Play@YSDC

Ines confesses that she is in no hurry to risk a repeat of that experience, but asks how long a land trip is likely to take. "Dare we risk more delay in finding what has become of your friend?"

"Quite so," Lila replies, still feeling queasy. "Yet do we dare risk being blown even further afield? I vote for the overland trip but will of course abide by the majority decision. Gentlemen?"

In conversation with an idle member of the crew who is familiar with the area, it seems probable that one of the many fortresses which stand near the border with France could be reached on foot within a day's travel. In particular, the structure at Veurne, which is closest to the sea. There may also be small fishing villages along the way. The land being quite flat, travel is not extremely difficult, even given the lack of a road.

The War of the Austrian Succession, some four decades past, demonstrated the inherent weakness of these fortifications, as the French easily overran them; however, the remarkably complex nature of that late conflict, ranging as far as the New World, left this particular region of Europe not much changed, and the structures remain, manned by Dutch troops paid for, indirectly, by their distant and reluctant Austrian masters.

"I agree," says Henry, "we should head to France by land. It would not be wise to attempt another sea voyage, especially in this weather."

The decision to travel overland being agreed upon, a sealed chest bearing mail bound for Paris is entrusted to the adventurers. Of considerable size, and weighing roughly one stone, it is given to the mighty Ivan, who is able to carry it with ease. The master of the Celerity emphasizes the importance of assuring that these despatches reach their intended destinations, and that the chest not be opened until it reaches the French postal authorities.

The travelers spend a reasonably peaceful night aboard the packet, subsisting on simple mariner's fare. In the morning, the pilot, in a somewhat apologetic mood, offers them a map of the area to aid them in their journey.



As best as can be determined, the vessel lies about halfway between Dunkerque and Ostend. That means that the fortress of Veurne lies nearly directly inland, although the exact direction to it may be difficult to determine without some help from local residents, if such be encountered. It would also be possible to follow the coast west-southwest to Dunkerque, thence to Lille and on to Paris, or to follow it east-northeast to Ostend, thence to Ghent, and on to Brussels. Although the first course is plainly the more direct, the latter more quickly reaches a city of considerable size, whereas the aforementioned itinerary would result in no such encounter until Paris itself. Another factor to consider is the fact that the Dutch, and their distant masters, are more or less friendly to England, while, at best, an uneasy peace exists with the traditional enemy of all, France. To add to the mare's nest, there are rumblings of rebellion in both regions.

"Brussels does seem quite a bit out of the way," says Henry. "If we head to Verune, we run the risk of getting lost. If we follow the coast to Dunkerque, there is no chance of that, and that was the alternative port we were trying to reach yesterday. The Dutch will no doubt be friendlier than the French, but we have to enter France eventually anyway."

"This sounds like a sensible course," Lila agrees.

There being general agreement, the party proceeds on foot. The walk is not entirely an unpleasant one, the weather remaining clear and mild, and the sea offering many an inspiring vista. By the late afternoon the adventurers have reached the border with France. From some distance a structure can be seen, no doubt housing a unit of the Ferme générale, tasked with patrolling the border, lest the Kingdom be infested with spies and smugglers. The travelers may choose to attempt to skirt the patrol, by heading inland before crossing the border, or they may confront them directly.

"I think we should just approach the patrol openly and not try to evade them," says Henry. "We can just explain that our ship was blown off course in the storm and made port on the wrong side of the border, and that we're carrying mail bound for Paris. Being here on official business will help."

"Who amongst us speaks any French besides myself?" Lila wonders. "Mister Witherly? Ines?"

It would appear that Miss Davenport alone is conversant in that language.

"Let us hope that we find English-speakers among them for I am not confident in my ability alone to convince them we are not smugglers," Lila declares.

Upon arrival at the border station, a small party of officials is encountered.
The five Frenchmen challenge the party, ordering them to turn over all weapons, and to open all their belongings for inspection.
After some conversation, with Miss Davenport acting as translator, it becomes evident that only one of the officials is monolingual. (It may not come as a great surprise to those of a cynical nature that he is the officer in charge.) A few more words suffice to determine which other languages are understood by the four men under his command.
Apparently three of the men have recently been transferred from the Spanish border, as they are able to understand the speech of the Dons. As luck would have it, one man is able to express himself in English.

"You open that box, yes? No tricks! Put pistols, knives on ground and open bags. We look. Quick, quick!"

It may be noted that the men are all armed.

Point of clarification: Does the box bear any sort of official mark to identify it as mail?

Ines will explain to the Spanish speakers that the ship we were travelling in was run into a harbour by the storm, and after the experience we were unwilling to risk another voyage when the land distance was only slight. She will cooperate with allowing her possessions to be searched (resisting such orders never works out well for her, and is more likely to get her robbed than anything).

Although the box is clearly marked, in both French and English, as containing mail, this is an old smuggler's trick. The official demands that it be opened for inspection, or he will toss it in the sea.

The three officials who speak Spanish, seeing that the Gypsy girl carries nothing of interest, that their English-speaking compatriot is busy dealing with the other members of the party, and that their commander, bored by conversations that he cannot understand, has retired within to a well-deserved nap, invite Ines to share a bottle of cheap wine with them, in a secluded place where they may amuse themselves in peace.

Ines is not entirely keen on that idea - the thought of what amusements a patrol of bored soldiers might have in mind isn't an enticing one. But refusal is likely to bring us problems. Ech, she will glance around in search of a comfortable looking spot further away from the group, but not actually out of sight, and suggest that.

Henry puts down his weapons and commands Ivan to do the same. "This box of mail was entrusted to us by the captain of the Celerity and is bound for the postal authorities there," says Henry to the English-speaking soldier. "We only have his word for what's in the box, but we have no reason to doubt it. The chest has an official seal upon it. We cannot stop you from breaking the seal and looking inside if you so wish, but the consequences must be yours to bear. You will need to provide us with a signed letter explaining to the authortiies in Paris that you breached the seal for a customs inspection at the border."

Lila attempts to maintain a dignified silence while opening her haversack for inspection and setting her weapons -- three daggers and a pistol -- on the ground as ordered.

SunlessNick wrote:

Ines is not entirely keen on that idea - the thought of what amusements a patrol of bored soldiers might have in mind isn't an enticing one. But refusal is likely to bring us problems. Ech, she will glance around in search of a comfortable looking spot further away from the group, but not actually out of sight, and suggest that.

Under the influence of more than a little wine, one of the officials becomes pensive. Continuing to speak in Spanish, he relates his memories of a certain dark little senorita of whom the sight of Ines reminds him. His companions mock him as a great lover, but he pays them no mind.

"Will you not sing to me of the Pyrenees, whose snowy peaks gaze down upon so many broken hearts?"

Mr. Handy wrote:

Henry puts down his weapons and commands Ivan to do the same. "This box of mail was entrusted to us by the captain of the Celerity and is bound for the postal authorities there," says Henry to the English-speaking soldier. "We only have his word for what's in the box, but we have no reason to doubt it. The chest has an official seal upon it. We cannot stop you from breaking the seal and looking inside if you so wish, but the consequences must be yours to bear. You will need to provide us with a signed letter explaining to the authortiies in Paris that you breached the seal for a customs inspection at the border."

The official seems half-convinced by this argument, but remains slightly skeptical. He shakes the box several times, attempts to peek through its cracks, and otherwise inspects it without breaking the seal. There is no apparent evidence of anything but paper inside.

"As you wish, Englishman. I not need the trouble. But I keep your arms in the name of the King."