Coimbra

"..A stroll around the city on your own...tch." The voice revealed annoyance to near anger of the younger man, who went then to carry more light to the room. His eyes stared fiercly at Fandorin. "Where did you leave them.." He spoke of the diamonds.".. Taken' with you and might you have been attacked, we'd have lost them and know not to whom nor where!"

Perhaps he'd worried even so slightly that Fandorin might have gone and left with them, suspition never easy from his mind. "And were you to leave them here.. who else would have as easily entered as I.. and found them!"

He paced angrilly up and down the room, halting only to slip the curtains across the windows so no eyes could peer inside. "Grey hairs..It is you who caused them most!"

Fandorin cocked his head, resting his hands on the cane that again looked whole and non-threating. He answered calmly, slowly.
'I kept the diamonds on my person, and unlike you I do not cause others to attack me', he paused, the candlelight throwing sparks into his eyes. 'You forget, I have been in this business since before you were born, I'd be obliged if you found it in yourself to trust the fact that I do, despite your suspicions, know what I am doing'. With that he turned away and rounding the desk, sat down.

With an angry frown the man sat himself down. "At the very least you could have informed me of your flight.." He spoke sullenly, his eyes on the heavy drapes that now hung over the windows. He knew what he was entrusted with and it was a good deal harder to follow his mission, if the man he was to do it with, had had a mind of his own.

Surely he was experienced, else he would not be entrusted to be the one to carry the treasure, yet there was still a possibility of which two men were harder to fall for.

"......my apologies sir." He spoke more subtly, more like the servant that he was playing, even if he thought that Fandorin deserved a fair good and long tongue lashing. "....Neither do I.." He then added, not caring if Fandorin knew to what he was referring.

Fandorin's gaze lighted at the young man's face again. 'Flight? Ah, is that why you are angry? You think I would betray the trust placed in me by His Majesty? Well, well, well. He has chosen well, hasn't he? You seem to be a most capable young man', he paused. 'I apologise for not informing you, but you must learn that you cannot be at my side all the time and some things will have to be done by me alone'. After a split moment he added: 'I am not used to working in tandem'. He took the map and unfolded it.

"I am aware of it. Yet I would sleep better were I to know to distinguish between an adventure, sir, that you take.. and were it the greatest misfortune that something other may happen." He heard what the man said and considered it flattery, perhaps with a reason that wasn't as flattering.

"His Majesty has entrusted us to bear with the arrangement." He spoke in a subtle whisper, barely audible even for the man for whom it was meant. " Thus I shall ask that you also adapt yourself to it." There was place for questioning his words. " It is no more that I ask of you.."

Fandorin gave a brief nod, than unfolded the map, the whole conversation having become distasteful to him. 'Now, I shall tell you of my adventure, and perhaps you'll tell of yours'. He took out the pencil and strated making new marks.

He stood and walked to the map, casting a brief glance to it, before his attention was back to the man and what he had to say.

'Now, I asked to you look out for the taverns that our remaining two 'friends' are likely to visit. Will you show me where there location is?'

"..The taverns.." he leaned over the map and placed his forefinger at the mark :"..This is one.. and here." He took to mark several points on the map. "are the taverns close by. Three in total..closest."

"... the second.. 'friend'.. has found an accommodation .." And he hesitated studying the map. Upon the discovery of the street he had earlier been looking for he marked it." here... and, there is but one tavern close to where he is staying. A street opposite.. here."

He then shrugged:" I cannot say for certain that it shall be either of them that they will visit. However, I have found our first friend to eye this one with great interest, whereas he had visited this one.."He pointed to the second tavern. " during the time that I was able to observe him."

Fandorin made appropriate marks and notes on the map. Then laid the pencil aside, using one long finger as an indicator. 'Well, the three that we already had addresses for, frequent these places', he pointed at his earlier marks in turn. 'Pessoa, the anfrancesado, prefers to be solitary it would seem, the fact that his house is quite out of the way and that he never sets foot in the only tavern that is situated in his district. It is unoftunate that he can not be got at in a busy place, but no matter. I greately doubt that he is Hunter's contact. He is too new in this line of work'. He studied the map again, thinking if he forgot something, then moved away, letting the younger man study it if he needed to.

"Five.. and the new man." He glanced at the marks as is searching for a pattern that would betray a trail which would point it's way to Hunter.

"Our 'friend' may be neither of them.. or one of them. Should we take Pessoa out, we are still left with five men. Of which this one has not, in the duration of this evening at least, been close to a tavern." And so he continued singling each man out and saying what he knew of them and asking Fandorin to add where he could.

He was to learn who the informant was, tomorrow. But it would do that he had atleast a haze of idea, if Hunter would meet with more than just his 'man', at dawn.

Fandorin satisfied with their discussion, folded the map when Widmayer gleaned everything he could from it. Pausing to light a cigar from a candle, he asked:
'Do you wish to know of my plans for tomorrow now or later, when they are less sketchy?'. As he said it, there sounded a knock on the front door. Fandorin frowned a little: it was too late for visitors.


[OOC: That's Hunter escaping from watchful eyes, while the General is at the formal dinner].

Widmayer turned and walked to the door, irritation also seen on his face. As a servant though he recollected his senses and as he opened the door, while there was a timid, submissive look on his face, he could've been hiding a blade behind his back as well ready to strike if the visitor would pose to be an enemy.

The door opened, a man stood there, probably Fandorin's manservant. George had a cloak over his uniform, and it took him a few moments to fish out the note von Dorn gave him.
'My name's Hunter. I am here to see Herr von Dorn'.

[OOC: once we are all in the same room, I shall write for both of them under Fandorin's name, ok?]

(OOC - fine by me )

He gave the man a blank expression of someone who didn't quite understand the words that the other had spoken, but aknowledged and recognised the name. He glanced at the note fleetingly and then slowly nodded stepping aside. A hand slipped his weapon back where it would remain unseen and then was held outwards to take the cloak from the man.

"Lead you." He spoke in broken German tongue. His eyes cast downwards and out of sight of Hunter, they studied him critically, evaluating the boy for danger as well as how true his introduction had been.

Widmayer brought Hunter in, obviously not happy about having any guests.
'Mr. Hunter, you are early', stated Erast waving the boy into the chair opposite him.

George unfastened the cloak, revealing a clean uniform under it. 'The General is at a dinner now, and therefore won't be requiring me. He might though at dawn'.

Fandorin nodded satisfied. 'Have you brought it?' The boy took a paper out of his jacket breast and handed it to him. Erast studied the paper with interest.

The servant stood behind Hunter a moment and then carried his cloak to the hanger in the room beside the Study , where the two men were at present. Out of sight he had made quick work to see if there were any pockets to go through and then just as smoothly left it, returning to the other room with what looked to be only service on his mind.

He looked to Erast in silence, though the question was clear. Would they be drinking any, and were he to bring it now.

'I am afraid there's no coffee or tea to be had right now. Would you care for some wine?', asked Fandorin.
George shook his head. 'No, thank you'.
Fandorin didn't insist, but spoke as if to himself, although the words were meant for Widmayers. 'Ah, so it's Carlos Branco, or rather Charles Blanc. Lives on the road leading to Santa-Cruz monastery, near Arco do Almedina. Hm.' Pausing he looked at the boy: 'You trust too easily, Mr. Hunter'.
George snorted. 'You seem to know everything already, what is the point of pretending? If you are going to do what you said you would, then it's all the better for me. I didn't sign up to spy for French'.

The servants eyes gave no recognition whatsoever, still each tiny detail of their conversation was marked and imprinted in his mind for better use at a later time. Which would be, judging by the time, quite soon. He bowed his head, seeing as there was nothing which was required to be brought, and then did as any good servant would.

As silent as a mouse he was no more than another lovely adornment of the room.

Fandorin's lips twitched just a fraction when he saw Widmayer blend with the furniture: he was a little afraid he'll lose the man one day.
'Mr. Hunter, I must impress it upon you that what I am doing is not for your sake, and I thank God, that you have not done anything foolish, except of course ever agreeing to the assignment. Therefore, forget the whole affair, go on as if nothing like that ever happened, otherwise, well, the consequences wil be unpleasant'. There was not a hint of a threat in Erast's voice, but George knew what the words meant. He smiled at the man:
'Yes, I quite understand'.

Erast studied the boy for some time. 'What I don't understand is why you agreed to it in the first place? Surely, you cannot have that great an allegiance to Russia?'.
George grimaced. 'Let's just say, I agreed to it as a payment'. Fandorin wanted to ask something else, but then fell silent and reached out for a paper and a quill.

(ooc - Had a rather amusing image of Fandoring knocking on different pieces of furniture asking: Is that you Widmayer? XD)

Remaining where he was, he was glad that the sound carried as easily across to him. He observed Hunter and all of his mannerisms, motions and movements that may betray his feelings, of which his voice would not. Even Fandorin was given a glance and a study, yet the main target was still Mr. Hunter.

[OOC: Rofl XD 'Come out, come out, wherever you are.']

Fandorin put the quill to the paper and wrote in an elegant hand:
'Sir Arthur,

I would not want to put on paper what I have to say to you: as it is I have taken risks by seeking you out. I ask you to grant me an audience, for I have an important and urgent matter to discuss with you that concerns your army. I require but a few minutes of your attention and will be much obliged if you could spare them at an earliest time possible. You do not know me and have no reason to acquiesce, but I assure you that you will be interested to hear about the matter I have to present before you. I shall, of course, bring the necessary proof of my identity.
Yours sincerely, Cornelius von Dorn'.

He folded the paper and sealed it. 'Now, give it to Wellesley, it would provide you with an excuse should he question your absence. Tell him I would like a reply sooner rather than later', there was a hint of a sneer in the last words, as Fandorin handed the letter to the boy.

While George was putting the letter away, Fandorin glanced at Widmayer trying to fathom if his companion had any questions.

[OOC: is the letter ok?]

Though there might've been tidbits that he could still have wanted Hunter to be asked, a slight jerk of his head sideways, announced that he was quite clear as well. Nothing as of that moment. Perhaps another time Hunter would be called back for a more thorough an examination.

He appeared at the desk again, a questioning look on his face, as if to ask whether Hunter was now leaving and he would need his cape be brought back. His eyes still downcast, he could as well have been a puppet attached to the strings of his master.

(ooc - think yes? I'm not best to judge though. )

Erast motioned for Widmayer to give the man his cloak. As Geore dressed, he said:
'Oh, and Hunter? You met me near Pombal, I seemed anxious to speak with the General, but he was busy. I begged you to look in on me in Coimbra'. George nodded and wrapping himself in the cloak, started for the exit.

He held the cloak till Hunter took it and then stepped to the door which he opened for the man. As he knew he would then go accompany him below, till the last door was opened for him and the man would be left out in the street again.

Still he held the gaze of one not understanding at all what the other spoke of, on his face, and only acted upon the motions or the few familiar words that he must've learned to be a proper servant.