< 04Molly > *it is very quiet, the usual timeof day for everyone to take up their own hobbies * @Morgan goes straight through the building to the yard where the tools are kept < 04Molly > *the tools are all there, laid out in a large outhouse, as always* * @Morgan picks up an axe and heads towards the woods < 04Molly > **when he gets to the woods, he immediately hears a high pitch giggling, and the rustling of leaves, followed by quiet voices * @Morgan holds the axe low and goes in search of the sound < 04Molly > **he very quickly spots a couple in a rather compromising position, and the voice that drifts up from him is male, and montaigne-accented * @Morgan grips the axe firmly, trying to get a look at the woman < 04Molly > *the blonde hair clearly marks her as eisen, the bare breasts give little hint apart from her youth... the face however, is that of his cousin Alarice * @Morgan raises his voice < 08@Morgan > what _exactly_ do you think you're doing? < 04Molly > *The montaigne man speaks first* I would have thought that was obvious! *alarice tries to hush him, pulling her dress back up* * @Morgan smiles widely < 08@Morgan > you're right, it was fairly. < 04Molly > *she untangles herself, standing up* We did not expect anyone to come here * @Morgan looks at his cousin then back to the man < 08@Morgan > you are... < 04Molly > C: I am the Comte de la Fere... and you? < 08@Morgan > Comte de la Fere... I dont believe I've heard of you < 04Molly > C: I doubt it very much. I am rarely in Eisen... *he winks at Alarice, who looks annoyed* * @Morgan chuckles < 08@Morgan > indeed. < 04Molly > C: *he kisses her hand* I should go back to the Inn, my wife will no doubt be keeping an eye to how long I am gone! < 08@Morgan > wife? inn? < 08@Morgan > oh, I see... you're a stable hand < 04Molly > Good god no! I'm a member of the Emporer's guard < 08@Morgan > Emporer? < 04Molly > Of Montaigne *he looks puzzled* * @Morgan nods slowly < 08@Morgan > well... before you go... < 08@Morgan > would you please accompany me to the house? < 04Molly > C *he nods* If you wish < 08@Morgan > oh I do. * @Morgan looks at Alarice < 08@Morgan > and you < 04Molly > Alarice: Surely there is nothing so urgent we would need to go back for * @Morgan looks at the ground for a second, before looking back < 08@Morgan > perhaps in my long absence my reputation has not reached the shores of the Sudlache... allow me to avoid misunderstandings * @Morgan looks at Alarice < 08@Morgan > you _will_ come to the house and explain to me and my father exactly why you not only shame your name but the land that is my fathers... * @Morgan turns to the man and points the axe at him < 08@Morgan > and you will come and tell us why we should allow you to ever return to Eisen < 04Molly > *his eyes become cool* You tell me why I should not just run you through and take my mistress away to Armiens with me. < 08@Morgan > you could... you could... perhaps, though, you'd be wise to consider if you could retrieve your sword before my axe is buried in your head < 08@Morgan > the axe that is currently in my hand < 04Molly > *he suddenly bolts, weaving through the trees so not to provide a decent target. Alarice comes to stand before him and slaps him hard across the face* How dare you! what is it to do with you who I bed?! * @Morgan slaps her before hurling the axe at the fleeing mans legs < 04Molly > *it embeds in to one of the trees, missing him barely* * @Morgan grabs Alarice's wrist and drags her to the house, pausing only long enough to retrieve the axe * Molly is sat on the steps, looking at her hands, clearly awaiting his return < 08@Morgan > you've a choice here Alarice. Walk into that house and to my fathers study now, or be dragged like a petulant child < 04Molly > *still wildly mad, her tone is sharp* Do you really think I care what your so-called Lady thinks of me? < 08@Morgan > as you wish * @Morgan twists her arm behind her back and marches her to the house < 08@Morgan > Molly, would you find my father and my valet please * Molly looks up as they approach, taking in the way they are stood, the colour of Alarices face, and more importantly, her dishevelled, dirty and slightly torn dress. She stands, not quite meeting his eyes.* of course. *she disapears in to the house* < 04Molly > Alarice: I have every right to be mistress to whoever I please! * @Morgan pushes her into the house < 08@Morgan > complain all you like, it'll make no difference to me < 04Molly > *Molly comes back down the corridor, flushed and out of breath.* they are in the study < 08@Morgan > thank you * @Morgan pushes his cousin in that direction * Molly stands in the corridor, watching them go < 04Molly > Alarice stays quiet til they get to the study * @Morgan knocks on the door < 04Molly > AD: Come! * @Morgan opens the door and walks his cousin in < 04Molly > Alarice becomes immediately more docile, eyes sad, slightly pouty, Adalbrecht looks at her, then Morgan < 04Molly > AD: would you explain yourself? < 08@Morgan > Has mother spoken with you about Alarice's choice in men yet? < 04Molly > AD: NO < 04Molly > (No*) * @Morgan nods < 08@Morgan > its come to my attention that Alarice has been acting as a peasant mistress to a Montaigne man, amongst others < 04Molly > AD: *he looks at her* What say you? < 04Molly > AL: I am not a peasant mistress! He is a Comte, which is the same rank as a graf, therefore he is noble. And I am mistress to him alone. < 04Molly > Ad: *he looks back to Morgan, waiting to hear his response* * @Morgan walks to the far side of the room < 08@Morgan > A mistress to a noble, though I'm loathe to call him such, would not be caught frolicking in the woods of someone elses land. < 08@Morgan > Further to that, were you to be a mistress proper, his wife would know of you < 08@Morgan > further to _that_ your responsibility is to your son and your land, not your loins < 04Molly > AL: We did not know anyone would find us! And his wife is very delicate, and not expected to live out the year... And my son is well and sheltered! < 04Molly > AD: *he continues to watch them, happy to let Morgan hold his own* < 08@Morgan > your son is starved of attention and guidance, and expected or not, you were found... befoul your own land. < 04Molly > AL: *she starts to cry, and looks to Adalbrecht* Please don't send me away... I am so lonely without a husband, I sought solace from him, I am sorry I have abused your hosiptality... * @Morgan rolls his eyes < 04Molly > AD: *he looks at her* This must not happen again Alarice. Your father would be ashamed of you... _I_ am ashamed of you. If you wish to stay, you must se aside this man, and any other lovers, and care for your son, unitl Edward can be found and your union with him cemented. < 04Molly > AL: *she nods forlornly* Yes, my Lord. < 04Molly > AD: *he looks to Morgan* this is how it shall be * @Morgan folds his arms, not speaking < 04Molly > Ad: Now, Alarice, go and make yourself presentable, your appearance makes t qute clear what you have been about! And Morgan, put that axe away. * @Morgan places the axe in the spare sword ring < 04Molly > AL: *she leaves the room* < 04Molly > AD: I would prefer you put that outside where it belongs, please. < 08@Morgan > with all due respect, I've used an axe any number of times in the last two years and I prefer to keep it with my sword < 04Molly > Then at least take it from my study, I have work to do < 08@Morgan > as you wish * @Morgan pauses < 08@Morgan > what of the Mongtaigne man? < 04Molly > If you see him, shoot hm < 08@Morgan > shoot him? < 04Molly > yes * @Morgan looks at the valet and motions for him to leave < 04Molly > *he goes* * @Morgan looks at his father < 04Molly > AD: *he looks at Morgan* yes? < 08@Morgan > Shooting him is a bad idea < 04Molly > why? < 08@Morgan > because of his station. < 04Molly > *he sighs* do as you wll * @Morgan nods and leaves the room, looking for his valet < 04Molly > *the valet waits outside* < 08@Morgan > you. Go to the inn and find Comte de la Fere... tell him he's banished from this land on pain of death. If he gives you any trouble, tell him to come see me < 04Molly > *he grins in a very eisen manner* immediately, my lord *he runs through the corridor* * @Morgan stands for a moment, shoulders slumping < 04Molly > *the corridor he stands in is empty* * @Morgan straightens his shoulders and walks towards the door, looking for Molly