I shouldn't go back in there. I'm not that excited about drinking bottles of Castillian wine, so if you think you can get something done in there, feel free.
I can get any number of things done in there. Whether or not they would be useful...well...who can say? Luciano grins widely. Wine should be useful.
Luciano turns from Olivier and walks into the Salty Ale. He walks directly to the bar. Wine. Your best.
The bartender responds to Luciano, Of course sir, glass or bottle?
Luciano does not currently see Gabriele or Gaspar in the bar.
A bottle, and two glasses please. And I would pay for the glassware as well, as I've a mind to take it with me.
Shrugging. Whatever you wish sir. He hands over two glasses and a bottle of wine.
Luciano will pay him what he asks. He then turns and heads directly out of the bar.
He smiles at Olivier. Do you feel differently about Castillian wine now that I have a glass for you? Come, mon ami. Let us toast to Paix and the mayhem we will return upon it when our task is complete.
Olivier chuckles, taking a glass.
I will drink it, but I still remain unexcited. And while I do not mind this country, the manners of the public clearly leave something to be desired.
Well, I suppose there's no sense in kidnapping you. And I'd really hate to have to kill you. And if you don't collect your money, the Don will be suspicious. He stops to think. Perhaps my friend here will have to accompany you when you do so?
Alejandra glances over to Gaspar, I still get my money, you won't tell Don Rios I talked to you and you won't tell my father what I've done?
The Castillians might contend that running around firing muskets at them is the pinnacle of poor public manners. Luciano uncorks the bottle and begins pouring wine in Olivier's glass. Perhaps we should explain to them that such business is between crowns and not the common man. Luciano finishes pouring for Olivier and fills his own glass. But then again, you are a rather uncommon man, mon ami. Luciano raises his glass. A toast! To Paix!
Olivier nods and returns the toast.
To Paix. And I have no love for l'Empereur. Besides, I don't even know how to shoot a musket. Though I'm sure if those sailors knew me they'd be more appalled by my "crimes" than those of the crown, he says with a laugh.
Gaspar shrugs. Your payment from the Don is not so important to us. A chance to meet the gentleman, however, is.
The party begins at sunset, following the bull fights and horse shows and races that will be going on tomorrow. Where shall I have my coach pick you up at?
After you give a place to be picked up at, Alejandro will take his leave if you allow it.
Have it pick us up at the Running Bull. Now, get on with you and have a fine evening. He smiles and sheathes his knife. We'll take the back door, if you don't mind.
Gabriele is smiling as he and Gaspar leave the bar. That went as well as we could have hoped. I suppose we should learn more about this Don tomorrow. If he truly sells horses then perhaps Luciano might be interested in one.
Luciano takes a gulp of wine. He frowns. This is the house best? I thought it would be amusing to drink something of lesser character, but I expected it to be...tolerable. I should have trusted in your wisdom. He finishes the glass and pours himself some more. They are not within, that I saw.
Olivier motions towards Gabriele and Gaspar as they exit.
It looks like whatever they were doing they are done now. Are there invitations to this party that we seek to attend? I can't actually walk through the walls of the building despite what rumors might suggest.
Gabriele nods and smiles to Olivier and Luciano.
Well sirs, we got what we came for. Did you and the Lady find anything interesting?
I have a ready stack of invitations in my purse.
Luciano stands and nods towards Gabriele and Gaspar. We learned that the vessel is in fact, seaworthy. Why, it even has maps and charts and a cavernous hold. Luciano takes a swig of wine. I would retire for the night. Shall we walk?
I suppose that information is...useful. Yes, I believe it's time to sleep.
Luciano's mind begins to swim on the way back to the inn. When we are safe from other ears, perhaps I should say...no...tomorrow. Breakfast...
@Gabriele - You return to your room and find Esmerelda relaxing upon your bed. Perhaps you should clarify your questions. Was it Benito you wished to know about or the Captain of the Sea Bull?
Gabriele smiles at the sight of Esmerelda. Neither. Now I wish to know what you can find out about Don Hernando Rios. I trust you didn't spend all of the guilder I gave you to find out Alejandro captained the ship?
Rising to leave, Esmerelda responds, I will find you around midday tomorrow. She will then take her leave.
The rest of the night passes without incident and you all awaken to gentle knocks upon your doors asking if you wish breakfast in bed or in the restaurant.
I will come to the restaurant momentarily. Luciano calls out the door. Have an orange waiting for me, and kaffe if you have it.
Luciano takes a few minutes to dress and groom himself before heading down.
I'll take my breakfast in the restaurant. If the tailor arrives with finished outfits have him place them in my room. Gabriele will eventually make his way down to the restaurant for breakfast.
Olivier yawns and waves dismissively as he calls out.
I'll be down in a minute. Long evening of entertainment.
He'll get dressed and then head to the restaurant, wiping at his eyes.
At the waking call, Giuliana gets up and dressed.
I'll be down in a moment, thank you.
This feels a lot like a holiday so far, she thinks to herself as she saunters down the stairs and greets whoever is already present in the dining room.
The breakfast that has been laid out includes Kaffe, various juices, fresh fruit and assorted breakfast pastries.
There appears to be a great deal of activity going on out on the streets outside and in the plaza as the Festival is beginning to get underway.
Luciano finishes his first orange. Now, friends. Though we avoided nearly all detection, we found little of note on the Sea Bull. There was an invitation for the captain, however, to a party that is to take place this very evening. I plan to attend, and would welcome present company to join me. That is the only lead, sadly. Luciano cuts open another orange and sucks some juice from it. Pray tell me you had better success.
We learned that the captain was not Benito, but his son, Alejandro. He has agreed to allow me to be with him when he collects the second half of his payment from Don Rios, at that same part.
So it is as the men on the docks suspected. It is good to know that. Luciano finishes his orange and reaches for a third. But what payment?
Gabriele joins them as the discussion begins, It appears that Don Rios is the money behind the scheme, and Alejandro just one of the pawns. He picks up an orange and starts to peel it with a knife. Perhaps you could look into buying one of his famous horses? We'd best find out as much about this man as possible.
So the boy did come here. Even better to know that. Luciano looks to Giuliana. Our worry is alleviated then. He studies her. She lives by her duty, that one. Or so it seems...
Then yes, I shall have to shop for a fine horse as soon as I have finished eating.
Olivier eats relatively quietly as he listens to the conversation before finally chiming in.
Did we learn how Alejandro came by this job? Is he a regular associate of Don Rios or simply a frequent transporter of kidnapped children? And did he and his perform the kidnapping or perhaps transport the kidnappers with the boy? It would be nice to know if the kidnqppers' whereabouts was known.
Giuliana neatly finishes her meal and dabs her lips with a napkin.
That's good news indeed. How did you get that information?
I still don't understand, why Rios would kidnapp the boy.
Before I just now heard confirmation that the boy had come this way, I was content to imagine a quiet moment when we might corner Don Rios at tonight's party, but now I wonder if we act too slowly. I would hate for the boy to slip halfway across Theah while we play at courtesy. Luciano stands. Can we take some course by day?
Gabriele looks puzzled at Luciano's question. Yes...this is why I suggested you go buy a horse from this man.
Luciano's eyes narrow. And I will, but I wonder how much I would learn from a stable boy. I have suffered one idle task, and time is fleeting.
We gain nothing if we act too rash and endanger the boy's life. His safety is of greater concern to me than a quick solution.
But in an effort of moving quicker we might be able to split up again, one group trying to coerce Rios into divulging his secrets, the other trying to trail the boxes the boy was transported in?
@Guiliana - Searching through her memory, Guiliana recalls a rumor long forgotten. A hushed conversation between two of her ladies handmaids recounting a long ago, very private, duel between Lord Giovanni and a Castilian. The last name may have been Rios, but the first name was not mentioned.
The noise level outside the inn continues to rise as more people keep arriving for the day's festivities. In addition to the excited yells of people, you hear the snort and stomping of bulls and neighing of horses being paraded through the streets.
Gabriele looks exasperated, The man is a Don and sells famous horses. You won't be talking to a stableboy when buying one, you'll be talking to him. But we'll need plenty of money, or he won't have the time for us. Our excuse, since it appears I must supply it, is that you could not find a proper horse in town because of the festival.
All we need to do is have an excuse to get on to his estate. From there, we'll figure everything else out.
You need not supply anything, signore, save the word that you intend for us to visit the Rios estate, for until now, you have not said that. You well know that I have been in want of a fine steed since we first landed, but we were told that fine Castillian horses would be paraded in the streets, readily available for purchase. I am sure the Don intends to sell his in the same manner. Were I him, I would not believe the word of strangers that claimed they could not find one at the festival.
Luciano smiles. I am with you in this, but I do not believe Don Rios will so easily fall for this ruse, and we must be ready to take action when he does not.
Gabriele sighs, If you recall, we were unable to buy horses yesterday because of the festival. Now you can approach this Don Rios about a horse. Whether at his estate or not, it does not matter. We'll eventually get there. You will not buy the horse on the spot, as this is a fine horse we're talking about. You'll ask to see its trainer, were it lives, and perhaps other horses.
Gabriele throws down the rest of his orange in disgust. Now, is there any other part of a basic scheme that I must walk you through?
So you go and buy a horse for your stable. Great. And what do we gain from that? You gain entrance to his villa, in his company, having a nice talk in his salon. And then? Do you think he will parade the boy together with the horses, 'This here, signori, is a fine young boy I imported from Vodacce, of the best breed'?
We have some idea where the boy might be and we have a definite idea of who's behind this outrage. And today the festivel begins, the streets will be full of people, half of the guards likely be drunk. This is the time for action!
Giuliana hits the table with the flat of her hand.
I say tonight we gain entry into Rios estates and look for either the boy or, him being gone, clues to his whereabouts and proof for Rios involvement.
Luciano picks up the orange Gabriele tossed aside and hurls it at the wall. The Festival of Flames begins today, but I will not further argue over misremembered details, nor will I further abide your tone!
Luciano begins pacing. His voice is calm once more. I have already consented to your plan to travel to the Rios estate. We are men of Vodacce, entitled to speak to the Don about his horses without the need of an intermediary. On that I will agree with you. If the other details are as unimportant as you pretend, then let us spend no more time bickering over them. We will 'figure it out', as you say.
Luciano smiles at Giuliana. In the end, the woman has said it best. It is the time for action.
Are you two finished blathering on like idiots? Gabriele sighs again. I feel like I'm a nursemaid to children.
He gets up from the table calmly. Luciano, you will go to this Don Rios. You will mention you have heard of his famous horses. You will charm him, using what little wit you have, and get him to bring you to his magnificent estate. You will explain that you could not get horses yesterday because of the impending festival. You will further explain that now that the festival has started, that you were hoping to see some of these horses. Perhaps, if you're clever enough, you'll be able to convince the man that you're oh so very excited and can't wait until the end of the festival. Once in the man's confidence, you will learn what you can about the man. If you go to his estate then others will lurk about trying to find out his other secrets. Gabriele smirks, When I said I'd walk you through the scheme, I didn't truly believe that you needed me to.
He finally acknowledges Giuliana, And you call for action tonight. The time for action is right now, not tonight. We need to know as much about Don Rios as possible. Luciano can speak to him directly, unlike myself and you others. Some of us will need to search his estate and others will need to find out what else he controls in this town. Do it by charm, wit, guilder...or in your case, since none of these seem to be in supply, blade.
Giuliana jumps up and moves for her blade before she remembers where she is. Sitting down again she hisses at Gabrielle.
I am glad we are in a foreign country, far away from Vodacce soil, because surely your ancestors would rest uneasy in their graves would they know that one of their line has fallen so far away from the stem to possess so little of courtesy and sense, Ser!
If the boy's wellbeing would not be taking precedence, I'd ask you to stand for your words right now and here.
As is the case that will have to wait. For now, you will have to make a decision. Either you decide to work together with us 'children', in which case you will at once stop your condescending behaviour and start, well, working together.
Or, you insist on your opinion, and continue on your own. In which case I'd suggest you continue back home to your freinds and paramours, who certainly will already miss you.
Gabriele turns his back to Giuliana and speaks over his shoulder as he leaves the room, You would do well to remember we are not in Vodacce anymore. Watch who you challenge here before you make a fool of yourself again.
He pauses at the door and chuckles, And you'll just have to put up with my condescension, I'm afraid. As I don't take orders from the likes of you, nor do I intend for us to fail.
Not waiting for a response he leaves and returns to his room to dress and prepare for the day.