ADiplomaticGatheringIndex | Time Under Chaos | Game Logs | A Diplomatic Gathering As the Ambassadors gathered with Flora in a small private room reserved for honoured guests at after dinner meetings, it was interesting to see who was actually there. Flora, of course, and Chadwick. Paloma and Ingrey too. And the Chaosian Ambassador, who was looking another that the Begman Ambassador had seemingly diosappeared. No-one else joined them. Ingrey still clutched his head, although with less vehemence, by the time that the Ambassadors were ensconced in the private drawing room that he had been in more than a few times. His fingers and his hand slowly rotated so that both of his blue eyes could take in the room. "It seems that we have lost at least one Ambassador." Ingrey observed dryly, his comment directed at all of the occupants. "Shall I fetch her, mother," Chadwick asked with the worried look of a child who'd done something he was certain would meet with parental disapproval. "She can't have gotten far." Flora gave her son a slightly narrowed glance. "I am sure the Countess Rodkonski will join us when she has finished ... powdering her nose," she said. "In the mean-time, Ambassadress, Councillor, I trust you have both recovered?" Paloma was not looking at all well. Ingrey shook his head and held up a finger. "I think we both, especially the Ambassador, need something mild and fortifying." Ingrey responded to Florimel. He briefly closed his eyes and then opened them again. "Nothing that will unduly upset the stomach and will be soothing." Ingrey finally continued, looking over his superior. Worry furrowed his expression. "Since we are not at the Embassy, there are a few beverages available here that might suit the bill." Ingrey suggested. "Cow's milk flavored with chocolate, perhaps. Or a carbonated solution spiked with ginger." He spoke in a lower voice, but still audible to the room, and addressed Paloma. "Do you want anything in particular? Do you want me to get you back to the Embassy immediately?" Ingrey asked. As if to emphasize his care and concern, he added her name rather than her title. "Paloma?" Paloma shook her head. "No," she said softly. "The ginger, that will help. And, perhaps, after this morning, a certainly weakness will not be seen as ... unattractive." Nevertheless, there was a distinct note of chagrin in her voice. Chadwick smiled a little, having suddenly figured something out. He gave his mother a knowing glance. Ingrey gave a nod to Paloma and then looked up at Flora. "Some ginger ale, if it's available, would be highly appreciated. For both the Ambassador and myself." Ingrey said. He winced as he took a seat close by his boss, and blinked his eyes slowly as he regarded the room, looking at Paloma, Islain, Flora, Chadwick, and then the Kashfan Ambassador. "I would recommend such a beverage for all as balm in the aftermath of the tumult here." Ingrey offered. "It has the advantage of not containing alcohol, either." "Alcohol," murmured Paloma - and then. as though by association of ideas, "Where is the King?" Flora frowned slightly, but said nothing. "We left him in the dining room," Chadwick said. "Surrounded by friends. They had something to discuss, I think." "Perhaps why he himself was not affected by...the affliction." Ingrey offered after a moment's hesitation. "And most likely, the discussion will be colored by a supply of alcohol." He held a hand to his forehead, and then snapped it down with an impatient gesture. Paloma had leant forward slightly and now she said in an undertone to Ingrey, so that no-one else could hear ... "Helgram. We need to find him - soon." Ingrey furrowed his eyebrows in pain, perhaps to cover Paloma's quiet words to him. He responded in the same low voice. "Yes." he agreed. "Do you have any idea where he might have ensconced himself? Or a reliable method of finding him?" Paloma shook her head. Ingrey paused. "Perhaps the skills of the Baroness, or someone else?" "Mandor has her," said Paloma. "But ... where is he? He must be somewhere!" "Yes." A light glinted in Ingrey's eyes. He was ready to speak when Chadwick spoke and the doorway became occupied. Chadwick looked to his mother. "Is there anything I can be doing," he asked, "during this difficult time?" "Well," said a voice from the doorway, "you could tell me what has been happening, Lord Chadwick." And there was the missing Begman Ambassador, the charming Countess Rodkonski. "Have I missed much?" she asked, as she strolled into the room. "Oh, thank you so much, your Highness. A cup of tea will be wonderful." Chadwick gestured to Ingrey's superior. "The lady is ill," he said. "There was some talk as to Merlin's whereabouts and condition, but nothing else." Ingrey looked up at the Countess and gave a nod. "Countess." he said warmly. "What Chadwick says is true. The disturbing events of the last few minutes have distressed my superior. I myself am doing better, for the grace of the Serpent, but am not unaffected." He bent low to speak to Paloma. "Perhaps I can borrow Flora's son. There aren't many places where the Duke might lurk, and having Chadwick nearby might actually prove useful, in the absence of preferred companions." He then raised his voice and regarded Florimel. "Milady, would it be permissible to borrow your son as an escort to look further in these matters which have shook the peaceable gathering that you worked so hard to put together?" Flora looked alarmed. "I don't ... " she began. The Countess clapped her hands in approval. "But of a certainty! The hero of the docks - who could be better?" Ingrey gave a slight nod to the Countess. "Yay," Chadwick exclaimed, bouncing a bit as a joined Ingrey and Paloma. "I would be honored to assist you in such endeavours... assuming mother doesn't mind, of course." He looked to his mother with bright eyes. "Milady." Ingrey turned to look at Flora. "These matters do not only call for a diplomat, but for a heroic scion of House Amber who can be the face of your line in these matters. There are precious few others who I would trust to be that heroic scion other than your son." He then looked at Paloma and gave a respectful grazing nod of the head. "This is all pending your approval, of course, Ambassador. I think paying a visit on the agency behind this event would be propitious. Allowing it to occur without comment would be a grave mistake. And it would be more effective if Chadwick here accompanied me in delivering that comment." Flora looked appalled - but clearly she was reluctant to back down with so many visiting dignitaries present. "And do you know," she said, "where that comment might be delivered?" "With great precision." Ingrey replied. "No, I do not. I have neither the skills nor the opportunity to trace that magical event. However." Ingrey smiled. "I believe that the King might be most helpful in this regard, since he was not debilitated by the attack enough to mount such an attempt." "And even if he should not be willing." Ingrey continued. "Really, there are precious few districts of the city that such an event could be mounted from successfully. And given the nature of the source, only one of those is feasible as a base of operations." "The garrison barracks, of course." Ingrey finished. "So what I will do is ask his Majesty if he knows better, and failing either his cooperation or differing knowledge, take Chadwick with me to the Barracks." "This is rather exciting," Chadwick said with a smile. "I'd be happy to go, and the plan is exactly the sort that I specialize in. Oh, mother, you'll be so proud of me I'm sure." Flora closed her eyes. The Countess Rodkonski was looking positively seraphic, while the Kashfan Ambassador looked appalled. "But won't that be ... dangerous?" he said. "For an Amberite?" "Surely not when escorted by my second," said Paloma tartly. "Ingrey will take good care of him." Ingrey rose from his seated position, and turned toward Flora. He looked at her for a level moment and then gave a full bow. "On my word, I will not see harm done to your son, Flora Oberonsdottir." Ingrey said. "As he would not see harm done to me." "Absolutely," Chadwick said with firm certainty. Everything was working out so well recently. Not that he should have need to be a hero in such a well run city, but to find himself with something to do was very refreshing. Ingrey bowed to to Paloma, Flora, Islain, and the Ambasasdors in turn, and walked with Chadwick out of the room.
|
