Melisandre tried on the gloves that Sebastiano had purchased for her earlier in the day. They were soft supple leather, dyed a deep purple that was almost black. She'd noticed them in the shop and he'd suggested that she try them on as he was looking for a pair of gloves for his mother and their hands were of a similar size. He'd purchased quite a bit for his mother that day, announcing as they parted that he'd decided that none of the gifts were suitable and that she should just keep them. The Vodacci customs were so different from Castille. And if only she could spend time with him un-escorted! Instead of having to play the bizarre social game. She started guiltily as the door opened and hastily removed the gloves as Constanza entered.
Constanza gave her friend a small half-mocking, half-indulgent smile. "I trust you had a pleasant day?" she enquired, carefully closing the door behind her. She made her way over to the sober but elegant table and chairs gracing a corner of the room they shared at the expensive inn. "Lucas was truly sorry he had gotten up too late to accompany you," she added innocently, "but I am sure señor Ferdinand was a trustworthy escort."
Melisandre ignored that. So what if she'd told that bar maid that Lucas was rich and found her attractive? Was it her fault he'd stayed in bed so late that morning? Okay, so they had sent wine up to the room as well, but so far she hadn't heard that he'd be complaining about the evening. Her thoughts turned to the events of the day and her eyes brightened.
"It was wonderful! I had the best time, you just won't believe how gorgeous this city is! And Ferdinand was most accomodating and I paid him well for it. He walked close enough for propriety's sake, but not so close that it was intrusive and since he didn't speak Vodacci, I could say what I liked to Sebastiano without fear that I'd be overheard." She gestured happily at the various gifts that littered the table in front of her, waiting for her admiring perusal before they were carefully stored away. "Aren't they lovely? He was so charming and sweet and wonderful. And did you see his uniform? And his sword has actual Fate strands woven into the metal by his mother. He said that he can manipulate outcomes with them." Her eyes grew slightly unfocused as she allowed a memory to resurface. Still fresh, it was quite vivid and her voice clearly carried her admiration. "You should have seen him, Constanza, standing there with his sword drawn, the wind blowing his hair, sword gleaming as if it had a life of its own, smiling at me. He was so dashing it made my heart ache!" Her eyes refocused on her friend and she laughed. "Had he tried to carry me off like in those books we used to read, I would have gone with him willingly!"
Quick as a flash she was at Constanza's side, hugging her friend tightly. "Thank you for making this stop and delaying so that I might have the day with him. I know that our mission is urgent." She paused as if suddenly remembering something. Turning, she stepped to the table and picked up an envelope sealed with wax. "That reminds me, he did bring along the letter of introduction as he'd promised. So I suppose we'll be able to go to the Lady Villanova's estate upon the morrow." A slight note of disappointment surfaced in her tone. One day hardly seemed enough time, but, oh, what a day it had been!
Constanza smiled and hugged her friend back. How well she knew the price of a single day of joy, and how precious such days were... She flashed a smile at Melisandre.
"I talked Lucas into accompanying me today," she reported, abruptly changing the topic. "I bought a cargo of grain, since the letter of marque is no longer useful in light of the new peace with Montaigne. What unexpected but happy news that was! Still, the Maris Stella needs to earn its keep. The cargo will take a couple of days to be loaded -- unless something happens to complicate matters, a situation I practically expect in Vodacce." She frowned briefly, but smoothed the expression off her face.
"So your plan is to visit Lady Villanova and ask her about seeing Aunt Lucia?"
Melisandre began to put her newest treasures away, packing them carefully and rearranging her things. She drew out dark gray trousers and shirt, setting them aside as she dug deeper in the chest. "Yes, I don't really see the need for subterfuge." Her tone was almost absent as she pulled a pair of soft black boots and inspected them with a critical eye before setting them on the floor. "Papa always said that a partial truth is more believable than a lie." A pair of black gloves was laid upon the shirt. "I doubt Lady Villanova will think we would be so bold as to request an audience and then spirit her 'guest' away." A belt with six daggers was pulled out and joined the boots. They were much quieter than a sword would be. She found her small case of lockpicks, opened it and inspected them. Satisfied, she closed the case and attached it to the belt, tugging gently to ensure it was secure.
Constanza did her best to hide a grin. Melisandre might be ecstatic about the chance to try Vodacci fashions and dress up in court clothes and veils (and one had to admit she carried it off with great flair), but despite her frequent protestations about wearing more practical garments she was not forgetting sensible precautions. Constanza herself also wore trousers and boots under her bulky skirts, and a brace of small pistols were strapped to her thighs. It was unfortunate that they would still be difficult to reach in a hurry, but this was better than nothing. She wished she could also carry her rapier but if it came to a fight she would just have to steal one from a spadassin. Easier said than done...
"I imagine Lady Villanova knows exactly who Aunt Lucia is and why Lucas and I would want to see her," she agreed. "We might as well be above-board... since no one can out-lie a Vodacci!" She smirked.
Melisandre pushed her hair back, looking thoughtful as if reviewing a mental check list. With a slight nod she replaced her things -- the boots, shirt, trousers and knives close to the surface and easily accessible. At the last moment, she exchanged the black gloves for the ones Sebastiano had purchased for her, laying them atop the rest, unconsciously caressing the soft leather.
She sat back on her heels, turning to look up at Constanza. "Your aunt is a Fate Witch, is she not? Do you know much of her abilities? Can we expect that she might be able to aid us?"
Constanza pursed her mouth, reflecting. "I have been wondering about that," she answered. "Aunt Lucia is not only a Strega, but also a good shot and a fair hand at the sword -- trained by Uncle Andrès, I believe -- yet she is still prisoner. I understand that a Strega's abilities can be curbed or even bound by other Fate Witches, and I imagine the place is crawling with them. Lady Villanova herself is sure to be one."
Melisandre frowned. "Sebastiano has given us an introduction and I'd not risk endangering him by asking for further help." Sebastiano. He'd risked much by associating himself with them and it pained her to think her future actions might very well put him in a difficult position. The more she knew of him the more she found herself admiring him. Perhaps they could delay a few more days while the grain was loaded and she could find a way to spend a few more precious hours with him... Her cheeks colored at her own audacity and she mentally chastised herself. She had spent an entire day in his company and should count herself lucky. Besides, she couldn't afford such distracting thoughts right now. Papa had told her time and time again that preparation was the key to success and to focus on the task at hand, and Papa was never wrong. She got to her feet shaking out her skirts to hide her momentary discomforture. "And anyway, I doubt Lucas would even allow it. It's surprising that he's been so civil."
"Actually," Constanza remarked, "it is equally surprising that signor Sebastiano has been so, um, helpful. Were I in his place, I would want to run Lucas through as soon as possible. I hope his regard for you will extend to preserving our health, life, and freedom as your companions. Keep us under your protection, will you?" Her tone and smile were wry.
Melisandre placed her hands on her hips in mock indignation. "As if I believe I'd be able to stop him. Have you seen that sword?" She shook her head. "No, I think it is the hand of his Prince that stays him. Women are looked upon more as possesions here, like a fine horse. I hope to discover that he's different since he did teach you how to use a sword, but if not, then I'm afraid I'll have to be very disappointed." She frowned slightly. "As much as I've come to admire him and wish for his company, Lucas and Ferdinand have both saved my life at risk to their own. You are like a sister to me. If he attempts to harm any of you I'll be forced to intercede. But I don't foresee any difficulty since we are off to the Lady Villanova's estate and his duties keep him here. Once we've liberated your Aunt I imagine his Prince will lift the restriction but as long as we go directly to the Maris Stella and sail for Castille we should be fine."
Constanza crossed her arms on her chest and stared broodingly at her sword belt, now hanging from the bedpost. "We have to consider the possibility that this is all an elaborate trap for Lucas's benefit," she said in a low voice, "one either of Prince Villanova or signor Sebastiano's design. Forgive me but I would tend to suspect signor Sebastiano, since I can hardly see why Prince Villanova would want to toy with Lucas -- or with any of us -- in such a convoluted manner instead of simply throwing us in jail. As far as I know, we have never attracted his displeasure. Signor Sebastiano, however, might have some entertaining plan to play with Lucas like a cat with a mouse, albeit a fierce and well-armed mouse. He might even have received his lord's leave to do so, but then that would mean no one has any intention of letting us free Aunt Lucia."
Melisandre's hand found her pendant, fingers tracing its soothingly familiar curves. Sebastiano had made no secret of his intent to duel Lucas over the death of his father, but she couldn't believe that he would put her in danger to achieve his goal. Would he? She released her pendant, crossed to one of the chairs and sat down. "And I did want to discuss our return with you since I've never been excommunicated before. Are we in much danger when we return to Castille?"
"Yes," Constanza answered soberly. "Depending on how serious the charge is, we could even burn. In the past, however, Cardinal Verdugo has tried to use Lucas and Miranda against Uncle Andrès, in which case Lucas at least would be worth more alive. The rest of us, though, might make excellent 'examples'. And Inquisitor Bascalle has also used Lucas and Juan against Cardinal Verdugo, so things can get complicated. On the other hand, I think we have gathered enough popularity, for good or ill, that executing us might be more difficult these days. Finally, with this new peace signed between Castille and Montaigne, popular sentiment is likely to be more festive and less supportive of the Inquisition."
She started pacing the room, the way she often did when thinking aloud. "I have thought about strategy; we could always make a great show of repentance. I give that fairly low likeliness, since none of us is particularly humble. We could also try to play on our popularity, but if we fail then we risk making our case worse. Or we could deal with Cardinal Verdugo and either convince him that he needs us alive and free (I believe that is what Lucas and Juan did before), or find something to blackmail him with (which is what they did with Inquisitor Bascalle)."
She shrugged. "Regardless, and despite your personal intuition and feelings about His Eminence, I think that simply sailing in and lopping off his head is right out. First, there are others who would simply take up his fight; the Inquisition is a powerful and complex organization whose members remain hidden by their masks and by the protection of the Church. Second, Cardinal Verdugo is well protected. And third... Forgive me again, but I would not lay a hand on a man of the Church without the most dire reasons and complete certainty that I must. I especially would not do so simply on the say-so of the Sidhe. I understand you place great trust in them, but I do not. For one thing, I remember that they betrayed the Tuatha De Danann; for another, I remember certain Sidhe like Meryth, and the Queen of the Sky's little hunt."
Melisandre made a dismissive gesture. "I'm sure that Verdugo and Fate have a dance to attend and the music has already begun to play. For now I'd rather concentrate on other matters as I find the thought of taking a life most distressing." She chose not to address the comment about the Sidhe. She'd not actually obtained the information from them, but she had been in Bryn Bresail at the time and her friend had made an assumption. Better she think that than know the truth. The Oracle had told her that her arrival had been pre-ordained over 300 years ago and she was charged with eliminating the Fourth Prophet. She firmly dragged her thoughts back to the present. "I'm more concerned with your Aunt. You'd mentioned you weren't sure it was safe to give her over to your Uncle's keeping and I agree. It would be a great blow to Lucas' pride to have his mother rescued only to lose her again."
"Oh yes, Lucas' pride," Constanza murmured. "We would not want it damaged...""I know of a place where she might stay for a time where she will be safe and well protected," Melisandre Continued as if she had not heard Constanza's comment. "As for us, we can travel to my father's estate and have him send word to your Uncle. Our estate is rather remote and is on the water. As you might have guessed it has a small dock where you can moor the Maris Stella and my father would welcome your crew." A fond smile crossed her face at the thought of her father. She missed him terribly. "In truth, he'd be rather pleased to have such important guests as Captain Constanza de Orduño and Don Lucas de Aldana."
"That's very kind of you," Constanza nodded. "I think also that the situation is very changed with this new peace. The Inquisition should be busy sifting through Torres and Zepeda for any heresy, real or imagined, left by the Montaigne occupation; and it sounds like Uncle Andrès' current popularity should protect him to some extent. He has mourned his wife for two years, I would really like to see them reunited now. Although we'll have plenty of time to think about where to take Aunt Lucia after we rescue her, should we be so lucky. I'm more worried about how we will do this, and all flee without being caught."
"I've been considering that too," Melisandre agreed. "A full on frontal assault is out of the question as I'm sure she'll be well guarded and I wouldn't want to risk her safety or ours. A quiet abduction would be more in order." She tapped her pendant lightly, considering. "Ferdinand is skilled in moving without being seen or heard. Perhaps if we can obtain an invitation to stay overnight at Lady Villanova's estate, we can set up a path of retreat while he liberates your Aunt in the early hours of the morning. Guards are tired and less alert when they're close to the time that they may retire from their duty."
Steered once again towards immediate practical matters, the two young women started making plans, scribbling notes, and rumaging through their luggage to make sure everything they might need for the most extravagant rescue attempt was at hand.
