Men About Town

Early the day after the family dinner, Vere receives a note sealed with read wax. The seal is simply a stylized C. Inside the note reads,

Dear Cousin,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am settling into my new position as coordinator of the Navy and find I need to be more up to date than I am. If your schedule permits, I would like to meet with you to get your opinions on the matter and to bring me up to speed on what was gone before. I am currently headquartered at the Naval and hope to see you there soon.

Conner

Conner receives a reply, sealed with blue wax and the mystical symbol Vere uses as a personal symbol. It reads:

Dear Cousin Conner,

I shall be happy to place myself at your service in this matter. If it is convenient, I will call early this afternoon. I shall assume silence is consent, and shall be there unless I receive a request from you to reschedule.

Vere

Assuming no further message arrives from Conner, Vere will saddle a horse and ride to the Naval shortly after noon.

The next morning [after the family dinner], Reid makes his way through the town to Cuttlefish Way. He takes in the actions of the people around him and tries to gauge by their mood, how many have heard the news and how they're reacting to it. There should be an obvious difference between "business as usual" and "there's a coronation coming up!". The buzz should be recognizable, and he may be able to see how it has spread. Also, as he had visited the Sepia Pawn Shop just the afternoon before, he should be able to spot any changes in attitude and activity.

The news has definitely spread and is generating some excitement, although less in this part of town that is unlikely to see many invitations to the coronation ceremony or the masque.

There are also signs of returning interest in the sea, as people who formerly made ships' goods like rope and canvas sails are occupied, where they have not much been since the initial outfitting of the small trade fleet, before and just as Reid arrived in Amber.

Upon entering the Sepia, he undergoes his ritual exchange of gold trinkets with Lope. It's a token gesture, but one he maintains. He supposes Lope wouldn't be one to complain.

Lope accepts in the usual manner. While he has never grown exactly friendly with Reid, the ritual of the coins has created a certain deference in his dealings with your lordship.

Before heading to the back room, he offers Lope a chance to express himself...

"What's your take on the new King? Good to have stability in Amber? Or will it be bad for business?"

Lope says, "If he reopens the trade routes, it's a good thing. Pickings have been scarce this winter, scarcer than last year even." After a moment, he remembers to tack on, "Lord Reid."

He adds, "It'll be good for business if people stop disappearing."

"I think that would be good for the entire kingdom. Not just business. Certainly, in this neighborhood, you've seen people disappear before. From your experience, is there anything different about the recent extinctions?" Reid prods.

"They're not going to sea," Lope says, and shrugs. "Lord Reid," he remembers to add again.

He thinks some more, and it occurs to Reid that abstract thought is kind of a special effort for Lope. "Used to be, people came in and out, and if you didn't see someone, you figured they'd crewed up for somewhere. But there were so many people coming in and out all the time that it was hard to keep track."

He wets his lips and says, as if it's a novel idea, "Maybe they were always disappearing and nobody noticed until now."

"Thanks for your help, Lope."

Reid goes in the back room to talk with the master...

Wrack is waiting in his office. "Reid. Good to see you, as always. How did things go last night?"

"The gift went over famously. I thank you again for pointing suggesting it. The rest of the evening was, well, much more family than I've ever dealt with in my life. Does that sum it up?"

Reid makes his way towards the bar and pours for himself, catching Wrack's eye behind the desk as if to inquire, "the usual?"

"Yes, thank you, Reid. I can only imagine what more members of your family than you've ever dealt with in your life would be like. Considering that there are, what, two dozen or so of you now? I'd guess it was a little like a tea party in a shark tank," Wrack says.

He takes the glass that Reid hands him.

"The castle is on a fairly even keel, all things considered, and they're wanting to spread the word that things will be returning to prosperity in the kingdom. A coronation is in order, and that will throw some additional business to the merchants. I think some of the expenditure will trickle down to those in this part of town, one way or another."

He sips on his whiskey.

"Lope made a comment on my way in regarding the increased number of disappearances lately. I wanted to let you know that the castle is aware of the problem. Unfortunately, we haven't arrived at a solution, much less rooted out the cause. I was wondering if you might have any insight into the matter?"

Wrack was smiling until Reid got to the part about the disappearances. He looks mildly disturbed. "I've had some people disappear, yes. And I've heard the rumors: black magic, Oberon's ghost, a serial killer or a vampire. But I'm not convinced they're vanishing. I think they're leaving. They seem to come disproportionately from the debtor class."

"I have personal reasons not to buy into the whole 'All roads lead to Amber' party-line, but I will admit that a damned few roads lead OUT. At least none that are easily found." Reid seems passionate on that point. "If you're saying that people are leaving voluntarily, I would think that with this score or more of family members we would have seen SOMETHING. We've looked at the doomsday cult angle; I won't lend any thought to the black magic/ghost/vampire line of thought. Serial killer? No. The number is too high for this to be organized by one person. Logistics would cause problems. The problem seems uniquely, well, 'Amber'."

Wrack says, "I'm not inclined to the magical explanations myself. They don't make sense. And if it's a serial killer, it's either a very busy one or a group, as you say. But there were close to a million people in this city before the Sundering, Reid. That's a lot of people for even a score of royals to track. A lot of things happen that you don't see, and there are even things that happen that I don't see. But this is the way I see these disappearances.

"The sea paths changed at the time of the Sundering. The Black Road went away at the time of the Sundering. The money troubles started at the time of the Sundering. And the disappearances--as I noted before, among the debtor class--started at or after the time of the Sundering." He ticks off a finger with each sentence.

"Dworkin's Razor, Reid. There are more ways out than there used to be, and people who need a way out are taking advantage of them."

Reid arches his eyebrow. "Makes more sense than simply disappearing. Do you happen to have any leads on specific individuals who've gone missing? Names, or something more than rumors? My sense is, we've got the feeling something is going on, but nobody has come forward saying, 'my buddy Dough didn't show up for work. He's not at his house, his wife and kids haven't seen him either.' Something like that would be easier to investigate, and more likely to produce results."

"I have some records," says Wrack. "Nothing that would stand up in a court of law, you understand. I wouldn't care to have Sir Archer nosing through my books, but you're a different matter. In a couple of days I can have at least a short list of names for you."

"That would be appreciated. You know that, when necessary, my investigations can be quite discrete. I have no love of Archer or his methods, so any leads you might be able to provide would be solely in my hands." Reid offers.

"I'll do that," says Wrack. "And, since you're investigating the matter, there's someone else you might speak to. Her name is May, and she investigates all sorts of things for a fee. I know she was looking into a disappearance a few months ago, because she contacted me about it. Perhaps she'll know something of interest to you."

Reid inquires, "Where can I find this May? What can you tell me about her?"

"She's an investigator, like you. But she's not supported by her family--if she has any--so she's made it her vocation, rather than her avocation." Wrack opens his desk, pulls out a sheet of paper and a quill, and writes out what appears to be directions in a surprisingly smooth hand. After blotting the paper, he folds it and hands it to Reid. "That should be sufficient for you to find her office."

Reid tucks the paper into the appropriate pocket in his jacket... the one set aside for directions to people and places of interest, as given by people of interest. "Thank you for your assistance in this matter. If you have any other thoughts on the current state of things, or anything else, I now have Stoat running errands for me, so a note to him would get to me. I'll still be spending plenty of time in town though, so I'm sure we'll be in touch."

With that, Reid heads off to find May...

Jerod is footloose and fancy free in the halls of Castle Amber. The place is crowded and bustling with a sense of purpose. As Jerod passes one window facing the sea, he notices a crowd outside the castle grounds.

What does Jerod do next?

Well, since he's getting ready to head out to meet with the Marshals, Sir Archer, city folk and Vere (and anyone else who was invited), he'll set about doing that..but stopping to take a look at the castle crowd certainly won't slow him down.

(or rather...that's what he thinks)

Beggars, the idly curious, pickpockets, probably a lot of people who want to know if loved ones are alive. If you get close enough, you can hear a little bit of shouting, but there'd have to be for anyone to be heard. The guards say they've been here all morning, hoping to see the King.

Jerod would head down to speak to the guards, hearing from them their report on what's happening, and to look the crowd over. For the idly curious and the pickpockets, he has little interest (anyone caught pickpocketing around Jerod would be more likely to get his or her wrist broken than thrown into a dungeon (or to a mob)). The beggars, and he's aware of how there are probably more now than there were five years ago, attract his attention from time to time, and he makes a note to quietly adjust some of his investments to make suitable anonymous donations to the various charities, after he's spoken with his trade associates in town and amongst his father's supporters.

He will also listen to the shouts from various individuals, getting the tone of the crowd, as well as if there are any obvious notes of distress or need.

Some of 'em are selling broadsheets, some of them are waiting for their loved ones to come back from the Army, and some of them expect the King to cure their scrofula. One batch isn't speaking Thari, but they don't seem too agitated.

Not speaking Thari? Any idea who they might be?

I have an idea, yes. Neither Jerod nor the guards does, though. The guards are divided between thinking they're foreign labor agitators of Lady Folly's, foreign religious fruitcakes, and not giving a tinker's dam as long as they don't cause any trouble. The last opinion is in the majority.

Well, so long as they don't cause trouble...and the universe remains indifferent in deciding to bestow enlightenment upon anyone as to their identities, then Jerod's not going to worry about it.

(and enlightenment is never what it's cracked up to be...it's usually unpleasant, painful, filled with periods of interminable boredom interspersed with pure terror...Jerod much prefers his scotch to enlightenment)

[Where are you meeting the listed crowd, including Vere?]

It was scheduled for a city visit. The Marshals will have a lot to do, as will Archer. It is better to meet them at whatever passes for a headquarters/gathering point for those individuals - there will be more of them so it is logical for Jerod and Vere to go there. Also, it gives Jerod an opportunity to pass through town, listen and watch.

Is there anything in particular you do on your way through town? Do you ride/walk/take a carriage? Do you go out through the crowd? Any stops to see old friends?

Jerod rides down. Walking will take too long and he detests carriages unless he has a companion to speak to (even then he detests them but he'll use it).

Unless there is some dire reason or feeling to avoid the crowd, Jerod's not going to. Obviously if they are looking for some kind of royal contact, it's possible this could set him up for a confrontation, but that happens the instant you stick your head out of the castle...even under the best of circumstances...:)

Once he arrives in town, he'll be listening for reactions and watching to see what people are up to. He knows that if people recognize him that will cause a reaction and that's just as good as anything to determine behaviour so he's not worried about it. He doesn't plow through crowds or push people aside but he makes a slow steady progress to his destination. He is also mindful of negative reactions and the fact that there are a lot of pirate types around (chuckle) - those types will get a second look-see, just to make sure there's nothing untoward going on. If there is something going on, he'll decide what to do then.

As for his old friends, he'll see them after dealing with the meeting - he'll have more information at that point so he can form better opinions and since he's aware that things take time to work, he can justify taking a few hours here and there to meet with friends...once the real work has been set into motion. Those individuals will be determined later.

You'd call it shock. You see a lot of the Marshalls' men, and you see signs that there was some trouble last night, but nothing serious right now. A note nailed to a door, a businessman nailing boards across a newly broken window, a Marshall's wagon with a dead body in the back. It's tense.

Dead body - local or foreigner?

Local. Kid. maybe 17.

And is there an actual Marshall driving the wagon?

Deputy, but yes. The deputy says the body was in the alley and he's taking it to the Marshalls so they can decide what to do with it. He doesn't know the boy. The deputy isn't very bright, but he's also probably not capable of lying, either.

Jerod will stop to examine the body, to see if the cause of death is obvious (the traditional gaping chest wound, arm removed, head severed, you know...straight forward stuff). He'll get a good idea as to the appearance as well - if this becomes important, then Folly may be able to dig through her people.

Seems to have died of being beaten to death. No purse, but he has a rather nice knife in his belt. Sloppy mugging, if it was one.

Unless they're idiots...which isn't to say they're not, muggers don't normally leave without something...and good weapons always appeal to those with the criminal bent...it will be noted for future reference.

[Jerod] will check up on the note that's been nailed to a door...

"Sheet. Welcome Back. Come see me--and bring your pay. I have what you want."

There is no signature.

Jerod makes note of this...but does not take the note...:)

...and since a businessman is nailing up a broken window, he's as good as any to question concerning the "goings-on"....

"Drunken louts, milord. Half a dozen of 'em. One threw another into the window. Must've been kids, because they ran off when I came out with my dog, Hammer."

Jerod nods, looking through the area momentarily to get an idea as to the location - local pub establishments and the like. If the news of the King's return was very swift, certainly carousing and drunken celebrations would ensue. Since it would appear that there is nothing untoward involved, Jerod wishes the man a good day and continues on.

[The Marshalls will be waiting at the appointed place and time. Dunno about Vere, yet...]

Then we shall see how that pans out...if Vere doesn't arrive, then Jerod proceeds without him.

Unless something unexpected happens between the time Vere leaves Gerard and the scheduled time of the meeting, Vere will ride down from the castle exactly on time.

Later in the morning, Jerod will be waiting with Sir Archer, having arrived a few minutes before Vere's typically punctual arrival. Jerod exchanges nods with Vere before Archer calls in the senior Marshalls for the briefing.

It is quite clear from the start of the meeting that it is a briefing, once that Jerod takes immediate charge of.

Vere makes no effort to direct the meeting, and seems to accept Jerod's taking charge of the meeting as perfectly natural. As Jerod lays out his points Vere occasionally adds a minor comment, but always in direct support of what Jerod is saying. He never makes any corrections or changes to anything Jerod is saying.

While no agenda is handed out, it becomes very clear very early that Jerod has put some thought into the topic points that he brings up. His comments are very precise, focussed for the most part on the strategic elements of his vision. He leaves the tactical development of the plan to the Marshalls and Sir Archer, something he expects them to do well. He lays down his points in the following order:

1) Vere's casualty listing - which he will arrange for, to be analyzed with the returning troop information to determine who has to be contacted for "next of kin" duties.

2) As above, except that we will also need, as best we can since we cannot probably search for all of them in the limited period of time available, for any people who are known to be missing from Amber who have sons/fathers/husbands who are returning home alive. Since we don't have a size for the army (5,000 or 500,000), we don't know how feasible it is to search but bulls-eyeing a list might jog memories and people can say "Yeah, that's guy's family isn't around...or their house is empty, etc".

3) Return of the Family - the Marshalls and Sir Archer will be given a break down on who's back and what condition they are in - nothing from the "family personal" side and nothing sensitive or dangerous that could be used against the family but enough to quell (hopefully) the majority of the insane rumors flying around. They are to disseminate information to their own people, and keep it in check.

4) Messengers - set up a runner service - who's an approved messenger, who's not. Who are castle contacts and who is not. Anyone else being used would be suspect. All of the messengers involved will be known to Vere and Jerod. Anyone who gets added to the list gets vetted by Jerod.

5) Chain of command - essentially, who's in charge of what area (army and navy reintegration in the city, morale boosting, etc) and who do the Marshalls and Sir Archer direct inquiries to. Going outside the chain of command may construed as a "bad thing". Jerod will make it clear that the King has delegated specific individuals to certain tasks. Should another member of the royal family become involved "on their own", naturally the Marshalls would not refuse to obey a legitimate order. But they would also make sure to convey the nature, time and origin of that order back to Jerod..immediately...:)

6) Return of Marshalls and Watch Personnel - a list of personnel is to be prepared by the Marshalls, Sir Archer or their appropriate flunky, and in Jerod's hand by the afternoon, of those individuals who were formerly in Watch/Marshall service and who went off to fight. Jerod will send that list forward to Bleys and Brennan/Caine and Conner to have those people rotated forward first back to the city so they can be used in the re-integration. It will be asking a bit more of them after their service already, but it can be pushed that this is the one final service before getting their leave, and for those who are so dedicated, suitable compensation/reward/royal notice will be provided (time for the leaders to shine). These ones will also serve as good contacts for Archer and the Marshalls as they will be able to provide some additional information about who's coming back (in case the lists are wrong), the mood of the troops, etc.

7) Sir Archer will be responsible for ensuring that any comments, concerns or ng - as well as solutions for dealing with the problem. Regular briefings will take place every day except where circumstance (ie: emergencies) dictate otherwise. The Marshalls will definitely realize by now that they are being graded - this will be a difficult task ahead for them and those that rise to the occasion have the opportunity of recognition, just as those who shrink back and slack off run the risk of getting booted. Jerod will not be micro-managing this effort - the Marshalls are expected to carry out their orders - that's why they're Marshalls.

Finally, having completed the majority of the meeting, hammering out the few technical details or questions that require input from the royalty, Jerod looks over the men (and women if there are any) in the room. "Over the next two weeks, you're going to be facing a very difficult time. Make no mistake of that. The troops returning will be coming home thinking only two weeks of their own time has passed, only to find their homes have changed over five years from what they remember. We are the fortunate ones in that regard. We've faced our dangers here...on our own turf. But we've also had our share of troubles. Let none of your people forget that either." he says, looking each at one of them. Vere will realize if he has not already that Jerod is reasonably good at motivating troops - he has the fire and passion needed to reach down into a person's heart...to excite the emotion. But he uses a directness that is not to be expected from one like Bleys or Caine perhaps, those who would motivate with fiery speeches and colourful words."

During Jerod's speech Vere conveys an air of faithful support and complete trust, and it is clear to anyone paying attention that Vere has no doubt that Jerod has his complete trust. He won't drop this completely convincing show of emotion until everyone has left and he and Jerod are alone again.

"Food shortages...city disturbances. Earthquake, fire, the threat of disease and hunger. The constant threat of attack from unknown forces. The loss of trade, the loss of security. The waiting." he says, emphasizing each point, making them remember the last five years through their own experiences. "We faced our threat, and we did it well. And now we face one more task. Our friends are coming home, from fighting and dying in an alien land, to protect what we all hold dear. They will be confused by what they find. Friends gone, lovers and wives grown distant, children older and years missed."

"When you face your friends and comrades, knowing that they fought for us, remember well they are facing another battle...the one about coming home. They will need us more than ever now. When they are angry, be calm. When they are wounded, be compassionate. When they are mournful, be sympathetic. When they are petty, be strong and upright. Do what you do best, do it well, and do not forget for a moment this is your battle as well. Your final battle, and a long time coming." Jerod says, with finality. He looks over the Marshalls one last time before dismissing them, then motions for Vere so he can speak to him privately.

"I'd like to arrange an evening contact dinner with you and Conner." Jerod says. "I intend to get you two, plus Folly, Reid, Paige, Cambina, Ossian and whoever else can be used for reintegration work, together for evening dinners OUTSIDE of the castle. We need to keep the council setting as much as we can, especially now that we're all being broken up and sent off on our merry ways. We might argue, but we work well together...better than our elders. And I want to do it in town so we can show the royal flag, to get people seeing us. It will help to the build morale up, allow the more adventurous ones to ask questions and as a way to get input. The mood here in town is one that I want everyone seeing."

Vere nods. "Wise," he says. "I am heading from here over to the Naval to see Conner, in fact. Do you have time to come with me to set up the dinner with him, or would you prefer me to carry a message?"

"If you can, carry the message." Jerod replies, looking out after the departing Marshalls. "I've still got to chase down all our cousins, and hit up Paige concerning payment of the troops. There's the little bit of a question concerning how much do we pay them. For two weeks...or five years."

He sits back, half-sitting, half-leaning, on the table and crosses his arms for a moment before relaxing, taking a breath and looking at Vere. "I'll need your opinion on this before I sound out Paige on the legal ramifications. And Nestor's just going to love the deadline I'm going to give him for digging up old histories. You might also want to sound out Conner as well, but we need to be mindful of the timing. I want to have a decision made on this in time to have a message to Bleys before day's end. And I need to present it to the King for his approval before that."

Vere nods. "It's a serious question. I'd be interested in knowing if there is any precedent regarding the presence of forces from Amber in Shadows with a significant time-differential in the past. If so, I'd suggest that we follow the precedent. If not, then my suggestion is that we move to immediately establish a precedent that troops are paid for the time they served, not the time that passed in Amber while they were gone. If any complain, we might ask if they would like to be assigned to duty in a place where they can serve for five years, while only five days pass here, for five day's pay."

"That might be a wise course." Jerod says. "Our cousin Brennan is eager to garrison troops at a place called Ygg, where we performed the troop transfer. He believes that it holds a strategic position in Shadow and wants to keep it that way. We were not there long enough to determine the time differential."

"Tell me this. Would you grant a gift then for those families who waited patien tly only to find fathers and husbands who did not return? Two weeks pay might seem a miserly sum for a service bought dearly."

"As a gift of thanks for services and a token of respect for sacrifice instead of as pay by right? Yes, that seems a reasonable course. I be no means wish to deny that those who served at Chaos are heroes all, and a gesture of appreciation by His Majesty would not be amiss. But I am concerned about establishing such a thing as a right and a precedent."

"As a precedent I'm not sure I'd be worrying too much." Jerod replies. "If we have need to be posting troops for long periods of time in Shadow over the next hundred or so years, then precedent will become practice. We'll have no choice but to accept it."

"I like your idea of a gift for services and sacrifice. If granted for the battle, then it limits it to that instance, and keeps it from becoming a legal precedent. Gifts cannot be tied to law and property because there is no contract to enforce. And if we tie it to the King...his respect for those who aided him and the people when it was needed most, all the better. It also means that you have to die in order to get it." and Jerod chuckles a little. "It'll keep the nobles from applying too quickly for it. Course, for a select few that might not be a bad idea."

Vere smiles at the jest. "If there is nothing else we ned to discuss I shall go to my meeting with Conner," he says. "To confirm: I should give Conner a quick rundown of the decisions we made today regarding the reintegration of the army into the city, I should mention the question of pay for the army to him and ask him to contact you with his opinion as quickly as possible, and I should see if he is available for a dinner to discuss a variety of matters." Vere tilts his head to one side slightly. "Did you wish to try to arrange this dinner for tonight? And is there anything else you wished me to discuss with Conner which I have forgotten?"

"Tell him..." Jerod begins, then pauses. "No, on second thought, I'll tell him that one myself."

Vere lifts an eyebrow slightly, but says nothing to this.

"Find out about the dinner. The rest I leave to your discretion. Though I would be interested in your opinion of Caine." and Jerod smiles a little at this, perhaps at an old memory. "He's one of our more...interesting...uncles. Though I'll never admit it to him, I've always liked him."

And assuming there is little more to say besides idle comments and goodbyes, Jerod bids Vere on his way and heads back to the castle, by way of a few of the Family's old friends...to bring them up to speed on the latest events (specific items will be related to the GMs privately) and to find out what is going on in town, as well as to have them keep their ears to the ground on what others are up to.

Once the GMs are ready for Jerod to arrive at the castle, we can proceed with stirring up the hornet's nest...:)

And Vere departs this thread for the one with Conner.

I recall that [Lucas] has appointments in the afternoon, but what is he doing until then?

Having breakfast somewhere far from the tea, then doing his usual business. Working the old people mill, as it were.

Anything in particular he's up to? Where is he holding court?

Ummm... one of his usual non-gentlemen's club hangouts. Likely a cafe', smoking cigarettes and talking to people. Likely taking over a corner booth.

What about his friends in Garnath?

I lumped them with the people mill, especially since I couldn't remember that it was called "Garnath". I am a bad, and fairly lazy, monkey.

Yes, you are. Consider yourself spanked!

Anyway, if you want to work that part of the mill, you need to either send them messages or call them to wait on you. Some will have already come in or sent someone, having heard of Random's return, and will be waiting on Lucas wherever he holds court.

Then I will letters to whoever I can manage to take the time to send them to, starting with those Lucas considers most important, and moving down the list. I'll receive all comers at the aforementioned cafe. Care to suggest a name? Or should I pull one out of my ass?