Order of the Lamp

The campfire is cheery, especially to Edan. After so long underwater, he had almost forgotten how good the warmth of a fire could feel. It's been a while since he's made a camp on a beach, the waves crashing nearby and a treeline perhaps a hundred yards away. With the sun setting, it wasn't worth juggling shadows to find a horse, but there was fire and smoke...he waves his hands, forming a horse-shape out of the campfire, giving himself lots of time to form a solid steed that he can ride onwards to Xanadu. He snorts as he realizes he's painted Aramsham with his spell, and promises himself that he'll take his horse along next trip.

The horse forms, and snorts smoke out of its nose. While it seems nebulous at the extremities, it seems solid enough to ride on. It's warm to the touch.

Edan is very pleased with the results. In the morning, he breaks his camp, gathers his few things, then sits astride his magical construct and guides it onward. He keeps it at a gallop, and doesn't bother following terrain as he periodically wrenches at the surroundings to match it with what he remembers of Xanadu.

Edan rides on his smoky destrier, making the land more and more like Xanadu. It's not quite hell-riding, no matter what observers of the fiery prince on the smoky horse might think. Eventually, Edan and his horse arrive at one of the many rivers along the coast near Xanadu, looking at the burgeoning young city and the impressive castle by the waterfall above.

No point scaring the populace. Edan will ride the smoke-horse closer to the city, then dismiss his sorcery and walk in. If he doesn't encounter someone beforehand, he'll check in on Aramsham at the stables and then walk up towards the castle.

Aramsham seems quite pleased to see him, and would like an apple or sugar cube or some similar treat. He has been well cared-for and looks eager to ride. He doesn’t seem to like the smell of smoke that lingers on Edan.

[OOC: whenever he heads to the house.]

Edan is greeted at the door to the house, and asked if he needs refreshment or if the staff can open up his room for him.

Edan provides the treat for his horse, if he has one. Once reaching the castle, he does ask for his room to be prepared, and also asks for word be sent to Random that he has returned and craves an audience.

Edan is led to his room. His instructions to always have a fire when he is in residence have been followed and while it is not roaring yet, it is at least welcoming. Water and fresh clothes are also available.

A page arrives and informs Edan that the King is in the library and that he should join him there, at his convenience.

Despite having been completely immersed in water for quite some time, Edan takes the opportunity to bathe himself, trim his beard, and change clothes. He dresses in his colors of white and crimson, a sashed robe and turban and soft slippers. He leaves his weapons in his room and commands Kyauta to stay there as well; then he heads off to the library.

Random is sitting at a drafting table, covered with lined paper. The messy half of the table is full of what look like completed musical scores. Random smiles when Edan comes in.

Random looks up. "'Welcome back', he said, hoping he hasn't forgotten that the Prince had previously returned." Random replaces his quill in its inkstand and pushes back from the drafting table. "How'd you enjoy the water?"

Edan hesitates. "It was good to see Family," he says. "I may visit again. Someday. Rarely. I do not especially enjoy being surrounded, inundated by water. But I did track down Signy's man Tomat, and interviewed them regarding the Klybesians."

Random gets up and leans back on his drafting table, which doesn't break, somehow. "I tend to think of it as defeating the water, at least temporarily. But I tend to think of breathing as defeating the air, so nobody listens to me.

"What did you learn from this 'Brother Tomato' person?"

Edan smiles, but only briefly. "Tomat claimed that he was not high in their counsels, so he did not offer much that was not coaxed out of him. The location of his chapterhouse, for instance, or the specific members over him. But there were several...interesting...items. They use the place Trumps, of course, if they did not barter them away. He claimed the Order was originally sponsored by Oberon. That a number of Princes had been martial members. That one in particular was to become 'a religious' and was removed from the succession for it. The Order might have been banned from Amber for it."

Random looks at Edan for a moment. "There might be something to that story. It was long before my time, but one hears stories.

"Anyway, I think Fletcher was one of those martial members. We should talk to him.

"Aside from what Tomato said, what did you learn of him? What's his game?"

Edan glances away, then back to Random. "What I know or have guessed comes from several sources. Tomat was Signy's mentor, ostensibly in Sorcery, as a payment or gift from the Order to Weyland, mediated by their Turcopier. Or a spy for them. Or both. Then he returned to the Order for a time. Then he left the Order with Marius. He is Signy's man, in her retinue. He is in love with her, according to Ambrose. I am no expert in these things, so I do not know the extent of their relationship; however, they did not sit together and answer me at interview. Indeed, Signy participated in asking questions of Tomat."

"If he can teach her Sorcery, he's either Chaosian or us, right? We are historically bad at doing the romance thing, so it's not out of the question. Do you know why Ambrose thinks that?

"Also, tell me more about the Turnipcopter. Why does he have such a dumb name?"

Edan nods. "Our blood. It's spread, however thinly, through a large part of the Order. Probably as far back as Osric, since Tomat mentioned Pastoral as a member. Tomat said those who had the blood strong enough to do Sorcery advance in rank; he intimated there were many. They use Sorcery and the rare Trump to communicate across Shadow, and having the blood helps with the cards."

Random grins. “I wonder if Brita can smell ‘em out."

Edan nods his agreement. Then he looks pensive, wondering if that was something that could be copied with Sorcery.

"Ambrose might have seen something I haven't- Tomat didn't make anything obvious in my presence. It does make more sense for him to leave the Order with Marius than simply having been disgruntled with his lot."

Edan glances away again. "As far as the Turcopolier, it's a term I've heard before. Turcopoles mean 'Sons of Turks' and I've been confused with the Turks when I traveled through that squalid little Shadow where I heard Corwin and Paige stayed so long. The Turcopoles were auxiliary mercenary forces. Good archers. A Turcopolier was a high officer in their ranks. If the Klybesians follow the same model, the Turcopolier would hold rank both as a knight-militant in the Order as well as the commander of the mercenaries. If I were to wager where your deck of Trumps have gone, I'd say he'd be the most likely person to be holding them. At least, until they decide what to do with them."

"Interesting. Sounds like a man and/or woman I'd like to have a chat with. Maybe a long chat, maybe a very, very short chat."

Random plucks a cigarette from behind his ear. Edan is sure it wasn't there before. He doesn't light it, or do anything with it. "I sound like a Roman emperor moaning and bitching about missing eagles, but really, I do want those cards secured.

"What's your next step?"

Edan looks startled; he knows the story about the missing eagle, and that story didn't end well at all. Then, there is the slightest flash of disappointment as Edan realizes he won't be taking a break to hang around Family or perhaps even see a child being born.

"There was a thing Tomat said, regarding Marius," he says. "'They meant to use him, and he didn't bring much other than himself to offer. If he'd brought an army, or a blade of power, or some special skill or power like your father's, it might have been different. They might have been afraid of him. But he came as a suppliant, alone, and he’s not one of the princes of legend.' The Order must be negotiated with from a position of strength. I use the term 'negotiated' loosely. On a similar note, I am still mindful the Gheneshi; now that they have reached theosis with their Queen, it would take an army just to turn them or slow them down. In either case, I'll be needing to muster an army. One that has at least the capability to oppose the Order and its sorcery."

He relaxes his stance. "Fortunately, I have some experience in this."

Random laughs. "You know, one of my first plans when I became King, back when I wasn't sure if I was going to make it home was 'if this works, I'll have to convince them all not to raise private armies anymore.' Now I'm glad you're going to do that. Back to your birth-shadow for that?"

Edan nods assent. "Or a Shadow of a Shadow. Rulers are generally either loved or feared, neh? In the deserts of the Dar-es Salaam, I was the latter. Despite what I did for the tribes, I may find little loyalty there; but it will be my first choice.

"As for a private army, you do not have to see it that way." Edan bows his head. "I have sworn to you, Majesty. I am the Djinn-al-Ghanii, Sultan of the Seven Tribes, afrit kraliyet kani, a sword in your hand to wield at your enemies. Help me place authority and purpose upon troops that I raise. May I humbly suggest creating or resurrecting an order of knights militant for the purpose. Or induct me into one existing. Or even a Letter of Marque." He pauses. "I would alternately suggest some military rank, but you have no standing army and I would make a poor naval officer."

Random stands, and calls Winter into the Library. "Get me a sword.

"Would you like to be a Turnipcopter?"

"Something like that." Edan smiles, then his smile fades a little as he realizes Random The First might well dub him a 'Turnipcopter'. "I actually had more of a Janissary model in mind. Self-sufficient. Heavy firepower, light armor. Very mobile, lots of cavalry. Firearms where they can be used, bows where they can't. Specialized corps for engineering and support tasks. It is the best organization for what I want to do." He leans forward and his voice drops. "I have been shown the basics of juggling Pattern and Sorcery from Father. I just need practice. If I can train a force to react quickly and fight effectively in an environment where Sorcery fades in and out, they would have a formidable advantage."

Winter returns, and hands Random a sword. He stays, to witness the knighting. The King unsheathes the blade and looks at it. "One day, he's going to read me mind, and bring me the one with the squeaky toy in the hilt. His gamble will be 'is that the day I choose to knight him?' It's a long game, but fascinating."

Winter grins. "I'll also bring the plastic one when I think it's the day you've chosen to behead me."

"Pffft. I wouldn't do that personally. I might get blood on my favorite rug." The king turns to his nephew, and raises the sword. "Edan, son of Bleys, kneel," Random commands.

Edan smiles at the byplay between Random and Winter, then looks confused when he detects there's a reference to a bloody rug that he doesn't understand. But at the command, he says, "Majesty," and kneels on both knees.

Random holds the sword at rest. "The oath first, I think. Do you swear to defend the weak, to speak only the truth, to be loyal to your lord and your King, to be devoted to the Unicorn, to be charitable and kind to the poor and the helpless, to be brave, to be sneaky and clever, to be on time for battle, to always tell your lord of your adventures, and to use your powers and gifts to do what is right, and to sing on-key at all times?"

Edan looks up. "Speaking only the truth...would that include taking a false identity to gather enemy intelligence? Or using a cover story in your service?"

Random pauses. “I dunno, I heard it in a knight’s oath in a movie on TV at Flora’s once. It’s the kind of thing you want in a knight, but maybe it doesn’t suit a knight commander. You can leave it out, if you’d like, and still apply it to the Order’s Rule. Or change it. It’s hard to make an oath with exceptions in it.

"You’re going to have to work up a Rule for your new order, although Winter can help you if you need something to crib from."

"You get your oaths from movies?" The headache was coming back. But, then, Edan shakes his head. "No matter. It is a good oath. I will develop my life for the greater good. I will place character above riches or power. I will speak the truth at all times, and forever keep my word. I will defend those who cannot defend themselves. I will be loyal to my Lord and King, and devoted to the Unicorn. I will be generous to the poor and to those in need. I will be brave, sneaky, clever, in tune, and on time for battle and jousts. I shall tell my King of my adventures. I will live my life with courtesy and honor from this day forward, and use my powers and gifts to do what is right. This I so swear."

Random lowers the sword gently to Edan's right shoulder and then his left. "I dub thee Sir Edan, of the Military Brotherhood of the Lamp. May these be the last blows you take unanswered. Arise, Knight-Commander."

Edan rises. "Thank you, your Majesty. May the light of the Lamp shine upon the Truth, and be a beacon to all who seek it. I would appreciate Winter's help with the basics, if he is willing to do so. And your sword, the one I brought to the poker game, if you're willing to part with it. I can use it to help track down your Trumps."

"Done and done, Sir Edan. You won't really need a rule until you have a knight or two to live by it, but don't dawdle with that, either. Winter, please get Edan the sword he's looking for. It's in my golf bag. And find him a chapter room in the castle." Random hands the knighting blade back to Winter, who takes it and leaves on his errand.

"You can knight knights, but it's also good to have me do so, because it's showy, flashy, and oh, so public."

"I understand. I do enjoy showy and flashy and public. Oh! Speaking of...chances are, if I find this mercenary army of the Klybesians, some of them will likely be sorcerors, yes? They will have the Blood, and conflict may be inevitable. Where do I draw the line as to who would be Family, and who wouldn't?"

Random returns to his seat, and sprawls across it. His pose looks immensely uncomfortable. "In some shadows, there's a thing called 'Fuzzy Logic', which is not when Corwin reasons out why it would be a good idea for him to get into someone's pants. It's basically 'things that are sufficiently like all the things in a set are probably in that set'.

"So, there we are with 'likeness' and 'sufficient' and 'probably' in the definition. Those are the fuzz, not the Fuzz, if you see what I mean. The rules aren't hard and fast, but if no one would get upset about a relative that remote, then you're good. If you're really concerned, capture them and decide later."

Edan has a moment of confusion until he decides 'the Fuzz' is a pun, and resolves to figure it out later. "I shall do so," he says. "As far as the Rule goes for this Order, I'll have to sit down and write it out. I don't want to get bogged down in details at the start, that would take away from its purpose. I will create a framework that I can work from [OOC: and put it on Edan's website], and hire someone with brains and organizational acumen to prepare the chapter rooms here and a Chapter House outside the city while I travel out to gather and train both troops and knights. There is a lot to do."

Random grins. "Yep, and you’re just the knight-commander to do it! Don’t get bogged down. Here’s the start: Winter will find you a room that you can use temporarily, and hang up the big red lamp we currently have in the poker room, so everyone knows it’s yours. Now where were we before that came up?"

The first thing Edan does after leaving the Royal Presence is to sit down with Winter. Edan will be a machine. A sponge. He'll be ready to soak up whatever Winter is willing to share on the organization of Knight Orders in Xanadu and/or Amber, and what he needs for a successful start.

Winter does this. In summary, they need a place to meet, income to pay for the knights, horses, weapons, etc. (this is typically farmland for lay brother members to farm), rules, some sort of public thing they do (marching, practicing, syncronized swimming)

The second thing will be to arrange for the digs to be organized and/or built. A room or rooms at the palace, a chapter house in the city or outside it. This means employing someone while he's gone, and Edan is willing to ask Winter if he has suggestions on that. He's also going to reach out to those friends of Bleys and Fiona at Court for candidates, who he's sure would be more than willing to increase their own standing by aiding a newly-invested Order. Edan should have enough small treasures amassed to get the job going, if not completed, and the Family's reputation for deep, deep pockets should be well-established by now.

Winter steers Edan towards Ashe, who is Lord Mayor of the growing city. Ashe suggests Robin’s demon-hunting friend Victor. Victor thinks his sister could help organize it.

Next is sharing the good news, and Edan will pen notes off to Hannah and Bleys and Fiona (knowing the latter two may not pick up their mail for some time), letting them know that he's in town for a few days, what's going on, and then he's off on Random's business for a while.

Hannah and Paige have gone off searching for Solange, with the King’s encouragement and because it is narratively convenient.

Next, and most importantly, is the organization of the army he's going to raise, and how he's going to do it. Edan already has some pretty good ideas on what he wants, and he takes the time to write it down and organize his thoughts on paper to see if obvious problems come up. The gist of it is that he'll have to raise capital on the way to the Land of Peace, recruit troops there as a start, then build more troops on the way to a faster Shadow for training.

There's more, much more, but he does these things as a start.

These things are all doable, and done. How is Edan raising capital? Swinging through the diamond fields of shadow (the Corwinite Maneuver)? What do you want to play out?

Something like that was what I had in mind for capital, yes. Edan arranges for a meeting with Victor and Scarlett to see what problems might arise with getting things started. He makes sure to bring several of the best small treasures to give them an idea of what he has to start.

Victor doesn't say much. Edan gets the opinion that he doesn't really like anyone too much. His sister mentions that he is a demon hunter by trade, and suggests that while he would be an excellent questing knight, he would be a horrible stay-in-the-city-and-organize-things knight.

Scarlet is more effusive and wants to know about staff, amenities, what kind of public presence he wishes to show. She suggests that her son Max might be a good candidate for a squire. She suggests that princes of the blood royal have little problem with credit, although making a show of paying a vendor or two is always nice to flex the muscles of being rich.

She has a person in mind who might be a good Seneschal for the Order. She wants to know if Edan would be willing to have a woman in that position.

Scarlet also comments that none of the other orders are well-established in the fledgeling city, and that his Order might well be important in city politics, if he chose to make it so.

Victor does not care for knighting, but would be more interested if there are demons to hunt.

Edan has to think pretty hard on some of those points. He gives Scarlett some idea of what he wants for staff and amenities and even a rudimentary sketch for architecture. He suggests that the Order could take Max on as a squire, if all parties were amiable.

Scarlett smiles. "The King has expressed an interest in his education, but I would not dare bring such a matter to his attention." To Edan, it's clear that she would dare, but thinks the outcome might be better if Edan did so.

Edan is willing to have a woman as a seneschal, and as a member of the Order as well, but that is a position where he would want to meet the candidates personally. He asks if Scarlett could arrange such a meeting within the next day or two, the person willing.

She smiles again. “I will arrange it. Perhaps lunch here, tomorrow? Her name is Michelle."

The next issue brings a smile, and he tells the story of the original Shadow Janissaries and how they eventually became corrupt through the institution of politics - though it took a few centuries for that to happen. He's open to the possibility of the Lamp eventually becoming a presence in city politics, but not if it meant going against the Crown. They are meant to be primarily a military Order. He suggests that they discuss the subject sometime in the future.

She agrees, and stresses that she would expect an order of Knights, answerable to the King, to be a sort of 'King’s Party' in politics. A balancing force to the merchants who have their smaller interests at heart.

To Victor, he speaks of the Moonriders of Gheneshi, and a little of the history he knows between the Queen of Air and Darkness, her subjects with their dark pact, and warfare with Amber. He leaves it to Victor to decide if these would be the type of demons he seeks. In addition, he does make it clear that Random has given him orders specific to the Klybesians, and that they are also a priority.

"See, I'm OK with helping good Demons fight worse Demons. And I despise those monks. They still owe me for killing demons that they hired me for."

That's enough for Edan. "You are welcome, then, Victor, if you wish to come along. I expect to be traveling within a couple of days, once I have secured a place to return. If you have things to settle here, please do so, as it may be a while before we return." To Scarlett, he says, "Would you prefer Max to be educated here until our return? I can make inquiries to the King. It may be dangerous, these beginnings of the campaign, and Max may be better off here to start.

"As for this Michelle, please make arrangements. I would be happy to return for lunch tomorrow."

Arrangements will be made to meet Michelle, Max's education is at the King's pleasure, Victor is always ready to chase off after demons at a moment's notice and has his best demon-hunting sword in his quarters here at Scarlett's.

Edan finalizes his plans with Scarlett and tells Victor that he'll be in touch. For his part, Edan will write a note to Random sponsoring Max's education and notes his interest in making the boy a squire of the Lamp. Other than that, he waits for lunch and the meeting with this Michelle person.

The woman who stands to greet Edan is stunning. Tall, elegant, with an economy of motion that suggests athletic or military training in her past. Her smile and bearing seem designed to put him at ease, as the curtained dining table on the second floor of Scarlett's is designed to allow them the privacy to speak.

"Prince Edan ibn Bleys," she says, with just enough formality. "My name is Michelle. I was intrigued when Scarlett asked me to meet with you. I was in the employ of your sister for many years, and I have met your father on several occasions, but they never mentioned you." She looks him up and down, a smile on her face.

She offers him a seat, and sits herself.

Edan takes the offered seat. "My father kept me as something of a secret from Family, you see. I only just met my sister at Daeon's funeral. Before then, and during the war, I called the Land of Peace home." He looks Michelle up and down with more attention to detail, noting what kind of weapons she might be carrying or hiding, if any.

Michelle is well dressed, well mannered, and well spoken. Her accent is slightly exotic, but in a pleasant way. It's hard to imagine that she doesn't know that. She's got the look of a woman who could be anywhere between 28 and 58 years old, were she in the Land of Peace. In Amber, people age more slowly, or so Bleys had said.

If she's armed, it's either a short bladed weapon in her corset or a longer one in one of her boots.

Her hands don't show the kinds of calluses that regular practice with a blade would raise. They are an aristocrat's hands, although that, too might be cultivated.

A girl arrives with a tray of food, places it on the table, and leaves.

"You speak of your work with Paige in the past tense, and Scarlett advanced your name, so I am hoping you would be open to an offer of employment. I have a much more martial history than my sister, as you probably have guessed. I will be going on campaign for a time, and I have need of a talented individual to look after my interests in my absence." He shrugs, then. "And when I return, as well. In short, I need a seneschal for a newly-created military order."

She looks slightly surprised, and perhaps amused. "Your sister has also moved on to a more martial position. I worked for her, managing the brothel she used as cover for her spying activities in Amber for your father. Some of the tasks will be quite similar: keep the house in order and functioning, provide food and shelter for your knights, present a public face in the community. Yes, quite doable, and more interesting than running a dockside gaming hall." She nods, slowly.

"Yes, my Lord, I am interested, but I have several questions. First, what budget do we have for building or buying your house? Second, what of upkeep and staff? Third, how many knights will be in residence? Will we have some present to help build the order up, or is the role of the house to heal knights so that they can be sent outre-mer once again?

"We will need to speak at length of your goals for the order. I will need to be informed so that I can help you realize them."

Edan produces the paperwork he had shown Scarlett the previous day. "I am pleased that you've hit on the problems so quickly," he says. "It gives me confidence that I'm talking to the right person. Let me start by saying there will be an army, and there will be a military order of knights. The vast majority of the force will be horsed. The army, that will be left outside of Xanadu. The knights, they would be your concern. They will be the leaders, the experts, the officers.

"I want a chapter house at the edge of the city, or just beyond it. I intend for it to be an organizational hub, a place of learning, a place of respite. Plan for it to hold not more than two hundred knights at once, so it is the latter organizational plan that you mentioned." Edan leans back. "In the field, you would want at least one support person and one hostler for every four riders. Probably less than that would be needed in a permanent structure, considering the organizational advantages. I have less experience with them."

He quotes the approximate value of the little treasures he already has. "The rest, what is needed, that is my first task. It is a tedious one, but it can be done. There is a reason our Family does not worry overmuch for capital.

"The Order was created - yesterday - by the King for two specific purposes. We will be setting ourselves against the Riders of Ghenesh, and also against the Klybesian Order. Both opponents are nowhere near Xanadu right now, and we want to keep it that way. Scarlett mentioned the Order of the Lamp might represent the Crown in city politics at some point, which I would not be against, but the Lamp is intended to be a military order." He pauses. "I do not know exactly how long it will take me to recruit my forces and complete the initial training. What I want is at least the beginnings of a place for them when I return, infrastructure that we can grow from."

She nods. "For that many, we'll need stables, and ideally farms for grain and to raise horses so that you are not at the mercy of what you can buy from town. That's expert work, so plan to buy experts. That also gets you a place and reason to have blacksmiths, which you'll need to produce weapons in quantity. Money will certainly be needed, although not immediately. People are always keen to extend credit to Princes of the Blood.

"We will need to start small and expand the chapter house, so we'll want to have a large parcel of land to expand into. We may want to buy several adjacent buildings with the intent of rebuilding them as part of the house when we need more space. I don't know Xanadu well enough to pick a place yet, but I will absolutely have that by the time you return. Do you wish me to make the final decision or to provide you with candidates?"

It's easy to see why (and perhaps how much) Paige depended on Michelle to run The Prince's Retreat. She's quite the organizer. It also seems as if she's taken the job.

Michelle puts her glass down, untouched. "Will your leaders need family quarters or will they live in barracks?"

"I expect younger men will be drawn to the Order initially," Edan says, "so barracks will be more appropriate. Family quarters can be added with the first expansions, as they mature and find families. We will arrange quarters for those rare families already established." He pauses. "I intend to rely on you heavily for the day-to-day organization of things. I want to be able to concentrate on my own specialties. The job is made more difficult in that I will not be around initially to assist you with problems. What would you need from me, besides funding? And how would you prefer to be compensated?"

Her eyes sparkle. "I serve at the pleasure of the King, My Lord. However, a barony or small county upon retirement might be commensurate reward for my long service to your family."

She might be kidding. Or she might mean it, but be willing to let you think she is kidding.

"Between Scarlett and Gilt, I am not worried about accomplishing your goals. I do think you should introduce me to the Lord Mayor, ideally at a dinner he should host celebrating the founding of the Order of the Lamp, but there may not be enough time to arrange such a thing. How long do you have to work on this project before you depart?

"Also, since it will come up, there will be talk about us. A third of the gossip will suggest that I am secretly your mistress, a third will suggest that I am secretly another sister of yours, and the rest will assume that both of those are true. I suggest you laugh at those rumors.

"I think our first task is to commission a Seal for the Order, so that I can act in your name." She pauses, ready to leave if he is, or stay if he has more questions or instructions.

"That sounds like a plan," Edan says, gathering up the papers. "I like plans. As to the dinner, I can bide a day or three. Even better if there is time to go on my funding errand then attend the dinner before I depart. Is that enough time? Days are feasible, weeks would not be."

"If you will be back within a tennight or so that would be quite convenient. The only thing that must be done is that you and I should see the Lord Mayor before you leave." Michelle stands. When they get downstairs, she thanks Scarlett for facilitating the meeting and asks her to send a runner to the Lord Mayor, telling him that Lord Edan, Knight of the Lamp and his seneschal are on their way. "Must give him time to hide the bodies."

She smiles as Scarlett sends off a boy, not much older than Max, with her message.

"It's not far. Shall we walk? You can tell me any other things you think of for your Order. I assume that decorating motifs should be built around lamps..."

Edan comes along, discussing the major construction needs of a Chapter House, if not the more fashionable details.

Michelle doesn't seem to take notes, but doesn't forget anything Edan tells her.

A harried clerk admits them to Ash's office. "Lord Edan of Xanadu and Miss Michelle LeVeaux."

The clerk exits, returning to his desk, which is covered in paperwork.

Ash rises, as do his guests. It's clear that whatever business they have with the Lord Mayor is pre-empted by Edan. Being the son of the King's brother has benefits.

"Sir Edan, I am honored," says Ash. "Congratulations on your recent honors."

"Lord Mayor," Edan says, sketching a short bow. Even announcing ahead, it appears news travels fast in the city. "Thank you. I wanted to introduce you to Miss LeVeaux, who shall be my seneschal for the new Order."

He is content to watch, then, for it would be up to Ash to offer a celebratory dinner. Also, he wants to see if and how Ash knows Michelle, and is interested in seeing how the guests present (a.k.a. sudden witnesses and potential gossip-mongers) follow the conversation.

Ash bows. "Miss LeVeaux, a pleasure." He doesn't seem to recognize her, but the rumor is that he came from one of Random's pocket shadows, not from Amber.

"The honor is mine," she replies.

Ash turns to his guests. "Sir Edan, may I present my opposite number from Paris, Lord Guillaume Roux and his wife Alais? Lord Guillauame, Sir Edan ibn Bleys ibn Oberon, the Knight of the Lamp."

Bill and the other man bow, and Alice curtseys. "I am pleased to meet you Sir Edan. It's still 'Bill Roth' until I get used to the Parisisation of my name." He smiles. "This is Sir Lancelot, King Carl's Captain of Guards."

Ash nods. "What can Xanadu do for you and your seneschal, Sir Edan? A celebratory drink?"

Michelle smiles and does not hesitate to enter the conversation. "Something along those lines, actually, Lord Ash. I would like some sort of very public function at which to demonstrate that I am acting for Sir Edan and the Order. We plan to build the alpha chapter house of the order in Xanadu and I will be somewhat independent while Sir Edan is off serving at the pleasure of the King."

Ash looks slightly surprised. "Xanadu would be pleased to host your chapter house, Sir Edan. Can you tell me what you envision creating?"

Edan greets the two Parisians as best he knows how. "His Majesty wanted a military order against external threat, specifically the Moonriders, so I am envisioning a place for the learning of tactics both military and arcane," he says to Ash. "If we are welcome somewhere in the city, of course I would also add, 'represent the Crown in whatever manner the King sees fit'."

"Near the edge of the city, most likely," adds Michelle. "Both to keep from upsetting the city as it is and also because we may have 200 cheveax et cavaliers that we need to feed and exercise."

"I envy you both, Madamoiselle LeVaux as well as Sir Edan," says Lance. "The best times of my life have been when I have been a chevalier de un ordre de moines militaires." He bows towards Edan. "I must speak of this with my king." Bill and Alice exchange glances, but say nothing.

"I’m sure something can be arranged for your benefit, Sir Edan," adds Ash, covering the slightly awkward silence.

"Perhaps Paris could host?" says Alice. "We have been looking to introduce ourselves as well."

Lance is thrilled. "An excellent idea! Exactly what is needed. Sir Edan, if I may be so bold, let us make a feature of the public entertainment a duel between us. I can think of no more auspicious way to bring your order to the city."

Edan is cognizant of those important glances, but a direct challenge is just that. "I would be honored, if such a thing could be arranged," he says. He turns his smile to Alice and adds, "This sounds like an excellent introduction for the both of us. Of course, having just been created, I make up the entire census of the Order at the moment." Glancing at Michelle, he adds, "Er, we do."

Michelle nods. "Madame Roux and I will arrange things with your staff, Lord Ash. This Xanadavian winter remind me of my home in Nouvelle Orléans. Perhaps as a solstice festival?"

Ash nods. "If you can be ready. We need some ceremonial civic thingys. I'll issue the proclamations."

Michelle turns to Edan. "That should give you the time you need."

Ash looks at Edan as well. "Please inform your uncle the King. I'm going to tell him at poker tomorrow, but I need to observe the formalities as well."

"I shall do so, Lord Ash," Edan says. Turning to the others, he adds, "It was a pleasure meeting all of you. I look forward to seeing you again."

"At the Solstice Festival if not sooner." He bows towards Edan.

Michelle has what she needs for now, unless you want to sketch a crest or seal for the order. Otherwise she’ll have someone design something tasteful with a lamp motif.

Edan is delighted by this question, and sketches a tughra for her whose shape resembles a lamp. As he draws, he explains how the different parts of the symbol identifies the organization to those who can read it, as well as be a visible seal for the Order.

Well, since the Tughra of Selim III looks like a stylized oil lamp already, I think we're on the right track! Michelle will get a seal made and also the new place will use the tughra as a theme....