* Molly uncovers the pudding, blackberry crumble. It is what she made the day he proposed, though this time it is not burnt. That day, she'd been sat in his lap for the first time, and they were so busy kissing with his hands in her hair that she'd forgotten to check on it. (@Morgan) That looks amazing (Molly) I thought you may prefer it unburnt! * Molly giggles (Molly) I would rather have cooked this all for you myself, but thankfully the kitchen staff were kind enough to follow my recipes and instructions. (@Morgan) They're a good group * Molly smiles, serving him (Molly) Do you miss it sometimes? (@Morgan) occasionally * Molly nods (Molly) I did not appreciate the parts of that life that were good, I think * Molly does her own, sitting back down * @Morgan nods * Molly watches him a moment (Molly) I had never had anything to really compare it to, I suppose * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) aye... (Molly) I miss the anonymity at times * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) me too (Molly) It was simpler... the responsibilities were far less * Molly smiles (@Morgan) Not really. I still had to keep people safe * Molly nods. That is true. But then it was a small number of people, not whole towns? (@Morgan) Most of the townspeople aren't hellbent on getting themselves into trouble * Molly laughs (Molly) Very true. It did not make things easy... * Molly looks thoughtful (Molly) There must have been a point in which you realised your feelings for me complicated your protection of Lady Catherine? (@Morgan) Not really * Molly looks a little surprised, eating slowly (@Morgan) I didn't realise how strongly I felt them to begin with * Molly smiles (Molly) I can imagine that being quite confusing (@Morgan) I'm used to running around defending people against monsters, thats pretty good at making you concentrate (Molly) You are very good at that (Molly) I would be hopeless at being hired to protect someone. My heart rules my head far too much (Molly) Certainly at the Torrington Estate I'd have been awful. I'd have left any one of them in danger if it had meant I could keep you safe. * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) just as well you didn't have to * Molly nods (Molly) I leave all the protecting to your experienced hands * @Morgan nods (Molly) Do you think you'll wish to visit there again after we have returned tie up the loose ends? (@Morgan) I don't know... possibly * Molly looks thoughtful (Molly) Unless my father sells the farm, I will always have some ties there * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) realistically, I do in catterick * Molly nods (Molly) Especially once you inherit the land one day * @Morgan nods (Molly) Your birthright is so large I am not even sure what you are supposed to do with it all! *she giggles* * Molly finishes her crumble, sipping her tea (Molly) Once we are back on The Rose, I can cook for you again (@Morgan) you don't need to blossom * Molly smiles (Molly) No I know. But I like to. After all, the way to a man's heart is through his stomach * @Morgan nods (Molly) Apparently the way to a woman's heart is through her mind. What do you think? (@Morgan) it makes sense * Molly nods (Molly) I agree. Certainly that was how you captured mine *she smiles* (@Morgan) I thought it was the hair * Molly smiles fondly * Molly looks thoughtful a moment before standing. She moves slowly, coming behind his chair, and kisses his crown. She runs her fingers through his ponytail, lightly touching his back (Molly) Fond as I am of your hair, I had not seen it loose until I was already madly in love with you, so it was not that! (@Morgan) well... its a mystery * Molly gently places her hands on his shoulders. Tho (Molly) Oh no, there are many things about you physically that I adore... But it was your kindness, your humour and your faith in me that truly won me over (@Morgan) I don't recall being kind or funny * Molly runs her hands softly over his shoulders (Molly) You are. You took me all the way to Carleon just to help me (@Morgan) it was the right thing to do * Molly sighs wistfully (Molly) It was wonderful (@Morgan) it certainly had its moments * Molly squeezes his shoulders gently before letting go (Molly) Definitely. I will always recall that trip very fondly indeed. Certain moments in particular. * @Morgan nods * Molly moves away, refilling her tea cup (Molly) I definitely had not set my hat at seducing you then... *she giggles* * Molly glances at the clock, seeing that the Colonel is due back any minute * @Morgan sips his tea * Molly watches him a moment, sipping her own (Molly) I am looking forward to this all being resolved. I have become quite accustomed to sharing a bed with you, it was odd last night without you. * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) I know. But needs must for the time being * Molly nods (Molly) I know. Being vigilant is important to you, I accept that * Molly smiles, biting her lip (Molly) But as soon as things are calmer, I hope you'll be back where you belong... * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) thats the plan (Molly) Good. Goodness knows when we will finally escape back to the... familiarity of The Rose * @Morgan shrugs (@Morgan) I just don't know * Molly nods (Molly) It depends whether her courses begin again. * @Morgan nods * Molly looks thoughtful (Molly) We _could_ possibly help that to happen... (@Morgan) oh? (Molly) There are herbs that can bring it early, or regulate it. But if she is genuinely with child, it could have the same effect as pennyroyal * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) I see (Molly) It is a risk. I think it quite likely she used something to suppress it, rather than truly being pregnant, but we cannot be certain of that (@Morgan) I'm fairly sure... its the sort of thing she'd do (Molly) It would certainly be very convenient. Though, given the timing, she would have had to start it as soon as she was wed. * @Morgan nods (Molly) Which would mean either she was planning her poisoning and jailbreak from before our wedding, or she intended to fake a pregnancy with Isiah. (@Morgan) Either would not surprise me (Molly) No. I wonder if he knew? Surely most men know roughly the dates of their wife's courses? Especially newlywed men hoping for a child? (@Morgan) He's too self absorbed I would think * Molly nods * Molly smiles that familiar smile she has when gossip arises (Molly) I wonder if he knew that about his mistress instead! (@Morgan) probably... they care a great deal for each other I'm told (Molly) I think that happens fairly frequently. The wife is a good choice for heirs, titles and power, the mistress is a treasured lover and companion * @Morgan nods (Molly) Fortunately for me, you are somewhat unconventional! * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) that is true (Molly) Given everything, I was definitely not a good choice for heirs, titles and power! * Molly laughs (@Morgan) Whyso? (Molly) I bring you no noble blood, or power at all, and my title is from an uncharted land. * @Morgan shrugs (@Morgan) it all starts somewhere * Molly giggles (Molly) When it comes to creating heirs, it certainly does! (Molly) **he starts to be able to faintly hear fast footsteps* * @Morgan looks towards the door * Molly follows his glance, sighing slightly. There's an urgent knocking. * @Morgan sighs, getting up to open the door * Molly starts tidying up the table (Molly) **Fuchs waits at the door, looking concerned and hurried * @Morgan looks him over (@Morgan) what? (Molly) F: A mob has decided they'd rather storm the jail to try and lynch the montaigne girl rather than wait for her official execution on Tuesday * @Morgan picks up his coat, putting it on (@Morgan) well then... lets go persuade them otherwise * Molly brings Morgan his sword belt with a sad smile * @Morgan takes it, putting it on (Molly) Will you wake me if I've gone to bed before you get back? I'll sleep easier knowing you're safe * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) if you wish blossom (Molly) Please. Be careful, liebling *She watches him a moment* * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) of course * Molly instinctively presses a kiss to his cheek before blushing and moving away * @Morgan smiles slightly before looking to Fuchs (@Morgan) lets sort this (Molly) F: **he is frowning slightly, looking a little pained and uncomfortable* It's quite a big mob, I'm told. (@Morgan) Thats alright (Molly) F: *he bows briefly to Molly before heading out of the door* * Molly watches them go before Lars shuts the door ** You're now known as Fuchs (Fuchs) It started at the sword of redemption about an hour ago. The roofer overheard the guards talking about it, and decided to go and tell their families what he had heard. Drunk and angry, many of the townsfolk have gathered in the square around the jail. * Fuchs walks fast through the empty corridor and down the stairs (@Morgan) oh, my favourite sort of mob (Fuchs) I can't say I have a preference. The news is spreading to the other taverns, so numbers will rapidly increase (@Morgan) You have any guards spare at the moment? (Fuchs) No. I've taken 3 from here who were supposed to be switching on in a few hours, but we're limited by the patrolling here. * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) pity... I'd have thought the mercenaries would've come in useful... never mind, maybe you'll have to get them (Fuchs) Get them for what? (@Morgan) crowd control, obviously (Fuchs) Good idea. Once the ferry docks we'll have twenty from Seeufer * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) I'm hoping we won't need them, but drunks can be quite belligerent * Fuchs nods, getting to the main doors (Fuchs) I don't want to fill the jail with people due to bury their kin, but if it comes to it we will have to * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) which would be unfortunate, putting them so close to the person they want to lynch (Fuchs) You raise a damn good point. Perhaps the lakeside guardhouse instead (@Morgan) awful idea (Fuchs) House arrest requires too many guards (@Morgan) lets see what we can do before we decide who goes where * Fuchs gets outside and whistles, and three men appear on horse back, two other horses saddled and ready * @Morgan climbs into the saddle * Fuchs looks to Morgan (Fuchs) By all rights, I should be telling you how dangerous it could be, and how it is my job to protect his Grace's guests, but I suspect it'd make no odds (@Morgan) you would prefer I wait here? (Fuchs) No, I'd rather have your sword at my side if needs be, but I _should_ tell you to stay (@Morgan) Then tell me to stay * Fuchs shakes his head (Fuchs) The mob is already a hundred strong, I need you. (@Morgan) Good, because my telling you to get lost might have offended you... lets go * Fuchs laughs, giving the order to gallop * @Morgan gallops (Fuchs) **They thunder off into the town. As the pass the sword of redemption, a quarrel breaks through the door and spills onto the pavement. The mercenary in the dress is sat on a man wearing a black arm band * Fuchs tells the others to get to their assigned duties, then looks to Morgan (Fuchs) I'll just be a minute * @Morgan nods * Fuchs rides down the road opposite the inn, where his own house is. The mercenary looks at Morgan, still pinning the man * @Morgan nudges the horse over ** You're now known as mercenary (@Morgan) bit of a situation at the jail * mercenary nods (mercenary) And in here. Rabble-rousers. (@Morgan) They're grieving. Fancy lending a hand to calm the mob? * mercenary stands up, offering a hand to the man, who takes it and stands. (mercenary) We'll meet you at the jail? * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) nice and orderly though, lets not make it seem like a rush * mercenary nods, and starts singing. Its a drinking song rather than a bawdy one, and two more mercenaries appear from the Sword. They all sing, heading towards the jail. Another man joins them from a more exclusive entertainment spot on the way * @Morgan waits for Fuchs (mercenary) **The mourning man walks away from town. Fuchs returns, still on horseback, looking concerned ** You're now known as Fuchs (@Morgan) problem? * Fuchs shakes his head (Fuchs) I didn't want her being alone, just in case. (@Morgan) If needs be, have a guard take her to Molly * Fuchs urges his horse towards the jail (Fuchs) I asked our neighbour to go in * @Morgan nods, riding alongside him (Fuchs) **The group around the jail is noisy. There are torches, and pitchforks. It would almost be comical if there wasn't so much risk of harm. Even within the group, drunken squabbles are breaking out (@Morgan) oh good. Torches. We need to get to the front * Fuchs leads the way along the edge of the mob. When they get to the front, it becomes apparent that no-one seems to have a clue what they are doing, other than shouting and threatening * @Morgan stands front and centre of the crowd, making eye contact with as many of them as possible (Fuchs) **The rabble push and shove against each other, and mixed in are a variety of physical fights. Most of them look quite drunk. There are women in the group being just as rowdy as the men * Fuchs alternates between watching Morgan and scanning the crowd (@Morgan) Colonel... my apologies, but I suspect I'm going to have to make some noise * Fuchs doesn't look happy, but nods * @Morgan tries yelling quiet (Fuchs) **a few near the front watch him, the rest continue pushing and shoving each other. * @Morgan shakes his head briefly, drawing a pistol and firing it into the air (Fuchs) **he gets their attention. He can see Fuchs flinch briefly* (@Morgan) I will have QUIET! (Fuchs) **There is a grumbling noise. Someone shouts "Give us the bitch!" (@Morgan) You should all be ashamed of yourselves. You think your friends would want this? (Fuchs) Someone: They would want vengeance! (@Morgan) Bullshit. They would want justice, and their families want closure. Closure which you are trying to rob them of. (Fuchs) Someone else: We are their families! She should die tonight! *a cheer goes up* (@Morgan) Then you dishonour their memory by going against your Eisenfursts decree. We are EISEN! We are better than this. (Fuchs) **There is a little muttering and shoe shuffling as a few start to feel a bit guilty. There's a particularly violent fight kicking off in the middle. The three guards they came with come to stand with Fuchs (Fuchs) Someone: Give us the prisoner, or we'll storm the jail (@Morgan) And then you'll sit in it, waiting for your own execution. The woman will pay for her crime, as and when the Eisenfurst has decided and ANY attempt to interfere with or defy that decree will answer for treason. (Fuchs) ** about twenty people from the front angrily surge forward, keen to damage something or someone in their current drunk and angry state (@Morgan) YOU! WILL! STOP! (Fuchs) **They don't. Most don't seem to be armed with anything other than fists, though there are two swords mixed in that flash with the torchlight. They're densely packed * Fuchs and the guards immediately spring to action, subduing several with blows designed to wind rather than harm * @Morgan concentrates on dimming the torches (Fuchs) **the torches start to dim. It is most successful on the ones nearest to him, progressively getting less so further away * @Morgan stops, joining the guards in putting people down (Fuchs) **It gets very dark, the torches barely glowing. A man srumbles full force in to Morgan, jarring Morgan's shoulder briefly. He can tell it will be sore tomorrow, but it isn't dislocated (Fuchs) **the mob rapidly quietens, their superstitious Eisen natures making them timid. The guards near him also become tense. Fuchs however is level-headed enough to knock out a couple of the most aggressive people (Fuchs) **the torches progressively start to brighten, though many have been dropped in fear (@Morgan) Ladies and gentlemen, go home, where its safe. Not the taverns. Home. Am I understood? (Fuchs) Someone: Why should we listen to you?! * Fuchs speaks quietly to Morgan (Fuchs) I have the powers to command that all taverns are to be closed and no more alcohol is to be sold tonight? * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) do it * Fuchs shouts (Fuchs) All the taverns are now closed. No more alcohol will be sold. Anyone caught buying, selling, or drinking in a public place will be arrested. Go home. Otherwise you will be in the cells until lunch time tomorrow! (Fuchs) **There's more grumbling, though people gradually start dissipating. The mercenaries are watching from the edges, looking both comical and menacing. Two of them are missing (Fuchs) **There is quite a bit of noise, swearing and complaining, as well as some fighting. The guards are told to go and close all the taverns and brothels * Fuchs watches Morgan * @Morgan glances at Fuchs (@Morgan) what? (Fuchs) That was odd (@Morgan) Creepy as hell * Fuchs nods (Fuchs) There's no breeze, no rain. * Fuchs looks around suspiciously (Fuchs) I'm a fairly logical, rational man... (@Morgan) You're an Eisen man, I know where you're going here * Fuchs nods (Fuchs) Though I think even non-Eisens would have found that disturbing * @Morgan nods (Fuchs) **The crowd has disappeared. The mercenaries head towards them slowly, as do a contingent of guards in unfamiliar livery (@Morgan) a religious man might suggest some sort of intervention * Fuchs looks at him sidelong (Fuchs) Plausible (@Morgan) preferable * Fuchs smiles. He looks at the man in the dress, speaking quieter. (Fuchs) Your mercenaries? (@Morgan) most of them (Fuchs) Only most? (Fuchs) **his shoulder is starting to throb** (@Morgan) there's a couple missing... hopefully doing the job I gave them * Fuchs nods. The guards and mercenaries bow as they reach them * @Morgan rolls his shoulder (Fuchs) **It feels like a deep, muscular pain** * Fuchs looks to the guards "You'll all be coming to his Grace's house whilst we talk over the plan for tomorrow" *They all nod. He instructs them to take a couple of the torches that have been left and make their way there.* (Fuchs) Anything to add, Veisgraf? * @Morgan shakes his head, keeping his shoulder moving * Fuchs watches him briefly, then sends them off (Fuchs) Mercenary: what do you you want us doing? *he looks at Morgan* (@Morgan) Any luck on your search? (Fuchs) M: Still waiting on the others, but no sign of any other mercenaries here now, recently or due (@Morgan) Excellent. Come to the Eisenfursts house first thing in the morning, we've got a job for you (Fuchs) M: *he bows, and they head off, singing their drinking song again* * Fuchs looks to Morgan (Fuchs) Back to his Grace's then? (@Morgan) I guess so (@Morgan) you should check on Stefanie * Fuchs 's jaw tightens briefly (Fuchs) I need to get the guards organised and settled in (@Morgan) Since I can throw his grace's name around... go and check on your wife, take a few minutes with her, then meet me back at the estate * Fuchs doesn't look impressed, briefly inclining his head (Fuchs) As you say. (@Morgan) quite * Fuchs urges the horse onwards, heading back to his street. He keeps his eyes fixed ahead, not making conversation * @Morgan rides alongside until Fuchs stops at his own house, then carries on to the Eisenfursts estate ** You are now disconnected Fuchs rides to his house, shaking his head and silently cursing Morgan. Why couldn't the Veisgraf mind his own business? Clearly he wants to know why his marriage to Stef isn't as happy as Morgan's own. He sighs as he dismounts. Watching Molly kiss him spontaneously had been hard. It reminds him of Stef kissing Axel that way, and how she could never kiss him. He ties up the horse, already hearing the music. Mrs Arnholt liked playing the guitar, and Stef liked the distraction from sudden loud sounds. He sneaks in. He'd wanted to punch Morgan, very unfairly, for firing that shot. He didn't want Stef slipping back to Sennelager and screaming for Axel whilst he once again died in her arms. He goes to the kitchen, and sees all is well. Stef is singing along softly to the guitar. It is a song Axel used to sing to her. Kristoff bows his head. He adores her, but Stef was Axels wife and always would be. He'd loved her from the start too. He doesn't want to stay to hear her sing this, a sad smile of remembrance. He coughs slightly "Are you alright, Stef?" She nods, watching him neutrally. What she wants is to fling herself at him and tell him she loves him, and that she's sorry she hurt him by wedding Axel. She'd loved them both, from the day they all met. "I need to go back to work. I'll be here by eight o'clock. There'll be no more gunshots tonight". She nods again as he bows and leaves. She looks at the old woman, smiling slightly. "You can go now. Thank you for coming". They part, and Stef prepares for bed. She says her prayers as always, and prays for her husband to love her. He meanwhile rides with that damned song in his head, brooding over the couple he was the spare wheel to.