Quoted By:
Speaking of which, Sir Andrei continued to surprise him, and the Second Herald had long stopped using that phrase as a compliment. The constant threats to the Kingdom, many underappreciated or even entirely unknown to the average Cantonion citizen, were the root cause of Sir Gilbern’s sleepless nights. Dark circles had made a ready bed under the Second Herald’s eyes, and he was sure that the unpredictability of the Romani knight. Sir Robert Gilbern snorted, then let out a laugh that had a slightly manic edge to it.
<span class="mu-i">“Are you quite alright, sir?”</span> Sir Cato de Ferros was still holding the book, his face carefully bereft of either interest or concern.
<span class="mu-i">“Nothing, it’s just… the darndest thing.”</span> Sir Gilbern stifled another chuckle. <span class="mu-i">“You know, I think I’ve finally made some sense of what Sir Andrei was doing by making an advance on Frida Vancewell at the Pascae Ball.”</span>
<span class="mu-i">“Frida Vancewell, daughter and heir of Lord Vancewell.”</span> The name earns a raised eyebrow from Sir de Ferros. <span class="mu-i">“The Duke Montbrun’s right hand man and the noble house with a finger in every Faction pie?”</span>
<span class="mu-i">“The very same.”</span> Sir Gilbern grins, he might sleep soundly tonight after all. <span class="mu-i">“It was a confusion tactic, you see? Keep both the Faction and us guessing as to where the Andrei’s and their allies lie in the scheme of things. Pure flim-flam, nothing more.”</span>
<span class="mu-i">“That’s an awful lot of effort for a confusion tactic.”</span> Sir Cato de Ferros frowned, still attempting to read his book. <span class="mu-i">“Even to those that are not knowing players in our game, the reputation of Lady Frida Vancewell is fearful. Why court such a serpent in female form?”</span>
<span class="mu-i">“Courtship?”</span> Sir Gilbern scoffed. <span class="mu-i">“Hardly. Need I list the reasons why the Lady Vancewell would have to refuse any genuine advance from Sir Emile Andrei?”</span>
<span class="mu-i">“No, that I can do for you.”</span> Now it was Sir Cato de Ferros’ turn to sigh. Placing the book down on the lounge, the knight began counting the reasons out on his fingers. <span class="mu-i">“Put her brother on trial and had him executed, full credit still going to you of course, crippled her current suitor the Marquis Fallavon -and- has no lands or wealth worth mentioning when compared to a dozen of the potential suitors chasing after the most eligible bachelorette in Montbrun. Shall I go on?”</span>
<span class="mu-i">“Exactly! It was merely a ploy to confuse all parties involved.”</span> Sir Gilbern nods with satisfaction, his inner glee well masked but nonetheless exalted with the confirmation of his fellow operative.
<span class="mu-i"> “Respectfully sir, how much time have you spent-...”</span> Sir de Ferros pauses, stroking his chin. <span class="mu-i">“Now hold on. If that -were- the case, why isn’t the Lady Vancewell nipping any suggested courtship by Sir Andrei in the bud?”</span>
[5/6]
