IllMetInAmberIndex | Time Under Chaos | Game Logs | IllMetInAmber Ill Met in Amber"I shall return to the Embassy," said Paloma. "Where, Counsellor, you will report to me at the earliest opportunity. For the moment ... I consider it preferable that there should be some ... disconnect between any message that Duke Helgram might wish to deliver and myself as Ambassador. Baronness, I have given you my warning - that if you choose to remain, you may well be associated with the Duke and with the message that is being delivered. But you are old enough to make your own choice - to stay or to come with me." "Maintaining Ambassadorial Independence on this matter seems prudent." Ingrey allowed. "I will trump you as soon as the business with the Regent is done." "Is the Lieutenant coming with us or going with Ingrey?" Claudio queried. "The Lieutenant will accompany those going with her Excellency to the Embassy." Ingrey replied. "Watch over her Excellency and those with her, and I will join you once the business with the Regent is concluded." Ingrey spoke to someone else. "Her Excellency as always sums up matters very well indeed. Come with me, and Morgan will see you as associated with the message. Despite protestations of those in Embassies for millennia, its often to disentangle the messenger from the message given." "What do you suggest?" said Morgan. "Shall we steam full ahead and find out what's this message Duke Helgram is sending, or shall we let them fail to find us while we head for the dungeon?" "It's probably just 'Amber will be destroy..." Goran began to whisper dismissively, but halted when he heard the next voice. "Fine," Tear said. "I'll go with the Ambassador. But I think it a mistake." "If you see Goran. Tell him where I am. And tell Captain Morgan that I am at his disposal. My loyalties lie with my home. And he should know that. Princess Flora has prepared a room for me in the castle. That's where he can find me." Goran glanced at Morgan inquiringly, silently asking if he did indeed want Tear to examine him for lingering effects of the energy explosion. Morgan frowned and then nodded. "Yes," he said. "Let's do it. Let's find out where the Chaosians stand." And he strode forward, fully into the corridor, leaving Goran to to follow. "Going away without saying goodbye?" he said pleasantly. "My Aunt Flora would be disappointed." Goran followed a step or two behind, but remained silent. His bearing was that of a man who was alert and on duty, much like he was on the Queen for those who had ever met him there. The corner of his mouth did quirk into a little smile when his eyes met Tear's, but it faded again when his gaze returned to the rest of the group. Ingrey turned toward the approaching Goran and Morgan and gave a nod to the former and a mild bow to the latter. Claudio also turned toward the two approaching men, just enough to acknowledge their presence. - Show quoted text - Solitaire returned Goran's smile, relief dismissing her sullen expression. Her eyes flickered with questions, but she maintained her silent vigil for the moment. She took a step toward Goran, yet remained at a polite distance. Her attention went to Morgan; providing him a polite nod. Paloma looked sharply at Morgan, and then gave a slight curtsey. "We were under the impression that you were otherwise detained," she said. "The Counsellor has, I believe, a message to deliver to you." Tasha wondered at that comment, knowing that Merlin had pretty much dismissed them and Morgan was well aware of that. Then she nodded as if understanding something, "You mean Tear? We only offered to take her with us to the Embassy." She eyed Morgan and Goran with a bit of suspicion. They had obviously been eavesdropping to know that Tear had mentioned the Princess Flora. What else had they heard? "I had intended to return in short order," Solitaire added. "The Princess Flora has been most generous with her hospitality. And assistance." She turned to Ingrey and nodded, offering him the opportunity to speak. Ingrey cleared his throat. He looked at Paloma, Tasha, Claudio, Tear, Goran and then finally Morgan. "This simplifies matters so I will not have to repeat myself." Ingrey began. "As you have been described to me as the designated Regent of his Majesty King Merlin I, I have a message for you from his Lordship the Duke of [Helgram], Minister for Ordered Affairs on behalf of his august Majesty Emperor Swayvill." "The Duke has noted the riots and disturbance currently wracking the city of Amber." Ingrey began, looking at Morgan levelly. "He bids me to tell you that if the riots and disturbance are not stopped by dawn, less than two hours from now, the Duke will move to quell the riots in his own fashion and on his own initiative." "While I believe I have dissuaded him from the wholesale erasure of the City of Amber from the map, his methods will not be...gentle. If you have not already been informed, Regent, General Hendrake, head of the Chaosian Garrison, has perished in the night's events. While I briefly commanded it, as the ranking Chaosian here, the Chaosian Garrison is now his to command. And you are doubtless aware of his sorcerous talents." Solitaire sighed faintly, wringing her hands. She suddenly could not meet Goran's eyes, as if ashamed of something. Her body tensed up as she considered Ingrey's revelation. She knew quite well what the Duke could do to the rioters. More to the point, she began to suspect who might behind their sudden call for freedom. As Ingrey spoke, Claudio's expression went from alert interest to something decidedly grim; Tasha, with her hand on his arm, could feel the tension in him. "Do you have a return message or a response for his Lordship?" Ingrey added. "I presume that 'Oh sh1t!' is not going to be considered a full and satisfactory response?" Morgan responded. He turned suddenly to look at at the assembled group. "All right," he said. "We've got a raging mob heading for the Castle. We've got Helgram rubbing his hands with glee at the thought of erasing us once and for all. The Prime Minister and the King have disappeared into the maw of Chaos, and the most of the rest of my loving family appear to have found something very interesting to look at very hard somewhere on the far side of reality. To be brutally frank, I don't see most of you as my natural allies, but I'm open to suggestions here." "For what it may be worth, Captain," Claudio said quietly, "and family connections aside... in the little time I've been in Amber, she has deserved nothing but good from me." Morgan looked at him - and then gave a curt nod. Solitaire stepped forward, "Regent. I. I heard many of the rioters calling my name. Perhaps I can help quell them somehow? I realize that. This doesn't help inspire confidence in me. But I have no idea why my name is involved in this unrest. Unless…" She tugged on her ear, "Maybe the Duke has influenced them somehow. Just as he did with Sparrow. To create such a situation. Perhaps my presence will defuse the situation enough for you to regain control?" "The Duke?" said Morgan. "Why would he use you like that? Set you up – and then make sure you're the only one who can calm things down? Got no other enemies in Amber, Tear? I mean - before you freaked out the King tonight with your zombie friend." Tasha looked at Tear, "You really think your uncle is behind this riot? He said he'd protect us from the mob. If he'd created them, why would he feel we would need protection from them? I admit he did seem rather curious to see how you would handle the crowd and a bit disappointed when Goran took you away... " Morgan glanced at Goran. "You'll vouch for her? And keep her under control?" Ingrey listened intently as the men and women spoke and conversed. He remained quiet and attentive. As Tear was speaking, Goran pursed his lips in thought. At Morgan's question, he nodded without hesitation. "She's right. The mob seemed to be in support of her, but she was with me on the Queen during the time it would have been forming. To my knowledge she wasn't back here long enough to stir something like that up. On her own. "And who would benefit from this? Someone who was just itching for an excuse to destroy Amber. Perhaps with help from an insider who was looking to recreate it in his own image, with the Emperor's blessing?" he speculated. "You can't say it hasn't been done, if you know your history." "Brand," murmured Claudio Goran nodded once, almost imperceptibly. "An Insider" Ingrey said, looking at Goran. "Someone that his Lordship has and has had in place to do such a thing. One with connections and ties to the right sort of people. Or someone seeking to curry favor with his Lordship by offering him such an opportunity." "Its an imperfect attempt, however." Ingrey added. "After all, the Baroness may be able to defuse the insurrection by a judicious appearance, as she..." he looked and nodded at Tear "has already suggested. And having a Chaosian Baroness as a figurehead and rallying cry muddies the political ramifications and implications considerably. No, the person behind this mob has not considered all of the ramifications of their gambit." Tasha nodded, and smiled at her friend, "Yes, I think Tear might be able to quell the crowd, one way or another. I'll help you if you'd like me to. I can show them that Chaosians aren't all demons." Anyone looking at Tasha would only see a pretty, petite blonde with big blue eyes. Solitaire glanced between the debaters, nodding here and there when a valid point was made. In time, her violet gaze settled on Morgan. "If not the Duke, then I think Damien may have had a hand in this. He did attack Goran and I tonight, and threatened my family. So, having me hung as a revolutionary and traitor to the crown would be an. Easy way to do get rid of me. As you yourself mentioned earlier, his actions have been somewhat suspect of late. I doubt this is beyond him." She tugged on her ear, "As for the Duke. I think he wanted me to. See the hate people possess for my kind. I think, he wanted their reaction to push me. To force me into a violent response. Because I suspect he knows what I am capable of. A crowd of normal people would be easily. Dispersed." The young woman shivers at the last word, its meaning far darker than initially apparent. Goran nodded again. Tear had echoed his own train of thought more closely than she knew. Solitaire shifted on her heels. "At your request, Regent, I will do what I can to help quell the rioting. This is my city. I do not wish to see it burned. Be it by those seeking its freedom or its destruction." Morgan paused, looking at Tasha thoughtfully. Then he nodded. "All right. We'll go to the balcony that overlooks the main courtyard. Tear can address the mob from there - if we open the gates, they'll be contained. But we should show the minimum number of Chaosians. Sorry about this - but the sight of no King and lots of our friendly occupiers might not have quite the effect we're hoping for. Tear, me, Goran and one other. The rest of you should stay ... at the very least ... concealed." "I'm known to some in the city already," Claudio pointed out, "especially in the Artists Quarter -- I have friends there. I don't know whether that would be helpful or not." "It's possible," Goran conceded. "Some of them did seem to be from Five Corners and the Artist's Quarter." Ingrey turned to regard Goran as he made to speak to them and took a pose of quiet intensity. Goran turned to Paloma and Ingrey and bowed his head apologetically. "With all due respect, Your Excellencies, you are both well known as high-ranking Chaosians. That might prove counter-productive in this case." He turned to Tasha. "And Lady Tasha, it is my opinion that you seemed a bit too enamoured of the Duke as we came in to be completely objective in this case. A hint of the mesmer perhaps," Goran said with a self-conscious wince as he delivered the difficult assessment. "I could be wrong, but this is not the best time to find out, eh?" He looked back at Morgan to see if he agreed with the selection of participants. "What do you mean? I never spoke to you about Duke Helgram. I didn't speak to you at all about anything! I don't even know you," Tasha looked bewildered and suspicious, her eyes narrowing, "And if you were listening just now, then you heard Tear just explain the relationship to me. I thought the Duke was her 'Family' but she doesn't really know him. And I don't want to go near that mob; they want to hang Chaosians. I just thought... well... if they see that Chaosians aren't all demons they might not be so violent." She looked at Ambassador and then at her assistant, "Please, just take me to the Embassy?" Goran retreated in surprise, at first taken aback by her outburst. As she finished, however, he began to look rather guilty. Solitaire felt her hackles rise up as Tasha and Goran squared off. For a moment, she felt her skin ripple and stretch, urging her into the demonic form lurking beneath the surface. And just as quickly, she realized what she was about to do and quashed it immediately. She glanced around frantically, praying no one had noticed. Her hand went to her cheek, feeling the burning crimson of embarrassment. As she glanced around, she noted that Claudio was looking at her, but he didn't seem alarmed. Perhaps someone who'd grown up in Chaos was used to that sort of thing. He gave her a slight, encouraging smile in response to her blush. What the hell was that? she wondered. That had been the second time in one night where she'd allowed her emotions to get the best of her with regards to? Goran. She wrinkled her nose. Why would she be getting so jealous of him? NO! Not jealous. Defensive. Yes. Defensive was the right word. Jealous, certainly not. It was just? Goran, after all. Solitaire shook the cobwebs from her mind, dismissing this obviously bizarre line of thought. There were more important matters at hand. She coughed lightly, "I believe Goran is correct. The presence of the Counselor and Ambassador would serve to aggravate the situation. No matter how hard we tried. The crowd would see them as representation of the Emperor's will and influence. But. This young gentleman here?" She gestured at Claudio, "has the right of it. Artists are more open minded. He may have won some of their hearts already. And at the very least. Show the crowd that Chaosians do live amongst them in peace. At least. That's what I think. Sir." Ingrey reached out and placed a comforting hand on Tasha's shoulder. He gave a brief nod of the head and looked toward Goran. But then his gaze seemed to fix on something beyond ... Coming along the corridor - no, staggering along the corridor ... was a Chaosian soldier, a lieutenant - almost unrecognizable as the dashing Lieutenant Pavlo Barimen. One hand was pressed to his side, where blood was welling up and spilling over his fingers. His other hand was clutching the mangled remains of a trump - doubtless his means of egress, for how else would he have penetrated so deeply within the castle? He raised this hand and pointed it towards them inploringly. "The Prince ... " he said. "Chadwick ... " Then he fell forward to his knees ... to his face. And his blood began to hiss and spit as it hit the floor. Tasha recognized the Lieutenant from earlier that evening. With a cry she rushed over to the poor soldier and kneeling beside him she put her hand flat against his cheek as she concentrated on the injuries, attempting to shift them away before he lost too much ichor and died - without revealing what had happened to the dear Chadwick."=Pavlo!=" Claudio was only a heartbeat behind Tasha, on his knees at his brother's side. He turned an agonized, imploring gaze on the girl. "Lady Tasha, can you--?" Tasha nodded slightly, "I think so. He isn't as bad as some of those mauled by the creatures in Darkmoore...." Normally she would have used one of her Gram's poultices to cover the wound, as seeing skin knit back together she had discovered bothered normal observers ... but then this crowd wasn't normal, so she didn't think it was necessary. "D@mn it!" said Morgan. "Which of you is any good at shifting wounds?" He was striding forward as he spoke and knelt down to prise the card from the man's fingers to examine it - and (almost as an afterthought) to check if the man still lived. Pavlo still lived. He had lost a lot of blood, but Tasha's efforts appeared to be reducing the flow, slowly. The card Morgan had taken was one he recognised at once; drawn (or rather, carelessly dashed off) by Merlin, it showed the entrance to the throne room. A look of shock crossed Ingrey's face. He made a motion to move forward and seeing Tasha, Morgan and Claudio already in place, he stopped and took a pose of readiness. Claudio meanwhile had gently moved Pavlo's other hand away from his side and was applying pressure to the wound with both of his own. "Hang on, Pavlo," he muttered, "you're not through yet, dead men don't bleed..." The blood was slowing, sluggish. Solitaire joined them immediately, kneeling beside the wounded man. "I'm a trained nurse. Let me help him," she explained, hoping they'd give her a little room. Claudio immediately moved aside for her, giving her a relieved and grateful look. They seemed to be healing - Tasha clearly had skills that might not be immediately apparent. Even the internal injuries seemed to be stabiilising ... [Tear] glanced up at Claudio, "Keep talking to him." Her eyes fell on Tasha, "Fetch some water and towels or clothes to help clean him up a little, could you, Tasha?" Tasha glanced away from the soldier a moment to look around her bewildered, "I've really don't know where to go look..." She slipped her hand out of her cloak and concentrated on it for a brief moment, and presented Tear with a cloak-colored towel, "Will this do?" Then she turned her attention back to the delicate process of shifting skin the soldier's matter. Claudio moved to take Pavlo's outstretched hand, the one that had held the Trump sketch, and gripped it firmly. "Stay with us, brother," he murmured. "Help is on the way. Hang on, we need you." After pulling her sleeves back, [Tear] waved her hands in slow circles over the man's chest. A St. Elmo's fire began to burn around her fingertips, only to spread and ignite around Pavlo's body with healing flames. Morgan laid his hand on her shoulder. "Leave him," he said. "Let Lady Tasha do this - you still have to face down the mob." Solitaire stared up at Morgan, unsure; caught between her duty to a patient and her duty to the Regent. Finally, loyalty to the Crown won out. She nodded and stood up, taking the opportunity to clean her hands. "Thank you, sire." Claudio looked up at her, then bit his lip and nodded too, reluctantly agreeing with her priorities. Tasha looked at Tear and nodded a little sadly, "I promised I'd watch your back, but...." She glanced back at the soldier before adding, "Be safe... " "And you yourself, Tasha," Solitaire replied with sisterly affection. "I know this place isn't what you expected. Just... be wary, yes?" Goran trotted off a slight distance, but not so far that he couldn't be back immediately if the Regent needed him. "Guards!" he shouted. To the first one who arrived, he ordered, "Bring a stretcher and medical supplies. Now!" The guard saluted, and then doubled away to carry out his orders. "I need to go back to the Embassy and co-ordinate things from there," said Paloma to Ingrey in a low voice. "Tell me - did the Duke say any more to you?" Ingrey gave a nod, at Paloma's words. "We spoke at length of many things." he said quietly. "Much of our conversation revolved around my efforts to convince him that razing Amber entirely was an unwise policy." "I also got the impression." Ingrey added. "that he doesn't trust us very far. We've been leashed by a new and nearer Master, and a short leash at that." Ingrey looked at her seriously. ""Be careful and be well, Paloma." She nodded. "If I might be excused, Regent?" she said politely. Morgan nodded. The guards had appeared with a stretcher. They approached and, under Tasha's direction, set Pavlo on the stretcher. When he was lifted gently over to the stretcher Tasha looked around wondering where they should take him. "Take him to one of the State Ambassador rooms," said Morgan. "Mr Barimen, you're welcome to stay with him." Claudio nodded. He was more essential to Pavlo now than he was to the Baroness's crowd-calming effort. "Tear - come with me. Goran - go with the Counsellor and find out what's happened to Chadwick." "Yes, Cap'n," Goran replied from where he stood supervising the stretcher crew. Ingrey considered this for a moment and then gave a nod. "I will do this." "Pavlo may be able to tell us something," Claudio pointed out, "once he's conscious." Tasha moved next to the stretcher and put her hand gently on the soldier's shoulder and glanced over at Mr. Barimen. She had noted that he had called the soldier by first name but as of yet was unaware of their association. "You know the Lieutenant well?" "He's my older brother," Claudio replied. He was still holding Pavlo's hand. The guards began to move away with the stretcher, maintaining a pace that would not jolt the injoured man unduly, giving room for Tasha and Claudio to walk beside him (and into your own thread). Solitaire glanced between Morgan and Goran, wringing her hands nervously. She opened her mouth, but the words came into the world stillborn, dissolving into silence. Her gaze met Goran's for a moment and then mouse-skittered away. Goran nodded to her with a grim smile, encouraging her to go do what she could. Her hand lit upon Morgan's forearm, as gentle as a sparrow coming to roost. "I am ready, Lord Regent." Goran turned to Ingrey. "Counsellor? Shall we?" he asked, indicating the exit. Ingrey gave a glance and a nod each to Claudio, Tasha and Solitaire before looking at Goran again. "Lead on." he said. (Morgan and Tear go to )
(Ingrey and Goran go to Trouble Is Our Business)
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