A Departure

JP with Omni and Cindy

The sky had become a brilliant blue, after the haze of morning lifted. Only the occasional, white billowy cloud passing by. Elizabeth sat, with her legs twisted like a pretzel as she meditated.

Allowing the sense of time to pass her by, the Eldren was doing the ritual of breathing in energy from around to replenish herself for the day.

A footstep,barely heard except a leaf that was crushed under the weight. Whoever it was stood there, had opted not to interrupt the state Elizabeth was currently in. Probably a servant.

A slight breeze allowed the smell of soap, not just any soap but with a hint of musk. Which gave away, what servant.

"Yes, Harold," Elizabeth didn’t open her eyes.

"I am sorry to disturb you but..." he paused, which was unlike him.. "there's another message from the Baron."

To that Elizabeth opened her eyes, "Two in one day? Must be a record. What does it say?" She realized the envelope wasn't opened. "Please, open it."

Harold carefully put his finger under a slight opening in the flap, and dragged it across, releasing the flap. He pulled out the message, read it and the said. "Lady Elizabeth, you might want to read this yourself."

"Harold, how long have you known me?" Elizabeth asked.

"For many years, since you were seven." Harold responded.

"And in all thar time have you ever known me to kill the messenger?" Elizabeth’s tone was nice.

"No, ma'am." Harold responded.

"Then what does it say?" Elizabeth asked.

Harold proceeded to read the message. Elizabeth stood there for a moment, just breathing, a little too calmly said. "Please get Mr. Dumont for me. And leave me the message."

"Yes, Lady Elizabeth." Harold went back to the house to fetch Mr. Dumont.

Elizabeth made sure the man was in the house before, opening up the message, reading it again and shoving it back in her pocket. First the Baron....and now...

In an display that Elizabeth would never allow anyone to witness, because it would be too un- ladylike. A fit of anger came over her. Seething through her teeth, walked towards a stump and let all the anger flow out of her, into the stump. Leaving nothing but charred remains behind. Taking a deep breath, Elizabeth found a seat on an iron bench, sat down and waited for Dumont.

Dumont sat at the desk in his room reassembling the barrel chamber of his service revolver after cleaning and oiling its parts when suddenly the rapping of knuckles came from the door.

“Oui. You may enter,” he called out.

The door opened and Harold entered, stopping just inside the threshold and spoke, “Good day, Mr Dumont. Lady Elizabeth requires your presence.”

Dumont could sense the sobriety in Harold’s tone and mood that indicated the matter was important. “Alright. I’m just finishing up.“

“Very good, sir. Follow me, please.”

Harold led the way to the spot where Elizabeth had been meditating. The air smelled of burnt wood.

Elizabeth saw Dumont walking towards her with Harold. "Mr. Dumont, please take a seat. That will be all Harold, thank you." Her tone was calm.

Harold nodded, "Yes, Lady Elizabeth." Then headed back towards the house

As soon as Dumont was seated, Elizabeth looked at the man. "I was sent another message from the Baron. I am afraid, he is reassigning you."

Dumont’s eyebrows raised despite himself. He was visibly surprised, wondering what this meant.

Perhaps the Baron was unsatisfied with Dumont’s performance on duty. Or perhaps his assignment was simply finished here and the Order was ready for him to move on? Dumont wasn’t sure but one thing was clear. He was happy with his new team and would feel horribly incomplete until Dr Lemaire was brought to justice.

“I see…” he said, scratching the back of his head. “Did he say anything else?”

"Unfortunately, the note was short on details. He did not say why he was reassigning you. Just that he wanted you, at headquarters as soon as you could arrive there." Elizabeth paused. "My guess is there is some vacancy, which you are particularly adept to." Elizabeth’s other guess was the Baron was doing it to annoy her. Why else would it have to be another one of her team members?

His eyes shifted as he listened and then he nodded solemnly, “Well, I must say… I’m very dismayed to hear this. For many reasons…”

He looked like he may have been about to tear up as he paused and sighed.

“Alas… C’est la vie. It has been an absolute pleasure working with you, my Lady. I know that you will do well for yourself and this organization… Very well. I will make preparations. Will there be anything else, Lady Elizabeth?”

"I, and I feel I can speak for the team, we will miss you. You have been an asset to the team." Elizabeth paused, removed her broach and put it off to the side. She could then clearly see Ansil, as well. "I do promise both of you we will bring Doctor Lamaire to justice."

Elizabeth focused back on Dumont, "Please do take care of yourself. Perhaps we will have the chance to work together again, someday." Elizabeth refastened her broach to her dress and then said. "That was all, Mr. Dumont." There was nothing dismissive in her tone, she just knew he had things to attend to.

“I look forward to seeing you all again soon. For now… Au revoir.” Dumont smiled woefully, put his hat to his chest and gave a deep bow of respect to the lady before turning around and leaving.

He spent the rest of the afternoon making arrangements for his transfer to the Order’s headquarters.