Chapter 9: My Song Has Taken Hold Of Me

Generic Episode Cover - The Wither Mark Logo. Episode announcement did not include original art.

## Credits

### Featured Voices

* Jimmie Yamaguchi as Hayward
* Mintaka Angell as Felix
* Calder Dougherty as Daggler
* David S. Dear as Sid Wright
* Jonah Knight as Peterson

## Meta Data

### Content Warnings

This episode contains scenes of death, gun violence, police violence and intimidation.

## Episode Guide

As Hayward deals with the aftermath of [the events at] Marcel’s Crossing, he finds his investigation leading him heading northwards - with a new partner on his side.

## Description

### Hayward Takes Stanton on The River

The episode begins on the river. Hayward rows a boat and comments on how nice it is. He speaks to Stanton, telling him not to worry about the hotel among other things. Hayward muses about buying the hotel for himself. Stanton, The Hotelier, does not respond to or register Hayward. Hayward was told to just get rid of the evidence, quietly. The people of Marcel’s Crossing are incredibly fearful of the Parish of Tide and Flesh, Hayward jokes briefly about this. Hayward talks about “the best god” he’s come across, a god called Henge. He haunted a village in the North of the Peninsula and asked for keepsakes, things that weren’t useful anymore. The keepsake would be wrapped in green cotton, buried in a private place, and covered with a prayer mark to tell Henge what was being offered. One day, when you were ready for that offering to return, you’d look outside your window and the thing you had offered would be there as if it had never left. Hayward expresses that he likes the idea of someone who looks after the things you have to let go of. In contrast, he can’t fathom who would have done this to Stanton. He is looking for Carpenter and Faulkner. Hayward gets rid of the Saint. He does not enjoy it.

### The Stink

Hayward contacts Felix, who fills him in on information about the Lieutenant Colonel. Felix informs Hayward that they’re worried he won’t be able to close this case and that they’re sending someone. The line is reduced to static before Felix can finish. Hayward complains about the lack of information he’s been given, before realising that his signal has cut out.

We learn more about Hayward. He tells us that at 19 he completed his seven weeks of training. He was assigned a corner desk in the Cremator District Station in Southern Glottage. He is unsure of what to do when not on patrol, and no one gives him genuine casework. He spends a lot of time writing and rewriting a grocery list until a bell rings. At this point, he is unaware of how when The Stink grows around an Investigating Officer’s ability to close cases it tends to get worse as it lingers. They are branded failures, handed the unsolvable and absurd cases that no one else wants to think about. Friends avoid them. The sacrifice is moved into the stairwell, their desk chained up so they can complain but they have no choice but to accept their place. The sacrifice doesn’t run, or attempt to flee their contract. They want to believe that if they just close that one case, they can undo what has already been done. A collar is fixed around the sacrifice’s neck, connected to a restraining rod, and they are led through the bullpen. Case files and paper are placed on them, they are attacked by other Investigating Officers. The participating officers “fire a ten-gun salute” into the sacrifice. After this, the tension in the bullpen recedes. Young Hayward does not understand why this happens, he is just relieved that it is not him.

### Hayward meets Daggler

Back in the present, Hayward pulls over and greets Daggler. Daggler immediately points out the state of Hayward’s equipment, before asking Hayward for the report. Hayward updates Daggler on the information he has so far. After hearing that Hayward found the suspects, Daggler accuses Hayward of incompetence before making a reference to the Stink.

At the hotel Hayward informs Daggler that Felix has given them permission to stay at the hotel for as long as they need to. Hayward is in room 203, Daggler takes room 204. Before they part, Daggler orders Hayward to fix the radio and states that he will be driving. Hayward fixes the radio and speaks with Felix, who informs him that Daggler was involved in closing the case surrounding the Drowning Song a decade ago. Daggler got a full confession out of the suspects. Felix warns Hayward, telling him that Daggler has a rhetorical god for personal use and he has a lot of complaints against him.

According to Hayward, there’s not much that can be done to avoid the Stink. But some take to an unreliable form of worship in an attempt to out last it. A remnant of a broken down shrine, or other symbol from an outlawed god, that is worshipped in an attempt to gain some kind of grace. Rhetorical gods originate from the Propaganda gods that helped in the last war. Hayward emphasises that they are not allowed to call it a Liar’s god. Rhetorical gods were banned regardless, making Daggler’s possession of one surprising. As Hayward muses about this, Daggler appears. He says they’re going to visit the bookseller, and orders Hayward not to call him ‘partner’.

### Sid Wright's Morning Radio Broadcast

On the radio, Sid Wright announces that it’s 6am and he’s lasted longer than anyone anticipated he would. He talks about the producer, who is undecided on whether he is a miracle or a threat. He talks of his predecessor, who lasted less than 10 days. He announces himself as a miracle, before introducing the next track.

### Daggler and Hayward Speak to Peterson

Daggler flips between radio stations. Hayward asks Daggler for more background information on the Parish. Daggler finally settles on a radio station, it is one he clearly knows well. They arrive at their location, Daggler continues to direct Hayward. Hayward addresses Peterson. Daggler is immediately antagonistic and violent towards him. Peterson reveals he thought Faulkner and Carpenter were detectives. Peterson stops responding. Next thing they know, the officers stand in front of a burnt out house. Daggler states that The Cloak understands blood sacrifice is necessary when he is questioned about his actions towards Peterson. Daggler produces Coiling Speaks, his rhetorical god, and tells Hayward its history. Lies do not stick to him. It appears to be a thinly veiled threat. Now it is made clear that Hayward has been marked by the Stink.

Back at the hotel, Hayward takes a shower and rationalises his situation. He doesn’t want to believe the Stink has marked him, but is unable to avoid it.

## References

1. ↑ Episode Release Announcement at https://twitter.com/TheSiltVerses/status/1394335211299692544
2. ↑ Official episode synopsis at https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/5fec690f8211cf453a1b89e2