Hide and Seek, or Seek and Destroy? [Private, Motito]

[Alexis Sapientia]

Timestamp: First Cycle of the month of Junctior, in the Season of Summer, Era II of the Celestine Mandate, Era XIV Post Fractum, the Second Era of the Regency of Milo L'Evienne.

from here.

Such places were not exactly smiled upon in the City of Faith, but sometimes people just needed a place to go and relax after a long hard day of work. It was with the understanding that such a business would remain upscale, that the Church allowed Aranais Mirinot to open a small tavern in the Merchant's district.

The outside of the building was freshly scrubbed white marble, with wooden trellises that supported beautiful twining red roses. A sign swung gently above the door with a silver cup wrapped with a single rose bud. The door swung inward easily on well-oiled hinges to reveal a warm and cozy room, with a fireplace burning brightly in one corner. Small tables and chairs stood about the majority of the room, and soft looking couches lined the outer walls. The back of the room was one long counter of polished oak that gleamed in the soft firelight. Over the bar, wooden racks held cups and displayed several bottles of the new local wine that was produced at the Vineyards of Carmelya just outside the city. Shelves built against the wall held other selections of wine, spirits, and a slate held the names of the beers and ales available for the day.

The patrons in the Tavern were mostly those of the military, though there were a brave few clergymen who had decided to see what the place was like. Quiet conversation drifted on hushed tones, over the clinking of glasses and the crackling of the fire. Behind the counter itself two men hurried around each other, taking orders from those that sat at the bar itself, and also pouring the drinks the waitresses requested from a service-only corner to the far right of the bar. Each man wore trousers of a deep burgundy red, and shirts so white they seemed to sparkle. The ladies wore long dresses of a matching burgundy red, with modestly low necklines, and white aprons over these. Everyone wore a smile.

At the right, about midway into the room, a polished staircase rose to the second floor. A rope was tied across them, denying access in a polite manner. The second floor was divided into two smaller rooms, and one largish one for meetings, or private celebrations. Such things could be arranged with any of the staff.

Resting on one of the couches was a middle-aged human of fifty or so, smoking his pipe peacefully. His sharp eyes darted up each time someone entered the building, and nodded politely should they happen to look back. This was Aranais Mirinot himself, owner of the Chalice Rose; a retired craftsman who'd moved to Diana for a little peace and quiet after his long and successful career. The bluish smoke, and the scent of the fragrant tobacco curled upwards over his head.

A young man, dressed in uniform, covered by a black-leather greatcoat sat on a corner table. Seemingly unobtrusive as possible - many soldiers favored the Chalice Rose - only the most observant would see that two Alyssans, an Imperial Marine, and a yeoman sailor were eyeing him from separate tables, and yet, trying to keep as much out of the way, as possible.

These were difficult times, after all, even in the City of the Faith. If the Governor of the Principality of Prime, and the Imperial Regent's own sister were inviolate, then no one was safe.

A half-empty bottle of Sangre du Carmelyn stood near a similarly-filled glass.

Curious, the letter indeed was, though the mere mention of Motito was certainly enough to intrigue him, if not inspire a spirited interrogation.

No one mentioned his prior romantic liaisons with impunity, even though Alexis Sapientia was a happily married man. Save for one, of course. He'd once worn the same rank insignia the concurrent Imperial Admiral now wore.

Thus did they watch, drink, and wait.

[Motito Gil'dae]

The figure with the dark cloak was no fool. Edging on insanity, perhaps--or at least had been until very recently--but hardly foolish. Every brightening since having sent the letter he used his unique technique that allowed him to scry on people...and he'd used it on Alexis. Oh, nothing so grandiose as to learn state secrets or anything, but to simply check on him. He was constantly checking to see if the boy had departed yet.

Once he noticed him traveling, it allowed him to estimate the arrival time of the state figurehead, and it was quite clear to the trained eye of the figure that Alexis was not alone. On the brightening that the youth arrived and went to seat himself in the Chalice Rose, the figure in the black cloak had been sure keep a very close eye, standing ready near the building. The escorts, in standard and precise form, swept the building first. Their actions made them laughably predictable and obvious, especially to someone who knew their military code even better then themselves.

The cloaked figure had forgotten many things in the millenia he had disappeared off the face of Telath--quite literally--but a soldier through and through, his training would never abandon him no matter how long he had been gone. Thus, once the Imperial Admiral and War Minister had situated himself, did the figure smirk, ever so slightly.

Come now, Alexis, this one thought you better trained then that...

As the back door to the kitchen opened, someone dumping something foul-smelling or other, the cloaked figure pulled the kitchen boy aside.

"There is a youth inside. He wears a greatcoat with a military uniform underneath. Give him this...and here's something for your trouble." A few crowns fell into the boy's hand, and so in being paid, his curiosity at who the indistinguishable fellow was seemed to vanish as he bobbed his head and rushed back inside.

A moment later the young kitchenboy appeared before Alexis, recognizing him quickly, letter in hand.

"Beggin' your pardon, sir...but a fellow asked me t'give you this..." He set the letter down on the table in front of the Imperial Admiral, vanishing back into the kitchen an instant later before he could be interrogated.

The script, slightly neater then before, had the same flowing title on the front. Inside, the letter read thusly, having kept it just in case it was needed, guessing how this would work.

Secrets : Come now, Young Alexis. Surely Gilded Gil'dae trained you better then that...or perhaps he wasn't so great a mentor after all. This one believes this one stated 'nearby', not 'inside'. If this is the state of current military capability, then perhaps it's better that the incompetent old codger is dead and gone. Nonetheless, you've come, which says something, at least. However, your intelligence is suspect, as in the game of 'hide and seek', when this one tells you it's your job to seek this one out, this one does not mean sit and wait...this one means try to actively track this one down. It's no wonder you couldn't even finish your sorcery lesson. Then again, if he's as bad at teaching sorcery as he is at teaching his military proteges to think tactically, then it's really no wonder why you stopped. Try again, and this time think outside the box. Pun/hint intended. Oh, and if you want to receive your prize, please do leave the soldiers inside, hmm?

He knew it was cruel of him, but he had to get some measure of fun out of being dead. It's not every brightening one got to use it to play the master of all pranks on someone who, in his youth, was one of the biggest pranksters in the Reg.

Oh yes, that's right. Horrible as it might be, this was the mother of all paybacks. Boy would his face be red when he found out...

Meanwhile, the cloaked figure, armed only with an elven longknife, waited in the nearby alleyway, next to the building, between the front and back entrances. He knew it was cliche, but hey, it wasn't like if things turned ugly he couldn't get away with a thought...

...literally.

[Alexis Sapientia]

Games of an investigative nature were slightly out of the lad's interests, mainly because he had a whole slew of bigger and better toys to play with. Imperial Legions at his command, fleets of frigates to hasten at his very call; for someone who fancied himself a megalomaniac, surely, the position of Imperial Minister of War would be a godsend.

Certainly to crave power was nothing unless substantiation of it was present.taking enough of the wine to wet his lips and warm his spirits, so was he then puzzled to come across a missive from a very curious individual, indeed.


Surely Gilded Gil'dae trained you better then that...or perhaps he wasn't so great a mentor after all. This one believes this one stated 'nearby', not 'inside'. If this is the state of current military capability, then perhaps it's better that the incompetent old codger is dead and gone.

Curious indeed, how one could insult such a hallowed name with mere fleeting insults.

Nonetheless, you've come, which says something, at least. However, your intelligence is suspect, as in the game of 'hide and seek', when this one tells you it's your job to seek this one out, this one does not mean sit and wait...this one means try to actively track this one down. It's no wonder you couldn't even finish your sorcery lesson.

Now that hurt. Only a few had known this. Odd. How very odd.

Then again, if he's as bad at teaching sorcery as he is at teaching his military proteges to think tactically, then it's really no wonder why you stopped.

Try again, and this time think outside the box. Pun/hint intended. Oh, and if you want to receive your prize, please do leave the soldiers inside, hmm?

Puzzling over the missive, trying his best not to look a wee bit disturbed, so did he begin to furrow his eyebrows in deep thought, while gazing at the glass he had before him.

Who could it be? Who could it be, indeed?

Diana was a city full of secrets. One didn'thost the Church of the Faith and not have any skeletons in crypts, much less long-dead secrets as well. Perhaps the former Imperial Marshal had taken the path of the cloth instead of the sword? Now that was laughable, but too farfetched. He was dead, as his erstwhile wife had been so good to make known, and despite the standard funeral customary to dignitaries of the Empire, such was the way things were.

Making his way outside, ostensibly just off to light a cigarillo, so did he make his way outside, doing his best to remain observant. Once outdoors, wrapping his black-leather greatcoat tighter around him (uniforms could be very distinctive), so did he do just what he had promised...remove a cherry cylinder fresh from Taralon and Eunesia, lighting it, not only to clear his mind, but to also give him time to think, while he did what it was smokers did best.

Look, loiter, and think. Perhaps there was a clue. That's what started things, usually. Just a single, perhaps obscure, dammed clue.

[Motito Gil'dae]

As he waited in the alleyway, he heard the sound of someone exiting. Sticking to the shadow he peered around the corner, and spied the man himself.

Man...odd, he really is one now, isn't he? He looks...older, for some reason. This past era seems to have really worn on him, as he looks almost twice his age.

With a slow and silent sound he drew his longknife from its sheath as he crept up the alley to peer at the naval officer. When the man had his view cast to the opposite side, he slipped out and, quickly and quietly, set the blade on Alexis' shoulder. His voice, when it came, was a deep and throaty whisper. His face was still concealed by the shadows of his hood.

"Were this one anyone that intended you harm with a blade, young Alexis, you would already be dead. Guards are nice, but having your own skill is nicer. Even if you never could finish your sorcery training, at least learn some self defense." The young man was a great sailor to his credit, but he still was a poor fighter. The longknife slid off his shoulder and found its way back into his sheath.

"Follow." It was a command, not a request. He brought the young Alexis back into the alleyway before finally turning to face him, hood still drawn.

"So do tell, Your Excellency," he began, the sarcasm in the tone evident even through the disguise of a hoarse whisper, "What have you really been told about the death of Gil'dae?"

[Alexis Sapientia]

He'd barely had the chance to exhale sweet cherry-smelling blue-tinged air before he felt the familiar frisson slide down his back, along with the deep chill of very tangible fear as the cool of the blade made its way to his skin, Alexis not daring to look behind, but cursing himself a multitude of times on just how stupid he was, to trustingly and unassumingly walk into a trap just like that.

The recimation bit deep into him, hurting and shaming him in a way that no one could possibly ever know. Never had his failure been broadcast into the open as it just had been, and never had it been disclosed by anyone with such offhand...

The grating of his tone of voice was enough to make the young man follow, indeed, even if he was the Imperial Minister of War, with lefions and fleets to command, as vested by Imperial Law. How very odd that here in the city of the faith, not only could he lose his life and dignity with a simple click of one's fingers, he could find himself so terribly disempowered, as well.

It was a feeling that he hadn't had since his brightenings even before Arconis.

Pay attention, idiot. He had to kick himself mentally before he started daydreaming again.

"His wife, the Imperial Chancellor, informed me that he had entered mortality in his sleep, and that he had wished for no ceremony to be conducted. It struck me as odd, considering that the fellow was as strong as an oak...unless foul play was involved, but I was given assurances that that was most certainly not the case."

He couldn't quite tell who the fellow was, what with the hood down and the alleyway as it is, but deep in his heart Alexis knew that despite all his bluster, a sudden move and he would very well be going the way of the Gil'dae.

It was, as the ancient proverb said.

Death comes to us all.

[Motito Gil'dae]

As Alexis divulged his information, the shadowed figure crossed his arms, leaning against the wall in the alley. He nodded slowly, speaking again with his harsh, gravelly whisper.

"Motito Gil'dae's death was accidental, yes...but there was foul play. Ironically, it all started with an incident that your wife is intimately familiar with." The figure tilted his head to the side, continuing his story. "She may have told you the story of how he disenchanted the sword that was bonded to her, and in so doing destroyed the sword and let off a cataclysmic arcanomechanical reaction, yes?" He paused, but didn't wait for an actual answer. "If not, feel free to ask her about it...either way, to keep the magic from tearing all of Port Alyxandrya to shreds, Motito used every ounce of his power to help disperse it...which in turn, to save his mind from breaking, shut itself down, closing the arcanomechanical pathways that made him an archmage. It was a forcible thing, though, and since it didn't happen naturally, his body rejected his mind's decision. There was a war in his body between his body and mind, and he was completely unaware of it. His body began to break down...that was why he got ill and eventually vanished completely.

"His mind was still tied to the Astral Plane, however, and so though his body was gone, his consciousness was not gone forever...simply trapped on the Plane of Force. This one does not know if you remember your magic lessons, but time moves differently there...as in, it has no meaning. While an era passed here, millenia passed for him. Eventually he somehow managed to force his way out, but it left him a changed elf...he recently reappeared on the mortal plane. As he's readjusted to life as a corporeal being, he hasn't let anyone except for Alicia know...and those that do know are sworn to secrecy...this one expects you will uphold that wish." He had considered drawing it out, but decided to give up on that aspect, and reached up, drawing his hood back to reveal his telltale platinum blond hair and quicksilver gaze, more piercing than ever. A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"Serale, Alexis...the rumors of this one's death have been greatly exaggerated." He offered a slight wink, proof that even if he had changed in his time away, there were still glimmers of his old self present, despite having evolved beyond most of his old personality.

He waited, curious to see how the new Minister of War would react to the presence of someone believed dead.

[Alexis Sapientia]

Amazing, really, how matter-of-factly Alexis could be discussing things with a stranger off some dark alley in the Holy City as if he were just over for tea. Granted, of course, that the fellow had just all-but threatened his very life and was now discoursing on matters only but a handful of people in the Empire knew...it did get the young man to thinking, truly it did.

Was he a spy, then? Someone from the 26th Imperial Shields? An operative of the Imperial House of Whispers, perhaps? One of the Imperial Judicator's men? Or perhaps, a high-ranking fellow of the Silrosian Combine?

His mouth parted on hearing the words foul play, all but confirming what the Imperial Minister of War knew all along, if not highly suspected. Motito Gil'dae was no mere cives who could die while lacing up a boot. He was a soldier, born and bred for war, having survived the Demios battle, as well as a few other campaigns, even if he was a member of the Imperial Mage Corps. He'd been one of the acknowledged Master Sorcerers in the Empire, so much so that people actually paid to watch him go against other Masters in the magic tournaments they had once upon a time in The Reg in Arconis.

The thought that someone could just off and murder the old goat was laughable, truly, in the extreme. Gilded Gil'dae was way too wily for that, and he would certainly go as he would, if and when he most decidedly pleased, in a way and manner befitting his near-legendary status.

As the stranger spoke on, Alexis noticed a slight familiarity to him. He knew this fellow, he just couldn't place from where. It was in his mannerisms, it was in his tone, it was in his rate of speech, and yes, admittedly, it was in the fellow's eyes.

"I remember that sword, yes, and I remember that brightening," exclaimed Alexis, nodding in confirmation as the story went on, eyes intent, brows crinkling, the current situation, almost all but forgotten. The discourse on arcanomechanics took some time before it could work its way into his head, but he could soon remember the concepts as the fellow continued.

Then came the very direct words, with a similarly direct look. The Imperial Minister of War stood there, all but uncomprehending, until everything clicked into place. It was almost as if the Aethergem had shattered all over again.

"Oh, my Ioannes."

By Markalin, that couldn't be true...now could it? His jaw all but fell to the ground, as his eyes went as wide as saucers, his breathing, suddenly tense, his heart, nearly freezing.

"Motito?! How on telath...?"

His hands clutched his temples, his mind working on overdrive, but almost unwilling, uncapable, or unceasing to believe how on this good telath the Archsorcerer had done this particular magic trick.

The hairs at the back of his neck started to rise, and Alexis could feel the sudden clammy fear come right back into his bones.

"Jorelswine, you're undead!"

Run, if you know what's good for you, his mind screamed, agreeably in a panic. He commanded his limbs thus, but they would not move.

[Motito Gil'dae]

Oh, for the love of....

"And you're an idiot. This one is not undead, thank you very much. This one had simply lost this one's body for a while, and then gained it back. It's not this one's fault if in the meantime the rest of the Telath jumped to the conclusion that this one had died." He shook his head slowly. Was Alexis really that dense, after he'd just explained the entire concept to him? Offered it to him on a silver platter?

"Alexis, this one is very much alive and breathing, just as this one used to be. If you wish, it's probably best that you think of this one as vanished and presumed dead for an era rather than actually dead." He'd expected a plethora of reactions, but this most certainly wasn't one of them.

"This one asks your promise to tell no one that this one still lives until this one is ready for all to know...which may be quite some time. What this one would like to know is what has happened in the meantime while this one has been away."

[Alexis Sapientia]

The reproach stung Alexis to the very core, would was good, in a way, for it knocked some sense back into him. He hadn't been listening, well, not much, really...who would be, if a fellow one long-considered dead - confirmed as such by his wife, even- suddenly appeared and made claims to the contrary regarding his very own existence? Perhaps it was the personality of the old ex-Headmaster that reverted the lad back to his schooloboy days, but be that as it may, it soon had the desired effect.

"I promise, by Markalin."

Taking several deep breaths, so did Alexis shake his head, and get reality back on track, as it were.

"Oh, gods, where do I start? Milo is still Regent, so he's in charge. the orcs sacked Narim and Paxia...the city's been recaptured, but still weak. We've got forces gathering for another offensive to relieve Narim," acknowledged he, biting his lip. Such matters were normally not mentioned outside the Imperial Council of the Crown, but this one had been such, a long time ago. That he was not technically bound by his Imperial Counsellor's oath was of no import. He was absolutely trustworthy.

"Pescado Branch has resigned, and Moranor Andares is in charge of Enamoria, yet again. The Imperial Senate is in flux, as always. Palacrisis is the Governor of Arakmat. My wife was near-assassinated by some ruffians belonging to a group calling itself the Fists of Rage."

He near-spat, at that, on remembering.

"Llanwyn Siannodel, whoever he is, in the new Archprelate." he shrugged at that.

"I've not much news of the northwest borderlands, but we're going to rectify that, with a state visit in a few months. There's talk that Merchante could be relieved. He doesn't appear to have done much since the relief of Paxia."

Politics, after all, was what it was. There were never permanent friends in this business, only permanent interests.

[Motito Gil'dae]

So, the Narim offensive still wasn't over? It sounded like aside from a shifting of who had what power where, very little was different from when he left almost an era ago. Kind of sad, really. Also, he wasn't sure why Aerianne had given up her position as Archprelatess, but he assumed the Ancient had a good reason for doing so, and that it wasn't his place to pry.

All in all, nothing happened.

My, what an effective government the Empire has... his mental voice chimed dryly, but he chose wisely to ignore it.

"So...some political shifts of who has what power and Orcs in Narim is still a problem. Sounds very much like how everything was when this one disappeared. And there isn't any further news on any non-political topics? This one has grown a rather noticeable distaste for them, and not only because of how much of a consistent failure this one was at such a role." His voice became much more serious on the next one, however.

"And this one is sorry to hear about the assassination attempt. Your wife is alright, at least?" he asked. He knew Liselle...it had been the incident with her sword that had led to his little Archmage demotion fiasco that ultimately wound up breaking his former body. Not that he blamed her...it was his own overcaution that had led to that chain of events in the first place.

"And how is the family? And Milo? You gave this one a political update, but how is everyone doing?"

[Alexis Sapientia]

Trust a being fresh from millenia of ennui to have Alexis Sapientia get right to the point. While it was true that 'twas always difficult to let the verbose young man designate the real bottom line, it was also in keeping with the Quicksilver general's habit to wonderfully hustle the truth out of someone, right quick.

Thus the former Headmaster's question on how the family was, quite literally, took the young man by surprise.

First, the question regarding his wife, which made him pause, momentarily, before nodding in reply, after heaving his shoulders and eliciting a sigh.

"We're still investigating. Ruffians, probably, but I'm no longer surprised."

Another shrug of the shoulders, as he leaned against the wall, itching fingers ready to pull out a sin-stick, but not just yet.

"You'll be surprised by this. I'm a father now. Three children, all born in Port Alyxandrya. Triplets, even."

The characteristic Alexis smile so common in The Reg soon displayed itself, alongside a typical chuckle and shake of the head. Responsbility never seemed to be the lad's forte, but then again, there must have been something there that made this one recommend his appointment as Imperial Minister of War.

Bursting with questions, a crinkled brow was the first indication.

"Surely you'd be more comfortable conversing inside, even with your hood on? A lot has been said of you, and your exploits as of late. Surely there's a lot you'd like to tell...heck, you've even a statue in Demios now, y' know?"

Irreverent, the grin appeared, but then again, there were some things never changed.