Episode 16--The Night Lords II: Twilight of the Capital

Ion, Esther and Abel are being served a large breakfast at Asta's table, though only Abel has any appetite. He says they should begin disproving the false charges made against Ion--as things stand he can't even leave the house, let alone meet with the Empress. Poor Ion looks despondent, and Esther urges him to eat something, Asta agreeing that even Methuselah need to replenish themselves and adding sharply that it's shameful for an Imperial noble to cry before others. She says she and Abel should get going: the Imperial Council has been convened and is meeting at the Palace to discuss the Duchess of Moldova's assassination. They should have a chance to plead Ion's case there. Ion asks Esther if she'll come with him, he has an errand in town, and Asta adds that she's spoken to her armorer, Chandarur, about giving Ion a blade to replace his broken dagger. He'd better not do anything rash in the city, she adds...

On the air shuttle into the city Abel is in full wide-eyed-kid mode, rattling on about the number of people and the beauty of the palace, until Asta tells him to settle down. Why are you worried? With your beauty and my conversational skills we can’t lose, he says cheerily; the charges against the Count of Memphis will vanish in a flash. I should have left you at home, she mutters. But I make your story about envoys from the Outer convincing, he points out, and moreover, I want Esther to look after the Count for awhile longer. She looks at him shrewdly, seeing through his innocent routine. Cautious as ever, she says; you don't want either of them treading on this thin ice. --play dumb all you like, but you'll be worn out if you continue to take all the responsibility yourself. That's true, he admits. That girl reminds me of myself when I was younger, Asta adds thoughtfully.

A handsome, uniformed man steps up to them, saying "Lady Astharoshe… it's been four years". She tells Abel he's Suleiman, Duke of Tigris, the Deputy Keeper of the Secret Imperial History (you'll recall the late Duchess of Moldova was the primary keeper). It has been awhile, Your Grace, she replies, and he says with a smile that she should call him Suleiman, or even Uncle, as she used to. She blushes and stammers yes; Abel teases her that he's never seen her so flustered. The Duke asks if she knows what today's agenda is, and she replies that she's heard it concerns the Duchess' assassination. He says there's a rumor that her grandson was nearby, accompanied by a male and a female Terran. Asta pretends surprise; Suleiman goes on to say that they were from the Outer and affiliated with the Vatican. [Behind his back, A & A trade startled looks.] This is very serious…someone from the Vatican murdered the Imperial Keeper, the Duke says. This will escalate into a serious international incident. I will probably be given full authority over the investigation and may need your assistance. Mine?--asks Asta. Yes, you've been to the Outer and gained valuable experience, and it's said the Empress expects great things of you. She demurs politely, he smiles, and says it’s almost time--they should go.

Uniformed guards conduct the Empress into the grand plaza of the city; the same tall, veiled blonde woman we saw last time. My beloved children of the night, it is a pleasure, she says…

Ion is studying a map, admits that this is the first time he's ever been in this part of the city. Esther looks amazed. We Methuselah only live on the west side, he says haughtily, and when the Terrans need something they come to us, so we never need to travel east. They walk on. Ion tells her he's convinced that Mimar was involved with the attack on the mansion; the timing was too good, he says, they must have known I was coming, and when. She says it's hard to believe. He says Mimar had been a servant of his grandmother's, and even though he's now a freedman he still works for the Moldovan nobility, but…he remembers Radu…you can't stop a traitor from betraying you, he finishes sadly.

They're really lost, Esther tries to read the map but has never learned the Imperial script. They look at each other hopelessly; and a girl pops up from around a corner. Hey, youngsters! --she calls out. Want some tea? It's good! 20 akce a cup, but I'll give you two cups for 30! [--an akce is one-third of a silver dirham. An Arab dirham is worth about 27 cents US, so an akce is worth about nine cents, and Seth charges $1.80 per cup of tea, $2.70 for two. Ion probably paid her with a gold dinar.] Ion says they don't need any and sweeps past her, but she tags after them and he finally buys tea just to hush her. She beams, and he asks if she knows where to find Mimar's medicinal warehouse. Mimar the trader? Sure, she'll be glad to show them the way. --Esther, we'll go with this girl, Ion says. The tea seller retorts that it's rude to keep calling her 'girl', she has a splendid name after all: it’s Seth.

They arrive, and Ion says she can go home now. Seth snaps to Esther that this guy's very conceited and she ought to choose her dates more wisely. Ion orders her to leave and she giggles and darts off. --Damn her, she made fun of me, he mutters, and suddenly catches a wave of scent--could it be--? He catches hold of Esther and leaps up two stories into the building --where we see an autojaeger, and Mimar lying in a chair awash with blood. Ion fights and dispatches the jaeger; Esther calls out that Mimar's still alive.

The dying man takes Ion's hands. Forgive me, young master, he says; I didn’t know that he...he intended to...murder your grandmother. Did you say 'he'? Who was it! Tell me! ..demands Ion. Mimar struggles for air: the Baron of Luxor, Radu Barvon, he gasps and dies. Esther crosses herself. Impossible, says Ion--he died, isn’t that right? How can it be? --Unnoticed another autojaeger rises from the floor, raising its axe---Esther shoves Ion aside, blazes away at it with her gun; the jaeger falls, but she's been cut by the blade, and collapses, bleeding. Ion says he'll get her to a hospital but she says it's too dangerous for him--he says that doesn't matter; she passes out.

Looks like you're in trouble, says a voice: it's Seth the tea seller. she runs up, opening a first-aid kit. Ion stares amazed--what are you? He asks. --Me? Didn't I tell you earlier? I'm Seth. Just a pretty little girl. She smiles…

...go on to Episode Seventeen.

...return to Trinity Blood Episode Guide.