Agraynel, Heldrik and Landon

[Wired*Nun]

Heldrik hears Benedict speaking, and feels himself lifted and carried.

"Sometimes fine distinctions matter. Ofttimes timing is everything. I see Arrotel will need some more education. I have been remiss in this." Benedict seems not to be apologising, merely commenting. In the same even tone, he continues, "I do not believe this area will be in any way safe. They will grant me a few minutes to depart without hurry, but I expect they will want to explore and take possession of everything quite rapidly - so perhaps you can conduct operations from elsewhere." Lips pressed, he pauses in thought.

"I will take Heldrik, and leave you here. That's Rinaldo of Kashfa behind me there. Work with him to help Jasra, keeping in mind Amber's interests. Right now, we can help them, and they will owe us. Keep your ears open for anything to do with Joss' murder - the downside of killing Siodmak is that I can't question him. Call me if you need anything."

Feeling of a Trump contact, then the softness of a divan, the smell of leather and polish, the opening of a door. "Get the physician, we have a wounded man here," Hedrik hears Benedict say, then a moment later, the sound of wine in a cup.

"Here, drink this."

[Thanos]

Heldrik does drink whatever is offered and in a somewhat stronger tone of voice says, "Thank you Uncle. I must remember to plan better next time."

[Wired*Nun]

"So we learn." The wine is good, tart and dry. Heldrik is suddenly aware of a tremendous hunger. Seeing his need, Benedict pulls a bell cord and shortly, has food sent up. The physician arrives before the food, though and begins expertly bandaging up Heldrik's wounds, giving him painkillers and starting an IV drip.

"Heldrik, feel free stay for a time, then you can have the staff transfer you to rooms of your own. I really need to confer with Random and some others...by your leave." The request is apparently rhetorical as he exits the room soon after.

[Thanos]

"Sure, sure...wouldn't want to keep y...," says Heldrik. Interesting that he didn't want to get a report of things before he left, but then again he is Benedict.

Heldrik sleeps after being bandaged and eating a hearty meal of anything that is delivered. Hopefully when he wakes there will be more.

[Wired*Nun]

When he awakes, he finds himself in his own rooms, but cleaned. The winter winds moan outside his window, and the tree branches writhe like demented souls. The fireplace is a welcome sight, as is the food and drink on the sideboard. Sitting up carefully, Heldrik is able to hobble over to the chair and eat by the light of the flames.

A quiet knock comes on the door.

[Thanos]

Heldrik looks over to see if the latch is locked and if not he says, "Enter". Otherwise he makes the effort to get to the door and unlock it, open it and then have whomever is out there come in.

[Wired*Nun]

Fiona enters through the unlocked door. "Mind if I come in?" Presuming no demurral, she crosses the floor to the other chair and seats herself on its edge, looking intently at Heldrik. Reaching out a finger, she runs a bitten nail along his bandages.

"How bad is it? Need some fixing up?" Her manner doesn't seem so much flirtatious as...speculative. Heldrik is reminded of a cat, watching a creature it may or may not want to make dinner.

[Thanos]

Heldrik is mildly surprised that Fiona would come make an appearance.

"Princess, your visit is as unexpected as it is welcome. Please make yourself as comfortable as you can." This as he gestures to the room from his bed.

“Its better now that I have had a night to rest and two solid meals. I suppose that ye would like a report of what I found out before getting pulled in that scuffle at the Keep?” If allowed, he explains all he learned to Fiona leaving only his private thoughts about Gray and Rebis out. He includes that the Keep seems to have special significance for the Maze, beyond just having one there, but he does not know the specifics having only visited for a short combat.

[Wired*Nun]

"A day and a night is more like it. Yes, a firsthand report would be welcome. Benedict has made his, but some details would be welcome."

As Heldrik tells his tale, Fiona flicks a lit cigarrette into existence, one which never seems to burn out - but otherwise sits imperturbable, presumably happy that he is being so forthcoming. Usually, of course, she has to play a much tougher game for her intelligences.

"Thank you. It seems you did as much as you could. The question of who assassinated a member of Amber's royalty remains open, however. I would really like to find that culprit..."

[Thanos]

Heldrik does seem to be a little concerned about having been under for more time than he thought, but quickly pushes it to the back of his mind.
"With the attack on the Keep by an appearant rogue group from Hendrake, it seems that they also had reason to want Amber to be in some disarray. Between what Corwin is doing and what the Hendrakes are doing they would both have motive, means, and the time to do this. The means in which to create the bullets and their special properties would be attainable or creatable by both if my guesswork is not flawed. Your thoughts Princess?" says Heldrik with a somewhat raised left eyebrow.

[Wired*Nun]

Eyeing Heldrik, she seems to decide that perhaps she owes him for his story.

"From what you told me, however, it doesn't seem a well-planned operation - not like Hendrake at all. It seemed more like Dara and her cronies felt forced into doing something when Jasra was brought out of her coma. Dara is a Hendrake by birth but a Sawall by marriage...and when old Duke Gramble conveniently died, he left her in charge of that House. She has always hated Jasra for, as she sees it, betraying her House. Trying to frame someone at the Keep for the murder makes a certain kind of sense. So does killing someone whom Amber would be upset about in principle, but who in practical terms didn't matter much to the game. However, if Amber moved against the Keep because of that, all Dara gets is Jasra removed - and Amber wouldn't give up the Keep to Sawall, Hendrake or anyone else at that point. No, it had to be someone with something to gain in the long run, and it's still obscure to me." She scrapes at the broken fingernail, then chews on it absent-mindedly. "It's not Corwin's style, either. Not unless he's changed a lot more than I think he has, and for the worse."

[Thanos]

Heldrik tries to dismiss the chewing of fingernails, but has to look at least once.

"So what happened if Corwin supplied the means and Dara supplied the bullet and the shooter? If Dara and her factor could aid Corwin in his purposes he might have seen it as a worth while trade, but not knowing what exactly they would do with the supply he handed out...regardless if Hendrak has the Keep then Dara should not have control of it considering. Oops, sorry for thinking out loud..."

[Wired*Nun]

"Possibly...but that doesn't sit right with me. No, someone is playing a deeper game here. How would you like to find out - for us?" It's not immediately clear who that "us" refers to. Perhaps it's deliberately ambiguous.

[Thanos]

"I think that I have several obligations that I must see to as soon as I can. One, I dragged a certain Lord of Chaos into the frey and I do not know of his fate. Gray and I have not spoken recently and I would know of her health. Lastly, I have lost something that I need to obtain again. It should not be a hard matter to rectify I just need to walk in shadow for a time to remind creation where it belongs."
Heldrik clears his throat a moment.
"Afterwords, I might be inclined to find out some things for my Aunts and Uncles who must stay here and worry." This last with a smile and some amount of affection for Fiona.

[Wired*Nun]

"Well, one mustn't let even young and minor Chaos Lords go running around unchaperoned...Call me when you can, with anything you have, or...need." Her piercing eyes lock with his, not exactly flirting...no, not in the the traditional sense...but the promise of power, of influence...and the smile that breaks over her face after a moment does not lack sincerity...

[Thanos]

Heldrik returns the gaze not exactly knowing what it means until it clicks in his brain and Fiona sees in his eyes that he understands. Her smile is appreciated and one appears from Heldrik. Having finally found someone with whom he can reach an understanding amongst the elders, it is a smile of joy.

“Aunt Fiona, should I wait around for anyone else to come and visit me?”

[Wired*Nun]

"Not if you want to retain some freedom of action...royal assignments can be so...limiting, don't you think?" She puts on a guileless expression as she waits for his response.

[Thanos]

"It would seem so..." Heldrik things for a moment. "Aunty would you happen to have made a trump of Gray yet? The only one I know of is with Arrotel, whom I assume is safe? If I can make the call I will teleport to a place I know that runs a good deal faster than Amber to finish healing, then go about my business, and report to you?"

[Wired*Nun]

"Of course...though I'm not certain about Arrotel. Perhaps you should contact him." She hands him a Trump of Gray from her personal deck, and stands. "Please don't hesitate to call, if you run across anything interesting, or need a little assistance..." Her elegant exit is marred only by a twitch of her fingers as she closes the door. Wonder what's bugging Auntie Fi...

[Thanos]

Putting his thoughts of his Aunt aside for a time Heldrik summons what energies he has to try and open a contact to Gray through the trump that Fiona had given him...he remembers her hair, with a bit of a wild scent, those eyes that draw you in and hold your imagination, her lips all but waiting to be kissed...

[Wired*Nun]

Turning to put the sea at her back, she sees Heldrik form before her, sitting inside a comfortable room, feet up and somewhat rested.

[chalice]

"Heldrik!" A wave of relief, joy, intense need - and Gray forgets the link with her father, her surroundings, anyone who may be watching. All that matters is the precious image before her, that he be real. That he take her hands and be here, with her.

"You're alive!" She throws out her hands towards him, inviting - imploring? - tears turning those grey eyes to silver. "I thought I lost you..."

[Thanos]

Heldrik smiles as Gray appears and he feels a tinge of what she does; relief, joy, and need.
"No, my beautiful one, you did not lose me, but it was a harsh fight."

Feeling her need for him and her obviously inviting body language, "Would you like me to come to where you are, I just have to pick up a few things first?" With a smile and a wink he starts by putting on some boots and grabing his belt and cloak.

[chalice]

Gray nods, unable to speak. Once Heldrik is through the link she simply wraps her arms about him and holds on as if she never means to let go.

[Thanos]

Heldrik returns the embrace with much gusto, then winces as his wounds once again remind him that he was in the battle for the Keep, but doesn't let Gray know how much it hurts. Heldrik is missing part of himself and that forces him to take in his surroundings...he can see the sea, but what else is here?

[chalice]

Besides the scenery previously described, he can see Asmundson, a strange young woman (Helena) and, well, Eric.

Noticing Heldrik's barely concealed winces, Gray raises her head from his shoulder and steps back to look him up and down critically. "I'm a clutz. You're still hurt. Here - sit down and I'll take care of it..." she pushes him gently backwards to sit on a bench beside the barge's siderail.


"You know Asmundson of course; the lady is Helena. This is my father. Helena, father, this is Heldrik, Finndo's son and my cousin." A simple enough introduction; shame she doesn't think of using her shapeshifting to prevent a blush as she makes it.


Feeling her cheeks burn with treacherous colour, she turns her attention to assessing the state of Heldrik's wounds and beginning the work of healing.

"Heldrik...can you tell us what happened at the Keep? Are the others all OK?Arrotel called me to be pulled out, I know nothing about anything later than that."


Now that he can observe her at a slightly greater distance, Heldrik is able to notice something different about her - she seems calmer than he has seen her before, more focussed. Perhaps it is this new focus that makes her healing touch seem even defter than before - Heldrik's aches and pains seem to be running out of his body like water under her hands, leaving a pleasant lassitude in their place.

[Wired*Nun]

Eric, Helena and Asmundson nod their acknowledgements, but decline to interrupt this obviously heartfelt reunion.

[Thanos]

Besides the scenery previously described, he can see Asmundson, a strange young woman (Helena) and, well, Eric.

Noticing Heldrik's barely concealed winces, Gray raises her head from his shoulder and steps back to look him up and down critically. "I'm a klutz. You're still hurt. Here - sit down and I'll take care of it..." she pushes him gently backwards to sit on a bench beside the barge's siderail.


Trying not to let to much of the pain leak through his facade he does take a seat.


"You know Asmundson of course; the lady is Helena. This is my father. Helena, father, this is Heldrik, Finndo's son and my cousin." A simple enough introduction; shame she doesn't think of using her shapeshifting to prevent a blush as she makes it.

Heldrik nods to Admundson and gives a slight bow to Helena, but when Gray mentions her father, Eric, he stands up again and despite the pain gives as good a formal bow as he can. "Well met, Prince Eric", is what he says, but sits down rather quickly.



"Heldrik...can you tell us what happened at the Keep? Are the others all OK?Arrotel called me to be pulled out, I know nothing about anything later than that."



While Gray does, what she does whenever she is healing someone, Heldrik abliges her with a detailed description of what happened at the Keep. Obviously there are holes in it where he was unconcious which he states his best guess and that it is a guess. To his knowledge the rest were taken care of by Benedict. He can't say where Rae is because he didn't see her there. Heldrik does ask if anybody has been in contact with a fellow named Rebis...

[chalice]

Gray winces slightly herself when Heldrik addresses Eric as 'Prince', flicking a quick glance across at her father to see whether or not he is taking offence.

She listens thoughtfully to Heldrik's account.

"Rebis... he was at the Keep, unconscious, when Arrotel left." Her voice is rather carefully neutral as she speaks of Arrotel. "After Rebis and I left you and Asmundson, we were...diverted...to Chaos, by a Lord named Mandor Sawall. Arrotel called me there - needing escape from a fight with Siodmak. He and I then left to join Benedict - briefly - and were sent back to Amber to report. The last time I saw Rebis, he was with Mandor; I had been wondering how he came to be at the Keep."

Gray struggles to fill Heldrik in on what has been happening to her without referring to what Corwin and Landon are doing, or the resonance she apparently has with the Primal, in front of the ghost.

"We reported to Random, he and I had unfriendly words, I decided not to stay. I set out to walk the Pattern, to see if it would help with my, hm, condition - fell off at the First Veil." The memory is still recent enough to make her shudder. "It decided not to kill me and sent me to Dworkin, who summoned - I suppose you would say - father."

She gestures to the approching shore. "This is our Amber. Father felt we should come home and set things straight. Landon was with us for a while, but had to leave again."

She leans against Heldrik's arm, looking a little tired by her healing efforts but still serene. Heldrik feels not only healed of all his injuries, but refreshed - as if from a perfect night's sleep.

"Will you stay for a while?"

[Wired*Nun]

Eric doesn't seem to take any offense. In fact, he seems either amused or bemused by this whole turn of events, as if it never occurred to him that his little girl might have a romantic interest of sorts. The other go back to their chitchat, giving the two some cursory privacy at the bench near the rail of the barge.

[Thanos]

Heldrik is more than a little surprised to be in such good health so fast...he had told his Aunt that he would leave to a place to heal faster, but not this fast! Heldrik crooks his arm so that Gray fits perfectly against his side and gives her a hug at the same time.

"Oh, I would love to stay for a while, but...I have to make sure that this Rebis fellow is OK and retrieve my blade from whatever doom the chaosians might have for it. Perhaps" and looking towards Eric for permission as it were", we could go about that together? I am somewhat worried for the man, he did get into a fight neither of us should have gotten into."

[chalice]

Gray hesitates, but shakes her head. "I can't leave before I even set foot on shore here. Besides, I promised Landon I would protect Helena. But time runs fast here - could you spare a day? There's something I would particularly like you to take a look at... And as a first step to learn more of Rebis, we could try the Trumps of Roland, Landon, Kat, Raevyn, Corwin...if they are free...see whether any of them know what happened to him?

"As for your sword - I don't know how to go about its retrieval, but maybe father does..." she looks over enquiringly at Eric. Then back at Heldrik, thoughtfully. "Unless you just meant you planned to ask for it back...?"


"Father- was that Landon you were speaking with? Did he have any news?" Any you can repeat, anyway.

[Thanos]

...could you spare a day? There's something I would particularly like you to take a look at... And as a first step to learn more of Rebis, we could try the Trumps of Roland, Landon, Kat, Raevyn, Corwin...if they are free...see whether any of them know what happened to him?

Almost without thinking Heldrik response, "Of course I can spare a day for you...and a trump call to Roland, Kat or Arrotel should give us the news we need of Rebis, if he is being allowed to follow his ambitions now to find his father..."


"As for your sword - I don't know how to go about its retrieval, but maybe father does..." she looks over enquiringly at Eric. Then back at Heldrik, thoughtfully. "Unless you just meant you planned to ask for it back...?"


Heldrik ponders...I had not thought to ask for it...I was just going to go find it in the infinity that is shadow. Once mine and bound by the Grand Design there should be nothing that can keep it from me for long. and then follows Gray's gaze to Eric, the not so dead looking Prince of Amber.

[Wired*Nun]

"As for your sword - I don't know how to go about its retrieval, but maybe father does..." she looks over enquiringly at Eric. Then back at Heldrik, thoughtfully. "Unless you just meant you planned to ask for it back...?"


"Father- was that Landon you were speaking with? Did he have any news?" Any you can repeat, anyway.

"Not really," he calls. "He's fine, I'm sure he'll catch up when he's ready." Eric keeps an eyebrow cocked expectantly at the two, waiting to see if they go back to their conversation or come join the rest.

[chalice]

Gray stands up a little shakily. "Come one - let's stop being anti-social." Her crooked smile takes any seriousness from the words.

She heads over to where the others are gathered. "Heldrik is going to stay for a a short while. We'll try and contact some cousins, get a better picture of how things are...especially with your Maze, Asmundson. Father, Heldrik lost his sword in the battle, and the Hendrakes apparently claimed it, so he'll have to see to regaining that soon. Any advice?"

[Wired*Nun]

Eric rubs his beard in thought for a moment. "The usual way is to walk in shadow...it shouldn't be that hard...but if they are intent of hanging on to it, a distraction would help. Do you know who specifically is holding it? And do you have a Trump of that person? If you can hit them through the Trump while Heldrik seeks it in shadow, that's normally enough..."

"Yes, old boy, we'll help you any way we can," says Asmundson.

"Oh, my, another adventure? How remarkable!" exclaims Mrs. Hendriks. "But we haven't finished this one yet!" This makes a certain kind of sense, or at least, it seems like it should.

[chalice]

"I agree," says Gray, gazing at the rapidly-approaching shore of her homeland. "Let us prepare ourselves for arrival before all else."

Unconsciously, her young voice takes on the older, formal-sounding accent of the place, and she stands straighter, shoulders squared and chin raised with a pride that borders on arrogance.

She looks at Heldrik sidelong beneath her lashes: "Of course, I've no clear idea what to expect by way of welcome," she murmurs in more normal tones.

A sudden surge of happiness at returning home with the father she mourned as lost lights up her lavender eyes, and she reaches for Eric's hand, squeezing tight.

"Welcome home, father."

[Thanos]

Heldrik grins back, knowing the industry that he last saw when he was here with Asmundson. They should be pleasantly surprised by it all and I hope Eric is correct in his assumptions. Something I should get to.

While those on board make ready for land fall, Heldrik fishes out his trumps from his belt hole and pulls out Arrotel's, Rolands, and Kat's. He shuffles the three of them randomly a bit and then chooses one and tries to make conact, with whomever it is.

[Wired*Nun]

Eric looks at the approaching harbor, nostalgia plain upon his face. "Home...maybe then, but now? I don't know. Dworkin said anything is possible..." He hugs Gray with one arm, the other on the railing to counter the tidal ripples at the harbor mouth.

Heldrik finds himself looking at Kat's Trump.

[chalice]

"I'm afraid you'll find it much changed, father. Place and people both. The land was blighted while I slept, and Mother's people have become...debased. No less than they ever were in courage or loyalty," she adds quickly. "But the society we knew is long gone, and recalled more as legend than history."

She looks up at him, worry creasing her forehead. "They will expect miracles from you. From us. I don't know about you, but I don't have any to offer them. You said we should come here and put things to rights, and I'm more than willing - but what do you have in mind?"

[Wired*Nun]

"If it is like most places, all they need is leadership, and that, I can provide. You will be the symbol of purity and the feminine ideal, an Alpha female they can relate to. They know I am no Garrow, and Heldrik can be your...companion. I'm sure you can explain it to them. I believe I will also be able to regain the extraordinary control I once had here, and so accelerate any processes we like. Probably the hardest thing will be to ensure they earn their paradise."

[chalice]

"Symbol of purity?" Gray's laugh holds genuine amusement.

She looks very directly at Eric. "I'm not pure. I'm cursed. Anything with me at its centre will be touched by that. Flawed at the very heart." Her voice is that of someone stating unpalatable facts, not self-pity. "That's not what I want for these people, or their land. Or for me."

Were you even listening when I tried to tell you how dangerous it is for me to pretend to be something I'm not? Landon understood - but then, he's seen what happens. What if I woke up one morning and discovered I'd led an army against Amber, just like the Pack wanted me to...?

"I'm not playing god, even for you - or them. Please try to understand, father - you've seen what happens if I lose touch with reality. For pity's sake - you had to chain me to the wall yourself in that damned tower-" she chokes off that sentence, hugging her arms tightly round her chest, and takes a slow, calming breath.

"I can't - won't, if you prefer - pretend to be anything I'm not. I'll do anything I can to help - but only as myself. I was Zeta - caregiver - to the Pack before - I can be that again. And Heldrik-" she looks at her father with a trace of defiance "Heldrik is my chosen Alpha."

[Thanos]

Heldrik has looked up from his shuffling and thought a moment on Kat and the last time he saw her, wounded and being beaten senseless. The conversation attracts his attention though as he has heard this tone in Gray's voice before. He stops himself from instinctively going to her side though as she was dealing with her father or at least something that was as much of a father as she would ever get...almost unsettling that and it knows great grandfather?...

Heldrik does, however, shoot a smile at Gray when she states so plainly that he is her chosen. Not surprised that he is feeling proud of it, but a little apprehensive to what daddy might say and do seeing his very young daughters opinions so openly.

[Wired*Nun]

"You see, that's what I mean. I understand leadership, and kingship. You understand the Garrow...but they aren't the only ones involved, nor were they ever. That's one thing you too often forgot - the 'normal people,' that didn't have your abilities - nor mine. You loved your Pack so much you forgot that most of this Amber is made up of ordinary folk. And they need a symbol, a symbol of beauty, caring, all those feminine things I can't give them."

"One thing, though. You keep saying you are cursed. Maybe you were so long ago, but that is gone now. It died with the first me, and old King Swayvill of Chaos. You need to move beyond that, and heal. Don't let that be a moral crutch for you. Neither of us is perfect, but this idea you have that everything you touch will be corrupted is self-evidently false. Or, if it were true, why would you fall in love with someone only to curse them with your presence?"

The barge is nearing the great wharf, which from the look of it, has been recently rebuilt. Only one, though, when before there were seven...Father used to call them the Seven Wharves, which would make him laugh uproariously, after the fairy story he used to tell about...a sleeping beauty? Something like that...

[chalice]

Gray nods. "It wasn't quite the way you think," she says softly. "It's true that I care more for the Pack than the others - but I would have held myself apart from them too if I could. I always knew, didn't I, that I would have to leave here, to be Crown Princess in Amber. I was raised for that. Not getting attached to too much here seemed...sensible. If I wasn't going to stay, it didn't seem right to let people come to depend on me. And I - didn't want to care too much about people I was going to lose."

She looks at the familiar docks as they come closer. What was that story...Snow White, that was it. The girl in the glass coffin. At least he didn't put me in a glass coffin...

"You and mother raised me to be something I will never be." Her voice is gentle; no trace of accusation or resentment. "Things are different now; but I still have some unlearning to do. I'm part of the way there, but - like the healing - it isn't happening overnight."

She gives him a quizzical smile. "And I didn't fall in love on purpose, you know. It's just the way things are. In fact, given that Sleeping Beauty set-up you left me in, you're jolly lucky I didn't fall for Landon at first sight when he woke me up." She grins. " Wouldn't that have been...interesting?"

[Thanos]

Heldrik tries to hold back a cough, but can't at the last comment...then looks up a little embarrassed but with amusement in his eyes. Being a 'companion' was going to be an interesting job for the first couple of days...

Flipping the card of Kat back into his view he hopes he can have a quick chat with her before all heck breaks loose as the king and princess arrive back home...

Calling Kat...

In her normal efficient voice, "Hello?"

"Greetings Cousin, this is Heldrik. Do you have a few moments to speak?", says Heldrik in a rather chipper tone of mind.

[Pygysys]

"Heldrik!" Kat smiles knowing that another cousin is up and about by the looks of things. "I'm glad to see you've recovered, I do regret the injuries you sustained and wondered how serious they were. So how may I help you?"

[Thanos]

"Ah, well I am glad to see that you are free and looking in reasonable health. It was a harsh fight and I sustained a great deal of damage, but two days in Amber and the talents of Lady Gray have brought me back to something like good health. Aunty Fi has been brought up to date as best as I could, but I have two real concerns now that I know that you are OK. In a moment tell me of the others?"
Heldrik takes a deep breath and seems to put his thoughts into order.
"First, my blade was captured and taken as booty I believe, even if I was remanded into the Lord General's hands. Roland must have used it to great effect as none could claim it as a trophy in my mind. I seek its return, of course, through whatever means. However, I have an obligation to the health of a certain Chaos Lord named Rebis, whom I unfairly drew into the fight at the Keep without knowing what I was about when I came through to help Arrotel and you others. I am not sure which I should be persueing first, although I might be able to convince whomever might hold Rebis captive to free him a little easier if I had my blade..."

[Pygysys]

"Well allow me to help steer you towards your blade, Cousin. The young Lord you are concerned for speaks now with Princess Florimel here in Castle Amber. He is in good health or at least he was when I left him, if our Aunt has caused him distress I am unaware of it. I do believe he was concerned about your health as well, so I shall pass on your tidings if you wish it."

Kat tries to recall what she does know of the others, so she can pass that information along as well. "I'm not aware of Roland's well being but I believe he is free. Raevyn is also free and here in Amber, released at the same time that I was and unto Benedict. I cannot speak for Josh, Dunstan or Arrotel, however, as I am unaware of their locations and state of being."

She allows Heldrik time to process that before continuing, "Won't you please pass along my tidings to Agraynel? It feels as if quite some time has past since I last spoke with her in Josh's realm. If you need assistance, Heldrik, my men and I are at your disposal. I will need a day or there abouts to gather them together first though."

[Thanos]

Heldrik smiles kindly and nods as Kat speaks.

"Thank ye for the news, I am releaved to hear that most are well. Arrotel was not around when I awoke in the keep with both Roland and Benedict present so I do not think he came to much harm as long as his flying friend was still able to work with him. One never knows how a familiar can be of assistance."

"Please do let Lord Rebis know of my health if you can. I am glad he finally reached Amber. With some luck and a little discression he might be able to find what he is looking for there."

At Kat's offer Heldrik seems a little surprised, but then a small lightbulb goes off in his head and he grins a bit as she finishes. "I will certainly pass your well wishes along. As to your aid, I will likely call upon ye some time in the near future or join ye so that we can discuss certain matters which I do not have the time to go into now. I am staying on with Gray and her mentor for the time being to complete the return of my facilities."

A twinkle in Heldrik's eye is all that might betray the real reasons he is staying here, but Kat has already likely seen the fondness he has for Gray...

[Pygysys]

Kat inclines her head to Heldrik as he speaks about further discussions to be had, "When you are able and have the time, Cousin, I shouldn't be too difficult to contact. I don't expect that I shall be too far from Amber or at least the Golden Circle for some time yet and during that interim I will pass along news of your well being to Rebis. My regards to Agraynel of course and a good day to you, Cousin. Until I hear from you in the near future fare thee well, the both of you."

Kat smiles and allows Heldrik to break the contact once he completes his own farewell. She pokes her head around the corner and stares at the door to Florimel's office. I think I can get away with the passing along of a note. Now to find someone to interupt Her Highness and my newest cousin.

Kat quickly sets about jotting down a note and then finding a servant to deliver the note to Lord Rebis.

[Thanos]

Mean while on board the boat Heldrik is seen putting a card back into a little box and it disappearing into his cloak. He takes a peek at the head of the boat to see who is looking at him and then looks out at the scenery and watches Gray's movements about the boat...which is in fact the best scenery of all, of course.

[chalice]

Noticing Heldrik put Kat's card away, Gray smiles and wanders back down the boat towards him.

"How are they?" she calls, leaving 'they' unspecified.

Taking Heldrik's arm, she pulls him over the the ship's rail, where she leans comfortably against his shoulder - ostensibly to point out and name for him certain parts of her homeland as they near it, actually so she can speak to him without being overheard. Not to mention that inside the curve of his arm seems a natural place to be.

"Dworkin told Landon and me that the stasis father created round me with the Jewel resonated with the Primal Pattern, thanks to the Pattern within the Jewel itself. And that I had absorbed - somehow - some of this resonance while I was inside it, leading the Primal to have an interest in me - and in using me for something unspecified."

Her eyes flicker in the tiniest possible motion towards Eric. "We can't talk about it in front of the ghost - don't know how much of what he hears, It hears. But it's the kind of thing I wondered whether you would be able to 'see' and make some sense of. More than I can, anyway."

[Thanos]

Heldrik finds it very theraputic to have Gray in his arm and it brings a smile instantly to his face. He looks down at her with interesting in what she is say, not necessarily for what is being said, but just that it is she that is saying it.

"Wow, I am not certain exactly how that all works coming together...but if the old man told ye that it certainly is what he wants ye to understand or at least know. As to the later, thing" he says as his attention is momentarily taken away by Eric moving about near the front and a quick eye flicker in that direction indicates he is not coming aft just yet, "lets save that for a little later?"

[chalice]

Gray nods her agreement. "Yes - when we are closer to the Tower, I think."

She stays where she is, recovering the energy expended in healing, waiting for the boat to reach land.

[Wired*Nun]

The grand barge reaches the great wharf, which is a relief for everyone. Its flat bottom and lack of a real keel made it roll far too much, even in the calm coastal waters they sailed. Mrs. Hendriks seems content to fan herself from her chair, and look around, murmuring little exclamations. Asmundson pats her hand from time to time, and stares about himself as well, one hand on his walking stick, the other with his hat in hand. The day is warm, but not really hot, with the gentle sea-breeze.

Wharvesmen leap to tie up the boat, hawsers thrown from the barge's crew. The Dutch sailors call out in a dozen languages, finally settling on one which seems to have something in common with one of the indigenes'. The barge captain leaps off the boat and begins an animated conversation with the wharf crew's foreman, probably haggling over fees, water, and provisions...

Two rangy, armed men in black and red come strolling down the pier, giving the large boat the once-over. "Here it comes," says Eric speculatively, and he isn't wrong. The two men, at what would be a distance for a man with normal vision, come to a sudden halt. One grabs the other's arm, and a hurried conversation ensues.

"They've seen us...and they've recognized us. Both of us, probably. We'd better get ashore and into the Grand Place, or whatever passes for one now. Hopefully they have preserved a central open space for public addresses. Come on."

With that, Eric leaps down and, holding his hand out for Gray, strolls regally but quickly down the weathered wood.

[chalice]

With one slightly wild-eyed glance back at Heldrik, Gray takes her father's arm and follows where he leads. As she walks, she allows her body to take on as much of its weir aspect as she can without losing her human looks. Sight, sound, scent all sharpen, reflexes quicken, and her stride lengthens easily to match Eric's. The next time she glances at Heldrik, he sees that her eyes have bled to wolf-silver.

"They've made a good stab at tidying up," she murmurs.

For the rest of the short walk to the open area Eric hopes to find, she stays silent, getting a feel for the much-altered yet still familiar place.

[Thanos]

Heldrik follows, as there is not exactly anything else to do in the situation. However, he does enjoy, as much as possible, walking behind Gray which does not happen often. Coming or going, its all good...
With a start Heldrik comes back to himself when Gray looks back at him and he motions with his eyes what he was looking at and just smiles like he is a king or something. I hadn't thought that if I do end up engaged to and marrying Gray, I would then become the king/regent of this land if this incarnation of Eric ever leaves on a permenant basis. Thats scary!

[Wired*Nun]

It's not long before a crowd gathers, though everyone gives way for the return of the King. For his part, he holds up a hand, putting on his best smile, and in a short time finds the central square, still there after all these years.

Climbing the steep front steps of the Church of the Holy Unicorn, they stand and survey the ever-growing sea of people. He motions Heldrik to come up and stand beside Gray, and it is long minutes as more and more peopel stream in.

The central square is still under construction, but there are masons, carpenters, framers, artisans, painters...everything to indicate the imminent restoration of the Kingdom. All they need is a King...and a Princess, it seems. And a Prince? Gray looks at Heldrik, wondering.

The men in Eric's colors are evident everywhere, keeping order, standing alertly aloof, spears at the ready. Spears why? Because you can hit someone with the butt end and not kill them...not the same with a sword... There are two, though that come boldly up the steps, to stand below the party of three - Farrag and another Guardsman.

Farrag steps forward to place his spear at the feet of the King. The look on his face is indescribable, and a hush falls over the crowd.

"The Guard welcomes the right full King of Amber, and pledges anew our lives and our service to protect the King, the Kingdom, and its people."

In an older, more formal Thari, Eric replies, "I hail the Guard and its Captain." Stepping forward, he places his hands upon Farrag's shoulders. "Take up thy spear in my service." Quietly, so no one else can hear, he says, "and attend me later, after the celebrations. There is much work to be done."

Stepping back, and turning to take Gray's hand, he calls out in a loud voice, "And all hail Princess Agraynel, my daughter. In the time of your grandfathers' grandmothers, I took unto me a woman from among the Garrow to be my Queen. For two hundred years has she lay asleep, awaiting my coming. My son came to awaken her, and then they essayed, through great peril and danger, to rescue me from the the underworld, where the shade of the evil sorcerer Korum held me prisoner for so long. Now, we have returned, along with Lord Heldrik, a noble knight of great renown in his homeland, who hath won the heart of my daughter. So rejoice! For the King hath returned, and blessings of the Holy Unicorn are upon us all."

The crowd goes wild.

[chalice]

Agraynel simply stands for a moment, letting the mass outpouring of relief and joy wash over her. Then she turns to place a demure kiss on Heldrik’s cheek before stepping forward slightly. She holds up one hand for silence, and waits until she gets it.

“Good people!” her voice is clear and carrying, warm with pride in the survivors surrounding them. “When I left you to seek for my father, you know that I left sorrowing – sorrowing for a lost father, and a blighted land. Now I am returned with a heart more than healed, and I see what you, in your strength, your faith and your unfailing courage, have accomplished for the restoration of this our Amber. And I tell you – Garrow and human, never have I been prouder to be one of you.

“I swear to you all, on my mother’s memory, and with the King my father as witness – never again will I leave you until the work of rebuilding, and the healing of our land, is done.

“Blessed be Amber, and her people!”

[Thanos]

Heldrik for his part smiles when he needs to smile, waves when he needs to wave, bows when he needs to bow, and stands possed liked a returning hero when not required to do anything else. The impression left on the crowd this day will be remembered for decades and told in lands far and wide around this Amber that isn't Amber. It is just then that Heldrik fully realizes that he is dressed in his colors, which so closely approximate Eric's and those of this realm; Black, Red, Gold. One wonders how deep of a connection Gray really does have with the primal nature of reality if unbidden the man that falls for her wears colors so close to her fathers and the place where she grew up. Then again, they could have given her comfort in some unconcious and small part when she was thrust into a situation where nothing was familiar and everything was confusing. Could this have been planned for by my father and Eric in the past, some long distant past beyong all but Benedict's ken? To many questions and the answers just bring even more questions. Best left alone, only time will tell?

[chalice]

Gray turns back to Heldrik, face alight, eyes wild and silver.

"Come and meet our people!"

She reaches out one hand and pulls him to her for a fleeting, fierce embrace,

and whispers for only him to hear: "I do love thee, Heldrik, with all my heart. But this show need mean no more than you wish - I'll hold you to nothing - only let my people have their moment - they have waited so long..."

then forwards and down - in among the crowd to clasp hands, exchange words of greeting and comfort, share the joy...let these people see, and feel, that this is no mirage, no false hope, but a true homecoming.

[Thanos]

Heldrik has done this before on many occations as the returning hero from some war or another, but this time it seems more like a reception for a marriage. Clasping hands with the common folk is never a bad thing, unless there are daggers up a few sleaves, so Heldrik keeps his head about him and an eye out for Gray as well. Never the less he puts on a great show, throwing a few kids into the air and deftly catching them, pulling coins from ears and letting them keep it, kissing a ladies cheak here, and kissing up a little there amongsts the nobility is all in a days work.

However, when the pair of them are near the middle of the crown Heldrik raises a hand and motions for people to take a step back. Due to the force of his presence and the respect they have for the royals present they do. Before Gray can wonder more than a moment what is going on, Heldrik has dropped to one knee and there is a diamond ring sparkling in his right hand, the question is obvious but he askes anyways.

"In the presence of your people and under the watchful eye of your father I ask for your hand in marrage Princess Agraynel?"

[chalice]

Agraynel steals one quick glance over at her father as her colour ebbs slightly then rises again becomingly. After that, her starry eyes are all for Heldrik as the courtly phrases that would form an appropriate public response vanish from her mind and she breathes: "Yes, please."

[Thanos]

The grin that meets her answer lets everybody watching know what the response was even if they could not hear it. Heldrik squizes her hand and says to her, "Your answer, fair maiden most pure, must be a louder than that or I fear that the people might not believe it..." There is a twinkle in Heldrik's eye noting that he is amused and is trying to help Gray in a very special moment for her.

[chalice]

"Oh."

Gray blinks, then tosses back her head, and her merry laughter is clear as running water.

"With all my heart!" she says joyfully, for everyone to hear this time.

[Wired*Nun]

The roar from the crowd is, if anything, even greater, and Eric leans close in to Farrag now, issuing instructions that canot be heard. He nods, and lopes away.

Turning then, he speaks to the green-robed priest nearby, who bows and enters his Temple.

[chalice]

Swept up in the moment as she is, Gray takes note of her father's actions and turns to Heldrik with a comical mock-grimace and a half-laughing, half-anxious: "Oh, dear! I think you're doomed, my love..."

Looking almost entranced, she holds up her left hand, watching the light cast rainbows from her betrothal diamond.

[Thanos]

If only all dooms looked so lovely and were so hard to fall into...

With that Heldrik sweeps her up in his arms and kisses her soundly.

Ahhh.....sweet as the morning dew.

This time Heldrik is earnest in his thanks you's and small talk with the people as his mind is no longer occupied with visions of Gray saying no or chastising him in public humiliation...

[chalice]

It is a better kiss than their first - no shade of sorrow touches Gray's response now.

Mirroring Heldrik, she moves gracefully among the crowd, exchanging a quiet word here, bestowing a radiant smile or ringing laugh there, in a slow, seemingly purposeless meander that nevertheless brings them in due time back to Eric's side.

[Wired*Nun]

After an hour or so of mingling, the three retire to the cool interior of the Temple, where Eric speaks to the high priest of the Holy Unicorn.

"Please go and speak to the crowd when we are gone. You may tell them that there will be a royal wedding in - what would be good - one week? Is that enough time? And that until then, they should go about their tasks with renewed purpose. Remind them that, though a golden age is coming, it still behooves all of them to work together, be vigilant, defend the weak, enforce justice and the Law, obey their appointed authorities, and so on. We don't need riots, well-intentioned or not."

Turning to Farrag, he says, "We will set up in whatever part of the old Palace is best preserved or rebuilt. We need accomodation, but most of all we need an audience chamber. Tell them that I will - we will," he says, looking at Gray and Heldrik, "be taking audiences with everyone, great or small, starting tomorrow morning. Choose a good majordomo from among the People, to screen out anyone you think not fit, and arrange to see the most important leaders first, though I don't want anyone excluded. We'll need scribes, and a trustworthy exchequer to handle money. Heldrik, would you go obtain as much gold as you can easily carry? Make sure the you have a variety of coinage, and that a variety of my, Gray's, and your picture is on the coins. And we need to meet with the leaders of the constabulary and judiciary this evening..."

More of the same follows, the endless details of governance of even a small Kingdom. It won't stay small for long, not with careful application of imported gold...

The rest of the evening is a blur of activity, mundane and trivial, but all of importance. It reminds both Heldrik and Gray why having is not always as much fun as getting, ruling not as satisfying as conquering. Corwin learned that, too, it seems. Perhaps Eric hasn't? Or perhaps he wants us to learn it for ourselves...

[Wired*Nun]

Late in the evening, Gray and Heldrik notice Eric stop, and withdraw to an alcove.

Holding out a hand, he suddenly draws Landon through a Trump contact, and another creature. Landon says, "This is...my means of quick escape. There wasn't time for introductions, I'm afraid."

The winged creature, seeing Eric, backs away abruptly, bumping into the wall behind it. He raises his clawed hands in front of him defensively, and says, "My Lord, what have you brought me to? We must be away, especially from things like that." He seems to be referring to Eric. Eric, for his part, crosses his arms and looks nonplussed, first at the creature, then at Landon.

[TreyKincaide]

Landon sighs and begins putting Eric's Trump away.

It isn't one thing, its another.

He shakes his head wearily and takes a deep breath looking to Eric, "It's a long story. Someone took an exception at my continued presence in Kashfa. He," Landon nods at the creature, "showed up at my window just as someone unfriendly popped in for afternoon tea and crumpets. I wasn't feeling particularly hospital, so I decided to see where the wind would take me. Our flight was cut short and I needed a hasty exit."

He turns to the creature, "You weren't particularly choosy a few seconds ago. If you had a preference for departure destinations, you should have voiced them earlier," annoyance creeping into his voice, "I want to know what the hell is going on. Who and what are you? Who is your master and why does he or she have in interest in my well being? Why should I flee from my father's presence?"

Landon glances out of the corner of his eye towards Gray and Heldrick. His gaze comes to rest on the ring adorning Gray's finger, and he raises an eyebrow before shifting his gaze back and forth between Eric and the creature.

[Thanos]

Same old Landon...

The day had been a hot one in the shadow that he had traveled to, but two suns often have that effect. Many thousands of merchants lined hundreds of levels of shop space in the multi-dimentional bazaar of Spoogida. Here every kind of currency was used in every concievable transaction or close to it.
A small side trip was all it took to find and harvest the precious Flower of Life. It was the rarest item in the galaxy where Spoogida resided, but abundant in a shadow with a planet called Optera. That is if you were in the good graces of the hive queen the Regis.
With the majority of the wealth he made for himself, with but a simple transaction with a desperate old man, Heldrik bought his own section of the planet and set up his own minor bureacracy to run investments without needing him almost at all. It would be a good place to come and get any kind of item he needed in quantity in the future, such as an armada of battleships or a million man army trained in low tech combat.
With the rest he invested in gold and had it minted as Eric had asked. All of this took little time once the right contracter was engaged with the right equipment that he just happened to have standing idle at the moment. A few horse loads of gold was delivered to the Castle Treasury late in the evening with few knowing the secret of how it got there.

When Landon arrived Heldrik had just come up to tell Eric that his mission was completed and retire for the evening in a bed chamber other than Gray's.

[Wired*Nun]

"I am what I seem, and my master is a Lord of the Rim, who uses the name Canthus. I know naught of his designs, only that I was to offer you escape when you were threatened. Of this one," he says, pointing a clawed digit at the Eric, "I only know that he is not even remotely of the the Living or the Dead, and his very existence burns me."

Eric interjects, "He is a Pit Demon, from beyond Chaos. A minor one, by his demeanor. I have heard of this Canthus, he is one of the Great Ones from before the time of Chaos or Amber. They seldom meddle in the affairs of...of men, if you will, though the minor ones are often compelled by those of Chaos with the skills to do it. Personally, I wouldn't just jump into his clutches, but this might represent an unparalleled opportunity...and he did save you...or seem to." The Eric seems suddenly alien, as if perhaps he - it - is reflecting the will of the Pattern rather than that of his former incarnation.

[TreyKincaide]

Suddenly the Pattern has become interested in me as a piece--an expendable one at that if it wants me to make an journey to the Rim. Eric is no longer a man and I tire of illusion. However, as much as I wish I was a free man, it seems my part in things are far from over.

"My apologies, Sir Demon for bringing you here and my short temper. If I had recognized what you are earlier, I wouldn't have knowingly exposed you to a situation causing distress. Unless your master gave you any further instructions following our escape, we will leave presently arranging for your return to whence you came. It's the least I can do."

Landon shifts to Eric's side leaning in close to whisper in its ear, "I'm thankful that you deigned to share knowledge with us most honored family member; I'm pleased to be in a position as to garner your attention. You spoke of oppurtunity, and I'm willing follow this where it may lead.

"I don't really belong here. This Eric is as close to my father as I will ever come. I'm thankful for the oppurtunity, but I've been too twisted by Flora and too close to Corwin for him to look upon me with anything but disappointment, distrust, and regret. Gray has Heldrik and yourself. There is nothing of me in this place and I feel like an outsider.

"However, I know naught of the Courts and I'm not anxious to put myself in a place of great peril. Thus I wish to proffer a bargain as is our way of things. I will do this thing if you grant this extension of yourself free will--maintaining it, but no longer directly interceding through this agent and overriding its...his personality.

"Gray is humbled by your presence and doesn't understand that your actions are for the family's best as you guide us as a father guides his wayward children. Every time you directly act it erodes at the illusion that Eric is alive and may well drive her away.

"What say you? Do we have an accord?"

[Wired*Nun]

"My apologies, Sir Demon for bringing you here and my short temper. If I had recognized what you are earlier, I wouldn't have knowingly exposed you to a situation causing distress. Unless your master gave you any further instructions following our escape, we will leave presently arranging for your return to whence you came. It's the least I can do."

Looking puzzled, and somewhat afraid, the demon replies, "If I understand you aright, you will not accompany me? My master will be foully displeased, and I do not wish to be punished for failing in my assign. Will you not come with me, or perhaps, at least send some message to him to allay his wrath?"





Landon shifts to Eric's side leaning in close to whisper in its ear, "I'm thankful that you deigned to share knowledge with us most honored family member; I'm pleased to be in a position as to garner your attention. You spoke of opportunity, and I'm willing follow this where it may lead.

"I don't really belong here. This Eric is as close to my father as I will ever come. I'm thankful for the oppurtunity, but I've been too twisted by Flora and too close to Corwin for him to look upon me with anything but disappointment, distrust, and regret. Gray has Heldrik and yourself. There is nothing of me in this place and I feel like an outsider.

"However, I know naught of the Courts and I'm not anxious to put myself in a place of great peril. Thus I wish to proffer a bargain as is our way of things. I will do this thing if you grant this extension of yourself free will--maintaining it, but no longer directly interceding through this agent and overriding its...his personality.

"Gray is humbled by your presence and doesn't understand that your actions are for the family's best as you guide us as a father guides his wayward children. Every time you directly act it erodes at the illusion that Eric is alive and may well drive her away.

"What say you? Do we have an accord?


The Eric cocks his head in wry amusement. "Landon, you seem to be talking to me as if you are talking directly to IT. I assure you this is not the case. It's more like...like you were yourself, except you had some strange obsession with certain subjects...say, you were a pyromaniac. It's not that you are irrational, but every time you came across a fire, or an opportunity to set one, you would be fascinated to the exclusion of all else."

"I'm sure that IT will turn its attention to me eventually, and review what has happened, and collect its due of information from my head...but right now, I'm not a conduit. And I do have free will, most of the time...if you really want to guarantee that, you're a sorcerer - start researching methods of the transfer of consciousness from one person to another. In fact, some disembodied demons are rumored to have that ability - maybe you can learn something. If we can find an Eric-body and transfer my mind into it, that would go a long way toward eliminating its influence."

[TreyKincaide]

Landon talks aloud without seeming to direct his thoughts in a particular direction seeming distracted by the sorcerous problem, "It wouldn't really need to be an Eric body if Gray were willing to help. It'd have to be someone soulless, but..." he shrugs.

He blinks suddenly aware that he'd slipped into reverie and looks back and forth between the two settling first on Eric, "My apologies. I meant no offense. When you are in the grips of compulsion the line between you and it blurs and it's a bit disconcerting. Except for your form you were a different being. Even the information you provided on Canthus was noteworthy as in-depth knowledge of the Courts was something I believed to be in short supply until post Patternfall.

"I shall chew over ideas and, perhaps, I'll be able to come up with something. Sorcery pales in the face of a Power. The hardest part will be establishing permanence. A mind link is a simple enough spell and forms the basis of any mental manipulation. However, to make the exchange able to cross shadow poses the main problem. The Courts might well be the best place to start. After that, I'll need to find a fast time shadow to test out some theories. It's the least I can do. I have nothing else that would make an appropriate gift."

He pauses and looks to the demon, "After a bit of consideration I've decided that I will occupany you. I would be remiss if I refused an invitation from my mysterious benefactor. I also would not want you to bare the brunt of your master's wrath angering him unduly with my actions."

He turns back to Eric, "Would you please have someone direct me to Helena beforing having a mount readied? I'd like to see her and spend more time together before I go, but I feel that it is best to leave quickly for our guest's sake as well as that of this place. The people here have a long memory and a justified hatred of the Black Road. He doesn't belong here."

If Eric gives his assent, he'll nod to Heldrik (if he hadn't gone to his room), "Congraduations." He'll hug Gray, kiss her on the cheek, and whisper, "I wish you all the happiness my sister. If I am able, I'll be here for the wedding. That is, if you'll have me." He turns and follows a servant to see Helena. He intends to spend some time with her and see if she wishes to stay here or return to Rome. From there, with Arthur in tow he'll meet the demon and ride out in the night feeling a bit like Homer's Odysseus and Virgil's Aeneas preparing to descend into the depths of Hell.

[Thanos]

Heldrik accepts the nod and gives a smile back along with a long glance while he is talking with Gray to sense if he still has a certain ruby ring in his possession.

[TreyKincaide]

Unless for some reason the ring was taken, it adorns Landons finger unused, perhaps, saved for a rainy day or as a remainder of the torment it gave him during his capture the hope of freedom it symbolized. Aside from Landon's drastically different appearance, Heldrik notices that Landon's hands are rough. No longer manicured, they are calloused from strenuous labor and have the hardened look of a boxer or martial artist.

[chalice]

Gray spends some of the time during Heldrik's absence making wedding plans, but more of it helping with the recovery and rebuilding programmes - in particular, dealing with the remaining victims of the plagues that formerly ravaged Amber's land and people. In between stints of healing and instruction, she dutifully sits through audiences and meetings, and occasionally manages to sleep the sleep of the exhausted.

To Landon's enquiry about whether he is wanted at her wedding, she replies, squeezing his hand tightly: "You don't think I'd let anyone else give me away, do you?"