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Post by The Forgotten God on Sept 10, 2020 20:22:34 GMT
The nobleman greets her again with a flourish and leads her out. Two heavily armed guards take up their positions to his side and he walked less than thirty yards to a very fancy inn that doesn’t even have a name. He entered and the guards followed the pair to an apartment entrance where a servant opened the door and let them in without prompting. “Hope the walk didn’t get you winded,” he joked. “Alec! Get the lady her sword!”
A strong young knight came out with a sword belt and a leather satchel. He grinned at her. “Lady de Vair,” he said, “so nice to finally put a face to the name. My parents tel stories about their adventures together all the time.” He has bright red hair that almost looks dyed and a neat beard. He handed her the equipment to peruse while his father sat in a chair.
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Post by Justine-Juliette de Vair on Sept 10, 2020 20:39:18 GMT
Justine was amused it was such a short walk. "How did you know I would be at the House of Peace and Respite?" she asked when they arrived. If the bedroom at the House had been luxurious to her, this apartment was a nearly inconceivable luxury. She did her best not to gawk at any of the paintings or brocades, but she did look at them a bit enviously.
Alec Valgard did turn her head. She nearly curtseyed, but stopped herself. "Thank you," she said quietly as she took the things he gave her. The leather satchel was gently lowered to the floor beneath her feet as she focused on the sword. Slowly, she unsheathed it, staring at the gleaming blade as it was revealed to her. "What kind of adventures? Were they Reclaimers, too?" She held the sword up, turning it in the light.
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Post by The Forgotten God on Sept 10, 2020 21:15:17 GMT
“Not exactly,” Terrence said. “He and I were, well, privateers is probably a better word. During the Spice Wars we captained a flotilla to lay waste to the Colonies’ pirate fleets. Those bastards decided they were willing to die over pink peppercorns and saffron. We...made it happen,” he concluded.
The de Vair sword is a long slim rapier, a dueling blade, edges so sharp they could cut hairs, the tip seeming to extend forever. She had no doubt it would slide right between ribs and through a heart with less effort than cutting a loaf of bread. Its hand guard is in the shape of a rose whose vines entwine as they lead to the pommel which is capped with a piece of amber that has a trapped goldbug inside. “Like you were born to wield it,” Terrence said quietly. “He won eleven duels with that sword and his main gauche.”
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Post by Justine-Juliette de Vair on Sept 10, 2020 21:47:48 GMT
Justine couldnt help but smile. Genuinely now. It was one of the most beautiful things she had ever seen and it was hers. At last. "My arm is complete again," she whispered, quoting a stage show about a murderous barber out for revenge she had seen once. She peered at the little beetle in its golden prison and the suggestion of thorns in the spiralling vines on the grip. "Privateers? And pirates? How exciting. I just think of him as dad. I remember he and mama duelling, all in fun of course, and me and my brother with sticks." She laughed a little before regretfully returning the blade to its scabbard. She would need a new belt, as this was sized for someone rather taller and bigger, but the light blade hung easily on her hip. It was as Terrence said: she was born to it.
"Thank you again, for keeping it all this time." She inclined her head in respect to him, and also his son. "But what of this loathsome magistrate and his heirs? Do I have to introduce them all to the sword?" She rested her hand on the gleaming golden pommel.
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Post by The Forgotten God on Sept 10, 2020 21:57:03 GMT
“No thanks necessary.” Terrence listened time her last words and he let out a sigh. “I’d as soon let the pups live but they may grow to become wolves,” he said. “But if we defeat their forces and reclaim what’s yours we may be able to forge a peace with the younger generation. If they don’t, well...I suppose we know what has to be done then. The Aurelions will not go easily. They are a family nearly as old and proud as yours and mine. They have their own allies and spies so we must be careful until it is time to be very decisive.”
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Post by Justine-Juliette de Vair on Sept 10, 2020 22:43:37 GMT
Justine let herself fall into a nearby sofa. She was getting a bit overwhelmed by everything. "Old, proud, greedy. But aren't we all?"
"So the first thing is to find allies, I suppose. People in high places. I could ask Ceutinde, maybe. She knows important people."
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Post by The Forgotten God on Sept 10, 2020 22:50:35 GMT
Terrence nodded. “Allies are good, but the more people you ping for aid, the greater the chance of discovery. The Aurelions have no shortage of allies themselves and you know how tangled social strands can get. A friend may be an ally but his cousin is an Aurelion. The Widow of Bastion is an excellent ally but she runs a brothel, and women seeking gold through those sorts of activities tend to say whatever will get them the most money.” Alec nodded along.
“She’s a wise ally though. She can at least spread misinformation if necessary. Useful when we need surprise.”
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Post by Justine-Juliette de Vair on Sept 10, 2020 23:02:02 GMT
"She has enough gold, but fair enough. Not everyone has worked their way to the top just yet." Justine shrugged. "They all know I am there as a guest. Probably think they know other things besides, but they don't tend to ask me too many questions."
After thinking a little more, she continued. "Konrad of Wolfhaven was there as well. We spoke...intimately and he has no love for the Lockharts or anyone like them. I believe he would come to my aid in this. I just haven't seen him since we got back here to Bastion."
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Post by The Forgotten God on Sept 10, 2020 23:12:45 GMT
Terrence nodded. “Now that’s an ally worth having. His army is well trained and his pedigree is beyond reproach.” He seemed pleased. “We will send out feelers and see who else Lord Lockhart and our dear magistrate have gotten on the wrong side of as of late. But I don’t want to keep you too long. People could talk if an old man and a young lass spend so much time together. The enemy has eyes and ears everywhere.”
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Post by Justine-Juliette de Vair on Sept 10, 2020 23:24:03 GMT
Justine nodded. She saw Konrad as a little more than a useful ally, but Terrence of Valgard was not wrong.
“They won’t say anything of the sort. Your son was here to chaperone And make sure we didn’t do anything untoward. No, only the plotting of revenge.” She smiled again, amused at herself. She felt a little better somehow. Like a weight off her shoulders had been lifted. The weight of her family sword felt good. “Which of you will escort me the long long way back to the House of Respite?”
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Post by The Forgotten God on Sept 10, 2020 23:29:28 GMT
Alec chuckled. “So much more explicable if I do,” he said. He offered an exaggerated bow. “My lady, if you’d be so kind as to accompany me.” He offered an arm and picked the satchel up with his other hand, presuming she’s inspect it later.
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Post by Justine-Juliette de Vair on Sept 11, 2020 1:53:43 GMT
Justine curtseyed deeply in the same vein. As though she were wearing something far grander than her simple mauve wool dress. She had to tighten the belt again because it nearly slipped off. But then she took his hand.
"I'm sure I will see you again soon, or by post, if its not good to be seen meeting. I won't forget this, Terrence of Valgard." She nodded her head to him, and then let Alec lead her out the door and onto the street.
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Post by The Forgotten God on Sept 11, 2020 2:36:08 GMT
The night air was rather warm as they moved the feet feet down the road. “So you’re an adventurer?” Alec asked. “And you know Ceutinde? She seems like a good person to know, for oh so many reasons,” he laughed.
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Post by Justine-Juliette de Vair on Sept 11, 2020 2:43:38 GMT
"In a way. Hard not to be, when your name is in Lockhart's book under criminally insane." She felt Juliette pull at the corners of her mind. Her sister always did like the handsome ones. She bit the inside of her lip, hard, and her head was hers again. Mostly.
"So, yes, I've done all sorts. And a bit of reclaiming, I suppose." Justine smirked. "And yes, Ceutinde is very good to know indeed. Very knowledgeable. And very good at her job." She glanced at Alec, wondering if he DID dye his hair that shade of red. "What about you?"
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Post by The Forgotten God on Sept 11, 2020 4:00:04 GMT
“I pride myself on avoiding the Mist like the...well it is a plague,” he said as they walked to the steps. “I prefer facing oooon e td made of flesh and bone and wielding steel rather than lack magic and devourer beetles and the like. I’ve sailed west mostly to seek fortune. Found some, lost some, found more, lost more, the cycle continues,@ he concluded. “But I do enjoy being on a good ship. I’m no lifer sea dog but the ocean let’s you go places your feet will never get you to, you know?”
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