>>5979471“Catherine, could you perhaps get Ishbel to set up her telescope? There are a few questions I wish to ask in the meantime,” You say to your friend.
“It shall be done posthaste, Your Highness!” Catherine says with another “noble” laugh before standing and walking out of the room.
“Marquess de Hyland, you mentioned trade boats needing to pass by the island containing the Metal Castle. Do you perhaps have any ships under contract or do you have connections with ships currently in port? It might be wise for us,” you gesture to your two lackeys, “to investigate what they might have seen or heard from the castle.”
The man lets out a hearty laugh, “Your Highness the port belongs to my family, of course our vessels dock. But what I can do is write a document saying that you have my express permission to investigate any ship flying my family’s Crest. Naturally, you shouldn’t even need this but I’m sure it’ll help ease the worries of any captain getting interrogated by both Royalty and the Inquisition.”
“That would be most helpful, you have my thanks,” You give a gracious nod as Catherine returns to her seat. She definetly got a servant to do the task for her.
“Was there anything else?” Fionn de Hyland asks.
“Indeed, have any strange purchases been affecting the local economy? It’s hard to believe whoever made the castle simply created the materials,” You see Asher shrug, “Or have any strange wares been appearing in town? Possible creations of the island?”
The marquess thinks for a minute as he idly scratches his chin, “Nothing that I could think would be related to this case, trade has been going on normally since the Metal Castle appeared. It seems to keep to itself for the most part.”
“Nothing from the Clan that lives nearby even?”
“They’re too freaked out by it to even entertain the concept. Probably think it’s one of their barbaric superstitions come to destroy the world itself. Ha! You know, when they leave there’ll be no one else I need to share the loch with.”
“You seem to have a lot of confidence we’ll be able to take down the fortress.”
“It would be criminal to think anything less of the royal family!”
“You would be correct in that statement, however, is that truly all the information you can give us on the castle?”
“From the questions you asked? Certainly. The damned thing’s been an eyesore for the boats but overall nothing more than that. For now at least.”
“Father, what about the disappearances? Could that be related?” Catherine asks.
Fionn de Hyland makes a weird face, “You mean the supposed madman running around and taking people at night, dear?”
