Cutting to the chase

[Sir Christopher de Winter]

Arriving to Twinport prior to the rest of the Court was done on purpose, both to check security of the town and to lend a hand in the hunt for a prey that had gone to ground so cleanly there was trouble catching it. Dispatching the small group of men with him on to the Keep to lend a hand with security and ensure there would be as little trouble as possible, Christopher glanced through the letters he had, heading in direction indicated to seek his fellow knight. The other missive prepared him for cunning prey, yet he would enjoy an opportunity to have a second opinion upon the matter, for the best laid plans sometimes failed and he supposed neither of them were taking second chances with it.

As his eyes adjusted to the atmosphere of the tavern, Chris glanced around in mild curiosity, deciding that getting directions to the taproom was easier than wading aimlessly among the Sea Dragon’s patrons in search of it, after which finding the man himself was less troublesome. Another glance revealed his target, and he moved toward Darton, wondering to himself if the man had been waiting too long but deciding to keep quiet until he was noticed. It was time for laying plans, but first, he’d need to learn a few things and he couldn’t well do so standing around, however tempting to remain in place it was.


Sir Darton de Lac

[Sir Darton de Lac]

Darton had been in Twinport for several days awaiting Christopher's arrival and commencing to lay the foundation of the plan that would apprehend the dispossessed Prince of Sarkozsy. He took care to stop by the agreed-upon tavern twice a day to verify whether his fellow knight was in the city, receiving confirmation on the second day that the man was in the taproom come the evening. A pleased smile grew to know he had someone on whom he could rely to spring the trap, heading for the taproom to greet Christopher, who was clearly searching for him in turn.

A hand rose to ensnare his attention at the moment that Christopher noted his arrival, gesturing to a discreet table at which they could speak and information could be revealed. Catching the attention of a passing bar-maid as well, he instructed her to follow them so that orders could be placed. Once they were settled with food and drink, the discussion could begin in earnest. Time was ticking away, yet they had a day or so before the ship the Prince intended to secure berth on sailed.

He slid into the booth, leaving the bench across from him for Christopher's comfort while he placed his order. "A mug of dark ale, and whatever roast you've got. Bring bread as well, please." Turning to his friend, Darton inquired, "What will you have, my friend?"

Sir Christopher de Winter

[Sir Christopher de Winter]

The raised hand was welcome to help him confirm the man’s identity, and he allowed himself a quiet nod and a slight smile as he followed the gesture, pleased to have found the man so quickly and none the worse for wear – or so it seemed at a glance. Quietly placing his own order, same as that of his friend’s and substituting ale for water, for thirst from the journey was more present than need for muddled senses, Chris glanced toward Darton, taking a seat across from him and waiting until the maid departed before speaking.

“It’s good to see you again. How have it been with you, aside from our elusive friend?” Asking that, Chris scanned the crowd, wondering if said elusive friend was listening in and making things difficult for his friend on purpose. From what he had gathered, the man had a bad habit of gathering information and sharing none from his end, which would probably make it difficult for them to continue the hunt. Still, the seats found by Darton offered them a good view of the taproom in general and they difficult to see in the lightning and the booth’s privacy. Due to their forthcoming discussion, the location, as far as he was concerned, couldn’t be better.


Sir Darton de Lac

[Sir Darton de Lac]

Chasing the Prince (or soon-to-be-former prince) had been no easy task, leaving Darton weary for his efforts but grimly determined. Watching in silence as Chris placed his order and took his seat, the knight was pleased to see his friend looking well and ready to take on the task at hand. Darton felt significantly better for his fellow knight's presence; the man had undeniable skill for spotting weaknesses in plans and shoring up defences needed to ensure success.

A meagre smile appeared in response to the question before he replied, "It has been challenging, but I believe some good progress has been made. I failed in adequately gauging our prey's abilities and plans, putting me behind in apprehending him, yet I have confirmed with my own eyes that he is in the city and waiting to board a ship that returns to his lands by way of Linten." Darton paused, sweeping the taproom with an assessing gaze as well, though he left a watcher on the man in question. If he moved, then one of several street urchins paid would alert him. Darton doubted that Nikolai thought to see children; he would not likely notice being watched by them. "How was your journey?"

Sir Christopher de Winter

[Sir Christopher de Winter]

A lightly tapping on the tabletop hand warned his friend of taking too much on himself, as was Chris’s quiet habit. “According to what I heard, he has disquieting habit of listening in and not sharing, and had been in military – as befit one of his former status. The clime here is perhaps milder than what he is used to, and he is in a hurry and seems to have made the situation desperate in his mind – perhaps he knows by now he is being chased.” Casting a reassuring glance at Darton, Chris gave a slight smile. “But even he requires rest, and him having been sighted, we can plan accordingly.” In that was their advantage, however meager.

The worry about his siblings was pushed to the back of his mind, him thankful there was little to his expression to note unless the other knew him better than he thought. The situation back at the Festival made him worried, yet they were in good hands, and he was needed here. “The journey went well. The road we used is in good repair, and we made faster time than the rest of the train would.” A wave of his hand in general direction of Twin Tower Keep was given. “Some of my men are here to keep an eye on the city and the Keep, should we need help, and I wager we will have about a week until the Court is all here.” For which he was thankful, even if he was off with his timing. The more people there were, the harder it’d be to pursue the chase, and the members of Court were numerous, even those that would follow the Royal family to the Joust’s location.


Sir Darton de Lac

[Sir Darton de Lac]

Darton submitted to the unspoken rebuke, listening with obvious interest as Christopher relayed what he gleaned on their quarry. Perhaps he was taking on too much, but in light of the circumstances and those affected by it, surely the knight might be forgiven. Both men deemed their proximity and service to the Royal Family a great honour, and took their responsibility gravely. "I am sure he is aware that he is being pursued. Which as you say adds a measure of desperation to his flight." A nod agreed that there was still some small amount of time in which to plan.

Darton noted that there seemed to be more on his fellow knight's mind than the net tightening around their prey, allowing Christopher to answer the question before he sought to pose another. "Already the city is undergoing preparations to host the Joust. We'll need plenty of eyes, because if ever there was opportunity for mischief, it will be here and now. Do you plan to enter yourself once the Joust begins? And what else has happened? You seem a trifle... distracted."

Sir Christopher de Winter

[Sir Christopher de Winter]

Inclining his head in agreement to Darton’s words, Chris managed to avoid a wince at the latter words, but barely so. The older man was more observant than he gave him credit for, or perhaps learned his manners too well in the time both of them had been assigned to the King’s Guard. It seemed he himself still had a lot to learn. “Desperate is good for us. That means he’s bound to make a mistake sooner or later, and perhaps we do not have a listener around.” Indicating the booths on either side of them, he gave a wry smile at the question, unable to stay quiet. Still, they had their task to focus on and perhaps he’ll fill his brother in arms later, once they were done with this chase.

“Katalin and Jasen had taken ill, but are on their way to recovery as we speak,” he answered. “There’s more to it, but I shall fill you in better once we get our rat, is that all right?” As for the Joust, he gave an amused shrug. “Do you plan on it? Perhaps I shall, Jasen is considering it also.” Which was why he was slightly worried. Of course, his brother was bound to get well enough for it while they were traveling – and him on strict orders to rest up, so there was no real danger, or so he hoped.

“Someone needs to keep an eye on the surroundings and I shall more than likely to join this lookout. As you said, a chance is ripe for those ill-wishers on our liege and others of note.” Quirking up an eyebrow, Chris wondered to himself if their other rat will show their hand here, as well. Time was going to tell, however, and for now he had other prey to worry about, thankful it was so. He needed the distraction for the moment, and this would do perfectly.


Sir Darton de Lac

[Sir Darton de Lac]

He nodded in agreement with Christopher's perception; this common room was no plan to openly discuss the plans that needed to be laid to capture their rat, as the other man referred to the Prince. Darton privately held a less... politic opinion of the man, but conceded that his opinion was hardly disinterested. "When we retire, we can speak more freely."

Before he could comment further, their meals and drinks arrived, a nod thanking the server before waving the girl off. Darton might have found her attractive and encouraged her attention on another occasion, but this day was not that occasion. The two men were on a mission of greater importance than themselves. Once the girl was on her way, he allowed dismay to cross his face. Both the Duke and the lady had been taken ill. A nod acknowledged Christopher's desire to speak of it later, then shrugged. "I will probably do so, especially if our Prince enters. As you say, someone must keep an eye out, and where better to tamper or make an attempt than the Joust itself?"

He sighed and reached for his mug, quaffing some of the contents speculatively. "I hate to say it, my friend, but something tells me we are not looking at a time of peace soon. Whomever has his hands in treason is not likely to settle down any time in the near future."

Sir Christopher de Winter

[Sir Christopher de Winter]

Inclining his head in agreement, Chris applied himself to his meal, waiting out himself until the area was clear and hoping Darton would follow his lead. The sooner they were in a more private place, the sooner they could talk properly. “Which should be soon enough,” he murmured in amusement, a glance cast around the room. He was going to admit himself that he was curious, for he rarely needed to travel this way, staying close as he was by Oakdale and Triadon.

Glancing up in time to catch the look of dismay on his fellow knight’s face at the news of his siblings, he gave a reassuring nod, not quite certain which of them he was attempting to reassure. “They’re recovering, and at least Jasen should be at full strength when they come here. Provided he stays down and rests.” Thinking of his stubborn siblings still finding things to do when they should be recovering, he shook his head with fond exasperation. “Katalin may take slightly longer than that, but they both will be all right, given time.” Or so he hoped.

Sighing himself at the thought of lacking peace, Chris hummed in agreement, silently debating with himself at the thought. “I’ll keep an eye out for trouble, then, even as we deal with this mess. Have you an idea where we can start and when it will be the better time to do so?” The question was more or less cautious, for there will be time for better discussion soon enough, but he was curious, as well. This way he was going to have some idea to what they would be doing, sooner or later.


Sir Darton de Lac

[Sir Darton de Lac]

Darton toyed with his mug and meal for several minutes, his mind clearly working on matters as they spoke. Matters were moving in manners and at speeds that left him mildly distressed. He could not be in several places at once, despite his genuine desire to secure the safety not only of the royal family but of the de Winters as well. The knight did not have so many friends that he would jeopardize the ones he had. "Agreed," he nodded and compelled himself to eat.

Relieved to hear that the Duke and the Lady were on the road to recovery, he frowned. "I am glad to hear that, but it concerns me that someone is growing increasingly bold in their advances. I also have to wonder if it is not the same craven coward who is scheming against the King, trying to deflect suspicion onto someone else." The knight raised a brow at his companion, the better to gauge what Christopher's reaction to that suggestion was. Darton was not sure, but his bones held a suspicion that something was coming while they were in Twinport. He could not say what, however.

Sipping the ale, he considered the question. When will it be the better time? "I am not sure. Let's finish up and withdraw. I don't feel it is wise to discuss it here, so openly. We can't be sure where the loyalty of the ears that surround us lie."

Sir Christopher de Winter

[Sir Christopher de Winter]

Chris frowned at the implications Darton was giving. Perhaps it was so, perhaps not, how were they going to tell it? “Perhaps so, since none of us seem to believe the implications given right now. But why bother going after a border family?” He asked, curious despite himself. Of course, there was the cause of them being loyal to their liege, the current one, but he doubted it could be it. Following his friend’s example with more thoughtful air than that of the other, the man managed to avoid the problem of putting his fork past his mouth, and concentrated on the meal while he chewed on both his own problems and those that stood before them.

Raising an eyebrow right back at the older man, he applied himself to the rest of his meal with as much industry as Darton was displaying, eager to leave the crowded place. Being without, they would have more chances to talk, less ears to listen in to, and less distractions neither of them seemed to need right now. “No, it’s not, forgive me for starting,” he admitted, but waited for his friend to finish as well and lead the way. He had no knowledge of where Darton stopped, but supposed it wasn’t too far from the tavern, for it looked like the checks were done prior to his arrival. He assumed he was going to see for himself once they got there, but they’d have to do so first.


Sir Darton de Lac

[Sir Darton de Lac]

The answer as to why the de Winters was perhaps more plain to Darton for not being a member of that family. They were known to be a strong line of defence against the Empire; if the Empire had illusions of crossing the border in an effort to retake what was once there, surely removing the resident family was only a prudent act indeed. For now, Darton met his look calmly, continuing his meal, then replied quietly, "Removing a barrier, wouldn't you think? Consider your family's stance on the Empire, and the answer should be clear."

Letting it go at that, the two spent the rest of the meal in relative silence as they satisfied the needs of the body and headed out of the tavern to seek quarters and privacy for the remnants of the evening. The trap needed to be laid and sprung within a certain amount of time; the King was awaiting word that the Sarkozsian prince had been apprehended. Time was wasting...

[ end thread ]