Andrea Chan-Gauthier wrote: Quietly, almost under her breath, she says "If I let you walk out of here with that book, I really would be a traitor. Better to die fighting for the Amphaels than be executed as a coward."
Trone begins to ascend the stairs, keeping his eyes between Seneschal Chan Gauthier, and Ursus Davram. Ursus hugs the side of the iron stair case as the scarred midshipman draws near. He begins to reach the limits of Andrea's range and, perhaps, this is why his guard falls.
There is a searing blast. Trone falls back, end over the stair-well. His prize follows him down, crashing with his lifeless body amongst a heap of books and now crushed scrolls. A trail of grey smoke extends from his torn chest.
.... .... .... ....
While she is rudimentarily bandaged by her staff, Andrea is able to take a brief look at the immense tome Trone had collected. The book,
Segments Obscure: A Chart of the Uncharted, by Serrimot Terivas, appears to be a dense collection of hundreds of galactic maps, many of which are purely speculative. Accompanied with the text is an even denser 900 page discourse on the creation of temporal space by the traffic of Warp-faring vessels. The focus seems to be on the intersection of the metaphysical and physical, emphasising that agency resides with Man and his starships, and not with the Warp.
Before she can discern anything more from the codex, the librarium is re-entered by Scribe Lowis. In his wake are five Armsmen, and Navigator Gulliame Du Preste. Du Preste stares in disbelief at the lifeless form of Trone. Ursus hurriedly explains to the navigator what has transpired. Waiting patiently, though evidently shocked and nervous, Du Preste at last turns to Andrea.
'Madam-Seneschal, I suggest you write an official report on why you murdered this midshipman, who was only carrying out specific instructions from myself.
I strongly suggest that you do so. Futhermore, I suggest you send this report to myself, my superior Injerian Praetus the Second, and to the Lord-Captain. I personally hope that you are not involved in any acts of high treason against this Dynasty'.
Du Preste approaches the book and regards it with relief. He motions to two Armsen to collect the tome. 'We can only be relieved that this book has not been destroyed. Under the circumstances, we will have to send
Segments Obscure to Garrius Amphael'. He takes one last look at Trone, before departing.
'Such a tragic loss'.
[
Unless Andrea stops Du Preste, he will leave. Also, unless Andrea succeeds on a Challenging Command Test, the Armsmen will take the book to (presumably) Garrius Amphael]