MeetingOfMinds[continued from The Dating Game and The Enemy of my Enemy and In the Court of the Fox King and Where the Wild Things Are] Gillian scooted back to a bench that was a respectable distance from Seabhac and scrambled on to it. "Um...Come in!" she called out brightly. Raina opened the door and peeked shyly around it. Upon seeing Seabhac, she began to flush scarlet and bit her lip. "Oh! I'm sorry. I... interrupted. I came a little early but... if I'm too early..." She grimaced at her stammering. "I'm sorry." Seabhac retreated to a cushioned box seat, “Nonsense, Raina. Your ears were probably burning, anyway.” He offered her a deferential – if somewhat nervous - smile. "Oh?" she wondered. She started to enter, but startled at a flap of wings. Yo-Yo fluttered down to a worktable and stretched out his regal wings, preening. “Welcome, Lady Raina. Finally, I can enjoy the company of a moderately dignified person.” Ginger cursed from the upper floor, “Why the Sam hell am I all squirmy in the knickers? It wasn’t /that/ good of a dream.” She cast a suspicious look over the railing. Yo-Yo grimaced, “Case in point. Do enter and save me from this indecorous behavior?” Gillian smiled thinly at Yo-Yo's comments while completely avoiding looking at her own familiar. Still half in the door, Raina heard the echo of footsteps drawing closer. A moment later, Joao turned the corner and headed in her direction. Joao hurried his footsteps upon seeing Raina framed in the open doorway. He moved fluidly, grasping the door so that she no longer needed to hold it open and could step forward. "Raina!" he exclaimed. The stress of the encounter from Mistress Isolde flowed away like rain down a hill as he regarded Raina. Shyness finally reasserting itself, his eyes fluttered away from looking at her directly, which is when he saw Ginger and the tressym. He appeared slightly surprised to see the latter. Raina smiled brightly at his appearance, managing to brush against him lightly when he reached for the door. "Hello,Ginger." Joao said amicably. "Greetings, Yo-yo." he added to Seabhac's familiar. Ginger leapt from the balcony to a bookshelf and finally to the floor. “If it isn’t the love-birds! Good to see you. Did you bring food?” She found a nice spot by the fireplace to curl up again and observe the discussion. "I had no opportunity to find food one might deem worthy of your palate." Joao replied diplomatically. "Come on in," Gillian called out. She stood and fussed about, finding chairs and benches around the lab to arrange in a loose circle, which afforded her opportunity to steal the occasional speculative glance at Seabhac. Joao stepped in behind Raina and closed the door, glancing around. He gave a smile to Gillian once his gaze settled on his host. "Hello Gillian." he said. Joao's gaze turned to Seabhac. "Hi, Seabhac." he added. Joao felt proud that he had managed to submerge outward display of Seabhac's rank by acknowledging and addressing him second rather than before Gillian. "I spent much of the afternoon in the library, looking up... those things we discussed earlier," Raina offered. She set down her books and helped Gillian to set up chairs, glancing nervously at Seabhac as she spoke. Yo-Yo folded his wings and padded over to Raina’s side, curious. “An intriguing selection, Lady Raina.” Seabhac joined them as well, idly scratching the tressym behind the ear. “You’ve been busy. I hope you didn’t miss any of your classes, Raina.” "No, rehearsals haven't started yet, so I had a little time," she answered. "Which things in particular?" Joao asked. "I've had a rather full slate of classes today, and one of my teachers kept me after class to discuss...things." Joao said, a tone of apology creeping into his voice. "Ah, teacher's pet already," Gillian teased Joao, smiling. "Raina, I...went ahead and told Seabhac. Everything. I...he...well...I thought he should know, since he's going to be...um...hanging with us. Her cheeks flushed a rosy red. Seabhac beamed with triumph and touched Gillian’s back. “Your secret is safe with me.” Gillian smiled at him over her shoulder. Raina's green eyes were as wide as saucers at Gillian's first revelation. At the second though, she seemed to relax somewhat and smiled at the pair. Joao, whose body language went as stiff as a board at Gillian's remark, managed a mechanical nod of the head at Gillian's explanation. "So, what do you think of our new lab?" Gillian continued, abruptly changing the subject. "I want to hear what you discovered, but thought it could wait until everyone else got here too. That way you don't have to repeat." Joao turned his head toward Raina, since it seemed clear to him that Gillian was asking Raina's opinion of the lab, rather than his. As was right and proper of course. "Oh, I think it's wonderful," Raina said, having become accustomed to, if not entirely comfortable with, speaking ahead of Joao. She smiled up at Joao, then continued in a softer voice, "And for my part, I understand why you told him, Gillian. You're a good friend, Seabhac. And you probably know so much more than we do about how our... condition... connects with the Family. Or...," she backpedaled a bit, realizing she may be stretching her assumptions, "at least you might be able to help us find out more." Spurred by Raina's smile, Joao finally relaxed from Gillian's remark enough to not only nod, but to speak. He looked at Gillian, Raina and Seabhac. "This provides a balance of secrets, as it were," Joao said. "Your familiar bound me to protect the secret of your heritage; now you have a secret of ours in recompense." Yo-Yo cleaned his paw, failing to hide his smugness. Ginger just snored. "Something occurs to me," Joao added. "Only we three know of your parentage, Seabhac, as things now stand. "What about the other members of our group? How much are you comfortable in telling them?" Gillian sat down demurely next to Seabhac, her hands in her lap. She had her own opinions, but this was something he needed to decide for himself. Seabhac glanced over at Gillian and then back at Joao. “As long as it doesn’t become common knowledge amongst the student body, I’m fine with sharing the truth with the others. Honestly, it’s dangerous enough that you know. Not for me. But for you, really. There’s a war brewing outside these walls and you’d all make lovely targets for those who would do me harm. I wouldn’t want your blood on my conscience.” His hand drifted to Gillian’s back, stroking her shoulder blade. Her shoulder twitched under his touch, though she kept her face serene. "Are you referring to Kashfa and its recent invasion of Eregnor?" Gillian asked, a bit puzzled. The Six Week's War was the only conflict of which Gillian was aware. Once Kashfa had finished overrunning Eregnor it turned its attention to Begma, but Amber had stepped in and intervened. “In manner of speaking, Gilly,” Seabhac said. “That is but a small sign of the things to come. My step-father has gone mad since my mother died. It is one of the reason father removed me from the Kashfan court. There are no innocents when it comes to Luke’s paranoia. But that is not the war of which I speak.” Joao remained standing near the semicircle of chairs like a protective sentinel over Seabhac, Gillian and Raina. "I would speculate, if I may, Miss Talbot." Joao said quietly "that Seabhac refers to the tensions between the Kingdom of Amber and the Houses of the Empire of the Courts of Chaos. He does not wish us to inadvertently become pawns or leverage against him." He looked toward Seabhac for his response. “That’s correct, Joao,” Seabhac said. He rubbed Gillian’s shoulder. “There is unrest there between the Loyalists and the Reformers. I do not know which side the Courts will eventually fall upon. I’m considered a symbol to many of them. A rallying point around which to raise their armies. Joao nodded. “And Amber? Well, I could be considered a useful hostage if things turn sour. Anyone or anything that could be used to persuade me toward a certain course of action will be a tempting target.” "Da," Joao said. "Mother would not approve if I became a hostage to be used as a lever for your future plans. Mother has enough to do to dictate my future plans without such complication." Raina selected a seat near Gillian and nodded at Joao's assessment. "There's another thing though," she ventured shyly. "What of the struggle within? The one that Bob said was creating the Dark Hour? How can we be certain that that won't endanger Seabhac if he becomes involved with us?" Joao shifted his position slightly so that he was standing nearest Raina's chair. He gave a thoughtful, silent nod at Raina's comment. Seabhac shrugs, “If Gilly’s involved, then I’m involved. And even if I can’t see this Dark Hour, I can help you in other ways.” "You did us service with aiding the three of us with the matter of the Malachite's Blood." Joao said. "Still, Raina and I feel it would be a poor repayment to subject you, unprepared, to the dangers we face nightly." [Seabhac's] hand drifted from Gilly and touched his chin, thoughtful. “Your brother,” he said, nervous. “How did he see what you witnessed? I hate to ask. But it might be important.” Joao turned his attention toward Gillian. She looked down at her lap. "I'm...not sure. Maybe I inadvertently caused it somehow. I wasn't touching him, but perhaps his proximity to me at the time caused him to travel with me rather than safely spend the time in a black coffin. But I'm guessing. I really don't know." “Then tonight, you’ll try to draw me into this realm,” he said. “Maybe if I remain with you all, I can enter the Dark Hour and help.” Yo-Yo flapped his wings in agitation, “Sire! I think that would be an inadvisable course of action.” Seabhac shook his head, “Noted. And ignored.” “But SIRE! I cannot allow you to risk your life for mere. . . humans.” The feline glanced around and sighed, “No offense meant, of course.” Gillian felt a wave of power wash over her, radiating from Seabhac; his eyes now dark slits. She skittered off the bench and stepped away, her right hand spread out defensively between them. A second later, once reason set in, Gillian lowered her hand sheepishly. Seabhac sighed, his cheeks flaring with embarrassment. He cast a withering glance at Yo-Yo before standing up and offering Gillian the bench. “Sorry,” he said. She blinked owlishly at him. "S'okay," she replied, though she decided to continue to stand. Joao grimaced, only for a fraction of a second, before manners set in. Certainly, he thought, even if he was a male, he was no mere male. Especially if his mother had anything to say about it. "We need a plan to do so." Joao volunteered. "I suspect that the rest of our group will have opinions on the matter. I suspect that we best, then, not mention your status and rank to them," Joao said to Seabhac. "We three," he gestured toward Raina and Gillian, "might know you well enough not to refuse your offer." "Cole, though, for example, is honorable enough to violently object to you trying to come into the Dark Hour if he knew your rank and status." Joao looked to Rain and Gillian for their assessment of his statement. “I don’t need another babysitter,” Seabhac said. “Mandor saddled me with enough of those.” Another hateful look at Yo-yo. “So, yes. For the time being, let us maintain my aura of mystery when it comes to the others. It will be to their benefit, as well.” Joao gave a nod at Seabhac's answer. [Seabhac] stalked over to the window and stared out at the roaring waters beyond. In truth, Gillian could tell he was watching her in the reflection. <Powerful and overly protective> Gillian’s Voice whispered. <Oh what delicious things we could do with that rage of his.> Gillian passed a hand over her face, feeling suddenly afraid. "I think we could protect him if there were enough of us," Raina said with determination. "Joao and I were able to fight off the demons that came for us that first time. Perhaps it was because you were alone and unaware of the Dark Hour, Gillian, that your brother... um... well." She trailed off uncomfortably, then finished, "I believe we can do it if we work together." "I think it's too dangerous," Gillian replied in a small voice, shaking her head. "I didn't think I would ever agree with Yo-yo on anything, but I do on this. Seabhac, you're too important to be risking your life by trying to accompany us into the Dark Hour." Yo-yo gave her an appreciative glance. Perhaps he had a useful ally in this meat-sack, after all. Seabhac, however, could not hide how her well-meant words had wounded him. He removed his glasses and cleaned them in silent frustration. He remained silent as Joao began to speak. Gillian flushed and looked down at the floor. "It is dangerous, Miss Talbot." Joao automatically changed his tone to a respectful one, and used the more respectful title, given the stress of the conversation. "Blackly dangerous to expose Seabhac to the dangers." "On the other hand, although your intelligence, reason and skills are greater than mine, there is something, in the strength of your relationship with Seabhac that you may not have considered," Joao said, bowing his head. There was no help for it—he had to plunge ahead. "The situation with your brother is a grave one, Miss Talbot," Joao continued, "and your desire to extricate him from his fate is one I support, wholeheartedly. With that said, we have not been told enough by Bob and Princess Mirelle in order to know how to do that. We need to know how we can move others into and out of the Darkest Hour, do we not? We need to know that we can do that in order to successfully free and save your brother, is this not true? We need to find out how to do this ourselves. "No book will tell us, unless the books in the Darkest Hour themselves will tell us. We need to, just like in alchemy or the magic arts, experiment to find the current in which we will swim to free your brother. We need a willing volunteer to help us do that." He gestured toward Raina with a free hand. "Miss Baronson here is right. With many of us to watch over such a volunteer, he will be as safe as we can make the experience. But that volunteer himself needs to know the risks and be competent himself, especially in arcane matters, for this experiment to have any chance of success. "Thus, here, Seabhac," Joao said, gesturing to Merlin's son. Raina placed a sympathetic hand on Gillian's shoulder. "I know it's frightening, Gillian. It scares me too, but we cannot move forward if we continue to cower from it." Gillian turned to look at Raina. There was real fear in her eyes. Raina chewed her lip indecisively, as if trying to decide whether or not to reveal a secret. She finally plunged forward. "I don't know if any of you have... faced it... willingly. The Dark Hour. I know for a long time I hid under my covers every night to avoid it. But I... I knew I couldn't live like that forever. So one night, I... stayed up. I got a mirror and... spoke... with my counterpart. To try to learn more. I wonder if... we might need to do this. Perhaps in an enclosed and barricaded space. Perhaps Seabhac could learn from our counterparts too. Perhaps he would... recognize something they say from his experience with the Family." Joao opened his mouth to speak, but was beaten to the punch by Seabhac. Seabhac listened to Raina’s description with keen interest. A hungry look appeared in his eyes, a burning curiosity had been ignited there and this only fanned the flames higher. Finally, set his glass upon his nose and began to smile. “See Gillian? I can be of some use to you after all. And danger or not, I’m willing to take the risk. Besides, if we go by democratic vote, the group votes in favor of my helping you.” "That you can be of use was never in question!" Gillian protested, near tears. Seabhac’s smile cracked like ice, plunging him into silent shame. He sighed and looked away. Yo-Yo fluttered over near Gillian, “This is not a democracy, sire!” He muttered in a low tone Gillian could hear, “More like a confederacy of dunces.” Gillian turned and glared at the tressym, her frustration with the situation spilling over onto Seabhac's pompous familiar. How I would love to turn him into a toad, she thought. Maybe I'll settle for setting his tail on fire. Yo-Yo remained ignorant of Gillian’s animosity. He curled his wings in tightly against his body, back stiffened. His ears flicked at something and his disdainful gaze suddenly focused on the doorway. Joao cleared his throat. "Raina..." he began and then stopped. Raina looked up at Joao inquiringly, but she too was interrupted. Just then came footsteps in the hall outside -- from the sound, at least two pairs of student uniform boots. This was followed by a discreet rap on the door. Ginger raised her head and then lowered it again, resuming her nap. Yo-yo sighed, “Wonderful. The other voices of reason have arrived.” The door swung open… by itself. A hint of flowery perfume filled the air and disappeared just as quickly. From her position, Gillian noticed that the pink teddy bear now sat near the door frame. The pink bear was going to have to go away. Gillian closed her eyes and rubbed the bridge of her nose. Temnal and Rusalka stood in the doorway. "I'm sorry if we're a bit late," said Temnal. "I had to wait till we were both finished classes." His gaze darted about the lab. When it found Seabhac, he frowned just slightly. Joao bowed his head. "Greetings Miss Cardovan. Hello, Temnal." he said, smiling to the both of them. "You are not the last to come, if that is any comfort. Cole has not yet arrived." "As far as our other guests, perhaps our hostess would be best suited to the introductions." Joao said, looking back at Gillian, Seabhac, and Yo-yo. Rusalka smiled at the gathering, completely unaware she'd walked into anything in progress. "I don't know what you're all planning, but I appreciate being invited. Thank you." Raina smiled shyly at them both. Joao nodded silently. She looked at Seabhac with some curiosity but waited to be introduced. Gillian opened her eyes and took a deep breath, also taking the time to regain her composure. She turned to Temnal and Rusalka and forced a smile. "Temnal and Seabhac have already met. Rusulka, this is Seabhac Dé Biróg. Seabhac, Rusalka Cardovan. Seabhac has not experienced the Dark Hour, but he knows about it and wishes to help. He's very accomplished in magic. Please, come in and make yourselves comfortable." “Welcome,” Seabhac said. “Good to see you again, Temnal. I guess this explains a couple of things. Wish I could have done more.” His friendly smile found Rusalka. “And Lady Cardovan. I hope you’re feeling better after your fall. Nothing seriously hurt, I take it?” "Thank you, no... it had to do with the Dark Hour, actually. A sort of out-of-body experience is bad when your body is walking. It's nice to meet you." Rusalka smiled. "I, um, may be at the tail end of any magic discussion, though when I'm... there... I know more than I do now." During the introductions Gillian avoided actually meeting Seabhac's eyes. She slumped down herself on the bench she'd shared with Seabhac only a few moments ago. It seemed more like a lifetime ago. Ginger hopped down from the hearth and soon joined Gillian on the bench. She curled up in her companion’s lap and emitted a calming purr. “Men,” she said, flicking her tail. “Just you watch. He and the pink-haired hussy will get it on. ‘Oh woe is me. My girlfriend won’t let me get killed and worse. Boo-hoo. My only salvation can be found between your Sweater-Cows. Boo-boo-hoo.’” She sighed, “’Bloody ‘tard.” "Shhh!" Gillian admonished her familiar, hoping no one heard that comment—especially not Seabhac. Then she chuckled despite it all. "Sweater-Cows?" she whispered back. "Really, Ginger. One would think you had no propriety. And one would be right." Gillian rubbed the cat's ears and kept her gaze focused on Ginger as she listened to the conversation around her. Temnal glanced around as he came farther into the lab. His eyebrows flicked up slightly when he noticed Yo-Yo. "That's a tressym, isn't it?" Yo-Yo gave an impressed sniff, “And you’re not as stupid as you look, apparently. Maybe you can talk some sense into this merry band of idiots.” He gave Rusalka a once over and then hung his head in defeat. “I may have spoken too soon," he muttered. Rusalka furrowed her brow. As the conversation progressed, Raina rose from her seat and stepped over next to Joao. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you before," she whispered apologetically. "Nyet." Joao said in a sharp whisper. "No doubt you had reason to not say anything." Joao replied quietly. It made perfect sense, Joao thought, that she would think and act without his consultation, or even his knowledge. "This was before or after our visit to Corilaine?" he asked. A new voice made itself heard out in the hall, singing boldly on-key but slurred: "... sweeter, stronger, decenter, You're spunkier than tae! Oh, whiskey you're my darlin' drunk or sober! Joao looked up from Raina with surprise and slight alarm on his face. Raina sighed in frustrated resignation. The singing paused, and there was a pounding on a nearby door. "Gillian! Joao? Where the bloody heck are you? Geez, who would have guessed the Alchemy basement had so dang many floors? And doors? Floors and doors, floors and doors." The voice burst out laughing, and then began to sing again. "O Great Unicorn, he sounds drunk," Gillian said. She looked at Joao beseechingly. "Would you go get him before someone calls security?" "Da," Joao said with an agreeing nod to Gillian. Like water, he flowed away from Raina and the chairs set up in the lab and headed through and out the door, passing by the infamous bear without a second glance. "Gospodin Cole," Joao said, coming up to Cole as he pounded on the wrong door. Joao wondered just what Cole, drunk or not, wanted with a storage room for glassware anyway. He tapped Cole on the shoulder. "The meeting is just down the hall here in this room," Joao offered, his free hand indicating the correct door. "In addition to our hostess and her guest, Raina, Rusalka, and Temnal have already arrived." Raina resumed a place on the bench next to Gillian and cast her friend a supportive smile. She reached down to pet Ginger while she waited for the group to coalesce. Temnal looked around at the others with an expression almost of entreaty. "Does he do this sort of thing often?" "Not that I'm aware of," Gillian replied. "He's at least always been sober when I come to get his laundry." "How do you even get that drunk this early?" Rusalka mused, more amused than anything else. "I wonder if he doesn't have a last period class." Joao led a disheveled Cole into the lab. Cole's lip was split, and his left eye was blackening. His jacket was torn, revealing that his white-collared shirt had a highly non-regulation Hawaiian print of garish red and yellow flowers. A bright green bottle was tucked in the crook of his arm: it was empty. "Hello, all!" Cole said, cheerily. "Sorry I'm late. Had to do some shopping. I..." He stopped abruptly, looking suddenly serious, eyebrows drawn. "Hello, who's this?" He was looking at Seabhac. Gillian ignored his question. She put Ginger in Raina's lap and stood up, motioning for him to take her place on the bench. "Cole, what the bloody hell happened to you?" Ginger curled up in Raina’s lap like a miniature sphinx, watching the interchange between Gillian and Cole with dark interest. “She helps put starch in his shorts, you know,” she said in a disapproving tone. “And she does his laundry.” Raina stroked the ginger cat lightly until she spoke. "Ginger!" she whispered disapprovingly, taking her hand away. Yo-Yo gave a derisive laugh, “Oh, this gets better and better.” He turned to Seabhac, “Milord, if I remain here, I shall say something unfortunate. I leave you to your present company. Try not to die before I return?” He took flight and disappeared outside through an open window. Seabhac just stood there, dumbfounded. Cole raised an eyebrow at Gillian. "Such language, Miss Talbot. But since you ask so nicely, first, I was born, which was a major embarrassment to all concerned. I was raised in Mom's palace as the heir apparent. When I was seven I stole a rowboat and set out to become a pirate captain, but I was caught on my very first raid. Shortly after that Mom married Harris and gave birth to Deric--but only after a respectable interval--and I was shipped off for fostering. My foster parents welshed on the agreement and sent me back after only four months, probably because of that incident with the fire." He looked around for a moment, grabbed a notebook off a workbench and handed it to her. "You might want this, there's a lot to cover." A blank look came across Joao's face at Cole's response to Gillian. Gillian crooked a small smile at him before covering her face with her hands and rubbing her eyes underneath her glasses. "Bloody hell, Cole," she repeated, more subdued this time, "you remind me of my brother Jonathan. I'll...go find a rag to clean you up with. Or coffee. Or something." She wiped at her face and walked to the back wall of the lab. Seabhac coughed politely, turning from the spectacle. He moved closer to Temnal and Rusalka, “So. How long have you known about your condition?” "You make it sound like a disease," Temnal observed. "But to answer your question—in my case, just a few days." He was wondering about that "milord." It could be just the tressym's usual way of referring to its master, ironic or not, but... Rusalka was having a hard time adjusting. It was sort of like a farce, but a farce with odd dark undercurrents that she wasn't enough in the loop to catch. She did what she usually did and ignored it. "He might want some ice, too, for the swelling," she called after Gillian, assuming the other girl knew where everything was. She then smiled at Seabhac, "It hasn't been long for me either. A few months... oh, who am I kidding, I remember the date. October 5th. A friend and I were going to a party and we got lost, ended up in Wolfseye. That was bad enough by itself, but then the Hour hit. Luckily my friend was hiding then... and I had... other help. Since then I usually try to be inside at midnight." "It has been longer for Miss Baronson and I," Joao put in, with a slight cough. "Neither of us can ever forget the date. It was June 12th, last year." He paused a moment, looking at the group to see if the date registered with any of them. "The night that the Six Week War began." "I met Miss Cardovan in January," Joao said, gesturing to the pink haired young woman. "And Raina and I met Cole a few days ago, helping him during a boating...incident." Joao coughed slightly and continued. "Miss Baronson and I met Seabhac and Gillian a couple of months ago." "I think, however, speaking of Miss Talbot," Joao added, "that our hostess has been Awakened longer than all of us." "Joao and I had the advantage of being together the first time. I don't know what I would have done if I'd had to face it alone," Raina commented. "And simply by accident, we happened to see our reflections in a pane of glass. And they weren't ours. They were... someone else. I don't know if any of the rest of you knew that." "I know who mine is. Even before Bob said it out loud," Rusalka said, "because Joao had met her. Queen Coral. I imagine you're all... I mean... your Others... are probably dead too. And probably longer - I didn't recognize his reflection at all. Oh, and everyone please just call me Rusalka. Miss Cardovan is - well, technically it's Lady Rusalka and that's just... uncomfortable." Joao bowed his head to Rusalka. At Rusalka’s admission, Seabhac gasped as if he’d been punched in the stomach. He staggered back, his face twisted with agony and disbelief. “What did you say?” his voice was low, little more than a murmur. The question was lost beneath Cole’s drunken address. Cole bowed, with an extravagant flourish. "Pleased to meet you, Rusalka. Welcome to our little club." With surprising grace for one so obviously impaired, he recovered from the bow and hiked himself up to a seat on a tall lab workbench. "Here's what I've learned so far," he continued, ticking points off on his fingers. "One. I didn't experience the darkest hour until I came to Amber City, on December 23rd." "Two. We didn't experience the darkest hour in Rebma." Joao nodded quietly at Cole's assertion. "Three. My reflection-thingy-person manifested himself in Tir na na... na..." He made a face. "The big ghost city in the clouds. Warned me against being there at midnight. Freaked out my date." Temnal's eyes widened at this revelation. "Four. The castle itself grows into a big scary monstrosity. Don't be too close when that happens. Given points one, two, and three, I think that's where the effect is centered." "Five. My reflection and Cynwyd's reflection think of each other as brothers. And mine, at least, doesn't like Prince Benedict much. We can call that point five-A, if you're keeping track." "Six. The shadows are very dangerous, but mortal. At least some of them are. But we need weapons that don't do this." And he tossed the sword and knife hilts out on the table. Gillian closed a cupboard and looked over curiously at the noise. "And armor that prevents this." He pulled up his shirt to show the tendril marks and acid burns around his waist. She closed her eyes and turned quickly away. "Ugly," Temnal agreed rather grimly. Some of the beasts he and Sekhmet had hunted in Chaos might be similarly dangerous, but... The crossbow option was looking better all the time. Done for now, [Cole] tried to take another pull from his bottle, and was startled to find that it was still empty. Joao cleared his throat and nodded to Cole. "As..." He paused a moment as he looked toward Raina. "...Raina mentioned, we saw each other's reflections that first night. While Cole and Cynwyd..." Joao looked around uncertainly since he was not present and continued after a moment, "may have reflections which get along, the reflections that Raina and I have are utterly opposed to each other." "My reflection," Joao said, "wanted me to kill Raina in the hopes it would do harm to his nemesis in the process." "Another thing, though," Joao added, gesturing toward the ruined equipment. "When Lad...Rusalka and I met, not only did my reflection dislike Rusalka's, but it managed to temporarily summon a weapon for me to use. A stiletto." "I wonder if summoned weapons," Joao speculated, "might work better than ordinary equipment." "One last thing," Joao said looking at Cole uncertainly. "You brought a date to Tir Na Nogth?" "That's the place!" Cole replied, pointing at Joao and touching his own nose. "And, um, no, of course not. That would be terribly irresss... irresponsible. Even if it was her idea. But no one's supposed to know. Shhhhh." Seabhac’s voice cut through the room like a gunshot. “What did you just say?” he snapped, staring at Rusalka with a dangerous expression. As he stepped toward her, Rusalka could feel icy fingers worm their way into skull and caress her thoughts. The Voice immediate cried out at this connection <No. It can’t be! He cannot be...> Gillian's head snapped around at the tone in Seabhac's voice. From her position, Raina could see the air behind Seabhac begin to shimmer and darken. Her Voice and Ginger spoke as one, their tone filled with alarm. “The Logrus.” Joao clenched a fist at the tension of the room. He fought down the urge to wish he was armed. This situation was ugly enough already, but protecting the women was paramount. The problem was who to focus on once Raina was secure. "Oh no," Gillian whispered. Why did I not see this? I had the pieces in front of me! She rushed forward toward Seabhac. "Logrus!" Raina shouted without realizing. She scooped Ginger close reflexively and grabbed for Joao's arm as a crescendo of what could only be described as powerful protective energy welled up from somewhere deep within her being. Ginger ooofed loudly and held onto Raina’s as best she could. Those paying attentions to Raina noticed how radiant she became, standing out against the drab worlds around her. "What?" Joao seemed stunned by Raina's sudden revelation. Cole looked around, confused, oblivious to the energies gathering within the room. Temnal sprang to his feet and moved toward Rusalka protectively. His lips and fingers were moving in what might have been a spell. Sudden revelation came across Joao's face. "Seabhac. Stop!" Joao shouted. "We have to discuss the matter of Coral calmly." His voice rose as he intoned Coral's name, in the hopes of further attracting his attention away from Rusalka and onto himself. Rusalka had gone perfectly still, looking at Seabhac with no fear. "Please don't do that. I will explain, and I am sorry if I went about it in a ham-handed manner before. I did not know." In her mind she thought, <Do you want to talk to him? Or do you want him to stop?> Coral’s Voice remained muted, Rusalka’s mind ringing with a distant sob of despair and loss. Seabhac paused; Joao’s gambit to draw his attention proving effective, supported by whatever power Raina had unleashed. For a moment, it appeared as if the situation had been resolved. But only for a moment. He smiled sadly and turned on Temnal. “That was foolish,” he said icily. The color and light around him atrophied, almost in perfect contrast the effect surrounding Raina. Joao winced, uncertain where to move or act. He watched the conflict unfold. For Temnal, the completion of his spell resulted in a mystifying result. Had Seabhac been ‘human,’ he would have been immediately paralyzed. But as Chains of Loki touched the young man, Temnal felt an icy backlash unlike anything he’d ever experienced. A living darkness filled his mind, threatening to smother him with its freezing touch. He could feel oily tendrils squirming within his body and mind, threatening to turn him inside out. It wasn’t difficult for him to realize he was in the presence of a Chaos Lord. His vision began to narrow, turning crimson and shadow-filled. [Temnal] staggered, and his hands went instinctively to his head, though he knew perfectly well that wasn't going to help. “Don’t. Do that. Again,” Seabhac said, releasing Temnal from his power. All this had transpired within seconds, maybe less. Temnal straightened, still breathing hard, and looked back at Seabhac. The expression in his golden eyes was wary, but made no promises. [Seabhac] appeared to deflate as Gillian approached him, his anger transforming into confused grief. He reached for her, childlike. “My mother,” he said. “She said my mother’s name. I don’t understand.” "I know," Gillian murmured back, taking him into her arms. She glanced at Temnal to make sure he was all right, then turned her attention back to Seabhac. "We'll figure it all out. I promise." Gillian’s words appeared to calm the tempest brewing behind Seabhac. The air grew still and regained its natural light. He gave her a weak nod, leaning into her for a moment. “I’m sorry,” he whispered and then turned to see what damage he’d wrought. Rusalka had realized her danger just a little too late, and it hit her now, and she looked at the tableau in mixed concern and confusion. "I didn't know... It didn't hurt... I should... go... I'm..." But first she turned to Temnal, finding her voice. "Are you all right?" "I'm all right," he assured her in a low voice. Past Temnal's gasping form, Rusalka noticed Cole, standing with a heavy lab stool in both hands, ready to hurl it at Seabhac. There wasn't a hint of humor in his face, and it was apparent that only Gillian's proximity kept him from throwing. Through clenched teeth, he said, "I reiterate: who is that?" "He just told you. He's Coral's son," Gillian replied quietly. The time for subterfuge had passed. She hugged Seabhac tightly and continued on before someone could tell her not to. "He's also Merlin's son. Prince Seabhac is the Emperor-in-waiting to the Courts of Chaos and heir to Kashfa." Seabhac winced at the titles, more for their truth than their revelation. Still, he accepted Gillian’s protective comforts without reservation, seeking her hand and holding it firmly. “Please. Just call me Seabhac. And I’m sorry for the trouble I’ve caused. Particularly for you, Temnal. I’m sorry. The Logrus tends to act on its own when it senses a threat.” He appeared genuinely humbled by his prior actions. "It does have that reputation," Temnal acknowledged. With a slight smile he added, "Since I was reacting approximately the same way, I can hardly find fault." Still shaking slightly, Raina set Ginger down on the bench and stepped forward. "It's all right. All of you. He knows. About us... and... the Dark Hour. He wants to help. He's helped us before... Joao and Gillian and I." Joao gave a nod of confirmation. Ginger promptly leapt down and headed toward the hearth. The familiar shivered noticeably as she curled up near the warm embers. Even Gillian could feel the chill through their psychic link. She glanced at Ginger to make sure she was all right before turning her attention back to the conversation. [Raina] turned to the pink-haired girl. "Rusalka, don't leave. Please," she urged sympathetically. "It's all right. You didn't know." Joao cursed inwardly He was glad the conflict had been averted for now, and lamented he had not done more, somehow, to stop it. "Da," he said, nodding to Raina and then looking at Rusalka. He took a quarter step. "Please stay, Rusalka. We need everyone here to try and sort through this." "But if my presence, or saying her name, or using her knowledge hurts him..." Rusalka looked like she was about to cry but was holding it in out of sheer force of will. "I can't imagine what that must be like... But we already fused so sometimes I can't help it." Seabhac shook his head, “No. Please stay. I. Well. You took me by surprise. Gillian had mentioned the. . .” The next words caught in his throat like a thorn. “Dead Royals.” Gillian squeezed his hand sympathetically. He took a steadying breath, “I’d never thought that’d include my mother. I was only five when she died. I never got to know her.” <My son> Coral muttered in Rusalka’s mind. <My little boy> And somewhere - beyond her indistinct voice - something else stirred with keen interest. Both faded like forgotten memories. "I met her the once." Joao said quietly. "I helped Rusalka recognize her from that." Cole took this all in, nonplussed. Eventually he remembered that he was holding a stool over his head, and he set it gently on the floor. He sank to the floor beside it, sitting with his back against the workbench, and wrapped one arm around the stool as if it were a drinking buddy. He muttered toward the stool, as if in confidence, "Great. Another Kashfan, but with the Logrus." He shuddered. “Adopted Kashfan,” Seabhac corrected. “I left that Shadow for many reasons. My stepfather chief amongst them.” He shook his head sadly. After a moment, he glanced at Gillian, “Maybe we should all sit down and start from the beginning?” Gillian nodded resignedly. She indicated the bench seat for Seabhac but remained standing herself. "That's a good idea. Let's all sit down--Cole, don't bother getting up--and take a deep breath and start over." Joao, with clear reluctance, finally sat down, choosing a seat next to Raina. He briefly fluttered a hand on her shoulder and turned to listen as Gillian began. Raina smiled up at him, clearly welcoming the comforting touch. Temnal sat back down on the stool he'd been using before. He leaned back and folded his arms, watching everyone interestedly. [Gillian] moved to a place in the room where everyone could see her and adjusted her glasses nervously. "I first experienced the Dark Hour on the day of the Vernal Equinox last year. My elder brother Jonathon was in my presence at the time and was transported with me. He...was consumed by the shadows that night and now is a patient with Apathy Syndrome at Airmid Hospital." Gillian rubbed her cheek. "So...I guess we now know what causes Apathy Syndrome, unlike the doctors treating him. There are a number of other individuals there with the same condition, and I think it serves as a great warning to us as to what will happen should we ourselves get caught by the shadows." "It also brings me to a concern about destroying the shadows," Gillian said, glancing pointedly at Cole before continuing. "I have a current hypothesis that the essences--for lack of a better term--of these people with Apathy Syndrome are trapped inside the shadow that 'ate' them. If the shadow is destroyed, is that person's essence destroyed as well? If instead it's set free, can it somehow be reunited with its body? I...obviously have a great personal interest in the answers to these questions. I'm certainly not suggesting anyone stand down and allow themselves to be consumed, but I do ask that we not openly destroy the shadows until we know." Gillian motioned to Seabhac. "We were brainstorming earlier reasons why Jonathan was awake with me that night and Seabhac was curious if proximity to someone who is awake during the Dark Hour will cause an unawakened person to tag along for the ride, as it were. I wasn't touching Jonathan at the time everything changed, so proximity is our next best educated guess." She paused before continuing reluctantly. "We're...planning to test that educated guess tonight. Here, in the lab. Anyone who wants to stay is welcome to." "I woke someone up once," Cole said, in the quietest voice anyone had heard him ever use. "My first night. I thought she was trapped. So I knocked her coffin over and broke it. She was terrified, and she ran off, screaming. Something got her." He stared at the floor. "I all but killed her myself." Gillian bit her lip and looked down at the floor herself. Joao winced openly and nodded to Cole. "Da. This is one reason why we all should stay and share. To avoid the mistakes we have made. To share the information we have. To figure out what current to swim in." "Gospodin Cole and I discovered," Joao said, gesturing toward Cole, "that the effect of the Dark Hour only extends some distance from Amber. As he said earlier, it did not affect us while we were within Rebma and the seas above her. It is an intensely local phenomenon." "Oh! I should write this all down," Raina exclaimed, jumping up from the bench. She returned momentarily with a pad and pencil and began frantically scribbling notes. Temnal looked over at Gillian. "Miss Talbot, do you have anything other than your first experience of the Dark Hour on which to base your hypothesis about the shadows and Apathy Syndrome? Because during my one experience of the Dark Hour so far, I was told practically in so many words that the shadows must be killed ... and that they were trapped souls, and that was the way to free them." "Please...just Gillian. Joao, that goes for you too." She turned her attention fully on Temnal. "No, I don't have any other experience--I made sure I was by myself and behind walls from then on. Please tell us what happened to you. Who told you this?" "An ... inhabitant of that world, as it seemed," replied Temnal. "But let me start from the beginning. I live in Crome Hall." He glanced around to see if anyone else was familiar enough with the gargoyle-decorated dormitory to be able to guess what was coming. "I was returning from a late session -- a very late session with Professor Opalneria, when midnight struck and--" He turned a hand palm up. "Everything changed. And then it didn't take long before I was under attack from what the gargoyles had become. He called them the 'Broken,'" Temnal mused. Joao nodded sympathetically at Temnal's mention of the formidable Professor Opalneria, and then once again at Temnal's start of the description of the attack. Then [Temnal] went on, "I managed to make it into the front hall and the door was closed and locked behind me ... thanks to the inhabitant I mentioned, who had the form of an emaciated boy. He was the one who told me about the Shadows. He said..." Temnal closed his eyes briefly as he searched his memory. "...he said to look to the Elementals. That each shadow was vulnerable to at least one of the six Forms, but that some also had affinities to certain Forms and using those would only make them stronger. And that there were Twelve in particular that needed to be sought out and destroyed." One corner of his mouth twitched up. "I have to assume that the Twelve in question fall into the 'big ugly ones' category. Physical weapons can also work." He glanced over at Cole. "That's why I made that comment about your looking like a big-sword sort of person when we first met. "Now, I'd be the first to point out that anyone actually inhabiting the Dark Hour shouldn't be believed without question, but for what it's worth ... there it is." Temnal smiled. "And he did also say that I should find others to help me, which certainly seems to me to be good advice." "Six forms, elementals..." Gillian muttered, thinking hard. She shook her head slowly and frowned. "I can't place it. It doesn't sound familiar to me. And you've not seen the boy since? Was your impression that he wanted you to kill all shadows, or just the Twelve? What specifically did he say about the shadows being trapped souls and freeing them?" "I've been wondering about the 'six Forms'," Temnal admitted. "Most systems number four Elements, and the Forms of magic -- at least the ones taught here -- number nine. We may need to look into that, research different systems." Joao nodded in agreement, but did not say anything. The Rebman furrowed his eyebrows in thought. Seabhac coughed politely. “This boy is likely referring to the Elemental forms of Creation. There were five elements originally. Air, Earth, Fire, and Water are the Lower Forms. The Primordials. The Fifth and Higher Form was Aether. The Void. Or what you’d refer to as the Logrus. It served as the connective force for the other elements. That which could be all and none. Joao cocked his head and listened attentively. “But as with the Lower Forms, the Logrus required an opposite. Yearned for it, I think. And although I think my great grandfather would deny it, I believe the Logrus unconsciously allowed the Pattern to be drawn.” [Seabhac] looked at Temnal, "Has this boy appeared again?" "No, I've not seen the boy since," Temnal continued. "I wouldn't expect to. He didn't really look like he belonged in the normal world ... or if he does, he might look quite different outside of the Dark Hour. He seemed to think that the Twelve were especially important to seek out and kill, but he said of all the Shadows that they were trapped souls that needed to be freed, and the way to do that was to kill them. That's all." Rusalka had perched, still quite uncertain, on the edge of a chair near where she had been standing. She listened intently to the new information, but didn't offer any comment, or try to take notes. "Do you think the boy might have been a Shadow himself, or are there others who live there? I know someone... who experiences it, as we do, but he believes it to be the curse of the moon he was born under," she said. "He comes in and out, as we do, but I don't know if he's a Conduit. He doesn't talk about voices. And... but it makes me wonder if there are others." "Is he a student here too?" Gillian asked. "Or from someplace else in Amber?" Joao asked. "I had thought," Joao added, "that only ourselves, our reflection-ghosts, and our antagonists were the sole inhabitants of the Hour. And those who have been drawn into it," he hastily amended. "I didn't realize there was an..." Joao fumbled for a word, "ecology of those who experience it." "No, he's from Wolfseye," Rusalka replied. "I imagine, from the idea that it's a curse, it's rare even among the Weir. I don't know if it counts as an ecology. On the other hand, from the sheer diversity of the... creatures I've seen there - I'd say there's a definite structure. These Shadows we're looking for have to be the top of the food chain." She suddenly looked up and to the left, chewing on a strand of her hair. "I bet he engineered all of it.... 'Bob' I mean." Venom dripped from her voice when she said the name. "I remember him... I mean," she glanced at Seabhac, "she remembers him putting a gem in her eye and cutting, and it hurt. Experimenting, it looked like, playing. I bet he made it so I was in Wolfseye that night - I don't get lost in Amber City. But he put us there so that Bigby would be there when I... experienced it, so I wouldn't die. Because he needs us." Seabhac grimaced as he listened; well-versed in the tortures inflicted upon his mother. His lowered his face into his hands, shivering. But as soon as Rusalka mentioned Bigby’s name, his head snapped back up. Almost as quickly, his astonishment disappeared behind a mute expression. He remained very quiet, very still. "To save the world," Gillian finished rather sardonically. "Us. Why us? I mean...well...we don't really have the resources available to us that, say, the Royals do. Perhaps that's the point. We're more easily controlled by our... Voices. Bob did call us 'conduits.'" "Or maybe," Cole suggested, "without our images or voices or whatever, we'd just be half a dozen or so new cases of Apathy Syndrome. Bob seemed to think it was our voices that would do the work. We're just conduits. We con't do it alone. Con't do it." He chuckled. Gillian turned to regard Rusalka. "Joao said that you fused with Coral. What did he mean by that? Can you tell us what happened?" Rusalka frowned at Cole's words. "I think we're more special than that. I can't say why I think so, but I do." She turned to Gillian. "Sure. The short version is that we were at a party, and we went outside just in time to discover that we both experienced the Dark Hour. We decided to look in a mirror to see if we recognized each other's Voices... I didn't, but Joao did. He said her name out loud, but it wasn't until I Named her in my mind that anything happened. She was very angry at first, very hurt and confused. She wanted to be the only one in my body. I was afraid, too, and I pushed her out... but she convinced me that ... I was weaker without her, that I needed her. And I convinced her she needed me. We reconciled. Now I can - during the Dark Hour - access her memories and her powers, and sometimes a little of her personality. It's not easy, but I'm glad it happened." Seabhac – already thoughtful – began to chew his lip. He gazed at Rusalka in wonder and confusion. But his questions would remain unasked for now. Raina looked up from her pad with keen interest. "Did you just name her in your mind or did you have to say it out loud? I know who mine is, but I haven't dared say her name when she's with me. But..." She paused, chewing her lip nervously. "I've used her power though. Sort of. Perhaps it was because I was a performer that I could draw on it without... becoming... it. I don't know if that makes sense," she finished, turning to Joao and Gillian for support. Joao gave Raina a nod and a smile. Gillian was lost in a memory--her hands rising against her will as if pulled at the end of a string...blue flame erupting from her fingertips...Magic, real Magic, and the pleasure she felt as she watched the shadows burn.... She covered her mouth and turned haunted eyes to Raina. "You've used your Voice's power? I can't. I can't let her in." Gillian dropped her hands to her chin. "She can control me, she has controlled me, and she--we--wreaked havoc in this world. She burned the shadows wanting my blood in the Dark Hour, destroying the Square, and a building was destroyed in this world. What if people had been inside? What if someone had been hurt?" Gillian turned her attention back to Rusalka as well as Raina. "I don't understand. How can you use their power without them taking over? Can't they take you over if they choose?" "No," Cole said flatly. Seabhac crossed to Gillian and put his arm around her waist, “Gilly. Magic is about control. You know this as well as anyone. You understand the consequences for allowing a spell to escape you. And I seriously doubt you’ve ever allowed a mere spell slip from its bonds. “The Voices are no different. You have the power. You have the control. But you must choose to wield it, Gilly.” He smiled proudly. “You have more strength in you than you give yourself credit for.” By the expression on her face it was clear Gillian wasn't completely convinced. She didn't argue though, and leaned into Seabhac's shoulder, thoughtful. Seabhac held her gently, touch his cheek to the side of Gillian head. He appeared to take great solace from her closeness. He listened to the others, fascinated; his initial upset now forgotten. "I'm still afraid of it," Raina confessed. "I haven't sought Her out recently. Not since Joao told me about you, Rusalka. I hope you don't mind that he did. I think he meant to warn me because he knew I was in the same predicament." Joao colored his face slightly but said nothing as Raina continued. "And... I should explain," she continued, turning to Gillian, "It wasn't really that I used her Voice or powers. More like... her essence. I used what I knew about her... what I had found out about her... to play a part. It's how I got away from the Night Wolves. I convinced them that I was Her by acting like her." Raina's eyes widened as a new thought occurred to her. "But... the wolves could smell me and still thought I was Her. How could that be?" "Perhaps being a Conduit makes you smell different," offered Temnal, who had been listening to all this with evident interest. "I do wonder, though, how long this has been going on." "I think I am still in a remedial state when it comes to mine," Joao put in. "Its not because of hesitation like Mi...Gillian," he said. "It seems that I haven't tried to really develop those skills--not to the degree Raina and Rusalka have. "All I have ever managed in regards to these powers, these Voices were by pure accident, or intuition," Joao said. "It might also be because I sense that, perhaps my Voice thinks little of me." "To pick up on Temnal's point," Joao added, "perhaps we should ask a denizen we can deal with that question." "I should clarify, before we move on, that I could use some powers before - with her help," Rusalka said, "it's just she doesn't have to tell me how anymore. And it works better. But I haven't really tried it out since. I've sort of stayed inside or... just ... I never thought of trying to fight it until today." Seabhac coughed politely, “You may wish to use caution with your powers, Rusalka. Mother had access to the Pattern itself. She could change… things. Indeed, from what Luke told me – when he was rational – my mother actually feared the power she possessed. A stray thought could rewrite an entire Shadow.” "Mine doesn't say much," Cole said, "and he hasn't used any powers, s'far as I can tell. But he's a hell of a fighter, to the point where he thinks himself a rival to Prince Benedict. And he doesn't know his own name, but he knows that Cynwyd Barimen's Voice is his brother." He looked at Seabhac. "You're the royal in the room. Sound like anyone you know of?" Seabhac paused for a moment, thinking. He cocked his head and shrugged, unsure. “If – and I stress ‘if’ – these truly are dead Royals being channeled through you, then there are only two brothers I can think of that might meet your description. From what you just said, I’d guess that you’re channeling Finddo. He hated Benedict. Tortured him whenever possible. Big brother crap taken to a homicidal degree. Some say that’s why Benedict learned to fight so well. He’d have been killed, otherwise. “Osric – the other brother – wasn’t as competitive, but he always sided with Finddo. And his talents lay outside the martial field, so he doesn’t sound like your Voice.” "'He summoned the eldest brothers, the twins, and the martyr and the destroyer,'" Gillian recited softly. "That's what Mirelle told us. I know my Voice is Cybele, the martyr. I'm guessing that Coral is the destroyer, based on what Seabhac said about her access to the Pattern. Finndo fits as one of the eldest brothers. The only royal twins I'm aware of from the genealogies are Sand and Delwin, which sound like possibly Raina and Joao's voices? Temnal, that would give you Osric. Does that seem to fit?" "Nope," Cole said, "Cynwyd's my bro: he must have Osric, or verse visa. There's seven of us conduits, so far. Mirelle must have missed someone." "Cynwyd is a Conduit? But... I just met him today as well..." Rusalka furrowed her brow. "After I fell. I wonder if... he knew..?" "Until Mirelle told us the litany," Joao replied, "I had thought that my Voice was not a sibling of Raina's. My voice fears and hates Raina's Voice. I never got the sense that they were twins. But I may be wrong." Joao gulped audibly. "As for who I think, thought it might be, I have been afraid even to think his name, much less speak it." His voice dropped to a whisper, as he spoke one word more. "Brand." Cole raised both eyebrows. "He's the one I would title 'destroyer', rather than Coral," Temnal noted calmly. "Though why he should fear or hate Raina's Voice more than he hates anyone or anything else, I'd be at a loss to explain." "Why do you think it's him?" Gillian asked Joao curiously. "Would anyone recognize Brand if they saw him?" Rusalka asked. "I have to admit, that's what I thought, too, when Joao mentioned that his Voice is always telling him to kill people - even Coral." Joao’s Voice gave an offended cough. <She makes it sound so impolite. It’s just preemptive problem-solving.> He could feel the presence much closer than it should have been, even though a fog dulled its thoughts. Gillian stared and mouthed wordlessly, "Kill people?" Joao caught Gillian's action and nodded. "But if Raina's Sand, then who is Delwin? And if he only summoned six, is it possible that someone came of their own volition?" Rusulka continued. "I suppose," Cole said, with a shrug. "But it's also possible Mirelle left someone out. Or that Bob didn't tell her everything. Or that Bob doesn't even know who all he summoned, 'cause he's fruity as a nutcake. Or that we're all butterflies dreaming that we're people." He flapped his hands around his head and chuckled again. Raina had been silent up until now, taking this all in. But at the mention that Joao's Voice might be Brand, her jaw set firmly. "Joao's Voice is NOT Brand," she stated decisively. "My own Voice confirmed that. She is Sand and he is Delwin. They hate each other because they were rivals in a battle that killed their mother. She says he betrayed them." Joao's mouth opened like a fish in surprise. She turned to Joao. "That's why she wants to kill you... er, him. She tried to make me do it that first night. It was all I could do to pull the knife back. She still thinks I should, but I won't," she said with perhaps more confidence than she felt. Seabhac sighed faintly, “It does make sense, actually. The siblings never were – how should I put it? Forgiving of one another. I mean, the ‘true’ Elders were even worse than those you probably know of. Their infighting is legendary. We’re a loving family now by comparison. Joao still looked stunned by Raina's and now Seabhac's words. “And I hate to agree with Cole in his current condition, but Bob… uh… I’m assuming you mean my great grandfather, Dworkin... is a grade-a wacka-doo. There’s no telling what he’s forgotten or lied about. And Mirelle. Well, it sounds like she’s his puppet. She could be mistaken as well.” "Besides," Temnal put in, "from what I recall of what she said, the list she gave us was more 'at least these' than 'only these.'" [Seabhac] rubbed Gillian’s back and smiled sheepishly at her, “Not to disagree with you, luv. But Cybele doesn’t sound too… martyrly.” He shrugged. “Just saying.” "Prince Caine told me that Cybelle was a fratricide. Cybelle said that it was Princess Fiona that killed her. In that way she seemed to me a martyr, but..." Gillian shrugged back. "Of all the Amberites I've heard about, I'd say the one who comes closest to being a martyr is the Princess Deirdre," Temnal put in. "And her name hasn't even come up." Gillian nodded. "You're really Delwin, then, aren't you," Joao said aloud, softly, as well as saying it in his mind to his voice. "Preemptive Problem Solving or not, I was wrong about who you are. But now I don't know if to be relieved or even more worried." Joao coughed and looked at the group. "Sorry, Temnal," he said apologetically. He looked at Raina and gave a 'we DO need to talk at some point' glance. Raina shrunk under his glance, fearing that she had said too much. She did nod silently, however. "The suggestion to get a couple of mirrors for tonight might answer many of these questions," Joao said. "Although given the hostility between some of these Voices, we would have to all exert control." Gillian's grip on Seabhac's hand tightened. "Is that a Good Idea?" she asked tentatively. "Not the 'exerting control' part, but the 'get a couple of mirrors for tonight' part?" She grimaced. "I'm sorry. I know Raina's right--we can't move forward if we continue to cower--it's just...I'm scared. Really scared. So many things could go wrong and the consequences are really, really dire. And yet...we have to do this, don't we? There is nobody else." Gillian swallowed, hard. "I know," Raina said, touching Gillian's shoulder comfortingly. "We'll all need to watch out for each other." Gillian nodded. "We can watch out for each other, yes. That helps, knowing that." Seabhac smiled at her, “That’s what friends are for. We’ll all be here, going through the same thing. You won’t have to do this alone anymore. And once we have some more answers, perhaps it won’t seem as scary to you.” He tried to sound as hopeful as possible about the latter and succeeded admirably. He rubbed Gillian’s back again and gave a thankful look to Raina. "How about just one mirror?" Cole asked. "Let's limit ourselves to only seven years of bad luck, instead of fourteen. And all compressed into one year, if Bob's right." "That's a good idea. It would limit the points of contact," Raina agreed. Seabhac added, “And easier to smash if things get bollocksed up.” "We should probably use the mirror one at a time," suggested Temnal. "Those of us who don't already know who we're a Conduit for. And ... I think I would prefer to go last, if at all. By process of elimination, if anyone in this room is presently hosting the Destroyer, it's probably me. And if that's the case ... I'm not sure I want him to remember who he is." "Should we also look for a way to secure this room against outside intrusion? And make sure we see nothing inside that could cause us harm?" Raina asked. "One mirror, da," Joao agreed. He looked to Gillian. "It is likely one of the storerooms near here will have a mirror, da? Mirrors can be useful in some magical rituals." Joao rose, bowed his head slightly to Raina, Gillian and Rusalka, and headed away from the circle and the room in search of a full length mirror to transport back to the group. Joao found an abandoned lab one floor down. Soot and charring darkened roof and walls, marking a path from the fireplace. Much of the room had been stripped of its equipment and furnishings. In one corner, a tarp-covered mirror stood like a forgotten sentinel. Someone had taken great care in building it, the ebony carved with exquisite runes and creatures. Only its claw-like feet were marred by the soot and ash. The reflective surface itself was unblemished. Surprisingly, the full-length mirror moved with little effort on his part. "We can shutter the window and lock the door—that should suffice, I think," Gillian replied to Raina. She walked over to do just that, then wandered around the lab and lit the lamps with a softly spoken word and a flick of her fingers. "The thing about the mirror is," Rusalka said slowly, thinking this through, "it's just so you know for sure who your Voice is. So if you want to go one by one, you should have only the people who know their Voices with you - the people who have already done this. Is that me and Raina or just me? I suppose we could have others if they don't look in the mirror... And Seabhac - but I don't know if he'll see anything... Because when I faced her, I think I reminded her of a lot of really horrible things that had happened to her and she wasn't happy. I was glad for Joao's help." Seabhac rubbed the back of his head, “Reflections of reflections. I wonder…” His voice trailed off and he grew silently pensive. "Has anyone ever become their Voice during the Dark Hour?" Gillian asked, grimly curious. "Not just looking in a mirror and seeing someone else, but your appearance actually changing?" At this point, moving the mirror with unexpected grace, Joao returned to the group, the ebony-framed mirror in his arms. "This is a beautiful mirror I have found." Joao said with pride. "Equal to many in Rebma, although we would use a different style.. We may want to keep this in our lab here permanently. It seems criminal to keep it covered and forgotten." "It is lovely," Temnal said, regarding the mirror, "but we should probably check it over for magical influences before we use it. I have a feeling this is going to get weird enough without complicating factors." Gillian nodded agreement. Joao looked around at the circle and the group, and picked an empty spot nearby. Purposefully, he turned the mirror so that its back faced his companions. "I would rely on someone with greater arcane training to do such a search," Joao said. "Rebmans may have an affinity of mirrors, but that is not precisely in my curriculum at present." Rusalka frowned but didn't say anything. She adjusted in her chair, playing absently with a cotton-candy colored curl. "If Cynwyd's a Conduit - that sounds weird - should I go and find him? Sounds like Cole's- like Finndo - might actually like him, which could be useful." "It probably wouldn't hurt," said Temnal, "as long as we find him before the Dark Hour. We should have plenty of time before then, though." "He's probably at fencing practice," Cole said with a shrug. Then his battered face went pale. The empty bottle fell from his hand and shattered on the lab's stone floor. "Cole? Are you supposed to be at fencing practice too?" Gillian asked quizzically. Cole tried to stand, slipped, caught himself on his hands, and sat heavily again. Staring at a fragment of green glass embedded in his palm, he said dumbly, "Kel is gonna kill me." Raina jumped up and snatched a cloth off a nearby table. She wadded it up and knelt down next to Cole. "Well, you can't go now," she said as she reached for his palm and squinted down at it. She began carefully picking out the glass slivers. Seabhac joined Raina in assisting Cole. A slight chill surrounded the trio as a ball of shadow emerged from his palm. Gossamer thin tendrils of darkness slithered down and began to pluck the glass pieces from the floor. He glanced over at Cole’s wound, grimacing. “Raina, do you have any Malachite’s Blood around? The regular salve not the… uh… well, the one that’d we’d need a mop for.” "I saw a regular jar when I was looking for...um...looking around earlier. I'll get it," Gillian said, hastening off toward a cupboard. The tendrils liquefied the glass shards and the resolidified it into a perfect crystal ball. Seabhac set it down on a table and then dusted his hands off. “Anything I can do to help?” "It would be prudent then," Joao said, "for one of us to deliver apologies to Mistress Kel for Cole's absence, and fetch Cynwyd in the bargain." "I can go. I'm no use at arcane stuff except during the Hour anyway," Rusalka offered. She was watching Raina see to Cole, her expression concerned and a little antsy. "And I can probably think of a good excuse on the way - unless you have something you'd like me to say, Cole." Cole was staring at the crystal ball, looking dazed. "I always like to start with some version of the truth. Tell her I got beat up by a bunch of guys on the street. She won't accept that as an excuse for missing practice—what good are we to her if we stop fighting when we get hurt?--so also tell her that someone gave me some pain mekid... medic..." He frowned, then tried again. "Stuff that makes me unsafe to practice with." Joao looked at Rusalka, and then regarded Temnal before looking back at the cotton candy haired student. "Do you wish Temnal or myself to escort you?" he asked. "If it were closer to the Darkest Hour," he smiled slightly, "Rebman mores would mandate that I insist on you being escorted." "We've still several hours before midnight, so no one needs to feel compelled to stay if they don't want to," Gillian said as she returned to the group. "I, for one, have some studying I'd like to do and it would probably be a good idea to get some food in Cole." Gillian handed the jar of Malachite's Blood to Raina with one hand as she picked up Seabhac's glass ball with the other. She knelt in front of Cole and slowly waved the ball back and forth in front of his face, an impish smile twitching at the corner of her mouth. "You're getting sleepy. Verrryyy sleeeeeeppppyyy..." "Duh," Cole replied, yawning. "I just downed a pint of huldubrew. You folk are lucky I'm still conscious." His eyes fluttered closed, and his hand relaxed in Raina's. "It worked!" Gillian exclaimed, the impish half-smile still present. "Now to put him in a dress and leave him snoring in Temple Square..." Seabhac watched Gillian’s antics with amusement. “I can conjure something frilly if you like. And a corset and bonnet. Mustn’t forget those.” "'s not a dress," Cole mumbled. "It's a kilt." "A kilt with a frilly lace edge. What a great idea, Cole, thanks!" Gillian said, beaming. She winked at Seabhac. Seabhac smirked back at her, “You are a deep well, Miss Talbot. I can meet you halfway and provide you with a frock of a highly embarrassing nature.” Rusalka had been distracted by the business of healing Cole, and suddenly laughed out loud - not a giggle, a free, loud clear sound, almost a guffaw. Gillan smiled at her and clapped Cole congenially on the shoulder. She stood up and gazed with interest at the glass ball she held. [Rusalka] turned back to Joao. "Are you sure? You or Temnal - or both of you - are welcome to come along, but I'm not going to get lost again. I might get in a bit of trouble unescorted on campus, but this far from the Hour that's the worst that will happen to me. Actually, I'd like to grab some things from my room after we talk to Cynwyd anyway." "It is not a matter of impugning your ability to find your way, Lady Cardovan." Joao used the title without even thinking. "It is a matter of your gender, station and seeing to your safety and security. Honor dictates that at the very least, the offer be made." He looked toward Temnal. "I know not how such honor works in your land. I only offered your name in addition to mine as a possibility as to allow Rusalka the choice of escort, if she should choose one at all to see to her safe ferrying of Cynwyd here." "I'd be happy to go," said Temnal, "and it would probably just as well for you not to get in trouble with the proctors at the moment," he pointed out to Rusalka. "They might decide to give you detention, and then where would you be?" Seabhac stood up and dusted off his knees. “I – unfortunately – have a meeting with Professor Advocat in an hour. He wants me to be his teaching assistant and we need to go over the curriculum. But I’ll return well before midnight. I’d like to take some precautions considering what we might be dealing with. I can’t be certainly they’ll help, but I may as well attempt a few wardings.” "That couldn't hurt," said Temnal, "as well as checking out the mirror." Gillian narrowed her eyes at the mirror thoughtfully. "I'll look at it." Seabhac leaned over and kissed her on the cheek, “Life with you will never be dull, Gilly.” He gave her a wink, “I’ll see you tonight.” With that, he headed for the door. She smiled after him, the sudden pink on her cheeks noticeable even in the dim light. "All right then," Rusalka brushed off her skirt and stretched a little. "I'm off to fencing practice - my goodness, I've always wanted to say that! Are you both coming, or...?" Joao regarded Rusalka for a moment, and then glanced at Temnal before returning his gaze to Rusalka. "I would not impugn Temnal by suggesting that he is an inadequate escort for you to find Cynwyd," Joao said. "Only if you deem it truly needful will I accompany the both of you. Else, I shall remain here. I have a few questions for Gillian, Raina may need my services, and there is always classwork to be done before the Darkest Hour." "Shall we, then?" Temnal asked Rusalka. Rusalka smiled. "We shall." Then [Temnal] asked Gillian, "What time would you suggest we be back?" "Half an hour before?" she replied. "At the latest," said Temnal with a nod. "See you then," Gillian replied, nodding back. "Be safe." "Da," Joao said in agreement with Gillian. Rusalka offered Temnal her arm and gave the others a jaunty wave. "Don't get into too much trouble," she called jokingly. [Gillian] turned to Joao as Temnal and Rusalka left. "You had a question?" [continued in Night Falls Around Us] |
