Still in the Habsburg lands in the 17th century (I think we're staying here for a while).
Katherine is sitting against the back wall of the house, rubbing oil into a piece of horse tack, while the sun shines down with gentle warmth. Katherine basks in it and the warm stone at her back as she watches Artur and Faruq face off against each other in the back yard. Faruq is crouching low, leaving his head unguarded but with double curved daggers at the ready, an open and eager expression on his face. Artur is more upright, his posture aggressive and pressuring Faruq, a large sax knife in his right hand and a sly grin stretching his moth and crinkling his eyes.
They circle each other quietly for a moment before Artur explodes into movement. The sax knife flashes towards Faruq's face and one of Faruq's daggers comes up to deflect it as the other cuts towards Artur's exposed right side. Artur evades the cut and returns with another attack. Back and forth the two men parry and attack until Artur deflects a blow, kicks the inside of Faruq's leg, knocking him off-balance and slashes the sax knife across Faruq's collarbone. A thin line of blood appears and Artur and Faruq both relax, breathing hard.
"Damn, and I was just going to stick you with a second master," Faruq says, grinning. Artur laughs.
"Too slow, you fox."
An auburn gleam catches the corner of Katherine's eyes and she notices Helena peering around the corner of the house, an intent frown on her young face. Then she disappears again. Katherine chest aches at the sight of the child. Do you want to marry me, the echo of Christopher reverberates through her mind. She tries to push the thoughts away and focus on the feel of the leather in her hands. The sudden loud thud of a body hitting the ground draws her attention.
Faruq is lying on the ground with Artur towering over him but he turns around and, scissoring Artur's leg, throws him to the earth. The sound of Artur slamming into the earth is significantly louder than Faruq's fall had been, but as the small dust cloud clears he seems unhurt. His gaze to Faruq is reproachful though.
"What?" Faruq's grin quirks his mouth to one side. Artur's arm lunges towards Faruq's head but he deflects. Both of them roll to their knees as they continue trading light blows until Artur wraps his long arm around Faruq's head and Faruq begs off, laughing.
They stand around a board with a rough drawn map spread on top. Various objects are holding down the edges in case of a stray breeze or overenthusiastic gesturing.
Faruq points at a blob representing the eastern portion of the town. "The Communal minority mostly resides here, I think..." He squints at the map. "Fabia, were you drunk when you drafted this?"
"Told you I should have been the one to do it," Geneviève mutters. Fabia raises an eyebrow.
"Certainly not. I was merely somewhat distracted."
Faruq gives Fabia a long look that Katherine struggles to interpret, but he forebears to ask and turns back to the map. "I expect difficulties to arise at the edge, close to the market. There's a rather mixed neighbourhood there, I believe."
"It used to be the Communal side of town, but more people are turning Declarant and that's attracting other Declarants," Artur says. "We may want to spend some time there, Faruq. I think these people's minds may need a little broadening," he adds with a smile.
"As usual," Faruq replies breezily. "But let's figure out what kind of reception I'm likely to receive first. I haven't encountered any particularly hostile feeling in the town so far, but I'd rather we strike the right tone in one go than have to knock anyone senseless."
He frowns as he studies the map again. "Besides, we need to determine which church you'll belong to first. There are two sets of Declarants here and we don't yet know who abounds where."
"I can figure that out," Geneviève says. "Since there are only two of them, all I need to do is ask which one I'm supposed to join. We'll just say I'm from one of those tiny Declarant denominations that are practically rumour around here. And of course, I don't want to get mixed up with the wrong kind of Declarant," she sniffs. Everyone grins, Fabia's eyes sparkling merrily.
"Don't put it on too thick," Artur warns Geneviève. "Some stirring up amongst the Declarants might open them up, but we don't know how close they are to tipping over."
"Which is why she's going and not you," Faruq remarks. He doesn't look up from the map as he blocks the mock blow Artur sends his way. "Geneviève, also try to discover if you want to join the same church as Artur or not. We need to know if we can go all-out or will need to start from two denominations." Faruq sighs, straightening up, and looks at Artur.
"So, as soon as you've picked a church and I've made sure no one will punch me on sight, we'll go and make some new acquaintances?"
"It will be my pleasure," Artur replies and suddenly grins. "Let's get fresh new gossip from some old biddies." Faruq exchanges a wry glance with Fabia as Katherine and Geneviève both stifle giggles.
"Kate and I will be nearby," Fabia promises Faruq.
"Then we have a plan. Once more into the breach," Faruq says and his quiet smile breaks out.
