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In memory of France

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Work hath taken its toll on my presence here recently - been doing overtime and have simply been too weary of mind to devote myself properly to these pursuits. So alas I do not have another update ready and waiting, though I do have a few ideas circling around in my head, clamouring for attention. I will see what I can do about them, but in the meantime some responses.

Rensslaer's Fathers can tyrants it is true, in more ways that one. And thank you.

And that sir, was truly a pun worthy of Richard Whitely in his prime. ;)

coz1 Thank you. That line was a little bit of alliterative fun, and I do lile playing around here and there with the English language.

J. Passepartout Well clearly more needs to be revealed as to Jean's father to form a judgement, but turning it around slightly, might not some people think a little treason, a little embarrasment (or even a little embarrassing treason) to be worthwhile if it preserves their country's freedom.

Stuyvesant A very astute observation. Jean has not yet had the chance to properly step out from under his father's shadow. That is surely however only a matter of time.

Oranje Verzet Thanks for stopping by, and glad to know you're enjoying it.
 
So what is overtime in Europe these days? 32 hours? :rofl:

Sorry... I mean the socialist continent, perhaps. Not our neighbor cousins.

I feel for you! Looking forward to the next installment!

Renss
 
Interesting AAR Stynlan. Really enjoy the way the story is unfolding.
Can't wait for the next update.
 
I wish it were Renss, I wish it were. ;)

prussiablue Thank you for reading and glad to know you are enjoying it. As for the next update, well I have hit something of a roadbump on the highway of progress, or maybe a pothole. Too many ideas are sprouting up, and I've yet to get a handle on them. Or, in other words, an update is still in the works (like Victoria 1.04) ;)
 
I thought they didn't invent potholes until the '50s. :rolleyes:

I feel for you! We'll be waiting.

Renss
 
Has anyone heard from Stnylan?

His blog is stuck on Trafalgar... He has been absent for some time, it seems.

I do hope he gets to come back and continue this fine tale.

Rensslaer
 
Rensslaer said:
I thought they didn't invent potholes until the '50s. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
are you saying the roads built by the Romans are still in use and without need of repair? ;) hmmm. which "'50s" were you referring to? :cool:

awesome AAR! thanks, Renss, for the referral! ! ! :D
 
He's around here somewhere; I just saw him. You think if we yell loud enough he'll post back?

HEY STNYLAN!
 
I sketch a half-bow. “There will not need to be,” and I shut the door.
Click to expand...

Now that is a line pregnant with meaning.



Let me add my voice to those urging you to make a return, whenever circumstances permit.
 
Dear All

I feel a little explanation is in order for my absence. A rather sorry, ordinary tale when I look at it, and amounts basically to having let work get to me rather more than it should. A definite mistake, and one I am not wanting to repeat anytime soon. Of course, once one has gotten out of the habit of visiting the forums it always takes a greater effort to return. However, I am now back (thanks especially to coz1 for the encouragement) and with an update no less!

First though a few housecleaning matters.

Hajji Giray I You have my attention! And it wil bear fruit.

GhostWriter Welcome, and a very good point about the potholes.

Renss The blog is also slowly going to be getting moving as well, with luck. And thank you for your interest. It means a lot.

J. Passepartout Nothing serious, but thank you for your concern mate.

Stuyvesant Again, many thanks for your interest

Director Circumstances have realistically permitted since the New Year. The rest of the delay I must confess is all down to my procrastination and general laziness. ;)

Also I have constructed a Dramatis Personae to hopefully help keep things straight. It may very well be incomplete, and I will be duplicating it in the first post. It is my intention to update it there, but just now I'll post what I have constructed. If people notice any particular omissions please say so!

The Past

Jean de Fontenay a young nobleman
Carlos de Aranda another young nobleman, company
Pierre yet another young nobleman, a crowd

The Duke of Milan Secretary of Committee of Europe, de Aranda's boss
Alonso Ponce de Leon, Duke of Puerto Rico a powerful noble
Miguel de los Santos his stooge on the Committe of the Americas
Enrique Velasco Secretary of the Committee of the Mediterranean, enemy of Duke of Milan

Francois Comte d'Artois French Ambassador to Madrid
Henri de Tallon his deputy
Captain Bernhardt Captain of Bavarian guards
Gunter one of the guards

Bertrand a clerk


The Present

Jean de Fontenay
Carlos de Aranda

Bertand (dead)
Captain Etienne
Captain Bernhardt
 
CHAPTER II
AT THE RED LION​

The Present

I huddle against the lea of the wall. Why does that patrol not move on? The rain must drench them as it does me, and still they linger! They have to go soon, to clear my way. I do not think that I can wait much longer. I am caught between drunken delight and debauched despair. I press back again the stone, into the deep shade, and pray. I shudder and grit my teeth as the pain lances through my side.

It is a sure sign of Providence that the patrol choose that moment to proceed along their route, leaving the road open and unguarded. It is a tiny miracle, but such small favours are the only ones I dare ask.

I stagger onto the road, my right arm limp. Each step brings a jarring pain, now a dulling tempo. You never realise just how big Madrid is until you have to creep across it, one step at a time, each one a torment. Changing into this fresh set of clothes had nearly been my undoing, but there was no choice. I need a sanctuary, and there is only one I trust.

I do not walk, I blunder. I have made the wrong turn at least a dozen times. Outside one tavern I stop, and for a moment thirty years slip by. From inside come the sounds of revelry, the smell of fine food and the promise of a warm fire. The Siren’s song has not changed. I turn my back, my decision made long ago.

Yet what hope! I must not be so far.

It is further than I remembered. The rain makes the avenue treacherous, always seeking to cause a slip. It brings one blessing, there are few about the city tonight. For a moment I think of Etienne, flailing through mud. I am soaked, and the cold delves deep into me. I draw a ragged breath, and force my feet forward. I hold my left arm up, ready in case I fall.

As if in welcome the ground rises up to greet me. My arm smashes onto the stones and the rest of me follows. I stifle a scream, and roll onto my back. Now I do scream as my right arm flops over, useless. I want to cry, but I have no tears left. My chest heaves, each breathe a new nightmare. A warmth begins to spread, enfolding me in a tight embrace. How much I wish this night was over. My eyes close.

This is the true temptation, to lie here until I am finally spent. At the very least I would be certain of Louis’s fall. Carlos would blame him, and he would leave no stone unturned in his need for revenge, for justification of his ambition.

Just once though I would like to see the world again. My eyes open. There is a flickering light to one side. I turn my head. In the lamplight I see the sign of the Red Lion, hanging solemn. I almost smile. I have come so far, surely I can manage to push myself across the street.

With a great heave I force myself to stand. My lungs feel on fire. I stumble across the street and into the courtyard. I steer myself clear of the main entrance. I do not need to create a scene. I slump against a side door, gasping, trying to gather my strength.

I pound against the door. I call out, but my voice is quiet to my ears. “Open,” I beg of the inimical wood, and lean my head against it. “Open,” I repeat, striking the door again with my left hand, half-hearted. I continue my hammering, it is all that I have left. Someone must answer, something must give. My eyes bore into the wood, and a darkness forms in my sight.

There is a sound, and the door swings inward. I fall forward, unable to resist, and into sure and certain hands thrust out to catch me.

“By all the hells it’s Giovanni!” someone exclaims. Red Charles, he always did have the loudest voice, the strongest accent. He tries to lift me up, and as my shoulder turns I yelp. “He’s hurt! Mary, get the spare bed ready. Find James and Richard. Let’s get him inside.”

My mouth tries for speech, but I can make no sound. He lays me carefully on the floor. I hear him, but cannot see. I sense him lean close. “Easy old friend, take it easy. You are safe now.”

There are other sounds now, but I cannot distinguish them. My head swims, and at long last I surrender myself to sleep, to dreams.
 
stnylan said:
...“By all the hells it’s Giovanni!”

..“Easy old friend, take it easy. You are safe now.”
Click to expand...
good to know! ! ! excellent! ! ! :cool:
 
Stnylan,

Great to see you back at writing, and to see this magnificent tale continue!

He is relatively safe, I presume... How well are his tracks covered? How smart are the investigators, and pursuers?

Looking forward to more!

Rensslaer
 
HE'S BAAACCKK!!!


Great to have you back at the helm, Stnylan, you have been missed, but all that is in the past and you even brought a great update with you! That's what I call coming back with a bang with style!

Keep 'em coming, eh?
 
Excellent to see you not only back and commenting but also with an update. And the time off has certainly not made you rusty. Appropriate to move back to the present for now to remind the reader the way the story is working. And goodness I hope Jean will be all right. Nice description of his mix of hope and despair.
 
GhostWriter Glad you liked it.

Oranje Verzet Thank you. Good to see you around.

J. Passepartout Giovanni indeed. A query, given those question-marks, how do you regard Jean?

Renss Well that is the question now, just what kind of wasps' nest has Jean stirred up? But I refer you to the very first posting, in partial answer to those questions.

Draco Rexus Kind words indeed sir. Thank you. As for keeping them coming, I have another lined up.

coz1 Thank you. As I am sure you know through experience it is useful to keep the present in the picture as you play around with the past - for one's own benefit if nothing else!

Another update as soon as final edit done. Also, I have revised and slightly updated the Dramatis Personae in the first post of the AAR. Also, some readers might find helpful to re-read this post, given that my absence has disrupted the continuity somewhat.
 
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