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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Feb 15, 2010 12:32:08 GMT -5
((I know the main thread's not open yet, but I thought I'd get the kidnapping Landis's visit right before Emile begins his Vigil over with before the main event starts.))
'Twas the Longest Night, and all through the City, everyone was focused on making every building especially pretty. Well, all excepting myself, I had a different goal in mind as I entered Elua's Temple. It was an idea that had been percolating in my mind ever since the revelation that Emile had been declared anathema.
I knew he would be here, of course, my brother was nothing if not driven by force of habit, and force of habit was the only thing that kept him from attending the fete now. What was the point upholding a tradition for habit's sake when there was a perfectly fine party about to begin where it was warm and food was in abundance?
I found him standing before the statue of Elua, clad in the livery of House Courcel, his sword, daggers, and vambraces one of the few anomalies that marked him as a former Cassiline and the Queen's personal guard. He was gazing at the statue of Elua, hands clasped behind his back.
He did not turn as I closed the distance between us and came to stand beside him. "Well met, brother," I said softly. "But I fear I may yet be the bearer of bad news..."
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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 Feb 15, 2010 12:42:10 GMT -5
I stood gazing at the statue of Elua, as if, by some miracle, the statue would spring to life and tell me what I needed to do to earn the Queen's trust. I had promised her that I would perform the Vigil, even though I was not a Cassiline. If I could repair her trust, surely I could start with this.
I heard footsteps approaching and then my brother stood beside me. Why was he not at the fete at Cereus House? Did he feel the need to look in on me as if I were a sick child he was nursing back to health?
His greeting was pleasant enough, but I became concerned when his tone changed abruptly. "What bad news would you have to tell me, Landis? Can it not wait for a less solemn occasion?"
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Feb 15, 2010 12:51:38 GMT -5
I shook my head in response to his query, and so set the plan in motion. "I am afraid that this cannot wait, Emile, not if you wish to see the Queen live another night."
I watched his expression of concern blossom into astonishment, but I held up a hand to stifle the barrage of questions which were imminent. "We have little time, brother. We must make for the palace post-haste, and if I am wrong in this, you may call me a fool later."
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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 Feb 15, 2010 13:01:16 GMT -5
I opened my mouth to say something when Landis told me that he believed the Queen was in danger. It sounded absurd, to be sure, but I knew that my brother was not one to make light of such things.
I should have insisted on interrogating him, but, like the trusting fool I was, I took him at his word. My brother would never lie about a matter of state, never seek to manipulate his brother in such a way.
"Well, I suppose it cannot hurt to look in on her," I said, rationalizing that if the Queen was in danger, I would have a good reason for breaking the promise that I had made to her. The safety of my ward came first, and if Landis had a reason to doubt that her safety was in question, I needed to be at the palace.
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Feb 15, 2010 15:46:54 GMT -5
I had not expected him to agree so readily, but I suppose when you believed that your ward's life was in danger, little else mattered, certainly not reason or common sense.
Certainly, I told myself that this was for his own good, and if I had to resort to a little deception then so be it. He could not spend his whole life trying to be what he was not anymore. Besides, we would only be there a short time, enough to fill his belly with food so that he would not starve.
I began walking back towards the carriage that had brought me to the temple. "Let us be off, then, you may change in the carriage.."
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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 Feb 15, 2010 15:49:15 GMT -5
I took one last glance at the statue before joining Landis. "Change?" I asked as I climbed into the carriage that was ostensibly waiting for us. "What do you mean, change?"
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Feb 15, 2010 15:55:10 GMT -5
I smiled as I replied. "Why, into your costume, of course. No one will attempt anything if they know the Queen's Protector is out and about, and you are too well-known to not wear a disguise." I held out the outfit that I had selected for him. "You will go as Loki the Trickster, apropos, no?" I'll admit it was my own private joke, one I never hoped to explain.
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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 Feb 15, 2010 16:04:57 GMT -5
I stared at the clothes he had handed me, then at him, then at the clothes again. He was smiling in a weird way, as if he was indulging in some private joke. I should have taken that as the first indication that all was not as it seemed, but I was too consumed with the desire to make sure that my ward was safe, and if I had to dress in a silly costume to accomplish that goal, I would.
I gave my brother a look that suggested that I wanted a little privacy and only began to dress when he turned his head away. The material had been altered somewhat to make room for my sword and daggers, and for that I was grateful.
"Why the netting?" I asked as I examined myself, making a few adjustments so that I was more comfortable.
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Feb 15, 2010 16:14:45 GMT -5
I grinned. "Loki Laufeyarson," I said, using the god's matronymic "was caught in a net when he attempted to turn into a salmon to escape the other gods. He is a shape-shifter par excellence, and a troublemaker, besides."
I had slipped on part of my costume before I had arrived at the temple, and now I added the finishing touches--the silver mask and the hammer pendant. "I am attending as Thor, the two gods often traveled together, or so I hear." I reached up to adjust my mask a little, making sure it was not lop-sided.
"Be sure not to let your mask slip, Emile," I reminded him as the carriage paused for a brief moment before continuing towards the Palace. "And remember, no one will know who you are, brother. It is imperative that you not...reveal yourself...before we find the ones who intend to harm the Queen."
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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 Feb 15, 2010 16:24:10 GMT -5
I nodded, swallowing my nervousness as the carriage stopped at the main entrance to the palace. "I understand, brother." He didn't look like my brother, not in that costume, the mask perfectly obscuring his features. I only hoped that no one recognized me before I had the chance to assess whether anyone posed any threat to my ward.
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