Luciano smiles as Giuliana speaks. She has more sense than any of us.
The plan you describe aligns exactly with my intent and visiting the man's estate this morning was the very course I had in mind when I raised the question a moment ago. Perhaps, rather than trying to discuss it, I should have puffed up my chest and spewed insults. Yes. That would have made me appear more intelligent. I shall have to remember that next time. And I shall have to remember your slights, dear Gabriele. Every one of them.
She is right, you know. We need not pretend to be friends, but we are bound in duty. If that is not agreeable to you, perhaps you should not have sailed with us. I'm going to find Don Rios. I had best start after him now, as I have no horse and the walk could take some time.
Olivier smiles as he eats, clearly enjoying the argument. Once Gabriele has stormed out he leans back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest.
Is everyone finished playing now? One thing you could all learn from the Montaigne is to have arguments less...directly. No need for acting like barely controlled thugs. Now how many of us do you need with you for this...horse purchasing? And how much do we know about his estate so far?
Once dressed in his new finery, Gabriele walks down to the plaza to find Duardo. Boy, where is the local Swordsman's Guild Chapterhouse? I need to check in before moving on to enjoying the festival.
Those of Vodacce blood are never finished playing, mon ami. We play the Game from the very moment of our births. This morning, I played poorly. This afternoon, I will play better. Luciano smiles darkly. We need not know much about it, except how to get there. After all, I'm just a visiting nobleman interested in the Festival of Flames and in getting a decent horse. And of course, I will have a lovely woman on my arm. Hmmm...Gaspar. When were you to accompany Alejandro to receive his payment? That may become a pivotal moment.
Not until the party this evening. With luck--and effort--we will have learned enough by then to act more decisively.
@Gabriele - Duardo takes you to the Guildhouse and waits outside while you report in.
Gabriele makes his stop as brief as possible. He checks in, briefly looks through the listings of employers, and moves on. (Unless, of course, anyone interesting is listed.)
So we gain entrance into the estate in part accompanying the captain, in part to buy some horse? I'm just worried about our degree of freedom once we are inside. You won't be able to just leave Don Rios presence, Luciano. Gaspar might have more luck. Best case we can extend our stay till the party starts and go our own ways in the chaos afterwards.
But I am worried about Gabrielle. He does not seem likely to listen to either reason or authority and I am not sure the boy's best interests are on his mind alone. We will have to see.
We should have horses or a cart someplace near in case we have to get away quickly. She sighs. A pity, but I don't see a way to take Flicker with me. Anything else we need?
@Gabriele - On your walk back from the Swordsman Guildhouse, you notice Esmerelda walking up towards you. Dressed up in a multi-layered dress in hues of red, orange and yellow, you can only assume that it is in honor of the Festival. She comes up beside you and takes your arm, Hello there Gabriele, I thought I would accompany you on your walk back to your inn and have a little chat along the way. After all, what place is more private than a busy public street? I believe that last topic of interest for you was Don Hernando Rios. A very prideful man who has always boasted of the quality of his horses and his own prowess with a blade. Since the untimely demise of his wife and child a few years ago he has hardly set foot off of his estate that is just a few hours by horse from here, devoting his time to his prized animals. I understand that he has a very lavish party planned for this very evening. Esmerelda turns to look at you, Do you have any specific question I might be able to answer for you?
Gabriele smiles and admires Esmerelda's outfit.
Well, I suppose to start...how good with a blade is he?
How influential is he in this city? Does he have any connections to...shady...individuals? Family connections perhaps? What sort of rumors surround him. Who was his wife, and how did she and his son die? And finally, how do I get an invitation to this party? He pauses after each question for a response.
@Gabriel - My, aren't you an inquisitive one. Hmmm, influential? Not terribly so. He has never been much for politics, his manner is too uncompromising and he has never been too shy to tell a man what he thinks of them. That doesn't lend well to political wheeling and dealing. Shady individuals? No one obvious springs right to mind. Though please recall that I haven't been doing background on everyone he has contact with.
His wife and son died in a very tragic accident involving a narrow, muddy road on the side of a mountain. Here she gives a little shrug, I, like most, believe that is all it was. Just an accident, completely unplanned by anyone. Since he has no other direct heirs to want his son out of the picture and considering how much he doted upon his boy, there weren't any suspects anyway. For both rumors and skill with a blade, mostly it seems that he is more boast than actual skill as rumor has it that over the years he has issued a number of very private and quite illegal duels of his own. Quite scandalous if true.
As for invitation, well, I happen to have one and I find myself in need of an escort to keep me entertained.
Rare is the occasion I would not draw steel to answer his insults, but rarer still is the Falisci that is disloyal to his family. For all the dangerous liberties the man takes, I do not doubt his concern for the boy. Luciano leans against the wall. Besides, what would he have to gain from the boy's harm? I have not studied a Falisci family tree, but I doubt he is anywhere close to being Giovanni's heir.
And while I will agree with you that reason escapes him, there are none of us who bear any authority over him. The best we can do is allow him his 'cleverness' and hope that it helps us recover the boy. It is the boy that keeps my blade sheathed, and he is all that matters at present.
If you refer to your sword, little bella, then I will wear it next to mine on my belt. Luciano smiles I have been studying Soldano, after all.
To business. Luciano turns and walks out of the room, heading down the stairs to speak to the innkeeper.
I will pay for another night on four of the five rooms. Falisci has deep pockets and can look after himself. Now, where might I find a courier service? I wish to send correspondence to a nearby estate.
@Luciano - The innkeeper turns from you just long enough to beckon a boy of about 12 to his side. Given how hectic the streets are with the Festival sir, perhaps you would prefer to follow young Carlos here to the service. He of course accepts your money for the rooms and assuming you agree, Carlos will lead you to the nearest courier service office.
Very well. Lead on, boy.
@Gabriel - My, aren't you an inquisitive one. Hmmm, influential? Not terribly so. He has never been much for politics, his manner is too uncompromising and he has never been too shy to tell a man what he thinks of them. That doesn't lend well to political wheeling and dealing. Shady individuals? No one obvious springs right to mind. Though please recall that I haven't been doing background on everyone he has contact with.
His wife and son died in a very tragic accident involving a narrow, muddy road on the side of a mountain. Here she gives a little shrug, I, like most, believe that is all it was. Just an accident, completely unplanned by anyone. Since he has no other direct heirs to want his son out of the picture and considering how much he doted upon his boy, there weren't any suspects anyway. For both rumors and skill with a blade, mostly it seems that he is more boast than actual skill as rumor has it that over the years he has issued a number of very private and quite illegal duels of his own. Quite scandalous if true.
As for invitation, well, I happen to have one and I find myself in need of an escort to keep me entertained.
Well, I would be delighted to escort a fine Lady such as yourself. If you would do me such an honor. Gabriele pauses to admire several passing performers.
Sadly, if this man is as boring as you say, there will be little to find out about him before the party this evening.
It depends on the image we want to project. I will certainly raise more attention, if I show up with sword and pin. But if you take care of the invitation, I will take care of my dress.
After Luciano's approval Giuliana will take one of her dresses to a local tailor, asking him for a few modification giving it a flaming sprite theme. What little time may be left till the evening she'll walk the streets and take in the sights and the mannerism of this foreign country.
Taken from the Swordsman Guild book:
You must check with the local Chapterhouse
when you enter and leave a city.
This helps the Guild keep track of its
members, and test them if necessary (see below).
It also benefits the Swordsmen themselves. If a
member’s name is on file with the local
Chapterhouse, then the Guild can offer his
services to those seeking duelists, bodyguards,
teachers, etc. A member is also expected to
provide an address where they can be contacted,
unless they do not currently seek employment.
The Guild honors requests for anonymity if a
member does not want his name widely
distributed. A Swordsman may also request that
the Guild offer his name for particular services
only: bodyguard duty, but not dueling,
for instance. However, the Chapterhouse still asks
members to report in so that they can keep track
of him.
and
You must wear a proper Guild Pin in public.
The Guild expects its Swordsmen to keep their
pins revealed at all times, which ensures that
clientele can easily find a Swordsman of the rank
they desire. It also helps reduce the chance that
Guild members inadvertently accept commissions
against higher-ranking Guild members. The Guild
prefers commissioned duels to be as balanced as
possible, or at least that the participants enter the
duel knowledgeably. Swordsmen are expected to
accurately convey their abilities to the Guild so
that they wear the proper pin. Failure to do so is
also a violation of Guild law.
Can you act the part of a courtesan? Many know how to handle a sword. Then again, is there a place for a scabbard on a dress? I admit that I have never attempted to wear one.
Olivier will simply make sure that he is dressed in appropriate Montaigne attire and then wait for the party to grow closer. He'll do his best to remain in or near the inn, not wanting to cause undo conflict with the local Castillians.
If you'll excuse me, I should head back to meet up with my companions.
Gabriele hurries back.
I am Luciano Mondavi. I have come to understand that you are a breeder of the finest stallions in all of Castille, and I would like to see them for myself. Sadly, the Festival of Flames will simply not meet my needs, as I find crowds rather unpleasant. I will call upon you in the early afternoon, if that suits you. Please send word to the Raging Bull Inn, where I am staying.
Sincerely,
Luciano
I hadn't yet decided how I want to handle it.