Robin is a silent part of the forest as she glides toward the lake following Lady Laudine's directions. The greenery around her is still glistening from last night's torrential rain and the air is filled with scent of wet living things. At least the three firelizards that zip around her in the open air are far less pungent than they used to be. They seem as happy as Robin is to be free of stone walls and formal manners.
A sardonic snort ripples through the young woman. Her last two stabs at diplomacy seemed to have turned out all right. Maybe she can keep up the pattern. Though she suspects Lady Laudine would wish otherwise.
There are times, like the ones just behind her and the one approaching, when Robin very much misses her spontaneity. It would be soooo much easier to just jump in swinging, secure in her strength and position. But a lost war, two dreadful arguments with Family members, a nearly avoided duel and a dance with madness have... lessened her enthusiasm for leaping without looking.
Besides it's well past time that she turned her strength and her position toward healing, repairing and preventing the trouble that seems to follow her as naturally as a tail-wind. Instead of reveling in it. Dung.
Ahead of the young woman, the old growth forest reluctantly parts to reveal a rocky lake shore.
Robin notes that the level of the lake seems to rise and fall, perhaps seasonally. The signs are clear along the banks.
Where the undergrowth of the forest stops and the rocks start, there is a cairn of stones, several feet tall. It may be a match to the one marking the path to Rebma. From it, by the most direct path to the water, there seems to be a path, and one that does not terminate at the water’s edge.
Errrrr.... Confronted by the actuality, Robin finds her steps slowing and her stomach dropping. She tends to avoid thinking of Rebma and all things Rebman as they seemed to combine two of her most very favorite things: wetness and being underground. (Well, kind of underground-like.)
A shiver runs through the girl as she remembers her near-drowning in the Temple on Danu. And Vere isn't with her this time. For a moment, she misses him with a fierce fiery longing. But -- even though they said they'd do things together from now on -- her Family needs to see her standing on her own. So she swallows her misgivings and prepares to get on with it.
Robin sets down her pack beside the cairn and carefully rearranges things to make the most secure (and comfortable) lizard perches and snuggly places she can. Then she picks up her little friends and cuddles them closely.
Where they are going is dangerous! They must not fly. They must stay on her or crawl into her packback. No flying! Or they can stay here and wait for her return.
They're confused, but biddable, since they still remember the recent drenching rain. However, they are also clearly in their own little minds expert swimmers and fisher-lizards all.
Robin smiles warmly as she nuzzles them. Of course they are! And one day they're all going to go back and get that big thing in the dark lake.
The fire-lizards do not want to be left behind, and each wraps itself by the tail on their favorite perch on Robin. She can hear her little queen breathe next to her ear.
Okay, then. Breathing deeply and slowly herself, Robin regains her pack, checks to make sure all her weapons are handy and strides down the path toward the edge of the lake. Merde!
Despite her misgivings, the girl does not falter or hesitate but continues to stride right into the rippling waves.
The path continues down into water and Robin finds that she has no problem breathing it, or staying on the path. She's convinced she could swim here, but she doesn't seem to need to. Peep peeps.
Robin's adjustment to breathable water is not pretty or graceful. There is much nose-scrunching, wincing, and head-shaking as well as cursing intermixed with coughing. Bleah! Robin definitely doesn't like water, breathable or not, up her nose.
But once her own breathing is under control, she concentrates on making sure that the firelizards are adjusting as well. (OOC: "Secure your own mask first, then assist the child.") Peep’s peeping reassures her greatly with regards to that. But she reminds them (and herself), no swimming – stay on the path.
As Robin's ears adjust she pays attention to the sounds. The sound of the path into the lake is the sound of the deep green when the rains are due, but haven't started falling yet. High tones are muted and low tones are elongated, giving most sounds a deep, bell-like quality. There are no land-animals in sight, and fish have no vocal chords, so the entire waterscape is eerily silent.
The path leads down into the water over a series of switchbacks. When Robin reaches the bottom of the lake, she sees two things: a castle on a small rise and a fountain, filled with a bubble of air that does not rise. She sees no signs of people, and behind the castle is what can only be described as an undersea forest.
"Okay, sooooo... the minute I touch the Font, I attack myself." Robin is just thinking aloud for the benefit of both herself and the firelizards. "But while my wet faerie self will be able to hit me, my dry ordered self won't be able to hit me. Buuutttt I'd rather not use this Font as a weapon this time 'round 'cause Laudine will probably do something regrettable, the moment it's 'emptied'.... Therefore, we're going to have to use other terrain features to defeat myself." Robin nods as she comes to this conclusion.
And with that she turns to scouting the ground around the rise, being very careful not to touch the fountain itself. She's particularly looking for good throwing rocks, places she can trip up a horse, etc. etc.
There are trees, and a rocky ledge similar to the one Robin rode out the storm in, and the path has large and small stones adjacent to it.
The ground is soft enough that Robin could, with enough time, dig some sort of defensive trenches. If she has the time to do so.
Robin tsks but gathers some stones of both sizes, just in case.
"Okay, loves." She croons to the firelizards, "Flying okay, but only to harry our opponent. And remember, Chirrup, they can hit us at the same time we can't hit them. On the up side, I'll bet flying through the horse's head is bound to disturb him." Robin chuckles evilly at that thought.
Checking with her crew to make sure they're ready, Robin steps up to the fountain. As she touches it, she declares "I come in peace."
Then she waits for the thunder.
The bubble of air resists momentarily when Robin pokes it, deforming, but then her finger goes through into it. There's a small popping sound, and the bubble starts to oscillate. The Firelizards all fly up from their perches on Robin, circling her and trying to warn her of something. They're close enough to make it hard for her to see.
What her friends are worried about becomes apparent a moment or so later, when the ground begins shaking beneath Robin's feet. She's knocked around, but not over and it takes a moment for her to regain her bearings.
Robin notices two things. One is a vent on the floor of the lakebed, near the fountain. It's spewing forth air bubbles.
Robin chuckles; look, reverse rain. But her chuckle masks her concern that she can plug the vent before 'the lake empties.' She has no more desire to desiccate this place than she has to drown others.
The other is a bright orange and gold seahorse, floating just above the path to the keep. It has a saddle and a bridle and a rider. The rider is a slim man wearing some sort of chain mail armor. He has a lance, but no helmet. He salutes Robin with his lance.
Ooooo, seahorse! For a moment, it's hard for Robin to focus on the human because she's so interested in the critter.
His voice carries across the distance with ease. It is smooth and sounds educated. "Greetings, Interloper! Whom do I have the pleasure of fighting this day?"
"Hail, Defender." She returns the salute with her sword. "I am Robin of Xanadu - come in peace, but understanding of necessities. Are you oath-bound to attempt to kill me or can we do this friendly-like?"
"Not to kill, Robin of Xanadu, but to defend Merlin's Fount, whose tranqulity you have disturbed. Do you have a mount and a lance, or shall we meet with blades? I am Sir Ophiuchus, yclept The Serpent-Bearer."
He seems more sure of himself than Ywain was. Even in the watery half-light, something seems odd about the way he moves, as if Robin isn't seeing what is really there.
"I have neither mount nor lance, so blades would be preferred. But is it possible for me to undisturb the Fount and thus avoid the fight -- fun as it sounds -- altogether?"
The man slides off the Seahorse, frowning. His legs move in ways that suggest danger to Robin. "The Dweomer reacts to the Champion. Were I to attempt to avoid the challenge, I would be unable to control myself, and then I would find myself riding down an unmounted knight with my lance, while the basin drained the lake.
He shakes his head. "I prefer to avoid that burden on my spirit, and instead challenge you, as I am bound to, and to specify that I expect to fight you to first touch.
Sir Ophiuchus slide-steps towards Robin. "Do you have a blade, or do you need one?"
Robin tilts her head. What do her ears, the currents, the surroundings and her friends tell her is really there? Because if her sight's unreliable, best not to depend too strongly on it.
Robin's other senses tell her that he's not always where he seems to be.
Robin remembers where she's heard stories about people who move like he does. When the oldest Rangers told of the relief of the Siege of Amber, they say things about how oddly the enemy moved. The Moonriders move like that.
OoooOOO! A piquant mixture of fear, curiousity & thrill surges through Robin's veins.
"I have a blade. And first touch it is. I have no desire to burden your spirit any more than it already is." She smiles bemusedly, her head still titled as she Listens for her opponent more than looks for him.
Drawing herself upright, Robin salutes Ophiuchus with her blade and takes a standard 'en garde' position.
Ophiuchus sends his seahorse off to the side and comes closer to Robin. He stops perhaps twenty paces from her, draws himself up, and returns her salute.
From this distance, it's clear that he is human-shaped, but not quite human. He is also not quite a moonrider, lacking certain specific moon-rider talents. Robin does find the combat challenging because the water, while not perfectly water-like, does slow some movements more than others. The almost-human knight tries his best, but is not able to defeat a Robin who is determined not to be defeated.
Eventually Ophiuchus breaks his silence. "Lady Robin, you toy with me."
Robin steps backs and brings her sword to an off-guard position (though she is alert for any sneakiness or sudden attacks.)
"No," she says, "No I do not. I am very serious and considering in this. I honor you, your position and your oath and would do no harm to any of that. But I also think the whole situation is... in need of a shake-up. And that's why I here. To prove that there are ways that are neither losses nor victories. Just... you know, life." She smiles at the knight.
"Soooo, is your mind as keen and is flexible as your blade? Can you think of a way out of this? After all, my attempts lead to naught."
He stands off guard as well. He isn't winded at all, and his hair is strangely perfectly coiffed. "This fight or the larger impasse? I must fight until blood is drawn, by our terms. I do not mind losing, but I cannot make myself do so. Were you a mortal, I would just keep fighting on the grounds that you would eventually need to sleep, but that is not a weakness I can depend on in you.
"In the latter case, were the lake or the shore to 'win', it would disrupt a balance that has served all sides well. Your side has forgot it was ever at war, or has not yet remembered it, and ours has moved on.
"We are two pawns left facing each other when all the others have been put on new boards in different games. Neither of us have legal moves.
"Unless you can come up with a way to permanently separate us, then we are the frontier."
"Hmmmm, maybe I can." Robin says, "First, the impasse."
Trying not to worry that she might be following in Daeon's footsteps, Robin quickly brings her sword up to her free hand. She gently pricks the pad of her forefinger bringing a single drop of blood to the surface. (At the same time, Robin is very, very careful about where that single drop goes in this watery environ. If there is any sign that she will lose contact with it, she will immediately sop the drop up on her sleeve.)
"See?" she shows the drop to Ophiuchus. "First blood drawn by me, first blood drawn from me." Having said so, she wipes the blood off on her sleeve and makes sure that no more leaks out. "Does that work for our terms?"
He brings his own sword to the guard position and pricks his thumb on it. The blood flows smoothly from it. There's not much, but it heads towards the crack where the air is bubbling out and somehow staunches the leak completely.
Robin grins as Ophiuchus follows her example and finds an awesome solution to the leaking air.
Ophiuchus sheathes his sword and motions towards his horse, which swims towards the two of you. "It solves the small issue, but not the greater issue. If the air breathers attack their own tower, we might be inclined to press our advantage, or contrawise, they ours were the circumstances reversed.
"Many people on both sides benefit from a forgotten stalemate, at the cost of a handful of lives.
"Will you join me in the castle? We can discuss the matter further with the banphrionsa."
"I'd be honored, thank you," Robin says sheathing her sword.
"On the way, perhaps, can we introduce one another to our various companions? I must admit, sir, that your steed fascinates me. And you may have questions regarding my own little lovelies." She gestures the firelizards back to herself with reassurance that all is well now.
Ophiuchus looks at the fire lizards. "Dragonnes, in some cultures, Dragonettes in others. Not large enough to be drakes, or even hendrakes. They are a variety new to me. They seem to be well-adapted to the water, perhaps suggesting an island origin."
Robin is slightly taken aback by Ophiuchus' bland attitude, but mentally reassures herself and her companions that not everyone can perceive the innate awesomeness that is them. She shakes her head briefly, "No island origin. They're just getting used to being really wet around me." A rueful chuckle escapes Robin.
"They are, respectively, Peep, Chirrup and Ooot." Pride and fondness ring through Robin's voice as she introduces them.
The man bows to the queen and nods to each of the lads.
Robin perks up immediately at the show of manners. After all, she’s casual and a savage, but the firelizards? They're worth it.
"This fine lad is Eckford." Eckford nuzzles Ophiuchus. From close examination, he seems more decorative than strong, with a large number of frilly leaves attached. They move constantly. It's hard to believe that the creature can stay afloat, at his size. "His non-magical relatives are much smaller than he is."
"Oh, aren't you a pretty one?" Robin croons to the sea-stallion. She glances at Ophiuchus to make sure it's okay and then reaches a slow hand toward Eckford's nose. If both knight and mount allow, Robin will spend a little time admiring, petting and getting to know Eckford. Yes, the fate of this world is waiting but... critter!
Once she is done, she relunctantly pulls away and follows Ophiuchus towards the castle and more politics. Bleah.
The knight leads the was towards the castle, only loosely taking Eckford's bridle in hand. He propels himself with a smooth grace as if he doesn't need to touch the ground.
While Robin isn't overly blessed with grace (or familiarity with this kind of environment), her natural athleticism and coordination allow her to get by without too much flailing. On the way, she takes time to emotionally assure her little lovelies that they are doing very, very well and herself that she is not going to drown, it is not so bad and that she will see the sky again soon. Hopefully, really soon.
As they enter the castle, Eckherd is released to swim on his own, and he departs. The castle is large and airy (or perhaps watery) and full of light. Ophiuchus leads her down a long, empty passageway, lined with portraits.
A happy smile dances across Robin's lips at the architecture. An underwater dungeon would be just too horrible to contemplate.
"My Lady paints. These are some of her ancestors and friends. No one she has seen in some time, of course."
Robin glances at the portraits curiously to see if there are any she recognizes. She also checks for what little she can figure out about style, composition, technique and really, really wishes Ossian was here.
Not all of them are fully human.
Well, neither are most of Robin's friends and relations. So it doesn't bother her.
As they enter a courtyard, a woman rises from a bench, putting down a book. She is wearing a long gown that hides her shape and movement, and she seems almost to glide towards Robin.
"Knight Robin of Amber, may I introduce you to the Lady Morgne, Lady of the Lake."
Though briefly startled by the appellation, Robin bows. "Milady." (Castor would be proud.)
"Knight Robin, my family knew of Amber of old, but it has been many years since we have entertained her knights. You are welcome to our demesne."
Ophiuchus nods. "We are sorely lacking in tales of the world beyond the lake. We would be pleased to hear any news you have."
"I thank you for your welcome. And will abide by guest law." Robin smiles to them both.
"News from beyond the lake may prove quite... extensive. Case in point, while I do hail from Amber, my Knighthood (such as it is) is of Xanadu -- Amber's progeny kingdom." Robin does her best to clarify, not correct. "Amber... is not in such a way to create knights these days." There's no disguising the sadness in her voice.
"That is grave news. I grew up in my Grandmother's court with the tales of Amber's knights. It was a distant and fantastic kingdom and only the bravest of our people could travel the wild lands to reach it.
"I am not surprised that the Sons of Auberon are making their own cities. They were his chief Knights and legends in their own right. I saw them ride by, on a visit, when I was very young."
She looks up. "I do not wish to fall into wistful 'membrance, Knight Robin. Is this purely a social call?"
"Not purely." Robin agrees. "I come hoping to broker a peace between yourselves and those who guard the Water Font."
"Merlin's Fountain?" She seems somewhat confused. "We have had peace, for years beyond counting. We are sentry-posts, as are they. Each maintaining the peace maintaining a watch post. What do you propose in the place of this arrangement?"
"I'm not sure." Robin says, "As I don't fully understand the arrangement. I mean, I understand duty. And oaths and protecting one's territory. What I don't understand is... compulsions. How did those get involved?"
Morgne stands and moves to a window. She looks out across the lake bed and finally turns back to Robin. "It is a hard thing for me to remember, it was so long ago. Memory becomes, after centuries, like opening a box in a long-forgotten storeroom. I know what the label for it is, but the contents are often a surprise, and not always a welcome one.
"Yes, It was King Mark and my grandmother, the Queen. They were at war for many years, and had made peace numerous times. It never lasted. Sometimes as long as a generation, but it always returned.
"Laudine and I chose to bind ourselves here to create a barrier between our peoples, to make the peace last. Our sister, Basina, negotiated the peace between her parents and the binding.
"The years have been hard on her. My people are... somewhat more used to time that seems timeless. Her sacrifice is equal to mine, but is harder on her."
"And what of King Mark and the Queen? Is there reason to believe that the wars would return if the compulsions were lifted?" Robin's voice is sympathetic. In Morgne and Laudine's situation, she hears the Shadows of her father and the Dragon.
Morgne sighs. "Our parents are gone to dust, and their kingdoms, in Calamity. We stopped getting word or visitors, and when we sent messengers, they could not reach the Summerlands. Perhaps we could leave, all of us. But we are blood-bound, and the binding and my visions tell me that some successors would war were we to abandon our posts.
"The dragon-blooded forest children perhaps, although it was not always them. Or the riders of the moon."
Ophiuchus shudders. "Order would suffer at the hands of the Chaotic, or worse, war with itself. If the Queen of Air and Darkness were to find us, she would surely destroy us all. That is my fear."
Robin sighs as well. "Well, yes. All of those folks are currently active and feisty. And indeed," she nods to Ophiuchus, "the Queen of Air and Darkness has been seen. The Riders search for her, I believe. And if she has not already been found, she soon will be. But several of my more ferocious kin are on the trail of that particular concern.
"I myself am searching for some... solution to the dragon-blooded. Though I'll admit I am very young and not so given to civilized ways. It is why I wander here in the Deeper Quieter ways, meddling." Robin finishes with a rueful smile and a shrug.
"Soooo, Laudine mentioned that this place could only be a frontier. And someone else," Robin is not even going to hint that it was Ophiuchus, "mentioned that separating the Kingdoms might result in a permanent stand-down. This may be within my abilities, but I'd need to be deeply in touch with the Land. And, of course, it could destabilize the whole thing, but... would that work to release your bindings?"
For once, Morgne has no answer. "I would have to research our binding. It was more of our sister's doing than our own. Were she here, she would know, but she died very long ago.
"My concern is that if we sever the connection, we would sever the points of Order and leave a weakness for those of Chaos to exploit, a sort of blot on the ledger.
"I must think on it, and retire to my study. Ophiuchus will see you to quarters and offer you what limited entertainment the castle affords."
She bows slightly. "Knight Robin, I do not wish to downplay your offer— it gives me hope I have not had for many years that things may change. Change can be frightening, even when desired."
"I understand." Robin says, "And I would rather you not rush into a decision of such magnitude without thought, anyway." 'That’s my job,' she carefully does not say.
Ophiuchus offers her his arm. "Shall we leave the Princess, Knight Robin?"
"Of course. MiLady." Robin bows to Morgne and places her hand on Ophiuchus' arm. "Are there any more fine fellows like Eckford here?" She asks him, gently clueing him in that Robin is not so much into the gallery/garden style of entertainment.
"I can summon another, if you wish to ride. I would show you these lands, if you wish. In case they do not survive the undoing of the pact."
"Oo! Yes, please." Robin gives a happy chirp, but manages not to squee in delight.
The stables are remarkably stable-like, although there are no stablehands inside them. Ophiuchus leads out two saddled sea-stallions, his own Eckford and a more yellow sea-horse he calls Ashford.
If Robin wishes help to mount, he will provide it.
(OOC – Nope, Robin's going to vault into that saddle with glee and enthusiasm.)
The water keeps her from landing too hard, or too fast, but eventually, she settles in to the saddle.
"I'll show you the trick of underwater mounting the next time," says Ophiuchus, with a hint of a smile.
The sea horse rides like a land horse, except his feet never touch the ground, so there is almost no jarring to the motion.
"My Lady will need sanctuary," he says after a few moments of quiet walking. "She will take it if offered, but will be too proud to ask for it."
"Ah." Robin nods. "Thank you for letting me know. I am still new to this whole..." she waves her hand vaguely, "diplomacy thing."
She thinks for a few moments. "My cousin, Celina, is Queen of Rebma. It's an underwater kingdom like this, if Lady Morgne -- or yourself -- were wishing to retire to somewhere similar. And while I cannot speak for Her Majesty, I am pretty sure she would welcome older, wiser minds with some knowledge of the Old Forces... make that really darn sure."
He seems stricken. "Moins is no longer Queen of Rebma? And Oberon, you said as well, Amber is no longer the seat of Order. Pray, tell me at least the Paris stands, and Charlemagne rules there with his twelve paladins..."
"Uhhhh... A Paris still stands. But I'm not sure it's the one you are thinking of."
Robin is quiet for a while as she organizes her thoughts -- as much as they can be organized.
"I'm afraid I don't know much of the history of Rebma. I have... distanced myself from that Land and its politics; partially due to disinclination and partially due to the intense Familial interest already invested in the place. Too many cooks..." she casts a wry glance to Ophiuchus.
"But Moins has not ruled there within my lifetime or even within recent history. Her daughter, Moire, was Queen of Rebma throughout most of the time that I know of. Though recently, Moire... uh, my Family is hunting her for the murder of my cousin, Lucas." Robin shrugs, not pretty but that's the way it is.
"I also know that Rebma is still recovering from an epic battle against a rogue Uncle of mine, Huon." She sticks her tongue out. "He has since surrendered and is working off his debt in service to Rebma. Though... I still hold a grudge." No need to go into friends killed by cannon fire, brothers driven mad or cousins all snotty because Robin choose safety over vengeance.
"Moire's daughter by King Corwin of Paris, Queen Celina, rules there now. But she is very young -- like me -- and rules an ancient and potentially divided kingdom. She has been receiving much support from my cousins and the rest of my Family. But... she could use the knowledge of some who were there and who know." She smiles at Ophiuchus.
"The Paris that I know of is the older of the two Ordered Kingdoms taking up Amber's heritage, but it is still a relatively new star in the firmament. It is ruled by King Corwin and there might be paladins... I'm not sure. I've never been there." She blushes at the memory of the discussion with her father.
"Xanadu, the younger Kingdom and direct heir to Amber's glory, is ruled by King Random who was personally chosen by the Unicorn. Xanadu is... more casual than any of the other kingdoms, though it does foster Orders of Knights. The Order to which I belong, the Order of the Ruby," and Robin wishes she could sound more confident about that, "was founded to protect Amber in its decline and safeguard Xanadu against those who would take advantage of the transfer of power.
"Like the Dragon. Or the Moonriders. Or too frisky Tribes of Chaos." She smiles over at him.
He smiles back. "That is too much for me to absorb all at one, Knight Robin. Or does your order style you 'Dame'? Some did, but it was too old-fashioned, even when I was a young man."
"I think the other ladies in the Order go by 'Dame.' Buuuttt, I think I'm going set a precedence here and ask you kindly, Sir, to refer to me as 'Sir' as well. The..."
Robin pauses a moment, what to call it, what to call it? 'Order' isn't right, 'service' is totally wrong, 'brotherhood' seems a little stuffy -- rangers just don't use words to describe themselves that way. Either you are one or you're not -- and everyone knows who is and who isn't (regardless of stupid arm-bands.) Eventually she settles on,
"...Calling I followed formerly didn't differentiate between genders. And I think that's a good idea for the Knights of the Ruby too. We'll see how it goes." Robin shrugs. Yep, Xanadu is much more casual.
With that settled, Robin returns her attention to what Ophiuchus is saying.
He nods, amiably. "As you will, Sir Robin."
"In my day, Paris and Amber were ruled by brother Kings, while Rebma and Tir na' nOgth were ruled by their sisters. The realms were strong, distant centers of Order, and we filled in in places like this in between.
"It's said that in the early days of the Four Kingdoms, they warred incessantly with the 'Tribes of Chaos', and when those were beat back, they had no one to fight but each other.
"But that was the time of legends, and no one who was alive then would say if it was true."
The seahorses crest a ridge and Robin can see down into a lovely valley, decked in the colors of autumn, the leaves on the trees are swaying in the current, and it looks like any of a hundred valleys that feed into different parts of Arden.
There is no possible way that this valley is in the same lake that Robin entered, but she doesn't think she has left the shadow she was in.
Robin smiles at the beautiful yet impossible vista. Fae... or are they?
"Sir, if you don't mind me asking, what kind of beings do you and the Lady Morgne describe yourself as? If you do at all." Robin adds. Because really, she's still not comfortable with 'Lord of Order.' Or any definers for that matter.
He seems surprised by the question. "The Lady's ancestors were vassals of Moins, Queen of Tír fo Thuinn, but lived in Tir-na Nóg'th. My forbearers owed feudal duty, eventually to Paris. For the most part, we have so few people to talk to that there may be long stretches where we have not named anything for we have not needed to speak.
"It's not quite as if we hibernate when no one interrupts our routines, but I do not remember the most recent days and months any more clearly than the first days here."
"Ahhh," Robin nods happily. "Okay, then -- you’re folks."
The Ranger tips her head to the side. "My apologies for prying. I had to ask. Eventually, I must report back to my King, my Warden and my Family. And they’re all..." she waves a hand vaguely, "concerned with labels and names and things. And labels and names and things aren't my strong suit."
She smiles at Ophiuchus. "I'll just tell 'em I met some folks out this way, descendants of vassals of Moins by way of Tir-na-Nog'th, who abide.
"Does that work for you?” She asks for accuracy’s sake.
"If they will have us on those terms, we shall be satisfied. Is Tir fu Thuinn no longer at war with Tir-na Nóg'th and Amber?"
"I'm not familiar with Tir fu Thuinn. What is it?" Robin says, hoping it's still around.
"Rebma is another name for it, although that one is unfair. Tir fu Thuinn means 'Land Beneath The Waves', which was the name we called it in 'The Land of Youth'. Paris derives from name 'the land of lilting' or Tir-na Portais, because of the way they spoke."
"Oh. 'Tir fu Thuinnnnn.'" Robin tastes the words. "I like that. Cause yes, 'Rebma' is... kind of yucky. With Amber fading, it'd be nice if Tir fu Thuin could be its own thing again." Robin smiles wistfully, fresh growth after the fire always feels that way.
"What is Zanadoo like?"
"Xanadu?" Robin says, trying to model the pronunciation as genteelly as Vere would. "Syncopated, energetic, enthusiastic, young... really, it's a boom town." She smiles wryly to Ophuichus. "Honestly? I find it a little loud and frenetic. But much of my Family is there and it’s important for me to see and be seen by them.
"I prefer these kind of places." Robin gestures out to the vista before them. "The Wyld. Places that don't need to be valuable or useful to the civilized. Places that don't require meaning to be assigned to them through the observation of sentient minds. Places that just are."
"Though I am curious... how did we come to be here?" Robin asks. "I didn't notice the change in the trail."
Ophuichus smiles. "That is what makes this place so interesting. Do you see the mountain on the far side of the ravine there? You can never reach it. Ride down the path here and when we crest that ridge, we'll see a new expanse of valley before us. The next ridge beyond has the same thing, forever.
"I have ridden in that direction for four tendays once, to prove to myself that stubbornness could not resolve this puzzle. I turned around and was home the same day for tea.
"It does make a great barrier to war between two peoples, when they cannot march armies at one another. At the center, which cannot be reached, is the magic that creates this place. None living know what it is."
Robin chuckles. "Well, I'm glad you've already disproven the stubbornness technique. I'm not one for stubbornness myself and am happy to have that approach off the list. Given that the Lady allows my intercession, of course. Do you think she would mind if I just Listen? Not actually do anything, just get a lay of the Land ahead?"
"She would not mind, I am sure." He pulls up his sea-horse and waits, trying to be very quiet.
Robin takes her time listening, because everything sounds somewhat distorted anyway. The lake has a rhythm of its own, like a forest valley would. She doesn't hear anything that tells her that she is not at the top of a long ridge leading downwards.
Robin closes her eyes and concentrates on the rhythm of the lake, sensing the shadow energies around her. Does it have a central beat or harmony? Does it seem stronger from one direction?
It's distorted, somehow. It's like the places right on the edge of Arden, where if you go anywhere you might end up in the wrong forest and never get home. It would probably take some sort of evocation of the Pattern to get to the place Ophiuchus described as the center.
"Ah." Robin breathes as she opens her eyes.
She smiles as she glances over at Ophiuchus, "Yep, the valley's got a blended dissonance running all through it. But I think I could get to the... whatever. Not without making some noise, however, so best to wait for the Lady's permission." She finishes nodding as she looks back out over the vista.
"Soooo, do you hunt?" She grins to the Knight.
Ophiuchus is happy that Robin is not immediately charging downhill. "Not in that direction, but yes. Have you ever hunted underwater before? The art is different. One needs to consider depth as well as distance, and the bow is not an ideal weapon. The Lance is good, but some game fish can still strike you even if they are on the point. It's best with a boar-spear. The best direction is to the east, where the kelp forest is deeper and larger creatures dwell.
"Would you like to hunt? I can get spears."
"Ooo, yes!" Robin says with enthusiasm. "I very much need to brush up on my spear work!" She grins.
The hunt is successful and Robin has a good time learning the subtle tactics necessary for underwater spear hunting. Ophiuchus seems to enjoy teaching her, and she is a quick student.
Last modified: 5 September 2015