Delphinium, or A Necromancer's Home (TCoLaD Book 2)

Feuilles

~ Dvoday, 4th of Maius, 11831 ~

Two days after sending the message that they had not yet found him, the party that had gone to search for Jourdain returned. Pierre asked them to his office. Elwin and Vivien were there with him as margrave and steward at either side of him. Vivien was feeling better after his daughters made sure to nurse him back to health and the amount of necrocræft going on in the manor was stopped for a time. Even teaching it, speaking of it, sometimes brought curious spirits around.

Rhianu was further in the back of the room and would not be noticed unless she brought attention to herself, there was only an odd beam of light that did not quite match with the sun through the window where she stood. Pierre had invited Elizabeth as well, it would not be improper for her to sit in on matters like this, but his love declined. She was trying to help Cordelia, and also stay near Síofra in case someone decided to harm the fay girl as a means of retribution or blame.

Renaud, along with several men who were from Feuilles, came to the office still in dirty riding attire. The young man himself had a bandaged hand and it seemed he injured it on the journey, it stayed at his side unmoving. After a quick summary that did not tell them much, Renaud asked, "Have you informed the prince?"

Pierre tried not to react to the demand. Or lack of respectful address. It was not an unreasonable request, even with the tone. The man was under great stress.

"I have not," the duc replied with a forced calmness. The men of Feuilles were watching both Renaud and the duc intently.

"Why not!"

"This is my duchy—"

"You are not yet the duc. Prince Aimé is the ruling duc. I would truly appreciate if he was informed of this... Your Grace."

Elwin and Vivien both moved closer to Pierre. Rhianu placed a hand on her sword. Pierre offered a stiff nod and took some parchment out from his desk, pen, and ink. "Of course, honorable Renaud, forgive that I have not done so yet. I had hoped it would be unneeded. Though I do ask that you mind your tone."

Renaud flushed at the reprimand but said nothing.

Pierre penned the note in front of the retinue, waited for it to dry, and sealed it with the emblem of Piques before handing it to Renaud. "You may send it if it is so important. Or do you wish me to send it directly to him?"

The carrier pigeons often used would be able to go to several places, but certain magical ones could be enticed to bring letters to a specific individual if one added something of their person, commonly hair, to the message. Pierre, being the brother to the prince and the duc, would likely have a lock to use for such a purpose.

"Non, that is not necessary." Renaud took the letter with his good hand, flipping it over and looking at the seal. "And, if I may ask, has my father been informed, Your Grace?" His tone was soft now.

Guilt made it hard for Pierre to breath. This was a young man who had lost his brother. He was younger than Pierre himself. A hand on his shoulder almost caused him to jump, but it was only Elwin reaching out to him. He had not been able to hold onto the calmness that the priest and Mora gave him. Moments with Elizabeth were similar, and he felt well, but the moment he was reminded of his crimes there was a hand to his throat.

"There was no reply to the original message of Lord Jourdain's disappearance. I have not contacted him since."

"I will write the message, if it pleases Your Grace."

"By all means."

Pierre sat back in his chair and hid his face in his hands when those of Feuilles had gone. Elwin, on his right, of course knew what had happened to Jourdain. Vivien did not, though perhaps the man was suspicious given what had happened a few days ago. Pierre did not know if his grandepère had told his wife, but he thought it unlikely.