When they are alone, [Silhouette] smiles at [Conner]. "I can see now why you are an entrusted ambassador. You have a light, but elegant, touch in the matters of state. And a ken insight. I am glad you were present today."
Conner chuckles. "You flatter well, lady," Conner says with approval, "and you have a talent for couching proposals within benevolent philosophy. Huon chose his Envoy well." Conner smiles. "How are you adjusting to life underwater?"
Silhouette's lips curl up softly at his words. Then dip into a frown at his question. "I have been given an intriguing glimpse into what steel must experience when it is tempered," she replies, albeit kindly. She presses closer to him, shivering. "I am a creature of Flame and Metal. This realm is everything I am not. I cannot rid myself of the sensation of drowning. And the cold..." Another shiver.
"However, I have also witnessed great beauty here. The vibrant life, as if this city was some exotic reef. The way light plays over the curved architecture. And the continual impression of weightlessness is most peculiar. I would think the Rebman people to be a very sensualistic people." A wry smile. "The society's matriarchal leanings are also welcome."
Conner lets Silhouette press closer without complaint. "The drowning sensation passes quickly," he assures her, "and there is warmth to be found here if you know where to look. I shall make sure your rooms are comfortable and if you wish it I could arrange a visit to the palace baths. The feeling of warmth without and within is an experience not to be missed."
Silhouette purrs like a stroked cat, "That sounds positively delicious! I must watch myself around you, Connor. You know how to tempt me, and soon I shall find myself forever indebted to you." She squeezes his arm.
"Curses, you have discovered my cunning plan." Conner chuckles.
Fairy light sparkles in Silhouette's eyes.
"So, how go the restoration efforts? And have they been impeded by Khela's recent passing?" A rueful smile. "I ask because I have become close to Queen Vialle. Undoubtedly, she will inquire as to the state of affairs in her homeland upon my return."
Conner turns to look at Silhouette more fully. "The rebuilding is still at early stage. I often think things should be more advanced but it has only been a short time since all of these upheavals occurred." Conner shakes his head in mild disbelief at how swiftly things have moved. "If you expect to see Queen Vialle, I would appreciate you delivering a letter for me and a parcel of salt tea." Conner smiles fondly. "She does so miss a regular supply of her favorite drink."
"Of course. I sense she yearns for her home, and I shall do anything to alleviate that burden," Silhouette says. A blush colors her cheeks, "After my misfortune in Xanadu, she showed me a great kindness, visiting me in the infirmary as she did. And she held no judgment or condemnation. In that or other matters. For this alone, I am her servant."
She gives a dark laugh, "It may surprise you, Connor, but I do not make friends easily."
Conner chuckles with her. "Well, your current environment is certainly not conducive to such an end whatever your natural proclivities." He observes. "As it happens, I like you Silhouette. This is perhaps an unwise course but there you have it." Conner's smile becomes a little warmer. "Like his army, I think you are another he chucked in the deep end without particularly caring if you could swim. This is not a universally shared opinion of course, but I don't need to tell you that."
Silhouette tilts her head, her dark hair drifting in the current. A silent blink, then a gentle smile. "Good," she says softly. "I am generally ambivalent to the feelings of others towards me. However, your opinion matters to me, Connor. On many levels. You continue to impress and intrigue me." She turns her free hand over, revealing the shadow of a scar. "When your mark fades from my skin, it shall be a sad day. But I will not forget your lesson."
Conner does not quite know what to make of that statement.
A hollow sigh, "As for Huon, the fault was mine and another lesson I will not soon forget."
"What lesson is that might I ask?" Conner inquires. "No doubt quite different from the ones I learned from my brief encounter with him."
Silhouette dips her head, shamed. "Huon taught me that I must look deeper into the Resonance of my Actions. That what I believe is a service to the Grand Design may, indeed, be its antithesis." She stares up at him with dark, cold eyes. "My actions, indirect as they were, could have led to the destruction of a Pattern. I allowed myself to be blinded by Huon's connection to Order. Had I delved deeper, I would have known to kill him for the Greater Good. I refuse to allow such Imperfection to cloud my judgment again."
Her back arches like a drawn bow, "But until I walk the Pattern, my judgment will remain... incomplete. How can I truly understand Resonance - let alone the Grand Design - if my perceptions are so grossly deficient? Huon taught me that I am adrift in a fog I never realized was there."
"I find myself quite curious how your thoughts on the Grand Design will change once you have walked the Pattern." Conner admits. "It should make for an interesting conversation. Has King Random given you permission to claim your birthright?" He asks.
Silhouette nods, "It shall be a reward for concluding the matter with Prince Huon."
She glances away, as if viewing something distant, unknowable. "You are correct though. My entire perception will change once I traverse the Pattern. It is both a thrilling and terrifying prospect. To possess such certainty for twenty years, only to have it stripped away to reveal the Truth." She exhales forcibly. "But Enlightenment is not meant to be painless."
Silhouette turns to look up at Connor, "Which Pattern did you traverse? Is there a notable difference?"
"To answer the second questions first, I have no first hand knowledge to impart as I have only walked one." Conner replies. "I have posed the question to others who have and they could not really answer it in any meaningful manner. Walking the Pattern is a very personal experience. It takes the intersection of who as you are and the cosmos as it is and imprints it on you like a stamp. So who can say if the next walk being different is due to the Pattern under your feet or the changes in you as a person."
Conner shrugs. "Plus no matter what your intentions or fears going in, the action of walking the Pattern occupies all of your attention. I think trying to study the Pattern as you walked it would be a sure way to fail. As for what you can tell from the outside, there are differences in the pattern of the the Patterns but they are definitely variations on a theme. Amber and Rebma's Patterns had the same design but were reversed in orientation for example."
"Reflections of one another? And the Ghost Pattern would be a reflection of them as well?" Silhouette offers, smiling. "One must wonder if there is a True Pattern, from which all others draw their structure. Or, if by their very existence, each of these Patterns weakens the Whole. Perhaps, instead, they strengthen one another. Their Shadows resonating and interacting like ripples on a pond."
She cuts the water with a dismissive slash of her hand, "Questions for after I fully understand what it means to be a Walker, I suppose. If I even survive the experience." From the cold certainty in her voice, it is unlikely she believes such a failure will occur.
Silhouette cocks her head, "So, blood magick works in Rebma. But what other forms of sorcery have a hold here?"
"It is a good question and one I am investigating myself as my Sorcerous training did not begin until after leaving Rebma." Conner replies. "But let me ask this of you first. What does the word sorcery mean to you? How do you understand it to function?"
Silhouette considers this as they round a corner. "Creation is defined by theoretical and mechanical aspects. The theoretical aspect is composed of the base laws; physics, astronomy, time, etcetera. These are its architecture. The mechanical aspects are the forces that drive Creation and maintain its function. Magick is the highest form of Science, based on specific doctrines and formulae. Through Magick, we gain an understanding of Creation, as well as the ability to enact change. Its Function is to create and inspire Perfection."
She stares into his eyes, as if waiting for him to question her viewpoint.
Conner smiles widely at this answer and does not say anything for a long moment. "Your point of view is interesting. Depending on how I parse it, it could either be a perfect mesh with my understanding albeit differing in philosophy, or it could be diametrically opposed. Perhaps, an example of how your magic works would help clarify things for me. A physical law generally present in most shadows on this side Ygg is that of conservation of energy. It can neither be created or destroyed merely changed from one form to another. So if you wished to summon a flame to your fingertips, would your magick do it using that law or by circumventing it somehow?"
"Transmutation is one of the core Techniques in Magick," Silhouette says, smiling. "And, in this case, would be the preferred approach, as it is only limited by the Law of Equivalent Exchange. Fire, being the most fundamental of the Elements, would be much easier to summon, I should think. 'All things are an interchange for fire, and fire for all things...' Therefore, you avoid complications caused by the Law of Natural Providence. Air is abundance, so would serve as the preferred structure to deconstruct and reshape. Personally, I would utilize a handful of ash, as it already contains Fire within it, and thus would be an excellent Focus as well. In either case, as a whole, such a spell would only require a minor formula to perform."
She holds out her hand, as if performing the summoning, "However, you've also included a Mechanical requirement to this formula. In this situation, the Qualities of Fire must be taken into consideration. Heat being the most important, of course. Unless one possesses the Phoenix's Blood, such as myself, conjuring a ball of flame close to one's fingertips would be foolish, if not masochistic. An additional Imperium equation would be required to project the heat away from their hand, lest they suffer grievous injury. Or you could convert Fire into its other Quality - Light - altogether, depending on your Purpose."
"Most intriguing." Conner murmurs. "Here is how I would describe such a feat using my understanding of sorcery. Sorcery is what allows me to ignore the law of conservation of energy by sheer force of will. If I have an understanding of the physical laws about me, then I can break those laws with precision and skill. I can even construct my own ordered mathematical formulas of what the new laws must be to allow the effect I want but at the heart of it is my will superseding the physical laws about me and sorcery being the tool by which I do that."
Silhouette considers this for a moment, then nods. "From your interpretation, I would suspect your approach would risk inviting Entropy into the equation. Laws should not be 'ignored' or 'broken,' no matter how powerful the Ego might be. Such sorcery would be a thing of Chaos, not Order, for it would - even at the subtlest level - be corrupted by the Id, and, therefore, exist outside the precepts of the Grand Design. Creation could - and likely would - be damaged by the utilization of such wyld magicks.
"That said, Laws can be disproven or redefined, if they are found to be false or imprecise. Continuing to adhere to them, once Enlightenment has been obtained, is to invite Stagnation. And controlled Chaos must be introduced into a System, if that System is to eventually evolve closer to Perfection."
If possible, Conner grins wider. "You have the right of it, cousin. Sorcery, as the Family understands the term, is a thing of Chaos and if used unwisely can be damaging."
Silhouette shivers, wrinkling her nose at this thought.
She wraps her finger with a lock of hair, thoughtfully tugging on it. "Extrapolation: If Creation is an infinite number of Shadows, each defined by individual Laws, would the Pattern Initiate's Will then supersede said Laws? Or would their Will be modified and limited by the Shadow they exist in?"
"Yes." Conner answers simply. "With infinite shadow, both scenarios are possible. As with so many other things, it comes down to contest of strength between the reality of the Shadow and the will of the initiate. As a case in point, here in Rebma we are in very close proximity to a Pattern. It reinforces the physical laws so strongly that manipulating them by any means is near impossible. Out it shadow, some manipulation is possible but it is more the ability to make the laws work in your favor more than superseding them."
Conner muses a moment. "Here is the best way I can explain it. Loosely speaking, the laws of probability say that if something is mathematically possible, then no matter how improbable the odds, it will eventually happen given enough time. A Pattern initiate that knows what they are doing in a place open to such change could make those things happen practically at will. That same Pattern initiate could not make something mathematically impossible in that Shadow happen with those techniques. Does that make sense?"
Silhouette nods, "Indeed."
She tugs her hair again, lost in thought as they walk. Then, mechanically, her head rotates toward him. Conner can almost hear the 'click,' as her eyes blink like a doll's. "If these fundamental truths exist, then why is Blood Magick, the most primal of forms, such a threat to the Pattern?"
Conner says nothing for a long moment. "Our birthright comes from within our blood." Conner says at last. "That being a literal as well metaphysical truth, you can imagine what would be possible if our blood was manipulated or misused."
Silhouette nods, "From what little I have witnessed, I can only imagine the Blood utilized as a weapon. If the Pattern is within the Blood, then it would be susceptible to that Blood via the Law of Contagion. This also helps explain other matters that have eluded me until now."
She nods again, smiling up at him. "My thanks, Conner. You have been one of the first cousins to speak to me as an equal, rather than a child. You have honored me with Enlightenment, and for that I am grateful."
"I have spoken to you as I would a new member of the family." Conner replies. "For I believe that you are, and as such there are certain realities that you need to understand. It is true that I've accorded you this status ahead of many others but I am thinking it is worth the risk."
She squeezes his arm and grins, "Well then, I shall endeavor to exceed the expectations you have afforded me. Your continued guidance - political and metaphysical - is welcome."
As they turn another corner, she asks, "Tell me. Regency appears to be linked to one's control of a Pattern. There are four - that I know of. So, to whom must we pledge our true allegiance to? Obviously not the Ghost Queen, but of the other three... who rules our Family?"
"On paper or in practice?" Conner chuckles. "The answer is the same but the reasons are different. First, a little history. Oberon was the eternal King of Amber. It was he that you pledged allegiance to and he that ruled the family. His children jockeyed with each other for his favor and many saw themselves as the logical choice to be his heir but the truth is I don't think anyone expected him to ever die. His disappearance threw the Family into disarray with various factions contesting against each other until the external threat from Chaos drew almost everyone back into the fold. Oberon's death at the end of Patternfall might have started the squabbling anew but I am told that his voice spoke to those of the Family present in Chaos saying that he left the choice of heir upon the horn of the Unicorn. Then the Unicorn rose from the Abyss with the Jewel of Judgement, the primary token of Family rule, and presented it to Random, the youngest acknowledged son of Oberon.
"On the strength of that, the Family pledged fealty to him. King Corwin of Paris and Queen Celina of Rebma are technically vassals to the King of Xanadu by their own pledge or the pledge of their parent." Conner explains. "Now should King Random try to use that to compel either of those Majesties to do something, I doubt he would get very far. However, it is also true that Random has been a competent monarch so far and the Family follows his lead. So by tradition, law and practicality, King Random is the one to swear allegiance to if you are into swearing which most of the Family is." The last phrase is said in a passable mimic of Random's voice and cadence.
Silhouette stops in her tracks, giving Conner a dubious look. "Wait. You would have me believe that Random's sovereignty over Creation was determined by a one-horned mule? That our family is guided by equine succession? Surely you jest."
"I seem to recall you proud of an affinity to a self-immolating pigeon." Conner replies wryly. "Surely it is not a demand of your Grand Design that all beings of power, respect, influence and mystery must wear a form binocular and bipedal?" Conner chides her. "There are few still alive from the days of Amber's founding and fewer still that ever talked of it but what is known from those days agrees on a central point. The Unicorn was at the center of all the events that led to the formation of the Patterns and the royal line of Amber. So yes, I do expect you to believe that the being that had a hoof in the creation of all things Ordered, honoring the last request of the eternal king before he gave his life defending Amber, was called upon to choose Oberon's successor." Conner concludes. "No doubt there is a fuller version of the tale with hidden truths and grand revelations but if there is no one is telling it. You could ask Brennan or Aunt Llewella if you like. They were at Patternfall and witnessed the events around Random's being chosen."
Silhouette gives a faint snort, "True enough. But I find it far easier to view a creature of Order possessing a draconic form. A thing of fire and earth and steel. Not some pale stallion with a predilection for virgins. Although, considering our King's inclination to be a horse's ass, the irony is not lost on me."
Conner chuckles. "Well here is some food for thought then. You will find that the reality of Amber and now the other Pattern realms are reflected in the stories, histories and beliefs of the realms of shadow. In the vast majority of those I have traveled through, the Unicorn is a symbol of purity while Dragons are known to be wise but forces of elemental destruction."
Silhouette smirks, "Well, you're half right, then."
"I agree." Conner replies. "But I suspect we've each picked a different half." Conner grins.
She shrugs, resuming her walk. "If Random rules by law and tradition, then would he have a stronger claim over Rebma through his wife?"
"Random's relationship with Rebma is complicated by many factors that have little to do with the formal hierarchy." Conner replies. "Queen Vialle is a noblewoman of Rebma and held some favor with Queen Moire of Rebma as Vialle was made a Lady of the Royal Bedchamber. The marriage of Random and Vialle was a curious thing at the time and to be honest I think most people in Rebma still don't know quite what to make of it."
Silhouette sighs faintly, nodding. "Yes, they do seem curiously matched at times. I cannot tell if they purposefully portray their mutual unease, or if they truly are at odds. But further observation is required. I prefer her company; that I will not deny."
Another shrug, "Moire is the former Queen, yes? How did power transfer from her to Khela? And why Khela's death, what position does Celina find herself?"
"Ah, a Rebman history lesson you want, eh? Very well." Conner nods. "Let's go back a bit. The first Queen of Rebma was Moins and she was considered as immortal as Oberon. Her death occurred during that murky pre-history so I do not know much about it, only that Moire succeeded her and she has ruled Rebma for quite some time. Khela led an army of rebellion backed by the Shells and by the Tritons. This occurred simultaneously with the approach of Huon's army. In the face of such threats, Moire and every Rebman royal but Princess Llewella fled the city. As Llewella is Khela's mother, that allowed the military of Rebma and Khela's Seaward army to fend off Huon's forces. Between the blunt reality of Khela's control of the Tritons and the good public relations that comes with having saved Rebma while the former monarch fled, Khela crowned herself Queen and most of the nobles of Rebma swore fealty to her. Khela had officially named Celina as her heir and all those that swore to Khela have sworn fealty to her. So far so good."
"Moire's approach could have been tactically sound. Allow the opposing forces wear themselves out until one is defeated, and then return as a liberator. Then reestablish the status quo with little effort."
"If she had the ability to raise troops in exile, I could see that as a valid approach." Conner agrees. "But the evidence so far has revealed no such reserve."
"Ah. But one does not always exhibit the breadth of their power until they are put to the test, cousin," she replies.
"Like romances spawned during times of strife, the people's love for Celina will fade in short order," Silhouette says. "She must reinforce her sovereignty, or this will be for nothing. Has she disposed of those who have not sworn fealty? Does Moire have soil in which to plants seeds of treachery?"
"At the moment we let the minnows swim free in order to trap the bigger fish." Conner replies. "Dealing with the previous royal family is a delicate subject due to the various amorous liaisons between Amberite and Rebman over the years. If they are dealt with too harshly, we risk turning powerful players against us. Yet they cannot be allowed to foment rebellion as you say. We have several lines of attack on how to find and neutralize the potential threat." Conner assures her.
"If the royals are a danger to the Queen, then might I suggest you reward their dissent?" Silhouette says, smiling playfully. She gives him a wink, letting him twist before explaining herself. "Reward your possible troublemakers with the lands belonging to the nobles who fled with Moire. The only 'requirement' for this gesture is that they retire from court, and live out the rest of their days in comfort. As such, their ability to betray our Queen is dispelled, and their hunger for power sated. Furthermore, should Moire return, they will serve as an excellent buffer; for they shall be eager to defend their new territories, yet they will remain utterly expendable. Your circling sharks become submissive clown fish."
"The plan has merit." Conner allows. "Though I think Loreena and those that would flock to her would not be so easily bought. The main one to be caught in our net is Moire herself. She fled to Paris presumably to seek asylum at the court of King Corwin but Celina intercepted her there and put her under house arrest. Being Corwin's daughter has its advantages." Conner smiles. "Alas this proved to be a temporary situation. Somehow Moire left the palace and was last seen to appear among a group of Rebman soldiers that were outside Paris. Vere had been allowed to recruit them from Rebma to aid with problems in his homeland. Several of those men left with Moire." Conner stops and makes a strong mental note. "I must remember to put some pressure on the family's of those that left with Moire. They may be less adept at hiding their tracks and more likely to try and contact people at home."
As they reach the final corridor to Silhouette's quarters, she slows her pace. She nods lightly to his words, "Vere is Robin's lover, yes? Interesting. He has an affinity for the ocean, I believe. I wonder if Moire and his troops utilized maritime Shadow-paths to make their escape from Paris. If so, at the very least, you would have some idea of where they might travel. Gateway, perhaps?"
She smiles up at him, but there is severity in her eyes. "If required, I could serve Rebman as bait. By now, I suspect my name has spread amongst certain circles as Huon's artificer. Moire might be tempted to enlist me to obtain the same weaponry. That temptation might be piqued further if she learned I now resided in Rebma. After all, would she be willing to risk my supplying the 'Usurper' with such armaments? It make her attempt to reclaim the throne all the more difficult."
"I suspect that Moire already places herself as bait in a trap of unknown devising." Conner replies. "But I shall keep your generous offer in mind. Do you plan to stay in Rebma for a time after the business with Huon concluded?" Conner asks.
Silhouette makes a vague gesture, "This remains to be seen. Duty calls. Vialle believes my skills will serve Xanadu. King Corwin wishes me to assist Ossian in locating Cousin Reid. And, lest I forget, King Random will allow me to walk the Pattern once this matter is settled. Not a temptation I can resist for long."
She chuckles softly, "Besides, in all seriousness, what future would a creature of flame and iron have here? Beyond marriage and spawning a new bloodline of Rebman nobility?" Her eyes roll upward.
Conner chuckles with her. "Well I was not suggesting that you root yourself to the seabed and start growing a Shell around you." Conner grins. "However, I am told that rapid quenching with salt water is one way to strengthen steel. Short visits from time to time might do you good."
Silhouette smiles warmly, touching his arm. Her delicate fingers radiate heat. "Oh, I knew liked you, Conner. Yes, you have the truth of it, I think. Brief respites here might be to my benefit. I have already gained Enlightenment on many levels. I am certain Rebma holds further lessons worth experiencing."
A wry chuckle. "I may even learn to tolerate this damnable cold."
"All things are possible with an open mind and a strong will as my Mother once said." Conner agrees. Having arrived at the door to Sil's suite, Conner makes his farewells. "I wish you a comfortable rest. Until later, cousin."
"Then I am glad you listened to her wisdom. Until we meet again, cousin," Silhouette says with a favoring smile. She holds his gaze for a moment long, before finally closing the door.
Terms to Huon will be delivered to Silhouette the next day from her welcome at Court.
Prince Huon:
1. Rebma accepts your surrender in Court to Queen Celina
2. Your agents and allies and their contributions to the attack on
Rebma must be revealed to us. As you have provided Significant
information to them about our weaknesses, we desire Significant
information about them and their weaknesses.
3. You will apologize to Prince Bleys and end the vendetta with him
once he accepts.
4. You will lend your skills to rebuilding/renovating the Downside
Quarter of Rebma for a period not to exceed two and twenty years.
5. You will be Court Guest of Rebma and Beholden to the Queen's need
during the above period. Movement from Rebma shall be only at the
Queen's permission. Such travel will include all disclosure of
destinations and intent. At times Rebma's need shall require guarding
Prince Huon closely in any location or movements and this is in
keeping with the request for protection. Violations of Court Guest
status defy the premise of surrender to Xanadu and Rebma.
6. Your Trumps are forfeit to the Court of Rebma.
Silhouette also receives an invitation to late lunch in the Queen's own suite with Celina. Handwritten note on the invite is 'to further explore the personal side of our relation'.
Upon recieving these terms, Silhouette will summon her blood bird and provide it with Celina's missive. Once it is on its way, she will attend the Queen.
It's somewhat disconcerting to watch the bird flap its wings underwater. Still, it seems to be flying.
There are many people and armed sentries moving about the Galleries near the Queen's suites, but once Silhouette passes a Triton at an immense doorway, the halls are empty.
One young sylph stands watch at the door that is worked with scaled curves upon curves of flowing lines. It almost looks like a forest of snakes. The young page is expecting Silhouette and scratches at the door before opening it for Huon's liaison.
Inside Celina rises and comes from a circular set of cushions on the floor to meet her cousin even as the door closes behind. There is a circular table setting of quartz with many foods arranged in colorful plates and pots.
"Thank you for coming to dine with me," Celina says. "Let's eat and chat about your future."
"The pleasure is mine, my Queen," Silhouette replies, curtsying. She is wearing a silken dress with tiered skirt and pleating at the crossover V neck. Its flowing layers of red, maroon, and white mimic the patterns of a lion fish.
"Your missive has been sent to Lord Huon," she adds. "I hope he will reply in short order."
Celina motions to the low seat cushions. Then she simply demonstrates how folding up and floating down into a spot is done. "Please help yourself. I find that since getting into family chats, I'm never hungry long. This isn't official business, so you may call me Celina if you like." She pinches some tiny live fish in some thick gel and drops them into her mouth.
Silhouette keenly observes how to sit - still unaccustomed to movement in this liquid medium. "Thank you, my... Celina." She smiles ruefully, "Forgive me. Formalities are ingrained into my being." The dress settles over her body in a sheer, translucent layer as she curls into the cushion.
She examines the food tray, until finally settling on something cephalopodic, as well as a good helping of spiced seaweed. Her forest-shadow gaze is cool, cautious, yet fearless. "So, my future. What insight might you provide me, cousin? I suspect, if Brennan had his way, I would be in chains beside Prince Huon. Do you share in his opinion?"
Celina grins and explains as she is eying her next food target. "Well, I have a great respect for Brennan. He's much smarter than I am and more experienced, which is worth twice as much as smarts. So I should rightly attend his opinions, even if I'm not agreeing what those opinions are." Celina smiles at Silhouette to include her in the irony.
"Here's what I will say, and this relates to what I want to pass you about your future," Celina nods to herself. "Knowledge and honesty are treasures in this Family. If Brennan gives you an honest reaction, treasure it as some inclination he has to value you." Celina dips a shrimp and gestures to herself in preparation to dine. "My opinion is divided by the three aspects I'm balancing, personally. One aspect says, no chains, I want you as a friend. Another aspect says, no chains because chains are toys and baubles that do not change the person who has transgressed at all. Chains only box in a few choices for a short time. You might as well demand someone get a bad haircut as wear chains in public." Celina pops the shrimp in and chews. "A third aspect is, if I do not treat you and Huon as one, then it says Rebma does not see relationships as important. A silent hand can work against us and the Leader can take that help and take the fall during defeat without any rebound back to sources because Rebma is blind to relationship. This is completely wrong. Rebma is very much about relationships. Which is why I'm telling you all this when you haven't earned my trust. I'm making an investment of exposure."
Silhouette listens silently, her gaze unblinking. Only once Celina has finished, she moves to pluck a tentacle from her plate. It disappears behind her perfect teeth; a dainty - if unnecessary - suckling of her fingertips cleans away the sauce. "You make fine points and I appreciate your candor," she says after swallowing. "You shall learn that I am honest in all things, even to my detriment, cousin. But, as wise as he may be, Brennan's assessment is based on erroneous beliefs. He believes I directly participated in this ugly affair. This is incorrect. Had I chosen to involve myself beyond supplying a client's needs, we would not be having this conversation."
Celina's eyebrows raise.
[Silhouette] savors another tentacle. "One of two possibilities would have played out. One: I would have planned the attack and utilized weapons that would depopulate Rebma with minimal damage to its structural integrity. Or Two: Huon would have informed me of his true intentions and I would have slit his throat while he slept. My service to the Grand Design precludes the former. And, regrettably, Huon remained reticent about the latter." A rueful sigh.
Celina listens and watches Sil's eyes. "You've been used and your assessment of how you might have responded is full of sincerity." Celina reaches and cradles a drink. "I've been used myself and I've made a few emotional declarations afterward. I think I appreciate your position. Even not knowing of your Grand Design---- I feel you are a principled person. You know you've been used. You've been drawn into the actions of a city killer. So I am very puzzled you are here being used again by the same fellow. That suggests you have a bigger plan that includes manipulating Huon more in line with this Grand Design. In short, he's using you but you have a plan? Or a price he has offered?"
Celina sips her drink now and lets the question swim between them to see what Sil will say.
Silhouette nods, a pleased smile curling the corners of her mouth. "Your acuity does you credit, cousin. My current loyalties are to the Grand Design, not Huon. Although, he might believe otherwise.
"The Second Law demonstrates that an enemy can prove more loyal - and useful - than any friend. As such, they cannot be carelessly eliminated. Huon possesses a vast repertoire of knowledge, as any of our peers would. Perhaps more so, due to his advanced age. I've also learned this includes information regarding our true adversaries; Chaos and the Moon-riders. Keeping this source of Enlightenment close at hand will be to our benefit. As such, the Grand Design dictates that I continue my 'relationship' with him."
She quietly examines her drink, wrinkling her nose. The interaction of thermoclines while drinking is yet another Rebman oddity she finds disconcerting. "Besides, with a blade at his throat, his removal will be simplified should his leanings drift back toward the disruptive."
"Has he taught you things about Family? Better yet, have you ever seen him fight? Or use the cards?" Celina palms some grapes and nibbles as she listens.
"He taught me very little, and what he did was tempered by distrust and malice," Silhouette says, picking at her food to make sure it is dead or - at the very least - stunned. "Still, I learned more from him in the few weeks together than a lifetime with my mother." A shrug.
"He never utilized the Trumps in my presence, but he did manipulate reality to some degree. I assume that is an ability granted to him through the Pattern. He is a skilled warrior, with a keen battlefield awareness." Her smile becomes wickedly as she pops another tentacle into her mouth. "He also has a formidable... endurance."
"The tapestry you spin now is so different from the closeness you portrayed when you arrived as his Voice. That would be my own confusion," Celina notes with no particular edge to her comment. "If I'm understanding better now, it is that Huon's association with you is only some months of time, he told you nothing that he didn't have to, he gave you modest trade for very specific skills, and now he pushes you forward to cover his disaster of an attack because the Family is not going to spill Your Blood before you can get some terms back to him. His true position, intent, and list of associates is nothing he's ever discussed. You've gained information basically on your own wiles. He could decide to deny you ever had agency to negotiate for him and it would fit the pattern of 'distrust and malice'. Perhaps?" She leans closer to Silhouette and puts her drink back lightly on the table. Her look is one of sympathy now, as if she's known some distrust and malice herself.
"That may have been a translation issue, my Queen," Silhouette concedes. "Huon chose me to be his Voice; to speak his Words of supplication. But beyond that Purpose, I do not know his true heart. Perhaps, that is for the best. We have spoken subsequently, and were not as congenial. And I have considered the possibilities you placed forward, many times. But I will not abandon him, no matter what unpleasantness comes to light. Duty before all else." The stony resolve echoes in her voice, as if she is trying to convince herself.
"Even so, I firmly believe that he intends to honor his word to you. He is a survivor and recognizes the safety offered by a gilded cage. But, in the meantime, he will prepare for the alternative; of this I have no doubt."
She smiles softly, shifting closer to Celina. "You are not what I thought you would be."
"He is a Prince of Amber. He will not cross his word. Yet he has no pledge to me now." Celina shrugs. "Do you intend to pledge to Random as liege once your duty to Huon is done?" She finishes the grapes in her palm, her eyes on Silhouette's smile. "He is head of Family. Have you spoken to Random about what comes after Huon's choice?"
Silhouette settles back into the seat, giving a polite nod. "We have briefly discussed my future. Random will allow me to pledge loyalty to him once these negotiations are complete. He also offered access to the Pattern, as a potential reward. Queen Vialle suggested I become involved in Xanadu's expansion. Such propositions are irresistible to a Preceptor of the Grand Design. How can I refuse an opportunity to serve Progress?"
She chuckles faintly, brushing her floating hair from her face. "Besides, Paris is forever closed to me. More's the pity. And returning to the shackles of Shadow life lacks appeal." She tilts her head, lips curling up with feline curiosity. "Why do you ask, cousin?"
"Because Random's protection will give you keys to the universe and best get you from under the shadow of Huon. Because if Random protects you, I can put off my People about penalties to you with fewer complications. In Rebma, it will become known you were working for Huon. Someone will question why I am not punishing you, a woman who knew what she was about. This will be a lever against me. Some will try to throw me down from the Sapphire Throne and I'd rather they didn't use my letting you wander free as a lever point." Celina pauses a moment and leans much closer so that she looks deep into Silhouette's eyes despite that her cousin has leaned back in her seat. "So there's your curiosity answered plainly. If you want to consider getting out of Rebma quickly, well that is my loss. Or, if you want to do some service for Rebma before the rumors catch up to you, that's another interesting possibility."
Celina smiles and moves the first fingers of both hands through the water in question marks. It is a strange dance movement of her hands that makes them boneless for a brief moment. She takes up the dangling thread. "What did you think.... I would be?"
Silhouette leans forward, as if drawn to the hypnotic movement of Celina's hands. Her forest-dark eyes are bottomless as they meet the woman's gaze, unflinching, unreserved. She draws so close that Celina can feel the currents of water warmed by her olive skin. Her voice, a whisper. "I thought you would be brash, blinded by arrogance and youth. A girl-Queen hiding behind her male peers. Your father's daughter, if I may be so bold." An apologetic smile. "I am glad to be proven wrong. Rebma will prosper.
"But I would be negligent to complicate that task for you. Duty must come before desire."
"Desire is dead. Regeneration of major organs takes time. Long live the queen," Celina smiles. She starts to reach a hand to squeeze one of Silhouette's and then rethinks that and puts it back on her own thigh. "I am brash and youthful. Truth. But there is no hiding. There isn't anything large enough in my realm to hide behind if I had the temper to want to. Not the men in my life. Not the throne." She shrugs slightly, actually a ripple of muscle from one shoulder to the other. "Do you love Huon?"
Silhouette blinks mechanically at the question, her face expressionless. She remains motionless as a stonefish, not even breathing. And then a barking laugh forces her to cover her mouth. Her amusement is not unkind, not mocking. Bewildered, maybe. "Love? My Prince? No. Certainly not." She shakes her head, smiling warmly. "We have been intimate, yes, but I have no romantic leanings for him. Nor would I."
She shakes her head again, a frown threatening the edges of her lips. "Such things were not meant for me, Celina."
"Oh," Celina says softly, "I'm sorry to hear that."
Silhouette reaches over and lightly touches Celina's hand, "Do not be sorry for me. I am a Preceptor of the Grand Design. Love would imperil my service. Besides, before I died, I knew the love of my family. That memory is enough to sustain me. And I take what comforts I can from the company of those I desire, such as yourself."
A worried expression clouds her exotic features, her hand remaining - if allowed. "Celina," she says kindly. "You do realize that, as a Queen, concepts such as love - even friendship - are beyond you as well now, yes?"
Celina tries not to smile. Her cousin's words slice down into the dark of her heart and stir the embers there. It doesn't hurt as much as she thinks it should. Sparks smolder. Images of Khela on the throne; in the bedroom. Certainly Silhouette isn't trying to hurt her. Then that smile leaks out at the corners of her mouth. Perhaps not a smile at all, but some other wry expression instead.
Maybe.
"Do not be overly concerned," Celina responds putting a hand on top of Silhouette's. "I've had lessons. I know what a queen does." She nods.
"How did you get your training to be a Preceptor?"
Silhouette nods lightly, studying Celina's expression without pity or judgment, only some unspoken understanding. Her hand remains; her thumb faintly brushes against Celina's wrist, be it by accident or purpose.
"My training began during my time as a slave, although I did not recognize the lessons at first," she replies. "And I did not become a Preceptor until I freed myself from that bondage. From that moment forward, I studied the ways of Draig Talamh wherever I could find them, serving the Grand Design as I could. There is no formal 'school,' no true 'teachers.' Each Preceptor must realize that Enlightenment comes from within and without. To recognize the teachings of Creation. And consciously choose to affect Progress, and do so before their self-interests. That must be their Purpose."
She smiles, her thumb brushing against Celina's wrist again. "You shall become a Preceptor, in your way. And I suspect your training has already begun."
"I hope I become everything I can be," Celina responds. "Who made you a slave? And how did you....well, if you do not mind that is, become so educated and refined a woman from slavery?"
Silhouette's eyes flash like polished agate, her lips forming a hard line. With a shrug, her smile returns, albeit cheerless. "Mother instilled me with a desire for culture and knowledge at an early age. But not long after she left us, war found its way to our doorsteps. I will not burden you with the ugly details of that night; simply know that the soldiers burned us alive to cover their crimes. Later - days, weeks, I do not know - slavers found me, reborn in the ashes like some phoenix chick. They took me into Shadow and sold me to the Artificers of Babilu.
"That is where I became Silhouette - the girl of ash and soot. Our Overseer recognized my talents and taught me the secrets of steel and flame. And as my deeds provided with him glory and wealth, he rewarded me with access to Enlightenment. Books, scrolls, instructors. Making me his pampered pet, as it were. But, as I grew into a young woman, he wanted more than my talents with forge and hammer. I knew, if I allowed him to steal that last piece of me, I would forever be a slave. So, he met with an untimely end in the smelting furnace." A disgruntled breath. "Contaminated some excellent steel, the bastard."
She shrugs dismissively, and continues. "Rather than execute me, his superiors promoted me to his position. And, from that day, I built myself into a woman of education and wealth. Not the soft creature my Mother desired of me, but one of my own design."
She tilts her head, staring into Celina's eyes, seeking, questioning without words.
"Hardship is a lonely upbringing," Celina looks at the reflective surfaces of Silhouette's eyes. Those liquid personal mirrors open painful passages. "I wonder you do not hate the universe, rather than seek to work with its secrets and further its growth." She shakes off what shadows there are in Silhouette's eyes. Celina sighs. Pearls. "You remind me that lies are protections and barriers that kept me safe when I was young. As you have guessed, my father did not raise me. We have almost nothing in common, Silhouette. Our paths have been amazingly at odds. You grew up out of fire. I was cradled in waters. You were beaten and forged. I was sculpted and bent like wet clay." Celina reaches a decision and shifts in her seat. She eyes Silhouette straight on again. "I'd consider it a favor if you did something for me. Just for me, not as Queen. I won't harbor any ill will if you do not have space in your busy agenda to consider me, but I ask that you do not repeat my request to any without my permission, especially if you refuse me."
Celina smiles and gives her guest a chance to ask more, or object outright.
Silhouette returns a knowing smile, "Molten metal gains strength when tempered in water, and clay may outlast steel when tempered in flame. We are not as divergent as you may believe."
She does not shirk under Celina's gaze. Indeed, she leans forward, welcoming it. "Ask your favor, Celina. If it is within my ability to grant it, I shall. And you have my oath that your words shall not be repeated beyond this room, no matter the answer." Her fingers gently lace Celina's, squeezing with encouragement.
"Leave off your plans to kill Huon. Defend yourself of course, but I will sleep easier if you cease to be the 'knife at his throat' as you put it." Celina holds onto Silhouette's hands reading her reactions.
Silhouette lifts Celina's hands to her warm lips, gracing each knuckle with a kiss. "You may rest easy, for I have no plans to kill him, Celina. Nor do I wish him harm. What is done cannot be undone. The Grand Design now dictates that I be his Advocate and Protector, so he might serve you and Rebma. I shall not forswear my duty to answer personal slights. That leads only to Discord.
"If he betrays you, then that is another matter. But, even then, only you will possess the right to decide his fate. Once he becomes your responsibility, I shall think on him no more." A pause. "Unless you ask my counsel, of course."
She tilts her head, exposing the line of her delicate throat, "Are you certain that is the favor you truly wished to ask of me?"
Celina speaks slowly, "I cannot ask you a deeper favor until we know each other much better. I kenned in your story that men who held power over you were disposed of before they could stop your acquiring more knowledge and that this was not always something you planned for them. It seems your answer continues to put Huon in danger between now and when he turns himself over to me, regardless of whether you plan to kill him at this moment. But you have given me your answer. It sounds as though you defer my request being a favor at all. I withdraw the request. Perhaps I will have a favor from you later."
Silhouette gives an unknowable smile, nodding.
Celina gently extracts her hand from Silhouette. She eyes her cousin and reaches out without looking to secure more finger food. "So as this is your first visit here..... Kissing the knuckles is the modest formality between close childhood friends or important allies who might not be in the best favor. It can be done well, of course, and is very quaint. You and I really don't measure well to that mode. Seduction by kiss is more involved. The temperature of the skin is most important in knowing how to proceed. It is a higher order of deliciousness to shower the kisses on the delicate membranes between the fingers, cousin. It is considered a bit bold, but when mastered, few Rebman women will protest a display of the Art---even in public. If you end up spending more time in Rebma, I am sure you will find our somatosensory culture quite intriguing." Celina nods slowly and sucks down a squid leg.
Silhouette's lips curl up with interest, "Oh, indeed. As I mentioned to Conner in passing, I suspected this realm possessed an undercurrent of sensualism. I look forward to sharing our cultural and physiological differences. Hydran women, for example, find the slightest touch to the wrist or forearm quickens the pulse. Thus, revealing them to another is generally an invitation or sign of affection."
She leans to the side, long fingers supporting her cheek, wrist turned toward Celina. "Despite the cold, I do believe I may remain here for a time. Thank you for the opportunity to do so.
"My Queen." She smiles one more before returning to eating in silence.
Once the business with Huon's envoy is wound down, Brennan scrubs the memories of it off his skin and out of his hair, and gets back to more productive work.
Before the unpleasant realities of Family Politics intruded, Brennan had been working on a physical and metaphysical survey of Rebma, so he gets back to that. He'll want to see the preliminary reports from the military of what needs fixing, and why. There are sections of wall, he knows, that are crumbling and in need of repair-- Brennan wants to see the military's complete, prioritized list of repairs and improvements. He'll want an overview of their reasoning, but reserves the right to adjust the priorities as he sees fit before sending them on to Celina.
That settled, he'll get back to the real work, which is the survey of the Faiella-Bionin. Although he hasn't marked it down formally on any of the models that the survey teams are building and updating, he's used one to fix in his mind as much of the route as he already understands. And at this point, he should understand that path very well from the point it enters Paris, to the point that it gets too close to Rebma's Pattern to be distinguishable to his senses. He'll spend some time studying how it follows the lay of the land, and even some time in the water above it making sure he's not thinking like a flatlander-- until proven that it's not, it's always possible that he's losing track of it because it's going over the city.
He already knows that the Faiella-Bionin doesn't come back out the other side of Rebma as he'd expected it to. That leaves three options: Brennan's entire notion of the Faiella-Bionin could be defective. But he doesn't think it is. It should be a loop, not an arc. Moreover, there've been too many veiled comments from people who know more than they're saying to the effect that it is, in fact, a ring around the central, Primal Pattern, for Brennan to give up. Or it could be going up. That's not unheard of, as the road to Tir-na Nog'th went up from Amber and goes up from Xanadu. But there's no visual evidence of such a thing in Rebma. That leaves the third possibility: It goes down, somewhere under Rebma once it's far enough in that Brennan can't detect it.
So. Brennan constructs his own model of Rebma, purely geographical, with as little reference to the structures above as he can. Based on how the road follows the geography of the land, Brennan plots three best gusses as to how it would continue in through the city. Then he follows them in.
The walks he takes are exercises in Pattern-sensing-- he might get lucky and something might pop up more obviously than he expects. But they're also more mundane surveys-- are there significant structures along those paths that would hide an entry underground? Are there geographical features in the area that would discourage people from looking too closely, that might hide an entry underground?
The underground pattern is as clear a piece of evidence for underground caves as anything, and Brennan has spent significant time in their counterparts in Amber to know that they could go anywhere, but the Faiella-Bionin should be near the edge, not near the center.
One thing Brennan notices very clearly is that, like Amber, the wealthy and powerful live atop the hills.
His main candidates are "under the castle", "under the Triton's Temple", and "The 'Sacred Cave' that has a triton guarding it."
Where to?
Brennan moves from elementary reconnaissance to directed intelligence gathering. The passages under the mountain and under the Pattern chamber are off the table, for the moment. If their counterparts in Amber are anything to judge by-- and they are-- then those aren't the sorts of underground features he's looking for. Not only are they too close to the Pattern itself, they're going to be a maze of twisty passage, all alike. No branch of the Faiella-Bionin that Brennan knows of looks like that. Amber to Rebma and Tir-na Nog'th, and now Paris to Rebma, and Xanadu to Tir-na Nog'th, are all unambiguous: they're straight roads.
That leaves the temple, which fascinates Brennan for any number of reasons, and this Sacred Cave he's never heard of.
The temple is, if Brennan recalls correctly, about where the Paresh Temple would be, in Amber, which is highly suggestive in itself. Is there a corresponding feature to the Sacred Cave?
Beyond that, though, Brennan also asks his hypothetical tour guide (likely some old, chatty member of his survey team) what exactly those features are. Especially the Temple: Do people go there? What goes on there? What do people think goes on there? Is that where the Hierophant lives? That is (although Brennan does not say it) someone Brennan has been meaning to talk to, anyway.
Last modified: 24 January 2012