Laura S. Fox

Yes, that is correct

There's a whole thing regarding that flint...

Chapter Thirty-Four – When We Become Friends Theodore couldn’t understand how his father could be so blind. The two strangers couldn’t have just happened upon their settlement on the day of the Embercasting. Something ill-willed had to be afoot, and the wolves staring at him from across the table, one with amusement, and one with curiosity, were not good wolves. Still, under his father’s stern gaze, he couldn’t say it outright. The wisdom tree had told him not to return the flint, and

Yes, the headphones! Good catch. And that is Viv, wearing the same pair of headphones as Ali. They will be important at a certain moment.

Yes, this Lawrence intentionally translated the Rector's favorite quote this way. And you can keep it as a clue, since I didn't choose this title by accident. I like myself a good puzzle in other words. Bastien... he might seem like such a gentle person now - a kind ruler if you please. But it's good to note how he doesn't care about his circle's attitude toward Lawrence. Bastien also behaves... rather strangely, doesn't he? Lawrence notices it, too. There will a mix and match. He-he... Felix and Ali are two different people. Lawrence didn't notice Felix at dinner because he was trying too hard not to stare at Bastien, and there was also some distance between their tables. Felix sitting with his back to him would be enough for Lawrence not to notice him at first. The same with numbering the people in the library... it's all intentional. Each time, Bastien is to blame for being too much of a distraction, which hinders Lawrence's work as an investigator. But I suggest that readers keep their eyes peeled! There will be clues along the way.

And they work so hard to keep everything clean!

Oh, yes, they are!

Lawrence will navigate quite the maze of dangers... and he will spend a lot of time observing everything carefully.

You are very much within your rights to wonder about Ali's outsider status. Like you, Lawrence will be wondering about the same thing. And it will be explained. Anton... ah, he's my little darling villain... complex in other words. So he's going to be made of many shades (and not only him). Ha-ha, wouldn't it be nice to have a Jack and his cards? A... Jack of Hearts, perhaps, lol. Did you give Herr Becker a moniker?

I know... this is very much intentional. Since I want Lawrence to have his moment when he says to a full room 'I know who did it' - though that might be subject to change (I don't plan my stories in detail, because they tend to drag me in very different directions all the time).

He did forget the heater! Someone else won't Keep tabs on the characters... because even more will follow. Yes, crazy, I know.

Lawrence should focus, yes... but he might get a lil' sidetracked His relationships with Bastien, Ali, and even others, will evolve, and that's a promise.

Rotten and it stinks... Warnings, threats, who's keeping count?

Chapter Five – The Princeps’s Inner Sanctum “Will our esteemed guest enlighten us on the reasons of his enlisting in our school?” To Lawrence’s slight shock, Anton, seated now with his legs crossed, was lighting a pipe. Actually, it was Abelard fixing it for him. With practiced elegance, Anton gestured with the pipe, not bothering to thank his acolyte for doing that for him, as if he expected Lawrence to start blabbing already. “We weren’t introduced,” Lawrence said. Felix had al

And this is where the story gets really, but really convoluted, because my mind just can't stop at keeping a story simple... There is so much more to learn about that day and what truly happened. Stay with me, and - hopefully - everything will make sense!

Yep, a very formal young Theodore

Thank you You're flattering me. Jack and Vince definitely need to keep their eyes peeled...

There's a whole thing regarding that Embercasting flint. Theodore might remember some things, Jack might see others... but in the end, it is all about the truth.

Truer words have never been spoken!

They will each play their roles...

Together with the characters, readers will find a way... Starting from the valid point that everything happens for a reason!

With me, you can never be sure...

Chapter Thirty-Three – The Light of a World It was as odd as it could get to eat using nothing but his mouth, but it was what it was. Jack did his best to eat politely, but his muzzle, fangs and tongue had minds of their own, so the moment food was placed before him – served on a wide plate and at the table – he began chewing loudly and making sounds of satisfaction at the taste of the tender meat hitting his palate. Tharion observed him with kind amusement while he drank from a large golde

No problem, I usually peruse the comments left by readers most carefully right after I publish a new chapter. Thank you!

No problem! I'm not a Native English speaker either! Imagine my surprise when I discovered that 'brunet' in English is not used for someone with dark/black hair...