LIGHTNOVELONLINE Interlude - House Bisset
16th of Cobre, 1659 - 9:07 am
Gabrielle Bisset had always been the early bird. There was always something on her schedule to do and she insisted on being punctual with every single entry. Despite taking the cable car across the border and traveling the rest of the way through horse carriage, arriving home only the night before, she somehow summoned the energy to rise early and go about her daily routine.
Opening up a navy-blue tome, she got to work. She didn’t expect to fight at all on this day, but the undead in Thule were unpredictable. She was not afraid in the slightest, but it was wise to be sufficiently equipped anytime a trip into the wilderness was planned.
Judging the position of the sun, at least eight hours had passed since she last spoke with Alistair. After that, she asked the people in her household to not disturb her until noon so she could sleep in and relax. She needed peace and rest, for her routine needed it. Reading out the names of spells in the tome, Gabrielle could see a crimson glyph form underneath the book just as another, albeit in a smaller frame, formed on her forehead.
Once she was done, Gabrielle left her study and descended the spiraling flight of stairs to the parlor. The maids and manservants residing in the manor greeted her warmly, and she greeted them in the same manner. An older gentleman in particular brought her a cup containing a hot, dark brown drink, from which she sipped calmly but soon displayed a disgusted expression.
“Timothy, if you’re going to add honey to my coffee, you might as well bring me a bottle of mead.”
“My apologies, madam. It would explain why Lord Beau was snickering when he said you requested this.”
“I see. I suppose I had it coming,” Gabrielle said as she handed her mug back to her manservant. “I did purify his bottle of exported mead during our trip.”
“Purify it how, madam?”
“By using a spell to remove the alcohol.” Putting on a more serious face, Gabrielle went back to business mode. “Anything to report?”
“Nothing much, madam. His Majesty remains ill, the Arrow remains on the loose, and your delivery from the Stonemasons Guild has finally arrived.”
Gabrielle breathed a soft gasp. “Excellent. The artificer I hired can get to work right away once she arrives.”
“You were able to find someone, then?”
“Yes. And she won’t be alone. She’ll be bringing in a friend, and Alistair has been charged to protect them both. Have the preparations been made for their arrival in Goodsprings?”
“Yes, madam. Sheriff Helms has been informed of their pending arrival. Lodgings should be ready by the time they arrive.”
A solid start. Gabrielle wanted Lenoria to feel welcomed in this strange land; all the better to keep her mind off the prominent dangers that inhabit the place.
“If there is nothing else to report, you are dis-”
“WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?” The roar from a familiar voice could be heard throughout the parlor.
“I told him many times to use his indoor voice indoors.” Nodding to Timothy, Gabrielle snapped her fingers. “Send him in.”
Timothy rushed out of the parlor at once and returned moments later with Beau right behind him. The big man did not wish to be escorted, and arrived before the manservant did.
“Beau, you seem agitated. No criminals to hunt down today?”
“Sister, this is serious.” Beau held up a rolled parchment. “I come bearing terrible news.”
Gabrielle snatched the parchment. “What is so bad that made you want to scream bloody murder this early in the morning? I specifically ordered for no one to disturb me until noon.”
The matriarch of House Bisset unrolled the parchment. Her eyes, relaxed and colorful, widened the longer she read the parchment. She shook her head, crumpling the piece of paper with a simple grip from her fist.
From: The Argus Penitentiary
To: Gabrielle Bisset
We hope this letter finds you well, Madam Bisset. We write this letter to inform you that our current prisoner, Mirabelle Bisset, will be released on the 17th of Cobre of the current year. As a result of a private investigation, we have determined the charges against her are harsh and unjust, and thus will be placed under your care until she can get back on her feet and assimilate herself back into society.
Best regards,
Arturo Figueroa, Warden of the Argus Penitentiary
“Mirabelle is being released today? How can this be?”
“The messenger didn’t say. But we are expected to pick her up tomorrow.”
Distressed, Gabrielle snatched the mug from Timothy and chugged it down with a single gulp. Shakily, she sat down on a wooden chair, gripping her shoulder-length hair.
“I warned you that demons cannot be locked away for long,” Beau said grimly. “What do we do?”
“I’ll tell you what we won’t do.” Gabrielle finally raised her head and calmed herself down. “We won’t tell Alistair about it. We have to keep her away from him.”
“That is impossible. She’s bound to track him down eventually.”
“Not if I have to say anything about it.” Cooled off but not completely, she snapped her fingers once more. “Timothy, fetch me my quill and parchment. Beau, cancel your plans for this week. You must travel to Goodsprings and deliver a letter to Sheriff Helms. Alistair must remain there at all costs.”
Crossing his arms, Beau smiled cockily. “I don’t see this ending well. You plan to leash Alistair to that dump?”
“Yes. He cannot find out about this.” Once Timothy arrived with a quill and parchment, Gabrielle sat down to sorrowfully pen a letter. “Not after the promise I made to him. This is a mess only House Bisset can fix.”