Strange Tidings

"Lady Celina," says Corwin, coming to stand by her, "I think you would do well to read Her Majesty's own words yourself." He hands her the letter.

Celina reads the first few words, but is distracted by the vibrant King beside her. Her face heats. The words are clear that Moire has strong feelings for King Corwin.

Merlin, who has come with his father, whispers a sorcerous word, and light falls in from the window as if it were a bright afternoon. The light is more than sufficient for Celina to read the letter clearly.

She reads. Then the greater light distracts again. She nods to Merlin as his were the words that called power. How interesting! I should like to speak with the Prince regarding his studies and how Paris accepts his sorceries.

Corwin kneels beside the girl. He says to Jerod and Vere in a slightly off-kilter voice, "Moire tells me that Celina is my daughter, and that her blood is proven on Rebma's Pattern." Bill Roth clears his throat, and Corwin adds, "Bill has my absolute trust, even in family matters. You may speak freely in front of him."

She reads, but suddenly the King's words drop into her line of thought, bringing her up short. Celina looks to the kneeling King. This is not seemly. Surely there is some humor here I know not. 'Moire tells me...' Celina gasps, slightly crumpling the paper in her hand. Trembling, she reads more, the words burning memory in soft spirals, the room darkening slightly. Read. Do not stop. Move ever forward, no matter what.

Jerod looks over at Vere for a moment, his expression very plain. I knew it!!! Damn sometimes I hate being right.

Vere's gaze has drifted to somewhere just over Celina's left shoulder, and he does not appear to notice Jerod, nor for that matter does he seem to be paying particularly close attention to anyone at the moment.

Merlin's expression suggests that he is still torn between several impulses.

"As I suspected. Moire has her link to the Pattern now." Jerod says, his voice belying his expression. "Does Moire indicate when Celina walked the Pattern? Based on what Hargar'el told me, it could not have been that long ago, and unless Conner forgot to tell me something or someone else we don't know about was there, she would have had no instruction in Shadow. Is that why she's here?"

Celina reads. 'I cannot keep her safe.' Her eyes narrow, her mouth slightly grim, her lip trembling. "No."

Jerod looks over at Celina for a moment, analyzing. He wonders for a moment, about the time factor and her age.

Celina looks angry. "No. You distracted me. This was the reason for your complex byplay. So I would not notice this paper being traded for the one I brought." She crumples it fully in a fist. "I am--"

Vere frowns slightly, still not looking at her.

A whirlpool of dark memory slams into her from every corner of the room. Her breathing accelerates, doubling. White fire, ancient bonds of the Tritons, danger to herself, you must leave, your trust and your hand, unaware of her parentage, this is the Pattern.

Her eyes wild, breathing even harder, the fist full of paper leans unintended on Corwin's shoulder. Her eyes drop to Corwin's face. Green eyes on green. She mouths, 'no'.

Suddenly she knows she is wrong. About everything.

Celina screams and pulls back her free hand in a fist aimed at Corwin's face.

Vere remains still, clearly unwilling to intervene in this situation.

Jerod moves to intercept, but Corwin is even faster than Jerod, who is very fast.

Corwin rises to his feet in a single fluid motion, throwing Celina off balance. Her strike goes wild, and Corwin catches her by the other wrist, keeping her from falling. He holds her there for a moment, his gaze meeting hers, to let her regain her balance.

Eyes. Damn those eyes. Final betrayal. Myself. So wrong. So wrong about everything.

Working on herself now. Celina slows her breathing, not daring to break glances with Him. There is no larger crime in her mind than what she has just tried. She acted on betrayal but not from this Man. Not even Moire's cleverness is more bitter in her mouth than her own stupidity and recklessness.

Her life is a lie.

Jerod stops his movement after Corwin has finished his, it being more of an automatic response than anything Jerod had actually thought of doing. He does smile just a touch though as things pause. Demonstrations can be valuable lessons.

Celina studies His face. --He doesn't look anything like me.-- She swallows warm air. "I'm relieved I didn't hurt You. I'll behave myself... Your Majesty." She stuffs the white fire down and puts her foot back on it in the dark. "I'm not usually so easy to upset."

Corwin says, "This is an upsetting situation." He has recovered at least superficial composure.

Further, it is not You that has done this to me. The impulse to sob is grabbed, twisted, and ripped to shreds in a blink.

Vere stands quietly off to one side, not looking directly at anyone.

Jerod moves off a little as well, to give Celina and Corwin time to...adjust. "You got something?" Jerod asks very quietly to Vere, having seen this look before. "Or would you rather discuss it later?"

Vere shakes his head slightly, without answering.

Celina seems caught all too well in the moment.

It is Merlin who breaks the impasse by putting his hand on his new sister's arm. "When first I met our father, I nearly shot him with a crossbow. I think you have not done so badly." He looks to Corwin, who recalls himself enough to release Celina.

"Will you sit down, Celina? Jerod, will you fetch my sister some more of that drink?"

Celina blesses whatever powers have prompted Corwin to remove his eyes and hand. She uses Merlin's words as a lifeline. No stopping. Keep going forward. What a dear, dear man. She makes a momentary eye contact with Merlin.

Merlin accepts her gaze and nods slightly as he leads her to the couch. He helps her sit down, then sits down next to her.

Sitting is no better than standing, yet it doesn't remind her so that Celina just took advantage of height and temper to take a foul blow at a man. She simmers in self-judgement.

Jerod nods and heads off to collect another ginger, tonic, rye, dash of lemon and the secret ingredient (cause I ain't giving it to anyone here without them earning it...:), before returning to hand it to Celina.

"Here you go." Jerod offers, relinquishing the glass once Celina has indicated she will accept it.

Celina nods. Smiles. Her eyes look deeply into Jerod's for a moment, watching her own reflection there. Do I look sane? Perhaps.

"I remember planning to shoot him if he returned." Jerod says, sitting down in his chair once more. "Thankfully for all, five years passed."

Vere smiles slightly without saying anything.

"I am very glad of it, too," Merlin says.

"So am I." Jerod says. "Enough people are dead."

Little starfish. They are all being nice. They've been kind since I arrived. I live in a hell where everyone with my allegiance lies to me and everyone from the woman-torturing surface world makes easing comments about my temper. I can't think of anything I've ever dreamed of doing that was a low and cowardly as hitting a man on bended knee.

Celina sips the ginger drink. She looks then again at Corwin. Licking her lips, she finds there are still no words to say to him. There should be. Something. It isn't his fault what's happened here.

Father?

Bill Roth has taken advantage of the moment to capture Corwin's attention and is speaking to him in a low voice. The young royals catch a few murmured words: "tritons attacked ... Atrios ... locked up ... letter ..."

Celina blushes. It is just possible her skin is dark enough that only Jerod knows this.

Vere certainly gives no sign of having noticed such a thing.

The name Atrios is sufficient to perk up Jerod's attention and he looks over at Bill. It is clear he recognizes the name. He turns back to look at Celina as well. Jerod has questions later it would seem.

Jerod's interest in the name catches Vere's interest, who shoots a mildly questioning glance at Jerod. Vere does not say anything aloud, however.

Jerod's behaviour would seem to indicate "later".

Celina looks back to Jerod. She smiles. She breathes a steady beat. Nephew?

Jerod looks back. And for some reason, Celina suspects he already has thought of this. Aunt, or cousin? Or both. It would appear not to phase him in the slightest.

She looks away in confusion. Merlin's eyes catch her attention now. Her sigh betrays still too much emotion. "Thank you, your--," she falters. "Should I, I mean, may I call you Merlin? Or brother?" Celina realizes too well that she might still win something of poise if she can just get through the next hour.

But it feels impossible. No stopping. Keep going forward.

"Whichever makes you most comfortable," Merlin says. He adds, as something of a confession, "I would like it very much if you called me Brother--unless you would rather not, of course."

A small smile from Celina.

Vere makes a small, abrupt gesture with his right hand, just enough to catch the king's attention. "This is a difficult meeting, your majesty," he says, " and a private matter. If you and Princess Celina would prefer that I absent myself....?"

Bill seizes the excuse, saying, "That's an excellent idea. Vere, isn't it, why don't you walk me down to the kitchen where I can get some dinner and leave them to catch up on family news?" He gives Celina a bit of a sheepishly guilty look, as if he has no idea of what to say either.

Corwin says, "Celina?" He keeps his expression studiously neutral. "We can send down for something for Bill, and for you."

Jerod keeps his expression plainly interested...he's heard just enough that he's not going anywhere unless someone tells him to "amscr".

Family news? Oh, Bill. Celina nods simply, allowing both men a polite escape. "I'm really not hungry after all. The gentlemen might as well ease their time as they will."

A small pause. "I hope to spend time with all in more gracious fashion. Sir William, thank you for all your help. Lord Vere, I hope to speak to you of your interest in Rebma. That will include the things I do know about etiquette." And she puts some vigor into a genuine smile at Vere and Bill.

Vere bows to her and replies, "I look forward to that with great eagerness, Your Highness. If your father's experiment tomorrow goes well for me I shall be certain to seek you out." There is a faint smile on his lips. He straightens and says to Corwin, "By Your Majesty's leave?"

"Of course," says Corwin. "Sleep well, Vere. You have a busy day ahead of you tomorrow. Bill, we can talk tomorrow."

Bill says, "Good night, Car--Your Majesty." He offers a somewhat embarrassed smile to Celina. "Your highnesses," he adds, as something of an afterthought.

Vere takes a single step backwards away from the king, bowing as he does so. He then gives a single nod to the rest of the room, and turns and walks away with Bill [and out of the thread].

Celina turns back to Merlin and lowers her voice. "If you are willing, I'd like to try calling you 'brother.' If I slip and use something more formal, it is only because I'm still working from the reflexes of a merchant captain's daughter. I grew up thinking this was so."

Her voice, of course, is not so low as to be impolite to Jerod or Corwin, merely directed specifically to Merlin.

Merlin smiles at Celina. "I myself have many such reflexes to overcome, coming from a far place as I do. We will learn Paris together, sister." He pats her hand, looking pleased.

Feeling a bit of relief, Celina reverses her hand and squeezes Merlin's after he makes the physical overture.

Corwin says, "I won't keep you much longer, either, Celina. I'm sure after all today's excitement, you want little more than dinner and a soft bed. Will you want to stay with the Rebmans, or shall I ask Alice to prepare you a room in the family wing where Merlin and I are staying?"

Spines! Celina stills. The delegation will find out now. It must have been Moire's intent. How could Corwin protect me without the Rebmans learning what has happened? Or did Ravenna already know? Did everyone know?

Her Highness, Celina of Paris. Little starfish, I think I need a swim. Desperately. I wonder if I'll be able to sneak down to the river tonight?

Celina blinks. Smiles. "Experiment?" She looks at Jerod and Corwin, not Merlin. "How is it that the King of Paris conducts experiments on Lord Vere?" Her voice is light, but she pauses reading expressions. "I would love to stay in the 'family wing', but I have duties and responsibility to Lady Ravenna. I will tell her tomorrow of what has happened to me, and then we will see if she still thinks I'm an appropriate figure to lead the delegation from Rebma. Conflict of interest, I would think. Wouldn't you, Your Majesty?" She smiles, then laughs at the presumption of her questions. How easily they roll off her tongue in the midst of chaos. How foolish and wild.

Jerod's expression does not give much away, mostly because Celina hasn't had a chance to learn Jerod's quirks, though he is curious as to what Corwin is going to say. Corwin would probably read Jerod along the lines of "It's your state secret Uncle - you set the limits".

"I was hoping you'd be able to join us in the morning," Corwin says. "Vere calls it an experiment, but I'd rather think of it as a test, and one I feel he'll succeed at. He is to walk the Pattern, and traditionally, a few family members are in attendance. I'll understand if you would prefer not to."

Celina responds, "I would not understand. If this is a tradition, I would be pleased to participate. Lord Vere was kind to me at first blush and I would like to do him this courtesy."

"What of Lady Ravenna?" Merlin asks. He looks to both his father and sister for an answer.

Corwin looks at the three youngsters for a moment. "It must be Celina's choice of how to tell her and when. I suspect Jerod could assess her ability to deal with this revelation better than I, but I doubt she will find it a significant difficulty to overcome. In fact, Ravenna may encourage you to use your new influence with me to extract concessions for Rebma, Celina."

"Lady Ravenna is a skilled negotiator." Jerod says. "She will use any means to acquire an advantage. It doesn't mean she'll be nasty, but she won't ignore an opening when presented. A question to ask though is who else is in the delegation that might...object?"

"Ravenna is experienced. That last though..." Celina grins. "By which you mean who else in the delegation Queen Moire was unable or unwilling to obviously weed-out and might want to do me some harm? Ah, the life of royalty..." A moment more, she adds, "I really haven't been thinking along those lines. I will think about it now."

Somewhere in all this, Merlin's window-light has faded. Jerod and Celina aren't quite sure when it happened.

Jerod looks over at the window for a moment, and then to Merlin before settling his attention to listen further.

"A delegation to a new kingdom represents opportunity." Jerod says. "Factions within Rebma would be sure to try to put their own agents into the delegation if possible, to ensure accurate reports of what is here. Factions which might be inclined to support the current inheritors to the throne, rather than one with a link to Amber, or now Paris."

"That it is not common knowledge that you are Uncle Corwin's daughter has become obvious. As to why the Queen chose to reveal your identity with you being here also says something about what is happening back home." Jerod says, looking at the crumpled remains of the letter, a reminder that he has not viewed its contents.

Celina's grin has faded. She licks her lips.

"The easiest speculation is that she sends you for protection here. Were she to want to, she could have notified your father with a simple note. I'm sure it would have been just enough of interest to bring Uncle Cowin to her, even if only to verify the statement. Children are the one thing certain to bring my uncles and aunts running from all directions. An advantage to the Queen therefore in any dealings she might have with him."

Jerod's new aunt finds herself nodding. It fits everything so well.

"Instead she sends you here, with you lacking in knowledge of your position and only once here is the truth revealed. Your actions just now indicate you did not know and you needed a target for rage against the deception I suspect has been performed on you to keep you ignorant of your past. Given your age, and your comments about a merchant captain's life, you could not have been raised in Rebma for most of your life. You'd be too young otherwise. I'd assume some kind of private boarding facility in one of the Seaward realms, producing eligible young women for introduction to Rebma's court. A convenient way to bring you back to Moire's life with minimal risk. Or so it would seem."

Brilliant. Celina thinks of Jerod's analysis, then realizes it is also a tribute to Moire. She sees the whole canvas as Jerod paints it. Moire has carried off a huge secret and advantage without so much as batting an eyelash.

Jerod looks over at Corwin for a moment. "Hargar'el made certain comments that led me to believe Celina was more than she appeared. And you know that Uncle Random was with dad for a few years in custody so the story of the time you spent there came out as well, though I only speculated about any relationship you might have had with Moire. It turned out I was right. And if I could figure out, people older and more experienced than I could certainly figure it out." Then he looks back at Celina.

Celina has watched Corwin's face during this short digression.

"Your additional comments just now, and Mr. Roth's, indicate that risk to your person is likely. It is also implies that the risk to you comes from close to the throne, or a source against which Moire either cannot identify or cannot move against. Were it a mere physical threat, she'd surround you hip deep in tritons so nothing could get through, or send them to deal with the threat. But now, it would seem the reliability of the tritons is in question."

"How am I doing so far?" Jerod asks, taking a sip of his drink.

"I am naked before you," Celina answers softly. "You may know me better than I know myself."

"Only the political parts." Jerod says. "The personal side is usually the one that is the most interesting."

All through Jerod's comments, he has been composed and precise in his use of language, seemingly ticking off the points as one might do so on a shopping list. Yet he is completely aware that he refers to things that impact the lives of many, with shattering results for those who suffer the missteps of those in powerful positions. Celina would realize that such knowledge and behaviour does not come from simple training...it must be ground into one's personality, made part of oneself through daily exposure over years, an intimate knowledge of power and politics that becomes almost second nature.

It has been ground into Jerod's.

Celina looks at the three of them. Jerod's matter-of-fact delivery saves me some face, which is a gift not to be ignored or forgotten. Still--whatever Moire wished, whatever danger there is to my person, I sit here a stupid chit. There are so many things I ought to have checked. Questions I could have asked. Should have asked.

Too late now by half.

"So it would seem that I cannot return to Rebma until someone finds answers to a few of these questions." Celina tries to make this sound upbeat. "Moire---" She hands the crumpled paper to Corwin. "--didn't answer them. As his Grace has pointed out, She may not have the means to answer them."

"It is sad about the Tritons, though. I thought their manner and service was a thing of great beauty." She rubs her palms together. "Like a mystic calling or a vow of honor."

Then she realizes it is time to break old habits. She looks at Jerod. "Perhaps you know how it is that their service is so inspired? It may have bearing."

"I've speculated about that too, though I suspect that only Dworkin could properly answer my questions." Jerod says. "If you don't know, Dworkin is the one who created the Pattern, or so the story goes."

Celina digests this quickly. Somehow she thinks this Dwokrin is a man, not a woman.

[Jerod]
"For what I know of the tritons, which is limited, I gather is they were bound to the service of Moins of Rebma as slaves through some means, sorcerous most likely though I suspect that it is more related to the Pattern than anything."

At the word "slaves", Celina is transparently grim.

[Jerod]
"There has been, to my knowledge however, no Queen other than Moins."

This on the heels of what comes before seems to baffle Celina. She holds her questions.

[Jerod]
"Given the nature of reflection, I have wondered whether Rebma was like Amber, in that there was only one Queen ever, and Moins was it. Just as Oberon was the only king of Amber.. If that was the case, I also speculate that the Rebman pattern was drawn just like your father's. The question becomes who drew it."

Jerod looks at Corwin again. "I'm wondering if you know whether your Pattern is like the original one, or if you'd say it's subordinate to it, like Amber's was. If so, that would say a lot. It would also lead me to believe the Queen's Jewel is analogous to Oberon's. I've also been having the same thought running through my head about Patterns. Each one drawn represents a new generation. Dworkin's first. Then I suspect that Amber's was drawn by Oberon, the son. Now your's, a grandson. With Amber's in its current condition, that would fit with the death of Dworkin's son. Where the speculation fails is that Moins is dead and Rebma's still remains. Of course, that could just mean Moins didn't draw it."

Celina looks across at Merlin and Corwin. She holds herself from mouthing 'original one' but the question settles on her. Probably too much to ask that they recount the entirety of this tangled mess.

"If my somewhat dubious speculations are true..." Jerod says, looking back at Celina. "...then I would surmise the tritons were bound to service through the power of Rebma's pattern but to the Queen's service. Moins is dead and now we have a new link to Rebma's Pattern through you. I originally suspected that the Sundering might have caused a breakdown in the binding of the tritons, but now I begin to think it might have been caused much earlier. Moire never had the blood of family. Perhaps the binding might have to shift owners."

Celina tries to be clear. "Excuse me, are you saying that Moins was of the blood of Amber? No, or else Moire would have that blood. Or rather that Moins participated in drawing a Pattern at Dworkin's or Oberon's behest? I'm sorry I'm asking such basic questions, but Moire did not tell me what the Pattern represented at all. You seem to believe it represents the right to rule. And what could the Tritons have done to deserve enslavement? Did Oberon or this Dworkin also enslave the people of Amber?"

Celina almost launches into another question, but stops. She realizes yet again that she is part of the blood of Amber -- and Jerod suggests that she holds some power over the fate of the Tritons.

What if Moire needed to constrain the Tritons because their nature is completely other than what everyone has seen for hundreds of years?

They seem so courageous. Another lovely dream that I must question.

"Assuming that Moire is Moins' daughter, she would have her blood." Jerod says. "This is speculation so everything is up for grabs. Just because Moins was Queen doesn't mean she drew the Pattern. If reflection operates as it was originally taught to me, then Rebma is an opposite of Amber. Somehow thought I suspect very little of what was taught to me is as I originally interpreted it. Just as I suspect that in order to find out the answers, my next destination is Rebma."

"I believe so," says Corwin. "Your speculations are interesting, and I wish I could be more directly helpful, but I don't have all of the answers you need. Some things I know in my bones--that Vere is at no more risk than he would be walking Amber's Pattern, if it were intact, for instance--but others aren't so clear to me. The binding of the Tritons was a little before my time. You'd need to ask Benedict, or maybe Osric's son, to find out more about that."

Jerod sips his drink, noting that the probability of speaking to Benedict or Reid soon is unlikely.

More names that Celina tries to slide into a mental box marked "older and wiser".

He turns his attention back to Celina. "Jerod's speculations about me and Moire, on the other hand, are correct. Moire was wise to hide you. Growing up in the full sight of Moire's court as a half-blood of Amber isn't easy, as Jerod can confirm. Bill's story about the Tritons worries me a great deal. I think you're safer here, but not safe. And I don't know enough of the Rebman delegation to answer Jerod's concerns."

Celina just smoothes over the base insult that a woman would need protections from something 'not easy' that Jerod would manage as a matter of course. She acknowledges to herself that she may be a lynchpin to something that Jerod avoided by chance or arcane alignment.

Merlin, who has been absorbing the entire discussion like a sponge, speaks up. "If I had time to make a Trump sketch of Celina, I could ward her, Father. I have done this before." He adds, to Celina, "Assuming you do not object."

Celina has only a moment to think upon what she's heard about Trump.

"That's a good idea," says Corwin. "But for tonight, it may be easiest if I ensure Alice puts Celina in chambers that connect to Jerod's. He is, after all, a close relative of Moire's, and she comes bearing news. It would be natural for them to keep close chambers, and nobody has to know that there's a door between them. I'll need to speak to Alice to handle that. If you'll all excuse me..."

A second of eye contact with her father, Celina makes it clear she is not going to object to much of anything tonight, but she has to look away from his green gaze after too short a moment.

Barring demurral, Corwin departs.

Merlin turns to Celina. "Do not worry, sister. We will help keep you safe."

"What does this warding involve?" Jerod asks.

"Thank you, Jerod," Celina adds. "And more to the point, Merlin, I seem to have heard something about Trumps making one's inner perception more vulnerable to attack by arcane gifts. Would this ward be some 'check' against that? I sense the meaning of your offer, if not the mechanic and I thank you deeply for your concern. I am not used to thinking of others taking care of me." She hopes the mild understatement doesn't offend the men.

"Your father is being a true parent." Jerod says, realizing his drink is finished and wanting something stronger. A lot stronger. He gets up and heads over to the bar.

"They will do whatever is necessary to protect their children, even when said children have proven they are capable of taking care of themselves in most situations." Jerod comments, looking over the bar contents with a vaguely disapproving look. He knows Corwin has got better. "I think it's an inherent part of being a parent. My dad was the same way. They usually look for one of those thousand to one scenarios to prove that you can't handle anything as a justification for stepping in and making sure you're okay."

Jerod thinks for a moment and then smiles, opening up one, then another cupboard before finding the good stuff. Just like dad, he thinks. Never leave the good stuff out for public viewing. He pours himself a large dose while awaiting Merlin's answer to Celina's query.

"Sometimes to the detriment of their children, I am told," Merlin says. He gives Jerod a long look, as if considering something about the older man.

And Celina takes that moment to really look at Merlin. The planes of stillness that make his face such a different study than his father's. The eyes that are pools never disturbed by any touch.

"That too." Jerod says, looking back to see if anyone wants anything before heading back to his chair. "The old phrase goes...you always hurt the ones you love the most. It has a lot of truth to it."

The perverse shock of this phrase Celina has never heard seems to ice the room for a moment. Celina trembles. She is badly homesick all at once. Her aunties. Her own room. The feeling persists several seconds until it catches fire from the ember of anger still burning in her gut. Lies.

"To your question I can say that there are risks in having your Trump made and others in not having one. Our kinsmen have been attacked, some near-fatally, through Trumps. I have also used a sketch to make a warding that saved the life of one of our kinsmen when he was attacked unawares. The sketch served as a focus for me to know of the danger to him so that I could come to his aid. How the warding would work would depend on the sorcery I used to make it. Are you familiar with the principles of sorcery, Celina?"

"Sorcery?" Celina murmurs in return. She meets Merlin's eyes without shying now. "I might say 'yes,' if the familiar wasn't quite unfamiliar right now. I might say 'no,' if I were in Rebma, wondering what the Queen wanted me to say. I shall say 'yes' to you, brother, because I am suddenly someone else, who does not know what to say.

"I have been told that Sorcery is magic men use and abuse, and that Llaya is the Real Name for magic. When you care about something enough to put yourself in danger for it, you can call Llaya and try to work your will upon the canvas of creation. In this you can find yourself painted into oblivion.

The Seaward girl shrugs. "I imagine it's all a lie. Perhaps power is only power and the universe doesn't care if you care. If you wish to ward me, to give yourself some notice of danger to me, this would suit well, I think." She smiles.

"If there is a concern for your safety such that Moire of Rebma thinks she cannot protect you, I think it wisest," Merlin says gravely. "For the other, I do not know this term Llaya. I was taught that Sorcery was the paradox of violating Orderly principles through Chaotic influences without breaking either. Although your description of painting yourself into oblivion certainly sounds like one outcome of a powerful, failed sorcery."

Certainly Celina cannot argue with this. She nods with acceptance.

His eyes move to Jerod. "Interesting. I did not know that true Sorcery was known at all in Rebma. Perhaps it is not a thing taught to men?"

"Magic of a sort is available to men." Jerod says. "My mother's advisor Lamell is considered quite skilled. Whether it is the Sorcery that you describe is another matter. There is a form of mirror magic that is not taught to males. At least not that I have heard. I would tend to believe this encompasses the Llaya that Celina describes, or is one element of it."

Having rolled Merlin's commentary about in her thoughts and added Jerod's to it, Celina tries to adjust her view of things. "Chaotic. So you mean in the polar sense of Order and Chaos? Does this mean that the sorceror supplies the Paradox with his Will? So balance and paradox run through the practitioner? That would correspond to what I've learned. The terms are interesting...."

Merlin nods to her suggestions about theory.

Then Celina thinks about the other aspects of Chaos. "...if intimidating." She tilts her head and readies for more questions, determined to make the most of both men's experience and mood to share. "What do I have to do for this Trump ward? When do we have to be about it?"

"You do not have to do anything. I think it will be better prepared tomorrow, when I will have a chance to sketch you in better light. For tonight, perhaps Jerod can protect you? Unless there are enemies in your party that might concern you." Merlin looks to Jerod and Celina to confirm his guesses.

"The advantage of outranking Lady Ravenna is that I get to monopolize our guest." Jerod says with a drawl smile. "Should anyone decide to argue, I can merely claim to be getting caught up on the affairs from home. I doubt your father will have left much to chance though and I'd wonder if the delegation was not already under surveillance."

"There should be little risk for the present time."

Her thoughts move to rhythms of a sea so far from here she cannot guess its true distance. Celina adds to Merlin. "I agree with you--as you put it. Moire believes I'm in great danger. This thought is not one that wants to rest in my head. But I'm sure that the King's idea of adjoining rooms will settle the question for tonight." She nods thanks again at Jerod. "The door between our rooms will be unlocked."

Jerod nods in reply but says nothing further.

She shifts a bit, turning back to Merlin. "Better light in the morning...then you make a sketch...capture my image...and we have a connection then. And is this principle also sorcery? And I'd like to know that there is not unneedful danger to you--if you don't mind."

Merlin shrugs. "I do not believe the principles of Trump are sorcerous in nature. My mistress in that teaching was our cousin Paige, the daughter of Bleys. Although she had her own knowledge from one versed in Chaos, I do not think that is how she or her master learned that lesson. I understand that the original teachings come from the Master of the Line."

Celina chews at her lip. Cousin Page. The family was bigger than she realized. It would be rude to ask for an accounting.

[Merlin] continues: "As for danger, there is none in the use of the Trumps under normal circumstances. There are things one could do that might be risky, and a Trump can be used for certain types of psychic contact that are risky, but I have found no risk in the times I have used Trumps in this way in the past." The younger man frowns for a moment, then adds, "But I have never protected anyone whom I suspected would be psychically assaulted, either. Against purely physical assaults, it has had virtue without risk."

Laughing, Celina crosses her arms and hugs her shoulders. "Good. Virtue without risk is an excellent place to start a friendship. Thank you for whatever help you can give me, Merlin. I'll try to be as helpful in turn." She squeezes and releases her grip on her shoulders--then finds herself repeating it in soothing pulses. "Gentles, is there anything else I should know? As the youngest princess, am I required to dress in motley? Does King Corwin have a queen that I ought to meet tomorrow?"

Jerod remains quiet, nursing his drink as he waits to hear Merlin's reply - this being an area more suited for the heir to Paris than a distant cousin.

"My father is not married," says Merlin firmly. "He and my mother are--estranged. He has not advised me of any formal dress requirements, although I have not asked. If things are here as they are in Castle Amber, I expect to find appropriate clothes laid out for me on the morrow."

He softens the sudden severity of his tone by patting his sister's hand again.

Eyes widening at his changeable responses, Celina tilts her head looking deeper into his eyes. There is pain there. Pain and loss he covers with fierceness.

She glances at Jerod. "Or any advice on how to approach Lady Ravenna? I'm not in top form with political issues, you may have noticed."

"Politics usually involves instinct." Jerod says. "I know how I'd approach it, but that's me. I would ask in reply, what do your instincts tell you to do? After that, I'll tell you what I'd do."

This time it is Merlin who remains silent as his cousin offers advice.

My instinct is to run away and pretend this all never happened. Celina takes a deep breath. She closes her eyes for just a tiny moment then begins. "I'll tell her I am shaken by news. That she should take over the delegation because I have just found out that I am King Corwin's daughter and that Moire has been protecting me as a favor to the King. I'll allow her to consult with me, but I won't push my father for trade business. She will have to do the work--which was what was probably going to happen anyhow." Celina thinks a bit. "That's all. This version could cause some useful misdirection. Moire's choices might be greater if it is not immediately apparent that I am her daughter. If this word circulates, it may even take the stress off the business with the Tritons. Who knows?" She looks at Jerod as if to say, 'do you?'

"It might." Jerod muses. "But not for very long. Ravenna's smart enough to figure it out eventually. There are enough loose ends to the tapestry that once she starts pulling on it, it will fray. I can think of two right now that would make her suspicious. Once that happens, she might decide to try using the secret in the negotiations, bargaining for advantage in returning for staying silent. I doubt your father would not be affected by it but it adds a dimension that would be unwelcome."

With a look of remorse, Celina blows out a long sigh.

"My recommendation is that you be disarmingly honest." and he smiles. There is something of the shark in his expression, the enjoyment of the game. It is not directed to her however. "Trust the Lady Ravenna with this information. Let her know that you are shaken by the news, and do not hide it if you are. Let her be the older woman that you feel you should confide in with this, confident that she has your trust and that she will make proper use of the information without it ever crossing your mind that she might seek to use this data in a way that could be detrimental to you. This will give her some stability and feeling of control."

Celina is distracted by how feminine the smile is. How knowing and yet inclusive. Jerod is good at chatter. And he knows women.

"And you can then add in your last breath, no doubt because you had forgotten due to the stress of having to absorb so much in a short while, that the Queen always requires the discretion of her servants in all matters and would be very displeased were this very sensitive and delicate matter to become public too soon. You should add that you of course are certain that the Lady Ravenna understands this and is certain to take immediate steps amongst her subordinate staff to ensure that nothing would happen to tarnish the delicate relationship that the Queen hopes to nurture with King Corwin's kingdom, a relationship that Moire would be very displeased to have damaged."

The Seaward lass narrows her eyes. Not to her taste, that twist.

"And finally, you can add that Prince Jerod has graciously offered to carry any messages that she or her entourage might wish to pen to the Queen or anyone else they might wish to speak to. You feel this is quite appropriate of him and you think that given the circumstances, it's important for Lady Ravenna to have her full entourage available to her at all times and it would be most unwise to detract from her negotiating strengths by sending anyone home at this time."

And his aunt grins. Oh, that could be done even better. Celina had an idea there.

Merlin sits silent and observant of his sister and his cousin as they discuss how to handle the Rebman delegation. He pats Celina's hand on occasion when she becomes agitated, but offers no comment.

Jerod takes a sip of his drink. "Oh, and take your new brother with you when you speak to her. If the Lady Ravenna wonders, you can inform her that your dutiful brother has expressed an interest in learning of Rebma and its many wonders." To Merlin he says, "Go along and learn what you can. Be quiet and placid while you're there. You might be able to make her believe you are just a male. If that happens she'll ignore you. It's not likely to happen but you never know. Rebma is certain to be in your future for some time to come and it would be wise to learn what you can. And having you there may put Ravenna off balance a little and make it easier for Celina to operate. Don't be surprised either is someone offers to marry you."

Little starfish. She looked quickly to Merlin. That wasn't the most sensitive thing to say.

Merlin scowls slightly at Jerod, seeming more impatient than angry.

[Celina] didn't think the delegates would be that mercenary on this trip. Perhaps I'm being entirely too naive. Or is that the definition of 'Celina' in this play? Pah! She frowned.

"Don't fret about it, Merlin. If someone is that crass, I'll split them and we'll have raw diplomat for lunch." Celina nods with some energy.

[Arref/ooc: And of course, no one tells the girl about Chaosi and all their complications! Thanks fellas! Celina has put her foot in her mouth again. Everyone take a drink!]

Celina might detect that Jerod was not being unknowing about his comments to Merlin. It would appear he said what he did for a very deliberate reason. He's not being nasty towards Merlin but there is a sense that he is not prepared to treat him with kid gloves on certain topics. Perhaps Jerod thinks it is better to learn the hard way than to be protected. Maybe he thinks Merlin can handle it.

"I am pleased to hear that Rebmans consider an offer of marriage on first meeting crass. I have no intention of accepting any such offers. Fortunately I am sheltered by the fact that a marriage would require my father's approval, no? And the Rebman alliance is secured in my sister's person, no?" There's a bit of an edge in Merlin's voice that suggests some particular byplay to Celina.

Sheltered? Celina watches Merlin and waits to hear Jerod's response. And he thinks I can steer the Rebman delegation. Well, I suppose I could bruise a few of them and they'd not balk me to my face. Subtle doesn't seem to work for me. Maybe madness would.

"Never assume that." Jerod says to Merlin. "A smart ruler always keeps their options open. The more alliances the better. And even if an alliance with Rebma is secured through your sister, it is unwise to assume that others within the kingdom might not consider landing the King's son as a good prize. I would naturally assume that you would not accept such a proposal. I would decline as well. That's not my point. My point is that it may be offered. Repeatedly. Next time you talk to Martin, ask him how many times he's been hit up for marriage since his father was made king in Amber. I would not be at all surprised if my sister Valeria didn't ask him."

A tickle of amusement caresses Celina's spine now. Jerod is dry. Very.

Merlin fixes Jerod with a very cold gaze.

Jerod sits back, a distant look on his face, old memories surfacing, as he continues. "It's an uncomfortable pain-in-the-ass situation to deal with. One that can require some skill in dealing with. Especially if the other person is extremely insistent on their offer and too dumb to recognize polite diplomacy when they are hit over the head with it. Celina can help with some information on how Remba works."

"Or the hit over the head," Celina notes.

Merlin flashes his sister a grateful look.

"Martin told me enough about Chaos for me to know you might not like what I'm saying. But he also told me you're smart enough to recognize the value of what I'm saying. If you weren't, I wouldn't bother saying it."

Chaos? Celina looks at Merlin. Martin is a friend of Merlin? Oh. There are more ties here. I'll never be able to remember half of this.

Thinking about the word, Celina remembers Merlin using it in an arcane reference. She worries at that thought a bit. Can't make it fit into Jerod's sentence at all. Merlin and Chaos have some meaning other than sorcerous principles.

She waits to hear Merlin's response to this. Jerod makes a point. Bluntly. Jerod and I may have a lot in common. But only now because he chooses to be blunt. Yet, it feels like the real man beneath the placid one.

Merlin's expression hardens. "Martin did not neglect my training in these matters. Lest you forget, I was raised and tutored for the position which he holds now and which you once held, son of Eric. I had hoped to escape it with the news that my father had declined the throne of Amber, but it seems that will not be the case."

That sounds interesting. Celina watches Merlin. But why is he so worried about being Corwin's heir?

He continues, "That Rebman women are--aggressive--not unlike certain of their men, I have also heard. I have many tactics for brushing aside inappropriate offers should I need them. Perhaps we will tell them of my mother, and that will discourage them, no? Or I will let them see me in two forms, as the Aisling did in Amber, and then no woman will have me. But do not worry that I will foolishly let myself be enticed into a marriage with some woman of Rebma, or that my lack of interest in such a proposal will let it be deemed accepted through inaction. I am not such an idiot as to permit it, and even were I, I doubt a Rebman bride would find me to her taste." He sits back and starts to fold his arms across his chest, but stops suddenly and turns to Celina, looking vaguely stricken.

Sensing not yet what is amiss, Celina just meets his gaze squarely.

"I am sorry, sister. I have spoken out of turn, and let my distaste at the prospect of an unwanted marriage make me forget myself. Please forgive the harshness of my words."

Jerod chuckles once Merlin is done. "Well, there's some fire in you after all. I was beginning to wonder. Now at least we've that bit of unpleasantness out of the way." and he waits for Celina's response.

Merlin merely looks annoyed at Jerod now.

Celina makes no pretense. She gestures curtly with a hand. "Little starfish. You've said just the right thing. No woman will trip you. You will scare them if you have to--even pretend something horrid. Fine. I might do the same if--"

With a start, Celina realizes just then that she might have to do the same. If she is heir to two kingdoms--.

Blood in water.

Swallowing, she goes on. "No. I'm not offended, Merlin. I've probably thought worse things about some of the women of Rebma than you have ever said." She looks at Jerod, then back to Merlin. "Let's not confuse the Seaward girl any more than she is already. Try this: I will be your shield in Rebma, even here from the delegation. You can return the favor in Paris or Amber, if it comes to that." Celina makes a fist. "I will not be married until I'm at least twice this age. No one will make a trophy of me." She thumps the arm of her chair. "Blood or no blood."

She smiles at Merlin. "How's that for distaste?"

Merlin chuckles slightly. "I will not disdain your offer, although I would have acted as your protector in Paris and Amber without the exchange. It is my duty to you and to my father. But I do not think you understand my concerns. Prince Jerod," he says, with a sudden edge back to his voice, "would you care to explain to my sister what has been explained to you?"

He adds, suddenly silky, "If only so I can correct any errors in your understanding."

Jerod smiles, enjoying this. "Ah, the benefits of understanding. It is a gift of friendship."

"I believe, what your brother is saying, and I'm sure he'll add anything pertinent he believes that I've missed, if only to prove his point..." Jerod says to Celina. "...is that he is well aware of the risks and politics behind marriages and the power that works behind the scenes to arrange it. Merlin was raised to sit upon the throne of Amber...after Chaos had conquered it. Just as I was raised by my parents to sit upon Amber's throne one day should my father have been successful in his ambitions. But I was lucky enough, if you call it luck, to be able to escape my fate. My father's death and the new king in Amber saw to that. Merlin, however, has not been so lucky. The forces behind him are still there and still interested in him. That means he will be a target, and so will anyone with him.

"Since he does not appear to want the path laid out for him and has tried to escape from it, I'm assuming he would also protect any Family who find themselves in the situation he is, or perhaps was, to be found in. You are in position to rule several kingdoms, depending on perspective. Rebma, Paris, even Amber if someone decided to push the right by conquest theory enough for your father. That makes you a target as well."

"Chaos. Raised to hold the throne." Celina looks at Merlin and tries to re-arrange her assumptions quickly. She hesitates and lowers her voice. "Just so you both understand I've now got several interpretations of what you've implied in my head trying to rip each other to shreds. I'll assume you aren't deliberately trying to be obscure. The situation is complex. Family conversation must normally consist of dropping vital slivers of news into a mass of everyone-knows-this."

The Seaward girl ticks off points by tapping the back of one hand. "Merlin, son of Corwin. Corwin tried to take throne of Amber. Random gets throne. Corwin still wants throne? Corwin was working with Chaos against Oberon? With Brand? My father is allied with Chaos? But somehow Chaos is now thrown down and still wants Merlin. And they'll just throw in taking me for good measure?"

"Corwin and my father Eric fought for control of Amber after their father Oberon disappeared. Call it their personal grudge. With Corwin having created his own Pattern I doubt he'd ever be interested in Amber again." Jerod says. "Their battle occurred against the backdrop of a plot by three of Oberon's children including Brand to overthrow him, which was why he was missing. Those children had a connection to Chaos, an actual place. Corwin did not deliberately aid Chaos in their endeavours. Why Merlin's mother Dara of Chaos chose Corwin to produce a child is unknown to me but I'm sure someone else can answer that question. Random got the throne of Amber after the battle to defeat Chaos. The circumstances of how he obtained it are interesting."

She does appear to be getting a mite perturbed. Celina checks herself. "All right. Rebma is my danger." She quietly asks Merlin. "What or who is yours?"

Merlin says quietly, "My mother. She bore me to Corwin as a, how do you say?, backup plan for when Brand betrayed her and her father, who were his allies in his plot against Oberon. I am descended from the two who were leading candidates to inherit the throne of Amber from Oberon at the time of my birth: my father and Prince Benedict, who is my mother's ancestor. I suspect that Oberon arranged for me to happen as part of his own doublecross of my other grandfather, Borel. The situation is--very complex, let us say."

Celina's eyes widen for just a moment; then she steadies.

He continues, rather emotionlessly, "At the last battle, my grandfather Borel confronted my father and my father killed him. My mother will not forgive easily for this, nor will she forgive me for coming with him to Amber and Paris, nor other things that I have done to cross her intentions."

Jerod says nothing, instead looking over at Celina. She gets the impression that this is why Jerod has been confrontational recently. With things so convoluted, he does not want to "pussy foot" around issues, because things are still not good. Facing the truth or difficult situations does not seem to phase him much. If it does, he keeps it well hidden.

Celina sees Jerod's glance. Spines! How old might Jerod be? How many shadows has he walked? Certainly he must be at least forty or fifty, though his eyes do not tell me this. His quiet does. He speaks in silence and expects me to make notes. How like Moire.

She could guess he's around that age, unless she has more detailed information from his family in Rebma (he's 40).

Swallowing lightly, Celina offers, "So it would please your Mother to take you back, even if to punish you. Or it might please her to kill you or I and rob Father of something precious to his blood. And if the whole thing put the different kingdoms in a snit--so much the better."

Merlin nods, once. The gesture reminds Jerod of Martin.

"I see the shape of things a bit." Celina pauses. Silence settles for more than a moment. She finds herself looking into the pools of Merlin's eyes again.

There is a reason those waters are still and untouched. I've been lucky apparently. Perhaps I must thank Moire when next we meet instead of wringing her neck.

Pulling her eyes away, Celina licks her lips. "Well, gentles..." She smoothes her dress. "Shall I say my morning will be busy and ask if there is anything else before I retire?"

She looks at Jerod first.

Then Merlin.

Jerod finishes his drink as he stands up, depositing the glass on a side table. "It will certainly be interesting." he says. "Let us hope a celebration will be in order for Vere."

Merlin says, rather forcefully, "I am certain there will be. But yes, unless you have other questions, I believe I am ready to declare the evening ended."