Templum Bellonae

The Charioteer

Seven years on, Ralph and Laurie have found a precarious refuge together in Gibraltar. But in the post-War world attitudes are hardening and positions becoming polarised, and they find themselves engaged in a new conflict, one in which they may not necessarily be on the same side. And then an unexpected visitor arrives -

1. Act I, Parts One through Four: in which Ralph distracts Laurie from his writer’s block with a trip to the cinema; Edward Longenhurst arrives, and Ralph and Laurie have an apalling evening; Ralph and Laurie discuss Ralph’s mysterious business; Ralph completes his delivery, and Alec makes a dramatic entrance.

5. Act I, Parts Five and Six: in which Alec tells his story; Ralph, Laurie, and Alec go to the beach.

7. Act I, Part Seven: in which Ralph and Laurie confront all their past dishonesty.
8. Act II, Part One: in which Laurie makes a decision.
9. Act II, Part Two: in which Longenhurst behaves just as one would expect.
10. Act II, Part Three: in which Laurie deals with the mess left by Longenhurst.
11. Act III, Part One: in which Laurie meets with his agent.
12. Act III, Part Two: in which Laurie considers the decision he has to make.
13. Act III, Part Three: in which Laurie seeks advice.
14. Act III, Part Four: in which Laurie prepares for the trip, and has dinner with an American.
15. Act III, Part Five: in which Laurie has a shock on the quayside.
16. Act III, Part Six: in which Laurie finally writes the letter.
17. Epilogue: in which Laurie receives his answer.

The plot wasn’t quite what I expected, but the writing was easily up to A.J. Hall’s usual standards. She has a talent for dialogue and pacing in particular. Her characters sound - and think - like real people, and there’s hardly an unnecessary line in the story. An all-around excellent story in a fandom which has far too few.

8 Jan 06: Finally fixed the links to the first six chapters!

Besieged Fortress by .J. Hall