Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Feb 24, 2011 0:36:59 GMT -5
It was early evening when the knock came at my door. Entertaining the hope that it was a potential patron, or even a friend come to visit, I went to answer it.
I was certainly not expecting to see two fairly unkempt strangers on my doorstep. Suffice it to say that they did not look like the sort of persons who could afford my services, or any adept's, for that matter. Of course, if I had bothered to look closely, I would have noticed the brass buttons and the fine make of their coats which belied some form of wealth, but at that moment I was more interested in why they had suddenly arrived at my door.
"Good evening, gentles," I said, my gaze briefly sweeping over them to check for weaponry. It was a trick that Emile had taught me, though I daresay I could have used a bit more practice. "Is there something I may help you with this evening? If you are seeking an assignation. I could arrange for something on the morrow."
The taller of the two, who was at least a head shorter than I, shook his head. "Nay, Messire d'Ames, we have a matter of some import to discuss with you. If you would be so kind as to grant us admittance. It is dreadfully cold out here, even for spring."
"Of course," I replied, holding the door open for the visitors. What could be so important that it could not wait until morning? I wondered, unless it was about Emile, but surely someone from the Palace would have been sent to me, and these were no palace officials. "Come into my office, if you please. We can discuss it once we are all comfortably ensconced in chairs."
The newest edition to my household, an orange cat, was sleeping on my desk as we entered. As I neared the desk, she roused, took one look at the visitors, hissed, and flew from there as if all the demons in Hell were after her. I should have heeded her, should have known her instincts were sharper than mine, but at the time I dismissed it as typical erratic feline behaviour. I slid into my seat behind my desk and gestured for the men to take a seat as well.
"Tell me, sirs," I began. "What is this matter of some import?"
The taller man, a blond with eyes the colour of amber, cleared his throat. "This is a lovely site for a salon, Messire d'Ames, good neighbourhood, plenty of other businesses in the area..." Was he trying to solicit something? It seemed like an odd way to go about it, but I simply nodded and waited for him to continue.
The shorter one, with a face that would be considered bland even for a D'Angeline, spoke then: "It is truly remarkable that you have managed to succeed in your endeavors, especially given recent events, with the old Queen dying and a new one crowned so quickly..." He shrugged. "A lesser man would have been crushed when faced with such things by now..."
I raised an eyebrow at that comment. "This salon does not depend on the royals for its success, but on people from all social classes. I assure you, I am in no danger of being crushed, as you put it, by recent events or otherwise."
"It would be a pity if something happened to your salon."
A chill went down my spine as I turned to regard the first man. His expression was still neutral, but now I caught a predatory gleam in his eye.
"Oh yes, Aleron," the second man agreed. "It would be a damned pity. Such a fine establishment, and such a gracious host..."
"...and with all the turmoil in the City of Elua right now, a man has to do what he can to protect himself and his property," said Aleron, showing me his palms in a gesture of surrender. "One can never be too careful..."
"I...see..." I did not like where this conversation was heading, and was now looking for the first opportunity to politely but firmly show them the door.
"'Course, I'd wager such a prestigious adept like Messire d'Ames could afford to protect himself from such things," said the bland one, shrugging. "For a nominal fee, of course..."
It was then that I saw the threat beneath their words.
It made me very, very angry.
"Apologies," I said crisply, rising from my seat. "I am afraid I simply lack the funds for that sort of venture. Perhaps you should discuss such things with my brother."
"Emile d'Ames?" The way Aleron said my brother's name made it sound as if it was a curse. "The old queen's disgraced bodyguard? I think not, he barely has a penny to his name, and I hear he is quite out of practice in the art of war." His features shifted, becoming a mask of concern. "Messire d'Ames, we are merely concerned citizens seeking to alleviate some of the burdens that the citizens of the City of Elua all share in these troublesome times. I do hope you will reconsider our offer."
"Get out," I snarled through gritted teeth, praying that they did not see how my hands shook.
The two men stood, bowing in a way that looked like a mockery of a courtly obeisance. "Suit yourself," said Aleron. "Perhaps you simply need a few more days to reconsider. It is a good offer, Messire d'Ames, I would be thrilled to receive it, were I you, one does not come by such things very often."
And then, they left as quickly as they had come. I sank down into my chair, bringing a hand up to massage my temples.
"What in Hell do I do now?" I muttered, but received only silence in response.
I was certainly not expecting to see two fairly unkempt strangers on my doorstep. Suffice it to say that they did not look like the sort of persons who could afford my services, or any adept's, for that matter. Of course, if I had bothered to look closely, I would have noticed the brass buttons and the fine make of their coats which belied some form of wealth, but at that moment I was more interested in why they had suddenly arrived at my door.
"Good evening, gentles," I said, my gaze briefly sweeping over them to check for weaponry. It was a trick that Emile had taught me, though I daresay I could have used a bit more practice. "Is there something I may help you with this evening? If you are seeking an assignation. I could arrange for something on the morrow."
The taller of the two, who was at least a head shorter than I, shook his head. "Nay, Messire d'Ames, we have a matter of some import to discuss with you. If you would be so kind as to grant us admittance. It is dreadfully cold out here, even for spring."
"Of course," I replied, holding the door open for the visitors. What could be so important that it could not wait until morning? I wondered, unless it was about Emile, but surely someone from the Palace would have been sent to me, and these were no palace officials. "Come into my office, if you please. We can discuss it once we are all comfortably ensconced in chairs."
The newest edition to my household, an orange cat, was sleeping on my desk as we entered. As I neared the desk, she roused, took one look at the visitors, hissed, and flew from there as if all the demons in Hell were after her. I should have heeded her, should have known her instincts were sharper than mine, but at the time I dismissed it as typical erratic feline behaviour. I slid into my seat behind my desk and gestured for the men to take a seat as well.
"Tell me, sirs," I began. "What is this matter of some import?"
The taller man, a blond with eyes the colour of amber, cleared his throat. "This is a lovely site for a salon, Messire d'Ames, good neighbourhood, plenty of other businesses in the area..." Was he trying to solicit something? It seemed like an odd way to go about it, but I simply nodded and waited for him to continue.
The shorter one, with a face that would be considered bland even for a D'Angeline, spoke then: "It is truly remarkable that you have managed to succeed in your endeavors, especially given recent events, with the old Queen dying and a new one crowned so quickly..." He shrugged. "A lesser man would have been crushed when faced with such things by now..."
I raised an eyebrow at that comment. "This salon does not depend on the royals for its success, but on people from all social classes. I assure you, I am in no danger of being crushed, as you put it, by recent events or otherwise."
"It would be a pity if something happened to your salon."
A chill went down my spine as I turned to regard the first man. His expression was still neutral, but now I caught a predatory gleam in his eye.
"Oh yes, Aleron," the second man agreed. "It would be a damned pity. Such a fine establishment, and such a gracious host..."
"...and with all the turmoil in the City of Elua right now, a man has to do what he can to protect himself and his property," said Aleron, showing me his palms in a gesture of surrender. "One can never be too careful..."
"I...see..." I did not like where this conversation was heading, and was now looking for the first opportunity to politely but firmly show them the door.
"'Course, I'd wager such a prestigious adept like Messire d'Ames could afford to protect himself from such things," said the bland one, shrugging. "For a nominal fee, of course..."
It was then that I saw the threat beneath their words.
It made me very, very angry.
"Apologies," I said crisply, rising from my seat. "I am afraid I simply lack the funds for that sort of venture. Perhaps you should discuss such things with my brother."
"Emile d'Ames?" The way Aleron said my brother's name made it sound as if it was a curse. "The old queen's disgraced bodyguard? I think not, he barely has a penny to his name, and I hear he is quite out of practice in the art of war." His features shifted, becoming a mask of concern. "Messire d'Ames, we are merely concerned citizens seeking to alleviate some of the burdens that the citizens of the City of Elua all share in these troublesome times. I do hope you will reconsider our offer."
"Get out," I snarled through gritted teeth, praying that they did not see how my hands shook.
The two men stood, bowing in a way that looked like a mockery of a courtly obeisance. "Suit yourself," said Aleron. "Perhaps you simply need a few more days to reconsider. It is a good offer, Messire d'Ames, I would be thrilled to receive it, were I you, one does not come by such things very often."
And then, they left as quickly as they had come. I sank down into my chair, bringing a hand up to massage my temples.
"What in Hell do I do now?" I muttered, but received only silence in response.