< 04Molly > larice have spent most of their time in verity's morning room n what Adalbrecht refers to as 'the Bridal Council of War'. < 04Molly > **he has kept Morgan busy with all manner of Graf-like duties, and a fair bit of hard labour to boot. David has, in the last few days, tagged along, happy to help with the work, and this is progressively leading to a respect between him and Adalbrecht. David remains wary of other eiseners, though has caused no trouble so far. (mtf) < 04Molly >  ***Molly, Martha, Verity and Alarice have spent most of their time in verity's morning room n what Adalbrecht refers to as 'the Bridal Council of War'. < 04Molly > **he has kept Morgan busy with all manner of Graf-like duties, and a fair bit of hard labour to boot. David has, in the last few days, tagged along, happy to help with the work, and this is progressively leading to a respect between him and Adalbrecht. David remains wary of other eiseners, though has caused no trouble so far. (mtf) < 04Molly > **Though they have seen each other at dinner, they have not had chance to be alone, and Morgan begins to get the feeling that this may be intentional on his parents part. It is the thursday morning, with just 3 weeks to the wedding when Adalbrecht sends for him, yet again, even though he had said that Morgan could send the day showing Molly the house. < 04Molly > AD: *he waits in his study* * @Morgan knocks on the door < 04Molly > AD: Come * @Morgan enters the room, sword belt slung over one shoulder < 04Molly > AD: *he looks up* Good Morning, Morgan *he smiles, remembering the laughter that lways came from Edward at such a statement, then frowns at hs thoughts* * @Morgan inlines his head < 08@Morgan > father < 04Molly > AD *he stretches* I've been told a camp of bandits have settled just inside our northern border < 08@Morgan > I see < 04Molly > AD: It must be dealt with, and I anticipate it taking three full days < 04Molly > AD:*he watches him closely* < 08@Morgan > Four < 04Molly > AD: Why four? < 08@Morgan > A day to get there and make a lot of noise setting up camp... a day to fortify the camp and take positions... a day for battle, a day to return... < 04Molly > AD: *he ssmiles* A well thought plan < 08@Morgan > Which should give the second group time to filter through the forests on foot making as little of their presence known as possible < 04Molly > AD: *he nods* You will lead this second group < 08@Morgan > why? < 04Molly > AD: Why?! Because I can not do both, and your brother is... elsewhere < 08@Morgan > calm yourself. I was more asking why I would be better suited to the second group < 08@Morgan > as for my brother... where exactly is he? < 04Molly > AD: At last count, he was in Vendel, searching for an old accuaintance < 08@Morgan > I see < 04Molly > You are to lead the second group because I will be expected to intervene. Were I not visibly present, a econd force would be suspected < 08@Morgan > quite < 04Molly > AD: *he stands* We will leave this morning < 08@Morgan > too soon < 04Molly > AD: Nonsense, the sooner we depart, the sooner we can show that Sudlachenburg neither supports nor allows such criminals within its borders < 08@Morgan > You're not thinking about this... First I need time to find those I will have in my group. I will not go to battle with people I do not trust. Second, large groups of armoured men draw much attention... I will need time to take my men out unarmed and in smaller groups, in different directions. < 08@Morgan > Sudlachenburg may not allow such criminality within its borders, but she must be seen to be smart enough to deal with them properly. < 04Molly > AD: *he slams his fist on the desk* Then what would you do? < 08@Morgan > I believe I already told you. < 04Molly > AD: And how long will this take you? < 08@Morgan > An hour to choose the men, an hour for goodbyes... you can ride by midday < 04Molly > AD: *he nods, grundgingly* I shall find the potential men, meet us in the yard in an hour * @Morgan nods < 08@Morgan > as you wish * @Morgan turns and goes in search of Molly * Molly is fortunately in her room, having foregone her regular walk along the bank of the Sudlache. * @Morgan knocks on the door * Molly jumps up from the window seat, dropping her book without a care. She smoothes down her skirts, and runs her fngers through her hair, eager to see him after their infrequent times together * Molly opens the door looking sweet and pretty in a new pale pink dress. she grins, eyes sparkling as she looks at him < 04Molly > Liebes Herz... < 08@Morgan > blossom... you look wonderful * Molly blushes, cheeks matching the dress. She looks at him, exploring his face with her eyes, wishing it were her fingertips instead. She looks at her hands a moment < 04Molly > Would you wish to come in? < 08@Morgan > that depends if there's coffee in there... I have some news that I fear you will not like * Molly sighs, and opens the door wider. She goes to the table, pouring a second cup of coffee before returning to the window seat and taking up hers < 04Molly > please, sit * @Morgan nods and sits down, taking the cup and sipping at the coffee * Molly smiles < 04Molly > Have you come to tell me that you can no longer bear this distance and to warn me that I must be careful not to trip over you as you sleep dejectedly outside my door? *she grins, voice playful* * @Morgan laughs < 08@Morgan > I shall be discussing this forced seperation with my father... forcefully if needed * Molly laughs, and puts her hand over his, squeezing gently < 04Molly > Any closer than my doorway and you'll have to discuss it forcefully with mine also! < 08@Morgan > that would not be the first time * Molly smiles enigmatically, amused by her thoughts, but simply says: < 04Molly > I have missed you < 08@Morgan > and I you blossom < 04Molly > The plans are coming along well, though I would have prefered your presence and opinions also * Molly smiles sadly < 08@Morgan > I fear that is the nature of wedding planning * Molly nods < 04Molly > The majorty is planned, I shall have more time to be alone with you from now on * @Morgan nods, looking at his cup * Molly smiles cheekily < 04Molly > Which I am greatly looking forward to < 08@Morgan > I am, unfortunately, going to be away for a few days * Molly 's eyes go wide wth suprise, then sadness < 04Molly > Oh... I am sorry to hear that < 08@Morgan > I am sorry to be saying it blossom * Molly nods, looking at her cup < 04Molly > Where are you going? < 08@Morgan > towards the northern bounrdaries of our land * Molly bites her lip < 04Molly > How long will you be gone? < 08@Morgan > four days... I think < 04Molly > Oh! Might I ask why? * Molly oesnt look up < 08@Morgan > Word has reached my father that a band of bandits has taken to camp there * Molly looks to him quickly, and several emotions flicker across her features, fear, anger, disapointment, which she tries to override wth neutrality < 04Molly >  It is your duty, of course * @Morgan nods disconsolately < 04Molly > When are you to leave? < 08@Morgan > just over an hour * Molly closes her eyes a moment. She straightens her shoulders slightly. She looks back to him. < 04Molly > I understand < 08@Morgan > I am sorry blossom, but I must go < 04Molly > I know. It is something I shall need to become accustomed to, as a veisgrafin, is it not? < 08@Morgan > I'm afraid so < 04Molly > Will-... Is there any danger you will be hurt? < 08@Morgan > some, yes... there is the hope they will see us coming and run * Molly nods, biting her lip < 04Molly > You will return as soon as you can? < 08@Morgan > of course Session Time: Tue Oct 13 00:00:00 2009 * Molly sets her cup down and turns to face him < 04Molly > Please be careful < 08@Morgan > I will blossom < 04Molly > I would feel far safer were lord elementay going with you * @Morgan makes a face < 08@Morgan > I'm not sure I would * Molly smiles < 04Molly > I doubt your father would approve of me coming along < 08@Morgan > no... and I will not allow it * Molly looks suprised < 04Molly > why ever not? < 08@Morgan > because I cannot put you in danger.. I _will_ not < 04Molly > And yet I must just sit here and hope all is well? * @Morgan brings his eyes up to meet hers < 08@Morgan > yes. In times to come if I fall in battle, you will need to rule in my stead * Molly 's lower lip quivers, and she looks away < 04Molly > Though I do not like it, I understand, and will abide by your commands * @Morgan nods * Molly takes a deep breath < 04Molly > You have faced far worse and been well, I should have no cause for concern... < 08@Morgan > and I will have backup that I trust * Molly nods < 04Molly > Thank you for coming to tell me, I would have been more upset had you merely left < 08@Morgan > I made a point of it being required. * Molly sqeeuzes his hand < 04Molly > Would you have me come out to see you off? < 08@Morgan > that is your choice... though the leaving must be discrete in my case < 04Molly > I am not sure I understand < 08@Morgan > there are to be two groups... the first to leave we wish to be unnoticed, so we leave un armed and in small groups * Molly nods < 04Molly > I see. I should like to see you set off well. Will my father accompany you? * @Morgan looks puzzled < 04Molly > To aid in your endeavour < 08@Morgan > I.. I dont know that it would be wise < 04Molly > As you wish < 08@Morgan > I will speak with my father on the matter if David shoudl wish to go * Molly nods, looking to him, eyes soft < 04Molly > Once you return, will you need to leave like this again? < 08@Morgan > possbily * Molly looks down < 04Molly > You have much to do here < 08@Morgan > I will not lie to you, this may well occur in the future and it will be my duty to do it * Molly nods < 04Molly > It is just painful when we have been kept apart... by your dutes, I mean * @Morgan nods < 08@Morgan > I knwo < 04Molly > Would you be hurt if one of the others shows me the house in your absense? < 08@Morgan > not at all blossom * Molly smiles < 04Molly > It will take my mind from you a little * @Morgan nods < 04Molly > Perhaps your father may consider allowing us a day together uninterrupted upon your return? < 08@Morgan > I will talk with him * Molly grins < 04Molly > I promise to be very grateful * @Morgan laughs * Molly leans in and kisses his cheek < 04Molly > Will you take Xantha? * @Morgan nods < 08@Morgan > aye... < 04Molly > He will enjoy such an outing? < 08@Morgan > I'm not sure... most likely < 04Molly > Though I doubt Aurora will appreciate his absense < 08@Morgan > possibly not, no * Molly sips her coffee < 04Molly > You anticipate returning by monday? < 08@Morgan > if all goes as planned * Molly smiles < 04Molly > That is not so long... you were gone longer to see Inigo in Londnum, and I coped then * @Morgan nods < 08@Morgan > quite < 04Molly > Do you have much to prepare? < 08@Morgan > not especially... though I need to choose my support < 04Molly > The men you are to take with you? < 08@Morgan > aye * Molly nods < 04Molly > I should delay you no further * @Morgan finishes his coffee and places it on the table, standing * Molly watches him closely, rising and walking him to the door < 04Molly > I will come to the stables to see you off * @Morgan nods < 04Molly > Until then, mein liebling * @Morgan bows and leaves the room * Molly shuts the door. He goes to his room, finding his bedroll and some clothing, and weapons, ordering a servant to take it to put on xantha whilst he goes to the yard. He chooses his men, and just as it is time to leave, Molly walks Xantha to the yar, fully loaded. The other men mount up, waiting patiently. There are a few hushed conversations as she hands over the reins * Molly speaks very quietly < 04Molly > Xantha has given me his word that he will bring you back in one piece * @Morgan nods * Molly slips the leather into his hand, her fingers lingering a moment < 04Molly > Be safe and well.... and quick! * @Morgan nods < 08@Morgan > I will blossom * @Morgan swings himself into the saddle * Molly shields her eyes as she watches him, feeling nervous but also proud * @Morgan watches for a moment, before looking at the assembled men < 08@Morgan > you all have your orders? < 04Molly > **They all nod repluing 'yes, my lord' * @Morgan nods, looks round once more before rising in his stirrups and roaring < 08@Morgan > RIDE!! < 04Molly > **with whoops and hollers, the men set off at a gallop, winding their way off the grounds of die dauerhaftigkeit* < 04Molly > **the ride is long, but it has all the commaradarie of the war, something that deep in his heart, brings out the best in every eisen man. By sunset, the camp is set, and after roasted hare, the men settle in to their tents.*