Once the trump contact is closed, Martin sighs. "What a mess. Here's a piece of advice: don't get married. The formal marriage thing sucks."
"I don't plan on it," Lilly replies with the finality of one who has given it some thought, decided it is an evil institution and moved on. Perhaps true love might one day make her rethink the position but for now she is content with the decision.
He runs his fingers through his short-cropped hair and stops to think. "We were ready to blow out of here, I think. You want to try taking the lead for a bit, just to see what it's like?"
Lilly takes a moment to contemplate the task. "I think I would like that," she answers at least sounding only mildly apprehensive. "I'll finish readying the horses."
She sets about finishing up the last of the preparations before mounting her newly claimed horse. Once in the saddle, Lilly takes a moment to savor it's comfort. Cars were interesting, but this was still a bit more her style. "Ready?" she asks sounding more then a bit eager.
Martin swings his leg over the back of his horse and settles into the saddle. "Do it," he says, and nudges the horse to follow Lilly's.
Lillys nods. She eases the horse into a steady trot and then focuses on the task at hand. Start slowly, she reminds herself and move towards the tree. Her eyes begin to focuse on the terrain first. Around the bend, the grass takes on a greener hue. Beyond the hill, wildflowers begin to dot the landscpae, first pink, then purple, then blue. Beyond the ruins of a farmhouse, there is a wood. Riding into it the tree thicken and the scent of pine greets them. Nearing the pines, a steady trickle of water can be heard. Slowly the trickle grows becoming a stream, and finally a small river. After some time, they come to a small pool full fo fresh water for the horses.
"I think I can feel Ygg." Lilly says to Martin then. "I remember it well. Still these subtle changes... it is very much a process of give and take. I can push it, and get us there quicker. Or I can continue on at this pace. Have you suggestions?"
"You need to keep it relatively slow for your first time out," Martin suggests from behind her. "It's not like shifting towards Ygg is exactly easy as these things go. I can hellride for it, but I've spent a lot of time at Ygg and beyond it. If you tire out, or start having trouble concentrating, let me know."
"I will," Lilly replies. "Let's get back to it then."
Again, she begins to find the threads. Changes come slowly, methodically. Lilly chooses one plant, then another. Then the stones littering the ground. Slowly, the landscape changes around and begins to resemble their destination. Next, she begins to alter the sky and the horizon. She finds this a bit more difficult but concentrates at pushes forward focusing once again on the environs. As time passes, details begin to slip through her fingers and Lilly can no longer find the right threads to pull.
"I think I'm getting tired," Lilly admits as her frustration level begins to rise. "More then likely, I will do more harm then good if I continue. It's either back to you, or we can rest. I will be fine either way."
"You did really well for a first try," Martin tells her encouragingly. "Let me take the lead for a while, and you just follow in my wake."
Once they've reversed position, Martin moves them quickly through shadow, much more quickly than Lilly was managing. It's not hellriding, but they do move along at speed. After another several hours where things are getting stranger and stranger, Martin slows their mounts to a walk.
"We need to rest our horses. And things will only get stranger from here on out. We're in the madlands in the runup to Ygg. We should find someplace to hole up. There's too much weird shit out here to rest in the open."
"Agreed," Lilly replies. "I have not traveled all this way to be overcome by something that resembles the monster in the closet. There's no honor in that." She keeps pace with Martin. Though not exactly afraid, uncertainty brought with it a bit of discomfort. The most normal of new places could, at times, make Lilly ill at ease. Traveling the madlands, made her feel completely on edge.
"All right, I'll shift for something a little less insane, and see what I can come up with."
Martin adds and subtracts elements for a while, perhaps 30 or 45 minutes, and eventually he comes to a walled keep. The portcullis is open, and there are a number of pennants flying. He points to one. "Huh. What do you know? Looks like something from the Land of Peace."
"I'm not sure I find that comforting," Lilly replies as she examines the other pennants. "But it seems as good a place to rest as any, shall we go in and have a look around?" Her curiosity piqued, Lilly pushes aside her fatigue and begins to scan the area more thoroughly.
Martin nods once, abruptly. "I think so. But you get to do all the talking. There are people who know me out here, and the shadows lie for me, but it gets harder when I talk to them, you know?"
It is Lilly's turn to nod. "If I misspeak, let me know," she replies. Not one for the diplomacy of words, Lilly still understands their need. "Let's get to it before they become overly suspicious of out intentions." With a straight back, she goads her horse into a steady pace and rides for the gate. All the while, Lilly maintains a watchful eye. Words are wonderful, but if steel is called for, she will not hesitate.
Martin knees his horse and it falls in behind Lilly's.
As she approaches the gate, a voice calls out, "Who comes for the feast?"
If she looks back at Martin, he looks back at her, clearly expecting her to answer.
Lilly takes a long moment to search out the source of the voice while allowing a warm smile to slowly spread across her features. "Good day," she calls out in a gentle voice. "I am called Lady Jadyn. My companion and I have traveled from a distant land seeking out your generous hospitality." Martin may be a bit surprised to hear the flirtatious aid in her voice as Lilly calls upon the tutelage of her foster mother. A gentle woman could often seek refuge where a warrior could not, Jade had often told her. Now was as good a time as any to test the theory.
Martin does his best to look stupid and adoring of "Lady Jadyn".
"Welcome, Lady Jadyn," one of the guards, who are on the wall near the gate, replies. "The riders have returned and the feast has begun, but if you would care to come in, there will be a place prepared for you."
The smile widens. "That would be lovely," Lilly says catching the eye of the guard doing the speaking. "Perhaps there is someplace where we can freshen up? And if it's not too much to ask, if my horses could be tended to as well, I would be most grateful." She lets a hopeful look linger for a moment before casting her gaze away from the guard in a most demure fashion.
"Of course," the guard calls. "One of the servants will care for your horses, and a room will be provided."
A few minutes later, Lady Jadyn has been led to a handsome suite where she can refresh herself and make ready for the feast. Somewhere along the way Martin's casual t-shirt and jeans has been replaced by formal clothes suited to a retainer of the court of Amber.
Lilly take a few moments to make herself presentable. When all is said and done, she has managed to acquire appropriated attire and looks rather remarkably like a Lady of the court.
"Time to act like a woman," she says to Martin with a hint of humor. "But I'm not leaving the steel behind." Lilly exits the room, with the blade fastened around her waist unless Martin strongly objects.
"Where I come from, the women are just as deadly even if they never pick it up," Martin opines. He looks a bit disgruntled, but it's not his place as retainer to say anything and he doesn't.
A page leads them to the hall. Someone is telling a story and the herald seems to be waiting for a break to announce Lady Jadyn.
The story seems to be of an epic race and the storyteller has everyone's full attention. It seems to be coming to a climax.
Martin looks at the center of attention and sighs. He leans close to Lilly and whispers. "Edan. Bleys' son. Do you know him?"
Lilly shakes her head. "Paige's brother? That's most interesting," she whispers then falls silent as she takes in the scene set out before her.
Once [Edan and Orlon] part, Edan steers Aramsham to the stables, where he arranges for his horse to be treated like the celebrity he is. Once he is satisfied that everything is done the way he wants it, he heads for his rooms with Kyauta perched on his shoulder.
When they arrive, Edan reveals that it is lack of time that prevented him from attending Aramsham himself. He fully expects clothes to be laid out for him, but if this is not the case he uses Sorcery to create appropriate clothing, in the style used in this shadow. He wastes no time cleaning up and getting prepared; as soon as he is able, he is washed and changed and reclined upon cushions, Kyauta sitting before him. If there are servants, he sends them away with instructions to call again when he is required.
There are servants and they leave when dismissed.
"There is some little time before the feast, my affine," he starts. "So. Let me explain to you why we are here. We are here because I failed to properly guard a Sending against prying eyes from your side of the great Tree. I did not take the abilities of Chaos into account. The time has now arrived that I wish to do a Sending again, so that my father's mother will expect our coming. But I will not have it said that I cannot learn. Have you seen Sorcery used to send messages in Chaos? What methods do the senders use to protect their missives?"
"In Chaos, my great Lord, all are unique. The ways of the Nameless Lord are distinct from the ways of HttkKthk. Most know little of others, and it is only because I was privileged to travel to where we met under the moon. She improved me not by feeding enemies, but words. A more heterodox servant would give you better answers, my Lord. I sorrow for my failure."
Edan nods. "There is no need to feel sorrow. I shall be prudent, then, and wait to ask my grandmother about the matter."
He reaches over to sculpt the flame from a nearby brazier with his fingers; he ponders as the fire becomes a rough sketch of Ygg, then Aramsham, then Chases-in-Madness... casually, offhand, as if he isn't thinking about it. "I shall want to know whom you have served, of course, what they have taught you... perhaps when we leave here. There are many stories of servitude from my homeland, Kyauta. Some about creatures who serve willingly. Some about those who do not. But there is a central theme: a good master is one who protects his djinn, who encourages it to become greater than itself. A bad master is one who succumbs to greed, who hoards his djinn's power, who discourages growth."
Edan's hand stills, and the sculpture becomes a normal fire again. "I would want an affine who can share my strengths. Who can compensate for... things less strong. You have already shown me that you can do this. I will also be improving you with words and concepts, Kyauta. I will teach you of mathematics, of warfare, of sorcery, of Order. I have need of you to know these things."
"Yes, my Lord! I am strong and can eat many lesser beings without losing myself. I shall be your servant who knows these things."
Edan spends a little time thinking about what he's going to say at the feast; then, a delicate shade of green mixed in with the chocolate color of his skin, he decides he needs a quick out, just in case.
"We shall cast a spell," Edan says. "More of a ritual, in the time we have left. An 'ace in the hole', as my father would say. I really must find out what that means..."
Separating several of the glowing coals from the others in the brazier, he adds, "There are rules... Principles of Order... that define the world around us. There are many Principles. Those of Order manipulate probability within these Principles, imposing their will upon the universe to achieve a result. Sorcery works the opposite way- it uses paradox, doing the impossible to achieve a result. Sorcery is not Ordered." He smiles a little as he chooses amongst the coals. "We cheat. We break the rules. What Principles we break depends on where we are, what we are doing, what we want to happen. That is the essence of Sorcery, my affine. All the rest is simply method, what makes us comfortable as we create paradox. The methods are as different and varied as the sorcerors themselves."
Satisfied with a few of the coals, he draws a circle widdershins around them with his fingertip, then makes complicated passes above them with his hands. "You saw me do this earlier with the Principle of Space- I made a gate that brought the troll's cave together with the Keep. Here, we will break another Principle, that of Integrity. We shall prepare these coals with a spell that shall last a short time, perhaps a day. If the spell is released, there will be smoke, and fire, and images of us that will go different places and act as if they are doing different things. Deception! Glorious confusion! And in all the distraction, we will have an opportunity to escape."
"Yes, My Lord. We wish to deceive our hosts, and glory in their confusion."
Edan smiles. "Something like that, yes. Easy as cake."
[The spell seems like it is a success. It takes some time.]
Shortly, there is a knock on the door and a woman's voice floats in from the corridor. "My Prince? It is time to dress for the feast." The door opens and a young woman walks in.
Edan cocks his head slightly and glances down at his clothing. "Ah," he says. "There is attire for the feast itself? More, ah, formal than this?"
"An thou so wish it, there is. What garments are right and proper for a Prince of your station to wear?"
She opens a wardrobe, and it has clothes in it in several sizes. They are similar to those worn by Duke Ofallion.
"Hmm. That, and that, and that..." He picks out a high-collared tunic and trousers of white silk, white slippers with upturned toes, and a crimson red sash for a belt. All the clothes get a once-over with his Third Eye, when the opportunity presents itself.
Nothing special via the third eye. The young woman reaches up and begins to take off his robes. "Would you like a bath beforehand, my Prince?"
When her hands reach the pin Edan has hidden against his chest, his hand moves to cover hers and stop her movements.
"I have already bathed," he says, "but you may assist me to dress."
Kyauta- take the form of, oh, say, a dragonet. Find a perch. No point causing a panic.
Kyauta's dragonet form is crude. It looks like it is made of clay. Edan gets the idea that this is as close as Kyauta can come to what it can take from Edan's mental image of a dragonet.
The girl smiles encouragingly at Edan, and helps him to dress. "If you wish, my Prince, I can return here to help you after the feast, as well."
"That would be... preferred," Edan says with a nod and the flash of a smile. "Thank you."
She leans her head up and puckers her lips up, slightly.
Edan holds his smile as brown fingers trace the line of her jaw, then turns as the other servant enters.
Another servant girl, this one somewhat older, enters. "Your presence is requested at the victor's feast, Prince Edan." She holds the door open and waits for him.
"Indeed," Edan says, and waits for Kyauta to come to him. I thought you knew the form of dragons, he thinks. My father showed me several, in our time together... I can show you. I am sorry. Take a form that you are comfortable with, he adds as they follow the second servant.
"Forgive me, my Lord. I look as a dragon looks, to my senses. They are ... deceitful in appearance. Not unlike Lords of Amber."
Edan, completely nonplussed, glances at the affine. "We will talk of this. Why is there never enough time..."
The servant leads Edan to a small room, where Orlon is waiting. The count's son stands. "Prince Edan, are you ready? The crowd without has had the best race they've seen in a generation, so they are excited." There are definitely the noises of a loud celebration beyond a curtained doorway.
A flash of a smile. "I am... ready, Prince Orlon. I have no doubt they will be as happy to see you as me."
"In that I am alive, yes. I give them hope that I shall one day soon take my father's life and his place."
Orlon throws open the curtain. "Men of the county of Maddux, your Champion, Prince Edan ibn Bleys!" The crowd goes wild.
Edan smiles wider, walks toward the crowd, and does a one-handed wave which is converted into a bow. It is a move that a dancer or perhaps a thespian would make in response to applause.
Otherwise, he follows Orlon; at one point he leans over to share a comment, perhaps a witticism, while the crowd drowns out listeners; he asks, "You never said, Prince Orlon; if you were to find the man you need to do the job, what would happen to him afterward?"
The food is excellent and there is both water and wine.
"That would depend on me. Were you to do it, I would undoubtedly pardon you and thank you for helping him be free of his madness. It would be wisdom, perhaps to leave for a year and a day afterwards, but after official mourning was over, you would be an honored visitor. Why, do you think you might consider helping us?"
Edan turns to regard Orlon. "I did not exactly say that, Prince Orlon. But it might be prudent to have my horse ready to leave. Just in case. Somewhere... nearby."
Count Ofallion stands. "Thus we again prove our honor and humanity by facing the unfaced. Prince Edanibleys, pray, tell us the tale of your decent from here into madness and your return. Not all here saw the inspiring way in which you defeated me and all challengers." He gestures to Edan, and sits, somewhat unsteadily.
"All grace and glory to the One Who is Most Merciful," Edan says, moving closer to the head of the tables. He turns to the crowd, gesturing as he starts his tale. "We all raced forward as the gate began to raise... some to the left, some to the right. Prince Orlon and I took the center, directly towards the mountains..." He brings the story forward, keeping most of the attention on Orlon as he brings them to the bridge.
Orlon adds details, including the incident with the river of silvery creatures. At one point, he gestures a servant over and whispers to him. The man runs from the room.
Edan picks the story back up, then, and moves them to the mountains, where they were awarded with their tokens and continued onward to the bridge.
She betrayed our agreement when she tried to take you, he thinks to Kyauta. I owe her nothing.
[Kyauta]
My Lord is a great Lord and may always do as he pleases.
He moves them quickly, then to the fight on the bridge, and the trolls' rougher version of 'King of the Hill'.
The audience roars in appreciation of the feats of the two contenders and the wily trolls. Both the crowd and his father the Count are impressed with Orlon's negotiating prowess.
He continues, then, with his own account of trailing Orlon into the misty valley. It is here that he tries to confirm the Prince's assertions with his own eyes. He watches the crowd, to see how the common people see Orlon as a leader. He watches the nobles, sees where they sit, sees to whom they give friendship and respect. He watches to see how these same people treat the Duke. And last but not least, he watches where the guards are, and the best paths out of the room, with and without the help of his coals.
It's hard to tell. There is a certain wariness of the Count. The kitchen doors promise to lead further inside through a maze of small twisty corridors. The main doors lead to the courtyard and the portcullis. There are still a few people nearby, waiting for other racers to arrive.
It will have to be the main doors, Kyauta... getting lost within the keep should be a last resort. He glosses over the meeting on the other side of the Tree with, 'I obtained a Token from denizens of Chaos on the other side', and moves on towards the final meeting in the troll's cave. He stands and moves as he speaks, gesturing with his hands and arms as the troll attacks him for the affine, and describes the upended cauldron in detail...
If Edan had to guess, he'd say these people expected no less than treachery from Troll-Crones. Magic is clearly exotic for them, at least Troll Magic.
"The Prince was resourceful, using the Troll-mother to send him back to the castle," Edan continues. "After her betrayal, I was forced to move far away from her cave and use magic of my own for transport. And once I arrived, you all saw what happened. Even on foot, at a disadvantage, Prince Orlon was far ahead... and I had to make a bridge over the river of silver snakes..."
There is one advantage, he thinks to Kyauta. Winning the race has put me close, very close, to the Count. A position of honor. Soon, my affine, as the story is finished, and they all reach to toast the victory.
Edan notices two figures at the back, perhaps latecomers or other competitors who have just finished the race. Noting his glances, Kyauta thinks They taste bright, like you my Lord. They are not from here.
Edan fixates on the two, golden eyes flashing in the light, momentarily distracted from what the Duke is saying. They are of Amber, he thinks back to Kyauta. I know Martin. I saw the girl in Amber. From her face, from what I have heard, she must be Dame Lilly. He frowns. And just why would they be here? And now? What agenda would cause them to cross my path? I mislike this.
Duke Ofallion rises from his seat, a large glass full of ale in hand. "And we all saw the rest, did we not, my citizens? A race the tale of which will be told for generations." He beams at Edan. "I choose to exercise a right as old as the Race to Madness itself. Lords, Ladies, and Commoners of the Duchy of Ofallion, I offer a toast." He raises his glass and so do the people at the tables. They are definitely waiting for something. "I give you Edan ibn Bleys, Champion of the Madness and by virtue thereof, heir to the duchy!"
The Duke drinks and Orlon stands, mouth agape.
It takes a full two seconds for it to sink in. Edan's head slowly swivels back to stare at the Duke, then glance at Orlon. In his eyes, the message is clear. Can he really do that?
Lilly spares Martin a glance. Champion of the Madness? If nothing else the title held interest. And heir to the duchy? She wonders what they have stumbled upon. Fate worked in stange ways, particularly among family.
"Even more interesting," Lilly says softly. From the tone, it was clear that "interesting" did not always equate with "good" in Lilly's mind.
Martin leans in and murmurs cynically, "By family custom, it was his anyhow. And I think he's made us."
Orlon turns to his father and says, "You can't do that!"
Ofallion smiles crookedly and says, equally loudly, "I just did."
Orlon does not see it, Edan thinks to the affine. I hope it is due to suprise and not to lack of wit. He could not act directly against his father before - he wanted a surrogate to do the job, in order to pardon him. It must be how their laws are written. In one stroke, the Duke removed me as a threat, by making me his heir. The plan Orlon had is ruined. Either the Duke is the luckiest man alive... or else he is not as mad or addled as he would have people think. If that is the case, this whole plan was a mistake. But there is also something the Duke did not consider.
Edan bows to Ofallion, touches his fingers to his lips, then his forehead, then out to the Duke. "Your gift is a blessing, Duke Ofallion. But I am, as you know, I am already a Prince. I have my own people... my own family... my own father. I have responsibilities to all of them. They are not given away lightly."
"I care not for your foreign principalities, my heir. Had you not meant to accept the winnings, you should not have entered the race."
Orlon swallows and it is almost possible to see the wheels in his head start turning again. "As you wish father. I hope to convince you to change your mind again."
"Maybe, but not tonight." The old man turns to leave. "You young people can feast all night, but I must rest. Court will be at mid-sun tomorrow."
Edan stands straight as the Duke turns to leave, aware of the almost-annoyed expression on his own lips, the tenseness in his stance, his white-knuckled grip of his sword, the half-stylized dragonet perched on his shoulder.
He makes an effort to get near Orlon, soon afterward. "I must think on what to do," he says, under the noise of the room. "Would you meet with me at the gates, early in the morning?"
Orlon says, "Yes." He doesn't seem to trust himself to say any more than that.
After speaking with the prince, Edan turns and makes his way back towards his rooms. He searches out Martin and Lilly again, gives a half-jerk of his head when he sees them, encouraging them to follow, before leaving the chamber.
Lilly smiles at Martin, "I must admit, I am curious," she says quietly as she tried decide if she is pleased or annoyed by this diversion. Regardless, they were here for the night. Might as well find out what fate had in mind. "I think I'll go follow our harried cousin. At worst, he should have an interesting tale to tell."
Unless Martin has reason to stop her, Lilly will subtly head off in the direction Edan indicated.
Martin nods once, abruptly, to Lilly and follows her as she follows Edan, playing the role of obedient bodyguard to the hilt.
Normally Lilly would head take no heed and follow quickly. Knowing, however, that she is meant to be playing the part of the Lady, she makes a far more languid approach. If any do notice the departure, it would seem little more then a budding romance. When finally she crosses Edan's path, Lilly smiles broadly, "How lovely to see you here," she says in a soft voice. "I was hoping we would have a chance to meet."
"Dame Lilly, yes? I have heard of you. An unexpected pleasure." Edan sketches an eloquent bow after invitng them both into his rooms. "And Prince Martin. Peace be unto you both. I am honored.
Martin gives Edan a neck-bow.
"Please, make yourselves comfortable." [Edan] makes an effort to do just that, making an effort to see to their needs before seating himself. All small talk is ignored until both are made comfortable and provided with food and drink. He himself sits so that he can face the door, after commanding Kyauta to watch the window.
Martin takes his coffee black, and drinks a sip ritually, and nibbles on whatever food is provided.
He hesitates a moment, choosing his words, knowing that, theoretically, he gets the first question. "If you have come for the race, you are a little late," he says, sipping at coffee with the consistency and sweetness of syrup. "But no, if you had meant to come for the race, you would be in the race. So, then," he pauses, "pray tell me, what perversity of fate puts two of Amber's finest swordsmen at my back at the very moment I was planning to affect the politics of this shadow?"
He sips at the coffee again, wide golden eyes staring innocently out over the rim of his cup.
"We were en route to Ygg and needed to stop and rest. You were here and we are unnatural attractants, or so I've found," Martin says drily, the corners of his mouth quirking up. "And I'd appreciate it if you forgot my name for the time being. It's been a while since I spent much time in this region of shadow but I might be remembered, and I'd rather not be."
"It shall be so," Edan says. "What... did you do here? Contrary to appearances, I do not wish to stumble over your handiwork every time we meet." He tries not to grin, but doesn't quite make it.
"Nor do I wish to stumble into yours," Lilly adds. "The guards believe I am called Lady Jadyn, a traveler from distance lands accompanied by a loyal servant."
Edan meets this with a raised eyebrow, but no comment.
"No one here knows of our connection and it might be best for it to stay that way... For your sake as well as ours, I suspect. Perhaps when Martin is through with his story, you should add one of your own." As she speaks, Lilly leaves the facade of a Lady of the court behind. Her tone becomes far more direct while both posture and expression denote neutrality.
Martin spreads his hands modestly. "I was working for Grandfather. Tracking down your father, in fact, and I did a job here to get some information that kept me on the trail. Time flows are strange out here, and I think it's been long enough that most people who saw me are dead, or have forgotten. Especially when the shadows lie for me."
He looks at Edan. "So what brings you out to this part of the universe?"
Edan's smile grows a little wider. "I am, as you say, 'going to Grandma's house'. But going over the river and through the woods has been... difficult." He glances from one to the other. "My father's mother, Clarissa, has become aware of my existence. Aunt Fiona believes that if I do not visit, and pay my respects, that I shall soon find myself distracted by her attempts at contact... distracted at the worst possible times, if my luck holds true. So, I dropped what I was doing, and headed towards Chaos."
He spreads his hands in a shrug, much like Martin. His posture relaxes a bit, relaxing the long muscles of his back and shoulders; he no longer hides the fact that he's pushed himself a little too hard, a little too far. His hair is a bit longer than Martin might remember, dark roots lightening to an auburn red, and he's grown a fringe beard in the manner of the Land of Peace. "Since then, I have Raced to Madness and back, thrown trolls off a bridge, made negotiations, been betrayed by both racers and troll witches, designated the heir presumptive of this place, and presented with an affine by the daughter of the High Marshall of Ghenesh. And before I ask how _your_ week has gone," he smiles, "I should ask: do either of you happen to have a Trump of my father? He needs to know about that last."
Lilly shakes her head. "Be careful with that," she adds. "My week has involved dealing with an affine gone bad... for lack of a better term. And that was just the beginning. I'm sure Marius thought he had control over it but we managed to prove otherwise." She shrugs and allows her demeanor to soften a bit. With a trace of a smile upon her lips, Lilly continues on, "And that's not even getting into the Ghenesh part of it. That's a story I would love to hear one of these days."
As Lilly speaks, Martin is drawing out a trump deck and shuffling through it for a trump of Bleys, which he offers to Edan. "I've got one, but I'll need it back before we go." He does not say where he and Lilly might be going.
"I thank you," Edan says to Martin as he reaches for the Trump, then turns back to the window as he settles. "Kyauta, I wish to speak to my cousins privately. Leave us, for a quarter-glass or so. I would appreciate if you would guard the door and warn me if someone comes."
After the affine leaves, he gives Lilly a smile. "I could contact my father now, if you wish," he says to the two of them. "That way, you can all hear the story of this Gheneshi daughter together. Assuming, of course, that my father will answer."
Lilly nods politely then takes a sip of her drink.
He tilts his head slightly, not quite an interrogative. "Of course, you hardly know me. You would not trust me. That is right, and proper. But you do know me as Paige's younger brother, and one could even technically say that we have fought together, Prince Martin. You are the serefli kuno, the honored guests. I consider it my duty to protect you and offer you the full hospitality of my tent. I do not know what you are about, but it is no great effort to see that you are traveling at speed, that the great Tree is hardly your end destination, that you expect to meet a swordsman or swordsmen of great skill. I would offer my assistance, were I not so distracted by circumstance. But as it is, I can tell you what I have encountered on the way to Ygg. Or, having just been there, I could even Part the Veil to take us all past many of the obstacles. Trust me, I have already considered it to escape this sudden political morass."
"Tell us your story," Lilly replies gently. "Once we have heard your words, we can discuss this further." Though cautious by nature, Lilly is not discounting his help. Listening to the story will give her the needed time to think this through and decide if it is worth placing trust in the unknown. Yes, he is Paige's brother but Lilly is certain she has at least one half-sibling out there no one should trust. Being the ancestor of Dara had a way of putting family into perspective.
Martin pulls a small crystal coin out of his jacket and flips it twice. He places it precisely on the table between himself and Edan, and says, "It's not you I don't trust. It's your grandmother--and she might be watching us".
Edan's lips press into a line, and he nods. "Yes... I agree. That is how I was discovered. You are quite right, Prince Martin- perhaps it would be best if I did not know." He turns two, and possibly, three eyes on the crystal coin, expecting to see some kind of anti-sorcery in place.
[OOC: and if it isn't, he'll be preparing to do his own thing to scramble scrying before they do a Trump call, FWIW]
The coin does indeed bar certain types of scrying. Edan could put up a more powerful and general protection, but the etiquette of such matters is not clear to him.
As long as it's effective... Edan does explore the link between coin and spell, especially its strengths and weaknesses, stopping before he crosses the line from polite curiosity to not-so-polite examination. He makes a 'hmf, that's clever' grunt as he looks away.
"It was strange," he says to Lilly as he examines the coin. "Apparently, there was another Race to Madness on the other side of the Tree, at the same time as the race was going on here. I met a girl, who reached Ygg at the same time I did."
"More and more, I find myself hating coincidences," Lilly replies. "It seems to be the universe's way of keeping our egos in-line these days." She leaves it at that for moment and allows Edan the time he needs to proceed with the contact.
"If that is true, then my father must have found a way to ignore the effects of serendipity," Edan says, with a flash of a smile, before turning his attention to the Trump in his left hand. He moves so that the others can join in the contact, if they desire, then focuses on the card and the contact.
Lilly gives and appreciative smile before offering a slight shrug. "Or he hasn't and we know the slightly toned down version," she says then in a most serious tone.
"Father? It is Edan."
For the moment, Lilly refrains from joining the contact. It is one thing to have Edan's permission but quite another to have his father's. No point in needlessly annoying her Uncle.
"Bide," says Bleys, quietly. A moment later his father says "That's better. How goes your pilgrimage to Mother? I'm firmly convinced every one of us should make the trek once in their very, very long life. Later in life is better.." He is wearing some sort of stiff formal dress and has a medal pinned to his chest.
Edan's smile is a little forced. "Hmm, yes. Well, the trip itself has had its good and bad points." He stares at the medal on his father's chest, wanting very badly to ask either, 'Where do they wear that uniform?' or 'Where do you find the _time_?' but instead says, "I hope Aunt Fiona has passed along my regrets to you over my Sending. But on the plus side, coming back here to Castle Ofallion, I have run into cousins Martin and Lilly." He indicates behind himself with his hand. "I had some news that you all would find interesting."
"By all means, tell us all. Anything is better than the party I'm at. " He frowns. "What's Martin doing in Ofallion? I didn't expect he'd voluntarily go back over the line after his experiences in Borel. Bring them in, if they're willing."
Edan turns his head slightly to acknowledge Martin and Lilly. "My father would speak with us all, if you so wish." His shoulders move slightly, in an 'I'm-resigned-to-being-touched' kind of way.
Lilly nods and places a gentle hand on Edan shoulder as she takes a place to his left. "Good day, Uncle," she says to Bleys once the contact is established. "It is good to see you again."
Lilly finds that being in a trump contact with Bleys seems somehow like swimming in a river at night; it is as if there is a current flowing somewhere but it is unclear from whence or to where it flows.
Martin reaches over and touches Edan to join in the contact. "Bleys," he says by way of acknowledgement.
"Your highness, Dame Lilly, I see my son found good company, even in Ofallion. Tell on, Edan, what news do you have from that most chaotic ordered outpost?"--
Edan nods. "The facts first, my interpretations later," he says by way of preamble. "I have won the Race to Madness. I gained my token of Chaos just on the far side of the Tree, as it turns out... I traded with a woman who just happened to be in a similar race from the Chaos side. Her name was 'Chases in Madness', and I thought her Altamarean, but she identified herself as the daughter of the High Marshall of Ghenesh. She said that she sought something that only the Mad Count of Chaos could grant." He pauses. "She also said that the Count had a daughter who was dead, and that there was a granddaughter, which was not she. And that word had spread... on the Chaos side... that I was in the Duke's race."
Edan leans forward, just slightly. "She made several references to the enmity between her people and Amber, between the High Marshall and yourself. She said that we might meet again, but not across a field of battle. I asked her, then, if war was so sure; she said that you knew where they would go, and that if you stepped aside, that she felt a battle could be avoided. She also said that once she had her prize, she would return to her people, then wherever the Moon guided her."
He leans back, then, and adds, "My token was an affine... not hers, but that of another. It has proved loyal, but has heard of Amber... I am still learning its history."
"The moonriders have never gotten over being forced to surrender after they couldn't get away from Jones Falls." Bleys looks at Lilly. "They don't like your father, either. With good reason." He turns his head, and squints into the distance.
"I pity any child raised by the Marshall. That could not have possibly been a happy home. The warning is interesting. It means they'll try for Tir. We'll need to warn Caine."
"Precisely," Edan says, inclining his head. "There are other inferences. The Gheneshi are actively pursuing their goals. They have secured means to cross Shadow in this pursuit, especially on the side of Chaos... that means they have allies in Chaos. Once they have achieved these goals, for example gaining the prize from the Race to Order, I compute that they will attack. It will be sooner, rather than later... at least, I no longer need to scout their position. They will come to us."
He shifts a little, suddenly uncomfortable. "If you work from these assumptions: their allies from Chaos will be neutral or hostile to Amber. The affine I have named Kyauta will almost certainly have elements or memories from these Chaosi. I believe it has interacted with us before in some fashion; that has to be a very short list to draw from. Its presentation to me was planned. And if the stories I have heard are correct, there are now shadow-spanning trails of some fiery flower stretching through Arden. That, also, could not have been coincidence.
"That still leaves me with questions: What do the Moonriders seek in Tir-na Nog'th? What will they do when they find it is gone? Who is aiding them... perhaps this Count? There cannot be that many Counts in Chaos who have recently lost a daughter..."
Martin starts to say something, but Bleys opens his mouth and Martin shuts his.
"'Daughter' is the operative term, since gender is considered gauche in the courts. Your great-great grandmother was an innovatrix in a culture that does not value innovation."
"My wh-" Edan begins.
"We know who the Count is," Martin interrupts before Bleys can carry that line of thought any further. "Madoc."
Bleys nods.
Edan makes a checkmark on his rapidly growing mental list of things he needs to clarify, then gives his father a distant, distracted look; he doesn't bother masking his thoughts, embroiled as he is with different scenarios of deductive reasoning.
Then: "Dame Aisling," he says, finally. "Count Madoc is... was... her father. Of course. So simple. So, he was the recipient of her espionage. And Aisling's disappearance, that was indicative of more tragic circumstance than is common knowledge, for there now is a 'daughter'. He has likely taken this badly. Plus, perhaps, there is an affine. Perhaps several, which could be anywhere. And know any fraction of what Aisling knows. Knew." Edan winces, then gives a wry smile. "I have little practical experience with such culinary politics at the higher levels. Someone, please, tell me that my reasoning is faulty."
"I wish I could," Lilly responds calmly. "And that brings us to the problem spawned by Marius. Aisling's affine had been acquired by him after her... Destruction." The word seems the best at the moment. "Marius took the affine along on the search for his sister. During the search, he came across the rock creature Daeon and I crossed paths with on the return from Chaos.... But let me come back to that story," she adds with a nod to Edan.
With a sigh, Lilly continues, "It would seem that the affine wished to make a meal of the rock creature and Marius underestimated the consequences. The two creatures are now joined and feel the need to join with one of Order to gain a better understanding of our thought processes. This led to a rather unsuccessful battle. The three of us, Marius, his sister Signy, and I, could not subdue it. We only managed to force its retreat. Chances are it is still out there hunting." She lets that hang for a moment.
Edan simply nods, once.
"But to go back to my previous tale," Lilly again looks to Edan. "The fire lilies were born of the first encounter I had with the rock creature. The blood of Daeon was spilled by my hand and the flowers seem to have been formed in its wake. Perhaps you have heard the tale? It is a strange one. If I had been better acquainted with Daeon perhaps it would have unfolded quite differently. But our cousin was nothing if not unique." She summons forth a sad smile as she speaks the last.
Bleys nods to her, encouragingly. "I had the tale from Caine, who wanted to tell me all about what Paige was doing in Heather Vale. You may want to inform your cousins, whom Caine did not so bless with his narrative skills." Bleys turns to Edan. "This tale takes place shortly after Brennan and I ran across both Moonriders and Grackleflints on our return from the funeral."
"Both?" Edan turns to look at Lilly. "And this Hob, or whatever it is now, it knows you from the battle at the Courts? Please, tell me the tale. And... this place of the second meeting, is there something of importance there?"
Bleys shakes his head, and then waits for Lilly's story.
"The Hob appeared before me as we made our way back from the Courts. All were asleep but Daeon and I. This rock creature appeared before me and demanded payment of sort for our travels through his lands. After some negotiations, it was decided that our fate would be decided by a contest... a storytelling contest. The tales went back and forth and by all appearances, there was something of a stalemate. Daeon knew we needed to shift the odds into our favor, so he came up with a plan. He asked that I pierce his side when the time was right to allow his blood to flow. He also gave me a trump that we might escape when the time was right. Though hesitant, I had made a vow to trust him in this and so I did this thing." She takes a deep breath. "The cut was well aimed and would have sufficed but Daeon threw himself further onto the blade. His blood flowed freely and he continued to speak of baptism and joining and bringing forth new life."
She smiles to Edan, "I do not know if you ever had the chance to speak with Daeon but he tended to be very passionate and put everything into terms of grandeur. This was no different.
"An impossible amount of blood came forth before Daeon finally swooned. Once that happened, I used the trump and managed to get us both out of there. As you can imagine, when I turned up covered in blood, with his unconscious form cradled in my arms it created a bit of a stir. But the group was allowed to pass without further incident. In many ways, Daeon's sacrifice was not for naught."
Lilly lets a moment of silence flow comfortable among the group before pressing onward. "But as interesting as all of that is, it is not the important part. As we were leaving, I heard the Hob call out to us. 'We accept the sacrifice of your blood,' it said. 'But you should be careful where you leave it. Not to worry though, we will take good care of it,' and then his voice faded. Where the blood pooled however, the fire lilies formed and they seem to weave a trail through shadow, a trail connected to both Daeon and I. They are as much a part of his legacy as the twins. As I have said, he did everything with a sense of grandeur."
"The Moonriders weren't with the Grackleflints. That would mean your grandmother had allied with them, which would be remarkable. You'll see them at Madoc or Clarissa." [Bleys] pauses and leans his head down. A reddish cast covers his face. "Daeon died to fight back his grandmother's attack on Amber. No matter how feckless he was, he acquitted himself as becomes a Prince of Amber that day. Other than the dying, I approve."
Lilly nods her agreement. The man had proven himself to be courageous and honorable in many ways. Not all of her family could boast the same.
Edan's eyes narrow upon seeing the reddish color; the tenseness in his muscles vanishes. It is anything but normal, but whatever his thoughts, he doesn't voice them.
"Has anyone else tried to sow Daeon's blood to see if they could duplicate the flowers?" he asks instead.
Lilly stares at him for a moment. "Sown? In what way? Daeon, as Paige tells it, was something of a fertility god among his people. I am certain many things grew in his wake and his blood was shed many times. I have yet to hear stories of it resulting in more firelilies, however. And I am not in the habit of experimenting on the dead." There is no judgement, merely statements. In fact, Lilly seems to have developed an genuine interest in Edan's line of thought.
"There was plenty of blood in the nursery, and none of it sprung to life" adds Bleys. "Do you know if anyone has checked to see if they've wilted since he died?"
Martin shakes his head and grabs a strand of his short blond hair with the hand not keeping him in the connection.
"Think of the circumstances," Edan says. "Mind, I have only heard descriptions, and I very much want to examine one. I believe a spell was laid upon Daeon in that first meeting. The firelillies... two components... life, the living flower, a product of Daeon's blood, the result of his... his..."
Edan's expression twists into mild disdain, "mythology. Yes. That is the word. The flame, a sorcerous component. To track. To promote the germination of additional flowers. To ensure those who follow the trail can pass through Shadow. By 'take good care of it', I think the creature Hob meant to create more of these trails, using his own hoard of Daeon's blood. A path, say, the Gheneshi could follow. There could be a whole network by now... and every place this Hob has been, I think has significance." Edan inclines his head. "I speak the language of fire. Examining these things, exploring this link, it is something that I need to do." He pauses. "And Count Madoc... even if the grackleflints were not with the Moonriders, there exists a probability that he, it, is still involved in all this."
"If you are right," Lilly begins before promptly correcting herself. "Or even only partially right, it adds a new dimension to these flowers. I too have pondered the reason for these flowers, as I'm sure we all have. The next question I have asked is how to destroy them. My hand helped bring them into being. Because of this, I see them as at least partially my responsibility. If you need my aid to rid us of their curse, or even to understand them better, you have only to ask. I shall do what I can." She looks down at her blade as her fingers protectively wrap about the hilt. "Mythology has a way of coming full circle. My sword was part of the magic that created the flowers, it may be needed to dispel them. There are very few things I would sacrifice it for, but this might be one of them. But only if we are certain of the need."
"I certainly hope that it would not come to that," Edan agrees. "This is but a chain of assumptions, easily broken. And even if it is accurate, it may be too late. There might be too many of these flowers to deal with in any reasonable amount of time..."
Lilly nods in agreement. She hopes it won't come to that either. But the offer is made and will not be withdrawn.
Bleys looks first at Edan. "Most of the best ones are in the middle of a sororicidal war in Arcadia. That's Julian's and we shouldn't intervene unless he asks or his inability to deal with it become a risk." Bleys pauses. "A bigger risk. You'll have to let me know what you find when you investigate them."
"Yes, my father," Edan says. It sounds automatic. One of the Big Red Zealot Guys might have said it in this kind of tone. Edan stays silent about his perception of Julian's abilities or inabilities, but he does mouth the word 'sororicidal' silently, as if chewing on the concept.
"I don't like any of this," Martin says, and inside the trump connection it sounds like he didn't say "who do I need to kill?".
Edan is silent for a long moment. "If I am right, there will be fire-lillies on the Chaos side of Ygg. They will be remarkable, as they are by definition a fixed point in a trail. That would solve the problem of a sample." Another pause. "Beyond that, it does not change my immediate plans. I cannot go haring off after an imaginary Johnny Firelillyseed. Snubbing Grandmother would have consequences. I still have to plan how to extricate myself from being the 'Heir of Ofallion' without a knife in my back. And even if I left just this moment to raise an army to place in the path of the Moonriders, there would hardly be enough to be more than a nuisance."
The corners of his mouth twitch upward. "I would love to see Uncle Random's face when he heard about that. Not exactly the same thing as inventing speedboats in Xanadu. No. The key is placing the goals of the Gheneshi beyond their reach. Father, what would the Moonriders do if they were to reach Tir-na Nog'th?"
"Forgive me for sounding like a school student," Lilly interrupts. "But can they reach Tir? I was under the impression that the way was barred. Has this changed in the time I have been absent?"
Bleys shrugs. "I hear it appears in the sky but that there are always clouds across the step, and that your cousin Cambina is almost unbearable during the occluded full moon."
Bleys smiles at someone in shadow and the light changes "I can't discount the possibility that they have some way of forcing the bridge to appear, but it would be new. That we held them off until the moon was gone was part of how we beat them at Jones Falls."
"Perhaps the prize for their Race had something to do with that," Edan says. "The prize for the Race to Madness had something to do with summoning creatures..." He pauses. "Wait... wait. Jones Falls. I had forgotten that. And in the account I read, the city was sacked. The Moonriders had already been on Kolvir? I am confused... did Uncle Benedict stop the Moonriders from going into Amber, or raiding into Arden?" Another pause. "Is that it? That is what they want? They are trying to go... home?"
Bleys nods to Lilly. "Your father held the pass, while the King and I hit them with the Altamarians. Simple tactics are the best and Hammer into Anvil is about as basic as you can get."
Lilly nods in agreement. This lesson had been repeated many times in her youth. Save the fancy stuff for the times when no other option is available.
Bleys' eyes are distant, and he speaks more slowly. "They'd come down the mountain, bypassing the castle, and sacked the city. Eric was livid that his role was 'keep the castle safe', but he couldn't very well go into Arden with Corwin.
"If they could've broken through the pass into Arden, we'd've lost them to the shadows and Arcadia and probably back to Ghenesh, unbroken. As it was, the High Marshall had to surrender his sword to me. I still have it, somewhere." Bleys smiles.
Eyes widening, Lilly looks, for perhaps the first time, impressed by her Uncle Bleys. That small piece of treasure would be fun to play with one of these days.
"They say that Tir-na Nog'th, was the land of their people's youth, when they were friends with Amber. The Altamareans have legends from their days in Ghenesh, of course. Best talk to them, or your new friend. What did you say her name was, again?"
"Chases in Madness," Edan says, then shakes his head once. "Probably Outspeeds Madness, now."
"And I might also suggest letting other family members know of this," Lilly offers. "If an attack is imminent, we can at least take away the element of surprise. Who remains in Amber?"
This being a question he's qualified to answer, Martin weighs in. "Caine."
"With all due respect to Uncle Caine, I do not believe that will be enough. Even if the Moonriders' goal is no longer there." Edan's expression suddenly hardens, and his eyes lock with his father's. And despite my plans, if you feel yourself called to defend Amber, you will not stand alone, the look says.
"I agree with you," Lilly says to Edan. "And I am relatively certain Uncle Caine will as well. But regardless of that, he needs to be informed first. And if another war is forthcoming," she looks to Martin now, "Random should be informed as well. There are many things working against our family right now and I for one do not believe in coincidence. By dividing us, causing us each to seek out small battles, our enemies are exploiting our greatest weakness - we are but a handful of souls in the vastness of infinity. We truly need to remain in contact and ready for a fight. But more then anything, we need to find a way to put an end to this reactive defense. If we can not find a means of being more proactive, reality, as we know it, might perish."
"We need to talk to Dad," Martin agrees. He runs the fingers of his free hand through his short-cropped hair and turns his attention to Lilly. "We're still talking to each other. They forget that sometimes. For the rest, we just have to improvise--and make sure that if they think they know what they're facing, they're wrong."
Bleys smiles. "Nothing unites a family like a common foe to face. If your father keeps having this many enemies, he may have the most untroubled reign in the history of Amber since Oberon was single and childless."
"That amity and faith will be what wins us through," Edan says. "When the time comes that I am needed, Paige has my Trump."
"Well, the division of tasks seems reasonably obvious. Martin, if you'll inform Random, Lilly should provide Caine with more reasons to be paranoid." Bleys seems to relish the idea.
"Caine saved the fleet when the Moonriders last came calling. His work was dull but vital, as was Eric's. Eric would've considered this an opportunity to redeem himself on the field. Caine is likely smarter than that."
He reaches down, then frowns. "I have a Caine trump, but not one of Random at the moment. Anyone else?"
"I've still got my deck," Martin says.
"Capital!' exclaims Bleys. "Hmm. Perhaps you should have Edan in your contact so that he can report his experiences directly to the King. Edan?"
Edan nods. "As you say, Father."
Bleys nods acknowledgement. "Is there anything else? I think they want me to give a speech or a toast or something."
Edan shakes his head. "Nothing that cannot wait. Peace be with you, Father." He holds a moment before breaking contact, to let Lilly and Martin speak.
Martin shakes his head in the negative, once.
"Enjoy your moment," Lilly adds.
Bleys looks nonplussed. "It's basically a perfect attendance award, really. I just don't want to disappoint them."
"If anything else arises, we will let you know." She offers a nod in closing and removes her hand from Edan's shoulder.
Martin drops out of the contact and lets Edan close it.
Once Martin is free of the contact, Lilly turns her attention to him. "I can contact Caine while you speak with your father, if you would like. I just need to borrow a trump. I seem to have a noticeable lack of my own."
Martin is already shuffling out cards. "Better you than me, Lilly. Explaining this to Dad is going to be interesting enough." He hands Lilly Caine's Trump.
The corner of her mouth twists slightly into something of a grin. "Every time I speak to Caine it is interesting," Lilly replies before moving to a quiet corner of the room.
[Assuming Edan has closed the contact]
Then he passes his father's Trump to Edan. "If you want to handle this on your own, I can call Corwin."
Edan's eyebrows climb skyward, but he nods. "I can do so, yes."
Last modified: 22 March 2008