Vialle lets Garrett escort her out of the waiting room and into either the hall or the Hall, as he wishes. She seems a bit uncertain as she moves, very unlike the confident stride Garrett had seen her use inside Castle Amber.
Garrett leads her into the now empty Great Hall and slows his normally quick pace to match hers. Now that she's holding his arm, Vialle can tell more about Garrett physically. He's about the same height as his father and of generally the same build but perhaps a little slimmer if that's possible. His arms and shoulders, though, are strong and wiry and his hands are still those of a workingman. They have not yet experienced enough nobility to smooth them out. His touch is surprisingly gentle, as if he fears she might break. And his voice is very much a younger version of Random's, but with an accent that is pure Amber working-class, flavored with the salt air of the docks.
"You'll have to tell me what's ahead, Garrett. In Rebma I could tell by the currents where I might find obstructions, and I could sometimes tell by the drafts inside Castle Amber, but Random warned me that this castle can make its own winds, so I won't be able to tell for sure whether a breeze comes from a window or door or from the wall," she warns him.
"Hmm. That's news to me," he says as he covers her hand reassuringly with his other one. "Don't worry. I won't let you hit anything." He notices how his voice sounds in the empty hall and thinks of another way to help her navigate. "Y'know, Folly said something about the..." he hesitates at the unfamiliar word "...a-COO-sticks being good here. I reckon she means how the sound moves around. Perhaps listening would help you get around here."
"Yes," Vialle agrees. "Once I know more about the shapes of the rooms and where things are located, I'll be able to tell where I am by listening to the echoes of footsteps. Our chambers seem to be laid out the way the ones in Amber are, so it was easy for me to find my way around there. But the hall and the family rooms are laid out very differently. Gerard told me once about canes that blind people use in a shadow he travelled in. I may have to do the same until I learn my way here."
The longer they walk, the more the Queen will notice Garrett starting to relax. It's not what he was hoping for, but still this diversion seems to be helping to ease that overwhelmed feeling that's been creeping up on him since before court.
Vialle is happy to keep up pleasant chatter about the rooms and such until Garrett has relaxed. Her tone is friendly and light.
"Garrett," Vialle finally says, "it must be very hard for you right now, to have your father and your mother at odds. How can I make things easier for you?"
Garrett looks confused. "But they're not...Oh. That." He cuts himself off abruptly as he remembers which father she means. He smiles ruefully, which she might feel in his demeanor. "I'm not sure there's anything you _can_ do, Your Majesty. Mum can't even say his name without growling. When I disappeared, I'm certain that just made it worse."
Garrett walks in silence for a moment as he considers Vialle's question. "I reckon it might help if Mum could know I'm safe," he muses. "I don't think she'd believe it from anyone but me, though. If I could see her, I might be able to talk some sense into her. But the King and Martin won't let me go back. I've already asked."
Vialle frowns slightly as they move forward. "Did they say why they didn't want you to go back? I can see some reasons why it might be difficult for you, but I don't know why it would be impossible?"
Garrett frowns as he remembers the tense conversation of the previous evening. A part of him wants to spill it all -- his anger and frustration with Martin, his difficulty understanding the King -- but a look down at her delicate features puts the stopper in that bottle. She needn't be brought into this. Fight your own battles.
"They have their reasons," Garrett answers simply. "They think contact with me might put me family at risk what with the problems in Amber. And, like you said, going back would put me in a difficult position." He pauses before saying, "It sounds like the King's more likely to bring them here, along with the other servants." He watches her reaction to this news, ready to reassure her if necessary.
"Oh," is all she says for a moment.
There's a long pause, and then she adds, "I suppose Random will want a master of horse here, and certainly he would be expected to bring his family with him. How many brothers and sisters do you have, Garrett? How old are they?"
"Two sisters," Garrett replies with a smile. "They're eleven and eight. Just lasses." Garrett squeezes her hand on his arm reassuringly. "I doubt they'd all be staying in the castle. Da--onovan will need to be near the horses and right now, the nearest stable is down in the town, over a glass's walk from here. We'll need to build something closer eventually, but the terrain right around the castle doesn't look good for it. It'll prob'ly be somewhere down the hill."
Vialle seems to have completely recovered her composure as the subject moves to Garrett's sisters. Her step is sure, even if she is still waiting for Garrett's cues on where to move.
"They're your sisters, Garrett. They'll need to be prepared to take a role at court when you're grown, and they are. Even if only to prepare them for what other people will want from the Prince's sisters. We'll have to arrange for tutoring for them if they aren't to stay in the castle. Perhaps your stepfather and mother will take a manor of their own when there is time and labor to build such."
Garrett's step falters as the Queen's assessment of the situation takes him completely by surprise. "Really?" he gapes. He resumes his pace to avoid tripping her up and continues, "I reckon I just assumed the rest of me family would be tossed aside, being servants and all." He sounds relieved that this might not be the case.
"Random wouldn't do that," Vialle reassures him. "It may be difficult, with your mother not getting along with him, but I'm sure he'll do the right thing for her. He wouldn't abandon the mother of his son."
There is a slight pause as Garrett remembers the rumors he's heard about Martin's birth. He chooses not to tread that path, however. Instead, he responds, "Well, it'll take some time, but I reckon she'll come around eventually. Donovan and I can help with that."
He takes a moment to point out a particularly fabulous vista of the waterfall, noting not just the view but how you can feel the mist from the open balcony outside. Then, because he really would like to learn more about his father, he asks, "So how did you and me father meet?"
"Our marriage was arranged by Queen Moire of Rebma. We met on our wedding day," Vialle explains. "He was in the Queen's custody at the time."
"Oh," he responds with surprise. Then, "Custody? You mean like imprisoned? What did he do?"
"That depends on whose story you listen to. Queen Moire blames him for the death of her daughter, and he surrendered to her justice for reasons of his own," Vialle explains. "She required him to marry me and remain in Rebma for a year. I believe she thought he would leave after that. She didn't count on us falling in love." Vialle smiles happily.
"Sounds like it worked out wonderfully," Garrett smiles warmly. Her obvious bliss makes him shelve any questions about the touchy subjects she alluded to, as well as the period of imprisonment that Lucas spoke of that day in the library. His father evidently was quite the troublemaker. Garrett would have to ask him about it sometime.
"So you've been together, what, twelve years? Something like that?" Though he's trying to sound casual, Vialle can probably tell he's trying to peg the timeline in relation to his own childhood.
"A little less," Vialle says. "It was a few months before Eric was crowned king that Random, Corwin, and Deirdre came to Rebma. The rumor was that Deirdre was fleeing from Eric-- she was guaranteed welcome in Rebma--and Corwin, who was long believed dead, helped rescue her. Your father was with him."
"Ah," Garrett nods. "And he was taken into custody when they brought Deirdre to safety there." He mulls this over for a moment, then asks, "So then you came to Amber with him when he returned home at the end of the year? That must've been quite a change to be above the waves."
"Oh, yes," Vialle says, and describes a half-dozen ways things are different below: the tricks one uses to eat and drink, how breathing air is similar to and different from breathing water, the higher station of men in Amber. She goes on at length as Garrett shows her around various parts of the castle.
Garrett is very interested in her descriptions and asks lots of questions. He also asks about other things -- if she has any interesting anecdotes about his father, how she fared after the Sundering, how she's managing her new role as Queen. Nothing overly personal, but he does make it understood that he'd like to get to know his father and step-mother better. After all, they're going to be family for a long time.
After a time, she asks Garrett to take her back to her chambers, and thanks him for showing her around. She hopes to see more of him soon.
He agrees that the walk was a pleasant way to spend the afternoon and thanks Vialle for her company. He also points out that his quarters are right down the hall if she needs help with anything, then bids her goodnight.
Hannah walks into the infirmary making lists in her head. She looks around to confirm, as Conner told her, that everyone has already been taken care of.
Brita and the twins are not in the infirmary, suggesting that they weren't so injured that they needed continuing care. There's a dark-haired youth asleep on a gurney . He looks like he's been beaten up and then tended. Occasionally, he whimpers as if he's having nightmares. His forehead has beads of sweat on it.
Hannah grabs a cloth and stops to wipe away the moisture. She searches the infirmary for Gerard.
Gerard is a side room, which seems to be the medical office. There's a long stick that he could probably use as a fighting staff leaning against the wall, and a sword in its sheath leans against the desk. He's reading a book, but looks up when Hannah comes in.
"Hannah," he says by way of greeting. "How was court? I had to stay and keep an ear on the lad there, or I'd have been there myself." He gestures in the direction of the gurney with the sleeping youth as he speaks.
She comes over and leans against the doorframe, crossing her arms. "I missed most of the public court part, I think. The King announced Amber had been under attack and rallied the troops to be ready to deal with those who'll be movin' here. Nothing gets people motivated like an adversary and the chance to profit, you know. Seemed like people are still feeling out how things are goin' to be, here. And Dworkin dropped in," Hannah adds, with a smile.
"After court, court... just the family and the Regent? I don't know what to call it. Back home, that'd be council, but it's not quite the same thing. Anyhow, I went and got myself a... 'Administrator of Public Health' type of position, because I'm a nervous git who can't keep my hands out of things, even when I know better." She shrugs, and goes on more somberly. "Random told us about Daeon."
Hannah tilts her head quizzically to see if Gerard has heard this news yet.
"Aye. I was speaking to Solange when it happened," Gerard replies somberly. "I saw to Brita, to Conner and Paige, and her bairns--not that they're so wee any more--and this lad who's still resting here. When we talked to him, he couldn't remember what had happened to him. Conner tried some trick to make him remember, and it left him screaming."
Hannah scowls.
A moment later, Gerard gets a faraway look in his eyes, and he says to Hannah, "Bide a moment, lass, someone's calling me." Then, "Who is it?"
Another pause, "Aye, Cambina, send him through." And he reaches out forward.
Lucas comes through - and acknowledges Gerard's presence with a nod and a slightly tight smile - then a bow for Hannah.
Hannah curtsies back but is watching Lucas with concern.
Gerard acknowledges the nod with a return nod of his own.
"Do you know if anyone has seen Solace today?" he asks them both. "Does she know that the children are safe - or even if they were in danger? Was she at Court?"
His tone is a little urgent - and rather more concerned.
"She was not at Court, at least, not at the part I was there for. I haven't looked in on her today," she adds. She doesn't look particularly happy about that.
"Perhaps you could go look in on her now, or after Lucas has had a chance to talk to her. Is there more news from Amber?" Gerard asks. There are a lot of questions he's not asking, but the one he chooses leaves Lucas a lot of room to tell them whatever he feels like.
"How much do you know already?" asks Lucas, glancing at them both.
Hannah's brow furrows. "There was an attack by Daeon's grandmother and he was killed..." She trails off, and looks at Gerard.
"And Brita was burned trying to save his life, and whatever happened aged Paige's children into teenagers," Gerard concludes. "I saw to the wounded and heard their tale from them. Last word was that it seemed to be over, and I doubt they'd have let you come home if you were needed to man the barricades."
Lucas' dark eyebrows lift at the mention of Paige's children, although not in surprise, but he says nothing. As Gerard concludes, he nods.
"How is Brita now? And the others?"
Hannah looks to Gerard again.
"As for Amber, Martin's in charge, and seems to have things pretty well in hand. Fiona and Merlin were, I believe, dealing with any traces of magic or sorcery - but as Merlin's now moved into communicating the news, I think we can read that as completed. The physical side of the attack ... " He pauses for a moment, his face very still. "Targeted," he says at last. "Very violent, but utterly focused - or at least, that was the impression I gained from Solange - who is unhurt, by the way. Just shocked - as one would expect of someone who witnessed that. Have you been able to speak with her?"
"Aye, I was talking to her when Adonis died," Gerard answers, and lets Lucas continue.
"At all events, Caine, Cambina and Venesch dealt with the after-effects of that side of things. Again - I've seen Cambina susequently. We were trying to contact people - I've spoken to my mother, and Merlin to his father - but Cambina hasn't been able to reach Jerod - nor could I reach Ossian or Marius." He shrugs. "It seemed a good point at which to return for Solace. She will want to ascertain for herself that the children are safe."
"Of course, but I've got to ask, why didn't you just bring them with you? Is it not safe to bring small children through the... trumps?" Hannah asks.
"I expect to be returning to Amber shortly," says Lucas. "I'd rather not drag them to a strange place just to return with them a few hours later. Phillippe slept through the attack, but Hope was old enough - and acute enough - to be aware that something bad was happening. It will be best for her to be in a familiar place until her mother and I can come to her, I think. And if Solace has heard the news ... " Again a moment of stillness. A muscle under his left eye seems to quiver, and then is brought under control. "She has been hiding the seriousness of her condition. I would rather ascertain how she is for myself first without the children being present."
Hannah nods.
"With things being how they've been today, what with Brennan's injuries and then the business with Adonis, and court, it's not likely she's heard anything. There's a distinct lack of servants to fetch and carry, whether it's water or news that needs it," Gerard says drily.
"Then, if you'll excuse me, I'll go to her," says Lucas.
"Doctor Ardent should still be in Amber and he's been briefed, if you need someone while you're there. Otherwise, I'll stop by tonight, if you're back by then? I need to talk to Gerard right now," Hannah says.
Lucas' dark eyebrows lift in faint hauteur but he says nothing.
Gerard looks a touch surprised at the phrasing of Hannah's dismissal, but he turns back to Lucas and says, "Aye, go on, lad. Give Solace our best, and tell her we said not to worry."
"I shall," says Lucas with a nod. He leaves the Infirmary.
Hannah watches him go, and gives Breeze a quick glance to ensure he's still sleeping before she shrugs at Gerard. "I never thought he was stupid, just distracted. I hope he doesn't make her worse. So Brennan too, eh? I missed all the excitement. How are you doing today?"
"Me? I'm fine. Busy as all get-out. If you stay here long enough, you'll be drafted too," Gerard, practical as always, says. "Unless all the aftershocks of today's emergencies are over."
"I almost felt left out having missed the first batch. I've gotten so used to being the one everyone runs to... it's a good sort of humbling not to have that happen. I could help some - it's not like I'm getting out to the woods today," she sighs. "But I could be looking around in the new library to see if the books I ordered are here." This prospect doesn't seem to brighten her either.
She comes over a minute to lean on the desk and get a good look at him to assess if he really is 'fine'. "But I had something I wanted to ask you about, if you have time."
Gerard doesn't seem any different than he has other times she's seen him. He's in some pain, which is partially dulled by drugs, certainly, but quite capable of handling the business of doctoring. Probably he's focusing on the work to stave off other things he doesn't want to deal with.
"I should," he says quietly, "but I don't right now. We have more company." He raises his voice to someone behind her. "Brita, come in and join us."
"Uncle Gerard, Cousin Hannah," Brita nods to each as she comes in. "I see Ranger Breeze is resting well."
Hannah turns with a big smile for Brita. "Cousin, it's good to see you walking around! How are your burns? I should make an ointment, if I could just..." She trails off as she notices Paige and the children behind Brita. Her eyes brighten up.
Brita's "I'm fine, thank you, Cousin Hannah" is interrupted as Hannah turns her attention behind her.
Hannah shoots Paige a supportive grin. "Brooke, Leif? Do you remember me?"
Paige's own grin is weary, but genuine and offered for both Hannah and her Uncle. "I'm sure they do, Hannah.
"Brooke, Leif, this is Prince Gerard, your Grandfather's brother. I don't know if you were introduced the last time we were here," Paige offers.
"I remember you from when you were wee bairns," Gerard starts to tell the children, but then he's interrupted by another trump call. The twins watch Gerard intently as he says, "Who is it?" sounding both resigned and weary.
Hannah looks back from the facinating children to Gerard, worried. As he goes on in the contact she does a quick visual on all her newly arrived cousins, seeming to need to reassure herself they're really, at least physically, taken care of.
A moment later a young lad comes through a trump contact with Gerard. He has dark hair and eyes which are wide open, looking all around him. A sack is slung over his shoulder. Upon seeing the other people, he touches his forehead in respect and moves off to the side, staying close to Gerard.
A second lad immediately follows him, taller, with red hair and a smattering of freckles across his nose. He also is carrying a sack over his shoulder. He stares in wonder around him until Gerard gently nudges him off to the side to stand with the first boy.
Solange comes through last. She raises her eyebrows at the number of people present, surprised. She then murmurs a thanks to her father, rests a hand on his shoulder briefly, and turns to the other people in the room.
"Looks like a party here. Did I miss the invitation?" she grins. "Paige, how the hell are you?"
Hannah turns as Solange comes through and smiles, but it fades to something more thoughtful as she looks between Solange and Gerard.
Paige turns from examining the two new arrivals to Solange, who she greets with a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "I'm well, and you look no worse for the wear," she smiles. There's truth to her answer if her cousin can hear it beneath an obviously weary tone.
"Solange, these are my children, Leif and Brooke," Paige introduces. "Leif, Brook, this is Lady Solange." She stops before adding any other titles or duties. Who knows what roles we all have now in Random's new scheme.
Gerard looks around at the overfull office. "Aye, there's a party in here, and a sleeping lad outside. Out wi' all of ye, unless ye need doctoring, and go quietly in the hall, except you two troublemakers." He gestures at Scamp and Constant. "I have jobs for you." He winks at Solange and clears the group into the hall.
Hannah smiles and sighs. "Later," she promises. She checks Breeze again on her way out.
Breeze's fever has broken and he's sleeping more comfortably now.
Actually, Brita had a purpose in finding Gerard. She confers quietly and quickly with him on whether he has any Aloe and whether he has a place Trump to get her back to Amber.
He has an aloe plant, but he hasn't made any salve. He'll give it to her and she can get it made at Amber's infirmary. He'll also trump her to Amber.
Brita accepts the plant, which is all she wanted. She then accepts Gerard's hand through the trump to Amber and proceeds to her rooms there to prepare for the funeral.
In the hall, Paige promises to catch up with Solange later and leads the twins off in search of some clothing, without teeth and claws for the moment. Brita seems busy, so Paige'll offer her thanks later.
Solange looks Paige over, making sure for herself she's all right. She greets the twins, obviously curious about them, but asks no questions and makes no demands. She'll pay her courtesies to Brita and Hannah, then stay after Brita leaves to fill Gerard in on the situation in Amber.
After leaving the Infirmary, Lucas makes his way swiftly to the room where he left Solace sleeping first thing in the morning. He is somewhat surprised that she did not attend Court, even in his absence. In fact, although he seems as urbane and relaxed as usual as he runs up the stairs, and is even humming to himself [La Mer by Charles Trenet, for those who are interested in such matters], it might be that he feels a certain anxiety about his delicate wife as he raps lightly on the door and enters.
Solace takes a few minutes to come to the door; she is dressed in morning clothes. She tells Lucas that she slept in, and when she got up, she ate the breakfast he'd sent for her. She thought that a servant would come to tell her when court was, but she realized later that this place doesn't have the staff that they have in Amber yet, and that she'd missed court.
She's been very worried about Lucas, since he didn't come back either.
Lucas sits down with her on the edge of their bed, and takes her slender hands between his. Gently he tells her that he has seen the children - that they are well, but Amber has been attacked; that Daeon is dead but that although others were injured, none of the Family are now, he believes, in danger from this attack (he does not express his opinion on causes, or the likelihood of further attacks).
He is careful to watch for her response to this news, but if she seems able to hear more, he tells her that he believes that it is now of the first importance to make sure that the children - and Solace herself - are as safe and protected as he can make them.
If she passes out or goes into hysterics at the first part of his news, he'll deal with that, of course.
She's quite upset that she has left the children alone and they were there without her during the attack, and she quite agrees with Lucas about the children's safety. She wants to know when they will be brought to Xanadu.
She wants to know how Paige is taking Daeon's death.
"I don't know," says Lucas. "I hope you'll feel well enough to pay her a visit of condolence later. But ... ah ... I believe the twins have grown somewhat since the Musical Concert two nights ago. Several feet, I understand - something to do with their paternal heritage. Best not to be surprised. And the exclamation, 'My, how you've grown!' will be somewhat more accurate than usual, although probably no less patronising."
She's surprised and concerned and plans to visit Paige as soon as she can.
He explains his plan for his own children - to send them to his mother for protection, until he has secured proper accommodation in Xanadu for his family. He wants Solace to be in a place of reality to protect her health - but he knows that she will want to be with the children. He was hoping that would be Paris - but as his mother is travelling, it means a sea voyage first. He explains he intends to send Nanny Starch with the children - and Gaston with Solace, if she accompanies them. The choice must be hers.
Solace has to think about this, but in the end decides she would rather travel with the children. They'll need someone to look after them, and that is Solace's job.
Conner had been in this position many times before both on and off the chessboard. He was moving into an endgame. He knew this not because any great plan was finally coming to fruition, but by the simple fact that so many pieces were missing from the board. It would feel good to have this particular game over and done with. Too many others begged his attention.
Arriving at Chi-lin's door, Conner raps upon it smartly and awaits a response.
Chi-Lin opens the door and seeing Conner, he grabs his shirt. "Prince Conner, you've got to get me out of here! They're going to kill me!" He's clearly panicking.
"Calmly, Chi-lin, calmly." Conner chides him and gently but firmly removes his hands from his shirt. Conner does however keep hold of Chi-lin's hands. The man looks read to bolt after all. "Who is going to kill you? No codes or prevarications, this time please." Conner clarifies. "Tell me the names of those that want you dead."
'Calmly' isn't in his vocabulary at the moment. "The Djinn! They sent their spirits to attack the castle because I told you all about them! You've got to protect me! Lady Brita said you would protect me!"
"And so I shall." Conner reassures him squeezing his hands in a gesture meant to be bracing. "For your information, the Djinn seemed quite reasonable when I met them and did not reveal even the slightest anger when your name came up. I think you are jumping at shadows my friend. Now tell me, are you referring to the recent unpleasantness down the hall in the family wing or has something attacked you directly?"
"They rang the bell, it was awful. I heard running, shouting, and swords! Did they, did they beat the Djinn back?"
"The enemy was beaten back, Chi-lin but there were no Djinn present." Conner assures him yet again. "I was present at the battle. The enemy was quite a different foe and not directed at you in any way I can assure you." Conner smiles at him soothingly.
"Tell me Chi-lin. What happened between you and Djinn that has you so fearful?" Conner inquires.
"It whispered to me, vile threats and promises! I didn't mean to wish him dead, and now the Djinn is free, and it'll come back and kill me!" Chi-Lin is hyperventilating. He looks like he's about to pass out.
Calmly but firmly Conner leads Chi-lin back to his and has him sit down on it. Conner reaches into his vest and pulls out a silver flask. Removing the top, Conner pours out a cap full of brandy and offers it to Chi-lin. "Looks like you could use something to sooth the nerves." Conner slides over a chair and sits so as to be an Chi-lin's eye level. "Now Chi-lin. I have promised to protect you and I shall, but to protect you fully I need to know the full details of everything that happened. So take a deep breath, and tell me the full story of how the being in this ring," Conner holds up the ring Brita gave him, "caused the death during the coronation ball."
"It wasn't my fault! He found out I was here and he was going to do something, blackmail me and get me arrested or worse, and then I said I wanted him to die and he came out of the ring and said he would do my bidding and then he was gone! He came back and told me that he was dead and he was free, so I told him I didn't want him to kill him and he told me it was my doing and he would not be re-imprisioned and he told me he'd kill again to protect himself from me. It wasn't my fault!"
"No, no. Of course it wasn't your fault Chi-lin." Conner says soothingly. "I believe you entirely. However, this series of events does present of all us with problems. Amber's main problem is all of his family, Rebman and Amber sides, howling for blood over his death. Your main problem, aside from the very real possibility that you will be the scapegoat in this scenario, is one rather upset air spirit."
Conner pauses for a moment as if mulling over the situation. "Might I make a suggestion to you Chi-lin? No doubt you have heard the rumors floating about the castle of Random's new realm of Xanadu. No little air spirit could touch you there. If you help His Majesty bring the coronation incident to a successful conclusion, I am sure I can convince him to let you lodge in Xanadu in safety. What say you to that?"
"Yes, of course! I'll do anything. What does his majesty want?"
"Let's start by writing out a full version of the story for His Majesty to read over and digest." Conner suggests and he finds Chi-lin some paper and a quill regardless of whether there was any in the room to begin with.
Chi-Lin agrees and takes the pen and paper and begins to write.
Should Chi-lin have difficulty finding the right words Conner is ever helpful in writing out a full confession of the events surrounding Deamond's death.
The document must contain the following things. He can defend, rationalize or trivialize them all he wants but these two elements must be present.
1. Chi-lin said words to the effect of, I wish Deamond Harga'rel was dead.
2. The Djinn from the ring said he would comply and later returned claiming that the deed was performed.
Conner has that document. Chi-lin believes (or wrote that he believes) that the Djinn tricked him into saying that, because of a feud amongst their kind. Or he was made to do so by the fire worshippers. Or something. It's not very clear. Although you get 1. and 2. from above.
After word goes out about the memorial service, those in Castle Xanadu might notice the new young prince spending a lot of time in the library. Or they might not. Most of the time, all that is visible is Garrett's dark hair behind large stacks of books at a table in an isolated corner. Occasionally, a deep sigh or some muffled muttering can be heard from behind the stacks, punctuated by yet another stripped apple core clanging into a nearby trash can.
Uncharacteristically, he does not even look for Lilly when he is there. He seems preoccupied, almost driven. Anyone venturing closer will notice that the stacks are made up primarily of books of verse, short stories and fables. The muttering resolves into lines of verse repeated over and over, with tones and inflections changing through the various readings. The diction is also improving. The "me's" become "my's". Dropped syllables are added back in. The pace studiously slows down.
Anyone venturing close enough to bother him will be met with a stony glare at the interruption.
Around sunset on the night before the memorial service, Garrett finally seems satisfied with his recitation. He puts away the books (thankful for his one evening of library training), gathers up parchment and pen, and strikes out to check on Folly.
He finds her door without difficulty this time and knocks. And knocks again. And a third time. Now he's worried. She should've been back by now. If anything happened to Folly while she was with Garrett, Martin will REALLY kill him. [OOC: I'm assuming based on funeral planning threads that Folly is indeed not back yet. If she does answer, scratch the next paragraph.]
Garrett turns and heads back in the direction of the Royal Wing, his heart filling with dread at the prospect of speaking with his brother. He was already in trouble for the trump incident with Lucas. Now Folly's missing. This conversation's gonna suck. When he arrives at Martin's door, he shakes out his shoulders and straightens his back before knocking. Whatever the punishment, he's going to take it like a man -- no. Like a _prince_. He raps firmly on the door.
There is no answer.
Unconsciously, Garrett relaxes as he realizes Martin must still be in Amber. Perhaps his penalty will be meted out after the service instead of before. He moves up the hallway and knocks on the door to the Royal Quarters.
The door is opened and Garrett is escorted into Random's presence.
Random offers Garrett a cigarette and asks him what's on his mind.
Garrett politely refuses the cigarette and simply asks when and where he should meet the King to depart for the memorial service tomorrow, noting the fact that he must rely on someone with trumps to get him there. He also asks if there are any last-minute preparations he can help with, anything specific he needs to do in his role as Prince (other than following Martin's lead), or anything else he should know before they depart.
It's at sunset, so be here just before then. See if there's a tailor in town to get you some mourning clothes. We won't be early arrivals.
Random also tells him that if he has any specific memories of Adonis that he wants to recall, then he can speak at the funeral. If not, it's OK just to place a stone.
Garrett tells his father that he has chosen a verse that he'd like to present and assures him that it's short. No epic poems here. He didn't know Adonis, but does feel that he should do a bit more than place a stone, based on his position in the family. Then he bids his father goodnight. This time, he actually does call Random "Father."
Random ruffles Garrett's hair.
The next morning, Garrett is up at dawn once again. After exercise and breakfast, he jogs down the hill and finds a tailor shop. He pulls rank (politely), the tailor takes his measurements and he spends a couple of hours checking on the horses and riding his own up and down the beach while he waits for his clothes. As per his father's previous instructions, he does not go out of sight of the town while he rides.
Garrett can't believe the transformation when he goes back to try on the clothes. The tailor proudly shows off mourning garb fit for a prince. Black tapered trousers topped with a loose-fitting black shirt (armband included), all covered with a dark forest green cloak in some kind of velvety material that makes the green look even darker than it really is. The tailor shows Garrett how to properly fit his swordbelt over the shirt and fasten the silver unicorn clasp on the cloak. He tsks at the fact that Garrett wore his old battered boots to the fitting, but a trip to the cobbler up the street yields a fine polished pair of black leather, silver-buckled riding boots. Both tailor and cobbler send their condolences - and their bills - to the castle.
Garrett arrives back at the castle in the early afternoon, parcels in hand. He grabs lunch, then showers and shaves, dresses, combs his hair (twice), and practices his speech. He arrives at the Royal Suite at the appointed hour, trying not to look too nervous.
Last modified: 7 September 2005