The Fall of House Pancrazio Chapter One

[JMaytr]

Just then the doors to the parlor burst open and Roderigo Pancrazio and his young cousin Jullian walk in.

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting Lothario. I wanted to make sure everyone was off well. How are you? I hope you enjoyed the dinner my cook Mariabella whipped up-"

Lothario cuts Roderigo off.

"I don't like the idea of being stuck here after dark. I have a very fine room in town and I would hate to be late for a real supper. Really Roderigo, the fare you served tonight is nary better than what a peasant might eat. I nearly thought the lot would be poisoned."

"I'm sorry you didn't enjoy the meal. And I do apologize for the hour, you know my manor is always open to you."

"Please. The room at the Inn is less drafty than this accursed place. I thank Ezra it is late spring and not sooner."

Roderigo clears his throat and is silent for a moment. When he does talk again, his eyes are hard and cold.

"You would not have spoken to my mother this way. I am due more respect than what you have shown me. I demand satisfaction."

The tension in the air is palpable. After nearly a full minute, Lothario nods his head and with eyes downcast apologizes. Roderigo continues.

"We have business Lothario. The harvest was good and we have 50 casks to deliver to your wineries. My men have been instructed to collect our usual fee. We will provide security as always."

Lothario's face seems to brighten.

"My father has sent a counter offer. Thirty gold per cask. Fifteen hundred for your lot."

Lothario sits back with a smug look on his face.

[Irving the Meek]

Tuke discreetly slides into the parlor from a side door, through the library. He's not sneaking in - precisely(1) - but he's working hard to remain unnoticed. He's left his motley coat in his quarters; in his white shirt, breeches and hose, he could be taken for a tiny merchant instead of a fool.

Tuke finds a shadowed corner by the door to the hallway- again, not hiding, really, just sort of remaining unobtrusive(2). If things go seriously wrong, he wants to make sure to reveal himself at the last possible moment.

(1) Oh, yes he is. Move Silently check, rolled 20, result 25.
(2) Uh-huh. Sure. Hide check, rolled 9, result 16.

[ewancummins]

Tristan's only visible reaction to Lothario's uncalled for display of rudeness is a frown and a little adjustment of his posture. He slowly lowers the musket to a level position, and turns his body slowly to the left, so that the black muzzle and gleaming bayonet are just an inch or so closer to the nearest of Lothario's men. It isn't actually pointing at the man, just pointing away at an acute angle- a quick swing of the arms would bring it up and put the bodygaurd squarely in the gunman's sights. The vanished smile does not return to Tristan's face.

[RocEter]

Julian glances at his cousin and Lord Enzo, sensing the tension in the room he speaks.

"Lord Enzo thirty gold per cask isn't enough, we wouldn't be able to upkeep the manor, pay our staff or provide the protection necessary for the shipment, perhaps at fifteen percent reduction of the price per cask would be more suitable for both our families interests? Also I would be more than delighted to see you and your men back to your inn?"

Julian reaches into his coat and pulls out a 4 gold coins and approaches Lord Enzo.

"Here this is for your delay and any trouble you may have getting back into the inn."

Placing the coins in a neat stack near Lothario, he step backs towards his cousin, facing Lothario attempting to gauge his mood.

[Lord Skybolt]

Tahl just seems to stare at Lord Enzo swordsmen inspecting them as he would a lame horse he is about put down for it's own could .

[JMaytr]

Lothario takes the coins and seems to relax some. The swordsman with him keep their eyes on Tahl and Tristan.

"Thank you, these coins do indeed help some to alleviate my worries. And yes, I would appreciate an escort back to Von Ziyden Sir Jullian. But now back to business. I'm afraid that counter offer of a fifteen percent reduction in price is still too high. Lets say twenty five percent. That's still 45 gold nightshades per cask." Lothario says this last part with a smirk.

Still hidden from view, Tuke can tell a lie when he hears one.

UPSTAIRS

Harold is with Miss Phebe. The older woman is dressed for bed awaiting Harold's nightly reading of a story. She clutches her slightly rancid teddy bear tight, her eyes bright and eager for tale. As Harold sits and prepares to read, movement from the corner of the room catches his eye. Miss Phebe giggles. Looking, Harold doesn't appear to see anything, but the room feels slightly colder.

IN THE KITCHEN

Mariabella and Agna are cleaning up from the reception. The older cook is careful to save all the food scraps and leftover wine. The scraps go into a large iron bowl and she pours the wine into a dark green bottle.

"Didn't Tahl look wonderful tonight? His hair is so silky and smooth, and his eyes..." Mariabella trails off, blushing as she speaks. "I do hope there is no trouble with those thugs Lord Lothario has brought."

[Rock of the Fraternity]

"Who is there?" Harold demands in a loud, ringing tone, voice tense as he rises and moves to shield miss Phebe from whatever might be moving in the shadows. He raises a hand. "I warn you, if you try to bring harm to milady, I am prepared to cause you considerable harm! Come forth and declare yourself!"

(OOC: Speaking out loud in hopes of being heard ...)

[JMaytr]

As Harold shouts he hears footsteps.

But these are in this very room, behind him!

Whirling about he sees nothing......but then on the wall just above a small end stand something.

The wood panel begins to curl as if a dagger was scratching against it. There is no noise but the air grows colder and stale around Harold. As the scratching continues it becomes clear that small letters are forming. They are too small to read from where Harold is standing.

Miss Phebe claps suddenly, as if amused by one of Tuke's tricks. She appears to be staring just above where the letters are being scratched into the wood.

[RocEter]

"You are welcome, very well then I shall go prepare."

Jullian approaches his cousin and places a hand on his shoulder, he whispers in his cousins ear.

"Cousin trying going 50 gold per cask and stick to that price. He lacks confidence in his swordsmen, so while I am preparing your guards should be able to deal with any situation."

Jullian leaves parlor and goes upstairs into his room, to gather his armor and saddle bags.

[JMaytr]

As Jullian leaves the parlor to prepare, Roderigo continues the negotiation with renewed confidence.

"No, my cousin is correct. Fifteen percent lower is all I'm willing to do. Thats 52 Nightshades and five silver hemlocks each. If you are unable, well...I'm sure that the Fiorella's can. You aren't the only noble family in Sturben."

"Maybe not, but I doubt that the Fiorella's are still as kind to your family as ours is, after all, my daughter didn't poison one of them."

Roderigo stands up. There is a twist to his features and his body can nearly contain the rage.

"Neither did mine Lothario. I will remind you no more of your insults to my family. None. Is that clear?"

Lothario sits back in his chair but the trained eye can see his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"Fifty gold."

Roderigo does not sit. "Fifty-one and five."

Lothario stands and outstretches his hand. "Deal. Now I need to return quickly to Von Ziyden, I don't like the hour. Now where is your cousin?"

"I'll have Tahl and Tristan accompany you as well. Six guards are better than three and they will see Sir Jullian home safely. I'll have Emilio draw up the contracts. I'll have your signature before you return to Sturben."

"Of course." Lothario moves to leave, snarling at his men to hurry.



UPSTAIRS

As Jullian climbs the stairs he can hear Harold yelling at an intruder from Miss Phebe's room.

[Griselda]

"Mmmm," Agna makes a non-commital sound as she carries the dirty plates to the basin, privately shaking her head.

"True. He's a good man, but he is a bit... costly for everyday wear."

She thinks a moment about the assembled folk at the dining table, going around the table, and says:

"Who was that young gentleman in white near Master Roderigo? The one who started eating one of Tuke's trick apples?"

Agna stops near the kitchen door, suddenly alert. She holds up her hand, to hush Mariabella, eyes darting up, then down the hall.(1)

"Is that Harold? What's that about?"

She pushes the door open to hear more clearly.





(1) Listen check, rolled 13, result 20

[JMaytr]

Agna listens but hears nothing else. Perhaps she is mistaken? Still an uneasy feeling comes over her.

"I don't hear anything child." Mariabella answers. " But the man in white? Thats Master Jullian. He's a champion from the temple of Ezra. He's a wonderful man."

[Irving the Meek]

Tuke watches the negotiations with taunt nerves. Oh, Lothario, you bully. This has nothing to do with your house's fortunes, and everything to do with your ego. If only I hadn't thrown down the gauntlet like that. What now? Can I do anything?

And before he can act, Roderigo makes his stand, and Lothario is walking to the door. Tuke shifts a little bit and hides under the coffee table as Lothario sweeps past him.

It takes a mighty effort of will not to trip Lothario as he passes, or at least issue an authentic-sounding raspberry. But somehow, Tuke manages.

[RocEter]

Jullian rushes up the stairs into Phebe's rooms, grabing the hilt of sword with his hand, looking to Harold upon seeing an empty room.

"Harold why are you shouting? There is no one in the room."

Releasing the grip on his hilt, he looks towards his Aunt and smiles, then returns his one eyed gaze to Harold.

[Griselda]

Agna frowns and cocks her head. She could have sworn... but maybe not, then. She closes the door, but does not let it catch.

At Mariabella's answer, her eyes widen and her lips part with surprise.

"That's Master Julian? Well..." Agna gropes for words momentarily, "My, he's changed since he was here last."

Shaking her head as if to clear it, she returns to the dishes.