AuraTheGirlTheTourAndEverythingAura: The Girl The Tour and EverythingAura glances up at her guest. "If it isn't too much of a bother, perhaps you can show me around the important locations in the castle? I know where the kitchen is, the Throne Room, the dungeons, Random's office, Mother's rooms and the Pattern chamber. But that is the extent of it." "That IS most of a basic start." Dulcinea agrees. "But there is plenty more you should see and know where it is. A tour, Aura, a tour we can certainly do. Work our way up the floors of the Castle." She glances at Nick and then back at Aura. "Perhaps find who else you need to be introduced to in the process. Two Princesses taking a tour of the Castle does attract interest." "Smashing!" Aura proclaims cheerfully. She signs her note with a flourish. With an unvoiced spell it rolls itself up and floats over to drop into the basket. "Shall we be off?" inquires the half dressed woman. "Perhaps he'll have more time to go through it all if we get there before the next crisis. Assuming there hasn't been one while we were drinking." "It'll be telling." Dulcinea explains, letting Aura lead her out of her chambers and into the corridors of the castle. "if we find my father in his office, or somewhere else. If he's still in his chambers, odds are good there may be a new crisis brewing." "Mother" Dulcinea says primly "never said that Amber was a continual parade of crisis and trouble. But it seems that it has turned out not to be dull." "I thought Lorius exaggerated," replies Aura, the basket floating along beside her. She keeps her hand on it just in case they pass through another of Fi's cancelling wards. "If anything he under-reported." Aura's floating basket, or perhaps, as Dulcinea predicted, two princesses strolling through the Castle gets the pair lots of looks from servants and guards. Aura recognizes the route Dulcinea is leading them as being down toward the throne room and Random's office. "Speaking of curiosities." Dulcinea says "What's this new brother of Noys like? I understand you, Noys and Lorius have monopolized a fair chunk of his time since he's gotten here." "He's interesting," Aura says after a moment's thought. "He uses magic that is different from what I'm used to, though it has a slightly familiar undertone to it. He seems to be very sharp too." She flashes Dulcinea a mischievous smile. "He has problems looking at me when I am dressed like this though. I think the poor man is from one of those repressed cultures. And when I was threatening to turn the mage I captured in Arden into sentient statuary to get her to talk, I don't think he approved. Of course I was getting a bit creative in my threats, but still. I wasn't going to serve an enemy combatant tea and cakes." Nick laughs in agreement. "I should think not!" Dulcinea replies. "There are customs in honorable combat to a defeated foe, of course, one must respect the arete that they brought to the field of battle." She shakes her head. "However, Aura, I do not think that the Omphalos qualify as honorable opponents. They strike me as brutish barbarians in the Thari tongue. They are incapable of honor." "As far as Ederyn's prudishness, perhaps he is from a cold climate." Dulcinea says. "But it would be amusing diversion when I meet him to tell that my patron Goddess is ?f??d?t? Urania, with all that implies." "You have three brothers with the same name?" Aura asks curiously. Dulcinea blinks. "No. Just a younger one. Perhaps the Goddess' title doesn't translate well to Thari." Aura frowns slightly. "No, I think it is more that the Urania I am familiar with is different from yours and has nothing to do with Aphrodite. No matter." "But, we are here." Dulcinea adds, the course having brought them to Random's office. "His Majesty is still within, Princess." the guards, a new set from Aura's last visit. "Princesses." he adds after a moment's hesitation. Aura smiles brightly. "Merci. Is he in meetings still,. or does he have a moment?" "Unless he is speaking by trump, he is alone." The guard replies. He knocks the door, once. "Who wants to see me, Vargas?" comes Random's voice. "Your daughter, sire, and Princess Aura." A moment's pause. "Let them pass." The guard opens the door and in short order Aura, Nick and Dulcinea are back in the office. "Remind me never to play poker with my elder brother." Random says by way of introduction. He waves his hand toward chairs. "Should I be worried that the two of you have met, apparently have hit it off, and have come to see me together?" Random adds after a moment. "Oh, tosh," Aura says flippantly. "I have not begun to corrupt her. There wasn't time." Flashing a grin she continues: "But I shall have to have something to fill my time while waiting on Lorius." Gripping the handle of her basket, Aura cancels the spell and sets the gifts on his desk. "Your tidbits of Atlantis, as promised. With instructions." "Thank you" Random looks over the spread of items, letting his eyes rake over them for a few moments before returning his attention, fully, to Aura and Dulcinea. Sitting in the offered chair, she adjusts her pearls to lay correctly. "Which brother should you not play poker with? Not that I would play poker with any of you, mind you." "Benedict." Random says easily. "You'd not think he'd have any skill at the social aspects of the game, but he seems to enjoy playing members of the family like a harp. I never knew dear brother had it in him. And now that I do, I'd rely on games of chance more than skill if necessarily. Eric and Corwin I could and can beat like a drum. Benedict's crafty." "And to think your mother only sent *you*." Random says to Dulcinea. "Am I not gift enough, Father?" Dulcinea flashes a smile. "Fair enough." Random says. Random then returns to looking at the bottle of firewine, glasses, and the other gifts. "Wine, magical jewelry. exotic produce. If you're looking to make an impression on the monarch of Amber" Random says. "You're doing a good job, Aura." She grins in response. "That is good to hear. That is just some things I brought with me. I may have time to pick up a few more things when Lorius and I go back whenever he finishes what he's up to at the moment. I was thinking of bringing you back a matched pair of Atlantean horses. Working with your colors will make it a challenge." "No worries on that score" Random says. "I'm not that much of a horseman, to be honest. Flying contraptions and fast cars are more my speed than horses. You'd be better off buttering up your uncle Julian with horses." Nick snickers. "Daedalus' Wings?" Dulcinea inquires. "Better than that" Random says. "Hanggliders." "We've got those!" exclaims Aura cheerfully. "They look like the wings of great, colorful birds. Lorius informs me they're almost too beautiful to use, but we're nothing if not an artistic people. Anyone with a properly advanced Air imprint can fly without them, of course, but they're a small number. I'm sure I can find a suitable set for you." "The gift of a beautiful hangglider might make you friends with the Emperor of Chaos as well." Random says dryly. "Perhaps a bribe to have him deal with this rogue minor House." "As for the equines, I was thinking more of carriage horses," Aura continues. "Which was the reason for a matched pair for you. Having heard about Morgenstern, I cannot imagine Julian would be at all impressed with Atlantis' horses; pretty as they are. Though I could be wrong. There are a couple already in the stables." "You don't quite know Julian, then." Random says, picking up the bottle of wine and inspecting the label. "Yes, he has Morgenstern, which is suitable for him and him alone. He is an accomplished and enthusiastic breeder of horses, more so than even Benedict. The opportunity to add new lines and traits to his herd would be extremely appealing to him." "Would he try to breed them to Morgenstern?" Dulcinea asks. "Depends on if Aura brings stallions or mares." Random laughs. She shrugs and gestures expansively. “I have plenty of both. I think I even have one of each here already. I don’t recall which one Lorius rode back. I shall have to check; I should look in on them anyway to see how they’re settling in. In our little corner of the multi-verse, Atlantian equines are much coveted battle horses. Despite their comparatively dainty and colorful appearance, they’re fierce and wicked smart. Mine don’t generally see too much battle, obviously. But they keep in practice with the trainers. If Julian is interested, I’d be willing to take him to the Santori Plains and let him pick out what he wants.” "War horses." Random says. "That suggests a previously expansionistic or militaristic cycle for Atlantis." He scratches his chin with his free hand. . "Julian will like want to go, after this latest business with our friends has settled down, of course."" “I shall make a note to look for two hang-gliders for the Rulers of Reality,” she adds with a wide smile. “It will be fun.” "Now you are just trying to swell my head." Random says. "It will work, of course. Merlin is a bit of a different sort of fish. I thought I was going to be the most reluctant of the two Rulers of Reality. That has turned out not to be the case." "He doesn't like to be Emperor of Chaos." Dulcinea asks. "It's good to be the King." Nick counters. "Merlin is Emperor because the alternatives are worse." Random says. "Many days, I know how he feels." Aura wrinkles her nose. "It is a job I would never want. Though I am told that the best leaders are the ones who don't seek out the position. Clearly there was something about you that the Unicorn saw beyond even your perception. I have to say; so far I'm all right with Her decision. I cannot imagine sitting here having this conversation with Oberon, from what I've heard from Lorius." "Neither of you would." Random confirms. "His tastes for decorum, in public, are much more conservative. Me, I was corrupt before I had power. Hell, he'd probably just take a look at the two of you and say that you were joining the diplomatic corps and have done. Maybe even send you to a shadow like glacial DuMarque just to prove the point. You can see where Benedict gets some of that with his little summons." Aura shudders at the very idea. "You'd have to ask Shannon if there are any records about whether or not Oberon wanted to be King." Random says. "He was King before even Benedict was born. Thousands of years. Kind of hard to wrap your mind around. Don't know how much he changed over all that time. And I'd rather not become him." "I can't see Oberon hang gliding," Aura points out. "So don't forget how to have fun and cut loose and you'll be fine." She grins. "And I personally promise to do my best to put a little fun in your life once in awhile." "I'll hold you to it." Random says. He then he looks at Dulcinea and grins. "Don't worry, I'll give it a good couple of centuries before I abdicate and leave it to you or your half-brother. Not that I think either of you want it either." Dulcinea opens her mouth but no words come out. "Oh, wonderful!" exclaims Aura cheerfully. "Plenty of time to see her properly corrupted and for you all to make that most excellent line 'I was corrupt before I had power' into your family motto. Perhaps a t-shirt." "You wouldn't!" Dulcinea says. Her shock seems an affect at best. "She would, baby" Nick says. "I'll help." Random shakes his head. "Dad definitely didn't have to deal with this sort of thing." Random says. He gets a faraway look. "Aint no rest for the wicked." Random says. "Yes?" Random's casual look goes away, quickly. "Father?" Dulcinea asks. Random pays no attention to anything except the trump call for a minute. "Oh, wonderful." Random says aloud. "Just what we need. You're the man on the spot, Gerard. You know what to do. Get out there and see who it is. Keep me informed." The faraway look vanishes. Random exhales. "It appears that Amber has uninvited visitors." Random says, looking at Aura and Dulcinea. "Again?" a surprised Aura asks. "Is Amber surrounded by hooligans with no sense of propriety?" She flexes her fingers. "Are they going to be trouble, do you think?" "A fleet of ships, armed with arcane weapons." Random says. "So, yes, I think they definitely are trouble. Gerard is going to go meet them with Dagny and the emissary from Rebma. Hostile fleets running around these waters are not precisely something Moire likes much either." "I expect in due time he will call again, and we'll see what has to be done. I do wish that if Caine is pretending to be dead, he'd turn up. Amber is short an Admiral and I don't think Gerard's boy feels ready to take up that mantle." "And with that, I suppose if there is nothing else, I'll play with my presents later." He gestures to the items on the desk. "And I thank you for the bribes, Aura." He gives a grin. "You mean Presents, Majesty." Nick says. "I know what I meant." Random grins in response. Aura laughs. "As long as you and your lady wife enjoy them, I don't care what you call them. But you will find I am happy to hand around gifts of Atlantis' bounty. I am rather proud of the place of my birth. And protective." "I can understand those motivations." Random agrees. "I suppose we should leave you to your crisis of the hour. Dulcinea is giving me the Grand Tour and you were our first stop. I will assume you will call us if we are needed to teach our new visitors some manners?" "Your work in Arden has not gone unnoticed by the Crown." Random says. "And my daughter's work in the matter of Jayson was not unnoticed, either. I will keep the both of you in mind." "Until later, Father" Dulcinea curtsies. Random just waggles a hand in farewell. "Come." she says to Aura. "Let's continue." "Au Revoir." Aura gives the King a respectful nod followed by an airy wave; if he was going to be so blasé about it she would follow his lead. Falling into step beside Dulcinea again, Aura smiles at the guard as they pass before turning her attention to her cousin. "What is next on our tour? Hopefully something crisis free." The guard returns the smile, and Aura can just feel the eyes on her back (and probably Dulcinea's as well) as they pass back into the main flow of the Castle. Over the next fifteen minutes, Dulcinea shows Aura some of the more minor sights in the area, including the diplomatic wing, the main servant area, As Aura had hoped, these areas are all extremely drama free. "At least at the moment." Dulcinea says. "I understand the Ambassadors, being Ambassadors continually meet and plot as they are apt to do." The next area up, near the servant's quarters, and "in case there is a crisis" Dulcinea primly specifies, is the security wing of the castle. The head of the guards, Rylac, is not in the office when Dulcinea and Aura come by. Dulcinea explains that the female guards Aura's mother created are housed in a different area. "They have a very great rivalry with their male counterparts." Dulcinea says. "I don't quite think they are your, ah, special field of interest, but I am certain they would love to meet you. They hold your mother in extremely high regard." "I noted that when I arrived," Aura nods looking pleased at the notion. "I am glad to see it, considering everything she has gone through and what continues to happen." She pauses and looks consideringly at nothing in particular. "I should probably brief them on this mess with those Chaosian upstarts so they can keep a closer eye on the people around her. I don't know that any one has thought to do it. I told Mother, of course, but how much she told her guard..." "I believe that the guards would have made themselves visible and active around you had your mother told them of your situation with the Chaosians." Dulcinea says. "In fact, I can't imagine that they wouldn't insist on some sort of action for you as well as your mother Therefore, Selene or one of her lieutenants should be briefed on what's going on. We can go there directly." Dulcinea takes a step, stops and turns to Aura with a smile. "Unless you don't want to be shadowed on a regular basis by women warriors?" she adds with a smile. "Not really," Aura admits. "Especially since I don't know them and we have already had an attempt by shape shifters. However, I do want Mother protected. I will just have to see what sort of compromise we can come to." "Right, then." Dulcinea says. "We'll negotiate a solution" "Where did you learn to negotiate like that?" Nick says. Dulcinea shakes her head and leads Aura to the Valkyrie's guardroom and billet. Its much the same as their male counterparts, except for the obvious difference in gender of the guards. The women look as formidable as their male counterparts., although seemingly built somewhat more for agility than muscle. A couple are tall and built enough to possibly break Lorius in half, though. Aura and Dulcinea are shown into the ready room of their leader, Selene. With dark hair and pale skin, she has at least the same sort of complexion and general look as Deirdre does. The large portrait of Deirdre hanging on the wall, just a little lower and to the right of a portrait of the King emphasises this. "It is an unexpected pleasure." Selene says, rising and bowing. "To meet the daughter of the Royal Princess, and the daughter of his highness in the bargain." "Jessica, the guard who told me you wished to see me, said this has something to do with a threat to her life?" "Yes," Aura says while looking around the office briefly. "There is a minor Chaos House, Ledaal, that has decided Mother did not show proper honor on the field of battle during the war. Why they would know anything at all about Honor in the first place, I have no idea. They're in Amber - well, Arden. I learned this in Court.... yesterday?" she frowns slightly. "Was it yesterday or this morning? Blasted Shadow travel." "Their target is Mother, but they have made three attempts at me; two of them in Atlantis and one here. The first one from Atlantis is in a deep dungeon; the second wave were all killed. The two that were captured here we took to Fiona. One of them I know was reduced to sludge. I don't know that she's done anything with the second." Aura purses her lips briefly. "I have no idea if they've bothered Percy or not. He's been known as Deirdre's son. Which makes me wonder how they devil they found out about me before I even announced myself in Amber." "I informed Mother of this, but apparently she hasn't mentioned it to her guard. She's been through enough already and doesn't need this on top of it." Selene presses her left forefinger to her lips, a gesture of thought. She removes it from her lips and points it into the air offhandedly. "Indeed, she has been through enough already." Selene says. "The Princess does not need to be molested by this House Ledaal or anyone employed by it. And neither do you. It is cowardly for them to attack you in trying to injure The Princess, and it will not be tolerated." "I had received the report of trouble in a shop in the city that Prince Minh favors." Selene says. "Trouble that revolved around Prince Gerard and a Princess of Amber the observers were not familiar with." She smiles. "I would guess that would be you, Princess Aura." Aura nods. "Yes. That was the attempt here in Amber. We gave those two to Fiona. Much of our information comes from there." Selene gives a nod. "What is your role in this?" Selene asks Dulcinea. "Aura is a friend, and we thought bringing this news to you would be valuable in keeping Princess Deirdre safe." Dulcinea says. "I see." Selene says. She regards Aura. "I would guess a cocoon of Valkyries around you would be as unwelcome to you as it would be the Princess your mother?" Aura winces. "It is nothing against you all, but I would rather not just yet. I'm just not used to the people around me bristling with deadly armament. When I have to go to Rebma on my assignment for Random, I would be more than happy to add a small number to my retinue of Atlanteans. Until then, I'm afraid the most I would be willing to follow me around is one." She pauses a thoughtful moment. "I assume that anything they witness stays between me and them? Private things," she hastens to add. "I'm rather more of a free spirit than most and hwile I don't mind people knowing that, it's not anyone's business what I get up to in private - or with whom." "The loyalty of the Valkyries is to the Royal Princess." Selene says. "First and foremost, above loyalty to the Crown. Therefore, unless you are keeping deep secrets from your lady mother, your secrets will be safe. I will assign a Valkyrie to you before the day is out." "As far as your Embassy to Rebma" she continues. "since as we have at the very best a cold peace, as the head of the Valkyries, I will insist on at least one, possibly two of our members coming with you as a bodyguard." Selene says. "That is acceptable," Aura nods. "I will be sure and explain to my Atlantean retinue (that I have yet to assemble) that your people are not be bothered." She smiles crookedly. "They're sure to be ... fascinated by non-Atlanteans." "Indubitably." Selene says. "They will be warned. Monastic celibacy is not required amongst the Valkyries. however." "A good thing, from what I hear about Rebma," says Aura with a hint of a smirk. "Yes" Selene agrees. "While I will appreciate the back-up, Mother's safety is more important in this. She is still not back to her peak and I don't know that she could fend off an organized assault that is sure to include more than one attacker. I am going to consult with a magus or two when I return to Atlantis about putting together something to help." "I have witnessed much the same." Selene says, her voice taking on a tone of sorrow and sadness. "Her experience beyond the bounds of the universe has made her something less than a goddess, and someone much more mortal." "It is better that she is alive than still thought dead, and imprisoned, Nai?" Dulcinea says. "Yes" Selene says, looking from Dulcinea to Aura. "But she is not who she was." "I understand her brother seeks a solution." Selene adds. "Perhaps you should seek him out to combine your efforts." "I will get around to him eventually," Aura agrees. "It is on my list of things to do. Sadly, it is somewhere around number 9 and I am currently on number 4. Things keep getting added in front of Contact Percy." "Oh, not Percival." Selene says briskly. "I meant Royal Prince Corwin. He seeks solutions to your mother's slow recovery and weakness. I believe he is no longer in Amber on such an errand." "As regards to Percival, he has been out of contact for several days." Selene says. "However, given his interests, this may not be surprising. It is difficult to take trump calls, for example, while climbing Cerro Torre." Aura blinks and stares at nothing for a beat. "I must really need a nap. I complete;y missed you were talking about *her*brother. Corwin, you say? Hmm.." "Yes" Selene says. Quickly sorting through what Lorius has told her of Corwin, she decides shortly that it wasn't nearly enough. "I'm afraid I don't know much about Corwin. But I shall bump him up to number ... I have no idea. Somewhere before Percy. Is Corwin a sorcerer?" "He is" Selene says. "He is perhaps not as well known as magic as Princess Fiona and her children, or Prince Bleys, or...the Other" Selene says. "But he was taught at least the basics of magic. I understand all of the Royal Family, save those completely without talent, had it as part of their education." "I did not know he was so talented." Dulcinea says. "There are tales of him dealing with demons in deep shadow, and not just with his blade." Selene says. Aura does remember, from Lorius' not-so-encapsulated history of the family that although Corwin is far better known as a swordsman and ruler than anything else, that he does know magic. Lorius explained at one point that Greyswandir was at least partially made or modified by Corwin. Aura hums thoughtfully again while the other two talked. Anyone would could make or alter a Pattern blade was enough of a sorcerer for her. “Where would I find Corwin?” "I believe he told the Royal Princess that he was beginning his search in a region of shadow centered around the shadow Crie" Selene says. "I know little of shadow outside a few Golden Circle shadows and do not know where that might be." "I know of the shadow." Dulcinea says. "Crie is right across the mountains from Hadrian's DuMarque. Strange mostly-desert shadow, full of magic, the eternally reborn Phoenix is their heraldic symbol and patron." "Sand in everything." Nick comments grumpily. Aura gives Nick an look of supreme exasperation. "You are so spoiled." Shaking her head, she turns her attention to Dulcinea. "Speaking of relatives I have yet to meet, I need to acquire a Trump deck. I would rather call the man instead of traipsing through Shadow hoping to stumble over him. Though the shadow does sound interesting and worth a visit just to get a feel for the magic." "I can get you a trump deck, Aura." Dulcinea says brightly. "There is a bunch of the standard ones in the Library. That's where I got mine." "It is said." Selene says in agreement, amused "that permanently borrowing a trump deck from the library is the standard method of acquiring trump decks in your family, Princess. I'm certain the King's daughter can aid you in this matter." "Was there anything else you needed? And I assume that you will have no objections to me just sending of the guards in your direction once I have selected an appropriate one?" "That is fine," Aura nods agreeably. "The password is ..Nasir." "Nasir" Selene repeats with a nod ."Very well, Princess Aura. A pleasure to meet the daughter of the Royal Princess." Standing, she straightens her skirts and smiles brightly at her cousin. "Shall we go carry on the fine family tradition of re-appropriation?" "Absolutely" Dulcinea says enthusiastically, leading Aura out of Selene's office and back into the corridors of Amber. She steps briskly, navigating Aura and Nick past a sudden and unexpected gaggle of servants, up a staircase and through the second floor of the Castle with unerring steps. "I would have expected Prince Lorius, given his connection to you, to have long since shown you the library" Dulcinea says, as they approach the entrance. "But it is a gorgeous room. He told me that its larger than its physical dimensions, but I suspect that he was teasing me. The bit about the trump decks appearing out of nowhere in the library, though, is something Father said was real." |
