WordforRoadPriyaThe Word for Road is River"Priya." the voice is somewhat distorted, slow, as if it were a human voice heard at far distance across ocean water. Similarly, the next words come slowly. "Where has my missing Scryer gone?" "If we discuss the same person, Meriel has likely returned to the surface." I relax, sinking lower so that the face is more even with me, allowing the lazy current to carry me closer. I will pass it if I make no effort to remain in place, but for now... what is, is, and I change nothing. "I was surprised that she entered into a shadow such as this. Perhaps it was merely inexperience." Moire says. "I do wish for her to return to her place and station here." "And what of you, daughter of Minos? What is your role in this?" "I play little part in her arrival here. Our intention to aid the retrieval of Prince Pollux and a young woman named Dulcinia caused us to cross paths. The Shadow where they were held is heavily warded and leaving has not been a simple task. She has been quite helpful." "She is clever, and resourceful." There seems to be a reluctant nod from the image as Moire says this "And entirely beyond the scope of her duties." "It does seem, though, since we are having this contact, that your escape from this warded Shadow has been successful, yes, without any ill effects?" the image of Moire in the crystal wavers a moment, and then reappears. An expectant look comes across her face. ======= The Word for Road Priya"Priya." the voice is somewhat distorted, slow, as if it were a human voice heard at far distance across ocean water. Similarly, the next words come slowly. "Where has my missing Scryer gone?" "If we discuss the same person, Meriel has likely returned to the surface." I relax, sinking lower so that the face is more even with me, allowing the lazy current to carry me closer. I will pass it if I make no effort to remain in place, but for now... what is, is, and I change nothing. "I was surprised that she entered into a shadow such as this. Perhaps it was merely inexperience." Moire says. "I do wish for her to return to her place and station here." "And what of you, daughter of Minos? What is your role in this?" "I play little part in her arrival here. Our intention to aid the retrieval of Prince Pollux and a young woman named Dulcinia caused us to cross paths. The Shadow where they were held is heavily warded and leaving has not been a simple task. She has been quite helpful." "She is clever, and resourceful." There seems to be a reluctant nod from the image as Moire says this "And entirely beyond the scope of her duties." "It does seem, though, since we are having this contact, that your escape from this warded Shadow has been successful, yes, without any ill effects?" the image of Moire in the crystal wavers a moment, and then reappears. An expectant look comes across her face. "Without. I have suffered no injuries.." I consider a moment and chose my next words with care. "She may be beyond the scope of her initial duties, but she is resourceful," I agree with her and continue, "relatively undaunted by the challenges that have been present to her in my company, and she has shown a readiness to expand theory to practice without a safety when need demanded. Qualities I would think are wasted in a cloistered environment." When she made me one of her Ladies, she asked for my opinion. Moire doesn't quite open her mouth to respond, although she gives a calculating, shrewd look. "I see." she says after a moment. "There may be wisdom in what you suggest. However, I would rather her have some firm supervision, if she is going to be away from her usual tasks. Having her completely on her own would be unwise." Moire then gives a small smile. "Can I count on you, Lady Priya, to hold her parole, as it were, for the duration of her Drift from Rebma?" Moire says. "For as long as she will stand it, yes. There are others who have also taken an interest in her well-being and she has done Amber's Family a good turn. Their combined good-will will count for much." Moire pauses a moment to consider this. "I would not have expected the Scryer to successfully be so social. However, what is done is done." Moire says, with a nod. "Retrieve Meriel, keep her under your aegis as you can, and continue onwards." I give as much of a bow as the water will allow before I tip over. "Have you else to report, that I have you here to speak with, however unexpectedly?" Moire asks. "Nothing that should be summarized too hastily, or before I have had more time to understand it. When I return to Amber I will check on Triton again. I expect him to wake soon, and will give you a full report on his condition." "I will then." Moire says. "Expect a more considered report on your doings, upon the reflection that the time that your journey back will take." Moire says. "I count on you to keep me informed on Triton's condition. Farewell." And then, as suddenly as it appeared to startle and provoke Meriel, the image of the Queen of Rebma disappears from the crystal tower on the river's bottom. Never a dull moment, I muse, turning toward the surface. I have momentum before I break through, kicking to carry myself high so that I gain a better view of the shore for a moment. I scan the edge, counting people before gravity pulls me back in. Back below the surface, I swim toward the shore to rejoin the others. The return to the surface and the shore, now that the image of Moire is gone from the crystal tower, is entirely without incident. When Priya reaches the shore, she can see that Martin is standing on the shore muttering to himself, Castor and Pollux are a bit off to the side from him speaking together. Krysta is standing on a small rise looking upriver. There are no signs of Noys, or Meriel. "Are you going to be angry at me as well?" Martin says, looking up as Priya approaches the shore and within earshot. I pause to undo the pins in my hair, setting them aside to wring the water out. "Why would I be angry at you?" "Meriel is." Martin says. Flicking the water from my body, I retrieve my clothes. "And where is Meriel? She and I need to have a word." "She took off upriver." Martin says. "By shifting the way I did, I allowed Moire to contact her, and you, here. Meriel took it to mean that I was dragging Meriel back to her job in Rebma." "I was shifting for Rebma, not Amber, but I didn't quite understand her situation." Martin says. "She has no desire to placidly return to being a Scryer." "Noys went to try and intercede on my behalf." Martin points up the length of the river. "Although given how fast Meriel swims, she might have difficulty catching her unless she cheats." "Moire hasn't shanghaied you into netting Meriel, has she?" Martin asks. I pause, ready to put my clothes back down since they will not be needed if I go back in the water after Meriel. "Shanghaied?" I consider what the jibberish might mean and shake my head slowly. "If you are asking if I have been coerced, the answer is no." Relief runs across Martin's face. "Hey." Castor says. "Finally one up on idioms."
It only takes a few moments before a pulse is emitted, much like the sonar of a whale. Martin clearly hears the sonic component to the spell even if its somewhat out of ordinary human hearing. Castor and Pollux show no sign of hearing it. Ostegos furrows his eyebrows as if its just outside of his abilities. The spell works much like sonar, too, and provides two reflective hits, several miles up the river, one within the river itself, and one on the shore. Both hits are doppler shifted in a way that suggests to Priya that they are headed this way. "They seem to be returning." I consider and then begin to dress. "I will need a moment to speak with Meriel before we continue." I wringe out my hair and pin it up again, making myself presentable while I wait. "Noys must have found her and talked her around." Martin says. "She's very good at that sort of thing. Nearly as good as good cousin Pollux here." Castor's brother gives a tired smile and a nod. "Hmm." Krysta says non committally. "Shall I go and hurry them back?" Ostegos asks Priya I give a slight shake of the head, content to let the women return at their own pace. "Did her Majesty have anything to say to me?" Martin then asks. "No. It is likely she did not see you or did not find you a necessary part of the discussion once she saw Meriel." Martin makes a face. "I'm not sure if I should be offended..." and then he grins "or relieved." "They approach." Ostegos says after a moment. Backlinks |
