(Chapter 23 Kidnapped)
"See? Told you he was the right guy, Young Master!"
Constantine said with a wide smile on his face.
"Thank you, sir Callas. Thank you so much..."
Tempest expressed his gratitude while bowing his head. In response, Callas raised his hand in a stop gesture before speaking.
"No need to bow your head, Tempest. If you truly intend to restore the Proudmoore legacy, then this is an offer I mustn't refuse."
"Thank you, sir Callas."
Tempest replied, his voice steady with determination. Meanwhile, Constantine rose from his chair and walked over to the cabinets holding Callas's collection of wines. He selected a fine bottle and retrieved two stemware glasses, intending to share a drink with his friend Callas in celebration of their pact.
"Constantine..."
Callas sighed and put his hand on his forehead in frustration.
"What? To celebrate our new alliance! My friend!"
Constantine said, sitting back in his seat and pouring wine first into his own glass, then into Callas's glass. Callas simply sighed in response, his eye then darting back to Tempest.
"Tempest, are you sure about your current plan for the court? Yes, you will be acquitted if Constantine wins the duel, but as you said, House Proudmoore's reputation will remain tarnished, and you will still be despised by the people. Do you not have any strong evidence to present to the court when you are tried?"
Callas voices his concern.
"I'm still thinking of one... Requesting a duel is my last resort. I do want House Proudmoore to restore its glory in my lifetime, but if I can't find a compelling reason to justify the uprising to the people, I will accept their hatred willingly. After all, it would be a fitting punishment for everything my family has done over the past 500 years... I just hope that future generations will eventually look past the Proudmoore's past and see the positive changes we've made."
Tempest said while turning his eyes away.
"Young Master... We'll find a way, I swear it."
Constantine said, reassuring Tempest.
"I hope so..."
Tempest replied to him.
"You will find one, Tempest. You must find one."
Callas said, his face set in a serious expression.
"I will. I assure you, sir Callas, and once I have, I will send word to you immediately."
"That's the spirit. In the coming weeks, I will have my people smuggle weapons and Clockwork Mekas to support your cause. Unfortunately, I cannot provide you with men. I cannot risk my family's and Spina di Rosula's reputation. I apologize for this limitation."
Callas said.
"It is quite alright, the weapons and Mekas are enough, thank you. You don't have to risk more for me, sir Callas."
Tempest said, grateful for Callas's support.
"I wish you good luck, Tempest Proudmoore."
Callas said as he got up from his seat and extended his hand at Tempest for a handshake.
"Thank you."
Tempest stood up from his seat as well to shake his hand.
"Be careful Tempest, and be vigilant, you are very young, but it feels like I'm talking to an adult."
Callas smiled as he spoke.
"I get that a lot."
They both broke off from the handshake.
"I'll have Melus prepare the speedboat for you both to return to Stormwind Harbor, It was a pleasure meeting you, Tempest Proudmoore."
Callas said, satisfied he met Tempest face to face.
"The pleasures all mine, sir Callas, and thank you."
"Constantine, what in the name of?!"
Both Callas and Tempest's eyes darted to Constantine as he chugged the entire wine bottle, clearly already intoxicated.
"I haven't even drunk my first glass yet!"
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Both Tempest and Constantine left the ship and made their way out of Poisson, planning to wait for Melus outside the village. Tempest felt a sense of satisfaction as he reflected on the meeting with Callas, he had successfully completed one of the most crucial stages of their uprising. The negotiation had gone well, and the support secured was a significant step forward.
"I don't want to set the world on fire~ I just want to start~ A flame in your heart~"
Constantine sang as he walked unsteadily, still intoxicated from chugging the wine bottle earlier.
"For seven hells... Constantine shut the he-"
Before Tempest could finish his sentence, a sudden chill ran down his spine, and he got goosebumps all over his body. He realized that both he and Constantine were being watched closely.
"Constantine."
Tempest said quietly as he stopped in his tracks.
"Huh?"
Constantine glanced at Tempest with confusion, but his eyes suddenly widened in realization. In an instant, he sobered up as if he had never drunk a drop of alcohol in his life.
"Split up and call for reinforcements. I'll lead them to a corner, be quick."
Tempest said quietly, and Constantine nodded in response.
"Ah! I've forgotten something! Wait for me, Young Master!"
Constantine shouted and quickly ran back to the ship.
"Dementia finally caught up to the old man."
Tempest said jokingly, then walked to a nearby corner, intending to lure the watcher.
He paused in his tracks, quickly withdrew the flintlock from his holster, and spun around, aiming it directly at his watcher.
"You again..."
Tempest muttered as he recognized the same person who had confronted him in the court. She had short white hair with streaks of black and was now wearing a mask that covered her eyes.
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't shoot you on the spot right now."
Tempest threatened her, his eye narrowed to better his aim.
"Tempest Proudmoore, Mother has demanded to see you."
Peruere said to him, her voice calm even in this situation.
"I told you already I-"
"Otherwise, she will report you to your Father. That you were spotted in Poisson."
Peruere interrupted him before he could finish his sentence. Tempest's eyes widened in surprise, and he gritted his teeth in anger.
'No, no, no... She knew what I was planning all along? Damn it. No, she couldn't possibly know. She's threatening me because she knows I can't leave Stormwind without Father's permission. But she'll report me if I don't see her now. Damn it... I can't fail now.'
Tempest thought to himself, still keeping the flintlock aimed at Peruere. They could both hear the distant sound of running footsteps from the Spina di Rosula. It wouldn't be long before they found them both
With a heavy sigh, Tempest lowered his flintlock.
"Take me to her."
He said simply as Peruere walked past Tempest, his eyes following her every move.
"Praise the Archon Tsaritsa."
Peruere muttered as she knocked on the stone wall. Shortly after, a response came.
"Long live her Majesty."
Tempest's eyes widened as he watched the stone wall shift, revealing a hidden entrance.
"Let's go."
Peruere said to Tempest, not even looking back at him.
"Right."
Tempest followed her through the entrance, and shortly after, they both stepped inside. The stone wall shifted back into place and closed behind them.
"I heard something!"
"Over here!"
"Huh? There's no one in here?"
Members of the Spina di Rosula checked the corner where Tempest and Peruere had been standing earlier, only to find it completely empty.
"Seal off every entrance of Poisson! Check every corner! Find Tempest Proudmoore at all costs!"
Callas shouted to his men.
"Yes sir!"
"Where the hell did they go?"
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'There was a secret entrance at Poisson all along?'
Tempest thought to himself, as he looked at the many intricate tunnels and on the waterway was a small boat.
"Tell the others to return back, the mission's over."
"Roger!"
Peruere said to another Fatuus and he quickly left disappearing into the darkness of the tunnels.
"Perrie!"
"Clervie."
Peruere spoke as her best friend, Clervie, approached her. Tempest looked at Clervie, noting that her appearance was similar to Crucabena's. She had light pink hair and light green eyes.
"This must be him huh? Sorry, we had to kidnap you."
Clervie's eyes darted to Tempest, but he didn't respond.
"Not the talkative type huh? Kinda like you Perrie, please excuse me."
Clervie said as she moved behind Tempest, intending to put a blindfold on him.
"Don't touch me."
Tempest grabbed her wrist, as she was about to put a blindfold on him.
"Ow ow ow!"
Clervie groaned in response. Peruere unsheathed her rapier and pointed it at Tempest's neck, its tip just inches away.
"Let go of her."
Peruere threatened Tempest.
"I was just gonna put a blindfold on you!"
Clervie said, and Tempest shortly let go of his grip on Clervie's wrist.
"I'll do it myself."
Tempest spoke, and shortly after, Peruere lowered her rapier. Clervie then handed him the blindfold. Tempest boarded the small boat and tied the blindfold over his own eyes.
"Jeez, that surprised me."
Clervie said as she held her wrist with her other hand.
"Are you okay?"
Peruere approaches her best friend.
"Mhm, just hurts a bit..."
"Let me see."
Peruere checked Clervie's wrist, her eyes widening in shock as she saw the discoloration. Clervie's wrist had turned purple, clearly bruised from Tempest's firm grip.
"It's fine, Perrie... Let's just get this over with alright? I wanna go to sleep."
Clervie reassures Peruere with a smile.
"Fine, I'll help you treat it once we get back. Start the engine of the boat, and I'll watch him."