Conner and Brita have prepared all that is needful and received any final instructions from Celina. They are ready to depart.
If Celina permits, Ambrose will come to bid Brita and Conner farewell.
Celina does indeed permit farewells. She asks her cousins to be 'watchful' because she does not believe Huon has been honest about his reasons for requiring an escort. (Offscreen, Celina has briefed Llewella about the departure and hoped for arrival of Huon.)
Brita is dressed in loose pants that must be slightly weighted at the hem based on their motion with a more fitted short sleeve shirt all in a coral shade. A small belted satchel is affixed around her waist. One might note that the side of the belt opposite the satchel loops through a section of the pants just in front of a pocket. She also carries a waterproof pack (containing her standard long red jacket and normal half boots, if anyone asks, along with sundry travel gear). Her hair is in her typical style of a single braid down her back.
While recovering his strength, Conner makes a few arrangements for his trip. First, he arranges for patrols of Tritons to wait at and watch the position where the Trump will open. An "Honor Guard" must be waiting for when Huon arrives. Conner consults the archives and the spymasters to see what news there is from Bellum of late. Lastly, Conner attempts to scry out Huon with the Eye to see if he is where he claims.
The news from spies is consistent with Huon being at the Bellum Embassy in Asir, although not definitive. Scrying of Huon is still blocked, though.
When the day of their departure arrives, Conner packs one bag with clothes, food and assorted useful things and then has a servant pack a second such that he does not know what exactly is within. Conner secures Halosydne at his belt, and the Eye within his pack. His travel attire of blues and greens could almost be camouflage if they were not so well tailored.
Ambrose wishes Conner well, eyeing his blade with a bit of envy, and tells Brita he will wait for her return to Rebma unless he's called elsewhere by Random.
Once the farewells are made, they depart together and make their way to the Paris exit. On instructions from Corwin to show Rebman ambassadors all courtesy, they are able to secure a boat and travel down the river to the sea, where again, they are able to secure another boat. From there, depending on their wishes, they can either sail directly to Asir Island, or take an indirect route through Amber, which has a partial path cut based on previous travels.
Brita suggests taking the indirect route just to help strengthen it.
Conner agrees with taking the indirect route through Amber. Though his reason is more personal: he wants to check in on Thalia should she still be present and see if there is any news about the partial path route from Caine.
Caine reports that Asir Island is on the route to Bellum, and that the tenuous shadow paths have been reinforced, but that there is no love lost between the kingdoms.
Thalia is in the castle, bored, but unassassinated by her fellow Gatwegans. She dislikes the former but is enjoying the latter. It's interesting to experiment with magic in Amber, after the prior difficulties.
Ultimately, they arrive at Asir Island, home of the Asirians, a demihuman species that had commerce with Amber, and also later the home of the Paresh after their departure from Amber. The ship docks without difficulty.
The harbormaster arrives to perform customs duties, and asks Brita and Conner their business on the island.
Brita lets Conner - the diplomat - lead. She stands in her red jacket, brown pants, and boots at a parade rest slightly behind him, scanning the dock area.
"We have come to collect our Uncle and bring him to his new home." Conner replies easily. "Our last communication with him said he was currently a guest of the Bellum embassy." Conner leans in as though sharing a confidence. "Truth be told, I think he's gotten himself into trouble again but we'll soon sort that out."
Brita's gaze focuses back on the harbormaster. Her stance becomes a little less 'rest'.
The harbormaster frowns. "At the Bellum embassy? Might be hard to get him out. Bellum has declared war, which is what they do, but this time the Council isn't having any of it. They're harboring fugitives. You'll have trouble getting your Uncle out of that place, son."
"Well, I've never been one to let a challenge stop me." Conner replies. "Tell me more about Bellum's declaration of war and these fugitives they are holding." Conner digs a couple of coins of the local currency out of his belt pouch and starts shuffling them along his fingers like a nervous habit.
The harbormaster eyes the coins, and looks at the side table beside Conner.
"Well, son, I can tell you what's in the broadsheets. A stranger in town convinced one of the local cults that he was a god or a messiah, which was pure foolishness on their part, I can tell you. So instead of merely fleecing them for money, he proceeds to murder a bunch of them. Then he went to the Embassy and now he can't leave.
"Bellum got their shortclothes all in a twist over the utterly reasonable request of the authorities to turn over the fugitive, and that's how it all started. Now there's Paresh surrounding the Embassy and howling for Hawk's head."
He seems somewhat distracted by the coins. "What did you say your Uncle's name was?"
Conner nonchalantly leans on the side table with his coin laden hand. "His name is Huon," Conner admits, "and if he isn't the one the Paresh want killed as an example I shall be very surprised." Conner straightens back up and takes a step to the side leaving the coins on the table. "I don't suppose you could tell me where I would find the leader of the Paresh and if there are any Bellum citizens of note not currently holed up within the embassy?" Conner dips into his pouch and sends another pair of coins dancing along his fingers.
Brita casually looks away from the harbor master. As the 'muscle' of the pair, she knows when to let the mark have the privacy necessary to take his bribe. She does not roll her eyes at the latest news about her Uncle.
The harbormastor frowns. "There's an arms dealer from a competing faction in Bellum a block from the current Embassy. It's likely that he'll be the new ambassador when this lot clears out." He hems and haws for a moment. "Listen, son. It's not illegal to have an uncle who's wanted for murder, but it is illegal to help him escape justice. I'm not going to tell you what to do, but don't do anything criminal while you're visiting our island."
Brita does NOT snort, although Conner can probably tell by the slight wrinkling of her nose that she is holding one back.
"Harbormaster, it was once my profession to prevent conflicts between nations and realms and old habits die hard. I shall take your advice and may we both profit by it." Conner smiles widely and adds the pair of coins to the ones on the side table. "Come, my sister, let's see if we can salvage the best from a bad situation."
Once they are some distance away, Conner looks up at Brita. "So, this is either a delaying tactic while Huon puts some plan into motion or Huon has gotten himself into a predicament that he cannot extricate himself from. Which would make this island and its inhabitants much more than they appear." Conner muses. "The Paresh, the Bellum trader and the Asir government are the logical starting points. What think you, my sister?"
"It seems Unlikely that Our Uncle would Not be Able to Extricate Himself, but Perchance he is simply Using the Easy Out Through Our Cousin-His Proxy. Or he is Attempting to Embroil Watery Rebma in some Political Mire." Brita ponders in silence as they continue for a bit. "Best to Determine the Clarity of the Water Before Muddying it with Uncle Huon's Perspective, as You Say."
The City and Port of Asir on Asir Island in the Land of the Asirians nestles under the mountain cliffsides and is hot and humid at this time of day. Passersby ignore the two Amberites, or give them a wide berth.
"Exactly." Conner nods. "I am also trying to determine the merits of remaining incognito as we are and of producing proper credentials and engaging the creaky wheels of government. It was mentioned at the family meeting that Lucas was investigating the Paresh. I wish I had paid more attention to them at the time." Conner shrugs. "Though I am willing to be persuaded otherwise, I think we should start with the Bellum trader. If he is truly to be the next Ambassador, it would be a coup to have secured the good graces of Amber and Rebma before he even took office. Provided we can do it without angering the Asir of course." Conner grins.
Brita flashes an answering grin, "May be Hard Not to Anger them if they are Already Angry. I Agree with Starting with the Bellum Trader. We should also Find a Source of Gossip to See if we can Learn More about the Emotional Triangle between Asir, Paresh, and Bellum." They walk a bit and Brita notes, "We may Not be able to Remain Incognito given that we are Obviously Not Accepted as being Local." She nods a head slightly at a couple that have given them a wide berth by crossing to the other side of the road.
"Not local is different from visiting royals." Conner replies. "But your point is well taken, sister. I suspect we will have to use the reputation of our line to get people to treat with us. My fear is that Huon did likewise and that people will lump us under the same banner of murderous trouble." Conner stops a moment to look up at Mount Asir. "What did Huon seek here that was worth killing for?" Conner shakes his head. "To the trader. Let's see if this picture can become clearer."
Brita nods in agreement and lets her brother lead. As they walk away from the fishy smells of the docks, she takes care to discretely note the scents of the Asir that they pass, looking for anything distinct or familiar or chaotically out of place.
Asir in general smells wrong. As if someone had scrambled the time-codes and Brita was smelling the past, present and future all at once. It's disconcerting and it makes it difficult to smell anything useful.
Brita notes this quietly to her Brother
It's not a long walk to the arms dealer's house. The building seems prosperous and thick. No one is outside, but the door stands slightly ajar.
Brita says, "I'll Enter First, like the Good Body Guard I Should be." She moves to set word to action, moving to enter the house by slipping through the door without opening it further than necessary.
Conner nods and allows Brita to enter first. Conner does not need to be playing a role to accept the logic of Brita being better able to face physical danger first. Conner waits for the all clear from Brita or for a quiet count of 30 before entering himself.
A man is standing in the entryway, dressed in one of the most elaborate uniforms that Brita has ever seen. Despite the comic-opera outfit, the sword at his side seems quite serviceable.
The man is middle aged, and may be some kind of servant. "Hello. Do you have business with the embassy?," he asks.
"Is the Bellum Ambassador In Residence? His Lordship Wishes to Speak with Him," Brita says loud enough for Conner to hear. Brita studiously does not blink twice at the ridiculous outfit.
Conner simply smiles at the servant and waits for the answer.
The man nods. He clearly has some sort of military background, and doesn't seem particularly impressed by titles. "He is. May I announce his Lordship? You name, your Lordship?"
Brita bristles at the affront of the direct comment to her brother. "He is Lord Conner. Who Are you?" She may be taking names to lodge a complaint. She leaves it up to Conner if he wants to designate where they are from.
Conner turns an approving glance towards Brita and then addresses the soldier. "You may announce that Conner, son of the Princess Fiona of Amber, Lord of Amber, Rebma, and Xanadu and also Envoy Extraordinary of Her Majesty the Queen of Rebma wishes to see the Ambassador on a delicate matter of some urgency." The thin smile bestowed on the soldier clearly implies that he should hurry along. Now.
Brita is Not Pleased at the little man, although she does not speak to him again, just waits for him to follow Conner's reasonable request.
A man opens the door. "Ah, yes, Lord Conner of Amber. We heard about your unfortunate dealings with the Rebmans some time back. How can the Union of Free Bellumites help you? The man's smile is that of a shopkeeper, but his clothes are richly made and he seems completely comfortable with Conner's rank and dignity. He does not bear himself like a military man, for all that his majordomo seems to be.
Conner smiles back at the man as he does enjoy seeing a diplomat using his own tactics. "If the harbormaster of Asir is to be believed, the Bellum embassy is currently offering asylum to an Amber royal and is refusing extradition to the Asir government for the alleged crime of murder. You can understand my interest in such a situation. Would you be able to elaborate on the situation as you see it?"
Brita waits patiently for the Ambassador person to answer her brother's questions. She knows that this is Conner's area of expertise.
The diplomat/merchant nods. "Given that Asir is at war with the Southern Bellum Accordance, our mission will soon be accredited to the Assirians. Your kinsman sent for the leaders of a local cult to the Bellum embassy and threw their heads to the curs in the street. Easy to understand why Asir is unhappy, I'd think, and the cultists as well. What I don't know is why Heriberto hasn't asked him to leave, but all good for the Unionist cause."
Brita cocks her head to the side slightly at the new name but does not have anything to add.
"And is there no indication as to why this murder of cultists took place?" Conner inquires. "I need not tell you that this is hardly typical behavior for a member of my family." Conner smiles.
The merchant shrugs. "No more so than when Har'garel was killed, your Grace. Someone wanted them dead, and they wanted it to look like your Uncle. Could've been your Uncle, could've been someone else. I wouldn't put it past the Paresh to arrive and plan to die to stir up trouble. I have no use for them. Pacifists are just mad. It's not a world where you can just decide you don't need to defend yourself." He shakes his head.
Brita is letting Conner handle this one although she tenses at the mention of Har'garel and the implied slight to Family.
Conner's smiles becomes colder at the mention of Har'garel's name but he makes no comment. "Are the Paresh pacifists?" Conner inquires. "I was rather under the impression they were laying siege to the Embassy howling for my Uncle's head. Are they making an exception?"
"My point exactly! They intend to turn the Prince over to the local judiciary for whatever non-pacifistic justice would be had, as if that wouldn't start a war. Asir is a magician's isle, but I can't see it facing down you Sorcerer-Princes if you decide to teach them a lesson." The old merchant shakes he head. "So instead they provoke war with the Northern Bellumites.
"Your Uncle has certainly arranged for Asir to fall, one way or another."
"I suppose he has at that." Conner muses. "A most curious thing to do." Conner nods and makes ready to leave. "I thank you for your time, Ambassador. Should matters dictate I am sure that we shall see each other again."
Brita nods to the Ambassador as she follows her brother out the door. When they are far enough away, she asks, "Why would Our Uncle Wish the Destruction of This Region? Is there Something he is Trying to Hide or some Slight he is Avenging? The Latter seems like the Norm for the Older Generation but How would we Best Discern If it was the Former?"
"I think the answers must lie with the Paresh." Conner replies. "There were always hints that they had knowledge they should not have and ties to old times." Conner sighs. "I think we should divide our efforts. Regardless of any secrets or machinations of our Uncle, we still have a cross shadow incident to nip in the bud here. There are too many enemies that could take advantage of the confusion. I'll take the diplomats in the Embassies and the Asir government and see if I can pull some strings and some rank to get everyone to calm down. See if you can make any headway with the Paresh. After all if they were looking for divine members of the family, a water goddess should qualify." Conner smiles.
Brita nods in acceptance of the task. "Stay Safe, Brother. We can Meet back at the Harbor Tonight to Discuss what we have Found." With that, Brita offers him a quick hug and heads off to find the Paresh Temple or other such seat of power.
Brita finds the House the Paresh have in town. It seems a busy place. The exterior is well lit and the place is tidy, although the neighborhood is poor.
Brita boldly follows someone inside the building. Assuming she is approached by someone to ask if she can be helped, she responds "I Seek Enlightenment" in that particular Goddess of Asgard tone of hers.
A man with a broom looks up at her and smiles. "We have soup, which, some days, is all the enlightenment we can provide. Still, it is often enough. I am Elder Farhan of the Paresh. What can we make lighter for you, Lady?"
"Elder," Brita gives him a small bow. "Soup Sounds like a Good Initial Step to Enlightenment." She will follow if he leads her to the soup and asks, "What do the Paresh Seek Here?"
He does indeed lead towards a dining hall. Several members of the community nod at him as he enters. "This is our home. It is from here that we have travelled the double-dozen worlds that the water-crossers connect, feeding the poor and spreading the word to the downtrodden."
There is a tureen at the back, and bowls and spoons next to it.
Brita moves to the back and, while still addressing the elder, fills a bowl and offers it to him first before filling one for herself. "What or Who are the Water-Crossers?"
He takes the bowl from her and smiles. "Thank you. Your people, Lady. The ones who break the walls between places. That was what they were called when they discovered us."
"My People? How do You Know They are Mine?" Brita asks, curious as to whether these Paresh have descended from Giants as well. "Was 'Water-Crossers' the Title the Paresh Gave Them or One They Adopted? I'm Curious Because Water is Something I Know Well."
"Lady," he says, "Ships arriving from the far side of the water are novel enough these days, but one that bears relatives of the murderer Huon is quite likely to attract our attention. Add that to your non-inconspicuous appearance and it is clear that you are of the royal family of Amber. You will find it hard to be anonymous on Asir Island.
"We wouldn't even have to use foreknowledge or prophecy to have found that out. We welcome you to show we hold no animus towards Amber, just the criminal and his crime."
"I have Heard Many Tales of Amber's Huon. When we Disembarked, We Heard he was Sought for Murder Here. Was That Against the Paresh? Who Witnessed the Murders?" Brita has put her spoon down, her attention fully on the elder.
"Yes, he murdered my brothers, the Elders Ansible and Trout. They came, at his request, to the Bellum Embassy, and shortly thereafter, the Elders' heads were thrown into the street. Fortunately, it was foreseen and prepared for."
"You Mentioned Forsight before. How do You See What the Norn Weave and What did You See of These Events with Amber's Huon?" Brita asks as she turns back to the soup but then cocks her head to the side slightly and adds another question, "And How did You Prepare?"
He smiles, thinly. "I do not know of these weavers, but our people have always produced some who could see other times. The Paresh were founded by one such man. We honor and believe such predictions. As for me, I was elevated to the council of Elders and trained to replace my predecessors. We do not know everything of the future. For instance, I do not know if your kinsman will be brought to justice."
"Who Forsaw the Murders? May I Speak with this Wise One?" Brita has finished her soup and looks briefly distraught over finding the bottom of the bowl so soon. She shakes her head and continues her inquisition, "How are You Sure it was Perpetrated by Amber's Huon and Not Another in the Bellum Embassy? What were Your Preparations?"
The Elder smiles, sadly. "Elder Ansible was the gifted one in this case. It happened in the courtyard. I witnessed it, because he invited me to do so. As to my preparations to become a leader for our people, they were, I hope, adequate.
"Would you like more soup?" he asks.
Brita shakes her head, her gaze intent on the elder. "You Saw Amber's Huon Behead the Elders? Wasn't One of the Dead this Elder Ansible? Why Would he Go if he Knew He Was to Die?" Her voice is starting to have glacial tones. She shakes her head, "This does Not Sound like the Amber Huon I have Heard of - He would Not be the Perpetrator but the Inciter of Such a Crime."
He looks at her waiting a moment before speaking. "Interesting. One cannot flee that which is foretold. It can be prepared for, but not avoided. That is a difference between us and the other Asirrians. Another difference is that we are pacifists. I have no trouble believing that a member of the line of Amber could kill a person who he wished to kill. "
"In That, I Do Not Disagree. It is the Method on which I Disagree. I do Not see the Beheadings of Your Brothers as a Typical Approach of This Scion of Amber. He is More Likely to Send Others to do the Killing...or Try to Wipe out All Such Brothers at Once." Brita drums her fingers on the table as she thinks. "What Precisely Was the Prophesy? That This Specific Amberite would Kill Those Specific Brothers?"
Elder Farhan waves his hand as if he can gather a clear explanation if he tries hard enough. It's clear he's struggling to explain, perhaps even to himself. "Visions are different for each prophet, Lady. The elder saw himself and his partner falling dead, and their heads being thrown into the street. It was a blessing that I saw prophesy come true, but not a pleasant experience."
Brita stares through the Elder for a minute, honestly thinking 'What Would Cousin Jerod Do?'. She finally blinks and says, "So We have Established that Your Brothers Knew of the Danger, but Proceeded Anyways and That Amber's Huon Likely either Ordered or Performed the Killings. What did The Paresh Wish from Amber-Huon to Approach Him in the Face of Such Prophecy? Was it Just to Fulfill their Prophecy? And Now, that You were Blessed to See the Prophecy's Fullfullment, What would You Do to Amber-Huon, Elder?"
He considers how to answer her several questions and decides to take them in order. "It is a worse sin in the eyes of the Fountain of Wisdom and Mercy to attempt to avoid fate than it is to die. Just because a thing is foreseen does not mean the perpetrator is not responsible for it. It is my weakness and humanity that causes me to feel grief for my brothers. It is my selfishness to feel the loss of them, when they have reunited with their full selves.
"It does not matter that they have gone on to a new phase of their being, it is still a crime and a wrongness to have taken their lives. He should be punished as any criminal would be who killed two men. The laws of Asir are clear on this."
"What would the Asir Law Require in This Case, Particularly if the Accused Has A Prior Crime For Which he is to Answer?" Brita asks.
He shrugs. "I am neither judge nor barrister, Lady. I am sure there is precedent in the casebooks, and probably a precedent for any answer the magistrates find expedient. Why, has Huon murdered someone else?"
"As I Mentioned, Being Direct is Not His Style. He Did, however, Instigate a War - Many Died," Brita states. "Who Would Judge This Crime? Would it be One of Your Brothers?"
He shakes his head. "No, Lady. This is a crime against the civil authority and the magistrates will handle it. We are a civilized state and look for justice, not revenge."
The cafeteria has mostly cleared itself. Brita and the Elder are the only ones left, except for a few people cleaning the dining hall. They pay no attention to her.
Brita nods once firmly as if this is 'civilized state' is an acceptably good thing. "Elder, You have been Most Forthcoming and I am Grateful. I will Add Your Justified Complaint to the List Against Amber's Huon." She makes to rise from the table and is ready to depart.
He rises with her and shows her to the door.
"Asir's position is tricky, Lord Conner. Your uncle is, after all, the brother to the King of Amber and we do not wish to cause difficulties there. However, he is also by all accounts a murderer, and is in the embassy of a foreign power that has declared war upon us."
The man sighs. He's not used to diplomacy. "I need to maintain the peace here, but also to serve justice. It would make it easier for me to do that if I knew Amber's view on the situation." He looks around his crowded and small office. "Chief Magistrates are not authorized to start wars, even in the name of Justice."
"You must understand, Chief Magistrate, that I cannot speak officially for Amber in this instance." Conner begins. "However, I can offer some conjecture." Conner grins slightly. "You see Huon is also wanted for crimes in the Queendom of Rebma. As Huon is King's Random's vassal he made it clear that he would allow no one to pass judgement on his vassal without his consent. In the case of Rebma, such consent was granted. I am in fact here to bring him back to Rebma to serve out his sentence. So in the case of justice for Asir and the Paresh, I could give assurances that I would argue your case for redress against Huon with His Highness and offer further assurances that the monarchy of Rebma would most interested in seeing Huon pay properly for his crimes wherever they were committed."
The Magistrate looks interested. "Really? What did he do to the Rebmans? It would certainly solve my problems if Rebma were to behead him and save us the trouble..."
"Insurrection and conspiracy to commit genocide." Conner answers. "I pushed for the head on the pike myself but there are dangerous consequences to ending one of the line of Amber. Thus we tend toward long lingering fate-worse-than-death style punishments. Less satisfying in the short term but it suffices." Conner lets a grin slowly slide over his face as if contemplating with relish the fate that awaits Huon.
The Magistrate smiles. "I see. So are you here as a Rebman officer of the court? Asir could consider yielding or delaying their claim while Remba punished him for the crimes he committed, if we can come to an agreement on such a surrendering of our just rights...."
"Precisely." Conner smiles. "After all, it is in our best interest to resolve this matter between our two realms without direct intervention from King Random's court." Conner lets his smile slip a little. "I am happy to remove the trouble of my Uncle from your shores."
The Magistrate looks thoughtful. "As you might imagine, some sort of compensation for our quitclaim would smooth the acceptance of such a thing. Would Rebma consider favorable trade terms with the Assiria for a period of say, twenty years, an acceptable term?"
"Make it fifteen and I'll see that the trade terms include materiel useful against any potential difficulties with Bellum." Conner offers. His mind is already sifting through what he knows of Rebma's economy and how to spin this back home. He might make the reduced profits to Asir fly by giving exclusive rights to some of the shells. Those that take the long view could find themselves wealthy when the pact ends.
Conner returns his attention to the Magistrate. Once he has Huon he can worry about making the rest work or if he needs to. "We shall have to work out the exact details of course but the proposal would be acceptable to Rebma."
The magistrate makes a show of considering the matter, but Conner can tell that it's just a show. "I agree. I can have a clerk draw up the terms this very afternoon. I can offer you no help in getting your Uncle away from his Bellumite accomplices, but if you extract him, he is yours to take to Rebma. He is, of course, banished from Asir on pain of death, but we will not press that matter."
"That seems fair to me. I'll have a word with your clerk on the way out to fix a few details in the interest of saving time with rewrites." Conner nods. "Now to the extraction process. What can you tell me about the Bellum embassy? Number of workers, floor plans, that sort of thing. I like to know as much about a place as I can before I enter. Especially when leaving might be problematic."
The Magistrate arranges for the Clerk to provide him with whatever information they have. It's somewhat sketchy, since apparently Bellum has had the place redecorated more than once and personnel change nearly constantly. It's not useless, but it's not up to date.
Conner gets the impression that spying on the Bellumites is not a primary concern of the Assirians.
Celina looks at her Aunt again. "I agree with every objection you make to me leaving the City. I also agree that the shock of Khela's death hasn't begun to wear off. On the other hand, the City never had a chance to settle into what Khela wanted as Queen. They just had her history with Moire and her bravery in the present. I need to give them as much of me as I can. Right now." Celina looks again at the wax topographic that Llewella has pulled from the archives. The location of the tomb is clear in the miles of terrain shown, but not exactly what was erected there. The scale of the sea canyon is captured so well that the model must have taken several weeks to make. Blessed be the amazing memory disciplines of the archivists.
Celina pulls the pins and clips from her tresses, letting the court hair-weaves fall loose. "I cannot go running off doing things myself. This is the center. This is where I live now. The Huon situation shows that clearly. I have to be here when Conner and Brita get back. Shadow is entirely too tricky with time flows and if I find something interesting at the tomb, it is likely that time will flow there when things are happening here."
Celina looks up from the topographic. "But." She smiles.
"Grandmother waits there. Any message that the Throne needs for strength may be there. I would also test Ambrose and Silhouette in their willingness to aid the Family. Order needs every hand we can get." Celina now watches Llewella's face as close as she studied the Tomb Canyon, seeking for secrets. "I trust Ambrose because Brita does. I do not trust Silhouette because she doesn't trust herself. However, Dolphin needs Order at least as much as Rebma does. She won't survive going on as she has. Neither will the City. Should I not risk my blood to save my blood? I think yes. Wed the two things together and both prosper."
Celina begins to warm to the topic of using Silhouette in a useful way. "Dolphin has offered to do anything.....BE anything I want in service to me." Celina nods slowly at the skeptical glint in her aunt's eye. "It came too fast and on the heels of my Sorrow. I said no. At first. It hurt to even discuss it. Silhouette is full of sharp TaKhi. She moves like a razor, so clean and precise. You bleed after she has caressed you."
Celina sighs. "But she offers herself to Everything. She holds nothing back. She thinks she serves the Universe by embracing it all, regardless. And that brings us to Huon and lies and disasters." She shakes off that subject as a distraction from the current one. "Dolphin has agreed to take a Capacity from me in Craft. I want to see her work up close and find out how the Razor creates Order. So she is making Ordered Art for me to wear."
Celina smiles in self deprecation. "Actually I think this is very important. What I am is what I the City needs to know most. So I'm taking Dolphin on in this Court function. I will not call it rehabilitation, because I do not think she has ever been given a chance ...and so has not really failed us yet. I hope to light up possibilities for her."
Celina returns to the main discussion. "However, it seems terrible in consequence to send Dolphin and Ambrose alone to do this great work at the tomb. If there is a message, they may not be able to read it. Neither of them is of the sea culture. If I cannot go, then I would have you go with them, even though the City can hardly spare either of us."
She smiles, "And you haven't said 'no' precisely to that."
Celina sums up to give Llewella a chance at response. "Still, in terms of what I think is needed. It is my task and my danger to take on. It must be done and even if it weakens my place here, I may find enough Order at that Tomb to regain what I lose by leaving now." She shrugs. "A risk, certainly. If I find nothing, I come back to find I have to work uphill, perhaps against my enemies combined." She raises her hands---- palms to her aunt to give her the floor.
Llewella crosses her arms and floats upwards a bit. "This is a terrible idea, but you are the Queen, so I cannot deny you. I can only counsel against this. The best you can hope for is to find a place where someone's mortal remains were deposited. Assuming you find it, remains do not last in Rebma. There is a reason the city has no cemeteries. At best it's a cenotaph. At worst, you may think you learned something."
"Father was smart enough to prevent such a thing. Can you imagine what would happen if there were a tomb for him?" She shakes her head.
Celina watches closely.
"You need to show your people that you are a practical Queen, interested in moving forward. I advise you not to become mired in the past. If you must, leave a clear chain of authority, and make it clear to everyone when you will return. You will need to tell us what you wish us to do with Huon, should he return while you are away, as well."
Celina nods slowly three times. "Yes. You are right. Yes, how fortunate for me you have mentioned Oberon.
"All right, I agree to stay. I ask you, my Third to the Throne, to go with Ambrose and Silhouette. To give me your assessment of whatever relics and messages may remain." Celina raises in the water and moves closer to Llewella. "Oberon sent a message with his funeral; one he formed with the last of his living will. I cannot but think Moins would have done as much if she saw her death arriving. I shall not be mired in the past. But I am marrying it. Will you do this for me?"
Llewella's arms remain crossed. "No. I didn't go on Khela's fool's errands and I won't go on yours. Have you even considered how Khela captured Loreena?"
Celina takes the question very seriously. "Yes. Loreena was looking for power. Khela was also. Khela moved faster with her information. And perhaps saved Loreena's life." Celina gestures at Llewella. "That's exactly what we are talking about. Oberon went to the trouble when dying to make sure a message got to the rest of the family. Somehow any message that Moins sent did not arrive. Do you honestly think Moins did not care to send you one? Proof she wanted us to live is that we are still here with a working Pattern."
Celina adds, "That is of course the bigger message Moins left. And you are quite right to say that I need to be here listening to that message. I will not send you on something you think is so foolish. So now I'm just telling you my thoughts so I get used to leaving proper messages myself. Why does the Past annoy you so? What went wrong with your Mother and you?" Celina throws up her hands. "No.....you don't have to answer that."
Llewella just nods. "Is there anything else, your majesty?"
Celina curbs her frustration and shakes her head, 'no'. She walks Llewella out of her chambers. She manages a smile and nod to her Aunt. Celina sends a page for Ambrose and Silhouette to attend her in the Cloud Chamber.
(ooc the airy chamber for dry Trumping)
Once alone, Celina walks straight to a wall and rests her forehead against it. "So my bride, that went well, don't you think?"
She thumps her head once against the glassite.
"Rebma, I could really use a hug..." She eyes the wall from just beyond her eyelash. She stretches out her arms and plants her palms, gripping and tensing. In the moment fully, she waits for the returning pleasure of pressure.
After a long time she returns to work.
Last modified: 4 November 2012