The day was ending. The sun in its final hour painted the cloud streaked sky shades of orange and lavender. A chill wind wound its way down the road that lead to the west gate of Paris . That wind and the promise of rain it brought made one of the men who stood guard at that gate shiver. Jean Ligonier was not fond of rain, and he particularly hated the times he had had to stand guard in the rain. Jean Ligonier had worried about it since he had taken up his post at mid-day. He would watch people come and go, checking documents, and searching wagons. But every so often when the wind blew, he would find his eyes drawn to the horizon in an attempt to catch some early warning sign of the fowl weather he knew was coming. This time though, as his eyes began their journey toward the distant sky, they were caught by a very unusual sight. There was a man dressed all in white coming down the rode. Jean Ligonier was curtain that the man in white had not been there when he had check just moments ago. This was not a man one could overlook. Tall and powerfully built, with hair and garb the color of purest snow, he had an officers bearing and a predator's walk. Jean Ligonier turned to assure himself that he was not alone, and then readjusted the sword he wore at his side. Its familiar weight was reassuring, or at least it was until he turned to find the imposing form of the white clad man before him. Jean Ligonier took a breath and then looked up in to the face of the man before him. Eyes the color of storm clouds looked down on him with a raptors gaze. Jean Ligonier had never been a coward, but it took all his courage and the presence of the three armed men for him to speak.

"Your papers please."

Jean Ligonier was surprised by the strength in his voice. But he was still concern with his safety, It was more than just the mans towering size that made Ligonier feel small. Few at this time would want to stand out for fear of the attention they would draw. This man definitely attracted attention. Though dressed all in white save for the simple brown boots, this man looked more like a huntsmen than a noble. Over his plain pale cloak he wore a short fur cape that covered his shoulders. The white wolf fur and a wolfish grin gave the man a wild and savage look. So it surprised Jean Ligonier when the man casually proffered papers instead of a blow. Ligonier quickly looked over the papers.

"Name?" Jean asked

In a low smooth baritone the man in white answered. "I am called William Le Blanc"

"What is your business in Paris ?" Jean Ligonier asked feeling more confident.

"Unfinished business." The man who called him self William said.

Jean Ligonier might have pushed further if not for the look of cold steel that flashed for only a moment in the other mans eyes.

"All seems in order. You may go." Ligonier said with relief, offing William his papers. Ligonier got worried when William Le Blanc took the papers but did not depart. Jean watched and William opened his cloak to place his papers in a hunting bag that hung from his belt. Jean could not help notice the buckle. It was a silver embossed wolfs head with a scratch over one eye, The Silver buckle was so well polished that Jean was not sure if the scratch was part of the forging or happed afterward. Suddenly Jean Ligonier's eyes were drawn to what was on the other side of the belt. There in a wood and white leather scabbard was an Epee du Soldat. Its silver and brass hilt as well polished as the buckle that had captured his eyes a moment ago. Jean Ligonier had no doubt that this man was more than he seemed.

"I have been got along time, how fairs the fair city of Paris?"

Jean was glad to hear the question, and felt ever better when the man's gray eyes moved past him to the city beyond. Jean Ligonier decided to tell the true, perhaps it would deter this mans determination to enter the city. Or more likely encourage it.

"The city is ablaze with the fires of revolution, and dangerous men walk the street. Madam guillotine is working over-time, its blade stained with aristocratic blood. A man calling himself the Scarlet Pimpernel help wanted criminals escape the city. Many seeking vengeance are using the chaos to cowardly strike at there rivals. Rumors say that Phantoms haunt the night. Criminals run free and the innocent are not safe on the streets."

William Le Blanc's eyes never left the city beyond the gate. He took a deep breath smiled, and said "Home."

Then closing his cloak William said something that made Jean Ligonier shiver more than the promise of rain. "First the Pimpernel... then you Citizen Robespierre."