(Chapter 19 Escape)
It is currently morning. Tempest stands at the entrance of the Proudmoore mansion, observing the knights of the Golden Hand on horseback, some were holding the banners of the Proudmoore House. He carefully counts each knight, trying to determine how many his Father would bring with him.
'50... And Pierre is still not here, which leaves 150 remaining knights at the mansion.'
Tempest thought to himself.
"Tempest."
Tempest turned around to see his Father calling out his name. His Father was accompanied by Penance, Pierre, and a few maids, with Penance's head drooping towards the ground.
"Father..."
Tempest spoke stoically, his face devoid of emotion and impossible to read. However, beneath his mask, he harbored boiling anger for his father, who was about to make Penance meet her future husband.
"I trust you won't do anything stupid while we're away, will you?"
Mengsk asked him.
"No."
Tempest replied instantly.
"Good, we'll be off then."
Mengsk said as he passed by Tempest.
"Please look after the mansion while we're away, Young Master."
Pierre said to him.
"Right."
Tempest said he saw Penance glance at him shortly before lowering her head again.
Tempest spoke as he saw Penance glance at him briefly before lowering her head again.
'Just a little longer, dear sister...'
Tempest thought to himself as he watched his sister enter the carriage with their Father. The carriage was then escorted by knights, with Pierre leading them.
"It's time..."
.
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.
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.
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At midnight, Tempest stood in his room, meticulously dressing himself in all-black attire from head to toe. To complete his look, he adorned himself with a pitch-black cloak, ensuring that nothing would give away his true identity.
"Young Master, sir Constantine wanted me to give you this."
Melissa said as she handed him a box.
"Hm?"
Tempest grabbed the box and inside was a flintlock.
"Hm, the old man has the right tools for everything."
Tempest said as he inspected the flintlock, ensuring it was in proper condition. Satisfied, he then pointed it at the wall, testing its aim and readiness for what lay ahead.
"Fire!"
"The horses have escaped?!"
"The commander will kill us for this!"
Both Melissa and Tempest could hear the sound of running footsteps echoing through the halls, likely the knights. It was a clear signal that it was time to go.
"It's time, Young Master."
"Mm."
Tempest strapped the holster of the flintlock to his side and concealed it under his cloak. He then picked up the card from the drawer on his table, the one Crucabena had given him.
'Just in case...'
He thought to himself as he tucked the card into his pocket. Walking over to the window, he opened it quietly.
"Young Master! Jump! I'll catch you I swear!"
Constantine said with both his arms raised, ready to catch Tempest.
Tempest looked down at the window before glancing back at Melissa.
"Good luck, Young Master. I'll ensure no one enters your room while you're away."
Melissa said while bowing her head.
"Mm, thank you, Melissa, expect to come back at midnight in 2 to 3 days."
Melissa nodded in response.
"Young Master! We're running out of time! I swear to the seven gods, I'll catch you!"
Constantine said, without hesitation, Tempest jumped out of the window and landed on the ground effortlessly, he then glanced at his Teacher.
"No need."
Constantine turned his head to Tempest, his face flabbergasted. He shook his head for a moment before turning serious.
"Let's move, Young Master, our distraction won't last long."
Constantine said, Tempest simply nodded in response.
They then both made their way out of the mansion stealthily, avoiding the few knights on patrol by moving with careful, quiet steps. Each shadowy corner and darkened hallway became their allies as they navigated through the silent corridors, determined to evade detection.
"Halt! Who goes there?!"
A knight spotted them from behind. In response, Tempest and Constantine swiftly turned a corner, only to find themselves at a dead end. The echo of footsteps grew closer, prompting them to exchange urgent glances, searching for a way out in the dimly lit passage.
"Show yourselves!"
The knight said, as his footsteps grew closer.
"Shit..."
Constantine quietly drew his rapier, his intent clear, to dispatch the knight swiftly and silently.
"Sir Knight! All the knights have been requested in the stables, they need more hands-on putting out the fire and catching the horses! quickly!"
"Whoa! Slow down maiden!"
Before the knight could reach the corner, Melissa intervened just in time, pulling him away by his hand and diverting his attention. Her quick action saved them from a dire situation, allowing Tempest and Constantine to slip away unnoticed.
Constantine sighed in relief, he then sheathed back his rapier.
"Thank you, Melissa."
Tempest said quietly, after successfully navigating their way out of the mansion stealthily, they finally reached the gates. Relief washed over him as they stood before the imposing gates, their escape seemingly secured.
"Good, it's unlocked, Young Master."
Constantine said as he opened the small gate door. They both passed through it, finally escaping the mansion.
"Kind sir, can you please point me to the village?"
A man wearing a straw hat and dressed in merchant attire, riding a horse while leading another horse behind him, approached both of them.
"No time for games Rohan."
Tempest said.
"My apologies, Young Master."
The man dressed as a merchant revealed himself to be Rohan all along. He dismounted from the horse.
"Everything is going according to plan, Young Master. I wish you both good luck."
Rohan bowed his head and immediately ran back inside the mansion, Tempest and Constantine then mounted the horses and made their way to Stormwind Harbor where their ride awaited them.
"Where do we find the driver of the boat, Teacher?"
Tempest said to Constantine as they both slowed down their horses.
"They told me to meet him at La Belle Époque bar in Stormwind Harbor, Young Master. He'll approach us, I've already given him our outfit details. We'll just sit in the bar for a while, and he'll approach us eventually. I'll handle the conversation, Young Master."
Constantine replied to him.
"Mm, alright then, Hyah!"
They urged their horses onward, hastening their pace until they finally arrived at Stormwind Harbor under the cover of night. The harbor shimmered with the soft glow of lanterns and the distant lights of docked ships, casting a tranquil yet bustling ambiance around them.
"Yes, we'll pick them up this week, thank you."
Constantine handed the pouch of Mora to the stable master.
"Let's go to the place Young Master."
"Mhm."
Tempest gave one last pat to his horse's mane before they both left the stables.
"It's beautiful here at nighttime, isn't it? This place also offers one of the best kinds of seafood here in Fontaine. I'll show you around the best places to eat here once you become the Duke, Young Master, we can also bring Penance two! To celebrate both your freedom."
Constantine smiled when he spoke to Tempest, as they were both walking the streets of the harbor.
"Hmph, I'll take you up on that offer Teacher."
Tempest smiled genuinely, he then stopped in his tracks for a short moment to gaze on the Dreadnoughts that were docked on the harbor.
"Young Master?"
Constantine noticed Tempest stopped walking beside him.
"Once I become Duke, I will build the greatest fleet Teyvat will ever see... The Golden Armada. I will start by fixing these four Dreadnoughts first."
Tempest said, Constantine wrapped his arm around Tempest.
"Hmph, and I can't wait to see when the day comes, Young Master."
Constantine said with a wide grin on his face, they both then continued walking and finally reached La Belle Époque bar.
"Musket~ Churls~ and you~ Got some Churls~ and a Musket~ and I'll bring em home to you~"
'Huh, so that's what the song sounds like when Constantine's not singing it... Catchy.'
Tempest thought to himself as they entered the bar, where a record player was playing in the room. The place was sparsely populated, mostly by drunkards lingering in various corners. The atmosphere was subdued, punctuated by the occasional clink of glasses and murmured conversations echoing against the walls.
"I'll have a dandelion wine, Master!"
"Aye."
Both Tempest and Constantine sat down at the counter table.
"Anything you want?"
Constantine asked Tempest.
"Water."
"And bring us a glass of water, Master!"
Constantine said to the bartender.
"Aye."
"So, where is he?"
Tempest asked Constantine.
"He'll be here shortly."
"Here's your drinks."
The bartender handed them their drinks, and without hesitation, Constantine downed the whole glass.
"Ah~ Bless the Anemo Archon! For this masterpiece! One more Master!"
Constantine shouted while raising his glass.
"Aye!"
"Enough, Teacher."
Tempest glared at Constantine, while he was drinking his glass of water.
"Never mind Master."
Constantine lowered his glass.
"Hm?"
Tempest muttered to himself, as he saw a middle-aged man with a dark grey suit with a dark blue tie sitting beside him.
"From mediating disputes and providing protection, you name it."
The middle-aged man beside Tempest said, he raised an eyebrow at the old man's sudden words.
"Spina Di Rosula does it, It's good to see you again, Melus."
Tempest glanced at his Teacher, he seemed to know this person.
"It's good to see you as well, Monsieur Constantine, and you two Young Lord."
The middle-aged man named Melus turned his head to Tempest.
"Come, let's get moving."
Melus gestured for them to follow him. Without hesitation, Tempest and Constantine got up from their seats, with Constantine leaving a small bag of Mora on the counter.
"Thanks for the drink Master!"
"Come back next time!"
The three then exited the bar.
"You're from the Spina di Rosula?"
Tempest asked Melus.
"Yes, I am, Young Lord, Lord Callas has instructed me to fetch you both from Stormwind Harbor as he desires to speak with you. Unfortunately, Lord Callas is currently in the Court of Fontaine, meeting with a friend. Rest assured, he will return tomorrow evening."
Melus spoke in a refined and respectful tone.
"I see, very well then."
"We already have a place prepared for you both to stay at Poisson."
Melus spoke as they finally arrived at his speedboat. He started the engine while Tempest and Constantine boarded the boat.
Constantine started humming and spoke.
"This might be a long trip, but I have the perfect thing to lighten the mood while we wait."
"Please, don't start singing, Teacher..."
Tempest said to him, but Constantine didn't listen. He clears his throat and begins to sing.
"There once was a ship that went to sea~"