Le Gesta Oscure di Ilazio Moccenigo (Collab: Part I)

[TalusMoonbreaker]

Previously...

Over the next few days, il mio compagno di cospirazione @W Navarre and I will be posting episodes of a long plotted collab series. Of course, there will be a longer post with it all nice and neatly together, so we hope you guys enjoy it! Ciao! 

                                                                                                L'Ascensione dell'Architetto Part I

     This is but only the beginning, the beginning of one man's deadly oath unravelling...

 

                                 

The sun was beginning to set over the capital city of Illaryian. I remembered, my father had died on a similar evening a few weeks ago. Soon, the wrongful death of mio papà would be avenged. I then began to roll up various papers, including legal documents, records, and schematics, and put up the volumes that I had borrowed during my vaste research, for con fortuna, Ristoro would have concluded a deal on the streets below. Before I left, I suddenly heard a rustle. 

Was I caught? Was all this, weeks upon weeks of tracking, plotting, and investigating, for nought? 

“Vindur,” I whispered softly. “Sei tu?” 

“Sì!” hissed an excited voice from behind. I gave a slight smile. The Kolgari informant had once again proven himself. 

“Signore, your theory about the Rego’s relationship to the De Cioto girl is correct. One source cited having seen her, peering over the balcony when sua amante declared the late Staffen Conzaga, his former ally, traitor to Varlyrio.”

“What about Ristoro?” I inquired. “Usually you report to him, certo?” 

“Questo era importante,” the Kolgari replied, smiling from underneath his dark hood. 

I passed him a substantially hefty bag in return. If this failed, coin would be the least of my troubles. 

It faintly clinked as it passed between us, then the spy swiftly left like the wind. 

So, that’s how Signore Conzaga had died. The death of my fellow triumvirate, Prince Råiden the Tiger, was not the first conspiracy that Arama and her Rego had orchestrated… 

Earlier, Ristoro had informed me that an assassino had been sent after Alesio De Fiori, like Signore Conzaga, a former ally that assisted in the removal of the Amancios but was later betrayed. 

Additionally, Cadgie, another Fiori, had died around the same time. More treachery. 

Luca had not gained the throne through popularity, but through betrayal! His own citizens had cast shame upon the House of Cioto too. 

I checked the area again, making sure that only shadows had perused the otherwise empty floor, then left to discover what Ristoro had caught questa volta. Perhaps instead of wasting his time partying, he should have worked in the trade of dangerous secrets, I mused to myself. 

The dusk was turning to night, perfetto for maintaining my secrecy.       

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                                                                                  I the left to discover what Ristoro had caugh questa volta.

I slowly closed the door to the ancient library, the façade dating to an earlier design style, locking it with a key that Ristoro had seen forged by me. His knowledge of the Varlyrian underworld was impressive, again making me wonder at his thus squandered life. 

Leaning against a large vase, Ristoro held several long, leather tubes in his hands. He was smiling come un demone.  

“Here are the architectural plans that you fancied, fratello, straight from the vaults of Gli Archivi Reale. Those crafters of sharp steel and famed vintners have served us eagerly and well.” 

“Molto bene,” I whispered back. “Soon Ristoro, we strike, for everything is in place. Per papà!”

The blueprint was complete. This was no longer just about the Rego: there was now more to it, a deeper conspiracy. Ristoro, however, would not be privy to this additional act of my planned vendetta…  

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Edited July 2, 2022 by TalusMoonbreaker

[LordDan]

Cool texturing on the sidewalk, and once again a great example of Varlyarian architecture!

[Grover]

Nice vig!   I like the sidewalk, too.  The door frame over the main door is well done, particularly with the limited space.  I wish I could see more of the yellow building, but it's hard given the space.  Nice story too!