EncountersInTheCorridorIndex | Time Under Chaos | Game Logs | PreGameLogs | EncountersInTheCorridor "Lead the way," Claudio told the guard. And the guard did, steadily taking Claudio deeper into the heart of the castle ... until they met two young men, walking the opposite way ... Claudio recognized at least one of the men from the night before. "Mr. Vladic!" he hailed him, raising his free hand in greeting. "Whither away?" "Good morning, Mr. Barimen," Goran replied with a nod. He indicated the younger man beside him. "May I introduce you to Lord Chadwick?" Claudio immediately looked interested. "So this is Lord Chadwick. I am pleased to meet you, my lord, and to find you..." He paused. "...looking well. I know there has been some concern..." He slanted a glance at Goran, who had been on the scene when Pavlo appeared. Chadwick nodded with a smile. "Every day is an adventure. I've got mysteries and the promise of action to keep me on my feet," he continued without a thought to the lameness that afflicted the other. And indeed, Claudio seemed to take it as nothing more than a figure of speech. "Whatever concerns regarding my health should be laid to rest soon enough." The guard shifted his feet but seemed reluctant to interrupt. "Indeed, I hope so," Claudio returned courteously, while at the same time studying the young Amberite prince. "And certainly there are mysteries enough for everyone, right now." "True enough," Goran agreed. "We were about to go to Lord Chadwick's room to search for clues about who was with him when he came to. Join us if you wish, Mr. Barimen." He turned to Chadwick. "Shall we, my lord?" "I'm afraid I'm supposed to go and see the Regent," Claudio replied with a trace of regret (and a glance at the guard), "and probably should not keep him waiting. Best of luck with your endeavors." Chadwick gave Claudio a slightly regretful smile. "Thank you. After everything's settled we'll have to compare experiences." "I would like that," replied Claudio. Chadwick then gave his attention to Goran. "Let's," he said as he renewed the trek to his room for any clues that might be about. He was feeling much more alert than he had when he was last there, so there might be something he'd overlooked that would be spotted this time. "Good day, Mr. Barimen," Goran nodded politely in parting and followed Chadwick to his room. To discover Ingrey and his escort rapidly approaching. Claudio, meanwhile, collected the guard with a look and continued on the way Goran and Chadwick had come, toward the throne room. "Good evening," Ingrey said as Goran and Chadwick came into view. His voice was definitely loud enough to carry to Claudio as well. At the sound of Ingrey's voice, Claudio paused and turned toward him. "Good evening, Counselor," he said, "again." "I am pleased to see you are well," Ingrey added to Chadwick. "My errand at this strange hour involves the Regent." Ingrey paused. "What errand keeps the two of you awake, might I ask?" Hearing that Ingrey also had business with the Regent, Claudio stayed where he was, holding up a hand to signal the guard to pause, too. Perhaps they could go in together ... and Claudio might learn some news. Goran smiled tightly as the Counselor approached. "Any and all, Counselor. At present, Lord Chadwick and I are in search of a 'person of interest' on orders of the Regent. As such, we should not tarry." He nodded up the hallway. "I believe the Regent is still in the Throne Room if you seek him. The Princess Islain was there as well, last I knew." Chadwick nodded with a smile. "She smells nice." "I do seek him," Ingrey replied to Goran, giving a nod. "And I thank you for confirming that he is still awake and available." He then looked to Chadwick. "I have not had the pleasure of meeting Princess Islain. In that honor, good Chadwick, you have had the fortune to have preceded me. "I will not tarry the two of you any further," Ingrey added. "Since it seems that the good man from Barimen is tarrying his own footsteps in order to perhaps join me in my own errand." He nodded to Chadwick and Goran. "Happy hunting." Ingrey waited a moment for a response before moving forward in the direction of the throne room to where Claudio was waiting. Claudio nodded a greeting as Ingrey approached. With a half-smile he revealed, "I need to see the Regent about a disturbance... I assume. Fortunately it happened after you departed. How did you leave Lady Tasha?" "I need to see the Regent on a matter myself," Ingrey said agreeably with a nod. "As far as the Lady Tasha, I find your not incurious interest in her welfare understandable." Ingrey paused a beat. "Rest assured that I left her in the tender care of Her Excellency the Ambassador and her staff." "At the Embassy? I suppose that's as safe as anywhere can be, at the moment," said Claudio. "At the Embassy," Ingrey said with a touch of pride. "If we cannot protect her, then the lady from Minobee is safe in no terms. I suspect, however," Ingrey smiled slightly, "that it is unlikely that a scion of Minobee, however comely, would have not been trained properly to take care of herself." "That is also true," conceded Claudio. "We've already seen some of her abilities." "It is," Ingrey added, "something to uncover about her anyway." "When we get the chance," Claudio agreed. "I'll hope to be able to do her Trump sketch as well." "Providing her with some full trump cards, too, Claudio, to use as she sees fit would be something that would be useful to her. And others," Ingrey replied. "Of course I understand the time needed to perform such a project. It occurs to me," Ingrey added with a slight smile, "that I have not had a new card made since my recent increase in rank. Something, perhaps, when the tumult has settled, that you might help rectify." Claudio looked wry. "That's assuming we can get round the wards we discovered last night. Or were you able to do something about that in the interim?" he asked Ingrey. "I was," Ingrey replied, "implying that you might be helpful in that regard. Forgive me, friend for a touch too much subtlety. I have had need of it this evening." "In that case, I'll be happy to help in whatever way I can," said Claudio. "Not least because I would like to be able to contact you when I need to." "Indeed. While there may be protective benefits, the disadvantages are considerable." Ingrey replied. The guards had been conferring, quietly, while all this was discussed. Now, with a polite cough, they indicated their willingness to escort Ingrey and Claudio to the throne room straightaway. "Thank you. Your duty and service in this matter are appreciated and do you credit," Ingrey said with a nod to the guards. He gestured for Claudio to walk beside him and follow the guards toward the Throne Room. Claudio fell in beside Ingrey and continued toward the Throne Room behind the guards. They reached the door, which as guarded. They conferred briefly with the escort, and one then opened the door to admit the escort who returned promptly. "The Regent will see you," he said - and the door was pushed wider so that they might enter. Claudio glanced at Ingrey and made an "after you" gesture with his free hand. He suspected that the Minister-Counsellor's business with the Regent was more urgent than his own. Ingrey nodded to him in response, and preceded Claudio into the room. |
