(Fucks) (Fuchs) **With a guard given the duty of finding the goatherd with the cloak, they leave barely any other information,  other than that Fuchs will come by at 6am to check in. At half after nine, they ride out from the jail and on to the road leading West to the Eisenfurst's house. The town is mostly empty now, pretty buildings and houses occupied but quiet, the night having settled in. Having taken the other lantern, Fuchs rides slowly beside Morgan*
** You're now known as Fuchs
* Fuchs inhales slowly, then sighs
(Fuchs) My house is near the Inn you got provisions at. I expect Stef would like to meet you.
(@Morgan) I wouldn't want to intrude
(Fuchs) No intrusion at all. She would like to meet the man who faced down Kauffmann, she can't stand him.
(@Morgan) She's your wife?
* Fuchs nods slowly, though there's a slight tension to it
(Fuchs) Yes
(@Morgan) If you want to explain what it is about that that bothers you, feel free, but I'm not going to push it if not
* Fuchs encourages the horse down a street to the right
(Fuchs) I'd rather not.
* Fuchs looks briefly to Morgan
* @Morgan nods briefly
(Fuchs) One thing, we need to be a bit quiet when we go in
* @Morgan nods
(@Morgan) as you wish
(Fuchs) ** the little street is quiet, several nice houses with lit windows. The one Fuchs stops at has one downstairs window lit. The house itself is very pretty, obviously well cared for, and perhaps slightly more expensive than one would expect from someone in Fuchs current job.
(Fuchs) Stef is... she's very sensitive to sudden, loud noises. Specifically musket shot, but all guns to a degreee
(Fuchs) , and sometimes heavy footsteps or slamming doors too. *he dismounts, tying the horse to a ring on the wall of the house
* @Morgan slides down from the horse, tying it next to Fuchs'
* Fuchs puts his key in the lock, and seems to be steeling himself somehow. He opens the door very quietly, and enters very slowly
* @Morgan follows suit
* Fuchs quietly shuts the door before leading the way down three steps into a large kitchen, and moving aside to let Morgan down too. Fuchs moves utterly quietly. At the far end of the kitchen, he sees a woman with her back to them doing something at the stove. She is petite, with long curly dark blonde hair ((what's he paying attention to?))
(@Morgan) ((he's watching Fuchs, staying quiet))
* Fuchs watches her a moment with raw wistful admiration before suddenly staring off into the middle distance. His voice is very quiet when he speaks.
(Fuchs) Stef?
(Fuchs) **Morgan notices the slightest of tensions creep into her body language when she turns. She is in her early thirties, and has a sweet, almost doll like face. Her dress is pretty, and about what would be expected for their social class. She smiles politely at Morgan, and approaches them both*
(Fuchs) **her voice is very soft and quiet. She looks to her husband. Though she smiles at him, there's a reserve there, and it doesn't meet her eyes* Good evening
* Fuchs inclines his head, standing very still, more formal even than when with the Eisenfurst
(Fuchs) Stef, this is Lieutenant Morgan Koertig, Veisgraf Sudlachenburg. Veisgraf, this is my wife, Stefanie.
* @Morgan inclines his head
* @Morgan speaks quietly
(@Morgan) its a pleasure
(Fuchs) **She comes closer, and curtsies to Morgan. She smiles, and the reserve she has with her husband isn't there. She is very pretty. Her voice remains quiet* I am honoured, my Lord. I heard much about you during the War
(@Morgan) Not all bad I hope
* Fuchs remains staring into the middle distance
(Fuchs) S: I heard you were brave, and you protected your fellow troops from danger
* @Morgan shrugs
(@Morgan) I did what I thought was needed
(Fuchs) S: *She smiles* You stood up to Kaufmann. That had been needed for years!
(@Morgan) I understand you're not a fan of his
(Fuchs) S: *She shakes her head* my brother died under him when he first joined up in '54 ((10 years before the War ended, before Morgan joined))
* @Morgan nods
(@Morgan) I'm sorry for your loss
(Fuchs) S: *She smiles sadly* thank you
* Fuchs looks to her briefly. It's polite but distant, almost nothing like the longing he regarded her with when they first entered
(Fuchs) You came back from the Dammerungs before the priest came? How are you doing?
(Fuchs) S: *She nods with a little shrug* It was too loud, and too familiar. *he nods, again closing himself off* I'll be staying at his Grace's tonight, but I'll pop back in the morning
(Fuchs) S: *She nods. She looks politely neutral also* I'll be here.
(Fuchs) *he nods* Go next door if you need anything, alright? And send word to me if it's urgent.
(Fuchs) S: *She comes to him, putting her arms around his waist. Her body language looks relaxed, friendly. His remains very rigid. He puts one hand on her upper arm, keeping it still. Against his chest, her eyes are closed and Morgan see a wealth of resigned sadness at the lack of response. She moves away quickly, and neither instigates eye contact.
(Fuchs) S: *she looks to Morgan, her feelings covered by politeness once more* It was wonderful to meet you, my Lord.
(@Morgan) Likewise, Stefanie
* Fuchs casts a glance around, before nodding briefly to his wife and heading up the steps to the door
* @Morgan inclines his head and follows Fuchs
* Fuchs quietly shuts and locks the door, then mounts up
* @Morgan unties the horse and climbs into the saddle again
* Fuchs commands the horse back on to the main road. As they pass it, the Sword Of Redemption Inn is still quite loud, though it is talking rather than drunken singing that disturbs the night
* @Morgan rides along quietly
* Fuchs waits til they're out of the town
(Fuchs) The Grafin was very compliant when I moved her.
(@Morgan) Maybe she thinks she's being put in a less secure place
* Fuchs looks thoughtful
(Fuchs) It was almost like she was expecting it
(@Morgan) Thats a concern. Jann had missed the briefing, so I'm not sure it would've been him
(Fuchs) No. We need to cut her contact with the solicitor too
* @Morgan nods
(Fuchs) **a nearby clock strikes ten. The road to the Eisenfurst's house is empty
(Fuchs) What is the situation with Jann? He said he'll run false information, but why was he helping her?
(@Morgan) She had his panzer hand, so it was a matter of duty really
* Fuchs frowns
(Fuchs) She stole a Panzerhand?!
(@Morgan) Not exactly. Her mother took it from his, or something along those lines
(Fuchs) And he wanted it back?
(@Morgan) Its rightfully his, wouldn't you want it back?
(Fuchs) Well, yes. Is it in the Eisenfurst's house?
* @Morgan shakes his head
(Fuchs) He should have it back.
* @Morgan nods
(@Morgan) he will have it back
* Fuchs nods slowly
(Fuchs) What information are we going to feed him?
(@Morgan) I haven't decided yet. Primarily that whatever she sends out reaches its destination, though. Let her think she's still choreographing some elaborate plot
(Fuchs) **They get near the gates of the estate* That would be wise. She knows I'm involved, so it's likely she'll expect Jann to be less able to find out as much.
* @Morgan nods
(Fuchs) **The same two guards are at the gatehouse as when they went out.  Fuchs gives them instructions for keeping an eye out, and to come to him immediately if there's anything from Stef. He looks to Morgan* Do you have anything to ask them?
* @Morgan shakes his head
* Fuchs rides up the long driveway, then hands his horse over to the groom at the stable. Guards wander around as Morgan anticipates according to the planning. The house is fairly quiet, just guards and maids cleaning
(Fuchs) Are you coming to the guard room for an update?
* @Morgan nods
(@Morgan) I think so
* Fuchs leads the way, nodding to everyone they pass on the way. Just before they get to the door, Morgan can hear the sound of a guitar
* Fuchs hears it, recognising the tune "What's left of the flag" just before getting to the door. His jaw tightens noticeably
* @Morgan rolls his shoulders
* Fuchs pushes the door open. There's a handful of guards in there, no more and no less than there should be. A couple are reading,  some playing cards, and a couple singing along. Fuchs strides in, watching those engaged in the music with cool eyes.
(Fuchs) It is after ten o'clock,  don't you think you  can find something a bit quieter to do?!
(Fuchs) *The guard playing the guitar puts it down. He looks genuinely ashamed* Sorry, Colonel. *The others also look sheepish*
(Fuchs) **For a moment, it's hard to tell whether Fuchs will continue to berate them or let it go*
* @Morgan waits quietly
* Fuchs inhales slowly, tension dropping from his shoulders
(Fuchs) No more music til the morning, let's not keep our guests awake all night with caterwauling. *he moves to the coffee pot, and offers to Morgan then all round*
* @Morgan takes a cup of coffee
* Fuchs sips his, then picks a guard to address
(Fuchs) Anything happened while we've been gone? GUARD: Lady Hapsburg came at six o'clock,  then went at eight o'clock. Then a woman named Marta Hesta came, but we'd already been given instructions to let her in ((The midwives who was Varick's nanny from birth to Karsten died))
* Fuchs frowns
(Fuchs) I didn't give that instruction *he looks to Morgan*
* @Morgan nods slightly
* Fuchs looks at the guard
(Fuchs) Anything else? GUARD: No, Colonel. His Grace retired a little while ago.
* Fuchs looks to Morgan
(Fuchs) Anything you want to know?
(@Morgan) I'm sure they'll inform us of anything important if needs be. Has anyone encountered Claudia yet?
(Fuchs) GUARD: *he smiles briefly* I did, my Lord. She sent me for coffee when I was patrolling up there
* @Morgan nods
(Fuchs) GUARD: She's... she's a bit scary, my Lord
(@Morgan) only a bit? She must have been behaving herself. She's just short of a force of nature when required
(Fuchs) GUARD: *he nods* I wouldn't want to be on the wrong side of her, my Lord
(Fuchs) **none of the guards are stupid enough of make any innuendo at this*
(Fuchs) To*
* @Morgan nods, sipping his coffee
(@Morgan) Good.
* Fuchs removes his coat, and appears to be getting settled for an evening's watch
(Fuchs) Anything you want us to do overnight, Veisgraf?
* @Morgan shakes his head
(@Morgan) No, lets stick to the plan we laid out this morning
* Fuchs nods
(Fuchs) I'll be around if I'm needed.
** You are now disconnected