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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 6907681" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter 97, “Questioning the elderly Wizard" September 12, 1882, 1:30AM.</strong></p><p></p><p>Ruby has just requested from the Queen to "borrow" the French airship." The Queen replies, "It is the Barrister's decision, although I support the idea of retrieving my daughter from Zakazik, if that is where she still is at." Ruby says, "I understand and will take it up with the Barrister. Where will you go now your Majesty? So we know where to bring your daughter once we find her." She replies, "I do not know. Somewhere that the Barrister feels is safe for us." Hearing Ruby's conversation with the Queen, George catches the attention of Sefu.</p><p></p><p>"I understand. I am sure we will have a way to contact him at least and he can advise us where to go." Ruby bows slightly to the Queen. "Take care. And trust NO ONE right now, even your most trusted friends could have somehow been comprised. We don't want to see any more loss. Be safe." The Queen replies, "I doubt the sphynx will let my daughters from their sight. We are safe in their presence."</p><p></p><p>Ruby looked like she was about to leave but something stopped her. One Princess looked very interested in what was being said. Without looking alarming, Ruby took a couple steps towards her and addressed her. "Princess, I am wondering, do you have information that might help us find your sister? You must have been close with her, you are sisters after all. Perhaps she was not kidnapped at all but instead ran away to escape all the craziness going on. Where do you think she might go? I am sure you loved her deeply and would do anything to help find her, yes?"</p><p></p><p>The Princess says, "Where would she go? She loved the Cleopatra exhibits at the museum in Alexandria, but the British are there now so I doubt she would head there. She also liked Father's ship, but I am not sure which port along the sea it is presently docked at." Ruby nodded, "That could be helpful, yes, thank you. Did you ever have an opportunity to meet General Orabi?" She says, "Oh yes, he was at the palace quite often. He was one of father's military leaders until he betrayed the family to lead the rebellion." Ruby nodded again. "Yes, that was a terrible betrayal. From talking with your sister and my own interaction with him, he seemed to very sincerely love your sister and want the fighting to end."</p><p></p><p>With venom in her voice the sister exclaims, "He had a strange way of showing that then, murdering our father." Ruby answers, "Yes, you are right about that Your Highness. Though it IS possible someone else had a hand in controlling his horrible actions. Hopefully we can get to the bottom of this mystery and bring the real culprit to justice, no matter who is it." Ruby watched the princess closely, studying her face and body while she spoke. The girl chokes up and then softly says, "There are no excuses for murder." "You are correct Princess, there are no excuses for murder. I hope to get to the bottom of this quickly and bring all the perpetrators to justice." Ruby gives a small bow. "I will take my leave now and get to it then." Ruby excuses herself then finds the others.</p><p></p><p>George says, "Barrister Sefu, might I request that you place the airship under my command for the time being. I am willing to act upon your orders of course, but I believe I am the only one here whom you can trust who knows how the operate the vehicle. And time is of the essence in combating the French plot." suggests George in his most diplomatic tone. The Barrister says, "I will take that under advisement. I clearly do not wish the French to have access to it, but unless you tell me exactly what you wish to use it for and I in turn concur, I am inclined to leave it here under the watchful eyes of my sphynx guardians."</p><p></p><p>"Quite honestly, I wish to take my crew and race to find and rescue the princess. That is my main goal. It would be nice to also prevent the battle in Tel el-Kabir if I can. A battle obviously orchestrated by the French. Or perhaps I should clarify and say the cabal of some of the French wizards. The speed of the airship would allow us time to do both, though the former is our priority," replies George. The Barrister says, "You wish to locate and rescue the possible heir to the throne. That I will agree to, although I will insist that you take the Princess's guard Mengesha with you as well as one of the Egyptian Army Officers."</p><p></p><p>George says, "More than agreeable. Send the officer and Mengesha to the airship and I will meet them aboard presently as I round up my crew. Thank you Sefu. We will notify you as soon as we have actionable intelligence." replies George extending his hand in thanks to the barrister. He shakes George's hand and says, "Bring her back safely if you can, it would make everything much easier, even if she was in league with her husband. Of course, now that he is dead we may never truly know."</p><p></p><p>George heads over to Gonzales and Abby "Abby, we have been given permission to take the airship to try to rescue the princess, can you help me round up the rest of the crew?" Abby says, "Mina and Lawrence are supposed to meet us back here after they find a place for quiet questioning. How long do we wait?" "Well I was hoping that the quiet place for questioning would be 3,000 feet in the air. If we take the wizard with us, we can begin traveling as we get the information. So perhaps we can get Freya, Lawrence and Mina back here quickly with the wizard?" replies George. Abby answers, "Freya may know which way they went, I'll start there."</p><p></p><p>Lawrence and Mina are seen riding back. She rides to George and dismounts. Mina states, "Sabah says that the Bast Temple in Gizah should be able to provide safe haven." "Good we'll drop the geezer off there regardless. We have been given permission to use the airship. We are mounting a rescue operation, but we need the wizard for directions. Load him up and stay on guard. Let Freya know to meet us mid-air and she will join us. I need to go and find Constance. Oh and find Fish and make sure he hasn't pocketed anything" adds George with a grin. Abby moved back to hear what was said, then said, "I'll still go let Freya know." She walked rapidly away, glad for a few moments to herself. She finds Freya beyond the far buildings, still watching six of the party's horses.</p><p></p><p>Abby returns and tells George "Freya will bring our horses over to Sabah's Temple. She'll then remain in her human form and ride Northeast on one of horses, to meet us once the dirigible is out-of-sight of Gizah. I suggested she ride Lawrence's horse for that stretch, as it has the magical horseshoes that allow flight, so it might come in handy for us to bring along." Lawrence dismounts and says, "Mina has a point. If I'm riding in the airship, then the magical horseshoes are pointless."</p><p></p><p>Lawrence walks over to the captive wizard, Jacquard is being guard, and cracks his knuckles. "The queen seems mighty angry. She'll want someone to blame. Seein' as how the general is dead and your friends have left you behind, you would make an excellent scapegoat. But if you tell us where the princess is, maybe you can get out of this. What do you say?" Jacquard appears to still be unconscious, so does not respond.</p><p></p><p>George sends Mina to go get Freya before she departs. He heads over to the prisoner and checks to see if he is really conscious, and then applies some small token of Athena's magical healing (cure minor wound) so that he is awake. With the healing magic applied the very elderly man regains consciousness. The Barrister and the two Egyptian Soldiers guarding Jacquard stay and carefully observe what it is that George and Lawrence will say to the man.</p><p></p><p>With the issues with Freya sorted, Abby stood back to watch what was going to happen with the questioning. She stood away from Eastman and Lawrence, as well as away from the Barrister and the soldiers. Confusion wasn't something she was used to, and until her mind cleared up a bit, she didn't want to move too fast. Manuel Gonzales approaches her and says, "Be ready to throw any remaining spell you have into Jacquard, he is one of the five most powerful wizards on the planet. It wouldn't take much for him to get the better of all of us." "I'm pretty worn out, unless you think a Daze is going to bother him," she said ruefully.</p><p></p><p>He replies, "I'm unfortunately down to a handful of non-offensive spells, a hold portal, an enlarge, a locate object, and a phantom steed. You were successful with fists last time, but that was only because he wasn't expecting it from you." She says, "I am well aware how lucky I was there. Although I am a little disturbed by how... intense and carried away I feel in a physical fight. I've never been in fighting like we've seen here. My spells go so fast I need other options." With a chuckle he says, "Stay with my Ruby and I'm sure you'll have future opportunities for fights."</p><p></p><p>"She and Mrs. Parker do seem to lead exciting lives. Even people I thought I knew turned out to be adventurers in disguise. I'm beginning to wonder if I have some kind of berserker in my own background!" She paused for a few moments. "I'm more concerned about the questioning. Lawrence seems as willing to beat answers out of this old man as Eastman is. I know we need them, and someone has to take the lead. I don't have any better ideas. I just don't like that one." He replies, "I like this one even less. We were better off with Jacquard unconscious, now all of our lives are in danger. Even more so if he talks. We're too exposed out here in the open and I sense we are being watched, probably by the other French wizards. If he starts talking they'll probably let loose to silence him."</p><p></p><p>She see they are questioning the old wizard. Why did they start without me? she thinks unhappily. She shakes her head obviously disgruntled. She finds a corner of building near where everyone else is gathered. Confident she is unseen, she casts detect thoughts. Then she enters the room and waits silently next to Abby and her mentor, concentrating on the old wizard. She knew there was little chance of this working on him but she hoped him being unconscious for some time would help any spells he has on him subside. Luckily they has already removed his magic items. She nods at her friends to continue.</p><p></p><p>Lawrence walks over to the captive wizard, Jacquard, and cracks his knuckles. "The queen seems mighty angry, friend. She'll want someone to blame. Seein' as how the general is dead and your friends have left you behind, you would make an excellent scapegoat. But if you tell us where the princess is, maybe you can get out of this. What do you say? Let me help you." He replies in French (a language known to Lawrence) "Let you help me? You? An uneducated American ruffian? I would not waste my time with one such as you." Lawrence shrugs and replies, "Comme tu voudras. Bonne chance (As you wish. Good luck) ." He turns his back on the wizard.</p><p></p><p>George steps forward to the wizard, gesturing to Freya to come forward, and addresses him in French. "Bonjour Messier Jacquard. I believe you know the young lady here." George gestures over to Freya. "The Teutonic order isn't particularly fond of your Order these days. Freya, if he twitches wrong, put him out. In fact why don't you apply some gentle pressure just to make casting without his hands or silently that much harder for him." George then beckons over Ruby. "And I know you also know my fiancee. And I assure you she is as competent and capable as her grandmother. She is also as cunning, cruel and effective as she is stunningly beautiful." Ruby's lips turned into a smile but she kept concentrating on the wizard.</p><p></p><p>George pauses to give a smile to Ruby, before his face resets to a friendly smile towards the wizard. "Now, Jacquard, and do forgive my familiarity but I am in a bit of a hurry. As such I do not have time to pretend to the niceties of diplomacy. And other methods that can be quite efficacious as well as time saving may need to be employed. I respect my elders. I respect your exhaustive studies of arcane mysteries. I would hate to have to deprive you and the means to practice and employ those mysteries. So to ensure that everyone leaves here whole of body, mind and spirit, especially you sir. Tell us what you know of the plot tonight. And do not lie. Tell us how you manipulated or impersonated Orabi and where Nerfika is." says George calmly but with an underlying force to his words.</p><p></p><p>The French wizard is careful not to move even a finger as he clearly articulates "Mr. Eastman, I was not involved with the death of the King. General Orabi and the Egyptian Monarch had a long history that deteriorated into war. My only guilt was in bringing the man here on our dirigible under what we thought was a flag of truce. As to the whereabouts of his bride, when I saw her last she was at the Grand Hotel in Zakazik in her hotel room." George raises a quizzical eyebrow to both Ruby and Astrid seeking verification of veracity by the wizard. Neither are able to penetrate his thoughts. Ruby shrugged in response to George. Even though she was getting nothing from the wizard she would concentrate a little longer to be sure.</p><p></p><p>George says, "So if your only offense was transporting Orabi, then why did you attack those seeking to restore order?" He replies, "The Grand Vizier was trying to kill us, our response was self defense." "Interesting. And how pray tell, do you justify self defense when you cast first?" asks George. Jacquard replies, "I think that you are mistaken Sir, everything happened rather quickly. Those less familiar with magic often fail to understand the sequence of what is transpiring." "My what a unique manner of calling me stupid and blind. I am quite familiar with magic good sir, do not insult my intelligence or patience. If you cannot speak the truth perhaps Freya can wring it from you. One way or another." replies George.</p><p></p><p>The silence of the night is broken by the sound of a rifle firing. A bullet fires down from above that misses Jacquard's head by mere inches, striking the sand beside him. "Aha, well it appears your friends want you dead rather than speaking to us. Ruby sight the muzzle flash if there is another round and return fire. Freya stand behind Jacquard and prevent any spells from being cast, and ensure his friends do not accidentally hit you. Mina, Lawrence and Abby, take cover. In fact, Mina see if you can get a light up there. Sefu, do you have men to investigate?" says George rapidly marshaling the group.</p><p></p><p>Freya immediately moves around to the other side to stand over Jacquard with her armor. She appears totally fearless. Another bullet fires, slightly to the right of where Freya is standing, this one striking Jacquard in the leg. He screams out in pain and falls unconscious again. Lawrence takes cover when he hears the familiar sound of gunfire. "Where's it coming from?" Ruby nodded at George's instructions. She turned her body only slightly so she could keep concentrating on the wizard but still look for gun flashes. She slowly pulled her gun out of the holster to be readied. She spots the flash. It appears to be coming from near the top of the Pyramid of Khafre, the middle of the three which is only slightly smaller than the Khufu Pyramid closest to them.</p><p></p><p>Ruby shakes her head. "Well, I couldn't detect his thoughts and now that's a mute point. I did however see where the shot came from." She quickly pulls the loaded rifle off her back and shoots up to the top of the Pyramid of Khafre. "We should probably move, we're sitting ducks out here." "Sefu! Send up a sphinx!" shouts George pointing to the pyramid. The Barrister points toward the pyramid and sends the two female sphynx into the air.</p><p></p><p>The sniper fires a third shot, which strikes Freya but bounces off her armor. Abby and Ruby both see that he is perched about 50 feet down from the pyramid's peak, apparently braced with climbing gear and he trains his rifle below. Abby stepped back into shadow, but did not take full cover. Instead she pointed the rifle toward the distant shooter and fired. "Gotcha!" Ruby braced her feet, narrowed her eyes and shot again. Ruby's rifle was designed for sniper work and her shot is true. If finds the man and he falls from his perch. He tumbles around fifty feet before being scooped up by one of the sphynx. After Ruby fells the sniper, Lawrence breathes easily. He scans the area for better cover in case there are more assassins around.</p><p></p><p>"Keep an eye out for more shooters everyone, there could as easily be more. Let's see what the Sphinx brings back." says George turning to the wizard to assess his injury. Abby began moving through the shadows, scouting for more shooters. The sphynx soon lands by the Barrister's feet. The man is dressed in standard Egyptian garb but is caucasian rather than middle eastern. The hole that Ruby's shot placed in the center of his forehead indicates that further information from him will not be immediately forthcoming.</p><p></p><p>The Barrister sends the other Sphynx aloft to look for more shooters. He then tells the party "This area is too exposed, I am moving the prisoners and the Royals to that temple in Gizah that you had suggested." Ruby answers, "Good idea, we definitely need to move." Before she followed she walked over to the now dead shooter to get a good look at his face. George heads over to the shooter, searching him for any identification. He also notes his clothes and facial features employing ethnology and typological features and indicators to try to deduce his nationality. The face if familiar but George cannot place him. His clothing is local but one identifying characteristic is a ring on his right finger, indicating that he was a graduate of the Aix-Marsaille Univerisity, an old and distinguished French school.</p><p></p><p>Ruby says, "Come on George, I don't recognize, we need to get out of the line of fire. I got lucky with that last shot, we can't leave everything to fate you know! Let's get inside and discuss our next move." Sefu says, "We need to leave now for the temple. Eastman, are you taking the balloon to find the princess or not?" Ruby says, "He's right. We should get on the airship and start going, making our plans as we go." "Yes, I am Sefu, But I wanted to have some certainty about where she was. I think we have what we can out of Jacquard. So we will be setting off. You should make sure he doesn't bleed out." replies George.</p><p></p><p>Manual Gonzales slowly makes his way over to the body and casually takes a look at the man. Ruby says, "Good shot earlier Abby. I'm glad one of us got that guy before he got us." "Pretty sure that was your shot, not mine," Abby said quietly. "I don't like this whole situation. Something is making my instincts itch." Lawrence adds, "You should trust your instincts. Mine have served me well."</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 6907681, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter 97, “Questioning the elderly Wizard" September 12, 1882, 1:30AM.[/B] Ruby has just requested from the Queen to "borrow" the French airship." The Queen replies, "It is the Barrister's decision, although I support the idea of retrieving my daughter from Zakazik, if that is where she still is at." Ruby says, "I understand and will take it up with the Barrister. Where will you go now your Majesty? So we know where to bring your daughter once we find her." She replies, "I do not know. Somewhere that the Barrister feels is safe for us." Hearing Ruby's conversation with the Queen, George catches the attention of Sefu. "I understand. I am sure we will have a way to contact him at least and he can advise us where to go." Ruby bows slightly to the Queen. "Take care. And trust NO ONE right now, even your most trusted friends could have somehow been comprised. We don't want to see any more loss. Be safe." The Queen replies, "I doubt the sphynx will let my daughters from their sight. We are safe in their presence." Ruby looked like she was about to leave but something stopped her. One Princess looked very interested in what was being said. Without looking alarming, Ruby took a couple steps towards her and addressed her. "Princess, I am wondering, do you have information that might help us find your sister? You must have been close with her, you are sisters after all. Perhaps she was not kidnapped at all but instead ran away to escape all the craziness going on. Where do you think she might go? I am sure you loved her deeply and would do anything to help find her, yes?" The Princess says, "Where would she go? She loved the Cleopatra exhibits at the museum in Alexandria, but the British are there now so I doubt she would head there. She also liked Father's ship, but I am not sure which port along the sea it is presently docked at." Ruby nodded, "That could be helpful, yes, thank you. Did you ever have an opportunity to meet General Orabi?" She says, "Oh yes, he was at the palace quite often. He was one of father's military leaders until he betrayed the family to lead the rebellion." Ruby nodded again. "Yes, that was a terrible betrayal. From talking with your sister and my own interaction with him, he seemed to very sincerely love your sister and want the fighting to end." With venom in her voice the sister exclaims, "He had a strange way of showing that then, murdering our father." Ruby answers, "Yes, you are right about that Your Highness. Though it IS possible someone else had a hand in controlling his horrible actions. Hopefully we can get to the bottom of this mystery and bring the real culprit to justice, no matter who is it." Ruby watched the princess closely, studying her face and body while she spoke. The girl chokes up and then softly says, "There are no excuses for murder." "You are correct Princess, there are no excuses for murder. I hope to get to the bottom of this quickly and bring all the perpetrators to justice." Ruby gives a small bow. "I will take my leave now and get to it then." Ruby excuses herself then finds the others. George says, "Barrister Sefu, might I request that you place the airship under my command for the time being. I am willing to act upon your orders of course, but I believe I am the only one here whom you can trust who knows how the operate the vehicle. And time is of the essence in combating the French plot." suggests George in his most diplomatic tone. The Barrister says, "I will take that under advisement. I clearly do not wish the French to have access to it, but unless you tell me exactly what you wish to use it for and I in turn concur, I am inclined to leave it here under the watchful eyes of my sphynx guardians." "Quite honestly, I wish to take my crew and race to find and rescue the princess. That is my main goal. It would be nice to also prevent the battle in Tel el-Kabir if I can. A battle obviously orchestrated by the French. Or perhaps I should clarify and say the cabal of some of the French wizards. The speed of the airship would allow us time to do both, though the former is our priority," replies George. The Barrister says, "You wish to locate and rescue the possible heir to the throne. That I will agree to, although I will insist that you take the Princess's guard Mengesha with you as well as one of the Egyptian Army Officers." George says, "More than agreeable. Send the officer and Mengesha to the airship and I will meet them aboard presently as I round up my crew. Thank you Sefu. We will notify you as soon as we have actionable intelligence." replies George extending his hand in thanks to the barrister. He shakes George's hand and says, "Bring her back safely if you can, it would make everything much easier, even if she was in league with her husband. Of course, now that he is dead we may never truly know." George heads over to Gonzales and Abby "Abby, we have been given permission to take the airship to try to rescue the princess, can you help me round up the rest of the crew?" Abby says, "Mina and Lawrence are supposed to meet us back here after they find a place for quiet questioning. How long do we wait?" "Well I was hoping that the quiet place for questioning would be 3,000 feet in the air. If we take the wizard with us, we can begin traveling as we get the information. So perhaps we can get Freya, Lawrence and Mina back here quickly with the wizard?" replies George. Abby answers, "Freya may know which way they went, I'll start there." Lawrence and Mina are seen riding back. She rides to George and dismounts. Mina states, "Sabah says that the Bast Temple in Gizah should be able to provide safe haven." "Good we'll drop the geezer off there regardless. We have been given permission to use the airship. We are mounting a rescue operation, but we need the wizard for directions. Load him up and stay on guard. Let Freya know to meet us mid-air and she will join us. I need to go and find Constance. Oh and find Fish and make sure he hasn't pocketed anything" adds George with a grin. Abby moved back to hear what was said, then said, "I'll still go let Freya know." She walked rapidly away, glad for a few moments to herself. She finds Freya beyond the far buildings, still watching six of the party's horses. Abby returns and tells George "Freya will bring our horses over to Sabah's Temple. She'll then remain in her human form and ride Northeast on one of horses, to meet us once the dirigible is out-of-sight of Gizah. I suggested she ride Lawrence's horse for that stretch, as it has the magical horseshoes that allow flight, so it might come in handy for us to bring along." Lawrence dismounts and says, "Mina has a point. If I'm riding in the airship, then the magical horseshoes are pointless." Lawrence walks over to the captive wizard, Jacquard is being guard, and cracks his knuckles. "The queen seems mighty angry. She'll want someone to blame. Seein' as how the general is dead and your friends have left you behind, you would make an excellent scapegoat. But if you tell us where the princess is, maybe you can get out of this. What do you say?" Jacquard appears to still be unconscious, so does not respond. George sends Mina to go get Freya before she departs. He heads over to the prisoner and checks to see if he is really conscious, and then applies some small token of Athena's magical healing (cure minor wound) so that he is awake. With the healing magic applied the very elderly man regains consciousness. The Barrister and the two Egyptian Soldiers guarding Jacquard stay and carefully observe what it is that George and Lawrence will say to the man. With the issues with Freya sorted, Abby stood back to watch what was going to happen with the questioning. She stood away from Eastman and Lawrence, as well as away from the Barrister and the soldiers. Confusion wasn't something she was used to, and until her mind cleared up a bit, she didn't want to move too fast. Manuel Gonzales approaches her and says, "Be ready to throw any remaining spell you have into Jacquard, he is one of the five most powerful wizards on the planet. It wouldn't take much for him to get the better of all of us." "I'm pretty worn out, unless you think a Daze is going to bother him," she said ruefully. He replies, "I'm unfortunately down to a handful of non-offensive spells, a hold portal, an enlarge, a locate object, and a phantom steed. You were successful with fists last time, but that was only because he wasn't expecting it from you." She says, "I am well aware how lucky I was there. Although I am a little disturbed by how... intense and carried away I feel in a physical fight. I've never been in fighting like we've seen here. My spells go so fast I need other options." With a chuckle he says, "Stay with my Ruby and I'm sure you'll have future opportunities for fights." "She and Mrs. Parker do seem to lead exciting lives. Even people I thought I knew turned out to be adventurers in disguise. I'm beginning to wonder if I have some kind of berserker in my own background!" She paused for a few moments. "I'm more concerned about the questioning. Lawrence seems as willing to beat answers out of this old man as Eastman is. I know we need them, and someone has to take the lead. I don't have any better ideas. I just don't like that one." He replies, "I like this one even less. We were better off with Jacquard unconscious, now all of our lives are in danger. Even more so if he talks. We're too exposed out here in the open and I sense we are being watched, probably by the other French wizards. If he starts talking they'll probably let loose to silence him." She see they are questioning the old wizard. Why did they start without me? she thinks unhappily. She shakes her head obviously disgruntled. She finds a corner of building near where everyone else is gathered. Confident she is unseen, she casts detect thoughts. Then she enters the room and waits silently next to Abby and her mentor, concentrating on the old wizard. She knew there was little chance of this working on him but she hoped him being unconscious for some time would help any spells he has on him subside. Luckily they has already removed his magic items. She nods at her friends to continue. Lawrence walks over to the captive wizard, Jacquard, and cracks his knuckles. "The queen seems mighty angry, friend. She'll want someone to blame. Seein' as how the general is dead and your friends have left you behind, you would make an excellent scapegoat. But if you tell us where the princess is, maybe you can get out of this. What do you say? Let me help you." He replies in French (a language known to Lawrence) "Let you help me? You? An uneducated American ruffian? I would not waste my time with one such as you." Lawrence shrugs and replies, "Comme tu voudras. Bonne chance (As you wish. Good luck) ." He turns his back on the wizard. George steps forward to the wizard, gesturing to Freya to come forward, and addresses him in French. "Bonjour Messier Jacquard. I believe you know the young lady here." George gestures over to Freya. "The Teutonic order isn't particularly fond of your Order these days. Freya, if he twitches wrong, put him out. In fact why don't you apply some gentle pressure just to make casting without his hands or silently that much harder for him." George then beckons over Ruby. "And I know you also know my fiancee. And I assure you she is as competent and capable as her grandmother. She is also as cunning, cruel and effective as she is stunningly beautiful." Ruby's lips turned into a smile but she kept concentrating on the wizard. George pauses to give a smile to Ruby, before his face resets to a friendly smile towards the wizard. "Now, Jacquard, and do forgive my familiarity but I am in a bit of a hurry. As such I do not have time to pretend to the niceties of diplomacy. And other methods that can be quite efficacious as well as time saving may need to be employed. I respect my elders. I respect your exhaustive studies of arcane mysteries. I would hate to have to deprive you and the means to practice and employ those mysteries. So to ensure that everyone leaves here whole of body, mind and spirit, especially you sir. Tell us what you know of the plot tonight. And do not lie. Tell us how you manipulated or impersonated Orabi and where Nerfika is." says George calmly but with an underlying force to his words. The French wizard is careful not to move even a finger as he clearly articulates "Mr. Eastman, I was not involved with the death of the King. General Orabi and the Egyptian Monarch had a long history that deteriorated into war. My only guilt was in bringing the man here on our dirigible under what we thought was a flag of truce. As to the whereabouts of his bride, when I saw her last she was at the Grand Hotel in Zakazik in her hotel room." George raises a quizzical eyebrow to both Ruby and Astrid seeking verification of veracity by the wizard. Neither are able to penetrate his thoughts. Ruby shrugged in response to George. Even though she was getting nothing from the wizard she would concentrate a little longer to be sure. George says, "So if your only offense was transporting Orabi, then why did you attack those seeking to restore order?" He replies, "The Grand Vizier was trying to kill us, our response was self defense." "Interesting. And how pray tell, do you justify self defense when you cast first?" asks George. Jacquard replies, "I think that you are mistaken Sir, everything happened rather quickly. Those less familiar with magic often fail to understand the sequence of what is transpiring." "My what a unique manner of calling me stupid and blind. I am quite familiar with magic good sir, do not insult my intelligence or patience. If you cannot speak the truth perhaps Freya can wring it from you. One way or another." replies George. The silence of the night is broken by the sound of a rifle firing. A bullet fires down from above that misses Jacquard's head by mere inches, striking the sand beside him. "Aha, well it appears your friends want you dead rather than speaking to us. Ruby sight the muzzle flash if there is another round and return fire. Freya stand behind Jacquard and prevent any spells from being cast, and ensure his friends do not accidentally hit you. Mina, Lawrence and Abby, take cover. In fact, Mina see if you can get a light up there. Sefu, do you have men to investigate?" says George rapidly marshaling the group. Freya immediately moves around to the other side to stand over Jacquard with her armor. She appears totally fearless. Another bullet fires, slightly to the right of where Freya is standing, this one striking Jacquard in the leg. He screams out in pain and falls unconscious again. Lawrence takes cover when he hears the familiar sound of gunfire. "Where's it coming from?" Ruby nodded at George's instructions. She turned her body only slightly so she could keep concentrating on the wizard but still look for gun flashes. She slowly pulled her gun out of the holster to be readied. She spots the flash. It appears to be coming from near the top of the Pyramid of Khafre, the middle of the three which is only slightly smaller than the Khufu Pyramid closest to them. Ruby shakes her head. "Well, I couldn't detect his thoughts and now that's a mute point. I did however see where the shot came from." She quickly pulls the loaded rifle off her back and shoots up to the top of the Pyramid of Khafre. "We should probably move, we're sitting ducks out here." "Sefu! Send up a sphinx!" shouts George pointing to the pyramid. The Barrister points toward the pyramid and sends the two female sphynx into the air. The sniper fires a third shot, which strikes Freya but bounces off her armor. Abby and Ruby both see that he is perched about 50 feet down from the pyramid's peak, apparently braced with climbing gear and he trains his rifle below. Abby stepped back into shadow, but did not take full cover. Instead she pointed the rifle toward the distant shooter and fired. "Gotcha!" Ruby braced her feet, narrowed her eyes and shot again. Ruby's rifle was designed for sniper work and her shot is true. If finds the man and he falls from his perch. He tumbles around fifty feet before being scooped up by one of the sphynx. After Ruby fells the sniper, Lawrence breathes easily. He scans the area for better cover in case there are more assassins around. "Keep an eye out for more shooters everyone, there could as easily be more. Let's see what the Sphinx brings back." says George turning to the wizard to assess his injury. Abby began moving through the shadows, scouting for more shooters. The sphynx soon lands by the Barrister's feet. The man is dressed in standard Egyptian garb but is caucasian rather than middle eastern. The hole that Ruby's shot placed in the center of his forehead indicates that further information from him will not be immediately forthcoming. The Barrister sends the other Sphynx aloft to look for more shooters. He then tells the party "This area is too exposed, I am moving the prisoners and the Royals to that temple in Gizah that you had suggested." Ruby answers, "Good idea, we definitely need to move." Before she followed she walked over to the now dead shooter to get a good look at his face. George heads over to the shooter, searching him for any identification. He also notes his clothes and facial features employing ethnology and typological features and indicators to try to deduce his nationality. The face if familiar but George cannot place him. His clothing is local but one identifying characteristic is a ring on his right finger, indicating that he was a graduate of the Aix-Marsaille Univerisity, an old and distinguished French school. Ruby says, "Come on George, I don't recognize, we need to get out of the line of fire. I got lucky with that last shot, we can't leave everything to fate you know! Let's get inside and discuss our next move." Sefu says, "We need to leave now for the temple. Eastman, are you taking the balloon to find the princess or not?" Ruby says, "He's right. We should get on the airship and start going, making our plans as we go." "Yes, I am Sefu, But I wanted to have some certainty about where she was. I think we have what we can out of Jacquard. So we will be setting off. You should make sure he doesn't bleed out." replies George. Manual Gonzales slowly makes his way over to the body and casually takes a look at the man. Ruby says, "Good shot earlier Abby. I'm glad one of us got that guy before he got us." "Pretty sure that was your shot, not mine," Abby said quietly. "I don't like this whole situation. Something is making my instincts itch." Lawrence adds, "You should trust your instincts. Mine have served me well." [/QUOTE]
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