The Young Marquis

Lady Cecily Varelle d'Or is the widow of the Marquis Philippe Varelle d'Or, lately the marquis in charge of the arrondisement -- region -- of Ormangac. She writes to her friend, the Comte Georges Roselle d'If, who is in turn the father of several of the heroes. When they come to visit Lady Cecily, she confides that her six-year-old son, Henri Varelle d'Or -- the Marquis -- has been kidnapped by his uncle, Sazerac Varelle d'Marville, the Comte d'Marville. Young Henri went to visit his uncle and has not returned.

Marville

The heroes decamp to Marville, a seaside town ruled by Count Sazerac. There, they are welcome by the Count, and it becomes clear that he is, in fact, keeping Henri in a gilded cage. Confronted, he is more than willing to return the Young Marquis to his mother, but only if that is done with the understanding that Sazerac is to be the regent of Ormagnac. The heroes are, in fact, not willing to do this, but they say they will carry a message to Lady Cecily.

Plots and Intrigues

Instead, they set to finding out what is truly about in Marville. Jacques d'Paix, one of the heroes, learns that Count Sazerac is a man in debt and a man seeking fortune in Charouse; he has made many promises about political influecne, but they have gone fallow, and by wresting control of the district he could become an important man again. Amelie d'If, the musketeer daughter of the Comte d'If, learns that banditry seems to have an open hold on the county, and that Julien Moreaux -- an ex-Musketeer and ex-Gabelou -- seems a sinister figure.

An Escape Attempt

Finally, the heroes resolve to steal away young Henri. Etienne and Amelie spring into action, taking young Henri while he is riding, while Jacques and Kieran prepare a carriage as a distraction. A fight ensues; men pursue the carriage as a fight takes place, while Amelie tries to ride along secret roads she knows with Henri to escape. She is confronted by Julian and Comte Sazerac, however -- a fight ensues, and she shoots Julian, and then all return to the Chateau d'Or, the young heir rescued.

Persons of Note

Sazerac Varelle, Comte d'Marville

Brother of the late Marquis, he lusts for power.

Julien Moreaux

Ex-Musketeer, ex-salt enforcer, he is a Swordsman with a serious mien and deadly skill.

Lady Cecily Varelle d'Or, Regent of Ormangac

The mother of young Marquis Henri, she is an Avalon lady who married the late Marquis. Now, she is a stranger in a strange land, trying to keep her husband's people through troubled times.