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AGELESS Campaign Episode 2 - Temple of the Cat-Goddess
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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 7103424" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter 134, "Audience with the Empress", September 13, 1882, 11:00 PM</strong></p><p></p><p>Eventually Abby and Callum notice that the carriage is traveling much slower and is traversing the streets of Paris. Abby also notices that Callum's legs and arms appear to be regaining their solidity. Abby buried her head in Cal's shoulder and sighed. "I think our time is running out," she said in a lazy voice. "Your potion is wearing off and we've slowed down. I shouldn't be far behind." She laughed suddenly. "You know, most people just use a bed for this kind of thing, not Egyptian Temples and the backs of carriages."</p><p></p><p>He says, "Well, suppose I could find a bed for where ever we are tonight. I am thinking it should probably not be the Stuart estate. If any of those wizards are after us that is the first place they will look." As he talks he walks around the carriage and draws the window curtains shut. "Oh gods, and the windows were open!" she laughed. He says, "Yes, but we were in the dark, on the floor, and translucent. Nobody would have seen anything. However, to heal your wound we are going to need to have the lights on and your dress off.</p><p></p><p>After a moment she added, "You're sure you don't want to go home? You're right, they would look for us there, but they may be looking for us there whether or not we ARE there. Your family and people there now wouldn't even know someone might try to break in." He replies, "If I get obtain our dinner from the Spanish restaurant that I had in mind I can cover that. One of Maracita's friends keeps homing pigeons that travel between there and our estate, so I can get a message back to them." She replies,"That sounds like a good plan to me."</p><p></p><p>Abby began opening the buttons on her gown in order to pull it off. "And I wasn't worried about the windows, it's just funny. Do you have some sort of formal title I should be using when I speak with the Empress?" He says, "My title is Landholder for the Land of Queen Mary." Abby notes that he is now fully solidified. While talking he removes the cushion from the seat. He then goes over to a hidden toolbox near the door and removes a thin knife, which he uses to lift up a panel that had been beneath the cushion. From that he removes a black Doctor's bag.</p><p></p><p>He says, "If my sgain dubh had not been taken away I could have opened this panel with it. Losing that item is a major loss, it was quite magical. Maybe you can also talk to the Empress about trying to have it returned due to my family's deep sentimental attachment to it." She says, "I'll mention it. I would think Foccault could be asked to return it as an act of good faith. He probably intended to return it to you. He really seemed to believe he and whomever he had for help would be able to break into the vault. I can't imagine Gerome is good for anything. He's a coward, a liar, and prone to extreme exaggeration, and a terrible artist to boot. Which makes me think he must have some sort of brains in his head. There's nothing else he can offer."</p><p></p><p>Cal says, "Gerome was very well politically connected. Ingratiating himself to rulers seemed to be his specialty. He was a favorite of both Napoleon III and Wilhelm I of Prussia." He pauses a bit and says, "Gerome was also once very close to Neferka's father. I'm somewhat curious why Daguerre had him with the Heliopolis faction rather than those in Cairo, although he clearly was unaware of the poisoning plot that other members of that faction were attempting. Maybe he was being kept not too far from Cairo as a contingency."</p><p></p><p>Abby says, "I don't know, either. But after the poisoning was done, if he was so close to the Pharaoh, he would have made an excellent and very visible mourner. I'd say he was there to help allay suspicion against the French, but I honestly don't think they felt they had to worry about that. They had tendrils everywhere, with every faction, and they were covering their tracks very well. I don't know enough about his skills to guess how he might have helped to subdue Meren and the shepherds."</p><p></p><p>Cal says, "Didn't you say that his main role was fainting after you scratched his arm?" She replies, "To be fair, I scratched his arm, punched him in the nose, and threatened to cut his face. After he claimed to be ruined forever from a scratch that stopped bleeding in seconds, I figured I could avoid any more violence with a few well-made threats. It worked," she said with a smirk. "Although I was trying to get information out of him, not make him pass out. But obviously they didn't bring him there for that. He had some sort of job.</p><p></p><p>She had continued to open the buttons on her dress, but waited to actually remove it. There was no reason to sit around being cold until Cal could actually put the salve on. The carriage appears to be nearing their destination as it turns off of a main road and slows. With the windows drawn they do not see outside. Callum activates a light inside the carriage. Once illuminated, Abby now sees that her arms and legs have become solid again. I think I'm almost ready here," she said, and began to pull the gown off so they could get a look at the wounds.</p><p></p><p>While she cannot see the exit wound, the entry wound does look serious with a coin-sized section of skin missing. He says, "Worse than I thought, you outer skin must have still been more solid than I had realized, and with essentially nothing behind to hold it back, the skin tore like a paper marksmanship target would. Not to worry, this salve will do the trick." He takes a small ceramic jar out of the medical bag and unfastens the lid. Inside is a tan-colored paste which he holds his index and middle finger of his right hand over it. "At the first sight of blood I will apply it. Be warned, it will feel as cold as ice."</p><p></p><p>Abby nodded. "I suppose once I'm solid the wounds will actually start to hurt." She looked curiously at the entry wound. It was certainly odd, as if someone had just cut the layers of skin out while leaving the muscle untouched. "I'm just grateful I was as ethereal as I was, and that we didn't try to go through the side of the carriage any earlier." She watched for another moment and she began to see some blood begin to seep. She immediately felt Cal put the salve on and tried not to jump. It felt like he'd just dropped an ice cube on her.</p><p></p><p>Once dabbed on the front it mixes slightly with the first drops of blood, giving it a brown rather than tan shade. He next applies some to the exit wound on her back. He then wipes his fingers off with a handkerchief and reseals the jar. The cold temperature soon fades and the paste becomes solid. He says, "I'm sorry to have to say this, but you can now put the gown back on." She took a moment to pull his head down and kiss him one more time before she began getting dressed.</p><p></p><p>"It is just a tad chilly without it," she said. Get back into the clothing was a little more complicated than getting it off, but she was back in good order before long. "Is everything in place? Even if I could do something about the holes in the dress I wouldn't, they're evidence. But is the rest of me put back together?" He replies, "Meagan knows a 'Mend' spell and can fix the gown tomorrow." They exit the carriage and she sees that they are in a very large courtyard with six-story buildings around on all sides and a large column in the center. Abby sarcastically says, "A little understated, wouldn't you say?"</p><p></p><p>Callum says, "For Jules Hardouin Mansart, this actually IS understatement. He was the architect for this area, known as the Vendome. But he is better known for another project he did for King Louis XIV, the Palace of Versailles. Yes, I know that Versailles pre-dated Louix XIV, but it was Masaart who substantially expanded it into what it is today. He gestures to the building closest to them and says, "This is the Hotel de Vendome, a five-star facility. It was originally built as a massive townhouse for the French nobility, but was later converted into a hotel. Mr. and Mrs. Duruy are staying in the penthouse."</p><p></p><p>He turns toward the driver and says, "Driver, please accompany Miss Marsters inside. Once she is safely in the care of the Empress of France you may return and we will run some errands." "Cal, be careful," she said and took his hand for a moment. "Don't leave me stranded here." "Alright driver, let's go," she said, and began to stride confidently into the hotel. A doorman opens the door for Abby and her driver. The interior lobby is spectacular and has large amounts of open space. There appears to be a fancy dining room on the far end of the lobby. There are elevators to bring patrons up to the higher floors.</p><p></p><p>She sees a long wooden desk area with three employees behind it. "May I help you?" one of the men asks in French. Abigail answered him in her own perfect French, with the air of every confidence that she belonged there. "Good evening. My name is Miss Abigail Marsters, and I have important information for the Empress and Mr. Duruy. Please inform them that I am here and request their gracious indulgence and an audience."</p><p></p><p>He replies, "Miss Marsters, you are but one of dozens of individuals who have wished to see them since the newspapers wrote of their arrival here. The couple happens to be on their honeymoon and we are not inclined to interrupt them. If you wish to return tomorrow morning you may meet with their appointment secretary, Mr. Richaeleau, and he couldl schedule you then to meet with them at some time in the future."</p><p></p><p>Abby says, "I am quite aware they are on their honeymoon, sir. I attended their wedding in Egypt, performed by the Priestess Sabah, within an hour or two after Bast departed. And I accompanied her back to Paris in the dirigible which returned the happy couple. And as I'm sure you doubt me, I have also been in the papers, in Britain, in Mr. Stevenson's story of his rescue in Egypt. The information I being relates to the events in Egypt that preceded their marriage.</p><p></p><p>I understand your position, it is of course your priority to see to it that the Empress and her new husband are undisturbed. But the information I bring cannot wait. I will be pleased to write a short note to have delivered, and we can let the Empress decide whether or not she wishes to see me." He reluctantly gives her a pen and paper to write the note. Abby took the pen and wrote swiftly in the French language.</p><p></p><p><em><strong>To her Majesty, the Empress of France,</strong></em></p><p><em><strong></strong></em></p><p><em><strong>My name is Miss Abigail Marsters. I had the honor of being present as your marriage and accompanying you back to France. I offer my humble apologies for the necessity of disturbing you at this time.</strong></em></p><p><em><strong></strong></em></p><p><em><strong>I have recently learned of your actions in disbanding the Weekly Wizard's group. However, I have just had an encounter with two members of the now defunct group of which I think you should be aware. Their plans continue in defiance of your edict, even if the group does not.</strong></em></p><p><em><strong></strong></em></p><p><em><strong>I beg your indulgence and a few moments of your time.</strong></em></p><p><em><strong></strong></em></p><p><em><strong>Miss Abigail Marsters</strong></em></p><p></p><p>He takes the note and personally heads off with it. While he does not look at the note in her presence, she has no dobut that he will do so once he is out of her sight. It only takes six minutes for an affirmative reply. The man's supervisor, the night manager, escorts her and the driver to the elevator and to the penthouse. The new Mrs. Duruy answers the door herself and appears to not have any servants present. She is attired in a maroon gown with a white silk shawl. The driver nods to Abby and then departs, as does the manager. "Come in, come in," she states in English, adding "I am surprised to see you still in Paris."</p><p></p><p>Her new husband emerges from a side room, fastening his tie, having apparently just formally dressed. "Now what is this about?" she asks. Abby offered a low curtsey, despite the fact that she got the feeling the Empress wouldn't have been offended had she not. She replies in perfect French "Thank you for your time, I apologize for disturbing you. I returned to Paris to attend the Jacques Offenbach concert with my dear friend Callum Stuart, the Landholder of the Lands of Queen Mary. We were students together."</p><p></p><p>"To keep it very short, Mr. Stuart and I were abducted at gunpoint from outside the concert hall by Monsieur Daguerre's apprentice Foccault, Jean-Leon Gerome, and two of Daguerre's grandsons named Marcel and Andre. We were approached by Andre and told there that the gunmen ready to end our lives if we refused to go with them. We had little option but to comply. We were searched and then questioned about the whereabouts of the artifact the Weekly Wizard's used to extend their lives. They also wanted to know how to get into the vault where they believe Queen Neferka will eventually place it. Monsieur Foccault assured us we would come to no physical harm, but it was obvious that Marcel and Gerome desired otherwise. It was made clear that we would not be freed until they had reclaimed the artifact. We made it clear they would get no help from us.</p><p></p><p>Mr. Stuart had a potion hidden on him in the form of a cigar. When Foccault allowed him to smoke it, we used it to turn ethereal and escape. Mr. Stuart's driver was giving chase by then and the men were distracted. Unfortunately not for quite long enough," she said, and indicated the holes in her gown. "Thankfully, I was almost completely ethereal by the time Marcel shot me. It was only the surface of the entrance and exit wounds that were actually damaged, and Mr. Stuart had a healing salve in the carriage."</p><p></p><p>She paused for a moment. "I feel a bit like a tattling child. Monsieur Foccault I believe did mean to leave us unharmed, if you can call the loss of your freedom for the rest of your life unharmed. But the fact is they continue to consider their own interests to be greater than those of France, and are willing to damage France's relations with Egypt for their own ends. They were also willing to publicly murder myself and Mr. Stuart outside the concert hall, or abduct us permanently."</p><p></p><p>The Empress states, "Oh, that is terrible. You are fortunate to have escaped." Victor Duruy then speaks up and says, "Indeed. Although I fail to see what either of us can do about it. We have disbanded the wizard society so we no longer have any authority over them. None of us can even get near our former residence, it has been returned to the previous owner and the French military will not even allow us access to the building to retrieve our personal belongings."</p><p></p><p>Abby replies, "Sir, I wish I was wiser and could answer that question. Even though you no longer have authority, you still have influence. And from what I saw, I think Monsieur Foccault may just need a steadying influence. He could have stopped us from leaving the carriage with a single dispel magic. Cast at the right time it would have killed us. But he made a different choice. Mr. Stuart challenged him to make it right and he did.</p><p></p><p>What happened to every innocent member of the Wizard's group isn't fair. It wasn't fair for a few members to launch such a plot, and it's not fair that the rest of you suffer for it. It must be a shock, this sudden, violent change. It could be that a month from now Monsieur Foccault would never even have considered doing this. There is a power vacuum where the Weekly Wizard's stood. Your influence could help shape the new path of wizardry in France. What you choose to do with this information is up to you. I have no intention of carrying this further. I cannot speak for Mr. Stuart, but I see no reason for him to do so either. But to not bring this information to you seemed wrong."</p><p></p><p>The Empress speaks up saying, "Victor, she is right. Fauccault was the ten of clubs, Gerome the nine of hearts. They are confused and lacking leadership. Of the Jacks, Queens, Kings and Aces who is left? None at all from the Spades and Clubs. And of the Hearts only Jean-Francois Millet as the Jack. Of the four suites, only the Diamond leadership is are still mostly intact, with you, me and Mr. Passy. And the two of us would now both be dead if Miss Marsters had not intervened in the poisoning plot.</p><p></p><p>We have a responsibility for the others. We need to reach out to them, perhaps explain the decision to disband was to satisfy the French Council, but that we wish to still support them. If nothing else, we need to consider that this may not have been just an isolated incident, their actions could still reflect badly on what the two of us are trying to now accomplish." He remains silent and is clearly pondering this. The Empress looks back to Abigail, clearly seeking some further support for this direction.</p><p></p><p>Abby interjects "Many of the members probably have very little idea of what happened in Egypt. As far as we could tell, most of the members there believed there were there to help, only a very few knew the entire plan. Their world has fallen apart, the future they thought lay ahead is gone and they have no idea what happens next. They are probably angry, and quite likely feeling betrayed. And if no explanation has been forthcoming...</p><p></p><p>We have already seen Monsieur Fauccault grasping for that lost future. It is very unlikely he will be the only one. Without people they trust to offer them advice, and hope..." Abby shook her head. "Some will adjust and move on. Others may destroy themselves, or others. You have disbanded the Weekly Wizards, but memory is long. The actions of the former members will reflect on you. Your influence could make those reflections something to be proud of."</p><p></p><p>He says,"I can see your point, but I am not sure that I have the time, with negotiations with he French Ruling Council." The Empress says, "Nonsense, I am the one being nominated for a seat on the Council, not you. For the short term, making sure that our former colleagues better understand what has transpired and giving them direction IS your top priority." Abby kept an absolutely straight face as the Empress laid down the law for her new husband. In love they may be, but he was still a man, and one not used to being married to an Empress. "Congratulations on your nomination, your Majesty," she said.</p><p></p><p>She replies, "Well, it's not like they really had a choice, once the new Egyptian Ambassador essentially told them to. Between the potential for Queen Neferka to blame all of France for the death of her father, the need for French banks to be repaid by Egypt, the need for French ships to continue to use the Suez Canal and the fact that Meren herself had just personally laid waste to one of the most powerful and well protected castles in Paris, they were not inclined to disagree with her. They have now made it a top priority to arrange the return of all plundered items to Egypt, with imprisonment or execution as the penalties for anybody who resists giving up the Egyptian possessions.</p><p></p><p>The French have always had a bias against Clerical magic, but having a nature priestess as the head of the council is changing that. My placement back on the council will help to provide some balance and I can't have that upended by actions of my former colleagues." Abby says,"Meren is a very impressive woman, and wise to ask for you to be placed on the Council. The plot in Egypt was aimed at finding a new power base because they felt that the practice of Arcane magic in France was threatened. Not having lived in France over the last few years, I don't know how justified that fear was. But your presence on the council would send a strong message that Arcane magic is still respected."</p><p></p><p>Abby paused, well aware that she really had no standing to comment on the internal workings of France. "I'm an American, and I have arcane talent. But I haven't been able to develop that talent because of the laws. I've picked up a few things, but not much. I have no wish to see France become like America. Not in that way." Mr. Duruy says sharply, "I can assure you, France has no desire to resemble America." The Empress exclaims "Victor! That was very rude, apologize to the young lady this instant." He turns to her and says, "I meant no disrespect to you personally and apologize if you took it as such. I was merely concurring with your position on the legislation that governs your nation."</p><p></p><p>Abby says, "Sir, I love my country, but I'm not blind to her flaws. Nor am I blind to the beauties of France. I am also not blind to the fact that I have interrupted your night and should be removing myself so you can continue it. Is there anything else I might help you with before I go? My assistance is yours, humble as it is." Mr. Duruy says, "I believe that is all the information we need. Thank you for bringing it to our attention."</p><p></p><p>The Empress Eugenia Maria says, "I have one more question for you Abigail. How was the concert?" Abby's eyes lit up. "Oh, it was marvelous," she began. She went on for a minute or so, describing the selections offered, and the scenes and acts from the operettas. "I've never had an opportunity to see such a concert. I'm used to hearing music from small ensembles in clubs. I could have stayed all night if they would have kept playing." The Empress replies, "You should have been here last year after he died. They did a week-long series of concerts as a memorial." Abby says, "Yes, Mr. Stuart mentioned that. I envy anyone who had a chance to attend. I do love music, although I have no talent for it. Well, I shouldn't say that. I've had no training in it, so I have no idea if I have talent in it or not."</p><p></p><p>Mr. Duruy is apparently anxious for her to leave as he goes to the door and holds it open for her. Abigail fought down a sudden and perverse desire to sit down and converse with the Empress, who seemed to enjoy the chance to chat a bit. Instead she moved to the doorway and stopped in it, turned to the Empress and gave her a full, formal curtsey with a bit of a twinkle in her eye. "I wish you many years of happiness," she said sincerely. "With your kind permission I will leave you to your night."</p><p></p><p>"Thank you for the visit Miss Marsters," the Empress replies. Abby says, "Oh! I nearly forgot. Mr. Stuart was disarmed of a small knife, part of the Scottish costume. It is a valuable family item. If its return could be arranged, he would be grateful. Good night," Abby said and stepped out the door, and was not surprised to find it closed very quickly behind her.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 7103424, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter 134, "Audience with the Empress", September 13, 1882, 11:00 PM[/B] Eventually Abby and Callum notice that the carriage is traveling much slower and is traversing the streets of Paris. Abby also notices that Callum's legs and arms appear to be regaining their solidity. Abby buried her head in Cal's shoulder and sighed. "I think our time is running out," she said in a lazy voice. "Your potion is wearing off and we've slowed down. I shouldn't be far behind." She laughed suddenly. "You know, most people just use a bed for this kind of thing, not Egyptian Temples and the backs of carriages." He says, "Well, suppose I could find a bed for where ever we are tonight. I am thinking it should probably not be the Stuart estate. If any of those wizards are after us that is the first place they will look." As he talks he walks around the carriage and draws the window curtains shut. "Oh gods, and the windows were open!" she laughed. He says, "Yes, but we were in the dark, on the floor, and translucent. Nobody would have seen anything. However, to heal your wound we are going to need to have the lights on and your dress off. After a moment she added, "You're sure you don't want to go home? You're right, they would look for us there, but they may be looking for us there whether or not we ARE there. Your family and people there now wouldn't even know someone might try to break in." He replies, "If I get obtain our dinner from the Spanish restaurant that I had in mind I can cover that. One of Maracita's friends keeps homing pigeons that travel between there and our estate, so I can get a message back to them." She replies,"That sounds like a good plan to me." Abby began opening the buttons on her gown in order to pull it off. "And I wasn't worried about the windows, it's just funny. Do you have some sort of formal title I should be using when I speak with the Empress?" He says, "My title is Landholder for the Land of Queen Mary." Abby notes that he is now fully solidified. While talking he removes the cushion from the seat. He then goes over to a hidden toolbox near the door and removes a thin knife, which he uses to lift up a panel that had been beneath the cushion. From that he removes a black Doctor's bag. He says, "If my sgain dubh had not been taken away I could have opened this panel with it. Losing that item is a major loss, it was quite magical. Maybe you can also talk to the Empress about trying to have it returned due to my family's deep sentimental attachment to it." She says, "I'll mention it. I would think Foccault could be asked to return it as an act of good faith. He probably intended to return it to you. He really seemed to believe he and whomever he had for help would be able to break into the vault. I can't imagine Gerome is good for anything. He's a coward, a liar, and prone to extreme exaggeration, and a terrible artist to boot. Which makes me think he must have some sort of brains in his head. There's nothing else he can offer." Cal says, "Gerome was very well politically connected. Ingratiating himself to rulers seemed to be his specialty. He was a favorite of both Napoleon III and Wilhelm I of Prussia." He pauses a bit and says, "Gerome was also once very close to Neferka's father. I'm somewhat curious why Daguerre had him with the Heliopolis faction rather than those in Cairo, although he clearly was unaware of the poisoning plot that other members of that faction were attempting. Maybe he was being kept not too far from Cairo as a contingency." Abby says, "I don't know, either. But after the poisoning was done, if he was so close to the Pharaoh, he would have made an excellent and very visible mourner. I'd say he was there to help allay suspicion against the French, but I honestly don't think they felt they had to worry about that. They had tendrils everywhere, with every faction, and they were covering their tracks very well. I don't know enough about his skills to guess how he might have helped to subdue Meren and the shepherds." Cal says, "Didn't you say that his main role was fainting after you scratched his arm?" She replies, "To be fair, I scratched his arm, punched him in the nose, and threatened to cut his face. After he claimed to be ruined forever from a scratch that stopped bleeding in seconds, I figured I could avoid any more violence with a few well-made threats. It worked," she said with a smirk. "Although I was trying to get information out of him, not make him pass out. But obviously they didn't bring him there for that. He had some sort of job. She had continued to open the buttons on her dress, but waited to actually remove it. There was no reason to sit around being cold until Cal could actually put the salve on. The carriage appears to be nearing their destination as it turns off of a main road and slows. With the windows drawn they do not see outside. Callum activates a light inside the carriage. Once illuminated, Abby now sees that her arms and legs have become solid again. I think I'm almost ready here," she said, and began to pull the gown off so they could get a look at the wounds. While she cannot see the exit wound, the entry wound does look serious with a coin-sized section of skin missing. He says, "Worse than I thought, you outer skin must have still been more solid than I had realized, and with essentially nothing behind to hold it back, the skin tore like a paper marksmanship target would. Not to worry, this salve will do the trick." He takes a small ceramic jar out of the medical bag and unfastens the lid. Inside is a tan-colored paste which he holds his index and middle finger of his right hand over it. "At the first sight of blood I will apply it. Be warned, it will feel as cold as ice." Abby nodded. "I suppose once I'm solid the wounds will actually start to hurt." She looked curiously at the entry wound. It was certainly odd, as if someone had just cut the layers of skin out while leaving the muscle untouched. "I'm just grateful I was as ethereal as I was, and that we didn't try to go through the side of the carriage any earlier." She watched for another moment and she began to see some blood begin to seep. She immediately felt Cal put the salve on and tried not to jump. It felt like he'd just dropped an ice cube on her. Once dabbed on the front it mixes slightly with the first drops of blood, giving it a brown rather than tan shade. He next applies some to the exit wound on her back. He then wipes his fingers off with a handkerchief and reseals the jar. The cold temperature soon fades and the paste becomes solid. He says, "I'm sorry to have to say this, but you can now put the gown back on." She took a moment to pull his head down and kiss him one more time before she began getting dressed. "It is just a tad chilly without it," she said. Get back into the clothing was a little more complicated than getting it off, but she was back in good order before long. "Is everything in place? Even if I could do something about the holes in the dress I wouldn't, they're evidence. But is the rest of me put back together?" He replies, "Meagan knows a 'Mend' spell and can fix the gown tomorrow." They exit the carriage and she sees that they are in a very large courtyard with six-story buildings around on all sides and a large column in the center. Abby sarcastically says, "A little understated, wouldn't you say?" Callum says, "For Jules Hardouin Mansart, this actually IS understatement. He was the architect for this area, known as the Vendome. But he is better known for another project he did for King Louis XIV, the Palace of Versailles. Yes, I know that Versailles pre-dated Louix XIV, but it was Masaart who substantially expanded it into what it is today. He gestures to the building closest to them and says, "This is the Hotel de Vendome, a five-star facility. It was originally built as a massive townhouse for the French nobility, but was later converted into a hotel. Mr. and Mrs. Duruy are staying in the penthouse." He turns toward the driver and says, "Driver, please accompany Miss Marsters inside. Once she is safely in the care of the Empress of France you may return and we will run some errands." "Cal, be careful," she said and took his hand for a moment. "Don't leave me stranded here." "Alright driver, let's go," she said, and began to stride confidently into the hotel. A doorman opens the door for Abby and her driver. The interior lobby is spectacular and has large amounts of open space. There appears to be a fancy dining room on the far end of the lobby. There are elevators to bring patrons up to the higher floors. She sees a long wooden desk area with three employees behind it. "May I help you?" one of the men asks in French. Abigail answered him in her own perfect French, with the air of every confidence that she belonged there. "Good evening. My name is Miss Abigail Marsters, and I have important information for the Empress and Mr. Duruy. Please inform them that I am here and request their gracious indulgence and an audience." He replies, "Miss Marsters, you are but one of dozens of individuals who have wished to see them since the newspapers wrote of their arrival here. The couple happens to be on their honeymoon and we are not inclined to interrupt them. If you wish to return tomorrow morning you may meet with their appointment secretary, Mr. Richaeleau, and he couldl schedule you then to meet with them at some time in the future." Abby says, "I am quite aware they are on their honeymoon, sir. I attended their wedding in Egypt, performed by the Priestess Sabah, within an hour or two after Bast departed. And I accompanied her back to Paris in the dirigible which returned the happy couple. And as I'm sure you doubt me, I have also been in the papers, in Britain, in Mr. Stevenson's story of his rescue in Egypt. The information I being relates to the events in Egypt that preceded their marriage. I understand your position, it is of course your priority to see to it that the Empress and her new husband are undisturbed. But the information I bring cannot wait. I will be pleased to write a short note to have delivered, and we can let the Empress decide whether or not she wishes to see me." He reluctantly gives her a pen and paper to write the note. Abby took the pen and wrote swiftly in the French language. [I][B]To her Majesty, the Empress of France, My name is Miss Abigail Marsters. I had the honor of being present as your marriage and accompanying you back to France. I offer my humble apologies for the necessity of disturbing you at this time. I have recently learned of your actions in disbanding the Weekly Wizard's group. However, I have just had an encounter with two members of the now defunct group of which I think you should be aware. Their plans continue in defiance of your edict, even if the group does not. I beg your indulgence and a few moments of your time. Miss Abigail Marsters[/B][/I] He takes the note and personally heads off with it. While he does not look at the note in her presence, she has no dobut that he will do so once he is out of her sight. It only takes six minutes for an affirmative reply. The man's supervisor, the night manager, escorts her and the driver to the elevator and to the penthouse. The new Mrs. Duruy answers the door herself and appears to not have any servants present. She is attired in a maroon gown with a white silk shawl. The driver nods to Abby and then departs, as does the manager. "Come in, come in," she states in English, adding "I am surprised to see you still in Paris." Her new husband emerges from a side room, fastening his tie, having apparently just formally dressed. "Now what is this about?" she asks. Abby offered a low curtsey, despite the fact that she got the feeling the Empress wouldn't have been offended had she not. She replies in perfect French "Thank you for your time, I apologize for disturbing you. I returned to Paris to attend the Jacques Offenbach concert with my dear friend Callum Stuart, the Landholder of the Lands of Queen Mary. We were students together." "To keep it very short, Mr. Stuart and I were abducted at gunpoint from outside the concert hall by Monsieur Daguerre's apprentice Foccault, Jean-Leon Gerome, and two of Daguerre's grandsons named Marcel and Andre. We were approached by Andre and told there that the gunmen ready to end our lives if we refused to go with them. We had little option but to comply. We were searched and then questioned about the whereabouts of the artifact the Weekly Wizard's used to extend their lives. They also wanted to know how to get into the vault where they believe Queen Neferka will eventually place it. Monsieur Foccault assured us we would come to no physical harm, but it was obvious that Marcel and Gerome desired otherwise. It was made clear that we would not be freed until they had reclaimed the artifact. We made it clear they would get no help from us. Mr. Stuart had a potion hidden on him in the form of a cigar. When Foccault allowed him to smoke it, we used it to turn ethereal and escape. Mr. Stuart's driver was giving chase by then and the men were distracted. Unfortunately not for quite long enough," she said, and indicated the holes in her gown. "Thankfully, I was almost completely ethereal by the time Marcel shot me. It was only the surface of the entrance and exit wounds that were actually damaged, and Mr. Stuart had a healing salve in the carriage." She paused for a moment. "I feel a bit like a tattling child. Monsieur Foccault I believe did mean to leave us unharmed, if you can call the loss of your freedom for the rest of your life unharmed. But the fact is they continue to consider their own interests to be greater than those of France, and are willing to damage France's relations with Egypt for their own ends. They were also willing to publicly murder myself and Mr. Stuart outside the concert hall, or abduct us permanently." The Empress states, "Oh, that is terrible. You are fortunate to have escaped." Victor Duruy then speaks up and says, "Indeed. Although I fail to see what either of us can do about it. We have disbanded the wizard society so we no longer have any authority over them. None of us can even get near our former residence, it has been returned to the previous owner and the French military will not even allow us access to the building to retrieve our personal belongings." Abby replies, "Sir, I wish I was wiser and could answer that question. Even though you no longer have authority, you still have influence. And from what I saw, I think Monsieur Foccault may just need a steadying influence. He could have stopped us from leaving the carriage with a single dispel magic. Cast at the right time it would have killed us. But he made a different choice. Mr. Stuart challenged him to make it right and he did. What happened to every innocent member of the Wizard's group isn't fair. It wasn't fair for a few members to launch such a plot, and it's not fair that the rest of you suffer for it. It must be a shock, this sudden, violent change. It could be that a month from now Monsieur Foccault would never even have considered doing this. There is a power vacuum where the Weekly Wizard's stood. Your influence could help shape the new path of wizardry in France. What you choose to do with this information is up to you. I have no intention of carrying this further. I cannot speak for Mr. Stuart, but I see no reason for him to do so either. But to not bring this information to you seemed wrong." The Empress speaks up saying, "Victor, she is right. Fauccault was the ten of clubs, Gerome the nine of hearts. They are confused and lacking leadership. Of the Jacks, Queens, Kings and Aces who is left? None at all from the Spades and Clubs. And of the Hearts only Jean-Francois Millet as the Jack. Of the four suites, only the Diamond leadership is are still mostly intact, with you, me and Mr. Passy. And the two of us would now both be dead if Miss Marsters had not intervened in the poisoning plot. We have a responsibility for the others. We need to reach out to them, perhaps explain the decision to disband was to satisfy the French Council, but that we wish to still support them. If nothing else, we need to consider that this may not have been just an isolated incident, their actions could still reflect badly on what the two of us are trying to now accomplish." He remains silent and is clearly pondering this. The Empress looks back to Abigail, clearly seeking some further support for this direction. Abby interjects "Many of the members probably have very little idea of what happened in Egypt. As far as we could tell, most of the members there believed there were there to help, only a very few knew the entire plan. Their world has fallen apart, the future they thought lay ahead is gone and they have no idea what happens next. They are probably angry, and quite likely feeling betrayed. And if no explanation has been forthcoming... We have already seen Monsieur Fauccault grasping for that lost future. It is very unlikely he will be the only one. Without people they trust to offer them advice, and hope..." Abby shook her head. "Some will adjust and move on. Others may destroy themselves, or others. You have disbanded the Weekly Wizards, but memory is long. The actions of the former members will reflect on you. Your influence could make those reflections something to be proud of." He says,"I can see your point, but I am not sure that I have the time, with negotiations with he French Ruling Council." The Empress says, "Nonsense, I am the one being nominated for a seat on the Council, not you. For the short term, making sure that our former colleagues better understand what has transpired and giving them direction IS your top priority." Abby kept an absolutely straight face as the Empress laid down the law for her new husband. In love they may be, but he was still a man, and one not used to being married to an Empress. "Congratulations on your nomination, your Majesty," she said. She replies, "Well, it's not like they really had a choice, once the new Egyptian Ambassador essentially told them to. Between the potential for Queen Neferka to blame all of France for the death of her father, the need for French banks to be repaid by Egypt, the need for French ships to continue to use the Suez Canal and the fact that Meren herself had just personally laid waste to one of the most powerful and well protected castles in Paris, they were not inclined to disagree with her. They have now made it a top priority to arrange the return of all plundered items to Egypt, with imprisonment or execution as the penalties for anybody who resists giving up the Egyptian possessions. The French have always had a bias against Clerical magic, but having a nature priestess as the head of the council is changing that. My placement back on the council will help to provide some balance and I can't have that upended by actions of my former colleagues." Abby says,"Meren is a very impressive woman, and wise to ask for you to be placed on the Council. The plot in Egypt was aimed at finding a new power base because they felt that the practice of Arcane magic in France was threatened. Not having lived in France over the last few years, I don't know how justified that fear was. But your presence on the council would send a strong message that Arcane magic is still respected." Abby paused, well aware that she really had no standing to comment on the internal workings of France. "I'm an American, and I have arcane talent. But I haven't been able to develop that talent because of the laws. I've picked up a few things, but not much. I have no wish to see France become like America. Not in that way." Mr. Duruy says sharply, "I can assure you, France has no desire to resemble America." The Empress exclaims "Victor! That was very rude, apologize to the young lady this instant." He turns to her and says, "I meant no disrespect to you personally and apologize if you took it as such. I was merely concurring with your position on the legislation that governs your nation." Abby says, "Sir, I love my country, but I'm not blind to her flaws. Nor am I blind to the beauties of France. I am also not blind to the fact that I have interrupted your night and should be removing myself so you can continue it. Is there anything else I might help you with before I go? My assistance is yours, humble as it is." Mr. Duruy says, "I believe that is all the information we need. Thank you for bringing it to our attention." The Empress Eugenia Maria says, "I have one more question for you Abigail. How was the concert?" Abby's eyes lit up. "Oh, it was marvelous," she began. She went on for a minute or so, describing the selections offered, and the scenes and acts from the operettas. "I've never had an opportunity to see such a concert. I'm used to hearing music from small ensembles in clubs. I could have stayed all night if they would have kept playing." The Empress replies, "You should have been here last year after he died. They did a week-long series of concerts as a memorial." Abby says, "Yes, Mr. Stuart mentioned that. I envy anyone who had a chance to attend. I do love music, although I have no talent for it. Well, I shouldn't say that. I've had no training in it, so I have no idea if I have talent in it or not." Mr. Duruy is apparently anxious for her to leave as he goes to the door and holds it open for her. Abigail fought down a sudden and perverse desire to sit down and converse with the Empress, who seemed to enjoy the chance to chat a bit. Instead she moved to the doorway and stopped in it, turned to the Empress and gave her a full, formal curtsey with a bit of a twinkle in her eye. "I wish you many years of happiness," she said sincerely. "With your kind permission I will leave you to your night." "Thank you for the visit Miss Marsters," the Empress replies. Abby says, "Oh! I nearly forgot. Mr. Stuart was disarmed of a small knife, part of the Scottish costume. It is a valuable family item. If its return could be arranged, he would be grateful. Good night," Abby said and stepped out the door, and was not surprised to find it closed very quickly behind her. [/QUOTE]
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