AGELESS CAMPAIGN, Episode II, Part VI.

[Silver Moon]

"It's a shame their sudden turnaround won't help me like them any better. Whether they liked me or not, it actually has nothing to do with me. There's only one Stuart whose opinion I can trust to be honest. Yours." She moved closer and kissed him lightly. "It's the only one that matters anyway."

He smiles and says, "Two actually, cousin Charles likes you also. And around here that definitely counts for something."

 

[Queenie]

"It does indeed," he states. The food that Ruby ordered is delivered. The Sultan's tea is refilled and he takes a sip. He asks, "Is the Queen's visit here only a one-time thing, or will this be a semi-permanent place for her? This city is where her new husband is from."

"I don't honestly know. I don't think SHE knows yet. This had all happened so fast for her. She hasn't even had any private time with her husband yet. She'll have a lot of decisions to make now, I don't envy her."

Ruby ate some of her breakfast then asked, "Do you know who that woman is over there? She looks awfully familiar."

 

[Silver Moon]

Ruby ate some of her breakfast then asked, "Do you know who that woman is over there? She looks awfully familiar."

He looks at the woman and says "I am not sure, I do not think I have seen her before. She did not stay here last evening. But she looks like a visitor, and since this is one of only two hotels in the city that caters to foreigners, I am not surprised she came here to eat and possibly get a room."

 

[Fenris]

General Wolseley begins by thanking George for his interventions the previous morning, first in rescuing General Duruy-Lowe, and second in returning him to battle and exposing the imposter. Genery Duruy-Lowe also thanks George. Wolseley then asks, "What has become of that miscreant? If the Queen is uncertain of what to do with him I can formally request that the man be turned over to us for judgement. Impersonation of a Royal Army Officer is deemed a capital offense."

George nods to Amisi who sits and then all the men sit. "You are quite welcome gentlemen. As to the imposter, he has been taken care of. Of course one might say that many people impersonated British officers before the Cardwell reforms." George smiles at his little jest. "But all of the French who were involved in the plot were punished appropriately by divine justice. That of course gentlemen, trumps earthly laws. I am afraid there is nothing left to turn over to you in that regard."

 

[Silver Moon]

George nods to Amisi who sits and then all the men sit. "You are quite welcome gentlemen. As to the imposter, he has been taken care of. Of course one might say that many people impersonated British officers before the Cardwell reforms." George smiles at his little jest. "But all of the French who were involved in the plot were punished appropriately by divine justice. That of course gentlemen, trumps earthly laws. I am afraid there is nothing left to turn over to you in that regard."

"Very good, indeed divine justice takes priority in such matters. We all witnessed the Egyptian deity on the field of battle, although I am unclear as to whether that was Isis or Bast. At any rate, it was obvious that the French alone were who she viewed as the threat. From that it is clear that we have the divine blessing of the land's Goddess to continue our alliance in support of the Egyptian Government."

 

[orchid blossom]

He smiles and says, "Two actually, cousin Charles likes you also. And around here that definitely counts for something."

"Well Charles never cared whether I was an aristocrat or not, or if I was an American either. So I will accept his opinion as honestly about who I am as well.

Come, if we want to go with Maracita we'd better hurry." She got up and began closing up books and cleaning up her mess.

 

[Fenris]

"Very good, indeed divine justice takes priority in such matters. We all witnessed the Egyptian deity on the field of battle, although I am unclear as to whether that was Isis or Bast. At any rate, it was obvious that the French alone were who she viewed as the threat. From that it is clear that we have the divine blessing of the land's Goddess to continue our alliance in support of the Egyptian Government."

George smiles. "It was Bast gentlemen. However, do not mistake her lack of punishment as support, tacit or explicit. Your support of the Egyptian monarchy is welcome, but only unencumbered by imperial designs. Your support was most welcome, but as the rebels are no longer an issue, there is no need for your continued physical military presence." says George, still with a smile.

 

[Queenie]

He looks at the woman and says "I am not sure, I do not think I have seen her before. She did not stay here last evening. But she looks like a visitor, and since this is one of only two hotels in the city that caters to foreigners, I am not surprised she came here to eat and possibly get a room."

Ruby nodded. "I will keep my eye on her, perhaps introduce myself after breakfast. It is an odd time to just show up in this city."

Ruby enjoyed her breakfast and the company. "Sultan, I haven't had much time to enjoy your beautiful city. Could you recommend some nearby shops I should check out? Shopping is always a good way to decompress," she laughed.

 

[Silver Moon]

Come, if we want to go with Maracita we'd better hurry." She got up and began closing up books and cleaning up her mess.

Ten minutes later the two approach the carriage. The driver holds the door for Abby as she gets inside, the other passenger Maracita already there, with a small trunk, a leather satchel and a large hat-box near her. Abby takes the other seat as Callum climbs up top with the driver.

Maracita notes this without comment at first. Only after the carriage is around a mile from the estate does she ask Abby "He won't even sit with me at this point will he?"

 

[Silver Moon]

Ruby enjoyed her breakfast and the company. "Sultan, I haven't had much time to enjoy your beautiful city. Could you recommend some nearby shops I should check out? Shopping is always a good way to decompress," she laughed.

He says, "I can do one better than that. I can assign a staff member to accompany you. My head of guest services knows all of the finer places and has ongoing relationships with the vendors. As a stranger of foreign birth I fear you would be greatly taken advantage of, she will see that you receive fair value."