Compound Council 9 October
Outcome: The party fixed its week: the Zorab sale Wednesday, Baranagar together on Thursday with a night's lodging before Adrien continues to Chandernagore. Freddy asked Pratap for a security detail on the compound within three days and told Hugh to think about getting his family out before the 25th.
Participants
- Adrien de Montferrand — announced the Chandernagore commission
- Freddy Cavendish — asked for a security detail; urged Hugh to move his family
- Emma Wentworth
- Georgiana Wentworth
- Katherine Ward
- Havildar Pratap Singh — tasked with the compound's security
- Elizabeth Ashby — offered to go upriver as guide and translator
- Hugh Cavendish — host; agreed to raise the evacuation with Meg
- Thomas Wyndham
Summary
Back from Garden Reach in the dark, the party gathered over Hugh’s late-night snacks and laid the week out. Adrien said he would go upriver to Chandernagore for the Magistrate. The party decided to travel with him as far as Baranagar on Thursday and lodge there overnight. Freddy asked Pratap Singh to put a security detail on the compound within three days, and told Hugh to think about getting his family out of the city before Kali Puja.
Context
The carriages had brought home the two rooms’ hearing: Hale’s night lights, Mrs Wright’s singing across the water, Lady Anne’s goats, Ashworth’s twenty-year friendship with Ghosh, and Ashworth’s request that Adrien survey the French settlement twenty miles upriver, breaking the journey at Ghosh’s house.
What Happened
- Adrien’s commission. A schedule of the 1792 property titles, the temper of the town, and quiet reassurance to the French of Chandernagore from a Bourbon viscount, under the Magistrate’s seal.
- Ashby’s offer. Elizabeth Ashby offered to go with him as guide and translator, and the table talked through what that would look like to Calcutta. (Keeper decision pending, reviewed 2026-09-03: the players have not settled it.)
- The week. Wednesday evening, the Zorab sale. Thursday, Baranagar together, overnight; Adrien on to Chandernagore Friday. Saturday, the hunt.
- The security detail. Freddy asked Pratap to arrange men for the compound within three days.
- The family. Freddy suggested Hugh take Meg and the child out of Calcutta before the 25th. Hugh agreed to discuss it with Meg and went to bed for the Strand.
Outcome & Consequences
- The party has set foot in Baranagar on its own calendar, four days out, as the Magistrate’s guests. See Laya Sampradaya for what the cell does about a planned visit.
- The compound’s security is in the escort’s hands. Pratap chooses the men.
- Hugh now knows the newcomers expect the 25th to be dangerous, and has not been told why.
- Ashby’s homecoming and Adrien’s errand may travel on the same boat. See Sutanuti for what her family’s boats mean on Kali Puja night.
Connections
People
Had participant
- Adrien de Montferrand Player character neutralAnnounced the Chandernagore commission
- Elizabeth Ashby NPCoffered to go upriver as guide and translator
- Emma Wentworth Player character neutralTook part
- Freddy Cavendish Player character neutralAsked for a security detail; urged Hugh to move his family
- Georgiana Wentworth Player character neutralTook part
- Havildar Pratap Singh Player character neutralTasked with the compound's security
- Hugh Cavendish NPChost; agreed to raise the evacuation with Meg
- Katherine Ward Player character neutralTook part
- Thomas Wyndham NPC
Places
Located at
- Cavendish Compound Location neutralLate-night snacks and drinks after the carriages came back from Garden Reach
Triggered
- Baranagar Location hostileThe party's first planned visit to the temple's village, set for Thursday 13 October
- Chandernagore Location neutralAdrien's commission from the Magistrate, accepted in principle