WilliamRe-JoiningTheCircus(Continued from Brienne William a Meeting of Minds.) Shannon answers the Trump immediately, and pulls through William without any preamble or hesitation. The trump closes with a sudden, sharp snap quite unlike most trump contacts. She, and the rest of her party, and William now himself, he notices, are at the docks. "Kiathas' idea to get us all some fresh air." Devaine says. "Rather than running a messenger down to the docks to get the marines, we came here ourselves. The two Amber ships bob behind them. "The Marines are on the way to the Alcazar as you asked." Shannon says. "Clever of you to occupy me thusly while you had your negotiations with her. I see your mother's talent, cousin." "Bah" Valric says. "What's with the Princess. Or whatever she is?" "We didn't quite take bets." Kiathas says. Isabei said you were going to be turned into a newt. "I did not," Isabei says dryly. William starts to answer then holds up a hand. "Bide." Bleys' trump call comes at this moment. He is nowhere near his mirthful self. The tall, red haired half-fire elemental that is his daughter stands behind him. Behind both of them, framed is an erupting volcano on a rather severe landscape. "Heard you were going Dalt hunting." Bleys opens. "You really sure you want to do this?" "You have heard the situation, Uncle?" William asked. "Do you see any other valid response?" "Random filled me in. Recalling me in the bargain." Bleys says. "The hell of it, nephew, is that our options in dealing with this are bad and worse. We can't allow this behavior to go unanswered. On the other hand, no one has ended the life of that little pissant in Kashfa." "Come here, Helias." he says aloud, beckoning the tall woman to step around and brought into the contact. William can feel a wave of heat from her thoughts. "You two probably met at the Ball or something." Bleys says. "As we agreed, Helias, listen to William. "He looks soft." Helias says, appraising William frankly. "Don't let his appearance fool you. He has a very good tactical mind and is more than adequate with a blade." Bleys says. "You'll see soon enough. Listen to him as you would me." The skepticism of Helias comes through the mental connection. "Very well, father." she says. Bleys seems satisfied by this, and returns his attention to William, not yet moving to pass her through. "If you are going for the kill, make sure he's dead. He should be dead several times over already. I've got a theory that Deela had Chaosian blood in her, and he's a part shapeshifter." Bleys explains. "Fire is an excellent weapon against all but the most experienced of shapeshifters," William says, looking Helias over with an approving glance. "Indeed" Helias says. "Random knows this" Bleys says "which is why he called me instead, of say, Gerard, to lend you one of his sons." Bleys says. "Now that he has three of them, and a daughter. Unicorn, where does he find the time?" He shakes his head. "Random suggested that you, or Brieanne, of all people, might know where Dalt is. I think he is holding out on me about that last part. He's finally learning." He grins. "Is there anything else about Dalt." the grin fades "you wanted to ask or know before I send Helias through and leave you to it?" "I've never gone against him myself, Uncle," William answers. "But the stories I've heard make him out to be an excellent fighter and a damn good strategist. I've heard nothing about any magical abilities, though. From that I take it he'd probably have hireling mages, but isn't one himself. And his desire to destroy Amber is something that he's not going to be talked out of. Does that all fit with what you know if him?" "He's no mage or sorcerer." Bleys says. "He relied on his friend Luke in the past for that. I don't think Luke is going to back him openly or give him aid in that arena, but watch out if he does. Dalt's own abilities are entirely in the physical and strategic sphere. He may not be Benedict, or even me." Bleys smiles slightly. "However, he is very good at small unit tactics. I don't fear him if he were a grand army. Either my brother or I could beat him like a drum. I am ... more concerned about his skills if he were waging a guerrilla campaign. As witness the fact that he IS still alive. Dalt knows enough about himself to know his strengths and leverage them." "His symbol is the lion rending the unicorn, so his feelings about Amber have not changed, no." Bleys adds. "If he has truly allied himself with the Omphalos, then it means he has decided this is his moment to break Amber." "Then he must be broken first." Helias says flatly. "Exactly so," William says with a firm nod. "Dalt is too much of an aid to the Omphalos in their campaign against us, and his decision to side with them moves him from serious annoyance to major threat." He considers for a few moments, then asks, "Uncle, do you think I should speak to King Luke about this before I move? Or do you think someone else should do so?" Bleys looks pensive. "Would this set Luke on another round of idiotic vendetta? I don't know." Bleys says. "Luke can't be supporting this--he strikes me as dangerous, but not absolutely stupid. You might try one of his brothers, or perhaps his daughter, to break this news. Merlin might be even better, but that's a longshot. Too far away. The Queen, too, might work. Random may have already thought of that. Didn't mention it to me though." "This Luke is the King that killed Caine?" Helias asks. "Yes" Bleys says. "Why hasn't anyone killed him?" Helias asks. "It's ... complicated." Bleys says. "I'm sure William can tell you more, if you are interested." He looks at William. "Shall I call my great-niece to talk to her father?" he asks. He chuckles. "Not even sure she knows I have her Trump." "I would appreciate that, Uncle," William answers with a smile. "Who knows, perhaps when he's been made aware of the situation Luke will be able to talk Dalt down from this idiocy and we won't have to go any further with it." "A thin hope." Bleys says. "But a hope nevertheless. Keep on with your plans in the meantime, I'm sure that Luke, or Dagny will contact you if they manage to rein in Dalt." "Unless he is burning first." Helias says. She smiles, and William can see a reddish, flame colored look in her eyes. "Let me go now with the blond one, father, and get to the Hunt." "Very well." Bleys says. "Keep in touch." He moves to pass Helias through. The tall, red haired woman takes William's hand in a strong grip. She makes a moue of disgust as she steps through to Begma. "Fah, this is as cold as Amber." she says, looking around and then focusing on Shannon, Kiathas, Valric, Devaine and Isabei. She takes a pace away from the dock edge, not quite snarling at the water, but close enough. "I remember you from the ball." Kiathas says. "You're the fire elemental" "My cousin Helias." Shannon says. "Hello cousin." she says. "This seems to be the week for unexpected meetings in strange places." "Yes, you're the fire witch's daughter." Helias says to Shannon. "I still think you and your brother need to get your head out of books." "Fire Elemental?" Isabei asks, warily, looking at William. "Allow me to make proper introductions," Williams says, with a smile and a bow to Helias. And he proceeds to do so. A couple of minutes later, the acquaintance of Isabei to Helias is made, and the re acquaintance of Helias to William's companions is accomplished. As much as Helias made an impression on them, she apparently remembered William's friends as well "See?" Kiathas says, slapping Valric lightly. "She even remembered your name." "We in Charrae learn by deed and spoken words." Helias says. "Books and writing things down is ..." she pauses. "new to me. Memory is Knowledge. Father says that we have a natural knack for Memory Palaces. I still do not quite understand what he meant." "You're just good at organizing what you've seen and experienced, is all." Shannon says. She turns toward William. "Up the river to the Capital and surprise dear Uncle Dalt? Or do we flush him out of his holding first?" "You have gotten more ... aerobic in recent days, Princess." Devaine notes. "I blame the arrival of our uncousin for my uncharacteristic mood." Shannon says. "Mother said as much." William laughs. "She has that effect," he says. He grows more solemn. "Right, then, we need to plan." He looks around. "The diplomats will wait on us before moving out. Let us take over a cabin, put up a privacy spell, and discuss what we are going to do." "We have to go on the water?" Helias says uncertainly as Valric, Kiathas, and Devaine toward the boat. "It's only the harbor." Isabei says. "I do not like the water." Helias admits. "Water Elementals are my people's foes." "None of those here." Shannon says soothingly. "Well, there's a little one that the Mages have up in their school. Barely large enough to overflow a bathtub. You could boil it to steam without a second thought." On the cabin they take over on the Peryton, there is wine, some light food and a map of the river valley up to the Capital, obtained by Devaine at some point. Helias looks a little more green than red but with a chair firmly wedged in a corner, she seems as set as she is able. She leans forward with her tall frame to glance at the table. "Now we are not going to be overheard." Shannon says, setting the privacy bubble in place. "Good" Valric says. "This river valley reminds me of the Mainz River back home, Guillaume. Harbor and harbor port here, river valley sloping north toward a big river port." William nods. "The similarity had not escaped me." "Yes" Shannon says, pointing at the map. "The capital, Tyin, is the practical limit for ships for sea going vessels. This is where the main roads head up toward Eregnor and Kashfa, and down into Amber. Flat farmland we saw on our trip to the Manse but as you get further north and up, karst topography right around the capital and some ways south of it. Cliffs, pretty country if you like that sort of thing. Caves, caverns, secrets." "Better for set piece battles down here," William says, gesturing. "And excellent places for ambuscades as we move upwards." He frowns thoughtfully. "What I have read of history confirms that." Shannon replies. "The plains south of Bluff country are where the battles are usually fought during the various invasions. Armies that wind up crossing north of it have a devil of a time." "Got a map of the city, too." Devaine offers. "For close in work." "Let us hold off on that for now," William answers. "We shall not make any friends for Amber if we burn down their capital city." He sits back and considers the map for a bit longer, then says, "I do not have the time not patience to hunt him down. Better if he does the work for us. Suggestions on how we make ourselves a tempting target?" "Don't look militarized. Look like we are carrying supplies that Dalt's forces will want to confiscate." Isabei offers. "Hide the marines." Valric agrees. "if we look underarmed, w "So you want us to look like prey?" Helias asks, making a face. "We look like prey." Shannon says patiently "so that they will draw near and we can show that we definitely are not. We don't want to scare them away." "Hmmm." Helias says. "As long as I don't have to swim in this river." "Are there river pirates in Begma?" Kiathas asks Isabei. "No." Isabei replies. "The Begmans take security along the river valley seriously. But there is nothing to stop an invasion force." "Ideally." Valric says to William. "We want a killing ground. Our best bet is to get hit here..." he points at Kevinsport. "Just south of the start of bluff country. Last spot we're in the open. We want to see them coming, after all." "They will want to strike from shadows." Helias says. "Will they not strike from these caves and caverns?" "Maybe" Kiathas says. "We also should display some conspicuous consumption, we look prosperous, fat, and wealthy." "I think we need to assume that Dalt's intelligence is good enough that he will know there are Royals among the party," Williams says thoughtfully. "With luck, my reputation will lead him to believe we're an easy target. Perhaps we should stage a public fight," he says to Shannon, "And you can flounce off back to Amber in a princessly huff." He looks at Helias. "You, we want to keep as our hidden trump card." "So I am hiding on this boat?" Helias says. "Looks like it." Valric says. "We'll get you a bucket." "A bucket?" Helias asks. "Never mind." Kiathas replies, giving Valric a look. "The more public our fight, the better." Shannon says to William. "We have to assume Dalt has spies, intelligencers, as William said." She pauses. "We just need to be where they will get first or second hand reports of it." "We should get Helias under cover quickly, then." Devaine suggests. "Perhaps even keep her hidden from the diplomats. You know, Guillaume." she looks at William. "It's occurred to me that one of them may be feeding Dalt information. Call it a hunch." William nods. "I am positive that at least one of them is actually a spy for Random, although I do not know which. And I would not be surprised if one or more of the others is supplying information to outsiders. Just one of the reasons none of them are fully in our confidence." "I should think that Random would have a spy amongst them." Shannon says. "It probably isn't worth rooting out just who it is. I'm fairly certain Mother does not have anyone, although she did make certain intimations..." she trails off the thought. William looks at Helias. "I hope that disguise will not be an insult to your honour, cousin," he says. "Father has been teaching me." Helias says. "I mislike this disguise and hiding, it is not what a warrior does." She purses her lips and straightens her back. "However, if we are to catch and burn this so called lion, we must draw him to us. Or else he will slink and skulk away, on terrain he knows better than we. Is that the right of it?" "Pretty much, lady Princess." Isabei says. "We want him to overcommit and not be in a spot to get away." "I like you." Helias says to Isabei. "I can see the fire in your blood." She scrutinizes Isabei intensely. "Right." Shannon says to William. "Speaking of your idea about the fight, we start it just as the diplomats arrive, yes?" William nods. "That is my thought. I do something stupid, you take offense, things escalate, I pull rank because this is my mission, you vanish in a sparkling rainbow. The diplomats shake their heads, we take off." He considers a moment, then asks, "Do you think it would work better for you to return surreptitiously, or just monitor the situation and come in after we've engaged?" "Monitor" Shannon says decisively and without hesitation. "If we do have a diplomat who is a mole or an informant for Dalt, it will do no good if I appear on the ship again until battle is joined." "We do not wish the quarry to be alerted." Helias agrees. "And what *did* you mean by that?" Shannon suddenly changes tone and demeanor and volume, like an actress slipping into a role on stage. She stares at William, her body language suddenly rigid and imperious. Behind William, he can see Adam Henry and the rest of the diplomats are being escorted down to the docks by a group of marines. William surreptitiously gives Devaine hand signals to hustle Helias away. Kiathas and Valric move as blockers behind, and Devaine in front, working as a team to screen her from view as they mount the gangplank. Only Isabei remains at hand, looking between William and Shannon with a look of faux bewilderment, fear and nervousness. "Really, dear girl," William drawls. "I should think even someone as sheltered as you would understand. Random put me in charge of this mission, not you. That means I decide our itinerary, and if I think that itinerary includes spending time with young ladies, however dubious their origins, then that is what I shall do." He sniffs. "While your morals do you credit, they are a dreadful bore." "Morals?" she says. "Basic human decency, more like. Even the most reprobate of Princes of our family have had more sense of duty at the depths of the interregnum than you do right now, William." she says. She pulls out the words, amplifying them for the benefit of the approaching audience. "We have a duty, a pressing mission, and there is no time for wenching, getting drunk, and gambling. How many times do I have to pull you out of houses of ill repute. I'll be pulling you of an alley, next!" "What is this?" Adam Henry says. "What transpires here?" he adds in a tone that doesn't quite rank a demand, but clearly an explanation. "The King of Amber's foolishness in having my worthless cousin lead this expedition. I have had enough of this, and will not stay here a moment longer." Shannon responds. William has felt the build up of the spell for the last couple of minutes. Instead of a soft, subtle disappearance, instead, Shannon's disappearance, in a gust of obscuring wind, is far more the style of her brother Lorius. The wind rocks the ships behind her, and hits William with the splash. He's not toppled but two of the diplomats are, knocked like bowling pins. "The Princess' temper is rare, but dangerous." Isabei says, unperturbed. "Much like certain species of dragon." William steadies himself against the wind of her departure. "Poor dear," he laughs. "The schoolroom and library have left her sadly unprepared for life. All she needs is a good..." he makes a vulgar gesture. "That will settle her down." "My word!" Naomi says, shocked. There are shocked murmurs from the male diplomats, and an outright glare from Absolom. Virgil puts a hand on his shoulder and whispers something in the elder diplomat's ear, causing him to break the look. Henry puts a hand up and regards William. He smiles at Henry. "Shall we be off? I am eager to see the delights of the capital." "Clearly I was right, and we should have just gone to Tyin." Absolom grumbles "The sooner we get there, the better, perhaps." Adam Henry says. He looks at the ships and then at William. "We are sailing after all? I thought we were riding." "Don't be so surprised, Ser Henry." Naomi says. "The Prince's manners may be unrefined, but his skill is unquestioned. I hope, at least." she looks at William "you were not relying on the Princess Shannon to ensure our ship passage up the river is uneventful." "Or, perhaps." she says, with a touch of hopefulness in the voice. "The Prince is sailing upriver in the Narcissus, letting us ride up the road. Perhaps that would be better for all concerned?" she says to William. There is a murmur amongst the diplomats of agreement. "Excellent idea, Ambassador," William says, clapping his hands together. "I've just obtained the most excellent horse, and I'm anxious to give him the chance to show his mettle. Let's all take the land route, instead." He turns and shouts at the sailors on the dock, "Unload everything, boys! We're riding!" "Wait. I was suggesting that you might..." the words of Naomi get lost in the whirlwind of activity in the next twenty minutes, as the sailors start their unloading process. Helias, as well as Kiathas, Valric and Devaine remain resolutely below decks. Bewilderment is on the faces of the entire company of diplomats as this process continues. "Did you want me to man the ship, or are you expecting the diplomats to revolt against this plan?" Isabei murmurs to William. "Oh, I don't think any of them are insane enough to actually revolt," William answers quietly. "They're no doubt planning the blistering reports they are going to write, and we might see some amusing attempts at manipulating me, which shall fail due to my unswayable obliviousness, but I shall be surprised indeed if any of them are willing to actively oppose the will of a member of the Royal Family who has been put over them." He considers for a moment, then adds, "Mind you, if any of them do, then that shall indicate some very interesting avenues of future investigation." "So it is a gambit, but we are going to ride with them up the river road toward Tyin." Isabei says considering this. "They'll undoubtedly have extra horses, since they need to change them out. So we will have ourselves, Valric, Kiathas, Devaine and Helias on the ship following up on the Narcissus, and the Princess Shannon waiting in the wings. Oh, and the Princess Brieanne Great Dragon knows what." "That is a lot of possible points of contact to find what Dalt is doing." Isabei says. "I commend you on your tactical sense, Prince William." "Speaking of which," William says quietly, turning to face Isabei. "This is your last chance to tell me if you are working for someone other than myself. Dalt, Rinaldo, the Omphalos, anyone at all. If you say you are not, I shall believe you. Tell me if you are and we can discuss whether you can honourably leave their employ for mine. If not, then even knowing all you do, I shall allow you to walk away unharmed and unhindered by enchantment or charm. But be warned, tell me you are mine only if you are. Should you lie to me now my vengeance shall be greater than you can imagine." "My involvement with the Omphalos was strictly through Lord Neil Kowal. He paid me, and he paid me alone." Isabei replies, looking directly at William's face. "No other, not Lord Emmet Walton, Dalt or Rinaldo commands my loyalties. Were we in Menuis, the dragon Venedra Ironfang might legally be allowed to summon me; however we are far from my homeland, and her authority does not reach this far. In truth I have not had the honor of being at Court, or in her presence, for many moons and suns." "When I swore my oath to you, then." he said. "With my former employer dealt with, I swore said oath to you with the status of one without additional commitment or prior bond." He pauses. "It is almost disappointing, then, Prince William, that I am not serving another master? That I might have had more knowledge of their machinations, were I still in their employ?" "Ah, but then I would have been guilty of misjudging you," William answers with a grin. "And that would..." he cuts off as he sees the diplomats approaching them. By this point, all of the horses, including a chestnut for Isabei have been loaded. Only the essential items for the diplomats have been unloaded, but even that appears to be a prodigious number of texts and other paraphernalia. "Now, before anything else changes, might we go?" Adam Henry asks. "And what has happened to your other companions? Do they still carouse the city?" William shrugs. "They're outlanders," he says in an offhand manner. "They can't be expected to keep appointments." "Evidently not" Adam Henry sniffs. "Well, then, let us be off. Reaching an inn suitable to our rank and requirements will require us to ride with some dispatch." "Oh, Henry." Naomi says. "You certainly do not expect us to gallop at breakneck pace through the countryside. It is dignified. We should be traveling in state, not in disorder." "We should be about the business all the same." Adam looks at the diplomats, cowing them with a look. "We await your pleasure, Prince William." "As always, Henry," William says with a smile and a nod. "As alway. A quick stop at the Alcazar to pick up my new steed, Ferox, and then we will away. Isabei, you ride with me." |
