< 04Molly > Summoned to lunch by Varick, they then had to go seperate ways as Martha insisted on measuring for the new dress. With an apologetic smile, she followed her mother to their rooms. * @Morgan follows Varick * @Morgan wanders through the house < 04Molly > *as is often the case, t is quiet, but he knows both his parents are still n the house* * @Morgan pauses at the main staircase, giving some thought to finding an old friend * @Morgan takes up his sword and heads to the grounds by the lake < 04Molly > *the lake sparkles, alluring yet slightly intimidating* * @Morgan takes in the view for a moment before taking up a fighting stance which is swiftly followed by thrusts and swings of the sword that is a clear cross between Eisen and Avalonian styles < 04Molly > *there is a sudden shriek of laughter, and Varick runs towards him, a short sword in his hand * @Morgan stops dead before drawing his sword up to his face < 04Molly > Varick: *he circles Morgan carefully* < 08@Morgan > young master, you're forgetting your manners < 04Molly > * he stops, looking puzzled* < 08@Morgan > unless you mean to kill me, you must salute me. < 04Molly > *he salutes* but why? < 08@Morgan > Its a sign of respect Varick. If you do not salute, you have no respect for your opponent < 04Molly > *he nods solemnly* even when they are bad men? < 08@Morgan > in most circumstances, yes < 08@Morgan > I think, Varick... that perhaps the wooden training swords would be a better idea... I dont know your mother or my father would be best pleased were we to injure eachother < 04Molly > *he nods, and runs to get them. after a ew minutes he returns with two wooden swords* * @Morgan sheathes his own sword and takes a wooden one from the boy, saluting him once more < 04Molly > *he copies, saluting solemnly* My father was supposed to teach me... * @Morgan nods < 08@Morgan > has noone taught you in his stead? < 04Molly > *he shakes hs head* mother's men do not like me. say I'm a nuisance < 08@Morgan > I shall discuss this with them. At length * @Morgan thinks for a moment < 08@Morgan > ok Varick... show me what you can do < 04Molly > *he watches Morgan, feintng left before striking right* * @Morgan swings his sword towards the feint, allowing the boy to hit his leg < 04Molly > *he looks pleased with himself, but does not let the success distract hm from immediately adopting a defensive pose* * @Morgan smiles < 08@Morgan > good, Varick < 04Molly > *he nods* My father fought in the war. < 08@Morgan > Most men's fathers did < 04Molly > *he lunges again, at the left this time* Did yours? * @Morgan parries this one < 08@Morgan > for a time, yes < 04Molly > *a feint right, then left, before striking right* and his father? (Penn) * @Morgan swings for the right and the left, and misses the last < 04Molly > *he whoops with joy, but doesnt forget to defend* < 08@Morgan > he fought at the beginning of the war < 04Molly > *he swings overhead* and his father? * @Morgan blocks it and taps the boys legs < 08@Morgan > no, Varick. The war hadn't begun then < 04Molly > *he draws back a little, circling* There will be no war for me. < 08@Morgan > You dont seem happy about that < 04Molly > I want to be a man. All the men fought in the war. How can I be a man if there is no war *he swings low for Morgans ankle* * @Morgan blocks it and pushed the blade to the floor < 08@Morgan > the war does not make you a man, Varick. Your actions define what you are < 04Molly > But who will teach me? *he brings up his blade to guard himself* < 08@Morgan > teach you? < 04Molly > about how to be a man *he feints left, then steps back* * @Morgan looks solemnly at the boy before looking up and to the left, towards the corner of the house < 04Molly > Varick: *though he feels the pull to look, he forces himself to keep focused on Morgan* * @Morgan grins before looking back to the boy < 08@Morgan > well done < 04Molly > *he grins* that was very difficult < 08@Morgan > you did very well. I'm not sure I could have resisted < 04Molly > *he smiles* are you and Lady Forrester going to live here now? < 08@Morgan > not just yet. We have some things we must see to... < 04Molly > *his smile falters slightly* Oh... do you have more monsters to fight? *his eyes light up* < 08@Morgan > no, we have a ship to establish. I need to make sure she can run on her own before leaving her in the hands of a captain < 04Molly > *he giggles* Lady Forrester? < 08@Morgan > no, Varick, the ship. They're always referred to as she < 04Molly > Why? < 08@Morgan > perhaps its to appease Merith, the guardian of the sea... or because most ships have a woman on her bow < 04Molly > *he looks intrigued* who is Merith? < 08@Morgan > a permenently wet woman < 04Molly > Is she the woman in the story? < 08@Morgan > which story would that be? < 04Molly > the one that Lady Forrester told us *he quickly swings a low blow at Morgan's thgh, convnced he's lured him in to a false sense of security* * @Morgan blocks it and taps the boys knee < 08@Morgan > possibly. < 04Molly > *he rolls his eyes* I will never win < 08@Morgan > its not always about winning < 04Molly > what is it about? < 08@Morgan > sometimes its about fighting with honour... othertimes its about defending someone else long enough for them to escape < 04Molly > *he stares, mouth open* have you done that? < 08@Morgan > when it was needed < 04Molly > I have to defend my mother, she cant fight, she's just a woman < 08@Morgan > a word of warning Varick... I wouldn't let any woman hear you say that. < 04Molly > mother says it to her men < 08@Morgan > thats her business. If we fight on behalf of a woman, we do it out of respect, because they shouldn't _have_ to... you understand? < 04Molly > *he nods* they arent strong or brave like men < 08@Morgan > oh they're brave... mostly. < 08@Morgan > some or braver than any man < 04Molly > *he looks amazed* are they? but how? < 08@Morgan > it takes a lot of bravery to bring up a child without his father for example < 04Molly > mother says she'll get a new father for me *he frowns* < 08@Morgan > can I assume you dont want one? < 04Molly > I w.. I want my father *his lip starts to tremble* * @Morgan puts his hand on the boys shoulder < 08@Morgan > your father would be very proud of you, Varick. If you wish, I will talk with your mother < 04Molly > *he shakes his head* I have to protect her now, and be a man < 08@Morgan > no, young man. Your mother is protected by us until you come of age. < 04Molly > *he smiles* Thank you, my Lord < 08@Morgan > come, we'll get something to eat and drink < 04Molly > *he lowers the sword, and walks beside Morgan like a puppy* < 04Molly > were there any Ladies in the war? < 08@Morgan > I never saw any < 04Molly > Can women use swords? < 08@Morgan > Lady Forrester can < 04Molly > *he looks at Morgan with his mouth open* she didnt tell me that! < 08@Morgan > I felt it was necessary for her to learn < 04Molly > Is there a war in Avalon? < 08@Morgan > no... though the house we met in was full of monsters < 04Molly > That is scary! < 08@Morgan > it wasn't exactly the most fun of times < 04Molly > why were there monsters there? *he opens the door in to the house* < 08@Morgan > some idiot montaigne man let them in < 08@Morgan > many great troubles have been preceeded by the words "ahaa, but watch _this_" < 04Molly > *he laughs* are the montaigne all idiots? < 08@Morgan > I have to say, all but one that I've met, yes < 04Molly > one of mother's men is montaigne. and an idiot. brings flowers, but he's too poor she says < 08@Morgan > I dont think he'll be coming round again < 04Molly > *he spots a servant with a tray of cakes, heading towards Verity's room* They're all too poor. < 08@Morgan > I wouldn't get too caught up in wealth Varick < 04Molly > *he shrugs, and follows the servant* Thats just what mother says. * @Morgan nods < 04Molly > *the servant knocks on the door before being told to enter, which he does. Verity and Alarice are sat doing embroidery, as always. Varick looks suprised, then looks to Morgan * @Morgan knocks on the door < 04Molly > VE: Come in * @Morgan holds the door open for Varick to enter < 04Molly > VA: *he goes over, and bows to them both. Verity puts down her sewing, and lets Varick st up on her lap with a smile. Alarice looks at Morgan* AL: has he been bothering you, cousin? < 08@Morgan > not in the slightest. < 04Molly > VE: *she looks to Morgan* he reminds me of you at this age, dear boy < 08@Morgan > I wouldn't have thought so... he's a charming lad < 04Molly > VE: *she laughs softly* you were just as charming... < 08@Morgan > perhaps. I think I had an easier time of it, though < 04Molly > VE: *she nods* definately. * @Morgan looks at Alarice < 08@Morgan > I think he needs to be apprenticed to a swordsman < 04Molly > AL: He is far too undisciplined and wild, he would not take teaching well yet < 08@Morgan > All the better... he hasn't got the teachings of half hearted halfwits ingrained yet < 04Molly > AL: It is very expensive... < 08@Morgan > I know a local sword master who owes me a boon or two. < 04Molly > VA: *he looks excited* Mama, please? < 04Molly > AL: *she looks at him coolly* I will think on it. Now, run along to your governess please. < 04Molly > VA: *he stands up, bows, and goes to the door* < 04Molly > VE: *she picks up her embroidery* Alarice, perhps you would like to take the cake to Varicks rooms with him, I need to speak with Morgan alone < 04Molly > AL: *she looks suprised, but stands, taking the cake* Of course *she curtseys, and follows Varick from the room*