RENDEZVOUS {ACT 2 - SCENE 2}

Rendezvous {Act 2} is the second in a series of background stories. Act 2 will be followed on a future occasion by Acts 3, 4 and so forth. In between, other stories will interrupt the sequence. Act {1} appeared 22 February 2009 and Act 2 Scene 1 was shown commencing 1 June 2009 here. We recommence the latter with Scene 2. Click on photographs to enlarge them.

As the curtain rises three masked villains are bent on malevolence. But what?

Shots continue to be fired at the end of town. One man has been struck. Outside Capitaine Malecki's residence Lady Diana Pettygree (left in blue), her particular friend Lady Cherish Masquerade (in grey and pink), Maid Catherine (turned about), Capitaine Malecki (Rgt. de la Reine) and two young women are in peril. It is the moment of decision.
Malecki: "LADIES! Turn about and take cover!"


They instantly obey. The masked men follow drawing unfired pistols from their belts. But what's this? Capitaine Malecki's personal guard has formed up near the rear of his residence. He orders:
"Prenez garde a vous!" {Attention}
"Portez vos armes" {Shoulder arms}
"Haut les armes." {Port arms}
"Appretez vos armes." {Ready your arms}
"En joue." {Aim}


Steady.


"FEU!" {FIRE!}

One villain falls while the others ride away.

One soldier is hit.
The La Reines fire again and miss.

The survivors ride for the road out of town when a body of Fusiliers de Fischer rise up from behind cover. Trapped! The Gallian commander demands their surrender.

Villain Leader: "NEVER!" Both fire another pistol.

The Fusiliers fire. A second scoundrel drops. The rogue leader attempts to jump a hedge to get away.

Too late. He realizes escape is impossible. Gallian infantrymen converge on him as a troop of mounted Dragoons de Fischer block his line of retreat.

Gallian Officer: "Surrender Sir!" He does.

Malecki: "Drop your weapons, Rogue!"

Moments later the Ladies Pettygree, Masquerade, Catherine and l'Comte de Bastille (in blue) escort an elegant young woman finely dressed in black and green from within Bastille's residence.

Bastille: "Your Highness, the plan worked. May I congratulate you?"

Tradgardland Prinzessin Alisona: "Oui Monsieur l'Intendant. A fine scheme Monsieur l'Comte. [Pause] Monsieur, when is a trap - truly - a trap?

Bastille: "When the perpetrators are themselves snared in their own net. [Pause] And now, if I may take your leave for a moment."

Alisona: "Surely, you may."

Bastille: "Take that scalawag and his wounded comrades to Frankfurt Am Main and throw them in my Bastille. We'll soon discover who has employed them."

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The curtain falls and quickly reascends presenting!

In green: Fusiliers and Dragoons de Fischer. (Front Rank)

The flag is made up. (Flag Dude) We know of no flags for the Legion de Fischer yet.

In white: Capitaine Malecki's guard from Rgt. de la Reine. (Redoubt)

The trio of villains. (Outpost Miniatures Highwayman Collection artfully painted and kindly on loan from the studio of l'Comte de Artois; Randy F.)

The ladies left to right:

Catherine (Suren), Cherish (John R.)and Diana (Suren)
Alisona (Front Rank)

Gallian Agents (Conquest Miniatures Alice and Cora on loan from Randy)

Now you know their mission. Names withheld, if you please.

Bastille (Suren)

Three townsfolk on the left (Front Rank)

Man in purple. That's you by the way. (Suren)
Soldiers in white (Surens)

Farmer in blue waistcoat. (RSM from Hap J.)

Farmer on horseback (Hinchliffe)

Lady with musket. (RSM) Is she another Gallian agent? I'm not talk'n.

That Old Woman (Front Rank) Don't take your eyes off of her!

Weapons rules came straight out of Batailles de l'Ancien Regime 1740-1763. Yes it is possible to use this system for easy-going and fast skirmish games. See link to Old Regime Rules.

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If you please, I would be honoured/honored if you would post comments.

Thank you.

RENDEZVOUS {ACT 2 - SCENE 1}

Rendezvous {Act 2} is the second in a series of background stories. Act 2 will be followed on a future occasion by Acts 3, 4 and so forth. In between, other stories will interrupt the sequence. Act {1} appeared 22 February 2009 here. Meanwhile, let us recommence with Act 2 of Rendezvous. Thank you. Click on photographs to enlarge them.

Prelude
A black coach on the road to Petraville earlier today.


And now: Act 2: Scene 1

Idyllic Petraville, outside Frankfurt Am Main.


It's evening. Local townspeople are out and about. Like so many Germanian villages, homes and businesses line main roads. Petraville's cobblestone street reveals prosperity. The Gallian Army magazine at Frankfurt Am Main has been good for business.


Townsmen gather at a small inn. They are sure to discuss arrival of Tradgardland's Prinzessin Alisona. She resides at Capitaine Malecki's timber and plaster temporary summer residence next door. She awaits friends there for an entertainment.


At the other end of town Gallian Intendant l'Comte de Bastille greets two ladies we know so well; Lady Diana Pettygree (blue) and her particular friend, Lady Cherish Masquerade (pink).


Pettygree: "Bonsoir Monsieur l'Intendant."
Bastille: "Bonsoir Mademoiselles. Comment allez-vous?"
Masquerade: "Very well Sir."
Bastille: "And tonight?"
Pettygree: "We dine with Prinzessin Alisona at Capitaine Malecki's - afterwards cards, whist, I should think."
Bastille: "Then I won't hold you for a glass of Chevert here. The Capitaine's summer residence is just there - down the main street - the timber and plaster house second on the right. Welcome to Petraville. Good fortune to you."
Masquerade: "Oui Monsieur. Good fortune to us all -- and soon -- we hope!
Bastille: "Bonsoir."



The party turns up the street. At the first residence on the right an elderly woman instantly appears.
Masquerade: "Diana! I can't believe .... Look!"
Pettygree: "Oui, our mysterious benefactor, That Old Woman."


That Old Woman: "Beware Mademoiselles. Turn about lest the inscrutable black fate overtake you both and your maid Catherine too."


Catherine: "Oh my ladies. Remember to turn not nor blink. Keep your eyes upon her so she cannot vanish into thin air - again."
Pettygree: "Oui. My dear ancient benefactor. This is a safe area. The Army magazine is near as is the Army camp. Tell us exactly what we must fear."
That Old Woman: "Never be unaware. The black fate is near. It has descended."

At that precise moment a pistol fired at the other end of the village. Startled, the ladies momentarily look away when their horses shifted.


And true to form, the old woman vanished in the blink of an eye.


Catherine: "She is GONE my ladies. I fear for our safety!
Let us remove ourselves."
Pettygree: "NO! We have duties here. Honour demands we stay."
Masquerade: "Oui. Make haste then - for Capitaine Malecki's residence!"


At Capitaine Malecki's, everyone has exited the house to discover the reason for the pistol shot. The Capitaine points down the street as our ladies ride up.
Malecki: "Look ... the crossroad. Three..."
More shots are fired!


Three masked riders are turning up the street straight for the ladies. A wounded townsman has fallen - shot - outside the inn. Catherine has turned her horse about to get away. Who are these rogues? What do these villains want? Money? Mayhem? Captives? CAPTIVES! This tumultuous moment IS serious. The ladies must be protected - especially the Prinzessin.

The curtain falls.
Act 2, Scene 2 will tell the rest of the story.
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