City In The Sky

In a private room of Bran's castle Corvis, Avis, and Vere share a bottle of wine and last-minute discussion of the future plans for the Exodus, along with the last bits of advice from Corvis to Avis on the duties of the Lady.

Then Vere stands by a window, where Corvis can look out one last time at the world she is soon to leave. He holds his father's card up and stares into Gerard's eyes.

"Father," he says. "It is Vere."

Gerard's image coalesces. He is breaking his fast in his chambers in Xanadu. "Vere," he says, and looks away, probably to whoever is with him. "What news from the Isles?"

"Of the Isles themselves, little new over what I expect Solange has already told you," Vere answers. "They are doomed, and Avis and I are leading all who will follow to a new home. We have made peace with the Chancellor and the Witch Queens, and allied with the folk of the far Eastern land as well."

He tilts his head, as though waiting to see what his father's response will be before he says any more.

Gerard is breaking his fast in his chambers when Hannah arrives. There's enough for two; even with his legs incapacitated, the man eats an amazing amount of food. He gestures to Hannah to join him and puts Scamp to work setting a second place for her.

"How are you doing this morning, Hannah?" he asks. He seems in a good mood.

This draws an enormous smile from Hannah as she sits. "I feel energized, as always before a journey. Unless you have any last minute requests, I'm going to head out today."

"Good morning Scamp," she grins.

Scamp bobs his head and mutters "Morning, ma'am," which second word almost sounds like "mum" because it's said so quickly.

By contrast, Gerard shakes his head. "I think we're doing well enough here. How long do you think you'll be gone? Has one of our trump artists made a sketch, so you can be reached?"

Before Hannah can answer, Gerard gets the characteristic look of someone being contacted by Trump. "Vere," he says, and looks at Hannah, offering his hand. "What news from the Isles?"

Hannah takes Gerard's hand and smiles at Vere.

Vere nods to her. His eyes narrow for a moment, and he looks as though he is considering saying something, but whatever it is he changes his mind and remains silent.

Gerard says, "That last is to the good, at least." He sighs heavily. "What new home do you propose to take them all to? And what of yer ma?"

"Rebma," Vere answers immediately. "Or very near. I want them near a Pattern, and the society of Rebma is far closer to what they are used to." He doesn't pause for his father to comment on his decision, immediately moving on to answer his second question.

"As part of the peace treaty the Lady Corvis has agreed to abdicate in favour of her daughter. She is to ascend to the home of the gods. I am prepared to trump Mother through to you now."

This makes Hannah smile bigger. She squeezes Gerard's hand and is already turning to look for Scamp as she lets go.

She picks up her own plate to get it out of the way, and tells Scamp, "Lady Corvis is coming through. Let's make space." She's happy to help pick up.

Scamp moves to clear the table out of the way as Gerard rolls back to make room. Scamp does not ask, "Who's Lady Corvis?" although Hannah suspects he's thinking it from his expression.

On the other side of the connection, Vere can see Gerard moving to make room. "Aye, send her through, if this is what she wishes." It's clear through the trump connection that Gerard has desperately mixed feelings about this: both terrified and ecstatic and not much between.

Vere looks up from the card to his mother. "He is ready, my mother," he tells her. He holds out a hand to her.

"She's Prince Gerard's wife, Scamp," Hannah whispers quickly.

Corvis accepts Vere's and gives it a squeeze, smiling at him and then, as she takes in Gerard, offers him a broader, if still tremulous smile. Gerard swallows once and offers his hand for Vere to pass Covis through.

Once the transit is complete, he releases Corvis' hand and lets Hannah and Scamp see to her, turning his attention back to Vere. "Is there anythin' else?"

Vere nods. "Solange may have mentioned this already. We learned that there was a third daughter of Ysabeau, who was left with her father, by the name of Iron Eye. This is worth investigation, I believe."

"Aye, and there's much to speak on aboot that, but when ye're here in person." Gerard says this very firmly and it's easy for Vere to intuit that he's already learned the answer to the riddle.

"Well enou," Vere answers with a slight nod of his head. "Take care, Father. I will call you when the people of the Isles are settled in their new home." He prepares to end the link, but pauses to give Gerard a chance to speak if he has anything else to say.

"Fare well, son."

Hannah smiles at Corvis, holding out a hand in greeting. "My lady, welcome to Xanadu. I'm Hannah, and this is Scamp."

"Please, let's sit down."

"Thank you." Corvis takes Hannah's hand in greeting. She seems a bit lost in this landscape that is obviously alien to her. Hannah can see that she is ill. "I am the--no, I am Corvis now. I have given up that service to the Goddess."

Scamp brings her a chair while Gerard finishes his conversation with Vere.

Hannah nods, and when Corvis sits, she takes a seat nearby. "I think you will find it pleasant here. There is a beautiful waterfall, and the castle is something of a wonder itself. Can we get you anything? Are you thirsty?"

"Some water would be very nice, thank you, Hannah." Hannah suspects Corvis is repeating her name so she'll remember it later.

Gerard's attention comes back to bear on the two women. "Corvis?" he says, and seems at a bit of a loss.

"It's well, Gerard." Corvis smiles at her husband. "Hannah here was telling me about the new realm of the Gods. The waterfall, and the castle. Do you like it?"

"I do," Gerard says. "But I've not been outside much. Hannah will have to tell you about everything else."

Sometime in all this talking, Scamp has found water for Corvis and he offers her a crystal goblet, which she takes with a shaking hand.

"The forest is nice, but everyone insists it isn't very safe yet. The city is growing. I'd hate to try to describe it. You'll have to go explore, a piece at a time. Solange is here right now to help out with logistics," Hannah smiles. "But the castle itself is an adventure. The... technology was exciting to me."

"Technology?" Corvis says, trying the word out.

"Aye, some things we do in the Isles with hard labor are done here by machines," Gerard hastens to explain. "And other things we do not at all in the Isles. Hannah's from a place where they have wise women, and wise men as well, but not so many machines as we have in Xanadu."

"Do they worship the Goddess in your home, Hannah?" Corvis asks politely. Hannah suspects she assumes the answer is yes.

"There are many religions in my homeworld, and some have goddesses. Some have... subsumed their goddesses into their male-like gods," Hannah can't quite help herself from making a face. "Some have gods and goddesses, and some people just worship money - which strikes me as a male god."

Hannah smiles and shrugs. "My people have a broad interpretation of religion, and the word worship would have been quite alien to us a few generations ago. We live our religion, so it is in everything you do. You'll see when I turn, I always turn east. I've been doing that since I was born. It is because my clan witnesses the sunrise and draw our strength from the east. It was part of the reasoning my father used to get our elders to let me go to the East of the big place we're from, to study with those who weren't... part of our people."

Hannah nods then, "But yes, we have goddesses. More than one. Each tends to represent an aspect or need of the people. Does your goddess represent all the needs and aspects?"

"Danu was an interloper when she led our people to the isles. Much of what came before has been lost, except that it was tied to Amber, Home of the Gods. When we arrived at the isles, we lived there, our Goddess and the native goddesses coexisting. When our people met and warred, so did the heavens. That I do not trust that a peace made on earth can last without a peace in heaven is one reason I had to retire. The Goddess needs servants who can follow her ineffable plan."

"This will likely seem a silly question to you, but why help the goddess?" Hannah asks.

Corvis opens her mouth to reply, but before she does so, there is an insistent knocking on the door.

"Come!", bellows Gerard, almost instinctively.

A page, no more than fifteen years old, shoves open the door. "His Majesty's compliments and he would like Prince Gerard to join him in his study." The boy sees Hannah. "And Lady Hannah, as well." The boy turns and runs off, sandals flapping on the marble floor.

"Does that--?" asks Corvis.

Gerard shakes his head. "Nae, but tis nae mither. You go, Hannah. Call me if ye ha'e need o' me."

"All right," Hannah agrees. "We'll have some time to talk eventually. It was a pleasure to finally meet you."

Hannah will go off to this conference Random is calling.

Random is standing in the open window of his study when Hannah comes in. He's looking out over the beaches to the south.

"Vialle is missing, we've sent out search parties. Cambina is dead. Do you know where Gerard is?"

"Yes, he's in his room with his wife." Hannah takes a breath. "What can I help you with, Random?" she asks quietly.

"I sent Solange to Trump people, and I've got to go try to find Vialle. I was going to put Gerard in charge here. Since when does he have a wife?"

"Well, for a long time, I think, but here, just now. Put Gerard in charge, he's best qualified. Do you want me to go get him for you?" Hannah comes up a little closer to capture the view at Random's angle.

From where Random is standing, Hannah can just make out the place that has the three steps that lead to Tirna n'Ogth.

"Yeah, do that. I'm gonna need to do something stupid tonight."

Hannah takes a breath to say something, but stops. Then, "Cambina foretold I'd go up, but after she'd died. So if that's what you're thinking, maybe you should send me. She didn't foretell my death, so it seems I'd have as good odds as anyone."

"She didn't foretell your death? That should've been the first sign something was wrong." He hops down from the window ledge. "You can't go. You've never been there, and we'd need a trump to make sure we can pull you back, so we don't have to have a dual burial." He shakes his head.

"I could see Corwin going, but I'm probably the number two expert. And I think we need a number two expert on this matter."

Hannah nods. "And I think we need the number three expert, but you're in charge. Paige did let you know we were able to see it when we spirit walked?

"I'll go get Gerard."

"While that may qualify you as the number three expert, that's not a great deal. See if Corwin can stop in. He may want to go up there for his own reasons, and if you took him, I'd be OK with that plan."

Hannah grins. "I hope I'm not the number three expert! I just don't think the King should go, but I'm opinionated that way. I'll see if I can convince Corwin to come help a girl out."

Hannah departs to go grab Gerard.

Hannah knocks and politely waits for Scamp to let her in. She makes sure the door is secure behind her before she sighs.

"Well, uncle, it looks like the King would like you to come stand Regent. Vialle is missing."

Hannah walks over to sit closer before she delivers the harder news. "Cambina. Cambina... is dead. So he's very concerned, and wants to go to Tir. If I can talk Corwin into going with me instead, he'll let us do that, but he should at least have your advice while he's... so distracted."

Gerard's eyes widen at the news, and his face grows grave. "Where is he? We'll go to him--if you're up to it," he says to Corvis. "I can go on my own."

"I will come with you to meet the King of the Gods and help search for his priestess," Corvis replies, coming to her feet. "Lead on, Lady Hannah."

"Let's go then." Hannah stands. "Gerard, will you loan me your card of Corwin?" She holds the door open for them.

"Aye," Gerard says. He rolls toward his desk. "Let me get it now." Corvis moves to join him, but she is slow. Gerard opens one of his desk drawers, looks through it, and finds the cards to shuffle out Corwin's, which he offers to Hannah.

Hannah takes the card with quiet thanks.

"Why don't ye lean on my chair as we go?" he suggests to Corvis.

"I believe I will," Corvis replies, and does so.

Because of Corvis' fragility, the journey through the castle to Random's office is much slower than the one that Hannah took to get to Gerard's rooms. When they arrive, Gilt Winter's office is empty and they are able to go in directly.

Corvis moves to prostrate herself to Random. Gerard moves to stop her, but she is not so close that he can reach her without toppling out of the chair.

Random's expression can best be described as bumfuzzled.

Hannah's reaction is fast, at first thinking Corvis is falling. By the time she has her arm and is encouraging her upright, she's figured out that's not what's happening. "My lady, a woman of your stature needn't go so far. We can curtsy, if you'd like," Hannah whispers, and bobs slowly besides Corvis, giving Random a nod.

"Your Majesty, we'd like to present Lady Corvis, your good-sister. Lady, this is King Random of Xanadu," Hannah introduces, only then releasing her aunt gently.

Corvis bobs as Hannah does, and stays down.

Random waits just long enough and says "Rise. Right, we have rules about that sort of thing. Women over five foot five and a third inches aren't required to go so far. I'm Random, but you can call me Random. This is Xanadu. Gerard is my brother and I invited him here to ask him to make sure the castle doesn't catch on fire while I look for my wife, who's missing."

"Ger?"

"Aye."

"Great. Any questions?"

"My Lord King?," asks Corvis, "shall I attempt to locate her with my magics?"

Random looks from her to Gerard and then to Hannah. "Umm, sure. It would please me mightily if you could do this, Lady."

Corvis smiles.

"Any other questions?" Random asks.

Solange plunges suddenly into the king's office, slightly breathless and holding a painted canvas in one hand. Her eyes widen in surprise when she sees an unknown woman in the room with Gerard and Hannah, but then her expression changes visibly into something more intense as she comes to the obvious conclusion who the woman must be.

She swallows her reaction and turns to Random. "I'm sorry for interrupting, but I think I found something of importance in Cambina's room."

Hannah turns to take in Solange, her eyes traveling worriedly to the canvas.

Random hops up from his chair and comes over to Solange. He takes the painting from her and holds it up so that everyone can see it in the light.

"Excellent dramatic entry, Solange, no need to apologize," he says. Random then turns his head to the others. "What do you make of it?", he says to everyone and no one.

Solange points to the water in the painting. "All the people in the harbor... It reminded me of that apocalyptic prophesy Elder Germaine went on and on about. Do you remember the Paresh? Why they left Amber?

"And Tir in the sky during the day suggested 'invasion' to me."

Solange pauses, and it's clear from the expression on her face that realizes how silly this all sounds. She runs her hand through her hair. "Perhaps I'm reading too much into it, but Cambina had her prophetic moments too. Perhaps she saw something about to happen and was killed for it."

Hannah nods slowly. "If everyone in Tir became real and fell when it was in Amber, would they have landed in the Harbor like that?"

Random looks up to where the city would be, above the painting's frame. "From that height? That's the right place, I'd guess, but they'd keep going, I'd guess."

Gerard shakes his head. "Nae, 'twould be like sacks of wet oatmeal hitting rock, from that height. They'd break a lot of bones."

"Like Cambina," adds Random.

Gerard adds "I never believed the story of people falling from Tir into the harbor. Sounded too much like a myth to me. I think the lass was painting a metaphorical disaster t' represent an actual one."

Hannah narrows her eyes at the painting. "So... where's Rebma, and how do currents work? What if something happened in Rebma and people floated up? Would they end up in the harbor?"

Random purses his lips. "The traditional method of execution in Rebma is to push people through the barrier at the edge of the stairs. They're crushed by the pressure and there's no inconvenient body to dispose of."

Gerard nods his head. "Rebma's 20 miles south of Amber, down the coast. Given the currents, some remains might end up in the bay."

Random says "But not in any recognizable fashion."

"But Tir isn't in Amber anymore anyway, right? I just don't know," Hannah admits, and tilts her head sideways to look at the painting from a metaphorical point of view.

"So what's the plan from here?" Solange asks Random.

Random exhales noisily. "I dunno. I keep looking for Vialle, you keep dealing with the Cambina stuff, Gerard sails the ship of state and tries to keep it from foundering on the reefs of some tortured metaphor.... What did you have in mind?"

Gerard shifts in his chair and Corvis lays a comforting hand on his arm.

Solange watches her do this, then flicks her attention back to Random. "I can take care of the Cambina stuff, but I need to know how you want to handle a few things, like what's the public line on what happened, do you want an autopsy performed, when do you want the funeral, and where will she be buried? Given Cambina's state, I assume there won't be a showing."

She pauses, then continues more softly, "If you want to delegate figuring all that out to me, that's fine. I can confer with Father while you go look for Vialle.

"And then there's the investigation into what happened. Someone should go to Tir tonight while access is still available."

Hannah gives Solange a grim look. "I'm about to go call Corwin and persuade him to go up to Tir with me." She waggles the card. "So take that possibility into your calculation."

Solange returns the look. "Caine had very negative things to say about the place, and about Corwin's interest in it. Be careful, Hannah. Go armed."

Hannah nods slowly. "Glad I stopped Paige," she mutters. "I'll take something. Promise."

"If your boyfriend can perform the autopsy, that'd be great. Or Hannah. Gerard, you're busy. Solange, yeah, work out whatever it takes. Whoever goes to Tir takes a card and, if possible, leaves a sketch. Keep Gerard and ... his wife updated. Anything else?"

Solange shakes her head in the negative and looks down and away.

"OK, then I'm off to fly over the forest. Trump if anything comes up." He pulls open the door and turns again. "Or anyone else falls down." The King leaves.

The corner of Solange's mouth twitches as the door closes. She turns to Hannah. "Are you interested in performing the autopsy, or should I ask Kyril to do it?"

"It would be ideal if he could do it. I need to convince Corwin to help me, but if Kyril needs me just have him send a page," Hannah offers.

Gerard is looking down the hall after Random. "I can assist Kyril if need be. I'm not sae far gone I can't help. Though it might be better if I weren't taking Trump calls during." He turns to his wife. "Corvis, I'll need yer help through all this."

"Of course," Corvis says, and takes his hand. "What manner of funeral services will need to be arranged?" She looks to Solange and Hannah for the answer to this question.

Solange bristles at Gerard's sudden dependence on a woman he's not seen for years and her sudden involvement in what Solange considers a family matter. "It will require a few days to contact all of the family and have them gather," she replies, not looking directly at Corvis. She does look directly at Gerard. "Do you know if there's an analogous place to the Grove here? And isn't Paige around here somewhere, exploring the woods?"

"I haven't been keeping up with Paige," Hannah admits. "There are a great many nice places in the woods, and Paige says Wixer is up there somewhere, though we only saw him on the spirit walk. I don't know that he was near a grove, though.

"I don't know the family traditions for... laying someone to rest," Hannah turns to tell Corvis. "I had the feeling it was different for everyone, based on what I picked up at Julian's son's funeral. Cambina was a practical sort. At least, she seemed that way to me. She will have people mourning her in Amber as well as here, so there may need to be a memorial there as well. Maybe something in the library, there. She was a writer."

Hannah's eyes go back to Solange. "Once I'm back from Tir, I'll help you contact people if it isn't finished."

Solange nods. She smiles at the room, though it doesn't reach her eyes. "If you will all excuse me, I'll go start attending to these things."

She makes with the quick exit, stage left, and hopes Father doesn't call her back...

Gerard lets her go. He glances at Hannah as if he may have something to say about all this later. What he says is, "You're free to contact Corwin here, or go somewhere more quiet. I reckon this room's about to be full of Royal Guard and the like." His tone is resigned. Corvis squeezes his hand and they share a look.

Hannah excuses herself to a quiet room, and studies Corwin's trump.

"Don't make me use my feminine wiles on you, mister," she whispers. Then she focuses on contacting him.

"Who is it?" Corwin asks. He's in a well-appointed chamber somewhere.

"It's Hannah. Do you have a moment?" she asks.

"Is it an emergency?" Corwin asks.

"There's been a death in the family, and someone is missing, and I'm hoping I can get your help with something soon-within-hours but not immediately," Hannah explains quickly.

Corwin's eyes widen a little. "Who's dead? Come through if you have a means of getting back." He extends his hand to Hannah.

Celina's hand darts forward without thought of permission now. She joins into the contact by gripping Corwin's hand strongly.

Hannah hesitates. "I do not, but if you have a means of getting me back, I will. I'd rather discuss this... in person. Celina," she nods in greeting.

Celina seems relieved and returns a nod.

"If any of my brothers are there, I can trump you back. Who's dead?" Corwin repeats, since Hannah still hasn't told him the important detail. Both Celina and Hannah can feel Corwin's immense force of will in the contact. It's hard for Hannah not to break down and tell him.

Hannah holds out her hand. "It's Cambina," she says gently, not even trying to keep it from him when he needs to know so badly. "I'm sorry."

Celina looks at Corwin, knowing how little she yet understands. Pieces of her father's world are being carved and graved into a new shape. Can it make him as angry as when it happens to her? Does his great age numb him?

"Where?" She looks at Hannah. "Xanadu? Or Rebma?"

"Xanadu, or... perhaps Tir Na nOgth. I had the impression it looked like she fell, but we're doing an autopsy," Hannah explains. Her eyes travel back to Corwin, worried.

Corwin brings Hannah completely through. Once she is standing in the waiting room with them, he drops her hand and moves toward the seat where he left his neglected drink. He closes his eyes for a moment before picking it up. "Hannah, you said someone was missing. Who's missing?"

"Vialle is missing. Random is looking for her now, but seems to have the idea in his head he needs to go up to Tir tonight. I believe, all things considered, you and I would be better suited for that task." Hannah reaches for a chunk of hair that she nervously runs through her fingers. "Random does think you're the number one Tir Na nOgth expert. And he won't let me go without you, since no one has made my trump. But he'll stay put and let us go, if you will."

But----. Celina continues to watch Corwin, even as the timing of all this sinks her heart. And if two Queens and two Kings are all out of position at the same time, who benefits? At least this did not seemed tied back to Dara. She holds for Corwin's answer.

Corwin tosses back what's left of his drink. "Moire is here. Rebma is in disarray, with Huon besieging it. Merlin is with Llewella's daughter in a third army that's poised to take what's left. Vere is en route here, slowly, with the people from the Isles, and he'll be in the middle of the Rebma business. I want to help you and Random, but I'm not sure I can." He glances at Celina and then looks at Hannah. "I think I need another one. Celina, Hannah?"

"If you have water or juice, I'll have some. Otherwise, I'm well," Hannah answers.

Hannah is silent for a moment in thought. "Is there something I can help you with to make you having free time tonight more of a possibility? Were you planning on... going to Rebma?"

Corwin pours himself another and Hannah a glass of soda water, which he hands to her. "No, I'm not going to Rebma, but neither is Moire, not any time soon. Celina, however, may be."

Celina nods her agreement. "May be, yes. I'm afraid I don't quite follow, Hannah. Cambina is dead, perhaps from a fall. Vialle is missing and that has something to do with Tir? How long has she been missing? Random needs help in searching for her? And father is an expert in such searches?" Celina is wondering if Vialle disappeared before or after Moire left Rebma. The whole muddle seems most ominous.

"Cambina perhaps fell, or perhaps did not fall. I was under the impression Vialle had been with her at some point, but no one was clear with me on that. Vialle being missing, to my mind, has more to do with Random's state and what he should and shouldn't be doing right now. Random thinks your father is an expert on Tir, and won't let me go up alone since I haven't a Trump nor know what I'm doing. But Cambina foretold me I'd go after her death, and so I feel compelled to come add to your father's harassment."

Hannah sighs and looks at Corwin. "I really don't think Random should be up there right now. Tell me what I can do to make it easier for you to let me have my way here."

"Grow about 1500 years of experience and enough mastery of my Pattern to deal with Moire," Corwin says. He doesn't sound as if he's joking, either. He turns to Celina. "I need to find your brother, and leave the two of you as co-Regents, with Flora to help you. Can you delay your departure overnight?"

Hannah's eyes follow Corwin's to Celina. She bites her lip, some quiet amusement dancing behind her eyes. Despite this the look she gives Celina is hopeful.

Celina's emerald eyes darken in answer to Corwin's startling request. The fortress of her face closes down with her eyes. She bites her lip to keep from saying, 'you can't do that!' into her father's serious expression. She counts her heartbeat and swallows slowly. Queens running off. Murders. Armies stalking the perfect city. MerlinKhelaConnerJerod. Regent? Of the Thorny Realm?

Flora? Lucas? Oh spines.

Celina takes another breath. Random. Help one person at a time. She glances at Hannah and sees such a calm mirror in those eyes that she finds herself feeling lighter. "I can," she says, though she may be speaking more to Hannah than Corwin. "Merlin will probably answer a Trump call from you," she adds to Corwin.

"Yes. By your leave, ladies, I'll call him now," Corwin replies. He's already moving to fetch his trumps.

Celina grabs his hand. "No, you were going to tell me why Moire is here."

Hannah takes a sip of water and watches the two of them over the rim of her glass.

Corwin shakes his head. "Moire doesn't understand. She can't hold Paris. Khela or Huon might take it, but neither of them can hold it either. Particularly not Khela. But that situation won't resolve itself overnight. Maybe I'll see something in Tir that will help." He doesn't sound as though he thinks that's likely.

"Is is because of Moire's blood that she cannot?" Celina doesn't release her grip on him yet. It isn't so much that she thinks there is any chance of coercion, it's that physical touch of connection is so primal right at the moment. "Help me understand something She doesn't. If you want a good regent here, then I should know."

"Mm." Hannah's small sound of agreement with Celina's statement is followed by a nod. She sips.

"You can serve as Regent, but you can't hold the throne here. If something happens to me, don't even try. It has to be Merlin, if he can do it. That much I can give you, but the rest you literally cannot comprehend, Celina, not right now. You don't want to, even though you might have to, because of her."

"Because of her," Celina says back to him, as if whispering the last line of a well-known play. Her tone shifts to something much more energetic, "Merlin, born of foreign soils and minds can hold here, but I cannot? I well believe you in that I shall not ken this. But you are wrong that I do not want to understand. You do not know me." She lets go of his hand, the connection must be broken now. "Very well, I shall aid you and Merlin in keeping Paris safe while you assist Hannah. If these are your blessings, I thank you."

Celina goes to the cabinet to find something stronger to drink. "I shall even hope to keep Moire in one piece while you are gone."

Corwin gives Hannah a very tired look and moves to the secretary to get the trumps out. He shuffles through the deck and comes up with the one he seeks, and begins speaking quietly to it.

Hannah walks over and leans against the cabinet, next to Celina. "Wisdom lives in the womb. My mother always told me that to explain why men seem not to have any," she whispers, with a sympathetic smile.

Celina works at her composure. She fumbles a glass under the first green liquor she finds and pours. "Everything is kept from me." Her voice is more bitter than she even expects. Her throat tightens and she take the first drink. The burn matches her heart's ache.

Hannah nods. "Life isn't fair. Sometimes, you have to lie, cheat and steal to get what you need. They'll call you names for it if they catch you, but if it's worth a little name-callin'..." Hannah glances at Corwin and sighs. "Sometimes people get blinded to what's right in front of them, and all the rational in the world won't make them see. Most times, there is a path around, you've just got to find it."

Celina runs her tongue around the taste of the liquor on her lips. She eyes Hannah. "Names, yes they will and have. And I have done more even now than I am comfortable with as I was raised. Not fair at all." Celina wavers suddenly and the past rushes at her from behind. Nearly she starts crying, but it is memory of who she was, not who she is now. A regent. A placeholder. A pawn in a game with no rules.

"I will do it for Merlin. He needs me." Celina looks at Hannah. "The darker path I reserve for myself afterwards."

Hannah gives Celina a long look. "If you choose it. Or... we could jump him and make him tell you. I doubt he'd be expecting that," Hannah offers, looking serious.

Celina looks back, serious. Her eyes simmer with anger but she relaxes her grip on the glass. She licks her lips again. "I love you for suggesting it." She doesn't look at her father, doesn't glance to see if he is listening. "However, I don't wish to overexcite him. I've actually tried to hit him by surprise once and it didn't go well." Mental gears shift. "You've been through all this. I can tell. How do you 'make' someone tell you something by 'jumping them'?"

"Well, it doesn't always work, but it can help with the stress. With your father, it might be more effective to cry pretty, I think, since he's been tortured before. Some men just need to be beaten, though. I've only done it twice... one time it worked and one time it didn't. I don't enjoy getting that mean, to be honest." Hannah looks at Corwin and sighs. "They have to believe you're willing to cause them unspeakable pain, and they have to care about living.

"Maybe he's telling the truth, but... he should have brought you to where you can understand before now, and when things settle, you may need to corner him on getting you whatever education it is he thinks you don't have. I certainly know what it's like to be dismissed unfairly."

"I never learned to cry pretty," Celina sighs. "I have no idea how that works. It sounds like a surface concept." She puts the glass of green burn into both hands to warm it a bit. "There are other people who will talk sense to me because the cost is that I do things that do not make sense. Everyone suffers." Her voice lowers to husk, "Tell me I'll never understand because there is a lacking in me--fine. Never will I stop wanting to understand."

"Aw, sweetie," Hannah whispers. "It'd be good to give him room to recover from his mistakes too. Don't take it the worst way."

Celina sighs. It is a wistful sound where one might expect one of frustration. The angry eyes look at the liquor rather than Hannah. "He considers me unworthy and will not produce even the measure of this judgment. Time to recover, yes. Again, yes. We'll see."

In a normal voice, she says, "Crying pretty is easy. Just enough to get your lashes all damp and give you a few tears to wipe away. If you start gulping air or getting all snotty, it's not so pretty anymore."

Across the room, Hannah and Celina see a coruscating flash of rainbow light and then Merlin is present with them, releasing Corwin's hand. He's dripping wet and his clothing is soaked and weighed down with water, but Merlin doesn't seem to be having trouble with the breathing transition otherwise.

Celina's spirits lift a bit just seeing Merlin in one piece. What will she tell Jerod now that his sister is dead? How to share her sorrow? Another member of the family dead in less than a year? How can she pretend to understand what that feels like? The hero mother she mourned never existed.

The remaining green in her glass gets dashed down her throat. She puts the glass down on the sideboard and reaches to squeeze Hannah's hand. It brings her close enough to bedroom whisper to her cousin. "My brother is adorable. Have you met other than in passing at the funeral?"

"No, I haven't," Hannah smiles. She turns to look at Merlin, a little smile quirking on her face.

Celina moves slowly to Merlin and Corwin, her body much more strongly in Hannah's orbit than the males. "Hello, Merlin. It's wonderful to see you."

Merlin breaks away from Corwin to greet Celina. He offers his hand to her. "Sister. I am pleased to see you." It takes him a moment to recall that he is supposed to say. "Even though it is on such a sad occasion." His eyes fall on Hannah for a moment, and he says, "Cousin?" which Celina can guess is his way of covering for the fact that he can't quite place her.

Corwin hangs back to let the young people greet each other.

Celina smooths things. "Merlin, I hope you left our friends well. Hannah and I just said that the last time we really saw each other was the burial of Daeon."

"Yes," Hannah agrees. "It's an unlooked for pleasure, Merlin, but I won't hold you up with formalities if you'd like to change."

Merlin's face lights up with recognition as Hannah speaks. "Oh, no, cousin Hannah, I can deal with this water. Everyone was well when I left them," he adds for Celina's benefit, "but we were all quite busy."

At the door, Corwin speaks to a page to send for Alice and Bill.

Celina nods without any overt sign of her relief at Merlin's comment.

Merlin makes a series of gestures and says a few words, and a nonplussed expression crosses his face. "Or perhaps I will take you up on your offer."

Hannah grins at Merlin.

"Father is going to leave here to aid King Random," Celina adds, "and he's looking for the two of us to watch Paris while he is gone." There was more to say, but it was a good start.

Hannah nods, turning her head to watch what Corwin's doing, but just as quickly turning her head back to Merlin. "I'm sorry to be nosy," she lies, "but is it voices you use for recognition rather than faces? At home, when we were children, we used to play a game doing just that thing."

"Faces and voices are both malleable to me. Recognition can be difficult in disOrdered places," Merlin explains. "Martin always looks and sounds like himself, but my--teachers--" he glances at Corwin, "--had many stress forms, and when they were not stressed, many others. Learning names and appearances has been difficult for me."

Corwin joins them again. "I've sent for clothes for you, Merlin, and Alice will be arranging a room for you." He looks at the two young women. "Hannah, do we need to go to Xanadu immediately, or can we wait until Merlin and Celina have settled a bit?"

"Hm. I think we can wait as long as Random will put up with us waiting. I was under the impression it had to be night to go up there." Hannah says. "Surely we can at least wait until then."

"But," Celina inquires, "night does not move as one in each place. Yes?" She looks at Corwin as if he may know more. The look also says that she doesn't feel much like settling at all.

"What time was it when you left Xanadu, Hannah?" Corwin asks.

"If you will excuse me," Merlin says apologetically. He's starting to peel off his wet clothes with evident distaste. It will take him some time before he violates Hannah's standards of indecency for company, never mind Celina's.

Hannah, distracted momentarily as she realizes Merlin is going to change right here, recovers her speech and looks at Corwin. "Morning... um, between breakfast and lunch."

Celina does not really register that Hannah might have a reason to hesitate because of Merlin. She wonders what was happening in Amber with a queen vanished and a body to explain.

Random might do something rather drastic. Celina frowns.

Corwin shakes his head. "I'll have to talk to Random--but that will wait. We have some time, but there are preparations I'd rather make in Xanadu. Celina, Merlin, do you have any questions I can answer quickly?"

Merlin is still struggling out of his gear and doesn't answer immediately.

Celina asks immediately, "What is the last thing you want Moire to be doing while you are gone? I'll do my best to guard against it. What's the best case I might have her preoccupied with instead?"

Corwin frowns. "Moire needs to stay here and not go home and she needs to leave Felicity alone. And she needs to stay out of the cathedral, Merlin."

There's a faint "Yes, Father," as the wet shirt comes off over Merlin's head.

He turns his attention back to Celina and continues, "You should be able to keep her busy for one night and one morning, I think. She likes to be entertained, and she likes to think she's in charge. I know that's not your way, Celina. Try not to hit her. Again."

There's a knock on the door and Corwin admits Alice, who looks a bit startled to find a wet, nearly-naked Merlin in the room.

Hannah has put her professional face on, and turns to whisper to Celina, "Unless she really deserves it."

Celina is in mid parse of her father's defining her yet again in some foreign fashion that smacks of insult when Hannah's comment interrupts a rising ire. Hannah's words break the spell. She takes a breath into her TaKhi. "Yes, father." She gives Hannah a nod.

Merlin, having taken in that he shouldn't finish changing in front of Alice based on her expression, is taking the dry clothes from her.

Corwin says to Hannah, "Then let's be on our way." He starts to shuffle out a card.

Celina's eyes harden. Everything seems too strange and slightly agoraphobic. Her heart wonders at Corwin racing into whatever peril killed Cambina. She senses surrounding air, people and Parisian culture as a surreal swaddle of cares that will crush if Corwin never returns. The shadows do not lie properly here. Nothing is wet enough. No one cares about her here.

But many people never did-----actually care.

Celina takes another breath deep into her TaKhi and settles, forcing a poise she knows is earned now. She watches each moment of Corwin's departure. It might be an ending. It might matter to her later that he was a parent in ignorance rather than in lies. She cares even now for the distinction.

Hannah nods at Corwin. While he trumps, she whispers to Celina, "Please, have some check on Solace and the children. In person, a visit, with open eyes - please."

Celina glances at Hannah, searching her memory for the name.

Corwin picks out a card--Gerard's--and opens a contact. "Gerard, it's Corwin. I have Hannah with me and we're coming through so we can go up to Tir to find out what happened to Cambina."

He extends his hand to Hannah to allow her to join the contact, and to pass her through.

Hannah gives Celina an imploring look as she takes Corwin's hand and goes through the trump.