#cooking catastrophe: drake eggs

[lotro-tooltips-daily]

[jovialyouthmusic]

Silver Service

Has Bastien finally run Anton to ground? Drake returns to Applewood to find his mentor absent.

Word Count 3289

A/N  warnings - a little implied smut. Not suitable for under 18s

11 Making Plans

Anton scowled as he looked out over the ground far below the airplane.

‘Why the hell are we travelling by this beat up old piece of shit? Why aren’t we in a jet – what happened to the helicopter?’ Claudius cleared his throat

‘Funds are low, Sir’ he said ‘We had counted on everything coming together after the coronation, but the gunman put paid to it all’

‘I’d like to know who hired that amateur – he should have hit his mark instead of botching the job’ he snarled

‘We’re still trying to find out, Sir’ he answered ‘and that’s not easy considering the King’s guard have him under lock and key’

‘Why the fuck don’t we have surveillance?’ he raged ‘What do I pay you for?’

‘I’m sorry Sir, since the botched assassination the Guard are on high alert. They’ve had staff at all the significant houses re vetted. We’ve still got one or two operatives but they daren’t make a move until they need to’

‘How about that bitch Lucretia?’ he asked

‘She’s at Applewood, where the King and Olivia retreated when the Palace was evacuated. That seems to be the base of operations right now, the head of the guard and his woman are there – and Walker and the American woman too. Apparently the whole court are touring Cordonia, attending charity events at any Duchy that cares to host one’ Anton rose an eyebrow

‘That could be turned to our advantage. We need to pay close attention to the itinerary’

-------

Damien hit the tarmac running. They had decided landing at the same airfield as Claudius would be too risky, so an SUV waited to take himself and James there as fast as possible. The fact that they had travelled by jet and the others had been in an ordinary prop plane meant that they had some time in hand. A second vehicle tailed them, and they set off at breakneck speed, calling Bastien to keep him up to date.

The roads they had to travel were narrow and little used. They needed to get close to the airfield and wait for them to leave. Their luggage had tracking devices, so unless they got wind of that, all they had to do was to follow at a distance and maintain surveillance of their destination. Simply arresting them straight away would mean that they would miss out on discovering his power base. From the location of the airfield there were a number of possibilities – they may be based in Valtoria, Portaviera or the Commery Isles, presuming that they didn’t travel any further afield.

They had the advantage of the Charity tour under their belt. They had locations set but the itinerary was still fluid. Bastien planned for the tour to go as close and as soon as possible to Anton’s location so that they could either force him to act and make himself vulnerable, or make their own move to take him out.

Damien had little idea of the terrain and geography of Cordonia, so was relying on James to keep him informed. They parked the SUV in a field entrance half a mile from the airfield, out of sight of the only road that serviced the tiny runway. That road lead to a wider main road, where the other SUV waited to cover the least likely direction that Anton was likely to take. They expected him to make for the road to Valtoria, where another road junction would determine whether he was aiming to go further to the coast at Portaviera, or further still to the Commery Isles.

James told him that the duchy of Valtoria currently had no Duke or Duchess, as the childless Duchess had passed away a few weeks ago. She was reclusive and little was known of her affiliation for or against Constantine, so there was a possibility that Anton might be making for that location. The nobility at Portaviera was known to be sympathetic to Liam, so the last prospect of someone sympathetic to the Sons of the Earth was Lord Neville Delacouer in the Commery Isles. He had been a staunch supporter of Constantine, and appeared to pay allegiance to the new King, but he was an unpleasant character. He often said one thing to the new King’s face and another to other members of the council of nobles when discussing Liam’s ideas of admitting commoners to the Council.

He breathed a sigh of relief when his phone pinged at the presence of the tracking devices planted at the Monaco border. Half an hour later, a car passed the road end, and James eased out to follow at a discrete distance - out of sight but within signal range.

Half an hour later, the car bearing Anton Severus made the turn toward Valtoria.

-------

‘Valtoria, you say?’ Liam said thoughtfully. ‘I was considering who to award the Duchy to now that Duchess Van Hausen has passed away without an heir. The manor is still occupied by her staff and they’re maintaining it until it has a new owner. I suppose if she sympathised with Anton, he might make use of the estate.’ He turned to Bastien ‘Has the staff been vetted recently?’

‘We’ve made our best efforts, but with the recent funeral arrangements it’s been difficult, and she was so reclusive that we didn’t even have a list available. I’m uncertain as to whether to back off or go ahead with the checks. If we don’t do the same as we are with the other duchies, it might make him suspicious.’

‘At your discretion, Bastien’ Liam replied ‘I trust your judgement. Just let me know what you’re doing and I’ll give you whatever funding you need’

‘Thankyou Sir. I had planned to send the charity tour where Anton was going, but it’s a bit tricky as there’s nobody available to arrange an event for Valtoria’

‘Don’t they have the annual lantern event coming up?’ Liam said ‘We could contact the majordomo at the Manor and suggest we use that to raise money for their chosen cause’

‘Excellent Idea, your Grace’ Bastien said ‘I’m sure I can involve Nazario. I’ll contact him and we can start making plans’

------

‘So our first stop is Valtoria?’ Sophia asked Bastien as she stacked the plates from their dinner to go back to the kitchens. ‘It all seems rather last minute’

‘It is, the date of the festival is fixed and it’s fortuitous that it’s only two days away’ answered Bastien ‘That gives us time to reconnoitre the manor before the Court arrives.’ Sophia stopped and looked at him intently.

‘Us?’ she questioned ‘You said you’d step back from active duty’ He sighed.

‘I have to be nearby’ he said ‘I can’t do everything remotely from here, if communications break down it could be catastrophic, no matter how much I trust my men’ Sophia crossed her arms and glared at him. He shrugged ‘I’ll be in a surveillance van away from the action, but close enough to follow in when the coast is clear’

‘And when do you judge that the coast is clear?’ she asked tartly. He got up and stood in front of her, taking her hands in his and looking intently into her eyes.

‘Sophia, you have to trust me. I’ve been doing this for a long time. You’ll be safe here, I’ll assign you your own guard – James is with Damien right now’ She looked down in defeat.

‘I’m sorry Bas, it just makes me feel nervous. I can’t lose you now’ He let go of her hands and rubbed her upper arms before drawing her to him.

‘I promise I’ll come back to you’ he said as she nestled into his broad chest and her scent rose to him. ‘This is my job, and when Anton has been neutralised I can rest easy – and so can you, and Liam and Olivia as well.’ He squeezed her tight ‘Believe me, I don’t want to lose you either, and this is the best I can do to protect you as well as my King and my country.’ She drew back and looked up at him

‘That’s what you said before’ she said in a small voice.

‘I have Damien to help me this time, as well as all my men.’ Bastien went on reassuringly ‘He’s got a good reputation – he’s the best man for the job. We have the advantage this time too. We know where Anton is and if we move fast enough he won’t be ready for us’ She smiled wanly

‘When are you going?’ she asked

‘Soon, Lewis will call when we’re ready to go’ he said, and took her over to the couch, sitting and drawing her down next to him, wrapping her in his embrace. She rested her head on his chest again, and this time he inclined his head so that his chin rested on hers and her hair tickled his nose. He took a deep calming breath which she subconsciously copied. He felt her warmth and closed his eyes to commit every sense of her to memory so he could recall it when he needed the strength to remember his purpose. He felt the vibration of the phone in his pocket. Lewis was calling him away.

------

Riley held on to the door handle of the SUV grimly as Drake barrelled down the track toward the tarmacked road. She knew rebuking him for rattling her around like an egg in a carton would do no good – in fact he might show off his driving skills more, so she gritted her teeth and endured. He chatted amiably as if his driving was the most natural normal thing in the world.

‘You really showed some skill catching fish for dinner’ he said ‘Next time I’ll leave you by the lake and I’ll go off after bigger game’ A vision of him coming back down the track with a deer across his shoulders briefly flashed through her imagination, and she shook her head to get rid of the image. She wondered whether it would be better not to tell him outright that roughing it had been a little harder than she had imagined.

It wasn’t that she liked her creature comforts – a decent bathroom for one – but a little more concession to modern life would have been nice. At least the bed had been comfortable, she told herself.

Ah, the bed. A smile flickered across her face and fixed itself as she remembered the times between the fishing and cooking and hiking. Their limbs entangled, lips grazing over bare skin, fingertips caressing, stroking and pressing. Waves of pleasure that seemed to go on forever before ebbing away leaving the glow of satiation, only to begin again just as she thought they were done. Those times were incredible – she could forgive him anything in return for what he gave to her without holding back anything. She gave her all in return, and the memory of former lovers faded into insignificance.

At last they turned onto the main road, and she breathed a sigh of relief. He turned up the music and started to sing at the top of his lungs. She laughed at his choice and couldn’t help but sing along with him.

‘Country roads, take me hooooome to the plaaaace I belooooooong’ but even as she sang, laughter bubbling up under the words, she couldn’t help but wonder where ‘home’ was – for her, for Drake…did they belong together? It hadn’t been long since they had admitted their feelings for each other but she felt as if she’d met her soulmate. Could she make her home here in this odd little country? Would he follow her back to New York if she asked? Would he want to go back to where he was born, in Texas? What would they do to make a living? She looked over at him and he grinned back at her before paying attention to the road again. She resolved to put her thoughts aside for now and go with the flow.

They drew into the courtyard at Applewood, and Drake frowned.

‘There’s not many vehicles here’ he mused, looking at the row of parked cars, noting that the limos were still there, but all but one of the SUVs were missing. That meant Liam was still there, but a good portion of Bastien’s men were elsewhere. He couldn’t make sense of it, and went straight to the security suite. He found Phillipo there, widely recognised as Lewis’s right hand man, just as Lewis was to Bastien.

‘What the hell’s going on – where’s Bastien?’ he questioned him as he looked up from his desk.

‘Walker’ he acknowledged ‘Mr Lykel is out in the field’

‘I thought he wasn’t on active duty anymore’ he quizzed him ‘Didn’t he send James and Damien out to do that?’

‘Captain Lykel said to give you this’ he said, handing him an envelope. He tapped the side of his nose in a gesture he knew the Guard used in situations where it was possible that others could overhear them. He frowned and opened his mouth, but the other man shook his head to caution him to silence. He nodded and took the envelope, going back out into the courtyard to Riley. She raised her eyebrows in query and he took her hand.

‘Let’s go for a walk’ he said ‘I need to think’ he showed her the envelope, pressing his finger to his lips, and they set off toward the orchard. Once there, he leaned against the trunk of a tree and opened it, Riley watching but saying nothing, aware that he needed to concentrate. The note was handwritten, and he recognised Bastien’s neat square letters.

Walker

I still cannot be certain that I have discovered all of Constantine’s covert surveillance devices so send this to you in the strictest confidence. Look to see if the seal has been tampered with. There is a small possibility that others may know of any remaining devices and have use of them. Use the utmost discretion as to who to discuss the contents of this letter with and destroy it as soon as you can. I have faith that you know who you can trust, but be cautious.

Nazario and James have tracked Severus and two other men to Valtoria. You know the state of affairs there. In two days’ time the Lantern festival will be held, and Liam and Olivia will attend with the rest of the court. Before then, I go with the Guard to flush Anton out and neutralise him. I plan not to take an active part, but you know these things sometimes change.

If I know you as well as I might, I know your first thought will be to follow me. I urge you to stay where you are and protect Riley and Sophia, and help if you can to observe and protect Liam and Olivia. Take note of anything and anyone that appear suspicious. I trust you to do the right thing to protect those you and I hold dear. If by any chance you do not see me again, do what you can for Sophia. If all goes well, by the time the lantern ceremony takes place, Anton will no longer be a threat.

Take care son

Bastien

He sat and stared at the letter before handing it to Riley to read. He stood and paced while she read it and when she had finished, he took it back and tucked it inside his shirt.

‘We need to find Sophia and talk to her’ he said.

------

There was a note of panic in the voice of the person on the other end of the phone.

‘The lantern festival, your Majesty? We haven’t held that for years. The Duchess didn’t like strangers in the grounds after the Duke passed on’

‘I thought it would be appropriate to revive it in celebration of the change of monarch. You know, letting go of the old and making a wish for the future.’ Liam explained levelly. ‘I know it’s asking a lot, but all the other Duchies are arranging charity events. Surely as a loyal Valtorian you’d wish to raise money for a worthy cause in your area? I’d heard the orphanage needs some renovation’

‘Of course your Majesty, it’s just that it’s such short notice’ The woman, Gladys, claimed to be head of staff at Valtoria Manor. She had submitted a list of all those on staff, and Bastien had put one of his men on to vetting them properly. So far nothing suspicious had come up. All were from families who had been born in the Duchy. There were no examples of criminal records and none of the names cropped up as sympathisers of anti Monarchy groups.

‘Are you able to offer accommodation?’ he asked ‘I know the Duchess was rather – reclusive in her latter years, but I remember visiting it as a child and staying in the state rooms’

‘I – of course all the rooms were maintained properly even after we closed the gates to guests, but I’m not sure if we have the linen or bedclothes…’

‘Send a list of what you need to my head of household. Now the Palace is closed for renovations we have plenty to spare, or we can provide funds to buy new. If staffing is a problem, I can send a team to help with the organisation of the festival. Some of the other venues are taking advantage of their expertise.’ He drew himself up into his regal posture, even though she could not see him. It changed the timbre of his voice as he continued – deeper and more commanding but with an air of sympathy. ‘Gladys, I’m sure you understand that after the attack at the coronation, Cordonia needs some positive news and goals. I sincerely hope I can count on you to help your duchy make a contribution’ There was a short silence at the other end of the line.

‘Of course your Majesty, I’ll do my best’

‘Excellent, I’ll send someone over to help you’ He ended the call, smiling in triumph.

--------

Damien took control of his breath, steady and even as he approached the driveway of Valtoria Manor. It was well that he was a good mimic, and ever since he had landed in Cordonia he had listened carefully to the people around him. It helped that he had Bastien as an example of the accent in the preceding years. He didn’t expect to pass as native to the country, but explain that his Cordonian parents had moved to America when he was young, hence the faint accent and sketchy knowledge of their culture and customs. He hope it would be enough to make anyone he encountered comfortable with his manner of speaking. The gates were closed and he drew the car level with the intercom, getting out and pressing the call button.

After a short while it crackled into life, and a woman answered curtly

‘Hello – state your business please’

‘Hi, you’re expecting me I hope. King Liam asked me to come and help you organise the lantern festival. He’s recently taken me on staff to assist with all the forthcoming events.’ There was a short silence before the gates swung open and he got back into the car to drive in. Bastien had suggested he wear a wire, but he refused, saying it was too risky. He did however have a listening device in the car, and he spoke quietly as he swung the vehicle into the courtyard to see a woman stepping forward to meet him.

‘Nazario to Lykel. I’m in’

Next Chapter 12 Just Desserts?