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Realms: Taps Logs

The Baffled King Composing Hallelujah

Suraksha is almost bouncy with happiness -- they're only about a day's travel from Baton Rouge, and she's very much looking forward to seeing Roy and Mary again! The formerly tiny and undernourished little girl has grown such that she's on the verge of a happy and generous womanhood, and Sura is quite proud of her. Roy too has grown in Sura's eyes, becoming a smooth and accomplished ruler -- with slightly less of what Eacharn once disgustedly referred to as "having the scoundrel about him"! Since the decisive defeat of Houston a few years ago, Sura's been much more relaxed about the safety of her well-loved little Baton Rouge family, and she can't wait for the usual week or three of relaxation and celebration that lies ahead for the caravan in the flourishing city on the Big Muddy.

The rich, mouth-watering scents of Buddy's cooking drift over the encampment, and everyone is busy settling down their wagons and livestock for the night, or in scouting or walking guard duty. Suraksha too is walking the encampment and lending a hand where needed, since her wagon is already parked and Fantine is settling things there. She smiles and crouches to give a hug and an ear ruffle to Alg and one of the big dogs as they both go trotting by on guard duty, then continues pacing quietly along, calling greetings and asking if anyone needs a hand.

As Sura comes near the edge of the caravan there's a rustle in the underbrush that's just a little too big to be a squirrel, but not quite large enough to be any of a number of dangerous predators. Suraksha quietly calls, "Alg?" as she pauses and studies the underbrush. While she can see in the dark, her vision isn't capable of seeing through obstacles like thick foliage, so she'll wait for the goblin to check things out. She can hear the swift patter of Alg's running paw-feet and -hands heading her way, in fact. She's pretty sure Alg will flush something small and not dangerous -- but if it's edible she'd like to make sure it doesn't escape; Alg is one of the best hunters they have.

Alg shoots past her almost silently, but comes up short of the underbrush, sniffing suspiciously. Suraksha raises an eyebrow -- usually nothing stops Alg! Her voice is very soft, "Need big backup, dear?" She's already leaning towards a shadowed corner of the nearest wagon so she can, if necessary, shed clothes quickly to shift.

As Alg is sniffing, a long and lanky form steps carefully out of the brush. The hair is hidden under a shapeless cloth hat and the clothing is all in dark colors, green and black most predominantly. The face is mostly shadowed, but Sura knows Alan's voice when he speaks, "No need for that, ma'am; was just trying to make sure it was ya'll."

Suraksha pauses, her quiet voice surprised, "Alan? Gracious, you're being cautious. Is everything all right?" She adds softly to Alg, "False alarm, dear; thank you! Don't let me keep you." The goblin grunts suspiciously before slipping out of sight. Suraksha smiles but says nothing as she realizes from his movement that he's going to check Alan's backtrail. She makes a mental note to thank Alg later for being smart and discreet -- if something actually is wrong, knowing Alan wasn't followed would be good.

Alan pulls off the hat, letting his blond hair show as he takes a step closer, "Well, yes and no. Things look a lot worse than they are, and we wanted to catch you before you got to the city."

Suraksha stiffens slightly, but simply steps back and waves a hand toward the central bonfire, "All right. Would you like to come have a hot meal while you explain?"

Back in the bushes there's more rustling, and Alg reappears with another figure behind him. The figure is grumbling down at the goblin and the goblin is looking smug. The newcomer is wearing the same sort of clothes as Alan, but no hat. His hair is cropped raggedly short and his smooth-shaven face is smudged with dirt. Alan was starting to say something, but relaxes and nods, "That might be good."

Suraksha raises an amused eyebrow, murmuring, "Mmm, I'll ask for two bowls, since I take it by your calm that you knew you were followed. Who's your friend?" She tilts her head, studying the second man. She's interested at how relaxed this person is by being 'outed' by a goblin -- so it must be someone who already knows Alg, she thinks.

If she weren't so familiar with the man coming forward, she wouldn't recognize him. He's not even walking with his normal swagger -- but there's something in the set of the shoulders, the tip of the head, that reveals Roy to her. Suraksha blinks startledly, stepping forward and reaching out a hand in reflexive worry, "Roy?! Good Goddess, what have you done?!" She gently touches his cheek, where his sideburns used to be, "Sweetheart, what's wrong?"

Roy smiles wryly and reaches up to take her wrist. He turns his head and kisses her palm. Without the sideburns and hair, the planes of his face are more visible. The lack of mustache makes his mouth look softer in a not-unpleasant way. He snorts quiet laughter, "Neither one of those questions is easy, cher."

Suraksha frowns for a moment, studying Roy's face -- her lover's face is not unpleasant, shorn like this, but that he did something so drastic does concern her -- then nods decisively, "Well, come to the fire, both of you, and get some hot food into you while we talk. Alg, sweetie, could you make sure their horses get to Del, please?" She takes Roy's hand and heads for the bonfire.

Alg says gruffly, "No horses out there." Roy says, "We're happy to come have some food, but I have to ask a favor, cher. You 'member what I used to be called?"

Suraksha blinks at Alg, then gives Roy and Alan a startled look, "You both... walked here?!" At Roy's query her lips tighten a bit, but she nods firmly once, "Rattler it is, then. This must be quite the tangle. Alg, sweetie, would you pass it through the caravaneers that Rattler and Alan are," she glances at the two men as she speaks, to see if they correct her, "are two of our regular roustabouts, at least for now, please -- so our escorted visitors are not surprised?"

Roy nods and kisses Sura's fingertips, "Merci, cher." His accent is thickened, as she is used to hearing it when he is either very relaxed or quite stressed. The Cajun comes very much to the forefront, "Better if the folks as don't know who I am ain't told."

Suraksha's concerned face warms at the simple gesture, and she smiles up at Roy with worried affection, "You old troublemaker! Well, come along then, you rogue, and tell me what mess you've gotten into this time!"

Roy flashes a grin at her, though his mouth is a little tight for it to be at its brightest. "An' I'll keep my hands to m'self." To demonstrate, he pushes them into his jeans pockets as he moves to follow Sura and Alg to the fire.

Suraksha raises an eyebrow again -- that surprises her more than anything else! She gives Alg a quick hug and thanks for being so quick and clever, before he vanishes again on his mission. Then she heads slowly towards the big fire, giving Alg time to warn folks so no one calls out a greeting to "Roy" instead of "Rattler." Alan moves in front of the disguised king and the caravan leader, moving with Alg. The guardsman's hair has also been cut shorter than normal, but he is otherwise unchanged. Of course, he has had training that makes him inconspicuous most of the time, so he has less need to change his appearance. As she walks, Sura murmurs, "You both have nothing but the clothes you're in? You'll be staying? We'll talk with Sabrina for bunks, then, and Ohkwa or Del for where you're needed to help out."

Roy shakes his head, "We've got a camp not far from here with a few necessaries. We can pick them up in the morning, though. We already put out the fire and stowed our stuff up a tree." Soon enough they're in the open by the fire, and the caravaneers (who are used to disguises) are surreptitiously glancing or grinning at Roy's new 'look.' Sura settles on a crate and accepts a bowl of hot stew from Fantine, who blinks at the two men and darts off for more. Suraksha nods to Roy, eating quietly and neatly as bowls of food are handed out. She waits for them to eat -- Alan's ready acceptance of the invitation says to her that they're both likely hungry -- and until they're ready to explain.

Alan and Roy both eat the food gratefully. Buddy's food is always delicious, but they eat like men that have been living on short rations for a few days. Roy greets those that he knows and lets himself be introduced as Rattler to those folks he doesn't know already. Suraksha keeps a quiet eye out for the few folks who're traveling with the caravan as escort, so they aren't given any clue that Roy and Alan haven't been along the whole time. Aside from that she simply eats her food, cleans her bowl, hands it back, and waits for when the men have sated their hunger. Her concern is starting to grow again: they've been several days out here, they obviously had to leave quickly, it was imperative that Roy hide... what in the Great Serpent's Name is going on?! She just can't believe Jacko was a traitor -- nor Pierce! She prays they're not both dead.

Once dinner is finished and a little wine has been passed around, Alan excuses himself to go and check on their accommodations for the night. One by one, the caravaneers slip away until it's just Roy, Alg, Sura, and Sabrina around the fire. Suraksha gently strokes the harsh, tufty fur on Alg's head as the blissfully half-somnolent goblin leans against her, and tilts her head inquiringly at Roy, "Well? What's up, sweetheart?"

Roy takes a deep breath and says, "Wellnow, that ain't gonna be easy to explain. First thing you need t'know is that you're gonna hear some alarmin' news when you get t' the city. Most folks there been told I'm dead, and it's important they ain't disabused o' that idea."

Suraksha looks faintly impressed, but simply nods silently, making a small 'go on' gesture. Then she blinks at a sudden, horrible thought, and adds in quiet sharpness, "Where's Mary!?"

Roy makes a calming gesture with his hands, "Shhh... it's alright. Miss Mary went up the river to St. Louis two weeks ago. She's got Jacko with her an' he'll be lettin' our friends up there know what's goin' down."

Suraksha relaxes with a soft sigh, nodding once, "All right. Sorry, dear... go on?" She is becoming, if anything, more confused! If Roy knew something bad was going down... why didn't he just stop it? She waits in silent attentiveness for his explanation.

"The next piece o' news yer gonna hear is that it's Pierce's fault I'm dead," Roy tosses his head as if to get his bangs out of his eyes. It's an old, ingrained gesture -- and needless, since his hair is nowhere near long enough to get into his eyes at the moment, "I figured you'd probably spot that as bullshit, even if we didn't manage to catch ya 'fore you got into the city. He's sittin' on the throne an' he's playing the traitor, but that's all it is. Playin'."

Suraksha raises an eyebrow again -- this has got to be hurting Pierce something fierce, considering how he feels about the roguish king! She murmurs with a dryly amused twist of her lips, "You had better have a damn generous reward for that poor man, once this is all cleared up! Well, go on -- should we be avoiding the city, or what? How long will you be with us?" There's a slight tightening of her face as she softly adds, "Will we have to play not being lovers the whole time?"

Roy leans in close enough to breathe in Sura's scent from her neck as he murmurs, "If you think I could keep that piece o' fiction up, you've overestimated me." He drops a kiss on her shoulder, "I figure even those that don't know me would accept you takin' a lover, yeah?" He sits up straight again so he doesn't get distracted, "Don't avoid the city. It'd look suspicious. Me'n Alan, maybe one or two more, are gonna need to travel with ya'll for a few months. Need a way to get up toward Boston without raisin' suspicions -- and Pierce will be well taken care of for this. Hell, he volunteered for the post. I had Jacko in mind for it." Suraksha has been joyously anticipating visiting Roy for months now -- she leans unwittingly toward him when he gets closer to her, and has to sigh and make herself straighten up when he does. Roy goes on, "I promise we'll pull our weight. I can even pay a bit, though I couldn't take much with me when we left. Look pretty damn suspicious if a good chunk of the city treasury got gone when I did."

Suraksha smiles relaxedly, "Oh, I suspect Ohkwa and Del will make sure you pull your weight, dear, as long as you don't overload us with people coming along. Room and board should be pay enough, yes?" That last is directed, along with an inquiring glance, at Sabrina. When the older looking woman smiles and nods, Suraksha grins and thanks her, then looks back at Roy, "All right, we'll pass through like usual. How do you want to hide while we're there, though? If we can recognize you, your own people certainly will."

Roy nods and grabs the poker that's lying near the fire. He uses it to sketch out the city and the trails around and through it, "Figured we'd meet you on the far side, actually. Been out in the swamps since my supposed death anyway." He marks two paths: the one the caravan will take through the city, and the one he and Alan will take around it to meet them. "It'll take us a few days, but you'll be stopped in the city for the normal trading for a couple of days at least. Expect Pierce to call you to the palace."

Suraksha murmurs ruefully, "Well, we usually spend at least two weeks in Baton Rouge. Should we shorten that, or make sure someone brings you hot food out in the swamps?"

Roy chuckles, "I can survive out there. But it'd be good if you could get things wrapped up a little faster than normal. I figger folks would believe you bein' a little put-out with the new regime." He lays the poker down again and leans forward, elbows on his knees and hands dangling, "Cher, there's a lot goin' on here, but it be best if you don' know all the details. What it comes down to is some folks were aimin' to get me dead. They went to Pierce an' he come to me. The story is he got bought."

Suraksha nods slowly, her expression troubled, "Well... as long as they believe Pierce is... purchasable." She sighs, wrapping her arms about her knees as she adds, "I'm going to worry for him too, I think. He's in a difficult spot -- what if one of your loyalists deci-" She cuts off abruptly, shaking her head and standing up, fists clenched, "No. No, I'm not going to borrow trouble. For now, we'll do the best we can to get out there to you as soon as is gracefully possible." With the toe of one small boot she indicates their meeting spot; then she looks unhappily to Roy, "We'll do the best we can, sweetheart. What else do you need?"

Roy says, "Enough of the guard know what's going on to keep a good eye on 'im. Trav is his captain of the guard. You 'n me both know ain't either of those boys for sale. Your godmomma taught 'em how to look like it, though. There's some folks out there think they own my city. You know how I feel 'bout that. I sent Mary up on a, what was the words.... diplomatic junket... up to St. Louis to get her outta the way. She's just a child and don't need to be tangled up in all this mess. Wish I didn't have to get ya'll involved, but I couldn't think of a better way to get up north without bein' seen." One hand reaches up and fingertips trail along Sura's cheek, "I could sure use a little time to relax, but it's up to you if we should risk me stayin' in your caravan t'night."

Suraksha stands still for a long moment, thinking... then she smiles affectionately down at Roy, "Well, despite your best efforts to get me to toss you out, dear man, you're going to have to do better than a shave and a mystery!" She laughs quietly, grabbing his hand and tugging a bit, "Aren't you sleepy yet?" She cheerfully adds, "That's godsmama, too! She'd be insulted if you thought she worshiped only one male deity!"

Roy laughs and lets himself be tugged to his feet, "Fuckin' exhausted, actually, but since when has that stopped me?" He grins down at Sura and slides an arm around her shoulder, "Hell, she knows I know better'n that."

Fantine sidles up to whisper something to Sura, which makes her laugh softly and give the taller woman a quick, one-armed hug, "Thanks so much, dear!" Then the little Hetaera smiles up at Roy warmly, although there's an edge of worry still to her almond-eyed gaze, "We'll see if Alg is willing to go along with you both into the swamps, then. Not only would that be like a vacation to him, but he's a superlative hunter -- if you two can cook it, he can keep you both well-fed!" The goblin brightens a bit at that, watching relaxedly as Sura urges Roy to her gaily-painted wagon. Fantine and Sabrina watch as well, and Fantine murmurs quietly to the other woman, "Merci with moving les bébés to bed in your wagon, madame." Sabrina chuckles.

Despite the dire circumstances, Roy proves singularly incapable of keeping his hands to himself once the pair of them are alone. They don't have the luxury of being able to forget the next morning's responsibilities, so they aren't up all night, but they spend ample time reminding one another of one of the several reasons they have remained lovers over so many years. Suraksha finds she misses Roy's thick, lovely hair -- but is just relieved he's safe and sound. Roy chuckles when Sura makes a face and mentions the lack of hair when she runs her hands over his head, "It'll grow back, cherie. Promise. I won't cut it for a year once I'm back home."

The next morning Roy is up and pulling on his jeans before the sun is even risen; he is all too glad to accept Alg's assistance. He and Alan are both decent hunters, but they've had to spend more time tracking and hiding than hunting. The two men and the goblin slip out of camp quietly, leaving the caravan to head on into the city without them. Suraksha will hug him and send him, Alg, and Alan on their way after another hot meal, then turn her attention to making sure the caravan arrives safely at the city -- and that everyone knows what's up regarding Rattler/Roy, so no one blurts out something they shouldn't, in Baton Rouge. She also continues to act as though she expects to see Roy, dressing a bit more nicely than usual, and planning to head to the palace as soon as the caravan is settled in its usual spot.

The difference in the climate of the city is apparent the moment the caravan approaches. There are armed guards where there were none before and the customs inspectors are being unusually thorough. It's a good thing the caravaneers have had a lot of practice at hiding what contraband they might be carrying -- it varies so much from city to city, after all, that almost all traders are smugglers to some degree. Suraksha is rather startled at the armed guards, and she checks them visually for anyone she knows as she says, "Gracious, this is new! Has there been political or smuggling trouble in Baton Rouge?"

One of the guards at the customs post is one of the young men in the original training class which Sna'tha held for Roy's guards several years back. He's the one that answers, voice gruff and seeming to hold a little real pain, "There's been a few changes, ma'am. We were told to look out for your caravan. The king has asked us to bring you up to the palace soon as you got here."

Suraksha smiles down at the young man, "Daoud, isn't it? Of course I'll head right to the palace!" There's warmth in her voice as she adds happily, "I've been looking forward to this for months now!"

Daoud hesitates and then lays his hand on Suraksha's forearm, lowering his voice, "Ma'am..." he's obviously struggling between wanting to say something and being told not to, "I wouldn't get too... ahh... enthusiastic. Things aren't the way you remember them."

Sulochana tilts her head curiously at the guard, "How do you mean? Does he have a visiting queen or other female companion here right now?" She smiles, "Surely you know Hetaerae are not the jealous type?" She pats his hand reassuringly.

Daoud tries a smile. Smiles never looked quite right on his face and it looks even more foreign now, "It's not the female companionship that's changed, ma'am." It's obvious he's struggling with something, but finally just says, "Just... watch yourself, yeah?" The other guards around him are giving Daoud disapproving looks, and the young man steps away to continue helping with the checking of the caravan. Sulochana nods a bit bemusedly, but smiles and wishes him a good day as the wagons continue to be checked. She wonders if he'll be the one to escort her to the palace; she rather hopes so, so Pierce (or someone) can help alleviate the poor man's pain.

In fact, Daoud does maneuver his way to being her escort to the palace. The leader of the guard contingent, a woman that Sura doesn't recognize, doesn't seem thrilled with it but lets it go. Sulochana waves cheerfully as the wagons finally start rumbling forward to the campsite. She checks to be sure Ohkwa has everything under control, Gramma Marcie is ready to go, and everyone is fine, before she takes a moment to primp a bit, then come trotting out to beam at Daoud, "Shall we head to the palace now? My people have everything under control here." She's internally relieved Gramma Marcie insisted on being the one to accompany her. While the Hetaera doesn't expect attack, per se... she is a bit worried as to the current state of the city.

Daoud looks miserable as he escorts the cheerful Hetaera out of the encampment. He doesn't hang his head, but he manages to drag his feet a little while they can still be seen by the other guards. Sulochana doesn't hurry as she strolls along with one hand decorously tucked into Daoud's arm; they have an old woman walking with them, after all. However, once they're out of sight of the other guards, the cheerfully chattering Hetaera murmurs, without missing a beat, "All right, out with it, Daoud -- what in heavens name is going on?" Simultaneously, once they're out of sight of the customs post Daoud straightens up a little and stops Sulochana and Gramma Marcie. He thinks for a moment and then asks, "Did anyone stop you on your way into the city?"

Sulochana grins as they both speak at the same time, and takes a good, careful look at the young man's chakras before she says, "We're a caravan. People always want us to stop and pass on the news. Did you have someone in particular in mind?"

Daoud's chakras look fine, though she can tell by the pattern that the young man is under some amount of stress, "Maybe a swamp rat. Calls himself Rattler?"

Sulochana grins at Daoud, her eyes sparkling, but it's Gramma Marcie who snorts and spits indelicately as she tugs on the camel's leadrope, "Unreliable rogues, those swamp rats! Oh, aye, we saw 'im!" Sulochana has to cover a giggle at the older woman's dour tone; Gramma Marcie is an utterly convincing actress when she wishes to be.

Daoud nods and some tension goes out of his shoulders, "Good. Good... then the less said, the better."

The guards at the entrance to the palace nod to Daoud and the women. The mood in the streets is somber, as if someone had turned down the volume on the normally exuberant town. There are no overt signs of mourning, no flags at half-mast -- but there are a few discreet armbands of black crepe. Sulochana is internally touched at sight of the armbands -- those must be brave people indeed, to so clearly declare their allegiance to their supposedly deceased king. Her visible demeanor is worried, however -- slightly wondering -- as they head into the palace, and as they walk past the guards she murmurs to Daoud, "Did... has someone died, Daoud? Was there another voudon attack on Roy or something?"

Daoud's voice is low and says, "More serious than that." There are people moving through the halls quite busily; several of them are completely unfamiliar. The guardsman appears every inch the conflicted soldier, "I was ordered not to tell you..." His eyes flick to a couple of the strangers that pass them: seemingly innocuous bureaucrats. To anyone knowing what to look for, Daoud might as well have painted scarlet X's on their foreheads, marking them. "You'll have to see for yourself."

Sulochana nods silently, her gaze helplessly worried as she looks around. To passers-by, clearly she is confused and disoriented. As one of the bureaucrats is going by, 'Chana falteringly murmurs to Gramma Marcie, "You don't... surely no one would kill poor little Mary, to get at Roy?"

The passing bureaucrat gives Daoud a withering look, but doesn't pause in his pace. Daoud, seeing that she's playing the role aright, leads her to the door of the throne room and introduces her to the guards there. They are both ones that she recognizes from training with Sna'tha. Sulochana brightens slightly at sight of the guards she knows, greeting them by name. Gramma Marcie has already peeled off to hand off the camel, but 'Chana knows the apparent old woman will be nosing about busily to get the lay of the land. Daoud lays a hand on Sura's shoulder and squeezes lightly, "I leave you here for now, ma'am."

Sulochana waits for the doors to be opened for her, and to be announced. With a small smile she adds to the known guards, "Had I realized I'd be brought here, rather than to Roy's rooms, I'd have dressed up more!" The guards both tighten up a little at that, but neither of them speaks. Daoud slips off into the stream of people and the guards on the doors open them to admit her. The Hetaera paces into the throne room and waits to be announced -- but her golden-eyed gaze is already on the throne, bright with anticipation.

The doors open and reveal a room full of courtiers and lackeys. The throne is draped in blue rather than Roy's favorite red and the baton is missing from its place of honor. In its stead is a crest showing a rattlesnake wrapped around a staff. Pierce looks more regal than Sulochana has ever seen him and he shows every evidence of irritation and boredom as he sits in his friend's rightful place. Sulochana is almost as good an actress as Sna'tha -- she blinks at sight of Pierce on the throne, then glances swiftly around, perplexity on her face. There's dawning shock and horror for an instant -- hastily covered with a politely impassive smile -- as she apparently realizes whose death must be the cause of mourning in the city.

When she is announced, a hush comes over the room, followed immediately by a tidal wave of whispers as the Hetaera sees who occupies the throne. If she hesitates on her way up the aisle, one of the guards steps up close enough behind her that she has to take a step to keep from being nudged physically forward. Sulochana is a professional, however; she paces steadily toward the throne, then pauses and studies Pierce for a long moment. Then she smiles with a touch of rue as she tilts her head, gracefully shrugging one shoulder as she murmurs, "Le roi est mort; vive le roi. How may I be of service, your majesty?"

The look of pain that flashes across Pierce's face is there for less than a second before it is replaced by a smirk that seems quite real, "I believe we should discuss the details of that in private, Hetaera. It's well-known in the city that the former king was a long-time client of yours. I see no reason that the relationship with the throne should change simply because a better man has ascended it."

Sulochana murmurs with silky, almost distant, calm, "Good business women are always willing to listen to interesting offers, your majesty. Should I return at a later time?"

Pierce's smirk broadens slightly and he glances toward the doorway, over which is a large and elaborate clock. "There's no need to put it off. I have had enough of court for the day." He motions the two guards that stand on either side of the throne forward, "Please see this... lady... to my chambers." One of the guards is Travis, looking older and grimmer.

Sulochana raises an eyebrow, straightening and looking suddenly less a small, helpless woman -- and more the Hetaera. Her voice is distinctly cool, "Gracious, your majesty, I am flattered at your eagerness. Nevertheless, traditionally negotiations are conducted in... less emotionally invested surroundings." She may know this is a show, but that does not mean she will not do her best to behave the precise way she would did she not know of the coup.

Pierce leans forward and says, "Then we will negotiate somewhere less emotional." He turns to Travis, "Please escort her to my office. I will meet you there in fifteen minutes." Sulochana nods graciously to the new king, then turns to follow Travis, her head held high. She has absolutely nothing to say to anyone in the hallways; she is entirely the coolly collected Hetaera, completely hiding her actual emotions. The courtiers watch her leave, some of them surreptitiously looking toward Pierce. The new king is making rather a show of watching her leave, and that gets thrown in as more grist for the rumor mill.

Trav and the other guard lead Sulochana down the hallways to a room she's never actually entered before -- it's not even in the same wing as Roy's former rooms. It is, however, in the wing that was originally intended for visiting dignitaries. Sulochana glances around with carefully surreptitious interest as they traverse the hallways. The Hetaera will not speak to the guards, however, unless they speak to her first. As they walk, she can see the halls have been hung with banners bearing the same crest as behind the throne. The office she's shown into is meticulously kept with Pierce's prize butterflies in their cases on the walls -- she even recognizes the cases that she helped him to get several years back. There are a few very well-kept books on a shelf, and a large oaken desk.

It is not until she's alone in the room that 'Chana relaxes a bit -- and swiftly starts examining it, checking for anyplace someone could hide and listen. Travis steps into the room with her and closes the door. As she starts examining the room, he taps her on the shoulder and points to what was originally built to be a bookcase. With the rarity of books, it now houses delicate objets d'art -- one of which is a careful carving of a badger standing upright on a log. Sulochana tilts her head curiously at Travis, then heads for the bookcase to study the objects therein. She runs gentle fingers over the items, glancing occasionally at Travis to try and figure out what it is he wants her to realize.

Once she's close, Sulochana can see that the badger is actually a lever. She looks first surprised, then intrigued. She grins, glancing over her shoulder at Travis and pantomiming pulling the lever, to see if he nods agreement, or shakes his head no in warning. That he's not yet spoken says to her that this room is not secured against eavesdroppers. Trav's eyes twinkle and he steps close to her, murmuring, "Escape hatch. Like a badger going to ground. Mal's checking to make sure no one's listening in." He's standing in such a way that anyone coming in unexpectedly might think he was making some indecent proposition.

Sulochana nods thoughtfully, deciding not to pull the lever then. Instead she turns and looks around at the room. Her smile softens a little at sight of the butterfly cases -- she remembers fondly helping Pierce purchase those -- and unless Travis stops her, she'll head over to look at them again. She sighs softly, touching very lightly with just her fingertips on the glass, as she studies the lovely display... although that's not what she's seeing in her mind's eye. She wonders unhappily if Roy is still doing well with Alg and Alan, if Mary is in on the plot, if Pierce is holding up all right under the strain... and what in heavens' name Boston has to do with all this subterfuge!

Travis chuckles as she moves around him and toward the cases. There's strain in his voice, however, and he moves with her again. This time it's easier to tell that he's putting himself between her and the doorway. Sulochana looks up from the cases at Travis, her brow furrowed with thought: what is Travis shielding her from? She glances around the room again, trying to figure it out. She doesn't move away again, though; no need to make his job more difficult. There are no windows in the room. Her eyes narrow in thought: could this be a set-up, perhaps -- so Pierce can supposedly angrily send Travis to stand outside the room? Actually, she realizes Travis simply seems to be providing a human shield between Sulochana and the only entrance into the room. To someone that didn't know better, however, it might seem like he was trying to keep her from leaving.

After several minutes there's a patterned knock on the door and Trav takes a step back and a deep breath, "Place is clear, ma'am. You'n Pierce will be able to talk freely." He rests a hand on her shoulder, "It's not..." he pauses, trying to formulate words.

Sulochana smiles up at Travis, her golden eyes serene, "Yes. I know, Trav. Don't worry." She grins and deliberately teases him gently, "Besides... isn't it his majesty -- not Pierce -- right now?"

Travis looks into her eyes for a moment, sees the peace there, and relaxes visibly. He quirks an edgy smile, "You're right. His Majesty."

The door opens on this, and Pierce comes in, shutting the door quickly, "His Majesty is out in the swamps somewhere with one bodyguard."

Sulochana blinks as Pierce apparently answers her teasing comment -- then realizes he's trying to reassure her. She turns and heads directly to him, her hands out to take his, "Pierce, my dear! How are you holding up?"

Pierce takes her hands and smiles wryly before enfolding her in a brief but tight hug, "Like hell. I'm sorry about the big public show. I'm having to play the arrogant usurper." Travis stays inside the room, but moves near the door. Mal, the other guard, is outside.

Sulochana returns the hug warmly; she genuinely liked and admired the man before this. To be willing to play such a difficult and painful part ratchets him even higher in her estimation. She'll ease him smoothly to a chair and get him to sit and relax a bit, if she can, and she glances at Travis, murmuring, "Some hot tea, perhaps?" To Pierce she smiles, "I know; we found him on the way into town, and he has Alg with him as well. Now, don't worry about me. How can we help while we're here? Or would our getting out of town as swiftly as possible be best for you?" She pats his hands reassuringly as she adds, "As far as our supposed negotiations, I would ordinarily put a new client off for a visit or two, so you needn't play the lover for me as well, dear." She grins mischievously as she adds, "Just like I did with Roy, in fact!"

Pierce snorts, remembering Roy's consternation at 'Chana's initial coolness toward him -- Roy was not, and really is not, used to having his advances rebuffed. The former medic settles into a chair, but makes sure she does as well, "I don't need any more caffeine. I haven't been sleeping as it is."

Sulochana is happy to sit as well. "Well, perhaps something else to relax with? Lemonade, maybe? And again, Pierce: how can we best help?"

Travis sticks his head out the door and has Mal pass the request for something cool and soothing to drink. Pierce settles into the chair behind the desk and reaches over to touch a piece of river stone being used as a paperweight, "I don't want it to look like I ran you off or you left in a huff. Trade is part of why all this is happening, and we need to seem to have good relations." He smiles briefly, "I hope we do actually still have good relations. If Roy found you and gave you an idea what's up..."

Sulochana laughs softly, "Of course he did, dear. Who do you think I meant when I said 'he' had Alg with him? I don't know everything, but if I don't need to then no reason to worry about telling me." She settles back in her chair, clearly willing to just sit and chat with Pierce for a bit if that would help him relax.

Pierce relaxes and nods, "That's what I figured you meant; I'm glad Alg is with him. I'm being over-protective. Roy could disappear into those swamps, never to be seen again, and I don't mean he'd die. He just wouldn't be found if he didn't want to. But it's a physician's job to worry." Over the next hour he sketches in a few details of what's going on. Mary is aware of the plot and was sent out of town so there were less people in town having to play the charade. Boston has sent several delegates to the city, including a few guards. Travis steps in at that point and assures her that though the Bostonians may seem to have some control in the guard corps, it is a semblance only. They also decide that the caravan should cut their visit short by just a few days.

Eventually the little group leaves the office, and Pierce walks with Sulochana to the front doors of the palace. He's spent years in court and knows all the right words and gestures to make, in order to seem flirtatious when he's not actually feeling it. He makes sure to employ them as they go through the public parts of the palace. Sulochana is gently flirtatious in return with Pierce as well, as if she regrets having to deny him. On the way Pierce also introduces Sulochana to a couple of the visiting delegation. One of them -- whom Daoud had already subtly pointed out -- is named Henry, and the other is a woman by the name of Elizabeth-Ann. 'Chana is charming and interested in meeting the Bostonians, especially if there's the possibility of trade negotiations with them. She does not show it at all, but she's also keenly interested in anything they might let drop about what's going on. With everyone she is the perfect, poised, mildly amused Hetaera, as if she finds inexplicable all the furor over replacing one king with another.

Over the next several days Sulochana is invited back to the palace by Pierce to continue the supposed negotiations. In reality, they spend most of the time discussing the caravan's route northeast from the city, and playing many games of chess. They also decide that Roy and Alan should probably go alone. The more people that go missing, the more likely it is to be noticed -- and the harder they will be to hide, even in the controlled chaos of a caravan. The newly-installed faux-king puts on a very public show of being reluctant to have Sulochana leave -- while in reality he is quite eager for the caravan to get to the other side of the city and pick Roy and Alan up.

Just before she leaves for the last time, Sulochana gives Pierce a tight hug and tells him to be smart and cautious and to take care of himself and the city. She turns to Travis and sternly tells him to take good care of Pierce, as well... and then she heads off to the caravan to depart. She's not surprised the Bostonians weren't interested in meeting her; they probably had their hands full trying to pacify a rambunctious city, after all. She will, if the caravan feels up to it, push a little to go a few miles more than usual for the next day or three, so they can get to the meeting point as soon as possible.

No sooner has the caravan arrived at the meeting point than an eager Alg comes loping out of the underbrush at the side of the road. He scrambles around to 'Chana's caravan immediately and gabbles about missing his pretty lady. He also brags extensively, in his goblinish way, about how much food he found for the king and the guard. Suraksha laughs and hugs the gleefully messy goblin, praising him quite sincerely for taking such good care of Roy for her! Roy and Alan are a little slower finding 'Chana's wagon, but the king-in-exile is much more affectionate in his greeting. The Hetaera is quite fervent in her greeting of Roy as well! At Alan's urging, the caravan actually goes a few more miles before stopping for the night.

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Last modified: 2010-Aug-28 20:29:49

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