ForwardOnWeGoDressed and groomed, Decuma looked in the mirror and nodded. He saw a darkened bruise on his forehead, but if he brushed his hair down over it, no one else would be able to see it. Other than that, he looked presentable; not even his mother would know he'd been in a brawl. He grinned at his reflection, murmuring, "That was fun." He had especially enjoyed besting Sanford, the b*stard. He wondered if Giulian had been able to get him to talk, and if not, he'd enjoy making him talk; sing even. Whose pocket was he in now? And wouldn't Lagoran be interested in knowing the man was a turncoat. He felt a qualm of misgiving at that thought. What if Sanford wasn't a traitor... what if.... But rather than dwell on that, Decuma picked up his sword belt and buckled it on. The weight of the sword on his hip was rather comforting. Crossing the room he pulled open the door and stepped out into the hallway. A servant, who had obviously been stationed there in case he called out in need of anything, jumped at his emergence, bowing and scraping as he backed away. "Sir, be needin' anythin'? Can I run and fetch someone? Lord Giulian? Madam Maple?" "No, thank you. I'm heading downstairs. I'm sure I'll run into... someone," Decuma replied and walked past the still bowing servant. He came to the head of the stair and felt an odd dizziness wash over him. Annoyed, he grasped the banister, feeling the smooth wood under his hand, as he used it to steady himself while descending the staircase. He hated having weaknesses, and he hoped the bump on his head wouldn't continue to cause him problems. When he got to the bottom, he found his breathing was a bit faster than he liked. He paused to get it back under control, again annoyed that his body should betray him this way. He'd just have to work harder. He followed the sound of voices, which appeared to be coming from the breakfast room. There was a soft sound of footsteps behind him that came from the staircase and soon Xavier appeared next to his side. "Good to see you up and about, Lord Decuma. I hope you are feeling better," he said as he looked towards the breakfast room. He heard the lovely voice of the Lady Renata, but glanced at the man next to him who held her attention. Decuma nodded. "Thank you, I am feeling rested..." He frowned trying to puzzle out which of the Windhaven sons this one was, and said as diplomatically as he could, "I'm sorry, I forget your name?" Xavier smiled and chuckled. "Sorry, we are rather identical in appearance. I'm Xavier, the calmer one, you might say. My headstrong brother, Xander, took off earlier for the city to deliver messages." "The city is quiet enough then to send messengers," Decuma stated, nodding with a sense of relief. That meant that the Regent's government must have regained control. He waited until Xavier drew up beside him before he continued on down the stairs. As the two young men turned from the foot of the stairs into the hall, they saw Renata and Giulian standing just outside the door of the breakfast room, apparently engaged in conversation. Giulian looked up at them as they approached. "Decuma! It's good to see you up and about. How are you feeling? Have you had anything to eat?" Decuma smiled warmly at his cousin's greeting. "I am much improved," he began, but at the mention of food, his attention rivetted completely on Renata. "Yes, thank you. I had a very pleasant lunch." Then as if catching himself, Decuma cleared his throat. "Giulian, I am concerned.... I heard that Miss Elissa has not yet... arrived?" He left it open but his eyes held Giulian's conveying the deeper knowledge which Renata had imparted, though he did not mention it in front of Xavier, in case Giulian did not want it known to him. From the other direction, Decuma's half brother appeared. He stiffened slightly upon seeing Decuma, a reaction that he visibly fought down to a more neutral expression. Harry walked up to the knot of Decuma, Renata and Giulian but withheld speaking for the moment. "No, she hasn't," Giulian was replying to Decuma as Harry walked up. "Harry and Xavier were there when I found out why... and Renata just told me she heard it too." He took a deep breath, meeting his cousin's eyes. "A letter. Or perhaps I should call it a demand." Decuma's eyes glanced toward Harry just briefly and offered a nod, but kept his attention on Giulian. "Demand?" Decuma's voice sounded offended, and then angry. "From who? For what?" "For ransom," Giulian answered, a harsh note of anger in his voice, too. "From a man who signed himself 'Tonio.'" His eyes were on Decuma's face, wondering if the name would mean anything to his cousin. It was only by chance that it meant anything to him, and that might yet turn out to be a red herring. A curious frown crossed Decuma's face at the mention of the name 'Tonio,' but he said nothing. Giulian caught the look, but he also said nothing for the moment, though a flicker in his eyes indicated he'd seen it. He'd speak to his cousin about it later. "If I remember correctly, the blackheart also included a lock of hair from the young lady to emphasize his demands and proof that he has her," Xavier said. "It was a rather odd demand though, it was not a set amount for the ransom." "What she's worth to me," said Giulian, in a tone that was half-whisper, half-snarl. Unspoken but palpable was, As if it could be calculated. As if I would. "Why, it's a game to them!" Renata exclaimed. "A nasty game, where if you offer too little by their reckoning, it's on your head, and if you offer too much, they laugh at you!" "A rigged game, no doubt," Harry chimed in. Decuma blinked in surprise. He'd been thinking that very same thing. He regarded his half-brother for a moment and nodded. "I think her life is worth at least this 'Tonio's'. Perhaps of 'Tonio' and all of his henchmen combined.... Since he left it up to you what to pay, I think we at least owe him that much." The threat was said softly, but there was no doubt in his meaning. "After Elissa is free," said Giulian. "No one is suggesting that we risk Elissa's life, at least any more than it is already in risk," Harry said to Giulian. "And once she is free, Elissa may have ideas of her own about Tonio's 'payment'," Giulian suggested. "From what I've seen of that lady, I would say that is a definite possibility. What is the plan then?" Xavier asked. "I don't have a plan yet," Giulian told him frankly. "I need to get more information first." "If we are not going to rush off immediately, perhaps we might continue this conversation in a less stiff sort of format?" Harold observed dryly. "Seated, for instance?" Giulian nodded. "Since we've all had lunch, why don't we adjourn to my sitting room?" he invited them. In his own wing there would be fewer servants, apart from his own man Peterson, and less chance of their being overheard. Decuma nodded, with a half-smile. He knew Giulian's mind and could understand why he'd suggest his own sitting room. The walls had ears, even in a place as secure as Anderon, and if there were plans to be made, they wouldn't want any ideas leaking out to the wrong people. "It suits," Harry said without hesitation. He gave a nod to Giulian to lead. Giulian accordingly swung himself around and headed in the direction of the south wing. "Wow! You get a whole wing. I have a room," Xavier said, trying to make a light joke in the situation. "There are a few privileges associated with being the heir of Anderon," Giulian responded, with a sardonic smile. And responsibilities, he thought to himself, recalling his conversation with Renata a short time ago. He wondered what his father would think of Giulian's declared intention to marry Elissa ... what that would do to Anderon. But he'd come to realize that neither his honor nor his heart would allow him to do anything else. While he tried not to smirk at Xavier's comment, Decuma did chuckle. Decuma didn't just have a room and a wing; he had an estate. He idly wondered what Harry did with his portion of the allowance Delan doled out to the Maun sons. While off-world, Decuma had sent all of his to a factor who had secretly purchased an estate in the Aquila countryside, hopefully still unknown to Lagoran. If worst came to worst, and he did not get the nod in the succession, and could not flee off-world, then he hoped to hide out there. Perhaps Lagoran would let him live there in peace if he failed. "As there should be," Harry said. His mind went to thinking about his own social situation as of late. Sasha Matisse. The possibility of betrothal to Acciaio. And the general complication that was his love life. When they reached Giulian's sitting room, he swung himself over to his favorite caneback rocker. "Help yourselves to drinks," he invited the others, nodding toward the decanters and glasses on the sideboard. Harry moved toward the sideboard. He turned to regard Giulian and grinned. "And what would our host like to drink?" he asked. "Nothing right now, thank you, Harry," replied Giulian. Decuma nodded, figuring Jules would answer thusly, as he glanced at the sideboard. "Could have Peterson bring some coffee... unless you've already had enough today?" "For now," said Giulian, and went on to explain, "I had some with lunch. Unless anyone else wants it?" He looked round inquiringly at the others. Decuma walked over to stand beside Harry and picked up the decanter of brandy, then shook his head. "Probably shouldn't...." He managed a weak smile. "But it's tempting." He picked up the water instead and poured a glass. "If it is not too much trouble, a pot of tea would be nice. It goes a long way in comforting and soothing nerves at a time like this. At least, that is what my father always told me," Xavier said as he settled into a chair after looking around. The chair's conformation seemed to invite one to lean back and relax; indeed, all the chairs and sofas in the room looked to be designed for comfort. The styles and colors of the furniture were a more or less harmonious hodgepodge, apart from a few pieces like the polished oak sideboard that were probably original to the house, but they'd been selected with an artist's eye. Above the handsome fireplace hung a rugged, fantastical mountainscape, while on the mantelpiece below it stood an ormolu clock and a fine Classical-style bronze of a charioteer. Other works of art hung on the walls, including a group of pen-and-ink portraits by a talented amateur hand. "No trouble," said Giulian, then glanced up at the manservant who had appeared at the doorway in the young people's wake. "Peterson?" The middle-aged man nodded and left. Decuma didn't sit, but wandered over to the sketch pad lying open on a table to glance at the latest unfinished piece with admiration. He wasn't an artist, at least not when it came to drawings, but he greatly admired Giulian's skill. He glanced over at Renata, recalling a time when he'd only been able to admire her from an etching of Giulian's he had seen upstairs in Giulian's studio. She was even more beautiful in person, he mused, and a small smile played at the corners of his mouth. How strange the twists of fate. "This is a wonderful room. Something I hope we can accomplish at our own home with a bit of work and luck," Xavier said as he relaxed in the comfortable chair. "Try the attics," Giulian recommended with a small smile. "That's where I found at least half this stuff, and I'll wager the ones at Windhaven House are at least the equal of Anderon's." Xavier noticed Decuma's glance at Renata and let an internal sigh run through his head. He would have no chance with a lady against a potential heir to a ducal throne. He glanced at the various drawings and smiled. "Your work, Giulian?" "The ink drawings, yes," Giulian acknowledged. "My family, mostly." "Wonderful work. My sister, Tori, paints. I admire people with that kind of gift. Me, I'm more with grapes and wines," Xavier said. "I have a need to get my hands in the dirt at times." "Renata's our wine expert," said Giulian, smiling over at his friend. "House Tremontaine is known for its vineyards as well." Harry nodded in agreement. Renata smiled at Xavier. "It's Daddy's pride and joy. I'm sure that when... sanity is restored again he would love to have you come out and see it. Maybe you can even give us your opinion of our wines..." Decuma's brow creased just slightly, as his eyes narrowed, for just a second. Why had Giulian decided to mention that little point of interest? He had not missed Xavier's covert glances toward Renata, and now Giulian provided them with the perfect topic of conversation. Not that it should matter to him, he would never be able to have any type of relationship with Harry's sister. At least that's what Decuma tried to convince himself. "This small talk is all very entertaining," Decuma stated flatly, "but don't you have a friend to rescue? What are your thoughts?" He hadn't meant to be so blunt, but there was no way to try to soften it now. Xavier glanced at Decuma at the sharp, blunt tone and swallowed hard. "Lord Decuma is correct. We are here to figure a way to help you, Giulian, and in return, Elissa. She must be helped, though I do not know how discussing it here will help things," Xavier said. "Pooling information, mostly," replied Giulian, sitting up. He remembered similar sessions in this very room after Jovanna had disappeared; he wondered if Harry and Renata did, too. "And laying out a strategy. We need to find out as much as we can about this 'Tonio,' as soon as we can, but without being too ... direct about it. We need to move obliquely, in ways he won't expect. Otherwise he might ... take fright." He didn't say harm Elissa, though he was thinking it. Renata did, in fact, remember, but thought it better to say nothing. She had lost one good friend with Jovanna's sudden departure and was loathe to lose another, especially under these circumstances. Harry seemed to know what Giulian was thinking. "Time spent in strategy planning is not wasting time," Harry added. "In fact, this is not a new thing. Although the last time I was engaged in this, it was a disappearance, rather than a kidnapping. And we should try as indirect an approach as possible. However, given the time of tumult that the city is in right now, that may not be too much of a problem." Decuma with a shock caught himself nodding in agreement with Harry, again. In fact as Giulian and Harry spoke, Decuma was already thinking of possible avenues of approaching Tonio... that is if it were the same man whom Decuma thought it was. Yes, he could think of several 'oblique' ways of moving, ways he was sure that none of the others in the room would even consider. He looked at Giulian's face, reading the unspoken fear in his eyes. "I have a few avenues I could... investigate," Decuma offered. "You said he gave you until the end of the week?" Giulian nodded, his mouth curving bitterly as he said, "I expect he realizes I don't keep large sums of ransom money in my pockets, nor yet in the house." Harry nodded glumly. He looked at his half-brother. "Would it be better not to know these avenues?" Decuma gave Harry a curious look. How different their lives were, he mused, for him to even ask such a question with his own sister in the room. "Let's just say it isn't through that pretty little house on Tarry Street... and probably should not be discussed in present company." He glanced quickly toward Renata to see if what he'd said had created a reaction. She said nothing, but rolled her eyes slightly. Hadn't she proven herself, at least as far as not being entirely useless or lacking in knowledge of the world? Decuma then turned the conversation back to his cousin: "Jules, if you think you need some quick coin, I'm sure I can put my hand on some... today even. But I'd rather not pay the bast... ahem. Pay him anything, if we can secure her release without. We certainly don't want to encourage others to kidnap our loved ones...." And again, the glance toward Renata, touched perhaps with sadness. Which earned him a softer, more reassuring look in turn. "There has definitely been enough of that going around. We need to put our foot down and stop that immediately," Xavier said with a firm nod. "I wish I could add that I have contacts and places to go, but my family and I are just too new to Aquila. So, I can just offer my strength and presence." "That is a help in itself, plus the fact that you're an unknown quantity," said Giulian. "I have at least one possible lead as well," he told Decuma, as he'd hinted to Harry and Xavier earlier. "But since it's based on something Elissa told me in confidence, I think I should follow it up on my own." "Only if you are certain," Harry said, cocking his head toward Giulian. He made a tiny number of small nods as he digested and remembered what Giulian had intimated to him earlier. "I'm sure," said Giulian. With a half-smile he added, "Research is my strong point." Decuma nodded once. "But remember you have back-up if you need it. You don't need to do this all alone...." He smiled warmly, as he seemed to recall Giulian saying something similar to him whenever he tried to go it alone. Giulian smiled back, genuine warmth breaking through the worry. "I know." He looked around at all of them. "And I can't tell you how glad I am of that." |
