Calliope chuckled, an unusually animated sound for the normally cold sorceress.

“I don’t believe our contract extends quite so far as that,” she observed archly.

“I would caution you that the Baroness Hollerman is a Jade Wizard of some skill,” this last fact was drawn from her lips almost unwillingly.

“I do not know if she would use her arts on you but I cannot rule it out. What I need from you is to gain access to her chambers after the rest of us have left for the night. Esme Hollerman’s appetites are well known and I have no doubt she would relish deploying her charms against someone so close to me.” It was true that Baron Hollerman’s cuckholdrey was an open secret in Nuln. In a world where the Countess Emanuelle didn’t exist that might have been a problem, but the Countess cast a long shadow in which all manner of what otherwise might be improper could flourish.


Further discussion was interrupted as the carriage rolled through the gates and a score of footmen filled out to flank it on either side. Mesmer leaned down from his position as ostler and passed the gilded invitation to a major domo in striped livery and roughed collar. A blast of trumpets preceded opening of a pair of great wooden doors replete with carvings of martial glory. A beautiful woman with honey brown hair piled high in an elaborate beehive emerged on the arm of a vacant looking older man with silvering hair. The woman wore a shimmering emerald green gown and dripped with gold and emeralds and seemed to shine with vitality, an aspect which made her husband seem all the more wan and washed out. 


“Calliope Blackwood? How long has it been?” the woman asked in a rich throaty voice.

“Persica,” Calliope responded, her tone every bit as chill as her interlocutors was vibrant. “Since I left Altdorf I shouldn’t wonder.”

“Under something of a cloud as I remember, what was it? A noble intrigue? A Temple investigation? Problems with the law?” Persica Hollerman bubbled, too earnest to be anything other than sincere.

“Something of all three,” Calliope admitted. Persica’s eyes sparkled with mischief while her husband stared distractedly into the middle distance.

“An honor to meet you Baron Hollerman,” Calliope said, her attention shifting to the nobleman. The air seemed to chill and stir as though beaten by the wings of uncounted ravens. Baron Hollerman blinked and started as though awakened from a deep sleep.

“And …uh… you, Lady Blackwood is it?” he asked. Calliope performed a small slightly ironic curtsey. Persica’s lips pressed together in the smallest sign of irritation. The hand resting on her husband’s arm tightened and his face slowly glazed over.

“And who are these healthy looking people?” Persica asked, her eyes flicking to the mercenaries. 

“They are my retinue,” Calliope said, waving a vague hand. Persica’s eyes fell on Mesmer and blazed with anger for an unguarded moment before returning to its more pleasant aspect. Mesmer returned her gaze with his customary stony indifference.


“And who is this?” Persica demanded her eyes sparkling as they fell on Kayden.

“This is Captain Caradwalden the leader of my Master at Arms,” Calliope replied. 

“Well this is much more interesting than I imagined!” Persica simpered, flashing a smile at Kayden.

“Shall we retire for dinner?”