In the slither-cool gloom, a shadow drifts with sacred purpose.
Even deep in this realm of water, the Ways of Earth and Fire are honored. Rise and fall of hand and arm represent Steel. The curl and sway of body mimic Flame. Combined, indivisible. Guided by Heart and Mind to fulfill Purpose and Shape the world. Her dress flows and glides with every motion, coiling around her in a sheer cloud of crimson shadows.
Before her Illumination, Silhouette's intricate kata would have been devoted to Draig Talamh. But now, the practiced movements possess new meanings; a self-discovery she is only beginning to understand. Familiar movements change, mutate, progress, adding to the pattern. In many ways, it represents slipping loose of her former shackles. Her liberation. Her rebirth.
It is only proper that the architect of that Rebirth should find her this way, lost in the beauty of flesh and movement. She distantly hears the Queen's secret arrival, and smiles to herself. There's no telling how long the woman has been there, watching. But, for Silhouette, that silent attention only fuels the fire of self-discovery.
"Welcome," Silhouette says, her voice husky and so-not-like her mechanical tones.
"I scraped at the door," Celina smiles, "but you were deep in the TaKhi. I don't know the forms, but it was a lovely song of Fire, yes?" Celina is standing quite near the door, which is closed behind her. She is dressed in sheer morning drapery, blue green with spatter patterns like crab shell. A black metal bead net cowls her hair and shoulders. "You look well. I found it was time to talk about you and I and the Realm. I hope you have time this morning. Orseas will see we are not disturbed."
Silhouette floats to a peaceful halt, smiling tenderly. "Of course, Celina. I shall always have time for you. Please join me for breakfast?" She gestures to the prepared table -- set for two. But her gaze remains on Celina, forest-shadow eyes blazing.
"And, to your question, yes. A Song of Fire and Steel. It is familiar to me, but I now hear it with a new heart." She pulls back a chair for Celina to sit, holding it.
Celina moves to the seat and digs into the finger jelly and eggs. She nods once to Silhouette. "Did the Pattern show you anything about your past that seems more important now?"
Silhouette sits across from her, choosing the sea urchin roe and dried seaweed. A shy smile, “A difficult question to answer, as I am still assessing the experience. But, it did reveal my folly over the last decades. My lack of vision. So many ghosts. So many.” She scoops the half-melted roe onto a piece of seaweed, taking a bite.
“Did you witness the Past during your Walk?”
Celina sighs. "Yes. Both times. The first it was largely from the Trench War, the hospitals, the dying." She looks at Silhouette, and moves deeper into the room. "The last time, it was my mother, taunting me. And indeed, it may have cost me more dearly than I know yet."
Silhouette nods, meeting the gaze with silent compassion. “You and I are mirrors, I think. Reflections of our mothers' past sins and future woes. Deny them as we like, we cannot help but be defined by their image.”
She reaches out to Celina, “Come. Tell me of your fear. This ‘cost’ of which you speak.”
Celina smiles and moves closer still. "Oh, that's now how it works with me, Dolphin. I was not dangling conversation bait. I am not ready to talk about that pain. I came to help you. Have you spoken to Huon? Do you have questions? If you are not ready to talk about it, that's quite all right. I am offering assistance, not looking for shoulder to cry on."
Silhouette accepts this, nodding. “Forgive me. The empathy of others remains foreign to me, let alone accepting their help.” A shy smile curls her lips, if only for a moment.
“I’ve spoken with Huon, and officially broken our Compact. He has settled into incarceration well. Too well, perhaps. You must treat him with caution. As much as I hoped otherwise, this tiger will not change his stripes. You must be prepared to put him down, if he becomes a threat.” The steel has returned to her voice.
Celina sits down on a sponge lounge. "Too well?" She leans into the sponge and watches her cousin. "I did not expect him to change. I cannot imagine he expected I would do so. Yet I sense he is an honorable man. If I were to find he was not as honorable as I hope... I agree that my reaction for the defense of the Realm would be merciless."
Celina invites Silhouette to comment by slightly raising her eyebrow and quirking her smile.
“Our peers employ Honor like an accoutrement,” Silhouette says. “And shed its gaudy cloak the moment it inhibits their exceptionalism. Huon is no different. He shall tolerate his imprisonment until it no longer suits his goals.”
She shakes her head, troubled. “But, as I am told, my naivety knows no bounds. And why I shall never fit into this Family."
"I shall disagree to the extent that honor among family holds value, else Random would have no reason to ask for oaths... And no call to have me show mercy to Huon. I do not know that his word would mean as much to lesser beings. You have found a protective current here, Dolphin."
Silhouette smiles gently, lazing against the sponge couch; a slender arm draped under her head. “When you speak my name, I feel renewed and that anything is possible. It is a welcome dream.”
A sad shrug dismisses this tenderness quickly. “But I must live in the Real.” She sits up, the steel returning to her eyes. “And that requires me to leave this sanctuary once again. I must speak to your father about his sister, Deirdre. And my mother. One final attempt at reconciliation. Otherwise, I may become a detriment to you.”
"Fine, then, you do what you have to do." Celina nods once. "But you are not a detriment to me or I would not have taken your oath." Celina seems to feel that is settled by her expression. "Rebma as a welcome dream... I find a realm offering such is a worthy work of a lifetime. Who told you that you would never fit into the Family?"
“Rebma is not my dream, Celina. You are. And the hope you instill within me,” she says, glancing away upon the admission.
Rather than expound upon this, Silhouette focuses on her companion’s question. “Each Elder I’ve encountered has expressed their disapproval of my viewpoints, in their own fashion. One even suggested I shall perish as a result of them, more than likely at familial hands. I have little evidence to contest his words.
"But, it is my very nature to question the status quo. If anything, my experience upon the Pattern only strengthened that belief."
A hollow laugh, “Do you still wish me to serve you, knowing this?”
"Dolphin, there is no going back. I took the steps I have knowing I cannot stop trying, and must keep moving." Celina laces her hands together. "We make a good pair. I was brought up to believe the system was more than fair. And that honor always won out over self interest. You can be that skeptic in my City without fear a Family member will kill you for it. They literally have to go through me first."
Silhouette smiles, “And that is why I love you.” A faint pause, as she catches herself. “My Queen,” she adds quickly.
She looks down, unable to meet Celina's gaze. “Do you know much of your Father? And his sister, Deirdre?”
Celina's skin is dark and shows no blush at Silhouette's slip of genuine ardor. But she is not wearing a court face. Her eyes are sad. Her thumb idly rubs her palm where someone might guess there is a memory of pain. So Celina takes the change of subject. "My father is known to me as generous when he does not understand me, less so when he thinks he does. His sister is more of a mystery and that is saying something. She protected Marius and she also kept Signy safe and dealt with Weyland, which I account brave. Deirdre pressed Brand to the edge of the Abyss, which is what led to her death as described to me. She was very capable." Celina adds, "Which seems to be true of all my Family. You included."
Silhouette nods, “Yes, that does make sense then. Aunt Llewella and I believe that Deirdre hid me in shadow, to protect me from King Eric. However, her subsequent capture prevented her from keeping me from harm.” She sighs deeply, “It also leaves one important question, which can only be answered by my mother.”
She tilts her head, noticing the sadness in her companion’s eyes. She does not press, only extends her hand to be taken or ignored. “Do you have a Trump for your Father? Maybe he can arrange a meeting. I would owe you both boons, of course.”
"I have no Trumps," Celina takes Dolphin's hand, "but Aunt Llewella will have a Trump of father. I shall ask to borrow it and introduce you. I can also pass you through to Corwin, and that will speed you along. Of course, he will arrange a visit. He likes doing favors for family. He is king."
Celina adds as if it is all part of the same conversation----- "I cannot lay with you, Dophin. I want it. I want to fortress you with protection and caring and become the person that will always shelter you. However, I have given my whole self to Rebma. Nothing else can divert me until I learn what I need to know or I die. I ask that you give me that time, for it will not be long as we count things."
Silhouette raises Celina’s hand to her warm lips, gracing it with a slight kiss. “Then we are of the same mind, Celina. I would not endanger you with distractions. Rebma must prevail. And you are Rebma. The Grand Design mys be upheld.” A deep frown echoes in her eyes. “Even if I desire otherwise.”
She nuzzles Celina’s hand with her cheek, finding the strength to smile. “And, as you say, we have time.”
"Well then, we can go together to ask Llewella her counsel and the Trump connection to Corwin. And while you are in Paris, do keep an eye out for the currents. If Moire is there I need to know." Celina caresses Silhouette's cheek and then makes ready to leave.
At the touch, Silhouette’s body arches like a pampered nurse shark. Reluctantly, she draws away. “Of course. I’ve been listening to the gossip prevalent amongst the noble population. As of yet, your Mother’s name remains a hushed subject.”
She rises and moves to her dressing area. Unashamed, she slips from her casual dress and selects something more appropriate for an audience with their aunt. “May I ask, what do you intend to do with your mother once she is captured?”
"I do not know that she will be captured. I do not require it. She stole something from Rebma and it must be returned. This is a separate matter from fleeing the throne. Her abandonment of the city I can abide. The theft I cannot. Since I am the Law, I do not expect to imprison her unless she makes conflict against Rebma."
Silhouette drapes herself in the dress and rejoins Celina, gesturing toward the door. “What did she steal? And how might I help you retrieve it? From your manner, I suspect it is a symbol of rulership?”
"It is." Celina says. Then she watches Dolphin dress. When her cousin is prepared to move from the chambers, Celina leads the way through galleries long and full of pages, and sometimes the way is complex and empty. But these are all public ways. A dark shadow follows, Silhouette probably recognizes Orseas trailing with a opaque expression.
As they walk, Silhouette remains a step behind Celina; her head down, as if a handmaiden or servant. Familiarity in public is dangerous, and she shall not attract sharks to them.
Despite the hour, Celina goes directly to Llewella's private suites in the palace. Celina comments, "Ah, the guard is here, so the Princess is here. Let's see if she is awake and open to company." She nods at the guard, giving them a chance to pause Celina's progress if they have instructions from Llewella.
The guard slips inside to announce The Queen to the Princess.
“If I might retrieve That Which is Lost, you have but to ask,” Silhouette says, taking advantage of the brief wait. “Blood befits me far better than fabrics.”
Celina looks briefly at Silhouette and shakes her head once in negative. The queen will not talk in this place on this subject.
A young woman opens the door. One of the castle pages, she is polished and unawed by royalty. The girl bows in the Rebma fashion.
"Your Highness. The princess will attend you and your cousin shortly, or if you would care to use her sitting room, she bids you welcome to it."
"Yes," Celina moves forward and allows them to be settled in the sitting room. Once the page leaves, Celina turns back to Silhouette. "I do appreciate your petition for a quest. And I am intending to use you in defense of the realm. However, you need to clear Family business as much as possible first in order to be of the most use to me, even to sending you into Shadow. And in that you need some lessons." Celina lowers her voice, "which many will be too busy to give you and I shall not stray far from these currents for now. If Brita were here, I'd say she would be best for such Shadow learning, but that may not be for a while, you see. Therefore, yes, I am pleased with your request, but no, I cannot send you on this task yet or ever depending on other matters. Understood? Each thing to our advantage in its own time."
Silhouette nods to this, “Understood, my Queen. The sooner I might deal with Mother, the better for all.” She tames her floating dress, “I am an artificer. I am trained in patience and to know my place in things.”
"And if I tasked you to find a missing noble, merely find them and report their location," Celina smiles, "How would you artifice a solution?"
“In the past, I’ve constructed hunter/seekers of various design for this purpose,” Silhouette says, and then adds. “Mechanika with rudimentary skills, including observation. Possessing materials to complete an Arcane Connection is preferable. For your needs, the schema would be less complex, as assassination devices are unnecessary.”
She smiles faintly, “If more direct observation is required, I would handle the search personally. Again, an Arcane Connection is advantageous, but not required.”
Celina nods, satisfied.
Llewella appears at the inner door, looking immaculate. "Pardon, Your Majesty. I was not expecting you." She nods to Silhouette. "I hope my attendants have taken good care of you?"
"They certainly have. Silhouette has decided to approach her mother again, and would like to talk to Corwin before she makes that journey. I thought the best way to facilitate that would be to borrow your Trump of Father. I have not spoken to him in a while and would like to ease her way to Paris. To that end, if you had advice regarding making a nice impression on the King, I'd welcome it." Celina smiles.
Silhouette remains silent, yet close to the Queen’s side. She provides her aunt with a cordial nod, in return.
Llewella nods. "As you wish," she opens a door. "I have a room this way for keeping them dry." A spiral stair ascends into the suite's interior.
[Assuming everyone goes with...]
"As to making a nice approach to Corwin, he plays as if he is affected mostly by female beauty and wiles, but in this case I would expect that his main goal is a quiet household. I'd stress that you don't want to upset things, and that you may need his help to mediate things, and you will play to the image he wishes to have played to.
"I'd also discourage you discussing vengance or justice so much as safety and risks to the family. He's traditional that way. He's likely not to want to be involved in a vendetta, but feels responsibility for Celina's safety.
"He's also practical. Don't be surprised if he wants something from Rebma in exchange. It's his way of seeing how serious you are."
A foot below the top of the staircase, the water ends in a bubble room. It's a pocket of air in the middle of the castle. The room has a fireplace, a bookshelf, a divan, and a seating arrangement. Near the top of the stairs are a pile of towels and handful of thick warm-looking robes.
"Also, don't call Corwin looking disheveled." Llewella wrings out her hair and begins to put it in a long, loose braid. When she has it started, she slides the robe over her traditional Rebman garb.
Celina listens and attends to Llewella closely, sometimes nodding. Once in the airy chamber, she removes her clothing and dries herself, still attentive to her aunt. Celina puts on a robe, folding and lapping the collar for a high neck effect, and tends her hair to appear slightly more fashionable in the Paris way. Luckily she had her hair put up this morning, as she recalls that unbound hair suggests a loose woman in Paris. "Silhouette, if you agree, I'll start the dialogue with Father and ask him to speak with you on Family matters that I wish to see acquire a degree of stability and resolution. Then it will be up to your own diplomacy. If I need say little more, then it will be well. If Corwin wants things of Rebma, I'll take those conversation points, if he wants something from you specifically I shall say nothing unless you ask for advice." She gives Llewella a hug before arranging herself between Llewella and Silhouette's side to make the Trump call.
Silhouette bows her head, “Of course, my Queen. I shall endeavor to attain the trust you put in me.” A slight smile, “Again, my thanks.”
She follows her peer’s measures, adding a robe and taming her hair into a simple bun.
And once everyone seems poised and ready... Celina takes the card Llewella offers (or simply touches it if Llewella starts the call herself, giving Silhouette a clue as to how these things work.....)
Having seen Trumps only a few times, Silhouette’s interest in them remains intent and reflective. She falls in with the two women, staying a step behind... as her lesser status demands.
Llewella opens the cards and quickly shuffles to Corwin's. His paper image stands tall, wearing his signature black and silver garb, with a silver rose closing the high collar at his neck. The princess concentrates on the card, willing the image into reality. "It's your sister in Rebma. I'm here with your daughter, who wants to speak to you. You really must get Random to give her a trump deck, she shouldn't need to come through me to talk to you."
Llewella reaches out and brings Celina into the contact. It comes to life for Celina almost immediately. Her father is lit by candles at the front of his great hall in Paris. It's a different silver rose clasp, but not very different from the one he wore centuries ago when the card was made. There are servants moving behind the table. 'Hello, Celina. You're looking well."
"And I will step out," Llewella says, removing herself from the card.
"When you join in," she says to Silhouette, "remember that I will be able to hear you, but not Corwin. If you want me to know something, you must say it so that I can hear as well."
Celina lightly squeezes Llewella's hand in thanks as her aunt removes herself from the psychic connection.
"Hello, Father, thank you. I am very well indeed. I wanted you to know I was well, and that Rebma prospers as my main focus. I hope if you have news of my brother, Merlin, you will share that. And in turn, I'd like to have your help in some policy pursuits I have here. I have accepted Silhouette into the Rebma Court, and she has walked the Grand Challenge and survived. As proven family, I want Silhouette to tidy up Family business with Aunt Florimel, who has been always kind to me, and stands strongly with you in Paris. Can you help arrange a meeting between Silhouette and Aunt Florimel, where it may be possible to settle the matter of blood ties or at a minimum, get some sort of safer compatible agreement to disagree? It seems dire and wasteful for these two to not be on speaking terms. They should be allies in the business of finding the truth." Celina motions with her free hand for Silhouette to touch the card she is focusing upon, knowing Dolphin will not hear or see Corwin's answer unless she is brought into the intimacy of the Trump.
Silhouette follows this silent instruction, lightly placing her fingers upon the Trump. She offers her companion a thankful smile.
Corwin acknowledges Silhouette's arrival with a nod. "Congratulations on surviving your Patternwalk," he says, before turning to Celina's request.
Silhouette offers him an almost shy smile, but remains quiet.
"I can facilitate a meeting, but if what you want is to make her admit Silhouette is her daughter, you can't force that. Flora's not above a little coquetry, but she's sincere in believing her own daughter is dead. And as you unfortunately know, Celina, parentage ascribed, even that firmly believed, is not certain. And surviving the Pattern only means Silhouette is family. It's not as if Dad's male descendants have been any more careful about where they sowed their wild oats than he was. More of us fathered unexpected children than I imagined possible when I was younger." He says this without any apparent concern or botheration about his own role in the surprise paternity sweepstakes.
"True and just, as you say," Celina returns a nod. "Rather I want Florimel and Silhouette to be able to discuss this apparent duplicity and make common cause to unraveling this thorn in the side of Family harmony. Because of the emotions involved, they could use a steady hand to facilitate. I thought you would understand, so I ask."
Silhouette nods, "Evidence may exist confirming that one of the Family took me, and hid me in Shadow. Not from my Mother, but from Prince Eric. I was then lost during the Interregnum. However, I have only the perspectives of other Family to rely upon. If she is willing, Mot..." She catches, and then corrects herself. "If Princess Florimel is willing to discuss the events with me, perhaps together we might establish what actually occurred. Whether or not that establishes my parentage remains to be seen, and is a secondary purpose."
"I'm willing to facilitate such a meeting, though I know roughly what Flora will have to say. I have discussed this business with her." Corwin waits for the surprise to sink in. "She wasn't present at the time of the assault on her daughter. She was shown a body, which she agrees does not under all circumstances count as conclusive proof." Corwin makes a face and his irritation is almost tactile to his daughter. "But you can understand that she'll require counterproof."
'Surprise' isn't exactly the word for Silhouette's reaction. New respect, perhaps. Corwin's actions strengthen her belief in his wisdom.
Corwin's attention swings to Silhouette. "Do you have any reason to believe you were hidden from Eric? Do you have any suspects for your kidnapping?"
A twinge of hesitation passes through Silhouette, echoing in her eyes. But Truth, she knows, holds more value than secrets. Besides, she would not insult her peer by trying to hide this from him. Of all people in the Family. "Yes. I believe it was your sister, Deirdre. And that you, uncle, are the lynchpin with regard to her actions. Eric desired control over my Mother, as she possessed knowledge regarding you. I believe he attempted to use me as a bargaining chip. However, Deirdre spirited me away before I could be delivered to him. Unfortunately, her subsequent incarceration left me trapped in Shadow -- the results, thereof, do not need to be discussed again. Nor do the tragic events of the War.
"The other suspect is Brand, as he shared similar motivations regarding my mother and yourself. That said, I find him an unlikely candidate. He remained free to fully carry out his plans. As such, I would have ended up in his custody, rather than lost to the Fates."
She drops her head, as if pained, "Whoever provided the body remains debatable. Both Deirdre and Eric could have utilized my apparent death to fulfill their goals."
Celina makes of point of showing her surprise at this reveal. It may pay for her Father to realize that Silhouette is being more forthcoming with him than she has so far been with Celina. Or this news about Deirdre is recent. She also watches closely for emotional changes in the flow from the card.
Corwin listens to Silhouette's theory without much in the way of reaction, which is not unusual in her experience of Trump contact with her father. It's hard to get a feel from him on how he's taking it, but Celina has every reason to suspect Corwin isn't excited by this rendition of events.
"That's all speculation." Corwin dismisses Silhouette's theories with a gesture. "It's tempting to settle on a version of events when you don't know what happened and you want to. Getting married to a single theory won't help you find out what happened if you're wrong." He says that as if he has personal experience with doing so. "But I'll run your theory by Flora."
Celina nods once. It fits his stance and is more than she expected. She waits. Silhouette is never dismissed so easily.
Silhouette nods, unfazed. "Indeed, uncle. However, without emperical evidence, I must rely upon rationalism. An initio, I must examine the most likely thread until it is proven or dismissed." A tender smile touches her lips. "It would also give some meaning to the tragedy. An aunt's kindness to a niece she did not know. But such things are... Extraneous, granted."
She resists the urge to touch Celina's hand; the steel returning. "Thank you, uncle. Hopefully, Mother can offer further Illumination. And please... Offer my apologies to her. I acted poorly at our last meeting."
"I'll tell her," Corwin agrees. "And if you have nothing else, there are some matters I'd like to discuss briefly with my daughter."
Silhouette bows her head, "Uncle."
Celina nods to Silhouette once. "You can find me later if you need to, Silhouette."
"Of course, my Queen," she replies, taking her leave.
[allowing Sil to withdraw...and making no muscle motion that responds to whatever direction Sil withdraws to..... Celina stays focused on the Trump image of her father....]
Celina waits and then gives it a moment more. She raises her eyebrows to her Father, King of Paris. "Yes, father? You are indeed well I hope?"
"Everything is fine here, as far as I know, though I'm not looking forward with the discussion I've just agreed to have with my sister." Corwin makes a bit of a face at that. "And on that note, would you like to explain to me at some point--not here where Silhouette can hear you, unless you've mastered the trick of trumping without speaking--exactly what that was about? She knows she's not going to get the answer she wants out of Flora, and certainly not in the immediate term, and I have no idea what she thinks Deirdre would have gotten out of massacring her parents. Unless she's going after Deirdre and Eric because they're safely dead, and have nobody to defend what's left of their reputations." Corwin seems dubious on that last point.
Celina nods once, as if she may agree with everything he's just said. "I do not think the matter has all the pieces present, and it shall not be resolved to satisfaction if the atmosphere of collecting pieces continues as it has been, so I am interfering a bit. There is common cause here. I hope it comes out well for you and I, but I shall understand if it is not high on your priorities. I do not put forward any theories as my own."
Celina pauses a beat, as if she is checking her peripheral vision to see if she is alone now. "If you may be so kind as to return me by Trump to my Aunt in Rebma, I am willing to come to you and offer whatever insight I may to your questions. In private as you wish. Or not." She smiles in a very accommodating fashion.
“Come through,” Corwin says, and takes her hand to bring her through into the great hall of the Louvre.
Celina reaches, touches the warm hand and follows through the prismatic currents dancing at the corners of her eyes. Once arrived, she stays focused on her father, gives him a warmer smile now. "Silhouette was Huon's protege, and his teaching was rough on her. While I do not hope that Florimel will change her mind, I think that between you and I we could salvage Sihouette to be a contributing member of the Family peace. And keeping in mind the things that You and Random have asked of me, I set myself the task of narrowing down the things Silhouette can do grossly wrong for the short term. In this, I hoped you would take an interest."
Celina pauses only a moment, "The business with Eric and Deidre, well, the young lady likes to speculate. She has a weakness for it. I do not think she has any understanding of either person, or any evidence."
There are guards in the Hall along with her father, and Corwin waves them off before they can approach close enough to hear. "This is my daughter, the Queen of Rebma. She won't be staying long." Then he turns his attention back to Celina and offers her his arm so they can walk the length of the hall: a trick that keeps them moving and a harder target for would-be eavesdroppers. "The allegations against Eric and Deirdre disturb me. Maybe nobody's told you how closely my end of the family is tied to Rebman politics. Eric courted the Rebmans for a long time--Jerod's mother is your half-sister, just as Martin's mother is--and Deirdre was also up to her lovely little ears in Rebman politics as well. I don't think Huon is tapping into that network necessarily, but Silhouette might be.”
Celina nods holding firmly to her father's arm, as these tidbits about Eric have been in the Rebman conversations she has had with the Archivists. Her close family in Rebma are often on her mind, even in Jerod's absence. The Dierdre connection has been glossed over and Celina will have more questions for her historians. "I expect it natural for Huon to try to connect with the undersea politics, perhaps even as a sympathizer with the memory of your sibs, since he will be our guest for a while. The surrender ceremony went well, by the way." Celina walks a few steps and adds, "I do not know where Silhouette might have gotten these allegations, and I feel she will not repeat them carelessly. This is Family business after all. But it is an example of how Volatile she can be even when accommodating." Celina looks straight into his eyes. "Was I wrong to think that you would be interested in seeing this kind of business put in a more stable condition? Can Florimel be helpful on this?"
"I don't know that she will be. She's not in a good way between Lucas' death and this coming up. With all due respect for your position, the Queen of Rebma doesn't have a lot of leverage with my sister right now."
Corwin turns his attention to something more interesting. "Tell me a bit more about how things sit with Huon. What are you doing with him, and do you think it'll keep him out of trouble? And where does Silhouette fit into that mess, as best you can tell, now that he's surrendered?"
Celina smiles and squeezes his arm softly, "Tell my aunt that I felt I owed her a favor, and that quelling the waves Silhouette can make is part of my respects to her, as I know I do not deserve any leverage from what I have suggested." Then she takes his lead and changes the subject, because she does not know that Corwin will pass any such message along. It does help them all to know how she is thinking and she can be generous in that.
Corwin is at least inclined to acknowledge her suggestion with a neck-bow.
"Huon made a good show of his surrender. He came to us from some troubles in Asir. He killed some people there that he thought had betrayed his trust? Followers of the Paresh." She makes the note a question, because she's not sure a Prince of Amber would really explain his motives much. So she leaves it an unknown to pass along.
"Bellum offered him sanctuary, yet Asir authorities decided it might be worth going to war with Bellum in order to pursue Huon there." Celina shakes her head as this doesn't add up to her idea of good politics.
"Conner made it worth while for Asir to withdraw their claim. And once Conner and Brita presented themselves to Huon, he made departure with them back to Rebma. He asked us to come escort him, and once there it seemed there was some work involved in extracting him safely, but ...." Celina makes a face as if she's seen a magic trick so simple she should know how it was done----yet it seems she does not.
Celina sketches a formal court sign in the air that means 'to begin'. "Huon arrived in Rebma, did very well with the surrender, and has been keeping his head mostly out of sight since. He has quarters befitting any royal of the Seaward and makes long conversation with the Archivists. My watch on him is light, as I do not wish to be insulting his word to work with us. He is master of the repairs and restoration to glory of the City downside. And really...." She just is quiet for a moment as she masters her voice a bit more...."I am glad I did not have to kill him."
"I don't like the way the Paresh keep turning up in things," Corwin mutters, before going on to other things. "What have you got in mind for him to do in terms of rebuilding? It's good that you didn't kill him, but I hope you've got a trustworthy family member or three to check his work. You wouldn't want to find out he's added even more secret passages than there already are in Castle Rebma." He grins humorlessly at Celina. "I almost got Eric that way, during the war. I wouldn't put it past Huon to make a hideyhole and walk the Pattern to get to it the way I did."
Celina looks at her father very directly, "I think Huon does not want Rebma to perish. He made a mistake. So now he shall try to impress me. And I plan to be at his shoulder often, letting him impress me." She notices his eyes are nearly as vivid a green as her own.
And goes on, ignoring the shiver between her shoulder blades, "And yes, I am blessed with several people who are willing to watch and measure his work. None of his architect authority includes the palace."
Since he mentions violence against a brother, she pauses, thinking how she wants to follow up on that. Nothing like giving your daughter mixed messages. She avoids smiling and sets a place holder in memory about what Moins may have done in the palace to make a room that cannot be entered except by Pattern. "Do you know that Dara and Chantico are working together? I do not want Moire added to that, the Triangle of Results would be far too bloody. Even so, I think the danger to Merlin is far too high."
Corwin almost stops and his voice is suddenly something that Celina might qualify as grim. "I'm not sure I did, no. How did you find out that Chantico--she's Brand's daughter, isn't she?--is working with Dara, and do we have any idea of what they're working on?”
Celina downplays her own fierceness when it comes to defending her brother. "Merlin allowed me to work with him in trying to catch a glimpse of Dara, taking her off-guard with scrying. It worked. But the Other Woman of sorcerous talents was there and interfered. Much later, I learned that the woman I did not know was Chantico. I cannot say what they intend, except our undoing. I doubt Dara has given up her intent to acquire Merlin and I oppose her with all my life. From what I hear, Chantico may be just as violent and willful. So my warning."
"I'll warn Merlin, if you haven't already." Corwin is outright scowling himself. "And if you find any evidence that Moire's in cahoots with the two of them, you send word at once: by trump, by messenger, any way you need to." He looks like he might be ready to strap on mighty Grayswandir and go after them himself, except that it probably wouldn't work or he would have already tried it. "Is there anything else of import?" Corwin clearly hopes not, from his expression. "Or should I send you back to Llewella?"
"There is nothing to add to my warning," Celina says. "I shall be in touch if I learn more. And be well, father."
"And you. Keep me posted on what you hear about Moire."
His trumps happen to be in his office, nearby; they find them and he trumps Llewella.
She steps back into the Trump exchange once Corwin arranges it and emerges in Rebma again, feeling safer and accomplished. She nods to Llewella. "Thank you."
Llewella has been waiting all this time. Her hair is mostly dry. "How did it go?" she asks Silhouette, as if she hadn't been standing right here and hearing Celina's and Silhouette's share of the conversation. Maybe that's Rebman politeness.
Silhouette remains impassive, "As well as can be expected. Only time will tell what shall come of it."
She smoothens her dress, "The Pattern. If one can seek their desires in Shadow, can one also utilize it to 'find' items they don't not possess full knowledge of, such as evidence of a crime?"
Llewella looks around the small room and smiles at Silhouette. "The problem with using the pattern that was is that one finds what one is looking for. A dozen of your very dedicated uncles and aunts spent years searching for Corwin or for some evidence that Eric had killed him. The pattern, which makes the shadows lie for you, cannot be trusted not to make the shadows lie to you.
"My best advice is not safe. You should go to Tir na' nOgth."
At the suggestion, Silhouette nods knowingly - as if she'd expected this. "Yes, the Ghost City's call persists. It is time I answered it."
She cocks her head, "Have you traveled there since its appearance above the New Amber? I know the King forbids entrance. But, if there is one thing I have learned about this Family, rules are meant to be... bent."
Llewella hesitates. "Whatever is up there is dangerous. Cambina was experienced, and had years of practice in the city. I won't advise you to go against the will of the King; you must choose that on your own. I'd say also try to find out more about Cambina, but that seems extremely dangerous. You may wish to talk to Queen Vialle. She is likely to intervene with Random if something goes wrong.
"Also, don't be foolish. Have a trump way out."
"I do not intend to fall, as my cousin did," Silhouette says with some certainty. "I am close to Vialle; although, I do not wish to cause a rift between her and Random. Still, she would be an excellent excuse for returning to Xanadu."
Llewella's look suggests that she may not think that Cambina intended to fall, either, but she doesn't press the point.
The princess pauses a second time, allowing her last utterance space to be absorbed. "Do you know that my brother was quite fond of his sister Dierdre? It would be wise, while in Paris, to publicly lean your suspicions towards the wrongdoings of Eric and the heroic, undercover, moves the Princess made to counter them."
"That would explain much," Silhouette nods. "I believe he stopped listening once his sister's name was mentioned. His feelings for her may cloud his judgment. I will need to stress her virtues far more, as well as her good intentions." A sad frown. "She was a tragic figure. I can use that to proper measure."
She cocks her head, "Do you know when she had Signy?"
Llewella shakes her head, absently. "We weren't close, and even had we been, no one officially admitted to having children. Things were different then. I often thought Caine called everyone by trump every few months to see if he could catch one of his sisters pregnant."
A soft chuckle escapes Silhouette. That did sound like Caine, to be sure.
"And don't forget, niece, that while Corwin has his weaknesses and blind spots, he's no fool, even if he lets you think he is. Don't overdo it, or you'll lose a potential friend."
Silhouette nods, "Of course. I respect him far too much to treat him unkindly. Or underestimate him. I've known many fools in my life. He is not amongst them."
Llewella smiles slightly, but adds an additional caveat. "That is the case, but there's more to him. He is a warrior nearly unmatched in all lands, and yet he is also a sorcerer. Think about how a man who cannot be beaten by force of arms decides to become a sorcerer king. We've all got..."
Noticing the pause, the young woman is about to inquire further when...
Llewella gets an unfocused look in her eyes and extends her hand.
Silhouette turns her head as Celina reappears, falling silent.
"Thank you, Aunt," Celina says to Llewella. She waits on the contact or conversation with Paris to seem ended.
Llewella nods once at her distant brother, and then turns to the young Queen.
Then the Queen relaxes a bit. Celina stretches and shakes tension out of her arms. "I think we did some good."
Silhouette folds her hands in front of her, smiling. "Truly? What makes you say so?"
Celina turns more fully to Silhouette. "First, my father and I had a productive conversation where we shared news, exchanged views, and decided to work together. We did not part in anger. This is a step up from previous dealings.
"Second, he agreed to assist you when I asked. I was not certain he would, and he was not pleased to be put in the position of granting me that favor. However, he agreed and it will go a long way to providing a moment in time when you can reach some respectful accommodation with Aunt Florimel, if that is possible." Celina pauses a beat, then goes on, "Take a lesson if you wish from my mistakes. I have blamed my father for things he never had control of. He was used ever before I was used."
Silhouette blushes at this, nodding. Being blinded by the Parent's sins - true or false - runs deep in the Amber blood.
Celina reaches and touches Silhouette's shoulder lightly, "Third, working together makes Rebma stronger than trying to make a path in the dark. I need Paris to consider me an ally that is dependable. By asking for a favor, and delivering news that Paris did not have, I don't just help you, I help everyone in this city. My father knows this." Then she adds, "I need you to do your best to make a diplomacy with Florimel. I would see you strike common cause even if you cannot agree on how yesterday drew us into today."
Llewella nods. "That would be best. In all fairness, I'd probably rip out the throat of any woman showing up pretending to be Khela."
Silhouette's hand covers Celina's. "I will not squander this boon, my Queen, and endeavor to bring Understanding between us." She smiles, first to Celina and then to Llewella. "You both have taught me much. I may not be of Rebman blood, but my heart is here."
A soft squeeze of the hand, and then she falls back - to a more reverent stance.
Celina adds this, "I told father that since we know Dara is or was working with Chantico, that I have a concern that Moire does not find common cause with those who want to pull down the Patterns. He agreed to watch and asked that we keep him advised about anything we learn about Moire's actions." Celina looks at Llewella and Silhouette. "That's something we would have done in any case. Silhouette, if you have a chance while in Paris, you could advise King Random of this likewise. I expect Corwin and Random are closer than Macy and Gimbel, however it makes further entry for you if I give you such a task. Questions? Comments?"
Silhouette bows her head, "Of course." An uncomfortable pause. "Might you share more information on this Dara and her possible intentions? Our aunt mentioned she is a shape-shifter and one of our true enemies. Would Moire ally herself with such a creature?" She taps her chin, adding, "And would we even know if Dara already walked amongst us?"
Llewella shrugs. "That you are secretly Dara is one of the leading theories amongst your more-paranoid elders. Within those that consider that, it's evenly split between those who think you ate Silhouette in the Chaosian way, those who think you suppressed your memories of yourself to become Silhouette, and those who think you took acting lessons in shadow.
"Myself, I believe none of these things. You are obviously not a Chaosian, and Dara is nothing if not a creature of her own kind."
Celina admires the way her Aunt has put all that, and marvels that her own comments were going to be so similar. Maybe things are getting better.
Maybe.
Celina adds, "My understanding of Dara's capabilities is limited. However, from what I do know, Dara could be you, Silhouette, but I would know, because of how strongly you are not she." Celina stares simply into Silhouette's eyes. "It would mean that the real Silhouette had been eaten by her and was playing a part of that essence for us. I agree with Llewella that this is not the case. However, for someone I know less than you.... I could be fooled by Dara. Such is her danger."
Silhouette smiles at Llewella, as if humbled by her words. "Thank you, Aunt. I'm pleased that I have not been someone's entree. Although, in truth, my question was more directed toward the Family in general. Or their associates. For all I know, I've met her and never realized." The grin curls at the corners. "There is a chaotic streak in many of my cousins, after all."
Celina grimly chuckles at this. No bubbles escape her mouth.
She taps her chin, thoughtful. "Perhaps, it is my antiquarian education lending me suspicions, but could Huon - the one now here - be a living Trojan Horse? He did deal with Chaos, this we know. And some of his actions have been erratic. And, he was wounded after his conflict here. A wounded prey might make for easy consumption." A slight shrug, "A villain 'surrendering' to carry out their plans under the enemy's nose is almost cliché."
"If you believed Huon was Dara, how would you prove or disprove it, Dolphin?" Celina asks.
"Unfortunately, my knowledge of Chaosian Shape-shifting and Huon's 'true' personality are limited. This makes an accurate assessment difficult," Silhouette says, humbled. "Observation is a key. Some face-dancers utilize magick to accomplish their goal. And magick can be detected, even when it is subtle. Also, someone that truly knows or knew our uncle might be able to detect slight personality 'errors.' It might benefit you to reintroduce him to his brother, Bleys, and observe the interaction.
"If only for the entertainment."
Celina only raises an eyebrow in amusement. She's sure Llewella will have a comment to that and she waits for it.
Llewella looks nonplussed. "Bear-baiting isn't a civilized sport, Silhouette. I knew him as well as any of us, except perhaps for Ysabeau, I can only be somewhat sure, because of the amount of time that passed.
"Although given what he did to Asir, the circumstantial evidence matches my recollections."
"Huon is already under observation," Celina adds. "From anything that has been said about Dara so far, she would not long put herself in a position of containment or apparent surrender. Like any Chaos Noble, she must dominate. Even if she has made acting and concealment an art, she would chafe, as if in manacles, in Huon's situation. We have eyes on Huon and I do not think Dara would like the idea of arriving to surrender and wait while we let our guard down. Not when she can devour an outlier officer and walk into the City as she pleases, to then devour some other citizen we are not watching and so on until there isn't even a trail we can follow. It isn't good tactics for her." She looks at her two advisers, and then asks Silhouette, "Your counters to my comments? We stop Dara by understanding and limiting her."
Silhouette nods, "While the practicality of your comment is sound, it impedes Dara's positioning within the Court for maximum efficiency. If she is here, it is not as a face-dancer; gathering nuggets of information. It is as a predator. Consuming a normal citizen would inhibit her progress toward establishing a striking position within the upper echelons. This, in turn, would offer more opportunities for exposure that she can ill-afford. Instead, she'd want to be as close to you or your inner circle as possible, while remaining invisible - maintaining balance between the Third and Sixth Laws."
Her stony gaze breaks, "Huon, following the invasion, lacked any feminine characteristics. Even at his most... vulnerable." She brushes her hair back, "So, unless Dara stuck subsequently, I doubt he is a suspect.
"So, if we are to presume Dara is amongst us, you must look to your intimates. But first, you must identify her Purpose. That is the key to finding her."
Llewella nods, looking pensive. "I don't know that she would have one here, which makes both her presence and her detection unlikely."
Celina nods once. She had the same thought.
Another pause. A shiver passes through her. "What of Vialle? I recall mention that her encounter in the Ghost City left her... changed."
Llewella brightens up. "For the better, I hope. She is better-remembered in Amber and Xanadu than she is in this city."
Celina gives Llewella a long look, then glances to Silhouette.
Silhouette nods, "She is a lovely woman. I miss her company." She does not press the issue further, allowing for this deflection.
"Will you say goodbye to Huon before you leave?" Celina asks Silhouette. "He may have messages for Paris you could carry to gather a favor from him later. I think we are done here."
"If it is your will, my Queen," Silhouette replies, shifting uneasily. "I will speak with him now."
She glances over at Llewella, "Unless you have anything further, Aunt, I shall take my leave."
Llewella coughs. "Your Majesty, I would not assume, based on what I know of my brothers and what I see in your cousin's demeanor, that she wishes to carry any further messages for Huon. Silhouette, if you don't want to speak to Huon, I will inform him of your departure."
Celina breaks out a huge smile and chuckle, stunningly inappropriate in Rebma, where the bubbles and/or turbulence of the head cavities is poor manners. "Thank you Aunt." Celina nods to Silhouette to agree with the suggestion and make it plain that Silhouette can choose her own relationship with Huon. "I shall have messages for Florimel and Alice and my father. It would be a favor if you can carry them for me. We'll talk later."
A hint of relief cracks Silhouette's stony exterior. She dips her head to Llewella, "Thank you for your eloquence, Aunt. Although I am at the Queen's service, it may be prudent for me to disassociate myself with Huon with some expedience. Particularly considering the trip I am about to take. My Mother already believes I am Huon's creation. A belief I hope to dispel."
She smiles at Celina, "That said, I shall protect whatever diplomatic materials you require me to transport with my life, my Queen."
Last modified: 28 June 2014