TeaWithTheSorceressIndex SB: Kieran/Dagny: Amber Telephone and Telegraph Kieran accepts the call, having the HTD display Dagny's realtime image in 1/3rd scale. "Dagny? What can I do for you?" Kieran asks. Fiona cages her fingers and watches. "Yes;" he replies. "I've met and talked with my Grandmother Deirdre and I'm currently visiting with my other Grandmother, Fiona. Would you care to say hello to her?" Dagny looks over her shoulder at Dulcinea. "Kieran just asked if I'd like to meet Aunt Fiona. I think I'd better. Feel like going coming with me?" She turns to Kieran. "Sure, but I'm here with Dulcinea. Can you bring both of us through?" Dulcinea opens her mouth in a perfectly demure "o" of surprise. "I had not considered a conversation with Aunt Fiona today. I suppose if Aunt Fiona would like a conversation with you...and me, for that matter, it would be unwise to refuse her." "Agreed," Dagny replies, and holds out her hand so Kieran can pull her through. Kieran looks up at Fiona. "Dagny and Dulcinea; that okay with you? We'll need more cups." "You handle their transport, I will handle more domestic matters." Fiona replies. When Dagny and Dulcinea do step through, they find themselves in a sitting room, done in tones of purple and gold.On the wall, a tapestry of a griffin and a dragon locked in aerial combat over a mountainous landscape dominates the decor. The Griffin seems ready to snap at the dragon's hindquarters, while the dragon seems set to use one of its claws to rake the Griffin's back. Other walls are covered by bookcases done in dark wood. All of the chairs have attendant tables. A few of the chairs are plush, and comfort that suggest reading. Somehow avoiding an entire style clash, a few of the chairs are much more spartan, even modern in their design, slender, tall, striking. One of the tables, surrounded by four of the chairs, has a tea set, with a pot of tea and a quartet of cups. The redhaired sorceress of Amber, Kieran's grandmother, Dulcinea's aunt, and Dagny's full blooded great aunt, is standing near one of the chairs. In a particularly domestic touch, she is filling cups from the tea pot. "I am delighted to meet the both of you at last in a less formal setting." Fiona says. "Please do sit down." "Pleased to meet you, Dulcinea;" Kieran says with a nod of his head. "Hello Aunt Fiona." Dulcinea bobs her blond haired head to Fiona. "Hello Kieran." Dulcinea says. "I confess to not knowing where you fit in the family." "He's my grandson, dear." Fiona replies. Kieran smiles and glances at Fiona. "I am Brandeigh's son;" he says. "Hello, Aunt Fiona. It's a pleasure to meet you," Dagny nods, and takes a seat as bidden. "And Dagny here is my brother's grandson." Fiona says "One who is somewhat overdue in socializing with her own branch of the family. Unless Bleys has been keeping secrets?" Fiona says. "Please, help yourself to tea." Fiona adds, indicating the poured cups. Dagny stands and walks over to the teacups and gestures toward towards her aunt, then her blonde cousin. "Aunt?" she asks inquiringly. "Dulcinea? Kieran?" After helping the others (or not), taking a cup herself, and resuming her seat she says, "Thank you, Aunt. It is good to meet you. Though unless you know something I don't, I am your brother's granddaughter, not grandson." she smiles. "And no, I have not met Uncle Bleys yet, or many other members of the family for that matter." Dulcinea accepts Dagny's offer, and Fiona already has her cup in hand with an approving smile. She takes a sip of the tea before continuing. Kieran accepts a cup of tea. "Thanks;" he says. "I keep confusing you with your half-brother, Dagny" Fiona says with a smile. "Forgive me for conflating the two of you so glibly." She looks toward Kieran. "So how did the two of you meet?" Kieran looks toward Dagny. "Half-brother?" Dagny's eyes widen. "News to me! Aunt Fiona?" Fiona holds up a forefinger to Dagny, and just smiles. Kieran then looks back at Fiona. "Mom introduced us on her flagship after we'd; that is to say myself, Mom, Dad, Paril and the Keltic space navy, defended our homeworld from a combined attack by the Coranians and the Yithonghu. Mom had encountered them before, during a little adventure with Valerian. The Yithonghu were determined to destroy all those who'd thwarted their previous plans." "Space navy" Dulcinea says, eyes wide. "The Yithonghu, in space or not, are usually restricted to immaterial levels of reality that Valerian is familiar with." Fiona replies. "The idea of them using more conventional methods, and being found in more material realms, is something I was unaware of." Fiona says. "Thank you, Kieran." She then turns to look at Dagny. "I perhaps have said too much. I was unaware that Rinaldo had kept knowledge of your half-brother from you. I am not sure." she sips from her cup "that I should say much more about him at this juncture." "Unless you want me to, of course." Fiona adds brightly. "I am curious right now how you stumbled upon my daughter's home shadow, and thus met Kieran." Kieran smiles and waits for Dagny's explanation. "Well, Aunt, I of course wouldn't want you do say anything that would make you uncomfortable," Dagny raises an amused eyebrow. "But I'll tell you how I first ran into Brandeigh and Percy." She takes a sip of tea. "I was recently visiting a Shadow that had become infested with Omphalos. There was a broken Pattern in that place, which I think was the primary reason they invaded. I followed the broken Pattern back to its primal source, and on the way ran into your daughter and Percy. We separated soon after, and a few days later I contacted her to find out decades had passed for them, and they now had a son. Since I was headed to Amber anyway, she and Percy asked me to travel with Kieran and show him the way. So here we are." "A broken Pattern that led to a primal source. But not Amber's primal pattern. Interesting..." Fiona sips her tea and gives Dagny a speculative look. "The time difference in your shadow sounds unbalanced." Fiona says to Kieran.. "Years in place of days is not a naturally occurring ratio of time found in the multiverse. I assume my daughter will take steps to repair this imbalance?" "Since I believe Mother caused the imbalance;" Kieran says after a sip of tea. "I believe she will. Unless it's already begun fixing itself." He pauses, deep in thought, then adds; "Or unless she discovers she's going to have another child. She might want to maintain the faster pace then to raise said possible brother or sister of mine more quickly in relation to Amber." Another pause; "I do not know if that is the case. You may wish to ask her about it." "I shall" Fiona says. "And clarify the matter. There may be repercussions on the local fabric of the metaverse for having a shadow so temporally out of balance. You haven't noticed anything strange in the local vicinity to your home shadow, have you, grandson?" "Other than Trumps not working properly in and out of Mom's Shadow until just recently, and the Yithonghu making an appearance, no." He shrugs his shoulders. "Well, maybe something or someone else. But I would like to talk more about that later, if that's all right." "Yes" Fiona says. "We should and we shall." Kieran nods his head. "Thank you;" he says. In the meantime, Dulcinea's eyes brightly. "Oh! Dagny!" She turns and barely holds her tea cup steady in excitement. "Was this Uncle Corwin's Pattern?" Dagny looks faintly surprised. "Why...yes. How did you know?" "A guess" Dulcinea says, smiling. "You spoke of a Primal Pattern that you reached before reaching Amber. There aren't any other Primal Patterns in the Universe that I know about. So I made a guess." "A deduction" Fiona corrects. "And a good one, Dulcinea." Fiona says. She looks at Kieran and Dagny. "I had not been fully aware of broken Patterns based on my brother's Pattern, however." Fiona says. "What was it like?" "The broken Pattern world? Very French," Dagny replies. "At least the part I was in, anyway. It was situated in the middle of the Versailles of that place. Versailles," she explains to Dulcinea and Kieran, "is the site of a very old palace that was a tribute to the excesses of the time, while the people of the country starved. It is known for its elaborate decorations and its gardens." "I have seen the museum that is Versailles in my sister's world." Fiona says. "Your own homeworld, from what I understand" she adds. She looks at Kieran "Dagny may be immodest about this , but it emerges that her shadow is not only a nexus of events relating to the family, but is also a distillation and re-reflection of a number of cultures associated with the family, including the cultures in your mother's shadow...." " If I did not think it would upset her unduly" Fiona muses "I would have long since investigated Earth in a more esoteric manner to exactly find out why it should work in such a manner." "Mom has spoken of the place before;" Kieran says. "A lot of good music originates from there." "It does," Dagny agrees. "If we'd had more time on our trip I would have cycled through some more bands on my iPod." She turns to Fiona. "I wondered, is it that we spend so much time there because it is a nexus, or it is a nexus because we spend so much time there?" Fiona gives Dagny a small smile, akin to the smile that a teacher might give to a student that asks a perceptive question or makes a particularly good point. "That is the crux of the matter, grandniece." Fiona replies. "It is an esoteric question that some in the family only spend the slightest thought on." Fiona looks at Dulcinea, and Kieran and then back at Dagny. "I am pleased that some of the family feels differently and pays attention to the subtler arts." Dagny just smiles and takes a sip of tea. Fiona takes a sip of then and then she then looks at Kieran. "Has Deirdre scheduled your Patternwalk, yet?" "Not to my knowledge, Grandmother;" Kieran replies. "Nor do I yet know when I will meet the King. I strongly suspect Lord Henden is working on that though, if he hasn't already scheduled it." Kieran pauses for a moment as if considering something. "Grandmother, may I make a request as to which Pattern I first walk? And how likely is such a request to be granted?" Dagny waits for Fiona's response. "What I was going to insist on" Fiona says "was to oversee your Patternwalk, myself. My brother will take too long to make a decision on the matter, and even if he does not, it is my responsibility to make sure, Kieran, that your experience is the most uniformly positive. Such things should remain within the family." Kieran nods at this. "It is my intent that I shepherd your Patternwalk, since Deirdre has left the field unclaimed at the moment." Fiona says. "I should like for her to be there, as a witness, though;" Kieran adds. "That is acceptable." Fiona says. "It is a pity that both of my children have seen fit to engage in other projects, or else they might wish to do so as well." Kieran nods his head in agreement. "If you were thinking of the Pattern in Tir." Fiona continues "You should know that the Moon is past full at this stage, and I cannot in good countenance suggest that as your first walk, unless you want to wait the several weeks until it becomes full again." Kieran smiles at this and then shakes his head while gently chuckling. "No, not Tir;" he says softly. "Though Grandmother Deirdre gave me much the same warning when we spoke earlier." "I would be most pleased, however." she adds "If your desires align with mine, and you want to walk the true Pattern. The Primal Pattern." Dulcinea's eyes, at Fiona's words, glow with obvious interest. Kieran's expression grows suddenly still as he gazes intently at Fiona. He then nods his head and stands up only to make a full court bow before his Grandmother. "You are indeed as perceptive as my Mother indicated." A pause then with a grin, he adds; "And as my Father warned. Walking the Primal Pattern first is indeed my desire." He sits back down in his chair. "I have my reasons for my desire, but I would like to know why it is yours as well, Grandmother." Dagny continues to listen with interest. "There are several good reasons for having you walk the Primal Pattern first, instead of Amber's." Fiona says. "First, and the most quotidian reason, is privacy. Having your walk occur there will reduce the chances of interruption or other distraction to nearly zero. Second, it is an important site as regards the nature of our world. I do not think that the word pilgrimage is an inaccurate term." Fiona takes a short sip of her tea, draining it. After rising, refilling it and sitting down again, she continues. "Third, there are precious few of the family who made their first walk on that Pattern. A Patternwalk is a unique experience, the first patternwalk even more so." "Who's first walk was on the Primal?;" Kieran asks. "I shouldn't tell tales about other family members." Fiona says with an unnerving smile. "However, I think I can safely tell you that all of my children, including your mother, did so, Kieran. Now, continuing on that theme, Dulcinea's Patternwalk, in the wake of Jayson's actions, has marked her." Dulcinea, clearly unnerved, just nods with a touch of fear in her eyes. Fiona ignores this and turns toward Dagny. Kieran gazes intently at Dulcinea for a moment, then turns his attention back to Fiona. Dulcinea shies away, gently, from Kieran's attention, and turns toward Fiona as she continues to speed. "Dagny, for example, first walked the Tir Pattern, did you not? and I believe that experience marked you? Especially given the skill sets and abilities you have since developed?" she says to Dagny. "Dagny, for example, first walked the Tir Pattern, did you not? and I believe that experience marked you? Especially given the skill sets and abilities you have since developed?" she says to Dagny. Dagny raises her eyebrows. "I did," she acknowledges. "News apparently travels fast. But I wonder to what skill sets and abilities you are referring." It is not a question. Fiona just gives Dagny a smile. "There is one more thing;" [Kieran] adds. "I intend on walking Uncle Corwin's Pattern at some point in the future. As my father did. I would prefer to do it with the highest order imprint of Amber's Pattern that I can manage." "Is there a particular reason?" Dagny asks Kieran, curiously. Fiona sips her tea, and regards Kieran expectantly. "One; I bear the bloodline of two Patterns within me. To let either go unrealized would be a waste of potential. Two; my mother theorized, and I believe, that bearing the mark of two Patterns will provide additional strengths, abilities... in time." Dagny nods. "But why in conjunction with the Primal Pattern imprint specifically? How would the one in particular affect the other?" Kieran looks at Fiona. "The others are but reflections of the true Pattern." "Is that true?" Dulcinea asks. "Yes" Fiona replies, holding Kieran's gaze. "There is but one greater initiation possible, as regards to a Pattern, than the Primal one. Although that one is relatively difficult to achieve." "And no" she adds quickly "I am not referring to an initiation to the Logrus. I consider that equal to the Pattern. Not the same, and with different strengths, but overall, equal. Having a Primal Pattern imprint will protect Kieran against some unwanted side effects if he is determined to assay Corwin's Pattern." Kieran raises an eyebrow. "One greater initiation?;" he repeats. "To the Jewel perhaps?" And then; "What side effects?" Dagny leans forward, listening intently. "It is much the same as anyone who assays more than one major power." Fiona says. "Initiating yourself to a Pattern is not like picking up a magic sword in a poorly written fantasy novel. In a sense, walking the Pattern is a contract,a bargain, an initiation between you and the Pattern. You are defining yourself as a scion of that Pattern, and that Pattern is marking you as her own." "I've read some stories where the hero's magical weapon has costs or drawbacks involved in its ownership, usage;" Keiran replies. "But I understand your point." "You're speaking as if the Pattern is a sentient being, Aunt," Dagny remarks. "Is it?" Dulcinea chimes in. "In some senses Dagny. They certainly have some level of thought and even agency and agenda." Fiona says. "That, however, is the subject for not a tea salon, but an entire bit of coursework. And one that might best be delayed until all present have an imprint of their own." Dagny nods and takes a sip of tea. "I understand." "Given that, however,can you all see that walking a different Pattern, Corwin's, might lead to trouble when loyalties are crossed? Walking the Primal Pattern of Amber will put that imprint of yours on an equal footing with the Primal Pattern of Corwin's, if conflict should arise." "There are other side effects as well from a purely mechanical point of view" Fiona continues. "If you were to walk the Pattern in the basement, and then the Primal one of Corwin's, your shadowshifting would tend toward the Corwinian, which could make travel through, say, the Golden circle, somewhat difficult." "From what Dad and Mom have said over the years;" Kieran begins. "I don't think there will be a problem between the two unless Amber's Pattern chooses to make one. That said, I do understand your points, Grandmother. And its not like I'm going to walk both within days of each other. I'll need time to adjust to having a Pattern imprint before I take on another. I have a great deal of theoretical knowledge concerning the Patterns, I want some time to gain practical knowledge as well." "And what of you?" Fiona says, looking at Dagny. "All things considered, do you seek the imprint of the Corwin Pattern?" "Um...." Dagny seems a bit lost. "As far as I know, I'm not one of Corwin's, so I shouldn't be able to walk his Pattern, right? And in any event, I think I have enough problems dealing with the Pattern imprint I have without adding another one." "What have your theoretical knowledge told you regarding the requirements for Corwin's Pattern?" Fiona says, regarding Kieran. Dulcinea remains quiet, and watchful. "That the blood of Corwin is not the only, or perhaps I should say, the main requirement for walking his Pattern;" Kieran replies. "Dad is not Corwin's son and he walked it. True, Dad is related more closely to Corwin than any save Corwin's descendants or Grandmother Deirdre." Kieran shrugs his shoulders. "There is also the case of...;" Kieran searches his memories; "James, I believe he's called. A Pattern ghost of Jayson, one created by Amber's Pattern from an imprint before Jayson got involved with Apollo. I think." "Yes" Fiona says. "That is correct and remarkably well informed." Kieran smiles. "Excellent teachers and sources of information;" he replies. He shrugs his shoulders again; "Which also leads me to believe there is an intelligence of sorts to the Patterns. I think, again based on what Mom and Dad have told me over the years, that Corwin's Pattern is more flexible, less stringent in its requirements for initiation. If Patterns gain strength by having people walk and become initiates of them, I can see why Corwin's Pattern is willing to be flexible with it's entrance requirements." "To gain strength from them, to gain templates for Pattern Ghosts, such as James." Fiona says. "It is true that the Patterns clearly gain from the relationship. And yet there is a vulnerability to both sides in such a bargain, as is right and proper. Patterns become vulnerable to an initiate's blood, as my brother taught us with Martin's blood, and to initiate into a Pattern...well..." Fiona smiles. "The walls have ears. Perhaps a subject for a extracurricular seminar. If you prove to be promising students." Her gaze seems to indicate Kieran, Dulcinea and Dagny. Kieran will use his Psyche and Mind Magics (Third Eye) to look around. Not that he really expects to detect any listening devices, spells, etc. Anything here, he surmises, is here because Fiona wants it to be here. Kieran's abilities reveal a plethora of arcane fields, both in the room, and also further away, behind one of the doors. Its difficult to determine what their nature is without actually getting his hand (or mind) dirty with them. He does get the feeling, though, that this is a public layer of spells and fields, and that there are others, subtler and not as liable or amenable to detection. And, perhaps, the smile that Fiona gives Kieran is no coincidence. "We can but try, Aunt," Dagny replies, smiling. "All of us?" Dulcinea says, with surprise in her voice. "I am well aware that all three of you." Fiona says "have taken first, if different steps, into the arcane world. In these times, with extradimensional invaders, scheming Chaosians, Old Gods, and Elder Races stirring, and probably lost family members in the bargain, I find it useful to hone budding talents." "Nothing is without price and cost, of course, but for the moment, let us say that it is mutually beneficial that you receive proper training." Fiona adds. Kieran considers this for a moment or two. "Agreed;" he says. "Scheming Chaosians?" Fiona holds up a finger to allow Dagny to respond first. "Scheming Chaosians? Isn't that sort of redundant?" Dagny interjects. "Rather like crafty Amberites, don't you think?" She smiles. > "I didn't think you so cynical." Fiona says to Dagny. "Your experience in shadow has molded you, Dagny, as well as it might." Dagny raises her eyebrows at this comment, but does not reply. "But to answer your question" Fiona says to Kieran. "A group of Chaosians came to Amber, ostensibly seeking reparations from Prince Jayson. Apparently, Apollo, or his removal, caused extensive damage to the Courts. They are seeking vendetta, or redress against him." "But Jayson isn't here!" Dulcinea protests. "Exactly." Fiona says "And I am confident the Chaosians knew that, and came anyway. Hence my use of the adjective to describing the Chaosians as scheming. They clearly had additional agenda in mind." "I recall Mom talking about that a time or three when I was little;" Kieran says. "Arriving here and failing to find Jayson;" Kieran begins after considering the matter for a few moments; "Did the Chaosians then seek to place their claims for reparations against the Kingdom of Amber? Using the pretense that Jayson is of the royal house of Amber and that therefore said house bears some responsibility for the actions of its members?" "I don't think that's fair," Dulcinea says to Kieran. "I wouldn't blame your mother for anything you did, for example? Why should they blame any of us? Are they going to, Aunt Fiona?" "What we might consider unfair;" Kieran replies to Dulcinea; "May be their custom and moreover, legal in the Courts. Just depends on how they do things there." Dagny sits, soaking it all in. "Not at this time" Fiona says. "As it so happens, one of your cousins, Brieanne, managed to convince the Chaosians to seek redress from Jayson's mother, and for the moment, the Chaosians are now encamped near Corilaine. It may appear that my son's assessment of her abilities and skills is slightly more accurate than mine." Fiona sips her tea, with a mildly disquieted look on her face. When the gesture is complete, she continues. Kieran looks studiously into his cup for a moment as Fiona relates the above. "I do not know, Kieran, if they will find satisfaction there, or return to file their grievances directly against Amber. For the moment, we have been granted some respite of their antics." "Of course, I expect at least one spy to have remained behind in the city, if not within the Castle itself." Fiona adds. Kieran considers this and then nods his head. Dagny sips her tea and continues to follow the conversation. "It goes almost without saying, of course." Fiona says. "that the discovery of such a spy by any of you would be a good thing." Kieran nods his head at this. "It might even be somewhat more rewarding to you if you alert an...authority other than the King first." Fiona adds. "Not that my brother should be kept out of the loop completely, of course." Kieran considers this, and after a moment or two, minutely nods his head. Only then does Dulcinea, with a pensive look, nods as well. Dagny raises her eyebrows at this. Fiona ignores Dagny's eyebrow for the moment and takes a sip of her tea. She then looks at Dulcinea. "It seems that you might wish to ask a question?" she says. "Yes, Aunt Fiona." Dulcinea says. "I was going to ask about elder members of the family. William asked me to ask you about the subject after a conversation we had with someone who might be a representative of one of your elder sisters." "A teachable moment" Fiona says, looking at Dagny and Kieran. "What were you taught about the, ah, uncommon members of the family?" "Define 'uncommon';" Kieran replies with a slight smile. "Mom and Dad gave me the rundown of the family, as they knew of it, as of when they left Amber. But I would welcome any additional information you may have,Grandmother." "Your daughter told me of some of the less well known family members" Dulcinea ventures. "But I am not sure what you mean, either." "Oh?" Fiona says with a touch of archness. "Well, then, some education may be in order for all of you." She regards Kieran, Dagny and Dulcinea for a moment. "Let's take the Socratic method, shall we, rather than being completely vulgar." "Now, then." Fiona says. "Let's take it pieces, shall we?" She refills her cup. "What are the names of Benedict's full siblings and what do you know of them?" Fiona takes a sip of tea and waits expectantly. "Osric and Finndo;" Kieran says after a moment. (If their cards are in the standard deck, or included in Brandeigh's - I can't remember off hand, then Kieran will have the HTD pop up a holo image of them. With the Trump aspects locked down, of course, to prevent accidental contact attempts.) "Both older than him and reportedly dead;" Kieran adds. "What was the phrase... 'Died for the good of Amber' I believe." Dulcinea raises an eyebrow. Dagny regards the images. "That's an interesting turn of phrase, Kieran," she remarks. "Very;" Kieran replies. He shrugs his shoulders. "I didn't coin it;" he adds; "It was passed on down to me from Mom and Dad. And I'm not even sure they know the details to the story." "There is the semi-official story, and the real story behind what happened to them." Fiona says. "The question is which one you want to hear. Both have measures of truth behind them, but different ones. I will tell you one of the stories, if you wish." "Of course, too" Fiona adds brightly. "The three children of Cymnea had a lesser known counterpart. A younger sister." "I vote for the real story of what happened to Osric and Finndo;" Kieran says. "And I'd also like to hear of their younger sister." "I second Kieran's notion," Dagny says. "This sounds interesting." "First the stories of Benedict's brothers." Fiona says. "They did not die, as you might have heard. I will not say more about that, since you wished to hear the truth of what really happened to them" she smiles slightly. "What happened to them?" Dulcinea asks. "After their falling out with my father" Fiona begins. "the both of them engaged in a self-imposed exile from Amber. Finndo has prospered these last centuries in Chaos, having been adopted into the minor House into which he married. In fact his son Rylan has been here, to Amber, and recently. Dulcinea and Dagny may have met him." Dulcinea nods in response. "As far as Osric, well it would not be wise, Kieran, to stare too long at that three dimensional trump of him. Osric is not exactly dead, but he is not precisely alive anymore, either." "He is something else now, something far removed from his Amber origins. He belongs to a different power now, one he has claimed for himself. And thus extremely dangerous to treat with." "I haven't met Rylan," Dagny says in answer to Fiona's implied question. "At least not that I know of." She takes a sip of tea. "Hum. This Osric...have you met him in person? How did you find out about him?" "I disabled the trump functions when I brought up the images;" Kieran replies. "Just to prevent accidental contacts." "So, what is Osric then? Undead? What power does he claim?" "And where did you meet him?" Dulcinea adds to Dagny and Kieran's questions with one of her own. "Good questions, all." Fiona says. She pours herself another cup of tea, sips and then resumes speaking. "There are older powers than the Pattern and the Logrus in this universe, nieces and nephew." Fiona says. "For the most part, these powers are muted, quiescent and do not impinge much on Amber or the affairs of the regions of shadow that any of you are likely to visit. There are very few active practitioners of these arts." "That said, Osric has now only taken one of these ancient powers, but he displaced its former overlord, to claim its throne for itself. He calls himself Shadowthrone now, the Lord of Shadow and Illusion." "I visited his realm once, briefly, inadvertently, a very long time ago and encountered him there." Fiona says. "I did not have the resources to meet him on equal terms and soon departed." Kieran parses what his grandmother said for a few moments. "In other words;" he begins and then stops for a split second. "You executed a strategic departure of his realm." "Possibly" Fiona says with a smile for Kieran. Kieran smiles back. "Can one get to his realm by exploring the reality... the universe the Primal Pattern lies in?;" Kieran asks. "Older than the Logrus?" Dagny asks. "I thought that the universe was nothing but Chaos until the Pattern was drawn." "I would have thought your father would have educated you more properly as befits a descendant of Queen Clarissa." Fiona says to Dagny. "Something that should be corrected at some juncture." "No, Dagny, the Logrus is older the Pattern, and reality is far older than both. In the time before the Pattern, the multiverse was a far less organized place, ranged around the single pole of the Logrus." "Chaos was the center of the Universe?" Dulcinea asks. "Yes, Dulcinea" Fiona says. "Before the Logrus, though, reality was a confused jumble of shadows and realities, jostling together, striving against each other, with little sense of structure. It was the time of a myriad of powers and of Elder Races. The creation of the Logrus, and later, the Pattern, destroyed or tamed most of these powers and Races, and formed the structure of the multiverse today. But not all of those powers and Races were destroyed, and not completely. And now we come to the answer to Kieran's question. These regions, where these powers can often be found, are not at our level of reality, but both above and below it." "I take it." Fiona adds."you are all familiar with the Dreamlands to one degree or another? And one of our newest family members, Valerian?" "Yes. Valerian put me into a dream with Jayson" Dulcinea says brightly. Kieran sighs. "The Dreamlands;" he says. "Possibly direct knowledge, if only briefly. I've encountered a sentient race from there; the Yithonghu. Seems they were less than pleased by what Mom and some other relatives did there. They attacked Mom's Shadow with the help of the Coranians. We put them down hard; Mom, Dad, and I. Along with our space navy." He sets his cup down and then rubs his face. "I discovered survivors on the wrecked Yithonghu command ship;" he grins fiercely for a moment. "Ended up in a duel of sorts on what I thought was the psychic plane, but most likely was the Dreamlands, with their champion. I won, if only just barely." He smiles then; "Valerian met us at the dock and escorted to the Castle." "I know a little about the Dreamlands," Dagny chimes in. "Not as much as I probably should. I haven't had a chance to really study it since I learned about it. And yes, I am also familiar with Valerian, we met years ago, relative to my time." "So you are all familiar with the Dreamlands, hence my question" Fiona says. "My point is that the Dreamlands are coterminous with our Reality, our shadows, but at a different level of reality. What Merlin called Undershadow is similar, on a different direction on that axis." "The realms such as those Osric rules, and there are an archipelago of them, are also aligned along those axes to one degree or another. Osric's realm is between ours and Undershadow, for instance." "Like where the Omphalos come from?" Dagny interjects. "Or the Rashka?" "I believe the realm of the Omphalos to be at the same level of reality as ours." Fiona says. "The Raksha are a more complicated subject." "Getting to these layers from our realm is as difficult, and as specialized a skill as getting into Valerian's Dreamlands playground. This runs both ways, which is why an incursion of the Yithonghu." she glances at Kieran "is rare and disturbing at the same time." Kieran nods. "It didn't look like getting into Mom's shadow was an easy thing for them to do. It was like they were ripping a giant hole in the fabric of reality." "The Omphalos do that too," says Dagny. "Those Doors of theirs. Interesting." "I have not had enough reliable data from their Doors to judge." Fiona says, looking at Dagny speculatively. "Of course, the acquisition and return of such data would be possibly rewarding to someone already bound up in the Omphalos' doings, one way or another." Fiona shifts her gaze so as to look equally at all three people in the room with her. "I thought several family members had already investigated?" Dagny asks. "And the Omphalos are why I'm back in Amber. I'm here to give a report to Random when he's able to see me." "Would not Valerian be the best subject matter expert we have on the Omphalos?" Kieran asks. "The Patternverse he was born into fell to them, did it not?" "So we have been told" Fiona says with a nod. "Of course, while your parents did go to the Omphalos universe, Kieran, as Dagny has just alluded to, much of what we do know we have been told by Valerian." "What's wrong with that?" Dulcinea says. "Hasn't he proven himself trustworthy?" She then looks down at her cup, as if realizing that she might have said too much. Fiona regards Dulcinea for a moment, a long, considered look. "Perhaps. Still, I" Fiona replies "prefer independent confirmation of what he has to tell us. You all have had solid educations, and so I am sure you have learned that biases can creep into a point of view. It is the fact that his universe *was* destroyed that makes his point of view on the Omphalos in need of correlation." "What say you?" she says to Kieran and Dagny. "So, we could Trump Mom and ask her what she recalls of her time there with Valerian;" Kieran begins. "Or, are you asking us to consider a journey there for direct observations of our own?" "I'd like to help on such a project." Dulcinea says, looking at Kieran and Dagny. Fiona smiles, but turns toward Dagny a full two seconds before Rinaldo's daughter speaks. "Well, Aunt, seems to me that whomever you send will have their own biases, so their observations will be tainted. Only way to know for sure would be to go yourself. And woe on them if you do!" Dagny takes another sip, and smiles. Fiona gives Dagny a nod. "You *have* been taking lessons from your father, Dagny. Your decline of my offer is so noted. It is a pity. Your skills and talents, and your first hand experiences compliment Kieran and Dulcinea's." 'Point to both;' Kieran thinks to himself while sipping from his cup. He waits to observe Dagny's reply. "I was just making an observation," Dagny says coolly, keeping her gaze on her aunt. "I don't understand why you think you'd be able to take my word--or Kieran's, or Dulcinea's--over that of others who've already been there. Especially since we just met ten minutes ago. Plus, from what I've heard, you are surely better qualified to deal with the Omphalos than any of us." "Its not a matter of taking your word over theirs, Dagny." Fiona replies. "It's a matter of gaining new and updated information to augment what we already know. Do not mistake me suggesting that the three of you might act as my agents as a reluctance on my part to do it myself. I am engaged in other methods even now." She smiles slightly. "And of course, if I were to do everything myself personally, even assuming that was a desirable course of action for anyone, Dagny, it would be poor for your development. I do not particularly desire or want a world where my generation does everything, and our children and children's children are left to hold the reins of the horses." "We are not the Titans, intent on oppressing, infantilizing, or consuming our Olympian children, only to have them revolt against us one day in response." Kieran nods his head. "It's always best to get direct, firsthand knowledge of your opponent whenever possible;" he says. "You may notice something no one else has." Kieran looks directly at Fiona; "If there were nothing to do here but hold the reins of an Elder's horse, I would soon be gone. Off to find my own way." "I do not wish to be treated as a child." Dulcinea interjects. "I am to be my mother's heir, and she would not approve." Kieran regards her for a moment, looks as if he might say something, then changes his mind. "We, I, need to know what we're up against when we go to assist Corwin;" Kieran adds. "I'm good with technology; I'd like an opportunity to study theirs. Maybe come up with ways to use it against them. And I would like to know if... Crimson; the Patternverse Valerian hails from; if it's Pattern is truly destroyed." Fiona gives a nod to Kieran, but holds her cup to her lips and watches as Dagny speaks. "The danger, Kieran, is that someday you may find yourself holding the reins of that horse anyway, but with no clear idea of how you came to be there in the first place, and no way to extricate yourself from the driver's seat," Dagny responds. "For all you know, your presence here right now is due to someone else's machinations. I know mine is." She looks at Fiona. "This is not a slight against you, Aunt, or an editorial comment on your offer. It's also not an insult against you, Kieran, implying that you're an easy mark or something. It's just that manipulation seems to be as common as breathing in our family, and about as effortless. And our relatives play a long game." "None perceived, Dagny;" Kieran replies. He smiles. "Machinations. Yes, several in my case. You sought an ally to assist you in aiding Corwin. My parents needed a way to get me to Amber without them having to rejoin the game. I needed a way to get to Amber and walk the Pattern." "The long lived or those would live long play a long game" Fiona responds coolly to Dagny. "As far as the problem of manipulation in our family, perhaps your presence here is due to such machinations as you ascribe." "There are responses you can make to such machinations. You can cut yourself off from the family as a whole, as Cassandra and Delwin have done until recently. You can immerse yourself in the games as a full player, as some might infer that your Great Aunt Flora does. I suspect, Dagny, that is not an option *you* prefer." "The third way, and you seem to have found the path to it, Dagny, is to play the game enough, so as not to be played by others, unwittingly." "We *all* manipulate others, Dagny, in small ways if not large. Or have you never encountered a waiter who has given exceptional service in order to garner a large tip?" "There's a difference there though," Dagny replies. "Both sides are participating voluntarily in the transaction, and know what is expected of them, and what the consequences will be. This has not been my experience with regards to most of the family, at least not so far. In any event," she continues, "at the moment we seem to be united by a common enemy." Fiona sips her tea before responding. "External common enemies are useful for family dynamics." Fiona says with a nod. "Brother against brother, Sisters unite against an Aunt. All family members unite against an external threat." "That sounds like a barbarian clan" Dulcinea interjects. "It sounds much like a House of Chaos, actually" Fiona says. "Which unfortunately makes the dynamics of our family an inheritance of sorts. This is not to say that we should not do better, Dagny, but history is a hard thing to escape from for any family, or any political entity." "In the center of Order lies a family most chaotic;" Kieran begins; "Mom and Dad used to say that a lot. Not sure where they got it from." To Fiona, he says; "Don't you find it odd how external threats have a habit of showing up just as a bit of societal and/or familial unity is needed? Does a lack of the latter cause the former to appear?" "Or at least force all of us to declare sides," Dagny adds. "They seem to preternaturally appear" Fiona agrees. "Are they engineered?" Dulcinea says. "Deliberately made to force family unity?" "Such cynicism in the young." Fiona says, amused, looking at Kieran, Dulcinea and Dagny.. "No, I think that times of fractiousness within our family are seen as opportunities by outside powers to take advantage of that disunion." Kieran barely restrains the eyeroll he feels at his Grandmother's 'young' comment. He does nod at her following comment. "Its an amusing paradox, seen from the outside. Outside pressure on the Family to try and destroy it actually winds up bringing the best out in us." "Could that outside pressure be an effect the Family via the Pattern has on Shadow? Or one the Pattern has on the Family via Shadow?" he asks. "That's an interesting question, Kieran," Dagny interjects, and waits for Fiona's answer. "Do we, or the Pattern, manufacture external forces in order to keep our family united?" Fiona says. "A theory that underlies your perceptiveness and education." Fiona replies to Kieran, with clear pride in her voice. "That would depend on how much of an active role the Pattern has on shadows outside of Amber on an ongoing basis. It also implies that the Pattern is not only sentient, but acts for the good of the Family, or at least its realm." "Tell me" she says, looking at the three guests. "How would you go about proving, or disproving, such a hypothesis as Kieran has proposed?" "Hmm...;" Kieran says after a few moments of intense thinking. "Construct a Trump based network of Pattern detectors, said detectors to be placed throughout Shadow, to measure the relative level of Pattern energy in it's location?" He then shrugs his shoulders and looks at his grandmother. "Or we could just ask the Pattern what it thinks about our theory." Fiona smiles. "The latter course is far, far simpler, of course. On the other hand, can the Pattern lie, and would it lie?" "Ah;" Kieran replies. "But getting an answer, any answer, would go a long way to determining whether it's sentient or not. Not answering us cannot, however, go towards proving the opposite. It may not wish to talk to us or prove it's sentience." He pauses for a moment. "As for the Pattern telling a lie;" he shrugs his shoulders; "Depends on its ethical and moral values. And the situation as well." "Smartypants," Dagny teases Kieran, smiling. "I feel like I've wandered into a graduate seminar on string theory. I'm afraid this conversation is rapidly going over my head, and I'm rather outclassed by the rest of you. Pattern theory isn't really my strong suit, and I wouldn't know how to begin to answer such a question." "Do not fear, Dagny" Dulcinea says "I have not been as well educated as Kieran, either, on the nuances of such theory. I have nothing to offer such as Kieran has done. I have only been trained in history, rhetoric and the arts necessary to rule and reign." Kieran's eyes light up. "And those are no small things, Dulcinea. I have been trained in those as well." To Dagny, he says; "Think of it as just another science experiment. The trick is to first make sure scientific theory works here, then find a way to observe and measure without your methods of observing and measuring affecting the outcome of the experiment. Which has me a bit stumped, I confess. Since we would be a part of the experiment, how would we go about stepping back to observe without affecting the outcome? Examine the Amber universe from the level of reality the Primal Pattern lies in?" "Being inside of the experiment makes it difficult to judge." Fiona agrees. "Esoteric experiments in and near the Primal Pattern, however, are dangerous. An expensive and dangerous way to get more arcane education, Kieran." Kieran nods his head. "Rarely is anything worth doing easy, Grandmother. What is your solution to the question you proposed?" "Extend one's point of view to another dimension" Fiona says "But that is a topic for another discussion." Fiona sips her tea and the conversation quiets for a few moments. "What were you educated in, Dagny, in your shadow and your adventures?" Dulcinea asks after a pause in the conversation. Fiona sips her tea, and listens. "My home Shadow? Your basics, reading, writing, 'rithmatic. A bit of martial arts on the side. Magic isn't a big thing there, and it was not expected I would turn out to be anybody special, so lessons in leadership and governance were left to others. As for during my later adventures...no format so formal as it seems you and Kieran seem to have experienced," Dagny replies. "More picking up things as I went along. A little swordplay, a little strategy, equestrian skills, and some trial-and-error in the magic department." She smiles. "Seems I probably should have sought out teachers instead of bumming around Shadow for a couple centuries." "There are many ways to further your education, Dagny." Dulcinea says. "You have seen more of the universe than I have and even without formal teachers, surely that gives you an education that I...and Kieran" The blond haired woman glances at the latter briefly before continuing. "If you had two centuries of practice shadowshifting, that must have given you a lot of practical knowledge on how to *use* the Pattern, rather than just reading about it or listening to a teacher talk about it. And that is in addition to that suite of skills you have just mentioned." Dulcinea adds. Kieran nods his head again. "Very true;" he says. "Often, a little practical knowledge can go a long way towards overcoming a great deal of theoretical knowledge. "Before we started on our journey here, you didn't know how to pilot a starship or sail a boat, except, perhaps, in theory. Now you do." Dagny chuckles. "I didn't think of it that way," she says to Dulcinea. "I like your spin on it. Thanks." To Kieran she says, "Very true. I did learn a lot on this last trip alone. You're right." "A solid education includes fieldwork and practicals in addition to a sound reading of theory" Fiona says. She finishes her cup and then puts it face down. "And speaking of theory, I think the time for theory has come to an end, for now, anyway. I do hope the three of you will give thought to my proposal and offer" she says briskly. "I'm for it;" Kieran replies. He then turns his towards Dagny. "But I have made a promise to assist Dagny with Uncle Corwin's problem. If you wish to pursue that, then that is what we shall do. I still think that an intel gathering mission to the realm of the Omphalos can only help us in the long run though." "It sounds like an interesting proposition, Aunt," Dagny says. "But like Kieran says, we have something to take care of first. When Random can see us, I'll fill him and everyone else in on what I found. Once that's done...I don't know what I might have to do next. So can I give a conditional yes?" "Yes, you both can give a conditional yes." Fiona says. "It would be inappropriate for me to steal the thunder and rights of my brother, his Majesty. I am sure we will be in contact soon." Her eyes then look at Dulcinea. Dulcinea responds to this with a slightly startled look. "And your response?" Fiona says. "I don't think I have the capacity..." Fiona's raised eyebrow is enough to stop Dulcinea. and let Fiona speak. "Nonsense. I know you are somewhat trained in sorcery, even if it is not from me or mine. And these other skills which you spoke of. No, I think you will do well." "All right" Dulcinea says "If Kieran and Dagny do accept your offer, then I will accompany them." "That is satisfactory" Fiona says. "And on that note, I conclude that this interview is over." Kieran sets his saucer and cup down on the table. "Then we will continue our conversation, Grandmother?" he asks. "Yes" Fiona says. Dagny raises an eyebrow and gives Fiona a half-smile out of one corner of her mouth. "Interview? Indeed. That'll teach me to think I'm just having a friendly chat with a family member. Thank you for the tea, Aunt. Dulcinea, shall we head out?" Fiona looks at Dagny with an innocent smile. "Yes" Dulcinea says brightly. "I would like to get to know you better, Dagny, if you are of a mind." Kieran nods to Dagny and Dulcinea. "Then I will see you both later." "See you later, Kieran," Dagny responds. Backlinks |
