Chapter Six

BIRTHDAY LETTERS

While most guests hurry to leave following Solstice, a few of the more hungover guests stay a couple extra days, but none longer than three. A sigh of relief falls over the house as the final guest leaves, especially in the servants’ quarters.

TIGER: Thank the gods we don’t host parties very often. My feet hurt. I feel like my face is burnt from being in the oven so much. I don’t care what people say, it’s sandwiches and leftovers for dinner for the rest of the week.

FAIRFAX: Don’t get too comfortable. Lady Eleanor’s birthday, remember? By the way, has Ares recovered from his flu?

OSPREY: Not yet. I don’t know what he was on at Solstice, but it’s really rocked him. The fever hasn’t come down at all.

AUGUSTUS: He’ll be fine. Being sick is forcing him to rest, and it should force you to do the same. We all need rest before Lady Eleanor’s birthday. Fairfax, any word on the window situation?

FAIRFAX: …I’ll go check.

Fairfax gets up and heads for Marsden’s office, where he catches him pacing.

FAIRFAX: …I came to see if you’ve spoken to Lord Kur about the celebrations.

MARSDEN: Not yet, Fairfax.

FAIRFAX: It’s only one sleep away.

MARSDEN: …Alright. I’ll go now.

How do I look?

FAIRFAX: Perfect as always. I’ll be here when you get back.

MARSDEN: No need. Go rest. I’ll return to you.

Marsden leaves his study and heads up to find Kur. He knocks on the door gently before entering.

MARSDEN: My lord.

KUR: Hello, Marsden. Nice to have the house back.

MARSDEN: Indeed, sir.

I wondered if we might discuss Lady Eleanor’s birthday celebration.

KUR: …I suppose so.

MARSDEN: I thought we might go for something a little more low-key this year, given that we just hosted the Solstice.

KUR: I see.

MARSDEN: She loved being on the water, so perhaps a vigil up at Lover’s Lake? Followed by a dinner and the album.

KUR: She loved listening to readings of My Mother, too.

MARSDEN: Yes, sir, we can…

KUR: And the windows need to be open all day.

MARSDEN: We… if it’s not too bold to say, sir, last year the staff became ill…

KUR: Do you mean to tell me that your comfort is more important than honouring her memory?

MARSDEN: No, my lord…

KUR: Perhaps you’d prefer not to do anything at all.

MARSDEN: Forgive me, lord. I didn’t mean that at all.

Kur stares Marsden down a while before turning back to the fire.

KUR: So then, the windows will be open?

MARSDEN: Yes, my lord.

KUR: Including in the servant’s rooms?

MARSDEN: …yes, my lord.

Was there anything else you wanted for her day?

KUR: Yes. I want a bonfire. A large one.

MARSDEN: I’m not sure we have the coal…

KUR: Find wood. Or oil. Make it happen.

MARSDEN: Yes, sir.

…will there be anything else?

KUR: No, Marsden. You can go.

Marsden bows and heads out quickly, back to find Fairfax.

FAIRFAX: How did it go?

MARSDEN: Not as we’d hoped.

FAIRFAX: …that leaves us with two options. Either accept the fact we’ll be frozen and whipped to shreds, or…

MARSDEN: I don’t think you should talk to Lord Horus. He’s had a rough few months. It’s better to avoid the conflict. It wouldn’t do to have them fighting.

FAIRFAX: …maybe Master Icarus will talk sense into Kur. He’ll still be here, and he gets cold, too.

MARSDEN: Be sure to include it in your prayers tonight, but don’t get your hopes up.

FAIRFAX: Are you sure I shouldn’t talk to Horus?

MARSDEN: I’d really rather not risk Kur knowing I complained, if you don’t mind.

FAIRFAX: Well, we still have time. Maybe he’ll change his mind before then.

MARSDEN: Sometimes, Fairfax, your optimism is exhausting.

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

Upstairs in bed, Ares continues to sweat from a fever. Awake, he tosses and turns, every muscle aching. Icarus stands at the bed end, watching. Primrose is in the chair opposite.

ICARUS: No changes?

PRIMROSE: None. He’s not any worse, but he isn’t any better, either.

ICARUS: Is he aware that we’re here?

PRIMROSE: Hard to know. I think so, but his ears are blocked, and his eyes don’t focus. It seems to take a lot of energy for him to concentrate.

ICARUS: What did Python say?

PRIMROSE: The doctor is coming this evening. She said if this was a normal flu, it would be easing by now, so it’s almost definitely magic induced.

ICARUS: Hmm. You look exhausted yourself. Feeling alright?

PRIMROSE: It’s been a little stressful, to say the least.

ICARUS: Indeed. Why don’t you go take a bath? I’ll sit with him until you’re out. Maybe I can perform some healing magic on him.

PRIMROSE: I don’t think…

ICARUS: Then, go for a walk in the gardens. I insist.

Primrose hesitates, but when Osprey appears in the doorway to accompany her, she reluctantly follows him outside. Icarus doesn’t move from his spot until Moonie appears beside him.

MOONIE: Finally. She’s been a wreck.

ICARUS: Imagine marrying into this family, and then your husband goes insane. I’d feel sorry for her if she wasn’t Tijoran.

MOONIE: I’ve never seen a magic-induced fever before. It’s not normal, right?

ICARUS: …I’d say not abnormal. If you’re run down, from magic or anything else, you’re not going to have the immune system to fight a flu.

MOONIE: Right…

So, what do we do now?

ICARUS: We’re going to do some soul lending.

MOONIE: We can’t, Icarus. It isn’t safe. If his soul is too unstable, ours will become unsteadied and we could all hurt each other or worse, lose our souls altogether. There has to be another way.

ICARUS: Moonie, you and I both know Ares is due to explode. He can either explode here, or on the battlefield. We need to focus on getting him there.

MOONIE: …you’ve given up on him.

ICARUS: I haven’t given up on hope, Moonie. I’m just being realistic. I hope that he directs his magic in the right direction come time for explosion, and I pray that after it happens, the medics can do enough to fix him. But realistically, I know we’re playing a waiting game. And he knows it, too. Don’t you, Ares?

MOONIE: Stop it, Icarus. First you give him dirty blood, and now you’re mocking him?

ICARUS: We’re running out of time. Primrose won’t let Ares out of her sight for long, and we don’t want her trying this. Now, save me if things go wrong.

MOONIE: No. We need to do something else.

Icarus doesn’t listen. He presses his hands hard onto Ares’s chest and lets some of his soul energy drain from his fingertips. The longer it goes, the more irritated he starts to get. Eventually he jerks his hands away.

ICARUS: Fuck! That sucked. I feel unwell.

MOONIE: I told you not to.

ICARUS: Shut-up, witch. At least I’m doing something to help my cousin.

MOONIE: And did giving him blood help?

ICARUS: At first, but… something went wrong. He started talking about some Lumos person at the party who upset him.

MOONIE: Lumos was at the party?

ICARUS: You know him?

MOONIE: No, but Ares has mentioned that name before… do you think Ares is dimension hopping?

ICARUS: What?

MOONIE: I went to the magic hospital to ask questions. They said his symptoms could be characteristic of interactions with something from the spirit world. What if he’s being poisoned? Wouldn’t that explain the rapid deterioration?

ICARUS: Look, Ares is complicated. He’s been depressed from birth. Remember how he always used to run away from home? He’s a crazy person who can do magic. That’s all this is.

MOONIE: I’m not so sure… I’d better get out of here. If Kur finds me, I’ll be whipped.

ICARUS: Go. I’ll stay until Primrose is back. And yes, I know, “No more soul lending.”

Moonie leaves. Icarus waits a moment before pulling out a syringe.

ICARUS: But maybe just a little more blood…

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

Minerva leans against her window, face pressed up against the glass. Python is lying down on the couch behind her.

MINERVA: I hate parties.

Dad always acts so different. So calm and normal. It’s proof he knows how to do the right thing and chooses not to when he’s with us.

PYTHON: Huh?

MINERVA: It’s almost Mama’s birthday. My least favourite day of the year.

PYTHON: Yes… I think everyone agrees with you on that note.

MINERVA: How can we stop it?

PYTHON: My lady… forgive me for saying this. But you need to let this go. I wish I hadn’t said anything. There’s nothing you can do. Lord Kur will continue to rule with an iron fist until his dying day. We just have to live with it.

MINERVA: It isn’t fair. Every year Set gets hurt and dad and Horus fight and it’s awful. It’s not what remembering Mama is supposed to be. We have to do something.

PYTHON: Like what?

MINERVA: …I need to talk to Set. Go to sleep. I’ll be back soon.

Minerva gets up and goes down the hall to Set’s room, where he’s staring at his books.

SET: Oh. Hi. Now’s not a good time—

MINERVA: I won’t be long. I wanted to ask you something.

It’s about Dad—

SET: Don’t.

MINERVA: What?

SET: Don’t do this again. It never works out well for you.

MINERVA: What are you even talking about?

SET: You trying to stand up to Dad and the way he treats people. Just leave him alone.

MINERVA: Why do you always side with him?

SET: …he isn’t going to change. Starting fights isn’t going to change anything. He’ll just hurt you. It’s better to try not to be noticed by him.

MINERVA: Well, then let me ask this. If we were all going to stand up to him, together… would you do it with us?

SET: And risk death? You’re crazy.

MINERVA: You think he’d kill us?

SET: When I was ten, he wrapped his hands around my throat and pressed down. Yes, I think he’d kill us.

MINERVA: …do you think he killed Freyja?

SET: Minerva…

MINERVA: Just tell me.

SET: …Probably not on purpose, or I don’t think he’d bother trying to hide it. Now please, let it go. It really hurts Horus when you talk about Freyja.

MINERVA: Do you love our dad?

SET: Yes. You do too, right?

MINERVA: …Sorry for bothering you. Good luck with the study.

Minerva leaves. Set slumps his head on the desk, and Augustus goes in a moment later.

AUGUSTUS: Good afternoon, Master Set. Ready to study?

SET: I guess so. This still seems weird.

AUGUSTUS: Come on. History and Mathematics, right?

SET: I’ve been doings maths all day.

AUGUSTUS: History, then. What’re we learning about?

SET: The Pilgrim Wars.

AUGUSTUS: Oh, I love those. Have you learned about Savon yet?

Or Brooke?

Duxford?

…we have our work cut out for us.

SET: Ugh, why is history always so boring?

AUGUSTUS: It isn’t. It’s fascinating.

SET: Why do I even have to remember the exact days people died? Why is that relevant to today?

AUGUSTUS: The days they died aren’t as relevant as the ways in which they lived. Savon carried and assisted nearly seven hundred…

SET: I don’t know how to learn history. I don’t know how people remember anything…

AUGUSTUS: Don’t give up before we’ve even started. Let’s take a few steps back. To really know the Pilgrim Wars, we need to know about the king of dragons. How much do you know about him?

SET: I mean, I know he was a god, and stuff.

AUGUSTUS: Yeah…

SET: And about how he and his siblings—

AUGUSTUS: After that. The non-god things he did. The children he had. What do you know about those?

SET: Dae, Jora and ‘Ston were the first elementals…

AUGUSTUS: What do you know outside of the religion we practice?

SET: Why does that matter?

AUGUSTUS: Because we’re all part of the history. The entire way in which we live was formed by these events, and for most of them, they can be traced back to the actions of a few individuals. Often ordinary individuals. It’s inspiring in a way art can never be. History is the greatest story ever told.

SET: What? No, it isn’t. Haven’t you read Catching the Rain?

AUGUSTUS: …You’re telling me you think a romance novel is a better story than the Dragon King, who brought life back to humankind?

SET: Yes.

AUGUSTUS: …maybe I’m going about this the wrong way. Let’s talk about the Dragon King’s life. Do you know old he lived?

SET: I dunno, like a billion.

AUGUSTUS: …five hundred or so. Know how many wives he had in that time?

SET: One?

AUGUSTUS: Did…did you say one?

SET: Yes. Why, is that wrong?

AUGUSTUS: Incredibly. While Dae was a serial monogamist, her father certainly was not. The Dragon King married eighty-four different women.

SET: Eighty-four!? That’s a lot, even for a five-hundred-year-old.

AUGUSTUS: Yes. When people talk of the baby boom, they literally meant the gigantic family units that were created thanks to him alone. Want to know how many husbands he had?

SET: …he liked men?

AUGUSTUS: Oh yes. Very much. A small civil war broke out because of his love for a man.

SET: Hmm. Maybe history isn’t so boring.

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

Marsden is sorting through a photo album. He cross-references photographs by placing numbers onto a separate page. Fairfax is pulling their copies from a directory.

FAIRFAX: It’s a good thing we didn’t pack away the blankets from Solstice. You really want servants’ windows open?

MARSDEN: Yes. I don’t wish to challenge Kur any further. I may already have pinned myself as his victim for tomorrow.

FAIRFAX: How would he even find out?

MARSDEN: Nail is on duty, and Nail has a tongue of honesty. If Kur asks him to check, he will.

FAIRFAX: How’s the album coming along?

MARSDEN: Steadily. I think he’ll like revisiting some of these memories.

Even after all these years, I still don’t know what exactly sets him off.

FAIRFAX: I don’t think it’s any one thing. I think it’s just something that has to happen.

MARSDEN: If only Eleanor…

Never mind. How are the children?

FAIRFAX: They aren’t children anymore, for one. Ares is starting to come a little better, the doctor gave him some medicine and he’s starting to bounce back. Set has his nose in his books and Minerva is supposedly staying safe while climbing about outdoors.

MARSDEN: What’s her plan, with all this climbing?

FAIRFAX: No idea. Python isn’t talking, and Horus barely knows anything.

MARSDEN: …how is our young Baron?

FAIRFAX: He asked me specifically not to tell you.

MARSDEN: That badly?

FAIRFAX: He’s good with a crisis, just not with several at once.

MARSDEN: I suppose we should expect him to either breakdown or run off, then?

FAIRFAX: Guess so. It’ll probably depend on the man who owns us.

MARSDEN: “Man who owns us?” You’re not on that now, too, are you?

FAIRFAX: They pretend we’re servants only until the anger cracks.

MARSDEN: And just what do you suggest is done about it?

FAIRFAX: I wish I knew. If only so we can honour Eleanor, the way she would want to be honoured.

MARSDEN: How well do you remember her?

FAIRFAX: You ask me every year. I worked here for three years before she passed. I remember her well, Marsden.

MARSDEN: Oh, Eleanor. If only…

FAIRFAX: …are you okay, sir?

MARSDEN: Hmm? Oh, yes. If you see Python, ask her to come see me.

FAIRFAX: Sure.

MARSDEN: …you are taking care of Lord Horus?

FAIRFAX: Of course. He’s our only hope for survival.

MARSDEN: He won’t survive if he keeps drinking the way he is.

FAIRFAX: You think making Lord Kur kinder is impossible? Try keeping alcohol from Horus.

MARSDEN: We always put so much effort into making sure Lord Kur stays calm, we forget to think about Lord Kur’s children.

FAIRFAX: No, we don’t. We’re good at our jobs, Marsden. You think I don’t know how hard it was on Horus? Having baron thrust on him when he was just thirteen? That this day is a reminder not just of losing his mother, but losing his childhood?

MARSDEN: I’m sorry. You’re right, I’m micromanaging.

FAIRFAX: Everyone’s stressed right now. The best thing for all of us — including Horus and the children — is to keep Kur from exploding.

MARSDEN: And keep the night staff out of his way if he does.

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

Minutes drag by slowly. The night staff wait at the top of the stairs in front of the great grandfather clock, many with misty eyes and anxious faces. Others, such as Augustus and Osprey, look like they can barely keep themselves composed.

When the clock finally clicks to midnight, the staff separate from each other and head to the nearby windows and fling them open.

MARSDEN: Remember to move as quickly as you can and get straight into bed as soon as you’re finished. The longer we stay in this, the worse tomorrow will be.

The staff continue to fling windows open, and the sound travels to the family. While Minerva and Set open their windows quietly, Ares groans from his bedside.

PRIMROSE: Ares? Are you alright?

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ARES: The window. You need to open it.

PRIMROSE: Are you mad? It’s freezing out there.

ARES: Please. Mama loved cold air. She said it made her feel like she was at the top of the mountain. Like she was part of the mountain.

Primrose opens the window then runs back to bed.

PRIMROSE: You seem a little better. This better not ruin that.

ARES: Trust me. I feel a lot better already. That medicine Icarus got me really helped.

PRIMROSE: Icarus…?

But Ares is already back asleep.

Horus is the only one who misses midnight. Working quietly in the library, he doesn’t notice the time until closer to 2am. Wiping his face, he reaches over to push the window open. His journey upstairs is quiet, with everyone else sound asleep. He continues up until he reaches Kur’s room, who stands in front of the fire.

HORUS: Go to sleep. We’ll honour her tomorrow.

KUR: I still see her… dancing in the flames.

HORUS: She’ll still be dancing in the morning. C’mon, dad. You need to sleep.

…It’ll be a good day tomorrow. Please try and sleep.

KUR: It will be a good day. It’s the only day you let me feel what I want to feel every day.

Horus leaves without saying anything else. When he gets to his room, Fairfax is there waiting for him.

HORUS: What are you doing up? You should be in bed.

FAIRFAX: Sir, Lord Kur is forcing us to keep our bedroom windows open this evening. Please, can’t you override that rule? We’ll freeze.

HORUS: Just be grateful you don’t have to keep your windows open every day of the year. Go to sleep, Fairfax.

FAIRFAX: …yes, my lord. Goodnight.

HORUS: And Fairfax? Don’t look so worried. In twenty-two hours, her birthday is over. The countdown has already started. Goodnight.

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

The next morning, the night staff shiver at the dining table while Tiger rushes around the kitchen cooking up a breakfast feast.

TIGER: You’ll need your strength, so eat up, and no complaining about me spending too much. I paid from my own pocket for these eggs. There’ll be soup, tea and coffee hot and ready all day. I expect to see everyone multiple times.

DANIELLE: This cold is ridiculous. How is this allowed?

OSPREY: It’s a special occasion. We always suffer on Lady Eleanor’s birthday.

TIGER: Why do we have to suffer for someone who died almost twenty years ago?

AUGUSTUS: Because if we don’t, Lord Kur will beat us bluer than the cold could ever make us.

OSPREY: I have to admit, though, this breakfast almost makes it worth it. I haven’t eaten like this in years. It’s time to go now, though. Let’s get it over with.

ELIZABETH: Everyone, keep your heads down, and I won’t be far off with first aid no matter where you end up.

AUGUSTUS: Don’t forget the mop for the blood.

The staff make their way out, leaving Tiger and Danielle to the kitchens. The family is already seated in the breakfast room. Everyone is watching Ares, who is barely conscious, but upright at least.

MINERVA: Python said he was getting better.

HORUS: This is better compared to how he was yesterday.

PRIMROSE: I don’t think this cold is doing him any favours. He should go back to bed.

KUR: No. He’s been resting long enough. Ares! Wake up. Eat something.

Ares eats, but like a zombie.

SET: Um… what are we doing after breakfast?

KUR: We’ll go to the graveyard, then a vigil at Lover’s Lake. If Ares is still poorly then, he can rest while the rest of us do readings. Then the album after dinner.

PRIMROSE: I’m sorry, father, but I’m going to take Ares back upstairs after breakfast. He needs rest today.

KUR: …excuse me?

PRIMROSE: Ares can honour his mother—

KUR: This might be the last time Ares can celebrate his mother’s life. You’re going to take that away from him?

HORUS: Dad…

PRIMROSE: He isn’t in a state to celebrate or honour anyone today. Maybe he’ll be a bit better this evening. Look, he’s barely eating.

KUR: My son will attend his mother’s birthday celebrations.

HORUS: Stop arguing. Primrose, I understand your concerns, but Ares is sick from magic. He needs to do what’s good for his soul.

PRIMROSE: Even more reason for him to not to go.

Horus, Kur and Primrose enter a stare-off until Ares gestures wildly, smacking his hand on the table and disrupting the cutlery.

ARES: I’m go. Good. I can. I go today. I am good and today I…go. Wait,

ICARUS: You know what? I’ve decided I’m with Primrose. Ares needs rest. Let’s compromise and after the graveyard, I’ll bring him back here while you all go onto Lover’s Lake. Deal? Good. Let’s finish breakfast.

Icarus goes back to eating while everyone else in the room looks at each other warily.

OSPREY: *We’re not starting the day off well at all, are we?*

AUGUSTUS: *Count yourself lucky. You might get out of this whole thing.*

OSPREY: *Out of the frypan and into the fire. Last time Ares was this bad, he murdered an entire village.*

AUGUSTUS: *What are you going to do?*

OSPREY: *Whatever Moonie suggests. Even if it’s at the cost of my own safety.*

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

The sacred burial site for the Saber family is between two mountain peaks with a view that overlooks the town. Those descended from ‘Ston receive a sacred burial, which involves being buried beneath stones instead of beneath earth. Those who are descended from ‘Ston are said to have unbreakable bones, so their skeletons remain intact. After earthquakes, some of these skeletons can be found on the surface, scattered around the gravesite. If a body is fully decomposed, leaving only the skeleton behind, it will not receive a reburial. The family stand before the large spread of stones, rubble, and bones at the most recent burial site: Eleanor’s. The servants place their offerings quickly before retreating back behind the family. The remaining Saber family stare at the grave.

MINERVA: I’ll go first.

Mama. I miss you again this year. Nothing’s changed since I visited last week, but you might like to know Solstice was fun, and because I know you’d ask, no, no-one asked me to dance… If you could talk to dad, tell him to stop being so hard on us, we’d sure appreciate it. Anyway, I love you, Mama. And I miss you every day.

Minerva tears up, ignoring the look Kur gives her.

ARES: Mama… I’m married. Primrose…

PRIMROSE: …Hello, Lady Eleanor. I’m Primrose, and I married your son. I love him very much, and I hope you don’t mind that he’ll miss some of your celebrations today, but he needs to rest. I know you’ll understand. I promise to look after him, my lady. I swear to you that I will do what’s in my power to protect your son.

ARES: Mama… Don’t cry. I’m death spirit. Spirit dies. I’ll save you.

Ares wobbles on his feet a moment, and Icarus helps catch him. He gives him a little shake.

ICARUS: Woah, man, chill. Hey Auntie Eleanor. I love you and miss you, but don’t worry. Baron Horus Saber is the best baron Cragg has ever seen.

Ares, here, drink this. It’ll settle your stomach.

Ares drinks the vial passed to him by Icarus and immediately starts spluttering afterwards. Primrose eyes him suspiciously.

PRIMROSE: What medicine are you giving him?

ICARUS: Nothing that isn’t approved in major hospitals.

SET: Okay, um, Mama? I wanted to say thanks for giving me your life. I’m going to the academy next year… I hope I’ll be good enough to make you proud. Probably I won’t be, I’m not so good at most things, but… I am good with a sword. I’m going to be the best swordsman anyone’s ever seen, Mama. I’ll do it for you.

Everyone at Solstice kept saying I look just like you, and that it’s such a shame I never got to meet you… I’m sorry, Mama. I’m sorry you had to die for me. I’m sorry I tore you away from all of us.

Set breaks into tears. Horus pulls him into a hug.

HORUS: Hello again, mother. I’m sorry I haven’t visited in a while, but I’ve been working a lot. Our borders held strong during the recent wars and our numbers are even stronger. You believed in ruthlessness and fair judgement and I’m doing my best to uphold that ideology as Baron. I only wish you were still here so I might learn from you.

…Dad? Do you want to say anything?

Kur moves closer to the grave and kneels down in front of it. He mumbles quietly in native Hituh’n. Horus watches, remembering the day she died.

Eleanor’s screams carry throughout the castle. Horus (13), Minerva (10) and Ares (7) are waiting impatiently outside the bedroom door, anxious to meet the new baby. Eventually, Eleanor stops screaming, and soon after the voices in the room become hysterical. Horus, Minerva and Ares wait silently, pinned against the wall. Marsden tries to keep them preoccupied, but is ultimately called inside. Eventually, Marsden re-emerges, tears streaming silently down his face.

MARSDEN: Master Horus, will you please come inside?

Horus goes in quietly, leaving Minerva, Ares and Marsden behind. Smeared across the floors and bedsheets, the smell of Eleanor’s blood is almost overpowering. The doctor and nurse have passed out from exhaustion, and Python shudders uncontrollably in the corner. Eleanor’s squire kneels by the bed, praying. Kur is curled up in the bed beside Eleanor, sobbing into the nape of her neck, seemingly oblivious to the baby lying silently on her chest.

HORUS: …mama?

KUR: You’re the Baron of Cragg now, son. Her legacy lies with you.

Kur goes back to crying. Horus stands quietly, completely stunned.

HORUS: …no. No, mama, please. Wake up…

Horus cries for a moment, until baby Set finally starts whining. Horus jumps back in alarm.

HORUS: The baby lived?!

Horus grabs at Set immediately, forcing Eleanor’s squire to intervene.

SQUIRE: Gentle, young master. He’s fragile.

HORUS: He? A brother?

PYTHON: Let me wrap him for you…

Careful. Mind the head.

HORUS: Dad… Dad, the baby lived. You have another son. Dad?

PYTHON: Shh, Horus. Your father is exhausted.

Sure enough, Kur has stopped sobbing, and is seemingly falling asleep.

HORUS: …Does he have a name?

PYTHON: Step outside for now, young master. I’ll be out in a moment to help take care of him. Give us some time to clean up in here.

HORUS: …Okay.

I’ll look after him dad. I’ll look after everything from now on. Dad? Dad, come out with us.

SQUIRE: Just leave him to rest, young master. We’ll come out when we’re ready.

HORUS: …I’ll make sure everything is okay, dad. Don’t worry about anything else. I’ve got this.

Horus walks quietly back outside to where Marsden, Ares, Minerva, Osprey and Fairfax are all waiting, each of them crying. Horus offers them a weak smile.

HORUS: We have a baby brother.

Horus goes over to them, and together they sit in the hallway outside the infirmary, cradling Set and crying for the lost Eleanor.

On the mountaintop, Horus gives Set another big squeeze. Kur continues to mumble to Eleanor’s grave.

PRIMROSE: …what is he saying?

HORUS: He’s saying… that he still loves her as much today as he did on every happy day they spent together. That if he could, he would kiss each of her bones every sunset before laying them back to rest. That he’s happy to give up his burial by fire and have his bones crushed beneath stone if it means lying beside her again for even a moment…

Horus chokes up and stops translating. The family wait patiently for Kur to finish. When he turns around, his eyes are red with tears.

KUR: I won’t disappoint you, Eleanor. I won’t leave them until I know they’re safe.

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

After nightfall, when the snow has started falling and the wind begins to pick up, the night staff gather around the kitchen table, each of them visibly shaking.

ELIZABETH: Fairfax, your lips are blue! You should be wearing another layer.

FAIRFAX: It’s nearly over. I can hold out.

AUGUSTUS: Yeah, the colder we are, the less the beatings hurt.

TIGER: Come on, everyone, eat more, drink more. Here, Fairfax, take this heat pack for a while.

OSPREY: Dinner is almost over. We need to go back soon.

ELIZABETH: Then hurry up and eat.

AUGUSTUS: How many more hours until Kur explodes, do you think?

OSPREY: Stop it, Augustus. You’re making it worse.

MARSDEN: You sound like you’re planning to step in his path again.

OSPREY: You’d better fucking not. After last year?

AUGUSTUS: Calm down. I said I wouldn’t, didn’t I?

PYTHON: It’s not that I didn’t appreciate you trying to help…

AUGUSTUS: I can’t have this conversation again. I said I wouldn’t intervene, and I won’t. Drop it.

ELIZABETH: Yikes. What’s got your goat?

AUGUSTUS: Nothing. Set said a whole bunch of stuff at the grave. More than he ever has.

PYTHON: I thought what he said was quite moving, actually.

OSPREY: As did I. I actually felt sorry for him, for once.

FAIRFAX: You didn’t feel sorry for him when Lord Kur tried to kill his dog?

OSPREY: After my brother has been bitten how many times?

PYTHON: How about the time he was strangled as a baby?

DANIELLE: Excuse me?

MARSDEN: Don’t bring that up, please. Lord Kur wasn’t himself. He suffered a mental breakdown when Eleanor died. We can’t hold that against him.

DANIELLE: Lord Kur strangled Set when he was just a baby?

FAIRFAX: Things have a way of getting out of control on Lady Eleanor’s birthday.

DANIELLE: Why on earth do you keep working here if this is what it’s like every year? Surely no money is worth this.

ELIZABETH: Not everyone has a choice. You’d better get upstairs, squires. I imagine they’re finished with dinner by now.

The squires leave and just Tiger, Elizabeth and Danielle remain.

DANIELLE: What do you mean, you don’t have a choice?

ELIZABETH: Well, my father is in debt. If he doesn’t make his repayments, he goes to jail, maybe forever. But he can’t make his repayments without me working here. Every servant has a similar story. And the slaves… they’ve never known anything else.

DANIELLE: Slaves? Who’s a slave?

ELIZABETH: Marsden, Python, Fairfax. They’ve been owned since their childhood. You didn’t know?

DANIELLE: I didn’t realise… slavery is outlawed everywhere in Tijora.

TIGER: Tijora isn’t a monarchy. Hituh is. And a monarchy survives best when slavery is legal. Let’s hurry and get this cleaned up. We need to be on standby to help with first aid.

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

Upstairs, the family have left the dining room and entered the lounge to sit near the fire. The servants filter in slowly.

KUR: There you are. Marsden, where’s the album?

MARSDEN: Apologies, sir. We have it ready, but we also prepared a slide show, in case you prefer.

HORUS: I think that’s probably wiser than all of us huddling together on the one couch. Thank you, Marsden. Augustus, get more wine. And Osprey, go get something for Ares.

ARES: I’m okay… feeling a little better.

PRIMROSE: Even so, I want you going to bed soon. It’s getting late, anyway.

ICARUS: Yes, I’ll be turning in soon, too. Sleeping early is wise on nights like tonight.

HORUS: Icarus…

MINERVA: Let’s just get started. I want to see which pictures Marsden picked this year.

KUR: Yes. Tell us, Marsden, how have you chosen to honour my Eleanor?

MARSDEN: I was feeling sentimental with all the children home, sir. I’ve tried to include pictures of everyone this year.

HORUS: That’s nice. Isn’t that nice, dad? Thanks Marsden. Let’s get it over with.

Marsden starts the slideshow. Meanwhile, Python and Osprey give Ares some medicine before Minerva dismisses Python for the evening. Fairfax is also dismissed, leaving Osprey, Augustus, and Marsden with the family. Marsden begins with photos of Eleanor as a child before moving into photos of her with Kur.

PRIMROSE: Wow! Set, she looks so much like you in that photo.

ARES: Don’t…

PRIMROSE: She’s beautiful. Oh, that one’s nice. Set, is that the dress your cloak was inspired by?

SET: Yeah… I thought it was a good imitation.

PRIMROSE: It was. You both have good taste.

HORUS: We still have all mum’s outfits. I suppose they should have been passed onto someone by now. Even Minerva’s probably too big for them.

PRIMROSE: Your mother was a tiny woman, wasn’t she?

KUR: Pure blooded Hituh’n people are. Though small, they’re durable and steadfast. Not that it mattered with Eleanor. She had a certain way about her that allowed her to command a room and still be loved. A way her successor lacks.

HORUS: I don’t need to be loved.

MINERVA: Shut-up and look at the picture of baby Horus.

PRIMROSE: That is a big baby.

KUR: She had some difficult pregnancies.

PRIMROSE: Wait, is that you, Minerva?

MINERVA: No. That’s Freyja.

PRIMROSE: She looks just like Horus.

ICARUS: Horus and Freyja may as well have been twins with how close they were. Both of them were giant bullies.

HORUS: Maybe we shouldn’t talk about Freyja.

ICARUS: Yeah. We wouldn’t want to bring up the whole ‘murder’ thing again, would we?

HORUS: Icarus, I’m warning you.

PRIMROSE: I’m sorry…?

ICARUS: I’m surprised your maid hasn’t told you already, Primrose. According to my squires, she loves a good gossip. She was telling them all about how Minerva here has been learning to climb.

KUR: You what?

ICARUS: See, Minnie’s always blamed uncle Kur for what happened to Freyja. Now she’s climbing, it’s only fair to assume she’s hung up on Freyja’s death yet again. I can only assume that’s why Horus wanted to avoid her name.

KUR: Minerva. Is this true?

MINERVA: …I’m climbing to honour the culture of our people. Freyja wasn’t the only one who loved climbing, mama used to love it, too. I’m climbing because—

KUR: You are forbidden from climbing.

MINERVA: I’m an adult, and a daughter of ‘Ston, and I have the right to climb.

KUR: You and I both know this isn’t about culture or honour. You’re climbing to make a statement.

MINERVA: Not everything is about you! I feel a connection to climbing! It helps me think, and —

KUR: Minerva, we are not going to discuss this. You are forbidden, do you understand?

MINERVA: You can’t stop me.

KUR: I can if I break your fucking wrists.

Kur lunges from his spot, and Minerva rushes out of the room ahead of him. He catches her not far from the door and knocks her to the ground before wrenching her back into the loungeroom.

KUR: Listen to me fucking well, daughter. You will not climb again. If I find out you have, I will break as many bones as necessary to stop you.

MINERVA: Do you hear yourself? You’re insane…

Kur slaps her hard enough to knock her to the floor. A heavy boot rests on her neck.

KUR: No more climbing. Let me hear you say you understand.

MINERVA: …but…

HORUS: Dad, she can’t breathe. Get off her.

SET: Can we not do this? It’s mama’s—

KUR: No more climbing, Minerva. Ever. Swear to me.

MINERVA: …okay.

KUR: What’s that?

MINERVA: I won’t climb anymore.

KUR: Good. We’ll talk more tomorrow. Now get back to the couch and honour your mother properly.

Kur drags her over to the couch and sits her next to him with a firm grip on her shoulder. Minerva struggles not to cry and sits quietly on the couch, rubbing at her neck.

ICARUS: Ah, just like old times.

HORUS: You’ve got to be kidding me, Icarus.

ICARUS: What! I care about this family. I hate to see so many secrets. Did you hear about what Set’s getting up to after curfew?

HORUS: …excuse me?

SET: …can we focus on Mama?

HORUS: Icarus?

ICARUS: Now you want me meddling. I don’t think I know the details on that one, and I’m too cold to give a shit anymore. I’m going to bed.

PRIMROSE: …I think we’ll go, too. Come on, Ares.

KUR: We haven’t finished yet.

PRIMROSE: Ares needs sleep. Goodnight, everyone.

Icarus and Primrose leave, with Osprey helping Ares. Icarus laughs once they’re out the door.

ICARUS: Fuckin’ hell. That Kur, huh?

PRIMROSE: I don’t think you should be laughing. That was horribly cruel.

ICAURS: Yeah, yeah. I want to talk to you. Osprey, get Ares to bed. Primrose… come with me for a bit.

PRIMROSE: Why?

ICARUS: I want to talk to you more about what your maid has been saying. Come on.

Icarus leads Primrose down the hallway to talk quietly.

ICARUS: Fuck. I was hoping we’d be shielded from the wind here.

PRIMROSE: I don’t know how anyone is standing this…

ICARUS: They’re descendants of Dae. Daes don’t freeze or burn with ease.

PRIMROSE: Icarus. Do you think Lord Kur murdered his daughter?

ICARUS: Of course not. Minerva is insane. But then, so is Uncle Kur. They’re all deranged really. So, listen. Your maid told my squires something interesting. Apparently, if Ares survives this suicide mission the queen put him on, you’re planning to take him away from Cragg forever.

PRIMROSE: I never said forever.

ICARUS: Hmm. Look, it’s none of my business, but you should really be careful when it comes to making enemies in this family. They might not react so well to you taking him away.

PRIMROSE: Lord Kur doesn’t scare me. I’m water, he’s fire.

ICARUS: Yes, but Lord Horus is earth. Can you stand up to him?

PRIMROSE: …I won’t need to. Horus wants what’s best for Ares. He’s on my side.

ICARUS: He will always be on the side that keeps his family as close to him as possible. Don’t dare think for a moment he’ll let Ares go without a fight. Now, let’s go to bed. It’s fucking freezing down here.

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

Back in the loungeroom, the demeanour is still cold as Horus directs some anger towards Set.

HORUS: You’ve been sneaking out to sleep with a bunch of dogs?!

SET: It’s part of their training! They need to learn to—

HORUS: Bullshit. You’re sleeping out there because you love them. It isn’t safe—

SET: It’s fine! I’m not a little kid.

KUR: Is this because we told you not to bring the dogs inside anymore?

SET: …I just like sleeping with them, alright?

HORUS: For gods sakes…

KUR: Alright, Horus. No need for such rage. It’s not like he’s risking his life for no reason, unlike some of my children. Actually, sneaking out to sleep with the dogs seems like something your mother would have done.

HORUS: Mother didn’t care for dogs.

KUR: No, but she did care for others. She slept alongside townspeople during many times of war and evacuation. Marsden, continue the slideshow. And Augustus, bring more wine. And bring Set a glass.

HORUS: Dad, don’t give Set alcohol.

KUR: Why not? You were drinking at a much younger age than this.

HORUS: …probably shouldn’t have been. Besides, you’re rewarding his bad behaviour.

KUR: Enough about Set. Look at that photo of Eleanor and Ares.

HORUS: Fine. You and I will discuss this later, Set.

Ugh, the wooden sword. Gods, I hated that fucking sword.

MINERVA: Me too. Ares used to whack us all the time with it.

KUR: He was a busy child. Always had an unsettled mind. He and his mother had that in common. Oh, look there…

HORUS: Is that her when she was pregnant with Set, or…?

KUR: That was Phoebe. I don’t understand why…

HORUS: Miscarriages happen. It was no-one’s fault.

MINERVA: Can I go to bed now?

KUR: No.

HORUS: Cut Minerva some slack, Dad. It can’t be easy being the only girl in the family. Besides, it’s getting late. Let’s call it for tonight.

KUR: Not yet. Let’s look at some more photos. Oh, look at that one. Servant, pour more wine.

HORUS: Dad, don’t.

KUR: Don’t what?

MINERVA: Horus, just leave it.

KUR: Am I not allowed to enjoy the presence of my children while I look at photos of my dead wife?

SET: Guys, it’s fine. Let’s look at a few more.

KUR: See, Horus? Even the mutant agrees with me.

HORUS: What did you call him?

MINERVA: Stop! Horus, stop it. You’re making things worse.

HORUS: Every fucking year you do this. Mother’s death wasn’t Set’s fault.

KUR: No? Whose, then? Should we blame her squire? The nurse? Perhaps it’s time we addressed the undue stress Minerva placed on her mother after Freyja’s death. Or perhaps you’d like to blame me, son. Is that it? Do you want to blame me for killing my fucking wife?!

HORUS: I don’t blame any of those people. I blame the idiot mother who bled for a week before telling anyone about it.

KUR: Don’t you dare speak of her that way!

SET: Please, don’t…

HORUS: So, it’s alright for you to blame a baby, but I’m not allowed to blame the woman who almost cost him his life? Face it, dad, she fucking abandoned you. She abandoned—

Kur lunges for Horus. They enter a bloody brawl, with both men sustaining punches to the faces and stomach. Marsden instinctively grabs for Minerva and Augustus for Set, and they drag them out of harm’s way. With Augustus and Marsden’s firm grips, Minerva and Set can only scream at them to stop. The fight only ceases when smoke begins to escape from Kur’s mouth and nostrils.

HORUS: Dad, dad! You’re catching fire!

Horus stops to catch his breath while Kur takes a moment to acknowledge the smoke leaking from his fingers. With a deep exhale, a plume of smoke escapes his lips, filling the room with the smell. Horus and Kur continue to stare each other down until Set breaks free of Augustus and runs forward.

SET: Please, stop! No more fighting! You’re going to kill each other!

HORUS: Set, go to bed.

KUR: You aren’t his father. Set, follow me.

HORUS: Like hell—

SET: It’s okay, Horus. I’ll try getting dad to bed.

HORUS: No-one is going anywhere until dad’s cooled down. Last thing we need is a fire.

Everyone stares at Kur. He isn’t smoking anymore, but when Marsden hands him a block of firewood, it incinerates instantly.

KUR: What are you trying to prove? That I’m uncontrollable?

MINERVA: Please, dad. Calm down. You know what will happen if the queen finds out about it. Anything you have to say to each other can wait until morning. Please?

KUR: Marsden, hand me that wood.

Marsden hands Kur another piece of firewood. This time it doesn’t incinerate, but a small amount of smoke rises from where his hand rests.

KUR: See? Getting better already.

HORUS: Are you challenging me to round two?

KUR: You’re lucky you inherited stone instead of flame. See, unlike you, I am capable of cooling off. I’m going upstairs. Set, come with me. We’ll look at the rest of the album together.

SET: It’s fine, Horus. Let’s go, dad.

Set and Kur take the album from Marsden and leave.

HORUS: Set better not have a single fucking bruise—!

MINERVA: Horus, stop! Just let them go. Look at you. You’re covered in blood.

HORUS: As was he. I could have fucking destroyed him—

MINERVA: Yes! You can win against him, Horus, and that’s the problem. He catches fire when you do that. If Dad ever catches fire again, our whole family is in danger. You’re not allowed to fight him, Horus. Why do you keep doing this?

HORUS: Because when I don’t, you, Set and Ares end up getting hurt.

MINERVA: But when you fight him, you put all of us in danger. You have to stop.

HORUS: …your face is swollen from when he slapped you. He called Set a mutant. And may I remind you, he attacked me first.

MINERVA: You antagonised him.

…we have to stop celebrating Mama’s birthday.

HORUS: We tried that, remember? It was even worse.

I should go get Set.

MINERVA: You need medical attention. I already called for Python. I’ll go get Set.

HORUS: You? The fuck are you going to do to help Set?

MINERVA: I won’t set the house on fire, for one. Here’s Python. Bye.

Minerva hurries from the room, leaving Horus, Python, Marsden and Augustus. Horus goes to follow her, but Marsden stops him.

MARSDEN: She’s right, my lord. Right now, we need to deescalate, which I’m afraid to say isn’t your strong point.

HORUS: …He’s such a nightmare, Marsden. What else am I supposed to do, other than fight?

MARSDEN: I’m not sure, my lord. But a good leader always knows what to do, and you’re a great leader, sir. I trust you’ll make the right decisions.

Horus spits a mouthful of blood on the floor and wipes his mouth.

HORUS: You shouldn’t.

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

Minerva hurries up to Kur’s room and peers inside quietly to see Kur with his hands on Set’s face, and Set’s feet off the ground. She pushes the door wide open.

MINERVA: Dad?

KUR: What are you doing here?

MINERVA: …I came to apologise and take Set to bed.

KUR: It’s too late for apologies. You’re going to the tower.

MINERVA: …okay. Let me take Set to bed first.

KUR: Did Horus send you?

MINERVA: No. I promise. I just want this evening to be over.

KUR: …why? Do you blame me for her dying, too?

MINERVA: I don’t blame you for anyone dying, okay dad? Can I have Set now, please?

KUR: …Fine.

Kur tosses Set her way. She helps him up quickly and ushers him to the door.

KUR: And Minerva? You’d better be in the tower by the time I get there.

Minerva pulls the door closed behind her quickly. Her and Set take a moment to catch their breath and she glances his way.

MINERVA: Are you alright?

SET: I don’t want to talk about it!

Set takes off, fleeing for his bedroom. Minerva catches the sob in her throat then continues down to her own room and crawls into bed. Horus appears soon after.

HORUS: Where’s Set?

MINERVA: His room. Dad sent me to the tower.

HORUS: He did?

MINERVA: Yes, and I’ll go, but not yet. I’ll go in the morning.

HORUS: Forget it. He can’t send an adult to the tower, that’s ridiculous.

MINERVA: Don’t you dare go start something with him again.

HORUS: I won’t…

Are you okay?

MINERVA: I hate Icarus.

HORUS: Mm. I might have to sharpen my fists on his face tomorrow. I should go check on Set.

MINERVA: Give him a bit. He’s embarrassed. He thinks this is all his fault.

HORUS: It’s mine. You were right. I shouldn’t have escalated the situation.

MINERVA: Was that an apology?

HORUS: No. I’m not apologising for it. I’m just acknowledging it.

MINERVA: Right.

HORUS: Reminder that before I escalated, he stepped on your neck. He’s lucky I didn’t go for him then.

MINERVA: …what are we going to do, Horus?

HORUS: Right now? You should get some rest. Move over. I’ll lie with you until you fall asleep.

MINERVA: Then what?

HORUS: Then, I’ll check on Set. And I’ll finish by checking on dad.

MINERVA: Will you fight?

HORUS: No. I promise.

MINERVA: …I’m scared, Horus.

I’m scared of Dad. I’m scared of the queen. I’m scared of what’s going to happen to Ares. Is there anyone out there who isn’t trying to kill us?

Horus?

HORUS: I’m listening. And I’m scared, too. But we’re in it together, right?

MINERVA: Are we?

HORUS: …Just go to sleep. We can talk about it tomorrow.

Minerva closes her eyes and starts crying softly. Horus holds her hand quietly, not knowing what else to say.

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

In Set’s room, Set sits at his desk and stares lifelessly ahead. He startles when Augustus comes in behind him.

SET: Fuck, Augustus! You scared the shit out of me.

AUGUSTUS: S-sorry, Master Set. J-just came to s-see what you n-need?

SET: Oh, right, I never dismissed you. Sorry. I was just studying, but you can go now.

AUGUSTUS: Studying? W-why are you studying n-now?

SET: I dunno. Can’t sleep.

AUGUSTUS: …then I g-guess I’ll try a-and help.

SET: Why do you keep talking like tha— oh, gods. You’re blue.

AUGUSTUS: It’s been a b-bit c-cold.

SET: Come here. Sit by the fire.

Set leads Augustus to the fire and drags his blanket off the bed, which he wraps around both of them. He grabs for Augustus’s hands and rubs his hands over them.

SET: Better?

AUGUSTUS: Mmhmm. Thankyou. You’re really warm.

SET: Yeah. Did you see if Horus was okay?

AUGUSTUS: He’s fine. Python’s been tending to him.

SET: That’s good.

AUGUSTUS: What about you? Did Lord Kur…?

SET: I’m fine.

Sorry you’ve been freezing for this stupid day.

AUGUSTUS: I don’t know how you can stand it.

SET: Dae blood. I’m still affected by heat and cold, just not to the same extent as you are. Here, I’ll close the window for you.

AUGUSTUS: Won’t you get in trouble?

SET: Yeah, but, what else is new?

…can you tell me some more stuff about history?

AUGUSTUS: …are you sure you want to study right now? You should be asleep.

SET: I told you, I can’t. Just… tell me more about the Pilgrim wars?

AUGUSTUS: …okay. Well, where did we leave off—

A knock at the door startles them both. Set hesitates.

SET: Horus?

HORUS: Yeah.

SET: It’s open.

Horus comes in, frowning.

HORUS: You shouldn’t have left it unlocked.

SET: Dad was slurring his words when I left, I figured I’d be okay. Are you alright?

HORUS: I’m fine. See? Python fixed me.

…Never seen you and Augustus so cosy before.

SET: He looked about ready to freeze to death. You’ve got to stop this stupid tradition before one of them actually dies.

HORUS: What? Oh, the windows. I forgot about that.

Are you going to look at me?

SET: No.

HORUS: Come on. Show me what he did.

Set turns to reveal the marks on his face. Horus takes his chin to look closer.

HORUS: …your eyes are all red. What did he—

SET: I’m fine, and I don’t want to talk about it.

HORUS: Come on, Set. Tell me what happened.

SET: We were looking at photos. And he kept talking about her eyes and how I stole them from her. And that he could never love me as much as he loves the rest of you because every time he’s ever looked at me he sees her dying.

HORUS: …then what?

SET: …he dug his thumbs into my face.

HORUS: You mean into your eyes?

SET: Not really. Only a little.

HORUS: He tried to blind you?!

SET: Please calm down! It wasn’t like that.

HORUS: Fucking monster. I’m sorry, Set. Come here. Don’t cry.

SET: I’m not crying because of that. I just don’t want you fighting anymore.

HORUS: He tries to blind you, and you still don’t want me fighting him?

SET: Please, Horus. You’re not allowed to fight him.

HORUS: Then what am I supposed to do?

SET: …I… I don’t know…

HORUS: I’m sorry. Come here. I won’t fight him, okay?

Augustus, you’re still here? Go to bed. Tell everyone to close the windows. Mother’s birthday is over.

AUGUSTUS: Yes, my lord. Anything else?

HORUS: No. Just make sure Marsden knows he’s dismissed, as well.

AUGUSTUS: Master Set?

SET: No. Don’t worry about the dogs in the morning. I’ll do it.

AUGUSTUS: …yes, my lord. Goodnight.

Augustus exits quietly, and heads for the servants’ quarters. When he gets there, everyone is huddled in the lounge by the heater, dozing. Elizabeth rouses at his entry.

ELIZABETH: *You’re finally back.*

AUGUSTUS: *Yes, I am. Has Kur been up yet?*

ELIZABETH: *No. Marsden, Danielle and Osprey are still out as well.*

AUGUSTUS: *Danielle and Osprey are probably sleeping in Ares’s room by the fire.*

ELIZABETH: *And where were you?*

AUGUSTUS: *…learning things. I’ll tell you about it tomorrow.*

Augustus settles in beside her and closes his eyes. Soon after, Marsden comes in and falls asleep in the chair. It’s close to dawn when a loud knock comes from the door, waking everyone up.

MARSDEN: Ready?

Marsden walks down the hall and everyone else stands timidly to wait. This time, when they shake, it isn’t from the cold. Marsden opens the door a fraction.

MARSDEN: Good morning, Lord Kur, may I help you?

KUR: I came to ask you all something.

Kur barges the door open. It’s clear that after he woke up, he continued drinking.

MARSDEN: Lord Kur, I’m afraid you cannot—

KUR: Did I not do enough for all of you? Have you not been clothed, fed, sheltered, and protected? Are your wages, which are twice as high as the average servant, insufficient?

MARSDEN: My lord, we’re so grateful—

KUR: Are you? Then why the fuck can’t any of you do your jobs properly? I think I’ve been too easy on all of you.

MARSDEN: Was our service insufficient, my lord?

KUR: Shut-up, Marsden. I know you were in love with Eleanor. You would have given your life for her if you could. Her nurse, though?

MARSDEN: My lord, no, please. Python didn’t do anything.

KUR: You were supposed to protect her.

PYTHON: I— I tried, my lord—

KUR: If you really tried, she’d be alive right now.

Kur slaps Python down to the ground. Everyone flinches, and as the beating continues, Augustus moves to step forward, but Elizabeth stops him. Kur continues until Python’s lip starts to bleed, where he turns his attention randomly on Fairfax, and knocks him to the ground as well before straightening up and wiping his brow. He turns to face his audience.

KUR: I expect much, much better—

MARSDEN: My lord, please, let me take you to your room. We can discuss things there.

KUR: Trying to be a hero, are you, Marsden?

Kur laughs but allows Marsden to lead him out all the same. As soon as the door closes Elizabeth and Tiger rush for Python. Augustus stands stiff in his place.

AUGUSTUS: I’ve changed my mind. Death is too good for him. I need him to suffer.