After his conversations with Harsh and Tricksey and with Folly and Jerod, Vere will have a longer meeting with his parents. He isn't planning anything major here, just social time. He'll catch them up on everything he's been doing, his plans for the immediate future (contact Julian about how to best assist Robin in her task), and ask after how they have been and any concerns they may have.
Corvis' main concerns are Gerard's health and the magics left behind by the Queen of Air and Darkness/Maeve, who was a powerful enough sorceress and Pattern-mistress to defeat and hold Fiona. Which, Vere gets the feeling, was something Corvis would have considered impossible had she not seen it.
Without being pushy Vere seeks information on their opinions of Hannah's assistance with Gerard's possible recuperations. He'll listen to his mother's concerns about the Queen of Air and Darkness, looking for evidence that his mother really does identify her as the Dark Mother.
Corvis is all in favor of anything Hannah can do for Gerard and is supporting Hannah in any way she can, including working against Vialle under the influence of the Queen of Air and Darkness. She absolutely thinks the Queen of Air and Darkness is related to the Dark Mother, if not the Dark Mother herself.
Politically, with his consort out of the way, Corvis expects Random to either take another wife or sire another heir, or both, which is how she understands that Oberon did things.
Vere is noncommittal on this.
She's also interested in what Avis and Vianis have been up to and how they're settling near Paris. It's clear to Vere that she's still mourning the Isles.
Vere will be happy to tell his mother everything he knows about what is happening with with their people back in Paris.
Gerard's main concerns are Corvis' health in the absence of the Isles and the ship of state of Xanadu remaining on course after the business with Vialle's possession.
Vere will try to get his father away from his mother at one point to ask how his she is really doing.
Gerard feels she's fading and that the vital connection between her and the Isles is dragging her down. In time they'll either have to do something to restore the Isles or something equivalent or they're going to lose her.
Gerard's not a redhead but he wonders if there's not some parallel between what's happening with her and what's happening to Brennan and Ambrose's mother. Perhaps Vere could talk to one of the redheads about that.
Also he has a story to tell about Hannah and Solange and Robin deciding to adopt Captain Penthelisea as a sister because she seems enough like their mother and someone ought to adopt her. Gerard's obviously got a soft spot for the girl, which undoubtedly comes as no surprise to Vere.
Vere will laugh at that, and mention that Robin and Brita have already adopted First to the Fray as a sister as well. He'll use that as a segue into talking about Harsh, and expressing his liking for his new brother.
Gerard is pleased to hear it. He likes Harsh too, though he understands why Harsh has some reservations and problems. Gerard may have to ask Vere to stand as his proxy in bringing
Gerard thinks things are getting worse, not better, in Arden, and that Robin and Vere are needed there, together or apart. Gerard would like to see actual military forces put under Julian's command though he's aware that Navy men wouldn't do well there. It would take forces like the rangers in Broceliande to really help. Or preferably folk with their own magics.
Vere lets him know that he is planning on contacting Julian about getting assistance for Robin, and will be leaving to join and assist her in the immediate future.
This is good news, and pleases Gerard.
Privately, on this subject, Gerard will admit he doesn't want Avis' people involved because he thinks that the right side of the conflict between Julian and the goddesses of Arden might not be as clear to the people of the Isles, and particularly he thinks Vianis might be tempted by an offer of power. It would be different if he were there to command them personally, but that's not possible.
Vere considers this, and reluctantly agrees with his father.
Then Vere will check in with Castor to see how things are with him, and any reports he has on the affairs of Robin and Vere he has been managing.
Vere's affairs are, as always, limited by the fact that he can take no offices, so they're simple enough. Vere has some correspondence that requires a personal touch, but no more than a day or two worth.
Has any further work been done on the land grant from the king? Vere is aware than no real work can be done until he and Robin are there to oversee it, but at least a survey of the area should be undertaken.
Not at this point but Castor will put that in process with the King's officers.
Castor has compiled a dossier about Pen and Pontus for Vere's review. He's aware that Gerard and the sisters have decided to take her in, and so Vere will be interested in her. There's not a lot to know, yet, but what there is to find out, he can tell Vere.
Vere thanks him, and will study the information before contacting Julian.
Robin's business has been dealt with relatively recently so there's not a lot to take care of there.
Finally, Vere will send a note to the King that he will be departing soon, and that if the king has any final orders or desires he should let Vere know.
Once Vere has settled his affairs to the extent possible he dresses for travel and possible conflict and attends upon his father, to contact Julian and depart Xanadu. Since he will hopefully be going through the Trump contact (always dependent on what Julian decides, of course), he asks his Gerard to contact Julian so that Vere can be handed through and Gerard can retain the Trump.
Gerard opens the contact, which from the exchange of greetings sounds clearly pre-arranged. Vere suspects his father has had a lot to discuss with Julian and he may not have wanted Vere to hear all of it. Gerard invites Vere into the contact.
Julian is in his war tent. "Vere," he says, "you are welcome to join me. I am told there are no troops at this time, but I still hope Random will send some forward when he can." He reaches for Vere's hand.
Vere accepts Julian's hand and steps through. "Farewell, Father," he says as he transitions to Arden.
Once through Vere glances briefly around the tent, taking note of any maps or correspondance within view, and any signs of preparations for battle. He then turns his attention to his uncle and gives a small bow. "Well met, Uncle," he says.
This is Julian's war tent, which has a public area that serves as his office, with a mannequin for his armor, which is presently on his person, camp chairs, a table among the chairs, a desk, and a fireplace, among other furnishings in this part of the tent. The floor is made up of rugs.
On the desk is a map that Julian has been working with. Based on the troop movements, Vere can tell that the Rangers have had to fall back. All this he takes in with a glance, which is helped by the fact that he and the other members of the Regency Council became intimately familiar with the maps of Arden and Garnath.
Julian says, "Well met, nephew, and welcome to our war. You know that Robin is in Pontus, with her new sister Penthelisea?" It's only sort of a question.
"I do, Uncle. We have spoken, and she has told me of her plans. She has expressed a desire to have someone capable of using the Pattern to lend her strength in her efforts to repel the Green, and I thought to offer my services." He tilts his head slightly, pausing to give Julian a chance to respond to this before continuing.
"You are welcome. More than. We need the strength of the Pattern behind us to hold off the encroachments of the Green. It's moving toward Amber and in due time, a decade or two, will be at the foot of the mountain." Because he is Julian and does not despair, he says this calmly. "If Amber were what she once was, it would be different. Not only because we'd have more backing from the Crown, but because the land itself would resist what the Dragon is doing. But she is more Real than Amber is, now, and so our failure is, if not inevitable, highly likely. But still we must try. At least for long enough to ensure the people of the city leave, even the ones who chose not to evacuate to Xanadu."
Vere sighs. "It would be sad to lose Amber. She might no longer be what she was, but she is part of our family's history." He muses silently on loss and fighting against great odds for a moment, then continues. "I spoke with Robin recently about her plans. She expects to spend a few more days in Pontus before returning here with a small Pontan force." He nods his head slightly. "She might already have contacted you regarding this?"
Julian smiles, if a bit grimly, at the news that Pontus is sending warriors to assist. "Not yet," he answers Vere's question, "but I did tell her I trusted her. And she knows what my goals are."
Vere nods. "Here then, is what she told me. She and Penthelisea were attacked by the forces of a goddess of Arcadia on their travel to Pontus. The goddess did not remain, and Robin defeated her foes and protected that area of Shadow against the Green. In Pontus she discovered that there are at least two active firelily trails leading into it. The Queen of Pontus has assigned sixty mounted warriors and a small number of named warriors to aid Arden. They will be returning with Robin in the next few days, depending on how long it takes for the Amazons to mobilize. Robin is working on developing a firelily eating moth."
Vere tilts his head to one side, then continues. "King Random expressed confidence in Robin's plans for a moth, but in that way of his that makes one wonder how serious he is being. He also approved my coming here to aid you, and asked that you let him know what assistance you require. He rattled off a variety of possible forces, although again one does not know where he was being serious and where it was a jest known only to himself."
Julian nods as if none of this is unexpected. "Regardless of how his majesty meant his offer, we will take him up on it. I will let him know what I need. More specifically, Vista will compose a list of our needs, both in terms of personnel and supplies. If it's not urgent, you may chose to lead a patrol back to Xanadu by horse, but if Vista has critical needs, you may need to use the family gifts."
"I am at your service," Vere replies. "While Vista prepares his list, is there anything of immediate importance you wish me to perform?"
"Yes. I have heard much of recent events from my brother, but I would also hear what news you have learned. An additional perspective is always useful," Julian says.
Vere considers Julian one of the few people who would appreciate a really thorough report, so he's going to give at least a brief description of everything of import that has happened since the last family meeting that Julian attended. Vere glosses over the gathering of Youngers with, "Several of us discussed things at this point."
Vere mentioned new members during the dry recitation of facts, with a "I shall return to a discussion of new members of the Family later," so as not to derail the narrative of events. After that is concluded, he turns his attention to personalities.
"Of all new members of the Family who have been discovered, no doubt the most significant is one whom I have not met, and who may not be a stranger to you. That is Abel, the son of Caine, who we have discovered to be working with the Klebesians. Possibly even one of their founders. The question of the depth of his involvement, and whether Chew was conducting his crimes against the Family without Abel's knowledge, remains unclear."
Vere pauses, to see if Julian has any questions or comments about Abel, before he turns to the younger generation.
"I'm familiar with the broader story of Abel, though I haven't met the man myself. I had halfway expected Caine to recruit him for the battle at Chaos, and then it seemed he could not, and then it turned out Caine had chosen a different nephew as an ally," Julian says. "What do you know about the circumstances of the discovery? Are we aware of any direct involvement with Huon?"
"I have not met Able myself," Vere cautions, "So what I say is based on second and third hand reports. My understanding is that he disavows the actions of Doctor Chew, and withdrew his protection from him." He smiles grimly. "Not that such protection would have deterred Jerod and myself when we had the opportunity to capture him. I assume, although I do not know for certain, that Able's exact degree of involvement will be among the information extracted from Chew before Random passes judgement upon him."
Julian nods. Chew is not his concern; Vere can tell this from Julian's disinterest in the man's final fate. "If there were any way to pry him away from the Klybesians, I'd take Able. I could use a man with his skills. I'd take Huon at this point if Random could send him to me. What we need, even more than Rangers or armed soldiers, is Pattern-wielding kinsmen who can hold off the Green. Once you've dealt with the Green a few times, you'll understand."
Vere mirrors Julian's nod. "I have received the impression that immortality tends to increase our family's receptivity to offer opportunities for redemption to members of the family." He smiles thinly. "In Huon's case, it might take Robin a while to accept that."
"Robin is young yet, and still navigating matters of her head and her heart. I trust she will not err in ways that give Huon an advantage at court. He should be earning his way into our good graces slowly and with dificulty."
He looks at the forest beyond the pavilion. "Not that I object to thinking of particularly troublesome family members whilst fighting the enemies of Arden. Imagination is a powerful tool that can add a powerful incentive to defeat our foes."
Vere answers that with another small smile. "Indeed." He tilts his head to one side. "Moving on to the newly discovered members of the younger generation. I am aware of eight new members. Some you may already have heard of, such as Pen, with whom Robin travels, Others I think will be new. Aside from the Amazon, their names are Cordelia, Rowen, Misao, Tricksey, Alex, Delta and Harsh."
Vere pauses for a moment, to see if Julian has any other comment, before he goes into detail on the new Family members.
"Harsh I have spoken with your father about, though I would be interested in your view, since I'm sure you've made your own study of him." Julian graces Vere with a slight smile. "I've heard other names, but nothing significant, such as where they fit in the family puzzle."
Vere nods. "I shall return to Harsh, with whom I have spoken and of whom I approve, based on what I have seen so far. As to the others, here is what I know of their backgrounds.
"Cordelia is the daughter of Jerod, previously unknown by him. She is of the vampyr, and whether she is alive or not is, I believe, an interesting question. She was besieged by the Klebesians when discovered, and is a formidable fighter. I find her interesting and soothing. She reminds me of the ocean, outwardly calm and serene, but with unseen depths and a capacity for sudden overwhelming violence.
"Rowan was traveling with Martin, and joined us in capturing Chew. She is Weirmonken, and I have heard that she is likely the full sister of Cambina. An excellent fighter. Young, but already skilled.
"Delta and Alex were both rescued from the care of Doctor Chew. They has been kidnapped from their respective shadows, and knew nothing of their heritage. Delta is of Rebman extraction, but as far as I know we do not yet know exactly how she fits into the family. Alex is notable for his strength, but is also currently of unknown parentage.
"Misao and Tricksey were discovered separately, and have never met, but are halfsisters. They are the daughters of Kimiko-dono of Hikariguni. Misao is her daughter by Lucas, Tricksey by Daeon." Vere deliberately left this for last, and pauses before enlarging on these two to see if Julian has any comment.
Julian sighs. "Let us speak, then, of my new grand-daughter. What do you make of her?"
"I like her," Vere replies with a small smile. "You might find her... volatile." He tilts his head to one side, considering. "She calls herself a crow girl, and she has many corvid traits. Her conversation flits from topic to topic, as does her attention. Although I have the impression she can concentrate intensely when it is called for. She has a strong sense of justice and a desire to protect the weak from those who would prey upon them." Another small smile. "She uses the term 'foxes' to describe such predatory behaviour, and she is not inclined to be forgiving."
He thinks for a moment. "She has expressed interest in meeting her siblings..." Vere snaps his fingers, a momentary trace of annoyance crossing his face. "Ah, I realize I have misspoken once again. I referred to Misao as the daughter of Kimiko, and that is wrong. It comes from my upbringing, and my natural default to the feminine pronoun. Misao is a shapeshifter and is more properly referred to as they rather than she. I also failed to mention the discovery that Benedict's daughter Lilly is also the daughter of Kimiko."
"Ah, of course." Julian nods as if this provides a piece to a puzzle he already had most of. "I am, of course, ready to meet my granddaughter at her earliest convience. It would be better if she took the Pattern first, because I cannot leave Arden just now. And I'd rather not take the risk of bringing her here without the protection of the Pattern, not after what happened to her paternal siblings."
Vere tilts his head slightly to one side. "I do not believe I have sufficient context to completely understand that comment."
"Daeon had, unsurprisingly, many children. I would say he was not always careful in the spreading of his seed, but that would be untrue; Daeon spread it widely and with delight, siring many sons and daughters. Those whom I knew of, or learned about, in Garnath and Arden were offered the chance to become rangers."
Julian spreads his hands, palms up, as if to say 'just as you might expect'.
"We learned in the attack on Amber that led to Daeon's death that they were susceptible to the Green's influence, so for their own safety, they were reassigned to Xanadu, under the protection of that Pattern."
Vere nods. "Tricksey should be warned that she may have a susceptibility to the Green." He considers for a moment. "You think that walking the Pattern will serve to lessen that danger?"
"Functionally, one resists the Green in the same way that one resists Chaos. I suspect that Daeon might have survived his encounter with the Dragon had he taken the Pattern. With the full power of such a being focused on him, he might still have died, but he would have stood more of a chance. No protection is perfect, but the Pattern imposes reality and order, and the Green is a form of corruption. The personal reality and substance that Pattern initiates such as you and Robin and I all have is a strong defense, the only defense, against the Green."
Julian adds, "Random and I have discussed Daeon's other children. He does not consider any of them suited to walk the Pattern. I don't know why but I trust his judgement. Dad made the same kind of arbitrary decisions about who should and shouldn't walk and was proven right more than once."
"Huon's brother," Vere says quietly.
"Among others," Julian agrees. "So if the King says she is capable of taking the Pattern, I accept that, and will defer meeting her until she can join me with as much safety as she can.
"Tell me of the others."
"Misao, as I have said, is the half-sibling of Tricksey. Daughter of Lucas. Despite being a shape shifter they are very ordered in their manner, and I have the impression their upbringing was one that emphasized duty and propriety. We spent a pleasant day touring Paris together, and I formed a very positive impression of them. They will need to work out their loyalties to their mother and the land of their birth against those to the Family, but that is no different to most of the younger generation."
Vere smiles. "That brings us back to my newly found brother, Harsh. He also is a creature of duty and propriety. He was an officer in the navy of his homeworld, and was discovered by Martin after having been swept through some form of apparently naturally occuring Shadow portal. Discovering his heritage was a shock to him, but one that I believe he is dealing with very well."
Julian nods. "One for the Navy, most likely, then, and, without knowing Misao, I cannot predict how they will serve. I know both of their parents primarily by reputation, and children can be very different to who their parents actually are, never mind their cultivated personas.
"I had hoped there might be a ranger in the making among them, but we will continue to even so."
"Rowan's the most likely Ranger candidate," Vere responds. "Depending on your thoughts on the weir."
"I've worked with them before," Julian says, "when Eric was king. He didn't want them mixed in with my Rangers, but obviously now matters are different. And in any case, the King's nieces and nephews are all welcome here, particularly once they've mastered the Orderly gifts that will make them helpful in stabilizing Arden. This force is what stands between the Green and Amber in the absence of her Pattern."
Vere sighs. "I fear for the future of Amber," he confesses. "I did not know her in her glory. I had only a single night to feel what she was before the Sundering and the destruction of her Pattern. But still, I see her fading as a sad thing."
"I do not know how to undo what was done to the Pattern in Amber, but I think it unwise to allow the Green, or any other form of Chaos, to wash over it. I feel that it must be defended," Julian says. "And that without considering that my son gave his life to defend his family when they should have been under its protection."
Vere nods. "I have various duties and oaths," he says. "Which may call me away. But what aid I can offer in the defense of Arden and Amber, you may call upon."
"I will hold you to that," Julian says seriously, "saving your oaths, and particularly that one regarding your father."
Vere nods in agreement, but does not say anything.
After his conversation with Julian Vere moves around the Rangers encampment, renewing acquaintances with those Rangers he already knows and meeting those he does not yet know. He is not pressing for any specific information as of yet, merely getting a feel for how the Rangers view the current situation and their morale and level of preparation for further conflict.
Vere doesn't see a lot of the Rangers he remembers from his time on the Regency Council, mostly because they were either new to the job or weren't fit for the kind of combat the Rangers are currently engaged in (or they would have been with Julian in Chaos in the first place). He's acquainted with a number of Julian's people, who are all eager to meet him if only because of his connection with Robin.
The mood here is cheerfully grim. They're aware they're making something of a last stand. Vere's presence heartens them, though; they're aware that his royal gifts will be standing between them and the Green, just like Robin's. And they're hopeful that Robin's presence will also keep them safe when she returns from her current duty. Preferably with troops from Pontus.
After that he will venture a bit further afield, not so far that he runs any danger of encountering the Green, but far enough that he is not among other humans. He wants to open himself to the Pattern to get a feel for what is going on spiritually in Arden.
To get away from the Ranger camp far enough to get out from under whatever protection Julian has made for it is going to involve risk to Vere. How is Vere going to determine how far to go? What risk is he willing to accept?
He'll begin by speaking to the Rangers about the relative safety of the area around the camp, and where they feel safe and where they start to feel that things are becoming dangerous. They're the experienced people here, and Vere will take advantage of their knowledge.
They don't talk about it in terms of warding and magic, and certainly not of Pattern, but it's clear they think of Julian's presence as somewhat talismanic. Where he is, and to a certain extent where Morgenstern is, the Green has more difficulty manifesting. Julian has prepared the camp and made it safe for them; you have to start being wary outside the camp, and the further you get the moreso you have to be wary.
Vere is being cautious and he'll start out by trying to get a feel using the Pattern while still in the safety of the camp. He's experimenting and extending his knowledge of how to use the Pattern here, and he is not going to rush things. Proper research methods call for slow and steady increases in knowledge, and that is what he is intending to do.
Over the years since the Regency, given the time he's spent travelling in Shadow, shoring up paths, and travelling in Chaos, Vere has learned quite a bit about the Pattern and how to use it. His theoretical knowledge is unfortunately limited compared to his practical use.
Julian is a master of Pattern. He's warded this campsite somehow, strengthened it, and Vere's not quite sure what he did or how he did it. Some of it is his presence and Morgenstern's, definitely. But some of it is a work someone--Julian--did to make this place more substantial and Real in a way that would put off Chaos and the Green. Vere is able to recognize this after his own time in Chaos.
Vere intuits it would be a bad idea to look with his Third Eye. It wouldn't be blinding but it might be like a poke in the eye, and who wants that?
When Vere explores the edges of the campsite, it's clear that the protection has a hard limit. The Rangers know where it is and keep inside, including their mounts, their hounds, and their birds. Outside the campsite, Vere can see brighter colors, especially greens, different creatures, and other signs of something that's different from Arden as he knew it. It's not like the Black Road but it has something of that vibe to Vere.
Assuming some success in using the Pattern in this way in a safe area, he will then begin moving further away. Not far, each test case will be just a bit further away from camp than the last one. He's looking for the first faint indications of a change in the way things feel. Once that happens he will re-evaluate how to proceed.
It's potentially dangerous once Vere steps outside of the camp, though his Pattern gifts and skills protect Vere. He could learn more by riding with Rangers on patrol, and also protect them.
Vere nods to himself once he comes to this realization. He had been thinking that the protection would fade gradually away from the center of whatever Julian had done, but the realization that it is a specified area rather than a gradient leads to a reevaluation of tactics. Riding with a patrol is clearly the best thing to do at this point, and he will offer his services to the next patrol planning to go out.
He will familiarize himself with the Rangers on the patrol, their mission objectives, and their plans and procedures beforehand.
Ranger command structures are traditionally loose. No one is ordered to patrol, but someone has asked for a particular report that means a patrol has to go out, so one self-organizes. It's easy to be added to the roster.
The next patrol is led by Sherrill, a Ranger medic. They're tasked to gather healing herbs and evaluate if the green is infecting them. Rangers Cranny and Ribbon are assigned, and Ribbon is also keeping an eye on certain bridges and fords to see how safe the approaches are and if the enemy is using them.
The patrol should be about 3 days, and plans to leave within a few hours.
Vere lets Julian know he will be joining the patrol. Assuming that they will be riding, he looks over the available horses for a spirited mount.
Julian approves.
The horses are all kept in a corral, and generally away from Morgenstern. Vere finds a spirited dappled mare named Lightning, probably due to the blaze on her nose. She's not the biggest, but she may be the fastest that isn't someone's personal horse. The stablehand thinks she's one of the smartest horses they have.
Sherrill is happy for the extra eyes, and reevaluates what the patrol can accomplish with four rangers instead of three, especially when one of them is Vere. She asks if he'll be staying with the patrol the entire way. She makes sure the patrol has enough food and water and that Vere is carrying his share in case he gets separated.
She offers Vere the opportunity to ride point, if he wants to. She'll give him rough directions (in Ranger-speak) for where they're trying to get by nightfall.
The way out of the camp is reasonably well-travelled, at the start, and the forest is neither dark nor dense enough to impede a party of trained Rangers on Ranger-tranied horses. If it weren't for the foreboding necessity to check for encroaching Green, or the spread of Firelillies, it would almost be a pleasant winter's ride.
Vere confirms that, barring an unforeseen extreme change in the situation, his intention is to remain with them for the entire duration of the patrol. He's happy to take point, and while remaining vigilant the chance to once again be on horseback in a forest is a welcome change from his recent past.
Vere is mindful of the patrol's intention, but is also opening his Pattern sense to get a "feel" for what is happening out here. He's especially looking for how the Green manifests to his senses while focussing on the Pattern. One of his ideas is that once he finds the first clear signs of an infestation of the Green he will attempt to weaken and possibly destroy it by using the Pattern.
After a few hours of riding with the patrol while using his Pattern senses, which is tiring but not overly so (just kind of a special awareness that requires additional attention), Vere concludes that the approach of the Green in this place reminds him a lot of the near reaches of Chaos. Without the firm border of Ygg, the entire length of where Order and Chaos meet would be exactly this kind of little war between the two principles, in this case represented by the Green and by Julian's wardings, and also by Vere's person.
It's not as if the Green feels conscious, but it's like he's antithetical to the stuff and unless there's a lot of it, it retreats from his presence. He'll need to find more of it in one spot than he finds in the first few hours to have enough to try what he's planning: to weaken and destroy it.
Vere takes this all in, adding it to his understanding of the Green and its relation with the Pattern. Right now he is not interested in being foolishly experimental and pushing past the boundaries of the experiment being undertaken, and has no plans to either deliberately lead his group into danger or leave them and set out on his own. He will continue following the mission objectives, staying alert and on guard for any changes.
What's the general level of conversation of the Rangers while on this mission? Are they totally silent due to the potential danger, watchful but conversational with each other, engaging in general talk and playful banter, or something else entirely?
The Rangers are not exactly grim, especially not with Vere around. Vere's sense is that his offer to join the patrol was considered a blessing by Sherrill and the rest of the Rangers, and that other patrols forming at the same time or for a near-term run considered Sherrill's group very lucky to get Vere.
That said, there's definitely some gallows humor in their approach to things. They're aware of the risks and that eventually they'll probably get killed (or worse) by the Green, but that's their overall assessment of the situation. For this trip, though, it's "not today, Green!"
Vere is treated officially as just another Ranger, but they defer to him on matters of sensing the Green. They clearly understand he's better at it because of who and what he is. Other than that, they just treat him like a senior, but not that familiar, Ranger.
Vere fits into that role with ease, clearly acknowledging their greater familiarity with the threat and tending to offer suggestions, rather than orders. He keeps them informed of what he's sensing, although not going into any details. There is more than a little sense of familiarity to riding in a Green-touched forest with fellow warriors, reminding him of his time leading the Brotherhood of the Stag in the Chaos-beast infested forests of the Eastern Continent back home.
The ride starts out reasonably smoothly; the green is not present in the verges of the great wood that are patrolled.
"When we need to spot the Green particularly, we patrol at night. The Firelillies are easy to spot then. But it's also easy to get ambushed if we go too far," reports Sherrill.
The path to the first night's campsite is easy to reach, even with the early winter sunset. Arden is neither in Amber nor Xanadu, so it is neither dominated by Amber's harsh winters nor Xanadu's lack thereof. Still, it's dark before they get to eat, a meal comprised of a warm, filling stew. It's not a meal that carries well for days, so they feast on it. The moon hasn't risen and when it does, it will be waning.
The forest feels expectant, but there are no signs of anything out of the ordinary. "Ranger Vere? Tradition is the newest Ranger takes first watch. Wake me in two hours, if you please."
The three rangers rapidly head to bed. As seasoned veterans, they do not miss an opportunity to catch up on their sleep.
Vere spends the first day watching and listening, and getting to know his companions and their ways.
Once on watch Vere makes a slow circuit of the campsite, listening and watching, getting used to the sounds of the woods as the creatures around them go about their business.
After about an hour, assuming nothing unusual has happened, he will do a few minor experiments in Sorcery. Nothing major, just levitating a few rocks, creating a gentle breeze, that sort of thing. He is principally interested in determining how difficult Sorcery is in this area, and seeing if there are any reactions from his surroundings to the use of it.
It's definitely easier here than it would be near a pattern, which is not saying much. It seems like it's no harder there than anywhere else in shadow that wasn't close to a pattern. There are many places Vere has not traveled, of course.
The rocks levitate and the the breeze blows and Vere can sense them with what Madoc or Merlin would call "his third eye". It's not open, which requires a deliberate act, but Vere can tell it's happening. The magic ripples through reality like the surface of a pond perturbed by a skipped stone.
The night isn't quiet, or at least it's not unnaturally quiet. The sounds of a forest night are there, not particularly bothered by the encroaching Green or the warring Rangers facing it. One can imagine that if all the people disappeared, it wouldn't be any different than it is now.
That used to be the way some people felt in the Isles, before it started flooding.
Cranny wakes up 10 minutes before their shift. "Best to get a good rest. I'm ready to take over."
Vere nods. "Nothing unusual to report. Normal sounds of the forest at night, no unusual feeling of the Green, nor any other noticeable threats. I awaken easily, if you need me for anything."
And he will be off to his sleep.
Vere is aware he's dreaming, even though he's still in the clearing where his body and those of his Ranger colleagues are resting. While there is nothing in the clearing that feels threatening to him, he can sense the powers of the forest: the Green, the living things that aren't Green, the ways that Arden is like and unlike the forests on the continents of his home shadow.
Greenish lights twinkle in one direction; they would lead Vere away from the camp if he followed them.
Vere considers carefully. Caution would dictate that he avoid the Green, even in a dream. But dreams have provided useful information in the past, and he feels that the threat is less in a dream than it would be in the waking world. With a decisive nod of his head he follows the lights.
Vere follows the lights, and he can see another set of lights moving in the same direction, but from a slightly different angle. He feels, whether through intuition or magical observation in the dream state, that someone or someone(s) else are being led to wherever he's going.
As he moves forward, he can see two shadowy forms, small but definitely human, moving in the same direction he's travelling along the other lighted path.
Vere continues following the lights, keeping an eye on his fellow travelers, but also staying alert for any activity from any other direction. Experimenting to see how much control he has over the details of the dream, he attempts to stop walking and instead levitates a few inches over the ground and floats forward at a walking pace.
Vere finds that either his dream state is insufficiently lucid for him to control his dream body that way or whatever magic is involved in this dream prevents his floating along as he desires.
The other two travellers are moving to intersect him directly now. He doesn't sense anything or anyone else coming from other directions at this point.
Vere notes that interesting fact about the dream. He keeps an eye on the travellers moving towards him, but also continues along his own path.
Soon enough, the two figures are close enough to call out to Vere. He can see that they are young, not children but not much past that age: a boy and a girl. Dark-haired, dressed in old cast-offs and leather and a little fur. "Who are you?" the girl asks Vere, "And what are you doing here?"
"I am Vere," he answers with a nod of his head. "And I am following the light, which I assume is an invitation of sorts. May I ask the same of you?"
"I'm May and this is August". August waves in the way of a morose pre-teen boy who would rather be somewhere else. "We're running away."
"May, August," Vere nods once more. "Well met. I am certain you have cause to be running away. May I ask from whom you run?"
"Our father. He wards out the land, and we don't like it," May explains.
Vere nods. "Ah. Do you object to the fact of warding, or is it a mislike of the effects of the warding that distress you? Has he explained to you the reasons for the warding, and do you disagree with his reasoning? For myself, before I undertake any drastic action I like to analyze my motives so that I understand why I am moved to act in such a way."
She shrugs. "He didn't explain anything to us. We're just getting out of his way before we get in his way." She looks at August. "We don't wanna be the next problem he solves."
"I see." Vere looks thoughtful. "Have you found him to be the sort of father that one has to be so wary of?"
August looks at him as if that is the most obvious thing a teenage boy has has ever heard.
May shrugs again. "We don't exactly know him. We were raised by our mother. She doesn't think he's safe, if that’s what you mean."
"I see." Vere tilts his head to one side. "Is your mother always totally honest with you? I have found that, regretfully, when lovers part in acrimony they do not always retain a completely fair and honest opinion of their former partner."
They each give a moment's thought to that. "All the more reason to get out from under both of them," May replies. But she's definitely thinking. "We have a sister, or a part-sister. She's a lot older. She's the one who sent us to him. It was like being in a cage."
Vere nods thoughtfully. "Indeed. Her experiences with him might have been different. Did she seem someone you could trust, despite having sent you to him?"
August speaks for the first time. "I liked her."
Vere nods. "Are you running to a specific place, or merely away?" he inquires. "If you do not have a specific destination in mind, perhaps finding your sister again and explaining the difficulties with your father might prove useful?"
May says, "I could do that, but he can't go where she is, and we don't like to be apart."
"That is completely understandable," Vere says with a nod. "My sister and I no longer can be together, as life has led us in different directions, but I still love her and enjoy visiting with her when I can. Is it likely that your sister will be moving soon? Do you have a way to contact her? Or perhaps you might meet someone who knows her?" He seems struck by a thought. "You have not yet told me the name of either your father or your sister. Perhaps I, myself, might know them? I have traveled widely."
"Our sister's name is Robin," May says, "and she has gone to the land of women, where no men may go. Even though August is not a man." She whispers loudly, "He's a god."
"As was Robin's brother, Daeon," Vere says with a nod. "I do know your sister, as it happens, and can put you in touch with her." He smiles slightly and looks around. "You are aware that we are currently dreaming, are you not? To speak with Robin, we should meet in the waking world."
"We are gods, you know," May says imperiously, with all the hauteur of a not-quite adolescent. "We can be present physically where we are in dreams."
"Ah," Vere says, raising a finger. "But the question is - whose dream?" He points towards the twinkling lights. "Someone is seeking to call us to them. Without knowing who it is, I would not call to Robin and possibly lead them to her."
"We can stop the dream," August says. "We can wake you up and be where you are. But we can tell who the dreamer is. It's one of our aunts."
"A possibility," Vere acknowledges with a nod. "And something to consider. However, before we take such an action please tell me which of your aunts it is. I may wish to speak with her before awakening."
"It's hard to tell which one is which sometimes," May tells Vere. "Is there one in particular you want to talk to, or not talk to? Our aunts can be kind of terrifying, but not as terrifying as our grandmother."
"I must confess that the conflicts between your aunts, and your mother, is somewhat confusing. No doubt you understand it better. Could you explain it to me?" Vere's attitude conveys the confusion of an adult who needs the clear-eyed wisdom of youth to make sense of the world.
May shrugs. "All our aunts want their children to be the gods of Arcadia. And there are other children from the God Who Died who might become the gods of Arcadia. And our grandmother wants to destroy Amber, but it's sort of already destroyed, but some of our aunts think it would be okay to leave it alone, but others would rather complete its destruction. Grandmother is very old, you know. She's been there since the beginning of time."
Vere nods. "What of you? Do you have any desire to become the ruling gods of Arcadia? For myself, I feel such a role would limit me. I would rather travel the worlds than rule over a single one."
"Rather be gods than die," August says succinctly.
"He might have to die anyway," May explains, "but as long as he's the god of Arcadia, and I'm the goddess, he'll return. If one of our cousins kills us, we won't come back."
"Ah," Vere says. "I have heard of such things." He nods towards the flickering lights. "I believe I am interested in meeting whoever is summoning us. Do you two wish to attend as well, or shall we meet in the waking world afterwards?"
May makes a face. "Afterwards, please. We're in our father's camp."
"I shall meet you there, then," Vere agrees with a nod. "Now, I shall see which of your aunts is calling." He smiles slightly. "Assuming it is not your grandmother, of course."
May looks to August. "When she calls, you will know." She stretches, catlike. "That path is not ours."
Vere smiles slightly and bows to both of them. "Understood. It was a pleasure to meet you in this dream, and I look forward to meeting you again in the waking world."
May sits, and August sits with her. They lie down, holding hands and slowly fade until Vere can no longer see them.
The forest seems a darker place without them. It's not more sinister, but less intentional. As if it had more focus when May and August were there and it as reverted to uncaring vastness.
Vere tilts his head to one side, considering the possibility that the lights were not meant for him at all, but were an attempt to lure May and August that he just happened to notice. He shrugs, deciding that it is impossible to determine that at the present moment, and in any case he is interested in learning more.
He continues to follow the lights, maintaining his vigilance.
The lights lead down to a bend in a stream where a natural pool has formed. Downstream from the pond , the stream meanders through the forest. Upstream is a waterfall, but a low one that Vere could easily climb. It's no more than twenty feet to the top.
The top is heavily overrun with vegetation, but the water below runs a very dark blue. Vere thinks lit may be much deeper than it looks.
There's a woman sitting on a tree-branch. She's watching him, like a cat, but not one that seems on the verge of pouncing. She's dangling a leg into the stream from above.
Vere offers a polite bow. "Lady," he says in greeting. He waits for her to reply before saying anything else, but looks her over carefully, trying to determine character and intent from her appearance and demeanor.
"Knight of the Bright Path," she addresses him. "Few of your kind come to visit us in the forest these days." The tree-branch sways, and her toe perturbs the surface.
"What brings you here?" she asks.
"The continuing spread of the Green, Lady," he replies. "Might we speak of it?"
"We might, Sir Knight, if you wish it. This is a space of your making." She leans towards him, low over the water. "The real only penetrates here as far as you allow it. As does the true."
"Interesting," Vere says, head tilting slightly to one side as he considers the implications of her statements. "That being said, might we begin with your identity? I do not yet know you and your sisters well enough to be able to know one of you upon first meeting."
She laughs. "Are we that interchangeable, my sisters and I? Of the Dragon's children, there are only Britomartis, Lalal, Artemis, Calliste, and Arianhod who hold the taint of Order. I am Britomartis, the eldest. I am the turning of the year and the first river run when the snow melts. I am the first hunt of the year's new crop of predators.
"We are your cousins, but more than that, we are goddesses.
"You are a god, even if you do not see it. I see your divine self clearly. You can only suppress it for a time, Lord."
"My aunt's shade said something similar," Vere says with a slight smile. "But my conversation with her did nothing to lead me to believe that godhood holds any attraction for me. I will make my own destiny, not have one thrust upon me." He tilts his head to the other side and considers her. "What is the Green, in your view, Lady Britomartis? My people see it as a corruption of the natural order, something that must be opposed, more of Chaos than of Order. What is it to you, though?"
"Godhood is a not a profession or a hobby, it is an inherent quality of being born a god or goddess. It is not dependent on worshippers or temples or even a pantheon of other gods. It is the nature of beings who have the divine spark inside them. We exist because the universe is ordered in such a way that we must exist. Your choice is to accept who you are or not. You have no say in the being that you are."
She doesn't really wait for a reply, but goes on to answer his question. "What you call the green is primal, and is a manifestation of the power of Spring, denied. It is not a person and there is no Goddess of the Green. It is the inevitable outcome of blocking the cycle of natural progression.
"It is a demon of your own creation, Sir Knight."
"An interesting viewpoint," Vere responds. "I had been under the impression that the problems began because of a disagreement among your sisters over the succession of power. Is that incorrect?"
She thinks for a moment, dipping her foot in the waters below her. "Sequence and Order matter, Sir. It is neither wrong nor right.
"What is the start of anything? Would my sister have felt obliged to start that fight if not for the black road? Would she have overstayed her ascendency if she had not been the mother of Julian's children? Would Julian have made the bargains he made had we been more successful at keeping our mother quiescent?"
"Ah, yes, the Dragon of Arcadia. Things all come back to her, do they not?" Vere frowns thoughtfully. "Do I understand correctly that she is a Lord of Chaos who was trapped when Order became fixed in the Universe?"
The goddess kicks the water, splashing herself and drawing her foot beneath her. She could stand from there, but doesn't.
"I was not there, but that is what I was told. I have also been told that she was not a dragon or even necessarily a 'she' before Order was applied to the universe.
"How do we judge the claim of anyone that says they predate time? Yet as Goddesses we have knowledge, wisdom, and life that are not granted to mortals. Our mother told us many things that were helpful and true."
Vere tilts his head to one side. "But if I understand it correctly, what she wants above all is freedom from her bondage. Is that correct? But that would necessitate the destruction of Arcadia, Arden, and, possibly, Amber as well. And would most likely also result in her reabsorbing her children, as is often the way of the Great Lords of Chaos."
She smiles at him, languidly. "Do all the children of Oberon agree with his motives and choices at all times? Or do some of them, sometimes, work towards their own agendas, even going so far as to cooperate with those who he may not consider allies?"
Vere nods an acknowledgement of her point.
She shifts. "Do you have children, Sir Knight?"
"I do not, Lady." He smiles slightly. "Is this to be one of those, 'If you do not have children you cannot understand' speeches?"
She returns his smile, but her eyes don't reflect it. "I hope not. Anyone who is an adult should have at least their own experience of being both a child and later an adult to consider the arc that a person can take with their parent across many relationships over time.
"So instead of asking if your children always agree with you, I shall ask instead do you always agree with your parents? I shall save time and say I do not, and probably never could have. Not if we consider both parents, at least."
Vere nods his head slightly. "Point taken. Which leads me back to the question of the Green. You are saying that it is not, as I had thought, a tool of your mother, but rather the manifestation of the imbalance between her children. Is that a correct interpretation?"
"Why would it be a dialectical opposition?", she asks. "Both can be true on their own levels. In the same way that tides can be caused by the long-distance love of the moon-goddess for the sea-god and also by the gravitational pull of the moon on the tidal bulge of the wine-dark sea.
"The moon and the goddesses of the moon are no less lovely because we understand them."
"I grant that point. But even if there are multiple truths, still when action is taken it must be based on our best understanding of the situation, its causes, and the probable consequences of our actions. Whatever the causes for the Green to manifest, the effect it has is in opposition to the good of those that it changes." He smiles slightly, "And take as read my understanding that an argument could be made that from the opposing point of view the changes made by the Green could be regarded as 'improving' those so changed, and thus to the good, and acknowledge that while I can understand such a viewpoint I will never agree with it."
"Consider what is called the Forest Primeval, the forest of which all others are imperfect mirrors. Life devours life in a rhythm as old as time. It happens in cycles and it happens from the largest to the smallest. Even to the seasonal gods die and new gods arise. In deserts and mountains and in barren places it happens slowly. In jungles and the sea, life is riotously present.
"The green is life, and it runs at a furious pace, using what it can and returning it to the land to be made anew." She looks at him. "It does not live long, but it overflows with life while it is there.
"It is a reaction of the divine spark to a stimulus, like a pearl is formed to protect an oyster from an irritant."
Vere considers this for a few moments, before saying thoughtfully, "Yet the way the Green is behaving now is something new. So the irritant is not your mother, who has been here since before time, nor yet is it Julian and his rangers, who have also been present from long before the current troubles. Nor is it the death of Daeon, for he was killed fighting against the Green. Is it then the strife between your sisters that is the source of the imbalance, and is that what must be addressed to restore the natural order?"
"Take that back a step. The balance changed after change in Amber. That happened after the Black Road ran through the forest and the five nations. Few things are the true start of anything, at least not things that are significant.
"A story has a start, yes, but it has predecessors. One day a goddess gave a golden apple to her sisters, and it said "for the prettiest one" and it started the first war, as the goddesses all wanted to win the prize for themselves. But why did they strive, and who amongst mortals could tell the difference between them?
"And as they were goddesses, it was also not just one, but many metaphors. It was a story about the folly of war, and the ways that petty jealousies and rivalries drive people apart, and the fruits of previous unkindness, and the fallout to mortal men of mischief amongst the gods. Probably dozens of other things, that as a goddess I have not yet learned.
"No thing happens outside of causality, not even us."
"Noted and understood," Vere answers with a nod. He smiles slightly and adds, "To the extent that such matters can be said to be 'understood,' that is." He tilts his head to one side for a moment before continuing. "I suppose what I have been trying to determine is what would be necessary to restore the balance, so that this manifestation of the Green would cease, and there would be a return to what was once the natural order. Or is such a thing even possible?"
She thinks for a moment. "Consider balanced forces where one is removed. A child jumping off a see-saw. The child who was up or at equilibrium falls quickly to the ground, her gravity unchecked. Can you return the pattern to Amber? Or perhaps remove my mother? Therein lies the imbalance. There is nothing preventing what is happening now. Eventually unchecked growth chokes the forest of diversity and in the end, of life itself. But it dies in a riot of green."
"Ah." Vere nods once more. "This makes sense to me. Thank you. I have a better sense of what is occurring, metaphysically and..." he smiles, "... metaphorically." He gives a slight but elegant bow. "I have enjoyed our conversation. Perhaps we shall meet again sometime in the waking world."
She smiles and nods in response to his bow. "Perhaps." She slides from the branch into the pond and below the surface.
Vere is alone in a trackless but enchanting forest. The light is that golden sunrise color that makes everything sharp and the falling water causes little rainbows to appear.
Vere spends a few moments basking in the beauty and peace of the dreamscape, before closing his eyes in the dream, concentrating on waking up, and opening his eyes once more in the waking world.
Last modified: 15 June 2025