Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Jun 2, 2008 9:02:34 GMT -5
Well, now that I was more-or-less settled into my room in the Palace, I decided that I still had time to explore a little before retiring.
As I walked, I tried to ascertain whether it was possible to proceed in complete silence. So far, I was making enough noise so that my presence wouldn't be cause for alarm. I probably looked silly, creeping through the halls like this, but I was determined to gain every advantage I could if I was to effectively guard the Queen.
Her Majesty had not mentioned any rooms that were off-limits to me, but, fortunately, I considered myself a good judge of these things. Besides, I didn't think the peers in residence would appreciate having a Cassiline inspecting their sleeping chambers. I did have some sense of decency.
My gaze took in the ceiling above me and then dropped to inspect the surrounding area. The close quarters were to my advantage, as an opponent would be in easy reach of my daggers. I let a hand lightly trail the wall leading up to my room, chuckling to myself when no hidden passages seemed apparent.
"I expect the Queen would have told you as much," I said to myself. I proceeded down the hall at a much more leisurely pace, wondering how I was ever going to find the Royal Archives in this maze of opulence.
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Pièter Kolcei
Noble
His Highness the Ambassador of Illyria, Nephew of the Ban; House Kolcei
Posts: 1,920
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Post by Pièter Kolcei on Jun 3, 2008 8:04:29 GMT -5
My wanderings once more lead me about the Palace heading between various task. As had frequently been the case recently I was a bit on the distracted side and not paying any overt attention to what was around me. Fortunately so far I had at least managed to keep my wits about me enough not to have run right into anyone.
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Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Jun 3, 2008 19:17:55 GMT -5
Ah, it appeared that I was no longer alone in the hall. The man seemed to wander with no particular destination, and it didn't look like he was paying much attention to where he was going. He didn't look D'Angeline, perhaps he was a foreign noble come to establish trade with Terre D'Ange.
Well, it wouldn't hurt to be polite, especially if he was a foreigner.
"Good eve, m'Lord." I said softly as I passed by him, so as not to startle the man.
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Pièter Kolcei
Noble
His Highness the Ambassador of Illyria, Nephew of the Ban; House Kolcei
Posts: 1,920
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Post by Pièter Kolcei on Jun 4, 2008 3:02:06 GMT -5
I was brought out of my distraction by a greeting from a passing fellow. He appeared rather sedate in appearance compared to other d'Anglines. "Good evening to you as well sir" not stressed or terribly distracted my accent was barely noticeable.
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Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Jun 4, 2008 20:07:23 GMT -5
I paused in my wanderings to examine the man more closely. I could hear just a trace of an accent, but it was faint, as if he had been here for a long time.
Hm, perhaps he knew where the archives were.
"Begging your pardon, M'Lord, but would you know where I could find the Royal Archives, by any chance?" I asked.
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Pièter Kolcei
Noble
His Highness the Ambassador of Illyria, Nephew of the Ban; House Kolcei
Posts: 1,920
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Post by Pièter Kolcei on Jun 5, 2008 5:47:17 GMT -5
"Do you mean the library?" I asked not sure if he meant there. If he meant the library I knew where that was other archives I had no idea where they were located.
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Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Jun 10, 2008 19:40:25 GMT -5
I stroked my chin thoughtfully. Well, it made sense that the archives were close to the library. After a few moments, I nodded. "Yes, I suppose so, unless you know of any other archives?"
I didn't think it would serve the royal family to keep multiple archives when one wouild suffice, but what did I know? I was only a bodyguard.
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Pièter Kolcei
Noble
His Highness the Ambassador of Illyria, Nephew of the Ban; House Kolcei
Posts: 1,920
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Post by Pièter Kolcei on Jun 11, 2008 8:52:29 GMT -5
“This way then” I motioned to the man and set off down the hall “being a bit of a book worm I do know where the library is. But being a foreigner I am also not overtly familiar with the organization around here.”
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Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Jun 12, 2008 18:10:35 GMT -5
I fell into step beside the man, and shrugged. "Well, you certainly know more about this place than I do!" I said, grinning. "I only just arrived a few hours ago." Yes, and my bones were crying out in protest because I hadn't thought it necessary to retire for the night. I was used to being on my feet all day, but perhaps the recent change in scenery contributed to my fatigue. I was, after all, in a city I had never been to, guarding a ward that I had never dreamed even glimpsing from afar.
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Pièter Kolcei
Noble
His Highness the Ambassador of Illyria, Nephew of the Ban; House Kolcei
Posts: 1,920
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Post by Pièter Kolcei on Jun 13, 2008 10:46:15 GMT -5
I shrugged "I have been here a few months though I was away for a bit when my uncle called me back home and I have recently returned." I made another turn and then inclined my head toward the appropriate door "There you go."
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Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Jun 13, 2008 20:21:00 GMT -5
I nodded. "So it seems." I went over to the door and gently eased it open. "It seems that it was not as far from my quarters as I thought," I remarked, turning towards the man and inclining my head. "Thank you for escorting me..."
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Pièter Kolcei
Noble
His Highness the Ambassador of Illyria, Nephew of the Ban; House Kolcei
Posts: 1,920
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Post by Pièter Kolcei on Jun 14, 2008 17:20:47 GMT -5
"Your welcome, and by the by my name is Pieter Kolcei the Illyrian ambassador in case you are curious." I tilted my head a bit "And if my studies are not totally incorrect your general manner strikes me as one of the famed Cassiline Brothers."
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Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Jun 15, 2008 12:41:16 GMT -5
I bowed in acknowledgement of his claim. "You are quite correct. I am Émile d'Ames of the Cassiline Brotherhood. Pleased to meet you, Your Excellency." I straightened and smiled. "Your studies have served you well, I'd wager, your D'Angeline is impeccable."
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Pièter Kolcei
Noble
His Highness the Ambassador of Illyria, Nephew of the Ban; House Kolcei
Posts: 1,920
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Post by Pièter Kolcei on Jun 16, 2008 9:29:42 GMT -5
I gave a small smile “Well you have been listening to me speak it for the last half hour or so, so you tell me.” It was stated in a good natured manner as his statement did more or less boarder on the overtly obvious.
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Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Jun 16, 2008 12:08:20 GMT -5
I smiled good naturedly. "Well, then, I would say that my comment is apt."
My attention shifted as a guard approached me. "Lord d'Ames?"
I winced at the title. "Yes?"
"The Queen had us bring these out for you..." He gestured towards a table, where neat scrolls of parchment lay. I went to the desk and gingerly unrolled a corner, nodding in satisfaction. "These will do, thank you." The guard nodded, but didn't move, gazing at Lord Kolcei as if he were here for nefarious purposes.
Well, maybe he was, I had no way to tell...
Oh, stop that, Émile! I scolded, giving the ambassador a small smile before closing the scroll. "One can never be too careful, I suppose," I said softly, eyeing the guard.
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Pièter Kolcei
Noble
His Highness the Ambassador of Illyria, Nephew of the Ban; House Kolcei
Posts: 1,920
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Post by Pièter Kolcei on Jun 17, 2008 8:39:58 GMT -5
I fell silent as a guard approached and the two men spoke and exchanged some scrolls. Being born and bred around palaces it did not take me long to deduce that it had been decided that my presence should be in another location. Seeing as I was not her for espionage it seemed the polite thing to do to excuse myself.
“It seems duty calls you so I shall take my leave. It was a pleasure meeting you.” I then executed a short bow of my head.
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Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Jun 17, 2008 22:45:43 GMT -5
I smiled and returned his bow. "I hope, when next we meet, it will be under less...confidential circumstances..."
I sat down at the desk and opened the scroll in front of me, beginning to peruse the plans...
**
When I finally looked up from the scroll, I realized that I had been studying the plans for much longer than I had anticipated. Time, it seemed, was not on my side this evening, and I would not have time to explore much of the Palace at this late hour. Well, I reminded myself. You don't have to do everything this evening, if anything, you should be retiring for the night.
I rose from my seat and carefully rolled up the scroll, handing it to the guard who would take it back to its proper place. Thanks to Lord Kolcei, I had little trouble retracing my steps back to my quarters, where I all but collapsed on the bed. I like to think that my body seldom requires sleep, that, because of my training, I am more resilient than others.
Fortunately, I constanly receive reminders that I am only mortal, in need of rest, and this was one of those times. I confess that I do not even remember removing my armor that night, I simply lay in the bed, and slept.
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Pièter Kolcei
Noble
His Highness the Ambassador of Illyria, Nephew of the Ban; House Kolcei
Posts: 1,920
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Post by Pièter Kolcei on Jun 18, 2008 8:22:30 GMT -5
And with that I simply took my leave wandering off to once more tend my own affairs. Though a small shiver did slip through my body as I traversed the halls. It was more than passing odd as it was not could and looking around I could sight no sign of anything that might cause a draft. I soon put the matter out of my mind and headed on my way.
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