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Post by Jaiden Liatris-Durante (D) on Feb 9, 2006 23:33:23 GMT -5
The loud clatter of hooves on cobblestone echoed in the main courtyard. The deathgrip around my waist eased, and I imagine with some relief Aleron slipped off Frost's back. I swung down, tossed the reigns to a groom and strode into the house.
A horde of maids and footmen scurried about, removing all traces of dust and dissuse. I bypassed the main stairs, heading for my private study. The room was two stories high, bookshelves lining the walls. A large map table and several chairs littered the room. In an alcove sat my desk. I seated myself behind it and gestured for the boy to take a seat in one of the plush wing chairs in front of it. I watched him with shuttered eyes.
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Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Feb 9, 2006 23:45:16 GMT -5
Dismounting, I remembered why people did not usually ride such warlike creatures through the streets; still, if she wanted to lame her own beast, I had no concern with it.
I followed her up the stairs to the study, which was full of books I guessed she'd never read. I sat in the chair she had motioned me to and looked around, noticing the recently stirred-up dust in the air. She looked at me through mostly-closed eyes; I stared at her outright, eyes cold and calculating.
She seemed the type to appreciate intelligence, but not unless it was on her terms. Softness would only provoke hate; charm would invoke condescenscion. That left boldness and his own private condescenscion- and whatever had her so unnerved. The meeting must've been about something drastic and final. I waited for her questions, staring.
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Post by Jaiden Liatris-Durante (D) on Feb 9, 2006 23:52:28 GMT -5
"All right, to business. I propose this, for every question you answer to my satisfaction, you will receive gold. For every question you ask me, and that I answer to your satisfaction, I may ask a question free of charge. Agreed?"
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Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Feb 9, 2006 23:57:57 GMT -5
My eyes sparkled. "Agreed. But I propose a bet in return- double or nothing. If I manage to go this bout without a question and figure out what's really going on, I get paid double. If I ask a question and still come to the correct assumtion, the bet is void and you recieve your further question for free. If I am wrong, I will return your money. Really, there's no way you can lose anything you haven't already offered."
Let's see how this woman bargains, I thought cheekily.
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Post by Jaiden Liatris-Durante (D) on Feb 10, 2006 0:15:20 GMT -5
Never underestimate an adept of Bryony, Elton had told me once. We had been deep in our cups, on campagin, and I never understood those words till now. The boy was shrewd, inteligent, and self serving. A large part of me wanted to beleive him to be a boastful child, crowing his own prowess. But Elton's words niggled at me.
"Oh there is much to be lost here, and it is not gold, for I have that aplenty. You will have one try to guess what is going on, and if you are right I will tell you everything I know. As well, if you are clever enough to arrive at the answer, there will be another arrangement between us. "
I leaned towards him, an almost genuine smile on my face, "I will become your bennifactor, providing you with the financial support no ordinary patron could ever give you. I will buy your marque outright and you will enter my service and be my spy, my eyes and ears where I cannot go. That is, if you are clever enough. I want your guess now. You may ask three questions, and I will answer them as I deem fit. Take it or leave."
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Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Feb 10, 2006 9:03:40 GMT -5
Her smile was quickly becoming more genuine, and she was offering to put me in her employ- things were going rather well. My expression never changed.
Ah, the thrill of the riddle! I quickly reviewed what I knew in my head. Nobles, but not generals, except for this lady, called to a meeting at the behest of Lady Alais, who was deeply pregnant; nobles suggested personal tragedy rather than an attack on the country itself- an assassination attempt? But who was injured by it?
"Who was this assassination attempt aimed toward, and what was the final outcome?"
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Post by Jaiden Liatris-Durante (D) on Feb 10, 2006 9:30:44 GMT -5
Clever boy. But I would not give hime the answer so easily.
"On of import dead, another comatose. And you will have to deduce who's death is important enough to convene the Duchys."
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Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Feb 10, 2006 10:11:36 GMT -5
If one was dead and another comatose, it could only be the King and Queen. Alais had called the meeting, so she could be neither dead or comatose. Anyone else had been sighted leaving for the meeting AFTER the event had occurred and it would have been calling in the King's name. Whether the king was dead or only comatose was of no importance; if he was asleep longer than three days he would die of thirst anyway.
"How was the attack on the King carried out?"
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Post by Jaiden Liatris-Durante (D) on Feb 10, 2006 16:05:21 GMT -5
"Swiftly, and methodically. Even the Cassiline's died." I said nothing more. He would have to finish telling me the reasons the nobles were summoned.
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Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Feb 10, 2006 16:20:16 GMT -5
"Then you may keep your last question, my lady. I seems that the king and his entourage were attacked heading back from his coronation fete. The attack was discovered by Lady Alais, who sent her couriers out to find the ruling families and tell them of the situation, they've probably been questioned as well, which is why YOU look so sour. Princess Sabrina de la Courcel has been sworn in, as Princess Alais gave up her right to the throne and Sidonie is old and mad. Anything else?"
I watched her, looking for answers and if I had left anything out.
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Post by Jaiden Liatris-Durante (D) on Feb 10, 2006 17:15:41 GMT -5
Slowly, I rose from behind the massive desk. Very casually, I walked around and perched on the edge in front of Aleron's chair. I gave him a genuine smile. And with the swiftness of a striking snake I slapped him. Not hard, but enough to stun.
"Clever, clever boy. You might be worth the investment, if you can learn to mind that tongue. Do not even dare to presume what I am thinking or feeling. Leason one, I will tolerate your acidic barbs, but only to a point. All punishment will be in the form of violence to the flesh, and only with just provocation." I caressed the cheek I had struck.
Standing I paced for a few moments, thinking.
"It is true that the King and his party were attacked on the journey home. Most of the nobles had left by that time, and there is suspicion on everyone. Princess Sabrina is regent, much to my annoyance. Camlach and all members of my house are loyal to the crown and the Courcel's, but she is young and has no strong advisors. That is why I am so 'sour'. The Spy Duc, Gregoire de Fronsac has been called in and is conducting an investigation. And all the ruling Duchy's were questioned. I have suspicions, and need information to confirm them."
At this point I stopped and looked directly at him, "You will provide me with as much pertinent court and night court gossip as you can gather. You will serve as my escort to any functions that must be attended. As for other patrons, take as many as you wish, but know who your loyalty lies with, and who's gold will line your pockets. I have little use for bedroom games, and the emotions that come with them, but I am no celebate. If I so choose to bed you, you will comply, no negotiations. If you object to my terms, now is the time to bargain. "
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Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Feb 10, 2006 17:53:30 GMT -5
The smile and slap were meant to put me off-balance, to let me know she approved of my methods but not my ways of interacting with her. My face began to redden where she had hit me and I could taste blood in my mouth- my cheek must've ben cut on one of my teeth when she'd struck me. Her caress against me cheek was warm from her hand striking my flesh and felt like a brand, but my face stayed impassive, my eyes cold and empty of feeling.
"My lady," I said coolly, "All I ask is that when I am not doing your work I be allowed to go about my own business- have no worries for my loyalty, I have learned by watching that all a betrayal will get me is death or pain. I will keep you notified of what I know and where I am, should you need me." I smiled ferally, showing bloody teeth.
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Post by Jaiden Liatris-Durante (D) on Feb 10, 2006 21:48:02 GMT -5
I laughed, a short bark, but laughter none the less. The boy had a fierceness to him that I could admire. It would be an interesting power struggle between us.
"Of course. You shall be a free agent. And to prove this, I will purchase your marque outright, and you will owe me no gold. You will stay here. I will provide a stipend and suitable clothing. Until I return to the North and my seat at Winterfell, you will be in my employ. If you should decide to leave before then, without renegotiating, I will make you a parriah. Do we hae a deal?" I extended my hand, waiting.
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Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Feb 10, 2006 21:59:33 GMT -5
I heard her deal; a season of working for her in return for my marque being paid was nothing when it could have taken me years to do so on my own. I took her hand and kissed the back lightly. "My lady, it has been an honor working with you, and I thank you for your 'hospitality' at letting me stay here; I will be sure that the other adepts make much more of our relationship than actually exists. The more people are confused, caught between what they hear and what they see, the more likely they are to slip. If I make lovesick-stupid puppy-eyes, please do not be offended in believing they express true feeling."
As I stood I looked her over as subtlely as I could; after all, part of our contract had been for bed-rights as long as I should serve her. She was well-toned, and that already made her more attractive than most of my patrons; for some reason, those attracted to money were not in good health. Her hair was fine, and she had an attractive power. I returned my eyes to her face again, showing only cold and heartlessness in my frosty-sky blue eyes.
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Post by Jaiden Liatris-Durante (D) on Feb 10, 2006 22:11:56 GMT -5
I smiled and caressed again the slowly fading red marks my hand had left. Clever, clever boy.
"Oh do not worry, I will hold no illusions that you harbor me any love. We both understand that this is about money, power and mutual benifit. Come, let us make of this a show Bryony will not soon forget." I brushed past him on my way to the study door.
Before I opened it though, an enlightened idea struck me. I had seen his discreet assesment of my body. I harbored no illusions that I was a great beuty, but instead had the beauty of sculpted muscle and sinew of form. I placed my back against the door and tilted my head to the side. He paused not far from me.
"As you say, we shall have a pretense to present the world. Before we go to Bryony, I want to see what I've paid for. Strip." I wanted to test his mettle. I knew he would find some way to revenge himself upon me, for this and the blow, but it only made the game more delicious. My palms itched, heat slowly curling in my chest.
How I loved a good fight.
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Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Feb 10, 2006 22:27:21 GMT -5
Becoming the aspect of the simpering, servile adept, I bowed and raised my arms above me, lifting my shirt to expose scuplted abs, then chest and nipples- and then I dropped my shirt and gave Jaiden a look of pure suprise. "My lady, you've caught me off guard- so much so, I had forgotten that you didn't owe me YET!" I watched her slyly.
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Post by Jaiden Liatris-Durante (D) on Feb 10, 2006 22:33:58 GMT -5
I laughed again. Twice in one day. My mood lightened considerably.
"Your gamble has paid off this time, in the future it may not pan out. Let us go, and do not think to so lightly deny me my requests in the future." We left for Bryony.
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