“And what fortunate happenstance has brought you to my door?” Guillaume asked, as the tea was served.

“It occurred to me,” I said carefully, “That one explanation for you not saying anything of consequence in four visits was that you were waiting for me to show enough interest to come visit you.”

Guillaume smiled as he sipped his tea. We were sitting in his private sitting room, part of his suite in the castle. Needless to say, even as a mere ward of the Count, his room was furnished much more lavishly than mine.

“It is tradition, for the woman to be the one pursued,” he admitted. “However, I feel that the true criteria for that distinction is that the more powerful of the two parties should be the one pursuing.”

“Flattering, but do you really think a commoner holds the power here? Or, in the city more generally?” I tried one of the biscuits he offered me. Delicious of course. I was starving, but [Charm] kept it from showing. This meeting was happening… not right after our sewer adventure, but I’d been too busy to eat between then and now. Or wash, for that matter. I thanked whoever was responsible for [Disguise] that it covered the sense of smell.

“Of course,” he said easily. “I may have noble blood, but I hold no title, or office, and am merely a ward of my betters. You on the other hand…” he trailed off, perhaps hoping I would say something about myself. I raised an eyebrow and he shrugged.

“You, on the other hand, have swiftly moved to solidify a position among a leading guild. They’ve been very closed mouthed about what you’ve done to earn that position, but it would be quite a co-incidence if you didn’t have something to do with the sudden availability of Enchanted weapons.”

I affected an innocent look, while I had [Charm] give me a countdown on how I long I had to wait to take the next biscuit.

He wasn’t done, though. “[Enchanter] has a level five requirement, and requires that you have the skill,” he mused, “All the other classes with the skill have even higher level requirements.”

“A profession isn’t the only way to get the skill.” I pointed out.

“An unknown patron is even more frightening than a curiously humble [Archmage],” he countered. “You, at least, can offer assurances that you mean no harm, but can you say the same about a mysterious Power that uses you as a cats-paw?”

I grimaced. Well, this was a polite conversation: I creased my brow, ever so slightly, which was the equivalent.

“I should hope that my actions speak more loudly than any speculation about my intentions.” I said calmly. “I’ve brought nothing but prosperity to those that have taken me in.”

“Speaking, again, to the power you hold. You can bring prosperity, while I have no useful skills.” He bowed his head, a token submission.

“Even if I was the most powerful between us, the fact is that you have a backer of your own.”

“You are referring to my uncle?” he asked, smiling. He knew that I did not.

“Of course.” It wasn’t yet time to bring that up.

“Then perhaps we should contend on merely our own merits,” he conceded. Contending for the position of ‘least powerful’ didn’t seem very useful to me, but the point here was to keep him talking, so whatever. “You haven’t said, but it's quite common for those with the [Enchanting] skill to have an additional form of magic.”

“It’s not a requirement.” I pointed out.

“Still,” he insisted. “There are rumours of a mysterious [Illusionist] in town.”

I gave him a look. “Are you referring to the rumours of the [Illusionist] who magicked up a horde of bandits to terrify…” I paused to fake my recollecting the name of the place, “Bourneby? I hope you’re not accusing me of being in league with bandits?”

“Not at all! Have you not heard that there were two [Illusionists] in that fight? One saved the day by dispelling the miscreant’s illusions.”

“Unlikely,” I scoffed. “If there was such a person, wouldn’t they have shown up to be rewarded? Far more likely that the [Illusionist] turned on his companions, and invented the other one in case he failed.”

He laughed. “That is an amusing thought. Bandits are a suspicious lot, so I’m sure they gave him a hard time. However.” He sobered up suddenly. “If that were the case, the man would have also shown up for his reward from my uncle.”

One of the… dozen knots of tension in my spine slowly released. He didn’t mention the Thieves guild. He didn’t know yet.

[Conversation] Level 4 acquired through use

For gaining a skill level you have been awarded 1 XP

I thought that we’d moved fast enough for word not to have reached him yet, but I hadn’t been sure.

Time to give him something. “I suppose,” I said idly, “That it might be possible a second [Illusionist] was in the village on their own business when it was attacked.”

“How unfortunate… for the bandits.”

“Were they really bandits though?” I asked, “They must have been quite organised to have obtained help from a caster.”

“You think they were part of some scheme?” He asked, his eyes narrowing. The conversation had gotten a bit dangerous for him, as - of course - they were a part of his scheme.

“Who can say?” I shrugged, releasing the pressure a bit. “But if they were, then this [Illusionist] might have spoiled it just because they didn’t know what was going on.”

“Two ships… colliding in the night.” He looked at me doubtfully. “And what do you think that second [Illusionist’s] goals might have been?”

“Well, I’m sure I don’t know,” I admonished him. He flushed with embarrassment at his gaffe. That had practically been direct question. Foul!

“It seems likely though…” I said, letting him off the hook. Or maybe this was giving him line? “That if they were new in town, and had just stumbled on to a scheme involving major players, they would take steps to make sure they didn’t step on any toes again.”

“That would only be natural,” he said. I could practically see his mind racing. “And would they - “ he cut himself off before he asked a second direct question. “I’m sure that the major players would be interested in any input or direct aid he could give.”

We looked at each other, not saying anything, each of us knowing what the other wanted. I smiled. [Persuasion] was starting to kick in. You couldn’t just hit someone with the skill, you actually had to have persuasive reasons. If you framed it right, they identified the pressure they felt as their own feelings. Guillaume wasn’t bad at the skill either, which made it harder. But I was better.

I changed the subject, the better to keep him from realising what had happened. “I’m surprised, that you’re willing to have this discussion here. Aren’t you worried about eavesdropping servants?” Spies of your target, your uncle. I didn’t say. Nor did I say: This is a dangerous conversation. Both messages were received clearly, though.

“I’ve lived all my life in this castle,” he said smiling. This was solid conversational ground for him, and it put him at ease. “I know where all the hiding holes are.”

“Then tell me, what are you offering?” Sudden directness. We were conspirators now, in a safe place.

“I can’t offer anything right now…” he said helplessly. I suspect if I was the mercenary I was pretending to be, I would have walked out there. Instead I just gave a slight frown. “But I don’t need you to take any action! Just don’t interfere in anything until the Autumn ball.”

“That’s when it’s going down?” I asked, and he nodded. “I’m attending the ball, did you forget?”

“You’ll be fine! The guests are witnesses,” he assured me. “None of them are going to be hurt. And afterwards, well, I’ll have need of people. I’ll be able to pay, grant titles even, to the right people.”

Because I’ll be the Count, he didn’t say.

“Are you sure it will still work?” I asked. “The Count surely knows there are no demons by now.”

“That part was only a distraction anyway,” he shrugged. “It will be less effective, but the townsfolk will still believe what they see rather than what Uncle tells them.”

“I heard the story,” I said. I needed to deepen the emotional connection. “How your father used to be the Count.”

His eyes narrowed. “Uncle Lowel should have been my regent, ruling only until I came of age. But that wasn’t enough for him.”

“You’ve been planning all this since then?”

“There was nothing I could do as a child,” he said bitterly. “Nothing that I could do even now, without… help.”

Not quite time yet.

“He has heirs, though. Are you really going to…”

“It’s the only way.” He looked away, ashamed. These were his family members he was talking about. People he’d grown up with. I was pretty sure there were a few younger children in that family as well. “To restore me… to restore justice. Someone else will… be taking care of that part.”

“Your backer. The one behind this. What are they getting out of it?” I tightened the screws ever so slightly on [Persuasion].

“My loyalty. I’ll swear to Duke Lamoureux, but my loyalties will lie elsewhere, he said. “That’s why I can’t offer anything now. I could take this to him, but we’re so close to the event I’m not sure he’d even give me an answer before the day.”

“Hrm.” I said, pretending to think about it. “Fine, but I need reassurance. Who is he?”

“Lord Bolton,” he said. Immediately, he knew he’d made a mistake.

You have defeated Guillaume Duvost in a Tier 2 Social Contest! You have earned 40 XP

[Conversation] was the art of getting information without asking questions, and without getting answers. [Persuasion] was rarely so subtle.

I sighed, and cancelled [Greater Invisibility]. Guillaume jumped as Count Duvost appeared in the room. He’d been here all along of course.

“What- what’s going on? Sir.” Guillaume tried to look innocent, but he knew the game was up.

“We raided the Thieves guild,” I said. “Found out you were their contact for the money they’d been receiving to smuggle in and hide the mercenaries.”

I looked over at the Count. “I didn’t get an Intrigue notification or anything.”

“Nor will you,” he said, looking sternly at his nephew. “The Intrigue is between myself and the Duke of Arryen. And it is not yet over.”

He looked at me. “Your part is, though. You can go.”

I curtseyed, took one last look at Guillaume, and left. The guards were just outside.