“I have a wife and three sons in Deltain, a mistress in Ixthalia with two brats, and another wife in Linthos who was pregnant when I was there last. I have no desire to see any of them. For this reason, the only professions I can abide involve sailing or constant travel. So I may as well go with you, until fortune finds me a new master or a better purpose.”

Eleyna smiled. “Maurizio, you rake.” Still, she was glad to have the company. “You may travel with me, but don’t think I’ll allow you any of the liberties to which you seem accustomed.”

“A man takes what he can get in this world,” Maurizio mused, “that is a truism. But I’ve survived this long by also recognizing that a man avoids what he cannot get. And I have a keen eye for knowing what I cannot get.”

“I will now begin the proceedings by sealing my Activatory Affidavit.” From somewhere under her heavy black cloak Endrossa produced a rolled scroll, pen and ink, a candle of sealing wax, and a small metal seal. “Assistant! Table!” she yelled.

Maurizio fell to his knees, facing sideways, directly in front of Endrossa. Also from under her cloak, in some manner that Eleyna really could not understand, Endrossa brought out a solid wooden tabletop, which she put on Maurizio’s offered back.

I’ve inserted today’s piece at the beginning of the Eleyna storyline. It covers necessary background that I skipped over in the storyline’s first post in an effort to get to the action faster, so read it well! Or not at all. The choice is yours.

All praise be to the gods of retroactive continuity.