Arriving at House Ishtar: Ingrey and HelenaHouse Ishtar was a mishmash conglomeration of architecural styles, each new Lord gaily adding onto to what had come before. Despite this gay abandon, the main entrance to the Ways had stubbornly remained the same throughout the millennia: red brick covered with rust-colored ivy and Ishtar's crest of a Staff of Asclepius over the two oaken doors—the serpent on the staff one-eyed—next to a newer crest of House Hendrake, to which Ishtar was beholden. The dark carriage bearing Ingrey to the entrance to the Ways was pulled by a team of fine-looking hellhorses, all jet black and yellow-green eyes and steamy breath, that needed no driver—apparently it was true that Lord Ishtar was fond of the rarer breeds. As Ingrey approached, the double doors opened and a man stepped out to greet him, Ishtar's house colors of blood red and dark grey accenting his black livery. He stepped up the carriage, opened the door for Ingrey, and bowed. "House Ishtar, at your service, milord. How may I serve you?" he asked. "I have come for an interview with the Head Family of Ishtar, the Lord, his Lady and his daughter, on behalf of my House, amongst other factors. I seek words that may not only bring mutual enlightenment and knowledge, but also perhaps an exchange of mutual benefit as well." "I believe if not word and official consent sent and given, that I was given to understand that my visit is not unexpected and not unwelcome, as witness my arrival by Ishtar's own conveyance." Ingrey finished. Ingrey nodded and stepped down, out of the carriage to the ground before answering the man. He was dressed, of course, in his own colors, favoring a purple shirt, with white pants, both accented in gold, the two colors of Wererathe, and his own gold that he had added to his portfolio upon taking the Path of Diplomacy. Ingrey ran his hands down his sides as he glanced at the entrance for a moment, and then clasped them before him as he regarded the man in livery. "You are expected, Minister-Counselor Ingrey Wererathe," the man replied gravely. "Please, milord, enter our Ways," he continued, gesturing to the open door as he bowed again. "May you be of good heart, good health, and good hope while you partake of our hospitality." "Thank you." Ingrey bowed his head. "May those same gifts that you share continue throughout and beyond my visit for many turnings to come." The blessing was traditional, as was the young boy that appeared to lead Ingrey through the twists and turns of the Ways to his destination. Ingrey walked by fountains and stained glass, past a doorway that appeared to lead into a hospital ward, up a flight of carpeted stairs that actually took them to a floor below, and down a long hallway filled with portraits of former Lords of House Ishtar and their families. Ingrey only tarried his pace a little to look at the architecture, portraits and the sights to be seen. His expression was relatively mild and bland. By the time they reached their destination, his guide looked less boy and more canine, though he still walked on two legs. "Here we are, milord. Go on in. You're expected," the boy grinned wolfishly. He rapped loudly twice on the door, then turned and bounded back down the hallway on all fours. Ingrey snorted in a bit of amusement at the shifting, and then turned to the portal. He took a very deep breath, and then entered. Ingrey opened the door to find himself in a library. The far wall was all glass, while books lined the other three walls from floor to ceiling. A bluish-green fire burned in the fireplace, contrasting nicely with the blood red carpeting and the dark wood. Lord Torren Ishtar sat regally in an ebony chair in the shape of a gargoyle, dressed in his formal house colors. His wife Lady Fiona Barimen-Ishtar and daughter Helena Barimen-Ishtar stood behind and to the side of the chair, Fiona in white and Helena in black. All was very proper and very posed for the greatest effect. "Welcome to House Ishtar, Minister-Counselor," Torren said, smiling pleasantly. "You requested an interview with the Head Family, and here we are." "I did, and I thank you, Lord Torren, and you Lady Fiona, and you as well, Lady Helena for agreeing to see me. It is an honor and privilege to be able to meet with all of you in this fashion" Ingrey began. "There are worlds and lands where customs involve negotiating only while standing upright, or seated in a lotus position, or even only conducted while lying on a tatami." "Here, may we all be seated, perhaps? And perhaps share a drink?" Ingrey enquired. Torren nodded gravely. Fiona looked at Ingrey with a faint half smile - troubling like the one that Bleys would sometimes direct at the Chaosian diplomat. "Helena, my sweet," she said, "will you see that this messenger from Lord Mandor is served?" Somehow, despite the sweetness of the tone and the innocuousness of the words, there seemed to be a threat there—somewhere. Ingrey regarded Fiona and Lord Torren silently, without response, his hands clasped before him. Lord Torren did not move at all, but somehow there was a suggestion about him of dark feathers settling. "Yes, Mother, " Helena replied, gazing briefly at Ingrey with frank appraisal before breaking from her parents's side to walk over to the sideboard. "Minister-Counselor, we have a vineyard here and make our own wine. Would you care to try our white? Or perhaps you'd prefer something drier, like our red?" "In situations where my intentions are, if not precisely clear, are not completely construed, I find it better not to impress on matters too firmly, and further unravel the fabric of good relations and intentions." Ingrey paused a beat. "Why don't you choose the vintage yourself, Helena. Surprise me." he added. "Are you sure? Very well. As you wish." She paused and smiled mildly back at him, then busied herself with filling glasses. Ingrey nodded and then turned to regard her parents. "What news from Amber?" asked Fiona. Her tone suggested no special eagerness to hear it. "I am not a practiced herald, to be able to inform on all of the gossip." Ingrey replied dryly. "Merlin still reigns. Mandor is still Prime Minister. Arden is still dangerous to those friendly to the Courts. Florimel has brought a son to Amber, as well." Ingrey reached into his cloak and brought forth a scroll, with the seal of the Wererathe Bell holding it closed. "I did speak true, however, when I said I was here for reasons involving my own House. He offered the scroll to Torren and Fiona. "Lady Jaelyn would like to make an arrangement of trading of services. I understand Ishtar has done well under Hendrake auspices and possibly might like our help in expanding Ways, in exchange for boons of a medical nature." Ingrey turned, expecting Helena to be ready with her surprise. And indeed she was there at his elbow with a serving tray holding four silver goblets. She smiled a bit mischievously and handed one to Ingrey, then left to deliver the other drinks to her parents, leaving the last for herself. Ingrey held the goblet in his hand for a moment, waiting for Fiona, Torren and Helena to each have their own goblet in hand before raising it in salute to the three of them, with a countenance of respect for those who may not trust him very much. "To the head family of House Ishtar." Ingrey said quietly but clearly, and took a sip of his drink. "We thank you," said Lord Torren, "and drink to House Wereanthe in our turn." He raised his own glass and drank. Fiona raised the glass to her lips, which suddenly seemed pale. It was notable that she merely moistened her lips on the rim and did not drink. Helena drank, then took a seat somewhat off to the side—the better to watch everyone's faces. Her eyes lingered on her mother briefly, some concern in them, before they flicked back to Ingrey. Fiona seemed to have regained a little colour, but she set her glass down carefully, without attempting to drink more. Ingrey's gaze flickered from Helena's face, to Torren's, and then finally to Fiona's. He kept his body positioned in her direction, but did not meet her gaze. "If I have given offense, by being here, or have caused you discomfort and distaste by my entreaty and presence, then upon your word, I will withdraw, and in any way in my power, make amends." Ingrey put on an expression of sincere and sorrowful regret as he turned slightly so that Helena, Torren and Fiona could respond to him, if they chose. "No offense given, Minister-Counselor," Helena hurriedly assured him, glancing quickly at her parents. She looked back at Ingrey. "You mentioned helping to expand Ishtar's Ways in return for medical boons. What sort of boons, out of curiosity?" Torren nodded for her to continue. He was watching Fiona - who suddenly rose to her feet. "If you will excuse me," she said. Ingrey started to make a bow, but halted the gesture at the words from Torren. "No," said Torren. "I think we would all prefer you to remain." His gaze at her was level. Fiona drew a breath, and then resumed her seat. She picked up the wine again - her hand was remarkably steady - and this time she drank deeply. Torren turned his attention to Ingrey. "Do forgive us. You were explaining the boons you seek?" "I admit that my knowledge of the specifics of things medical is certainly inferior to yours, milord." Ingrey began. "And, unless I miss my guess in the catholic education given your charming daughter." Ingrey turned and bowed to Helena "your daughter, even young in years, likely understands things of this nature better than I." Helena raised an eyebrow at him and took another drink of her wine. "And of course." Ingrey turned to Fiona. "The breadth of knowledge of the lovely Lady Fiona is something of which I have only heard superlatives." "With that said, my House, in exchange for considered aid in Ways construction and maintenance, seeks future Second and Third Rank Healing services in the future, up to a period of five years from now. We have no particular pressing need of them at the moment, but, rather, seek to have such rights banked against future need." "I have been given leave to negotiate the number of such services in exchange for an agreed amount of shadowmastery." Ingrey explained. "Is House Wererathe planning to start a war?" Helena asked conversationally. Torren smiled faintly. Fiona looked interested. Ingrey gave Helena a look of admiration of the perception of youth. "Your daughter is perceptive." Ingrey said to Torren and Fiona. He paused a moment and then continued. "My somewhat known slightly pugnacious nature notwithstanding." Ingrey began. "House Wererathe is not intending to start a war, milord, milady, lady." Ingrey bobbed his head as he regarded the three of them. "On the other hand, there are stirrings that an ambitious unaffiliated minor house is going to make a move to cause us...difficulties, that might require the help of House Ishtar to repair, afterwards." "I assume that you've heard of House Chasch, of course." Ingrey's words seemed a little more directed at Helena than her parents, but could easily been construed as addressing all of them. Helena shook her head. "No, I'm sorry, I haven't." Torren nodded slowly. "Indeed. My wife may not—the Lady Fiona does not interest herself in Chaosian politics." Fiona took another large sip of her drink. "No," she agreed, echoing her husband's intonation. "The Lady Fiona does not interest herself in Chaosian politics." Helena's eyes flicked to her mother and she frowned briefly before returning her attention to Ingrey. Ingrey took a single, deep, cleansing breath at the reactions of the three principals. He briefly closed his eyes, nodded, and then opened them again and spread his hands. "If it is a subject that neither interests nor impinges upon the knowledges and proclivities of my honored host and hostesses." Ingrey began. "then it is perhaps a subject that should be disposed of as quickly as possible. I can assure you that House Chasch has no ties of fealty to Ishtar or Hendrake, and that the boons requested will not embroil Ishtar in any feud or vendetta with Chasch. Perhaps the tedium of the details can be left to others in both of our Houses?" Ingrey paused and then continued. "May it be permitted to bring another subject forth, regarding the young lady?" Ingrey asked, after a flicker of a look to Helena, his gaze then meeting Torren and Fiona's. Helena raised her eyebrows and sat back to regard Ingrey with frank curiosity. "Please," said Torren, "go ahead." "I will be frank, to begin with." Ingrey began, looking at Fiona and Torren. "Yes, Prime Minister Mandor did send me here, among my other reasons for being here, to enquire as to the health and well being of both his daughter." Ingrey turned and gave a nod to Helena. "as well as her mother." Ingrey made a nod to Fiona. "With that said." Ingrey continued. "Please understand what comes next has absolutely nothing to do with Mandor, but is instead an idea and project of Her Excellency Lady Paloma Baccaran and myself." "The two of us have thought long and hard on how to improve and foster relations and better connections between the two Courts. On her behalf, as well as mine, we would like to enquire that, sometime in the future, if Helena would like to be considered for an internship apprentice position within the Embassy." "This would be in the Embassy itself, and not within the government of Amber." Ingrey finished. "No," said Torren. "My daughter will not be going to Amber." His voice was calm, but there was darkness in his eyes - and his hands clenched as though they ached to be claws. Helena stole a glance at her stepfather as she thought about replying, but at the look in his eye she decided to turn her attention to her lap and remain silent. Ingrey stepped back a pace, and bowed. He did not quite raise his head back to looking at Lord Torren and Lady Fiona, but instead kept his head slightly bent. If Helena had studies in such things, she would recognize it as a gesture of submissive but not servile acquiescence. His voice, however, was calm. "I meant no event, milord, by the offer. I shall withdraw the offer, and inform her Excellency thereupon." Ingrey kept his head bent as he spoke. "I do hope that the proffering of the offer will not cause you to look unfavorably upon the business I brought before you on behalf of Wererathe." "If my presence offends, then I will humbly be allowed permission to withdraw." Ingrey finished. Torren seemed to force himself to relax. "There is no need for you to withdraw, Counsellor," he said. "You may regard me as a little ... irrational ... on the subject of Amber and my daughter's welfare. But perhaps, if our conversation must turn to the business of House affairs, we should withdraw to my private offices and not weary the ladies." Fiona seemed unmoved—almost uninterested. Helena's eyes flicked from Torren to Ingrey and back. She didn't want this opportunity for her dismissed out of hand—not to mention that she certainly wanted some say in it—and she debated quickly whether she would more likely get positive results by talking to Torren about it privately later, or by pushing the issue now in front of the visiting Minister-Counselor. She decided to push the issue now in front of the visiting Minister-Counselor. "Father," Helena said, "I know you dislike the idea of me being so far away..." Helena carefully avoided saying the "A" word, "...but think of the unique opportunity I'd have to observe and participate in diplomatic relations, learning very useful skills and gaining very valuable experience." She paused calculatingly. "Which I, in turn, could use to the benefit of Ishtar." "We will speak of this further, Helena," said Torren. His tone suggested that, for the moment, this area of discussion was at an end—until the diplomat had gone. "Yes, father," Helena relented, casting her eyes back down to her lap. Ingrey kept his expression cool and he raised his neck and gaze back to a more normal posture. His eyes flickered from Torren, to Fiona, on whom he lingered for a couple of moments, and then to Helena before back to Torren. "If you prefer to finish the negotiations between Wererathe and Ishtar between us, sir." Ingrey said. "I would be pleased if we should do so now." "Certainly," said Torren. He rose to his feet. "If you will excuse us?" he said to Fiona and Helena. Fiona bowed her head in acquiesence. Helena nodded. "Of course." "Thank you, Lady Fiona." Ingrey bowed to the wife of the Head of Ishtar. "And, it was a pleasure to meet you as well, Lady Helena." And so Ingrey followed Torren out.
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