Play@YSDC

Duc's Palace, Great Hall - Vyones, Auvergne, France
9:10 PM - Monday, April 20, 1517

As the other guests filtered out and made their way upstairs to the guest quarters, Father Ignacio Fernandez remained in the Great Hall with Gui. Servants began to clear the table.

"Would you like me to hear your confession?" the priest asked Gui.

Gui laughed dryly. ”It has been quite a while, Father, since I confessed my sins,” he replied. “I have lead a less than devout life and I’m not sure there is sufficient for me to recount it all.”

"I'm willing to take the time if you are," said Ignacio. "It's not the sort of thing that should be delayed. What if something were to happen to you while you were unshriven?"

”If that is your belief, then why not intercede with the Duc?” Gui asked. replied offhandedly. “After all, who’s to say what unholy they will spout, given carte blanche to proceed?”

‘Anything to save me from sitting through the turgid ramblings of a madman…’ Gui thought to himself.

"You are far more perceptive than most know," said Ignacio. "Yes, he is quite mad. No good will come of that play of his, mark my words."

”Then I repeat, why not intercede with the Duc?” said Gui “Denounce the play and the Duc will be forced to take notice of an esteemed man of the cloth.”

"How can I denounce a play I haven't seen or of which I haven't even read the script?" asked Ignacio. "I've already made my opinions about plays in general quite clear to him, but he is determined to put on his entertainment. If I had some specific piece of evidence proving this play is blasphemous or otherwise unholy, I could present it to him and convince him to put a stop to it. Normally I would put the madman to the question, but we are in France and not Spain. The Duc might consider it rude to do that to one of his guests."

Gui was beginning to sense a theme. ”Are you suggesting that I somehow procure a copy of the script for you to read?” he asked.

"I'm suggesting nothing of the sort," said Ignacio. "However, if you did happen to come across one, I wouldn't mind perusing it. There would be no need to explain how you happened to obtain it."

”So what’s in it for me?” Gui asked bluntly. ”Something more than moral absolution, hopefully.”

"That isn't enough for you?" said Ignacio. "You seem to want the play stopped as much as I do. Still, there are often intangible benefits to being a friend of the Inquisition, just as there are consequences for provoking its wrath."

”I want the play stopped for I fear it will be turgid dross that will be an insult to my cul to have to sit through,” replied Gui, crudely. ”You’re just like… … … well, nevermind who, but you want me to do the donkey work while you take the spoils. Why don’t you do as your name suggests and ‘inquisite’?!” He glared at the priest and shrugged, for good measure.

"If you do not wish to assist, I can act on my own," said the priest. "If you insist on a reward for your efforts, I can offer you an indulgence. Usually they are costly, but service to the Church can be considered a payment."

”It’s not cash but I should imagine it will come in useful,” said Gui. ”No promises, but I’ll see what I can do.”

He glanced around, wondering where they were in relation to the playwright’s rooms…

"Good evening, then," said Ignacio, heading for the stairs.

Gui didn't know exactly where the players were staying, but it was most likely in the guest wing, and the stairs leading back up there were nearby. The players themselves had since left while he had been talking with the priest, and in fact almost everyone had dispersed by now. In fact, other than the servants, the only other person remaining was Bianca. She was looking his way.

”And how may I help you, mademoiselle?” Gui said heavily. ”If you seek an update on my progress then I have none to report. I have barely had a moment to myself since we last spoke.”

"There was an opportunity earlier," Bianca said. "I was wondering why you did not take advantage of it."

”Given the accusations thrust in my direction by the cul de cheval, I must tread carefully. Someone notices something is missing? You know they will blame. It is not as straightforward as just procuring the item, one must also consider how to pass it on and cover one’s tracks,” Gui replied, somewhat testily.

"In that case," said Bianca, "it may be best if you figure out how to open the puzzle box. If the box remains in its place, they won't know its contents are missing unless they open it. I'm sure you'll work out a way. You'll just have to be more clever than Leonardo da Vinci."

”Such a simple task. I’ll get onto it straightaway,” Gui said dryly, although he was annoyed with himself for not thinking of that course of action…

"I'll leave you to it," said Bianca. "Good evening." She headed for the stairs.

Gui bowed through gritted teeth as Bianca ascended the stairs, waiting until she was out of sight before straightening up and cursing himself for his foolishness.

He looked around. Which was closer - the rooms of Da Vinci or that of the lunatic playwright?

Since Gui had no idea where exactly the players' rooms were, he couldn't say for certain whether they were closer than Leonardo's room.

Gui looked around for a servant. Surely there must be someone around who knew how to get about this place?!

Gui found Henri directing his fellow servants in clearing away the banquet table. "Oui, Monsieur?" he asked. "How may I help you?"

Gui sighed. ”I am lost,” he replied, sounding exasperated. “Monsieur Galliano bid me call upon him, but for the life of me I cannot remember which is his room. Could you spare one of your fellows to point me in the right direction?”

"These servants don't work in the guest wing upstairs," said Henri, "so they don't know which room they're in, but I'd be happy to escort you there myself. I know the way. I'm sure they'll do a decent job in my absence - if they know what's good for them." He led Gui up the stairs and around a few corners to a door, which was closed. "The Galiano players are in this suite," he said.

Gui is moving to the thread linked below:

The Play's the Thing