13[9:18pm] * @Morgan wanders over to his horse
[9:18pm] <14Lars> Xantha waits patiently
13[9:18pm] * @Morgan unties him and mounts up, his swords jingling as he hauls himself into the saddle
[9:19pm] <14Lars> Xantha allows him withouy any fuss
13[9:19pm] * @Morgan starts him walking out of the forest, watching the moving treeline
[9:22pm] <14Lars> he still sees nothing of significance, though the forest brightens the further from the schwarzenwald border he goes
13[9:23pm] * @Morgan kicks xanthas flanks, pushing him into a run
[9:23pm] <14Lars> Xantha gallops along happily
13[9:24pm] * @Morgan heads to the village
[9:26pm] <14Lars> the village is fairly quiet, everyone still seems to be out working on the new settlement. A few women and children remain, but not many.
13[9:26pm] * @Morgan nods to the people as he passes until he gets to Lars' workshop
[9:29pm] <14Lars> **The familiar hammer tones ring out, the call to the forge of blacksmiths everywhere. Lars is talking, it can be heard between blows, but not loud enough for the worlds to be made out. A dark brown horse is tied up, the saddle very fine and expensive.
13[9:29pm] * @Morgan climbs off the horse, tying him to the post and heads to the door
[9:30pm] <14Lars> It's mostly closed
[9:30pm] <14Lars> **+
13[9:30pm] * @Morgan pushes the door open slowly
[9:31pm] <14Lars> **there is an immediate jingle of a bell, some noises of scuffling, and a back door opening. Lars then smiles at Morgan, his visitor gone
[9:32pm] <14Lars> Good afternoon, my Lord
13[9:32pm] * @Morgan leans backwards, looking out the door towards the horses
[9:32pm] <14Lars> **He doesn't see anyone
00[9:32pm] <04@Morgan> you had company?
13[9:33pm] * Lars nods slightly
[9:33pm] <14Lars> I did
00[9:33pm] <04@Morgan> I'm sorry I interrupted
13[9:33pm] * Lars smiles
[9:34pm] <14Lars> No no, no interruption at all. How can I help you?
00[9:34pm] <04@Morgan> the rings...
13[9:35pm] * Lars looks shifty
[9:35pm] <14Lars> Ah, well... ummm....
13[9:36pm] * @Morgan waits, looking round the workshop
[9:36pm] <14Lars> The ummm shipment hasn't come
13[9:37pm] * Lars subconciously looks around him
13[9:38pm] * @Morgan nods slightly, walking slowly to the forge
00[9:38pm] <04@Morgan> that is a shame
13[9:38pm] * Lars nods
[9:38pm] <14Lars> Yes, it really is
13[9:40pm] * @Morgan stares into the forge, silent
[9:40pm] <14Lars> But maybe it'll come tomorrow?
00[9:41pm] <04@Morgan> Perhaps...
13[9:41pm] * Lars looks over at a chair by the window, then looks quickly back to Morgan
00[9:41pm] <04@Morgan> thats a fine horse that was tied outside
13[9:42pm] * @Morgan turns around
[9:43pm] <14Lars> *to look at?
00[9:43pm] <04@Morgan> ((the window))
13[9:45pm] * Lars also looks. The window frame is a little dirty, but he can see Xantha, now the only horse. On the chair is a rich red cape, bearing a coat of arms
13[9:46pm] * @Morgan wanders over to the chair
00[9:46pm] <04@Morgan> you think it will arrive tomorrow?
[9:47pm] <14Lars> Ummmm... yes, probably, ummm.... would you like to see some tirals I made in silver? They're just over here
13[9:47pm] * Lars gestures in the opposite direction
13[9:48pm] * @Morgan picks up the cape
00[9:48pm] <04@Morgan> it seems your guest forgot something
13[9:48pm] * Lars nods
[9:49pm] <14Lars> Oh, yes
00[9:50pm] <04@Morgan> rather careless...
[9:50pm] <14Lars> **the coat of arms is an embroidered patch, a church in a valley with a lit window at the centre
13[9:50pm] * Lars nods, unspeaking
00[9:51pm] <04@Morgan> how about we skip the protests of ignorance and threats and you tell me who was here and why
[9:52pm] <14Lars> I can't
00[9:52pm] <04@Morgan> why?
[9:52pm] <14Lars> I gave my word
13[9:52pm] * @Morgan sighs
00[9:53pm] <04@Morgan> I had really hope nothing would happen while the guests were here, especially the Eisenfurst, that would embarrass the grafdom
13[9:54pm] * Lars nods
[9:54pm] <14Lars> It is nothing bad
00[9:55pm] <04@Morgan> I suspect thats what the Eisenfursts father said when he rode out to find out what the ruckus was about, thirty odd years ago
[9:57pm] <14Lars> If I give you my word, though not a gentleman, I do value my honour as much as an eisen man, that it is nothing bad, will you trust me, my Lord?
13[9:57pm] * Lars looks very sincere
00[9:58pm] <04@Morgan> what is it you gave your word to protect? Their identity or their... shall we say, task
[9:59pm] <14Lars> Their task.
00[10:00pm] <04@Morgan> Then I'll press you no furhter on that
13[10:00pm] * Lars nods
[10:00pm] <14Lars> Thank you
00[10:01pm] <04@Morgan> his identity, however...
[10:01pm] <14Lars> He is one of the valets of the Eisenfurst
13[10:01pm] * @Morgan nods
00[10:02pm] <04@Morgan> If the gold is not here tomorrow, send word immediately and I will find something to melt down to use
13[10:03pm] * Lars smiles
[10:03pm] <14Lars> I'm sure they won't be necessary
00[10:04pm] <04@Morgan> I want you to understand, Lars, that it is not common practice for someone in my position to take the word of, as you said, someone who isn't, by title, a gentleman...
13[10:05pm] * Lars nods
[10:05pm] <14Lars> I do appreciate that, my Lord
13[10:05pm] * @Morgan nods
00[10:06pm] <04@Morgan> I just wanted to be sure you understood what level of trust I am placing in you... now, I _hope_ to hear good news tomorrow... but I _expect_ to hear from you one way or another
13[10:06pm] * Lars nods
[10:06pm] <14Lars> You will, my Lord
00[10:07pm] <04@Morgan> good man... lets hope I dont have to plunder my fathers treasure chests
13[10:09pm] * Lars shakes his head
[10:09pm] <14Lars> I don't think it'll come to that
00[10:10pm] <04@Morgan> I hope not... *he looks around briefly* you had mockups to show me?
13[10:11pm] * Lars nods, taking him to a cabinet. He shows him a 6 rings, three matched pairs, one set plain, one patterned with lines, the last patterened with dots
00[10:12pm] <04@Morgan> I'm impressed
13[10:13pm] * Lars smiles
[10:13pm] <14Lars> thank you
00[10:13pm] <04@Morgan> I'll think on it and get word to you tomorrow
13[10:13pm] * Lars nods
[10:14pm] <14Lars> Yes, my Lord
13[10:14pm] * @Morgan nods, heading for the door
[10:15pm] <14Lars> **does he still have the cape?
00[10:15pm] <04@Morgan> **yep
13[10:15pm] * Lars picks up his hammer and returns to work, not noticing
13[10:15pm] * @Morgan stuffs the cape into a saddle bag and unties the horse before remounting
[10:16pm] <14Lars> Xantha snorts as if annoyed at having to wait
00[10:16pm] <04@Morgan> well its hardly my fault
[10:17pm] <14Lars> Xantha makes a noise that sounds almost like he's blowing raspberries, not one he's heard before
13[10:17pm] * @Morgan frowns and climbs down, moving to check the horses mouth
[10:18pm] <14Lars> He does it again, pursing his lips to blow the air out. He doesnt look troubled, he actually looks pleased with himself
13[10:19pm] * @Morgan shakes his head, slapping the horses nose gently before climbng back on and heading back towards the hunting party

13[10:20pm] * Molly and the others are still eating and talking when he gets back, all in a closer group now
13[10:21pm] * @Morgan climbs down, tying the horse and briefly scanning the treeline
[10:22pm] <14Molly> **its still clear
13[10:23pm] * @Morgan wanders over to the group
13[10:23pm] * Molly looks up with a smile, and makes space beside her. Varick still sits near, and the three of them are carefully watched by Alarice
13[10:24pm] * @Morgan sits down
[10:25pm] <14Molly> Are you well?
13[10:25pm] * @Morgan nods absently
13[10:26pm] * Molly looks to Varick, who is starting to drift off. She looks to Alarice.
[10:27pm] <14Molly> Baroness Eldreich, would you like me to take Varick back to the nursery, I am returning to the house now?
[10:27pm] <14Molly> A: *she looks at Morgan, then Molly* Yes, if you would please, I am not ready to return yet.
13[10:28pm] * Molly smiles. She stands, curtseying slightly to Fischler and the others, before waking Varick and going to her horse
[10:31pm] <14Molly> A*she continues to watch morgan*
13[10:31pm] * @Morgan looks at her
[10:32pm] <14Molly> **everyone else talks among themselves as Molly lifts Varick into the saddle before swinging up herself
[10:32pm] <14Molly> A: *she pastes on a smile and begins chatting with Isiah Fischler, her interest in Morgan seemingly waned*
13[10:32pm] * @Morgan watches her intently
[10:33pm] <14Molly> A: *she chats and flirts with him, and Holzheim, alternately*
13[10:36pm] * @Morgan sighs and rolls his neck
[10:43pm] <14Molly> **very shortly, the gathering breaks up, and the parties prepare to go their seperate ways
13[10:44pm] * @Morgan gets up and wanders towards his cousin
[10:45pm] <14Molly> **She stands beside Holzheim
00[10:45pm] <04@Morgan> may I have a moment?
08[10:45pm] [10:45pm] Molly (~ident@host86-160-117-238.range86-160.btcentralplus.com) is now known as Alarice
13[10:45pm] * Alarice nods
[10:45pm] <14Alarice> *holz wanders over to adalbrecht
13[10:46pm] * @Morgan walks slowly away from the groupings
13[10:48pm] * Alarice follows
00[10:48pm] <04@Morgan> I'd like to know whats behind the staring
[10:49pm] <14Alarice> Was I staring? At you?
13[10:49pm] * @Morgan turns to look at her
13[10:49pm] * Alarice puts her hands on her hips
[10:51pm] <14Alarice> I didn't think I was
13[10:51pm] * @Morgan raises an eyebrow
00[10:51pm] <04@Morgan> dont play coy with me... you want me to trust you, you damn well be straight with me
[10:51pm] <14Alarice> I was not intending to stare
00[10:51pm] <04@Morgan> but staring you were
[10:52pm] <14Alarice> I apologise
13[10:52pm] * @Morgan sighs
00[10:52pm] <04@Morgan> whats wrong Alarice?
[10:53pm] <14Alarice> Nothing, cousin, I am quite well
13[10:53pm] * @Morgan nods
00[10:54pm] <04@Morgan> very well... I'll escort you to your horse
13[10:54pm] * Alarice smiles
[10:54pm] <14Alarice> Thank you
13[10:55pm] * @Morgan starts walking
13[10:55pm] * Alarice walks beside him
[10:56pm] <14Alarice> Are you coming to ride with us?
13[10:56pm] * @Morgan shrugs slightly
00[10:56pm] <04@Morgan> I want to speak with the Eisenfurst, then I want to get out of this forest
13[10:57pm] * Alarice watches him
[10:57pm] <14Alarice> You don't like it here?
13[10:57pm] * @Morgan pulls a face
00[10:57pm] <04@Morgan> not that I dont like it...
13[10:59pm] * Alarice watches him as they get to her horse
[10:59pm] <14Alarice> You have somewhere you'd prefer to be.
00[11:00pm] <04@Morgan> and you think you know where
13[11:00pm] * @Morgan smiles slightly
13[11:02pm] * Alarice smiles slightly
[11:02pm] <14Alarice> It's not difficult
00[11:02pm] <04@Morgan> oh?
13[11:03pm] * Alarice looks at the horse, putting one foot into the stirrup, and pushing herself up, sitting side saddle.
[11:03pm] <14Alarice> You'd rather be off building, or with Varick and Molly
13[11:04pm] * @Morgan shrugs
00[11:04pm] <04@Morgan> true enough... its not the reason I dont wish to be here, though
[11:04pm] <14Alarice> No?
00[11:06pm] <04@Morgan> no
13[11:06pm] * Alarice smiles at him
[11:07pm] <14Alarice> You can tell me, if you want to... or not, I understand
00[11:07pm] <04@Morgan> I have issues with the forest... most would dismiss it as superstition
[11:08pm] <14Alarice> But Koertig's respect superstition, don't we?
00[11:08pm] <04@Morgan> apparently so
[11:10pm] <14Alarice> So I am not likely to dismiss it
00[11:10pm] <04@Morgan> I saw something in the forests when I was young
13[11:11pm] * Alarice leans down to him slightly, fascinated, she whispers
[11:11pm] <14Alarice> What did you see?
13[11:11pm] * @Morgan whispers bck
00[11:11pm] <04@Morgan> schattenman
13[11:12pm] * Alarice 's eyebrows shoot up
[11:12pm] <14Alarice> Oh!
[11:14pm] <14Alarice> How old were you?
13[11:14pm] * @Morgan shrugs
00[11:14pm] <04@Morgan> not very
13[11:15pm] * Alarice looks at him intently
[11:15pm] <14Alarice> You were lucky to survive
13[11:16pm] * @Morgan nods
[11:16pm] <14Alarice> I'm very glad you did
00[11:17pm] <04@Morgan> thank you
13[11:18pm] * Alarice nods, easing the horse to a gentle walk over towards holzheim