Time To Upsize

[Kender Bard]

Fausta slipped out of Deodan's room where she had been checking on her companion. She was beginning to grow less certain on how to view him. He was, and always would be, competition for the coveted spot of heir to the family in truth, regardless of who was designated heir to the public eye. And she didn't particularly respect him. Fausta thought he was a thug and would never really rise above that.

On the other hand, she knew that it was Cloak's hope that the two of them forge the kind of alliance that she had with Calan. The difference between us is that I think you genuinely like your partner, she thought with a huff. But now that Deodan had been injured, they were on even ground again. She was handicapped, but so was he, somewhat. He certainly was recovering slowly. Oh well; all things are at the mercy of the Changebringer. She'd wait this one out and see how Deodan recovered before she'd decide whether he was to be her enemy or if there was still something there to be salvaged.

A servant was passing her by, making a beeline for Calan's work quarters. It was a study, of sorts. Not having anything else to do but seek distractions, she silently turned around and followed the slave.

The woman knocked at the door. She knew better than to just barge in. It was Cloak's voice that range out, though. "Enter." The slave did and Fausta slipped in after her, tried to remain inconspicuous by the door. The slave didn't seem to notice her; instead she approached the pair (Cloak was offering Calan a piece of paper to look over when they had been interrupted) and held out a rolled and sealed piece of parchment. From the orange seal, she guessed it was from House Delroy. Curious. They hadn't heard anything from them in some time, at least that Fausta was aware of. That could be very little; but Cloak seems a little surprised as well.

She doesn't take the parchment. It's being offered to Calan. Cloak just looks at him mutely.

[tuo]

Calan held a hand out for the slave to place the parchment in his hand, not giving obvious indication of otherwise acknowledging the slaves presence so long as she does her task promptly and correctly. Once the slave leaves the room, Calan examines the parchment with a careful eye to ensure there was no sign of tampering before breaking the seal to read it.

[Kender Bard]

The note itself was fairly short and sweet.

Lord Adaez,

It is time for our families to convene for a business arrangement. I have been authorized by Lord Delroy to act in his stead for this meeting. Your presence is mandatory, but that of the rest of your family is not and they may come at your discretion.

My condolences on the recent ailments to befall both of your children. Truly, the Changebringer has been unkind to you recently.

Sincerely,
Lady Shanti Delroy

Cloak's mouth twitched into a downward frown as she read over Calan's shoulder. That last part irritated her. It was a dig, a subtle reminder of their family's recent failures. The first part interested her, but she had no idea what it could mean. Just that Shanti wanted to see them (after all, they couldn't really trust that she was acting in her brother's stead on her word alone. That was just laughable.)

[tuo]

Calan's mouth also twitched into a frown at the last line, but even if they knew everything about what happened, it wouldn't do to do anything that might suggest admitting to it. "Fausta, you are more familiar with the ways of nobles." He said suddenly while holding the parchment out in her general direction. "What do you think the ideal number of family to bring to this sudden meeting would be?" He asked in a tone kept carefully neutral.

[Kender Bard]

Fausta struggled to contain her delight at his consulting her. She crossed the room quickly and took the note, reading it over quickly. "It depends wholly on the impression you want to give. Go by yourself and you are saying that you feel utterly confident in your safety by not having an escort of any sort. Go with Cloak and you state that the pair of you are equals and that your alliance together is strong enough that you both trust her enough with whatever secrets are to be divulged and that you also trust her to guard your back in case anyone pulls anything funny."

"Going with the two of you and me in tow states that this is a matter for the whole House. Deodan is excused already; he's injured. Dragging him along would be pointless and overkill. However, since Lady Shanti implies that she will be meeting you alone, taking me with you will probably be seen as an aggressive move.... Or a sign of insecurity on your part. That you need that much support." She offered the letter back. "I suggest the two of you go or you go by yourself."

[tuo]

Calan accepted the letter, giving it another look while considering his options. "See to the safety of the manor and your brother how you see fit while we are at the meeting." He said after a moment while turning to Cloak. "We need to be ready to go meet her as soon as we can look presentable."

[Kender Bard]

"Good thing that is our specialty," Cloak murmured, her fingertips softly touching his cheek briefly before dropping back to her side. Fausta's lips tighten with disapproval at this little gesture. She doesn't think that Cloak loves Calan, but she does think that she's gotten too attached. It's one thing to have a solid alliance. It's another to develop affection. Does Calan see it too? "Of course, father," Fausta said with a respectful bow of her head. She's affectionate of Calan too, in a fashion. But in just the right dosage so that it comes off as respect.

No matter. It's his problem to deal with, not hers. Fausta turned and hastened away to go back to her daily routine.

Cloak whisked the two of them back to their quarters where she makes Calan wear a few accessories to his existing outfit and she does the same, adding a feathered hairpiece and a shawl made of material so sheer as to be almost transparent. The two reek of wealth, by appearance, which is how a noble should look when stepping out to meet their peers.

"Since she didn't specify, I trust the meeting will be at House Delroy," Cloak says but there's an inflection that also makes it a question.

[tuo]

Calan gave a simple nod. "There is little reason to consider otherwise given the circumstances." He answered as he dressed himself for the occasion with a professional air.

When he was done, he was dressed in clothing appropriate to his house colors, both respectable but also easy enough to avoid notice when it is required.

[Kender Bard]

"Let's go," Cloak murmured, slipping her arm into his. They took an open coach, even though it was within walking distance. Appearances, appearances. No wonder the long-lived nobles tended to get a little thick in the middle.

At House Delroy, a waiting servant saw them from the coach to the inside of the house where a sitting room was prepared and waiting. Three chairs sat in a triangle formation around a table laden with refreshments.

Cloak bristled. Shanti had already guessed Calan would bring her. It was a silent testament to either their ability to spy and gain information... or a jab at the couple's predictability? Too late to leave now though.

[tuo]

Calan didn't let the fact they were being watched so closely one way or the other outwardly phase him as he glanced around the room, curious where Shanti was as he attempted to recall what protocol demands under these circumstances.

[Kender Bard]

Cloak sank into one of the seats and gestured for Calan to do the same. She didn't touch the refreshments of course. Not only was that stupid (what if they were poisoned?) but it would be terribly rude. Gluttonous, even.

The wait was not a long one. Shanti sauntered in wearing a dark green sheathe dress that went nicely with her fox-affinity coloring. Her pet followed obediently at her heels. Cloak rose again from her seat, curtsying for their hostess. Shanti returned the gesture, carefully making her curtsy slightly more shallow by comparison. "Welcome, both of you. I'm glad you received my invitation and responded so promptly. How are your poor children recovering?"

[tuo]

Calan rose from his seat to offer a moderately deep bow before responding to the question. "They are not in critical condition Lady Shanti. May I ask what business is urgent enough to warrant such prompt summons?"

[Kender Bard]

Shanti took her seat, allowing her guests to do the same. "It concerns the guild," Shanti replied. "We're getting some interest--at least on our end. And I know you're not without contracts either. But we need to begin building a presence. It's not so much that our work exceeds our ability to execute it, but it's time we expanded the guild a little. Build some new cells. Of course, true to the old ways, we have to be discreet in our handling of one another. Your family and mine have been on, hmm, unusually friendly terms but that's considering the scarcity of other people to converse with. That said, I think we should begin selecting people to be heads of cells. You and I- well, my brother really-will be co-guild leaders, with his word, of course, carrying more weight."

Cloak sucked in her breath a bit. So, they were ready to rebuild the guild...

"Like the ways of old, we'd take measures so that only cell leaders knew who we were, and even then, not necessarily our status," Shanti went on. "You could bring people into the guild but play it off as if you were simply a low level recruiter. Then, as usual, all communications will be done by proxy. In the event of a true need for face-to-face confrontation, it will be done hooded or otherwise masked."

[tuo]

Calan listened carefully to Shanti's words, trying to remember how everything is said. When she finishes explaining the methods of maintaining secrecy he speaks up. "I am well aware of the practice from my former mentor." He speaks in a calm tone. "I actually do have some notes from him tucked away as it were. I had hoped to glean clues on how to find any surviving guild members but obviously I had lacked the resources to perform a sufficient search."

[Kender Bard]

Shanti spread her hands. "From what we conclude, there are no other cells. At least, no intact cells but yours. There are likely individuals, scattered. We'll need to keep a sharp eye out for these people, but as our House was not the guild leader of the previous guild, our information on the other cells is about as extensive as yours. More likely, when we start recruiting, we'll need to just wait and see if any of these people come to us. If so, they should be considered to lead their own cells, considering they would have an idea of how to go about business already. Another idea is to break things up. My brother has considered sending each of his siblings off to form their own cell. You could do the same with your children."

"Fausta would love that," Cloak replied simply, trying not to smirk.