< 04Molly > *the next morning dawns warm, almost humidly so. Scouts locate Adalbrechts force, fortified stronghold. Suprisingly, they've already been engaged by the bandit force, pushing forward a day. Th reports tell Morgan there is a small group arguing with Adalbrecht, but no sign of any further bandits in the area * @Morgan sends troops out in pairs, quietly through the undergrowth < 04Molly > **they return with reports that there are several areas with large holes in the ground, messengers coming and going, but no other significant disturbances * @Morgan goes to investigate one of these holes in the ground < 04Molly > **The holes are semi camoflauged, easily big enough to get people in and out of... there are also hillocks of new earth, again with attempts to camoflauge them * @Morgan swears quietly before crawling away to inform his men of the situation < 04Molly > *They all look puzzled. Two of the men, those that survived rom Morgans platoon during the war, volunteer to go in to investigate* * @Morgan nods briefly < 04Molly > **They are gone a little while, before one, Tomas, returns alone. He bows to Morgan* My Lord, Stefan has been captured. < 08@Morgan > how? < 04Molly > We went seperate ways. It is like a rabbit burrow under there. They shouted to me to return with my leader or he would not be returned < 08@Morgan > returned? Why would they return him? < 04Molly > I do not know * @Morgan looks at the ground for a moment < 08@Morgan > Send a runner, my father needs to know about these pits < 04Molly > Yes, my Lord *he speaks quietly to another man, who mounts and gallops off to the camp. Tomas comes back to Morgan* < 04Molly > Now what, my Lord? < 08@Morgan > give him time to get to my father. Do you think Stefan will reveal our plan? < 04Molly > Definately not. * @Morgan nods < 08@Morgan > then we give the runner time to brief my father... I wish we had some pitch < 04Molly > *after ten minutes, the messenger returns, breathing heavily* He has his hands full there, there are about 20 men, all trying to argue that  if Lord Koertig  leaves them in peace, they will not move closer to the town < 08@Morgan > and his answer? < 04Molly > That he will not tolerate robbery on his lands, and if he has to kill them all, he will < 08@Morgan > what was his response to the news of the pits? < 04Molly > That we shall set fire to all the holes, blocking the exits and filling the tunnels with smoke, if they do not agree to leave here immediately < 08@Morgan > prepare yourselves for that task then < 04Molly > Tomas: But Lieu-.. my Lord, Stefan will be killed! < 08@Morgan > if you have a better idea, then by all means enlighten me < 04Molly > Well... shouldnt we at least find out why they wanted to speak with you? And it is strange that they havent tried to kill us.. and were offering to return him to us * @Morgan nods the nod of someone who missed that bit earlier on < 08@Morgan > pass the word to prepare to set the fires... in the meantime, you and I will speak with them < 04Molly > Yes my Lord *he does so, and ten minutes later, comes back to Morgan* My Lord, your father has told them they must come to him with their choice in an hour < 08@Morgan > then let us find out why they wish to speak with me... * @Morgan walks in the direction of the bandits < 04Molly > *As they come near one of the holes, there are voices to be heard, a hushed discussion which they catch snippets of: < 04Molly > Yes, but it'll be just like- < 04Molly > They'll never do it, they- < 04Molly > And what about the children? Or Pere?- < 04Molly > We can't keep moving- < 04Molly > *and it continues, male voices, female voices, the speakers still out of sight* * @Morgan crouches down and raises his voice < 08@Morgan > I believe you wanted to speak with me... say your piece, for time runs short < 04Molly > *A hush runs through, before an old voice, a man, speaks, broken with coughing* Are you in charge? * @Morgan pulls his gun round to point in their direction < 08@Morgan > I am. < 04Molly > We do not wish to disrupt your town, we just want to be left alone < 08@Morgan > You're not in a position to be issuing commands < 04Molly > And yet this is what we ask. We can return your man unharmed if you grant this < 08@Morgan > You dont seem to understand... your current position, with or without my man, is extermination... < 04Molly > *there is a shriek from the women, and children begin to cry. The old man speaks again. He is completely calm* We are peaceful people, we do not hurt others < 08@Morgan > I have reports that say you are bandits < 04Molly > Ah well... we take things to survive, but we do not hurt people < 08@Morgan > then why your separation? < 04Molly > Separation? < 08@Morgan > from society... why camp in the woods risking... well, this < 04Molly > *there is a murmur of objection from the gathered people. The old man speaks to them first* Hush now. sir, will you come forward and talk together? < 08@Morgan > release my man < 04Molly > How can we be sure you will not kill us all? < 08@Morgan > you have my word < 04Molly > *There are louder objections from the crowd, but still Stefan comes through the undergrowth to Morgans side* We have upheald this, please come forward * @Morgan glances at Stefan, trying to assess his condition < 04Molly > * he looks fine, but slightly dirty from crawling around in tunnels* * @Morgan nods at him before walking forward < 08@Morgan > I'm coming through < 04Molly > *The little clearing contains about 50 men, women and children. They ll sit on the ground, a little wizened old man sat on a tree stump in the middle. They are all healthy looking, all show reveence to the man in the middle. They all watch Morgan carefully but it is not aggressive, more as prey watches a predator in their midst * @Morgan places his rifle on the ground < 04Molly > *The old man nods* Thank you. what did you wish to know < 08@Morgan > who you are, why you are here, for a start < 04Molly > *The murmur, with a warning tone, goes round the group. The man looks at them, before looking to Morgan* We are a village on the run, taking succor when we can, pushed to stealing to support our families, hiding from the armies < 08@Morgan > why? < 04Molly > We do not wish to fight in this war, for either side. When the war came to our village ten years ago, we fled, threatened with death if our men did not go to fight. Our village was burnt and robbed whilst we hid in the forests. We have travelled ever since, living under ground < 08@Morgan > _this_ war? < 04Molly > Yes < 08@Morgan > precisely which war? < 04Molly > The religious war, the war of the cross, they call it < 08@Morgan > The war is long over < 04Molly > *cries of suprise spread through the crowd. The old man looks at Morgan, unsure whether to trust him* When? < 08@Morgan > some years now < 04Molly > *More cries, and then animated talking is heard* Years?! * @Morgan nods gravely < 04Molly > *people begin to talk together* And we have no fear of being killed for not joining the fight? < 08@Morgan > Are the men at the wall part of your group? < 04Molly > We are all here. Those at the wall came back to discuss our choice < 08@Morgan > right now there is no fight to be killed for not joining... indeed _this+_ fight will only get you killed if you _do_ join < 04Molly > *The crowd seems to stop paying attention while the old man looks to Morgan* We do not wish to fight, just for a quiet life < 08@Morgan > you're going about it the wrong way. You need to settle < 08@Morgan > reintergrate into society < 04Molly > But how? I would not split up our community, but there are so many of us < 08@Morgan > you can farm? < 04Molly > Our village was purely farm based, yes. The children do not know farming, born since we fled * @Morgan nods < 08@Morgan > I need to speak with Graf Koertig. Stay here < 04Molly > *he nods, going to his people. He speaks to them, all assembled, explaining the end of the war, that they no longer have to hide like this* * @Morgan clambers back out of the bushes, taking his rifle < 08@Morgan > Tomas... < 04Molly > Tomas : *he looks up* I thought we should fetch the Graf, I thought you'd bee captured. Stefan has gone to him < 08@Morgan > damn. I need to get to him first < 04Molly > Tomas: I have a horse...? * @Morgan whistles loudly < 04Molly > *Xantha comes prancing through the tree line* < 08@Morgan > Xantha! gekommen < 04Molly > *He gets to < 04Molly > ((oops)) < 04Molly > *he gets to morgans side* * @Morgan climbs up and whispers into his ear < 08@Morgan > Durchlauf < 04Molly > *Xantha gallops through the forest at full tilt, quickly passing Stefan, before skiddig to a halt outsidee the fortified camp* * @Morgan climbs down and goes to the entrance < 04Molly > *a guard waits just inside* Who approaches? < 08@Morgan > Veißgraf Koertig < 04Molly > *A door opens, and he is shown in. Adalbrecht paces inside* Damned bandits! * @Morgan puts his rifle in a corner < 08@Morgan > we need to have a tactical discussion... right now < 04Molly > AD: *he laughs* You do not approve of my idea? < 08@Morgan > the idea is sound my lord, but situations change and I would pass these changes to you in private < 04Molly > *he waves a hand, dismissing the guards. He doesnt look to see if they go, knowing he will be obeyed* Yes? < 08@Morgan > They're not bandits, as such < 04Molly > What the devil are they if not bandits, creeping in the woods, stealing from my own son's carriage?! < 08@Morgan > I'm not convinced it was them... besides, if it were, they claim not to hurt anyone. < 04Molly > And what do you think? < 08@Morgan > I'm inclined to believe them... moreover, they had no idea the war had ended < 04Molly > *he laughs harshly* Are they all blind and deaf? < 08@Morgan > thats unbecoming father. They've lived in tunnels, hiding < 04Molly > From? < 08@Morgan > the war < 08@Morgan > The entire village, moving frequently, hiding constantly < 04Molly > That is hardly the Eisen way... < 08@Morgan > You and I are bred to be responsible, father. All a common farmer wants to do is look after his own little corner of the world. < 04Molly > Will they go on robbing carriages? < 08@Morgan > thats what I wanted to talk to you about... I've told them its time to become part of society once more < 04Molly > *he nods* You are right, they can not live a live of banditry on my lands < 08@Morgan > quite. < 08@Morgan > I wish to embrace them into our society, integrate them into Sudlachenburg. The men can all farm and the children can be taught, but I did not wish to make that decision without your permission < 04Molly > *he looks his son up and down, silently* * @Morgan stands tall < 04Molly > This is an important decision, have you considered whether there is space, where they shall live? How it will affect the other villagers? Where to find a teacher for these children? < 08@Morgan > They can teach their own children farming. The Sudlache has been depopulated, there is space < 04Molly > And you believe this is the correct course? < 08@Morgan > I do < 04Molly > *He nods, and comes to Morgan, standing in front of him* Then that is what shall be done. You have just proven to me that you have exactly what it takes to be Graf when I am gone, and these people will be a large part of Sudlachenburg, and they will be your people, as they all will. I can think of none better to follow me. < 08@Morgan > your words honour me my lord < 04Molly > *he puts his hand on Morgan's shoulder* Your actions and decisions honour me, my son, and all the Koertig men who came before us, and god willing, follow after < 08@Morgan > thank you < 04Molly > *He nods, and dismisses him, sending him bck out into the forest, the words of his patriarch ringing in his ears*