The Fulcairns receive a message from Emperor Avan himself-- a summons to the Imperial City. Before leaving, Merrec wishes them each a fond farewell and thanks them for their contributions to the House.
The three travel to the Imperial City and are summoned before the Emperor. Emperor Avan asks them the specifics of the situation with the Duenes; they relay events and state they have installed Caern of Redstone as regent until Niela Duene comes of age. Emperor Avan introduces Thaliere, a member of his Dragon Knights who he plans to install as Count of Taeghas, and the Fulcairns pledge allegiance to her. He then gives Cathal the dire task of executing the delegates at Stormpoint who failed to maintain order while the province was without a Count. Cathal is horrified, but there is little that can be done.
The Fulcairns briefly meet with Mara's erstwhile Master, now court wizard to Avan, Harald Khorien. He appears gaunt and ill-used by the burdens of his new role. He grants them access to the Imperial libraries.
They go to the libraries to try and learn more of who erased the Fulcairns from history. They make several shocking discoveries-- Cathal's ancestor, Caedwyn Fulcairn, as well as Melehan himself, are implicated in some great and horrifying crime, and an elite order of soldiers known as the Dreelgair, the Mage Hunters, were dispatched into Taeghas, presumably to bring them to justice, at the command of a man named Vordhuine of Medoere. Reynhild researches the laws of magic at the time and discovers that no school of magic was illegal during that era, therefore the crime was not likely to be magical in nature, nor related to Melehan's sobriquet (the Blood Magus).
Determined to try and save the delegates from their draconian punishment, Reynhild writes Leandra and requests she discreetly spread rumours around Stormpoint that Avan is furious at the delegates.
The Fulcairns sail to Stormpoint. Upon arriving, Cathal attempts to gather the heads of the other Houses to try and persuade them to plead for clemency for the delegates. Blaede Sloere is as shocked as he is, and Gaelin Isilvaere tries to stop him from antagonizing the other heads of the houses, but he garners no support from any corner.
The execution proceeds. Reynhild and Dolan, sensing Cathal is about to do something rash, try and convince him to carry out the Emperor's orders without incident. Cathal takes the stage and angrily accuses the other heads of the Houses, as well as himself, and the delegates, of having failed the people of Taeghas. The Dragon Knights begin to advance on the stage, so he beheads the delegates as per his orders. He leaves, as Thaliere glowers behind him.
The Fulcairns somberly ride home, only to be greeted by yet another tragedy at Fulcairn Keep-- the elderly Merrec has died. They hold a funeral. Cathal is nowhere to be found; Reynhild, after drinking uncharacteristically heavily, attempts to discover a human side to Melehan, and only partly succeeds, but then finds Mara and the two drunkenly affirm their trust, friendship, and solidarity.
The three travel to the Imperial City and are summoned before the Emperor. Emperor Avan asks them the specifics of the situation with the Duenes; they relay events and state they have installed Caern of Redstone as regent until Niela Duene comes of age. Emperor Avan introduces Thaliere, a member of his Dragon Knights who he plans to install as Count of Taeghas, and the Fulcairns pledge allegiance to her. He then gives Cathal the dire task of executing the delegates at Stormpoint who failed to maintain order while the province was without a Count. Cathal is horrified, but there is little that can be done.
The Fulcairns briefly meet with Mara's erstwhile Master, now court wizard to Avan, Harald Khorien. He appears gaunt and ill-used by the burdens of his new role. He grants them access to the Imperial libraries.
They go to the libraries to try and learn more of who erased the Fulcairns from history. They make several shocking discoveries-- Cathal's ancestor, Caedwyn Fulcairn, as well as Melehan himself, are implicated in some great and horrifying crime, and an elite order of soldiers known as the Dreelgair, the Mage Hunters, were dispatched into Taeghas, presumably to bring them to justice, at the command of a man named Vordhuine of Medoere. Reynhild researches the laws of magic at the time and discovers that no school of magic was illegal during that era, therefore the crime was not likely to be magical in nature, nor related to Melehan's sobriquet (the Blood Magus).
Determined to try and save the delegates from their draconian punishment, Reynhild writes Leandra and requests she discreetly spread rumours around Stormpoint that Avan is furious at the delegates.
The Fulcairns sail to Stormpoint. Upon arriving, Cathal attempts to gather the heads of the other Houses to try and persuade them to plead for clemency for the delegates. Blaede Sloere is as shocked as he is, and Gaelin Isilvaere tries to stop him from antagonizing the other heads of the houses, but he garners no support from any corner.
The execution proceeds. Reynhild and Dolan, sensing Cathal is about to do something rash, try and convince him to carry out the Emperor's orders without incident. Cathal takes the stage and angrily accuses the other heads of the Houses, as well as himself, and the delegates, of having failed the people of Taeghas. The Dragon Knights begin to advance on the stage, so he beheads the delegates as per his orders. He leaves, as Thaliere glowers behind him.
The Fulcairns somberly ride home, only to be greeted by yet another tragedy at Fulcairn Keep-- the elderly Merrec has died. They hold a funeral. Cathal is nowhere to be found; Reynhild, after drinking uncharacteristically heavily, attempts to discover a human side to Melehan, and only partly succeeds, but then finds Mara and the two drunkenly affirm their trust, friendship, and solidarity.
No comments:
Post a Comment