[20:30] (Molly) **They set off early the following morning after a wealth of goodbyes, Otto even embracing Molly before they left. She hasnt mentioned much during the journey, both content to ride the Palominos in comfortable quiet. The weather has been fine and eating in the saddle has brought them a few miles from the Maubourg estate by 3 o'clock. [20:33] * Molly looks at him, clearly pleased to be travelling once more. The horses are fast but quite calm. Forgoing sidesaddle for flashing her legs, Molly looks utterly carefree [20:34] (Molly) When we rode south from Freiburg to Sudlachenburg, I was just a maid with a title from a place that might not exist... [20:35] * @Morgan nods [20:36] (@Morgan) aye, seems a lifetime ago already [20:36] * Molly nods [20:37] (Molly) So much has happened since then [20:38] (@Morgan) Its been somewhat hectic [20:39] * Molly looks around. The land here is open and flat. Though it fares better than the fields outside Seeufer, Kiev shows the battle scars that mar the beautiful face of Eisen. [20:40] (Molly) It feels right though. As if things are starting to come together [20:40] * Molly smiles gently [20:42] (@Morgan) it certainly seemsw that way [20:42] (Molly) In a few days time we will hopefully have resolved the issue of Varick being the legal responsibility of Alarice, and that will tie up a few loose ends [20:42] ** New query from Morgan (Available on submenu 'Windows') [20:42] * @Morgan nods [20:43] (@Morgan) I'm not sure I'm comfortable trying to influce people who aren't at least wary of me [20:44] * Molly frowns [20:45] (Molly) I do not understand [20:45] (@Morgan) the judges... [20:45] * Molly nods [20:46] (Molly) Yes, it troubles me also [20:47] (Molly) Have you ever seen them before? [20:47] (@Morgan) Not that I recall, no [20:48] * Molly nods thoughtfully as they trot towards the mansion [20:49] (Molly) Do you know what you'll say to him? Graf Maubourg, I mean? [20:49] (@Morgan) Not yet, no... [20:49] * Molly nods [20:50] (Molly) I have brought his letters for you, should you require them [20:51] (@Morgan) Thank you blossom... maybe I'll just hit him with something [20:51] * @Morgan smirks slightly [20:51] * Molly giggles [20:52] (Molly) I did not bring anything for that purpose I'm afraid [20:52] * @Morgan shrugs [20:52] (@Morgan) not to worry, I'll improvise [20:52] * Molly smiles [20:53] (Molly) I'm certain your hands will suffice... [20:53] * Molly winks [20:54] (@Morgan) possibly, possibly [20:55] (Molly) Will you be glad when it is concluded? [20:55] * @Morgan nods [20:55] (@Morgan) I believe so [20:56] (Molly) Just a pity Karsten isnt still alive [20:56] * @Morgan shrugs [20:57] (@Morgan) That'd be a tough situation, given Varick... [20:57] * Molly nods [20:57] (Molly) I had not considered that [20:58] (Molly) **they get to the gates, and are stopped by two liveried guards [20:59] (Molly) G1: what is your business here? *the other eyes up Molly's legs in silence* [20:59] (@Morgan) We've come to see the Graf... [20:59] * @Morgan glances at the second guard before looking back to the first [21:00] (@Morgan) your friend would be well advised to mind where his eyes wander [21:01] (Molly) G1: *he frowns briefly at the other guard who blushes a moment* And you are? *the second guard's eyes wander again* [21:01] (@Morgan) Remarkably intolerant... [21:03] (Molly) G1: I'm not letting some unknown person on the estate to cause havoc, even with a pretty sidekick and posh horses [21:04] (@Morgan) Quite rightly, and you'll get my name just as soon as your associate minds his gaze... or once I've minded it for him. [21:05] (Molly) G2: *he looks back at Morgan, saying nothing* [21:06] * @Morgan watches him for a moment [21:06] (Molly) G1: *he looks at G2, then Morgan* well? [21:06] (@Morgan) You'll be needing to tell the Graf that the Veisgraf of Sudlachenburg has arrived... [21:08] (Molly) G1: *he nods curtly* Ride up to the house, the butler will find out if the Graf is at home to unexpected callers. [21:09] * @Morgan nudges the horse forward [21:09] * Molly follows on up the long driveway [21:10] (@Morgan) what charming gentlemen [21:12] (Molly) Quite! [21:12] * Molly giggles [21:13] (Molly) I should have known riding astride would cause trouble! [21:14] * @Morgan shrugs [21:14] (@Morgan) he wants to be grateful I didn't arrive with Claudia... [21:14] * Molly nods [21:14] (Molly) Though I was very very tempted to kick him... [21:15] (@Morgan) A pity you didn't [21:15] * Molly smiles at him [21:17] (Molly) I wouldn't want to disrupt the gentle and sweet temperament that you are so fond of in me [21:19] * Molly grins [21:19] * @Morgan opens his mouth to respond but shuts it again, saying nothing [21:21] * Molly laughs, surprised. She raises a playful eyebrow [21:21] (Molly) Yes? [21:21] (@Morgan) nothing, nothing [21:21] * Molly shakes her head in amusement [21:22] (Molly) Perhaps I'll kick him as we leave [21:22] (@Morgan) Sounds like an excellent plan [21:23] * Molly nods. **they quickly arrive at the house and dismount, a young groom taking their reins. There is a butler on standby [21:28] (Molly) B: *he looks at them* Good afternoon, can I help you? [21:28] (@Morgan) You can... you can go and find Graf Maubourg and tell him we're here [21:28] * @Morgan smiles [21:31] (Molly) B: *he nods* I'll see if the Graf is receiving. Your name is...? [21:31] (@Morgan) Koertig. [21:35] (Molly) B: *he nods, showing them into the hall. Its very old-fashioned and over-the-top. They're left alone. [21:38] * Molly looks around as she smoothes down her skirt. She hands Morgan a ribbon-bound stack of letters from her pocket [21:38] * @Morgan tucks them inside his coat [21:41] (Molly) **within minutes, the butler is back, telling them that the family is in residence and he escorts them to the drawing room. Again it is old-fashioned, crammed with all manner of furniture. It's darker than it needs to be. The three Maubourgs rise to greet him, a maid stationed with coffee and cake. The two ladies curtsey and Molly does likewise [21:41] ** You're now known as Mau [21:41] * Mau smiles politely [21:43] (Mau) Veisgraf, Veisgrafin, to what do we owe the pleasure? *his wife quietly offers a seat to Molly as well as refreshments. She responds politely and cordially, much more able to deal with nobility from within it rather than beneath it* [21:45] (@Morgan) Well, since I know have stewardship of Koln and Innesbruck, I thought it'd be an opportunity to catch up with the neighbours, so to speak. [21:47] * Mau looks shocked and perhaps a little discomfited? The women are talking amongst themselves [21:47] (Mau) Oh? A recent development... [21:48] (@Morgan) Fairly, yes... [21:52] * Mau nods. Though he smiles there's something unpleasant in his expression [21:53] (Mau) Congratulations. One would think a newly wed man with a lively young bride would be too busy for such mundane tasks. [21:54] (@Morgan) It is what it is. Besides, with Alarice being newly wed herself, she wouldn't have time to oversee the estates [21:55] * Mau smiles, a hard glint in his eyes [21:55] (Mau) Ah yes, that was rather... Sudden. [21:56] (@Morgan) Quite fortuitous, however. If it hadn't been for that occuring, I'd never have discovered something of a plot that is rather distressing [22:00] * Mau casts a quick look at the women. Morgan can feel from Molly that shes entirely devoted to distracting them enough to give him privacy. [22:00] (Mau) Oh? [22:01] (@Morgan) Its my understanding that forces were in play to occupy land belonging to Sudlachenburg, to encroach on their territory until it was nothing more than the village itself [22:02] * Mau watches him, before speaking a little quieter [22:02] (Mau) Let's discuss this in private [22:02] * @Morgan looks surprised [22:02] (@Morgan) as you wish [22:05] * Mau excuses them, and leads Morgan to his office. Inside, he pours them both brandy. Another dated and dark room greets him, hot in the Eisen summer [22:05] (Mau) A plot, you say? [22:06] * @Morgan nods [22:07] (Mau) Interesting... How did you discover it? [22:08] (@Morgan) stumbled across some correspondence that mentioned it, and some solicitor who supposedly had all the details [22:09] * Mau nods, ruminating on the woes of doing business with a man like Karsten [22:10] (Mau) Well, given that Baron Eldreich is dead, one would assume there is no longer any danger [22:12] (@Morgan) True, true, but since it was not solely him behind it, my efforts to find and... educate the perpetrators about their mistakes is still paramount to me [22:13] * Mau smiles haughtily [22:13] (Mau) You have an accusation to level, so I suggest you do so. [22:14] (@Morgan) Thats the second time you've tried to put words in my mouth... I'd advise against it [22:14] * Mau looks at him firmly [22:15] (Mau) You threaten a Graf in his Grafdom? [22:15] * @Morgan smiles [22:15] (@Morgan) I have made no threats [22:16] * Mau looks unmoved [22:17] (Mau) What do you want, Morgan? [22:17] * @Morgan shrugs [22:18] (@Morgan) peace in our time, a quiet life... the usual things. [22:18] * Mau laughs harshly [22:19] (Mau) You want us all building hovels for serfs with our bare hands? That isn't the world we live in, haven't you learnt that yet? [22:20] * @Morgan smiles faintly [22:20] (@Morgan) and yet you did it. [22:21] (Mau) It was useful to me at that moment. It certainly wasn't out of some perception of a blurred line between us and them. [22:22] * Mau 's eyes and tone are cool [22:22] (@Morgan) us and them... how succinctly you put it, Maubourg. [22:23] (Mau) It is the truth. You know as well as I that some are born noble and some are not. [22:25] (Mau) Tell me, does your Graf know you are running loose and insulting your betters? [22:25] * @Morgan laughs hard [22:25] (@Morgan) betters... oh how you make me laugh. [22:26] * Mau watches him as one would watch a naughty child [22:26] (@Morgan) My understanding is that the solicitor has made contact with a man who's claiming the plan, such as it was, is still at hand... I think it'd be wise to call it off, for several reasons [22:27] * Mau 's tone is full of sarcasm [22:27] (Mau) I'd be grateful for your wise and prudent counsel, of course(!) [22:29] (@Morgan) Look at it this way... 1, I don't think it wise to potentially start another war, and I suspect the Eisenfursts would take a dim view of it. Second, since I now control Karstens land and properties, more than half of the intended powerbase is no longer allied to you and your plan. [22:29] * @Morgan looks at him seriously, speaking quietly [22:30] (@Morgan) Thirdly, it'd give me the justification I desire to run you through. [22:32] * Mau smiles [22:35] (Mau) Firstly, Fischler and I are on good terms. As I am with Wische ((Gottkirchen is the most northern grafdom of Fischler, right on the border)). These sort of land disputes are occuring all over Eisen thanks to the long term effects of the Objectionist uprising. [22:35] * Mau shrugs [22:36] (Mau) _If_ I was so inclined, I could find allies for such a project. [22:38] (@Morgan) You and Fischler may be on good terms, but I suspect Faulk and I are on better ones... I suppose any evidence of your plan, given those terms, might sour his disposition towards you a little... which might lead him to wonder at the coincidence of your being at Koln when Karsten had his... accident. [22:39] * @Morgan sighs [22:39] * Mau turns more serious [22:40] (@Morgan) A real shame, however, that his dalliances with your daughter didn't produce the heir you require... I don't know that anyone would be particularly keen on allying themselves to you in a bid to take more land when your own land will be up for grabs before too long. [22:40] * Mau actually looks troubled [22:41] (Mau) How dare you speak about my daughter like that?! [22:45] (Mau) My daughter is a virgin! [22:45] * @Morgan laughs again [22:46] * Mau looks furious [22:47] (Mau) You want a chance to run me through, you have it. I'm calling you out for besmirching the honour of my daughter. [22:47] * @Morgan looks at him seriously [22:48] (@Morgan) Think carefully about that Maubourg... and consider the fact that I don't speak without first seeing evidence... [22:49] (Mau) Would you ever have stood by to hear such said about your daughter? [22:50] (@Morgan) No, but then my daughter wouldn't have acted in such a way... [22:52] (Mau) Ha! If my noble born and rais-... *Maubourg pauses, realising that might have been the wrong tack to take* [22:52] * @Morgan watches him, eyes flat and cold [22:53] (Mau) I just can not fathom that Teresa could do such a thing. She knows how important her maidenhood and chastity is to her soul and to this family [22:54] (@Morgan) Good to see you have some sense... cold hard fact, Maubourg.. Karsten would have either eliminated you or, since he planned to take your daughter to replace my cousin, would've ended up with your lands anyway... but since he died before he had chance to, he's still robbed your family of its heritage and land in the long run... [22:55] * Mau shakes his head, storming from the room [22:55] * @Morgan looks around the room briefly before following him out, wandering along behind him [22:57] (Mau) **Molly, Teresa and the Grafin all rise as the door slams open violently, and Maubourg enters looking like a mad man. Within seconds he's crossed the room to stand in front of his daughter, towering over her. He yells at her forcefully [22:58] (Mau) Teresa, you'd better hope you can tell me that he's lying! [23:00] (Mau) T: *she looks pale and terrified, bursting into tears. His wife starts to scream. Molly casts Morgan a moments glance, torn between what she should do and what she wants to do* [23:00] * @Morgan speaks firmly [23:00] (@Morgan) stand down, Maubourg [23:02] (Mau) The hell I will! What did you do, you scheming harlot! *he grabs her firmly by the upper arms, and she cries out* [23:04] * @Morgan moves quickly, slamming into Maubourg and shoving him away from the girl [23:05] * Mau hits the ground hard. His wife faints. Molly embraces Teresa, getting her to sit down, and speaks calmly to her [23:07] (Mau) How dare you interfere! Haven't you embarassed your family enough already?! [23:07] (@Morgan) You lay your hands on a lady again, I'll do something permanent. Understand? [23:08] (Mau) If she has done what you say, she's not a Lady but a whore! [23:09] (Mau) *Teresa starts crying again* [23:09] (@Morgan) Then I'll rephrase... lay your hands on a _woman_, and you will have bigger things to worry about. [23:10] * Mau glares at Morgan [23:11] (Mau) Why don't you sort out your own dysfunctional family, rather than meddle in mine! [23:11] (@Morgan) Mines just fine, thank you for your concern... and, if you recall, the discussion was about keeping mine safe... remember? [23:13] (Mau) Fine?! Ha! Your brother is a drunk womaniser, your father nearly had a nervous breakdown, your cousin is no better than my daughter, and you, well...! [23:14] (@Morgan) Please, continue with your assessment... I'd be pleased to hear it from your position of moral superiority... [23:16] (Mau) You're worse than the others by far! Pretending you want to restore Eisen to it's former glory whilst ripping down its age old traditions by marrying commoners! [23:17] (Mau) *Molly bristles, and his daughter looks horrified. The Grafin has recovered her senses just in time to hear this [23:19] * Mau is so far past angry that he has lost all common sense. He stands, squaring up to Morgan [23:20] (Mau) How dare _you_ come in to _my_ lands and tell me that I am at fault!! You disgust me! [23:22] (@Morgan) Keep going the way you are and it wont _be_ your land... [23:23] (Mau) Well now that my daughter has made herself even more unmarriageable, excluding her face and personality, by shaming herself and betraying Theus, it won't be my land because no nobleman would have her! [23:24] (Mau) *The women look horrified, but Molly is the only one who looks like she'd like to do something Eisen to him* [23:24] (@Morgan) a lamentable situation. [23:26] * Mau gets more wound up, face becoming redder. About to shout something, he suddenly collapses [23:26] * @Morgan points at the two women [23:27] (@Morgan) you pair, hot water and towels, now [23:29] (Mau) **the Maubourg women run out, calling for servants wildly. Molly immediately comes, putting her hand on Maubourg's head. She closes her eyes a moment. His colour settles to normal. Molly looks up at Morgan* [23:29] * @Morgan pushes the door closed, leaning against it [23:29] (Mau) M: he'll sleep for a few minutes now. [23:30] ** You're now known as Molly [23:31] (Molly) It's nothing serious, he has just overworked himself [23:31] (@Morgan) He doesn't know that, and neither do they... [23:31] (Molly) What are you thinking, liebes herz? [23:32] (@Morgan) It'd be helpful if he owed us... [23:32] (Molly) Owed us enough to solve our problem and theirs? [23:33] (@Morgan) a life is expensive... particularly when I'd really like to kill him [23:33] * Molly watches him [23:33] (Molly) He'd deserve it, liebes herz. He went much, much too far. [23:34] (@Morgan) Yes, he did. [23:34] * Molly nods [23:35] (Molly) But the political implications would be far too complicated... [23:35] * @Morgan nods [23:37] * Molly looks thoughtful, and is still thinking when they return. Both women look scared and worried. Maubourg awakens slowly. [23:37] (Molly) Why am I lying on the floor?! [23:38] (Molly) Mau:* [23:40] (Molly) **Teresa and her mother look very relieved he's alive. Molly's expression is serious, a professional concern as she draws out a vial of green liquid from her bag* Molly looks to him solemnly
<14Molly> Liebes herz, could you please help the Graf to the couch? It really is essential that he moves as little as possible
* @Morgan looks down at the man
<14Molly> *Maubourg looks pale, almost ashen. His wife and daughter cry somewhat uselessly*
<04@Morgan> Lets not do anything silly now, agreed?
<14Molly> M: *he nods*
* @Morgan crouches and lifts the man to the couch
<14Molly> *he looks uncomfortable but doesn't struggle. Molly looks to his wife.*
<14Molly> I'll need to speak with his valet. *it is clearly an order, not a request, and she, daughter of a farmer, doesn't flinch or waver in her tone as she gives this command to a high-born noble woman. Grafin Maubourg and her daughter disappear again. Molly looks to Morgan, trying to see how he wants to proceed*
* @Morgan shrugs almost imperceptably
* Molly nods slightly. She pulls up a chair beside the couch, taking Maubourg's hand. He looks surprised as she holds it reassuringly. She looks utterly serious and solemn
<14Molly> My dear Graf, you had the beginnings of an apoplexy. Almost always, this is fatal in the first attack. For those who do survive, a second is usually too much for the body to endure. Do you understand? *he looks scared, nodding. She continues* I have a tonic I can give you. It is very effective, but it is vital that you ingest it every day for the rest of your life. I'll leave instructions with your valet. You must take it easy, and try to remain in even tem
<14Molly> *he nods, close to tears* thank you, thank you!
* Molly nods, loosening his hand
<14Molly> I would strongly recommend putting your affairs in order
<14Molly> M: *he nods, very troubled* I will. *he looks to Morgan* shall we conclude our business? 
* @Morgan watches him for a moment
<04@Morgan> You do not wish to get some rest?
<14Molly> M: *he shakes his head. Molly excuses herself, green liquid vial in hand, to look for the valet*
<14Molly> M: what did you come here for?
<04@Morgan> To make it clear I knew of the scheme you hatched with Karsten
<14Molly> M: *he sighs* Yes, I knew Karsten wanted Sudlachenburg, and we'd split some of the land we took. This is Eisen, land is at a premium.
* @Morgan shakes his head
<04@Morgan> He intended to hem you in also.
<14Molly> M: *he frowns* you're sure?
<04@Morgan> I've seen his own plans. Not that it makes any difference now, of course
<14Molly> M: *he nods, looking angry* What a swine! And to take advantage of my daughter!
<04@Morgan> What do you want for your land in the future, Maubourg?
<14Molly> It to stay in the family, where it belongs
<04@Morgan> But with a daughter, thats not how it'll work, is it? It'll move on to whomever married her
<14Molly> To her children at least. 
<04@Morgan> And what of your daughter?