204 Private Humiliation
*Knock, Knock, Knock, Knock, Knock, Knock!*
"What do you want woman!?" Ralf exclaims as he kicks the door open with an aggrieved expression on his face, "I have no business with the Princess! Nor do I want any! Just leave me alone for Brimir's sake!"
Matilda holds up her hands placatingly and continues to press despite Ralf's words, "The Princess only wishes to ask you a few questions, you will be richly rewarded and pardoned for any crimes you committed while in the service of the False-Familiar." she explains, only causing the man to scowl.
"I have told you, I want nothing to do with you, Michael, or the Princess. I only wish to be left alone... Will you allow me this wish?" he asks after a moment, scanning the trees for where the hidden soldiers would be.
Matilda shakes her head, "I'm afraid that is not an option, Ralf Kaliker."
...
Ralf lets out a long sigh, his shoulders slumping. "Fine. Allow me to gather my things and we can go."
Matilda nods, suppressing a victorious smirk, "As you will."
Thirty minutes later, Ralf was standing next to Matilda's mounted encourage, a large sack of his personal effects and items attached to his back.
"Will you need a horse, sir?" a soldier asks, presenting a free saddle to Ralf, but he just shakes his head, "I am not a Dragon Knight for nothing, boy."
Ralf whistles and his dragon descends from the sky a minute or so later, allowing Ralf to hop onto its back. "Lead on." he grouses, still looking upset at being forced along.
Matilda nods, having her horse start moving as she loses herself in thought not long after... Soon enough though, she feels someone shaking her side and looks over at said soldier, "What is it?" she questions, only to see the man staring at something behind her.
"Lady Matilda... Our target is going in the opposite direction..." he mutters, and Matilda turns to finally see Ralf's dragon running away from them, building up speed and leaping in the air to fly away...
"W-wait! STOP HIM!" she shouts, but unfortunately, Ralf was already too far out of their reach, allowing him to easily fly away...
...
"Lady, what should we-"
"BE QUIET! NONE OF YOU WILL SPEAK OF THIS, WE DID NOT FIND RALF KALIKER!" she commands, hand on her wand, causing the soldiers to quickly nod their heads in subservience.
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When Matilda returns to the royal palace, she reports that Ralf Kaliker was nowhere to be seen... But is reprimanded when Henrietta reveals that some soldier's under her command had already explained the situation.
Henrietta might not be able to punish her, as Matilda wasn't technically her subject, but the hit to Matilda's pride was big enough to put her in a terribly foul mood.
The woman marches down to the kitchens and scavenges herself three bottles of cheap wine that's usually saved for the guards before sitting down at one end of the room.
Three glasses passed, Matilda makes small talk with the servants who were going about their duties.
Six glasses passed, Matilda began telling stories of the 'Unnamed Thief'.
Eight glasses passed, Matilda begins complaining that life isn't fair, and that everything just seems to be out to get her.
Once Matilda reaches ten... Or maybe more glasses of wine, she begins to accidentally let slip information about her woes. Speaking of the False-Familiar, and his wish to spite her by taking her charge somewhere she couldn't reach, leaving her bound eternally to oaths she couldn't complete.
Not long after this, the thoroughly sloshed Matilda passes out, and one servant quickly leaves the kitchens to go relay this information to her benefactor, Chevallier Loutiel.
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Loutiel thanks the kitchen wench for the information and sends her away, a small frown making its way onto his face once he's alone. "So, you wish to leave, Gandalfr? And without paying your dues? How unfortunate." he mutters, standing and taking a book from his bookshelf.
"Hmph, if you won't do the deed, then perhaps your usefulness has served its purpose. Perhaps another Gandalfr would be more amenable." he remarks to himself, skimming the information on Void Familiars, until his eyes latch onto a specific line.
"Should the Familiar fall, the Master will be able to summon another after some time... Why, that is quite intriguing, one might question whether Brimir himself had to do this." he mutters.
Two hours later, Loutiel knocks on Princess Henrietta's door, walking inside with a smile on his face, "Princess." he offers while kneeling.
"Loutiel. What is it?" she asks, knowing that he wouldn't be here if he didn't have something important to say.
He raises his head, "I have discovered means to track the False-Familiar. I was wondering if such a thing would be interesting you?"
Henrietta perks up at this, but manages to keep her neutral expression, "Yes, I would be... What is it you wish for in return for this?" she asks, not sure how to reward him for this rather abrupt boon.
Loutiel smiles, "I wish to accompany whoever is sent to capture the False-Familiar. I believe it is time for me to extend my services to Tristain once more."
Henrietta nods in understanding, so it's a raise in status he wants? So be it, if he can capture Michael and retrieve the Prayer Book, she'd happily raise him to the rank of Baron, or maybe perhaps higher. "Very well. Your presence would reassure me that this will be completed efficiently. I thank you, you will receive orders soon, be ready when they come." she states, gesturing to the door, the conversation done.
Loutiel stands and bows, "As you wish, your Majesty."
