Previous Anne file - the intro page.

Lisa: Narrator - Anne has been spending most of her time at The Library
ya know the one in York where the Big O has all his personal writings along with most of the early writings of the church. (once everything is settled there and she is releaved of currator duty, she will get back to McKitrick and check on things, ultimate goal is to return to Hudson Abbey - don't think that will ever happen though:) ). As to why she is in Trent, I am assuming that the PBM is occuring after the great hunt for the copper sword (since she can't be two places at once) as soon as that finished, she was heading to Trent to speak with Sgacity and return something that belongs to her. I'm sure that she would spend the night at the chapterhouse before returning to York. so that is where I would place this.

Narrator:
Frankly, I have no idea where Anne spends her time. But at the moment she is in Trent, Lethbrdige, at the chapterhouse of the Helm. Fr. Michael, confessor to the Helm and religious scholar burst into Anne's room. Fr. Michael's writings have added much to the weight of the reformer's arguments in the church.

Father Michael: [excited]
Anne! have you heard the news? McMannon is mounting an expedition to reclaim castle Llughen!

Castle Llughen, abandoned at great haste hundreds of years ago. They left *everything* they couldn't carry. Including the library. Father deSilva's collection of ancient works, and his own writings of what he learned from the elves.

Sister Anne:
That is indeed great news. I was going to return to York in the morning but I'm sure that Monsignieur Arthur would want me to personnally escort these important works back to York. I'll send a message to him immediately concerning my change in plans. [in fact Anne looks for pen and paper, then starts writing the letter] A messenger can be dispatched? [nod from Father Michael] [Anne quickly finishes and hands the letter to Father Michael] Now, please tell me which priest is responsible for heading this expedition.

Father Michael: [slightly perplexed]
Well, unfortunately I don't think a priest is even going on the expedition, let alone heading it. In fact I am almost positive that the chapterhouse that Sir George started (before his untimely death) is the only one of the Helm in McMannon and it is barely staffed so they can't send someone nor unfortunately can we - much as I would love to go. I suppose someone from one of the other chapterhouses might go but none of the others seem too interested in the early writings.

Sister Anne:
All the more reason then for me to attend to this. Such important works must be handled with proper care. So then who is heading this?

Father Michael:
Word is that all who are interested should join with Jhereg of elves in McMannon.

Lisa: he wouldn't see much in the way of a reaction from Anne unless he
is VERY observant.

Sister Anne: [after what is a slightly longer pause then would be considered
normal]

Well, an interesting choice.

One I would have preferred been different]

Still the choice doesn't matter all that much when the objective is so dear. Do you know anything more?

Father Michael:
Just that this came out almost a month ago so Jhereg of the elves should be just about ready to depart. That was why I considered it important to tell you when I heard you were here.

Sister Anne:
Then I will leave immediately and travel through the night to the capitol. Thank you for the information.

Narrator:
Father Michael is puzzled by the amount of enthusiasm shown by Sister Anne - he had heard that she was something of a cold fish - but not that cold surely. Still she is going and that is what is important.

Anne first makes a stop at the castle to see Sgacity and Duke Harold.

Anne: [to Sgacity]
Why didn't you tell me of Jhereg's expedition?

Sgacity:
I thought you knew and since you didn't bring it up, I saw no reason to.

Anne:
I didn't know, I have been travelling so quickly that there hasn't been time to listen to the anchors. Father Michael burst in on me shortly after my arrival at the chapterhouse to fill me in. It was something of a shock. Still I travel to McMannon immediately.

Sgacity:
Are you sure that is wise?

Anne: [sadly]
I know it is not, yet the needs of the church dictate that a priest be there. So I will go.

Sgacity:
Perhaps it will work out for the best.

Anne:
I don't see how that is possible.

I know that it is rather late, but could you arrange a meeting with Duke Harold?

Sgacity:
Now?

Anne:
If it is possible. I would like travelling papers and also to offer my services as courier for any correspondence he might have for the Duchess.

Sgacity:
I'll see if it can be arranged.

Narrator:
Sgacity returns with the appropriate papers and a small package for the Duchess. Anne thanks her and leaves. Fortunately the path is realatively straight between the capitals so Anne's horse only has to stay on the road. It has gotten use to Anne being in the saddle but not on board. Anne's mind is on many things: the possibilities inside the castle, her previous meetings with Jhereg, what happened with Rabban, and the need for sleep. While the first three get much attention the last doesn't. Finally a tired Anne reaches the capitol and goes to the castle.

Sister Anne:
I seek an audience with the Duchess and with Jhereg of the Elves.

Guard:
There are many who seek such an audience and hence the Duchess is rather busy at the moment. Why do you need this audience?

Sister Anne:
My name is Sister Mary Anne Trenton and I come on official church business related to the expedition of Jhereg of the Elves.

Guard:
Those that want to join up are to see Jhereg not the Duchess.

Sister Anne:
I plan to see Jhereg of the Elves in due time. But first I must see the Duchess concerning a matter of protocal.

Guard:
And what gives you the authority to speak on such matters

Sister Anne:
I represent Monsignieur Arther of York. Please announce my presence to the Duchess for there are items at Castle Llughem that are of extreme value to the Church.

Guard: [pulling on a bell cord]

Well at least it isn't a donation request

Evelynn will show you to the waiting rooms.

Please show the sister to the waiting rooms and inform the duchess of her arrival.

Evelynn:
Right this way Sister. My you are rather early, I don't think the Duchess is receiving visitors yet this morning so you may have a bit of a wait. Of course that does give you time to freshen up a bit and should put you first on the list of callers. I don't think anyone else is waiting yet - course we'll see if that is true when we reach the rooms - ah here we are [opens door and looks in] No I was right, no one else here yet. If you wait here, I'll bring a jug of water. [leaves the room without ever waiting for any reply from Anne]

Narrator:
While Evelynn is a bit talkative, she is also efficient and it is not long before she returns with towel and water.

Evelynn:
There, now you can freshen up a bit. I'll let the Duchess know you are here

Oh, who are you?

Sister Anne:
Mary Anne Trenton on behalf of Monsignieur Arther of York

Narrator:
Anne has just finished cleaning up when Evelynn returns.

Evelynn:
The Duchess will see you now.

Narrator:
The Duchess is at a formal desk with organized reports covering most of the top. She is in the process of finishing the review and filing of most of these. If it were the normal time for receiving visitors, all paper would be filed. She ignores Anne's presence until she has everything filed and only then does she look up.

Anne: [bowing and addressing the Duchess by her formal title]
Thank you for agreeing to see me. The church considers Jhereg of the Elves' mission to Castle Llughem to be of great interest. The writings of Father DeSiva on the early church were left there when it was abandoned. As curator of the York Library and on behalf of Monsignieur Arthur, I request permission to accompany Jhereg of the Elves on his mission and to take these important writings back to York for proper storage and study. In addition, I bring you a package from Duke Lethbridge [hands her the package] I had to travel to Trent on other matters and could act as private courier.

Duchess:
Thank you for the package. As to joining the mission, that is for Jhereg to decide. The writings, however, belong to McMannon and as such they will stay in McMannon. If you would like to make a copy of these writings, that is permissable. If you do so, I would also need a copy for personal study.

Sister Anne:
You are very gracious. I shall personally see to it that two copies are made. As you desire the original to stay in McMannon, I would suggest a fitting home would be the local Order of the Helm. The church may have a disagreement as to ownership of a priest's writings, but that is not my jurisdiction. I will do as you have said. Thank you for your time.

Narrator:
Evelynn again appears and takes Anne to Jhereg's quarters.

Next Anne file we won't see her for a while, so read Jhereg instead.