Adam wrote:VAN wrote:Tom and Alfonse
"Ok then, I will stay with Elissa and make sure she will be ok. I just hope the bandits from the other night will not return I cannot fight them all alone. So please come back as soon as you find something, this place isn't safe for much time. We should actually think where we can go to hide tomorrow. We need alternatives. Anyway, I will wait here for you and Gertie to return then we will decide what to do and hopefuly we can find the others as well."
Alfonse nods. "If there's trouble, use the passage in the basement and get out of here with Elissa," he says, "I'll return as quickly as I can."
With that, the mage departs to go speak with Aldron Folbre.
ALFONSE ALONE
Alfonse knows the general direction of the Folbre estate, in the western zone.
By all accounts, it is too big to miss-- at least by day.
His solitary walk takes him through a neighborhood of small farms, pastures, vineyards, irrigation canals and lock-houses.
Unlike some his companions, Alfonse does have one advantage in finding his way. He can read the words on crossroads signs and roadside mileposts.
Still, he has to stop frequently and check landmarks and signs in order to avoid becoming lost by night.
(He cannot take the simplest route, walking south along Bay Road and turning west on Shore Street, without entering the dense part of the city where he's likely to encounter the patrols he fled earlier.)
He reaches the Folbre Estate in the predawn darkness.
A fieldstone wall, higher than he can reach without jumping, runs along the road and curves out of sight in either direction.
A wide, double door iron gate connects the road with the grounds.
It stands shut, but as Alfonse draws near, he sees a light glimmering through the bars. A little closer yet and he spies figure moving under an awning set inside and against the wall on the right hand side of the gate.
A voice rumbles a challenge.
Seconds later, lanterns flare. Two men with swords belted, one holding up a lantern, step into view.
They challenge Alfonse, but as soon as he says who he is and that he's here to see Master Folbre, their attitude turns friendly. Very friendly.
They open the gate and usher him inside.
Within ten minutes, Alfonse has been hustled up the path to Folbre House and into a candlelit parlor.
(The villa is an impressive structure similiar to Holbin House in dimensions and lineaments, at least from what little he sees of the exterior before being hurried inside).
One of armed men waits with Alfonse.
The swordsman makes no conversation, but smiles and nods often.
The parlor door opens.
Aldron Folbre strides in, dressed in doeskin breeches, boots, and a dark red doublet-- clothing more suitable as riding or hunting attire than sleepwear or party clothes.
He smiles as Alfonse.
"You came to report success, I hope."