Fast Forward (Session Summary)

**Fast Forward** details the events of the sessions occurring between December 20, 2020 and March 21, 2021. As it spans several sessions, this page will be particularly long but attempts to break up story beats will be made through the below table of contents.

## Session Notes

### **The Return to Trafarna: Royal Engagements, Meeting Family**

* The party returns to Trafarna amid a throng of advisers and ministers vying to catch Simon up on all he missed in his travels, but he has a casual reveal of his own: requests to prepare the Queen’s wing and to send a carriage to Harpergate.

* Eli and Oberon reveal that Simon asked Oberon to give Aedryan a noble fae title, to try to prevent vocal objections to his marriage to Aedryan – to the amusement of both of them.

* As the group talks, Lysander makes a sudden appearance - thrilled to see that Eli has returned to their team. After making friendly introductions, Chae’s curiosity is piqued when Lysander mentions being over eight centuries old. Lysander describes the process in which he became Fae as being “indescribably” painful: ike someone stuck a knife and potato masher inside me and pummeled everything I am until it went liquid, then stuck it in a mountain of ice to make it solid again, then baked into into a new thing that looked like what I once was. All you are ceases to be, and yet becomes permanent.

* Lysander invites Chae with him and Eli into the kitchens to discuss the nature of being Fae further while the rest of the party heads off to sleep.

* The following day, Aedryan is woken up by two maids, Anne and Ellie, who are alerting her to an impending visit from the tailor and the imminent arrival of her family from Harpergate. Aedryan is anxious about seeing her parents, as she has had a relatively contentious relationship with them throughout her life.

* Sorni, Cecily, and Chae eventually join Aedryan in her room as they discuss the importance of having guards, and an uptick in interest in learning as much about Aedryan as possible following Simon’s request to have the queen’s wing aired out. One noble in particular, Nalina Allendale, is snooping around for information.

* When the tailor arrives to take Aedryan’s measurements, everyone begins helping themselves to tea where the group learns that Chae has never tried it. This provokes an odd argument between Chae and Cecily over their differences in privilege – Cecily seems to have forgotten that she, too, was once a commoner and seems to take issue over Chae’s sudden interest in Avalon. Chae leaves.

* Just as Aedryan starts reminding Cecily to be kind to their new team members, a servant informs Aedryan that her family has arrived.

* Meanwhile, Enzo Agosti has arrived in Trafarna and, waiting for him is a note from Lady Allendale asking him to assist the king’s fiancee in learning how to properly comport herself for the “trials to come.” By way of thanks, she invites him and the party to attend a salon she’s hosting.

* Enzo finds Talos, Lucius, and Theo in a side room while they wait for Aedryan and the other members of the party to join them and informs them of the invitation. They decide it looks better to attend than risk the headache that would come with ignoring the invitation.

* Outside the palace, Eli asks Victoria if she would consider joining the Fae on a more permanent basis. Before she can answer, he spots Aedryan’s family causing some trouble on their way into the palace and decides to cause problems on purpose by interceding and attempting to talk to them. Aedryan’s mother, Delphyne, rebuffs him, asking a guard for assistance in having the palace gardeners cease following them.

* Eventually, Delphyne, her husband (Calder), and their children (Aeron and Coraleigh) arrive, and Simon asks a maid to have Aedryan and her conspirators brought in. Once informed, the party joins Aedryan and the shitshow in Simon’s receiving room.

* As Aedryan enters, she can hear her mother monologuing about how they’ve disowned Aedryan for having the audacity to \*checks notes\*... leave for her mandatory military service. Simon apologizes, unaware that the relationship was so terrible, and reveals his intention to marry Aedryan. This is met with incredulous disbelief and insults thrown Aedryan’s way. When Aedryan’s sister, Cora, reveals that she is Fateless, Simon encourages her to work under General Mbeni and offers the rest of the family to stay in the palace as guests of the king.

* Meanwhile, Chae attempts to take advantage of everyone else’s distractions by pick-pocketing Theo – but he catches them. After some clandestine whispering between the two, he announces that he’s taking Chae to the Salon as his date and she reluctantly agrees.

* After the Seycilias leave, the group discusses the invitation to the salon later that evening, explaining that it’s an opportunity to take measure of the king’s future queen while also having the convenient excuse of getting drunk and having debates. Anastasios also explains who Nalina is – a woman who one day appeared in Lord Allendale’s court and, eventually, started making public appearances without him until she started speaking with him less and less. But because her taxes are on time and she’s popular with the people of Halcythorn, no one bothered with investigating things further.

### Nalina's Salon: Forging Alliances, Causing Hysterics

* Everyone departs to get ready for the salon. Lysander approaches Chae and Theo with the intent of asking them to attend the event with him, but Theo is quick to point out that Chae’s attending with him instead and Lysander takes it well enough. Chae attempts to shift the topic to Aedryan, and Theo uses it as an opportunity for them to go tease her about her relationship with Simon.

* When the pair arrive, Aedryan is having conversations with Enzo and others about what to expect and, after roasting Aedryan, Theo confirms that Simon will be announcing his engagement to her before the salon starts, ensuring that people will be eager to take her measure.

* Meanwhile, Eli and Victoria spot a familiar face making his way to the salon – Peaseblossom – and decide to inform Aedryan of the impending drama.

* Simon is getting ready with Cecily and Talos, and he asks Cecily if she thinks marrying Aedryan is a good idea. She encourages him to be with her if she makes him happy.

* Lucius is approached by a woman in a gold mask, encouraging him to accompany her to the salon. He agrees and, as they make their way to the salon, Anastasios catches sight of the pair and is surprised to learn that Lucius is into Fae women. She later introduces herself as Cobweb.

* Eli and Victoria finally find Aedryan and tell her that Peaseblossom is attending the ball.. With her fourteen year old sister on his arm. She and Simon rush to the salon and, after learning that Aedryan’s mother sent Cora with Peaseblossom and Aeron, eleven, with a group of unknown women, Aedryan tries to keep Peaseblossom from her sister – but he refuses to comply, saying he has parental consent and does not have to listen to Aedryan.. After a stressful, public back and forth, Simon leaves to issue a royal decree permitting the crown to look after the Seycilia siblings while parental neglect is resolved. Guards take Cora away.

* Once the drama concludes, Nalina shows up and kicks off the party as attendants begin introducing party members:
	+ Lucius the Bearded and Cobweb of Avalon
	+ Eli, Lord of the Unseelie, and his mortal captive, Victoria Ainsworth
	+ Lord Anastasios Raven and his betrothed, Sorni Tutvehke
	+ Prince Theodoric Sparrow IV and his mistress Chae
	+ King Simon Sparrow, and his fiancee, Aedryan Seycilia of Harpergate

* After greeting Nalina, the group decides to split off: Sorni, Lucius, and Aedryan playing cards with Nalina; Victoria, Eli, and Enzo making the rounds to try to charm people. Theo wanders off to find Lysander so that Chae can ask him a question.

* Enzo meets a man named Lord Hendry of house Cicada, who seems less than impressed with the king’s “harebrained schemes,” but Enzo manages to encourage him with the prospect of expensive weddings prompting business booms.

* Victoria has a conversation with a woman who claims that the gods told her in a dream that they do not like the king. When Victoria tries to call it a trick of the fae, the woman points out her Fae date for the evening.

* During the card game, Nalina asks Sorni and Aedryan how they managed to capture the hearts of Trafarna’s most eligible bachelors and asks if they’re the group who caused a kerfuffle at the State dinner some months back (they were).

* Enzo introduces Chae to Hendry, who tells them about the academy he runs and its extensive library. Though it’s impressive, Lysander and Theo rejoin the scene and Chae leaves with Lysander to ask him about how the team could possibly win the war with the gods. Lysander tells Chae that everyone on the planet has been screwed over, but Simon is trying to ease people into it by being angry at the gods. He kisses Chae and, in doing so, gives them the secrets to the galaxy.

* Although Lysander is encouraged by the kiss, Chae tells him not to expect more. He leaves, frustrated. Theo is quick to Chae’s side, asking if she’s being bothered. When Chae challenges Theo on being regarded as his mistress, he admits that he’s never had a mistress before due to the extra weight his title carries. The two discuss his care for Simon, the grand library of the Obervayne academy and the fact that there are libraries everywhere – including at this salon. The two leave to check it out.

* Nalina asks Aedryan about the nature of her quick engagement to the king, pointedly looking at her stomach and telling her that there are rumors. Aedryan recognizes that rumors are part and parcel for her position, but reassures Nalina of her true intentions with Simon. Nalina then refocuses her efforts on Sorni, asking why they are waiting to marry as there’s less concern about the two of them marrying quickly. She also starts poking Sorni about her family, pointing out that Cecily’s been trying to fix up her sister with a husband for years.

* Talos, fashionably late, arrives to speak to Nalina and discuss his relationship with Cecily but Lucius begins to turn his charm on Nalina, offering his services to her should she back the Resistance. She encourages him to meet someone else with power, such as herselt. As the two flirt, Sorni and Aedryan leave to start making the rounds with the people at the salon.

* Lucius asks Nalina how he might endear her to help him – what is her cause? She says that women like her are her cause, but does not elaborate further.

* While in the library, Chae and Theo have a conversation about socioeconomic differences, the differences between being prince and being king, and the differences in appreciation for reading. Theo notes that people are eager to have him pair off and produce an heir, as there are some who would prefer to have Theo on the throne and having an heir would give them cause to push for that.

* When Theo offers to leave Chae alone with their books, Chae bristles, wondering why he’s leaving. The two have a small back and forth about what it is each other is looking for when Theo admits that he is interested in and attracted to Chae. Chae asks Theo to stay.

* It isn’t long before Chae and Theo’s absence is noted and whispers begin sweeping through the salon about the two. Sorni and Aedryan decide to eavesdrop on conversations so that they might intervene and enlighten those who are in need of it. They approach a pair of older women, Ladies Hare and Crane, and their children.

* The conversation starts about as expected, with barbs regarding how the two women managed to snare Simon and Anastasios, but eventually fall into conversation about romance and their disappointment at not having attended Sorni and Ani’s wedding. When Sorni offers a correction to inform them that she has not yet married Anastasios, they inquire about Oberon’s promise that House Raven would be with child before the following summer.

* This leads Ladies Crane and Hare to believe that the pregnant Raven is Cecily, and start making a scene about how her pregnancy must have led to Simon rebuking her after bringing shame to the house. Overhearing this, Talos joins the scene and introduces himself as Cecily’s lover, showing off a knife when he mentions hearing that people were speaking ill of her. This, unfortunately, does not scare the ladies, as they start squawking about how the rumors must be true and Cecily must be pregnant.

* Though Sorni and Aedryan try to diffuse the situation, Anastasios quickly emerges from the crowd to usher the ladies to their carriages. After they leave, he inquires as to what the hell just happened and then asks about Chae and Theo’s whereabouts, saying someone was talking about how they saw the two of them “tumbling in the stables.”

* Meanwhile, Lucius and Nalina continue their flirtation over politics. She asks him what he intends to do with the isles once they find victory, and he explains that he will tear things down and rebuild, leaving no rot of the old ways behind and allow people to flourish under their own merits. Nalina finds the prospect intriguing, but has questions about how such an idea would work. The conversation shifts to whether he intends to have children once his work is done. Lucius isn’t interested, but says that he might be inclined to build up armies. Nalina invites him to a ship she recently had built, with the promise of meeting General Mbeni – he accepts.

* Suddenly, a scream rings out through the salon that was definitely caused by Cecily stabbing someone, and Anastasios goes to investigate while Sorni and Aedryan pay Simon a visit. He introduces the pair to a group of lords and, after talking about Anastasios’s sonnets and gifts for Sorni, Simon asks the lords to dispel the rumors of Cecily’s pregnancy.

* Aedryan suffers a sudden bout of nausea and Sorni escorts her to the queen’s wing, where she nearly gets sick again. There, she meets Mrs. Hudson, the head maid, and Mrs. Hudson informs her of a secret passage between the King and Queen’s wings.

* Meanwhile, Talos is trying to soothe Cecily and prevent another stabbing, promising that he won’t let anyone speak ill of her again. She drops the knife and the two decide to go speak to Nalina and Lucius, who have given up on playing in favor of their conversation. Lucius has won 20k!

### Shopping, Chaos, and heading to… Avalon?

* The following day, Cobweb wakes Lucius up and, after a conversation about magic, tells him to go get Chae. Cobweb introduces herself as the only child Peaseblossom acknowledges, because her mother knows how to kill him, but offers no other information. After sharing news of his winnings with Chae, Lucius leads her to the rest of the party, who is eating breakfast.

* Simon announces that he’s going to travel to Obervayne, hoping that Oberon can provide assistance with some of his projects there. He’d like to leave at the earliest convenience, dictated by Aedryan’s health, as he’s learned that some bordering countries are militarizing. Aedryan says they should leave today, and the party agrees to go as her personal guard to justify the large group paying a visit.

* Theo says he wishes to take Chae to a bookstore while Lucius says he needs to make a deposit at the bank. The group decides to head into town to get their respective tasks done, and those who aren’t Chae, Theo, or Lucius decide to have a little fun at the expense of the blossoming romance.

* After discussing it, the group decides to pay off the staff at a high-end clothing shop to give them a free fitting. To ensure they beat the pair, they cut through Mbeni’s house.

* Meanwhile, Lucius wraps up his business with the bank and heads to a bookstore. Chae and Theo walk and talk, discussing things like what Chae likes to do, where they wish to live once the business with the Resistance is over, and flower preferences. It’s clear to Chae that Theo is romantically interested. After an awkward back and forth, he buys her a bouquet of daffodils.

* Although the group can see the flower transaction, they’re fixated on making sure their plan works. Sorni, Anastasios, and Aedryan decide to head into the clothes shop while Talos waits outside to cause a distraction. Cecily takes Simon away, citing the desire to observe from a safe distance but, when Sorni and Aedryan go into the shop, she tells him to hurry up to visit a jeweler.

* Initial attempts to convince the shopkeep are not terribly successful as she doesn’t recognize Aedryan but, eventually, the shopkeep is amenable to helping out. Sorni, Aedryan, and Anastasios leave and signal Talos to cause a distraction – and distract he does, shouting into the square about Theo and “that woman from last night.”

* Chae and Theo find their way into the clothing shop and the keep excitedly begins fussing over Chae to help find something lovely for their upcoming date with Theo. After trying on numerous dresses of varying degrees of modesty, Chae picks out a pretty dress of simple design. Theo says the dress is missing something – but the modiste doesn’t sell jewelry. Fortunately, he has it covered and gives her a beautiful hairpin that he had made for them: a solid gold pin topped with a cat playing with a ball of yarn made up of tiny pink gemstones.

* The rest of the group encounters Simon and, after roasting Sorni and Anastasios, the group focuses their next efforts on the bookstore. Simon asks Anastasios to escort Aedryan while he has a private conversation with Sorni. He does so, leaving the two to speak.

* Simon asks Sorni for two favors: the first, he had something delivered to the house Anastasios has moved Sorni into, and asks that she ensure it finds its way into Aedryan’s pocket. The second, to never make him hold Anastasios while he cries again, or he’ll have Sorni killed and it will look like an accident. She understands and, though she’s a bit discomited, she promises that she’ll never hurt him again.

* While this uncomfortable conversation is happening, Anastasios and Aedryan are busy setting up a private romantic date for Theo and Chae, unaware that Theo has promised Chae six books and a kiss – though Chae’s uncertain about that last part. As the pair leave the bookstore, Chae spots them and is instantly wary of whatever has been planned.

* Deciding to get things over with, Chae and Theo enter the bookstore and find the owner still preparing their candlelit date, and the two start planning revenge.

* The following day, the party departs for and arrives in Obervayne. Several carriages arrive prior to Hendry and the King, leaving them to wait. Talos and Cecily start to become comfortable with the potentially long wait and begin to canoodle; Theo and Chae read, flirt, and generally get to know each other a bit better; Sorni and Anastasios detangle themselves from one another, remarking on how exhausted they make each other.

* Before anyone can get too comfortable doing anything else, Hendry and the King’s carriages arrive and Simon immediately exits, demanding a physician be summoned for Aedryan, who has been ‘deathly ill’ the whole way. He leads his fiancee into the palace, and Hendry offers to give everyone a tour of the castle while they wait. Cecily instead causes trouble by insisting Theo take on royal responsibilities in Simon’s stead while Hendry shows Chae the Academy’s library.

* As they head to the library, Cecily begins speaking to Hendry about a potential courtship, and she decides to play wingwoman instead – dropping hints that Chae would be a better match for Hendry. Chae immediately picks up on what Cecily is doing but is too focused on the discomfort of being in an elevator to say anything, asking to take the stairs next time. Hendry says the stairs are a bit more dangerous and, when Cecily says that Hendry is dashing and kept her safe on them, frustrating both Talos and Chae.

* As they continue to the library, Hendry takes the group through the academy, introducing Cecily and Chae to the boys studying. While they walk, Cecily informs Hendry that, as Chae is rabble, there’s no need to worry about people threatening Hendry for her hand. Tensions come to a head and Chae tells Cecily to just make her life hell directly, instead of playing mind games. Cecily proceeds to brandish a knife and starts chasing Chae through the halls. Chae hides.

* Meanwhile, the physician has finished examining Aedryan and has determined she hasn’t been poisoned, but does have news to tell Simon before the week concludes: she’s pregnant. She reveals this to Simon, and he pulls out a notebook and begins asking her numerous questions to add to his data concerning premarital pregnancies in Fateless relationships – to Aedryan’s disappointment. Following a short back and forth, Simon reveals that he is scared for her and their future child, and asks Aedryan if she wants him to abdicate. She doesn’t.

* Chae, having hidden beneath a staircase, finds that she’s not alone. A man suspiciously similar to Idaxis in appearance materializes, asking about striking a bargain with Chae to give them access to Avalon’s database. It’s Ti-Yo, taking the form of the man the party met in Veitium. Chae says that they wish to talk to others about it first, but wants to know if she can bring anyone. Ti-Yo suggests Theo.

* The following morning, the group is having breakfast and the atmosphere is tense. Chae confirms that they and Cecily had an argument but they prefer to focus on the conversation they had with Ti-Yo the night before and reveal the details of their conversation: while Ti-Yo doesn’t agree with the decisions “the crew” has made, Chae would be able to do the things he can’t.

* Although the party is somewhat wary, they’re generally supportive of Chae’s decision. While this is being discussed, Cecily decides to create a shortcut to Avalon by attempting to stab her hand with a knife, to everyone’s consternation. Fortunately, plenty of hands reach out to stop her and encourage her to find a different way. In the process, Chae reveals everything Ti-Yo told them:
	+ Cecily is dying, slowly being torn apart by the two forges she carries
	+ Cecily wasn’t angry with Chae despite chasing her with the knife; she was upset with Talos
	+ Chae will one day stand against the gods and the fae
	+ Chae should bring someone she trusts to the procedure on Avalon.

* Ti-Yo decides now’s the time to pop in and answer questions:
	+ Cecily has two forges because she’s descended to a prisoner of Avalon but also born to someone born to Ximacen. Therefore, she’s entitled to Ti-Yo’s oversight and Avalon’s intercession.
	+ Ti-Yo was created to enact the crew’s instructions and oversee maintenance so they can remain in stasis. As he has limited authority to make his own decisions, he can make limited changes such as adding users who may not be beholden to the crew’s commands.
	+ One such user could influence events similarly to the Breath of the Gods – encourage crop growth, command creatures, manipulate the weather, heal wounds, access Visions/Choices. It’s slower, but permanent.
	+ The risks for Chae are simple: if the gods find out about Chae’s access, they will kill them.
	+ The reason Ti-Yo has approached the party about this is because Cecily, having stayed alive beyond what she was born to do, is considered compromised and is no longer useful to Avalon. Eventually, she will need to choose if she’s Fae or not.

* Anastasios asks about what this means for him and Ti-Yo reveals the unfortunate news that, while Anastasios has a forge, his was rendered nearly useless and there was consideration of cannibalizing Cecily in the womb, but elected not to. Anastasios merely retains some of the physical advantages.

* The party discusses who will accompany Chae to Avalon and… everyone. Everyone, except for Cecily and Anastasios, are going.

### Terrifying Dinner Theatre on the Moon; Finally Heading to Halcythorn

* Ti-Yo opens a door in the castle, revealing emptiness on the other side. When the party steps through, finding themselves trapped in darkness, shifting weather, and the sounds of doors opening and closing. When they can see again, Simon and Theo are missing.

* The group realizes they’re on a stage and, in the audience is the Trafarnese court, Ebrian resistance, and Fateless Chae knew on the Isles. An unknown voice can be heard recounting the history of… places unknown to the party, alleging that tragedies such as plagues and famines bring about technological revolutions.

* While the party is discussing the situation, a masked man in silver and blue court formality stumbles onto the stage, trying but unable to get his mask off. Aedryan recognizes the voice as belonging to Simon, and Chae tries to help remove his mask, but he tries to grab them instead - asking if they’re the one who chose the famine for everyone. An unknown voice echoes over the stage, mentioning Simon’s decision to become Fateless, asking what should be done.

* The unknown voice, revealed to be Dr. Bailey, echoes instructions to kill him and set up public support for his brother. Just then, a second actor appears with a sword in hand and approaches the masked Simon while leveling accusations of letting Trafarnese citizens die in the streets and for letting Cecily die. They’re acting out Simon and Theo’s visions.

* Realizing this, Aedryan says that the group should consider trying to stop them, knowing that Theo’s vision showed him killing his brother. A third actor appears, confirming that they can all hear the party but they must have their vengeance for Simon’s failures. He attempts to console Sorni, saying that Simon’s death must happen for letting Cecily die.

* It’s then that Anastasios and Cecily’s voices begin to echo around the stage. Anastasios is urging Cecily to marry Simon, as he’s been in love with her for years. She says they’re not for each other.

* The group bristles, trying to convince the actors that none of this came to pass; however, they’re undeterred. Chae tries to grab the prince’s mask and he attempts to parry the attempt with his weapon. Fortunately, Chae grabs the mask, and is able to tear it off – revealing a faceless wooden doll behind it. The masks asks Chae why they chose her, and she demands Avalon return Theo.

* The room goes black again and, when the lights come on, another actor has replaced the three – this time, a masked woman who looks suspiciously like Cecily. She’s picking up the wooden doll, and its shape changes to reflect an older man with the same hair color. She says she killed him; Titania was trying to get her to kill herself, and Titania killed him when he tried to intercede.

* The actress attempts to tell Chae that they’re playing into the gods’ hands by agreeing to the forge, but Chae is undeterred. The actress turns to Talos, accusing him of letting her live, letting her hope, and now Avalon doesn’t have a voice of its own. Chae tries to assert that this is not true, but Ti-Yo confirms that he is to the gods as the Fae are to Avlon, with the exception being that he is a servant while Avalon is the warden. What Ti-Yo is offering is not access to Avalon, but access to him – something for Chae to worry about later.

* The actress warns that the gods are cruel, but so is Avalon. People are pawns in the game they’ve been playing for thousands of years. As long as the party continues to react instead of act, they’ll always be behind. Ti-Yo confirms that, if the gods and the fae are left unchecked, they’ll destroy the people of Xicamen in their war. Balance has to be found.

* Chae asks for the actress to return Simon and Theo to the party, but she claims she doesn’t have them. Avalon is likely forcing them to confront their demons. She promises the party they’ll find them soon enough and pulls the mask from her face, revealing herself to be a wooden doll and the lights go out once more.

* When the lights come up, the party sees Actor!Theo standing over the bloodied body of Actor!Simon… and Simon and Theo laughing from seats in the audience about the brutality of their visions (they were worse, apparently). They seem blissfully unaware of the party’s whereabouts and the situations they were dealing with and, once they realize that the party dealt with uncomfortable and dangerous situations, they apologize.

* Briefly, the party believes Eli to be behind the misadventure, but Eli says that he just let Avalon “do its thing.” He begrudgingly leads the party to the place where Chae will have their procedure, but only allows Theo to follow once they get there. On the way, he tells Chae that Ti-Yo murdered his wife, and doesn’t understand why Chae trusts him to make this deal. Chae confirms that it was David and Ximena, not Ti-Yo, responsible for his wife’s death – Eli blames them too.

* Just before Chae goes in for the procedure, Theo says that he’d like to choose her if she’ll let him. She mumbles her agreement, and he kisses her, telling her to tell people that he’s their boyfriend.

* Several hours later, Chae, Theo, and Eli emerge. Chae says they’re starving, so the party resolves to get them food but, before they can leave, Titania shows up to inquire about escorting the party back to the planet – they refuse. She offers the party - Aedryan specifically - a threat to be careful going forward.

* The party arrives back planetside, Theo calls for food to be served, Simon seeks a physician for Aedryan, and the rest of the party relays the goings-on of their short visit to the moon. Theo notices a group of students dueling outside, thanks to Anastasios making a public declaration that no one has offered their hand to Cecily – prompting the students and Hendry to duel for the chance to ask for Cecily’s hand in marriage.

* Seeing Hendry involved, Simon is immediately concerned as a material and financial benefactor of the academy. Talos is also concerned, as someone involved with Cecily.

* The group tries to offer various suggestions to put a stop to the potential bloodbath when Talos comes up with an idea to put a stop to it. He leads Cecily outside and, after introducing himself to the combatants, he kisses her – something that does not endear her to him and has the added benefit of angering and discomfiting Anastasios and Simon and is reassigned to guarding Aedryan.

* Talos leaves and Sorni follows after to discuss things with him but he isn’t open to discussing things, leaving to clear his head. Anastasios and Chae decide to speak with him and lay out the reality of the situation: Anastasios would not have preferred Cecily choose someone like Talos, especially given her expectation of a certain lifestyle, but he has to figure out what he can offer her if he’s serious about her.

* The group, meanwhile, discusses heading to Halcythorn, as Cecily has decided to go back home. Anastasios wants to speak to Sorni’s family regarding her hand, and the party will be accompanying them to learn more of the Raven estate.

* Simon laments not having seen the train he’s been working with Hendry to create, with Chae referring to it as something he shouldn’t have – his invention has made the gods upset, since it wasn’t meant to be invented until after the famine. Aedryan points out that Simon’s invention disproves the gods’ idea that a famine is needed to kick off a technological revolution but, before the conversation can continue, Anastasios suggests having the conversation on the boat to Halcythorn.