He looks both north and south bound of the road, discovering a smaller soldier detail but more alert. They were looking to pull anyone from the streets to join their ranks, willing or not. Valedent had learned they’re normal habits, but this would throw off everything he had ever studied. And so, this wouldn’t be the norm. Thanks to your little raid and a damn sudden draft, meeting that woman is now complicated, Valedent sighs, leaning against the building as he formulates a new plan.
Feeling a few pebbles drop into the collar of his coat, Valedent springs from the wobbly wall, alerted by the false support of the decrepit building. He tugs the back of his collar to allow the rubble to fall out. Then a group of people in the street catch his attention, with one of them standing out to him above all others. Hm, maybe it doesn’t need to be so convoluted, Valedent thinks.
A soldier walks by as Valedent turns his back, hiding his infamous face while remaining focused on the nearby group. Gripping his cane with a now, clear path from the patrolling soldier, Valedent strides out. He merges with the intended group accompanied by two filthy men and four nearly naked women.
“Good morning ladies,” Valedent continues beside them, mimicking their pace.
“Oh, good morning sweetness,” the closest woman greets him, looking him up and down as two others smile.
“Hey back off! These are mine. Go find your own,” a man scowls. Then, in his peripherals, Valedent spots a guard whip his attention toward them. Shit.
“Hold on a sec. I was just inquiring on how to find someone to accompany me to my meeting. It’s too fine of a day to not spend in the presence of beautiful women. Wouldn’t you men agree? I have two arms available, for one lady each,” Valedent says, hoping to entice the women and separate them from the men. If the leader of these girls is who I think it is, she has no what she’s getting herself into. Valedent thinks, knowing as an experienced spy would, how wrong this could become.
The group slows down, stopping where a wide street branched off. Valedent recognized a manor at the end. A woman in a burgundy Victorian dress stood at the edge of a balcony overlooking the street, but his attention was drawn back to the group as the leading woman turned, raising a brow. “To a meeting, you say?”
“Yes ma’am.” Valedent stands tall as a young woman in the back begins to raise her hand but one of the men slaps her.
“No, this is not happening.” The other man yells and the guard begins walking over. The leading woman spins to the abusive man, throwing him a medium money pouch. The women walk beside Valedent as the men’s face become red, and they clench their fists.
“I warned you. Defacing anyone of my girls will negate any form of services. No payment you could possibly have to offer will change this. Maybe you could spend it on repentance. Now, young sir, you think you could handle four women on your arms?” She turns to Valedent as a dominant and almost proper voice raising questions to who she really was. Valedent lifts his arms like a gentleman, prepared to usher two women on his left and one on his right. He cups his fingers over the leading woman’s hand like royalty.
While walking away, Valedent hears a soldier consulting with the men whose voices were more outspoken. “That man there. He swindled our women from us. I’ve been robbed.”
However, as he looks at the manor, the woman prior is gone. Am I losing my touch here? Was the one on the balcony Scarlet or is it the girl with this chestnut hair? Valedent worries, not wanting to tarnish his chances. After all, Madame Scarlet would be a fatal blow blocking the outpost’s flourishment. The soldier shouts for two others to join him as their footfalls hustle toward them.
“Ah, geez. This early in the morning, already?” Valedent mutters.
“Valedent,” the woman whispers, alarming him of knowing his name, “Go into the manor. My butler will tend to you while I handle this.”
Not left with much time to think, he nods and accepts her plan. The soldiers close in upon Valedent reaching the manor, ascending the steps as the woman remains firm at its base. Valedent enters, standing in the foyer. The ushered three women disperse throughout the house from his arms as if given some unspoken order. What the heck is going on?
Valedent turns, attempting to look through the stained glass. As the woman outside peels back her hair, a butler deters his attention. “Excuse me, but you’re Master Valedent Brightbane, are you not?” He stands there, hesitant to reply. The butler wasn’t some old man but instead an old love from years past. He nods, unable to formulate words. “This way, please, to the dining room. Madame Scarlet will be with you shortly.”
She leads him to a pair of mahogany doors, as Valedent opens them to find an extravagant long table with tall windows which shows a landscaped courtyard. He enters the room, where he sees a maid dressed in black and white, holding a platter with a drink awaiting him.
“A drink, sir?” she asks. He hesitates, looking at the brown liquid. As he steps closer, he recognizes the aroma to be an undeniably rich scotch. Valedent takes the glass, for very few opportunities come with such exquisite luxury. Walking towards the table, he hears the front door open as the clicking of her heels enter the foyer.
“Despicable. They really have lost all decency. Anna!” She sighs and Valedent turns around to the young butler rushing to the foyer, bowing with clothes in hand.
“Yes, ma’am. Should I issue some food for your ten o’clock?” Anna asks, nodding her head towards the dining room. The woman hands Anna her wig as her luscious black wavy hair bounces against her back. She waves her to follow as she walks to the room.
“Master Brightbane.”
“Please, it’s Valedent. I can only assume you’re Madame Scarlet?”
“Yes. Unfortunately, due to an unexpected and rather annoying draft this morning, I knew our meeting wasn’t going to go without difficulty. It’s nice to see some men in this dying town that know when to be cooperative. Please, sit,” She gestures to any of the seats, whispering to her maid in black and white as she quicksteps away.
“Well, I do appreciate the accommodations.” He pulls out a seat near the middle of the table, placing his untouched glass on its surface. Scarlet pins up her hair and sits at the head of the table, crossing her legs.
“Now, the last we spoke, you had mention of a way to give Dragonar back to the people. What would you be proposing to do to set things in motion? I mean, let’s be frank; you wouldn’t even had been here without my help.”
Valedent smirks, trying not to blurt out laughing as her demeanor reminds him of home. “My dear Madame, allow me to correct your assumption thinking of me to be a helpless fool in need of rescuing. I’ve had more than enough experience to learn your plan’s back up should have back up plans. If you had a better understanding like you have claimed prior of ‘your town,’ you would have changed our meeting rather than go on an outing in a poor display of a mere damsel. You’ll not try to place blame on others, let alone me, for your mere pleasure.”
She raises her brows as his words give her pause. “Hmph. I didn’t think anyone brave enough to challenge a noble existed. You’re cute. And to be able to carry yourself so properly, it makes me question: Are you a noble?”
“No, but we’re not here to discuss me. More so, we’re here to discuss the future of Dragonar.” Valedent reminds her. Careful to not let her waste time, boasting of her own prospects as most nobles usually did in more leisurely atmospheres like Cloud City.
“Oh, you’re good. Very well. So, how can you serve me?” She crosses her arms, leaning her back along the comfort of her chair’s cushion of high quality.
“Last we spoke, you mentioned that the people can barely walk around with enjoyment among their streets, never mind having peace in their homes,” Valedent says.
“Yes. The town’s patrol has too much power. The people are broken and is governed by a king whom couldn’t care less. Until the people can stand against the oppression, Dragonar will never regain its former glory. At this point, everything the founding nobles created
will be lost.” Scarlet says as food is brought to the table. Anna awaits commands.
“I agree, and therefore taking out the origin of the problem would put the healing in motion for Dragonar.” Valedent says.
“You mean to kill the king?”
“I do.”
“No. I’ll have no part in that. With what force—what power—do you have to command such an operation? It’s not possible. You won’t have my support in this. If this assassination fails, the people will suffer even more gravely, not to mention those who are caught attempting a coup. I won’t sacrifice my head to the guillotine for some senseless escapade.”
“So, I guess, Dragonar dies then. Sorry to have wasted your time.” Valedent steps out from his seat without touching his beverage or food, grabbing his cane. He enters the foyer, gripping the entrance door and is ready to exit her manor.
“Wait. You go out there and you’ll be arrested. They’re waiting for you.” Scarlet warns him.
Valedent stops and, without turning around, looks down to his side. “Yeah, so? What’s it to you? It’s just some town soldiers; bullies really. Don’t worry yourself. This ‘cuteness’ isn’t afraid of a few ruffles.” He says and turns the knob, but her heels click across the stone floor. She slams it shut, locking it.
“Stop!” She weasels herself between the door and Valedent, her breasts firmly pressing against his chest.
“Why?” He sighs stepping back, seeing her eyes follow his movements. He notes how her blue marbled eyes seem to fill with a confliction of desire and uncertainty.
“You go and they’ll overpower you; take you into the castle.” Valedent looks through a narrow side window beside the door to see ten soldiers waiting for his exit. Damn, he curses inwardly.
He returns to the dining room standing behind his chair, pondering on a way out of her establishment. However, something strikes odd with him. “If you didn’t want to get your hands dirty, then why even bother meeting me? We both know you’re an intelligent woman. If you could predict the challenge of me getting here, then with what were you expecting to involve yourself?”
She returns behind him, biting her lip. “I don’t know, but I’d assumed you could help the people regain themselves again. Beyond those closed walls where the castle lies, a noblewoman’s voice will never be received for help or change.”
“Then I’m sorry Madame. But unless you’re willing to get into the thick of it, nothing becomes changed. Nothing will be helped.” Valedent speaks bluntly as she retakes her seat. He sees his words finally gaining weight on her shoulders.
“I suggest we start small. Going for him is pointless right now.” She says as a smile grows on Valedent’s face. Finally. Now we can start, Valedent sits closer to her.
“Well, first things first. Do not pretend to ever be a damsel like earlier. You nobles are incapable of throwing away your pride and authority to assume such a roll. I could tell something was off.”
Scarlet’s face stricken with awe. “How? I thought I did a fine job.”
“Yeah, fine enough to end up dead or sold off, especially once they discovered they had a noble in their midst. You gave yourself away with how you tried to command the group instead of the men. Never mind how you talked back to them.”
“Oh.”
“Now, you want to go out there? Fine. Command the streets and demand your authority upon the soldiers. Never fold or agree to their terms, but rather always make it your terms. When it comes to the people, yes help them. However, do it in a way where its impactful, necessary and a reflection of your power.”
“I don’t know if I can do that. The heat that’ll come down from it. How would I defend against it?” She asks as Valedent thinks, looking at the table. He notices her half-eaten plate and a full glass of water.
He splashes the water in her face.
“Oh, my mistress!” Anna rushes toward her, glaring with the towel draped on her forearm, but Scarlet holds up her hand, stopping her.
“Explain yourself, before I throw you to the very soldiers from whom I shield you.” Scarlet demands. He can see hate burning in her eyes.
“Okay, I had to be sure you were capable of behaving as a noble. I mean, come on; you’ve got a title for cripe sakes. Use it! Flaunt it! For fuck sakes, use that blood,” Valedent says as she welcomes Anna’s towel.
“I see, and what of you? How will you aid?” She asks, drying her face.
“I’ve already done my part. If you desire to dig deeper by uprooting the hold and starting with the town soldiers’ oppression, you could join us. My people can be the ears and eyes within the shadows of this town where you cannot delegate. We’re both in need of growth. I remember a time that this manor housed a lot more people belonging to your family’s faction then what it currently does.”
Valedent waits as her thoughts release a heavy breath from her chest, looking about from the maids, Anna and her home. Valedent interrupts her, touching her hand.
“How dare you.” Anna gasps.
“Look, I can understand this is a heavy decision to join us. Don’t feel a need to rush your thoughts. I’ve given instructions to my second in command to pay you a visit in seven days’ time. Make your preparations and adjust to your role. When you’re ready to commit, my second in command will find you.” Valedent assures her.
She nods. “His name?”
“Seth.” Valedent stands, noticing Anna still sour toward him.
“This was enlightening, meeting you,” Scarlet lends out a hand as Valedent takes it but turns it over to give a respected kiss on the back of her hand.
“Pleasures all mine. Now, I must be finding a way out of here.” Valedent tips his hat walking to the foyer to see through the side window. The number of soldiers had grown to twenty strong. Alright, how the hell am I supposed to get through this one? There’s too many to run pass, dodging them all. Valedent ponders, placing a hand on the window as he tries to formulate a plan.
Movement within the manor stirs with purpose as one young lady, pleasing to Valedent’s eye, smiles with a blush as she carries long rolled up papers. What’s going on? He wonders but shakes his head to refocus on his exit.
“Valedent!” Scarlet shouts from the dining room.
“Yeah?”
She comes out with her maids carrying one of the rolls of long paper.
“Yes?”
“Come with me.” She leads him through the manor into the furthest back parts of the courtyard. They approach a tomb bearing one of the five founding noble family’s crests, as the sunshine from high noon glints off the ornate crest fracturing it into multiple rays. She uses an old iron key, opening a black steel gate which shields some stairs leading down into the crypt. Valedent stands quiet, hesitant to follow. Scarlet holds an old crinkled parchment as she scours around till spotting a wooden handle of a two-prong switch. She flips it up, igniting dangling bulbs as the first one shatters with sparks.
“What’s the matter, tough guy? You scarred of the dead?” Anna asks from behind him.
“No, not exactly. I just prefer not to become part of the décor,” Valedent says.
“Then would you prefer the front door instead of being escorted to an early grave?” Scarlet asks while continuing down the dim lit stairs.
“It almost seems that way either way I go,” Valedent replies as Anna chuckles pushing him forward, forcing him to follow Scarlet.
After reaching a low part of the catacombs, they walk where a centered stone coffin etched with exquisite masonry is engraved with a crest on the top. She unravels parchments over the coffin as Scarlet reads one, following it according to the room.
“What’re you doing?” Valedent sighs as she continues tracing with her fingers on the back wall. He wipes his hands on the outside of his thighs, but the air continues making his hands feel clammy. While observing the many habitable spiderwebs within the wall, death bed chills surge down his spine.
“Anna, I need you here,” Scarlet points as Anna shoves pass
him, knocking Valedent into the dust covered coffin. Dust is kicked up as he ingests air into his lungs, drying his passages into a coughing fit. Was that necessary? Valedent thinks, stepping back. Paying no mind to him, Scarlet directs Anna, showing her according to the paper.
“Why’re you guys trying to open up a standing coffin? Shouldn’t you just let the dead sleep?” Valedent says, looking at the other old paper laid on top the main coffin. It’s an original map of Dragonar’s layout before it grew only to crumble. Suppressed air then blows from the wall, causing dust to spiral in the room. Everyone covers their faces while Anna opens the wall more.
“What the hell is that?” Valedent turns after the air settles the dust.
“Your exit, Master Brightbane.” Scarlet points as he sticks his head through, seeing a massive tunnel with different metal pipes varying in sizes running throughout.
“Valedent, I need you to pay attention. Over here.” Scarlet calls to him as she flips the paper on the coffin, separating it into two thinner papers.
“What’s this?”
“This is the original blueprints of my manor. Now, as you can see, this connects to the tunnel behind us. Taking it will lead to the mountains that border around us south of Dragonar, way beyond our town’s gates.” Scarlet explains as she shows on the geographical map of early Dragonar.
“But tunnels like these, won’t it be like a dark maze? How will I avoid getting lost? I mean, it might not be intact if it’s as old as these papers.”
“You would rather take your chances with the arsenal waiting outside my front door?” Scarlet reminds him as a soft-spoken young woman calls for Scarlet descending the stairs. Valedent recognizes her as one of the girls from the group.
“What is it?” Scarlet asks.
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