The road was quiet in the way roads only are after trouble. Rook crouched beside the overturned wagon, wiping the last of the blood from his dagger onto a dead man’s sleeve. The ambush had been quick. Messy, but quick. Two of the bandits lay nearby in the mud, one face down in the grass, the other staring up at the gray evening sky as though still surprised by it. The merchant they’d been tormenting had fled the moment the fighting turned. Rook hadn’t stopped him.
Not his problem. He straightened slowly, rolling tension from his shoulders. The wind shifted, carrying the smell of wet leaves and horses. Too many.
His hand paused halfway to sheathing the dagger. Then came the sound he had not heard until it was already too late—the dull click of crossbows being drawn tight. “Easy now.” The voice came from behind the trees. Rook’s eyes moved, measuring distances automatically. Four shapes stepped from the undergrowth. Then two more from the road behind the wagon. Dark cloaks, city steel. Not bandits. Watchmen. Or worse. One of them lifted a hand slightly.
“Don’t.” Rook had already calculated the odds. Six visible. Probably more hidden. Crossbows leveled at chest height. Even he couldn’t outrun bolts at this distance. Slowly, he let the dagger fall into the dirt.
A guard approached carefully, boot pressing the weapon away. Another kicked aside his cloak and searched his belt with quick, practiced hands, pulling free the hidden knives one by one. “Gods,” one muttered. “How many does he carry?” “Enough,” another replied. A cord tightened around Rook’s wrists, rough hemp biting into skin already scraped from the fight. He didn’t resist. Not yet.
The man who seemed to be their captain stepped forward, studying her beneath the hood. “You’re Rook,” he said. It wasn’t a question. Rook’s gaze stayed level. The captain nodded once, as though confirming a suspicion. “Well,” he said, dusting his gloves together. “That saves us some trouble.”
Two guards hauled him forward, forcing him toward the waiting horses at the roadside. Someone shoved him roughly against the wagon to search her boots. They found the stiletto hidden there too. “Careful with that one,” the captain said mildly. “Duke wants him breathing.” They dragged him to a horse and forced him up onto the saddle, wrists still bound behind him. One guard mounted behind to keep hold of the rope. As the group turned toward the distant lights of the city, the captain spoke again over his shoulder. “You must have made quite an impression,” he said. “Dukes don’t usually request bandits personally.”
Rook looked once more at the empty road behind them. Then forward, toward the city. Toward whatever trap had been waiting long before tonight.
The magistrate’s office was far warmer than the road had been. Rook noticed that first. A wide hearth burned low along the stone wall, filling the room with the soft crackle of wood and the faint smell of smoke and resin. Shelves of bound ledgers climbed the walls, their spines worn smooth by years of careful hands. Ink, parchment, sealing wax.
The sort of room where quiet decisions ruined lives. The guards marched him across the polished floor and stopped before the desk. “Prisoner delivered, sir.”
Not his problem. He straightened slowly, rolling tension from his shoulders. The wind shifted, carrying the smell of wet leaves and horses. Too many.
His hand paused halfway to sheathing the dagger. Then came the sound he had not heard until it was already too late—the dull click of crossbows being drawn tight. “Easy now.” The voice came from behind the trees. Rook’s eyes moved, measuring distances automatically. Four shapes stepped from the undergrowth. Then two more from the road behind the wagon. Dark cloaks, city steel. Not bandits. Watchmen. Or worse. One of them lifted a hand slightly.
“Don’t.” Rook had already calculated the odds. Six visible. Probably more hidden. Crossbows leveled at chest height. Even he couldn’t outrun bolts at this distance. Slowly, he let the dagger fall into the dirt.
A guard approached carefully, boot pressing the weapon away. Another kicked aside his cloak and searched his belt with quick, practiced hands, pulling free the hidden knives one by one. “Gods,” one muttered. “How many does he carry?” “Enough,” another replied. A cord tightened around Rook’s wrists, rough hemp biting into skin already scraped from the fight. He didn’t resist. Not yet.
The man who seemed to be their captain stepped forward, studying her beneath the hood. “You’re Rook,” he said. It wasn’t a question. Rook’s gaze stayed level. The captain nodded once, as though confirming a suspicion. “Well,” he said, dusting his gloves together. “That saves us some trouble.”
Two guards hauled him forward, forcing him toward the waiting horses at the roadside. Someone shoved him roughly against the wagon to search her boots. They found the stiletto hidden there too. “Careful with that one,” the captain said mildly. “Duke wants him breathing.” They dragged him to a horse and forced him up onto the saddle, wrists still bound behind him. One guard mounted behind to keep hold of the rope. As the group turned toward the distant lights of the city, the captain spoke again over his shoulder. “You must have made quite an impression,” he said. “Dukes don’t usually request bandits personally.”
Rook looked once more at the empty road behind them. Then forward, toward the city. Toward whatever trap had been waiting long before tonight.
The magistrate’s office was far warmer than the road had been. Rook noticed that first. A wide hearth burned low along the stone wall, filling the room with the soft crackle of wood and the faint smell of smoke and resin. Shelves of bound ledgers climbed the walls, their spines worn smooth by years of careful hands. Ink, parchment, sealing wax.
The sort of room where quiet decisions ruined lives. The guards marched him across the polished floor and stopped before the desk. “Prisoner delivered, sir.”
"Your reward awaits by that door, gold, wine and women to spend both with" Waved Vincent, the notoriously wealthy and shady Duke of Orleans, dismissing the men.
He rose from his seat, coming to examine his carefully selected prey.
"We meet at last, Rook, please take a seat, we have so much to discuss, I would not want you to tire prematurely" Invited Vinnie as if he was extending courteous invite to a known friend, except Rook and Vinnie were not exactly friends and they were certainly not personally acquainted.
Their reputations preceeded one another. Rook was an infamous bandit and Vincent an infamous corrupted lord
One avoided the law at all costs, the other bent it to his will and used it for personal gain
He rose from his seat, coming to examine his carefully selected prey.
"We meet at last, Rook, please take a seat, we have so much to discuss, I would not want you to tire prematurely" Invited Vinnie as if he was extending courteous invite to a known friend, except Rook and Vinnie were not exactly friends and they were certainly not personally acquainted.
Their reputations preceeded one another. Rook was an infamous bandit and Vincent an infamous corrupted lord
One avoided the law at all costs, the other bent it to his will and used it for personal gain
Rook stood still and tall as the Duke circled him, examining him much the way a predator would. He knew not what the purpose of this 'meeting' was, but he had a hunch it was not going to end well for him.
As the Duke offered out the invitation to sit, Rook couldn't help but raise an eyebrow slightly, having not expected such treatment. The invite was almost friendly, though he knew better than to read too much into it. They had never personally met before, but Rook had heard whispers about him, and knew he was not really one to trust.
However, not wanting to anger him for no reason, Rook took the offered seat, giving a slight nod to indicate the Duke could continue.
As the Duke offered out the invitation to sit, Rook couldn't help but raise an eyebrow slightly, having not expected such treatment. The invite was almost friendly, though he knew better than to read too much into it. They had never personally met before, but Rook had heard whispers about him, and knew he was not really one to trust.
However, not wanting to anger him for no reason, Rook took the offered seat, giving a slight nod to indicate the Duke could continue.
"Seraphine Valcieri... It is a pleasure to meet you, face to face, milady. Nice outfit but entirely inappropriate for a damsel of your station and family standing" Started off Vincent
"No, no, no point denying it, it would do you no favours to lie to the royal magistrate. I have sentenced enough liars and impersonators already, let us not extend your list of crimes else the ledger will run out of space. Besides the evidence is on my desk. I have been collecting it from various crime scenes of yours, these past few months.
If you press on with denials, I will have you brought to court, before judge, jury and country I will have you undressed, portrays brought and you shall be made to stand by them in order to verify your true identity. Your family reputation already lays in ruin, financially and socially, do not burden it with further public scandals that are entirely avoidable.
Your father was hanged on a charge of high treason, plotting to help England attack France. Your mother was sold off as a slave to help cover the costs of the heavy fines, your properties and titles were seized and there is a handsome bounty on you too, as their heir. Evading justice is never a good look on your character before the eyes of the law, add your thefts and recent murders... A lengthy sentence is practically unavoidable. The humiliation you shall endure behind bars, of course, at the hands of low life guards and lustful criminals will make your stay behind bars all the more uncomfortable" Assured Vincent
"Unless, we come into an arrangement... " Trailed off Vincent waiting for her reaction
"No, no, no point denying it, it would do you no favours to lie to the royal magistrate. I have sentenced enough liars and impersonators already, let us not extend your list of crimes else the ledger will run out of space. Besides the evidence is on my desk. I have been collecting it from various crime scenes of yours, these past few months.
If you press on with denials, I will have you brought to court, before judge, jury and country I will have you undressed, portrays brought and you shall be made to stand by them in order to verify your true identity. Your family reputation already lays in ruin, financially and socially, do not burden it with further public scandals that are entirely avoidable.
Your father was hanged on a charge of high treason, plotting to help England attack France. Your mother was sold off as a slave to help cover the costs of the heavy fines, your properties and titles were seized and there is a handsome bounty on you too, as their heir. Evading justice is never a good look on your character before the eyes of the law, add your thefts and recent murders... A lengthy sentence is practically unavoidable. The humiliation you shall endure behind bars, of course, at the hands of low life guards and lustful criminals will make your stay behind bars all the more uncomfortable" Assured Vincent
"Unless, we come into an arrangement... " Trailed off Vincent waiting for her reaction
Her eyes widened slightly as the Duke casually laid out her name, her mouth parting slightly as she went to say something, anything to deny it, but was quickly cut off by him. Shutting her mouth once more she clenched her jaw as she was forced to listen to listen to him, not wanting to risk the extra charges and threats that would come with her denying it. She could not understand how he had figured it out, having been so careful about leaving any connections. But he seemed the type to gloat, so maybe she would find out.
The more he spoke about the charges he had, the humiliation she would be set to endure, and fate that would await her behind bars, and especially the false information around her parents fates, the more anger bubbled under her skin. This was the exact fate she had been trying so hard to avoid all these years, but yet she had been caught, and he brought her over to lay it all out for what? To rub in her face exactly what he was going to put her through?
But then he said something that made her pause. He mentioned an arrangement. Was there another point to all this? Or did he simply think he could get something else out of her?
"Just what do you have in mind?" She finally asked, her voice a little rough from disuse.
The more he spoke about the charges he had, the humiliation she would be set to endure, and fate that would await her behind bars, and especially the false information around her parents fates, the more anger bubbled under her skin. This was the exact fate she had been trying so hard to avoid all these years, but yet she had been caught, and he brought her over to lay it all out for what? To rub in her face exactly what he was going to put her through?
But then he said something that made her pause. He mentioned an arrangement. Was there another point to all this? Or did he simply think he could get something else out of her?
"Just what do you have in mind?" She finally asked, her voice a little rough from disuse.
"Our beloved kingdom of France is on the brink of a war with England. Queen Ana is plotting with the English duke of Buckingham to have our king Phillip murdered. We must expose her affair.
There is a ledger that contains traces of all the gifts she has exchanged with the duke of Buckingham and the payments received and made. It bears the names of English spies in France and French traitors. The ledger was confiscated from a rebel only for it to be stolen anew" explained Vincent
"Of course, without it, there is no proof of the queen's treason. I dare not raise concerns without evidence, evidence that you will have retrieve" muttered Vincent
"What say you milady? A royal pardon, restoring your family's name and reputation, your lands and titles for services rendered to the crown... or the alternative as explained earlier." trailed off Vincent
"If you are caught, you face danger... there are many who dislike our weak young king and side with the queen... not least the famed musketeers. Should you fall into their hands, and are accused of plotting against the queen, I shall deny all knowledge of you, Rook" warned the duke of Orleans
There is a ledger that contains traces of all the gifts she has exchanged with the duke of Buckingham and the payments received and made. It bears the names of English spies in France and French traitors. The ledger was confiscated from a rebel only for it to be stolen anew" explained Vincent
"Of course, without it, there is no proof of the queen's treason. I dare not raise concerns without evidence, evidence that you will have retrieve" muttered Vincent
"What say you milady? A royal pardon, restoring your family's name and reputation, your lands and titles for services rendered to the crown... or the alternative as explained earlier." trailed off Vincent
"If you are caught, you face danger... there are many who dislike our weak young king and side with the queen... not least the famed musketeers. Should you fall into their hands, and are accused of plotting against the queen, I shall deny all knowledge of you, Rook" warned the duke of Orleans
Rook listened without interrupting, her expression still as carved stone while the duke finished speaking. The firelight caught faintly along a scar on her shoulder where the linen shirt had slipped. For a long moment she said nothing. Then a quiet breath left her nose—almost a laugh, though there was little humor in it.
“Let me be certain I understand,” she said slowly. “You want me to steal a ledger that could ignite a war, expose the queen herself, and put the famed musketeers on my heels…” Her eyes lifted toward the duke. “…and in return you offer me what was already mine.” She tilted her head slightly. “My family’s name. Our land. Our title.” A faint smile touched one corner of her mouth, thin as a knife. “It’s generous of the crown to return it after destroying it.” The room grew very still.
“My father died in chains because someone decided his honor was convenient to ruin,” she continued quietly. “Our estate burned, our house scattered, our name dragged through the mud of every court in France.” Her dark gaze locked with Vincent’s. “And now you offer to restore it… if I survive a task dangerous enough that you won’t even admit knowing me.”
She folded her arms loosely across her chest. For a heartbeat she looked almost amused. “So tell me something, Your Grace.” The words came softer now. “Should I be flattered…” Her eyes flicked briefly toward the fleur-de-lis crest hanging behind the desk. “…or offended?”
“Let me be certain I understand,” she said slowly. “You want me to steal a ledger that could ignite a war, expose the queen herself, and put the famed musketeers on my heels…” Her eyes lifted toward the duke. “…and in return you offer me what was already mine.” She tilted her head slightly. “My family’s name. Our land. Our title.” A faint smile touched one corner of her mouth, thin as a knife. “It’s generous of the crown to return it after destroying it.” The room grew very still.
“My father died in chains because someone decided his honor was convenient to ruin,” she continued quietly. “Our estate burned, our house scattered, our name dragged through the mud of every court in France.” Her dark gaze locked with Vincent’s. “And now you offer to restore it… if I survive a task dangerous enough that you won’t even admit knowing me.”
She folded her arms loosely across her chest. For a heartbeat she looked almost amused. “So tell me something, Your Grace.” The words came softer now. “Should I be flattered…” Her eyes flicked briefly toward the fleur-de-lis crest hanging behind the desk. “…or offended?”
"I cannot be found guilty of assisting an outlaw fugitive who bears a charge of high treason. I am sure you understand the consequences for doing so openly" trailed off Vincent taking a cup of wine and offering one too
"You seek vengeance for your father... as do I. It is no easy task to condemn your best friend to die over fabricated evidence, so truly plausible the king himself believed it to be true despite my protests. The man who conjured your household's downfall... his name is written in the ledger, the reward and payment he received from lord Buckingham too, alongside the names of the two fraudulent witnesses required to bring down your household.
To win this cause will help restore the grandeur of your household's name and I may be able to elevate it further through our marriage, should you find no worthier husband upon return to court, my lady" trailed off Vincent
"I advise you choose your groom carefully... many lords would have a dead bride. Your father was too righteous for his own good when he was the royal magistrate before me, he made powerful enough enemies thirsty for revenge, but we shall cross that bridge later, once the ledger is safely held in my hands to be brought to the king's eyes and none others" explained Vincent sitting back
"You seek vengeance for your father... as do I. It is no easy task to condemn your best friend to die over fabricated evidence, so truly plausible the king himself believed it to be true despite my protests. The man who conjured your household's downfall... his name is written in the ledger, the reward and payment he received from lord Buckingham too, alongside the names of the two fraudulent witnesses required to bring down your household.
To win this cause will help restore the grandeur of your household's name and I may be able to elevate it further through our marriage, should you find no worthier husband upon return to court, my lady" trailed off Vincent
"I advise you choose your groom carefully... many lords would have a dead bride. Your father was too righteous for his own good when he was the royal magistrate before me, he made powerful enough enemies thirsty for revenge, but we shall cross that bridge later, once the ledger is safely held in my hands to be brought to the king's eyes and none others" explained Vincent sitting back
She nodded slightly and took the offered glass, though she did not drink from it yet, instead she turned it slowly in her fingers, watching the red wine slide against the crystal. “So,” she mused quietly, “the man who destroyed my family was paid for it.” Her gaze sharpened. “And the proof sits inside the very ledger you want me to steal.”
For a moment she seemed to weigh the thought, her thumb resting along the rim of the cup.“My father believed the law meant something,” she said after a beat. “Believed the crown rewarded loyalty.” A faint, humorless smile touched her mouth. “That belief killed him.” Rook finally lifted the glass and took a small sip, more for time than taste.
When she lowered it again, her expression had hardened. “And now you offer me vengeance, a royal pardon, the return of my family’s name…” She glanced briefly toward him. “…and a husband.” That last word carried just enough irony to be dangerous. “Should I consider that part of the reward,” she asked lightly, “or part of the leash?”
The fire cracked softly in the silence that followed. “You speak of elevating my house through marriage,” she went on. “Yet just warned that many lords would prefer a dead bride.” Her eyes held his steadily now. “Which makes me wonder, Your Grace… are you offering protection…” Her voice lowered slightly. “…or positioning yourself close enough to ensure the ledger ends up exactly where you want it?”
She set the wine back onto the desk. "If I risk my neck for this cause,” she said calmly, “the truth inside that book will belong to me first.” A small pause. “After all…” Her gaze flicked briefly toward the door where she knew the guards waited. “…if the man who ruined House Valcieri is truly named inside it, I would hate to discover too late that I stole the wrong man’s secrets.”
For a moment she seemed to weigh the thought, her thumb resting along the rim of the cup.“My father believed the law meant something,” she said after a beat. “Believed the crown rewarded loyalty.” A faint, humorless smile touched her mouth. “That belief killed him.” Rook finally lifted the glass and took a small sip, more for time than taste.
When she lowered it again, her expression had hardened. “And now you offer me vengeance, a royal pardon, the return of my family’s name…” She glanced briefly toward him. “…and a husband.” That last word carried just enough irony to be dangerous. “Should I consider that part of the reward,” she asked lightly, “or part of the leash?”
The fire cracked softly in the silence that followed. “You speak of elevating my house through marriage,” she went on. “Yet just warned that many lords would prefer a dead bride.” Her eyes held his steadily now. “Which makes me wonder, Your Grace… are you offering protection…” Her voice lowered slightly. “…or positioning yourself close enough to ensure the ledger ends up exactly where you want it?”
She set the wine back onto the desk. "If I risk my neck for this cause,” she said calmly, “the truth inside that book will belong to me first.” A small pause. “After all…” Her gaze flicked briefly toward the door where she knew the guards waited. “…if the man who ruined House Valcieri is truly named inside it, I would hate to discover too late that I stole the wrong man’s secrets.”
"I do not expect love from my bride... love is overrated at best. I hope to ensure the daughter of my best friend lives to see true justice done. Justice I cannot dispense for lack of proof.
Our marriage will grant you my family name, access to my wealth and lands and far more protection. Nobody wishes to have their hands stained with my bride's blood... only a dead man walking would try such a stunt. I have means... legal and far more dubious... to see my wishes done. This ledger, however, concerns your cause far more than it concerns mine" waved Vincent
"Yes... the truth is yours to know first... read at length before you deliver it... if that is your wish. I will not stand in your way, Rook. On this occasion our intent and path is aligned" nodded Vincent in agreement
"There are those among the musketeers who would disregard the queen's indiscretions with her English lover rather than upset his majesty into true justice... as your father wished to do... when this very ledger was taken from him and false accusations laid upon him. The ledger in itself is all written by his hand, not mine" waved Vinnie
"You will report to me updates, from time to time. On those occasions I shall provide you funds for your ongoing journey and locations where it is safer for you to stay at. Do we have an accord?" asked Vincent
Our marriage will grant you my family name, access to my wealth and lands and far more protection. Nobody wishes to have their hands stained with my bride's blood... only a dead man walking would try such a stunt. I have means... legal and far more dubious... to see my wishes done. This ledger, however, concerns your cause far more than it concerns mine" waved Vincent
"Yes... the truth is yours to know first... read at length before you deliver it... if that is your wish. I will not stand in your way, Rook. On this occasion our intent and path is aligned" nodded Vincent in agreement
"There are those among the musketeers who would disregard the queen's indiscretions with her English lover rather than upset his majesty into true justice... as your father wished to do... when this very ledger was taken from him and false accusations laid upon him. The ledger in itself is all written by his hand, not mine" waved Vinnie
"You will report to me updates, from time to time. On those occasions I shall provide you funds for your ongoing journey and locations where it is safer for you to stay at. Do we have an accord?" asked Vincent
Rook listened without interruption, her expression unreadable as Vincent spoke. When he finished, she let the silence linger a moment longer, studying him as though measuring the weight of every word he’d just spoken. “So the daughter of your best friend is to be avenged,” she said slowly. Her voice held that same rough calm she wore as Rook, though the name Valcieri seemed to linger quietly between them now. “And the queen’s secrets exposed.”
She stood and crossed the room a few steps, stopping near the hearth where the firelight caught along the dark edge of her hair. “For a ledger you claim was written in my father’s own hand.” Her gaze returned to Vincent. “If that is true, then the man I remember died believing no one would ever listen to him.” A small pause followed. Then she nodded once. “You have your accord.”
The words were simple, but not soft. Rook folded her arms loosely. “I will find the ledger.” Her eyes narrowed slightly. “I will read every name inside it.” “And when I know the truth of what happened to my father…” Her tone hardened a fraction. “…then you will have it.” She tilted her head slightly at him. “As promised.”
Another moment passed before she added, almost thoughtfully, “As for the marriage…” A faint, crooked smile appeared. “You should know something about me before you stake your family name on it, Your Grace.” Her eyes held his steadily. “I make a very poor bride.”
The smile faded just as quickly as it had appeared. “I don’t obey easily. I disappear for months at a time. And most of the men who have tried to control me ended up regretting the attempt.” She stepped closer again, stopping across the desk from him. “If that arrangement still appeals to you…” Her voice dropped slightly. “…then yes.” "We have an accord.”
She stood and crossed the room a few steps, stopping near the hearth where the firelight caught along the dark edge of her hair. “For a ledger you claim was written in my father’s own hand.” Her gaze returned to Vincent. “If that is true, then the man I remember died believing no one would ever listen to him.” A small pause followed. Then she nodded once. “You have your accord.”
The words were simple, but not soft. Rook folded her arms loosely. “I will find the ledger.” Her eyes narrowed slightly. “I will read every name inside it.” “And when I know the truth of what happened to my father…” Her tone hardened a fraction. “…then you will have it.” She tilted her head slightly at him. “As promised.”
Another moment passed before she added, almost thoughtfully, “As for the marriage…” A faint, crooked smile appeared. “You should know something about me before you stake your family name on it, Your Grace.” Her eyes held his steadily. “I make a very poor bride.”
The smile faded just as quickly as it had appeared. “I don’t obey easily. I disappear for months at a time. And most of the men who have tried to control me ended up regretting the attempt.” She stepped closer again, stopping across the desk from him. “If that arrangement still appeals to you…” Her voice dropped slightly. “…then yes.” "We have an accord.”
"It is agreed then. Henceforth, you can call me Vinnie, Rook. Once wed, I expect a legitimate heir from you at some point in time, as is our duty to kingdom and household, beyond that, you can expect marital infidelity from my part. I am known to enjoy feasts and balls, to have wandering eyes and hands. Nonetheless, I will not interfere with your affairs. I am sure I shall figure your whereabouts through the crime reports, no doubt" Accepted Vinnie
"Now run, the balcony is open. I shall count to thirty then call the guards" Explained Vincent giving her a heads tart
"Now run, the balcony is open. I shall count to thirty then call the guards" Explained Vincent giving her a heads tart
She nodded in agreement. "Very well, Vinnie. Keep our business our own, and I foresee few problems arising. I will update you when I have a lead." She agreed, moving swiftly to the balcony.
Once outside she paused, scanning her surroundings before she was off, over the railing and scaling down the building. While graciously giving a headstart, she still needed to put as much distance between her and them as she could. Sticking to the shadows where she could, she was off to a place she could best find leads. What better than a notorious tavern known to cater to the shadows?
Once outside she paused, scanning her surroundings before she was off, over the railing and scaling down the building. While graciously giving a headstart, she still needed to put as much distance between her and them as she could. Sticking to the shadows where she could, she was off to a place she could best find leads. What better than a notorious tavern known to cater to the shadows?
Lord Vincent counted to fifty to be much fairer on the young rogue, a rogue he had come to admire for his own skills, regardless of her family's friendship towards his own. Once the slow countdown was complete, Vincent through his silver goblet to the ground, making a rather loud noise and spill.
"Guards! Guards! The prisoner has escaped! Search the entire manor and spill to the streets if you must... he has to be found. Rook has to be found!" called out Vinnie making a perfect scene that left no room for doubts the youth was simply skilled enough to evade justice, yet again.
Once his library room had been searched and given the all clear, Vinnie came to stand by the grand windows, looking down at the crowd for a sign of Rook but the young outlaw was not in sight and nowhere to be seen
"Guards! Guards! The prisoner has escaped! Search the entire manor and spill to the streets if you must... he has to be found. Rook has to be found!" called out Vinnie making a perfect scene that left no room for doubts the youth was simply skilled enough to evade justice, yet again.
Once his library room had been searched and given the all clear, Vinnie came to stand by the grand windows, looking down at the crowd for a sign of Rook but the young outlaw was not in sight and nowhere to be seen
The Duke's delay in summoning the guards gave Rook plenty of time to disappear into the crowd and hide his trail, putting his hard-earned skills to good use. He made his way to the other end of the city, his chosen destination a good place to start his search.
In less time than one would expect, he had made his way to a certain tavern, one that was well known to the dark. Frequented by outlaws, unrighteous knights and all manner of corrupt men, it would be a good place to find a lead for this ledger. Surely someone would know even a whisper of where it might be.
Slipping into the tavern he made his way to a table off to the side, away from the more rowdy patrons it was the perfect place to conduct business. Awaiting a visit from one of his contacts he ordered himself some wine, and began observing the other patrons to see what news he could overhear.
In less time than one would expect, he had made his way to a certain tavern, one that was well known to the dark. Frequented by outlaws, unrighteous knights and all manner of corrupt men, it would be a good place to find a lead for this ledger. Surely someone would know even a whisper of where it might be.
Slipping into the tavern he made his way to a table off to the side, away from the more rowdy patrons it was the perfect place to conduct business. Awaiting a visit from one of his contacts he ordered himself some wine, and began observing the other patrons to see what news he could overhear.
Dom Dimaggio, a pirate, though he preferred the term of sea adventurer, came over to the table, standing across from Rook.
"What are you doing here lad? Word in the streets is that you got arrested..." quizzed Dom hands resting on his hips as he questioned the youth "I did find it rather odd that you would so easily be taken... so what has been going on exactly?" asked Dom sitting down and ready to listen
"What are you doing here lad? Word in the streets is that you got arrested..." quizzed Dom hands resting on his hips as he questioned the youth "I did find it rather odd that you would so easily be taken... so what has been going on exactly?" asked Dom sitting down and ready to listen
Rook looked at Dom with a grin, shrugging nonchalantly as he gestured for him to take a seat. "Did you really think they could keep hold of me? I simply allowed them to take me where I wanted to be." He said, taking a sip of his wine. "Well Dom.. I'm looking for a special ledger, with some very special names in it. I've heard it was stolen recently, and I want it."
"Careful now... that ledger is a sure death. Those who touch it, seldom live to tell the tale..." warned Dom clearly knowing the ledger Rook was referring too. "You are far too young to waste your life over written words, why not just forget about it?" suggested Dom seeking to dissuade Rook from such a deadly quest
"I appreciate the concern, but the death that may come of it, will not be my own. Certain people have been left to their own devices for too long, and I can not sit idly by any longer." He said, shaking his head. "If I waited until you considered me to have lived enough, I will no longer be capable retrieving it. You will not be able to change my mind Dom, so why not just tell me what I want to know?" He asked, the look on his face quite determined.
"You are messing with the highest of powers... my friend." warned Dom "If you still insist on thieving from thieves. Aynor, the slayer, held that ledger last, about a month ago, before he was arrested by the musketeers. He is rotting in a cell in La Bastille dungeon, the most secure prison in France. Whether he hid the ledger or it was taken from him remains to be seen" tipped Dom not about to deny Rook answers now that he understood the risks
"It is a matter of time before madamme Guillotine slays the slayer... at his majesty's pleasure" muttered Dom.
"It is a matter of time before madamme Guillotine slays the slayer... at his majesty's pleasure" muttered Dom.
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