The Fortemps training-yard had been turned over to the squires of the House that particular sun, with several different stations set up for different training routines. As she hurried to the Weaponmaster’s offices, Riven noticed Reinhardt was locked in combat with one of the veteran knights, his face set in grim concentration as he blocked and parried blows.
He had better not be too sore if Vahn comes back today. A smile twitched at Riven’s lips. In the few moons that he had been with the dragoon, Reinhardt’s progress had shot ahead by leaps and bounds. He was already recognized as one of the more skilled squires under the House’s care, and was one of the few permitted to accompany the Temple Knights on their patrols of the city every so often. Riven had been helping out in her own way, tutoring Reinhardt at nights to fill in the gaps in his education. Thankfully the teen possessed a relatively keen mind, despite the fact that he could be rather dense at times.
Gods, I hope he didnot say something stupid to one of his trainers! The message had arrived by moogle thatmorning, the Weaponmaster had wanted to see her regarding Reinhardt. Reaching the office, Riven knocked, hearing amuffled voice from within call out ‘enter’. As she pushed open the door, the Fortemps Weaponmaster looked up from his desk.
“Mistress Astralyas!†Riven bobbed in a curtsey.
“Ser Marcelain.â€Â She said. The elezen smiled, rising from his seat.
“Let me take your coat.†He offered. His face was lined with scars-the worst being directly over his right eye, which was a milky white. More scars littered his hands,which were callused and rough. Riven wriggled out of the fabric, watching as Marcelain hung it on a nearby hook.
“Thank you. I was surprised to receive your message.â€Â She said.  “Reinhardt is not in trouble, is he?â€Â
“No, no he is not.†Marcelain shook his head quickly. “Rather, he is doing quite well.â€Â A troubled expression came over his features as he glanced at the window. “I was hoping to speak with Vahn on this matter, but then this morning…†He trailed off, and Riven tilted her head.
“This morning?â€Â She repeated. The Fortemps Weaponmaster pressed his lips together, and then reached over for Riven’s cloak.
“I need you to follow me.†He said.
Â
Several minutes later, the two were down in the training yard. Marcelain had selected a space close to where Reinhardt was training with the knight, and Riven noticed that the Weaponmaster had positioned himself behind a large stack of boxes that were nearby. Before she could say anything,the elezen put a finger to his lips.
“Watch Reinhardt fight.†He instructed. “And whatever I say-react as if I’m talking about his training.â€Â A chill ran though Riven’s body that had nothing to do with the current weather, and she immediately turned her head towards Reinhardt.
“I must say, Ser Marcelain, this is quite odd.â€Â Her voice was low, and the elezen couldn’t help but smile briefly. Quick to catch on, this one.Â
“Far right of the yard.†He instructed. “Black hair, tan robes, standing with the healers. Do you see him?â€Â Riven’s eyes flicked over,spotting the other elezen.  “His name is Dollet Chaunollet, and he works for the Holy See.â€Â Shifting position, Riven moved her gaze backto Reinhardt. “He’s been watching Reinhardt for the past fortnight.â€Â The news made Riven freeze-but a hiss from Marcelain made her exhale and shift position again, as if to warm her muscles.  Inwardly, her mind was spinning-flicking though the events of the past two moons.
The map? Could…no. No. It cannot be anything with that. Truth be told, if anything had happened regarding the Mapmaker, she and Vahn had probably missed it, wrapped up in their own problems. But then what would warrant Reinhardt suddenly being put under surveillance? Watching as Reinhardt was sent sprawling to the ground, Riven drew in a steadying breath.
“A fortnight?â€Â She asked.
“Aye. I know the boy history. Not the first time I have had a spy from the See looking at a trainee here, that I can deal with.â€Â Marcelain answered. “At first I thought it might have been a holdover from that bit of chaos with Vahn’s…relatives. But then I found out who is the Inquisitorial master of this particular servant.â€Â He trailed off, looking grim. Riven bowed her head, looking at Marcelain from the corners of her eyes.
“Who?â€
“Ser Ivaurault Bisaine. High ranking, his family is one of House Durendaire’s oldest vassals, and a man you do not ever wish to cross.†Marcelain’s one eye fixed on Riven.Â
“I know you have an express interest in Reinhardt’s well-being, even more so because the two of you are possibly kin. Has something happened that I was not made privy to?â€
“No.â€Â Riven fought the urge to shake her head. “Nothing has happened that I am aware of, and I can say the same for Vahn. Nor have I looked into anything, because…well, you know what has gone on!†Marcelain exhaled.
“Something must have happened. The attention of a man like Bisaine is not attracted to trivial matters.â€Â He said. “And with the city how it is right now, even a small incident involving Reinhardt could be fatal for him.â€Â
“I will speak with Vahn when he returns. He said he wanted Reinhardt to train with the Lancer’s Guild in Gridania before everything started.â€Â Riven turned around, pulling the hood of her cloak over her hair. Marcelain nodded.
“Good thinking. If he can be kept out of the city until this mess with the Church settles, the better.â€Â He said. Riven didn’t say anything but started to walk away, heart pounding.Â
How in the seven hells did Reinhardt attract the attention of a high-ranking Inquisitor? Why? And just the luck, he’s under House Durendaire to boot! Riven knew that Fortemps and Durendaire had some type of rivalry. Gods be good, what happened?!
He had better not be too sore if Vahn comes back today. A smile twitched at Riven’s lips. In the few moons that he had been with the dragoon, Reinhardt’s progress had shot ahead by leaps and bounds. He was already recognized as one of the more skilled squires under the House’s care, and was one of the few permitted to accompany the Temple Knights on their patrols of the city every so often. Riven had been helping out in her own way, tutoring Reinhardt at nights to fill in the gaps in his education. Thankfully the teen possessed a relatively keen mind, despite the fact that he could be rather dense at times.
Gods, I hope he didnot say something stupid to one of his trainers! The message had arrived by moogle thatmorning, the Weaponmaster had wanted to see her regarding Reinhardt. Reaching the office, Riven knocked, hearing amuffled voice from within call out ‘enter’. As she pushed open the door, the Fortemps Weaponmaster looked up from his desk.
“Mistress Astralyas!†Riven bobbed in a curtsey.
“Ser Marcelain.â€Â She said. The elezen smiled, rising from his seat.
“Let me take your coat.†He offered. His face was lined with scars-the worst being directly over his right eye, which was a milky white. More scars littered his hands,which were callused and rough. Riven wriggled out of the fabric, watching as Marcelain hung it on a nearby hook.
“Thank you. I was surprised to receive your message.â€Â She said.  “Reinhardt is not in trouble, is he?â€Â
“No, no he is not.†Marcelain shook his head quickly. “Rather, he is doing quite well.â€Â A troubled expression came over his features as he glanced at the window. “I was hoping to speak with Vahn on this matter, but then this morning…†He trailed off, and Riven tilted her head.
“This morning?â€Â She repeated. The Fortemps Weaponmaster pressed his lips together, and then reached over for Riven’s cloak.
“I need you to follow me.†He said.
Â
Several minutes later, the two were down in the training yard. Marcelain had selected a space close to where Reinhardt was training with the knight, and Riven noticed that the Weaponmaster had positioned himself behind a large stack of boxes that were nearby. Before she could say anything,the elezen put a finger to his lips.
“Watch Reinhardt fight.†He instructed. “And whatever I say-react as if I’m talking about his training.â€Â A chill ran though Riven’s body that had nothing to do with the current weather, and she immediately turned her head towards Reinhardt.
“I must say, Ser Marcelain, this is quite odd.â€Â Her voice was low, and the elezen couldn’t help but smile briefly. Quick to catch on, this one.Â
“Far right of the yard.†He instructed. “Black hair, tan robes, standing with the healers. Do you see him?â€Â Riven’s eyes flicked over,spotting the other elezen.  “His name is Dollet Chaunollet, and he works for the Holy See.â€Â Shifting position, Riven moved her gaze backto Reinhardt. “He’s been watching Reinhardt for the past fortnight.â€Â The news made Riven freeze-but a hiss from Marcelain made her exhale and shift position again, as if to warm her muscles.  Inwardly, her mind was spinning-flicking though the events of the past two moons.
The map? Could…no. No. It cannot be anything with that. Truth be told, if anything had happened regarding the Mapmaker, she and Vahn had probably missed it, wrapped up in their own problems. But then what would warrant Reinhardt suddenly being put under surveillance? Watching as Reinhardt was sent sprawling to the ground, Riven drew in a steadying breath.
“A fortnight?â€Â She asked.
“Aye. I know the boy history. Not the first time I have had a spy from the See looking at a trainee here, that I can deal with.â€Â Marcelain answered. “At first I thought it might have been a holdover from that bit of chaos with Vahn’s…relatives. But then I found out who is the Inquisitorial master of this particular servant.â€Â He trailed off, looking grim. Riven bowed her head, looking at Marcelain from the corners of her eyes.
“Who?â€
“Ser Ivaurault Bisaine. High ranking, his family is one of House Durendaire’s oldest vassals, and a man you do not ever wish to cross.†Marcelain’s one eye fixed on Riven.Â
“I know you have an express interest in Reinhardt’s well-being, even more so because the two of you are possibly kin. Has something happened that I was not made privy to?â€
“No.â€Â Riven fought the urge to shake her head. “Nothing has happened that I am aware of, and I can say the same for Vahn. Nor have I looked into anything, because…well, you know what has gone on!†Marcelain exhaled.
“Something must have happened. The attention of a man like Bisaine is not attracted to trivial matters.â€Â He said. “And with the city how it is right now, even a small incident involving Reinhardt could be fatal for him.â€Â
“I will speak with Vahn when he returns. He said he wanted Reinhardt to train with the Lancer’s Guild in Gridania before everything started.â€Â Riven turned around, pulling the hood of her cloak over her hair. Marcelain nodded.
“Good thinking. If he can be kept out of the city until this mess with the Church settles, the better.â€Â He said. Riven didn’t say anything but started to walk away, heart pounding.Â
How in the seven hells did Reinhardt attract the attention of a high-ranking Inquisitor? Why? And just the luck, he’s under House Durendaire to boot! Riven knew that Fortemps and Durendaire had some type of rivalry. Gods be good, what happened?!
