5 September 1875, Sunday
I have taken what steps I can, but am afraid the developing situation
may call for more drastic measures.
We have only just arrived in Carpania. I availed myself of the
telegraph office and hope I have alerted friends of Miss Metzger to her
plight. (I also sent a telegram per Lady Cowperthwaite's
instructions inviting her grandmother, Nanny Chigwidgeon, to join her
here for the wedding-- apparently Mrs Chigwidgeon is something of a
local celebrity and Lady Cowperthwaite thinks she would enjoy the fuss.)
Last night, according to both Mrs Cuthbert and Mr O'Flaherty, Miss
Metzger and her son Arnwulf (who is both Mr O'Flaherty and Mr Frazer's
godson) were attacked by some form of werewolf (I'm guessing beast-men
given the overall restraint they showed, however, information
gleaned from visions is not always reliable). Arnwulf was
captured and Miss Metzger set out after him.
Once we were all awake (Mr O'Flaherty made quite a commotion in his
sleep), Mrs Cuthbert and I verified the veracity of the vision to the
best of our ability and not only did it appear to be true Miss Metzger
is just the other side of the mountains from us. In addition to
the divination spells, Mrs Cuthbert and I worked to create a blessing
spell to surround Arnwulf. It was all we could do from a
distance-- though we did use the proximity of so many god-parents to
help bolster the spell. We summoned as much power as we dared for
the spell and hope that if its reach does extend that far that it will
give him a bit of luck or protection when he most needs it.
My first thought upon arriving, was that their was nothing more we
could do for our friends in Prussia, (other than send the telegrams to
mutual friends in the Prussian Police). While our baggage was being
unloaded we recognized several people from our previous adventures in
France and Prussia as they disembarked from their own trains. It
seems that, in addition to the wedding, we will have something of a
convention of spies and eccentric inventors. What is a group of
spies called? A flock? A gaggle? As for the inventors, who knows?
Mrs Frazer and I have taken a few moments to discuss the matter of Miss
Metzger and feel that we cannot, in good conscience, abandon her to
whoever is after Arnwulf. We feel it is our duty to make our way
to her side and assist in the rescue of her son. We saw a French
aerofrigate pass us on our way into Carpania. It was flying Comte
de Mulineaus' colours. I am tempted to ask him if he could take
us over the mountains and drop us off in Prussia-- it would be so much
faster than going around to the pass at the end of the valley that
makes up Carpania. If only Lady Sophia were here, I am
certain, given my support for her Ossifrage project (and my assistance
in putting down a short-lived rebellion the last time I visited) she
would give me a lift in her powered balloon-- and asking her wouldn't
create an potential international incident.
Frankly, if the rest of the League did not already have pressing
assignments, I believe that we would all be headed into Prussia in
support of Miss Metzger. However, the Cowperthwaites have both
social and work related engagements. Inspector MacGreggor and Mr
Frazer are here at the official request of the Carpania government to
investigate the death of two English Citizens. Mrs Frazer and I
are surplus to requirements since Miss Pinker is present and can handle
all matter of protocol issues should they arise and both Mrs Frazer and
I trust her and Mrs Wooster to chaperone Miss Moriarty with appropriate
diligence.
I expect to have some difficulty explaining to Octavia why she must
stay behind with her father (who must stay behind to protect Lady
Cowperthwaite). I expect to have further difficulty ensuring that
she stays behind.
However, Mrs Frazer and I are resolute. One of our friends
is in danger. Mrs Frazer's godson by marriage is being
threatened. We cannot stand idly by when only a mountain range
separates us from them.
Proceed to Residue of
terrible magik
Return to Mrs Salmalin's Diary Index
Contents this page copyright 2009 by Kristin Fontaine. All Rights Reserved.