Artful Notes

Celina takes a moment to write a small note to Delta:

Delta
Trump portraits are very useful for staying in contact across worlds. I'm having one made of me to give you. It occurred to me you might one of yourself to give to Coral.

It may take a few weeks to complete. Time to think about it. We'll talk.

Celina

C -

Grand idea, you smartest of women. I don't like the idea of sitting still for a few weeks - I'll go mad. But for Grandmama or you, I'd do it.

D

Flattery will get you far. Merlin will give us dates when we can sit. He may be faster at it than he thinks. He's modest.

Celina sneaks up on Merlin and introduces him to the children's game of tapping a shoulder then scooting around the opposite way. Surprise!

Celina says, "I wanted to hug you but I thought you might enjoy this more. Children do it to each other as a pleasing explore of reflexes."

Merlin jumps halfway out of his skin (metaphorically). Apparently he isn't used to this game. He takes a moment to calm down. "I will learn this game, sister. I have not played it before. It was not something my mother or Martin taught me when I was a child."

She asks after his finds of Rebma.

Merlin has been observing and learning from the art in the castle and in the city. He has had the company of some archivists, who have assisted him. He feels that they were also memorizing what the Queen's kinsman on the deprecated paternal side had to say.

Celina comments that it will take some time for her to work out if the Archivist are corrupted more than the older examples. But they have taxing duties. It bothers her.

He has some interesting things to say about the art, particularly about texture and about details that may not be discernible to human senses. But also he is aware that he is being reviewed as a potential breeding stock male for Rebman lineages.

They also asked questions about Martin and his daughters, which Merlin thought would be important to Celina.

Celina nods. "Do tell? What kinds of questions? How many daughters did they ask about?"

"Just the one, until I foolishly asked which they meant. I did not realize," Merlin confesses, "that they did not know about Meg."

Celina will give him the good news regards Coral accepting long term stay and Delta being one with the Rebma Family Basement Honors.

Merlin is pleased.

Celina wants the Kings to know about Delta. So she asks Merlin if there is anything he wants to pass to Random or Benedict when she calls them?

Nothing to Benedict, please and thank you. Celina intuits that Merlin is afraid of Benedict still. (This is not new; it relates to his story about Benedict appearing in his Patternwalk, which he thinks was real and others are not so certain about.)

Merlin has no specific news for Random but his greetings. He explains to Celina that he should probably offer to do any tasks that Random wants, but he is content to stay here with Celina for a time and then to accompany her against Moire when the time comes. So a small task he can perform here to keep him out of the line of duty will be good.

And then would he pass such news to Caine for her? She thinks Merlin may have a better read of Caine than she does.

Caine is hard to read, but Merlin will talk to him for Celina and pass on the family news, plus any Caine has in return. Does Celina wish him to talk to their father, or to be with her in the call when she does?

Celina smiles. "Yes. Why don't we do that. We both call him. It is my duty to get more familiar with his moods."

"Then I will be at your disposal. We should have time to do that while I am painting in the next few days," Merlin says.

And could he see if he has time and desire to do a full throne formal Trump of Celina Rex? She wants to give Trump out to Rebma family.

In summary, if he is willing, she follows his artist insight to how she should be available and how much time he needs for a handful (5?) such new cards.

Two or three weeks, depending on a number of things. A week of that time will be spent drying and sealing the cards and Merlin will have to do the work in the dry chambers. He does not yet have the trick of creating Trumps underwater. He will also want to consider what clothing and colors she will wear and how she will present herself.

Also there is the question of the stone, which Merlin believes will be an issue of politics and probably out of his league.

Celina nods. "I should ask Delta if I am permitted to wear the stone for the Trump. Delta will be safer if everyone thinks the stone is in my keeping.

"I do not need for you to wear the stone very long to get an idea of what I will need to sketch it, at least initially," Merlin says. "I may need another examination of it when I am closer to completing the first Trump. The others will be duplicates of the first and will require far less work in posing from you."

"Good, I don't know that Delta will be comfortable with the stone being long from her keeping," Celina sounds thoughtful.

After a time, Celina returns to Merlin and they move to the Airy Chamber. She pulls Corwin's card for them to sit and study.

Merlin takes her hand.

"Father. It is Celina here."

Corwin says, "Hello, Celina. Is that Merlin with you? Your cousin Rowen is here with me. May she join us in the Trump?"

Cousin Rowen? Celina does not look at Merlin for confirmation. She keeps her focus on the gathering image. "Yes. Let Cousin Rowen join us." Celina squeezes Merlin's hand once.

Another young woman takes Corwin's hand and joins the contact.

Rowen is a young and slender woman with long, angular features in a vaguely foxy appearance, in the literal sense. Her bright and fiery red hair is worn long and loose, falling straight, over her shoulders. She wears a dress styled in a fashion suitable for Xanadu. Modestly cut, it is a rather eye-catching red that flows into a long skirt that nearly brushes the floor. Glimpses of dark footwear can be seen, appearing more industrial than delicate.

Behind the pair, it appears to be an office or sitting room in Paris, with furniture decorated with gilded wood and patterned fabrics. They look somewhat lived-in. Glass windows are prominent, though they remain shut.

Behind Celina and Merlin is a airy tall room with cool green walls. At the top of the walls is a frieze of whales and other sea creatures in motion. Celina's dark green hair is still wet and piled in an updo (though the room appears dry of water) and she's wearing a shroud/stole of glittering beads across her shoulders in the card view. Her green eyes are intent. Her expression appears avid of interest.

"Celina, Merlin, this is your cousin Rowen. We believe she is Eric's daughter, so she's your full cousin. Rowen, Celina is my daughter by Moire of Rebma, and Queen in her own right of that city. And Merlin there is my son by Dara of the House of Borel in Chaos."

Rowen defers to the woman of higher rank to speak first.

"A pleasure to meet You, Rowen, sister-cousin," Celina uses the Seaward expression for a woman of similar age and closest blood ties. "I hope that you find Paris interesting and that we can meet in the future. I extend to you a passage to Rebma at your leisure. You are quite ...stunning. Paris will love you."

The redhead beams brightly, perhaps a little naively compared to the usual wariness of the family. "A pleasure to meet you as well, Your Majesty, and thank you," she replies. If she hadn't been holding Corwin's hand, a curtsey or a bow or both seemed on the verge of happening. "I very much hope to see your realm soon. A pleasure, too, cousin Merlin."

Merlin is the strongest presence in the call, even stronger than Corwin, which isn't a surprise to Celina but may be to Rowen. "Welcome, cousin," he says, and Rowen can feel a little of his shyness leaking through. "I am pleased to meet you."

Corwin waits a moment to see that everyone is satisfied with the introductions and greetings before asking, "So, Celina, what news from Rebma?"

"I think you will be pleased to learn that Delta of the line of Mera has assayed the Design here. She has accepted position in our Court and brought her grandmother, Coral, back to Rebma for an extended stay. We thought it wise to pass on this joyous news." Celina waits.

"I'm afraid I don't know Coral, but that's excellent news about Delta," Corwin says, sounding pleased. "Rowen has just arrived, but I thought to offer her the chance to walk the Pattern under Notre Dame."

Remembering Corwin's terse advice for her about Paris' Pattern, Celina feels for Merlin's reaction to that in the Trump texture. Her expression does not change. Celina again regards her sister-cousin through the Trump and nods. "Then Rowen's had a full tour of Paris? How nice. What part did you like best, Rowen?"

The response begins with a quick shake of the head. "I arrived only moments before this," she reveals, avoiding vocabulary around telecommunications, either out of precision or ignorance. "I've been told about this 'Thing' but it has all been very vague except for its importance and its fatality."

"All three of us have walked the Pattern in different locations," Corwin explains, "and each of us had a very different experience."

Merlin makes a noise that Celina and Rowen can both interpret as agreement.

"But the gist of it is that the Pattern is a two-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional manifestation of Order. It's in our nature, is I guess the best thing to say. It's part of what we are and makes us different to everyone else in the universe. Assaying the Pattern successfully gives us mastery over the powers that are inherent in us. The downside is that once you set foot on the Pattern, you either complete it or die. Anyone who is not of the Royal blood, as we used to say, of Amber, will perish. And the bloodline alone isn't enough. It's still possible to fail and perish."

Next to Celina, Merlin tightens his hand on hers.

"I think you can succeed, Rowen, or I wouldn't offer you the chance."

So there it is. Father does not feel I align with Paris at all. Yet even without Moire understanding the Pattern or what troubles would come between us, I succeeded in Rebma. I can feel Father's hope here. Will the Blood and Lightning always haunt me this way? Celina deliberately pushes away the disquiet of a sister-cousin of such fine aspect taking on a man's Pattern.

Celina adds to the contact, "This will be the fiercest contest of your life, Rowen. Visit the Eiffel. Rest if you have only arrived. Paris is subtle."

And I am not, Celina thinks.

"What no one has ever described is what this contest is like," Rowen says softly. "It sounds dreadful."

"It is," Merlin opines. "It touches all your memories and desires, and forces you to confront all the things about yourself you would never tell another soul."

Celina appears very still for a beat.

"Father, you are a composer. Do you have a song or stretch of music that aligns with the Pattern of Paris. I'm sure Rowen would enjoy that."

"I appreciate the offer, but how would music prepare me for this?" Rowen asks, with the tone of one more accustomed to preparation and planning over artistic representations. "How exactly does one prepare for it? Is there a plan? Are there expectations? Can you walk me through it?" She pauses, dark eyes darting around yet seeing things more in her head than in the room itself.

"I can tell you about the curves and the veils. The veils, and there are four of them, are the points where the resistance to your forward walk will be the hardest," Corwin says. "Mentally, and physically. The curves are the longer parts of the Pattern where the resistance increases slowly until you reach a veil.

"Music," he adds, "isn't usually how we prepare, but it certainly couldn't hurt." Corwin smiles through the connection at Celina. "The best help is a good night's sleep, having eaten well, and preparing as if for an athletic contest. It's not that long of a walk in some ways, but it's also the longest journey you'll take in your life."

Celina looks from Corwin to Rowen. "Yes. Assume it is arduous. Prepare for the testing of your right to exist...and you absolutely have that right. Do not let Paris tell you who you are. There will be voices, or things from your past, that try to get to your doubts. Argue them. Demolish them. Never stop on the journey, even if you think you are stuck between ticks of the clock. If you want the longer version, come see me sister-cousin. Father. I wish you well. Rebma is glorious. Anything else I should know?"

"How would I find you? I am at the pleasure of your father while I am here in Paris," Rowen admits, considering her situation. "If it's as personal as you say, I don't know if it's something you'd wish to share, but I would appreciate going into it with my eyes wide open," she says, the phrase somewhat playful on the actual wide-eyed appearance of her eyes.

"If you would like," Merlin says, "and my sister the Queen approves, we could bring you through to Rebma, and I could return you to Paris on Father's card when you are finished here."

"I am still not entirely familiar with all the family's customs, but I just arrived here and it feels like such a sudden shift to depart so soon." As much as one can glance at someone else on the same side of a Trump, she looks to Corwin. "I do not wish to offend, yet I would like to do both."

"Father also has a card of me," Merlin answers, "and I could bring you through when you are free. If that is all right with you, Father."

Corwin says, "That might work, but if Celina prefers to see Rowen now, I can wait."

Celina smiles a bit, "Well I can hardly say this is less important than my current schedule. You are once again generous, Father. I shall use it to advantage. Who can say when will be a better moment."

Celina holds out her hand to Rowen. "Make your goodbyes, sister-cousin, and join us. You do not need to hold your breath. We are in air here."

"I'll be back soon, Uncle Corwin," Rowen says, with the certainty of foregone conclusion. The wisps of confusion drift across her eyes as she reaches for Celina's hand, not quite grasping the "warning."

She steps through into the airy chamber in Rebma, Merlin's hand guiding her through. The place is a dome, with what looks like glass holding the air at the top of this tower in place. Outside, she can see other towers, though none with domes like this one, and the dark sea stretching above.

Merlin leaves it to Celina to welcome Rowen to Rebma. He is wearing Rebman clothing, which is basically trunks that form fit to his body. His hair is cropped short and is damp, unlike his hands, with which he has been handling the cards. "Father," he says, "Celina and I will send Rowen back when she is ready." And he closes the contact.

Celina holds back a Rebman hug of equals to give Rowen the moment to balance. "Rebma welcomes you, Rowen. This city sits beneath the Restless Sea and is as old as the other Cities of Order. It has weathered all storms and several queens. The water here is full of life and breathable as air in Paris. Moins was our first queen. You will always be welcome here but only you will know which city stirs your heart. We have a Pattern. Few have walked it. But I am willing to speak my mind about the trial of testing your blood on the spark design. Are you hungry? I think I interrupted my father's hosting."

"The water is... breathable?" Rowen asks, as steady on her feet as what might be expected for someone stepping through a Trump contact. In contrast to the red dress that she wears, she wears black leather boots with a thick heel, built for sturdiness but managing to be somewhat stylish. Catching up, or at least momentarily abandoning the prior question, she concedes, in contrast to her response to Corwin earlier, "I would love something to eat."

Merlin says to Rowen, "I hope you enjoy seafood." And he adds to Celina, "Shall I have some food brought up? So our cousin does not have to try to eat underwater immediately?"

"Yes, and both cooked and raw, some thinly sliced shark steaks as well. Thank you." As Merlin departs down the spiral stair Celina smiles again at Rowen. "I don't know your culture. Ours here is used to trade reps from many lands. Your attire will cause you no strange looks. Your beauty will get you a few stares, but certainly you are used to that. Frankly, I was taken aback that my father was sponsoring you on the Pattern before you knew much of Family or Paris. Each City reflects its own Pattern. So my suggestions about a city tour and music were small efforts to acclimate you to a great trial without stepping on Corwin's toes. I am an awkward daughter for him. Ask me anything. Tell me your lineage again? We are cousins thru Deirdre?"

For the astutely observant, Rowen has a slight response to steaks. A small, wry smile touches the corners of her mouth at the Queen's compliment.

"I am Weir and sister to Cambina," Rowen states simply, keying in on some of the keywords that seem to garner the most recognition. "Random believes we are cousins through Eric. I never met him, though, and it wasn't until recently that our brethren were returned by Prince Jerod." Old habits die hard as she falls back on the honorific that her people commonly used, even though her new status makes him a cousin.

Celina nods pleasantly.

"Everyone so far has chosen to be poetic or vague about everything Pattern and, if I may be so bold as to doubt, I would really like something more concrete and specific if I'm going to try something as seemingly fatal to anyone not of the blood and even for some who are."

"Good," Celina responds. "Your instincts are aligned with mine in this. I'll answer questions as we eat. Family tries to strictly not talk about Pattern, even to not say the word if there is a chance of being overheard. We currently do not have that problem."

"Why not?" the redhead asks. "Is there some superstition around its name, or is it more about secrecy." The dip of her chin and twist of her lip implies a familiarity with the latter.

Momentarily distracted, Rowen fidgets enough that her swishing skirt draws her attention to her attire. "I was barely prepared to travel to Paris from Xanadu and even less so now to Rebma. What would be more appropriate for me to wear here?"

Celina shrugs, "We wear everything that agrees with water." Her hands gesture to her own choices. "My scaled tanga is brief, the metal leaf anchored to a base net of strung beads. My shrug is lines of metal thread in three-axis geometry with pearls at the intersections. These things don't gain weight and drag like surface fabrics. They look good and flow with me without added layers that require my body to be lifted or squeezed. But again, we understand this is considered showing too much skin. Your foreign looks stand out more than your clothing and not less if you wear our clothes. Plus tailoring here involves more time, craft, and precision. You be the judge of how long King Corwin shall wait your return. But we can get your measurements and you can keep a wardrobe in my suite for your visits in future. You'd need riding clothes, lounging things, a formal court outfit, and something that makes you feel amazing no matter the event. Does that sound all right?"

Bending at the waist, Rowen draws herself closer for a look as the Queen describes her clothing in detail. Though she seems naturally wide-eyed, there's a genuine curiosity in the way she follows the description along each thread, each axis, impressing the novelty of woven fabrics (or netting) as clothing upon her. Upon a closer look, it may even seem that the dress she wears is not her typical garb, hewing more to the sensibilities of Xanadu than any other place.

"It's good to try new things," Rowen with a bit of a show of confidence that may exceed that felt within. "You make an amazing offer and I would love to," she says, smiling wide like someone new to fashion. "I imagine this would be horrid in water in the meantime. I guess if we stay here for our conversation, it would be alright?"

Celina grins, "It is good to try new things. And, yes, eating and handling questions in this Airy Chamber is common. After we finish Family business we'll get a court tailor to measure you. By the time you are here for you second visit you can tour the City in Rebma styles."

Celina switches back to Family gossip, "I grew up surrounded by Secrets as a non-royal orphan adopted by a wealthy clan. So I've only known about the Pattern since the Queen Moire took me to the Design here and bid me walk it. My instruction was only 'you must do this for me'." The quiet statement is at odds with all Celina's cautions so far, and her easy smile is thinner as she says this.

"It is even possible she wished to dispose if me. But I survived. Rebma's Pattern is fierce and angry like the Queen who drew it, Moins. Her loss hasn't made the Pattern here less deadly.

"So as to Amberish reason to keep it all a secret? Yes. I surmise that the long game is to provide as few clues about the actual Pattern as it is the strength that follows our blood. As an aside, I've never met a very religious or superstitious child of Oberon. Our Elders are more practical and cynical of all cultures. They are not a fun crowd, overall. King Random seems quite different but he may have been dropped on his head as a child." She laughs, "So ask more and I'll tell all, or say why I can't."

"That would explain why all the talk has been so vague. If this is the sort of thing left to 'you'll know when you do it' then experiencing may be the only way to truly know? Or at the least, you'd only have access to the book after you had passed the initial test of surviving it," Rowen muses. "What should I expect? What does it look like? How does one actually 'do the Thing'?"

"How does one?" Celina asks herself as much as Rowen. "The Pattern, to me, resembles a brain made of a line of electric intent carved into native rock. Ours here sparks green blue. It is a hundred meters wide. You enter the secure chamber find the entry point and then begin and let nothing and no part of your thoughts stop you from finishing it. You do not stop or step off. The end point is in the middle, from which you can will yourself to anyplace you've seen or been to. You can have witnesses present if the monarch allows. I'm not sure that is not a distraction. Moire watched me walk. It isn't recommended you walk it twice. As any sort of error kills you.

"There are Veils that occur. They are extreme points of resistance that seem solid but shall be forced aside. In the Veils your mind will fugue and dally on points of possible things, perhaps as part of the poetry you acquire to find the darkest parts of the shadows and yourself. And so you do the Thing by refusing to not do the Thing."

"Is the ordeal mental or physical or both? I've heard things that sounds like both," Rowen asks, cocking her head to the left, perhaps drawing an image reminiscent of a puppy. "I have not been to many places, save for my home in Weirmonken and Xanadu and the places in between that we sailed with Martin. If I went to any of those places, how would I get back, or would that be somehow obvious to me after I'd done it?"

Celina nods, "The ordeal is both tangible and intangible, both emotional and disciplined, there will be voices, faces, meetings with people who claim your time. Both and all."

"How do you force your way through the veils? Will there be foes to fight?" She doesn't touch anywhere on her body to betray their locations, but for someone as astute as a sister-cousin, she does not seem unarmed in spite of outward appearances. "Will I need weapons?"

Celina smiles, "You force the Veils by being unstoppable. Take all of yourself. If you feel less without a weapon take one. My brother fought a terrible foe in his walk. I caution you not to ask him about it. But I survived taking nothing with me but me. I have walked twice and I hope never again. For me, it was so much more terrible the second time." Something in the empty dryness of the last sentence is foreboding.

The queen sighs, "Yes, returning from distant places needs practice. I advise you to find a cousin willing to show you shadow walking first hand. Or did Martin discuss it with you? But you have been to Paris and now Rebma. The paths between cities are Orderly and easier after the Pattern. My father likes you. You may ask for his witness to do the Pattern of Paris. That would be my suggestion."

Rowen pauses a moment to consider a question, but continues nonetheless, trying to be delicate about it. "If it's as terrible as it sounds, how could it be worse? What woud make you want to do it again?" She furroughs her brows, creating a deep crease between her brows. "Are they terrible thoughts or can it attack the mind itself? We heard stories of wizards being capable of that, but I've yet to meet one who could." Her eyes dart about, not exactly confident, looking for angles, it seems, ways to cheat the system.

At the question of 'what would make you', Celina sees the naked youth in this glowing healthy sister-cousin. She stares into that moment. No one should have to do it. No one should have made her do it the first time. Llewella should not have made Celina do it again. But it was a promise. It was love both simple and terrible.

"Martin had described it a bit, and I could see the effects of it while we sailed, but I know not how it was done. I could only see the results." She purses her lips slightly in thought. "Would it be safe to suppose that Corwin would have cards of his own in Paris, that I could borrow one to return after I'm done?" There it is, a bit more confidence. "Or is there a way for someone in the family to reach out to me?"

Celina drags herself back into the moment. The current just shifted around them both. "How's that? What are you saying? Return to where from where? My father has cards, of course. You could go to your homeland from the center of the Paris Pattern and then return to Corwin if he lends you a card. Yes? Is that what you mean?" Celina puts a soft hand on the young woman's knee. "I've upset you. That is not my intent. Forgive me."

Celina adds in a softer voice, "My bias is I've seen Family die on the Pattern. So maybe I just have to answer your questions until I've squeezed that chance down near zero."

"I am not upset. I want to be prepared and even the mere idea of what this Thing is has already gone well beyond what I knew from my home. My new family has spoken of places and things that I can just barely nod at, for want of not interrupting the conversation to ask what it is. So," she says, unconsciously folding her arms across her midriff. "To be sent wherever the Thing sends you at the end--assuming I reach the end--I don't want to find myself stranding myself somewhere with no idea how to get back. I've only just gained this family I only imagined in dreams, and I had no plan to lose it inadvertently."

Celina nods once, understanding now and also remembering all the new things her mother, her real mother omitted, her real father said to others before he would allow her to read it for herself from her mother's secret message of introduction. She steps away from the memories so maybe the future is better, "Understood. Rowen, I grew up an orphan of charity in a land away from all this. I know what suddenly having a huge powerful family with very strange gifts is like. What I don't exactly know is how to change things to be better. I didn't like Corwin's rushed treatment of you and grabbed at the chance to make it better for you than it was for me. I don't want you lost in shadow either. Pearls! Ask me everything, anything. If I can't answer it I'll be certain to tell you why I think I can't. That's a big step up for starters. Your family isn't big on explanations. Or honestly I should just say I have more questions still than answers."

Celina gives a small example, "Our ancestors were Chaosi. Shapers. Chaotic. Idiosyncratic warlords. Moins, Oberon, Others founded Cities and carved Patterns because of some discovery linkage back to Dworkin who may have sired them all with a Unicorn. Moins may be dead or trapped in limbo. Oberon may be dead or rolling dice with Fates. Dworkin may care or doesn't. The Whole Thing is Dream and Nightmare and Amazing. The Unicorn may actually Care but then She may also be a Delusion of Relatives who cannot answer my questions."

Celina looks fierce and her eyes flicker with green light for a second but Rowen can see that Celina has a biting grip on her own leg and the feelings exposed are not caused by Rowen or the words here and now.

Celina puts her other palm over her eyes. "Pearls. I'm trying to be better and I sound like a maniac."

Rowen laughs lightly and reaches out for a reassuring touch. "You make more sense than the cousins I've met who casually talk about sorcery or magic or other things with big words that sound outside natural order and somehow harness electricity. I feel at such a tremendous disadvantage in knowledge, so I've had to rely on my wits," she admits, letting her thoughts drift over the talk between doctors and people who wrestle for the entertainment of audiences not even present to witness it.

Celina nods. There's not much she can add to that.

"I can't be the first to have joined or learned of the family later in life," Rowen continues, slowly pacing about, obliquely referencing Celina's own origin story. "Does the family have wisdom about how to bring newcomers up to par with the others in experiences, or is that left to their own devices or the benevolence of those they surround themselves with?

"In other words, it sounds like there are a few uncles who seem very invested in my assaying the Thing, perhaps even their own version of it for whatever political reason they may have," she lays out. She doesn't mention that other forces from a Shadow that operates under a lone star may also have a say, largely because she's unaware of their presence. "How much does it matter which Thing I take and, once I do, where should I go next if I don't really know enough to know where to go?" She pauses to consider aloud, "Would it be too much to ask a friendly cousin to teach me the basics of what my birthright bestows? And could I take my brother with me?"

Celina smiles. This one catches on very fast. "Well, that sounds pretty accurate. A good summary. Is there an agreed protocol for bringing new Family up to speed? I don't think so. Certainly my mother would not have followed it if she knew of it."

Celina adds more slowly, "But yes, the Uncles that have invested in their own Pattern realms certainly see a reason to have you walk their Version. I had only thought of that recently myself. Well reasoned." She then frowns. "How much does it matter which you do? There is politics of a sort. Random is King by action of the Unicorn, so he is 'head of the Family'. He could ask for an oath even if you walk a different Pattern than his. And with reason you could turn down such an oath request if you felt a calling to another Pattern but then some Family resources might be denied to you. Mmm. I'm guessing here as no one has asked me this before."

Celina tackles the practical question, "If your brother doesn't have the strong caste of Family blood then you don't want them near a Pattern. But yes, you could ask for one-on-one lessons from a cousin. My thought would be Jerod if he is around, if only because I trust him implicitly and he's one of the older neutral-minded cousins. He'll also bring you up to date on all the politics. He has walked Paris and Xanadu, I think."

"My brother predates my mother's time with Prince Eric," Rowen says, old habits dying hard. "It seemed clear from Martin's attention on me and not him that he was excluded from the family, but I wanted him with me for the adventure."

Celina adds after looking in Rowen's eyes, "And Jerod has a daughter he will be explaining all kinds of things to. She freshly joined us from being held captive. Jerod will understand your situation. He got a better education than I did. I don't have his card but Corwin will. Thoughts?"

While Rowen is considering that, Merlin opens the hatch in the floor and comes through. "The food I asked for will be here soon," he tells Celina and Merlin.

"Welcome back," Celina gestures loosely to Rowen. "Rowen catches on to Family nuance much better than I ever did. We are talking about introductions to Pattern."

Rowen throws him right into the mix. "If you had to choose one Pattern, which would you choose and why?" she asks, trying to lead as little as possible.

"Afterwards, perhaps it would help to seek guidance from Jerod first and then return my brother to our home. Being my other brother and having helped return Prince Eric's Weir to us leads me to think he does not harbour us ill will."

Merlin frowns at the question in a way that suggests more than just thought. "I walked our father's Pattern -- Corwin's -- and it was a particularly difficult experience. I hope I never have to walk it again. I do not know that the Pattern of Rebma would have been a different experience. That said, with all due respect to present company," he smiles faintly at Celina, "I do not know that if the same circumstances applied whether anyone could make a difference. But I have heard no reports afterwards of any events like that which happened to me, and several others have walked one Pattern or another, including our father's, since," he finishes.

Rowen cants her head to one side, listening to Merlin with rapt attention. One after another, the difficulties pile on top of one another. "Do you have any advice? It seems like a most traumatic experience for everyone. Is there a way to cheat?" she asks, beginning to pace a little.

Celina stills herself to listen. With years of Seaward authority, she never would have asked Merlin this.

"I do not believe that there is. Not for taking it the first time. But what you will become afterwards is so different to what you are now that you will feel the worth of the effort," Merlin says. "I am a sorcerer and can, in Shadow, violate the laws of the universe. And still, taking the Pattern and learning to use it has changed my life and empowered me beyond the understanding I had prior to doing so. It was worth it."

Celina nods once and looks to Rowen.

Rowen purses her lips, brows furroughing in thought. Absentmindedly, she taps at her mouth with a fingertip. "It sounds like it is mostly mental, though not entirely. What's physical sounds like a resistance, but not an actual opponent that can be fought with weapons, or at least it seems weapons aren't necessary. Get a good night's rest, maybe a good meal, and be at your full strength. Am I missing anything?"

Merlin shakes his head in the negative. "I do not believe so. If you have to resort to weapons on the Pattern, matters are dire."

Celina adds, "Point of Order. Speaking of Dire, based on things shared by Conner and Brennan, never spill Family blood on the Pattern. You get an explosion. One that might kill you, the city the Pattern is founded in, and the person who scribed that Pattern. No one wants to find out how big an explosion." Celina nods once.

"A very good point of Order," Merlin agrees. "That is how Brand almost destroyed the universe, by spilling Martin's blood on the Pattern. If you have any injuries that might bleed at all, you will not be permitted to walk until they are healed."

"I am well in every manner I can imagine," Rowen replies, after visually doing a mental checklist on herself. She flashes a mischievous smile, not exactly hiding her ulterior motives. "If you had the option to choose any one of the Things to do as your first, in the current climate, which would you choose and why?"

She ticks them off on her fingers, extending a slender one for each. "There is the original in Amber, but it sounds like that one is broken or unavailable now. Random's in Xanadu could be a wise choice to curry favour with the king..." She pauses for a thought. "But is that the only power to consider? I suspect not. Corwin's is of the older generation, and though none of the books I studied were of recent history, I sense there is some turmoil there. And, of course, yours here in Rebma, which I assume to be the oldest remaining one. I suppose if I wanted to be contrary, that might be the obvious choice."

"You have not mentioned Benedict's Avalon, but I would not choose Avalon for personal reasons. They might not apply to you," Merlin says. "I know a number of people have taken at Xanadu. I myself came into the family gifts at Paris. I will leave it to my sister to speak to matters here in Rebma.

"Is there a Thing in Avalon as well? For something seemingly rare and all-powerful, there seems to be an awful lot of them all over the place," Rowen opines, her already wide eyes widening further.

"From what our father told me," Merlin explains, "only Amber and Rebma and Tir were known until recently, and Rebma and Tir thought to be reflections of Amber. My father told me he wrote the Paris Pattern as an extreme measure in case his father Oberon, our grandfather, failed to repair the Primal Pattern. I would not say he lied, but my understanding now is that the matter of Paris may be more complicated than he knew when he initially told me his tale. Of Avalon I knew nothing until quite recently." He looks to Celina for clarification.

"There is also all the family history between our father and yours. How much of that do you know?" Merlin asks.

Rowen laughs softly, moderately full of rue, "Aside from the little that my sister brought to us, mostly restricted to what had transpired up until my mother's departure from Amber, sometime after Grip was born."

"The long and short of it," Merlin says "is that they were too much alike and hated each other and fought for the right to be Oberon's heir. Eric nearly killed Corwin and left him sick in Shadow, and later when Corwin recovered and found his way back to Amber, he tried to return the favor. When the armies of Chaos, my mother's people, came down the Black Road to attack Amber, though, they stood together for the good of the Kingdom. Eric died of his wounds, and perhaps of using the Jewel of Judgement."

Again, Merlin looks to Celina for confirmation of the next bit. "I think that our father feels guilty that he survived the war and that Eric, and their full sister Deirdre, who was killed by Brand in the final battle at the Courts of Chaos, did not. So I think he is kindly disposed toward you for that reason."

Celina doesn't know Benedict or Avalon well. But she wants Rowen to have the answers to the basics, so she summarizes the Pattern choices, "Avalon's Pattern may be older than we know. It is a land of order and strife. Benedict is a steady leader and a trusted Family elder. I do not have practical knowledge of more than this assessment.

"Corwin's Paris Pattern is older than he is. Legend has it created by a King lost to history. Reworked or Renewed by my Father's love of his hard times in distant shadows. You would gain his trust and strong ties if you walk it.

"Xanadu is the newest, perhaps modern in many ways we have yet to see. If Patterns are influenced by time and the Real Family that imprint them, Xanadu is the official center of the Family and important to the future. You would have broad influence imprinting there.

"Amber's Pattern is dead and may never revive. Family who know the difference of its original power have told me this.

"Rebma's Pattern is both vibrant and flexible and cruel. Women do well with it, but it has a sharp bloody edge. I believe it is surviving on momentum and passion from those imprinted. I have dedicated myself to preserving it in the practical absence of its creator, my Grandmother. The future is uncertain here until I recover the Jewel my mother has taken away.

"Tir's Pattern is alive but constrained in some fashion I do not understand. The Queen who wrote it is also alive but not fully material. Some Family have walked it. If something draws you there be careful. I would ask you talk to Brennan before you decide anything about that imprint walk.

Celina looks between Rowen and Merlin, "I dearly hope the three of us can be friends despite history between Corwin and his sibs."

"I hope the same," Merlin says.

Rowen gently offers a hand in friendship, "We can forge our own friendships. We did not grow up with their grievances, after all. With my father gone, there's even less a reason for me. Though I shan't be so naive to think those with grudges against my father may not choose to extend them to his kin."

After a moment of consideration, hidden amidst the other activity, Rowen outlines her thoughts, "It seems taking Corwin's offer may do the most to bring us closer together." Left unsaid, it seems to be the stabler option.

Celina reaches her strong left hand to Rowen. Then she crosses her right over left to reach Merlin's hand inviting him to complete the geometry. "Then on this historic handshake I thank you both for your love and friendship."

Celina sends pages in several directions while Rowen, Merlin, and she complete their savory Rebman feast.

One to the Archive, to put Rowen's entry to the Family list. One to Llewella to let her know of Rowen as Family and that a Pattern walk will shortly happen in Paris with Corwin, Celina, and Merlin in attendance. One page carries personal notes that will find Delta, Signy, and Tomat (as they are in residence or not) to briefly describe Raven's Family connection.

Delta has left, though Coral has remained in family quarters. The last word is that Delta was contacting another relative to explore in Shadow.

Signy has travelled to Ghenesh with Brennan and Raven, and so is not in residence.

Tomat was recovering from the injuries he received from the Klybesians in Xanadu.

As messages are going out, Rowen asks if there's a way to send one to her brother in Xanadu. She writes one to let him know of her intentions in Paris, that it is unfortunately exclusive to family, and that she'll be back for him as soon as she can.

This message will need to go by Trump but there will be no difficulty managing it. Since Celina and Rowen have immediate business in Paris, Llewella can make sure the message is passed through to Xanadu.

Celina doesn't rush the meal and is delighted to answer questions. She notes Rowen's appetite and her favorites so far.

While she isn't afraid to try the myriad sea creatures, marveling at the unique shape of each one and laughing at the difficulty of cracking through the shells, she is definitely more at home with mammalian flesh. If there is land animal meat, perhaps game animals, she seems most familiar with that.

Once ready to travel, Celina asks Merlin to do the honors of calling Corwin. Rowen, then Celina pass through to Paris, and Merlin follows as the rainbow optics fade out.