Confession time
(realtime 10:56 am September 4th 2004)
Quintinius studied Keygan as she composed herself over the glass of wine. She had not changed much in the eleven years that had lapsed since he'd seen her last. Time had done little to erode her youth. On this night she did seem visibly weary. Dark rings lined her eyes. Her skin was still smooth and youthful. Her hair had darkened in some places, rather than being all amber as it had been in her younger days now, it was laced with brown and auburn. She poured herself another glass of wine steadily watching Quintinius over the lip of her glass with her dark blue eyes. She sat down on the edge of the bed once more.
Quintinius sat in the chair by the fire and waited.
After the second glass of wine she cleared her throat and began with her narrative.
First you should know that I was never Claractimus's mistress. I won't say I didn't love him, but our intimacy was a ruse. I don't know if you were aware of Duke Gryphon's affiliation with the Ministry of Intelligence?
Quint interjected with a nod.
Were you aware he did work for them?
"Not until recently." Quintinius supplied. " I'm still not privy to all the details."
He trained and recruited intelligence operatives. I was one of them. I'm not sure what brought me to his attention but something did. I was so relieved when I was sent to go work on his estate. It got me away from Lord Caughtrey's house and my father. I went with out hesitation when I was told I'd been given a position on the housekeeping staff. In the beginning I had no idea what lay in store for me. I knew only that for the first time in my wretched existence I knew some measure of peace and accomplishment. I worked there for about two months before the first time I met and spoke with Claractimus. I was responsible for all the flower arrangements in the house and the seasonal decorations. It was not exciting work, but it was not hard and I did not have to answer for much. I worked alone and dealt with the other house holders only in such day to day matters as meal time, community laundry, and bathing schedules.
One day I had just finished putting out the autumn decorations in the Great Hall and I was summoned to the Duke's chambers. At first I thought I had done something wrong. Once I got there, the Duke himself told me I was to be taught to read and learn numbers. I was elated. I knew many of the other house holders knew these things and felt that this was a reward for my good work. As soon as my lessons began I threw myself into them.
For the next year I worked diligently in all aspects of my life, my studies, my work, and even my faith. Finally I believed there was a God and that he had a purpose for me. No longer was my life full of strife and drunken beatings and rantings. The prayers of my past had all been answered and I knew great peace and fulfillment. Claractimus took an interest in me. Now I know why. At the time I thought he was the most considerate and compassionate master I'd ever heard of. I was utterly grateful , fiercely loyal , and I will admit he was my first crush in life.
One night While I was pulling down my laundry from the line , he came to me. It was at that point he recruited me. A few days later my training began. Initially my Training had nothing to do with Claractimus. Still he visited me often and spoke with me at length about things that troubled him. At first I was flattered he confided in me. Then it grew into more. Though I swear to you, I knew it could never be. So did he, for the feeling was mutual he confessed. Finally he began to come to me to groom me for my assignment. The information he needed to give me was very detailed and required more time than he would normally have cause to spend with one of my station. So we developed the ruse of our affair. Nothing more ever passed between us than the carefully arranged scenes of stolen kisses and alcove groping that would be needed to be convincing. A few servants saw it and it was all that was needed to stir the rumors and set tongues to wagging. The pretense was perfect, and it would enable me to leave his household under the circumstances that would lead to my recruitment by agents of the dark confederacy. I was dismissed on dishonorable terms, an outcast, and a woman of questionable morals. I was recruited within a week of my dismissal.
Quintinius stood to get more wine. " You were a spy!" he said the full ramifications of her narrative settling in. She nodded and held her glass aloft for him to refill. It was growing later. The wind howled mercilessly outside as more rain buffeted the roof of the inn.
I was an infiltrator yes. My cover was broken when I leaked information about the planned attack on Dovis-Ba. I did not learn of what was planned for Pegra-Ba until it was much too late. I fled only to arrive there too late. As you can gather from the state Theodric found me in I'm sure. He took me to Pellos to be healed. Incidentally, there I was debriefed as well and dismissed. It seems I'm now too notorious and recognizable to continue any sort of work for the Ministry. So now here I am.
"Why are you in the city Keygan?" Quint asked her softly as the light from the blaze dimmed and shadows deepened about the room.
I can only tell you that if you promise not to interfere.
"How can I promise that without knowing what you're about?" he demanded quietly, setting his empty glass on the mantle.
Have you heard of a merchant called Orimbe?
Quint nodded. "He has no real past I can learn of. He recently became a major player in the trade consortiums though, and no one is sure where his money comes from. He is in the city for some sort of business deal with Duchess Kalzhar. I've been having him followed, I don't like not knowing about the people in my city." He told Keygan.
He is an agent of the dark confederacy. The last of nine who's identies are known to me. The other eight are dead by my hand. I intend that soon Orimbe will be as well. Before you ask, I have no proof to give, only my word.
"I will not interfere if you let me prove it." Quintinius said.
She shook her head, " There isn't time, If you must have proof let the Wardens of the Seal coerce it from him." She said.
Quintinius frowned at that suggestion. "When will you do this then? At least let me accompany you." He said finally.
She nodded her consent, "Tomorrow night, at the capital gardens, he'll go to report then, and perhaps I shall get his point of contact as well." She said.
Quint nodded as he took all this in. " I should go." He said making for the door.
She nodded, "Meet me here tomorrow afternoon then so I can fill you in on my plan and we can coordinate. If you delay I will go without you. "
He made an affirmative grumble." I will come at noon. We can have lunch and settle on what should be done with Theodric's wagon."
Keygan let him out and bolted the door behind him. She finished the bottle of wine before sleeping. Her dreams were filled with Claractimus Gryphon only he spoke with the voice of, High Warden of the Rose, Quintinius Pillar.
************************************************************
(realtime 8:32 pm September 5th 2004)
Quintinius walked back to the perceptory through the rainy streets. The hour was late , in a few hours the sun would be up. The foot patrols he passed saluted him. His thoughts swirled through his mind at a reckless pace. Keygan Stormingbyrne was foremost in his thoughts. He couldn't wait to meet her tomorrow. He couldn't figure out why he was so eager. He suspected she was addling his wits. More disturbing, was the realization he'd whistled almost all the way back to the perceptory.. I'm not some base foot-soldier just come from a brothel. He stirred himself from his reveries and entered the perceptory. A few hours sleep would set him right.
Quintinius rose at his accustomed hour to bathe and dress. He was meticulous this morning, as he was every morning while he shaved his face and scalp. Once he finished shaving, he dried his face and toweled his scalp, which he then oiled and polished. He then dressed with the brisk efficiency a soldier comes to posses after many years of service. He gave his boots a quick buff before pulling them on. He examined his image in the full length mirror, his keen green eyes were bloodshot, beneath his dark expressive eyebrows. He turned from the mirror, and left his quarters for breakfast and to receive reports.
He went to the officers mess, it was filled with a cloud of smoke and the smell of burned eggs. His executive officer was growling at the cook. Quintinius quietly slipped over to the enlisted man's mess, they were only being served porridge and coffee on this day but it was not burned and no smoke filled their dining area. He graciously excepted a cup of coffee and a bowl of porridge. Lucius Kelar walked over and sat down with him setting down his own bowl of porridge and a tall glass of water.
"Morning High Warden." Lucius said as he sat. Lucius was the senior enlisted man at the perceptory. He had served the Wardens of the Rose since his youth. Fifteen years ago he trained a young recruit, Quintinius, at arms. He was a comforting and familiar presence. He made his report as they ate, filling Quintinius in on the morning's mundane details, weather, traffic, festivals of note, officials scheduled to visit, and any pending events, etc. Quintinius listened over his porridge, mildly distracted by thoughts of finding a new cook for the officer's mess, and thoughts of Keygan Stormingbyrne. If Lucius noticed, he said nothing to his commander to indicate it.
****************************************************
(realtime 2:31 pm September 7th 2004)
Quintinius quickly settled into his daily routine. He received his reports, reviewed his men, inspected the perceptory, saw his visitors and petitioners and he did some follow up investigation on the matter of a magical robbery. By the time he'd done all these things it was time to meet Keygan for lunch and determine what was to go on with Theodric's wagon while he convalesced. Quintinius had to take a carriage to make it there on time.
Quint rushed into the inn, to find Keygan already sitting, with a bowl of some type of stew and a basket of flaky cheese pastries. She greeted him as he approached. The serving girl brought over two glasses of mulled wine. Today was not so cold and rainy as yesterday, but it was still damp and windy. The mulled wine was welcome as Quint sat down. They discussed Theodric's wagon. Keygan was quite sure her friend intended her to set it up and keep it opened to peddle his wares for him. She had too many other matters to deal with right now. She gave Quintinius a large sum of money to keep it and Theodric's two chestnut horses at the perceptory livery. Quintinius agreed and they decided on a time and place to meet later that evening regarding the other business.
Quint ordered some roast duck and potatoes along with another basket of the flaky cheese pastries. Once the discussion was done they both spent what remained of the meal in silence. Only the occasional glances at each other. Quintinius appeared a bit flushed, instead of seeming his usual composed self. Keygan chose not to comment, dismissing it, in light of the winds. Once the meal was concluded Quintinius paid the bill and excused himself.
Quintinius studied Keygan as she composed herself over the glass of wine. She had not changed much in the eleven years that had lapsed since he'd seen her last. Time had done little to erode her youth. On this night she did seem visibly weary. Dark rings lined her eyes. Her skin was still smooth and youthful. Her hair had darkened in some places, rather than being all amber as it had been in her younger days now, it was laced with brown and auburn. She poured herself another glass of wine steadily watching Quintinius over the lip of her glass with her dark blue eyes. She sat down on the edge of the bed once more.
Quintinius sat in the chair by the fire and waited.
After the second glass of wine she cleared her throat and began with her narrative.
First you should know that I was never Claractimus's mistress. I won't say I didn't love him, but our intimacy was a ruse. I don't know if you were aware of Duke Gryphon's affiliation with the Ministry of Intelligence?
Quint interjected with a nod.
Were you aware he did work for them?
"Not until recently." Quintinius supplied. " I'm still not privy to all the details."
He trained and recruited intelligence operatives. I was one of them. I'm not sure what brought me to his attention but something did. I was so relieved when I was sent to go work on his estate. It got me away from Lord Caughtrey's house and my father. I went with out hesitation when I was told I'd been given a position on the housekeeping staff. In the beginning I had no idea what lay in store for me. I knew only that for the first time in my wretched existence I knew some measure of peace and accomplishment. I worked there for about two months before the first time I met and spoke with Claractimus. I was responsible for all the flower arrangements in the house and the seasonal decorations. It was not exciting work, but it was not hard and I did not have to answer for much. I worked alone and dealt with the other house holders only in such day to day matters as meal time, community laundry, and bathing schedules.
One day I had just finished putting out the autumn decorations in the Great Hall and I was summoned to the Duke's chambers. At first I thought I had done something wrong. Once I got there, the Duke himself told me I was to be taught to read and learn numbers. I was elated. I knew many of the other house holders knew these things and felt that this was a reward for my good work. As soon as my lessons began I threw myself into them.
For the next year I worked diligently in all aspects of my life, my studies, my work, and even my faith. Finally I believed there was a God and that he had a purpose for me. No longer was my life full of strife and drunken beatings and rantings. The prayers of my past had all been answered and I knew great peace and fulfillment. Claractimus took an interest in me. Now I know why. At the time I thought he was the most considerate and compassionate master I'd ever heard of. I was utterly grateful , fiercely loyal , and I will admit he was my first crush in life.
One night While I was pulling down my laundry from the line , he came to me. It was at that point he recruited me. A few days later my training began. Initially my Training had nothing to do with Claractimus. Still he visited me often and spoke with me at length about things that troubled him. At first I was flattered he confided in me. Then it grew into more. Though I swear to you, I knew it could never be. So did he, for the feeling was mutual he confessed. Finally he began to come to me to groom me for my assignment. The information he needed to give me was very detailed and required more time than he would normally have cause to spend with one of my station. So we developed the ruse of our affair. Nothing more ever passed between us than the carefully arranged scenes of stolen kisses and alcove groping that would be needed to be convincing. A few servants saw it and it was all that was needed to stir the rumors and set tongues to wagging. The pretense was perfect, and it would enable me to leave his household under the circumstances that would lead to my recruitment by agents of the dark confederacy. I was dismissed on dishonorable terms, an outcast, and a woman of questionable morals. I was recruited within a week of my dismissal.
Quintinius stood to get more wine. " You were a spy!" he said the full ramifications of her narrative settling in. She nodded and held her glass aloft for him to refill. It was growing later. The wind howled mercilessly outside as more rain buffeted the roof of the inn.
I was an infiltrator yes. My cover was broken when I leaked information about the planned attack on Dovis-Ba. I did not learn of what was planned for Pegra-Ba until it was much too late. I fled only to arrive there too late. As you can gather from the state Theodric found me in I'm sure. He took me to Pellos to be healed. Incidentally, there I was debriefed as well and dismissed. It seems I'm now too notorious and recognizable to continue any sort of work for the Ministry. So now here I am.
"Why are you in the city Keygan?" Quint asked her softly as the light from the blaze dimmed and shadows deepened about the room.
I can only tell you that if you promise not to interfere.
"How can I promise that without knowing what you're about?" he demanded quietly, setting his empty glass on the mantle.
Have you heard of a merchant called Orimbe?
Quint nodded. "He has no real past I can learn of. He recently became a major player in the trade consortiums though, and no one is sure where his money comes from. He is in the city for some sort of business deal with Duchess Kalzhar. I've been having him followed, I don't like not knowing about the people in my city." He told Keygan.
He is an agent of the dark confederacy. The last of nine who's identies are known to me. The other eight are dead by my hand. I intend that soon Orimbe will be as well. Before you ask, I have no proof to give, only my word.
"I will not interfere if you let me prove it." Quintinius said.
She shook her head, " There isn't time, If you must have proof let the Wardens of the Seal coerce it from him." She said.
Quintinius frowned at that suggestion. "When will you do this then? At least let me accompany you." He said finally.
She nodded her consent, "Tomorrow night, at the capital gardens, he'll go to report then, and perhaps I shall get his point of contact as well." She said.
Quint nodded as he took all this in. " I should go." He said making for the door.
She nodded, "Meet me here tomorrow afternoon then so I can fill you in on my plan and we can coordinate. If you delay I will go without you. "
He made an affirmative grumble." I will come at noon. We can have lunch and settle on what should be done with Theodric's wagon."
Keygan let him out and bolted the door behind him. She finished the bottle of wine before sleeping. Her dreams were filled with Claractimus Gryphon only he spoke with the voice of, High Warden of the Rose, Quintinius Pillar.
************************************************************
(realtime 8:32 pm September 5th 2004)
Quintinius walked back to the perceptory through the rainy streets. The hour was late , in a few hours the sun would be up. The foot patrols he passed saluted him. His thoughts swirled through his mind at a reckless pace. Keygan Stormingbyrne was foremost in his thoughts. He couldn't wait to meet her tomorrow. He couldn't figure out why he was so eager. He suspected she was addling his wits. More disturbing, was the realization he'd whistled almost all the way back to the perceptory.. I'm not some base foot-soldier just come from a brothel. He stirred himself from his reveries and entered the perceptory. A few hours sleep would set him right.
Quintinius rose at his accustomed hour to bathe and dress. He was meticulous this morning, as he was every morning while he shaved his face and scalp. Once he finished shaving, he dried his face and toweled his scalp, which he then oiled and polished. He then dressed with the brisk efficiency a soldier comes to posses after many years of service. He gave his boots a quick buff before pulling them on. He examined his image in the full length mirror, his keen green eyes were bloodshot, beneath his dark expressive eyebrows. He turned from the mirror, and left his quarters for breakfast and to receive reports.
He went to the officers mess, it was filled with a cloud of smoke and the smell of burned eggs. His executive officer was growling at the cook. Quintinius quietly slipped over to the enlisted man's mess, they were only being served porridge and coffee on this day but it was not burned and no smoke filled their dining area. He graciously excepted a cup of coffee and a bowl of porridge. Lucius Kelar walked over and sat down with him setting down his own bowl of porridge and a tall glass of water.
"Morning High Warden." Lucius said as he sat. Lucius was the senior enlisted man at the perceptory. He had served the Wardens of the Rose since his youth. Fifteen years ago he trained a young recruit, Quintinius, at arms. He was a comforting and familiar presence. He made his report as they ate, filling Quintinius in on the morning's mundane details, weather, traffic, festivals of note, officials scheduled to visit, and any pending events, etc. Quintinius listened over his porridge, mildly distracted by thoughts of finding a new cook for the officer's mess, and thoughts of Keygan Stormingbyrne. If Lucius noticed, he said nothing to his commander to indicate it.
****************************************************
(realtime 2:31 pm September 7th 2004)
Quintinius quickly settled into his daily routine. He received his reports, reviewed his men, inspected the perceptory, saw his visitors and petitioners and he did some follow up investigation on the matter of a magical robbery. By the time he'd done all these things it was time to meet Keygan for lunch and determine what was to go on with Theodric's wagon while he convalesced. Quintinius had to take a carriage to make it there on time.
Quint rushed into the inn, to find Keygan already sitting, with a bowl of some type of stew and a basket of flaky cheese pastries. She greeted him as he approached. The serving girl brought over two glasses of mulled wine. Today was not so cold and rainy as yesterday, but it was still damp and windy. The mulled wine was welcome as Quint sat down. They discussed Theodric's wagon. Keygan was quite sure her friend intended her to set it up and keep it opened to peddle his wares for him. She had too many other matters to deal with right now. She gave Quintinius a large sum of money to keep it and Theodric's two chestnut horses at the perceptory livery. Quintinius agreed and they decided on a time and place to meet later that evening regarding the other business.
Quint ordered some roast duck and potatoes along with another basket of the flaky cheese pastries. Once the discussion was done they both spent what remained of the meal in silence. Only the occasional glances at each other. Quintinius appeared a bit flushed, instead of seeming his usual composed self. Keygan chose not to comment, dismissing it, in light of the winds. Once the meal was concluded Quintinius paid the bill and excused himself.
posted by K-Squared at 9:05 PM
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