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Message: <blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 4692655" data-attributes="member: 3285">Brothers: Part 2 – Colombo’s OfficeThey set out for the Navigli in the late afternoon.  Paulo negotiated the journey with a carriage driver.  Once aboard, the vehicle moved away from the city center on the small roads and bridges of the community.  It was foggy and there was no other traffic.  Rain had set in, falling in a steady drizzle.For much of the journey the carriage had to crawl, at other times it pushed slowly through crowds of local residents.  The driver frequently stopped to give Colombo’s name to passers by.Finally, they pulled up to a rather squalid terrace.  ”This is it,” said Paulo.  He told the driver to wait and stepped out of the carriage. The others followed behind him.A faded legend above one door announces: OFFICE.  Sebastian knocked on it. Upon his knock, someone called, “Vieni qui!”“That means enter in High Coryan.” Sebastian pushed the door opened. The door gave into a room about ten feet on each side with a desk, two chairs, and a single shelf of books.  On one wall was a painting. Although it seemed to be a supper with Illiir at the center, the artist had painted the scene from the back and no faces were visible.  On another wall was a very faded painting of a young priest with a cardinal.  Behind the desk sat a toothless, bald man with one milky white eye.  He wore a sour expression.  In front of him sat a slim man with a gaunt face and longish straight black hair. A small cup of coffee was set before each man.“Hello,” Sebastian said with a slight smile.  “Are you Thomas Villiers?”“Che?” asked the older man. “Thomas Villiers?” Sebastian repeated.The older man looked to the younger, who just smiled and shrugged.“Thom-as Vil-liers?” Sebastian repeated slowly for the third time.  Finally, the younger man laughed.  “I’m Thomas.” He pointed at the older man. “This is Giuseppe Colombo.  I can speak both Low and High Coryan fluently.  You must forgive my rudeness.  I was just admiring your efforts, it reminded me a great deal of myself just a few years ago.”Sebastian turned to Paulo.  “I think we’re okay here, Paulo.  Please wait in the carriage. Paulo nodded and bowed out of the room. With Paulo gone, Thomas smiled. “Now, what can I do for you?”“Do you know Livius Carbo?” “Yes, Livius and I are close friends.  We left Freeport together in the spring to come here to Sweet Savona.”“It’s an interesting place,” said Vlad.  The last time he had been in Sweet Savona it was a very different and altogether more pleasant experience. “There are many brilliant people to study with here: me, Giuseppe and Livius are part of one such group that was organized by a professor Roberto Anzalone from the university.  I myself am a painter and used to sculpt, but the group is eclectic: it contains writers, actors, musicians, philosophers, academics, and all sorts of people.” He paused. “I hate to disappoint you, but Livius left the city recently on a journey.”“Where?” asked Vlad.  Thomas smiled.  He looked at Colombo.  “The story is they’ve gone to the Forbidden Wastes—well, they haven’t. Actually, they’re on a Pilgrimage—“Immediately, Colombo erupted.  He stood up and spewed out an incredible torrent of invective—screaming, spitting, pointing, sometimes at Thomas and sometimes at Sebastian.  “A che cosa dite a questa gente, Villiers? Guardarlo! Stupido! Spendono i loro soldi su vino e sui prostituti in modo da possono bere e carreggiata i loro giorni via. Vedono? Si preoccupano per il vuoto delle loro vite? Il re nel colore giallo sta venendo a Arcanis questo ciclo e scoperà esente la terra da questi rifiuti. I suoi programmi non sono il vostro, Villiers, o Anzalone, o il Carbo, qualunque li pensate sa. Dire a questa gente che viene qui cercando il re nel colore giallo che percorrerà su loro e su tutti come loro!”He pushed furiously past Beldin and Vlad, who were standing, out into the street.“What was that all about?” asked Beldin.Sebastian shook his head at Beldin.  “I’ll tell you later.”As the door slammed shut, Thomas smiled ruefully. “Please, ignore old Guiseppe.  My friend doesn’t understand the common tongue, so I don’t know what provoked that.  I suggest a change of venue. The office is uncomfortable and my studio is close.  I have a couple of bottles of grappa there too. ““I don’t know if we should…” Vlad cocked his head.  There was shouting and noise.  Horses set off at a gallop.  Colombo had told the carriage driver in a most forceful manner that he was not needed.“Never mind.” Vlad rubbed the back of his head.  “I think our ride just left.”“In that case we’d be happy to join you,” said Sebastian.</blockquote>

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