The Invitation to the Ball

I leave the carriage, brush off any dust from my coat. The invitation was was for me, but I don't know who sent it or why. Therefore, I need to go, if for no other reason... I'm curious.
 
At the door, I hand over the invitation but stay polite. I'd rather 'see' and not 'be seen' in case who invited me is up to no good.
 
The Condessa Isabel Asiah doesn't favor the Inquisition but I check anyway. Fortunately, I don't see any. I do recognize a Montaigne Priest, but just by his clothing. The food is buffet and fresh. She spared no expense, even the almonds are fresh.
 
But I need to observe the proprieties. I look for the Condessa. Eventually, I locate her among the guests while she makes her way through to do the usual greeting.
 
She greets me and it turns out she has several projects that might need a doctor. A lady, one Una de Kirkwall, asked about a doctor for an expedition. I answered her barrage of questions, mostly about being a doctor. She assumed I am willing to go. I've no reason to object, so I let it pass.
 
Suddenly, one of the servers collapses to the floor, knocking over the drink table. Cyanide gas is filling the room! Quickly, I grab a napkin, wet it, then tie it over my mouth. I prepare another one, push to the Condessa. Once there, I warn her about the gas and hand her the wet napkin.
 
I see others working to disable the machines producing the gas. But there are thugs at the doors, they need to be dealt with to let the crowd out. To my surprise, I see Salvador Avad in the brute squad! I shove myself through the crowd to him.
 
Salvador was always a reasonable person. I appeal to his better nature, offer him a better choice. It does take some convincing but he agrees to help me. The crowd is nearing panic but we shove our way through to the Condessa. I give a quick, but proper introduction of Salvador to the Condessa as a solid fighter, a good man-at-arms.
 
The Condessa was suspicious; she did recognize Salvador as one of the attackers. I implore that he's merely a good man in need of a chance to show his good side. She does agree. As for Salvador, on the honor of his sister, I encourage him to protect the Condessa from harm. To get her near the stairs and out of the crowd.
 
Salvador, being a smart man, escorts the Condessa to where the Lady Una is trying to burn her way through another brute squad at another door. A smart tactic! Follow the person burning her waty free!
 
Once they are gone, I grab the nearest guest. Appealing to his nobility and to protect the ladies, I send him off to make wet napkins to hand out as masks for the guests. Then, while the ladies race for one open door, I encourage some of the noblemen to help me grab a large food table and charge the approaching brute squad.
 
The ploy works. A fellow countryman, Don Ramon Arturo del Lobo Garrido, guides most of the crowd out while I and my improvised brute squad subdue the attacking brute squad.
 
Lady Una de Kirkwall? She seemed to be working out repressed aggression against another brute squad using fire. As she is wanting me to work for her... I'll bear that in mind...