Arithmetic, Witty Conversation, and a Hedge

As expected, Gabriel snuck off to tell Brand everything: facts, fiction, theories, shoe sizes—everything. You name it, Brand knows it. Plus, he’s got his old powers back, the Keep of the Four Worlds is more impregnable than ever, and Fiona is dead. You do the math.

At noon, the grounds were opened up and the schmoozing began. Magni, trademark cigar in one hand and brandy snifter in the other, flitted from one group to another making witty conversation and looking cool. Gregory joined him shortly, but soon left to change his outfit. Magni spoke with Rowena briefly before he left the party.

Aedan delivered a message to Corwin. Corwin delivered Aedan to a hedge. Corwin delivered himself to his rooms.1 Raj delivered Gerard’s message to Flora. Flora had the servants deliver the Arbor (the centerpiece of the coronation ceremony) from the middle of the lawn to the balcony, just inside the Great Hall.  This bothered Aedan, so he delivered a last-minute security check spell. Sign here please. Thank You.

Martin showed up, dressed rather well in white and dove gray, with his colors (that hideous red-orange-green combo) used as the merest of highlights. Shortly thereafter, Brand arrived, looking dapper as usual and no longer needing a cane to walk. Deirdre appeared, dressed fantastically well. Oooh, Ah. She and Aedan paraded around and accepted people’s awe and admiration.

The King is Still Alive; Long Live the King

The scene was set for the ceremony. From Stage Left to Stage Right: Gabriel, Brand, Deirdre, Aedan, Gregory (dressed in his shiny White Armor), Martin (middle), Bleys, Flora, Corwin. I don’t know where Gerard was standing, but I think he was there. Raj was on the front of the lawn with Rowena. Magni and Giselle were conspicuously absent. Fiona was still dead.

The New High Priest of the Unicorn said a few prayers from the Book of the Eunuch Horn. Two pimply teenagers a couple years younger than Gabriel presented Martin with the Royal Vestments. Flora and Gerard allegedly had parts in the ceremony (see previous Chronicle) so I assume they spoke or handed Martin the other royal stuff like the Crown and the Scepter. Soon enough, Martin was King and he was still alive. He wasn’t even stabbed and almost killed. He was able to lead the progression into the Great Hall, where tables had been set up and dinner was served.

Vialle arrived on the arm of a man who looked like a triton. Martin greeted her formally, then he gave her a hug. Room was made at the High Table for Vialle to sit next to King Martin. The Rebman delegation sat at a table to one side; Martin’s cousins sat at another table. Raj coerced Rowena into sitting in Magni’s seat, since he still wasn’t there.

Well, We Figured Someone Was Gonna Become Dead

Gabriel snuck off to a private room across the hallway. He accepted a Trump call from Magni, who was carrying the dead, cold, never-to-be-terse-again corpse of Benedict. Magni came through and informed Martin of the presence of said corpse. He then told Aedan, who went to investigate it himself. Gabriel had posted guards at the door with strict instructions to not let anyone enter, so Aedan went right in without being questioned. Benedict sported a classy new bullet wound, just below the chin. No exit wound was visible because the bullet apparently bounced around in his skull all day long.

In the meantime, dinner closed with a muffled thump and the family filed upstairs to the Throne Room to swear fealty. Of course, Brand left before this event, but he did kiss Martin’s ring, whatever that means. Flora said a few words disparaging Bleys, Gerard punched Gregory a few times, and Gregory proposed a toast during which Gerard knelt. Aedan was the first person to swear fealty. Really. Then Flora, Raj, Gerard, and Gregory (sort of). Bleys offered his “support” to King Martin. Corwin swore fealty without even thinking about looking at Deirdre’s half of the room. Gabriel said that his abilities were at Martin’s command, which is not the same as swearing fealty. Deirdre swore fealty last. Martin swore fealty to everyone in return and pledged his life to the cause (as if he had a choice). To sum up, those that didn’t swear fealty: Brand, Bleys, and Gabriel—an overload of skeeve if ever I saw one, and I’ve seen some serious skeeve in my day, let me tell ya. Skeeve, skeeve, skeeve.

Now That Benedict is Gone, Let’s Have A Big, Bad Battle

Aedan and Gregory trooped back to view Benedict’s Fiona impersonation. Flora and Gerard appeared and began examining the body in a sorcerous manner. Gabriel whined to the guards, then he too entered the room. Magni returned and, since the little chamber was getting a bit crowded, offered to show us where he found the body. We accepted the invitation.

Bamf. Everyone was perched on a shoulder of Kolvir, up near the top, but still lower than the sno-cone machine. Benedict’s rifle, pistol, and Hot Commando magazines were strewn about. Gregory fondled the rifle, but Aedan put the wrapped-up pistol (the murder weapon) in a bag.

Back at the castle, the autopsy continued. Aedan schmoozed. Gregory and Gabriel danced. Magni took his horse and rode off into the sunset. Raj put the guards on alert and went on a security check. What he found in the courtyard near the barracks will frighten you. Be very scared. Announcement over the castle’s P.A. system “Will the real ‘Captain Ass-Kicker’ please report to the barracks? You’re needed now.”