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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jun 25, 2011 19:45:22 GMT -5
Continued from here.We'd ridden long and hard, making as few stops as we could, pressing our mounts along the way, faster, faster. My growing sense of urgency was assuaged both by my companions' loyalty and the fact that we were getting closer to the land of my mother's birth, the land of my lady liege, Elua, I never thought of her that way. There had been resting times and meals on the way, and Mael's panic had been quickly assuaged by another colorful swear of Adrien's, ordering him to trust him. The pair of them seemed joined at the hip, something I envied, a little, and admired, too. The sun was setting on Azzalle, now, we were getting closer, but not close enough to reach the safety of my mother's estate before sundown, and Strider was tired. At first, I put it on the horses fatigue, when he started to snort, when his nostrils flared in wariness. But I knew my steed and knew yet more that peace was a relative thing in these chaotic times. We were entering the edge of a forest, a narrow path ahead, and I turned back, looking at both Mael and Adrien, and raising a finger to my lips for the latter. We were being watched, the horses could tell, and I had a feeling about it too. It would have been too easy, otherwise, would it not? Edited for cross-referencing.
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Jun 25, 2011 20:13:03 GMT -5
Azzalle, we were in Azzalle now, and the province had a vastly different feel to it than L'Agnace. When we had stopped to rest earlier, I had insisted upon walking the land, learning what I could of the terrain, sniffing unfamiliar plants--and familiar ones as well. I was grateful to Adrien for tolerating my behaviour, and if Gillermo had taken notice of it, he had not said anything to me about it.
It was dusk when Gillermo suddenly called a halt, and I felt the strange prickling sensation that told me that we were being observed. Something did not feel right, not at all.
"Stay here, Mael," Adrien whispered, and I heard a soft thump as he dismounted, then silence. I strained my ears to listen for any sounds that might presage an ambush.
There! My sensitive ears picked up the sound of...gurgling? That made little sense, especially since we were not near a river...
Oh, I realized. Adrien...
I knew little of Adrien's past, only that he knew how to fight and most of Night's Doorstep's underworld was scared of him. It was only later that I had heard the rumor that he had once been a member of a notorious Bodhistani order of assassins, bloodthirsty devotees of the goddess Kali, who wore skulls around her neck and drank offerings of blood.
I had no cause to doubt the rumours, for all someone like Adrien did not spring to mind when I thought of a ruthless killer.
I heard soft footfalls and braced myself for an assault when Adrien's voice cut through the silence. "Found two hiding in the forest, don't know how many more there are, but they've lost the element of surprise," I could almost picture him cleaning the blood from one or both of his daggers, as calm as can be in the face of imminent danger. "Don't think any of them were smart enough to bring a bow and arrows with them..."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jun 25, 2011 20:41:37 GMT -5
After my quiet gesture, Adrien had nodded, and after he whispered something to Mael, he'd dismounted and given me a quiet sign telling me to stay right where I was. While he crept through thickets, I quietly unsheathed my sword listening for any sound that might betray further attackers.
There had been no noise, not a scream, not a sound, until Adrien emerged from the bushes moments later, his daggers dripping with blood, which he cleaned with quiet and cold care. I thought I saw a drop of blood at the corner of his lips, and blinked. When I looked again, it was gone – either he'd wiped it, or my mind was playing tricks on me. Either way, I was unsettled.
“I'll wager you just put the fear of the devil in them,” I told Adrien, though my eyes were on the forest, and not on my companions. “Well and good. I would sooner go onto this path in the open, than otherwise. We ride through, cut what comes our way, friends. What say you?”
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Jun 25, 2011 20:50:58 GMT -5
I sighed. "Do we have any other choice? Unless you want to go around, and who knows how much time we'll have wasted."
"Let's just go," Adrien said. "If they come for us, then they're obviously idiots who deserve what's coming to them."
We started moving forward again, though I could not shake the sensation that we were being watched. "Do you see them, Adrien?" I whispered.
"No," came the reply, "and all the better for us...and them..." I was suddenly grateful that I could not see him now, for I did not wish to imagine that my friend had it in him to kill, and one look into his eyes would confirm it.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jun 25, 2011 21:59:50 GMT -5
I smiled, and there was something a little wild in my smile, I knew. Ever since the fire which had set me free in Carthage, I'd taken greater pleasure in violence. I had an appreciation for bloodshed, when it was righteous, and one for vengeful offerings, too.
“We ride,” I said, and without waiting, then, trusting Mael to cling to his retainer, and Adrien to handle the situation, I heeled Strider viciously, sending him into a wild gallop through the path.
When a ruffian rushed at us, I met him blade first, kicking Strider harder. One fell, another clung for a while until a swift movement of steel vanquished him. A third tried to grab my leg, and in my fury, I stabbed he and I both, cutting my calf a touch. I grunted and gave a second stab at him, this time not missing, and he was lost in the madness of Strider's furious hooves.
I was alas unaware of what lay behind, and the sun was setting further – soon darkness would be about us, and we would all be on par with Mael. I screamed for courage, and free of ruffians, turned Strider around, in case I needed to return for my comrades.
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Jun 25, 2011 22:38:49 GMT -5
What happened next was lost in a tumult of sound and movement. I clung to Adrien through it all, trusting that he could guide the horse to safety.
Then, as soon as it had begun, it was over, the horse had slowed to a trot and I relaxed my iron grip around Adrien's waist. "I would prefer not to do that again!" I exclaimed. "Sitting atop a horse completely helpless while being assailed by bandits is not how I planned on starting my journey to the true Terre d'Ange!"
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jun 25, 2011 23:20:51 GMT -5
Squinting in the growing darkness, I looked at the silhouettes behind me on the path. Mael and Adrien, whole, if winded, and half a dozen bodies lying about, killed one way or another, trampled, or slain by my steal or Adrien's. We had done well, this night, and I laughed brightly.
“Cheer up, princess,” I told Mael. “And cling to Adrien once more. You've earned yourself a stay in satin sheets, perhaps we'll even get you a bedwarmer.” With that, I heeled my horse again, high and drunk on the excitement of the skirmish and eager to see Iz-Entre-Mer once more.
It was a small marquisat, which I'd only visited a few times, but one I would come to inherit, one day, in Cascata's place, unless she was found alive and well. It sat between two rivers, and that was how it had got its name, that, and its relative proximity to the Straights.
We had yet to find Mirielle's camp. That was a job to do on the morrow.
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Jun 25, 2011 23:32:32 GMT -5
"Stop calling me that!" I grumbled, bristling when he mentioned finding me a "bedwarmer". I had no interest in such things, had barely begun making progress sexually, although Faisan had been a start.
"At least tell me we're almost there!" I called. I would have been happy with a bed of straw, never mind satin. At this point in the journey, I would have been happy curling up in the stables with the horses, but I had a feeling Gil wouldn't have approved of it.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jun 25, 2011 23:57:03 GMT -5
Inwardly, I promised myself that every time Mael complained on the road, I would call him princess, and I replied to his query with nothing, save a halt of Strider sudden enough to make him neigh and stand on his hind legs.
Out in the distance, my mother's homestead – it was a fortified castle, old and standing proud, a drawbridge still in effect, and drawn up, with due reason. When we arrived by the gate, I called, loud and clear.
“Oh! Bring down the bridge,” I screamed loudly.
“Who calls?” A voice came from above. It was a voice I knew.
“Guillaume, Mylene's son,” I called again. “Don't you know me, Remy? I'm alive and well. Let me in. Don't tell me you're afraid of three men, when you have a whole garrison ready.”
There was a moment of quietness, and then the drawbridge came down with a creak, and a group of men came, ready to seize us.
“Oh, Remy,” I called again. “Look at me and tell me you don't know my face, you bastard. And if you don't, then let me show you a letter from the Queen herself, that tells you who I am, exactly.”
An order came, and without further ceremony, the three of us were escorted over the drawbridge, and into the yard.
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Jun 26, 2011 0:08:55 GMT -5
I listened to the odd exchange and wondered why the guards seemed so suspicious of my friend, but the moment passed and we were ushered inside, though I did commit the exchange to memory, determined to speak to Gillermo about it when we had time to speak alone.
It was quiet, for all that he spoke of this place with fondness, it seemed as if the mood was subdued, almost solemn. It was quiet as well, though I could hear the barking of a dog in the distance, and such a sound was welcome to my ears.
I would have expected such a reception if we were to attend a funeral, but perhaps Gillermo was not as well liked here as I had been led to believe.
"Adrien, stay alert," I whispered. "It doesn't feel...normal...here..."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jun 26, 2011 0:45:26 GMT -5
Regardless of the pointy objects around us in the yard, I proceeded to dismount, ignoring them absolutely. “That's great Azzallese courage,” I taunted as I started to walk towards the captain of the guard. He was staring at me, and I stared right back. He was livid, as if he'd seen a ghost.
“I am Gillermo Streggazza, Duca di Belafonte, and the rightful heir to this stronghold by my mother's blood, your liege,” I told him, louder and louder. “Look at me, and tell me that you do not remember me, and my sister Cascata, and my man To-Biko, only a few summers gone.”
“-- but but my lord Gillermo is ---”
“Dead, I know,” I replied, and chuckled darkly. “It seems news of my death have travelled faster than news of my return. Lies. And I have the Queen's word to prove it.” I reached into my doublet, held the letter with Corretta's seal out, but gave it to no-one. “Who questions it?”
There was silence in the yard, and then a soldier spoke from the left.
“I do not, my lord,” he said, and then another, and another, and the yard broke in laughing cheer.
“About time! Now get my guests to their room, and good ones, and fetch us a quick meal. I'll need to speak to Florence, and you too, Remy,” I told the captain of the guard. “Tomorrow, we ride.”
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Jun 26, 2011 9:55:33 GMT -5
I listened to the exchange between Gillermo and his folk with interest. Dead? They thought he was dead?! Well, that explained much. I wondered if him being dead had anything to do with the brand on his shoulder that I had touched in L'Agnace.
I felt an almost imperceptible change in the mood of the place, then was almost overwhelmed by the noise of many activities going on at once.
"Mael, come on, they're waiting to take the horse," Adrien's voice, from below and to the left of me this time. I hadn't heard him dismount.
He helped me down from the animal, more activity, and then a female voice directing us to walk "this way" whichever way it was. Fortunately, Adrien's eyes were still in excellent condition. My bare feet struck stone, broken up by the sensation of...fur? I wondered if Adrien was purposely veering from our course to allow me to trot all over the rugs.
Finally, after much twisting and turning, we were left alone, Adrien immediately launched into an explanation of the room's features. By the time he was finished, I wondered if the room we stood in was larger than our entire living space in the City of Elua, a quick walk from one end of the room to the other confirmed this.
"Adrien, I don't know if I'll be able to stand all this...luxury..." I admitted.
"I expect it's something you'll grow accustomed to," Adrien replied, "and I reckon it isn't going to go away in the near future, so we both might as well start getting used to it now."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jun 26, 2011 10:14:33 GMT -5
Mael and Adrien were led away by a pretty maid I thought I vaguely remembered tumbling a few years ago. Her smile and wave my way seemed to confirm that vague recollection, but I only gave her a curt nod and let her walk off – I had other matters in mind.
Remy Dupont, the captain of the guard, was absolutely apologetic, and he led me to Florence's chambers with alacrity, his torch high in the stone corridors of my mother's castle. We'd fetch Florence, then walk to the dining hall to sup with Mael and Adrien.
In quick words, he explained that Florence Danton had been getting comfortable, that he bade everyone call him 'lord', and that he thought, just perhaps, that the treasury wasn't as clean as it used to be.
I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose, and quietly ordered Remy to take two other men with us, then, if that was the way it would be.
In Florence's study, there were a few candles lit, and he was counting gold, and laughing, and I wondered if he'd lost his mind or not. I peeked through the door, looked at him, then smiled thinly. If anything, appearances were against him.
I walked in, leaned against the door, and said, in that tone that was so unbelievably mine, “Good evening, Florence.”
Truth be, the way he startled, mouth and eyes wide, and the way his hands shook, one would have thought he'd seen a ghost. He probably did. “My lord,” he said as I stalked closer. “I was just – counting ---”
I laughed lightly. “Of course you were. It's a long way to La Serenissima, isnt' it?”
He was shaking a little, and I grabbed his hand, squeezed his wrist a little. “You're lucky that I have other matters to tend to, Danton,” I hissed. “Now get your behind off this chair. We have a war to fight, and you're coming along.”
A pause, dramatic.
“But first, dinner.”
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Jun 26, 2011 10:40:14 GMT -5
We had just managed to settle in, by which it meant that we had deposited our few possessions in a corner of the room, as if not wishing to soil the cleanliness of the chamber--and Adrien assured me that it was quite clean indeed--when we were summoned to dinner.
We spent the next few minutes fending off servants who apparently wished to dress us, which was inconceivable to me. Were nobles so slothful that they depended on servants even to clothe themselves? Adrien won the argument by declaring that he would dress me, if it was so important to them, and they seemed to accept this, few ever argued with Adrien.
Finally, after I was dressed in something Adrien deemed presentable, he took my hand and began to lead me to our destination, following the footfalls of one of the servants. Servants, again! Well, I supposed if you lived in such a large space, as this estate seemed to be, you would need servants just to make sure that no rooms were forgotten when it came time to clean everything.
I did not know how far we were to the dining hall before Gillermo's voice broke the relative silence. Who was he speaking to?
"Adrien," I whispered. "What is Gillermo going on about?"
At first I was certain he hadn't heard me, but after a moment, he replied. "It sounds as if someone has decided to seize power in his lord's absence..."
Ah, suddenly the dialogue between them made sense. Gillermo appeared to handle it well, and no one offered violence, but I made a note to myself to be attentive for signs of a possible betrayal, that was what I would do, were I a usurper.
I entertained the thought of barging in on him and putting the fear of the gods into that other man, but the mention of dinner made my stomach rumble with hunger. We had eaten little on the trip, and while I was accustomed to such, it seemed like an eternity had passed since my last good meal.
"We should wait for him in the dining hall," I said softly, and size up the enemy over dinner. Gillermo had hired me to protect him, after all, and I was going to do my job.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jun 26, 2011 11:11:39 GMT -5
Remy and his men escorted Florence and myself to the dining room where Mael and Adrien were already there, changed into what made them both look very presentable – in fact, more so than I, for I'd not changed myself.
I smirked, and tried not to look impressed, though it was... nice, in fact, to see my new friends dressed in clean clothes. That they weren't perfectly pressed might have bothered another, but we were traveling and had other things to worry about than such trivialities.
“I see the maidens got their share of pleasure,” I said lightly as I wandered in. “Remy Dupont, Captain of the Iz-Entre-Mer Guard,” I said, “And this is Florence Danton, formerly my mother's steward. Florence, Remy, meet my friend Mael Leblanc, captain of the Stregazza guard. This is Adrien, his second.”
I waited to see if anyone was going to comment on my choice of a blind man for my captain, and those who opened their mouths got a silencing glower. Well and good. We'd have a home base here, if it kept up, and men to rise to defend Azzalle. Excellent.
I sat without ceremony, and when Danton shifted to sit next to me, I patted the seat at my right. “I'm afraid the seat is taken, Florence.” I'll admit, I enjoyed the look of dismayed resignation on his face, as I called forth the person I wanted at my side, the person I trusted. “Mael?”
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Jun 26, 2011 11:46:39 GMT -5
"I didn't let them dress me," I replied as Gillermo made some comment about maidens, who I assumed were the servants, but then he introduced his captain of the guard and his steward.
Florence, that was the man he had been arguing with, I thought. We would need to be careful around that men, men grown accustomed to power seldom gave it up so easily.
A minor altercation seemed to occur regarding seating arrangements. I heard Gillermo call my name, but the implications of that act had not yet occurred to me until I heard Adrien say "He wants you to sit at his right hand, Mael."
Well, I supposed everyone would know by the time it came for us to retire who was in their lord's favour. I knew little of scandals and gossip and court politics, but I suspected I had just been dropped into the middle of such things. Fantastic.
Adrien guided me to the seat in question, and I managed to seat myself with a minimum of awkwardness. There was some shuffling beside me, and I assumed that Adrien was also taking a seat. It was reassuring to have himself so near at hand in this place.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jun 26, 2011 12:19:51 GMT -5
Mael was seated, and so were the other three men in the room. Plates of food were brought to the table, first an order of fish soup, not the complex fish stew they served in the south, but something smooth, salty and hearty. I smelled it, and smiled to myself, then had a draught of the wine they'd served us. I was famished.
For a time, I questioned Florence, my eyes on him, but attentive to Remy's reaction – I trusted the soldier to be truthful, but not the steward. Mostly, though, I made them talk as the soup, then the boar, the bread, whatever greens which I didn't care much for, and the wine were brought to the table and consumed. Through it all, I encouraged Mael and Adrien to participate, though admittedly, my purpose was for those travelling to get their fill, before we set to planning the next day to come.
Leaning in my chair and carving a pear with nonchalant playfulness, I said, then, “Do you know where the Azzalese battlefields are, Remy?”
“Aye,” he replied, “though I'd sooner ride there with you, with your permission, my lord.”
I tilted my head, and smirked, “Are you worried for my safety? I assure you, it's well handled, soldier.”
“Nay, it's only an uneasy direction to provide,” he replied.
“Very well. Florence will come as well. Appoint your second to keep the castle organized in the meantime,” I ordered Remy. “Now, I want you, early on the morrow, to call for volunteers, who would fight for Azzalle. Tomorrow we ride.”
I paused, then, and after a long bite of my pear, I added, “But there's a itty-bitty problem.”
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Jun 26, 2011 14:48:59 GMT -5
I listened to their conversation, but most of my attention was occupied with which utensil I was required to use for which course. When I lived with my mother, almost everything was eaten with one's hands, and I'd never understood this desire to distance oneself from one's food.
Between the two of us, Adrien and I managed to muddle through dinner without much of a fuss. Gillermo was in the middle of organizing his household staff when there was a pause in his explanation.
"A problem? What problem?" I asked, colouring when I realized that I had asked the question aloud rather than in my thoughts.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jun 26, 2011 15:02:07 GMT -5
I was relieved when Mael spoke – part of me was starting to fear that the situation was too intimidating, when I wanted him and Adrien to participate actively in our plans.
“Besides the very noble goal of protecting the Sovereign Duchy from an unlikely but possible Skaldi invasion,” I said, and I knew my face was making a small grimace, as it always did when I thought of August's title, and of the fact that I was doing something that I would have hated, had he been alive. “I need to gain audience with its regent.” I drummed my hand on the table.
“The lady protests quite a bit, and may send me away on sight.” I smiled, razor sharp. “Any suggestions, as to how to avoid this inconvenience? It would be disappointing, to have ridden so hard, so far, for nothing, would it not?”
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Jun 26, 2011 15:54:20 GMT -5
I considered his problem. "What if Gillermo Stregazza didn't meet with the lady, but a minor nobleman with a contingent of guards--including his bodyguards, of course." I shrugged. "My mother bought her title, I would be Lord Leblanc if I had any land to my name, and I can play at being noble as well as any who are born to it. I do not imagine it would go well with the lady if we were caught at it, however." I shrugged again. "At times, force is necessary, but stealth can do a job just as well with little bloodshed, and I doubt anyone wants bloodshed on D'Angeline soil with a war brewing."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jun 26, 2011 16:29:57 GMT -5
“Lord Leblanc, steward in the service of the Marquise d'Iz-Entre-Mer, sending her apologies for being absent to her liege,” I murmured, drumming my fingers on the table. I saw Florence Danton bristle, and enjoyed it inwardly. “If Lord Leblanc were to offer, rather, volunteer his foremost retainer to serve the lady....”
I took a moment, thinking about the gamble. If I could convince Mirielle to forgive me then, she would forgive the stratagem as well, and Mael would be safe. If not, though...
“I dislike the risk,” I said after a moment, “not to myself, but to you, Mael. The Regent of Azzalle may not like being lied to – if my audience goes well, the point is moot. If it doesn't, though...”
There might be another way, perhaps. I thought a moment, and ate another piece of pear.
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Jun 26, 2011 17:11:03 GMT -5
I shrugged. "I have nothing to lose, and I find it telling that you do not trust in your ability to make the audience go well, which is what I would do, were I in your position." I spread my palms in a helpless gesture. "I suppose if we do not wish to fight, nor to resort to deception, we must fall back on diplomacy and hope that the Duchesse is feeling well-disposed towards unusual visitors."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jun 26, 2011 18:09:34 GMT -5
Well... I'd made sure to put her in the worst disposition possible, hadn't I? I sighed, tried not to look like a forlorn lover, but rather like a thoughtful strategist. I had no idea how well that worked.
“The Duchesse is generally well-disposed,” I replied. “But not towards me. I suspect though... she would have to see me. She would. Elua, she asked me here, how could she refuse to see me now?” The resolve was growing, then.
“I will ride alone to present myself. If she refuses me....” I made an upward gesture of my hand, “Mael, the farce will be yours to play.”
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Jun 26, 2011 18:29:01 GMT -5
I shrugged. "You hired us to watch your back. How am I supposed to do my job if you insist on traveling alone to meet this lady-friend of yours?" It seemed a waste of good coin to pay to be protected and then to refuse to allow yourself to be protected.
"Besides, if she asked you to attend her, it would be the height of rudeness to refuse you, and the last thing a duchesse needs is a tarnished reputation."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jun 26, 2011 19:08:27 GMT -5
I couldn't help a smirk. “You have a fair point. She'll have to accept me. I say we let go ruse for now, ride up.” I grinned, and I figured even if my friend couldn't see it, he'd hear it in my voice. “I wouldn't ride without you for the world, Mael.” I almost called him princess, then, and spared him the taunt while the castlemen were about. My grin was devilish, then. “Let us get booted first – then we can insist... differently.”
It seemed to me that persistence alone would militate in my favor, and indirectly, in Mael's. He had a stake in this too, now, indirectly. Besides – when it was all said and done, I'd have a word to keep, and perhaps Marsilikos to visit.
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Jun 26, 2011 19:33:24 GMT -5
I nodded. "I am glad you finally see reason," I said, grinning. No one had ever said such things to me. I felt pride swell in my breast, appropriate, since we were in Azza's chosen land.
"Well, I suppose all that's left to do is to actually go there," I said. "But before that, sleep, I think, mayhap a bath..." My grin widened. "We have traveled far, after all."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jun 26, 2011 20:31:13 GMT -5
“We have. And I think bath and sleep are well deserved,” I replied. “We'll have plenty of time for chatter, after we get rid the imprint of the Duchesse's guard's boots from our behind. For now, we sleep.” With that, I leaned back into my seat, and finished my pear, my heart somehow full of cocky hope. Indeed, I was going to have a hard time treading anywhere without my new friends. End beautiful, wonderful scene. Timeline continues here.
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