Rain spills through the tavern doorway as the Baron’s daughter steps inside, cloak dark with wet, hood falling back from a pale, sharp face. Conversation stutters. Miller and the redcoats notice at once, but she does not spare them a glance.
She crosses straight toward Arus’s table, boots quick on the damp boards, curiosity and danger walking arm in arm. Bessy freezes with a bottle half-raised in her hand.
Elizabeth Billings
You there. You are the courier they cannot keep still. Tell me, is every man in Flushing as interesting as you?
Arus Gandon
She knows exactly who she is looking at.
Miller’s chair scrapes back. The redcoats straighten, wary of what kind of trouble has just chosen Arus by name. Bessy shifts one step nearer the door, measuring the room.
Bessy Bussow
Miss, this is no place for fine ladies and daft questions. Best take your weather somewhere else.
Elizabeth Billings
I shall decide where I stand, thank you. And I should like an answer from him.
✓ Quest Accepted
Hide Elizabeth Billings's identity from the tavern
{"question":"Does anyone
(besides Bessy) appear to have any suspicions that Elizabeth is anyone other that a beautiful local commoner yet?","odds":"Likely","roll":70,"answer":"No, but","register":"social","sceneTitle":"The Soldiers' Confusion","location":"Flushing Tavern"}
The soldiers exchange confused glances, their eyes lingering on the fine quality of the lady's cloak rather than her face. Miller remains silent, his brow furrowed in a mix of annoyance and genuine confusion, yet he shows no sign of recognizing the Baron's daughter.
“I will try and deflect the redcoats attention with more deception and distraction while leading Elizabeth into a private corner and say, "Ahh, yes miss, I AM the courier you seek. Pardon me while I am just concluding some unfortunate business." I then turn to Sergeant Miller and say, "Please excuse me, Sergeant, but a duty of my own calls, and it may help me resolve my debt troubles with new work. Please forgive me if I abandon you to attend to the needs of this unfortunate maiden presently." I then attempt to gently coax Elizabeth to a far table where we may speak unheard.”
SUCCESS (Superb Deception, rolled +0)
Arus eases between the soldiers and the lady, turning his half-bow into a useful shield. The redcoats watch his hands, not her face, and their curiosity slips toward boredom.
Arus Gandon
Ahh, yes, miss, I am the courier you seek. Pardon me while I am just concluding some unfortunate business.
Arus Gandon
Please excuse me, Sergeant, but a duty of my own calls, and it may help me resolve my debt troubles with new work. Forgive me if I abandon you to attend to the needs of this unfortunate maiden presently.
Miller
Hmph. Go on, then. If there is coin in it, I care less for the romance than the result.
Bessy lets out a short, doubtful snort, but she does not interrupt. Arus guides Elizabeth toward a far table, the pair slipping into the darker end of the room while rain ticks at the open door.
Elizabeth Billings
So you do know who I am. Then tell me why you have been playing at mystery all evening.
They reach the table at last, screened by hanging shadows and the press of the room. Arus's lie holds, but his sleeve catches a wet edge of ale as he sits her down, leaving a dark stain for anyone nearby to notice.
Quest Complete
Hide Elizabeth Billings's identity from the tavern