Between Seasons
With Perilake gone Lady Inga spends long days in her chambers alone, only tended by her maids from Svenrik. She is now always wearing white – the colour of the Church of the the Child and frequently disappears for some time to visit a humble chapel in the Western hills, much to the chagrin of the Citadel's Sheriff.
The Salt Knight has taken Biljana and Marko, the children from Bohat, to the Citadel where they are trained as pages … but it is up to the Fox Knight to show them the warmth they both crave. Sir Milos has become friends with Vojtech the rough but charming noble from the Waldochian steppe and they both take care of the refugees from Oakfell.
Sir Heldris invites Yordanka to make use of his extensive library of songs and sheet music. He offers patronage to the theatre in exchange for a more sympathetic view on house Farkash and the Company of the Black Fleece. The playwrite from Masur accepts hesitantly.
Farkash Citadel, 3rd Silverday of of Leaves, The Tax
High up in the Citadel the Council meets to discuss the Tax. Without Ser Perilake the mood is sombre and the absence of Avert who used to play on the floor is deeply felt. Lady Jitka the Steward of Farkash reveals that the project in Oakfell to quell the underground fire has depleted all resources and that the coffers of Farkash are empty. They decide to send an envoy to Barow Castle to ask the King and the Merchant's Guild for support. But for now the excavation is stopped and the Citadel has to cope with crowded chambers and rising tensions.
Sheriff Sorinah provides an update on the Axbearer, a mysterious figure who threatens to end the reign of Knights, and who has found support among a group of young farmers to the East. The company is more than willing to finally address a conflict that might be resolved with strength rather than wits – but only after the Feast of Stars. The Knights decide to summon the Jewelled Seer to the Feast.
Marshal Istvan of Kranach complaints about the children of Oakfell disturbing his soldiers and remains unconvinced even after Sir Milos defends them. Only when Sir Heldris steps in does Istvan promise to adjust his training sessions to the presence of the refugees.
Lastly Envoy Alina announces the arrival of noble emissaries from all over the Realm: Arkadiusz, a dashing young Knight from Kranach and Princess Alaja of Barow. Sir Andrasz is happy to see his former Squire Lady Gundhilde, the Snare Knight, as an envoy from Sir Adalbert and Sir Heldris welcomes his wife Lady Hedwig who is representing house Karpat.
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| Farkash Citadel |
In order to charm the disgruntled soldiers Sir Milos instructs some elderly refugees to bake sweet buns and the children of Oakfell to distribute them. Heldris learns that his daughter will serve Lady Gundhilde as a Squire, a relieve after he had already heard rumours Annegrit might join a Knight from Szalai and had feared the worst.
In the Great Hall an opulent feast is provided with food and drink under the light of a hundred candles and Sir Milos waits for his opportunity to entertain the guests with music. Suddenly a commotion draws the attention to the table of the Kranach delegation. Sir Arkadiusz rises from his feet, his face badly burned by hot tea and slaps the young woman serving him. Bartek who recognizes her as one of Inga's maids immediately steps in and confronts the officer. Before Heldris can intervene, a fight breaks out, fists are flying and plates shatter until Milos has the presence of mind to play a jaunty gig that first shocks and than shames the troublemakers. Soon the music changes to a more solemn tune and Heldris and Anastasz join the Fox Knight until at last the Great Hall is united in song. Acolytes with chimeric masks lead the congregation to the lake where barges, boats and floats are moored. A thick mist lies over the water illuminated by the moon, its light reflected a thousandfold by the gems of the Jewelled Seers. The acolytes blow their horns: A dissonant sound, low and strange and from all over the realm, from the hills and forests and across the abyss of time horns answer as if from ancient beasts calling back.
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| A misty Lake |
The next morning they summon the Jewelled Seer and ask them about the Child. It will be born this year the Seer answers in a voice as if stones are grinding against each other and it will be born from fire. When the Fox Knight offers to support the Seer, a ruby is presented to him and for a moment Sir Milos catches a glimpse of a fire burning inside.
