The Accredited Agent

The attack on the Tuileries had certainly seen the end of the authority of the ci-devant Capet, all that was needed now was the trial and execution. Execution - yes many of the members of the Legislative Assembly were still opposed to killing Capet, but his death would free the people of the mental shackles that connected them to the old regime. The people of France would be free. Danton was making the most of the opportunity to start gathering the favor of the people with his next focus being the conflict with Austria. Robespierre wondered what his ultimate goal was in this assent to power as he headed into the morning session.

And now there was a new wrinkle, just the other day, the public prosecutor appraised him of an English spy that had taken to snatching prisoners from their well-deserved fate and mocking the authorities by leaving notes taunting Tinville, each signed with a five-petalled flower. The reputation of this Englishman, more and more widely known as the Scarlet Pimpernel, was aided by superstition and undermining the government they were trying to build. Robespierre took a seat where he could observe those that entered the session and rested his chin on his folded hands.

Chauvelin walked into the meeting, his mind churning. The attack on the former royal family, the fact that they had taken refuge under the legislative assembly's wings who arrested the fat traitor, it was almost laughable. They looked like prisoners the moment they had came in, heads bowed. He wondered if the fool knew he had destroyed himself that day. The Assembly had been discussing the constitution and had not been able to continue discussing it in the presence of the former king. Personally, he felt the former king should have been forced to watch it but he had not voiced it. So much change was in the air. Freedom was a lovely mistress. She was full of new tricks, but fickle like a woman and needed to be appeased. Soon, she'd have the blood of Aristocrats to feed on. Yes, great things were happening, and he was a part of them. He'd have to go soon, and see Fluerette. Well, soon enough, he still had work to finish. As he walked in, he noticed Robespierre observing the people. Chauvelin's heart filled with admiration and awe, just like every other time he saw him. He nodded his head in greeting and walked over to him. "Good morning, Citoyen, I hope you are well" he said, offering his hand.

"How the business progresses will determine if it is a good morning," Robespierre replied. "Progress has been made, but we must go further still, as I'm sure you'll agree. " Robespierre blinked several times to relieve the pressure on his tired eyes. How was he indeed! His newly acquired duties had resulted in a significant decrease in the amount of sleep he was wont to have. "New business will have to be introduced considering the escape of traitors to France ..." A figure in black swept by and took a seat beside Robespierre - Fournier. Like Chauvelin, Fournier favored somber black attire, where Chauvelin's was broken by white at cuffs and collar, Fournier's was black on black, with black hair tied at the back of his neck. Robespierre could image it would be unsettling to encounter Fournier on a dark street where his attire might give him an appearance of a bodiless head. "Citoyen Fournier."

Citoyen Fournier's sharp ears caught talk of escaped traitors and so he descended on the conversation. "Citoyen Robespierre, Citoyen Chauvelin," he nodded to each in turn. "You spoke of escaped traitors... might I inquire if these escapes are the same which have been plaguing Tinville? And the same that are stirring up superstition on the prison guard?"

"They are," Robespierre replied formaly. "Tinville believes that Englishmen are involved in these 'rescues'. I am planning to submit a proposal this session."

Chauvelin nodded to Citizen Fournier and listened closely, trying to imagine what sort of superstition had befallen the guard? "Surely we can't complain to the English government, so what are you thinking to do?" he asked.

Fournier gave Chauvelin a look that was difficult to decipher. "We will be lucky if we can avoid a war with England - I doubt they'll give any complaints that we have a second thought. If anything is to be done we must take proactive steps. Root out the source of the problem and put an end to it ourselves. Make an example of the cur."

"Easily said, but the application is much more difficult," Robespierre said. "Tinville has sent word to all barrier to be highly suspicious of all foreigners, especially the English. But he believes that these spies can speak French like natives and have access to considerable wealth which allows them to pay for the citizens' silence where tricks and disguises are not an option."

"Then you must look for your man amongst the wealthy, the aristos. Such individuals have the fortunes necessary to pull off such endeavors, they are usually educated by French nannies from a young age which would account for their fluency, and what is more is that it would account for their sympathy for these traitor aristos."