AmberCourtThreadCourtInTheThroneRoomCourt in the Throne RoomThe Throne Room, the Great Hall of Castle Amber is a large and long room. The width of the room is considerable, and the room only looks narrow because of the great length of the hall. From the anteroom to the dais at the far end of the the room with the throne, the Great Hall has been made ready for its guests, royal, noble, ambassadorial, and otherwise. A green and gold rug runs from where the visitors enter, all the way to a point several feet from the dais. The end of the rug is the traditional spot where people address, and are addressed, by the King. The King is not here yet, he does like to make an entrance. Lord Henden is here, of course, standing next to the dais to the King's Left (and thus to the right of everyone in the room). There are, the Rebmans will note, no mirrors in the Great Hall. There are flags, banners, from every Golden Circle kingdom that has a treaty with Amber. The ones closest to the dais have pride of place and represent the oldest members of the Golden Circle--Begma, the oldest, being closest, on the King's left. Rebma, which is traditionally on the King's right in pride of place, is not present at all. As far as finding a spot to stand, pecking order is purely by rank and importance. Royals get to stand near the front, then nobles of Amber, emissaries from Golden Circle Kingdoms. And then everyone else. Within these groups, people tend to clump together as they please or by the desire to be as close (or far away) from the King and their rivals as possible. Henden watches with a gaze as people enter and start the jockey for position. Every so often he gives a glance toward a spot behind the dais and the throne, and then back again. Meriel, her hand resting on William's arm and outwardly tranquil, allows him to guide them to a suitable spot. From time to time she glances around; the absence of the Rebmans does not impinge on her, because she has no idea where they are expected to be. If she catches their eyes she manages a small but warm smile for Noyes and Priya; Martin gets a wicked look, redolent of old mischief, but swiftly veiled by demureness. William leads her through the crowd, courtiers giving way with nods and curtsies as they pass. They end up near his mother and sister, on the other side of them from the throne. William winks at his sister as they approach, then turns to watch the crowd. Although they weren't in the anteroom, somehow both Asteria and Flora have made it into the throne room ahead of them anyhow. Naturally, they are near the front of the Amberite area, and make room and offer smiles for William and Meriel. "My mother may be here," she says quietly to William. "Do you see her?" "Nay," William answers her. "I suspect she shall enter with the king. He does love his little surprises." "Mmmm," says Meriel in answer to William, casting a thoughtful look at Martin's construct. "You know, it could be a family trait." She glances up at her escort, demureness and mischief mingled. Priya enters with Ostegos by her side, returning smiles as people catch her gaze, and greetings quietly. She makes no effort to single anyone out in particular, though she makes room for someone to join them if they wish. If she is disturbed by the absense of Rebma's flag, it doesn't show. She gestures to where it was, and then to several of the remaining flags, discussing them with Ostegos. As for where to stand, she lets the currents of the crowd decide that. Martin enters behind Gerard, the construct Godfrey to his left, scanning the room almost as soon as his first booted foot crosses the threshold. Meriel and Priya and Noys all get return smiles, and William, Lorius and Gerard's sons get a nod hello. His main attention is on Deirdre's group and the apparent dragonet familiar, and he tries to match their pace so they come close before taking their places. At this point, Deirdre and Aura (and her familiar, which looks like a lizard rather than a dragonet in truth). The trio seem to be discussing Gerard, but as they approach, Nick points at the clockwork man next to Martin. "Hey, look, Aura!" Nick says, pointing at Martin and then Godfrey. "Is he a giant watch?" Nick asks Martin. The woman in question sighs heavily and drags her gaze away from being impressed by Gerard. Martin has what some might call an evil grin. "Don't try to wind him," he warns. At this point, Deirdre and Aura (and her familiar, which looks like a lizard rather than a dragonet in truth). The trio seem to be discussing Gerard, but as they approach, Nick points at the clockwork man next to Martin. "Hey, look, Aura!" Nick says, pointing at Martin and then Godfrey. "Is he a giant watch?" Nick asks Martin. The woman in question sighs heavily and drags her gaze away from being impressed by Gerard. Martin has what some might call an evil grin. "Don't try to wind him," he warns. At this point, unexpectedly, Lord Henden leaves his position as Master of Ceremonies and walks quickly and briskly down the length of the throne room, and out, a guard in tow. A guard stands in the place where he once was, worriedly looking in the direction of the back of the throne. "That's most unusual." Gerard rumbles. Deirdre reacts by giving a long look to the retreating Chamberlain. Martin stares at Henden, then back at the area behind the throne. "Lir, I hope he's not pulling another stunt..." Being her first time in these parts, none of that means a thing to Aura, who is giving the purple striped white lizard on her shoulder an exasperated look. "Nick," says she in an exotically accented, and velvety sensual voice that seems to be as natural as breathing. "Why is it that your personality reflects not the tactful, educated man who created you, but the cousin who often leaves his tact in a jar in his sock drawer?" Without waiting for an answer, she looks at Martin then his clockwork companion with a charming smile. "Pardon him; I fear he got into the chocolate brandy this morning while I was getting dressed, and then was heady with the success of meeting Fiona and not being turned into something unfortunate." Martin's grin softens to match hers. "Ayah, I have that reaction every time I see her, myself." He reaches out, ostensibly to take Aura's hand for a bow and a kiss. "Martin's the name. This is my assistant, Godfrey, and this is his Royal Highness, Prince Gerard." She gives Godfrey a smile meant only for him as he is introduced. There is nothing shy about her appraisal of Gerard before she turns back to Martin. The very cleverly designed purple cloak she wears doesn't give away anything it's concealing when she extends her bejeweled hand and bare arm to Martin. "Aura," she offers warmly. "And Nick, my little mouthy friend. I believe you probably know my mother already." There is a whirring of clockwork gears as the clockwork man bows his head to Aura and Nick. "Pleased to meet you. Request input." Gerard chuckles at Godfrey's greeting, and regards Aura. "Good morning to you, Aura. Deirdre's, huh?" Deirdre gives a nod to Gerard's question. "She will be claimed today, formally." The incredulous look on Aura's face doesn't last long before it's replaced by a smirk. "For a moment, you had me believing Court was going to be *very* exciting. That phrase means something entirely different where I come from." Gerard nods. "My son was supposed to be here for the same purpose. Where Hadrian has gotten to, I have no idea. It's a pleasure to meet you, though." he says to Aura. Aura's smile widens as she looks up at the man's face. "The pleasure is mine. Promise. You would be very popular back home." "Adonia really isn't going to believe this." Nick says. Laughing softly, Aura agrees. "It will give the twins something to talk about, for certain." "Is that part of the surprise?" Meriel asks William, looking around and responding more to the reaction of the court than to Henden's behaviour. "A surprise, most certainly," William answers, watching Henden's progress without showing change of expression. "But not one the king expected, I would wager. It takes a great deal to upset Lord Henden's equanimity. I shall have to buy someone a drink, I think." Still near the door as other pressed to be closer to the front of the room, Priya watched Lord Henden curiously. Turning, she looked from the Chamberlain to the doorway where he was headed. Everyone of lesser rank than a royal seems at the very least perturbed by this turn of events from Henden. Whispers, pointing, and mutterings fill the air. "I suspect." Asteria's voice floats on the air so that Meriel and William can hear it, even though she never turns her head. "that his highness is going to be impatient and appear with or without our strangely perturbed chamberlain." The guard remaining in the place of Henden starts looking nervous, agitated and clearly has a desire to be somewhere, anywhere other than where he is now. His voice is like a squeak...a squeak heard throughout the entire hall. "His...his Majesty! The King!" he says pipingly. "And a promotion for that man," Martin says. His head moves back and forth, splitting his attention between the Chamberlain and the spot where Random should come out. Gerard chuckles at Martin's suggestion. From where she was near the door, Priya watched Lord Henden, concentrating on the disturbance and only turned to look back toward the throne at the guard's anxious, almost desperate announcement. "Who knew it would be so interesting so early on." She mused aloud to Ostegos, but most of her attention remained on the outer room. Dressed in a cloak of royal purple, and with a golden crown on his head, the King of Amber, Random I, steps out from behind the throne. Three women are behind him. One is a sightless Rebman with a coronet and an elegant, regal bearing and dress. The second is a dirty blond haired woman who has more than a passing resemblance to Random. The third is dressed in a Grecian style dress, deep blonde hair in a knot, and also has a resemblance to Random. The guard recovers, waits a moment and then speaks again. "His Majesty the King, her royal Majesty Queen Vialle, her highness Princess Mirelle, and Dulcinea of Maeonis." "Thank you." the King says with a softness that suggests an immediate intimacy and interest in the man, but loud enough for the quiet throne room to hear. Random starts walking toward the throne. Vialle moves toward a spot on the king's right. Mirelle and Dulcinea move toward the front rank of the royal section. Meriel has been watching her mother since her first entrance, but makes no move towards her. Now she carefully considers the position her mother has placed herself in, and the exact distance between them. Meriel's own face is set, and steady. "Now." he says as he seats himself. "I seem to have lost my Chamberlain. However, we have quite a bit of business today, so we're going to get started." Random says in a conversational tone. His expression then turns serious. "First on the agenda..." Random doesn't finish the sentence, and his attention goes to the rear of the throne room. "Your Majesty." booms the voice of Lord Henden. "The Princess Brieanne has a message of urgency." Behind Henden is not just one, but a variety of figures. Brieanne, dressed in a Ranger's uniform of white, will be familiar to most assembled here, as well as Gerard's son Pollux, and Eric's daughter Noys. The two figures behind them are not familiar. Meriel regards the two most familiar to her - Pollux and Noyes - with interest. One of them is elven looking, with pale skin and black hair. The other is an imposing figure dressed in a Begman military uniform of red and black. Despite this mundane appearance, however, there is something unearthly about him, too. There is something disquieting in his presence, rather than his appearance. The two hounds with them, however,are perhaps familiar to anyone who has spent time or even heard of Arden and its lord and his children. Brieanne arrived in Lord Henden's wake, but a step aside. As if his presence were coincidence rather than a matter of him leading her. The hounds paced evenly at her side as she crossed the throne room, her gaze fixed on a spot just in front of Random rather than staring him down. She did not spare a glance to anyone she recognized. "I hope, Princess Brieanne." Random's voice responds. "that this IS worth disrupting Court. Come forward, and say your piece." Her pace slowed to an amble and she stopped perhaps a step closer to the king than others might have, answering with a fragment of a laugh and a slight toss of her head. "As Amber's unbuilt Wall Port I've come to inform you that representatives of several Houses of Chaos are bivouacking in Arden and very intent on an audience with you. And since the fastest way to get Hellmaidens and the like back out of Arden is to help them, here I am." William smiles and shakes his head slightly. The murmurings of the throne room are only muted, perhaps, by the hard and discerning gaze that the King is giving Brieanne, and by extension, the rest of the throne room as well. "The fastest way," Martin says in an aside to his little group, "would be Trump-powered explosives. Maybe some war clanks with steam-powered projectile guns, too. Dad's not going to like Chaosi on his doorstep." "I would say the Chaosian arrival was possibly a prelude to a declaration of war." Deirdre murmurs. Aura just looks puzzled. It wasn't the hounds, or the commotion, or even the elf. No, it was something the woman said. Aura turns to look quizzically up at Martin. "Pardon. Did she say she was the unbuilt Wall Part?" she asks lowly. "What does this mean? It sounds possibly painful." The King seems as equally puzzled as Aura. He looks at Henden rather than Brieanne or her other companions. "A *Wall Port*?" Henden hems and haws for a moment. "Your Majesty, if I may be permitted. Perhaps what her highness the Princess refers to is a clause in the Patternfall Treaty. Under that Treaty, if I might remind your Majesty, the Kingdom of Amber agreed with the Empire of the Courts of Chaos to construct, within twenty years of the end of the War, an embassy on neutral ground where diplomatic matters might be undertaken. The term that the Courts used for such an edifice and location was a "Wall Port." "I believe that the Chaosians in Arden consider Brieanne a living embodiment of that unbuilt structure." Henden finishes. Random waves his hand. "Clear as mud, Lord Chamberlain." He looks at Brieanne. "So representatives of several Houses of Chaos want an audience, Brieanne?" Random grimaces. "And because I didn't build this Wall Port yet they decided the best way was to troop into Arden and send you to negotiate?" "Not really. I stepped out in front of them before they even got to Arden to ask what they wanted." "What kept your father and brother, and for you that matter, from having a hunting party instead? And do you have any idea what they want an audience for, o Princess Wall Port?" The last words are in a tone of amusement layered over the displeasure that dominates his voice. "I didn't have a hunt because we have a treaty." Brieanne pointed out. "They were being mindful of it, so it seemed reasonable to do the same. And they're here to negotiate for a visit from several Houses with... 'an eye to serve a petition for redress of grievances against a Prince of of the Realm who's actions have caused loss of life and property to several Houses'." She was clearly parroting the last from memory, her voice changing slightly in an unintentional imitation of the person she spoken to. Random furrows his eyebrows slightly, taking this in. "Well," says Meriel in a relieved undertone to William, "at least that can't be me. At least ... No. No, I'm definitely not a Prince." Claims against her of loss of life and property are, her tone implies, still distinct possibilities. She glances up at her companion and speaks in a tone not intended to carry as far as his sister. "Could it be you?" "Nay," William murmurs absently, watching Brieanne with interest. "I do believe we're seeing a further reverberation of the Shockwave." Martin, for his part, is watching the whole exchange with bird-bright eyes. Occasionally, his head turns to glance in the general direction of Arden, as if he could see through the wall of the castle. "A petition for redress of grievances. There seems to be a lot of *that* going around this week." Random says. His gaze looks around the room, and then returns to the daughter of Julian and her companions. "Well, by Prince of the Realm, I take it that its not neither your father nor your brother, since they would have taken care of the matter without sending you to me." "Which Prince is it, Brieanne, that they are seeking redress against? Unless you are going to introduce me to more family members that I don't know about..." he looks at the two men behind Pollux and then back at Brie. Brieanne twisted, following his gaze, and the business-like demeanor cracked. She didn't laugh, but she was evidently amused as she turned back to the King. "They aren't related," she assured him, shaking her head slightly. "And the Who is in the Scroll. You'll need the Chaosians for that." She rocked slightly, onto her toes and back to her heels, causing the hounds beside her to shift restlessly. The shifting of the hounds is what causes Martin's hand to fall upon the pommel of his sword. His look, however, is directed in Random's direction: /Any time you want the Chaosi -off- your doorstep.../ Random considers this for a few moments. He looks from Brieanne to the rest of the room. He catches Martin's gesture, and a subtle head move suggests to Martin to hold his action, for the moment. "I don't like those dogs." Nick says in a squeaky whisper to Aura. His grip on her shoulder with his legs is tight and nervous. Aura will also note her mother has taken a subtly more martial pose and has taken to eying the red and black dressed man with Brieanne warily. "I think that's rather the point," Aura remarks drily to her familair. She reaches up and plucks him off her shoulder before his tiny talons damage the fabric of her cloak. "But I'd remind you that you heckle the great kracken on a regular basis," she says lowly, running a nail down his spine. "It's a little silly to be afraid of a dog." That doesn't stop her from eyeing the dogs herself before taking in her mother's position. Gerard grumbles slightly, enough for William and Meriel to hear. Both also hear the soft crunch of his right fist against his left palm, behind his back. "The sooner, Princess Brieanne" the King finally responds, looking at Brieanne "that the Chaosians are here and give this Scroll thing, the happier I will be. I *do* have other business to get done here today." His eyes briefly alight on the rest of Court before looking at Brieanne again, sternly. "You have our leave, as this Wall Port, and more importantly as a Princess of Amber to go tell the Chaosians that *two* of them, can come here for their little presentation. No more. I don't want a horde descending on the Castle. And as soon as its done, I want them out of Arden, and out of Amber." William's hand drops casually to his sword, and he shifts his body weight slightly. There's a small smile on his face. Meriel almost absently reaches down and uses a small fold of cloth in her gown to polish one of the tiny fractured mirrors that make up her belt. "Two," Brieanne agreed, "is a perfect number." But instead of leaving the room, she glanced at the ceiling and sighed. "This is going to hurt." The mumble didn't carry, barely reaching the king, though it did cause both hounds to look up with concern. Taking a single, graceful step back, Brieanne stretched out one arm as if reaching for a dance partner. Without prompting, the honey coloured hound retreated quickly, glancing up to make certain it was no longer below her reach.
Seeing just how responsive the dogs are to Brieanne, Martin's expression grows from a frown to outright alarmed. He reaches inside his jacket, from which issues a click and a soft whine that quickly becomes inaudible. Finding herself between two tense people (Deirdre and Martin); one which she knows to be dangerous, and one she images probably can be, Aura takes a smooth steps back out of the way of the pair of them. Maneuvering calmly around the periphery of the throne room, Priya settled in a place where she had a clear line of sight to watch the proceedings. Half her attention was reserved for the tall man in the Begman style uniform who shadowed Prince Julian's daughter and with an eye to satisfying her curiosity and suspicions, she'd chosen a place near to Begma's Ferla Quist. "The Princess is either going to make my life more difficult, or much smoother." She murmured to Ostegos. "Either way, I feel like I need a glass of wine and a betting card." William's hand drops casually to his sword, and he shifts his body weight slightly. There's a small smile on his face. Meriel almost absently reaches down and uses a small fold of cloth in her gown to polish one of the tiny fractured mirrors that make up her belt. "Two," Brieanne agreed, "is a perfect number." But instead of leaving the room, she glanced at the ceiling and sighed. "This is going to hurt." The mumble didn't carry, barely reaching the king, though it did cause both hounds to look up with concern. Taking a single, graceful step back, Brieanne stretched out one arm as if reaching for a dance partner. Without prompting, the honey coloured hound retreated quickly, glancing up to make certain it was no longer below her reach.
Seeing just how responsive the dogs are to Brieanne, Martin's expression grows from a frown to outright alarmed. He reaches inside his jacket, from which issues a click and a soft whine that quickly becomes inaudible. Finding herself between two tense people (Deirdre and Martin); one which she knows to be dangerous, and one she images probably can be, Aura takes a smooth steps back out of the way of the pair of them. "Thank you!" Nick softly says to Aura. Maneuvering calmly around the periphery of the throne room, Priya settled in a place where she had a clear line of sight to watch the proceedings. Half her attention was reserved for the tall man in the Begman style uniform who shadowed Prince Julian's daughter and with an eye to satisfying her curiosity and suspicions, she'd chosen a place near to Begma's Ferla Quist. "The Princess is either going to make my life more difficult, or much smoother." She murmured to Ostegos. "Either way, I feel like I need a glass of wine and a betting card." "Court can be interesting" Ambassador Quist says dryly. "This, however, is not the usual sort of interesting..." >>> Ferla doesn't finish her words. The emergence of a rectangle of trump >>> energy draws her attention, as it does the assembled members of Court. >>> >>> Three figures emerge from the rectangle. >>> >>> The first is a young man with short dirty blond hair. He is clad in >>> green with accents of yellow. He steps forward and looks about in >>> wonder before focusing his eyes on the King. >>> >>> The second is another man, older, with light purple hair. He is clad in >>> blue and orange, and has a scroll gripped in his left hand. He moves to >>> stand next to the first man. >>> >>> The third person, whom several assembled will recognize as Hadrian, is >>> not as massive as his brothers or his father, but has recognizably >>> similar facial features, and the same dark hair. >>> >>> As soon as he steps through, though, two things occur. First, the >>> rectangle of trump energy pops like a soap bubble or balloon, and >>> audibly so. And second, Brieanne crumples to the floor of the throne >>> room. The hounds, disturbed by this, with growls, move immediately to >>> block any access to Brieanne's form. A few moments later, Hadrian >>> joins her in swooning to the ground. >>> >> William shakes his head and laughs quietly. "Show off," he murmurs in >> a fond voice. >> >> His attention is firmly focused on the two strangers, however. > Meriel glances up from her polishing activity to glance at William > thoughtfully, and then at the group before the King's throne. One hand > drops the fold of cloth so that the dress falls back into serene > splendour. The other hand holds the mirror shard that she was polishing > between finger and thumb. Aura's attention from the spectacle shifts briefly. She looks like she might laugh, but then she manages to stifle it and instead watches the reactions of the room's other occupants. She is not in the least bit alarmed or surprised, and appears to just be waiting patiently for act two. Her gaze finally settles on Random expectantly. "I've got you, brother." Pollux says, bending down to tend to Hadrian. As far as Brieanne, the hounds allow Noys to move between them. Nearby, the man in the Begman military uniform moves a pace ahead and bends down. The hounds seem to be slightly intimidated if anything, by the man. Eric's daughter looks up from Brieanne's form at Gerard. The latter, at the moment is focused on the two arrivals. Random looks past the two arrivals at Brieanne and Hadrian. The King shakes his head and focuses on the two men. "There went your Wall Ports." he says dryly. "Introduce yourselves, and let's finish this business." The man in green and yellow looks at the man in blue and orange. The purple haired man in response steps forward, bows, and presents the scroll toward Random and the throne. "Your Majesty, Random, King of Amber, I am Aldsey of House Jesby. My compatriot here is Kennard of House Chanicut. On behalf of the delegation currently staying in Forest Arden, we bring you greetings prior to the matter for which we have come." He still holds out the scroll. Finally, Henden comes forward from Brieanne's party and reaches for the scroll. This act causes Aldsey to stop bowing. "We judge that you have taken possession of the scroll and under the terms of the treaty of Patternfall are judged to have been served with its contents. As a courtesy and extension, my companion will summarize for the benefit of those assembled." Aldsey looks at Kennard. Kennard swallows. "Your Majesty, under the laws and rules of the code of Vendetta in the Empire of the Courts of Chaos, for his actions in causing loss of life and property, Great Houses Jesby, Chanicut, Minobee, Draynell, Elvina, Wererathe and the Minor Houses named in the document all demand that Jayson, Prince of Amber and son of Sand of Corilaine, be turned over to us immediately for judgment and trial. Failure to do so will invoke full Vendetta against him and any party or entity who either helps him or hinder our efforts in bringing him to justice." You can hear a pin drop in the throne room. After sharing a surprised look with the lizard in her hand, Aura turns to her mother and lifts a quizzical eyebrow. The name of a particular House of interest to them hadn't been named, but it was a Minor House. She would be interested in hearing the names of those listed in this document, but is unsure of the protocol in such a situation. From where she and Deirdre stand, Aura can see Lorius, with a frustrated look on his face as he stares at Henden, holding the scroll. "We've got to get a look at that." Nick whispers to Aura. Martin turns and makes a series of hand gestures; to those in the know, it seems he's signalling to one of the guards to bring medical supplies for Brieanne and Hadrian. The presence of the hounds, and the events at the front of the room seem to have kept the guards in abeyance. The signal of Random's son, however, spurs them to action. Meriel watches the happenings with the wide-eyed interest of one who has no idea whether such things are a common occurrence at court (but probably hopes they are). "Hmmm... they've made my life easier if Random isn't completely wretched to deal with." Priya's voice was still only a low murmur. "I almost feel inclined to help ease their headaches." She confided in Ostegos, but didn't move. "This might break out into conflict." Ostegos says. "Protocol or not." "Tell me," she addressed Ferla, "is that genuinely a Begman uniform?" She suspected not, but it would be imprudent to ask, and most of her attention remained on the stranger bent of the fallen Princess. Ferla looks at the tall man. "No...the colors are right, the cut is wrong, and there aren't the right epaulets. He's not a Begman military officer, whoever he is." William raises an eyebrow at Kennard's words. Random pauses for a few moments, and looks at the assembled room and then at the two Chaosians. "If I didn't know better." he says in an entirely reasonable tone of voice that sometimes has preluded revealing a winning hand in poker "that was constituted as a threat, Kennard Chanicut." Random continues his oh-so-reasonable tone of voice. "I regret to inform the both of you that Prince Jayson is not in residence in Amber. His present whereabouts are unknown. If you haven't already, you might try asking his mother, Queen Sand of Corilaine. Corilaine is not officially a member of the Golden Circle, but I would mind you that your journey there will take you through some of the Golden Circle. Any and all disruption of the regions you pass through would be against the treaty." "If you have no further business..." Random continues. "as soon as your Wall Port recovers, you can be returned to Arden." Summoned by Martin, two guards are now cooperating with those near Brieanne and Hadrian and are in the process of checking on their condition. "Unless you prefer to walk." Random continues. "And from there, of course, you and your delegation will be departing Amber. With alacrity." "Thank you for your time and attention." Random finishes "A guard will see you to a place of refreshment. Two more guards besides the pair ministering to Hadrian and Brieanne move toward Kennard and Aldsey. Kennard looks at Aldsey. The two of them stare at each other for a long moment. Aldsey, his face flushed and his eyes now turned red, turns to look at the assembled group. He spreads his hands as he looks at the room in general and royal family in particular "Surely, one of the assembled scions of the Family of Amber here knows the whereabouts of Prince Jayson of Amber!" Priya looked around with interest, wondering if anyone was going to answer constructively. Martin suddenly looks very tired. "Aldsey," he says in as reasonable tone as he can muster, "if I had the whole universe after me, I wouldn't stay in one place. I wouldn't let anybody know where I was, either. Is the Emperor in on this?" Aldsey looks uncertain. He looks at Kennard. It is Princess Fiona, however, who speaks next. "Prince Martin's question is a reasonable one." she says. "And one that I think should be answered. As for your own, none here have any answer for your question. Consider it null and void. Now, about Prince Martin's question..." Aldsey looks away from Fiona, with relief and back to Martin. "No, this is not sanctioned by the Emperor. However..." he stops speaking in midsentence. "I think the King has just told you what to do," says Meriel, with the air of one being helpful. "Go and find his mother." Having solved this matter, she turns to William. "Is Jayson a common name for a Prince here? I do like his mother's name ... Sand." "The Queen of Dreams," William murmurs. "Oh, that sounds interesting," says Meriel, tilting her head a little on one side. "Right." Random says. "No one here has seen Jayson, and your fifteen minutes are up. As I said, these guards will escort you out until you can return to Arden. You're done." Kennard looks at Aldsey, nods, and the two of them with resigned looks, and escorting guards, head out one of the side doors. Out of one of the other side doors, guards, Noys and the two men with her help Brieanne and Hadrian out of the room. Pollux moves to stand near Martin, Gerard and Aura. "With that cleared." Random continues. He looks to Henden. "Let's return to the set that people came here for, eh?" Henden steps forward, still holding the scroll given to him by the Chaosians. He turns and looks at the assembled room. "Now, Princes, Princesses, and distiguished attendees, back to the correct order of business, " he says, as if the events of the last ten minutes did not occur. "Meriel, please step forward." Aura looks suddenly triumphant. She moves back beside her mother and rises on the balls of her feet to whisper in the dark haired woman's ear. Deirdre nods at whatever Aura tells her, looking more at Henden than at the King. Nearby, while her daughter Shannon remains proper, prim and demure, her brother suddenly looks satisfied and amused. Giving William a quick smile, Meriel releases the sliver of mirror she was holding on her belt, and steps forward, the image of demure meekness. But her long lashes lift once, and she flashes Martin a look of wicked mischief before she advances to the king, the very model of innocence and elegance combined. Martin smiles back, and after Meriel passes, he nudges Godfrey. "Psst. Stand at attention." Random gives a nod to Meriel as advances to the King. Godfrey has straightened up, a model of standing at attention. Lorius' jocularity has faded to a more sober and conscientious seriousness. There are some whispers and comments from further back in the hall. "This ought to be interesting." Ambassador Quist says quietly to Priya. Random gives a signal for Meriel to stop some paces from the throne. "Indeed." Priya replied, watching. "One of the happier duties I have as King." Random says "is that occasionally, I can formally welcome and bring in members of the royal family in a formal manner. We even have several today, but we begin here , with Meriel." Random then looks at the Royal family. "If there are any members of the Royal Family who, familiar and conversant with her good character, that wish to stand second to her and act as formal witness and Second, they may do so now." William glances at Martin. Random looks at Meriel. "Meriel, if you are willing, you may now formally give your oath before the Throne and those assembled, to claim your inheritance as a member of the Royal Family of Amber." Meriel looks up at Random a little doubtfully. "The same one as last night?" she asks. "Can you remind me of the wording?" The latter question is addressed, perhaps,l as much to Martin as to Random. Random looks placidly at Meriel's question and gives a nod to Martin as he moves up. Martin moves up into the Second position that he had occupied the day before, and whispers into her ear. "Just from last night, but sans commentary for Court," he says. "I, Meriel, daughter of Mirelle, daughter of Paulette, do pledge you, Random, son of Oberon and Paulette, rightful ruler of Amber, the service of my hands and my heart until my final death or the innundation of the stars in the great sea. May I never fail you. And may the Unicorn and the Kraken witness my oath." Meriel can feel him smile at her ear. "I threw Lir in there too, but it's not required." Random watches Martin whisper into Meriel's ear. The rest of the room is quiet and attentive, allowing the murmuring cadence, if not the words, of Martin's speech reach the ears of the audibly gifted. Meriel does not look at Martin again, but gives a little nod of her head. Then she drops to one knee, the soft material of her gown swirling about her like the eddies of water caught between river and sea on a cool dark night, when there is such as tide as moving seems asleep, to full for sound and foam. And her voice comes clear and as pure as the light of the evening star when it shimmers across the dark, peaceful waters. "I, Meriel, daughter of Mirelle, daughter of Paulette, do pledge you, Random, son of Oberon and Paulette, rightful ruler of Amber, the service of my hands and my heart until my final death or the inundation of the stars in the great sea." Then she gazes up at Random expectantly. Random nods, looking briefly pleased. His voice is serious. "I, Random, King of Amber, hear your oath and shall remember. I do swear I shall defend you and yours with all my power, until your death or the world ends." Random pauses a beat and smiles at Meriel "And I swear never to lock you in a room with a mirror. May the Unicorn witness my oath." Meriel's face, unusually solemn, at this relaxes into her most mischievous of smiles, and she gives a little nod of her head as if satisfied. The last part seems to have puzzled the room at large, but the brief awkward silence is ended by the sound of clapping that first comes from Mirelle, and then is taken up by Gerard and Pollux. The clapping then spreads to the rest of the family and assembled guests, to various polite to enthusiastic degrees of response. William allows the applause to build slowly for a few moments, then he steps forward and shouts, "For Meriel, daughter of Mirelle! Huzzah!Huzzah! HUZZAH!" Martin grins as he applauds, in his spot behind Meriel. Meriel's smile widens at the applause - and the shouts, but her eyes remain fastened on Random's. Random patiently waits for the applause to die down of its own accord before raising a hand. "Good, very good." Random says. "*Princess* Meriel." he says, saying the first word with emphasis. "Rise. You may return to your place." Meriel rises, all rippling elegance. And then, all dignity forgotten, she gives a little squeal of excitement and throws herself at Martin. "Who is next, Henden?" Random says once Meriel has left . Henden looks uncomfortable and looks in the direction that Brieanne and Hadrian. "Ah. Well, we'll see to him next time. And after him?" Random says. "The daughter of Princess Deirdre, milord." "Good!" Random says. relieved. "Aura, step forward." Aura gives her mother a sly wink and shrugs off the concealing purple cloak knowing Deidre will catch it. She glides regally forward with a dancer's grace and head held high, perfectly at ease in the dress of her homeland despite being surrounded by many who would not - and more then a few who surely disapprove. Deirdre does, with grace, manage to catch the discarded purple cloak. Stopping at the edge of the Royal Presence, she executes a flawless curtsey that accentuates the definition of her legs without giving away more of the tanned form then her outfit already does. The smile she gives Random & his Queen is guileless and bright. "Oh," says Meriel, in a voice that probably isn't meant to be audible, but actually is, "oh, *pretty*!" Martin, his arms full of a squirming Meriel, just grins. "Yah," he whispers back. "You've got a whole world of fashion to discover here, don't you? I forgot about that." "Mmmmm," says Meriel. "These new royals certainly have interesting fashion sense." Ferla says to Priya. "They've shrugged off the relatively conservative looks of the Royal Princesses." "Indeed." Priya replies, "although, from my point of view, they could be nude and I would find little to comment on. Unless, of course, the body art was interesting." Priya answered Ferla with a wry smile and a slight shrug for her scandalous Rebman outlook. Ahead of him, William can hear Asteria's very gentle snort as a comment of her own on Aura's fashion sense. Their mother remains vigilant, watchful, and silent. Random regards Aura for a moment or two. "Well, now." Random then looks at the Royal family again "If there are any members of the Royal Family who, familiar and conversant with her good character, that wish to stand second to her and act as formal witness and Second, they may do so now." A short burst of a whistle from his lips precedes Lorius moving from his place and moving to the Second position just like Martin did for Meriel. Lorius leans in to whisper to Aura, but its a stage whisper audible for everyone in the vicinity "Your Mom can't legally do it, Aura, so I've got your back." Aura flashes Lorius a grin when she murmurs. "You'll do anything to be in the middle of things, won't you?" Lorius grins back in response. Random blinks in complete surprise. It takes a moment for him to turn and look at Aura. "Aura, if you are willing, you may now formally give your oath before the Throne and those assembled, to claim your inheritance as a member of the Royal Family of Amber." Aura inclines her head respectfully. The Oath is not Amber's, but the words ring no less true when she speaks them. She gives Lorius a sidelong look, then begins: "Here do I swear by mouth and hand, Fealty and service to the Crown and the Kingdom of Amber. To speak and to be silent, To do and to let be, To come and to go, To serve and teach, In such matters that concern this realm; In need or in plenty, In peace or in war, In living or in dying, Until the King depart his throne, Death take me, The skies fall, Or the stars burn out at World's End. So say I, Aura of the House of Atreus, daughter of Deirdre, child of Faiella." Lorius gives a stage glance of pride at Aura, clearly meant to be seen by the Royal Court, Deirdre in particular. William nods and smiles as he listens to Aura's oath.. "That's nice," says Meriel softly to Martin. "But risky." "How's that?" Martin whispers back. "It -is- quite thorough..." Random considers this for a moment and then nods his head. "I, Random, King of Amber, hear your rather detailed oath and shall remember. I do accept the service that you have offered, swear not to abuse it, and in addition pledge to defend you and yours with all of my power." Random pauses. "You may return to your place." He looks at Lorius. "You too, Lorius." Random takes a pause. "Henden, who is left?" Aura sinks into another curtsy and steps back two steps before turning and taking Lorius' arm to return to her mother's side. "Dulcinea, your Majesty. And if he is willing, Valerian." "Hmm." Random says. He looks across the room. "Come on, son." Slowly the blond haired man makes his way from the back where he was standing to finally stand at the front. "Yes, sire." Valerian says. "I've decided to accept your offer." Random bows his head slightly and regards Valerian as he responds. "You're a slightly different case, since you're more distantly related to us than most. However, since you seem to like walking in the dreams of just about everyone, I should think that you wouldn't have a problem with having a Second." Random looks out at the Royal family expectantly. "Who will stand for Valerian's adoption into the Royal Family of Amber and concurrent Oath of Fealty? Or, does anyone have just cause to speak now against this?" William steps forward and walks to Valerian's side. "I stand for him, and with him," he proclaims. "My sword to guard him, my word to support him, my honour to uphold him." He bows his head to the king, then raises it and meets the king's eyes. Random shoots a pleased look at William. Beside him, Valerian relaxes after William's words. "Well, only one is strictly necessary." Random observes,. Settling her cloak back on her shoulders, Aura doesn't bother with closing it back up. She settles quickly so she can pay attention to the proceedings. "Better to let William have his day in the sun with this." Lorius murmurs to Aura. Aura just gives him a look he is long familiar with; 'if we weren't in the middle of something, I would smack you upside the head' Martin smiles at Aura, then turns his attention back to Valerian. He's disengaged himself a little from the full-on embrace with Meriel. Meriel barely seems to notice Martin's disengagement - she's now watching Valerian and William with fascination. "You know," she remarks to Martin, "I think William looks even better *without* a frame around him." Godfrey spins his head. "Query. I misunderstand. Why would William have had a frame placed around him?" Meriel smiles sunnily at the metallic man. "It was a mirror, of course!" she says. "He was my target, for ages and oh, ages. But at least he was interesting!" Martin swallows, his face a little red, as if he's trying to suppress a chuckle. "All right." Random says to Valerian, his gaze fixed on both Valerian and William both. "William has pledged to be your sponsor in this, so now its time to pony up your oath." Valerian nods, and clears his throat. "I am Valerian. Son of Fionn. Protector of Lost Broceliande. Scion of lost Crimson. I do not forget those associations, but now stride forward to forge and claim new ones." "Does that mean *anything at all* to you?" Meriel asks Martin in an undertone. "I think I need footnotes ... " "It's okay," Martin whispers back. "We can ask him later..." "Random, son of Oberon and Paulette, nephew to Queen Titania of Crimson, and rightful ruler of Amber. I pledge to you, and to Amber, the service of the gifts that I have been born with, learned, and developed. I pledge to defend Amber against the darkness without. I pledge to be a light within to keep the darkness at bay, until my light fails or the darkness ends forevermore." "I am Valerian, and I do thus pledge." Random smiles slightly. "I, Random, King of Amber, hear your oath. With the sponsorship given to you by William, son of Florimel, I now name you, Valerian, an adopted scion of Amber, with the rank of Prince. So ennobled, I thus pledge to defend you and yours with all of my power." Gerard and Pollux begin clapping. Priya continued to watch, clapping politely at the appropriate moments. Martin gives a raised eyebrow here, but that quickly fades, and he follows with applause as the others do. William merely waits quietly, content to let Valerian have his moment in the spotlight, and waiting for the king to instruct them to return to the assembly. Aura claps when is appropriate and pays polite attention to the goings on. "Excellent." Random says a few moments after the applause ends. He looks at William. "Since he doesn't have a parent or other obvious sponsor, if he wishes initiation into the family inheritance, you may fulfill that role. I will have Lord Henden inform Commander Gerison and the guards." "Yes, your Majesty" Henden says. Random looks at William and Valerian one last time "You may return to your place, William. Valerian, you may join the Royal Family officially, of course." Valerian bows, and heads to stand near William's chosen spot. "Henden?" Random looks at the Chamberlain. "Ah, Dulcinea, my lord King." In a manner similar to the previous swearings of Oath, the blond haired young woman steps before the King at his direction. In like fashion to the previous Seconds, William's sister steps forward at Random's call and stands by her through her oath. Asteria returns to her place with a smile on her face, and Dulcinea takes a place not far from William. Meriel watches with interest and, occasionally, steals a glance at Aura too, the other female oath taker. Aura catches her during one of her People Watching scans and smiles brilliantly at the the mirror clad woman before her attention is caught again. "Does this happen at *every* court?" she suddenly asks Martin. "There must be an awful lot of us - some I never even *heard* of in Rebma." "There's a lot. A couple I knew of, but I'm constantly being surprised," Martin says. "And despite what you did, I don't think they gave you all of the information you needed. That sounds like Grandmother." The next few minutes are an acknowledgment by Random of the various emissaries from Golden Circle Kingdoms for their appearance. The various emissaries, one by one, including Ambassador Quist, step into the main line of the hall and bow or curtsey at the King's naming of them. At the end of this list, Random speaks and looks in the direction of Ambassador Quist and Priya. "Priya Luur, please come forward." Dressed in a Rebman style tailored so that she did not completely offend Amber's prudish sense of fashion, Priya stepped forward from her place in the crowd. Mimicing Ambassador Quist, she offered curtsey deep enough to be polite, stood and made ready to return to her place if there was nothing more than formality to answer. Meriel watches with a shade more nervousness. Martin smiles at the conservative move. It's lost on Aura, who has only been impressed by two things so far. No, three. Maybe four. Random pauses a beat and then regards Priya. "We have been informed that Charge D'Affaires Concheta Ap Nerys has been recalled to Rebma. As Rebma has also recently declared itself an entity independent of us, as such it has no formal envoy to our Court." There are a few murmurings from various attendees at this statement. Random holds up a hand, and the murmur dies down as he continues to look at Priya. Unaffected, Priya waited patiently on both the ground and the king. "Do you now wish to formally name, title and present yourself as representative from Moire, Queen of Rebma?" Meriel watches with almost painful intensity. Arms loose at her sides, Priya tilted her head ever so slightly to regard the king. "No." She spoke with thoughtful ease in a polite tone. "With Triton recovering well," she explained, "my time here may be very short and my unofficial status gives me latitude to assist those who come to me." She paused, the angles of her body shifting minutely as she regarded the king, head titling the other way. "Do we require her assistance?" Godfrey asks Martin. "Or is the presence of Princess Meriel sufficient?" The clockwork man swivels his head to regard Martin and Meriel both. Meriel looks back, surprised. "For what?" she asks. "I know not." Godfrey replies, with a whirr of gears. "The Lady Priya offered assistance, however it is clear that Prince Martin and I would be better served by assistance from you." "However, if something you wish to proceed with hinges on such a formal declaration, I would comply with a request for such." She offered, and then waited for the king's response. Random gives a slight shake of the head. "No, what I wish to proceed with does not require a formal title; I merely wished to give you the opportunity, if you had been instructed by my royal cousin, to name yourself formally as envoy." Random regards Priya for a long moment and then continues. "An informal and unofficial status is sufficient enough for our purposes." Random says. "Indeed, your presence here allows me to reciprocate the gesture which Queen Moire has seen fit to grace my Court with your presence, even for a limited duration." Random then raises his voice. "Princess Aura, please step forward." "Why does *she* get the nod?" Asteria whispers to William. "What?" William whispers back. "You want to be stuck as ambassador somewhere, unable to leave if you get bored? If so, ask the King, I am certain he can find a position for you." "I'm *not* bored" Asteria says in a hiss. "I'm just surprised Random is handing out assignments to newly minted family members who haven't even walked the Pattern." Priya acknowledge Random's statement with a regal nod and then turned toward Princess Aura, stepping to the side to allow room directly in front of the king. Aura shares a brief look with her mother and hands Lorius her cloak before gliding back into the Royal Presence. She curtsies properly before smiling at the Crowns. "Yes, Your Glory? How may I be of service?" "Your Glory. Not standard, but I like it." Random says. He then clears his throat. "The Lady Priya Luur has become the unofficial representative of the Queen of Rebma to our Kingdom and Court. We find that this provides an imbalance which should be corrected." Aura looks to the woman beside her and gives a nod of acknowledgement. Priya returned the gesture with a regal nod of her own. "While there are others we might ask for service in this matter..." His gaze goes over to briefly look at William, Asteria and other members of the Royal Family "it occurs to us that someone whose mode of dress already seems to blend in well with denizens of Rebma may very well also have the social temperament for a brief sojourn there as well as our representative." "Will you serve in this capacity for Us, Princess Aura?" "And there is your explanation," William whispers to his sister. "The king is not so much selecting Aura as he is selecting her bosom." Aura smiles brightly. "Do you think so? In that case, I would be happy to. But..." her expression turns serious. "There aren't any members of the minor Chaos House Ledaal there, are there? It's just that they have already tried to kidnap me once yesterday. I wouldn't be surprised if they are listed on that scroll that no one was shown earlier when those demanding fellows were here." Meriel regards Aura with renewed interest. "To the best of my knowledge," Priya addressed Aura, "there are no members of House Ledaal in Rebma. If they lurk there unofficially and cause grief....They will be dealt with." Her expression and tone were pleasant, but the look in her eyes was deadly serious. "You will come to no harm while Rebma's guest." Priya's gaze remained on Aura as she waited for the other woman's response. "The perks of ambassadorship," Martin says to Meriel /sotto voce/. "I'd almost want to do it myself, to see how Grandmother would react. On the other hand, no I don't." The Atlantean accepts that with a tilt of her head to the Rebman. "No offense intended. They should not have been able to get as close to me as they did in Atlantis. It raised concerns." "Understandable." Priya replied. "No offense taken." She turned back to the king, waiting to see what else he had to say or if they were dismissed. "House Ledaal." Random says. He looks at Henden. The Chamberlain opens the scroll and looks at it carefully. "House Ledaal is a signatory to the action requested against Prince Jayson, your Majesty." Henden says after a moment. "As I recall your majesty, they are an arcane-focused, water aspected minor House of the Courts." He closes the scroll. Random nods to Henden and looks at Aura. "It would appear that the matter of the Chaosian arrival is more complicated than it appears." He looks at Henden. "You said they like water?" "I am given to understand, sire." Henden says. Random looks at Priya and Aura. "If it emerges that members of this House do lurk in Rebma, I should be most interested in that information." He then focuses his gaze on Aura. "It pleases Us, however, that you will accede to our request for aid in this matter. We will speak with you further, before you depart." Random makes a gesture for Priya and Aura to return. Henden looks to the King. "The Matter of the Progress is next, milord." Priya bowed politely and returned to where Ostegos waited. "That went relatively well." Ostegos says quietly. Aura drops another curtsey then returns to her place beside Deirdre. "And so it's done." Deirdre says to Aura. "Yes" Random says. "Prince William. Princess Shannon. Please come forward." "Any bets on whether someone makes a jest regarding a rake?" William whispers to his sister before stepping forward. He sweeps a courtly bow to the throne, then smiles at Shannon. Meriel watches with interest. Shannon smiles back, and moves so that the two of them can advance toward the throne and the King in unison. As they do so, the members of the Royal Family, as well as the hearing gifted Priya, can hear a hum of music, opera in fact, coming from Lorius. If Random can hear it, he ignores it. He looks at Shannon and William placidly. "As the previous visit of the visitors from the Courts of Chaos have shown." Random begins. "the various worlds of the Golden Circle and beyond have been shaken by recent events. Portents, signs, apparitions, and the like not seen since the War have disturbed the..." he looks at Meriel. "normally placid waters of our polities." "To that end, and to show that Amber sees to its Friends and Allies in this time of tumult, we will send representatives to assuage not only the Ambassadors of those Nations gathered here, but their Monarchs and people as well. To that end, I ask the two of you, Prince William, and Princess Shannon, to make this journey." "Will you Serve?" "The King's Will is my duty," William answers in a firm voice. "And my pleasure. Where the King directs, I go. As the king commands, I obey." He sweeps a bow, then stands once more and grins at his uncle, then winks. "I will serve as you ask, your Majesty." Shannon adds, with less color than William. A simple curtesy serves as punctuation. "Will he send everyone away?" Meriel asks Martin quietly. "Does he fear conspiracy?" Martin's eyebrows rise before he says, "Nah. Well, okay, that's always a possibility, but I doubt it. Looks more like he's testing the resolve of the new recruits." "Your service to the Crown is accepted." Random says placidly. A pleased look is on his face as he regards William and Shannon for a moment before motioning them to return to their spots. He then looks to Henden. William bows once more, backs away from the king, then returns to his place. "There is no more scheduled business save petitions and anything brought before the Court, milord King." he says. Random nods slightly and then looks at the assembled members of the Royal Family. "Although Princess Brieanne did this slightly out of order, now is the time for petitions." At this point, Fiona clears her throat. "Your Majesty, the matter we discussed this morning?" she says, in a surprisingly sweet tone of voice. Martin suddenly looks guarded. "Yes" Random says. He looks at the Royal Family again speculatively. "Right. Martin. Meriel. I would like to see the two of you." He then looks at Godfrey. "Three of you, in my office, once we are done." "Looks like everyone is getting assignments today." Deirdre says to Aura. "Oui," Aura agrees. "But when do they start?" "He'll hash that out with you afterwards" Deirdre replies. "Random leaves out the details until we are in camera, Family only. Notice what he's doing with Martin and Meriel." she adds. "Of course, D- Father," Martin manages, with his best approximation of a courtly bow. He glances back at Deirdre and winks. "Idle hands..." he says, soft enough for just their immediate group to hear. Meriel says nothing, but there is a guarded look in her eyes. She looks towards her mother - and then towards the Queen. As Meriel turns toward Mirelle, she gives a small nod, guarded and not very informative. Vialle, on the other hand, responds to Meriel's look with a reassuring smile for her. Random looks over the rest of the family for a few moments longer and then at the rest of the assembled gathered dignitaries and attendees. He rises and then he then nods to Henden. The Chamberlain speaks loudly once more. "On behalf of his Royal Majesty, Random, King of Amber, Court is officially closed. You all may depart." He claps his hands once, and walks toward the back of the room. Once he passes by the Royal Family, the interest and attraction of the non-Royal attendees focus on *him* like a swarm. In the meantime, Random nods to Martin and Meriel to follow him, and heads around the right side of the throne. Fiona pauses a moment, regards Martin and Meriel and walks in the same direction. Now that court is over William glances around to make certain that his three companions made it to court, and haven't gotten themselves into some difficulty from which they shall have to be extricated with finesse, force, or a combination thereof. Through the throngs of people leaving, the profiles of Kiathas, Valric and Devaine stand out... (We'll spin off a new thread for William here) With a glance to Meriel, Martin holds out a hand to let her precede him. "Gentlemen first," says Meriel automatically. Then she gives him a rueful smile. "That way you can fend off frontal attacks while I watch your back." "Heh. K," Martin says and goes ahead. "Remember, things are, er, backwards here." (And so we'll start a new thread for Meriel and Martin) Aura meanwhile turns a positively brilliant smile on Gerard. "If you are not too busy this morning, perhaps I could sweet talk you into showing me interesting things?" Gerard furrows his eyebrows, and briefly looks at Deirdre. Aura's mother gives a small nod, and then steps back, taking Lorius firmly by the arm. Aura gives her mother's arm a squeeze and gives the pair a wink as she takes her cloak back from Lorius again. "I have some business down at the docks." Gerard responds. "If you would consider a view of the city and some of the ships of the fleet interesting, then your wish may be granted." "I am from Atlantis, handsome," Aura grins devilishly. "Of *course* I want to see the ships." She swirls the purple cloak about her shoulders and looks expectantly up at Gerard. "And I should see the City while I have the chance, since I will be going to Rebma soon." (and so we spin off into a new thread for Aura) "Relatively." Priya finally answers Ostegos' comment but then turns to the Begman diplomat. "It was a pleasure to meet you, and I hope we have opportunity to meet again in the future." She offered a polite, cordial bow, but did not rush to depart. Ambassador Quist responds to the bow with one of her own. "It was a pleasure to meet you as well. There is sometimes no telling when his Majesty here will hold court, but if you have any questions, my quarters are likely close to yours and I am easy to find." "Thank you, and if Rebma or myself might be of assistance, I hope you will feel comfortable seeking us out." Priya inclined her head and then moved toward the door, having no particular business to be conducted at Court. (And so we will start a new thread for Priya at this point...) Backlinks |
