MorningIsDawningMorning is DawningWilliam is up before dawn the next morning, going through sword techniques in the practice area near the barracks. A page stands nearby, watching intently and running over with a flagon of ale or bread and cheese whenever William pauses in his practice and beckons to him. Another page waits patiently in the hallway outside the rooms assigned to William's companions, with a message to them to meet him in the practice area as soon as they rise. William has ample opportunity to practice his skills against the guards during the opening stages of the workout. Their skill range is high by the standards of the common man, although several quantum levels below the best that William can do, of course. The page sent to his companions arrives at the field during one of the breaks for ale. With a sketchy bow, Elias tells William that his companions have risen and will shortly arrive as requested. A murmur then rises from the assembled guards who aren't currently practicing, as a visitor arrives at the field. Deirdre. "Good morning, nephew." she says to William, with a slight smile. "Aunt," he responds with an answering smile and a nod. Deirdre looks healthier than her weakened appearance at the Ball. "Part of the recovery regimen requires some exercise." she continues. She turns to get a practice sword from a set rack brought out as part of the usual practice regimen. "Interested?" she says, turning the brilliant blue eyes toward William as she tests a chosen blade in her hand. "It shall be a pleasure and an honour," William answers. He sheathes his own sword and sets it aside, then takes a practice sword as well. He watches her out of the corner of his eye, just in case she decides to start the practice with a sneak attack. Deirdre seems more intent on getting acquainted with the sword than in a sudden strike, as William chooses a weapon for himself. Once he has selected a weapon, however, Deirdre walks to one of the cleared spaces and waits for William. Once he arrives, she speaks up. "Strangely enough, William, while in that icy hell that bastard of a brother put me in, I kept myself sane by keeping my mind busy." Deirdre says, giving William a salute with the sword and then moving to engage him. William's aunt continues to speak in the practice, something William remembers Deirdre doing with her Valkyries before Patternfall "One idea I had that I am going to ask Fi to implement is some sort of standard spell to define a dueling circle, whose size can then be manipulated within...a...duel." Deirdre paces the last three words as she moves in for a quick set of moves to press William. "An interesting thought, Aunt," William replies, giving way before her advance. He backs away in a curve, not letting her press him towards a wall, gaging her strength and speed as he concentrates on pure defense for the moment. "Both opponents would have equal control? Or would one's sorcerous ability be the determining factor?" Deirdre's strength and speed, at least as displayed in the attack against which William defends and backs away, is good, very good. Its not a swordsmanship of legend, but a swordmanship, or perhaps swordswomanship, roughly comparable to his own. William's defenses are challenged throughout. "I can think of." Deirdre continues to press the attack "of a number of possible schemes and scenarios. At the simplest, perhaps a contracting circle as the duel progresses, a contraction rate agreed to defined by prior agreement." "Or..." Deirdre shows an additional flash of speed to continue to press William "as you say, making the circle's control part of the...duel...itself. I would be...inclined to have the control equal, unless you were dealing with..." she backs off her attack slightly, offering an opening for a ripsote or counterattack. "Mageblades." "I can see it as an interesting way..." William feinted going for the opening she had left, but at the last minute turned it into a parry of the attack he expected her to make when he went for the bait, "...to even the field in a duel between martial and..." he made a feint of his own, a high attack which he aborted, spinning around to come in low at his aunt's leg, "...more sorcerously talented duelists." William's instincts are good, and his feint-turned parry does meet Deirdre's counterattack. The speed of both him and Deirdre lets the blades ring on each other like a musical note. The aborted, changeup attack by William, similarly, comes tantalizingly close to striking home on Deirdre's leg. A definitely weak point on his aunt at the moment, as she dances out of reach of the strike, but the retreat is not as quick as William might expect, given reputation and previous experience. "And do *you* consider yourself in that latter category?" Deirdre enquires. After the clever clash of blades, Deirdre's next exchange with William goes for more strength based attacks, using leverage and muscle power to try and turn the next set of passes into a contest of brute force. "I?" William laughs, matching her style and pitting his strength against hers in a series of powerful attacks. He's interested in seeing how much she has recovered from her ordeal. "Whatever small talents I have in that direction, they are mere diversions." "Now..." Deirdre goes on the defense against William's power attacks, waging a fighting retreat between blow trades "is that modesty talking, William, or do you truly think that its a sideline to your main talents?" It seems clear as Deirdre responds to William's blows that her strength is definitely not that of the woman who broke a Weir's back like a matchstick. In point of fact, her strength currently seems only comparable to William's, if not even a little weaker. "A few tricks, Aunt," William answers easily. "Nothing more." He feints once more, then with a sudden powerful sweep of his blade attempts to disarm her. Deirdre sees it coming, she's good enough that she knows William is going to try it. William is good, though, and strong, and disciplined. And its already clear that Deirdre is not at her best. The practice blade rings against Deirdre's and hers is loosed from her grasp, spinning like a flipped coin end over end until it hits the ground. As the sword leaves her hand William takes a quick step back, bringing his own sword up in a salute to his aunt. He waits to see if she wishes to recover her blade and continue. Deirdre picks it up with cat-like speed, but instead of continuing the attack, she steps back and salutes William. "Now that hasn't happened in far too long." she says with an ambiguous smile. "Thank you, William." Behind her, William can see Kiathas, Valric and Devaine striding up. "I shall remember this moment always, Aunt," William answers with a smile. "For I have no doubt it is the one and only time it shall ever occur." "Perhaps." Deirdre gives a mysterious smile. He nods past Deirdre's shoulder. "Ah," he says. "My Aunt, may I present my good friends and true? The noble warriors Devaine, Kiathas, and Valric. There are none I trust as I do these, the comrades of my heart. Friends, my aunt, the Princess Deirdre." "We saw her briefly at the Ball." Valric says. "Indeed." Deirdre confirms with a nod to all three. Even with his grin, Valric offers a bow. Kiathas offers a less sketchy one, and Devaine curtesies. "Your Highness." she says. "It is good to see you are recovering." "Steadily so." Deirdre confirms. She turns back to William. "Until our next meeting, nephew." She gives a brief smile to rival his mother's, and then walks away, briefly stopping to entrust the practice sword with one of the guards before striding back toward the Castle. "It might be a lucky thing that we are leaving soon." Kiathas says. "The tale of your disarming her is going to be all over the Castle by the end of the day, if not the week." "Good," William replies absently, watching her depart. "Do you think she let you do it?" Devaine prompts. "Nay," he answers slowly. He says nothing more until Deirdre is out of sight, then he turns to face his friends. "Let the king worry over whether she is truly Deirdre or not," he says quietly, low enough that no one but his three companions can here. "If she is, she has suffered greatly, for I would never have been able to defeat mine Aunt in such a manner." Kiathas and Valric turn to see the direction in which she departed, although she is no longer visible. Devaine just regards William thoughtfully. "Its impossible for we three to tell." Devaine says. "Perhaps a child of her would know best. And if she isn't who she really is, she'll be found out quickly, yes?" William shrugged the matter off, and his accustomed smile returned. "This morn I have a meeting with the captains of our ships," he says. "And I would have you three there, if you have no pressing engagements. It will show them that you stand in my high confidence, and I would like to have your impressions of the various officers after the meeting. We have enough time to break our fast with something more than bread and cheese. The rest of the day must be spent in preparing for travel, for I mean to sail with the morrow's morning tide." "We have nothing meaner than packing and preparing our gear." Kiathas says confidently. "Except Valric has a lady he has to..." Valric gives Kiathas a look. "Perhaps not." Valric says, taking up the conversation. "No, it would be well, if we are to conduct this voyage as your uncle wishes, that we should be there to meet the Captains. For their sake, and ours, as you say." "Let us get to breaking our fast then." Devaine offers. "Indeed and in deed!" William answers heartily. "I find myself in need of a large, filling breakfast. It shall proves a most hectic day, I have no doubt." And he sets aside the practice blade, takes back his own sword, and leads his companions to food. Without much more ado or fanfare, William and his companions head back to the Castle. There is only the briefest and softness of murmuring from the guards as they pass, and the quartet can soon find themselves arriving the breakfast nook. Food is laid out, and in fact as William, Devaine, Kiathas and Devaine come in, Castor is on his way outwith a large covered tray. Crumbs at the corner of the mouth suggest that, despite his carrying the tray, he has already partaken of the morning's repast. He maneuvers to allow the quartet to enter. "Good morning, cousin." Castor says to William. He gives a nod to each of William's companions. "And a good morn to you as well, good coz," William answers. He nods at the tray. "Food for the masses, is it?" Castor shakes his head with a smile. "Nay, just for my brother, William." Castor pauses and then grins with a shake of the head. "Castor, that is. Still getting used to having *another* brother." "Any way, we got in last night, and he is somewhat under the weather after our adventures. Won't go to the infirmary, of course, but he's well enough to harangue me to bring back extra food for him." "Nothing serious, I hope?" William asked. He smiled. "My blade is ever ready to aid you, should you need assistance for vengeance or defense." "In truth it was deadly serious." Castor replies, deadpan. "However, the situation as it stands is currently resolved. The situation may yet call for arms; your blade and arm would be more than welcome if that should occur." "And his friends?" Kiathas asks. "If it were to come to it, spare blades would not be turned away." Castor says to him. Castor then looks back at William. and raps the side of the tray with a finger. "If I let this get too cold, Pol will just talk me into getting him some more." "He may well send you back in any case, as I recall his appetite." William reaches out and clasps Castor's shoulder with his right hand. "Be well, coz, and my regards to your brother. Your brothers." "I will, William. Be well, you and your companions." He releases Castor and continues on into the breakfast nook. William and his companions have, thanks to their early rising, the breakfast nook to themselves for nearly a bell, for conversation, and of course tucking in. Near the end of the bell, as time starts to grow short for the meeting with the Captains of the ships, someone near, dear and very familiar to William sweeps in with with a smile, dressed in a vision of blue and gold. His sister. "Grand frère!" she exclaims. "Dear sister!" he responds, rising from his chair and sweeping her into a brotherly embrace. He hugs her for a moment, then releases her and kisses her cheek. "Has Mother told you the harrowing story of her mirror?" Asteria withdraws a bit after the embrace, smiles and cocks her head in William's direction. "Only too briefly, she did not want to plague me with the details. Only that you, with the help of our new distant cousin, dealt with something that came out of the mirror and accosted her." "It sounded dreadfully like something from a tenth-crown pulp novel, except that Mother is not prone to inventing fictions. At least aside from the novel or two she wrote while in her shadow." Asteria finishes. "Join us, sister," William says, holding a chair for her. "We have only a few minutes before we must depart for the docks, so let me sketch out, most speedily, what we know." Like a rare bird, Asteria finds a seat to perch on, but does not make a move toward food or drink. He gives her a quick run down of the story of the creature coming out of the mirror and attacking Flora, and then what he and Fiona learned from it. Asteria listens intently, with an intelligence and keeness to her mien far beyond the vapidity that she sometimes projects to others. Not interested too deeply in the details they have already heard, Kiathas and Valric finish their plates. Devaine does cock a ear toward William and his sister. Asteria asks a few brief questions, short, to clarify the sequence of events. "Now," he says, "The King is sending me to tour the Golden Circle, on a diplomatic mission. And I intend a private mission of mine own, to convey Mother's displeasure." He smiles. "This is, needless to say, all quite sub rosa." "Good!" Asteria says with a gleam in her eye once the tale and the plan is told. "Such impertinence on the part of this sorcerer and its pet should be responded to, and forcefully. Its not for nothing that Mother carries 'surprises' whenever she travels shadow." "Its well that you'll have Shannon behind you on this." Asteria comments. "Her reticent librarian act is a pitch perfect one, but I know better." "But, then, dear brother, I think none of us are solely or quite the archetypes that we pretend to be." "I'll take good care of Valerian for you while you head off." she adds with a wicked smile. William chuckles. "That'll do him a great deal of good," he says. "Random's going to have him running sorcerous errands. He needs something to take his mind off business from time to time." A wicked smile, the twin to hers, appears on his face. "Drop hints that your murderous brother is very protective of you," he says, "And liable to challenge him to a duel if he dallies with you. Wait until after he's dallied to do it, though. That should prove amusing." Valric chokes slightly at William's devilish suggestion. Asteria ignores the interruption. "Oh, my dear brother, I have missed you; you have spent far too long away in shadow." Asteria responds with a smile. William grimaces them, the smile slipping a bit. "As for acts and masks," he says, "I fear my well-developed reputation as a swordsman and gallant uninterested in sorcery is taking a beating. With all the threats coming at us from so many directions, I've had to be less discrete than is my custom. Even the newly returned Deirdre was dropping hints this morning that she knows I'm more talented than I let on." He sighs. "Ah, well, mayhaps I can claim the lackadaisical nature of a dilettante, a mere dabbler in arcane matters. People should believe that, do you not think?" "If one reputation slips and falters, having a second, or a third, or even a fourth in reserve is wise." Asteria says after a moment to compose a reply. "I have been fortunate enough that my reputation has remained mostly intact, although I fear that my own mask for being untalented and unknowledgeable has been at least briefly exposed by a number of our perceptive relatives." "Let the redheads remain sorcerers forever, let the Faiellans remain bloody minded for all time. You and I, dear brother, will follow our mother's lead; we'll reinvent ourselves as needed and always remain interesting." "To being interesting!" William toasts, raising his cup of coffee. Asteria gives a smile. He drained it, then set it down. "And now, we really must be going. Time presses. If you'd like to come with us, we can talk more on the ride to the docks. It's going to be dry planning once we get there, and then a scramble to get everything ready for an early morning departure tomorrow. I fear I won't have time for much sociality before we depart." "No." Asteria shakes her head with a smile. "I fear that I may have been too much of a delightful distraction to your dry planning needs already." She rises from her seat and embraces William. "Do take care of yourself, dear brother, and do Mother and I proud. Not that I have any doubt of your ability to do so." William returns the embrace. "Watch out for Mother," he says. "I shall trump you or her once I've handled the little problem of this over-reaching sorcerer," he says. "Or if I find more information that she needs to know." He kisses her cheek, and then he and his companions are out the door and on their way to the stables, and thence to the docks. The trip to the stables, obtaining mounts for the journey to the docks is a relatively smooth one. Oh, there are snatches of conversation amongst the grooms about a "devil horse brought by the Princess that Lorius trumped in with". One of the guards, overhearing this, insists they are wrong, and that it was Martin who trumped in a bunch of people last night, including the new Rebman Ambassadress."Gossip seems to be choice for breaking their fast this morning." Valric observes as William and his three companions are finally seated and set for the journey to the docks. Once away from the Castle, the morning's journey is modestly cool, and mostly pleasant. "Gossip seems to be choice for breaking their fast this morning." Valric observes as William and his three companions are finally seated and set for the journey to the docks. Once away from the Castle, the morning's journey is modestly cool, and mostly pleasant. "Gossip is the fastest thing that spreads in a castle, town or a kingdom." Valric observes. Its nearing eight bells as William, Valric, Kiathas and Devaine reach the docks, and the waiting Narcissus and Peryton. "The larger the ship, the less the chance for seasickness." Kiathas comments. "Or so it is said." "Said by whom, exactly, Kiathas?" Devaine counters, looking at William and then adding "Peryton is going to be our flagship and Narcissus our herald?" "That is the plan," William answers. "Narcissus is a quick and nimble lady, and Peryton a grand and noble killer. Let us meet their captains, and see what sort of men serve my good uncle these days." He spurs his horse down the wharf, and slides off its back at the foot of the gangplank to the Peryton. The midshipman who awaits William and his companions to take care of their horses is not the gulled and cowed one from yesterday. The dark haired young man is a bit older, and less intimidated by Amberite horses, taking them down the dock as soon as William and his trio of friends are dismounted. "You must be Prince William. Sir." the man at the top of the gangplank gives a naval salute. "You and your companions are welcome aboard the Peryton. Captains Jalava and Metzger, and of course Royal Prince Gerard are in the Commodore's Cabin awaiting your arrival." "I'm Tobias and I am first mate." he adds, adding a gesture to his previous welcome. He turns to one of the younger sailors. "Inform Captain Jalava that the Prince and his companions have arrived and will be there presently." The boy of twelve years heads in the direction of the forecastle. William introduces his companions. Tobias gives nods to each of the trio. Valric returns the nod. Kiathas gives a bob of the head, and Devaine gives a smile. Tobias leads the group to the fore. Some of the sailors stop to regard the group following the first mate. Most are far more disciplined with various tasks. On their way to the briefing William asks Tobias, "How do preparations go for the trip? Will all be ready for the morning tide on the morrow?" "Truthfully, milord." the first mate puffs out his chest a bit. "We could have sailed this morning. The slackers on the Narcissus are not yet ready from what I fear. I do not speak ill of Captain Metzger, but he is new to the Captaincy, and why he only commands a smaller ship." "However." Tobias finishes as they approach the door. "I have no doubt that his Royal Highness will ensure both ships are ready for your departure on the morrow. Morning tide is just before seven bells of the Morning Watch." "Excellent. Once we're done here I'll back to the castle to light a fire under the tails of the diplomats, to make certain they understand that they're here on time or left behind. If all goes according to plan," William smiles at Tobias, sharing the unspoken jest that things seldom go according to plan, "If all goes according to plan, then we shall be sleeping on board tonight. I trust our cabins will be ready for us?" "Of course, milord." Tobias responds. "We in the Royal Navy pride ourselves on our state of readiness. Your expedition will not suffer delay from our end." "The quarters for the four of you, and the Princess Shannon are in a state of readiness against such an eventuality. Tobias replies. "Even if I expect the Princess not to accept the offer." The pale-skinned first mate pauses. "The quarters for the envoys, however, are to be readied today. Or else we might do well to have them on board the sooner!" he laughs. William laughs as well. "I am pleased to find the Navy remains as fleet and maneuverable as ever," he says, Tobias soon stops at a door and raps on it. "Milord Prince Gerard?" Tobias calls loudly. "Prince William and his companions have arrived." The familiar voice of William's uncle booms through the door. "Have them enter!" "Well met, Uncle!" William exclaims as he opens the door and enters, followed by his companions. He nods to the assembled officers, and waits for Gerard to make the introductions as he weighs them in his mind. Gerard is standing near a large table, splayed out with maps. Four other officers, three Captains and a Commander, are arranged around the table as well. Each of them look up as William and his trio of companions enter the relatively spacious cabin. "Excellent. Gentlemen, this is my nephew the Prince William, and his three companions." Gerard pauses a moment. "Kiathas, Valric and Devaine." he says as his head nods to each of them. Gerard pauses a beat and then continues, looking back at William. "Now, nephew, this is Captain Jalava, Captain of this very vessel" he indicates the white haired middle aged looking man (casting call:Omar Sharif), "Captain Metzger, who commands the Narcissus." Gerard indicates a younger, dark haired man. (casting call:Dougray Scott ). "And these are Captain Kei and Commander Naoto..." he gestures to the two officers who look like they have stepped out of Japan on Mother's shadow. "They are not accompanying you on the mission per se, however, their perspectives I felt were going to be valuable in this briefing, so I have asked them to participate this morning." Jalava gives a nod to William. Metzger does this as well, murmuring "My Prince." Captain Kei and Commander Naoto each bow formally to William. "Gentlemen," William responds with a nod of his head. "It is a pleasure." He looks to his uncle. "Shall we discuss the diplomatic mission this is ostensibly all about first?" he asks, "Or do you want to go over what you're actually interested in?" He gestures to his three companions. "My friends have my full confidence, Uncle, so assume that anything you said in this meeting would be repeated to them, even if they were not here." "All right." Gerard says, and gives nods to each of the officers assembled. "He's a sharp one, milord." Jalava says to Gerard in response "For one not born to the salt and water line." He looks at William and studies him. "His sharpness is of the reasons why he is here, Jalava." Gerard responds. He then looks to William and his companions. "No, I think we can safely skip over the cover story and deal with the real reason for this expedition--the fate of the Blackhawk." "Let's begin with this." Gerard pulls out a sketch on parchment paper. The image is of a man, bald, with dark eyebrows and even darker eyes. "Captain Gavril Rostov. Captain of the Blackhawk." Gerard explains. "I have a list of his crew, as you asked as well. Captain Kei and Commander Naoto know Rostov well, which is why I invited them as well to this meeting." Gerard explains. "I thought you might want to put questions to them." Kei and Naoto together give a bow of the head in William's direction. "Let us go over what is known, first," William answers. "The ship vanished during the Shadowstorm, and has not been seen or heard of since, correct? I assume by now sorcery has been attempted. With what results? And what else has been done to search for it? There's no reason for us to duplicate work already done." "Hai." Captain Kei says. He looks to Gerard who gives a nod. Kei turns back to William and speaks. "Captain Rostov's usual patrols, when Naoto-san and I served under him was the Menuis-Gaiga-Felis route. And we understand he was on a variation of that route when the Storm hit. You have perhaps heard that the Queen of Gaiga has recently closed her borders?" Kei says. He seems to take this as either a rhetorical question or that he expects William to know this, for he continues. "There are no traces, by means of Water Sorcery, of his ship in the waters along his route between Menuis and Felis. There have been no signs of survivors." "We have not been in communication with Gaiga since the storm, and I have suggested to his Royal Highness that a full investigation would best begin in that vicinity." Kei finishes. Gerard nods. "I've had naval units in Felis and in Menuis look in their waters but we have had no success with ordinary means and sorcery. I think we can safely dismiss looking in those shadows randomly." "Gaiga is a nut that I wouldn't mind you cracking, William. While with a closing of their borders they can deny entry to most Amber naval vessels, the treaty states that members of the Royal Family can enter such shadows. And the treaty status does remain intact." "Even if there is no evidence that the ship is there, it would be in any event the place to begin searching with the Pattern." Gerard suggests. "Or, if you prefer, trying to trace the ship's route with the Pattern, starting with Menuis. If things weren't a mess here, I would have long since tried that myself." William nods thoughtfully. "This will work out excellently well," he says. "We'll travel from Amber to Menuis, to check with our dear ally on their experiences with the Shockwave, and to express our concern over the dangerous state of their relations with Corilaine ands Euterpe. While there, we can pick up what information is available among the docks. Thence, to Gaiga. I am very interested in what they're hiding." He grinned. "And besides, we need to make a point about the facts to the entire Golden Circle. While we might grant them the right to close their borders, they need to know that in practice that's not something they should do." "Some practices should only remain on paper." Gerard says in a tone of agreement. There are murmurs of agreement from the other officers. William nodded again, more decisively. "Where we go after that will depend on how things have gone up to then. Deiga, most likely, although possibly Felis. In any case, I eventually plan on making my way to Kashfa to meet with our dear cousin, and poke the perennial Eregnor blister." Gerard can't help but smile at this. William looked at Kei and Naoto. "It needs to be asked," he said. "Is there any possibility, any possibility at all, that Rostov could have been turned by someone? We're planning this as search and rescue, but I must consider that he could have been bought out from under us." Kei looks at Naoto expectantly. Naoto looks uncomfortable, as if he were a bird in a room full of hungry cats. "Say it, boy." Gerard says with a moderate tone. "William and his companions won't bite, and neither will I. What do you know?" The young commander gulps. "I do know that the Captain, Rostov that is, he had a taste for a woman." "Women?" Gerard clarifies. Naoto shakes his head. "No...no, sir. It was always one person in Felis. We sometimes were slow in getting out of the shadow. Captain always coming back late. So...so I followed him a couple of times." "He always went to one particular noblewoman's house. Never got a look at her, though." Naoto says. "I never wanted to be caught. I...I figured it wasn't any of my business. Only told the Captain here." he looks at Kei. "And I, William-san, only thought it a in-port romance, albeit with rich tastes." Kei puts in. "It could still be that is all it is," William observes. "But we'd be fools indeed not to consider that she might have either corrupted or betrayed him. You did not see her, you say, but do either of you know whose house it was?" "Many of the noble families in Felis, William-san, have houses and compounds in Djane." Kei replies. "The house that Captain Rostov frequented belongs to the Noble House of Al-Ishtus." "Never heard of them. Not the Felian Royal Family?" Gerard asks Kei. "No, no milord." Kei says quickly. "It was not the royal compound in the city. It was a compound, elegant, easily memorable, but significantly smaller." "It would not be difficult for you to locate." Kei turns back to William. "I shall get the details on where it is from you before you leave," William tells Kei. Kei bows to William. "Hai." "William looks at his uncle thoughtfully. "I had planned that we should travel to Menuis first, thence to Gaiga. Now, though, I'm wondering if it might prove more beneficial to travel to Felis first, to seek out and question this lady? The problem here, of course, is that if anyone is watching our little diplomatic mission with suspicion, our travel to so minor a shadow before others of more import and with long-standing relations with Amber will do little to lower such suspicions. What do you think, Uncle?" Gerard regards William for a moment, then looks down at his map and looks back at William and his companions. "My sister, your Aunt, Leona, who lives there, and your cousin Astin might reject the notion of Felis being a minor shadow." Gerard rumbles with a smile. "However, in the scheme of things otherwise, it is not particularly noteworthy. Too dry and sandy for my taste." William grins back at him. "No, I would counsel you on holding off on questioning the lady from Felis until later in your trip." Gerard continues. "Especially since by that point in the trip, if there are any prying eyes, you. Shannon and your friends will hopefully have smoked them out, or learned to feed them misinformation." William nods in agreement. "This all sounds most well to me," he answers. He looks to his three companions. "Have you any questions or thoughts on the matter of our missing ship and crew?" he asks. "Let me just say." Valric pipes in "that I mislike the idea of traveling ito the desert. I vote, if I have a vote, for postponing the aspect of this mission as long as possible." Kiathas says nothing; Devaine barely restrains rolling her eyes. Instead, she clears her throat. "I do, William." She looks at William for approval, and then regards Gerard. "Milord." Devaine says with a slight curtsey. "How long has Captain Rostov been in the service?" Gerard grunts approval. "Good question. Devaine, isn't it? Rostov's s an old hand in the Navy. He's been in the Navy since before the days of King Eric. Point of fact, he became a Captain in the aftermath of the naval portion of Corwin's attack on Amber. We lost a fair amount of officers in those engagements." "It was a time of rapid promotion." Captain Kei confirms. Devaine gives a nod. "He hasn't risen above Captain in that time, though?" Kiathas asks. Gerard shakes his head. "No. He didn't seem to be made of material to command more than a single ship." "Hmm." Valric says. "I think that is telling. Possibly a coincidence, though." "Possibly." Kiathas says, in a tone that suggests he is not convinced of that. Devaine gives a small nod of her head and looks to William expectantly. William nods back at her, then looks to the men who had served with Rostov. "Did the captain ever evidence any anger or disappointment at having been passed over for greater command? Any comments that might have made it seem he thought himself ill used?" Commander Naoto and Captain Kei regard each other for a moment. They look at Gerard, the other Captains present and then give each other a nod. Kei turns back to William. "Milord Prince, a good Captain understands that service to the Crown is a privilege, not a right. Certainly, to be promoted is a matter of being seen and fortune as well as skill. And not all who have a wonderful temperament to command a ship have a temperament to command more than a single ship." "Once..." Kei says. "Captain Rostov, in his cups, expressed an opinion to the contrary. That the Royal Prince had unfairly passed him over for higher position." Kei reveals. "I attributed it to the fact that it was his first experience with sake." "It was indeed a strong brew." Naoto says. "Strong enough to bring truth to a man's lips, mayhap," William muses. "More and more, this looks not so much the rescue mission I had first thought it to be. What of his officers and crew? Where would their loyalty be if their captain turned coat? To their captain, or to Amber?" Gerard looks at Kei and Naoto. The latter looks at the other Captains, Jalava and Metzger thoughtfully for a moment. It is Kei, though, who speaks, keeping his gaze flickering between the two princes. "It is difficult to say, Milord Princes." Captain Kei says. "As always, loyalty oaths are sworn to the King and Crown, not to a Captain or a Commander. It is said, though, that a ship at sea is a world to itself..." This gets a nod from Jalava and Metzger. Kei continues "And long enough on that world to itself, loyalties can transfer from a land weeks away with fair wind to a temporal ruler who is only meters away." "Hai." Naoto adds for emphasis. Gerard looks slightly troubled. He looks at William. "You may be right, and this a different mission than I had envisioned, after all." William nods. "We need to consider that this mission might equally likely end in a need to rescue Rostov and his crew, discover what destroyed them, or in a combat with a hostile fleet with one of Amber's ships of the line as its flagship." His eyes meet the gaze of Jalava and Metzger. "Gentlemen, are you prepared for that final eventuality?" Metzger looks troubled and thoughtful, not immediately answer. Jalava, on the other hand has his eyes flare with emotion. "I am a loyal subject of his Majesty. I am a loyal officer in his Highness' Navy." he gives a nod toward Gerard. "I know where my duty and my loyalty lies. My duty is to Captain a ship in your service, my lord, and if that entails fighting against aquatic demon-men, or searching a double dozen seas, seeking freedom for Captain Rostov, or facing him in battle, then so be it. If I did not consider myself equal to the task, I would resign my commission, or request a transfer, here and now. I do Neither." "Well said." Metzger says. "I agree with Captain Jalava, without reserve." Kei and Naoto turn to glance at the pair of Captains with respectful looks. Behind him, William's companions look at Jalava as well. Gerard gives a nod to both Captains. "Your service and loyalty speak well for you." he says. He then looks at William. "If you find yourself in a poor tactical position, take a page from your own land-based experience." He looks at William with a serious look. "Don't play a bad hand, nephew. Call for reinforcements, if necessary." "I'm no fool, uncle," William answers with a smile. "I won't bother you without cause, but I won't throw your ships away for personal vanity. If I need help, I'll call for it." He nods to Jalava and Metzger, "And I'll count on the good captains for honest advice. I'm no ship lord, and I know it. I'll not interfere in your running of your ships, gentlemen, and I'll not try to tell you your business. I'll let you know what I need you to do, you'll tell me if you can or can't do it, and I'll trust you to get it done however you think best. Are we understood?" "I think, milord Princes." Jalava responds. "that we understand each other very well, and will work well enough together." Jalava looks at his counterpart. Metzger nods agreeably. "I will be most pleased to command the Narcissus on your behalf for this mission, Prince William." He looks to William's companions. "Sirs, Madam." Devaine smiles. Valric gives a nod, and Kiathas a more enthusiastic one. "Excellent." Gerard says with a smile of satisfaction. "If you would, Commander." he looks to Naoto. "Hai." Naoto says and moves to the side and produces a bottle of Bayle's, and several cups. He methodically begins pouring cups and doling them out to the three captains, himself, Gerard, William's companions, and finally William himself. "A tradition on my fleet upon finalizing details and plans for a mission." Gerard says. "The leader of the expedition says a few appropriate words and a toast. That would be you, nephew." "Do not let it be said I do not honour tradition," William answers, pulling a chair from the table and sitting. "As I understand it, naval toasts are given while sitting, yes?" "Ja" Captain Metzger says with an air of approval. All of the officers, plus William's companions and Gerard, seat themselves. "Well then." William holds the glass up and meets the eyes of each of the naval officers in turn. "Gentlemen, we have not served together before, yet we have served the same cause. And it is an honour, now, to join with you in that cause. Gentleman, and my gentle lady Devaine.." he raises his glass slightly higher, "The King!" "The King!" Gerard's voice booms like a cannon, first out of the gate. The resounds of the toast from everyone is, by and large, lower in aggregate volume than Gerard's enthusiastic reply. In the midst of the voices, William's ear does pick out Naoto's toast as being to "The Daimyo" instead of the King. The wine is excellent, as Bayle's always is, and Gerard finishes it first, thudding his cup on the table. "Well done, nephew." Gerard says. "May your expedition be as successfully and artfully accomplished." "My thanks, uncle," William answers. "There is much to do if we are to make the morning tide. Gentlemen, is there aught else we need to discuss now? If not, then we may all be about our respective tasks." Gerard looks at the officers for a moment, and then glances at William and his companions. "Is there aught else, gentlemen?" he asks, still regarding William. The shaking of heads and sounds of negation are indication that the business, as far as this part, is finished. "Then we are done for the moment. "The ships must be made ready, the diplomats goaded to come on time, and tomorrow, the ship launched on the tide." "Give my regards to Shannon in the meantime." Gerard adds. As Naoto collects the cups, Gerard comes forward to give William a handshake. "I will see you both, and your stalwart companions." he glances at Valric, Kiathas and Devaine. "off on the morning tide." William stands as Gerard approaches him, and clasps his uncle's hand firmly. "Thank you, uncle," he says. "For the use of the ships, and the trust you've shown me. I will not let you down." He makes his farewells to the officers as well, then leads his friends out of the cabin and back to their horses. Commander Naoto and Captain Kei bow, Captains Metzger and Jalava prefer a handshake. "Until tomorrow, milord." the latter adds with a nod. William's friends are given due deference as well. "Back to work for us now," he says with a smile. "We have one day to make all the preparations for a voyage that will last weeks, if not months. Exciting, is it not?" "There are advantages to living in a land-locked city." Valric observes. "Not having to deal with the logistics of a long sea voyage is three of them." Kiathas doesn't comment, shaking his head and mounting his horse. "Where do we begin?" Devaine, cool-headed, asks William. "We need to speak with the Chamberlain first." William grins as he mounts. "I dumped most of the details in his lap yesterday afternoon after my meeting with the king. Let us see what he has arranged so far." He chuckles as he touches spurs to his horse's side and leads his comrades in a mad charge through the city and back up Kolvir towards the castle. "There he goes again." Kiathas says, setting his horse after William's. He is soon joined by Devaine and Valric. While none of the three are quite as pell-mell as William, the passage of the four riders through the city is a tumultous one, for everyone else. Citizenry of Amber dodge, duck and in a couple of cases jump out of the way of the charging riders. Angry cries and curses follow William and his companions on the wind as they finally break out of the city proper and onto the road that winds up the mountain. William manages to pass a donkey led by a young man from the city with ease, and his companions do the same, kicking up dirt in their wake. Fortunately, the young man and his cargo bound for the castle manage to survive the encounter unscathed. And so the passage goes. And so with horses well exercised from their charge, the quartet reach the courtyard of the Castle. William is first of course, with the trio several seconds behind. Now significantly later in the morning, there is much more activity than the relative quiet from which they departed. "I hope no one was injured in our trip." Devaine observes. "Did you set a record for ascent to the Castle?" she asks, with a tone suggesting that she is genuinely curious as to the answer. "Nay," William answers with a laugh. "My uncle Corwyn and Bleys still hold that record. They arrived together, although Corwin lays successful claim to more property damage in the passage than does Bleys. Bleys, however, maintains that arriving at the castle with a sixteen year old lass across his lap makes up for that." Valric laughs. Kiathas grins at the telling of the ancedote.He swings off his horse and pats the animal's neck fondly. "We'll want these mounts with us on the ship," he observes. "We're not likely to find their match on the trip." "The quality of the horses at Castle Amber." Devaine says, once they have all dismounted and grooms have come to take them away "has been high, higher even than the horses of the Imperial Fusiliers." "Quite." Kiathas says, looking at William as they make ready to follow William into the Castle. "Born and bred here in the Kingdom itself?" "Most like," William answers. "Though Oberon, and his sons my uncles, have brought in bloodlines from a hundred shadows over the centuries. It is Amber's way, to claim the best for itself, and improve upon it." Kiathas gives a nod, and a look that suggests he is filing away the information. "You haven't participated in this equine breeding as yet, although the family of yours that lives out in that forest all have?" Kiathas then asks. "Does that improvement over shadows regimen include?" Valric puts in "that paper-and-form obsessed Chamberlain that we are now going to see?" "Now..." Devaine counters "Recall the secretary of the Duke of Parma, back home. I seem to recall that he had a library of accounts that I was stuck doing duty in because it was helping cover up someone else's indiscretion with the Duke's daughter..." she looks at William and smiles slightly. William chuckles. "I have the most helpful and devoted of friends," he says. "It is a blessing. As for Lord Henden, he is the bureaucrat of who all other bureaucrats are but shadow." By this point in the conversation, William and his friends indeed have made their way through the Castle and the corridors, following William through the labyrinth to their destination. In the early morning, the office of the One True Bureaucrat is a beehive of activity, servants going in and out, carrying messages and commands. Self-absorbed in their little worlds, they take little notice of William and his companions, although the few that do stop and recognize the son of Florimel give bows and motions of greeting and respect. With just a touch of red in his eyes, Henden sits behind his desk in the office, writing something on parchment which he hands to a young man, who ties it with a string and runs off. He looks up to William and his companions. "Good morning, milord Prince." Henden says by way of greeting. "And a good morrow to you, my lord Chamberlain," William replies with a smile and a flourish. "How go the preparations for my diplomatic exile? Have you saddled me with well-learned and dour diplomats, to shake their heads and sigh at my antics, and do their best to repair the damage I do to Amber's reputation as I journey through the Golden Circle?" "Compared to you, milord Prince." Henden replies in an unflappable tone. "the most lively of diplomats might well by contrast be described usefully as dour. It would not be wise for me to compare your level of learning, however." Henden says. He reaches over to a cubbyhole and pulls out a folder. This he slides across the desk at William. "This is the team of diplomats who I have selected, barring any objections from his Majesty. Along with their entourages of course." Inside the folder are a quartet of dossiers. All of them are members of the diplomatic staff, who are more or less familiar to William (and if not, his sister or his mother certainly can fill him in). None of them are senior Ambassadors currently on assignment in Embassies across the Golden Circle, although all of them would have a high rank in such an appointment. Devaine leans over to look at the polyglot names on the dossiers.Two men, and two women. Thiemo Drame, Curt Breuer, Zsofia Feher, Engracia Vioget. "I would have liked, in a perfect world, to have Prince Gerard's son Pollux join you, but I understand that he only recently returned from an unpleasant experience." Henden adds. "He would be most welcome," William replies absently as he looks over the files. "And may I inquire of the support staff that will be attending upon us? More specifically, how many assassins and spies have you slipped in disquised as aides or servants?" Henden looks at William keenly for a few moments. "Do you truly wish to know that information, my lord Prince, or would you prefer the anonymity and plausible deniability that my not telling you of the special skills of a member or member of the support staff might have?" Henden leans forward. "*Every* Embassy and every diplomatic mission contains at least one person with espionage experience. Amber would be foolish not to do this; In truth it is a game all kingdoms play. I have spent years deducing which members of various embassies to Amber are not pure diplomats." "Do you truly want specifics?" Henden asks. "I'm far more plausible when I'm lying than when I'm merely ignorant, my lord," William answers with a smile. "And I'd quite like to know who you've put in that you trust completely, so that when I start looking for spies with hostile intent I know whom not to suspect." "I seem." Henden says absent-mindedly "to be slipping with the influx of family lately. One of your cousins said as much just last night; forgive me for asking unnecessarily for the clarification." Henden replies. "All right." He pulls back the folder for Engracia Vioget, and pulls it out. Flipping through the main papers on the diplomat, there are a few sheets on the support staff assigned to her. He plucks one out and presents it toward William. The name on it is Justina Kultrin. The Kultrin's are a minor noble House in the Kingdom. Devaine leans forward to look at the page as Henden continues to speak. Valric and Kiathas remain at attentive attention. "Ostensibly, Lady Kultrin is part of the expedition to gain some experience on behalf of her House before settling down and getting married." Henden explains. "In actuality, she has been working for us the last few years, she has been doing work for us as a spy. She's managed to gather actionable intelligence from King Rinaldo when her superior was assigned there. She was also responsible for the untimely death of a senator in Shadow Antioch who was counseling anti-Golden Circle policies rather vocally and effectively." After letting William read the page, Henden returns it to the folder. "Two of the servants I am sending on the trip, a pair of fraternal twins, Tremaine and Giliead, are also low level intelligence gatherers. And they, too, make their reports to Lady Vioget, and if truly needful, she has a trump of me." "Does that answer your questions sufficiently?" Henden asks. "Indeed it does," William answers. "Rest assured, we shall not break their cover. Now, my lord, I know how little occurs that you do not already know, and how far you see on what needs to be done. I have received official instructions from the King, but I would ask now - what else would you have me be on the lookout for while I am off on this visit to our loyal and trusted allies?" "As a matter of fact, I do, milord, although it is more of a general and generic request." Henden says. His eyes flicker to Kiathas, Valric and Devaine before he continues. "It is said, and I long know it to be true, that you have a certain *reputation* my lord." Henden says. "I am in no position to judge, my lord, even if I wished to do so. Instead, what I want is for you to take advantage of it." "Let those in the courts of our Allies send willing women your way. Learn what you can from the questions they ask, as they undoubtedly will. Find out if the shadows simply seek your presence as a chance at a political marriage, or simple low level intelligence gathering, or if anything more sinister is afoot." Henden regards William serenely."They may try the same thing with your companions, if they consider you too high of a target." Henden adds. Devaine stifles a laugh. William frowns thoughtfully. "You ask much," he says slowly. He turns to Kiathas and Valric. "Gentlemen," he asks in a serious tone, "Are we prepared to make such a sacrifice for the good of Amber? Can we force ourselves to this? Think long and hard on the answer, my friends." Valric laughs. "I think we can rise to the occasion, Guillaume." Henden schools his expression to bureaucratic indifference. Kiathas tries not to roll his eyes. "At the very least, we can get drunk with the comely and willing wenches these potentates are going to send our way." "That's the spirit." Devaine puts in. "...I think." William laughs, and turns back to Henden. "Does the king plan an official announcement of my assignment to this diplomatic mission at court today?" he asks. "If so, then one assumes our presence will be required?" Henden gives a nod. "There is a fair amount of business today on the schedule at Court. However, it would be rather strange for your mission to be launched without a formal announcement. If the Ambassadors here did not give the Courts advance warning that your expedition is coming, their home countries are likely to regard your arrival with very undue suspicion." "I am sure." Henden continues, looking down at a piece of paper. "his Majesty would not want the chances for the success of your mission diminished. So yes, you will be expected to be on hand. The four of you, that is." he adds. "Five, if you count the Princess." Henden adds after a moment. "How could we not count her?" William asks with a laugh. "I've been carrying on our planning without her so far. I must confess, there are two separate reasons for that. First, I assume she has many personal matters to arrange, and needs no aid nor interference from me. And secondly, and just as important," he winks at Henden, "I'm rather interested to see how much of what I have already done she will already know about. I have great faith in her ability to gather intelligence, and this is something on the nature of a practical test of that faith." The Chamberlain gives a nod which is far more serious than the wink and and jesting that William has responded with. "Indeed. Many say that she lacks have the esoteric skills and interests of her brother Prince Lorius, and similarly lacks the other strange abilities of her sister Princess Brandeigh. However, for my part, I would be loath, milord, to discount any child of the Royal Princess Fiona in terms of her education and abilities at matters arcane." Valric blinks his eyes as if trying to follow Henden's long-winded logic and not quite getting it. "However." Henden writes something on one of the documents in front of him "it IS known that her knowledge of the history of Amber, the Golden Circle and the royal family is unparalleled. I am sure that whatever skills she chooses to use or has learned, her knowledge learned in the historical arena will be impressive." "I am sure you agree." Henden adds. "Indeed I do, my lord," William responds. "There is a good reason she is the one other member of the family accompanying us." He regards Henden with a shrew look. "A fair amount of business for court today, you said. Anything that I should know in advance?" Henden nods. "You have no doubt taken note that the events of the last days have brought many hitherto unknown children of the Royal Family to revelation. Or, in some cases, known only to a few. Some of these have been formally named as Princes and Princesses, others have not yet been named with that honor. His Majesty wishes present the new members to formalize Oaths. I understand that high on these lists is Royal Princess Deirdre, and Royal Princess Mirelle." Henden pauses a beat. "And by some strange providence, a daughter of each." "How very intriguing," William muses. "I shall be most delighted to meet them. The daughters, that is, I was able to welcome my returning aunts last night and this morning. So sad, the changes that her suffering has brought to Princess Deirdre." William lifts an eyebrow as he says that, regarding Henden's expression. Behind him, William can feel his companions regarding Henden and his reaction with the same sort of interest as he shows. For his part, Henden returns William's gaze with a neutral, schooled expression. "I have heard tell of the sparring match this morning on the grounds." he begins. "I was told by reliable witnesses in the guards that you bested Royal Princess Deirdre in a fair and unfettered sparring match." "I dismissed such claims, however, at first, as the products of a hyperactive imagination, or perhaps not realizing that the Princess perhaps fought at less than her full capability." "However..." Henden continues "judging from your comment, it sounds like there is some truth to their assertion. Is there?" Henden regards William now, intently. "At her best, my aunt was good enough to be able to hold back and keep even someone with my skill from realizing that she was holding back," William answers. "I cannot fathom why she would do such a thing, but it is possible. However..." he pauses, then continues. "However, unless she still retains that level of skill, then the woman I fought this morning was much less than the Princess Deirdre at her prime. One must, of course, assume that this is the result of her long ordeal in the Abyss." "As you say, there are several possibilities." Henden replies. "I am no expert on such matters, milord, to offer an informed opinion on the fighting prowess displayed by the Royal Princess, and whether or not that reflected an accurate and precise revelation of her martial abilities I could not hope to begin to speculate." "If this matter is truly of grave import to you." Henden continues "given the short amount of time you have before your departure, my advice would be to broach it with someone qualified to look into the matter further." "Perhaps even her own daughter." Henden adds."Perhaps," William answers with a smile and a shrug. "However, it was merely an idle thought. It has been brought up, and should there be need to bring it to the King's attention at a later time I know you will do so. For now, there is a plenitude and more to keep me occupied. For instance, how long until the King holds Court?" Henden gives a nod of the head. He pulls out something on a chain from a pocket. What might in some worlds be considered an antique, but instead in Amber is a practical form of technology--a manual-wound pocketwatch. He opens it, looks at it for a moment and closes it with a satisfactory air. "You still have a couple of hours to conduct business, milord." Henden replies. "His Majesty has decided to start Court a bell before Midday today. Later Court openings are a budding tradition with him." Henden returns his pen and some of his attention to the document in front of him. "Our thanks, then, Lord Henden, for your time and attention. We shall be about our business, and leave you to yours." William nods in a friendly fashion, and gestures his companions towards the door. "Good day, milord Prince. Until Court, then." Henden says, looking up with as much delay as he feels that he can spare his endless stream of paperwork, turning back to it only when Valric, last of the quartet, crosses the threshold back into the corridor. "You might consider, Guillaume, selling the Chamberlain an import interest in bandages for all the papercuts he must receive." Kiathas says with a grin. "Unless one of your family has beaten you to it." he adds. "What would you know about importing anything? Or William for that matter?" Valric asks. "Nothing, and I would guess." Kiathas glances at William before returning to Valric "Nothing. I'm sure our boon friend here could arrange people to handle the messier details." Devaine decides to remain quiet, but her body language and glance toward William suggest her eagerness to be about business. William smiles at his friends. "As you say, I have people to handle the details. And here are the details for you to handle. Valric, I want our horses and gear on board immediately. Kiathas, you saw the list of diplomats who will be joining us on this mission. Meet with them, discover if there are any problems, and if so handle them. Keep an eye and ear out, to report back to all three of us on what you think of our mission staff. Devaine, make yourself free of the library and take whatever books you think might assist us. Histories of the various kingdoms, treaties on law, whatever you want. The librarians will be furious, refer them to me. I shall track down my cousin Shannon and confer with her." He raises an eyebrow. "Am I missing anything?" he asks. "Be back in time for court, I want it to be clear to everyone that you have official standing in this mission." "If you insist." Valric says. Kiathas gives a nod but its not enthusiastic, either "He *does* insist." Devaine emphasizes. She turns toward William and smiles. "Equipment for Valric, research for me, meeting diplomats for Kiathas, conferring with your cousin for you. And then we all meet and pretend not to be bored at Court. I think that covers everything we need to do for now." "Oh, and stay out of trouble until Court." Devaine adds. "We shouldn't forget *that*." William laughs and smiles. "Aye, indeed," he says. "We should always set ourselves one impossible task, to keep our edge. Avaunt, avaunt!" He claps his hands twice. "Let us be about it." And unless they have anything to add he'll be off to try to locate Fiona's daughter. And so William's friends split off, Devaine toward the second floor, Valric toward the stables, and Kiathas, into the diplomatic wing of the Castle. William has himself and his thoughts to occupy him for his search for his cousin. The search is not a hard one. She's not having a late breakfast, and so from experience, if she's in the Castle, she's likely in her quarters, or in the library. A tip from a servant suggests that she saw Shannon in one of the sitting rooms "with her brother". Finding the sitting room in question is simple; and as promised, Shannon is sitting and chatting with her brother, Lorius. Shannon beams a smile in William's direction at his arrival. "Good morning, cousin." she says. "I was just comparing notes with Lorius." "Because she has fancier handwriting of course." Lorius adds with a smirk. "Good morning, William. Where's Angie, Joey and Dean?" Shannon rolls her eyes slightly and rises to offer her hands to William in greeting. William takes Shannon's hand and bows, brushing it with his lips and murmuring, "Enchante, dear cousin." Releasing her hand he straightens and smiles at Lorius. "They're out trying to find a Jerry for us," he says. "You want the job?" Lorius glances at Shannon, who has blushed slightly with William's courtly greeting, and then Lorius returns to look at William. He shakes his head with a grin. "Nah. I think you're set up just fine with my sister as your technical, arcane, and menu advisor. Having *two* redheads in your cabal will start tongues wagging throughout the Golden Circle, and obviate any chance that you might have had for secrecy and stealth in your mission." Lorius looks at Shannon. "See?! I can practice subtlety when it is needed, sister." Shannon smiles. "Sure, brother. I'll alert the rest of the family. Talk to you later." "Right. We'll keep in touch." Lorius returns to look at William. "I'll leave you two to it, then. Still, if you run into something *really* interesting out there, you have my card." "I even have a friend I could talk into coming along if it should happen" Lorius offers Shannon raises a skeptical eyebrow and then some sort of recognition comes across her face. She, as well as Lorius, look at William. William takes a seat and smiles easily at Lorius. "This is my cue to exclaim in curiosity and attempt to worm out of you the identity of this friend, I take it?" Lorius laughs and claps his hands together once. "Unicorn, no! I'm not *that* straightforward and obvious, now am I?" Shannon shoots Lorius a skeptical look. Lorius ignores it and regards to regard William again. "'Sides, i think you're going to meet my friend soon enough. I don't have to massage her social calendar, she's facile enough to meet people without my meddling. She might even prefer it that way." "See you later, Cousin." Lorius says with a grin, and walks out the door. "Sometimes, cousin, you are fortunate." Shannon says once Lorius is out of earshot "that you lack any established older siblings." "I do believe," William answers easily, "That I am a more consistently congenial older brother to my own sister than your brother tends to be to you. Perhaps too much thinking has overheated and damaged his organ of benevolence? That is one of the reasons I strive to avoid it, myself." "I have heard from all accounts, William" Shannon replies"that while you are a good brother to Asteria, you also do engage in thinking--at least sometimes." "And Lorius is not so bad. There are worse siblings to be had, to be sure." Shannon adds. "It will just take me a while to think of an example." "Now, though." she brightens. "I believe you came here with purpose, verve and vigor, more so than discussing Lorius." "Indeed and indeed, I did," William replies expansively. "I've expedited our itinerary. We'll be sailing on the morning tide. I and my comrades plan on spending the night aboard ship tonight, so that we can wake early and laugh as the diplomats argue about their accommodations and the amount of luggage they are allowed to bring aboard. How go your plans and preparations?" "Ranging from the trivial to the more interesting." Shannon replies. "I have prepared my luggage for the journey tomorrow, to begin with. I will be ready and aboard the ship for the morning tide, never fear." "With more seriousness." Shannon continues. "I've been doing some reading, and inquiring, and brainstorming with Mother and even brother regarding this strange Count, and the other things bobbing up in the Golden Circle as of late. I have gotten the name of a few contacts of my own for Menuis, and the other shadows we're visiting." "Oh, and I have some reading material for those episodes on the ship when you aren't daring to put your hand in the candle flame." Shannon smiles slowly at William. "Actually, Mom had this in her personal library." She pulls out a slim black-leather bound volume that she places on the table and slides toward William. "Open it." she urges him. On the title page is "A study of minor aspects of Mirror based arcane rituals." "by "S.Diastoles Anion" "Its a very simple anagram. It was no challenge." Shannon says with a smile. "If you rearrange the letters, you get Leonidas Taisson." "Not a master of subtlety, then," William observes. "Taken with his own wit, and most like highly pleased by his cleverness." He waves the book in the air. "Aside from the authorship, how is the book? What does it reveal of our charming count?" "Well" Shannon replies. "I wouldn't want to provide an inaccurate account and impression of what I have read so far, since I've only begun to look beyond its title page. I prefer to delve into a subject into depth, dear William, before providing an opinion on it. Besides, we'll have time on ship for such exploration, won't we?" "Besides, I still need to decide what I am wearing for Court this morning." Shannon adds, gesturing to the workable dress she is wearing. "I may not have the beauty of your mother or your sister, but I should look good for presentations of new family members, shouldn't I?" "I am certainly pleased that your beauty is of another sort than that of my mother and sister," William replies. "Otherwise my appreciation of you might be marred by, shall we say, mental reservations. As is, I can bask in the frank enjoyment of the combination of beauty and brilliance." "I do believe that you are flattering me." Shannon says, stroking the spine of the treasured book as she bats her eyes at William mock-playfully "And I am hardly going to dissuade you from doing so." "In fact..." she continues "I might even increase your estimation of me in your eyes by revealing my other discovery." "We're going to have competition as we ramble about the Golden Circle." She looks at William. "I managed to sweet-talk the Kashfan Ambassador here into telling me that his liege lord is looking to send envoys to kingdoms in the same manner as we are." "Now that is interesting," William says thoughtfully. "Well played, indeed. Any idea if it's a single expedition, and if so what their itinerary might be, or are we talking multiple envoys sent out to various destinations more or less simultaneously?" Shannon makes a face. "I think its an opposing group making a grand tour like ours, but I am not certain." she begins. "I wasn't able to get *that* much detail out of him. I probably would have had to sleep with him in order to get that much information, or join his harem or something. Mother would *not* approve." She shakes her head. "I was recently in the less hospitable regions Kashfa and had an interesting time with two of our Rilgan cousins. I was able to trade a bit of information about that in exchange for this. But that's all he was willing to tell me." "Anything I should know about that interesting time?" William asks with a smile. "If I was going to tell the Kashfan envoy, I am certainly going to tell you, if you were truly interested in it, of course." Shannon replies. She pauses a beat, looking down at her little finger which she twirls around absently. "Does chasing down Moonriders with Brieanne and Gerard's new son Hadrian sound intriguing to you?" Fiona's daughter smiles and looks up to her cousin. "Moonriders?" William's smile grows even larger. "In very sooth? Now that's an interesting tale, indeed. Moonriders..." His expression becomes slightly wistful. "Now there's a legend I should dearly love to match my sword against." "The one that Brieanne crossed blades with was not much of a legend and would have been little challenge for you, dear cousin." Shannon replies. "I divined that Kellan Miriamsdottir and her companions was trying to make a legend for themselves, with their little attempt at a raid. When it came to brass tacks." Shannon shrugs. "Brieanne defeated her neatly in a duel." "As I." Shannon smiles slightly "did the same to their sorcerer." "Well done!" William exclaims. "Now that is a story I must hear. But I will not have it rushed, for a tale such as that deserves to be told in full, to an audience unconcerned about a pending diplomatic trip, or a court presentation for which I am not at all properly dressed." Shannon gives a nod of assent. He claps his hands together. "So! Anything about these Moonriders I need to know now, that cannot wait until we are two or three days out to sea, and I can hear the whole story told over dinner, wine, and candlelight?" "The fact of their eruption" Shannon replies. "First and foremost. Second, they seem to have a legend or prophecy that ties in with our friends with the Bronze Doors. Or Brieanne was just taking advantage of their beliefs. I'm not that well versed on Sidhe and Faerie lore." "In addition and perhaps most useful to avoid misunderstandings." Shannon adds. "One of them is now in Brieanne's company on an extended basis." "The rest can wait for our trip." Shannon agrees. "My thanks for the information," William says. "Perhaps we shall see this pet Moonrider of Brieanne's presented at court? It should be amusing to consider everyone's reactions." He grins mischievously. "I certainly shan't spoil the surprise by letting anyone else know about it beforehand." "The likelihood of Brieanne being at Court is small." Shannon replies. "As I recall, the last time she was in the Castle, her hounds caused consternation with the Chamberlain. Still, she might get an invitation. Certainly more likely than her brother." "Now, is there any other little thing we should discuss, before I go and bathe and dress for court? I wouldn't wish Mother to be ashamed of me." "I highly doubt *that*." Shannon replies with a slight smile. "I do have questions for you, though I suspect some of them can wait for our long trip, cousin. None of them are truly pressing, and the walls sometimes have ears." William sweeps her a bow, and says, "Anon, then, cousin fair. I look forward to future conversation." Then he's off and away, plotting his wardrobe as he heads for a bath. Progress back to William's suite, and his bath is free, and easy, and without incident. At his quarters, he finds a few messages which have been deposited. One is the traditional invitation to Court to family members in residence, a distinctly less formal document than the one William knows that royal guests get. There are a couple of notes, too. One from his sister, reiterating that Court is in session today. A note from his mother, with a similar exhortation. The third is from Valerian. William I had a prophetic dream last night, fraught with symbolism. The dream was of a sand castle, beautiful, ornate, on a white sand beach. It was covered full of red ants. These ants busied themselves unconcerned as a small party of black ants slowly wended their way through sand dunes toward the castle. I know not what this *precisely* means, and I think that few besides you might take it both seriously and with the casualness that this might be all nothing. Valerian. William reads the note and frowns thoughtfully. Then he takes a quill from a writing desk in the corner of his room, scrawls, "So many interesting possibilities, Cousin. Thank you for informing me of this - I shall keep it in mind and be on the watch for Myrmidonnian possibilities." He folds the note closed and seals it, then rings for a servant and instructs that it be delivered to Valerian. A servant in green and gold comes quickly at the sound of William's bell call. A simple, but not sketchy, curtsey, and she takes the message and heads off at speed. And then he considers how much time he has before Court is scheduled to begin. William has a little more than 2 hours and change, time to do more than simply dress. As he considers the possibilities, there is a knock on the door. "Milord?" comes the voice of a page outside. "A message to you from the Lady Meriel." "Enter, lad," William calls out in answer. He begins laying clothes out on his bed, shaking his head and humming as he compares the subtle hues in various pieces, and considers how they will compliment each other in the brighter light of the Great Hall. When the page enters William smiles at him. The page in question turns out to be Armas. "The Lady Meriel?" he asks. "Now that is an interesting thing. Tell me of her, lad. Is there a written message?" Armas shakes his head. "No, milord Prince. I was bringing her invitation to Court this morning. In response. she asked me questions about obtaining a meal, and came to the idea that she might break her fast with a member of the Family. She asked me to find you, specifically, milord, and ask you." "Oh, and she also wanted me to bring shrimps back with your answer." Armas asks. "Other than that..." Armas looks away from William and blushes. "She's very pretty, and is staying in the Dolomite Rooms. I think that she's well acquainted with the Prince Martin. Lord Henden told me little else about her, sir." "And you've seen nothing else, nor have any opinion of your own to share with me?" William raised a doubtful eyebrow at the page, then grinned and tossed him a silver coin. Armas catches the coin in midflight, and gives William a grateful look in return. "A pretty lady, a friend of Martin's, who asked specifically to break her fast with me. You can see why I'm interested, eh? Come now, man to man, tell me a little more of her." Armas looks down at the coin he holds for a moment. Color blooms in his cheeks like Flora's flowers in late spring and early summer. "Well, sir." Armas looks up at William. "She's very pretty. And she was in the tub. Wearing a nightgown. I think sir, that she may have been dozing in it, or perhaps even sleeping in it. She was, um, wet." His cheeks flush a little more. "Truthfully, seeing her risen from the tub, made me think of a mermaid, sir. Or one of them Sirens I've heard the Prince Castor once tell of." "Well then," William said with a laugh. "Hearing that, I must beg you to run back and tell the Lady Meriel that I shall be delighted to share shrimp with her. Hurry, lad, before she changes her mind!" He claps his hands together twice to emphasize the need for haste, then turns back to his clothing. "Dolomite Room! Yes, sir!" Armas scampers out of the room with a hasty bow and a hastier speed of exit that does credit to the servant staff of the Castle. "Hmmm," he murmurs to himself. "A half cape with some flow to it, definitely. But the trousers should be tight, and the boots high. Shirt tight or loose? Pros and cons to each." He turns to an armoire and regards its contents with a severe frown. "Loose perhaps," he muses, "To give an elegant flow to the sleeves. But with a well-fitted overtunic to show the figure and give some definition. Yes, that will do it. Tightly belted." He begins dressing, continuing to talk to himself as he does so. "Open collar or neckcloth?" he wonders aloud. He poses in front of a large mirror, considering his appearance and holding several long strips of cloth up to his chest to compare fabrics and hues. Finally he nods and begins tying a red silk cloth with a golden phoenix pattern around his throat. "Ah, William," he says to his reflection once he is satisfied with the drape of the neckcloth and cape. "Each time I see you, I think you have reached the pinnacle of perfection. And yet, each time you look even better. Truly, it is an astonishing gift. Use it wisely, young man." He wags an admonishing finger at himself, then sweeps out of the room. And so well attired, a credit to himself, and the line of Florimel, William can head out of his quarters and down to the Dolomite Room... Backlinks |
