AGELESS CAMPAIGN, Episode II, Part VI.

[Silver Moon]

Ruby just sat and stared at the "woman" before her, stared in shock. A very long moment passed before Ruby spoke. "I-I don't understand? Teacher? I, why would you say that?"

He says, "My life is at risk. I was ordered over a month ago to have no further contact with either you or your grandmother. That was why I was in disguise when we encountered each other in the pyramid. But you needed to know who I was then, all of our lives were in great danger. Based upon what happened to the King and his sons I truly believe I did the right thing then, I am just sorry that it was too late for us to save them as well as ourselves. I must go, and not see you again. If I stay in contact with you it will only lead to my demise."

 

[orchid blossom]

Maracita places her hand on Abby's and says, "Do not overly concern yourself. You humans spend far too much time planning for the future. At my age you come to have learned that the future will take care of itself. What happens between myself and Pepe will most-likely resolve itself in due time. In the meanwhile, he made a decision and needs to live with the consequences. If he thought that I would just sit here and take orders from that witch while he runs off with his great uncle to who-knows-where he has another thing coming."

"There is a reason we plan for the future. We don't have much of it. Things will surely resolve themselves with time, but it's often far more time than we have. So we scratch and fight now for fear that tomorrow will never be.

I will never reach your age, so I will never have as much wisdom as you do. I will have to trust yours.

I am sure that Cal is hoping I'll talk you around. He didn't say so of course. But men seem to think that we have some magical power when we talk to each other."

 

[Fenris]

"No need? Mr. Eastman, I am not overly surprised by that conclusion, but it is incorrect. The new young monarch was never trained to lead, so I am not surprised by a degree of naivety. However, you are an experienced business man, with international connections, surely you see otherwise? If Quenn Neferka's father, with his decades of experience, felt the need to call on us for military support then it stands to reason that under the present circumstances there is even more need. This new ruler has but half of her father's forces, has an organized opposition camped just a few hours from where we currently sit, and has inherited a leadership vacuum that many of her father's Egyptian political rivals will be all too happy to help fill for her. You need us now more than ever."

"It is not a concussion, sir, it is a statement of fact. As for the Queen being untrained, well, Queen Victoria was never trained to lead, and became Queen at a younger age than Neferka, and that has seemed to work out fairly well. In fact gentlemen, you have made an erroneous assumption that she was not trained to lead, for she has been. I can tell you from personal conversations with her, she is quite adept and competent to rule. As to her father's rule, yes he had decades of experience. But then again so did Charles the first of the England. Do not equate time with experience gentlemen.

As for your other assertions, the organized opposition will be dealt with by the end of these talks. While indeed there is a political vacuum, the Queen also has on her side a most definitive and persuasive demonstration of divine providence to rule by Bast herself. Few Egyptians would dare violate such a demonstration from one of their gods so soon, if ever.

And lastly, the Queen has me. A confidant you yourself have deemed qualified. I and my colleagues have been quite active in establishing peace in this nation. General Drury-Lowe owes his life and liberty to our actions. Not that I begrudge him that, nor to General Woolseley for ridding him of the traitor in his midst. These actions benefited you men personally as well as the British Army. So you are well acquainted with our abilities. These are not minor issues gentlemen.

So, gentlemen, the Queen and Egypt, do not need you now more than ever. In fact it is our assertion that we do not need you now, militarily, now , at all."

 

[Queenie]

He says, "My life is at risk. I was ordered over a month ago to have no further contact with either you or your grandmother. That was why I was in disguise when we encountered each other in the pyramid. But you needed to know who I was then, all of our lives were in great danger. Based upon what happened to the King and his sons I truly believe I did the right thing then, I am just sorry that it was too late for us to save them as well as ourselves. I must go, and not see you again. If I stay in contact with you it will only lead to my demise."

Ruby was confused and agitated. "I-I still don't understand. Who told you to stay away from me and Nana?" She started sniffling. "Why is your life in danger? Why would you- you seeing me cause your-your d-d-demise?"

 

[Silver Moon]

Ruby was confused and agitated. "I-I still don't understand. Who told you to stay away from me and Nana?" She started sniffling. "Why is your life in danger? Why would you- you seeing me cause your-your d-d-demise?"

Her teacher continues to hold Ruby's hand and say, "Do you really want to know? If sharing the full truth would bring nothing but sadness? Should I keep the truth to myself under those circumstances?"

 

[Silver Moon]

"I am sure that Cal is hoping I'll talk you around. He didn't say so of course. But men seem to think that we have some magical power when we talk to each other."

She says, "Callum, or should I say Sir Callum, is a wise man. We do possess this magical power, it is called love. I am glad that you two found each other again, I have never seen him this happy."

 

[Silver Moon]

"And lastly, the Queen has me. A confidant you yourself have deemed qualified. I and my colleagues have been quite active in establishing peace in this nation. General Drury-Lowe owes his life and liberty to our actions. Not that I begrudge him that, nor to General Woolseley for ridding him of the traitor in his midst. These actions benefited you men personally as well as the British Army. So you are well acquainted with our abilities. These are not minor issues gentlemen.

"Any benefit to us personally is irrelevant to these discussions Mr. Eastman. We are here as representatives of Queen Victoria and what we do here today it is only for the benefit of her Empire.

So, gentlemen, the Queen and Egypt, do not need you now more than ever. In fact it is our assertion that we do not need you now, militarily, now, at all."

General Wolseley says, "While an organized opposition still exists you do, whether you realize it yet or not. We are only looking our for our mutual best interests. That rebel Orabi would have brought Egypt to ruin. If we walk away now, leaving him whispering in Queen Neferka's ear, the same result will eventually occur."

 

[Queenie]

Her teacher continues to hold Ruby's hand and say, "Do you really want to know? If sharing the full truth would bring nothing but sadness? Should I keep the truth to myself under those circumstances?"

She gripped his hand tighter in hers. "Yes, you must tell me now, you have to tell me! I am not letting you leave me until you tell me the truth. No matter what." In her mind, Ruby insisted to herself she wouldn't ever let him leave anyway but she was strong and she would deal with whatever came her way.

 

[orchid blossom]

She says, "Callum, or should I say Sir Callum, is a wise man. We do possess this magical power, it is called love. I am glad that you two found each other again, I have never seen him this happy."

Abby looked down for moment, obviously pleased. Color climbed up the back of her neck and into her cheeks as she lifted her eyes again.

"I'm not sure what I feel. When we were separated... I knew it had to do with his family and I knew it wasn't his idea. But neither of us had any idea of being truly in love with one another. So after he left I was angry at his family, but I mostly mourned the idea of our relationship and then got on with my life.

When I saw him again in Bast's temple... all the feelings I'd had for him came rushing back. I'm touched by how deeply he's come to feel for me, how he hasn't forgotten. But I don't want to confuse that with love. Or maybe it's the other way around. With this recognition from the Queen his family's objections to me shouldn't be a problem anymore. But I'm just not sure of myself right now."

 

[Fenris]

"Any benefit to us personally is irrelevant to these discussions Mr. Eastman. We are here as representatives of Queen Victoria and what we do here today it is only for the benefit of her Empire.


General Wolseley says, "While an organized opposition still exists you do, whether you realize it yet or not. We are only looking our for our mutual best interests. That rebel Orabi would have brought Egypt to ruin. If we walk away now, leaving him whispering in Queen Neferka's ear, the same result will eventually occur."

"Wait a moment sirs. So you will ignore a direct service I rendered to you that was to your benefit in the name of benefit to the Empire, yet turn around and says that Orabi represents a something not of benefit? That seems a little disingenuous.

However, since you seek only to serve Queen Victoria and the benefit of Empire as you have said, it is settled. Thank you for your agreement gentlemen. Egypt is not a part of the British Empire and so you, nor Queen Victoria have any voice, vote, influence or sway here. Your request for military aid and assistance is hereby revoked and any troops remaining upon Egyptian soil can and will be tried for sedition and their presence seen as an act of war. In the name of the benefit of the Empire of course gentlemen. Egypt's affairs are Egypt's to solve. I need not remind you what happened upon the battlefield yesterday, or who protects this nation. Nor do you wish to receive the fates of the French who plotted against the monarchy." says George his face suddenly grim as he leans back in his chair.