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Post by GravityEmblem on Apr 21, 2022 4:21:46 GMT -8
"Then it's settled, isn't it?" Lillian says. "And we leave in the morning?"
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Post by Daos on Apr 21, 2022 12:02:04 GMT -8
"Yes, of course," Amodeo says, standing up. His companions do likewise. "And it should go without saying, of course, that anyone who tries to betray a Calabrian will spend the rest of their life looking over their shoulder...which won't be for very long, yes?"
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Post by GravityEmblem on Apr 21, 2022 13:46:22 GMT -8
"Well, I'll be sure to keep that in mind. I don't happen to like looking over my shoulder," Lillian says.
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Post by HorizonsDream on Apr 21, 2022 18:39:04 GMT -8
Ladonna stands up once everyone else does. She actually hadn't said she was agreeing to this, but at the moment, she was playing along. "Enjoy the rest of your night," she finally says before she starts moving off to her room.
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Post by Daos on Apr 21, 2022 19:31:52 GMT -8
Amodeo and his people likewise head up to their own rooms.
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Post by GravityEmblem on Apr 22, 2022 4:23:21 GMT -8
Lillian, likwise likwise, heads up to her own room.
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Post by Daos on Apr 26, 2022 19:43:02 GMT -8
The following morning, the party wakes up and packs up their things. They immediately depart back to Hart. Once there, Ladonna and Lillian are summoned into the Hall of Judgement to meet with Count Solan.
Sitting on his throne, he waits for them to bow, then says, "I received word from the barone. He seems quite pleased with your efforts to find and arrest the merchant's killer. Indeed, I never thought I'd hear a man such as himself sing the praises of any Tardish person so highly. I'm glad to see him gone; he's on the next boat to Calabria as we speak. But tell me, did you learn his true intent during your time there, as we discussed?"
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Post by HorizonsDream on Apr 26, 2022 20:03:47 GMT -8
Ladonna follows the proper procedures in honoring the Count before she steps forward to explain the situation to him. "My Lord, unfortunately, the only reason why he sang our praises is because he believes we are going to help him take over Hart," she says. "His true intent was to stage a coup so that Calabria could get a foothold in Tardiff," she explains. "He said he would speaking highly of us once we returned to Hart, and even give us titles if we helped him with undermining the defense of Hart. We played along with the plan so that he would believe that we were on board just so we could come back here, and explain the situation to you."
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Post by GravityEmblem on Apr 27, 2022 4:39:48 GMT -8
Ladonna's words hit Lillian like a punch to the gut, and she's frankly, at a loss for words. But she soon reassesses, and calmly adds, "You'd best prepare for an attack on the city in the coming months. He wanted information on its defenses, but I told him I'd wait until we returned to Hart to give him the details. His military intelligence is still lacking. And, given your discretion, this may be a good opportunity to feed him false information."
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Post by Daos on Apr 27, 2022 14:14:50 GMT -8
The count's eyes widen in surprise, and then narrow as he calls upon his Gonto-given ability to discern lies from the truth. Satisfied that they speak truly, he leans back in his seat as the weight of their words sunk in. "This is...troubling news. We should...alert the queen at once."
"My lord, given the queen's considerable paranoia already...is that wise?" asks Kellerman. "It may send her over the edge."
Solan frowns. "It's not paranoia anymore; the Calabrians really are planning an invasion. And besides, she is our queen. I took an oath to serve her, and I won't break it now. Anyway, we are more or less already at war now, it just isn't official yet." He looks to Talbot. "Lock down the docks, close the sea gates. At least for now. Any Calabrian ships approaching are to be fired upon at once. And marshal the troops to defend the keep."
He then turns back to Kellerman. "Use whatever sources you have, call in any favors you can, but try and find out as much as possible about how much the Calabrians know, when this invasion is expected to start, and what their forces look like."
Finally, he turns to Ladonna and Lillian. "As for you two...you have done well. I will arrange to allow your wedding to be held in the castle, as promised, Ser Marche. And I will see to it that word is spread of your loyalty and honesty. You may well have saved Hart, possibly even Tardiff itself, from destruction this day."
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Post by GravityEmblem on Apr 27, 2022 14:49:41 GMT -8
Lillian frowns internally, slightly annoyed by this turn of events. But outwardly, she bows respectfully and says, "Thank you for your praise, Count Solan. We are glad to be of service."
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Post by HorizonsDream on Apr 27, 2022 19:13:37 GMT -8
"Thank you, my Lord," Ladonna says as she bows to the count.
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Post by Daos on Apr 27, 2022 20:55:59 GMT -8
"If you have anything further to add, speak with Ser Kellerman," the count says. "And for the time being, I'd appreciate it if you do not speak with this matter with anyone else. I do not wish to spark a panic if it can be avoided."
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Post by GravityEmblem on Apr 28, 2022 3:51:25 GMT -8
"I see," Lillian says. "Thank you again, my lord." She bows once more, and, if he has nothing more to say, turns to leave.
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Post by HorizonsDream on Apr 28, 2022 20:16:27 GMT -8
"Of course, my Lord," Ladonna says. She bows again, and turns to leave with Lillian. Once they are safely out of earshot of the count and anyone else for that matter, she says softly. "You've been oddly different since Buho. Actually, you were different in Buho. What exactly is going on?"
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