The Duke's Bride

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

"It is truly a shame but one I aim to fix. If only we could all have such dutiful advisors at our side as you." I say sweetly quickly picking that Harrod is the brains in the duchy and gamallen simply the face.

[Judge Harrod Blacquin]

A thin, yet sincere smile appears for a moment. "Alas, I am but one man and can guide only what is given unto my care."

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

"Indeed, still if it would not overly trouble you I would like permission to write from time to time for advice. I could use a mind like yours on my side with.." I say glancing at the door to lances room "things the way they are guidance from an experienced gentalman would be greatly appreciated." I say smiling sadly

[Judge Harrod Blacquin]

"I am not opposed to assisting and advising," Harrod says slowly, eyes narrowing slightly.

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

"It would be a great help to ease my mind"

[Judge Harrod Blacquin]

"Very good then. Shall I assume you are staying at the Randall estate?"

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

"Indeed for the time being...." I say as a nock comes from the survents door be fore it opens to show Tova with a sealed missive. I know already what it will say but still "will you excuse me for a moment?" I say risking and stepping to the side to listen to her urgent whisper of a messenger bird bringing this marked urgent I read it over twice frowning before sighing. "It seams we are being recalled. Please notify his excellency and give our deepest condolences for having to leave as soon as we have arrived. It seams I was over confidant in who's hands I left my duchess." I say gravely "his excellency duke randell and I shall leave right away and leave our small staff to collect out things and carriage. Again I am true,y sorry." I say allowing my voice to quiver just a bit before swallowing and putting on a brave face

[Judge Harrod Blacquin]

Harrod had politely take out the little folding desk from under his arm and begun to read one of the dozens of half sheets stored inside to give at least partial privacy, but looks up as Elaina begins to speak. "I see," he responds in a deliberate, thoughtful voice. "I am sure Duke Gamlen will be deeply disappointed by this news but duty must come first. Please, dress yourself for travel and make your plans; I will speak with the stable and have your mounts and carriage readied." Rising to his feet, he bows sharply, intending to depart the room unless given good reason not to.

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

"Thank you for your duty and I shall write as soon as I'm able sir Blacquin." I say somberly before going about preparing to leave.

[Tova koshack]

I take one last look out the window and watch as Garret and wild drive the carriage away. Carol is tucked safely inside a chest with in on her way to freedom. Eliana had been a bit surprised to find that Gamlell, under blacquins orders had sent a small honor guard with them, but they will be quickly dispatched by Elianas mercenaries if they cause trouble. That only leaves Beth to rescue.

I stroke the coin in my pocket gently feeling it humn with magic. A coin of transport to bring me directly to Eliana. It will take a small bit of working to bring the two of us but still worth it if Beaty gets to taste freedom.

I clam my mind and clear my head as I slip easily into the survents passage way and steal silently into Beth's room the coin in one hand the small blade I carry in the other the enchantment on my lips ready for anything....

[NPCs]

The bedroom is unlit, the only illumination a small pool of light coming from underneath the door to the bathroom. There's nothing that seems out of place or suspicious and yet Tova still feels the back of her neck prickle. Still, despite the semi-retired assassin's better judgement telling her to withdraw, there's still an innocent young girl that needs rescuing. As she makes her way further into the room, pausing for a second to debate over checking the main room of Beth's suite or heading straight for the apparently in-use bathroom, she's interrupted by the room filing with blinding light. At the same time, both doors are violently opened and hurried footsteps clomp into the room. At least a half dozen treads, all of them heavy and firm.

[Tova koshack]

Fuck I'm surrounded but I see her held tightly by some guards. There's not man6 ways out of this but I need to try. "My lady!" I cray in shock "why have you detained her?" I shriek "unhand her!" I say rushing words her

[NPCs]

There's a few coarse laughs as she's baited and surrounded. The guards are well trained, both as individuals and as a team, striking in coordinated gambits designed to wear her down and hinder her ability to fight. In the main room, Beth sways, head bobbing bonelessly in time to some private music. There's a servant standing next to her, but no guard, and she's unbound in any way. However, she makes no attempt to flee or help Tova; in fact, she barely seems to realize what's going on. Drugged again, clearly. 

Just as the witch is starting to get her vision back, one of the guards steps back and grabs a bucket of viscous blue fluid that he flings over Tova. It clings to her body, reeking of jasmine, moss, and some kind of alkaline. The skin it touches grows numb and than it starts to harden, clinging to her so tightly it's binding her movements.

[Tova koshack]

Shit. This is bad. Beth's drugged and I can't fight as I want to with her in the way. I'm close enough though... on mad dash has me pressing the coin firmly into Beth's chest "laputa!" I shout and she's gone in a flash.

"Kerina" I say the blue fluid cracks and I get two good swings in before the drug like effect starts to kick in "lap...laputa... nar...vo" I tray to stammer the following spell as I crumple to the ground the world going dark. It doesn't matter if they kill me beth is safe and Eliana will go on with out me. The last of my vision fades to black

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

Carol and I are sitting in the parlor drinking tea when the lights flash and Beth arrives with a thud on the floor. She's alive but drugged. I send Sara to feather a generic pepper up potion. As I feed it to her I wait for Tova. I feel the pull on our bond but then nothing. Something I very wrong I know it. First the guards we had to kill and now this. Beth alone with Tova's coin. I know we've been found out and it's my fault. I moved to fast to sudden and now Tova is paying for it.

I didn't want this to be a war but it may be now. I pen two quick letters. One to my allies in the underworld to be my eyes and find Tova for me one to sir Blacquin it simply reads "well played. Let's meet face to face on equal ground one guard each to discuss terms. No mans land midday tomorrow" and send it by messenger bird directly to him

As I wait I call Wild to mr. "Wild Tova didn't come back..." I say my voice wavering "I'm so sorry" I say crumpling "I'm so so sorry?