7/6/07
Chapter Two - The Game's Afoot
The next morning, after bathing and breakfasting, LeBlanc seated herself behind her wide desk on the second floor of her mansion and summoned Logos to deliver his report. She had no doubt that her clever servant had managed to collect realms of data for her inspection. He was uniquely skilled at such tasks. During the night her determination to have the man, Nooj, had only increased. She was unused to being thwarted and had set her intentions on bringing him to her bed. As she was leaving the gala last night, she had sent Ormi secretly to retrieve the handkerchief the Captain had so contemptuously tossed away and now touched the cleavage at her breast where she had tucked it when she dressed a while ago. It was her amulet, the token of her will to succeed.
A quick glance at her daily calender reminded her that she had an appointment at three o'clock with the merchant Aquelev. It seemed the day was to be a constant series of events to keep the last evening's encounter at the front of her mind. Oh well, she doubted that she would think about much else anyway.
A diffident throat-clearing sound made her look up. Logos was standing before her desk, a sheaf of papers in his hands.
"Well, what've you found out?" he asked impatiently.
"The officer in question is most interesting, madam. He is becoming well known in the army and is considered the most promising of the current crop of junior officers. He is billeted at the Crusader headquarters building near the harbour and will be in the city for at least another week and perhaps longer. His superiors are evaluating him and his abilities and are trying to make the most efficient use of his talents in the most effective position."
LeBlanc smiled inwardly. She could think of a perfect place for his talents to serve quite satisfactorily. "And what else did you find out?"
"He is said to be almost supernaturally brave and daring. He always takes the lead in battle even though his rank would permit him to stay toward the rear. For this reason, he is called the Deathless. Soldiers, they're a superstitious lot, have the idea he is protected by some powerful spirits who keep him safe when those on all sides of him are killed or wounded. They count it lucky to be led by one so blessed. His men will follow him into the FarPlane itself. He's an expert swordsman and when he takes the high ground, he is invincible - so they say."
"Does he have any flaws, this demi-god? Surely, he's not all that perfect."
"He's very grim and nobody dares try to get too close. They say his best friend is an Al Bhed he met on the Mi'ihen Highroad. He's also self-centered and can be very cruel. Some of the things I heard about how he has treated thieves and bandits are too bloody for your ears. To balance that, he's fanatically loyal to his own companions and has never been known to break his word."
"You're picked up more than I thought you could. Well done. I can always count on you to figure out what I need to know."
Logos ducked his head in confusion. "It was easy, ma'am. Once you get any one of those Crusaders talking about the Captain (you'd think they only had one), he just won't stop. It seems they've made him a sort of ideal for what they all want to be. He's like a banner they carry waving in front of them. Sorry, ma'am, I didn't mean to run on like that." He clumsily handed her the thick stack of papers he had been holding. "I printed it all out for you."
"Thank you, Logos. You must've been up all night getting all this in order. You're a good man and I appreciate you."
"You said you needed it and I was happy to oblige." The lanky man shuffled his feet. "He sounds like a most acceptable suitor, if I may say so."
She graced him with one of her radiant smiles. "We'll see. I'm going to ask him to dinner soon and we'll see how it goes. Sit down over there while I go over these notes you made. I may need some clarification."
Logos marched to the line of chairs ranged against the far wall and sat down - at attention.
LeBlanc had trained her servants to research thoroughly and fairly and had trained herself to listen carefully and read thoughtfully. She concentrated on the print-out, shutting out all distractions.
"Logos," she said slowly. "I note you said his troops called him "Deathless"; here you have written "Undying". Which is it?"
"The two words have nearly the same meaning in the military," he answered. 'But ... there is another term I heard applied once or twice and was hesitant to include."
"And that was?"
"Some called him Deathseeker, ma'am."
"I've heard that word. It's not a compliment, as I recall."
"No ma'am. It refers to a follower of a cult - a sort of underground group - which holds death to be better than life and whose members are sworn to give their lives for Spira without fear or doubt. They are a fanatical crew, I hear and, as you might expect, die young. I'm not sure if this Captain is really one of them. Do you want me to keep hunting?"
"Yes, that would be a good idea. I need to know what's there before I invest too much time and expense." She turned her attention again to the document before her. "No sense getting mixed up with somebody who'd rather die than ..." Her voice trailed off.
She finished her reading and tapped the mass of papers against her desk in order to square them. "Thank you, Logos. You've done very well. There'll be a bonus for you this month. Now go see what you can find out about the Deathseeking. Let's hope it's just a rumour."
The thin man stood, blushing with pleasure. "Glad to be of service, ma'am. I'll get right on it."
In the empty office, LeBlanc let her fingers trail across the report as though stroking the person of the man it described. She sighed as she relived the incidents of the night before in painstaking detail. Only when she reached the point at which he so fastidiously discarded the handkerchief she now treasured in her bosom did she feel a spurt of indignation. How dare he? Then she thought again. She had not know many men so cat-like clean and found it oddly touching and endearing. She must be sure to tell him about the elaborate bathing arrangement in her hotel. That might prove to be a major part of the perfect lure.
Smiling to herself, she started the scenario again. It was all she had until she could cast her bait and draw him in. Then they would see who won the game.
-X-
After a lunch to which she did not do justice and a short restless nap, LeBlanc prepared to welcome Aquelev. She was nervous about facing him, fearing that Nooj had almost certainly told him what had happened last night on the balcony. Maybe not; Nooj was not very talkative and not all men felt they had to publicize their amatory exploits.
On the one hand, Aquelev had clearly been guarding the balcony from ill-timed intrusions. On the other hand, there was no real reason to think he knew Nooj had succeeded in his designs - unless he knew Nooj always succeeded in what he set out to do.
Her fruitless fretting was cut short by the appearance of the Al Bhed himself. He walked briskly across the room, his right hand outstretched, his strange pupils swirling wildly, a briefcase bouncing off his leg.
She eyed him carefully to see if he betrayed any suggestion of knowledge he should not have.
"Madam LeBlanc, how good to see you again. Are you well today?"
"Quite well. And you, sir?"
"I'm rejoicing in your climate with the sea breezes and all and looking forward to making both of us richer today." He laughed lightly and gracefully took the seat she indicated. There was nothing in his attitude which indicated he knew about the incident on the balcony. So maybe Nooj had not spoken out of turn. She relaxed.
"What are you in need of?" She steepled her long fingers under her chin and beamed at him. "We, here in the Syndicate, and I especially as its Head, pride ourselves in being able to produce the most unlikely materiel immediately. I'm sure you'll find we can provide you with whatever you're looking for. It's not for nothing we're the most reliable service on the planet."
Some time later, after a great deal of refreshing haggling which they both enjoyed very much, Aquelev tucked his copies of the signed contracts into his case and prepared to rise.
"Thank you for a pleasant and profitable afternoon. It has been a privilege to deal with a first class business mind. I foresee many more mutually advantageous encounters in our futures."
LeBlanc swept her copies into her top desk drawer and turned the lock. "We understand one another very well, my friend. Don't go yet. Come on down to the salon and let's toast our first successful dealings in a proper manner like civilized people. It's my habit to get to know my best business partners on a more personal basis. Friendship lubricates commerce, that's what I always tell my people. I have one of the best cellars in the city and would just love to show you what I can provide if you need social supplies as well as military materiel."
"I would be delighted." He bowed in the old fashioned way.
Once settled in the cozy confines of the ground-floor salon with glasses of some of the finest wine available on the planet in their hands, they prepared to cement their relationship.
"So you are handling most of the supplies for the main army? You certainly know your stuff but I'm curious to hear how you got past that stupid bias so many of the top officers and priests have against the Al Bhed. How'd you pull it off?" She looked over the rim of her glass with genuine curiosity.
Aquelev made a dramatic gesture with his free hand. "Through the good offices of my friend, the Captain I introduced you to last night. He has more influence than his years would suggest and can pull more strings than you might be willing to believe." She eyed him narrowly, but he still gave no hint that he was aware of any deeper connection she might have with Nooj.
"Oh. He is impressive but I had no idea... Have you known him long?" She feigned idle curiosity although the beating of her pulse nearly deafened her.
"Long enough. I've seen him fight. Once he took out three bandits all by himself, armed only with a dagger." Aquelev was ever eager to spin a tale to a fresh audience.
"Wasn't that awfully risky for him? Is he trying to get himself killed?" She held her breath waiting for the answer.
"Not really. He's just crazy brave and thinks he can do anything. He's still young enough to believe he's immortal."
"Men are like that." She smiled and flicked her fan. "Would you and he like to come here to dinner tomorrow night? We can talk about courage and foolishness." She winked. "And all the rest of the things we know about the world. I can give you some information about places in the city you soldiers might find interesting. Not everything is public knowledge and I have sources."
"I would like that very much and will pass along your invitation. Thank you, you are entirely gracious."
"Will you also ask Chayeth? That way we'll be an even party." LeBlanc was quite proud of herself for making the offer. "She's a pretty little thing and looks like she could use some rest and recreation."
Aquelev chuckled. "I'll ask her but doubt she'll accept. She's pulling as much extra duty as she can trying to expedite her career. But I'll try." He spread his hands in a gesture of submission.
"Good. Here, let me pour you another glass of wine. I got this from an importer who owed me a favour. I can tell you how to trade favours here in Lucas. It might come in handy."
He shook his head and rose. "I've had as much as is good for me if I'm going to get anything else done this afternoon. I thank you for your hospitality and anticipate our next meeting."
"Be sure to let me know if I may expect you for dinner tomorrow night." She reminded him with an arch expression and a tap on his shoulder with her fan.
-X-
That evening, Logos came again to her office where she was finishing up her notes on the day's contracts and dealings. She looked up to find him standing before her desk, quivering with information.
"OK. What have you learned?" she asked with a twist of her lips, correctly interpreting his attitude. "Is he one of those crazies?"
"I went to the soldiers' tavern, the one I went to last night," he stuttered. "I steered the talk to the idea of Deathseekers. They told me - everybody I talked to - that the whole thing was just a legend. There might have been some Warriors who bragged about how ready they were to die but it was just loud mouths fishing for attention." He squared his shoulders and smiled tightly, sure this was news she wanted to hear.
"That was well done, Logos. You've served me well this week. Now I'm sure you're tired so you're dismissed until morning. Sleep well and be sure to lock the front door."
Just as he was opening the door, Logos was almost bowled over by the entrance of the circular Ormi. The rotund creature, moving with surprising speed, ignored the near collision and waddled to his leader, waving a white envelope.
"Madam! This just came! It's from that Al Bhed who was here this afternoon." He laid the envelope before her with all the pride of a fat cat presenting its owner with a fresh vole. "I brought it right here!"
"Yes, I can see that." LeBlanc lifted the missive and picked at the blob of wax sealing the flap.
It took her only a moment to read the enclosure. "Well, boys, we're going to have guests tomorrow night. Two gentlemen will be joining me for dinner. Pne of them is the Al Bhed who was here this afternoon so make sure the staff doesn't spit in his food. Ormi, go huddle with the cook and get a menu ready for me to approve in the morning. No. Wait a minute; I want you to take an answer to the man who sent this. Then you can see to the planning. Logos, you go on to bed."
She drew a sheet of her most formal paper from the drawer of the desk and quickly composed a reply to Aquelev. If she was disappointed that both men would be present, she did not reveal it by even the tilt of an eyebrow. It was a beginning and who could tell what the end result would be? First move to her. She hummed softly under her breath.
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