As the conversation shifted once more and Coatleque began to detail her plans going forward, while also beginning to eat. Brynnalia fell silent and merely listened. She occasionally threw a glance to the butler as if to gauge his attentiveness to the conversation at hand. The man belied no emotion or interest and merely stared politely into the middle of the distance. If he even saw looks he did not acknowledge them. The woman turned her attention back to her fellow Highlander after a few moments when it became clear she was addressing her once more. She curled a sly grin to the Sworn.
"Are you aware of the Rogadyn, Iron Sea?", Crofte asked? Brynnalia thought for a moment with narrowed eyes. "I've heard rumors of him. Something about fighting against... cults. And then the Grindstone." Coatleque nodded in agreement before continuing, "Aye. He and Natalie were apparently close. More than close. He may have a mind for vengeance." "Oh? A brute to sic on the pirate?", she asked. Coatleque shook her head slowly in thought between bites before continuing on. "No, nothing so strong-handed. He and his people may be able to help infiltrate the location we spoke of."
Jameson listened in as he continue to eat, but said nothing. Such talk of criminals and commoners did not seem to draw his attention as acutely. He took another long sip of the fine wine. Brynnalia had only been nursing her own glass. She finished it and motioned for her own refill to which Gideon quietly made his way forward around the table and poured her second glass out the middle neck of the bottle with careful delicacy. Her smile faded away just slightly whenever she watched him, ever so subtly. He then made his way around to attend the other side of the table to tend to Crofte's as well. Lifting the bottle once more he glanced briefly towards the kitchens before returning to his place behind his Master. Coatleque could not help but smile at the man in thanks, hoping that he would notice her appreciation. If anyone would find fault in her etiquette tonight, this would be it. Jameson, however, did not even spare him a look as he continued to enjoy his dinner.
Coalteque's attention was turned back to the plan at hand as she spoke of Iron Sea. "I would not use him for more than that." "Oh. Ye be sendin' him in tae the Goblet then. Does he know he be walkin' possibly in tae a den of thieves?", Brynnalia replied. "He is aware, and also does not care. He does this for Natalie." She paused for a moment. "And for me.", she said with a softer tone of voice. Whatever she was thinking, however, did not last long as she returned to the matter at hand. "But I cannot accompany him. He will need someone more intimately connected to this whole affair."
"A man lookin' fer revenge. He blames the pirate then?", Brynnalia said with a smirk. "He blames himself, Miss Callae.", she said with a shake of her head. "Of course I could not volunteer you for this. T'is not my place. But he will need someone to give direction, to find what needs to be found." The other woman huffed. "Hmph. Well I suppose that be a relief." She shot a look to the nobleman across the table from her. "That article again, seems tae to be pointin' fingers in the wrong direction." His utensils only paused for the slightest moment at the mention of the article before he continued eating. She smirked at the Sworn once more. "I'd be happy tae accompany him. As long as he not be turnin' violent." Coatleque nodded in agreement. Violence was something she had hoped to avoid if at all possible as they proceeded. "Aye, I shall speak with him on that matter. He may have others as well. I assume you could formulate more of a plan as to how many would be needed. I shall, of course, be on hand though not present. Within distance if I need to arrive."
Jameson had slowly drained his drink once more in the meantime, setting the empty fluted glass aside. "Lady Crofte.", he interrupted. She turned back to him immediately. "Yes, Jameson?" In her mind she knew she had just slipped up in using his first name, but her fear ebbed as he did not seem to notice or care tonight. "Dear Natalie, in the time that she was with us, was relentless in her pursuit of this pirate, and all who were associated with him. You know of whom I speak." She could only blink then stare at him. "Of course.", she replied. "What are your thoughts on the matter?"
He spoke of Roen, of course. The real reason Coatleque was even here. Jameson was a citizen, as her Captain had said when she was last debriefed. His interests should not, and could not concern her. This pirate, Lazarov, she could track down and stop without Jameson's direction of course. That was her job after all. For Roen's sake, however, she needed to remain in good standing with the noble. This was what Natalie failed to see in her zealousness. She decided to speak her true feelings on the matter, however. Again she knew she should hold back, but the amber in his eyes began to draw her away. "... I think ... that if the girl had as much sense as I hoped, she would take him and flee back to her homeland. To take her chance at happiness and leave Ul'dah to her own troubles. Perhaps I'll have the chance to tell her one more time."
He only smiled thinly at her, an expression she was beginning to know as disappointment. Her heart fell, oddly enough, but she did not show it. "You know her better than I. And even I know she is set on this... path. One I believe she thinks righteous. I no longer know if she is simply fooled by the pirate's promise of betterment or if she herself truly has become a radical." Crofte stopped eating at this as the care for her friend outweighed her own feelings. "I do not believe she is on any particular path currently. None of this seems to have her hand directly in it. It is unlike her."
Brynnalia spoke up finally. "This be the... Deneith girl ye speak of?" If Jameson was listening he made no motion to her, his gaze was fixed on Coatleque's. She felt uncomfortable. "She has been hiding because of dear Natalie's pursuit. With her passing... and her trust in you, Lady Crofte, I wish her to feel... safe again, returning to Ul'dah. Let her and her pirate become bold. Return to Ul'dah." He ended with another smile to her. The same shite-eating grin that Crofte found typical of Osric, or Natalie, and any others that she knew to be schemers. She narrowed her eyes in thought. "All the better to catch the mouse when they are scurrying about your home in broad daylight.", he continued once more when she took to long to reply. Brynnalia also peered at him in thought.
"She may be stubborn, but she is not stupid.", she said at length. "You don't wish to arrest her, do you Lady Crofte? So make her feel ... safe. She trusts you, still, I gather?", he said slyly. She could hear his attempt to play to her emotions. Always skirting just along the edge of the law. She could indeed lure her to the city if she wanted to. She'd not need to lift a finger beyond that, and his men would take the girl discretely. Her gaze could not leave his eyes for some reason. "... I've done nothing to make her feel otherwise." What was she saying? Could she actually consider doing this man's bidding?
"I suspect her to be partly responsible for a few of my warehouses being ... robbed. And she has done well in hiding.", Jameson continued. His voice seemed to snap her thoughts back to reality. "I wish to pursue the girl no longer. Let the girl return." Crofte blinked at his notion. "You suspect, but have you proof?", she asked. "I do not. But that was not going to stop Natalie."
And there it was. Whatever else she was feeling this night, Jameson's last confession seemed to drain the warmth from the very air around the table. The Sworn looked squarely at him. "I am not Natalie, Master Taeros.", she said flatly. He seemed to ignore her statement and continued, "But now that she is gone... I am no longer expecting such a rigorous hunt. So legitimately, Lady Crofte, I have no legal grounds to pursue the girl. At least until I get more proof. So let her return. It is not yet a false promise that she would not be arrested." The Knight merely looked away in disgust. Despite everything she still had her own duties to perform. This infuriating man was still one of her Grace's subjects, and the law applied to everyone. "If... if I find your proof, I shall let you know. Only then shall I act.", she finally relented.
"I shall expect no less, from you, Ser Crofte.", Jameson replied, his smile returning. Brynnalia said nothing but took up her wine glass again. Jameson's use of Crofte's knightly title was not lost on her. Coatleque seemed to relax at that as well. It seemed he would at least respect her authority in this matter. "Aye, and do not expect a concerted effort on my part. She is no threat to the Sultanate. Not as Lazarov is."
"I do agree with that, Lady Crofte. Lazarov is the threat to Ul'dah. Although Miss Deneith has caused me quite some trouble. Natalie and I had an understanding. That should she arrest the girl, that she be brought to me. I have certain interest in her welfare. Alas, I cannot expect the same favor from you, hm Lady Crofte?" Brynnalia drained her drink, eyeing Jameson over the rim of her glass. Coatleque turned her attention back to him once more. Her frustration had drained away once more as the wine to overpower her senses. "Perhaps if you explained your interest to me, I may be more inclined to care for it." The man merely smirked slowly at her notion. Mister North flicked his gaze towards the kitchen once more.
"I am not here to pursue your personal vendettas, Master Taeros.", Coatleque continued in a plea to press him further. "Now, Lady Crofte, I allow your secrets with your sources. Do grant me mine with this.", he replied as he slid his empty glass away once more indicating his need for yet another refill. And so the game had begun anew. "Of course. I asked for no names. Merely the reason for such an interest.", she pressed once more. "On the contrary. I was the one that provided dear Natalie with the documents to burn to free the girl. It was not my doing that had it fall back into your hands thereby necessitating a trial." At this Crofte traded her fork for her glass and slowly sipped at her wine once more.
Jameson continued, "Miss Deneith and I ... have a sordid history, I think. I am concerned, for her welfare." As he spoke, Gideon dutifully refilled his glass before scanning over the table with a narrowed and appraising eye. Brynnalia slid her glass in is direction as well and he quietly crossed the table to see to her refill. Coatleque continued, "Freeing her was not enough. Her life was seemingly ruined by your documents. Clearing her outright was more freeing to her than you may understand." "They were documents legitimately collected through an investigation, handled by the Flames themselves. I merely got hold of it.", Jameson interjected. The Knight smirked at him with a mocking wave of her hand. "Semantics."
Brynnalia eyed the butler a moment longer as he returned to his position before turning her attention back to the conversation at hand. Her easy smile had faded somewhat, she was not sure she liked the direction of this conversation. "Well, then perhaps consider this a favor that I will ask of you, someday.", Jameson added finally.
( To be Continued... )
"Are you aware of the Rogadyn, Iron Sea?", Crofte asked? Brynnalia thought for a moment with narrowed eyes. "I've heard rumors of him. Something about fighting against... cults. And then the Grindstone." Coatleque nodded in agreement before continuing, "Aye. He and Natalie were apparently close. More than close. He may have a mind for vengeance." "Oh? A brute to sic on the pirate?", she asked. Coatleque shook her head slowly in thought between bites before continuing on. "No, nothing so strong-handed. He and his people may be able to help infiltrate the location we spoke of."
Jameson listened in as he continue to eat, but said nothing. Such talk of criminals and commoners did not seem to draw his attention as acutely. He took another long sip of the fine wine. Brynnalia had only been nursing her own glass. She finished it and motioned for her own refill to which Gideon quietly made his way forward around the table and poured her second glass out the middle neck of the bottle with careful delicacy. Her smile faded away just slightly whenever she watched him, ever so subtly. He then made his way around to attend the other side of the table to tend to Crofte's as well. Lifting the bottle once more he glanced briefly towards the kitchens before returning to his place behind his Master. Coatleque could not help but smile at the man in thanks, hoping that he would notice her appreciation. If anyone would find fault in her etiquette tonight, this would be it. Jameson, however, did not even spare him a look as he continued to enjoy his dinner.
Coalteque's attention was turned back to the plan at hand as she spoke of Iron Sea. "I would not use him for more than that." "Oh. Ye be sendin' him in tae the Goblet then. Does he know he be walkin' possibly in tae a den of thieves?", Brynnalia replied. "He is aware, and also does not care. He does this for Natalie." She paused for a moment. "And for me.", she said with a softer tone of voice. Whatever she was thinking, however, did not last long as she returned to the matter at hand. "But I cannot accompany him. He will need someone more intimately connected to this whole affair."
"A man lookin' fer revenge. He blames the pirate then?", Brynnalia said with a smirk. "He blames himself, Miss Callae.", she said with a shake of her head. "Of course I could not volunteer you for this. T'is not my place. But he will need someone to give direction, to find what needs to be found." The other woman huffed. "Hmph. Well I suppose that be a relief." She shot a look to the nobleman across the table from her. "That article again, seems tae to be pointin' fingers in the wrong direction." His utensils only paused for the slightest moment at the mention of the article before he continued eating. She smirked at the Sworn once more. "I'd be happy tae accompany him. As long as he not be turnin' violent." Coatleque nodded in agreement. Violence was something she had hoped to avoid if at all possible as they proceeded. "Aye, I shall speak with him on that matter. He may have others as well. I assume you could formulate more of a plan as to how many would be needed. I shall, of course, be on hand though not present. Within distance if I need to arrive."
Jameson had slowly drained his drink once more in the meantime, setting the empty fluted glass aside. "Lady Crofte.", he interrupted. She turned back to him immediately. "Yes, Jameson?" In her mind she knew she had just slipped up in using his first name, but her fear ebbed as he did not seem to notice or care tonight. "Dear Natalie, in the time that she was with us, was relentless in her pursuit of this pirate, and all who were associated with him. You know of whom I speak." She could only blink then stare at him. "Of course.", she replied. "What are your thoughts on the matter?"
He spoke of Roen, of course. The real reason Coatleque was even here. Jameson was a citizen, as her Captain had said when she was last debriefed. His interests should not, and could not concern her. This pirate, Lazarov, she could track down and stop without Jameson's direction of course. That was her job after all. For Roen's sake, however, she needed to remain in good standing with the noble. This was what Natalie failed to see in her zealousness. She decided to speak her true feelings on the matter, however. Again she knew she should hold back, but the amber in his eyes began to draw her away. "... I think ... that if the girl had as much sense as I hoped, she would take him and flee back to her homeland. To take her chance at happiness and leave Ul'dah to her own troubles. Perhaps I'll have the chance to tell her one more time."
He only smiled thinly at her, an expression she was beginning to know as disappointment. Her heart fell, oddly enough, but she did not show it. "You know her better than I. And even I know she is set on this... path. One I believe she thinks righteous. I no longer know if she is simply fooled by the pirate's promise of betterment or if she herself truly has become a radical." Crofte stopped eating at this as the care for her friend outweighed her own feelings. "I do not believe she is on any particular path currently. None of this seems to have her hand directly in it. It is unlike her."
Brynnalia spoke up finally. "This be the... Deneith girl ye speak of?" If Jameson was listening he made no motion to her, his gaze was fixed on Coatleque's. She felt uncomfortable. "She has been hiding because of dear Natalie's pursuit. With her passing... and her trust in you, Lady Crofte, I wish her to feel... safe again, returning to Ul'dah. Let her and her pirate become bold. Return to Ul'dah." He ended with another smile to her. The same shite-eating grin that Crofte found typical of Osric, or Natalie, and any others that she knew to be schemers. She narrowed her eyes in thought. "All the better to catch the mouse when they are scurrying about your home in broad daylight.", he continued once more when she took to long to reply. Brynnalia also peered at him in thought.
"She may be stubborn, but she is not stupid.", she said at length. "You don't wish to arrest her, do you Lady Crofte? So make her feel ... safe. She trusts you, still, I gather?", he said slyly. She could hear his attempt to play to her emotions. Always skirting just along the edge of the law. She could indeed lure her to the city if she wanted to. She'd not need to lift a finger beyond that, and his men would take the girl discretely. Her gaze could not leave his eyes for some reason. "... I've done nothing to make her feel otherwise." What was she saying? Could she actually consider doing this man's bidding?
"I suspect her to be partly responsible for a few of my warehouses being ... robbed. And she has done well in hiding.", Jameson continued. His voice seemed to snap her thoughts back to reality. "I wish to pursue the girl no longer. Let the girl return." Crofte blinked at his notion. "You suspect, but have you proof?", she asked. "I do not. But that was not going to stop Natalie."
And there it was. Whatever else she was feeling this night, Jameson's last confession seemed to drain the warmth from the very air around the table. The Sworn looked squarely at him. "I am not Natalie, Master Taeros.", she said flatly. He seemed to ignore her statement and continued, "But now that she is gone... I am no longer expecting such a rigorous hunt. So legitimately, Lady Crofte, I have no legal grounds to pursue the girl. At least until I get more proof. So let her return. It is not yet a false promise that she would not be arrested." The Knight merely looked away in disgust. Despite everything she still had her own duties to perform. This infuriating man was still one of her Grace's subjects, and the law applied to everyone. "If... if I find your proof, I shall let you know. Only then shall I act.", she finally relented.
"I shall expect no less, from you, Ser Crofte.", Jameson replied, his smile returning. Brynnalia said nothing but took up her wine glass again. Jameson's use of Crofte's knightly title was not lost on her. Coatleque seemed to relax at that as well. It seemed he would at least respect her authority in this matter. "Aye, and do not expect a concerted effort on my part. She is no threat to the Sultanate. Not as Lazarov is."
"I do agree with that, Lady Crofte. Lazarov is the threat to Ul'dah. Although Miss Deneith has caused me quite some trouble. Natalie and I had an understanding. That should she arrest the girl, that she be brought to me. I have certain interest in her welfare. Alas, I cannot expect the same favor from you, hm Lady Crofte?" Brynnalia drained her drink, eyeing Jameson over the rim of her glass. Coatleque turned her attention back to him once more. Her frustration had drained away once more as the wine to overpower her senses. "Perhaps if you explained your interest to me, I may be more inclined to care for it." The man merely smirked slowly at her notion. Mister North flicked his gaze towards the kitchen once more.
"I am not here to pursue your personal vendettas, Master Taeros.", Coatleque continued in a plea to press him further. "Now, Lady Crofte, I allow your secrets with your sources. Do grant me mine with this.", he replied as he slid his empty glass away once more indicating his need for yet another refill. And so the game had begun anew. "Of course. I asked for no names. Merely the reason for such an interest.", she pressed once more. "On the contrary. I was the one that provided dear Natalie with the documents to burn to free the girl. It was not my doing that had it fall back into your hands thereby necessitating a trial." At this Crofte traded her fork for her glass and slowly sipped at her wine once more.
Jameson continued, "Miss Deneith and I ... have a sordid history, I think. I am concerned, for her welfare." As he spoke, Gideon dutifully refilled his glass before scanning over the table with a narrowed and appraising eye. Brynnalia slid her glass in is direction as well and he quietly crossed the table to see to her refill. Coatleque continued, "Freeing her was not enough. Her life was seemingly ruined by your documents. Clearing her outright was more freeing to her than you may understand." "They were documents legitimately collected through an investigation, handled by the Flames themselves. I merely got hold of it.", Jameson interjected. The Knight smirked at him with a mocking wave of her hand. "Semantics."
Brynnalia eyed the butler a moment longer as he returned to his position before turning her attention back to the conversation at hand. Her easy smile had faded somewhat, she was not sure she liked the direction of this conversation. "Well, then perhaps consider this a favor that I will ask of you, someday.", Jameson added finally.
( To be Continued... )
