IC-Ep 1-The Horse's Mouth(Jacques only)

[Mr. Handy]

Duc's Palace, Stables - Vyones, Auvergne, France
10:00 AM - Monday, April 20, 1517

Jacques made his way to the stables, where his warhorse Buttons was waiting in his stall. The horse snorted in pleasure upon seeing him.

"Would you like me to saddle your mount, Sir Knight?" asked the stableboy, a scruffy lad of about twelve years.

[Snapper]

Jacques:

"Thank you boy, I would."

Jacques reaches into his jacket and pulls out a small apple saved from his breakfast. With practised wariness, he feeds it to the horse, affectionately petting its big head.

"There you go, you big grouch. Are you ready for a morning ride? I nearly had some beautiful young ladies and, no doubt, beautiful young fillies to ride with us, but I'm afraid I scared them off. Blame me."

Jacques looks to the boy. "I hope he hasn't been a terror to you and the other stable boys?"

[Mr. Handy]

The stableboy saddled the horse, who behaved himself due to being busy with the apple. "He can take some getting used to, Sir Knight," he said, "but he hasn't bitten anyone."

Buttons snorted in anticipation of going for a ride.

[Snapper]

Jacques:

Jacques fishes a penny out of his jacket and thumb-flicks it through the air to the lad. "Good lad, don't let him bully you but be careful." He scratches behind the horse's ear. "Patience, we'll be on our way shortly."

He looks around as he stands by the horse. "I guess there are a lot of other horses in the stables while the Duc is hosting his festivities. Have you seen any other interesting horses? Or big brutes like Buttons here."

[Mr. Handy]

"None so fearsome as your horse, sir," said the lad, pocketing the coin, "but there are some well-bred horses here. The Duc has quite a few of his own, and some of the guests have magnificent horses too. There's a splendid white mare here owned by the Venetian lady, Bianca Luciano."

[Snapper]

Jacques:

Jacques laughs. "I'm sure the mare is indeed splendid, having recently met that particular Venetian lady."

"Well lad, any ideas for a good direction to ride?"

[Mr. Handy]

"Down by the lake is nice," said the boy. "There's a good breeze coming in from it."

[Snapper]

Jacques:

"Very good. Well, Buttons' patience has been tested enough."

Jacques mounts the big horse, with the intention of initially circling the Duc's great house. Then perhaps finding this lake. He is still troubled by the odd events of the night before, and somewhat regretful of his actions this morning, but hopes the ride will clear his head.

[Mr. Handy]

The fresh air and the ride did do Jacques some good. As he circled around the left side of the palace, he saw extensive grounds that included gardens and a hedge maze. The lake was also visible behind the palace, shimmering in the late morning sun. It was fairly large, and there was a dock in the distance on the shore with a few boats.

[Snapper]

Jacques:

Jacques continues his full circuit of the palace at a gentle canter, to warm the big horse up. Despite himself, he looks at the palace as a military exercise, wondering how hard it would be to defend. Jacques recalls that French ducs were not so long ago virtually a law unto themselves.

Jacques also keeps an eye out for any dignitaries.

Spoiler:

I think that is a correct assessment of French ducs and would also be common knowledge but let me know if I'm wrong on either count.

[Mr. Handy]

While the palace was elegant, Jacques could also see that it was functional as a fortress. It lacked a moat, but the walls were high and strong, with guards patrolling the battlements. There were no obstructions anywhere near the palace to act as cover for an approaching marauding army. The Duc's larder was also apparently well-stocked, allowing the place to withstand a siege for some time. There was a well within the walls that he had passed on his way out of the gate, probably fed underground from the lake, which provided ample fresh water as well. The guards were numerous, well armed, and well drilled. Were he leading an army against the palace, he might be able to take it - but then again, he might not. If the palace were to fall, it would probably be from within.

There were a few people out and about, strolling through the garden or walking by the lake.

Jacques, please roll Luck.

[Snapper]

Jacques:

1d%L50%

OOC:   Fail.

[Mr. Handy]

Jacques saw nobody he recognized as he rode around the chateau. On the other side of it, he saw in the distance a large vineyard, no doubt the source of the Duc's excellent wine supply.

[Snapper]

Jacques:

Jacques circles the chateaux till he's back to the lake side. Then he urges Buttons into a trot followed by a canter, heading for the lake.

As a good knight of the Order of St John, Jacques keeps an eye out for any shrines or particularly holy-looking chapels.

[Mr. Handy]

As Jacques got closer to the lakeshore, he did see a small shrine on the right side of the lake, a small, circular white structure made of marble. Pillars supported a dome that served it as a roof, and there was an altar in the center.

[Snapper]

Jacques:

"Whoa there, Buttons." Jacques eases the big horse back to an amble as he approaches the shrine. Once nearby, he dismounts and looks for somewhere to the tie the horse for a few minutes while he pays his respects.

[Mr. Handy]

The best place to tie Buttons was to one of the pillars. The horse was content to crop grass while Jacques paid his respects at the shrine. They were alone, with nobody else nearby.

[Snapper]

Jacques:

Leaving Buttons to his own devices, Jacques enters the shrine for a few minutes of pious devotion.

[Mr. Handy]

Jacques prayed in the shrine, and he felt refreshed and more confident afterward.

[Snapper]

Jacques:

Satisfied, the knight returns to Buttons, remounts and conducts an ambling circuit of the lake.