With Gerard's approval, Lucas and Solange set up a mail-order spouse and orphan program in Garnath. Solange also starts looking into setting up a homesteading program -- land and tools in exchange for a Crown share of the crops.
An additional share of the orphans of an appropriate age are given to the rangers as recruits. Solange finds out who the quartermaster is by the simple expedient of asking who should get the Crown stipend associated with the new recruits. Her investigations lead her to conclude that Julian was getting some sort of Crown stipend and that the rangers have his pay chest.
The rangers are wary of Solange's proposal to pay them. They initially refuse and say they'll reconsider the matter later, which Solange thinks means "after hell freezes over". A week or two afterwards, Martin reports overhearing a conversation where one ranger says to another "it's not like she's Robin, you know".
"Robin? Who's Robin?" Solange asks Martin.
"I was hoping you knew," Martin replies. "Let's ask your father."
Gerard, asked later, says, "Never heard of him. I don't know all of Julian's senior men, though."
Solange rides with the rangers looking for the mysterious snipe. She concludes that there is no serious threat to Amber from black road remnants, although some monsters may have escaped. City slickers are incapable of telling Julian's creatures, like the hounds, from monsters. The rangers do not distinguish in the hopes of getting rid of them.
However, she does help hunt down a thing that's half-spider, half-scorpion, and about the size of a Great Dane. It kills a horse with its poison before Solange is able to bring it down. Her guts in taking the thing on impress the rangers, and she finds herself better accepted afterwards.
[Solange]
And are they willing to consider the idea that I could make sure
they get paid NOW, and keep an accounting to present to Julian
when he returns? I have no problem with their continued loyalty to
Julian, even in his absence. I just want to make sure that they're
treated fairly in the meantime.
They'll consider it (grudgingly).
It is agreed that there will be a regatta of cargo ships just before midwinter to determine which will be the centerpiece of Amber's new merchant marine. Vere, Lucas, and Worth are to be the judges. Worth and Vere devise a course and arrange for faux cargoes to ensure the boats are of the right capacity. Three ships enter the race.
The first ship is the Duchess of Cabra. The Duchess is owned by a consortium of nobles who bought it from its merchant owners, who were bankrupted by the loss of ships in the storm. She has been refitted with the best that money can buy. Her captain is a former naval officer who retired on the death of his father, from whom he inherited a minor title.
The second ship is the Trade Winds. Three merchant companies have worked together to fit her out for the regatta and the voyage that will surely follow. Her captain is an experienced man from the merchant marine, and her crew collectively has millennia of sailing experience.
The third ship is the Princess' Charge, owned by Michelle Thibault. It is rumored that she is a front for someone else, although no one knows who. Her captain is a former naval officer who lost his left arm below the elbow in the fighting against Corwin's navy; her crew is primarily made up of young men and women from Folly's army of good works. What they lack in experience and money, they make up in enthusiasm.
Gerard insists -- no ifs, ands, or buts -- that he be carried to the harbor to watch the race from the naval flagship. Many small boats line the shores to watch the race; members of all classes wait anxiously for the results, even if they cannot attend. Speed is tested along a straightaway; maneuverability around a small island; and the worthiness of the crew by the loading of the vessel as well as the handling of the ship.
[a lot of card draws later]
The Trade Winds' crew loads her the quickest, followed by the Duchess and then by the Princess' Charge. In the maneuverability test, the Trade Winds is victorious again, followed by the Princess' Charge and then by the Duchess of Cabra. In the final competition, the straightaway race, the Trade Winds wins easily, to the surprise of absolutely no one, after the Princess' Charge and the Duchess foul each others' paths.
It's a decisive victory for the floundering merchant companies.
Gerard, Vere, and Worth concur that Lucas could probably do all right with any of the three ships. You'd want to add some more experienced sailors to the other two, although the Trade Winds is as close to perfect as Gerard could have hoped for.
When someone says something about what a shame it is Lucas can't take all three, Gerard says, "Of course he can. Did it all the time when we were younger. How d'ye think Corwin and Bleys got all those damn boats here?"
Lucas will offer to take all three then. =)
Vere thinks this is a good idea. Make the Trade Winds your flag ship, but let the other two come along as well.
"It would appear that Lucas is not quite as good a sailor as our uncles." Jerod would reply, with just a hint of a smile. "No doubt his mother kept him busy with other tasks and away from the lure of the sea. Perhaps he could talk with you concerning this, just to get a few pointers perhaps before he takes the ships out?"
Everyone does a turn at court. All of you find it terribly boring, except when you find it incredibly fascinating.
The first session of court after the Sundering is an informal affair at which Gerard receives the credentials of the new ambassador of Bellum. After this, regular formal courts are held for the conduct of government business.
Paige's assistant advises her that when regular court is in session, she should attend. (She does so.) Martin and Cambina attend irregularly, as their duties permit, the latter more often than the former.
The rumor of the usury law draws much attention in Court. The merchants claim it is needed; the moneylenders claim it will ruin them; the nobles are torn between the desire to get cheap money and the desire to ruin the merchants. The definition of usury is debated. Will moneylenders be allowed to charge reasonable interest? How much is that?
The rumor that nobles may be granted land in Garnath also circulates. Everyone gets very interested in figuring out who to cozy up to to get such favors.
Jerod and Paige deal with a variety of political and legal questions. Their decisions put some merchant houses that can't adapt quickly enough under, bankrupt a couple of moneylenders who are out for blood, and reshuffle power and influence among some of the noble families.
This is something that Jerod is definitely keeping an eye on.
[Paige]
Gotta break some eggs to make an omlette, right? Those that fall under
should be eligible for some sort of help, we'll have to see what can
be done, within the bounds of the law. Ideas?
Jerod would curious to hear what people have to say. Within the bounds of law, of an absolute monarchy under a Regent's control, that usually comes down to whatever the kingdom can afford economically and politically (showing royal favor can be dangerous) - there's no such thing as welfare or bail-out insurance. Its likely that some of those that do go under are out for the count.
As the date of the regatta approaches, the Golden Circle ambassadors start getting antsy about going home.
Jerod is going to talk to Lucas and Paige...one because he would know what social events that might be happening around town, and because she's involved with a very exclusive club in town. Jerod's looking to see if there's a way to diffuse some of the Golden Circle tensions...
Jerod corners Martin about Oberon's intelligence service. Martin confesses he knows nothing about Oberon's intelligence service inside Amber. He suggests that Jerod go back to whoever was doing it under Eric and try to find out more that way.
And he does just that.
A suitably trustworthy engineer is deputized with the duty of removing the debris from the spiral staircase. After going down as far as he can, he advises that this will be a long process, on the order of years.
[Jerod]
Looks like someone's got job security.
Folly starts a family jam session. Vere brings his harp, Ossian brings his lute and his flute, and Solange brings her voice. (Paige? Jerod? Lucas?) Martin acquires a guitar from somewhere -- one suspects he occasionally rides through Arden for pleasure, too -- and joins in. There is a piano in the library, which Vere can teach himself how to play. Martin, everyone learns, can do a passable Jerry Lee Lewis imitation. (Goodness gracious! Great balls of fire!)
Jerod will come and watch for a while...he seems to enjoy it but is reluctant to join in...it take awhile (like a couple of months at least) before he seems comfortable enough. Even when that happens, he does play often...he has a violin and most of what he plays is not energetic (I don't see Jerry Lee Lewis and a violin accompaniment...chuckle). But when he does play, he's pretty good at it...there's an energy to his music, like emotion waiting to be released.
Solange definitely locates an 8-string acoustic bass. and starts practicing. The first bass line she masters is the one to "Day Tripper." :^)
Sometimes when the music goes into rock/jazz and the likes, Ossian will put down his instrument and starts dancing, jazz ballet style.
Folly takes deportment lessons from Vialle and Lucas.
Martin arranges a poker party for his male cousins and a few close friends (e.g., Venesch and Worth). Cards, booze, and smoking are the order of the night. The stakes are moderate, except for the bragging rights.
Ossian sees through your average poker face, but does not seem to engage much in the game, and will probably lose horribly.
Not to be out done, Paige will arrange the same for Solange, Folly, and Cambina if she's interested at the Retreat. Michelle will sit in and perhaps some of the gentlemen of the club...
Count Solange in!
Folly is so there....
Cambina also joins in, but announces beforehand she is willing to quit if she causes problems. She has a preternatural touch with the cards, which, unlike Paige, she doesn't quite seem to be able to turn off. She occasionally seems to know who's going to win when there is no possible way she could tell by counting cards or intuiting subtle clues.
Well, then Paige will watch for Cambina's tells and try to play off them herself, but other than that, has no issues with her playing...
Rumor also reaches Paige that Jerod and Martin are, on occasion, painting the town red.
[Paige]
Duly noted...
[Jerod]
I thought it was a shade of mauve?...:)
Ossian works on a sculpture for Vialle. Interesting textures and shapes are the order of the day.
After all is said and done, this is what you figure out about the food situation.
There is enough food to hold the city through the winter, especially since existing stocks will be supplemented by fishing. The population is close to a million, so there is no way to feed the city by hunting out Arden, clearing Garnath and turning it into a breadbasket, etc. Nor do the small side trips into shadow people like Martin and Lucas are managing have any noticeable effect.
Next winter is when it will hit the fan. Lucas' ship(s) will be ready just after midwinter, but he'll need a fleet to feed the city in the long run.
Gerard thinks all of you should travel and purchase food. There will be crown funds to back you and the crown will also purchase merchant cargoes for trade goods.
Is Gerard mentioning that "all" family members with shadow walking ability travel? If so, Jerod would jump at the chance.
[GMs]
That's pretty much what it's going to have to be. Of course, there will
have to be people to take your place in whatever you're doing before you
can leave ...
Solange is willing. The Rangers can, without question, manage themselves, especially since the remaining Black Road monster threat is minimal. Sign her up.
Ossian will give it a try. He has no sailing experience, but might manage anyways. (OOC: I guess his water score is high enough not to step on the toes of grumpy sailors too often.)
Gerard also endorses the homesteading/mail-order spouse/orphan placement plans in principle, and the Council thrashes out solutions. He generally opposes the granting of noble patents to land on the grounds that he'll have to justify that to somebody later, and he's not sure he can.
This is why Solange came up with the homesteading concept in the first place. It seemed a lot more plausible to enlarge the class of yeomen farmers than to create a whole slew of new nobles who would require attendant serfs to work their lands and also expect to maintain sufficient men-at-arms to defend their holdings.
Jerod would agree with Gerard concerning noble patents. If they start getting offered and you need to retract them later, you run the risk of rebellion.
Aunt Felicity's ball, btw, turns into something of a bon voyage party for Lucas and his little fleet. It's a great hoot, and the first of many social duties the members of the council have to take up once they have formally debuted themselves on the Amber social scene.
Many daughters of the wealthy and powerful are waved under the noses of male PCs, and many of their brothers make nice with female PCs. Everyone successfully avoids dire entanglements unless they wish to do otherwise.
[Lucas]
I wish to do otherwise. I plan on deflowering as many as I can.
[GMs]
We'll deal with the consequences of that later.
Jerod avoids all such entanglements and yet appears to be in the thick of it all throughout the entire party. Although he arrives alone, he is not without company for the remainder of the evening, dancing with all the eligible daughters, greeting each and every noble, merchant and otherwise that has managed to find their way to this gathering with grace and style, each accorded the absolute precise amount of recognition that is due their status, without fail. He seems to know most if not all of them and can speak to each of them on several different topics suitable to the evening's festivities. And when he departs in the later hours, it would appear he has enjoyed himself considerably, though he departs alone.
Solange attempts to handle things in a similar manner, although if Vere is willing, she will arrive with her brother as her nominal escort, in order to conform to the proprieties. She is not as smoothly diplomatic as Jerod in speaking to everyone, but is on her best behavior, and accepts the attentions of the young scions with graceful but impartial pleasure. She does not discourage any from calling upon her afterwards, but neither does she encourage it, and it's up to the GMs just how much time she has to entertain callers anyway, given her ongoing duties.
Vere will be honoured to act as escort for his sister. He spends the evening being charming, and seems genuinely interested in everyone he speaks with. He never forgets a name, a face, or the exact relationship between any two people once it's been explained to him. He flirts innocently with the young ladies, and a little more openly with their mothers; is quick to discover the interests of whomever he's speaking with and encourages them to explain the intricacies of their hobbies and the exact nature of their current concerns. He's willing to discuss business in general terms, but makes no promises and no decisions, telling anyone who presses him that, "Tonight is a night for easing our concerns, let us be merry. Call upon me in the next day or so, and I'll be happy to go into this in detail." He dances the majority of the dances, insists on sitting in with the musicians for a couple of pieces of music, and in general acts like a totally different person from the one his Cousins have come to know.
After the ball is over he escorts Solange back to the Castle. Once they are alone in their carriage he puts his head back, sighs, and says, "The only time I yearn for battle is when I'm being courtly."
Folly dances the night away. She is charming and energetic, and her main concern seems to be that those around her are having fun. She flirts and dances with just about everyone, probably coming across to the sons of the wealthy and powerful more as a person with whom it would be fun to go bar-hopping than as a potential mate. Like Vere, she sits in with the band on a couple of pieces; those of sufficient sensitivity might notice that she seems happier and more relaxed when interacting with the musicians than when interacting with the rest of the crowd.
Paige makes her best attempts at good behavior, and carefully avoids any publc scandals. She is seen to be dancing with Alain leClaire and chatting amiably with his new wife Collette. No fireworks ensue here, hopefully. While she will not sit in with the band, she will note the members that received Folly and Vere well and ensure that the next time there's an informal session at one of the local clubs, alas not the Retreat... members only, they're invited if Folly's playing. She is willing to be lured away from the party by handsome young wealthy and powerful sons, or daughters for that matter, but is much more careful of appearances should the latter occur. She most likely imposes upon her cousin Martin to act as her escort for the evening to keep up forms, and no matter what corners of the venue she might sneak off to, she'll leave for the evening on his arm. She'll also do her level best to gain infromation from this, as to who's here and who's not and what that means to the current socio-political scheme. (These affairs aren't just for fun you know...) She'll hopefully be ble to read who's here beyond their means, who seems secure in their place and who's jockeying for a position to move forward. Particular attention will be paid to any who might've had a hand in backing Michelle's entry to the Regatta.
During one of Folly's training sessions that Jerod is teaching, in the outdoor training yard, she would notice that he's a bit more eager to be done the training. He doesn't stint on the training though, but remain in control, though it is clear that from time to time he is checking to see if someone has arrived.
Finally, just as the session is ending, two people approach - a man and a woman. They wait to one side while Jerod and Folly finish up and Jerod gives a couple of quick pointers, mentions any area that might require some diligence in training, and makes definite note of areas of improvement and congratulates her accordingly. Folly will notice that both of the pair are dressed in outdoor travel garb...woodsman type gear. And the male has a hooded bird sitting on his gloved wrist.
Folly listens closely to Jerod's comments and thanks him for all his help. As she wipes the sweat from her brow, her eyes stray to the couple. "Oooh, pretty bird," she says with wide-eyed fascination. "Friends of yours?"
"Assistants." Jerod replies, motioning the pair to approach. "They take care of the some of the day to day needs of my birds...at least the ones I still have. I've had to release a lot of them...they take a lot of care and with the situation as it is, I can't devote as much time to them. Now I've only got Kina here." and he points to the bird as the man approaches, motioning to man to remove the hood.
Once the hood is released, the bird looks around attentively, the intent look that raptors possess, enough to draw Folly's attention. As it looks around, it sees her and stares at her for a moment, the way birds of prey will when they are trained to humans, making that special connection between animal and human.
"Kina. Beautiful," Folly says softly, almost reverently, not taking her eyes off the bird. She lifts her hands slowly, palms up, to about chest height -- a gesture of friendship -- taking care not to startle the bird. "Are you lonely now that the other birds are gone?" she asks -- it takes Jerod a second to realize she's speaking to Kina and not to him.
Kina looks at Folly for a moment, cocking its head as if listening to her before opening its beak...a soft noise emanating forth...not a shriek, but something much quieter.
Then, eyes sparkling, she asks Jerod, "Might I touch her -- er, him? -- without upsetting her?"
He smiles a little. "In a moment." he says, accepting a thick leather sleeve glove from the woman before coaxing Kina onto his fist. "She won't mind I don't think...so long as you're slow with your movements like you just were. She's still a hunter though...fast movements make her want to fly and fight." and he adjusts a little, bring Kina closer to Folly. "You can touch her now...let her see your hands open first...otherwise she might think your fingers are a mouse or something. I prefer to have her here close to me when I show her off...she's usually calmer."
Folly follows Jerod's instructions: slowly, gently, she brings one hand up to stroke Kina's soft feathers, ever watchful for signs of unhappiness or distress, or for signals as to where and how Kina would prefer to be touched. "Well met, Kina," she says softly, her eyes alight with childlike wonder. "I would soar with you if I could...." She makes a few soothing sounds deep in her throat, not unlike Kina's quiet cry -- the tones are different, but the feeling behind them seems very similar.
At the first couple of touches, it would appear Kina is nervous...she bobs on Jerod's wrist, the talons tightening visibly and Folly can hear the creak of harden leather as they bite deep. At one point Kina will start to spread her wings but stops partway when Jerod makes a soothing noise. Eventually, Kina does calm and remains so throughout the remainder of the visit.
"I would not have figured you for a pet owner, Jerod," Folly says many minutes later. "Not that one could rightly call such a majestic creature a 'pet'. But...." She pauses. "But I'm glad. It suits you." She smiles a gentle smile and withdraws her hand carefully, laying it on Jerod's arm for a moment. "Thank you for sharing her."
"You're welcome." he says, returning the smile. "And you're right...she's not a pet. She's a companion." and Folly can tell he means that word explicitly.
"I know some who try to keep them as pets...people who don't understand them. They have a phrase about 'breaking them to the fist'. You can't break a falcon or a hawk...they choose to stay because they want to." and he strokes Kina with a feather drawn from a pouch. "At some point, you have to fly them...let them hunt. And that's when you find out if they're your friend. If they want to return, or to be free. You can't break a hawk...you can only persuade them. For a little while."
A few days after the departure of Lucas on his maiden voyage. Venesch announces that Gerard wishes to address them all after dinner. He does not appear for the meal, but is carried down by two of Venecsch's guards and seated at your table. He seems, as he often does these days, tired.
"As you all know, this winter we can feed the city. Next winter will be the bad one. I know you're trying to learn how to lay shadow paths, but it's not that easy. I'm afraid it will be on your shoulders. You all will have to go out and bring back foodstuffs to build a store for next winter.
"If Lucas succeeds, you should be prepared to send out the next wave. You may all have to go, eventually, but you must also make sure that your responsibilities here are met.
"I'll want to see a schedule, including ships and captains. Someone needs to make sure that we have storage facilities for the food, and your crews need to be warned about the penalties for smuggling.
"I'll leave the details to you all and look at the report within a fortnight."
Gerard struggles with the next part. It is clear to even low water characters that he has rehearsed it, and that he was never satisfied with his thoughts.
"My doctors have, I think, finally decided to face reality. They now admit that they think I'll never walk again. Frankly, I told them so within days of the earthquake, but they weren't listening.
"The news will reach the city soon. I'd like you to decide how best you wish to handle it."
He pauses again. Cambina opens her eyes, which have been shut since Gerard started speaking. They glisten in the candlelight. She shuts them again and mouths the words Gerard says next as if she were reciting a childhood prayer.
"I am still considering their advice on amputation."
Folly lowers her head and balls her hands into fists in her lap.
Given the words, it is certain that there is going to be a lot of emotion amongst the group. To the high waters, Jerod's expression begins as one of resigned anger...though it fades after a few minutes. While others speak, he is likely to be silent for a time, but eventually he does speak up.
"I would urge you not to consider their advice...at least not for awhile." he says. "It has only been awhile since your injuries. And since you are alive and well, there is a good possibility you can recover your mobility, if your medical regimen is done properly. Before you disagree with me Gerard, I would remind you that my father ordered Corwin's eyes burned out of his sockets...and four years later he returned with them anew. There is still a chance."
Paige looks ashen, but not surprised. She turns her concern more to Cambina's actions, most likely an obvious dodge to having to deal with Gerard. She settles her handkerchief in her lap, before resigning herself to saying something. "Uncle, I have no experience in our family's regenerative abilities, but it seems there are precedents for the regrowth. You could probably decide better whether the existing limbs would hinder that process but as we strike out into Shadow, there are perhaps other possibilities. Sufficent technology for your healing, or perhaps some arcane work such as Uncle Benedict's arm?"
"It's not that simple," Gerard replies. "Y'see, the problem isn't just my spine. It's also my hips and all the bones in my legs. They broke into a million pieces, and now that they're healing back up, they're not straight and right everywhere. You'd have to rebreak them all to fix it, and not just once."
He pats the hand of his daughter, who is sitting next to him, reassuringly.
Gerard continues: "Sorcery and technology -- they have their uses, yes, but a man could never depend on them to work in Amber. And I can't leave to go looking for somewhere where they would; my duty is here. And even if I did, Paige, I'd never be able to walk through shadow again. I'd always have to fear that I'd end up somewhere my legs would fail me. I want none of that; if I can't be hale and whole, I'll learn to live as I am."
"I suppose," Gerard says, "it is just possible that we could find somewhere that they could break everything and reheal it, or regrow it from scratch. And sometime a King will come home and relieve me of the Regency so I could go there for the healing. But I'd want to walk the Pattern again with it, I think, to be sure it took. And there's no hope of that just yet." He shrugs, looking stolidly resigned.
Paige seems pained by the thoughts that such actions might have to be taken and turns her attentions back to the drink she was getting for herself, and makes it a double.
"It is a possibility, as we briefly discussed before, Father. Unless there is some vital health reason to remove them, and I have yet to hear of one, then I see no reason for such a...." Vere pauses, searching for the right words, "...final move at this point.
"I'm weighing your advice on this as well, Vere," Gerard says seriously.
Vere nods without speaking, glances at his sister briefly, then composes himself and sits silently again.
Solange takes her cue. "You know I agree, Dad," she says. "Once you can consider travelling, I think we ought to look for nanotech."
[Gerard]
"How do you think we should break this news to the rest of Amber? There's
no keeping it under wraps, you know."
"Simply. Make an appearance for the people, perhaps at the anniversary. Let them draw what conclusions they may. If anyone has aught to say when they see it, you'll have a year of steering Amber through some of the most trecherous waters she's ever navigated to show as proof that legs don't make the man." High waters will also note that Paige likes the idea of pushing off such drastic measures as long as possible. "The festive nature of the occasion should turn people's thoughts from it anyway, and hopefully it'll die away shortly after."
"That sounds like a good idea." Ossian says, "I suggest that you also get a lightweight wheelchair, and practise a lot so you can manage yourself in most situations. Then go for a trip into town, checking the building projects, the harbour, and the like. You are regent, aren't you? Just don't have anyone push that wheelchair around for you. Do it yourself."
Gerard actually laughs. "I think I'm strong enough to push my own wheelchair, Ossian."
Vere looks at Gerard, raises an eyebrow, and smiles at this comment.
Ossian grins, raising his forefinger; "That was indeed my point, uncle."
"It's not the pushing I worry about, Dad," Solange says anxiously. "It's the steep hills and cobblestone paving. Not to mention stairs."
"If I fall out of my chair, I'll bloody well get back in it. As for the other -- Cambina, you're in charge of roads and bridges and buildings and such -- "
Cambina has been sitting with her face buried in her hands and looks up, startled. "Yes, Uncle Gerard?"
"Make sure I can use 'em."
"Yes, yes, of course!" And she looks pleased at being given such an important job.
"What are the likely repercussions?" Folly asks. "Where I come from, this sort of thing would be announced in the daily papers, and people would talk about it over their morning coffee for a couple of days and then forget about it. Of course, where I come from, the monarch is a figurehead, and the people are mostly jaded, self-involved, and apathetic. Here, it's likely to be a much bigger deal."
"There's no precedent, but then again there's no precedent for anything about this situation," Gerard replies. "You're the ones out and about, amongst the citizens. You'll have a better idea than I what the citizens will do."
After hearing Solange's comment concerning nanotech, Jerod (who has been nursing a drink) says "I'd advise keeping away from anything tech related. Even if they don't do anything other than knit bones together and don't remain internally. We don't know if the effects would be permanent" and he leans forward a bit in his chair, looking at Gerard.
"I've been considering making a run into Shadow. I've got an idea for something that might help. You need to do most of your healing here if possible...so that the effects will be truly permanent. Which means you need someone who can help you heal - here. And I think I might be able to find someone who fits that bill."
"What did you have in mind?" Gerard asks.
"Whatever we do must be natural." Jerod says. "If we use anything external to augment the healing process, you run the risk of it being rejected should you ever walk the Pattern again. So...you need to heal. But the damage is extensive...far worse than anything the healers around here are used to. So I was thinking that perhaps we need an outside healer."
He gets up from his chair to walk around a bit, letting his thoughts work as he walks. "I would need to find a place with identical physical character and technological characteristics to Amber. Obviously the level of reality could not be achieved, but I believe that is not important in the long run. This place however would be home to the very finest of healers...people who are so skilled and knowledgeable that they can use simple technology and medicines to heal grievous injuries." and he stops pacing for a moment to look at Gerard.
"Your own regenerative process would do the majority of the work...the healer would be the one to guide you through the physical regimen...the food you eat, the exercise you'd need, the medicines you'd take that are natural to this environment. If Prince Corwin can regenerate his eyes...you can regenerate bone and muscle and nerves. But as you said...the bones are damaged...it will take a very great healer to fix that."
"I can find someone like that. I just need to go deep enough in to Shadow."
Gerard listens to Jerod and thinks about this for a few moments, then looks at Solange with some distress. Even lower waters think he'd prefer to spare her hearing what he has to say next.
Solange takes a deep breath and sets her face stoically.
"Jerod, that's a generous line of thought, if we could spare you from the work you're doing, which we can hardly do to feed Amber. Certainly not for one man, even if he be King of Amber, and not the Regent only."
He takes in a breath. "But I don't think you understand the medical problems involved. It's not that my bones are damaged. It's like this --" and he picks up his own glass of whiskey, drains it, and brings it down hard on the table, shattering the crystal into hundreds of tiny shards.
Solange flinches, then does the brave-face thing again.
"Now maybe you could find a man who could make those shards into a working glass again and drink from it. Vere's mother could do it in a trice, in the Isles, and I've been places where technology could do it as well. But if you put it back together wrong, you'll have to break the whole thing again to fix it. If I shattered the glass a second time, Jerod, how could I be sure I shattered it in exactly the same way?"
Gerard sighs. "No man's that subtle, Jerod. Not even Dad. And that doesn't even begin to address the question of keeping me alive while someone shatters my legs into slivers as small as that."
"Are you sure?" Jerod asks. "Are you absolutely sure?" and its clear he's marshalling his thoughts. "Shadow is deep...and even the little I've travelled by comparison to someone like Grandfather has shown me a lot. And I disagree with you about the thought that its too much to do for one man."
"Unless you've been holding back something about the army in Chaos, then we do not know if they're ever going to return. For all we know...you are the ruler from now on. What I am proposing is not a quick fix...based on your example, no I couldn't fix the glass. I'm not a glass maker. But I've seen glass makers who can do amazing things."
He pauses for a moment, and his expression is clear he is considering something he does not wish to say. "My father once told me that to be King, you had to make decisions you found personally distasteful. That you had to do things sometimes that go against the grain...because it was necessary for the kingdom...for the people. You don't have that luxury and I think you're still trying to keep it.
"I've seen you take care of others Uncle. You'll give them your food...or take their place on the line. You'd risk yourself and your ship to save another that's surely beyond hope...because you think its worth it. But you won't let anyone else do the same for you. Maybe the rest of the people here think you should have a working set of legs. Maybe the kingdom needs a ruler who is healthy and can walk...and not a cripple." And the high waters know that word cost Jerod a lot to say.
"You don't have the luxury of sacrificing yourself now. Grandfather did it...and my father did it. And its time our leaders stopped being heroic and started living. I am only one man...maybe I can help the kingdom a bit with my duties in Court, or a lead a ship or two. But if I can help you...the kingdom benefits more than anything I can do.
"Let me try."
Gerard listens to this with what the high waters all realize is mounting frustration at an inability to express his intuitive understanding in clear words to Jerod. What he finally says is:
"It doesn't matter whether I want you to go or not, Jerod. You won't find what you're looking for. With simple things, you can find anything you want in Shadow, yes, but what you're wanting isn't simple. The harder the thing is, the harder it is to find. Past a certain point you pretty much can't find it. D'ye understand?" And he looks at Jerod, then to Vere, perhaps in hopes that his bookish son can better express his meaning.
Vere meets his father's eyes, but doesn't say anything in response to this.
Gerard stares Jerod straight in the eye. "As for the other thing: what the people want and what's best for the people. Dad left me with the responsibility for deciding what's best. Amber is not a democracy and neither is this council. In the end, there's only one opinion that matters, and it's mine. And I'm telling you that you don't have time to go haring off on a fool's quest for a cure for my legs. It's not a matter of self-sacrifice; it's a matter of practicality.
"Another thing your father didn't learn, Jerod, was that you can't make a man who can walk in Shadow do your bidding. I'm not fool enough to sit here in this chair and give orders I couldn't enforce if I could stand up out of it. But as personally distasteful and against the grain as you may find it, you're going to have to get used to a Regent in a wheelchair, because that's what you have."
Gerard pauses. "One more thing. I don't ever want to hear any talk about the army not coming back again. The army is damn well coming back and it is coming back victorious and that is the end of the matter. Do all of you hear me?" And he looks at each of you in turn.
Since he finished his talk with Jerod, I'm going to assume that he'll be looking at Jerod first (especially since Jerod was willing to argue with him in the first place). And Jerod clearly doesn't like Gerard's decision...
But he also doesn't fight battles that he cannot win...by this time everyone in Council would recognize at what point that Jerod figures its time to call off and move on. And this is that point...he still doesn't like it...and everyone's reasonably sure that if circumstances change, he'll bring it up again...but for the moment he nods and agrees with Gerard.
"Of course they're coming back," Folly says when Gerard looks at her. She speaks with conviction, as though the alternative hadn't occurred to her. High Waters, though, can tell that she has thought of it, it causes her great distress, and she's hoping that speaking the words will make them true.
Vere frowns very slightly at this. He settles back in his chair when Gerard looks at him and crosses his arms, again without saying anything.
Paige nods her head with a look that says every day those same thoughts are with her.
Ossian just shrugs. (after having smiled smugly during Gerards overhauling of Jerod)
Solange just nods. She is blinking back tears.
[what do you all think that the major players you interact with are likely to do?]
Solange does not think it will cause major upheavals among Aunt Felicity's set, although perhaps it will re-orient the Speculative Matchmaking Babble -- there being less advantage to wedding the Regent if one could not bear him a child. Solange considers that sort of speculation mostly unworthy of comment anyway.
Gerard harrumphs.
The Rangers mostly keep their own counsel, but it might cause them to quietly suggest that one of their number be acknowledged officially as head of the remaining Amber military, since the Regent would be unable to actually lead troops if a situation arose. Then again, they might prefer to leave things as they were, since they are still maintaining the idea that they report to Julian, and anything else is just temporary.
Gerard says: "If we need someone to stand in my stead with them, there's always Vere ... you've got enough woods ken to make them respect you, and the navy men all report good things." High waters can tell that Gerard looks moderately pained at making the suggestion. "Or Jerod, who's been here for a long time and is known, perhaps. Or maybe even you, Solange."
Vere pursed his lips a little when his name was mentioned, but said nothing. He nodded in agreement at the mention of Jerod and Solange.
"I'd be a figurehead, Dad," Solange says. "I'm a competent scout, but I've never commanded anyone in battle, and the Rangers know it. Then again, a figurehead might be just what they want, since they know how to do their jobs already. We'll see what they have to say at the news first."
Vere believes that the Navy will be distressed to hear about this, but that there is next to no chance of any lessening of loyalty. If anything, it might actually stiffen their resolve to perform to the absolute limit of their capabilities.
Jerod sets down his drink before speaking to Gerard. "The citizens are used to a strong central monarch...we live in an absolute monarchy and despite having a bureaucracy to handle day to day activities, it is to the King that they look. If the King is weak or vulnerable or his representative is such...then the people will be afraid. They will turn to whoever will provide strong leadership in a time of crisis."
"Assuming we are totally honest about your condition, we must expect an attempt by powerful elements within the nobility and merchant classes, perhaps with instigation from Ambassadors of the Circle, to seize power. They will utilize dissident members of society as their troops...rally them with calls for strong leadership and support for a return to the old ways of discipline and order. They will attempt to undermine or circumvent the remaining troops we have and work directly through the people, acquiring enough mob support to carry forward any plans they may possess. They will promise order, prosperity and security...and the majority of the people will remain silent, not wishing to get involved in the struggle."
Jerod sits back for a moment, taking a long slug of his drink. "For anyone who might consider otherwise...remember that Oberon was an absolute lord. His word was law. While the nobles were, and are important, his was the final word and it was death to defy him. Since they could not defy him - they politicked. They are used to it - scheming is second nature to them. Gerard is Oberon's representative and if you were possessed of your full strength would certainly command their allegiance. But you don't. And we're still children in the eyes of the people - untested in real leadership. Those amongst the nobility with grandiose plans of advancement will see this as an opportunity. We must be mindful of anything that develops in the next little while and be prepared to deal with it without hesitation, and without mercy."
Gerard listens to this speech and says: "You sound just like your father." It's not an insult, but it's not a compliment either, the high Waters all think.
"Your father," Gerard continues, "always thought he'd be a King in Dad's image. He never understood that even with Julian and Caine behind him, he could never claim Dad's mantle. No one remembers any more what the world was like when Eric was a sprog, but everyone knows he was one. There wasn't a one of us, not Benedict, not Eric, not Corwin, who could rule either the rest of us or Amber the way Dad did. Trying is a recipe for failure.
"Now the nobles have always schemed, and they always will. Maybe they'll be a little more ambitious in their schemes now that Dad is gone and my brothers are out of pocket for the time being. But they're still bidding for nothing more than third prize even if they don't know it. There is no real fear of a takeover, not unless they have military might to equal our own.
"Now you, Jerod, think they'll get that from Folly's little army of good works. I hear things about her efforts; I think she's chosen a hard path but her heart's in the right place." Gerard looks at Folly. "And most of the whinging I've heard of late comes from people with a lot to lose. If she can help docksiders get three square meals and leeches for their injuries and schools for their children, and show them the royal family cares for someone besides the merchants and the nobles of Amber, she's doing more to ensure we get through this crisis than you know, and more for the long term as well.
Folly smiles, pleased -- and surprised -- by the acknowledgement.
Solange grins an approving grin at Folly. If she's close enough, she may even low-five her under the table. :)
"Someone may well decide that I'm weak enough that I can be finished off and they can seize power in my stead, but they're fools if they think the loss of my legs makes me less capable of disposing of anyone within reach. And if I survived the castle falling down on my head, it'll take more than a crossbow bolt to fell me. Maybe if they have guns -- have any of you thought to test what's left of Corwin's stock in all the running about you've been doing?"
Martin pushes his chair back from the table and says, "Yes, Uncle Gerard. I tested them." Cambina looks at him, shocked, and he grins back at her in a cat-that-ate-the-canary way. "They weren't easy to find, but I'm resourceful. The ammo still works, but the guns jam more than they ought to. Not as often as I would have expected them to, given the stories I've heard of technology failures, but still ..." He shrugs. "If I wanted to ensure we had guns, I'd break open the remaining ammunition and go to matchlock pistols and muskets. That's a best shot, though, not a guarantee."
Vere nods while Jerod is speaking. After Jerod has finished Vere adds, "I was raised in a Court where my mother's word was the Law, and I am familiar with what Cousin Jerod is speaking of. Mother and her Chancellor both impressed upon me that it is easier for a ruler who is thought of as firm and unyielding to show mercy than it is for a ruler believed to be kind and merciful to maintain control. If we do not respond firmly to the first signs of rebellion we will never be able to re-establish control of Amber without widespread bloodshed."
Last modified: 30 Jul 2001