|
Post by Raisa Valois on Aug 26, 2011 6:58:28 GMT -5
It had taken me two days to get everything in order. In my coat pocket close to my breast, I had the letter from the factor, signed with the Stregazza seal, allowing de La Valette to withdraw funds up to the amount we agreed on, in whatever fashion he so desired. I figured it would be safer than physically bringing the money here, and besides, I also had a little extra in hard money on me, in the hope he would be more sympathetic to my cause.
I made the last few steps to his residence alone, a little more apprehensive this time as I tentatively knocked on the door.
|
|
|
Post by Zephyr de La Valette on Aug 26, 2011 9:01:53 GMT -5
It had been a busy day so far. It seemed that everyone wanted a piece of this war, or a piece of the City now that its masters were away, knee deep in fighting. I sold what I wished and kept my confidence regarding other things.
When the knock sounded at the door, I turned to Tillonius. "I believe that will be one Ms. Raisa Valois, either with payment or a full contingent of guards, ready to arrest me. Do let her in." I had, of course, made some inquiries in the interlude between when she last darkened my doorstep, snatching threads from other webs to weave a brand new one.
The results were...intriguing...
Tillonius returned shortly, and I rose to greet the woman, coming out from behind my desk. "Good day, Ms. Valois. Have you come for a chat, which is statistically unlikely, or a business matter? I trust that factor of your master's is quite adept at counting coin? I simply do not know what I'd do were I shortchanged in any way." The implication being that I knew exactly what I would do if I had been shortchanged, and it wouldn't be a pleasant thing, not at all.
|
|
|
Post by Raisa Valois on Aug 27, 2011 22:19:44 GMT -5
I found his manner slightly unnerving, the way he could sound like he was chatting pleasantly about the weather while being subtly menacing.
"My Lord," I gave a curtsey and decided to get straight to the matter. "I do indeed have the amount we agreed on, and a little extra." I proffered a small chest with half the amount we agreed upon. "There is this, in addition to the full amount I promised you, ready to be withdrawn in whatever way you wish at the factor. I thought it prudent not to have all the eggs in one basket, so to speak."
Then, I produced the letter from my pocket. "It has my master's seal, and whoever you send, if you do not choose to go yourself, will be allowed access to the amount agreed upon, no questions asked." I was slightly nervous as to how he would take this, but I had filled out our end of the bargain to the best of my ability.
|
|
|
Post by Zephyr de La Valette on Sept 1, 2011 23:32:10 GMT -5
Ah, now here was a customer who knew how to conduct business--by getting straight to the point and sparing me the unimportant details.
"One must be careful with eggs, Ms. Valois, they may seem sturdy but are easily broken," I remarked, gesturing for Tillonius to take the chest away where its contents could be examined and counted. I then took the letter from her, inspecting the seal. It merely confirmed what I had suspected all along, but it was a relief to know that my instincts were still as sharp as ever.
"Everything appears to be in order," I stated as I caught Tillonius's nod that, yes, there was gold in that chest, the proper amount, and no nasty surprises. Oh yes, I could certainly stand to deal with more customers like this one. For now, I put ink to parchment, scribbling down an address before handing the slip of parchment to her.
"I believe that will be of use to you," I said, replacing the quill. "Now, I believe you came looking for information on one Marat," I leaned forward a little, resting my folded hands on my desk. "I have come to believe that one can learn a lot about a man--or woman--by observing their habits, Ms. Valois, and Marat has lately been in the habit of purchasing opium, quite regularly, actually, not an unusual occurrence in itself, but he does not seem to be so enthralled to the point where he needs to make a purchase quite so often..." I shrugged. "He is either a very good actor, or he is putting it to some other use, hardly a concern of mine, but you did ask."
I rested my hands flat on the desk. "Ah, yes, but that is only the beginning of the tale, you are also seeking information on one missing noblewoman, and a man named Florence Danton, yes, or is my memory faulty?"
|
|
|
Post by Raisa Valois on Sept 4, 2011 6:46:37 GMT -5
Opium, and not necessarily for himself. That was rather suspicious, but then again, maybe nothing to do with us. Still... My eyes skimmed the address before I looked back at de La Valette and nodded.
"Florence Danton and a missing noblewoman, yes," I agreed, then, as an afterthought. "A Caerdicci woman."
He had after all mentioned last time, that such parameters needed to be narrowed down.
|
|
|
Post by Zephyr de La Valette on Sept 11, 2011 22:08:40 GMT -5
"Indeed," I pursed my lips, mind still following the thread. "Florence Danton is quite the gambler, so I've heard, but do you know what I find interesting, Ms. Valois?" I leaned closer, grinning like the cat that got the cream. "For every game he loses, he never seems the poorer for it. I would, were I your master, review my accounts with a trusted man of business. Money can be such a slippery thing in the hands of the wrong sort of person."
Ah, but again, that was only a part of the story, as with all stories, there were so many elements to uncover.
"As for your missing noblewoman," I continued. "I do recall hearing tell of a lady who was whisked away during the Plague, but the same was true of many women; I lost more than a few agents that year." Now was not the time to speak of my losses, however.
"It was quite a winding trail, actually, involving forged death records. I have not the slightest idea how they managed to fool anyone, but the letter you gave me today confirms it, unless, of course, you are working on behalf of a dead man who can authorize the transfer of funds, quite a spectacular feat, if you managed it." I chuckled softly. No one I had dealt with had yet to stoop to that particular low.
"Siovale," I said simply. "I wrote the address down on that slip of parchment you have in your hands. You may find 'tis quite familiar to you." I leaned back in my seat. "Oh, and if I might offer you a bit of advice, Ms. Valois? I would recommend learning to use a knife--if you lack the proficiency--and carrying it on your person at all times, and, if my suspicions are correct, I would look for a person who appears drowsy and underfed, perhaps even addled in the wits."
|
|
|
Post by Raisa Valois on Sept 12, 2011 22:53:07 GMT -5
My mind whirred as I took in the information. Forged death records? Whoever had taken Cascata had used the same tactic on Gillermo. Not a very smart move. Did Florence Danton have her whisked away, for profit? For her funds? She was an heiress after all... Maybe I was jumping to conclusions, but I had a feeling I was right, in part. I looked closer at the piece of parchment. Siovale, it was the address of Shemhazais temple, if not, very close to it. How odd... but so far all this information seemed relevant, la Valette for all he was a shady character did not seem the sort to lie if our interests aligned.
I'd need to write to Gil immediately.
"Thank you," I curtsied low. "My master will be very grateful for your help." He was no fool, he would have figured out by now who I was serving, and hopefully knowing that had a strong impact; one that would make him think twice about jeopardising this by giving any information away that might foil us.
|
|
|
Post by Zephyr de La Valette on Sept 13, 2011 9:32:28 GMT -5
"Of that, I have no doubt, Ms. Valois," I said smoothly, hearing the barest hint of a threat in those words. It would not have been the first time I was the recipient of such.
No doubt she was eager to quit the den and report back to her master, so I rose. "It has been a pleasure, Ms. Valois, but unfortunately, the curse of success is that one is always very busy, hardly a day or night passes when one customer is hot on the heels of another." I did not mention that it was not a customer who required my attention, but the less anyone knew about what went on in my bed, the better I was for it.
I crossed the room to open the door for her. "Have a safe journey, Ms. Valois. I trust you will remember my advice when the time comes for you to make use of it."
|
|