Time Under Chaos | TimeUnderChaos / All Fall Down: Clytemnestra, Morgan, Merlin, Flora, Vikund, Petra, and Niccolo browse

Index | Time Under Chaos | Game Logs | All Fall Down

Flora's rooms were rapidly gained—Flora pausing only for a few minutes on the stairs to fire off some rapid orders to a startled page, who had not been expecting to see this company abroad so late.

[OOC - the orders seemed to be to find Mandor, Larissa, Vikund and Bleys and tell them to come IMMEDIATELY to her rooms. She also ordered a guard to be sent to check on Johann.]

Once her room was gained, she directed Morgan to lay Clytemnestra on a rather pretty daybed.

"Use these under her nose," she instructed, handing Morgan a bottle of smelling salts. "And give her a little brandy when she wakes up. You'll find some in the cabinet over there."

Morgan went for the brandy first, and had a swig himself before returning to Clytemnestra.

Merlin, by now, had found or created a slightly ornate wicker cage that he had coaxed the raven into.

"Yes," he said to the aggrieved bird. "Beneath your dignity, I know. But we don't want to lose you."

He was holding in his hands the trumps that had been in the bird's possession (Amba, Claudio, Lady Fiona, a garden, Despil, and himself).

"What do you think?" he said to Morgan. "Helena, or Amba?"

"Full house," Morgan replied. "Chaosians over Amberites." He opened the bottle of smelling salts and waved it under Clytemnestra's nose.

Her nose wrinkled, and then her eyes flew open. She tried to bolt upright, but lost her balance and fell back on the daybed. Her eyes raked the room. "Flora's room...? Where is she? Where's Helena? Ow, my head!" She clenched her eyes shut again, and held her hands over them.

"Have you forgotten our night of illicit passion, my little chickadee?" Morgan asked, smiling down at her.

In no mood to be toyed with, Ness aimed a slap at Morgan's face, which he casually evaded. "Where is my sister!" she growled.

"I think," said Merlin, carefully, "she's over here. At least, this bird was clutching on to the trump I gave your sister earlier."

He regarded the caged bird with something of a perplexed air.

"It's at times like these," he sighed, "that I wish I knew more about shifting. How she's done the body mass thing, for example. We're going to need Jurt."

"Last time I saw him, he was staring out of General Hendrake's window," Morgan observed casually.

"I should have guessed," said Merlin grimly.

[Morgan] walked over and looked at the raven-like bird, then tapped on the side of the cage with a finger.

"Helena want a cracker?" he asked it in a sing-song voice.

"Don't be preposterous," Ness snapped. "That isn't Helena. It has no Pattern. Besides, Helena would be a falcon or something, not a grubby crow. It's probably Amba, or some fraction thereof."

"Helena doesn't have Pattern," said Merlin. "You'll need to be careful; you'll never be able to pass as each other to a sensitive. Why would Amba or some fraction thereof have Helena's trumps and be flying around half-way up Kolvir? Rescuing the trumps for Amba?" He shook his head. "That doesn't make sense. She'd need pre-knowledge to recognise the trumps, and if she had pre-knowledge that Helena was in danger, why rescue the trumps and not Helena?

"Besides, you give trumps to people who are climbing Kolvir. Family tradition and all that."

He looked at the raven. "Talk," he commanded.

The raven looked back, unblinking.

"Of course Helena has Pattern," Ness replied. "She's Fiona's daughter. It's just not activated yet. But this creature has nothing. Regardless, I'd recognize my sister, and that's not her."

Merlin looked at her consideringly—and then gave the faintest of smiles.

She stood, a bit unsteadily, and went over to the cage. She locked her eyes on the bird's and attempted to connect with its thoughts.

But before she could give it her full concentration (and with her recent excessive use of Pattern, it seemed unlikely to achieve more than giving her [and probably the raven] a bad headache, adding to the one she already had)...

At this point there was a sharp knock at the door and Vikund stepped in. He bowed formally, carefully scanning the noble assembly. "You asked for me?" he said, addressing Flora.

"Yes," said Flora. "How much of this night's events did you witness?"

Before Vikund could answer, he felt the tug of a trump.

And at that moment, there was the sound of running feet on the corridor. It was the page that Flora had dispatched on earlier errands.

Such was his urgency that he pushed past Vikund without apology so that he could come straight to Flora, ignoring the others—even the King.

"It's Johann!" he burst out. "He's escaped!"

Vikund sighed, looking singularly unsurprised. "One moment," he said to the assembly, and accepted the trump call.

Merlin pulled out his trump deck and flipped the box open. "I'm going to try Mandor," he said. "If he's busy, then Jurt. I'd rather keep this in the family of we can."

Ness returned to the daybed and sat with her head in her hands. "Lovely. What next, earthquakes? Ow, my head!"

"Have some brandy, it's good for headaches," Morgan told her.

She took the glass gratefully, and downed it in one long and unladylike swallow. "Another, please," she said.

She lay back on the daybed and whispered, "Not even a full day. Separated for so long, and I don't even get one full day." Her eyes glistened with unshed tears.

Flora glanced at Morgan...as though she believed he might be more able to comfort Clytemnestra than she would.

Morgan filled Clytemnestra's glass once more. "It's a pity," he agreed. "She never even got a chance to know me."

Ness drained the glass again. "Once more, I think," she said, holding the glass out vaguely in Morgan's vicinity. "I do believe it's helping. Headache's just as bad, but now I don't seem to mind as much."

Merlin looked up from his task. "You might want to remember," he said, "that Nessie here has had all Flora's training in insidious revenge, and will doubtless wreak full measure."

Morgan grinned at Merlin, then waggled his eyebrows at Clytemnestra.

"Perhaps you should come through. I'm with the king now," Vikund suggested to his invisible correspondent.

"Who is it?" said Merlin sharply.

"Three hours or so," Vikund replied to an unheard question.

"Petra," he said, addressing the king though his attention never shifted. He offered his hand to the air.

Clytemnestra waved her brandy glass impatiently.

Morgan filled her glass again. As he did so he leaned close to her and said quietly, "She didn't fall. I was watching."

"I was supposed to be watching," she hissed. "I promised. But I let myself get distracted." She took a gulp of brandy before adding, a trifle blurrily, "Thank you, Morgan. I'm glad we decided to be friends. I may reward you later."

Morgan nodded, and filled her glass once more. Then he took a long swig straight out of the bottle, and turned to watch Vikund.

Vikund's caller stepped through, followed by a dark haired stranger; tall, broad-shouldered, impeccably dressed. He had that same sharp eyed look off all the Queen's Security staff, the same lazy elegance as Vincenzo, and violet eyes that swept the room when he entered it.

Looking vaguely annoyed, Petra nodded to the occupants, but her attention went to Merlin. "Your Majesty, Mandor is...how do I say this? Misplaced. Si, misplaced."

Clytemnestra's glass shattered on the floor.

Merlin stared at Petra for a long minute. Then he turned and walked over to a small occasional table. Very carefully, he put down the trumps he had been holding, his long fingers spreading to set them down with a precision that should have gladdened Flora's heart. His back was to the room; only Morgan and Clytemnestra were in a position to see his face.

Then suddenly he turned, and smiled lazily, and then his face was the usual expression of bored lassitude, touched with faint hauteur.

"Perhaps, cara," he said to Petra, "you would care to explain exactly what you mean by that...once you have explained why you have brought a stranger into our midst."

Petra blinked and then looked at the man with her as if she had just remembered he was there. "Oh," she waved negligently at the violet eyed man. "Excusi, Majesty. This is Niccolo di Medici. He is a long time friend of my mother's family. With all that has been going on this evening, Vincenzo, he would not let me wander out alone, and Niccolo knows what all has happened tonight anyway. More than I do in some instances. Like what it was that drew us all off to the Queen in the first place. I would hope that you would know by now I would never allow anyone in your Presence that was a threat to you."

"I thought I did," murmured Merlin.

She smoothed her hair and continued giving him the requested information. "I was with Mandor when he realized he needed to check on something. He asked me to go with him, which I did. We trumped—at least, I think that is what it was—into Johann's cell to find Johann missing and the guards piled in a corner. I only had a handful of seconds to note this before the ball of light he had went out and he collapsed. The room is covered in Pattern tracery, Majesty. You should not go down."

Merlin looked slightly startled.

"Well," he said. "That's useful to know."

She paused to remember where she was in the tale and then went on. "I trumped us back to the Queen immediately, not knowing what else to do beyond getting him out of there, si? Goran was the first person on the scene, but he could do nothing so I sent someone for Dr. Delluth. He also was having trouble, but was better equipped to deal with it. Around that time, there was a huge increase in Pattern energy in the area and was adversely effecting the Doctor, and even I knew Mandor needed to be away from that or it would possibly kill him. I sent them to Cornaro. They would have peace, quiet, no Pattern and extra time, you see, and I could go get them when things had settled down."

"I tried to call you—to let you know what was happening, but you were occupied." Then she spread her hands and shrugged helplessly. "They were not gone 20 minutes from the ship, but when we went to bring Mandor back to the castle, there was no sign of them in The Jade. I have the Doctor's address, but no swift way to find him and ask him what he has done with the Prime Minister."

From slightly behind and to the right of Petra, Niccolo inclined his head when he was introduced. One hand at his side, the other held at the small of his back. He added nothing further to Petra's description of events, his amethyst gaze flicked to the broken glass, and then back to those assembled.

Morgan casually set the half empty bottle of brandy down on a small sideboard next to the side bed and stepped away from everyone. His back was to a wall now, and he stood where he could easily see everyone in the room, and all the entrances. He folded his arms in front of him, his hands slipping slightly inside the loose sleeves of his shirt.

Merlin glanced around, as though measuring where everyone was standing, and then looked at Vikund.

"I presume you know the good doctor's address, Lord Spider? Take what men you need. If you find him there... If my brother's there, bring them both back. If only the doctor, bring him back, after he's told you where the Prime Minister is located, and you've retrieved him. And if no-one's there ...tear his rooms apart until you find out where the hell he and Mandor are."

He considered. "And wear gloves," he advised. "In fact, take all precautions. The Doctor does lecture in toxocology at the University, after all."

Vikund nodded curtly. "As you command," he said, and left without further comment.

Outside he found footmen waiting, who could be dispatched to carry out whatever arrangements he wished to make.

[Vikund continued in Vikund Goes Hunting]

Then he turned his attention to Petra once more.

"You of all people should be aware that it is not a good idea to be economical with the truth with me in certain matters, cara. A long time friend of your mother's family? Yes...an innocent Cornaran, who still stinks of the Pattern he manipulated and whose heritage is blatantly obvious to all who look."

"It is?" she murmured. Petra frowned slightly and turned to regard Nicco with a raised eyebrow. He had, after all, been in Cornaro for years before she ever laid eyes on him.

His attention suddenly focused on Niccolo, still with the same lazy, affable smile—although his eyes were cold.

"So was it you who sent the cloud shooting across the moon? For that you have our gratitude...although you must forgive Clytemnestra if she doesn't overwhelm you with cries of delight. Her twin sister is still missing, you see. Helena was on the stair."

Petra winced but wisely stayed silent.

Niccolo raised an eyebrow, "I am, indeed, Cornaran. I am also a friend of Petra's Family, and have been for many years. Though I think it is fair to say that none of us are innocent, Si?" He nodded to Petra, "The Marchesa has not been aware of my metaphysical talents, such as they are, and I had previously seen no reason to inform her of them. It has allowed me to maintain broad array of interests on the periphery, as it were. It is an advantage best left out of most business negotiations." Niccolo looked to Clytemnestra, and then back to Merlin. "I was on the Rambling Queen when we encountered a bolla—a 'bubble' of force around the entire City. La Luna was also Full ahead of its usual Celestial schedule."

He shook his head, "La Bolla, the Bubble, it could not be broken, and the Queen, she had reason to get back to port. So, I turned my attention to the other item that did not belong; the Full Moon." Niccolo appeared thoughtful, "I had previously been informed that there was a Chaos Lord, a Helgram, newly come to Amber whose mandate was the end of the Pattern. Considering what had already occurred on the Queen, the location of several dignitaries, and the unexpected appearance of the City in the Sky, I perceived a possible connection between these Celestial events, and Lord Helgram. As well as a connection between La Luna y La Bolla, the Moon and the Bubble. Thus, I was forced to ponder and then protect my considerable investment."

Niccolo turned his gaze to Clytemnestra, "It was my effort that guided the cloud into covering the Moon. With the Moon covered, the Bubble shattered, and the Queen was finally free to proceed. I sought to hide the City in the Sky from a possible, and formidable, threat. I had no way of knowing whom had or had not mounted the Stairs."

With a great effort at something approaching dignity, Clytemnestra pulled herself up to sit on the edge of the daybed before addressing Niccolo. "For your efforts in thwarting...Duke Helgram, I thank you. If he had brought Helena to the Pattern, he would have attempted to kill her there, and since she has vanished...rather than falling to her death, I believe you saved her life...wherever she is now."

She stood slowly, and with great concentration, and straightened her robe about her before continuing. "Auntie, I apologize for the mess. Your Highness, please excuse me. I believe I have some medication in my rooms that will more effectively remedy my condishon." She made a slight face at her imperfect diction. Then, with an erect spine and slow, deliberate steps, Clytemnestra made her way to the exit.

Morgan continued watching and listening, but said nothing.

"Ness," said Merlin, "Ness—wait."

He moved over and spoke to her in a quiet undertone.

"If you need to make your own investigations, do so," he said quietly. "I know you and your father are at odds but...dammit, Ness, you're exhausted! We'll work together at finding Helena...and your father too. Working together, it will be easier than working alone."

"His trump is warm," Ness mumbled. "I tried earlier. I'd hoped he'd blocked it. Now I don't know."

Merlin squeezed her hand without speaking.

"She won't be alone," said Flora, quietly. She had glided over to them. "I'll look after her—no matter what. You see...I think I know where Helena is."

Ness looked at her sharply. Then she turned around and allowed Flora to help her back to the daybed, where she sat with her head in her hands.

Flora sank down beside her and slipped an arm around her niece's slender shoulders.

Merlin turned back to the others.

"All right," he said. "You speak of metaphysical talents, 'such as they are', Signor di Medici. Well, if you blasted that Pattern cloud across the moon, you hardly found those talents in a box of breakfast cereal. You've walked the Pattern—and that's not something you stumble across by accident, either. You have an Amberite parent and either they—or someone else in the family—introduced you to the Pattern. Who was it?"

Petra was looking highly indignant, watching Niccolo with her arms crossed over her chest and her eyes a fiery green. She was clearly waiting on his answer as well.

"Chiedere scusa," Niccolo began his amethyst gaze turning to Flora, "Principessa, descriptions of your fabled beauty have reached as far as Cornaro, and I see now that they fail to capture the truth." he inclined his head, "I hope you can forgive the suddenness of my appearance, I had hoped to meet Her Highness under far better circumstances. É mi onore, it is my honor, to at least make Her Highness' passing acquaintance."

Signor d'Medicia straightened, and looked to Clytemnestra, "Signorina, I know sono nuovo—I am new, but considering that this Duke meant to kill your Sister, and all of us by association, is leaving in your condition the wisest course of action. I would never underestimate the abilities of Her Highness, but I doubt that Helgram was unprepared for a fall." He looked to Merlin then, never once having moved from the spot in which he had appeared. "But I am newly arrived, and just a Banker, so I am uncertain as to whom might control the military or the Castle Guard."

"With a likely irritato—angry Duke at the foot of the Mount, I am uncertain as to the wisdom of this interrogation. You already know that I am a Scion of the Pattern, and that I put that knowledge to use for the good of all. An end to Amber would be horrible for business, Si?" Niccolo's posture remained unchanged, though there was a slightly pained wince to his purple eyes. He glanced to Petra with a slight frown, and cut his eyes back to Merlin. "I was born into the House Medici generations ago in Cornaro, Petra was placed there years after my birth. I am Niccolo d'Medici, perhaps in better times, I would have been called Niccolo, Son of Benedict, who was Prince and General in Amber."

Morgan continued to lean against the wall, arms folded, eyes half closed. He nodded, as though to himself.

Without looking up, Ness waved a hand at Niccolo, as at a buzzing fly. "Fine, fine, I'll stay, as long as someone brings me some willowbark tea."

Flora glanced at Morgan and then rose herself, walked to the door, and addressed a few pithy commands to the guard on the door. Then she returned to her seat beside Clytemnestra.

"So," said Merlin [to Niccolo]. "You're Petra's brother." He glanced at Petra herself. "How long have you known?"

Only Petra didn't look like someone that had known. "You're what?" she barked at Niccolo, arms dropping to her sides. She didn't wait for him to answer though. She turned to Merlin and with one hand over her heart and the other lifted towards heaven in a timeless Cornaron gesture equal to 'I swear to God', she said angrily, "By all the gods of my forefathers this is the first time I have heard that! And I plan on having a serious chat with my mother the first chance I get."

Ness clapped her hands over her ears and moaned, "Please! No shrieking!"

Flora's arm tightened about her shoulders.

"Petra, mia cara," drawled Merlin, "do you really think it's a good idea bringing strangers of a questionable loyalty here at a time like this? As for talking to your mother...it's your father you should be speaking to, and if either of you get hold of him, tell him I'd like a chat too. We could do with Ben back in Amber."

"So, let's sum up.

"This morning, my brother was the target of a failed assassination attempt by one of the Family—who has subsequently escaped from prison, aided by at least one powerful Pattern wielding member of the Family. I could suggest names here, but it's grindingly clear Pattern users are popping up like rabbit ears in a fairground shooting gallery at the moment, so I'll wait till we have an opportunity to count heads before committing myself.

"That attack also demonstrated a certain...shall we say weakness? of my own. One which means that I have no inclination to fall on the neck of every stray relative who wanders into the castle—unless, of course, it's to take a precautionary tear into the jugular.

"Then this evening there was a murderous attack on a prominent Golden Circle figure on the Queen, which led directly to an attempt to destroy one of the two remaining Great Patterns, frustrated by the serendipitous presence of a hitherto unknown relative. And now we seem to have lost my brother the Prime Minister, his daughter Helena and—although I count this no great loss—my baby brother Jurt seems to have vanished as well. Still, three leading Chaosians in Amber of what we shall call, for want of a better term, the Liberal persuasion, all gone.

"And at least two murderous lunatics on the rampage. Oh, and let's not forget civil war in Chaos too.

"Now, call me Mr Paranoia, but I'm seeing Caine's grubby fingers all over this one."

"Johann's not on the rampage," Ness mumbled. "He's lost in a good book." She giggled.

Merlin shot a swift look at Ness. Flora's arm tightened about her, as though in warning.

Petra pursed her lips and frowned up at the ceiling briefly. "It has been a long night. I am not following your logic, Majesty. Unless you think Delluth is working with Caine—who I don't think had anything to do with Johann's escape, because I heard through the grapevine that Caine had no intention of lifting a finger to help him. Apparently he wanted him out of the way, and tucked under Mandor's lock and key was just fine with him. I can certainly see him inciting civil war somewhere, but Johann didn't need any help to go off the deep end and go after Mandor."

"In Niccolo's defense—and I suppose mine as well, Mandor met with him and Goran privately for quite some time onboard the Queen about the attack. If he found him suspicious, he had plenty of opportunity to tell me afterwards. Which he did not. Additionally, he told me himself last night that he was quite sure that I and my staff would never do anything to endanger yourself. I may not have known all Niccolo's little secrets," she shot Benedict's son a dire look. "But instability in Amber is bad for his business interests, and he is certainly loyal to that."

Niccolo's eyes settled on Petra, "I am your Fratello—Brother, Half-Brother, if we are being precise." He regarded his Sister calmly. "You recall that it took some years before I even approached you back home, but I was aware of you, and the company you kept. Tutto-noi avere segreto. We all have our secrets, Si?" He raised an eyebrow at that, and tilted his head slightly as Merlin listed the apparent events of the week.

"Scusi, " He began, "I was present for what you refer to as a 'murderous attack' on the unfortunate Golden Circle gentleman. He was behaving inappropriately, and was removed from the floor by security, and escorted to the—what is it called? the brig. He was searched, and was found holding a Helgram token—possibly meant to contact the Duke himself, or something worse. It was made from solidified body fat. According to the Prime Minister, it was a high end form of Shapeshifted communication for the purposes of espionage. At any rate, what happened to the dead man? An accident. Not an attack, he was already being used, whether he knew it or not. To what end? I can only hazard a guess. The connection is there, it is possible that his rather dramatic death—all his fluids were drawn from his body in an instant—precipitated the evening's recent events." Niccolo shrugged elegantly, "I considered it an untimely diversion, swiftly capitalized upon, as it drew all the Chaotians of 'the more Liberal persuasion' out of Amber. Shortly after that, the Bubble and the Moon were up and out."

Niccolo took a breath, "If one of your 'lunatics' is the Duke, should we not be concerned that he might be headed this way, perhaps with troops at his back. He knows full well that he was opposed, and took steps to see to it that your greatest supporters from his side of the Worlds are not at your side. I cannot speak to a Civil War, this is the first I have heard of it. I know that the Princes were capable of a great deal, but I am uncertain that even Caine could maneuver all of these pieces." He paused, "Should not immediate concerns be more pressing? The safety of La Signorina and the Principessa, and yourself?" Niccolo's head twitched towards the man leaning against the wall. "As good as your guardian is at feigning relaxation while clearly alert and armed, we are still in an untenable position should the Duke decide to behave more—practically."

He inclined his head to Petra when she spoke grudgingly on his behalf, "As I have already said, the end of Amber would be terrible for business." Niccolo gestured to Petra, "And for mi Sorella, and indeed, all Mi Famiglia, all of my Family. That is not something any Cornaran would leave at risk."

"Lady," said Merlin silkily, "you are on dangerous ground here. Now is not the time to come into my presence accompanied by an unknown Pattern user and start telling me the inner workings of Caine's mind with regards to recent events. Caine is my enemy—and in view of what has happened here today, the friend of my enemy must be reckoned my enemy too—unless they can give me powerful evidence to the contrary. And whatever Mandor told you last night, he vanished from your ship, from your safe Shadow when, according to you, he was under your protection.

"Petra, cara mia, I've been closer to you than to most of the other people here in Amber. Like Mandor, I believed I could trust you with my life.

"Can I, Petra? Because Caine may never have a better chance to seize power in Amber than right now, in this room.

"Merlin, I would never do anything to endanger you," Petra stated firmly, wringing her hands. "If I had believed for a moment Nicco was a danger, I would never have brought him, Vincenzo be damned. And you have no idea how distressed I am by Mandor's disappearance." She glanced at Ness out of the corner of her eye before finishing delicately, "For personal reasons that have nothing to do with anyone's politics."

Morgan remained silent and still, leaning casually against the wall.

Niccolo took a breath, "I am, in fact, quite well known, just not in these august circles. I had an appointment with the Prime Minister to discuss the possible expansion of my interests into Amber proper, I may even be on some list or other. And I have other Investments that can be easily confirmed, including the Ramblin' Queen's continued success."

"I come to you woefully unprepared for a coup of any kind." He gestured at his nattily attired self, "I am unarmed, and afflicted with a migraine that perhaps only La Signorina could sympathize with." Niccolo raised his eyebrows at Petra's declaration of person interest, "Scusi, in Petra's Defense, Mandor was left in the care of that fellow Delluth, whom had arrived with the Prime Minister prior to his collapse. Is it not possible the Mandor moved himself? Or that the Doctor did?"

Merlin quirked an eyebrow at Petra. "Is it? How bad was he when you left him?"

As he spoke, he glanced towards Ness. Flora was keeping her arm about the younger woman—comfort, protection—and perhaps also a measure of restraint.

Petra made a face and sighed. "Unless he has extraordinary powers of recuperation, or Delluth has the healing power of the gods, I would have to say there is no way Mandor could have moved himself. He was unconscious when I sent them to my rooms at The Jade. He looked awful, and Delluth said the Pattern energies were likely killing him. It's why I sent them as far away from all that as I could."

Ness shuddered in Flora's arms. Her eyes were shut tightly and her face was wet. Her lips moved soundlessly. Her fists clenched and unclenched repeatedly in her lap.

Abruptly, she turned to Flora. "I...I can't go after both of them!" She laughed, somewhat hysterically. "I can't go at all, not like this. I need sleep. But I don't have time! But they don't have time either. What do I do? You said you think you know where she is. Where? Can we get there? I told her I'd be watching!"

"Don't worry, Ness," said Merlin. "No-one's asking you to go after either of them—yet. And we need to find the Doctor before we'll get a handle on what happened to Mandor. But perhaps we can find out a little more about what happened to Helena."

He looked directly at Flora. "Spill."

Flora still held Ness, gently stroking her back.

"I think she passed through to Tir," she said quietly. "If she didn't fall, then she passed through Tir to the other side—the world of the Sidhe that Oberon sealed away long ago, after Benedict fought the Moonriders at Jackson Falls to prevent them draining all life from our Shadows."

Ness put her head between her knees and took several deep, gulping breaths. When she sat up, she had regained some measure of control. She fumbled with the pocket of her nightgown and produced a handful of cards. "Then that's where I'm going," she said. "But first I need to go home. I can rest there, quickly, and equip myself." She began to concentrate on the top card, an alabaster temple on a clifftop overlooking a turquoise sea and sun-drenched beach, with a stormcloud on the horizon. "There. There it is. Auntie, I'll call you when I'm ready, in about two hours. Sorry about the tea, can't wait."

"Ness!" said Merlin sharply. "You're in no shape to go along—not with Duke Helgram still an unknown factor. As you said," he added to Nicco. Then he looked at Petra. "Go with her—please. Vincenzo can look after matters on the Queen. And...he'll have help."

Petra looked startled at the request. "I have no idea what possible good I could be if things get dicey, but...as you wish," she said hesitantly, reluctant to not be on her ship when it docked after the night they had. "Antonia has the floor, Goran was seeing to the body and cleaning up any loose ends. Vincenzo is no doubt ready to chew nails. I'm not even sure if they can dock after this evening's fire on the dockside."

She blew out a breath, frowned at her brother, and went to join Ness.

One might have expected Flora to proclaim her rights to accompany her niece, but instead she released her and rose to her feet, looking thoughtfully at Merlin.

"I need you to track down our missing family members," he said by way of explanation to her. "Bleys...Larissa...Islain. And Damien too—unless Johann offed him in the course of his escape. And if he did, I need to know."

Flora nodded. "And perhaps I should also find rooms for Signor di Medici," she suiggested. He looks as though he needs to rest, as well."

"Yes," agreed Merlin. "Yes, I'd hate to be inhospitable." The last was said with a certain dryness.

"Then , if you;'ll come with me, Signor, we shall find you somewhere comfortable," said Flora. "One that should appeal to your ... tastes."

Niccolo still occupied the space he had since his arrival. His right hand remained at his back, his left was by his side, or used to gesture as he spoke, a Cornaran habit that had never been broken. He seemed unsurprised by the sudden and swiftly made decisions, or his Sister's frown. He managed to smile brightly at Flora's offer. "Of course, Your Highness." Niccolo politely offered his arm, to be led out.

He nodded to Merlin, "Considerare, Merlin—if Duke Helgram acted in haste, drawing out the Moon three days early, rather than waiting for the natural one, he has no time for a lengthy military engagement. Where would he go next?" Niccolo inclined his head to Flora, and followed her out of the room.

Ness stood unsteadily and placed a hand on Petra's shoulder: it was clear that it was as much for physical support as to include her in the trump contact. "Fine, fine. I'll be back soon," she said, to no one in particular. "I promise. I just need to rest for a bit."

Without asking Petra if she was ready, she stepped forward, and both of them vanished in a streak of rainbow light.

[Ness and Petra continued in Aegea Before Beauty]

Merlin raised an eyebrow at Morgan. "This king business could become a habit. Well? What's your assessment of events?"

[Morgan and Merlin continued in News for the King?]