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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jul 4, 2011 2:03:21 GMT -5
The letter was sent after a few days – I'd drunk my joy, both from a mug and Mirielle's lips, and I realized I needed to write. It was... interesting, that my first thought was for my stewardess, but it also made sense. Much had happened, since my departure, and quite fast. Mademoiselle Valois,
I write to you from Azzalle, where my meeting with the Duchesse Bellamont has given me the greatest joy yet. I keep the outcome to myself, so as to let her be the judge of when and where it is to be revealed, but I trust your intelligence to tell you of its nature.
I will be spending time in the province, participating in the war effort. Mael and Adrien are staying as well, and I've made a pact with them that will take me to Eisande before long.
How does the house fare? Are you getting on well with Flower and her men? Have you met with Lord Auberon Shahrizai, and is he amenable to your needs for assistance?
I have a small boon to ask of you – would you be so kind, as to investigate the name of one Florence Danton, in the city of Elua. I have reasons to believe his name may be of interest to us.
Do send me word, in the care of the Duchesse,
With kindest regards,
Gillermo Stregazza, Duca di Belafonte
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jul 4, 2011 2:14:22 GMT -5
The letter arrived, addressed from Azzalle, with the seal of House Bellamont on it. I scanned it and quickly penned a reply.
My Lord Stregazza,
I am pleased to hear you are safely arrived in Azzalle and that you've good news. I can only guess at what it is, but if I am correct, congratulations.
I will admit I am a little bemused. Eisande? How long shall you be there for? The house is coming along, though Flower and the gang are not what I expected their help has been invaluable in restoring the manor to its former glory. It will be ready for your return, though I've not met with Lord Shahrizai as of yet. I will soon though, to discuss withdrawing more funds to start repairing the decor and hiring staff, but that can wait for now.
Consider the boon granted. I shall begin inquiries into this person as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Raisa Valois
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jul 4, 2011 20:36:58 GMT -5
I read the letter and smiled, pleased that she'd read between the lines – I'd been lucky, to find Raisa at the Poulet Gauche, indeed. The letter was penned back on a clear morning. There were echoes that skirmishes had broken in Camlach, and the men were tetchy, but for now, Azzalle remained calm. My dear Mademoiselle Valois,
I shan't comment on your astuteness, lest I confirm news which are not solely mine to give – and yet I am pleased beyond words to have in my employ a crafty young lady such as yourself.
I've yet to know the length of my stay in Eisande, if truth be told. I intend, if she will have me, to pay a visit to an old friend in Marsilikos. I will send word as soon as my plans are more defined, as well as a means for you to communicate with me, of course.
With all my best regards and trust,
Gillermo Stregazza, Duca di Belafonte
P.S. Mael and Adrien are including a message to Flower. While the terms are too colorful to be couched on paper, I believe the gist of it is that they both wish for your collaboration to be as fruitful and pleasant as it can be. I'd chuckled, upon writing the post-scriptum. In fact, Mael's exact words were Don't fuck this up.
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jul 5, 2011 0:33:48 GMT -5
I read over the letter and smiled. I wouldn't comment on the news again, I'd leave that to the lady he'd decide to bring home soon enough. When I read the post script, I snorted. I could guess at what they'd said, if they spoke in language as crude and vulgar as Flower and the lot did.
I answered with another short letter updating him.
My Lord Stregazza,
I hope this note finds you well. I am just writing to tell you that I've enlisted the help of a friend, a messenger boy of the Lady of Marsilikos, Eric Lamont. We will be conducting discreet investigations into what might have happened to your sister and interviewing the list of people you left.
With hope,
Raisa Valois
P.S I would rather not say this but Flower is hovering about me as I write this. She says that she's insulted at Mael's insinuation and he can stick it 'where the sun doesn't shine.' Forgive the vulgarities but she insists.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jul 12, 2011 20:53:50 GMT -5
Oh, the mud-slinging between Mael and Flower was precious, and I looked forward to returning home, to witness its live version with my own eyes. The letter was sent to Raisa along with my note to Leandre. I was still smiling. My dear Mademoiselle Valois,
I am glad to read that you've found help in a trusted friend. Do take care, however, that he does not neglect his duties to Lessandrie de Mereliot – I should be rather loath to have to explain myself to an old friend, should any trouble come about.
I have written to my friend Leandre de Guivre regarding your investigations and your alliance with Monsieur Lamont. Should you be in need of a haven safer than your current ones, he has graciously extended his hospitality to your diligent person.
War still wages in the south but has not reached Azzalle of yet, and so I am glad to announce that we are all well and safe, thus far.
I await your news, and assure you of my greatest satisfaction,
Duca Gillermo Stregazza.
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Post by Raisa Valois on Aug 16, 2011 8:18:42 GMT -5
I had barely left Lord de La Valette's residence when I penned a swift missive to Gil, and bade a courier to deliver it post-haste, as time was of the essence.
My Lord Stregazza,
Forgive me for not writing sooner. The house is progressing nicely but that is not why I am writing to you. We may have a lead, in the matter of your sister. Monsieur Lamont and I have stumbled across a certain person who is willing to supply us with information, the cost being five hundred ducats. I think, if we exceed that amount a little he will be inclined to being a little more friendly, as he has already given us a tidbit of information on one Marat free of charge.
I hope you don't mind if I take the liberty of arranging such payment. I do not think money an object when it comes to finding your sister, and hope that the information will pay off. I pray that this letter finds you safe and well, as well as your dear companions.
Raisa Valois
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Aug 16, 2011 13:03:46 GMT -5
The letter came after one of several Skaldi attacks, and though I'd come out of it mostly unscathed, I'd found many of our men were wounded or dead, and I was worried. A few stitches on my arm were all I'd gotten for my trouble, and I penned back a response as soon as I could, though I worried about the way in which it would reach the city. Between the Skaldis and the bandits, there was much to keep it from reaching its destination. Signorina Valois,
Indeed, no price will be too great to find Cascata. Arrangements have been put in place with Lord Auberon Shahrizai of the Banque Palatine for such an eventuality. I trust you to take all necessary precautions in securing and transmitting the funds to your source.
Pray keep all such information unwritten in the future, lest your investigative work be spied on and our suspect be sufficiently aware of our concerns to change his plans.
My replies may be slow to come – war has broken in Azzalle, against all expectations, and I rie into battle daily. Should harm befall me, the Duchesse Bellamont would make sure to provide you with adequate instructions.
I thank you for your efforts – knowing that you are so worthy of my confidence gives me heart in this time of trouble. In the future, I may request that you plan for a possible trip of your own to Marsilikos. If his employer is agreeable, Monsieur Lamont will of course be welcome.
With much regard,
Duca Gillermo Stregazza. [/blockquote]
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Post by Raisa Valois on Sept 12, 2011 23:04:54 GMT -5
I'd not had the time to reply to Gil's letter, with having to make arrangements in time for La Valette. Yet now that I had the information there was the trouble of trying to incorporate it subtly into the missive.
My Lord Stregazza,
I pray that you and your companions are safe. Having not received any other missives from you or the Duchesse I can only assume that you are well. A number of things have happened since our last correspondence, and I feel that there is much to tell you. The house is well on its way to being restored and I've met with the most enlightening person who had much to say about everlasting flowers and how one can profit from them. I find there is much to learn about their effects, drowsiness among them. I'm sure the Siovalese would know a lot about such things. Perhaps one day I might be granted leave to undertake an excursion there?
Praying for your safety
Raisa Valois
I cringed at my words, but time was short. Hopefully though it made little sense Gil would pick up on the fact that I was trying (miserably) to tell him something.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Sept 19, 2011 20:35:08 GMT -5
Raisa's note had arrived and been followed by Leandre's – and having been taken by skirmishes both in and out of camp, some more serious than others, I'd been alas slow to respond to a note which was cryptic, but which I understood. Ah, but to send Raisa to Siovale – in truth, it had best be if I went myself, but I was taken, and I feared it might be too long ere I could travel south. I disliked the thought that she should travel alone, but as it was, fate had it that my old friend was going to Guivre for his own estate's needs. True that it would be sending her to the fire, but she had asked leave, too. I wrote back a letter, one to Leandre and one to Raisa, and enclosed both in the same missive to my invaluable stewardess. My dear Mademoiselle Valois,
Certainly, you new interests in horticulture warrant a greater investigation. However, I must warn you that trouble lies in Siovale as well. I would authorize the trip, for your safety, should you find yourself travelling with the Baron de Guivre.
Messire Leandre will be making preparations, it seems, to travel to Siovale as well, and so you had best make haste when seeking him. He has already heard of our quest for knowledge, and may be trusted in every aspect.
A letter of introduction is enclosed.
Until then, safe travels,
Gillermo Stregazza [/Blockquote] The letter to Leandre was short – it included my thanks for his present and begged that he might take on my stewardess along in his travel, whom I was sending on an errand in his country. I simply stated that she would explain to him the purpose of her travels herself, trusting the shrewd young woman more than ever.
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