The Vampire & Her Witch-Chapter 1347: An Insurance Policy (Part Two)

"Since it seems more likely than not that Cian is present in the abbey," Marcel said as he seemed to reach a decision. "How difficult would it be to extract this young Acolyte from the abbey without drawing undue attention?"

"Extract him?" Diarmuid repeated carefully. "Why would we want to do that? Wouldn’t it be easier to leave him alone and not risk drawing the attention of the Inquisition?"

"It’s important that we extract him so that he can’t be used against us later," Marcel said. "Just like Lady Cerys is useful as a prybar to open the doors for others, Cian is a lever who can force Cerys and her family to move."

"I’d rather not leave such a useful lever in our enemies’ hands," he said before his lips pulled back in a grin that revealed the full length of his fangs. "And if need be, he can be a lever that we make use of ourselves."

Diarmuid was quiet for a long moment, clearly thinking through the implications. Finally, he nodded slowly.

"It’s... reasonable," he admitted. "And probably not as difficult as you might think. Acolytes have some freedom of movement, especially when called to attend to family matters."

"Excellent," Marcel said, looking pleased. "What would you need to make it happen?"

Diarmuid glanced at Ignatious again, and this time the older vampire gave another small nod of approval.

"I’ll need one of the young nobles to accompany me," Diarmuid said, looking toward Morwen, Eira, and Cadeyrn. "Someone who can bring word to the abbey that Lady Cerys has arrived in Maeril after suffering a serious fall from her horse and that she’s asking to see her brother."

"It would be best if we could handle this without Sir Ignatious’s help," Diarmuid added after a short pause. "As a High Inquisitor, he has the authority to compel obedience from any Inquisitor in the March and most of the rest of the clergy as well, but that very authority makes his presence too notable."

As an Inquisitor from the Holy City, Diarmuid felt confident that he could suppress anyone at the Abbey who asked too many questions. There was a slight risk that some eager acolyte would send a message to the Abbot when Diarmuid informed the abbey that Cian would be accompanying his sister to Lothian City.

In the end, however, Diarmuid hoped that, with the right explanation, Recared would take it as an act of currying favor with the local nobility rather than anything more sinister.

"I’ll go," Eira said immediately, her voice clear and confident. She wasn’t entirely certain she approved of the way Marcel spoke about using Lady Cerys’ brother as a ’lever,’ but when she replayed the way Marcel had said it in her mind, she came to the conclusion that Marcel was more interested in keeping Cian from being used against them rather than using him as a hostage against Lady Cerys.

She was quickly coming to realize that Marcel was a man who wouldn’t sugarcoat things, nor would he ignore options, even if they were distasteful. In that way, he was every bit as ruthless as the Lothians had proven themselves to be. But, while he wasn’t above using hostages or exploiting someone’s pain and suffering, it was also clear that he was aiming for a greater good.

After all, while Marcel hadn’t mentioned it, she didn’t believe for a moment that someone as thorough as he was hadn’t considered what the Inquisition would do to Cian the instant they learned that Lady Cerys had become involved with witches and the Eldritch. Cian’s days as an acolyte were already as good as over, but this way, they could rescue him before the Inquisition learned that his family had been ’tainted.’

"I can deliver the message," Eira promised. "And I can help convince Acolyte Cian to come with us if needed."

Marcel’s smile widened, and he gave her an approving nod. He’d heard her volunteer to help Lady Ashlynn however she could, and it looked like she was already making good on her promise. How skilled she was remained to be seen, but skills could always be acquired later. In the beginning, intentions mattered the most.

"Excellent," he said. "I’m sure a young man like Cian won’t object to a beautiful woman calling him away in the night," he said with a playful wink. "But don’t worry, Lord Liam, I’ll make sure that he doesn’t lay an untoward hand on your lady," he added, giving the young lord a solid clap on the back of his shoulder.

"I’ll need one other person to come with Liam and me when we go to collect Baron Loghlan and his retinue," Marcel added as he turned his gaze to the siblings across the table.

"I, I can go," Morwen said, standing up before her brother could get himself into any trouble.

"No, I think not," Marcel said, shaking his head. "You should stay here in case Lady Ashlynn needs help tending to Sir Ollie," he suggested. "Besides, what I need help with is exactly the sort of thing a young squire is most useful for."

"You need help with armor or tending horses?" Cadeyrn said, blinking in surprise as he found himself suddenly selected to help the coldly calculating vampire.

"No," Marcel said, shaking his head at the young squire’s naivete. "I need your help with the ferry while Liam and I fetch his parents. You can stand guard over a boat, can’t you?"

"Oh, that," Cadeyrn said, nodding in understanding. "I can do that," he said, taking Hugo’s advice and putting his trust in the vampire.

"Good," Marcel said cheerfully. He hadn’t bothered to mention that guarding the boat would likely also involve keeping watch over the ferryman once Marcel incapacitated the man, but there would be time for those details later. For now, he’d already spent too much time talking, and it was time to take action while the night was still young. "Then let’s get to work."