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Cailin gates back to the X-files shadow for some paint. The can of white latex that he acquires has a small furry creature in it; Cailin ignores the critter. He tries to paint on the marbles; the paint is apparently absorbed and leaves no mark behind, and some of the brush seems to be absorbed as well.
There is an explosion at the place from which the gate was opened.
Cailin investigates the explosion, then opens another gate. Four soldiers in SWAT uniforms charge through before the gate is closed.
He opens another gate. There is a mage there in dramatic robes, incanting. Cailin toys with him for a while, then pulls him to the Assassins' Guild, takes his protective amulet (labeled on the back, "Maiden Formosa"), and starts wrapping him in duct tape.
Someone has approached Princess Chandra from the Etiquette Guild; they have stepped to the side and are discussing something quietly.
She calls, "Cailin, business for you."
Cailin finishes duct-taping the mage and approaches the etiquette guild member. "What can I do for you?"
"It is, rather, what I can do for you." He opens a pouch, and hands Cailin a ring, a staff, and a circlet. "This is, indeed, the trappings of your rank."
"Very well."
"A space has been cleared for you so that you may begin construction."
Bows are exchanged.
"Would you be so good as to tell me to whom you have given the nod as your house second?"
Cailin glances at Cassandra, and smiles at her devilishly. "She is with us."
"And the child of the Warriors' and apprentice to Princess Chandra is your house second?"
"No."
Cassandra is receiving a trump call. It's Lord Talos. "Greetings. May I come through?" Cassandra received permission from Princess Chandra and then pulls him through.
Lord Talos dismisses the etiquette guild member.
Cassandra, to Cailin. "I need to teach you a lot of bows."
Lord Talos pokes the mage twice. The mage whimpers and repeats his previous statement. Lord Talos and Cailin discuss the situation.
"He attacked a head of household and all you have done was wrap him in duct tape?" Lord Talos suggests that his pieces be placed strategically near their House to convince others of his seriousness.
Cassandra and Lord Talos head off to Cassandra's rooms. Cassandra gets a trump call from Darkstar. There's a bit of a problem that she might want to get involved in. He thinks that he has found traces of "her friend Ingold", and is not sure that the traces are good. Some blood, a few pieces of skin, and his left hand. Corwin is not available.
Cassandra tells Lord Talos that she might need to deal with a problem.
[Lazy is on the Fringe, looking for Osric, with plans on asking him for a new desert. His ... fertilization ... has eliminated the desert, and there is a tribe of natives farming the land around the platform.]
Cassandra tries to reach Hunter and fails, and trumps her father and fails.
Darkstar suggests Ilk; Cassandra calls out, "Ilk?" No response. Cassandra and Lord Talos head towards the front of the Guild. Cassandra tells Princess Chandra of the need for tracking, and she offers some of her guild members to assist in the endeavor. Cassandra tells Darkstar to wait for a few hours, then goes off with Lord Talos.
There is a package on her pillow with a card, "To your health"
Cassandra summons one of her bodyguards to look at the present. He pours off the wall and says that there is a fine powder on the box, and the ribbon is sealed to the box. Furthermore
The bodyguard steps out and steps back into the room with Princess Chandra.
"You know, that looks a lot like Bronelle's handwriting. She is really starting to piss me off. I might consider reassigning her contract." Cassandra acedes, and Princess Chandra sends the bodyguard off to find Zorro.
Zorro arrives in a few minutes, makes a long sweeping bow to Princess Chandra, a long sweeping bow to Cassandra, and gives a speech.
Princess Chandra informs Zorro that there has been a foul and trecherous assault upon this fair and helpless maiden. Cassandra simpers.
Zorro makes a speech about injustice, examines the package, and strides off.
Lord Talos is laughing hysterially in the corner.
Cassandra expresses concern that there might be other packages, similarly delivered.
Princess Chandra exits the house and turns to Shiryu. "I am in need of another service from you." She describes the package.
Shiryu raises his hand, then turns back to her, and says, "I have removed all things delivered by that power within your house, all traces of that power, and have blocked your house against further intrusions of that power.
"As always, you are most efficient."
Cassandra and Lord Talos, in Cassandra's chambers, fade to black.
Osric seems to have somehow caused a vibration on the globe that he is carrying with a carrier of his voice, saying "Aah! Big cat!"
Osric returns, to find Lazy sitting on Johnny. Lazy speaks into Osric's mind. "Does he belong here?"
"Yes. He has a loyalty compulsion."
Lazy gets off Johnny.
"Have small problem. No longer a desert."
Osric searches for another appropriate desert, and discusses ideal characteristics with Lazy.
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