It wasn’t the first memory Cassio had of zoos, but it was the most vivid. One of the few times his entire House was together. His blind father being guided by his beautiful mother while his uncle led the entire family from cage to cage.

It had been so disappointing.

There were no ferocious beasts he had seen in his picture books. The bears, wolves and jaguars were sad, broken things waiting for death in their small prisons. Wishing to hunt down the bored customers who had come to gawk at them.

He wondered if the wolf had felt relief when his uncle had taken too many sips from his flask before sticking his revolver through the bars and shot it.

Father had almost pissed himself with fright and mother had screamed while uncle had just laughed and laughed. Even as a child he had recognized the brandy on his breath. Cassio had only stared stone faced at the wolf while life had left its eyes, but he knew the animal’s soul had been long dead. The zookeepers had come running and realized that there was nothing they could do when they saw that his uncle was a count.

Count Santiago de Rossi. The Great Lion of the Rossis.

The Not-So-Great Lion.

The zookeepers had hung their heads low and bagged the dead wolf whose head uncle had mounted on his wall. It was so embarrassing that Cassio thought less of his uncle every time he saw it. The Great Lion had left his greatness into Osetaria when a sniper’s bullet had unmanned him.

Cassio had been eleven years old.

That had been six years ago and now his blind father was dead and his beautiful mother too while the Great Lion became smaller by the day. Six years since Cassio had been to the zoo. He was sure that the zookeepers would have been more than happy if no Rossi ever came back which made their desperate plea for his help all the more surprising.

Guilt and curiosity made him accept their request.

At seventeen Cassio was already built like a man in his prime with broad shoulders, flat stomach, and muscular arms. He had a saturnine face that did not show emotion easily and few people could withstand his stare for long. His hair was a mix of blood and gold and his eyes green as summer grass. He was dressed in a top hat, greatcoat and a scarlet cravat that matched his hair. By his side stood his mastiff Phobos he had raised and trained from birth. The hunting dog looked more formidable than any beast in the zoo.

But one empty cage told a terrifying story.

The chimp cage had been sealed off for obvious reasons. The door to the cage hung loose and even after the cleanup, Cassio could smell blood on the cage floor.

“What happened here?” Cassio asked.

The zoo owner was a small, wiry man who had worked with dangerous animals all his life and even in his old age had unflinching nerves. A man who had left all fear behind.

“One of the keepers was teaching his son how to feed the chimpanzee and…”

“He got too close?” Cassio suggested.

“Chimps have a long reach.” The owner said.

Cassio rubbed Phobos’s neck and stared at the blood splatters. The mastiff rubbed its head against his leg lovingly.

“Sharp teeth too.”

“You have no idea, viscount.” The owner said: “I know that people think gorillas are monsters, but it has always been the chimps. They won’t just kill you. They will make sure to torture you first. Castrate you, blind you, maim you… You can probably imagine what he did to the boy.”

“I can imagine.” Cassio admitted.

“The keeper tried to save his boy but that only meant the chimp got him too. And his keys. I knew chimps were smart but… fuck me… never thought they would know how to use a key.”

“Charming.” Cassio said while tapping the steel door: “What happened to the keeper and his son?”

“The chimp did was chimps did. They died a few hours later at the hospital. Thank God. Wouldn’t have been much of a life after what the chimp took from them.”

“I see. How old was the boy?”

“Eleven.” The owner said.

“Eleven.” Cassio echoed: “Poor age to die.”

“Poor way to die too.” The owner said and looked at him: “Can you do it, milord? Can you kill the chimp? Without anyone noticing? I want to keep this on the downlow, and I have heard that you’re a man who likes a challenge.”

Cassio had a thin smile on his lips when he rubbed Phobos’s neck.

“I have hunted monster pigs when they grow too big and come down from the mountains to eat the crops. I will kill your chimp. Consider it a debt repaid.” Cassio said.

“Monster pigs…” The owner said wistfully: “I wanted to have one here, but they grow too big. Too strong. A cage can’t hold them. But…”

“But?”

“Don’t think this chimp is just some dumb animal. They’re smarter than we realize and very patient.”

Cassio scratched Phobos’s head, and the dog licked his hand.

“Phobos can rip open the throat of a monster pig and I have yet to meet an animal that is smarter than a bullet.”

“I hope that is enough.” The owner said and looked at him grimly: “Viscount… you should probably start looking near Wyrd Stones.”

“And why is that?”

“Call it an educated guess, milord.” The owner said.

Cassio thanked him for his educated guess before leaving for the hunt. His guns were stored at the Artemis Club he had been a member of since he was thirteen. Since he had killed his first beast. The rifle had been custom made for him and no hunter in Garuccia had a finer weapon. The revolver was no inferior in quality and his hunting knife was made of black obsidian. Even the best steel scalpels did not have such a sharp edge.

Once he was armed, the hunt was on.

The chimp fleeing and taking brutal revenge on its captors was not surprising. Cassio had seen the cages the animals were kept in. Solitary confinement would have been kinder. The Leoden Zoo did not try to recreate nature inside a closed system but instead had attractions to draw people in. Animals or men. Both would have gone mad in such a place.

What surprised him was that the chimp had not gone on a rampage through Leoden.

The animal was savage and sadistic, and Cassio had expected the chimp to kill anyone that crossed its path before being brought down in a hail of police gunfire but no. After getting the worst anger out, the chimp seemed to have fled Leoden. The bastard was patient and meticulous and without even fully realizing it, he had stopped thinking about the chimp as some dumb, brutish animal. This was a true challenge of his courage and skill. The Game was on.

The chimp ran down a sword bridge and Cassio followed.

It didn’t take long for Phobos to find the chimp’s scent. Nothing Cassio had ever encountered smelled like a chimp. The smell could have belonged to a human but only more so. A human who had been left in a cage for years and denied baths. A human who had been stewing in hate. A human who could eat your face.

The trail led them to a forest near Leoden.

King Eld had done his best to tame Garuccia and bring civilization to wilderness, but the wilderness could never be tamed. Only kept out and contained. Like a monster lurking at the gates. One did not have to go far from Leoden to come across a forest that was no forest. Mist lurked between the trees that reached up to a man’s waist and shrouded everything past a stone throw in impenetrable fog. Roots sticking out of the ground or holes animals burrowed in were vicious traps that could snap a man’s ankle in two in an instant if he didn’t always watch his step. Easy prey for anyone who would take him. Then there was the damp air that ate through clothes and made anyone who ventured inside miserable and grouchy. And careless. It was no forest.

It was a Garuccian jungle.

And it was home to beasts that would have eaten all the exhibits at Leoden Zoo alive. Going in was madness. If he died, it was not him who perished but his House as well. He was the last Rossi. His parents were dead. Murdered by a monster in the night and after being unmanned by a sniper’s bullet in the war, he was the only heir his uncle had left. The Red Lions had built Leoden and outlived two Royal Houses. The wisest thing would have been to call his banners and burn the forest down with the chimp inside.

A brutal grin spread on Cassio’s thin lips, and he pressed on.

What did a lion have to fear from a monkey?

Exhilaration that he only felt while on the hunt turned his blood into lightning. Military training at the academy was only a pale imitation of it. Boxing came a bit closer but even that was an attempt to contain the oldest law.

The Law of Survival.

The Game.

When two adversaries tested their will against each other, and the world had to judge who would die by whose hand. Who was worthy to shape the world. While they ventured deeper into the jungle, Cassio made sure the spike collar was fastened properly around Phobos’s neck. If any predator tried to rip his throat open, they would be in for a nasty surprise. It did not matter what manner of creature he came along in the woods. He was a lion, and lions had no enemies. There was only food.

And he could feel someone watching him.

He had trespassed on someone else’s territory and every step he took deeper in was an insult. He was standing on a sword bridge and the serpent’s egg had hatched. But it wasn’t fear he was feeling.

It was anticipation.

“Phobos. Be ready.” Cassio said.

The mastiff didn’t make a sound but looked more alert than before. Dogs inherited shards of their owners’ personalities and Phobos’s was more a lion than a dog after being raised by him. His trusty right hand. While Phobos guarded his feet, Cassio kept his rifle pointed at the treetops. If he was a chimp, he would wait in a tree for a change to plunge down on his prey’s back and pound them to death with his fists. Cassio was twice as strong as the average man and even he could not rip a man into pieces like a chimp could. They pushed forward until they found a meadow in the jungle.

And on the meadow were the Wyrd Stones.

The stones were white as pearls and shaped like crystals. A door that led to another world. The air was simmering between the mighty rocks and scent of another world drifted through it. It was so… beautiful. Like it was calling to him.

“I knew someone would come after me.”

Phobos growled and Cassio turned quickly to point at the voice that came from behind him, but he saw only mist. And something moving in the mist. Darting between the trees. Shaped vaguely like a human. The rugged voice and movements mimicking a human’s made Phobos uneasy and it was looking at him for comfort.

“You can talk?” Cassio said while trying to take aim.

Howling like laughter echoed through the jungle.

“You don’t seem surprised.” The chimpanzee said from its hiding place.

“I am not a man easily surprised.” Cassio said and tried to keep the chimp talking.

With any luck he could aim based on sound alone.

“I will make you scream.” The chimpanzee said: “I will make any human I come across scream for what you did to me. Locking me up in a cage for children to gawk at. Keeping me away from the Wyrding so long that I forgot how to talk.”

“Come out and you will find out that I am not easily undone.” Cassio said.

“I will kill you. Killing you is my right. After how you wronged me.” The chimpanzee said.

“I saw your cage.” Cassio said while he pinned down the chimp’s location: “I can sympathize. Keeping someone in there is inhuman. But so is what you did to that boy.”

“He got close and I…” The chimp said.

Cassio blocked out everything else when he pulled the trigger. The kick of the rifle sent vibrations down his shoulder that was absorbed by his thick muscles. The chimp screeched again but this time from pain.

“Phobos! Kill!” Cassio commanded.

Phobos ran after the wounded chimp like a bullet from his rifle and Cassio followed. Phobos was another one of his weapons and far more deadly than his rifle. He had his obsidian knife ready in case getting shot in the chest wasn’t enough to take down the chimp. A regular chimp would have died from a shot to the chest, but this was a denizen of the Wyrding, dragged out of its home and put on display. When Phobos disappeared into the mist, he heard a sudden howl of pain and snapping of bones followed by a pitiful whine.

Then the chimp stepped out of the mist.

Its grin was wide enough to split its cheeks and its teeth were caked in blood. It was the smile that gave Cassio pause. It showed no mirth. Only teeth. He had seen chimps only in books before and it had not prepared him for the uncanny display of seeing one in the wild. The limbs, body and face were crude caricatures of humanity. A glimpse back into more savage times when they had lived in caves and beaten their neighbors to death without a second thought. The chimp’s eyes were close set and buried deep into its skull but the brutality in its gaze was so humanlike. Human brutality that was untamed and running free.

Then the chimp screamed and the sound paralyzed Cassio.

While he stood motionless, the chimp charged at him, and Cassio suspected that those teeth were the last thing the zookeeper had seen before the chimp had torn off his face. Cassio wrestled back control of his body, but he did not have time to make another shot. Raising the rifle as a shield was the only thing that saved his face from the chimp’s teeth when the brute crashed into him and took him to the ground. Cassio had been boxing and wrestling since he was old enough to stand and he had thought there was nothing he couldn’t manhandle when he got taken to the ground.

The chimp showed how wrong he had been.

The creature was a lump of muscle with nary a drop of fat to it. Even with all the weightlifting he had done, he could not match the chimp’s natural power. Even with a bullet lodged into its chest all Cassio could do was lock its jaws with his rifle.

“Kill you!” The chimp screeched while its jaws snapped inches from Cassio’s nose.

The fae were hard to kill but so were lions who had started life as dogs. Despite the broken bones he had suffered, Phobos jumped on the chimp and bit down on the back of its skull with force that could tear off a grown man’s arm. The chimp howled and started wailing at Phobos, every blow breaking something in his brave mastiff. But that gave him the chance he needed.

Cassio drew his side revolver and fired one shot at the chimp’s head.

The bullet hit the monster in the jaw and tore it off. The chimp fell to the side and stared at its missing lower jaw while its tongue flopped pitifully from its torn mouth. It tried to press its lower jaw back in place to no avail. Cassio stood up, walked over to the chimp, and emptied his revolver in the back of its head. When he was out of bullets, he sliced its neck to the bone. Everything less would have left a gnawing suspicion.

Then Cassio turned to look at his poor mastiff.

Phobos let out a sad whine and tried to walk over to him but after the blows to its back he wouldn’t walk ever again. Cassio walked over to his brave friend and let him lick his hand for the last time.

“You were a good boy, Phobos. I will not forget you.” Cassio said.

The rifle was ruined from being used as a shield, but it could still give Phobos the gift of mercy. It was the hardest trigger he had ever pulled. Once Phobos was at peace, Cassio turned to look at the chimp. That had been an ugly way to die and perhaps the chimp had deserved it, but it still felt wrong for it to be stranded so far from home even in death.

As a final service Cassio carried the chimp’s body between the Wyrd Stones.

When his enemy had been laid to rest, Cassio threw Phobos over his shoulders and started the long trek back to Leoden. It was a long march made all the longer by carrying a dog weighing over hundred pounds on his back, but Cassio never stopped to rest. He could feel the other beasts in the jungle watching him but never daring to get close. They recognized a lion by sight and king of the jungle had no enemies.

There was only food.

The march back took nearly four hours and when Cassio arrived at the city gates, he was no longer himself. Everything that made him who he was had been wiped away by exhaustion. When he finally saw another human being, everything happened in a blur. He remembered handing over Phobos’s body and being led to one of the hidden mansion’s his family owned in Leoden. He was washed and fed. Sleep took him by force. It took two days of rest before he was strong enough to bury Phobos in the hidden mansion’s garden and he used his broken rifle as a marker.

But there was little time to mourn.

Uncle had summoned him to celebrate the anniversary of the Twelve-Year-War. In heavy resignation Cassio boarded his family’s private train, the Lion’s Paw, that his uncle had sent to pick him up from Leoden and he started travelling to one of the villas House Rossi owned. It was a two-day travel and Cassio spent it thinking about the chimp and Phobos. He had won but it was a hollow victory. Phobos had trusted him and followed him, and he had let the mastiff down. His companion he had raised since it had been a pup. They had been practically brothers. Would he ever find another like Phobos?

And why was his heart so cold?

After the long train ride that took him to a distant hamlet, he travelled the rest of the way in a carriage. Leoden had hidden mansions built in it. Entire hotels and restaurants working as a front for the hidden upper floors where the nobles could stay in peace and safety. His uncle had taken the practice one step further.

He had a hidden mansion with an entire village as a front.

The people in the hamlet did not know it but the food and cattle they grew, their entire lives’ work, served only one purpose. To make sure the mansion deep in the woods wouldn’t lack anything when uncle decided to throw his yearly party.

The anniversary of the Twelve-Year-War.

It was the only time when the many noble houses put aside their many grievances, real or imagined, and they could just enjoy themselves and each other. Sometimes Cassio suspected that the only reason Garuccia’s nobles went to war with Osetaria was when some noble house grew too powerful for the king’s liking. Once the nobles had been culled down enough and looked like the Houses were starting to build a genuine sense of camaraderie, the king would sign a peace treaty and once again stroke the flames of resentment between the aristocratic families. War made sure that no noble house could ever rise to challenge the king and the petty rivalries kept them too busy to realize it.

Fools, Cassio thought.

The mansion in the woods was impressive as ever. It had burned down many times when parties had gotten too rowdy, but it had always been rebuilt. Every count Rossi had known enough to appreciate privacy where they could make complete pigs of themselves. It stood three stories tall and had been built from stone taken from the castles of bested enemies. There were enough guestrooms to house every noble in Garuccia. The hedges in the yard had been pruned into the shape of lions, bears, and elephants. Maintaining them was a fulltime duty and the gardener’s shack stood just out of sight of the mansion. That’s how uncle liked his servants.

Out of sight. Out of mind.

The servants were busy preparing for the party, and he could smell the chefs slaving in the kitchens. Paintings of great battles were hanging from the walls and chess sets themed after the Twelve-Year-War were prepared as gifts. Amidst the servants Cassio spotted a clown dressed in a motley of blue, purple, and pink whose face was painted in the same colors. He was being lectured by the butler on what kind of jokes were not allowed.

“Cassio.”

Cassio saw his aunt walking over to him and he hopped down from his horse. A servant rushed to take the reins and lead the horse into the stables.

“Auntie.” Cassio responded.

Bianca de Rossi was a difficult woman to like and proud of it. She had a sharp face and suspicious eyes. Her pale skin was always protected by an umbrella. The red colors of House Rossi suited her poorly, but she wore them all the same. Keeping up appearances in official ceremonies was her duty and the rest of the time she lived away from his uncle. Cassio had always respected her more than loved her. When his parents had died, she hadn’t tried to play mother to him but hadn’t allowed him to wallow in misery either.

“I wasn’t sure you would make it.” Auntie said: “I heard a rumor you were sick.”

“Nothing I couldn’t handle.” Cassio said.

Auntie nodded solemnly and then looked at him sharply.

“Where is Phobos?”

“I had to put him down.”

It was rare to see auntie surprised but surprise he did. Her eyes widened and she put her hand on his arm. Her touch was cold.

“What happened?”

“A hunt gone bad.” Cassio said.

For a moment Cassio worried that auntie would hug him but then she just sighed and patted his arm.

“I still remember when I got you that dog. It was the first time you smiled since… what happened with your parents.”

“He was a good dog.” Cassio said.

Auntie looked like she had hoped him to say something more but then shook her head.

“Have you cried?”

“No.”

“Maybe you should. It will make you feel better.” Auntie said.

“I will think about it.” Cassio said and glanced at the clown who was now helping the servants with preparations: “What is with the clown?”

“I hired him as entertainment. I have had to listen to sixteen years of military daring and could use some jokes. He came recommended by House Grimaldi.”

Cassio looked at the clown. He was small for his age. Maybe fifteen. Two years younger than him. Small but hard like a pebble. That lean frame held a lump of muscle like a chimp. He couldn’t explain it but when he looked at the clown, he felt like he was staring at a beast lying in ambush.

“Are you sure about this?” Cassio said.

“Take it up with you uncle. He laughed so hard that…”

There was explosive shout that came from inside the mansion that scarcely sounded human, and auntie rubbed the bridge of her nose.

“Cassio… could you handle this? I have had to navigate a dozen temper tantrums already.”

“I will.” Cassio said and ventured inside.

You could hear uncle’s tirade in every part of the mansion. He had been a military commander during the Twelve-Year-War and had a voice like cannon fire. The servants had stopped what they were doing and just stood paralyzed by fear. Fear that uncle’s rage would be turned on them.

“My lord!”

A maid the same age as Cassio walked faster than most people ran. Francesca was an unusually tall woman and had proven herself to be unusually competent as well. She was not particularly pretty with a long neck and even a longer face, but her hair was thick, her eyes shined like polished wood, and she wore a maid’s uniform well. Cassio had already decided to bring her with him to run his household when he took over a mansion of his own.

“Francesca.” Cassio said.

“Thank God you’re here. Your uncle…”

“Is at it again. Has he been drinking?” Cassio asked: “You have my leave to speak freely.”

“He has. Excessively.” Francesca said while wiping a chalk stain from her sleeve.

“Charming.” Cassio said: “Has he hit anyone?”

“Not yet.”

“Progress. I will deal with this.”

“Thank you, my lord.” Francesca said.

Cassio walked into the dining hall to find out what had roused the wrath of the lion. To his utter disgust he realized it was nothing more serious than the quality of folded napkins. Uncle was waving the napkin in front of a child who was dressed as a maid and on the verge of tears.

“Uncle.” Cassio said.

When uncle turned to look at him, his rage subsided for a moment. Count Santiago de Rossi was a sad sight. He had been great once and you could still see flashes of his former power but the years following the Twelve-Year-War had not been kind. He was even taller than Cassio would ever grow to be, and, in his youth, he had been ever more muscular but that had been a long time ago. His muscles had turned to fat from excessive feasting and even more excessive drinking had turned his face as red as his hair. The fierce beard that had once been his pride and joy now covered his multiple chins. Despite not being even forty, his hair was going prematurely grey and there were dark shadows around his green eyes that had once been sharp but had gone dull.

“Cassio.” Uncle said and Cassio could smell the brandy on his breath.

“Is everything okay?” Cassio asked while trying to keep the disgust off his face.

Uncle’s anger flared up again and he grabbed the young maid’s wrist.

“This useless idiot can’t even fold a napkin! Look at this!”

Cassio glanced at the napkin uncle had crushed into a ball in his meaty hand and then pulled the young maid away from him.

“I will see that Francesca takes care of the napkins and that she is punished.” Cassio said.

The girl squirmed and uncle let out a drunken laugh.

“Yes. You do that. It’s good that there is someone I can trust. Would you like a drink?” Uncle said and picked up a half-drained bottle of brandy from the table.

“I haven’t supped yet.” Cassio said.

Stolen story; please report.

“More for me.” Uncle said and drank straight from the bottle.

Cassio left his uncle to drink himself into an early grave and led the girl away. She was now crying without a sound and walking like her feet were bags of sand.

“Francesca.” Cassio called.

Francesca came running and despite her masterful control of her expressions, he caught a glimpse of murderous rage when she saw the crying girl.

“What happened… my lord?” Francesca asked.

“The napkins need better folding. I will leave that to you.” Cassio said and looked at the crying girl: “As for you.”

The girl flinched and prepared for the worst.

“Go home for today. Francesca will see that tomorrow you will not have to deal with my uncle.” Cassio said and took a diam from his wallet that he placed on the girl’s palm: “For your troubles.”

The girl stared at the coin, then at him before bowing her head and uttering her thanks. She took her leave and Cassio watched her go with Francesca.

“Thank you, my lord.” Francesca said.

“Don’t think we are getting off this easy.” Cassio said and ran his fingers through his red hair: “Are the baths ready?”

“I will have one warmed up. Would you like some dinner?”

“Afterwards, yes.” Cassio said: “I will be at the gym. Let me know when the baths are prepared.”

No Rossi residence was complete without a gym. Their ancestor, Leon the Red, had earned his lordship by the strength of his arms and every Rossi was expected to have muscle in his frame and skill with the tools of war. Whenever Cassio entered a gym and saw the equipment, he felt like a kid in a toy store. For the next hour he built up a sweat by swinging around kettlebells, climbing ropes, and hitting a heavy punching bag. When Francesca informed him that the baths had been prepared, he continued sweating in a sauna and then washed himself with soap and cold water. Clean clothes had been prepared for him and Cassio retired to his room where supper was brought for him. He washed down the steak buried in onions and potatoes with sweet wine and as a dessert he had a glass of brandy and some chocolate.

Before retiring into his bed, Cassio looked at a photograph of his parents.

The last one he had taken with his parents.

He was standing next to his blind father and beautiful mother, smiling without a care in the world. Not knowing that all he knew and loved would be torn from him soon. He scarcely recognized the smiling boy as himself.

“Mother. Father. Goodnight.” Cassio said.

It wasn’t easy to fall asleep without Phobos sleeping by him and when sleep came, he was plagued by nightmares. That night he dreamt of hunting the chimp that had killed Phobos but when he tracked it down to the meadow by the Wyrd Stones, he was instead greeted by the clown dressed in blue, pink, and purple. His eyes absorbed the colors he had painted his face with and seemed to be of different colors. His teeth were small and sharp like everything else about him.

“You made it. Congratulations.” The clown said and clapped his hands.

Cassio pointed his rifle at the clown who suddenly didn’t seem so small. Whatever shape his shadow took, it didn’t belong to a human.

“Who are?”

The clown smirked at him.

“Just someone who has been watching you for some time now, Cassio, and now… here we are.” The clown said and laughed at his rifle: “Do you think that peashooter can kill me?”

Cassio never got a chance to find out. Before he could pull the trigger, a knock on the door woke him up.

“My lord?” Francesca called from the other side: “The countess wants you to be ready for the guests.”

Cassio felt sluggish when he got out of bed. Like he had been fighting all night. He had to sit by his bed for a moment before he felt strong enough to stand up and he wondered if he’d had too much to drink but all he’d drained was two glasses of wine with dinner and a glass of brandy afterwards. Nothing he couldn’t handle. When he came back to his senses, Cassio put on a black shirt and red silk coat that had been prepared for him. A golden lion with a rose in its mouth had been sown to the chest of his jacket.

The guests started arriving at noon in a long caravan of splendor.

Carriages with the banners of the great houses rolled to the yard and Cassio was there to greet them with his aunt and uncle. There was House Grimaldi ruled by the margrave Alastor. From what he could piece together Alastor and his uncle had had a rivalry with each other during the Twelve-Year-War on who could push further into Osetaria.

His uncle, the sour winner, and Alastor, the happy loser.

Alastor had gone home and fathered heirs while Santiago had pushed his luck too far and taken a bullet to the groin. Although for a while it had looked like Alastor would have to bury his younger child before she even had a chance to grow up. Even nobles could not buy their way out of sickness. Cassio still remembered Livia when she had been deathly ill. That sad, shriveled child clinging to life with all her might. He had been sent to play with her and that had almost been too much for a boy who had wanted to be a hero. He had been certain she would not last long, but Livia had endured. She had bested death, but it had changed her.

“Viscount.” Livia said and offered her hand for him to kiss.

Cassio kissed her hand reluctantly. The childhood sickness had washed all the color out of Livia’s hair, and it was now a mix of ash and snow, but her eyes were even more unsettling. They were the color of bird eggs and they saw too much. They made him feel like a mouse trapped under the glare of a serpent. Her skin felt cold when Cassio’s lips brushed against it.

“Livia.” Cassio said.

Livia hid her smile behind her fan and walked inside leaving Cassio face to face with her brother. Viktor was a much different creature from her sister. Stocky and muscular with short cropped black hair and eyes blue as bruises. A rugged scar split his brow and every time Cassio saw it, he had to suppress the need to flinch. Why had Viktor come so hard at him in the boxing ring? He had been two years his junior and almost a full head shorter than him.

“Cassio.” Viktor said and shook his hand.

“Viktor.” Cassio said and had to put an effort to match Viktor’s prodigious grip.

After a brisk greeting, Viktor followed his family inside.

Where Viktor went, Prospero de Ferro was never far behind. Prospero was a year younger than Cassio but already as tall and built like a steel rail. Thin and hard with legs that never tired. He had hawkish features and dark eyes to match his long hair he pulled back with a ribbon. Like him and Viktor, Prospero had started his studies at the military academy, but he had never finished them thanks to an incident with a fellow student. His family had quietly transferred him to the Leoden University and paid hush money to the academy.

“Cassio, you’re looking good.” Prospero said with a grin.

Prospero had an even stronger grip than Viktor with calloused palms and dirt under his fingernails. A grip not even Cassio could match.

“Thank you.” Cassio said.

“But always so serious.” Prospero said and patted his shoulder: “You should try to live a little.”

Lesser noble houses followed the great houses and after them the servants from houses who had not been able to make it themselves. Once all the guests were inside, the party began. There was the feast with multiple courses and Cassio sampled all the meat dishes while ignoring the fish and most of the vegetables. The wine made the longwinded speeches about Garuccia’s glory bearable. There was something embarrassing about old men reliving a war that had ended over fifteen years ago. Had these lords not accomplished anything other worth remembering?

“Do yourself a favor and try not to yawn.”

Cassio glanced over his shoulder and spotted the head advisor of House Neri. He was a fit man of average size dressed in a cream white suit and a brown hat. He was not quite handsome, but his beautiful hair and well-groomed chin beard could make you forget that. The most memorable thing about him was how he wore darkened glasses everywhere he went. Some said he was blind or nearly so, but Cassio had his doubts.

“Gonzalo.” Cassio said.

“Viscount.” Gonzalo said and made a slight bow.

“Your masters are not joining us this year?” Cassio said.

“No need to act disappointed.” Gonzalo said and took out a cigarette folder: “A smoke?”

“No thank you.” Cassio said.

“Your call.” Gonzalo said and looked around: “What do you make of the party?”

Cassio twirled the wine in his glass that he had barely touched.

“I sense danger.”

“Nothing more dangerous than a bunch of drunken nobles.” Gonzalo said while lighting his cigarette: “I assume you would know. There was a rumor going around in Leoden that you killed a monkey.”

“If there was a rumor, it was a chimpanzee.” Cassio said.

“My mistake. I also heard you lost your dog. My condolences. Losing a dog is always a tragedy. If we were gone tomorrow, only dogs would miss us.”

“Charming.” Cassio said.

“Not in my opinion.” Gonzalo said.

“I have always preferred cats to dogs.” Livia said.

Livia had a genuine talent of sneaking up on people and Cassio hoped that she never decided to come at him with a knife. Despite everything he had seen, he flinched when Livia put her hand on his shoulder.

“Lady Grimaldi.” Gonzalo said with a bow.

“Spider.” Livia shot back: “Shouldn’t you be back home licking the Neris boots.”

Cassio was about to come to Gonzalo’s defense, but the advisor just shook his head.

“I have other functions.” Gonzalo said.

“I am sure you do.” Livia said and emptied her wine glass: “Why not take that to the kitchen and fetch me a refill?”

Gonzalo took the glass while smiling.

“It would be my pleasure.”

“I am sure of it. You always did enjoy being bossed around by women, spider.” Livia said.

Gonzalo smiled and bowed his head: “If you will excuse me, my lord. Try to enjoy the party.”

Cassio watched him go before glaring at Livia.

“That was uncalled for.”

“If you knew him as well as I did, you would understand.” Livia said.

“And how do you know him?” Cassio said.

“The world exists even when you’re not looking. I have…”

Livia was interrupted when the servants started carrying in the brandy and champagne. The nobles had already warmed up with wine and it didn’t take long for the brandy and champagne to go to their heads. Cassio took one glass of brandy that would last him the entire night. He had never enjoyed overserving himself. Music had been prepared but at that point everyone was too drunk to find their feet.

That was when the clown struck.

“Lords and ladies!” The clown yelled over the celebration: “Welcome to the seventeenth anniversary of the Twelve-Year-War! I am tonight’s entertainment! Boom-Boom the Clown!”

The fool had a swagger to his step that reminded Cassio of actors who left no scene unchewed and he had a voice that carried well. Despite his small stature, he could fill a room with his presence.

“My old man has been telling me to stop fooling around and join the family business in soldiering so I can make him proud by kicking Osetaria’s ass the way he did. He is afraid that I will embarrass the family by becoming a draft dodger.” The fool said: “Well… the jokes on him. He obviously has never heard of stolen valor. I will just lie I was there.”

The fool’s work was cut out for him when the audience was that drunk. They laughed and hollered just at the sight of him, and Boom-Boom could barely get his punchlines out.

“Didn’t your family recommend him?” Cassio said.

“My mother’s name might be in his recommendation letter, but he is here because I wanted him to be here. Even I can feel indebted.” Livia said and took a sip of champagne: “But it’s a sad state of affairs when a master of his craft doesn’t have to put in even a token effort.”

Cassio sighed and drained his brandy before turning to face Livia.

“How so?” Cassio said.

“Look at these people. They’re so drunk that a farting pig would make them piss their pants with laughter. Poor Boom-Boom. He trained so hard and realizes that he never needed to bother.”

Cassio glanced at Boom-Boom who had given up on jokes and was now doing a humorous dance.

“A farting pig? Charming.” Cassio said dryly.

“Nothing charming about it. I rank Boom-Boom much higher than bacon.”

“You speak like you know him.” Cassio said.

“Let’s just say he did me a favor a long time ago.” Livia said and wrapped her fingers around Cassio’s hand: “But that’s a story for another time. Come and enjoy the company of your peers.”

Livia’s had fingers like snakes, and she dragged him along towards Prospero and Viktor who were lost deep in conversation. When Prospero spotted them, he raised his glass. Viktor had partaken in brandy too much already and was struggling to stay upright.

“Cassio. My friend. Great party.”

Cassio simply grunted in response.

“Not a party animal, are we?” Prospero said and had a sip of brandy: “Maybe I should show you other kind of entertainment. I was just talking to Vicky here about an expedition to the Stone Steps.”

“And what’s on Stone Steps?” Cassio asked.

“… ghouls…” Viktor slurred drunkenly.

“Ghouls?” Cassio said.

“Vampires who have been away from the Wyrding so long they have lost their minds.” Livia said and gave his arm a squeeze: “It’s not good for a fae to be too far from home.”

Cassio thought about the chimpanzee who had lost the ability to speak after being trapped for so long in the human world. And the venom it had spewed when it had recovered the gift of speech.

“You have been studying the Wyrding.” Cassio said to Prospero.

“I have dabbled.” Prospero admitted.

“Are there any talking monkeys in the Wyrding?” Cassio said.

“Talking monkeys?” Prospero said.

“They run bath houses.” Livia said and drained her champagne: “Nice enough when they’re no angered.”

“Fascinating but I have a theory that most old battlegrounds have colonies of ghouls under them.” Prospero said with a grin: “We can thank Baron Stradheim for that. I’ve interviewed soldiers who told me that they would lose wounded soldiers to pale monsters after the battle.”

“… monsters… monsters…” Viktor slurred.

Prospero looked at his friend and smiled.

“Livia, be a pal and help your brother to his room. I think he’s had enough for the night.”

“… can still… keep going…” Viktor said.

“I know, brother. I know. Let’s get you to bed.” Livia said.

They watched Livia lead her brother away and Viktor had to lean against his sister to stay upright.

“Looks like it’s just the two of us now.” Prospero said and poured Cassio more brandy: “I got you right where I want you.”

“If you say so.” Cassio said and sipped his brandy: “Were you serious about the ghouls?”

“I am but I need more evidence. What do you say? Care to do some fieldwork with Viktor and I?” Prospero said.

“I am not sure that is such a good idea.” Cassio said.

“You two really should make up. I mean sure. You did bash his face open but that was years ago. You could always just kiss that boo-boo away.”

“It’s not that simple.” Cassio said.

“I digress. All it would take was swallowing some pride.” Prospero said and gave Cassio a bemused look: “Then again, who has heard of a humble lion?”

Cassio was about to talk when he heard his uncle’s voice, and he listened out of reflex.

“… I tell you. Next time we will take Vashurst and whole damn Osetaria…” Uncle said to the other older noblemen who nodded in agreement.

Prospero groaned and had more brandy.

“Hear that, Cassio? The past and future of our country.”

“The past is your specialty. Not mine.” Cassio said.

“It will be once I finish my studies, but you can tell a lot about the future by studying the past.”

“And what does it tell you?” Cassio asked.

“That we’re all fucked.” Prospero said and twirled his finger: “History always repeats itself. First as a tragedy, then as a farce.”

“If you had stayed at the military academy, you could have written history instead of studying it.” Cassio said.

“Thank you but I will leave crawling the trenches to you. I also pray that you don’t get your eyes or balls blown off like your uncle and father.” Prospero said and threw a disgusted glance at Cassio’s uncle: “You’d think getting your dick shot off would turn you off war. My advice to you? Take the fool’s advice. Stolen valor is a coward’s salvation.”

“It’s not certain there will be another war.” Cassio said.

Prospero snorted.

“There is nothing more certain. Young men love to kill, and old men love to send them to kill the way they were when they were young.” Prospero said and then looked at the clown who was now standing on his hands: “You got to enjoy life in the meantime. Look at the fellow. So lean, fit, and flexible.”

“Again. More your area of expertise than mine.” Cassio said.

“No need to lie to me, Cassio.” Prospero said while patting his pockets: “I went to that horrid military academy too. We all know what happened when the lights went out. What did we call that again?”

“The Spartan Way.” Cassio said.

“See? We do have some common ground.”

Prospero pulled out an ink pen and a small notebook from his breast pocket. He scrawled something in before tearing off the page, folding it and handing it to a serving girl that passed them by.

“See that the night’s entertainment gets this.” Prospero said.

The serving girl took the note and bowed her head.

“It will be done, milord.” The serving girl said.

“Good sport.” Prospero said and handed her a diam: “For your trouble.”

The serving girl accepted the coin and left to pass on Prospero’s message.

“So? What do you say? You, me, and Viktor? Off to explore the Stone Steps for monsters.” Prospero said.

“I will have to think about it.” Cassio said.

“No, you don’t. This is what you love.” Prospero said and glanced at his glass: “If you excuse me, I need to go freshen up in case I have some late-night visitors.”

The night veered off and Cassio watched as the lords and ladies of Garuccia drank themselves into a stupor and had to be helped into bed by the servants. Watching them, Cassio was reminded of a species of ants found in the Garuccian mountains that survived by raiding other ant colonies and enslaving their inhabitants. Plundering was all they were good for and could not even chew their own food. They had to be fed by the enslaved ants that would masticate everything for them.

Repulsive, Cassio thought.

Cassio headed to his room and took some satisfaction for being one of the few in mansion who could get there without assistance. He wanted nothing more than to sleep, go hiking when he woke up and leave everyone else to suffer their hangovers. While opening the door to his room, Cassio started loosening his tie.

And found that Livia had beaten him to it.

She was lying naked in his bed, her small breasts and pubic hair exposed. It was the same shade of grey as her hair.

“Why hello there, Cassio.” Livia said with a wicked smile: “Come here often?”

Finding out that a chimpanzee could talk had been a more welcome surprise and he stood by the door, one hand on the doorknob and another on his loose tie.

“Stun silent by my beauty, are we?” Livia said.

She got up from the bed like a rousing snake. She moved with the deceptive speed of hypothermia and put her hand on his shoulder.

“A thought came to me today.” Livia said while caressing his shoulder: “Why not have a kid? If I am going to have one, it might as well be yours. I have always preferred lions to house cats. And I pick my mates.”

Cassio pushed her hand away gently but firmly before stepping away and closing the door in her face. Livia was cold to the touch and unsettling to look at.

“That’s very rude of you, Cassio!” Livia called after him: “Don’t come crying to me when the vampire is knocking at your door!”

Cassio just rolled his eyes and left to find an empty bedroom he could use for the night. A couch would suffice too but he had a feeling not everyone had made it to their own bed. The mansion had fallen quiet, but he was not the only one still up and about.

Cassio spotted the fool sneaking into Prospero’s room.

The fool was quiet as a ghost, and he almost snuck up on Cassio. When their eyes met, the fool put a finger on his lips before slipping through Prospero’s open door. Cassio stared at Prospero’s door for a moment until he smelled tobacco. He followed the scent to a nearby balcony where he found Gonzalo smoking alone. Even in the middle of night he kept his darkened glasses on. Gonzalo turned to look at him and nodded as a greeting.

“Can’t sleep?” Gonzalo asked.

“My bed is taken.” Cassio said.

Gonzalo glanced at the direction of his room and then nodded slowly.

“I see. I’m sorry to hear that.”

“I’m sorry too.” Cassio said and leaned against the balcony railing: “For how she treated you.”

“I’m used to it.” Gonzalo said and offered Cassio a key: “You can use my room. I’m not planning to sleep this week.”

“This week?” Cassio asked.

“Life of an advisor is a busy one.” Gonzalo said and offered Cassio a cigarette.

This time Cassio accepted and lit it with his own lighter. They smoked together while looking at the moon.

“I hope you don’t mind me saying but this party has been utterly dreadful.” Gonzalo said.

“No harm done.” Cassio said while taking drags from the cigarette.

“But it was not all a waste. This… Boom-Boom the Clown was a welcome surprise.” Gonzalo said.

“Do you know him?”

“I know of him. He reminds me of you in some small way. You’re both gentlemen adventurers.” Gonzalo said and blew out a smoke ring: “I might even try to convince him to join the Neri household. Everyone there could use some laughter.”

“He’s all yours.” Cassio said and put out his cigarette: “Goodnight, Gonzalo.”

“Goodnight and blessing of the Storm upon your journey, viscount.” Gonzalo said.

Cassio retired into Gonzalo’s room and slept uneasily. In his dreams he saw the fool hunting him with blood in his teeth and fingers. No matter how fast he ran, the fool was always close by.

Ready to kill.

He woke up into a grey morning and the servants were working in silence out of respect for everyone’s hangovers. After a hearty breakfast, Cassio put on his outdoor clothes and left for a hike and didn’t return until evening. The guests had managed to shake off their nausea mostly but were still subdued in their moods. To his surprise Cassio didn’t see his uncle at the head of the table but instead his aunt.

“Cassio.” Auntie said.

“Auntie. Where is uncle?”

“He has managed to drink himself sick.” Auntie said and shook her head: “The idiot.”

“Should we get a doctor?”

“Gonzalo had a look at him and said all he needs is rest. No travelling until then.” Auntie said and looked at him: “Cassio, I am sorry to ask this, but could you stay with him until he feels better? I could do it but…I think it’s for the best if I don’t stay here.”

“I will take care of it.” Cassio said.

“Thank you. I hired the clown to entertain him in the meantime. Santiago seemed to like him.” Auntie said.

“Did you now?” Cassio said: “Charming.”

“You don’t like clowns?” Auntie said.

“I am neutral on clowns.” Cassio said.

The guests departed the next day and Cassio saw his auntie off. After making sure uncle was resting in bed, he went to look for the fool. He did not have to look for long. Boom-Boom had been given one of the lesser guestrooms during his stay. Even though he had not been summoned, he was still wearing his full jester outfit and makeup. He was sitting by the table and staring intently at a house of cards he was building with a small bottle of brandy next to him.

An impossible house of cards.

A pyramid of cards resting on its tip.

Cassio had never seen such an intricate design being supported by a base of a single card. The fact that it not only stood but was also getting taller was nothing short of a miracle. Boom-Boom glanced at him over his creation and smiled.

“My lord. Forgive my rudeness but I am in the middle of something.”

“I can see that.” Cassio said and sat on the bed: “I have never seen a house of cards like that.”

“Not easily impressed I assume.” Boom-Boom said.

“I am not but I am curious. How are you doing that?”

“Just a bit of magic. I insist that the card house should stand, and reality is too polite to prove me wrong.” Boom-Boom said while piling on more cards on the construct: “But all it takes is a second and…”

The house of cards came crashing down and Boom-Boom threw the cards in his hand to the pile.

“For it all to come crashing down.”

Cassio nodded and then looked at Boom-Boom sharply.

“What were you doing at Prospero’s room?” Cassio asked.

If the fool was taken back by his question, he did not show it. His eyes reminded him of Livia’s, and he did not like it.

“A private show. Even a fool knows better than to refuse the invitation of a lord.” The fool said and had another sip of brandy: “I topped if you’re curious.”

“I wasn’t but I thought we paid enough for you not to whore yourself out.” Cassio said.

“Is there a law against a good time, my lord?” The fool asked.

“Several.” Cassio said.

“A sad state of affairs then. But I thought it was only fair to pay him back for the services rendered by House Ferro.” The fool said.

“Services?” Cassio said.

“During the Terror of the Red Swan House Ferro was the only noble house to protect the fae.” The fool said.

“Then I am even more surprised you stayed here. I assumed that you would leave with Prospero.” Cassio said.

“So did I but… here I remain. It is most unfortunate that Prospero believes in loving and leaving.” Boom-Boom said.

“Then why not go with House Neri? Gonzalo seemed to know you.” Cassio said.

“And I know him. A sad tale. Once he was a prince and a knight but now? A slave to a monster centuries dead.” Boom-Boom said and poured himself some brandy: “But I adjust.”

Cassio got out of the bed and sat by the table with Boom-Boom. He gathered the cards and started shuffling them.

“Do you play?” Cassio asked.

“I have been known to, yes.” Boom-Boom said and rubbed his chin: “Should we have a stake?”

“Game is only worth a damn when there is something at stake.” Cassio said.

“Well put, my lord.” Boom-Boom said.

Cassio dealt the cards and glanced at what he had. It was a strong hand. Potentially a winning hand.

“I must confess something. I am impressed by… how unimpressed you are with me.” Boom-Boom said.

“I am not impressed easily.” Cassio said.

“I can see that.” Boom-Boom said.

“But after some consideration I am happy that you are here.”

“Really? I never would have guessed it by looking at you.” Boom-Boom said.

“You make me feel like I am standing inside a cage with some huge beast.”

“Oh? Do I now? How exciting.” Boom-Boom said.

“Few things excite me.” Cassio said.

“And I am one of them? How flattering.” Boom-Boom said and regarded his cards: “Is that why you hunt alone? A dangerous hobby for a lord.”

“Is that more of your magic?” Cassio asked.

“No. Simple asking around. You excite me too.” Boom-Boom said.

Cassio smiled behind his cards. It was this moment he loved the most. The tipping point in the Game. When two wills were pitted against each other, and the world had to decide which of them was the hunter and which the hunted.

“I am pretty happy with my hand.” Boom-Boom said.

“So am I.” Cassio said.

“We never decided what’s at stake.” Boom-Boom said.

“You know what’s at stake. Gonzalo said you’re a gentleman adventurer. That means you’ve been staking it all your life.” Cassio said.

Boom-Boom stare at him for a moment with a blank expression and then smirked.

“Right back at you, darling. Well then… On three?”

“On three.” Cassio agreed.

“One… two…” Boom-Boom counted down: “Three.”

They flipped their cards. Boom-Boom had a good hand. Cassio had a better one.

“Looks like it’s my win.” Cassio said.

“It… uh… certainly looks like it.” Boom-Boom said and poured himself more brandy.

“Are you worried?” Cassio asked.

“What can I say? Maybe.” Boom-Boom said.

“I see. Tell me, clown. Have you ever been so scared that everything else about you fades away and when the fear passes, you are left hollow?”

“I know what it’s like to not wake up as the same person.” Boom-Boom said.

“Then maybe you can understand me. A bit anyway. When I was twelve, my parents were murdered.” Cassio said.

Boom-Boom’s eyes widened and then he bowed his head.

“I am sorry to hear that.”

Cassio acknowledged his condolences with a simple grunt.

“They say that a man with a knife broke into our home and killed them in their sleep.” Cassio said.

“But you don’t say that?” Boom-Boom said.

“No. I don’t. I know the truth. It was no man. They were ripped apart by darkness. A shadow on the wall changed into a monster and then jumped off the wall. The living shadow killed my parents and almost killed me too.” Cassio said and looked at Boom-Boom: “Do you know how I survived?”

Boom-Boom had to only think about it for a moment. Behind that silly smirk was a mind quick as a mousetrap.

“You… hid in the dark. Shadows needs light to be cast. In total darkness they drown.”

“Clever man.” Cassio said: “And yes. I hid in a closet and stayed there for nearly two days. Crying and pissing myself. It was the last time I let myself know fear.”

Cassio balled his hand into a fist and rubbed the callouses on his flat knuckles.

“I have trained and tested myself against all manner of beasts. So, one day I could kill a master of that shadow.” Cassio said and then smiled his thin smile when he saw the look on Boom-Boom’s face: “Am I scaring you?”

“You’re… uh… a very intense person.”

“So, I have been told.” Cassio said and stood up: “I expect you to come when I call for you. There is much I want to know.”

“Is that what I lost in the card game?” Boom-Boom asked.

“No. You lost the only thing worth betting. Your life. It belongs to me now.”

Boom-Boom was quiet for a moment and then he laughed.

“I hope you take better care of my life then I did.”

“Don’t count on it.” Cassio said on the way out: “Everything I look after dies.”

Cassio had hoped that uncle would have just slept off his hangover off in a day or two and next time remember that he wasn’t young anymore. But the hangover was stubborn. Uncle would go to bed sick and wake up sick. Enough so that Cassio felt sorry for anyone who had to wash his bedsheets. He didn’t often think about the help but when he started, he couldn’t stop. Was it possible to serve someone from birth to grave and not despise them?

On the third day at the mansion Francesca approached after he got back from his hike.

“I need to get back home so I can make sure everything is ready for you and your uncle’s return.” Francesca said: “I have made arrangements with the villagers. They will make sure you won’t be lacking in food or clean clothes.”

“Thank you, Francesca.” Cassio said.

Francesca bowed her head.

“I live to serve.”

Live to serve? A sad way to live one’s life and he could still remember the flash of anger in Francesca’s eyes when uncle had lost his temper with the young serving girl.

“The village doctor has also promised to see your uncle if he doesn’t improve soon.” Francesca said.

“Reliable as always.” Cassio said while studying Francesca: “Francesca?”

“Yes, my lord?”

“I will be eighteen soon and take over the duties of my office. I will need someone to manage my household then. The position is yours if you want it.”

Servants rarely looked lords in the eyes, but Francesca met his gaze at that moment and smiled at him.

“I would be honored, my lord.”

Cassio saw Francesca and the other maids off. Being left alone with his uncle felt like a prison sentence but at least the fool was there to distract him. He skulked through the mansion that felt sad and abandoned when it wasn’t used for parties and stared out of the window. The women in the village cooked for them. The men guarded the grounds to keep them safe. And the fool entertained them. He couldn’t get the thoughts of slaver ants out of his mind.

Was it possible not to despise people you needed to survive?

The same evening uncle summoned Cassio by his bedside and Cassio wondered if uncle was suffering from something worse than a stubborn hangover. He was pale and had lost too much weight in just a few days. There was even more grey in his beard and hair than before. Then there was the stench of creeping death. It was odd but Cassio could have sworn that he caught glimpses of a skeletal man in a black suit just in the corner of his eye but every time he turned to look, there was nothing.

“… Cassio?” Uncle mumbled.

“I am here.” Cassio said and sat by his uncle’s sickbed.

“… I… feel weak…”

“You’ll feel better if you get some rest.”

“… no time… no more time… must tell you… Rico and I…”

“My father?” Cassio said: “What about him?”

“… during the war… we did… something terrible… the woman… there was the woman… she… we did something terrible and…”

Cassio leaned in closer to make better sense of his uncle’s mumblings.

“What did you do?”

“… she went for the eyes… Rico’s eyes… we left her there… thought she was dead… but she lived… I… had a chance to make amends but… I was too weak… away… sent him away… had a chance to set things right and I sent him away…”

“Amends? What did you need to make amends for?” Cassio asked.

Uncle hesitated and some clarity returned to him when their eyes met. Then he turned to his sides and pulled the blanket up to his ears.

“… nothing… it’s in the past… never go looking into the past… the past is a monster…”

Cassio tried to keep his uncle talking but whatever bang of guilty conscience had made him want to confess past misdeeds had been silenced.

“Try to sleep.” Cassio said and left his uncle in the dim room.

One evening after returning from another long hike, Cassio found the fool rummaging through every room in the mansion. He went from door to door like a member of the secret police and inspected the rooms meticulously. Cassio watched this happen for a moment before intervening.

“I doubt that you’ll find much to loot.” Cassio said.

Boom-Boom peeked out of the room he was going through and smirked.

“Is that how you talk to an honest man trying to save your life?” Boom-Boom said before disappearing back into the room and then looking out again: “Oh. I almost forgot. I thought you should know that your uncle has been poisoned.”

Cassio was quiet for a moment and then his hands balled into fists.

“What?!”

“Poison. Someone slipped it to him.”

Cassio’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

“And you know this how?”

In response Boom-Boom tapped his nose.

“The nose knows.” Boom-Boom said before lying down to check under the bed: “Don’t worry. The worst has passed, and his body is fighting it off.”

“Gonzalo had a look at him and said that he had just drank too much.” Cassio said.

“I thought it was a hangover too. Then the scent of beer and brandy faded, and I could smell traces of poison.” Boom-Boom said and started going through the wardrobes: “I… may have been more than a bit tipsy myself the past few days. I can’t think straight when I am drunk. I wonder what that says about me.”

Cassio rolled his eyes and crossed his arms.

“Do you think the poisoner is hiding in a closet?”

“If he is, I pity the fool. Closet is a terrible hiding place. I stopped bothering years ago. Besides… the beauty of poison is that you don’t have to stick around. What I am looking for is insurance.”

“Another way to kill him if the poison fails?”

“Pretty much.” Boom-Boom agreed.

“A bomb?”

“After a fashion.” Boom-Boom said and headed into a new room: “A spell.”

At the mention of magic, Cassio clenched his teeth.

“Charming.” Cassio said and rolled his sleeves: “I will help. What are we looking for?”

“A magic circle with glyphs.” Boom-Boom said.

They started going through the mansion room by room, not leaving a single carpet unturned or a cranny overlooked. Together they were even able to move the larger wooden furniture that had taken four men to carry inside.

“Can you sense magic?” Cassio asked.

“Faintly if I know what I am looking for and my powers fade quicky if I stay this side of the Wyrd Stones for long.”

“Could you use your powers to find the poisoner?” Cassio said.

“After the trail has gone this cold? I doubt it.”

Cassio wanted to hit something. Poisoners were hard to catch. One could always blame the cook but there was no way of knowing how the poison had been slipped in. At worst he might blame an innocent man and he would rather see a guilty man walk away free than an innocent one swinging.

“Fool, advice me.” Cassio said.

“Sure.”

“How could this happen?”

Boom-Boom just shrugged.

“How could it not? This place stands empty most of the year. A wizard could easily sneak in and draw a glyph here somewhere. If he was skilled enough, he could even time it when your uncle is here. After that a bit of poison would be nothing.”

Cassio looked at Boom-Boom. This clown pretending to be a human. He did not trust that smirk. It never quite reached his eyes and those eyes saw too much and revealed nothing. Just like Livia’s.

“Or maybe the poisoner stuck around to see his handywork.” Cassio said.

“Now that… would defeat the purpose of poison.”

Cassio put his hands on Boom-Boom’s shoulders and was surprised by how firm they were. Under the tunic, the fool was carved from wood.

“Unless the poisoner wanted to play a hero and get a handsome reward.” Cassio said while keeping his hands on Boom-Boom’s shoulders.

Boom-Boom glanced at his hands and then looked at him over his shoulder.

“Is it terrible to be that paranoid?” Boom-Boom asked.

“I guess we will see soon if I am paranoid or right.” Cassio said and let go.

“I guess so.” Boom-Boom said before giggling.

“What’s so funny?” Cassio asked suspiciously.

“This? Don’t you think this is fun? Trying to find a bomb that could go on at any moment? Not knowing who to trust?” Boom-Boom said with a smirk: “When our lives are on the line? Beats hunting alone wouldn’t you agree?”

This gave Cassio pause. Those eyes saw so much. Enough to see through him. The clown might have been his enemy but for the first time he felt like he was talking to someone who truly understood him. It was enough to bring a smile on his thin lips.

“I do.”

This was the ultimate Game. The Game other games were just pale imitations of. The Game that had been waiting for humanity to discover it. There were those who thought they could defang the Game and tame it, but they were false players. The Game was more powerful than them and would always find those with the stomach to partake in it. Once they had checked the mansion and the wine cellar. After cooling their nerves with some brandy from the cellar, all that was left was the attic.

“I must confess… I don’t much care for attics. A dumping ground for unwanted things.” Boom-Boom said.

“Or a graveyard for toys.” Cassio said.

“A kingdom of spiders.” Boom-Boom said.

“A wasteland of dust.” Cassio said.

“Lock your wife inside and turn rest of the house into a nag free zone.” Boom-Boom said.

“My grandfather kept his mad wife trapped in the attic.” Cassio said.

“For real? Jesus.” Boom-Boom said and reached for his flask that was tragically empty: “Maybe she wouldn’t have been so mad if she hadn’t been locked in the attic.”

“I said as much before I pushed my grandfather down the stairs.” Cassio said.

Boom-Boom gave him a long look and Cassio smiled his thin smile.

“That was a joke.” Cassio said.

“I don’t know what planet you live on but it sure isn’t this one.” Boom-Boom said and jingled the bells on his jester hat: “Leave the jokes to me. For both our sakes.”

“I’ve never been very funny.” Cassio said and glared at Boom-Boom: “And you should be careful how you address a viscount.”

“If a fool doesn’t speak truth to power, who will?” Boom-Boom asked.

The attic was a no-go zone and like Boom-Boom had said, it was a dumping ground for unloved things. The dust had gathered so deep in some places that it looked like grey snow. The air was heavy with it and Cassio recognized a fire hazard immediately. A single spark in the wrong place could turn all this dust into an inferno. Magic or not, every night he had slept in the mansion, he had been lying in a death trap. But the dust did have its advantages too. The footprints in the dust were fresh.

“Well, fuck me.” Boom-Boom said.

“What?” Cassio said.

Boom-Boom reached for something that had been abandoned in the attic and pulled out an old tabletop game. The Knight Guard. A row of knights was defending their castle from attacking bandits in the cover. Boom-Boom brushed the dust aside and peeked inside to see if all the figures were still there.

“I begged my old man to buy me one when I was a kid. He never did. The money was always too tight, he said.” Boom-Boom said while looking at the game set: “Not too tight for him to get drunk every night though.”

Cassio was about to tell him that there wasn’t any time for this when he spotted something by the old games. A stuffed bear with an eyepatch and a wooden sword sown in his paw.

Ser Gideon.

When his parents had deemed that he had gotten too old for stuffed animals, they had told him that ser Gideon had left to find another child who needed to be taught how to be brave. He had been too young to question them. To even think his parents could lie to him.

So that’s where you have been, Cassio thought.

He looked away from Ser Gideon at Boom-Boom who was lost in thought while holding the game set.

“If you still want it, it is yours.” Cassio said.

“Really?”

“I can even have a game with you, but don’t you think you’re too old for toys?”

Boom-Boom just smirked.

“I am mature enough to not hide my love for childish things.” Sal said.

Cassio didn’t say anything and just glanced at Ser Gideon. He could have sworn the stuffed bear was judging him.

“If you say so.” Cassio said and pointed at the floor: “We should concentrate on the footprints for now.”

They followed the footprints deeper into the attic until they found what they had been looking for. A circle of glyphs drawn on the wall each more complex than the last. It could have been a piece of art if it had been framed. The air around it was simmering, and he could almost see the runes drawn with chalk glowing.

It also proved Boom-Boom’s innocence.

The footprints matched roughly with Boom-Boom’s but whoever had drawn this had been much taller than the clown. Unless he had done all this balancing on his toes and reaching as high as he could.

“Incredible.” Boom-Boom said.

“Can you read it?” Cassio asked.

“Just enough to be impressed. I’m not a trained wizard but I did inherit some know-how on spellcraft.” Boom-Boom said and looked at the magic circle more closely: “If I was a betting man… and sadly I am… I’d say the culprit has been copying someone else’s homework.”

“What do you mean?” Cassio asked.

“I mean someone used someone else’s notes to get the job done. Perhaps a grandmaster sent their apprentice in their stead.”

“And you know this how?”

“Look at it. Its nervous work. Clearly outside the artist’s skill level. A master would have pulled this off in one go but whoever did this hesitated plenty and started over more than once.” Boom-Boom said.

When Cassio looked at what Boom-Boom was pointing at, he could see it too. Whoever had been holding the chalk had done it with trembling hands. There were also plenty of smudges when they had erased their work and started over. An amateur had been copying a master’s work.

And with that the chase was over.

The Game was done for now, but Cassio felt more disappointed than victorious. It was a return to the same dullness where he could only wait for the Game to begin anew.

“Thank you, Boom-Boom. I will see to it that you are handsomely rewarded for this.” Cassio said and wiped the magic circle off the wall with his sleeve.

Boom-Boom let out an odd groan like a scream had been stuck in his throat.

“… Cassio… why did you do that?” Boom-Boom whispered.

“To stop it from going off.” Cassio said.

The words had barely left his lips when he saw the broken magic circle started glowing.

“… you… just did… that was one of the functions.” Boom-Boom said.

“Oh.” Cassio said.

They stood still in the dim attic for a moment and then the shadows on the walls came to life.

The shadows they cast merged together to form a monster with many wriggling limbs. The freshly born monster writhed on the wall for a moment to make sense of its limbs and its purpose. Then the shadow’s tendrils shot out and coiled around Cassio’s feet. He had barely time to yelp when the tentacles wrapped around him and yanked him into the darkness. It all happened too fast for him to feel anything.

There was only darkness.

He was blind.

Mute.

Paralyzed.

He was a child again. Running away when his parents were engulfed by darkness. Crying out to him for help. But he could not help them then. No more than he could help himself now. When he tried to scream, the all-encompassing darkness simply filled his mouth and muffled his cries. It was filling him. Gnawing at him from the inside. There was no fighting it. It was like drowning in tar. He was crushed on all side. There was no room to move, and it was so cold. So terribly cold. Cold and dark. The stomach of a shadow was something that made you forget that things like light and warmth ever existed.

But still he kept fighting with all the desperation of a drowning man.

This darkness was nothing compared to that tiny closet he had hid in for days when his parents had been eaten alive by darkness on the other side. When he had lied there covered in his own piss and shit, praying to a higher power that had never come.

He was not that child anymore! He would die fighting!

But no matter how hard he struggled; he could not keep the despair away. All his training, all his dedication, all the life and death situations he had thrown himself into. They had all meant nothing. He was just as much of a victim now as he had been at twelve. He was still powerless, and he would die the way his parents had. His life was already flashing before his eyes and Grandfather Death was beckoning him closer.

Then something warm wrapped around his wrist and pulled at him with strength even greater than cold and darkness.

And it pulled him out of the shadows!

The tendrils made from blackness did not want to let him go but the monster was facing something stronger than itself, and Boom-Boom pulled him out of the belly of shadows. He was stiff and numb like he had been left alone in the snow for hours before being allowed back inside.

“Cassio! Run!” The clown yelled.

Cassio’s feet moved on their own. He felt small and weak. Everything he had sworn he would overcome. Everything he had promised himself he would never be again. When he glanced over his shoulder, he could see Boom-Boom wrestling with the shadows and no matter how hard the monster tried to swallow him, the fool was too tough for it to chew.

I am sorry, Cassio thought.

The further he got, more feeling returned to his body and the more he felt like himself until Cassio was jumping down the stairs two or three at a time. He ran faster than he ever thought possible and rushed to his uncle’s room. The old count had tried to get out of bed after hearing all the ruckus but the poison coursing in his vein had made even that impossible. He looked at Cassio bewildered when he burst inside.

“… Cassio… what…”

Cassio ignored him and started pulling down the curtains and extinguished the flames in the fireplace. If there were no light to cast shadows, the monster would drown in darkness.

“Stay here!” Cassio ordered before running out again.

He slammed the door shut behind him and then rolled a carpet against the threshold to prevent any light from getting inside. Uncle would be safe inside the darkness.

Safe?

That thought gave him pause. He could be safe there too. All he had to do was go back in and wait for the shadow monster to perish. He knew from experience that they could not go on forever. Whatever magic was powering it would run out eventually. All he would have to do was wait. He could survive and live to fight another die.

He could do that.

But if he gave into fear again, he would be a coward forever. He would never have the courage to seek out his enemy. The Game was on, and he was a true player! He was a descendant of King Eld, and he would not let fear take him! His trusted rifle was never far and even though he hadn’t had a chance to clean it after his hike, he knew he could trust it to fire true. He felt unstoppable when he ran back to the attic where Boom-Boom was facing off the monster alone.

The sight of it gave him pause.

The battle between the clown and the shadow monster was not a simple wrestling match between two fae. It was a new link in a chain that went back to ancient times. The eternal battle between those who tried to nurture the light and the Screaming Beasts who would snuff it out.

That didn’t stop Cassio from raising his rifle and firing at the shadow monster.

The bullet would have done more harm if he had fired at the ocean, but it did give the shadow monster pause. Just enough for him to pull Boom-Boom away.

“Run.” Cassio said while he pulled out his lighter.

Realization dawned on Boom-Boom, and he ran like a scared animal while Cassio flicked the lighter and then threw it on the attic floor and shut the door.

Dust burned so very easily.

There was an explosion of heat that rocked the mansion. The attic was engulfed in flames in seconds and even the shadow monster could not eat flames. The fire started spreading fast and Cassio barely had time to get his uncle out. Even then it would not have been possible without Boom-Boom’s help. They both grabbed one of the count’s arms and dragged him out together. When Cassio looked at Boom-Boom, the fool was grinning from ear to ear. And so was Cassio. When they got out of the mansion, they watched the greatest fire they had ever seen together. The shadow monster tried in vain to flee the inferno, but the flames purged all.

Burn in hell, Cassio thought.

When morning came the mansion was in ruins and Cassio wondered if uncle would dare to rebuild it in time for the next year’s party. After doing his rounds but finding no sign of the sorcerer, he returned to the ruins of the mansion where Boom-Boom was washing himself by the well. He had stripped off his jester’s uniform and washed away the makeup that had covered his face. Under the blue, pink, and purple paint Boom-Boom had brown skin and the jester’s hat had contained a bird’s nest of curly, black hair. The baggy uniform had made him look skinny but under the clothes was a tapestry of lean muscles.

“How is my uncle?” Cassio asked.

Boom-Boom turned to look at him, unashamed by his own nudity. Without the makeup changing the color of his pupils, Boom-Boom had eyes that were as blue as diamond bullets.

“He’s sleeping in the gardener’s shack. Lucky sod. I gave him some brandy to calm his nerves.” Boom-Boom said.

“Good.” Cassio said and looked at the ruins: “When he wakes up, we will move him into the village and from there to a train.”

“As you wish.” Boom-Boom said and poured a bucket of cold water on his head and ran his finger through the wet locks: “No offense meant but you don’t seem too worried about him.”

Cassio shook his head.

“He died a long time ago in Osetaria and I have more pressing matters to worry about. My enemy is still out there. Do you know the magic at work?”

“Sure. Scholomance spellcraft. Difficult stuff to pull off. You would have to be a grandmaster or the next best thing.”

“Then Scholomance is my enemy, and I will tear that school down stone by stone if that is what it takes to find my parents’ murderer.” Cassio said and looked at Boom-Boom: “You will aide me.”

“Will I now?”

“If my enemies have magic, I will have it too. You will serve as my advisor and guide me to my enemies.”

Boom-Boom was quiet for a moment and then smirked.

“I assume advising pays better than clowning.”

“Considerably.” Cassio said.

“Then count me in. What’s your first order, darling?”

“Tell me your name.”

The fool put up his hands like he was protesting his innocence.

“Boom-Boom is not good enough?”

“A real name. You must have one.” Cassio said.

Boom-Boom hesitated for a moment like he wasn’t sure. Then he smirked and shrugged.

“Salvatore. My name is Salvatore Torrini, but you can call me Sal.”

“Then I will.” Cassio said and offered Sal his hand: “Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Sal.”

Sal had a grip like a steel vise and Cassio had to put some effort into matching his strength.

“Likewise, Cassio. Blessing of the Wild upon our journey together.”