Report Update.
Antwerp.
19 July 1870.
MacGreggor.
Morning. Leave villa with Miss C, Miss W, Salmalin, Lt. W and Caine in route to Consulate. Send off telegrams and reports. Lt. W and Caine needed at Consulate, so continued to police HQ to examine Arkwright’s remaining shoe. Miss W does some of her mystic stuff and says she saw the life of both shoes until they were separated at the Teutonic Knights building. Schmidt carrying Arkwright in flight when it dropped off in alley at back of building. Retrieved by de Ritter, another magik user, who did this same spell (Note: This is what Miss W says she does when she is using magik). The shoe is now in an iron box, presumably at de Ritter’s office. Returned to villa.
Lunch. Servants seem surprised to be feeding us a second time today. Exchange discoveries with others. One group visited Von Glower Glassworks, through a scrying (Note: Another word from Miss W, what Mrs. C does to trace things), the rifles are located. On a country estate where blond cavalrymen drilled. Another went to see van der Pool at his train factory, .and learned more about the special rail car and they collected metal filings for anti-Schmidt weapons. Mr. R learned more about the Comte and how he got away.
Afternoon. . The addled woman who accosted our bathroom the other day has been watching the house, laying in wait for Dr. W, no doubt. Apparently abducted this afternoon. Sent word to authorities as not connected to our case, or so it seems at this time. Seamus received request for meeting from Gallant (Note: The man dressed all in white observed at glassworks the night before). Others went to exchange information. Remained behind to write reports and speak with Miss W, if possible. Others returned quite promptly. Mr. G following Dr. Fate, who works not for the American Govt., but for a party with other objectives from that country. Promoting the war? For research? (Note: Send descriptions and report to HQ, an agent should be assigned). Miss W arranged for Miss C to chaperone her on a walk with me. Explained the regard for her and about the odd dream and prophetic concerns. Miss W seemed flummoxed. Suggested a consultation with Mrs. C regarding dream. Kind to me, but reserved. Not as good a chat as a chap could hope.
Teatime. Gunshots heard in the distance. Before group can head out, Lt. W and Caine appear. They’d been accosted on the road by Dutch agents! Announces that France has declared War on Prussia! Sir C suggests that we prepare to move while he goes to check in with Consulate accompanied by Mr. F, Lt. F, Caine and Salmalin. Word sent back that Edward, Dr. W and Seamus were needed along with the rocket items Edward has been building. By the time the non-military of the group returns we are packed. Mrs. C was busy scrying again, also and had an idea where the Prussians, the Comte and the rifles were, somewhere to the SE of us. Interrupted by visitors. Mr. F, Miss S join me in greeting Dr. Van Zimo and Herr Faulkenstein. Engage Dr. VZ with questions about the burn patient from the glassworks. Mr. F chats up Herr F, quietly and seriously. See them out, Mr. F shares that Herr F an agent who has revealed that the Prussians are near Corrim. Share information with the rest of the group, locating area on map. Probable they are on Von Gower’s estate near Corrim. Sir C returns and findings exchanged. Load up baggage and head for the train to Brussels.
Night. Brussels. Embassy. Mystics do some spell called veiling (Note: Miss C says this puts up a magical barrier or ward to protect and hide us from other magik) around the Embassy. Visit war room. Lady N wakes from a doze there and shares a dream: Comte has spellbook, needs ‘sword of surrendered royalty’ in order to destroy the world. How can that be!? Group is energized by this, Lady N must have had dreams of disaster in the past (Note: Ask one of the group about this, someone mentioned Kali). Arrangements are made for train to the Von Gower’s estate.
Late night. Boarding train when the Belgian cavalry join us. Sir C and Edward disappear to the front of the train. Train leaves the station. Keeps gaining speed. Faster than any I have ever ridden. Sir C must have let Edward tinker. Mystics are chanting again (Note: Miss C explained that this was to raise the strength of the spell). Part of the group disappears! Miss C, Mr. C, Mr. D, and Henri just vanished. Miss S hurries forward to report this to Sir C, as I inform all others. Miss W claims the Comte has them. Train slows, approaching estate. Heard Miss W say “Oh dear”, turned to see Schmidt appear. She threw one of her anti-Schmidt bombs at him, he said something not audible to me and then disappeared! Mount with calvary and charge. Next attack, they surrender to us.
Morning. Wee hours before dawn. Find others in temple inside main house. Miss C is holding up severed head of Schmidt. Rush to find iron box for it. Return with it and find Miss W floating (why does this always fascinate me). Help Miss C with head and box then retrieve scattered hairpins. Once she settles down, return them to Miss W. Take the keys she has found, search for locks. Appear to be for restraining cuffs of some sort. Head downstairs. Find Mrs. C, help down a man she was conversing with by remove cuffs. Tells me the other room here has a vampire in it, want it guarded. Takes other upstairs, leaving me to wait. Mr. R and Henri come down, find me singing Christmas Carols to drown the vampire attempting to talk to me. Taking proffered crossbow and aiming same at vampire’s chest while Mr. R questions it. Henri takes many photographs. Vampire has special bracelet style cuffs on wrists. Sigals that glow cover cuffs. Miss S seeks Mr. R, he is needed upstairs.
Proceed to Magicks at the drop of a hat
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