Once within the precincts of the castle, Celina wraps her arm less formally with Merlin's (more body contact) and gives him a chance to come to her rooms if he has time.
Merlin is agreeable to that plan.
[Does she wait to broach the topic of leaving until she gets him there?]
[Arref/ooc: indeed, and she gets various orientation tips from him on the castle as they pass through. It must be that Random's Xanadu takes some lessons from this legendary place. Once at her rooms....]
[Merlin is mostly pleased about the stable symmetries of Castle Amber ...]
"I have a few things to tell you, Merlin. I don't know that I'll be here for more than a few days."
She smiles and doesn't show any sign that this is bad news.
"Coincidentally, I will soon finish the trump of Jerod I have been working on. Where are you planning to go? Should I come with you?"
She spontaneously gives a smile and squeeze to Merlin for the offer. Then realizes how much that might say later when he has a chance to think about it. Too late though. She steps back. "Well, at some point you'll be able to join me, having completed my Trump. But the first part of my trip will be exploration of shadow. I don't know the destination. I'll be looking for ---legends expecting my arrival. Then on to Seaward before coming back to Rebma and Xanadu. Since these sort of trips take an indeterminate span of time--I thought I should let you know." She rubs a fingertip along her jawline. That explanation wasn't the one she had planned to use. Interesting.
"But I would like to see the Jerod Trump. He probably makes a fine study. And I suppose I'll have to give you some hours of posing." She grins--looking forward to that.
"Oh, yes. If we had known each other for many years, I could make the card more easily. I shall also have to prepare a card of myself for you," Merlin says, sounding rather eager for all the formality of his speech patterns.
After a moment he adds, "But I do not understand--legends of your coming? Our father has spoken of such things. You mean to bend reality to your will in some specific way. What are you seeking, sister?"
She opens her mouth, the half-truths all prepared.
Celina sits down, abruptly. She swallows and tries again. And cannot speak. She starts to laugh quietly. Her hands come up and cover her cheeks as shame burns there within the green. "Rebma holds the collar on past obligations over the Tritons. It grates on me terribly, Merlin. Yet Oberon and Moins and now Moire made no move to change things. Now the Amber family finds that something lurks in the Forest and is capable of killing family. My sire sends me away because she cannot protect me. Why would Rebma have a pattern that survives when Amber's does not? Why would Rebma have slaves when Amber does not?
"How could a mother keep her child a slave of ignorance? Why would it matter so very much? Why would the Tritons look to me to learn and return? Am I a sacrifice to something promised long ago? Am I a pawn, or a blood promise, merely a marker for a pact and the harvest is due? Am I the next Adonis?" She looks sideways at Merlin to see how he is taking all this.
He's listening, unblinking, absorbing it all like a sponge.
"I am frightened of myself and everything they won't tell me, Merlin. Therefore I shall travel to a distant place where red scales shall befit me in red paint and robes. There I will find a green blade stronger than the strongest steel. I will give that blade my blood and make of it a friend. I will become that blade. I will lead those Red Tritons if they will follow me and pledge to free their kin.
"Then I shall take the Red Scales and Green Blade through shadow with me. The Gates of Rebma may not welcome but they shall hear me. They shall speak with me as a power, lest I knock down those gates and upset their queen from her place."
She shivers now. "What am I seeking, brother, but to set myself against all this smothering silence that kills my love?"
Merlin says calmly, "I will finish the trump of Jerod and then I will come with you while you do this." He doesn't sound like he's going to take no for an answer.
"But---!" Celina rises to her feet her hands reaching towards him. No, don't touch. She stills with fingers grasping at air and tension writ in every line. She absorbs his demeanor and sees how suddenly set he is. "But this is not your legend! You are already in danger. How can you go into more? I can't protect you. You should be in Xanadu."
She lowers her hands with an act of will. "This is going to be risky. Very risky. I just know it will draw blood and ire. These secrets involve old blood." In her voice is hidden none too well that he is valuable to her in ways she has yet to define.
"And the calculated project by which I was bred owns none?" Merlin asks. Apparently he has no intention of letting her answer, because he continues, "No one can protect me but myself. I am small and unformed, it is true, but I have skills and knowledge that will be useful to you in your task. And by succeeding with you, I will grow and learn, as you do. There is strength in numbers: where one scion of Amber might be dispatched with ease, two is a much greater threat, both in power and in the likelihood of drawing retribution. Where the Queen of Rebma might not hesitate to raise her hand against you, she might well decide against harming us both together. Do you see?"
"I see," Celina says. She turns half away from her brother. Her hands float down to her sides and she walks off towards one wall of the room in precise equal strides that have the slow rhythm of the deep seabed. Turning, she retraces her steps in the same languid cadence. Her fingers flutter through airy stretching exercises.
And her eyes track on Merlin.
It is a meditative ballet. It is a calming routine to dissipate the distress. As she dances, the Seaward cousin dashes through five and twenty ideas and possible half-conversations. Shadow walking to myths and facing down her own death dreams is not half as frightening as binding someone she loves into it all with her.
Bad enough, considering the lies, that she is still in love with Khela.
Inside she is terrified. She has not foreseen his offer or her response.
If nothing else, she sees that Random may sear the waters with his outrage when he discovers Merlin joining her. Even if Martin trained Merlin--how can the King protect Merlin in an ongoing war with Dara if Merlin is not anywhere near Xanadu?
Further pain: me disappearing to start a new war with Rebma. Yes, there is that, but that is my heartache. Random is not going to approve. Corwin? Ha! Let him eat sponge!
She dances through another cycle; washing to the far wall, retracing languidly back near Merlin. Her emerald eyes twinkle brilliant as she watches his reactions to her silence. Good exercise this. If solving the unexpected is something I cannot handle, how then to manage a rebellion?
Merlin watches her dance, not speaking. Celina doesn't have any sense that this is unusual or wrong to him. He's merely observing, waiting, secure in the knowledge that she will eventually turn her attention outward and the conversation will continue.
Celina soothes to a halt. She nods. That's it exactly. "Yes. I see."
"You may join my rebellion." Celina says to him. "But we negotiate conditions on my accepting your help and you may withdraw your offer."
Merlin nods, once. Then a second time.
"First, I am in command. I am Liege of the Legend we hunt. Consequences accrue to me and you follow my orders where they do not conflict your oaths to Random. I do not require you give your word on this, but at the point where our desires conflict, you will retire from the chase and leave me to my fate.
"Second, if I am assassinated, you go straight to Xanadu and tell Random before you tell Corwin. Random must know the particulars of my dying words.
"Third, you travel with me in disguise, perhaps as a pale Seaward girl? I agree we will want your royal presence when we get to Rebma, but that is not our first destination and I don't want anyone spotting you and telling the Rebmans before we get there. I don't require King Random approve what I'm about to do, and that tangles with family suspecting your support in my march. I think if no one knows where you are for a while, so much the better. I'd like to pretend that you will not get splashed with a trio of sovereigns' ire.
"Fourth," she moves closer to Merlin. Her voice goes softer. "Blessings on you. I fear you are shouldering a horrible risk, but I see that such things are unavoidable with the course I swim." She wants to hug him, but she settles for taking his hand and holding it against her cheek. "So thank you, and tell me how much of my demands you can stomach." Wait, he is Chaosi. No eating analogies. "I mean, what of my demands you can endure?" She frees his hand.
Merlin thinks for ten or twenty seconds before he speaks. "I want to know why you want me to tell Random and not our father first if something happens to you."
She nods, admiring the choice of question. "Because it is all of a kind and Random is both head of the entire family and has family positioned to defend against the old blood that threatens Amber from Arden. It is Random that must decide faster than Corwin how to move in response. Corwin's realm is new, without the hidden blood bound into its fabric and so he is more secure. My father can learn of my passing in due course, if he doesn't somehow know even before you reach him.
"Adonis was called a god. He did hurt the old thing. If something like that is behind the actions of Moire. I will flush it out. But I don't expect to do as well as the God Adonis. And I will not have the stones to burn myself to ash. But I will die before I run from it.
"It was said that the thing of old blood held young Leif and Brooke and even Adonis for a time." She shrugs a bit. "So if my death curse doesn't maim it, it may get to keep part of me.
"Random should be able to judge this fairly by how I die and your report."
[as a blocking cue, I should say that Celina's voice doesn't sound as if death is her aim, she's just answering the question about her possible death--and Merlin's action after that hypothetical event. The nods, shrugs, and body language here are much more 'these are things that fall to me to do'. Celina is "playing to win."]
"Hm. I will need to obtain a trump of him, or make one. I have one of our father, and it would be very strange of me not to call on him if I were in the sort of peril that would result in your death," Merlin explains.
"I also do not see the point of my travelling in disguise. If they are operating on the magical level you fear, a disguise of the body is not relevant and a disguise that they would not penetrate would be--risky. I am what I am. This contents me. If Random does not approve of my actions, it is between me and him. So also with me and Corwin."
Celina squints at this. "Well, I didn't say you couldn't call on Corwin, just that Random gets the priority. You'll have to use your judgment," she smirks, "since mine will be missing."
Merlin doesn't seem to find the idea very funny.
She shakes her head. A small laugh trickles from her. "The disguise is more about a quiet exit. You anticipate much of my thinking, and since you've clearly said that neither King will get any more from you than you will have them get...."
She shrugs. "You win on the disguise point. I think I was looking for deniability for you. So much for that conceit."
She seems more calm and balanced. "Anything else?"
"Not at this time. I think we should prepare the trump of you before we leave--it will be much easier when we are at rest. But we can discuss that on the morrow, when you are not so--disturbed." Worry creeps into Merlin's tone.
"Yes," Celina says still with a ghost of a smile, "it is very disturbing to debate these points. But it was foolish of me to think you would not question my plans. In my former world of Seaward, a lady sometimes gets to smile and laugh at herself if she makes an obvious mistake. But I won't play light with your affections. Please give me a bit of wiggle room. I'm still learning the net we spoke of when last in Amber. I am weaving in new directions.
"I have met Paige and her children. I have seen new faces at the funeral. I plan to walk into shadow based on my lessons and the calling I feel to protect Xanadu. All of these are good things. Celebrate that Merlin, as I must." She tries that balm on his worries.
"Very well. I will try," Merlin replies seriously.
"When do you want me to pose tomorrow? I love several times of the day." Celina looks forward to it now.
"Perhaps in the afternoon? The light is best then. If you have things to prepare for the journey, that will give you time to do so in the morning," Merlin suggests.
"Excellent, afternoon it is. We have a pact." Celina chews her lower lip. "May I give you a hug? It's a custom of comfort."
Merlin looks a little wary, but opens his arms.
"Well, at least you have an idea what it is," Celina enthuses. She steps forward and wraps her arms about his shoulders. Her chin settles for three heartbeats on his shoulder, then she softly squeezes once and disengages slowly. "We will be so glorious." She grins.
"We will be," Merlin agrees. He pauses for a moment, thinking, and finally says, "I have trouble discerning when an Amber person means a hug as a custom of comfort and when it is meant as a custom of reproduction."
"Oh," Celina nods. "Well, not to add to your difficulty, but there are cases where the one sort of hug can unexpectedly become the other sort of hug. It is not always a thing that clarifies before, but sometimes requires a discipline to manage." She wrinkles her nose. "I mean, if you go into it showing comfort and discover that it has flavors of reproduction, then a gentleman or a lady would try to respect the original intent as well as the new intent discovered. That's the decent thing, respecting the original intent."
Celina looks at Merlin and taps her chin. "But there are many, many polite gestures that test the waters of a reproductive dance. I'm sure Martin must have given you some guideline or maxim to follow."
"He has advised me on how to avoid what I find distasteful, yes," Merlin agrees. "But he does not know a way in advance to avoid the exchange of energies that leads to reproduction in ordered beings. He tells me that the embrace that leads to reproduction is not common between beings already tied by blood, but we also know that Clarissa is of the line of Benedict, so I am not sure that pattern holds."
Merlin adds awkwardly after a moment, "If you know what I mean."
An arched eyebrow answers him. Celina looks confused. "Clarissa is? My goodness, the things you never learn at boarding school. So then the redheads are descended from Oberon twice over." There is hardly a pause as she digests this strange morsel.
"Really, Merlin. I don't know whether to compliment your courage in hugging me, or wonder at what sort of devious mind you think I have." She smiles and adds, "And I'll tell you the sure remedy my quaint aunties shared with me: holding a pearl firmly between my knees. If you have all your female friends cooperate so, then you only have to worry about modern girls who have already figured out nine ways around the pearl.
Merlin thinks about this and does something that suggests his knees are jointed slightly wrongly, or at least bend in odd ways. He may be testing how you move with a pearl between your knees.
"Yes. Well, the embrace that leads to reproduction is a bit different from a hug. And I do know what you mean." Celina plunges ahead and offers him a buoy. "I'll show you specifics so you can be wary of the Distasteful without worrying about the mundane. I'd wish you to at least see the reefs. If you like or not."
She taps her stomach lightly but keeps a neutral gaze.
[Arref/ooc: who would certainly share in the belly laughs freely but allows that here we can fade to dark crimson unless we are planning a 'spin-off' series of House of Cards in the slapstick visual comedy genre....
Celina thinks her brother needs an Ordered understanding so he can stop jumping at shadows. So she isn't even going to go the paper and charcoal route, but show him exactly what he needs to worry about by becoming the 'Visible Woman'. It should take all of twenty minutes and really take one worry off his mind.
Lurkers! Don't you dare say this is 'aversion therapy'! Even if it is!]
"No thank you, sister," Merlin replies, not quite sounding panicky, as he steps away from Celina. "Our cousin Paige has already shown me what sort of embraces ordered beings conduct. I am not sure that a quick additional primer will teach me any more than she already has done. But I appreciate the offer in the sentiment it was given."
The Seaward girl is hoist on her origins. Her face flames and she stares at Merlin. "I wasn't going to--. I meant--."
Celina puts her hands on her hips. "She did what?"
Now it is Merlin's face that's flaming. "She took me to a shadow where men and women coupled in the streets during a festival. Men and women, and sometimes men and men, and sometimes women and women. They went about unclad." He sounds rather desperate as he adds, "They were valuable studies for my shapeshifting, so I got some use of it, even though it was--very awkward."
Celina clamps her teeth hard on any ideas escaping into words. It appeared that she had met Paige at her most subtle and numb condition. A healthy Paige was entirely too facile with pushing boys into deep water.
Hmmm. Paige. Khela. Oh, the patterns woven. "I see. Very awkward, indeed. Well, then," Celina tries to imagine picking up the instructive and calming tone again and fails. She throws up her hands. "Well, then I suppose you know all about 'eels' and 'clams' and how they really go together. You are prepared as much as I could wish if not as well."
She pushes her fingers through the hair over her ears. "I'm sorry, Merlin. Everyone meddles in a different way. Paige was trying to give you knowledge and instead gave you the willies."
Merlin shrugs awkwardly. "She did the best she knew to do at the time. It was not easy for her to understand that I am not--" he shrugs again, as if to substitute for some word he can't find. "I know it brought her and Martin much happiness and pleasure, but it simply does not interest me."
"Your interests don't worry me a bit, it was the idea that hugs and clam-digging were not easily differentiated that worried me." Celina hugs herself to avoid wringing her hands about imaginary necks. Certainly a change of subject was in order.
"We'll need horses, some supplies and deep travel-bags packed by someone else, as Martin has explained. I'll go set that up tonight so that it is ready anytime within the next two or three days. Anything you really want from Amber's stores, you should pack yourself. And remember, we're going to get wet." She laughs lightly glad to lighten the mood.
She moves toward the door. "And I expect my last hug will do for a good night, rest well expression."
"I do not find your gesture of comfort objectionable, sister," Merlin says shyly. "Tell me when you are ready, and I will have my art supplies prepared to go. I will spell them to repel water," he explains.
"Good." Celina glows with that small bit of compliment from her brother. "Then tomorrow we start a great story. Good night, Merlin."
And she goes.
Once in her rooms, she writes out a request for horses, journey bags, food, and such to be prepared for a trip out through Arden for two. In the morning she'll take it to the stable and give it to the headman. As Martin has explained, she be properly vague and trusting about what is packed for such a trip. She intends to find what she needs as they travel.
Lilly begins to lead the way down the hall. After several feet she pauses, "We don't have to go to the gardens. We can go to my rooms or the library or really just about anywhere you would like."
Without knowing how Robin is going to react to the coming conversation, Lilly wants for her to be comfortable. No point in having her on edge before they begin.
One blonde brow raises and Robin smiles ironically.
"Track is chosen, Lilly. No point in trying to guess the deadfalls ahead of time. The trail is too unpredictable." Then she chuckles and relents. "Besides, the Garden really is best." She finishes with a rueful shrug and looks around. Yep, lost again.
Robin swings her arms back and forth a few times with a 'there it is' smile as she waits for Lilly to lead them out of this place.
Lilly nods and leads on. She waits until they are outside to begin speaking.
"The Knights of the Order of the Ruby have discussed bestowing the title of Knight commander of someone new. We have now lost two of our original members and feel we should have more then just the four of us. A majority of us spoke it over, we would like you to join our ranks. We think you could act as a bridge between the Knighthood and the Rangers. We are in no way asking you to give up your position among them." It may take her a little while to begin speaking, but once she starts, there is no wasting of words.
"WHAaaaawkt?!?" The sound Robin makes is somewhere between a squawk and a word and echoes off the Castle walls before becoming quickly muffled by the nighttime foliage of the Gardens. Startled, the girl ruffles and mantles fiercely. She steps back from Lilly, a half crouch in her posture, hands loose and ready. Her blonde head cocks and she stares at the knight from one eye, whites showing.
But as soon as it's there, it's gone, and Robin's eyes are dancing over the night sky and dark vegetation. Her hands flutter, expressions dance across her face and she begins to pace and wheel. The whole time speaking to herself in a melange of muttering, hisses and whistles.
Slowing, she turns to face Lilly. Who speaks in one sharp thrust. Whereas her own style is definitely more barrage oriented.
"Are you NUTS?!? You want to replace two not-so-stable, not-so-in-the-King's-favor Commanders with yet another!? And while it's nice that you're 'not asking me to give up my position among' the Rangers, it's really rather irrelevant 'cause I'll always, always be a Ranger FIRST. Everything else comes second. That what you want in a Knight Commander? And, by the way, why aren't you promoting one of your own knights to commander? I haven't done anything - I thought the Ruby was a reward-for-service based order. Or is it just kiddie table at the Family dinner time? Because if it is, there's plenty of other kiddies who actually deserve something like this - Folly, Jerod, Vere, Solange, etc. Those guys are heroes. My specialty is doing... nothing. Or rather not doing things.... whatever." Robin waves that off.
"Sweet Deep Green, wha... did Jove put you up to this?" Green eyes search around the garden, as though suspicious that her brother is lurking out there somewhere. Even though she knows she would've known if he was.
When her eyes come back to Lilly, Robin takes a deep breath, fluffs herself down a little. And smiles. "Okay, your turn."
As Robin spoke, Lilly patiently waited. Now that her turn has come, she takes a few seconds before responding.
"To answer your last question first... No, he did not. He did agree with our assessment, however. You are the daughter of a royal. You are as worthy of honor and praise as any of us, probably more then some. The others you have mentioned have been given a knighthood of their own. I see theirs as a diplomatic order and ours as a martial order. We thought you would be a good fit because you passionately defend the things you care about. Nothing more, and nothing less.
"The decision to accept this honor is completely yours. We had hoped to have a commander who could oversee the needs of Arden and her people but if you do not feel up to the challenge, I understand." Lilly's voice is soft and calm. In sharp contrast to Robin, she shows very little emotion as she speaks.
"Too easy, Lilly." Robin replies with a grin, "'Sides I didn't say no. I just said we got some serious shit to think about first."
Lilly allows herself a very genuine smile.
"K, so..." Robin ticks her points off on her fingers. "The Orders are kiddie tables. Can't say I like it, but I ain't going to argue. Too much. For right now. As long as the other kiddie's get their feast too."
For a moment, Robin's face lights up. A fervent hope goes through her that she'll be around to see Vere and Solange knighted. Oh, and Ossian too! Then she's back on track. "And I sure as hell can't say I'm any kind of diplomat.
"And if you're shopping for passion, I certainly peer Aisling and Daeon for that, but...." a soft whistle, "you guys better line up the pine boxes if you keep on that tack. I still don't think the King's going to go for it." She finishes in a mutter.
"Arden, though, that's still a stickler, Lilly. I don't oversee Arden. The Warden does. If you get me, you just get me. Native guide at best. Rangers don't take orders or overseein' from Knights. Not even from me. Make sense?"
"Makes perfect sense. You are speaking to the daughter of Benedict. I may be respected by his troops, but I am certainly not about to try to give them orders. On the other hand, they will at least talk me."
Robin does a little shoulder dance shrug. Not quite but close enough. These guys obviously do need someone to 'splain Rangerin' to them.
She shrugs, "I am not worried about the King. Not really. We plan on asking forgiveness, not permission. And if he really hates it, he can dissolve the order. Then we are all free of it's duties." Lilly is smiling again as she finishes. Now that she has walked the pattern, the idea of being free from duty is somewhat appealing. Of course she does not believe that will ever truly happen but a girl can still dream.
A low whistle of surprise escapes the Ranger.
"K. I gotta know. That for me? Or for the precedent?"
"We have been given a very free hand. Random has offered absolutely no direction. He knighted us and then retreated," Lilly replies. "Of course, I do not view that as a problem. Not in any way. He is a busy man after all. And I would be worried if he went around knighting people he did not trust."
Lilly turns her full attention to Robin, meeting her gaze. "I suppose we are testing that trust a bit. But I would not do such a thing unless I believed I was right. I truly believe you are an asset. I truly believe you deserve this honor as much, if not more then, I do. And I can think of no one else I would prefer to see accept it." Her words are very sincere.
"Hunh," Robin blows a little nonplussed breath out, her bangs fluffing off her forehead briefly. Green eyes gaze at Lilly for a while. Lilly the complete stranger. Who just said that.
Then her eyes wander a bit. Brennan. A smirk tugs one corner of her mouth. That could be fun. Jovian. A rueful snort escapes her at the memory of their tacticizing in Danu. Well, he knows what he's getting into anyway. Marius. The twitchy stranger she barely knows... Her brows raise as she nods to herself gently. It ain't a bad crew. But...
"I'm not around much, Lilly. And I already got an assignment out in Shadow?"
There is a slight shrug. "We all have things to do other then sitting around a castle sparring and playing chess. No one expects that of any of us. We are defenders. Sometimes that work carries us far. Sometimes is does not. No one would expect you to abandon your duties.
"I do not need a decision right now. Think about it if you wish. Talk to Brennan or Jovian. They both know I was planning on speaking with you. Just know that I would not be here if I did not believe this was a good idea. I like Brennan and Jove very much. But I make my own decisions."
"Weeeellll, here's hopin' you don't live to regret this one." Robin says with a wry grin as she holds out her hand.
"So what now?" The Ranger asks bemusedly.
"Now we decide when," Lilly answers with a smile. "Brennan thought it might be best to have a quick knighting as soon as possible." She pauses a moment to let the smile become something more of a grin. "For your sake of course. He seemed to think you might not want to remain at the castle any longer then neccesary. But really, it's up to you. It does not have to be anything fancy."
Robin chuckles as she scratches behind one ear a little self-consciously. Yeah, okay. She hasn't been exactly subtle about her feelings for the heap.
"I'm not much of one for ceremonies, Lilly. So as short, sweet, private and fast as possible is about all the input I have." Her nose scrunches. "What kind of guest list meets minimum reqs?"
"Perhaps Brennan to do the actual knighting, since this was his idea." Lilly says with a grin. "Jovian and I can serve as witnesses. Beyond that..." she shrugs.
"Perhaps we can arrange something just before lunch tomorrow and then we can fill you in on all of the top secret afterwards. We can't afford to go around teaching the handshake to people before they are knighted." Lilly manages to sound serious but more then likely she is joking.
She thinks about it for a moment longer, "Or we can wait. Let you get used to the idea. There really is no rush. And besides, if we act quickly, people may think you are simply a replacement for Daeon. I want them to see that you were choosen not for your lineage, but for your own merit. Waiting might be a better option." Lilly shrugs. Either way is clearly fine as far as she is concerned.
Robin smiles to Lilly. Boy, can she appreciate that kind of back and forth. Though she infinitely prefers to just make the decision - even if it's the wrong one - to all that thinking. But even as the Ranger is denigrating thinking to herself, a thought occurs.
"Hmmmm. Vere didn't mention anything to me about another Order or being knighted. I suspect that he doesn't know about yet... Think Brennan and Jovian would be alright with waiting until Vere gets his first? That could cut down on the unseemly haste thing."
"I think they will have to be fine with it if that is your decision." Lilly knows Robin can fight her own battles but that does not mean she will not come to the Ranger's defense on this issue. "I shall inform them of your conditions. When the time is right, we will hold the ceremony. In the meantime, you can consider yourself an unofficial Knight Commander." Lilly extends a hand towards Robin as she finshes speaking.
"That I can do." Robin smiles as she takes Lilly's hand.
After a moment, those green eyes wander a bit before coming back to Lilly. "Anything else?" Robin asks with raised eyebrows. Yep, closure is not her strength either, but the girl doesn't think that plain-spoken Lilly is going to mind too much.
"I don't think so," Lilly replies sounding quite pelased to be free of this task. Now all she had to do was inform the others of the outcome. Perhaps a quick note. That would be the easiest way.
"I will leave you to enjoy the remainder of your day."
"You too." Robin nods.
Lilly takes her leave and immediately heads back to her quarters. Once there she will send word to Brennan and Jovian that Robin is agreeable but has asked that we postpone the actual ceremony until Vere's return.
The Ranger watches Lilly head back into the Castle with a sympathetic smile. Yep, looks like they both aren't big on the talkin' parts. Luckily Jovian and Brennan can talk enough for anyone. With a wry chuckle, Robin heads off into the garden to find tonight's sleeping spot.
"Mistress Carper, if I may escort you?" [Marius] offers.
"Yes, thank-you," she replies.
Marius does so with panache and delicacy.
While Meg has already shown herself to be difficult, because I'm so far behind I'd like to go ahead and offer this in presumption that she allows it:
Should Meg allow Marius to escort her, he will first bring her to the appropriate master of servants to arrange for quartering, by which we mean finding a place for Meg to sleep, not to cut anyone into 4ths, and also to send a note to Sir Monsun, in regards to Marius' return to the castle. He should have found a valet by now, after all. [segue to next Marius blog story.]
Meg willingly goes along with him, but can't help asking questions as they go, even before he offers.
Where are they going?
Marius answers. "I am more familiar with the insides of about half a dozen boats than the Keep, but no host of any merit forgets to point out the kitchens and the privys," he explains. He'll make a point of explaining what he knows of the schedules and flow of the castle in short terminology, and give her the nickel tour.
Was that King Random?
Meg's probably studied folk (you can learn a lot from children!) long enough to know that Marius' grin at this is both wry and wistful as well as genuine.
He looks so young, how long has been King?
"He is new to being King, that is certain, Mistress Carper, but he is not new to this world, being several times my age. Youngest brother of the mountains, in a way." His smile goes back to wry. "The family tree is tangled, and I know only a portion of it. He is an Uncle by half to most of us, father to probably a couple," he makes it sound like a guess. "The gap between ages in nigh immortals becomes less important as the years roll through, they say." He looks towards a distant horizon, then shakes his head and smiles sheepishly.
"There were many meanings in what you witnessed. Suffice it to say that the mere hair colour of our newly sworn lord is gossip enough in some quarters. We have recently suffered a great betrayal, and some would ascribe shame to the traitor's children and close projects as well." He sighs, perhaps at the sheer silliness of humanity. "I lost my mother," the word is strange in his mouth for a moment, "and was struck down by magic in the ensuing carnage. When I awoke, we had won and Random was King."
"Oh," says Meg. "I'm sorry about your mother." She looks over his face for something not shown in his eyes. "And what happened to the traitor?"
She doesn't seem to get not talking in public areas or in front of servants.
That's a nicety that Marius doesn't worry about, either, at least in this situation. If gossips decide that Marius and Meg are romantically attached, all to the better; they will disturb her less then.
Marius takes a moment to reorient the conversation to a place he's more comfortable with: the realms of speculation.
"There are places in this universe...places your mind does not rest and your nightmares are spawned and live lives that to them, I suppose, are normal. We fought creatures in that place. Lives and loves were made and lost, I suppose. My new man, Ce'e, comes from such a land." Marius shrugs, and his grin is somewhat muted by the sadness of history. "In that land there is a Pit," the capital is quite sharp and punctuated with aggravated emphasis, "and it is dark, and nothing comes of it but sorrow and fear, and at the bottom of that Pit, should there be such a thing, the traitor will find what lies there." If there is a vehemence in his tone, it is suddenly lost (along with all other emotion) with the next line, "And so will my mother."
He breaks off with a shrug. "His name was Brand. I still have dreams about him." He smiles a little, and it's another sad smile. "He will be the source of proverbs in another century, I am sure. `Do not attempt to take on powers that are greater than you,' they will all mean." He shrugs again, looking more amused by the second. "Of course, he did great things. He united the Family. He opened the doors to all _sorts_ of mischief. He may be dying forever, but we don't know how many pots he stirred and what is still flying from them aimed at this place. Even your troubles in Abford may be traced to him."
"How long ago was this?" Meg asks, softly and seriously.
Well, that's tricky. It's forever and a day, and just yesterday at that. Marius gives her the exact Amber date that he remembers, and continues, "Time does strange things in some places. I don't know how long it would have been for you and yours."
Meg frowns as though he didn't answer the question he was supposed to, but her thoughts move on.
"It is a whole lot to absorb, and I am open to your questions," he says, suddenly, almost friendly. "Are you hungry? We could stop by the kitchens." He will look for signs of the Current Amber Standard Time to find out if it's dinner or dessert or 3am or whatnot.
Windows in the castle show that the sun has gone down, although there was enough of a tinge of color in the sky when Marius got here that it's not too long after sunset.
[OOC: The funeral was at sunset and Marius and Ossian arrived not long after Caine came back after it.]
"I had lunch a few hours ago. When is dinner time here? Do you eat late into the night here like in the East?"
"We eat when we are hungry," he says, quite commonly. "There are, of course, formal occasions, but I will be honest enough in my telling you that often one is kept busy enough to require food off of normal schedules. I had a meal serving as both breakfast and lunch before quite a bit of a walk trying to find you," he admits with a shy grin.
"We must feed you then," says Meg. "And I will eat too." It sounds only a little like she's granting a favour.
Marius laughs, suddenly. "We could have the cuisine of a thousand worlds, and you sound like you are expecting to have to deal with a bowl of grudging porridge and perhaps some dry bread. Mistress Carper, you are now acknowledged a lady of royalty beyond that which you may have ever _dreamed._ Dinner should never be a trial."
Meg doesn't laugh with him. She stops walking.
"I expect," Meg puts the emphasis on the second word, "that while we eat we'll be discussing how to rescue my family from a city under attack and I don't expect," again the word is wielded like a weapon, "to be thinking about the food."
She stands for a moment. Then steps forward again.
"Ignore that," she frowns and it seems directed inwards. "I don't mean to snap. I'm sure I would enjoy talking with you of all the good tastes in the world, or royalty, or anything else you like at some other time, but my sons could be dying even now.
"Let us eat and talk and plan, because until my family is safe there is a knife in my heart and ashes in my mouth." She rubs the bridge of her nose.
Marius looks serious. "Your reminder is well deserved, and I hold no ill will towards you for the tone or message." He sighs. "Ossian will produce a place for us to step through from his memories and observations. It is his magic, and one with I have only some small familiarity. He needs time to work this power, but it should be far less than the (OOC: three?) days it took us to travel there before." He hails a servant. "Rather than have us track it down," he explains suggesting that they would like a meal for two sent to an appropriate place to sit. Nope, take that back, he's going to take them to his suite. He's got writing materials, and places to sit. He expresses this and then quickens the pace. "Let us sit and have food brought to us, and you can tell me of these secret ways into the city, and we can use your knowledge to locate your sons."
"Thank-you," says Meg.
When they are sitting with food on the way, she looks around his room, both with curiosity and intent.
"I could draw a map, if you have somewhere I can use."
[After writing materials are supplied.]
She takes the pencil and draws in the main churches of Abford. Then follow the major roads, the Council hall, market square, watch house, and river. The walls come last.
Marius will wait until she's done before making some mention on the map of landmarks he noted while walking through the city. After all, he didn't have the stars to navigate by, and he's no city boy to rely on a grid system.
Which very helpfully tells Meg which areas of the city he's been in. She nods at each correct addition.
"I walked to find you, via your son," he repeats, sounding sheepish.
"Right," Meg looks up at Marius to make sure he is paying attention. "Peter's family lives here, in the family home." Meg marks it on the map. "And Jacob and Leslie have the rear room as well."
Meg makes another mark next door. "That's Morris's family, in the second house."
"Garth's lot are further down here," Meg's voice betrays both approval and exasperation. She marks a mark along the street. Garth must have valued a little distance from the rest of his family.
"Maureen's husband lives over here," she marks nearer the east gate.
She puts the pencil down.
"I know ways in from here and here." This time she points, as though some scruple prevented her from marking such routes on a map. "And inside the walls we can make our way without attracting too much attention. I used to sneak out of the orphanage as a child, some of those hiding places must still be there."
"Three questions to start with, then," Marius says. "One, does your or their position put them in any particular danger, political or religious, over anyone else? Perhaps ransomable? Second, would they expect a rescue or would they be more likely to fight? And third, which buildings would be most likely held as defensible headquarters? We'd look for something close to the direction of invasion," he tries. He's feeling her out for her potential in basic strategy.
"Of course they'll fight!" Meg sounds impatient, or tired, or both.
Meg looks at him for a moment, pulling her thoughts together and wondering at questions in bunches. "If Abford is attacked, help will come from other Alliance cities, but they'll need to hold off this Huon for a few days until they can arrive." She rubs her eyes. "But nobody will be expecting this Art Ellery magic."
Meg folds her hands on the table and sighs. "Peter's on the Council. So's Simon," she says. She blinks. "My son in law," she explains. "No one in Abford is noble, but there's wealth enough for ransoms to be worthwhile and my family is one of the better off.
"I don't know about defensible headquarters," she moves on. "The Council Hall, perhaps, or the lockup. When we were attacked, when I was young, by the demons, we held them off at the walls." The memories, and the fear, are old. "Just. That's all I knew. I don't know what they planned for if they breached the walls." She twists her mouth. "Who shares military plans with a kitchen girl?"
"Demons?" Marius asks, sitting up sharply, fatigue forgotten for the moment. "One of the side effects of our wars was demons," he says by way of explanation. He looks uncomfortable.
Meg opens her mouth and then shuts it again. Her expression clearly says Oh, so you people caused that too? but she doesn't speak the words.
Marius notes the expression, but his response is to school his own into something more neutral, but definitely more guarded.
"I hope you will accept my apologies when I can make them," he says. "I can see you are extremely tired, and we have hours to go." He moves his hand towards her, in a gesture of sympathy.
She accepts the sympathy with a tired smile.
"Let me have you brought to your rooms, unless," he looks desperate for a moment for a perhaps better way of putting this, "you'd just like to stay here tonight."
She moves her hand away, fear in her eyes.
He pounces, jumping on her like a wild cat, holding her down and then...
erm.
Sorry.
He doesn't move, and maybe it is like that wild cat, trying not to spook its target.
He would follow it up with, "I can sleep on the floor," but part of it is that he knows that he's the only readily available anchor to what she knows, so he's willing to be around so she isn't completely overwhelmed.
"I should like to go to my rooms," her voice is tight. "And Sister Prudence and Sister Courage will be wanting to know what has happened to me." The thought of them softens her.
"But thank-you. I think you mean well. I will be better after sleep."
Marius gets up and walks to the door, and he Will find a servant to bring Mistress Carper to her rooms. He stands at the doorway for a moment.
"Don't trust me," Marius says, and it sounds both conversational and as if it were wrenched out of somewhere deep inside.
Meg looks at him in surprise.
"Don't trust anyone unless you know their motives. We don't have so many wars on so many horizons by being friendly and innocent." He looks angry for a moment, then lets it out with a breath. The almost mocking grin returns. "I can only imagine you hate us," he says. "I hope you learn otherwise. I hope your family is safe and unharmed. Goodnight Mistress Carper."
She returns the mocking grin. "Oh, I am too tired to hate anyone right now." She chuckles. "We'll see how I feel in the morning. Goodnight Master Marius."
She pats him on the arm, but it seems an automatic gesture, rather than anything conscious.
Marius gives her a nod, watches her leave, and then, yes, ends the thread.
Last modified: 15 November 2005