Main Page |
* Tarri eyes the crowd, then selects a female shopper who doesn't seem to be too hurried. She approaches with a bright, apologetic smile. "Good afternoon. Could you- That is, have you a moment to help me? I'm in a terrible fix, here." <Maid> ::looks around:: Oh, hullo, miss. Spec' I got s'much time as ye want. What can I do for ye? <Tarri> ::looks vastly relieved:: Oh, thank the Mother. See, we've got some business with this lady who lives 'round here, but the girl who knows where the lady lives is- well, she couldn't come, what with one thing and another, and... ::smiles, helpless and flustered:: I don't suppose you could point us toward the Lady Kauriss? <Maid> ::thinks a minute:: Lady Kauriss... mmmm. Ye seen her afore? Th' name sounds familiar-like, but I ain't glommin' it right away. ::she looks up at Orlann with a small smile, then a wider grin to Ennis, before looking back at Tarri:: <Tarri> Oh... She's really really pretty, lavender eyes? She used to be married, but I can't for the life of me put my finger on that name... ::shakes her head and laughs at her own flutterheadedness:: * Ennis smiles back, and one eyelid blinks closed for a moment in a wink. Or perhaps he just had a speck of dust in his eye. <Maid> ::a bit of light seems to dawn in her expression:: The elfin lady? With the red-headed daughter? ::she laughs as if she said something really, really funny:: <Tarri> ::lighting up:: Yes! That's the one! Can you tell us where...? <Maid> ::looks around the marketplace:: Spec' I oughten t' show you. Don't wantcha t'be getting lost an all. ::she checks her basket, then glances at the sun:: Shouldn't take but a bit. <Tarri> Are you sure? I'd not want you to get in trouble, if you're late... <Maid> ::smiles:: Naw, I ain't a likely t'be missed, not fer at least another half-bottle. ::she displays the item in her basket, a bottle of exceptionally expensive brandy:: <Maid> Iffen his lordship don't fall over asleepin' on his sofa afore I get back, which I don't doubt too terrible much, neither. <Ennis> Now, now, l'm sure th' lass knows what she's about. She's a good heart, aye? ::he smiles at the maid and offers her his arm:: Most kind o' ye t' be takin' pity on us strangers. * The maid is delighted to take Ennis's arm, putting her hand familiarly on his wrist. "Ain't hardly much of a kindness. Ain't so much in a hurry, ye know. This way, lady and gentles." * Tarri takes Orlann's arm and follows the maid. "There, see?" <Orlann> ::watches the maid and Ennis, one eyebrow raised as he gives Tarri a perplexed little smile:: <Ennis> ::tucking her arm in cozily as he escorts her in the direction she indicates:: An' modest, too. P'raps I'll need t'visit Sembia oftener, at that. <Kauriss> ::the manor houses sit smugly in their man-made rolling hills with their neat flower beds, discrete gated lawns, and artificial fish ponds like fat, contented chickens in a roost:: * The maid rattles on to Ennis in specific and the group in general about the various lords, ladies, and servants than live in each manor house. She seems to know quite a lot about the various affairs of the ladies in waiting and stable boys than might be considered seemly, and her humor is often a little on the wicked side. The way isn't too long, but a bit winding, and it would have been easy to get turned around without a guide. * Ennis chuckles appreciatively in the right places and keeps up a lively banter with the woman even as he keeps an eye on the road's turnings, to be certain they can get *back* after all this is done. <Maid> This be th' one. ::her arm lingers in Ennis's:: <Tarri> ::earnestly:: We surely are grateful for your help. I'd hate to think what would've happened if we hadn't found a friend. <Kauriss> ::Kauriss's manor is huge and splendid even by the standards of the manor district, a sprawling and fancy building with an excessive number of windows and a huge, sweeping staircase headed up to the main door. The lawns are neat, green, and have a few fat-looking llamas munching contentedly on the begonias outside:: <Ennis> Aye, you've saved us, lass, that ye have. I thank ye. ::he untucks her arm, holding her fingers lightly in his as offers her a graceful bow. He brings her hand to his lips and kisses it before releasing her.:: <Maid> ::gives him a significant look:: Reckon ye could find me again, iffen ye were so inclined. My lord's manor's down that way, three streets, then turn left and it's t'the very end of the row. I'm called Nola. <Ennis> Nola. I'm Ennis. We've business that can't wait, more's the pity, but I'll no' forget y'r kindnesses, if I'm given th' chance t' repay ye. <Nola> ::smiles:: Look forward t'it, I do. ::glances at the sun:: Reckon I'd best dash, afore my lord wakes up t' an empty bottle. ::she leans forward, kisses his cheek hastily, then turns and runs down the street:: * Ennis smiles, watching her go, and sighs. "P'raps Sembia's no' such a cold city, after all." <Orlann> ::concealing what might actually be called a smirk behind his hand:: Reckon girls are girls, no matter what city you're in. ::looks at the manor house:: Then again, mayhap they ain't. <Tarri> ::giggles:: The people *do* seem very friendly, don't they? ::she turns toward the enormous estate:: Well... let's hope our luck holds, then. Come on. <Ennis> Friendliness answers in kind, I've allus held. ::he bows to Tarri with a slightly impish grin:: After ye, Lady Luck. * Tarri heads up the path, eyeing the ornamental flowers with some suspicion, and the fat llamas with rather more, then climbs the grand staircase to ring the front bell. * Ennis eyes the llamas with undisguised fascination as he follows after. <Butler> ::opens the door and looks down a very large patrician nose:: May I be of some assistance? * Tarri smiles up at him professionally. "Yes, you may. We'd like to speak with Lady Kauriss, please. You may tell her that we're friends of Miss Temire, and that the matter is of some urgency." <Butler> I shall, of course, inform her ladyship promptly. Should you care to give me your card? Or - ::he looks at them more closely:: - your names? You are welcome to wait in the back breakfast parlor. <Tarri> That would be perfect, thank you. I'm Tarri Mandeil. <Ennis> Ennis Deonachta. And this is Lt. Orlann Drilgar, of the Purple Dragons. ::he gives the butler a courteous nod:: <Butler> ::claps his hands and a houseboy of about thirteen years of age comes running up and bows smartly:: Take her ladyship's inquirants to the back breakfast parlor, please, Sanders. ::he turns and marches off:: <Sanders> If you will follow me, then? ::the boy gives them a not-entirely-graceful bow and heads off towards the western area of the house:: <Orlann> ::nudges Tarri:: What's a 'in querant?' <Tarri> ::grins:: Visitor, only not nearly so friendly. <Tarri> ::eyes the houseboy:: Is Miss Ilya in residence just now? <Sanders> ::nearly trips over the edge of the carpeting as he turns to nod enthusiastically:: That she is, ma'am, only she's not here this very second. She's to tea with Miss Galeana Witherson. <Tarri> Ah, that's too bad. I'd have liked to say hello to her. ::she smiles warmly at the boy:: When she returns, would you do me the kindness of giving her my greeting? <Sanders> Oh, yes, ma'am, I'd be happy to talk to - er, to let her know. Yes, ma'am. Of course. <Tarri> ::gravely amused:: Very diligent of you. Thank you. <Orlann> ::leans close to Tarri and whispers in her ear:: Reckon there's something in the water around here? Everyone's all calves' eyed about everyone else. <Tarri> ::bats her eyelashes at Orlann, then grins and winks:: <Kauriss> ::the back breakfast parlour is a sweetly furnished room, decorated obviously for comfort rather than ostentation. The wear and tear on the furnishings seems to show that this room is actually lived in and appreciated. An unfinished letter lays drying on a desk and there's a pianoforte in one corner of the room:: <Tarri> This will be lovely. Thank you, Master Sanders. ::turns around once, then cocks her head at Orlann and Ennis:: Maybe Mira's name *did* make an impression. <Sanders> ::gives his bow again:: I'll check in on you. If you're still here in half an hour, I'll bring some tea and biscuits, all right? * Ennis looks around himself and sits in a comfortable-looking straight-backed chair, smiling back at Tarri. "It's glad I am t'see "th' back parlor" weren't a euphemism f'r "th' back door. Thankee, lad." <Kauriss> ::her guests aren't kept waiting all that long. No more than ten minutes pass before the lady of the house sweeps into the room. She is wearing a fine blue dress that brushes the floor as she walks, lightly accented with lace. She looks around at the group with a slightly curious expression:: Well, then? * Ennis stands hastily as she enters, offering her a shallow bow. "Glad ye could see us, dama." * Tarri blinks, surprised at Kauriss's beauty despite having been warned, then stands up. "Lady Kauriss. I'm Tarri Mandeil, a friend of Temire's. She asked us to come to you, to ask for your help, if you will give it." <Kauriss> ::seats herself on a worn velvet sofa:: Mira? Ilarion's pet warrior woman? She's in trouble? Somehow I don't doubt it. ::glances at her:: <Ennis> Th' lot of us were just passin' through y'r fine city, hopin' f'r a hot bath an' a night's bed. Temire, though... she's been held in arrest. She asked us t' come and find ye, an' ask if he'd speak in her defense. It's o'er th' matter she helped ye with, some years back, o'er y'r daughter. * Ennis 's manner is earnest, and he clasps his hands together in unconscious appeal as he seats himself again after Kauriss sits. <Tarri> ::grins quickly:: You *do* know her, then. ::nods more soberly in agreement with Ennis:: They say they're holding her for... vigilantism or something? * Ennis nods. "She's been charged wi' killing a man, as well." <Kauriss> ::idly:: Of *course* I know her. And about her. My daughter talks of little else but how wonderful she is. ::rolls her eyes, then looks serious:: Well, I don't doubt she killed a man. As I hear it, they killed a few, recovering Ilya. And near enough to killed some innocent - so they claim - treasure map thieves. <Tarri> ::bites her lip:: But that was for Ilya's sake! You're obviously a- a woman of influence, here? We're nothing but foreigners. Couldn't you come to her hearing, and speak on her behalf? <Kauriss> ::spreads one hand and looks down at her rings:: Influential? I suppose I am, as much as anyone can be, with a great deal of gold to wave around at problems until they wander off. ::tips her hand in the light, watching the play of sparkle across her jewels:: I suppose I could. Ilarion might not forgive me, if I didn't. Which has its own advantages, of course, but I suppose we're getting a little old to play *that* game anymore. <Ennis> Please, dama. A single word spoken by a citizen in her defense might do more f'r th' lass than days o' talk could do from us. An' when it comes to 't... she's still naught more than a lass. <Tarri> ::nods:: Please. We'd be in your debt. <Kauriss> Well, that I won't agree with. She's hardly been 'naught but a lass' since I met her, at any rate. And Rusty thinks the world of her. Turned down an invitation to stay here, in order to be with her. ::sighs:: Which is a decided first for me, really. <Tarri> ::blinks:: Who's Rus- You mean Ilarion? <Ennis> ::smiles ruefully:: A touch, I admit it. <Kauriss> ::nods:: Yes, dear Ilarion... Seems a bit formal for him, as much as he likes to play. ::she looks vaguely sad:: I'll speak with the Magistrate tomorrow morning, and see what I can do. <Tarri> ::relieved:: Thank you, Lady. We didn't know where else we might turn. * Ennis lets out a breath, nodding agreement with Tarri. "Th' lass'll be most grateful for the effort, dama, as are we. Thank ye." <Kauriss> ::smiles, an expression of mouth and eyes that seems perfectly charming, but is somehow, just the tiniest bit chilling:: I'm quite certain. * Ennis finds himself faintly disconcerted, but is unable to put his finger on why. He rises, and bows to her again. "We'd not take up too much o' yer time, dama. I thank ye again f'r seeing us." * Kauriss takes her leave of the group with an absent and shallow curtsey. "I'll see you again, I'm sure." With that, she sweeps out of the room as easily as she swept into it. Sanders comes in just after she leaves with tea, cookies, and a small bottle of brandy. <Sanders> Can I offer some refreshment, before you leave? * Ennis hesitates, looking at Orlann and Tarri. * Tarri shrugs slightly and smiles. "I don't see why not... I'll have some tea, thank you." * Ennis reseats himself and nods. "Jes' a nip o' the brandy, p'raps?" <Orlann> ::nods:: I reckon a bit... ::glances at the door where Kauriss exited:: <Sanders> ::serves them tea, cookies, and brandy liberally, then exits with another quick smile and bow, leaving them to talk privately about the owner of the manor, if they want:: <Ennis> That... went easier than I expected. ::lowering his voice:: Ye think she'll go? <Orlann> ::shudders:: Reckon I don't know, but that is one *scary* woman. <Tarri> She wasn't *that* bad, was she? <Orlann> ::seriously:: Don't reckon *I*'d trust her not t'bite someone that she was lookin' t' kiss. * Ennis nods agreement, and drains his cordial-glass' worth of brandy in a quick gulp. He looks at Tarri. "She were nice enow, but..." He shrugs a little helplessly, unable to explain it to his satisfaction. "She... she's summat like th' gardens here, t' me." <Tarri> Well, let's hope that's what the Magistrate *wants* to see. ::she brushes cookie crumbs off her lap:: Shall we? <Orlann> ::draining his brandy-laced tea in a quick gulp:: Reckon we'd best... Hope Miss Temire ain't too uncomfortable-like in jail overnight. <Ennis> Beautiful, aye, but... not a place o' comfort. ::his expression lightens a little:: Tho'... she said she'd try. There's good t' her. I hope. ::he finishes a cookie and stands as well:: * Ennis looks faintly uncomfortable. "Could ye... that is, would ye two mind if we jes' swung by that kind lass's quarters? Jes' f'r a tic." He colors faintly. "Hate t' be thought ungrateful, I would." <Orlann> ::laughs:: Reckon we could. Ain't so nice t' keep a lady waiting... |
|
|