She had been riding for over an hour in the hansom as it bounced along the path. Flor realized she was glad that her pain receptors were off because she couldn’t imagine spending two hours in this thing without padding.

  “As part of the procession, the hansom will pull up to the portcullis, where the Keep guards will challenge our guards. After through the gatehouse, we’ll be in the outer ward, where we will descend. We’ll provide a token observance to the goddess at the Chapel, then be welcomed by the Lord Chamberlain. We may get some consternation since we are not bringing tribute, but I will deflect that,” said Lord 2 Lazare Francesc, who sat beside her.

  Lord Lazare had defended Lord Oliver from Flor and bandits along this route less than a week since; or today, since it was the same subjective day. Lord Lazare had been the only individual of the Mayor’s household who had thought it was worthwhile to fight the deeper corruption, and fortunately had Lord Oliver’s blessing to do as he liked as long as it did not discredit that household.

  Sparks sat on the other side of the Lord, listening and observing, but not saying much otherwise.

  Sparks – Flor: Can I make more than token observations at the chapel?

  “The route takes two hours, the gala lasts four hours, and the return is another two hours. Although, as you tell it, the procession does not return from the gala at the designated time. While there, you can expect a high degree of formality required. There are no strict observances, but be polite, respectful, and curtsy lower than you did for me to each of the Lords and Ladies, and you should have no specific issues with them. However, I’ll advise you not to address the Lord Necromancer or the Lord Chamberlain without an invitation.

  “Do not stray from the path, although most areas are locked to prevent errant individuals from going where you should not. Be mindful that the Keep is meant to be defensible; defensive measures are in place.”

  Flor realized that Lazare meant traps, and wondered at their lethality.

  “However, as you explained, you plan to do just that. In which case, let me explain again the layout of the keep. You will enter the assembly hall, which leads to a space to clean the road dust off of you one level higher than that. We’ll meet again at the Great Hall, on the third level, where the gala will occur. You will not have access to the levels above the Great Hall or below the Assembly Hall. If your story is correct, that there are experiments that turn children into monsters, it will likely occur off the dungeon, below the assembly, along with the cellars. I have not visited, so I cannot tell you the way. But again, I’d recommend caution.”

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  “What goes on during the Gala?”

  “They call it a gala, but it is more of a feast. The Lord Necromancer provides platitudes about the contributions of every citizen from the Isles and the Kingdom, observations about the Goddess, and a desire for the war to end. {Maybe, if I decide to write it, I’ll cover more about the war. It doesn’t influence the story greatly. Most of the characters on the Sheljour Isles are isolated from it but know that it’s roughly at a standstill after a particularly bloody few years.} I would expect, but cannot guarantee, that you would be least missed after the observations to the Goddess. Do you have plans to accomplish what you intend to accomplish?”

  Flor shook her head, then said, “No. While I think the more ambitious goal is to free whatever children may still be locked in the dungeon and expose the horrors of the Lord Necromancer, there is a more localized objective to find the table that controls the Keep, much as your table in the Manor vault controls the city. Have you seen or heard where it might be, my Lord?”

  Lord Lazare looked a touch shocked. “But of course. It is in the Great Hall, where the gala will be held. Do you want to manipulate it as Alastair did the table in the Vault? You would need to do so when no others are around and unlock it with a powerful spell. So, I beg your pardon, but that appears roughly impossible.”

  Flor harrumphed.

  Flor – Sparks: What do you think? As impossible as he makes it out to be?

  Sparks – Flor: Certainly more challenging than straightforward, although it is a relief knowing exactly where the puzzle lies and how to access it.

  “What do you think, my Lord? Will my friend be able to remain at the Chapel rather than attend the festivities? It appears she has a strong desire to become a Cleric,” said Flor.

  “That I don’t know. She certainly follows the vows of silence of those at the Monastery. She may likely be assigned a guard and allowed to remain outside.”

  “I will ask on her behalf.”

  “Well, look. There are the gates to Bacton. Remain silent and I will answer if questioned.”

  The road had flattened but still sloped upward. The forest cleared to a killing field. The large gatehouse looked wide enough for two carriages to ride through side by side, and towers rose on either side of the gatehouse to overlook the road and the mountain itself.

  The gate was open, although a guard emerged from a room in the side as they approached.

  “Identify yourself.”

  One of their attendant guards replied, “Lord Lazare Francesc representing Lord Oliver Guillem Francesc on behalf of West Shilgrave.”