[Constantin hums, because a coward is a coward, but there's likely something else lurking under the surface here that no one has yet unearthed. Knowing court life, it's sure to emerge at the most inconvenient time possible, perhaps when they're dragging the duke back home to put the fear of another assassin into him— or teaching, whatever one wants to call it.]
Shall we draw for who will take up governance lessons and who will handle the elusive assassin?
[This is a joke. Don't @ him for this.]
I suppose we should look forward to spending quite a few more days out here.
[Such is life! It will be worth it for somebody's sake, he supposes, if only the citizens the duke is putting at risk with his thievery. Constantin can't honestly say he sympathizes with lords willing to hire assassins over a few pick-pocketed jewels, or with the duke's poor series of choices, but well— a shopkeeper in need doesn't deserve the fallout from these nobles' endless drama. That will be enough.
It's another half hour of inspecting this study before the duke's assistant returns. The look Constantin gets for sitting in the duke's chair is, ah, probably not doing them any favors, but it's memorable and Constantin resolves to stay where he is while they're given the new details of the situation in a crisp, reserved tone. What the assistant has to say amounts to this: the duke, in hiding, has consented to meet with the two of them, having been made aware that the Priestess herself has a vested interest in his continued, uh, living; the duke has some kind of plan he would like to discuss; and the two of them should leave with haste.
And that's it. It's all very vague, but Constantin isn't surprised, given the circumstances. He hastily speaks up before Felix can gripe, probing for any more detailed information than "there is a place to meet and a plan to discuss," but negotiations are difficult. He has to insist twice that they're trustworthy and show the Priestess' missive with her seal before the assistant concedes that perhaps they deserve more than vague tidbits.
Frankly, Constantin thinks, this person would make a better duke, or at least a more cautious one. He gives Felix a look with a raised eyebrow he hopes conveys this whole sentiment in just a glance, because dang... dang!
The additional info isn't much, but it's something: a list of names of lords and ladies the duke suspects as the most likely candidates behind the assassin's hiring, for various reasons; outbursts at court, suspicious behavior, and so on. It isn't much, but the assistant huffs and insists that that's all.
So it's a terrible idea to ride out to where the man is in hiding, especially after the entire town watched them ride in, but alright! Fine. Constantin is gracious with his thanks and liberal with a few more eyerolls for Felix when the assistant's back is turned, and that is that for the... preparation.
no subject
Shall we draw for who will take up governance lessons and who will handle the elusive assassin?
[This is a joke. Don't @ him for this.]
I suppose we should look forward to spending quite a few more days out here.
[Such is life! It will be worth it for somebody's sake, he supposes, if only the citizens the duke is putting at risk with his thievery. Constantin can't honestly say he sympathizes with lords willing to hire assassins over a few pick-pocketed jewels, or with the duke's poor series of choices, but well— a shopkeeper in need doesn't deserve the fallout from these nobles' endless drama. That will be enough.
It's another half hour of inspecting this study before the duke's assistant returns. The look Constantin gets for sitting in the duke's chair is, ah, probably not doing them any favors, but it's memorable and Constantin resolves to stay where he is while they're given the new details of the situation in a crisp, reserved tone. What the assistant has to say amounts to this: the duke, in hiding, has consented to meet with the two of them, having been made aware that the Priestess herself has a vested interest in his continued, uh, living; the duke has some kind of plan he would like to discuss; and the two of them should leave with haste.
And that's it. It's all very vague, but Constantin isn't surprised, given the circumstances. He hastily speaks up before Felix can gripe, probing for any more detailed information than "there is a place to meet and a plan to discuss," but negotiations are difficult. He has to insist twice that they're trustworthy and show the Priestess' missive with her seal before the assistant concedes that perhaps they deserve more than vague tidbits.
Frankly, Constantin thinks, this person would make a better duke, or at least a more cautious one. He gives Felix a look with a raised eyebrow he hopes conveys this whole sentiment in just a glance, because dang... dang!
The additional info isn't much, but it's something: a list of names of lords and ladies the duke suspects as the most likely candidates behind the assassin's hiring, for various reasons; outbursts at court, suspicious behavior, and so on. It isn't much, but the assistant huffs and insists that that's all.
So it's a terrible idea to ride out to where the man is in hiding, especially after the entire town watched them ride in, but alright! Fine. Constantin is gracious with his thanks and liberal with a few more eyerolls for Felix when the assistant's back is turned, and that is that for the... preparation.
Time to go!]