Hemlock and Chastity are disturbed by another knock on the bedroom door; it is Master Alfredo. The Baker is here to see Sir Hemlock after he summoned the delivery boy. Hemlock speaks with the man, who turns out to be the baker that the Protos was treating earlier in the day. He says that there has been a terrible accident and the boy Hemlock wished to speak to "fell in the oven". The baker tried to save him, burning his hand in the process, but it was too late. Hemlock presses the man (suspecting foul play) but it appears he knows no more.
In preparation for their plan to fake Chastity's death, during dinner that evening she is moved to Hemlock's room.
The following day Hemlock, Hasimir & Mal catch up and Hemlock learns all that has gone on or been discussed while he was indisposed and Mal confirms to him that he has occult gifts and can detect, and may be able to cancel, the abilities of others. They debate at length what to do about Tarquin and whether he was acting of his own volition.
Mal also receives a letter but keeps its contents private for the time being.
The nobles also discuss the assassination attempts made by the Scravers and Hemlock determines to approach them formally on the subject "as a noble would". He and Mal head into the fief to the Scraver Guild Hall and meet with the local Boss, a middle aged scholarly man named Marcus.
Mal can tell that the man knows more than he is letting on but he professes ignorance and reinforces that the Scravers are a guild of individuals and so parties may get up to things he is not aware of. He does take on board Hemlock's pledge that they have no intention of digging further into matters that precipitated the attacks, and that Hemlock is greatly aggrieved at the attacks on his guests, and says he will do what he can to pass word around.
That night Chastity "dies". In the morning Hemlock feigns distress (helped in the ruse by Hasimir and Mal) while Tarquin seems to be both stunned and filled with a renewed pride. He determines to go for a ride and is accompanied by Hasimir and Virssu.
Protos visits daily, on the pretence of leading Hemlock in a study of the Omega Gospels, and finally asks Hemlock for a penance in exchange for his care and treatment. He wishes to have a permanent hospice for the treatment of the locals, and for the worship of Saint Amalthea, so he asks Hemlock to build him a church. The knight agrees.
Tarquin and Hasimir return and Hasimir is accosted by a huge bear of a man. It appears that he is "The Grand Marquis" Barabas Trusnikron. It turns out that he is Hemlock's father's Beastmaster and trainer but has been away for some months in his home country of North Follari. He is the anti-thesis of Hasimir's cultured ways and seems determined to wind up the "waiter" Torenson.
News also reaches the fief that one of the Justinian territories bordering The Midden Barony, "The Folly" has closed its border to the Hawkwood administered land and is preventing all access to and from the fief.
Hemlock has been spending what time he can with Chastity, keeping her appraised of what is happening while she recovers. She is healing well and the majority of her cybernetics are back online. While they are sat together on Hemlock's bed she attempts to slip her hand into his trousers, he pulls back, saying “We all have our secrets", but she urges him not too. He lets her touch him and her eyes widen in shock. At which point she smiles and says "No, this is better…" but before she can act further Hemlock rushes to get up and runs from the room...
In preparation for their plan to fake Chastity's death, during dinner that evening she is moved to Hemlock's room.
The following day Hemlock, Hasimir & Mal catch up and Hemlock learns all that has gone on or been discussed while he was indisposed and Mal confirms to him that he has occult gifts and can detect, and may be able to cancel, the abilities of others. They debate at length what to do about Tarquin and whether he was acting of his own volition.
Mal also receives a letter but keeps its contents private for the time being.
The nobles also discuss the assassination attempts made by the Scravers and Hemlock determines to approach them formally on the subject "as a noble would". He and Mal head into the fief to the Scraver Guild Hall and meet with the local Boss, a middle aged scholarly man named Marcus.
Mal can tell that the man knows more than he is letting on but he professes ignorance and reinforces that the Scravers are a guild of individuals and so parties may get up to things he is not aware of. He does take on board Hemlock's pledge that they have no intention of digging further into matters that precipitated the attacks, and that Hemlock is greatly aggrieved at the attacks on his guests, and says he will do what he can to pass word around.
That night Chastity "dies". In the morning Hemlock feigns distress (helped in the ruse by Hasimir and Mal) while Tarquin seems to be both stunned and filled with a renewed pride. He determines to go for a ride and is accompanied by Hasimir and Virssu.
Protos visits daily, on the pretence of leading Hemlock in a study of the Omega Gospels, and finally asks Hemlock for a penance in exchange for his care and treatment. He wishes to have a permanent hospice for the treatment of the locals, and for the worship of Saint Amalthea, so he asks Hemlock to build him a church. The knight agrees.
Tarquin and Hasimir return and Hasimir is accosted by a huge bear of a man. It appears that he is "The Grand Marquis" Barabas Trusnikron. It turns out that he is Hemlock's father's Beastmaster and trainer but has been away for some months in his home country of North Follari. He is the anti-thesis of Hasimir's cultured ways and seems determined to wind up the "waiter" Torenson.
News also reaches the fief that one of the Justinian territories bordering The Midden Barony, "The Folly" has closed its border to the Hawkwood administered land and is preventing all access to and from the fief.
Hemlock has been spending what time he can with Chastity, keeping her appraised of what is happening while she recovers. She is healing well and the majority of her cybernetics are back online. While they are sat together on Hemlock's bed she attempts to slip her hand into his trousers, he pulls back, saying “We all have our secrets", but she urges him not too. He lets her touch him and her eyes widen in shock. At which point she smiles and says "No, this is better…" but before she can act further Hemlock rushes to get up and runs from the room...
No comments:
Post a Comment