With the tension seemingly dissolved for the moment, Coatleque merely sat quietly with as polite a smile she could manage. She watched Taeros carefully for any queues she may jump on. At one time she had told Sergeant Melkire that she found the man fascinating, and tonight was no different. Her mind began to wander. She could only guess at the layers upon layers of intrigue and political games the man had surrounded himself in. While everyone else had been focused on the material, Coatleque was more focused on the man himself. It may have been that little bit of wine in her empty stomach, but it began to feel quite stuffy out on the balcony this evening.
Mister North, himself pleased that the night was able to proceed, folded a cloth over this forearm with satisfaction and took his place behind his Master, awaiting any further whim or direction. He watched the table as well, ready to jump in at a moment's notice. Jameson eventually looked across the table to break the silence. "Miss Callae. Do share with Lady Crofte your good news.", to which Brynnalia returned a wide yet conniving grin. "Oh well, she was there after all. Although a bit dazed, if I be recallin' correctly. Tryin' tae heal Natalie and all. Futile attempt it was." Coatleque narrowed her eyes at the woman in disgust. "Yes... futile.", she stated flatly. Jameson picked up on her queue immediately and interjected. "Let us not dwell on dear Natalie's death, hm Miss Callae? It does spoil one's appetite."
"Aye, I be movin' on.", she replied while mustering her best look of apology. "But ye recall the names that we got? From the mercenaries?" Her question was directed back to the Sworn. "I remember one name. Stormchild.", she replied. Brynnalia's brows slowly narrowed. "Well, that be one I'll be lookin' in tae. Since I knew the woman." As she said this her eyes flicked in Mister North's direction, then back to Jameson before settling back onto Coatleque. "I was more interested in Redgrave." Jameson did not seem to notice her wandering glance. In fact, he seemed to not be paying attention at all as he took up his utensils and began to eat.
"Ah, the one in the letter.", Crofte replied. This caught the attention of both the others suddenly. "A letter?" "A letter? This be news tae me.", they replied almost in unison. Brynnalia arched a brow with a cant of her head. "Was it one of the things retrieved from inside the warehouse?" "Aye. Ser Mcbeef, Nald'thal guide her onward, retrieved a letter and bottle of something from the warehouse.", Crofte replied. "It was addressed to one Sebastian Redgrave, and asked him to meet with someone at an address in the Goblet."
"I see."
"So the mercs not be lyin' tae me then. That was the second name they gave me."
"And who was he to meet?"
She looked over to Brynnalia only momentarily before turning back to their host. His desires took precedence after all. "The letter did not specify who, only where. It was also quite dated, at this time three weeks prior." If he felt anything at this news, it did not show on his face. Jameson merely seemed disappointed as if the discovery was as meaningless as a Lantern article about poverty in Ul'dah. "Mm. Then the meeting likely already occurred. A shame. I would have liked to track this Redgrave down."
To this, Brynnalia continued her own news. "I haven't been able tae locate him in Limsa. A slipper one that. But a wealthy businessman. His wealth has been growin' rapidly of late. Enough to draw some attention from the Maelstorm. It maybe that he could be workin' with or employin' the pirate ye be interested in. Someone must be stuffin' his coffers." Coatleque sat and thought on her words for a moment. She had in the past been to Limsa Lominsa to try and learn all she could about this man Nero. That was back when Roen had first introduced them. Crofte had it in her mind to do her own type of background check for the sake of her friend. She would have been remiss if Roen was walking directly into another trap after just gaining her freedom from the gaols. "I do not know many business men in La Noscea, except... no... no, it could not be him.", she spoke softly, almost to herself.
"Mm? I think any and all businessman of note in Limsa are now of interest. Do you not agree?", Taeros added having heard her clear enough. "Perhaps. Though what little information I have is mere rumor and hearsay.", she objected. The Knight was not one to pass rumors herself, nor to give cause for suspicion of others without the evidence to do so. Jameson, in the mean time, had drained the rest of his glass and gestured, without looking, for a refill to the butler behind him. "The very man we are after does front some legitimate businesses in Limsa Lominsa.", Crofte continued. She had decided to err on the part of safety tonight. Safety for Ul'dah, she told herself. "He has done quite well for himself, or so they say. There are some merchants who even fear him for his... cut-throat practices."
Gideon quietly stepped forward to refill the glass as Jameson continued speaking as if he were half-listening. "Given the growing wealth, the raids on Syndicate ships and the fact that his name is given to us by both the guards and the letter that you found... I do think he may be connected to Lazarov." Coatleque turned to Brynnalia to finish her own thought with a quirked eyebrow. "Or he is Lazarov." The woman arched her own brow once more. "Hmm, entirely possible.", she replied. Her attention was then drawn back to Mister North who had been nearly invisible in his silence till refilling the wine glass. She had nearly forgotten he was even there. This she did not like. The man merely inclined his head deferentially to her as if waiting for command.
"A man I spoke with regarding the matter, one who was raised on the streets of this city, said the name was most likely an alias.", she continued, turning her attention back to their host. "Do you have any description of this man?", Jameson pressed. "He is currently a Flame. I would rather not involve him further tonight." Brynnalia's attention shifted to the conversation once more. "A Flame?" The Sworn regarded her with feigned interest. "Surely you know the benefits of being well connected, Miss Callae?" Jameson simply smiled knowingly and somewhat pleased it would seem. "A Sworn of repute. I would expect no less." Brynnalia only smirked.
"A bit far fer a Flame to be snoopin' in tae Limsan business.", Brynnalia continued as Coatleque finished her first glass and set it down within reach of the table's edge. She turned back to the woman. "You misunderstand me. I asked him for a consultation. He is not 'snooping'.", she clarified. "Does this Flame have a name?", Jameson asked with a suddenly sly tone of voice. The Sworn returned her attention to him with a smile. It was that very tone, that sudden change of interest at key points that she found so interesting. Just as she did, he could feign interest in the entire room yet was still hearing everything around him. Her own voice took on a playful tone. "Now, now, Master Taeros. If he knew I was speaking of him here, he would likely never talk to me again. I would prefer not to have all of my sources go dark, wouldn't you?"
It was not a lie. If Osric knew he was being talked about in the man's she would probably never hear from him again. Their relationship was already stretched thin, and while the Sergeant may have begun to understand Crofte's own methods he was loathe to trust her as much as she would like. Taeros only gave her a thin smile in return. "Mm. As long as you have them, and we continue our... friendship, I will have to accept. But, I am interested in tracking down this Redgrave. Especially if he is Lazarov, himself. Businessmen leave paper trails to follow. Their wealth can be tracked, to a degree. I suspect he will be easier to find than the slippery pirate."
"As am I. Which is why I was moving to have people infiltrate the address in the letter.", Coatleque reassured him a best she could. His thin smile grew at that, and she could see he was genuinely pleased at her notion. "Excellent, Lady Crofte. Excellent. He has already established connections in our own backyard it seems. We need to root those out." For a moment she almost felt proud at his admonishment, though she could not say why. She began to feel more at ease in his presence. It may have been the wine. Or perhaps in some way she wanted him to be more trusting of her. She continued to detail her plans being set in motion. "Indeed. And in the Goblet, I would be easily recognized."
( To be Continued... )
Mister North, himself pleased that the night was able to proceed, folded a cloth over this forearm with satisfaction and took his place behind his Master, awaiting any further whim or direction. He watched the table as well, ready to jump in at a moment's notice. Jameson eventually looked across the table to break the silence. "Miss Callae. Do share with Lady Crofte your good news.", to which Brynnalia returned a wide yet conniving grin. "Oh well, she was there after all. Although a bit dazed, if I be recallin' correctly. Tryin' tae heal Natalie and all. Futile attempt it was." Coatleque narrowed her eyes at the woman in disgust. "Yes... futile.", she stated flatly. Jameson picked up on her queue immediately and interjected. "Let us not dwell on dear Natalie's death, hm Miss Callae? It does spoil one's appetite."
"Aye, I be movin' on.", she replied while mustering her best look of apology. "But ye recall the names that we got? From the mercenaries?" Her question was directed back to the Sworn. "I remember one name. Stormchild.", she replied. Brynnalia's brows slowly narrowed. "Well, that be one I'll be lookin' in tae. Since I knew the woman." As she said this her eyes flicked in Mister North's direction, then back to Jameson before settling back onto Coatleque. "I was more interested in Redgrave." Jameson did not seem to notice her wandering glance. In fact, he seemed to not be paying attention at all as he took up his utensils and began to eat.
"Ah, the one in the letter.", Crofte replied. This caught the attention of both the others suddenly. "A letter?" "A letter? This be news tae me.", they replied almost in unison. Brynnalia arched a brow with a cant of her head. "Was it one of the things retrieved from inside the warehouse?" "Aye. Ser Mcbeef, Nald'thal guide her onward, retrieved a letter and bottle of something from the warehouse.", Crofte replied. "It was addressed to one Sebastian Redgrave, and asked him to meet with someone at an address in the Goblet."
"I see."
"So the mercs not be lyin' tae me then. That was the second name they gave me."
"And who was he to meet?"
She looked over to Brynnalia only momentarily before turning back to their host. His desires took precedence after all. "The letter did not specify who, only where. It was also quite dated, at this time three weeks prior." If he felt anything at this news, it did not show on his face. Jameson merely seemed disappointed as if the discovery was as meaningless as a Lantern article about poverty in Ul'dah. "Mm. Then the meeting likely already occurred. A shame. I would have liked to track this Redgrave down."
To this, Brynnalia continued her own news. "I haven't been able tae locate him in Limsa. A slipper one that. But a wealthy businessman. His wealth has been growin' rapidly of late. Enough to draw some attention from the Maelstorm. It maybe that he could be workin' with or employin' the pirate ye be interested in. Someone must be stuffin' his coffers." Coatleque sat and thought on her words for a moment. She had in the past been to Limsa Lominsa to try and learn all she could about this man Nero. That was back when Roen had first introduced them. Crofte had it in her mind to do her own type of background check for the sake of her friend. She would have been remiss if Roen was walking directly into another trap after just gaining her freedom from the gaols. "I do not know many business men in La Noscea, except... no... no, it could not be him.", she spoke softly, almost to herself.
"Mm? I think any and all businessman of note in Limsa are now of interest. Do you not agree?", Taeros added having heard her clear enough. "Perhaps. Though what little information I have is mere rumor and hearsay.", she objected. The Knight was not one to pass rumors herself, nor to give cause for suspicion of others without the evidence to do so. Jameson, in the mean time, had drained the rest of his glass and gestured, without looking, for a refill to the butler behind him. "The very man we are after does front some legitimate businesses in Limsa Lominsa.", Crofte continued. She had decided to err on the part of safety tonight. Safety for Ul'dah, she told herself. "He has done quite well for himself, or so they say. There are some merchants who even fear him for his... cut-throat practices."
Gideon quietly stepped forward to refill the glass as Jameson continued speaking as if he were half-listening. "Given the growing wealth, the raids on Syndicate ships and the fact that his name is given to us by both the guards and the letter that you found... I do think he may be connected to Lazarov." Coatleque turned to Brynnalia to finish her own thought with a quirked eyebrow. "Or he is Lazarov." The woman arched her own brow once more. "Hmm, entirely possible.", she replied. Her attention was then drawn back to Mister North who had been nearly invisible in his silence till refilling the wine glass. She had nearly forgotten he was even there. This she did not like. The man merely inclined his head deferentially to her as if waiting for command.
"A man I spoke with regarding the matter, one who was raised on the streets of this city, said the name was most likely an alias.", she continued, turning her attention back to their host. "Do you have any description of this man?", Jameson pressed. "He is currently a Flame. I would rather not involve him further tonight." Brynnalia's attention shifted to the conversation once more. "A Flame?" The Sworn regarded her with feigned interest. "Surely you know the benefits of being well connected, Miss Callae?" Jameson simply smiled knowingly and somewhat pleased it would seem. "A Sworn of repute. I would expect no less." Brynnalia only smirked.
"A bit far fer a Flame to be snoopin' in tae Limsan business.", Brynnalia continued as Coatleque finished her first glass and set it down within reach of the table's edge. She turned back to the woman. "You misunderstand me. I asked him for a consultation. He is not 'snooping'.", she clarified. "Does this Flame have a name?", Jameson asked with a suddenly sly tone of voice. The Sworn returned her attention to him with a smile. It was that very tone, that sudden change of interest at key points that she found so interesting. Just as she did, he could feign interest in the entire room yet was still hearing everything around him. Her own voice took on a playful tone. "Now, now, Master Taeros. If he knew I was speaking of him here, he would likely never talk to me again. I would prefer not to have all of my sources go dark, wouldn't you?"
It was not a lie. If Osric knew he was being talked about in the man's she would probably never hear from him again. Their relationship was already stretched thin, and while the Sergeant may have begun to understand Crofte's own methods he was loathe to trust her as much as she would like. Taeros only gave her a thin smile in return. "Mm. As long as you have them, and we continue our... friendship, I will have to accept. But, I am interested in tracking down this Redgrave. Especially if he is Lazarov, himself. Businessmen leave paper trails to follow. Their wealth can be tracked, to a degree. I suspect he will be easier to find than the slippery pirate."
"As am I. Which is why I was moving to have people infiltrate the address in the letter.", Coatleque reassured him a best she could. His thin smile grew at that, and she could see he was genuinely pleased at her notion. "Excellent, Lady Crofte. Excellent. He has already established connections in our own backyard it seems. We need to root those out." For a moment she almost felt proud at his admonishment, though she could not say why. She began to feel more at ease in his presence. It may have been the wine. Or perhaps in some way she wanted him to be more trusting of her. She continued to detail her plans being set in motion. "Indeed. And in the Goblet, I would be easily recognized."
( To be Continued... )