*The small tavern, one of two in Starke is a pretty, traditional baclk and white building, typically Eisen. It's noisier counterpart in in the dock itself, frequented by the many sailors who use Starke for business and pleasure. The other sits on the main route through the town itself, and is much quieter. It is to this one Molly walks, head held high. She looks at those around, making eye contact, knowing she has nothing to fear in this town, already well known with her new status as Veisgrafin. She pauses outside the doo, straightening her blue and white montaigne style dress, the one she wore in the monestary, and the thoughts spill back to her of that time, and the man she is about to meet once more. Taking a deep breath, she opens the door and steps in. Pausng at the doorway, she looks around for Kai. There is something ,different about her, less the shy girl who was unsure of her status in the word, more womanly. The worry that often invaded her expression is gone, and she looks well, happy, blossoming.*

He smiles as she closes upon the table.
“You are looking vell… it vould seem that marriage agrees vith you!”
“Could I pour you a glass?” he says indicating at the wine


*she nods, biting her lip, and the colour comes to her cheeks. She sits down, careful of her dress*
I am very well, though you must excuse Morgan, he wished to have a discussion with the rose's new crew and their behaviour around women...
*she watches him quite intently*


"A new crew is often prone to a little outrageous behaviour" he says in Eisen (and will continue fior the entirety of the conversation)
 "May i first congratulate you on Morgan on your union" he says smilling. "This was not entirely unexpected!"

*she speaks eisen as well, completely fluent and naturally. At his last statement, she flushes, and looks at the table*
It was for me, but thank you. It pleases me that not everyone will view the union badly.


“only the high brow and those who have live a selfish life, untouched by love will be the ones who wont understand. I think you may be pleasantly surprised!”
“Talking of surprises, it was interesting to see the Purple Rose docked in Starke… most unexpected.”



*she nods as he speaks of love, and fidgets with a beautiful teardrop shaped diamond ring on her finger. As he mentions the rose, she looks up with a smile*
I had opportunity to refloat her, and she made a very solid dowry.


"It must have cost a lot"

*she nods, looking at him quite directly*
More than a thousand guilders to repair the damage...

"I meant the ring" he says with a chukle piointing at the diamond.
"Still a very reasoable price for the time and trouble it must have taken?"

*she laughs, and smiles proudly*
The ring is a Koertig family heirloom. The story has it that five hundred years ago, a fisherman fishing the Sudlache found it in his nets. It has belonged to each veisgrafin and grafin since then, and is said to protect her from death in childbed, and ensure she has at least two healthy sons. In five hundred years, this has always been the case.


Kai raises an eyebrow in ammusement.
"i dont mean to be dismissive... i just dont hold much faith in superstition. However belief is a very powerful thing"
"Which brings me to why i asked Morgan to request a meeting with you... I believe i owe you an apology"


*she smiles, her tone belieing a great fondness*
Superstitions are very strongly held in sudlachenburg, and it rubs off on you after time. Why would you owe me an apology?
*the smile she gives him then is quite reassuring and affectionate*

"Since becoming part of her Graces social circle, i know that i have not been the easiest man to be around. i am a lot more than most non-Eisen can handle. i also have an expectation for people to handle matters as an eisen would."
"Our friendship has become strained since Secundus, and if anything i have done has caused this, I wavt you to know i am sorry!"

*she bites her lower lip, a sadness in her eyes*
I was ill-prepared to enter the business world, and not ready to cope with both the loss of my future, my ship and also needing to find such a large amount of money. I should not have allowed the business to strain our friendship.

"But it did, and I feel responsible. i know it may have caused a lot of ill will... conversations an rumours attest to this. But the truth is, this is the past. All i can do is atone for my part and ask forgiveness in the hope of looking forward to the furture!"


*she smiles, and lays her hand over his*
Of course I forgive you. Things could have been very different otherwise...

"Very different" he smiles almost sadly "but then you would not have reached the happy state you are now in!"


*she takes her hand from his, picking up her wine*
That is very true. I wish everyone could find love at least once.
*she sips her drink*


"More than once surely.... otherwise if you lose love, you have nothing further to look for!"


*she nods*
I believe I stand as an example that although never a replacement for one's first love, even through great adversity, there can be a second love

"Oh... theres not just you" he says happily taking a sip of his wine


"I too have found love. it is early days of course, but... i am hopeful"

*she looks puzzled*
I'm not sure I understand

*she smiles delightedly*
That is wonderful news! I am so pleased for you. *she raises an inquisitive eyebrow* someone I know perhaps?


"oh yes... someone you know"


*she laughs*
Someone nice I hope, and who will be a good wife, in time?

"A good wife, mother... all of it!"

*she nods*
That is good, I hope that it all goes smoothly, it does an Eisen man good to wed! *she grins*


"its not just the wedding..." he says with contentment and a sense of peace "its just feeling part of something that sooths the soul"

*she smiles, watching him. There is a brief flicker that passes across her features, it could be sadness, could be envy, it's very hard to tell. She quickly looks away before managing to pull up her usual smile*
It comes quickly, doesnt it? That feeling of belonging, of being treasured.

"Oh i believe it was always there... that we should have always been together."
"hopefully we always will be... "

*she sips her wine* and you cannot tell me who the lucky lady is?

he giggle in an almost teenage manner
"Right now its not appropriate to go public, but let me just say that i spent most of the summer with her since my release and... these are memories i will hold dear forever!"

*she laughs with him*
Mystique, eh? I hope we shall at least be invited to the wedding!

"it would be wrong to speak to freely incase things do not work as we expect"
"And of course, everyone in our circle of friends is welcome!"

I always wondered who would be the ideal woman to steal your heart... She needed to be confident, vibrant, well-connected... *she smiles at him*

"Ah... she has not stolen my heart, for i give it freely. i love only one love greater... my love for this country."

*she smiles, but slightly forlornly, it doesn't meet her eyes the way a smile often does*
Then she is an incredibly lucky woman, I hope she realises this.

"I can but hope she does... i tell her often how much she means to me. i just sent my most recent letter this morning" Then a cheeky look spreads across his face and he says jokingly
"If she doesnt then I'll just find a mistress!"

Mistress to an eisen lord, eh? Certainly not an offer many women would turn down...

"I've not made any offers so... i wouldnt know!"

*she blushes hard*
I cannot imagine that you would need to follow such a route, I cannot see that she could not adore you

"I do hope this is the case... though i know not everyone likes me."

*she looks at him, chewing her lower lip slightly on the left hand side, trying to decide how candid to be*
It is hard to be both well-liked and in control..

“This I feel you must elaborate on!”

*her eyes dart away, blush coming to her cheeks*
You can be a little... ummm.... intense when things become difficult?

"intense... yes. i agree. But always im in control"

But sometime this causes conflict with others, those who do not find your passionate nature so appealing
*If she was blushing before, she now is doubly so*
I mean... umm... In a business sense, of course

"yes... im aware that i have aproached to many situations as eiseners would."
"Three months in the Dock gives the mind time to think about a great man, MANY things"

That was awful, I was shocked that Justicar Howe would suspect you.

“I wasn’t…” he says in a matter of fact tone “I knew fairly early I was one of his suspects”
“That was evident early”
“Also the things some people said were… enough to cloud his vision, and their behaviour after the arrest really didn’t serve to help my case!”


*she nods*
I understand that this may well have been my fault, and  apologise wholeheartedly, though I would have you know that immediately after the arrest I sought out Justicar Howe to discuss the matter at great length, much to my own discomfort and risk.

"Yes, some of the things i heard said about me were... unexpected. Perhaps
even unwarrented"

*her expression becomes serious* I did what I could to try and resolve it, and tried to make Justicar Howe realise there were far more obvious suspects...

Nonchalantly kai shrugs his shoulders.
"The past is the past... words said cannot be undone no matter
why they were said. Its now and the future that matters. If my life is happy
or bitter, is down to me and how i manage things!"

*she nods* all things happen for a reason, be they good or bad.
  If they didn't you may not be where you are now, looking forward to your love progressing and creating a very favourable match.

"Yes... so true! Three months of solitude has served my well. It
  remeinded
me of old times... time spent in the monastry!"
"im a much better person due to that time... away!"

In the same way that had the Rose not been taken from me, I would
not be where I am now. All that can be done is live and learn, which is
why my first task upon the Rose here was to learn about gunpowder barrels, and how to inspect them for flaws

"prescisely!"

*she looks thoughtful*
  I still have been unable to discover how it happened, the reports
  say it was caused by a faulty gunpowder barrel in the hold, and probably this spilt
gunpowder was ignited by some form of tinder or cigarette spark. I have to
wonder whether said barrel was sabotaged before it was taken aboard, and if so, by whom?

"perhaps an iron monger, or a seer can help?"

I doubt it now, so far past the point, and when all damage has been
> > > > fixed.
> > > > > I have been trying to ascertain from the log books from Carleon,
> > > Freiburg
> > > > > and Tawstock where the barrels were loaded.

"So is it wise to chase the ghosts of the past rather than just to
> > > > prevent
> > > > > such things in the future?" "As long as the correct quality checks are made, situations should
> > not
> > > > > occur, yes?"

*she looks at him, her eyes filled with sorrow and pain*
> > > > > Yes, they shouldn't. Yet they did. I can not comprehend how it was
> > > missed
> > > > > at the time, or why anyone would be lighting anything in a hold
> > > > containing
> > > > > gunpowder.

"Yes i can see why that would cause concern!"

Perhaps I should have stayed aboard her, overseen things... *she
> chews
> > > her
> > > > lower lip once more* In truth, there was no reason not to, I  let my
> > > heart
> > > > rule my head...

"if you had stayed on board, you may have died as all those men and
> > women
> > > > did. Surely that is not a good thought to have!"

But then it may not have happened, I could have been more vigilant,
> and
> > > > more cautious when it came to gunpowder. I could have saved those
> > lives.
> > > > *it is clear in her eyes that this is something that has been
> bothering
> > > her
> > > > for some time*

"And its possible you could not have even if you had been there!"

*she smiles half-heartedly* Perhaps. Just to have the answers to
> > exactly
> > > > what happened, why it wasn't noticed, and whether I should be worried
> > > that
> > > > it was intentional would set my mind at rest

"Then a question for you..." he says pauseing more for effect than to
> > > compose his thoughts
> > > "Suppose i applied that logic towards the reason my incarceration, and
> > > those
> > > who caused me to lose 3 months of freedom."
> > > "Where do you think that would leave a person?"

I can promise you that that, as far as I know, was completely
> > > unintentional. I can not see that anyone would wish that upon you.

"As I said... its in the past. The past IS the past!"
> > "You learn from it, but never dewll on it."

*she smiles* are you attending Lord Torrington's birthday celebrations?

"no" he seys resolutely "i feel my current employment will keep me away."
> "Im afraid I cant say anymore at this time"

*she smiles* it keeps you from your love also, or has she come back home
> with you?

"no" he says sadly "She must remain at home."

*she smiles* it would not be seemly for her to run away to eisen and wed?

that would be... impossible. Nor would i wish it!"

Such is the problem of high society marriages... I was fortunate
that there are so few who care what a farmers daughter does!

"True... was your father invited?"

*she nods with a smile* he and my mother are staying with Morgan's parents til we return to Avalon. He and Morgan get on suprisingly well. My father is still a little awed that I had the charms to win the heart of an Eisen noble...

"Clearly he doesn't know you well enough then, as you charmed the
  heart of
 more than one Eisen noble!" he says tenderly. "Still. perhaps when were all in Avalon next we can celebrate the
> > union."

*she blushes hard, voice going quiet* had I? I was unaware of such...

"Well you would run off before you could be told i suspect!"


*she laughs softly* I doubt I would have been told, even had I stayed

"Still... these things are all in the past!"

*she nods* though it will no doubt remain a great puzzle in my mind,
> these
> > things often do.

kai chuckles
> "A enigma to walk beside the mystique!"

*she grins* I have little need for mystique, though I am still sorry for
 the pain this revelation has caused *she smiles half heartedly* I have lost
a good friend over this

Kai becomes suddenly serious and sits upright to emphasise his words
"There are matters I need to draw your attention. things I may have
forgotten to mention to Morgan at our very late night meeting.
"Catherine's life is in great danger, there are many forces looking to
eliminate her, including lord Pyram, and Morgan should return to her and
resume his roll or perhaps vacate it. She needs her trusted friends around
her."
"She now has greater responsibilities and a title to match, and I fear it
may become too much for her.."


*she becomes serious also*
I shall ask him to write to her at once. I know he intended to speak with her in person, however I wonder that time may be of the essense. Unfortunately, although we return to Avalon in a few weeks,  we shall not be returning to her Grace's on a permanent basis...
*she looks to him, wondering how much to tell him*

"Sadly I will not be back to see her till next year now at the earliest"
"however i am sending kurt back to avalon in october"

*she smiles* That is good, he will keep her safe.
*she becomes solemn once more*
Though Morgan would do just as good a job, I can not risk us living there, not after all the horrors we have seen. I would not wish to allow him to bear the pain of losing another wife, nor I a husband. It is our duty to serve Sudlachenburg, and Eisen in turn, by bearing the next generation, and neither of us can do so dead.



"then... perhaps the choice is already made."
"its Morgans place to inform her Grace of what you say, and therefore I will keep out of it. besides, im afraid I must leave soon anway as i have an appointment i must keep!"
"All i ask is that you and morgan infom her soon of your choices"


*there is a sadness in her eyes*
There was never any question of that. Though it may seem selfish, there comes a time in everyones life where such a decision has to be made. I care a great deal for Lady Catherine, she has been my employer, and later my friend, for a good while. But I can not choose that over my husband, and over the children I hope to bear by him. I understand if that lessens your opinion of me, but I can only hope that some day you love so deeply that you agonise over the same choice.


"I dont think less at all" he says sympathetically "its highly likely that after this employment, i will retire."
"We all must make sacrifices to achieve that which we need, or that need us."




*she nods* There is a time to fight, and a time to set aside one's weapons, and build something for the future.



"So true!"
"Now i will have to ask you to excuse me... for i must take my leave. I have an appointment I must make before i leave Starke tomorrow."


Of course, Colonel. *she finishes her wine, and stands* I ought to return now anyhow, we like to spend the afternoons together... *she blushes, smiling*It was good to see you, and put things to rest.


"yes... very good. I dont like to take the unnecessary 'spectres of the past' to war with with me." he satands and moves around the table towards her "i think its because i cant always guarentee i can put them to rest if I never return"
"Farewell, and may Opa nacht keep you safe"
he smiles, bows and then turns to leave. he walks out of the door, turns and smiles once more, before closing the door behind him.


*she watches him go with a smile, forcing away a strange feeling of foreboding...*