ProcessingToDinnerIntroductionDelluthRodkonskiIndex | Time Under Chaos | Game Logs | Processing to Dinner Introduction | ProcessingToDinnerIntroductionDelluthRodkonski Processing to Dinner Introduction Delluth RodkonskiThe gong sounded again ... Merlin stepped forward, bowed low, and offered his arm to his aunt. She took it with a smile that could have cut steel, and they turned to process together out of the Star Chamber, along the Rose Corridor and into the State Dining Room (not as large as the Sate Banqueting Hall, but capable of holding up to fifty if needed). The Rose Corridor was a long corridor, empty of any people, and lined with windows on one side. The darkness made it impossible to see what it overlooked, but the entire passage, ceiling, wall and floor, were painted with elaborate representation of roses - golden, red, pink, white - which climbed and twisted their way over all the surfaces, vivid in the light of the candelabra that had been placed on the small tables stretching the length of the corridor. The Begman Ambassador, a tall and stately blonde woman, known as the Countess Rodkonski (and rumoured to have been a mistress of Prince Bleys in earlier years) was standing by a cabinet of curiousities from many Shadows and admiring them as she awaited her turn to be escorted. Delluth, once more accompanied by his dog (who had found a number of the snacks on offer quite delicious), approached with a polite smile. "Good evening, Countess." She gave him a smile that was warm and friendly - with a hint of lurking mischief. A 'delicate minx in porcelain' was how Bleys had once described her - but then, it was rumoured that he had been more than her admirer. "Professor," she said, and the word was like a slow, firm stroke on a dog's back. "How delightful to see you here." "A rare occasion, I know," he said, bowing over her hand. "And I thought I was going to be the last to arrive," he added once he'd straightened, glancing toward Helena and Amba with a trace of amusement. The Countess smiled. "Hardly," she said. "The King usually claims that perogative, although I noticed there were contenders tonight. And not all are here even now - I believe the Princess Larissa is missing. And where is Lord Mandor's young protege? I believe I saw her earlier, but she seems to have slipped away. Her Highness will not be amused by anything that upsets her arrangements." This seemed like a diplomatic understatement. "Indeed," he said, suppressing a smile, and quickly surveyed the emptying room. "I missed her earlier, and don't see her now," he noted, and shook his head. "Perhaps being last will keep us out of the way of any ... discussion of tardiness," he said. "Shall we?" he added, offering her his arm, and they took their place at the tail of the line. The Begman Ambassador moved into her lowly position with easy unconcern. "So," she said, "have you ever visited Begma, Professor? Kashfa is more in fashion these days, but we are not quite a sleepy backwater yet." "Oh, yes," he said. "I've managed to visit most of the Golden Circle. Begma the city is magnificent, and the colleague I was imposing on - I'd met him when he visited Amber, of course - even managed to arrange a tour of the Hrad." He glanced at the roses surrounding them. "Castle-builders will all try to outdo one another," he added with amusement. "And I wanted to visit the wine country, but was advised against it, quite wisely, I'm sure." The Countess laughed. "Do you have a weakness for our wines? I shall send you a case of Tokay from my own estates ... there is, I assure you, nothing to compare with it. And the Hrad ... not the most truly beautiful of Castles - the Summer Palace at Piertzen is prettier, as is the Ice Palace at Vas Olan, but the Hrad is the oldest of them all in parts, and something in it calls deep to the soul of true Begmans. Are there places in Chaos that stir the same loyalty? A gut loyalty, if I might use so vulgar a term at such an august gathering?" "Hmm," he said, thoughtfully. "Perhaps the Thelbane, seat of the Emperor. Though the feeling it stirs in many people might be better termed 'avarice' than 'loyalty.' Otherwise ... every House has its special places, I suppose, but I don't know if any are really permanent enough to evoke this feeling you describe. I thank you for the question, Countess; it gives me something new to consider." The Countess smiled and moved on in silence as they came to the large family dining room, whereupon she guided Delluth to the board that proclaimed where they would be seated. |
