Chapter 2: The Set Up
From: Claire Stemp <claire@aracnet.net
Subject: Re: RoS: Dungeon: Stranger at the Gates
Sir Guy approached his guest's door cautiously. One of his toga-clad guards had nervously informed him that a nobleman claiming to be his cousin had arrived. Curious, Gisburne had asked what this cousin of his was calling himself. The guard had produced the name "Lord Templeton," which didn't sound at all familiar to the knight.
"PLEASE don't let this be an old friend of Father's," whispered Sir Guy to himself. "Or worse...an actual relative! PLEASE if it is a relative, let it be someone from Mother's side of the family, who isn't too bright and contentedly reads the bible every day...PLEASE!"
Gisburne swallowed nervously, then knocked quietly on the door. "Who is it?" demanded a voice.
"It's Guy of Gisburne, my lord. May I come in?"
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From: Kathye Coyle <dubghall@aol.com>
After a few moments, the door swung open suddenly. In the doorway was a very large man draped in gold chains. Sir Guy took an involuntary step backwards. "Well, are you gonna come in, or not, sucker?" the large man growled. He turned to allow the knight to enter the room. After Sir Guy had taken a few steps in, the giant shut the door and stood with his back to the it, barring the exit. Sir Guy looked about the chamber and noticed in a corner two very large chests.
A blond man sat lounging in a chair by the fire, drinking wine from a golden goblet which was not standard issue for castle guests. He looked up from the book in his hand and leapt to his feet. "Cousin, it's great to finally meet you!" He strode quickly across the room and clasped Guy's hand, shaking it heartily. "Come and join me at the fire. We have so much to catch up on!" He put one arm around Guy and led him to a chair. He turned to a tall lanky man who was practicing his juggling in the corner of the room. "Fool! Fetch some wine from the kitchens for my cousin." After a hushed, but intense conversation with the bodyguard, the jester was permitted to leave the room.
Lord Templeton (for that was who he was) turned back to Guy and said, "So, tell me how the family has fared since my Grandfather left England to make his fortune in the Holy Land."
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From: "Lady Elene" <ladyelene@hotmail.com
Having finally managed to persuade the kitchen slattern to provide something vaguely edible, Lady Elene wandered out into the courtyard which was full of strangely attired guards. "Where is Sir Guy?" She addressed the nearest apparition. "He's entertaining some guests in the upper chamber, my Lady." replied the soldier, pointing. Having made her way to the door of the chamber, she could hear voices from inside. Frowning, she stopped to listen.
A man dressed as a jester stepped out of Lord Templeton's chambers. He looked up and down the hallway, not seeing anyone. He turned and headed down the hall, but not in the direction of the kitchens.
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From: "Lady Elene" <ladyelene@hotmail.com
Hearing someone coming to the door, Lady Elene quickly hid a nearby doorway. Peeking out she saw the man dressed as a jester making his way along the corridor, heading deeper into the castle. Thinking this was a little strange she decided to follow him, keeping well out of sight.
The man dressed as a jester (let's call him Murdock) headed deeper into the castle. Once, he thought he heard footsteps behind him, but when he looked back, he didn't see anyone. "I thought that I was over the paranoid hallucinations," he muttered to himself. Down near the dungeon, he spotted a man with silver hair sweeping the floor. He gestured to him, and they stepped into an alcove. In a very low voice, the silver haired man said, "They're in the dungeon all right. You should see the set up down there. Gisburne has every torture device known to medieval man down there, from the iron maiden to French love ballads. OK, this is the plan. There's too many guards down here for a frontal assault, so….." He continued on, dropping his voice even lower.
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Claire Stemp:
Sir Guy studied his guest carefully, trying to figure out exactly how they were related. There was something almost familiar about the eyes and Templeton's hair was the same shade as his own, but... "Forgive me, my lord," spoke Gisburne at last, "but I'm still not certain how...I mean, I don't understand...Who was your grandfather again?"
Kathye Coyle:
Lord Templeton took a deep drink from his goblet, sighed, and then turned to look the knight in the eyes. "Hmmm….I was afraid of that. I don't suppose you've ever heard of your great-uncle William - your mother's father's younger brother? He was disowned by the family after he refused to become a priest. Our great-grandfather threw him out with only the clothes on his back, but he slipped back into the manor and stole some jewels and money and then fled from England. He went to Italy and started a import/export business. I spent my entire life traveling between Italy and the Holy Land. Buona sera! Dove e il bagno? Hal takibal bitakit?
"When my grandfather was on his deathbed, he confessed to me what he had done and made me promise to make amends with his family. I don't feel right keeping this empire, knowing that it was founded on such a vile act, and I don't think that my grandfather's soul will be able to rest until his debt has been paid. I decided to give half of my fortune to my grandfather's family, which, as it turns out, is you. The bulk of it will be arriving from Rome in a few weeks, but I brought a few some items with me." He crossed the room and opened one of the chests in the corner of the room. He pulled out a cloth wrapped object.
"This is one of the original items that my grandfather stole. He never had the heart to sell it, since it was a family heirloom and I'd like to return it to its rightful owner." He unwrapped the object and handed to Guy a golden dagger encrusted with gems. "So what say you, my lord of Gisburne? Will you clasp my arm and call me Cousin?"
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(Claire Stemp <claire@aracnet.net)
Gisburne stared at Lord Templeton in astonishment. Then he turned his gaze to the golden dagger in his hands. No one had ever offered him such a treasure before...and certainly not without a price. If he accepted the word of this stranger what would Templeton expect from him in return? Was it simply a matter of restoring familial ties? Could it truly be that simple? Templeton was watching him shrewdly. Was that anger in his eyes? What would Templeton's reaction be if he refused? That servant of his with the chains looked very menacing! With his fortune, Templeton could probably afford powerful servants, as well as allies. If Sir Guy refused, he might not leave the room standing. If he accepted, money and power could be his. Surely, it was worth the risk. Guy made his best effort to smile and held out his hand. "Welcome to England, Cousin."
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Kathye Coyle:
Lord Templeton smiled broadly and shook Guy's hand enthusiastically.
"Wonderful! Let's have a drink to celebrate." He picked up the wine skin, and found it empty. "Hmmm... Where is that fool with my wine? Prince Baracus, go look for the fool."
The large man glared at Guy, and reluctantly left the room.
Lord Templeton yawned and turned to Guy. "Actually, Cousin, it's been a long day. I would like to retire, and I'm sure that you have duties to perform." He started ushering Guy toward the door. "I believe that I heard that your young squire was injured? I feel guilty for monopolizing so much of your time. Perhaps tomorrow you can give me a tour of the castle, and then some horseback riding? I don't know about you but I could talk about horses for hours." He opened the door and said, "Good night, Cousin. As they say in the country of my birth, 'Accettate carte di credito?'"
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