Play@YSDC

Jacques:

1d%H75%

"Thank you, Chevalier," said Bianca. "Or may I call you Jacques? My husband would always talk about his campaigns, though of course he was not the one who told me about his final one, and I would always listen attentively. I know more about the art of war than most women."'

Jacques could tell that Bianca was in fact in the market for a new husband, and she currently had her sights set on him.

Jacques:

"I should be most honoured if you would call me Jacques. And you were clearly a studious listener with your late husband."

Jacques looks over at the other occupants of the hall and lowers his tone discreetly. "I'm afraid I do not recognise the other two guests here. You are most certainly better acquainted with society than I, do you know of them?"

"The Moor I do not know, Jacques," said Bianca, "though he is clearly a man of great wealth, someone it would be good for me to meet. The priest I've actually met. He is Inquisitor Ignacio Fernandez, of the Spanish Inquisition. A ruthless man, to be sure, and a powerful one. He could be a useful ally...or a dangerous enemy."

Bianca's Know rolls about the Spanish priest and Moorish merchant:
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Jacques:

Jacques:

"Well, what say you, Mme - ah - Bianca, shall we be adventurous and introduce ourselves to M. le Moor, and learn what he does? I must say, it's an interesting time to be a Moor. All their lands in Christendom are now reclaimed by Spanish and Italian armies."

"A splendid idea, Jacques," said Bianca. "You are right, I do not think the inquisitor would be too fond of him, especially with the Moors having controlled part of Spain for so long and only finally having been driven out 25 years ago. I have a feeling that would be mutual. But I think we should get along well with the Moor. Why don't you lead the approach and then introduce me?"

Jacques:

Jacques nods agreement. "A sound strategy."

He heads over to the Moor. "Pardon me, I don't believe we have met but you are clearly another of the Duc's guests. Allow me to introduce myself, I am the Chevalier Jacques du Baudin."

"A pleasure to meet you, Chevalier," said the Moor, with a deep and boisterous voice. "I am Captain Abdullah al-Rashid."

Jacques, please roll Status.

Jacques:

1d%60%

"I am captain of a ship, not a company," Abdullah added. "A merchant vessel. I am not a military man such as yourself."

Jacques:

Jacques:

"Indeed, Captain, I recognise your name and understand you are a merchant captain of great renown."

"May I make known to you another of the Duc's guests, Mme Bianca Luciano?" Jacques politely gestures towards Bianca.

Abdullah approached Bianca with a big smile. "At last we meet, Madame Luciano," he said, bowing over her outstretched hand and kissing her knuckles. "Legends of your beauty fail to do you justice."

"You are too kind," said Bianca, with a curtsy.

"I have been to Venice many times in my travels, but I never saw you there, or I may never have left."

Abdullah's Know roll:
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Jacques:

Jacques stifles the urge to roll his eyes. Instead, he aims for a relaxed, friendly expression.

"Where is home for you, Captain? Or do you live aboard your ship, sailing the seven seas, wherever fates and the winds take you?"

"I do often live on my ship," said Abdullah, "though I will come ashore when I am in port and stay somewhere in the city. I am rarely this far inland. My home port is Tangier, and I spend the most time there when not at sea."

Jacques:

"Do you have much trouble with Barbary pirates? While I was on Rhodes, we spent months of every year chasing and battling those rogues."