Escape to Triadon

[Lady Lisette de Lac]

Lord Aristide de Lac, Lord Laurent de Lac, Lord Thomas de Lac, Sir Darton de Lac


Once the decision to depart Pescadin for Triadon was made, they agreed the arrangements needed to be conducted in the utmost of secrecy and silence to avoid alerting Veronica to their intentions. Trusting only George, Ari’s Steward and the Housekeeper, three who had faithfully served their father and held the Countess in contempt, doing their best to preserve and protect the deLac children from their virago mother. It was George who suggested that their preparations take place late at night when the Countess – the trio refused to refer to Veronica as Mother any further – was asleep. To ensure that she neither wakened nor stirred, the wine Veronica consumed at dinner was fortified, in a manner of speaking.

Lisette felt a momentary twinge of guilt that she was dosing her maternal parent, but under the circumstances, what choice did she have? Veronica, if she knew, would move heaven and earth to prevent their escape to Triadon, but if they stayed, the consequences would prove beyond dire. Not wanting her mother’s blood on any of their hands, she agreed with the Housekeeper’s suggestion to do so, waiting until the loud snores proved the dose worked. Only then was luggage and the items they felt crucial to their survival prepared and carried down to be transported to the ship that would convey them to the southeastern port of Indigane.

The ship was scheduled to leave with the dawn’s tide; the trio took a heartfelt farewell of faithful servants – nay, friends – who would have to face the Countess’s wrath. To a one, they made the three promise that if Veronica grew too much, they would come and join the deLac family in Triadon. Aristide was the Earl, and he held the power. Hugging all three impulsively to hide her nerves, Lisette took her leave of the Keep she’d seldom left in the last two years and accompanied her brothers in the dark hour before dawn to the ship. As it made its way out of the harbor, leaving Pescadin and the deLac region in their wake, she couldn’t help the surge of fear that Veronica would discover their plan and attempt to halt them at the last minute. Only once they were out of sight of the harbor did she start to relax, though the nerves remained simmering just below the surface of skin.

Trusting to her brothers to help her conquer the nerves and fears, she welcomed the first arrival in Indigane, then the barge journey to Triadon. As they sailed across the lake towards the city, she gripped the rail tightly. How long had it been since they’d last taken up residence in the capitol? Years ago, she was sure, when their father was alive. Lisette could only imagine the state of the family home in the city, suggesting to her brothers quietly that they take up temporary residence in a nearby inn until they could take stock of needed repairs, acquiring servants, cleaning and so on. The prospect of setting up housekeeping without her harpy of a mother breathing down her neck helped her to settle for the night, as did the prospect of seeing Thomas in the morning, perhaps even Darton.

Thus, when the sun rose, Lisette hastily dressed and went to rouse her brothers. It was going to be a busy day for certain, and she was eager to begin it, welcoming the sweet taste of freedom finally.

[Lord Laurent de Lac]

It was a strange turn of events that Lisette be up and dressed before Laurent! Normally, Laurent was the early bird of the siblings and quite cheerfully so. He never missed a chance to infect others with his insidious sunny nature, after all. Granted, there were times when Lisette was less than receptive of such an attitude so early in the morning, but she never seemed to discourage it, either. Thus, imagine his surprise when he heard the knock upon the door. "Yes? Who is it?" Laurent was mostly dressed having donned his trousers and boots and was working his tunic on when he came to the answer the door.

"Lisette," he blinked and then grinned at her. "I see you've finally come to join the ranks of us early risers." It was a tease and nothing more. It was meant to help Lisette feel more at ease. Laurent was acutely aware of his sister's struggles to overcome the fear of not only leaving home but using the sea to do so! Nonetheless, that made him rather proud of her. She had done extremely well in arranging everything for their departure. Why, he even suspected that Veronica was still not quite aware of their absence.

"How are you feeling this morning? And do we still have to tumble Ari out of his bed?" The questions were delivered one after another, but he knew that Lisette was more than capable of keeping up with him. Moving back into the room, Laurent tucked the tunic below the hem of his trousers and went about securing them. "I wonder if we can get a meeting with Uncle. Hopefully, he is not too busy this early in the morning." The thought made him chuckle. Lord Uncle up this early in the day? That would be the day.

[Lord Aristide de Lac]

Sleep evaded Aristide, taunting him by creeping at the edge of his mind and fulling away. The tension proved to be almost unbearable. Had they escaped successfully or not? He was almost certain that Veronica's senses were on alert and it was only a matter of time before she found them. If he was dead honest, he cared not to be a part of de Lac house anymore and wished he could shed the responsibility of being its head. Now more so than ever.

Running away never solved anything, it was a coward's way out, he knew, but they needed respite. If he had stayed in that place any longer, he might have strangled that woman's throat.

He rose, dressed without relish and trudged his way out of the room, yawning. Voices sounded from the other end, the twins, and he went over to join them. What they said went in one ear and out the other, leaving him standing with bleary eyes and staring into space.

[Lady Lisette de Lac]

The truth was, she hadn't really slept as yet. Fears and nerves worked the magic of insomnia upon her, accompanied by her preference for the night-time hours. Her concession to the morning was trading one gown for another and brushing her hair back into a neat, simple twist that suited her angular features better than the curls her mother typically inflicted upon her. A small smile appeared at the sight of her twin, sunny as ever and eager to greet the day. Most of the time, his cheerful nature was a nuisance to his more somber twin, but today, it helped bolster her spirits. "Perhaps we can. We'd need to send a messenger to the castle, though, see if he's available," she reminded him quietly, hearing steps approaching.

Turning to see Ari, Lisette's features drew into an expression of concern for the bleak look on her brother's face. Without a word, she slid an arm around Ari's waist and gently leaned into him. Not knowing what he was thinking, she could only offer that little gesture of reassurance, pitching her voice to be somewhat cheerful herself. "Good morning, Ari, what would you like to do first? Visit a tavern? Go find a tailor so you can sweep half the court ladies off their feet?" She was teasing, trying to put him more at ease.

[Lord Laurent de Lac]

"Yes, indeed. I'd do it myself, but I think I want to keep my head firmly upon my shoulders. Do you agree?" There was an unmistakable twinkle of amusement in his eye as he said this. Really, Laurent could be immensely insufferable at times. Seeing his sister turn, he arched a brow and then smiled with relief when he spotted Ari. "Brother. Good morning. I see you are ready to face the day." And he was not teasing him about it.

"Ah, that reminds me, Lisette. We need to get you to a dressmaker, as well. Expand your wardrobe so that we can get away from the lack of taste certain members of our House seem to have." He still refused to call his mother by name or refer to her as such. She no longer deserved the honorable title.

[Lord Aristide de Lac]

Aristide broke out of his daze as he felt his sister's arm around his waist (always been more sensitive to the female touch) and squeezed Lisette gently with his own arm. Being melancholy and taciturn was Thomas' role in the family, not his, and he was determined to restore his reputation. Or maybe he just wanted some shiny new clothes. Either way.

"Let us visit a tailor!" he decided with emphasis and agreed with his brother's statement. "Lisette deserves to have a dress she both looks and feels fabulous in, because without her, we would fall apart." He smoothed his messy hair back with his free hand. "I told Thomas the name of our inn and that he should meet us here in the afternoon." He could not foresee any problems with that.

[Lady Lisette de Lac]

Relieved to feel the responding squeeze - they were always a physically affectionate family - Lisette smiled at her brothers, glad to see the effort made to put aside melancholy. The woman who was their mother was out of their lives and unlikely to interfere further. "I wouldn't mind a new gown. Something that suits me better. And you will both need clothing suitable for court. By the time we're done, Thomas should be here." She was rather eager to see her younger brother, but just as desirous of seeing the city.

"There's much to be seen in the city markets too, and I'd like to see the house." For once, the Moon eclipsed the Sun for cheer as she slipped a hand into Ari's and reached for Laurent's. "It's time to start our lives, my brothers. The shadows are gone, the sun is shining... and we're free." It was a speech worthy of Laurent himself!

[Lord Laurent de Lac]

"Yes, I'm thinking a yellow for you, Lisette," he tilted his head speculatively, eyeballing the woman as he did so. "Yellows and golds would suit you well, I think." And then he glanced down at himself, pondering just what sort of clothes he could purchase. However, he decided that he should leave that in the capable hands and minds of his siblings and the tailor himself.

It was lovely to see his siblings in far better cheer. This is how they should normally be. They deserved nothing less than happy. "I don't think I could have said it better myself, dear sister." The final touches to his clothing were taken care of and he took her hand. "Let us be off!"

[Lord Aristide de Lac]

After the three of them had decided their colors of choice, they went to the tailor. The journey was quite a productive one and Aristide left the shop with a beautiful deep red and blue clothing in the works. Having the possibility for new beginnings relieved him more than he thought possible and now he looked forward to exploring Triadon. He knew that he and his siblings would be able to utilize what the city had to offer them and, most importantly, be able to flourish.

They headed back to the inn in good spirits, Ari cheerful enough to whistle a little tune, and he thought he saw a familiar glint of red hair in the distance. He knew the enthusiastic way he used to greet Thomas and in order not to alarm him now, he would say hello in the same way. Anything less than pure rambunctiousness would tip Thomas off into something being seriously wrong.

"Thomas!" Aristide called and ran over to him, leaping on his back. As the tallest of the siblings, Thomas was fun for Ari to climb up on. "How's our stoic swordsman?" He ruffled his younger brother's hair, teasing, and kissed the back of his head with affection.

Some things never changed. "Fine," Thomas said and reached to pry Ari's fingers off his shoulders. "Can you get off of me now?" His brother actually listened to him the first time and released him. Ari took two or three times to get off of Thomas' back in the past. He tried to think nothing of it and smiled at his older brothers and sister. Together again. "Laurent! Lisette!" He smiled and gave each of them a warm hug.

[Lady Lisette de Lac]

A few new gowns had been ordered for her as well, none in that dreadful pink but in dark gold, a deep blue-green and a silvery-grey that she was increasingly fond of. Having been measured, the gowns were promised within a few days. As they left, her hand resting on Laurent's arm, Lisette couldn't help but quip, "When the gowns arrive, I think I am going to burn that pink one for the sheer pleasure of it.." Before she could speak further, she heard Ari call out, her gaze immediately searching for the taller, red-headed youngest of them all.

A sympathetic wince emerged as Ari landed on Thomas's back, clambering up on him like a monkey did a tree. Lisette shook her head ruefully, urging Laurent into a slightly faster pace to join their brothers as a bright, warm smile lighted her features. She slid into the hug eagerly, embracing this much missed brother, tugging him down for a sisterly kiss to his cheek. "You look wonderful, Thomas. Triadon clearly agrees with you." His letters had said as much, but she'd wanted to see with her own eyes.

[Lord Laurent de Lac]

A laugh bubbled out of him when she made mention of burning the dress. "We can make a party of it, perhaps." And like her, before he could go any further than that, he was also distracted by the call of his brother. "Ah, Thomas. It's good to see you again." The hug was returned along with the stereotypical manly clap to the back. "Lisette speaks truth, Triadon has been treating you very well. I have a feeling you have more than a few tales to tell us."

Laurent paused a moment, "Have you seen our uncle and cousins as of yet? We're hoping to see them sooner rather than later."

[Lord Aristide de Lac]

Having his siblings in his company lit a new fire underneath Thomas and he knew that life was to be much more interesting now that all the de Lac offspring were in one place. Thomas missed the calm sensibility of the twins. Ari made him cringe half of the time, but his energy was contagious. "Thank you," he said to Laurent and Lisette with a smile.

He wished that he had better news for them, though. "I am afraid not. Perhaps they have arrived earlier than I and merely waited inside. I wanted to be certain that I saw you," he said.

Thomas was so precious, Ari thought as an amused smile crept on his face. Something about his younger brother was different, he could tell. His shoulders were not as slouched as they had been before and -- "Goodness, Thomas, have you received intimate attention from a lady friend?" Ari asked, his eagerness causing the words to jump from him. His brother shook his head, but frowned a little in that embarrassed way he always did. One of these days, that answer would be a positive one. "Damn it. Could have sworn - you look more relaxed than usual."

[Lady Lisette de Lac]

"Ari, leave him be," Lisette chided their older brother for his incessant teasing of the youngest regarding his romantic life. "There's more to life than bedding half a dozen women." Besides, she was of a mind with Thomas - when the time was right, love would find them - and refused to let Ari spoil that moment for him. "But you do look handsome. A new tunic?" A hand fondly smoothed his sleeve, genuine pleasure to be seen in her eyes.

Taking Thomas by the arm, and keeping her other in Laurent's, she gently guided them towards the tavern. "I think once we are settled with a meal and some drinks, we may need to have a rather serious talk as a family. Thomas needs to be brought up to date, and plans need to be formed. Maybe we should see about getting a private dining room?" Lisette looked from brother to brother to brother for approval.

[Lord Laurent de Lac]

"At the same time?" He said in answer to Lisette's question, and then he realized that he had actually spoken the question out loud. Sparing Lisette the trouble, Laurent gave himself a good wallop upside the head for even saying that. Ari was starting to infect him with his lascivious ways. That couldn't happen! Laurent was a good and pure young man! Could he be sullied? Surely not!

He cleared his throat. "Yes, yes, he does. There is a great deal we need to discuss. But there is an even greater problem," he drew himself up seriously. "Is it going to be possible for us to find food that is of the same level of quality as we expect from home?" The question was a teasing one... mostly. Still, his eyebrows were raised questioningly as he looked from sibling to sibling.

[Lord Aristide de Lac]

Lisette chided him whenever he spoke to Thomas and Aristide doubted that would change. She might have to scold him until the day he left this earth and that was his way of knowing she loved him. He burst into laughter at Laurent's inadvertent comment, quite pleased with himself for injecting a little naughtiness into his brother's minds. His brothers were too pure-minded for their own good.

As Ari laughed, Thomas' cheeks tinged somewhat red. "You have spent too much time with our older brother," he remarked. "Bedding that many women is certainly not my goal."

"It's precious you both think that's many women," Ari remarked with a mockingly sad shake of his head. "Dear Laurent, six women at once is a lofty goal indeed. I myself have only managed three, and that was by rare chance." He winked at his younger brother before clearing his throat, knowing Lisette would prefer to have a more wholesome topic of conversation. Some gravity was needed now, as Thomas needed to know a great deal. "The sooner you know what has happened at our house, the better." He spoke in a rare serious tone and Thomas immediately furrowed his brow, ready to listen.

Laurent's question distracted him for a moment. "The cooks at Carlisle Castle are decent," Thomas told his brother. "Not to mention, I have found someone who knows some delicious culinary concoctions."