Yet another talky-heavy session, I hope I've managed to capture the salient points...
Turning the clock back a little to when Mal first returned to the Sector 42 mansion after his run in with the Scravers, Hemlock questions the Hawkwood knight some more about what had happened, if he was OK and what he had learnt. He expressed that he was indebted to Mal, and embarrassed that he, as his guest, had come to harm in his father’s barony. Afterwards Hemlock began his planned patrols of the mansion and it's grounds to try to discover whomever was sending the messages but his initial search proved fruitless.
The following morning sees Hemlock back out on the prowl again and once again he doesn't find his culprit. As he comes to the end of his stalking around he finds Chastity going to the stables. She comments how she likes to be with the animals as it reminds her of home. Hemlock says he doesn't ride and asks if she will teach him. She shyly agrees. He goes to breakfast joins Mal. They are then joined by Lady Chastity. She advises Hemlock that, as per their discussion the previous day (a little retcon on our part) she had decided to dismiss her Muster guards (both to save money and for fear that they might betray her after Lawrence and Hasimir's experiences)and they have left on good terms but she seems emotional as this is a severing of one of the last connections she had with her home. In conversation, at the mention of how she would occupy her day and the younger sister she has left behind, she becomes upset, excuses herself and leaves. Mal is terribly sensitive as one might expect.....or not.
Meanwhile in the Midden Barony Virssu answers his master's door to an invitation for Hasimir to dine in private with Victor & Hugo Hawkwood. He accepts and they attend in the twins' quarters. They appear to suspect that the Torenson is up to *something* and want to know what it is and what bearing it has on the "Club". Hasimir reassures them it isn't club business. merely politics and that they don't need to concern themselves. They seem unsure but let the matter rest but advise him that they will be departing later that day on a diplomatic mission but when then return they don't expect to come back to find that he has deceived them.
After breakfast Virssu shares with Hasimir that he has noticed that the peasant staff are all new faces. They discuss what this might mean but agree it could be a normal change of staff or could indicate that someone is purposefully changing people out for those more loyal, but to whom remains a mystery for now.
Sir Hasimir then pays a visit to Sir Tarquin, but as he reaches the door to his chambers one of the twins emerges (Virssu notes he looks a little pale and tired, unlike at breakfast). They exchange pleasantries and he leaves. Hasimir and Virssu find Tarquin well and it appears that (as protocol would dictate) Victor/Hugo came to thank him for his home's hospitality and advise that they would be leaving for now. Hasimir turns discussion to the peasant support for the young lord and what they need to do next. He plans to meet with Father Konrad but to also take Tarquin to visit Hemlock. He fears that Tarquin will be watched closer than ever and his movements monitored more closely. Hasimir suggests that for now he write to his cousin, Hemlock, and reassure him that he is well and that he plans to visit soon.
The Torenson knight then pays a visit to Baron Christopher Hawkwood, who is engaged with the business of the fief (recent days having occupied him away from the general day to day management of things). He doesn't seem to want to spend time listening to Hasimir but charges him with conducting the wedding arrangements (a task eminently suited to a Torenson and one less "mundane" thing for Christopher to have to deal with). He suggests that Hasimir arrange it for about two months time. The knight accepts the task and goes to see the bride-to-be.
Lady Stephanie is very excited at the prospect of her wedding and seems to consider the Baron to be the man of her dreams. She wants a big cathedral wedding in Celdor and would like her father, General Sir Anthony Masseri Justinian to be able to give her away. She is scornful of her mother, the Baroness, though and doesn't want her anywhere near "her day".
Throughout all this time Mal and Hemlock have been working to decode the rest of the messages Mitnick managed to get, with some success. At one point Master Alfredo comes in and seems concerned when Hemlock tells him that they are looking through estate records (to cover up the existence of the messages). The Householder offers to help but they turn him away. Hemlock then shares with Mal the notebook that Hubbard, the elderly peasant woman gave him, thinking it may in someway be related. While Mal carries on working Hemlock stops for an evening meal and he is joined by Lady Chastity (seemingly the first time she has could out of her room since breakfast). She apologises for her rash emotion and expresses fears and doubts that in sending her guards away she is implying that she expects Hemlock to protect her and she does not wish to be a burden upon him. Hemlock reassures her that he is glad to have her and Sir Mal’s company, that without them the estates might be terribly lonely, and that he enjoys being with her. They talk openly and once again we seem to see their friendship beginning to blossom. Chastity mentions that back at home she enjoyed athletics, initially as part of her "recovery" but that she got a taste for it. Hemlock suggests that they go running the following day and she eagerly agrees. That evening, rather than patrolling Hemlock maps possible running routes and manages to convince Sir Mal to accompany them. Mal in the meantime has made great progress with the remaining portions of the messages.
The following morning Sir Hemlock renews his patrols and this time seems to have some success. He finds the servant boy he recognises from the mansion in the stables using some sort of tech device to tap out what seems to be a message. Hemlock watches him but does not interfere.
Sir Hasimir plans to visit Father Konrad and take Tarquin to see Hemlock the next day so spends his day working on wedding preparations. While that morning Mal, Hemlock & Chasity go for their run. Chastity seems invigorated by the exercise and recalls most of what Hemlock had previously told her about the area and the childhood tales he told her about himself and Arcadia there. In fact she seems to be the most capable distance runner of the three and is barely tired when they return to the mansion.
Later Hemlock manages to speak with Master Alfredo to ask him about the "Agreement" which is alluded too in Mitnick's messages and whether his father has some sort of arrangement with the Scravers. The Householder is apologetic and evasive and suggests that he really ought to speak to his father about such things.
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