(TRIGGER WARNING FOR VIOLENCE)


Gideon had set off for Rainsbury with a hopeful pep in his step, what most might feel a minor accomplishment about the registry of a low ranking family status Gideon felt it was a great step. He departed for the days travel the day before to the given small estate of the Hill family what he came across was less impressive an estate in bare minimal up keeping, yet as he climbed from the wagon he paused as a family in mourning passed.

"Lord DeCarlo?" a voice pulled Gideon from watching the funeral procession to see a older gentleman approaching from the estate gate, "Mister Kiley my Lord, servant for the Hill family...the Baron had me write you about the registry," he gave a small bow to Gideon as the count collected his things, "Ah yes mister Kiley you have been keeping up the correspondence with us, pleasure. Lead the way, from our understanding some of the families Gifteds are bedridden?"

"Aye my Lord, the Hill family is mostly elderly folk an old family you see and over the last few decades most their youngest died in the wars with Coheed, I tend to things as best as I can," he chuckled almost sadly looking back at the mourning family now so far away, "I'm the last worker they have, misses Dockery pass day before last, seventy eight, worked for the Hill family with me for fifty some years."

"hmm, sorry for your loss mister Kiley, thank you for handling getting us all in touch," Gideon offered as he had to help the man up the steps leading into the home, "We thought perhaps lady @mara would be with you?"

"Unfortunately she's very busy but sent me as her assistant and as her representative, I promise I'll be as kind and gentle as needed mister Kiley," the old man patted Gideon on the shoulder and opened the door leading Gideon in. The inside didn't quiet reflect the outside but the dusting had been abandoned for sometime it seemed and given the mans elderly state Gideon understood.

"I'll fetch the lady of the home and she will take you to the Baron, have a good day Count Gideon," and mister Kiley departed leaving Gideon to wait in the dimly lit home. He waited patiently in the eeriely quiet estate for some time before three men and a woman entered, she was kind looking enough, "I hope we didn't keep you long Count DeCarlo," Gideon gracefully bowed his head, "Never my lady, as prompt as ever and if anything I'm early," he offered in return to which she smiled, "I respect that my Lord, I do hate lady @mara wasn't able to join us," she offered Gideon her arm, "Come we shall go to the office where the husband would like to work."

Gideon took the offered arm and all together they moved further in. The office was in the middle of the estate and when they entered a man with raven dark hair sat behind a large marble topped desk. He stood using a cane, "Count Gideon! Welcome, I'm Baron Hill, please please sit, drink?"

Gideon thought about it, "I shouldn't," he smirked but Mara wasn't here, "One couldn't hurt, celebratory for such an event like this."

Baron Hill looked at his wife and she stepped away to make them drinks. Gideon was offered a seat which is where he produced his parchment, quill, and ink.

"Is this a rather easy process Count?"

"Oh yes, I'll start with all the living but unable to travel first then when those who are able to travel go to Loren we'll register the rest," lady Hill returned with two glasses offering one to each, "my that's small for a registry isn't it?"

"Oh this? No the official registration book is with my boss, I'm just the census collector," Baron Hill and his wife looked at each other confused and a bit agitated but Gideon hadn't seen this nor did he know the door had been locked. He sipped his drink.

Dipping his quill into the ink and sitting his glass down he began to write, "So names, how many will not be..." his stomach rolled and for a few minutes his heart beat fast like a cup against cell bars, "...excuse me, how many will not be making the trip?"

The wave of dizziness had Gideon pause and touch his forehead, in fact his entire body felt cold then hot and then cold. Bracing himself everything slipped from his lap as he leaned forward grabbing the desk edge.

"It's to late...."

Gideon looked up his eyes couldn't focus as his stomach lurched upwards almost out of his mouth it felt.

"It was already in the glass," the man chuckled and it made Gideon connect the dots as he tried to stand unable to talk his tongue was thicker it felt, "Oh, this is the bad part, but it doesn't last long. Mixture's all natural too."

As soon as he stood the weakness in his legs had him sinking to the floor puking suddenly or maybe forcing it as he grabbed at his chest heaving harshly, the man stood tossing the cane and walking as easily as one pleased around the table, "We really needed that registry boy, but oh well, either way you're dead and all that Gifted support you got goes with you...."

Gideon was now slumped over the large desk paralyzed and his eyes were so blurry he couldn't see. The heavy breathing was fading just as he felt he was...

".... we'll just go after that littke bitch sidekick of yours, Mara was it?" The man patted Gideon on the cheek as if comforting him, "it's almost over friend...just a few..."

Gideon had stopped breathing. Eyes open. A little bile and blood poured out of his open mouth. Gideon DeCarlo was dead.

The man looked at his accessories, "leave them a message," he pulled a knife out and handed it to one of the three men, "tell Mara she's next and let's go."

The man with the knife looked at his boss, "where do you want me to leave it?"

The "Baron Hill" laughed, "be creative, let'em know the Sons ain't dead friend! Tell'em gifted lovers ain't safe either...."

(Gideon DeCarlo is dead. end thread)