And the Smiles come from all Around

"But why did the King bring her here?" asked Lord Sarlo. "How did our spies fail us on this matter?"

"We have more pressing issues than this hussy," hissed the Lady Constantine. "There is more news from Anfang; rumors of some beast in the woods. A thing of moss and of wood; it seems to like to feast on small children."

"And why do such tales disturb you?" mocked Zular. "There have always been monsters on the edges of our lands and even in our minds."

"And it's probably all made up, like that story about the wolf that dressed in grandmothers clothes."

"This particular monster seems to have sprouted where the figure of that coward Frederigo has popped up. A coincidence? Some subterfuge on the part of the knight? And why would he be in Anfang?"

"Ah, m'Lady," said Sarlo. "That is a place of many subterfuges, and open rebellions. Your son will soon take care of that rubbish, will he not? My worry is more over North Umbria and the workings of the Dragonsmen. This must be stopped or our well-laid plans will come to nothing."

Meanwhile, days from the Royal Province and outside of Allarian rule lay Fenring, a fiefdom of sorts beholden to the theocrat Jordan yet ruled under the iron fist of Count Phinneus Fog.

"It is good to be back," said the Count.

"Good to have you back, Uncle," replied Justin Reaver.

"You did as instructed?"

"To the last letter, Uncle."

"When this is over I shall be a great deal richer in lands and servants and silver. Watch what I do, little nephew, and learn."

To the south, within the lands of Suffex.

"Haggis, maggis, fruitless fly...!" a witch was cooking a meal for a very special visitor. "One ounce nutmeg, a dash of salt; two parts potato and three of carrot... oh, where is the onion?" She busied about her cupboard trying to find the onion, and finally she did. "Now, where was I? Oh yes, the crème de la resistance!" She finished her preparations and let the stew, the meats, the side dishes cook and simmer and cool, each as necessary. Only at half past four would all be ready.

Finally there was a knock at the door and the witch opened it without reservation. Her mouth dropped when a hand reached in and grabbed her by the throat. "You little wench!" screamed the woman who belonged to the hand which was currently asphyxiating the witch. "I read you in the cards. I read you!"

The witch nearly feinted. This wasn't what she had planned, not by a long shot. She was only a lowly creature of the mystical arte, but the woman before her was far more... not a sorceress by any means, but far more than a lowly witch.

"You thought you could drug a kinsman of Zular? Are you mad!?! Better to just offer your head to that bastard and be done with it! His men are in these lands whether we like it or not, but he doesn't know that we are here. We cannot afford to be found out, not yet... maybe never. You will leave politics to us, we shall find out what is necessary and you will keep to your toads and tonics and muddy filth. Do we understand each other?"

The witch breathed ever so slightly as her neck was released. "Yes, Jule. I understand."

Within the Fens of Canmoor. A fellowship of assassins reported their activities of the last weeks to the Master of their society.

"How many have confessed?"

"Eleven."

"How many were tortured?"

"Forty-three."

"How many were killed in retribution?"

"Twenty-eight, not counting the children."

"How many todlings were taken for our Instruction?"

"Nine boys and six girls, between stripling and teen."

"Good. No one will use our paths against us again, will they!?!"

"No, Master."

Many days ride to Anfang there lay a village, simple in appearance and in spirit. It was home to farmers and sheep herders and weavers. This day did not find them well.

"How can it be true?"

"The Lord was seen in the woods days ago, that be that."

"Nah, I'd like to piss on the fellah who's sayin he saw the Dragon Hunter in our wood."

"Either way, the flocks need a-shearin', the crops need carin'."

"But what bothers me is a knight running away, just no right, ya know?"

"Aye," "Yes," "Yah." Indeed all were in agreement at that.

1. Later, Rowena found herself in audience with the King.
2. To the north of that village Frederigo and the others were still working their way closer to the tug of the medallion

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