After tea, Tereus shuts himself in the library to consider Lucius’s words. He lights a cigarette, kicks back, props his feet up on the massive, marble-topped desk. Lucius is right, of course. In his misery, Tereus has managed to recreate the atmosphere of stifling terror that cloaked the house when Agamemnon was alive. And no […]
T – 6 hours. It’s pitch black. Valentine, Lucius and Inglorion are walking their horses up and down the square in front of Valentine’s flat. Valentine is muttering, “Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.” As the minutes pass, his curses become more complex and vicious, and Lucius looks increasingly apprehensive and miserable. Every now and then Lucius casts an […]
In retrospect, the signs will seem obvious. The Magnificent Five capture 12 more shipments prior to their final ride. At first, it was as easy as adventuring in the old days, when he and Sieia and various chance-met companions stripped wealth from disorganized groups that could be loosely considered enemies. Over time, Inglorion notices a progression […]
Ajax and Aramil retire soon after dinner, leaving Valentine free to broach a delicate question. “Inglorion, you know Sieia gave me Tereus’s cloak, and I wore it for some time. It had sentimental value, though I’d be hard-pressed to say why. I feel it’s yours by right.” Inglorion laughs and shakes his head. “I remember […]
Inglorion walks back from the Foreign Office slowly, giving himself time to think. As he strolls the wide, green streets and squares of central Liamelia, it occurs to him that perhaps he should have mentioned this scheme to Virginia, Valentine and Ajax before signing papers committing to it. He might have reviewed recent intelligence, consulted with […]
Over the next several hours, Inglorion is interviewed by six different men. Two are openly hostile; one, disarmingly genial. The remaining three are neutral or non-committal. They all inquire into his weapons training and combat experience. One questions him extensively about his language studies, though he doesn’t speak Drow, Romany or French, and can’t give […]
The glorious conviction of triumph fades, as it must. Inglorion soon suffers from the same itching impatience that tormented his father and forefathers, back to some nameless, primal Shelawn who emerged from the Great Divide scheming to abduct an heiress or float bad stock. Just as he finds himself wondering whether he should call on […]
Penelope and Sieia pay a brief call of ceremony on Virginia the following day, and make arrangements for the proposed dinner party. Sieia says, “Valentine and I will come fetch the three of you. Even if it’s just a family party, somehow it’s more comfortable to arrive together.” That evening, then, the Ceralac family barouche […]
Soundtrack and Video: Adam Ant, Gotta Be a Sin That evening, Inglorion makes his way to the theater as usual. He plans to read and write while Lucius rehearses and dresses. When he arrives and lets himself in, Lucius is busy working on a bit of choreography involving his feather boa and a silk rose. […]
Inglorion arrives home to find Aramil and Valentine installed in his library. Valentine is drinking coffee, and Aramil has a snifter of brandy. “Excellent,” says Inglorion, “A hassle of Shelawns. Now the evening is complete. I see you’ve gotten yourselves drinks, and of course Aramil has helped himself to my valet. I only regret that […]
