>> > *Adalbrecht rides his piebald stallion through the rough forest roads.
>> > surruptiously, he glances at the tall man beside him, taking in the
>> > stance,
>> > the demeanour, and feels a pride surge through him. My son and heir...
>> > These
>> > thoughts lead him back to the man's mother, her gentle Avalon ways, and
>> > makes him glad he decided they would go on ahead, stopping overnight
>> > closer
>> > to home, and allowing them to arrive earlier the next day. The sun is
>> > beginning to set on the horizon, and he is suddenly reminded of camping
>> > trips with both sons as children. He sighs, shifting in his saddle. He
>> > looks
>> > to Morgan once more*
>> >
>> > We shall set camp before long * morgan nods *
>> Probably wise. > *he smiles, looking around for somewhere to set camp*
> There will be much to upon our return
> * he scans the forest *
I will be taking a day with molly upon our return *he looks up* Why?
 Because I have barely seen her since we arrived, and after her having
to wait to find out if we are safe, its something she deserves *he nods, steering his horse to a little clearing*
> One day will not be too much hinderance I suppose. But she will need to
> learn soon that the job of a graf is not an easy one, nor that of a grafin.
> In the future, she will need to rule alone in your absence, and not pine for
> you whilst you attend your duties * morgan brings his gaze to his father *
That's as maybe. She'll need some instruction from mother I think > *he gets down from the saddle without a moments slowing, still very young
> given his advancing years*
> Yes, Verity is a wonderful grafin. But she was bovn to nobility, raised
> knowing she would run estates whilst her husband was away Meaning? *he tethers the horse to the tree*
> Meaning your mother has been prepared for this from childhood, Lady
> Forrester has not. It will be far harder to make a grafin of her She will be just fine. *he starts putting up a tent*
> I hope so, for Sudlachenburg... and for you * he climbs down from xantha *
I don't think you understand... I was a broken man... She and she
alone brought me back from the brink of oblivion *he hammers in a post*
> How? * he sets about erecting his tent *
I'm not entirely sure. *the last two posts go in before Adalbrecht speaks*
>
> And this would make her a good grafin?
> I think so... I'm sure you're aware of how far the determination of a
koertig goes... And I was determined that my life should end... She
changed that *he knocks in the last peg, then leans back, looking at Morgan*
> Her determination outweighed yours? Not that simple. She persuaded me that dietlinde and janas deaths were
not my fault... Persuaded me that I still had a life to live *he sits on a tree stump, taking food from a pack* Why would you think it was
> your fault? I don't think we need to go into it my lord *he nods*
> No point dwelling on the past. It was a tragedy, but sometimes such things
> pave the way for what is to come * he frowns briefly, glaring at the floor * 
*Adalbrecht doesnt notice*
> You will attend to her for the day we return, and for two after that... I
> shall give you no tasks, but I hope you might use the time to explain her
> role within the family… * his voice holds a note of anger though only just *
I'm sure she's already aware of it *he shrugs* as you think best If I didn't think she were up to the task, I would have stayed where
my only concerns would be her and lady torrington *he frowns* And Sudlachenburg, and your duty as heir? Until her, I wasn't fit to be either. *he nods*
> Well you are here now... and will be here for good in three years? I gave my word that I would. *he nods, breaking some bread, and offering it to Morgan*
>
> They will be pleased by what you did today Perhaps. * he looks at his father *
I want you to know... My decision was what I thought best for
sudlachenburg, not a desire to avoid conflict. *he smiles* never for a moment did I suspect it was. As a child, and a
> youth, you showed great promise for your future as Graf. We had concerns of
> course, once you returned from the war and chose a such different life… I was happy with dietlinde... I would have taken up my role at the
appointed time *adalbrechts expression becomes slightly cooler* It would not have been
> fitting… Oh? You would have passed me over in favour of Edward, regardless of ability? *he watches Morgan*
> Probably, and possibly Alarice and her husband would have been considered.
> You'd have damned the place for the sake of parentage then. Perhaps
for the future of sudlachenburg it is just as well they were murdered.
* his voice remains level but someone who knows him better would see
the dangerous brightness in his eyes for what it is * *he sighs* You chose a path you knew we would forbid. Where your thoughts of
> what was best for sudlachenburg then? I did not want to have Edward in your
> stead, but when you act against us, breach our trust, what more could be
> done? Breach your trust? * he glares at his father for a moment * You knew that we would be seeking to make you a good marriage, as fits your
> station… * Morgan grinds his teeth for a moment *
Perhaps rather than my station, your attention should have been on
your younger sons morals > *he frowns, lines in his brow deepening. He pulls a flask from his pocket,
> though those cool blue eyes do not leave his eldest son's face* I wouldn't have thought you'd approve of murder. *he sits forward, shoulders tense*
>
> I will not have you make such accusations without proof. * Morgan hangs his head *
The proof lies in the burnt ruins of my house. And in the sound of my
brothers voice.
*he brings up his head*
I did not leave through despair. I left because, as my missive stated,
I would do violence to Edward, and I would not be the reason you and
mother suffered the loss of a child as I did, at the hands of a family
member. *he sits perfectly still, and for the first time Morgan will have ever seen,
> there are tears in his eyes. Mouth agape, his words come after a pause,
> voice serious* As sure as I am your son. *he rubs his brow* This is a very serious matter. I must decide how to
> proceed with this before we return. I do not wish mother to know. I understand, but it may not be that easy I don't see the complication If I choose to banish him from Sudlachenburg, she will know it Then don't banish him. He and I will face each other eventually, and
that will be the time to decide. What sort of Graf would I be, allowing murders to take place in my lands and
> not punish that? regardless of my opinions of your marriage, they were
> people of Sudlachenburg, and should expect protection of all members of this
> family. It is unacceptable to not take steps. I do not see the point in his punishment now. If he has any sense he
lives his life to a better standard in the hopes it will buy him
forgiveness.
Further, how does it serve sudlachenburg to disgrace one of the rulers sons? Because it proves that no-one is above the law, and provides closure and
> answers for those who still mourn their deaths As you wish. I believe it to be a mistake, though. Besides. As far as anyone is concerned, the arsonist died. *adalbrecht doesn't look away*
> I want to know exactly what happened, and how you discovered it. Edward had been making statements about saving the family name for some time.
I came back from the village and caught the arsonist.
Eventually I confronted edward and he admitted orderng it. I beat him
to unconsciousness and left. *adalbrecht stands quite suddenly, face going red, very angry* How -dare- he
> do such a thing 'in the name of the family'? ! The only one with such
> authority is a Graf, my father would turn in his grave were he to know the
> depths the Koertig name has fallen to! He dared because, I expect, he thinks he was doing what was best. The
road to hell et cetera *still furious, he paces* It is a path he will walk alone. I also seek to
> protect the family and her interests, that may well involve putting him far
> away from sudlachenburg, at least until I am more of a mind to resolve with
> words than blades. With respect.. His crime against me is worse than against you... If
blades are to be used, it shall be mine
* he looks at his father, clearly accepting no alternatives *

However... His knowing of his guilt may well put a curb on his
impulses and were he to take control of other lands, his cooperation
with the graf here, be it you or I, would be almost certain. *he watches, not sure whether to be angry or proud of Morgans defiance*
> What do you wish done to resolve this? For now, nothing. When he returns, make him aware that you know...
It isn't just a way of securing power.. If you excommunicate him, when
I come to your position, others may seek to subvert him to cause
strife here. *he raises his eyebrows, clearly impressed* I think you'll be almost as good
> a Graf as I am *he keeps a straight face, but this is as close to humour as
> he really gets* * he shrugs *
As long as I do not dishonour you, I am content at that *he nods* we all have to make mistakes to learn from them. What is in the
> past is best left that way. You have a new life ahead of you now. * he nods *
Indeed. I t seems that I might be the last fully Eisen Graf to hold sudlachenburg * he nods *
But not the last to love her so. *he smiles* I dearly hope that to be true. I have always been Graf first,
> husband second, father third and eisen man last To be frank, I don't believe such strict classification necessary...
Though if you look upon it that you are eisen last, surely my heritage
makes little or no difference? It matters more that you are a Koertig... Just odd that I have passed on a
> liking for Avalon women. *he starts to unpck his bed roll* Indeed it is unusual.