Private Tales The First Masque

[Erodin]

"Hiding?" Erodin echoed as he climbed up onto the Dragon's back. Wrapping his arms around Amelie's form.

"I resent the very accusation." He jested, pressing a small kiss against her cheek. "Although."

The Rogue Dreadlord admitted with a smile. "I believe a man does have the right to surprise his wife from time to time."

He grinned, and the Dragon spread it's wings. With one great sweeping leap the creature launched itself forward. It's maw opened in a titanic roar, loud enough to shake and nearly shatter the windows of the manor behind them. It's huge form began to soar into the air dozens of forms appearing on balconies and patios as they stared up at the ghostly dragon.

Awe painted upon their faces.

Within mere moments Erodin and Amelie found themselves flying through the sky. Wind whipping through their hair as they left the manor far behind.

 

[Amelie]

Amelie allowed herself to move closer to Erodin, savoring the moment of solace they were getting atop the horned dragon.

"It's a wonderful surprise," she chuckled and returned his kiss with one she planted gingerly upon his lips, "I'm glad you didn't try for flowers again." Though it had been years ago, and a kind enough gesture, it was a funny enough story that she still brought it up from time-to-time.

Dark strands of hair fluttered behind her as their ride began to catch speed.

She had to hand it to him, this was far better than horses or a carriage ride home. There was no telling how long the dragon essence would last, although Erodin likely knew, but if it lasted the entire journey she was pretty certain they'd reach Gilram's hideout within a few days.

"Any detours? I think this is surprise enough." Not that it mattered, she trusted him with her life. But being abreast of any deviations to the plan was always nice.

 

[Erodin]

He chuckled as she brought up the flowers. "Never going to let that go, are you?"

Erodin called out through the wind, but smiled widely.

Their relationship was hardly what one could call ordinary. The sheer devotion they had towards one another was beyond what many could understand, and everything else? They were Dreadlords, that fact alone set them apart from others.

"No more surprises." He admitted. "But I think a bit of delay would be best."

There was no need for them to rush back to Gilram. Although they now knew what the ring 'did', Erodin knew there was still yet more information to be found. Who had crafted it? Why? Had his theory about all these items been correct?

He and Amelie could take the journey back to figure it out.

Besides, though he was confident the Dragon essence would last all the way to the Archon's hideout, Erodin did not want to waste it on the trip. Such a creature would be far more useful in other ways.

 

[Amelie]

”Nope. You’re never living that down.” A suggestive smile came easily enough as the two continued on and Erodin assured her the surprises were over.

A delay however was very much in order.

”I could go for a decent meal.” Movement was so fast now that one had to practically scream against the rushing wind to be heard. ”I swear the women in Oban are expected to not eat.”

There were plenty of little cities and towns that dotted the way home, along with even more port cities and towns up-and-down the coast of the Allirian Strait.

Although there could be one problem with her request. ”We aren’t exactly dressed for it but,” a grin came as she squeezed his side, ”we can be very persuasive can’t we?”

Decent meal, some wine, and a private restaurant that had evacuated after serving them would be the perfect setting for them to have the conversations about Gilram’s little scavenger hunt in secret.

 

[Erodin]

Erodin couldn't help but grin. What a lovely thought Amelie had had. A whim he would not deny her. "We're not too far from Selucia"

That little town just north of Alliria. Built into a cliff-face and once having functioned as a smugglers port. Now it had been bought up by the rich and powerful, a small hub of vacation homes and estates which only the truly wealthy could afford.

House Virak had a home there, and Amelie and Erodin had enjoyed it more than once.

He was sure Elise Virak wouldn't mind them appropriating it for a night or two, and even if she did...who gave a fuck anymore.

"I think we can find everything we'll need there." Erodin said with a wide grin, the Dragon's wings suddenly shifting. With a quiet rush of wind it's giant form tilted in the air, and before long the coast of the straits came into view.

The soaring beat of the Dragons wings resounding in a steady rhythm as they drew closer to the lights of Selucia. With a sweep, the massive creatures form dipped closer to the ground, coming down in a small clearing with a surprising gentleness.

Erodin slipped from the creatures back, offering his hand up to help Amelie down.

 

[Amelie]

Selucia will do," her voice was chipper despite the rushing wind that cut through it, "you certainly owe me a proper Anirian meal."

They hadn't spoken much of her time spent in Urstholm but at a minimum he was aware of how abysmal the living conditions had been. The company she'd been forced to keep. And how they seemed to subsist on a diet of cheap grains and dried meat.

"We can at least get a decent bottle of wine from the Virak cellar."

Amelie wasn't certain if Elise truly liked anyone other than herself but she was certain that Elise Virak understood the importance of powerful allies. The services they had provided in their heyday ranged from assassinating threats to the Virak's livelihoods to obtaining their rivals secrets through Amelie's particular set of skills.

She accepted Erodin's hand as they strode, like conquerors, into Selucia. She didn't need to mention it or suggest it as Erodin led the pair directly to the restaurant she knew they'd be dining at.

Obreen's House had become a stable for the city as a spot the nobility, and competent Dreadlords, frequently dined at. Although their serf's clothing would stand out she truly couldn't care less. As they crossed the threshold the hostess, a woman named Jane, gave them a passing glance.

"Are you here to pick up," her words died as she looked beyond their attire at the faces that appeared before her and realization dawned, "Lord Erodin, Lady Cosades," the woman gave a quick curtsy, "it has been some time. Your usual spot?"

Without any mention of Gilram or the fact they were technically fugitives she led them towards a white clothed table by one of the windows before rushing towards the back-of-house to grab whoever the server was these days.

"Did we make that much of an impression last time we were here?" Her words light and playful.

 

[Erodin]

"My love, you leave such an impression that I've had to stop them building statues in your honor." Erodin said, planting a kiss on the back of Amalie's hand before the of them sat themselves down at the table. Taking a comfortable place besides the window.

Though they were fugitives, there was no cause for concern for either of them.

Selucia was a distant leap from Vel Anir, and the authorities here were not inclined to bend to the New Republics whims. At least not unless there was a healthy pouch of gold behind whatever offer was being made. Though it was doubtful anyone would even here of their arrival for days to come.

Word didn't travel fast in a place like this. "So."

Erodin mused as he lounged in his chair.

"We have a ring, a needle, a chalice, and whatever it is he stole from Vel Draza." The Dreadlord mused. "I haven't figured that one out."

Unfortunately Nicholas had hidden that quite well. "All of the items are clearly Anirian, or at least from Anirian territory."

Even the ring had been from an Anirian, or so the Prince had said. "There must be something that connects them."

 

[Amelie]

A ring, a needle, a chalice, and a mysterious fourth item.

It sounded like objects from a child's scavenger hunt or the knickknacks inside the cabinet of a hoarder."Maybe Gilram is simply a collector of Anirian history."

The waiter stopped by their table, depositing a half-loaf of bread and giving them the typical spiel of the daily specials. Apparently they'd arrived in time for roasted goat with leeks. A Selucian specialty that was so extraordinary it was the daily special nine times out of ten here. Still, getting too fancy caused the death of many promising restaurants, at least in her experience.

"We'll start with a bottle of Zinfandel," she began without even looking at the menu, "and dried meats you've prepared for winter," she dismissed the server with a wave of her hand before returning her attention back to Erodin.

"It will be difficult to uncover what he's up to." She rarely was allowed to get near his camp these days and when she did he kept Nicholas or Torbev around to ensure she wasn't trying to dig through the mind of anyone in Gilram's inner circle.

Not that he trusted many, if anyone, with the knowledge of what they were hunting for.

All they knew for sure was that, "it's something big. Something important." Or at least Gilram believed so.

 

[Erodin]

Erodin chuckled, but shook his head. There was something behind this. Even if he was was collector, there had been quite a lot of risk taken in acquiring all of these items. Not to mention the fact they both knew the Archon had an overarching goal.

A simplistic one, but the goal was still there. "Unfortunately the old goat didn't survive this long by being easy to figure out."

Gilram had been a Dreadlord for nearly fifty years. He had been an Archon for a decade of that. The man had not only survived, but thrived in an age where being a Dreadlord that powerful was both politically and physically dangerous.

It was almost commendable really.

Erodin tapped his finger on the table for a few moments, tilting his head from side to side and then finally spoke.

"There...is that ex-wife of his." A snippet of information Amelie had pulled from Gilram's mind almost a decade ago. The two of them had been sent on a mission together, there had been a brief second of vulnerability, and Amelie had taken what she could. Even an Archon couldn't protect themselves all the time. "She might know more."

He suggested, though they both knew how dangerous that would be. Gilram, by all accounts, had loved his wife almost as much as Erodin did Amelie. Enough that he had sent her away.

Bracing her, in any way, was stepping across a line which they could not turn back from.

 

[Amelie]

The waiter deposited the wine upon their table, filling each of their glasses with the deep red liquid. Just behind him a second server placed bread, jam, and the dried meat she'd requested. "We're good for now," she said in a tone that wasn't rude, merely suggested that they wished to have a modicum of privacy.

"The ex-wife?" A brow was raised as Amelie's butter knife coated a slice of the baguette with the blueberry jam they'd dropped off at the table. "We've never been that bold before."

A hint of a snicker followed before she took a bite of her appetizer, a sip of her wine, all of the preamble before she dug into the meat of their meal.

She'd always been more of a snacker rather than a fan of the seven-course standard Anirian nobility fine-dining extravaganzas. Not that those meals couldn't be fun or enjoyable but her preference would always just being in a nice environment, taking her time and savoring snacking foods, relaxing. Getting to just talk to Erodin.

Today's topic was different, however.

They could both feel that Gilram was plotting something and this time it felt bigger than his usual plans. Perhaps the time had come for them to take a risk. "If we go after her we'll need to be cautious," they'd have to cover their tracks. Make it look like it couldn't have ever been them. "Either frame it as an accident or pick a decent-looking patsy we can pin it on."

Even if they played their roles perfectly the risk that Gilram discovered that it was them would always exist. And, as they both realized, if the old fool discovered that they had paid a visit to his ex... "I prefer keeping my head attached, and you look so much better with a head at the end of your neck."

 

[Erodin]

For a few moments Erodin simply sat in silence, watching as Amelie enjoyed her small meal and reveling in the time they had together.

It always felt right when they were side by side. Whether it was on a mission or simply lounging, it was as though the world had been set on it's correct course. Erodin loved that feeling. It filled him with confidence and an almost boundless energy.

A smile plucked at his lips, not at any words spoken, but simply from the quiet joy he felt in his chest.

"He's made his moves against the Republic." Erodin said finally, reaching over and gently picking up a small morsel of cheese. He tossed it into his mouth, chewing for a moment before he continued. "And there are more than a few left behind who knew about her."

Dreadlords and nobles both who had some sort of relationship with Gilram before the Revolution had taken hold. "Do you remember anyone he might have particular enmity with?"

Erodin mused. "Naja despised him, but I don't think it's believable she would leave her little fief."

The Archon ruled Coraliv still, under the auspices of Vel Anir of course, making it very unlikely they could sell that story.

 

[Amelie]

"Naja won't work," her words came only after she'd swallowed a serving of soppressata. Curing meats was one of the few things that Selucia excelled at. She'd always guessed it was a skill honed over generations of striving to survive the winters in this mountainous no-man's land.

Amelie hesitated before gorging herself with more wine or snacks, contemplating the words Erodin spoke.

"We could try... him."

Her brows actually fluttered at the suggestion as her mind went into overdrive, surveying the various thoughts of the restaurant to ensure no one was eavesdropping on what she would propose next. "Pollux."

An Archon, one that Gilram had bad history with. One that was loyal to the Republic.

Amelie took a sip of her wine to settle her nerves and gauge Erodin's reaction. The fact he didn't immediately shut it down, didn't immediately express outward disgust, was a good sign. "If we play it right we can easily make it above suspicion."

There were certainly risks but it was one of the most believable actors she could imagine. Pollux, in her opinion, was practically a zealot of Vel Anir. She doubted many people in the new Republic hated Gilram as much as he did and the pair had plenty of history, plenty of baggage, dating back to before the revolution.

 

[Erodin]

A small frown plucked at Erodin's lips as Amelie suggested Pollux, not because he disliked the idea, but because of the man himself.

There were few people who unsettled him, but that man... "A dangerous card to put into the game."

He countered quietly, though his beloved would see that the idea had already gripped him. Amelie was entirely right, the two Archon's did despise one another. Five years ago, long before the Revolution, Erodin himself had witnessed the two of them nearly come to blows.

There were few who could, even in theory, take Gilram on in a one on one fight. Pollux, by his estimation, would have been capable. Though it would be a close.

"But, a brilliant thought." Erodin admitted, a smile slowly beginning to pluck at the corner of his lips.

"We'll have to be careful." He said, reaching over and plucking up what appeared to be a piece of Selucian Salami. "Though I think you're right. It's only a matter of time until they sic him on Old Gil anyway."

In fact, Erodin wondered why they hadn't already let him do it.

He considered for a moment, then added. "If he thought it would get him Gilram, Pollux would hardly stop at killing the man's wife."

Despite whatever pathetic morality the Republic was attempting to claim.

 

[Amelie]

"Perhaps," Amelie bit at her lip in thought, listening intently to every syllable that dripped from Erodin's mouth. He wasn't wrong about being careful, this was a potentially dangerous play. If something went wrong they'd not only be enemies of the Republic but also of Gilram and his ragtag group of degenerate dropouts.

Though the very last thing her beloved said set the gears of her mind into motion.

A finger tapped at her chin for a brief second before she allowed herself to speak. "You're right. Pollux would go further than just the ex-wife," a sinister grin was beginning to envelope her face as she took another long drink of wine. "In fact, he hates Gilram so much he might go too far."

Driving a wedge between the nobility and the Republic was important for Gilram's plot but it was equally as important for what Erodin and Amelie had in mind.

"So, he murders the ex-wife for personal revenge but he goes further than that," Gilram's former wife had been a member of a House Venour, a minor noble house but a minor house with ties to influential allies. "He destroys House Venour's trade cogs. Gilram's old wife still lives in that portside city, correct?"

Amelie leaned backwards in her chair, desire and death filling her features. "And poor Pollux, he covers his tracks so well, but he makes a mistake. A minor one, a mistake that lets the Republic figure out who it was while framing Gilram for the attack."

 

[Erodin]

Erodin grinned wide, his hand reaching out to scoop up Amelie's palm. "Your genius, my love."

He said as he kissed her knuckles.

"Continues to inspire me." The plan was not without it's complications. They would have to be very careful not to be seen. Though that was really more of a problem for Erodin than it was for Amelie. But, the plan was a sound one.

Even if Gilram's former beloved knew nothing about the Ring, nor the other objects, they would still get something out of this.

"Pollux will come looking." There was no doubt about that. "But, I suspect with a few whispered words even his attentions can be turned."

If this all went right, no one would ever hear of their involvement at all. "I still have friends in the Vigilite. I think they can be convinced to ensure the walking corpse will be properly...directed."

They wanted his eyes on Gilram, not them.

 

[Amelie]

"Sometimes I surprise myself," her chest filled with warmth as Erodin's lips gently brushed her knuckles. "Pollux believes Gilram is the lowest of low."

It wasn't entirely out of the realm of possibility for Pollux to assume that Gilram himself would aim to frame him. And, in all likelihood if they planned this correctly the two men's feud would ensure both of them were blinded to anything other than the scenario put before them.

To Gilram it would seem his ex-wife had been slain and his most reliable path towards the nobility of Vel Anir, House Venour, would be crippled by Pollux.

And to Pollux? Gilram destroyed the trade cogs in an effort to frame Pollux after discovering his wife had been killed. But how would they... "ah," her voice was lilted, "the Vigilite."

Yes. Their plan would come together nicely.

 

[Erodin]

It had taken them years to plan and put everything together. At first they had thought the Revolution had ruined everything, but as more time passed both Erodin and Amelie realized that it had simply made everything so much easier.

They had connections, friends, and assets scattered all over Anirian territory. Stashed away and waiting to be used. His friends in the Vigilite were only a small part of the network Erodin and Amelie had built. "You remember Slevin."

Erodin said.

"The boy with the knack I saved in Vel Turrel" Not quite a full magical talent, knacks were small and singular of purpose abilities. Usually genetic, but sometimes randomly cropping up. Slevin's talent was being able to smell lies. Incredibly handy in an organization like the Vigilite. "He's an Inquisitor now. I think a word from him would point Pollux the way we want."

Simple enough.

 

[Amelie]

"Yes," Amelie purred, "Slevin will work nicely."

As an inquisitor with the knack he possessed his word would be above reproach. He might even be able to catch Pollux in a minor lie, painting the man in an ever more guilty light in the process.

It was all fitting together nicely. "Your generosity in Vel Turrel benefits us yet again."

That statement was made as she raised her glass of wine in Erodin's direction. It was nice to have a chance to simply relax here, enjoy a good meal, and get back to scheming. They'd been apart for awhile and then had to run Gilram's silly errand. Now they were able to enjoy themselves and get back to their true aims.

"Early tomorrow we should make for House Venour's demesne," a sly grin colored her cheeks, "but first I think we'll need another bottle of wine."

They had the groundwork for their scheme, now they just needed to make it a reality.

 

[Erodin]

Erodin swept up his own glass, gently tipping it against Amelie's with a delightful ring. "Generosity which you inspire in me, my love."

He said with a smile.

Before the Revolution House Virak had used them both extensively for their significant talents. Amelie had been oft been a scalpel, and Erodin? A hammer.

Turrel had been meant to be a slaughter, a complete and utter annihilation. His wraiths had cut down nearly everyone within the little city, almost razing it completely save for one little boy. To this day the incident was still an open case, many still wondering what had happened there.

Few knew the truth, and Erodin was unlikely to tell even now.

"I think we can afford ourselves the luxury." He said, taking a long sip from his glass. "After all, we've been working so very hard."

Erodin chuckled, shaking his head as he summoned the server back to their table.

 

[Amelie]

They split the next bottle of wine happily, dined on a fulfilling meal, and rose early the next morning bound for House Venour's holding by the coast. Erodin's little inquistor knack, Slevin, would be notified and help them frame Archon Pollux.

But, as they made their way there was one piece that needed to slip into place first. "Everyone at her manor has to die."

They couldn't risk being identified by a servant or kitchen staff. Even a description of the assailants wouldn't do as someone as resource as Gilram (or even Pollux) would likely conclude the real perpetrators.

"Unless you want to visit the witch?" A poly-morph potion might allow them to take on an appropriate form. There was also another way. "Or we just slaughter everyone at the manor and the trade cogs... well, we repeat what we did at that fishing village in Cortos."

Erodin's ghouls had destroyed a village while Amelie used her mental magic to make his summons appear as if they were living, breathing, soldiers from a Cortosi lord. At that time the Anirians had concluded that two of the provincial rulers had grown too powerful and a house war between them would ensure they were both weakened. It had worked without a hitch.

Using a similar ploy to dispatch the trade cogs after they dealt with Gilram's ex-wife could be feasible. It was unlikely to benefit them to kill everyone in the small trade city that House Venour had historically operated out of.

 

[Erodin]

”No no, not the Witch.” Erodin said, rejecting the idea out of hand with a distasteful look on his face. ”I can never get the taste of that stuff out of my mouth.”

Though there was no doubt to the effectiveness of the potion, it was an awful wretched thing. He could have sworn it was made out of cat bile, or something similarly disgusting. It might have been easier, but honestly he was more than willing to put in the extra work.

Besides, it might be more believable in the end anyway. ”We’ll do the village trick.”

The Rogue Dreadlord said, confirming it to himself with a nod.

‘Pollux’, undoubtedly would have done the same. The man was on the side of the Republic, but he was one of the Old Ways. Or at least something close to it. Though young, the Archon had a strong sense of pragmatism and there was little doubt in Erodin’s mind that if the man were actually doing something like this he would leave few witnesses.

”Make it appear like those mercenaries from Kjos. Northerners.” He reminded Amelie. ”Pollux liked them.”

Efficient in their brutality, the Archon had described them as. ”I think I might even have one or two…”

Erodin thought to himself idly, closing his eyes and beginning to hum. A habit that Amelie was familiar with, one the rogue tended towards when exploring the library of his collected essences.

 

[Amelie]

A wide grin surfaced between Amelie's cheeks.

"Oh? You want to skip the witch?" She didn't press him further on that. It was always bizarre to her that a man who'd endured the physical pain of the academy and the mental tolls of being a Dreadlord could be such a gigantic baby when it came to drinking something he didn't like the taste of.

As he spoke further she nodded in agreement. "Very well, the village trick, Kjos mercenaries, I think that'll suffice." It was a fully formed plot now. First, the ex-wife and gathering whatever information they could pry from her skull. Then slay her and anyone else in the Venour manor. And finally, enact this final plan on the trade cogs.

Erodin's hum emanated next and Amelie had to resist the urge to dig into her lover's head. She knew what he was doing, cycling through his catalog of deceased summons, and she'd give him the privacy he more than deserved. But she'd have been lying if she didn't admit that, from time-to-time, it was pleasant to see how he thought.

How his brain cataloged the store of 'weapons' he had at his disposal.

"Do you think his ex will have anything worth knowing?" Though the better question might've been, 'do we even care if she does?' Just knowing they'd hurt Gilram in some way was a victory unto itself.

 

[Erodin]

Erodin's eyes flickered open. "She might."

The answer was vague, but also the best that he could honestly give. Though he still had his contacts in the Vigilite, Vestigare, and throughout Vel Anir contacting them had become far more difficult. The Republic had made things inadvertently harder.

Not that they even knew what they were looking for really.

"I don't know much about her." Erodin admitted. "But she's an intelligent woman, apparently clawed her family name back from an incident where they were nearly exiled."

It made sense, in a way. Gilram might have been many things, but he was not the sort to pick his partner idly. Anyone the old fool shacked up with would at least need to be a suitable match in his eyes. Doubtless the Countess was a formidable enough woman. "At the very least, she will tell us something interesting about him."

And at the end that was all they would really need.

 

[Amelie]

"I suppose I just fear the interesting thing about him will be how he prefers his coffee in the morning," Amelie let a sigh escape her lips, "although I suppose so long as we keep her from killing herself I'll know whatever it is she knows before too long."

It had only happened a time or two. Someone recognized Amelie, knew what she was capable of, and possessed information that they couldn't afford to get out.

The incident that most stuck out to her was the nobleling from a minor Anirian house called Privol. His face paled when she'd crossed the threshold into his hideaway, intending to bore into his mind and learn the location of the rest of his family's little rat holes. But before she could restrain him he swallowed a vial of magically imbued arsenic that he wore around his neck.

He was dead before he hit the ground.

Amelie rubbed at her chin in contemplation. "How did she manage to pull off saving House Venour?" She knew the story, of course, but it was more a question asking if Erodin believed it was through sheer force of will or if the lady potentially carried some sort of gift.

That was the trouble with nobles in Vel Anir. You could throw a stone and hit a noble with a secret magical talent.

 

[Erodin]

Erodin knew the purpose behind the question of course, but unfortunately didn't have an answer. "It could be either."

Though his network of informants was good, it wasn't exceptional.

Unfortunately.

"If I had to guess...I would say she has magic." Though he had no evidence to base that fact on. The woman, from everything he'd heard, was formidable enough that she would have succeeded in Vel Anir even without any sort of gift, but; "I don't think he would pair himself with someone of weak blood."

A slight frown pulled at his lips. Amelie and he were both of the sort to know they were better than the magic-less peasantry of the world. Seeing them as little less than fodder. Despite everything Gilram espoused, Erodin was sure the Archon felt the same. "But I suppose we'll find out soon."

He mused, eager to get on with their plans.