As soon as Corwin calls for an adjournment Vere murmurs a farewell to his father and strides across the room to Merlin. "Cousin," he says, "May we discuss plans for our travel now?"
Merlin is looking after Folly and Martin as they leave, but on Vere's approach, he turns to Vere. "Certainly. Are you anxious to leave immediately? I would like to say farewell to my sister first, and take my formal leave of my father." His gaze falls on his sister, who is already speaking to Signy, and then flicks back to Vere.
Vere smiles and shakes his head. "I am not requiring so immediate an exodus as that, Cousin. In fact, I simply sought to determine how long it would be before you were ready to leave, and to discuss one or two matters relating to that. I assumed you would wish to speak with your sister and father before leaving, and I thought that you would no doubt like a chance to speak with Prince Martin as well. So I wondered if you would require a day or more, or if we could plan on leaving sometime tomorrow?
"However," he continues, "Before anything else, let me ask two questions. First, is there anything I should bring with me? I have never travelled beyond Ygg, and do not know whether I may count on finding anything I need while travelling. Secondly, my father and Robin have both asked that you have a method of contacting them, should anything happen, and I lose cohesion of form or identity in my efforts to learn what you will teach. They both think, and I agree, that they are important enough to me that their presence may aid you in assisting me in such an eventuality. I have a Trump of Father, which you may use in case of need. However, contacting Robin is more problematic."
He pauses, then resumes, "I think that I have a solution to this, however. You will recall that I sentenced Castor to serve me, in payment for the failure that he believes is his? I think it would be too dangerous to him to take him into Chaos, so I have decided to set him the task of protecting and assisting Robin in her tasks while I am away. Now, it occurs to me, although I do not know sorcery well, that in so doing I am making Castor a symbolic link betwixt Robin and myself. That being the case, I wonder then if you can use this symbolic link to forge a sorcerous link, allowing you to use Castor as a means of contacting Robin in the event you need to do so? Again, I do not know the practicalities of sorcery, I have only a theoretical knowledge of the magics of my mother's people, and some small smattering of other arcane lore I have learned, but it seems to me it should be possible."
Merlin's face, which is normally calm and serene, demonstrates a certain plasticity that suggests his Chaotic origins as he listens to Vere's ideas. At the end, he asks, "Why would I use Castor as a symbolic link when I can simply make a Trump of Robin?"
Vere is silent for a long moment after Merlin speaks, and his face reveals nothing of what he is thinking. Finally, he says, "I assume you have not yet begun such a Trump, and I was under the impression that it took some little time to complete one if the subject was not present to sit for it. Also, I had assumed after the situation with Moire, where some in the family clearly believe that making a Trump without the subject's knowledge might be reasonably seen as an attack, that there would be a moratorium on such actions. Was this a mistaken belief?"
Merlin shakes his head in the negative. "If she cannot give permission, I should make a trump of you to be given to her instead. It will be time-consuming to make either a trump or a symbolic link, but at least with a Trump, I already have the necessary materials--a card and paints--to hand."
His voice takes on a certain lecturing tone as he continues. "But I do not believe you understand the risks of creating symbolic links. Did you listen to the story that Brennan told Marius of Huon's affine, the blood creature that was symbolically linked to him? Wounds inflicted on Huon did not damage him, but were inflicted on the other. That is a particular kind of symbolic link--but any link at all means you risk taking any injuries inflicted on Castor and vice versa. I do not know where Robin is, nor where the King means to send her, but I doubt she and Castor will sit in safety. I do know where you are going and what you mean to do. If you change your shape and it affects Castor in some moment of peril, the consequences to him and Robin could be severe.
"Further, to maintain a symbolic link of this type through sorcery takes energy, where with a Trump energy is only spent on creating and activating the link, by which I mean when I paint a Trump and when you use it. I will need all of my own energy while we are beyond Ygg, and will have none to spare. And if the link is broken, I will likely be unable to recreate it without Castor present. It will be much simpler to break the link than it would be to destroy a Trump.
"It is not your fault," Merlin says, not unkindly, "that your education in these matters is incomplete, But you do not know what you are asking. Nothing comes without cost or risk. The cost and risk of a Trump for communicating with a kinsman is much lower than the cost and risk of sorcery; this is why we continue to make and use Trumps."
Vere nods, thoughtfully. "I believe that I am too used to thinking in terms of Shadow-magic," he says, "A pale reflection of true Sorcery, where one must bring to bear as much power as one can to achieve minimal results. Thank you for the information. I am grateful to you for adding to my education in these matters." He tilts his head to one side. "I appreciate the offer to create a Trump of me to send to Robin. How long would it take for you to do this? We could send the Trump to Robin with Castor." He smiles. "She does not like nor trust Trumps," he adds, "Which was one reason I sought another method. But I think she will happily accept one of me. We seem to make exceptions for each other in many things."
Merlin takes a moment to ponder the question of the card. "It will take a month or three, I should think. Less if the art goes well and more if it does not. Nothing less than a permanent card will do; if she were to try to use a mere sketch to communicate beyond Ygg, the sketch would fail without reaching you." He sounds vaguely apologetic, as if he is aware that this is not information Vere wishes to hear.
Vere shakes his head. "I suspected it might take that long," he said, "Which is why I was seeking another method. I do not feel that I can spare the time; I have delayed too long already. Very well then, I did not make a promise to Robin, I merely said I would arrange for a way to contact her if it was possible. It is not, given my time constraints. When would it be convenient to you for us to depart?"
"Tomorrow or the next day. I can delay a few days if you wish to return to Xanadu to speak with Robin, but I suspect if I wait a week or two, I will be drawn into my father's affairs again," Merlin explains.
Vere shakes his head. "I also do not wish to risk any delay. Let us take tomorrow to handle our affairs here, and plan on leaving at dawn of the day thereafter. Agreed?"
"Agreed," Merlin says. "I will make our initial travel arrangements tomorrow as well. Bring what you wish to have with you. I suggest you leave any valuable items you do not plan to use in Paris or with your father. We will not have much time and energy to watch over objects," he explains, gesturing with his hands as if to brush off the useless things.
Vere nods. "Thank you, Cousin," he says formally. He nods a farewell, and departs.
Jerod remains motionless as people start moving, intent on their agendas, letting bits and pieces filter into place. He watches a Corwin moves to Marius and a piece falls into position. Jerod shifts his gaze to Benedict, another of the pieces floating before him, before he decides to give it priority for the moment and he moves forward.
"Uncle. Could I have a moment of your time?" Jerod asks.
Benedict looks at him, then remembers to smile. "Of course. I was not planning on staying in Paris tonight, but I have some time. What can I do for you?"
"I have a request, and a question, in that order Uncle." Jerod says. "I was wondering about visiting Avalon in the future, since you've indicated that it anchors one part of the connection to Tir and that would be useful to know for the future should it come to the point of last resort if the Family must face the Queen. And having heard about it in bits and pieces, I'm also curious about this place that would hold your attention."
Benedict seems to ponder. "It is not a realm that I encourage others to visit, and I was displeased with my last visitors. How will your visit further the King's aims?"
"In the event that a last resort is reached, it is better to be as acquainted with one's enemies as possible, as well as the means by which our defense is maintained against them." Jerod says. "By knowing the last resort, one can know not only what price will be paid if that state is achieved, but also may learn something that may be useful in avoiding that same fate.
"The King does not wish a war. Neither do I. I have lost too many people this way. But it is not enough to be a drone and simply obey orders. I need to know what I'm facing...what we're all facing. Everyone needs to know if they may be faced with decisions, decisions where it may not be possible to run back to get permission for a course of action, or to validate that a desired action is appropriate.
"I can't know it all. Nor would be I so arrogant as to believe I could know everything, or that my Elders would just hand over that information. But I would be negligent if I did not even attempt to learn."
Benedict nods, but without apparent agreement. "And yet, you told the King that you had personal matters to take care of first. Do you intend to bring either of your other two issues to my Protectorate? I take my duties as Protector quite seriously and would not want you to bring your problems into it."
"No." Jerod says. "My personal matters involved Cambina. She charged me to be her vengeance, and I agreed. But I did so early on, without a full understanding of what that would mean. I am older now. And I understand that vengeance can take many forms and not always what we expect. I will carry through with my oath to her memory but on my terms, not hers. I must speak to the Queen on the matter of her abduction and activity with Cambina the day she died. That is one of the duties that I spoke of. It will tell me more about Cambina's death. Ultimately I believe it will fit within the framework of the threats we currently face.
"It will be the first step of my vengeance for her. But it will not follow the old ways. That would require blood and hatred, and I have had enough of that though I will not disavow the use of violence should it be required. I would a different path, one that would hold that the best vengeance for my sister would be to thwart the plans of whoever caused her death and to ensure the family's continued survival against them.
"Would that goal be detrimental with how you would perform your duties as Protector, Uncle?"
Benedict is slow to respond, but when he does so, he is direct. "Hmmm. I will not forbid it outright, but I am not willing to extend an invitation to Avalon to at this time. You may contact me again after you have resolved your vendetta."
"Thank you." Jerod says simply. "I believe that should be all that I would ask. I will not take up any more of your time. If there is anything that I might assist with, please let me know."
Assuming there is nothing from Benedict, Jerod makes his departure.
Celina turns to head for Merlin and sees Vere vectoring that way. She smiles. Perhaps a goodbye kiss with Vere and a hug with Merlin would be... some motion draws her eyes back to Family centre and the swirl of people currents. Random eyeing Corwin's back while her father is helping Marius to his feet. Jerod paused and watching. Martin circling Folly like a one man army.
Conner, Brennan, Fletcher. Three times the fun. Must find a dance in the archives for three men and a lady. Probably something from the Cetacean operas. There was that wonderful sequence she'd seen once from 'the Darkwish'. It could be adapted. Need to talk to them.
Signy watches the people starting to collect around Marius to whisk him off, and resigns herself to needing to wait just a little longer before she can get a chance to meet up again with the brother that she just met. She makes a resolution to find a forge, either here in Paris or in Xanadu, where she can spend some time taking out some of her frustrations on hapless ingots of iron. Hopefully Marius would at least be able to provide some further insight into her mother. Her emerald eyes which had been glittering with the thought of being able to talk with her brother become quiet and flat.
Celina measures Signy's TaKhi stance. A lady not without Family but no mother. She has a brother. She has other daughters adrift to talk with. Celina knows the Family women will make the offers and decides to be among the first. She circles back to the bar, letting the room clear a bit. With refreshed drink in hand, she approaches Signy. It isn't surprising that her father has started moving Marius about without a glance at Signy. Hopefully Signy has or will have a chance to talk privately with Corwin and make her own introductions. Celina just stops at Signy's elbow and smiles, "Hello, cousin. I hope that you will some day have a chance to visit Rebma. When things are quieter, of course. You may have questions or needs? Anything immediate I might help with?"
Signy breaks her gaze away from the throng around her brother, and looks at the woman next to her. Recognizing the one friendly face from the meeting, a genuine smile starts to play around her lips and her eyes start to light up ever so slightly.
"Um. Hi. I, sure. I'd love to, though I think that I've been given my first official task, so I may have to take a raincheck for that." A note of wry humor twists through her voice. "I guess I'm not really sure where to begin with all this. Until a couple of weeks ago I really didn't have any clue about any of this, and I've been kinda fumbling along since." She squares her shoulders, and her eyes light with an inner fire. "So, I'm Signy, Dierdre's daughter. I met my brother Marius briefly, and a few of the others, but that's about all I know." As she confesses her sorry state of affairs with the Family, the smile that had been lurking at the corners of her mouth breaks free.
"I never met your mother but she had a good reputation in Rebma." Celina nods. "I came into my recent knowledge of the Family unexpectedly as well. I am close cousin to you, with Corwin as my father, Moire as my mother, though I was raised by neither of them in the Seaward." Celina gives Signy a large smile. "I have half-sisters on my mother's blood, but I wager we could be much closer given time." Celina shrugs, "Time being something everyone is short of right now."
Signy gives a quiet laugh. "I met your father between funerals. I guess he was one of the ones who knew my mother the best, but he was gone while she had Marius and I." Her voice becomes slightly wistful. "Does it always feel like you've been pushed into the deep end and don't even know how to keep yourself afloat?"
Celina starts to agree and then tilts her head trying to figure out the analogy described. She turns the description about a few different ways, not quite seeing how depth and floating match up as stressful feelings. She shrugs at Signy. "I think it is not supposed to. I am told by those who have more experience that it should not feel that way, that somehow if I just followed their methods it would all become focused and flow." Celina grins and adds with some emphasis, "So far, my theory is that this is a false lead to make me chase a secret that doesn't really exist when I should be developing my own center and cleaving through the mysteries despite the pressure dangers. Perhaps they are all just as worried about the missing pieces as you and I are. Maybe also just as frustrated." She thinks about Martin, but lets nothing show on her face.
Signy ponders this for a moment.
"So everyone just needs to figure out how everything works on their own? It seems like there could be a lot of broken or poorly-made items crafted that way." It's clear that she's referring to the Family with that last statement, though she does not seem terribly upset at this state of affairs.
Celina finds Signy's calm rather disarming. She glances around taking note of the figures still clearing the room. She lowers her voice a bit, "I am not so sanguine regards my ignorance and the lack of... integration with the Family. This Family is of a legend to sunder things, beautiful or important things, in ignorance." Celina pauses, gives a rueful smile. "I often feel on the edge of poorly made craft myself. Like a discarded endeavor that the crafter was expecting more of. So you comment strikes close with me. Were you raised in philosophy?"
Signy grins mischeviously. "Worse, smithcraft. Though at least there, you can always melt down your mistake and try again, unlike with people." She pitches her voice a little lower to match Celina's. "Though my tutor would be rather dismayed at the thought of me being able to run around with the power to reshape reality and nothing to go by other than experimentation. He'd probably say I managed to cause enough trouble in that vein just learning Sorcery."
"Ah, metaldance and sorcery," Celina nods. "You would do well with those talents in Rebma." Not for the first time, Celina supposes she could be grateful she was raised by fine ladies in the Seaward instead of absent parents. Even if most of what she learned was how to be graceful and obedient. The way things are going, it seemed both a huge flaw and a mundane sort of blessing.
"In truth, anyone of this Family probably excels when they create things from their personal vision," Celina now wonders how that applies to dancing. Or other temporary Arts...
Celina looks back at Signy directly, "What do you need that I can help with?"
Signy looks slightly intrigued. "At the moment a friendly face that I can commiserate with is really nice. But I'm curious to know more about Rebma now. It's been a long time since I worked a forge, and I was thinking an excuse to get back to it would be nice." And if there's an interest in tying that in with Sorcery, or Pattern then even better.
Commisery? Commisery likes company. Celina found a reason to smile again. "Yes, it is a nice prospect. Mostly I find complaining to myself spoils my appetite." She thinks a beat about the old geoforges of the outer trenches, fallen into disuse now because sorcery makes city forges so much more practical. Metaldance has always been more highly prized than most other arts that cross the line between practical and emotional. Perhaps it would be a crown project to reclaim an old geoforge for 'sensitive work' that might benefit the throne.
Celina examines Signy, holding back some of her inner enthusiasm. "There are delights beneath the sea that never occur to those who stroll sand and wind. The world of green and shadows celebrates forgecraft. I have gowns that are nothing less than intricate beads wired together by pure geometry and genius. What's more, in Rebma we harness Order and Sorcery to task. There would be 'sensitive work' for the Family too, if I have my way. I think you might like a long visit, when you are able." She grins.
Signy's eyes light up with an eager light. "We could do a trip there soon, maybe?" Then the rest of Celina's words catch up to her, and reins in her enthusiasm slightly. "What sort of sensitive work were you thinking of?"
Celina smiles large, fast and hungry. "Why things that the throne might need to protect itself against former agents of the throne. They would be best well-made so that the bright and hard edges were beautiful and well understood. Mirrors. Geometric body sculpts. Wrightjaws. We cannot really discuss it until I've talked with the Queen of Rebma.
"But if you are still here tomorrow night..." Celina shrugs. "Perhaps I'll have an invite for you."
Signy nods acceptance.
"I have no immediate plans to leave -- I need to talk with Edan and Garrett, and hopefully my brother will be up for visitors tomorrow as well. Your father provided me some guest quarters, so if I'm not meeting with either of them I'll be in my rooms, most likely."
Celina smiles. "Good then. I shall find you tomorrow and let you know how soon Rebma will receive you." Celina curtseys. "Thank you and welcome to the family."
Signy starts a couple of times, before managing to eke out a not entirely ungraceful half-bow. Her eyes glance at the door Marius was hustled out of, as her attention starts to waver back to her brother.
With the group dispersing, Florimel comes to her feet and begins to make her way to the exit, her dark garb heightening her pallor. Perhaps she seems tired, or perhaps it's a trick of the light. Her eyes cast over her kin, resting on the swirls and eddies as her nieces and nephews move to join their cousins. As she moves slowly behind Marius and his several assistants, she seems to be observing them all rather than participating.
Ossian rises to intercept her. "Princess Florimel..." he says.
Florimel pauses and turns to Ossian. "Yes?" she says. Ossian feels that she didn't expect to be approached just now.
"Am I breaching protocol here?" Ossian says "I will leave you alone if you wish me to."
"I hope you will not take it amiss if I say I am indifferent to company at the moment. But if you would like it, you may walk with me." She slows enough that Ossian can fall in beside her easily, and waits for him to offer his arm.
Indeed Ossian offers his arm.
"I assume you have--had--some business with Lucas that I must now attend to."
"I hope I will not give you more work." Ossian says "But there are some things I hope you will talk with me about.
"First. The Trump sketch I did of Solace. I think it would be appropriate for me to apologise to her. But then I would have to reveal the reason Lucas wanted me to make the sketch. Would she be ready to hear that?"
"An apology would be appropriate. It will pain her to know that Lucas suspected her of being the child of one of my brothers, but she has already suffered more from Lucas' behavior since his death than ever she did while he lived." Florimel smiles thinly at Ossian. "I hope at least you will be able to tell her that he regretted his actions afterwards."
"I can, and will do that." Ossian says, somberly. He will not bring up the fact that Solace actually seems to be a descendant of Oberon.
"The second thing I have is more delicate. My daughter, Jasmine."
"There has been some confusion regarding her parentage. She is not one of the children you think are Lucas's is she?"
"I don't know the names of the children. The arrangements were made through Lucas' mistress, Silken, and she has now disappeared, which will make it more difficult to locate them."
Florimel turns her head slightly to look at Ossian, and as they pass down the windowed hall, the light of the waning moon halos her for a moment. "I don't suppose you know what happened to her."
Ossian shakes his head. "That is very disturbing. I talked to her just before I and Brita left Amber. When did you have contact with her?
"Of course, Silken is a resourceful woman. She might turn up here, or in Xanadu..."
"I haven't had direct contact with her since before I removed from Amber. When I attempted to contact her to let her know about Lucas' death, she was already gone, and Caine didn't know where she'd gone. I have agents looking for her here in Paris. So far, she hasn't arrived yet, or attempted to ply her trade. She'd need a court entree to have the sort of life she had in Amber here, and I'd know about her if she had that," Florimel explains.
"I'm not sure who has that sort of portfolio in Xanadu; I doubt the Queen has time and attention for it, nor are any of her ladies the sort. Perhaps whoever's in charge of my brother's intelligence service." Florimel's lips curl in a way that suggests "Random" and "intelligence" are concepts that she commonly associates.
"I will do some research when I get back to Xanadu." Ossian says with a wry smile "Regrettably I do have some contacts, or at least the ones that came from Amber.
"And I will of course let you know if I find her."
"I appreciate it," Florimel says quietly. Her eyes narrow thoughtfully. "Did you have any reason to believe that your daughter might be Lucas', or vice versa?"
Ossian is threading very carefully now. "Well. The mother says I am most likely the father, but didn't tell me at the time. Lucas provided them with some money, through Silken. Sadly I was not able to discuss things with Lucas before he died."
"I see." Ossian has no trouble discerning from the tone that Florimel thinks little of this manner of doing business, whether because of the morals or because of the offenses against manners and etiquette. "Nothing has been proven, though. Do you think the mother of this child will know of any other children Lucas might have fathered?"
Ossian nods "No, I don't think so, but I will ask her of course."
"And if she does not provide you with an answer you believe, I shall ask her." Florimel smiles at Ossian. If he had believed her unthreatening before, he is now disabused of that notion, for all that the danger she represents is not aimed at him.
Ossian nods again, and thanks Flora for her time, and once again offers his condoleances. [He could of course tell her why he misses Lucas, but feels this is not the right time.]
Conner crosses over to Marius and Corwin. "Good evening cousin, Majesty." Conner nods to them both and moves to aid Marius in rising if he needs it. "I come to offer my services as family physician." Conner states plainly. "I'm most familiar with your medical history after all." Conner smiles thinly at Marius as he recalls Heather Vale. Had he been sorcerously trained then, Conner could have done more than waited for Marius to heal. Then he turns towards Corwin. "And once Marius is settled, Majesty, I was hoping to have a conversation of blades, dragons, and a metaphysical issue in Rebma that Mother thinks you are uniquely qualified to give an opinion on."
As Corwin goes to help Marius, Brita moves to assist. "Cousin Marius, it is Good to See You Back," she notes and then turns to Corwin, "King Corwin, have you Received my Query on the Memorial?"
Noting that its time to see to Marius, Fletcher calls over Random, "I'll catch up with you about those formalities as soon as I can" and gestures toward Marius, indicating that he's going to the infirmary before anything else.
Turning to Marius and company, Fletcher states, "Hello, I'm sir Fletcher, and to answer your earlier question, yes we're cousins. Good to see you again, your Majesty. Ladies, do you mind if we walk and talk?"
Brita glances at the newcomer then her eyes travel from him to Conner, Marius, and Corwin. She is unsure which of her kin has just been called a girl. Her head tilts as she looks at her brother; he is very pretty, but it would be difficult to mistake him for a female. She grins suddenly and turns back to Fletcher. "Cousin Fletcher," she inclines her head slightly in acknowledgement. "I am Brita, Daughter of Princess Fiona and Lord Vidar of Shadow Asgard. This is My Brother Conner." Her grin is even bigger as she glances back at her Brother. Brita is over 6' tall and dressed in a long red jacket with white fur trim around the cuffs and collar and black pants. Her hair is currently in a long red braid down her back. She takes a deep breath when Fletcher comes close.
With assistance from Corwin and Conner, Marius comes to his feet. He seems tired and thin, and has minor injuries, but from his movements Fletcher and Conner think nothing was broken.
"Fletcher is Benedict's son, from the old days," Corwin says, by way of completing the round of introductions. "And I saw your note, Brita. If it's fine with Flora, who has charge of Lucas' memorials, it's fine with me. I think her concern is primarily with the memorial in Notre Dame."
"Lucas' memorials?" Marius says. From his expression, this was a part of the story no one had told him. "What happened?"
Brita nods to Corwin, "I will Send her a Note and the Design Plans." She turns to Marius, "Cousin Lucas was Killed with a Glass Shard while Painting in his suite Here."
"More precisely, it is believed that he was trying to craft a Trump of Queen Moire who fled to Paris in exile in the face of Huon's attack on Rebma." Conner explains. "The glass shard was from a mirror that Lucas was using to obtain better light for his work."
Fletcher adds, "How long have you been out of touch? There are probably other things to share. I've only been back for a couple of weeks."
"What's the date today?" Marius asks, looking around, perhaps in the hopes that some clue outside the window will tell him the season.
Corwin says, "24 Boatman, by the Amber calendar."
"A bit more than six weeks, as Amber--Paris--counts time. More than that for me," Marius clarifies. He still seems a bit in shock from the news, and perhaps from whatever happened to him while he was abroad. "I left not long after my sister walked the Pattern."
"We'll see to bringing her to the infirmary once you're settled." Corwin's doing his best to reassure Marius, for all that Marius doesn't seem very reassured by him.
Brita is trailing along and assisting as needed in getting Marius to the infirmary, but she seems distracted and is now only half listening to the conversation. She will excuse herself with a small bow to Corwin when they reach the infirmary.
"Then there is much family news for you to catch up on." Conner agrees. "But let's see to gossip after we've had a look at you." Conner advises.
"Assuming, of course, that for you family news is a lower priority than family news," Fletcher adds with a slight grin. He silently hopes that Marius has been informed about Cambina, even if he wasn't told about Lucas. Then again Corwin's handy, so maybe he'll take care of it.
"We'll discuss all that after you've had a chance to examine Marius," Corwin says before either Conner or Marius can answer Fletcher.
When Brita returns to her rooms after the family conclave, she finds a sealed note addressed to her. When she opens it, it reads as follows:
Brita,We should probably talk about Cleph and Dara at some point before you head out. Let me know when you're available.
~Martin
Brita sits at the small, austere desk in her room and pens a brief missive:
Prince Martin,
I am Available Tomorrow. Perhaps Lunch in the Green Salon?Brita
She folds the missive and then pulls out a second sheet and pens another letter:
Princess-Aunt Flora,
I have Designed a Potential Memorial for my Cousin Lucas. Please see the Attached Sketches. I Envision this Memorial positioned at the Western Entrance to the Jardin du Palais within the Octagonal Pond or just East of the Pond on the Lawn. Uncle Corwin has Indicated Concurrence with Your Wishes.Humbly,
Brita
This letter she seals in an envelope along with several small sketches of the proposed dragon fountain. She rises and searches out a Page to deliver both letter and missive appropriately.
[Realized Brita had her directions of the lawn backwards in her note to Corwin. Closer to the palace is East of the pond not West.]
She receives a note back from Martin agreeing to lunch at noon in the Green Salon.
In the evening, she receives a note with a fleur-de-lys seal in green wax.
My dear Brita,Corwin told me that you had designed a fountain to honor Lucas' memory. Solace and I think this is lovely idea. She and I have looked at your sketches and will be happy to grant our approval for the project to proceed. If there is any question of hiring workmen or obtaining materials for the fountain, I will be in Paris to oversee the work.
Many generations of Parisians will remember Lucas when they walk the lawns of the Louvre. Thank you for thinking of honoring him in this terrible time.
Your aunt,
Florimel
Brita smiles a little at the letter. She has proceeded to sketch in her spare time throughout the day various aspects of the fountain on the hope that her Aunt would agree. She now drafts a brief missive to the Chatelaine explaining the endeavor and asking if there are Court Artisans she should approach first or if there are recommendations for appropriately skilled artisans from the City. She also notes the approval provided by King Corwin, Princess Florimel, and Lady Solace. Although it is late, she will track down a page to deliver the missive. She then returns to her desk, flips open the sketch book and begins to work diligently to flesh out the details of the fountain, adding material information, dimensions, new sketches of Lucas's face from various angles, and close up details of the large and small dragons. She works late into the night.
Brita receives another note back in the morning. It's not from the Chatelaine, but from a Mr Roth, who says he's the King's lawyer and he's been put in charge of this project, and he'll be happy to assist Brita in interviewing the artisans and plumbers and whatever else she needs.
If Brita asks around, Mr Roth is the husband of the Chatelaine, Mme Roth, and he's one of Corwin's senior people.
Brita will track down Mr Roth the following day and discuss the details with him showing him several images of the proposed fountain. She notes that a white marble angelic statue will reside on top of the central pillar with the features of Lord Lucas. Mr Roth provides his opinions on the skills of various artisans to perform the task at hand and they eventually settle on a schedule of interviews over the next two days with several sculptors, plumbers, and stone masons.
[The GMs have kindly uploaded the images to the wiki.]
Last modified: 9 August 2010
