Invitation to the Hanseatic Commonwealth

[Tahsir]

*A hand written letter to the Lady Sarah*

Lady Sarah

I have matters of utmost importance to the Republic and the Commonwealth to discuss with you. I ask if you would meet me here in Dranagg for a chance to talk with you. I feel that we might have some very important work between us that must be resolved as soon as you're able to arrive.

Signed,

Edward Re

-------------------------------------------------------

*Dranagg Central Ministry building; Edward Re's office*

He had sent the letter. All that was required was to wait for the reply. He hoped that she would accept the invitation. There was a lot on his mind to discuss. Right now though he had decided that he would wear the black suit he had worn for a formal ball in the past. He never had kept a lot of formal outfits, but he was quite often busy with his duties as the Prime Minister under his Uncle. Granted he had been appointed there by his Uncle because the PM actually did very little in running the nation, but the experience was what he knew was the real reason for his position.

This was going to be one of his greatest yet.

First, for some reason, trying on his suit made him want to pose. Odd that.

[Sarah Tintagyl]

'It was kind of unfortunate really.' Thought Sarah as she sat rocking back on her wooden chair in her office, her two feet planted firmly against the wooden baseboard of the desk. 'That some of our greatest allies are so far south.'

During the early stages of the expansion of the Commonwealth, Antarctica had been an integral part of the Hanseatic thought to bring industry down to the wastes. However, after only a few months, the annexation of Othello and then the former Neo Japanese territory made this promised territory, unneeded. Now vast expanses of Hanseatic territory in Antarctica were populated by polar environmentalists and the rare adventurer that wanted to attempt the travel to the south pole. This was mainly the reason why, when Sarah received the letter from Edward she was surprised to hear from Dranagg, though they were her closest Antarctic ally, but it was received happily and with the hopes of further diplomatic improvement.

Your Excellency,

I would be most honored to come and speak with you and am anxious to see anything that we need to discuss at the present. Dranagg has always been thought of as a close ally and I hope that with this meeting we continue to come closer together.

Sincerely,

Sarah Tintagyl

There was no real way to enjoy going down to Antarctica though, crossing over the Southern Pacific to finally find the ice flows below you and then for thousands of miles nothing but white snow. It was kind of intimidating. But as the plane landed and Sarah disembarked from the plane, the Dranaggian air hit her face. Harsh and beautiful at the same time as she pulled her jacket tighter and looked out towards the vehicles that were to take her to the meeting with Edward.

[Tahsir]

The car that picked Sarah up was an average car for Dranagg. That being instead of tires it had fat tread wheels, and there was hardly any other personal transports. However the interior was was plush and comfortable as a regular car anywhere else in the world. The only oddity was the driver had nine fingers.

It was a short trip. The airport at the North end of the city always had a direct road to the governmental districts. The stone walls of the Prime Minister's building were covered in wind blown snow that made the earthy colored building almost white and hidden. If not for the windows it would almost look like a square snow bank.

The guards were expecting her and let her in with simply a nod and an opening of the doors.

Inside it was a little, expensive, but considering this was a main government building that might be forgiven. Upstairs was Edward's office, and, apparently, apartments for himself and a lot of the staff. The building doubling as a downstairs government workplace, and an upstairs place for the people to live so that they wouldn't have to face the harsh conditions outside everyday to go to work.

Sarah was directed to the left and into a office that slightly clashed with the older looking main hall. The desk on the far wall facing toward the windows, more than likely allowing whoever sat at the desk everyday a view of outside, and next to a open doors that showed what looked like the living room of Edward's own apartment.

"Ah! Lady Sarah, you arrived earlier than I expected. Give me a moment I'll be there shortly."

Edward's voice came from further inside the apartment.

Edited June 10, 2009 by Tahsir Re

[Sarah Tintagyl]

For the frozen wastes of Dranagg, Sarah felt extremely at home in the grand hall of the government offices, even with the wild Antarctic wind howling outside. The guards led her up the stairs to Edward's personal quarters and along the way she gawked at the entire structure. She always had a soft spot for Dranagg and Antarctica in general, even if she didn't visit as often as she might have wished. When the guard directed her into Edward's personal apartment she tried to relax as she looked around trying not to bother the environment.

"Ah! Lady Sarah, you arrived earlier than I expected. Give me a moment I'll be there shortly."

"Okay, thank you Your Excel- Edward." The formalities seemed unneeded for some reason, after all she was just in his living room after all. Trying to make herself comfortable. Sarah took of her coat, scarf, and hat and sat down on the couch trying to warm up herself from the cold outside. When Edward came out from the other hallways in the apartment, she rose and offered her hand in greeting. "Minister Re, its a pleasure to meet you again. How have you been?"

[Tahsir]

OOC: Edward and his RP in red, Sarah and her RP in blue. This was done on IRC to make it faster. IC NOW

Edward took her hand in greeting while replying, "I have been doing quite well, but extremely busy with my duties. Almost to busy in fact. If I didn't live next to my home I'd never be there!" He laughed slightly as he directed her over to his desk. "Please have a seat. I trust you're doing well with the Commonwealth?"

Sarah smiled taking a seat near him. "Things have been good. Could be better, after all the world is blowing up around us, but what can you do. The world is mainly ruled by idiots" She sighed and continued to look around the office. "You have a stunning home. But may I ask why you called me to Dranagg?"

"How about a drink first?" As Edward sat in his own chair he opened a small cabinet on the wall nearby. It might be odd thing to most outsiders, but to most Dranaggan's alcohol was life itself. It kept the cold at bay, and the machines running. Inside the cabinet were many types of alcohol. One in partiular stood out in that it was almost solid black. Not the bottle, the bottle was clear, but the alcohol was black. "Anything you prefer?"

Sarah was awestuck by the black liquid. "That. What is that?" She considered herself a connoisseur of various alcohols, but this was strange.

"Ah this? This is the only thing we make ourselves. Its mostly just a clear grain alcohol, but we add a drop of Methanol, our most prized resource. The black is to remind us to only drink a little and is added. Its quite strong though, would you like some?" He picked up the bottle and two small glasses. He took to pouring one, but waited for her answer.

Her eyes widened as she smiled and nodded. "Yes please, I would love some." He poured the glass for her and she brought it up to her lips as it pierced her throat she shuddered as it ran through her body, her hands, and her legs. "Oh...goodness...that's bitter. But its not bad. Not bad at all. I think I could get used to it actually." Sarah coughed and then turned back to Edward. "So what did you need from me?"

"It takes some getting used to, but it isn't bad. Old Paga drinks it like water though." He drank his own glass in a quick shot and set it down. "Ah yes straight on to business. I have an idea that I am almost certain you will approve of. I don't think I have to remind you that both our nations have been practically allies in every action around the world, and that, with the exception of the unfortunate war, we've always seemed to be of the same mind."

"So a mutual defense pact of sorts or something more?"

"Actually something completely new." He opens the middle draw of his desk and pulls out a paper. "A mutual economic and defense pact. Only this would make an almost completely joint economy."

Sarah looked at him oddly. "A joint economy and military. It almost sounds as if you would like to merge into the Commonwealth itself." Sarah laughed. "But it would be indeed interesting. Would Dranagg consider using the Hanseatic Mark as the economic currency? Or something completely new?"

Edward similed to try and allievate her confusion "Not quite a complete merger. While the economies will be working almost entirely together, militarily it is just a mutual defense, no aggression will be supported by either side. Considering that the Hanseatic Economy is quite stretched for all of its lands, and the white cross, and that Dranagg needs a new supply source now that the I.S.A.F. is gone this joint economy can only help us both. Currency won't even be a problem. Dranagg uses silver coins as its standard. Making Hanseatic Marks a second currency of equal value to our silver is easier than any possible replacement."

"Well then." She beamed, a great grin across her face. "I think that that would be a great idea. Hopefully Aotearoa doesn't throw a hissy fit, but Lord LeVentNoir has calmed down a great deal in the past few years. Yes, I believe we could do something like that. I look forward to working much closer with Dranagg than nearly any other country on Earth. Perhaps even bigger and better things will come in the future as well."

Mutual Economic and Defense Pact

1. Joint Economy: Full economic merging between the signatories of this Pact. Resources, exploits, innovations, and inventions to be shared equally among the signatories of this Pact.

2. Currency: All currecny of the signatories to be set at a Market Standard between the signatories economic status.

3. Mutual Defense: Any signatory that engages in a defensive war against an aggressor is to be defended with military and economic support by the other signatories of this Pact.

4. Termination: Termination period is three months after a public notification to prevent severe economic disasters in signatories economies.

Signed,Sarah Tintagyl,

Lady Protector of the Hanseatic Commonwealth

Signed, Edward Re,

Prime Minister

Republic of Dranagg

Signed & Authorized, Tahsir Re,

Monarch of Dranagg

Sarah nodded at the papers placed in front of her. "Yes, as soon as I return to Brisbane I will talk to my economists and talk about injecting Hanseatic Marks into the Dranaggian economy"

"It should be simple. We can alter the silver content of our currecny to reflect this. The Dranaggan economy is extremely flexible to changes like this as at any moment disaster can strike us." Edward poured himself a second glass of the black alcohol. "Well that is a lot of my problems settled in just one meeting."

Sarah laughed and put her glass back down on the table. "You'll learn I try to get business out of the way as soon as possible. Its always been something I do with political meetings. You'll have to forgive me for that"

"Hah, yes, always best to finish the work first. However for me my work is hardly ever finished. Ever since the Minster of Internal Affairs died in office i've gotten half of his ministy's work load poured onto my desk." He sighs and sips his drink. "Though I supposed its easier than being the person in charge of it all like you are."

She rolled her eyes and shook her head. "You have no idea. Its absolutely horrible. To be honest, when the Commonwealth was created it wasn't supposed to lead to a monarchical government. It kind of just ended up that way." She laughed. "Trust me, I didn't think I would end up Lady Protector of the Hansa. But I mean you and I both. Young. Unsure of the world. I guess it makes sense."

"I can't imagine your divorce to Larsa helped ease the stress."

She took a deep breath and sighed. "I tried to keep it as secret as long as I could. But tabloids are vicious." She chuckled and looked at his alcohol selection and pointed at a bottle of whiskey. "See that bottle over there. I killed the whole thing in two days after the divorce."

"Ah yes, the bliss of alcohol. I have to avoid it to often since I'm always focused on something or another to do around the nation. I suppose I should be happy my own wedding to Catherine has been postponed for so long because of it." He sighs "He doesn't really like politics at all, but that is how she was raised by them."

"Trust me Edward if I didn't have to do this I wouldn't. Actually I was never going to be a politician. I went to school to be a teacher and my brother was going to inherit the Baltica Iron Company, which at the time was pretty much forming the country today we know as the Hansa...But he died when I was eighteen and my dad put me into Helsinki University for Political Science and then when he died I became CEO. Its been a roller coaster ever since."

"That is a tough lesson to learn quickly, and I don't envy having to experience the death of a brother. I must seem soft compared to that since for me it was my Uncle who told me I would be the Prime Minister. He wanted me to learn the system the fastest I could, and put me in place. One doesn't tell off Lord Tahsir easily when here in Dranagg."

She chuckled. "Oh I would never dare. Though its funny, I have never even met your leader. Though I've heard of the conditions of the heads of state in Dranagg and I have to say I feel bad for him. I would hope that that fate never happens to you Edward though."

"I actually think that is why he made me Prime Minister so fast. Dranaggan law states that I cannot ever be the leader of the nation now. Other ministers can, but the Prime Minister can never be. To much risk of one setting up their own ascendancy. Another drink? Something a little less dangerous?" He asks as he puts the black filled bottle away.

Sarah was already feeling a bit woozy from the black liquor as she nodded and put down her glass. "You know, I'll just take water right now. I can't have all your alcohol in one sitting and that stuff was very strong. I'll have to import some in the future."

"How about something less exotic then? You said you drank whisky right?" He pulled the bottle out from inside the cabinet. Import stamps were on the bottle marking them from the old ISAF.

Sarah's eyes sparkled as she could feel the effects of the liquor on her. What followed was the next hour of Sarah and Edward exchanging stories of their countries and their childhoods, all while Sarah's tiny frame gave way under the pressure of the liquor. Finally as it was getting late and Edward could tell that his guest had had a bit too much to drink, he took her back to her escort and from there the Lady Protector was lead to her hotel in the center of the city. Collasping on the bed once in the room. Sarah felt horrible, she had embarrassed herself in front of Edward was still extremely drunk. But that would just fade away when she fell asleep

Edited June 11, 2009 by Tahsir Re

[Tahsir]

*4 am Dranagg. International Hotel: Government district.*

Hotel doors have no feelings. They don't care what goes on around and to them. They simply open, close, lock, and unlock as they were made. A strong booted foot however feels quite a lot as it kicks through a hotel room door lock. Splintering wood and the reverberation of the slamming door add a subtle atmosphere to the sudden invasion of Sarah Tintagyl's hotel room.

Four large men swarm into the darkened room immediately after the door is forced open. Three of them have straight knives that appear to take the place that should be occupied by their left ring finger, and all of them have a look of death about their faces. They advance quickly at a gesture by the fourth in the back and move toward Sarah. Knives drawn and ready.

"Halt in the name of Lord Tahsir!"

A voice from beyond the door stops the 4 men in their tracks. The apparent leader looks out toward the hall.

A man in a uniform of the livery for a royal guard stands at the door.

"The Lady Sarah Tintagyl is to be put into custody under his Lord Tahsir Re, and that the BZ-RK are to await the Lords decision in the matter. Thus is the command by Lord Tahsir!"

The 3 other invaders look toward their leader. He simply twitches his head towards the door and the other 3 swiftly make an exit. The leader stops at the door.

"The lord general will here of this."

"I have been told he already knows Captain Cor, you can take your men back to their barracks."

Captain Cor, looks at the guard as if pondering killing the man, and then turns and walks out.

"Phew..That was close."

The guard turns to Sarah.

"Madam, I'm afraid I must place you under arrest for the time being. Please come with me."

OOC: what? You didn't think a treaty was all the RP was going to be

Edited June 11, 2009 by Tahsir Re

[Sarah Tintagyl]

Sarah bolted from the bed when the guards had kicked down the door, but just rolled around in the covers instead of trying to escape her captors as she watched the Dranaggian guards surround her bed and place her under arrest. She didn't make a peep until the first guards had left the room and only the officer was left. The problem was was that she was just now keeping over the stupor that she had put herself in back in Edward's office and with the hangover coming on, she felt absolutely miserable, a little irritable, and very scared.

"Phew..That was close." The guard turns to Sarah. "Madam, I'm afraid I must place you under arrest for the time being. Please come with me."

Sarah held her head and then turned to the guard. "You have to be joking." She had messed with police figures before. Most notably in the Neo-Japanese provinces before the annexation and it had not been a pleasant memory, being tied up in the back of a storage tent. Getting out of bed, she yawned for a minute and turned to the guard. "If you're placing me under arrest, let me at least get dressed first." She pulled on a pair of jeans and a blouse and then her coat to head out into the Antarctic atmosphere. "So may I ask what I'm being arrested for?"

[Tahsir]

The guard waited alert and wary at the door while Sarah got dressed. If anything was evident the lack of privacy should of been a hint that this was not a minor matter. Not that the four men that almost killed her in the night wouldn't have already driven that idea home.

"So may I ask what I'm being arrested for?"

As the guard escorted her out of her hotelroom... "You're under arrest for Murder, Lady Sarah. His Prime Minister Edward Re is dead."

Outside waited a heavy Snow cat. A driver watching a group of people that were standing near the hotel with a nervous expression on his face.

The group stared at Sarah as she was escorted to the Snow cat. They didn't look like commoners, and they did not appear to be friendly.

[Sarah Tintagyl]

Sarah dropped her jacket on the ground and stepped away from her travel bag and look at the guard. "No...no...I didn't...I couldn't have...I was just with him. Not four hours or so ago. We were having drinks together. It was a diplomatic meeting! He can't be dead! I was just with him!"

The guard approached her a bit and Sarah backed up to the wall. "I swear. I didn't do anything! Please, I swear I didn't do anything! Please just leave me alone!" Her entire body began to shake as she dropped to her knees and held her head tightly as her eyes began to water. "Please I swear I didn't do anything!"

[Tahsir]

The guard only looked at her as she broke down. "Lady Sarah that is precisely why you are being put under arrest. You are the last known person to have been with the Prime Minister." The guard cast what actually looked like a nervous glance over at the group that was standing only a few meters away before leaning in towards her. He whispered quietly " And I advise you come with us Lady Sarah. Those people over there are BZ-RK, and they did not come here to take a suspect into custody. They deal in death, and only death. So if you want a chance to tell us what happened this is the only way."

The guard straighten and spoke normally again. "Now please enter the vehicle or we shall place you in it." It sounded rude, but the guard was looking more at the now alert group of men and women that were waiting. The BZ-RK and their knives.

[Sarah Tintagyl]

Sarah got up off the ground and nodded. "All right, that's okay." She looked at the other guards and dropped her head to avoid making further eye contact. She took the hand of the first guard who lead her out of the hotel and into a waiting vehicle outside. Sitting down in the seat, she held back tears as the drivers climbed in and they drove off down the dark Dranaggian roads towards...well...she didn't know where. She rubbed her arms in anxiety and in fear. She just wanted to be home again, she just wanted to be home.

[Tahsir]

Early morning was not a time of activity in Dranagg. Roads were empty and buildings dark, but small knots of people seemed to be everywhere. They all had one thing in common, they all were missing the left hand ring finger. The snow cat drove on South through the city. Houses started to turn from wood to stone, and the groups of people became less and less frequent.

The guard in the back cabin, the same that had taken Sarah out of the hotel took this time to speak to her. "I must inform you that you are currently under the care and protection of His Lord Tahsir Re. I was sent immediately by him to pick you up and take you to Re house. There you will be held until evidence is found to prove your innocence, or guilt."

The guard did not seem to enjoy saying the part about guilt. Edward Re was quite popular among everyone, and his death was not something even the royal guards took lightly.

"One more thing. Do not attempt to leave Re House under any circumstances. The BZ-RK will likely try to kill you on sight. Lady Catherine herself told her father the Lord General of the BZ-RK that it was you who last was with Edward. The Lord General will have nothing but hatred to whomever killed his future son in law. If you leave the House they will find you."

As he finishes speaking the snow cat slows to a stop in front of a large stone house with additional wings made from wood. The driver gets out and circles the snow cat, watching the surroundings. The guard with Sarah says one final thing.

"Trust no one with nine fingers."

The the door was opened and cold invaded.

[King Kevz]

OOC: Hmm is that an assassin reference I see in there. I wonder if you did it on purpose or not?

[Tahsir]

OOC: Hmm is that an assassin reference I see in there. I wonder if you did it on purpose or not?

OOC: purposeful. BZ-RK are all armed with Assassin Creed style spring daggers.

[King Kevz]

OOC: purposeful. BZ-RK are all armed with Assassin Creed style spring daggers.

OOC: Thought so anyway Il let you get back to it Im really enjoying it. Just don't hurt Sarah ok.

[Sarah Tintagyl]

Nine fingers...nine fingers...nine fingers...! Sarah turned back on the guard and grabbed him by the collar. "No, the driver that brought me to Edward's apartment, in the government sector. That guard had nine fingers. He had nine fingers! Could he have something to do with this?"

The guard stopped "It is possible, and it might not. I am not the one to weight this. Though it if was indeed a BZ-RK who drove you then it could be important. Now if you'd please. I am to hand you over to the House Keeper and resume my duties here. I suggest you remember your driver when the minister arrives."

Sarah sighed, her hope falling further from her grasp as she climbed out of the car and more guards swarmed on top of her to escort her, with a much unnecessary degree of force. It was freezing even just the short walk to the Re House. But once inside, she warmed up, even if she felt extremely uncomfortable and extremely scared. Without hesitating from her weak legs, she walked over and sat down on a nearby couch and let her face fall into her hands. Crying wouldn't be far off.

[Tahsir]

No one else was in the large foyer besides Sarah. The guards had locked the doors and she was left alone. above the door hung the symbol of the Re family under which was written "Saarkin Tel Cha'an".

There were obviously other people in the house, and sounds of movement were in other distant rooms. For now it seemed that Sarah was left completely alone in a house that Edward once lived in.

[Sarah Tintagyl]

Sarah wiped her eyes of tears and looked up at the bright ceiling in the foyer, it was probably best at this point to just stay put. She couldn't believe what had happened and now the hangover was finally starting to wear off. The problem was was that she had just seen Edward a few hours ago and he had been fine, she hadn't any intention of being part of conspiracy or anything of the sort. This kind of thing just seemed to happen to her, almost where ever she went. Normally after getting back home Sarah felt better, but maybe the adventures were getting to be too much. Though she had almost been beaten in Neo Japan, it really wasn't much different here. People wanted to kill her, she was a criminal of sorts, and she needed to get her mind off of the negatives.

"Well this isn't going to work at all." She said getting up from the couch. Sarah couldn't help her curiosity, exploration was her claim to fame.

Starting in the foyer she worked her way ahead, still gawking at the style of architecture in the house and vast openness that was accompanied on its floors. She wandered through the house slowly, trying not to attract any attention, she just wanted to accommodate herself more and she knew that she was a stupid girl. She was always a stupid girl. But even as she wondered she only wanted to go back home and her hands shook as she walked.

Supposedly this was where the famed Lord Tahsir lived, but she didn't really want to push her luck, so nearly after she had explored the wings and upstairs areas, Sarah returned to the couch to wait for the minister. Her hands still shaking as she did.

[Tahsir]

The doors in the foyer opened, letting in the perpetual freeze of the outdoors in for a moment before it was closed and the thick weather sealing shut out the frigid temperatures. The man that walked in wasn't quite old, but didn't appear young.

The man shakes the snow off is coat from a passing wind storm outside, and hangs it up on a coat hanger by the door. Even going so far as putting snow covered boots into one of the foyer closets. It is quite evident he has been here many times before, and knows his way around. Which means he must be the minister Sarah was told to expect.

"So you must be the woman that the BZ-RK want dead" The man closes the door to the closet where he put his boots. "I should very much like you hear your side of this before they get their chance again young lady." He walks over to her slowly. His hands behind his back as he looks her over like an appraiser at an auction. "I am Paga Gwerra, Elected by the people as Minister of War for the Republic of Dranagg, and I am responsible for the investigation into this matter."

[Tahsir]

OOC: another IRC block. Paga Gwerra in Green, Sarah is in blue. IC now.

Sarah looked up at Gwerra and sighed. "I know that this may sound like a normal criminal story, but I swear I just wasn't in the office when Edward died. We were in the process of signing a treaty between the Hansa and Dranagg. After the document was signed, we had a few drinks and then I went back to the hotel. I swear, I had nothing to do with this death.I just left at midnight and four hours later I was being arrested by the BZ-RK. But I swear I had nothing to do with it."

"How can I believe you had nothing to do with it. Quite a bit of time passed between when you arrived and when you left. And you just said it yourself, you stayed for drinks."

"Yes I know I stayed for drinks, but I didn't stay all night. I was back in the hotel by 12:30. The front desk or even my driver could confirm that."

"I do hope that isn't your alibi. If it is then I guess I was woken up for nothing, and I can just put you back outside for the BZ-RK to find."

Jumping up from her seat she grabbed onto Gwerra's arm. "No please, listen you can't do this to me. I swear I had nothing to do with Edward's death." Then she stopped. "Minister, no one has ever told me this. How did he die?"

He tugged his arm from her grasp in a rather rude, but not forceful, fashion before answering. "He died in pain and suffering to a cowards weapon. Poison."

She wished she was slightly sick, maybe to show that she had been poisoned as well or something. Anything to make her case more viable. But she couldn't think of anything else. Everyone here seemed to go on the law of guilty until proven innocent and that she was nothing but a bug for the Dranaggians to squash. She sighed. "I don't know what happened to..him, I left at midnight and was back in the hotel by 12:30 and asleep. I don't know what else you want me to say, because it feels like you've almost made up your mind." She sat back down on the couch. "I didn't kill him...we were friends."

Paga stared at her, as if noting small actions that she herself wasn't aware of, before speaking "If Lord Tahsir believed you already guilty he would of not sent the royal guards to stop the BZ-RK. The only issue is you do not seem to have motive. However I wonder, what did you do in all time time before you left. Rumors travel everywhere young lady."

She looked up with him with hopeful eyes. "You mean before I left to go back to the hotel? We just stayed and chatted. About politics, our childhoods, just really random stuff. Nothing of an ill nature I can tell you that much." She paused and smiled. "If it were possible, please tell Lord Tahsir thank you for saving my life."

stared back at her "Do not count yourself saved yet." Paga pauses for a moment before walking over to his coat. "So you spent hours of time drinking and...talked? " He sounded a more than a little acusing of something, but wasn't saying what. Paga stopped at his coat and reached into a pocket pulling out a package of cigarettes and a book of matches. He takes one out before putting the pack back but doesn't light it yet. "I must say if rumors are to be believed I don't think I can trust what you say."

She sighed and thought pretty well at what he was getting at, but she couldn't be sure yet. "What were the rumors?"

Paga stopped to light the cigarette. "Oh I am sure you've heard them all. Mysterious trips to see men around the world without any diplomatic reason, and seemingly nothing getting done. There is even one rumor that says your divorce was caused by one of these trips.."

"I thought so." She looked back up at him. "I can assure you that I didn't have sex with Edward. The tabloids are incredibly harsh and while I know my own decisions on a physical nature may not be my best, but I am not a liar. Even during the divorce I was honest about what had happened."

Paga listened quitely with the cigarette burning down slowly. "Good, your have told me the first thing I can believe, and not tried to escape with a lie." He stopped talking to drag on the cigarette before starting again. "Edward's bed was found untouched, and his apartment completely in order. Had you tried to lie to explain the time..."

She didn't smile, but her body showed a feeling of relief. "I may be a flirt and I may be known around the world as a whore, but I assure you that I do not have a harem of men and I take honesty very personally. I want to help you find the killer Your Excellency, but I swear to you that I left at midnight. I didn't hear anything about it until the guards showed up at the hotel."

Pulling something out from his pocket, which turned out to be a tiny note book, paga opened it to a marked page. "Guard reports that Edward was found naked, face down, in his bed by his fiance Catherine at 1 am. No signs of a struggle and the guard smelled almonds. The bed linens were scattered on the floor with his clothing among them." Paga stops to take another drag on the cigarette watching for Sarah's reaction.

"I thought you said that the room was in order?"

"I lied. Your reaction told the truth." He put the cigarette out in a small urn near the door for such things before reading more from the page. "Edward was pronounced dead at site. Insepction of the bedroom revealed that the bed was cold, and unused, and that he had been placed there by someone."

Sarah sighed. "Do you have any other suspects?"

"You are the last one to see Edward alive before Catherine found him dead and called the guard."

"Damn it all. Well I would normally want to speak with Catherine about it, but I'm sure I'm the last person that she would want to see." She looked up at the Minister of War and frowned holding her head tightly. "I don't know Your Excellency. I have no idea about this. But I'm willing to help in anyway possible."

"I am quite sure you do not want to meet Catherine. I've heard she raised quite a hell when she heard you had been in Edward's office for so long while she was visiting her father. They actually didn't allow her back into the ministry building until after you had left. As for any help you can provide, you can do that by not trying to leave the house or contact anyone outside."

She nodded. "I understand. Thank you for believing me." She looked at him, barely holding back her tears. "I'm sorry that I can't do anything else."

"I have all the information I need from you right now." He starts to take his coat from the wall, but doesn't get his boots. Instead he starts walking towards the stairs leading down to the lower floor. "Good day Lady Sarah.", and then his form disappears down the stairway.

Edited June 13, 2009 by Tahsir Re

[Tahsir]

It was several hours later when Paga Gwerra returned to the upper floors of the mansion. His look hadn't changed, but it appeared he had immediately lit a new cigarette to smoke once he got up the last step.

During that time Sarah might have heard the bells in the distant arena ringing with the news that was already being spread.

Paga stopped in the foyer to get his shoes.

"He will see you now."

He pulls on his boots.

"Down stairs, two lefts, to the sealed door. Knock only once. Don't keep him waiting."

Then he opened the door and left with a cold blast of Antarctic wind.

[Sarah Tintagyl]

Sarah only nodded, not daring to say another word, because she knew wait awaited her. Few people were able to speak with the Lord of Dranagg, indeed, few people even knew what he actually looked like. In a way she felt honored and in a way she felt incredibly scared. Not wanting to keep His Lordship waiting, Sarah moved away from the wind that was filling up the foyer and moved downstairs. The beautiful walls and cultural feeling of the house disappeared after she arrived downstairs, replaced with the cold stone and steel that when she arrived at the door, sent shivers down her spine. It feel like the places she had seen in Nordland, spooky, full of history, and dim. She gulped as she walked up to the door and knocked. Of course an adventure, her heart felt like it was beating out of her chest.