-lord before I swore myself to the Emperor.” 

Tonbei grimaces ever so slightly.

“To make things clear to you both, this woman is as strongly opposed to House Justinian as any in the capital.  The Counts half-sister is Countess Cassandra Hawkwood, ruler of the Eastern Austram Islands and prominent member of House Justinian.  You’ll remember how many knights of Deepcore 104 were being dedicated to the defence of the Eastern Islands in her name.”

“What does it all mean?” asks Althea.

“A war, Lady Althea” replies De Havilland “a declaration of war…”