Altriona: Journal the Ninth
Jan. 3rd, 2010 06:10 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
velvetpageI feel like the lobster who, in trying to escape the boiling pot of water, flipped himself directly into the fire.
While the pig Tibault was dying, throwing the whole city into disorder in the process, Mallion was off murdering Nana D'Naufragios in her bed. I will not be such a hypocrite as to say I am entirely sorry for this. Her family was attempting to fleece us and was succeeding quite admirably. However, the expectation was that he would encourage the D'Naufragios clan to fix our ship faster to get rid of us, rather than convince them to seek revenge upon us.
Lorandara and I left the Prince's palace this morning to seek support at the home of Lady Grimaldi. She was rather non-plussed to discover we had not bidden the Prince farewell. Our reasoning was that we needed to be able to return if Lady Grimaldi would not host us, and we did not choose to give the Prince an opportunity to prevent us from leaving the palace; however I will admit here, in the privacy of my journal, that it was not well-done of us.
In any case, we sought Lady Grimaldi's home and found it, and were entertained by her. Lorandara spoke with her far more frankly than I think was wise about Morethlaine, and both the Lady and her doctor friend leapt to the obvious connection: that our Morethlaine was behind the theft of some goats, and the death of Nana D'Naufragios. Lorandara asked that Morethlaine be accepted at Lady Grimaldi's house as a guest; I heard some other plan in her voice, and am not willing to take that chance. Though our hostess is nothing if not unconventional, she is yet a subject of the Prince and a noble of this city. We cannot presume that her hospitality to us will outweigh her political responsibilities within the city, and her responsibility will be to turn a murderous beastman over to the authorities.
I have also ascertained that our original purpose in visiting this house was for naught. Dr. Plith's experiments are all animals, grossly maltreated, but to the best of my knowledge without human intelligence save one - a cat with the brain of a human child. I had difficulty retaining my supper when he explained what it was. Though Mallion, Lorandara and I had discussed the possibility of freeing whatever beastmen the doctor might be holding, there are none there that could help us even if we should free them. I do not think the Doctor can help Mallion, and I'm not at all sure I would want him to try.
Dr. Plith pointed out another troubling issue. Having left the palace so precipitously as we did, it could easily be supposed that we were the cause of the swine's death, especially as there is only our word for it that the person who administered the poison was in league with the Abbatistas. Once Lady Grimaldi makes a connection between the beastman who killed Nana D'Naufragios and the elves who killed the Prince's mascot, it would not be difficult to sway the tide of public opinion against us.
It all comes down to one truth: we need out of this city as soon as possible. Since Mallion is unable to conduct the transactions and Lorandara has no head for this type of business, it falls to me to secure us funds, a ship, and a crew for her, preferably with enough room aboard to take on our elven crew from the other ship. Though the Lady offered us passage on a trading ship of her own, the fact is, we have no intention of sailing for home.
With Mallion still transformed and hope fading that his elven form will be returned to him, we have two choices: abandon him to his fate and leave for home, or accept a life as outlaws. Neither Lorandara nor I are willing to abandon him, so it would seem the choice is made.
We still need a ship, though, and a cargo for it.
The only saving grace I can find in this mess is that I had the foresight to keep Mallion's signet ring with me. With it, I have the authority to make business transactions in the name of Imholien House, and Valadar (and his puppet) are bound to honour any promissary notes I sign. It is a small comfort, but those seem to be the only comforts I can find. I will take what I can get.
While the pig Tibault was dying, throwing the whole city into disorder in the process, Mallion was off murdering Nana D'Naufragios in her bed. I will not be such a hypocrite as to say I am entirely sorry for this. Her family was attempting to fleece us and was succeeding quite admirably. However, the expectation was that he would encourage the D'Naufragios clan to fix our ship faster to get rid of us, rather than convince them to seek revenge upon us.
Lorandara and I left the Prince's palace this morning to seek support at the home of Lady Grimaldi. She was rather non-plussed to discover we had not bidden the Prince farewell. Our reasoning was that we needed to be able to return if Lady Grimaldi would not host us, and we did not choose to give the Prince an opportunity to prevent us from leaving the palace; however I will admit here, in the privacy of my journal, that it was not well-done of us.
In any case, we sought Lady Grimaldi's home and found it, and were entertained by her. Lorandara spoke with her far more frankly than I think was wise about Morethlaine, and both the Lady and her doctor friend leapt to the obvious connection: that our Morethlaine was behind the theft of some goats, and the death of Nana D'Naufragios. Lorandara asked that Morethlaine be accepted at Lady Grimaldi's house as a guest; I heard some other plan in her voice, and am not willing to take that chance. Though our hostess is nothing if not unconventional, she is yet a subject of the Prince and a noble of this city. We cannot presume that her hospitality to us will outweigh her political responsibilities within the city, and her responsibility will be to turn a murderous beastman over to the authorities.
I have also ascertained that our original purpose in visiting this house was for naught. Dr. Plith's experiments are all animals, grossly maltreated, but to the best of my knowledge without human intelligence save one - a cat with the brain of a human child. I had difficulty retaining my supper when he explained what it was. Though Mallion, Lorandara and I had discussed the possibility of freeing whatever beastmen the doctor might be holding, there are none there that could help us even if we should free them. I do not think the Doctor can help Mallion, and I'm not at all sure I would want him to try.
Dr. Plith pointed out another troubling issue. Having left the palace so precipitously as we did, it could easily be supposed that we were the cause of the swine's death, especially as there is only our word for it that the person who administered the poison was in league with the Abbatistas. Once Lady Grimaldi makes a connection between the beastman who killed Nana D'Naufragios and the elves who killed the Prince's mascot, it would not be difficult to sway the tide of public opinion against us.
It all comes down to one truth: we need out of this city as soon as possible. Since Mallion is unable to conduct the transactions and Lorandara has no head for this type of business, it falls to me to secure us funds, a ship, and a crew for her, preferably with enough room aboard to take on our elven crew from the other ship. Though the Lady offered us passage on a trading ship of her own, the fact is, we have no intention of sailing for home.
With Mallion still transformed and hope fading that his elven form will be returned to him, we have two choices: abandon him to his fate and leave for home, or accept a life as outlaws. Neither Lorandara nor I are willing to abandon him, so it would seem the choice is made.
We still need a ship, though, and a cargo for it.
The only saving grace I can find in this mess is that I had the foresight to keep Mallion's signet ring with me. With it, I have the authority to make business transactions in the name of Imholien House, and Valadar (and his puppet) are bound to honour any promissary notes I sign. It is a small comfort, but those seem to be the only comforts I can find. I will take what I can get.