Simon Chastellain

Simon Chastellain (also known as the vicomte d'Aviron) is a friend of Christopher Rowe, Thomas Bailey, and Sally Deschamps. He is shown to be wild at times, but cares deeply for his family and friends. He is currently 22 years old.

## Early Life

At the age of eight, Simon was sent off to live with his uncle, Marin Chastellain, in Paris. Because the plague prohibited him from leaving the house, he became "terribly bored." During this time, he met Benedict Blackthorn, who had visited Paris in order to find the plague cure. Simon developed an immediate liking for Blackthorn, who always treated him kindly. He enjoyed watching as the apothecary prepared various potions, and loved playing with the tools inside his sash—especially the magnet.

After the plague in Paris ended, Simon returned with his parents to their estate in Nottinghamshire, England. He remained there for the rest of his youth.

## *The Assassin's Curse*

Simon and Christopher first meet in Lisette's room at the Palais. When Simon spots the apprentice examining a snake trap, he grows suspicious and demands an explanation. At first, Christopher attempts to maintain his disguise, but due to threats from Simon, he reveals himself as Blackthorn's former apprentice. At the mention of Blackthorn's name, Simon lunges at the boy. He is shown to be a skilled swordsman, easily disarming his opponent; he is also excellent at recognizing when something is off. However, upon spotting Christopher's sash, he releases the apprentice and explains how he knew Blackthorn "a long time ago." Simon then introduces himself as the vicomte d'Aviron.

Embarrassed, he apologizes for attacking Christopher. A baron would have no reason to carry Venice treacle; nor knowledge of how to treat snake bites; nor examine a snake trap; nor would ever refer to his servant as his "friend." This behavior, according to Simon, struck him as odd, and so he attacked Christopher. The French king's poisoning also put him on edge. Despite the pair's previous fight, he asks Christopher to visit Marin, to which the apprentice agrees on terms that his friends can join them.

## *The Traitor's Blade*

After returning to London, Christopher is on his way to Whitehall. He decides to visit Blackthorn, as it has been abandoned for four months, despite the significant delay such a visit would cause. As he is examining an envelope on the table, the doorbell rings, and Simon enters. A dagger is sticking straight through his back, rendering him in a state of shock. A physician, Dr. Kemp, is able to treat Simon in time with Christopher's help. Under the influence of poppy, the vicomte mistakenly claims that the Raven is dead. He then falls asleep.

Later, Christopher returns to Blackthorn alongside Tom and Sally. Simon's spirits have lifted because of Dr. Kemp's company. He is excited to reunite with Christopher's friends, and asks why they were away from London. Christopher explains that he sent Simon letters about the incident; this confuses Simon, as he claims he never received any letters. The letters he mailed to Christopher never arrived, either. When he visited London to check on the apprentice, he was attacked in front of Blackthorn by a Covenanter. At the time, he was unsure of the attacker's affiliation, but he knew the Raven was, supposedly, not responsible.

Following more of Christopher's questions, Simon details his course of action when he discovered that Rémi and Colette were frauds. He first contacted a band of crooks who formerly worked for his uncle, Marin Chastellain. They provided him with information about the Raven's method of robbery: he targets a noble's house under the guise of working for them as a servant. When he finishes robbing them of all their wealth, he then murders his master and flees under the cover of night. According to Simon, the Raven enjoys murder. Consumed with rage, he spent almost all his wealth in the hunt for the criminal. Eventually, a noble named Guy d'Auzon wrote to Simon, with a report that Rémi has already infiltrated his house. Before Simon was able to arrive, d'Auzon shot Rémi in the heart, while Colette escaped the estate.

Christopher speculates that Colette may be the Raven, but Simon refutes the possibility. He attempts to convince Christopher of the Raven's death, but the apprentice refuses to believe, asking who attacked Simon if the Raven is not responsible. The vicomte suggests that he attack was directed toward Christopher and King Charles II. However, either because of his identity being mistaken or due to his friendship with Christopher, he was marked as a target. Christopher considers this theory reasonable, but is unable to accept that Rémi may have been the Raven. He leaves the bedroom in order to prepare a poppy infusion for Simon.

After resolving the plot against the king, Christopher and Tom return to Blackthorn. They find Simon and Dr. Kemp in the middle of a chess game, both nearly drunk. Against orders from the physician, Simon had ordered the drink himself, and upon discovering this, Dr. Kemp, jokingly confiscates the bottle. After he leaves, Christopher informs the vicomte that the Raven is alive. This infuriates Simon, and the two apprentices have to restrain him while he calms down. Upon noticing Bridget's absence, Christopher inquires of her location, to which Simon replies that he last spotted her pecking at the window an hour ago. Tom climbs up to the roof to search for their beloved pigeon, while Christopher returns to the workshop.

*The Assassin's Curse,* pg. 146
2. ↑ *The Assassin's Curse,* pg. 140
3. ↑ *The Assassin's Curse,* pg. 125