Castle Tour

After offering his congratulations to the new knights, Garrett excuses himself from Lilly and the others and makes his way around the edge of the crowd. As the assembled throng of relatives begins to follow Random on the grand tour, he makes his way into a position beside Brennan.

"Sir Brennan," Garrett greets him. "It's good to see you again. I'm glad you could come to Xanadu."

"Highness," Brennan greets him in return. "Wild horses couldn't keep me away. These things don't happen every day."

Garrett shifts uncomfortably under the title, but recovers. "No, they don't, sir. We've only been here a few hours ourselves, so I'm looking forward to the tour. Will you be staying awhile?" he asks hopefully.

Brennan considers, then says, "Probably not. No matter how much I'd like to put my thumbprints on this place, Amber is so depopulated of Family, right now, that it makes me nervous... and there's enough there I want to keep an eye on that I'm a logical choice to head back. I'm sure I'll be back, though. Why do you ask?"

Garrett keeps his voice low, but not secretively so. "When I spoke with the King before we left, he said he needed me to learn a lot quickly. I thought you being one of the Knights of the Ruby, you could perhaps give me some pointers in swordsmanship. If you have time, that is."

Brennan purposefully slows his long stride so that the two of them can fall to the back of the pack. Group courtesy will afford them a private enough conversation, and let Brennan keep half an ear, hopefully, on Random's tour guide schtick.

When they've achieved a position Brennan likes, he says, "I don't give out many pointers. But you don't need a few pointers, either. You need training. Do you understand what it is you're asking?"

Garrett's shoulders sink and he nods gravely. Brennan's comments confirm that this transformation is indeed going to be as hard as he thought it was. "Martin said about the same thing on our way here. He said he'll prob'ly make me his squire, so I reckon he means to do a lot of me training himself. But he's the Heir Presumptive. He's gonna be busy. And I don't want to be a burden. I thought perhaps if I could get started on me own, it might make his job easier," Garrett explains. Then he adds, "And it never hurts to get several different perspectives, sir."

Brennan nods. "And of course you realize, the first thing I'm going to do is talk this over with Martin. If he's not only your brother, but you're to be his squire, that's only proper-- I wouldn't appreciate people interfering with my brother, either."

"Of course, sir," Garrett nods, obviously expecting that response.

Garrett will no doubt have noted that Brennan hasn't said no-- and that talking to Martin would be pointless if he were refusing outright.

Brennan gives him a sidelong glance. "How long do you think it will take someone to train you into a good swordsman? If you had no other concerns to distract you."

Garrett shrugs. "I really don't know, sir. I reckon it depends on how you define 'good'. Me dad had me take lessons back during the war, so I'm already passable compared with many of the guards. Compared with the royals, however, I need a lot of work. I've been told me defense su... 's lousy," Garrett quickly corrects his language before the Knight. He adds with a grin, "And compared with Prince Benedict? That would take thousands of years."

"It's good that you've already had some lessons," Brennan acknowledges. "Means that whoever trains you can dispense with the lessons designed to prevent you from chopping our feet off. But if your ambition is to match Benedict, you'd be better off convincing him to train you... or perhaps Lilly."

Garrett snorts. "I could never match Prince Benedict, sir."

Annoyance flashes in Brennan's eyes and lines his face, but he says nothing.

"And as much as I'd like to take lessons from him, he hasn't been around for ages. As for Dame Lilly, she started to show me some things on the way here, but Martin put a stop to it quick. He was afraid she'd get hurt before she walks the Pattern." He glances at Brennan. "She's gonna do that, you know," he adds with something that might almost be pride.

The annoyance softens, marginally. Brennan gives an oh-that's-how-it-is nod. "Yes, yes she will. And it's well past time, in my opinion."

Brennan's been studying Garrett as he walks next to him. "To answer my own question, to give you an idea what you're asking for and what you're signing up for, I'd say... months to years of serious effort. You look athletic enough, but it'll depend on your aptitude and how much time you allocate to it."

Garrett nods, considering this. "Well," he explains, "I'm used to hard work. I've been working at the stables sunup to sundown since I was eleven, with nary a day off. I'm not sure what the King has planned for me, though. That's one of the things I want to ask him later. I reckon the amount of time I get to spend on it will ultimately be up to him."

"Yes, yes it will," Brennan agrees. "Just means it will take longer, is all. But unless your father's plans are for you to be a living weapon, that makes sense."

Garrett pauses a moment, then asks conversationally, "The King mentioned you have a brother. Has he ever been to Amber? I never met him at the stables and most everyone comes through there."

Brennan scowls in Garrett's direction, but not quite at him, per se. "Yes, he's been to Amber. Once. No, he definitely didn't come through the stables."

"Oh," Garrett mutters awkwardly. Evidently this was a bad choice of new topic so he drops it immediately. He appears to take a sudden interest in his father's tour guide spiel while he mentally puts the puzzle pieces together. _People will try to use your power for their ends,_ Random had said that day in his office. _We don't want you ending up like Brennan's brother._ Then Brennan's obvious displeasure just now. Was the brother used as a ...'living weapon' perhaps? Garrett suppresses a shudder as he forces his expression to stay neutral.

What happened to him? It is not a question Garrett is willing to ask in the middle of a crowd of relatives. Instead, he says, in an 'oh-my-look-at-the-time' fashion, "Well, I reckon you'll be wanting to talk to Martin. I should go introduce meself to some of the elders." He doesn't sound real excited about doing so.

Brennan looks at Garrett through the scowl for a moment, then abruptly realizes that he is, in fact, scowling. The scowl shifts around for a moment, then disappears. "Sore spot," Brennan acknowledges. "Not your fault." He fishes for a way out of the discomfort, then turns part of the earlier conversation around. "So, now you know what your true potential is. You have some measuring sticks. Knowing what you know now, where would you concentrate? Don't worry about balance, you'll have your father and brother to worry about that for you."

Garrett smiles gratefully for the out, then looks ahead absently while thinking about the question. "I reckon swordmanship is the biggest physical improvement I have to make. I'm in decent shape and I already know how to ride. In fact, _I've_ given lessons on that. Other than the physical, though... you know, the magical-type abilities we have?" Garrett shakes his head. "I really know so little about it that I don't rightly know how to rank its importance. I watched Martin shift shadows and I've seen him use the Trumps. That is the _full_ extent of me knowledge in that area."

"Well, I'm certainly the wrong man to talk to about Trumps, but if you have them, using them is easy enough. And as for the Pattern... right now, you have no ear or tongue for the language of it. I can tell you about it, but you won't really hear. You can ask about it, but you won't ask the right questions." Brennan shrugs expansively. "Irritating. Patronizing, even, but that's the way it goes."

"Exactly," Garrett nods, understanding that feeling completely.

"Still, don't set your sightes too narrow. There's more than those and beating people with swords, to serve a Kingdom. Caine and Gerard made sailing their service. Julian stands watch over Arden, which is... specialized work. Our cousin Conner is a diplomat."

"Oh, I see what you mean. I was thinking too short-term," Garrett responds. He ponders the 'what do you want to be when you grow up' question for a moment, then smiles ruefully. "You know, it's funny," he begins. "All me life, all I wanted to do was work with the horses. It was never just a servant's job for me...well, parts of it were, but anyway..." He looks over at Brennan and his enthusiasm bubbles over. "The horses are all diff'rent. Like people, not one of them the same. I loved training 'em, seeing how each one would handle a challenge diff'rently. If I could breed and train 'em for the rest of me life, I'd be happy.

"Then this all came up," he gestures expansively at the surroundings, "and now I can do anything that I want, except prob'ly the thing I _most_ want, 'cause that's now 'servants' work.'" He snorts, not exactly bitter, but more resigned. "I can't see meself leading troops or doing all that princely stuff. I reckon it'll happen, but right now, I just can't see that far ahead.

"But I tell ya, Sir Brennan," he looks up at Brennan with a determined glimmer in his eye, "if I could find some way to serve the realm by working with the horses, THAT'S what I'd do."

"'Garrett, Prince of Amber and Xanadu, Stablemaster,' is probably not going to happen," Brennan agrees. "One of your many problems, over the centuries, is going to be to balance your passions with your duties. It's even harder than it sounds."

He gives Garrett a slightly mischievous look, "After you learn to fight on your feet, do you want to learn to fight from horseback?"

Garrett's eyes light up. "Yes, sir. I'd love..." He stops in mid-sentence as an intriguing idea hits him. As he looks at Brennan, he returns the mischievous look along with a sly lop-sided smile. "Hmm. Cavalry?" he proposes with an inquiring arch of the eyebrow.

Brennan is shocked-- shocked!-- to hear this suggestion from Garrett. He considers very carefully, then apparently remembers, "After Foot held and softened them, it was repeated Horse led by Julian and Bleys that broke the enemy line, during the War."

Then more seriously, "No promises. It remains to be seen if Xanadu becomes a naval power, like Amber, or a land power."

Garrett's smile had started to fade as he wondered if he said something wrong again. It returns, though, when Brennan speaks. "That's all right, sir. By the time it takes me to get good enough, we should have a better feel for the direction of the Kingdom. And if it goes in the direction of the sea..." Garrett shrugs, "well, even Amber had _some_ land-based forces."

Random shows everyone who comes with him around the castle. While the castle is defensible, the primary defense seems to be that it's on a high ledge next to a waterfall and it reaches deep into a cliff face. There is no good vantage from which to attack from above, although there are paths and switchbacks up the mountain from the landing below as well as trails going further up.

Inside the castle is well-lit by electric lighting. It isn't used as prominently in areas that are near the front or have good windows. There are stairs everywhere, and most rooms are large and tall.

Solange winces, thinking of Gerard with his wheelchair. Hannah, on the other hand, just seems thoughtful as she looks about at the potential challenges to her patient.

Once Solange starts looking, she notices that there are also ramps. However, the design is vertical and it's not going to be great for Gerard. There are no elevators.

The main hall, just inside the castle from the balcony that overlooks the falls, is very large.

There are a few outbuildings nearby, but it looks as if most of the workspaces have been brought into Castle Xanadu. Random takes the tour back to where the rooms stop having windows and are carved into the rock itself. Other than the lack of windows and the change of lighting, it would be hard to tell.

Hannah runs her hands along the walls, and grins, like she's had a funny thought.

The expected rooms are there: state halls, private residences, libraries, armories, kitchens, servant's quarters, barracks, distilleries, offices, recording studios. Random never quite gets to a back, or else there isn't one. In some areas, there are servants and guards. Random nods and says hello to them, by name, as he enters.

[This is a good opportunity to ask Random questions or to ask him to show you particular areas of interest...]

Lucas seems to take an inordinate amount of interest in the colour schemes and soft furnishings. Several times he purses his lips and narrows his eyes while flaring his nostrils. Once he gives a faint shudder.

Folly, on the other hand, by all appearances seems to think it is all just perfect. *Of course* recording studios need giant beanbag chairs in hideous colors....

And mini trampolines, also in hideous colors.

She does peek into the control room to see whether there's any equipment in the racks yet.

Just the Right Hook stuff they brought with them. And an elderly cat who didn't really want to be disturbed until he realized it was Folly.

If she can do so without causing him too much discomfort, she'll scoop him up and carry him along on the rest of the tour. Either way, she makes sure to draw Celina's attention to him and in a whisper indicates that that's what a full-grown cat looks like. Folly seems quite happy to have found him, and whispers to him as if they go way back.

Yep, Folly and cat continue along on the tour.

Other than the fact that it's clearly only partially occupied, [the castle] seems quite functional.

Celina maps out in her head locations and uses (if any) of mirrors, also taking time to evaluate reflective surfaces, such as shiny equipment panels.

It's much more heavily decorated with crystals and cut glass than Amber. Also, the electric lights The studio has black walls and ceilings, but other than that, the rooms are painted or papered in light colors.

Solange has a few questions:

"What's the tech level here? What works and what doesn't?"

[TL 15. I've got a plasma-gun Man-powered in my closet...] "Umm. I dunno, I never really thought about it like that. Guns don't work, but some electronics do. It shouldn't be too different from Amber, generally."

"Are rooms assigned, or do we just stake a claim?"

Random grins. "Don't take the one with the cat door."

"Unless you want company," Folly adds, also grinning. It's not entirely clear whether she means the cat or herself.

"Isn't a Random Pattern a contradiction in terms?" This asked with a grin and a twinkle in [Solange's] eye.

"This is my niece, Solange, everyone. She's working on advanced studies at Smartass University. She's a legacy student, of course. It's nice to see her picking up the family trade."

Perhaps Lucas and Folly will see the widened eyes and slight stillness that drapes Celina's features when Solange gets her special commentary from Random.

Folly, who seems amused by the exchange, shoots Celina a reassuring look.

"Speaking of Patterns, can we see the new one?"

"Oh, yes. It's completely visible at all times."

Lilly shakes her head slightly and fights back the urge to grin. She should have expected such a reply from her uncle.

Solange grins. "Sorry. _May_ we see the new Pattern?"

Some of us will see it soon enough, Lilly thinks to herself. It might be better to have it be a mystery until then. Of course if he does give in and allow it... well her curiosity simply would not allow her to not take the opprotunity.

He nods. "Yes, you may. After dinner."

Hannah doesn't ask questions, just quietly listens and watches everyone else. She is rather interested in the answer to the last question, though.

Lilly spends most of the time watching the others. She is interested in their reactions. It has become a sort of game for her, trying to read and understand people. Of course she is also paying attention to the tour guide. Chances are important information will come mixed with banter and she wants to be sure she does not miss something important. Only when the question about the pattern is asked, does she really seem to perk up and become interested however. Until that point her own behavior has been mostly passive.

Folly and Lilly for sure catch the point at which Martin and Brennan drift off and their return later in the tour.

[Once all the questions have been answered.... [And feel free to add more as desired.]]

"OK, so that's it in a nutshell. Or something. We'll have dinner in a while and then it's off to the basement. I'm gonna go catch up on some drive-by Kinging that needs doing. You all are welcome to see the many and varied sights of Xanadu and environs, but you'll need to be back in a few hours. You can also hit the showers, find a place to stay, man the battlements, or whatever it is you'd rather do. Mi casa es su casa, and all that."

Lilly pales at the mention of the basement. Tonight. It would be tonight. A few short hours might be all she had left. Strength, she reminded herself as the fingers of her right hand fumbled for the ring. His and yours. It will all be over shortly and then life can continue without the threat of the walk looming. With a deep breath she calms once more.

As Lucas starts to leave the tour group, Solange appears at his elbow. "May I ask you a question before you disappear? It won't take long."

"Certainly," says Lucas with his usual urbane courtesy.

Solange leads him off a little ways from the main group of people and keeps her voice low. "I started perusing the Hardwind account records this afternoon in Amber. What exactly tipped you off that some of the funds were diverted to the Paresh? I saw some expenditures that were denoted only by a symbol. Was it one of those?"

"My methods were slightly different," said Lucas. "Did you know that - in addition to Opal Hardwind - your late foster uncle had two sons? One was a bastard who lived on a trade route - and disappeared during the Sundering.

"The Amber-based son - did you know him? ---"

She shakes her head.

"--- left during the Regency, with the Paresh. He was then, on the surface at least, disowned. However ... the pattern of outgoings in the account books around that time is particularly interesting. And afterwards it tails off abruptly."

"Interesting. I'll take another look at those particular entries. Regardless of whether those funds were actually diverted to the Paresh or not, my role in all of this now is just to straighten out the books, right? Settle all accounts?

"Do you know who is overseeing Lord Hardwind's will?"

"I believe affairs are being handled by the men of business for the two primary legatees - Lady Hardwind and Opal Hardwind. In the former's case, that's a well-meaning but inadequate boy named Seek; in the latter's, it's a hard nosed leaned-faced individual named Lyre who I wouldn't mind poaching for my service. Or at all events putting down on the little list I'm keeping.

"I wish you joy of dealing with both of them."

"Why, thank you, you're too kind," Solange replies wryly, affecting a curtsey and a smile. "I'll be in touch."

After the King's dismissal, Garrett casually makes his way in Hannah's general direction. When she gets a moment away from the crowd, he approaches her with a friendly smile. "Wow," he laughs. "They didn't give you much time to settle into the old place before yanking you into the new one, did they, Lady Hannah?"

"It appears I am to be quite the traveler, yes," Hannah smiles broadly. She reaches to take his arm.

Which he offers politely.

Hannah leans in and whispers, "And I was very lucky to happen upon such a well-informed sunkawakan shunkaku, a little brother of horses, to take care of me. It must be a great relief to be able to be who you are - or are you as confused as I am?"

He smiles comfortably and Hannah can feel him relax a bit. "Not so much 'confused' as 'adjusting'," he answers. "The 'little brother of horses' _is_ who I am, or _was_ until recently. It's the 'little brother of Princes' that I have to adjust to," he grins.

"I don't think it'll take you all that much adjusting. Keep 'em fed, make sure they get their exercise, try not to step in the dung they leave behind and avoid getting kicked in the head. You already have all these skills," Hannah chuckles.

Garrett laughs. "I never looked at it like that," he admits.

He starts to stroll toward the nearest corridor, which will eventually lead to a residential wing, unless she suggests otherwise. "How's Misae? Have you been down to the stables recently?" he asks.

"I visited her yesterday. She seems fine enough. I don't like leaving her but I know she'll be taken care of," Hannah sighs. "I should see about getting her brought over here."

"I'd hold off on that for the nonce," Garrett advises. "Right now, the only stable facilities here are hired ones at the bottom of the hill. I plan to do some scouting tomorrow to see if there's any suitable place to build one a bit closer. At least in Amber, you know who's taking care of her. Who _is_ her groom, anyway? She was supposed to be my charge before I got whisked away."

"I'm not sure, but someone's taking care of her - they may be taking turns."

"Prob'ly," Garrett nods. He considers how short-handed they must be with him gone and Lunging laid up.

"She was perfectly happy, as much as she can be, penned up." Hannah is quiet for a minute, thinking. "You know what you ought to do is bring a bunch of horses up here and release them into the wild," she suggests.

Garrett looks over at her skeptically. "Perhaps," he hedges, stifling the "You must be daft" that he was thinking. Had Garrett ever seen the beauty of wild horses running free, he'd probably agree with her, but with his royal stablehand background, he just imagines "stampede."

Garrett looks at the floor for a moment; long enough for Hannah to recognize the signs of a patient preparing to ask an important question. Sure enough, when Garrett looks up, he asks, "You're a doctor, right?"

"Yes I am," Hannah grins. "What do you need?" she asks more quietly.

"You didn't have to treat anyone for major injuries after me mum's rampage, did you?" He tries to make the question sound light, but Hannah can easily hear his concern.

"If I did, I couldn't tell you, but since I didn't, I can tell you I didn't. And I think your mother will calm right down once she sees you again. You must be worried about a lot of things." It's an open invitation to talk, but it's a statement that can be ignored, too.

Garrett looks ahead and nods, biting his lip. Once away from the crowd, he lets his guard down and Hannah notices that he now looks like the overwhelmed teenager he is. "It's not me I'm worried about. It's them. Back home," he clarifies.

With an open invitation to talk, Garrett does so. "It was a rocky start, but I think I'll be okay. Martin and I spoke at length and got a lot of things straightened out. I've got a lot to learn and I really do want to stay and do that. If I could just let me parents know I'm okay, I wouldn't mind staying out of sight here, and Mum might stop storming the castle."

He sighs. "But they won't let me. Political reasons," he fumes quietly. He lowers his voice as he says with disgust, "It's more important for the King not to be embarrassed than for a servant woman to know if her son's alive or dead."

"Did the King give you an order?" she asks very quietly.

He blows out a breath and rakes his fingers through his hair. "I don't know if it was a direct order. I haven't actually spoken with the King since we left Amber. It was Martin that said I couldn't contact anyone until the King 'figured out what to do with me.'" he quotes.

Hannah can feel the tension building in his arm. "It's just so frustrating 'cause I can't do anything about it. I can't turn 'round and ride home 'cause we've crossed shadows. I can't contact anyone back there without Trumps and Martin was the only one who had any," Garrett grouses. It feels good to finally get some of this off his chest. For the entire trip, he had held it in, not wanting to bother Lilly with his worries before her Patternwalk. Folly was the only other companion that he could've talked to, but she was so close to Martin.

Hannah nods.

"I just don't understand why it's such a problem," he continues plaintively. "I mean, I'm not stupid enough to divulge family secrets. I know how to be vague. If I write a note and a page gives it to the horsemaster, it can look like official business. Donovan can pass it on to Mum in private." He adds as an afterthought, "He's me foster father, by the way, if you didn't know."

"I figured as much. You need to talk to the King. You need to ask him to either explain to you why it can't happen, or you need him to make it happen. Maybe he just needs a plan, and you've got one. Or perhaps he has a really good reason, and you have to be ready to accept that too," Hannah says.

Garrett sighs and nods as he considers his options.

"Sometimes fathers test their children, as much as children test their parents. There are a lot of things you're going to have to learn, and how to approach the King is just one more of them, but perhaps one of the more important ones."

Garrett nods, calmer now. "I hope to talk to him tonight, after Lilly's Patternwalk. When he came through with you all was the first time I've seen him since we left."

Hannah nods in echo. "So how was your trip here, besides getting to talk to your big brother? Did you see anything interesting?"

"Oh, lots," Garretts brightens as the subject changes. "'Twas amazing watching Martin shift shadows. I'd never known there was any such thing 'til we started."

He drops her arm as he grows more animated and starts talking with his hands. "I listened for a while when he explained things to Folly and Celina. Didn't quite get a lot of it. 'Twas like that feeling where it's _just barely_ out of reach, y'know?" he says as he demonstrates. "Finally, I just sat back and enjoyed the ride so I wouldn't get too frustrated. Had to keep calming Bet down too. He hated the shadow changes. I wouldn'ta thought he'd notice 'em 'cause they were pretty subtle, but he did."

"They're more perceptive than we are, in many ways," Hannah says.

"They sure are," Garrett agrees.

"'Twas good getting to know the girls better, too. I'd known Folly for years, but not Lilly or Celina. In the evenings, at the inns we'd talk or play cards. Folly dug a deck up from somewhere." He pauses for a moment, apparently thinking of something pleasant. He finishes with a satisfied smile and a nod. "It was a good trip.

"So what else is happening in Amber? How long have we been gone?" he asks, since he now knows a little about time differentials.

"I'm not sure exactly when you left, but not more than a week, I think. I've been studying like a fiend, mostly. Lucas had a concert with his little ones and some orphans from the city. And then we got to see the dragons do some... showin' off."

Garrett cringes, but says nothing.

"Gerard's son came home and left again. I'm sure there's more, but I've been kinda focused on what I'm doing and haven't been socializing like I should be. I have gotten to meet some cousins and have long disturbing talks." Hannah laughs, like she's joking.

"I'm guessing the Queen is being the regent again, while he's gone," Hannah smiles. "I think that's... smart. That's not how it works in my tribe."

Garrett cringes again, thinking about what Martin had said about Vialle that first day. "How's she doing?" Garrett asks with genuine concern. "I heard the King hadn't told her yet so Mum caught her by surprise."

"The Queen strikes me as a strong woman, Garrett. I'm sure she'll be fine. Explain to me why your mother hid you?" Hannah asks quietly.

Garrett considers the question and chuckles ruefully. "Because she was afraid me father would take me away from her. I reckon she wasn't far off the mark, looking at things now."

He goes on to explain. "See, I never should have happened. Mum was a maid. She never should've pursued a prince, but he never should've said yes, either. She'd already broken it off with him by the time she realized she was with child. Thing was, in her position, she had no power. If she told him about me, he could've denied it and she'd've been in trouble. No one would've taken her word over a prince's. On the other hand, if he didn't deny it and acknowledged me, he could've cut her right out of the picture and there would've been nothing she could do about it. It would've been well within his rights to take me away from her and have me raised as he saw fit. That's what she was afraid of."

Hannah nods. "So her worst nightmare has happened, to some extent. Except you're all grown now, and you'll be okay, and eventually she'll see that. It's hard to be helpless and have something more important than your own life to protect." There's a hard edge in Hannah's voice that makes it sound like she might just be speaking from experience.

Garrett nods. "And that's why it's so important to me to let her know I'm alive," he finishes with determination.

"So what's your plan?" Hannah asks.

Garrett shrugs. "I don't know, exactly. I'm still working on it. A lot depends on what the King says when I talk to him. That's the first step. I do know I need a lot of training. Martin talked about making me his squire to accomplish that, and I hope to train with Sir Brennan as well. I have a lot of work ahead of me, but I'd rather that than boredom." He does indeed seem to be looking forward to it.

"How 'bout you?" Garrett asks. "Will you be staying here or going back?" He leaves it open-ended whether he means back to Amber or back to her homeland.

"I have to go home... I should go home as soon as I can. I've got some things I want to accomplish first, and some things I *have* to do, by my measure. Then I have to go home and tie up lose ends, if I'm going to stay... with this half of the family - which I probably need to do for awhile, since I've made some commitments." Hannah shrugs and smiles a big smile. "It's so easy to get drawn into things. But once you learn something new you can never go back to being the ignorant fool that you were, you know?"

Garrett laughs. "I know," he says with complete understanding. "Believe me, I know."

As they near the Family Wing, Garrett asks, "Lady Hannah, if you go back to Amber, would you mind telling Donovan that you saw me?" Once the request is begun, the words tumble out before Garrett can stop them. "And that I'm okay and miss them and I've got a lot of work to do but I'll be home as soon as I can? Please? If you tell him, he'll tell Mum." He looks at her, his blue eyes hopeful.

"Of course I will, Garrett. If I go back there, I'll find a way," she promises, and reaches out to squeeze his shoulder. "And if you run into a big Indian Chief named Joe, you tell him the same thing about me, okay?"