Studio Time

Celina looks to the Archivists. "Let's finish hearing the whole tale. Continue, please."

Carina takes up the tale. "We were questioned aboard their ship, and they were in a hurry to leave. It was clear they'd expected someone, but not why or who. They did make an effort to assure that we all lived, though."

Celina nods once.

"When the Prince woke up, he asked us what we had learned. We told him that we had heard the guards speak of other prisoners. Two in the cells and one in the hospital. Prince Huon suggested we stall for time and see if we could learn anything about our captors. It was what we had been doing, since we had little other option, and so we continued for a day thusly. Huon heard their chief interrogator talking to Misao, and spoke to them through the heating vents. They agreed to cause a diversion so that Huon could recover the others and anything taken from them.

"I went to Misao to help her, and to help keep them from accidentally attacking each other by not recognizing each other. It nearly worked." She touches her bandaged head, involuntarily.

"Misao changed forms several times during the event, the last time to the red demon form they had when they came through. But they were polite and helped me."

Tomat speaks up again. "I was separated from Prince Huon, and woke in a different cell. They pulled me out for questioning, but did not know exactly my relationship with the Brotherhood. They were not sure if I was of Amber or not, but they threw me in a cell with Alex. He and Delta and I escaped and met Huon coming to free them. We all went to the offices and were in the process of ransacking it for the missing items when Lady Brita called the Prince. At that point a half-dozen of your cousins arrived and overwhelmed the Klybesians."

Carina nods.

Celina looks over her crew, "This all sounds like the best outcome given the Paris volatility. Well done." Celina is relieved and glad to show it.

Celina asks Folly, "I thought shape swapping was a Chaos art. Do you know if there is some other magic explanation? What prince do you think they were willing to take on? Arriving in Paris? Even assuming the chain ship breaker was an old emplacement they used to advantage, it is pretty bold to strike out at a Unicorn pennant under Lance's nose. That suggests they are getting ready to do something much bigger in short order."

"I'm not really sure what to make of it," Folly says. "Were they staking out that spot in particular to look for a specific prince? Or do they just know what the unicorn flag means, and have enough of a network to get word to a likely ambush spot when one is spotted without an army to back it up?" She frowns. "Do I misremember that Huon acquired a blood-bomb from the Klybesians for his assault on Rebma? I wonder now what price he agreed on."

Celina frowns, "Their information is too good. But no, I understood that it was Gateway that provided... materials and technique on the city breaker."

Folly looks visibly relieved to be corrected on that point.

She thinks about Celina's other question for a moment. "I know of shapeshifting primarily as a Chaosian art, but we came from Chaos on our great-grandfather's side, as I understand it. Perhaps the potential is still there if you know how to tap it."

Celina almost chokes on that tidbit but she doesn't exclaim outright. She chews her lip for a long moment. Too many ideas crowd into the moment. She shifts back to Necessity. Celina cannot move the Archivists to Rebma yet. But maybe Rebma can move them later. Yes.

Celina looks at Folly. "Are you okay?"

Huon appears at the door, and bows to Celina.

Visible to Celina, the hairs on Folly's arms stand up. She's facing away from the door, but she knows someone is there... and perhaps who is there... and perhaps she was waiting there on purpose.

"I am many things, and more than one person, and I'm feeling about fifteen things at once right now," she replies to Celina's question. She turns to regard Huon, but before she can speak....

Huon is about to say something to her, when Celina rises. He turns his attention to the Queen.

Celina pushes the worry for Folly aside. Celina stands. "I've heard of your steadfast protection of the Archivists. I'm glad to have been able to come and assist you back to safety. The Archivists need some rest and I'd like Hannah or Gerard to agree they are well to travel to Rebma. My own learning of healthcare was interrupted by my aunts when I showed too much interest."

Celina wonders why she bothered to add that. Ah well. "We heard that the Klybesians might have a Rebman royal as a prisoner but none of these looked strongly Rebman. Is the shaper a Chaosi, Huon? What do you make of these new family members? There may be other lockups?"

Vere enters just behind Huon and speaks up. "I can answer one of those questions. One of the rescued is a young woman named Delta, whose grandmother, Coral, would periodically leave to visit Rebma. Delta knows Rebma as children's stories, fables of an impossible realm. She is speaking with the king currently."

Celina nods to Vere, putting her mind to any story regards a Coral at Court.

Conner arrives with Vere and moves to a spot closer to Celina. "So we may have achieved part of our objective without the Paris raid." Conner observes.

Celina nods a 'perhaps' but thinks nothing would be so simple with Moire and Avis involved. Especially if Paris has its own lockup, which now seems likely.

Huon shrugs. "She is my guess for the most likely candidate amongst these three. Although there is a warrior woman from an island shadow as well. Misao is concerned about her trumps, which indicates at least some Amber ancestry, I believe. I don't know if there are other lockups, but I very much would recommend following any leads, if only to preclude the possibility that there are other prisoners." He pauses. "And to teach these people not to go kidnapping family members."

Celina considers the current combination of Huon, Vere, Conner, and Folly and Archivists listening to every word. Folly is uncomfortable, making Celina protective. Ah, the answer may be a new topic. "Huon, while I'm certain you would be sweet leverage to have along for our Paris romp, I don't want to leave my Archivists without a time to recover. Are you willing to see them the rest of the way to Rebma with a Trump call to Llewella once they are all hale here?"

Celina eyes Conner at this to see if his reaction, if any.

Conner's eyes widen slightly to indicate surprise but the slight lift of his right shoulder shows acceptance of the plan.

"I believe the King is planning a Family dinner," Conner remarks. "Will we be attending or sending regrets from Paris?"

"And in the meantime, would you like a sandwich?" Folly says to Huon, rising as she speaks. "I don't imagine the Klybesians fed you particularly well during your stay." She puts a few sandwiches on a plate and offers it to him. "Hi, we haven't had a chance to meet yet -- I'm Folly. I believe you knew my mother."

"Thank you, Folly. Yes, I knew both your parents. I met them soon after my escape from shadow prison. They were good friends. If I am here for a bit, I would love to catch up, and possibly hear about my grandchild. Just a moment, please." He takes the plate, and turns to Celina.

Folly nods and relaxes a bit. She takes a moment to return to what she was doing when she got the unexpected call from Brennan: she fans out the deck of playing cards still in her hand, checks the colors and suits, and counts the queens.

"I serve at the pleasure of the Queen, and will happily finish the commission I was given before it was interrupted by the meddlesome monks." Huon looks at the archivists. "Given that Xanadu is not currently under Moonrider assault, save by a lone princess, I think we can let them recuperate here for a few days and I will bring them home following that." He pauses.

"If their physicians approve, of course."

Vere slips around Huon and moves to join Celina. He says quietly to her, "I am ready to leave whenever you wish."

Celina reaches out to Huon and touches his shoulder. "Thank you for your grace."

Celina nods once to Vere and then Conner in turn. "I feel that the addition of new family will concern Rebma directly but the possible loss of Family in Paris will be dire. We won't stay in Xanadu. Everyone prep yourselves and meet back here within an hour? We go to find out what else the monks have wrought in Paris."

She adds, "Come see me if there is something you need that must go through Random. I'll get it done."

"You have my trump if you need to get word back to Xanadu or call for backup," Folly reminds Celina, and gives her a hug. "Good hunting, all of you."

Brita and Robin meet Vere in the hallway. He has had a chance to wash and change clothes, and no longer looks as travel stained as earlier.

"My love," he says, taking Robin's hand. He nods towards Brita as well, with a smile, but his attention is all for Robin. "Celina is leaving immediately. It would be wise for us to take on the Klybesians in Paris before they hear about our recent foray and take added defensive precautions, or else wisely flee. I wished to bid you a farewell before I left."

"Thank you, Love." Robin leans forward over their intertwined hands to kiss him. "When you return I will probably be in Arden, though there is an off-chance we may meet in Paris as I still have to get Lady Laudine and Ywain there."

"Ah there you are, Sister," Conner calls out as he strides towards them. "I was afraid I would miss you before I left." Conner remarks. "Sorry you couldn't join in the fun." Conner nods to both Robin and Vere in greeting.

Brita has been smiling softly as she listened to Vere and Robin, but her smile gets even bigger when Conner makes himself known. "I am Glad You are Back Safely from Your Fun. Cousin Robin and I will have Our Own Fun in Green Arden or Beyond."

Vere nods to Conner. "I was just explaining that we want to move immediately, before the monks in Paris have a chance to hear about what just happened."

Robin nods to Conner as well. "Whereas Brita and I will be moving a bit slower as I need to speak to King Corwin privately during a less busy time and have some folks to get to their final destination. Then we will see if Pen wants to join us. And then on to the Deep Green." Robin grins at the thought of Fun.

Conner's smile dims a little at that. "Heather Vale still looms a little too large in my mind to smile at the thought of the Deep Green." Conner comments softly. Conner cocks his head slightly to one side and then his usual smile returns. "Look at me worrying about two so formidable and heading into their element no less." Conner chuckles.

"Meanwhile we do have a monk hunt. With luck we can travel faster than they through their shadow tunnels." Conner comments. "Oh, if either of you sees Ossian, would you tell him that I have not forgotten about examining the computer he salvaged? With luck, we'll capture a few more to add to his collection."

The fair have been staying out of the way for a while and have finally found Robin again. They greet her with glee and are also happy to see Vere, and perhaps the others. Though they would be more happy if there were treats, or dinner.

Brita reaches into a pocket and, much to the fair's disappointment, pulls out a stack of cards.

The fair flutters nearby but when they see what she has, they all go back toward Robin.

"And I Will Not worry about You, Brother, going into Your Element of Courtly Intrigue to Hunt Monks. However, I Know our cousin," she nods at Robin," Would like to Remain in Contact with Her Heart." She draws forth a Trump of Robin and passes it to Vere. "With a Few Moments, I Will Have a Sketch of myself to give to You," she notes to Conner. "I Have a Sketch of You now." She stows the rest of the cards and reaches into a different pocket to draw forth a small packet of jerky that she passes to Robin for distribution.

There are three pairs of eyes focused intently on that jerky!

Vere accepts the Trump and offers Brita a deep bow. "I cannot express how much I appreciate this, Cousin." He briefly tightens his grip on Robin's hand with his other hand as he slips the card into his clothing and looks into his love's eyes once more.

Robin returns the gaze, memorizing each and every sensation of having her Love beside her. Eventually, she sighs and reluctantly releases Vere's hand. "Return to me, my Love. However you can." And she kisses him once more.

Then she turns to Brita with a "Indeed. Thank you, Cousin."

Robin accepts the packet of jerky and lets her faire know that there are treats for those who land on her.

Which they all do, Peep closest, Chirrup and Ooot further down toward her hand.

Vere nods to Conner. "I am ready to depart at the Queen's command."

The fair would like that jerky now, please! Though heads are swiveling to look at Vere;perhaps they're feeling some of Robin's complex emotions about this parting. Or they wonder if he has food.

Robin chuckles as she doles out the jerky to her little passengers.

Brita says to Conner, "I Will Make My Sketch and Call when It is Done." She then departs with a slight bow to the others, already digging in her pockets for her notepad.

Brita heads to her rooms where she proceeds to convert a sketch of herself into a working Trump Sketch. When she is done, she will pull out her Trump of Conner and call him to pass the Sketch through.

Celina finishes bringing Llewella up to date on the situation with the monks and the new family. "Huon will contact you once everything here is on a better footing to get our people back to Rebma. So one of these new Family has heard of Rebma and her grandmother was named Coral? The name did not catch my ear but I thought you or Clarifee could start working on that. Could be a false name..."

"The name 'Coral' sounds familiar," Llewella agrees. "Though I can't immediately place it. Clarifee and I will look into it, though with so many of the archivists in Xanadu, it will be difficult to make headway. I look forward to their return.

"If you think you're going to be confronting more of the Klybesians, do you need Coldstream Guards with you? Paris is what it is, and what your father makes of it, and it will respect your military men when it doesn't respect you." Llewella, like so many other women of the family, sounds somewhat exasperated with the state of Corwin's universe.

Celina gives her aunt her best irony smile, "Appreciate the idea very much. Have five men standing by in case we need a fighting withdrawal. Lance and Bill know me here and Merlin and Vere are familiar faces I think. My experience so far with Paris is asking for forgiveness. If this mission goes fast as it should I've got the best men for it now. If I end up over my head I shall call you first."

Celina asks, "Coral may be a clique name from her younger years. So poke around in old art done for ingenue circles. Coral had access to getting out of Rebma. Good family with trade and smuggling contacts. Hugs to you. How's Lark?"

"Lark is a delight, but I'm glad Atrios is looking after her. She's got an uncanny ability to disappear when she wants to," Llewella says, sounding more fond than exasperated, if a little of the latter. "Are Martin and Folly coming for her soon, now that the crisis is over? Since it sounds like he won't be joining you in Paris."

"I think Martin may be on his way shortly," Celina says. "Folly is entangled in Xanadu business and I doubt it will let her loose before I'm gone. Both parents have been asking after Lark." Celina shrugs. "I think we should get Martin to give us a rundown on the 'action steps' Lark is supposed to take for self-defense when she is on her own. Time for me to go. Blessings of the throne on your endeavors."

"Lir watch over you, and may your cousins do as well if he doesn't," Llewella says by way of farewell.

Celina pauses only long enough for Llewella to acknowledge and then she slips the Trump away with a sigh.

When Brennan leaves his conversation with Martin, he heads to the suite of rooms he's appropriated as an office for himself, which mostly gets used for Ruby business. He's aiming to write letters, though, the clear majority of which are Ruby business, so the destination feels natural. Besides, there's a desk, good light, good paper and good ink there.

The first, to Edan, is relatively easy:

Cousin Edan, Knight Commander of the Order of the Lamp,

I hope this letter finds you well, and I regret not having had the chance to talk further of our more recent encounters with the Moonriders. I regret more keenly that I was unable to wait for you to join Prince Martin and I, as we discussed the recent events in Court that may have led to his resignation from the Order of the Card. Even so, I think Martin and I were able to reach a conclusion that will satisfy all three of us personally as well as all three of the Orders:

After discussion with Martin, I waive on behalf of the Order of the Ruby any grievance against you, Martin, the Order of the Lamp, or the Order of the Card.

I may set a dangerous precedent for myself, but I believe I have this authority since no one else in Xanadu presently does. I had no grievance to begin with, but I felt the best outcome would result from a private discussion rather than the careful elocutions for the audience of a court.

I did not feel comfortable with dismissing any personal claim on Marius' behalf. I do not know his thoughts on the matter; I hope for the best and plan for the worst. To that end, I suggest strongly that the only suitable seconds for any duel that might result would be other Knights Commander, which may tilt the resolution in the direction of negotiation rather than bloodshed.

I will send a similar letter to the King directly after this.

Your Cousin,

Brennan, Knight Commander of the Order of the Ruby

Brennan dithers over a second letter to the King. Not because he doesn't know what he wants to say but because competing claims on his time balance almost equally: Managing the Moonriders back at Fiona's Tower, and reporting the status of that escort to Ghenesh back to the King. Reporting on the settlement he and Martin reached is a distant third-- that can be drafted as a short explanation around a formal letter for the King's archives.

After a few minutes of consideration, Brennan decides to split the difference. Once he finds Raven, they'll look for the King. If he's granting audiences, a verbal report on the Ghenesh situation and a short archival letter will suffice, so he writes the archival letter. If he's not, Brennan drafts a longer backup letter explaining the larger situation, which has enough context to explain why he's skipping dinner.

Then, a letter to Robin, the contents of which aren't actually Ruby business.

When he's finished writing, he has a page deliver the letters to Edan and Robin directly, but keeps the letters to the King at hand. He'll decide on those later.

Random leads whoever follows him down a hallway to some sort of a lounge. There are soft chairs, a long sofa, tables, and a bar with snacks, coffee, and harder drinks. Random pours himself one before starting to talk. "Alright, I am Random, this is my place, and now that I can hear myself stink I mean think, I'll answer any questions you have about us and here. Also, sit wherever you're comfortable, bar is open, smoking lamp is lit."

He looks around and sips his beverage. "Who wants to go first?"

Before following the King and the others who trail after him, Delta grabs up her pile of belongings, including the deck of cards Random tossed back onto the bunch. She holds the cards to her forehead and lets out a deep sigh of relief.

As she follows, she arranges the rest of her kit: leather jerkin, sword-belt and its pouches and weapons, and the hidden pocket for her cards along the jerkin's inner lining. It isn't quiet. But when she enters the studio, she leans against the back wall in an observing sort of manner -- she won't be the one to talk first. Alex and Misao (once she enters) receive friendly nods.

Alex pops open his beer. "Sure, I'm in. I think I got two questions off the bat." He circles and perches on the arm of the sofa, if it looks like it's reasonably sturdy. "First off -- Allie mentioned that, um, time is weird between I guess I gotta say worlds? So is that always true? Am I on the clock, like I stay here for a week and everyone I ever knew is dead?"

He makes a face.

"Second, wow, so I'm related to the King, or at least some weird monks think I am. Am I, no, I'm getting ahead of myself, three questions. Second, am I allowed to stick around here? And third, if so, what am I chewing off? Like do I have to open shopping malls?"

There is a polite knock on the door.

Jerod has followed along, collecting a drink and eyeing the various comfy chairs. When the knock is heard, Jerod looks over at Random only momentarily before heading over to open it. Upon seeing who it is, he motions Misao to enter.

Once that is done, Jerod claims a chair of suitable comfort, flopping down just right in the way that only a Prince can do. He is silent, having no questions for the King...yet.

Misao has changed form since leaving the infirmary. Now they appear to be a slight, but not fragile woman, perhaps in her late 20s. Her skin appears to be grayish blue in color, with blue lips and blue eyes. Misao's long black hair contains streaks of blue and silver and is styled in an elaborate updo, complete with a jade comb. Misao's clothing transforms into an elegant bright green robe with a pattern of gold fans rising from the hem. The robe has long sleeves falling to Misao's waist and is fastened by a dark green sash tied in an elaborate knot in the back bearing a showy pattern of red peonies, blue hydrangeas, yellow chrysanthemums, and white camellias. Misao wears a white underrobe, the collar and cuffs of which are just visible, and white tabi.

Misao enters the room and waits to be acknowledged.

Random acknowledges them. "Hello, you must be Misao. I think these are yours." He gestures towards the stuff Jerod brought back from Greenwood. "Make yourself at home."

Jerod motions to a side table for Misao's items so they can be collected.

There is another knock at the door, revealing Pen advising a page as to the correct stance and posture for effective archery and quietly promising to practice a half-quiver with them before sundown, barring any obligations.

"Hello, yes, sorry. I was looking for King Random?" Pen gently shoos away the Page. "I am Captain Penthelisea of the Glorious Cataphract, daughter of Myrina, and envoy of Queen Thalestris of Pontus. Warden Julian thought it best I visit in person."

Pen's head is still bandaged over one eye thanks to the efforts of Medic Sherrell of Arden.

Pen has straw blond hair, just past her shoulders, and blue eyes, though one is covered as mentioned.

She's decked in Amazonian armor, a sturdy linothorax cuirass reinforced with strips of curved metal, leather and metal bracers and pteurges, a defensive skirt of heavy leather strips at her waist.

Her legs and feet are clad in buskins, covered by sculpted ornate brass greaves.

The overall design is elegant in its protection of vital areas without much restriction of movement.

The bow is a spartan palintonos bow of ironwood with reflexed limbs, strung very tightly. The arrows are long and heavy and look like they are meant to put someone (or something) down in one shot.

She also has an ornate Amazonian spear and a gladius, hanging from her hip. She has a notable physique, even for an Amazon, and carries herself with the countenance and confidence of an experienced soldier.

Ossian also comes in at this point. He's a short slender young man wearing blue trousers and a white, quite dirty shirt (the dirt is mainly blood, but there are also ink stains at the hem). His blue jacket is still worn as a bag ovet his shoulder. He looks angry, but bows politely before fetching himself a glass of rum.

As soon as he finds a table to put his glass on, he pulls put a sketch book. The pencil works furiously.

"I'm Ossian. Painter, dancer, poet in that order and a cousin of some degree to some of you at least. " Ossian tries to suppress his frustration, but fails.

Random notes Ossian's agitation, but doesn't ask about it. "Hey, I'm Random. Thanks for tracking me down. Bar's open and there are snacks and we can send for food if anyone needs more than the kind of stuff musicians live on. There's probably also smokes, and I have good news for you on that front. Have a seat, or not, and I'll try to make some sense of what is probably a very strange day for most of you." Random shifts, looking more at home on the naugahyde couch than he ever does on the throne.

"Since I have no idea what your various frames of reference are, I'm starting with questions, and then try to see what I missed. Jerod and Ossian, jump in where you see opportunities to help. Yes, I'm the King here, but just now we're all family hiding out in my secret basement music studio and you can interrupt me if I explain something and you lose the beat."

Jerod nods to Random's comment, taking a drink but saying nothing.

"Alright, Alex question number one: Maybe, but probably not. I don't know if your various homes' philosophers or fantasists or theologians have speculated about parallel worlds, each a slight variant on the one you've been living in, but it's a sorta-true thing. We call them 'shadows', which is arrogant as anything, but that's the way we are. And one of the things about shadows is that they usually have a fixed time relationship to this earth, which we call 'the one true Earth', about which name, see above.

"But sometimes, or actually just one time, something really bad caused everything to reset, and things re-adjusted themselves. Allie's uncle came through during the crisis, she came later. You all probably remember when there was a rash of reports of unnatural things attacking people that seemed to come out of no-where on a black road or your cultural equivalent? That happened everywhere and reflected an attack on us. Our bestest philosopher/theologian/fabulist thinks it's done, but isn't totally sure. You'll meet her later, by the way. She's your aunt.

"Alex question number two: As members of the family of which I am the titular head, you have resources and powers you have, as yet, only dreamed of. Possibly literally. And you have inherited some enemies, including some weird monks. We want to teach you to be safe and how to control and use your abilities and how to get help if you need it. As some of you just saw, we're pretty good at projecting violence when one of ours wants to make a point with violence. You should stay here for that, and if you want to, you can stay here afterwards, too. I made this castle big so that people could get rooms in the family wing if they wanted them. But you can come and go as you please."

"Or technically, as I please, which is part of being King. But I'm a pretty relaxed King. Also, sorta new at it. I'm about 500 years old and I haven't been King for 5 years yet."

He pauses to breathe and see if anyone has questions before he plows on.

Ossian adds: "Also. There are quite a bunch of us. A whole set of uncles and aunts, and even more cousins. Most are friendly, but there are outliers. And politics."

"Which leads to Alex question C: When you are here, I may ask you to help. Might be something like 'Ossian, please make a magical gateway to move any thousands of people from Amber to Xanadu' or 'Jerod, please go remind the weird monks why they really need to reconsider their current operations.' Honestly, that last one usually happens in the opposite direction, where Jerod tells me what he needs to do and I tell him to do what he's already going to do."

Jerod smiles. "Asking permission, or begging forgiveness...it's a good skill to know which to use in what situation," he says to the new crew.

At this Ossian smiles. He does not add anything about asking for permission for volcanos in the living room.

A page arrives with Misao's soup. Random looks up when she comes in. "Placard is a castle page, you can ask her or any of her co-workers for anything you need and they'll help you out. For instance, if there's anything you want that isn't here, ask Placard before she goes...."

As soon as Random stops talking, Misao steps forward, kneels gracefully and lowers themselves into a deep bow, placing their hands before them, and touching their forehead to the floor.

"May Tennoo Heika live ten thousand thousand years. This humble person is of Hikariguni, the child of Kimiko-dono. This humble person's name is Misao. This humble person respectfully begs Tennoo Heika to look graciously upon them."

Misao rises slightly, body still inclined forward and eyes on the ground, and places their hands on their thighs. They patiently wait.

Ossian just stays quiet for the moment.

Delta is likewise quiet, given the formality of Misao's greetings to the King. Misao's obeisance brings a flash of discomfort to Delta's expression. She does not join in with equal (or even any) deference.

Alex purses his lips and shifts his weight, dropping down off the sofa's arm onto the seat proper. "Okay, I'm in. I..."

He trails off, glancing at Misao, then contemplates Random's reaction.

Random takes a deep breath and lets it out. "Thank you Misao, I accept your allegiance, Now stand up, then relax. Don't let your soup get cold." Random waits until they do so, or all least until they come close to it, before continuing. He will wait them out, if necessary.

Misao nods gratefully, rises gracefully, makes their way over to the table with the soup, and proceeds to eat neatly, listening attentively.

It's pretty good soup, although the spices involved are not quite how it would be at home.

"Now, I know what to tell you all next. So, let's start with 'Why is this little punk the King'?" Random holds up a finger. "It's a long story. Really. I could fill up five books just telling you how we got to two years ago. But I'll spare you for the moment. We're not in charge just because we're devilishly sexy and smarter than rocks, although that doesn't hurt.

"The family are rulers because we have special abilities that some people call 'magic'. Some people call us Sorcerer Kings', others say 'God-Kings', but if either of those terms is in any way true, it's not the way you probably think of it.

"We, which is to say my brothers, sisters, sons, and niblings, have the ability to control certain aspects of reality by virtue of our descent from my Father's parents. You can use it for parlor tricks, to get instantly rich, or to destroy an outpost of your enemies with a blizzard/hurricane/inferno. If you learn some other things, you can make magic cards that allow you to speak to other members of the family and to send or receive a swarm of angry cousins.

"You may be wondering why, with all those advantages, including immortality and not aging, we're not up to our eyeballs in offspring. It's not just that with infinite shadow to play in, we are kinda spread thin. For the longest time, we didn't think we could have kids. I was the exception, because I had Martin. And it turns out that I wasn't the exception, I was the only one who got found out. Jerod and Brennan may be as old as I am. It's hard to tell when time runs at different rates in different shadows. And after a few hundred years, it doesn't matter much until you hit a thousand.

"Anyhoo, one of the tricks I learned in all that time lets me tell if you are family members. The other Kings can, too, and a few others including the damned Klybesians apparently. But each of you is one of us. Welcome to the family."

He lets out a big breath. "Next question? You get eighteen more for free."

Jerod remains silent, having watched Misao's behaviour with an odd intensity. He does not interrupt Random, waiting in case there is a situation that might arise where his viewpoint would be more appropriate, as Random had advised.

Delta cracks her neck in one direction and then the other before finally speaking up. "That's...a lot to take in. And thank you for the rescue and all." She looks directly at Random. "Does your magic have any way of telling who did the deed, so to speak? I'm not looking for a father, that's for sure, but it's a point of curiosity.

"As for the controlling aspects of reality bit..." She leans forward a little, curiosity evident in her expression. "Walking through the cards. To go somewhere. We can do that, given time, given training? Like how they got us out of that place?"

"So, there are two things. We can teach you to use them with a few moments' discussion. If you want to make them yourself, that's a harder task, and one that takes training and time. We'll probably want to make Trumps of each of you, so that we can reach out to you."

Random looks at Delta. "And it doesn't. It basically tells me 'this person has the capacity to survive the ordeal required to come into their power as a member of the family.' See how I dropped that hint there, I'll get back to that one in a bit...."

Signy quietly slips into the door and slides over to the bar to pour herself a drink to wait for Random.

Random sees Signy slip in. "Signy, did everyone get back? Feel free to stay if you want to answer questions and/or laugh at my jokes."

Pen drops to one knee and addresses King Random. "It is an honor to meet you, your Majesty, and I am pleased (and a little surprised) to learn of my potential connection to this family. I was sent to discover the source of a green sickness that has crept into Pontus. I had the good fortune of meeting Rangers Vista and Nails outside the forest of Arden and once we decided that we had common cause, I aided them in destroying the firelilies. I learned that the Dragon of Arcadia has awoken, and is seeking to consume Arden, and several others lands, including my home of Pontus. Vista, Nails, and I were attacked, and we slew monsters together so now I hold them close as kin (and owe them many drinks). Half the recruits were slain, but they saved my life, and brought me to Warden Julian, who sped me here so that I might speak to you. I expect he may have understood something of my parentage that I did not."

She stops to take a quick breath, "I would gladly serve Amber, King Random, as it seems a responsibility due, but I owe respect and service to Pontus as well and to complete what is due to Queen Thalestris."

"Rise, and nobody else needs to kneel or bow in here. Family is exempt, except at big ceremonial things. You'll pick up on it." He grins. "As to Pontus, that's up to you, although you'll want to speak to Prince Julian about how to do it. Julian has been fighting that Dragon for a long time. And as to your duty to Pontus, you may want to re-evaluate it in light of your newfound immortality and all. If it becomes difficult, we can discuss things with your queen."

Ossian sits quiet, still sketching.

"Eyeball depth is kinda relative. It's been pretty crowded in some of these rooms, and I guess the folks keeping us in jail felt like they had more than enough of us on their hands." Alex sucks in a breath, does the frog thing with his cheeks, exhales.

"I got into my current gig because I'm good at it and I mostly answer to myself and I like seeing new places, so you got me there. I take gently phrased orders from charismatic guys just fine when the occasion occurs, too."

Knuckles his eyes, looks thoughtful a moment, shakes his head. "Hey! Thanks to all for the escape! Not that Delta wouldn't have dragged me out of there by the scruff of the neck, I'm sure."

"And you can go back to it, if you want. I spent years in shadow playing drums in bands because I like playing drums. Once you know how, you'll be able to go anywhere and do whatever you please. If you want to go amongst the people and be a Bodhisattva, you can do it. Shadow is effectively infinite. You can spend a long time not having anything to do with us. Or you can stay here, and be members of this family. Most people do both. Xanadu is a pretty amazing city, but there's also Paris, Avalon, and Rebma, which are ruled by my Brother, my other Brother, and my niece. Kinging is a family business, for the reasons stated earlier.

"OK, my turn with a question. Misao, did you create those trumps that Jerod gave back to you? And after that, the floor remains open for questions..."

"Thank you, King Random," says Pen.

Pen finds a Page, learns their name, befriends them, and describes recipes for Posca (a sour wine with a mix of herbs, favored by soldiers) and Aphrodite's Grace (a blend of specific wines, fresh fruit, and herbs, a specialty of the Amazons).

Having finished the soup, Misao bows slightly. "Gooshoosama deshita." They move over to where they see their Trumps and tanto. Picking up the tanto, they hold it horizontally on the palms of their hands, hilt on the right and sheath on the left and lift it to their forehead.

"My thanks for returning this," they say. They lower the weapon, partially draw it to check the blade, and, satisfied, return the blade to the scabbard, touch the weapon to their forehead again, and place it in the right side of their sash.

Misao then turns to the Trumps, fanning them out slightly to check that they are all there. Misao touches each of them in turn, and when they touch Lucas's Trump, Misao's face takes on a look of great distress. "Otoo-san's picture! What happened to it?"

Misao looks first to Random, then Jerod, then Ossian.

"Can anyone please tell me what has happened to this picture? Why is it not cold? Please!"

Jerod spares Random the briefest of looks before replying. "The individual pictured in that Trump is dead." he says simply, but not without sympathy.

Signy inhales and opens her mouth to respond to the King until Jerod's words to Misao. She quietly closes her mouth, words unsaid, and settles back to not interrupt this conversation with something that doesn't seem quite so important just now.

If the King is looking at her she will give a brief smile and thumbs-up to try and indicate that everyone's safely returned, but anything more then that will need to wait for a little.

She looks at Misao with sympathy, remembering it wasn't that long ago when she heard about Dierdre.

Misao looked at Jerod as he began speaking and their gaze is now fixed, frozen with disbelief. Misao's skin has gone completely white. They speak slowly and carefully.

"Otoo-san...wa...shinde...imasu...ka?"

Whatever they see in Jerod's face must be convincing, because their robes change into the deepest black mofuku, the most formal robes, with white only showing on the inner robe lining, just visible inside the collar, and on the five small crests, or mon, one each on each shoulder, sleeve, and one in the middle of the back. Jerod would probably recognize these as the same crests as on the backs of the Trumps. Misao's sash reties itself into a modest, compact knot. The comb vanishes from their hair, which assumes the most formal style, completely black save for Misao's silver locks. They speak again, this time with conviction.

"Otoo-san wa shinde imasu. My father is dead."

And then Misao gently collapses onto the floor, keeping their upper body upright only through force of will. Reaching into their right sleeve, they produce a white handkerchief, and start to cry.

Delta did indeed pick up on Random's "survive the ordeal" caveat to come into power as a family member. It's a question that bears much further examination...but not now. When Misao crumples to their knees, Delta lets a tired sigh before taking a few steps to crouch beside them. "Ah, blazes. That's rotten news. Cry for him, eh? Tears return to the Undersea. They'll keep his spirit warmed." She doesn't reach out a hand, but stays crouching by Misao in an awkward sort of support.

Ossian has torn out a sheet of paper from his sketch book. His fingers are deftly folding something out of it. "In time, when you are ready, we will share memories of your father."

He places a delicate origami lotus flower on the floor in front of Misao.

Alex pulls himself to his feet, just a hair awkwardly. He winces as he moves. To nobody in particular: "Most people I know don't need a big audience to watch them mourn, so...."

To Random: "I was gonna tell you what I'm good at but sounds like there's plenty of time. Thanks again, sir."

Random raises his hand. He's definitely got a performer's knack for making his voice carry. "Not yet, please. We can't all leave, and if Misao wants privacy to deal with what she's learned, we can provide her with a space without the rest of us. But what happened to her father underscores the importance of what I want you all to know about before you get into harm's way.

"You all know that things are dangerous, and that weird monks will grab you and shove you in a cell. They're not the only ones, and until now they'd managed to be lower down the problem list.

"Misao, I'm sorry you had to find out about your father like this. Do you want to step out? Placard can talke you to a private space. I'm afraid your Grandmother isn't in the castle, and your brother who's here is probably a bit young to actually help, although I'm sure he'll want to meet you soon."

Misao pulls themself together and lowers the handkerchief. It is noticeable, for people who notice these things, that even when crying, they remain graceful. No puffy eyes, no red nose, no streaks of mucus. Just red eyes, and tears. They reach out to Deruta-san, touching her arm, and look her deeply in the eyes.

"Thank you," is all they say, but it's clearly heartfelt. Then they turn to Ossian, and gently pick up his flower. "Thank you, cousin. I would like that."

Misao rises and, placing the flower on the table near the Trumps, retrieves a fan from their right sleeve and places it the left side of their sash. Then they bow deeply from the waist to Random.

"Tenno Heika asked if I was the one who made these pictures....these Trumps. Yes, I made these. This one," Misao touches each Trump in turn, "is of me. This one is of my father." Their voice wavers slightly, but they go on. "This one," touching the place Trump, "is of my home. Hikariguni."

Misao turns to Jerod and bows again, although not as low. "I thank you for returning them." Misao gathers the Trumps and places them in a pocket inside their robes. Then they retrieve Ossian's flower and turn to Random, resuming their attentive listening posture.

"The downside of this information dump is that there may be other surprises. Let me tell you a few more things, quickly, and then we'll get back to questions. First of all, there are two kinds of immortal. The kind where you can't die and the kind where you don't die unless something kills you. You're the latter. Old age, cancer, scrofula, whatever the scourge of the living is where you're from, it doesn't happen to us. But you can be hurt, you can be blinded, you can end up in a wheelchair like Gerard. Usually you get better, eventually. My brother Corwin was blind for about 4 years once. It really helped him get on with his brooding, but neither of us recommend it."

He sighs. "The reason to find out about your parent from here, or from our other Kingdoms, is not to build a parental relationship, but because it helps us help you to protect yourself. Huon has particular enemies, as do most of us, but he bought a combo plate worth of them. Are they a risk to Folly, his daughter? Are they a risk to my granddaughter?" He shrugs, but apparently hasn't considered that thought before.

"OK, another thing I haven't told you yet is about stuff. You all come from places where you more-or-less understand how things work. And by things, I mean 'gravity', steam power', 'magic', or 'electricity', anything like that. Part of how shadows differ from each other is that those rules can change. Gunpowder doesn't burn in a way to support firing a bullet, but the cooks can make a mean omelette, which requires fire, but not explosive fire. So, don't be surprised if things stop working. Especially technology. That's just how it is. That's why Ossian is going to need to head back to shadow to seriously mess with that computer he brought back.

"Ok, the floor is still open for questions. If you all don't have any, I'll check in with your other cousins, but the point of this meeting is to get you enough information to work with before we let you hit the showers. So I am yours to ask at the moment."

Delta stands after Misao's touch to her arm and their words of thanks. "Of course," she says in response before moving to a couch, rather than the wall. She glances back at Alex when Random bids him to stay, and with a jerk of her head in her "escape friend" Alex's direction, indicates the bare spot on the couch beside her.

"Let's go back to the whole 'capacity to survive the ordeal' bit you said a few moments ago," she says to break the silence after Random's open question to the room. "Don't suppose you'd care to elaborate on that? The ordeal and such?

"As for finding out our parentage for tactical reasons--" She smirks, but keeps going. "--I'm happy to stand up in front of a crowd and describe my mother. If that'd do the trick." She might have been more crass with all that, if Misao wasn't grieving only feet away.

Pen listens intently for King Random's response, as both the capacity to survive ordeals in our newly discovered state and a means to discern paternity are both issues presently occupying her as well.

Alex rolls his shoulders in something approximating a shrug and circles around the edge of the room until he reaches Delta's couch.

"I am just smart enough to know that I don't have any damn context for more questions. Like that one right there -- woulda been a million years before I'd asked about any ordeals if you hadn't brought it up. Pretty curious now since I'm guessing this isn't just carrying your bags to the locker room, but Delta beat me to that one."

He frowns, mulling it over. "Look at me, already lying. Okay; I got more. You just described a pretty good family situation on the whole, but okay. What about the flip side? Which cousin is gonna be pissed off at me if I make a home here?"

Random's eyes are laughing, even if he keeps his mouth from following suit. "I absolutely want a front row seat when you ask my brothers and nephews which of them might've slept with your Mother. Almost half of them have pretty good taste in women.

"You asked about the ordeal I mentioned. Of course I want to elaborate on that, it's why I brought it up. Here's a thing. Deep below this castle is the core of this place and the reason for the castle, the town, and the people. There's a magic labyrinth that acts as an ritual to attune family members to our capacity to control the universe, one tiny bit at a time.

"Traversing this pattern, which we call 'The Pattern', because we are not an imaginative royal family, is both a mental and physical challenge. It will kill you if you're not of the royal blood. It will kill you if you're not mentally and physically ready to do it. It will be the hardest thing you've ever done, and you won't want to do it again, ever. But afterwards, you'll have access to your ability to travel between shadows and control probability. Also, afterwards, you'll have the capacity to learn how to protect yourself in ways that we think you should know about. But you should all rest before taking it on.

"If you're asking 'Why a magical labyrinth? Is there a minotaur involved?', well I asked that, too." He shrugs. "No one has reported minotaurs yet, but each person's experience is unique. It's why we don't really have a training playbook to hand you. You might want to ask your cousins for advice, but don't be surprised when it's not how they remember it."

Random looks at Alex. "The family situation has been pretty good, since we got back from the wars. It's probably not my amazing leadership potential, but who knows? I think it has something to do with us having enough problems to deal with that we're not really ready to make our own." He pauses.

"Do you know how cats get along with other cats if they live is small flats? One will be on the table, the other will be on a chair and they're not at the same altitude and they can be separate enough to be together. We're like that, claws and all. And the solution for us is to go into shadow and sit on a table elsewhere for a while. If Jerod pisses you off in a 'I'm definitely not getting over this until well after May Day, but I don't know of which year' way, I will give you subtle hints that you may need a vacation.

"But I've digressed. Jerod, Ossian, Signy, can y'all think of any of your cousins who would be specifically annoyed at Alex's presence in felicity? It's not like he's jumped anyone, so I don't know who might be sensitive about new cousins."

Jerod shakes his head with a slight smile, sipping at his drink. "Not that I'm aware of Uncle. Now, we haven't had much of a chance to show them around town as it were, but the ones who have met our new cousins appear to be favorably inclined."

"Favorably inclined works," says Delta, with a comforting jab of her sharp elbow toward Alex's ribs. As for your Pattern--" She looks thoughtful. "Never wanted to 'control the universe,' or much beyond my own flesh and my own destiny. What do you all do with all that power? And, blazes. How many of you -- not saying us yet -- are there? Don't you sometimes trip on each other's universe-controlling now and again?"

Alex grunts cheerfully at Delta. "Hey, don't elbow your dad like that -- you don't know! Could be!"

And, back to the King, "I can see how space heals a lot of wounds, or at least lets them scab over. OK, so family is more or less friendly. Technology doesn't work always... crap, does this mean I need to learn how to use a sword or something?"

"I guess so. There are plenty of people who could teach you," Ossian says. "A sidenote. Are you good with computers?"

Signy glances at the newest members of the Family and a hint of a smile plays at the corners of her mouth. "I don't think just being here will cause any problems, everyone's usually pretty welcoming. Conflicts and problems usually take a bit more time."

She remembers Corwin's response to her as the daughter of Dierdre, but that seems a lot more complicated to try and explain.

"Your Majesty," says Captain Pen, "I am grateful for your hospitality, and news of my kinship to your large and remarkable family. I have pondered and determined that you and your kin would not be so gracious only to attempt assassination by means of a kind of maze ordeal. I'm simply not that important. I will gladly face this challenge and its risk. The freedom to travel anywhere and discover new ways protect myself are both worthy boons. Again, I thank you for the kind welcome," and raising a glass, "and the fine food and spirits. In my country, dancing and music often follow celebrations. Is that true here as well? If so, I might need to borrow a peplos. I can dance in armor, but it's not as comfortable."

Misao is listening attentively.

"When the pages assign you rooms, they'll also send you a seamstress, who will help you get clothes for the immediate future and get you measured for what you'd really like." Placard nods, and the older cousins are all aware that the rest of the pages will know the King's intent shortly. They aren't telepathic, but they try to seem to be.

"Alex, we can get you a sword and sword training. My son needed a sword master, so we have one. He can almost certainly take on a new student. You don't have to, but you can if you like. We're all pretty damn strong and fast and tend to be fast learners, and it's pretty widely useful in a lot of shadows where guns and motorbikes and toaster ovens don't work.

"I like to fly, but it's mostly gliders, because I can dead-stick land no matter what shadow I've gone to. Gliders work most places we can breathe the air. And we usually only go to places that don't kill us instantly. Usually.

"Oh, and you can also learn other things. Most of us have had some level of medical training, and Gerard is just the most recent of us to be qualified as a doctor. So really, if you want to be a Space Princess Astronaut Ninja Carpenter, you're already 20 percent of the way there.

"Alright, if there are no more questions, class is dismissed. You're all expected at dinner. The pages will show you to your quarters, and the baths, and get you set up. Anyone you need to find, or anything you need to get, ask one of the people who look like Placard."

He looks around the room. "Anyone who wants to stay after class can do so. Office hours are still open."

Jerod has slowed the sipping of his drink, an impressive accomplishment given the quality of the King's scotch. He shows no sign of moving.

Misao bows to Random and turns to Jerod and Ossian. "I will need to pay my respects to the rest of Otoo-san's family. I would appreciate guidance. Can we speak later?"

Jerod rises at Misao's approach. For someone who flops into chairs for comfort, he seems to move with speed and grace when it suits him. He bows to her, a precise movement that Misao might expect from one very familiar with such etiquette and the customs of station and hierarchy. "Of course, Misao-san." Jerod replies. "Goshuushou-sama desu. I will arrange to meet with you after I am finished my meeting with the King."

Ossian bows. "Just send a page for me. I'm available as long as Jerod is, I suspect. Unless our plans have changed." He grins.

Alex's quip earns him another elbow jab, potential time-slipping father or not. Delta listens to the rest of the conversation, and though her own question went unanswered, rises when the words of dismissal are spoken. So many of the King's comments have flown right over her head, given where she came from, but the gist is clear: this new family is both powerful beyond her understanding and advanced in ways she can't even fathom for now.

She sets her hand over her heart in the sort of salute she's accustomed to, bows her head toward Random, and strides out into the hallway.

Alex grins brightly, with just a touch of the feral about it. "Back home, I'm a pro wrestler, which means I've spent a lot of time learning to fight people as theatrically as possible. Roar of the crowd, all that jazz. Sure, I want to learn to use a sword."

He makes a respectful bow to Random, and absents himself without further ceremony.

As the new cousins make their way out, Signy's gaze follows Misao out though she doesn't yet move. She turns and catches the King's eye, and once he focuses his attention on her she offers a slight smile. "It seems like all our side are present and accounted for from the expedition. Edan, Fletcher, and Raven all returned safely via Trump. I don't know much of the details, but it sounds like they had some threads they were pulling on, and they brought back a prisoner as well."

She pauses, to see if the King has anything for her.

Random thanks her for the report. "You can hit up our captive moonrider, but probably best to wait until after dinner. She's with Hannah now, and she'll probably come back with plans to cure diseases in the city below us. Which is not a bad thing, but not necessarily the top of my wish-list for a moonrider princess."