arrow Chateau de Honore
"I know who you are, my dear." The Lady smiled, speaking in a matter-of-fact tone. It was one of her more valuable skills, the ability to sound and seem all-knowing even when she knew only a bit more than another and especially when she knew a lot less. Lady Honore wanted it understood that she had anticipated Melanie and only her today, as opposed to the truth of matter where this was simply the first time she had ever heard the name.
"I have a business proposition for Madam Astrum," Octavia began, turning on her heel and making her way towards the back of the manor. As if tugged by invisible leashes, the others immediately fell in line with their leader and followed. "But before we go over the specifics, I will introduce those who will be joining us."
"On my left is Advisor Aleksandr Ostrovsky-Honore," The powerful woman gestured to the left. The handsome Spymaster, albeit not his official title, gave Melanie a stern over-the-shoulder gaze and nodded once before looking away.
"To my right is Merle Vossverheit, he is the house wizard and principle scribe of House Honore." She chortled, the wizard on her right seemed as if plucked from the story books of old. His robes were worn and stains of ink and alchemical reagents; his hair and long braided, beard whiter than a winter's snow.
"My Seneschal, Mr. Peabody, stands directly behind you." The small man holding the briefcase looked away as he was mentioned. Partially because he didn't want to match gazes with the representative from Talon or Lady Honore. Mostly because he refused to be caught staring at Melanie's posterior. "Of course, you've already met Advisor Tennebrink."
If Melanie managed to turn on the Warlock then, she would find that the dreadful creature was staring at her intently, as if she was the only thing in the room. Had she looked back sooner, however, she would have noted Tennebrink licking his lips.
Within moments, Octavia and her entourage would arrive in the backyard, making their way to the elevated patio where more guards, a table with refreshments and chairs, and another freakishly large creature awaited.
"Oh! Forgive my forgetfulness, up ahead...is Romulus, the heir to the Carovic Minotaur Tribe." True enough, up ahead, was the brutish figure of a bull-man, his heaving brown fur trustled beneath a full crown of horns. He towered just about everyone on the patio, and was brutishly leaning against the banister over-looking the Honore gardens, with a spiked ball and chain lying at his hoof.
"Honored." The bull-man grunted, a look of sarcasm discernible even on its beastly face.
"Will you be joining us, honorable Minotaur?" The Lady asked politely, fanning herself as she was seated at the end of the table.
Romulus nodded in reverence and remained.
"Let the meeting commence then."
They all took their seats at the table, with the exception of the house guards who weren't allowed and Romulus who was too large, leaving the chair at the opposite end of the table open for Melanie.