The former monk bites his lower lip. "I can try, but it's not my specialty. This is for sea-captains and explorers. Have you ever seen an alchemist's journal? They would take notes in their own code, so that they could translate them but no one else could. In case they were stolen, which used to happen. The only thing that really helped was that some of their experiments produced repeatable results and they could give us the key to the rest of the code."
He leans over the rutter. "It looks like you've identified some of the places already. What else do you know?"
"We think this means 'computers' " Ossian says. "And this is possibly razed facilities." He points to the ruins symbol. "We are speculating on the meaning of these people markers. Any idea about those?
"I am especially interested in finding out if or how their different communication modalities show up here."
"That symbol next to the people should mean that there's someone to watch there, or to watch for."
"Then that's not Abford," says Regenlief. "They didn't have Meg and Ossian there until after I got this. Unless they're predictive."
"You're right. I can't say for sure, but I think that's a symbol for a parent and a child. See how they're connected?"
Regenlief nods. "Could it be Asgard? The Goddess Brita and Lord Reid were there."
Tomat frowns. "How did they know so much? This is from before the war."
"They are greedy for information, but someone must have been feeding them. My grandfather perhaps. Also this guy named Able. Have you met him?"
"I have never met him," Tomat says stolidly.
Regenlief's eyebrows go up. "But you've heard of him as the Turcopolier," she prompts him.
"I know who he is," Tomat says. "But... I have never met him."
It's obvious to Ossian that whatever Tomat knows, it's upsetting to him.
"Sorry to poke around in your past" Ossian says with a soft voice. "But what have you heard about him?"
"I believe," Tomat says, "that Able is either my sire or my grandsire. I do not know him at all. But that was the rumor."
"Oh." Ossian says, surprised. "Welcome to the family. Are there more of his kids around? Given the monks interest in our family, did they do experiments on you? Or your blood?"
Tomat nods. "They drew blood and did some measurements and tests every few months when I was a child. Not so much after I reached adulthood. My fellow students thought I got extra privileges because of my relationship to him. I think--I know--that I was given the opportunity to learn sorcery because of it. But in truth it was more trouble than benefit because they kept a close eye on me. I knew little freedom until I was sent away on assignments."
Ossian nods somberly. "One wonders how they trusted you enough to let you go on assigments. Well, back to the rutter... let's for the moment assume the figures are relatives and the like.
"How many places are there with more than two figures? " Ossian investigates. "How many with two?"
Tomat points them out. "I'm not sure. I think they had... expectations about where I'd fit into their plans, and your family."
There are several with two figures; Tomat suggests they may not all have been added at the same time and they may be more of a warning to expect more opposition in those shadows. But barring time magic those two symbols in what is probably Abford can't mean Meg and Ossian, not if the rutter pre-dates Ossian's birth.
Unless there's time magic involved.
Tomat goes on to add that shadows seem to become more likely to be visited the more they are visited, like a road that becomes easier to travel the more that it is traveled upon, so it could be references to a prior generation. Perhaps Dara and Brand were there.
"In the end, I think the best thing to do is go to someplace we can identify, like Abford or Reme, follow the rutter and see where it takes us."
Ossian nods. "Lets do that. I suggest Abford. Reme was crawling with guards last time we were there. "
Ossian will preferrably bring a copy if the rutter rather than the original, if he thinks it is possible to make a reasonably accurate copy. The copy should just cover chains of places from Abford rather than being copy if the whole rutter (if the monks get a hold of the copy they should not learn everything).
Also, Ossian will arrange for Tomat to get to Rebma.
It will take a couple of days to make the partial copy, which can be done by scribes in Corwin's service. During that time, Regenlief and Ossian can obtain supplies and they can Trump Llewella to send Tomat to Rebma.
How will Ossian return to Abford? Will he walk Shadow, or Trump there?
The Trump is a bit risky, but Ossian is willing to take the risk to win time. To his mother he says. "I did not leave Abford in a very civilized way last time, so there might be a place on my head there."
"What did you do?" Regenlief sounds more amused than concerned.
"Kidnapped two nuns and one honest citizen by ways of evil magick." Ossian says with a grin. "It was sort of an emergency."
Regenlief looks delighted. "You really are my son," she says, not as if she doubted it.
Before going through Ossian will try to peek through the Trump to check if it looks safe.
Ossian has a sketch of the Guild Hall and a sketch of the orphanage, but no full Trump. He can try one or the other. Peeking through the sketch might be possible, but it's reasonably risky. He stands a reasonable chance of destroying the Trump with that use.
Which sketch does Ossian try and does he want to try to view first or just go through?
Ossian considers the risk. These are monks, and he can always shadow walk there if he breaks the sketch, so he will peek through the Guild Hall one.
Ossian touches the trump sketch; this is like touching a person trump, trying to read surface thoughts without making contact. He'd been taught that that was impossible, then found out it wasn't. So too, it seems as if he can touch the surface of the trump and will it into life, as if he was about to go through, and then pause.
But Ossian is also enough of an experts on Trump to feel when the connection is strained, and the strain in this case is on the card. He thinks this might ruin any trump sketch, possibly a sealed trump, and almost certainly this sketch that was already classified in his mind as 'fragile'.
But he has another nearby location trump, so the loss of this one may be worth the gain.
Abford seems pleasant enough, if cold on what looks like an early spring day. The lane in front of the Guildhall has a new wooden sidewalk, to keep people out of the mud. The streets look to be in better shape and cleaner than Ossian remembers them.
The guildhall sign now has a crown over it. That's new as well.
It's a royal guild, which means that Abford once again has Royalty. That's a change.
"No immedeate danger, it seems. " he says to his mother. "Let's go through." He stretches out his hand towards his mother and pulls them both through."
When they get through he puts his arm under hers and starts walking down the street briskly. "Let's pretend we were walking along the street all along." he whispers.
"Abford wasn't ruled by a king or queen before, but now it seems there is one. We should probably look into it."
The Trump sketch crumbles in Ossian's hand as they arrive in Abford. Ossian thinks no one saw them. At least no one is close by just now, and in any case the Shadow can lie for him if he needs it.
Regenlief doesn't walk like a goodwife of Abford. She walks like a demigoddess of war and death. She can't help it. Ossian could tell she wasn't comfortable or happy in Abford-style clothes even before he took her arm. She has a short blade concealed under her skirts.
Perhaps it's a little early in the morning for people to be up and about. A handful of people emerge in the next few minutes, one of whom is clearly some sort of guard. He approaches Ossian and Regenlief, and speaks to Ossian. "I'm Bark of the Royal Guard. May I see your papers, please?" It's phrased as a request but is clearly an order.
Ossian tries to play on their knowledge of Old Norse (although he and Regenlief likely speaks different dialects). He says to his mother "Denna ungersven vill våra papper se. Säg mig något på ditt gamla språk så ser vi vad vi kan göra med det. Låtom oss låtsas att jag översätter."
//This young man wants to see our papers. Tell me something in your old language and we'll see where that leads. Let us pretend that I translate//
Regenlief answers Ossian in what sounds to him like a very archaic version of Old Norse (so maybe Ancient Norse): "The Goddess Brita is from Jotunheim on one side, if I'm not mistaken. My last full-time place of residence was Valhalla." She sounds annoyed; Ossian intuits that the guard can understand her annoyance even though he doesn't seem to comprehend the words.
After she answers he turns to the guard, somewhat pompus. "Oh, youu den should be abble to uss recognize. She is de Ambassodoria of Jotunheimen. We looking at city. In cogni too, youu knouw. "
The guard looks at Ossian, looks at Regenlief, and looks back at Ossian.
"Well of course I must escort you to the palace," he says, discretion seeming the better part of valor to him. "The Queen would have my head if I did anything else."
That's not discretion. That's fear.
Ossian's eyes narrow. He turns to his mother and whispers "This will be risky, but I think we need to see this Queen for ourselves.
"You show us de city?" Ossian asks the guard.
I must escort you to the palace," the guard repeats, adding, "This way, please."
Regenlief looks to Ossian to choose whether or not to follow. They could get out of here, but they'd miss their chance to follow up on the rutter easily.
Somewhat whimsical Ossian grins. "But of coörse. We not want to disappoint de Queen"
So they follow.
The palace is what Ossian suspects used to be the house of the biggest merchant prince in the city. Definitely a palace because it's not properly defensible; not too far away from the town center, either. It's guarded by men in uniform with bayonets and polearms. Regenlief knows what the firearms are and clearly mislikes them.
Inside the palace, Regenlief and Ossian are handed off to a palace functionary with guards of his own, who leaves them sitting in a waiting room, promising he'll return in a few minutes. The furniture is all heavy wood with a lot of decoration; the paintings on the walls are still lifes with food and flowers in various combinations. The servants they've seen in the halls are dressed in dark colors with some whites and off-whites. Everything is tidy and neat. There are guards outside the door waiting for the summons to the Queen.
(Think 17th-18th century Netherlands for style and tech levels.)
After a the aforementioned few minutes, Ossian and Regenlief are summoned to meet the Queen. She's sitting on a wooden throne which is more nicely decorated than the other chairs but similar in style. When Ossian and Regenlief are brought in, she smiles.
"Ossian," she says, "what a pleasant surprise. You'll have to introduce me to your friend."
Ossian recognizes her at once. It's Meg, of course.
Ossian grins and bows. "I should not be surprised finding you here, should I?
"This is Regenlief. More could be said in a less public setting". Turning to his mother he says "I should have figured this out. She's cousin. And a friend, I hope."
Meg looks around at the guards. "This man is known to me and I am safe in his presence. You are all dismissed; I'll call you when I need you."
They all bow and depart, closing the doors behind them.
Once they're safely out of hearing, and Regenlief and Ossian and Meg are alone in the throne room, Meg smiles at Ossian and Regenlief. "So, Regenlief. It's a pleasure to meet you. Are you one of Ossian's and my many cousins?"
Ossian smiles "She's my mother, actually. And a distant relative. We do seem to be slightly inbred...
Regenlief offers Meg a warrior's grip, which Meg accepts with a surprising amount of confidence for a person whom Ossian knew mostly as a housewife. On the other hand, she is now a Queen.
"How did you end up as queen here?
"It wasn't that hard. Huon's departure left things a mess, and it was easy to pick up and take charge once I got back. Someone needed to do it, and nobody else was ready to step up and take responsibility. Well, nobody I wanted to see in charge. How have you been, and what brings you back to Abford?" Meg seems very interested in both Ossian and Regenlief in general, almost hungrily so, and eager to hear Ossian's answer.
Ossian nods, pausing for a moment. "We are looking for the Klybesians. It seems they have been looking for and manipulating our family all over the place.
"This seemed like a good place to start, as we know they have connections with the convent here. I guess the convent is still around? Do they still have Klybesian connections?"
This answer doesn't seem to be quite what she's looking for, at least initially.
"If they have, they haven't told me about it," Meg answers, scowling. "They're still there but they're under sufferance. They don't know how the people who brought us in came to Abford, and I have asked. Nobody still here remembers, and the records are unclear. I've been focused on cleaning up Huon's messes, but if there's something to be learned from the monks and nuns, I can give them my attention."
As she thinks about it, her grin grows. Meg doesn't look much like her father, but she's got that same big, sharp smile.
"We do have an idea of how the people who brought us came here. We have found a map of sorts, which we intend to follow. So we went here as it is a good starting point that we know.
"But if something can be learned from the monks and nuns here that would be great."
As an afterthought Ossian adds "You know them better than I do. Have you heard them talking about icons or holy pictures or something like that?"
That's a better answer, or at least one that Meg likes better.
"Trump cards, you mean? Nothing that would lead to that. I've already asked, but if you think you have some way of eliciting information out of them that I've missed, we can ask them again. Is that how they're getting around in Shadow? Or--no, you said there's a map."
"Well, they seem to use all means there are. The order certainly has Trumps, that doesn't mean they have them here. " Ossian smiles.
"We should also investigate the cellars of the monasteries. The monks seem to like tunnels."
"Yes, let's do that," Meg agrees. She rises from her chair and goes to the door and speaks to the guard at the door. Ossian hears her tell them to bring Mother Humility.
Regenlief is keeping her own counsel, but Ossian can tell even without words that she mislikes something about what's going on.
"What is your suspicion, mother?" Ossian whispers. A number of scenarios are running through his head.
"She's anxious to hear about ways out of Abford," Regenlief mutters quietly.
"Ah. She's probably can't get out by herself. Who wouldn't want to leave when she has once tried."
"Does she have the--" Regenlief starts to ask, but Meg returns and Regenlief falls silent.
"They'll bring her along in a few minutes," Meg tells her visitors. "How did you figure out about the tunnels?" she asks Ossian. "That doesn't seem like somethig you'd pick up by chance."
Ossian grins. "We investigated one of their places quite thoroughly and found a tunnel. Then, at another place I found another one. Since the I have kept my eyes open for them. Not that they are at all Klybesian places."
Meg nods. "So they're in shadows that aren't heavily infested by the monks, then. Ones where they have been, or would like to go, perhaps. Do you know who's making the tunnels? Are they natural, or do you think they were forged by someone who has the Pattern?"
Normally family members have some mild discretion about talking about the Pattern in front of others. Meg apparently assumes that Regenlief is in on the secret.
Regenlief, whether Brennan told her the details or not, is keeping mum and looking like she knows what Meg is talking about. It's likely that she knows enough to put things together anyhow.
Ossian frowns. He is not certain it is a good idea that Regenlief knows all about the Pattern.
"Some of them looked pretty artificial to me. We have indications that family is involved, yes. From the Trumps if nothing else.
"Speaking of family and the monks, what's the word on Huon of late?" Meg's lips thin as she asks this question. Ossian may recall that Huon came through Abford and took Meg's stepsons on the way to his last battle in Rebma.
Before he can answer, though, there's a knock on the door and Meg answers it. "Oh, yes, bring her in." It's Mother Humility. The guards push her in; she's wavery but manages to stand upright. Regenlief moves to hold her up. It looks to Ossian like she's been through a beating, though she's healed enough that it was clearly some time ago.
Mother Humility looks at Ossian and Regenlief, then at Meg. "What does Your Majesty want of me?" she asks, and Ossian has no trouble hearing the implied now.
Ossian frowns. He does not like the look of this.
"Mother Humility." he says and bows his head. "We are interested in what can be found in the basement of your buildings. Please be honest with us. I will check myself anyway."
"The basement of the buildings?" Mother Humility looks genuinely confused, and begins listing off the things she knows were there: storerooms and their contents, generally the normal sorts of things Ossian would have expected from his time in the orphanage. Also things that are normal to Ossian's expectations, specifically including only the sort of technology that Ossian would have expected in Abford.
"No, you silly woman," says Meg. "We mean how the monks came and went."
"I don't know how the monks came and went," Mother Humility says, and she cringes in Regenlief's hold as a reflex. Meg balls up one hand in a fist, but she doesn't hit Mother Humility. "You can send for the priests from other congregations; they'll know about that. I don't. I'm sorry." Mother Humility is looking to Ossian now, though she is keeping aware of Meg.
Ossian nods. He turns to Meg. His voice is gentle, but firm. "There is a difference between being firm and being violent. I'm sure the Mother cooperates as well as she is able to."
Ossian can see the play of emotions across Meg's face. She doesn't like being called out, that's clear. But Ossian has something she wants, so she lets him, and nods.
Turning back to Mother Humility he asks: "When the monks came, did they arrive at the front door or somewhere else?"
"They came through the gate and were announced just like other visitors," Mother Humility says. She, too, has noticed that Meg backed off at Ossian's request.
Behind Mother Humility, Regenlief's face is impassive.
Ossian nods. What does the rutter say about connections to other places. (Ossian did after all examine the Abford entry)
There are three tunnels, each of them leading to a Shadow that Ossian didn't recognize off the top of his head. Regenlief had heard of one of them, but hadn't visited it.
"Which of the other congregations had closest connection to the Monks?"
She names Renady and another couple of cities in Huon's "Renadiatic League", names that Ossian recognizes in passing from his youth. Regenlief shakes her head minutely when Ossian looks at her.
"Sometimes," Mother Humility adds, "the churches in those cities had visits from foreign monks, and those monks came here. Is that who you mean?" Ossian can tell she's not lying and she really hopes this is the right answer.
"No. I'm talking about this Abford. We are pretty sure the Klybesians came here without going via the Renadiatic League. I will, with your permission" he turns to Meg. "personally investigate the cellars of the orphanage. And some other places I guess."
Meg nods. "You have my permission to do so, and if you need troops, please call upon mine. I would like to hear what you learn, so do not leave without returning to me." She smiles, but it seems artificial. "It's good to see someone other than my mother again, Ossian."
Ossian nods "It's good to see you too. Is she keeping you here against your will?"
"Not exactly. She knows I don't have any way to get out. It's a convenient storage place for me where she knows she can find me when she needs me. I need to," this time Meg hesitates and looks at Mother Humility, "master the family gifts so this doesn't happen to me again."
If Meg knows she's meant to ask about the rest of the family, she's forgotten that etiquette as well.
Ossian frowns and nods towards Mother Humility. "The kings might have thing or two to say about that. But I don't like cages."
"I'll let you know when I find anything."
Regenlief volunteers to stay with Meg, probably, Ossian intuits, as insurance for Ossian's return. Possibly also to keep her from punishing Mother Humility again. Meanwhile, Ossian has a chance to refresh himself before visiting the orphanage, at which point he can try to call Random or Corwin.
Conner watches Brita and Tricksey leave and decides this would be a good time to check in on those he has not seen in a while. He takes out the Eye and focuses upon Commodore Garlic to see how the Parisians are doing.
The good news is that Commodore Garlic did not get jailed, released, and caught up in the general rioting last night.
The bad news is that the Lorraine seems to be having a heated discussion by megaphone and signal flag with a fast, modern, Coast Gaurd cutter. It has the same logo as the hospital had on it. Depending on how much territorial waters they claim here in Tyrell, it may be that the Lorraine is actually illegally in Tyrellean waters.
Conner hums thoughtfully. Well, fortunately, Conner has a computer system linked to the city and an insane amount of local currency. Conner drops the contact and looks through the computer system to find out who he has to bribe to swiftly obtain a lawful sailing permit for the Lorraine and then arrange a docking berth for his "historical hobby vehicle".
Conner finds that the authority to obtain such is tied up in the bureaucracy of the Holy Order, which means, for all practical purposes, Abel.
The holy office is not available via voice or text channels, and their out-of-office directs Conner to the Mayor of the city. The Mayor's office has no services to engage on behalf of an Animal Crossing tournament millionaire, even if they wanted to.
Conner can find several people who would be willing to "expedite" matters. There's a market for sailing permits, but it's shady. Someone on-line suggests he buy another boat, transfer the permit, and let it be impounded (or stolen).
Conner has remained in Tyrell some few days while straightening out matters with the ship he and Brita arrived on. Unfortunately he has not been able to contact Brita, nor has she reached out to him. While he is certain in his own mind that Brita and Tricksey have reached Xanadu safely, he doesn't have a firm confirmation on that point.
So when Conner feels the touch of a Trump on his mind, he is ready to answer it.
It is Merlin, and he's dressed in sort of pirate-y garb, perhaps belonging to some port-oriented Shadow. His garb is soaked through, and Merlin isn't bothering to hide how uncomfortable he is with it in the connection. "Cousin," he says, "I have some news of things in Rebma for you. Do you have time to speak with me for a few minutes?"
"Of course, Merlin." Conner answers. For his part, Conner is more casually dressed than Merlin has ever seen him. He is wearing a t-shirt advertising something called Tsingtao beer. "I have been waiting for a Trump from Brita but that is not time pressing."
Merlin does not seem to take note of Conner's clothing.
"I have not seen her of late, but if I speak with her, I will pass the message onwards," Merlin says politely. "I am in a Shadow called the Pearl Islands with Celina and Delta. Some things have happened here that you should know about; not bad news, in fact, good if somewhat dangerous. But first, do you have any important news to pass on yourself?"
Conner smiles. "Quite a bit. The short version is that we have met two new cousins. One, named Tricksey, appears to be a vigilante looking out for her people against an uncaring city government. The other is named Abel and the martial leader of the Klybesian Order which happens to be the the previously mentioned uncaring government. Abel claims that Brother Hannibal aka Dr. Chew was acting against orders and they we were free to pursue revenge against him and warned us to leave the rest of the Order alone. Brita brought Tricksey to Xanadu to present her to the King and report what we learned."
Conner pauses. "I spoke with her just before you called and apparently Hannibal has already been caught and brought to Xanadu. That became the focus of everyone's attention so we cut the call."
"That is good news indeed," Merlin says, sounding very pleased "I will pass that onward to Celina and Llewella. Here we have two new cousins save Delta, whom you know, and her grandmother Coral. It turns out that Coral, under another name, was the daughter of Mera, who was the half-sister of Llewella and Moire through Moins.
"Celina and I were seeking the Heart of the Deep. We have learned that the Heart was broken into two pieces. Coral had one and it has returned to Rebma in Delta's hands. I have warned her to be careful about touching it."
Conner takes that in. "I think I have missed some information. What is the Heart of the Deep?" he asks.
"Apparently that is the name of the Rebman sapphire," Merlin explains.
Conner nods as Merlin confirms his suspicions. "Did you examine the half we have? Why the warning about touching it?"
"Not closely," Merlin says. "I am somewhat concerned about the problem of sorcerously examining it if it is like the Jewel of Judgement. And I based my advice on what my father said about the Jewel of Judgement. In fact I should have been broader and told her not to wear it." He frowns, concern leaking into the contact.
"That is an understandable concern but one we may have to risk in time." Conner comments. "If you wanted a focus to find its other half by sympathy, I can't think of anything better."
"Indeed," Merlin agrees. "It will either go very well or very badly. But I think the attempt is worthwhile. When you finish your current work, will you join me and work with me to track the other half of the Jewel down?"
"Absolutely." Conner agrees. "Things here are winding down I think. The monks know we know of this place so I suspect nothing of import will happen here for awhile. They cannot abandon it though. It seems to be a nexus point of many shadow routes. The shadow is also fragile. It has been shaped by those with power many times and not gently. I feel I should do something about that but fear the whole thing will collapse like a house of cards."
"In your shoes, I would seek advice from my father or King Random before making such an attempt," Merlin offers. "I do not have the knowledge or skill to attempt the kind of maintenance a severely damaged Shadow would require. But I have a question. Does the damage seem as though it has been inflicted by abuse of the Pattern or by Sorcery? Or can you tell?"
"The damage appears to have been caused by Shadowpaths being laid down without much concern to the ultimate integrity of the shadow." Conner replies. "Making Shadowpaths is a skill I associate with Pattern. Can Shadowpaths be made with Sorcery?"
Merlin says, even more seriously than usual, "That is how the Black Road was made. In part, anyhow."
Conner frowns at that. "Well then, I shall be sure to look at the situation here with my Third Eye open." Conner asks a few more questions of Merlin to get an idea of what to look for, bids him farewell and ends the call.
Once Jerod, Kim, Cordelia, Rowen, and the sack of Chewy potatoes are safely on their way to Xanadu, Martin turns to Vere and says, "Okay, let's do the less fun part of this," and gestures to the courtyard. "Also when we get finished, I have some news you'll want to hear before we head back to Xanadu."
Vere raises an eyebrow. "I do hope that is not as ominous as it sounds," he says quietly, as he gestures for the monks to assemble. He makes certain his back is turned to Martin before opening his third eye and looking the monks over for any signs that any of them are more than normal humans, or have any magical objects on their persons.
"Nothing ominous at all," Martin says. "Might even be good news. I just know you like to think about things."
Vere laughs quietly and nods an acknowledgement of the truth of Martin's statement.
Vere searches the group with his Third Eye and is confident that there are no sorcerers nor any sorcerous implements among this group. While Vere is working on that, Martin contacts Caine and arranges for Caine to have midshipmen ready to take the prisoners to the dungeons.
A few minutes later, when Vere's investigation is complete, Martin and Vere pass the monks through to Amber. Once that's done, they step through to Amber proper, into Caine's office in the Castle, which used to be Gerard's when he was Regent.
"Congratulations, nephews," Caine says. "That's one nest of trouble well wrapped up."
"Although it might be a good idea to send someone to do a thorough search of the complete structure before the Klebesians have a chance to send someone to clean up any clues to other locations," Vere notes.
Caine says, "I agree."
"I'll do that," Martin says, "but I'll see if I can pick up someone to give me a hand when we go back through to Xanadu."
"I could send some Navy men with you," Caine offers.
It seems to Vere that Caine and Martin are playing some sort of high-level game with privileges and information here, for all that both of them are superficially cordial.
Martin shakes his head, once. "Klybesian business should be kept in the family. Thanks for the offer, though." He looks to Vere, to see whether Vere has anything else for Caine, though Vere intuits that Martin is more than ready to bring this discussion to its end.
Vere acts as though the byplay between Caine and Martin was nothing more than the surface words, and nods when Martin looks at him. "It is a relief to have Doctor Chew at last in hand," he says. "I have been active without much rest for a while now, and look forward to a chance to take some ease before my next task is assigned." He smiles slightly as he says this.
Caine looks at the pair of them and seems to decide that discretion is the better part of valor, or in this case, maybe waiting to stab them in the back later. (After all, it is Caine.) "Of course. Enjoy your leisure, nephews."
Martin smiles, and it's probably not intentionally sharklike, but he's like that. "Thank you, Uncle."
Vere nods a farewell to Caine and follows Martin out of his presence. Once they're alone he looks at Martin and raises a quizzical eyebrow.
"Sorry," Martin says once they're out of Caine's immediate earshot. "Most of our uncles don't bother me that way, but for some reason, he gets on my last nerve. You want to go to the library and hear the story?"
They make their way to the library, which is locked up. A naval lieutenant, a young one, stands before it. "Sorry, sirs, the library is off limits by the order of Prince Caine, the Regent."
Martin closes his eyes for a moment--Vere can tell he clearly has had a day--and says, "Lieutenant--" but before he can continue, another officer, this one older and, once Vere gets a look at his shoulders, more senior, hustles up.
"Of course Prince Martin and his guest are permitted in the library, Fledge."
"My guest," Martin says, "is my cousin, Lord Vere of Xanadu, and he's welcome in this library. He served faithfully on the Regency Council during the war and has earned the freedom of the castle and the city."
"Yes, Your Highness," the newcomer, who holds the rank of commander, says, adding, "Your Lordship." He produces a key and the library is opened.
It's been a while since anyone has used it regularly, Vere can tell. Martin frowns at the state of it. Some of the books have been removed and probably forwarded on to Xanadu. It's not terrible, just a bit dusty and not as well cared for as it ought to be.
Vere frowns as well. "The condition of the library does not improve my opinion of Uncle Caine," he says quietly.
Once the door is closed and the Navy men are out of earshot, Martin offers Vere a flask from the inside of his jacket.
"The short version of the news is, you have a brother."
Vere blinks. "A brother?" he repeats. "That is ... most unexpected." He pauses for a moment, considering the news, then asks, "Might I inquire for the longer version?"
"Sure. I just thought I should put the significant information up front," Martin says. The flask remains on offer.
Vere accepts it, lifts a toast to Martin, and takes a healthy swig before returning it.
"I took Lark to pick up the Weir in Gateway for Jerod and took them back to Weirmonken, which is where I picked up Rowen. She's Cambina's sister on her mother's side and, we're pretty sure, also her father's." Martin leaves a moment for that to sink in.
"Ah." Vere nods his understanding.
Martin continues, "On the way back to Xanadu with Rowen and her half-brother Reynart, I was trying to teach her the things she'd need to know. I didn't have a firm confirmation Rowen was Family, but Lark kept telling me she was, and apparently--I haven't told Jerod this yet, so keep it under your hat--Cambina left a letter telling us she was Eric's. Dad seems to have accepted her but he doesn't know that bit either. And I'm only telling you for context for the next part of the story."
Vere tilts his head as he considers this new information about Lark's apparent abilities.
"Which is that Bleys asked me to check in on a ship he'd taken down near Tortuga, and we diverted to make that happen. The ship had slipped through Shadow and came back with some locals from the other side where it had turned up. They were exploring it and got pulled through to Tortuga. One of them was their naval officer in charge of the exploration team. He had their logs.
"Lark told me he was Family so I brought him back to Xanadu. Then it turned out your father knew his home Shadow, and his mother, and that's the somewhat longer version."
Vere nods thoughtfully. "Thank you for the information." He tilts his head once more and adds, "So you were able to get to know him during the trip to Xanadu? Might I ask your opinion of him?" He smiles slightly, "I will, of course, make my own judgments once I have a chance to get to know him, but your impressions would be welcome preliminary information."
"I like him. I think he's a good man, as much as any of us are. If he hadn't proved out to be one of us, I meant to take him in for my own purposes," Martin says. By way of elaboration, he continues, "I think it's obvious I can't be resident full-time in Xanadu for a while, and I promised myself I'd raise my children, when I had them, out of court. Lark enjoyed her time on the Queen Vialle; it occurred to me that Xanadu could use a floating diplomat who could reforge and reinforce Shadow paths. A dozen or two years of that and Lark will be grown. And I'd need a Captain for that."
Vere nods. "An excellent plan, it seems to me. It gives her a childhood of great experience and variety, and keeps her away from the sort of environment that might prove infelicitous to her emotional and intellectual development." He nods once more. "Your opinion of my brother is valuable to me, and I thank you for it. What is his name?"
"Harsh Majumdar. He was a Commander in the Golcondan navy, before." Martin describes Harsh briefly, so Vere will have a good idea of who he is in case they meet unexpectedly.
Vere nods. "Thank you again, for the information. Unless there is some other business you know of that calls my attention, I think this important enough that I return to Xanadu and meet my new brother."
"Good luck," Martin says. "If you get a chance, can you let Dad and Folly know I'm handling cleanup and I'll be back as soon as I can?"
"I shall tell them when I see them," Vere agrees. He nods a farewell to Martin and produces his father's trump. He pauses a moment in case Martin has any last words, before looking at the trump and activating it.
When Ossian is alone, refreshing himself, he pulls out his deck of cards, hesitating between Corwin and Random, but settles for the latter.
"Your Majesty, Ossian here"
Random is sitting, or perhaps lounging on his second-favorite throne. "Ossian, I'm Random everywhere. Or at least I am when I'm anywhere. Do you need a rescue?"
"Not at the moment" Ossian says with a grin. "I'm in Abford investigating Klybesian stuff. Guess who rules there now? Meg. With a slightly changed personality, I'd say.
"Her mother put here there, knowing she can't get out, and she naturally looks for every possible way. I could offer to hand her through to you, if you'd take her, and she agrees to it. "
"Any way we treat her, she is probably quite dangerous. I could bring her along on my hunt, I guess, but don't know if she will turn om me at some point."
"Well, that’s a fun surprise. You probably shouldn’t stay there too long, in case her mother shows back up.
"What do you mean a changed personality? Changed like Dara ate part of her personality? Or changed like 'got disillusioned about her options in Xanadu and decided to retire to being in charge of the shadow where her adopted kids lived' changed?"
"More ruthless, I'd say. She is really keen on getting out of there, so offering her a way out could bring her to our side."
Random nods and looks around, and Ossian gets a glimpse of the throne behind him.
"I think I want her father's opinion on what we should do for her, but I don't see any need to alienate her, except perhaps from her prior bad companions..."
"Ok. As always things might move quickly here. I can always offer to call you for her when I get back to her. I'll try to be quick about my affairs here."
"If she wants to talk to me, that's great. Last time I talked to her, we didn’t know who her parents were. Keep your trumps handy and don’t mess with Dara if you can avoid it.
"We probably need someone to watch that place for us, because if she left Meg there, she'll be back. Whatever happens, this is exactly the kind of thing you should share with your uncle-king when you learn something. Well done, so far."
Random is distracted by someone in the room with him. He puts up a finger, apparently towards Ossian, "I heard that! Yep, if you want to be."
He puts away his pausing finger.
Ossian bows. "Thanks for advice. One more thing. Do we think Dara can track Meg through Shadow?"
Random shrugs. "If she can, it's a trick she knows and we don't. You probably should ask Merlin. He might know."
Last modified: 16 January 2024