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Post by Jaiden Liatris-Durante (D) on Feb 15, 2006 0:20:34 GMT -5
My mood considerably lighter from the temper I had been in when entering, I left the villa once more. A groom immediately came up to us.
“I’d like my hunter brought round, Frost has cast a shoe and needs a ferrier. Bring a palfrey for my aide, something docile.” A wry smile curved my lips. He hurried off.
“I trust you can ride? The D’Neige carriage is a relic of times best forgotten, and I usually ride. There will be a variety of skills you needs must learn if you are to be in my employ. Riding, basic martial skills and general clerical work, for a start. You may be my lover to the world, and my personal spy, but I expect you to be useful to me in the privacy of my home as well.” I turned fully to him, the red marks finally beginning to fade from his skin, “I suppose you have some talent in the bedroom arts, but no man is a Priapus.”
Callamaer, my other favorite mount and some scout’s light beast were brought round. I swung easily into the saddle.
“Shall we?”
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Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Feb 15, 2006 1:23:42 GMT -5
I followed her down to where her horse- and the one I would be using- stood, waiting. I had at least been on a horse before; still it had only been twice, at the request of one of my stranger patrons, whose wealth was in horse-breeding and, I suspected, he bred with the horses himself on occassion. Shaking the grin that came with that most amusing mental picture from my head, I climbed into my saddle as gracefully as I was able; I probably wouldn't fall, but the ride might be a trifle uncomfortable.
Turning to her, I replied, "My lady, my clerical work is excellent, my riding is poot and my self-defense training is non-existant; I am of Bryony, not some Mandrake brute or shrinking violet of Alyssum to love animals. However, everything I have been trained to do, I do excellently, and I will learn quickly."
At her "Shall we?" I bowed slightly in the saddle, making motion that she should precede me.
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Post by Jaiden Liatris-Durante (D) on Feb 15, 2006 22:55:30 GMT -5
I kicked the mare into an easy canter. I wanted to accomplish this mission quickly. The sooner Aleron could ferret out any useful gossip the better.
The streets were relatively empty for this time of day, and Mont Nuit approached rapidly. The high walls of the Night Court enveloped us. I wasn't sure which House was his, so gestured him to lead from here. It was a simple matter.
An attendant took our mounts well into hand as we dismounted and Aleron lead me inside. No one really came to speak with us, they must have recognized him, and assumed I was a patron. I paused our forward march in an empty hallway.
"Subterfuge and dissembling are not my strongest skills, so I will leave the crafting of our 'romance' to you to explain to your Dowayne. But rest assured, I am a skilled at deception." to prove it, I let my features soften, wet the full curves of my lips so they glistened. I looked at him as so many tavern wenches had looked at Elton, adoration plain. I softly brushed the corner of his mouth with my lips. I hoped he was unsettled.
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Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Feb 15, 2006 23:18:54 GMT -5
I stood firm as she kissed the corners of my moth- the change in her features was quite astounding and she looked rather pretty. I put on a similarly silly lovelorn expression and took her hand in mine to lead her to the Dowayne's chambers.
We reached them and I led her inside; the Dowayne was going over the books. "My lady Jaiden wishes to buy my marque," I said simply, giving Jaiden a simpering look and smiling gleefully. The Dowayne looked up, grinned avariciously, and the barganing began. I kept hold of the Duchesse's hand, squeezing when I thought the bargain most to her advantage was mentioned.
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Post by Jaiden Liatris-Durante (D) on Feb 16, 2006 23:30:42 GMT -5
I bartered with the Dowayne at a furious pace. Offer, counter offer, it had all the composed elegance of a sword fight.
The slight squeezes upon my hand from Aleron helped. I quickly picked up that a squeeze meant a good bargain. The negotiations were settled in fairly good time, and a price agreed upon. The Dowayne shook my hand, and would see my man of business on the morrow. For good show, I have Aleron a sweet kiss in front of the Dowayne, no doubt he imagined me star-struck with my newest toy. I tugged him out into the deserted hall.
“So, clever boy, what pretty lies shall you spread now? I’m sure your avaricious Dowayne will be spreading the word of your purchase. You should collect your things, find out anything you can, and report back to the villa, post haste. I’ll leave the horse for you and send over a few men-at-arms to help you with your things. Will two hours be enough time?” I smiled a Cheshire cat grin at him.
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Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Feb 17, 2006 8:12:03 GMT -5
I grinned slyly. "Yes, two hours should be plenty to accomplish my work. And I wouldn't 'lie'- lies are discovered, but some exaggeration on the point of 'a boy in love' can be easily overlooked and forgiven. You will be fierce but generous and I will be a smart but gentle adept- a perfect little lapdog. At least, as far as the gossip is concerned. Is there anything else I should ask, or make known?"
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Post by Jaiden Liatris-Durante (D) on Feb 18, 2006 12:53:15 GMT -5
I tapped a finger against my lips, thinking.
"Hmm, let it be known that I am very infatuated with you, my gentle adept, who calms my fierce ways. I want you to gather information about Prince Delaunay de Courcel, his sister, I particularly want to know when they were interviewed by the Spy Duc and when they left. I want to know who they were with last night. As well, find out what you can about the Duchesse L'Envers, Evangeline. I have a score to settle with her. After that, anything of use, but those details in particular. Use that clever mind of yours to earn your keep."
I strode down the hall, calling back to him as I went, "Remember, the men should be here in a few hours, so get to work."
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Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Feb 18, 2006 13:42:24 GMT -5
I smiled sweetly and made my way to my rooms. A group of fellow adepts gathered, asking questions and I answered then kindly, feeding them what they wanted to hear and fit the story. Lady Jaiden is rough on the outside but a cupcake on the inside, soft and fluffy. She had a tender side, it was just obscured by some injustice she had suffered, but I had a knack for honesty and she knew she could trust me. The woman I made Jaiden out to be disgusted me more than the actual person, but I knew what would make people think well and overlook any rudeness.
A couple oblique inquiries told me that both Phedre and Delaunay had left with adepts that night; Phedre had gone from the celebration to Valerian with a Mandrake and Delaunay with some freelancer. Stories of the questioning had not circulated, but I was sure I would have it by the morrow. Information on Lady L'Envers was hard to come by; she'd left with some assistant who shadowed her, Lord Sabian Shahrizai and a Valerian. Inwardly I scorned the Shahrizai blood that flooded the nobility to make them crave such brusque houses, but outwardly I was serene and just a little giddy.
Once my bags were gathered I made incredibly silly goodbyes, lying promises to return and visit soon and a good show at accepting some stupid advice before going outside to where the guards were, handing them my bags, and mounting my horse. "To the estate," I said briskly and ordered the horse into a trot. My information should be suitable; if not, I would up my quota and try again.
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