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As the night day bled away into evening, Tear made her way along the winding streets of Spire Hill. Dust devils and small pieces of trash followed behind her as she walked, like faerie spirits swimming through the currents and cascades of a phantom river. Shadows stretched and strained to join them, drawn to the tiny woman like moths to a dark flame. She remained ignorant of their playful worship, wholly lost in her turbulent thoughts.

Too many feelings, too many possibilities, too many worries, too many considerations; all meshing into a riotous torrent that burned behind her violet eyes.

After leaving the Embassy, Tear had abandoned her carriage for the anonymity of streets. Walking had always been her mental cure-all, allowing her thoughts to coalesce and unravel with each step forward. After encountering Vikund, her pensive nature had become more wayward, drawing her deeper into Amber. The streets no longer confounded her, but instead offered up their sacred pathways willingly.

Amongst cobblestone and shadow, she could find some peace.

She descended a tight stairwell, flanked by a narrow archway of worn stone and masonry that marked the division between Silver Dance and Five Corners. Whether it be through her will or some that of unknowable force, she remained unimpeded in her journey through the city. Her only company remained the detritus tagging along behind her, the streets and alleys remaining silently empty.

Tear paused at a landing and stood at the railing. Below her, the Ward stretched out in a dark quilt of greenery and rooftops. Lights began to flicker into life like fireflies caught in a web. The beautiful view broke through her mental wall and the breeze following her dissipated, scattering its occupants over the steps. She leaned forward and sighed, violet eyes flickering in the evening.

Amber had changed for her; she could no longer deny it. Beneath its beauty and wonders, something foul now lurked like the rot beneath a polished apple. It was not the city's fault, of course; no more so than a leper could be blamed for the disease eating away at their flesh. The fault lay upon one man's shoulders and his alone. Now she could she his influence muddying the crystalline beauty that had once been her home.

Mandor.

His lies burned beneath Tear's skin like a fever. She wanted to hurt him. To kill him. But she had not known hate until today. Bereft of its nurturing hand through her life, she remained infantile when it came to the concept of revenge. Such inexperience would be her downfall should she move against one that possessed an intimate familiarity with vengeance. And that frustrated her beyond reason.

Even shunning the Master for a night felt treasonous. But if she was to break free of his shackles, her rebellion needed to begin somewhere.

Tear descended the last series of stairs and crossed Geliaur Street and entered Brynarian Park. Even as her feet pulled her irrevocably forward, she suspected her journey would be for naught. Beyond the park of willow trees and elaborate fountains, she would come to Camenae Circle and across from that she would find Goran's flat. She yearned for her friend's laugh, but knew she would find only silence waiting for her. He would be at the Queen tonight, most likely. Unless, of course, they allowed him the night off for being shot. Considering Goran's boss, she doubted he'd be allowed such a luxury.

In truth, all she was doing was buying herself time. If she waited long enough, if she delayed the inevitable, the dinner might pass into memory without her by default. This might not have been as rebellious as she'd intended, but it felt like a significant start.

By the time she reached Egeria's Fountain, Tear could see her suspicions were correct. Goran's stoop remained unlit, as was the house. For a moment, she considered contacting him mentally, but held off. She wasn't quite ready for that level of intimacy. Her emotions would trickle down the contact like rain drops. And then she would have to explain everything to him. She'd explained it enough for the moment.

Tear sat down at the fountains edge, losing herself in the soothing music of water over stone. A cool breeze brushed over her cheeks like velvet fingertips. She closed her eyes and listened to the water for awhile, allowing it to steal her trepidation, if but for a moment.

The sound was almost so soft that it seemed to come from her imagination.

Low voices, talking. Two men, by the wall that ran below Goran's apartment.

Tear's eyes opened and narrowed to violet slits. On another night, she would have freely dismissed the men near Goran's apartment. But their secretive manner, combined with what Tanstaafl had told her about the night before, spawned a chill of suspicion that trickled down her spine. She stood up and carefully crossed over into the deepening shadows. They welcomed her like old friends, cloaking her from sight.

She continued to watch the men as they talked. As they did so, she called the Logrus to her; its umbrageous comforts settling over her mind. Her senses sharpened as the Sight provided her perceptions far beyond that of a normal woman. This time, she would not be caught unawares.

After a few moments, a third man came up to join them. A little more conversation - and then all three went to the locked door of the partment building. While the firrst two kept a look out, the third men knelt by the door. He seemed to be doing something with the lock ...

After a moment, the door swung open. The third man and one of the other two disappeared inside, the first remaining on guard.

Goran's rooms were, as Tear knew, on the higher floor.

Tear flinched as the strange men entered the house, having probably picked the lock. Even if they'd had a key, their actions appeared far too clandestine. They meant Goran harm and that was more than enough to transform the odium in her heart from mere embers into a conflagration.

Mandor might remain immune to her ire for now, anyone foolish enough to hurt her brother would not be so lucky.

Her violet eyes darkened into polished obsidian as she drew the Logrus forth. Tendrils of shadow began to trickle down her cheeks like tears of clotted blood. They flowed and pulsed with unwholesome vigor as they slithered along the house's wall, arching their way toward the guard. Following the shadows, the predatory tendrils moved unseen, unheard until they hovered above the door-frame, gazing down at the man. Tear's new 'eyes' examined him for a moment, their gelatinous tips tasting the air with serpentine curiosity.

As she reached, her heightened senses became aware of something else ... another man across the street, who stood silently watching. And now another man slipped from the shadows to join him.

Their arrival sobered Tear immediately, as did the realization that she would be noticed if she struck now. Reluctantly, the tendrils retreated back to her, curling up around her small form in a web of black whips. She shivered at their cool touch on her skin, but drew comfort from their protective nature.

Curious now, she decided to test the new arrivals. Her mind reached out to a street-lamp near them, feeling the threads of reality surrounding the torch-flame. As inflexible as thick strands of amber, the threads required careful manipulation to change their properties. But soon enough, the torch flame began to burn with an iridescent light that pushed back the gloom surrounding the men; hopefully exposing them to the guard.

As the light blossomed, one of the men scurried away, to be consumed by the warren of alleys. The other took a step toward the brightness, and despite his dirty hooded cloak there was no mistaking the man beneath. The hilt of a rapier was visible, his hand rested upon it as he bowed in Tear's direction, his dark eyes watching her intently, a slight smile playing on his face.

Vikund began moving toward her then, his stride purposeful but unhurried. His gaze flicked now and then towards the house, as if expecting some reacton from the unwelcome visitors.

Tear's mouth dropped open as she saw Vikund's face; but this look of shock transformed into joy almost as quickly. Even with the thick strands of shadow dripping from her eyes, the happiness at seeing him was clearly identifiable. For a moment, it appeared that she might run to him, to bury herself in his arms and find sanctuary there. But, instead, she sank farther into the gloom, watching the man guarding the front door.

The torchlight guttered and went out, offering Vikund some obfuscation as he approached. Hardly a moment later, he felt a spider's legs tingle in the back of his mind; something... or someone trying to get in.

In the darkness, there was the sound of hurrying feet - perhaps more apparent to Tear than to Vikund.

The velvet touch of her mind entered his thoughts. He could feel her excitement and fear and confusion, a jumble of emotion underlying her words. ~My love. What are you doing here? And... wait. I think someone is coming. There are two other men inside. Don't worry. I'll protect you~

~We need to catch one of them, and find out what they're doing here. As for me, I was looking for you...~

Another rush of emotion flooded the mental contact, but dissipated under the weight of resolve and determination. ~I'll handle the one at the door. Just make sure no one else. Comes up behind me~ He could sense her complete trust in him, now that she would be vulnerable.

The gelatinous shadows drifting lazily under her eyes came to life once more. They stretched along the wall and headed for the guard near the door, this time with eager purpose.

But this time they found nothing. The guard had already fled. The tendrils retreated, twitching with aggrevation.

~He's gone! We'll have to go after the one's inside. You. You'd better go first.~

She sounded so... disappointed, embarrassed.

~Follow me~ Vikund said, and he dashed across to the doorway, drawing his rapier as he went. He paused at the threshold to listen, and waited for Tear to catch up. ~Can you project your sight inside to find out what's going on in there?~

Tear stayed a few steps behind Vikund, so he could maneuver with his rapier if need be. She nodded to his unspoken question and closed her eyes. The tendrils extended slowly, carefully scouting around the corner and beyond. They slithered along the ceiling to remain out of sight as much as possible, but little escaped their attention.

There was no sign of the men, and nothing seemed disturbed - all the doors were fastened as usual.

"Looks like the birds have flown," Vikund commented, and sheathed his weapon.

~I daresay they'll be back. Can you design a surprise for them in case they do while we're gone? We should perhaps take a carriage down to the dockside to warn Goran.~

A frown clouded her features. ~I'm sorry. I must have scared them. I'm not good at this. Stealth thing. And no. I can't maintain a connection to house like you need. And my summoning skills. Aren't very. Reliable.~

~Never mind.~ Vikund replied, as if it didn't matter at all.

She touched his arm, gazing up at him questioningly. The liquid shadows retreated into her eyes, becoming nothing more than swirling stains of ink on violet. ~Before we go. I need to know. Why were you following me? And for how long? Did. /He/ send you?~

~No, he didn't. Ask E'lbram; she will tell you,~ he said. ~I haven't been following you, just trying to arrange to meet you.~

"And now here we are," Vikund smiled. "I've finally caught up with you. I thought you might come by, sooner or later." He cast an eye up and down the street and hailed for a carriage when one rumbled into view.

It was not the best of areas for picking up a carriage -at least, a respectable one. It might be better to head onto more public streets if they want to do that.

The black nimbus around her eyes and fingertips began to sputter out as the Logrus bled away. Tear rubbed her temples and let out a faint sigh, a fawning sound, as if she were losing a dearest friend. Color returned to her cheeks, accenting the faint smile on her lips. "You talked with Auntie?" she said, curious. Her voice felt odd on her tongue after having been involved in such an intimate form of communication.

Tear walked up beside him until they reached Jerik Street, one of the main arteries that ran through Five Corners. Lined with shops and small cafes, it attracted a regular traffic of for-hire carriages. Normally, she would have put her arm in his by now. Not so tonight. She remained pensive and distracted as they waited at the curb.

Vikund cast an eye up and down the street and hailed for a carriage when one rumbled into view.

"Is this because of the attack?" she said, suddenly. "Those men, I mean."

"Perhaps," Vikund answered. "Though more likely it was due to his other intervention today. There was another fracas on the dockside, by persons unknown. We might find more from your friend when we see him. He will probably have a better idea than I."

Once the cab had pulled up, Tear allowed Vikund to help her inside. She sat down on the bench and made room for him. "Another one? I hope he's okay," she said, staring out the window. "Too much is going on. Too much. So much has changed..."

She glanced over at him, suddenly bashful. Her hand settled on his knee. "I'm sorry. For being so brisk. And for. Doubting you. I just..." She bit her lip and slumped back into the seat.

"So much has changed," she repeated.

"For you personally yes," Vikund replied. "As for Amber, not much has really changed. It's just now you are experiencing first hand what it is really like beneath that civilised exterior."

"So have you decided what you will do?" He asked.

Tear shrugged and ran her fingers through her hair. "I don't know," she said sadly. "I'm done with the Master. No matter what. He should have told me. About my mother. About what I am. I want to..." She trailed off, her voice hardly more than a whisper. "Hurt him."

"Please don't do that," Vikund said. "You know that would not be the end of it."

She shook her head, dismissing the thought. After a moment, she offered him a wan smile. "Maybe I'll move to Rebma. It's close enough to family. And you."

Vikund smiled. "That has its advantages. Will you be having tea with the family this evening?"

"I promised Ambassador Ingrey I'd be his escort to the function," Tear said, frowning. "So, I have little choice." Her eyes fall away, a flush of embarrassment darkening her cheeks. She brushed away another elflock

"I guess part of it is. Was. Avoiding you," she admitted. Her lip trembled for a moment, and then firmed to stony resolve.

"I've been thinking about us. Had been. Until I found out. About myself. And then things got confusing. I thought if I saw you. I'd start crying and wouldn't stop. But now that you're here..." Her voice trailed off again as she looked up at him.

"You're not crying," Vikund pointed out. His hand sought hers. "Whatever's happened, you're still as strong, if not stronger. You're not an apprentice any more."

Tear gave a hollow laugh. "I already wept on Ingrey's shoulder," she said, lacing her fingers with his. She brought his hand up to her chest and held it there for comfort. "Poor man didn't know what I was going on about. But. But you're right. I guess. I thought I'd be a puddle by now. But all I feel is this strange coldness inside. I guess. That's growing up, huh?"

Vikund smiled. "For me, it was a long time ago. I think you've probably grown up a lot in a few days, my dear."

"More than I ever cared to," she whispered.

"Are things still confusing, or have you worked something out?" He asked lightly.

"I'm seeing them better," she admitted. "And it all makes sense now. I should have seen it. The dreams were telling me. All along. How Mama tried to... to kill me." Her voice cracked like fine porcelain, the words catching in her throat like broken glass.

"And yet, in that act, something new was created," Vikund said. "There you were at the centre of everything, hand in hand with Death and Rebirth. Perhaps you should have been named 'Phoenix', Solitaire."

Tear shrugged faintly, trying to hide her pleased smile. Yes, that did sound like a more appropriate name for her, now that he mentioned it. A faint chuckle escaped her. "Don't tell Ingrey that," she said. "He already thinks I'm holy. Blessed by the Serpent. If only he knew..."

"Holy." Vikund echoed. "Yes, I can see why he would think that..."

Tear blushed faintly, "Now don't you start. You can't kiss a holy person. It's written down somewhere I'm sure. And I like you kissing me too much." Her fingers squeezed his gently, even more color rising to her cheeks.

"Oh, holy people get kissed all the time, trust me," Vikund smiled, and kissed her rosy cheek.

Her gaze went from the window and back to Vikund. "I need to find out why the Logrus didn't consume me. Why it. Nurtured me. But if I stay here, I risk Mandor using me. And he will. Now that I know the truth, he'll want to. Control me. It's like he knows I can't defy him.

"I'm scared, Vikund. And I don't think I've felt this. Alone before."

"You don't need to be alone," Vikund replied, squeezing her hand. "And Mandor can't control you the way he used to. There are too many other players at court now. And you're not a little girl any more."

"No. I guess I'm not, am I?" she said quietly, gaining inner resolve from his words.

"Most assuredly not," Vikund added for emphasis.

"Tell me more about these friends of yours, from Chaos," he continued. "Are they your new Masters, I wonder? I find the timing of their arrival...curious."

Tear gazed up at him for a moment, hesitant to speak. But finally, she moved over and lay her head against his shoulder. The fingers of her free hand brushed over his wrist in lazy circles. "No. They are most definitely not my new masters. I nearly killed two of them. Well. Buried them alive anyway. Helena and Amba. Mandor's daughter and her... partner. The other is Tasha Minobee. She's staying at my home. Falling for Jurt, I think."

Vikund harrumphed like a disapproving uncle.

She smiled brightly and gave a contented purr at the touch of his lips on her skin. "I guess I'm in luck then," she said.

She sighed faintly, "You'll find out soon enough. So, I may as well tell you. A Vendetta War has likely begun between House Ishtar and Sawall. Lord Sawall cut off Princess Fiona's hand for some. Affront. I still don't understand what happened. I was too busy having my world turned upside down. But I think they're getting the girls out of the line of fire. So to speak."

Vikund's eyes went wide. For a moment, he was lost for words. "And so the vendetta will come here. Damn," he commented, then looked thoughtful. "Thank you for telling me this. I can look upon the visitors with a little less suspicion now, I suppose," he smiled.

Tear nodded, but the troubled look did not leave her violet eyes. "I think if may be worse than a simple vendetta," she said. "Duke Uther Helgram is in Amber. He's renowned as a hard-liner amongst my people and has the Emperor's ear. If he sees a potential weakness..." She bit her lip and shivered. "There is no telling what he might do. And I think he hates Mandor. So, he'll be looking for an excuse to do something."

She sighed and leaned against Vikund, closing her eyes as the sound of his heart and the rocking of the carriage lulled her mind. "I've asked to meet with him. I don't know if he'll agree. But the fact that I am what I am might attract his attention."

Tear snorted faintly, "Into the lion's mouth, huh?"

"I hope not literally," Vikund said dryly. "I have no doubt you will attract his attention, but what then? Will he try to use you in his turn? If this Duke is as dangerous as you say he is, we must find out his weaknesses before he can exploit ours."

"What better way than to engage with him?" Tear said, hoping for his approval. "I've dealt with the Master for half my life. I'm sure some cranky, old Duke should be a kitten in comparison." She gave a nervous laugh, not really believing a word of it.

Vikund nodded. "He is bound to underestimate you, which should allow you the advantage. I wish you luck."

"That is for tomorrow, though," he said, looking out of the carriage window. "Let's deal with today's troubles first."

Tear leaned forward to get a better view. "So, /this/ is Dockside. Goran keeps promising to bring me here. But never does. I think he's embarrassed of where he works. Will we be going into the Queen?"

She stared up at him, her eyes flickered with nervousness. Apparently for Tear dealing with evil Chaosian dukes and skulking thieves were child's play compared to the thought of entering the Ramblin' Queen. After all, there were women in there... scantily clad women.

"Possibly not. I'm not even sure Goran will be released from his duties. It depends what mood the Security Chief is in, and if there have been any further alarms." Vikund answered. "Do you want to go on board?"

Tear glanced out the window at the living night and wrinkled her nose. For a moment, the safety of the carriage sounded like the perfect sanctuary in which to hide from what lay beyond the glass. But that would be cowardly and she'd been a coward far too long.

She bobbed her head and straightened her back. With an audible breath, she said, "Yes. I do. I want to make sure Goran is okay. I should have come here when I found out he'd been. Shot. But I didn't. I'm not turning back just because I might see..."

Tear grasped his hand unconsciously. "Stuff," she said; the word reflecting the horrors she realized she might encounter in there.

Her chin lifted with resolute confidence. "Besides. I should see for myself what it is you men find so. Appealing about this place. And what you two are up too when you. Come here."

"The Queen isn't open for business yet," Vikund said. "Otherwise, it would be out in the harbour and we would have no chance of catching your friend. If you did want to go during business hours, I would be more than happy to escort you...to satisfy your curiosity."

"Only if you promise to tell me what those women have that I don't," Tear said, flashing him an uncommonly wry grin. The humor passed quickly as she looked down at her flat chest and bony-frame. She straightened her sleeves and sighed.

"As His Majesty," Vikund replied, "it is his venue of choice."

He swung the carriage door open and stepped out onto the cobbles offering Tear his hand.

She took his hand and stepped down from the carriage. Her nose wrinkled immediately at the dock's pungent smell. "Not exactly Rebma, is it?" she said off-handed.

Vikund chuckled. "No, it's not."

Tear's arm snaked into his and she drew close to him; violet eyes nervously scanning the darkened street and buildings. When she finally looked up at the Queen, her mouth opened soundlessly. A childish smile curled up at the corners of her mouth.

"It is rather pretty," she said, despite wishing otherwise.

"It's even better on board. We may have to wait until later, though. Let's see how far we get," Vikund said, and he walked with her to the gangway, looking to see who was prowling there this evening.

"Brilliant," Tear exclaimed excitedly; her initial terror fading at the promise of other architectural wonders. And then she registered his latter words, her brow knitting in worried confusion.

"How far we get? What do you..." She went silent, having finally noticed the people watching them.

A dark haired woman armed with a crossbow stood on the upper deck watching. Antonia, Petra's assistant. She sneered when she realized who was approaching, but she watched anyway. Then she suddenly laughed out loud and turned to the tall, broad shouldered Cornaron man nearby.

Vincenzo watched the pair start up the way from his position at the top of the gangplank. His look of utter disdain was directed solely at Vikund for a moment. Then his dark eyes traveled down and to the side to the girl. He arched an eyebrow in disbelief. Clearly Anansi was suicidal. But then his expression turned almost gleeful as he turned to address the brown haired woman at his side who had her back to the rail.

Tear pressed closer to Vikund, clutching his hand. "Oh my goodness," she whispered. "He doesn't seem pleased to see you, love. Is this. Wise? Maybe we should go?"

"Of course it's not wise," Vikund replied evenly, "but what's life without a little risk?"

Tear wrinkled her nose at his comment and retorted, "Typically less hazardous to one's health?" She gripped his arm and followed him with a sigh. "I hope you know what you're doing, luv."

He waved cheerily to Vincenzo. "Good day to you, Master DiBenedetto and to you Ms. Valerio. The crossbow quite suits you. I wonder if we might have a word or two with Goran? I wouldn't normally ask when he's on duty, but it is important."

Ms. Valero was three decks above Master DiBeneditto, and was currently paying Vikund the amount of attention she felt he deserved. Which, as he knew, was none.

Master DiBenedetto, seemed to not be able to decide if this turn of events was worth breaking out the good cigars, or if he should start locking up the breakables. The woman beside Vincenzo turned around to see what had him in such a mood, and her identity was revealed to be the petite powerhouse of Atlantean sensuality that was Aura. The pale ice green of her beaded evening gown was matched to the color of her eyes, and made them startling under her dark lashes.

Tear blushed as Aura came into view. If she'd felt intimidated by the others, now she felt wholly inadequate in this woman's presence. She offered the Atlantean beauty a faint smile, trying not to stare. "No wonder Goran loves working here," she muttered.

Aura looked from Vikund to Vincenzo with an air of confusion. Her eyes flicked over Tear and she quirked an inquisitive eyebrow at Vikund. "Petra is not going to even entertain hiring one younger then Dawn was, Mr. Anansi. You should know better by now," she said in a voice that was significantly lighter then the looks Vikund had gotten from the other two.

"I didn't think Ms. Rossi was hiring," Vikund replied with barely concealed mirth. "Besides, Baroness Helgram is older than she looks."

Vincenzo hid a laugh behind a cough. "Mostrare prego Anansi e la giovane Signorina Helgram a Goran."

"Non ci � bisogno parlare come se non sono qui." Tear said coolly. She hoped her indignantly covered the flush of embarrassment currently coloring her cheeks. It wasn't bad enough they were having a laugh at her expense, but to have been mistaken for ~one of those~. No, she couldn't even go there mentally. She quickly embraced angry denial instead. Her violet eyes flashed up at Vikund and then back at the others.

Regrettably, the young sorceress trying so desperately to appeared offended, rather than flabbergasted, only served to be that more comical.

Aura looked contrite when she realized her mistake. But the Atlantean's attention went to Vincenzo when he spoke. "� non in... "

"Si," Vincenzo smiled slowly. Then he turned and strode with an easy grace down the deck, towards the statuesque figure of the fiery haired, sapphire clad, Janelle, who was several yards away with a clipboard in her hands. Despite what Tear may have heard, expected, or been told, the women of the Ramblin' Queen she had seen thusfar were all elegantly and expensively attired in evening gowns that seemed to have been made just for them, and would not have been out of place in any formal function at the castle.

Aura turned to Vikund and Tear and smiled. "My mistake," she said lightly. Aura's mood and interactions had never been very strongly influenced by the Security Chief's "If you'll follow me..."

"Thank you," Vikund said, returning her smile with equal warmth, and moved to follow.

"Think nothing of it," Tear said softly, unable to be mad at Aura. Vikund... well, that was another story entirely. As they walked, she squeezed his hand a little too tightly, "So, Mr. Anansi. Do you make a habit of bringing young women here, hrm?"

"It's a very long time since I brought a young woman here, actually," Vikund replied evenly. "Before I met you. Possibly before you were born, even, though I don't pretend to understand the time flows in Chaos."

"Well then, I guess I shouldn't be jealous," Tear smirked. "Hard to fault you for the hundred or so years before you met me." She lightened the grip on his hand and touched her head to his shoulder. "I just hope I was worth the wait."

Aura at least pretended to not be paying the slightest bit of attention to their conversation. She opened one of the double doors that led inside and ushered them into the short, wide hallway decorated in the same elegant style as the rest of the public areas of the ship that looked nothing at all like the interior of a ship. Hardwood floors gleamed, and the carpet runner picked up the colors of the walls in its design of sensuously curling vines and flowers. A rush of music washed over them: two 12-strings and a piano playing a complicated piece that surely had to have been written by a mathematician. The music would occasionally stop when one of the male voices ceased playing to make a suggestion, indicating it was still a work in progress.

There were open doorways on either side of the hall. One on each. Both were open, indicating that they would be in use tonight. On the right was a cloakroom, but it was a large, and comfortable area with a scattering of upholstered chairs, where people could be free to socialize while waiting. The other room was a library with floor to ceiling shelves filled with books lining the walls, broken up only by a small fireplace, and a desk. A thick rug of Persan design covered the hardwood floor and a sofa and reading chairs were arranged before the currently empty fireplace.

The opulence had not been lost on Tear; Vikund had been right about the wonders that awaited them within the ship's interior. She suspected could have spent months exploring this exotic place and not run out of new things to discover. Music, culture, and architecture; all the things that fascinated her, where present in this strange world. For a moment, she almost forgot where she was and its underlying purpose. It made no sense in the slightest.

Her eyes sparked at the sight of the books and she slipped from Vikund's arm with childlike excitement. She perused the shelf, running her fingers over the bindings with almost sensual delight. With a goofy grin, she turned to address Vikund. "I haven't read more than half of the books here," she said, disbelieving. "I don't understand."

Aura and stopped and stepped back when she realized she had lost her charges. She stood in the doorway, watching as Tear explores the many shelves.

"While this room is open for our guests," the Atlantean said cheerfully as she took a step inside. "It is primarily for the staff. We have a wide variety of interests; Allegra studies languages, Sorcha collects folk tales, I study magic of different cultures. Ornella loves histories, and there is a whole shelf on music for our resident musicians." The brunette looked fondly around the room, her hands clasped behind her back. "But you will also find, the sciences - astronomy is a big favorite, fictions, poetry, how-to books, architecture, art, and more. Petra is always bringing books back when she travels. So do many of our regular clients. This isn't all of our collection. Some of us keep private libraries in our rooms, and there's a storeroom for the rest, so we can rotate them out. The same as we do much of the artwork."

"Despite what you might have thought, Baroness, the staff of the Ramblin' Queen have all been classically educated, and several of us hold more then one degree from our respective universities, and a few from schools elsewhere." Aura's smile never wavered as she said this. It was quite likely it had been said more then one in the past to other people.

"Impressive, isn't it?" Vikund said to Tear. "Now you begin to understand why the discerning gentleman comes here."

"Yes, Yes it is," Tear said, taking down a finely-bound book on Rebman history. She leafed through it ~or rather read through it~ and glanced up at Vikund with a wry smile. "But, luv, you forget I was raised in the Logrus. Not a nunnery. I know what men come here for. And it has little to do with. Archtitecture." She blushed brightly and put the book back on the shelf.

She glanced around, wandering after Aura distractedly. "Still. It's nothing like Auntie or Tanstaafl would have had me believe. I think the furball would actually be disappointed. There isn't a velvet painting anywhere."

Aura raised a delicate eyebrow in confusion. Why in Celestra's Veil would anyone paint velvet? She shook her head and didn't ask. She wasn't sure she wanted to know. People had odd ideas.

Tear lifted her hem so she could catch up with Aura, her little legs scrambling to keep pace. She tugged on her ear for a moment, appearing thoughtful and nervous as she walked. Her upper teeth bit her lower lip and she started to say something, and then stopped; reconsidering.

Innocently, she asked, "If the women here are classically trained. Then why haven't they gone into the real world?"

Having been headed back for the hallway, Aura paused and looked at Tear with eyes that were warm despite their icy color. She wasn't much taller then the Baroness. Perhaps a couple of inches. But what she lacked in height, she made up for in other areas. Up close, Tear could tell that Aura wasn't a soft woman. She was made of curves and sleek muscle definition. She moved like a dancer, but she had the definition in her arms that told of some activity that required strength.

Tear tried not to look at the woman enviously, but failed most heartily. Aura caught her glancing at her furtively, then comparing herself. After making a mental checklist ~and coming up wanting~ the young woman looked over at her shoulder at Vikund and smiled, almost apologetically.

"I am not certain what you mean," Aura replied. "I asked to be here, as did Ramon and Edward." She smiled. "Our old lives were a bit ... unexciting, perhaps. The Cornaroans are here because Petra asked. Perhaps you are unaware that, among their other talents, those women of Coranro are also highly trained courtesans. Where they are from, that is a highly respected occupation. Besides, sex is not all that the Queen offers, and not everyone who works here is here for that purpose." She shrugged a nearly bare shoulder. "And we are free to retire when we wish, and retire very well, I might add. It's a very well paying job, the benefits are *very* nice, Petra and Vincenzo - for all his gruff, take care of us. If we need something, they get it. If we are interested in something, they arrange further study opportunities for us if we wish it. If I wished to take a sabbatical to go off to some world from one of those books and study there, Petra would make it happen -one way or another. We are Family here, Baroness, and that means more then anything in this 'real world' you seem to put importance on."

She smiled easily again. "And if it means that I need to do naughty things with the Pharaoh of AEgypt....well, he's a nice enough guy - despite his arrogance, and terribly sexy. I'd probably do it anyway. Assuming I ever met him without this place. Which I wouldn't have. My home world is a wonderful, glorious land, Baroness. But I am having too much fun here for the moment to return home for more then a vacation."

Tear listened intently to Aura's words, as if a student learning from a teacher. But in the end, the confusion burning in her eyes had burgeoned a hundredfold. But rather than be rude and question further, she gave a little nod and hid her frown behind practiced politeness. She slowed her pace slightly, so that she could fall alongside Vikund and retake his arm.

"You must admit," Vikund said, "this makes the real world look rather jaded. All this beauty and perfection under one roof. It's a wonder they can persuade anyone to leave."

"But it's an illusion," Tear replied. "All of it. An oasis of false promises."

She sighed and touched her head to his arm again. "I've had enough illusions in my life."

Aura's shoulders stiffened slightly, and Tear got the distinct impression she had insulted the Atlantean. "There are many promises made under this roof, Baroness. None that cannot be kept." She glanced back at Vikund. "Not by us, anyway."

Vikund smiled. "Promises lightly thrown are easily broken," he commented.

Aura shrugged easily. "Promises come in many forms, but I suppose you would know more about that then I, Mr. Anansi," she replied lightly.

Tear said nothing, having already retreated into herself at having offended Aura. She simply held Vikund's hand and remained politely silent as they walked on.

"People come here to relax, perhaps to escape for a time the stresses in their lives, to be surrounded by beauty."

They came to the top of the stairs: a wide, grande staircase with carved wooden rails made of a wood that was naturally the color of antique gold. The grand salon spread out before them, a glorious large stained glass window directly across from the stairs illuminated the room with colors lit by the late afternoon soon. Around a grand piano sat a tousled headed young man on the keyboards, and on armless chairs near him were an older, elegant looking man, and a swarthy younger man who had the look of a roguish highwayman about him. The older men were both bent over their 12 string guitars with intent expressions as their fingers flew through the complicated passages.

There were paintings along the walls - over settees, and table arrangements. A long bar was near the musicians, another, smaller one was off to the right, near the stairs. There was an arrangement of smaller portraits there depicting a variety of beautiful woman and handsome men. She could see Aura's image among them as the woman led them down the stairs to the main floor.

Vikund stood silently listening to the music, watching fabulous flashing fingers dance upon the fret board of each instrument with fascination. It seemed a pity to interrupt them, so he did not, waiting for Aura's lead.

But Aura did not interrupt the trio of Talen, Edward, and Ramon. She led them down the grand staircase and skirted the room, moving soundless over the polished wooden floors to another, narrower staircase set against the wall near the bar. She paused at the base of it to make certain they were coming before starting up.

Tear followed reluctantly, having been drawn in by the music. She craned her neck as Vikund lead her onwards. There were far too many delights to savor here, but she could not tarry. Goran was real to her. The danger he might be in was real. The wonders here, despite what had been said, remained too perfect, too lustrous in their beauty, like shiny baubles lying at the bottom of a tidal pool. Other things lay at the bottom of tidal pools as well, just as beautiful, but far more dangerous. She closed her ears to the Queen's siren song and focused on the task at hand. Tonight, she could trust nothing.

From the small landing, one had an excellent view of the floor below. Aura knocked on the door and gave the pair a smile as she waited for permission to enter.