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Curse of Darkness - Florentine Affair
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<blockquote data-quote="Greenfield" data-source="post: 5896199" data-attributes="member: 6669384"><p>***</p><p>"Look away, child", came the words. "A lady of such tender years should not have to see such harsh things." And gently the Half-Satyr moved to block the young lady's sight of the fallen noble, guiding her instead through some nearby doors and out onto a balcony.</p><p></p><p>Two guards in matching livery took a half-step to intercede, but the girl waved them back with a brief gesture.</p><p></p><p>"Think not upon so harsh a scene, but remember him as you knew him, a man of humor and laughter, a generous heart and a gentle hand.", Penn continued, offering the girl his shoulder to cry upon.</p><p></p><p>"It's so sudden.", she said, trying to control her tears. "Who could have done such a thing?"</p><p></p><p>"I'm sure I wouldn't know.", Penn said, hushing her gently. "But that worry can come later, when the tears have ended. Tell me now of your friend, happy memories and no others. Let them fill your mind tonight, that he should be remembered only with joy."</p><p></p><p>The two guards looked at each other dubiously. The odd Fey seemed to be doing no harm, and their charge was probably safer on the balcony than in the main chamber, so they stationed themselves at the door, facing inward, taking care not to hear too much of what was said in the darkness.</p><p> ***</p><p>"You are Sylus?', asked the heavy man in the corner.</p><p></p><p>"I am.", replied the Ranger, allowing himself to drift backwards towards the whispering stranger.</p><p></p><p>"Bring your friends and meet me in the drawing room. Please."</p><p></p><p>Cassius and Appelenea were within calling distance, but Nedel and Marcus were caught in the crowd around the fallen noble, and Penn had vanished somehow, Sylus gathered those he could and followed the portly messenger.</p><p></p><p>"Thank you.", the man said more easily, once they were alone. "Cassidius of Rome sent me with a charge for you. It was I who arranged your invitation here, and who saw to your rooms. I was given this to show you.", he added, offering a silver Dinar, clouded and dark, the secret sign of their association.</p><p></p><p>"Hephesius Paulo Amourwright was a Sage and scholar who wrote a treatise on the dark arts, and the dark gods who sponsored them. His book was in the hands of a private collector, and Cassidius was hoping to obtain it. He believes that the foundations of the Curse of Darkness may be found within its pages. The private party was killed some months ago, however, and the book was not found among his possessions."</p><p></p><p>Glancing about furtively, the man continued. "There is a madness in the city, lead by a man named Girolamo Savonarola. He is convincing people that the world is ending, and that they must burn their possessions if they are to be saved. We fear that the book may have already found its way into the flames, but if it hasn't then we need to find it. Savolarola may be part of the dark conspiracy or he may be an innocent dupe, a convenient tool. He might even have the book. In any case, we need to locate the book and transport it to Rome, safely, if it still exists."</p><p></p><p>Sylus nodded, and Appelenea took notes as the man spoke.</p><p></p><p>"Any idea who just offed the <span style="font-size: 10px">Concilatori</span> in there?", Cassius asked.</p><p></p><p>"No, though there are any number of suspects.", the man replied. "There were even wagers as to who would be poisoned at this party. He was a man well loved by his subjects, and thus a man well hated by his rivals. It probably has nothing to do with us."</p><p></p><p>"On the contrary, our enemies are trying to tear down society, and what better way than to kill leaders?", Cassius asked.</p><p></p><p>"One could convince the city to burn itself down.", replied their nameless informant. "But you're right, there's no reason for our foes to limit themselves to only one avenue of attack. Still, this was probably just politics and nothing more. It's even possible that the man died of natural causes."</p><p></p><p>That thought made everyone laugh.</p><p>*** </p><p>"Let us away from the turmoil, and walk the gardens.", Penn suggested. "No one will miss us."</p><p></p><p>"I'd love to.", young Lucrecia cooed "But I'm afraid my chaprones won't allow it.", she added, nodding towards the two men in the doorway, pointedly looking the other way.</p><p></p><p>"Ah, that can be fixed.", smiled the Half-Satyr slyly. He drew out his lyre and began to play, a soft melody of lost love. The notes all but glowed in the air as he caressed the strings, and the girl's eyes shone in the reflected candle light. He played through to the end, then took out a silver piece and laid it on the broad marble rail. Placing his finger upon it, he uttered a soft word, and the music began anew, a dark, haunting melody this time, and his own voice could be heard singing a sad refrain. Then, as the music played, he smiled and offered the young lady his hand. </p><p></p><p>And with a repressed giggle and a guilty glance towards her wardens, she allowed her escort to help her over the ballastrade and into the gardens below.</p><p>*** </p><p>"I'm afraid there's nothing I can do for him.", Marcus announced sadly. "It was too quick, and I wasn't quick enough."</p><p></p><p>Nedel glanced at the table and noted, bitterly and without surprise, that the <span style="font-size: 10px">Concilatori</span>'s place had been cleared, from wine goblet to butter knife. They were undoubtedly all washed by now, cleansed of any trace of poison. </p><p></p><p>Most of the guests were making their excuses and calling for their capes and wraps, for a death at the table does seem to make a fitting final course.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Greenfield, post: 5896199, member: 6669384"] *** "Look away, child", came the words. "A lady of such tender years should not have to see such harsh things." And gently the Half-Satyr moved to block the young lady's sight of the fallen noble, guiding her instead through some nearby doors and out onto a balcony. Two guards in matching livery took a half-step to intercede, but the girl waved them back with a brief gesture. "Think not upon so harsh a scene, but remember him as you knew him, a man of humor and laughter, a generous heart and a gentle hand.", Penn continued, offering the girl his shoulder to cry upon. "It's so sudden.", she said, trying to control her tears. "Who could have done such a thing?" "I'm sure I wouldn't know.", Penn said, hushing her gently. "But that worry can come later, when the tears have ended. Tell me now of your friend, happy memories and no others. Let them fill your mind tonight, that he should be remembered only with joy." The two guards looked at each other dubiously. The odd Fey seemed to be doing no harm, and their charge was probably safer on the balcony than in the main chamber, so they stationed themselves at the door, facing inward, taking care not to hear too much of what was said in the darkness. *** "You are Sylus?', asked the heavy man in the corner. "I am.", replied the Ranger, allowing himself to drift backwards towards the whispering stranger. "Bring your friends and meet me in the drawing room. Please." Cassius and Appelenea were within calling distance, but Nedel and Marcus were caught in the crowd around the fallen noble, and Penn had vanished somehow, Sylus gathered those he could and followed the portly messenger. "Thank you.", the man said more easily, once they were alone. "Cassidius of Rome sent me with a charge for you. It was I who arranged your invitation here, and who saw to your rooms. I was given this to show you.", he added, offering a silver Dinar, clouded and dark, the secret sign of their association. "Hephesius Paulo Amourwright was a Sage and scholar who wrote a treatise on the dark arts, and the dark gods who sponsored them. His book was in the hands of a private collector, and Cassidius was hoping to obtain it. He believes that the foundations of the Curse of Darkness may be found within its pages. The private party was killed some months ago, however, and the book was not found among his possessions." Glancing about furtively, the man continued. "There is a madness in the city, lead by a man named Girolamo Savonarola. He is convincing people that the world is ending, and that they must burn their possessions if they are to be saved. We fear that the book may have already found its way into the flames, but if it hasn't then we need to find it. Savolarola may be part of the dark conspiracy or he may be an innocent dupe, a convenient tool. He might even have the book. In any case, we need to locate the book and transport it to Rome, safely, if it still exists." Sylus nodded, and Appelenea took notes as the man spoke. "Any idea who just offed the [SIZE=2]Concilatori[/SIZE] in there?", Cassius asked. "No, though there are any number of suspects.", the man replied. "There were even wagers as to who would be poisoned at this party. He was a man well loved by his subjects, and thus a man well hated by his rivals. It probably has nothing to do with us." "On the contrary, our enemies are trying to tear down society, and what better way than to kill leaders?", Cassius asked. "One could convince the city to burn itself down.", replied their nameless informant. "But you're right, there's no reason for our foes to limit themselves to only one avenue of attack. Still, this was probably just politics and nothing more. It's even possible that the man died of natural causes." That thought made everyone laugh. *** "Let us away from the turmoil, and walk the gardens.", Penn suggested. "No one will miss us." "I'd love to.", young Lucrecia cooed "But I'm afraid my chaprones won't allow it.", she added, nodding towards the two men in the doorway, pointedly looking the other way. "Ah, that can be fixed.", smiled the Half-Satyr slyly. He drew out his lyre and began to play, a soft melody of lost love. The notes all but glowed in the air as he caressed the strings, and the girl's eyes shone in the reflected candle light. He played through to the end, then took out a silver piece and laid it on the broad marble rail. Placing his finger upon it, he uttered a soft word, and the music began anew, a dark, haunting melody this time, and his own voice could be heard singing a sad refrain. Then, as the music played, he smiled and offered the young lady his hand. And with a repressed giggle and a guilty glance towards her wardens, she allowed her escort to help her over the ballastrade and into the gardens below. *** "I'm afraid there's nothing I can do for him.", Marcus announced sadly. "It was too quick, and I wasn't quick enough." Nedel glanced at the table and noted, bitterly and without surprise, that the [SIZE=2]Concilatori[/SIZE]'s place had been cleared, from wine goblet to butter knife. They were undoubtedly all washed by now, cleansed of any trace of poison. Most of the guests were making their excuses and calling for their capes and wraps, for a death at the table does seem to make a fitting final course. [/QUOTE]
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