Editing Evelard Severstern (section)

==A Day in the Life==

''Evelard stepped from the carriage and regarded the country mansion, composing his thoughts before embarking up the marble steps. His mission here was to put a word of caution into the Duke's ear, staying the signing of the treaty at least until word from Evelard's compatriots across the Channel had arrived. A few days, perhaps. A week would be too long. But the Club needed to know what was happening in the Blue Forest before they could allow any diplomatic action to be taken.'' 

''His name would get him into the ball, but it would not grant him access to the inner chambers where the Duke's advisors would gather. For that, he would need to adopt the face of Viscount Tremaine, and that would require a bit of derring-do to get the Viscount alone in the sitting room where Evelard's accomplice both waited and would stand watch. It wasn't going to be an impossible evening, but by the Oak it would be a viper's nest. He wasn't certain of the number of agents from the Nations Seen and Unseen who would be in attendance on this Solstice Moon, each seeking to influence the course of modern events. But there was no question the place would be full of observers, each reporting to their secret lord. Some, no doubt, looking to interfere.''

''Well. Nothing was accomplished from hesitation. Best to walk through the door and start the dance than get lost in the endless permutations of an imperfect plan. He made his way to the ornate doors.
''

''"Ah. Lord Severstern," a familiar voice drolled as he stepped through the foyer. "How excellent. And here I thought the night was going to be one of tedium."

''
''By the Seven Storms. What was the Count of Ravens doing here? Had the Night Court broken their cypher? Evelard gave the hawk-nosed man a courageous smile, but he knew from looking into the necromancer's eyes that the spiderweb was already drawn tight around him. The trap was sprung, and he'd never seen it coming. He could only hope that the others would see it for what it was and make rapid alterations. But the treaty's delay was lost.
''