< 04Molly > *he goes quiet, leading Morgan to the door. As they get there, the door opens, and a pretty blonde woman comes out. Morgan remembers her as Alarice, Adalbrechts younger brother Hans' eldest daughter. They met many times in childhood, and he found her quite annoying. She married Baron Eldreich 3 years before Morgan met dietlinde, when she was just 14, one year younger than him. She now wears the black dress common on widows.* < 04Molly > *behind the young woman is Adalbrecht, a tall, handsome man in his late forties, whose dark hair has started to grey at the temples. It is he who speaks first, to his niece* < 04Molly > AD: Yes, I shall see to it for dinnertime... *he looks out, spotting Morgan, and smiles* Ah Morgan, there you are *he inclines his head, a very Morgan like gesture* You remember your cousin Alarice? * @Morgan nods < 08@Morgan > of course < 04Molly > AL: *she curtsies to him, giving him a sweet smile, tthough there is something odd, unaturally cool in her ice blue eyes* < 04Molly > the boy: I found him Mother! < 04Molly > AL: *her smiles cools noticeibly as she turns her gaze upon him. Her voice is formal, measured * Must I tell you again Varick? You are a Freiarr ((baron)) twice over and it cheapens your status and my own that you do not call me Madame or My Lady. < 04Molly > VA: *he nods solemnly, looking at the floor* Yes, Madame * @Morgan looks down at the boy < 08@Morgan > you did a wonderful job of bringing me Freiarr Varick, and I thank you < 04Molly > AL: *she looks at Morgan, then Adalbrecht, charming smile returning* < 04Molly > VA: *he looks up at Morgan, pleased* Thank you my Lord * @Morgan looks calmly back to Alarice < 04Molly > AL: The courtly formalities will come with time no doubt, children can be such a handful at this age. I'm sure you recall Morgan and I being the same at such an age, Uncle Addie? *she smiles sweetly at him, it has an almost childlike charm* < 04Molly > AD: *he laughs* I have not been called that in many a year. *it comes to Morgan then that Alarice and her sister Jarvinia often called him that, and were greatly spoiled by him, having no daughters of his own. Clearly, this fondness remains* < 04Molly > AL: *she turns this smile upon Morgan then* It has been a long time since we last met, perhaps since my wedding to Freiarr Eldreich, theus rest his soul *she crosses herself, a very vaticine gesture, as her husband was, but there is something mocking in those cool blue eyes* < 08@Morgan > It's been far too long Alarice. The years have been kind < 04Molly > AL: *her gaze flicks briefly to adalbrcht before coming back to Morgan* Thank you, you look very well also, consid- *she gets interrupted* < 04Molly > VA: He's been away fighting big monsters and winning! < 04Molly > AD: *he laughs, ruffling the boy's hair* < 04Molly > AL: *her mouth becomes a thin, unamused line* That is quite enough young man! Tell your tales to your governess, then gentlemen will have no interest in such things. < 04Molly > AD: Actually Alarice, I need to speak with Morgan alone. Would you excuse us? < 04Molly > AL: *she grins at both men* Of course < 04Molly > VA: *quietly, he speaks to Morgan* Told you so. Good luck. Very strict. * @Morgan winks at the boy < 04Molly > AL: *she looks to Morgan, that courtly, almost flirty smile returning* Until later then, cousin * @Morgan bows to her < 08@Morgan > indeed cousin < 04Molly > AL: *to Varick as they start to walk away* Let's find that governess of yours so I can stroll the grounds in peace! *they disapear as Adalbrecht opens the door to his study. Done in rich burgundy, navy and cream, it is exactly the same as always, a room where questions over misdeeds and punishments were given, seriously discussions were had, in particular his announcemnt of his first marriage, his leaving, an then his recent return in february < 04Molly >  return in february * @Morgan walks in slowly, looking around < 04Molly > AD: *he goes to a dark wood sideboard by a desk, and pours two drinks bringing one to Morgan. He then goes to the window, watching out over the ornamental gardens, half turned from his son < 04Molly > Your mother asks that you attend her once you are done here * @Morgan nods < 08@Morgan > of course < 04Molly > How was your voyage? < 08@Morgan > awkward. We were accosted by bandits not a day out of the town < 04Molly > *he shakes his head* There is plenty of work to do in Eisen, yet they'd rather break the law for their livings * @Morgan remains quiet < 04Molly > AD: *he laughs, watching* would you look at that boy? he is a wonderful boy... though he bears the Eldreich name, he is Koertig through and through < 08@Morgan > impetuous, discourteous and thoroughly unabashedly forward? < 04Molly > AD: Spirited, intelligent... It's ben nice to have some young blood about the place.... *he looks sidelong at Morgan* and who knows, die Dauerhaftigkeit may well be his one day... *he sips his port* < 08@Morgan > Stranger things have happened. < 04Molly > AD: Alarice is doing her best, of course, but a boy his age needs a father *he runs his fingers though his grying hair* < 08@Morgan > indeed... < 04Molly > AD: She has suitors of course, but none I'd trust with my brother's lands... < 08@Morgan > you are the executor of his estate? < 04Molly > No, his lands went to Alarice in trust for Varick, if he does not have a stepfather who destroys them, or gambles them away < 08@Morgan > ah, then your lack of trust was merely a statement rather than an intent... I see < 04Molly > I feel the responsibility of vetting her next husband... and I would prefer him to be someone I know nd trust * @Morgan nods < 04Molly > She is here until I can decided what to do.  can not in good mind, send her back to be wooed by all manner of manipulative reprobates when she is such an innocent girl < 08@Morgan > indeed. It would not be the honourable thing to do < 04Molly > *he downs the port, and takes a seat at his desk, watching his son* There are only two men who could serve such a role and keep Alarice, Varick and the Koertig line and reputation safe < 08@Morgan > oh? < 04Molly > The best soluton is that either you or Edward wed her, and adopt Varick as your own. *he watches, voice matter of fact, used to his commands being obeyed* Preferably you, as my heir. It is time for you to bring to us the next generation of this family, as is expected of any first born son. * @Morgan looks at the floor briefly < 04Molly > *he gets up, pouring himself another drink* It is a duty, yes, but she is a pretty girl, and proven ((in a reproductive sense)) * @Morgan raises his head slowly, squaring his shoulders < 08@Morgan > no < 04Molly > *he turns, brow furrowed* No?! < 08@Morgan > Correct < 04Molly > *he slams the glass down* What do you mean by that, Morgan? * @Morgan places his glass on the table gently before folding his arms < 08@Morgan > I mean... no. I will not. < 04Molly > *he inadvertantly mimics the stance* Why the hell not?! < 08@Morgan > Because I am my fathers son. I will marry for love. < 04Molly > *he sighs heavily* Could you not love her? < 08@Morgan > No. Another has beaten her to my heart < 04Molly > *he looks slightly confused* You wish to marry again? < 08@Morgan > I do. < 04Molly > *he marches right up to Morgan, looking at him* and there will be heirs? < 08@Morgan > in time. < 04Molly > *looking highly relieved, he puts his strong arms around his son* Thank the Lord, I thought this day would never come! * @Morgan relaxes slightly < 04Molly > *he lets go, and takes his drink, sitting back at the desk* Who is she, who are her family? < 08@Morgan > thats a little confusing... she is a gentlemans daughter < 04Molly > *he sips his drink* Her father is a younger noble son? < 08@Morgan > no. He has climbed to his current station in the community < 04Molly > I see. < 08@Morgan > She was gifted a title in a foreign land... < 04Molly > *he nods* how, and where? < 08@Morgan > Capperlucia... < 04Molly > *he closes his eyes briefly* I have never heard of it. < 08@Morgan > no. < 04Molly > Where is that? < 08@Morgan > I haven't the faintest idea. Some far off land as yet to be properly discovered < 04Molly > *he looks at Morgan directly* How did this girl get a title there? Is she not Eisen? < 08@Morgan > She's avalonian * @Morgan says it with a note of challenge and a hardness to his eyes < 04Molly > *he laughs* As your grandfather once said to me 'do we not have nice girs here in Eisen then?' * @Morgan remains serious < 04Molly > and her dowry? < 08@Morgan > already dealt with < 04Molly > and what was it? < 04Molly > *he watches him, taking in hs demeanour with a touch of pride* < 08@Morgan > 500 guilder < 08@Morgan > and, if you wish to look it at that way... a ship < 04Molly > *his interest caught, he raises an eyebrow* What sort of ship? < 08@Morgan > made of wood, goes on water < 04Molly > Does her father own many ships? < 08@Morgan > none. The ship was gifted to her with her title < 04Molly > *he looks slghtly worried* why was she gfted these things? < 08@Morgan > She had saved the gifter's life on many occasions < 04Molly > She has talent with weapons? < 08@Morgan > she had an Eisen teacher in swordsmanship... though, I was more referring to her healing skills < 04Molly > Interesting. When are you to wed her? < 08@Morgan > As soon as is possible < 04Molly > And yet you have come home? < 08@Morgan > I denied you the chance to meet my betrothed before... I would not dishonour you like that again. < 04Molly > *he looks suprised for a moment* You have brought her here as part of your visitors? < 08@Morgan > indeed < 04Molly > Does your mother know? < 08@Morgan > not yet. I haven't had chance to see her yet < 04Molly > *he nods* she will be pleased, she has wanted a grandchild about the place for a long time * @Morgan nods < 08@Morgan > I've brought her and her parents < 04Molly > *he leans back n his chair* well, this is a suprise. I rather thought you'd never marry again < 08@Morgan > so did I < 04Molly > what changed? < 08@Morgan > my outlook on life, I suppose < 04Molly > It happens. No man is an island < 08@Morgan > apparently not < 04Molly > Will you be going back to Avalon soon? < 08@Morgan > I... I haven't decided < 04Molly > *he nods, thoughtful* I think you ought to sit * @Morgan nods and sits down < 04Molly > I would imagine you must have given thought to your future? < 08@Morgan > I have < 08@Morgan > and hers... the yours < 08@Morgan > ((*and)) < 04Molly > and what is is you expect to do? < 08@Morgan > expect? < 04Molly > yes, what do you plan to do? < 08@Morgan > I believe I said I dont knwo yet < 04Molly > I meant long-term... as in for the next few decades * @Morgan sighs slightly < 08@Morgan > I have several choices... stay here... return to Lady Torringtons... < 04Molly > *he straightens up* I shall lay my cards on the table: I expect, as my son and heir, you to return to live here permanately within the next three years < 08@Morgan > three years? < 04Molly > yes. < 08@Morgan > I see. < 04Molly > Your mother and I are not getting any younger, and we would both rest easier knowing that you are settling down and learning the things you shall need to be the next graf of sudlachenburg. You were born to this task. * @Morgan nods < 08@Morgan > yes sir < 04Molly > Does your bethrothed realise the extent of the responsibilities you bear here, and those she will bear as both visgraffin and graffin? < 08@Morgan > I believe so < 04Molly > And is she suitable to such tasks? < 08@Morgan > suitable? < 04Molly > Will she perform her duties well? Be a good hostess, a loyal and dutiful wife, caring mother? Will she be able to help in the village where needed, as your mother does? < 08@Morgan > I believe so, yes < 04Molly > That is good. Does she speak Eisen at all? < 04Molly > *he sips his port* < 08@Morgan > yes. And as a matter of respect, her parents have been learning < 04Molly > *he raises both eyebrows* impressive. Have you anything else you feel I should know, about the wedding, or in general? < 08@Morgan > the family have bad experience with Eisens... a little diplomacy is called for < 04Molly > How so? < 08@Morgan > the parents lost the ability to have children due to some farm hands... they've never forgiven them < 04Molly > *he nods* It is suprising they agreed to your wish at all < 08@Morgan > they had experience of me untainted by their views of Eiseners < 04Molly > *he rocks forwards a little* how? < 08@Morgan > I was hiding. It wouldn't have been a very good attempt had I gone around broadcasting my birthplace < 04Molly > *he looks puzzled* We shall discuss that futher at a later date... tell me more about the future visgraffin of sudlachenburg *he smiles* < 08@Morgan > I am almost certain you will not approve < 04Molly > why? < 08@Morgan > Because she is not of noble birth. Because she was disowned for a time through the misthought and malice of others... < 04Molly > And how stands her reputation now? Is she thought badly of in Avalon? < 08@Morgan > not by anyone that matters, no < 08@Morgan > much of the damage has been undone < 04Molly > Is she well-known? < 08@Morgan > yes... since her ship was sunk in harbour. And it happened to be the fastest ship to ever come out of Eisen < 04Molly > *his mouth drops open* The Purple rose?! < 08@Morgan > indeed < 04Molly > Good God! and that is to be yours, as part of the dowry? < 08@Morgan > its already been signed over to me < 04Molly > *he grins broadly* what on theah would your grandfather think of the Purple rose belonging to the Koertig family! He's probably dancing for joy in his grave! *he pauses, puzzling* but it is sunk? < 08@Morgan > it did. She had it refloated before giving me ownership < 04Molly > Is it in Freiburg? < 08@Morgan > no, its on its way to the south coast < 04Molly > I should like to see it, its been a while since I was on deck * @Morgan nods < 08@Morgan > of course < 04Molly > You best go to your mother, I would not keep such good news from her for long * @Morgan nods, standing < 04Molly > *he stands also* < 04Molly > Once your mother has spoken with you, you will bring this girl here to meet us? * @Morgan nods < 04Molly > *he inclines his head, and goes back to the window* * @Morgan turns and walks from the room Session Close: Thu Oct 08 23:38:58 2009