< 04Molly > **The next morning dawns dry and clear. Molly is up fairly early, though seems well rested and in high spirits. She moves their bags to the door, and gives the place one last sweep. She waits patiently at the table for him to be ready. < 04Molly > ((done)) * @Morgan walks into the kitchen with a bag slung over one shoulder and his sword belt over the other < 04Molly > Good morning, how did you sleep? * @Morgan shrugs < 08@Morgan > about as usual * Molly stands, brushing off her dress, and smiles at him < 04Molly > As long as it is no worse... < 08@Morgan > no, no worse < 04Molly > I am glad to hear it. I have locked the back door, I imagine the servants will come to clean? < 08@Morgan > Aye, I've left instructions * Molly nods < 04Molly > We shall be back, at the very least to complete the payment for the Rose.... < 08@Morgan > indeed * Molly looks around fondly < 04Molly > I have been very happy here < 08@Morgan > it seems a shame to leave * Molly smiles < 04Molly > we will be happy in other places... this was just the first * @Morgan nods * Molly goes to get her cloak, feeling the lump in her throat < 04Molly > I... I think I ought to pass by Sunnymeade and left them know we are due in Carleon three days hence * @Morgan nods < 08@Morgan > as you wish blossom < 04Molly > I do not wish us to delay there overmuch waiting for them to join us, I wish us to be on our way to Sudlachenburg as soon as is possible < 08@Morgan > I'm surethey will be prompt Session Time: Tue Jul 28 00:00:00 2009 * Molly wraps her cloak around herself, fastening it with a silver clasp. her pale blue dress completely covered by the heavy navy wool * @Morgan takes a moment to put on his sword belt and great coat < 04Molly > Is the carriage to meet us in the yard? < 08@Morgan > aye * Molly smiles < 04Molly > well, shall we go, dear one? < 08@Morgan > aye, lets * Molly picks up as much luggage as she can manage. She casts one last, slightly pained look over the cottage, before going outside in to the sunlight * @Morgan collects the rest of the luggage and his rifle and goes outside, closing the door behind him * Molly heads to the coach yard where the carriage waits. the coachman loads their things, barring the wrapped up mirror which Molly insists on keeping inside. She slips in to the coach, sitting facing forward. she looks out to him with a smile. < 04Molly > I could not bear to leave it here * @Morgan nods * Molly moves over to give him space to sit down * @Morgan climbs in and sits down * Molly watches out of the window as the coachman gives the order for them to proceed. The slow wheels creak into life to match the horses hooves. She watches as the house grows smaller and smaller < 04Molly > we will arrive in Bridgewater before dark, will we not? < 08@Morgan > I should think so blossom < 04Molly > I wonder how many leagues it is to sudlachenburg... < 08@Morgan > I wouldn't like to guess... I used to know the distances nautically, mind * Molly pulls out a map from her handbag, studying it < 04Molly > I would guess about one thousand five hundred leagues,so four thousand five hundred miles * @Morgan nods * Molly looks at him with a smile, not noticing as they pass through the village < 04Molly > I wonder how many miles youhave travelled in your life so far < 08@Morgan > I really have no idea < 04Molly > I should imagine mine would be very easy to count * Molly laughs sofly < 08@Morgan > I would have much rather stayed home had I had the choice * Molly nods < 04Molly > I am sorry, that was thoughtless of me < 08@Morgan > not at all < 04Molly > You must have been very young when you joined the war? < 08@Morgan > aye, that I was < 04Molly > Did you always know you were to join the fighting, from being a small child? * Molly watches him < 08@Morgan > no... though I was aware of the war, I didn't really know that I would have to fight < 04Molly > Did your parents seek to protect you from the knowledge, do you think? < 08@Morgan > no... it is part of being Eisen < 08@Morgan > the war, I mean < 04Molly > Can you recall when you did realise you must fight? * Molly 's voice is soft, confiding < 08@Morgan > not particularly... though I remember standing on the edge of the schwarzenwald aiming at a deer... and thinking that I should really put my skill to use * Molly looks intrigued < 04Molly > So it was part choice? < 04Molly > **the village rolls past outside the window < 08@Morgan > aye, I suppose < 08@Morgan > I'd rather volunteer than be conscripted < 04Molly > Was it common to be conscripted then? < 08@Morgan > relatively < 08@Morgan > There were eight men from Sudlachenburg in my unit... six were conscripted < 04Molly > Tha must have been very difficult for you < 08@Morgan > why? < 04Molly > That you knew them, knew it was not their choice to go to war < 08@Morgan > it was... tough I suppose... none of us wanted to go to war... I just think some of us realised we had no other option * Molly nods, eyes sad. She briefly sees the approach to Sunnymeade, and calls to the driver to pull in. < 04Molly > I shall only be a moment... * @Morgan nods < 04Molly > At Sunnymeade, she hops out, and goes to the door. It is opened by a tall, handsome man, brown hair nicely cut. He looks a little older than her. Molly squeals, and flings her arms around his neck. * @Morgan climbs down out of the carriage and stands by the gate < 04Molly > He embraces her tightly, kissing her crown. < 04Molly > They pull away, holding both hands, and talk earnestly for a minute or so. * @Morgan watches them carefully < 04Molly > With another embrace, she pulls away, and runs back to Morgan, tears shimmering in her eyes * @Morgan holds his arms out to her * Molly grins broadly, and flings herself into them < 04Molly > Now this is the sort of welcome back I could get used to, dear one! < 08@Morgan > I take it that is your brother? < 04Molly > Yes, that is James, my youngest brother. * @Morgan nods < 08@Morgan > are you ready to continue? * Molly pulls away < 04Molly > I rather thought you would like to meet him...but we can continue, if you wish < 08@Morgan > I would like to meet him, it just appeared that you were ready to leave * Molly blushes < 04Molly > I was coming to find you, I did not want to risk you thinking he was a threat... < 08@Morgan > no the... resemblence is fairly obvious * Molly takes his hand, and leads him towards the house, beaming with pride < 04Molly > fortunately for him, he has no got the hinderance of shortness that I have! < 08@Morgan > so I see * Molly gets them to the doorstep where James smiles at Molly, and then bows to Morgan < 04Molly > James: Pleased to meet yo, my Lord * Molly keeps hold of Morgan's left hand * @Morgan extends his right hand < 08@Morgan > there's no need for that, James... < 04Molly > James: b-... b-... *he looks to Molly, who smiles and nods* James, Morgan will be your family before long, there is no need for such formality < 04Molly > James *he holds out his right hand, shaking Morgan's. He watches him* If you are sure... < 08@Morgan > I'm sure < 08@Morgan > if your mother can get away with telling me off, I'm sure you can get away with a first name basis < 04Molly > James *he looks shocked* Mama told you off?! *he laughs* And yet you still wish to marry in to this family? I'm nearly 28, and she still makes me feel about 5 when she scolds me! < 08@Morgan > it was certainly a meeting of wills * Molly smiles, unspeaking, watching the two of them. < 04Molly > James: I am sorry I can not be there, little Moll, Morgan, but someone must tend the farm, and with Joseph so young, and the girls such a handful, I thought I ought to stay and tend the farm for Papa * @Morgan nods < 08@Morgan > always a practical nation... < 04Molly > James *nods* Aye... Papa said you were half-Eisen... < 08@Morgan > true * Molly squeezes his hand slightly with a smile < 04Molly > James, if you wish, perhaps we might be able to see you and the children when we return to Avalon? *she looks to Morgan a moment* < 04Molly > James: Yes, that would be wonderful, and then you can tell us all about the wedding. * Molly grins < 04Molly > We will bring some iconographs to show you * @Morgan nods < 04Molly > James *his mouth goes wide* Iconographs?! Do you know how expensive they are?! Why i think there are only 4 or so iconographers in the whole of Avalon! * Molly laughs softly, and looks at Morgan * @Morgan smiles < 04Molly > I am certain we will manage, James. * @Morgan looks slightly confused < 04Molly > James *looks embarassed* yes, sorry... * Molly embraces her brother once more < 08@Morgan > I wonder, James... have your parents explained what I am in Eisen? < 04Molly > James: *he looks to Morgan* That you-... that you're very high nobility... * @Morgan nods < 08@Morgan > I'll make sure we get an iconograph just for you < 04Molly > James: Thank you, that is very kind. I feel like I ought to state the consequence of Molly being hurt, but father says that it is not needed... < 08@Morgan > Molly, would you give us a moment? * Molly looks worried < 04Molly > I...ummm... yes, I'll meet you in the coach shall I? So long James, it was nice to see you again < 04Molly > James: aye little Moll, it was * Molly goes back to the coach < 04Molly > James *he looks to Morgan, a little troubled* What did you wish to say? < 08@Morgan > I know the burdens of being an older brother, James... I would not take what you feel is required from you, so lets have it < 04Molly > James: *he looks to the floor* Bloody Peter, this is supposed to be his job... *he shuffles slightly* Neither of us were good to Moll when she was a wee lass, but I loved her, in that strange way brothers do. < 08@Morgan > in the "I love you so I'm going to hit you" way that brothers have < 04Molly > James: *laughs. There are quite a few similarities in expression between him and Molly* I believe it is my job here to say that if you desert her, hurt her, or cause her to be hurt by your actions, then it will be a matter of honour between us... * @Morgan nods < 08@Morgan > and I'll do something that goes against everything you know of Eisens... if I do any of those, I'll have no honour... I would not ask you to lower yourself to an honest duel with such a man < 04Molly > James: *he stares, mouth open* well, father said you were... different... He's right there... * @Morgan nods < 04Molly > James: Then I am very pleased you have picked my little sister for your bride * @Morgan smiles < 08@Morgan > I'm glad you see it that way... if you'll excuse me, I should return to the coach < 04Molly > James *nods* I hope it all goes well. Nice to meet you. * @Morgan extends his hand again < 08@Morgan > and you < 04Molly > James: *he shakes it* Good bye, Morgan * @Morgan nods to James and turns and walks back to the coach * Molly sits inside, looking very uncomfortable * @Morgan climbs inside and sits down * Molly watches him intently < 04Molly > Is all well? < 04Molly > **the coach moves off* < 08@Morgan > aye, very * Molly breathes a sigh of relief < 04Molly > I am glad to hear it < 08@Morgan > he threatened to do me harm if I hurt you... * Molly shakes her head < 04Molly > what said you? * @Morgan shrugs < 08@Morgan > what was to say < 04Molly > I do not know, in truth. such things are usually left to men in these situations < 08@Morgan > indeed. * Molly smiles < 04Molly > I think my family find it hard that you come from such a different world to us... < 08@Morgan > aye, absolutely