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Post by Admin on Jul 26, 2021 20:06:09 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/xgVySc6/72654-normal~jpg Corwin returns the hug and whispers: "What's with the morning affection? Surely not the cuts? Don't worry about them - the best swordsmen fight quietly but this one wouldn't shutup. Aside from the sword he cursed me saying these wounds would never kill me. Nothing to living with it except I won't be able to sneak around anymore with my socks sounding all squelchy."
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2021 19:23:20 GMT
"Yes, the cuts." Nat says with a chuckle. She releases him and stands next to him. "Good to know you're not dying, I was worried." She looks down at the table and maps. "Maybe there's a way to collect it into something, like an reverse IV. Then you can be sneaky again." With the last line, Nat looks back at Corwin with a slight conspiratorial smile.
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Post by Admin on Jul 28, 2021 16:43:30 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/xgVySc6/72654-normal~jpg "I don't think that I'm dying but the guy could have been lying to me," he says with a little laugh. "Or just replace my shoes with sponges." He stares at the map beside her. "You're good with a sword; how'd you feel about leading an army? See we need to get moving out of this shadow towards the invaders from the Courts but when we do I'm sure the Duke of Muscovy will attack our Eastern possessions. I can spare you a division if you lead them here -" he points to Bohemia on the map. "Fortify Prague and hold back their advance until I return."
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2021 16:07:35 GMT
Nat nod. "Uncle Sean, my mother's youngest brother, insisted I know how to defend myself. He would teach me during my free time. The other you also taught me some, mostly knife, and Jax, of course, taught me firearms and various bows." She sighs and makes a face. "The Duke. (insert eye roll) The other Corwin was trying to arrange a marriage between the Duke's son and me. I adamantly refused, the other you threw a hissy fit, and the Duke's son looked relieved. The Duke has been passive-aggressive towards us ever since, especially me." She studies the point on the map he indicates closer. "I could do that. And it would give the Duke a fit that it's me leading." She says with an evil smirk. Nat looks back at him. "How long should you be gone, and what do I do if you do not return on time?"
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Post by Admin on Jul 31, 2021 5:29:47 GMT
"Time is a funny thing in Shadow and even more strange when working in the shadowscraps of the Black Zone. I can't give you a time so I'd suggest making Prague your home. Take control of it, make it your own city. If I never return it can be your new capital. If I do make it back then you can add Duchess of Bohemia to your resume.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2021 12:23:56 GMT
Nat nods. "True, time is relative to your location." It almost sounds like she quoted someone. "Please don't talk about not coming back." She whispers before making a face. "I didn't want to rule my mother's kingdom. Why would I want to rule this one?" Nat sighs. "Because if I don't, an idiot like the Duke will, and that's just bad all around." She pinches the bridge of her nose. "Fine! So, it's been a while since I've been to Prague. What's the current weather?" She asks, looking around the table for an answer.
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Post by Admin on Aug 3, 2021 17:39:38 GMT
Everyone around the table shrugs in confusion at the question.
"It is spring, so it may be cool and rainy?" one says uncertainly.
"I'd b sure to pack clothing for all sorts of weather," says another.
"You never can tell what things will be like when crossing mountains," says another.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 5, 2021 17:37:59 GMT
Nat sighs. "I ask so I can plan accordingly. From what you just told me, there are none of my father's troops or spies there. Because I would assume if there were, they would have checked in. Maybe not with a weather report, but maybe to request specific clothing. And I, for one, want to know how much I have to take over the mountains. For example, do I need to bring spring wear for just me and my troops, or will I need to bring more for the units already in place? " She turns to Corwin. "Unless they report directly to you on anything they need."
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Post by Admin on Aug 6, 2021 6:51:09 GMT
Corwin smiles at his daughter's remarks.
"I guess we have been more focused on the conditions beyond this world. It is good to be reminded to not always be staring over the horizon."
The generals nod in agreement.
Word gets passed around and in a minute there is a typed meteorological report placed in her hand covering conditions throughout Bohemia with projected weather through the next month.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2021 11:59:34 GMT
Nat returns the smile, though hers looks more like a smirk. She reads the report as soon as she has it. "All right then. How soon can we move out?"
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Post by Admin on Aug 11, 2021 4:51:14 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/xgVySc6/72654-normal~jpg "Now, unless you have other things to attend to today. There is a train waiting at the station, and we can begin loading on the soldiers at an hour's notice," Corwin says.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2021 11:47:45 GMT
Nat nods. "Give me an hour to grab a few things and I'll be ready to go." She says looking at him. "Is there anyone there I need to get into contact with when I get there?"
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Post by Admin on Aug 13, 2021 0:25:05 GMT
"Just your old friend the Duke and his son."
An hour later, Nat is riding in the luxury car of the train while dozens of other cars holding the hollering, chatting, carousing soldiers trail behind her. They pass from France into the long conquered Low Countries, then through the more recently acquired Greater Germany, and then into the frontier lands of Bohemia.
There is a marked difference in the state of Bohemia compared to Corwin's other lands; the people haven't fully rebuilt from the conquest, and continuing raids from the free lands to the east has drained the Duke's treasury. Still, the famous architecture and bridges she has seen in the history and travel books remain and look just as fairytalelike as expected.
The Duke and son, along with a score of soldiers, wait at the station for her arrival.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2021 17:26:29 GMT
As the train traveled Nat read one of the many books she had brought with her. As they approached the city, she placed a bookmark into her book, closed the book, and placed it into her travel bag. She stepped off the train, directly in front of The Duke and his son. She smiled at his son. "Conrad! It's good to see you. How have you been?" Nat glances at the Duke. "Duke Fredrick. Nice to see you again."
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Post by Admin on Aug 13, 2021 19:54:16 GMT
"Princess Natalia, welcome to Prague," the Duke says. "All the people of the city cheer your arrival."
There is a half-hearted 'huzza' from the crowd.
"Rooms have been prepared for you in the castle, and numerous delegates have arrived, and meetings are scheduled for the rest of the afternoon. In the evening a formal reception has been arrainged.
"Your Limousine awaits."
Conrad just looks shy.
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