grail of death and clockwork.

Chapter III

It has been a week since Scotland yard had first been called to investigate the death of Lord Humphrey, The death which had been labeled by the media as an 'Unfortunate suicide' the community lapped it up, the rumors started to spread, the theories of why. It was the talk of the city, upper class and lower class men, women and children all talking in hushed whispers about what had happened. They took the misfortune of the Humphrey household and twisted the good and decent aspects of Lord Humphreys reputation and life into a tainted scandal. Much like Dakoda the Humphreys had resorted to isolation, Dakoda had a growing suspicion it was to avoid embarrassment which had been placed upon them by the reactions of society.

Twisting the cramp out of her wrist Dakoda looks over the last of her Invitations, a pile of the small invite cards and envelopes now were spread over her desk top. She inspects the one which she had only just now completed making sure the deep indigo ink which she had used to scribble the cursive invite would not smudge on the aged handmade card paper, once the ink had fully dried she slides each invite card into an envelope and seals it shut with crimson red wax and her family's crest -a clockwork crow- signing off the back of the individual envelopes with the household name of those which she had decided on inviting.

The Humphreys', the Smiths', the Thompsons', the Damarcus and the Watsons'. Dakoda knew it was an extremely small list but for the moment that was all she was comfortable with inviting.

"Alright, Menachem, you may see to it that You deliver these now," Dakoda sighs gathering the five envelopes, wrapping a red ribbon around them she groans and hands them to the metal maid.

"I am sure it will not be as bad as you are making it out to be, Lady Cipher," Menachem conveys with a small smile,

"Oh maybe I am, maybe I am not, all I know, Menachem, is that I am sure it will be much worse than I am making it out to be, gathering all the people I once was closely acquainted with, who my parents were once close to, into my home, on my birthday, The eve of my parents death day, It is quite possibly the worst idea which that fiance of mine has ever had," Dakoda groans still half laying on her desk. "Speaking of, has he been around yet today? It has gotten quite late and I have not yet heard from him today, it is most unusual for him," She quips raising her head slightly to glance at the maid.

"Negative, Lady Cipher, Lord Damarcus has neither visited, nor been in contact since he left yesterday," Menachem addresses.

"How odd, It is very unlike him, I must take Audrey down to the market, Deliver those invitations and then clean up the garden path," Dakoda orders standing, she pauses as she adjusts her bronze-tan coat a little.

"If Virgil does show up, tell Him that I had Ezekiel to make some apple pie and he may have a slice while he waits for me to return." She adds.

"Affirmative, Lady Cipher." Menachem bows. With a curt nod Dakoda gives Menachem a smile before swiftly exiting the room.

As she walks down the halls to the main grand entrance her pulse quickens and breathing hitches, thoughts running wild as she imagines all the horrible things that could have happened to her fiance.

"No, Virgil is fine, he has his own life outside of visiting me, It is not fair of me to get upset over something as simple as him not showing up for one day," She mutters to herself in assurance, with a deep breath she strolls down the grand staircase and to the excessively large coat rack. Picking up her parasol and cane she turns to the numerous coats of different colours and styles. With a quick browse of the options and a soft scoff Dakoda turns away from them deciding her bronze-tan coat will be sufficient enough for a trip down to the market.

"AUDREY, Come along now, we mustn't dawdle or the market shall close before we have a chance to even browse," Dakoda calls out, waiting by the door she pulls a delicate silver, gold and bronze pocket watch from the breast pocket of her bodice, clicking it open she checks the time,