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Today's Topics:

1. [Secrets] Blake's Prequel Part 1 (wraith808)


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Message: 1
Date: Sun, 24 Sep 2006 21:16:11 -0400
From: "wraith808" <wraith808@...>
Subject: [Enclaves] [Secrets] Blake's Prequel Part 1


OOC: Shirow was pretty straightforward, other than his background. Blake on
the other hand... remember in this prequel, I am not playing Blake... I'm
just accumulating the bad karma... As it starts, Blake's taken the name
Joaquim, and apparently has just rescued an old noble from being killed by
rogues.

Joaquim/Blake = Alan
Onida = Heather
Vallen = Katie
Everyone else = Mel

* * *

"So," said the old man, eying the figure before him shrewdly under his
thick white eyebrows. "What's your name? I suppose you have one, eh?
Can't keep shouting 'Bodyguard!' whenever I need you."

Blake quirked a faint grin in reply. "Joaquim." He replied. "Name's
Joaquim."

"You can address me as Ser Boraston - it's a name that will open a good few
doors in this town. I was Mayor here ten years back, when the Emperor came
calling, and the display we put on then for his Imperiousness took most of
the pennies out of my pocket but put a 'Ser' before a good old family name,
so I don't begrudge the cost. That was the old Emperor of course ...
haven't seen the new one, eh? They say he's a likely young whelp, but we
don't concern ourselves here with that, not while trade is good and our
coffers full."

His answer was a grunt. "May God keep the Emperor..." He says piously. Then
he grinned and added' "...far from here!"

As he was speaking, he was leading Blake through the cobbled tree-lined
streets of the better part of town. Though old, it was clear that Boraston
was still sprightly - why else had he chosen to walk rather than taken a
carriage or a sedan? And Blake suspected that the walking cane he bore
might not just be for show - something in the way the old men hefted it
suggested it might be weighted by a blade inside..

They stopped by a dark wooden door in a long white wall. Boraston lifted
the cane and rapped on the dark panels impatiently. A panel slid aside and
a red, choleric face glared out - the expression quickly changing to one of
respect when he saw who it was.

"Oh ... Master! We weren't expecting you so soon ... we thought you'd be
drinking sherbert in the square ... "

"And so I would have been," said Boraston, "had there not been an attack
made on my person."

The door was drawn wide, revealing a whitewashed courtyard house, with the
house constructed on three sides of the court, and the wall they passed
through now forming the fourth side of a square. In the centre was a small
formal garden, with straight paths between scented bushes, and small
fountains playing.

The gate porter who had let them in was clearly concerned, and looking at
Blake with some suspicion, even when Ser Boraston said, "This is the man who
saved me. Killed three of them, he did, with his own hands ... See that's
he's given a room over the stable, Gustav, and supper in the kitchen. We'll
see about livery too ...

"Now then ... where's my girl? Where's my Onida?"

He was calling out now in a louder voice, and a laughing voice answered
him.

"Here I am, Grandfather! Could you not stay away from our home any longer,
or did you forget your purse again?"

A girl's voice, and now she rose from a seat in a bower in the garden and
was coming towards them, a light swift step, and a smiling face. Blake was
aware of a slender figure dressed in a gown of palest green, clasped with a
golden girdle, and deep green eyes, while a profusion of golden hair was
caught back in a net of the same colour. She was lovely ... perhaps no more
than nineteen ... but as she saw him, her smile faded a little. Then
suddenly her eyes widened ... and she was staring at Blake with an
expression little short of consternation.

Blake caught himself staring, then quickly averted his eyes. "Ser Borasten
is well enough,Yer Ladyship." He assured her. "Though someone should have
kept him close company, thieves everywhere, you know."

"Yes, yes," said the old main testily. "More than a match for them most
days ... but I was glad of your assistance."

As Ser Boraston had done very little in his own defence, being taken
completely by surprise, this might have been said more to reassure his
grand-daughter than to set out the true situation. Or perhaps the old man
was simply vain. Now he said, "His name is Joaquim. Show him the house and
garden, Onida. I'm going to sit here in the sunshine and recover my breath
for a little ... Tell Gustav to bring some sherbert out here."

He looked sternly at the supposed Joaquim. "And my grand-daughter is under
your protection too, Sirrah! I expect you to guard her with all the respect
that you would show to me, eh?"

Joaquim looked at the trader with a the eye of a man who's seen the world.
"Business is business, Ser Boraston. A man does not last long in my
profession if he cannot keep his contracts."

"But... Grandfather?" Onida asked, moving quickly to her the older man's
side. "What has happened that I need to be reassured you are safe?" she
asked with genuine concern in her voice. "Thieves? Here in our town? Was
there a problem?" she queried Ser Boraston anxiously.

"Three men attacked me in the market square," said Ser Boraston. "Old
soldiers they looked like - they handled blades like they were, at all
events. Joaquim saw them off, my dear, and most effectively." Obviously,
he wished to spare his gentle grand-daughter the news that Joaquim had
killed the men with rare skill and efficiency. "I blame this recent peace
... it's turned too many soldiers on the streets with no livelihoods. Give
us war again, and it'll occupy the idle and be good for trade. Now - have
Gustav bring my sherbert, and I'll be in the bower."

So saying, he headed off to the bower in the garden where Onida had been
sitting, leaving the two of them together.

Onida opened her mouth to respond to her grandfather, but he turned before
she could say more. She closed her mouth with a pout, frowning at the back
of the older gentleman. She then turned to regard Joaquim with not a little
suspiscion combined with some hautiness. "...Very well," she said
grudgingly. "After I have instructed the servants for grandpapa I will show
you around. Please wait a moment here."

Joaquim nodded curtly in reply, then turned an expert eye on the
surroundings, assessing strong and weak points, should a defense become
necessary.

The large house was within a walled enclosure, a main gate and probably side
gates through the walls. The large manor house itself sat in the middle of
the walls, with a courtyard in front, stables off in the corner of the
estate, and a lush, green garden surrounding the house. All around were
trellises overgrown with vines, providing shade to the walkways. And cover
to lurkers.

Not... the most defensible of estates.

With that Onida spun around and entered the house. Joaquim could hear
Onida's light voice instructing that sherbert be taken to the Ser, along
with a cool cloth for his brown.

After another moment Onida glided from the house. Her deep green eyes took
his measure with no apparent pleasure. "So... please.. Joaquim? That is
your name, yes? Allow me to show you around. This way please."

She lead them into the house, and into the main entry hall. "You saved my
grandfather from some soldiers. For that I thank you." She tilted her fair
blond head in acknowledgment. "It was lucky indeed for him you happened to
be there," she commented, glancing up at him.

"Lucky for some, unlucky for others. I judge." Joaquim replied,
indifferently, allowing the thought to dangle for her to take up or discard
as she saw fit.

"He keeps a fair house.", the man added, looking about.

"He =is= the mayor of this city," Onida said sharply. "A prosperous
business man and a knight of the Empire," she told him. "Didn't you know he
was the mayor?" she asked sharply.

Joaquim chuckled. "It is not as though he walked wound with a placard
announcing his position to every passer-by, Your Ladyship." He noted to her
wryly.

"My concern is that for a man of means such as he is, few precautions have
been taken to ensure the safety of his wealth and person." He added, his
eyes searching the girl and not displaying satisfaction with what he finds.

The man had been slowly shaking his head at this, and to her question, he
answered: "I believe that I must be looking at an Ostrich, lady." Joaquim
replied, after a moment's thought. "This house has no walls that it may be
said sheltered you from the world; So, like an Ostirch burying her head in
the sand, you have chosen to ignore the simple fact that where there is
wealth and power, there are those who envy and hate the owners thereof."

"Ser Borastan has retained me to protect him. The first step to that is to
shatter any illusions you may hold about your fellow men. "

"Illusions?" Onida's voice went up half an octave. "No illusions about you,
you boorish foreigner!" she snapped. "How dare you speak to me, a noble
woman like that! And what's an Ostrich, anyway!?" she demanded, tapping her
slippered foot on the hall floor tile. "Head in the sand?? Like a lizard?!
Are you comparing me to a lizard?!" she half shrieked.

Blake spent this duration of this tirade pitying old Ser Borastan. He made
as though to respond, but reverted to silence when he saw the approaching
forms of two people.

He moved slightly to the left from their approach, in case he needed to
strike.

At this juncture, Gustav the gate-keeper came hurrying up to them both. He
was followed by a tall, languid youth with heavily hooded blue eyes and
beautifully arranged golden blonde hair, dressed in extravagent robes of sky
blue samite, who was golding a long stemmed white lily, every now and then
bending his head to sniff its delicate bloom.

"Mistress Onida, Ser Lorant is here to see you," announced Gustav, not
looking entirely happy with the situation. "He says he has a gift to offer
you ... again."

"A mere trifle," drawled the youth. "But I thought it might amuse you ... "

His cold blue eyes rested on the supposed Joaquim. "And who in Harfleur in
this?"

"He... is our house bodyguard," Onida replied with some disdain.
"Apparently the times require it," she sniffed.

"And... what have you brought me today, Ser Lorant?" Onida asked the lovely
blond youth, even as her chin lifted haughtily. "This trifle you seek to
amuse me with?" she asked distractedly.

He reached into his pocket and produced a small dark wooden box, intricately
carved and inlaid with mother of pearl. "A puzzle box," he announced, "with
a gift of rare price inside."

He bowed slightly as he handed it over, ignoring the supposed Joaquim and
the lurking Gustav (who looked on disapprovingly), clearly considering them
to be unworthy of his lordly notice.

Joaquim had sized up the fop at a glance and had ironically, perhaps,
reached an identical conclusion. Turning to Gustav, he noded. "Clearly I am
not needed here, perhaps you could show me to quarters?"

"Yes... take him away, Gustav," Onida said, waving them off. "After all..."
she said disparagingly, "I rather doubt I'm in any danger from a puzzle
box..."

Onida accepted the puzzle box from Ser Lorant. "Thank you..." she said
dubiously, as she examined it, holding it up to eye level for inspection.
"I think..." she said as studied it.

Blake looked back at her at this, then turned to the older gatekeeper with a
solemn nod. "Of course, it is hardly proper to leave a gentleman caller
alone with an unmarried woman, perhaps we should defer until we can locate a
proper chaperone?"

"Oh, do take him away, Gustav... He is so tiresome," she complained. "And
Ser Lorant is perfectly harmless..." she casually remarked as she studied
the puzzle box.

"Besides, Ser Lorant is leaving..." She glared at the beautiful young man.
"My grandfather is ill, and I have no time for you today... Thank you for
the present..." she said as she turned away from her guest and continued to
study the puzzle box. "I'll let you know when I get it open..." she said,
rather rudely.

If Ser Lorant was put out by this, he had the social grace not to show it.

"Actually," he said, "I had another reason for calling.

"My father is having a little masquerade this evening for a few close
friends ... some twenty or so people ... and I wondered if you would care to
come ... as my special guest?"

Onida sighed and gave Ser Lorant a barely tolerant look. "Really... how
could I go to a masquerade tonight? It takes simply days to get a costume
together..." she complained. "I have absolutely nothing to wear..." she said
sadly, sniffing.

"I have a velvet mask for you ... and a long cloak," said Ser Lorant. "Most
of the ladies will be wearing them ... but you will still be the more
charming of them all, Sora Onida ... "

He smiled at her engagingly, totally ignoring Joaquim and Gustav, who
shifted from foot to foot, sighing a little.

Onida frowned, considering... Then she looked at Ser Lorant. "Oh... very
well..." she said grudgingly. "But... how will anyone know I'm the most
charming if I'm hidden behind a cloak?" she pouted.

"You will, I am sure, convince all, with your lovely smile," said Lorant,
bowing over her hand. "Now ... if you will excuse me, I shall leave you
with my little puzzle box. And I shall return at eight."

He bowed over her hand, kissed it and then straightened to saunter
nonchalently away, Gustav trailing after him to let him out, and leaving
Onida and Joaquim together.

Joaquim watched the fop depart with a half-smile, then shook his head,
slightly as though to affirm some inner judgement.

He then turned to the lady and spoke:

"This is not a good idea, Lady Onida." He cautioned her. "One attack may
follow swiftly on the heels of the first."

"You should have Gustav procure a list of the guests for this party and have
it checked out for anyone who might bear you or your family ill-will."
Joaquim advised Onida.

"Gustav doesn't leave the compound," Onida snapped. "His knee makes it
difficult for him to walk far."

"And besides... procure a list?" Onida gave him a strange look. "Don't you
know that the only way to find out who it at these parties is to go? And
throwing a masquerade is the easiest way to have important people come
without forcing them to have to deal with being recognized. And as far as I
know... there is no one who bears our family ill will. And it is on Ser
Lorant's family's honor to insure my safety."

"Oh... bother!" she exclaimed, stomping her foot. "I hate parties! And now
I have to sit in front of a mirror for hours while Lorraine does my hair."

Onida looked up at Joaquim. "Gustav could tell you where Ser Lorant's house
is, if you care. And their servants will be all over the markets today
shopping for food and wine for the party. I suppose if you =really= cared
about that sort of thing you could go to the markets and talk to them. They
all have to dress in that dreadful house blue."

Onida sniffed in disdain, then looked at the puzzle box again. "At least
this can keep me entertained as I prepare," she said grumpily.

Joaquim sighed as he heard the lady's reply.

"How do you know that is not a trap of some sort? Joaquim observed, glancing
at the box. A glass vial of poison or a venomous spider could be your
'treasure'."

"Better to have a servant check it out before you toy overmuch with it."

"And again, I urge you to send regrets but inform your suitor that you must
needs attend to your ailing grandsire. "

"Now is not the time for parties. "

Onida crossed her arms frowning. "He's not my suitor," she complained.
"And besides, if grandfather found out I'd missed a party, he'd be furious
with me." She sighed frustratedly.

"Oh... bother grandfather." She raised her chin. "I won't go. I just
won't. Tell Gustav to send my regrets, that grandpapa is not well, and I
will stay with him," she said determinedly.

Joaquim blinked in momentary surprise at this unexpected turn of good sense
from Onida.

With a nod, he looks carefully at her. "And the puzzle box?" He asked,
waiting.

Just then there was a slight disturbance.

"Onida? Onida? Where's that girl?"

It was Ser Borasten, and presently he came into view. It appeared that the
sherbert had refreshed him - his colour was better now, and he seemed more
sprightly.

"Ah!" he said. "There you are! Lorraine told me that Ser Lorant had
called. What did he want?"

"He wanted to invite her to a masquerade tonight," said Gustav, mounrfully.

But the effect of the news on Ser Borasten was quite other. He positively
beamed. "Excellent! Excellent! What time will he be collecting you?"

"But Grandpapa!" Onida wailed. "I don't =want= to go!" she said, stomping
her foot again. "You were attacked! I should stay here tonight and be with
you... I mean.. how would it look if it came out that you'd been in danger
and I went off and enjoyed myself.." she whined. "I'd be scorned by
everyone, and then there'd be nomore parties. Pleeeease don't make me go,"
Onida practically begged, clasping her hands together around the puzzle box.

Joaquim nodded to the older man as Onida's protest wound down. "Unless and
until we determine that the attack on you was an isolated incident, it is
not prudent to allow her unsupervised activities."

"She can be a target in her own right or used as bait for you, Ser
Borastan." Joaquim added.

"Well, that is easy enough," said Ser Boratsen. "You must go with her - as
her bodyguard. And see that no harm befalls her."

Joaquim saw that coming, so he was able to hide the wince at this idea.

"And who will be here to watch you?" He countered.

"And even if you were to be considered as 'safe', I doubt that my presence
at Master Lardo's party would be met with open arms."

"Ser Lorant's father is Ser Winstan, not Master Lardo," said Ser Borasten, a
little absently. He was clearly mulling over the points that had been made.

"I must think about it - and talk to my grand daughter," he said finally.
"And you, Joaquim, should go and get changed ... for at the moment you do
not look like the member of a gentlman's house, no, indeed you do not!
Gustav, see that he is peoperly equipped and attends us at tea. Onida, come
with me, my dear." And Ser Borasten wandered away, leaving his
grand-daughter to follow.

Onida sighed despondently as she followed Ser Lorant out of the hall. She
glanced back at Joaquim, giving him an annoyed look before she exited, the
puzzle box still in her hands.

Joaquim returned the look with a bland, oatmealish expression of his own, as
though he were looking at a bare wall.

Gustav meanwhile was leading Joaquim along the narrow paths of the garden
towards the stable block.

"There's a room here," he said. "It belonged to the second coachman, but the
Master decided we only need one - we live very quietly now. His old room is
clean enough - and over the carriage house, so there's not too much smell of
the stables. There's a pump in the yard where you can wash - there's some
saddle soap and towels you can use. A bit ragged, but they're clean enough.
Then I'll see about getting you some livery to wear - something to tide you
over till the tailor calls. Ser Borasten likes his staff smart. I'd best
find you a razor too."

They had reached the more secluded yard now - and Gustav indicated the iron
pump.

"Ser Lorant," he went on, "his father's Mayor now - for the third time. He's
sweet on our Lady ... but her grandfather isn't too keen to see her married
off young ... Still, he won't want to offed Sir Winstan. He's a powerful
man in the town. I reckon you'll be told to go, and come home early-ish."

Joaquim nodded, having reached the same conclusion. "You might do well to
find some stout lads to keep an eye on the old man while I am away, then. It
would be most unfortunate if he were alone and someone decided to follow up
on this afternoons effort. "

He looked about, and then his eyes turned back to Gustav. "How large is the
household staff?" He asked the older man.

Gustav nodded. "Well be safe enough here," he said comfortably. "There's
trouble in town with all these deserters from the late Emperor's wars ...
Coming back, with no jobs and no money - to find the fellows who never left
have got all the best of the jobs and the women and the land. They're
looking for trouble ... "

He handed Joaquim a cut-throat razor. "You were a soldier yourself, I'm
guessing?" he said neutrally. "Do you reckon there was anything more to the
attack on the Master?"

"Probably." Joaquim replied easily enough. "One could have mugged him. Three
was a clear case of overkill. Someone wanted him dead and was willing to
spend the coin and effort to send three to do the job of one."

"Now someone is watching, and will be testing the defenses. That is what I'd
do." He added, lapsing into a professional analysis. "That's why this masque
is a bad idea."

Gustav shook his head. "That's as maybe, soldier, but offending Ser Winstan
would be a worse one ... He's a powerful man in this town. There's many
would be pleased if his whelp took a shine to their daughters. Ser Borasten
... he'd just as rather the boy stayed away. Sora Onida is his darling ...
for all she's none of his blood."

"None of his blood?" Joaquime echoed, curious in spite of himself. "Ser
Borasten has no other heirs, then?"

"Who'd stand to gain if Ser Borasten were to die, Gustav?" Joaquim asked,
following his thought.

"Sora Onida is his heir," replied the burly porter. "He adopted her all
right and proper. She was the only one to survive the shipwreck, see? The
ship carrying his son and his daughter in law and their little baby was lost
... and the only one saved was Sora Onida. Just a little scrap she was
then, thirteen years old, all wide eyes and trembling. Her parents had gone
down in the ship - and Ser Borasten said, with the two of them being all
alone, they were just right for each other ... "

"I tell you, soldier, whoever marries the Sora, he'll have the chinks."

At this juncture a rosy cheeked maid appeared at the corner of the stable
yard, shooting a curious (and admiring) glance at Blake.

"If you please," she said demurely, "Ser Borasten wishes Joaquim to join him
and the Sora when he's washed and dressed."

Joaquim looked the maid over. "Things would go quicker were I to have some
help, demoiselle."

The maid uttered a shocked giggle and scurried away.

Gustav looked a little sourly at Joaquim. "Now you'll have all the maids
coming to peep and flirt. I'd best find you some clothes."

Joaquim lacked modesty, and so made no reply to this.

Gustav strolled away and, by the time he returned some ten minutes later,
Joaquim had seen no more maids - but he had heard some stifled giggles from
the far corner of the stable yeard, suggesting that sommeone had been
peeping.

Gustav had his arms laden with two uniforms in the house livery of grey
trimmed with mauve braid - the livery he wore himself.

"These should be close enough," he said. "There's some shirts in here as
well. But if you're escorting the Sora tonight, you'll need a dark cloak
and a mask. Lorraine's looking for one - but I think the only one will be
silk - a bit grand, but it belonged to the Master's son."

"As long as I am not bound and pent by the cut, it matters not to me."
Joaquim replied, trying the clothes for size.

"I'll want to be able to conceal a blade and a pistol within as well." He
added, checking the braid.

"I can find you a swordbelt," said Gustav. "As for a concealed blade ...
that might be trickier. What sort of blade do you want to conceal?

"As for the pistol ... there's a pocket in the jacket you can use ... but
you'd best not carry it loaded less'n it goes off."

Gustav, it was clear, was used to the heavier carriage pistols.

Joaquim nodded gravely, seeing no reason to offend the older fellow. That
sounds like it will do. He nodded, as he wiped the rinse-water off of
himself.

"A sword would be too clumsy, maybe a bayonette." He replied to Gustav's
question about blades.

Gustav nodded. "I'll see what I can find," he agreed. "I know the Master
has an old sword stick from his youth - would that be any good?"

He watched as Joaquim finished dressing, then gave a brief nod of approval.
"They don't fit too badly. At all events, they'll do until the tailor can
make some better. And none will see beneath domino and a mask at the
masquerade ...

"You best note keep the Master and the Sora waiting. They'll be in the
atrium, I'll wager."

Joaquim thanked Gustav for his help and garbed himself appropriately. His
path to the atrium led meandering throughout the house, as Joaquim gave the
place a once over, trying to determine what he could of the owners through
the contents.

The house was of some wealth and style, but quiet. Most of the more
fanciful decorations were in the front halls and sitting rooms, though
Joaquim was quick to see there was some dust around, as if those rooms were
not well frequented. All in all, wealth, but a quiet, lifestyle was enjoyed
by those who lived here.

His entry to the Atrium was decidedly low-key, although Joaquim imagined
that the bumpkins might be impressed that their erstwhile bodyguard had
proper manners when he cared to display them.

The Atrium was in the center of the house, in the Roman style of
architecture. A central courtayrd, full of plants, flowers, and small trees
providing shade for those enjoying the garden. Above the courtyard timber
ran across the width of the garden, with vines and ivy twined around
them. The three story walls protected most of the garden from the direct
heat of the day sun.

In the center of the atrium was a small table set out, with Ser Borasten and
Sera Onida sitting at it, a third chair waiting for the new bodyguard.
Apparently his entrance was low key enough that neither Onida nor her
grandfather heard him enter the garden.

"I do not agree," Onida was saying as Joaquim came within earshot. She was
stirring her tea cup with a spoon, not looking at the older man. "I think
it was ill advised of you to allow this stranger in our house," she said
with a determined, quiet voice. "In fact.. he might have arranged for you
to be attacked... did you think of that?" she scolded.

"Good point." Joaquim spoke up, as he approached. "However, difficult as it
is to prove a negative, you must agree that I have already had every chance
to inflict any sort of violence upon you both, and have not done so." He
nodded to Onida, then turned to Ser Borasten.

"If you feel it wiser, I will take my leave of you, Ser Boarasten. I would
not wish to impose upon any sense of obligation you may feel towards me."

"If you think you are under no threat, there is no reason for me to be
here." He added, waiting for his judgement.

"I am not certain," said the old man, "whether there is a threat or not -
but one thing I am certain of - I shall not allow my grand-daughter to
travel outside this house without protection while there is even the
slightest possibility that to do so could result in danger to her."

His expression was firm - as though he had argued this very matter with her
before.

"So, Joaquim," he went on. "What measures would you wish to take for my
grand-daughter's well-being at this masquerade?"

"If you insist upon this course, I would suggest that she wear a
double-cloak, to baffle a thrust blade. A pair of cloaks will often catch
and deflect a dagger in its course." Joaquim began, looking Onida over.

"Also it would be good to ensure that you are not wearing anything that will
set you apart from anyone else. There is no sense in wearing a domino if
everyone knows you by your hair or jewelry."

"You also must stay in groups, on no account go off alone or with only one
other person." After this, he looked at both man and girl, braced for the
storm of criticism he expected in response to this.

Onida looked up at Joaquim, still stirring her tea cup. "If I were to wear
jewelry and disguise my hair, Ser Joaquim... how would you find me in the
press of people sure to be there?" she inquired, even as she struggled to
not smirk. "It is inevitable we will be separated, and it is dark. I would
think you would want me to be as distinct as possible..."

"M'lady underestimates herself if she thinks that I could not find her."
Joaquim replied, with an ironic tone. "And she underestimates me, if she
thinks I would be so easy to elude."

"I do not think Joaquim wants you unrecognisable to him," said Ser Borasten
mildly, "only to those who might be threatening our house. Is that not so,
Jaoquim?

"And I can see the sense of it - although you had still best make yourself
known to Ser Lorant and his father, my dear. They will, after all, be your
hosts ... " He sighed a little. "I cannot say that I am pleased Ser Lorant
favours you so highly ... It would be a good match for you, my pet ... but
you are still so young ..."

Onida gave frustrated sigh. "I agree, grandpapa..." she said tensely. "So
I should just stay here and plead I must take care of you! After all, it's
not as if it were a proper invitation, given a week in advance. Grandpapa..
you were attacked..." Onida's voice shifted into a wheedling tone. "I
should stay here... Ser Lorant will understand.... Besides... if I wore a
double cloak I would pass out from heat! I do have to wear a formal gown
underneath. Oh grandpapa... It won't matter this once if I don't go. And
maybe... there will be some beauty at the party for Ser Lorant to spend his
attentions on. We could hope?" she pleaded.

"No!" said Ser Borasten positively. "You must go, my dear. If you are
expected, and do not appear ... well, it would occasion much talk - and you
know that would set Ser Winstan against us. Her's a powerful man, my pet -
we cannot afford to offend him ...

"Now - I know Lorraine has a domino ready for you in your room - and there
is one outside in the vestibule for Joaquim here. Hurry and get changed, my
dear, and I shall have the carriage brought round."

Onida glared at Joaquim, then stood. "Very well, grandpapa..." she
grumbled. She picked up the puzzle box from the table and stalked off into
the house.

After Onida had left them, Ser Boratsen looked at Joaquim a little
worriedly.

"You must take care of her," he said. "She ... she is young, and can be
wilful, but she is very dear to my old heart."

"She'll be as safe as she wants to be, maybe more." Joaquim assured him.

_____

wraith808 (wraith808@...)
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Moderator for ANoA:Cyberia (cyberia.gamera.cc) and DarkAberrant
(darkaberrant.gamera.cc)


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Welcome, friend!"



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End of Enclaves Digest, Vol 25, Issue 34
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