“This have to do with that NDA?” Gerald asked lightly.
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll stay out of it,” Gerald said. “I’ve had a few people mumble about wanting to try to make me the guild leader. They think you shouldn’t have missed the meeting at Mindblown, didn’t listen that you couldn’t. I’ve slapped them all down, but you should be aware if you hear muttering.”
Alburet shrugged, “People are people.”
“Also,” Gerald looked out the other window, “thanks.”
“Huh?” Alburet turned his attention to Gerald.
“Marysue,” he paused, “might be looking at me as more than a friend. It started as soon as we got back from the down time. Getting in to the testing like I did was thanks to you so, thanks.”
“Fluff had a part in that as well,” Alburet reminded him.
“I know, and I will thank her as well,” Gerald replied. “We met because you helped Mary, then we grouped up with Fluff. Again, because of you. In my mind, it all traces back to you as the key.”
Alburet laughed, “Don’t make me out to be some kind of central figure in a story. Those guys always get the shaft in the end.”
Gerald chuckled, “Yeah, you’re no storybook hero, that’s for sure. When we first met I thought you were kind of an asshole, actually. Part of that was because I thought you were going to make a play for Mary.”
“Well, she is cute,” Alburet opined. “But yeah, she isn’t my type at all.”
“Bob still kind of grates on me,” Gerald added. “How do you stand him?”
“He takes a special kind of angle to understand. If he knows it bothers you, it just encourages him to keep doing what he does. Tiny respects you though, he sees the same drive to protect people in you that he has.”
“Huh, no idea what to say to that,” Gerald mumbled as the carriage started to slow. He looked out to see a walled estate. The carriage passed through the gates and was slowly moved up an ornate drive to the front of a grand manor house. “Yeah, this is what I thought it would be like. Did you want to take the lead and have me cut in to apologize for your blunt manner? Or did you want me to take the lead and then explain that you have a very blunt manner before they insist that you do the talking?”
Alburet blinked, “It’s going to be that bad?”
“Almost a certainty,” Gerald said as the carriage came to a stop and a man in livery stepped forward to open the door.
“You take the lead, then,” Alburet sighed.
“If you will follow me, please,” the man in livery stated, waiting for them to climb out of the carriage and leading them to the door of the manor where another man was waiting for them. The new guy was dressed as a butler, “Jeeves will escort you to Sir Carradine.”
Jeeves bowed to them, “Welcome to House Carradine, sirs. Which of you is Alburet the Two-souled?”
“The man with me is Alburet the Two-souled,” Gerald replied in a polished voice. “I am the second of command for Alpha Company, Gerald the Two-souled.”
“If you will follow me,” Jeeves approached the doors, which swung smoothly open at his approach. The two guards posted inside the doors closed them after the trio. Jeeves continued on as if all doors opened like that, with the two trailing after him. Alburet noted the highly polished emblazoned armor the two guards wore. The rooms visible all contained obviously expensive furniture and decorations.
Jeeves led them down a hall and up a set of stairs until they came to a door that looked like most of the ones they had passed. He knocked once then opened it and bowed them inside, “Alburet the Two-souled and his adjunct Gerald the Two-souled to see you, sir.”
Gerald was the first one through the door, as if he were a bodyguard. Alburet followed him in and saw a thin, bald man seated behind the desk, who seemed to radiate a palpable aura of calm. Gerald stepped forward with a half bow, “As requested, Alburet the Two-souled to speak with you regarding important matters, Sir Carradine. Alburet has asked me to speak for him, as I am far more experienced in dealing with matters pertaining to class, and he would not wish to offer unintended insult due to his ignorance.”
Sir Carradine stood up, the saffron robe he wore hanging loosely from his thin frame. “It is good of you both to come. You do me an honor. Please, come and have a seat,” he motioned to the two chairs across the desk from him. Once they were all seated he continued. “I will not be offended by blunt speech or bald honesty, unlike most of the other nobles. Please do feel free to speak plainly with me, Alburet. Your colleague turns a pretty phrase, but he won’t be needed in that role today.”
“If that’s what you want,” Alburet stated. “What can I do for you?”
“Blunt and to the point, much as Vladimir told me. Very well. I wish to know as much as you can tell me about the Forgotten Prison and how you came to obtain the book and letter opener now in possession of the Crown. I do realize you probably have several agreements binding you regarding how much information you may disclose. I wish to acquire all the knowledge I can.” Sir Carradine sat back, steepling his fingers in front of his mouth.
“You seem to know about as much as I am able to say, sir. The Forgotten Prison is rumored to be in the Dead Lands. As for how I came upon the items, I found them doing what all Two-souled do, poking my nose where it shouldn’t have been.”
A fleeting smile graced Carradine’s lips, “Such a refreshing way to put it. Do you think it likely that you will be free to speak on the matter or that you might come to have other such objects in the near future?”
“I can’t speculate,” Alburet said plainly. “If I do obtain something of similar value, I’m either going to gift it to the king directly this time or maybe sell it via the auction house.”
Carradine sat forward, “I would like to present you with a third option to consider. Sell any such similar items directly to me. Only the Royal Court controls more wealth than I, and I have considerable influence in the city. It could well prove to be to your advantage.”
“I will take that into account if the time comes.”
“Very good,” Carradine sat back again. “I have heard you were recently married, to a commoner of this world. Have you considered that you were perhaps a bit… hasty… in your decision? There are a number of very attractive young ladies among the minor houses that you would find quite accommodating, even with a… concubine in tow already.”
Alburet felt his hands tighten on the arms of his seat and his eyes narrowed slightly. “Did you just call the woman I love, a kept whore, as politely as possible?”
Carradine’s lips quirked up at the corners, “It seems Gilden was right, you do dote upon her.”
Gerald cut in, “Sir Carradine, Alburet is known to love his wife as much, if not more, than any man could. He tends to view any insult offered to his wife as grounds for a duel.”
“Admirable, if short sighted,” Carradine replied. “Sadly, it seems we have reached an impasse.” Carradine pulled on a red cord hanging from the ceiling. A moment later ten men in armor trooped into the room. “The gentlemen are leaving.”
Alburet glanced from the men to Carradine before he got to his feet. “Good day.” The words held all the warmth of a frozen lake.
Gerald rose also, directing a shallow bow at Carradine before turning to follow Alburet. Alburet walked towards the guards as if they were bowling pins, daring them to stand in his way. The guards stepped smoothly aside and fell in behind Gerald. They were escorted out to the yard, where the carriage was waiting for them. Once they were in and the vehicle was in motion Alburet punched the seat next to him.
“You okay?” Gerald asked mildly.