The Lady's Party
In the days after they return via ship from Isla Tormentos, the heroes resettle into Paix life. Sebastien spends time with Christine, with whom he is growing close, and a friend - Benoit Bagot - asks him to cover one of his shifts as corporal of Musketeers so Benoit can escape to the country for a wekeend with his lady. Aleksei - through some consultation with Sister Martine - manages to place the rescued Vodacce Fate Witches in a country manor in his father's district. Shortly before the affairs at hand begin, Julien is approached by a man to execute a forged map, which he does and keeps quiet.
The Invitation and Monsieur Du Lac's Problem
The heroes receive invitations from Lady Moncrieff - she is hosting a salon and dinner party for an unknown guest from Charouse who is intimated to be quite important. This is a social coup; Lady Moncrieff's salons are well-known, exclusive affairs, and invitations are very hard to come by.
As they are discussing the invitation, Lucien du Lac - the Porté mage who associates with Philip du Paix - calls upon the heroes. He has a problem; the son of a woman he (to put it delicately) is friendly with has become enamoured of Lady Moncrieff. The boy Jacques is a servant, however - only a passing fancy for the lady - and so his mother, the Widow Placide, knows his heart will be broken. She went to Lucien, who originally placed him in Le Labyrinthe, and Lucien in turn asks the companions - known to be friends of Lady Moncrieff - for aid.
Lady Moncrieff's Salon
The four friends attend the salon: Aleksei brings Marie-Claire as his plus-one, and Sebastien brings Christine. Julien attends in the guise of a servant, to better mingle with the maids and footmen there. Jacques - the valet - is easy enough to find: he's watching Lady Moncrieff like a hawk, mooning after her. With some investigation, however, Julien learns