Now we start to see motives, and the lengths Eastness is willing to go.

This set of scenes is very intriguing, The Master and the Mistress working together as an analytical team of investigators. Names discovered; magic missing from a significant artifact, wet cushions.... It feels most important that they feel compelled to share the information, so they have a chance to use their observations and skills together, and discover the meanings of the parts of Eastness that interact with each other. They are becoming aware that the sharing is increasing the chances of solving and surviving this risky assignment.

I should make more remarks on the built-in cuteness that the Wolf Queen needs to wait to be with him in their room, to vent her repulsion and fear from the visit with the minister and his desperate 'negotiations' and loss of control. She knows from experience that in this kingdom of desperation and despair, the actions of the minister give warning of how much dangerous attention is given to the touch of "The Wolf Queen". She feels the looming menace that is difficult to clearly explain. She also knows that once together Westersloe, he may not give her the exact response that she thinks she wants, but he will give her the unexpected responses that she needs. And he has probably also been impatiently waiting to vent to her.... with fingers tented before his (large) nose....

But I won't make any remarks at all, because I'm needing to wait to read what Westerloe has to tell in the next Chapter. Some things that may be so disturbing, that he has to make her bed un-tossed and respectable before he can formally and respectfully sit his Mistress down in the same room and look her in her eyes and say them to her.

It pleases me to see how much thought you give to the stories. Makes writing 'em worthwhile.

They're well thought out. All the clues are there, and sometimes it's possible to figure things out before the denoument... but it's always fun to speculate. You've not only got Chekov's gun here, you've got half his armory; but it'll all get sorted out by the end. Always does.

…guess I have to read the next chapter…I have to see how the dots connect...

Bout to get schooled by a pissy roebuck!

The mystery is intriguing the heck out of me. Can hardly wait for the next chapter!!