Brother Godfrey stood at the bedside of an elderly friend, giving comfort and prayer as the old man began to die. Suddenly his silver-haired patient became agitated, trying to communicate something he couldn't articulate. The old man handed Godfrey an elegant hand mirror made of woven gold wire. As Godfrey looked into the glass he could see himself reflected over his shoulder, leaning over a bowl of broken glass, eagerly shoveling big spoonfuls into his smiling bloody mouth.
Alden woke in his childhood home in Hendleridge Manor in the late afternoon. At first he had feared he had lost vision in one eye but pawing at his face he discovered much of his head had been bandaged. He hurt and he was unstable and he was having difficulty remembering what happened after her charged for that rope ladder back in the ruins outside of Harden Peak. He gathered it wasn't a happy memory.
His brother was sleeping restlessly in a chair beside him and as he struggled to get on his feet Godfrey woke abruptly and reached out to touch his mouth, looking at his fingers fearfully. Once Godfrey caught his breath he got up and checked on his brothers bandages and unfortunately had to explain that the attempt to save Kimberly Hayes from the Slavers had failed. Alden was upset but his fury was limited in his heavily drugged state so he went to the bathroom with some help and went back to sleep.
Godfrey didn't feel up to more dreams in the chair that had left him feeling stiff so he got up and went in search of some coffee. After asking around he wasn't surprised that his Sister Chelsea had run off moments after seeing Alden safely into his bed and hadn't been heard of since, leaving him stranded in his father's home. What did surprise him is finding his step-sister Constance waiting for him in the kitchen. Constance was sitting at the prep table in the Kitchen drinking tea and giving Godfrey a look that made him feel unwelcome. He greeted her graciously and she inquired if he had been summoned by mother as well. Godfrey confessed that he knew nothing of a summons and told Constance that her brother was gravely injured. She seemed more annoyed than heartsick by the news but got up to go look in on her sleeping brother before she returned to the kitchen explaining that that idiot brother of hers will surely get himself killed. Godfrey tried to explain the gravity of the problems they were dealing with and warned Constance that war with the Decados was likely coming soon. Constance snorted and mocked him "War with the Decados was coming long before they lost their taste for War with the Hawkwoods and War with the Decados will still be coming when my children rule Woodgate Village."
Godfrey discovered that his Amalthean had arrived at Hendleridge and he ment Nementona Kleiss as he came down from seeing to his mother. The two of them went to check in on Alden. the Nementona was pleased at the surgeon's work on Alden's gunshot wound but less impressed with the medicines prescribed. He said he would substitute medications for Alden's care.
The Nementona helped Alden onto his feet to get some fresh air before helping him to lunch. By now Alden and Godfrey's step-brother Abraham had arrived with his wife and baby, unsure of the purpose of his summons. Lord Thaddeus arrived for lunch stinking of vodka and looking a mess and sat silently at the table. After lunch was served the Amalthean Nementona stood and gentle rung his fork against his glass "You have been called here to inform you of Lady Alica Hendle Van Gelders wish to end treatment. She has endured a great deal of pain due to her illness and wishes to allow herself to give in to illness. Tomorrow she will be taking a course of medications that will give her clarity and comfort so that she may make her farwells to each of you. I understand this will be stressful for all of you and I am available if you need to talk." and with that he set his napkin on the table and left the family in stunned silence.
Alden stared around the table in shock "What just happened!" but nobody seemed to have an answer. His eyes turned to his sulking father who only shot him an angry look as Thaddius explained "Your mother has decided to leave me.." as he shoved his chair away and crashed out of the dining hall. Alden felt rage filling his head, causing his injury to throb. He wasn't fond of Nementona Kleiss before but now he wanted the priests dead. Godfrey folded his napkin and moved to follow Kleiss.
Brother Godfrey followed the Amalthean back to his guest room where he found him preparing medication. He demanded an explanation as civilly as he could. Nementona Kleiss explained that Alica Hendle Van Gelder was suffering from the Cutler Cell disease that killed Graff Xander. The disorder is common among Decados on Cadiz but more severe in his mother's case. The system that permits her blood to carry oxygen to her brain has become corrupted and no longer works as it once did and will continue to degrade, causing her mind to fail.. Her difficulty focusing, her exhaustion, and her seizures are all caused by the ailment and it will begin to get worsen more rapidly. That in essence her Decados Blood was choking her to death. He stated with clarity that more medicine would not change the course of the disease, it would only prolong her suffering and thaumaturgic healing, if it were available, would have the same impact as medication, temporary relief of symptoms. His mother had a right to the death the Pancreator has offered her and she has chosen it, there was no shame or cowardice in accepting her end.
Alden found himself full of angry energy and stalked out to the manor drive and sprinted, picturing himself charging the distance to that rope ladder, determined to grind his body into faster movement. In his medicated and injured state he charged until he collapsed then fell and charged again. As he laid on the crushed rocks gasping in pain he heard a voice call out "Are you unwell Lord Alden?" He looked around and saw a man leaning on a rack he didn't recognize "Who goes there?" The older man smiled and walked closer "I'm Horace sir.." and offered Alden a hand up off the road. Alden gave the strange man a look "Horace? He questioned, are you known to me?". Horace apologized "Oh I'm sorry Lord, I'm your family's stableman a year gone by now.. we've not been introduced.. What is it you're doing?"
"I'm getting faster"
"You seem to be falling down"
"That is how one gets faster"
"I'm not an expert on making men faster but that's now how it's done with horses.."
"I'm no horse"
"Of course sir,, were you a horse you'd already be faster. I had heard you injured your head... should I be telling your family about this?"
"No, you should not, I think I'm as fast as I'll get tonight..."
Godfrey left the Amalthean's guest room feeling numb and sought out his brother to take him on a walk around the grounds. The found some practice swords and Godfrey kindly let his brother beat up on him for a while. Constance found them fighting in the garden lane and had the servants bring out some food. She told them that she had to ride home to fetch her family for Mother's big dramatic departure. Godfrey talked about his upcoming plans for the tournament festivities and his step-sister suggested that he talk to the craftsmen in Sekbridge. Apparently Aria Turian Decados had managed to lure in a bunch of craftsmen before she started having troubles and doubtlessly they're all hungry for work about now.
The brothers noticed one of the family Autowagons pull into the coachhouse and could only assume it was Chelsea. When they came to investigate they found a young Scraver doing work on the truck. He said the laid had gone inside and left him to take care of her ride. Godfrey headed in to deliver the bad news to his sister while Alden remained to talk with the Scraver. Alden noticed that there was blood smeared on the door and window of the autowagon.
The young man talked while her worked. His name was Cubby and he was an associate in the guild, working under his father in Sokol City. When asked about Lady Chelsea he became very tight lipped and Alden took on a menacing manner until the boy caved, admitting that he was hired by Chelsea in Sokol city to drive her out to Harden Peak, drop her at the highway offranp just before the edge of the Barony and pick her up two hours laster. When he came back around for her she was bloodied and looked like she was dying. She told him her plans had changed and he would need to drive her out to Molovko. He tried to ask her what happened and suggested she go to a physik but she wasn't talkative. Alden seemed content but later decided he wanted to talk to the Scraver to clear up some questions and found him gone.
Godfrey knocked at Chelsea's room only to be told to come back later. He had a conversation with her through he door very reminiscent of their childhood but when he explained their mother's intentions she opened the door, blood still in her hair and questioned him directly. She refused to answer any questions about where she had been or what she had done but she grilled Godfrey for details of her mother's decision, seeming to bitterly accept the news before retiring for the night.
The boys turned in for another night of sleep and woke reluctantly to face their mother. The family met at breakfast, this time with everyone gathered with the unusually noted absence of their mother. The servers had opened champagne and laid a huge spread of everyone's favorites. Thaddius seemed sober but poorly rested and Constance's young son and daughter didn't seem to understand what was happening. Everyone was dressed in their best. Nementona Kleiss came to take the children to say goodbye to their mother in order of ascencion. Chelsea was first and her visit was brief and after returning down the stairs she excused herself and disappeared from the manor
Alden was called next. He found his mother in her quarters with the windows open letting the morning light pour in. She looked to be in miraculous health with glowing skin and sharp eyes, the mother he remembered from his childhood. She hugged him for a long time telling him that she hopes he'll some day understand her decision. She apologized for being absent so much of his life because of her illness. She told him that his family needs his strength and protection and that she expected him to deal with the wrongdoings that are corrupting his homelands. Alden left with a straight face and went down to the parlor to sit with his siblings and father. The mood was good as Abraham was called up to see mother with his wife and child. They talked about playing some games after dinner.
After Abraham, Brother Godfrey was called. Again finding his mother with the appearance of peak health. He asked if she felt tired and she insisted that she felt very alive. She requested that they pray together. She told Godfrey that she was proud of what he had made of himself and she begged him to forgive Thaddius for shunning him. She told him that the family needs his fortitude now more than ever and that Alden, in so many ways still a boy, needed his younger brother's wisdom. Godfrey asked who his father was. Alica smiled and told him that there was little left of her honor that needed protecting and his father was not a traveling boyar but the Baron of Harden Peak, Andre Democlav Decados. She said that Andre was romantic and meant to steal her away but she to do so would have caused an outrage and in time she came to love Thaddius more than her Decados paramour. She gave Godfrey a photograph of his father in his youth. Lastly she requested that Godfrey not perform her last rights or burial, he shouldn't have to bear that burden.
After Constance and her family went to speak with Alica she returned with the Lady of the house and everyone sat for an early dinner. Stories of the children's youth were shared. Godfrey called to mind a sweet poem. There was laughter and good cheer unlike either brother ever remembered around that table until their mother began to show signs of tiring. The Nemenona leaned in and checked on her periodically but her good health began to fade before their eyes until she stood and thanked everyone for the beautiful day but that she must go to bed. As Thaddius helped her upstairs and did not return. The joy was immediately sucked out of the room and nobody seemed to be in the mood for games much less food.
Constance went out onto the Southern veranda for a smoke and the brothers joined her, she was oddly unopinionated, clutching her cigarette between her fingers and staring out into the dark. While debating speaking with heir step-sister they heard the quiet pops of distant gunshots coming from the West. Alden, needing anything besides a dying mother and happier still if it was a fight ran to get his armor on while Brother Godfrey got the keys for one of the family autowagons and they drove off into the night. They followed the shoreline road to Abraham's village, a large lumber camp and mill near the border with Sekbridge. Roaring up in the middle of the night they were nearly shot by paranoid militia men. The guards had heard the gunshots but again, distant and to the west. After fetching a lanterns the brothers and two militia men made a treacherous nighttime trek on the western trail of the village into the dark of the wood but they eventually gave up after nearly falling into the valley that separates their home fief from Sekbridge. Alden stood guard in the village through the night while Godfrey curled up in the truck bed and took a nap. In the morning Alden got a spyglass from his step-brother's home and climbed a nearby ridge to see if he could see any threat across the valley but again the rural and sparsely populated land showed him nothing within sight so they loaded up into the autowagon and returned home.
The brothers remained at Hendleridge for the rest of the day. Their Father Thaddius didn't emerge from their Mother's Room. Nementona Kleiss emerged with his tools packed and said a ship was coming to the village for him and he'd need a ride down the hill. The Amalthean gave Alden a supply of medications to help him mend and recommended prayer. Constance and Abraham's families had departed during the day and Chelsea hadn't returned again yet leaving the brothers functionally alone in the large house. They went for another long walk around their childhood stomping grounds and got to bed early. As they shared breakfast alone the next day they decided that events in Sokol couldn't be ignored, they would have to return to the city and come back for their mother's funeral and so they found Horace and had him drive them back to Sokol City.
After a long drive back to the city the brothers stopped off at cousin Hildi's townhouse to check on Emily. Maid Ava had been concerned by Hildi's delayed return from her trip and little Emily's wyrd behavior. Alden calmed her and assured her that Hildi would return soon, knowing that she was missing and possibly dead. Ava related news about a battle at the Port between the Muster and Decados and rumors that the Muster slavers might be abducting nobles.
Brother Godfrey returned tot the Cathedral to get caught up to date on his planning for the Winter Tourney. He ran across Deacon Bryant who was understandably upset that she hadn't seen her catechist for nearly a week while contractors kept contacting her offices about the tournament. When Godfrey explained that his Mother had died Bryant was immediately aghast and insisted he take another week to grieve but Godfrey convinced her that work would give him the structure he needs. He met with the kitchen manager and calderer to discover that the information from the tournament council about the facilities was less than specific so he made a not to call on them to get the answers needed and checked in with the initiates working haphazardly on decorations.
Setting out onto the city streets Alden noticed that militia and knights were groups near the bridges to the port armed and ready for trouble and there was no activity beyond the fences of the port. Alden hurried to call on Physik Sarkensen before his offices closed but unfortunately as he arrived he found out that the doctor had left early for the day. He left a message that he's return the following day regarding the tests on the poison used on the Count. He returned to his spartan garage, built a small fire in the stove and slept the night there.
In the morning Alden squawked members of his order and found that Baroness Eldana was under guard because of the violence at the Port. He walked out to Uzilo's workshop to fetch his autowagon and drove out to Hapsburg manor and was greeted by Sir Ben and Sir Camron sitting about and playing cards while keeping an eye on the Baroness's safety. They shared information that a dispute between the Muster and the Decados turned violent and there was a major shoothout in the city but surprisingly feel casualties. Ben related that Lord Henning has placed an honor guard on the Baroness just in case but he doubts trouble will come calling. Alden asked to speak to the Baroness and was given audience.
Baroness Eldana was in the middle of correspondence as Alden entered getting her raised finger as she finished her script with a grandmontherly smile. She apologized and rose from her desk to greet him formally and make polite conversation about his trip to her home. Eventually she acknowledged that the Muster were a problem for her Barony. That in a matter of weeks the closure of the port would destroy her last harvest of the year, but that the problem was complex and political as the standoff is between the Muster and the Count over a tax negotiation that had fallen apart. For now her best strategem was to stay clear and look for an opportunity to facilitate the negotiations. At this time she had no task that Alden could undertake to help so she thanked him for his attentiveness but dismissed him.
Alden drove back to town and stopped at Doctor Sarkensen's only to find out that the Physik was away from his office on an errand. Alden told his receptionist that he'd sit and wait. Hours passed and patient's came and left before the receptionist got a call on the landcom and was obviously speaking with the physik. She told Alden that the Doctor had cancelled his appointments. Alden demanded the doctor's home adress and walked across town to knock at his door. The doctor seemed unnerved to see Alden show up at his home but only became agitated when Alden asked about the samples of the poison he was having investigated. He declared loudly he had no recollection of any conversation of a conversation about poisons and if there was any confusion he's sure his receptionist could refund him whatever fees he was talking about, then the physik told Alden he must leave. Alden didn't have a doubt in his mind that the good doctor had been compromised by someone.
Brother Godfrey was in the middle of trying to get an appointment with the Tournament Council over the Cathedral's landcom when he got word that his brother was calling on him. The brothers went to a nearby bar where Alden filled Godfrey in on the news about the Muster and Doctor Sarkesian and Brother Godfrey suggested that they talk to Uzilo about the poison. So they finished their drinks and wandered out of the city towards Uzilo's rundown workshop. Uzilo was pleased to see the brothers but offered little help about poisons. He said if he could examine a decent sample of the material he might learn something but he'd honestly not be sure what he was looking to find.
On the way home the brothers stopped at the drop location to see if the NLO had left any message. They were reluctant to approch the drop point because there were three Decados heavy autowagons with Harden Peak livery and idling decados troops parked just outside of the castle gates in pain sight of the drop, but they reasoned that they were too far away to notice anything incriminating. They found a letter wrapped in plastic. It said that no trust could be expected but that if "the poisoner" wanted a meeting he could come to the Sunday market in The Baraar, if he is not armed and not in troublesome company perhaps he could have the talk he wants. The letter was signed "The Dragon".
Both brothers walked back to Hildi's to take dinner and regroup. When they arrived Maid Ava told them that a man from the Church in Elibyrge had come to collect Emily. She didn't know what else to do so she just let the man collect her. They both ran back to the Cathedral in the night, hoping to catch the priest before he took Emily back to the Dukal City. As they arrived the Friar watching the door told them that the fancy red-robes were staying the night before heading back to Elibyrge on account of all of the chaos at the Cathedral. Brother Godfrey who had been away several hours asked what Chaos they were talking about and the Friar told them the Bishop had placed a Church warrant out on his father, Baron Andre, and the Knights of Lexitus rode out and arrested him.
The Priests who came to take Emily walked to the gate with Emily shackled. Brother Godfrey recognized them as the Deacon and Councilary Canon of the office of the Priest Occult of Elibyrge, his former taskmaster and confessor. Alden was outraged that Emily was bound like a criminal but the Deacon very sternly advised that the girl had poor control over her abilities and the chains were as much for her protection as the protection of the body faithful. Alden and Godfrey were given a chance to say farewell to the weeping girl and the promised they would visit her.
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