Conner spends the rest of the voyage up top engaging in navigation or in private with Thalia engaging in activities that may or may not match the ribald jokes most certainly being shared by the crew. Conner keeps careful track of the date since his scrying with a mixture of interest and dread but does nothing more except focus on the trip to Gateway.
[GMs note that time is fuzzy when applying it to magic. A year is "about a year", and a week is "definitely more than a day and certainly less than a month." Do not practice the rhythm method of scrying control, it won't work as well as you like.]
Late one night, as they are on the deck of The Sun, the dark evening clouds thin and clear. Thalia looks at the sky and smiles. "We are home. We should see the ivory coast soon."
Conner looks up and smiles. "A straight shot from the Eyes of Valanin." Conner nods at Gateway's verison of the North Star. It was more the Southwest stars really but following them brought you into Gateway. Conner looks over the stars. "The Scales, Mariah's Hand, Dracos Major and Minor." Conner chuckles. "Definitely Gateway's sky. Well that is to the good. Captain Fearnought, signal our allies and let them know we should be making landfall within the the next day at Gateway to pick up supplies and to give the crew some shore leave before continuing to Amber."
The Captain nods and goes off to do so. Thalia goes back to her cabin, and stays there for some time. She is grinning when she returns.
"We should be near the gate by dawn. It will be an early morning."
The two ships approach the southern shore of Gateway's main continent, turn smartly past Vergil's Rock and on to Port Thule.
"We will be guests of the University, " announces Thalia.
"And what other advance preparations have you made?" Conner smiles at her inquiringly.
"Oh, just the customary ones, I assure you," she replies, returning his smile.
As the ship is approaching a stone dock, Conner sees a carriage approaching from the street beyond. The driver tips his hat and waits. Shortly the two ships are docked and the gangplank is lowered. Thalia looks at Conner, smiling.
"Let me be the first to say welcome home." Conner smiles back at her. "Well everything looks like I remember it and that is quite a thing considering its been so long." Conner muses. He offers her his arm and escorts her down to the carriage. "How do things look to you?"
"It feels very good to be home. I can hear the magic again." She sounds very intense. "We should go. The Chancellor is waiting for us." She takes his arm and walks to the carriage with him and lets him help her in. She nods to the driver and the carriage drives off through the streets of Thule. The streets are tidy and orderly and there is little commerce this early in the morning.
"I don't believe I met the Chancellor on my last visit." Conner comments idly as they ride through the city. "Of course that was some time ago. It might not even be the same person now. Tell me about our host?" He asks.
"She's my third cousin once removed. Her name is Marta. She has considerable influence with the Southron party at court. For all that our governance is for the most part independent, there are factions in the court and there are family ties at the highest level.
"Effectively, I'm taking you home to meet the clan matriarch." Her smile seems slightly forced.
Conner stifles a chuckle as his grin beams full force. "Am I now? Well I suppose after all the time you've spent dealing with my family it is only fair. Glad I decided to dress appropriately." His outfit is definitely a few notches below the pomp of Castle Clarissa but Conner has clearly taken the time to add the jewels and fur trimmings to his normal outfit. After all, this is the first time one of Amber has been here in years. Waving the flag is definitely in order.
"From your grimace of joy, I take it this is a meeting you would have rather put off for a couple of decades?"
"In Rebma, if one went to a certain seaward realm, one had to visit two very tedious women of the Shell of Narvahl. Not doing so was considered an insult. Here, I must see Marta. The ramifications of not doing so are not worth the effort it costs me to do so. And if Amber is here after so long and does not speak to her, that also sends a message. We are pawns to our duties, but that is not something that has changed today.
"Now that you're no longer 'Captain Conner, diplomatic attache to the Rebman Court', what official titles do you have? Marta likes titles."
"That is an excellent question." Conner replies with a chuckle. "While I am of many impressive bloodlines very few in the way of official titles have been bestowed upon me. Amber recognizes its royals the statements of their bloodlines. No other honorifics are needed." Conner idly looks out the window as he considers the question. "Shame I'm not Rebman. They seems to collect titles like others collect coins. Of course being male I still wouldn't have any would I?" He chuckles and turns back to Thalia.
"Let's see now. Lord Conner of Amber, descendant of Oberon and Clarissa, scion of Altamar, Captain of the Royal Navy (ret), Royal Liason to the Navy, Member of the Regency Council, and Sorcerer in the Clarissan Tradition. I think that is a respectable mouthful for any herald, don't you?"
"Certainly. I'm sure she'll find you utterly charming. She always did like Amber."
The carriage continues across town to what looks like a private estate or monastery. It seems to have a lot of uncultivated flat green space for Gateway. The carriage stops in front of an elaborate home, they are met by liveried footwomen, and led to a waiting dining chamber. "Thalia!" exclaims a woman who is clearly in charge. " I am so glad you're here!" The woman is striking but not beautiful. She is heavyset and slightly shorter than Thalia, but it is clear they are related. She rises and hugs the former ambassador to Rebma. "And you must be Lord Conner!" She doesn't seem to have a low volume setting.
"Indeed I am dear lady. Indeed I am." Conner greets her. He strides forward to the lady's side and offers her his hand. He half expects to be pulled into a hug and is prepared to accept that eventuality with grace. "It is a pleasure to return to Gateway after so long a separation." He smiles at her. "Thank you for your hospitality."
She nods pleasantly. "It's my pleasure. I have missed our regular communication with Amber. My niece's message was necessarily brief and we have had no news for some years. I assume that if you have not prohibited them, your men are earning money selling their stories of Amber on the docks." She smiles. "If you stay long, you'll be celebrities."
Thalia doesn't look as if she's pleased by the thought, and is about to speak when her cousin speaks again. "But tell me before I have to read of it in the dispatches. What happened with the war?"
"The armies of Amber returned home victorious." Conner begins. His face has slipped into the benign diplomat's mask. "The forces of Chaos were delivered a stinging blow they will not soon forget. However, the victory was won at great cost for the royal family. Prince Eric and Princess Deirdre fell protecting Amber." Conner gives her a moment to let that sink in and then drops the biggest piece of news. "And so did His Majesty King Oberon."
She pales. "Great cost indeed, and all Gateway feels the loss as well. If I recall correctly, Prince Caine would have been the heir, by your custom, unless there was some reason he could not be King. Has he been crowned?" If she has any opinion on the matter, she, too is able to disguise it with a diplomatic mien.
Thalia seems content to let Conner correct her cousin's misapprehension.
"The laws of Amber concerning the rights of inheritence have always been somewhat murky." Conner replies and smiles slightly. "As it happens they did not decide the issue. Those that returned from the war spoke of the last words of Oberon ringing out from the sky like thunder and the appearance of the Unicorn bearing Oberon's jewel from Her horn." Conner pauses once more but does keep her in suspense long. "The Jewel was presented to his youngest son Random. The family has accepted the Unicorn's wisdom and His Majesty King Random accepted his new role. The coronation surpassed all expectations." Conner says deadpan.
Thalia doesn't break into laughter, but Conner can see her hold it in.
"How has Gateway fared this many years?" Conner inquires. "The fate of her allies has been on Amber's mind long but it is only now that we could spare the resources to find out."
She nods acknowledgement of his concern. "Gateway, too, has had hard times, but now she prospers. The bulk of the damage done was in the Northlands. Our kin there were not as able to withstand the manifestations. They were without the power, the knowledge, or the allies that we had down here." Conner can tell that she's not particularly sorry about this state of affairs.
"Well one has to make the best with what is available." Conner replies philosophically. His eyes do stray to Thalia to see if that news upsets her at all. "Every land seems to have experienced something different. What form did the manifestations take here?" Conner asks. He starts moving towards the dining table in expectation of the conversation continuing there.
"A black tide, spreading from the polar sea." She shivers. "The Northlands are mostly barren, except for a chain of islands. The mages of the isles did not fare well, nor did undersea peoples of that far location. They are not easy men to like, but no man should be used as they were. We beat them back, because as they killed magicians, the reanimated corpses lost their powers. It was a stalemate for some time, until the cleansing rains came.
"Our heartlands were not touched, though. Not significantly, anyway, except by the deaths of a significant number of the magical practitioners of Gateway. For those who survived, it is a good time to be a magician."
"Many vaccuums of power to be filled, I presume." Conner smiles at her. "Well I am pleased to find Gateway relatively unscathed. Have you had any news of how other lands fare?" Conner asks. "There are many nervous ambassadors in Amber's embassies that wonder what has become of their homelands."
"Other than the Gate, we have been cut off from all our allies and friends of old. I would expect that you will be quite overwhelmed with requests for passage home from Ambassadors and travellers stranded here these last few years. Assuming you do not plan to stay. My niece has been telling me of your various adventures on the way here. You seem quite resourceful, Lord Conner."
Conner smiles at the compliment. "My time in the navy taught me to stretch my resources until they snap." Conner chuckles. "No, I shall not be staying long. I have been led far from home by necessity and am pleased for a change to find necessity driving me there. Still, I expect I shall tarry a day or two to boost the men's morale and to see what I can see. After all, it is hardly fair to not visit after such an abscence. Perhaps you can suggest what should look into in my brief time."
Thalia doesn't quite wince, and the Chancellor starts one of the most boring recitations of local highlights Conner has had to endure in his entire diplomatic career. It takes a certain amount of his skill not to find himself with the Chancellor as a tour guide to these same places.
Eventually, the two extract themselves and are back in the carriage returning to Le Soliel. "Thank you, I'm sorry that was necessary," says Thalia.
"Not at all." Conner waves his hand in dismissal. "Diplomatic courtesy visits are hardly new to me. It felt good to keep in practice." Conner chuckles. "She certainly enjoys the sound of her own voice. No wonder she became Chancellor." Conner chuckles once more. "Speaking of courtesy visits, I really should stop by Amber's embassy while I am here and offer to rescue them." Conner muses. "A few days together playing tourist and diplomat and lovers." Conner leans over and takes Thalia's hand in his own. "Then you back to your world and I back to mine. Is that how it is to be?" He asks softly.
She licks her lips. "Things were a lot clearer when our responsibilities couldn't actually tug on us, weren't they? Could you give up Amber for me?"
"Amber perhaps." Conner sighs. "But not my place within it. Not at this time." Conner caresses her hand. "Still, one never knows what the future might bring. If you are willing to wait and see."
She hesitates. "I'm not normally gifted with premonitions. I don't know, maybe it's something to do with the way Magic is all...sharp edged now. I just have a feeling that something isn't right and if I don't do something about it, it will be bad." She laughs, but it isn't a happy laugh. "I hate premonitions. They're so uselessly vague. I know if I stay and you go, that'll be bad, too, and I know how, but I'm more afraid of what will happen to Gateway." She looks very unhappy. "I told myself I wasn't going to tell you all this, but there it is."
"I've never been one to underestimate intuition." Conner says seriously. "If you feel you are needed here in Gateway, then I accept that you are. It is an unstable time and balancing factors are vire and far between." Conner idly runs his thumb along the back of Thalia's hand. "What does your premonition think about us both staying for a time?" He asks her. "One thing I have learned about my heritage is that I am a walking catalyst. My simple presence here has people reevaluating much I feel sure. It might bring your shadow fears out into the light." /For good or for ill/., Conner thinks to himself.
She pauses. "I don't know. It could be dangerous for you. The magic here is not like what you do.
"Our magic is like a current that runs through the seas: everyone who can use it uses the same power. Major magics can deplete it locally and if there are no other magicians, then you feel very powerful."
"What worries me is that it's like that all the time now. And the magic feels wrong. It feels sharp, like metal tastes." She shakes her head.
"It could be nothing, or things may not have ever gotten fixed after the blackness."
"Or perhaps with so many magicians fallen the currents of power are drawn upon less, hence the feeling of abundance." Conner muses thoughtfully. "How did magic feel in Rebma and Amber? Or in the Land of Peace for that matter?" Conner may not be a sorcerer of Gateway but he has senses aplenty. First with his Third Eye, then with the sensitivty to shadow Pattern and his own will gives him, Conner tries to see if he can sense anything wrong or different about the feel of Gateway.
"It's...thin elsewhere. Only the strongest of us can do things as we get away from here. It's like there's too much noise elsewhere. Sometimes we can work together, but usually, we're not very successful. Not unless we have something to help us."
Conner hasn't looked at Gateway before with his Third Eye, but when he looks it is different, like the difference between a pond and a river. Magic moves here.
"Fascinating." Conner murmurs distractedly. His eyes follow the currents of magic instead of the conversation. "Had I a few months I'd try to chart every ebb and flow." Conner blinks and focuses on Thalia's face more. "Though it sounds like that has already been done. So the fabric of magic has been altered and not to the better. Unless you take Marta's view on things of course. Has there been any indication that the zone of workable magic is shrinking or growing?" Conner asks.
"I don't know how to answer that. It's always been workable every where except through the gate or at certain places below the waves. It might be worthwhile asking below. If we're going to look for the source of the problem, we'd want to go North, I think." She pauses. "I assume you could tell that there's no love lost between the south and the north."
"Sounds like the only way the south could be happier is if they had brought about the north's fall themselves." Conner observes. "Though I may be doing the south some disservice there." He allows. "To mangle an saying, all sea lanes lead to Amber. Or so they did once." Conner adds quietly and then falls silent for a moment. "I can return home just as easily sailing north as I could any other direction. Perhaps I shall investigate while I am here." Conner tilts his head slightly as he looks at Thalia taking a look at her with his Third Eye. "Tell me about below. I know that is where Rebma comes to trade with Gateway but not much more."
Conner feels a familiar probing of someone attempting to open a trump contact with him. He finds that he cannot maintain his concentration on using his Third Eye while the trump contact is being attempted.
Since his concentration is already ruined, Conner lets his heightened senses drop away and instead focuses upon the Trump contact. Conner does hold up his hand to halt Thalia in whatever response she was about to give. "Who calls?" He asks. There was a very limited pool of possibilities, but then no one had a Trump of Martin either. Conner remains cautious.
A petite red-headed form coalesces in his mind's eye. "Your mother," Fiona's voice says.
Conner immediately relaxes and his usual smile slips onto his face. "Mother! How good to hear from you. To what do I owe the pleasure?" He asks with good humor.
"To several things," Fiona says, "not the least of which is my desire to see you. May I come through? Or would you rather come to me?"
Conner looks around the carriage and then at Thalia with a shrug of apology. "Well it is a little cramped in here but I think we can make room for you." Conner smiles wide and holds forth his hand for his mother to take.
Fiona smiles and steps through. It as if she has stepped into a moving carriage many times in the past; she lands in her seat gracefully, as part of the motion. She has in her hand a piece of parchment, which she rolls up and puts in a narrow tube she has hanging from her belt.
Once she has arrived , Conner makes the introductions. "Mother, may I present Thalia of Gateway, formerly Gateway's Ambassador to Rebma."
Thalia gives a polite head-bow to Fiona, and murmurs "Your Highness", that being all she can manage in the confines of the carriage. Fiona nods politely in return.
"We are currently in Gateway heading for the docks and the waiting Sun." Conner informs Fiona as the carriage rumbles on. "After some adventures in the Land of Peace in which we picked up some information and a ship full of allies, we headed here and I shall soon be Amber bound once more. How has the cosmos treated you since we last met?" Conner asks.
"Very well," Fiona says, smiling. "I have had lessons with my Master. I have spoken with my brother and your cousin Brennan. There is family gossip, of course, but everyone is well, including the King and his sons." She gives Conner a catlike look, as if daring him to ask about that.
Thalia is clearly suppressing her instinct to ask more, but she is alight with curiosity.
"Sons eh?" Conner chuckles. "With so many cousins coming out of the woodwork, I was wondering when His Majesty's turn would come." Conner pauses for moment. "At least I presume I didn't take a wrong turn at tomorrow and miss nine months of majestic glowing by Vialle?" Conner looks to his mother for confirmation.
"It hasn't been that long in Amber," Fiona agrees, leaving unsaid how long it's been wherever she's been. "The new young prince is apparently the result of a dalliance with one of the Castle servants. You may well recognize him when we get home, Conner." Fiona turns to Thalia and asks, "Do you propose to return to Amber as well, Ambassador Thalia?"
"I had not planned to, Your Highness," Thalia replies, and hesitates, leaving room for Conner to field the obvious question of their immediate plans.
"After finding home at long last, I wouldn't leave for quite some time. In fact I didn't." Conner comments with a smile. "No, my plan was to stay a day or three and enjoy the local color and possibly look into the conditions of magic here in Gateway post Sundering. Apparently the magic field has been altered, Most peculiar. Still I get the feeling that will turn into a long hunt and I really should be returning before the ducklings following me get restless."
Fiona nods slowly, and her eyes light with the anticipation of looking into an interesting problem. "I can imagine the magic fields have been altered, after everything that has happened. You and I can take a look at the changes together, Conner, and then we'll take the Sun back home. Is that agreeable?"
"Most agreeable Mother. Thank you." Conner replies and leads them off into summary mode.
Fiona and Thalia speak of the situation. Fiona hasn't been here, but has heard of the phenomenon. She wonders if it's not a taint picked up from the black road. Thalia considers that a possibility, and definitely a dangerous one.
Fiona and Thalia and Conner look into the situation, they determine that there is some sort of contamination (Thalia's word), but that it's unclear if it's harmful, especially in the small amounts that are detected.
Fiona speculates that the unusal moving magical field has previously protected Gateway from some outside influence, and that it partially failed during the Black Road War. Thalia suggests that if it's a shield, it might work both ways, keeping something harmful and locally generated in.
Thalia is all for heading north to find the source of the problem, but she thinks it might be a very long journey.
"A weakened wall where formerly there was only one gate." Conner too feels this is something that should be looked into sooner rather than later but unfortunately doesn't feel he can really spend the time right now. Clearing his own name and/or facing down the Rebmans has to be his top priority for now. Conner does promise to return as soon as he can to assist with whatever investigation he feels sure Thalia is already planning to launch.
Thalia agrees and, while she doesn't wish it to be so, understands. Fiona is ready to go when Conner is.
Well assuming we are still in summary mode, Conner devotes the last evening to Thalia and arranges as romantic a night as he can on such short notice in an unfamiliar place. Their parting is bittersweet and touching, worthy of imitation in plays and sonnets.
Thalia presents him with a parting gift, a pair of jeweled cuff links to remember her by.
Somewhere in here, Conner did try to contact the Amber embassy, get the rundown of the last couple years according to them, and offer a ride to any foolish enough to join him.
Their story jibes with what he has already heard, filtering for different perspectives.
One undersecretary will return to Amber with the dispatches they have to send. The others will remain in Gateway, waiting for formal word from King, er, Random.
Other than that we can adjourn to the boat and the journey to Amber.
The voyage back to Amber is fruitful for Conner. Fiona teaches him the intricacies of the Principle of Space, and he learns how to Part the Veil, which she warns is a useful but reality-weakening use of the principle. She also explains but does not demonstrate the trick she used to defend herself from Dara's hurled cards during the coronation masquerade: the Shield of the Void.
After several weeks of travel, or so it seems--but Conner wonders whether his mother is manipulating Time so they can train together--they arrive in Amber and take a carriage up to the Castle.
During this time, can I assume that Conner has been brought up to date on current events, such as "Oh by the way the King has a new Pattern and realm now"? That sort of thing.
Fiona tells him everything she has, which includes regular updates from Bleys. She knows about Xanadu, Hannah's arrival, and the rumors about Garrett. There may be other things, but I'm not sure what they are. Ask if you have any questions.
The morning after Random and company leave, but before anyone returns, there is news.
Both Paige and Brita receive notes from Vialle (penned by Ember) with news that a Ranger messenger arrived in the night, but he struck his head and is in the infirmary. When he is conscious, and has given his news, the Queen would like their counsel.
A note tied with emerald ribbon and sealed with a unicorn's head in gold wax arrives in the hand of Liam within the hour...
Your Majesty,
My time is yours, especially with so much of our family away. If I can be in any way helpful, please but call.
Paige
Another note arrives as well that says:
Queen-Regent Vialle,
I am at your disposal. I will sketch one of the active Posts in Arden in case a quick message needs to be returned.Ranger Brita
Both Brita and Paige receive notes of thanks, but nothing further.
Not long before the noon meal. pages come to Brita and Paige, requesting that they attend the Queen, who is about to receive a relative of the King's from Arden.
Paige orders Eve and Winter to bathe and dress the twins as she herself finds the washstand to freshen her face and hair. She moves into her room and fusses with her gown like a young girl before a catillion. With a few deft moves, she decides that she's satisfied, or that if it is Adonis, that he's seen enough of her that this impression shouldn't matter.
Outside the doors she summons Couth and tells him that there's an arrival from Arden and that while she's attending the Queen, perhaps he might find if there's word of the Warden and any other news of the impending war there.
The page sent after Brita finds her in her room painting a small, card-sized portrait of a young man with red locks. She nods acceptance to the page. "I come within moments," she says as she wipes off her hands as she surveys the painting. //Almost there// she thinks as she absently uses some turpentine on a stubborn red slash of paint on her hand, //a few more strokes around the eyes and It will be Done.// Scattered on the table behind the small easel are several sketches and trial paintings of the same young man in various poses against purple skies or blood red moons. The deeper layers of papers show quick sketches of herself. The painting on the easel shows the young man almost smiling as if at some private joke, but the eyes seem sad. Brita gives the painting one last look, inspects her hands - back and front, grabs her formal red jacket off the peg, and then proceeds to attend the Queen and her guest.
Adonis and Sage turn around the last switchback in the mountain road and see the towering rockpile that is Castle Amber ahead of them. The path leads to the gate, open and inviting. There are a few people in the courtyard and as they approach, they are hailed.
The guards are surprised to see another messenger from Arden this soon, and they want to know who Adonis is. They send for Venesch immediately.
What does Adonis say to the Commander of the Castle Guards?
He introduces himself as Adonis, son of Her Divinity Artemis of Arcadia, by His Royal Highness Prince Julian of Amber. He also introduces Luke and explain Sage's presence as a guide offered by Vista of Arden's Ranger Corps.
He asks for an audience with King Random.
His manner is quiet but firm.
Venesch is respectful but reserved. The King is away, but his wife the Queen is acting as regent in his stead. He sends a message to her, and tells Lord Adonis that while several of the knights of the Order of the Ruby are in residence, none of the other Knight-Commanders are in the castle at the present.
A castle page arrives and says that the Queen will see her nephew immediately. Adonis is escorted in to see her. She has chosen a small reception room with several chairs and a sideboard with decanters of whiskey on it for their meeting.
The Queen is a short woman with dark brown hair, dressed in a pale blue dress that Adonis undoubtedly finds complex but is simple by Amber standards. After a few moments of speaking with her, Adonis intuits that she is blind.
With her is a dark-haired, slender fellow dressed in black who has the privilege of going armed in the Queen's presence. Adonis recognizes him after a moment as Merlin, Corwin's son, who returned from beyond Ygg with the army.
Paige is dressed in a green patterned skirt with a matching bodice over an ivory blouse. The trim is golden in color if not metallic in nature. Her hair is braided and wrapped into two coils that still hang below her shoulders. She's already finished a whiskey by the time Adonis enters. She doesn't meet his gaze immediately, but when she does, offers him a warm smile.
Adonis is keeping his demeanour pretty formal, but he lets a glimmer of warmth escape back to the redhead. She may or may not be gratified to notice that he seems mainly interested in her face and does not search further down for whatever effects pregancy may have had on her figure.
Paige often wears her heart on her sleeve, but in Court, and to her this is an abbreviated version, she can hide it with a mask of indifference, only marred by a slight coloring of her cheeks, which may just be a result of the whiskey.
Brita stands off to one side, the light from the small window framed behind her lighting the edges of her red locks on fire. She sports slacks tucked into boots and a thigh-length red jacket with a straight collar over a white, high necked shirt. Brita does not have a drink and her arms are behind her back as she stands "at ease".
A hand brushing a twice-broken jaw is the only sign that Adonis might recognise this particular woman, and since he's on best behaviour, he doesn't immediately undress her with his eyes.
Vialle rises from her chair and Merlin also comes to his feet. "Adonis. Welcome to Castle Amber."
Paige maintains her stance and watches her cousin curiously.
Adonis bows respectfully. "Your Majesty is gracious. Though I am no stranger to the City, this is my first visit to the Castle on the mountain. I have to admit, despite the mention of my mother's name, that I am here as a private person, though it is possible that my personal interests may have broader implications. I find it necessary to ask leave to approach several persons of the Blood Royal: Prince Caine, Prince Corwin, Lady Folly and Lady Paige, among others. There is also a personal matter of some urgency that I would wish to discuss with His Majesty at his convenience, concerning my relationship with His Majesty."
Paige stiffens ever so slightly when her name is mentioned and looks at Adonis as if he had chosen this moment to sprout horns.
Vialle inclines her head as she listens to Adonis. "My husband's brothers and his nieces are free to speak with whomever they wish. However, of those you have asked for, only Lady Paige is present in the Castle." She turns her attention to Merlin. "I believe your father is in Paris?"
"Your Majesty is correct," Merlin says gravely.
Adonis gives no sign that Paris means anything to him - which of course it doesn't.
"My husband is not expected to return for several days at least. Perhaps I can help you with whatever you need to discuss with him."
Paige seems content enough with the Queen's answers and a small smile creeps into the corner of her eye if only grudgingly allowed near her lips.
Brita stands stoicly in the background.
"While intending your Majesty no disrespect, I feel the precise matter I would broach with him to be somewhat personal."
Vialle's expression remains serene, but no one in the room is fooled. Adonis' answer has displeased her.
Adonis gives no sign that he has noticed the Queen's upsetment but perhaps his continuation is intended to molify her:
"I confess I am not cognisant with the protocol of such matters and am uncomfortable with airing the subject in public. However, I do not wish to exclude your Majesty in any way and I will happily advise you of my concerns in a more private audience, if you should consider this appropriate.
"But since it would seem I must wait, might I humbly request suitable lodgings for Luke, Sage and myself until such time as His Majesty and their Royal Highnesses, his brothers and sisters, and their lordships who are my cousins, should return?"
"Your Majesty, might I suggest the Aerie as suitable accomodations for Cousin Adonis and his Companions?", Brita refers to a front tower room that has windows almost all the way around along with an external 360degree balcony providing a view of the mountain, sea, and valley below. The room is normally used as a solar for those ladies still in the castle. "I can have a page sent to have the room readied with cots and mats as appropriate." The room is also accessible only by one stairway and is set apart from most of the other Cousins' accomodations.
"That is an excellent idea, Brita," Vialle says. "Will you please do that now?"
Brita gives the Queen a half bow and goes to call a page.
While Brita calls the page and gives him instructions for Steward Vent, Vialle turns to Adonis and Paige. "If you would like, we can withdraw and give you a chance to speak with each other."
Merlin glances at the Queen, and then at Paige. It is clear to Paige, who knows him well, that he mislikes the idea of withdrawing.
Perhaps Adonis notes the silent interchange. "Your Majesty is gracious. While the matters I would discuss with Lady Paige are personal, I feel they are not of a nature to demand utter privacy and I can understand that etiquette may demand she not be left alone with a single strange male. If the Lady wishes to have a chaperone present, I have confidence in whatever choice she makes."
"And afterward, Ma'am, as a stranger in this place, I may appreciate your advice on certain other matters of discretion, connected with His Majesty."
And Adonis looks to Paige, expectantly.
Having dispatched the page on his mission, Brita turns and notes "I will remain in the hall to take Cousin Adonis to his room." //and I'll be within earshot if needed.// She then exits the room.
Paige bows to the Queen, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I appreciate your thoughtfulness. I think Cousin Adonis and I will withdraw to the ajoining smoking room. There's no need to inconvenience you over our conversation.
"As to a chaperone, I am sure that some issues of privacy trump propriety," her eyes promise Merlin that she has no concerns for herself with Adonis.
"Very well. Adonis, we will send a page to let you know when the quarters are prepared," Vialle says.
Adonis raises an eyebrow to Merlin.
He catches a flash of some feeling akin to revulsion from Merlin's expression before the Chaosian draws his public mask back up.
She replaces her glass on the sideboard and makes her way across the room. "This way cousin, if you please?" she indicates with a slight nod of her head to a set of pocket doors on the side of the room. She slides one open and after Adonis has entered, follows him, sliding it shut behind her.
Adonis does just that, after casting a single enquiring glance toward the Queen and Merlin, apparently to reassure himself that this is OK by them.
Neither of them say anything that indicates that they object before Adonis and Paige close the door behind them.
Last modified: 3 May 2005