Nothing.
There was no evidence. No new leads. No information. For all her planning she was no closer to finding Lazarov than before. The sting on the merchant house in the Goblet lead to nothing more than angry words and bitter accusations. After losses had been cut it was Miss Callae who insisted Coatleque herself report the results to Jameson. Had Gharen not been present she might have lost her composure right then and there.
On top of this, she had received word that one of Jameson's latest trades had gone awry when bandits attacked the shipment between Highbridge and Drybone. Mister North had been injured in the attack. She was not privy to the specific events that had unfolded, and while she knew Jameson held no personal love for the man it would not do for his favorite valet to be maimed.
The woman's fears only grew until she at last came to the inn where Mister North was being tended to. After inquiring on him of the attendant on duty she was given the room number and let into the back hallway. Cautiously she approached the opened door and wrapped lightly on the frame. The man looked up as calm and composed as ever, despite being in what appeared to be a patient's gown and wearing some kind of supportive brace under it.
"May I assist?"
She barely stepped through the threshold before looking him over at a distance.
"You? Assist? Even in this state?" She would not yet approach, however.
"Ah. Miss Crofte. Pray forgive my somewhat... unproductive circumstances. I would bow if the situation permitted."
She blinked incredulously. "You will do no such thing! Not until you are feeling well, anyway. It is bad enough Master Taeros's favorite valet had to meet such a state. I'll not have him exacerbating it." He inclined his head nevertheless as she crossed the room just then to stand at the foot of his bed, suddenly emboldened by her purpose.
"Rest assured, Miss, I am doing my utmost to tend to my own inconveniences. The local medics, for whatever reason, seemed loath to allow me to use my OWN restorative arts." He paused. "Well. I should not linger on the negative. Miss's concern is appreciated."
Coatleque's eyes looked up towards the ceiling with no movement of her head. "Of course not. You know there is no shame in allowing someone else to serve you now and again. That is why they are here, after all."
"Nonsense. Surely if I have spent this long studying the art of servitude, I should prove wholly capable of applying the same principles to myself--ah, pardon."
She shook her head slowly as her eyes turned downward again. "You confound me at times, but I understand you - I think. We all serve in our own ways I suppose." To this he gave a wry smile.
"I am pleased to clarify, Miss. However, my earlier question still stands. Is there any capacity in which I may assist?"
She blinked a few times before quirking a brow.
"I believe you do enough as is, Mister North."
"Yet Miss is here requiring something?" he replied with a tilt of his head.
"Requ... no. I heard what happened when the shipment arrived. I felt it necessary to see to you personally. For both our sakes."
"Ah, so Miss is here requiring reassurance." he said with a knowing nod.
The man was very astute. His grasp of the situation gave her some comfort however. She could not deny the feeling of being alone on this path and it was good to see someone else making the attempt at keeping some semblance of order.
"James.. Master Taeros will return soon. I believe we both have ill tidings for him. Doubly so for me if something happened to you."
"I hardly expect milord would be altogether aggrieved, unless such an attack marks a deliberate movement by one of his adversaries. Happily, my assailant appeared far too disorganized, and indeed too incompetent, for this to be the case."
He paused then with furrowed brows as he recounted the events prior. Her expression did perk up slightly once she realized the attack was not as serious as the initial reports sounded.
"Are you positive? You did not recognize this attacker?"
"Not in the slightest, Miss. A bare-chested hooligan with no apparent insignias, with movements bespeaking ruthlessness and muscle rather than discipline and intent... who nevertheless managed to wrest me from Chesterfield's back. Most appalling."
Her thoughts turned back to a dire warning she received some days before, along with a feeling of helplessness at the situation.
"Honestly, I am surprised you had no escort for this trip."
"Strictly speaking, Miss, I WAS the escort. I am not altogether untrained in self-defense."
He paused again, appraising her tone as if unsure she was slighting him.
"Apologies, I meant no offense... I simply meant... well... I've no idea what was being delivered."
"None taken. Miss may rest assured, however... milord's commodities remained untargeted and unharmed, and I myself should be fully recovered within a scant few days. Minimal damage done, all in all. I should hope the entire incident should not cause undue stress on any account."
"No... no, of course not. James trusts you, and so I do as well. As often as I stay the night, that should be apparent."
She did not lie in this. Her presence was becoming a more regular sight around the estate, though she mostly kept to herself or close to Jameson. She found herself watching the servants carefully more and more since Roen's warning. She folded her hands in front of her, wringing one within the other nervously before switching to the other. Gideon inclined his head with a satisfied smile.
"I presumed, Miss, that that was for an entirely different set of reasons."
"Hmm Oh, you jest, aye?" she stated halfheartedly. There was no sign of mirth in her voice.
"Of course, Miss. Forgive an invalid his whimsy."
"Apologies, I have been on edge lately after receiving word from someone. This attack was not entirely unexpected."
It seemed to her that someone else ought to know what was happening. Someone should be prepared in case she was not there. Who better than the man second closest to him? Gideon raised an eyebrow inquisitively.
"Indeed, Miss?"
"I was told by Miss Deneith that ... people would be coming for James. That I should not be in their way. I fear this is only the start, or rather a continued assault."
"...Hrm. Is Miss in any danger?"
Her expression straightened and she looked at him almost incredulously, as if the question was insulting.
"Might I remind you of the Order I serve? I can certainly handle a blade. Her Grace trusts me with such. No.. I do not fear for myself."
"Indeed, Miss... but as Starlight proved, the finest may yet be hampered by... unfortunate circumstances. Let me rephrase: is Miss to be targeted?"
"No. No, Roen would not target me. Despite all of this we are still friends. She is just... misguided. Yes, that is all."
Her words fell forth as if she was trying to convince herself of their truth. She had already told Roen she had no desire to draw steel against her. But after her conversation in the Drowned Wench with Master Bellveil she was beginning to doubt it could be prevented. If Roen truly believed in what she was doing... that these rumored actions could be justified...
"Is she the person in question? Who you believe would be instigating these attacks...?" he continued.
"Possibly. I mean... no. Perhaps I have said too much already. She warned me they would be coming, that is all I know."
He hummed in thought.
"She is obsessed with destroying the man. I cannot allow that. Not any longer. Please, be careful."
"I see. I shall keep a book close to bed. Miss's concern is most kind."
"Of course. If you have need of anything, Mister North, send word. It seems I must run things while you are away here."
The position was not one she had ever pictured herself in. As the apparent 'Lady of the house' she felt a certain responsibility to see things were kept running smoothly while Jameson was away. In truth it was Mister North who handled things, but with him kept here in bed the rest of the help had seen fit to slack off to an extent.
"My heavens. I did not mean to impose so large a burden."
Coatleque managed to crack a smile.
"Even you deserve a rest now and again. I will try not to handle everything for you though."
He closed his eyes in thought for a moment before perking back up somewhat.
"Ah, I know. Does Miss have any particularly favored foods, or treats? I will prepare something as recompense upon my return."
The question was certainly unexpected. She gazed at him in thought as she tried earnestly to remember every meal she had eaten in her nights spent at the Estate. There were too many to recall just one in particular. Then an idea struck her as she thought back to that evening at the Bismark.
"There was a lovely bit of lamb that I remember from the Bismark. It was served with some rather strong wine. Perhaps you remember that night? I have faith that you can replicate the recipe."
He blinked. His only sign of remembrance while his smile remained fixed in place.
"...Of course, Miss. I recall it well."
"Perhaps better than I. Hmm.. no matter."
"Then, yes. I will be more than happy to do so."
"Then I shall consider us even, Mister North. Do rest up. The rest of the help is lost without you - I am a poor substitute."
A sharp and sudden exhale marked a contained laugh from his position on the bed.
"As you say, Miss. Do not allow me to occupy more of your schedule than I am due. I will contact you if I have any further information."
"Ah, you do smile! Fear not, I shall not make it known. Until then, Mister North. Twelve watch over you."
The man looked down at her call-out, almost self-consciously before nodding with eyes averted.
"You as well, Miss."
There was no evidence. No new leads. No information. For all her planning she was no closer to finding Lazarov than before. The sting on the merchant house in the Goblet lead to nothing more than angry words and bitter accusations. After losses had been cut it was Miss Callae who insisted Coatleque herself report the results to Jameson. Had Gharen not been present she might have lost her composure right then and there.
On top of this, she had received word that one of Jameson's latest trades had gone awry when bandits attacked the shipment between Highbridge and Drybone. Mister North had been injured in the attack. She was not privy to the specific events that had unfolded, and while she knew Jameson held no personal love for the man it would not do for his favorite valet to be maimed.
The woman's fears only grew until she at last came to the inn where Mister North was being tended to. After inquiring on him of the attendant on duty she was given the room number and let into the back hallway. Cautiously she approached the opened door and wrapped lightly on the frame. The man looked up as calm and composed as ever, despite being in what appeared to be a patient's gown and wearing some kind of supportive brace under it.
"May I assist?"
She barely stepped through the threshold before looking him over at a distance.
"You? Assist? Even in this state?" She would not yet approach, however.
"Ah. Miss Crofte. Pray forgive my somewhat... unproductive circumstances. I would bow if the situation permitted."
She blinked incredulously. "You will do no such thing! Not until you are feeling well, anyway. It is bad enough Master Taeros's favorite valet had to meet such a state. I'll not have him exacerbating it." He inclined his head nevertheless as she crossed the room just then to stand at the foot of his bed, suddenly emboldened by her purpose.
"Rest assured, Miss, I am doing my utmost to tend to my own inconveniences. The local medics, for whatever reason, seemed loath to allow me to use my OWN restorative arts." He paused. "Well. I should not linger on the negative. Miss's concern is appreciated."
Coatleque's eyes looked up towards the ceiling with no movement of her head. "Of course not. You know there is no shame in allowing someone else to serve you now and again. That is why they are here, after all."
"Nonsense. Surely if I have spent this long studying the art of servitude, I should prove wholly capable of applying the same principles to myself--ah, pardon."
She shook her head slowly as her eyes turned downward again. "You confound me at times, but I understand you - I think. We all serve in our own ways I suppose." To this he gave a wry smile.
"I am pleased to clarify, Miss. However, my earlier question still stands. Is there any capacity in which I may assist?"
She blinked a few times before quirking a brow.
"I believe you do enough as is, Mister North."
"Yet Miss is here requiring something?" he replied with a tilt of his head.
"Requ... no. I heard what happened when the shipment arrived. I felt it necessary to see to you personally. For both our sakes."
"Ah, so Miss is here requiring reassurance." he said with a knowing nod.
The man was very astute. His grasp of the situation gave her some comfort however. She could not deny the feeling of being alone on this path and it was good to see someone else making the attempt at keeping some semblance of order.
"James.. Master Taeros will return soon. I believe we both have ill tidings for him. Doubly so for me if something happened to you."
"I hardly expect milord would be altogether aggrieved, unless such an attack marks a deliberate movement by one of his adversaries. Happily, my assailant appeared far too disorganized, and indeed too incompetent, for this to be the case."
He paused then with furrowed brows as he recounted the events prior. Her expression did perk up slightly once she realized the attack was not as serious as the initial reports sounded.
"Are you positive? You did not recognize this attacker?"
"Not in the slightest, Miss. A bare-chested hooligan with no apparent insignias, with movements bespeaking ruthlessness and muscle rather than discipline and intent... who nevertheless managed to wrest me from Chesterfield's back. Most appalling."
Her thoughts turned back to a dire warning she received some days before, along with a feeling of helplessness at the situation.
"Honestly, I am surprised you had no escort for this trip."
"Strictly speaking, Miss, I WAS the escort. I am not altogether untrained in self-defense."
He paused again, appraising her tone as if unsure she was slighting him.
"Apologies, I meant no offense... I simply meant... well... I've no idea what was being delivered."
"None taken. Miss may rest assured, however... milord's commodities remained untargeted and unharmed, and I myself should be fully recovered within a scant few days. Minimal damage done, all in all. I should hope the entire incident should not cause undue stress on any account."
"No... no, of course not. James trusts you, and so I do as well. As often as I stay the night, that should be apparent."
She did not lie in this. Her presence was becoming a more regular sight around the estate, though she mostly kept to herself or close to Jameson. She found herself watching the servants carefully more and more since Roen's warning. She folded her hands in front of her, wringing one within the other nervously before switching to the other. Gideon inclined his head with a satisfied smile.
"I presumed, Miss, that that was for an entirely different set of reasons."
"Hmm Oh, you jest, aye?" she stated halfheartedly. There was no sign of mirth in her voice.
"Of course, Miss. Forgive an invalid his whimsy."
"Apologies, I have been on edge lately after receiving word from someone. This attack was not entirely unexpected."
It seemed to her that someone else ought to know what was happening. Someone should be prepared in case she was not there. Who better than the man second closest to him? Gideon raised an eyebrow inquisitively.
"Indeed, Miss?"
"I was told by Miss Deneith that ... people would be coming for James. That I should not be in their way. I fear this is only the start, or rather a continued assault."
"...Hrm. Is Miss in any danger?"
Her expression straightened and she looked at him almost incredulously, as if the question was insulting.
"Might I remind you of the Order I serve? I can certainly handle a blade. Her Grace trusts me with such. No.. I do not fear for myself."
"Indeed, Miss... but as Starlight proved, the finest may yet be hampered by... unfortunate circumstances. Let me rephrase: is Miss to be targeted?"
"No. No, Roen would not target me. Despite all of this we are still friends. She is just... misguided. Yes, that is all."
Her words fell forth as if she was trying to convince herself of their truth. She had already told Roen she had no desire to draw steel against her. But after her conversation in the Drowned Wench with Master Bellveil she was beginning to doubt it could be prevented. If Roen truly believed in what she was doing... that these rumored actions could be justified...
"Is she the person in question? Who you believe would be instigating these attacks...?" he continued.
"Possibly. I mean... no. Perhaps I have said too much already. She warned me they would be coming, that is all I know."
He hummed in thought.
"She is obsessed with destroying the man. I cannot allow that. Not any longer. Please, be careful."
"I see. I shall keep a book close to bed. Miss's concern is most kind."
"Of course. If you have need of anything, Mister North, send word. It seems I must run things while you are away here."
The position was not one she had ever pictured herself in. As the apparent 'Lady of the house' she felt a certain responsibility to see things were kept running smoothly while Jameson was away. In truth it was Mister North who handled things, but with him kept here in bed the rest of the help had seen fit to slack off to an extent.
"My heavens. I did not mean to impose so large a burden."
Coatleque managed to crack a smile.
"Even you deserve a rest now and again. I will try not to handle everything for you though."
He closed his eyes in thought for a moment before perking back up somewhat.
"Ah, I know. Does Miss have any particularly favored foods, or treats? I will prepare something as recompense upon my return."
The question was certainly unexpected. She gazed at him in thought as she tried earnestly to remember every meal she had eaten in her nights spent at the Estate. There were too many to recall just one in particular. Then an idea struck her as she thought back to that evening at the Bismark.
"There was a lovely bit of lamb that I remember from the Bismark. It was served with some rather strong wine. Perhaps you remember that night? I have faith that you can replicate the recipe."
He blinked. His only sign of remembrance while his smile remained fixed in place.
"...Of course, Miss. I recall it well."
"Perhaps better than I. Hmm.. no matter."
"Then, yes. I will be more than happy to do so."
"Then I shall consider us even, Mister North. Do rest up. The rest of the help is lost without you - I am a poor substitute."
A sharp and sudden exhale marked a contained laugh from his position on the bed.
"As you say, Miss. Do not allow me to occupy more of your schedule than I am due. I will contact you if I have any further information."
"Ah, you do smile! Fear not, I shall not make it known. Until then, Mister North. Twelve watch over you."
The man looked down at her call-out, almost self-consciously before nodding with eyes averted.
"You as well, Miss."
