Fortuna audaces iuvat
Translation: Fortune helps the bold
Two Days before Full Moon
Tony had hardly slept all night. He had tossed and turned in the suddenly too large bed with anxiousness. He had lain there, wondering what the priests were doing to Pepper. And his mind was conjuring up all sorts of horrible images.
Then the Dragon had consoled him with the idea that the priests would take the utmost care of Pepper because they wanted her for the ceremony. It seemed clear so far, that the Oracle candidates disappeared only after the full moon. So till then, Pepper would handle the situation on her own.
Tony was slightly mollified by that. He had seen Pepper blossom from a nervous fugitive to a strong, skilled warrior and she was damn good at sneaking around. Even better than him.
So he had lain back down, willing himself to sleep. But then the bed smelt like Pepper, lilies and vanilla and the scent was torturing him. So he went down to the stables to groom the horses. If he was busy, he wouldn't obsess about Pepper and her well being.
At ten in the morning, Le Loup came looking for him and found him in the stables. Tony had finished grooming Balthazar and Buttercup and was now grooming the other horses as well. He sensed that the scoutmaster was nervous, from the way he was standing at a safe distance from Tony.
Le Loup asked carefully, "So I take it Pepper has been selected?"
Tony stared at the stable floor, brush in hand, horse waiting patiently in front of him. He was thinking of the wrapped, still, white body with the fleeting glimpse of red hair, through the fallen edge of cloth.
He answered slowly, "Yes, she was. She was taken from the Temple. I saw them do it in the middle of the night."
Le Loup cleared his throat. "So... we need to get in, yes ? We need to be invited to this party. Remember that Count I spoke of? We should go there now."
Tony began to gently brush the horse down. "What of King John? Is he informed of the situation?"
The scoutmaster replied, "Yes, his messenger came by, today morning. He will send a small unit of his elite knights who will reach Patait at dawn, three days from now, the day after the full moon.
Tony nodded. "Send a message to Hereald in Lorinthia, asking him to come to Patait, by the night of the full moon. He will also help us in this fight."
Le Loup gulped. "Are you sure we should involve more people? We should keep it quiet, you know. It wouldn't look good for it to seem Carinthia is involved in the situation at all. We could start a diplomatic war."
He backed up against the stable wall with alarm, as in three quick strides, Tony was face to face with him, brush raised threateningly. "Le Loup, I want all the help I can get because we need to get rid of these horsemen. Also, I'm warning you now..." he paused... "if we go to the ceremony and... if Pepper is not there, if she is not there... I will raise hell and screw the consequences. And I expect you to support me. Am I being clear?"
The scoutmaster nodded.
"Now," Tony continued, "Let us eat and ride to this Count's camp. I'm anxious to steal his invitation."
Tony watched from the underbrush as the Count's servants hustled and bustled about. Le Loup had not exaggerated when he said that the Count had set up a camp. For a single man and his small entourage, the Count had taken over a significant area of flat grassland in the forest and set up 6 tents. Naturally the most ostentatious and largest in a corner of the meadow, was his.
"There are only eight men including the guards but there are six tents... talk about fancy." Le Loup muttered with appreciation. "The man knows how to travel in luxury."
"What is the Count's name again?"
"Rupert of Hentzau."
Tony mused. "Huh... sounds familiar but I cannot place why. No matter. So what's the plan here, scoutmaster? You distract, I extract?"
"Yes, I will start a fire in the tent as far away as possible from the Count's tent. which is purple in color, by the way."
"Yes, Le Loup, believe me, I noticed that."
"Anyways, the servants and guards will rush to put the fire out. The Count will not move a muscle, he is busy snoring, tired out after his rather debauched bedroom antics last night."
Le Loup began to snicker and Tony asked sarcastically, "Just how do you know what the Count did last night?"
"Because my knightly friend, while you were busy keeping an eye on your Virginia, I was close to this area with some ladies and the Count noticed us. He nicely invited us to his tent, for some frolicking and gambling. I left the camp in the wee hours of the morning. My lady friends spent the night here, so I know they are still with the Count."
Tony mused for a minute. "That's good, Le Loup. So these ladies know our plan? They won't shriek when they see me right, in the Count's tent?"
"Ermmm, I'm afraid my lord, they know me, you may need to explain a bit who you are."
"Sounds lovely. Well then, I will enter his tent when I hear the commotion. Say, do you have a club or a stick?"
"No, Lord Stark, I have daggers." Le Loup opened the side of his coat to show his impressive collection of daggers, strapped to his chest. "Take your pick."
"No, Le Loup, I already have a dagger." He pulled out the dagger of Aramiah. Le Loup looked at it longingly and sighed.
Tony sheathed his dagger and looked at him. "I want something non-lethal to subdue the Count if needed."
"Oh, you won't need it. He's pretty drunk on homemade country wine. It is difficult to get up from drinking that on a binge."
"Again... part of your frolicking."
"Oh yes, my lord."
"Good. Let's split up then. Good luck."
Le Loup crept through the bushes and Tony waited expectantly.
He noticed no one left or entered the hideously purple tent. So his countship is still resting.
He played with the dagger absently, waiting for Le Loup to do his bit.
Soon there was a distinct scent of something burning and Tony pulled out his telescope to look at the beginning of the camp. Yes, the small tent on the right is on fire. Three guards are there and two servants... running with buckets... complete chaos. Time to move.
He stepped out from the underbrush and moved towards the purple tent. There was another tent in the middle and Tony walked straight into it. He was in, what was clearly the food tent. He sniffed appreciatively at the rich bouquet of aromas and then looked for the exit. It seems there is only one way to enter and exit the tent. Never mind, I will make my own peephole.
He pulled out the dagger and made a small hole in one wall of the tent. He peered out of it. Crap! I'm facing the wrong way.
He turned and made another small hole in the next wall. This time he was looking at the entrance of the purple tent.
There is a guard outside the tent! He must have stayed behind to guard the Count. I cannot take him head on, he might yell. I must get behind the purple tent.
He thought for a moment. The dragon whispered, Le Loup started one fire. What if you set fire to the tent next door? This guard would definitely run there...
And if he does not, then I take him on headfirst. You are right, Dragon, we are running out of time here.
Tony looked around. What can I use to start a fire? Oooooo... cooking fat. Great and what is that ... matches ...
The Dragon said, Not that cooking fat isn't a good way to start a fire... but do you remember what Pepper used in the Village, to set fire to some buildings? A bottle of some sort that you could throw?
Tony snapped his fingers, delighted with the idea. That is it! A bottle of wine with a lit rag stuffed in. Brilliant. Wine... wine... wine... here!
He opened a bottle of red wine, stuffed a dish cloth in it and exited the tent. Then he peered around the tent's corner to see the guard still there, looking bored. Tony turned to his left. Le Loup's blaze is still burning. Time for me to start another.
He lit the rag and tossed the bottle straight at the neighboring tent. It immediately caught fire and he heard the guard yell in shock. Then he heard running and he looked around the tent's corner again to see the guard entering the burning tent.
Tony rook advantage of this to run behind the purple tent. He made a small vertical slit in the tent's wall and slid in quietly. He took in the scene before him.
If this is roughing it ... I shudder to think what is luxury.
The tent was a rustic replica of a rich man's bedroom. In one corner, was a large armoire and a table laden with belts and baubles. In the other, was a number of comfortable chairs and stools. There was a small table covered with bottles of all shapes and sizes. And finally, a large bed on which the Count and his lady friends were draped all over each other, in deep slumber.
Tony tip toed to the bauble table. Crap, it is just full of fancy accessories and jewelry. Hmmmm... wait a minute, I am going to pretend that I'm the Count. Don't I need some proof that I'm the Count?
How about a signet ring? Whispered the Dragon with excitement. Tony knew the Dragon liked baubles and gold.
Tony picked up the Count's signet ring which was carelessly placed in the middle of all the jewelry. It was a flat, gold, square ring with a lion engraved on it. He put it in his pocket.
The Dragon hissed appreciatively, How about taking that large emerald as well, over there? That is a beauty.
Dragon ,chided Tony gently, we are not here to shop.
I know, I know, anyways we will be returning everything, so what is the harm? Besides you need to look like a rich count and you cannot do so with just one ring.
Tony shook his head and picked up the emerald ring as well.
Now, how about the Count's ceremonial jacket over there, draped on the chair?
Tony gritted his teeth. Dragon, this is stealing, we just need the invitation!
The Dragon actually roared back at him. Anthony, do you have the clothes of a nobleman?! I do not think so! You will be the poorest count ever, if you go there dressed in the same black clothes!
All right, all right, let's take the jacket as well. Tony tied the sleeves of the jacket around his neck, so his hands were free.
He froze as he heard a sound behind him, coming from the bed. Then he slowly turned. The Count had pushed one of the sleeping ladies off him and was snoring gently.
Tony walked to the edge of the bed and absently stared at the trio, sleeping in a tangle of limbs and pillows.
Le Loup has picked the right noble for me to impersonate. The Count looks a lot like me, except for his pretentious pencil mustache and coiffed hair. We have the same coloring.
But he's slender whereas you are broad.
Because I am a soldier, Dragon. Once upon a time, I used to be like this. Dead drunk, fast asleep with one, two or three women whom I met the night before. And would never meet again, once I woke up. But that is going to change. I want to wake up next to the woman I love.
He thought of Pepper then and he became serious. God, I need to get to Pepper. I need to be present in the damn ceremony. I better find the invitation before the fires are put out.
Just then a shadow fell across the tent's entrance and Tony froze. Shit! The guard's come back, where to hide?! Wait, at the other side of the bed, should do!
He moved to the side of the bed, away from the entrance and lay down, hoping the Count and the ladies would hide him from the guard's view.
Sure enough, he saw the shadow of the guard fall on the tent's wall as he gingerly stepped inside the tent. Tony waited, holding his breath, hoping the guard would not come towards the bed. After staying there for a minute, the guard went back to his post outside the entrance and Tony sat up.
Now, where is that damn invitation?
Then he saw it. The Count and the ladies had shed their clothes all over the floor, near the bed and on the bed itself. Peeking out from the pocket of the Count's evening coat, was an indigo colored letter with a red wax seal.
Problem was, the coat was stuck underneath somebody, either the Count or one of the ladies. If he tugged it away, the Count might awaken. So he crept to the other side of the bed, stretched and had just pulled out the letter, when the Count slowly turned on his side and stared sleepily at Tony.
The Dragon hissed urgently, Snap to attention, Anthony, quick !
Toby caught on immediately and saluted smartly. "Begging your pardon, my liege but I just came to see if you are alright."
The Count yawned and closed his eyes, murmuring sleepily, "Go away you fool. I want to be woken up in an hour." Tony walked backwards, away from the bed and then slipped through the slit and ran out.
He ran like the devil was after him through the shrubbery and then whistled low, calling Balthazar to him. His steed came galloping towards him and Tony mounted him, just to see Buttercup trotting behind with Le Loup cussing.
Tony raised an eyebrow as Le Loup came to a grinding halt next to him. Le Loup sheepishly said "I got scared when your war horse rode away suddenly. Do you have the invitation, my lord?"
"Yes I do." He patted his coat. "We need an entourage next, right?"
"Yes, my lord. I will be your captain but we need a valet, a guard, a dresser and at least two more soldiers."
Tony smiled as he remembered the giant he had met in the Slutty Spoon. "I know just where we can hire some enthusiastic actors. I will go to Imo Incolis. You send a message to Hereald."
At the Palace, the historian Milene was checking the list of guests for the ceremony. It was nearly 5 pm, two hours before the grand Dinner. All invitees were expected to check in by 5, so they could receive a room and rest before the dinner.
"Only I guest has still not arrived. The Count of..."
Just then she heard the huge gates of the Palace open. A small entourage rode up to the entrance. It was led by a stout, grizzled looking man dressed in gray. The man bowed at her.
"Madam, may I present the Count of Hertzau!"
He moved aside to reveal the Count himself, a tall, broad shouldered, black haired man on a black war horse, clad entirely ln black. He had a noble soldierly bearing and dismounted regally. Milene curtsied but nearly gasped when the Count took her hand in his and bent low over it, to kiss it gently. She stared at him in awe as he grinned boyishly at her.
He then pulled his invitation out of his pocket and presented it to her. She opened it, crossed his name off the list and smiled at him admiringly. "Welcome, Count Rupert. It is a pleasure to see you at one of our ceremonies for the first time. How many are with you?"
He gestured behind him. "Six, madam."
She smiled and signaled at the servant behind her. "Please take the Count's bags and trunk to the Purple room on the second floor."
The grizzled man interrupted. "Madam, that will not be necessary. We will take the Count's trunk up ourselves."
She was a little shocked but nodded her acquiescence. The Count's entourage began to move inside the Palace, led by the servant.
Milene was there, the Count looking at her, eyes twinkling. As she smiled at him, he said warmly, "Tell me, what is your name, young lady?"
She said "Milene".
He smiled at her and then looked up at the Palace, silhouetted against the sunset. "Finally, we are here." he said, almost to himself. Then he made to turn to enter the Palace and she stepped in place next to him, both walking towards the entrance, talking easily to each other.
