An Incident At Clearwater: NikoIndex | HomePage | GameLogs | ClearwaterGameLogs | An Incident at Clearwater Niko (Split from An Incident At Clearwater: Derron and Niko) Derron said, "Ask her questions first, then take her with you. If we need anything, we'll get it. This is going to be all over the manor soon, but I want to keep it quiet for the moment." The maid looked nervous but ready to be questioned. Niko nodded to Derron, then turned to the maid. "As you can see from the Steward's words, this is a serious affair," he said, trying to control his own nervousness. "Who is the head housekeeper for this area of the estate?" "That would be Dame Editha," said the maid. "I can take you to her - she'll be in th sewing room at this hour." Accordingly she led Niko up the stairs and along the corridor to a large, light room near one of the flat open roofs, were a group of women sat diligently sewing linens, watched over ny a matronly woman with a bundle of keys at her waist, who was busily writing a list as a servant hovered near. In his time at Clearwater, Niko had ventured forth in the manor only as much as his position required, and before now, this area had not been among those requirements. So many women, with him alone, made him more discomfitted than he already was because of the knowledge he bore. If it were possible, it would seem that the maid was even more uncomfortable around her superior than Niko, for she stood aside, not introducing him- so that task fell to him. "Dame Editha?" he queried, waiting her acknowledgement. "I am Niko ... Nikomedes Sakellaris, here on assignment from the Steward. It is a matter of some import, and requires discretion. If I could see you privately for a moment to discuss the particulars?" "Certainly," she said, rising to her feet in a billow of discarded white linen. She directed a quelling stare at two young maids who seemed inclined to giggle, and then led Niko into a small, hot room off to one side, where folded sheets were layered with lavndar and kept warmly aoired by the hear from the stone chimney breasts from the kitchens far below. "What may I do for you, Nikomedes Sakellaris?" she asked. More at ease out of sight of the younger women, Niko relaxed a bit. "There has been an ... incident regarding the Lady Draupaud. The steward would like all servants in this quarter who would have likely had contact with her to be brought to his office with all haste- and all discretion." He forced himself to pause, to give her time to process his statements. "I know this is at best inconvenient, but believe me, it's quite urgent." "Is she ill?" asked Editha searching his face intently. "Has she killed herself? She has tried before, you know." Niko had a lot to learn in the game of keeping your intent to yourself, and he knew as soon as the horror registered, it must have been evident on his face that she had hit the mark. He tried as best as he could to cover his slip. "No, I didn't know that," he replied. "Noone would ever talk to me about..." Her face changed - and he saw she realised the truth. But she simply nodded at him to continue. "But her current situation is just as urgent," he said, interrupting his own train of thought, "and it's quite important that nothing slips to the servants," he said. "I'm sure his Lordship would be quite perturbed if something like that did happen." "It won't," said Editha, and it sounded stranegly as though she were taking an oath. "I shall see to that." "Can I count on you to help me round them up and get them to the Steward's office? He'll be along shortly." She nodded again. "You'll want all who attended on her ladyship last night, won't you? And any who might have been close to her rooms? They'll all be there." "Thank you," he said, sincerely. "His Lordship will appreciate your assistance, I am sure," he added. "Now I can let you take control, knowing this is in capable hands. I will be around in case you need me, but otherwise, I shall stay out of your way." "Certainly, Sir," she said, giving a curtsey. As he left through the sewing room, Dame Editha's discipline helds, and the girls kept siulence. But he was aware that more than one girl was suppressing giggles. Niko coloured slightly, but went to stand by the door, barely maintaining his composure as he stood waiting... outside. After a while, one of the older sewing girls appeared. "Dame Editha has asked some of us to fetch those you wish to speak to and take them to the Steward's Office," she said to Niko. After that, girls emerged by ones or twos and nodded to Niko as they headed off on their chores. A group of three emerged together, and glancing and Niko and whispering, hirried off. At length Dame Editha herself emerged. "Have you waited to escort me, young man?" she said. "If that is your wish," Niko replied. "I was actually awaiting your command, to make sure that you had no further needs in regards to the Steward's wishes. There was not much to do until that point, other than wait. But if you are ready, then shall we go to meet the Steward?" Dame Editha smiled. "You'd have me miss my opportunity to parade through the house with a handsome young man as my escort? Eh - it's wrong of me to smile when our poor Lady is lying dead. And yet one must make one's cheer where one can. So ... lead on, young man!" Categories: WinterChills, WinterChillsGameLogs, Clearwater |
