Dyson felt a smack across his face which caused him to stir a bit. Then he felt another one which caused his head to bobble left and right. He felt a third smack which caused him to leap up wailing his arms to get his bearings, but his eyeballs bobbled as he tried to focus. He felt yet another smack which caused him to grab the hand that kept smacking him.

"Stop with the slapping, will ya!" Dyson yelled.

"The intent is to get you focusing clearly." Jock replied.

"I am! I am!" Dyson yelled again.

"Good. Because I found you over there. Lungs full of water. Had to pump you out." Jock replied.

"I drowned?"

"Pretty much."

"Was that you fighting with that creature?" Dyson asked.

"Yes. And that creature is over there." Jock replied as he pointed near to them. Dyson's eyes went wide then narrowed. The creature in question was huge, about 100 feet in length Dyson estimated. It laid unmoved, and its body had claw scars all over it.

"A Kushtaka?" Dyson queried.

"That is our quarry."

"Perillard?"

"One in the same." Jock replied.

"That's why the smell was so odd. We thought he was Human." Dyson noted. "Is he dead?"

"There's still some life in him, but not much." Jock replied.

"We need answers."

"That's why I left just enough life in him."

"We need him to shift back into his Human form." Dyson said. Jock then stepped closer to the unconscious creature and raised his right hand. The creature's eyes flipped open and it started to tremble and shake. Jock held his grip as the creature's size reduced and shifted into Human form as it went. When Jock lowered his hand a naked Perillard remained, now awake, but he gasped for air. His chest bones had been smashed in the fight with Jock and every gulp of air was pulling him to his last.

"You better hurry. He doesn't have much time." Jock advised. Dyson tried to stand but fell back down. "Steady. You nearly drowned and you have puncture wounds all over your body. We need to get you medical help or you won't be too far behind Perillard."

"Help me up." Dyson said as he raised one arm up. Jock hoisted him up off the ground and walked him over to Perillard. Dyson let go of Jock and knelt next to Perillard.

"Who sent you?" Dyson asked but only received a gargled response. Blood steadily streamed out of the right side of Perillard's mouth.

"You're dying. There's no sense in taking your secret to the grave. Tell me who sent you." Dyson asked again to a gurgled response. Dyson looked up at Jock. "Can't you stabilize him or something? Go into his mind like you did with Wacal?"

"It will only accelerate his demise." Jock answered.

"What does it matter." Dyson said as he looked down at the broken Perillard.

"Very well then." Jock knelt next to Dyson then put one hand to Dyson's mind then straight into the wide eyes of Perillard.

"I always find eyes fascinating." Jock said as he locked both Perillard and Dyson's minds together.

Dyson found himself standing in a large, empty room in some sort of grand estate. It had four tall windows that allowed the soft, beaming sunlight to pour in. He saw Perillard standing ramrod straight in his full Under Butler regalia looking out one of the windows.

"I am dying for sure." Perillard said.

"Perillard…" Dyson started. Perillard twirled around from the window.

"MR. Perillard!" Perillard countered. "No matter what you may think of me, I am a Servant of the House and will be addressed properly." Dyson took in a deep breath.

"We don't have much time."

"I know." Perillard said. "Caiden Vescovi is the name you're looking for."

"Caiden Vescovi?"

"He sits on the Committee for the Advancement of Humanity at the Plato Foundation." Perillard explained.

"And he too, is Fae I take it?"

"Yes."

"What else?"

"That's all I know."

"C'mon! You must know more!" Dyson pressed.

"I know nothing other than my part." Perillard replied as he bowled over slightly in a coughing fit. "Goodness! I am indeed going."

"How did you two meet?" Dyson asked.

"It wasn't with me specifically. It was a debt my family owed to the Lavoie family that went back centuries. My family has always been in Service, dating back to the Merovingians. My family did not come from wealth or prestige, so we had to make do where we could, however we could, and we found we had a calling as Servants of a house, and when the Beatties needed Household staff Dr. Lavoie recommended me, and I have been with them ever since."

"So, you have been lying in wait all this time?"

"I never expected to be used as a pawn in a long chess game." Perillard replied then went into another coughing fit.

"You never thought to consider why a Fae would place another Fae in an entirely Human Household?" Dyson asked as he stepped closer.

"Of course, in the back of my mind I thought there could have been…other considerations, but Dr. Lavoie and the Beatties had been life-long friends. I didn't think I was being called upon except to ensure the Beatties were provided with the most excellent service." Perillard replied.

"What was the debt your family owed to the Lavoie's?"

"A blood one. But now with Dr. Lavoie dead the debt ends with him and thus, releases my family. That is why I made the call to the police to alert them of Ms. Beattie's return. Caiden said once I did that, he would assure Dr. Lavoie's hold on my family was severed." Perillard replied. Dyson's eyes focused on Perillard on that point, and Perillard noticed.

"That isn't why you pursued me?" Perillard prompted.

"We thought you were in contact with a Police Officer in Auxerre."

"Only insofar as to receive a call from him tonight, but I had never spoken to him before."

"So how did that Officer know to contact you?"

"I assume due to Caiden."

"Why did that Officer contact you?"

"To ensure that Ms. Beattie was in custody."

"That means someone intended to go after Lauren at the jailhouse, but was thwarted when Lauren escaped her jail cell." Dyson surmised. "But even if she didn't escape, how did they plan on getting to her with her personal Guard there?"

"I'm not sure." Perillard replied then coughed so hard it brought him to his knees. Dyson stepped closer, and Perillard looked up at him. "Would you do one thing for me?"

"What is that?"

"While I may seem traitorous in your eyes, I served the Beattie Household faithfully. Tell the family and particularly, Mr. Ostcliffe and Ms. Touchard that it has been my high honor. And tell my family the debt has been paid." Perillard replied then he smiled. He then stood up, turned, opened the nearest window and jumped. Dyson ran to the window to see Perillard's body in a mangled sprawl on the ground. Dyson turned looking for Jock and then next thing he knew he was back in the dark of the forest still knelt over the now dead body of Mr. Perillard.

"What happened? How could he do that in there?" Dyson asked.

"The mind wills it, the body follows." Jock replied then hoisted Dyson up off the ground. "Let us go now. You need medical attention."

"Wait! We can't leave his body here." Dyson insisted.

"We're not. I'm taking you both."


After Dyson and Jock went off in pursuit of Perillard, Niles and his Legal team had retreated back into their Drawing Room to continue their discussions on Lauren's legal case along with Gareton and Justice Saunderson. Dr. Bromley and Capitaine Morel went off to another room to track the missing Police Officer from Auxerre, while Bo, Kenzi, Tamsin, Trick, and Eva returned to the Main Drawing Room to await Dyson and Jock's return. They were deep in conversation when Bas Kadine entered the room.

"Your Royal Highness, they're back!" Bas Kadine announced. "They're at the Security Guard Facility." Everyone stood up, but then Bas Kadine held up a hand. "I must prepare you, His Excellency, Viceroy Thornwood is badly injured."

"Take me to him." Tamsin replied as Bas Kadine proceeded to lead them to the Security Guard House.

"I better stay here to tend to the Humans just in case they get a little too curious. Give Dyson my best." Eva said.

"Thank you, and I will." Trick replied then squeezed her hand and followed the rest of the group out the door.

The Security Guard Facility, cloaked from public view, was not some small shed or trailer, but rather four, 10,000-square foot, one-story connected buildings that housed the rest of their Guard entourage, equipment, surveillance and medical facilities. As Bas Kadine led them though the facility Tamsin couldn't help but comment.

"Is this place big enough?" Tamsin noted.

"The Presidium does nothing small." Bo replied.

When they finally arrived at the Medical Section Bas Kadine opened the doors and they all walked in to see Dyson in another room closed off by glass, laid out on a table, naked while the Medical Staff tended to his wounds. Jock was standing with his Bas, Maat when he heard the doors open behind him and turned around. Tamsin, Bo, Kenzi and Trick all gasped at the state of Dyson's wounds. There were holes in him everywhere. Tamsin ran up but Jock stepped quickly in front of her.

"The room is sealed so they can work on his wounds, but he's stable." Jock assured. Tamsin saw that the Medical Staff working on Dyson were Dr. Louis Padameshi, Dr. Concetta Dorset, the Human recently selected to serve on the Renaştere Ducal Council, and Head Nurse Jobina Gallo from the JFM. Tamsin went up and placed her hands up on the window gripped with concern then looked over at Jock.

"What happened?" Tamsin asked.

"Perillard chose to swing me like a rag doll." Dyson groggily answered from the other room.

"How?" Trick asked Jock.

"Perillard was a Kushtaka Fae." Jock replied.

"You're kidding?" Trick said.

"How?" Bo asked.

"It was a blood debt. Owed for centuries." Dyson answered.

"The Fae and their constant shit!" Bo said.

"Viceroy Thornwood, we need you relax so we can finish working on your wounds." Dr. Padameshi chimed in.

"I will explain it all in short order, but we should leave so they can continue to work on him without distraction." Jock said.

"Luckily, you were there, or we'd be having a different conversation." Trick replied.

"I'm glad too." Dyson answered then struggled to hold his head up as he looked to Jock. "You're a beast, man! How could you carry us both like that?"

"That's a compliment, by the way." Kenzi quickly clarified. Jock smiled.

"You have never been through the Knights of the Guard training." Jock replied. Then Nurse Jobina walked up to the glass window.

"With the greatest respects but we need everyone out so we can work on the Viceroy, and the Her Grand Serene Highness expects an update as soon as possible." Jobina pleaded.

"Evony is aware?" Tamsin asked.

"She's the one who sent them here after I sent word to prepare for his arrival." Jock replied.

"We should go." Trick said as he went and gently touched Tamsin on the arm. Tamsin nodded, and then her phone beeped. Tamsin took it out, looked at her phone, and her eyes narrowed for a moment then widened.

"What is it?" Bo asked. Tamsin put her phone away, and then looked up at all of them.

"Something that can wait." Tamsin replied then turned, went back to the window, and to Dyson.

"I love you, bonehead."

"I love you." Dyson groggily returned.

"Keep us posted." Bo said to Jobina who nodded and then returned her attention to Dyson. Bo, Kenzi and Trick all gave assured smiles to Dyson and then as they were about to leave the door opened, and Bas Kadine stepped back into the room.

"Your Royal Highness, Milady is back." Bas Kadine announced.

"Lauren?" Bo queried.

"Yes, Your Royal Highness. She's up at the Main House." Bas Kadine replied.

When Bo, Tamsin, Trick, Kenzi and Jock returned to the Main House, they saw Bas Cibor standing in front of the doors to the Main Drawing Room. Bo smiled. Bas Cibor opened the doors and when they walked in, they found Lauren and Gareton talking together on the long red couch while Eva occupied a nearby chair. Bo smiled wider as Lauren stood and they met in an embrace.

"Where have you been?" Bo asked after they broke their embrace.

"With your mother, which Papa says you have figured out already." Lauren replied.

"Yeah, which we're glad for considering what we've learned over the past several hours." Bo said.

"Papa was in the process of bringing me up to speed, and I sent Nouria and Roland home. Told them I would speak with them soon after we got a handle on all of this." Lauren replied.

"What happened with Mama?" Bo asked.

"It's a bit of a long story, but I do have a message for you from her." Lauren replied.

"What message?" Bo asked.

"To tell you she loves you and the children." Lauren replied. Bo eyes welled up as she blinked through the growing tears.

"Well…that doesn't sound ominous at all." Bo said trying to keep her composure.

"I know." Lauren replied.

"Where is she now?" Bo asked.

"I don't know. She took off with Agent Chennai." Lauren replied.

"Agent Chennai? Where?" Bo asked.

"They wouldn't tell me. I asked to go with them, but they refused." Lauren replied. Bo looked at Bas Cibor.

"Do you know where they went?"

"No, Your Royal Highness." Bas Cibor answered. Bo turned to Trick.

"You don't have any idea, do you?" Bo asked.

"Not the foggiest." Trick replied, but not with total honesty. He knew that if Agent Chennai was involved something was indeed afoot.

"Agent Chennai is Ari's personal Agent. I'm going to speak with The Queen right now." Bo said.

"Ahhh, let me chase that one down for you back at the Agency." Kenzi quickly interjected. "You have more pressing things to deal with here." Then shot a look to Lauren.

"You're right. Thanks, Kenz!" Bo said. Kenzi went up and hugged Lauren.

"Glad you're okay." Kenzi said.

"So am I, but take care of yourself, and be careful." Lauren replied.

"I will. And I'll check in later." Kenzi said then said her goodbyes to everyone and she and the rest of her Agent retinue departed the Beattie Estate. Lauren then turned to Bo.

"I heard about Dyson. Where is he?" Lauren asked.

"He's in the Medical Section at the Guard Facility. Evony sent the JFM staff to tend to him." Bo replied.

"I want to see him first. See how he's doing. Then I want to speak with Maman, then with the children, and after all that we can deal with rest of it." Lauren said.

"Of course." Bo replied.


When Bo, Lauren, Tamsin, Trick and Jock went back to the Medical Section at the Guard Facility Lauren went immediately into doctor mode, checking his vitals and progress while everyone waited in viewing room in the adjoining room. Jock took the opportunity to bring them up to speed on what Dyson learned from Perillard, and while Tamsin tried to remain focused on Dyson's progress her phone kept beeping which had Bo also concerned.

"Something going on?" Bo asked.

"I need to get back to the County." Tamsin replied.

"Sounds like it." Bo said. "What's going on?"

"Just Regency stuff." Tamsin replied.

"Well enough that it's calling you back now? In the middle of this?" Dyson asked.

"Unfortunately." Tamsin replied.

After about an hour, Lauren emerged from the room.

"We have him stabilized well enough. Dr. Padameshi wants to move him to the JFM to finish working on him, and I agree." Lauren said. Bo, Trick and Tamsin all nodded. "Good. Then we'll get him ready for transport."

"I want to accompany him." Tamsin replied.

"Of course." Lauren replied.

"Can we see him?" Bo asked.

"He's groggy. They tried to give him something to put him under, but he doesn't want to be put under." Lauren replied.

"A near-death experience will do that you." Jock added.

"Eventually, he will have to go under as they do need to do some extensive surgery on him." Lauren replied.

"I'll make sure he cooperates." Tamsin assured as they headed into the room where Dyson was at, but before Bo entered the room, she turned to Bas Kadine.

"Make sure a Guard contingent goes with him and stays until he out of the JFM." Bo directed.

"Yes, Your Royal Highness." Bas Kadine replied then turned and left the room. Tamsin had by this time, greeted Dyson with a kiss, and rubbed his forehead.

"I hear you're being a bit stubborn." Tamsin gently chastised.

"Just a bit." Dyson replied softly.

"Well, we need you back in fighting shape. That means cooperating with the doctors." Tamsin said then Tamsin's phone beeped again.

"You know, my wolf hearing can still pick up that infernal beeping even through the glass." Dyson complained.

"It's just Regency business." Tamsin said.

"What kind of business?" Dyson pressed.

"None that need concern you in your present state." Tamsin replied as she bent down and kissed him briefly again.

"You know, as your Viceroy, I could make you to tell me." Dyson said.

"But you won't because you know I have a job to do." Tamsin replied.

"And here I thought these new jobs would make us have less secrets between us, not more." Dyson said.

"Power for the course." Tamsin replied. "Besides, we need to get you back and Bo, Lauren, Trick and Jock are here to say their good-byes to you." Dyson held up his head and Trick waved.

"Feel better. I'll check in on you when the Docs give the all-clear." Trick said. Dyson smiled.

"Til we meet again, Viceroy." Jock said. Dyson smiled and then put his head back down on the pillow.

Then Bo stepped up.

"Always trying to save the day." Bo sais.

"Of course. We're family." Dyson replied.

"I love you." Bo said.

"Love you too." Dyson replied. Then Lauren walked back into the room.

"Everything is ready." Lauren announced.

"Thanks, Doc!" Dyson replied as he reached out for her hand and squeezed it.

"We'll see you soon." Lauren said.

"Take care of yourself." Dyson replied.

Then four Guards entered the room and activated the table which turned it into a make-shift gurney, and carried him out of the room where a company of Guards in a flanking formation awaited with a transvortex already open. The Lead Guard stepped through the transvortex first, and as Dyson was carried through the flanking Guard walked in step alongside him. Then Dr. Padameshi, Dr. Dorsett and Nurse Jobina walked behind them, and then finally Tamsin who wavedback to everyone as she stepped through the transvortex and it closed behind them all.