< 04Molly > The next morning dawns a scarlet red, and by the time his valet has finished tending to his morning needs, he's heard the age old adage 'Abendrot Gutwetterbot', < 04Molly > Morgenrot Schlechtwetter droht. < 04Molly > ' (mtf) < 04Molly > more than once. After breakfast, he gets summoned to Adalbrecht, a message from Molly stating her intentions to take Varick for a walk in the maze. When he gets there, the door is closed* * @Morgan adjusts the pouches and loops on his belt before raising his head and knocking on the door < 04Molly > Kommst du, Morgan * @Morgan opens the door and enters the room, closing it behind me < 04Molly > *Adalbrecht stands by the window, watching out, as he smokes a cigarette, the faintly blue smoke in wispy upwards tendrils curling around his strong, eisen profile* < 04Molly > Are you ready to continue your work now? < 08@Morgan > Indeed. Though I do have on errand I wish to run, but depending on the duties you give me, that may be easily integrated < 04Molly > What is your intended errand? *he smiles, and begins to laugh, watching the garden still* < 08@Morgan > I wish to speak to some of the new arrivals to the village < 04Molly > Then- *he laughs again* That boy will be the death of one of the gardeners with his wilful clumsiness. < 08@Morgan > which boy? < 04Molly > Varick < 08@Morgan > ah < 04Molly > It is good to see him happy * @Morgan nods < 08@Morgan > indeed < 04Molly > What were you saying? *he turns back to face Morgan* < 08@Morgan > the errand... < 04Molly > Oh yes. Yes, by all means, conduct your business there today, if you wish. * @Morgan nods < 04Molly > It was Varick I summoned you about. Him, and Alarice. < 08@Morgan > oh? < 04Molly > *he sits down in the well upholstered chair, and motions for Morgan to sit opposite* Your lady mother mentioned that there was some trouble at the chapel two days past. * @Morgan sits down < 08@Morgan > trouble? < 04Molly > a disagreement... she was too upset to tell me more < 08@Morgan > My lord, if you are wishing to chastise me for something, please do so without belabouring it < 04Molly > I wish to know what occured. I reserve judgement til that time < 08@Morgan > Alarice was being overly harsh with Varick. I intervened < 04Molly > *he sighs* What did she say? < 08@Morgan > How she is ashamed of him, how he made a scene... none of which was deserved < 04Molly > *he nods neutrally* and what are your thoughts on why? * @Morgan shrugs < 08@Morgan > I understand the reasons she gave < 04Molly > which were? < 08@Morgan > She grieves. Varick reminds her very much of his father < 04Molly > *Adalbrecht draws on the glowing cigarette* He is alot like Eldreich, yes. But he's also alot like you were < 08@Morgan > Perhaps, but that is not what pains Alarice. < 04Molly > Varick has become withdrawn with myself, your lady mother and Alarice herself < 08@Morgan > its not surprising with his mother, and I suspect you and mothher are seen as... too far away from his station to be close at the moment < 08@Morgan > with the greatest of respect, your apparent focus is always on what should be done in an honourable way... you're not seen as someone who will go down to his level, you see? < 04Molly > *he watches Morgan intently* Interesting... < 04Molly > Not seen by whom, exactly? < 08@Morgan > him, I would think < 04Molly > It s not good for him to be so withdrawn < 08@Morgan > no, it isn't < 04Molly > He needs a friend, he needs attention and affection * @Morgan nods < 04Molly > Alarice needs time where she need not be his mother < 08@Morgan > I've come to the same conclusion < 04Molly > what would you recommend? < 08@Morgan > I have not yet come to any long term ideas... < 04Molly > He seems to have taken well to Lady Forrester * @Morgan nods < 04Molly > Perhaps he is more likely to confide in her than your lady mother and I < 08@Morgan > quite possibly < 04Molly > Would she consider taking on his care until you leave, do you think? < 08@Morgan > I do not know. < 04Molly > *he watches him* I would have asked the same of you, but I thought it might be easier for her to take a child to her heart than you * @Morgan looks to the floor < 04Molly > It is not meant as a criticism < 08@Morgan > If I was only dealing with the burdens I bore when I arrived, it would be easier < 04Molly > I am not sure I understand < 08@Morgan > Otto believes that Dietlinde was with child when... < 04Molly > *Adalbrecht pales, not noticing the cold ash that falls on his desk* I am very sorry to hear that * @Morgan nods < 04Molly > Definately better than Varick's care is not your responsibility at the present time. I wonder if I ought to find him a nice nanny < 08@Morgan > no. He already has issues with the governess he has < 04Molly > There are no families close at hand who can show him the life he belongs to that can foster him < 08@Morgan > I'm not sure the life he belongs to is the one he needs right now < 04Molly > What would _you_ do? Session Time: Wed Dec 02 00:00:00 2009 < 08@Morgan > I dont know. What I would normally think isn't necessarily what I would think with all that is occuring currently < 04Molly > *there is silence a few minutes before Adalbrecht speaks again* < 04Molly > something has to be done. at present, Alarice cannot be a mother to him, and he needs stability. They are both my responsibility now. Koln ((eldreichs lands)) is currently under the regency of Eldreichs man of business n Alarice's absence, but she is not fit to be a Baroness either. * @Morgan nods < 04Molly > *he stubs out the cigarette* I'll come along to see the new villagers, I want o arrange with Pere the building plans < 08@Morgan > You have not forgotten I shall be leaving again before too long, I trust < 04Molly > *he stands, going to the window* in nineteen days * @Morgan nods < 04Molly > nervous yet? < 08@Morgan > I dont have time to be nervous < 04Molly > *he laughs* It's better this way, trust me * @Morgan nods < 04Molly > Looks like rain is coming... < 08@Morgan > wonderful < 04Molly > How long do you need to be ready to leave? < 08@Morgan > I need time to get my coat < 04Molly > I'll meet you in the stables then. * @Morgan nods and stands up < 04Molly > *by the time he gets to the stables, the rain has started, and once saddled up, they head out, through the village to the far edge, very near a fork in the path that leads to the ruined cottage < 04Molly > *Adalbrecht goes quiet as they get to the fork. Xantha veers right, down the old, familiar path that eventually leads to his previous home * @Morgan reins in the horse < 08@Morgan > wrong way old friend < 04Molly > *he snorts, looking down the right hand path, unmoving * @Morgan pulls on the reins < 04Molly > *he whips round to the left, and tries to bite Morgan's leg, not quite managing it* < 04Molly > *adalbrecht watches on* Still a bad-tempered brute then * @Morgan pulls harder on the reins, sharply < 04Molly > *Xantha snorts again, but moves in the right direction* < 08@Morgan > he's not so much ill tempered... just highly strung < 04Molly > *adalbrecht nods, leading the way to the camp. this part of the forest is peaceful, pretty, summer leaves vibrant, lush. The camp consists of twenty ish tents, all hastily erected. In the middle of the camp is a large tree stump, and around the outskirts aare many felled trees, split ready for building. The drizzle continues, a few people milling around the campsite < 04Molly > You wished to speak to someone in particular? < 08@Morgan > perhaps the elder would be the best bet... the man I spoke to before < 04Molly > Pere? * @Morgan nods < 04Molly > *a couple of the menfolk come over, bowing. Tobias is among them. Adalbrecht dismounts, handing the reins to a ginger haired youth* Tobias, just the man. show me the progress you've made... *they walk off together * @Morgan swings down from his horse, coming round to face it < 04Molly > Ginger man: Take your reins, my Lord? < 08@Morgan > a moment * @Morgan takes the horses face in his hands < 08@Morgan > you do that again, I'll have you turned into glue < 04Molly > *he blows air on Morgan's face, and seems to almost roll his eyes.* * @Morgan grips his ear < 08@Morgan > Do not mistake me old friend... you do as I tell you < 04Molly > *there is a slight noise of pain* * @Morgan lets go < 04Molly > *he looks at Morgan, solemn, sad* * @Morgan rubs both the horses ears < 04Molly > *he nuzzles Morgan's arm, a gesture he's picked up from Aurora* < 08@Morgan > you big fool * @Morgan turns toe the ginger man < 08@Morgan > try to avoid being bitten < 04Molly > Ginger man: *he holds the reins at arms length* Will you be long, my Lord? < 08@Morgan > I shouldn't imagine so. Do you know where Pere is? < 04Molly > *he points to a tent at the back. It's obviously been given more care than the others < 08@Morgan > thank you * @Morgan heads toward the tent < 04Molly > *as he gets there, the old man comes out, wiping his hands on a rag. He sees Morgan and smiles* Good morning, veisgraf. < 08@Morgan > Good morning Pere... how are you finding it? < 04Molly > It is strange to live above ground once more! < 08@Morgan > I felt much the same when I came back to dry land < 04Molly > We have had no troubles wih the villagers on the few occasions we have met them < 08@Morgan > good < 04Molly > You have come to supervise the building? < 08@Morgan > no... Tobias is more than capable... I'm actually here on a personal matter < 04Molly > *He nods*, best come in, out of the rain * @Morgan nods and goes into the tent < 04Molly > *he opens the fabric in to the tent. it is large enough to sleep eight people, but currently empty. there are dry rushes on the floor < 04Molly > What is it you want to discuss? < 08@Morgan > Before our encounter with you, my coach was attacked, and I think it was by your own group... < 04Molly > *he looks wary* right... < 08@Morgan > I'm not interested in recriminations... I'm interested in regaining the property that was taken < 04Molly > What are you missing? < 08@Morgan > a chest < 04Molly > *he looks thoughtful* mahogany? brass fixings? * @Morgan nods < 04Molly > Strange name engraved on the side? < 08@Morgan > quite possibly < 04Molly > Balig I think it was *he nods to himself* sounds right < 08@Morgan > ah, yes, Balig would be right < 04Molly > *he smiles* well, shall we fetch it? < 08@Morgan > does it still its contents? < 04Molly > *Adalbrecht arrives at the tent, sticking his head in* does what still have it's contents? < 08@Morgan > a chest, father < 04Molly > A: The one taken on the road? * @Morgan nods < 04Molly > A: *he looks to pere* does it? < 04Molly > P: *he shrugs* we can't open it... the lock is strange < 08@Morgan > Good. I will take it with me < 04Molly > A: *he looks at Morgan* You can not open it regardless! < 08@Morgan > no, I know... but I can take it back to Lady Forrester < 04Molly > A: *he nods* Where is it, Pere? *Pere explains that they keep these things in a seperate tent, and leads them into another one. There are lots of odds and ends here, and the trunk sits in the middle* < 04Molly > I < 04Molly > *it is mahogany, and has Balig on the side. on the front is a four cylinder puzzle type dial, all with letters that line up. Above that is a riddle, in Avalonian. It is obviously an old gift from felix, the novelty and mystery long solved. < 04Molly > ((fyodor*) * @Morgan nods < 08@Morgan > thats the one < 04Molly > P: would you like some rope, or shall I have it sent on by cart this afternoon? < 08@Morgan > some rope, I'll take it with me < 04Molly > *he digs some out. adalbrecht looks at Morgan* Is this the business you came on? < 08@Morgan > It is < 04Molly > A: I have more  work to do here, I shall return later < 08@Morgan > you do not wish me to stay? < 04Molly > A: If you wish, though I would have thought you eager to return with that < 08@Morgan > I am. < 04Molly > A;*he smiles* then go < 08@Morgan > thank you my lord < 04Molly > *he nods and hen turns back to Pere* I am getting soft in my old age... < 04Molly > P: It happens to the best of us, Lord Koertig... < 04Molly > *they coninue to talk, not paying any more attention to Morgan* * @Morgan bends and begins running the rope around the chest before hefting it up < 08@Morgan > with your permission, my lord... < 04Molly > *It is suprisingly light, a suprise given her usual packing habits* < 04Molly > A: Yes, of course * @Morgan bows his head before walking out of the tent and straight to his horse < 04Molly > Xantha waits patiently * @Morgan straps the chest onto Xantha's rump before climbing into the saddle < 04Molly > *he behaves calmly, normally, until they get to the fork, where he stands dead still* < 08@Morgan > die dauerhftigkeit Xantha < 04Molly > *he walks on in the right direction* < 04Molly > *after a few minutes, they arrive* * @Morgan pushes the horse into a canter, eager to get back < 04Molly > *a gr < 04Molly > *a groom lounges against the stable door* * @Morgan trots into the yard, climbing down quickly < 04Molly > *the groom waits tto take Xantha* Good afteroon, my lord * @Morgan nods, untying the chest < 08@Morgan > make sure he's given something sweet... he deserves it < 04Molly > *he nods, taking he reins* very good, my Lord * @Morgan carries the chest inside, looking for Molly < 04Molly > *after a great deal of looking, he hears voices from one of the large ballrooms.* * @Morgan places the chest on the floor to one side of the door, before knocking loudly < 04Molly > M: That's it, now you just have to keep your balance! *there is varicks laughter before a thump, at which they both laugh* M: No, like this... *hearing the knock, they both giggle. Varick comes to the door, opening it slightly and peering out. He speaks quietly* You have to be quiet or you lose your balance! * @Morgan looks confused * Molly says quite loudly: < 04Molly > we're fine, thank you Anne, we will call ou if we require anything * @Morgan ushers the boy back in, stepping just inside the door * Molly is doing a handstand, and has pinned her dress so it's almost like trousers, yet her calves are still tantalisingl visible. with her back to the door, she doesnt notice Morgan < 04Molly > You see Varick, it just takes practise! < 04Molly > Varick: *he giggles*