IngreyMakesDiscoveriesIndex | Time Under Chaos | Game Logs | Ingrey makes discoveries Ingrey Makes DiscoveriesTasha glanced once at Ingrey with what might have been an apologetic smile, though it was difficult to see through the Logrus tendrils, and took the proffered arm. Ingrey, following to the courtyard, saw soldiers being marched away, back towards their barracks. There seemed to be a huddled, concerned knot in one corner of the courtyard, but there was no sign of Jurt, the General, or either or their wyverns. Ingrey glanced away from the carriage, and the imminent departure of the Duke and Tasha. He gave a nod toward the huddled knot of soldiers. Ingrey started walking toward the group with purpose, his eyes seeking the highest ranking member of the military present. Once he decided which was the highest ranking, he extended a finger as he continued walking toward the knot. "Report." he said in a tone of command. It was a tone he had not used with soldiers in over ten years, and those were soldiers in shadow, rather than Chaosians. "Sir!" A young lieutenant saluted smartly. "Lord Jurt Sawall and General Hendrake rode aloft on wyverns to view the disturbance. Both seem to have disappeared. We can contact neither of them - and we're receiving reports of one wyvern smashed on the rocks of Kolvir." "Thank you Lieutenant." Ingrey said with a nod at the officer. He held his emotions in check and finally looked at the knot of soldiers. "All right." Ingrey clapped his hands. "It is clear that the skies around Kolvir are dangerous. However, there are still the matter of the fates of Lord Jurt and the General to determine." "This is what I require." Ingrey continued. "Send a runner to the Embassy and make a report to her Excellency the Ambassador, who will either be there by now, or you will be able to leave word with her staff. Send a second runner to the Castle to do the same for his Majesty.I want a detachment to follow me up the mountainside." The lieutenant saluted smartly and then, turning to his men, began to issue Ingrey's orders. Soon two were dispatched as runners and a group of about ten, including the lieutenant, were ready to join Ingrey in scaling the mountain. Some carried equipment; others were already beginning to shift their forms. "Good work, Lieutenant." Ingrey said. "Our primary objective is to determine the fate, and render aid and assistance as necessary, to the General and Lord Jurt." Ingrey paused as he explained to his de facto adjutant. "Our secondary objective is to reconniter and assess what caused the cloud cover to shroud the moon and engender these difficulties. His highness the Duke went to a great deal of trouble to cause the Moon to appear full three days early. I refuse to believe that an ordinary meterological phenomena was responsible in forestalling his plans. In addition, I doubt that ordinary cloud cover would prove so hazardous to the two Wyverns and their fliers. We may have to deal with someone, or something, by arms or by diplomacy once we reach the top." "Let's proceed." The men set out willingly, their faces set and grim ... Ingrey reached the base of the wall and judged it for a few moments. "I need to practice more." He murmured to himself. "Perhaps a climbing wall at the Embassy." He shook his head and began his assent, intending to lead the way. Many in his House would simply change into the shape of the House's symbol, using the arachnoid form, shape and strength to best advantage, or a partial shift into that form. Ingrey, on the other hand, like less skilled shapers of Wererathe relied on another method. Focusing on nothing else than the wall and the climb, the wall became the world to the weaving Diplomat. As he had many times before in situations like this, his tactile senses became his world, his perceptions skewed in favor of his lateral movement up the rock face. Without the benefit of shifting, it was not an easy passage. However, determination, talent, and persistence kept Ingrey moving upward. Fingers instinctively accepted or rejected hand holds and footholds as he made his way up. Fingerholds most would have rejected or not noticed became avenues and means of advancement upward. Arachnid instincts allowed him to avoid more than one route upward which would have ended in a dead end even for the likes of his skill. Up and up, like a spider, Ingrey climbed toward the summit of Tir. He paid no attention to the Chaosian soldiers around or below him, as he kept focused on his assent to the top. But they did not need to reach the top. Two thirds of the way up, Ingrey came across the first meaty gobbit, still bloody and fresh, with the characteristic smell of wyvern hanging in the air. And, when he raised his head, he could see more ahead. Ingrey halted his progress, a pained expression breaking his singleminded approach to the climb. He wrinkled his nose and paused, clinging to the rock face for a few moments. "We continue to the top." Ingrey announced. He started to change his approach, to avoid the worst of the killed Wyvern for the rest of the assent. His eyes watered slightly and his heart skipped a beat as he wondered what could do such a thing to this Wyvern and the fallen one...and the fate of their riders. They climbed more and more - and one thing became apparent; this was only one wyvern corpse, the remains of a fire-breathing Kazilik, long and sinuous, with a dark mottled skin with unexpected flashes of yellow. They even found one of the characteristic horns, torn from the head. Ingrey grimaced at the sight of the corpse. Both for the loss of such a magnificent riding beast, and the thought that the rider may have shared a similar fate. Ingrey stopped, and mumbled a prayer to the Serpent as passed it by. The lieutenant said that he thought the General had been riding the Kazlik, but was not sure. Then, just below the summit, they found General Hendrake's body, smashed like a broken toy slammed down from a great height. "Eye of the Serpent." Ingrey said aloud. He stopped his progress and stayed in place as he regarded the fallen General. The few words he had shared with the General swam back into his consciousness. "Lieutenant." Ingrey finally began, shaking away his memory. "The loss of the General is a dolorous wound to the honor of the Chaosian regiment, and all Chaosians resident here in Amber and elsewhere." Moving over to the fallen Hendrake, Ingrey bowed his head and softly spoke a prayer to the Serpent, in the approved, dogmatic fashion. Later, Ingrey thought, he would pray to the Serpent in private. He finally shook his head and spoke. "There is still the matter of Lord Jurt Sawall's fate to determine." Ingrey said. "Have a portion of the men return the General to the base, and to the barracks with full honour." " You and I, Lieutenant, will continue to the top. We have come this far. The General would have not have wanted us to leave our task incomplete. We still have Lord Jurt and his Wyvern to find. May the Serpent allow us to find both in a better state." The lieutenant organised the men, and then came back to join Ingrey. "We've had not report of a second sighting, Counsellor," he said. "The other side of the mountain is lonelier but ... even so." Even after the honour party had left them, there were two soldiers with them, both wearing the appropriate russet shirts of their rank. Ingrey looked over the officer and the men. He gave a grave nod. "We assume nothing about Lord Jurt's status without evidence. His Majesty the King of Amber would not appreciate unfounded speculation as to his brother's fate. And Lord Jurt is possessed of a number of talents that may have allowed him to escape the tragic fate of the General. Let us proceed." Without further preamble, Ingrey continued the remainder of the assent to the top of Kolvir. At first the saw the bloody remains of wyvern - but it was clear that this were more of the same beast. But soon they found no more even of those. The ascent completed, they found themselves on the flat ridge where the steps started. The sky was beginning to grow pale and take on that steely grey light that presages early dawn. The lieutanant's eyes shifted although the rest of his face stayed the same; he was maximising his vision for these conditions. Slowly he moved to the far end of the ridge, looking down, while the two soldiers moved to mount guard over the broken steps. Ingrey made a small but complete circuit of that top, flat ridge. He looked toward the eastern sky and its pre-dawn light and frowned slightly at the lack of evidence of Lord Jurt or his Wyvern, at least up here. After giving him a few minutes to look, he walked toward the Lieutenant looking down the precipice of the far side of the ridge. "Do you see anything, Lieutenant? Anything at all?" Ingrey said, unable to hold back the sigh of frustration, loss and disappointment that was inescapably in his tone of voice after the events of the evening. "Nothing," said the Lieutenant. He sounded troubled. "A wyvern shouldn't disappear like that - into thin air! Unless Lord Jurt trumped away - *with* the wyvern. But why would he do that?" "Care and concern for the Wyvern in question. Not to mention that a trump or a trump gate is not the only possibility for rapid transit in extremis. Although some of those methods are only to be used in extreme danger." "And given the fate of the General, I think we've established, Lieutenant, that whatever befell them up here was of a severe and deadly nature. Before we should leave, I want a Look around." The penultimate word is capitalized. "Keep watch." Ingrey commands, and then Looks. His Vision seemed to swirl and whip around him ... No sorcery ... no Pattern ... no .... But then It was there - like a vast green pulse at the back of his eyes, against the boundaries of his Self, throbbing against him, and his nostrils assailed with a green note of savage, underlying power ... And then it was gone, and he was standing, dazed and shaken, on the top of the mountain with concerned soldiers looking at him, and the near full moon setting now in Amber Bay. Ingrey slides out a hand, as if to support himself against a cocktail table after one too many strong drinks at a ambassadorial function of some sort. He remains in that position as the dizzying, shaking feeling washes over him. As it finally subsides, he shakes his head and finally looks toward the lieutenant. "Another reminder that I should stick to my core duties." Ingrey said with a rueful smile. "I did learn something useful, though." he said, as if the lieutenant was his secretarial amaneusis. "I felt the power that struck up here, and was responsible for the General's death. And perhaps, unless he translated himself away, it was responsible for the disappearance of Lord Jurt as well. It was powerful, even in the afterglow, and it was neither of Pattern or Chaos." "We return to the barracks now." Ingrey added after a moment. "Florimel's son needs to be collected, among other business. There is no more that can be learned here, although a watch every night on the mountain will be needed. From a safe distance." The lieutenant nodded, although he looked rather bewildered. "Who will command the forces here in Amber?" he said, half to himself. "We shall have to contact Headquarters - and the Emperor appoint a new General ... " "That is a very good question, Lieutenant." Ingrey replied, even if the question wasn't directed solely at him. Likely her Excellency the Ambassador will have an opinion on the matter, even if the Army and the Embassy are two very separate strands in the web of Chaos' presence in Amber." "I do think." Ingrey added. "that closer cooperation and involvement betwen the Embassy and the Armed forces is necessary and beneficial, especially in turbulent times such as we have now found ourselves. I will make a point of it to her Excellency." "You may have to face martial threats, Lieutenant. However, I must daily vanquish an equally dangerous and implacable foe. And tonight's events will generate an exceptionally powerful incarnation of that foe." Ingrey lowered his voice, as if conveying a dread secret to the officer. "Paperwork." The Lieutenant managed a crooked grin. "Shall we now climb down?" Ingrey returned his voice to a normal tone. "Oh, and for the record, what is your name and House?" "Lieutenant Houshi," said the Louetenta. "Of House Hendrake." It was one of the many cadet branches that looked to the martial house. Ingrey gave a sincere nod at the identification. "Well met." he said. The Lieutenant turned to command the troops - and then hesitated. From this elevation, much of the city was spread out before them, and Houshi point to one area that seemed more brightly lit with flickering light. "That area ... that would be Five Corners, wouldn't it?" Ingrey raised his neck slightly and looked at the quarter of the city Houshi indicated. A slight growl uttered in the diplomat's throat. "Yes, yes it is." "It could be a fire, it could be his Highness the Duke. It could be nothing." Ingrey looked at Houshi and shook his head. "Given tonight, almost certainly not the last." "All right, Lieutenant. Let's get down off of this mountain and we'll see about getting a scouting detachment to check it out. The General would not have wanted us to sit on our hands." "No, my Lord," agreed the Lieutenant - and he set about organising the men. They were about halfway down the mountain when Ingrey felt the tugging of a trump. Ingrey sighed as his hands and feet found secure footholds on the climb down. "The advantage of not many people having your trump is that you can have a wide latitude of action." Ingrey said, mostly to himself. "The disadvantage is that when few people have your trump, you can be fairly sure that any call is not a casual one, and with a narrow list of suspects." "Keep leading the men down." Ingrey said to Lieutenant Houshi. Someone is contacting me. I'll be along and catch up shortly." Secure on his foot and hand holds, Ingrey then took the call. It was Paloma. "There seems to be some sort of riot in the city," she said. "Are you able to request General Hendrake to dispatch a detachment of troop to guard the Embassy?" She paused, considering his situation. "You appear to be outside, Counsellor. What's happening up there?" "We have seen the lights from the top of Kolvir." Ingrey replied in a confirming tone of voice. "Unfortunately, your Excellency, I can't request that General Hendrake to make such a detachment. Right now the de facto head of the Chaosian Garrison...is myself." "The General has died, and Lord Jurt has disappeared." Ingrey continued. "What we felt at dinner was Duke Helgram's summoning of the full moon early in order to manifest Tir. Upon reaching the Barracks and informing General Hendrake, The General and Lord Jurt took Wyverns to investigate." "However, some unknown arcane force which I detected up at the summit opposed the Duke's actions, and, I believe is also responsible for the General and his Wyvern being dashed against the mountain, and Jurt's disappearance." "I was about to lead a group of the men to investigate the disturbance in the city." "If it's on the scale of what I'm seeing from up here," said Paloma, "it's more than a disturbance - it's a full scale riot - possibly a rebellion. Get a detachment down to guard the Embassy. And where is Duke Helgram? You're in command at the moment ... but if he returns ... he holds the Emperor's Mandate. And we all know what he's likely to do with it. Ingrey ... we have to prevent that." He could hear the fear in her voice. "The Duke may *be* in Five Corners right now." Ingrey said. "He took Tasha Minobee under his metaphorical wing and departed once his plans for Tir were thwarted. He spoke of taking her home, to where she is rooming with Baroness Solitaire. I'll deploy the forces as you command, Paloma. I won't let you down." Ingrey agreed. "Ingrey out." And unless the Baccaran had any further orders, Ingrey ended the call. And was once more on the mountainside, several hundred feet above the barracks. The soldiers had paused some twenty feet below, to wait for him. "Two fisted Diplomacy, Larissa." Ingrey murmured, to no one at all. And then he continued his descent until he was level with the soldiers. "Her Excellency the Ambassador has appointed me pro tem commander of the garrison." Ingrey said to Lt. Houshi. Let's get down and back to the base, and then I will explain and we will implement her orders." "Our duties this night, Lieutenant, are far from over." And then Ingrey proceeded to lead the men down the mountain, confidently leading the way, relying on his skills and bloodline to forge the path back to the base of the escarpment. Arriving back at the barracks, Ingrey found things in some confusion - without the general, there were three competing colonels, all of whom were determined to step into the general's shoes - and two of whom were clearly unfit to do so. The other laboured under the disadvantage of not only not being a Hendrake, but of coming from an obscure House no-one had ever heard of. Sensing he was a losing cause, he was loud in his assertions that hellmaids should be summoned from Chaos forthwith. The wyverns were screaming in their caves below the Scar, clearly traumatised by the loss of two of their fellows. The common soldiers were in near panic, expecting an attack from Kolvir, the city, the Castle - or possibly all three together. Competing lines of power. Confusion and disorganization and panic. If the stakes weren't so high, and things so dire, Ingrey would have cracked his knuckles and smiled upon his return to the barracks. Indicating the Lt. to accompany him, Ingrey proceeded to work from the top down, starting with the competing Colonels. "My lords." Ingrey said, once he managed to get the three of them to listen to him. "With the loss of the General, and until the Emperor appoints and sends a new commander, her Excellency the Ambassador has named me pro-tem commander here, with the three of you as my sub-commanders. The Lieutenant here will be my adjutant for the duration. We have precious little time for fighting and recriminations. The city is in throes of a riot, possibly a rebellion, and our duty and orders are crystal clear." "House Wererathe may produce relatively few Warmasters. However, I have some experience in these matters. Our primary objectives are to protect Chaosian citizenry and property, secure the safety of the general city population, and to quell the riot with the least amount of bloodshed possible. I have no doubt as to the capabilities of the soldiers. However, if we apply too great a hand here, we will turn this city into a charnel house." "Now." Ingrey said. "We will get this base under control and then we will send detachments to get this city back under control and accomplish our objectives." He looked at the three officers levelly and expectantly. "I can manage the base," said the competent non-Hendrake swiftly - he clearly had the wits to perceive the task that was most easily accomplishable. "If that's what you wish, Counsellor." "I do, and that will free me to be able to employ troops in the field. Thank you, Colonel." Ingrey gave a nod of the head. The oldest of the other two sprouted whiskers, apparently so he could bristle them. (It was said by the unkind that a demon who bore an unfortunate resemblance to a walrus was an ancestress in his family). "And what does Duke Helgram have to say to this, Sir?" he demanded. With the calm and patience of managing a web, Ingrey turned toward the bristling Hendrake and smiled slightly. "Good and Noble Colonel, his Highness the Duke is currently, I am certain, within the city even now, possibly opposing on his own the forces of riot and rebellion that we must deal with ourselves." "While he is not here to explicitly give you, or I, orders, Colonel," Ingrey added. "I am certain that I can capably command matters in his absence, and in a such a manner that will honor House Hendrake, the honor of the Command here, the Duke's authority, the Ambassador's commands, and the Mandate of our Emperor. Indeed, with the Duke not present and the tragic loss of the General, I *must* do so." "And I need the able cooperation, help and capable and honored service of the three of you in order to do so." Ingrey finished. The walrus-like-one frowned, but gave a reluctant nod. "So you're asking us to take forces into the town?" asked the second of the colonels. "Where shall we make our destinations? And what orders should we give the men?" "Yes, we're going to deploy forces to tamper down the riots before we wind up in control of a wind-scoured ruin." Ingrey replied. "The troops will deploy as follows. One detachment will be sent, as per her Excellency's instructions, to proceed to the Embassy. They are to protect our assets and people there against the rioters. Its entirely likely that people fleeing the riots will go there for protection. The Embassy is to be a safe point." "A second detachment will head toward Five Corners. While on the summit, the Lt. and I saw that a large knot of those rioters were concentrated there. In addition, I believe his lordship the Duke is in that quarter." "A third detachment will proceed in the direction of the docks. The underbelly of this city is likely to be a reservoir for trouble. A show of force down there will help get this situation under control." "The troops that remain here will remain at ready and reserve to respond as events unfold." "In all cases." Ingrey said. "Force is to be used carefully, and deadly force used least at all. Arrest and detention of rioters and rebels is the objective, rather than slaughter. The watchword is Discipline, my lords." Ingrey said. "Excessive response will just make the riots worse, not better. The troops are to remain in as large units as possible. Individual soldiers in an urban setting are easy targets for mob violence and I will not have that." "Any questions or comments, my lords?" Ingrey finished. They shook their heads and the two older colonels hurried away to begin to carry out his commands. The third officer lingered. "Should we send up a detachment of wyverns, Sir? They can be a powerful deterrent." Ingrey considered the question for a moment. He glanced in the direction of the peak of Kolvir, turned back to the non-Hendrake Colonel and nodded his head. "Yes, an excellent suggestion." He paused and then continued. "However, they should be managed by the best pilots and to avoid the peak of Kolvir. The loss of the General and the disappearance of Lord Jurt was due to some force whose afterglow I detected up there, Colonel. We can't afford more losses, from the Wyverns or the air corps." "Very good, Sir!" The officer saluted smartly and hurried away. Ingrey stood there for a moment in thought, and then turned to Lt. Houshi. "All right, Lieutenant." Ingrey said, caging his fingertips of each hand against their counterparts on the other. "Our next step is to get word back to the Emperor, in Chaos of what has happened to the General. What provisions does the Garrison have for doing that?" "The couriers," said the Lieutenant. "But ... " He hesitated. "We've received word that things are ... disturbed in Chaos. Would it be best top wait to inform them that the riot is quelled?" He seemed to know more than he was saying. "Things are disturbed in Chaos." Ingrey attempted to keep the questioning tone out of his voice, giving a nod of the head to cover it as he repeated the Lieutenant's admission. "I've been at a function at Castle Amber this evening, and have not received the latest news." "What IS the latest news that you've heard?" Ingrey prompted. "There's a war broken out between Ishtar and Sawall," said the Lieutenant. "Which means that those who normally speak for Amber are ... divided. Discredited." Ingrey cautiously nodded. He met Ingrey's eyes firmly. "Those who have the Emperor's ear are those who would see Amber destroyed, my lord. Or so it is said. "If news of this disturbance reaches them ... before it is quelled ... " Clearly the lieutenant was taking a risk as, for all he knew, Ingrey might be of the Anti-Amber faction himself. But, as Ingrey knew, many of the soldiers at the barracks complained that the Embassy had 'gone soft on the enemy' when it came to Amber. "While I doubt that his Lordship the Duke needs further incentive in his point of view, you have the right of it, lieutenant Houshi." Ingrey said. "Reports of the disturbance here with the Emperor's Court so aligned would lead to a brutal crackdown...or worse." "I do not feel it is in my interest, or the garrison's interest, or in the general interest of the population of Chaosians here to have that happen." Ingrey said. "Therefore, we will have to deal with the situation independently." He sighed. "Its entirely possible that the war was engineered or encouraged to weaken the factions who prefer the status quo for Amber." Ingrey mused aloud. "Hard to say from here,and for the moment we're playing black in this chess game." "Time to see the board, Lieutenant. Come. We need to set up a situation room and deal with the incoming reports of what our sorties uncover and get this city back under control. No doubt, we ourselves will have to get into the field soon." "Yes, Sir," agreed the Lieutenant. "But one thing more. Prince Chadwick remains here in the barracks. Princess Florimel's son. It might be an idea to ... er ... remove him. There are some whho might wish him to be ... well. Held for ransom." "Yes, I haven't forgotten about Princess Florimel's son." Ingrey said. "Come, Lieutenant, let's deal with him first. I still haven't decided on the best way to get him safely home, but I am sure that something will come to me by the time we reach him." They crossed the courtyard and made their way into the Genral's quarters where they had left Chadwick having tea with Lieutenant Barimen. The pair of them were still there, seemingly having consumed a rather large plate of muffins between them. Lieutenant Barimen was wearing the slightly dazed, rabbit-caught-in-the-headlights look that seemed sometimes to afflict those who spent any length of time with Flora's son. Ingrey winced slightly as he entered the General's quarters where Chadwick had been stowed all this time. With a quick, apologetic look to Lt. Barimen, he turned to Chadwick. "I am glad to see that your time here has not gone ill." Ingrey began. "However, good Chadwick, it is time to get you home." Lieutenant Barimen looked inexpressibly relieved. "Do you have any trumps?" Ingrey enquired. "Oh yes," said Chadwick proudly. "In my dresser in the castle." Ingrey avoided the luxury of visibly sighing. In order to do so, Ingrey spent two seconds imagining the active use Chadwick might be as a social weapon. "It is fortunate, Chadwick." Ingrey said. "That the Prime Minister has given me the privilege of a Trump to Castle Amber. For the future, you might do well to carry your trumps on your person." "I will send you through to Castle Amber, Chadwick." Ingrey said. "However, I want you to do something when you get there. A very simple thing. I need you to tell the King something." "Do you agree?" Ingrey smiled at Flora's son. "Oh certainly," said Chadwick. "I like talking to Merlin. What do you want me to tell him?" He had to speak a little louder - the courtyard was becoming vociferous with the sound of wyverns being prepared for flight.
the Prime Minister. Mandor wouldn't take you seriously. Who would have ever thought that I could have had a need for a trump of King Merlin?* Ingrey nodded at Chadwick's acquiescence. "Tell Merlin that General Hendrake is dead, that Lord Jurt has disappeared, and that I, on the orders of the Ambassador, am now pro tem leader of the Chaosian martial forces here. And that I will act to preserve the inhabitants and the city of Amber." "Tell him that very precisely, Chadwick, and let no one stop you from seeing him. He must receive that message. Tell them that I sent you to do it. Afterwards, tell your mother, and any of your family you come across." "Agreed?" Ingrey said. "Mother will be sorry about General Hendrake," said Chadwick. "She always said he had very polished manners for a Chaosian. How am I to get back? Will you lend me a carriage?" "I am going to open a trump connection to the Castle, and send you through." Ingrey said. "The streets are dangerous and I can't spare the soldiers needed to protect you properly." "May the Serpent and your unicorn watch over you and yours, Chadwick Floraasson." Ingrey finished. Ingrey pulled out his trumps, and laid his will on the trump depicting the courtyard of Castle Amber. It quickened into life. There seemed to be rather a lot of guards about. Ingrey regarded the busy scene through the lens of the Trump connection with a wary eye. His free hand beckoned Chadwick to approach, to bring him into the connection. "Remember what I told you Chadwick." Ingrey said one last time before sending Flora's son through the connection, and to the safety of Amber.
Once Chadwick was through safely, he closed the connection and pocketed the trumps and regarded the Lieutenants. He focused on Pavlo. "Once again,thank you for minding Flora's son." he said to Lt. Barimen with a nod of the head. Pavlo Barimen gave him a winning (and rather relieved) smile and a flourishing bow. The other lieutenant was gazing out of the window, his expression worried. "I think you should come and see this, Counsellor," he said. "Duke Helgram ... is in the courtyard. He seems to be addressing the wyvern captains." Ingrey strode to the window to briefly look outside to confirm Lt. Houshi's observations. The Wererathe shook his head and then motioned for Houshi to follow him after a few seconds of watching the Duke. "Diplomats, like soldiers, don't appreciate micromanagement on the part of others." Ingrey said by way of explanation as he headed toward the Courtyard with hurried footsteps. His arrival did not go unnoticed. Several of the captains of the wyverns glanced in his direction - and more of their crews. But Duke Helgram seemed to remain gloriously oblivious ... until Ingrey was some five yards away. Then he turned, magnificently. Ingrey gave a sincere bow to the Duke. "Milord Duke." he said. "Ah, Counsellor Wereathe," he said. "How very wise of you to send the wyverns up over the city. Nothing calms a mob more rapidly than a flaming wyvern, as I have so frequently observed. Well, perhaps not 'calms'. But it certainly provides a very welcome distraction." He nodded to the captains. "Aloft you go, my boys. Just as the Counsellor ordered." "A word or two of clarification of my orders first might be wise, milord." Ingrey said, raising a hand. "My intent and plan in sending the Wyverns up is not to use them for aerial bombardment or in an offensive capacity, my lord, as your comments about flaming would suggest. Instead, I think that their mere visage is a superior strategy. While the mob must be dispersed, I do not think that overusing and overplaying our strength is the wisest course of action." "Dark things have happened tonight, milord, of which we must speak. Permit the Captains to ascend under my more clarified commands, and let us withdraw from the field to speak of them and come to accord on our response." Ingrey offered. He gave a bow of the head to the Duke. "Yes," said the Duke, musingly. "A wise strategy, Counsellor. But one, I think, that the King should be informed of. Don't you?" Ingrey gave a bow of the head. "I *completely* agree milord." He then gazed at the Duke levelly as he continued. "So much so that I already have sent a messenger to the Castle to relay to his Majesty of the doings tonight, and of the measures that I am taking." He paused and then continued "And of course, milord, her Excellency the Ambassador has given me her imprimatur on my efforts to maintain order here." "Delightful," said the Duke. "And I, of course, receive my orders directly from the Emperor. I am sure, however, that you will do a splendid job of running the garrison - one that will meet with the Emperor's approval. Doubtless he will reward the Ambassador ... fittingly." He smiled slightly, and let a little silence hang in the air. "Where is she. by the way?" "We all serve the Emperor, Milord." Ingrey said in a placating, soothing and reassuring tone. His mind raced as he considered the Duke's words, and quickly. "I am unsure as to her Excellency's current whereabouts." Ingrey admitted. "I was preoccupied when she contacted me to inquire about her current location. If I were to make an educated guess based on our discussion and the situation here, she is likely still at Castle Amber, where I saw her last." "Shall we depart the field? I must tell you of what transpired on Kolvir after you departed with the lovely Minobee. How is she, by the way, Milord?" Ingrey enquired. "In safe keeping at the Castle," said the Duke. "Or so I trust. Doubtless the Ambassador will take her under her powerfully commanding wing. But that can be investigated later. I am, of course, eager to hear what transpired on Kolvir." "In safe keeping at the Castle," said the Duke. "Or so I trust. Doubtless the Ambassador will take her under her powerfully commanding wing. But that can be investigated later. I am, of course, eager to hear what transpired on Kolvir." Ingrey gave a brief, deliberate puzzled look at the Duke's answer. This quickly swept itself into a more placid expression and a nod. "Lead on, Master Counsellor." Ingrey, trusting the Lieutenant to follow, led the Duke off of the field, after giving the rising Wyverns once last glimpse. He led the Duke straight to the late General's offices and waited for all three men to be inside. "Dragon Tea, and anything that his Highness might wish, if you would, Lieutenant. Thank you." Ingrey said with a sincere smile for Lt. Barimen. Ingrey glanced at the Duke as he watched Lt. Barimen's departure thoughtfully. "Circumlocution will serve no good purpose here." Ingrey said as he waited for the Duke to take a seat or make it clear that he was not going to sit. Ingrey did sit, however, taking the chair that the late General employed, but he moved it so that he was not sitting behind the desk. "After you departed with the Lady from Minobee, milord, I, in the company of a detachment of soldiers, undertook a survey and climb of Kolvir." Ingrey began. "We discovered that General Hendrake and his Wyvern, dead. Lord Jurt, and his Wyvern, however, there was no sign or trace." "I took it upon myself to take esoteric readings at the summit. I discovered the afterglow, still powerful, of an alien arcane force which was neither Pattern nor Chaos. I believe that force to be the likely cause of the General's death and Jurt's disappearance." The Duke's finely marked eyebrows lifted. "And can you tell me more of that force?" he asked. Ingrey nodded "It registered savagely, a vast green pulse at the back of my eyes, pressing in on myself. Through a lens of Chaosian energies, milord Duke, I could feel and react to its oppressive power. I am a sorcerer of modest skill and experience, milord, and I command the Tail of the Serpent. Yet this left me shaking from its palpable force transmitted through merely looking for it." "If it were Pattern based, I would have recognized it as such." Ingrey continued. "Similarly, if it were Chaosian, I would know it. It was either pure arcane force of a high order, or it was a primal power I have not encountered...until now." "Interesting," said the Duke. "And worthy of further investigation, would you judge?" If he had encountered it himself on the slopes of Kolvir, his aristocratic expression gave no indication of it. "I would so judge, milord Duke." Ingrey agreed after a moment's pause. "with caution, and care, of course. However, the presence of such an alien force demands explication and examination." "Even if it is in a place that you judge would be best excised, his Majesty the Emperor would want the existence and nature of an unexplained power of this magnitude investigated and explained." "Do you not agree, milord Duke?" Ingrey finished. "Indeed," said the Duke. "Although it might be easier to analyse without a town cluttering up the slopes of the mountain." Ingrey schooled his reaction and finally gave the smallest shake of his head that he dared. "Perhaps, my lord. On the other hand, truly effective urban renewal such as you suggest that would not provide an even larger obstacle in the form of ruins would take much time to effectively accomplish." He paused and then gave a nod of the head. "So what then would you do to investigate this power?" asked the Duke. "At the moment, milord." Ingrey said after a moment's thought. "Possibly nothing. The resources that would be useful to do so are needed in handling the situation in the city. However, in the longer short to medium term, I would, and will seek out one or two trustable arcane experts to investigate the power." "Study it, determine its source and origin, and then." Ingrey smiled. "go and speak with those responsible for it. I may only have a tyro's ability at the first two and would rely on others, but the last portion *is* my bread and butter." Ingrey said. "And if negotiations fail..." Ingrey added. "well, I am certain that someone as well informed as you, milord, that you are well aware of my history and reputation." "Yet if we destroy the city," said the Duke thoughtfully, "we can move straight to studying strange power, without having to deal with petty politics. A cleaner, leaner, swifter way. And we both of us have the ruthlessness to achieve our goals, don't we?" "All good and well bred and schooled Chaosians understand the value and use of ruthlessness." Ingrey said after a moment's thought. "I agree, milord, that in the short term, the destruction of Amber might provide a number of advantages. However, I think that, as we have discussed earlier I believe, that the medium to long term disadvantages, at least as I perceive them, make such an action less satisfactory overall. And that is why, milord, I don't concur that destruction of the city tonight would be the best course of action we might undertake." Ingrey took a sip of the dragon tea that Lt. Barimen had provided. "And so I believe, milord Duke, that working with the...inconvenience of Amber's presence should be borne, even if alternatives might have strong appeal." "Not tonight," said the Duke. "You may be right ... but what are these compelling alternatives you see?" Ingrey cleared his throat. "If I might be so bold, milord as to express them. Rather than the destruction of Amber, the alternatives that come to mine revolve around a rearrangement of its role and its ultimate rule might preserve its existence, and at the same time make it." Ingrey looked thoughtful "much less of an eyesore and an affront to his august Majesty the Emperor." "Its seems clear to me that the status quo ante, that is to say with King Merlin reigning and Prime Minister Mandor ruling, is something that will not be sustainable in the long term." Ingrey said. "While you feel, and I truly, milord see the clarity and singular vision of your mind, that the destruction and excise of Amber is the best way to accomplish his Majesty's wishes, I feel that possible rearrangements of its politic would be better." "You may well be right," said the Duke. "And that is a message that the Emperor should hear, don't you agree?" "Of course, milord." Ingrey said easily with only a polite pause of hesitation. "I concur completely, milord that the Emperor should be apprised of this and of my viewpoint. I wouldn't have it any other way" He then pursed his lips. "With matters here in such immediate flux, though, it would be reckless and feckless for me, personally, to set out for the Courts at this moment, don't you agree? And I did promise you, milord, my aid and support in your forthcoming journey to the City of Rebma. It would be a stain upon my honor to so disregard my previous promise to you, milord." "In point of fact." Ingrey added, with a trace of a smile. "I think our abilities, point of view, and skill sets fit well together, here." Ingrey gave a nod. "The riots *must* be defused and Chaosian lives and property protected, milord, and I have acted on that." Ingrey said with passion in his voice. "I gave orders to the units which I deployed to protect Chaosian property and citizenry vigorously...but with a minimum of force. There is a concentration of defense around the Embassy at the Ambassador's request, milord, partly to serve as a safe haven for the Chaosians here." He regarded the Duke. "If this riot turns truly sour, I suspect it will be a target. As much as the Palace and the barracks here, the Embassy is a symbol of Chaos in Amber. I hope the skyward presence of the Wyverns will help defuse appetites on the rioters part to escalate the violence to that level." "I continue to maintain that we have to be careful not to be too brutal in stopping these riots unless absolutely warranted by events. We could make the streets run red with Amber blood, a crimson tide of retribution for the sin of uprising." Ingrey said. "I am sure Milord might find that more than a little appealing. I maintain, though that we should respond to escalation on the part of rioters and rebels, but not escalate the situation ourselves." "I confess I am puzzled," said the Duke. "Why are you going to such lengths to argue to preserve this corrupt and rebellious enclave, so far from Chaos? Were it to be removed - or at the very least purged of unwholesome elements, the level of time, energy and manpower that Chaos has to devote to it would be considerably reduced. To my mind, the whole of Amber is not worth one more drop of Chaosian blood." Ingrey paused for a long moment, taking a couple of sips of the tea in the meantime, regarding the Duke as he did so. He made a small motion of the head to indicate that he had heard and was composing a response to the question. Finally, he cleared his throat and gave a nod. "Its complicated milord." Ingrey began. "Certainly, in a rational, straightforward world, I should stand by your side with blade drawn, seeking to reduce Amber, or replacing it completely with a nation of our making. There are ways to do that, milord, history throughout shadow has shown methods of doing so. Deportation, exile, and settlement of colonists." "However, I fell into my profession almost by accident, rather than initial temperment, milord Duke, and I've spent years becoming good at it. I might not be as well spoken or smooth as her Excellency, or many others in my profession, but I know when to speak carefully, and when to act boldly." Ingrey took another sip of the tea and continued. "Spending time on an assignment such as my profession engenders creates an attachment to the place." Ingrey said. "This is not particular to Amber, this is a consequence of doing my profession and well. You learn to see other points of view, and how they can improve your own. Smug superiority, no matter how true it is, makes for poor diplomacy." "I've spent much time in Amber over the last decades, and so have an attachment to its well being. But there is a more Chaosian reason for it." he looked at the Duke levelly. "Suppose you and I were here and now to create a programme for the...final pacification of Amber. Once and for all." "When it is done...the Emperor would be pleased. You would have high honors. But what of her Excellency, or, more to the point, of I? A diplomat, in the wake of the realm that he has been assigned being excised or so denatured, is considered an abject failure, dishonored, broken and disbarred. My career would be in ruins and my personal honor blackened." "It is possible that I argue to such lengths, milord." Ingrey said. "because I have not yet been offered any personal incentives to balance out the consequences of fully supporting and planning such a thing." "A very moot point," said the Duke smoothly. "But for a diplomat who served the Emperor and his emissaries well, why should there be limits? Indeed, what sort of position would suggest itself to your mind, Counsellor, for such a loyal and adept diplomat who put the good of the Empire ahead of personal considerations?" Ingrey took a sip of tea and looked at the cup for a long few moments, as if afraid to reveal innermost desires, or to reveal a truth, or to make an admission to the Duke. Or perhaps, just simple reticence. "That is a fair question, milord." Ingrey finally said. "And indeed not a difficult one as given. I would still like to serve the Emperor, and the Empire in capacity, of course. Someone with prior skills in foreign lands, a basic grasp of sorcery and some higher power...well." Ingrey smiled slightly."I am sure someone as prepared and thorough as you, milord, is quite familiar with my resume and qualifications thusly, and might even be better able, than I, to put a finger on a position or two that would be suited to a selfless son of the Empire." "The post of under secretary to the Emperor happens to be open at the moment," said the Duke thoughtfully. "In general, of course, itr is a position awarded to some scion of one of the Great Houses ... but the Head of a suittable House might nominate someone whio had ... proved his loyalty." "Wererathe is a Great House, milord." Ingrey replied with a thin smile, but the glow in his eyes at the Duke's words belied something else. "Your point is well taken, milord, however. Such a position has not been held by a scion of the House of the Weavers in..." his eyes closed briefly. "several centuries." "It would be impetuous for one thing, and perhaps even suspicious to you." Ingrey continued "if I eagerly and without reflection accepted such a tentative offer now and immediately." Ingrey said. "However, let us say that the offer intrigues and enchants me enough that I will undertake a non formal alignment of our policies and interests, so that, milord, you might have any reservations assuaged before a more formal arrangement is made. Agreed?" "The expression amongst the diplomatically inclined." Ingrey added"Is: First we try, and then we trust." Ingrey finished. "Agreed," said the Duke. "And what we will try first is ending this riot. Will you take a message from me to the so-called King of Amber?" Ingrey bowed his head in acquiescence. "I would be pleased to do so, milord. What is the message that you wish me to deliver?" "Tell him," said the Duke, "that if he cannot quell the riot by dawn, then we shall do it ourselves. In our own way." The colour of the sky would suggest that dawn was no more than two hours away. "I suggest," said the Duke, "that you deliver this message witth all due speed." "As you say, Milord." Ingrey gave a bow, with a brief closing of his eyes as he did so. "I will trump to the Castle directly and seek him." Ingrey added. He paused a moment and then continued. "Do you, milord, have a trump of yourself that I might use to return here to you, or do you have further instructions for me once I have relayed my message?" "Yes," said the Duke. "I want you to ascertain how far the Ambassadress is loyal to the commands of Chaos - and how much to her own personal ambitions." He reached into his jacket, withdrew a trump case and spread a range of cards before Ingrey. All were trumps of himself. Ingrey regarded the trump, careful not to stare too long as to activate it. He looked up from it, and nodded to the Duke. "You wish me to journey to the Castle, deliver the message to Merlin, 'read' the Ambassadress social state and loyalty, and then contact you." Ingrey gave a bow of acquiesence to a superior. "Is that the entirety of it, milord?" "It is," said the Duke. "And you should go with all due speed." I will leave imminently, milord Duke." Ingrey gave a nod of the head. He then gave a nod to Lt. Barimen, and then raised a finger toward Lieutenant Houshi for him to join him. Ingrey pulled out his trumps, added the trump of the Duke to his collection, and pulled out the one of Castle Amber. He offered his hand to the Lieutenant and once connection was established, sent the Lieutenant ahead of him and then stepped through himself. The court was quiet at this hour. Even the customary guard was gone ... And then he heard an altercation in the corridor outside - female voices ..and all seemingly in some agitation. "I had thought, Lieutenant, that you might prefer to continue working for me, rather than the more unnerving prospect of serving his Lordship more directly." Ingrey said to Houshi with a slightly wry smile. "Come, let's find out the source of the agitation." Ingrey said, and led the way toward the sound. Houshui followed him into the corridor where he saw Tasha and Tear, seemingly arguing, as Paloma watched, her face tense, with Claudio Barimen most unexpectedly besides her. |
