Geoffrey Stone
LA LAME

December, 1917 A.D.


[GM]

No one hinders you on your trip back to London, though with the train 
station still damaged from the bombing, schedules are delayed even 
more than usual.

The papers in London are already carrying news of the bombing at 
Gloucester Abbey. Reports are confused- one says it was hit by another 
zeppelin bomb, though the military insists there have been no zeppelins 
over England since the air raid almost a week ago. Some are 
speculating that the IRA is responsible, though this seems unlikely- the 
IRA would have nothing to gain by destroying an abbey, and attacking a 
Catholic sanctuary would outrage most of their supporters. Others are 
blaming German saboteurs, but again, while the Germans might not be 
so constrained by respect for the Roman Catholic Church, they would 
have even less to gain.

<><><><><>

[Geoffrey]

He'd like to track down Payal, to find out what she knew of the bombing; 
for that matter, he was worried about Elainne. But the bomb had 
provided her with a day's head start, which he couldn't overcome in the 
leave that was left to him.

The suggestions in the papers amused him. Zeppelins wouldn't stray 
that far into England - not since that one had been brought down near 
the village with the funny name, Cuffley or something. The IRA were 
mainly active in Ireland, and were hardly likely to attack a Catholic 
sanctuary except by mistake. And German saboteurs would have many 
better targets in the area than an abbey!

He kept going over what had happened, trying to think of some sort of 
clue, some hint of what had happened. Packing explosive into the abbey 
suggested that someone inside was to blame, since it beggared belief 
that some outside agency could bring in all those explosives without 
being noticed. The only absentees he'd been aware of were Elainne and 
Payal; Elainne couldn't be guilty, which only left Payal - or someone he 
wasn't aware of, some monk who'd slunk away before the blast. If it was 
Payal, what on earth were her motives; if not, who was it?

His head still in turmoil, he headed home, to play a flying overnight visit 
to his parents, and then return to France.

<><><><><>

[GM]

Your parents are shocked and delighted when you suddenly appear on 
their doorstep....and even moreso when they see you are wearing an 
officer's uniform!

It becomes something of a spontaneous party at your house, as they 
invite friends and neighbors over to show off "their son, the Lieutenant." 
Of course they want to know what act of bravery got you your field 
commission.

Neighbors whose sons are also at the front want to know how their boys 
are....many of them shipped over with you. And to your bemusement, a 
couple of the local girls who didn't have much time for you before seem 
to find you much more attractive, coming home on leave as an officer.

<><><><><>

[Geoffrey]

"It was nothing really, just Buggins' turn. After standing in the mud for 
three years, I must have been just the sort the latest CO was looking 
for."

He laughed.

"Maybe it shows what the army is coming to!"

The adulation embarrassed him. Of course, playing down his promotion 
might easily make him seem *more* heroic, but he's never been too 
keen on boasting. All too often, a boast comes back to haunt you at a 
later date!

And he couldn't tell the truth. How could he explain that he was really 
promoted for being killed and then getting better, for being nearly 
indestructable? [OOC: Cue "Captain Scarlet" theme <g>]

It was easier to talk about the other young lads still at the front. At least 
those he knew of; he'd signed up in 1914, when it had looked like being 
a short war and thus a great opportunity for a young apprentice, 
whereas many of the local lads hadn't joined up until the big recruiting 
drives in 1916 to replace... shortages.  He spoke of the conditions at the 
front, sharing anecdotes of trench life - the humour that makes the grim 
conditions that little bit more bearable.

"It can't last much longer" he said, and wished he believed his own 
words, "We'll either break the Hun lines soon, or else both sides will call 
a truce. This stalemate doesn't do *anyone* any good."

The attention of the local girls was a welcome diversion, even if it was 
slightly spoilt by memories of them laughing at his white knees when he 
played football! But his thoughts couldn't help straying to Elainne and 
Payal; the local girls now seemed very shallow and empty compared 
with them.

<><><><><>

[GM]

As pleasant as the trip was, it's too short. You're almost out of leave 
time.

Though can you ever really be out of time, now that you're supposedly 
immortal? That's a thought that keeps you awake that night. What will 
your parents say, as the years go by and you never get older? For that 
matter, you always kind of looked forward to finding a nice girl and 
settling down...no definite plans, no particular girl your heart was set on, 
but that's just what a fellow *does*....but how can you marry a mortal 
woman? *Do* immortals marry? Being thrust back into a semblance of 
"normal life" just emphasizes how far removed you are from that life now.


The next day, you head back for London.

<><><><><>

[Geoffrey]

His thoughts were certainly troubled. He was beginning to see why 
immortality might not be the unqualified blessing it had seemed at first; 
sooner or later, he'd have to decide to never see his family again, and 
the idea brought a lump to his throat. Maybe Cumberland would have 
some ideas, since he must have been through this many times before.

It was clearly impossible to simply settle down. If he married a mortal 
woman, the leaving would be even more painful, yet he couldn't really 
see a marriage between immortals lasting - it was one thing to be 
married for forty years, and quite another to be married for four hundred!

He headed back for London with his old questions unanswered, and a 
lot of new ones to add to them.

<><><><><>

[GM]

You have a few hours before your train to the coast, where you will 
board a ship back to France. You have nothing better to do than wander 
the streets of London, doing some sightseeing and enjoying the feel of 
home before returning to the front.


As an officer, you feel a little less self-conscious walking in St. James. 
The prestigious clubs on St. James and Pall Mall are still well out of your 
league, socially and financially, but you at least *look* like someone 
respectable enough to consider entering them.

There are gentlemen's clubs catering to every walk of life (except those 
walks with no money), and every taste (including remarkably depraved 
tastes, according to popular rumors). Brook's, the Athenaeum, the 
Carlton Club...in fact, down Pall Mall a ways there is the Army and Navy 
Club, into which you *could* gain admittance. Perhaps that will be a nice 
place to relax a bit before walking back to the train station.

But passing by a couple of upscale shops, you see a small, faded sign 
above a narrow set of dark stairs that seem almost hidden between the 
walls on either side. The sign says simply "La Lame". What attracts your 
attention to it is that as you passed by this narrow entryway, you felt, 
subtly but unmistakably, a tingle, as of the Quickening.

<><><><><>

[Geoffrey]

Geoffrey raked through his knowledge of French, not having expected to 
need it in London unless he went to a restaurant!

"The blade? The sword?" he muttered to himself, puzzled. Then he felt 
the tingle; the sign suddenly made a lot more sense.

Curiosity overcame him, and he entered.

<><><><><>

[GM]

The stairs are dingy and poorly lit, and you feel as if you're climbing up 
to some hole in the wall. At the top is a plain oak door, with "La Lame" 
painted in faded gold lettering across the top. The Quickening becomes 
stronger as you approach the door. You aren't sure whether to knock, or 
simply open the door.

<><><><><>

[Geoffrey]

He was about to try the door, and then he hesitated. Not all immortals 
were friendly; if anything, most of the ones he'd met were hostile, or at 
least suspicious. If another immortal unexpectedly called on him, he'd be 
expecting trouble, so it was only reasonable to assume that `La Lame' 
would do the same.

He knocked, hoping to reassure whoever was inside, and then tried the 
door.

<><><><><>

[GM]

The door is unlocked. It opens into a long, dimly lit room, with plush 
carpeting and a wooden bar along the back wall. You can see some very 
nice chairs surrounding a pair of tables, with magazines and 
newspapers sitting on them.


"Well, come on in then," says a pleasant female voice, sounding light 
and cheerful. You can see someone moving behind the bar, but from 
your angle, being backlit by the sunlight outside, you can't make out 
much. You can definitely feel the Quickening, though.

<><><><><>

[Geoffrey]

He enters the room, wondering who the woman is, and whether she is 
the immortal he can sense.

"Sorry for just walking in like that", he says, "I was curious - about the 
sign above the door. `La Lame'?"

<><><><><>

[GM]

"The Blade," she says. You can hear the smile in her voice, even if you 
can't see it yet while your eyes are adjusting. "It's quite all right, this is a 
private club, but you obviously meet the membership requirements."


As your eyes adjust, you can see her more clearly. She is a petite 
woman with dark hair, very pretty and about your age or a little younger 
in appearance. She's wearing a slightly old-fashioned high-necked 
dress, and is standing behind the bar, with her hands resting on the 
polished wood surface.

"I don't recognize you," she says, and asks with a perfectly ingenuous 
tone, "Are you new?" The Quickening is very strong now, almost as if 
there is more than one Immortal near.

<><><><><>

[Geoffrey]

A private club for immortals? Or had he got the wrong end of the stick? 
What was he getting himself into now?

He smiles pleasantly at the woman.

"New? Yes, I suppose so. May I ask what the membership requirements 
are, if I meet them?"

<><><><><>

[GM]

She arches an eyebrow pertly at you. "Are you being coy with me, sir?" 
She drifts along the bar. "Or just particularly wary?"


She turns back to face you, smiling. She is extraordinarily charming, 
especially when she smiles, and it's hard to imagine any malice hidden 
in those laughing eyes. "You and I are both Immortals. Does that set 
your mind at ease? La Lame is a club for Immortals and their guests. 
And a select few honorary, mortal, members, on occasion. This is not 
holy ground, of course, but no fighting is allowed on the premises. We're 
quite strict." She beams at you, and holds out her hand, palm downward. 
"My name is Tatiana. And yours...?"

<><><><><>

[Geoffrey]

Geoffrey smiles.

"Just wary. My name is Geoffrey Stone."

Recalling a film he had taken a girl out to see, he took Tatiana's hand 
and kissed it.

<><><><><>

[GM]

Tatiana smiles at you. "I am very pleased to meet you, Geoffrey Stone."


After withdrawing her hand, she says "So, you are a soldier. Aren't you 
afraid of being shot on the battlefield, and your comrades seeing you get 
up again?" She seems frankly curious. "Though I suppose that is less to 
fear than being shot and not getting up again."

"Do you live in London, or are you just visiting?"

Then she clasps her hands together in front of her chest, 
melodramatically, and exclaims "Oh, silly me! Prattling on like this and 
asking you all sorts of questions when I have not even asked if you 
would like some refreshments?"

<><><><><>

[Geoffrey]

He shrugs at Tatiana's question.

"I haven't given it much thought. When I was killed the first time, I just 
thought I'd been concussed and had nightmares about being shot."

With a wry smile, he adds:

"I think I was close to court-martial for being found uninjured in the field 
hospital, though. At least a firing squad wouldn't be permanent.

"I'm already on my way back to France to rejoin my unit; it was only 
chance that I noticed the sign and felt the Quickening.

"Refreshments... well, I ought to keep a clear head with a channel 
crossing in front of me, but a cuppa would be nice."

<><><><><>

[GM]

"A cup of what?" Tatiana looks perplexed for a moment.

"Ah, coffee!" She smiles and begins preparing some. "That I can happily 
provide."

"So, obviously you have met other Immortals before. Might I ask, if you 
do not feel such a question too intrusive, who taught you about us?"

<><><><><>

[Geoffrey]

"Well, I'd prefer tea actually. As to who taught me about immortals, I've 
learned a lot from several sources, but my mentor would be the main 
one. General Cumberland."

<><><><><>

[GM]

Tatiana prepares you some tea, while saying "Oh....Sir Arthur." Her 
voice is a little stilted. She turns and hands you the cup. "Well, he has 
been around for a while, I'm sure you'll benefit from his teaching."

The tea is very good, much better than anything they serve soldiers. 
"He's a member of this club also...actually, nearly every British immortal 
has visited here at least once." She smiles wanly. "It's the one place 
where we can really socialize in relative safety. Holy Ground is rarely an 
appropriate place for tea and cigars. So both friends and foes come 
here....I've seen men who would normally be trying to take one anothers' 
heads actually sit there," she points at the chairs, "and talk about 
cricket." The pretty immortal shakes her head, as if she finds such 
behavior incomprehensible herself.

<><><><><>

[Geoffrey]

He smiles.

"I'm more of a football man."

The tea is excellent - though the Army tea, "it's strong enough when the 
spoon dissolves and not before", had its attractions too.

Then Geoffrey frowns slightly.

"But I think I know what you mean about holy ground. I've just come from 
Gloucester - the explosion at the Abbey was probably the work of an 
immortal. Can you tell me anything of a woman named Payal?"

<><><><><>

[GM]

Tatiana almost drops her teacup when you mention Payal. "Dear God, is 
she responsible for that?" she asks.

She shakes her head. "That woman is an amoral killer. The first time I 
met her, I thought she'd come for *my* head...but she was actually 
friendly to me." The petite woman shudders.

She looks at you and says "You are probably lucky you encountered her 
on holy ground, Mr. Stone. I think she would have taken your head 
anywhere else. She does not like the English, and she likes English 
soldiers least of all."

"I hope you did not mention to her that you are Sir Arthur Cumberland's 
fledgling. He was in India some years ago, and did little to improve 
Indian-British relations."

<><><><><>

[Geoffrey]

"I don't know for certain that she was responsible, only that the 
explosion happened shortly after she left. I didn't tell her who my mentor 
was, but she might be able to guess."

It sounded as though everyone knew about Payal, everyone but him.

"There's something else. There was a new immortal there, an American 
woman - a doctor. She left with Payal."

Mixed feelings of anger, guilt and worry washed through him. Elainne. 
What was she caught up in? Would she be safer if he'd stayed with her? 
Could he have persuaded her to leave well alone if he'd tried harder?

<><><><><>

[GM]

Tatiana's eyebrows go up. "An American immortal? How interesting, I've 
only met a couple of immortals from America, though I'm sure there must 
be many more. Did you say *she* was a doctor?" The woman smiles. 
"Well, that is certainly interesting." Then the smile fades. "But she left 
with Payal? Do you mean to say Payal took her on as her fledgling?" 
She shakes her head. "Oh dear." And sighs. "Oh dear. I shudder to think 
what sort of mentor Payal will be."

<><><><><>

[Geoffrey]

Geoffrey nods.

"Yes, she left with Payal. God knows what sort of `education' she'll get - 
though perhaps being a doctor will make it harder for Payal to turn her 
into some sort of brutal killing machine."

<><><><><>

[GM]

Tatiana's fingers play restlessly with the handle of her teacup. "There 
are surely more suitable mentors for a young woman who is probably not 
inclined to become a remorseless killer."

"Did Payal give any indication of where they might be heading?"

<><><><><>

[Geoffrey]

Geoffrey nods.

"I agree. Unfortunately, the only person who knew Payal at the abbey 
didn't want to say anything really bad about her, and I think Elainne - the 
American doctor - was a bit fascinated by her."

He smiles humourlessly.

"She's a very fascinating woman. I didn't speak to her on the morning 
she left, so I've no idea where she's headed."

<><><><><>

[GM]

"Fascinating....yes, that could be one word for her."

Tatiana sighs. "I suppose we shall just have to wait and see if she turns 
up again. Hopefully not too badly corrupted by her mentor."

She smiles at you. "I do hope I will see you again, Lieutenant Stone. I 
must say you're much more pleasant company than *your* mentor, who 
can be a bit....obsessive at times."

<><><><><>

[Geoffrey]

"I hope so too."

Then he manages an open smile.

"You're right of course, General Cumberland can be a tad... obsessive."

* * *

After leaving La Lame and heading for Waterloo station, he ponders the 
events of the past week. Trust him to find an interesting place in London, 
just in time to leave it! Then there were all the events at the Abbey.

*How much can I discuss with General Cumberland?* he muses, *More's 
happened here than in a month at the Front!*

<><><><><>

[GM]

France

1917 A.D.

..........


You sail back to France with a shipload of new troops, "boys" who aren't 
really much younger than you. They look on you with awe and respect, 
because of your officer's insignia. Some of them are brave enough to 
engage you in conversation, and ask you about the war, seeking 
reassurance that everything is going as well as they say back home. On 
the ride to Paris, a private offers you a cigarette.

They're just like you. Conversely, you are obligated to socialize with the 
other officers while you travel, and are dismayed at the blatant contempt 
some of them show for the enlisted ranks, talking amongst themselves, 
little knowing that it was only an act of God and the whim of a general 
that has brought you into their company.

You'd much rather mingle with the men...but now that you're a 
lieutenant, that's called fraternization.


The trip back to 20th Division HQ takes three days. It's a dark, rainy 
night when you come sloshing through the mud, having been dropped 
off by a motor sergeant at the edge of the camp, and feel the Quickening 
emanating from General Comberland's staff tent, ahead.

<><><><><>

[Geoffrey]

He tried for a sense of optimism with the troops. "It can't be long now; 
the Hun are on their last legs. It's been tough - it's going to be tough - 
but their lines are a shell. Once they break, they've got nothing in 
reserve."

It sounded good; he almost wished he believed it himself. It seemed 
more likely that the two sides would continue to fight over the same few 
square miles of barren land. How many of the soldiers would still be 
alive in a year's time? Or the year after that? There were stories going 
around that each side would fight until it ran out of men; Geoffrey didn't 
really believe that, but he didn't feel optimistic either. Too many 
commanders seemed to be fighting modern wars with Napoleonic 
tactics; the machine-gun fired much faster than the musket, but tactics 
still called for bayonet-charges.

The officers were a perfect example. For all the talk of modernising the 
army, very few of the officers had been promoted from the enlisted 
ranks. Most were sons of aristocrats; all too many were people who'd 
never had any sort of responsibility in their lives, who felt that a man's 
quality was decided by the father he chose.

He didn't dislike all aristocrats - to his mind, that was also judging a 
man's quality by the father he chose. The aristocrat who owned a farm, 
and got his hands dirty with his farmworkers when things were rushed; 
the aristocrat who owned a company, and steered both it and its 
workforce into prosperity: they were men he could respect. But not these 
men who thought that Latin was more important to a soldier than an 
ability to shoot straight, who still believed "dulce et decorum est pro 
patria mori".

Perhaps the army should reverse its policy, and enforce fraternisation 
between officers and men? More likely, the Hun was seeking pilots for 
wild boars...

* * *

It was a bit of a relief to finally reach the camp, even if he did have 
worries about telling Cumberland the news from Blighty.

"Lieutenant Stone reporting for duty, sir" he said at the General's tent 
flap.

<><><><><>

[GM]

"Come in, Stone!" Cumberland barks. Despite his usual gruff manner, he 
seems pleased to see you. "Bloody miserable weather. How can we fight 
a war in an ocean of mud?" He produces a bottle and says "Care for 
some brandy?"

"So, report. You delivered my message to the Abbey?" he asks, as he 
sets a couple of glasses on his field table.

<><><><><>

[Geoffrey Stone]

"Yes, sir. It's a cold night."

He takes the offered glass.

"I delivered my message; but I've got a lot of bad news, sir, and a lot 
more that I don't understand."

He launches into a brisk summary of the events of the past week, 
leaving out any mention of Elainne for the moment.

"Before I even reached the abbey, I met one immortal, who I later 
learned was called Annafyn."

He pauses for General Cumberland's outburst, before continuing.

"At the abbey itself, I met another immortal - Payal."

Again, he pauses <g>.

"Unfortunately, Brother Paul was reluctant to say bad things about 
anyone else, so I didn't learn much about Payal until later. On the 
morning I left the abbey, there was a large explosion... I think it might 
have been Payal's doing, since she left earlier the same morning. 
Brother Paul was injured. I was questioned by another immortal, Sir 
Alastair Stewart, but I don't think I told him anything he didn't already 
know."

He takes a sip of brandy.

"Finally, sir, when I was waiting for the boat-train, I discovered a strange 
club called La Lame, and an immortal named Tatiana."

<><><><><>

[GM]

"Oh bloody hell, you were just supposed to deliver ONE message and 
come back, not introduce yourself to every damn immortal in England!" 
Cumberland explodes. He tosses back a glass of brandy and sets it 
back on the table with a bang.

"Payal is a murderin' heathen whore! You can bet she was responsible 
for destroying Gloucester Abbey! I'll have to see if I can get together 
with Sir Alastair after this miserable war and hunt her down for once and 
for all." He seems livid at the news. "She and all her murdering kind 
should have been exterminated when we had the chance."


"And it's damned suspicious Annafyn showing up at the same time. I 
never trusted that Welsh peasant, with her rumored ancient mentor. 
Wales has been ours for centuries, but I wouldn't be surprised if she's in 
league with the other bloody Celts still dreaming of an independent 
Scotland and Ireland."

"As for Tatania," he snorts contemptuously. "she's just a frivolous 
coquette. I'd stay away from her, Stone, she's probably just looking for 
another swain to put between herself and any hunters that might come 
along." He looks up at you from beneath his bushy eyebrows. "Did you 
meet anyone else at La Lame? And did Sir Alastair tell you anything? 
Did you mention my name?"

<><><><><>

[Geoffrey]

Geoffrey nods.

"I'd gathered as much from Sir Alastair, sir. And Brother Paul filled me in 
on Annafyn's background too."

He smiles at the General's description of Tatiana.

"It wouldn't surprise me to learn that she was collecting immortal lovers 
rather than immortal heads.

"Unfortunately, sir, Sir Alastair and I didn't get on - he wanted me thrown 
in gaol because I was the only immortal at the abbey when it was blown 
up; when I said that Payal had been there, we almost came to blows."

<><><><><>

[GM]

Cumberland frowns. "Well, Alastair's got a bit of a temper," he says. "He 
and I have not always gotten along very well either. But it's best to 
maintain at least a cordial relationship with him. He's got some 
government contacts that I've never been able to quite figure out, even 
though I have a higher rank than he's ever held." The Major General 
looks a bit miffed at this.


He pours himself another glass, and tosses it back. "Damned pagan 
bitch-goddess!" he growls. "That monastary's been a refuge for 
immortals for centuries. She burned up the records of who knows how 
many immortals' lives, just for spite."

"Get some sleep, Lieutenant, we've still got a bloody war on."

<><><><><>

[Geoffrey]

Cumberland's outburst took him by surprise.

"Excuse me, sir - did you say `records'? I didn't realise the monastery 
kept such things. Could Payal - assuming it *was* Payal - have had 
some reason to destroy the records?"

<><><><><>

[GM]

"Who knows?" Cumberland says, drinking some more. For a former 
Roundhead, he certainly drinks heavily. "Perhaps she didn't like the idea 
of having her crimes recorded for posterity, particulary by Christians. 
The monks of Gloucester Abbey don't interfere in immortal affairs, 
they've made that clear...but they do record everything they learn about 
us. They won't reveal information about immortals still living, but they 
can sometimes be persuaded to let us read about those who have died. 
So we all have a certain degree of immortality even beyond our earthly 
existence."

<><><><><>

[Geoffrey]

He hadn't known that. So the Abbey had been a sort of history of 
immortality; 
there must have been some fascinating reading there.

Inwardly, he doubted that Payal's action was mere vandalism. No doubt 
Cumberland would dismiss it as his inexperience, but Geoffrey felt that 
Payal 
did nothing without good reason.

"Goodnight, sir."

He returned to his own camp-bed, in the muddy dugout.