Chapter Fourteen
Things to Come
The Royal Protector's quarters were on the same floor of the Tower that the Empress's own quarters were. It was across one large main hall, adjacent to the portrait gallery. This was due to the time the position had been first instated, back during a time when unrest and war threatened the monarchy. Back then the Lord Protector had been a figurehead of safety and security.
But that was also during a time when the Spymaster's position had been a confidential one. And now that figurehead of safety and security for the public had been passed to him, Hiram Burrows.
The former Lord Protector Essen had forgone these quarters and had lived in his own inherited estate instead. It had been the proper thing to do. But now that man had been replaced and his successor was not wealthy enough to have his own suitable estate.
So here they were.
His thumbs curled into the lapels of his coat, fingering the gold trim as he and one of his own men followed a Royal guard down the hall toward the quarters in question. His agent bumbled behind him, carrying a large weighted object. They approached the large double doors and the guard looked back questioningly at the Spymaster who glared harshly at him.
"Knock on the door then, boy."
"Lord Spymaster, it's barely dawn, Lord Attano was only instated yesterday-"
"Did you not hear me?" He demanded again, his lip curling around the words angrily.
The guard's uneasy expression only grew, but nonetheless his fist raised and knocked timidly on the door. It barely made a sound. Hiram scoffed loudly at the action and motioned dismissively at the useless guard. "Go back to your post. If you cannot do your job correctly then you shan't have the privilege to do it at all."
"My Lord I am ordered to-"
The large silver doorknob clanked and one of the doors creaked open slowly. The dim light from the hallway streamed inside the dark quarters and highlighted the occupant's confused and wary expression.
"Lord Protector, excuse the disturbance but... the Royal Spymaster is here to see you." The guard said, looking at the floor in discomfort as he explained. The Serkonan's face drew further in puzzlement, his dark brows furrowed as he looked from the guard to Hiram Burrows, and to the agent behind holding the large covered parcel.
"Lord Attano, I presume." Hiram began, his hand flicking out at the guard's shoulder to dismiss him. The man backed away quickly and Hiram was suddenly directly before the open door. "I have come to give congratulations to your rise in position." Hiram smiled. His thin lips stretched across his gritted teeth, making the sharpness of his nose more prominent. His voice was loud in the quiet morning of the dark hall. Loud and piercing. "I wasn't at your inauguration yesterday, I'm afraid." He continued, a hand shooting out to clasp the other doorknob, clicking the other closed door open to give him full access to the room.
Burrows strode inside the Royal Protector's quarters, not acknowledging the man's agitated and baffled expression.
"Ah! I see you're making yourself at home." Burrows chimed, his smile faltering in distraction as he looked about the space. It was hardly moved into. Everything was exactly untouched and unused, as it had been before the Serkonan had even been a thought in the Empress's head. There was no sight of unpacked luggage or strewn clothes. Granted, Corvo had only been instated yesterday afternoon and it was only dawn. But even the bed looked un-slept in, with nothing but a knapsack and a captain's hat lying on its sheets. "The quarters are lovely aren't they?"
He turned his tight and forceful smile back on the Serkonan, who seemed to be the uncomfortable one in his own quarters. Corvo shifted on his feet, his narrowed eyes pinning the Royal Spymaster with questions. His hands raised, and his fingers began to twirl and sign.
Hiram pretended not to see the action, turning away to his own accompanied soldier and motioned him inside. "I have a gift for you Lord Protector."
The agent strode in, his arms heaving the large object. The black velvet cover upon it shifted as he set it down with some difficulty on the writing desk. It clanked obnoxiously.
He watched with a thin, pleasured smile and Hiram could see Corvo signing continually out of the corner of his eyes. He continued to ignore him. He would not give the disabled man the satisfaction of sinking so low, nor was the weakness his problem.
This was not a meeting of pleasantries, after all.
Hiram Burrows was here to make things quite clear between him and the new Lord Protector. Such things were not necessary between him and Nicolai Essen, but then again Essen had not been something to be concerned about.
When the Serk had been announced a near month ago, Hiram wasn't exactly surprised. He hardly ever understood what sort of thoughts ran rampant in their dear Majesty's head already, so trying to understand what made her make such preposterous decisions as these was pointless.
To say the man was unfit for office was obvious. And Hiram's growing distaste for the situation was intensified when he learned of the Serk's addled tongue.
A Gallows man. The thought would have been laughable if it was not already worrying. Her Majesty had always been much too trustworthy. She threw her faith in directions that risked the state of the Kingdom. Something Hiram could not sit well with.
But patience was the key. A situation like this would only run itself dry. A careful nudge or two in the right direction and things would fall into place as they should. It would only be a matter of time before Corvo Attano ran out his own time and the Empress came to her senses to send him back to the heated islands of Serkonos.
That he was most sure of.
"I'm sure this will be quite useful to you Corvo. I may call you Corvo, yes?" He inquired, his brows lifting with the inflection of his voice as he gestured to the thing.
Corvo signed and Hiram lifted his chin with a tighter smile. He ignored him even as he looked him in the eyes. "Splendid."
The Serkonan's expression darkened instantly at the obvious intent in the Spymasters own gaze.
Corvo seemed to suddenly understand the intrusion, his hands lowering to fist gently at his sides. The two men shared their glares, Corvo's dark one accusatory and Hiram's carefully ignorant between his smile.
When Corvo intently stepped forward, Burrows decided to take his leave. He stepped away, lifting a hand to consider his clean and clipped fingernails.
"I wish you the very best in your duties to come." His hands gestured regally at him, almost mockingly. An afterthought. "Goodness knows that our dear Empress needs all the security she can receive in such hectic times." He motioned impatiently to his agent, and followed him to the door.
Corvo continued to pin his narrowed eyes on the reedy Spymaster. He followed him out, hand gripping the thick door to close it after him.
"And just keep in mind Corvo, that if you ever need aid, I am more than willing to extend it." Hiram nodded, hands crossing behind him and shoulders drawing tight. "The Spymaster has been a position long before the Lord Protector ever was. So I know may have a further reach to help benefit you."
Corvo said nothing, nor did he try to sign. His shaded gaze was a shadow of warning, one that didn't need to be spoken between either man.
"Good day." Hiram didn't bow, nor did he wait for such trivialities from the Serkonan. He turned on his heel with a snap, and he and his agent left.
Corvo clicked the door harshly on itself, locking it with a snap and retreating back into the room.
The dawn light was beginning to slither into the lush quarters behind the curtains and while he looked at his bed contemplatively, instead he strode to the writing desk.
The large object sat with a looming form on the wood, the black velvet cover hiding the bulkiness of his 'gift.' With a sharp yank, the velvet fell away to reveal shiny green and black metal, glinting in the in dimness. It looked brand new and freshly polished.
It was an audiograph.
Clara snapped the white linen sharply in the air, pulling the small dining sheet taut before meeting the corners together and folding it on her chest.
The tension in the air that had been stirring for months had finally seemed to dissipate after yesterday's ceremony. She had felt it ease away even as she had readied the Empress for her sign lesson early in the morning, and even more so hours after when she had set brunch.
They had returned to having light conversations today. Jessamine had inquired about frivolities such as fashion and weather for the first time since she had left for Serkonos. Clara had been happy to hear it, and was glad for the return to somewhat normality.
It pleased her to see the woman take even small comforts between her responsibilities to the crown.
Her hands stacked the napkins on the dining sheet with a jovial lightness of the bright mid-morning. She arranged the dirty plates and cups along the silver tray, intent on whisking them away so she could more quickly return to fetch whatever the Empress may need during her hour at the office.
As she hoisted the tray to her balanced hand, there was a knock on the sitting room door.
Clara frowned and paused hesitantly. There weren't any audiences that she knew of scheduled for today.
She set the tray back down worriedly, before heading toward the door and opening it fully.
"Lord Protector."
She curtsied immediately, lifting her head after she did so to look on the man's stern face.
She recognized him instantly. Though recognizing Corvo Attano was not hard to do, when no other Serkonan occupied the Tower. Not to mention the man had striking features; a prominent brow and jaw, with sharp dark cheeks and an austere set of lips. Thankfully, he looked much more like the Officer she saw promoted yesterday than the ruffian she had remembered the night he had appeared with Jessamine back in Serkonos.
"May I help you, my Lord?" She asked a bit timidly. He was a relatively tall man, something she had not noticed from far away. Perhaps not as tall as Commander Dalen, even if it felt like it with him standing directly in front of her.
Corvo said nothing, standing like a statue that had been carved from bronzed marble and placed before the door.
Clara suddenly realized her blunder. How was she expecting him to answer her? Her nerves suddenly racked as she realized she may have to sign, or read his. She had been tutored, as Jessamine had ordered. But should she not be able to keep up? Or what if she made a mistake?
She looked up a bit worriedly, glancing at the man to see if he was attempting to answer. Corvo's brows drew together, his cheek shifting as his jaw worked beneath his closed mouth. His eyes, on the other hand, were not even looking at her. They searched beyond the Matron's short head to the empty sitting room beyond.
"The Empress has retired to her office for work." She informed when she noticed where his attentions lied. "Shall I announce your presence?"
Corvo's eyes found hers again and Clara looked away intently. The dark man was slightly more intimidating than she remembered, despite his unassuming expression. Perhaps it was the regal-ness of his form in the new uniform. Or maybe it was the unintentional silence.
She saw him nod above her though, and moved so the man could enter.
He didn't stride in like the Secretary or other official's often did. Nor did he march so, like the Commander or the guards.
No, Corvo walked in slowly and deliberately, his eyes tracing the room entirely, a quiet and candid interest crossing his features as he took in the room. He looked more at ease in the quaint room, coming to stand by the unoccupied tea table and it's left over dishes from brunch. The light streaming in from the open windows made his uniform appear bluer than it did black and the change allowed Clara to appreciate his appearance free from his intimidating presence.
"Just a moment my Lord, I'll announce you."
Corvo turned to nod sharply at her and she nearly froze as his hands rose, but he seemed to abandon the gesture, hands dropping to his side. Clara took the action as nervousness more than protest and quickly made her way to the adjacent doors. She knocked briefly before opening it.
The office inside was much darker than the bright and easy sitting room. The curtains were drawn from the nice weather's distraction and there were no noises of the wind and river through the shut windows.
Jessamine was scrawling upon a parchment before looking up at the entrance, an obvious wary expression at having been interrupted.
"Forgive me, Majesty, but the Lord Protector is here to see you."
The pen in her hands dropped to the paper distractedly and Jessamine made to stand. "Corvo?" She questioned, thin brows drawing together and her hand smoothing her blouse.
"Yes Ma'am. Shall I tell him to make an appointed audience instead?"
"No, no." Jessamine hurried with a shake of her head, leaving her desk and coming out to meet her matron. "I will meet with him."
Clara felt the anxiety from before come back. But this time it felt more timid than before. She smiled easily at her Madam as if to subtle help ease any of the woman's uneasiness.
Jessamine shared the smile, but said nothing. She flicked her chin toward the door and Clara took the dismissal, pulling the door wider to allow her Majesty entrance. She closed the office gently once more and turned to watch as Jessamine strode in toward the Lord with the trained grace she was known for.
While her regal face and posture was restrained and calm in her authority, Clara recognized the trademark nervous purse of her lips, and the curling of her fingers.
The Lord Protector turned at the sound of them and his head immediately lowered with his form as he bowed. Clara's brows rose as he even went to one knee, his once intimidating from reducing to a humble form on the plush carpet. Jessamine seemed surprised as well, frowning at the extreme formality of the action.
The awkward silence grew within the once cheery room until the Empress cleared her throat pointedly and glanced at Clara.
"Excuse me!" Clara immediately announced, embarrassed at her lack of dismissal. She curtsied quickly and crossed the room to leave her Queen and the Lord in private.
Jessamine watched the Matron's petite form disappear and the door close with a click after her. She turned her attention back on the Royal Protector at her feet with a frown, shifting rigidly in her own stance.
"Corvo, please, there's no need for such formality any longer." She hushed.
She almost regretted saying it when he stood, catching his direct gaze with hers. How could she forget that intensity?
She let her features ease beneath it anyway, forcing reassurance even as his expression faltered into a wary apprehension.
They were quiet, both gazing at each other's faces as if waiting for indication for the other to speak. She wondered if he came to make better acquaintance with her. Or maybe he came to see to his new duties, or ask her about specific requests he needed to better suit his position.
She swallowed. Maybe he came to insist on his retreat from the burden she had thrown at him.
"Please, sit." She gestured, indicating the empty chairs beside the tea table.
Corvo glanced distractedly at the furniture, his hands fisting at his sides. But he didn't move.
When it was apparent that he would not, she shifted uneasily and tried to move on, taking initiative.
"I'm glad for your timing." She began for him, breaking the strange pause between them. "I know the past few weeks for you must have been... strenuous. There was little time for us to speak to one another." She smiled gently at his reserved expression. "I had hoped that the process would be easier for you. I know that much has changed since you've been assigned to my service from Lord Rossini. It… wasn't fair of me to move you about so incessantly."
Jessamine's fingers twined together and she waited for a few seconds to see if he would speak.
She glanced at his idle hands and continued when he didn't. "My Secretary has reassured me that he and the Commander have informed you of all your new responsibilities." She looked away, taking a few steps toward the open window to gaze out to the calm and scenic view. "And I am confident myself that you can perform them impressively."
She heard him shift behind her and turned to smile at him again. "Your devotion to my commands and your insight into this position is what makes me so sure."
Corvo followed her steps to draw nearer and the glare on his face from the sun made his dark eyes appear very light. A near golden. But his tightly drawn brows and clenched jaw did not ease and she frowned worriedly at his look.
"I know it may seem there is a lot to be done." She began, looking away once more. The one-sided conversation made her very much aware of the sound of her own voice filling the space between them like a broken dam. "I have made it clear to the Commander and your… Captain Morris, as I recall? I have made it clear to them both that they are to assist you in any way possible. Cromwell included, since he is familiar with all duties assigned to the positions as court."
"I want everything to be simple for you. Feel free to direct them to your desire, I am sure they will heed your orders well and if they do not, then I can find suitable replacements."
Those golden brown eyes were tracing her face with that same vexed look.
"Please, Corvo." She began. "I wish to hear whatever thoughts or words you may have." She urged. His normally collected and determined presence shaded by this new anxious one was making her self-conscious. Had he come with complaints? Was he upset and spiteful to her for giving him such a heavy position? "I want you to understand that in my presence you are free to speak your mind."
Corvo began to shake his head slowly with an even more down turned expression.
Jessamine hurried to encourage him again. "You are Royal Protector now. And as such you need no consent to do or say what you think is best." She pursed her lips in thought. "You must know... that no other has authority over your own. And I only expect reports from your decisions, not permission to make them. I trust you to carry out whatever you deem necessary for your duty."
Corvo nodded quietly as she stopped; some, but not all of his anxiousness easing away.
"I also hope that I could come to rely on your words and judgment personally, Corvo." She urged again, peering at his direct gaze with a subtle hint. "And hear your opinions."
The confusion was back and his hands finally raised with a snap, grasping at the air pointedly at her before dropping. The act was such a vehemently contained reaction that Jessamine placed a hand on her abdomen in surprise. Corvo looked away from her, lips parting as he glared about the room.
And that's when it dawned on her. "Has... my Secretary not informed you?" She questioned slowly. The inquiry grabbed his attention again and Jessamine slowly raised her own hands, fingers unsteadily moving along with her next words. "I...would...speak...with you."
The movements were a little shaky, and she felt her cheeks flush a little at finally using the skill for the direct purpose she had learned it for. Corvo's eyes traced the gestures, an intense focus in his face as he watched her fingers move. His shoulders fell away and his eyes seemed to take in the action little by little before snapping back to her face. His lips moved as his brows lifted and she almost believed he would actually speak out loud in his surprise.
They gazed at each other for bare seconds as she lowered her hands. And she wondered briefly if she had made a mistake in one of the motions.
His hands rose slowly, and began their quiet trace of the language, delicate and slightly unsure.
'You know how to sign?'
Jessamine glanced to the ground before them, pushing away at her nervous smile. "I would think it irresponsible not to learn how to speak with my new Lord Protector."
Corvo took a quick step toward her, making her jerk in attention. His hands rose, snapping at his forehead and mouth quickly.
'I was not told.'
"It must have slipped Cromwell's mind between his rambling of office procedure." She chuckled wryly, Corvo's own expression lightened. "I would only ask that you are... slow with me. I must admit that the more complex vocabulary escapes me. And my own fingers ache with letter spelling." She raised her chin in her honest guilt of inadequacy. "It has only been a few weeks of lessons."
'It takes time.'
"And more patience than an Empress can hold, I'm afraid." She chuckled again, catching his quickly relaxing expression. She watched in reserved joy as the corner of his mouth twitched and his eyes creased. He didn't have to watch his own hands as they moved. He was meticulously and deliberately measured for her. His fingers curled with stern calculation and the transitions between signs and letters were even more careful than Madame Bonet's tutoring hands were.
In her mind, it felt like his voice was pleasingly quiet. Like a chuckled statement beneath his breath.
'You do not have to spell letters for me. You need only read mine.'
"Then you are a savior to my fingers, Lord Attano." She laughed thankfully, letting her smile widen.
The air in the room felt weightless as they shared a relaxed and comforting pause. The sharp constraint of worry within her was gone, and she could hear his voice within her head for the first time since he had guided her through the darkened tunnel in Serkonos. He looked more reassured himself, with the muscles of his face laced into a thoughtful expression.
She was thankful his hair was still pulled back as it had been the day before, so she could fully appreciate the look of him. Seeing him so calm, in his new uniform and standing casually in her sitting room as if he had belonged, made her realize again that the choice she had made was not one to be regretted.
At least, not now.
"My statement still stands. I want you to know where your authority lies. I know the promotion was quite sudden… and I know that this position was not what Lord Rossini assigned for you."
'He assigned me to be your Hand.'
Jessamine frowned timidly. "I... understand. But that is not a position common within Gristol society. It should be clear that I have no need for... such extents of service." she said, wanting to make it known that she did not want bloodshed in her name. She didn't want to offend him though, nor did she want to impolitely bring up the act of murdering others. "Serkonos may have traditions of…assassin jobs-"
'A Hand is not an assassin.' He interrupted, his brows drawn with shake of his head. 'A Hand is what a Lord wants it to be. A part of your own hand itself. I am to do whatever you demand.'
Corvo paused, his fingers hesitating with preconceived thoughts and an honest hard look before continuing.
'Rossini had me kill often. But I will only kill if you ask it of me.'
Jessamine nodded slowly at the explanation, waiting quietly as the larger words were carefully spelled out for her to understand.
"I see. Well, 'Lord Protector' makes it more official in Dunwall, then. So I suppose you have been finally placed where you were intended to be." She carefully chose to avoid his second statement.
Corvo paused at that. His face relaxed at the corners of his eyes and he nodded.
'Thank you, Your Majesty.'
Jessamine smiled at the combined gesture. The signs were more familiar than any other, and she felt an inkling of intimacy to them that made her look on him fondly as he presented the touch of his mouth to her and then measured his heart to his pocket.
'I will be honored to carry out your orders.'
She glanced at the floor at his humility. The effect made her humble. She was not used to such rare cases of genuine speech within her own court. "I too, look forward to having you at my side."
She cleared her throat distractedly.
"Was there something in particular you wished to speak with me about?" She finally inquired, leaning the conversation to a more formal nature. "I don't want to distract you from any issues you might have with me."
She sighed with slightly heaved shoulders before letting him answer. "I know it's been a struggle. And I apologize for the long process and the reports I received about some of the protocols you've been through. If there is anything at all you had concern with or need me to attend to, please feel free to let me know." Her expression became assertive once more. "I will not have you thinking you do not have the authority or my extreme influence to act out your rightful position."
When he didn't interrupt, Jessamine nervously twisted her fingers before ending with, "Is there anything you'd like to concern me with?"
Corvo seemed to consider her words carefully and she watched as his thoughtful and troubled expression slowly eased into a contented gaze at her. He shook his head, a shadow of a quirked smile in his eyes.
'Not anymore.'
The quiet answer passed that comfort into her and they shared another air of understanding together.
Staring into a gaze that met hers equally and yet cast humbly from the stance of a loyal Protector, Jessamine realized that this was a company she could finally depend on.
She allowed herself the stray thought of hope.
A hope for another she could come to confide in.