Cutlass Mission 13B Pt 2 (01/13/2021) "Update on Search for 'World's Greatest Marksman' to Khan"

Message:

Your Most Magnificent Majesty, Emperor of Mughals and Indus, Sunrise and Stars, His Excellency and Singularity, Lord of Lords Bestower of Bracelets, Khan Bahadur, Maharadjadhiraja Berge Lord du Destin, your Most Humble Servant, Rai Sahib Gautam Mehta, does offer congratulations to Your Majesty on occasions of marriage to daughter of Abbas, Shah of Mughals and negotiations of peace between Burmese and Koreans. Truly under Wise Khan fortunes of Indus do soar like hunting hawk.

This one wishes to update Your Majesty on search for “World’s Greatest Marksman.” We did obtain fine weapon from Bishop Zucco of Merida at behest of Vice-Admiral Jehan Lord Colin. World’s Greatest Marksman, “William Tell,” was believed located in Turin. Captain Nathaniel Lord Mayweather, Boislevesque, Julianus Lord Ravenot, Vernass and Nawab Cae did stay in Merida to pursue inquiries, and ransom captured Charles-Michel Queel. Pierre Lord d’Laison and Davi Yent did become guides for journey over mountains between Merida and Turin.

Before leaving “Lady Catherine’s Suites (Merida),” Yonten did steal gold from sleeping man. Lord d’Laison did also hear rumors of rare and exquisite necklace made my local goldsmith. Necklace was, indeed, beautiful, but, to surprise of this one, was quickly duplicated by nimble-fingered Yonten.

In Madrid we did encounter delays. Kings Highway between Merida and Tunis was under construction. We did stay at “Lady Catherine’s Suites (Madrid),” where Yonten and Lord d’Laison did assist inn manager with re-stocking of bar. In payment, innkeeper did allow all in party to drink as much as desired during stay. To this Yonten scoffed "Mere manager has no authority to 'comp' bar tab. Captain will be displeased to hear of this." Despite verbal objection, Mughal lad did join in drunken revelry.

Perhaps due to inebriation or simple impatience, next day Lord d’Laison did offer our services to road crew. Here Yonten did try to use copied necklace to hire local tradesmen. Necklace was too distinctive, and forgery was recognized. Still, Ricardo of Wildemoon did sharpen axes for crews, and Lord d’Laison did prove more willing than most European Nobility to get hands dirty with menial labor. Lord d’Laison is truly “man of people.”

Between Madrid and Tunis we did find ourselves accosted by bandits. Short work was made of trio. Here, Wildemoon did put to use rife obtained in Merida. Weapon proved as accurate as beautiful.

In Turin we did learn that William Tell did enter cycle of samsara some hundred-and-fifty years past. We did encounter James Montague. Montague was famed bowman, known for defeating many musketeers in battle. Lord d’Laison did have premonition that Zucco’s rifle bore curse. If proper wielder of weapon could not be found, surely Lord d’Laison would die. Longbow-man Montague was not famed marksman, but believed old Margarita Duchess Gonzaga of Artios in Netherlands might know one sought. Lord d’Laison did try to convince Montague to guide company to Netherlands and make introductions, but Montague was content to stay in Tunis. This one did convince Montague to join by extolling learning opportunities from travel. Montague did agree, provided this one would carve Hindu blessing into fabled bow. Yonten did sweeten deal by producing “Stay where you will” scroll, good for one year’s free lodging at any “Lady Catherine’s Suites.” Crafty Montague did negotiate for same scroll for “Lady Catherine’s Secret.”

While crossing mountain paths between Carpathia and Netherlands, men in small village did accuse Lord d’Laison of seducing local Mayor’s wife. Brawl turned ugly, and Lord d’Laison, Davi Yent, Ricardo of Wildemoon and James Montague did find selves clubbed and dragged away by mob. Yonten and this one did scour mountains seeking out companions. Days kater, we did find them held captive in woods. One already dangled from tree branch. Yonten and this one did manage to recuse others with stealth and use of clubs. Hanged man was James Montague. As we buried famed Longbow-man Lord d’Laison became despondent. Lord was convinced cursed rifle from Merida would now take his life. Yonten did retrieve scroll of free stays at "Lady Catherine’s Secret."

In Artois name of Montague did gain audience with Margarita Duchess Gonzaga. Duchess was saddened to hear of tragic death of her friend. Duchess, herself, had learned skills with bow from Montague, and she did, in tribute to fallen friend, show us some of arts of bow. Frenchmen and Yonten preferred use of pistols and rifles. This one had no aptitude for firearms, but did become able to hit target with bow.

Duchess Gonzaga did inform us of Giulio Caccini of Barastro in Naples. Caccini was man Duchess had hired for his skill with firearms in past.

We did board river barge down Rhine to Rhône, and thence, by sea, to Naples. We did stop in Paris to commune with agents of Vice-Admiral Colin. We learned here Barastro was incorrect place to look. Vice-Admiral believed man we sought was sculptor in Palermo. Vice-Admiral also warned of Thomas, Apothecary to Court of France. Vice-Admiral did believe Apothecary conspired against himself.

Vice Admiral’s suspicions seemed founded in truth. Near border of France and Naples we did encounter galleon of Apothecary! Battle was joined, and it was this one who did knock galleon’s Captain cold by pushing yardarm into skull. Apothecary’s personal belonging were taken by Yonten for “evidence,” while, once we arrived in Palermo, Lord d’Laison did ransom Apothecary to Bavarian Jan Duke Das Kappas - connected leader of Saxony Wool Cartel.

In port of Palermo this one did consult fortune teller. Omens were favorable. Assurance of eventual success did leave this one feeling more clear-headed than ever before. While this one’s fortune was being read, laborers hired to unload items from ship we’d arrived on did steal from cargo - including materials taken from Apothecary Thomas. This one did assist in locating thieves and goods were recovered. Gang of thieves had proved problematic in Palermo for months. Grateful Constables did pledge to Lord d’Laison assistance if needed while in Port.

Grateful Dock-master did, in turn, ask our aid in outfitting Diplomatic Envoy to France. Help we provided. Hull was inspected, food, water and permits procured, and Envoy did, in return, carry reports to Vice-Admiral Colin.

Remnants of Thieves Gang did attempt retribution against us. Ambush was sudden, and we were unprepared. Fortunately, Constables kept close eye on whereabouts of Lord d’Laison, and thieves were apprehended. Constables did share with Lord d’Laison monies given in gratitude for loyal service by ship’s Captains in port, and did provide stable of horses! For reason unknown Yonten did laugh and declare “I name mine ‘Lawrence.’ I’ve been riding his ass for awhile now.” Constables also assigned bodyguards to Lord D’Laison.

Reputation of Lord d’Laison grew in Palermo. Guild of Copper Miners did beg Lord d’Laison to invest in City. Lord d’Laison did agree. Ricardo of Wildemoon did become manager of mines (on paper) while Yonten and this one were placed in charge of certifying quality of ore. Lord d’Laison did quip, “Palermo is lovely city. Here, should I retire!”

Goodwill of constables and Dock-Master would prove important. Captain of galleon we did capture Apothecary Thomas did seek revenge. We were warned by constables and Dock-Master of inquires and enquires. We did decide to take fight to them. We boarded ship in dead of night, with assistance of constables. This time Captain did not fare so well as before. Rather than suffer minor indignity of being knocked unconscious by this humble one, Captain did, instead, meet his end at dagger of Yonten.

Papers taken from ship by Lord d’Laison did confirm suspicions of Vice-Admiral Colin founded in truth. Others in French Court did seek to prevent rifle of Zucco from delivery to suitable sharpshooter. Papers also did indicate name of sculptor we sought - Caccini. Sculptor could not wield rifle effectively, but could duplicate same. Caccini also knew name of one we truly sought.

Niccolo Rusca was considered greatest Sergeant-of-Arms in Europe. Legend held Rusca could train army of rabble overnight to elite fighting force. Rusca had been accused of murder and was being held under house arrest.

Today we prepare to breach castle of Rusca and rescue man from house arrest. Lord d’Laison has found charges against Rusca are believed falsified by people of Palermo, and constables of Palermo are among those trained by Rusca. Constables themselves would be gladdened by release of warrior and have pledged support in upcoming raid. Cloaks are being obtained that constables might disguise selves.

This one anticipates success in rescue of Rusca, but wishes to update Your Majesty in case unforeseen circumstances cause plans to go awry. As Noble of France, Great Khan should know of discord among factions of Court of France. Additionally, once we have world’s finest rifle in hands of world’s finest marksman, there is still question of who is whom Lord d’Laison calls “World’s Greatest Target.” Efforts by many have gone into conspiracy. This one, as always, seeks information to further safety and security of Indus Empire, and good health to Your Most Magnificent Majesty, Emperor of Mughals and Indus, Sunrise and Stars, Your Excellency and Singularity, Lord of Lords Bestower of Bracelets, Khan Bahadur, Maharadjadhiraja Berge Lord du Destin.

Your Most Humble Servant,
Rai Sahib Gautam Mehta








Yours,