The Distinguished Mr. Rose Chapter 96: Chapter 95: Lifeblood and Rubies Red

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Chapter 95: Lifeblood and Rubies Red It was at the end of their second day in the Rivers’ Cairo that Mister Arabi made separate arrangements for the players and the Franks. Lucius didn’t tell his fellows of his ‘deal’ with the good man, and when asked about the reasoning for the split groups, he worked together with the guide to come up with a suitable excuse. Sir Roland was cautious at first, and concerned that their Arabian assailants would target the players whilst they were vulnerable, but Lucius convinced him in the end that everyone would be in safe hands - the gentleman was a Peer now. After promising to seek his aid immediately should they be attacked, the man hesitantly departed toward another section of the city. Lady Angelica and Sir Astolfo left as well, each Peer given their own private dwelling. Lucius and the others, meanwhile, were brought to an actual hotel this time. It had a much livelier mood than their previous villa, with crowds of Arabian businessmen, ambassadors from other countries, and influential figures involved in the city’s politics all coming and going through the building’s grand halls. At least now the players wouldn’t have to worry about their rooms exploding. “Phew, looks like they’re giving up on all that funny business,” Mili said, comforted by the people passing by. “Doubt even those wackos would be crazy enough to attack us here.” Marco nodded in agreement, although his expression was still rigid. “Better keep yer guard up, nonetheless. It ain’t hard to wack a fella even without the flashy stuff. Used to see it in my younger days: some mobsters used poison while others hid in the ceiling. When the poor guy went to sleep… blam! Right between the eyes.” Harper shivered. “Geez, you’ve had a rough life huh, old timer? Just thinking about that stuff’s enough to make me paranoid.” Miss Rhodes walked up to the firefighter’s side and tried to comfort her by rubbing her shoulders. “Ain’t that the truth. How about all us folk sleep in the same room? I reckon it’s better than passin’ out with one eye open. Could be a mighty tight fit, but… I figure we’ll make due.” Her suggestion was a reasonable one, but not without its flaws. Miss Enapay shook her head and offered up a proposition of her own. “That will make us easy targets. We can’t all be huddled in one room, but I do agree that we should stick together. How about going in pairs? There’s seven of us so we’ll need one group of three…” Mister Crowley coughed into his hand, opened his suit, and revealed a hidden cache of homemade bombs. “No need, it’s better for me to go alone. I have a skill that protects me from being torn to bits by my own explosions, but if a friend’s near then I can’t do much to save them. You folks group up without me; I’ll just plant these babies in my room and hunker down.” With that, the groups had been made. Lucius’s chosen partner was the good Mister Bernardi, and so the two gentlemen headed off to, hopefully, get a peaceful night’s rest. To the players’ surprise, everyone actually did. The next morning was met with a lovely sunrise and a warm desert breeze. Marco had kept watch over their room’s potential vantage points late into the night, so for nothing to have happened despite his expectations was both anticlimactic and fortunate. The others spoke of similar stories. Mili and Harper—who both shared a room—even hid under their beds in the slight chance that an assassin came from above. Miss Enapay and Miss Rhodes weren’t as drastic compared to them due to the seamstress’s woven barrier. Mister Crowley had no opportunities to set off his bombs. He looked rather disappointed. With their nerves relatively eased, the players had breakfast together at the hotel restaurant and then went about their separate businesses (while still in pairs, of course). There were still a few days left before the new leader of Arabia, the Emir, was to hold his inauguration ceremony, so Mister Ibn-al-Arabi gave them permission to explore the