 (@Fuchs) Fuchs is exactly where he was left (@Fuchs) (@Morgan) Lets get her locked down * @Fuchs nods, watching the guards as he heads outside. They pass a clock reading quarter to five. It occurs to Morgan that Sorgi and his escort should be well on their way to Koln now, and will probably swap horses there before riding through the night. Fuchs heads towards the stables. (@Fuchs) Your family are well? * Morgan nods (Morgan) aye. Though I suspect the closed environment will start to wear thin soon * @Fuchs nods (@Fuchs) A bit like being on ship, but with less of a view. (Morgan) I'm not so sure (@Fuchs) No? (Morgan) Whats over that side sarge? Sea, what about your side? Oh, more sea * @Fuchs ruminates on this a moment (@Fuchs) I see what you mean. (@Fuchs) There was something you needed to tell me? **the gravel crunches beneath their feet, and there's similar noise from near the stables* * Morgan nods, taking out the knife and unscrewing the bottom * @Fuchs looks impressed (@Fuchs) Very flash * Morgan takes out the vial and note, passing the latter to Fuchs (@Fuchs) **It says: 323. Athos De La Fere. Comte of Armiens, Montaigne. Seen Innesbruck, Koln, Sudlachenburg. Allies Baroness Alarice Eldreich. No contact with local. Remove. Return. * @Fuchs frowns (@Fuchs) That's not good (Morgan) Note the language * @Fuchs nods (@Fuchs) I'm going to need to know everything that you know about this this girl and who is controlling her. Our General was somewhat vague. (@Fuchs) **the noise around the corner at the stable sounds like two sets of human feet and one set of hooves (Morgan) I suppose he doesn't really know much about her * @Fuchs cocks his head in the direction of the stable (@Fuchs) Maybe you can fill me in shortly * Morgan nods, taking a flanking position at the corner of the stable (@Fuchs) **conversation starts to become audible (@Fuchs) Groom: There is no way you're stepping foot in that house (@Fuchs) Rider: I have to hand this letter over to one of the three of them, I gave my word (@Fuchs) Groom: I don't care about your word. I don't know you, I don't trust you. You give me the letter to take in, or I'll lay you out, tie you up and then let the Veisgraf come and deal with you himself! * Morgan leans round the corner as if on cue (Morgan) who am I expected to deal with? (@Fuchs) **Both men jump, looking alarmed (@Fuchs) Groom: This man says he's a messenger on an errand. I say he can't be in the house when he's a stranger. (@Fuchs) Rider: You are Veisgraf Koertig? * @Fuchs strolls along nonchalantly, round the back of the rider, effectively positioning himself between the newcomer and the exit. (Morgan) I am (@Fuchs) *the rider looks a little relieved, and hands over a letter * Morgan looks at the man briefly before opening the letter (@Fuchs) **It is sealed so he undoes it without looking at it. He unfolds it. The rider still just looks relieved, standing neutrally. He doesn't look armed or overly interested in Morgan * @Fuchs casually saunters over, placing himself between the rider and Morgan, and starts asking this messenger about whether he's expecting to be paid (@Fuchs) It says : "Dear Uncle Addie, I am in grave trouble. I ask you, on the deathbed promise you made to my father, and on your honour, to ride immediately to Eisenfurst Fischler and plead for my release. I have made huge mistakes, but I need your aid now. MTF (@Fuchs) I am carrying Morgan's child. He planned to take me as a mistress, and the baby was conceived in the library on the evening of the Musicale. Your staff can confirm we were there alone for several hours. If I am not released, I will die, as will your grandchild. MTF (@Fuchs) Please, please help us. If you command it, Morgan will acknowledge the child as his heir. But we need you to come to Fischler now and use all your political clout to save us. (@Fuchs) With love, your niece, Alarice." (Done) * Morgan looks at the messenger (Morgan) who had this sent to me? (@Fuchs) *he points to the letter* The man that wrote on the back of it * Morgan turns it over (@Fuchs) **By the seal, it says in pencil "Sealed when I saw it. Intercepted this messenger by luck on ferry to Seeufer, no time to question him. Regards to all, Sorgi" (Morgan) Hold on... you were taking this letter and got, what, diverted? (@Fuchs) R: I was supposed to be on the 7 o'clock ferry but I overslept, so had to get the 10 o'clock. My horse was next to a really fancy black one, and I got talking to it's rider. We realised we were going in the same direction, he asked me who I was delivering for. As soon as I told him, he told me to get on the ferry back and deliver it to you, the veisgrafin Koertig, or a guard named Claudia, and no-one else. He said he'd see that I was paid for my time and discretion * Morgan nods (Morgan) and where was it from? (@Fuchs) From the Grafin Seeufer, given to me to deliver by her solicitor * Morgan nods slowly * @Fuchs watches them quietly (@Fuchs) Problem? * Morgan shakes his head (Morgan) The solicitor paid you for that journey? (@Fuchs) R: yes, my Lord (Morgan) I'd keep that if I were you... if anything else comes from that solicitor, bring it to me first.  (@Fuchs) R: But if he sees me in town, he'll know I'm not in Sudlachenburg, won't he? * Morgan nods (Morgan) I'd take a few days away if I were you. Somewhere quiet (@Fuchs) R: *he nods* Yes, my Lord * Morgan hands him a couple of coins (@Fuchs) R: *he takes them, saddling up* Thank you, my Lord * @Fuchs gives the groom instructions to saddle up his and Morgan's horses (@Fuchs) R: *he waits briefly to be dismissed * * Morgan nods to the man before turning back to Fuchs (Morgan) shall we? * @Fuchs watches as the rider heads back down the drive, then looks as the groom rapidly saddles their horses (@Fuchs) Yes, there's much to do before we lose the light (@Fuchs) **A few minutes later they're making their own progress down the long drive way to the main gate. He looks to Morgan (@Fuchs) Your man on the ferry is a quick thinker. * Morgan nods (Morgan) Very (@Fuchs) What was in the letter, and where was it going? * Morgan hands it to Fuchs (Morgan) She's trying to get my father on side * @Fuchs inspects it front and back before reading it (@Fuchs) Interesting... (Morgan) Thats quite clever really. Getting my father to back her would've created all kinds of issues (@Fuchs) Undoubtedly. Would he have believed it? (Morgan) Probably... he's somewhat inclined to leap before he looks in that respect (@Fuchs) A common failing of our nationality. * Morgan shrugs (Morgan) I suspect thats not true of yourself * @Fuchs reads it again (@Fuchs) I am aware it's a flaw. I try to check myself. (@Fuchs) What really interests me is the inconsistency. (Morgan) go on (@Fuchs) Why tell the Eisenfurst that the "child" is anything but his own grandchild? That would be the quickest way to get pardoned (Morgan) I think there's something in that, but I haven't figured out what yet * @Fuchs nods (Morgan) Given that she wants to hurt me, I've been thinking along those lines, but it still does;t sit right (@Fuchs) Also, why is her explanation for the reasoning for the alleged conception different? To the Eisenfurst, it was a one time thing because your bride wouldn't be intimate with you, yet to your father it is because you wanted the Grafin as a mistress (Morgan) Could that be to make me look as bad as possible in each case? * @Fuchs looks thoughtful (@Fuchs) Would your father take it badly that you were planning to take a mistress around the time you were getting married? * Morgan nods * @Fuchs nods (@Fuchs) It's as if she is on purposely trying to stir up trouble for you * Morgan nods (Morgan) my father would not believe the story she spun for the Eisenfurst * @Fuchs shrugs (@Fuchs) It is a fairly plausible story, as an outsider. (Morgan) If I could travel through time, aye (@Fuchs) I meant the first one. I've seen things like that happen. * Morgan nods * @Fuchs laughs briefly (Morgan) Until my father gets involved  (@Fuchs) Would he have come, if he'd gotten it? (Morgan) I don't doubt it * @Fuchs looks quite serious (@Fuchs) This deathbed promise she refers to... will this put the two of you at odds on this matter? (Morgan) I suspect so * @Fuchs nods slowly (@Fuchs) If I can help in any way... (Morgan) He'll try to protect her, because thats what he promised to do. Promises must be kept.  (Morgan) There is something you can do, actually (@Fuchs) What's that? (Morgan) As soon as my father arrives, the Eisenfurst needs to command him to write a statement giving the date of the musicale * @Fuchs nods slowly (@Fuchs) It is different to the date she gave the Eisenfurst? * Morgan nods (Morgan) Lets not tell the Eisenfurst that. I don't want anyone accusing me of tampering with anything (Morgan) Mind you... Its just possible he's smart enough to remember the date, since he was there * @Fuchs stares into the middle distance (@Fuchs) That's possible, yes (Morgan) You do that a lot, you know * @Fuchs frowns, looking to Morgan (@Fuchs) Do what? (Morgan) That staring into the distance.  * @Fuchs nods (@Fuchs) Yes. It's a good way of preventing my face showing my expressions I have found (Morgan) works a treat for those who aren't paying attention I suppose... so why don't you tell me what you were hiding then * @Fuchs looks vaguely amused (@Fuchs) It is just as possible that he won't remember. *he looks around, checking there's no-one close by* our General is a wonderful man, but he is flighty at times, and sometimes a little... oblivious. * Morgan nods (Morgan) he's very... noble * @Fuchs nods (@Fuchs) He has many noble ideals * @Fuchs rubs his forehead warily (@Fuchs) ((Wearily *))And don't even get me started on th (@Fuchs) The bloody poachers. (Morgan) mmmm. I encountered some * @Fuchs sighs (@Fuchs) Doesn't surprise me, to be frank. I could put an end to it in an afternoon, given the chance (@Fuchs) **There's a clatter of galloping hooves gaining on the from behind * Morgan looks in that direction (@Fuchs) **A liveried servant rides fast in their direction but looking past them rather than as if to intercept them * Morgan whistles at the horse (@Fuchs) **It comes to him. The rider doesn't look pleased* My Lord? (Morgan) Where are you off at such a speed? (@Fuchs) R: *he breathes hard* Taking a letter to The Sword Of Redemption Inn, my Lord (Morgan) who from, who to? (@Fuchs) Veisgrafin Sudlachenburg, Lady Hapsburg * Morgan throws a coin to the man (Morgan) onwards then (@Fuchs) R: *he catches it then speeds off* * @Fuchs looks intrigued (@Fuchs) Lady Hapsburg is well known and trusted? * Morgan nods (Morgan) I've known her for years. She's rather smitten with my brother, but love never runs smooth, does it? My wife is giving her someone to lean on I believe * @Fuchs again looks to the middle distance (@Fuchs) Very true. *he looks back to Morgan* That is good, especially if they may become sisters in the future (@Fuchs) **they get close to the main gates, two guards watching them from the gatehouse * @Fuchs gives instructions that no one is to enter the property, regardless of who they say they have a letter for. He looks to Morgan briefly "Except Lady Hapsburg?" * Morgan nods * @Fuchs gives brief instructions for where they might be found in the next few hours before they ride off in the direction of the lakeside guardhouse  