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It was two days after the momentous full moon that Tasha was told to change into her best dress, for she had a visitor.

Tasha never had visitors! She dropped the book she had been reading and looked up at the footman in surprise. "A visitor? Who? From where?"

"A gentleman, but it was not my place to ask from where, Miss," the man replied, his eyes shadowed.

Tasha wondered if he knew but just wouldn't say, but she didn't let that worry her. She had a visitor!

Tasha wanted to run, but it wasn't proper for a young lady to run. Her governess had been very strict on that account. It had taken Tasha quite some time to learn all of that was expected of her as a daughter of a great House of Chaos.

She did manage to hurry up the wide staircase, and walked briskly down the long hallway toward her rooms. She heard voices behind the closed doors along the hall as she passed them. She had been surprised to find that there were actually four others residing on this hall who claimed to be her siblings. They had been allowed to grow up here, but they were all much younger than herself, though her governess indicated that they were her older siblings. None of it made much sense to her.

She was just glad that her parents had wanted her to come home. She had had so much to learn, and perhaps now they thought she was ready. A visitor!

She pushed her door open and was surprised to see that her room was a flurry of excited maids. A red dress was spread out on the bed. It didn't take long for it to be transferred to Tasha. Her hair was teased and fluffed, her face painted, an she was out the door to meet her parents and the guest.

Tasha made her way back down the hallway, down the long staircase, pausing as she caught sight of herself in the foyier mirror. She had on too much make-up for her own tastes, but she was startled by the effect. Even she had to admit, she was beautiful.

"Miss, right this way." The footman was waiting for her at the foot of the stair. "They are waiting for you in the drawing room."

One of the men standing in the foyer was clearly the leader, or at least the point man of the visitors. He was speaking quietly to Tasha's parents.

He was dressed in a white shirt, with accents of gold, and purple pants. The symbol of a bell engraved on the gold buckle of his belt gave further suggestion to the House that the dark haired man hailed from.

The man turned as the parents and he realized that Tasha had arrived, and he waited patiently for her parents to greet her daughter and make the introductions.

The servant paused at the doorway, and Tasha entered the drawing room. She smiled at her parents a bit nervously.

The way they regarded her always made her nervous. Sometimes it was as if they were scientists from Darkmoore, examining a new bug under a microscope.

"Ingrey Wererathe," Derwood looked at Tasha while he addressed the gentleman who had come to visit, "may I present my daughter, Tasha."

Tasha bobbed and smiled, though her eyes took in the flashy colors with curiosity.

Ingrey gave a grave nod of the head as he regarded Tasha silently.

"Tasha, this is Lord Ingrey. He had come all the way from Amber to meet you." Then turning to Ingrey he said in an apologetic tone, "But I should let you explain all of that."

Ingrey gave a patient nod to Derwood.

"Why don't we all be seated?" Tabitha suggested. "Come Tasha, sit with me." Tasha's mother walked to an overstuffed loveseat and perched on the edge.

Tasha joined her, and after sitting, turned her gaze expectantly to her father and the stranger.

"Yes" Ingrey said as he sat down, and holding his hands together, he turned to face the young woman dressed in red.

"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Ingrey Wererathe, Minister-Counselor under her Excellency Ambassador Lady Paloma Baccaran from the Courts of Chaos to the Court of the Kingdom of Amber. It's a pleasure to meet you, Tasha."

"Have your studies informed you much of the Kingdom of Amber?" Ingrey enquired.

Tasha's lowered her gaze her cheeks flaming as she assumed the implication that she had not studied her lessons, "I have been studying diligently for the past two years. I am well versed in the history of Chaos and the traitorous family who founded Amber." Then she smiled, "But Chaos is in control now of Amber, and all is as it should be."

Ingrey shook his head slightly, and affected a look of mild correction needed, but without harshness.

"I see your tutors have provided a somewhat colored view of the situation." Ingrey began.

Tasha felt her mother stiffen beside her and wondered if she had disappointed her parents. Obviously she hadn't answered correctly.

"In truth, Amber is not controlled by Chaos so much as it is a protectorate province of the Courts. Certainly the King of Amber is of Chaosian blood, but he is also of the Blood of Amber as well."

"It is well that you have studied, however." Ingrey continued. "Tell me more of what things you have learned. I find there are gaps in my knowledge concerning the education of someone from House Minobee, and I would rectify those lacunae. In return, perhaps you might learn some things from me."

"It is why I am here, after all." Ingrey finished.

Tasha's voice shook as she tried to do better with this answer, "Etiquette, of course, and... History... Oh, and the Logrus!" Tasha's eyes lit up as she thought with excitement of the first time she'd been told about 'Shadow' and the reality of 'Chaos'. It had seemed so unreal there in her Gram's cottage....

She had just gotten started. "So much to learn... Different Shadows, the Black Road, Mind-craft, Shape-shifting, Mage-craft, Apothecary...." She put her hand over her mouth, her eyes widened and she giggled, "and Secrecy."

Ingrey affected a mild smile of pleased countenance at Tasha's response.

"Excellent. A true Chaosian education should be comprehensive, in subject, depth and form." Ingrey replied with a nod. "The test of an education is, however, in its use and its improvement and application."

Ingrey stood up suddenly.

"Let's see what you've learned, with your parents consent. What do you think of me, for instance."

"Sir?" Tasha blinked in surprise, "Whatever do you mean?"

She had turned her full gaze on him when he asked, but then quickly dropped her gaze. It wasn't polite to stare, was it? Even if she had been asked for an evaluation?

Ingrey supplied a smile of mild mystery mixed with amusement.

"You have been given an education. And, I find, in my profession at the very least, that the way that someone studies another individual reveals as much about the observer as about the object."

"So, evaluate me." Ingrey said. "Please. I wager that I might be your first visitor from Wererathe, or from someone who has lived in Amber. What make you of me?"

Tasha glanced at her mother for advice, but Tabitha's face was an unreadable mask. So she turned her gaze back at the gentleman before her. "Yes you are my first visitor at my family's house."

Ingrey nodded, as if he had been expecting it.

She didn't drop her gaze this time, though, as she studied the man. "Sir, you wish for me to tell you what I see when I look at you?" She stated the obvious as considered her answer. Should she remark on his physical being? Or did he mean his personality? He really hadn't displayed very much for her to evaluate. "From initial appearance, I would say that you are very secure in your status," then she eyed the gold embellishments on his attire, "well established, financially secure." She smiled, "Obviously someone whose opinions are trusted by those in power in Amber, though I do not know whether I should yet trust you.

But, perhaps I should give you my answer after I have gotten to know you better?"

Ingrey gave a nod of his head in consent.

At that moment servants brought in refreshments, placing them on a sideboard. As the daughter of the house, Tasha immediately stood to attend to the serving of the refreshments. She looked at her visitor and asked, "What may I offer you to drink?"

"I have heard good things about Minobee's beers." Ingrey admitted. "I would like one of those."

Tasha nodded in approval. "We have a lovely Pilsner, or," She regarded him for a moment, "Perhaps you prefer a Stout? I prefer the India Pale Ale, myself."

"A stout will do very nicely, thank you. Dark, if it is available." Ingrey added.

Tasha nodded to one of he servants. The stout was on tap, and they'd have to fetch him a glass.

He paused and then added. "Your analysis went well as far as it did, although as far as my financial status, Gold is simply one of my colors. I am not as wealthy as others in my House, or in the Embassy and Amber."

She hid her surprise at that admission. Though she should have Realized, that if he really were wealthy, they wouldn't be sending him on such an errand.

"It must be exciting working for the Embassy." She made light conversation as she poured her parents their usual drinks.

"Paperwork is not exciting." Ingrey admitted dryly as he watched her pour the drinks, his eyes roaming over her motions. "Some other diplomatic functions are not exciting, either." he added.

He paused a beat and then continued. On the other hand, traveling to distant courts, or having their representatives journey to you, and meeting their unusual peoples and negotiating with them has its rewards. I find my work satisfying."

"Negotiating. That sounds like fun, like a game." Tasha remarked as she brought over the drinks. "Do you like playing games, Lord Ingrey?" Tasha's blue eyes didn't blink as she handed him his drink.

Ingrey took the glass of the dark stout in his hand, masking what might be construed by some as a smile. He took a sip, briefly closed his eyes, opened his again, and nodded.

"I do like playing games." Ingrey admitted. "For, as you have excellently deducted, negotiation itself is a game. I don't favor Waystones**, however, I have become inordinately fond of a game from Amber and its environs."

"Its called Chess." Ingrey finished, and took another draught of the beer.

"Chest?" Tasha asked, "That's a funny name for a game. But perhaps you could demonstrate sometime? I enjoy games myself. My Gram and I used to spend many evenings playing games when I was growing up. Snakes and Ladders... Parcheesi... Othello...."

Ingrey furrowed his eyebrows in a look of attempting to recognize the referents when she rattled off names of games. Only at the last did Ingrey's expression change, to one of mild bemused confusion.

She smiled wistfully recalling all those evenings back on Darkmoore, especially those nights when she had that strong urge to run away, or at least go and look at the full moon. Her Gram had always reminded her that strange creatures roamed the night and it was not safe, and then they would sit together and play games to keep her mind occupied.

"I don't have a chess set here in the Courts, since not many play." Ingrey said in an apologetic tone. "If you were to ever come to Amber, or if I ever visit you here again, I will see to it that you will learn."

Tasha looked delighted, but glanced at her parents to see their reactions.

Ingrey's glance flickered from Tasha to her parents. "Its an educational game, for what it teaches, at least what it teaches a diplomat."

"As far as the game you mention, Tasha" Ingrey continued. " I only recognize the name Othello, but I only know it as a play, a piece of theater that has been put on in Amber, not as a game. A bloody, vengeful play that is worthy of the Courts, but actually originated somewhere in Shadow."

"Well, if you can teach me 'chest' I can teach you Othello. It's similar to the game everyone here plays: Hex. Only..." She smiled slyly, "better! You don't just plunk down your own pieces to cover a board, you get to turn your opponent's pieces into your own. Oh, and the pieces are black and white! Like Minobee colors!" Tasha almost spilled her parents' drinks in her excitement, and hurried over to them to serve them before she did.

They accepted their drinks and Tabitha gave a little nod to suggest that Tasha should return her attention to the diplomat.

Ingrey took another pull of the beer. "If you find the bargain and exchange of education of the two games to be of sufficient value to you as it is to me, then I on my part accept that bargain and will hold you to it."

"Aside from your obvious enthusiasm for Othello." Ingrey said, after he had finished about half of his stout. and regarded her with an expression of mild curiosity. "What else are you enthusiastic about, Tasha?"

Tasha thought for a moment, "I haven't really had much time to find other pursuits since coming to Chaos. There is just so much to learn."

She glanced over at her parents as she admitted, "but I really love to travel and explore the neighboring Shadows. Of course, I haven't gone off by myself, yet...."

"You are as yet young." Ingrey said, with a mien of grave understanding. "And we do live in a dangerous world." Ingrey took a drink of his beer and then gave a nod.

"Tell me of the realm where you were raised. I understand you were fostered outside of House Minobee. That is an experience with which I have no familiarity."

After glancing at her parents, Tasha nodded to Ingrey's question. "The life I led before coming to Chaos was very different than the one I lead now. But it wasn't all fun and games," she continued referring to the earlier comment about playing games with the woman she'd called her Gram. "Gram made sure I learned the necessary skills for a... Lady. She always told me that I was of noble birth. I don't know if I really believed her, but what little girl doesn't like to hear that she's secretly a princess?" She smiled at her parents.

"I never was a little girl, so it is difficult for me to gauge the truth of your assertion, Tasha." Ingrey said, his expression just on the far side of the river from a smile. "I am still curious, too, of the land in which you were raised. Understanding where one is born and riased is useful in getting to know a person. For instance, on diplomatic missions to various courts in Shadow, I do like to sample the land to which I am going."

"So tell me of Darkmoore."

"Not much to tell, really." For the first time, Tasha's smile seemed a bit strained. Were those tears in her eyes? They seemed a bit misty as she reminisced. "I can't tell you about all of Darkmoore, but the little village I lived in... It was beautiful. Very rural. The population are mostly subsistence farmers, herdsmen, peaceful peasants. I lived on a small country estate with my Gram, the servants, and Raymond, the overseer. I was told that my parents had...," She paused to swallow, "died... when I was but an infant. That one day, when I was grown, I'd leave to return to claim my rightful place...." At this she smiled again, "I had no idea this was what my Gram meant." Then she covered her mouth, and giggled, "But I'm rambling on about myself again. You wanted to know about Darkmoore!"

She went on for quite some time describing the farms and the farming practices; the agriculture, the husbandry. Then she talked about the simple craftsmen and the guilds. Finally she ran out of things to talk about. "Well, do you still think you'd want to visit it?"

Ingrey was long practiced in listening to what were sometimes dull and uninteresting speeches and subjects, and so he kept a look of mild interest as Tasha went on and on about Darkmoore.

When she finally finished, Ingrey shook his head slightly in a look of satiation of curiosity.

"Indeed. I think, milady that you have answered all of my questions and curiosity about the realm. I can see, clearly." Ingrey gave a grave nod of the head "just how it has shaped you."

Ingrey took another pull of his beer. "And in turnabout, given that I am the first real visitor you have had since coming from there to the proud House Minobee, you might have a question or two for me that I might not have anticipated."

Ingrey regarded Tasha with a look of speculative anticipation of her query.

Tasha blurted out the first question that came to her mind, "Why are you really here? You didn't come all this way to chat about games and beer and peasants."

Ingrey gave a small nod of the head at Tasha's sudden and relatively blunt question.

"Your perceptions may have a level of accuracy attached to them. If you deduce that this is the true state of affairs, then the obvious question for me in return would be to ask what you, Tasha, think my purpose in coming here is."

His eyes briefly flickered to her parents, and gave a slight, almost imperceptible nod.

Tasha took a sip of her ale as she considered his question. She glanced at him with surprising shrewdness behind her baby-blue eyes. But the glance had been quick, and she looked down again at her glass of amber liquid.

"I would guess that I am the object of your interest, and you are testing me in some fashion, though I can't say for what reason. Since you come from Amber, I may assume that you are here to see if I am worthy of joining the court in Amber...." She let her voice trail off, but she looked up from behind her lashes to see if what she had said caused any reaction.

Ingrey's expression moved closer to a smile than the one which Tasha had seen in Ingrey earlier. He gave a nod of the head, and continued to slightly alter his expression toward an amused, and also considered one.

Tasha felt a small thrill at seeing the twitch of his lips and amusement in his eyes. She had hit close to the mark, then.

"And if that were my purpose in coming here, Tasha, to determine your fitness for a potential future invitation to the Embassy, or the Court of Amber itself, perhaps..." Ingrey continued "at this point in your life, separated by a gulf of time from an actual invitation, how would you feel if such an invitation were tendered to you?"

Tasha couldn't help but bounce a little in her seat, "I would be..." she adjusted her answer as she sensed a change in her mother's posture and answered, "honored."

Her mother smiled approvingly.

This seemed to soften Ingrey's facade of secrecy and he nodded.

"Excellent. Her excellency the Lady Paloma and I have discussed the idea of interning Chaosians in the Embassy, to better facilitate relations between both Courts. I shall inform her that you wish full and official consideration, then?" Ingrey inquired of Tasha.

"Thank you, and please extend my greetings and thanks to her Excellency, Lady Paloma, as well." Tasha replied, as she had been trained. Yet her true inner pleasure glowed in her eyes. The idea of working at an embassy, being allowed to travel and meet new people, as Ingrey did, made her want to... howl... with joy.

"And out thanks too," added her mother. "Although I am not sure I should let me sweet daughter venture alone and unaided into Amber. She is a mere child still ... "

"Of course!" Ingrey said, almost in exclamation. "I was not offering a position at this moment; I do not quite have that much authority. I merely wished to enquire if she, and you, her parents, wanted her to be formally considered for such an apprenticeship in the fullness of time."

"Do you then wish this consideration for your daughter?" Ingrey asked."

Ingrey's eyes flickered between daughter and parents. "I can withdraw if you wish privacy in this."

"I think," said Tabitha Minobee, "we would all be delighted at such an opportunity for Tasha."

Tasha had tried to remain solemn, but her smile couldn't help but break through at her mother's words. Was this the path that her Gram had said she had been destined to travel? She took in her parents and Ingrey as she said, "Thank you."

"Our thanks are due to Lord Ingrey for selecting you for such a singular honour," said Tabitha warmly.

"I will then convey your acceptance for consideration to Her Excellency." Ingrey said, bowing formally to both parents and Tasha in the bargain. "If it should occur that happenstance brings the Lady Tasha to Amber before an official position can be offered, she is certainly welcome to come and visit the Embassy in person."

"I will see to it that she is quite welcome. But now, it seems that our business is concluded, and I will make my departure." Ingrey continued, and bowed once more. "I thank you for your time, and the hospitality that you have shown me."

"You are most welcome!" Tasha said as she quickly jumped up a to relieve him of his glass, and escort him to their door. "I hope to someday see you in Amber... And learn to play Chess."

"I look forward to it, Lady Tasha". Ingrey bowed once last time to her, and then exited, doubtless soon on other diplomatic errands.

EOT

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