Chapter 1 - Summer

Aloys & Issac ~Just as Jean-Pierre was about to shrug off Aloys' words Issac seems to hit close to home. His eyes widen as folk from nearby tables chuckle at the Gold Cloaks jests.

"JUST...Just sit. 25 copper, eh, and we call it even. I'm a...investor here. Just. Sit." He thumbs a pipe full, agitated. Looks at Aloys. "An' aye, those lads surely were an incompetent lot. But what do you expect...they were common laborers, it seemed."

Sans ~
(Raise) It's very clear to you that the Baron seems to have "given up" or become resigned. There is an earnestness to him as he begins to answer Elaine.

Elaine ~
The baron rubs his forehead as he begins to recount his last few days. He seems swayed by requests.

"I could not find Rene's appointment book among our bags... he always thought his 'cyphers' more clever than they truly are..."

"We rode hard when we entered the Queen's lands, left the main road and stopped at an inn in a small town called Wichop Crossroads. I think the inn was called the Sweet Witch. I had an appointment with a woman; a leader of a labor movement I believe. Our meeting was simple and quick...I gave her a purse of gold."

"We stayed there for a day or so and then met a Count of these lands. You don't want to know more than that I assure you... There is a conspiracy afoot, and I seem to have been dragged in to it. It is deep, and if you want my advice you will leave before it pulls you in as well."

"On the contrary, Baron - if you excuse my intrusion," he interjects from his corner, "conspiracies are precisely the type of intrigue the Gold Coats cannot afford to ignore, for the safety of Her Majesty Queen Isbel... pray speak freely. As you have seen, we did not hesitate to risk our lives to save you from the masked brigands, and we are not afraid to protect you again," he says, loading his words in whispered reassurance.
"You can count on our utmost discretion," he adds.

The Baron's Room / Sans & Elaine ~
He turns and looks at Sans; hears the assurance.

"There is a woman... one of you; a Gold Coat. I believe... I believe she is in on it. She has a scar on her face. She was supposed to meet us--after the 'kidnapping'."

Aloys sits down, putting out twenty-five copper pieces and putting them onto the table. He quickly gathers the bag again, slipping it underneath his cloak as he nods.

"Now we're getting somewhere. Aloys says softly, leaning forward in his seat. "Common laborers don't make good criminals. Not unless they're desperate. To kidnap a baron, that isn't the plan desperate people make. Who brought them altogether? Who reserved the fine room in the back?"

As the baron recalls his movements, Elaine thinks back to the appointment book, mentally recounting its contents - a great benefit of studying science is that whether you want it or not, it refines one's memory. It is not a problem for her to remember the page without revealing the book's presence to Regnard for now. But it seems to check out, at least; accounting for Tally D actually referring to Count Dimont. However, this begs the question...

"What exactly was the purpose of your meeting with the count?" Elaine questions once there is a pause in conversation, her expression briefly shifting to a slight frown. "And the labour movement leader, for that matter. Transparency is in your best interest, Baron - without knowing how these people are connected to you, we can't pinpoint the motive of the crime." She hums as she drives the point further. "Assuming it is a crime, and it wasn't entirely staged. Was it? If not, it seems that one of them might not have been very satisfied with your meeting. Can you think of which is the most likely to target you, between the count and the movement leader?"

The Roadside Inn, Baron Regnard's Room | Elaine & Sans ~

A *glug*, *glug* as he refills his drink and knocks it back in one gulp. He grimaces. "You truly have the mind of an aristocrat. You're right, it was a ruse."

Perhaps the alcohol has gone to his head, but he is very loose with his lips now: "The count was to provide me with a comfortable place to stay during my 'captivity.' He was to ensure no real harm was to come to me."

"As for the labourers, well I believe they were in the dark regarding the true motives. They are angry at the crown for some reason, as peasants always are, and the count used that to his advantage. We paid gold for them to 'kidnap' me, and I would be handed over for safe keeping."

He sets down his glass and pokes the fire again.

"A win for all. The laborers feel as though they have made a blow against the crown, and the count has caused an embarrassment to the queen, perhaps finding an advantage to their position in the process."

The Fox and Hound Tavern | Aloys and Issac ~

He lights his pipe off a nearby candle. Leans back, his cool composure returned. "They rented the room when they got here. They had coin, an' that's what we take so we asked no questions."

He winks. "But like you, I like to be informed. I was a teamster in another life, 'fore the war. I drove for dozens of guilds. Outsiders may not know this, but there are rituals, sayings, words even, that are unique to each. It's how they know their own. These fellas, they was dyers--His Majesties Royal Dyers to be exact."

Jean-Pierre blows blue-grey smoke rings before going on.

"For a hundred years those fools been makin' that brilliant royal red that only the monarchs of Lebal have been allowed to wear. But ya see, the new Queen, in her infinite wisdom wants to be loved by the common folk."

"Now, there ain't no more 'royal colors.' If there ain't no royal color, then their ain't no royal dyers. She severed their contract. Killed a whole village's livelihood overnight. A small village, not far from the crossroads town of Witchop"

Elaine is briefly tempted to comment on the consequences of the ruse in regards to Rene's fate, but she bites back the words before they can escape. What's done is done, and the baron at least seemed regretful over his valet's demise, be it his indirect fault or not. The important part now is the root, not the results.

"If you don't mind me asking," she watches as the man messes with the fireplace. "What stakes did you have in all of this? You agreed to a possibly dangerous plan, seeing as you had no guarantee that the labourers won't actually harm you. So you must have your reasons; do you share the count's interest in undermining Queen's authority, perhaps? Or did it not cross your mind that they can betray you because you paid them handsomely?" The last question might be self-indulgent and entirely out of her curiosity, but Elaine asks anyway. If nothing else, insight into the baron's feelings towards the movement might prove useful.

"I would also like to hear what exactly is the role of the Gold Cloak woman you were supposed to meet after the kidnapping. Was she to escort you to safety?" She gives a quick look over to Sans. "And what exactly are the true motives you mentioned - do you know what the count is trying to do?"

As Jean-Pierre talks, Issac tries to remember if during his travels he heard any mentions of Witchop or the Royal Dyers.

Once finished, "Much appreciated Jean-Pierre." Waving at the barkeep, "A round of your cheapest ale for us please." Looking back at the man, "Can you describe the men that rented the room? Was it just the dye that made them unique, or were there other signs you picked up on?"

Sans catches Elaine's glance.
He studies the Baron, his instinct about the kidnapping being a staged performance confirmed by the nobleman's words.

His mind reels at the notion of a traitor conspiring from within the Gold Coats! The most loyal, stalwart royal guards had some rotten apples in their high ranks!
The thought shakes his belief, and a sense of outrage pervades him.

Capitaine, you will have some explanations to provide... Is Mathis also in on her schemes?... He thinks, doubting a comrade and friend.

The Roadside Inn, Baron Regnard's Room | Elaine & Sans ~

A pop and a hiss from the fire place.

A sad smile at Elaine. "What did stakes did I have? Prosperity, advancement, a future...Look, I'm vain, I know this...But I'm not stupid. I've never been the Duke of Strif's favored cousin. He barely acknowledges me. But then I was presented with this opportunity! I would rise in his eyes if I could just succeed in this scheme!"

"But you are of course correct, young lady. Considering what happened to poor Rene, I did not think this through at all."



A noise becomes apparent to all in the room, from outside. Sans if you look out the window you'd see even more royal guards have arrived at the inn. With a caged wagon no less. Already, a troop is stomping into the common room below.

The baron looks out the window nervously continues to Elaine. "Listen: I don't know the end game, and I do not know what this Gold Cloak woman has to gain. But I do know she is someone of influence and has the ear of the Queen."

Boots stomping through the room below, shouts of "make way".

"But I do know you'd never be able to go against her. Not without a confession from her conspirators! I fear the plot has gone awry and the easiest way to clean up loose ends is in a shallow grave! Get out, get away, and get the confessions you need or I fear my life--nay, all our lives are forfeit!"

Sans and Elaine you can clearly hear boots on the stairs now, guards coming with purpose. What do you do...

The Fox and Hound Tavern | Aloys and Issac ~

(Raise) It comes back to you--you've certainly heard of such a Guild, and the lovely red flowers that seem to only grow, briefly, in a secluded river valley. The same river valley were the famous guild is said to make their home. Additionally, an a-ha moment for Issac when the significance of the fabric found in Rene's hand is now clear--it was the brilliant royal red--only His Majesty's Royal Dyers could create such color, and they'd never sell to an outsider!

Crackle as he draws from his pipe. He answers Issac. "Well, I eavesdropped on their whole conversation, of course! A well concealed hole and crawl space does wonders for a knowledge merchant like myself."

"The leader of them seemed to be a man named Marcel--a dark, long haired fellow with a well kept beard, and rings in his ears. You know, I have a cousin who just so happens to be a tradesmen in Witchop--he's also a knowledge merchant like myself. And for the right price I could of course pass a good word along and I'm sure he'd be happy to assi--"

The front door of the tavern *smashes* open! A troop of royal guard, six in total, comes storming in, armed with short swords for close quarters.

The guard captain blinks, adjusting to the light, and fixes his gaze on Aloys, Issac, and Mathis. He shouts at you. "Swords down lads! Orders from the Capitaine!"

He gives a sinister smile and addresses the guards with him in a quieter voice. "You heard her orders boys... if they so much as flinch, put 'em down for good. Remember now, no loose ends."





What do Aloys and Issac do....?

"You know, I thought I was going to dislike you Jean-Pierre. I respect an information broker though." The smaller man said, honest in his words. They worked for the Queen and by proxy, the elite that had put their boot so hard on his neck that he gave way to criminal acts. Could he really fault the man for taking care of himself and, likely, others? A grin was coming to his face as the man began to try and swindle them out of more coin when the front door was bashed in.

Aloys sat back, pushing away from the table and placing a hand upon his hilt when the guard said that they were carrying orders from the Captain. His eyes moved towards Mathis and Issac, his head subtly shaking his head.

"No loose ends? Put us down for good? Explain yourself...now." His hand reached out protectively over Jean-Pierre as he stared daggers at the cruelly grinning guardsman.

"It appears that our presence here might be compromising... perhaps it is best to make ourselves scarce, unnoticed," he whispers to Elaine in an urgent tone.

He looks outside the window, careful not to be noticed by the Royal Guards around the caged wagon. He assesses their chances of escape from that direction.

Hmm, the window ledge looks sturdy enough to stand on, and the overhanging roof of the stable seems reachable with a jump...

He gestures to Elaine his intention, and climbs on the ledge.
"You have our thanks, Baron. We may meet again," he says t the nobleman in a low voice.

Waiting for a moment of quiet in the courtyard below, he squats down, secures his belongings, then leaps in the void towards the stable roof nearby!He manages to land on the roof opposite with a louder thud than he wished, and immediately flattens himself on the stable roof, to make himself hard to see from below.

He makes space on the roof for Elaine , should she decide to evade from the Baron's room in the same way.

The Fox and Hound Tavern | Aloys and Issac ~

Aloys, their faces seem unreadable to you, other than a cruel look in their eyes... you can only truly go off their words, which are threatening and aggressive.

The other patrons of the tavern have begun to clear back, pressing into the far wall or putting tables between themselves and the guards crowding in.

"Explain myself?!" He issues a guffaw of laughter. "Look boy, I got orders come down from way over your pretty little head. I'll say it again. Drop. Your. Swords."

One of the guards is circling round to the left. Murder in his eyes. Looks like he likes confrontation.

Another circles to the right, he smiles cruel.

"Or don't surrender your arms. Won't be the first time I've spilled amatuer blood."

four other guards are crowded round him.

The Roadside Inn, Baron Regnard's Room | Elaine & Sans ~The Baron's eyes go wide at San's display of daring. He seems impressed. "I shall stall them if I can..."

"Ah, I see. From higher up in the chain than myself. I outrank you old man so that cuts down the number of who it could be, I suppose." Aloys says, looking over at Jean-Pierre apologetically. "Well, seems like we've gotten you into something. Would you mind being of assistance a little bit more?" It was seven against three, maybe four. Aloys though was certainly one to see a challenge when it came to blades. He'd finish his mug of cheap ale and slam it down upon the table before hopping onto his chair and onto the table, drawing his rapier as he did.

"I hope you've been a guard for awhile, captain. If I come to seduce your wife, I want her to be a rich widow." Aloys said with a cocksure smile as he held his advantage by being a bit higher than the rest of the guards.

As the guards and captain crash into the room, Issac suddenly has a hard time catching his breath and his vision briefly darkens. He's brought back to the fateful moment with Le'Cauchemar, a similar event happening now at the inn. He grits his teeth and whispers "I won't let you take her...", shakes his head, vision clearing, more loudly "Us, I won't let you take us.".

Anger building, Issac nimbly gets up on the table next to his comrade, remaining drink in his off hand. "Ha, good one Aloys! Gesturing at the crowd "How about a final drink before we all go see the Clockmaker.". Issac lifts the cup of mead to his lips, eyeing the left guardsman from the corner of his eye. As he brings the cup down in a grand gesture, he positions his body in the guardsman's direction, letting loose with a dagger plucked with his free hand.

The Fox and Hound Tavern | Aloys and Issac ~Round 1: Draw

OOC:

Drawing and then editing with order below.

Jean-Pierre and Mathis leap to their feet, their hands reaching for their blades, as Issac's dagger tumbles through the air, a blur of death.

The floor *groans* under pressure of all the guards all rush forward.

The captain sputters in rage at Aloys taunt and rushes forward blindly (taunted | decide if he is vulnerable or or distracted--we'll thematically skip the save for this one!).

Issac, your dagger spins toward it's target...