Topic: Seeing the matter done

Gaerwyn Caisson

Date: 2008-07-07 17:52 EST
Gaerwyn sat rigid and hot in the stuffy anti-chambers of the Merchant Guild. The solemnity of the proceedings prevented windows from being open, and the dark wood room scarce allowed one to breathe. Sean was at his side with stacks of papers at the ready for any suggestion of his during the proceedings. His pate was shiny with the first beads of sweat. If the Masters of the Guild had not decided to delay the proceedings a good twenty minutes, this might have been well on its way.

The one thing in Gaerwyn's favor was Prince Maelgwn looked less than pleased with the delay as well. His Highness's manservant and guards shared an echo of that superior glower as the two accused guild masters, Masters Ifor Baeddanson and Nye Howell, made their way inside the room with perfected bows of apologetic humility. The masters did not spare a look to Gaerwyn as they took their own seats with their man at a table set apart from the other and facing the four chairs, one occupied by the prince and another empty.

In the two remaining chairs sat those guild masters who had not been implicated in the information sent to him from Ewan, Hudson, and Brother Llyr. Stony faced Master Siarl Tremain shared his grimace with both sides of the argument. His distaste for the implications and possibilities had been yelled far and wide in the halls of the guild when the petition, approved by the seal of Yransea, had arrived. Master Rhys Romney was more subdued. Few had heard him say one word or the other, but a mild complaint that he hoped he would not be detained overlong and prevented from making his commiserations with the Yransea family on the morrow.

Tension and sweat prickled at Gaerwyn?s scalp, his hair pulled back in a tight and proper tail. Lenika had helped him with it, for in his distress, he had made a mess each time, until her deft and calm fingers took over the task. She had wished him well, confidence of his success in the matter lifted his heart when he parted that morning. Now, though, he was most keenly aware of the obstacle he had chosen to conquer. Masters Tremain and Romney, men of high standing, self made men of property and influence, would have to be more than persuaded to decide against their peers.

He only hoped he had enough to do just that and rescue his name and his property from the folly of greedy men, and any other who might fall under their consuming eyes.

Master Romney cleared his throat, setting the thin droop of skin beneath his narrow chin to wiggling. ?Yes, let us get this matter on then,? he grumbled motioning for the secretary to start his notes of the proceedings. ?Prince Maelgwn, we appreciate your assistance in the matter and providing your guidance and good judgment in the place of the seat reserved for Yransea.?

Maelgwn smiled for the first time and tilted his head only the breadth of an eyelash, and one not watching him would have missed it entirely. ?Considering the circumstances, the house of Yransea felt it best to abstain from biased influence, and we-?

Gaerwyn noticed the formal use of the royal ?we? and felt his stomach knot.

?-are bound to the laws and duties of the land to see justice done.?

If His Highness could have been more formal, Gaerwyn was at a loss as to how. A glance to his opponents in the matter showed they felt delighted with this cold and ceremonial statement, as if their case was won. Gaerwyn hoped he did not look as green about the gills as a first day midshipman in his first rolling gale. It was a sensation that did not ease as the secretary began to read the lengthy document listing the charges set against Baeddanson and Howell.

?Captain Caisson,? Romney called, ?with the charges read, let us hear your evidence.?

SylviaNightshade

Date: 2008-07-14 22:08 EST
Sylvia arrived at the Yransea warehouse as night made its full claim on the sky. The guards had placed themselves at the entrances, the lights of their posts making halos of shine off their hair and shadows of their faces. They recognized her face, though, and bowed her inside.

Few lanterns burned low at far points of the building, but one office light was still warm and she took the stairs calling to not startle, "Brother Llyr, it is only me." She gave him a smile when she spied him rising from the desk where books were opened, no doubt in preparation for their discussion.

"My lady, it is good to see you, and looking so well, I might add." There was hope in the man's voice that echoed the trepidation and excitement of his face.

It hurt to have to answer that eager look with such bad news, but there was nothing for it to be done. "You are looking well, too, Brother. At least the Pentar cannot claim you went ill or were sore abused by your time here when next he sees you."

The Brother's face fell, but he gave a resigned smile. "Yes, my lady, that is true. So, when am I to return?" He dropped into the chair more than sat and then realized she had not yet done so and rose up again with a blush of shame to his face.

To ease him some, she sat and motioned for him to do so as well, giving a soft click of her tongue to abate his worry over formalities. "The next available vessel. But you will not be alone. The inquiry into Masters Baeddanson and Howell's dealings in RhyDin goes on further than we would like, and each bit of written confirmation to their evidence is rejected. Ewan will be going with you as will I. We will see this matter settled."

"Good, and here," he turned a book around, "I have more of what you might need. I shall make copies for the journey."

Sylvia looked over the ciphers all neatly scribed in the ledger. It was not her forte, and she studied them carefully until she finally struck upon the notation that was surely the source of Llyr's triumphant gleam. "Ah, Brother Llyr, you have outdone yourself."

By the fidgety smile and shuffling of papers, the man was obviously torn between taking pride in that praise and his natural modesty. "Now, you said you also wanted to see what measures could be made to turn the entire trade, except the grain commodities, over to Captain Caisson. I think it may be some time for that, but I see it done."

For the next few hours, they looked at figures, facts, and the implications of the opening of that trade to other merchants. Trade between baronies a bickering bit of business. Between kingdoms even more so, but in the juncture of worlds with so varying commodities, this symphony of melding cultural differences never ended.

But at least one movement would be complete and the Merchant Guild purged of its poisonous corruption with some of its esteem intact.

Gaerwyn Caisson

Date: 2008-07-16 12:26 EST
?Gaerwyn, I just can?t. You know what will happen if I continue our agreement right now?? Iafyn looked anxious and disappointed, frequently tapping fingers on his desk. The office in the back of his store was typically airy and bright with various hangings of fabric the merchant was considering. Today, it was bare because he had turned away the latest Gaerwyn had to offer.

?Yes, of course, Iafyn.? Gaerwyn clenched his fists behind his back. It was something he was hearing all too often.

?When this inquiry is over, let us talk again.? Iafyn soothed, a duck of his head to try and catch Gaerwyn?s downcast eyes.

It was more than other merchants had offered. They had pegged him as the corrupt one. He bore the stinging remarks and baleful looks when he walked the streets and did his errands when in town. The delay of the proceedings for further evidence had continued now for a week, but he kept hope that the evidence required by the Guild would arrive each day. He would just have to bear it until then.

?Yes, thank you. Good day to you, Iafyn.? Gaerwyn turned sharp about and exited with haste. The whispers that flowed after him like wake of a ship he tried hard to ignore. Customers gabbled their suspicions, ladies with little to do and less in their head only believing what they heard.

It galled him no little to suffer through it, but more so for his family. Lenika gave him a brave face and consoled him each evening during their quite talks as the suspension of the inquiry continued to eat at him. As he walked the streets to home, there was no sense in visiting other offices only to have a similar or worse humiliating interview occur, he thought of how fortunate he was that he had her beside him through this and to help his children as well.

Lina felt it most and did not have the brassy temper of her little brother to stand up to the ridicule. She had taken to secluding herself in art and in the back yard, not even venturing the front garden anymore. Gaer had no problem taking on his attackers and had been forced to stay in the house after two fights had resulted in a black eye and split lip among other bruises.

This could not go on forever. It had to be done ? and soon.

Sunk into his thoughts of his family, the Merchant Guild, and what he could ever possibly do if in the end his petition and the inquiry went against him, Gaerwyn was oblivious to the subtle stalking hesitating at corners and drifting some steps behind.

Ewan Corinsson

Date: 2008-07-17 16:06 EST
Ewan leaned against the aft rail watching over the deck stretching out in front of him. Sailors were busy with their lines seeing the oncoming storm that hung over the northwestern sky like a dark grey shroud. From the thin lines angling down towards the smudge on the horizon that was the Yransea shore, a long heavy rain was showering the ground. The children were on the aft deck with him, keeping out of the way of the workers while they still played.

She had just seen Beata into rest in these last few hours before arriving in Seansloe. Miriam stayed in the cabin with the sleeping infant, and Sylvia went to stroll upon the deck. When she sighted Ewan with the trio of boys at play, she climbed the steps to the deck and gave him a smile. ?Storm resting??

With a nod and a rough-hewn smile, Ewan answered, ?She knew it would be busy and active upon our arrival and decided to get some extra sleep in before that time.?

Having traded out her brigga for skirts, she found it more difficult to lean against the rail at his side. There was so much cloth between her and the rail that she could not easily keep her balance with the roll of the ship, so instead she turned to face aft where they had passed, her hands upon the rail. The wake frothed white and bubbled away into the rolling waves of the ocean. It did not keep a steady trail to lead her eyes far back, but her mind could go there. Unlike so many times before, she did not feel torn between one place and another. It was a comfort to go home to Yransea and continue her life there.

They stood in communal silence watching their children play at being birds on the aft deck and swooping in to catch their prey. Ewan glanced sidelong to her, noting her contentment. It was an impulsive curiosity as to what thoughts birthed such a serene countenance. Her eyes were without shadows or haunting in the bright violet irises. ?You are looking well, my lady.?

She turned a smile to him that turned sardonic. ?I am feeling well, and will feel all the better when this inquiry is through.? She gritted her teeth against the sour taste in her mouth. Fingers gripped the rail tight, feeling the grain of the polished and sea swept wood beneath her skin. ?I still am not sure why they struck out against Gaerwyn.? Sylvia searched his face for some hope he knew why.

Rubbing at his wrists feeling strange without the leather bracers there, he shrugged one shoulder. ?All I have are conjectures to the reasoning, though,? he turned the slice of grim smile on her, ?I would like an hour or two with those guildmasters to find out the truth.?

A terribly wicked laugh broke free before she could think better of it. When she did, she shook her head and gave Ewan a chastising look. ?No, no, that will not do. Let us hope they will give up that in their own way when you and Brother Llyr speak your evidence.?

?If it is a decent enough reason, though that possibility escapes me,? Ewan chuckled, ?they may find some forgiveness in the guild. At least the entirety of their businesses and reputations will not be undone.?

?Brother Llyr showed you the exchange of notes, did he not, and the ledger he found??

?Yes, and no sensible person could refute that evidence. Brother Llyr is keeping it safe. Let us hope they are not so desperate as to attack a brother of The Twelve to keep their secrets.?

A gust of rain scented hair caught up their clothes and sprayed a soft hint of the coming downpour. ?I should get the boys inside. No sense in having them drenched beforehand.? Sylvia interrupted the game of the huffing breath boys, claiming Cian and Aidan each to hand. Casting back to Ewan, she asked, ?You will be ready tomorrow then??

?Yes, my lady, I swear to you.? Hands moved to rest on Avery?s shoulders as he conducted the boy to the steps leading down. There was no doubt in his mind or heart that this would see the end of the troubles for Gaerwyn, and the two shared like smiles of that assurance.

Gaerwyn Caisson

Date: 2008-07-19 13:32 EST
The arrival of Ewan and Brother Llyr the night before had given Gaerwyn some returning confidence. So it was on the next morning, he managed to eat and even be a fraction closer to his usual self. In the prior days, more than once Lenika had curbed his temper away from the rest of the family with her usual skill. It churned inside, knowing how out of sorts he was and that he was taking his surly frustrations out on them in short replies and grunting non-committal responses.

Today, though, the breakfast was full of smiles and laughs. Ewan had stopped by last night with his family, Avery had stayed over to play with Gaer and Lina. There was the distinct flavor of anticipation and hope that after today, their lives could return to the contentment the new made family had just started to build and enjoy.

In this hope, Gaerwyn began the journey to the Merchant Guild Hall earlier than necessary. A well wishing kiss shared with Lenika, the strength of her hopeful and confident smile bolstered his own feelings like a warm westerly breeze in flagging sails. The sun was sharing its own warmth, but he ignored the gathering sweat above his ears as he walked the streets, oblivious to open looks of contempt and suspicious whispers of Seansloe's populace going about their morning activities.

The Merchant Guild Hall was north of Market Square and its position on the street crowded out other smaller, older shops. It made its presence known with the expensive glass and carved corner pieces. Gaerwyn had agreed to meet with Ewan at a bakery a street corner north of the Hall. He gave a glance down the street as he passed, but there were no signs to what the day would hold dancing outside of the Merchants Guild.

A few people crossed the street to walk the other side, avoiding any need to ignore or acknowledge him. They kept their faces away from him as he watched them and shook his head.

The pain was sharp, cracking against his skull as if he had been hit by a beam. Stars and gray shadows blurred his vision and weakened his knees as he struggled to understand what had happened. Rough hands clamped hard on elbows, lancing agony up into his shoulders, but he was too dazed to do more than open his mouth in a silent cry out. Blinking his vision clear to the see the high backs of close buildings of an alley and the coming cloth of a gag to his mouth.

Ewan Corinsson

Date: 2008-07-19 16:35 EST
Waving away a second cup of cider from the serving girl, Ewan leaned against the post waiting for his cousin. It was a fine morning with a warm sun and the anticipation of the High Summer celebrations hinted in conversations. That and the general murmuring about Gaerwyn Caisson's petition against Masters Baeddanson and Howell. Neither of these topics held much sway over Ewan. His waiting was pleasant with overriding thoughts of spending time with family after Gaerwyn and he had seen the matter done.

The stocky figure of his cousin, a man not so tall as himself, but broad of shoulder and now trimmed down to his sailing brawn again after the winter of idleness, was not hard to spy even from the angled distance of his place at the bakery. Gaerwyn, however, was watching the passersby who had avoiding his presence and did not see Ewan move from his lean.

In the space of a moment, Ewan changed his greeting hail to a flat out run. The most he had seen was the flash of metal and Gaerwyn folding over in pain. Then he was gone. Ewan felt the cool rush flow out through his arms and his legs as he came to the small alleyway and stopped to look around the corner of the shadowy recess finding his cousin being dragged away by two men, one setting the gag into his bewildered mouth. Gaerwyn jolted in attempt to be free, like a fish gasping for breath in a net and flopping its discontent.

"You said he would be going to the Hall and we'd get him then." One captor whispered as he struggled to keep Gaerwyn still and bind him like a trussed up bird.

"So he was. Can't blame me he walked past. We got him now, though. When his-" but the man stopped when Ewan turned that corner and came into their view.

"Damn!" the first cursed as Ewan approached. "I knew it."

"Shut up and take care of him." The other cracked the hilt of his dagger against Gaerwyn's skull again dropping the captain into unconsciousness.

"Me?" He was no small man, but his voice cracked into a squeak when he spoke. He drew his blades and squared off against Ewan.

"Desperation makes one do stupid things, I gather." Ewan shook his head. If he could keep them alive and get them to talk, then more the better for Gaerwyn's case. There was no doubt in Ewan's mind that this was tied to the Merchant Guild fiasco. Gaerwyn's luck was not that bad to have two separate entities vying for his demise. "What good can come of this? Even if you should kill me, think that will be the end of it?"

"He's right. I've got my own skin to think about." The one facing him began to step back, lowering his weapons.

"Just give me time to see our part done, we'll have plenty of money to escape from here. Never be found." The other grunted out as he drug Gaerwyn's body back further down the alley.

Ewan put his dagger away, held out his hands showing his good faith. "Turn from this and I will see you released." To where they would be released he purposely failed to mention. "Speak to the inquiry about who hired you and to what purpose, and it will go to your favor."

A chewing of his mouth, the first considered hard, straining at all the possibilities he could see. "He's speaking sense."

"He's speaking to save his cousin, and we've taken money to do this job. Kill him. He's unarmed."

Driven by the words of his companion, the man lunged a slice at Ewan, who turned and caught the man's arm against his chest, pinning the elbow locked in extension. Ewan's other arm, slid behind the man's back and with a twist of the man's momentum and the pressure of his hand, cracked the man's head against the brick of the building wall.

"Stop now," Ewan's voice unstrained by the action, "and let us walk to reason."

Gaerwyn was beginning to stir again, the first captor was rubbing his head and holding his bleeding nose, and the second one raised his hand to punch Gaerwyn once more. Ewan closed the space in half a breath and caught the man's wrist, snapping it. The man yowled in pain and rocked back to rest against the wall as he cradled his wrist. "Now," Ewan began as he stooped to untie Gaerwyn and check his cousin's injuries, "I think we have a walk to the Hall to make and you two will speak freely of your task today."