Once the two of them are out of earshot of the boys, Robin pats her father's arm. "Th-thank you, Sir." The stutter reveals how rocky she still is. And there is her father, once again appearing out of his own personal chaos to lead her away from hers.
"You're welcome," Julian replies. He keeps Robin moving, slowly enough to let her steady herself, but quickly enough that she couldn't easily freeze up.
"Your brother came to me to demand that I bar you from Arcadia. Without far more evidence than he offered of some misdeed on your part, I would not so insult you. But I would hear your side of the story from your lips, if you are willing to tell it."
"I don't know if there's a story to tell, sir." Robin blinks in confusion, she's still not really sure what happened. "I really don't... remember that there was much of substance at issue. He wanted to stop and tend to all the wounded. I wanted to move out now. Other than that, it was all abstracts and chest-beating dominance issues, really."
Robin lets her moving feet, the air flowing past her, her father's presence work their normal magic. And breathes.
"I... well, I suppose I can see why he would ask you to bar me from Arcadia. He did say that he considered me a threat to Arcadia and Arcadia a threat to me, so he didn't want me in there."
"Don't think it was a 'misdeed' situation, sir. I think he just felt that I didn't respect him or his people or situation enough to be allowed any input. Whiiicchh, I guess I can understand from someone not used to Robin-speak." The girl winces as she remembers Adonis bewildered and cold looks at some of her words. "That was my fault, sir. I... mistook relation for familiarity and jumped in with both wings."
"On my part -- guy tried to pull rank on me." Robin's eyes narrow slightly. "That's when I got really frosty."
The Ranger shakes herself out of it.
Julian shakes his head. "Adonis is a sad case, Robin, He feels much put-upon, and in some respects he is correct, but his behavior is so outrageous that I can rarely find any sympathy for him beyond that naturally occurring in a father for an estranged son. Jovian chose Calusa with some small idea of what he was choosing, and what he did not choose. Adonis chose Arcadia because he knows nothing else, and the conditions under which he was raised, conditions to which I agreed, to my discredit, have prejudiced him utterly against me and the rest of our family.
"He does not understand why we are not impressed with his godhood, because he does not understand that any of us could be a god, anywhere in shadow we desired, and certainly does not credit that a number of us have done so. This leads him to self-justifications for his misbehaviors, such as lying to you. I had hoped he would become acquainted with your cousin Brita, who is a goddess in her home shadow as well. She seems to have a much more balanced view of what it means to be deity; for her it is only one aspect of her being."
"Yeah well... Brita broke his jaw." Robin's lips press together as she sniggers. If she can't hit him, at least someone can. Brita... no! Robin pulls herself back from that particular emotional precipice and concentrates on the here and now.
"Yes," Julian agrees, "she did."
The two of them can see the camp, and Julian raises a hand to the rangers. They come out to greet the Warden, and friendly clasps are exchanged all around.
Since Robin is in charge of the camp, Julian lets her give all the necessary orders.
It is with comfort and confidence -- and some little sense of relief -- that Robin sets Avid to packing up Luke for transportation: horse, travois and all.
Looking around at the others, she raises any eyebrow to her father. "Sir? I'd like to get back to the Breeze Hunt if I could. We picked up a possible but old trail 'bout half a day from here. Should I store these here?" Robin asks nodding in the direction of the other men. "Or did you have plans for them?"
"We'll want to send them back to Amber with Jovian when he returns. That way, I can send someone for them when I need to question them. Were Arden more stable, I'd send them with runners to a camp."
"Got it." Robin nods. And motions to Totter and Levet to see that the rest are bundled up for travel as well.
Julian turns his gaze back in the direction of Adonis and Jovian. "Be careful in Arcadia, Robin. It is as dangerous as anyplace I have ever asked you to go."
"Okay, then..." the question dies on Robin's lips as she finally hears what her father is saying. A cold chill sweeps through her, head to foot, as she remembers the *last* dangerous place her father sent her.
"Oh," she finishes in a quiet voice and licks her lips nervously as she follows Julian's gaze. "They... they won't be able to come this time either. Will they?"
"Arcadia is dangerous in a different way," Julian replies. "The strength of our blood is one defense against it. There are others." He turns back to his daughter. "I took Vista with me when I fought the dragon last."
Avid waves as he sets off with Luke in the direction of Adonis and Jovian.
Robin waves back with a grin but continues her discussion with her father.
"Who would you recommend as a second this time?"
"Whom do you trust absolutely?" Julian asks in reply.
"Yourself. Vere." Robin is very definite on those two but then her brow furrows as she thinks.
"Morgenstern. Vista." She nods in agreement with her father's call on that one. But her voice slows down after that as her memories of the time spent apart from her friends, her own troubles on the Black Road and Girth's... demise have weakened her ability to trust. "Dodge... Modal...."
The Ranger's nose wrinkles, that isn't a very long list.
Julian looks at the camp, though Robin knows he knows by heart who has come with her and who hasn't. "I would send you with my steed, but I fear I may need him sooner rather than later. As for the others ... if you would not trust your companions with your very soul, I will take them when I leave."
Robin toes the ground, watching her boot shift the soil. When she looks back up at Julian, her eyes are wet, her lips pressed flat, but she nods. "They're good men, sir. I'd trust them with my life. The lack is not in them. I just know that... under pressure, I'd start to second guess 'em. And... that doesn't sound like it's going to fly on this one."
"Soooo..." the Ranger mantles and then settles her shoulder. "I guess I fly alone on this one too, sir." A brave smile crosses Robin's face and she stands on her tip-toes to Julian's forehead.
"Or I could send you to Jones Falls to parley with Artemis' sisters," Julian says quietly, looking deeply into Robin's eyes. "If you go into Arcadia to seek Breeze, my road lies that way. I can trust no one else."
"If..." Robin licks her lips. "If I do that, where will you go, sir?"
Behind her eyes, choices are laying out like forest paths, each one twisting off into a dark green unknown future. And Robin's pretty darn sure she isn't going to like where any of them take her. But she also knows, that Julian would never tell her which way to set her wing. Her fate is her own to choose.
"Then I will ride into Arcadia," Julian says. "There is no one else I trust for that, either."
Robin nods once. Yep, she thought that was the way the wind was blowing. But the mention of her father's trust does help armor her heart against what's coming.
"I think the ladies would rather speak with you directly sir. And I think... well, I think I made it before. I can do it again." A half-smile cocks one side of her mouth. With the decision made, the hard part for Robin is over. Now it's only to jump.
"But... before I go, sir. Has there been word?" Julian, Adonis, Jovian -- she knows where all of them are. And how they are. That only leaves one person left.
Julian smiles. "I have been told your paramour has passed the trial of our blood. His father tells me he thinks often of you. I have promised to give any message you might have for him to Gerard."
Foompf!! Within the space of a heartbeat, Robin is glowing, incandescent. Her ear-to-ear grin is bright enough to blind. Her eyes are brilliant with joy, her body is crackling with exuberance.
"Oh, Dad!" The girl pounces on her father and fiercely hugs him, pure happiness incarnate. "Tell him... tell him 'Wahoo!' Oh, I knew... I knew he could do it! Nothing but nothing outstubborns my Vere. Oh, Unicorn... the things we will do together..."
Robin's eyes wander off for a moment, tracing other paths through the forest of the future. These ones not so dark and twisting, instead bright meadows, merry streams and, eventually, the sea.
The Ranger's green eyes dance back to meet her father's, her grin slowly fighting its way down to a more decorous smile.
As they move away, Adonis relinquishes his grasp of Jovian's arm, almost reluctantly. There is a slight air of desperation about him. He gestures invitationally in the opposite direction to Julian and Robin, "Jovian, will you take a turn with me?"
Jovian looks at the retreating form of their father for a moment, then back at his brother before nodding curtly and turning in the direction Adonis indicates. "I can spare you a few minutes. Unfortunately I don't have a great deal to tell you about Paige. She's been gone for close to a month - the Red Headed League went en masse to visit with Queen Clarissa. Not sure when they're expected but it ought to be soon."
"I see! Yes, that is meagre indeed. Yet Pater seemed sure your knowledge would significant...unless he was referring to another of my 'consorts', of course, but that would seem unlikely." He shrugs, then sighs. "Doubtless all will become clear just a little to late to be of utility."
"I'm confident he meant Paige, unless you've impregnated another cousin," Jovian sighs. "The thing that troubles me about all this, bror, is that we have no way of getting in touch with you. Paige could be back any day, but you'll be somewhere between Arden and Arcadia with no reliable way to find you and let you know."
"Yes! You would have to come to Arcadia; and Pater has said that would be 'inadvisable'. I am sure he is right. It would be...unsafe for Paige to bring our child, or children, under the leaves of Arden. If I were her, I would think twice before coming myself, even alone. And all risk would have to be balanced appropriately against the likely advantage. The important thing is that she is warned and Pater has accepted that duty."
"The other option, of course, is for you to come to Amber while one of the Trump artists is in residence. If we had a Trump of you, someone could contact you when Paige is back, and when the children are born. You're right, having the children in Arden is an unacceptable risk to them. And to you. But you could visit them in Amber."
"By 'Trump', you mean one of the talking cards?" Adonis nods. "Yes, that might be a solution...provided, of course, that my presence in Amber would not be an unacceptable risk to Arcadia...to Amber...or to my children. We have seen how easily friction results in my meeting with even my closest family; imagine the repercussions if such occurred in the castle." He seems about to move on but then another thought occurs, "...and Pater has long wished Arcadia and I were separated, now more than ever. While I do not think it likely, he may be tempted to act, or not to act, to render my return to Arcadia more troublesome than the outward journey and I cannot accept that risk.
"In view of recent events, I will not be going to Amber in the foreseeable future. Of course, if future events proceed more as I hope than as I expect, then I will enjoy taking a more overt interest in all my children than has been possible to date. Contrary to Pater's belief, I have had an abiding interest in all my children for centuries." The emphasis he puts on 'all' is so all-encompassing, Jovian might wonder just how many children he has.
"Fascinating," Jovian answers in a dead-on echo of his father. "You express your abiding interest by arranging events around you to make your own death all but unavoidable and ensure that your children will be forever cut off from half - more than half! - of their heritage. No wonder Dad has had to take charge of your parental duties so often."
"I was not aware you considered the Arcadian side of their heritage so highly." Adonis shrugs and grimaces. "Death comes to us all; I do not relish the prospect but there are worse things."
"One more place where we differ, given how completely you abandon your heritage through our father."
Adonis nods, smiling a little sadly.
He ponders deeply for a minute, easily enough time for Jovian to bring up any subjects of his own.
"How well do you know your mother's sisters?" Jovian asks after a hesitation.
An eyebrow rises at the change of subject. "I have been schooled in my lineage on both sides as something of which to be proud. Until a scant few days ago, I knew Mater's only sibling was a single brother; you may have heard of him under the name Apollo? Neither she nor Pater has seen fit to mention distaff aunts in some five centuries.
"Now, I have met two and my brother and sister have spoken with a third. Perhaps I have aunts innumerable? As to knowing them 'well': it appears we cannot come to know our own parents within the space of half a millennium, so I make no pretence to know their siblings. Or indeed my own." He smiles wryly. "I expect you feel the same way?"
"So you have been taught nothing of how Arcadia conducted itself before your mother had you and Dione, right?" From Jovian's tone there is something rather heavy hanging on that fact, and he is not at all pleased with it.
"Yes, of course I have been told." Adonis smiles sardonically, with surprisingly no trace of bitterness. "But it seems my parents left out some inessential details concerning wars and other family matters." He shrugs. "I am sure I am not alone in this, among our relatives, and perhaps Mater and Pater had good reason for their reticence."
"You may want to have a discussion with Arianrhod on the subject, or with Britomartis," Jovian shrugs. "You may find the perspective enlightening."
His brother nods gravely.
A blond ranger leads a horse towards the two men. The horse has a travois attached to it, and on the travois is an injured man. Adonis recognizes him as Luke. The ranger waits quietly for the two men to acknowledge his presence before speaking.
Adonis smiles the tired smile of a labourer getting back to work after his tea break. "Ah! Luke!" He nods to the ranger. "Thank you, Avid! Jovian, may I introduce Avid? He fought valiantly in a very difficult situation involving my Grandmother, and then was kind enough to tend Luke, most effectively, while I was otherwise occupied. Avid, this is my brother, Jovian. Please forgive my intrusion if you already know each other." It seems clear Adonis holds Avid in some genuine regard.
"Lord Jovian, Lord Adonis," Avid says politely. From the travois, Luke says, "My lord!", which both men are sure is directed at Adonis.
Jovian nods to Avid and Luke in turn, but adds nothing to the conversation.
"Brother, I have business with Luke to be completed before we part. There are many things I would love to discuss but you are a busy man and no doubt Pater still needs to speak before you go. You are welcome to listen to our conversation for as long as you can spare the time and the patience, but it may not be of interest to you and I do not wish to keep you from your affairs." Adonis' words may sound stiff and formal but his manner conveys that he enjoys his brother's company.
Jovian nods, his face a mask of formality. "Of course. I'll leave you to your...." He pauses to reach for the right word. "Ministry," he concludes.
Adonis nods acknowledgement. "We both have our tasks to do. Fare well in yours, and know that I pray I may one day bathe again in the anger of your exasperation." He smiles but without mockery; he really means it.
Avid, also formally, says, "Lord Adonis, I leave Luke here in your custody." He adds to Jovian, "I'm walking back up to the camp, if you'd like to join me."
Luke, who is resting on the travois, waits for Adonis.
Moments later, Avid's familiar and reassuring whistle announces his approach with Jovian.
"That could have gone better," he tells his father without preamble.
"I see that your penchant for understatement now matches my own," Julian says by way of reply. "I had no idea it was an inherited trait."
Jovian's what, this old thing? shrug is one Lucas would be proud of.
He glances at Robin, then looks back at Jovian.
"Robin rides for Arcadia. I ride for Jones Falls. When we are done here, I would have you take the prisoners back to Amber with you, and some of the Rangers as well. There is a thing I must do, and I will need witnesses to it, including both of you."
A look of confusion, not completely undiluted with dread, crosses Robin's face.
"Sure, I'll do that," Jovian says, a little warily. "But...well, there's no question you're the one to conduct any negotiations that have to happen with Britomartis and her saner sisters, but it seems to me that if she makes plans with me and you show up instead - when you're known to be at war with Artemis - she may think she's been lured into a trap. Not a good way to open a parley. Maybe there's merit in my going with you, at least long enough to explain. Without Canareth," he adds before Julian can object on that ground. "Although she did hope to see him again, which is why we chose a spot outside Arden."
"I am certain she did," Julian says drily. "Her greater hopes in that matter are unfounded."
There's a rustling at the edge of the clearing, and a soft whicker that Robin and Jovian can barely hear over the noises of the clearing.
"There is also the possibility that she has been overshadowed by her mother, and that there is a trap laid for you, Jovian. I am better prepared to spring such a trap, if it exists. And your oaths lie elsewhere now. I must take the risk of dealing with Britomartis alone." Julian looks at his younger son as if he expects an argument.
Oh, well. If Dad and Jove are going to argue, it's probably time to get Morgenstern his apple. Robin fishes in her pocket for the ripe red fruit that she knows is there as she looks toward the whicker sound.
Robin finds it, and catches sight of the great grey horse as he sticks his nose out, perhaps scenting it.
Jovian arches an eyebrow, considering. "Possible," he allows. "I must say, though, that the thought of even you standing alone against one of these possessed creatures - or worse - gives me pause for concern. If you think that's likely, I wish you'd consider bringing a backup." By which he clearly means himself, and just as clearly means no disrespect.
"Jovian," Julian says quietly, "I appreciate the thought. But the risk to you is too great. Your people are depending on you. They have no one else. I have my Rangers. I will not go alone, I promise you--but you must look to the weyr first. With the cornerstone of Amber's power riven asunder, there is no safety in Amber from the storm. You must be prepared to lead them away."
Julian tosses a second apple to Robin.
The Ranger catches Julian's apple with easy deftness but, with equal deafness, chooses not to catch his words. Robin isn't ready to give up on Amber yet. She just isn't.
Holding the apples easily in her left hand, she strides over to Morgernstern and offers them to him with a warm grin.
The great grey horse takes a few steps toward Robin and eagerly accepts her gifts.
Jovian nods slowly, somewhat appeased. That he accepts his father's promise as ironclad goes without saying.
"At least," he says, removing the rank cords and their complex knot from the shoulder of his jacket, "take this with you as a token? In case Britomartis has less reason to believe in your good faith than I do."
Julian takes the cord and nods at his son. "I will do so, and return it when next we meet."
He waits until Robin has finished feeding the apples to Morgenstern, then makes a piercing whistle that Robin and Jovian recognize as a summons to the Rangers. All of them gather round the Warden quickly.
As does Robin.
Julian waits for them to come to order before he speaks. "All of you know that we are engaged in a war. Originally we believed this matter was internal to the nearby shadows, particularly Arcadia, but I no longer believe that to be the case. All of Arden is in peril, and even the royal gifts are no guarantee of victory."
There's a murmur of agreement when Julian speaks of peril to Arden, and disconcerted look and noises from the men at the mention of the royal gifts and their possibly failure to ensure the Rangers win.
Robin's lips presses into a flat line as she nods. Her own experiences with the 'Chasm of Doom' and Heather Vale seem to support that.
Julian's eyes fall on Robin. "My daughter Robin has long dwelt among you. She has earned your trust as your companion and leader. In my absence she is best suited to, indeed the only Ranger who may be able to, lead you against what is coming. She and I both ride into peril from this place. If word comes of my death, rally to Robin. If word comes of both our deaths, fall back out of Arden and follow the lead of King Random."
A shocked pause follows this announcement. Robin has never heard anything like it before, even in the time of the Black Road.
The girl looks to each of the Rangers around her before returning her gaze to her father. Her face is grim, but not hopeless. Beneath her eyes burns a spark of unflagging determination, and a small smile tugs at one corner of her mouth. She has confidence in her men, her father and herself that come what may, the Rangers of Arden will make it count.
Julian looks over the assembled Rangers. "Cranny, you will ride with me. The rest of you will return to Amber momentarily with my son Jovian, who goes to fulfill his duties among his mother's people. You will see the slavers into the custody of my brother, Prince Caine. Then you are to bear my message to the rest of the Rangers, dividing the posts among you as you see fit."
The Rangers all nod, and there are a few breathless, "Yes, my lord"s.
Julian finishes, "May the Unicorn watch over you all until we meet again."
All of the Rangers look to Robin. She'll need to give the order to break camp if they're leaving immediately.
"Alright then," Robin claps her gauntleted hands together as a spark of enthusiasm creeps into her. "Let's show 'em how it's done! Break her down in three. And let's get on the trail."
"Avid, I'm flying solo, you've got the team. Rain? Levet? I've been proud to hunt with you. Totter? Keep your mangy self together you hear." Robin grins to the men, letting her confidence in them burn like bonfire.
The Ranger strides to where her own backpack lies packed and ready to go.
As the Rangers prepare, Jovian steps aside for a moment with his father. "When the Rangers are ready to return to Arden and fan out, shall I send them through you? If there ever was a place Trump of any of the posts, I doubt it would work these days."
Julian shakes his head. "The near posts, closest to Kolvir, will be safer to reach on foot or mounted than where I go will be. I suspect that Britomartis, like her sisters, can bring parts of Arcadia with her."
"Got it," Jovian nods. "I'll hand them through with their horses. You and Robin each have my sketch, right?"
"Robin will have hers before she departs," Julian replies.
"You'll call me, if there's anything I can do." That it is not phrased as the plea his eyes make it is of no consequence.
"I will." Julian places a gauntleted hand on his son's shoulder. "This is not your fight, not this time, Jovian. Your duty lies elsewhere, howevermuch we might wish it different. But before you go, you should know that I am proud of what you have done in Calusa, and at the battle that lies behind us, and I know you will make me proud in the battles that lie ahead."
For a long moment the bronze rider looks gravely into his father's eyes, as if searching for the next thing to say. He gives up the effort, pulling him into a fierce hug, tight enough for wherhide leather to squeak against enameled plate. Julian returns the embrace with a strength that would surprise anyone but his son.
"Be careful, Dad," Jovian admonishes as he pulls back. His tone is low but steady, resolute.
Julian nods. "You be careful too, Jovian."
The rangers gather their things and move off to round up the prisoners. In a few minutes, they're back, and all of them are ready to go with Jovian. They all seem to be in a state of shock.
Jovian approaches Robin as they muster. "Be safe, little sister," he says simply. "I love you. Dad's got something for you, use it when in need - and remember we don't keep count," he admonishes, his arms opening.
"Oh, Jove." Robin throws herself into his wings, clasping herself against him tightly. "Can't be safe. Love yoooou. No counting," she murmurs into his chest. After that, the girl loses her words, and contents herself with tight warm squeezes, croons and fond nuzzle/head-butts before reluctantly releasing her brother.
Turning to the Rangers, she smiles bravely. Totter gets a hug, Avid a fond shoulder punch, Rain "Say hi to Brita for me," and Levet? Robin doesn't like to make promises, so she won't. But she looks deeply into the young man's eyes and nods firmly. She's going to get Breeze back or there'll be hell to pay.
The Rangers all seem a bit dazed by Julian's announcement, but respond in kind with grins and hugs and arm-butts.
He turns back to the Warden. "Sir, I have a courtyard Trump but not a Caine. If you'll alert the admiral, we're ready."
Julian does so, and within a few minutes, Rangers, horses, prisoners, and all have arrived in a castle courtyard. The Rangers take charge of their business with the Royal Guard, leaving Jovian with Caine.
Robin looks after her brother's disappearing form with a fond smile and wistful eyes, before snapping back to this world.
As Avid and Jovian depart, Adonis starts examining Luke closely to see how he's recovering. This takes a little while, once he's sure they're alone, he smiles kindly as he goes about his ministrations. [medical bulletin, please?]
"So, Luke! You would appear to have suffered since last we spoke. Would you like to talk about it?"
"My Lord? I have tried to do your bidding and fight those who, like me, are slavetakers and friends of slavetakers. They resisted mightily and I did not succeed very well. When I thought I would die, you came to me and saved me. You came to me at my height of arrogance and laid me low and at my lowest and lifted me high. Your sister, the goddess Robin, has the slaver prisoners. They have thrown themselves on her mercy."
"I have not been kind to you, have I Luke? You have taken but the first step on a very long and difficult road." Adonis takes a moment to compose his thoughts before continuing.
Luke knows a rhetorical question when it bites him in the clue and he decides to keep quiet. Besides, it's a trick question.
"Arogance comes in many forms; I am guilty of it myself. Tell me, if you, by yourself, had succeeded in the vanquishment of so many, what would you have done?"
"I..." He looks puzzled. "I do not know. I hoped to inspire others, I think. But I had no ambitions to be Prince Benedict at the Pass."
Despite everything, Adonis cannot help smiling broadly at this. The smile is kind, warm and understanding, but definitely very, very amused. "Perhaps it is best to leave feats of arms to those best qualified to undertake them, such as my Uncle Benedict, while we lesser individuals resort to means better suited to our meaner talents."
Still smiling, he puts his head on one side, considering a difficult problem. "The avoidance of violence has some other advantages, not least of which is that you are likely to remain healthier for longer. Speaking from a purely mercenary point of view, this would make your service to me much, much more valuable, in the long run."
Adonis pauses to let this sink in. "Less mundanely, I am fond of you and do not wish to see you harmed, even in my service." Another point occurs to him, "...and, of course, a man who dies a slaver, has no chance to become something better.
"Inspiration? Mmm! Luke, I have two questions for you. Do you know what I am? And do you know what you will be?"
"No, my Lord." He looks up at him with his eyes very open.
"The person who stands before you is but an aspect, a facet, of something larger. What that larger something is, is a difficult thing to describe. Some might call it a 'god', without really knowing what that means. Quite frankly, I do not know what it means; it is one of those words that describes the describer more than the described. Let us say it is an embodiment of the principal of life, but it is not the only one.
"But what I can tell you is that I in turn serve a higher principal. Who or what that principal is need not concern us for the moment; it may become more relevant with time. What is important is that you know there is a higher principal; that this principal values compassion; and that, as you serve me, I serve it. I do this by choice; I do not have to, I wish to.
"The part of me that is compassionate and caring, would wish others to come to recognise this principal, perhaps ultimately everyone. I would wish you to help me in this but it is not something I can force upon you. It is a decision you must make yourself of your own free will.
"Should you choose to help me, then your task will be to persuade those you meet along your way of the rightness of our cause. This is a thing that cannot be done by violence or force because, just as I cannot force you, you cannot force anyone else. This will not be an easy task; we will both face much opposition from those who might not understand what we say or our motives for saying it. Our arguments will have to be subtle. You will be my voice rather than my fist - a still, small voice speaking calmly.
"When last we met, I asked you to listen to your conscience and this has led you to your current situation. I feel your conscience to be essentially a good tool. It will be honed yet better by frequent use but I see no reason to criticise it from what I have seen.
"However, while I laud your intent, I cannot condone your method. Violence begets violence and those in the throws of violence seldom consider the philosophy behind their actions. Every one of our opponents, whoever they may be, who dies, is one person who will never understand that higher principal.
"Furthermore, you are an important. If I lose you, I lose my voice. Do you understand? Do you have any questions so far?"
"How do I be your voice, my Lord? I am not so different from what I was or what the slavers are: rough, simple, desperate men who live with violence daily. I think that if I am your voice and not your fist I will not find your enemies open to listening to me. I know I would not have."
"They are not my enemies, Luke;" Adonis' voice is abstracted, as if he's thinking of something else, "no one is my enemy unless I choose to call them so."
"I do not understand, but I will try whatever you tell me to try, my Lord." He swollows, and Adonis can tell he is not completely recovered from his several wounds from the fight and flight he was so recently involved in.
Adonis looks him over carefully, concerned but also thoughtful. After some seconds' intense scrutiny, "Luke, you may very well prove to be a better man than I." He drops his head and sighs. "Perhaps I am asking too much of you; perhaps I am asking too much of a lot of people."
[Luke] looks confused.
Adonis ruffles Luke's hair as he looks back up with a smile, "I do appreciate your willingness to try. Who knows what we may accomplish until we try? But first of all we must get you to a place where you can recover in safety. We will not find it here and I doubt we will find it in Arcadia at this time."
He thinks for a minute, then, "It occurs to me that I have not eaten in some time. I confess my own appetite is not what it could be but we need to keep our strengths up. Could you eat, Luke?"
He nods. He is clearly pleased to be on my solid ground. "I can. Your sister, the Goddess Robin, fed us on boar. I am recovering my strength, my Lord."
"Be careful who you call a goddess, Luke. Some of my relatives, and Robin may very well be among them, dislike such appellations."
He nods. "Yes, my lord."
Adonis looks about, listens about and 'feels' his environment. Once he's sure the locale is safe(ish), he prepares Luke to be moved. "My sister kept you in a nearby cave, did she not? I have every reason to suppose her judgement in this sound, so I will return you there while I seek food for us both. it should take no more than a few minutes but in your current state I would prefer to take as few risks as possible."
Once he's sure Luke is as comfortable as possible, Adonis lifts him on his litter and starts carrying him back toward the cave.
Adonis is not sure whether Julian will be gone or not. If he finds he's still there, or any of the rangers, he will not intrude but will make his presence known. He does not intend to eavesdrop or risk accusations of spying but neither does he wish to get in anyone's way while they're leaving.
Robin and Julian are across the clearing from the cave, and Ranger Totter is moving supplies out of the cave, if they are supplies of an easily transportable nature. Adonis and Luke can get into the cave without let or hindrance and there is still some barbecued boar in the cave.
Adonis puts the litter down at the edge of the clearing and proceeds to make rather more of making Luke comfortable than he needs to. To someone who knows him well, he looks expectant and a little uncomfortable. He throws the occasional glance toward the cave.
Last modified: 21 November 2004