Fiona arranges for transport for Brita to the nearest body of water. Ambrose accompanies her. The shadow they're in is some sort of technologically-oriented place, so there's a brief drive to get to the shore. The land where Fiona's escort takes them is some sort of private beach that belongs to her mother. It is somewhat reminiscent of Clarissa, except ordered.
Brita is amazed by the long, black metallic conveyance which takes them to the beach. She keeps pressing buttons and opening doors. One opens to a collection of wine bottles - Cousin Jerod would probably like the bottle of Scotch, although it is a little young at 50 years. One opens to the sky and Brita basks in the sun and cleansing wind created by their movement. When they arrive at the beach, Brita goes directly to the water and opens Skidbladnir. She boards and goes to the quarters where she finds one of Meg's scarves in a soft brown color, still tied as if Meg had just slipped it off of her head. There are a few hairs caught in the knot and Brita pulls it out to use in her spell. She also finds a partial letter written in Meg's hand, an engraved ivory comb, and a book of proverbs of the Goddess with a pressed flower inside. She also gathers a small wooden bowl from the galley.
Back on the beach, Brita consults with Ambrose on the best approach and method of the spell. Should they do the spell here, in this shadow, or back in Fiona's lab? They decide to go ahead and attempt the spell here near the sea. Hopefully, the water will empower Brita's spell.
Ambrose thinks it won't matter, or that the water will help Brita. He mentions that if people could be found by sorcery when they were in shadow, his father and his brother would have met earlier.
Which is kind of why Brita wondered why Martin seemed to think _she_ should be the one to search for Meg. Mother would have been better at this...
Ambrose looks like he might have something to say about that, but doesn't actually say it.
Brita draws a circle on the sand - approximately 3 feet in diameter. She takes the scarf and wets it in the ocean. She wrings it out over the bowl and then lays it out in the center of the circle - smoothing it flat on the sand. On each corner, she places one of the items she gathered from Meg's cabin - the partially written letter, the comb, the book of proverbs, and the pressed flower. She sloshes the water around in the bowl and then pours it out on the scarf - careful not to drip any on the letter or book. She then sits down outside the circle, facing the water, and has Ambrose sit down at 90 degrees to her left. She ties the strands of hair together in a knot and places it in the bowl. With her knife, she cuts her thumb to let a few drops of her blood drip out on the hair and Ambrose does the same. She then places the bowl in the center of the scarf and the circle and begins a chant:
"By Blood Bound,
What is Lost is Found.
Order Calls its Own,
Across Distance Unknown.
Through Shadows Untold,
Let the Path Unfold.
Reveal the Way
To Our Cousin this Day."
[Giants tend to rhyme, you realize.]
At the end of the chant, Ambrose lights a magical fire in the bowl, catching the strands of hair aflame. An unnatural amount of smoke drifts up from the bowl and begins to fill the space inside the circle in front of them.
Rising from the smoke, Brita glimpses what looks to be a shining bracelet inset with dark pearls.
The smoke clears in all directions.
Brita blows out a breath. "Well. Not much More than I Expected. It Looks like We Must Follow Cousin Celina." She picks up Meg's things and wraps them all carefully back into the scarf (after ensuring that it is dry). She then takes one last wistful look at the picturesque beach and heads back to the waiting conveyance and black dressed driver.
"Or that's the best connection to Meg we've got," Ambrose opines as he follows her back up the beach. "I don't like this. None of it makes any sense. Are you going to go with them if they try to go to Dara's court?"
"Well, the First Direction Appears to be to Follow Cousins Celina and Merlin. If the Path Leads to Dara's Court..." Brita pauses for a moment, "cleph has Much to Answer For."
Ambrose looks at his hands, which are now completely healed. "He does. But I'm not sure this is the moment to mete out his punishment. Especially not right now. I'm wondering whether Brennan is going to get his letter of marque from Random or whether he plans to ask forgiveness rather than permission to take her head. Metaphorically, of course."
Brita glances at him in surprise as the long black conveyance smoothly whisks them back to her Mother's lab. "I do Not Believe with Cousin-Brother Brennan, it will Be Metaphorical. As to Permission, if He Does Not Alert King Random of Plans to go to Dara's Court, when Those Plans are Made, We Will."
Ambrose lets out a breath he probably didn't realize he was holding. "We'll see what he does, then. And at some point I need to see how my mother is, and what Chantico has been up to."
Marius moves away from where Signy and Tomat are conspiring. He tries to grab Brennan's attention with a smile and a slight sigh. "I'm here on a whim," he admits, gesturing with his chin towards Signy. "Did you trust what Weyland said?" he asks, outright.
Brennan moves with Marius, creating a conversational nook with body language alone.
He sucks on his teeth a moment before answering, and notes that Marius is also a member of the parents-by-first-name club. "I'm not sure," he admits. "My guess is that what he said was true, because it's not as though we can't bother Benedict or Dworkin, or others," Brennan moves a chin in Fiona's direction, "for corroboration, in the fullness of time. Besides, he's a merchant. He wants Liily and I back as cutomers." Brennan gives a decidedly lupine grin at that thought.
"Are you planning on going back?" he asks.
"He is, as you say, a merchant," Marius seems to seize on that part as if it helped make sense of conflicting feelings. "On one hand, he has answers I've wanted. On the other, I know I will have to pay for them, and none of them are ones I need." He glances back over to Signy. "At least, not anymore. What kind of family are we that we bargain children like secrets or gold?" It seems to be rhetorical.
"A bad one," Brennan admits. He keeps his voice pitched low enough that Signy won't hear unless she's doing something to eavesdrop... in which case she gets what she deserves. "I don't know that he sees you as a potential customer. I don't think he sees your sister as even that much." He shakes his head.
Marius nods. "I do not know how much that will have damaged her. She will make a number of hard decisions and big mistakes and find herself the stronger for it. I see that I may stand in between them and suffer for it." He smiles a sad smile. "But no parent is perfect." The glint in his eye may put the amused spin on it, given with whom he is talking.
Brennan gives a grunt in reply. "She said she didn't want to kill him," he says, "Which is good, because--" he breaks off with a suppressed, but not apologetic, smile. "Well, you know perfectly well why. If all she wants is independence from him, that's done by putting her on a Pattern and letting her go. Then she's our problem." Your problem, he doesn't clarify.
"Those sentiments are prone to change, especially if old secrets put values on her with which she disagrees. Including the Pattern."
"Maybe," Brennan says. "But she didn't sound as focussed on patricide as some of us were I'd opt for change in any case."
"If the bargain isn't completed until Signy does or is something, that is where I am concerned. Perhaps that sword Weyland was unable to make?"
Brennan looks dubious. "How old is she, do you think?"
"I see where you are going. Not enough experience, but that would have been Weyland's fault." He looks at Brennan for a moment and gets to the point. "Do you think your father and my mother were conspirators together?"
Brennan is confused. "Not enough experience for what? The Pattern?" If that's what Marius meant, Brennan is highly skeptical.
Marius shakes his head. "In smithing that... bends shadow, or is more important than a single one?" He frowns. "I know I have asked before. I just wonder if I will be stepping on toes if I look farther and find any connections to your side of the family. Surely Weyland, my father, was a known resource."
"I don't think I understand what you're getting at," Brennan says. "When you mentioned the sword that Weyland failed at-- and believe me, I'd like to know more about that-- I was under the impression that that was long ago, and before our time. I could be wrong."
"To clarify," Marius says, then pauses. "No, that would just confuse more. Let me rephrase this as a question that neither of us may be able to answer now: What is Signy's purpose that she was Weyland's prize? Or payment, however you want to see it. Or even payment to my mother, although given circumstances, I think it went the other way," he explains, catching that he's rambling, and getting quiet.
"Ah," Brennan says. "I don't know. If I had to guess... breeding stock?" Brennan's normally stony expression darkens.
"You are an optimist," Marius said. "His affine, the Hob, wished the mere sweat of my brow, and what fetes could he have done with that? Our blood is all the more precious. A whole child?" His mood darkens visibly, as notable by the lack of a smile.
"I am a long term thinker," Brennan corrects.
Marius accepts the correction with a snort.
"I'd very much like to know Weyland's connection to the Family, too," [Brennan] says, almost as an afterthought. "I'll let you know what I find out, if you do likewise."
"Deal," Marius says, with an abrupt nod of the head.
"I do not think I any longer need a father to offer me male guidance for my years of maturity. I did need to lay some ghosts to rest, so it was not a wasted trip. Besides, I came back with something more valuable; a missing piece of family!" [Marius] smiles a genuine smile. "A spurious prize, perhaps, but one that only grows in value. Besides, she seems like a fighter, and we may need those. What do you think Dara is truly after? A return to war?"
"If I knew that," Brennan says, "I'd be doing something direct and active about it, instead of hanging back thinking strategy." Again, the tight smile. "Wild Guess: Court Borel is sill Court Borel, not Court Dara, and she's having a hard time taming it. That line of thought is very unpleasant for an unprotected Meg. I'd like to ask Martin if he keeps referring to it as Borel for a reason, or just out of habit, but I think I've used my stubborn question quota for the day."
Marius laughs, then looks sober. "Sometimes I wonder," he says, and he looks towards Martin. "Martin...was he hurt enough to be broken?"
Brennan's face goes cool. Martin can tell what he wants, but Brennan won't speculate.
Marius smiles even more, as if that was answer enough.
It seems like an idle question, but then he focuses. "So the place Borel is another affine of sorts that Dara has to master? Did we master our battlefield for our win?"
"I've often wondered if it's an afine-like relation between Master and Court," Brennan says. "But you're more the expert on that than I am. And to a degree, we mastered the field after the battle, when the Aisling got us away from the Abyss."
"An expert who ran away from an affine who ate something that disagreed with him," Marius notes. "I was not...there for that. I sometimes wonder if I treated it too harshly, but a few words seem little compared to its new incarnation." He shakes his head. "Will I be of any use against Dara or better doing the mundane work anchoring the Ruby Knights to this Xanadu?"
"Well," Brennan says, in that definitive way he has. "The news that never really got discussed before the Dara issue came up is this: We have a Dragon problem in Arcadia. Everything I know-- and I've discussed this with Corwin and Fiona separately and they seem to agree-- is that whether the Dragon is killed or the Dragon breaks free, Arcadia is going to be destroyed. And the destruction may be extreme enough to ripple as far as Amber itself. And then there's Huon, which also never got discussed."
"Is Arcadia the Amber version of an affine?" Marius asks, wryly. "Now I get into theory. Perhaps we ask the King if he can create something to replace Arcadia's void. Maybe there is a gentle way to cut its anchors. A Dragon killed is a Dragon that no longer threatens. And Huon, who also never got discussed. Tell me of him?"
"We can ask," Brennan says, "but I doubt we'll get a different answer from Random than from Corwin.
Marius does NOT say, "But you're a redhead! You guys are supposed to know all the metaphysical stuff. Why couldn't a redhead have been King?" but in some shadow, he's thinking it.
"Which pushes the question; how concerned are they? Amber is a corpse, and while we should in all honour prevent others from dancing upon it, maybe it should fall away like the shedding of a skin. Bury what's left of the Pattern away from prying eyes, drop the castle on it more thoroughly?" He does not mention a volcano.
"That seems to be the leading opinion in Xanadu," Brennan says.
Marius worries at his bottom lip for a moment, but doesn't say anything more on the subject.
"As for Huon... here's what I know, which isn't much. He's somewhere around Flora and Julian in the birth order, from what I've heard. Had a brother on the mother's side that he accidentally killed by putting on the Pattern, for which Oberon had him banished. Bleys carried out the banishment, I think. By whatever means he was banished, it's no longer effective," Brennan says, with a go-figure tone of voice.
"He's known to be marching cross-shadow with gunpowder weapons, and an army that includes one of Meg's adopted children. There's a lot of speculation in the air as to his destination and goals, but I won't believe any of them until there's more evidence. But the leading theories involve Bleys, Oberon, and the self-aggrandizement that passes for revenge.
"I think Brita and the rest managed to retrieve one of those weapons," he says, but looking around he doesn't see it.
"Huon of the Horn has one of Meg's adopted children, and Dara has Mistress Carper. I am hoping that connection, that hinge there, is coincidental, but is anything concerning Family? I don't suppose that the Dragon is notably Meg's mother?" Marius chuckles unwillingly.
"And it's the same Shadow my son grew up in. That's a coincidence that bothers me even more. And the Dragon isn't Meg's mother, but it is Daeon's grandmother. You got that memo, right? Finndo and the Dragon begat the several goddesses of Arcadia, one of whom bore Daeon and Dione of Julian... one of whom sired Brooke and Leif on Paige."
Marius nods once, again sharply, as if committing the next round of the family tumbleweed to memory. Something about it definitely bothers him, but it's secondary to his being lost in thought for a moment. "So family doubled or tripled," he says, finally, "and is the Dragon akin to the mythical Unicorn? Of the nature, or merely of Shadow and its children the true threat?"
"I wish I knew. You weren't quite there for it as I recall, but there were Dragons at Oberon's funeral. What their relation to the one under Arcadia was, I do not know. Your father might-- the trick is getting him not to charge me for the information. The Unicorn's not a myth, either," Brennan says.
"I do want to take a look at these weapons Brita brought back that Huon is using, though," he continues. He takes half a step in Fiona's direction, then turns and asks, "Coming with?"
With or without Marius, Brennan heads over to Fiona, who I think is unoccupied, and inquires as to the weapons.
Fiona sends a servant to lead them to a different laboratory where the gun and the powder samples are kept.
(As described elsewhere, the gun is a flintlock pistol. The powder is black powder style.)
Marius will follow, although his knowledge of such weapons is limited. He's got ideas, though. You have to be careful of his ideas - they might turn up in Shadow somewhere.
Brennan's experience is extensive. When the servant leads them into the room, he takes a quick inventory-- is it a lab designed for testing these sorts of weapons and materials, or is it more of a storeroom?--
Storage. Lab storage, though.
Marius resists the urge to poke and open things, especially as they're labelled, "Leftovers. Not for eating," and "Heads, Shrunken."
...then focusses on the weapon itself.
And frowns. To Marius, he says, "Effective, especially against the kind of weapons that we're used to in Amber, but primitive. I don't know if you've seen Corwin's, but those are much more sophisticated. These are effective, but those are devastating. I have a hard time believing that Huon hasn't encountered better weapons than these, so... why not go for the best?"
Brennan then picks the weapon up and inspects it closely, almost, but not quite to the point of really taking it apart. Other than its general class and technology approach, is it outstanding in any way? Is Brennan able to identify any environment or situation where this weapon would be favored over something more like Corwin's?
[Because, you know, Brennan's experience in these matters far exceeds my own....]
The weapons are simple to manufacture, maintain, and learn to use. That in and of itself is a huge advantage.
Marius can identify a specific advantage with respect to Amber. This weapon was almost certainly hand-crafted and not subject to the increased technological decay that Corwin's weapons and ammunition were subject to.
Marius smiles. "If they're simple, they're less likely to be trouble between Shadow. Could that mean that he's looking to take over a lot of Shadows as well as Amber?"
"Why bother?" Brennan says. "And anyway, is it Shadows that don't like complexity, or just-- oh." He scowls, visibly annoyed at having been beaten to any conclusion, much less an obvious one. If Marius cares to watch, he can see Brennan's mind chewing that over.
Wow. Weird Chaosian stuff if his brain's got teeth...like a steel what?
Oh nevermind.
Marius smiles. "Well, I had thought of taking them over for strategic purposes, like for proximity, like Rebma, perhaps, or people, like a known opponent. The, um, Moonriders," he remembers the name, "from legend, might be an example there. Or to try to bind them to his will in some fashion, like affines."
"You bind a Moonrider as an affine, and I owe you a beer," Brennan says. "Share the technique, and I'll owe you two."
"Why not try for the Unicorn, the great Chimera of Lycia, and the King-Kraake of the Mincarti as a set?" Marius laughs. "I meant the Shadows, rather - perhaps he has the answer we're looking for, however ironic." He thinks for a moment. "If I were exiled," he says slowly, "revenge would not be my first motive. Seeking a position of power would be, for from there I could reassess my goals. Uncle Huon," he says 'Uncle' with irony, "has had a long time to plan this."
Brennan shrugs, not discounting the point per se, but refuting it: "If he wanted any old Shadow, he had Meg's home enough under control to make these," he gestures at the weapon and powder, then picks them up. "But yes, he's had time to do very little but plan, so I'm not going to pretend I know what he's up to. Yet."
"So what's special about Meg's home?" He's still uncomfortable referring to her by her first name, but he's also still feeling he owes her, so that may be it. "What drew people of the Blood?" He frowns. "I wonder... there was a tower when we first made Abford. It had an octagonal room set for crafting of some sort. It was tall, like a lighthouse without a guiding light. Ossian and I explored it, but save for some skins, and that it had survived a fire, we did not find anything else unusual."
[GM note: That tower was not in the same shadow as Abford.]
[As per GM amendment, just let Marius' last comment reflect that the tower was "on the way to Abford."]
Brennan shifts his attention to the aforementioned powder samples and examines them gingerly. Since this lab is not designed for it, he does not try to set any off. Is it notably similar or dissimilar to Corwin's material? How much is there?
"I think someone is going to have to test this in Amber," Brennan says. "And inform Random, one way or the other. You going back with sister Signy?"
[I believe Brennan has seen Corwin's guns and materials before-- notably, when the Aisling was busy hanging herself, and possibly through long association with Cambina.]
"If the Prince says so, it's a command, and I would not cross him. Besides, I have yet to see this Xanadu, and my path seems to run that way. Does it need to be tested in both locations? Is there enough of what it needs to do so?"
[GM comment: sure! just put it on a polishing cloth and throw the dirty cloth in the fire, because it's certainly not toxic when burned and recycling is not a family virtue... (There's enough to experiment with (a bit) in Amber and Xanadu, but not enough to fire a regicidal shot, unless it's funnier that way.)]
"If Huon even knows about Xanadu, that'll concern me. But paranoia says we should do both. I have a shortcut to Amber," Brennan touches the case at his belt, "But not to Xanadu or Random. Nor you, for that matter-- yours is in the booth in Xanadu. How do you want to work it? Want to see the test in Amber?"
[Pretty sure that's right, that the booth got moved to Xanadu. Also, I am sensing end of thread, as soon as the transport details are worked out.]
Marius nods. "Perhaps he did not know of Corwin's," there's something in the way he says that name, "efforts with his weapons, and created a type that would travel better. If one of Corwin's fell into his hands," he does not say, "given by a certain creature of our mutual acquaintance, ferinstance," but just trails off. "I gave my Trump to Signy. I would..." he smiles, "feel better bringing her along, unless she is in a hurry to meet the whole of the Family without my association to taint it." More smiling.
"I have no objection," Brennan says. "I thought you might object on the grounds that you'd want to go direct to Random without stopping in Amber. But, since there's no conflict..." If there's a case for the weapon, Brennan puts it in the case. If not, there will be a suitable satchel for it somewhere in the proximity, and he will use that.
[GM note: Also, Brennan: the gun barrel exploded in a misfire.]
"Honestly," Marius laughs, "our King unnerves me, and I find distance the best cure." Because Marius'd never say, "Random gives me the heebie-jeebies." He means it, though.
"Let's go find your sister," Brennan says. "And her companion, whom I suppose I should get used to treating as though I trust. Be a shame if he gets eaten, though."
"He was one of the monks of knowledge, a sect for which many journeyed through Shadow to request of their wisdom. Does he know of the Greater World? Some, but he has been a good companion, and was, I believe, enamoured of my sister in their youth."
But, and Brennan should pick this up, he doesn't exactly disagree...
Fiona arranges for Ossian to have a private room for his trump call to Merlin.
Ossian looks at the gathered people to see if anyone seems inclined to follow him, if so he motions for them to do so.
When he gets to the room [Ossian] concentrates on Merlin's Trump.
"Who is it?" Merlin's voice comes through the trump first.
"Ossian" Ossian does not sound as sunny as he normally does.
Once Ossian identifies himself, Merlin completes the connection. Ossian can see that he's still underwater, and alone. "How can I help you this time, cousin?"
"Well" Ossian says. "This could be an embarassing question.
"If your mother had a child, would you know? Or would you be able to identify such a child if you met it?"
Merlin gets very wide-eyed. "Do you think my mother has another child? Why?"
Ossian sighs. "We followed Huon from Abford. On the way we got ambushed by this Cleph guy, and someone else, who we think was Dara. Cleph said Meg was his sisters daughter.
"They've got Meg."
"That is very bad." Merlin's eyes get even wider. "Do you know where they took her?"
"Not yet. We where not in a position good for pursuit." Ossian says "What do you mean by very bad? What could Dara do to Meg?"
"She could eat her!" Merlin's alarm comes through the mental connection very clearly.
Ossian swallows and makes a disgusted face. "That's... disgusting.
"If Meg is your mother's daughter, does it matter? If we meet someone who looks like Meg, can we trust that person?"
Merlin considers the question very seriously. "Look for marks of inhumanity. My mother might be able to make herself pass for Meg for a period of time, especially if she has eaten her, but one like Cleph will betray itself. Cleph could not keep a fully human form for very long."
"Ok. I will be wary then." Ossian says. "Do you have any idea why your mother would abandon Meg in Abford? When Meg was a kid, and if she is you mother's daughter, I mean."
"None whatsoever," Merlin replies. "But it does make sense that she would try to ingather her now, especially since she has failed to ingather me."
"What would she win by that?" Ossian asks.
"Whatever she invested in her offspring, plus whatever it has accumulated. Knowledge and power, for two," Merlin explains. "Or she could seek Meg as an ally."
Ossian nods. "Meg would ally with your mother if she has the right things to offer.
"I can only warn you that Huon might be in alliance with your mother, if you should meet him again. He's heading for Rebma. Or have you heard any news about him?"
"He is on his way here. We are with the army of Khela, and it is between Huon and Rebma. But the army is moving and so are we," Merlin explains. He seems quite pleased about that last bit.
"Splendid. Khela? Who's that?"
"Llewella's daughter. I believe she is rebelling against Moire." Merlin thinks for a moment. "Will you tell the King our Uncle this? I do not believe it would be wise for Martin to know."
Ossian frowns. "Let me get this straight. Is Khela going to fight with or against Huon? Or avoid him altogether?"
Merlin clarifies: "She is going to avoid him altogether."
Which would explain why Merlin is pleased, certainly.
"That's wise, I believe." Ossian nods. "I will keep quiet about Khela if you want me to."
"The King should know, but no one else."
"Ok. Telling the king without alerting Martin might be problematic, but I will try." Ossian smiles "Take care, cousin."
"I will. You do also, cousin."
He lets Ossian close the connection.
Lilly, for the most part, plans to hang with Martin... unless, of course, he doesn't want her to. In that case she won't. If there is a chance of giving Random some info about the meeting with Weyland, she'll take it. But it's not a priority. The priority is Dara. For the moment, though, she is content to follow Martin's lead on that one.
Fiona arranges for a private room for Martin to make the Trump call to Random. He talks briefly to his father and conveys the information about Huon and Meg. Based on Martin's end of the conversation, it seems likely that Random's contribution consists of "yeah", "uh-huh", and "huh".
When he's done, Martin turns to Lilly and says, "All right. This is my plan: if we get a lead on Meg, we go after her. If not, we hellride to Ygg and I get you, and maybe Brita, to Madoc, then I go scout Borel. Dangerous and un-fun, but it beats our other options."
"Perhaps not entirely un-fun," Lilly replies with a shrug. "It beats sitting around doing nothing. I was beginning to get bored." The brightness in her eyes implies she might be something less then serious.
Without pause, Lilly seamlessly moves to the next, albeit related, subject. "The Smith, Weyland, is something of a mysterious character. He has ties to the Choasian courts. Obviously he also had ties to Deirdre. In addition, he is the one responsible for forging the great swords. Your father may be able to convince him to create another, one to match the Pattern of Xanadu. He seems to feel I would be capable of wielding such a thing." Caution and curiosity mix as Lilly speaks. Martin's reaction seems to be important to her.
Martin frowns. "Don't count on that even if you're promised it."
A flash of disappointment clouds her expression for a moment before a return to neutrality. "I won't. The fact is, I've come to expect people to be something of a let down." Lilly falls silent allowing the words to linger for a moment. "You must admit though, he is an interesting character. And he's ties to the choasians and Dierdre, not to much the link to my father, make him someone to at least watch," she shrugs and then continues on with a hint of determination. "The price of his skills may be steep, possibly too steep. Still I think it wise to determine the cost before completely disregarding the notion. But rest assured cousin, I am approaching this with due caution."
"Oh, he sounds fascinating. Especially for someone whose interests are less practical and more theoretical than mine." Martin grins and taps his hair, which is shorn short. "See this? Blond, not red. But his ties to Chaos and Marius' mother make him worth keeping an eye on." Whether he omits Benedict from the list as a courtesy to present company isn't clear.
"You know what Grandfather said about Werewindle?"
"No, I don't," Lilly replies with a curious tone. "I know very little of what grandfather had to say on any subject. And most of what I do know has been filtered through either my father or yours." Silently she adds to herself, 'not telling which is worse' but the thought carries with it a hint of amusement. "Is it something completely ominous?"
"And mysterious," Martin replies. "I see your dad filled you in on how Grandfather talked about these things. He told me if I really understood what Werewindle did, I wouldn't want it so badly. But he said he'd give it to me anyway, after everything was over." The corner of Martin's mouth quirks downward. "Then the plan changed and he died, and he never got around to it."
Lilly nods. "I would love to get my hands on one of the swords, if only for a few moment," she confesses. "I suppose it's just my inherent curiosity. They are a mystery. And for some reason, feel like they are a mystery I am supposed to be able to solve."
She smiles then, "I suppose eventually I will get over the need to know everything. Eventually. A few hundred years should suffice."
"Hasn't for me, to the extent that I have that problem," says Martin, as they step into the room where the rest of the family has gathered to talk.
Signy catches Tomat's eye, and leads them a few paces away from the main group. She glances warily around at the rest of her new-found family to see who might be paying excessive attention before turning her gaze back to Tomat, her eyes lighting up with a muted pleasure.
"Brother Tomat! I'd not thought to see you again, much less that you would have followed me from my father's tower." Despite the note of pleasure at their reunion, her voice is pitched low and for Tomat's ears alone.
"I hadn't thought to see you again either, Lady Signy. It was a fortunate coincidence that let me leave the Klybesians and return to the Plain of Towers." Tomat smiles at her. "When I found out that Marius was your brother, I knew I had to let go my former allegiance to them."
Signy glances briefly at Marius. "What sort of man is he, I wonder," she asks in a musing tone. Shaking her head slightly, she focuses again on Tomat. "So, do you know what I've landed myself in the middle of?"
"The most powerful and dangerous people in all the worlds," Tomat explains. "More dangerous than your father, even. Be careful with this plan to let them carry you to Amber. It could end badly for you."
Signy's face doesn't change, though her eyes flick briefly back to Brennan and Marius. "And yet my father bargains with them as if from a position of strength. Curious...." Her gaze focuses back on Tomat as her forehead creases slightly as if in worry or concentration. "I assume Amber is where this King Random is -- what would the dangers be? That I'd be caught up in whatever this conflict is?"
"That they would deal with you in the same way your father has," Tomat explains.
Signy frowns, with a dubious look in her eyes. "My father apparently tried to marry me off to one of the family's enemies."
Tomat nods. "In your family, Lady, the enemies are as likely to be of your own blood as not."
Signy pauses briefly to digest this.
"What more can you tell me about my blood? Is your knowledge from the Monks?"
"Most of it, although I've learned more from listening today than I knew before. The royalty of Amber has been one of the studies of the Klybesians for many years. That was one of the reasons I was sent to your father, apart from repaying the Order's debt to him. They hoped I'd learn more about his connection to Amber," Tomat explains.
A look of curiosity flares up in Signy's eyes. "And what did you learn about his connection?"
Tomat frowns and gestures as he speaks: a sign of his nerves. "His tie to them is old and precedes his association with your mother. He's made many items of power for the royals of Amber--and now, it seems, the royalty of Rebma--but what ultimately binds them together is beyond my knowledge. I wonder whether he himself is not a Lord of Chaos somehow bound in human form."
Signy mulls this over for a moment. "But, it sounds like there's almost open hostilities between Amber and Chaos...?" She sighs softly, and looks directly at Tomat. "I'm here, now, and I don't know that I've got an easy way home. I suspect that I'll have little choice but to go and meet this King of theirs. How do you think I should procede?"
"Carefully. Without knowing more than I do of the situation in Amber, it's hard to say." He's still frowning. "If they ask you to take oaths, take your time to consider the ramifications. And find out as much as you can before you agree--or decide not to."
After a moment, Tomat adds, "I would come with you, and advise you as we go."
At this point, Brita - who has returned to the lab and conferred briefly with Fiona - walks over and interrupts with, "Cousin Signy, Kin Tomat. I am Brita, Daughter of Princess Fiona and Lord Vidar of Shadow Asgard." The introduction is accompanied by a formal half bow which is softened by a smile as she straightens. "We May have Misplaced one Relative, but it is a Pleasure to Gain Two More. I only Found I had a Brother a few Short Time Ago," Brita says to Signy. "Was Your Finding a Brother as Joyful?"
Signy responds to Brita's half-bow with a similar one, though with the stiffness and lack of fluidity of one who is recalling the motions a split second before performing them. "Well, I've not had time to take stock, nor to get to know him much," she says with a tentative smile. "I meet Lilly coming out of my father's Tower, then I meet Marius and reunite with Brother Tomat, then we're fighting Hob, then I meet Brennan, then we're in my father's Tower dealing with him before being whisked here." She nods her head at the rest of the group still in the room. "Needless to say, I've more questions, and few of them that I can even manage to ask coherently."
Brita nods through the description, "It is Somewhat Overwhelming Joining the Family," she states. "I do not Know Cousin Marius or Cousin Lilly well. They were in The Battle with Chaos when I Arrived in Former Reality Amber with Our Cousin Reid." Brita pauses for a moment and her brow furrows slightly. "Brother Tomat? I have Noticed that Most of My Cousins do Not use Titles. Are you Brother to Cousin Signy?"
Tomat shakes his head. "I was a Brother in an Order once, but I am no longer. Lady Signy has my service now."
Brita nods in understanding, "We are All In Service to our Relatives at Some Point."
Signy focuses her attention on Tomat as he speaks. While she says nothing, he can read her questions about this turn of events, though she appears to be saving them for a later date.
She looks back at Brita, and a faint hint of apprehension creases the corners of her eyes. "What is next for me? It sounds like I'm to be shipped off to this King Random -- what will be my fate then?"
"Your Fate is Your Own. King-Uncle Random is Not a Fiend. He will Likely Ask You what You want to Do with Your Life, although He will Require your Fealty. Seeing him will Open up More Opportunities for You."
At this point, Brennan and Marius re-enter the room, Brennan with a gun-sized satchel slung over one shoulder. He and Marius are in casual conversation, Brennan saying, "...no doubt, but knowledge is dangerous with the likes of Dara and the Eater out there."
When they reach Brita, Signy and Tomat, Brennan greets them all. He gestures with the satchel and says to Brita, "We're for testing the powder in Amber, and then on to King Random," he fixes his eyes on Signy, "Which means you should probably come with us. You'll probably have questions you want to ask before you meet him."
Signy frowns, clearly still suspecting a the catch in the deal. "What sort of fealty will he demand?" Then, her curiosity getting the better of her, she continues. "And what sorts of options will I have for 'what You want to Do with Your Life'? Is there someone that can teach me more about what was done to transport us all here?"
Marius smiles. "He asked us to bear true allegiance, obeying his commands from the hour forward until our death...or until this world ends." There's a wicked glee in his expression. "Which world is under threat, and his commands have not yet been onerous, as he has not yet given me any when I have not been around to receive them."
He shrugs. "There are arts and artists around to investigate. I know bits and pieces, a dabbling. For the methods of the worlds, there are some I can and would willingly teach, but there are subtleties I do not know, although I may be able to point you in a good direction.
"In any case, I would suggest travelling with us a few steps further so that you can arrive with knowledge to trade," he smiles at Tomat with that.
Brita nods in agreement. "King-Uncle Random's Commands are not Onerous. Your Options are Varied. I believe they Include Staying in Xanadu or Travelling in Shadow forming new Paths." Signy gets a wry smile for the generalization. "I Know how to Paint Trumps. Our Cousin Master Reid Taught me."
Which helps Marius' case that he WASN'T suggesting any kind of treason.
Brennan nods agreement to Marius, and to Brita's own assessment of her Trumps skill. He adds, "The main principles of the oath in practice have amounted to, 'Don't make trouble, don't take up arms against the realm, and don't kill your relatives without permission.'" The last is followed by an entirely humorless, tight smile. "The advice I gave to my brother, in similar circumstances, was to have something to offer in return, if only for form's and politeness' sake."
Signy looks at Brennan. "Unfortunately, I am somewhat new to this -- I have some talent with leading men in battle, and with Sorcery. Would this be considered acceptible to offer in return? And in return for what?"
Marius remains silent because he's curious, too. After all, wasn't the return that he gave the oath? What was he getting from Random?
"In return?" Brennan asks. "In return for what you greatly desire-- the ability to come and go as you please. I think even your father would find it quite difficult to keep you prisoner when you come into your heritage. And Sorcery is a rare talent in our generation."
Marius nods at both of these points, glancing at Signy. It's more a clarification, like, "This is truth."
After a moment, [Brennan] adds, "But take what I say about prices and offers with a grain of salt. I tend to be old school when it comes to family matters.
Marius would raise an eyebrow, but we know who his father is.
"We should be going soon, though," [Brennan] says. "Brita, I intend to carry news about Huon back to the King. Is there anything we don't already know that we should? Size of his army, destination, anything strange or inexplicable?"
"Mood?" Marius adds, just because he's curious.
Brita shakes her head, "His Mood I do Not Know, although," she cocks her head to one side, "He was Magnanimous in Shadow Abford and More Well Thought of for a Departed Invader than one Might think. Size of his Army is Also Unknown as he Gathers More on his March through Shadow. Destination is at Least Mirror Rebma and Likely Former Center Amber. As I Explained to My Mother, I was Only able to Determine that the Black Pearl Bracelet that Cousin Celina now owns is Tied to Our Uncle. Cousin Ambrose thinks it May be a Way to Learn More."
Marius interrupts. "Could you describe the bracelet?"
GMs: Is it at all/something like Marius had from his mother?
[Assuming that it is described, the piece is not familiar to Marius. However, Deirdre did have some Rebman jewelry.]
Brita describes the bracelet of black pearls.
As it is not familiar to Marius, all he says is as the GMs noted, "My mother had some Rebman jewelry," he shrugs. It's probably a dead end on his part, but he had to check.
At Brennan's words about her father, Signy looks to have more interest, though she does not interrupt with them.
At this point, Lilly and Martin re-enter the room.
Ossian steps into the room too, grinning, although he stifles his grin quickly. He steps towards Martin.
Lilly is still by Martin's side. As Ossian approaches, he can tell she is pleased though she is trying to maintain an outward show of indifference.
Brennan flashes a somewhat sympathetic glance at Signy, as if to say, "Soon," but at Brita's mention of Rebma he makes a sour face. Glancing at Marius, he mutters, "Why do I feel like I've been a half a step behind since I got here?"
As Brennan's glance meets Signy's, she gives him a wry half-grin and shrugs.
That's about Marius' reaction to Brennan's rhetorical question, too.
Then back to Brita: "Rebma. Ossian said something about Rebma in conjunction with Huon, too. I assumed-- " he catches himself, "Never mind what I assumed. Why do we think he's heading to Rebma? In both senses-- what's our reason, and what do we think is his purpose?"
He brushes his fingers against the Trump case at his hip.
[GMs: Did the weapon seem to be suitable for aquatic use? Trying to tell by the powder is pointless without testing it, but was there anything about the weapon itself that would lend itself to underwater use?]
Brita glances across at Martin as well. "This has Become so Convoluted," she sighs. She continues to Brennan "In my Tracking Spell, I Sensed Water in Association with our Uncle and my Assumption of Mirror Rebma came from Our Initial Direction from Shadow Abford on the Sea. When clef and Dara Attacked, Cousin Ambrose was Injured and we Initially were Heading to Shadow Uxmal. When we Contacted My Mother, we Ended Here. Cousin Ossian Spoke with Cousins Merlin and Celina. Perhaps They Revealed More?" She turns to Ossian.
Marius waits for Ossian's revelations.
Ossian shrugs "This might be old news for a bunch of you. Merlin thinks his mother might 'eat' Meg. I don't know him well enough to know if it his own fears playing with him, or a real threat."
"Anyway: if we meet someone that looks like Meg it might be Dara. The bottomline is: we don't know if we have anything to rescue."
Marius nods at Ossian. No news there. Marius looks directly at Martin as if delegating this issue to the Crown Prince. He then looks at Brennan with a half smile. "So, on to Amber and seeing if our Uncle is successfully clever enough to take over the old world?"
"Just a quick question," Lilly says to Ossian. "Has Meg any skill with a blade? If we do manage to find her, we are going to need a way to determine if it truly is Meg or if it is someone masquerading."
In response to Lilly's question, Brennan just makes eye contact with her, then points at Brita. That's about the best they're going to do on short notice.
As Brennan, Signy, Marius, and Tomat step away, Martin turns his attention back to the remaining group. He gathers Ambrose in with a look.
Ossian looks back at Lilly and shakes his head. "She's about as good as me. No help there."
For whatever reason, this seems to please Lilly. For now though, shes resists the temptation to explain and merely nods.
Martin turns to Brita. "Looks like we have two options: try to trace the spell to Rebma, where Merlin is, or scout Borel, and probably Madoc, and see what we can find out that way. I'm in favor of the latter, because Merlin will trump me if Meg turns up there now that he knows we're looking for her. Even if he's not sure it's her. Hell, especially if he's not sure it's her."
Martin looks significantly at each of the others. "Comments and thoughts?"
Ambrose glances at Brita, clearly letting her take the lead.
Brita quirks an eyebrow back at Ambrose before turning back to Martin, "Your Highness, it is Possible that the Options are Not Two, but One. I am Not Convinced that Dara would take Our Cousin Back to a Chaos Court. You Mentioned that Dara Loves her Children. If she Seeks to Gather her Children, is it Possible she Might Follow Cousin Merlin to Mirror Rebma? My Image was of the Black Pearl Bracelet left in Shadow Abford for Cousin Meg's Keeping, Taken by Uncle Huon as he Passed Through that Shadow, and Given to Cousin Celina who Travels On to the Underwater Realm with Cousin Merlin and My Brother. It is like a Weaving of the Sister Fates: the Threads all Interconnect to Define One Path." She shrugs. "That Said, I also see Advantages of Scouting Dara's Home Court if she is Not there and of Taking the Fight to her if she Is. What did the King Say to the Venture?"
Martin frowns and starts to say something, but Ossian speaks up and Martin shuts his mouth instead.
"Merlin is somewhere in the outskirts of Rebma. We should not count on him finding out if Dara or Meg arrives there." Ossian says. "I'd like to try to paint a sketch of Meg. It is a wild shot, but could verify if she's still alive. If I succeed."
"How long will such a sketch take?" Lilly asks. "A few days might not be worth the risk but even a few hours... Well let's just say I'd be interested in the result. In the meantime," she turns her attention to Brita. "You could go to Cousin Merlin and wait there to see if you are correct. If there are issues, have Merlin contact Martin right away. Likewise, Ossian can make contact if we find something. With limited time ad resources, it might be better to divide as long as we have a solid plan for reuniting when the time is right."
[Olof: If Ossian spends a watch on it, it might last a full day, or it might fail completely. If he spent all night on it, it might last a week.]
"I don't think anybody in this group has a trump of me, and it would be a bad idea to make one," Martin says in a tone that brooks no argument. "So Lilly's right: we need a solid plan for meeting up if we split. And I need to stay out of Rebma for political reasons. If someone's going there it can't be me."
Brita responds "I can Go in Your Stead, Your Highness, but I Would Assist you as You Decree. I have Limited Trumps at the Moment - I could Sketch my Brother and I have My Mother's Trump, but that is All. If you would Prefer We not Split, we could Contact Cousin Merlin and My Brother and Relay that They should Contact Us at the First Sign of Cousin Meg or Dara or cleph."
"You have my Trump, and I don't mind going to Rebma" Ossian says to Martin (but keeps quiet about the fact that also Lilly has one)). "That's a starting point. A sketch of Meg could be finished within a few hours, or more certainly by morning."
"What about you?" Martin says to Ambrose.
"I don't think it would be wise for me to go looking for Merlin," Ambrose admits.
Martin nods, once, at that understatement. "What about coming to the other side? You're a sorcerer. We could put you to good use."
"If you're planning on going to Madoc, I doubt I'm welcome there, after what Grandmother did at the family picnic."
Martin makes a face. "Point taken. How about you hang here and coordinate?"
"I should go back to Uxmal and see how things have gone in my absence," Ambrose suggests.
Martin has to think about that. "All right," he says after a moment. "So it's Lilly and me to Ygg and off to the other side from there, you two--" he gestures to Ossian and Brita "--to Rebma to look for Meg there, and Ambrose to coordinate between the two of us once he's done making sure there's no more trouble on his home turf. Sounds like a plan to me."
"To me as well," Lilly replies. Turning to Brita, she adds, "Good hunting." For Ossian, she spares the words and offers only a gentle smile followed by a simple nod.
Ossian smiles back and shrugs.
Brita responds with "May Your Hunt be Successful as Well." She reaches into a jacket pocket and pulls out a small book. "This was Cousin Meg's - a Book of Proverbs of Her Goddess. There is also a Partial Letter. Perhaps These will Help You Determine the Real Cousin if the Need Arises."
Turning back to Martin, Lilly's expression hardens. "I'm ready when you are. Let's do this."
"Shall I make the sketch attempt before leaving?" Ossian asks. "Painting in Rebma is kind of wet, I suppose."
"As your former native guide, I suggest that very strongly. Luck." Martin offers Brita, Ossian, and Ambrose each a clasp, managing not to hesitate before he does so with Ambrose, and then turns to go.
Brita returns the clasp with a sure one of her own.
Last modified: 7 July 2007