AGELESS CAMPAIGN, Episode II, Part VI.

[orchid blossom]

"Oh, that is terrible. You are fortunate to have escaped," the Empress states. 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 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 personal belongings."

"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."

 

[Silver Moon]

"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 Diamonds 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.

 

[Queenie]

She says, "Well now, that would depend upon your individual interests. If music, singing and dancing are your principle past times, then I would suggest Paris. If historical castles are your fancy, then Germany and rural France would be my top suggestion, if warm sunny exotic places are more to your inclinations then I would suggest Morocco, Bombay or possibly the islands of Greece."

"Ohhhhh, they all sound amazing! I could no sooner choose one than choose my favorite song. Perhaps I'll leave it up to George. Or maybe we'll just take one long vacation and visit them all!

Actually, we've been quite busy since we got here. Is there anything you recommend us seeing before we leave? I don't want to miss anything special."

 

[Silver Moon]

"Actually, we've been quite busy since we got here. Is there anything you recommend us seeing before we leave? I don't want to miss anything special."

Neferka says, "Well, you've already seen the great pyramids, although I would suggest that perhaps you should go there during the daytime and under better circumstances."

 

[orchid blossom]

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.

"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."

 

[Silver Moon]

"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."

 

[orchid blossom]

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.

 

[Queenie]

Neferka says, "Well, you've already seen the great pyramids, although I would suggest that perhaps you should go there during the daytime and under better circumstances."

Ruby chuckled. "That's probably a good idea. I will definitely do that. Any place else? Otherwise I think we'll just go wandering."

 

[Silver Moon]

"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."

 

[Silver Moon]

Ruby chuckled. "That's probably a good idea. I will definitely do that. Any place else? Otherwise I think we'll just go wandering."

"Don't go wandering alone. You may be Americans, but you could easily be mistaken as British, who are far from welcome in most places with strong rebel factions. You should probably stay in the areas of Cairo, Gizah and Memphis. Even Zakazik won't be a safe place for you to wander about once those who are away with the rebel forces return. On future visits, after I have restored things back to normal, you can branch out and visit other places."