Water, Water Everywhere

Word comes that Corvis is on her way, and some time after that, the lady herself arrives. It's clear that the reason she had remained in the castle and not gone to see the men dance is that her health would not permit; while she's not in a wheelchair, she has one of the girl-pages at her elbow to help her walk.

Hannah, when she has the focus to speak, wants to make sure Corvis is comfortable and has water and gets fed. Hannah seems quite happy to have someone to worry about beside herself. She does suggest that, "My lady should consider having a two seat wheeled-chair made so you can travel with him."

"I'm past watching the young men dance in that kind of ceremony," Corvis says with a smile. "That's for young women like you and Avis. If we really need to see one dancing, we can call them to the castle."

"So long as you're not missing it, my dear," Hannah grins. "Edan is gifted and I didn't get to see him dance. Maybe we'll make him re-create it for us. I'm sure it's artistry."

Also during this time, there are visitors: women of the Xanadhavian household with small gifts for Hannah and the child that is soon to be born. Most are new-made but some carry the signs of use and love. It's clear that the customs of many lands are being observed in this new castle, where Hannah will be the first to give birth.

Hannah has hospitality gifts for these visitors too, and has Solange help when Hannah can't speak. She's giving out simple bracelets of soft leather cord, strung with blue chalcendony agate. A tiny silver horse dangles from the clasp. There isn't anything magical about them, but they were made as part of her ritualistic practice, with intent, direction and purpose on her part, by hand.

Solange is pleased to help Hannah when she needs it in addition to making sure Hannah drinks a lot of water.

Robin stays quiet during most of the female socialization time. And is noticeably a little awkward around Corvis. She helps Solange with the hydration and is immediately available for any lifting, hauling or steadying that needs to be done. Otherwise, she keeps out of the way.

And if things are going on too long - maybe Brita would be interested in a game of S'yang Stones?

Once it becomes clear that Hannah has gifts to give, some of the women, mostly the pregnant ones, also ask for her blessing as medicine giver.

Whenever anyone asks, Hannah makes the offer to pray with anyone in the room who'd like to, as soon as her next contraction passes.

She encourages them to take hands in a circle, and she prays.

"Sun, Moon, Stars, all you that move in the heavens, hear us!
Into your midst has come a new life.
Make the path smooth, that they may reach the brow of the first hill!

"Winds, Clouds, Rain, Mist, all you that move in the air, hear us!
Into your midst has come a new life.
Make the path smooth, that they may reach the brow of the second hill!

"Hills, Valleys, Rivers, Lakes, Trees, Grasses, all you of the earth, hear us!
Into your midst has come a new life.
Make the path smooth, that they may reach the brow of the third hill!

"Birds, great and small, that fly in the air,
Animals, great and small, that dwell in the forest,
Insects that creep among the grasses and burrow in the ground, hear us!
Into your midst has come a new life.
Make the path smooth, that they may reach the brow of the fourth hill!

"All you of the heavens, all you of the air, all you of the earth, hear us!
Into your midst has come a new life.
Make the path smooth, then shall they travel beyond the four hills!"

(Omaha Children's Song to celebrate a birth.)

Corvis doesn't know this song to start with, but she familiarizes herself with it and helps to sing and to bless the petitioners at Hannah's direction. It.s clear that she is used to working with other priestesses even if the details of her tradition are different.

Hannah then, while she still can, reminds them that hand washing kills disease, teaches them a washing song, and talks about care women need after birth. When she can't talk long enough to get it all in, she motions to Paige to teach them recipes that promote healing and ease some recovery pains.

Paige is full of old wives tales but tries to offer the ones that she can justify with some evidence, not just antecdotes.

When her body pushes into full intensity, she lets Robin block the door, and crying, tells Corvis once again that, "I miss my mothers. I am so grateful to have you here."

Corvis walks with Hannah and holds her, dabbing her brow with cool water. "I will be your mother and stand for them on the day, as I have done for so many others."

Robin trades a nod with Brita before returning to his sister's side. After one more quick check to make sure everything is where Paige wants it to be, Robin takes up her position to help the midwife.

Paige smiles and lays a thankful hand on Robin's arm. When the time comes, she is calm and precise with direction and request. It's apparent that Paige has seen her share of births and despite Hannah's practices it's not much different than others.

Hannah gives birth.

As Paige and Robin are dealing with the afterbirth and setting the crying child on Hannah's body, Kyril's cousin Allie appears in the doorway. "Queen Vialle is here and wants to visit you, Hannah."

Corvis's hand pauses in her work of putting a cool compress to Hannah's brow, and every servingwoman who has come to assist Hannah and receive blessings looks to Hannah and Corvis.

Robin growls under her breath and visibly mantles. With her eye on the door, Robin's hands drift toward sword and Trump.

Hannah's intense focus is on the child, so it is only when Robin moves does Hannah looks up. Her brow wrinkles at Robin's behavior, but it's Robin, so she looks back to the baby.

"Of course. I just need 10 minutes, we're in the thick of it right now. Brita, can you get the Queen some tea? Her timing is very good, actually."

Brita glances at Robin with a slight nod of acknowledgment. She moves out the door to intercept the Queen with some tea and conversation. "Your Majesty. Cousin Hannah needs Time to Clean Up and Greet her Newborn Child. Would you Like some Tea while you Wait? How are You Doing?" Brita can Do Court Polite.

Vialle is waiting in the outer room with Ember, her assistant. Ember looks mildly frightened, though Vialle appears to be her normal self.

"I'll send for the tea," Allie says, since that's something she knows how to do and there's clearly a bunch of stuff she doesn't know about going on.

Meanwhile, in the birthing chamber, Corvis has taken charge, calmly. "Robin, please take charge of the door. No one may enter or leave that way. Solange, please put the gifts in this chest--" she indicates a large one that sits at the foot of the bed where Hannah now rests-- "and when you are done, please close it and spread a blanket so we can sit on it. Paige, please keep attending to Hannah."

Robin nods her gratitude for Corvis' understanding to the former Lady of Danu. But knowing that the formidable Brita is on the job, Robin takes a moment to rest her hand on the head of the baby as she kisses her spent sister on the head.

As she does so, she calls upon her Family Heritage, tunes herself to the syncopated beat that is Xanadu, and makes a quick check that everything is alright with mother and child.

Corvis turns to the half-dozen or so women in the room who are not family. They're all clearly nervous. "Ladies, please leave through the service passages. We will arrange it so no one knows who was here." That evokes relief in the women, who gather up and move toward the exit that servants use.

Hannah watches all this in silence. She's managed to get the baby feeding, so she looks back up as everyone is leaving. She catches up with what Corvis has been saying and her brow wrinkles again. "Did we break a protocol? Vialle won't mind, I don't think we need to fuss." Her move to pull out her long-destroyed bun and attempt, with one hand, to rake her sweat-soaked hair into submission suggests she doesn't exactly feel that's true. She's also glancing about the room with some relief that it's not the mess she expected. Lots of ladies have cleared away everything she's crushed and whatever other marks of childbirth were there. She has been really focused... for some time. "It's not morning, is it?" she asks.

"No, just about midnight," Paige answers smiling at how well the beautiful new life latched on and obviously pleased with the child's nursing. She sets about taking care of Hannah's hair, drawing it back in a lover's knot for now. "I'll wait until we've settled with Vialle before calling my brother."

"Powering up," Robin says -- a little belatedly -- as she makes her way to the door. Time to warn the sorcerers, the divine and the scientists that shit is going to be working the Ordered Way for a while. With each step Robin calls on the Pattern, the lightning in her blood, the music in soul, matching her footsteps to Xanadu's rhythm until by the time she reaches the door, she is (hopefully) able to affect some small but nasty probabilities in this oh-so-Real Realm.

"I'm not you or your Father, but I'm not unskilled, cuz. Mom and baby are doing fine if you need me." The redheaded midwife comments, remembering having helped cast the Dragon from Amber once, what seems years ago.

Robin nods that she's heard but her mind is on other things.

"Does that mean I've staunched enough to get up? I'm starving," Hannah asks. "And I don't want Vialle to have to be assaulted by her sense of smell."

"Should I get candles to hide the scent, or should we strip the bed and remove the sheets?" Solange is clearly ready to be put to work beyond hiding gifts. She just doesn't know what she needs to be doing to help and looks to Paige for direction.

While they're talking, Corvis finishes hustling the women of the castle out of the servants' doorway and into the back corridors of the castle.

Hannah sighs. "Nope. Here Solange, take him. Let me try to stand. Worse thing that happens is my parts fall out. Paige will catch them," she teases. "But really, I'd like to go out to the sitting room if I can. It will be easier to eat and to see the Queen and the men in my life and I want to swaddle him and put him in his cradleboard and make sure it's right." There is clearly a longer list in Hannah's head but she ends with, "I need to rinse us off and put on my fancier dress."

When Robin reaches the door, a couple of things (hopefully) happen. One, if it's not already, Robin closes the door firmly - not slamming it, mind you, just definitively shutting it. Two, the door suffers an unfortunate failure due to hurried workmanship and recent overuse and the latching mechanism wedges solidly in place. Three, Robin's firelizards drape themselves around her in full 'on-guard' mode, their eyes whirling quickly.

Robin sighs and looks back at Hannah, "I... could tell you some polite social lie, sister. Badly." She admits. "Or I could pretend to have an accident that I'm too agile to ever have. But instead, I'm just going to tell you. I have reason to believe that the Queen might be a threat to your child at this time. If I'm wrong - I'll endure my exile gracefully." She shares a grim smile with her sister. "But for right now, nothing comes or goes through this door." She finishes echoing Corvis' words.

Hannah looks at Robin as if she's gone mad, and then looks at Corvis, whose behavior makes more sense now, in that it is also mad. She shakes her head and reaches back to Solange for the baby. "You might want to secure the back door from... Vialle, then, but I think we could take her." Hannah says dryly. "Paige, I'm getting up, please catch me if needed. Oh, Solange, please grab the umbilical cord for me. I have an amulet it needs to go in." She's not kidding, but her eyes do sparkle, because for some reason it's fun to make her sister uncomfortable.

Paige follows her cousin to ensure she's ambulating with a steady gait, a hair closer when she's holding her new nephew.

Solange makes a face but she starts to do as Hannah has asked.

"Hannah," Corvis says, "I know it sounds foolish, but the women of the household are afraid of Vialle now for a reason. Something has happened to her, and we don't know what it is. Most of the time, she's still herself, but sometimes she is ... not. And when she is not, she can be cruel, and we don't trust what that means for those who have no power. You could stand against her, but could your son?

"And it's not just her. There's something wrong with the King as well. Frankly, for all that he's my husband's well beloved brother, I wouldn't think a newborn infant safe with him, either. When he's apart from her, it's as if he's under a geas of some sort to return to her. Without life and spirit and music, which is so wrong for him.

"Perhaps we're overreacting, but keeping an unprotected infant safe is my first priority, and I think Robin's as well."

Robin smiles a little grimly as she nods. She'd far rather be thought mad (been there, done that, has the scars) and be wrong than be too timid and be right.

Hannah seems to find is easier to believe Corvis isn't over-reacting to something. She shifts the baby to her other arm, holding him close. She reaches over to slip open the drawer of the nightstand, taking out two knives. She just sits back down by them, at the edge of the bed, for now. "Hurting a newborn isn't cruel, it's vicious. It is also suicide, in this instance. If Random is influenced somehow, then the land is as well. Whatever protections aren't provided by the sigil could be weakened or collapsed. When exactly did you first notice these symptoms? And what have your ladies been telling you that she's done? Has anyone gotten Ember alone?"

Paige busies herself with tidying the other implements, thinking it will be harder to procure ice for Hannah's swelling with doors locked. She's obviously listening closely.

Robin shakes her head as she fluffs a little. That would require hanging around the palace and talking to people and stuff, totally someone else's track.

"I've tried to get hold of Ember privately but she's almost always with Vialle now that the Queen is with child. But she seems upset or worried to me, and I don't know what Vialle has said or done to her behind closed doors.

"Vialle has been behaving strangely since she was rescued. Some of it was nightmares she was having, and I know your kinswoman Fiona was helping her with that. But she's become angry and volatile, and I'm told that wasn't her nature before, or during the Regency." Here Corvis looks to Paige, Robin, and Solange for confirmation. "The women fear her. I don't know if she's struck any of them, but she says harsh words, makes threats. If she has a hold over Random, a magical one, there's no stopping her.

"Everyone has noticed that Random has become--less vital, less himself, of late. It's hard to say exactly when, but it's finally become noticeable to those of us who have been here, never mind those who have come from abroad. And yes, you're right, the land is threatened by whatever is happening to Random. And Vialle. Fiona is working on that, as the best-qualified. This is beyond my magics, but I promise you, Hannah, I will protect your son with my life."

Meanwhile Solange has collected the umbilical cord in a white handkerchief and has it ready for Hannah.

She takes the handkerchief from Solange, and lays it gently down on the bed. As she reaches into the drawer for the amulet, she says, "My lady, I... the sentiment is appreciated but honestly, if, uh, Vialle can go through Brita, Robin, Solange, Paige and I, I'd rather you surrender and survive. So... is our plan now just to sit in here and leave poor Brita out there to hold up Vialle until she gets mad enough to do something?"

"Well, there is always the option of us going to my brother rather than he to us here," Paige offers now that her hands seem finally clean. She draws a packet wrapped in green silk from her jacket and taps them against her palm. "If Trump travel didn't harm him in utero, I can't think it should in your arms.

"When asked we can explain that he couldn't wait to see his son, so we sent you two on," she suggests.

"Or you could go out the back way like the servants did, if you're physically up to it," Solange reminds Hannah.

"But what I want to do is confront her and see what she does. What can she do with this many people here but lie and play nice? I just... we're talking around what the problem must be. How about I send the baby off with you, Corvis, and Solange can go along to help. Then he's out of sight for a bit, and Robin, Paige and I can poke at Vialle and see what we can get at." She looks at her sisters and her midwife. She seems to think she has the energy to do this, and also, that it'd be fun.

Robin's expression cannot contain how very, very bad an idea she thinks that is. And this from her. But what she comes up with is, "Can't. Door's busted. Nothing in or out."

"Robin, that's not going to hold forever," Solange says. She turns back to Hannah. "It's a terrible idea, Hannah, but if you're going to insist, I'll do it. But Corvis has to be the one to bring the baby." It's clear she's not taking chances with her father's wife.

Hannah looks between her sisters, and then fiddles with wrapping up the umbilical cord, one-handed. "Fine, let us evacuate. What about Brita?"

Robin snorts but does NOT say out loud -- she'll probably get kidnapped to somewhere interesting and meet all sorts of neat people while I escort the civilians out... bleah.

Paige extends her arms to take her nephew for the moment and free Hannah's hands. "One of us can always Trump her out," she suggests while trying to see Edan in the pudgy face.

Hannah hands over the baby, and if Paige didn't know better, she'd say she's pouting. She lays a handkerchief over her hand, twists the cord into a spiral, and her put-out expression passes as she whispers in Omaha and focuses on what she's about. It only takes a minute, but she looks more satisfied.She wraps the cloth around it and sets it on the table, followed by her knife, her medicine bag, and then turns in a circle. "Y'all have cleaned up neatly, but everything with my or the baby's DNA on it has to be burned. It's ritual. Robin, you can handle that while I change, yes? Just say some cleansing words, and watch you don't break the fireplace," Hannah says dryly, glancing to the door and back to Robin a few times.

Robin grins. Breaking things is one of her specialties. Second only to drowning them. But she's good with fire too. And while her type of cleansing may be more "scorched earth" than Hannah is probably thinking about, Robin figures she can manage some pleasant words and a small fire, and still keep an eye on the door.

"Maybe by the time I'm dressed and clean I'll be in the right mood to talk about all the things I should've been told before we came to the castle, because I would have been just fine having this baby in the woods." She pulls off her birthing gown and tosses it at Robin's head.

Robin catches the gown easily, keeping it off of and out of the way of the firelizards. "I'd've preferred the woods too. I'm much more used to trees and boats and wild animals than potentially possessed queens. But," she shrugs one shoulder, "I didn't know until just a little while ago."

"If Fiona had been with her, as we expected, it would not have been a concern, certainly not for you, Hannah, or the child. But I don't know where she is, and that also worries me for her," Corvis explains. "Had your labor waited until after the gathering, I would have taken you to a place I know of that would be safe and protected. But the timing was as the Gods will it, and not as I would have wished."

Solange says, "I just got here tonight so I didn't know either. Is Dad safe from whatever's going on?"

"I hope so," Corvis answers.

Paige smiles at her finger currently trapped by a nephew's pudgy hand. She obviously hasn't noticed the gentle sway in her hips that began when she cradled him in her arms.

"Perhaps I've been too focused on drilling my Rangers, but this is new to me as well," the Warden admits. "Not seeing the trees for the forest or the like."

From her dressing room, Hannah calls, "You know, my pattern-walk... our mother..." She falls silent. She comes out in a white elk-skin dress with bands of sky blue and bright purple seed beads at the shoulders, neckline, and waist. Under the arms and below the neckline white leather fringe falls in layers to the next set of beads, and then again beneath that, to the floor. She's got matching boots, which becomes obvious when she sits again and starts tucking knives and wrapped cords and the purple feathers back into them. She's brushed her hair out and it's long and loose. She doesn't look half bad for a woman who just gave birth, though she is a bit pale.

"Paige, will you swaddle him and improvise me a carrier?" she asks.

The midwife nods returns to the bed, the baby in her right arm, and fixes the blankets to suitably wrap the infant. As to carrier, once the little djinn is bundled, she selects a fresh top sheet from the spare linens on the sideboard and folds it to make a long narrow length that she then wraps like a tabbard tying it at her shoulder loosely. Obviously it would need be cinched tighter on the new mother's frame, but it would suit as a sling that would keep the boy secure and leave her hands free if not the papoose that the Ponca might prefer.

Meanwhile, Robin has left Chirrup and Ooot by the door, while she and Peep use their excellent noses to suss out any 'biologicial material' that may have escaped the prior cleaning. And with the blue lightning of the Pattern burning through her veins, she's pretty sure she hasn't missed anything.

By the time Hannah has returned from her dressing room, Robin has a nice roaring fire going in the (unbroken) fireplace. She is carefully burning everything while whispering & ...honking? quietly to the fire. If what she is whispering is barely audible enough to be recognizably not a human language - at least she is being sincere about it. (Parasaurolophus cleansing chants via the mammalian throat is tricky, but Robin figures those monks knew what they were about.)

Hannah turns to Corvis, "My lady, is the safe place at a spring in the woods?"

"It is," Corvis says, clearly not surprised that Hannah knows where she's talking about. "It's a sacred place, and clean. I believe they would have said in Amber of old that it belongs to the Unicorn."

Hannah nods. "That might have been nice, but it might have scared me. I had a vision that my... I think, my mother, but it could have been grandmother Rilga..." Her eyes drift over to Paige and the baby. "I... she was very pregnant, and nesting, but the stone building on the mountain by the sea was the wrong place for the child to be born and...there was a woman, used to riding a horse, perhaps a soldier. She didn't like I was going to have my daughter in the forest but it was politics, I think. She said, 'A daughter of yours who was not antagonistic to our sisters in the woods might help seal the old breach. I had not known you desired it.' I have been guessing, since, that I was my mother, and Robin was like to be the baby. I was going to the spring in the grove that he showed me. Maybe 'he' was Julian? I don't know." She shrugs. "No, wait. That was Rilga, because I knew it was a daughter, and I didn't think he needed more sons, whatever he thought. The father, I mean. Did Oberon marry Rilga to get an army suited for fighting the 'sisters in the woods'?" She asks the room in general, apparently not conscious of the tears running down her face.

Robin has been listening very closely, her head cocked. When Hannah finishes, she clears her throat.

"Ummm, yes. Probably Rilga and me. I'm not antagonistic to our Sisters in the Woods but I didn't seal the old breach. Instead I drowned the wall." She shrugs, though it's clear that it bothers her.

"But I don't think The King cared enough to worry about them and armies." There's a tone in Robin's voice that makes it clear she's talking about Oberon, not any of his successors.

Solange adds, "And if he did care about anything in Arcadia, it was mostly about the boy twins." Not that she's bitter about that or anything.

Hannah reaches back to Paige for the baby, having tucked everything away. "We should go, if it's really not safe. We can talk about all this later."

Robin nods as she settles herself for traveling. "Paige, you take front? I'll take rearguard?"

Corvis is following all this as best she can but she's clearly missing enough of the story that she doesn't understand half of what Hannah has to say. She pats Hannah's hand occasionally during her speech, but otherwise preoccupies herself as best she can with preparing for departure. When the group is ready, Solange moves to assist her.

"Paige, are you going to trump Edan?" Hannah asks.

Before Paige can answer, there's a rap on the door in Cadence. Robin recognizes it as "ware the door."

"Right." Robin nods firmly. "Go now. Call Edan on the way."

She then turns back to the door curses loudly (and as crudely as she can). The ranger jiggles the latch more firmly into its jammed position. The jiggles though are in Cadence for "Retreating. Grove of Unicorn. Rendezvous soon?"

"Sorry, Cousin." Robin calls. "I think the door is fucked up. We'll come round." ( Robin is intentionally being as rude and rustic as she can, knowing that it makes Vialle... uncomfortable.)

Vialle smiles at Brita once she hears her voice. "I am well. I hoped to see Hannah and her child. Is it a boy or a girl?"

Brita gets an amazingly dumfounded look on her face. "You Know, I Forgot to Ask." She shakes her head in amazement and smiles at Vialle, "It was Healthy, Regardless, and Not Aflame." Brita smiles a Conner Bright Polite Court Smile.

"Goodness. I wasn't aware aflame was an option. I've brought a gift for the child and for Hannah as well."

Ember steps up and offers a bundle that's obviously a hand-embroidered gown, or perhaps a blanket, for the baby. It's not white, exactly, but undyed and soft.

Allie returns and bows to Brita and Vialle both. She makes a little cough before she starts speaking and says, "Tea for three will be here in a moment, Your Majesty, Princess Brita, Miss Ember."

Ember says, "Thank you."

Brita gives Allie thanks as well and then replies to the Queen, "Cousin Edan is the Father, and His Shadow heritage Could have Come Into Play. This is Lovely," she says as she gently fingers the material. "Very Soft and of a Good Weight to be Warm but not Too Warm for a babe. Did You Embroider it, Your Majesty? The Work is Exquisite."

There's a thump-crunching kind of noise from the other side of the door. Allie looks at it, looks at Ember, and looks at Brita for guidance.

Vialle has to have heard it, but she ignores it. "Thank you, Brita. Yes, I did most of the work, with some help from Ember when I needed actual sight, and to help keep me from pricking my fingers. I hope the child will enjoy it. It won't be as cold here as it was in Amber, but a child could still have something warm to wrap up in."

Brita also ignores the noises. She waves the group towards the chairs. "Let us Sit as we Wait for the tea And for Cousin Hannah to get Cleaned Up." She moves close to the queen, although she doesn't touch her, and takes a deep breath. "Birthing Seems Very Tiring, even for those Not Directly Involved. All I did was Stand and Watch and I Feel Wrung Out."

Allie goes back outside to resume her guard position and pulls the door shut behind her.

Ember says, "I've been present at births before, but I suppose it's different for the royal family. Or maybe not." She looks at Vialle, as if waiting for the Queen to say something.

Which Vialle does. "Was it terrible, then? I know Random means to tell you all in the morning, but it won't hurt if you already know. I'm with child and soon enough I'll be in Hannah's position."

To Brita Vialle smells mostly like herself, with a hint of royal family smell, now. Which makes sense if she's pregnant with a royal child.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! May Your Child be a Clear Spring of Purity, a Life Spring of Health, and a Well Spring of Fortitude." Brita's tones sound like the formal blessing of a prayer. She continues, "The Birth was Better than Most I have Seen. Cousin Hannah has a Calmness and Strength that are Rare in Shadows. I am Certain You will Also have that Strength to bring Your Child into Reality."

"Your blessing is gracious, thank you, Brita." And her smile is genuine, if a bit unfocused in that Vialle way. "I expect the rituals will be different, though, for Hannah's kin. I am used to the ways of Rebma and giving birth above the waters is not what I thought of for my life, even when I thought of being wedded and having children at all.

"I'm glad it went well for her."

Brita cocks her head to the side "Would it Help if we Emulate a Watery Birth for You Here? I do Not Believe That would be Difficult." She is listening for the tea to arrive.

"I think it might help," Vialle says, "especially if I had you standing by, Brita. I forget sometimes that water on the surface is different to the water in Rebma, until it reminds me."

And on that note there's another knock, which Ember rises and answers at some subtle signal from Vialle, and the tea is brought in. Tea Rebma-style, with the salt that Vialle so enjoys, and small Rebman delights.

Allie is pretty sure she doesn't quite know what this is from the look on her face. It's food, it arrived in response to her request, and whatever she's used to, this isn't it. And she sure hopes it was what she asked for and nobody is in trouble.

Vialle has clearly caught the scent of her favorite. "Ah," she says, "the tea has arrived. Brita, will you pour?"

"Certainly, Your Majesty. Do you Require any Additions to your Tea?" Brita asks as she begins to pour out the tea. She will offer cups to all and then notes, "I see they sent Urchin Cakes and Salmon Roe Tarts. Would you Like One as Well, Your Majesty? Allie? Ember?" Brita offers the plates around, pointing to a small spikey half dome and then giving a thumbs up to Allie to note they are good. "These are Sweet and Very Good," she notes. "I had some when I was in Mirror Rebma with My Brother."

Allie visibly relaxes and forces a smile, shaking her head in the negative because she's not sure how you eat some of this stuff. But she's clearly grateful to Brita for including her.

Ember makes sure Vialle is served properly first and takes a couple of small items for herself after Brita and Vialle have been given first choice. Vialle takes her tea the way Brita remembers her taking it from her years in the Regency.

"Thank you, Brita; thank you, Ember; thank you, Allie." Vialle has caught the name and pronunciation from Brita but Brita intuits she hasn't really dealt much with Allie yet and isn't sure where she fits into this situation. "I should have asked for enough for Hannah and her ladies. Do you know who was attending on her, or how many? We can send to the kitchens for something for all of them."

Brita thinks for a second - "There were Many who Came Through, Women of the Court, Sisters of Cousin Hannah, Lady Corvis,...Four where Left when You Arrived, I Believe, Assisting in the Cleaning."

"Ember, Allie, could you send to the kitchens for something for Hannah and the women tending on her? Half a dozen, I think, with the King's appetite," Vialle suggests. Ember rises to assist Allie in making the request, which is a good thing because the comment about the King's appetite makes no sense to Allie.

"Could you knock and see whether Lady Hannah is ready to receive us?" she adds to Brita as the other two women leave.

"Certainly, Your Majesty," Brita says as she stands and moves to the door to give a light double tap [cadence for 'ware the entrance']. She waits a few seconds and then taps again a little louder. "They do Not Appear to be Hearing Me," she says as she goes to try the handle. "Perhaps they are Distracted by the New Baby."

Loud crude cursing emanates from behind the door along with a jiggles of the latch right before Brita clasps it.

"Sorry, Cousin." Robin calls. "I think the door is fucked up. We'll come round." (Robin is intentionally being as rude and rustic as she can, knowing that it makes Vialle... uncomfortable.)

Brita grasps and rattles the handle as well, slaps a hand on the door and jerks back on it a couple of times. She sighs and then says, "Understood, Cousin Robin." She turns back towards the Queen. "There have been Problems with the Door all evening, Your Majesty. Several Visitors had to use the Servants Stair or Leave by There. It is a Long Way and may take them Some Time to Return Here. Would you Like more Tea?" Brita moves back to the chairs.

"Don't you guys have something like WD-60 here?" Allie asks, confused.

Ember shakes her head in the negative, looking at Allie. "I don't know what that is." Brita reads her expression as a little panicked.

"I wouldn't want to put Hannah out if she's still exhausted from the birth by asking her to come to me. I'll send someone to have the door repaired and return to visit her later. Brita, can you give Hannah her baby-gift?" Vialle asks. She's not ready to finish her tea just yet, but she clearly understands her desire has been frustrated for now.

"Certainly, Your Majesty," Brita is projecting calm at Ember. Everything is Fine. "Cousin Hannah Seemed to Come Through the Birthing Better than Most. She was Very Concerned about Assisting and Teaching All who were Able to Visit. I am Certain, she will Wish to Assist You as well." She sits and takes another sip of tea.

"You are so kind, Brita. I'm glad you're here to help both of us." Vialle smiles at her.

Ember says hesitantly, "We could stay and wait for the door to be repaired, or I could," to Vialle.

"I wouldn't want to trouble you so," Vialle says, and to Brita she seems completely sincere. "But I could ask one of the pages to help me find my way back to Random and Fiona."

"I could Help Your Majesty," Brita notes. "I would Like to Speak with My Mother. Where Is She and King-Uncle Random?"

"He wasn't feeling well, so I think he's in our quarters, and Fiona was looking after him. Would you like to walk up with me?" Vialle asks.

"Certainly, Your Majesty," Brita says as she sets aside her now empty tea cup. "I am Sorry to Hear Uncle-King Random is Not Well. That Must Explain the Short Welcome for Cousin Edan's Order."

"Yes, but your mother will have him feeling better soon, I have no doubt," Vialle says. She finishes her own tea and sets it aside. "I am ready to go up whenever you wish."

Brita is ready to leave. She will do whatever is typical (take Vialle's hand to place on her arm?) and head towards the Royal suite tout suite!

Vialle doesn't need to take Brita's arm, though she might out of the same spirit of friendliness that anyone else would. Without a cane, though, she depends on Brita's assistance to avoid any obstacles that there might be en route to their destination. The servants know well enough to get out of the way of Vialle, whether from fear or courtesy, but if, for instance, there were a loose rug or something like that, Vialle would need Brita to tell her.

Once Edan has Folly's Trump of Paige in hand, he gives her the same salute he just gave Bleys. "Right, then," he says, and concentrates on the image of his sister. "Paige? It's Edan and Folly. Are you at the castle?"

After a long moment he frowns and turns towards Folly. "No answer. You know, she never did forgive me for that bird I sent that bled all over her tea party."

"Well, you know, some people are sensitive about that sort of thing," Folly says with an almost-straight face as she takes back her card.

She holds up her little finger and tilts her head like she's listening for something. Then, "Horses. This way...." she gestures, and begins to lead the way, but asks, "Is that magnificent beast of yours stabled with the others? Something tells me he'll be the quickest non-magical way back up the hill. Unless Ash has somehow built a motorbike."

She tilts her head again, like now she's trying to suss out the location of the nearest motorbike.

"I am egotistical enough to think the stable hands wanted to wait for the dance. Yes, Aramsham should be here, and still saddled."

Folly nods. "If he's willing to take two -- and you're willing -- let's try that, then."

Edan smiles at that. "Aramsham is strong and tireless. He will carry us both. Then he will think up some deviltry to make me pay for it."

"Then I shall try to be extra-nice to him so he thinks he's getting a good deal," Folly says. She pats at her pockets with a thoughtful frown. "I'd offer him an apple, but I'm afraid all I've got are little cheese-flavored crisps shaped like dolphins and surfboards."

Edan can tell Folly is anxious to get to the castle as quickly as possible -- she is a buzzing bundle of tension -- but even so, on their way up the hill she says, "I suppose congratulations are in order? I would gladly offer piles of parenting advice, if you wanted, but it turns out I'm sort of making everything up as I go."

"Thank you," Edan says. "I have siblings but know nothing of raising children. Every question I come up with, though, Hannah already has an answer."

Folly chuckles. "I get a little of that from Martin, who had rather more direct childrearing experience than I did, before Lark. Sometimes, especially early on, it was quite helpful and comforting. Other times...."

She hesitates, thinking, and when she speaks again Edan can hear the wistful smile in her voice: "I know some cultures think that mothers always know best in matters of child-rearing, but don't forget you get to have opinions and input, too. You and Hannah are both sensible people and will sort out the family dynamic that works best for you. Just... don't go into it thinking you always have to be the one that steps back. I mean... I wouldn't be who I am without my papa. And I know the same is true for Lark."

"I will have my input," Edan says. "I figure that the afrit blood will be strong, because of me. So might Sorcery. Each of those things are very dangerous, untamed. Or untrained, I guess that is a better word."

"Ah. Yes. I can see how that might be an issue," Folly replies. "Perhaps for safety's sake your fire-baby should hang out with my water-baby. Not that her own gifts manifest in quite that way -- so far they are more mental than physical -- but if she's teaching him to surf there will be fewer chances for accidentally burning down the castle, you know?"

After a moment's thought, she asks, "Are you looking forward to it?"

Edan pauses a moment before answering. "I am. I am also worried. This new Order is not for show. I will be riding off to war." Another, slighter pause. "Most often at the King's behest."

"We can at least hope those calls are few and far between," Folly says, then adds grimly, "Although the way things are going, that first call is likely to be soon, even if it also turns out to be rare."

They are now far enough up the hill that they are far from the crowd of party-goers. Once she is confident they are unlikely to be overheard by anyone else, she asks, "What's your plan, once you get back to the castle and get your thing?"

Folly gets a sideways look and a sideways smile to go with it. "I find out where it points," he says. "And perhaps, welcome a new child along the way."

The castle is both empty and busy. Most people are down at the event in town, but the few that are here are quite busy indeed.

Edan says, "I will have to be there tomorrow. I do not as yet see how I would refuse any edict he makes. After all, I have just declared my service to the crown. My timing is...unfortunate." He looks up and to the side. "The compass, it is in my rooms. Are you coming too?"

"Family wing is my first stop," Folly says, "unless I can feel that the king is somewhere else. Finding him is my priority, but I'm curious to see this compass, and where it's pointing."

Edan nods. "It is not far," he says. "Up this way," and he leads them up towards his rooms by the fastest path he knows.

It isn't far. Edan leads Folly in. Somehow the room is 5 degrees hotter than the rest of the castle. Edan quickly locates his pendant.

"Here we are," Edan says, and holds it up. "Father and I raided a Moonrider camp, and I found this on the way out. Unfortunately, we were witness that day to the Gheneshi reuniting with their Queen. We were in a hurry to get out."

Folly blinks. "Reuniting... where? Like, physically? You saw her? And not just as a disembodied Floaty Woman?"

Edan nods. "Well... who knows if she had some avatar or illusion present. I would think the entrance wouldn't have looked so powerful, though. I didn't hang around to get more than a peripheral glimpse. We weren't there to fight, just spy and disrupt." He hefts the pendant. "And steal."

Folly nods in a "filing that away for later" sort of way. "Depending on how this goes" -- Folly gestures broadly to indicate not just their present experiment but the whole situation -- "I may have more questions for you and Bleys later. But before you run off to follow that thing, I wanna check something -- it's not far. I, ah, I mentioned that Lark and I had felt something... amiss... when we first got here? It's not far."

If he's willing, she leads the way to the spot, keeping an eye on Edan along the way to see if he or the pendant seem to detect any changes, while also feeling for any differences herself.

The dangling pendant is moving between two points. And doesn't seem inclined to come to rest.

Edan does come along, curious, dividing his attention between the pendant and looking around with his Third Eye. (passive senses to the max, after a short time of wondering what Folly might have sensed).

Folly curses a little under her breath when she sees the motion of the pendant. As they approach the spot, she holds up one finger and lets it drift, compass-like, in the direction her intuition tells her the king is most likely to be -- that's her planned next stop anyway. Then she takes a glance to see if that matches either of the directions the pendant seems to want to go.

Edan follows along, but he says, "Just to be clear-under no circumstances do I want the King or Queen to see this bauble. It is not yet time for that kind of encounter."

Folly nods once, abruptly. "Understood."

The pendant seems to be pointing to a lower room, and an upper window [Vialle and the Stairs to Tir].

If he were himself, he'd be in his studio with Soren or at the party. If he wasn't, he'd be with Vialle. [OOC: neither. Vialle left him in their rooms, to waddle off and deal with the birthing thing.]

Folly closes her eyes and takes a deep breath to orient herself, then opens her eyes again and looks at Edan. "Stairs," she says, indicating that upper window, and makes a gesture like ascending stairs and then taking off into the air. Then she indicates the other direction the pendant points, holds up her fingers in a "V" shape, as if she's concerned about being overheard, and arches an eyebrow questioningly. "Not sure, but that's where I think I'd look for her right now," she says. "But instead I'm gonna...." She gestures farther down the hall, toward the door to the royal quarters.

Edan clearly doesn't have the same command of the castle layout. "Where would Hannah and Paige have gone?"

Folly cocks her head like she's listening and then makes a face. "That's less obvious, but I think... maybe also down." She points again to almost exactly the same spot where she indicated Vialle. "But I'll bet any of the domestic staff in that part of the castle will know exactly. The women, anyway."

"Very well," Edan says. "Do you have need of me, cousin? I will not leave you if you are aiming to encounter... trouble. Otherwise, I want to see my child."

"Oh, I definitely understand," Folly says. She looks at Edan, then in the direction of the royal suite, then back at Edan. "But maybe---"

Edan feels the tug and urgentness that indicates that someone is trying to reach his mind via a trump.

"--just for a second, you could--"

Edan holds up a hand to stall Folly as he skids to a stop. "Who calls?" he asks.

Folly stands still and alert, watching closely.

Hannah jounces the baby in his carrier quickly to make sure it will hold on its own, then motions for Solange and Corvis to start down the stairs before she follows.

A rattle of the handle followed by a palm bang on the door as the door is jerked (gently) a couple of times, 'Delayed.' sounding in the ears of Robin and Paige. "Understood, Cousin Robin," Brita's voice trails away as she turns back towards the room. Robin might catch 'Problems', 'Door', 'Majesty', and 'Long Way' in Brita's formal speech.

"Right, let us get some distance before invoking the Art," Paige agrees as she follows Hannah, the hesitation giving her a chance to begin shuffling to Edan's card.

The group proceeds slowly through the servants' hallways, with the limiting factor being Corvis's speed rather than Hannah's. After that becomes apparent, she tells the others to go ahead, that she'll make her own way to the kitchen and let the servants help her.

They do see some other servants in the hallways, but when they see Hannah and the baby, they stand aside and let her pass in the tight hallways.

Hannah offers quiet thanks and soft, grateful touches on arms as they pass. She's feeling close to the castle staff tonight, especially now realizing how much work they must be having to put into not angering Vialle; how afraid they must be. It makes her mad and protective.

Now that Hannah has asked Paige to trump Edan, she's anxious to see him. Nervously so. As soon as they can step out of the servants' way, she's looking at Paige impatiently.

Paige can take a hint and concentrates on her brother's Trump, willing his features to life, his clothes to reshape as she had seen him earlier in the evening.

Robin, Peep, Chirrup and Ooot are taking their job as rearguard seriously. But not so seriously as to unsettle the staff.

All three are keeping all their senses peeled.

Hannah leans to Solange and asks her if she'll please stay and make sure Corvis makes it back alright.

Solange nods and goes to catch up with Corvis. She'll catch up with them later.

There is a response to Paige's trump. Edan is in the castle, holding up a hand to stall Folly as he skids to a stop from a run. "Who calls?"

"Of course you're in the Castle," the Warden shakes her head. "Are you close to the stables? Hannah and your son would be taking their leave if you can help."

Paige looks to Hannah, extending her free hand and inviting her into the contact.

"It's Paige," Edan says to Folly, and he moves back to bring the latter into the picture. "We are close to the King, I think, not near the stables. Folly, Hannah wants to come through, and..." he pauses. "Son?"

Hannah reaches for Paige's hand. "I don't think riding in a carriage right now would be any more enjoyable than riding a horse. I'd rather walk."

Hannah takes Paige's hand and immediately is scouting the background of Edan's location with her eyes. Her hair is loose and drying. She's in a white elk-skin dress with bands of sky blue and bright purple seed beads at the shoulders, neckline, and waist. Under the arms and below the neckline white leather fringe falls in layers, some of the pieces bunched on top of the cross-wrapped white sheet holding the swaddled baby tight to her chest. His dark, scrunched profile stands out against all the white. Hannah's free hand is curved under the baby. She is far more emotional than normal and isn't stopping it leaking through. She's relieved to see Edan, happy, proud, impatient, frustrated, nervous, angry and anxious. And hungry, very hungry.

Edan reaches out and, unless there is objection, brings Hannah through. Still touching both Paige and Hannah, wishing he had more time to express his joy and amazement, he says, "If you are all moving, I guess you know we have to get out of here. I may have to return to cleanse the birthing room with sage and fire. Things are... bad." He looks over. "Folly? I don't think I heard all your sentence. Do you need this trinket? Would you be safe? What can I do for you before I get them out?"

Paige looks back to Corvis, Robin and Solange asking, "What are your plans? Would you follow and accompany Hannah, or will it be easier for smaller groups to make it to the spring without being tracked?"

Corvis and Solange have already left the group. Solange is taking Corvis back to Gerard's chambers.

"Staying with Hannah," Robin confirms as she sends a quick 'all claws on Mom' message to her firelizards. Holding out her hand to Paige, she adds "Could you ask Edan to have Kayuta stand down for a moment, please?"

Hannah also doesn't let go of Edan's hand. She glances over at Folly and makes a tilting, 'come-hither' motion with her head. Then she looks back at the contact. "Why are we going there? Someone is going to tell me everything they know about what in les boules de dieu is happening." Her grip on Edan's hand may indicate it's going to be him.

Stuff is happening outside the field of view of the contact, and Hannah is reacting and speaking to someone else. Without letting Edan go she's slowly moving him along somewhere.

Paige answers, "I thought we decided that was the rally point back in the birthing suite. Either way, Robin and her clutch are coming with and politely request Kayuta stand down."

She waits a moment for the sorcerer to acquiesce before taking Robin's hand.

Edan nods, then mentally directs his affine not to start anything when the dragonet come through.

"Of course you're in the Castle," the Warden shakes her head. "Are you close to the stables? Hannah and your son would be taking their leave if you can help."

Paige looks to Hannah, extending her free hand and inviting her into the contact.

"It's Paige," Edan says to Folly, and he moves back to bring the latter into the picture. "We are close to the King, I think, not near the stables. Folly, Hannah wants to come through, and..." he pauses. "Son?"

Folly looks up and down the hallway and listens for a moment. "It should be safe for now," she says, "if Vialle is down where they came from." Consciously or unconsciously, under the guise of keeping watch, she is inching back away from Edan and his trump conversation, and toward the Royal Suite.

Hannah takes Paige's hand and immediately is scouting the background of Edan's location with her eyes. Her hair is loose and drying. She's in a white elk-skin dress with bands of sky blue and bright purple seed beads at the shoulders, neckline, and waist. Under the arms and below the neckline white leather fringe falls in layers, some of the pieces bunched on top of the cross-wrapped white sheet holding the swaddled baby tight to her chest. His dark, scrunched profile stands out against all the white. Hannah's free hand is curved under the baby. She is far more emotional than normal and isn't stopping it leaking through. She's relieved to see Edan, happy, proud, impatient, frustrated, nervous, angry and anxious. And hungry, very hungry.

Edan reaches out and, unless there is objection, brings Hannah through. Still touching both Paige and Hannah, wishing he had more time to express his joy and amazement, he says, "If you are all moving, I guess you know we have to get out of here. I may have to return to cleanse the birthing room with sage and fire. Things are... bad." He looks over. "Folly? I don't think I heard all your sentence. Do you need this trinket? Would you be safe? What can I do for you before I get them out?"

Hannah doesn't let go of Edan's hand either. She glances over at Folly and makes a tilting, 'come-hither' motion with her head. Then she looks back at the contact. "Why are we going there? Someone is going to tell me everything they know about what in les boules de dieu is happening." Her grip on Edan's hand may indicate it's going to be him.

To Edan, Folly says, "You should hold onto the thing, for safekeeping and to keep an eye on how it's changing... but I think she's moving." And indeed, her left arm, index finger extended, is stuck straight out and slowly rising, like a compass needle pointing Due Evil. She looks more and more stricken the closer it gets to level.

To Hannah, she says, "We think the Queen of Tir is using Vialle's pregnancy to re-corporealize. She's influencing those around her, too, and Pattern is no defense, because---"

She makes a face like she's been punched in the gut, mutters a couple of choice curses, and blurts out, "I'm sorry, I have to---" She gestures down the hall, and then takes off running, calling back over her shoulder, "Be safe!"

Hannah's expression moves from sudden understanding to worry, watching Folly leave. She's completely distracted from the call now, which she seems to be treating as background noise.

A young blonde woman in the uniform of a Ruby page rounds a corner in the castle corridor. "Sir Edan," she says, because he's pretty notable. "Ma'am," because she doesn't know Hannah on sight. "I'm looking for Lady Robin, with a message."

Hannah smiles over to the page. "He's in a call. Follow me please. He may be able to help us with that." Gently pulling Edan along behind her, she tries the nearest doorknob.

Edan talks to the air. "Whoever would like to come, come ahead. Folly just left, in a little distress but her own choice. I intend to strike out towards the stables."

Tenacity (for it is she) follows Edan and Hannah.

Robin steps through the Trump.

The Ranger nods to Edan and noticing the lack of territorial companions, she launches her own territorial companions back into their overwatch positions. She also smiles and nods to the retreating Folly.

"Right then, Grove?"

Hannah takes a breath and twists the doorknob. "Just a second," she insists. "Robin, the young lady has a message for you."

Edan nods agreement, then looks at the door Hannah is trying, ready with action or apology, as needed.

"Edan, don't leave Paige there alone, please. And if I'm going to ride I may need her yet," Hannah says, releasing him now that Robin is here.

While Edan and Hannah are resolving their business (and Paige is coming through) Tenacity turns to Robin and says, "Sir Brennan has a message for you; he needs to speak with you. He said it in the square below, but I think I saw him riding up to the castle with Lady Signy. I can find him for you, or with you, if you will."

Robin smiles at the page. "Thank you kindly. Will you please tell Sir Brennan that I have kept the secret though there is independent confirmation from the ladies of the Castle? And that my sister has delivered a son, which significantly reduces the risk in my opinion, but we are still proceeding to the Grove of the Unicorn with all alacrity in the company of Edan and Paige. And that if he is desperate, he can probably get ahold of me through one of them?"

Cause Robin's got her priorities, but that's not Tenacity's fault, so she adds, "If he can catch us before we leave, I'll talk."

"Maybe Paige has his trump," Hannah offers, looking about the room.

Paige takes stock if her surroundings as she puts Edan's card back in her deck and wrinkles her nose, considering for a moment.

A shake of her head indicates she's without contact for Brennan, "Although I could scamper off to the booth or try a sketch, both eating time you two, or three, don't have." Her eyes are suggesting her brother should have his love and his life moving already.

Edan nods and turns to Hannah. "What are we doing?" He asks. "Finding a private space? Is there something needs done with yourself or the baby?"

"Well, the first thing was to get out of sight. The second thing is food. I will be much more cooperative after I have gotten food. I don't even care what. Third," she looks at Paige and Robin, "can't we hide Edan and I somewhere and sisters just trump us and pull us through when you get to the grove? I would really like to let him have a piece of time with his son that isn't mad scrambling. I really do not want to experience jarring transport right now."

"I hear you, Hannah." Robin says sympathetically. "But I am not leaving your side until we reach the Grove." She smiles to her baby sister, who is so much more mature than herself. "I'm also confident enough in Edan's expert horsemanship that were you and the wee one to ride in his arms, there would be no jarring." She grins to papa. "And I can manage food on the way. But as long as there is a risk to you and the babe -- sorry, mad scramble it is." Robin finishes with a rueful shrug.

Hannah makes what is clearly a rude gesture at her sister. "We should kill two birds with one stone then and try to join with Brennan. It doesn't get much better for protection than you two, Edan and Brennan, yes? Does Solange know we're going to the grove?"

The page says, "I'll relay the message that you're going to the Grove to Sir Brennan, ladies, Sirs." And she's off to find Brennan.

"She does," Robin nods. And returns the rude gestures with fondness.

"Thank you," Robin acknowledges.

"Right then," she says turning back to Hannah. "Shall we see if the ever impressive Aramsham is up for an adventure in babycarrying?" Robin is smiling. She is also holding out an arm in a firm after-you gesture towards the stables. In addition, she's going to use some body language, firelizards and, if necessary, crowding to get the whole passel (Hannah, baby, Paige and Edan) moving. Verde! Lizards are soooo much easier.

"I'm sure Arasham is up for anything. This is just..." Hannah rolls her eyes heavenward and takes a deep breath. She breathes it out. "Fine." She gestures for Edan to lead the way.

Edan had produced a few almonds and what looked like some dried cranberries out of a pocket. He looked like he was about to do something...sorcerous with it, but changes his mind. "Fine," he says. "To the stables. If we don't find food on the way, I've got it handled."

Hannah looks at this offering and bites down on her bottom lip as she takes it from him. "Thank you," she says quietly to Edan. "I'm getting rather cranky." She pops it all into her mouth and looks mildly relieved.

Robin grins at Edan's back as he and Hannah move forward. Yep, she feels like that a lot. And if he says he's got it handled, he's got it handled. But the Ranger does raise one eyebrow to the intrepid Ooot. How's he feeling about a flying raid on the kitchen?

Ooot spreads his wings. Mighty Hunter! He will be back immediately with raw meat.

Edan reaches out to touch the baby's face. "My son," he says, in a voice filled with wonder.

He turns his head, then, to look at his affine. "Time to head back to the Order," he says. "Pass the word- let them sleep off the night's festivities, but then it is right back in the saddle. Two thirds ride out to the army in the forest, one third here. Just as planned. We must move the schedule up a few days, that's all. I will be out there soon as I can, but the training should start soon as they arrive."

Assuming there is a nearby window for Kyauta's egress, Edan then leads the group towards the stables as quick as they can all move.

Robin grins as Ooot catches up with his bounty. Mighty Hunter, indeed! New momma will dine well tonight... once they've arrived and Robin can get a fire going.

Hannah takes a moment to greet the Prince of Horses and introduce the baby to Aramsham. "I have brought you a child to teach how to be a proper Shóge íthaethéma. I will teach him to honor you and you will teach him when he doesn't."

Edan looks unhappy at the dearth of available horses, but is relieved when he finds their individual mounts have been spared from emergent use.

It appears everyone has a mount, but as they search he says, "I can create a warhorse- like Aramsham- if needed. Sorcerously."

Robin nods as she takes in the information. Between herself, Paige and Eden, the folk who can 'do things' had better to take care of not stepping... speaking of which, "Uh, Eden? I'm pretty lit up with the Family Heritage. Please warn me if you need to get all sorcerous."

Seeing there isn.t a need to do any magic, Edan merely shakes his head. "Your abilities and right arm are good enough for me."

She ticks her tongue as she checks Misae's tack one more time. What is it with her siblings and red-headed sorcerers? Ah well, at least Solange and Jove have some sense.

Hannah cooperates with riding with Edan, though not without some good natured complaining about not having rode double since she was a girl.

Just as good-naturedly, Edan grins and says, "Well, there was that one time. That's how we got here."

"Ha!" Hannah says and slaps his chest. "You're not a horse, you're a cat. I know, I've heard you purr," she says more quietly.

Edan doesn't lose his smile. "I remember other noises, too," he says.

Robin smiles as the happy family bonds. She and her winged horde will keep watch. With that in mind, Robin sends a hand sign to the Warden of Broceliande to take the lead, while she and the firelizards manage rearguard and overwatch. Robin does take the time to remind the intrepid airborne ones that Kayuta is on the 'pass' list.