Heldrik, Agraynal, Arrotel

[Wired*Nun]

Starter

[chalice]

"Can we go now?" asks Gray, her eager manner recalling the hawk she was a moment ago.

[Thanos]

Heldrik looks to Arrotel and Asmundson and says, “We will find a wagon and some horses in the woods shortly. From there we will try and contact Landon again and failing that I have a few ideas on how to find Siodmak I would like to try.”

Heldrik, with Gray on his arm starts walking out of the courtyard and into the countryside carrying on any conversation the others care for while he shifts to a shadow with an abandoned wagon and reasonably fresh horses waiting for them. The poor lovers out in the woods that will be missing it are out of luck. Looking for buried treasure with a blanket doesn’t work well.

[and if your not getting the reference on that last line you should read more Leo Frankovsky ,although I am misspelling the last name for sure]

[Thanos]

Heldrik allows Asmundson to help Gray into the wagon as he makes friends as it were with the horses. A soft moan of pleasure can be heard from the woods, but is quickly ignored as the wagon clatters off down the trail at Heldrik’s direction. Heldrik hands Arrotel and Gray the trump of Landon indicating they should try and contact him.
[assuming he does not answer]

The woods around them change as does the trail. For a while they travel on what looks to be an old Roman road with wagon groves cut into it. Peasants stare at them as they pass at a trot through a field and the sky has a familiar but different tint to it. They continue into another forest on the other sides of the fields and it to is different, but Asmundson is finding it familiar. Heldrik’s boots and scabbard are back to looking like they did the first time the others met him and the scent of the sea has once again started to fill their nostrils having been absent for the last while.
Sooner than later the group is travelling a road towards a mountain between a mansion and a Maze.

[chalice]

After trying flat-out to contact Landon, Gray settles down to watching the surroundings change, chatting quietly to Arrotel and Asmundson.

Once in familiar surroundings, she asks: "What next? Straight to the Maze?"

[Thanos]

"Asmundson said he had some things that could possibly track down Siodmak and this is as good a place as any for me to sit and look around. I do not know exactly what to have you and Arrotel do though."

"Arrotel, do you make trumps?"

[To save time, I'll reply for him.-GM]

[Wired*Nun]

Asmundson rides along, not asking why they don't simply Trump to his home shadow. The trip is pleasant, and short. The shadows must not be too far away from each other.

Asmundson smiles upon ariving on the Isle of Man. Echoing Gray, he says, "Shall we obtain rooms at the Lodge, or shall we go straight in?"

To Heldrik's question, Arrotel replies, "Sorry, no. Not yet anyway."

[chalice]

"Asmundson said he had some things that could possibly track down Siodmak and this is as good a place as any for me to sit and look around. I do not know exactly what to have you and Arrotel do though."
"Perhaps Arrotel could read that book Josh gave us?" suggests Gray.

"And...depending on how long you need for your search...Asmundson has been kind enough to agree to make a trump of me...might this be a good time to begin?" she looks tentatively between Heldrik and Asmundsen.

[Wired*Nun]

With a wink, Asmundson says, "Well, my dear, I'd rather do it indoors, if that's all right with everyone." Indeed, the scudding clouds and wind don't seem to be conducive to painting, especially on a moving wagon.

[chalice]

Gray blushes, feeling dumb, but not picked on.

"Maybe not right now," she agrees.

"Inside sounds good." She sighs. "And maybe elevenses? I sort of missed breakfast."

[Wired*Nun]

"The lodge it is then, for you'll find naught but guard's rations in the caverns." Asmundson explains the way to the lodge, and the sun climbs higher in the grey sky as they travel - rather quickly. "It's better to be lunchtime when we get there, I think.

Arriving in the front courtyard, they are admitted with all grave nonceremony. It seems discretion is a watchword around here, and there is a feeling of electric secrets behind every wooden-paneled door. Asmundson speaks quietly to the concierge, making some arangements for art supplies and lunch.

The concierge leads the group to a small dining and conference chamber, where food is soon brought out - soup, lamb in mint sauce, puddings, spiced porridge, aubergine puree, fresh limes and sugar.

Repasts finished, a couple of workmen come in and cover the table and carpets with canvas, and bring in an easel and paints. Asmundson places himself into that meditative state and paints Gray, on a standard 5x8 small canvasboard. It shows her seated, with a faint ghostly outline of something wilder, en-halo behind her.

[chalice]

Gray sits dutifully still while being painted - not difficult, as she is recovering from a huge lunch - and stays quiet unless spoken to, not wanting to disturb the concentration of Asmundsen or Heldrik. Silence is not difficult either - the last day and night have given her much to think over.

As usual, her expression alters to match her thoughts as they drift one way and another. Sadness, remembered anger, puzzlement, contentment. Every now and then, her eyes rest on Heldrik and the look in them softens.

Once allowed to move and look at the finished picture, she studies it carefully - almost warily - before thanking Asmundsen: "It's beautiful, it really is."

She hesitates, then reaches into a belt pouch for a small hinged case, somewhat resembling a large locket.

"I used to paint, a little," she says shyly. "Nothing like you, of course, and not with any Power, just for pleasure."

She opens the case to reveal two miniature portraits delicately executed in jewel-like colours reminiscent of stained glass.

"These are the only ones I brought away with me."

One image is of Eric, the other his wife, Vivien Fenris (http://www.online-roleplaying.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=400)

[Thanos]

Once in the lodge and near the room’s Heldrik pulls out the book of skin and blood from a hole in reality and hands it to Arrotel.
“This is the tome that Gray said you might want to read. It was a bit disturbing to her though.”

Heldrik is rather silent through lunch and seems distracted and thoughtful. Once lunch is done with he takes a seat in a corner after unclasping his sword and scabbard. The sheathed blade is across his knees and he leans his elbows on it as he takes a long look at Gray, smiling when she meets his gaze for a few moments while posing.
Enchanting, but distracting.

For those sensitive to it Heldrik brings up the Pattern to mind and walks it after closing his eyes. The rest of the time Asmundson is painting Heldrik is searching shadow on the Amber side of Ygg for Maze energies and the breaks in shadows that are left when a shadow traveler passes.

[Should Heldrik find a shadow trail he will follow it quickly tracking it back to whomever is breaking the trail to see if it is Landon or Siodmak. Maze energies are approached quickly to find out what/who is working it, but observed with caution (thus the blade across his lap)]

[Icebird]

Taking the tome from Heldrick, Arrotel concentrates a moment looking at it, but he looks a little disappointed at the result, whatever it was that he was trying to do.

"Very well, I'll look into it. You'll find that I'm not easily disturbed by Evil. Anything in specific I'm looking for, or just information in general?"

He somehow manages to capitalize the word evil while speaking. He'll sit off to the side and persue the books contents.

[Thanos]

[still talking to Arrotel]
In a conversational tone,
"The intent was information I believe. Gray said something about cousin Siodmak and this being his story. It details some things preceeding what is called the Pattern Fall War, which I call the great storm, and how it came about. I am interested in your impressions of the black road and anything that might concern a curse. I have not had the time to read it myself yet."

[Wired*Nun]

Searching this Shadow, Heldrik immediately recognizes something different about it. Though large, this shadow is similar to Fern Hollow, in that it is finite in size. It is circular, and ranges approximately from the North Pole to mid-Africa. It is also part of the Storybook sequence, a "border" shadow, in a way.

The only Maze energy Heldrik can find is here and in Flagstaff.

[Wired*Nun]

She opens the case to reveal two miniature portraits delicately executed in jewel-like colours reminiscent of stained glass.

Asmundson studies the pictures gravely, and says, "These are exquisite. You have real talent. Perhaps you can develop it, if things settle down." He hands it back to her. "Shall I do another, of someone?"

[chalice]

Asmundson studies the pictures gravely, and says, "These are exquisite. You have real talent. Perhaps you can develop it, if things settle down." He hands it back to her. "Shall I do another, of someone?"
Gray runs her fingers gently over the portraits. "I don't think I could make these now...it's a long time since I had this kind of fine control...discipline...time was, I could detail every feather in a falcon's wing - ah well, that was then." She gives him a wan smile, banishing the past. The present has it's good points...like you, my dear friend...

"Another? that would be up to them...and you."

[Icebird]

"Sorry I didn't get it to you earlier- I have one of myself already made for you. My last one, but I can't think of anyone I'd rather give it to than you."

Arrotel fishes it out of his pocket and hands said trump to Asmundson. He then leans over and takes a look at the pictures presented by Gray.

"Excellent. I do like the detail- in my experience, it takes much more skill to make something small and delicate than it does for something grand and sweeping, although my experience from which I speak comes not from art."

Well, I do seem to have developed a talent for accidentally insulting people. Just hope Asmunson doesn't take it the way it wasn't intended.

[chalice]

Gray smiles up at Arrotel. "Thank you."

"That book, Arrotel, it..um...some of it concerns your father. In some..." - she hesitates, "Uh, in some detail." She falters, blushing.

"Just thought you should know, " she mutters, looking down at the floor.

[Wired*Nun]

"Sorry I didn't get it to you earlier- I have one of myself already made for you. My last one, but I can't think of anyone I'd rather give it to than you."
"Thank you, sir Arrotel, I am profoundly gateful." Asmundson carefully places it inside his leather folio, and slides that back into his coat pocket.

[chalice]

Gray, looking pleased but also self-conscious at Asmundson's and Arrotel's kind words, has gone back to studying Asmundson's work.

"Does it have to dry before it will work?" she asks, sounding ever so slightly like a child eager to play with a new toy.

"Did you ever make any of yourself, Asmundson?"

[Wired*Nun]

"It doesn't have to, but you should wait unless it's an emergency. And no, I never had any cause to make any of myself, as I have not had any compatriots like you, before. Also, I have kept my powers secet from all but a few, even of my Society."

[chalice]

"It doesn't have to, but you should wait unless it's an emergency. And no, I never had any cause to make any of myself, as I have not had any compatriots like you, before. Also, I have kept my powers secet from all but a few, even of my Society.""No emergency," Gray says, with a lopsided grin. "Just me being curious to know what that kind of contact feels like."

And hoping nobody notices how frightening I still find the idea.

"I won't tell anyone."

[Wired*Nun]

"You have never been contacted by the Trump before? Ah, yes, such a long time in the Tower, but what of your life before? I gather you are taught of such things as a matter of course in your circles, n'est pas?"

[chalice]

"You have never been contacted by the Trump before? Ah, yes, such a long time in the Tower, but what of your life before? I gather you are taught of such things as a matter of course in your circles, n'est pas?"Gray shakes her head. "I was taught of them - I know how to use them because I had that one of father I showed you. That was made by Dworkin - I had no idea anyone but him could make them. We practised with it, but I was only to use it in an emergency. Father used the Family tarot to show me my Aunts and Uncles, before I met some of their Shadows.

"But none were ever made of me. Father kept my existence completely hidden from the Family. I was only taken to Amber twice, both times in secret. Once to walk the Pattern; once for father's Coronation."

She shivers at the memory of the second occasion, but regains her balance after a couple of deep, slow breaths.

"Mother went there with him more often, especially towards - the end - but never as his wife; she captained the personal guard he drew from the weir."

[Wired*Nun]

"Well, that is an unfortunate tale, and we need speak no more of it. I shall make one of myself, for you, if the gentlemen do not begrudge the time. Maze will wait, I suspect."

If there are no objections, he will begin one of himself, and complete it in about two hours. Again, the style is pedestrian, but the results, adequate.

[chalice]

"Well, that is an unfortunate tale, and we need speak no more of it. I shall make one of myself, for you, if the gentlemen do not begrudge the time. Maze will wait, I suspect."
"Thank you, " Gray looks relieved by the change in direction. "I would like that very much."

While Asmundsen is painting, she asks: "Do you think Nightmare would agree to speak with us, if we asked her?"

[Icebird]

"Yes, I too would like to meet her. The nightmare seems much more accessible and friendly than the unicorn or the serpent, based on your description. I am also still interested in walking the maze, although consulting with your patron first seems prudent."

Arrotel steps back into the corner, and brings the book up again.

[Thanos]

Heldrik’s brows furrow as his concentration deepens. While not distracting he is putting less and then more weight on his blade across his knees bouncing slightly. He has been concentrating the entire time since Asmundson started painting Gray and has yet to even open his eyes or change position more than a little. Over the next 2 hours as Asmundson paints a portrait of himself Heldrik starts to perspire as if he were jogging.

Shortly after the self portrait is completed it is starting to smell like a gym in the small room where they all are. Heldrik is dripping with sweat and has leaned back into the chair breathing deeply. When he opens his eyes they gleam with purpose and sparkle with antisipation.

[Wired*Nun]

While Asmundsen is painting, she asks: "Do you think Nightmare would agree to speak with us, if we asked her?"
Asmundson doesn't seem to hear her, nor Arrotel's words either. He seems to be deep in concentration.

[chalice]

Gray realises she shouldn't have tried conversation with a man in a creative trance:ditsy: , and smiles ruefully over at Arrotel. "Maybe we can ask him later."


She watches Heldrik with some concern, but waits until he opens his eyes and she can hand him a glass of wine before asking: "Are you all right?"

She has already poured for herself, Asmundsen and Arrotel.

[Icebird]

Arrotel finishes the thin volume fairly quickly, then comes over to watch Amsunson paint. When Heldrick comes out of his trance, Arrotel will see if a towel can be found and throw it to him.

"Learn anything interesting?"

[Wired*Nun]

Asmundson comes out of his trance, then leans over, his head in his hands. After a moment, he looks up, and says, "My, that was fatiguing. I have never done two in a row. I fear I must rest, now. Please excuse me. I will leave word with the concierge to attend to any needs you may have."

He leaves, a bit unsteady on his feet, getting some assistance from a passing member of the lodge. The concierge, after letting them know he is available for any request, closes the door for their privacy.

Any examination of the room will show that the room is well-sealed and seems to contain no bugs, listening points or other ways to eavesdrop.

[chalice]

Gray assists Asmundson to the door, and warches him go, looking concerned. Before closign the door, she'll place an order for afternoon tea witht he concierge, figuring Heldrik may be hungry after his efforts.


"Learn anything interesting?"
"Did you?" Gray asks Arrotel, indicating the book.

Heldrik looks as though he could do with time to get his breath back.

[Thanos]

[please don't shot me if there are some errors in this]

Heldrik lets the towel hit him and then uses it to wipe his brow. Still breathing rather heavily he gets up and puts a finger to his lips.
“Oh, it was really an exercise in military tactical theory.”

Heldrik proceeds to examine the room for listening devices and spying ports. While he does this he continues to spout,
“When one side of a large conflict has considerable weather advantages there is a great deal one can do to mitigate the unfortunate circumstances. I was reflecting on this during our little trip and decided I would look for such a conflict and see what happened across various shadows if the commanding officers handled things slightly differently. Not surprising the most successful course of action was to quit the field and withdraw to a less disadvantageous position. It being better to flee an almost certain defeat with some losses instead of a complete loss.”

Having come to the end of his little distracting dissertation Heldrik continues without breaking stride as he seats himself again and with a wink at the two in the room who are most likely looking at him in a confused fasion,
“In searching through shadow I noticed that this shadow is also constructed or a better way to put it, not a whole shadow. It appears from the outside that it is complete though. I continued to look for attached shadows and found many increasingly smaller shadows each one associated with some kind of story I think, as each had a strange rather childish theme.”

Heldrik quells questions with a motion of his hand as he takes a few moments to take some more deep breaths.

“Now, on a hunch I mapped the major ones, and mentally arranged them into a pattern, which yielded another place for me to look into. What I found is what our artistic friend referred to as the Keep of Four Worlds. There are four shadows pushed up together so tight that it gives off an lot of extra energies. There is a castle there built at the crux of the conflagration of energy. It has a rather resistant nature to my attempts to take a closer look. The most enticing part of this is that it has a lot of trump like energies mixed in with Maze, Pattern, and what I am guessing is local magical forces.”

Heldrik does look rather tired, but his excitement about this is keeping him going.

“Thoughts, comments, suspicions?”

[Icebird]

Arrotel throws the book on the table, a bit disappointed by the lack of relavent content.

"Well, I could do without knowing some of those things about my father. The only thing that has any relevance, no matter how vague, is the fact that Merlin is far more removed from our branch of the family on his mother's side than I had thought. Nothing at all important other than what we have already been told."

[chalice]

Heldrik does look rather tired, but his excitement about this is keeping him going.

“Thoughts, comments, suspicions?”
Try not to look disappointed...you should have known he wouldn't look that excited about finding Landon...


"Heldrik, have a drink," says Gray, gently, placing a glass by his elbow.

"I still don't understand most of what you say about 'constructed' Shadows, but we surely assume now that we have a clear link between Nightmare and the Keep."

Gray takes a deep breath. "Which is the target of the other group, not ours. And if anyone wants to suggest contacting them to tell them about it, for goodness' sake let's do it by throwing a note. Life’s too short."

Landon. We're still nowhere. And there’s nothing I can do. What do I know about Trump or Pattern?


“Blood and Shadow!” With an abrupt, frustrated gesture, she slams her glass down on the nearest surface with force just short of breaking it.



"I still believe the Keep is the best place to look for Siodmak. Once we ruled out Flagstaff, it always was. I'd hoped that-" she gestures to Lintra's book "might have given us some idea where else he might go, but apparently not."

Think.

"All these Shadows are linked, and…apart, yes? What if the Flagstaff Maze and the one here are reflections of one at the centre... at the Keep? Like the Pattern casts reflections? Would that make sense? We need to talk to Asmundson again. And my vote would be for trying to meet with Nightmare as soon as we possibly can - if she is willing."

"Or we could talk to Rinaldo," she adds, as an afterthought. "About Dunstan and Jasra."

[Thanos]

Heldrik sips the wine offered and before Gray is done speaking it is all gone and a bemused expression plays across Heldrik’s face.
“While it pains me to be contrary in any fashion to such a beautiful lady such as yourself, I find that I must bring up a topic of concern. The Patron of the Maze is or has access to a huge amount of power, which to my understanding could be used against anyone in direct contact with it. If you remember my tiny encounter with but a fraction of the Maze substance it left me unable to even feel searing metal melting through my foot. Such power would have to be counteracted. Ideas?”

[chalice]

Heldrik sips the wine offered and before Gray is done speaking it is all gone and a bemused expression plays across Heldrik’s face.
“While it pains me to be contrary in any fashion to such a beautiful lady such as yourself, I find that I must bring up a topic of concern. The Patron of the Maze is or has access to a huge amount of power, which to my understanding could be used against anyone in direct contact with it. If you remember my tiny encounter with but a fraction of the Maze substance it left me unable to even feel searing metal melting through my foot. Such power would have to be counteracted. Ideas?”
"My appearance shouldn't have any effect on whether you contradict me or not," says Gray bluntly. "I have no idea how I would 'counteract' such a power - I hadn't planned on trying. Just asking politely. I don't believe she would see me as a threat - I certainly can't see any reason why she should."

"In any case, I'm out of ideas. I owe Landon my escape, and I have no means of my own to help me find him. So if I have to risk my life begging help in finding him, then I will do it. I'm sick of this...what did you call it...hunting wild geese."

[Icebird]

"I agree that talking with the nightmare is the first priority, if she'll agree. The first option that comes to mind about being safe is that we could try contacting it while standing at the center of the pattern- I'm fairly sure that the Nightmare wouldn't try anything against us if we were there. On the other hand, this could look like an act of aggession on our part."

[chalice]

"Why stories, I wonder..." murmurs Gray

[Thanos]

"I agree that talking with the nightmare is the first priority, if she'll agree. The first option that comes to mind about being safe is that we could try contacting it while standing at the center of the pattern- I'm fairly sure that the Nightmare wouldn't try anything against us if we were there. On the other hand, this could look like an act of aggession on our part."
Heldrik seems pleased by Arrotel’s answer,

"That good sir is a capital idea, but thy concern is valid. Perhaps then we should work things a little differently, but to the same effect. I know not how advanced along the path of the great design ye might be, but there is the ability to internalize the sign of the pattern and use it as a very stable factor mentally. I found I had to use such at one point when I was seeing things due to some strange insect bite."

"If one of us were to keep the pattern in mind as a defense, during the contact, we could use that person as shield should it be needed. Unfortunately that person would be very occupied. It might also keep that person from being brought along for the trump call. Perhaps just that person being in physical contact with the other two while they were on the call would be sufficient."

When Gray makes her latest comment Heldrik replies,

"Perhaps because the creative process was already completed for these worlds by some one else and the person or persons that put them together didn’t have to come up with everything from scratch?"

[chalice]

This (finally) produces a light of comprehension in Gray's eyes. "Thank you - that would make sense, of course."

They must both think I'm really slow.

"The Pattern shield sounds marvelous. I suppose we would be asking Asmundsen to create a Trump for us to use? I think he would be willing."

She seems to hesitate before deciding to go on: "When you were injured before, Heldrik, I don't think that was deliberate. I mean, you were attacked, and overpowered, but the intention seemed to be to render you helpless and very - um - happy." She looks away from him at the last few words.

"The melted scabbard dripping onto your foot was a side effect.

"So while this will be dangerous, I get the impression we aren't dealing with something that will seek to destroy us as a matter of course." She grins. "Though it may do so by accident, apparently."

[Thanos]

Heldrik grins once Gray turns back to look at him.

“That is part of why I am cautious, the accident factor. The other part is a lack of experience and trust with a foreign power. One does not approach an unknown warship in a row boat, whether its gun ports are open or not, without a certain amount of trepidation.”

Heldrik seems to be a little less tired, at least he has stopped sweating by the time that tea arrives.

[chalice]

One does not approach an unknown warship in a row boat, whether its gun ports are open or not, without a certain amount of trepidation.”Another lopsided smile. "Unless a row boat is all you have and it's letting in water."


Gray has been casting occasional glances at the book Arrotel set aside. "Would you mind if I have another go at that before we return it?" she asks Heldrik. "I think I'd be fine - just wasn't forewarned before. Kind of embarassing to be defeated by a book...and I am curious as to how a dead woman managed to write her own story..."

She is dispensing tea, and plates of hot scones and buttery toast as she speaks, maybe giving herself something to do besides fidget.

"How much of this can we sensibly discuss without Asmundsen?" she asks. "Won't a lot of what we decide to do involve him? As far as Nightmare goes, it seems to me that our approach will depend much on whether he is still willing to try to effect an introduction, or whether our 'tactful' cousins have given him pause. Also, he mentioned having some ideas about how to look for Landon and Siodmak - I'd certainly like to hear them.

"Do you think he knows he lives in a - I don't know what to call it - a 'subset' of Shadows?"

She tilts her head to look questionigly at Heldrik. "You said...you were trapped yourself in a small set of Shadows. Is this the same kind of thing?"

[Thanos]

Heldrik nods his acceptance of Gray finishing the book and gladly accepts the tea and various treats.

“It is curious how a dead woman has her memories published. I can see it from a different point of view, that of Anubis, which gives it a bit of sense. Perhaps they were mystically pulled from her dead body, thus the make and mode of the tomb? A rather disgusting thought though.”

Heldrik finishes off a piece of toast and refills his own tea, the heat of which seems to affect him none at all.

“I do not like unnecessarily opening our group to powerful outside influence. However, I think I see what ye both are wanting in contacting this strange entity so I am willing to go along for the time being. As to Asmundson, he is a facilitator for a meeting or a journey. He seems to understand shadow at a basic level, but his ability to move among them seems to be limited to trumping from one to another. This may or may not provide an advantage, as some shadows are not reachable by trump.”

“As to his ideas, I am certainly open to suggestions and other means than walking the Pattern and having it send me to him.”

After a little thought Heldrik says,
“The shadows I was left in were much more like Jorden, Josh’s shadow home, except that there were four of them and moving between them was difficult through normal shadow shifting as they have few points of congruency. They were blocked from entry or exit except by the most powerful of means, which I was forced to develop in order to leave. Unlike the story book shadows the ones I grew up in were whole shadows, just held together somehow.”

[chalice]

You were imprisoned too...

"The Shadow I ...slept...in, that seemed to be part of the storybook sequence by the time Landon found me. But before - the way I remember it - it was my father's Shadow, like Jorden is Josh's - first his replacement Amber, then - I think - his refuge from it." She frowns. "I don't understand how the later connection happened."

She gingerly picks up the still-drying Trump of herself that Asmundsen drew.

"Asmundson agreed I might give this to one of you. Arrotel, please don't be offended that I offer it first to Heldrik - he is my alpha - should I ever get another, it definitely has your name on it."

She offers the tiny portrait to Heldrik, at fingertip's legth.

[Wired*Nun]

A thought: Amber is a place of story and legend as well...

[Thanos]

Heldrik seems a little surprised at the offer and reflexively takes the trump with a smile for Gray.

“I think we will share it gracious lady depending on which of us parts company with the rest. If Arrotel was summoned by his father I would see him have it and in like kind if I was required to report in Amber I would take it.”

“As to the connection, it could be a couple of things or a combination. A forced one can be established like the trade routes out of Amber as well as a probability type, where someone shifting would ‘most likely’ choose to move from one shadow to another. If you know who will be shifting you can almost make it a certainty…..”

Heldrik seems to stop here without finishing his though as what Gray has brought up seems to have some implications Heldrik had not exactly worked over before.

[chalice]

Heldrik seems a little surprised at the offer and reflexively takes the trump with a smile for Gray.

“I think we will share it gracious lady depending on which of us parts company with the rest. If Arrotel was summoned by his father I would see him have it and in like kind if I was required to report in Amber I would take it.”
"Oh, I see. I'm common property now..." her smile encompasses both friends, and gives Heldrik time to pursue whatever his following thought train was...

[Thanos]

Heldrik’s eyes flash with some kind of intensity and he quickly stands up. Its rather obvious that he only heard her words and did not see her expression. His face has turned hard and seeming ready for a fight,
“Nay I tell thee, it shall never be thus. Thou art no ones property.”

[chalice]

Heldrik’s eyes flash with some kind of intensity and he quickly stands up. Its rather obvious that he only heard her words and did not see her expression. His face has turned hard and seeming ready for a fight,
“Nay I tell thee, it shall never be thus. Thou art no ones property.”
"Heldrik...?" Gray looks at him with utter bewilderment, followed by belated remorse.

Who did you know who...?

"Heldrik, " she says again, softly this time, approaching him cautiously. "It was a joke. An ill-thought one." Slow as slow, she reaches one hand to touch his face. "Forgive me. Look at me. Ye know well where I belong."

[Thanos]

Heldrik scowls for only a moment, but Gray’s words and voice bring him back to her side in mind as is his body.

“I fear that we are being played as pawns in an exceptionally elaborate game of chess. All we can see is the current square we are on and perhaps a little bit of the ones right around us, to put it metaphorically. I am beginning to not like playing this farce of a game and I wonder if the Rooks and Bishops in this game have not send us out to pin down the oppositions forces in some way.”

“Thy jest was fine except for my thoughts of all of use being somebody’s toys. My reaction was uncalled for. I think it would be a good idea if I retire and got some rest. The last hand full of hours have weighed heavily on me.”

Heldrik has glanced at Arrotel to see what he is about for a moment and then is looking back into Gray’s eyes all but inviting her to join him for a nap.

[chalice]

Heldrik has glanced at Arrotel to see what he is about for a moment and then is looking back into Gray’s eyes all but inviting her to join him for a nap.
Gray looks back, an answering heat stirring in her eyes.
"You should really take a bath first." She smiles demurely. "I will arrange for one."

Which she does.

[Thanos]

Heldrik looks at the towel that has landed on the floor at his feet, then back at Gray as interesting images flash through his mind.
“You are most correct and likely get my cloths washed as well….”, the last as Gray heads out the door.

Heldrik turns his attention to Arrotel for the few moments that Gray is out, “The book is a window into a different time and way of thinking. As such we now know a little bit more about the universe at large.”
Picking up the book, Heldrik half roles it and puts it back into its little cubby hole elsewhere.

When Gray returns he follows her taking his leave of Arrotel.

[chalice]

Gray leads Heldrik to a well-appointed bathroom, where a bubble bath has been run.

"You're tired. Let me take care of you. It doesn't have to be more than that...not if you don't want it to be..."

[Thanos]

Heldrik looks affectionately at Gray and reaches out to her cheek stroking it as his hand moves across it sliding behind her neck and in her hair. Gently he pulls her towards him never taking his eyes off of hers until she is standing right next to him. Still holding her gaze he leans down and kisses her fully on the lips as he closes his eyes. It is a very slow kiss full of emotion. Long moments later he pulls back and says,
“I think that I would very much enjoy being taken care once again.”

[assuming she lets him kiss her of course]

[chalice]

Heldrik looks affectionately at Gray and reaches out to her cheek stroking it as his hand moves across it sliding behind her neck and in her hair. Gently he pulls her towards him never taking his eyes off of hers until she is standing right next to him. Still holding her gaze he leans down and kisses her fully on the lips as he closes his eyes. It is a very slow kiss pull of emotion. Long moments later he pulls back and says,
“I think that I would very much enjoy being taken care once again.”

[assuming she lets him kiss her of course]
She does.

As Heldrik draws back from the kiss, Gray's smile is more peaceful than he has ever seen it.

"Relax, then..." she moves to help him undress, gentle and unselfconscious, and gestures him into the bath, where she will massage the tension from his shoulders, wash his back, and rinse and comb his hair. After a while, he notcies that she is singing under her breath, something old and soothing.

Stepping back before the water grows cold, she picks up a towel and holds it for him. "Time to rest."

[Thanos]

Probably for the first time in years, Heldrik lets himself really relax and Gray’s attentions do not go without appreciative comments and sounds. Soon she finds that he is humming with her providing base line for the tune.

Heldrik obediently gets out of the tub and steps into the towel. The expression of affection on his face is an almost priceless portrait of contentment.

[chalice]

Gray will dry him, offer him a warm dressing gown, and put him to bed with a soft kiss to the forehead. She curls up beside him, her head resting contentedly on his shoulder. The singing goes softly on, and she strokes Heldrik's hair as she lulls him towards much-needed sleep.

[Thanos]

With one arm around her and the comfortable weigh on his shoulder Heldrik does quickly find himself in the embrace of slumber. It is a few moments before Gray notices that the smile on his face is still faintly there, even though the beating of his heart has slowed. Whatever may have happened before or will happen after she has brought Heldrik some measure of happiness.

[chalice]

After a long, quiet while of watching Heldrik sleep, Gray's own eyes close and she sleeps soundly and (for once) dreamlessly.

[Wired*Nun]

Arrotel is also shown to a well-appointed room if he wishes.

The night passes uneventfully (for some), and the group meets in the same room the next morning, being guided by the staff if necessary.

Challenger is up bright and early, dressed in his safari outfit again - standard for a gentleman on an adventure, after all, eh, what? He greets everyone as they come in to get themselves a hearty English breakfast, and seems ready for the day ahead.

"I've laid on the omnibus again, and let us take what precautions we can against sorcerous intrusions such as snatched Landon. I will also try to impose a message upon the Maze to protect us all from such things."

After they finish and gather up their gear, they set out upon the omnibus, back through the tunnels and into the 'garage' cavern. Debouching, they see the familiar green glow.

[chalice]

Gray looks at Arrotel. She seems....serene...this morning.

"Still planning to walk it?" she asks seriously.


----

and to Asmundson, on the way there, after enquring whether he is rested and so forth.

"We have talked among ourselves, and would very much like to speak with your Nightmare. Is this an endeavour you feel you could support us in?"

[Thanos]

When he wakes up, as the light of predawn glows lightly through the window, Heldrik decides to forgo his normal morning routine for the pleasure of watching Gray sleep. Each breath she takes is met with an affectionate smile and a tugging on Heldrik’s heart. Reaching over with his free arm he lightly pushes a few strands of hair away from her precious face.
After some time he wakes her up with kisses on her eyes and a little nose rubbing.

[after getting ready and such]

Heldrik eats a big breakfast as usual and follows Asmundson around, often making eyes at Gray along the journey. Before they get to the caves Heldrik pushes out the tomb [TOME!] farther into elsewhere and puts his sword in his little pocket as well. Hopefully this time there will be no melting metal.

[Wired*Nun]

"We have talked among ourselves, and would very much like to speak with your Nightmare. Is this an endeavour you feel you could support us in?"
A smile. "First Roland, now you. Well, I would very much like that, but he requested the use of the Trump of Her, and I do not have another. She might come if I call for her in the presence of Maze. Otherwise, I would have to do another Trump."

[chalice]

A smile. "First Roland, now you. Well, I would very much like that, but he requested the use of the Trump of Her, and I do not have another. She might come if I call for her in the presence of Maze. Otherwise, I would have to do another Trump.""Actually, no. I must protest at being labelled with Roland. You did say you thought she might help me, so I had been thinking on it. I may be biased - oh, hell, of course I'm biased - but if contact is going to be made between Amber and your Patron, I would prefer us to do it. I, for one, do not see the emergence of a new, balanced, power as something to automatically classify as a threat. More...somehitng wonderful, new and beautiful in the universe. And frightening, I do not deny it. But Roland seemed so...closed."

No need to mention how much I envy his...certainty

[Thanos]

"Actually, no. I must protest at being labelled with Roland. You did say you thought she might help me, so I had been thinking on it. I may be biased - oh, hell, of course I'm biased - but if contact is going to be made between Amber and your Patron, I would prefer us to do it. I, for one, do not see the emergence of a new, balanced, power as something to automatically classify as a threat. More...somehitng wonderful, new and beautiful in the universe. And frightening, I do not deny it. But Roland seemed so...closed."
An interesting tact to take, if it is one and not the truth. Until something is known and quantified however, I will still be cautious regardless of how ‘wonderful’ something sounds. I still think this whole thing is a farce, a wild goose chase, meant to lead us or the forces of Amber into distraction allowing for the purposes of something or someone else to be fulfilled.

Heldrik seems relaxed and thoughtful today, but its obvious that his attention keeps getting stolen away by Gray.

[Wired*Nun]

"Yes, well, he's not here to defend himself, so I shall refrain from speaking ill of him. Also, I don't think he had anything but everyone's best interests at heart. Not everyone is as openminded as we are, my dear." Asmundson climbs down spryly from the omnibus onto the cavern floor, smelling of recently-laid MacAdam.

Assembling his friends, and telling the driver to wait, he leads the group through the short tunnel to the Maze room.

Its slow-motion liquid-seeming wave is just as mesmerizing as when they saw it first.

[chalice]

"Not everyone is as openminded as we are, my dear." Asmundson climbs down spryly from the omnibus onto the cavern floor, smelling of recently-laid MacAdam. For some reason the term 'open-minded' causes Gray to go off into a fit of the giggles.

"True. No one can say I am not open minded...." Things come...and, hey, they go...

Assembling his friends, and telling the driver to wait, he leads the group through the short tunnel to the Maze room.

Its slow-motion liquid-seeming wave is just as mesmerizing as when they saw it first."Now what...?" Gray looks between her companions.

To Asmundson, with a winsome smile, she adds: " I do like Roland, you know. It's just...he gets so pompous when he's nervous...couldn't resist teasing him a little... he didn't mind when Raevyen and Kat teased him..." she sounds a little sad. "Guess I didn't do it right. No surprise there, huh?"

[Thanos]

Heldrik shrugs and with a bemused smile says, "Its Asmundson's show, I am just along for the ride."

[chalice]

Heldrik shrugs and with a bemused smile says, "Its Asmundson's show, I am just along for the ride."
"Is that so bad...?"

[Thanos]

Heldrik raises and eyebrow in question, “I do not see it as a bad thing, just need to be patient to let him do his thing.”

[Wired*Nun]

"Perhaps he knows them better. Familiarity is a tricky thing, at times." He pauses.

"Well, here we are. If you have any more hamless experiments, feel free. If sir Arrotel wishes to attempt the initiation, that is also an option, but I cannot in any way guarantee his safety. Then, there is the matter of contacting Nightmare." He looks at Heldrik expectantly.

[Thanos]

"Well, here we are. If you have any more hamless experiments, feel free. If sir Arrotel wishes to attempt the initiation, that is also an option, but I cannot in any way guarantee his safety.
Heldrik gives Asmundson a nod, “Far be it from me to perform any more experiments until the situation with Landon and Siodmak is known or resolved.”

"Then, there is the matter of contacting Nightmare." He looks at Heldrik expectantly.
With that Heldrik motions for Asmundson to do whatever it is he is about.


[Heldrik is being a melow fellow and as stated a few posts up is letting Asmundson run the show as he stated the previous evening he had some things that could help them find Landon or Siodmak. Being that the stated goal for the group is such, all power to Asmundson to provide any clues or help.]

[chalice]

Gray also watches and waits, eyes constantly drawn to the place in the cavern they last saw Landon.

[Thanos]

"Considering that Landon's mother is looking into things and has not reported him setting of his little beacon we can only assume that he is safe or so jacked up as to be beyond our meager help. I would not mind finding Siodmak and at least having a sit down or some other kind of conversation with the fellow. If this can be done without calling him by trump that would be great."

This Heldrik says in a kinda neutral tone to everybody in general and nobody in specific.

[Wired*Nun]

Asmundson nods, as if Heldrik's musing are an instruction. "I shall do my meager best to find Siodmak. This will involve me accessing the power of Maze and searching with its, well, I call them Rovers. I would say to you all, do not be alarmed by anything you see, unless you really think it is untoward, or I tell you something has gone wrong."

"I will draw some of the Maze's power and send out the Rovers to seek Siodmak. If the person were an ordinary mortal, they would simply bring him back. Since he is not, and will resist being captured, the most we can hope for is that I will feel it when one makes contact with him, and we can then try to follow that up with our own efforts."

"Here is the Trump of him from Fern Hollow. I have folded it so that only Siodmak is visible. Wouldn't want to be reaching for Joakim, now would we? I suggest that you three be ready to contact Siodmak when I tell you, which will be when the Rover is making its attempt to capture him. I hope that the distraction will let you contact him by Trump. After that, it is up to you how to deal with him. I suspect I will be severely fatigued by that time."

"I will also, before I start, attempt to establish a shield which will slow or stop any attempt like the one that took Landon. I suggest you all stay together, and support each other in that event, to fend it off. If it looks like I am being attacked, do what you thnk best, but I believe Maze will protect me in its presence."

"All agreed?" Presuming so, he walks over to the Maze at a seemingly random point, and stands for some minutes, apparently mentally preparing himself for some ordeal. Or, perhaps, he has already started whatever he is about.

[Thanos]

Heldrik looks between Gray and Arrotel and gives each a nod indicating that they should all do what Asmundson suggested.
Why is it that every power I encounter, besides Pattern, has some seemingly easy method of reaching out and touching someone almost anywhere out in shadow?

[chalice]

Gray inclines her head to Heldrik and moves to place one hand on the Trump portrait. Her own expression is briefly distracted and inward-looking, and her eyes bleed slowly from clear grey to wolf-silver - then she seems to relax, body and mind held ready for whatever comes next.

[Wired*Nun]

Asmundson takes a step forward, then another, entering the Maze not on the line, but from the side.

A wave of green engulfs him, and swirls around him, and he begins to glow with its eerie light. It creeps up his skin, and soon covers him in lines of brighter and dimmer green, like a webbing all over his skin.

After a minute or so, a sphere of green, head-high, extrudes from the Maze and drifts upward, passing through the cavern roof without stopping or changing. Even as it does so, it is fading in apparent intensity.

A minute more, and this happens again. Eventually, seven glowing spheres have departed and no more appear.

An hour goes by, and more. Nothing happens at all, and the two get restless, and are just about to do - something - when Asmundson opens his eyes. "Now," he croaks. "Quickly!"

[chalice]

On Asmundsen's word, Gray throws all her mental strength (such as it is) into focussing on the Trump of Siodmak, along with the others.

[Thanos]

Heldrik pushes for the contact along with Gray hoping that things will all work out.
Open Open Open

[Icebird]

Before Asmundson begins his searching, Arrotel will ask Telloth to be high in the air, to make a dive if necessary.

"Well, I can always call him in if the trump with Siodmak gets strong enough for physical contact."

Relatively speaking, Arrotel has a strong mind, and he pushes with all of it into the trump when Asmundson tells them to.

[Wired*Nun]

The three push to open the contact with Siodmak, and feel a confused defense crumbling. The can see Siodmak, engulfed in a glowing green fog, eyes blazing.

"Ahkkkk" chokes Siodmak, and then a hand grasps his, and Elress can be seen. Siodmak's defense steadies, but is still failing. "Bastards!" cries Elress, and begins to speak words in an unknown tongue.

[chalice]

[intended actions for Gray posted in GM Comms]

[You all can either post intended actions here or GM comms, we can clean it up later - GM]

[Thanos]

While redirecting his mental energies to freeze her up in what he mentally thinks of as a choke hold. Gritting his teeth Heldrik says, “We need answers cousins and they can come easy….” working on the words of Josh concerning physical proximity and trump contacts Heldrik leans forward and tries to give Elress a hard tap on the chin to shut her mouth from invoking anything else,”…or the hard way.”

[Wired*Nun]

Gray reaches through the Trump contact and grabs Siodmak by the shoulder and neck, dragging him toward the three. Although she doesn't let it bother her, the green glow stings her arms as she reaches through it.

At the same time, Heldrik throws a quick jab and clips Elress on the chin, and she reels backward. Right behind this blow dives Telloth, slamming into Elress' chest and knocking her over with a raptor shriek.

The Trump contact closes, leaving Gray holding Siodmak by the throat and bicep, at arms length with his feet off the ground. Her mein is fierce, and she seems to have gained a couple inches in height...he stares at her, stunned.

Arrotel quickly pulls Telloth through to him, settling him on his arm. Telloth, if such is possible, looks pleased with himself, and gives Siodmak the one-eyeball stare.

Asmundson steps out of the Maze and quickly sits down on a stone bench, sweating and breathing heavily.

[chalice]

Stunned is good - let's go for unconscious - Gray knocks Siodmak cold before he regains his wits, then keeps him under using shifting to put him in a coma while he can't resist. She maintains him in this state, reversing his natural healing and recovery.

"Do you two have Elress' Trump, or did Landon?" she asks the other two.

"Or search him - he may have made one" she indicates Siodmak, without letting her attention stray from him.

[Thanos]

Guess they didn’t want to do it the nice way like I had hoped. To bad, I was waiting for a bit of a brawl.

Heldrik smiles at the resourcefulness of Chalice and Arrotel and starts searching Siodmak for his trumps. If found he will pull out Elress’s trump as requested by Gray.
“I do not think that she will be accepting any kind of contact after that little show. Arrotel, if there is something that you can do to jam trump contacts coming into Siomak that would be helpful for the time being. We do not want to see our prey slip through our fingers.”

[Wired*Nun]

Heldrik finds Elress' Trump, and a man that might be Rinaldo, and another one that might be Dalt, by descriptions they have heard.

Any attempt to reach Elress meets the Big Blank Wall. No surprises there.

[chalice]

Any small distraction Gray can spare is used glancing concernedly over at Asmundsen and asking "Are you all right?"

Once the others try and fail to reach Elress, she says, attention still on Siodmak: "We were asked to take him back to Amber, weren't we? Any ideas as to how? If we want to, that is. I can't guarantee to keep him under forever..."

[Thanos]

After an attempt by [assumed] Arrotel and Heldrik it is established that Elress is not taking calls, likely a good idea on her part.

“Options are as follows in my opinion. First, trump Benedict again for passage to Amber if we do not have a trump to the main hall, which I do not. Second, hellride to Amber with Lady Gray keeping Siodmak under control and Arrotel blocking. Last, I spend a few minutes outside away from the maze, go to Amber and get into the Castle walls and use the Asmundson trump to call Lady Gray and bring you guys through. Regardless of how we do it, we have what we need to complete this mission and I suggest we make haste to do so before Elress or anybody else gets our scent.”

Heldrik has taken the time to glance down at Asmundson to see if he is still conscious after his ordeal and if he is following the conversation.

[chalice]

Gray flicks a quick, bright glance up at Heldrik, eyes still wolf-like. "I don't want to lose my concentration, if it can be avoided," she says. "So I'd prefer not the plan that requires me to accept contact."

"Asmundsen, do you wish to come with us to Amber? I promised to show her to you one day..."

[Thanos]

"Then if Asmundson has a trump of himself, I can use that to contact him and he can pull you guys into the contact and then through to Amber?"

[chalice]

"I have one of him."

[Wired*Nun]

"I am fine, my dear, just worn out." In fact, he looks terrible. It must have been a peculiar drain, whatever it is he did. Lacking Amberite endurance, he looks as if he has been up for several days straight, eyes sunken, skin slack. He rolls over and lays down on the slab, resting. "I will go anywhere there is a decent bed, right now," he says with the ghost of a smile, and a groan.

[chalice]

"Please, Heldrik, let's move quickly, so that I can tend to him" Gray asks.

[Thanos]

“Asmundson, are you up to taking a call in a little bit.”

[qoute"I am fine, my dear, just worn out. I will go anywhere there is a decent bed, right now.”[/quote]Heldrik pulls out a dagger from a boot with a glossy point and hands it to Arrotel.
“You can use this on him if for any reason Gray can not contain him. It’s the same trank poison on the bolt that hit that other fellow we took, but it might not work exactly the same here as it did there. I suggest the leg as a good point of entry, only an inch or so.”

[Heldrik will get outside of what he senses is the mazes direct area of influence and head off to Amber via teleport following the same game plan he had to for contacting Flora in person to report a while back. Then he will pull the others through on Asmundson's trump after ordering 2 stretchers and a medical team]

[Wired*Nun]

"As long as I don't have to move from my recline, I will brave any such thing as you have in store for me, my good man."

Heldrik moves to the other cavern and transports himself to Amber, where he orders a medical team and calls Asmundson. The contact is weak, and he sees Gray sitting by Asmundson's side, with Arrotel holding tightly on to Siodmak. Heldrik reaches through and pulls them all, with some effort, through to the Main Hall.

Setting Asmundson into one stretcher and Siodmak into the other, the bearers quickly move the two into a sitting room with couches, where they deposit their charges and leave, if so signalled. The Amberites accompany the supine men, and Flora is right behind them. She stops at the doorway, and languidly lights a slim, sweet-smelling cigarette.

"So, what have we here, my pretties?" she cackles in mock-wicked-witch style.

[chalice]

Gray, now back to her small and slight self, leaves it to Heldrik or Arrotel to explain - she focuses on Asmundson. "Let me..." she murmurs to him...taking his hand, she tries to infuse him with some of her own energy, enhancing his own healing resources and quickening his own recovery.

[Wired*Nun]

Asmundson's color returns quite a bit, and he smiles at Gray. "Thank you, my dear. You are truly an angel of mercy." He then goes out like a light, his breathing deep and even.

[chalice]

Asmundson's color returns quite a bit, and he smiles at Gray. "Thank you, my dear. You are truly an angen of mercy." He then goes out like a light, his breathing deep and even.Grey leans down to kiss him on the forehead, then sits by him protectively as he sleeps.

Sleep well, adventurer.

She looks over at Siodmak.

"Bet he doesn't think I'm an angel," she mutters.

"Aunt Florimel, I don't know how long he will stay under if I don't keep him there...Elress seems to have been a willing travelling companion..."

[Thanos]

"Princess Flora, I present his Lordship Asmundson Challenger who’s recent sacrifices on our behalf have exhausted him. On the other side,” he points, “is the subject of our mission, Siodmak.”

Heldrik gives a very short bow.

[Icebird]

Arrotel smiles at Flora as she enters, still keeping much of his attention focused on Sidomak.

"In other circumstances, I might have words suited to meeting my aunt whom I have heard so much about, but for now, I'll simply have to say hello.

"Is there is a place safe from trump contact that we could use? I'm currently keeping an eye out for anyone trying to snatch our recently captured prize, but have no desire to spend the next few hours doing so if I don't have to, although contacting and consulting Random first might be the diplomatic thing to do."

[chalice]

[Since Arrotel is watching Siodmak closley, he probably notices that the flesh around Siodmak's eyes has been somehow 'molded' so that the eyes are covered in a smooth layer of flesh, rendering the captive blind.]

[Wired*Nun]

"We can put him in a warded cell. I'm sure we can get him to answer some questions. And I still want Elress back here. The fact that she went with him willingly just means that she's in on whatever he was about, instead of being possibly an innocent bystander." She walks over to him, flicking ash onto his chest. "It's not like he would have charmed her...though she always did have bizarre tastes in men. That whole 'bad boy' attraction, I guess." She sneers.

[chalice]

"Seems they - or at least he - may have been keeping company with Dalt and Rinaldo...

Gray looks up at her aunt hopefully.

"Fleur -" stupid! "Florimel, I mean - please - is there any news of Landon?"

[Wired*Nun]

"Hmm? Dalt and Rinaldo...what makes you think that?" Her ears have pricked up at this.

"Florimel, I mean - please - is there any news of Landon?"

"No, not yet, sweetie. We're working on it. I hope the knowledge of our vengeance will keep him alive until we find out what's going on."

[chalice]

"Hmm? Dalt and Rinaldo...what makes you think that?" Her ears have pricked up at this.

"No, not yet, sweetie. We're working on it. I hope the knowledge of our vengeance will keep him alive until we find out what's going on."
Gray's face falls at the news Landon is still missing.

"Um, Siodmak was carrying some Trumps...the descriptions sounded like the ones we have heard of those two..."

[Wired*Nun]

"Reeeeally...would you mind showing them to me? I'd like to be confirm them, and ID the style if I can..."

[Thanos]

As Flora mentions Elress, Heldrik expression hardens a little.

"Um, Siodmak was carrying some Trumps...the descriptions sounded like the ones we have heard of those two..."
About this time Heldrik pulls those trumps from his back pocket and fans them out in front of Flora for her examination, although it is clear that they are not being given to her by his stance.

[chalice]

"Elress..." Gray looks thoughtfully at Flora. "We were told she is Bleys's daughter but not much more than that..."

There is maybe a very slight emphasis on the world 'told', and Gray looks at Flora questioningly.

"If you could fill us in on her in more details, it might save us disturbing Bleys..."

The prospect of speaking with Bleys makes Gray nervous and she makes no attempt to hide it.

Will you take this chance to gossip about your brother? Fleur would have...as long as the actual word wasn't used, of course...

[Wired*Nun]

"Oh, Heldrik dearie, I'm not going to steal your Trumps. I do need to hold them to get the full impression. Although they could be considered property of the Crown since you got them on a mission...but I have plenty of both of them." Assuming he doesn't physically prevent her, she plucks them from his hands and examines them both closely. "Rinaldo's work, I'm pretty sure. Interesting that he had them...I wonder, where did he get them? I bet he knows..." She hands the Trumps back to Heldrik and runs a fingernail sideways across Siodmak's cheek, leaving a red mark.

"Elress..." Gray looks thoughtfully at Flora. "We were told she is Bleys's daughter but not much more than that..." "Yes, that's the story."


"If you could fill us in on her in more details, it might save us disturbing Bleys..."
A throaty laugh follows this comment. "Bleys? Disturb? I'll skip the obvious joke, and tell you that I'll be happy to tell him myself." Slight emphasis on the word "happy."

"It's one thing to be a bitch," here she takes a deep drag, pause for effect, "-quite another to be a bitch out of control. She's been given a lot of leeway, as long as her peccadillos don't harm the family. Usually Random or Bleys growls at her and she runs off into shadow for a few more months...I'll be amused if she finally stuck her tits into a ringer she couldn't get out of." Another long drag. Exhale.

"She is also a shitty sorceress, to be frank. Lots of talent, no discipline. All the bad qualities of the redheads, as far as I can tell. Happy?" She winks conspiratorially.

[chalice]

Gray gives her a look of gratitude, followed by a rueful smile "Mm, the propect of tracking her down seems more appealling than ever....."

She runs her own finger down the red nail track Flora left on Siodmak's face. Blisters follow her finger in a delicate trail.

"But before that..." she looks back up at Florimel. "I would like to be present when Siodmak is questioned."

In fact, I would like to help. The thought is plain in the grey eyes.

[Wired*Nun]

"Oh, I think that can be arranged." Calling a nearby guard, Flora soon has Siodmak bound, gagged and fingers taped together. "Bring him with us, will you?" she says to no one in particular. "Agraynel, would you get your friend put to bed in a secure room, and join us in the small throne room? I promise we won't start anything fun without you."

With that, Flora leads whomever is carrying Siodmak and whomever cares to follow up to the small throne room, where Random usually does state business. A guard sent on ahead hustles some dignitaries out of the way, and they gape as the entourage goes by.

Entering the room, Random comes to his feet, and says to some other supplicants, "Would you all excuse me, please?" As they leave, he glares at Flora, and when they are gone, he hisses, "What do you think you're doing making a scene like this?"

"Sorry, your majesty, my deepest apologies. But I wanted the word to get out that we have him. Don't you think it would be instructive if someone tried to rescue him?"

Random thinks about this for a moment, then says, "Perhaps. But next time, consult me." His look is stony, and Flora's eyes drop first. Those eyes flick to the rest. "Hello, kids, looks like some results?"

[Thanos]

Yes, yes. Must keep myself reminded to never get on the bad side of the ladies of the family.

“Of course not Aunt. They belong to Siodmak as far as I know and of course should be returned to him should he be innocent or relatively so. As to Elress, she got a good blow to the chin and I am sure a few scratches from Arrotel’s friend while we captured him. She was blocking trumps when we tried a few minutes ago.”
Heldrik, having been given back the trumps shoves them back into a pocket for safe keeping and takes a seat.

Following Flora, Heldrik keeps his eyes straight ahead and is successful in hiding his grin when Flora is given the glare of doom.

"Hello, kids, looks like some results?"Heldrik gives the king a short bow and nods. "Siodmak has been captured and soon to be interrogated, I assume. However I have found something out during our journey. There has been a tremendous amount of work done to lead us on this Maze goose chase. The shadows we have been in recently have all been constructed around Stories and they are limited in scope ranging from half a world to a few squire miles. There are the two non-primal Mazes that we have found and reported so far. However, it seems that on a circumference like the others is another Maze like energy signature. That location is a place where 4 shadows penetrate each other with a large castle on top of it and a lot of resistance to get in. This I assume is the Keep of the Four Worlds, but I do not know if it’s the same one as where the other group of younglings have gone."

[chalice]

Gray arranges for Asmundson's secure accommodation, and sees him settled there safely. She takes the time to write a short note and leave it on the bedside table.

'Welcome to Amber! Please send a messenger to find us when you feel better - hoping that will be soon! G.'

She then makes her way to the small throne room and slips inside quietly to stand between Heldrik and Arrotel.

[Wired*Nun]

Siodmak has been captured and soon to be interrogated
"Flora, please escort the prisoner to a cell, and get Fiona to help you check the wards. Make sure he is safe and secure." That's your penance for this little show. Flora's sour look as she leaves means she knows it.

After they have gone, Random turns back to Heldrik, Arrotel and Gray. "Good work, troops. Why don't you tell me about it, just the short version. I need to finish up state business and then let's see what Siodmak has to tell."

[Thanos]

Looking between the other two Heldrik gives Random the abridged version, but includes his jaunt to view the Flagstaff Maze. He praises Arrotel and his useful friend as well as Gray's advice and skills on multiple occations.

With a short bow he ends his commentary looking to his two cousins to see if they wanted to add anything.

[Wired*Nun]

"Excellent. Interesting. This fills in some gaps in our knowledge. Unfortunately it raises even more questions - funny how that works. I -" He stops, holds up a finger.

"Yes, Fi? All right." Standing up, Random pulls Fiona and Flora through. They immediately separate, like two unipoplar magnets.

Fi starts, in a no-nonsense tone. "Random, we have a problem." She then notices the three youngers sitting there, and says, "They in or out?" The question seems to be directed at Random.

"They stay, unless it's political. is it political?"

"Not except that everything is. All right. I just got a report from one of my people out in deep Shadow, toward Corwin's Pattern. As far as I can tell, there has been a small but significant shift in the balance, back toward Chaos. They must have done something, made some kind of move, maybe against that Pattern."

Random flops into his throne, hooking a leg over one chair arm. He strokes his nonexistent beard, then says, "Who else is around?"

Flora replies, "Martin is in Rebma, Julian is in Arden, Benedict in Avalon, Bleys is taking a look at - where you sent him. Gerard is still at sea, where he should be, considering."

"Ditch the commentary," Random growls. "Get Bleys back, I can fill in the others later. This doesn't sound like a military issue."

Flora pulls out a Trump and in short order, Bleys rainbows in.

Random has Heldrik and Fiona repeat their tales, and then says, "Thoughts? Comments? Ideas? Next moves?" We must have passed the test, at least for now - we're taking counsel with the King! As equals, almost...

[chalice]

Gray looks a little wistfully after Flora as she leaves, not quite managing to diguise that she would be happy to leave too.

She stays quiet during Heldrik's report, looking embarassed (but shyly pleased)when he speaks well of her, otherwise studying Random with cool grey eyes.

She shakes her head at Heldrik's enquiring glance; nothing to add from her.


[after everything is repeated and Random asks for comments]

Gray bites her lip. He is being very fair...a pity I only have ignorance to offer.

"I do not know what you mean by 'Corwin's Pattern'," she admits, quietly.

"I don't ask anyone to pause and explain," she adds, hurriedly. "I know this is not the time."

Just don't want to seem deliberately unhelpful.

[Thanos]

Heldrik seems to be drinking in the details of the scene. Upon repeating his tale he leaves out the praise for ‘his’ crew and how he found out about the Flagstaff Maze giving more facts then impressions, including more details on the constructed shadows.

Heldrik waits for explanations and comments from the other Elders before making his guesses as they often have more information from which to draw. No need to make a fool of myself by opening my mouth concerning something I know little about..

[Wired*Nun]

Everyone seems to be staring at Gray...but a moment later, Flora holds up an "I'll do it" finger. Out by Trump, back in on Random's, it only takes a moment. In her hands is a large, leatherbound book. It has no title on it, and bears the Unicorn of Order on the front, the Serpent of Chaos on the other. She hands it to Gray with a smile.

"Bedtime reading, honey. Pass it around, and drop it back in the library when you're done."

[chalice]

Everyone seems to be staring at Gray...
Who visibly wilts beneath the combined stares, looking as if she wishes she could sink into the floor.

"Sorry," she mutters to Heldrik, next to her.


She hands it to Gray with a smile.

"Bedtime reading, honey. Pass it around, and drop it back in the library when you're done."
The smile seems to revive Gray a little; she manages a faint one of her own in reply, and cuddles the book on her lap as if it were a comfort object.

[Wired*Nun]

Bleys opens. "I can probably narrow the location of whatever happened down a bit, but that will take some time, time off from watching things that need watching. Fi will be interviewing Siodmak, I suppose. Woman's work is never done, eh, sis?"

"No rest for the wicked, you mean, brother," Fiona grumps. "I'd dearly love to dig into this Maze business, but unless you want Siodmak turned into a vegetable, I'll be at him for a day at least. I find it interesting, though not impressive, what this Asmundson fellow was able to do. I'd like to talk to him, too."

Flora chimes in. "Ahem. Maybe I should talk to him. Is he the worldly type, miss Gray?"

[chalice]

Flora chimes in. "Ahem. Maybe I should talk to him. Is he the worldly type, miss Gray?"
"He is a gentleman," replies Gray, lifting her chin, shades of protectiveness in her tone.

[Wired*Nun]

"Pity. Gentlemen make such good friends...but that's all." She takes a seat on one of the chairs, unconsciously displaying the best set of legs this side of Ygg. "Who would he like to talk to, do you think? You three know him, would he like to talk shop with Bleys or Fi, or would talking to the King impress him? Or one of the others? All of us?"

[chalice]

"Pity. Gentlemen make such good friends...but that's all." She takes a seat on one of the chairs, unconsciously displaying the best set of legs this side of Ygg. "Who would he like to talk to, do you think? You three know him, would he like to talk shop with Bleys or Fi, or would talking to the King impress him? Or one of the others? All of us?"
Gray's smile is the warmest it has been since she entered the room. "He will talk 'shop' with anyone...the difficulty would be getting him to stop, I think. Though he will do so in religious terms. I don't think he would be particularly impressed by rank...but I could be wrong."

She looks at Flora shyly. "I think he would very much enjoy speaking with you...that is the choice my instincts give me."

That, and the fact I don't want Bleys or Fiona anywhere near my friend.

"But if more than one person is likely to have questions for him, might it not save time for him to meet everyone...or as many as are interested? I do not think he would be intimidated."

And wouldn't that save everyone else the trouble of verifying any report from just one or two other people?

[Wired*Nun]

Random steps in. "All right. Bleys, please go investigate the event that tweaked the Chaos balance. Report to me first, then you can go back to your other task. Fiona, you got Siodmak. Flora and I will interview Asmundson. If the rest of you would like to be present, that's fine, it might make him more comfortable to have someone he knows. Otherwise, you're free to go until I call you again. Hmmm...Flora, didn't you say you don't have trumps of these two?"

"That's right. And they haven't been Introduced, either," says Flora.

"Meaning, they haven't taken the Oath of Allegiance," says Fiona with a sideways glance at her sister.

Random shoots back, "Oath, schmoath. We don't have time for Introductions. Heldrik, Gray, do you want to swear allegiance to Amber? I'd give you the pep talk but things are popping, so I need one of three answers: 'yes,' 'no,' or 'I'll think about it.' But don't think too long."

[Thanos]

“Asmundson’s confidence is largely that of a zealot who has personally met his own god, I am sure some are familiar with that feeling in your adventures in shadow. I agree with Lady Agraynel that Flora would be a good conduit,” this said while taking a quick look over at Flora and barely keeping himself from staring.

“It was my impression from the others that Siodmak was to new to his understanding of the Maze and shadow at large to have been the main motivator for it. Dunstan might have the power, but not the time, Rinaldo would have the time but not the power, leaving perhaps the old owner of the Keep or some unknown entity as having the time and the power to put all of it together. Mostly guesswork based on hearsay though from the other group and the complexity and quantity of constructed shadows out there.”

"Oath, schmoath. We don't have time for Introductions. Heldrik, Gray, do you want to swear allegiance to Amber? I'd give you the pep talk but things are popping, so I need one of three answers: 'yes,' 'no,' or 'I'll think about it.' But don't think too long."
"I am still in the 'I will think about it' mind set, but that does not mean I will not help my family. There are a few things I would like to do before settling down here, as it were, and reading yonder book would be a good starter," he says pointing to the one that Gray has latched onto.

[chalice]

in the 'I will think about it' mind set, but that does not mean I will not help my family. There are a few things I would like to do before settling down here, as it were, and reading yonder book would be a good starter," he says pointing to the one that Gray has latched onto.Gray quickly holds it out for him to take. You first, alpha.

Then she twists her hands together tightly before fixng her eyes on Random again.

"I will never knowingly act against Amber," she says, in a low but clear voice. "But you must know I can never swear allegiance to you. It would be a lie to say I was considering it."

She sounds tired and regretful rather than defiant.

"So that would be 'no'."

Whatever your title now, to me you are neither more nor less than the man who tried to assassinate my father.

[Icebird]

Arrotel nods at Gray's assessment of Asmundson, and again at her statement about the oath. To Random,

"I only know of two elders who have trumps of me- father, and someone else who'll never admit it. Raevyn made some of me before they left- I've only got two left, and you should have one."

[Wired*Nun]

"I am still in the 'I will think about it' mind set, but that does not mean I will not help my family.
"Fair enough," Random says to Heldrik. "However, since you have de facto taken on leadership of this coterie of your fellows, I have to insist that we have a Trump of you. Raison d'Etat requires it. Fi, please handle that when you get enough time. Flora will also provide you with a selection of Trumps, just ask for what you want, she'll give you what we can."

"I've set a guard on Asmundson's door, who will notify us when he is awake, and escort him around the palace if he needs to go somewhere."

To Araynel, he says, "I am not asking you to swear allegiance to me. I am asking you to swear allegiance to Amber and to the King of Amber, which office I happen to hold. I hope you'll keep thinking about it, for the future." As if reading her thoughts - oh yes- the best poker player in the known universe - he goes on to say, "And if it's grudges you're holding, remember that Eric, may he rest with the Unicorn, tried to kill me at least once, long before I ever tried to return the favor. But you're neither responsible for, nor answerable for any of that. Your grandfather set us all against each other as a matter of course, to divide and rule. If you want to blame someone, blame him."

"In any case, we need to make a Trump of you, too, for obvious reasons of state. And Arrotel, for that matter, whether Fi makes one or we obtain one from Benedict. Nice bird, that."

Bleys gets up and says, "By your leave," to Random. "Oh, by all means carry on," comes the droll reply. He departs by the back door.

[chalice]

This isn't about grudges...but it's also not the place for this discussion.

I swore to serve Amber and her King the day father was crowned. I have never broken that oath and never will...but for now, let people wonder where my loyaties lie...someone who means us harm has been recruiting among my cousins; perhaps I may appear as a potential addition to their ranks. The world knows how little cause I have to love Random, after all...

Gray bows her head slightly to Random. "As you wish. Your majesty" she says neutrally.

[Thanos]

"Something your Majesty might consider...is that Joss was killed using trump, Landon was taken using trump, both our prisoners were taken using trump. I am not accustomed to trump and will very likely not answer a trump call, at least not in the near future. Might I suggest then Sir, that the family use the Trump of Arrotel just given you as a means of contacting the group, if you so choose as to send us out on another mission together."

This time Heldrik does not bow, but just looks between Random and Fiona, ignoring Flora for the moment and dismissing Bleys.

[chalice]

"I don't mind being contacted by Trump, if some are created," Gray looks between Random and Heldrik. "I can always, uh, take a message."

[Icebird]

"And Arrotel, for that matter, whether Fi makes one or we obtain one from Benedict. Nice bird, that."
Telloth ruffles a little at being called a bird, even by Random.

"Yes, he is. I assume you know the story about the attack on me several years, ago? His name is Telloth, and he's as smart as we are."

In a distinctly un-birdlike gesture, nods at this.

[Wired*Nun]

Random raises an eyebrow. "Well. Probably smarter, in some respects, or at least, wiser. My apologies, Telloth, there are few sentient nonhumans at this end of things. Pleased to meet you. Still, you are as much a bird as I am a human, which is to say...nevermind. Thanks for the Trump." He passes it to Flora, who files it in her case.

To Heldrik, he replies, "All right, you don't answer Trump calls as a matter of policy. That doesn't mean we will never need one, of you. In any case, Fiona will make some of both of you for the state files, just in case. We'll call one of the others and have you call us, if necessary. As far as another mission, together or not, let's see what inquiries and inquisitions turn up, shall we? Those wishing to interrogate Siodmak, say 'aye' and follow Fiona's instructions. Those needing to obtain Trumps, go with Flora. I have some state business to finish. Let's plan on meeting this evening, whenever your friend wakes up. In fact, let's try to have dinner, in conference room two. He'll probably be hungry."

Fiona gets up and, making a little finger-circle to be followed, walks out of the room, through corridors and locked doors to the holding cells.

Flora stands, and crooks a finger at Heldrik. "Come into my parlor, nephew..." She departs, clearly expecting to be followed by at least Heldrik, and goes to her office.

Anyone left is dismissed to their own devices as Random prepares to receive more dignitaries.

[chalice]

"See you later," murmurs Gray to Heldrik, and follows Fiona.

[Thanos]

Heldrik gives Gray quick look and rolls his eyes.

he follows Flora into the parlor, wondering in some deep dark part of his brain if Gray can shift into looking like Flora and quickly nixing that thought before he gets himself into trouble. Once inside he flops down into a chair with a bit of a grin on his face.
“Tough having your little brother as the King?”


[When Flora asks Heldrik which trumps he would like]
“Whichever you believe would be appropriate for a youngster like myself to have, of course. I would not pretend to have wisdom even approaching yours in such matters."

[Icebird]

Arrotel follows Fiona, letting Telloth fly out a window if they pass one.

"I got pulled from a very nice shadow adventure to find Sidomak, so I might at least listen to what he has to say."

[chalice]

Arrotel follows Fiona, letting Telloth fly out a window if they pass one.

"I got pulled from a very nice shadow adventure to find Sidomak, so I might at least listen to what he has to say."
Gray gives him a small smile at this, clearly relieved he is coming along too.

[Wired*Nun]

Out the window goes Telloth, to do hawkish things above the castle. Arrotel and Gray acompany Fiona through the twists and turns, into guarded areas they had never seen before.

Arriving in the holding area, they see Siodmak sitting up, staring at the inside of his eyelids.

Fiona looks at him for a moment. Siodmak raises his head, and says, "Hmmm. Someone has good taste in perfume."

Fiona doesn't react. In English, she says, "You're up shit creek without a paddle, Siodmak. We can do this the easy way, or my way. I really hope you let me have my fun, but I have to give you the chance to answer my questions first, so let's start with an easy one. Who are you working for?"

A dry chuckle. "Me, of course. I never work for anyone but me, same as you."

"All right, who are you working with?"

"How many names you want? Joakim, Fred, Alex, Mad Max, Larry, Trix, -"

"Funny. Who that matters? Who in Amber, of Chaos, or elsewhere that anyone worth a shit cares about?"

He smiles, taps his head. "Come inside and find out."

Fiona looks to her left and right, at Gray and Arrotel. "You guys have anything to do or say before I start peeling him?"

[Wired*Nun]

Once inside he flops down into a chair with a bit of a grin on his face. “Tough having your little brother as the King?”"Make yourself comfortable, Heldrik," she says drily. "Not really. Once you both pass the century mark it's not really an issue...but of course, I'm only twenty-nine."

A beat. "Tough having a relative as an object of desire?" Low blow...

[When Flora asks Heldrik which trumps he would like]
“Whichever you believe would be appropriate for a youngster like myself to have, of course. I would not pretend to have wisdom even approaching yours in such matters."

"That's good...pretending can get you killed or crowned, around here. Or both, in either order." She ticks off on her fingers as she talks. "Random, me, Fiona, Bleys, Landon, Roland - nevermind, you already have Roland, don't you - those are who I would suggest. Any more you want before I go rummaging around in my shoeboxes?"

[chalice]

Is it worth it? Can I live with myself if I don't at least try...? The hell with it, can hardly look more of an idiot than I already have today...


Gray steps forward to lay her hand gently on Siodmak's. Softly, she says:

"Siodmak...it isn't too late. It doesn't have to be this way. We are your family...that could mean something good, something worth having, if you let it, cousin...won't you reconsider...?"

[Icebird]

Arrotel stands in the corner, and summons the sign of the pattern as Gray tries her best. He'll watch whatever it is that Fiona does to Sidomak through the sign.

Probably use sorcery- I really do need to relearn how to do that sometime. Invasive spells were so much more usefull than trump, at least for offensive purposes.

[Wired*Nun]

Siodmak replies bitterly, "Too late for what? Forgiveness? That presumes I have done something other than unintentionally insult some nobility and show a girl a good time. Elress told me all about you people." He seems to catch something at that point. "My family? What the hell does that mean? That I'm somehow related to you people? If I am, that's not a good recommendation in my book. I've been kidnapped, sneered at, manhandled, and now you've messed with my eyes. I'm still waiting to hear what I did to deserve all this?"

[Thanos]

"Make yourself comfortable, Heldrik," she says drily. "Not really. Once you both pass the century mark it's not really an issue...but of course, I'm only twenty-nine."



"Well that blows my theory out of the water, I could have sworn you were a perky 25.” Heldrik says this with a huge smile.

A beat. "Tough having a relative as an object of desire?" Low blow...

“I take it you have some experience in that regard or is Landon not really a child of both yourself and Eric? Some kind of cover perhaps? Either way you have trained him in your arts well.”

"That's good...pretending can get you killed or crowned, around here. Or both, in either order." She ticks off on her fingers as she talks. "Random, me, Fiona, Bleys, Landon, Roland - nevermind, you already have Roland, don't you - those are who I would suggest. Any more you want before I go rummaging around in my shoeboxes?"


“Ah, I have one for Roland, yes. The one that I have for Landon is on loan pending his return. The others would be just fine along with one for the main hallway, if an extra is available for one such as myself.”

[Wired*Nun]

“I take it you have some experience in that regard or is Landon not really a child of both yourself and Eric? Some kind of cover perhaps? Either way you have trained him in your arts well.”

Her face freezes at this comment. "You just stepped over the line, kid. Here are your Trumps. Don't play games if you can't handle the rules, and don't let the door hit you in the ass." The glare Heldrik is getting could peel paint - it feels almost physical.

[chalice]

Siodmak replies bitterly, "Too late for what? Forgiveness? That presumes I have done something other than unintentionally insult some nobility and show a girl a good time. Elress told me all about you people." He seems to catch something at that point. "My family? What the hell does that mean? That I'm somehow related to you people? If I am, that's not a good recommendation in my book. I've been kidnapped, sneered at, manhandled, and now you've messed with my eyes. I'm still waiting to hear what I did to deserve all this?"
"Not too late for us to talk, is what I meant. I don't presume to accuse, or to offer forgiveness. My name is Agraynel, Siodmak, and we haven't been formally introduced. There's nothing Elress could have told you about me, and many of your other cousins - she hasn't met us. But perhaps that didn't slow her down? Won't you consider judging for yourself?

"I owe you an apology for the manhandling, and for your eyes...you have me to blame for both, and if you allow, I will apologise for the first and restore the second..." she rests a cool hand on his eyelids and begins to undo her earlier work.

"I wouldn't have been so hasty, but you have a...dangerous...reputation." Her voice suggests this isn't entirely a bad thing. "Guess I overreacted."

"It seems we are related, you know. It appears that your father is Benedict, brother to mine, Eric."

Why did I start this? I'm hopeless at it....

[Thanos]

Heldrik seems mildly surprised, “I see compliments are wasted then. How unfortunate as you had seemed so much more sociable than Fiona.” This said while he gets up retrieves the trumps as instructed. With a curt little bow, as she is a princess, he exits, making sure to let the door does hit him in the ass if it can.

[assuming she doesn't recall him in some fashion for further conversation he will go find a room from the steward]

[Wired*Nun]

Heldrik finds the majordomo, who seems to be expecting him. He takes Heldrik down myriad passageways, into a little-used section of the castle, and into a small room fit for the servants of visitors, rather than the visitors themselves. It is thick with dust. "I apologise for the state of the room, sir, I'll have someone come and clean it as soon as possible. The bathroom is down the hall, I am afraid." If Heldrik makes any complaint, he will be told to take it up with Princess Florimel, as these were her direct instructions.

[Thanos]

Heldrik thanks the man for the Crown's hospitality in a polite fashion, then enters the room and closes the door. Several minutes of concentration later he should be standing at the start of the Pattern down in the caverns, where he draws his blade before proceeding.

[Wired*Nun]

Fiona seems content to watch and listen, knowing that Gray might achieve something she won't with the inquisition.

The ice-rey eyes that appear lock onto hers, and she feels a chill at their intensity. He stares at her as she says her words, until the last. The eyebrows go up. "Reeeallly...I hope incest isn't a crime around here...cousin. You're kinda cute. So what am I supposed to do? Turn state's evidence, come clean? What will that buy me, a nicer cell? What happens when you find out there's nothing there to find out? I've been on the other end of that look Fiona is giving me, and I didn't have any mercy either. She can't afford to. If I understand correctly how things work, my sperm donor must have at least tacitly approved this rap she's contemplating. If my own biological father won't try to save me, or even get a fair hearing, what makes you think you can?"

Everyone hears a double thump, as of two boots hitting the floor, and those with an angle to see, see Heldrik standing in the cell next to Siodmak's.

Fiona smiles slightly, and says, "Well, what have we here."

[chalice]

The ice-rey eyes that appear lock onto hers, and she feels a chill at their intensity. He stares at her as she says her words, until the last. The eyebrows go up. "Reeeallly...I hope incest isn't a crime around here...cousin. You're kinda cute. Gray blushes at this, but keeps her own gaze on Siodmak's. Her eyes betray a mixture of sympathy, nervousness and determination.

If my own biological father won't try to save me, or even get a fair hearing, what makes you think you can?""Maybe I'm the only one dumb enough to try," admits Gray softly. "And try is all I can promise to do. But you are wrong about Fiona not being able to afford mercy. Someone as powerful as she is can afford anything they want - because if they are repaid with betrayal, they can exact whatever price they want. Mercy isn't weakness, Siodmak. Only the strong and secure can truly afford it."

She regards him steadily. "If you wish it, if you will offer an honest discussion - because there must be things you are curious about as well as things we would like to ask - I will go to the King myself, this minute, and ask him to release you to discuss things with us between Family, no coercion. There is some small thing he wants from me right now, so he might say yes."

"But if he does, and you choose to use the freedom to screw us over, then I will also petition to be the one sent to hunt you down. If you have any use for my trust, maybe friendship, I'm offering it to you. But I only offer once."

She smiles crookedly.

"Once is all I can afford."



Everyone hears a double thump, as of two boots hitting the floor, and those with an angle to see, see Heldrik standing in the cell next to Siodmak's.
Fiona smiles slightly, and says, "Well, what have we here."Gray doesn't take her eyes of Siodmak, but tenses at the sound.

[Thanos]

Heldrik upon noting his current surroundings frowns a little bit and looks to Fiona first with a raised eyebrow and the rest in turn while he says, "Excuse me. I take it I must walk down stairs or get permission?"

[Icebird]

Arrotel steps into a position to see if he isn't already in one.

"Well, fancy seeing you here, Heldrick. Flora get annoyed by a thee instead of thou?"

He looks like he might laugh, but instead turns to Fiona.

"Got a key to let our mis-speaking cousin out?"

[chalice]

Gray sighs, the mood she has been aiming for with Siodmak irretrievably broken.

She smiles ruefully at the pale-haired prisoner. "Can't take them anywhere," she murmurs.

[Wired*Nun]

Nodding at Arrotel, Fiona makes a gesture, and the door swings open. "You have to get permission to go to the Pattern. That is, until you have taken the Oath of Allegiance. Either way, you can only get there the old-fashioned way, unless it's an emergency, in which case, I can open the wards. I'll let the guards know you are heading down. Have a nice hike."

She steps out of the room for a moment, and comes back in about a minute to continue watching the interplay.

Observing this little scene, Siodmak sits up, and rubs his newly-opened eyes. "Of course, I'll do anything to avoid a psychic screwing. Set up this meeting, if you can. I'll cooperate to the fullest. I always return value for money." He looks at Gray just as boldly. Unfortunately his corpse-white skin and greasy hair ruin any attractiveness his fine, almost womanly features might hold. When she gets up, he lays down on the bunk and stares at the ceiling.

Fiona's little head-jerk summons the others out of the room. "I'll go along with your ploy, Agraynel, until he makes one misstep - mainly because I am so insanely busy, I'd rather avoid the full treatment. However, you and Arrotel need to watch him closely. I'm going to put an inhibitor on him, which should block all Trump to or from him, but if anything funny happens, just clock him - render him unconscious, somehow. Here's my Trump, call me if you need me. I will give the guards instructions to let you pick him up if and when Random agrees to talk to him." With that, she turns and walks off.

[chalice]

Gray blinks, then looks wide-eyed at Arrotel.

But how can I watch him and go talk to Random...she looks a little panic-stricken at this sudden responsibility, and Fiona's disappearance, and takes some deep breaths to calm down.

Then she beckons one of the guards. "Please bring me parchment, pen and ink," she requests, before re-entering Siodmak's cell to keep watch.

Once the requested writing materials arrive, she chews on the end of the pen for a while, thoroughly mangling it.. She tries to recall the formal Court language she used back home, then abandons it and simply writes:

Your Majesty

Would you consider releasing our cousin Siodmak for a meeting with yourself before other means of questioning are tried? He has (not surprisingly perhaps) offered full cooperation - we think it might be worth testing. I have told him I would petition for this as a favour. I cannot justify my request with logical argument, merely instinct, but a subject may petition her King, may she not, even without logic on her side?

Agraynel

She folds it, seals it, and asks a guard to see it delivered to Random.

"I guess, now, we wait," she says to Arrotel and Siodmak, and sits biting nails that are already down to the quick.

[Wired*Nun]

Siodmak shows no desire to converse. Gray and Arrotel notice he is wearing a red and green jade bracelet. They are pretty sure he wasn't wearing it before.

About fifteen minutes later, the guard returns with the piece of paper, unsealed. Scrawled at the bottom of the page is "Conference Room 3, 7pm, Random." It's around 3pm now.

[Icebird]

Arrotel drops the pattern sign as Fiona leaves. Sitting silently, he seems engrosed in something that is either invisible or going on within his own mind. If anyone is sensitive to such energies, they might notice he is using trump to speak with or watch Telloth.

[chalice]

About fifteen minutes later, the guard returns with the piece of paper, unsealed. Scrawled at the bottom of the page is "Conference Room 3, 7pm, Random." It's around 3pm now.
Gray sighs with relief, wanders over to show this to Arrotel, asking him "Do you think we need to stay here, or not? If there's anything else you want to do, I'll be all right here for a while."

Then she goes over to Siodmak.

"Looks as though you have an apointment," she tells him, with a faint smile. "It'll be a few hours, though. Would you like to talk with us at all in the meantime, or just rest - or we could have something to eat and drink sent down..."

[Thanos]

Heldrik gives a bow to Princess Fiona and an appropriate response to Arrotel, "It seems that I do not play the game to her liking cousin."

With that he does as instructed by Fiona and heads down stairs the long way dallying as long as necessary with the guards.

[walking the pattern is a special occurrence, at least for me, so it will be a bit before I post the full experience in detail (hopefully this afternoon).]

[Wired*Nun]

"Look," Siodmak says, "You seem nice...which automatically means I'm not attracted to you...which automatically means I'm not that interested in small talk. I'm sure they got this place bugged, so if it's germane to my getting out of here, I'll be happy to talk. So, my first question is, what do you get out of this?"

Heldrik departs, and heads down the short stairway to the first guardroom, then the long spiral staircase to the guardroom at the bottom. Tall, thin, pipe-smoking Roger hands Heldrik a full, lit lantern, and says around the stem, "Good afternoon, Heldrik. It has been quite some time, hasn't it?"

[chalice]

"Look," Siodmak says, "You seem nice...which automatically means I'm not attracted to you...which automatically means I'm not that interested in small talk. I'm sure they got this place bugged, so if it's germane to my getting out of here, I'll be happy to talk. So, my first question is, what do you get out of this?"
Gray seems to puzzle over this for a moment, studying him calmly. Then she says simply: "Hope, I suppose."

[Wired*Nun]

Siodmak rolls his eyes. "There is no hope, not the way you say it. There is only power, those who have it, and those who don't."

[chalice]

Siodmak rolls his eyes. "There is no hope, not the way you say it. There is only power, those who have it, and those who don't.""Mm. But there are different kinds of power." I happen to believe hope is one of them.

Gray smiles her crooked smile. "Besides; you might be worth the risk, might you? Long odds, I admit, but I don't know any other way to find out."

[Wired*Nun]

Again, that rictus. "I was eight fucking years with that self-righteous Asmundson twit. I almost got to believe in that bullshit. But unless you go retreating to storybookland, you can't run away from the real world, so I'm not sure why you think a few minutes or even a few days of talking with you, pretty pretty, is going to change that."

[chalice]

"I'm not trying to change you, Siodmak. What do I look like, your fairy godmother? My name isn't Pollyanna, and I'm not blind to the darker side of Reality." For an brief instant, she lets him see the Curse's darkness fill her eyes, then forces it back.

"I've lived inside a story, and I didn't like it either. I'm not Snow White, Cinderella or fucking Sleeping Beauty. Especially the latter."

Her face relaxes into a smile: "And my friend over there can tell you, sometimes I can be a real...bitch. I'm just not making a career out of it."

[Wired*Nun]

His eyes show a bit of interest at the transformation. He sits up suddenly, perhaps seeking to startle her. "Bitches are fun. Never met one I couldn't break. Never met one that could hold my interest. Think those two facts are related? But in that department, you got competition. In fact, the only good thing about being part of this family is that some of them are up to my standards."

[chalice]

Gray is slightly startled, with the result that she briefly bares slightly sharpened teeth at Siodmak -

"Then you've been meeting the wrong kind of bitch," she says, the merest suggestion of a growl low in her throat.

- but she doesn't retreat, and her expression returns to demure, her tone to politley conversational.

"Know what they say about the women of this Family, cousin? The men will only kill you; the women will make you wish you were dead. I'd say you've never really met an alpha bitch, from your words; I'm not one either, but the Family is well supplied with those who are. Say...did you just admit there was something about being part of our Family that wasn't completely bad? I would think we could at least keep you from being bored..."

[Icebird]

[Too slow to put it in the right place, so...]
There is only power, those who have it, and those who don't.
"I've never yet met someone who has said that who's not come to a bad end. Perhaps you'll be an exception..."

But I doubt it.

When Gray calls herself a bitch, Arrotel smiles, then quickly suppresses it back into a poker face.

[back in present time]
His tone level and even, Arrotel attempts to steer the conversation back in a safer direction.

"If you really want a non-altruistic motive, feel free to believe that we may expect a favor sometime in the future, if you want. It's not true, but it's something you can understand, I think."

[chalice]

In the pause while Arrotel speaks, Gray takes the opportunity to summon a guard, and request them to bring food and a couple of bottles of decent wine. (out of touch as she is, she probably names a vintage that turns the cellarer pale...but orders are orders, right?)

She also takes the opportunity he has given her to quiet her wolf side and reinforce her self-control. I'm glad you're here Arrotel. You're a good friend.


"If you really want a non-altruistic motive, feel free to believe that we may expect a favor sometime in the future, if you want. It's not true, but it's something you can understand, I think.""And if we're playing with that line of thought..." Gray regards Siodmak with bright eyes, "what would you have to offer, Siodmak? If someone were to call in a favour, what are you good for, cousin?"

[Thanos]

I stood looking across the blue glow near the corner of the room with my blade in my hand and took the first step. Memories of long ago when I was but a lad of twenty leapt back to me as sparks started crackling about my feet. My father's face, smiling as I moved, his voice offering encouragement and the advice to ignore the sparks.

As I continued forward the path began to curve, back upon itself. Almost a dozen more paces later the weight of creation pulled gently trying to hold me back. Like a great wind it pushed me and a black gloom stood in my path. Father had called it the First Veil and I was already starting to breathe heavily. The sparks were up to my knees and my blade was crackling with them as well. As I pushed through it I remembered....
....it was a bright sunny day in Goaden, just the kind of day a that made you want to go out and ride in the country side. I had been given a new stallion, a beast full of fire, who threw me to the ground more than once. It was a test of wills, much like this....

The torrent of winds eased for a time as I continued to walk another curve. The taking of the Borduvian capital, forcing their invading hordes back to protect their stronghold, a fine victory. My cheeks were cold and numb as I continued along through an arc to a straight line. My blade had become cold and seemed to draw warmth from me, and I switched it to my left hand as I came to face the Second Veil and I pushed ahead...
...a rather nasty fight with a crew of Orcs and Dwarves. If I wasn't careful the Orcs would take my head or a Dwarf would take a leg at the knee. Three of them were dead and I was using a dwarf as a shield in my left hand. Five still remained and I had taken a blow to my chest tearing muscle along my pect. I had a sword and they had axes so entangling them in each other was difficult.

Moments later my shield had become a bloody mess of rags in my hands and another Orc had taken my blade though his throat. I could feel my strength oozing down my shirt front from my wound...
There was a right angle turn, then a ways and another, then again another shortly after that. A curve was before me and it was like walking uphill hauling a cart full of produce. Then I was through and the way eased again, for a short while.

As I walked I was buffeted from the left, then from the right by forces unseen as if to push me off the grand design and take a misstep. Finndo had said to leave the Pattern once started was death, and I never doubted it. His words swam in my head, keeping me on the path before me. After this I faced a very large curve and felt myself pelted and beaten about as the creation which had held me back forced me into its image again. Three more smaller curves, a straight line, and a gaggle of sharp arcs brought me into sight of the Final Veil. It was hard...
...lost, lost and without water. This the worst possible fate in all of Perack. The sun pierced me with its head as I struggled along the dunes. No mercy did it give me as I stumbled and picked myself back up, sand dripping off of me. Liked a baked clay brick out of the furnace was my throat, so thirsty. Struggle as I might I looked into the distance to see...
...the sparks had come up to my waist and were climbing up my chest. From my blade flew sparks up my left arm and I switched it from my left and they vanished not. Some twenty paces later, through a long series of turns, another short arc and a straight line brought me to the Final Veil. To even take a step was the effort of an entire hour of marching. Soon the sparks were to my neck and it mattered not which hand my blade was in so I grasped it with both. Somewhere below me was the Pattern and somehow I was still on it.

I had finished a short arc after the straight line and stood almost motionless with perhaps three steps to go. Like a day of plowing it was to take even a step...pushing a van several miles up a graded path to take another. The final step was like trying to push over a giant redwood. Then the resistance stopped, I was through, for the second time in my life I had struggled against all the forces of creation to find myself at its center. This is where I stumbled to my knees breathing like I had just fought an entire day of battle, and never, ever wanting to do it again.

[Wired*Nun]

["If you really want a non-altruistic motive, feel free to believe that we may expect a favor sometime in the future, if you want. It's not true, but it's something you can understand, I think.""You may not think it's true right now, but these things have a way of becoming true. When you need that favor, you'll be thinking of good ol' 'Mak."

[Wired*Nun]

"And if we're playing with that line of thought..." Gray regards Siodmak with bright eyes, "what would you have to offer, Siodmak? If someone were to call in a favour, what are you good for, cousin?"
"Anything I've got, I guess. What is it you desire? More power? I have some. Connections? Some there. A place of my own, well-ruled, henchmen, followers, money, information, teaching of what you call Trump, access to Maze...ahh, I see your interest at that. Is that what this is all about? You want something of the Maze, and you can't figure out what it is or how to get it?"

[chalice]

"Anything I've got, I guess. What is it you desire? More power? I have some. Connections? Some there. A place of my own, well-ruled, henchmen, followers, money, information, teaching of what you call Trump, access to Maze...ahh, I see your interest at that. Is that what this is all about? You want something of the Maze, and you can't figure out what it is or how to get it?"

What a strange list...from the very mundane to the new Power in the Shadows...

"I am interested in the Maze," admits Gray candidly. "Who could see it and not be?"

"But we were asked to bring you back here - I believe - to enquire after the circumstances under which you left Amber, and where you had been and what you had been doing between then and now."

She bites her lip.

"And before you decide to amuse yourself and embarass me by going into a lot of - um - personal details...this isn't idle curiosity. Someone - someone in the Family - was murdered around the time you and Elress went missing. For some reason, the general assumption seemed to be that you had kidnapped her."

[Wired*Nun]

Heldrik comes back to himself, almost as if waking from a dream, or a fugue. Done it again...

[Icebird]

Arrotel seems a bit disinterested as Sidomak lists what he has to offer.

"Material goods and shadows to my liking I can get myself. As for what I want, firstly I want it to be 7:00. Secondly, I would like to hear what you know of the Nightmare.
The maze is interesting, yes, but its patron more so."

[Wired*Nun]

"Someone - someone in the Family - was murdered around the time you and Elress went missing. For some reason, the general assumption seemed to be that you had kidnapped her."Siodmak stares at Gray steadily. "This is starting to become clear. I run off with some split-tail, coincidentally when this murder takes place, and I become a prime suspect. Well, it was Elress that wanted to get out of town. She took me to Las Vegas, like it used to be before I was born, like I've seen in books. Fucking-A pair-o-dise. I was just starting to make some connections that would have gotten us set up for life, when fatboy Asmundson tries to grab me with a Rover, then you guys pop me."


...firstly I want it to be 7:00. Secondly, I would like to hear what you know of the Nightmare. The maze is interesting, yes, but its patron more so."
He looks puzzled at the 7:00 reference, and even more so at mention of the Nightmare. After it is explained to him what 'Nightmare' might look like, his face clears. "You gotta mean Sajjarrasa. She's like, the goddess of the Maze. What do you want to know? The shit she gives out is better than anything I ever had before, and no side-effects."

[chalice]

She took me to Las Vegas, like it used to be before I was born like I've seen in books. Fucking-A pair-o-dise. I was just starting to make some conections that would have gotten us set up for life, when fatboy Asmundson tries to grab me with a Rover, then you guys pop me."He has no idea of the true scale of things...none...

"Is that what you want, Siodmak? A small place in Shadow to live in luxury and safety?" Gray's voice is carefully non-judgmental. Why wouldn't he want that? Fern Hollow and Flagstaff were both terrible in their own ways.

"There's nothing wrong with that," she adds, hastily. "It's just I'd been told you were ambitious...I don't know what Elress told you about the Family, but it doesn't seem to have been enough." Though why should she, if she didn't know he was related?

"Did she introduce you to anyone else?" she adds, thinking of the Trumps of Dalt and Rinaldo he was carrying.


He looks puzzled at the 7:00 reference, and even more so at mention of the Nightmare. After it is explained to him what 'Nightmare' might look like, his face clears. "You gotta mean Sajjarrasa. She's like, the goddess of the Maze. What do you want to know? The shit she gives out is better than anything I ever had before, and no side-effects."Gray looks over at Arrotel, then back at Siodmak.

"Maybe start with...how you came to encounter her?"

[Wired*Nun]

"Is that what you want, Siodmak? A small place in Shadow to live in luxury and safety?"
A peal of laughter breaks out. "No, I want a large place in shadow to rule. What's so wierd about that? Like that Dunstan guy has, but better. Screw all that medieval shit anyway. I want Benzes and Hummers, I want chicks beating a path to my door, I want guys begging to let them work for me, I want a casino the size of Montana, I want to be fucking Pharoah. I want the power of life and death over my own world. Why would I want this pathetic little pile of rocks? Elress was going to get that for me, too. Coast to Coast Vegas with a Maze, with me as Der Fuhrer. That's all I want."

"Did she introduce you to anyone else?" she adds, thinking of the Trumps of Dalt and Rinaldo he was carrying.
"No, she just gave me some Trump cards for her friends that she said I should call if I needed help. Fat lot of good that did."

"Maybe start with...how you came to encounter her?"
"She showed up a couple of years ago, when I was working with my Battery. Said she could give me more power if I cooperated in turning the Battery into a Maze. I wasn't going to do it, but she has ways of persuading you, you know? Better than sex."

[chalice]

A peal of laughter breaks out. "No, I want a large place in shadow to rule. What's so wierd about that? .....Elress was going to get that for me, too. Coast to Coast Vegas with a Maze, with me as Der Fuhrer. That's all I want."
"It's not weird...though I don't understand some of your words...it just doesn't sound terribly satisfying for any length of time. Seeing as we're immortal, and all."

What am I supposed to say? 'Make allowances for me, my father used to rule half the universe and it's played havoc with my sense of proportion'?

"Did Elress say why she was going to do this for you? Did she ask for anything in return?"


"She showed up a couple of years ago, when I was working with my Battery. Said she could give me more power if I cooperated in turning the Battery into a Maze. I wasn't going to do it, but she has ways of persuading you, you know? Better than sex."
Gray tilts her head to one side enquiringly. "I don't know what a 'Battery' is. What happened next?"

[Wired*Nun]

Seeing as we're immortal, and all."

Siodmak looks sidewise at her, and shakes his head, but there is an element of uncertainty when he says, "Of course we are...of course we are...the better to enjoy it for longer. Live for today! Down with Tomorrow!"

"Did Elress say why she was going to do this for you? Did she ask for anything in return?"

"Oh, I'm sure that cunt thinks she is using me for something. Nobody likes her anyway, she says, so I think she's trying to get me on her side. So what? She's a decent lay, doesn't get tired easy. She has her good points, mostly up front and high!"


What happened next?"

She - Sajjarrasa - turned the Battery into a Maze, and I made it to the center of that thing, too. Lot more fun than the first time. What a rush! Then, everything got easier. Better. It's the perfect high."

[Icebird]

Sidomak's look of momentary confusion seems to confirm something to Arrotel.

"Yes, immortality is one of our family's gifts- power is the other. You never knew your father- I do. His name is Benedict, though I didn't learn about the family until a few years ago myself. He showed me all of this, and told me the same thing I'm telling you now, brother. Different mothers, yes, but we are brothers none the less."

Well, that should either make him hate or respect me. Either way...

[Wired*Nun]

Siodmak stares at Arrotel for a long moment. "Yeah...yeah, I can see it. I don't know what that means...I gotta sleep now. I'm all in." He rolls over on the bunk, his back to the other two, and seems to rest...

[chalice]

The ordered refreshments arrive, and Gray collects the tray and finds a place to set it down.

"Food and stuff here if you want it when you wake up, " she says softly to Siodmak's 'sleeping' form.

She smiles at Arrotel, pouring them each a glass of wine and taking a sizable gulp from hers.

"I'm glad you told him - I didn't like to say anything. I'll stay here, if you have stuff to do before the meeting," she offers quietly. Or if you need to get out in the open.




[Whether or not Arrotel stays, Gray will keep watching Siodmak until it's time to head off to meet Random, and use the waiting time to write up a record of the conversation they have had with him so far, for Random's perusal. When it's finished, she seals it and asks a guard to have it sent to the KIng.]

[Icebird]

"No, I've nothing better to do. Seems a bit pointless to start anything, likely only to have to drop it and come back here."

Arrotel sits off to the side and fiddles with a deck of cards he conveniently has in his pocket. Very few people in the universe, other than possible a few elders, know as many versions of solitaire as he does.
Once an hour or so, he’ll pull up the pattern lens and examine Sidomak to make sure that the bracelet hasn’t been tampered with.

[chalice]

After sending her report off with a guard, Gray sits idly playing with pen and parchment, just giving her hands something to do. When she realises that she's just covered an entire page with the word 'Landon', she crumples it angrily into a tight ball and goes back to biting her finger nails until it's time to go.

[Thanos]

The stone was cold on his cheek as Heldrik woke, somewhat disorientated. Looking around he found himself at the center of the Grand Design, which others call the Pattern. It did this last time to, I barely survived. But I was stronger for it afterwards. An odd experience with Umbryselir bringing sparks up my arms.

Getting up Heldrik picks up his blade, no longer exuding sparks, and smiles. Half a second later, he is not longer in Amber, but around the side of a building on a not so far off shadow. He around to the front, sheathing his blade and entering the Inn where he stayed just a few days ago subjectively. After a bit of good natured haggling he has rented a room for a few days and coin passes between them.
Once in his room Heldrik takes out the tome with Lintra’s story and starts going through it. He reads it once through and sets it aside and takes a nice nap. Afterwards he picks it up again and goes over it again, especially the parts concerning tactics and possible strategy that was used against and by Benedict. So much to learn and so little time, which reminds me I can make my own time if I like, it just takes some practice.
After a squire meal of potatoes, biscuits, and gravy Heldrik starts experimenting with the shadow time stream following the basic methods Josh described in Jordan. The following couple of days are spent walking around the shadow making it more malleable to time flow change, mostly to the faster end of things. After some a bit of rest, Heldrik heads back to Amber arriving with some time to spare before the scheduled dinner.

[Wired*Nun]

At nearly seven, Gray looks up from her scribbling and nailbiting to see that Siodmak is staring at her from the bunk.

[chalice]

At nearly seven, Gray looks up from her scribbling and nailbiting to see that Siodmak is staring at her from the bunk.
She gives him a small smile.

"Time to go," she says, uncurling from her cross-legged position. "Are you feeling better?"

If nothing prevents, she and Arrotel will then take Siodmak to the meeting with Random in the Conference Room specified.

[Wired*Nun]

"I've felt worse," Siodmak replies. He rolls to his feet and accompanies the two up to Conference Room 3. One of the palace Guards precedes them, which is nice, since they weren't sure exactly where this conference room is, until they are shown.

Since they are a little early, they are seated three across, Siodmak in the middle, the guard behind him. Across the table are three more seats. At 7 pm, Random and Fiona enter the room.

[chalice]

Feels like we're all on trial...

Gray gets politely to her feet as the King enters the room, but keeps most of her attention firmly on Siodmak.

[Wired*Nun]

Arrotel rises also, and Siodmak, after just barely too long, follows suit.

Taking their seats, Random says, "Sit down, please. Now, Agraynel has asked for a hearing for you Siodmak, as an alternative to more coercive methods of questioning. I'm a fair man, so I am going to give you your fair shot at avoiding brain damage. Let's be very clear here: this is in inquisition. That means you start presumed guilty unless you can prove to me you are innocent. The circumstances surrounding Joss' death, including your disappearance, are what presume you guilty...of something, anyway."

"I'll hear from Agraynel - and Arrotel, too, if there is anything to add - first."

[chalice]

But..that's not justice at all...maybe he's just taking the attitude he feels Siodmak will respond to best...

Gray looks a little startled at Random's request to hear from her.

"I have nothing much to add to the report I sent you, " she says. "That is as far as our conversation went - except for Arrotel introducing himself to his brother."

Maybe the report didn't reach him?

"If it did not reach you, I can summarise, if you wish..."

[And if he wishes, she will do so - she seems to have something close to total recall.]

I don't understand what he wants...

The look she casts Arrotel is questioning and uncertain.

[Wired*Nun]

Random lets a slight impatience show. "Agraynel, I value your assessment more than a simple recounting of facts. You asked me here to give him a hearing. I want to know why, and I want to know what you think of his story, his attitude, and the possibility that he is telling the truth - anything you think is relevant. What would you do in my place? And the same to Arrotel."

[chalice]

Fine. If you insist.

"Very well," Gray inclines her head gracefully.

We'll leave aside the obvious, such as 'surely it's good for someone to look like his friend even if you decide to play bad cop' and 'if he's an enemy I want to look...wavering...'

"Siodmak, I apologise for speaking as if you were not present."

She glances briefly at the pale-haired man, fully expecting her apology to amuse him, showing she doesn't mind. Then she squares her small shoulders and meets the King's impatient gaze.

"I asked you to give him a hearing because-" she swallows hard "-because I believe it is fair that he - or anyone in his position - should have one. I find it incredible - appalling - that any Family member would not be offered such. When I was sent to bring him 'for questioning' I did not appreciate that would mean mental torture as a first resort." Or I would not have done it.

"Second, I think he has told us some of the truth - that is safer, and easier, than lying, and it is also what my instinct says.

"You can go ahead and tear his mind apart for the rest - and either ruin him or make an enemy for life -maybe both, if Benedict were unhappy at what you did to his son - or you can take a small risk by just talking to him instead, hoping for future good. It seems to me that you are prepared to destroy a potentially valuable resource for a possible short-term gain.

"Third - the only other way to test his story is to match it against Elress' - which we don't have yet. Will we tear her mind apart too, when we have her? This is something I would dearly like to understand - are all of my generation considered so expendable that they have no protection against such abuse? Are we so vulnerable? If so, I must pray to live a blameless and fortunate life and never, ever find myself in a compromising position. If not, why is Siodmak to be treated differently?"

"Did you not remind me a short while ago that many of the Family had done things in their past best forgotten? Set aside, in the hope of better to come? Siodmak is one of the Family, so perhaps we can get over any personal...distaste...and look forwards. Why should he not be a valuable member of the Family, if treated fairly? He has knowledge we do not, skills I do not understand, and - I believe - the same need we all feel for the companionship of equals and a place to belong. Though I do not expect he would admit to that. Maybe he would prefer me to say - 'I'm sure he could see the benefits'." That crooked smile.

"Random - Siodmak's life has been...terrible. He has been an outcast, alone, in circumstances that forced him to desperate lengths to survive. And he did nothing to deserve that. Is it wrong for me to say, he deserves better? That he deserves a chance? That his family should give him that chance?"

"In your place?" oh, you are a bastard, aren't you? how cruel a question is that?

Her hyacinth-grey eyes do not even flick Fiona's way; they are all for Random.

"In your place, I hope I wouldn't abdicate my responsibility, either as ruler or relative, to a torturer, just because that was quick and easy and safe.

"I told Siodmak that mercy and trust were the prerogative of the truly powerful. Was I wrong?"

You asked. Now annihilate me if it makes you feel better. For me, this is as much about you as about him.

[Icebird]

Arrotel steps up a little behind Gray as she gets to the most difficult part of her speach, lending his support.

"I was willing to help you find him, even knowing what it would likely come down to if we caught him, even stand by and watch it happen. I'm not to proud to admit that I was wrong; I could hope for nothing more than someone like her to stand up for me if I ever need it. I think that she has put us both to shame."

If he feels any shame, Arrotel hides it well.

"Elress was certainly with Sidomak willingly, or at least is now. I know that many of the family didn't think to highly of her," A glint of humor in hiw eye, quickly gone and replaced by his previously serious attitude, "but if she was willing to trust him, in spite of everything going against him, shouldn't we at least hear what he has to say?"