OfLampsAndDemonsOf Lamps and DemonsWilliam and his three companions reach the shop as the conversation between Gerard, Aura and Jin continues. "Perhaps we should summon Lorius. He can detain this creature for further interrogation. Otherwise, I am just going see how wide and bright I can make these bands. Or perhaps try that Heart of the Sun Teleport spell I was working on." "A sorcerer is just what we have coming now..." Gerard stops and turns toward the entrance at the approach of William and his three friends. "The Prince William arrives." Jin says, loud enough to serve both as identification and a heralding of the arriving son of Flora to the lampmaker's shop. The amorphous Galla shadow demon twists in the light bonds to view the new arrivals, giving off a soft cry as it comes too close to the edge of the spell. "Alas," says William, "Too late to the fight, it appears? One does most earnestly hope, in that case, that we are not an unwelcome intrusion upon this most intriguing scene." He regards the imprisoned shadow with an amused smile. "Bonsoir, William," Aura says cheerfully from behind Gerard. "Nice of you to drop by." "Lord Prince" the shopkeeper says, with a bow. William nods his head to the shopkeeper and gives him a brief smile. Aura peers around the wall that is Gerard and gives the demon a smirk. "Oh, look Kirgal; another Royal who no doubt frowns on kidnapping as well. Why, we seem to have quite the party going. Now how many demonic kidnappers have been in such august company so soon after their arrival?" Kirgal says nothing, glaring at the arrival of William and his three companions. Her eyes narrow suspiciously and she lifts her free hand towards the figure. "Just how did you get to Amber anyway?" "Am I being questioned again?" the creature demands. "What, ho, an *insolent* demon." Kiathas says. "I'd wager that the Princess is not amused." Valric says. "She isn't." Gerard growls. "And neither will be others." Gerard pulls out a trump deck. "You have no idea," Aura informs Valric. Devaine shakes her head and steps next to William. "Have much experience with this sort of sorcery?" she asks William. "We've all heard of demons and the like back home, but this is disturbingly real. It looks like your cousin has it bound for now. However..." she stops speaking as the demon chooses to speak, with a glare at Aura. "If you mean Amber the City, I flew here from the encampment in Arden." Kirgal declares. "If you mean Amber the kingdom, I accompanied she who bound me to Amber, of course." Her eyebrow twitches, but then Aura's gaze narrows again and the bands around him tighten another degree. "And who would that be?" Kirgal's glare turns to a look of discomfort. Gerard folds his arms and watches. "I am willing to wager that you could tighten the bands around the extremities so far as that they are nearly severing parts of the creature without killing it outright," William suggests helpfully, "In point of fact, perhaps you should sever one or two of them right away, to encourage it to answer." Aura beams at him as if he had just given her a great gift. "I believe you might be right, William." Then she returns her gaze to the Demon and smiles sweetly. "Shall we test that theory?" "I already told you the answer." The Demon's discomfort causes its speech to come out at a high pitch. It twists its head to regard William, his companions, Gerard, Jin and finally Aura. "Is this some sort of torture?" He twists his head in the direction of Gerard "Is this one your Scourger?" He then glares at William. "Or this one?" Both Aura and William can smell the reaction of dark-aspected demonstuff to the light bonds. Its a smell that right now is similar to slightly overcooked toast. He returns his gaze toward Aura. "Lady Mahina Ledaal" the Demon finally says. "I told you that already." "She is here in Amber?" Aura demands angrily, stepping around Gerard with fury in her eyes. "I should fry you where you stand, you little bastard! You did not tell me she was here." The demon looks at Aura defiantly. "Gerard, please call Lorius and tell him what is going on. He needs to stay with Mother if is not still there. Deirdre is the one that upstart woman is trying to get to." "Gladly." Gerard growls. One hand moves to pull out his deck. His other hand, pointedly, is still on his very large blade. William steps forward and stares into the shadowy creature's eyes. The creature turns at the attention from William and stares right back as he speaks. "Do not play your little games of answering only what is asked, exactly as it is asked, and think yourself thereby clever," he says in a cold, deadly voice. "You have offended a Princess of Amber, and are well on your way to offending a Prince. That carries a death sentence, as you should well know. Think you we are any more kind than your Lords of Chaos? Think you that you can treat us with any less deference? We count the Emperor of Chaos as a cousin, little creature, and your existence means less to us than a speck of dust upon our clothing. Far less. A Scourger? We have no need of such, for we will happily take that task upon ourselves when it is needed. You ask if you are tortured? Not yet, fool. We but toy with you. Do you want to see torture? I can show you what that is, more so than any you have seen from the Ledaal. You are the Princess' rightful prey, and it is by her mercy and justice that you will continue or be destroyed. Beg her pardon, and tell her everything you can even imagine she might want to hear of your mistress and your orders, and perhaps you will not spend an aeon in torments beyond any you have ever imagined. But speak quickly, for we are none of us known for our patience, and the Princess is noted even among our Family for her cruel imagination." Although they say nothing themselves, the crossed arms and stares from William's companions act as accentuation to the Prince's words to Kirgal. The slight sizzle of the bonds shifting slightly acts as punctuation to William's last words. With the increased smell of toast, enough that the shop proprietor wrinkles his nose, the demon turns to Aura and speaks. "As far as I am aware..." the demon's tone is wheedling, plaintive and submissive "My mistress is currently not to be found within this veil. I, and my sire's fellow child, whom you hold in the jar, were left behind to seek an opportunity to bring you, or your mother, to her at the current location of the party from the Courts. I only know the direction where she lies, I do not know their location, they traveled by a method I am unable to track." "I do not know why the Lady of Ledaal seeks to speak with you or your Mother." Kirgal says, its head switching between William and Aura rapidly. "The Galla serve, we are not given to know the reasons we are given for our orders." "For the sake of the Serpent" it then adds in a wail, "loosen the bonds." Aura stares at the Galla for a long moment of complete silence. She finally loosens the bond just enough to cease the stench of burnt toast. "Do not get any ideas," she says darkly. "I may yet decide you should end this day in thousand burning tatters. If I find you have left out anything, you will beg for death." The Galla puts up a babbling soft ramble of thanks to Aura. The words are difficult to differentiate, but seem to revolve around variations on gratitude and mercy, and benevolence. The Galla at this time does not seem to be attempting overt escape. Aura just eyes him suspiciously. Her gaze flicks to William. "I already know the woman has bad intentions towards Deirdre. We ripped it from the mind of a previous attacker. He is probably kraken food by now. The Crown of Atlantis does not take such things any better then those of Amber." "Was this previous attacker a demon like this one, Princess?" Devaine asks Aura. "And there is another one of these, in a jar?" Kiahas puts in. In the meantime, Gerard has a faraway look of being in a Trump contact. Jin has disappeared from sight but there is a sound of a bustle in a backroom of the shop. Aura raised her hand with the sealed container in it. "I am considering making a snowglobe." The Galla puts up an increased wail at Aura's suggestion. She ignores him. "Mementos are a pleasant thing," William says with a smile. "I did promise to bring the Heir of Atlantis a souvenir," Aura grins. "I'm sure there is a nice sunny shelf in his lab." "Is giving gifts of bound demons a common thing in Atlantis?" Kiathas asks. "Of course not," Aura replies, affronted. "But it is not often one sees a demon that is not an ifrit, unless you consider Djinn demons." "You must forgive my friend Kiathas," William tells Aura. "There are no demons in his home shadow, only legends of them." Aura waves it off, brandishing the sealed jar. "That's all right. They are not native to my home either. The Ifrit live in a neighboring shadow. I am just rather touchy after two attempts in as many days on my person." She turns to Devaine and shakes her head. "No. Creatures such as these would not have lasted five minutes in Atlantis. They were two shape shifters. One managed to get away, as they were busy trying to lure my familiar away. The kraken food was unfortunate enough to come after me." William sighs. "This, coupled with the extremely undiplomatic manners of our Chaosian visitors in court today, leads one to the inescapable conclusion that Amber is not being taken seriously by our distant cousins. Something will have to be done." "Oh, I agree that something needs to be done," Aura nods. She gave the shadowy captive a speculative look. "But what to do, what to do?" "And what of this other demon, bound in a jar." Devaine puts in. "Having two bound demons increases the options available, does it not?" "True," Aura nods agreeably. "But as I am new here, I will wait to see what His Majesty wishes to do with them. Or one of them at least." Jin comes out, with a tray "Forgive this one's lack of hospitality." Jin says as he returns, placing a tray on a back counter. On the tray are small cups, a pot and the other accoutrements for making tea. "Even given the strange situation" Jin explains " that has brought such august visitors to my shop, the niceties should not be neglected." "May I offer tea?" he offers. And with a smile, adds. "Not for the demon, of course." "That is very hospitable of you, friend Jin," Aura smiles. "But I believe I shall have to pass for the moment." "I shall be happy to accept, my friend," William says to Jin. "Your shop is new, is it not? I do not recall ever seeing it before." He watches Gerard. Gerard is mostly engrossed in his trump call, but looks away from it to give Jin a nod. Kiathas, Valric and Devaine indicate their acceptance as well. Jin busies himself with making cups of tea as he answers William's question. "I am Jin Tubal from Liangzhou ." Jin explains. "As I explained to the lady Princess." He gives a bob of his head in Aura's direction. "“The Prince Minh and the Royal Prince Bleys brought me here to this land a year ago to provide my wares to the city and increase my fortune.” "Ni hao ma, Jin Tubal," William says. "Welcome to Amber. May you prosper and find loyal allies." Jin does not look surprised, but smiles to William. "Hen Hao" he replies. With a bow, he begins offering cups of the prepared green tea, starting with Gerard, who puts it to the side, then William, Kiathas, Valric and finally Devaine. Gerard looks to William and Aura. "Lorius would be most happy to take possession of one or both of the demons and present one to the King for disposition. The other..." he looks at Aura "If you really want a snowglobe, he's willing to help you make one. Otherwise, he thinks his mother and the two of you should just dissect the thing in Fi's lab and be done with it." Aura looks at the jar in her hand and hums. She hadn't actually intended on a snowglobe. Kovikin would no doubt have been fascinated by the thing for all of two days. Then he would just do what Lorius was suggesting. "You're invited too, if you really are interested." Gerard adds to William. William looks intrigued, and glances at Devaine. Devaine brightens her smile as William looks to her. William nods at her and takes a sip of his tea. Devaine brightens her smile as William looks to her. The demon wiggles in his bonds again, resuming its wail. "Oh, do be silent," Aura says impatiently. "What did you expect? Balloons and party horns?" The Galla looks sullen, but apparently has now taken the hint. "Me, I want to know when our tour of the Golden Circle gets to Atlantis." Valric puts in. "You are far too overdressed for Atlantis," Aura smiles. "And unless I missed a memo, you will not hit those beaches on a tour of the Golden Circle." "Atlantis values its privacy," William tells Valric with a grin. "My advice would be for you to make up to a princess of that land, and try to wrangle an invitation. For all of us." He winks at Aura. Valric regards Aura speculatively and sips the cup of tea. Aura just smiles benignly. Aura sighs and turns to Gerard. "How does one present a demon prisoner to the King? This is not something covered in Atlantean protocol." "It is not precisely common in Amber protocol, either." Gerard says. "When such things occur, they usually occur under the auspices of Fiona. In fact..." He pauses a moment. He gives a nod. "All right." Gerard says. His mien suggests the trump call is over. "Lorius says that his mother would love to come and take the prisoner to the King with you. They are making short preparations, and then one of them will trump us." "Excellent," Aura nods. She is getting tired of standing in this tableaux, and will be more then happy to hand these creatures over to Fiona. "Demonic diplomacy." Kiathas says. He looks to William. "Most definitely not part of what you promised, Guillaume." Valric takes another sip of tea and regards Aura. "Forgive my presumption regarding the privacy of your world. I presumed, incorrectly it seems, that Atlantis was one of the open and common shadows in the Golden Circle, rather than your own private preserve. As your dear cousin intuits..." He gives a nod in William's direction. "a visit to such a world that you would call home at some future date would be a delight and boon that would place us irredeemably in your debt." Still holding the tea cup, he bows. "It was an honest misunderstanding," Aura smiles graciously. "And as long as you do not plan on causing trouble, I would be happy to take guests to Atlantis." "It is unfortunate but an unavoidable necessity that we four have a duty to the King." Valric says apologetically to Aura, and with a flourishing bow. He gives a glance to William and then back to Aura. "As well as other concerns in the Golden Circle that require the attention of a couple of royals of Amber and their stalwart companions!" "Zhe Ge Hen Piao Liang" Jin says to William, indicating Aura with a slight, shy bow of the head. "Indeed she is, friend Jin," William replies. He turns to Valric and Kiathis and says, "Devaine and I shall go along with Princess Fiona, it may be that this has some bearing on our own trip. Can I count on you two to make sure everything is loaded on board, our ambassadorial staff is all settled in with a minimum of grumbling and complaint, and to deal with any problems that come up? Without getting in any duels before I get back?" "I'd say that you two were getting the better end of the deal." Kiathas replies. "However, I think that dealing with supplies and crates and ambassadors might be far more palatable than dealing with not so imaginary demons. "You may rely on us, William." Valric says. "I think the events of the last day or so have caused us to learn some lessons about keeping our noses clean and to the whetstone." "The metaphor is grindstone." Devaine says, with a sigh. "Unless they want to keep their noses sharp," William points out. He smiles at Aura, "And I think we'd all be delighted to take a rain check on that offer to visit Atlantis. While these two rascals are perfectly capable of finding trouble just about anywhere they go, they aren't usually the cause of it." "Usually." Devaine agrees, glancing at the two men, looking at them over a last sip of her tea cup. Both Valric and Kiathas show mock hurt faces. "Of course," Aura smiles mischievously. "It isn't going anywhere. It will give me time to plan an //appropriately// enlightening excursion." Gerard gets a faraway look and nods to Aura and William. "It's Fiona. She and Lorius are ready in her lab for the transfer. From what I can tell, they are standing in that magic circle she's got set up, just in case." He holds out his massive hand. "I'm doubly glad that we're staying behind to work on more mundane matters." Valric comments to Kiathas. "Shall we split the demons?" William asks Aura. "I am thinking that you would go through with the one in the cage of light, while I shall bring the one which waits so patiently for our future attentions within this most excellent bottle. And you should go first it occurs to me, in case the magic of the cage is disrupted during transport. If the demon should find itself free once on the other side of the trump I have no doubts that Aunt Fiona can handle it most adroitly, while if it escapes upon this side I am quite looking forward to seeing how swordproof this particular variety of demon might prove to be." "That could be diverting." Devaine puts in. "IF Kiathas and Valric are still here, I am sure they would join in on that." Aura looks from the bottle in her hand to William. It's several beats before she replies. "Alright. But no absconding with him," she admonishes with a feral smile as she hands the bottle to William. "We might have an 'accident' with the first and need a replacement." She expects another wail from the Galla any time now after that remark. And, on cue, the demon gives off a pitiful wail at Aura's barb, and Gerard's beat of laughter in response to that reverberates through the lamp shop. Then she gives the bound demon a hard look and directs him towards the waiting gateway with one hand while she places the other dainty one in Gerard's great paw. "Let's go see Aunt Fiona, shall we?" Aura draws down the light cage containing Kirgal the Galla into the vicinity of her, and Gerard's open trump contact. As she takes his hand, the trump contact blossoms, fulminates into a fully fledged trump gate. Jin says something indistinct in his tongue, but its clear it is something reverent as he watches the proceedings. And then, Aura, Gerard, and the Galla disappear through the Gate. The Gate remains patiently open, with no overt sign of anything trying to escape back through for several moments. "If it were not for the fact that it would be disruptive to our host's shop." Devaine says. "I should say that I am almost disappointed the creature did not come loose." William grins. "Let us be optimistic. Perhaps we will pass through the gateway into a running mystical firefight." Devaine smiles in response. He turns and nods his head to Jin. "Xai jian, my friend. I look forward to returning to your shop some day, to peruse your wares. In the meantime, should you have any difficulties caused by this day's events, or hear of anyone inquiring into what happened here who might be associated with our demonic friends, please go to the Princess Flora and tell her that I instructed you to let her know. She will see to your protection." Jin bows his head. "Xai jian, Prince William. Please tell the most august Princess that since has not taken them into her possession at this time, that I will send her own lamp purchases to the Castle on the morrow." "I shall keep mindful of your words as regards the creatures from the hells." he adds. "Back to the ships with you two reprobates," he tells Kiathis and Valric. "We'll be there as soon as may be." "Of course." Valric says. "I have no doubt that you will return as soon as this arcane business is done. Come, Kiathas. We have men's work to do!" He turns back to Devaine. "Shall we?" he asks. And they pass through the gateway. And so they do... Backlinks |
