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* Ilarion looks down at the city, clenching and unclenching his fists. "Well, come on, let's get this over with." He leads Mira into the city, stopping frequently to check street signs. * Temire follows Roni silently, her face shifting between concern and anger. * Ilarion stops in front of a large house, set tastefully behind tall yew bushes. "This is it, I think." Leads the way up to the door and knocks. * Temire follows, "Well she certainly wouldn't like the purple house if this is what she's used to." <Butler> ::opens the door and eyes Ilarion and Temire:: May I help you? <Ilarion> ::glances at Mira:: I'm not sure I care what Kauriss would like. *I* happen to like my house, and Ilya likes... ::he breaks off:: Yes, we'd like to speak to Madam La'Lauri, please. * Temire pats Roni's shoulder, a smile on her face. <Butler> ::steps aside and gestures them in:: I'll see if she is accepting visitors. May I tell her who is calling? <Ilarion> ::considering:: Tell her Rusty and a friend, please. <Butler> ::raising his eyebrows a fraction:: "Rusty." Very good, sir. ::He gestures to an alcove which contains a cushioned bench and a barely-used wet bar.:: Please make yourselves comfortable while I speak with the lady. ::he takes himself down the hall:: * Ilarion takes a deep breath, looking in the bar and pulling out a bottle of brandy. "You want something, love?" * Temire follows Roni in, unslinging her pack, "No thank you Roni." * Temire leans her pack against the wall, surveying the room. * Ilarion pours himself a snifter of brandy. "I do. I reckon I'm going to need it. Kauriss... we didn't part on good terms, really." * Temire looks at Roni, "I had gotten that impression. How bad was it?" <Ilarion> ::taking a slug of brandy:: Bad. * Temire nods, looking around the alcove once more. * Ilarion swallows, looking into his brandy glass with trepidation. * Temire looks at Roni, "So do you think she'll help us?" <Ilarion> ::patting his pocket:: She'd not have sent the letter otherwise, I think... I hope." * Temire nods, then leans against the wall and closes her eyes. * Kauriss comes down the hall and stops just as she spots Ilarion. She is almost achingly beautiful, with large violet eyes set in a heart-shaped face, long silver hair, and a slender figure. She is wearing an elegant black gown trimmed in violet that just matches her eyes, its high open neck accentuating her pale skin and long throat. <Ilarion> ::bowing a bit nervously:: Kauriss... * Temire opens her eyes, pushing off of the wall and turning to look at Kauriss, her eyes going wide at the sight. <Kauriss> ::smiles a little ironically and dips into a brief curtsey:: Ilarion... You did come. ::she raises an eyebrow:: How did you get here so fast? I only sent that bird yesterday. <Ilarion> ::taking the notes out of his pocket:: We got them... about two hours ago. We got a lift from a friend. <Kauriss> ::blinks twice, then nods:: It must be nice to have such resources at your disposal... ::she looks at Temire with a hint of curiosity:: Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend? * Temire blushes, dropping her eyes quickly. <Ilarion> Kauriss, this is Temire. Mira, this is Kauriss. ::he gestures to Temire with his snifter:: * Temire lifts her face once more and hesitantly curtseys to Kauriss, "Lady..." <Kauriss> ::half-smiles and returns Temire's curtsey:: It's very nice to meet you, dear. * Temire blushes more and nods. <Ilarion> ::swallows:: Kauriss... they came into my home... ::he blinks rapidly:: She's gone... they took her... <Kauriss> ::looks back at Ilarion, then drops her gaze and touches a rather rumpled handkerchief to the corners of her eyes:: Yes, I know... They... they sent the note to me, after all... ::she looks back up at him:: I hope you can make more sense of that note than I could. I haven't the slightest idea what they want! <Ilarion> ::looking around:: Where is Master La'Lauri? <Kauriss> ::looks away again:: ...Dead. <Ilarion> ::almost dropping his glass:: What? <Kauriss> ::lifts the handkerchief to her eyes again, her voice cracking slightly:: He... he fell down some stairs, coming home... They said he'd been drinking, but he never... ::she stifles a quick sob:: * Temire watches the conversation, her eyes hardening. <Ilarion> ::glancing at Mira:: He fell? ::raises his eyebrow:: When? <Kauriss> ::sniffles quickly and looks up at Ilarion again:: About three weeks ago... ::her breath catches, and she takes a deep breath:: I'm sorry, I'm still... it was such a shock... * Temire nods but remains silent. <Ilarion> ::his eyes narrow:: Kauriss... ::he bites his lip:: Maybe this is a bad thing to say right now, but have you considered that it may *not* have been an accident? <Kauriss> ::looks up at Ilarion with wide eyes, nodding quickly:: I did! I told them, he *never* drinks - he didn't! Half a glass of wine with dinner would have him up all night with pain in his stomach, he never would have gotten *drunk*.... ::she looks a little hysterical:: But they wouldn't listen to me.... <Ilarion> ::taking a deep breath:: Kauri... ::looking around the small hallway:: I did some research, before we came up. Nanler... he was a pirate. The men who came into my house were pirates... I... * Temire walks over to the wet bar, selecting a bottle at random and pouring a few fingers into a glass before offering it to Kauriss. "Why don't we sit down and you can tell us what happened." <Kauriss> ::stares at Ilarion with wide eyes, then takes the glass from Temire almost numbly, cradling it in both hands:: Yes... Yes, of course... ::She leads the way down the hall and into an immaculate parlor decorated in tasteful blues and creams.:: * Kauriss sinks gracefully into a chair, setting the untouched glass on a nearby table and wringing the handkerchief in her hands. <Ilarion> ::damn near falls onto a pale blue sofa:: I'm sorry for your loss, Kauriss... ::rests his head in his hands:: <Kauriss> ::blinks at him:: Thank you, Ilarion... He was... he was a good man, a good husband... * Temire kneels on the floor next to Kauriss's chair, resting one hand on the arm of the chair, "Tell us what happened?" <Kauriss> ::looks at Temire, tears standing in her eyes:: He... he was out, doing some business. I don't know what... he hardly ever told me anything, he took care of all that... * Temire nods encouragingly. * Ilarion stands up, pacing around the room, his brandy snifter held carelessly in one hand. <Kauriss> He was late getting home, and I thought it was odd, because he was usually very punctual... ::she swallows:: I'd gone to bed, but I was still awake, because I heard the knock. And I thought it was odd that he'd knock, his own house... ::she laughs, a little breathlessly:: Isn't that silly, that I thought that...? * Temire smiles, "Not really. Everyone forgets their keys some days." <Ilarion> ::looking out the window into the tasteful gardens:: <Kauriss> ::her eyes focus on some spot just past Temire's shoulder as she remembers, her breath coming a little faster:: But it was the... the city guard who were knocking, of course... they'd found... him... and... ::she swallows:: He *reeked* of alcohol - cheap whiskey, even, as if he'd drink that even if-! ::she stops herself:: He... They said he'd fallen... * Ilarion leans his forehead against the cool glass, his fingers tightening around the stem of his snifter. <Kauriss> I *told* them he never drank, that someone must have done it, but... but they said unless I could think of a reason someone would do such a thing, there was nothing they could do... ::she sniffles again, and drops her head, lifting her handkerchief to her eyes:: * Temire takes Kauriss's hand, patting it reassuringly, "Where did he fall?" <Kauriss> ::looks back up at Temire:: They found him down by the docks... a few blocks from one of the... the warehouses... * Temire nods, "I'm sorry for your loss Lady." <Kauriss> ::gives Temire a watery smile:: Thank you, dear. <Kauriss> ::she looks over at Ilarion:: What... what happened to... What happened? * Temire glances at Roni. <Ilarion> ::looking at the two women:: We came home... ::swallows:: the door was open. My housekeeper was laying on the floor ::he shuts his eyes as if trying not to remember:: Sallah was laying on the floor, she'd been stabbed. <Kauriss> ::gasps softly:: * Temire pats Kauriss's hand, "She's alright." <Kauriss> ::looks at Temire in disbelief:: After that? <Ilarion> ::his voice almost completely dead:: Ilya'd been having a party... there was spilled cake and toys all over the place. Mira found the other girls tied up in an upstairs closet. Ilya... ::he breaks off, rubbing his eyes:: <Kauriss> ::softly:: How awful... * Temire smiles ruefully at Kauriss, "We were able to heal her." <Kauriss> ::blinks at Temire:: ...Heal? ::glances at Ilarion, then back at Temire:: * Temire glances at Roni. <Ilarion> ::continuing on:: We followed the kidnappers to a... a mage-for-hire. He was... a little less than pleased to see us, but he'd already teleported the kidnappers away. <Kauriss> You *followed* them...? Wasn't that... dangerous? * Temire lets Roni field this one. <Ilarion> ::shifting his shoulders slightly:: Very... but what else was I going to do, Kauriss? They ::his voice breaks:: they *stole* my daughter... ::he turns his head sharply, almost angrily brushing a tear from his cheek:: <Kauriss> ::swallows and nods:: Where... ::she glances at Temire briefly before looking back at Ilarion:: Where were you? Before? <Ilarion> ::shudders, finishing off his brandy:: We were... out. At a garden party. <Kauriss> ::lips tighten briefly, but she sighs and nods:: And this... this Nanler was a... a pirate? <Ilarion> ::giving Kauriss an exasperated look:: Yeah, that's what I read. A few hundred years ago. <Temire> Kauriss, did your husband have a study? <Kauriss> Well... ::she stands and paces slowly:: It's not hard to figure out what they'd want with a pirate's charts, but... ::she glances at Temire:: Of course. Why? <Temire> I'd guess that your husband had the chart, or at least they think he did, and that's why they killed him. <Kauriss> ::looks distressed:: I've been all through the study since I got that note, dear - all the charts I could find are perfectly ordinary... If this Nanler's Chart is in there, then it's in the safe, and I don't have the combination. <Ilarion> ::raises his eyebrows at Mira:: We'll look at the safe... * Temire shrugs, "Worth a try." <Kauriss> If you like... ::she leads the way out of the room and up the stairs to a dim, dusty library:: * Ilarion follows Kauriss, his eyes lowered to the floor. * Temire follows Roni. * Kauriss goes to a large painting of her and a somewhat older man - presumably Eston - and lifts it carefully from the wall. Behind the painting, set into the wall, is a combination-lock safe. "There you are... Try not to damage anything, if you can help it." She retreats to her husband's desk, sitting in the worn leather chair with a faint sigh. <Ilarion> ::eying the safe:: What do you think, Mira? * Temire looks at the safe critically, "I think I'm going to have to corner either Bluestar or Aldis once we get back. Let me go get some things." * Temire leaves the library. <Kauriss> ::frowns faintly at the cryptic commentary:: <Ilarion> ::glances at Kauriss:: <Kauriss> ::returns Ilarion's look calmly:: Not really your usual type, darling... <Ilarion> ::putting his glass down on the desk:: Yeah, well... I grew up some. <Kauriss> ::raises an eyebrow:: Did you? Are you going to take her home with you, then? <Ilarion> ::takes a deep breath:: Marsember is my home, Kauriss, you know that. <Kauriss> ::considers him:: You should at least go back and make your break official, then. <Ilarion> ::angrily:: What do you care? <Kauriss> ::looks at him coolly:: You're allowed to grow up, but I'm not? ::she bites her lip:: Ilarion... No matter how much you hate me, you're the father of my child. I want you to be able to care for her, and as long as this is hanging over you... ::she sighs and breaks off, looking away:: <Ilarion> ::coldly:: Ilya is being taken care of. <Kauriss> ::quietly:: Yes. I know. It's why I sent her to you - so she could have the care I couldn't give her. How much longer before the past you so vehemently want to deny comes back to her, Ilarion? ::she looks at him directly:: What if they'd kidnapped her to try to use you for political gain, Ilarion? What then? Would you go back to the Moonshaes and take up your estates and titles to keep her alive? * Ilarion winces. "That's beneath even you, Kauriss." <Kauriss> ::firmly:: But it's not beneath those... those... ::she waves a hand in the general direction of the sea:: ...filth. You're going to have to face it one day. Go abdicate if you have to, Ilarion, but do *some*thing. <Ilarion> ::snorts:: It's not that easy, Kauriss. ::he looks out the window:: It took everything I had to get away the first time. I can't... risk it. * Temire returns with her pack. * Kauriss looks like she's about to say more, but closes her mouth as Temire returns, putting a hand to her temple as if she has a headache. * Temire sets her pack down in a chair and then drags the chair over near the safe. <Ilarion> Mira... ::looks at her, relieved:: * Temire rummages around in her pack, "I don't know if I'm going to have any luck with this. I didn't really expect to do this when Tyl was teaching me." <Ilarion> ::smiles slightly:: She's a good teacher... * Temire pulls a leather wrapped bundle out of the back and unrolls it to reveal a set of home made thieves's picks. * Temire sighs, "Was..." <Ilarion> ::firmly:: She'll come back. ::clenches his hand:: She has to. <Kauriss> ::looks bemused at this exchange as well:: * Temire selects a small brass cup and press it against the safe, putting her ear to the cup as she slowly turns the dial, "I certainly hope so. She a lot easier to get along with than Bluestar." <Ilarion> ::snorts:: Bluestar's fine, so long as you don't mind spending the odd hour as an endtable. <Kauriss> ::blinks at Ilarion, certain she misheard that last bit:: <Temire> That only ever happened to you and Cat, Roni. * Ilarion winces, his eyes clouding over in slight pain. <Kauriss> ::raises an eyebrow:: <Temire> ::After several minutes Mira gives up, putting the cup down and selecting a chisel and hammer and attempting to remove the pins from the hinges:: <Ilarion> ::muttering an explanation to Kauriss:: Mira and I attend school together. Don't mind us. <Kauriss> School, darling? <Ilarion> ::nodding:: Nightstorm's Psionics Academy, in Marsember. Mira's in her second semester, I'm about a semester away from graduating. <Kauriss> Ssyon... what? ::winces at Temire's hammering slightly:: <Ilarion> Psionics... the use of one's innate mental abilities to affect external things. <Kauriss> ::blinks, then a look of understanding crosses her face:: You mean like when you used to... ::she flutters her hand to indicate high speed:: <Ilarion> ::nods:: Celerity. I didn't know what it was... ::concentrates a little, his eyes narrowing:: {Telepathy, as well.} <Kauriss> ::jumps:: OH! <Ilarion> ::relaxes a little:: Sorry... didn't mean to startle you. ::doesn't entirely look sincere:: <Kauriss> ::looks at Ilarion with just a hint of fear:: <Ilarion> ::sighing a little:: Ilya's got it too... that's how we'll be able to get her back. If I'm close enough to her, I can... feel where she is. They can't hide her from me forever. <Kauriss> ::swallows:: How... how close do you have to be? * Temire selects a crowbar and begins trying to pry the door open. <Ilarion> ::closes his eyes slightly, turning around in a slow circle:: Closer than this. I could track her through the city, before that damned... ::he winces in memory:: before that damned mage teleported them out. <Kauriss> ::bites her lip a little:: Do you think they knew? That you could track her like that? <Kauriss> Mages are *expensive*... They had to have some reason to be in a hurry... * Temire grunts, "If they knew they didn't bother to tell the mage." <Kauriss> ::half-smiles at Temire:: Poor mage... did you leave him in one piece, dear? <Ilarion> Poor MAGE?? ::glowers:: Poor me! <Kauriss> ::looks at Ilarion, blinking:: <Ilarion> Bastard dropped a burning building on my head. ::shudders:: Damn, that... hurt. <Kauriss> ::frowning:: Ilarion, darling... You look very healthy for a man who's been burnt to a cinder. * Temire grunts, "Sorry Roni...Didn't know you could do that trick..." <Ilarion> ::turns, pulling the collar of his shirt open, revealing the faint scar:: I healed it up, that's all that's left. It was bone deep, though, yesterday. <Kauriss> ::looks confused for a moment:: More sssyonics? <Ilarion> ::glances over at Temire:: You need a hand with that, Mira? ::back to Kauriss:: They're useful, at times. <Kauriss> ::half-smiling:: I can see that... * Temire grunts, "Sure..." <Ilarion> ::holds up one finger to Kauriss:: One moment. ::he concentrates again, sweat breaking out on his forehead, then heads over to Mira, his step sounding somehow heavier than before:: <Kauriss> ::watches with both curiosity and apprehension:: <Ilarion> Here. ::puts his hands around Mira's, pushing on the crowbar. The bar creaks a minute, then the door starts to come open:: * Temire repositions the crowbar and they push again, the sound of bending metal accompanying the movement of the door as it slowly comes open. <Kauriss> ::winces at the noise, but her eyes are huge from amazement:: <Ilarion> ::grunts, forcing the door open. With a sudden clang, the crowbar snaps, but the door pops free:: Ack! Damn. Sorry... I think I overdid it again. * Kauriss flinches as the crowbar snaps, then slowly gets up, walking toward them and the safe curiously. * Temire shakes her head, "Sit down Ilarion. It's open now." * Ilarion staggers backwards, collapsing in a chair. * Temire looks at Kauriss, "He's going to want to eat...A lot. And no alcohol." <Kauriss> ::glances at Ilarion, then nods:: All right... ::she goes to the wall and pulls on a velvet-covered rope, then goes to the door to speak quietly with the servant who answers the summons:: * Temire looks to Kauriss and gestures to the contents of the safe, "May I?" <Kauriss> By all means, dear... I'm just as curious as you are - if not more so. * Temire begins pulling items out of the safe and piling them on top of her tools, pausing to open several map cases that she finds inside. * Kauriss leans against the desk, watching Temire. * Ilarion absently flips through some of the documents. "Interesting... half ownership? You're a wealthy woman, Kauriss..." <Ilarion> ::hands the sheaf to Kauriss:: Brelian wineries... <Kauriss> ::blinks at Ilarion:: I'm... *Brelian*? ::she takes the sheaf and looks through it with interest. * Temire pauses at a particular map before handing it to Roni, "What do you think?" <Ilarion> ::peers at the map:: <Kauriss> ::The door opens and an efficient servant comes in with enough food - cold meat pies and fruit - for luncheon for the three of them, along with three crystal goblets filled with chilled water.:: <Ilarion> ::absently snagging a pie and stuffing it, whole, into his mouth, he looks over the map, squinting:: <Kauriss> ::looks at Ilarion with amusement:: You weren't kidding... <Ilarion> ::with his mouth full:: Thowwy. ::swallows:: You'll never see a fat psionic... we burn it all off. * Temire smiles, "If you're hungry I suggest you eat now." <Kauriss> ::smiles wanly:: No, I haven't been much hungry since... ::she sighs, and looks at Ilarion:: Burn it off, hmm? ::she slides a hand down her hip:: That could come in handy, too. * Temire looks at Kauriss, "When was the last you ate?" <Kauriss> ::waves a hand dismissively:: I had something this morning, I'm sure. ::she sips her water:: It's all a blur, but Stefan bullies me into eating every so often. <Ilarion> ::tracing his finger over a smeary signature, the map he's looking at has been folded many times, and, at one point, seems to have been torn in half:: I can't read this. <Temire> I can read it, but we won't have much time. I don't want to waste it unless we think we've got the right one. * Ilarion flips through the other maps. <Ilarion> ::raises an eyebrow and looks at Kauriss:: Stefan? <Kauriss> ::nods absently, looking over their shoulders at the maps:: The butler, darling. If I die, too, he's out of a job. <Ilarion> ::swallowing a few grapes almost without chewing:: Planning on pining away, Kauriss? * Temire pauses for a moment, then resumes examining the maps. <Kauriss> ::eyes Ilarion:: Don't be absurd, Ilarion. But with the shock, and everything... I forget, sometimes. I never ate much anyway. ::she sighs and shrugs a little:: He's taking no chances. <Ilarion> ::flips the map over, looking at the rubbing on the back:: This is so weird... <Kauriss> ::leaning over to look at the map:: What? <Ilarion> ::shows her the rubbing on the back, which looks like half a runed tablet:: <Kauriss> ::blinks at it:: That *is* strange. <Ilarion> ::flips through the rest of the documents:: This is the only one I can't read. Everything else looks pretty normal. ::traces his finger over some numbers near the bottom of the page, possibly half of a set of coordinates:: * Temire looks at the other maps, "I don't see anything here that really looks like it might be it, but then, i've never seen a pirate map before." * Temire goes to her pack and pulls out a satchel and a book, putting the satchel on the desk next to the map and she begins flipping through the book, "Paper and quill?" * Kauriss picks up the quill from the desk and offers it to Temire. <Ilarion> ::fishes around through the desk for a while:: Here. ::he devours an apple, core and all, in about four bites:: * Temire finds the page she wants and scans it before opening the satchel and rummaging for a few moments and pulling out two pouches. * Temire double checks her book, then casts a spell and begins translating the writing on the map. * Ilarion smiles fondly at Temire while she's casting. <Kauriss> ::eyes Ilarion with a faint smile:: <Ilarion> ::looking over Mira's shoulder at what she's writing:: This... yeah, I think this is it. <Kauriss> ::breath catching:: Is it? We can get Ilya back? <Ilarion> ::laying his hand on Kauriss's arm:: We'll get her back, Kauri, I promise. <Temire> Damn right we're getting her back. <Kauriss> ::looks up at Ilarion with a grateful smile:: Thank you. <Ilarion> ::swallowing:: We will... we have to... <Kauriss> ::pats Ilarion's hand where it rests on her arm:: Of course we will, darling. <Temire> We will. |
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