Musical Score: David Bowie, Diamond Dogs Valentine has lost track of time — has ceased thinking of it altogether — when a knock comes at the door. Through the peephole, he sees an older, male Drow dressed for travel. The stranger is holding up a Jack of Hearts. Valentine unbolts and unlocks the door. “You’re […]
Musical Score, OhGr, porE Bonus Track, Download, Streaked A masked assassin bursts through the doorway. There are three more behind him, all armed with daggers. They must have been counting on some combination of surprise and weight of numbers to overcome their victims. Inglorion disarms his opponent with the first strike, sending a dagger skittering […]
Musical Score, Ohgr, Shhh Valentine is accosted by another Gypsy child that is not a child. It directs him to an address that turns out to be a hookah lounge not far from Hairy’s Tattoos. When Valentine gives his name, an attendant — a lovely, dark half-elf girl — leads him to a private room […]
Musical Score: Die Antwoord, DJ Hi-Tek Rulez Valentine continues to drive their marriage plans forward. His thwarted desire finds expression in absolute, swift conformance to what he believes to be Valykria’s wishes. He tells himself again and again that he placed Valykria in danger by taking to the Underdark and compromised her by traveling alone […]
Musical Score: Black Rain, Data River Sleet begins to fall as they approach Hill #81 two days later, and the storm brings dusk early. Their hands are cramped and frozen in their gloves, and they can see their horses’ breath as they pick their way over a trackless jumble of bare limestone and thorny brush. […]
Musical Score: Johnny Cash, Ring of Fire The next few days of travel are uneventful. Though Aramil tries to take an interest in his surroundings, he’s subdued and sad as he reflects on the consequences of his actions. Valentine, on the other hand, is profoundly relieved to be freed of constant scrutiny and opportunities for […]
Musical Score: The Crystal Method, Drown in the Now Valentine shows up at the breakfast table the next morning. His shoulders and neck are sore, he feels weak and fragile, but he’s determined to resume life. When Sieia sees him, she sets down the coffeepot hastily, with a thud. “Valentine, what on earth happened to […]
Optional Musical Score: Adam Ant, Mowhok Despite training hard all day, Valentine can’t sleep that night. When Aramil invites him to meet a few friends, Valentine thinks, there won’t be news for several more hours. Might as well go. This is how he finds himself in a seedy tavern watching Aramil and two of his […]
Musical Score: Beastie Boys, High Plains Drifter The next day, a footman delivers an elaborately folded note from Aramil. “What the fuck is this?” Valentine asks, “an origami swan?” The footman shrugs. “His handwriting is terrible. Can you make this out?” “He’d like a rapier lesson this afternoon, if convenient.” No valid excuse rises to […]
Musical Score: David Bowie, Starman (1972) The next morning, Valentine receives a dinner invitation from his cousin Sieia, Xardic’s wife and, apparently, one of his many living Shelawn relatives. It’s delivered by a servant who was told to wait for an answer. Valentine gives a verbal reply: “The invitation is for dinner tonight?” The servant […]
Man Raised by Spiders 