[19:57] ** ChanServ sets mode(s) +o  Morgan
[20:01] (Adalbrecht) [19:16] * Adalbrecht walks down the corridor towards the drawing room. As they approach, Adalbrecht speaks quietly to a servant. HH steps out, bowing to them. Though he smiles, Morgan recognises a flicker of suspicion there.
[20:01] (Adalbrecht) [19:18] (Adalbrecht) Hh: Is our most honourable and glorious overlord to join us? **he gestures "I've been told to guard the ladies? Is there danger?"*
[20:03] * @Morgan nods
[20:03] (@Morgan) maybe...
[20:06] (Adalbrecht) Hh: we will await here in the drawing room with bated breath until you grace us with your presense *gestures: any orders for me?*
[20:06] * Adalbrecht is busy whispering to the servant
[20:08] (@Morgan) Hopefully we'll not take too long "g: keep them safe and away from us"
[20:10] (Adalbrecht) Hh: of course. *g: be safe*
[20:11] * Adalbrecht looks to Morgan to follow
[20:11] * @Morgan nods, following his father
[20:20] (Adalbrecht) **As they walk through the long stone-floored corridors into the far reach of the house, their silence and tension walk beside them like shadows, quiet in their thoughts until Adalbrecht speaks.
[20:23] * Adalbrecht 's voice is quiet and serious
[20:23] (Adalbrecht) I'm going to tell you something, something I've never told anyone, even your mother. I do not tell you this Graf to Veisgraf, or even Father to Son. I tell you this as a Friend to a Confidante.
[20:24] * @Morgan looks at his father
[20:24] (@Morgan) alright
[20:24] (Adalbrecht) In my life, there have been three moments in which I wished I was not the Graf...
[20:25] * @Morgan loosk curious
[20:25] (Adalbrecht) The first was the day I was called back to fight, leaving behind my newlywedded pregnant wife who barely spoke Eisen to run Sudlachenburg in the midst of a dangerous and unpredictable war. Had I not been Graf, she'd have been sent back to the safety of Avalon whilst I fought. I could not do that, because I am the Graf.
[20:27] * Adalbrecht watches his reaction
[20:28] (@Morgan) Understandable
[20:29] (Adalbrecht) The second was the day you told me you'd wed Dietlinde. I was angry that you'd deceived me and married outside the nobility though it was your duty, but I wished that day I was not the Graf so that you didn't have to be a Veisgraf. I wished I could have congratulated you on finding true love and choosing a lovely wife. I could not do that, because I am the Graf.
[20:30] * @Morgan watches his father carefully, staying quiet
[20:31] (Adalbrecht) The third is a day when I betrayed my honour and noble blood by doing a thing I wholeheartedly felt was wrong. Today is that day. Today I wish I wasn't the Graf so that I could thrash Edward and cast him out, as any ashamed father who had a shred of honour would. I can not do that, because I am the Graf.
[20:32] * @Morgan nods slightly
[20:32] (Adalbrecht) I do this because I must, not because I want to, or believe it is right.
[20:36] * @Morgan nods
[20:37] * Adalbrecht opens the door to the stateroom. It's darker than it was the day Sasha was confronted, rarely used nowadays but once upon a time tenants meetings were held here instead. It is vast, and secluded from the main living space. Apart from a table with a bottle of blokners and 3 glasses, it's empty
[20:39] * Adalbrecht pours them both a drink
[20:39] (Adalbrecht) He'll be sent here shortly
[20:46] * @Morgan nods, wandering around the hall
[20:48] (Adalbrecht) **it's unremarkable. Time seems to tick slower than normal
[20:51] * Adalbrecht stands staring into the middle distance, as if on guard duty, blokners untouched. There is a knock on the door that echos loudly through the cavernous room
[20:51] * Adalbrecht squares his shoulders
[20:51] (Adalbrecht) Enter.
[20:52] * @Morgan sidles over to lean against a pillar
[20:53] (Adalbrecht) *Claudia comes in. She looks at Adalbrecht, though her subtle gestures are for her compatriot. "My Lord, Lord Edward" G: stay outside or return to HH?
[20:53] * Adalbrecht nods just as she turns to watch Morgan.
[20:54] (@Morgan) "g:go back"
[20:54] (Adalbrecht) You may go Claudia. *she inclines her head to both and leaves*
[20:57] (Adalbrecht) *Edward enters, dressed head to toe in black studded leather. The tension in the room ratchets up a notch. The almost three years that have passed since that fateful day have aged him more than that, no longer a youth but a man. A man whose history is written on his face with an obviously broken nose. He bows to his father, then to his brother (mtf)
[20:57] (Adalbrecht) *he is watchful yet doesn't show any sign of anything other than cordiality
[20:58] (Adalbrecht) E: My Lords...
[20:58] * Adalbrecht 's jaw is visibly tight as he pours then holds a glass of blokners
[21:01] (Adalbrecht) Let me tell you how this is going to go, Edward. Firstly, we are going to ALL remove our weapons and put them on that table. Then we are going to have a discussion. Whatever the outcome of that, when we leave this room, we behave as civilised gentlemen. Do you understand?
[21:03] (Adalbrecht) Ed: *he tenses somewhat, casting a quick glance at Morgan to see his reaction* Certainly, my Lord. *he removes a short sword and a single dagger, putting them on the table as instructed*
[21:04] * Adalbrecht lays down the family-crested dagger, then rests against the table, waiting to take Morgan's weapons
[21:06] * @Morgan looks Edward over a moment before drawing two swords, the crested dagger and a small axe and placing them on the table
[21:09] (Adalbrecht) Ed: *he looks to Adalbrecht, shaking his head when offered the blokners. He folds his arms. Adalbrecht sips the blokners* Ad: let's have this resolved, here and now. I want you to get it out of your systems so that we can move forward, as a solid Grafdom.
[21:09] ** You're now known as Edward
[21:10] * Edward waits to see if Morgan speaks first
[21:11] * @Morgan waits quietly
[21:12] * Edward 's eyes narrow slightly
[21:12] (Edward) You told father.
[21:12] * @Morgan nods slightly
[21:13] (@Morgan) he simply could not understand my animosity, and would not let it lie.
[21:13] (Edward) And mother?
[21:14] * @Morgan shakes his head slightly
[21:15] * Edward nods slowly
[21:15] (Edward) Now what?
[21:18] * Edward watches him. He doesn't seem either contrite or smug, if anything he seems a little detached
[21:18] * @Morgan looks to his father
[21:19] * @Morgan stretches before rolling his shoulders
[21:20] (@Morgan) Lets get something straight.... The _only_ reason you're still alive is because I allowed it... because I couldn't, wouldn't do to mother what you did to me.
[21:20] * Edward frowns deeply
[21:20] (Edward) You think I _wanted_ to do that?!
[21:21] (@Morgan) Is this where you try to tell me it was for my own good?
[21:21] * Edward shakes his head
[21:22] (Edward) I did what I felt I had to, for Sudlachenburg!
[21:22] (Edward) *adalbrecht watches them both, staying quiet*
[21:22] * @Morgan snorts
[21:22] (@Morgan) was that before or after telling someone I was cuntsmitten?
[21:23] (Edward) *Adalbrecht inhales sharply, keeping out of it by sheer force of will*
[21:24] (Edward) After.
[21:24] * Edward continues to watch Morgan
[21:24] (@Morgan) And what part of sleeping with Alarice and every whore in Theah since was for the good of Sudlachenburg?
[21:25] * Edward laughs harshly
[21:25] (Edward) Far more than you would ever imagine!
[21:26] * @Morgan nods
[21:26] (@Morgan) certainly, it did much to foil the planned annexation... no, I've got that wrong... it did nothing of the sort
[21:27] * Edward looks at Morgan, eyes cold
[21:27] (Edward) _Which_ annexation?
[21:27] (@Morgan) The one _you_ should have seen.
[21:28] * Edward shakes his head, laughing arrogantly
[21:30] (Edward) Plans to annexe Sudlachenburg started being made in Court within four weeks of your ill-advised marriage. It was well-believed that you had lost your moral dignity and father was too weak a ruler to stop you. In those two years I foiled FIVE annexations of Sudlachenburg
[21:31] * Edward looks to Adalbrecht, then back to Morgan
[21:34] (Edward) I worked day and night to save Sudlachenburg from ruin whilst you played happy families here. I was snubbed in Court, openly mocked in the streets. Yet I did everything I could, tirelessly, thanklessly, to clean up your mess!
[21:36] (@Morgan) Strange, since noone else sees that... all they see is you weaving a trail of whores and debauchery all over Theah...
[21:36] (Edward) *Adalbrecht folds his arms* And our trade agreements were never broken.
[21:38] (Edward) The trade agreements were never broken because I tended to them constantly, making promises I couldn't keep; that sense would be seen by either of you! I negotiated in brothels because the lords would not associate with me in public.
[21:41] (@Morgan) And they kept to the agreements when the promises weren't kept... that makes sense
[21:41] * @Morgan folds his arms
[21:41] (Edward) If you won't take my word, go to Freiburg, go to Court, and ask for yourselves, now that the situation is resolved.
[21:42] (@Morgan) I think perhaps my initial idea is ill advised... perhaps I'd be better off finishing the job I started with your nose
[21:42] * Edward watches him
[21:44] (Edward) I did the only thing I could to fix it. If either of you had listened, we could all have avoided losing. You might not accept it, but Sudlachenburg was in serious trouble. I took action to save it.
[21:47] * @Morgan looks at Adalbrecht
[21:47] (@Morgan) this is pointless
[21:47] ** Morgan has said your nick on Morgan
[21:49] (Edward) Ad: *he looks to Edward* You had people murdered. You killed _our_ people, the people who we have an obligation to. You have shamed our family, and for what? To be the veisgraf?
[21:50] * Edward actually looks a little upset
[21:51] (Edward) I _never_ wanted to be the veisgraf. I just wanted it done properly. *he looks to Morgan* I didn't want your place, I had plans of my own
[21:55] (@Morgan) So did I. But _you_ wouldn't allow me to have it
[21:56] * Edward frowns deeply
[21:58] (Edward) _you_ were the veisgraf. You had plans made for you the moment you were born. As the second son, so did I; to assume the first son's place if he were unable. You could have had your plans, if father had just seen sense and changed the succession in my favour. You could have had Uncle Hans' Freiarrdom of Innesbruck
[21:59] (Edward) *Adalbrecht sighs heavily, but doesn't speak*
[22:00] (@Morgan) so everything is someone elses fault.... are you so devoid of anything resembling honour that you cant even accept responsibility for what you had done?!
[22:00] * Edward looks away
[22:01] (Edward) Actually, no.
[22:01] * Edward looks to Morgan frankly
[22:03] (Edward) I don't feel good about what I did. Yes, I acted because I believed it would save Sudlachenburg, but I'd tried everything else I could think of. The responsibility is mine. It wasn't a decision made lightly, and I've lived with the consequences of that ever since, more than you would know.
[22:04] (@Morgan) Consequences? Aside from your nose, only you and I knew, don't try to curry sympathy for your plight
[22:05] * Edward shakes his head
[22:05] (Edward) You're wrong. I lost someone dear to me also through my choice.
[22:05] * @Morgan looks confused
[22:06] * Edward sighs, taking up the blokners and swallowing half a glass
[22:11] (Edward) Towards the end of the war I met a girl. She had a fine heritage, her father's only child. We would have made a good match, I'd have secured the Freiarrship for her instead of it going to her cousin. We discussed marriage, and I'd been planning to come home and ask for the negotiations to be made official. When I got here I discovered you'd just gotten married... *he downs the rest, watching Morgan's reaction*
[22:15] * @Morgan shakes his head
[22:15] (@Morgan) Mina?
[22:17] (421) he :Unknown command
[22:17] * Edward nods
[22:17] (Edward) Her father was livid and didn't want to be tied to us whilst everyone gossiped about Sudlachenburg and tried to destroy it. I told him it'd be set right, so she and I were allowed limited contact while I was in Freiburg struggling to save the Grafdom. When I came home that final summer, things were getting desperate, I could no longer keep the lords on side. I begged father to give you Innesbruck instead and free Sudlachenburg.
[14:44] (@Morgan) Did you at any point bring this to father, with information rather than just begging from a sullen child...
[14:46] (Molly) I tried a few times to begin with, but he wouldn't listen. So I just had to keep it together alone.
[14:46] ** You're now known as Edward
[14:48] (Edward) *Adalbrecht frowns* Ad: You never told me things had become so desperate.
[14:48] * Edward shrugs
[14:50] (Edward) I'd lost faith in you both by then. The men I'd idolised as a child had broken the rules I'd been brought up with. How could I rely on you both after that?
[14:52] (@Morgan) Perhaps if you'd come to me with the issue, rather than sitting in judgement, a solution could've been found.
[14:52] * @Morgan frowns
[14:52] (@Morgan) but you didn't.
[14:52] (Edward) You had a solution! You could have taken her as a mistress!
[14:54] * Edward looks to Adalbrecht
[14:54] (Edward) Or _you_ could have denounced it and let them live in Innesbruck!
[14:54] (Edward) *adalbrecht crosses his arms defensively*
[14:55] (@Morgan) And regardless of any of that, _you_ could have chosen _not_ to have a woman and child murdered
[14:56] (Edward) I did what I felt I had to. Sudlachenburg wouldn't survived annexation. How many more lives would have been lost?!
[14:57] (@Morgan) What you did, leaving our relationship aside, was _wrong_. Though, given who you'd taken to following around, I'm not actually very surprised
[14:58] * Edward frowns
[14:59] (Edward) Who?
[14:59] * @Morgan grins
[15:00] (@Morgan) Perhaps if you'd not been so busy with Alarice, you'd have noticed how duplicitous her husband was.
[15:01] * Edward shrugs slightly
[15:02] (Edward) Karsten was always duplicitous. And if you'd seen what treatment Alarice received from him you'd have felt sorry for her too
[15:03] * @Morgan shakes his head
[15:03] (@Morgan) Its no wonder you think your actions were acceptable. You're completely devoid of anything remotely resembling honour
[15:03] * Edward 's jaw tenses
[15:04] (Edward) I have honour. I put Sudlachenburg first, as is my duty. Where was yours when you acted against the family?
[15:05] (@Morgan) You don't have honour... what you did was cowardice
[15:06] (Edward) Because I should have bravely stood by and watched private armies sweep and sack our village instead?
[15:07] (@Morgan) No, you should've fought, Not kowtowed to everyone else because you were afraid you'd lose your life of privilege
[15:08] * Edward laughs
[15:08] (Edward) You think I was scared to give up noble life, scared enough to kill for it? That's ridiculous.
[15:09] (@Morgan) Scared enough to kill two commoners that were the problem to you.
[15:10] (Edward) They were a problem for Sudlachenburg. And they were only a problem because you couldn't do your duty and follow the rules.
[15:10] (@Morgan) Progress can only be made when people don't simply follow the rules
[15:12] (Edward) That was not progress! Marrying well and expanding our holdings would have been progress. Strengthening rather than weakening Sudlachenburg in the wake of the War would have been progress.
[15:13] * @Morgan sighs
[15:14] (Edward) What you did was selfish. She could have been your kept mistress and had acknowledged children by you. I did not want to ruin your future, but I wanted you to not ruin it either!
[15:15] (Edward) *Adalbrecht speaks quietly* Enough, Edward. You are the one in the wrong here.
[15:18] * Edward looks at Morgan
[15:19] * @Morgan watches Edward suspiciously
[15:21] (Edward) I didn't _want_ to do it. I don't feel good about their deaths. I wish it hadn't come to that.
[15:22] (@Morgan) You were wrong to do it.
[15:23] * Edward folds his arms
[15:24] (Edward) I acted in the only way I felt Sudlachenburg would prosper.
[15:24] (@Morgan) You... were... wrong.
[15:25] * Edward watches him
[15:25] (Edward) I did what I thought was the best, at the time.
[15:26] (@Morgan) You're going to say it before we leave here...
[15:26] * Edward looks at Adalbrecht
[15:28] (Edward) *adalbrecht simply glares at Edward* Don't expect me to back you. You have betrayed and shamed the Koertig name. Frankly, if it was down to me you'd be run through.
[15:29] * Edward looks angry, looking back to Morgan
[15:29] (Edward) Fine. I shouldn't have ordered their deaths.
[15:30] * @Morgan watches him
[15:30] (@Morgan) I don't believe those were the words I used.
[15:30] * Edward glares at Morgan
[15:31] (Edward) I was wrong. Happy?
[15:31] * @Morgan shakes his head
[15:31] * Edward continues to glare
[15:33] (Edward) What do you want?! I can not undo what I did now, even if I wanted to
[15:33] (@Morgan) But you don't want to...
[15:33] * Edward looks away
[15:34] (Edward) I didn't say that.
[15:34] (@Morgan) Then say it, if its true.
[15:36] * Edward tenses further, the quiet hall filled to the brim with atmosphere
[15:37] (Edward) If I could turn back time, I would not have given that order.
[15:38] * @Morgan nods
[15:38] (@Morgan) that'll do
[15:38] * Edward watches Morgan
[15:39] (Edward) You weren't the only one who lost.
[15:40] (@Morgan) I'm sorry about Mina.
[15:41] * Edward looks at him
[15:42] (Edward) I'm sorry about Dietlinde and Jana
[15:44] * @Morgan moves to the table, picking up a drink before heading back to the pillar he was leaning against
[15:45] (Edward) Are you back to take up your role now?
[15:46] (@Morgan) After a fashion. I've much to do before settling in Innesbruck.
[15:46] * Edward looks confused
[15:46] (Edward) Why are you settling in Innesbruck?
[15:47] (@Morgan) Because they need me there more than I'm needed here. Its a little complex
[15:48] * Edward looks a little ill at ease
[15:48] (Edward) You aren't abdicating though?
[15:49] (@Morgan) No. Varick is in my care, and as such his lands are my responsibility until he's old enough. I'm sure you'll agree a stable Innesbruck and Koln will only benefit our part of Eisen
[15:50] * Edward nods
[15:50] (Edward) Stability would be good. Where is Alarice?
[15:51] (@Morgan) Otherwise engaged. She dallied with the wrong person
[15:51] * Edward also takes his blokners, finishing it
[15:51] (Edward) I'm not really surprised.
[15:52] * Edward watches him
[15:52] (Edward) I thought you were still in Avalon
[15:53] (@Morgan) I was. Then I came back. Then I went. And came back again
[15:53] * Edward nods
[15:54] (Edward) After the first year, I stopped having you followed.
[15:54] (@Morgan) It wasn't the wisest thing to do, having me followed
[15:55] * Edward shrugs
[15:55] (Edward) I wanted to make sure you were safe
[15:56] (@Morgan) Far from it mostly.
[15:57] (Edward) You were settled in that place with the pagan stones, you had that strange Innish man as a friend. You seemed fine
[15:58] (@Morgan) And I got wind I was being watched and moved on, ending up in the most dangerous place I've ever known, and I think you know how bad that must be,,,
[16:00] (Edward) I have no idea where you went. The next thing I heard was that you went to Numa with a Companion but that you were too sick to be above deck. I knew that was a lie because you _never_ get seasick.
[16:01] (@Morgan) I went to Tawstock to work for a young lady as her master at arms
[16:02] * Edward shakes his head
[16:03] (Edward) I've never heard of it. Why did you come back?
[16:04] (Edward) *Adalbrecht tops up all glasses, unspeaking*
[16:04] (@Morgan) which time?
[16:04] (Edward) Either
[16:05] (@Morgan) First time to see if I could... to discuss having a mistress with father
[16:07] * Edward tries hard not to laugh, covering his amusement with a sip of blokners
[16:07] (Edward) Were you successful?
[16:07] (@Morgan) I didn't miss the irony... I felt it would be wrong to remarry, despite being in love.
[16:08] * Edward looks surprised
[16:08] (Edward) You actually have a _mistress_?! In die Dauerhaftigkeit?!
[16:08] * @Morgan shakes his head
[16:09] (Edward) *Adalbrecht frowns, clearly not as amused by the irony*
[16:10] * Edward smiles a little
[16:11] (Edward) What happened?
[16:12] (@Morgan) I went back full of intent to bring her back... and a friend rather succinctly talked me in circles until I was made to realise it was... not sensible, to think marrying would dishonour Dietlinde.
[16:13] * Edward looks puzzled
[16:13] (Edward) Father had agreed?!
[16:13] (@Morgan) It was quite so straight foward as that, but for all intents, aye
[16:14] * Edward nods, looking impressed.
[16:14] (Edward) Then what?
[16:15] (@Morgan) Then we came back
[16:15] (Edward) So you're getting married again?
[16:15] * Edward looks interested
[16:15] (@Morgan) Already have
[16:15] * Edward nods slowly
[16:16] (Edward) Is she noble?
[16:17] (@Morgan) Shakey ground, Edward...
[16:17] * Edward nods slightly
[16:18] (@Morgan) noble enough for protocol at any rate
[16:18] * Edward casts a look at Adalbrecht, who simply stares at him expressionlessly
[16:19] (Edward) Congratulations Morgan
[16:19] * Edward smiles slightly
[16:20] * @Morgan sips the blokners
[16:21] (Edward) Will I get to meet my sister-in-law this evening?
[16:22] (@Morgan) Maybe. I'm not entirely comfortable with you yet
[16:22] * Edward frowns slightly
[16:23] (Edward) You will not keep me from Mother I hope.
[16:24] (@Morgan) Of course not, though there are conditions to be observed...
[16:24] * Edward crossed his arms
[16:24] (Edward) Oh?
[16:25] (@Morgan) None of _this_ is to come to light... I meant it when I said you're only alive because I couldn't do that to mother, and I would not have her bear the pain that knowledge of it would bring... do you understand?
[16:26] * Edward nods
[16:26] (Edward) I understand. Mina's father knows.
[16:26] * @Morgan frowns
[16:28] (Edward) That is why it ended with Mina. He was waiting for the scandal to die down. After their deaths, I rode day and night to Graben to see her, and to get some distance. I was upset, and confessed what I'd done. He refused to let me ever speak to her again.
[16:30] * Edward finishes his drink
[16:31] (@Morgan) That explains a few things.
[16:31] * @Morgan sips his drink, lost in thought for a moment
[16:31] (Edward) I hear on the grapevine that she thinks I'd tired of her and walked away.
[16:32] (@Morgan) I'm not sure thats the case... I recall mention of her father not allowing her to see you, so I would imagine what you've heard is just hearsay
[16:33] * Edward looks to Adalbrecht a moment before looking back to Morgan* Well, perhaps that's for the best now.
[16:34] * @Morgan nods
[16:35] * Edward looks thoughtful
[16:38] (Edward) Is there anything else?
[16:39] (@Morgan) I've made some arrangements for your future... partly out of spite and malice, but with a view to the future. Instead of just foisting it upon you, I'll lay out the situation.
[16:39] * Edward inclines his head, expression wary
[16:39] (Edward) *Adalbrecht looks interested*
[16:41] (@Morgan) I had intended just to tell you how it is and beat you until you comply... I think we're past that for now. I stumbled upon some information that puts dear Maubourg on some rather unstable grounding...
[16:42] * Edward smiles almost savagely
[16:43] (Edward) It'd be about time something bad happens to him, he's been a thorn in my side for years
[16:43] (@Morgan) Dont look too keen... I've negotiated a way for his lands to come under our control in the future...
[16:44] * Edward watches him, colour draining from his face
[16:45] (Edward) Please tell me you married Teresa...
[16:46] (@Morgan) I could, but I'd be lying
[16:46] (@Morgan) The other option is we annex it... but I don't much like that idea
[16:47] * Edward stands very still, looking at Morgan
[16:47] (Edward) I took away your future, so you thought you'd do the same?
[16:48] * @Morgan nods
[16:48] (@Morgan) Thats a fairly accurate assessment, yes
[16:49] * Edward continues to watch him quietly for nearly a minute, unspeaking. Adalbrecht watches, his expression carefully schooled
[16:51] (Edward) Fine. I don't like it, I don't like _her_, or her father, but I will do my duty.
[16:51] (Edward) *Adalbrecht looks a little surprised*
[16:52] * @Morgan nods
[16:53] (@Morgan) arrangements have been made that you can have entertainments aside from her, because even _I_ am not that cruel
[16:53] * Edward shrugs a little
[16:53] (Edward) We'll see
[16:54] (@Morgan) me nods
[16:54] * Edward looks to Adalbrecht
[16:55] (Edward) If you'll excuse me, my Lord, I have a gift for Mother I want to fetch before seeing her.
[16:58] (Edward) *Adalbrecht nods, dismissing him. Edward bows to them both, wandering out in a daze, not even stopping for his weapons*
[17:34] ** You are now disconnected