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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: 7077667" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter 130, "Kidnapped", September 13, 1882, 10:00 PM.</strong></p><p></p><p>A man has come up beside Callum and Abigail and says softly in French, but loud enough for both to hear: "Mr. Stuart, my employers would like to speak to you and the young lady. Please do not do anything other than accompany me. They do not wish either of you any harm. However, if you do not come with me there are a quartet of armed men who are following that will bring you both considerable harm."</p><p></p><p>Abigail’s mind immediately began calculating. What are my assets? Not armed. Still have a sharp pen in my pocket, hard-heeled shoes. Comb in hair sharp enough to scratch deeply but not seriously hurt someone. From the sound of his voice, where exactly is his nose? What’s the necessary angle to crush it with an elbow? A fist? Where are his feet? Toes or feet can be broken with a heel strike. How tall is he? Backward kick to the groin? Unlikely to hit home. Spin and kick in his knee from the side? Is he armed; can I get it from him? Is he lying about the others?</p><p></p><p>What do they want? Interrogation? Recruitment? Threats? Blackmail? The employers aren’t concerned about committing an open assassination of a well-known person. In a crowd. All these calculations and questions passed through her mind in a fraction of a second. Outwardly, Cal could feel the sudden coiled tension of her muscles, the subtle shift of her weight onto the balls of her feet. The soft sigh of her quickened breath passed her lips.</p><p></p><p>All this she held in check. Her every instinct was screaming at her to take the threat down. But they had chosen their moment well. And Cal had every right to survive into the next moments. Prevented from lashing out with her fists, her next instinct was to run her mouth. An instinct which she also ruthlessly crushed, and the effort of it and the feeling of helplessness were beginning to fuel a very ugly anger. The voice that came out was sweet as honey, but her accent was thick and dark beneath it. “You’re always so in demand, Mr. Stuart. I suppose I’m not so faint with hunger that I can’t spare a few moments.”</p><p></p><p>Callum says to the man, "Very well. But to establish the veracity of your statements I am going to slowly turn my head in ten seconds to see if that quartet actually exists. If your employers truly wish to speak with us they will probably be very cross if you shoot me just for moving my head." Callum turns his back, then forward again and says, "All right, they are there. Lead on MacDuff."</p><p></p><p>Abby kept her stride casual, holding onto Cal's arm just as she had been, and moving as if absolutely nothing was wrong. It was just as likely that nothing WAS. They were probably about to have an unpleasant interview with someone who didn't like what they'd done, perhaps trying to get some information out of them. What they would do if they didn't get what they wanted... Well, her original instinct could come into play yet. They are led away from the large gathering of carriages waiting for the concert goers to return and towards a main street off from that.</p><p></p><p>One of the men further back comes up quickly to a point beside Abby and says, "Careful Andre, he has a knife in his sock." Callum interjects, "It's not a knife, it is a sgian-dubh, an important part of the official Scottish regalia. It is not concealed at all, but worn to highlight the costume, essentially a decoration. And if you people honestly think that I can disable five men using an ornamental blade the size of your thumb then you have greatly overestimated my abilities." The man addressed as Andre says, "It's fine Marcel, we'll remove it in the carriage."</p><p></p><p>The man identified as Marcel continues to walk beside Abby rather than falling back with the other three. Marcel. That was a name to note. He did not underestimate her either. Underestimation was something that could be taken advantage of, but so was overestimation. She gave no outward hint of having noticed the man at all. But her grip on Cal's arm tightened slightly. Not from fear, but the effort to appear calm rather than angry had to be shown somewhere.</p><p></p><p>Marcel speaks up again and says, "He's wearing a leather pouch on the front of his belt. It could have a gun inside it. Hand it over." Callum lets a little bit of anger creep into his voice and says, "Marcel is it, you clearly know nothing about the official Scottish uniform. This pouch is called a sporran and all that it has inside it are money and cigars. My sporran is currently fastened to my belt. The only way I can 'hand it over' is by removing my belt, in which case my kilt would fall to the ground. As I am wearing nothing beneath my kilt, I believe that would attract far more attention than you would want."</p><p></p><p>"It would certainly attract my attention," Abby said drily. "And that of any woman with eyes." Andre says, "It's okay Marcel, we can check that in the carriage too." They turn and start to head directly towards one of the most elaborate carriages that Abby has ever seen. It is made of mahogany wood, with intricate carvings and gold inlay on the wood. The dark curtains over the windows are all drawn. A team of eight large black horses are hooked up to it. Callum says very, very softly so that only Abby can hear. "Damn. It's Daguerre's". She answered just as quietly, "Did a little too good job of being seen." He whispers back, "Ah well, in for a penny...."</p><p></p><p>Callum then speaks up and says, "I recognize that conveyance. So it will be Mr. Louis Jacques Daguerre who wishes to talk to us." The man named Andre says, "The woman knows better. And I am guessing that you do too." Abby thinks "And an underestimation from her companion." Although she supposed they had learned something by it. Well, she had survived Egypt, she would survive whatever awaited her in the carriage. Although if this Marcel tried to touch her, she wasn't sure he would.</p><p></p><p>They move closer to the vehicle. They reach the carriage and Andre opens the door. He gestures for Marcel to go in first. The man does, sitting on one bench of the carriage between two men seated inside in the darkness. Marcel says, "All set, I've got my gun out." Andre gestures for Callum and Abby to enter and sit on the bench opposite the other three. Callum goes in first, doing as instructed. Abby follows with Andre following and shutting the door. He sits beside Callum. The carriage only has the door on this side, the opposite side having shelves with bottles of alcohol and crystal glasses.</p><p></p><p>Abby looks at the two new men. She does not know the man seated to the left of Marcel, but the man on the right is Jean-Leon Gerome, who she last saw three days earlier swimming away from her in the Nile river. One arm is in a cast and sling. No Queen ever looked as stately as Abigail Elizabeth Marsters did, looking at the men who had requested their presence at gunpoint. It was not a superior or boastful attitude. It was the attitude of a woman who knew exactly who she was, and that she was not without power. Even if she secretly felt she absolutely was.</p><p></p><p>The carriage begins to move and now becomes illuminated with magical light so that the six occupants can see one another better. Andre has Marcel remove the short knife from Callum's sock. Andre leans over and opens the top of Callum's sporran, removing the contents which are comprised of a wad of paper money and the cigar case. He opens the case, just seeing two cigars inside. The items are returned to the Sporran.</p><p></p><p>Callum looks at both men, but then focuses his gaze on the one who Abby does not know and says, "If I am correct, you are Jean Bernard Leon Fouccault. You served as Mr. Daguerre's apprentice." The man replies "Yes, I was able to help improve his photographic techniques though my work. He also apprenticed me in the art of magic. You eluded me before Mr. Stuart, but I have you now." Abby recognizes the name. When they had arrived at Tanis to rescue the British archaeologists Henry Jones had referenced him as one of the four men that had been part of Prosper Merimee's team who had just left the Tanis ruins to return to Port Said.</p><p></p><p>Abby inwardly groaned as the carriage began moving. So this was not to be a simple unpleasant chat and then a return to their own business. It had never been very likely, but she had held out hope. The comment of having Cal now did not inspire any great confidence either. She wondered if she was here only because of her connection to Cal, or because of her connection to the AGELESS group. There was no reason it couldn't be both.</p><p></p><p>Callum acts surprisingly relaxed and says, "Well, my lady friend and I have spent the past four hours sitting inside a warm and dry concert hall and we are both parched. If we are going to be having a discussion we might as well do so like the gentlemen that we are." "You are quite correct sir," Fouccault states.</p><p></p><p>He folds down an attached tray that has a padded base and wide leather sides and them removes five glasses from their holders, placing them on the tray. Next he takes a decanter of cognac and pours it into the five glasses, passing them out to each occupant except for Marcel, who remains holding his revolver pointed at Callum. Abby took the offered drink and raised an eyebrow. She held it up as if toasting, then pretended to take a sip. Liquor on an empty stomach while under stress probably wasn't a good idea.</p><p></p><p>Callum says, "Where would you like to begin?" Fouccault says, "Tell me how you escaped from us in Tanis?" Callum laughs and says, "Good timing on my part. You attacked when I was answering the call of nature so I was a short distance off. I saw what was going on and opted to not become a part of it." "So you are a coward?" states Gerome. Callum replies, "I call it self-preservation." She huffed an amused little breath. Needles and barbs. Thankfully that kind of thing didn't bother Cal much. Anyone working as a spy had to value strategy and pragmatism over the appearance of heroism.</p><p></p><p>Foucccault turns his gaze towards Abby and says, "And you, I was told that you were present when the new Egyptian Queen decided to execute my mentor. What have you to say?" She shrugged almost imperceptibly. "I was present. I found the whole affair decidedly unpleasant." Gerome angrily interjects "And how did you contribute? We know that you were involved. You did far more damage in Egypt than only deciding to maim me." Abby says, "What damage I did or did not do is entirely dependent upon your point of view. I would say that my preventing the poisoning of the Royal Family prevented the cause of damage." "Poisoning? What are you talking about?" Fouccault asks.</p><p></p><p>Abigail's recounting was businesslike. "Surely you knew that Prosper Merimee was sending his apprentice and another actor to impersonate the shepherds and the Druidess of the Royal flock. Their mission was the poison the victory feast, setting Princess Neferka on the throne, who was to be used as a puppet ruler for the Weekly Wizards. I intervened. I don't approve of mass murder." Fouccault says, "Merimee wanted to kill the Egyptians? That cannot be true, he was only concerned with finding the gateway to Atlantis."</p><p></p><p>Callum says, "It was not his plan, it was YOUR mentors. You were not part of the conspiracy, if you had been you would now be dead, as the Goddess Bast identified all of those responsible and they were punished by the new Pharaoh. Be thankful that expulsion from Egypt was your only punishment, after having her father and brothers killed by your wizards group she could have taken out her punishment on all of you!" Gerome says, "That is absurd. We were there to help bring about peace. We were told to stop the shepherds to save them from the rebel leader Abdullah who wanted them dead. Clearly that shepherd leader was far more than she appeared to be, probably a royal in disguise, otherwise she would not now be the Egyptian Ambassador to France."</p><p></p><p>Abby says, "Sir, I think most of you believed that. Very few seemed to know the entirety of the plan.</p><p>There were also members of your group with Abdullah, whispering in his ear. He was to take the blame for the poisoning of the feast. The Shepherd leader was a powerful Druidess, and she is now the Egyptian Ambassador in reward for her service to the Pharaoh. I did not prevent the poisoning alone, after all."</p><p></p><p>Fouccault says, "Powerful indeed. She destroyed our home here in Paris. And rather than imprisoning her for attacking our city the ineffectual French Ruling Council has rewarded her and punished us. We are now barred from the building, what little of it remains, and they have accepted a petition from its previous owners to give it to them."</p><p></p><p>Callum says, "And what makes you think that the this Council did not see things for what they were? Your wizards group under the leadership of Chevruel and Dagurerre fatally attacked the Egyptian Royal Family. Are you so surprised that the new Pharaoh retaliated? It was not an assault against France or Paris, only against the very people who killed her family." Abby adds, "I do not see how the Ruling Council could have done otherwise. To mete out no punishment on French nationals who embarked on a such a thing with no sanction from the government? It would make them complicit."</p><p></p><p>Callum says to Fouccault "It looks as though you have come out ahead, based upon this fine carriage you are riding in. Daguerre was quite wealthy and is known to have had no spouse or legitimate children, so as his apprentice you appear to have inherited his estate." As Cal says this she notices Marcel's facial expression turns to anger and he starts to depress the trigger of the revolver pointed at Callum. Fouccault apparently also sees this and gently places his hand on the man's arm to steady or possibly deflect the bullet if the gun goes off.</p><p></p><p>Abigail grabbed Cal and pulled him down, then interposed herself between him and Marcel. Fouccault raises his voice slightly and says, "Everybody, calm down. Marcel, get control of your emotions. I am certain that Mr. Stuart meant no offense. He does not know who you are. Now, if you cannot handle yourself with that weapon I will give it to your cousin Andre." Marcel says, "I'm fine, I just didn't like what he was implying about my mother."</p><p></p><p>Andre helps Callum back up into the seat and explains, "Marcel and I are Louis Daguerre's grandsons. We were included in our Grandfather's will, although Marcel has not been rewarded as highly as he feels he deserves." Fouccault adds, "Yes, he inherited the family's original home in the suburb of Cormeilles-en-Parisis, a rather modest structure, but one that Louis felt great sentimental attachment to as it was where he was born."</p><p></p><p>Abigail settled herself again. These men at least seemed to have the sense not to attempt to touch her. "I'm sure no offense was meant, but it was insensitive. The relationship between a mentor and student can be like family. Doubtless what you've heard from us is distressing for all of you." Callum says, "Yes, I was insensitive. I apologize. In the future I will make an attempt to get kidnapped at gunpoint only after I have heard the kidnapper's full family history." His sarcasm does not sit well and Gerome says, "Do you take this as a joke?"</p><p></p><p>Callum says "No sir, there is nothing at all about this situation that I find funny. If you had asked me to join you in a restaurant for a conversation between gentlemen I would have. Instead you threaten myself and my date with firearms and are taking us to a yet unknown location for a yet unknown purpose. Andre said that we would not be harmed, but nothing to this point makes me think that is true." Fouccault says, "It is true. All we want from you is some specific information. After that you will be released. It concerns the magical artifact that was stolen from our mansion. Do you know where that item is now?"</p><p></p><p>It wasn't often that Abigail was actually pleased to NOT know something, but this was an exception. Her memories of that day were fuzzy at best, and she had no idea what or if any decisions about the artifact had been made. "I'd ask you to be more specific, but as I have no idea where any magical artifact from the mansion may be, so I can safely answer no." Callum replies "I have no knowledge of where that item is either, I have been in France for a while now."</p><p></p><p>Gerome says, "Oh, I absolutely know that. I also know how you got here. I was inside the palace in Cairo while the German Dragon-lady was fighting our Dreadnaught. I personally saw you and your Egyptian friend break into the King's vault and steal the magical flying carpet which brought you here. You know the secrets of how to enter that vault, and it is only a matter of time until the new Queen decides to place the artifact there." Abby says, "For a man so steeped in magic, I'd think you could imagine other ways he might have arrived in France."</p><p></p><p>Callum says, "Regarding the carpet, it was only borrowed, the Queen had it back in her possession in less than a day." Abby adds, "Yes, I dove off that carpet into the Nile in the company of the Queen herself. I can't say I recommend that." Callum continues, "I will say that I am most disappointed in all of you. I had previously thought that you were gentlemen, as well as masters of your individual professions. Now I discover that you have degenerated into being nothing more than petty thieves." Abby lifted an eyebrow again and looked at Cal. She felt he was referring to more than just their desire to get the artifact back.</p><p></p><p>A long pause follows. Gerome speaks first saying "There is nothing petty about that item, it belongs to our group and is very important." Callum says, "Correction, it did belong to your group, but you decided to pick a fight with the wrong person and it is now forfeit. However, it is also clear that if I give you the information about the vault then the lives of myself and my companion are as good as over. You will not release us, as you said you would, since it may take considerable time for you to actually acquire the item from her vault and in the meanwhile we would be free to tell the Queeen of your intentions."</p><p></p><p>Fouccault says, "That is not entirely true. We will hold you until we have the item, and then you will be released." "You'll forgive me for not putting a great deal of faith in that statement," Abigail said. "You would do better to pursue another avenue for the lengthening of your life-span. I'm sure there are others." Fauccault says, "Not for us. One problem with life extending magics is that once you start using one type it is extremely dangerous to attempt to use another. Nobody knows why, but reduced aging is not something that becomes cumulative with different methodologies. Attempting another means would in all probably not work, and could also negate the benefits we have already enjoyed."</p><p></p><p>Callum says, "Mr. Fauccault. I believe that you are sincere in your desire to keep your word, and hold us until you obtain the item. However, you might never obtain in, in which case you are proposing a lifetime sentence. Furthermore, you have not seen all of the facial reactions and body language from your companions during this conversation. Mr. Gerome has absolute hatred towards my companion for inflicting his injury, and Mr. Marcel blames us both for the death of his grandfather. Neither of these men have any intention of ever letting us go."</p><p></p><p>Abby says, "Then, there is of course the fact that there are people who would miss both of us, some of whom have extraordinary resources, and all of whom know where we went. Mr. Stuart's picture was just taken tonight with Russia's Grand Duke at the concert. And this carriage is hardly unremarkable, we may have been seen by many entering it. Whether you choose to kill us or hold us, you will bring other consequences down on yourselves."Gerome says, "So now you are begging for your lives!</p><p></p><p>Callum interjects, "You apparently don't know much about Scotsmen if you think that we are the begging type. I would never do that for my own life. But if it helps now I will beg for the life of another." He turns directly towards Fouccault and says, "I am not speaking in reference to my dear companion, but of you sir, your life. Mr. Fouccault, I understand the lure that an extended lifetime brings, Ponce de Leon died searching for his fountain of youth. Whether you obtain this artifact or not, murdering people in the quest to obtain it is too high a cost. I am speaking of your eternal soul sir. How will you ever be able to face yourself in a mirror? I beg of you sir, do not do this. Be thankful for the extra decades that you have already received and let this object go."</p><p> </p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 7077667, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter 130, "Kidnapped", September 13, 1882, 10:00 PM.[/B] A man has come up beside Callum and Abigail and says softly in French, but loud enough for both to hear: "Mr. Stuart, my employers would like to speak to you and the young lady. Please do not do anything other than accompany me. They do not wish either of you any harm. However, if you do not come with me there are a quartet of armed men who are following that will bring you both considerable harm." Abigail’s mind immediately began calculating. What are my assets? Not armed. Still have a sharp pen in my pocket, hard-heeled shoes. Comb in hair sharp enough to scratch deeply but not seriously hurt someone. From the sound of his voice, where exactly is his nose? What’s the necessary angle to crush it with an elbow? A fist? Where are his feet? Toes or feet can be broken with a heel strike. How tall is he? Backward kick to the groin? Unlikely to hit home. Spin and kick in his knee from the side? Is he armed; can I get it from him? Is he lying about the others? What do they want? Interrogation? Recruitment? Threats? Blackmail? The employers aren’t concerned about committing an open assassination of a well-known person. In a crowd. All these calculations and questions passed through her mind in a fraction of a second. Outwardly, Cal could feel the sudden coiled tension of her muscles, the subtle shift of her weight onto the balls of her feet. The soft sigh of her quickened breath passed her lips. All this she held in check. Her every instinct was screaming at her to take the threat down. But they had chosen their moment well. And Cal had every right to survive into the next moments. Prevented from lashing out with her fists, her next instinct was to run her mouth. An instinct which she also ruthlessly crushed, and the effort of it and the feeling of helplessness were beginning to fuel a very ugly anger. The voice that came out was sweet as honey, but her accent was thick and dark beneath it. “You’re always so in demand, Mr. Stuart. I suppose I’m not so faint with hunger that I can’t spare a few moments.” Callum says to the man, "Very well. But to establish the veracity of your statements I am going to slowly turn my head in ten seconds to see if that quartet actually exists. If your employers truly wish to speak with us they will probably be very cross if you shoot me just for moving my head." Callum turns his back, then forward again and says, "All right, they are there. Lead on MacDuff." Abby kept her stride casual, holding onto Cal's arm just as she had been, and moving as if absolutely nothing was wrong. It was just as likely that nothing WAS. They were probably about to have an unpleasant interview with someone who didn't like what they'd done, perhaps trying to get some information out of them. What they would do if they didn't get what they wanted... Well, her original instinct could come into play yet. They are led away from the large gathering of carriages waiting for the concert goers to return and towards a main street off from that. One of the men further back comes up quickly to a point beside Abby and says, "Careful Andre, he has a knife in his sock." Callum interjects, "It's not a knife, it is a sgian-dubh, an important part of the official Scottish regalia. It is not concealed at all, but worn to highlight the costume, essentially a decoration. And if you people honestly think that I can disable five men using an ornamental blade the size of your thumb then you have greatly overestimated my abilities." The man addressed as Andre says, "It's fine Marcel, we'll remove it in the carriage." The man identified as Marcel continues to walk beside Abby rather than falling back with the other three. Marcel. That was a name to note. He did not underestimate her either. Underestimation was something that could be taken advantage of, but so was overestimation. She gave no outward hint of having noticed the man at all. But her grip on Cal's arm tightened slightly. Not from fear, but the effort to appear calm rather than angry had to be shown somewhere. Marcel speaks up again and says, "He's wearing a leather pouch on the front of his belt. It could have a gun inside it. Hand it over." Callum lets a little bit of anger creep into his voice and says, "Marcel is it, you clearly know nothing about the official Scottish uniform. This pouch is called a sporran and all that it has inside it are money and cigars. My sporran is currently fastened to my belt. The only way I can 'hand it over' is by removing my belt, in which case my kilt would fall to the ground. As I am wearing nothing beneath my kilt, I believe that would attract far more attention than you would want." "It would certainly attract my attention," Abby said drily. "And that of any woman with eyes." Andre says, "It's okay Marcel, we can check that in the carriage too." They turn and start to head directly towards one of the most elaborate carriages that Abby has ever seen. It is made of mahogany wood, with intricate carvings and gold inlay on the wood. The dark curtains over the windows are all drawn. A team of eight large black horses are hooked up to it. Callum says very, very softly so that only Abby can hear. "Damn. It's Daguerre's". She answered just as quietly, "Did a little too good job of being seen." He whispers back, "Ah well, in for a penny...." Callum then speaks up and says, "I recognize that conveyance. So it will be Mr. Louis Jacques Daguerre who wishes to talk to us." The man named Andre says, "The woman knows better. And I am guessing that you do too." Abby thinks "And an underestimation from her companion." Although she supposed they had learned something by it. Well, she had survived Egypt, she would survive whatever awaited her in the carriage. Although if this Marcel tried to touch her, she wasn't sure he would. They move closer to the vehicle. They reach the carriage and Andre opens the door. He gestures for Marcel to go in first. The man does, sitting on one bench of the carriage between two men seated inside in the darkness. Marcel says, "All set, I've got my gun out." Andre gestures for Callum and Abby to enter and sit on the bench opposite the other three. Callum goes in first, doing as instructed. Abby follows with Andre following and shutting the door. He sits beside Callum. The carriage only has the door on this side, the opposite side having shelves with bottles of alcohol and crystal glasses. Abby looks at the two new men. She does not know the man seated to the left of Marcel, but the man on the right is Jean-Leon Gerome, who she last saw three days earlier swimming away from her in the Nile river. One arm is in a cast and sling. No Queen ever looked as stately as Abigail Elizabeth Marsters did, looking at the men who had requested their presence at gunpoint. It was not a superior or boastful attitude. It was the attitude of a woman who knew exactly who she was, and that she was not without power. Even if she secretly felt she absolutely was. The carriage begins to move and now becomes illuminated with magical light so that the six occupants can see one another better. Andre has Marcel remove the short knife from Callum's sock. Andre leans over and opens the top of Callum's sporran, removing the contents which are comprised of a wad of paper money and the cigar case. He opens the case, just seeing two cigars inside. The items are returned to the Sporran. Callum looks at both men, but then focuses his gaze on the one who Abby does not know and says, "If I am correct, you are Jean Bernard Leon Fouccault. You served as Mr. Daguerre's apprentice." The man replies "Yes, I was able to help improve his photographic techniques though my work. He also apprenticed me in the art of magic. You eluded me before Mr. Stuart, but I have you now." Abby recognizes the name. When they had arrived at Tanis to rescue the British archaeologists Henry Jones had referenced him as one of the four men that had been part of Prosper Merimee's team who had just left the Tanis ruins to return to Port Said. Abby inwardly groaned as the carriage began moving. So this was not to be a simple unpleasant chat and then a return to their own business. It had never been very likely, but she had held out hope. The comment of having Cal now did not inspire any great confidence either. She wondered if she was here only because of her connection to Cal, or because of her connection to the AGELESS group. There was no reason it couldn't be both. Callum acts surprisingly relaxed and says, "Well, my lady friend and I have spent the past four hours sitting inside a warm and dry concert hall and we are both parched. If we are going to be having a discussion we might as well do so like the gentlemen that we are." "You are quite correct sir," Fouccault states. He folds down an attached tray that has a padded base and wide leather sides and them removes five glasses from their holders, placing them on the tray. Next he takes a decanter of cognac and pours it into the five glasses, passing them out to each occupant except for Marcel, who remains holding his revolver pointed at Callum. Abby took the offered drink and raised an eyebrow. She held it up as if toasting, then pretended to take a sip. Liquor on an empty stomach while under stress probably wasn't a good idea. Callum says, "Where would you like to begin?" Fouccault says, "Tell me how you escaped from us in Tanis?" Callum laughs and says, "Good timing on my part. You attacked when I was answering the call of nature so I was a short distance off. I saw what was going on and opted to not become a part of it." "So you are a coward?" states Gerome. Callum replies, "I call it self-preservation." She huffed an amused little breath. Needles and barbs. Thankfully that kind of thing didn't bother Cal much. Anyone working as a spy had to value strategy and pragmatism over the appearance of heroism. Foucccault turns his gaze towards Abby and says, "And you, I was told that you were present when the new Egyptian Queen decided to execute my mentor. What have you to say?" She shrugged almost imperceptibly. "I was present. I found the whole affair decidedly unpleasant." Gerome angrily interjects "And how did you contribute? We know that you were involved. You did far more damage in Egypt than only deciding to maim me." Abby says, "What damage I did or did not do is entirely dependent upon your point of view. I would say that my preventing the poisoning of the Royal Family prevented the cause of damage." "Poisoning? What are you talking about?" Fouccault asks. Abigail's recounting was businesslike. "Surely you knew that Prosper Merimee was sending his apprentice and another actor to impersonate the shepherds and the Druidess of the Royal flock. Their mission was the poison the victory feast, setting Princess Neferka on the throne, who was to be used as a puppet ruler for the Weekly Wizards. I intervened. I don't approve of mass murder." Fouccault says, "Merimee wanted to kill the Egyptians? That cannot be true, he was only concerned with finding the gateway to Atlantis." Callum says, "It was not his plan, it was YOUR mentors. You were not part of the conspiracy, if you had been you would now be dead, as the Goddess Bast identified all of those responsible and they were punished by the new Pharaoh. Be thankful that expulsion from Egypt was your only punishment, after having her father and brothers killed by your wizards group she could have taken out her punishment on all of you!" Gerome says, "That is absurd. We were there to help bring about peace. We were told to stop the shepherds to save them from the rebel leader Abdullah who wanted them dead. Clearly that shepherd leader was far more than she appeared to be, probably a royal in disguise, otherwise she would not now be the Egyptian Ambassador to France." Abby says, "Sir, I think most of you believed that. Very few seemed to know the entirety of the plan. There were also members of your group with Abdullah, whispering in his ear. He was to take the blame for the poisoning of the feast. The Shepherd leader was a powerful Druidess, and she is now the Egyptian Ambassador in reward for her service to the Pharaoh. I did not prevent the poisoning alone, after all." Fouccault says, "Powerful indeed. She destroyed our home here in Paris. And rather than imprisoning her for attacking our city the ineffectual French Ruling Council has rewarded her and punished us. We are now barred from the building, what little of it remains, and they have accepted a petition from its previous owners to give it to them." Callum says, "And what makes you think that the this Council did not see things for what they were? Your wizards group under the leadership of Chevruel and Dagurerre fatally attacked the Egyptian Royal Family. Are you so surprised that the new Pharaoh retaliated? It was not an assault against France or Paris, only against the very people who killed her family." Abby adds, "I do not see how the Ruling Council could have done otherwise. To mete out no punishment on French nationals who embarked on a such a thing with no sanction from the government? It would make them complicit." Callum says to Fouccault "It looks as though you have come out ahead, based upon this fine carriage you are riding in. Daguerre was quite wealthy and is known to have had no spouse or legitimate children, so as his apprentice you appear to have inherited his estate." As Cal says this she notices Marcel's facial expression turns to anger and he starts to depress the trigger of the revolver pointed at Callum. Fouccault apparently also sees this and gently places his hand on the man's arm to steady or possibly deflect the bullet if the gun goes off. Abigail grabbed Cal and pulled him down, then interposed herself between him and Marcel. Fouccault raises his voice slightly and says, "Everybody, calm down. Marcel, get control of your emotions. I am certain that Mr. Stuart meant no offense. He does not know who you are. Now, if you cannot handle yourself with that weapon I will give it to your cousin Andre." Marcel says, "I'm fine, I just didn't like what he was implying about my mother." Andre helps Callum back up into the seat and explains, "Marcel and I are Louis Daguerre's grandsons. We were included in our Grandfather's will, although Marcel has not been rewarded as highly as he feels he deserves." Fouccault adds, "Yes, he inherited the family's original home in the suburb of Cormeilles-en-Parisis, a rather modest structure, but one that Louis felt great sentimental attachment to as it was where he was born." Abigail settled herself again. These men at least seemed to have the sense not to attempt to touch her. "I'm sure no offense was meant, but it was insensitive. The relationship between a mentor and student can be like family. Doubtless what you've heard from us is distressing for all of you." Callum says, "Yes, I was insensitive. I apologize. In the future I will make an attempt to get kidnapped at gunpoint only after I have heard the kidnapper's full family history." His sarcasm does not sit well and Gerome says, "Do you take this as a joke?" Callum says "No sir, there is nothing at all about this situation that I find funny. If you had asked me to join you in a restaurant for a conversation between gentlemen I would have. Instead you threaten myself and my date with firearms and are taking us to a yet unknown location for a yet unknown purpose. Andre said that we would not be harmed, but nothing to this point makes me think that is true." Fouccault says, "It is true. All we want from you is some specific information. After that you will be released. It concerns the magical artifact that was stolen from our mansion. Do you know where that item is now?" It wasn't often that Abigail was actually pleased to NOT know something, but this was an exception. Her memories of that day were fuzzy at best, and she had no idea what or if any decisions about the artifact had been made. "I'd ask you to be more specific, but as I have no idea where any magical artifact from the mansion may be, so I can safely answer no." Callum replies "I have no knowledge of where that item is either, I have been in France for a while now." Gerome says, "Oh, I absolutely know that. I also know how you got here. I was inside the palace in Cairo while the German Dragon-lady was fighting our Dreadnaught. I personally saw you and your Egyptian friend break into the King's vault and steal the magical flying carpet which brought you here. You know the secrets of how to enter that vault, and it is only a matter of time until the new Queen decides to place the artifact there." Abby says, "For a man so steeped in magic, I'd think you could imagine other ways he might have arrived in France." Callum says, "Regarding the carpet, it was only borrowed, the Queen had it back in her possession in less than a day." Abby adds, "Yes, I dove off that carpet into the Nile in the company of the Queen herself. I can't say I recommend that." Callum continues, "I will say that I am most disappointed in all of you. I had previously thought that you were gentlemen, as well as masters of your individual professions. Now I discover that you have degenerated into being nothing more than petty thieves." Abby lifted an eyebrow again and looked at Cal. She felt he was referring to more than just their desire to get the artifact back. A long pause follows. Gerome speaks first saying "There is nothing petty about that item, it belongs to our group and is very important." Callum says, "Correction, it did belong to your group, but you decided to pick a fight with the wrong person and it is now forfeit. However, it is also clear that if I give you the information about the vault then the lives of myself and my companion are as good as over. You will not release us, as you said you would, since it may take considerable time for you to actually acquire the item from her vault and in the meanwhile we would be free to tell the Queeen of your intentions." Fouccault says, "That is not entirely true. We will hold you until we have the item, and then you will be released." "You'll forgive me for not putting a great deal of faith in that statement," Abigail said. "You would do better to pursue another avenue for the lengthening of your life-span. I'm sure there are others." Fauccault says, "Not for us. One problem with life extending magics is that once you start using one type it is extremely dangerous to attempt to use another. Nobody knows why, but reduced aging is not something that becomes cumulative with different methodologies. Attempting another means would in all probably not work, and could also negate the benefits we have already enjoyed." Callum says, "Mr. Fauccault. I believe that you are sincere in your desire to keep your word, and hold us until you obtain the item. However, you might never obtain in, in which case you are proposing a lifetime sentence. Furthermore, you have not seen all of the facial reactions and body language from your companions during this conversation. Mr. Gerome has absolute hatred towards my companion for inflicting his injury, and Mr. Marcel blames us both for the death of his grandfather. Neither of these men have any intention of ever letting us go." Abby says, "Then, there is of course the fact that there are people who would miss both of us, some of whom have extraordinary resources, and all of whom know where we went. Mr. Stuart's picture was just taken tonight with Russia's Grand Duke at the concert. And this carriage is hardly unremarkable, we may have been seen by many entering it. Whether you choose to kill us or hold us, you will bring other consequences down on yourselves."Gerome says, "So now you are begging for your lives! Callum interjects, "You apparently don't know much about Scotsmen if you think that we are the begging type. I would never do that for my own life. But if it helps now I will beg for the life of another." He turns directly towards Fouccault and says, "I am not speaking in reference to my dear companion, but of you sir, your life. Mr. Fouccault, I understand the lure that an extended lifetime brings, Ponce de Leon died searching for his fountain of youth. Whether you obtain this artifact or not, murdering people in the quest to obtain it is too high a cost. I am speaking of your eternal soul sir. How will you ever be able to face yourself in a mirror? I beg of you sir, do not do this. Be thankful for the extra decades that you have already received and let this object go." [/QUOTE]
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AGELESS Campaign Episode 2 - Temple of the Cat-Goddess
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