IC-Ep 1-Thick as Thieves(Gui l'Argot only)

[Mr. Handy]

The only people left in the Great Hall were a couple of guards, who glared at Gui suspiciously.

[Philulhu]

Gui waved to guards airly. ” Messieurs, where has everyone gone? The young ladies, especially?”

[Mr. Handy]

"The guests go where they will," said one of the guards. "You are free to do the same. Unless you would like a tour of the dungeon, perhaps?"

[Philulhu]

Gui smiled sourly, turned on his heel and left. Walking back into the corridor he looked around then headed in the opposite direction from which he has come to see if he could see anyone familiar.

[Mr. Handy]

Gui, please roll Luck again.

[Philulhu]

(45%) 1d100

[Mr. Handy]

As Gui walked down the hall, he encountered a tall, handsome, well-dressed Spaniard with dark hair and a thin mustache, one of the other guests. "Good morning, monsieur," he said in French. "I am Don Diego Vega de Almeida de la Cruz, at your service."

[Philulhu]

Gui bowed deeply in return. ”And Gui l’Argot at yours, Monsieur.” He looked around. ”It seems that everyone else has departed momentarily. The palace seems almost deserted.”

[Mr. Handy]

"Oh, I'm sure everyone else is around somewhere," said Diego with a bow of his own. "The palace is vast, and the grounds even moreso. Perhaps most people went outside. It is a lovely day."

[Philulhu]

”Indeed,” replied Gui, although truthfully his day had been anything but lovely so far…

”So how do you know the Duc?” he asked. ”A friend? A business partner or just a fellow guest, like myself?”

[Mr. Handy]

"He's a friend of my father's," said Diego. "They've gone back a long way. And how do you know him?"

[Philulhu]

Gui studied Diego for a moment, trying to recollect if he had been in the hall before, when Gui had been accused as a thief.

”I am… merely a guest,” he replied.

[Mr. Handy]

Gui had seen Diego in the hall, along with the other guests. He also recalled hearing his voice. It was Diego whose room the ladies had found along with him, which was right next to theirs.

"The Duc is certainly a generous soul," said Diego.

[Philulhu]

”Indeed,” replied Gui. ”Indeed… …”

It occurred to Gui that if Diego had the room next to the young ladies, then he might have been the source of the chanting they heard through the walls. Was that relevant to anything that had happened? Perhaps he was some kind of sorcerer?! He didn’t look threatening, so perhaps it would be safe to spend a bit of time with him, perhaps get him to talk?

He smiled charmingly. ”I don’t know about you, monsieur, but I’m in the mood for a drink or two. Care to join me?”

[Mr. Handy]

"I'd be delighted," said Diego. "There is wine available in the banquet hall."

[Philulhu]

Gui lead the way back to the banqueting Hall. Ignoring the guards, he looked around to see if he could see some wine and glasses.

[Mr. Handy]

Casks of wine had been set up on a table, along with numerous glasses. Servants stood there, and they poured glasses for Gui and Diego.

[Philulhu]

”The very best of health, mon ami,” said Gui as he raised his glass in salute to Diego. He took a sip of the wine, letting it play over his tongue and appreciating the fine flavours. ”Quite palatable… …” he said with a smile.

He took another sip and said, ”Have you come across the Chevalier? He seems a disagreeable fellow and he’s taken quite a dislike to me.”

[Mr. Handy]

"I saw him when the Duc held court," said Diego, "but I have not met the man. His reputation does precede him, however. He is said to be a man of great honor and valor."

[Philulhu]

Gui raised an eyebrow. ”He seemed boorish in the extreme,” said Gui. ”Like a man who believes the stories that impressionable people would tell of him.”

”I tried to talk to him but he was only interested in his own view of the situation. As I said - very disagreeable!”