Play@YSDC

Duc's Palace, Workshop - Vyones, Auvergne, France
9:40 AM - Monday, April 20, 1517

As Jean Luc reached the door, it was suddenly thrown open from within by Jacques du Baudin. Behind the knight, he could see the three women he had seen earlier as well as Leonardo da Vinci. They also recognized him as the man who had vouched for Gui l'Argot.

Brook scurries back to the controls of the automaton and raises it’s arms defensively.

“What are you doing snooping around?” she demands.

Jacques:

Jacques steps back into the room, left hand still holding his scabbard

"Answer the young lady!"

Elizabeth stands very still, only arching one beautiful eyebrow.

"Ah well, clearly this isn't the lavatory! It was supposed to be the second door on the right, perhaps one of you could point me in the right direction?" Jean Luc tries to quickly but subtly take in the scene.

Jean Luc couldn't see much with Jacques in the way, but he did notice that Brook was standing behind a suit of armor, which had apparently struck a six foot tall man-shaped wooden figure in the chest with a halberd before it raised the weapon overhead.

“What lavatory has ‘Da Vinci’ on the door?” Elizabeth asks Jean Luc.
“Really Monsieur, please tell us the truth; what is your name and who are you working for?”

"Clearly there's no fooling you. This is embarrassing, my name is Jean Luc de Monet, occasional purveyor of works of art to the duc, among others. The truth is I had hoped to glean some wisdom from Master da Vinci but clearly you all are busy. I'll just be going then..."

Jacques:

Jacques' right hand swiftly moves to the grip of his sword, but he makes no move to draw it.

"You will step inside and discuss this further with us, fellow." His tone is even but clearly this is a command. Jacques' hunter's smile returns.

“Yeah, join the party,” says Brook. “Maybe you can help us solve this mystery.”

She turns to Leonardo.

“I guess the room’s been swept since last night? No chance of finding possible tracks from my metal friend here to a secret passage? The place is riddled with them.”

"Indeed, the room was cleaned this morning," said Leonardo. "The servants cleaned up the blood as well. I don't believe the automaton has gone anywhere on its own, however, nor would it need to do so. I am not surprised that there are secret passages. They tend to be part of the architecture of castles such as this."

Jean Luc enters with a gracious bow and hands in plain sight. "Ahh, a mystery I knew something was afoot but you have me at a disadvantage perhaps you could introduce yourselves and this mystery?"

Jacques:

"Stop simpering, fool. You will already have heard my name and Master Da Vinci needs no introduction. Why did you vouch for that knave L'Argot? I do not believe you are acquainted."

Brook rolls her eyes and, leaving the two men to butt heads, addresses Leonardo, Story and Elizabeth.

“Let’s look for secret doors. I know they get used a lot, but we might find some footprints in the dust.”

She pauses, remembering something.

“I think we planned to examine the jewel the thief was looking for too, didn’t we?”

"What's wrong with performing small acts of kindness monsieur Jacques, was it? I certainly can't stand to see anyone falsely accused, knave or not and I do believe the boy seemed innocent."

Jacques:

All trace of smile drops from Jacques' face. His expression turns to stone instead. Very deliberately, by conscious act of will, his hand lets go his sword and drops to his side. Otherwise, Jacques is very still.

"That is Sir Jacques du Baudin, or Chevalier, to you, fellow. And I may have heard wrong but I think you just accused me of lying. My report to the Duc was completely accurate and contained no false accusations."

"Do you wish to clarify your comments?"

[41] = 41
Spot hidden 60 d%: [ 41 ] = 41

Having already found some secret doors, Brook quickly finds what she’s looking for.

Elizabeth rolls her eyes at the gentlemen’s conversation. “This could go severely pear-shaped any minute.” She says to Story. “Any excuse for a duel and I don’t fancy Monsieur Luc’s chances.”
She turns back from the wooden panelling and addresses Jaques and Jean.
“Gentlemen, we have bigger issues at stake here and we’ll need both of you fit with full faculties; missing limbs will not help.
“Chevalier, you are not helping our cause by picking fights left right and centre. Please set a date for your duel or whatever it is you need to do but make it a week hence.” She says sternly, looking cross.

Looking up from her search, Brook grins.

“You tell ‘em Elizabeth!”