Party Of Five

Once Garrett has readied the horses, the group mounts up and rides out, with any objections about a lack of gear met with the pronouncement that they'll find something appropriate on the way. Martin seems quite confident on this point, and unwilling to brook any arguments.

They ride out into the late afternoon sun and start down the mountain on a different trail from the one down into town. This one leads out and to the west, with switchbacks down the mountain. Martin takes the lead, and as they round the side of the mountain, Folly and Celina can feel the first shift he makes like fingernails on a chalkboard or a bad bit of feedback in the monitor. Afterwards, he says cheerfully, "We're on our way. No going back now."

Celina slowly releases the healthy leg-grip on the horse and pats its neck in apology. She hadn't expected to feel the shadows move through her bones like that.

But as she reviews it --she smiles.

If anyone looks back, they can see details that clearly weren't there before behind them.

Lilly smiles brightly. No going back. She liked that. It was time to move forward. Settling into her saddle, she is content in the silence that has enveloped the group. Now was a time to watch and learn. Everything that had been told to her about shadow she called to mind. This journey would aid her understanding, or so she believed.

Garrett's horse snorts and prances at the sudden change of surroundings. Once Garrett calms him, he does indeed look back, noting that even though they just came that way, that isn't the way they came. He remembers both Lilly and Random speaking of "altering reality." Now he gets it.

Seeing Garrett look--Celina glances back as well. She sorts questions silently.

The quintet rides on for several hours through a remarkably prolonged late afternoon, with the sun casting progressively longer shadows but never quite going down. Martin sets a brisk but maintainable pace. The pace allows no opportunity to talk as the group rides through paths in an unknown wood unlike any found near Amber. They stop along the side of a river at a lazy shallow spot, and Martin dismounts. "This'll be a good spot to rest," he says.

Lilly nods and dismounts. Her instinct is not to care for her horse in the same immediate way the other might. First she needed to ensure their safety. Yes, she trusted Martin. She did not, however, trust was Shadow. Efficiently she scanned the area looking for any sign of potential threats.

Martin takes a look around, but he seems reasonably confident that they're not in any danger.

Once she is satisfied that they will not be caught unaware, she sees to her mare.

Garrett dismounts and silently leads the horses a short distance away from the group to a patch of green grass near the river. When they are settled, he drinks from cupped hands and sits in the grass on the riverbank.

Folly dismounts, stretches, rummages in her bag for an apple, makes like she's gonna go be nice to her horse, and then detours to speak with Garrett.

The ride has organized [Garrett's] mind after the chaos that was today. Now that he has time to think, he ponders the journey with mixed feelings. For someone who's never left Amber, there's a certain excitement about traveling and seeing new things. It's an adventure, like Lilly said. And he likes his traveling companions - well, most of them.

On the other hand, he's on a journey to Somewhere with the man he believes is responsible for Lunging's injury. It was obviously intentional, but why? What did he have against Lunging? The one thing that makes Garrett feel better is that if Martin meant him any harm on this trip, he wouldn't bring three witnesses, one of whom likes Garrett and another who secretly does.

Garrett sighs deeply and closes his eyes, chewing on a blade of sweet grass. Martin didn't even let him run home for a change of clothes or to say goodbye. Mum's gonna be sick with worry. The rumble in his stomach, though, shoves that thought away. Now that he's had a few moments to unwind, he realizes he is ravenously hungry. All he's eaten is one carrot since breakfast. And he has no food.

As if reading his mind, Folly slips up behind him and sets an apple on his shoulder. "You look like you need this more than she does," she says, nodding toward Sprite. "And we've got a proper dinner packed, if you'd like to join us." She smiles gently and then squats beside Garrett so she can look him in the eye.

In a hushed voice designed not to carry to the rest of the group, she adds, "You, ah... you probably oughtta tell him, you know...."

Garrett nods as he chews. "I will," he says when his mouth is no longer full. Keeping his voice down as well, he says, "I talked to the King today. He said he would tell Prince Martin himself, but I doubt that he had a chance before we left. I'll tell him after we eat."

Folly nods. "Good. The sooner the better. I'm sure he suspects something's up -- I'd rather he know the truth before he jumps to the wrong conclusions."

"Me too," Garrett agrees heartily, then adds, "Hey, would you mind keeping the others busy while I tell him? Dame Lilly already knows, but Lady Celina doesn't."

"I'll see what I can do," Folly replies. "The hard part, of course, will be coming up with a diversion that appeals to both of them at once. While 'Hey, let's all compare weapons' would probably get Lilly's attention, I doubt it would be the best enticement for Celina, you know?" She grins.

Garrett nods and returns the grin.

She offers Garrett a hand up and in a gentler tone asks, "Hey, how're you holding up?"

He chuckles as he rises. "Better after the ride and a few moments of quiet. Gods, it's been one hell of a day. Talking to the king was the easy part. After that, he called me dad up and kept him there all day. I was beginning to think he'd tossed him in the dungeons. Then Lunging got his leg broke somehow..." Garrett shakes his head. "I'm almost glad to be outta there for a few days."

Folly's expression clouds for a moment at the mention of the groom's broken leg, but she manages a reassuring grin. "Wow. Compared to all that, a little thing like being swept along on a moment's notice for a trip out of town with your crazy new relatives should be a piece of cake, right? And speaking of cake --" she inclines her head toward the rest of the group "-- I'm sure the whole day will look a lot more manageable from the other side of a meal...."

"It _sure_ will," Garrett agrees. "I'm about starved," he says as he escorts Folly back in the direction of the food.

From a distance, Lilly watches the pair. Concern and longing mix on her face. Rather then interrupting, she turns to Martin. "Why exactly did your father decide we needed to bring Garrett along?" she asks quietly. He can tell she believes it is not simply because they needed a groom. Certainly they could manage those duties without his aid.

Celina has dismounted after Lilly, having been more interested in the manner everyone else goes about settling themselves. She manages to any immediate horsey maintenance while watching and listening.

Martin assists Celina in sending her horse off with Garrett. When Lilly speaks, he turns his attention from Folly and Garrett back to her. "He didn't. Should he have?" Martin asks. It's the sort of question Benedict might have asked Lilly.

Lilly gives her cousin a long, considering look. "I would not have thought so but one can never underestimate the whims of a King." A brief smile flits across her lips. For a moment she is silent before her eyes seem to reflect some sort of decision. Her gaze becomes a bit more intense. "I trust him. I would put my life in his hands if the need arose." Clearly she is speaking of the stable hand.

Celina compresses her lips a bit in reaction to Lilly's declaration. This is clearly no ordinary young man--or royals are extremely intense in their appreciation of horses and horse handling.

She waits Martin's answer, wondering if he will add anything interesting--and betting herself he will not.

[She may be wrong.]

Martin says, "Would you put the Queen's life in his hands, Dame Lilly? It's interesting that the lad's gotten himself tangled up with the Queen's guardian and the Heir Presumptive's lover in the few weeks since my father got himself named king, isn't it?"

Oh, that wasn't very surgical. Celina laces her fingers and doesn't move. She plans no unintended signal of compassion for either side of what promises to be an interesting education in love triangles and family politics.

Lilly's expression remains neutral. She would have been disappointed if Martin had not been suspicious of Garrett.

He glances back at Folly and Garrett. "It's particularly interesting that that happened at about the same time that a Rebman spy ring became active in the castle--a ring whose route to the Rebman embassy runs straight through the stables."

Celina stifles the glance to Garrett in order to keep focus on the two warriors. Why not the stables --you people tell your Susans first whenever you are coming and going.

"We shall have to speak on that matter more. I am interested to hear of this spy ring. Right now I can tell you that I would be greatly surprised to find Garrett has anything to do with it. I have looked into his background. I have asked many questions. With all that has happened I would not allow someone into my life without being as sure as possible of their motives. I suppose it is possible he has won my friendship for less then savory reasons, but I truly doubt it. I will grant you he has horrible timing. I have told him as much myself. Rest assured though, he has his reasons."

Celina's expression remains flat. Lilly's last sentence thrills and alarms her. 'Not allow --into my life'. 'Has his reasons.' She recalls the sly look upon meeting him. Rebma having sway over the stables and their men.

He does not walk like a Rebman. A spell? Celina opens her Third Eye and savors Garrett completely.

To Celina's gaze, the youth appears to be a normal boy. There is no llaya about him. Martin stiffens slightly when Celina calls up her sight, and when she glances at him, she can see that he's magically blank, as if he's somehow shielded from her gaze.

"So did Aisling," Martin says grimly.

Equating the two is difficult for Lilly yet she can understand his point. She may have felt the same way had she not taken the time to speak with Garrett. Hopefully this would be resolved between the two of them before they reached Xanadu.

As he and Folly approach the rest of the group, Garrett notes the apparently intense conversation between Martin and Lilly, Celina's seriousness, and Martin's suspicious glance in his direction. Once again, his hackles rise and he considers Folly's concern about Martin jumping to the wrong conclusions. Dammit, if he's gonna try to intimidate me, thinks Garrett, then let it be for the right reasons. With that, he makes his decision. He will not allow Lilly to fight his battles for him yet again.

Leaning over to Folly, Garrett warns, "Screw dinner. I'm tellin' him now," then strides purposefully over to face Martin.

Quietly, as if in blessing, Folly replies: "Strength."

She breaks from Garrett's trajectory and takes up a watchful but carefully neutral stance next to Celina.

Celina clamps her teeth tight. Ice chills her back. Something keys him. Garrett whispers some instruct to Folly and suddenly that new friend is taking up a commanding position at Celina's side.

Is it then Martin and Celina alone against the three?

When he gets within conversational distance, he says, "Your Highness, when you're finished, I'd like a word with you, if you please. It's important." While his tone remains formal, there is no deference in his voice now. No hesitation. No wavering. He looks Martin in the eye with icy determination, his insides suddenly like steel.

Or perhaps it would be resolved right now, Lilly thinks to herself before taking a half step backwards. Without thought her posture becomes defensive. If she had to act quickly to keep them from hurting one another she wanted to be prepared.

Sensing Garrett is ready to make his move, Celina uses the moment to check Lilly and Folly for Siren Charms.

As Celina sweeps her gaze over the others, she can see no power on any of them, other than whatever power holds Martin safe from her gaze.

The Seaward girl feels an immediate morsel of relief.

When Garrett starts to speak, Martin turns to look at him. Lilly can see that he's cleared his blade for a draw, although his hand isn't on the grip yet. His stance is firm, as if to counter a possible rush. Celina recognizes something of the TaKhi in his movements, but adjusted for the differences between the air and the water. Folly sees that the tension in Martin has drained away; he looks almost happy, or at least peaceful.

"Whatever you have to say, you can say in front of the ladies," Martin replies. It's not unkind, but it's not kind either; the pretense of jolly travelling companions has sloughed off as if it had never been there at all.

Garrett emits a quick sigh, as if he'd hoped to speak alone and needs a second to adjust. But adjust he does. He nods once. "All right, Your Highness," he begins in a you-asked-for-it manner. "Donovan Bailey is not me real father. I found out recently that years ago, me mother had an affair with one of the princes. She became pregnant by him, but chose not to tell him about me. That prince was Prince Random. You're me brother, Your Highness," Garrett says bluntly, his eyes never leaving Martin's. If his face betrays any emotion at all, it's suppressed anger. In days past, he had imagined this would be a much more civil conversation. But after everything that's happened today, Garrett takes a certain pleasure in delivering the news like a dagger.

Martin starts to open his mouth, but ...

"Spines!" Celina moves between the men. She stares at Garrett. "Could you find a less pleasant way to greet your brother? Do you have brothers in excess that you value him so little? How do you feel about your aunts? Planning to poke me in the nose?"

Garrett's jaw drops in astonishment. He says nothing, but "Who is this girl" is written all over his face.

A look of genuine surprise crosses Lilly's features. Garrett's words and reactions she had expected. Celina's she did not. Here she thought she might have to separate the boys. That may end up not being the case at all. Her stance shifts slightly, ready to quickly remove the girl should the need arise. It is a protective measure. This groups needed stability right now, not more passion.

"Celina ---" Folly breathes her cousin's name in a soft undertone and reaches out to lay a hand on her shoulder. Her touch is soft, too, designed to soothe rather than to force.

Folly feels tension melt under the fingers on Celina's shoulder. The Seaward girl takes a deep breath.

Then [Folly] looks to Martin. If he sees the tilt of her head, the slight twitch of her free hand, he knows she's ready at the slightest signal from him to herd the spectators away from the stage.

Martin's not looking at her, although Folly is sure in her own mind that he knows she's there. He's still looking at Garrett, and at Celina standing between the two of them. What he says is: "He's not your nephew. Just your cousin through Corwin. If it's true."

Lilly resist the urge to rush to Garrett's defense. It would probably only serve to add fire to the situation. For now it is best to remain silent, she decides.

Garrett doesn't even react to Martin. The snap of the camel's back breaking was certainly audible to everyone. Garrett stares at Celina, his fists clenched. The incredulous gape finally erupts into blinding, red-faced rage. "You're worried about HIM?! Ask HIM who broke Lunging's leg! Ask HIM why he's trying to intimidate ME!" he shouts, punctuating his words by pointing at Martin and himself in turn.

Folly sucks in a sharp, audible breath. Against her shoulder, Celina feels Folly's fingers tighten as if they want to make a fist.

A breath echoed by Celina. The fingers tighten against a shoulder suddenly fiercely stiff again.

The calm of Lilly's features is replaced with sharp intensity directed at the two brothers. Her own rage began to rise, anger driven not by the actions of her companions but by not having the full knowledge of situation. Martin had mentioned a spy ring. Garrett is angry, it would seem over actions Martin had taken earlier. Clearly the two things were related in her mind. There is no way Martin would have given information to a mere stable hand, she further decides. Therefore, whatever happened was more then likely perceived incorrectly by Garrett. The misunderstanding seems to be bringing far more tension currently then the question of blood. That final thought calms her slightly. Misunderstandings can be sorted out. Or so she hopes.

"Like HE'D value brotherhood!" Garrett sneers at Celina. "You f*cking Rebmans are all alike. He'd rather BREAK LEGS than tell me to me FACE what his f*cking problem is!"

Garrett looks back at Martin defiantly.

The shouts and rage and testosterone have steeled Celina, but the first vulgarism welded to 'Rebmans' and jabbed into her face brings a greener flush to her olive skin. Her eyelashes flinch. Her lower lip drops and she takes a tiny shocked sip of air.

The second vulgar jab blooms a mottled flush of green across her throat to match her cheeks. She tightens her hands into fists and then quickly releases them--remembering her own reaction to 'entering' this family in public.

"Garrett!" Folly says sharply. It is unmistakably a warning.

"So help me, if you EVER lay so much as a FINGER on anyone I care about, I swear I'll send you sinking back to Rebma like a f*cking STONE - PRINCE...OR...NOT!!!" Garrett snarls the last words sharply. He stares at Martin, trembling with fury, silently daring him to come at him. His fists are clenched at his sides, but it's plain to everyone that he's wound so tight he'd spring in a heartbeat if Martin makes a move toward him.

The curse welded to the threat on Martin starts Celina hyperventilating. Her eyes start weeping water without her knowing. She glares at the boy, her thoughts whirl and she cannot help but picture him smashed upon the sharp coral that is Martin's resolve and experience.

Folly fixes her gaze on Garrett and says, not angrily but in a tone as pointed as arrows: "That's something you have in common, then, isn't it?"

She only hopes he's got enough sense left in his head, somewhere in the cracks between all the rage, that he understands what she's getting at.

Garrett glances at Folly, then back at Martin. The longer he stands there, breathing heavily, the more he starts to look like a scared teenager who'd rather be talked out of this mess than fight with his brother.

Suddenly Celina isn't angry anymore, she's pained and frightened for this stranger. This cousin. Her voice sounds thready and high. Her chest works faster and faster. The tone of her words have lost their normal husk, her throat tight with emotion. "You..." She levels a finger at Garrett. "You..."

Heat roars through Celina's whole body. The air burns. Her arm turns to jelly as her eyes roll up and she collapses, falling forward onto Garrett.

Instantly Lilly is at Celina's side offering support. "Lie her down," she orders without thought. Her eyes never meet Garrett's. She does not wish to betray her disappointment. She had believed him to be different, to be able to put aside his manhood when necessary. Now she is doubting her judgment. Perhaps all men were alike after all.

Folly, whose hands were on Celina's shoulders when she passed out, is able to grab Celina and pull her backward.

Reflexively, Garrett reaches out to catch Celina as she falls, and is caught a little off-balance when Folly pulls her backward.

"Lilly," Martin says, "if someone's going to hit us, this is it. She had sorcerous sight up. I don't know what she saw. Folly, let me know when she starts to come around." He steps forward to interpose himself between Garrett and the women as he speaks; his sword clears its sheath in the same motion. To Garrett he adds, "Shut up and don't move."

Lilly nods. Of course she understood his paranoia. And she could even still muster a bit of her own. Let Celina wake. Let Celina confirm that there is nothing to see. Then perhaps they can move past this.

Garrett freezes, his eyes wide. He opens his fists, keeping his hands at his sides where Martin can see them. He shakes his head, barely perceptibly and says softly, "I didn't do that." He glances back at the women, at Lilly's eyes and Folly's as well, then back at Martin. "I didn't," he pleads in a whisper, fighting back tears.

When he looks back at Martin, Garrett can see that Martin isn't watching him, but looking past him at the river, the treeline, the sky. His eyes flash over Garrett when the youth is in his way, but his interest is clearly in other possible venues of attack.

Martin's blade is held loosely, at rest, although if Martin's strength is on par with Garrett's, he could have it raised and ready to move like lightning.

"Martin." Folly's voice is soft but intense in its urgency. "Martin, _look at him_." As she speaks, her hands move along Celina's sides from armpit to hip, feeling for constricting undergarments beneath the Seaward girl's loose dress. Finding none, she sits back on her heels and looks up at the two men. "And if you can't see it yourself, maybe you should ask your father. He'll know." She sounds very calm and very sure.

Unbeknownst to them, though, Folly's hands are ice-cold with nervousness; she leans down again and applies them like a cool compress to Celina's flushed brow and the back of her neck as she watches for signs of consciousness.

[Lilly]
"Random and I did speak on this. He can not deny Garrett as his son. I have also spoken with many on the staff. I am convinced Garrett's story is what he believes to be true. Of course I also know to look beyond that. If I wanted to attack my enemy covertly, I would work to cause discord among them. Finding ways to use our paranoia against us is not only intelligent, I would assume it is relatively easy. Think about it, if we go about attacking each other it certainly saves the true enemy a bit of work. Perhaps Garrett is being used as a pawn. It would not be difficult for a Rebman to uncover the secret of his birth. Perhaps the crime ring in the stables was purposely set up to make him look guilty. We can not ignore those possibilities.

"But Martin, trust me when I tell you, I do not believe he has any knowledge of any of it. I think Garrett is sincere. Angry at what he perceives to be injustices against his friends, but sincere in his wish to be accepted as part of our family. Any harm he wishes us, if he wishes any at all, is not on the level of the complete overthrow of Amber."

The words of support help calm Garrett down. He continues to watch Martin and the sword warily, but he no longer looks like he's about to fall apart. He remains mostly expressionless while Lilly speaks, but at the mention of an overthrow, he startles. "What?!" he gasps incredulously, looking at Lilly, then back at Martin as he begins to understand the situation.

Lilly looks to Celina, "With luck she shall awaken and be able to confirm at least part of that."

Martin glances back at Lilly. The women can see that he's almost expressionless. Something about him reminds Lilly of her father at a battlefield: it's almost as if he doesn't see the people, just moving objects he's evaluating from a tactical perspective.

As her father is called to mind, Lilly's hand finds the hilt of her sword. She would not allow her father to think she was unprepared, and so she will not allow Martin either. Of course this is a prime moment for attack. Of course they are vulnerable. Whatever happens, Lilly wants it known she is ready to react.

Now that he has a better idea of what's going on, Garrett looks around as well, automatically looking in whatever direction Martin is not, covering his back.

Celina stirs under Folly's hand. She murmurs, "Ta'Flir, it's too warm in here." She nuzzles against Folly's cool hand.

The noise draws Martin's attention and he looks down at Celina and at the woman caressing her brow. After a moment, he says, "If someone were going to have attacked us, they'd have done it by now," and slides his blade back into its sheath.

Lilly nods her agreement. The tension is melting, the moment is passing. Now is the time for resolution without force.

"I'm going to get something for Celina." And he turns on his heel and is moving toward the horses, ignoring Garrett.

Garrett expels a large breath of relief and drops his head as Martin departs. He sits down on a nearby rock and holds his head in his hands, elbows on his knees for support. With his eyes closed, he just breathes.

"Slow, deep breaths, love," Folly says softly; and though she is looking at Celina, the words feel as though they could be meant for any one of them. She brushes a stray lock of hair from Celina's forehead. "Everything's going to be fine. Just be still a moment and you'll cool down...."

The Seaward girl seems to quiet and breathe slowly in response to Folly's words. Folly and others close enough can see how dry her lips are. Her eyes are no longer weeping.

Garrett glances up at Folly, thinking she's talking to him. Seeing she's concentrating on Celina, Garrett catches Lilly's eye and mouths "Thank you" with a small smile that Lilly can tell would be much bigger if they were not in mixed company.

Her return nod is nearly imperceptible. Her actions had not been entirely noble. The real motivation had been to prove she was right. She feels a bit guilty about caring more for her ego then his well being.

As he watches Folly tend Celina, Garrett's stomach rumbles again. Now that the pressure is off, Garrett remembers why they came over here in the first place. "So, um, did someone say something about food...," he ventures.

"Food?" Celina blinks staring up at Folly. Her expression is puzzled. The clouds and infinity above Folly's face mean they have moved again. Then she remembers: the heat. She puts a hand over her eyes to block out the awful light. "Oh, little starfish, did I fall?"

"One might say that," Lilly responds. "I believe the situation may have gotten the better of all of us. Only your body seemed to be wise enough to react before things became completely out of hand."

Celina's disappointment with herself paints a moue across her large mouth. She sighs.

Folly smiles. "Yes, in times of stress, some people shut down. And SOME people GET HUNGRY." She rolls her eyes comically in mock-exasperation, but her tone is all teasing affection.

"I was hungry _before_," Garrett answers a bit defensively. Though he's doing better, Folly can tell his nerves are still a little frayed.

Lilly shakes her head but the hint of her smile gives away her amusement. Instantly she felt herself begin to relax.

Folly looks at Garrett and winks; and suddenly he's sure there's a method to her teasing. Turning to Lilly, Folly says, "You and the Wonder Stomach here want to put together some sandwiches while Celina is recovering? I think the bread and cheese and stuff ended up in my bag."

"I think we can manage that," she replies with a look towards Garrett. The smile blossoms for a moment before succumbing to her otherwise business-like manner.

Garrett rises to assist Lilly.

There is some eye contact between Garrett and Celina now--as if she offers him silently that a little food would be wonderful.

While Garrett and the girls are talking, Martin walks over to the saddlebags and fishes out two flasks from his. He brings them with him when he comes back to where the others are gathered.

The first of them Martin passes to Folly, saying, "Celina will need some of this."

Celina registers this and hopes it is ginger water. Her stomach is hot and jittery.

[It is]

[Folly] touches his fingers as she takes the flask. "Thanks, love," she says softly.

Martin lets the touch linger a moment longer than is absolutely necessary and offers Folly the slightest of smiles.

If Celina feels ready, Folly helps her up into a seated position and offers a shoulder to lean against as the Seaward girl sips from the flask. From Folly's watchful protectiveness, Celina may suspect she has experience looking after recently-unconscious people.

And as Celina doesn't have much experience with ever being frail, she takes notes and welcomes the effort. "Thank you, everyone."

The second [flask] Martin opens and takes a swig of himself. Then he passes it to Garrett. It smells strong, and there's a drop of dark amber in the lid, which is still attached to the flask by a chain. "Medicinal," he tells Garrett.

Garrett eyes Martin warily for a moment before taking the flask with a nod of thanks. As Martin moves away, Garrett sniffs the opening, then dabs his finger into the drop on the lid and touches it to his tongue. When he doesn't die (assuming he doesn't), Garrett takes a swig.

It's a fine, well-aged single-malt scotch.

The alcohol is stronger than Garrett is used to and he shudders slightly, but valiantly does not grimace. He refuses to look like a lightweight in front of Martin. Whatever it is, it's good - not like the watered-down rotgut Garrett's friend Weed steals from his father for their occasional midnight drinking excursions on the mountain. He caps the flask and sets it on the rock.

Then Martin kneels next to Celina. "I need to ask you a couple of questions. There are no wrong answers. Just tell me what you remember, that's all." He waits for a moment to make sure she understands him.

The Seaward lass blinks; then nods.

Then he continues, "Did you see anything unusual just before you collapsed?"

Garrett watches the pair with interest as he helps Lilly fetch the sandwich supplies, and he pauses as Celina begins to speak, listening closely. He knows he did nothing wrong, but he worries that her vision might have been somehow tampered with.

As he pauses, so does Lilly. Sandwich making would just have to wait for a moment. She very much wants to hear what the girl has to say.

Celina immediately thinks of Martin's own unusual blankness and then wonders if he is testing her or has another agenda which she would spoil with an honest answer. There is another quick look at Garrett and Lilly fetching and working at the saddlebags for lunch. Celina just relaxes then and goes with the sincere answer. "I thought Garrett might be a sorceror and have lightly 'sirened' Folly and Lilly for they both seemed to be following his agenda quite closely. As it turned out, there was nothing there."

Martin nods, once.

Garrett's eyebrows rise in surprise. _Me? A sorcerer?_ To Garrett, the thought is ridiculous.

His agenda? Lilly thinks to herself. Perhaps a spell would explain all the odd thoughts she has had lately but she prefers to believe she is simply maturing. Jade had always promised her that men would interest her when the time was right. That time certainly seems like now. Yes, it is inconvenient. Generally most worthwhile things are. You never really cherish something unless you have to fight for it after all. Why should love, or even simple friendship, be any different.

Just as Lilly is about to get back to preparing their meal, Celina speaks again.

Celina looks at Martin. "Were you using a force to counter my third eye? For there was not even a negative response when I scanned past you."

[Lilly] stops once more. This question rivaled Martin's with its level of interest though she doubts Martin will be straightforward with his answer.

Garrett stops as well. He takes a casual step backward, bringing him next to Lilly and leans in, as if to say something to her. But he doesn't speak. His attention is fully focused on Martin's answer.

"I came prepared against all eventualities," Martin says, with the slightest quirk to the corner of his mouth. "I meant to ask you what you saw with the Sight next. What did you see with your mundane vision just before you collapsed? Remember, there is no right or wrong answer."

Folly can register Celina tightening up again, but it passes quickly.

"You ask about the mundane and the unusual, but everything is so special around you people," Celina doesn't sound tired, but frustrated. "I saw the boy smashed against you and bleeding. I can't call it mundane, it was like a waking dream. I saw that he was not going to stop." Her voice sinks down to a bare whisper. "I saw he was my cousin. So I acted to save him."

Folly, sitting very still next to Celina, gives her Seaward cousin a reassuring nod.

Garrett doesn't catch Celina's last words, but the rest is a large enough bite to chew on. He stares at her, stunned, wondering if what she saw was just a dream or some kind of portent. Either way, it gives him the shivers.

Garrett looks at Lilly and whispers, "If we camp here, come help me with the horses, okay? I need to talk to you alone." His face is serious.

Lilly's return glance is perhaps a second too long. "All right," she says quietly. There is part of her that is almost afraid of being alone with him. Still what could happen here? There are far too many people around.

Then, for the benefit of anyone watching, he busies himself with the food to quell the desire to reach out and touch her. With a final glance at Lilly, Garrett starts to take things back to the group.

She is quickly on his heels. Food always helped calm nerves. She hopes today it will be no different. If not she may be in need of some of Martin's medicine.

Martin, meanwhile, is rising from Celina's side. He says, "Thank you, Celina. You've been very helpful. Try to drink a little of the water, and if you think you can keep food down, we'll get you something to eat."

Celina looks at Martin oddly. Then her lips thin to a tight line.

He turns generally toward Lilly and says, "Solace collapsed again this afternoon. Celina's account matches with hers in some particulars and not in others. Merlin looked Solace over a couple of days ago and he doesn't think it's sorcery. But I stupidly hadn't considered the possibility of mirrors." He frowns.

Lilly nods her understanding. The two may be related. Or they may not. Either way it was necessary to keep an eye open for Rebman influence. Their undersea neighbors are becoming a strong threat. Perhaps as strong as chaos. It would be unwise to discount anything at this point.

"I think we camp here tonight, to let Celina rest. If one of us has been tagged and we're being observed, moving won't help. But we'll keep a good watch of our own so nobody can jump us."

We. Regardless of what was meant by that, Lilly took it to mean her and Martin. She did not want Celina keeping watch. The other two might serve as useful eyes. However if it came time to use a blade... Well she really only trusted that she and Martin could handle that.

Garrett nods. He could use some rest himself.

Martin looks down at Folly. "And I need to talk to Dad," he adds.

Folly nods. "Just so you know," she says, "I don't think he knew 'til very recently. Like, yesterday or today." She sounds more like she's giving Martin an idea of what to expect than that she's making excuses for his father, although there is a hint of the latter as well.

"Yesterday," Lilly confirms before falling back into silence.

"Oh," says Martin. "I see." Folly opens her mouth as if to protest; but before she can do so, he draws out his card case from his pocket and begins thumbing through it for Random's Trump, moving off some way as he does.

Folly frowns deeply and looks poised to follow him, but...

Celina looks at Lilly and Garrett. Then turns a bit to look Folly in the eye. "So he thinks I was mirror attacked? I'm feeling better. I can't imagine I wouldn't have felt some malice if I was attacked." She sounds sure, but her words have a slower spacing to them.

"'He who stands with his back to the light sees shadows everywhere'," Folly intones, and sighs. "I don't know enough about this mirror stuff to guess what he's thinking, or whether it's a valid theory. I am glad you're feeling better: that, at least, seems quite different from what's happened to Solace." Folly's brow furrows, and she continues, "Are you---" but cuts herself off with a slight shake of the head. "Nah, we can get into the particulars when Martin's back. And after we've eaten." She smiles at Celina.

Who nods slowly back to her.

Garrett looks more confident as he watches Martin walk away. Good. Random will confirm it. Then we can put all this behind us, Garrett hopes. Garrett passes out sandwiches first to Celina, then Folly. He assumes Lilly made her own. He then sits in a spot with room enough for Lilly to sit next to him if she chooses, but carefully does not indicate that desire.

She carefully sits beside him but leaves exactly the right amount of room between them to still remain proper.

Celina eyes the sandwich and its dryness and takes another swallow of water as Lilly joins them so carefully.

Folly masks her barely-suppressed amusement with a large bite of sandwich. P> Garrett politely waits for Lilly to sit before eating. However, after she's settled, he still pauses before diving into his sandwich. He looks around at the assembled women and says contritely, "Um, I owe you ladies an apology. I lost control and said some things that were not fit for ladies' ears. All I can say is it's been a very difficult day and I'm sorry."

Folly smiles and bows her head for a moment in gracious acceptance, though the twinkle in her eye suggests she doesn't consider her own ears lady-delicate.

The look Lilly gives him is a mixture of acceptance and amusement. He can not possibly believe that is the worst I have ever seen or heard from a man, can he? she thinks to herself. The castle guard had stopped treating her like a lady some time ago. The pretenses were only pulled out for the sake of others these days.

He turns to Celina. "And Lady Celina," he begins formally, "I owe you two apologies. That was the second time in two days that I showed disrespect for your homeland. It was uncalled for, and I am truly sorry."

Celina smiles. "Two apologies at once, Garrett? I am suddenly rich in princely favors. Even a girl from the Seaward knows not to step between two men who are angry and suspicious of each other. Perhaps you will forget my impulsiveness and imagine me the wiser?" Her smile widens.

"Princely?" Garrett laughs and rolls his eyes. "Don't start with that! I get enough of it from me sisters." He smiles at Celina, shaking his head. "Consider it forgotten." At that, Garrett answers the call of the sandwich and takes a big bite.

Celina nods. "Thank you." She nods then to Folly in invisible thanks.

Folly inclines her head and gives Celina a small smile.

When his mouth is no longer full, Garrett turns to Lilly. "Dame Lilly, what was that you said about an overthrow? Were you serious? Did I step into a hornet's nest without even knowing it?" he asks, concerned.

"Amber is a hornets nest," she says without hint of humor. "There are plots, both real and imagined, everywhere. A harmless incident can be interpreted in a thousand ways in a land that casts many shadows."

Garrett nods slowly as he listens. He's beginning to understand what it is to be a part of this family. As he listens and learns, his expression is that of someone pondering the best course of treatment for a dreaded illness.

She looks at him and nearly smiles, "For now worry about the plots I tell you to worry about. That should keep you out of some trouble." As she finishes the humor returns.

He smiles weakly, not feeling particularly amused. He takes another bite of his sandwich and stares thoughtfully into it as he chews.

Celina watches the eye communication between the two young people. She recalculates Lilly's age as closer to Garrett's--and then Garrett's closer to Lilly's. Garret was so mercurial. Lilly so disciplined and sublime. Obviously good material for a stormy first love.

The Seaward girl becomes very interested in her sandwich and cocks an ear in Martin's direction.

"Talk to Lucas. Make it fashionable."

Folly's eyes flit from Garrett to Lilly, but much of her attention is directed toward listening for Martin's return. Absently, she tears her sandwich in two, setting the unbitten half in her lap while she continues to nibble at the other half.

As she bites into her sandwich, Lilly discovers she is rather hungry. Her attention becomes focused on eating. All the same, she tries to listen as well just in case he lets something interesting slip.

"Getting rid of mirrors should be easy, then. What do you want me to do with junior here?"

[pause]

"About what I figured. I'll play it by ear, a whole one, and call you again when we get there."

[pause]

"I don't think so. I think the rest of it is under control."

[pause]

"I'll do that, Dad. Talk to you later."

Martin closes the Trump contact and looks up to see Folly and Celina watching and listening to him. He puts his Trump away and closes the distance between himself and the others with several long strides. He seats himself next to Folly, snagging his flask as he does so, and looks around for his share of the meal.

As if by reflex, Folly picks up the half-sandwich from her knee and holds it out to him as he sits.

Martin takes it from her, his fingers lingering on Folly's a moment longer than is strictly necessary.

Still chewing his sandwich, Garrett watches Martin as he returns to the group, looking for some indication of the direction of the Trump conversation. He pushes a sandwich and the rest of the fixings, which are sitting on a open saddlebag, in Martin's direction. Just as he starts to say something, Martin speaks first.

"Celina, are you feeling better?," Martin asks. "Solace had migraines after whatever keeps happening to her, but you're a lot tougher than she is."

Celina nods quickly to Martin's first question, "Better." Then hesitates at the second implication. "Solace would be whom and should I presume she faints irregularly?" She bites back on the question of how in Lir's name Martin would know how tough she is, and why would he imply in front of everyone that he has tested her 'toughness' in any personal way? Not slander or subterfuge, then what?

It reveals to Celina a moment later: King Eric tried to kill Prince Corwin a few times, left him to rot in a dungeon, and still couldn't break him. Ergo, Celina Corey should be a shell-hard daughter of an unstoppable legend of Amber. This sent her own thoughts spiralling off into greener waters. --If Khela was of the same blood, then many of the physical and spiritual things that she insisted I would learn to bear are actually much harder than I ever realized. I am a princess of Amber. Repeat three times, jelly head.--

A small shudder goes through Celina as expectations shift. She's annoyed with herself yet again. "I suppose I might be the 'watered down' version of normal family toughness..."

The line brings true humor to Lilly's features. "There is no normal in this family," she says impassively.

Garrett suppresses a snort of laughter in agreement.

"Ain't that the truth," Martin says ruefully. "There's not enough data to determine normal for a group this small. To answer your question, Celina, Solace is the wife of our cousin Lucas. Some people--some people think she might be the daughter of one of the Princes."

Folly pauses mid-bite and blinks. Her brow furrows, but she doesn't interrupt.

"She's always been somewhat fragile, and she was very ill during her second pregnancy last year. She collapsed some time ago, and Lucas thought it might have been a magical attack. She suffered a second spell or attack--or whatever--this afternoon. Both times she was unconscious for a while. She had a migraine after the first one. She hadn't come conscious again when we left Amber, although she didn't seem to be in any danger."

He adds for Folly's benefit, "She was holding Phillippe when she fell, and she hit her head, but he's OK. She bled a lot, but scalp wounds do. Gerard and Hannah seem to think they're gonna both be fine." He pats her hand and takes a bite out of the half-sandwich she gave him.

Celina swallows. "Poor woman." She finishes her sandwich and downs more ginger water.

"And poor Phillippe," Folly adds in dismay. "Oh, I shoulda---" But she cuts herself off with a rueful shake of her head.

As Martin describes the timing of spell, Garrett's eyes narrow - not in anger, but in an attempt to fit the puzzle pieces together. He cocks his head in thought, then ventures, "Your Highness...."

"Martin," Martin says, with his mouth full of sandwich. He swallows and says, "Just Martin."

The informality takes Garrett aback. This will take some getting used to. "Uh...yeah," he stammers, then continues, "Are you thinking there's some connection between Lady Solace's ...problems ...and whatever caused ...um, ...the incident at the stables?" He keeps his expression impassive, trying to be objective. He wants to get answers, not make accusations.

If Lilly were to venture a guess, her answer would be yes. All the same she thinks her reasons for that belief are probably very different from Garrett's. Martin's answer might going a long way to proving or disproving her theories. Quietly she looks towards the elder son of Random, the interest apparent in her eyes.

Martin takes another bite of his sandwich, chews it, and swallows. "Lucas could have a lot of enemies, so it's not a sure thing that whatever happened to Solace is related to anything else. That is, assuming that what happened to Solace isn't just exhaustion or migraines or something."

Garrett nods, acknowledging the assumption. You never know about those female things.

"But if it were--" [Martin] looks at Celina, then at Folly, then back to Celina "--it could easily be a trial run against an unacknowledged scion of the blood, seeing whether something would work."

This 'unacknowledged thing' seems to happen a lot. Muses Celina studying Lilly's eyes.

Folly shivers and folds her arms across her midsection.

Lilly's expression is one of thoughtful neutrality. Within, she is quite glad that Garrett has come forward. It will be more difficult for an enemy to use him as a pawn now.

His expression grows cold for a moment. "Enemies of the kingdom would want that kind of leverage. Especially now."

Exactly what Lilly is thinking. She and Martin were really not so different at their core. It is only their experiences that separate them.

Leverage. Celina licks her fingers clean. Especially now? When things fall apart? Or when things reform so they might find any early advantage in the foundations? Celina nods to herself. Moire brought me back to use on Corwin or Amber whichever made the most sense. Or both. How is it that the Pattern of Rebma has power over her? Over anything with events so jumbled around?

Celina sighs. "I will be prompt in sharing any odd feelings with you all."

Martin nods once, and says, "Good."

Folly leans over and whispers something to Celina. The others might catch the words "seemed awfully warm" and "lighter clothes" and "Find some in my bag" -- with a peculiar emphasis on 'find'. She nudges her saddlebag toward Celina with her toe. Celina probably gets the impression that Folly is still inclined to attribute her fainting spell to mundane causes.

Celina opens her mouth to thank Folly and add a Seaward observation about clothes, but closes it again without a word. She tugs the saddlebag closer, but doesn't follow through with searching it. She will get used to breathing combustible air. She will get used to the clinging heavy clothes. She will prevail over this because she does not accept being the fish out of water.

Part of Lilly respects the decision. Part of her thinks Celina is being foolish. Why put yourself at a preventable disadvantage? Especially during a difficult situation. All the same she refrains from comment. At least for the moment. If it becomes an issue however, Lilly will have no choice but to confront the woman.

Garrett begins to look concerned at the thought of someone trying to harm Lady Folly. Or himself, being not publically acknowledged. His head cocks again at Martin's last words. "Why especially now?"

Martin looks over at Celina, then back at Garrett. "Because there's going to be a civil war in Rebma, most likely. And because the Queen and Celina and I all have ties back there." He holds up a hand to forestall the next question. "And now I'm gonna finish eating. We can talk more after everyone is done."

Garrett's eyebrows raise in surprise, but he doesn't ask any more questions. He doesn't know enough about Rebma to make them coherent anyway.

And [Martin] answers no more questions until he has consumed not only Folly's half-sandwich, of which he offers the final bite to her, but a second one for himself.

Folly grins as she carefully takes the final bite of sandwich from his fingers, as if they were enacting some playful ritual.

Celina offers to split a second sandwich with Lilly. She downs this one too with the rest of the ginger water.

Garrett watches the feeding of the girlfriend with amusement, stealing the briefest glance at Lilly before hiding his smile with a drop of the head.

Celina shakes her head. Flirty eyes. Probably strong as a Susan, too.

Having finished his sandwich, Garrett looks longingly at any leftover fixings. Not wanting to look like a glutton, though, he stands, stretches and looks back in the direction of the horses, unconsciously doing an equine head count. All there. All calm.

Once Martin is sure that everyone has finished eating, he says, "Why don't you girls go down to the river and have a soak? Garrett and I will put things up and settle the horses and come down and join you in a while. I know I could use a chance to sit in some cool water and rinse the stink of horse off me." He looks at Celina significantly as he says it.

Celina half smothers a great laugh. Oh, you give them girl's names because of the stink? That's so childish, I love it! The Seaward girl looks at Folly with twinking eyes. She stands with a glance at Garrett. She stretches then and looks back at the horses, providing a late mirror of Garrett's own display of body and form just a moment before.

Garrett quickly pulls on his poker face to hide his reaction to three beautiful naked women bathing in the river and the prospect of joining them later. His nose wrinkles as he sniffs at the mention of the horse odor. He hadn't noticed it. Then again, he never does.

[Martin] adds, "OK?" but his tone suggests he expects no objection to his plan.

"I will never turn down a bath," Celina adds to Folly for everyone's record. "I can smell the water from here. It has a beautiful hint of heather to it. I'll lead." She sets off slowly enough to allow for protective notions from Lilly and Folly.

Folly smiles, stands, and leans down to drop a friendly kiss on Martin's head. As she whispers a few words to him, her eyes sparkle with flirtatious energy; but her hand on his shoulder is soothing, tender, almost protective.

Celina starts to sing half to herself.

A moment later, Folly catches up and adds her own lilting counter-melody.