The Rook Chapter 14 – Bishop Grantchester

Another chapter and another letter from her previous self…this time Myfanwy is checking out her immediate predecessor on the Court, Bishop Conrad Grantchester. He was a Rook before Myfanwy’s ascension and she’s hinted at his lack of discretion and taste throughout the story so far.

Read more if you’re not worried about spoilers…

Inchoate Thoughts

Summing up where things are…Myfanwy Thomas was attacked and in that assault, she had her memories erased. It wasn’t a simple amnesia from a bump on her head, someone actually caused her to lose her memories. We know this since it was predicted by multiple people and not just prophesied, but she was specifically told someone that she works with did it.

We still don’t know who, but we’re slowly learning more about the people of the Checquy organization that she works for. These guys are government officials that possess supernatural abilities, kinda like the X-Men. Myfanwy’s own ability is pretty impressive. She’s able to take control of someone’s body by touching them, causing them to become paralyzed, fall asleep, defecate, or go blind.

Along with her abilities, Thomas, as Myfanwy refers to her previous self also left a bunch of letters and notes that she hoped Myfanwy would be able to use to figure out who attacked her. It’s also a cool way for the reader to learn about the characters and entities in the world of The Rook.

In any case, on to chapter 14…

Before His Mutant Ability

Ok, so they don’t really consider themselves mutants but their abilities are an awful lot like the X-Men.

Conrad is different from the other members of the Court that we’ve met so far since he became a member of the Checquy as an adult. He didn’t exhibit his powers until he was 30 years old but even before then he was sought after by multiple government organizations for his diplomatic and finance ability. These mundane skills and the fact that he joined the government at a late age makes me wonder a bit about the possibility of his involvement in Myfanwy’s memory wipe since he could not be as fully indoctrinated as someone who became a mutant at a young age.

I’m also wondering if the children of the Academy were taught to be fearful of the Grafters, is he afraid of them too? He would have learned about them at a much older age when he was much more worldly and not as prone to childhood terrors.

In any case, once he exhibited his powers the Checquy turned on the full court press to enlist him in their operation.

His Abilities

Deadly body odor…ok, not just body odor, not really odor at all but Grantchester emits chemicals through pores in his skin. Kinda a weird power but it seems useful since he can cause people to pass out, can emit poison, and I’m pretty sure he can spew out truth serum though that isn’t really mentioned in the chapter.

Since he joined the Checquy at an older age I don’t think the organization knows exactly the extent of his abilities and that again makes me wonder about his true loyalties…particularly when he’s married but screws around like it’s going outta style. I mean I am a prudish American but the depiction given in the previous chapters hint that he’s more promiscuous than the wildest frat boys.

Climbing in the Court

So with his financial abilities he was made a Rook and he basically singlehandedly reformed the bookkeeping side of the Checquy. He knows where all the money comes in from and where it goes…another red flag for someone who could possibly be involved in the memory wipe.

As he proved his worth not only in accounting but in diplomacy, he was eventually promoted to Bishop and from Thomas’ point of view is clearly in line to become a Lord or Lady once a position becomes available. That upward mobility diminishes my belief that he may be involved in the attack on Myfanwy, but he certainly does seem like a slimeball.

Retrospective

Conrad is a letch who will sleep with any woman around but does that make him a traitor? It’s a possibility but he does seem to like Myfanwy and doesn’t seem to be surprised that she’s taking care of business as usual even though it’s only been a few days since she was attacked.

He also seems to be working diligently and helping out the Court with the Grafter issue so I’m not so sure he’s the weak link.

With 14 chapters behind us and almost 30 to go I’m sure we’re a long way from being told who the attacker is but I am sure enjoying trying to figure things out as we go. I hope you are too.

Web Chronicle | The Rook Chapter 14 – Bishop Grantchester