Seeking Fresh Prey

[Lady Vivianne Trevelyan]

She met his gaze and nodded quietly, stepping back from Gregory. "You are too low to be entrusted with their true identities, I am sure. But tell me, do you know their purpose here?" A subtle gesture requested that Rupert defer to her for several minutes; her method seemed to be garnering some small success in the arena of answers.


Lord Rupert de Vere

[Lord Rupert de Vere]

"No," he continued look down, not daring to look up at her. "From what I can gather, they are merchants of some kind but I have not seen them dealing with many of the sellers in the marketplace. One has dark hair and a medium build. The other is much taller and a large build. They appear to be friends and close friends at that."

Rupert decided to let Vivianne take the lead and watched her with interest. It was a good test for her.

Lady Vivianne Trevelyan

[Lady Vivianne Trevelyan]

Interesting. Merchants who made no effort to trade. She glanced back at Rupert, curious to know if his thoughts aligned with hers on that point. Certainly, the men bore investigation and observation. That they had come from Arton was enough to set her senses on alert, but clearly they were not likely to be whom they claimed. Gregory was too low a level operative to be entrusted with their true identities, leaving a suggestion regarding their ranks.

"Good. Tell me, if you please," she crouched down, tilting his chin up gently, "with whom have they met so far?"




Lord Rupert de Vere

[Lord Rupert de Vere]

"The large one brought in some woman up to his room and they spent the night. I think I've seen her around before. Dark hair, fair skin, well dressed and ... she said rather saucy things. She had a very confident gait and posture." He shrugged, unable to provide anymore information. "As for the other one, I saw him go up to the castle."

Rupert had been fixated on the woman he described. The frown turned rather dark as he stepped away to contemplate it. There were a number of attractive and well dressed women. But ... "Would you say the woman really stands out in a crowd?"

Gregory's head bobbed rapidly, "Yes, oh yes. You couldn't miss her. I will never forget her sly smile."

Lady Vivianne Trevelyan

[Lady Vivianne Trevelyan]

Dark hair. Fair skin. Well dressed. A clever mouth, a confident gait. And a sly smile. Vivianne felt her heart sink at the description, knowing there was only one woman in Triadon whom that description fit to a tee. She exchanged a look with Rupert, dark eyes reflecting her dismay, though she very much doubted that the woman in question had meant any harm or had any real notion with whom she was dallying.

Straightening, she released Gregory's head with a sigh. They'd gotten most of what they needed, but now she needed to find Natalie and gain a better idea of what the lasdy in waiting had gotten herself into. Vivianne stepped back, hands absently smoothing her bodice. It was Rupert's call whether they continued the interrogation or broke it off for now to pursue the avenue involving Natalie.


Lord Rupert de Vere

[Lord Rupert de Vere]

Rupert had already started moving away from Gregory and Vivianne. His thoughts were in line with Vivianne's. There was only one woman that fit that description and she was as close to Emma as anyone could be. That was unacceptable to him. If there was a traitor that close to Emmaline, the danger presented to the Princess was clear and tangible. Lady Natalie was going to answer some questions and she was going to answer them now.

With that fervor in mind, Rupert's pace increased noticeably.

Lady Vivianne Trevelyan

[Lady Vivianne Trevelyan]

Oh, Triad...

Vivianne grimaced, hurrying after Rupert with a brief, crisp order to the guard to secure their prisoner. Trusting the man to comply, she picked up her pace to seize her patron by the arm with the intention of bringing him to a halt. "Wait," she murmured, looking around the hall to ensure there was no one nearby enough to eavesdrop. "Stop and think for a moment. Let me handle this one too." 

She knew Natalie Kendall well enough to know the woman would sooner slit her own throat than harm Princess Emmaline. Charging in there with blade drawn and accusation on his lips would cause more damage than good. "She may not realize she's being used. Let me talk to her and I will persuade her to speak with you of her own free will. Let's not jump to conclusions, alright?" Her eyes raised to Rupert's, asking him to trust her in this and work with her. 


Lord Rupert de Vere

[Lord Rupert de Vere]

Vivianne's attempt to pull him back was rewarded with a quietly fierce glare, but he stopped himself a few moments later. It wasn't fair to her. She didn't do anything wrong. She was not the traitor in the midst. "The Princess's safety is at stake and I am not going to take any chances," he hissed at her and drew in a breath. "In my experience, catching them surprise is the best way... since they will reveal a great deal."

He paused, "But very well. We'll try your way, but I will await your report first thing in the morning. Am I understood?"

Lady Vivianne Trevelyan

[Lady Vivianne Trevelyan]

Relieved when he conceded her point, she let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Confronting Natalie in his present mindset was a swift path to a dangerous matter between himself and the Princess. "Thank you for indulging me. I know I am asking a lot, but your trust in me will be validated. If you will see to Princess Emma... I will go discover what I may and will arrive with your breakfast. You have my word on it." Vivianne met his eyes directly, her expression sober indeed. She only prayed that Natalie had a reasonable explanation for her involvement with the Artonians.


Lord Rupert de Vere

[Lord Rupert de Vere]

Rupert fixed Vivianne with a hard look, but then forced himself to relax. The hackles were raising a bit too sharply for his own liking. As part of his line of work, Rupert liked to avoid... entanglements of a personal nature. Getting close to Emma was dangerous, but he could not help himself. He would be fool to keep away from her, anyway. The love may be fleeting, but it may be proof that he was actually human all along.

A sharp nod was given to her before he moved off.

Lady Vivianne Trevelyan

[end thread]