It was a full hour and a bottle of wine before they found anything that started to work. Then it was downhill from there, somewhat. They had the basis for a key – he laboriously penned a few copies onto good parchment, stealing glances at Enzo as the other man worked on translating the first entry of the first journal.
Tiberius knew he had hurt him back in the cellar stairwell. He also knew it had been inevitable and that there was no easy remedy— And did he even want it remedied right away? Enzo had been so quick to hope the engagement was over with Akibrus Blaine’s indiscretion. It had been so long since that unfortunate situation with Sabina, that Tiberius couldn’t recall if he had acted with more grace. Most likely not, they’d been much younger men.
Demon-haunted abomination or no, Tiberius certainly felt he had mellowed with age.
Ah, but he was openly studying Pavus now, quill and wineglass both abandoned. Tiberius climbed to his feet and stretched theatrically, surveying the mess they had made. Lukios would have loathed it. Maybe the feeble shade in soundproof, air tight cell above their heads still did.
“I think the rest will keep till morning.” And much further beyond, if he was being honest. It would take him weeks to get through all the diaries alone – Enzo was the only one with both the trust and know-how to assist here. Oh, well. They had time. Unless the barrier falling meant a return to campaigning? Surely not as the heir of House Pavus.
“Let me show you a guest room.” Tiberius led the way back out of the tower, through the garden, and into the wing where most of the family was housed. He’d moved fully into the long-disused master bedroom upon returning and most of the adjacent chambers were empty. He was of a mind to put Enzo across the hall, opening the door and peering in. The room was clean and spacious but dark.
It had been his before that disastrous trip to Orlais. Now, no visible traces of his younger self remained.
“I suppose this is where I should say goodnight.”
Tiberius knew he had hurt him back in the cellar stairwell. He also knew it had been inevitable and that there was no easy remedy— And did he even want it remedied right away? Enzo had been so quick to hope the engagement was over with Akibrus Blaine’s indiscretion. It had been so long since that unfortunate situation with Sabina, that Tiberius couldn’t recall if he had acted with more grace. Most likely not, they’d been much younger men.
Demon-haunted abomination or no, Tiberius certainly felt he had mellowed with age.
Ah, but he was openly studying Pavus now, quill and wineglass both abandoned. Tiberius climbed to his feet and stretched theatrically, surveying the mess they had made. Lukios would have loathed it. Maybe the feeble shade in soundproof, air tight cell above their heads still did.
“I think the rest will keep till morning.” And much further beyond, if he was being honest. It would take him weeks to get through all the diaries alone – Enzo was the only one with both the trust and know-how to assist here. Oh, well. They had time. Unless the barrier falling meant a return to campaigning? Surely not as the heir of House Pavus.
“Let me show you a guest room.” Tiberius led the way back out of the tower, through the garden, and into the wing where most of the family was housed. He’d moved fully into the long-disused master bedroom upon returning and most of the adjacent chambers were empty. He was of a mind to put Enzo across the hall, opening the door and peering in. The room was clean and spacious but dark.
It had been his before that disastrous trip to Orlais. Now, no visible traces of his younger self remained.
“I suppose this is where I should say goodnight.”
06-24-2024, 06:51 PM
