Cuinn, Mara, and Aerona catch their breath after the fight with the Hezrou demon. Aerona is deeply shaken by the horror of the encounter. They decide to make it appear as though Mara were seriously wounded in her encounter with the demon so as to try and delay her summons to Stormpoint to serve the Empire. Mara, in seclusion, begins work on the magical artifacts that will break the geas that binds them to the will of the Archduke.
They return to Fulcairn Keep. Sir Varyan speaks with Cuinn and Aerona; Cuinn, somewhat tartly, observes he gives unsolicited counsel freely yet declined an opportunity to officially offer it to her, whereas Aerona confesses she is troubled by the series of disturbing events that have followed her arrival in Wilder's Gorge.
Cuinn enlists Aerona's help to seek out Gwenevier; Cuinn, still moved from her epiphany, begs Gwenevier's forgiveness and asks her help in undertaking a penance of a different nature-- constructing a hospital in an effort to save more lives than they stole from Haelyn's faithful, that the paths of the Haelynites and Cuiraenites might run parallel to each other. Gwenevier exhorts her to do so, but in the name of doing good rather than placating Haelyn, but declines, saying her path will lead away from Wilder's Gorge. Cuinn wishes her well and they part on less strained terms. Back at the Keep, Cuinn states her plans and earmarks funds to construct both a hospital and a school to teach the children of the peasants; she announces they shall be named Temperance Hall and Temperance School respectively.
A visitor arrives in the Keep-- a warrior named Laurentius, seeking the Stone of Unity, which had been stolen from his master during his watch as guard captain. Cuinn, considerably annoyed at Dvorak and Tashairah for the circumstances under which they procured their "gift", grudgingly offers to buy it back from him, and then offers to hire away Laurentius, as he seems dissatisfied with his current employer.
Three more visitors arrive in the Keep: envoys from the Archduke. They mean to ascertain the Fulcairns' readiness for the invasion, but note that Cathal is missing. Cuinn, donning her best facade of neutrality, explains he has been called away. They seem perturbed and state they must report this development to the Archduke, since Cathal was intended to command the invasion. Cuinn replies they will comply with the Archduke's wishes. They state they will return shortly.
An Imperial envoy announces it will be arriving at Wilder's Gorge soon; the Fulcairns assume it is to collect their tribute of soldiers and take Mara into their service.
The Fulcairns, troubled at the massive decision that lays before them, and seeing no clear path to victory, pass the night drinking and playing with the new litter of Cairnhound pups.
The following morning, Cuinn's newly appointed council members, including Nieve and Adair Morgenstane, Aerona's elder siblings, arrive at the Keep.
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