AGELESS CAMPAIGN, Episode II, Part VI.

[Silver Moon]

Mmm, I think pot de creme today."

"Make that two," he tells the waiter.

After the man departs the table Callum says, "Okay, so how about this. I send my Uncle Lord Galloway a cable asking for him to notify Egypt's new monarch that we plan to arrive in Egypt on either Friday or Saturday to discuss future archaeological expeditions in Egypt, and that we will be bringing a wedding present for her."

 

[orchid blossom]

After the man departs the table Callum says, "Okay, so how about this. I send my Uncle Lord Calloway a cable asking for him to notify Egypt's new monarch that we plan to arrive in Egypt on either Friday or Saturday to discuss future archaeological expeditions in Egypt, and that we will be bringing a wedding present for her."

She paused for a moment. "My urge to over-explain wants to add more, but you are right I think to keep it simple. And it's not as if Mr. Eastman and Miss West aren't there to smooth things over. I would hope they could all at least understand that you would have needed to sleep before making another long flight.

Of course, Ruby didn't seem to have much sense of any need to hide anything from Queen Neferka. By the time we get back she will probably have us in a passionate but tragic love affair on the scale of Romeo and Juliet," she laughed. "But I depend on Mr. Eastman to keep her from saying anything she shouldn't."

 

[Silver Moon]

.....she will probably have us in a passionate but tragic love affair on the scale of Romeo and Juliet," she laughed. "But I depend on Mr. Eastman to keep her from saying anything she shouldn't."

"Hmmm.....Romeo and Juliet you say. Can I request a different ending?"

 

[Fenris]

Neferka says, "A challenging one yes, but I think that the true danger has passed."

"Challenging is an understatement. But neither side would dare violate the truce Bast established nor the rules of warfare on negotiations. I will of course require not only a letter authorizing me, but some other token, especially for the rebels, that signifies that I am negotiating in your name and authority. If you wish, your sister can accompany me to listen to the negotiations. I won't promise excitement, but they can be instructive." replies George

 

[Silver Moon]

"Challenging is an understatement. But neither side would dare violate the truce Bast established nor the rules of warfare on negotiations. I will of course require not only a letter authorizing me, but some other token, especially for the rebels, that signifies that I am negotiating in your name and authority. If you wish, your sister can accompany me to listen to the negotiations. I won't promise excitement, but they can be instructive." replies George

Neferka replies, "Yes, she should see what you do, it will help to explain much to her. As for Bast's influence, that will help, but we still have something that both sides coveted. I do not think they will just withdraw their demands out of hand. Britain will want a permanent military presence, which I will not allow, and the rebels will want a permanent voice in the government, which I also will not allow. You have considerable latitude to negotiate on my behalf, but I will not sacrifice my sovereignty."

 

[Fenris]

Neferka replies, "Yes, she should see what you do, it will help to explain much to her. As for Bast's influence, that will help, but we still have something that both sides coveted. I do not think they will just withdraw their demands out of hand. Britain will want a permanent military presence, which I will not allow, and the rebels will want a permanent voice in the government, which I also will not allow. You have considerable latitude to negotiate on my behalf, but I will not sacrifice my sovereignty."

George pulls out his magical notebook that has somehow miraculously made it through the chaos of the past few weeks. He opens it and begins to write. "Forgive my rudeness for writing at the table, but this is a working meal. Ok no permanent British military presence, no permanent rebel voice in government. Any other restrictions? Obviously the British would like to see assurances about access to the canal. Perhaps a 5 year accord where a single military base with naval access near the canal to supplement Egyptian security until you can rebuild appropriate security measures? As for the rebels, what was their original motivation? And if you will forgive the forwardness of the question, but the marriage to Orabi was arranged and politically motivated. Do you want to see Orabi exiled or otherwise removed? I can direct negotiations to further your personal as well as national desires."

 

[Silver Moon]

....Obviously the British would like to see assurances about access to the canal. Perhaps a 5 year accord where a single military base with naval access near the canal to supplement Egyptian security until you can rebuild appropriate security measures?

She replies, "No physical structures, perhaps ship anchorages at Port Said or Alexandria. I do not want any British near Cairo.

As for the rebels, what was their original motivation? And if you will forgive the forwardness of the question, but the marriage to Orabi was arranged and politically motivated. Do you want to see Orabi exiled or otherwise removed? I can direct negotiations to further your personal as well as national desires."

Their original motivate was undue foreign influence. Clearly, having you as an American facilitate this will not please them, but America has no ambitions of colonizing the world. Orabi will also want to have things settled before Sefu arrives on Friday and relieves you. No I do not want to see Ahmed exiled or imprisoned, but I am sincere about following through on that if it becomes necessary. If Orabi pushes you feel free to push back."

 

[orchid blossom]

"Hmmm.....Romeo and Juliet you say. Can I request a different ending?"

"I'm the wrong girl for a Romeo and Juliet ending. I never did learn to swoon or moon over a man. I'm afraid I'm not a proper southern belle after all," she said, letting her own natural accent come out. "I'm afraid if a tragic ending came after us, we'd just kick it in the teeth in make up our own."

 

[Silver Moon]

" I'm afraid if a tragic ending came after us, we'd just kick it in the teeth in make up our own."

"I concur, truth be told, I'm not exactly the right type for Romeo either. Although my father certainly has lived up to his role in that production."

 

[orchid blossom]

"I concur, truth be told, I'm not exactly the right type for Romeo either. Although my father certainly has lived up to his role in that production."

"I wouldn't want a Romeo anyway. One moment he's in love with one woman, the next he's in love with a teenage girl for no reason other than he looked at her. That's not romance, that's insanity.

Cal, I don't know your father. One incident, even one that was aimed at me and hurt me tremendously, doesn't make someone. But it sounds like there's history I don't know. Why was I so offensive to him? Don't worry, I won't take it personally. He doesn't know me, so it can't be personal."