------------------------------ Logging started for Blitzed:#7thseaic on Saturday, 12 September 2020 13:28:04 British Summer Time ------------------------------ ** You have joined #7thseaic ** cantillon.be.eu.blitzed.org sets mode(s) +nt ** ChanServ sets mode(s) -o Molly ** Morgan has joined #7thseaic ** ChanServ sets mode(s) +o Morgan (Molly) **He heads back to the armoury, passing a few servants on the way. It's clear that the news has spread, and everyone wears a look of concern, though no-one interrupts him (Molly) **The armoury hasn't been touched since he left it, and despite the protests of the master at arms, there is now no sign of the man. There are a few minor things he can still do * @Morgan sets about finishing it off (Molly) **he spots movement from the corner of his eye * @Morgan looks (Molly) **a sizeable black spider scuttles along the wall to his left * @Morgan watches it ** You're now known as Spider * Spider freezes, almost as if it knows he is watching (@Morgan) Scuttle on if I were you (Spider) **The old Sudlachenburg superstition comes to mind; if you see a black spider creeping past, remove him safely or luck will not last** * Spider scuttles in behind the pikes * @Morgan mutters, moving the pikes slowly (@Morgan) For crying out loud, I've just tidied that * Spider evades him, going behind a heavy trunk of daggers * @Morgan moves the trunk expecting the spider to move * Spider scurries behind the hung up chain mail (@Morgan) Come on man, I'm trying to save you here * @Morgan gently moves the chainmail * Spider 's antics continue until he gets to a corner at floor height, where he freezes * @Morgan crouches down to try to catch it (Spider) Edward: What are you doing? ** You're now known as Edward (@Morgan) Trying to catch a spider * Edward goes away, returning a few seconds later, placing a cup and paper at a safe distance, then retreats * @Morgan picks up the cup and paper, glancing at his brother (@Morgan) scared? (Edward) I can't stand the damned things (@Morgan) When you see one bigger than you, these ones sort of pale into isignificance * @Morgan sets about catching the spider * Edward frowns, watching as Morgan easily catches it (Edward) I still living in hopes that it is nothing more than a folk tale... (Edward) Live* * @Morgan shakes his head, moving towards the door (@Morgan) No, it isn't * Edward opens the door warily (Edward) It is been seen? (@Morgan) The year I turned seventeen... I saw it. Its why I really _hate_ forests in general, but particularly that one * Edward frowns (Edward) That day you got lost in the woods, then you laughed when I was worried about you? * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) Thats the one (Edward) You should have told me. (@Morgan) I don't think you could have believed me * @Morgan heads for an outside door * Edward follows him outside where the spider can be safely put (@Morgan) I'm not sure I would have believed me either (Edward) Was it as bad as they say? (@Morgan) I've only been that scared once since then... until now. * @Morgan looks at Edward (@Morgan) and I've faced horrors you wouldn't believe * Edward bows his head (Edward) I cannot even imagine * @Morgan deposits the spider into a bush (@Morgan) The dragon was probably the most unexpected (Edward) *It happily goes about its business * Edward looks surprised (Edward) A dragon? Like the Drachen? (@Morgan) Tough to say since I've never seen a Drachen... but I assume so (Edward) I have. * @Morgan looks at him (@Morgan) when? * Edward shrugs (Edward) Well, I think that is what it was, I might be wrong (@Morgan) What was it like? * Edward looks like a man who has seen something beyond all recounting (Edward) Beautiful * @Morgan smiles * Edward nods (Edward) It was when I rode from Graben to Freiburg after Mina's father banished me... I rode up through the Drachenwald rather than take the roads * @Morgan nods, moving back into the house * Edward follows him (Edward) You know the colour of soap bubbles in sunlight? * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) the colour thats never quite describable? (Edward) She was all colours, and no colours, and everything in between... (Edward) **they get back to the now-untidy armoury (Edward) What was _it_ like? * @Morgan frowns, starting to put things back into place * Edward helps (@Morgan) It was... blacker than black, and enormous... spindly, though (Edward) Like cupboard spiders? *he shudders* (@Morgan) Sort of, aye (Edward) How did you survive? (Edward) **he hears Mia's footsteps (@Morgan) I was partly hidden and I stayed very very still... I think thats where I learned to do that * @Morgan moves past Edward back into the hallway (Edward) M: No change, she didn't manage to keep any lunch down, but she's got sugary tea. She was proper pleased to have seen you though * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) as was I (Edward) M: anything you want doing, my Lord? (@Morgan) just carry on as you have been (Edward) M: *She curtsies, going off* * @Morgan goes back into the armoury * Edward waits, face full of solemn concern (Edward) Any news? * @Morgan shakes his head (@Morgan) we're getting close to the first bit of critical time * Edward nods (Edward) Any help I can give you, you just need to say. I will do anything I can * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) Thank you (@Morgan) Has father been to see the EIsenfurst yet? (Edward) Yes, shortly after you left us * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) good (Edward) His Grace is pleased that Father has seen sense * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) as am I (Edward) And I. Apparently she basically told him he would be betraying his future grandchildren and be bringing shame upon his ancestors * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) its clearly what he needed to hear. (Edward) She seemed to find the weak spot in Father's armour *he hangs channel back on the wall* (@Morgan) That reminds me... she's asked me to speak with his grace * Edward looks intrigued (Edward) Oh? (@Morgan) She wants to petition him to change the method of execution * Edward looks solemn (Edward) I would have thought she would have had much else on her mind at present (@Morgan) It is to spare me pain * Edward nods slowly, micro-expression showing guilt (Edward) That would be wise * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) At this point, I cant say I care (Edward) You would not stand against a sentence of burning at the stake? (@Morgan) Right now, probably. This morning, no. We'll see how the day ends * Edward helps finish the tidying as they talk (Edward) I pray that the day ends happily, as it first began, with more good news * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) as do I (Edward) You will be with His Grace if anyone asks for you? * @Morgan surveys the armoury (@Morgan) Aye, if I go elsewhere I'll make my presence known (Edward) **It looks good, though it probably needs a thorough sweeping and dusting * Edward nods (Edward) I will go and update Father that there is no bad news at present * @Morgan nods, moving back out to the hallway (@Morgan) Thank you for your help * Edward smiles a little (Edward) Thank you for not waving the spider in my face (@Morgan) Another time I may have, but not today (Edward) On a better day than this, I will let you * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) oh, one last thing... (Edward) Yes? (@Morgan) Please don't speak to Claudia as you did... She is my friend and, more, she wanted to break your legs * @Morgan smiles slightly * Edward laughs a little (Edward) I'll bear it in mind * @Morgan claps his brother on the arm before heading off to find the Eisenfurst ** You're now known as Faulk * Faulk is found in his private chapel. Morgan can hear his one sided conversation quietly, and can choose to knock or listen * @Morgan knocks lightly * Faulk calls for him to enter. The little chapel is pretty, with the more ornate detail expected of a Vaticine chapel than the plain simplicity of an objectionist one * @Morgan closes the door quietly behind himself * Faulk rises up off the floor by the altar, watching Morgan's expression (@Morgan) No change, though we are nearing the first dangerous time * Faulk nods (Faulk) And how is she in herself? (@Morgan) When she's not riding out the pain, fairly cheerful, but the pain is rapid and regular * Faulk looks sad (Faulk) I am sorry. I know how hard that is to witness (@Morgan) She has asked me to pass on a message to you (Faulk) **he gets a prickle on the back of his neck, very much like that when he is around magic being used * @Morgan looks around (Faulk) **he sees nothing, yet feels like he is being watched (Faulk) What was the message? * @Morgan shakes his head slightly (@Morgan) sorry, I have that feeling I am being watched, its... disconcerting... * Faulk looks around (Faulk) I get that here sometimes (Faulk) **there is still nothing to see (@Morgan) Would you mind if we move to your office? * Faulk nods, walking away from the altar. Due to this, he misses what happens next, but Morgan does not. Suddenly, the holy book on the altar flips, landing face down on the tiles with a loud quick noise . Faulk jumps like a man near gun fire * @Morgan looks at it suspiciously, moving towards it as he would a wild animal (Faulk) **the sense of being watched remains, as does the prickling. Faulk looks down at the book in puzzlement * @Morgan picks the book up, careful to make sure the pages stay opened in the same place (Faulk) **Not only is the page open, one corner seems to have been almost folded down, as if marking a particular passage * @Morgan reads it (Faulk) ((Aloud?)) (@Morgan) ((no)) (Faulk) **It says: Micah 6:8 O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. * @Morgan frowns, reading it aloud * Faulk looks both deeply confused and distraught (@Morgan) your grace? (Faulk) How could that happen?! (Faulk) **the feeling of being watched and the prickling ends* * @Morgan watches Faulk * Faulk still looks upset (Faulk) That was one of my wife's favourite passages * @Morgan nods slowly * Faulk holds his hands out for the book * @Morgan hands it over * Faulk runs his finger over the words where the paper is folded, tears springing to his eyes before he bows his head (Faulk) Very strange *he takes a moment to carefully and gently place the book closed back on the altar. He pauses there a moment before inhaling deeply* Lets go to my office then * @Morgan nods, opening the door * Faulk gives a last glance to the room before leaving (Faulk) **on the way, he gives the order to a servant for coffee, and they have only been settled in the office, unspeaking for two minutes when it arrives, the servant leaving* * Faulk pours the coffee (Faulk) You have a message from your wife? * @Morgan nods slightly (@Morgan) she said.... Tell him I endure this pain with my only consolation that he might see my sacrifice as enough to secure your release from her burning. * Faulk nods slowly, thoughtful, and he is still thinking when Morgan can hear a faint commotion out in the hall, too quiet for the Eisenfurst to hear yet * @Morgan stands, moving to the door, shooting Faulk a warning look (Faulk) **he can hear a strange noise * @Morgan pulls the door open slightly, looking through the gap (Faulk) *Varick comes shooting along the hall at full tilt, and in his wake, Adalbrecht looks livid * @Morgan steps out, ready to catch the boy (Faulk) V: *he reins in his speed, coming to stop in a skid right in front of Morgan, breathing hard* Need. Speak. You. * @Morgan nods, looking up at his father (Faulk) **Adalbrecht walks towards them frowning in a familiar way that Morgan remembers from many, many childhood scoldings * @Morgan raises his hand, indicating for his father to wait before moving the boy down the hallway a little (Faulk) **Adalbrecht does so. Varick looks up at Morgan ** You're now known as Varick (Varick) Got. Message. For You * @Morgan nods, crouching to the boys height (@Morgan) who from? (Varick) V: * he whispers* The Eisenfurstin * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) alright. Tell me (Varick) She said don't be scared, she was trying to help you * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) I did wonder. Did she say anything else? (Varick) She said I should give you a hug and say I love you and want you to look after me until I am a man * @Morgan smiles slightly * Varick looks a little confused but hugs him regardless * @Morgan hugs him back (Varick) **Varick places a kiss in the middle of Morgan's forehead. The only other time he has done this was at the polterabend when he told Varick about having been married before and his wife dying * @Morgan bows his head, breathing slowly (Varick) I love you (@Morgan) and I you young man * Varick lets go, looking {sly} earnest (Varick) She also said that someone should make me a chocolate cake for tea * @Morgan smiles slightly, getting up (Varick) *Faulk sticks his head out of the door, inclining it to Adalbrecht before looking enquiring at Morgan, but doesn't speak * @Morgan speaks to his father (@Morgan) This young man was bringing a message or urgency... he should be repaid in chocolate cake (Varick) **Adalbrecht gives him a familiar look that implies they will be discussing it further later, then smiles at Varick, encouraging him along * @Morgan moves back to the Eisenfurst ** You're now known as Faulk * Faulk lets him back in, sitting down (Faulk) He had news about Molly? (@Morgan) No, but he thought it urgent and I'm loathe to dissuade him from trying to do the right thing * Faulk watches him (Faulk) This news is a private matter? * @Morgan smiles slightly (@Morgan) Nothing of import to any but him, your grace. * Faulk smiles (Faulk) Alright. As to the matter at hand. I must await the advice of Sir Nussbaum, but please tell Molly I am favourably disposed to her request, so far as it does not contradict the advice of the judge * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) I shall do as soon as I get chance to speak with her * Faulk nods (Faulk) It is hard to know whether it is best to be there or not (@Morgan) Marta would not tolerate my presence, and Molly does not wish me to see her like this... She had asked to speak with you herself, but did not wish to scare you with the amount of blood * Faulk looks shocked (Faulk) It is as bad as that? * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) There is a good chance she will not survive, though a better one that she will, and there is nothing any of us can do to influence that * Faulk looks solemn (Faulk) If the world were a fair place... * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) quite (Faulk) I wish I could do something to help you Morgan * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) we can but wait, your grace (Faulk) **A small clock chimes half after one. An hour has passed since he left the nursery with the instruction that things were expected to change in an hour or two* (Faulk) I know. I would find an activity, if you can * @Morgan nods, finishing his coffee and standing up (@Morgan) I think I'm going to get some tea * Faulk nods (Faulk) I will pray for you both * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) thank you your grace * Faulk inclines his head, letting Morgan go * @Morgan heads to the kitchen (Faulk) **The house seems subdued. The kitchen is quiet, a familiar lull during this time of day. The few sounds of servants now and then being a him a wealth of memories of the kitchen at Lady Torringtons estate, the laughter, the hard work, and more than anything, Molly. It does not take long before this inactivity feels overwhelming (Faulk) Bring * * @Morgan sets about making a proper pot of tea (Faulk) **This wastes a little time, and he has just finished when Ana arrives, carrying yet another lidded bucket. She looks serious, though doesn't appear to be specifically searching for him * @Morgan looks at her (@Morgan) Any news? * Faulk watches him ** You're now known as Ana (Ana) The pain is worse, but Marta said to say there's still no progress * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) Are you able to take the tea with you? * Ana looks at the bucket (@Morgan) afterwards... (Ana) Once I have taken this to the laundry, yes * Ana watches him (Ana) If you wouldn't think it an offence to your status, my Lord, I could give you some chores, fill the time? * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) That would be... gratefully received * Ana nods (Ana) Leave the tea there, I'll take it up in a minute. Come with me. *she becomes a little less formal, leading him through the kitchen. * @Morgan follows her (Ana) *She makes him wait in one spot outside whilst she turns the corner and opens a door to a building. His keen sense of smell brings him the scent of soap, salt water, and blood. * Ana comes back after a minute * Ana watches his expression and body language as she approaches * @Morgan stands quietly, eyes on the floor at his feet * Ana speaks quietly (Ana) Are you alright? * @Morgan looks up, nodding (@Morgan) aye, just thinking... These chores? (Ana) Can you chop fire wood? * @Morgan nods (Ana) Excellent. We have had to move some staff around so your help would be useful * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) just show me where * Ana leads him to a pile of wood that could keep him busy a while, and there's already an axe waiting * @Morgan picks up the axe, checking its weight and sharpness (Ana) Find someone in the kitchen if you need anyone. Not the laundry. * @Morgan nods (Ana) **The weight is good, but it is blunter than he would like* (@Morgan) Could you make it known I am here, should anyone want me * Ana nods (Ana) Everyone is keeping an eye to your whereabouts now, my Lord * @Morgan nods, moving around the woodpile (@Morgan) very well (Ana) Any message with the tea? (@Morgan) Just that I hope I got it right * Ana nods, leaving him alone with his work. The sun is hot, the day bright and glorious, a typical Eisen summer day * @Morgan sets to work (Ana) **The work is repetitive, and once he sharpens the axe, he makes good progress, his mind settling to a familiar meditative numbness (Ana) **after about half an hour, and with a nice pile of even logs, the numbness starts to dissipate, and with it the worry returns. From the position of the sun, he knows it must be twenty after two, only ten minutes before their initial predicted time of one to two hours elapses ((distress and desperation levels?)) (@Morgan) ((very)) (Ana) **His fingers start to tingle, just as they did when he was lost in the forest with Varick the first time * @Morgan drops the axe, rubbing his fingers together (Ana) *It increases * @Morgan mutters quietly (@Morgan) stop that (Ana) **unsurprisingly, his fingers do not answer (Ana) **the sensation remains * @Morgan swears, fishing out his tinder box, collecting a log and moving away from the pile (Ana) **there is plenty of space and seclusion * @Morgan finds a quiet spot and sits down, setting the log in front of him and unpacking his tinderbox before running his fingers over the wood (Ana) ** the tingling continues, getting worse * @Morgan sighs (@Morgan) come on then (Ana) *It lights instantly, though the burn is slow and steady * @Morgan watches it burn (Ana) **he feels a heat within his pocket * @Morgan pulls out the dracheneisen (Ana) **It is glowing orange, a little warm but not hot (@Morgan) and you were told to stop that (Ana) **he hears an almost noise from it * @Morgan tries to settle, to clear his mind (Ana) **Given the chaoticness of his emotional state, it takes longer than he would like, but he soon settles to the familiar point of meditation, though there is a brief recollection of doing this on the grass outside the Torrington estate, and Molly interrupting to sit with him just for the pleasure of his company (Ana) **he can hear that same faint hushed whispery noise that he has heard both in the mine and in his dreams of the schwarzenwald * @Morgan closes his eyes and tries to listen to it (Ana) It gets louder, and sounds more like multiple voices, but he still cannot make out anything like words. The sound still resonates within him at the deepest level, as if it is on the same vibrations as his very soul. He feels a deep calm. * @Morgan sits still, listening to the noise (Ana) **It does not change, but it provides him a little respite. It almost feels like an innate sense of coming home. * @Morgan stays there for a few minutes (Ana) **Suddenly, the sound stops * @Morgan opens his eyes (Ana) **The Dracheneisen in his hand is no longer warm or glowing (Ana) **The fire is still lit. Ana is making her way towards him. The calm feeling he had whilst meditating with the raw Dracheneisen disappears like a startle bird taking flight * @Morgan tucks it in his pocket, standing * Ana still looks serious, but no more so than last time. A glance at her shadow tells him that it is around quarter before three, and the anticipate one to two hours has passed * Ana walks over to him, before taking something from her apron (Ana) Mol-... The Veisgrafin wanted me to bring you these * @Morgan holds out his hand (Ana) **There's a folded piece of paper, and Molly's favourite navy blue handkerchief, the one she embroidered her name on, surrounded by forget me nots, made back when she had the same social status as the maid in front of him. * @Morgan opens the paper (Ana) **It isn't coded. It says "Tea was perfect, as are you. Pain is worsened, but still we wait. The sooner it is done, the safer it will be. But I will soldier on, with thoughts of you, as always. Yours, Molly xx p.s. I thought this may be of a comfort to you * Ana watches him with concern * @Morgan tucks the note in his pocket, holding onto the hankerchief (Ana) I have been asked to honestly report back with how you are * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) That does not surprise me. I am coping, and calmer than I was. * Ana nods (Ana) You'll be here when I get back? A hand taking down the washing would be helpful, if that's... acceptable * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) I'll see to it (Ana) I won't be long * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) give her my love please (Ana) Of course I will * Ana walks off at a fast pace, leaving him completely alone with the burning wood * @Morgan covers the wood with soil to put out the fire before going to find the washing (Ana) **Behind the house, near the kitchens, is a huge space for drying laundry. It is mostly obscured from the house by bed linens flapping like loose sails in the breeze. There are big empty baskets, and more washing than most would expect. * @Morgan sets about collecting it all from the lines (Ana) **The hot day has dried it nicely, and he moves line to line in an orderly fashion. And then suddenly he is confronted with a line of familiar dresses (MTF) (Ana) The new simple Eisen white underdress and green overdress that she had worn yesterday whilst she turned her passions on him full bore in the stable. (Mtf) (Ana) The gold and brown Eisen dress he had taken her from Freiburg when he had decided that, as either mistress or companion, she was going to be _his_. (Mtf) (Ana) The white and blue montaigne style one that she'd worn in the Castilian monastery the night the Serenity painting was destroyed, when he was about to leave her for Eisen, and he had said the thing he wished for was something he could not have. That moment, he knows, is the one in which Molly realised she was in love with him. (Done) * @Morgan takes them down carefully, placing them gently in baskets (Ana) **Even washed, that familiar smell of rose water wraps around him as he does so, and more than that, the familiar scent that is just her, a scent he is most familiar with in the middle of the night when nightmares occasionally still wake him and she lies asleep beside him, there to generously provide whatever comfort and aid he may require * @Morgan buries his face in the dress, inhaling deeply (Ana) *A million and one memories from the last year fill his mind along with the scent. The day she nearly drowned, her excitement at seeing the Rose the first time, her laughter, the look in her eyes as he kissed her the first time, her walking down the aisle on their wedding day, her at Innesbruck in the fancy blue and gold drawing room she loves so much, focused and working towards the future they have planned for both themselves and Eisen * @Morgan closes his eyes, quietly pleading with Theus to let her live (Ana) ** a few minutes pass, and as the breeze changes, he hears the faintest of conversations * @Morgan opens his eyes, paying attention (Ana) I was just trying to help (Ana) Woman: I know. But it doesn't do to blur the lines like this, Ana * @Morgan puts the dresses in the basket and starts wandering quietly towards the voices (Ana) I know, Frau Liebstern ((housekeeper)) (Ana) FL: They are good people, but once they're gone, the staff will start to forget themselves, and be informal with other guests. And they won't all be so permissive. * @Morgan clears his throat as he gets closer * Ana and FL look around, both curtseying (@Morgan) Frau Liebstern... (Ana) FL: My Lord? *she glances briefly at the washing basket* (@Morgan) You are right... Not many are as flexible with formality as I am... that is their failing, but it must be kept in mind until things change. Regardless, Ana has helped me immensely and I would ask you not admonish her for doing so (Ana) FL: *She curtsies* Yes, my Lord * Ana stands still, slightly watchful (@Morgan) rest assured I am not the only person who believes change is necessary (Ana) FL: *She nods a little* The rules protect us though, my Lord. It stops the girls thinking that any attention from noble men is a potential escape from domestic service (@Morgan) Ah, I see where the confusion lies... I am not doing jobs to help, though that is a welcome effect... I am doing them because I simply _must_ keep myself occupied and Ana facilitated that for me, and was very cautious of breaking the, as you put it, rules. (Ana) FL: *She nods* Then you can keep working, if you wish to * @Morgan smiles slightly (@Morgan) you realise the irony of giving _me_ permission to keep working on jobs you feel I should not be doing (Ana) FL: Yes, my Lord. *she looks at the basket* Shall I take them from you and get them pressed and hung? (@Morgan) That would be a good idea... last time I tried to press something it came out, lets say, discoloured (Ana) **they both smile, and FL holds out her hands for the basket containing Molly's dresses * @Morgan hauls them up and hands them over (Ana) **Basket in hand, she curtsies and heads off. Ana watches his reaction (Ana) Sorry, my lord * @Morgan shrugs (@Morgan) There is resistance to change on all sides * Ana nods, looking distracted and solemn (Ana) The Veisgrafin said to send her love to you also * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) any change? (Ana) Officially, no. (@Morgan) unofficially? (Ana) The atmosphere has changed. They're more tense and on edge. And Marta is clock-watching * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) its getting late for what needed to happen to have happened * Ana nods, looking at the sky (Ana) It must be quarter after three by now. Katherine said the second midwife had said to tell Marta she would come at five or when called if intervention was needed * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) Safe to say there is less hope now * Ana looks at him sadly, and with all the restraint of a human who wants to comfort another human but as a world of social constructs to prevent them doing so (Ana) Less hope is not no hope. * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) I'll hold on to it as long as I can * Ana nods (Ana) I would * Ana motions him in the direction of sheets to fold whilst she unpegs masses of cloths whose purpose most men would not recognise ((attention?)) * @Morgan follows her, looking towards the doorway (Ana) **There's no-one there (Ana) **The unpegging takes a while, and though he hears the faint ring of services bells with no usual pattern, and staff seem to come and go near the kitchen and service areas, no-one comes over to them. He realises as he folds the last sheet that Ana is just stood watching him. By her feet are two baskets full of cloths. * Ana looks wearied, concerned for him (Ana) Do you want to cut some vegetables? * @Morgan shakes his head (@Morgan) No... I'm going to find a tree to fell * Ana nods, pointing at some nearby, many of which look appropriate (Ana) I'll let everyone know where to find you (@Morgan) Thank you Ana * @Morgan goes to fetch the axe from the woodpile * Ana disappears indoors with the washing, and yet again he is alone * @Morgan picks a tree and sets about chopping it down, swinging the axe with all his might (Ana) **It's tougher than he anticipated, and in some places the axe gets stuck * @Morgan swears at the tree, keeping going (Ana) **It gets even tougher towards the centre almost like cutting into solid steel, though there are no signs it is anything but wood * @Morgan stops for a moment to catch his breath (Ana) **birds sing, the sun warms the earth, the breeze whispers across the leaves, and in every cruel, unfair way possible, the world seems to be carrying on as if everything wasn't teetering on the edge of a precipice * @Morgan takes up the axe again, determined to fell the tree (Ana) **It takes a while, and the full physical strength and determination he has, but there is a crack as wood splits, and the tree is laid low * @Morgan throws the axe down, collapsing onto the ground, sitting to catch his breath once more (Ana) **Claudia walks towards his, purposeful but not urgent. She checks his body language and expression as she approaches * @Morgan is clearly physically and emotionally drained, watching her approach with resignation ** You're now known as Claudia (Claudia) Nothing urgent. *she sits down beside him* (Claudia) Your father and brother are starting to get edgy, and I figured the last thing you needed right now was them and their nonsense. * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) I would be unfortunate for them to tread on my last nerve right now * Claudia fidgets, giving him a flask * @Morgan sniffs it (@Morgan) Everyone seems to want me to drink (Claudia) Remember that homebrew that was made at the camp in Mannheim that nearly saw our side sending just the followers of the drum into the fray? * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) aye * Claudia gestures to the flask (Claudia) Just a little * @Morgan drinks some (Claudia) **It tastes dreadful, and burns in a similar way to when Morgan first created flame on his own finger tips * @Morgan pulls a face (@Morgan) are you sure thats not lamp oil? * Claudia smiles a little (Claudia) I've used it for that (@Morgan) I'm not surprised * @Morgan hands it back * Claudia drinks a little, then rescrews the cap. She drops it on the grass, resting her forearms on her thighs, shaking her head (Claudia) I'd face an objectionist firing squad rather than have you go through this. * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) I'm losing hope (Claudia) It's been a long time for that much blood loss. But we've made it through worse odds. (@Morgan) _we_ have, aye * Claudia nods (Claudia) Don't give up, not until there's absolutely no chance * @Morgan nods (Claudia) **The silence that falls between them is the main reason he hears it, a faint jingling of a service bell in the exact pattern in which Molly knocks on doors ** You are now disconnected