Chapitre Trente-Six

Gaz Empoisonné

Leon

The dampness of the morning dissipated as the blue of the sky grew lighter and lighter. Golden rays were just beginning to lick the morning clouds as the carriage approached the Renart estate. The carriage wheels click-clacked beneath the three drowsy passengers.

"Is the medicine working?" Lucien asked Andre. "Are you feeling any better?"

Andre gave a weak smile and shrugged. "No fever, and the itching isn't so bad anymore."

Leon avoided eye contact with his brother and turned his gaze out of the tiny carriage window. A soothing warmth filled Leon's heart when he saw his home once again. It seemed like he'd been away forever. While he enjoyed Senon, it just didn't compare to being home.

"Our physician will determine what's wrong," said Lucien. "Then we'll have a more permanent treatment."

There was that fountain out front, with statues of sea monsters spouting water from their mouths. Leon remembered a time that he and Cecile were children and got in trouble for playing in that water.

On either side of the main door to the Renart mansion hung banners with golden foxes embroidered on a red background. Just above the door was the occulus window, which Leon had broken years ago, playing cricket with Magnus. He remembered that Magnus tried to take the blame, but Leon wouldn't allow it and confessed the truth to his father.

The whole ride home Leon had been thinking about how excited he was for the changes ahead of him. He'd been eager to put into action his plan to disappear. Seeing his home pelted him with the pain of all that he'd be leaving behind. He had been growing apart from his family over the years. He and Cecile weren't anywhere near as close as they'd been as children, and he and Andre had never been that close at all, but there were still so many memories here of when they had had the chance.

When he disappeared, he'd be saying goodbye to his childhood home for a long time, and all the fond memories wrapped up in it. Then again, his sister Annette had done that years ago, when she left to become a cleric and a witch hunter. He needed to be at least half as brave as she.

With a lurch and a whinny, they were home. The three Renart men disembarked from the carriage, and Beatrice and Lucilla emerged to greet them.

Lucien wrapped an arm around Beatrice, hugged her tightly, and kissed her cheek. "I missed you, dear," he said.

"I missed you too," said Beatrice. When Lucien released her, she hurried over to Leon and threw her arms around him. "And you."

Leon's heart climbed up into his throat, threatening to force his tongue to express everything that had troubled it for so long. He swallowed hard to force it back down. He couldn't allow his heart to speak, especially not here.

Beatrice backed away from Leon and gave him an inquisitive look. Leon shrugged and looked away.

Behind him, Leon heard Fitzroy's familiar voice whispering to his father. "We need to speak privately soon."

"Indeed, we do," Lucien whispered back, then, in a louder voice, he said, "How is your arm?"

"I've been recovering well enough," said Fitzroy. "No need for the sling anymore, as you can see."

"Let's all head inside," said Lucien to the whole group of them. "Lucilla, fetch Cecile for me, would you? We have much to discuss."

Soon they all gathered around the meeting table. Leon couldn't help but wonder if this would be the last time he sat in on such a meeting.

Once everyone was seated, Lucien began. "I'm afraid I must start with some bad news, and then follow it up with even worse news. Beatrice, dear, I'm sorry, but I failed to get your brother appointed as a marquis. The Forbin estate went to a foreign merchant prince named Michaedon, one of Duke Loup's lackeys."

Cecile groaned. "Just what the Empire needs, for Duke Loup to have even more power. Hasn't the Empress heard of all the dirty dealings he's been involved in?"

"If we have she has," said Lucien. "As great a spy-master as Fitzroy is, his network just doesn't compare to hers. So, if she chose Duke Loup's candidate over mine knowing full well that Raul is a crime lord what does that say about how she feels about us?"

"She doesn't trust us?" said Cecile.

Lucien pointed to her. "Astute! Yes, she considers us a threat. As such, I'm formulating a plan to make us appear less threatening to her Imperial Majesty. The first part of my plan involves marrying Andre off to Duchess Colette Poignard."

Leon could swear that the collective gasps around the table were strong enough to change the winds, were they not inside.

"You've just decided this?" Andre asked. "Without consulting me first?"

Lucien laughed. "Now, my dear son, why would I consult you first? While in Senon you ran off with that Bourdon girl." Everyone at the table stared at Andre, clearly watching to see if he denied this accusation. "Surely, your judgment is not to be trusted."

"Neither is yours," Andre protested, crossing his arms. "You want to make us seem less dangerous to the Empress, so you plan to marry me off to a duchess? One who is more ruthless in Le Jeu Fatal than even you are? Clearly... it's clear to me... I'm clearly not the only one who isn't... thinking... clearly..."

The family continued to stare in silence as Andre struggled through his sentence. Leon couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed for him.

Lucien rolled his eyes. "Very well, then. Let's hear your suggestion."

"Cherise, the right hand of Baron Magali," said Andre, leaning back in his chair. "I've met her, formed a rapport, and, frankly, I think this would make far more sense. I can court her, romance her, bed her, and wed her."

"Hopefully, not in that exact order," said Lucien with a chuckle. "She may not be of noble blood, but she is a lady nonetheless, from what I hear."

"No, not in that exact order," said Andre, waving his hand dismissively. "But think of what a step down that is for me, as far as the game is concerned. For me to marry the Magali's ward, an orphan who became their chief diplomat? Surely that will be less threatening to the Empress than having me marry a duchess."

"Not to mention you'll actually be able to marry for love," Leon blurted out.

"Pardon?" Lucien and Andre both said in unison.

Leon chuckled. "Oh, please, Andre, it's hardly a secret anymore. Whenever Father wasn't around, whenever it was just you and I on this past trip, you just had to tell me all about her, every fascinating little detail about her. From the freckles on her face to her love for literature and daydreaming. You're clearly smitten."

Lucien laughed out loud and patted Andre on the shoulder. "Oh, my boy! This gives us a golden opportunity! Why didn't you tell me this before?"

"I..." Andre hesitated, "I thought you wouldn't approve."

"Of course I approve!" said Lucien. "Especially now! Beatrice, you see the opportunity I see, yes?"

"The opportunity for someone of noble birth to marry for love?" Beatrice asked. For a fleeting moment, her eyes met Leon's. Leon looked away. "Yes, that's a rare opportunity indeed."

"Well, there is that," said Lucien, "And, don't misunderstand me, Andre, I am glad you've found someone you wish to make your companion, but there's more to it. Now, bear with me. We'll start by sending letters to Duchess Poignard, see if we can get her to agree to marry you. We'll even tell her that you'd be willing to sign a waiver of all right to inherit a title; that way she won't see you as a threat. Once she accepts, and I can't imagine she won't, we'll make sure word of the engagement spreads. While word is spreading, you'll start courting your dear Cherise. You'll be the talk of Senon, I'm sure.

"Then we spread a rumor that you and I got into an argument and you're refusing to marry Duchess Poignard because you have found true love, and that I gave in and allowed it."

Cecile scoffed. "How will that help? It will make you look weak--"

"That's exactly how it will help!" Leon jumped in. "Don't you see, we're trying to appear less threatening so that the Empress doesn't arrange to destroy this family. If Father appears to be just a little less ruthless..."

Lucien chuckled. "I'm noting you didn't say 'softer-hearted,' or 'more kind.'"

Leon stammered a moment. "I--"

"No, 'less ruthless' describes it. Well done. I'm not offended." Lucien shook his head and smiled. "Anyway, Leon is right. Andre's refusal to marry Duchess Poignard will undermine my authority. In the Empress' eyes I'll appear not quite so dangerous, and Andre can have his way." Lucien leaned on the arm-rest of his chair, his chin resting in the palm of his hand. "Besides, it's not as if ties with the Magali family won't prove helpful."

"So, it's settled?" said Andre, starting to smile himself. "I have permission to court Cherise?"

"Wait until we've started arranging your marriage to Duchess Poignard," said Lucien. "But, yes. You have permission."

Fitzroy stood from his chair. "Do I have permission to take the floor, your grace?"

Lucien nodded. "Certainly, my friend. What news have you for us?"

Fitzroy cleared his throat and began. "I interrogated one of Baron Corbeau's messengers. He was on his way to meet with the gang we've been keeping an eye on. You recall, the one involved in the assassination plot we've been investigating, against the Empress?"

"Yes, I remember," said Lucien, cracking his knuckles. "What did he tell you?"

"He told me that Baron Corbeau was working with Duke Loup in this plot."

There were a few moments of silence following Fitzroy's announcement. Then, Lucien said, "I'm guessing that's not right?"

"No, it's not," said Fitzroy. "It doesn't match up with anything my informants are telling me. Raul Loup hasn't even been in contact with Baron Corbeau in a very long time, as far as my spies can tell, which means that the messenger had been fed false information in case he was captured and tortured." Fitzroy leaned on the table and said, just above a whisper. "They know we're onto them."

"Merde!" Lucien pounded his fist on the table. "It's going to be harder than ever to get to the bottom of this plot."

"There's something else," said Fitzroy, sitting down again. "My spies have learned that the conspirators are moving large amounts of Javel water."

"Javel water?" Lucien repeated, stifling a laugh. "What? Do they intend to clean the Imperial Palace with it?"

Leon, however, went white when a thought occurred to him. "Although, I imagine Javel water is helpful for cleaning up blood... just how much blood do they plan on spilling?"

"Well," said Andre, "If they plan on killing the entire Imperial family..."

"I'm afraid that's not it," said Lucien, shaking his head. "If they need that much Javel water to clean up their mess they're far from professionals, and not the sorts of killers we really need to be concerned with."

"I don't think the Javel water is for cleaning," said Fitzroy. "Recently I discovered that there is another substance they're moving in large quantities: Amun salt."

Leon jumped a little when his father bolted out of his chair and shouted. "No! Tell me that's a mistake!"

"What, what is it?" Leon asked.

Fitzroy and Lucien stared in silence for a moment, both clearly exchanging a quiet conversation about secrets they shared. Finally, Fitzroy said, "According to alchemists we've interrogated, if you combine Amun salt with Javel water it creates a deadly poisonous gas."