AGELESS CAMPAIGN, Episode II, Part VI.

[Silver Moon]

"Where have you learned all this, Cal? I thought I'd been educated; I know enough to realize how little I really know, but there are layers to the world that I think have been completely hidden from me. How did you find them?"

He laughs "We idle rich have a lot of free time on our hands to learn abut things. Most of my family has always been obsessed about Scottish, English or French history, so I naturally gravitated to the opposite end of the world, which in my case is China. I even had a Chinese language tutor for a short while but just could not grasp the language, so if I ever go there I will have to use magic to communicate."

 

[orchid blossom]

He laughs "We idle rich have a lot of free time on our hands to learn abut things. Most of my family has always been obsessed about Scottish, English or French history, so I naturally gravitated to the opposite end of the world, which in my case is China. I even had a Chinese language tutor for a short while but just could not grasp the language, so if I ever go there I will have to use magic to communicate."

"Not about China darling, although that is fascinating. The guardian spirits.

I have met a goddess. I have met a Priestess so devoted that she considers years of her life a small price for the chance to be one with her goddess. I've seen a woman who is a dragon. You tell me there are people living on other planets who actually come here.

I feel like a child on the first day of school."

 

[Silver Moon]

"I feel like a child on the first day of school."

He smiles and says, "We all are dear. I felt the same way when I first spoke to Pepe and Maracita, they have centuries of exposure to this while it was all new to me. Mary Stuart was on the right track, the entire world should be exposed to these riches of knowledge. But while closed-minded politicians rule that will not happen. So we need to just carve out our own part of the world to explore. I get the impression that your friend Mina Parker feels the same way."

 

[orchid blossom]

He smiles and says, "We all are dear. I felt the same way when I first spoke to Pepe and Maracita, they have centuries of exposure to this while it was all new to me. Mary Stuart was on the right track, the entire world should be exposed to these riches of knowledge. But while closed-minded politicians rule that will not happen. So we need to just carve out our own part of the world to explore. I get the impression that your friend Mina Parker feels the same way."

"Yes, yes I believe so," Abby said, and sank down into one of the comfortable leather chairs. "I've known since I started working with her that there was far more to magic than I'd know before, but the depth of knowledge about the world, the universe that I lack seems to be staggering." She was quiet for a moment, obviously chewing over her thoughts.

"I was wondering how do I learn more, and then I realized I'm already on the path. The first step is always finding out there is more to learn.

Have we time for a walk outside? I feel the need for a bit of sunshine."

 

[Fenris]

Princess Amisi soon joins them. She has three servant girls waiting on her, but Colonel Hassan tells the Princess that the retainers will not be permitted to stay. With a sigh she dismisses them, but only after one pours her a glass of ice water and another fixes the Princess's hair to look perfect. Observing protocol, the men wait for her to be seated before re-seating themselves. She turns to George and in Aribic says, "My sister puts great trust in you."

George bows his head and replies his Arabic "Yes she has, I intend to be worthy of it. Too many around her have not been trustworthy of late. Now as to the discussions, I did offer for you to join, though I know you might prefer to be out shopping with Miss West. It is important that you understand how the country and diplomacy works should the worst happen. When we are in discussion if you have a question for me or even the participants, by all means ask it, however I would ask you not to contradict me. You are the princess, but my orders are from the Queen and I must show these men I am in charge with absolute authority to negotiate here, and everything must go through me. I will not let your sister down, I will gain her what she needs, but I cannot have you undercutting me. Is that understood?" says George.

 

[Silver Moon]

"I was wondering how do I learn more, and then I realized I'm already on the path. The first step is always finding out there is more to learn. Have we time for a walk outside? I feel the need for a bit of sunshine."

He says, "Why certainly, you will have ample time to explore this room later today when I am in my cousin's meeting." He holds out his hand to help her up, and does not release the hand afterwards. They exit the room and head to the main entrance.

The space between the castle and outer wall has two water wells, one of which appears to be decorative the other functional. Gardens fill most of the courtyard. Those immediately before the castle feature flowers, with the autumn flowers now in full bloom. The other gardens appear to have vegetables growing in them.

He walks her behind the castle itself where three other stone buildings are visible. Two are within the same outer walls, which stretch far back behind the castle. One is two stories high and about half the size of the castle. The other is smaller, single story and around thirty-foot square with a pair of large outer doors that are currently open. He gestures to the two-story building which is closer to the castle and says, "That is the servants quarters. We won't be going any closer as we like for our staff to have their privacy."

They then move towards the other building. Inside are a pair of carriages, one open the other closed, with space for a third. As neither were the carriage they took yesterday she assumes it is already on its way back into Paris to retrieve Pepe and Maracita. They enter the building which appears to be a fully-functional carriage house, an assortment of spare wheels and carriage axles, a small blacksmith shop, and various tack and harness.

 

[Silver Moon]

I will not let your sister down, I will gain her what she needs, but I cannot have you undercutting me. Is that understood?" says George.

She says in Arabic, "I understand sir. You have already proven yourself worthy of my respect. We were all inside the royal palace when Abdullah was inciting the thousands outside. I feared that we would all die there. The Grand Vizer and the French wizards who transported us to Gizah, they needed time to rest and study their spells before they could do so.

Sir, you gave us that time. I am informed that it was you who sought out Colonel Hassan and worked with him to bring in the thousand of troops needed to disperse the crowds. And it was you who personally led the Egyptian troops into the palace to fight the rebels who had breached our defenses. That you would do this for us, after my father had threatened your lives and imprisoned you, words alone cannot express my gratitude."

 

[Fenris]

She says in Arabic, "I understand sir. You have already proven yourself worthy of my respect. We were all inside the royal palace when Abdullah was inciting the thousands outside. I feared that we would all die there. The Grand Vizer and the French wizards who transported us to Gizah, they needed time to rest and study their spells before they could do so.

Sir, you gave us that time. I am informed that it was you who sought out Colonel Hassan and worked with him to bring in the thousand of troops needed to disperse the crowds. And it was you who personally led the Egyptian troops into the palace to fight the rebels who had breached our defenses. That you would do this for us, after my father had threatened your lives and imprisoned you, words alone cannot express my gratitude."

"I thank you for your kind words. Those were indeed my acts, though I never was alone. My friends and I seem to end up in these situations. We saw a wrong and sought to right it. Your father was under the influence of the French who obviously had a very elaborate plot. Your kind words have me caught between gratuitous humility and arrogant boastfulness. So I will merely say, it was my pleasure and honor and my thanks to you. Hopefully today we can secure an Egypt that will justify and honor all of that effort and sacrifice." replies George again in Arabic.

 

[Silver Moon]

"Hopefully today we can secure an Egypt that will justify and honor all of that effort and sacrifice." replies George again in Arabic.

Colonel Hassan says, "I hate to have to interrupt this mutual admiration society, especially since I am also a member of it, but we really do need to prepare before General Orabi arrives. Princess, as Mr. Eastman has emphasized, you must not interrupt. However, due to your prior associations with General Orabi you could be of a great deal of help to us both. You know the man, whereas we do not. If we could devise a method of non-verbal communication in advance, for you to signal to us if you beleive he is being truthful or not, it would be very helpful."

 

[orchid blossom]

He gestures to the two-story building which is closer to the castle and says, "That is the servants quarters. We won't be going any closer as we like for our staff to have their privacy."

They then move towards the other building. Inside are a pair of carriages, one open the other closed, with space for a third. As neither were the carriage they took yesterday she assumes it is already on its way back into Paris to retrieve Pepe and Maracita. They enter the building which appears to be a fully-functional carriage house, an assortment of spare wheels and carriage axles, a small blacksmith shop, and various tack and harness.

"The staff probably has more privacy than you do," she observed. "I certainly hope that young lady who helped me last night wasn't obliged to be up early this morning."

It took a few moments for her eyes to adjust from the bright sunlight to the shadows inside the carriage house. "Alone at last," she said lightly.