Chapter 14: And In Ruined Flesh Ascend

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

## Credits

### Featured Voices

* B. Narr as Faulkner
* Jamie Stewart as Mason
* David S. Dear as Sid Wright
* Méabh de Brún as Carpenter
* Jimmie Yamaguchi as Hayward
* Lucille Valentine as Paige

## Meta Data

### Content Warnings

This episode contains scenes of self endangerment.

## Episode Guide

As a new God of Sleep wreaks havoc across the Peninsula, Faulkner comes to a crossroads. Carpenter and Hayward have a frank exchange.

## Description

### Faulkner's Phone Calls

The episode begins with police sirens and a ringing phone. Faulkner tells Mason that they found the Wither Mark, but Carpenter has been arrested. Mason asks Faulkner to describe the mark to him, which Faulkner does. He begs for help, the police are everywhere. Mason tells Faulkner to take some of the police officer’s with him, before saying goodbye and hanging up. Faulkner exclaims in disbelief. He won’t let this be how it ends.

Faulkner dials another number, his brother Eddie. Eddie asks what’s going on with him, calling him Rich and Richard. Faulkner confesses that he thought Eddie left because of him after Charlie died. Eddie tells Faulkner that Charlie’s death wasn’t his fault, we find out he was only 13 at the time, and that he didn’t leave because Charlie died. Eddie left because he was selfish and didn’t want to be stuck with Faulkner and his Father. He apologises for it. Eddie asks where Faulkner is so that he can come get him. Faulkner tells him that he was overreacting but it helped to hear from Eddie. He tells his older brother that he has so much ahead of him. Eddie affirms it. Eddie asks if Faulkner wants to speak with their father, which surprises him. Their father doesn’t talk much anymore. Eddie leaves to get their father, and Faulkner hangs up. He has accepted his fate, until he realises it is a freight truck not a police cruiser headed towards him. Faulkner sees the driver slumped over, he hears the radio chattering away. Sid Wright’s last broadcast plays on the radio. Snoring noises come from the driver.

### The Police Station

Hayward rationalises the events of the previous episode. He wonders about whether his life will change for the better. Hayward enters what we can assume is an interrogation room and offers Carpenter a cappuccino, warning her that it’s terrible beforehand. He asks about her leg, and she asks about his marriage. He tells her that some of the other officers on the night shift had been congratulating him on her arrest, but that no one knows what to make of her. Daggler and Hayward had been talking to the local police, and the older ones remember the Parish of Tide and Flesh but the younger generation doesn’t remember them at all. Carpenter states that the river doesn’t mind pleasure boating because they tend to tip. Hayward informs Carpenter of her charges, which are: *Religious Homicide (First Class) and Unlawful Transfiguration on Five Counts for the fishing boat; Religious Homicide (First Class) and Unlawful Transfiguration on a single separate count for the hotelier; Religious Homicide (again First Class, uncalculated), Religious Terrorism, Property Damage (uncalculated), and maybe a graffiti charge for Bellwethers; and Religious Homicide (First Class AGAIN), Violence Against a Police Officer and Blasphemy Against The Cloak for Daggler.* Hayward tells her if she doesn’t provide her real name she’ll enter into the system as Sandra. Carpenter comments that she thought he would barge in knowing all about who she really is, and Hayward remarks that no one cares who she really is at this point. She replies that no one ever did. Carpenter tells Hayward she wasn’t responsible for the fishing boat or Bellwethers, instead it was Roake. She reminds Hayward that there was police tape outside the town and that she was heading North the whole time. Carpenter talks about a god of openings, the way the police used to get confessions out of members of the Parish and other prisoners. Hayward informs her that they don’t hallow people like that anymore. Hayward believes they have two choices, resist or comply. Hayward tells her she can comply and be treated well, or go to trial and have it picked at auction which legal god she will be sacrificed to. Carpenter reveals her name to Hayward, who views this as a win. Hayward reveals his marriage is still intact, but barely. His wife tells him that he’s not a good man, in thought or in action.

Carpenter does not respond to Hayward’s point, and simply states that her cappuccino is getting cold. As a result, Hayward radios for another one. When he does so he receives no reply, only silence. He gets up to leave and get one himself when his radio bursts to life telling him to turn off his radio.

Sid Wright has found a police broadcasting channel, his voice encourages those listening to sleep. Sid Wright is aware that people are searching for him, to end his broadcast. He directs those dispatched to kill him to sleep. Gunshots are heard, followed by static.

### Paige Rescues Carpenter

Hayward finds the other officers asleep, and is at first outraged before he becomes confused and afraid. He immediately accuses Carpenter of having done this but she is just as confused as he is. He attempts to contact Felix, flipping through radio channels. He eventually makes contact with someone - it’s Paige - who claims to be squad car 619 coming in off patrol. She informs him that one of the radio stations has gone haywire, and that the same thing is happening across the territory. Paige asks for confirmation of Hayward’s location and tells him that she’s on the way to pick him up. Carpenter mocks Hayward for assuming she had made everyone sleep. Hayward makes it known how outraged he is at the state of the territory. When Paige arrives, he tells her to put Carpenter in the back. Paige draws a gun and points it at Hayward, informing him that Carpenter can come but he’s staying where he is. She introduces herself as Carpenter’s ride. Carpenter greets her as Paige orders Hayward to uncuff Carpenter and cuff himself to the station door. Hayward does as he’s told, he is not happy about it and again makes it very known. Paige and Carpenter drive off.

In the car, Paige begins panicking about having committed a crime, wondering what it would even be considered. Carpenter comforts her by saying they’ll undoubtedly come up with something to charge her with. She thanks Paige for turning up, before asking where she found the police cruiser. Paige asks after Faulkner and Carpenter tells her she doesn’t know what happened to him. She tells Paige that she thinks Faulkner is about to do something terrible. They resolve themselves to find him, heading West towards the river.

## References

1. ↑ Episode Release Announcement at https://twitter.com/TheSiltVerses/status/1422080345910951937
2. ↑ Official episode synopsis at https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/5fec690f8211cf453a1b89e2