LES MUSICIENS DU MONDE ARC III 2011 TO 2016

by DanteVirgil09

This is the final arc of this particular saga where it is reaching closer and closer to its climax. When transcending choice for others and making them for some, where every emotion and motive for all characters will have to face and handle to the best of their abilities. Will everyone rise and pave their destinies or fall from grace? But all roads lead to the stars in the end.

10. AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2012

LES MUSICIENS DU MONDE

A CROSSOVER STORY

2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016

This chapter is similar in narrative structure as the prelude, but as opposed to a year passing, just the remaining six months of 2012. Plus the overall tone here is to show the main characters coming to terms with their actions and take a long hard look at them in the mirror. Both figuratively and literally, it's to end the devices that have held LMM back for so long and really prepare for the future to come: clumsy, painful, and potentially exciting.

And to be quite honest, I've been impatient to really get this upcoming portion of the arc started. The rogues in the WWAEI group was for me to experiment and see if I can handle this new story rating and with its ups and downs, I feel I'm beginning to get the hang of it. And with two friends who are collaborating with me on the side, this arc has taken on a quality that makes it distinct from the previous two. All in all, I'm content.

CHAPTER EIGHT

THE POST-TRIAL AFTERMATH (August 2012 to January 2013)

AUGUST 2012, WEEK 2

The New York Times

"Lt. Margaret Choi promoted to the newly formed E.B.I."

August 14, 2012

Two weeks have passed since what was called 'The battle between ghosts and shadows' along the East River and across Manhattan many still want answers. In addition, the presence of what is called esoteric people, aka, magi and mystics who demonstrated powers and attitudes of self-preservation that have divided the whole city down the middle. On one hand, many have thanked them for protecting the city from an even bigger threat. However, there are those who are more suspicious of a group of people who have had free reign in the shadows and in plain sight of many neighborhoods. Lt. Margaret Choi of the New York City Police Department was promoted in a rushed election to head the office of the newly formed, Esoteric Bureau of Investigation to police and monitor these esoteric peoples. The ACLU have in response formed a fund to defend these newly revealed people from what will inevitably be discrimination due to misinformation and fears stroked by the more conservative groups. Lt. Choi has commented in ushering in security and increased police in neighborhoods esoterics reside in.

Editor's Note: Further comment on how she will implement this has not been made at the time this article was published.

KINGDOM OF MICHON HOUSE, SAIRGOTH

[Duchess Florianne de Michon's Bathhouses, 12:23PM]

It was now approaching the very beginning of evening. Dante's body was bruised and scarred from the foreman's lash. His face blackened with coal dust and his body smelled of the cedar wood that he was constantly carting into the massive furnace, feeling the waves of heat from the flames as he worked near it. He had seen six men fall dead due to the heat and from the work rate. How morbid as they were stacked into a cart and sent out. Outside from the glimpse he had, was a blissful paradise. The cool air that was just a corridor beyond his workstation seemed heaven sent. It was fresh, sweet, and cool.

He also had no idea what day it was, nor the days that have past. But he can tell by his shifts and brief nights of sleep that more than a fortnight has passed. The heat of the bathhouses in shuffling coal, transporting water, stoking fires, facing the whip, handling other slaves from taking advantage of him, and losing his only confidante inside made things hellish for him. His only solace was his mind; with the little bit of time he has on breaks and nights of sleep. He noticed how treatment to him and others changed somewhat around day sixteen or so. But then he wasn't so sure…all he knew now was pain and exhaustion.

"Faster," a whip cracked and Dante felt the lash of pain as the leather made contact with his skin. He had resisted moving a moment as he tried to collect himself from the shock of the fresh lash. His overseer grabbed him by the wrist and threw him to the pile of firewood. In his shock, Dante then went through the automatic movements of gathering wood and carried it to the furnace to throw into the fire.

'Soon…soon, I shall burn and rise from this humiliation,' he thought as he pushed through the slog of work.

As he worked, he tried to keep his sense of who he is by either his scientific knowledge of the cosmos, computer coding, melodies of music, or lines of poetry he cared to memorize when younger. Today was no different when the lines of William Blake's "The Voice of the Ancient Bard" came to mind:

'Youth of delight come hither,

And see the opening morn,

Image of truth newborn.

Doubt is fled & clouds of reason.

Dark disputes & artful teasing.

Folly is an endless maze,

Tangled roots perplex her ways,

How many have fallen there!'

He then shoveled coal into the furnace, dressed only in a loincloth, sandals made of reeds, and cloth wrapped around his head to catch his sweat. Soot cloaked his body the more he worked and he still finished the brief poem:

'They stumble all night over bones of the dead:

And feel they know not what but care;

And wish to lead others when they should be led.'

As he mentally recalled this poem, he wondered about the man who arranged this setup for him and his friends. Where was he? What was he planning now? And if there was ever a situation where both groups must work together, can he be trusted? Or would he always have an ulterior motive for his actions?

MEANWHILE IN THE PALACE

Alastair was in the kitchens, laying out the various cuts of meat for a special dinner service planned by his cousin. He laid out a cow lung and pressed it down to make sure no air remained. And since all the cuts were fresh, his apron was all bloodied from the cleaving and cleaning process. He then sliced the lungs into segments large enough for individual servings and he did this to both. He covered the lungs with fresh cracked pepper proceeding to cover the lungs in a very fine olive oil in combination with onion juice. Alastair looked at his slow-draining hourglass and he placed the lungs in their marinade in a skillet and then placed the skillet into a small icebox. After washing and drying his hands he takes out a piece of parchment and placed it on a clean board, making several notes, and then proceeded to manually extract and thoroughly wash the intestines of a pig which he had requested to be brought to him. He washed the intestine in several changes of cold water in a pot. Once done, he soaked the bung in a quart of water mixed with red-wine vinegar. Returning to the pot and, he added cold water to cover the intestines. After finely cutting and mincing the appropriate proportions, he added onions, carrots, fresh celery, bay leaves, and peppercorns. Then he proceeded to cook the cut meat in the pot, stirring it around with a ladle.

Then a voice rang out, "I have what you need," he turned his head to his left towards the doors from the butcher's quarters with three wrapped items in butcher's paper.

He unwrapped the three items, "You forgot the hog's maw," he told her and she replied, "The butcher's preparing it. Just a bit late with getting your orders done."

Alastair nodded and as he placed the three items apart and took out his other notes on to prepares them, he then remembered something she did promise to relay to him and spoke, "Didn't you say someone on behalf of Ms. Assendorp would be coming to see me?"

"Yes. As well as a replacement for the Takashiro girl and Angelina herself," Ellie replied and he nodded, "Show her in."

The kitchen doors opened and in came a young girl. She looked about twenty years of age dressed in robes of her province that shone in beautiful white ivory. Her hair was done in the Tartan style; her skin was remarkably clear and vibrant as well.

Alastair took a good look at her, "You are Lun-Dao I presume," he said and she nodded, "How can I help you," he added.

The new girl was somewhat flustered at first, considering his reputation in Sairgoth and his deeds towards the people. But her question for Alastair was based on training, "I was wondering why do you not wish to train me?"

Alastair took out the first package Ellie gave him and opened it to air. He then gathered his necessary ingredients as he spoke, "It's quite simple. Many do not understand the process and which did my service for this country. I do not shame the country, or its rulers. Suffice to say I am more than tired of war."

He arranged his ingredients, his mise en place accordingly on his cooking space as he continued speaking, "The Empress has assigned me her son, Prince Adonius to train. As suck, I cannot train you. Thus, why you have been transferred to Angelina, my trusted friend from across the door in Amsterdam and you are learning from one of your mother's heritage as per your birth arrangement, Makoto Takashiro of Japan."

He relayed what the situation really was like as he chopped garlic, mushrooms, onions, prepared the salt and pepper into the amounts he needed. His selection of vegetables from greens to tomatoes, his selection of olive oil and butter, he prepared his station as Lun-Dao spoke once more.

"But, sir. I know under you I can truly succeed in my endeavors. Surely another person to help me train in your stead…"

But Alastair interrupted her as he began to sauté garlic and onion in the olive oil before speaking again, "The people I have selected for you to train under are people very much whom I trust. I wish to respect the laws of your birth as to the custom of your nation. Thus, you will be trained in Japan by Ms. Takashiro and besides; your weapon of choice is not my specialty. Angelina is far more astute to teach you and her teachings are reinforced by Takashiro's formal training."

As the ingredients began to simmer and now added the mushrooms so he can season them. As the mushrooms cooked, Alastair took out a smaller hourglass and turned it to keep track of time. Lun-Dao was silent for a moment after he spoke and just observed the man in question, cooking and looking tranquil. She then spoke.

"So you are retiring them from the field of battle?"

She heard him sigh and speak, "That is my decision. Too many have died by my hand and that is something I must atone for. I have spilled so much blood for the sake of gold and country, and then I came to realize that it is better to quit while one can. I am aware of my enemies and more than aware they will try to come after me. It is not out of cowardice that I leave. I have had my fill of wanton slaughter and thusly, decided to pursue my first love."

She nodded in understanding and asked about Angelina and Ms. Takashiro on what she will learn. He explained over a drink of wine on an outline of training manifest on what she must learn. He also revealed he knows her mother and said he humbly respects her sway, as she is a good and austere woman. He turned his eyes back to the sauté pan and watched the small hourglass simultaneously. He also cast a look to the other larger hourglass, indicating not even close to a quarter of an hour. Lun-Dao noticed this, and observed the kitchen overall. It was empty save for him, and even if the place can comfortably station more than twenty cooks and prep cooks, it seemed he had all he needed to work with. She looked at him and saw the man very much as what others have reported; direct and matter-of-factly.

"Do you work alone?"

"Quite alone. I am my own master you see. I need the utmost peace with which to work," he replied.

The small hourglass had finished, which then gave the signal for Alastair to add in the chopped tomatoes, added more salt and some black pepper. He flipped the smaller hourglass once again and sat on a stool, stirring occasionally. Lun-Dao looked at all this arrangement and she saw the pig intestine boiling on a fat burner, bubbling as expected. She loved the smell of the place, the aroma filling the air. She looked at Ellie who was silent and sitting on a nearby stool looking at the vast array of cooking and serving wines kept in the cabinet.

"And who is she? Your apprentice," she asked.

"She is my right hand. Whilst my left hand is indisposed kissing the hand of a noblewoman, or shaking the hand of a dignitary, she keeps me safe. Always watching from the shadows as she is truly invisible to the world."

Lun-Dao pressed a bit, "How so?"

"She is in Sairgothian eyes a slave. Most don't even look at her, never mind pay attention to her. They don't as consequence fear her. Trust me, she's the best invisible woman I have at my side."

The small hourglass, half done, Alastair added the chopped fresh spinach to his sauté pan. He put the lid on the pot for two minutes and as it in time became cooked, he added in the finishing touches, balsamic vinegar. Once done, he put the sautéed spinach to a nearby plate, finishing the cooking process. He then went to fetch six pieces of salmon, each about four ounces. He placed the salmon skin facing down onto the roasting pan with salt and pepper to taste. He then reset his small hourglass and let the salmon cook.

"Four minutes per side," he muttered.

As the salmon cooked and its odor filled the space around him a man came into the kitchen dressed in a butcher's attire, with blood on the formerly white apron, "Monsieur Rathbone."

Alastair turned and the butcher spoke, "Your hog maw. I've brought three."

He nodded and bade the man to set them on the counter. He gave the maw an inspection and nodded to the butcher, "Perfect."

Alastair then paid him three gold coins, and with that the butcher left the kitchen. Heading back to his station down the hall lit by torches.

Back in the kitchen, Alastair placed one piece into a basin and with a knife, began to cut away the excess fat. Once done with the first he repeated it for the remaining pieces. He began to wash the maws thoroughly and once done, he utilized sea salt from a jar as a cleaning agent and rubbed them into the stomach, inside and out. He repeated this process three times and once done, he proceeded to squeeze out as much bile and other remaining bits from the stomach as possible. Then he used olive oil as his second agent, monitoring the process the oil became murky; this became more evident when he drained the white murk.

He instructed Ellie to turn over the salmon pieces while he reset the timer. He continued to clean the stomachs while she overlooked the fish cooking. Having a hot pan prepared, he commenced the final stage by wiping the stomachs on the hot pan to truly sterilize them. Once done, he cut them into fine strips and place them into a massive pot of broth with potatoes and diced sage.

Lun-Dao seeing all this intense preparation asked, "Is all of these entrees for a special occasion?"

"They are to soothe the palate of the Empress and her lesser court. Thus why fish and the main masterpieces are for her while the pork product of various degrees is for her lesser consultants. I am also making a pasta dish with my own sauce for the Empress to introduce something new and I am also making a lesser grade meal for her consultants. Still good though," he replied.

The salmon now done, he laid it upon a plate of vegetables he prepared, and placed the salmon onto the gold platter with a silk napkin. He rang a bell and two servants came in. The first course was ready for court, which comprised of two ladles worth with the number present and enough for an equal portion for seconds. The bowed and took the food, including the salmon which was the appetizer for the Empress. Alastair then heard the music beginning to perform and smiled, listening to the rich flute perforating his food sanctuary. Using the music as his muse, he began on his main course. Grinding the meat into a fine hamburger and tenderizing it, he placed the meat into a deep plate, and once done he prepared his materials.

Chopping the Spanish onion into fine portions, added garlic, removing the green from the garlic. After sweating the onions, he added breadcrumbs, four eggs to keep the meatballs stable. As a special touch, he added Pecorino Romano cheese for its sharpness to taste, a pinch of salt and grounded black pepper. Once this was done he got into the meat with his hands and began to mix the ingredients.

Lun-Dao was amazed; not at the speed but his thoroughness. He seemingly loved the art of cooking. Once it was thoroughly mixed together, balled the meat so that it was slightly larger than a golf-ball, and from there he browned the meatballs for a good five minutes. He signaled Lun-Dao over for him to teach her a bit of the process.

"The secret is the sauce; everything in one pot. We've browned the meatballs in this pot, the oil is now flavored with the meatball juices."

He took out some cold tomato sauce that he'd pureed earlier and set it aside. He then showed her as he took the garlic, fine-diced, and added it into the pan. Then taking the basil leaf and two slices of orange peel made a bouquet garni, tied with butcher's twine. Atop of all of this he added the puree tomatoes and added black pepper and a pinch of salt. As it began to roll into a boil, Alastair then added the meatballs and lowered the heat by gentle use of heat vent. From this, the sauce and meatballs will cook for forty minutes.

After laying the groundwork with his ingredients of flour and eggs, he began to make the pasta from scratch and once the flour was successfully blended, he folded it out into squares, turned the squares into precision noodles thanks to his own invention to finely produce such an effect. Once done, he salted the water and set a two-minute sand timer. Once this was completed, he strained the pasta and layered it elegantly with the meatballs, then added the sauce. A garnish of fresh basil for accent to taste and it was done.

He rang the bell again and a servant came in, "Her Radiant Highness's main course is prepared. There is enough for seconds and if she is so inclined, please place it with the glass dragon for presentation."

He clapped his hands and a dragon's mouth was revealed, made of finely cut crystal with rubies for eyes. The servant obeyed and the meal was taken away. Lun-Dao was curious why the Empress's meals are not served at the same time. Alastair noted her slight confusion and explained:

"The Empress is served first for she is the head of the nation, the head of her line. She is given top priority and the very finest. It matters not when the lower court eats, so long as the Empress is given the top quality. But this does not mean neglect but showing love to all, both queen and court."

He ran another bell as servants came to remove and wash his already used pans and utensils while furnishing him with clean ones. Alastair took out five ducks from his cabinet and laid them out. He scored the birds on both sides to let the fat escape. Once done, he made an incision between the leg and the thigh for the allowance of heat intake to occur faster. As this was completed, salt was added to both sides of the birds to ensure a nice crisp skin. From here, he placed it in a pan with a roasting tray.

Alastair then spoke as Lun-Dao looked on, "The tray is here to keep the skin off the bottom, where the fat lies. Because of this, I want the air to circulate around it, and help dry it out. As for seasoning, when it's a good quality bird such as these, you truly need very little. You can put some elements on, but not till later. Otherwise it will burn. As for myself, rosemary works, a bit of thyme, apart from that however, salt is really all is needed."

Alastair continued cooking and got a glass of whisky, chilled in the ice box and then, an elegantly dressed man came inside the kitchen. He looked to his right and saw him, "What is it, Rodrigo?"

"The Empress Syanna would like an explanation of why the Empress of Sairgoth dines out of the crystal dragon skull, the culinary mainstays of her nation."

Alastair drank some of his whisky and replied, "Give me leave to assure her Excellency that her own crystal wolf skull represents the power and grace of her own nation towards the Sairgothian Empress, her ally. It is to symbolize that though fearsome as her nation is for her grand soldiers and legions of swordsmen, which the Empress of Sairgoth can reach into the gaping mouth of the beast and take food that, is lovingly prepared. This is to show the faith between nations, to trust in the power of the cunning wolf that is Capernaum, which Sairgoth will always be fed. I am making a similar piece to show the equal understanding of her Radiant Highness towards Empress Syanna."

The man bowed and then said, "What you have done, is a masterstroke of genius. Food to win the heart of savage beasts," then something came to mind, a reminder, "Oh, Serge would have a great time if he knew this. Well done, Bonesman."

Alastair then looked at the timer, "Now for Empress Syanna's dish," he clicked his heels and Rodrigo promptly departed with a formal bow. Alastair then set to work, beginning to lie out his ingredients, and then rang a silver bell.

A Sairgothian master came forward, "Prepare the Imperial Phoenix for presentation to Sylvia-Anna," Alastair instructed and the man nodded.

He went away as Alastair prepared for his next culinary endeavor, "Her majesty loves a good fish and so I shall make her some of my very best."

Working with grace and precision, he took out a gorgeous red snapper and with a razor-sharp blade; he gutted and butterflied the fish with as Lun-Dao saw, breathtaking skill and ease. He prepared the pan with a whole cut onion, cut into slices so the fish laid on it like a bed.

Lun-Dao saw this and the ingredients for use; lemons, three large cloves of fresh garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, and olive oil. She was then instructed about how the fish should taste as opposed to be presented solely on aesthetics. He also explained how the herbs and lemons would not be stuffed into the fish. So he showed his alternative to the recipe; he juiced the lemons and minced the garlic into fine pieces. He placed the olive oil and oregano, with a bit of salt a small bowl and with a small brush, used as a glaze for the top, inside, and backside of the fish. Once finished, he took a bit of salt and seasoned it properly with a dash of black pepper, then placed it in a wood-burning oven.

The hour timer finished and it was here where he took out the roasted duck and it was golden to perfection. The ducks were placed on a massive gorgeous bed of sautéed potatoes, mushrooms, dark lettuce, and carrots. The bell was rung, the plate taken to the dining hall. Alastair then placed the timer on the fish. Now, truly tired, he sat down on a divan couch for just a moment. Nearly panting with all he had to keep track of and now nearly done. He rang a small bell and a young man of massive height came through the door, "Ah my dear Aaron."

He said with a smile, "Come, and let us finish this night. Get the pastries from the back storehouse. Thank God I planned and cooked ahead."

The massive man nodded with a smile, headed through to another door and came out with gilded trays; all kinds of sweets from pastries to candies. Alastair then stood up, "When the timer is done, take the punch we have in the cold house and put it into oven four. The heat is primed. The punch will be ready just in time for dessert."

The man nodded and both sat down. Alastair then said, "Aaron, bring me the black plate."

He brought over a black plate with gold inlaid symbols along the plate's edge. Alastair took it and placed it on a tray, "Ellie, take this plate and go among the leavings after the fish is delivered and then, deliver me all the food that has been cooked. When everyone is done of course."

She nodded, taking the plate and left out the side door. Alastair finished his whisky, waited, and in due time, the fish was finished and delivered in the chest of the crystal phoenix. He waited the further period of four hours, which he was surprised it did not last longer; the dinners of this magnitude lasted well into the morning. Once the dining was done, the court had retired; Ellie and Aaron brought the meals he had cooked to him. Having all of this before him, he was still to this day amazed at the wastage of food. Taking the best cuts of what remained, he piled the black plate high with choicest leavings. With the rest of the leavings that were subpar, but not wasted, he carved those into bowls numbering at least eighty, and in time the plate and the bowls were filled.

Once done, he called Aaron over, "Summon Sir George, please."

Aaron came back in time with a large man dressed in fine clothes. Alastair gave him the bowls on a tray first, "This is for the hard workers of the furnaces. This is her Grace's very charity towards them for diligent service."

George nodded at the snap of his fingers; a large multi-layered tray was raised to support the many bowls. Alastair then took the black plate and said, "You are to give this to our newest acquisition. I am more than aware of his time and his service thus far. This is his for he has earned it. You will deliver this plate to George Merry and he will deliver it to Prisoner M3023."

He then gave him a pouch of gold, "Ensure that he eats in peace, and there's two more where this came from."

George took it gently and said, "But of course captain," he smiled, "Your will shall be done."

Alastair smiled lightly and bowed to Sir George as he left the kitchen. Ellie approached him and clasped his forearm, "I know you're no longer a captain, nor a privateer, nor a general. You're a cook. But there are those still loyal to you who would still refer to you by your old given title."

He nodded and sat down in his divan chair once more, grabbing a pastry to eat over this time, a cup of coffee then served by Aaron. After a full day and the night before preparing for this occasion, this was a well-deserved break. Enjoying the simple pleasures of sweets and good company.

LATER IN THE EVENING

Dante now relieved of his final shift in the dead of night, he collapsed in the cell of the cold black stone. He was fatigued, his body broken, and bleeding, his throat parched due to the heat, and his voice nearly gone. His flesh screamed in agony, and he looked up at the moon barely visible from his grate just above the earth. He panted from exhaustion and just wanted to sleep and not eat. Suddenly his door opened and saw the bushy-bearded face of George Merry, the pirate he witnessed fighting back in New York.

George knelt beside him and raised his head. Dante felt the taste of ice-cold water touch his lips and filled his mouth, thanks to the water-skin George held. He let Dante drink as much as he wanted and once full, he snapped his fingers and a tower of an old man in blood-red robes came forward with the black plate dripping with fragrant beautiful food.

George took the plate and he said, "This is yours. Eat and eat well. This is a gift from the one who is knowledgeable of your efforts. Don't despair. Take hope that when the time comes, you will be free. This is to ease the pain from the fortnight of hell you endured."

He left the plate and upon standing, he left a gold coin on a crudely made shelf, "Take that when you wish for a breath of freedom and go to the east wall. At six, throw it over into the pond," he then left as suddenly as he appeared.

The old man stood over him and Dante dug in with gusto. Once done with his food, he saw the old man kneel beside him. Then to his surprise he was given a beautiful blanket of deep blue wool.

"For the cold nights to come," he spoke in a tone of voice soft as a whisper, yet warm as a fire on a cold night, "This is from my lady to you. She knows you are a friend of the 'Bonesman'."

He rose and walked to the door, but Dante called out, "Sir," his voice stronger, "Who is your lady?"

The old man turned to him, his white beard shining in the moonlight that gave a regal quality to him, "Her name is Lun-Dao, Protector of the Steppes."

He turned and then left, the door closing behind him. Dante looked towards the door and sat in a fetal position, clutching the warm blanket and cried a bit before sleeping on his cot.

MEANWHILE ON EARTH

GREAT APPALACHIAN VALLEY, US/CANADIAN BORDER

[Fort Antoine de Champlain, Tuesday, 1:34PM]

"Heure du déjeuner! Heure du déjeuner! Une heure à manger avant de reprendre le travail! (Lunch break! Lunch break! One hour to eat before you resume work!)"

Wilfredo finished cutting a tree down for lumber with some men and answered the call to the mess hall. Since the trial he needed some time away and when coming home he found himself approached by a French Canadian woman (beautiful he may add) and offered him a chance to unwind north of the city. Since then, for a month now, he's been working as a lumberjack and tracker of predators around the fort town. The pay was modest but steady and made a friend in Oliver who is a native of this region. Oliver Picard is a young man of age akin to Wilfredo (22 years old) and has come here to start anew when his previous one incinerated itself. The reason was due to alcoholism and because of this, wanted redemption through hard work. In addition, maintaining and gaining muscle definition while on vacation was a plus.

As Wilfredo walked towards the long hall, a community space also served as a place for end of the week festivities and to conduct meetings between people in charge of the site as well as those who patrol the trade route's into Canada's interior. As he held his axe atop his right shoulder, the heat of the day bearing down on him, he saw Oliver also looking hungry and thirsty. The two waved at each other and walked inside to get their food.

Inside was a rowdy atmosphere of men and few women venting over their work and what to do when it's time to head home. Wilfredo and Oliver ate their hearty food and talked, "I'm heading back home in a fortnight. But also have an assignment to do from a professor as well," Wilfredo told Oliver.

Oliver nodded, "That's good to hear. Around town however, things tend to slow down when the main workforce goes away until winter. Will you be here then," he asked, almost hopeful but downplayed it.

Wilfredo nodded, "Sure, the pay is modest but good enough for me to buy something for the folks," he told him smiling and drank a bit of his seltzer, "It's only two weeks of work so what's here to do during the winter?"

Oliver answered just as he swallowed his mouthful of food, "Clearing snow, hunker down for the winter, taking inventory on supplies until spring comes. Really boring work to be honest," he explained.

"Never mind then," Wilfredo commented and Oliver chuckled a bit, "It's relaxing and the townsfolk come to celebrate the winter solstice. You should come with your family," Oliver offered to his friend.

Wilfredo looked at him and thought for a bit, "Hmm, well, that is tempting. You know what, sure. I'll send a letter your way when the time comes closer for it," he told Oliver.

"Great," Oliver and he held his glass of seltzer, "Santé," and Wilfredo clinked his glass with his own, "Saúde."

LATER THAT EVENING

Music was heard throughout the town. Wilfredo was walking with Oliver as they passed the tavern/brothel, "Oh that looks tempting," Oliver said regarding the drinks and frothy ales served from the bar wenches.

Wilfredo agreed, "Oh yes it does," he however was looking at the luscious figures of evening workers in the brothel, some of whom eyed him with unabashed interest. It's been a while since he's had sex and misses Cecilia. The temptation to sneak in some carnal fun was strong, but he shook his head and moved on.

"But…we got a better alternative to that," Wilfredo said to his friend, itching for what was to come.

Oliver nodded in glee, "We certainly do."

As they walked passed the tavern/brothel they walked downhill to join another venture at play. In this case it was an evening rugby match between two teams of workers. Wilfredo and Oliver sat on the benches near the lake and saw the game in progress. The scoring was 3-3 with one more pass to come before the match was decided. Oliver and Wilfredo cheered along with the rest of the men and women. For the next half hour, the game continued and eventually the team Wilfredo and Oliver betted against won and the two had to hand over twenty Canadian dollars each (luckily its modern currency and not the pay equivalent of frontier times). Then the rest went to get drinks or clean off before heading to bed.

Oliver went to the cabin he shared with Wilfredo. Wilfredo said he would catch up with him after a walk along the lake's edge. As he walked some distance away and with the town's oil lamps some distance away he sat down on a log where he the gentle ripple's of the lake lapped along the lakeshore. The sound of animals awake at night makes their presence known. As he heard an owl in the darkness of the woods behind him he then heard footsteps, to his right was Lizavetta the woman in charge of the place and land. For him to say she was beautiful is like saying wind is breezy. Her light brown eyes matched her warm, brown hair and olive skin perfectly. Not to mention her hourglass figure exuded classic beauty and sultriness. She wore a light summer dress for the warm evening and sandals for comfort. Her bosom was also exhibited but tastefully done to compliment her overall appearance.

"Hey," he greeted as she sat down next to him.

She smiled as she sat down next to him, "Good evening, how are you on your last week here?"

He smiled in return, "Well this 'vacation' was interesting. I didn't think I needed something to really get away from it all," he told her then flexed his left arm's bicep to himself, "Plus I got a bit more muscle than I came in so that's a plus."

She internally rolled her eyes, but did admire his changed, muscular physique. He was by no means skinny when he arrived, but the hard work here designed to distract one from the outside world did change his demeanor and appearance, for the better. Then she diverted the conversation a bit, "Will you head back to New York then? Or head with your parents to the Azores?"

He shook his head, "Nah. Plus I got news that Lieutenant Choi decided to take up the position of Marshall Law in order to police and contain the esoteric population in the city."

Lizavetta looked at him, "And are you resentful of what you and your friends have done against the rogues," she asked and he nodded a no, but remained silent.

After a few moments of silent contemplation he spoke, "No. I'm not. But…But I wonder what will happen across the Atlantic. Is William all right on his end? Will Dante return home? Will LMM be the same?"

Lizavetta looked at him being vulnerable and somewhat fearful on what's to come. She relaxed in her sitting posture, "Well the best way for you to put your worries aside is to keep busy in your line of work. Do assignments for your orchestra's site, or accept some research jobs from your professor in your college. That's your best option at the moment."

He nodded in agreement, "You are right…If only this victory didn't feel so hollow."

She agreed with him, "Hollow as it may be, there are benefits to being alive and being unofficial heroes in the eyes of esoterics," she then got up and he looked up at her.

"Would you kindly escort me to my home," she asked and he smiled a bit, "Of course."

He got up and both then walked along the lake and then headed for a dirt path heading north, uphill towards her home. It overlooked the town and surrounding woodlands as far as they are able to see. The trip took a few minutes and once on top of the hill Wilfredo was impressed by the layout of the cabin, two stories tall and done in the frontier style of construction but overlaid with some luxuries to showcase her wealth and the prosperity of the town as a whole. As soon as he was about to leave she grabbed his arm, "Would you like to come in?"

He blinked and felt his heart race a bit, "Is that wise," he pressed, suddenly feeling the offer coming.

"I believe so. The offer still stands as when we first met. Would you like to come in," she said and repeated the offer.

In the final moment of decision-making, knowing it was unwise, but enticing all the same, he nodded and the two entered her home.

TWENTY MINUTES LATER

The creaking of the firm but soft bed filled the vaulted room of wood and stone with the moans and groans of Lizavetta and Wilfredo. He gripped her hips as she rode his cock back and forth, side to side in circular motions. Her hands on his chest, lightly gripping the pectoral muscles as her head was tilted upward, and eyes closed and sweat glistened both bodies in nature's carnal dance. Her pussy coated his cock in natural desire and she called out his name several times warning of her impending climax.

"Liza…Liza," he called out, eyes closed as he gripped her hips tighter, "I'm…I'm gonna cum!"

"Yes…Yes!" she moaned loudly, "P-Please! C-Cum! Cum inside!"

He gritted his teeth and then yelled as he felt his cock spurt forth throbs of his seed deep inside her pussy. Once it ceased he relaxed and Lizavetta slumped on top of him, now clutching his shoulders as he hugged her around the waist. Both breathed heavily and then as she lifted herself up a bit, she gave him a satisfied kiss. He returned it and she rolled off of him to rest on his right side. The two were silent as he then got up and sat at the edge of the bed. She rolled to her side and looked at his back and then up at his head, "Did you enjoy yourself?"

He chuckled as he turned his head right to glance at her, "What a question to ask woman."

He passed his left hand back through his hair and felt his heart steadying. He soon gets up and heads for the bathroom connected to the bedroom. A few minutes later, he finished washing himself and came out with a towel wrapped around his waist. He looked at Lizavetta who lied on the bed on her left side, looking inviting to him. He breathed in sharply through his nose and went to his clothes by the balcony window, "What comes from this?"

"Come of what," she asked as he unwrapped how towel and she glanced at his nude form while he puts on his underwear. Then his breeches, his white shirt, and suspenders he readjusted.

He turned around, "You know. What comes after this tryst of ours," he asked as he sat down on the wooden floor to put on his socks and boots.

"Would you like to continue this arrangement between us," she shifted in her bed, nude as she got off the bed and walked slowly to him, "Work and play while in the end of your time here, give and receive pleasure," she spoke with a coy grin.

He got up and he stood face to face before her nude form. She placed her hands on his chest and then brushed her hands down his shirt to undo the wrinkles, "This is our personal arrangement. Would you reject it?"

She asked this while feeling his muscles to grab his attention. Wilfredo looked at her fair complexion, slight pink in her checks, her deep brown hair, and then held her hands in his, "Why?"

She looked into his eyes, "I sent an envoy to the trial for all of you across the door. I was told whom all of you were and when my confidant described you and your appearance while you were in the mountains of New York, I had to see for myself. I'm thoroughly impressed."

"Hence why you offered me this working vacation for the summer," he pressed as he clasped her hands.

She nodded, "Precisely. In addition, it's to guide on your path between your desires and becoming a better man. I wish to help you. So, regarding this arrangement, do you agree?"

He looked into her eyes, looking for deceit. He found none felt her offer was genuine, "I have a girlfriend."

"Yes."

"I wish to be loyal to her. And I want to rebuild myself as a better man than when I was younger."

"That I know. Also the concept of the 'marriage bed' among esoterics and familiars may help you in figuring things out," he blinked and nodded at the implications.

He then explained, "As long as my own bed at home is reserved for her and I, then things of this sort are permissible. But I will tell Cecilia about this."

Lizavetta nodded, "As you should," agreeing with him.

He looked at her and after a moment he sighed and nodded, "All right," he kissed her briefly on the lips and she returned it, just as chastely. Now he wonders how the hell he's going to pull this off.

'I need a notebook for this. Don Juan Tenorio, Casanova, they both fucked up and regretted it. I will not make the same mistakes,' he thought to himself.

He left her mansion and walked down the path towards the town. He pulled his phone and scrolled in photos to see Cecilia's face. He pondered about what he decided here and wondered what words he may use to explain what happened and who Lizavetta had proposed. He sighed and figured he'll work this out when he gets back to the city. If his wanted status in the NYPD had died down that is.

WUDANG MOUNTAINS, CHINA

[Plumber Special Forces-Division 20, Wednesday, 2:23PM]

Ernesto was in his makeshift lab where he was tinkering on his new dream-sharing device. Since the job he worked on with the Plumbers two-and-a-half years ago, he felt now it was time with more resources and access to new technology, to refine the principle he used to track down those who hunted the Forever Knights. Still in his training attire and on break from drills, he found this as a way to relax and only rely on his thoughts, hypothesis', and experiments.

As he turned the small screwdriver on one portion of the device he heard a beep, "Come in," and the door opened to his room.

In came a Tetramand comrade of his, Lo'torno from his home world who resided by a red sea far from the capital. He bore scars from his own scuffles back home and when given the chance to join the Plumbers when recruiting officers were visiting his home world he jumped at the chance. Lo'torno loved his home, his family, he left his love behind, but he will soon return for a visit before he begins his duties as a D-20 officer. Just now he came from the gym and his t-shirt marked his sweat on his chest and back, with one hand holding a water bottle.

He spoke with an accent close what's called the Chicagoan accent, "You tinkering again?"

Ernesto nodded, "Been doing so for," he looked at his watch, "Shit, three hours," he sets down his tools and device and stretched his arms upward.

Once stretched he relaxed and turned his chair to face his Tetramand friend, "What's on your mind?"

Lo'torno walked to the sofa in Ernesto's barracks and sat down, setting his water bottle to the side on a nearby lamp table, "I'm a bit confused about some things when looking up humanity. You guys have lots of languages, foods, and countries. But what confuses me more is your tendency for many faiths."

Ernesto inwardly groaned as he can see where this conversation is going, "And you're wondering why we have conflicts indirectly or directly started by them?"

But to his surprise Lo'torno shook his head in a no, "I'm wondering why humans make a big deal with regards to the same god, but with a different face?"

Ernes to looked at him and smiled, "I know, it's a conundrum. And after thousands of years of civilization, you would think we've made progress by now."

Then Lo'torno remembered why he came to see his friend, "While leaving the gym, I heard news from officers coming back from a military exercise in the African Congo. News about sentient gorillas deep in the forest, and led by a creature laced with mana."

Ernesto looked at him, "What? Go on! What else?"

Lo'torno blinked and continued. The news he shared involved how some of the Plumber officers and D-20 operatives witnessed the surprising sentience from these unique great apes, as well as something witnessed in the jungles of the Congo. As one described, 'Something or someone was always watching us.'

Ernesto nodded as he listened and then looked at the world map hanging on the opposite wall and got up, "The heart of darkness," he muttered.

"What," Lo'torno asked as he put his two upper hands behind his head while crossed his lower pair of arms across his chest. He looked at Ernesto who then puts a black pin in the dead center of the DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo).

Ernesto looked at it and then at the rest of the map he pinned over the past month, "The UK, France, Greece, Morocco, Poland, Israel, New York were the settings from the recent WWAEI conflict with LMM against them," he then looked at the other pins, "Russia, Italy, Ireland, Ukraine, Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey then followed suit with local resistance when New York pushed them back."

He looked at the map carefully on these locations in particular, "The known world from a thousand years ago is galvanizing…and the rest of the world will follow. What are the Plumbers really looking for?"

Lo'torno pressed his question, "What are you talking about?"

Ernesto responded as he continued to look at the map, "Recently my cousin in the orchestra LMM, have been catalysts in bringing to light the emergence of rogue groups, the WWAEI being one of them who made headlines in esoteric newspapers and radio. Of course they committed theft in order to bring a shock to the collective complacency, but it was for the greater good. Lucky for them they got off lightly for this one crime."

"Crime? But your cousin and his friends potentially saved millions of lives from a chaotic war. Why were they tried at all?"

"In the eyes of esoteric law, LMM had to answer for this one theft and due to some connections they have made over these past few months, one of them had to do hard labor for two months while the rest only had to do a walk of shame," Ernesto looked at his Tetramand friend, "Sound familiar?"

Lo'torno nodded with a serious expression on his face, "Sounds similar to the judicial law of my planet. All crime must be answered to, no matter the scale of it. No exceptions. Or rather, exceptions only happen if the circumstances permitted it. At least that's what my mother said."

Ernesto nodded, "Correct. And…I don't know. Something is wrong still. As if something is coming," he said as he looked over the world map, seeing the pins where esoteric conflict has happened and right next to the said pins, marked locations Plumbers have observed and interacted with mystics and magi, with mixed results.

"Lo'torno, what are Plumber capabilities when dealing with esoteric powers? I mean, when it comes to magic or mystical defenses," he asked and his Tetramand friend wasted no time responding.

"None whatsoever. Any information officers and field officers have gathered mysteriously disappear soon after. It's like whatever was recorded never existed. And many of them feel afraid when around them," Lo'torno said as he then looked at Ernesto's intense gaze on the map.

Ernesto just stood there, looking at the map and listening to his friend, "It's natural to feel fear when up against forces larger than ourselves," he turned to face his friend, "But remember this: Better to have them as your allies than as enemies."

Lo'torno and he stood up, towering over Ernesto, "Many outside Earth view the magical and mystical arts as backward techniques, designated for the dustbin of history. But it's only cause to many of them, access to esoteric forces are difficult. Anodites are the exceptions being made of life energy and all. However, there are a few we do have to be on guard around because of this. And now realizing you humans have this capability…"

Ernesto nodded and finished his friend's statement, "Then contingency plans are being made to counter esoteric forces if a battle over legitimacy on Earth does happen," he sighed and then continued, "No surprise there. Pride is the most insidious of sins."

"Your species talk of sins and vices. Your Christian faith talks of seven sins," Lo'torno spoke and then added, "Believe it or not, it's the same everywhere."

Ernesto turned around to face his Tetramand friend and both nodded acknowledgement. Things will not turn out well if things disintegrate further. Then the doors beeped and they opened. In comes a feminine humanoid looking alien with teal blue skin with almond black eyes with tentacle like tendrils flowing down her shoulders, and her uniform over her lithe figure.

She then spoke with a tone similar to a clipped Mid-Atlantic accent, "I was wondering where you were Lo'torno. Remember, you have mechanical duties in the transport hangar today."

"Yeah, yeah. I was just visiting Ernie here. I'll see you later bud," Lo'torno spoke to the female alien and bid Ernesto a good afternoon, before leaving the room.

As the doors opened and closed, this left the two in the room, "Any progress on your device?"

Ernesto nodded, "Yes Yabli'narya. This might help with our abilities, regarding your telepathic capabilities," he said.

"And your subconscious navigation," Yabli'narya added and the two looked at each other. She approached him and placed her hand on his head, "It's curious how a backward species can have so many layers to the mind. Capable of wonderful dreams, and horrible nightmares."

He looked at her as his hand clasped her forearm, "And how yours can use the mind to project thoughts and move objects with ease without the use of excess aural powers. Similar but different."

"Indeed," she said and then added, "My offer still stands you know."

He nodded and a light smile formed, "My response is still pending, apologies," he stated and she nodded, understanding what he meant.

She then let go of her gentle grasp and went to the doors. They opened, "I'll see you and others at dinner. Have a good afternoon."

Ernesto nodded, "You as well," then she left Ernesto's barracks and Ernesto resumed his work. His uneasiness still bothered him though. While he worked, he continued to look over to the map and the pins he laid out. He wondered if his foreboding inquiry is correct, or just his paranoia kicking in.

CHŪBU REGION, JAPAN

[Mount Fuji, 3:30PM]

"再び！ (Again)!," Shinji's instructor shouted over the sparring session between Shinji and another student at the dojo.

He got up and got into his stance to take on the clearly more experience student. Ever since the New York incident ended with a trial and a walk of shame, Shinji was planning to remain at home wallowing in his own grief. This was his self-defense mechanism to process any traumatic experience in his life, such as the death of his mother, the sacrifice of his guardian, and his father who abandoned him before calling him back for use. However, Emiko approached him at his home to offer him a way to handle that grief. A summer, or rather two months of training away from the city in the forests surrounding Mount Fuji. He was wary of her offer, but after some convincing from her, he accepted. He packed his bags with some clothes for the journey, told his family he'll be going with a friend for some time away, and both took her town car and headed northwest of Kyoto to the sacred mountain.

When he got there, he didn't account for the traditional setting. No electricity, no phone access, and definitely no Internet access. Emiko explained this was near bare bones as it gets, aside from indoor plumbing. Immediately he was informed on what was expected and what he would learn. The head instructor of the dojo was in fact Emiko's older sister, Makoto Takashiro; a familiar to esoterics and unlike Emiko hardly utilizes her esoteric powers. However, her skills in combat more than compensates for this.

Makoto was and is a firm instructor of Japanese martial arts, with techniques also borrowed from China, Korea, and lands across the Door known as the Summerset Isles; an island chain that would be described a mixture of Classical Korean, Chinese, and Imperial Japanese influences. In this dojo, the deaths of students when training increases in difficulty are what Shinji learned first hand when he saw a sparring session between more advanced students ended with one's head decapitated. He's still in what is described as beginning level, but due to his own experiences in combat, he's borderline intermediate. But he had to get through this session with a student who clearly had bloodlust in his eyes.

Shinji stood in his stance with the other; clearly more interested in blood was walking around him. Shinji looked at him and not paid attention to those around him, even Emiko who he's gotten closer in friendship with. Then the guy lunged with a move he's seen in judo thanks to his brother's training. He danced around his opponent and made a strike to the man's lower left ribs. The two were facing each other again, the man now looking murderous and Shinji looking wary of what's to come. Then in a split second he was tackled to the ground and he struck the man's head several times with his right elbow. But the man then proceeded to choke Shinji in an arm hold. Shinji then wrapped his legs around the man, struck the man's face with his left palm, and then as the arm grip loosened, he then struck the man's throat with his right fist. The man then was on the ground gasping for air, and Shinji then was about to deliver a drop kick to the man's head, but then was stopped by Makoto's voice:

"十分な！ 二人ともうまくやった。 さあ、あなたのグループに戻って新しいセッションを観察しましょう。(Enough! Both of you have done well. Now return to your groups and observe the new session.)," she said and the two men bowed to Makoto. As the two sat down in the lotus posture, and their hands on their knees, they observed two more students preparing to spar.

[6:45PM]

The dying of the afternoon light was seen and felt as the sound of cicadas lessened compared to earlier. The shift in air temperature was also felt, and the environment of the dojo calming down now. Many headed for dinner in the communal dining hall. It was one of those times where many can relax and tried to unwind after a morning and afternoon of martial arts training and lessons on weaponry. Shinji sat with Emiko and the two talked things over regarding the day so far and what to expect tomorrow. After dinner Emiko walked to her quarters while Shinji went to a small clearing in the woods. The woods around the dojo border the dreaded and infamous Aokigahara Forest, known locally as the 'Sea of Trees', but also more sadly, the 'Suicide Forest'. He began to put in some last minute practice in his punches, kicks, dips and footwork to dance and dodge around an imaginary opponent, as well as beginning to get the hang of minding his surroundings. The light breeze and sounds of evening insects relaxed him, but then something was heard.

He turned sharply to his right, now facing the thick and ancient tress before him. He can see only blackness in the darkening trees and he had this urge to go through the foliage. But he stopped, not by what was heard around him, but was not heard before him. Silence, dense, dead silence when compared to the ambient insect noises just meters behind him. Then he saw something lurking deep in the darkened woods but then was gently pulled back by two arms that hooked under his.

He turned around and assumed it was Emiko or the head sensei Makoto. But it wasn't either but instead another young man his age that shared his living quarters, Hojo Furuya. He was around the same height, but had lighter brown hair than Shinji's, a toned physique after spending two years in the dojo on and off, as well as something that stuck out to him; an innocence that wasn't lost. A 'gentle soul' as Emiko once described. More at home in a library studying than practicing deadly, efficient martial arts.

"行ってはいけません。(Don't go in there.)," Hojo said and then the presence in the darkened woods then went away, "学生が最後にそこに入ったとき、彼は彼がすべての時間感覚を失ったと言いました。 実際に彼が数時間去ってしまったと思ったのは2週間だった。 (Last time a student went in there, he said he lost all sense of time. Thinking he was gone for a few hours in fact turned out to be two weeks.)"

The moment he said 'lost all sense of time' vaguely brought back an incident Shinji himself experience in Hokkaido nearly two years ago. He never shared that memory with anyone and decided to keep it that way for now. So he nodded and went back to his quarters with him.

[11:44PM]

Lights out was two-and-a-half hours ago and suddenly he woke up from an acute dream. Not a nightmare per say, but it did stick with him. He took out his notebook from his backpack with the pen attached. He began to write down what he dreamt:

嵐の雲…日光や月明かりが彼らに隠されて…それから火、黒くなった地球…頭上を飛ぶ鷲と北へ向かって走り回っている馬で逃げる竜…そして私は落ちた。

'Storm clouds…sunlight or moonlight obscured by them…then fire, blackened earth…an eagle flying overhead and a dragon fleeing with a horse galloping heading north…then I fell.'

He closed his notebook and puts it back in the backpack. He sat up in his futon and brushed his blanket aside. He slept naked, as did Hojo, who slept soundly as usual. At times he envied the man's innocent nature, something he himself felt was taken away from him unfairly. He puts on a pair of black karate gi trousers and walked barefoot on the tatami floor. He slid the door open and walked along the wooden promenade away from his room for a brief stroll around the grounds before going back to bed. He just needed to clear his head.

Minutes rolled by and he found himself at the lakeshore. He also saw someone there, it was Emiko, nude. She just emerged from the water's surface and her figure with its curves glistened in the dim moonlight. He hid behind some bushes as to be not caught. But he kept looking at her, as she dried off and sat on the giant boulder, allowing the evening air to dry her off further. He cursed himself as he felt himself growing harder. Then, his blood ran cold as she called out, "隠す必要はありません、真鍋くん。 (No need to hide, Manabe-kun.)"

"たわごと (Shit.)," he lowly hissed and then popped his head above the bush, "うーん…こんにちは。 (Uh…hi there.)," he said bashfully.

"最近何してるの？ あなたはベッドにいるべきです。(What are you doing up late? You should be in bed.)," she asked as she turned her head slightly so her voice can carry to his general direction."

"あなたもそうではないですか？ (Shouldn't you be as well?)," he said, as he stood up, thankful his lower half was obscured by the bush, but only heard her giggle a bit.

She smiled at him, "さて、ここの一流先生の姉妹として、私はほとんど特権を持っていません。 さぁ…ここに来てください。(Well, as sister to one of the lead sensei here, I do have few privileges. Now…come here, please.)," she beckoned him to come, but he was still indecent. Detecting his embarrassment, he called out, "私たちは十分に人里離れています。 ズボンを脱ぐことができます。 (We're secluded enough. You can take off your trousers.)"

He was frozen now and knowing he was damned if he didn't move, he gulped and did so. He slid off his trousers and held them under his right arm. He walked out of the bush and made his way to her. Climbing up on the boulder he was now exposed, "ごめんなさい。 (I apologize for this.)"

She looked at him from head to toe; his body more toned and muscled than before thanks to the training. His erection was surprising to her, but at the same time, flattering, 'しっかりした(Well-built.),' she internally mused.

She edged closer to him as the two sat close, shoulder-to-shoulder. He shuddered at the contact, just waiting for the shoe to drop and her just poking fun in a teasing way, but none came. Instead the two just relaxed, and then her right hand found its way to Shinji's left. The two then held each other's hands and stared out at the leg. They relaxed to point where any awkwardness that existed dissipated. Once his erection was gone he sat up straight, "今こそ、私たちの四分の一に戻る時が来たと思います。 (I think it's time for us to head back to our quarters.)"

She nodded, "あなたが正しい。 ありがとうございました。(You're right. Thank you.)," she replied and the two dressed up again and hand in hand, walked back together.

Shinji felt the silence enveloping them and decided to speak, "今日の午後、北条は私が森の中に入るのを止め、木の向こうに何かがあるのを見ました。 (This afternoon, Hojo stopped me from entering the woods when I heard and saw something beyond the trees.)"

Emiko stopped and looked at him, "あなたは何を見たの？ (What did you see?)"

She asked and he explained he thought he saw a boy spirit, how it was similar to the one he's seen when Koji and the priestess he's met expelling a spirit from a house. When he provided further detail of his encounter, she thought for a minute and her face changed from curiosity to seriousness.

"注意してください。 私たちは道場の敷地内に安全です。 しかし、いかなる状況下でも一人で森に入るな。 わかる？ (Be careful. We are safe within the confines of the dojo's grounds. But do not under any circumstance enter the woods alone. Understand?)"

He nodded and she relaxed a bit as the two headed back to their barracks. While he was in thought he felt her hand grabbing his and two held hands. He was surprised, but then felt comforted. They walked back in silence after that.

HAMBURG, GERMANY

[Speicherstadt, HafenCity, 4:45PM]

Asuka along with Eda and Bernhard were walking along the promenade of redbrick warehouses that has gone a facelift since last decade. Spending time at home and licking their own wounds since the trial have done wonders to their collective self-esteem. News of their friends in France, Juliette and Edmond have also revealed to them similar sentiments. Ahmed in Lebanon also called them, well, like the French musicians, Eda received the majority of the calls since New York. As the middleman between their group and the magi at the time, she became the unofficial representative to relay what everyone felt to the Moradi family in the States. But for now, Eda needed a break and she above everyone felt exhausted.

Asuka stopped and leaned on the railing that faced one of the warehouses that lined the canal, "Eda, Sie morgen Zeit für etwas Training? (Eda, you free tomorrow for some training?)"

Eda snapped out of her thoughts, "Oh ... äh ... ja sicher. Sorry, ich bin gerade in meinem Kopf verloren für ein bisschen. (Oh…uh…yeah sure. Sorry, I'm just lost in my head for a bit.)," she commented on her mental state.

"Du meinst seit New York und gegenüber in Sairgoth. (You mean since New York and across the door in Sairgoth.)," Bernhard interjected and she looked up at him, and nodded silently.

Asuka heard this and climbed up and stood on the railing with good balance and used her toes to spin around and face the two in question. Her gaze was squarely on Eda, "Schauen Sie, Sie können die Zeit jetzt nutzen, um Ihre Wunden zu lecken, was Sie wollen. (Look, you can use the time now to lick your wounds all you want.)"

She then jumped and landed. Then she walked up to Eda, "Aber Sie müssen einen Punkt haben, an dem Sie das Gefühl haben, bereit zu sein, das Leben wieder aufzunehmen. (But you have to have a point where you feel you are ready to take life on again.)"

Eda felt a bit boxed in but then looked into her friend's eyes, "Vertrau mir. Es macht niemals Spaß, auf irgendeiner Ebene gedemütigt zu werden. Sie müssen aber auch lernen, wieder aufzustehen und die Arbeit zu erledigen. Weil niemand es für dich tun wird. (Trust me. Being humiliated on any level is never fun. But you also must learn to get back up and do the work. Because no one is going to do it for you.)"

She felt a bit intimidated by her friend, but Bernhard came in, "Komm schon, Asuka. Genug. Wir sind immer noch erschüttert von dem, was passiert ist. (Come on Asuka. Enough. We're all still shaken from what happened.)"

Both girls looked at him, "Sicher, wir haben alle verloren und wollen nur eine Verkaufsstelle finden. Jede Möglichkeit, diesen Ärger abzulassen. Aber das bin nur ich. (Safe to say, we all lost and just want to find an outlet. Any outlet to vent this anger we're feeling. But that's just me.)," he added as he rubbed the back of his head, unsure of what will come next.

Asuka and Eda looked at him and then at each other. Asuka relaxed and spoke again, "Hör zu, es tut mir leid. Ich hasse es, dich niedergeschlagen zu sehen. Du bist nicht so. Du bist lebhaft und hast Lust, die Stadt zu erkunden, wenn wir nach einem Konzert zu Hause sind. (Listen, I'm sorry. I just hate seeing you beaten down. You're not like that. You're lively and itching to explore the city when we're home after a concert.)"

Eda smiled lightly, "Vielen Dank. Und nun ... ich fühle mich nach all den Monaten und dem Prozess einfach gedemütigt ... dann ist es still. Ich habe Angst. (Thank you. And well…I just feel humiliated after all these months and then the trial…then its silent. I'm scared.)"

Asuka and Bernhard knew this feeling as well. The silence after the rogues and Aurors after them, it was unnerving. But if they lived in fear, they'll never live this down. Bernhard coughed to clear his throat, "Warum gehen wir heute nicht einfach raus und betrinken uns sauer? Einmal in unserem Leben, keinen Scheiß geben. (Why don't we just go out tonight and get pissed drunk. For once in our lives, not give a fuck.)"

Asuka smiled at him, "Klingt perfekt. Eda? (Sounds perfect. Eda?)"

Eda looked at them both and nodded, "Sicher. (Sure.)"

LATER IN THE EVENING

[Reeperbahn, St. Pauli District, 9:34PM]

Eda was walking in the entertainment district while Asuka and Bernhard were still grabbing drinks. She knew they were enjoying themselves, but she needed the fresh air instead of the smell of alcohol. She walked around the block and opted to head back to the bar to meet up with her friends. As she turned the corner, she found herself in a different sort of alley. She walked down the cobblestoned path, thinking it will lead her back to the bar. Then she saw a sign that indicated a bar to her left. She then saw people walking past her dressed in old styled clothes, then realized it; she was in an esoteric neighborhood.

She walked faster to reach the end of the alleyway. She accidentally bumped past some people to reach the end and then heard shouts made towards her direction. They were shouting obscenities and other words she couldn't make out amidst the chaos. She then started to run while others were shouting for her to wait a minute. She didn't listen and as she reached the end of the alley she bolted right and ran. Not once did she look behind her and then as she dodged the people in front of her and then bumped into Bernhard.

"Whoa, whoa! Was ist passiert? (What happened?)," he asked her as held her by the arms, "Ich ... ich ... ich rannte an Magiern und Mystikern vorbei. Ich schätze ... ich bin in eine Gasse wie die in London gegangen. (I…I…I ran past some magi and mystics. I guess…I guess I walked into an alleyway like the one in London.)"

Asuka next to Bernhard listened and then sees esoterics in the distance, "Sie sind dir gefolgt. Wir müssen umziehen. (They followed you. We have to move.)," she grabbed Eda's arm.

The then started walking as in the distance, German Aurors were ordering others to split up and follow them. Hoping to corner them and take them back to the hidden zone. They walked and Asuka sees the Operettenhaus, "Gehen wir hinein und schleichen den Rücken raus. (Let's head inside and sneak out the back.)," she told the two in question, "Dann trennen wir uns und treffen uns am Bahnhof St. Pauli! (Then we split up and meet at St. Pauli Station!)"

Bernhard looked behind them and sees three coming from the distance, "Sie kommen! (They're coming!)"

Asuka, Eda, and Bernhard snuck inside the entrance as security was talking on the phone uttered to the two, "Jetzt wollen wir es bewegen! (Now, let's move it!)"

They ran down the hallway heading for the service area, the narrow way was a challenge with working doing cleaning and moving stuff around. They then found their way backstage and moved between the theatre workers. Once towards the back of the building they split up. Bernhard took the route via Zirkusweg, Eda via the long way around and then Bernhard-Nocht-Straβe, and Asuka barreling down Beim Trichter to distract the Aurors in question. As she took out three single handedly in close-quarters combat, Bernhard sprinted towards the station while Eda whose stamina allowed her to run her longer route was more hidden.

Asuka then pushed her way through the Aurors, ran for the station and sees Bernhard, waiting. They see the train arriving and no sign of Eda. Eda meanwhile reach the corner of Seewartenβe and Helgoländer Alle. She sprinted and even at full speed, she found she was not out of breath. Each step she took felt like she was flying. She dared not look behind her or to the side. She sprinted and heard in the distance the train was coming. She crossed the street not caring about the cars and was now on the right side of the street, where the station was located. Another red light was in front of her along Reeperbahn and Helgoländer Alle. She ran past the cars, ignoring the honks and beeps and narrowing missing a moped. She ran up the path and down the stairs, jumping several to go faster. She used her card to pass on the scanner and jumped the gates. As she sees the train stopping she sees Asuka and Bernhard there holding the door. She ran inside the car and the doors closed.

Eda panted as she held onto one of the metal bars inside as the train moved. She looked up at the ceiling and then at her friends. She then felt something broke and for the first time in weeks, broke down crying. Not so loud to draw attention, but enough to let some of her bottled up emotions out. Asuka knelt down to comfort her while Bernhard stood to block other's view of Eda, giving some semblance of privacy. It was a while before they headed back home.

SEPTEMBER 2012, WEEK TWO

KINGDOM OF MICHON HOUSE, SAIRGOTH

[Duchess Florianne de Michon's Bathhouses, Wednesday, 11:23PM]

Dante was working and after a month and fifteen days of working, he felt his body getting used to the pain, the heat, the work, the sweat, the odor, and his brief moments of relief on some nights, his body got accustomed to the work. Meaning his body acquired lean, toned, tough muscles from the manual labor he had to endure and a strict diet on whatever he's given for sustenance. His only solace was recounting mathematical equations and astronomical bodies that gave him peace of mind in his darkest moments. Once done he felt ushered in line to head back to the workers' quarters to rest for the brief night before going back to work.

"Rest up you dogs! Tomorrow is our big day! The duchess's birthday so work and put your balls to the wall," the foreman hollered as Dante looked forward as he felt the iron chains on his ankles chaffing his skin again, causing it to bleed a bit.

Once back in his quarters, it was cold due to the cooling climate outside with the wind coming in and he huddled on the now dirty wool blanket. But it still had the sheen to it when it was new. The coin he hid behind a loose brick was still there. He didn't trust himself to use it and be reprimanded for it. So he hid it and only had tomorrow to work more, he felt his faith on his release diminishing wondered if he'll return home by the year's end. Then he went to bed.

He didn't know what time was it, or how much he actually slept, but he began to stir. Feeling his body still heavy with sleep and barely was able to open his eyes when he felt his body floating. He looked up and it was the old man who gave him the blanket, which still wrapped his body. Dante wanted to speak, but fell asleep again. Blackness enveloped his consciousness again, seeing patterns of light in random waves in his mind's eye. Feeling as if he was flying about and feeling other forces around him, and then he saw himself diving into water.

At a new location, somewhere far from the bathhouses, Dante's body was in a hot spring with healing properties. His bruises, lacerations, blood, soot, and burns were slowly being cleaned off him and wounds healing. Then he was carried out by unknown hands and laid down on a padded cot where his body was scrubbed thoroughly by cleaners/healers. Then was brought to the spring again for a final rinse to finish the healing process. Dante was asleep the whole time, never feeling what was going on.

Dreamscape

Dante was swimming underwater seeing creatures of the deep around him. A mixture of fish, mollusks, predators, and even mythological creatures like the kraken and the leviathan. Then he felt himself rising from the sea and heading for the surface again. He floated on the sea's surface and looked upward, seeing the Milky Way and a sky full of stars, clearer than anytime on Earth save for remote places. To his eye, the sky looked closer to the northern hemisphere, but it was not entirely the same. With different constellations and stars, which confused him further. He also saw something flying above him in a circular pattern. He squinted his vision and it was an eagle judging by the wings and flight pattern. He wondered why an eagle was doing far from land, unless he was close to shore somewhere.

~Reality

Dante's unconscious body was carried from the spring to be clothed. The old man who carried him to this place was observing the process before returning him to his world. He then turned to the elf Alastair sent, "Has payment been sent for the labor enforcer?"

"Aye sir. This is finally resolved and his poor bastard can now go home," the elf said, who turned out to be Ellie was carrying him, "Labor was extended due to the holidays and the duchess's name day. But all is well now."

The old man nodded and noticed Dante's hand moving, as if in a writing gesture using an invisible pen to write things out:

Dreamscape

Dante was now in a college lecture hall writing complex equations on a blackboard. To him it looked more like religious scripture, his attempt to understand the universe, his new reality/home, and the nature of esoteric forces between magi and mystics. But as he wrote down the elegant lines with chalk he stopped and stepped back, looking at it all, which stretched from the bottom to the top, from one side of the wall to the other.

"A mosaic of my old knowledge, and the new," he muttered, then he heard someone entering, an Englishman in a white coat, "Looks like you're working hard my boy."

Dante smiled, "Professor, I'm surprised you've come. I'm just working out the things I've seen and observed in my usual way," he said as he set down his stick of chalk.

"What brings you here professor? I've never dreamt of you since leaving home," he spoke to what he worked out was his imaginings of an old physics professor of his when in Oxford.

The professor smiled, "Well this is a dream right? So you can concur that at times of great stress and pain, I come here to remind you of your mental capabilities and accomplishments."

"My old accomplishments were never fulfilled. I was just a naïve boy," Dante spoke to his professor in a self-deprecating tone.

"You were a boy. Now you're a young man."

Dante looked at his old professor, who still looked no older than his late thirties. Usually when he imagined him, the professor would be older, somewhere in his early fifties. He often mused himself that his mind was logical to the point of aging those who shaped him. But something was wrong. He can't remember how he arrived in the lecture hall. His face grimaced as he tried to recall a memory of him in water, but nothing. He looked out the window to see the rest of the university and the rest of Oxford.

"I wonder if you're real and my time in the new reality is a dream," Dante spoke softly.

The professor walked down the stairs to approach Dante. Once near him he puts his hand on Dante's left shoulder, "As the prince walked around the palace, everyone was asleep. For he knew the whole world at this moment was asleep."

Dante blinked and chuckled, "Prince Siddhartha. When he took his small steps to becoming Buddha," he said and the professor smiled and chuckled alongside him.

Dante settled himself once more, "I wish we can meet again, to properly say goodbye. I know this is all a dream and…" but the professor shushed him and Dante stood there, waiting for him to respond.

"What are dreams but impressions of the lives we led, lad? In addition, what if you're visiting me in my safe haven? A place I felt at peace in for a time, now a time capsule of memory?"

Dante listened, now feeling like the innocent schoolboy again listening to the man's lectures. Then the dreamscape around him began to shake a bit, "I think it's time for us to part."

The professor said and Dante saddened, "Wait! I want you to stay a bit longer! Please, just stay," he pleaded but the professor nodded a no, but maintained that soft and enigmatic smile.

"Remember, we're both real. We make mistakes, and not just part of some deity's dream," then the professor truly looked sad, "I know our time wasn't long together, and we will part ways one day. But until then, promise me one thing…"

The professor clasped Dante's right hand, "Keep going, don't give up, and never forget to live," then the dream started to collapse around them, the professor disappearing and Dante falling down a black void with a pinpoint of light coming closer and closer.

~Reality

The older man looked down at Dante's face, noticing a small smile formed on the young man's face. He was amused inwardly and as the portal was close, glowing a whitish-blue light. The old man looked around the ruins of the ancient area of the Sairgothian city, the portal was stable due to guardians of the area to ward off treasure seekers or looters, "Is the boy ready," one guard asked in a gruff tone.

"Aye. The boy is ready," the old man replied and settled Dante on his feet, gently stirring him awake. On shaky feet Dante stood, and his eyes slowly opened, unsure of where he was and why he was not in the bathhouse.

He looked at and sees the old man again holding his royal blue blanket, not cleaned and dried. Dante looked at himself and he sees himself cleaned up and even healed of his burns and wounds. Then he raised his gaze and sees before him, the portal. Immediately he knew what this was, this was his way home; back to Earth and to his family and friends.

He was nudged a bit to go forward, "Do not be afraid. This will lead you home," the old man said and Dante looked up at him, and then re-focused his gaze to the portal.

"And what happens now," he asked quietly as if it was to himself, and the old man answered for him, "You will be home and you will live your life as a free man. Your sins are forgiven in the eyes of The Master."

"The Master?"

The old man smiled to him, "It's what you humans also believe in, God."

Dante said nothing and simply nodded. He began to take his steps forward to the portal and he stopped, he turned around to the old man, who gently nodded that it will be all right. Dante nodded in return and walked to the portal, which glowed and exuded energy that upon getting closer, the energy felt coming toward him to take him into the portal. It was a peculiar sensation, as if swimming near a whirlpool. He stepped in and then he was tumbling down the portal, with patters of light and color around him, pulling him down and down and then, blackness.

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA

[Ciudad Jardín Lomas del Palomar, Thursday, 7:23AM]

Adriana was on her jog, clearing her head of the past month and a half with Dante still gone. Her parents were still distraught over this and with no news since the trial; all they could do was be patient with his eventual return from hard labor. As she was on her return route home, with which things are changing in the coming weeks with an eventual move to a bigger home thanks to a compensation delivered on behalf of the magi to LMM for their services in combating the rogues, she noticed something upon closer inspection. Outside of the wooden gate of her family home she sees Dante lying down on the sidewalk sleeping. She rushed to him, "Dante! Dante! ¿Estás bien? (Dante! Dante! Are you okay?)"

She shook him, "Qué? (What?)," she groggily said and looked around, noticing where he was, home and looked up, his sister, "Adriana?"

She hugged him, "Maldito idiota ¿Por qué vos y tus amigos se mezclaron en toda esa mierda en Europa y América? (Damn idiot! Why did you and your friends get mixed up in all of that shit across Europe and America?)," she was mad, but gladder he was home again.

She brought him up in a sitting position and he answered tiredly, "Supongo que no quería quedarme al margen y dejar que se produjera una guerra, y bueno ... mis amigos místicos se habrían ido en un viaje de venganza que habría traído el infierno a LMM. Lo que sucedió fue un resultado más ... positivo. (I guess I didn't want to stand by and let a war to happen and well…my mystic friends would've gone on a revenge trip which would have brought hell upon LMM. What happened was a more…positive outcome.)"

Adriana looked at him, "Bueno. Ya apostó y ganó y perdió. Nadie puede decir eso y ser honesto al respecto. (Very well. You gambled and you won and lost. No one can claim that and be honest about it.)," she said and he nodded.

"Mamá y papá van a tener un ataque al corazón, ¿eh? (Mom and dad are gonna have a heart attack huh," he asked and she chuckled, "¡Joder, tienen razón! (Damn right they are!)," she smiled and helped him up on his feet.

From some distance away, a figure was observing Adriana helping Dante to his feet and entering their home. He smiled and walked down the block. The mysterious figure waited for the light to change and once it did, he crossed the street. Then a truck passed behind him and if someone was walking behind him, the figure of a person disappeared in the blink of an eye.

SEPTEMBER 2012, WEEK THREE

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO

[Palacio de Bellas Artes, Wednesday, 10:05AM]

News of Dante's return reached the orchestra over the weekend. They were elated and relieved that he's alive and recovering well from his ordeal. His request to wait to return to orchestral and technical service in one month was more than allowed by Mohammad; he practically ordered Dante to stay home and recuperate. Mohammad found a replacement harpsichordist from Mexico's national conservatory who knew the repertoire LMM would be performing for the week. Since Monday, rehearsals have gone smoothly, and the replacement's talent was exceptional. But for most of LMM, the dynamic of the student's playing wasn't quite the same, even with Bernhard there to rehearse with him and ease the new player into the fold. The language barrier was solved with Alberto and Cecilia speaking Spanish and translating into English and vice versa.

[11:15AM]

"Okay! Break!"

LMM slowly stretched as they got up and walked around on stage and stepped off to grab their water, snacks, or catch up on messages from their families; i.e. missed calls, emails, text messages, tweets, and just kicking back after catching up. Mohammad and his wife Dania were speaking to their daughter on Skype, who was with her fiancé Liam, both of who were on assignment in the Congo with a documentarian.

Meanwhile, Christine was sitting down with Jang, talking about the recent news back home with a police commissioner assigning a deputy officer to oversee the policing of esoteric groups in the city. Two rows behind them were Gilberto and Zane discussing their friend who was in Baltimore to compensate not being able to travel for the time being, also due to the recent security measure in New York. Mike, who was revealed to be a mole for the Aurors during the trial, was still hired as cameraman for the group, going over some footage during recorded so far. Shinji and Asuka were on stage still talking, him sitting and her standing over him joking and him bashfully responding to her. Juliette and Edmond were also on stage but her on his lap casually discussing the new art exhibits to see in the city later in the evening. Eda was with Bernhard talking about the protests dying down or picking up in their country, and due to her unofficial role as mediator between the magi and LMM, she is still getting the newspaper The Eagle's Eye with news on the WWAEI's new efforts in mobilizing on the European continent but splintered to go after their own agendas and factions with different acronyms. However due to her research and information she was still able to gather, the number of groups reported in the esoteric media is only a fraction of what is out in the continent.

"Was wir also im Grunde haben, sind veraltete Informationen, mit denen wir arbeiten können? (So basically what we have is outdated information to work with?)," Bernhard asked Eda as both drank their coffee from the thermos.

She nodded, "Seit New York ist es ein einziges großes Durcheinander. Und nur eine Zeitung, die etwas darüber erfährt, kann ich euch nicht auf den neuesten Stand bringen. Ich meine, wie kann eine Zeitung in einem fünfminütigen Artikel einen ganzen Kontinent abdecken? (Since New York it's been one big mess. And only one newspaper to learn about all of this, I can't give you guys up to date information. I mean how can one newspaper cover an entire continent in a five minute long article?)"

He nodded in silence and then something came up. A burning bit of information that was unanswered, "Wo ist Yuri in all dem? Er war unser Agent mit dem Wissen, dass er uns im Intelligenzspiel einen Kick geben sollte. (Where is Yuri in all of this? He was our agent in the know to give us a heads up in the intelligence game.)"

As the two German continued their discussion, Alberto was hanging with the Mexican student, whose name was Gabriel and just talked about their adjustment period until Dante comes back. Gabriel has dark brown eyes, black hair, tanned skin, and his polo shirt hugged his athletic build, thanks in large part to soccer he plays as well as a part-time job in a supermarket near his neighborhood. Gabriel also was relishing having this big chance to perform with an increasingly popular international orchestra from America. For him and his family, this was a godsend for further opportunities in the future. He was proficient on the harpsichord thanks to a recommendation from his professor at the conservatory; the piano was where he was more comfortable in.

Alberto was happy to see Gabriel was adjusting to the new situation, "Juegas bien en el clavecín. Y pensar que estabas nervioso por eso. (You play well on the harpsichord. And to think you were nervous about it.)," he smiled to his and everyone's new acquaintance.

"¡Todavía estoy jodidamente nervioso! (I'm still fucking nervous!)," Gabriel laughed, "Pero ustedes están muy tranquilos con todo el asunto. Estoy feliz por eso. (But you guys are very chill about the whole thing. I'm happy for that.)"

Alberto nodded, "Me alegra oír eso. Si las cosas fueran realmente malas, Mohammad tendría que ocupar el lugar de Dante esta noche. (Glad to hear that. If things were really bad, Mohammad would have to take Dante's place tonight.)"

"Pero si Mohammad también puede actuar en el clavicordio, ¿por qué me eligió para ayudar a llenar el asiento de Dante? (But if Mohammad can perform on harpsichord as well, why did he choose me to help fill in Dante's seat?)"

Alberto scratched the top of his head, "En primer lugar, tu video de ensayo fue bueno, por eso te eligió a ti. Segundo, dijo que está semi retirado y que preferiría dirigir su atención a la conducción. Pero eso es lo que nos dice. Creo que su viaje de poder como conductor es la verdadera razón. (First off, your rehearsal video was good, which was why he chose you. Second, he said he's semi-retired and would rather direct his attention to conducting. But that's what he tells us. I think his power trip as conductor is the real reason.)"

Gabriel laughed, "¿No es lo mismo para todos los conductores? (Isn't that the same for all conductors?)," he asked and both shared a laugh.

Gabriel then saw Cecilia leaving the auditorium, "¿A dónde va ella? (Where is she going?)," he asked.

Alberto looked, "Ella va a tratar de ponerse en contacto con Wilfredo, eso es todo. Vamos, tengo que mostrar a nuestros equipos de streaming. (She's going to try and contact Wilfredo, that's all. Come on, I gotta show you our streaming equipment.)"

While the two boys went to see the set up near the first row of seats, Cecilia found a spot in the concert hall where it was secluded and took out a wax candle and lit it. She then took out a small wooden orisha and placed it next to it while taking out rosary beads:

Em nome do Pai, do Filho e do Espírito Santo. Amém

She then did the sign of the cross and held out her hands and prayed for Wilfredo's safety alone from them and her:

São Miguel Arcanjo,

protegei-nos no combate;

cobri-nos com vosso escudo contra os embustes e ciladas do demônio.
Subjugue-o Deus, instantemente o pedimos,
e vós, Príncipe da Milícia Celeste,
pelo divino poder,

precipitai no inferno a Satanás e aos outros espíritos malignos,
qua andam pelo mundo a perder as almas.
Amém.

Her power flowed in and out of her as she prayed. She knew since the rogues, they were spiritual vulnerable and needed guidance in their time of healing and reconciliation with their shame. In addition, when he told her what happened near the Quebec border in a frontier town involving a woman, she was upset but then listened to him. She knew of the 'marriage bed' practice, and trusted Wilfredo to not take advantage of this. However, she knew that this was a slippery slope and sharing him with another woman during winter and summer made her wary nonetheless. Wary also of a past he privately shared with her as a testament of their trust in each other.

After calling upon Saint Michael for protection, she also prayed to the Virgin for forgiveness and love:

Avé Maria, cheia de graça,
o Senhor é convosco.
Bendita sois Vós entre as mulheres;
bendito é o fruto do Vosso ventre, Jesus.
Santa Maria, mãe de Deus,
rogai por nós, pecadores,
agora e na hora da nossa morte.

Amém.

MEANWHILE

BALTIMORE, MD, USA

[George Peabody Library, Mount Vernon Neighborhood, 12:23PM]

Rain just stopped and Wilfredo was thinking to himself over the past month or so. Then his destination was in view. Wilfredo arrived and paid the Lyft driver via his smartphone and as the car went off. He headed inside and absorbed the architectural wonder inside. It was like a fantasy library he read in fantasy or historical fiction mixed with steampunk elements. He headed for the front desk on the first floor, "Excuse me. My name is Wilfredo Pereira da Silva and I made an appointment to head for the rare books archive?"

The clerk looked over the database to look up appointments and found him, "Ah yes, from the City College in New York, on recommendation of Dr. Herbert Lynch. Come with me please," the woman said and she ushered him to the elevator nearby and once in, they went up three floors to then get out.

Once walking down the hallway she opened the door with her card and walked inside. He noted the cool air with low humidity to preserve the books inside, "Now, you requested a manuscript we have just uncovered in our collection. It was bought in 1894 from the British Museum, said to be from 1521, a later translation of Gnostic texts from a tome lost two centuries earlier."

Wilfredo nodded, "So I heard. Can't wait to get started," he said, and with that the clerk nodded and headed out, "A copy of the key is on the table if you need to leave for a break or restroom," then the door closed, starting his next few hours of research.

[3:34PM]

Wilfredo returned from the restroom and got to writing again on his laptop with his two notebooks open with notes galore and pen lying on top of one. As he was writing about the age of the pages and the way it was written, he was near certain the old book was a genuine article. As he looked over his notes once more, he then heard the beeping from the door behind him. He turned around and sees whom it was, "Oh I'm sorry young man! I'm afraid certain dates got mixed up."

The female clerk said as standing next to her was an imposing German American businessman he gathered from his attire. He had greying hair that maintained its original black color still, metal-rimmed glasses, as well as a tailored dark grey double-breasted suit from Hugo Boss that hugged his broad-shouldered and muscular form, shiny black Oxford shoes, a tasteful and classic Rolex wristwatch with a brown leather band (unlike the gaudy, overly elaborate designs worn by hip-hop artists these days), and a leather notebook held close to his chest by his left hand.

Wilfredo had no idea what was going on, but he stood up, "Should I leave for a moment," he asked the receptionist, "No, no. It's not necessary. But Mr. Daluege is interested in seeing the tome for himself," she explained.

He eyed the older man in question and nodded as he stood aside to watch the older businessman look through the pages. At first he thought of a rich bastard who wanted to have something to show off to colleagues in an office party, but he noted how the man handled the pages. From the right off, the older man proved to have a reverence for books as he turned the pages carefully and reading the text as best he can. Wilfredo made a mental note of this but then was caught off guard as the man turned his attention to him while still reading, "What have you found out about this tome?"

He blinked and looked at the older man, "Um…The written text is in Latin and Greek, that was simple enough. But halfway it is switched to Classical Hebrew written in the style as when the Moors had control of Southern Europe and the Levant. So…I'm 87% certain that this copy of the original tome was probably done by either the same monk scribes, or a wealthy benefactor to the monastery who didn't want this to disappear into history."

The older man then took his eyes off the pages and looked at Wilfredo with a subtle expression, "Very good. However, it's not Classical Hebrew used by scholars, is it," he pressed Wilfredo for further details.

Wilfredo nodded a no and explained a bit of what he found, "Not really. What I meant was the style of Classical Hebrew was in the style of Mishnaic Hebrew used in the Talmud. Why the tome switched halfway through I haven't figured it out yet."

"Impressive. A student of history you are," the man said with a slight smile, "I'm Reinhard Daluege," he held out his hand for a polite handshake and Wilfredo took it, "Pleased to meet you."

The two shook hands and noticed each other's firm grip. Reinhard noticed the strength from Wilfredo while Wilfredo noticed Mr. Daluege's authoritative firmness. The two looked at each other in the eye, noticing something of a kindred understanding with regards to old books and history. Then the two continued to look over the book Wilfredo was researching and got lost in the minutia of the paper, the writing, the possible types of ink, and what it may entail.

[5:34PM]

Wilfredo exited the library and booked Lyft to take him to his hotel for the next few days. He made a call to his parents and told him everything was fine and he was heading to dinner soon. His mom wished him good health while his father told him to be careful. He assured them he would and his parents were at peace. Then after a bit of traffic he arrived to his hotel fifteen minutes later, the Four Seasons Hotel by the harbor. Sure going to a posh hotel was a bit out of his normal standards, but since he was going solo for this assignment and had enough money saved up for this bit of extravagance, he felt this was a treat. So he paid the driver and headed for the lobby.

"Excuse me," he called out to the receptionist (cute in his eyes) who turned to look at him, "Yes sir?"

"If I have any notifications from this orchestra," he handed her a business card for LMM with its printed contact information, "Can you notify me immediately?"

"Of course sir."

"Thank you," he smiled and excused himself as he headed up to his room via elevator.

[6:02PM]

On the sixteenth floor with a balcony, Wilfredo was wrapping up his shower. He wondered about Cecilia who now is in Mexico City with the rest of the orchestra, his own friends with them while as a mystic is barred from long distance travel until further notice, the new police commissioner, Lt. Choi was elected to keep tabs on esoteric communities across New York City, and a growing sense of suspicion from regular people. Since then, the economy of the esoteric community in New York has dropped like a stone, with police barricades around their neighborhoods to limit trade or businesses between them and familiars. Familiars have been extremely vocal, calling out the unjust measures to police their neighbors and scaring patrons away. The discrimination from people based on fears and knowing their grandparents' stories were true brought on a lot of mixed emotions, curiosity, and the fair share of uneducated people who want to start conflicts for its own sake. Looking for any outlet to let loose their anger over the destruction of areas of the island, not seen since 9/11. However, there are supporters from the Civil Defense League, the ACLU, and other human rights groups across the country feel the police response in line with the NYPD was extreme. The news blared on as he finished scrubbing and rinsing off the soap; he turned on the cold water for a quick blast to ease his tense muscles. Then he finished and turned off the water.

He stepped out of the shower and dried his hair and held his towel, not minding his nudity in the privacy of his room. His notes were on his desk alongside his laptop in sleep mode. He sat down exposed and turned on the TV. Dinner for him was in another hour or so, ergo, resting is the preferable option. He closed his eyes to imagine Cecilia was with him, his cock hardening to its full length and thickness, and started to stroke himself slowly but it was enough to ease his mind. Then just as CNN blared on the television discussing the upcoming primary election between two presidential candidates, and him enjoying his bit of self-pleasure imagining Cecilia sucking him off, rubbing his cock repeatedly. But before his fantasy can continue, a knock was heard from the door. He was curious and snapped out of his little session, hoping also that it may be news from LMM. He wrapped the towel around his waist and walked to the door, "Yes," he called out.

"A message for you sir," it was the receptionist from earlier.

Thinking it was from LMM he was about to open the door. But he looked down, noticing his still erect member responded with, "Can you slip it under the door? I'm indecent," he called out.

"Of course sir," she replied and the paper slid under the door, "Thank you," he called out as he heard the woman walking away.

He let the towel drop to the floor as he picked up the paper. To his disappointment it wasn't from LMM, but from one of his contacts who was helping him with something:

'Meet me at the bar in Fells Point. See you in 20. V'

Wilfredo knew who it was and groaned, "I don't want to go out…but I gotta," he told himself.

So, he grabbed his towel from the floor and got dressed. He noticed his erection as he walked and sighed. He took a couple of breaths and calmed himself so it can go down. Once it did, he got dressed and prepared to go out.

[Fells Point, Inner Harbor, 6:13PM]

Wilfredo was walking along the port with tourists and people walking around to start their evening. Dressed in a blue blazer, white shirt with the top buttons undone, and pinstriped trousers with shiny black shoes, he looked ready. His hair was still a buzz pattern but more now than during the trial. He received some looks from passing women, all complimentary glances. He simply nodded and headed inside the said bar/pub to meet his contact from back home. He showed his ID to the security guard and was permitted to enter. He spotted Vinnie down the bar and walked up to him.

"Hey man! I took the liberty of ordering for you," he said as Wilfredo sat down with a pint of ale for him, "Thanks. Cheers," Wilfredo said and clinked his glass with Vinnie. The two shared a sip before starting their talk.

"Looks like your plan to locate the guy is paying off," Vinnie said and he took out some photos from his brown satchel bag, "He's in Maryland as we speak making his way to DC."

Wilfredo looked at the photos and felt his plan was nearing completion, "So what are we waiting for? Let's grab the guy."

Vinnie sighed, "Unfortunately its not so simple. You see his father knew what Heinrich was doing with the WWAEI. At least that is the gist of it. And we need to know if the guy's father will cooperate with The Union and let us apprehend him. Otherwise, the father will suffer the consequences."

Wilfredo sighed and looked at him with a look of frustration, "Well that's not good. And with what's going on in New York, this is getting more complicated than it needs to."

"Don't worry about New York. My boss is overseeing that, but also there are rumors on what Mr. Rathbone will do to rectify the situation. So all in all, be patient."

Wilfredo nodded in agreement as Vinnie explained the situation and to his advice as well. He was right, being stressed won't help anyone or anything, "How far or close he is to DC," Wilfredo asked Vinnie.

The Italian American looked at the photos and answered, "Well we last saw him around Baltimore somewhere. If we can pinpoint him long enough, we can bring him in. But we need his father involved."

"Okay who's the father? ...Oh man."

"What?"

"I met him today at the library near the medical school. Reinhard Daluege. He was eyeing the Gnostic text. We find him, sit him down and explain the situation."

Vinnie clapped in near joy, "Perfect! He's in town and we can convince him to hand over his shit of a son!"

Wilfredo smiled, "Cheers to that," and the two clinked their glasses of beer and with that, off to a good night unwinding.

[George Peabody Library, Mount Vernon Neighborhood, Friday, 11:45AM]

Wilfredo was continuing his research on the old text and as he was writing on his laptop looking at his notebook with notes. He rubbed his temples as he felt a few drinks and flirting were harmless enough of consequences to deal with as he continued his research. Then as he set himself to continue, the door opened and it was the receptionist with a note.

"Sir. Sorry for interrupting. But I was instructed to give you this message," she handed him a written message and she excused herself. The message was loud and clear:

'Found the man. Meet me outside Willy. V'

Immediately he started to pack up his research and laptop. He closed the book and left the room. He soon found himself outside and sees the Lincoln Town Car parked gleaming in black and sees the hired driver opening the door for him. He walked quickly to it and as soon as the door closed, the car began to drive off. Wilfredo looked at the mirror and saw behind him was Mr. Reinhard Daluege and Vinnie. The latter waved at him and Wilfredo waved a bit back in greeting. The drive was nearly 20 minutes long when they arrived at the neighborhood in question.

[Roland Park, Baltimore, 12:05PM]

The gates closed as the car parked in front of a Georgian Colonial-Revival home that was three stories tall with immaculate gardens and one gardener working on the hedges. The valet opened the doors for Vinnie and Mr. Daluege while Wilfredo got out himself. The two young men then greeted the patriarch of the Daluege family and entered, "Welcome gentlemen, please come in."

The two entered, then followed by Reinhard and his valet, "Are you alone," Vinnie asked, Reinhard spoke, "My wife is in Washington DC visiting my eldest son. And aside from my house staff, we have little to worry about interruptions."

Vinnie and Wilfredo nodded, noting their good fortune they would be able to drop the bad news to the patriarch before them. Moments later they were in the parlor room, "We have something to go over."

Vinnie started but the stern man in question waved his right hand, "It's regarding my son Heinrich. Isn't it," he stated and the two young men nodded silently, "I knew it. I told the boy he was delving into matters far above his experience."

"Did this involve the group that took their conflict from Europe to New York," Wilfredo asked and the older man looked at him, "I know fully what went on in that fiasco. Your situation there is not so good at the moment with esoteric populations."

Mr. Daluege nodded as he sat down in his armchair and gripped the leather tightly, "What will happen when my son is brought to the authorities," he finally asked.

Vinnie sat down in a chair opposite him, "He will be tried and with your testimony, he will be released. But not without serving hard labor and sacrificing his right hand to answer for his crimes. He will live when he's home. That we can assure you."

Mr. Daluege blinked and as he looked to Vinnie he also glanced at Wilfredo who confirmed Vinnie's reveal, "I can say my friend here is right. This is the only merciful outcome for your son. I've been tracking your son up until Delaware. If your son is indeed here in Maryland, you need to say so. Otherwise you will be implicated in his crimes. Do you understand?"

Reinhard Daluege observed the two young men to detect any sort of falsehood. When he noticed none he slumped back into his armchair, "My son is in a suburb here in Baltimore. He called me to arrange for transport to Morocco to avoid arrest."

Vinnie and Wilfredo looked at one another and nodded, "Call him. Tell him exactly what's going to happen," Vinnie said and after a moment of surrendering to the inevitable, he took his cellphone from his pocket and dialed his son.

"Son…Son, it's me. Listen, there is some news I need to tell you…" and so he told him and after a few moments of going back and forth in argument, Reinhard can tell that his son ultimately accepted his fate and told his father the address.

LATER THAT EVENING

[Guilford, 8:55PM]

Wilfredo was walking with Vinnie through the wooded area towards the suburb where Heinrich's rented home was. They were also accompanied with a squad of police officers who affiliated with The Union were donned in clothes from the late 1940s with a pack of German Shepard dogs on leashes. As they came to the door they knocked and they waited for a response.

One of the police hollered, "Heinrich, Police!"

He knocked again loudly. No noise from within. He jerked his head to the door towards his partner and they placed their hands at the bottom and top lock and both were undone and they entered. They called around and the dogs whimpered. One of the police unleashed the dog and said, "Go, go Bess."

The dog went and started to bark and then whimpered. The police followed and found Heinrich on the floor, his left side of his head bashed in with a marble bust. "Damn." The man replied. "Vinnie, when was the call arranged to meet us?"

"It was 40 minutes ago. Wilfredo here can confirm it after negotiations with his father were made and Heinrich over the phone said he'll plead guilty."

As Vinnie relayed the information, Wilfredo knelt down and looked at the bust, cracked when it was thrown aside. Blood shone on it black and looked at the poor man, "No fingerprints."

"We'll send to our lab all the same." the one policeman replied. He went to a phone and dialed, "Hello this is Theodore Barnes Badge 3302; Apprehension. We have a cadaver down here at our designated pickup the victim is the pickup. Please send Det. H. Watkins with an apprehension squad we're dealing with a probable 25-30 minute old murder. We need to move fast."

He then hung up and he said, "Don't touch anything, Roger, leash the dogs. Watkins will be here in ten minutes," and the officer did just that while they then proceeded to contain the crime scene.

Ten minutes pass and the sound of sirens was heard not far from the house and a car pulled up. A portly old man in a corduroy jacket came up and he said, "Well, this is not the first I've seen. Seems one good old bash on the head. 20 to 30 minutes you say? Good."

He then motioned for silence and said, "Igrios," It showed a partial footprint socked. "Came up from the left."

As he was speaking to the cops and Vinnie listening, Wilfredo was looking to around and felt something else was wrong. He walked silently away and stood before a flight of stairs. He took off his shoes and walked upward. On the second floor he walked down the hall and sees a door not completely closed. He pushed it open and inside was the master bedroom. He took out a rag and used it to open the closet door and rummaged around. He then looked under the bed and found a box.

He opened it and it was full of documents, bank transactions, and a letter to his father. The feeling was still there and he left the bedroom to then look at the other rooms. One by one, empty and silent and the attic neither held clues. So the basement was his option left. He went back downstairs and around the corner to the end of another hallway a door was to his right and he opened it. It did indeed led to the basement. He walked down not minding the darkness and can see chests there and shelves of books.

"Wow."

Vinnie was heard as he bumbled about downstairs, "Willy? Willy you down here?"

"Yeah...those books I told you about? Well, they're all down here," he called out as he picked one up with the rag, a beautiful leather bound book in Hebrew.

"Bastard," he muttered about Heinrich in question, "Hoarding all of this down here."

Vinnie came down and he said, "Well, well. Hebrew, Aramaic, Farsi, Pre-Anglo Saxon, Basque, Early Gaul…man quite a haul." He pulled out his radio. "Hello this is V-1232 Possession Acquisition. You might want to send a few of the big boys down here we have a lot of contraband and we have a lot of pilfered goods."

"No shit," Wilfredo muttered as he looked around quietly. In his eye, he saw Heinrich there in the dark corner, knees up and his head lowered, crying silently. Wilfredo felt pity for him. One way for the soul to pass was to bless the body upon burial. Not to mention the whole house.

The portly gentleman came down and he saw the soul of Heinrich in pain and fear. He then gently spoke, his voice soothing and calm, "I know your fear boy. I know you died afraid. Nothing can harm you anymore. You have noting to fear now from the hand of man."

He raised a beautiful talisman that shined a majestic vibrant blue, "Go now, dear boy. Be at peace," the talisman glowed and Heinrich went from sadness to calm and a smile came on his face as he force went into the talisman. The old man sighed; "It's an damned pity." he spoke to the talisman.

"But rest assured you will fine justice with me. For my name is Henry Ipplethorp Watkins and you will have justice for your murder, boy. I swear it." He put the talisman in his pocket and he headed upstairs.

Wilfredo looked at the small display from the older man. He decided to head upstairs and can see cops walked around making notes, taking pictures, dogs sitting in the pantry, "Sir," Captain Watkins turned around, "Yes?"

He paused for a moment to then say what was on his mind, "I'm confused. Why would the murderers go through all this? And Heinrich was alone too. My team told me as much. And as far as I knew, he only was in cahoots with the WWAEI."

"Simple, lad. He was in with bad people. I know that. He was in with several guilds all of them could have done for him in this way. However it'll take time to narrow it all down. This method, this badgering on the head, it's common to every one of them. He didn't see who it was and his face was covered. We'll do a search of the area but we won't know more till we get The Pulse down here to dissect every part of this place in terms of energy and then give us an analysis."

The detective explained what his plan was to get to the bottom of this new development. Wilfredo nodded and then spoke, "There's a box upstairs in the master bedroom with all sorts of documents. That may have some clues for us."

He went upstairs and came back down with the box. He placed it on the table to take out the documents, folders, bank transactions, and strange looking black plastic sheets sticking out of a blank manila envelope. As the detective sifted through the box, Wilfredo took out the manila envelope with the X-Ray sheets and there were images on them. Instead of bones radiographed, instead there were images of objects and patters no way done by normal means. As he inspected the images more closely, he realized something, "Projected thermography?"

The detective heard Wilfredo mutter and looked at the images while he then stopped sifting through the documents, "We'll send it to lab, don't touch any receipts and we'll process all of this should take maybe two maybe four days."

Wilfredo looked at Watkins and nodded. So he put the images back in the folder and put it back in the box. The man then ushered two cops over to take the box to his police car and label it as 'top priority' along with the rest of the evidence. He walked toward the front door and went outside to stand at the porch of the house. Looking out into the darkened area due to the setting sun and the recent late summer rain made the early evening fresh and calm, despite the murder scene inside.

MEXICO CITY

[8:03PM]

One hour behind Baltimore, LMM was filling the auditorium with music; ranging from Baroque to Romantic. Unusual as per their usual repertoire and tonight was 'The Hebrides Overture' by Felix Mendelssohn as their first piece to start off the evening. This was their first time performing music by the famed composer. It signaled their return to their usual schedule of monthly performances, but also a rebirth of sorts. Personally, this signaled the time to leave the past half-year behind them start their Latin American tour on a good note.

[8:15PM]

Moving back in time musically they return to the Baroque with Concerto Grosso in D Major, TWV 54:D3 by one of their go to favorites, Georg Philipp Telemman. Horns, in this case trumpets, and strings blared throughout the concert hall and for the audience, it was a sight to see the talent of the group and the hard work they can feel in the performance. Then the basso continuo kicked in to propel the music forward and the musicians' collective energy felt alive again. Slowly but surely, they're coming back to form.

[8:34PM]

The next fifteen minutes, the orchestra is remaining in the Baroque period with music now from France. Marin Marais this time, and the music was performed once or twice before, 'Les Folies d'Espagne' on period instruments. Instead of a grand orchestra, only a few instrumentalists were performing; five in this case. Lionel performs on the viola da gamba, Cecilia on the tambourine, Alberto on a baroque guitar, and Asuka, along with Fatma on baroque violins. Funnily, this repertoire was a trip back in time musically; from the Romantic to the middle Baroque, a fun evening for all present and the orchestra.

The overture by Mendelssohn, look for the rendition by Les Musiciens du Louvre with conductor Marc Minkowski. The Telemann piece, look for the rendition by the Academy of Ancient Music with conductor Trevor Pinnock. The Marin Marais piece of music, look for the rendition in this album: 'Marais: La Rêveuse, & autres pièces de viole'.

Thank you.

LATER THAT NIGHT

[11:34PM]

"So everything is all right there," Cecilia asked over the phone, talking to Wilfredo.

She heard him sigh, "Not really. My network found the perpetrator who evaded us in New York. But he ended up murdered. Not sure why, but I'm starting to think we were all watched during our party two months ago."

She knew this would happen. It was impossible to not have an outside party to not put bets on the victor. However when he said this she asked, "We're you followed in any way at home or there in Baltimore?"

"Thankfully, no. I wasn't followed, nor was Vinnie. But if walls do indeed have mice, you know we can't speak further on this topic," Wilfredo said and Cecilia nodded, he was right.

While exercising precaution, she spoke regarding another bit of news she gathered in Brazil, "I do have some good news. Apparently, a production company across the Atlantic will have a pirate movie in the works very soon."

Wilfredo's ears perked up when he heard the key words, "Oh? Well that is interesting. And when will the stars of this new movie start rehearsals or filming?"

Cecilia smiled, knowing he would get a kick out of it laughed a bit, "In a month or two. I'll keep you posted. Now just try to do the best you can at home. I'll talk to you later," she said and made a kissing sound so he would hear her.

"Same to you. Take care and I'll see you when I see you, meu amor," he replied, also with a kissing sound, "Boa noite."

"Boa noite," she repeated and both hung up. Cecilia lied down on her bed and to her left was her roommate on the second bed, Fatma who was already sleeping with her laptop asleep as well, apparently finished with her long chat with Dante.

Cecilia got up to turn off the lamp but that stirred her friend awake for a moment, "Oh, thank you. Sorry," she said and Cecilia smiled, "Shush, sleep," she said soothingly.

Fatma nodded, "Dante is well now, resting. And…he said he will come out to perform with us in a month," she said tiredly, closing her eyes and let sleep embrace her, "Good night."

Cecilia brushed her friend's forehead, "Good night," and then she returned to her bed, turning off the light and got under the covers.

BACK IN BALTIMORE

[Saturday, 12:34AM]

Wilfredo was dressed only in his midnight blue dress robe, one he brought over from home. He was still working on his researching regarding the Gnostic texts from the library. As he read his notes and wrote on his computer, a knock was heard on the door, "Who is it," he called out.

"I come on behalf of Mr. Daluege," a different voice rang out, and curious he got up and closed his laptop.

He tied his robe's sash across his waist and opened the door, with the chain still on, "May I help you?"

The dressed up man in his turtleneck with a blazer on and grey trousers nodded to him, "Mr. Daluege wishes to see you downstairs in the bar. I know it's late, but he wishes to speak with you briefly on what has happened. Would you please come?"

Wilfredo looked at him and at himself, "Tell him I'll be there in five minutes," with that the man bowed slightly and left, and Wilfredo closed the door and went to find his pajama pants.

Five minutes later he was in the lobby and was walking to the bar and with only a few there having last drinks (not really a crowd to party until dawn), he sees Mr. Daluege there with a glass of Scotch whisky, neat. Wilfredo walked up to the bar and sat next to him, "How are you, sir?"

The patriarch in question looked at him, "I would like to thank you and your friend for what you tried to do for my son. And with him dead now, I feel it was imperative to have a drink with at least one of you."

Wilfredo looked at him, listening and knowing Vinnie already left town, he can at least have a drink with a grieving father, "Sir," he called over the bartender.

"Glass of water, please," he asked and the bartender went to pour some in a glass, but Reinhard stopped him.

He looked over to Wilfredo, "Why not try some cognac," and Reinhard told the bartender to pour some Courvoisier XO Impérial Cognac into a glass and the man returned to hand Wilfredo his glass.

Wilfredo looked it over and took a sip, "Delicious," he commented and Reinhard waved to the man, "It's on me."

The Portuguese wanted to object, but since Reinhard invited him, he wasn't going to protest. So with the tab settled, the two sat in silence drinking their whisky and cognac to let the events pass over them. Wilfredo felt the relaxing effects of the drink and was more relaxed. Reinhard however was silently grieving and working on the wording on how to relay this tragic news to his wife and eldest son. Another half hour past by and the two just took their last sip of drink before bidding one another a goodnight. Wilfredo heading upstairs to return to bed, and Reinhard heading out to the Town Car and headed home.

NEW YORK CITY, NY, USA

OCTOBER 30, 2012

[Astoria, Queens, Tuesday, 2:12PM]

Mazhar was listening to this episode on his MacBook Pro via his iTunes account to watch and listen to when it was two years after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and when that city took a long time to recover due to government inactivity. This time, another super storm struck his hometown of New York City and nearly all of it was at a standstill. Portions of Brooklyn were evacuated and those in New Jersey got hit the hardest, in particular around the Atlantic City area. He felt relatively safe in his home with his family, but knew things can change until the hurricane would pass. He quietly filmed the rain and wind outside with his camera, one he made waterproof but not sure if its debris proof.

He then heard his mom calling him from downstairs, "Son! Lunch is ready," he puts his camera on a tripod still recording, "I'm coming!"

He then made his way downstairs and sees his dad, mom and sister. Since remaining at home he was only dressed in a white shirt with dark blue sweats, and walked around barefooted. They stocked up ahead of time and due to past experiences on their travels, with things hustled about and their orchestra nearly destroyed in the past months, a natural disaster was easy to prepare for. Hell, his parents were witnesses and veterans of the Lebanese Civil War. His dad has a disassembled AK-74 in a trunk in the attic, just in case for home invasion he would say half-jokingly. Lunch was typical with hummus, pita break, rice, a Lebanese-style mixed salad, some red wine, lamb kebab, and the news on in the sitting room.

"New Jersey is fucked and so are we," Mazhar commented which got him reprimanded by his mom, "Language please," Dania said as she took a piece of pita to dip into the hummus.

"But…you are right. We should be worried if the same happens here," she said as she passed the salad to her husband.

Mohammad accepted it and put some on a separate plate, as in accordance to Lebanese dining, having a lot of things on the same plate is seen as uncouth. Best to have some small plate to have them separate or eat one thing at a time and maximum, two things on the main plate. The family were eating in relative silence with the news and Yasmin arrived just before the hurricane hit and told Liam over the phone the airports were shut down and access to the city was becoming nigh impossible. He understood and since he wanted to visit her, he was disappointed overall.

Yasmin looked over the news, "The kids are going to try and see what they can do once the storm is passing by."

Mohammad looked at her, "Don't we know it. But that would help us," he said and Dania spoke up, "To see which areas are in fact affected and which areas are still safe to travel to."

Mazhar listened, "They're already doing it," he said and his family looked at him where he explained further, "From City College to Long Island City they're looking on what can still be used for work."

MEANWHILE

[New York City Rescue Mission, Lower Manhattan, 2:32PM]

The boys got to Times Square the old fashioned way; taxi vans and bikes despite the conditions. 15% of the borough was flooded, taking the trains was out of the question, and they were in the middle of a storm that is on par with Hurricane Katrina. They had their backpacks and instruments with them, but due to some flooding, they had to walk the rest of the way and may stay the night if the storm got worse (they brought sleeping bags just in case). Four of them were prepared, but Zach was well, less than enthusiastic.

"I hate this rain and wind," Zach said as he carried his backpack and thanked God that it was a deluxe waterproof one, but it didn't mean shit if a car passed by any second to dose him and his friends in a wave of drainage, "Why did I agree to do this?"

Zane looked behind him as he walked forward, "Cause you were in town, you volunteered, and you were a dumbass to say yes. You could've stayed back at the hotel in Queens, but hey, you're here."

The guys in question, Zach, Zane, Gilberto, Jang, Alberto, and of course Wilfredo were walking in a line, enduring the storm. They headed for the homeless shelter and once inside they were greeted by the chief organizer; a full figure but no doubt on top of things black woman who shook each of their hands, "So sorry about this! But it seems the storm has made this a bit inconvenient for you fellas."

"No problem," Alberto said, "A promise is a promise," he smiled and she smiled in return.

"Come. Let me show you around," so it was a brief tour and introduction to the shelter and immediately got sent to work. Zach and Zane were sent to do soup duty, preparing for dinner that night. Alberto and Gilberto were sent to play with the children. Wilfredo went to help counselors regarding organizing the rosters and providing snacks and beverages. Zach brought along his camera, but for the most part, fly on the wall documentary as opposed to following his friends around.

LATER IN THE EVENING

[Yorkville, 9:00PM]

Señor Ramón Tenorio-Reverte was walking in the rain with his raincoat, big hat, clutching his leather bag hanging from his left shoulder over his chest. He then headed for his colleague's shop with sandbags around it as a precaution. He opened the door and whistled, "Alex," he called out.

A late thirties man came down the short but winding staircase from the upper floor of rare books. In fact, the shop, La Ponte & Sons, specialized in dealing and researching rare books from the 20th century to as far back as the 15th century. Alex came off as a preoccupied individual, with work never done for bibliophiles or rich bastards just wanting to impress colleagues. His favorite customers are esoteric familiars and true aficionados of history and books. His grey eyes looked over the Spaniard, as he was dressed for the evening, with the shop closed to customers, in a nightgown over grey trousers and slippers. His apartment was located in the building, five floors above.

"Tenorio. Beautiful weather outside isn't it," he said in his familiar New York accent, "You got the information I asked for?"

Tenorio took off his hat at the door and hanged it on the clothing rack along with his drenched raincoat, "The weather is something to be desired, but I much rather prefer some wind to a deluge," he said in his accented English.

As he held his bag as he then took out a notebook. He set the bag down on a nearby chair and opened it to read what he's found out, "Three alleged copies of books pertaining to the influence of early 20th century writers of occult themes and existentialist philosophies are reported in three locations: Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, The Eisenstein Foundation in Boston, as well as one that has traveled from Vermont to now stored and hidden in the Braddock Carnegie Library in Pennsylvania."

"Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and now one conveniently in Pennsylvania," Alex muttered and as he poured himself from Remy Martin brandy and also some for Tenorio, he walked over to the Spaniard and handed him the glass, "Isn't it strange that the location is just outside of New England?"

Tenorio also nodded in agreement, "Indeed. I actually dug deeper into the third book and it originally was located in Harvard University," he said and Alex laughed a bit.

"Hot damn! We got ourselves a Lovecraftian treasure hunt," he said and Tenorio was a bit confused, "Why are these books important regarding a pulp fiction author?"

Alex sipped his brandy before responding, "There are people who genuinely believe the author did have access to some texts regarding his fictional Necronomicon. However, he has stated he created his own idea of a book of the dead to exaggerate what people usually expect of funeral rites or occult books on the subject," he explained.

Tenorio eyed him, "And your client told you these three books are perhaps different. Perhaps the genuine articles of esoteric lore that influenced his works and just maybe," he sipped his brandy, "Found something that scared him."

Alex pointed his glass to him, "You got it. Something scared the 'Cthulhu mythos' creator and more than likely, is connected to forgotten lore, from the silver age or something like…"

But before he continued, the Spaniard shushed him and Alex noticed the serve expression on his face, "Never mention that particular age out loud. Remember, the walls have rats. Also, that particular time in esoteric lore is left unsaid and never in a light tone. For them, it's the equivalent of Earth's Atlantis, Adam and Eve expelled from Paradise, and other lost civilizations, or literary worlds of Tolkien's Middle Earth, or even the world of Ice and Fire by George Martin. A fall from grace that have left them truly, in a broken world…a world that has remained broken according to their faith."

Alex listened and noticing the lack of levity in it, he knew now he almost stumbled upon a topic that may get him in trouble later. But he did press on regarding the client, "And this client…have you had a chance to meet him? Or was it all through letters?"

Tenorio relaxed a bit, "All through letter correspondence unfortunately. However, I would say this; whoever this client of ours is, we must tread carefully."

And with that the two finished their business, Tenorio bidding his friend a good night and wished him luck in braving the storm. But as the storm raged outside, Tenorio saw it was not safe to venture outside. Alex told him he has a spare bed upstairs in his apartment and extra pajamas. Later, Tenorio finished getting ready, already showered and put on a spare flannel nightshirt with a nightcap. He went to the guest bedroom of the apartment, small but comfortable. He got in bed and began reading a copy of the Bible. The wind howled outside and the rain harder on the window. He read for a while before ultimately, turning in.

Meanwhile in his bedroom, Alex was reading H.P. Lovecraft's letters regarding his correspondence to Robert E. Howard. He was now looking for something this client he and Tenorio share and what was actually being sought. When he looked at the clock, he needed his sleep so reluctantly he turned in as well.

LATER

Back at the homeless shelter, it was ten o'clock and the homeless shelter closed for the night. Zane, Wilfredo, Alberto, Gilberto, and Zach were sleeping on cots, the only five available with the rest of the cleaned up poor and homeless people who were there for the storm and transitioning between places. The five guys were exhausted by their rushed afternoon of serving food, playing music for those who listened in the recreation room, played with some of the children on board-games,

One man was rushing with wood down the hall and heard a banging at the service entrance at the back. He rushed to the sound and opened it. Outside in the rain and wind was a young woman of 5'10", probably 23 or so, with blue eyes, sandy blonde hair, and wearing a blue rain slicker over her clothes, "Hi I'm Melody Turner! From Human Resources! Can I come in?"

The man nodded, "Yeah come in! Hurry," he told her and she rushed inside to dry off.

The door closed and the man looked at her, "Sorry but how come you didn't come sooner," he asked her.

"Boss had me work on another assignment before being told to come here to work part-time with everything else. But here I am," she said with an infectious smile

The man smiled back, noting her good spirits, "Very well. Glad you could come. Now, help me board up some of the windows would ya? I'll let you speak to the person in charge in the morning."

She smiled as she followed the man outside quickly to board up four windows. It took some time but once done she rushed inside with the man. She dried off, showered, and changed into some fresh clothes, "Thanks for the help Ms. Turner."

"You're welcome. Melody is fine though," the man bashfully chuckled and guided her to a room with other occupants, "There is one cot left next to that guy over there."

Melody looked at where the man was pointing, "Ah I see," she whispered, "Thank you," and with that the man left and she headed over to the available cot to sleep on. She looked at her phone one more time to send a text before turning it off. She lied down on the cot and closed her eyes to sleep.

BURLINGTON, VT, USA

NOVEMBER 2012

[Thursday, 8:23PM]

Now in the beginning of the Thanksgiving weekend, Tiffany Hopkins was home from Dartmouth College. She invited her friends to come who all are also home for the holidays with their family. For the Hopkins family, holiday celebrations are their chance to pull out the stops in terms of food and giving back to the community. Namely donating to soup kitchens and homeless shelters across New England while in Burlington, they take part in the city's celebrations. Extended family came over from Massachusetts, and even as far as France and southern England. She was now in a sitting room with other women and can hear various conversations in English spoken in a clipped Mid-Atlantic accent, West Country accent, and French. Alisson was approaching her as she stood in front of the window door that led to the gardens, "How are you this evening?"

Tiffany turned to her, "I'm well, and yourself?"

Alisson smiled, "Warm and well fed. Listen, I had someone look into the client from Pennsylvania. My advice, don't go to him for anything," and this revelation got her friend intrigued.

Noting the now serious expression on Alisson's face, Tiffany pressed forward, "What do you mean? Is he lying to several people or he's got something even more valuable?"

Alisson however shook her head in a no and explained, "The Braddock Carnegie Library, the Eisenstein Foundation in Boston, and Brown University. Three locations that conveniently link to a client many booksellers and collectors are linked to. Rumor has it, it involves H.P. Lovecraft."

Tiffany arched an eyebrow, "How does this client relate to a pulp fiction writer?"

Alisson sighed as she looked out at the garden and touched the cold glass, "Apparently there is some truth in the writer's works. Ronald is looking into this client as best he could, but even he is hitting roadblocks. Roger is busy with his father and uncle on assignment in hunting a man possessed by a Wendigo with members of the Iroquois in the Green Mountains."

Tiffany didn't like this, knowing even her friends at their best can do little in uncovering mysteries. She then had a brainwave, "Contact Wilfredo in New York. He seems to have made a network of informants since his return. Maybe he can snoop out the truth in this client."

Alisson blinked and thought on it for a moment, "Well, he did end up saving a mutual friend of ours and pushed back the rogues with the help of his allies," she then came to a decision, "Sure, I'll contact him.

Tiffany smiled a bit, "Perfect. Let me know when other developments come up," and once thanking her, Alisson sauntered off to make a call.

This left Tiffany in her spot to watch the darkened gardens. Her agenda regarding this whole predicament is hidden and her motivations for trying to rope in Wilfredo are mercurial at best. But she feels if he can be in her inner circle with the rest of her friends, her work into archaeology and the supernatural would progress much more quickly. She sips her wine.

NEW YORK CITY, NY, USA

DECEMBER 2012, WEEK ONE

[Flushing, Queens, 5:34PM]

Lt. Margaret Choi returned to her home on 143rd St. She pulled into her driveway and locked the car. Once inside her home, a brick and mortar home with a maple tree in the front yard, she sees her ex-husband working feverishly on the laptop and communicating with local law enforcement on the whereabouts of their children. Since the beginning of Marshall Law in the city when containing and monitoring the esoteric populations, she's received threats and support in equal measure. She isn't aiming to infringe on the rights of the city's citizens, but the incident involving a gunpowder explosion and several chases across Manhattan and the boroughs, she had no choice and the formation of the EBI (Esoteric Bureau of Investigation) in conjecture with the NYPD and the FBI has made things complex. Then two weeks ago happened, with the passing of a measure that has affected esoteric economies across the city, two of her children were kidnapped. Her other two children with her husband were safe in San Francisco with her ex's extended family.

Her ex-husband Doug Chen looked up, "Nothing?"

She nodded and sighed as she sat down across from him in her armchair, "Nothing," she asked in return.

He also shook his head in a no. Both had no luck in finding their children and then he spoke in Mandarin, "无论谁做到这一点，从逻辑上讲都是一个深奥的人。但是，我怀疑这个城市里有人。 (Whoever did this is logically an esoteric person. However, I doubt it was someone here in the city.)"

She nodded, "这将引发一场大红旗，并推动城市与他们之间的紧张关系更高。许多人最终会要求更严厉的治疗。所以我们很幸运将此视为标准绑架。巧合不谈。 (That would have raised a big red flag and drive tension between the city and them even higher. Many would eventually ask for harsher treatment. So we are lucky to treat this as a standard kidnapping. Coincidence aside.)"

Doug nodded and takes off his glasses and held them between his fingers, "确实。但话说回来说，我们所能做的就是继续努力，希望我们能有所收获。(Indeed. But with that said, all we can do is keep working and hopefully a stroke of good luck will come our way.)," he said with a hint of optimism.

Margaret looked at him as she undid her bun and her black hair flowed to her shoulders, "道格，我很高兴你在这里。 (Doug, I'm glad you're here.)"

He looked at her and smiled lightly, "不管是什么。在这里或旧金山，我们是一个团队。期。 (No matter what. Here or San Francisco, we're a team. Period.)"

She nodded with some relief, "我高兴。 (I'm glad.)"

Then, Doug's phone rang. He answered just as the first ring finished, "Go."

On the other line was another voice; a British accented one, "Good evening sir. I hope you and your ex are doing well."

Doug turned on the application on his computer that is linked wirelessly to his phone, beginning to track the call, "Yes, we are doing well. Who is this?"

"I am calling to inform you both that your two children are perfectly safe in my company. No harm will come to them when in my charge. Yes, I am indeed calling you to confirm I did kidnap them."

Doug listened while Margaret was now close to him, hearing whatever she could, "May I speak to them," he asked and then he heard some rustling and then, to his and his ex's relief, one of them spoke.

"爸爸！你好吗？这里很棒！像彼得潘一样但更好！这里的Merry先生将带我们在这个海滩游泳！那不是很有趣吗？(Papa! How are you and mama? It's amazing here! Like Peter-Pan but better! Mister Merry here is going to take us swimming at this beach! Isn't that fun?)"

"是的，这听起来很有趣。当你什么时候回家亲爱的？ (Yes that does sound fun. When are you coming home sweetie," he asked his young daughter of six years.

"我不知道。船长说当有事情发生时我们会回家。他没说什么，但是啊...妈妈还好吗？ (I don't know. The captain said we will come home when something happens there. He didn't say what, but yeah…is mom okay?)"

Doug looked at Margaret and handed her the phone. She took it with a shaking hand and spoke, "梅...告诉我你没事吧？你和你的妹妹。(Mei…Tell me that you're okay? You and your sister.)"

"是的，我们感谢你。我们很开心，希望你和爸爸来这里与我们一起玩。船长说你知道该怎么做。(Yes we are thank you. We are having fun and wish you and dad will come here to have fun with us. Captain said you know what to do.)," upon those words, Margaret knew what she had to do.

She looked at her ex-husband and he looked directly into her eyes. She returned his gaze with her own. She continued to talk to her daughter, "Yes. I think I do, thank you. Give your sister a kiss for me, please."

"I will. Thank you," Mei said and added, "Oh, captain wants to talk to you mom."

Margaret's eyes widened and then heard the male British voice speaking to her, "Well? Do we have an understanding?"

She wanted to throw a torrent of curses in English and Chinese. But she steadied herself, no less with the help of her ex-husband there. She took in a deep breath and responded, "We do. In one fortnight, an agreement and certain things will be rectified."

She then heard the man chuckle, "Well that is most wonderful. I'll have my eyes and ears open to see if you will deliver. Have a good night and tell your ex-husband his method of tracking this bit of communication will not help. Take care."

Then the call ended and Margaret gave the phone back to Doug. She went to the window of her living room looking out onto the neighborhood. The cold was coming in and she stood there in silence. She breathed in and exhaled, "I'm going to have to make some calls."

"In the morning," he gets up and walked up to her, standing beside her, "It will work out. For our children's sake."

"And what of the city," she turned to him, "What about the lingering effects of what has happened and what's ahead," she sounded a bit desperate; one to see her children and two, preventing a repeat of those two nights in July.

He looked at her and breathed in and out, to provide a sense of calm before a possible encroaching storm, "Then we face it together. Even when we're across the country."

She nodded, "Thank you."

"No problem."

With that, the two had dinner and watched a show in Netflix before calling it a night. He slept on the pullout sofa in the living room. Margaret was going over some papers to see if her decision will pay off. But as with anything, there will be a price for this.

ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM

DECEMBER 23, 2012

[Greater London, Sunday, 2:12PM]

A lone car was racing down the M1 motorway and inside was Eda driving taking over for her dad, and her parents in the backseat as they chatted away in German. Since leaving Leeds, and a cruise that took them from Hamburg to Wales, then to the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and finally Scotland, racing down the motorway was in good order to take the family car and stretch her legs. For Eda, it was cathartic to be back in the United Kingdom after the rogue business was dealt with. Her hair was growing back nicely after nearly four months and then she noticed the signs ahead, "We're nearing London now mom and dad! Should we make a detour there or barrel right past it and head for Kent?"

Her dad Gottfried who appeared jovial with his rosy cheeks from the cold, a bit on the heavy side, but can handle himself in a bar fight if needed spoke, "Hmm, well, it's tempting but not today. Our ferry will dock in Kent so let's settle down at a bed and breakfast somewhere near the coast or something," he happily suggested.

Her mother Ana looked at him, "Oh but one quick drive around London wouldn't be so bad. How about we take the M25? It's a ring around the capital plus we will be able to head for Kent in good time," she compromised and Eda felt that was a good idea, as did her father. So with the signs pointing the way, she made her way for the M25, the ring road around London.

~Music bit: "Duneagle" from Downton Abbey OST~

Eda was now driving on the highway with the London skyline in the distance and going nicely with the flow of traffic whether packed or smooth, she was able to find herself at home on British roads. Then after leaving the capital behind her, she and her family are now entering Kent. 'The Garden of England' is what its known and since it is winter, light snow dotted the landscape. The farmland and villages she's passing was idyllic and peaceful, she wanted to get off the highway midway to the coast and stay overnight in one of the local taverns/inns. The part of Kent now they were in was called the 'Wye Downs' a portion of grassy hills and farmland in the North Downs, part of the Kent Downs area for people to hike and enjoy the scenery.

Snow was falling gently on the landscape as she and the family arrived in the town of Bucking, located in a valley east of the village Wye. The village pace of life was in direct contrast to the fast-paced rush of London or anywhere Eda has been to personally for work or pleasure. It was a welcome change of pace and now in front of a tavern inn, called 'The Galloping Pony Inn' built in the Tudor style was a tavern with rooms upstairs for passersby. In addition, a barn located adjacently for visitors to take one of the local horses or large ponies to ride around the village and countryside. As soon as her parents settled, she was already riding her mare horse out of the village.

The light snow continued to fall as she galloped at an easy pace and flakes of snow stuck to the mare's fur as well as her own hair. With the village behind her and the rolling hills of the English countryside before, she saw a small wooded area and decided to ride her horse for it. The mare snorted happily to be riding about, to stretch her legs despite the obvious cold, but it was a hardy breed and was more than comfortable. Eda herself felt free, freer than she had been even when back in orchestral duties. As she got nearer to the wood, she noticed an oak tree ahead, looking very familiar to the one back home oddly enough. It was thick, twisted branches, but dignified somehow to show it will remain there long after she's gone. She stopped her horse and got off to walk towards it while the mare dug in the light flurry to look for some grass to eat.

She walked around it and took off one of her gloves to touch the trunk of the tree. The silence of the countryside now felt more palpable and only the breeze and the sounds of lives and the few birds remained.

~"Horses" from Michael Clayton OST~

Eda then heard the crow cawing from above and looked up to see it fly away. She then returned her focus to the tree. She then noticed something just above her head, a circle with letters in them:

"A+E"

She felt her breath tighten a bit, and by the looks of it, aged by the years and weather. She then heard something ahead. She got back to her horse, got on and had it walk ahead slowly to see what was going on. She then cleared the small wood and saw a vast estate ahead of her with manicured grounds, stags and does running round, and the sounds of horns blown to signal the ceremonial hunt. Then one of the young men on one of the horses spotted her, "Halt!"

Eda, remembering what happened months before in Hamburg when chased by Aurors, turned her horse on a dime and galloped quickly away. She didn't mean to trespass and now, to be rounded up again is not in her holiday plans. She and her friends already paid for it and didn't need the extra interest. So for the next few moments she successfully out-maneuvered the other riders. Some ran into the bushes or two riders fell off their horses. She thought she was in the clear, but then saw up ahead a carriage driven by four horses blocking her path. Eda had no choice here but to stop. The other young men came up behind her on their horses. On their sides were sheathed sabers and they had their guns at the ready.

"State your name and business here! Now!"

"You have trespassed on the Rathbone Estate grounds! Are you an enemy spy for the WWAEI or a commoner?"

"Speak now, wench!"

All of the hunters, numbering ten in all surrounded her and she had no room to escape. Her mare was snorting in both agitation and nervousness. The male stallions, trying to assert their dominance over the mare, weren't helping. It also didn't help with the group's hunting dogs were also around her, snarling and barking. Eda was praying internally that this won't end up like Hamburg, caught and then subjected to more esoteric justice. Wasn't the walk of shame enough? Wasn't her hurt pride enough?

~End music bit~

Eda looked at them with fear and seriousness, waiting for whatever fate to come. But then the door of the carriage opened with a woman coming out in a fur coat, "Men! Stand down! The young woman here is one of the people who helped deliver a devastating blow to the rogue group!"

One of the young men looked at the woman from the carriage, "Is that so? Then she was also part of the same group who committed a crime by stealing from the D.N.T. (Department of New Technology)," he said.

The woman stepped down from the carriage and walked over to the young man's horse and clutched the straps with the horse neighing in nervousness, "She and her friends in arms have paid for their crimes and are now free to live their lives. It's best you learn to forgive their actions, boy. Or you want your precious steed cut in half?"

The way her voice lowered in tone in her last statement made the young man shudder and nodded in agreement, "M-My apologies, my lady," he looked at Eda, who then nodded silently in return.

The woman then turned to Eda who then smiled warmly, "Would you like to come inside the estate? Have some warm tea to drink?"

She looked at the woman in question and after a moment she recognized her, "You're…wait…you're Duchess Florianne of House Michon, from Sairgoth correct," she asked and the woman smiled, "Of course. From the trial I suspect you remembered me."

Eda nodded, "No, well partly yes, but also from Marseille where you came to see our performance there," she said and the woman was happy for that.

"I would accept your offer, but I must head back to the village. My parents are at the Galloping Pony Inn right now," she told the duchess.

The duchess however was insistent, "Please, just one cup of tea and you can return to town in short order," she pressed and Eda after a moment, relented and everyone in the vicinity headed for the estate.

The manor in question was grand and Eda felt the manor and the grounds would eclipse Aulamerta Academy in France. Eda got off the horse, as did Florianne stepped out of the carriage. The groundskeeper took the horse Eda used to the stable to have it fed and rest up a bit. Eda then followed the duchess inside. The grand hall leading to the stairs and one floor up she then followed the duchess to a sitting room down the walkway and amidst the lavish interior décor, a tray of hot tea was just being delivered by a manservant who then bowed and stood upright. The two women sat down and relaxed.

Eda was unsure as she took her cup and its saucer, and then proceeded to drink her tea. As soon as both women set their teacups down on their saucers they then started to talk for a bit, "How are you young girl?"

Eda looked at the duchess in question and responded, "Quite well. On vacation with my parents and traveled on a ferry to Ireland then to Scotland. And now we were driving south for our ferry home in Dover."

Florianne nodded as she listened and then asked, "And how are you and the orchestra since the trial," something that Eda kind of dreaded being asked but answered nonetheless.

"Overall we're just fine right now. The first month having Dante away shook us. He took the fall due to him in charge of that operation. And also we were damned lucky to have done the walk of shame without our fingers cut off. Our careers would have ended right there and LMM would have disintegrated."

Florianne was silent as she listened, "Mohammad would have started anew, but it wouldn't be the same if he had. So…yeah we all have learned our lesson and are putting those few months behind us. We've…we've been lucky."

"Yes, you were," the duchess replied coolly, but laced with understanding. However, under different circumstances, she knew the orchestra's lives would've been forfeit. But luckily due to the arrangement of Lydia in charge of esoteric routes to kingdoms across the door (her own for example) and trade routes on Earth, and Alastair's on wrangling, LMM indeed did not suffer the axe or the noose.

The duchess sipped more of her tea and spoke once more, "But you are also now forgiven of your crimes. The Aurors in Europe are notorious for being sticklers of the rules and even abuse their position. But once you all did the walk of shame, and Dante serving a month and a fortnight in my baths, your crimes have been expunged. You are forgiven and permitted to go about your lives as you see fit."

But as Eda was about to mention something but was beaten to it by the duchess, "And as for those who see you as criminals still, let that not discourage you. Despite your good deeds you have still broken the law in the eyes of esoterics alike. Some say you should be punished more, but you all have served what's been given and now allowed to move on. Don't let the anger of some darken your view of us. Do you understand?"

Eda looked at the duchess and then at her teacup for a moment and then returned her gaze to the woman in question. She then responded, "I do."

The duchess smiled lightly, "I'm glad to hear that. The Rathbone Estate here will start their Christmas celebration in a day and my dear cousin should be returning from his travels tonight. If you like, you and your family can come tomorrow for Christmas Eve and join the festivities."

She then took out a seal envelope with the wax seal of the Rathbone house on it, "If you do decide to come, show this to the guard at the gates and you would be allowed to enter. The main road from Wye should lead you here. You just took the back roads that's all," she said and winked at the German girl.

Eda blinked and chuckled nervously, "Right. Maybe I shouldn't have. I gave the boys here a bit of a run."

"Oh don't fret! Those boys need the exercise," she then looked closely at Eda, "You seem to be a natural on a horse."

"Oh," she was now bashful, "Well, my grandmother has a small stable in the near the Rhine, away from the major cities…hills, plains and trees. All picturesque really," she detailed the area to the duchess, "She said it sort of reminds her of her childhood in Hungary…she's not lying and it's peaceful there. Horses don't judge you as much as people. They either like you or don't."

"True. But trust can be earned with horses as much as with people," the duchess spoke and Eda looked at her with a watchful gaze and the duchess continued now a bit more light-hearted.

"Enough serious talk! I would suggest you come tomorrow night for the Christmas festivities and meet Alastair to put this past year behind. And if you don't, I would kindly request him to come and retrieve you himself."

Eda blinked and glared somewhat to the woman, "You wouldn't," and the duchess leaned into her space and asked with a Cheshire-like grin, "Want to wager that?"

[5:45PM]

Eda returned to town on her horse despite the growing cold. The snow died down a bit and now back at the Galloping Pony Inn/Tavern she got the mare back in its stable. For the whole ride back home she was thinking on Duchess Florianne's invitation, with the envelope in her coat's inner pocket and feeling her leaden steps back into the inn. Now inside and hearing the garrulous atmosphere and jovial people celebrating the holidays, she spots her parents at a table sharing some pints with some locals. She walked towards them and greeted them, "Mom. Dad. Enjoying the ale?"

"Better believe it dear," her dad said and she ordered one for herself, "So, I somehow galloped onto an estate and finding out it belong to the Rathbone family and met his cousin, who appeared as his aunt and…got us invited to a Christmas party tomorrow night."

Her parents were a bit confused and pleasantly surprised at once, "Well that's unexpected," her mother commented.

"But in a fun sort of way," her father added in and her parents were happy and she herself felt calm and content.

Then the ale came and she raised her pint to them and drank some while she ordered something to eat for an early dinner. To be quite honest, she felt she needed all the rest she can muster for tomorrow. So, an ale, dinner, and sleep are in good order to prepare for what's to come…

KENT, ENGLAND, UK

[Rathbone Estate, Monday, 4:34PM]

Since arriving to the estate, Eda and her family were given guestrooms for the evening. They came by the main road from Wye as Florianne suggested and snow fell throughout the day. In her room, Eda was reading one of the books beside the fireplace. Her room like her parents wasn't bad. A four-poster canopy bed, warm décor accentuated by the warm wood paneling, paintings, cushioned chairs, carpets over the hardwood floor that creaked a bit (an old estate after all), and a lit fireplace of course. The party won't start for another hour and she wanted to relax before getting dressed. On her bed was a dress her grandmother packed for her as a surprise. It was an emerald green velvet art deco styled dress. But the cut of the dress accentuated her hourglass figure. She closed her book and got up. She looked down at the dress and felt the soft velvet fabric. The shoes that went with it were on the floor. She breathed in and out, and then proceeded to put it on.

A half hour later, Eda walked down the hall of the East Wing. The hallway was lined with paintings done in the Classical and Romantic styles while the plaster ceiling and wooden walls were reminiscent of the Jacobean style. The sound of her heels echoed a bit with each step. She sees the end of the hall where the railing of the third floor opened to the grand opening where above was a mural showing a battle between St. Michael and his angelic allies against Satan and his horde. The angel's spear pierced the neck of the fallen angel. The style of the artwork was Baroque in style; passionate, vibrant, a delicate balance of light and shadow. She walked towards the marble staircase that led downward alongside the wall. Her right hand never left the stone railing. Her pace was comfortable, wanting to feed her eyes with the beauty of the Rathbone Estate. Step by step, from the third floor to the second, then finally to the first floor. The black and white marble tiles were exceptionally polished. She walked across the grand hall and made a right towards the North Wing that had led to the ballroom. Already inside, the musicians were fine-tuning their instruments and some of the staff were setting down plates of food, the footmen held trays of drinks for the guests.

"Good evening miss. You are early," she turned to her left and noticed a tall, handsome young man in his footman uniform holding a silver tray.

She smiled a bit, "Well, you know how we Germans are," and he bowed his head in mild amusement.

He offered a glass of champagne; she accepted it and walked around the ballroom with it. As time passed, more guests trickled inside and settled into the revelry of the holiday spirit. Her parents were having a good time simply in engaging with the guests who started to arrive. The guests Eda found were from different backgrounds: military, medicine, commerce, agriculture, fishery, industry, and the people from the surrounding villages. It was a lively affair and she immersed into the crowd of revelry. The music started lightly at first to get some to the dance floor, village jigs to get the festivities underway. Eda was along the wall watching it unfold but then felt a tap on her shoulder.

She turned to her right and it was James Park with Jane Underwood. Eda felt herself tense up and Jane raised her hand. She told her to relax and in the midst of the music and chatter, their conversation was private but also opening the bridge for dialogue again. Their time together was spent with catching up on what the other had going on in their lives. Eda learned that Jane and James are happy in their relationship and glad that New York's situation was resolved, but also felt unsure of the small but confirmed case of esoterics now in the public eye. However, James did say that if New York becomes a model of slow integration of esoterics into society, then there is hope. Otherwise, many would re-emigrate back to Europe and other countries. Eda agreed there were some things that have unknown variables with the public exposure of esoterics in New York and for the moment, it is a localized activity with the rest of the country holding its breath.

Afterwards, Hanford, Basilio, Rachel, Anthony, Vicente, Michael then joined the three, even Angelina made an appearance. It was truly letting bygones be bygones, but Eda was inwardly studying their mannerisms while having a good time, wondering if it can truly be that simple. Then dinner was announced and the tables were magically sprung from the tiled floor and the waiters and footmen came in to set down silver platters of food and on the tables had the finest of china for the Christmas occasion. Dinner was served.

Following dinner, it was a lively affair now. The main fireplace was roaring with warm flames, men talked about their livelihoods while the women were discussing their own personal affairs. Eda observed the scene where men asked women to dance. Then she was approached an attractive officer from the British Navy. She accepted and joined the other dancers, in this case, a fun jig where both held hands with others and danced about. Once the song changed, she was then invited to dance the waltz, this time a general from the Royal Army. She accepted and waltz music played, with the man having one hand behind him and she clasped his other arm as both and others danced in elegant patterns across the dance floor. She found herself enjoying the dancing and with two dance partners she felt herself loosening up and it showed in her gait. Once the first waltz ended, she was then invited, in this case a captain of the RAF who was in his thirties. The dance was in itself similar to the one she's had with the general. The two men who have danced with her looked on and commented to each other how she exuded a natural grace and charm. For Eda, she thanked how her great-grandmother and grandparents taught her to dance.

For a while she danced, conversed, and learned from the guests who have attended the Christmas celebrations. She did wonder where Alastair was, since he was supposed to have lived here, so did his parents. Unknown to her, he was watching her from a distance as he made his way to the South Wing towards the other party. A party with those from across the door in the Kingdom of Sairgoth; Uruks, pirates, and a few from Duchess Florianne's court.

[8:00PM]

Eda was resting along the wall, fanning herself from her own exertions. Then she saw the man she wanted to dance with, Alastair Rathbone. His presence was enough to cause her heart to beat with anticipation, but she calmed herself and steadied his oncoming approach.

"Ms. Kramer," he bowed his head.

"Mr. Rathbone," she curtsied in return. The two look at each other and stifled a chuckle at their own proper greetings.

"How are you," she asked with a smile and he smiled in return, "I'm well thank you. Would you like to accompany me with a walk?"

"Where to?"

"To the family's private art gallery," he offered his left arm to escort her.

She held his arm in return, "Lead the way."

The two made their way out of the ballroom and headed for the art gallery located at the far end of the North Wing. Once there, she notices the marble statues depicting Greek and Roman heroes as well as oil paintings depicting battle scenes over the centuries. She felt she genuinely walked into an exhibition hall in an art museum. Or at least, showing how long the Rathbone Family has been around. As she looked at the carved marble and the paintings she looked at Alastair who didn't look so much at the art but rather at her.

"What?"

"I wonder what made you stop writing to me?"

She blinked thinking what he was insinuating. Then it hit her, "I didn't stop. I kept writing to you once a month before I moved to America for a year."

"But I never received any of them."

She nodded, "I know. All of my letters were stamped 'Return to Sender'. So when I moved to America for a year, I've stopped sending them. Instead, I have written letters to you but kept them at home. Like me coming to terms with a childhood crush that was never meant to be."

That statement caused silence, "So you truly did have feelings for me…even now with all that has transpired and who I am?"

She nodded, "You make it sound I'm ridiculous. But my heart tells me you are a good man, even with the monstrous nature inside."

He was indeed touched and then as he wanted to embrace her, whisper sweet nothings into her ear, causing her to blush just for him. He instead kept focused and asked, "Did you send any recently?"

"The letters? Yeah, I did. Before coming to the UK, I sent a stack to the estate, hoping you would receive them…Have you?"

He nodded, "I have. Thank you. But as for the letters you did send, I'm thinking on something…but I may have to talk to my aunt on this."

She nodded. After spending some time viewing the art he escorted her back to the ballroom. After he did so he bowed and walked out of the area and headed for the South Wing. He sees his aunt coming, Duchess Florianne of House Michon. She looked up at him as she folded her hands in front of her and her light blue dress illuminated by oil lamps around them.

"Yes?"

"I want a word. Regarding letters sent by Ms. Kramer."

[9:23PM]

Outside in the courtyard, at the rear of the mansion estate, with the gardens covered in snow and done in the English style, Eda was walking on a stone path towards the end of the perimeter. She stopped at the edge of the manicured gardens and before her was the countryside of the estate's grounds. It was cold, but to her surprise, not as much as she thought. She figured she was still close to the manor/castle in question. She then turned around to head up to the lit up grand home of the Rathbones, she sees Alastair, still in his military uniform walking down the stairs. She walked up and both were on a landing where the two met, halfway up. She looked up at him, "So you found out?"

"Aye, I did. I am sure to receive a backlog of your letters by tomorrow morning," he replied, to which she nodded.

He held out his right hand, "A dance, if I may be so bold to inquire," he spoke with now more relief in his voice.

She looked at him and then at his hand. She gently took it, bowed to him, and he in return as well. The two danced to the music solely in their minds. She enjoyed this brief amount of contact and looked up at him, "You're going somewhere. I can feel it."

He nodded, "There is some work I need to do. I need and want to become a better man. I've done a lot of horrible things in my life just to learn and hoped to return here."

She nodded, some of it she heard already in Poland. But now, during the winter holidays it felt more poignant, "And I…I want to be a better woman. Meaning…I want to become the person I want to be."

"Indeed you will," he encouraged her as his hands firmly gripped her arms, but made sure not to hurt her.

"And we will find each other again," he added.

She nodded contently, "Our reunion earlier in the year was a disaster, and summer was no better," she said and he chuckled lowly.

"Let's not dwell on that, Eda. You're alive because if it wasn't for you, and your comrades in arms, I am reluctant to say this, but you all did indeed opened our eyes to a threat right under our noses. The hatchet is buried, your crimes answered and forgiven."

She didn't say anything, "Even if we're an insufferable lot?"

He smiled, "Don't push it."

The two danced gently in the cold night, but their closeness warded it off for the time being. Pretty soon, it was indeed time to end their brief dance and headed inside once more. Eda wanted to turn in early so he escorted her to her wing of the mansion estate and in the halls now lit by oil lamps, both found her room. He gently lifted her right hand and kissed the top of it. She smiled warmly at the gesture, knowing it would be a while before both will meet again. She bid him a good night and entered her room. She changed out of her evening dress and into her nightgown. She got under the covers, the fireplace freshly lit and the night passed on without incident as she drifted off to sleep.

KENT, ENGLAND, UK

[Dover, Tuesday, 10:23AM]

Eda and his parents were on the promenade of the ferry. They are the last of the passengers to board with the car docked below but also looking out at the English Channel. The wind chill and snow blowing prompted Eda to wrap her scarf around her neck tightly. Her parents went to sit inside while the ship's horn blew, Eda can feel and see the ship pulling out of the harbor. Once out in the water the ship turned and was now heading east. She kept her eye on the English coast, recalling the day and evening at the Rathbone Estate, the party with the guests and the estate's staff. She smiled and feels satisfied how she handled things with Alastair, and happier with the shared understanding for a better reunion in the future. But also knew it will be a long road to reach her goal as she knew it would be for him as well.

"The girl must rest, so the woman can wake," she muttered, "You were right grandma."

She stayed outside until she couldn't take the wind and cold anymore. Then she went inside to get warm and grab a drink with her parents. A good start to a Christmas morning as far as she's concerned.

Meanwhile at the Rathbone Estate

Alastair looked at the grandfather clock, with the time now 10:34AM. He talked it with his aunt Duchess Florianne, and when he was told of the letters sent by Eda were compiled and given to him, he was touched by the fact she tried her hardest to reach him. The seven years away without a chance to reach her in return really dug the dagger to his heart. He also remembered some letters unopened since the start of the WWAEI mess when LMM infiltrated the DNT in London. He went through his drawer and pulled out a stack of letters, tied in yarn. He flipped through the envelopes and one of them caught his eye, it was from Eda. He pulled it from the stack and opened the envelope. The letter was handwritten in beautiful cursive, and thankful it was written in English. He began to read it:

25/12/11

My dearest friend and secret love,

It's funny how I refer to you as my secret love in these past seven years. I have sent a letter years ago admitting this secret to you. Now in this letter, I have decided it's another confession; cementing my love but also bidding farewell to the childhood infatuation I've had before.

Farewell to you. Farewell to the boy I've lost my chance to admit my feelings for. I am a young woman now. I've seen things in the past few years that have opened my eyes, but also taught me something vital. I cannot move forward if I pine for someone I am not sure will ever return. And yet I know you're alive somewhere. I hold onto the faith we will meet again and rekindle our friendship. Perhaps something more, if fate is kind I mean. But I am not the same girl you've left, as I know you're no longer a boy.

In one month I will head to London to regrettably commit a crime. Yes, a crime that will hopefully save many lives from the threat of anarchistic militant esoterics. Forgive me for I am no longer innocent. How pathetic do I sound now? Don't answer that. One day we'll meet and hope you don't judge me too harshly when I admit this.

Your dearest friend,

Eda Maja Kramer Báthory

Az ön iránti szeretetem olyan mély, mint a föld.

He didn't know the script but then looked to his books of languages across Europe. He then found it was written in Hungarian. He translated it and once done, he smiled and sat there at his desk in silence. The ticking of the grandfather clock ticking away, feeling the smile on his face widen a bit more as he felt more assured on the future to be. But then he looked at the stack of letters she's sent him over the years and sighed, knowing this will be a long morning and afternoon to sift through them. He picked one, opened it, and started reading.

LATER, ACROSS THE SEA

As the day rolled on in Europe, the sun rose on Christmas Day on the Canadian/US border town where Lizavetta was stirring in bed. The rays of sunlight pierced through the window and stretched out her arms. Beside her was Wilfredo who still had on his beaver fur pelt hat, naked under the covers. She smiled at the sight, and recalled the previous day and night of Christmas Eve:

~Flashback, Christmas Eve

She recalled a day of winter games for the town's inhabitants. In addition to the townsfolk, the workers who were there during the summer come for the two-week celebration some arrived with their families. Wilfredo was no exception; he came with his mother, father, sister, and her now British husband. Both of who arrived from Philadelphia to meet up in New York and took a ferry up the Hudson to the mountains. Then took a horse drawn carriage to the mountainous and hill ridden border with Quebec Province. During the autumn, the extra cabins constructed during the summer were finished to house the extra guests. The day was spent with settling in and taking in the snow already falling around the landscape.

The lake froze over and it was the start of ice skating competitions, hurling, and sleighing across the ice, and of course, hockey. The snow shacks provided warmth from the cold with good hearty food, maple syrup used in desserts and even in the savory dishes (a surplus of maple harvested this year). The first day is just for everyone to get a taste of the fun and celebrating a year gone by and grateful for what they had and who they have in each other. Then evening came when dinner was served in the long hall and Lizavetta came up on stage with a male choir, and musicians as accompaniment. Wilfredo was among them.

Come, all you old men all, let this delight you;

Come, all you young men all, let naught affright you;

Nor let your courage fail when comes the trial.

Nor do not be afraid at the first denial.

As she sang the opening portion last night, Wilfredo came in with his cello, as did other musicians as accompaniment. A mixture of cellos, lute, fiddles violins, and drums when the moment called for it. Then the male choir chipped in…

C'est le 27 de mars, sans attendre plus tard qu'est le départ Bart,

ce grand guerrier, nous a tous commandé.

Nous sommes partis de la France,

confiants dans la Providence,

priant Dieu de nous secourir dans le danger de périr.

Le premier jour partant nous aperçûmes sous vent un bâtiment

Trois autres au vent de nous qui poussaient droit sur nous.

Nous leur avons fait reconnaître que nous en serions les maîtres,

nous tenant tous les deux d'accord, nous avons viré de bord.

La Danaé !

Brave Wolfe drew up his men in a line so pretty

On the Plains of Abraham, before the city.

The French came marching down, arrayed to meet them

In double numbers `round, resolved to beat them.

The recorder came in, as did the male choir along with the guitar accompaniment…

L'Anglais tout d'un courroux arrive au bord

de nous et tout d'un coup

tire un coup de canon sur notre pavillon;

C'est son petit mât de misaine qui est tombé à la traîne

et son grand mât d'artimon qui est tombé sur le pont.

Bart, voyant cela au milieu du combat et du fracas

en rejoignant les mains prit le Ciel à témoin.

Bart dit à son équipage:

allons mes enfants courage,

faisons voir à ces Anglais la valeur de nous, Français.

La Danaé!

The impromptu orchestra came in with a rush of sound and jubilation, despite the song singing of the Battle of Quebec where the French lost to the British on the Plains of Abraham. Changing forever the course of history for greater Canada. Lizavetta's voice was a rich soprano.

The drums did loudly beat, with colors flying

The purple gore did stream and men lay dying

Then shot from off his horse fell that brave hero

We'll long lament his loss that day in sorrow.

The song continued until it finished, which was 'Le combat de la Danaé', another song came playing following it. She remembered Wilfredo still playing on cello while Olivier was singing with his tenor voice for the song, 'Le naivre de Bayonne', about the voyage from Lisbon bound for New France, the name for Quebec centuries ago. She felt pride for her heritage and since this night, felt her affection for Wilfredo willingly play songs for two weeks on cello grow.

She remembered that night she invited Wilfredo to her cabin again. She offered him a gift, a beaver fur pelt cap. He was delighted as he said could truly live the frontier experience. She chuckled at the memory as she also punched his arm lightly. Then she moved in to kiss him. He was caught by surprise. The two looked into each other's eyes and started to kiss passionately. One thing led to another and the two made their way to her room once more. Their clothes on the floor the two were in missionary position, making love for the remainder of the night before sleep overtook them.

~End flashback

Wilfredo stirred from sleep and looked up at her and spoke with a yawn, "Morning."

She knelt down and kissed him lightly, "Morning," she smiled lightly and then noticed his morning wood.

Arching an eyebrow at him and he bashfully chuckled. She smiled lightly, "As much as I would like to continue, you need to return to your cabin where your family is."

He nodded and got out of bed and grabbed his clothes. Went to her bathroom for a quick shower. He puts on the warm water and lathered his body. Then he felt arms around him and a gentle kiss on his shoulder blade.

"L-Liza!"

"Shush. Let's shower together so we can get ready faster," she said, and while he caught a glint in her eye, it wasn't mischievous. Rather, she was practical about what she and he wanted to do, and when to finish so no one can get too suspicious for their tardiness in the communal hall for breakfast.

He nodded as they cleaned up, "Merry Christmas," he said with a smile.

"Merry Christmas," she replied and both proceeded to clean their bodies, and the lather of soap flowed from their bodies, to the tub, and down the drain. The only sound heard was the shower overhead.

To be continued

The group, 'Les Charbonniers de l'Enfer' with the first song accompanied by soprano Meredith Hall, sang the two Quebecois songs. So yes, I aimed to have posted this one-week after my previous chapter, but things came up like preparing to go back to work and finishing a research paper. Next chapter should be done by September's end, more or less. But if not, October is more than likely. But who knows, I have found my stride once more in writing.

As for the Hungarian text near the end of the chapter, here is what I aimed for, 'May our love be as deep as the earth'. Wilfredo was a character more focused here, not so much planned but there you go. His role along with a few others will come in the chapters ahead. In addition, Christopher Diaz, available on Amazon Kindle, uses certain characters in a friend's online books 'Across the Door' series. He has helped in this shared work along with A. .

Read, review, and critique. I'll see you soon.