Vere spends the next couple of days haunting the dying city of Amber, visiting old haunts and noting how they now seem little more than... well, shadows of his memories. By the time Caine has Julian's supplies ready to depart Vere is more than ready to be gone.
Before the date of departure he goes over how much material is going to be transported, and how many people are going to be in the party, to determine how best to proceed back to Arden.
The supplies will fill more than a dozen pack-horses in addition to any riding horses he brings. He has a few sailors to act as porters. Vere suspects that this is some sort of punishment duty, but no one says.
There's a pack-train prepared, but Caine suggests barges up the Oisen, if Vere can calm the seas enough to tow them safely to Oisenmouth. Otherwise, the ships can only travel a little way up Oisen before Vere will have to lead his teams on foot.
Caine does not recommend a direct path into the forest from Kolvir.
Vere considers the question carefully and weighs the pros and cons. He is loath to take sailors into potentially hostile forests. Barges could prove difficult to defend if they are attacked on the river, but they are by far the most efficient way to transport the supplies. Eventually her decides to follow Caine's advice: ships to tow the barges to the mouth of the Oisen, while Vere shifts them through calm water. Then the barges to transport the goods up the river.
The horses will come along as well, in case they need to abandon the barges in the face of unforeseen events. Vere will make certain that the horses chosen are all of calm temperament, and have traveled on barges and ships before.
Vere pays his respects to his uncle before departing, in case Caine has any last-minute instruction or (unlikely though it is) avuncular advice to offer.
When they depart the Psyche is brought along, as captain's gig.
And it's off towards the Oisen!
Vere moves his ships and his barges out from the bay, and the tow down to Oisenmouth begins. Vere finds that there is a knack to keeping the seas calm but the ships moving. Several times the ships find themselves becalmed, which seems odd so close to shore. Eventually Vere finds the right balance and the trip becomes more constant, if not as fast as Vere could take the Psyche.
When they reach the Oisen Vere goes onto the deck of the Psyche. He goes to her bow and draws his dagger, then pricks his finger, drawing blood. He leans over the prow and draws an eye with his blood, then does the same on the other side. He whispers "Sail forth to where I need you to be," then leaves the Psyche. He unties her line from the ship and tosses it back on board, then watches as the current from the Oisen carries her out to sea.
The Psyche drifts out to sea, unmanned.
The sailors seem happy when they've sailed as far as they can navigate into Oisenmouth (which is not far -- not with the draft that Amber's ships have). Vere and his crew are now reliant on Man or Animal power to move them against the current of the Oisen.
It's early afternoon when the arrive, and the men who are going on with Vere think they should stop and start fresh at sunrise.
Vere examines the banks, getting a feel for the forest here, looking for signs of human, animal, or other activity.
The forest is green, and untouched by men, but neither particularly ancient nor magically green.
He consults his internal compass. How far are they from the ranger encampment?
Having come this way before, Vere believes they are a day's walk for unencumbered men or a 2 day raft-ride for men with the supplies they have on the rafts.
Vere orders the barges to be made fast, and watches to be set once night falls. He spends the afternoon speaking with the men, getting to know them better and judging which of them know anything at all about forests or the concerns of landsmen.
It's a mix. Some of the men were impressed in the Navy within the last decade and have reasonable experience on land. The ones who went with Marius to Chaos have... odd ticks. The ones who didn't go lived on land for 5 of the past 6 years.
Forests are different, of course. The Rangers kept most people out. One of the men knows a thing or two, but mostly about which trees make good masts or keels.
Since Vere is a Ranger, they look to him for guidance.
Vere's instructions are that no one goes into the forest alone and that they avoid it altogether as much as possible.
They'll set the night watches and assuming nothing untoward happens that night be off at dawn the next day. Caution is more important than speed and Vere will be keeping an eye out for hazards as they travel.
The night passes uneventfully, and the men begin poling the raft upstream. The current is not difficult to overcome, although some of the men think it's stronger than it was the last time they were on this river.
Near sunset on the first day, having made good progress upriver, the forest grows quieter. The dusk-time life of the forest is more wary and more likely to either be predator or prey. The mood falls on the rafters as well.
The river temporarily becomes too shallow to cross, and Vere will need to portage the supplies. It's growing dark, and they might not be back in the water before it becomes too dark to work.
Vere, with his innate sense of direction, recalls that if they only carry the supplies an extra half-mile to the south, they will cut about 20 miles of polling off their travels.
Better slow than risky, Vere decides. They will spend the night on the river here, and portage in the morning. That way they can take the shortcut with no chance of ending up in the forest after dark.
The portage goes uneventfully, although it serves as a good reminder of the advantages that boats have, even if you have to pole them upriver.
The boats have already been placed back in the water and mostly re-loaded when the sentry signals to Vere that he sees someone across the river. As Vere casually looks in the indicated direction, he also sees a man behind a tree, watching them. He doesn't seem to know he's been spotted.
Vere opens his Third Eye to get a better idea of what sort of person the watcher may be.
It's not a person who is touched with the green, nor is it a family member. If the watcher is a Ranger, then it's a Ranger who needs training.
Vere would guess that it’s some sort of military scout.
"Keep loading the boats." Vere tells the men quietly. "But do it slowly."
Vere isn't sure if the man who nods is the bosun of the men or the sergeant, but he fills the role of "speaker to officers" for the others. He whistles and the men start slowing their work. Vere now has time to complete his plan.
He slips towards the river, taking advantage of cover to be certain he remains unseen by the watcher, then slides into the river, swims across underwater, and eases smoothly up onto the opposite bank. His intention after that is to circle around silently and come up behind the watcher.
The man Vere ends up behind is something of an anomaly. His clothes are a patchwork of homespun wool and tanned leathers, but over them he's got a cuirass and a short sword at his side. He's got a dark complexion, but it may just be from time in the sun.
He hasn't noticed Vere, yet.
Vere smiles quietly and shakes his head slightly, aware of the dramatic indulgence he is allowing himself.
"Are they doing anything interesting?" he asks in a conversational tone.
"N- no. Unless you think going to get killed is interesting." The man is young, perhaps more of a boy. He has a strong nose and curly hair, and somehow looks slightly familiar to Vere.
Vere raises an eyebrow, remaining still and making no hostile moves. "They do not seem to be a hostile force," he observes mildly. "More of a supply train than anything else. Who is going to kill them, and why?"
His breathing slows. "I'd've said 'you', but you seem like a survivor. 'Them?' The forest is going to. Because they don't belong. Like it did to most of my friends."
"The forest can be deadly," Vere agrees. "If you do not belong. How did you and your friends come to be here?"
Vere noted that "most" and while not relaxing his guard concerning the young man in front of him he's also letting his senses tell him if there are signs of any other people around.
"We marched. From Arcadia."
Vere senses no other people nearby. The young man's trail is obvious to the trained observer, and it looks like he was walking alone. The signs Vere sees indicate that the man is good in the woods, but not up to the quality of a veteran Arden Ranger.
"Where are you all going? I haven't seen anyone in days," he asks.
"From Arcadia?" Vere raises an eyebrow. "And marching? This implies military discipline. Were you a soldier, my friend? And what may I call you?"
"I was a conscript. My name, ironically, is Adrastos. My friends marched to their deaths, at the behest of an incompetent commander, on the orders of a Mad goddess. My fellow deserters could not survive here. I cannot either, forever. But I am willing to sell my services as a forester for help getting to a less dangerous place."
"I am Vere," and he offers his hand. "I could use the aid of a forester. My men here," he nods towards them, "Are sailors, not men of the forest. We are carrying supplies to the Warden of Arden. In his camp you will find safety from the dangers of the forest, and afterwards they will be returning to the city of Amber. Will you accompany me?" He smiles slightly. "I will tell you of Arden, and you can tell me the story of this goddess. It is always best to be warned of deranged deities."
He considers, and finally says "I will accompany you, but I make no promises that I will not move on after we arrive at your camp. This is, I hope you already know, the Wyrdwood—the wood between worlds. Some are small, like the one I hail from and some are as unending as the forest itself.
"It is easy to find oneself moving between worlds here. And stepping away from your friends and never being able to return."
"This is true," Vere acknowledges. "So stay close." And he leads the way back to the river and across it to his men.
Once there he will introduce Adrastos to the sailors, and assuming nothing else untoward occurs they will continue their journey to the Rangers' camp.
Once back on the barges Vere will speak with Adrastos some more, while keeping alert for threats. He wants more information on Adrastos' goddess, commander, and the reasons the warriors were sent into Arden.
It's the oldest story of all time, or at least the oldest in Arcadia. Vere is told the stories of ancient Arcadia, where all lived in peace, and each goddess relinquishing her primacy after her year to the next in harmony. How one Goddess conspired with Evil One to suppress their benevolent mother and extend her term indefinitely, by way of unholy offspring. How when those twins finally died, the other Goddesses were unleashed and brought their people to war, but how they could not decide amongst themselves who should be next and fell to fighting amongst themselves and their people did likewise.
He tells how the Mother of Goddesses, the world-drake, grew wroth at the Goddesses and the People and claimed many as her own. The green ones were driven back from the cities, but they are in the surrounding countryside. It changed the wars entirely.
The rebellious sister-Goddesses now fight openly against their Green Mother. Adrastos was part of a force that attempted to link up with another city-state to create a force large enough to attack the Green Mother but how it was attacked and many, such as himself, were separated and isolated and ended up here.
Vere listens, occasionally asking questions to see if he can get any specific and useful information about the strategy, tactics, and personalities involved in the various factions. He's not pushing, and he's not revealing anything about his own knowledge of and connection to the events and mythology being talked about. He does ask about how long Adrastos has been on his own, and anything unusual he has seen since he was separated from his companions.
Adrastos has no idea. Long enough for his beard to grow.
The deeper they get into Arden proper the more attention Vere will be paying to their surroundings, and the possibility of attack or aspects of the Deep Green spying upon them.
The sailors are on high alert the entire time, but as the temperature reaches its mid-afternoon high, the dock comes into view. The camp seems full again, and Vere thinks he hears Morgenstern's snort in the distance. There are men watching the river, who hail them as they approach.
Vere answers their hail. His experience with faux-Amber fresh in his mind, he opens his Third Eye to quickly examine the camp, just to reassure himself that all seems as it should. Unless anything seems out of place he will see to the docking and the beginnings of unloading the supplies.
The camp is as it should be to the Third Eye.
After that is begun, and assuming no one has any other orders from the Warden for him or any immediate news that takes precedence, he gestures to Adrastos to follow and heads for the Warden's tent.
Once the work of unloading is in progress, supervised by Vista, Vere is able to go on to see the Warden. Word of his arrival has been sent ahead; Vere and his companion are ushered into the Warden's tent.
Julian's armor is on its stand but, Vere notes, his sword is in easy reach. "Vere. Come in, and tell me about your new acquaintance."
Adrastos, who has been observing with interest, if some nerves, takes a look at the white armor, and his eyes get very wide. (Morgenstern is not close by, so Adrastos hasn't seen him yet.)
"Lord Warden, allow me to present Adrastos," Vere says. "He was a soldier in the armies of one of the goddesses of Arcadia. During an attack some were scattered and lost. Adrastos is the last survivor of a group of comrades who ended up together in Arden."
"Welcome to the camp of the Rangers of Arden, Adrastos." Julian rises and comes to inspect the newcomer. "I am Julian, the Warden of Arden. Do you know of me?"
This has a perhaps unexpected effect on Adrastos. "Lord," he says, and abases himself on the ground before the Prince of Amber. Julian looks at Vere, an eyebrow rising toward his hairline at the spectacle. "Rise, and tell me of recent events in Arden."
Adrastos begins babbling, repeating the story he told Vere. Julian listens, and when it is done, turns to Vere for a response.
"He was lost in the woods," Vere explains. "And I did not wish to leave him to die. As well, I thought you might wish to hear his tale of what occurs among the peoples of Arcadia."
Julian nods. "Thank you for bringing me this news." He turns to Adrastos. "I am giving you into the hands of one of my aides, who will see that you are fed and bathed and have a place to stay. Do as he says." With that, he strides to the opening of the tent and summons a Ranger by a Cadence tune. The Ranger leads Adrastos away, without, Vere notices, touching him.
When the guest is out of earshot, Julian turns back to Vere. "I assume you have inspected him for infection by the Deep Green, but he'll be quarantined until I have time to deal with him myself. We can't afford to take chances here."
"He appeared to be a normal man, free from taint," Vere answers. "But I do not discount the possibility that the Deep Green is capable of embedding seeds within him that I could not detect, to sprout later. Another reason to bring him to you."
"That's something I'll need to see to personally. But until then, he'll be kept in quarantine. I doubt you've been infected, but if he's been working with your men and handling your supplies, I'll need to have a look at them as well. Do sit down now, and tell me about the rest of your trip." He gestures to a camp chair where Vere can be seated; Vere recognizes it from previous visits to the Warden's tent. (Vere just might be getting used to the camp.)
"There was an oddity," Vere says, taking the seat. "As I traveled I shifted the boat I was on into the Psyche, while knowing that the Psyche had last been left in Amber's harbour. I was curious to see what would occur. The result was ... interesting." He proceeds to tell Julian about the faux-Amber and faux-Caine that he encountered, and his use of Sorcery to escape back onto the deck of the Psyche, at dock in the true Amber.
Julian nods his way through the story and then proceeds to explain the general principles involved in finding and losing things. "Places are different to things. You have to be moving to find them, but it's inherent to the nature of a place that you get there by going there. It doesn't come to you. An object, however, can be lost and can come to you, but only if you don't know where it is. If you know where it is, if you're sure where you left it, then what you get isn't the object you wanted, but a shadow of it. And when you tangle yourself up that way, you find other strange things. For instance, this shadow of Caine, which I can imagine was ... disturbing from your description."
"Indeed," Vere agrees with no change of expression. "My immediate thought was that either Prince Caine had been kidnapped and replaced by a Chaosian or a construct of some kind, or else had left Amber in secret for some purpose of his own or the king's, and left this to cover his absence. It was only when I contacted Father that he suggested that my attempt to summon the Psyche had led me into a shadow of Amber. It did prove to be a useful empirical experiment, all things considered."
Vere smiles slightly. "As a further experiment, I set the Psyche adrift, with instructions to come to me when I need her. I believe that will prove more fruitful."
"That's probably a better way to approach it. When it's time to rediscover the Psyche, do remember that you need to be moving in Shadow to find something you 'lost' in that way," Julian says by way of reminder. "You may not have enough mastery to send it to yourself yet, but if nothing else, the usual sort of finding will work.
"Some of us read portents in the near shadows of Amber we find. Do you think there was any portent for you in your dealings with the near shadow of Caine?"
Vere frowns slightly. "An interesting question. What I saw in the shadow of Amber is, I think, what I fear. The decline of the city, the dwindling of it into a pale reflection of the jewel that once it was. Accelerated beyond the truth, but not so much that I would be surprised to see the true city follow in that same path within the not so distant future. The shadow of Caine..." he pauses, head tilting to one side. "He begged my help, when I escaped the collapsing shadow of his office. I think if I had been moved to pity and tried to save him it would not have gone well for me."
"Probably not, particularly given how Caine handles his own shadows," Julian answers. "There are lessons and lessons you can take from that, if you are so inclined. But I leave them to you to consider. Like the cards, or Tir, the truth and significance of such portents is unique to the one who experienced it."
Vere nods. "Thank you, Uncle," he says.
He pauses for a moment, to allow Julian a chance to introduce any other topics he wishes to mention, and if his uncle does not say anything after a few seconds Vere will ask, "I hear that Robin has returned. May I ask how she has fared?"
"Robin has been and gone. She's investigating some minor concern in the wood--some smoke seen in a potentially dangerous place--and has not yet returned. Time is tricky in this part of Arden; I'm not yet concerned by her absence. I expect Rangers of her skill and seniority, never mind her gifts, to be able to operate independently for long periods." And indeed, as far as Vere can tell by the way Julian is seated and his tone, there is no special concern about Robin. "She was well when last we saw her, and seemed to have resolved at least some of her difficulties after her visit with Fiona. Vista and Iron Eyes gave Robin the assignment she now follows."
"That is good to know," Vere says. "Ah, and speaking of Iron Eyes, I trust he gave you the cryptic message from the Green, and explained the circumstances under which I received it?"
"He did," Julian confirms. "But I should like to hear your version of the tale, even so. Even the most faithful messengers often miss crucial details or tell the story slightly differently."
Vere nods. "The Green sent..." he pauses then says, "I will not say it was the ghost of a Ranger but it was the ghost of what was once a Ranger, before being taken by the Green, as such things manifest there. It inquired our purpose and when I told it we were sent by the Warden to see what could be seen and know what could be known it made a somewhat ominous statement about my seeing all that could be seen and knowing all that could be known. I made it clear I was not there to accept bargains that would lead to my becoming something other than what I was. It then asked me to carry a message to you."
Vere's voice changes, as he copies the mannerisms and tones of the spirit when it gave the message.
"Things fall apart. The center cannot hold. Anarchy is loosed upon the worlds. The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and the ceremony of innocence is drowned.
He will know whereof we speak."
His voice returns to normal and he continues,"And then it thanked me for my courtesy, and wished for my sake that we would not meet again. It departed and I decided it would be wise not to venture any deeper into the Green after that encounter. So we returned. We were followed for some distance by a raven which departed when we were near to the camp."
"If their center does not hold, it means nothing for our center," Julian says decisively. "They forget this, but I do not. But I do not disregard the warning, and I thank you for bringing it. One more thing: do you know who the remnant was, the one that the Green wore to deliver this message to us?"
Vere shakes his head. "There was not enough definition to the shape to make out any features. I am fairly certain it was once a man, not a woman, and the clothes he wore made it more likely than not that he was a Ranger. He had been given mortal wounds, and the Green leaked from those wounds. More than that I cannot say."
"Unfortunate. It would have been useful to know who it was--if it was someone we had already lost or whether this was someone merely missing until now. However, there's nothing to be done for it." Julian shakes his head and refocuses on Vere. "Unless you have further questions, you should go and bathe. Cleanse yourself and your newcome comrade of any Green influence. And after that you have the freedom of the camp until you take an assignment."
It is the freedom of a senior Ranger: the expectation that Vere will decide where he needs to pitch in and do so.
Vere rises and nods respectfully to Julian, then departs the tent.
He will follow Julian's instructions and bathe carefully, and check himself over for any sign of contamination by the Green, and make certain that Adrastos also bathes. He'll use the Third Eye to check Adrastos carefully, but even if he finds nothing he won't allow Adrastos to leave quarantine until Julian has a chance to examine him.
Vere bathes himself and checks for signs, both visible and magical, of infestation on himself and Adrastos. He is quite sure he has either avoided infection or washed it away.
After that Vere will speak to the other Rangers, finding out the current situation and listening to their current concerns and opinions of what tasks are currently the most pressing.
The main worry amongst the senior Rangers is where Adrastos came from and how many more like him may be coming. They neither want the added diversion of another army nor do they want The Green to have a steady source of fresh troops. Also, Robin isn't exactly late, but they don't like solo Rangers out in the deep when there is the potential for attack.
Vere will get some of the senior rangers together with Adrastos, and question him about what he remembers about the march and what happened after he and his comrades got lost. The intent is to try to determine how they entered Arden, to try to locate likely areas of other possible incursions.
Adrastos suggests that Arden is merely the greater forest, the heart of which is Arcadia. The details are harrowing, but the lost comrades seem to mostly have been lost to the normal perils of an unforgiving wilderness.
Until the end. Then a man who was building a cairn over a fallen comrade ended up fighting with his corpse. That's when Adrastos ran and didn't look back. Adrastos doesn't think his general has a useful fighting force in the forest anymore.
Vere consults with the other senior rangers on this. Do they have any thoughts about where we might want to be on the lookout for more outsiders?
And just how serious do they think this might be?
They're pretty surprised even one got this far without getting killed. Patrols sometimes find dead Arcadians. Or signs that dead Arcadians have gotten up and joined the enemy. It's uncommon, but not unheard of. The senior rangers have little concern for this threat.
The ones who are somewhat worried are more concerned that there's an armed force out there that might hit them in the flank while they are stretched thin. It's unclear what they would like to have done about it. Some suggest that they abandon the camp and move as a mobile force, not using a base to attack but rather to keep themselves tight and together.
[Vere] will also ask what the other senior rangers know about Robin's plans. Any ideas on where she was going, or how long she expected to be gone?
Vista says he sent her out to investigate mysterious smoke in the distance. It could all be related to Adrastos' people. It's been a week or so, and he's not surprised she hasn't checked in. She's known for finding five kinds of trouble when sent to find one.
Vere laughs at this and agrees. Privately, he resolves to use Sorcery to contact her if they don't hear from her within another week, but for now he's not going to give anyone cause to think that he doesn't believe Robin is completely able to take care of herself.
First, find out what the plans are for Adrastos. Does Julian have anything firm in mind for him, or is he just keeping an eye on the lad for now? And what are Adrastos' own feelings about his current situation and his future?
They don't seem to have any firm plans for him. Does Vere want to send him back with his sailors? Recruit him? Have him lead a patrol to find where his people were attacked? Ranger culture is pretty strongly biased towards protecting people, basically by getting them out of the dangerous forest, but it's even more strongly inclined to defer to the plans of whichever senior Ranger is responsible. In this case, Vere found him, so they want to know what Vere wants to do with him.
Vere will take Adrastos aside after his talk with the rangers. "You know who the Warden is," he says. "And I think you have some idea of where you are. The question is, what do you want to do now? Going back to your homeland is not possible, at least not for the near future. But I could have you sent to a city, away from the greenwood, where you could make a new life for yourself. There are other possibilities open to you, as well. But I would know what you wish."
Adrastos seems ready to leave. "I don't want to be in this forest, fighting a war with things that don't let you die. I'd like to be sent back to a city, behind the lines, or perchance to serve with your sailors."
"Then I shall send you back to the city with my sailors. Once there, go to the palace." Vere smiles at Adrastos' expression. "No, you are not going to have to talk to the king, or any great nobles. Simply ask for a servant, and tell them that Lord Vere sent you with a message for his man Castor. They will pass you along and send you various places until you eventually are presented to Castor. Tell him that I am not expecting the Lady Robin or I will return at any near date, but he is to continue with the plans on our home as previously discussed. Then tell him that I wish him to assist you in finding a suitable place in keeping with your talents and interests. You can remember that message, I trust?"
Adrastos seems pleased to be going back. He repeats the message back to Vere, verbatim. He even manages to mimic Vere's inflection, without seeming to mock. He's prepared to leave immediately.
Vere turns Adrastos over to the sailors with instructions to see to it that he gets back to Amber, and from there is given passage to Xanadu.
The sailors take charge of him and assure Vere that it will be done.
Then he goes to the Warden's tent and requests admission.
Julian is writing something, but he stops when Vere enters. "Welcome again. You've made plans for Adrastos?"
"Yes, sir. I was impressed that he had managed to survive as long as he did, but I do not believe he has the makings of a Ranger nor even a forrester. He fears the woods too much after his experiences. I am sending him to Xanadu and he will be given aid in getting a start at whatever he chooses to do. After that he will be on his own."
Vere tilts his head slightly then continues, "Some of the Rangers are concerned at what the intrusions from Arcadia might mean. They worry about soldiers posing a threat or the Deep Green collecting more and more bodies. Might I ask your opinion on this?"
Julian nods. "You may, although I believe it would be of more use to treat this as a matter of Ranger training. I shall pose it back to you as three questions of my own, and then reply." He ticks off three items on his first three fingers. "First, what nature of risk do you think they are worried about that they were not worried about prior to the discovery of Adastros and his news. Second, do you consider the risk to be greater because of Adastros' story. Finally, assume, for the sake of discussion, that I do not agree with the Rangers' evaluation, what might be my reasons? Oh, as as a final question, what would you recommend that I do, as a leader, if I do not agree with the risk evaluation presented?"
He smiles at Vere. Perhaps he intends for it to be encouraging.
Vere nods. His face shows nothing of what he thinks of the Warden's questions.
"In answer to the first. From what they said, and the way that it was said, I believe that their concerns are actually threefold. First, they are concerned that the Daughters of the Dragon are expanding their war into Arden. They worry that more and more men will be sent, to either be a military threat or to fall and swell the ranks of the Deep Green. Second, I believe that they are concerned that this might indicate that it is becoming easier for outsiders to enter Arden, and that the boundaries that seal it from Arcadia and similar places are growing weaker. And finally, although they did not say this, I think they worry that the Daughters of the Dragon will bring their war into Arden in force, with magic and deific intervention.
"In answer to the second. I do think that Adrastos' story reveals a potential threat. I do not know enough to accurately gauge the seriousness of the situation.
"And answer to the third. If you did not agree that this was a threat I would assume that you better understand the risks posed, and are likely capable of sealing the borders if you see fit. I am also confidant that you understand the threat posed by the Daughters of the Dragon far better than anyone else.
"As to the final question..." Vere shrugs slightly. "It depends on what message you wish to send. You are the Warden, and have the complete trust of the Rangers. If you simply state that you do not believe the threat to be serious, you will be believed, and that should be an end to the matter. On the other hand, you might not wish to seem to dismiss their concerns out of hand, in which case you might wish to send someone to scout and report back, confident that their report will bear you out. This will soothe the concerns of the Rangers, while also maintaining their sense of self-reliance, and avoid leading them down the dangerous path of always ignoring their own feelings in deference to you."
Vere tilts his head to one side when he finishes, watching his Uncle for any signs of his opinion on what Vere has said.
Julian looks pensive. "A reasonable answer," he says, eventually. "Keep going. If I were to send you, how long would you take? Would you want other Rangers, or would you go alone?"
Vere considers this for a few moments before answering. "As to how long it would take, that is difficult to estimate without knowing what I would find. I could argue either side of going alone or taking other Rangers. Going alone I would be traveling faster and would not have to take into consideration the limitations of those not of the blood. With others along I would have the benefit of additional viewpoints and opinions and options would be somewhat greater."
Julian nods. "And, since Rangers self-assign tasks, do you think you'll assign this to yourself, or is it less important than other tasks you may have in mind?"
Vere smiles slightly. "Hence my asking for your opinion on the importance of this task. The other matter that strikes me as being of some importance, and one that I would not wish to investigate further without your thoughts, concerns the implied threat the Deep Green made to me after it gave me the message for you. 'I hope we will not meet again, for your sake,' it said. Perhaps it is cynicism, but when I hear a threat so coyly couched I cannot help but think that it contains more of concern for the speaker than the hearer. Could it be that the Deep Green in some way considers that I might be a threat to it? Or is that egotism on my part?"
"While members of this family are frequently correct in assuming that everything that happens is directed at them, and that plots, no matter how elaborate, may be aimed at their interest or their attention, I find myself skeptical that the Forest has knowledge of a special threat from you and did not act immediately to remove you."
Julian considers. “My experience with the constructs of the Deep Green is that they sometimes retain shreds of their humanity. My theory, and I have no better one, is that this is necessary for them to be able to talk. It may truly have hoped not to meet you, either for your sake or for its. Given that you are a stronger personality, you would make a better puppet for it."
Vere nods. "Reasonable. In any case, there is nothing to be gained by my striking out into the Deep Green alone. Regarding the matter of Arcadia, my principal concern is that it seems likely that nothing can be resolved there until the goddesses' war is ended. And I do not know enough about them to know if that is even possible."
Julian leans back on his camp stool. "They fight because their mother's unordered influence is in conflict with Finndo's nature. They will have minor wars for as long as Summer wars on Spring, and Autumn wars on Summer in turn. This conflict they have now is unsustainable, but time is cruel to those who die before they find that out.
"We seem to have dismissed both tasks you were wondering if you should act upon? What's left for you to do?"
"That is the question, is it not, Uncle." Vere considers Julian for a moment. "I find that I simply do not know enough about Arden and the current situation with the Dragon to be able to bring my talents to bear appropriately. I do have skills that I think should be useful to you. But knowledge is lacking. I am less than convinced that simply striking out blindly into Arden seeking adventure is the correct answer."
"It always a dilemma, isn't it? One cannot become experienced without having experiences. Lacking experience, it is difficult to choose the best course to enhance one's experience."
Julian looks at his map. "It's why Rangers are so loosely organized. The company as a whole is far too diffuse, purposefully, to act as more than a cadre of leaders. Each one needs to be able to act independently and for the good of all.
"There are military tasks you can do, if that's your direction of choice."
Vere frowns. "I am capable of that," he replies. "It was what I was trained to do in the Isles and I believe I have done it well. It is not what I would prefer. In point of fact there was some considerable stress between my mother and her advisers and myself over my reluctance to continue in such a role. I bow to duty and if you require such services I will fulfill them."
Julian looks at Vere for a long time, not responding. Finally he leans in towards him. "I am aware of your history, although only recently so," he replies cooly. "Military service is but one of many roles a Ranger may play. I suggested it because you have eliminated from your consideration every previous suggestion I have made and continued to ask me to assign you the most useful role you could play. I wonder if you believe that if you just hold out long enough, I will determine the 'correct' answer and provide you an ideal task that is both vital and suitable to your skills.
"I must inform you that I do not have such a task that I am perversely keeping from you, Vere. You will have to determ— Bide a moment." Julian straightens in the chair and says "Who calls?"
A very slight smile crosses Vere's face as his uncle's attention leaves him.
Julian listens, nodding in appropriate places. "I see. While I am normally loathe to dismantle ancient protections, if they serve no purpose, then they can be eliminated." He pauses. "If you are confident that the consequences of your unmaking are worth the risks, then by all means continue.
"I have Vere with me, and he is uncertain what Ranger tasks he should next undertake. Would it be useful to you for me to send him to you?"
Vere listens calmly, allowing no show of emotion on his face as it becomes clear to him that his Uncle is speaking with Robin.
"A moment, then." Julian holds his hand up, presumably to Robin.
Julian's voice is quiet and slightly strained, as if he's speaking with some difficulty. "It turns out there is another option. Robin is investigating a mystery involving ancient history deep in the forests. She would be pleased to have your assistance. If you wish to go to her, you may do so. She will be senior ranger, of course. You may, of course, refuse and take a different task."
"I am fascinated by ancient history," Vere replies. "I would be pleased to offer what assistance I may."
Julian nods, and holds out his hand. "Then, unless you have other business to complete first, I will send you to her."
Julian takes his hand, and passes him through to Robin.
Vere takes Julian's hand without a word and steps through.
Last modified: 5 September 2015