The Cresent Connection

Paix is buzzing with the visit of the Emir of Four, a Crescent potentate negotiating some sort of treaty with Duchess Lilian Deneuve - L'Empereur's foreign minister and the governor of Surlign, the province that includes Paix. Sebastien is asked by Luc Duchard, captain-lieutenant of Musketeers in Paix, to arrange a secret guard for the Emir; apparently, Philip du Paix believes that there is a possible threat to the Emir's life or mission, but the Emir is too proud to accept a guard. Meanwhile, Marie-Celeste has heard that her old mentor in the Rose and Cross, Jean le Gross, is coming to town with news about the Comte du Beárn, the Governeur of Mertí.

In the Emir's Secret Service

Sebastien asks Julien for help arranging a guard; between them, they arrange a team of Musketeers and Le Cage ne'er-do-wells to watch over the Emir discretely. They set up teams, and from observation learn that the Emir and another, turbaned man appear to be the important members of the embassy. The turbaned man has a notable dislike of vice - Julien learns of a confrontation between the turbaned man and some jennies - and the Musketeers observe a cloaked man sneaking out of the Emir's mansion each evening.

The second night, after the cloaked figures have snuck out, Julien sneaks in. He discovers that he is in - it appears - the Emir's bedroom, and steals a pair of jeweled swords from the Emir in hopes that this penetration of the Crescent security cordon will upset the Crescents and cause them to switch up, potentially foiling any would-be assassins.

The Bernoulli Ambassador and Other Investigations

Meanwhile, Aleksei and Marie-Celeste -- with some help from Julien -- investigate potential individuals who might want to target the Emir of Four. Aleksei learns that there are fears that the Montaigne are negotiating a trade deal. Currently, the Bernoulli family in Vodacce have been given a monopoly on trade with the Crescents by the Vaticine Church, but with the break between Montaigne and the Vaticine there's thoughts that L'Empereur might try to break up the monopoly.

In this vein, Aleksei visits the Bernoulli Ambassador, a man they saved from poisoning (ostensibly) during the Rapist Caper. The Bernoulli ambassador confirms that the Vodacce are concerned about the negotiations, though he denies any direct intentions on attacking the Emir. He does share, however, that the Emir - actually the Emir of Qat, his Montaigne title being a language error - has a rival brother, and the Bernoulli believe that a wedge can be drawn between them.

Finally, the companions speak with Philip, who - under some duress - suggests that the negotiations may be over a military matter, trying to encourage Corsair raids against Ussura. He suggests it may instead be the Ussurans who wish to stop the Emir.

Ussurans in Le Cage

Thus armed with information, the companions follow the Emir when he next slips out of the embassy. They track the Emir and his two bodyguards into Le Cage, where the Crescents are surrounded by Ussurans - Yevgeny and two of his fellows. Yevgeny tosses the Crescents some swords and tells them that they are coming with him or they are dying.

The heroes step up, and a showdown ensues - Sebastien pointing guns, Aleksei trying to talk Yevgeny down - until, as things start to calm down, Julien jumps from a balcony to attack Yevgeny. The fight does not last long, and - Julien a bleeding heap - the companions retreat, though they bring the Crescents with them.

Plans and Bad News

Though the companions have rescued the Emir, they are disquieted by the man they've helped. Julien discovered that the Crescent galley that brought the Emir is crewed by hundreds of slaves, including Thean slaves, and so the heroes decide to liberate the slaves in a cutting-out expedition on the ship. They enlist the aid of the Ussurans, the Knights of the Rose and Cross, and Julien Free-Thinker contacts to make the move but - just before there are about to head to the Crescent gallery - receive word that the Comte du Bearn is holding Jean le Gross hostage at the Sunken Fountain. Quickly, the heroes head there.

Duress Vile in the Sunken Fountain

Sneaking into the Sunken Fountain, the heroes find an Eisen mercenary holding