The captain looks to have been made uncomfortable by the request - "I'd rather not, Saladin - my apologies."
Carinus cuts in then - "If I could - I would recommend the french dish - it's possessed of an excellent mix of qualities, and as of yet I believe it is unclaimed."
Saladin shifts his eyes to an attractive woman with long black hair sitting by Sherazhina's side. Listening for her voice he notes the hint of a parisian accent, what such a woman is doing here is a mystery. Perhaps an ambassador, perhaps a traveller - no doubt nothing of great importance.
"I intended her as a gift for Kiril but I have the sneaking suspicion he will not be coming back tonight, nor for a while, yes?"
Saladin considers that for a second and then nods.
"Excellent. It shall be served to you this morning after proper preparation. I shall deliver the dish to your rooms personally. Now, I believe you wished to speak with the good captain?"
"You scare the hell out of me sometimes, you know that Carinus?", Elias mutters.
At that, Carinus just gives a smile rapidly followed by a courteous bow.
"Yes, well, to put it quite simply Kiril will be unable to rejoin us for a while yet. He is occupied hunting the assassins responsible for the murder of Roland and has made some enemies in the process. He could not come here personally and entrusted to me this letter explaining the matter, he wrote it in his own blood to make sure you would know it came from him."
He hands the letter to Elias, who reads it and then passes it on to Carinus.
"So we're free? Whatever we want in the city, until he comes back for us?"
"Yes", Saladin replies.
As Carinus finishes he hands the letter to Sherazhina with a smile so chilling as to make even Saladin want to shiver.
"You realize this might cause some problems? Especially with the big guy over there," he says, jerking his head back towards Barabus.
"Yes, I realize that. In fact, Carinus, though Kiril has given you free reign I hope you understand he would want your discretion while he is in another prince's city."
"Of course. I am nothing if not discreet." Carinus gives another half bow as he says this, but Saladin does not fail to catch the glint in the cannibal's eyes.
"As for Barabus, I have assigned Hashim to keep track of him. He is more than capable, and with him guarding Steeple he should be safe."
Elias gets up from his chair and then kneels facing Saladin, holding his hand across his chest. It is the same position he would assume any time he spoke to Kiril
"Saladin, sir, if I could make a request - I don't think Hashim a match for Barabus. If he faces him down with Steeple's help maybe they might drive him off but i'm afraid that if Barabus notices Hashim following him there's nothing to stop him from killing or grievously wounding him. I would like to be assigned to Hashim's side. There is nothing else I feel would be worth doing in this city."
Saladin looks away from Elias before responding - "I don't know what authority you think I have over you but there's no need for you to bow to me. You are Kiril's man, his absence does not mean I replace him. Do whatever you want."
Then he looks back at Elias, eyeing him from the side.
"Stay alive, Elias."
Sherazhina smiles to herself and then gestures for one of her admirers to come to her. A tall, well-defined blond man with long hair, blue eyes and delicate facial features answers her motion at once. She leans in and whispers a request into his ear. With a happy nod, the ghoul takes the letter Sherazhina passes on to him and goes to Barabus.
Steeple and Heldric are at the exit to the palace courtyard when Barabus finishes reading the letter, and they can hear his laughter from across the courtyard, unimpeded by the ghoul's festivities.
---
When Steeple finishes his ranting Prince Maurice jumps in - "I still don't understand why we don't just kill him. If you're afraid of offending Kiril with a public execution, just send Maximus to do the deed - he's as quiet as an assassin, if you lend him Eternal Thirst he could probably kill him instantly - and even if he's discovered the only one who would have an inkling of the gargoyle's association with you is Anton. I don't think Anton would bother to tell Kiril about the cause behind Barabus' death, yes? The two aren't very close..."
"And I think you're being to hasty here. What you saw was so brief... something that powerful wouldn't bother to serve someone like Kiril, I think what you saw was an echo of what used to be. The slime has clearly had clearly made some wicked pact with some devil for those physical enhancements and that unsettling presence of his but if he was possessed I do not think it is so any longer."
---
"A great demon? Ha!"
Octavius laughs at that, and for a while. Sicilan smirks as well.
"I've fought things you would call demons, I would know if something that powerful was inhabiting that man. Even a fraction of its power would be enough to challenge your elders, and a true greater demon... this city possesses a strong vampiric presence, and is also the location of a sizeable Order chantry. A Great demon would slay them all and blacken this city with its breath, ruin the land with its presence. What your people did to Carthage would pale in comparison. Even your greatest sorcerers, the countless ancient ones who inhabit Transylvania, and their children - the Tzimisce, the so-called "nobles", can just barely challenge the might of a single Great Demon. I believe its name was... Kupala?
No, there's no great demon in that man - and your elders at this city, my compatriots in the order chantry or myself would have discovered a lesser one."
Sicilan nods, "I too have had several unpleasant experiences with demonic spirits. A very good friend of mine's brother is an exceedingly powerful sorcerer who receives the majority of his power from dealings with demons - including their mass subjugation. I knew him when he was still young and innocent, though he has since been corrupted, but I have seen what demons can do. Barabus may be wicked, unsettling, unpleasant - but he is no demon. But... now that Steepleton mentions it, there may have been a possession in the past. There is a certain residue around him. Perhaps if I attempted to walk his skin myself I could verify just what was there, if it was powerful enough it would have left a notable trace. Should I attempt it, Heldric? If he is truly mortal he won't notice me riding his skin unless I possess him."
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Topic: Chapter 2: Venetian Nights (Read 297674 times)