un: macaluso spina

[aprescoup]

( Two days after the banquet poisoning, don Macaluso himself sends his message to all newcomers. His voice comes trembled, uneasy, overcome with emotion. )


My friends. My new friends. It troubles me to speak to you so on this day, which may well have been the day of my matrimony.

I know what came of my welcome, of my banquet. I cannot speak of my remorse, that this should be how you are greeted in our fair city, our Taravast. You must know now, you must understand, surely, how great is our burden to proceed with fair, honoured and safe elections. To bring Taravast to the glory and trust of old. We were never these creatures. This is not our way.

But it cannot be that it soothes your hurting hearts to know so. I shall not play at games of court: the cure that needs to be procured for you who have been touched by the lily mist's toxins is not within my healers' reach, though they have tried. Wisdom hear them, they have tried.

It is of lesser comfort, but... should the worst prevail, my grandfather and I are both prepared to subsidise your resurrection, as required. We have a number of necromancers in the family's employ. Some... nearly reliable. We will require, of course, a pledge of fealty, a contract of service in exchange. We speak of fortunes that must go spent, and you are many. It pains me, how many you are. But if you wish this path walked, I offer here, the first step. Tell me your decision.

Many of you must wonder why I speak to all those who have entered the palace of late, and not only my own faction. I wish it understood: you could have faced death herself as well. Faced her very easily. And though some of my companions disagree, I do not hold this against Vannozza. This is not her way. We set about to do our work righteously. And it may be that, unknown to me, some of you are affected. I have even heard Lady Odile may have been involved, speaking of a foreign influence. I have been told before that foreigners wish only evil upon us all. I did not listen then. I hear now. Though you are not my people, you were my guests. If you were affected, please: allow me to reimburse your resurrection on the same terms.

If there is aught else I may be of help with, in the matter of this great sickness, or if you have any information that may assist us with hunting the root of a curse, advise me. I am, in all things, your humble servant.


( ooc: Macaluso and don Bonaccorso will be putting 150,000 coins/person towards necromantic resurrections — at the not negligible price of a contract of service, pledging a boon that the signatory cannot refuse once called, on pain of forever-death. The boon will very likely be used for plot-relevant purposes.

Characters can let Macaluso know here if they'd like to pursue this option, or talk freely amongst themselves about the poison / cure finding progress. )

Comments

[aprescoup]

My friend... my friend. All well to play at politics, but you muddy the waters with but a handful of days to spare.

[beitangmoran]

My Lord, I am not your friend, and neither are you mine.

Believe it or not, your offer is only one of many options... and so far, not really the most agreeable. You already have us buried, almost.

Think, if you will, of the Lady Odile, alone in a hostile land, and now accused of such infamy with no proof. What will you do for her, if she is innocent? Won't it be too late to recover her reputation? Have you not muddied the waters already.

Governing is a heavy burden, my Lord, and pardon me for saying this, your shoulders do not seem apt to carry it.

[aprescoup]

I do not know of the veracity of the lady Odile's involvement. I cannot speak for it now, though we shall investigate. She knew, this much was claimed in the piazza. Though I agree there is no evidence yet brought forward.

[beitangmoran]

There is no evidence, and yet with your words you have just added to the suspicion on her.

A ruler's words are the law, my Lord. You would do well to remember it next time you open your mouth.

And you should make sure she is well protected in the meantime. If anything should happen to her...

[aprescoup]

Nothing will come of her. She is under my protection.

[beitangmoran]

We have seen what your protection is worth, my Lord.

[aprescoup]

Yes! Yes, I know. I know I must do better. But do not end your lives only to spite me.

[beitangmoran]

Why would anyone? There is no need to spite you, My Lord. No need at all.

Still, how... benevolent of you to not hold this against Lady Vannozza. Once again, you are good at distilling suspicion while appearing magnanimous, my Lord. Can you fault me for not looking away from your own motives under those circumstances?

[aprescoup]

Vannozza and I shared a nursery. Blood made rivals of us in succession, but that does not mean we are not cousins. I care for her, deeply.

[beitangmoran]

Wonderful. That still did not prevent you from casting her in a light that still makes her out to be a potential perpetrator, albeit in veiled words.

I might have underestimated you slightly, my Lord. Words are all you have, but clearly you do know how to use them. I will make sure not to make that mistake again.

I have seen the future of this city. I have my doubts that it involves you.

[aprescoup]

My friend, my enemy, my correspondent. I do not know what to call you. I do not believe that, in your heart, it matters. This is all I may yet give.

[beitangmoran]

And we have heard your proposal, my Lord. Let the people decide.

[aprescoup]

It is all I ever intended.