A box had arrived at Port South holding house for Ewan long before his visit. That such visits were never scheduled, guards speculated whether they should open it or not " for security sake, naturally. As speculation grew, Gaston took reins of a rumor wagon about to run off the road. "That's enough! When Pei comes in she will take a look."

As groups groused on to their work, stealing glances back or being pressed on to patrol, Gaston moved the box to the room used for questioning. Eyes often went to the box when passed by as guards made their way up and down the hall from Gaston's office or holding cells. Curiosity and suspicion distracted a few. Others kept their comrades in line with sharp words and clouts to the head. But as soon as Pei walked in the front door on her way to report to Gaston, she was told of the box by every person she saw.

Gaston stood in the hallway and gave a nod into the room where the box sat innocuously. "Give it a look over, Pei. Ewan shouldn't be receiving anything here that isn't from one of our own."

Tired from patrol, Pei rubbed her hands over her face and nodded to the old guard. Opening herself up to the caressing song of the talent, she felt into the box. A grimace and shake of her head followed not long after. Releasing the touch on the song, she spoke to Gaston. "Leave it to Ewan. It will cause no harm that I can sense." That she sensed something of its past, the taint of unnatural and vile work, was not going to harm anyone now. Least of all what was inside.

A grunting nod, Gaston motioned across the way to his office. "Then so we shall. Come and report and then go get the rest you need. You look near to falling over."

Afternoon crept into evening and later night before Ewan arrived. The day had been typical in sharing information on various moves in regional power. Things marked as odd and suspicious raising concerns to higher levels. It was a convenient stop to make being so far south in town. But when he was told a package had arrived that day, his natural caution warned him to go aground more for the next few days.

"Pei said she saw no danger in it," Mason said from the doorway not lifting his gaze from the box.

Danger or not, Ewan opened it with care. Drawing out the skull, its gobby bits of decaying flesh stiff with lifeless age, and the note, one brow rose as he read.

Gaston came up behind him, looking to be on his way out the door. "Nice gift."

A tilt of his rusty blonde head, Ewan tossed the skull back over his shoulder. "Find something to do with it."

Nearly fumbling the catch, Gaston gaped, "Like what?"

Ewan passed by the man and looked over his should with a grim smile as he walked out, "Grave marker??