[Deirdre]
Deirdre sighed softly, and extended her hand to thin air. "Come through.", she answered quietly, speaking to someone invisible. She was kneeling on the floor of a dining hall, garbed in black and silver chain mail, midnight hair drawn back severely with silver combs. Within her lap she held the sobbing form of Urda.
Deirdre's head snapped up as she took hold of her daughters hand, and she shouted, "SMASH THE MIRRORS! THE GUISELS ARE COMING THROUGH THEM!" Sudden tornadoes of wind swept through the hall, splintering each mirror in turn with exquisite precision and fury into nothing but shattered glass.
[Pierre]
Pierre blinks at Deirdre's shout; winces at the smashing noises. He begins raising his Trump towards his line of sight.
"All mirrors or just the ones here?"
[Deirdre]
Deirdre answered more calmly, as her tornadoes continued their destruction. She squeezed her daughters hand gently. "Do not know, but it follows from the logic of what I know. My daughter has stated that they were being followed by a swarm of Guisels, the mirrors started to beat, Madoc noted they had never done that before... stand by for the arrival of the third wave of the infection, people, unless I am mistaken." She shrugged gently. "Which is, of course, always a possibility, mmm? Should I open a worldgate in case we need to retreat?"
[Pierre]
Pierre squints in a vague way. "A worldgate? To where?"
[Deirdre]
Deirdre released her daughters hand slowly as her winds swirled back towards her and faded away. She stared at Teridias in fixed concentration, sweat briefly beading on her sharp, childlike face before she turned her attention back to Urda. "Ssh, honey, the world really is not that bad a place, some people will love you anyway... even if they can never really understand you.", she murmured softly as she gently hugged him. "Thalion, do what you think best."
[Pierre]
"As for the infection, probably. Dworkin said Rebma and Tir'na'Nogth would likely be the next targets of attack. Actually he said to tell Raven that, but I'm not sticking to technicalities at the moment."
He looks at Fiona/Celia and Golan[*]. "Anyone seen dear sweet Matthias lately?"
[Jaunquille]
"All hail! God empress Deirdre Not only is she master of compassion but, omniscient too!", says Jaunquille still sitting in his chair
[Raven]
"Dworkin told Pierre that the third wave would focus on Rebma or Tir-na Nog'th. I think that there should be people on guard at both places, if this is the third wave. Does anyone have appropriate Trumps? And does anyone know how we can find out if this IS really the third wave?
[Pierre]
"That both Rebma /and/ Tir'na'Nogth would /likely/ be the /targets of attacks/," corrects Pierre. "You might think I'm picky, but I'll believe Dworkin used words with care."
"I doubt anyone has appropriate Trumps for Tir." Pierre's little smile is probably not supposed to be reassuring, which is good because it wouldn't reassure anyone over the age of two.
[GM]
As the people file in through trump, it becomes apparent that Darthene is weak but recovering, and that Nikolas resembles Jacob and Thalion to a surprising degree. Nikolas sets down his 'magic carpet', which is black and somewhat scale like (and familiar to Golan).
Madoc takes charge of the situation immediately. "There are three things that need attending to. Golan's friend in trouble, the defence of Tir-na Nog'th/Rebma, and the business with the Mirrorrealm. Not one word of complaint, Deirdre, I'll punch your lights out.
"Golan, Urda, Croyd, Deirdre, Celia: Golan's friends are in trouble; adjourn to the kitchen and take a course of action to save them, and take a Valium and calm down. The jaunt into Shadow may calm Urda and Deirdre's nerves, for Lir's sake.
"Pierre, Jaunquille, Teridias, Raven, Laurel, Andelia and Darthene: defenso of Rebma and Tir. Get thee to the library and plan a course of action.
"I (Madoc), Jacob, Garat, Thalion and Nikolas, is it? We deal with the Guisels and the mirror problem. We will go to the dining room.
"All further contact is to be done through trump; get a deck if you don't have one. I have no doubt that all these events are connected, so no complaints that you'd rather be in one or the other."
[Pierre]
Pierre squints at Madoc and his sour expression carries over into his voice. "I only came here to talk to Celia. I guess I'll be going back home, then. Raven knows almost everything I do about the situation. Maybe I can Trump Celia up with who knows which Trump is the right one these days."
As he looks down at his Trump he adds "I might suggest going straight to Rebma to mug the mirrors there. You never know, they could be beating already." He shrugs in a vaguely indifferent way as his concentration increases.
[Jaunquille]
Jaunquille looks at Madoc critically for a long while.
"Why me?" he finally asks.
[GM]
"Because you are here. Because if I put you in a group with Deirdre or Urda, it would be disastrous. Because you are not a master of mirrors, and would be better in a situation that involves more of your skills," answers Madoc.
[Raven]
A brief expression of irritation is visible in Raven's features, but she composes herself so quickly that you're not even sure if irritation is what it was. She goes to the Library immediately (well, as soon as Teridias heads there, since she doesn't actually know where it is.)
[Deirdre]
Deirdre nodded gently to Pierre. "Thank you for the aid you have chosen to give, Pierre.", she said softly as he concentrated on his trump. "Give me a call sometime... there are a few things I wish to clear up about the Circle of Fire."
[Pierre]
Pierre considers Deirdre, pausing his impending concentration to do so. "You've changed for the better in the past hundred years. I will."
[Deirdre]
"Why, thank you.", answered Deirdre, with a faint and delicate blush. "Still a few rough edges from time to time, and a long way to go yet, but I think there is cause for some cautious hope, mmm? Speak with you later, then, whenever you wish." She returned her attention to Urda.
She stood carefully, still cradling the weeping form of Urda against herself, and walked slowly across to stand beside Golan. "Whenever you are ready, hon, transfer us through the trump.", she continued clearly. "Getting out of the same room as someone who lacks basic understanding and sensitivity while helping your friends strikes me as a truly brilliant course of action. Thank you so much for suggesting it to us, uncle, we had completely forgotten after all." She smiled sweetly at Madoc for a few moments, her face serene and untouched by fear.
[Laurel]
"But what about Meredith?" murmurs Laurel.
[Deirdre]
She spun around as Laurel spoke of Meredith. "Meredith is still not safe? I had assumed she was, since you were trumping me. Lori, come with us, and after we have helped Golan's friends we shall continue on to rescue Meredith." She still seemed serene and fearless, gentle pride and soft warmth in her eyes.
[Laurel]
"No, there wasn't time to look for Meredith, Mom. Andelia's group arrived, with a swarm of Guisels following them. I was.... persuaded... that I could best help Meredith by first saving the future, then looking for her. Jacob and Darthene offered various alternative means for finding her, when the big picture has been resolved".
Laurel hesitates a moment, her heart crying for her to follow her mother's suggestion. Then, sadly, she says "I think Uncle Madoc has good reason for the groupings he chose, Mom. I *want* to come with you, but I think duty sends me on a different road, for now". She quickly hugs Deirdre, then turns away.
[Deirdre]
Deirdre hugged her daughter, and spoke softly. "Oh, I am sure Madoc has reasons. Whether they are good ones remains to be seen. Whatever you choose, Lori, be careful." She let her daughter go, though she obviously had trouble with that. "By the way, perhaps I should have been a little more precise. Third wave and Guisels may be separate phenomenon, there is no evidence one way or the other." She nodded to Teridias briefly as the group left.
[Laurel]
Laurel sobs once, as her uncle's plan takes her further from any immediate attempt at rescuing her daughter. Then, looking at Madoc, she nods. She waits for Teridias to lead the way to the library.
[GM]
"Remember, Laurel," says Darthene. "There are ways of looking for her. Jacob suggested a scry with mirrors, which will be useful in determining what the Guisels want. We will go to Tir-na Nog'th; perhaps there would be some insight there. If Pierre doesn't mind our presence."
[Laurel]
"Oh. Yes... yes, you're right, of course. I'm sorry, I'm not thinking clearly, I'm just too worried".
[Teridias]
Teridias sheaths his sword. "Ok, this way to the library." He starts to head out the door, but stops, grabs a large platter of meats, breads and cheeses and then continues.
[Laurel]
Laurel will follow Teridias to the library.
[Teridias]
He leads the way through the manor until he comes to a large room with a big oak table in the middle. All the walls are lined with books. You can notice that the over half the books are on military matters. Teridias quickly moves to a large cabinet and retrieves a large number of maps of the are. Quickly he spreads them out on the table.
"Well these are completely useless as we do not know the form of the attack. What we need is more information. Raven, could you contact the courts and see if they have been having any problems. Also I need to know when Tir na nogth rises. I have lost track of the time."
[Raven]
Raven takes out her Trump deck, selects one, and concentrates on it.
[Andelia]
Andelia snorts, "I agree, damn tough to defend against you know not what. Does ANYONE know what this defenso is supposed to be against?"
Then her green eyes turn to Laurel,
"As Mother said, we can search from somewhere, here while we're watching, and if we come up with Meredith, go get her. She might be VERY important to what's happening..... and I know what you're going through, only in reverse. Hold on, we'll get her back."
[Laurel]
"Thank you" sighs Laurel. "My head understands the need for other priorities... my heart....; ah, my heart will not help with any of our problems. My head must rule, for the moment".
[Andelia]
Andelia nods. "Let the head run things until you can get both pointed in the same direction."
[Laurel]
Laurel nods her head, a pained expression on her face.
[Andelia]
Andelia shakes her head and looks around the room,
"There's something that tells me the Guisels and that beat we felt in the mirrors is connected to each other. Whether that's connected as well to this Wave stuff, that's unclear. I don't know....."
[Jacob]
Nodding, Jacob will head to the dining hall with the other men, led by Madoc.
It is not without a long backwards glance to the party heading to the library...
[Andelia]
"Raven, what happened at the Grove while we were gone?"
[Raven]
"Golan and Deirdre kept Clarissa alive as long as they could, but eventually her life-force started to fade fast, and we couldn't wait any longer. Fiona cast a spell to capture Clarissa's soul as Clarissa renewed her curse, killing herself in the process. Fiona says that the Pattern interfered with her spell, and has taken Clarissa's soul elsewhere. So, it seems that she still lives, somehow, but we don't know where. Teridias buried her in the Grove, then we came here. When we have more time, I can tell you any more details you want to know."
[Andelia]
Andelia nods, then mutters, "Sounds like that plan of this Dworkin's worked to perfection, then. She died, as he intended her to. Oh, well done... and to steal her soul as well." Her eyes gleam wetly for a moment, then she looks down and blinks, and it's gone.
[Laurel]
Laurel reaches out to Andelia, gently murmuring "You were close to Clarissa?"
[Andelia]
Andelia shrugs,
"Close enough to miss her, which is more than most it seems. And to give her credit where it was due."
[GM]
Darthene contemplates this. "A lot has happened in the last while, it appears. For those of you who haven't met me, I am of course Deirdre's older twin, and Andelia's mother. As for my involvement... there are a few things that I suspect have been happening. It all began with my feud with Corwin, which began over a game of chess. It ended when our conflict escalated to cosmic heights, and Corwin and I drew upon darker and darker powers in order to win. This whole business is all Corwin's fault, for challenging me to that blasted game."
[Laurel]
Laurel nods her head, in silent agreement.
[Pierre]
Pierre squints at Darthene and says nothing.
He shrugs at Andelia. "Deirdre implied there was a problem with the mirrors having a heartbeat. If she's wrong, well, good."
[Andelia]
Andelia shrugs, but her tone's acid. "My aunt's a mite prone to acting without thinking things through, and seeing things that aren't necessarily there." Then she looks at Laurel, perhaps a little abashed, "Sorry, I shouldn't say that in front of you."
[Laurel]
A flicker of annoyance crosses Laurel's face, which fades as Andelia apologises. "Well, none of us is perfect" she says.
[Andelia]
"True enough," Andelia clamps her lips on whatever else she was going to say.
[Raven]
Raven puts away the Trump she had been looking at, and says neutrally, "I would like it if any Deirdre-bashing you intend to do was done in my absence as well as Laurel's. I respect your feelings, but Deirdre is my friend, and it angers me to hear her put down." This is not
said aggressively.
[Andelia]
Andelia raises an eyebrow, then says, "Ah... that explains that, then. Right."
[Raven]
"I have learned a little more about the third wave. Apparently, it _is_ connected with the coming of the Guisels, and it _is_ affecting the Courts. Perhaps we should try to contact them, and pool our resources. Does anyone have Trumps of the Courts? If no one else wants to deal with them, I can talk to them, since that is my home.
[Laurel]
"No, I only have the standard deck, nothing for the Courts. I would prefer to visit Tir na Nog'th, I think. If the moon has already risen, I should be starting on that journey soon. Will anyone join me?" asks Laurel, looking out of a window, trying to judge how many hours of
moonlight remain.
[Raven]
"I also think we should find out what is happening in Rebma as soon as possible. If someone else wants to try to contact the Courts, I will go to Rebma, with anyone who wants to come along. As soon as I learn anything, I can Trump someone here. Any volunteers?"
She reaches up, flips down the red lens on her circlet to cover her left eye, and checks to make sure her rapier can be drawn smoothly. She looks anxious to act as swiftly as possible.
[Pierre]
Pierre's attention then wanders to something undefined over people's heads.
[Raven]
Once in the library, Raven says, "If the attack will be made on Rebma and Tir-na Nog'th, then we won't be of much use here. Perhaps we should form two smaller groups, one for each location and try to find out what is going on? We should, of course, stay in contact by Trump.
"Oh, Pierre, you said I knew ALMOST everything that you knew about the situation. Now might be good time to fill me in on whatever I don't know and which you do know.
"Does anyone know anything about Guisels? I am totally in the dark"
[Laurel]
"I know a little" replies Laurel, "that they are real beings, killer beasts, all but unstoppable. They are mindless to the best of our knowledge, acting purely on animal instinct, though the fact that they've captured my daughter may indicate that belief to be out of date. Their spittle is a deadly acid. I'm told that they've never been known to venture outside of the Mirror Realm, normal space is not a natural environment for them. Jacob mentioned having stunned one once, by tossing a box of baking soda into it's mouth. That's about as much as I know. Thalion seemed to know more, which I guess is why he is with the group dealing with the Guisel problem".
[Andelia]
"That time with the baking soda was a few minutes before we met you, Laurel, as we were coming back from the Dark Mirror. Our path in and out led through a nest, and one young one" Andelia pauses, to get the right words, "hatched as we were passing. Jacob threw that soda, and we left hastily as the rest of the nest was hatching. I'd assume, for now anyway,
that at least the Queen Guisel is intelligent, the more usual one may not be but may well be driven by her intelligence."
[Pierre]
Pierre is no doubt swept up in the general bustle and his Trump concentration disrupted. Or perhaps something else's going on with his Trump; in any case he doesn't vanish with sparkles as the group sweeps him off to the library. Not yet at any rate.
He shrugs at Darthene's remark. "You won't be scrying with mirrors in Tir. Not any time soon."
He tells Teridias "Oh, Tir's manifested right now. It does that at night when the moon's up, you know."
"What I know that you don't, Raven? Oh, that the mirrors in Tir'na'Nogth had a heartbeat."
A pause. A little feral smile. "Like I said, maybe you should go straight to Rebma."
His fingers toy with the Trump; his grey eyes almost but not quite study it, instead watching the group.
[Andelia]
[Description for those who haven't met Andelia: she looks very like a shorter version of Darthene, or a shorter, pale-skinned version of Deirdre, though her eyes are green instead of blue like theirs. Right now she's wearing a blue shirt, grey pants, and black boots, all slightly
dusty, and there's a smudge of dirt on one pale cheekbone. Her eyes are a bit over-bright as well, like a fever. No weapons, a pair of small ruby-tipped earstuds in her ears and a large golden ring on her right hand complete the ensemble.]
Andelia snorts derisively, "If anything, Rebma's mirrors probably started to have a heartbeat earlier. More closely connected with the Mirrors of Lir and the Mirrorrealm. And that's where the heartbeat's coming from, inside the Mirrorrealm."
"Besides, so the mirrors have a pulse. So what." Andelia shrugs, "Just one more thing to take note of. NOT something to panic over. Glass mirrors break, but metal ones, or polished metal that will serve as one, don't. Not from a little wind."
[Andelia]
Andelia pulls out a chair for Darthene, then will stand behind it and to the right.
[Andelia]
Andelia looks at Darthene,
"Mother, you were saying something about visiting this Tir na Nog'th place?"
[Pierre]
Pierre is still looking at something above everyone's heads. Absently, he says "Worry about Rebma. First."
[Teridias]
Teridias looks at the group. "Strategically, what we need is information. What I suggest is that Raven, You go to the courts. Laurel you go to Tir na nogth and Pierre goes to Rebma. Have a quick look around and report back. I also suggest that you take someone with you I would like at least two per team. That will reduce the danger." Teridias look unfocused for a second, "Excuse me I am receiving a trump call."
[Pierre]
Pierre doesn't bother lowering his attention from whatever it's fixed on. "I'm not going to Rebma. I'm going home as soon as I finish this Trump call. If I'm in a really good mood I might even take people with me."
Well, at least that explains why he's staring at the wall trim.
[Andelia]
Andelia looks at Teridias and rolls her eyes upwards in disgust.
[Raven]
Although she does not express in any direct way, Raven obviously shares the sentiment.
"Obviously, Jaunquille and Pierre are not going to help us. That leaves, me, Andelia, Teridias, Laurel, and Darthene. Someone has to go to Rebma, someone to the Courts, and someone to go to Tir-na Nog'th, with Pierre if he's 'in a good mood.' We won't be able to go in pairs, although that would have been preferable. I can go to the Courts alone, since I
know my way around there. If Pierre is accepting travelling companions, then one person can go with him to Tir, and the other two can go to Rebma. Someone-- how about you, Teridias?-- can stay here and co-ordinate things and pass along information. I really don't care what role I am given, so long as I am doing something useful. I think it would be best if I went to the Courts because I know them well; if anyone can improve on my suggestions,
I'll be quite happy. But I really feel we should act _now_."
[Laurel]
Laurel ponders this a moment, then turns to Jaunquille. "Is that true? Or will you help us, when we've decided what to do? Or have you any suggestions to make? You've said so little, since Uncle Madoc ordered us all here".
[Pierre]
"Pierre came here to talk to Celia, which he is busy doing. Random other people have been treating him like a piece of furniture without so much as a by-your-leave or a what-are-you-best-at. Is it any particular surprise that he doesn't feel very helpful at the moment?"
[Raven]
"I'm not too happy about being ordered around by Madoc either-- a second time, in my case-- but I don't really feel there's time for objections at the moment. Once this is finished, I will discuss the matter with him. I would like to point out that I have told you to do nothing,
nor even suggested that you do anything, since your choices are you own to make. On the other hand, I am a little disappointed you don't _choose_ to volunteer your help."
[Andelia]
Andelia shrugs,
"We do have enough people to break up like that, if Mother's recovered enough."
[Jaunquille]
Jaunquille sits quietly and waits, for this whole mess to sort it self out.
[GM]
"I am well enough, Andy." Darthene nods.
[Andelia]
Andelia smiles, and it reaches her eyes.
"All right. Then should we go to Tir with Laurel? You were saying something about going up there earlier, to look for Meredith and other things..."
[Laurel]
Laurel smiles at Andelia, and looking to Darthene, says "Please, I would welcome your company".
[Andelia]
Andelia shakes her head slowly,
"Not enough people to leave one here, I don't think, not with two dead-weights. I think you're on the right track, though, Raven, Chaos is probably yours alone. That leaves 4. We can either send a pair each to Rebma and this Tir place, or Mother, Laurel, and I can go to Tir and Teridias can go to Rebma. We're scouting, not looking for a battle, so the numbers shouldn't be as big a deal."
[Teridias]
Teridias draws his sword and points it at Pierre. "If you have no interest in helping Amberium then go now. I don't know you, but I was willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. Now I am not so sure. You are sounding more like an enemy of the realm. I do not know if all this will get back to our enemies. I have no wish for them to know any more of our plans. Therefore you will step through that trump contact now or I will kill you. Do I make my self clear."
[Laurel]
"To me he sounds like a man we have affronted, rather than an enemy. At least, unless we make him one, by precipitate action. Please sheath your sword, Sir, until such time as it is clearly needed" she says to Teridias.
[Andelia]
Andelia snorts,
"He sounds more like a pampered child, used to being cosseted and fussed over all the time, to me. Wants everyone to jump to his `suggestions', when he doesn't bother to give any reason why we should. Other than that the mirrors in this Tir na Nog'th place are pulsing and he THINKS that Rebma might not be affected yet. The whole Mirrorrealm is pulsing, for the Dead One's sake! If that realm is connected to every mirror, guess what? Every mirror's going to have a pulse. Not to mention that the Mirrors of Lir are rather closely connected to the Mirrorrealm and to Rebma... Which suggests that, if anything, Rebma probably had
pulsing mirrors before anywhere else."
[Pierre]
Pierre's gaze visits Andelia. "Good, someone explains the mirrors at last. Perhaps you could have spoken up earlier to enlighten us all? And don't jump to assumptions; I didn't think the Rebman mirrors might not yet be beating, I thought they might be beating and bad things might happen if they were left alone."
[Andelia]
Andelia snorts again,
"I did, you were too full of yourself to listen. I said so right after you first said that the mirrors in Tir na'Nogth had a heartbeat. If you're not going to listen, don't expect others to listen to you."
[Pierre]
Pierre is momentarily distracted, then says "The comment about assuming my meanings stands, but you're quite correct: you did say so earlier. My fault for forgetting; I plead distractions."
[Andelia]
"If you don't want people assuming your meanings, don't be deliberately obtuse and vague about them. Playing at being an oracle is all very amusing, I'm sure, but the whole idea in talking that way is so that the listener can come up with lots of different interpretations, so
the charlatan is closer to appearing to have predicted whatever it is. It's not intended to convey useful information. You wanted to play word games, and we weren't interested."
[Pierre]
"I said what I knew; I added a suggestion that seemed to follow logically. And I resisted the temptation to theorise since I didn't know enough to do so. Think what you want." Pierre's voice conveys a shrug, even if his shoulders don't.
Pierre's eyes are storm cloud grey and his baritone voice is calm, quiet, and even as he speaks.
"I was annoyed; *now* I'm affronted. That's right, doubt the intentions of the man who passed on the news that caused this meeting to be called. Wave a sword at him and demand things. Do all this when you know little of your history and nothing of the man you deal with. *So* sorry, I don't swear oaths at the point of a sword; I'll be joining Celia instead."
As he speaks, he's reaching out a hand to the air.
He glances at Jaunquille; nods faintly. "Call me up sometime if you want."
"I see there's no takers with the hands" Pierre comments. His expression is flat and contained; cold, perhaps angry. Rainbow sparkles play at his hand that clasps nothingness; walk up his arm. "Perhaps you can get people like Celia to enlighten you about things. With better luck than with Jaunquille." His smile is thin and flat, nothing of mirth.
"I am Pierre, and my demesne is the Silver City of Tir'na'Nogth. I advise against visits; do your scrying with mirrors elsewhere." Shattered rainbows race over him as he steps forward and he's gone.
[Pierre]
"It's not just Madoc. Even before I got a sword pointed at me."
Pierre shrugs. "I volunteered some opinions. No one seemed interested. Then Celia Trumped me up to talk. Why offer more opinions to have them ignored?"
"I see Raven has been listening to some tales, evidently. Hands up, everyone here who knows where I live? Maybe you'll surprise me."
Another shrug. "As for help ... my presence helps you with the current goals. I'll keep on being oracular until I count hands. If I get a chance to count hands."
He actually looks down from the trim for a moment, focusing on the group. "Furniture isn't usually helpful. Or unhelpful. It just is, much as I appear to be right now."
"As for acting now? Why yes, I *have* been urging people to go to Rebma for some time now, seeing as how you can plan things just as well from there and you might have a chance to do something about any menaces that show up. You might even be closer by foot to Tir'na'Nogth from there than from here. Furniture again, evidently."
[Raven]
"I haven't heard any tales. I am basing my opinions purely on what I have seen of you so far. I would gladly be proved wrong, and apologise if I have been unfair to you."
[Pierre]
"Mph, I thought you had from something you said. My error. No matter." He glances at the room. "Anyone besides you, Darthene?" He's probably talking about the hands business.
[Teridias]
"If Pierre can prove that he is not an enemy of Ambrium then I will welcome his help. I love this realm. Since that Barstard Roland killed Rhiannon and Pwyll, it is the only thing that I care about." His voice drops to a whisper. "I will not see it destroyed." His voice returns to a normal level. If that means that I remove some people because of the possibility of betrayal so be it. The needs of the many outweighs the needs of the few or the one. However, if Pierre is willing to swear an oath that he is not an enemy of Oberon or Ambrium then I will be content to let him go about his business. And should he then offer his help, I would be grateful. But until then I can not take the risk that be may betray my king." Teridias keeps his sword raised.
[Pierre]
"I have every intention of keeping Tir uninfected, uninvaded, or unwhatevered by whatever is wanting to whatever it. Does that satisfy your curiosity?"
[Laurel]
"Then, Sir, may I please accompany you to Tir na Nog'th. Perhaps with Darthene or Andelia also, if that is how the plans best work out. You see, my daughter has been captured by the Guisels, and it has been suggested that something of her situation may be learned in Tir".
[Andelia]
"Mother and I go as a pair, I just got her back, I'm not losing her again."
[Raven]
"For what it's worth, Teridias, I do think Pierre is on our side. But it's your manor, and your decision if you want to force him to leave. But we should be careful before making a bad mistake and causing conflict among ourselves.
"I am heading to the Courts now. There is no direct way, by Trump or sorcery, to get there (unless you happen to be someone like Fiona). I have no idea how long it will take, but I will get there as fast as I can. Once I am back in Amber, I will Trump you, Andelia, unless you would prefer I Trump someone else."
"Good luck, all of you."
She pauses in case anyone has a response, then murmurs a few words; the lens glows red, room goes dark, birdwings flutter ... and she is gone.
[Andelia]
Andelia looks rather surprised at this. "Uhm, I guess you can... Though if they work like I guess they do, knock carefully when you call."
[Teridias]
"Then know this" Teridias says. "I am letting you go even through you might betray us because there is a chance that you are not the enemy. Should that be the case then I apologise for affronting you, but not for my actions. Ambrium comes first. Go wlll, but remember, should you betray Ambrium and King Oberon, then I will hunt you down and take a very long time killing you."
Teridias drops his sword.
[Pierre]
"There was a chance," ghosts little more than a rainbow shape, "that I might have been a friend."
People may or may not hear this, depending on their position in the room and how much attention they wanted to pay to Pierre's blathering.
[Andelia]
After the rainbow shimmer fades, Andelia comments,
"I think I'd rather have a Guisel for a friend. At least IT wouldn't play stupid word games, when the time wasn't appropriate."
[Jaunquille]
"I'll tell you what. You talk among yourselves, like you doing now, and not explain what is going on and toss orders around and make assumptions about people you've never met and know nothing about.. I'll see who ever ends up in Thelbane... Um Chaos when they get there...
Cheers, folks.", says Jaunquille.
He begins saying lynch pins and unlocking a racked spell.
[GM]
Okay, Jaunquille and Raven have both departed for Chaos. Pierre has left through the trump contact. That leaves Teridias, Laurel, Andelia and Darthene.
[Teridias]
Teridias looks at the group.
"Now I assume that the rest of you are interested in saving Ambrium. The most pressing matter is the gathering of information. Now, other than the warning from Pierre, I think a visit to the city of Dreams is still important. I have a feeling that the portents that the city may give us will be important. Following that a quick trip Rebma to access the situation.
First of all I need to tell you that it appears that the shadows are still populated, so we may be able to raise an army if we need to. Secondly, does anyone have the means to contact the King?"
[Laurel]
"Yes" replies Laurel, "there should be a trump of him in this trump deck I picked up from the library a while ago". She quickly shuffles through the deck.
[Teridias]
Teridias accepts the card if it is offered.
[Laurel]
Laurel shuffles out Oberon's card, and passes it to Teridias. In mid-pass, she does a double-take, and gasps, wide-eyed, "Oh. I presume Oberon is still King of Amber?". She holds out the card to Teridias.
[GM]
Darthene sighs. "Well, then... Andelia and I will remain together. As for Teridias and Laurel, I am afraid you've offended Pierre, who will probably not allow anyone in to Tir-na Nog'th, which leaves Rebma. I suggest that either we all depart for Rebma, or split up and try both cities, which will probably be a waste of time. Laurel, we may be able to find your daughter
somehow by visiting Rebma; who knows?"
[Andelia]
"Have to claim credit where it's due, I probably offended the jerk as much as anyone. Of course, offence can flow both ways...." Andelia smiles, but it's not at all a nice smile.
"If you think Tir would be a waste of time, I'd say we go to Rebma. You know MUCH more about that ... person" Andelia's voice shows she'd rather use some other term "than I, certainly, and perhaps more than anyone else here."
[Laurel]
"It seemed to me that Pierre came looking for confrontation, and would have taken offence at anything. Or perhaps he resented being ordered about by Uncle Madoc. Who can tell? Still, it's done now" Laurel remarks.
[Andelia]
Andelia nods, but doesn't say anything.
[Teridias]
"If he was not interested in helping Ambrium then he should not of been here. I assumed, maybe wrongly, that all here were interested parties."
[Andelia]
"Possibly a mistaken assumption, yes. He was apparently more a tourist, interested only in talking to Celia and here for that purpose alone. When the team splitting occurred, he went along with it because it was less trouble than fighting openly, and now he's probably gone to where she is anyway."
[Andelia]
Then Andelia asks, in a doubting tone, "Does he _REALLY_ have enough power to deny you access if you wanted entry, Mother?"
[Laurel]
"Yes, I was wondering about that, too" Laurel adds. "If you believe that he can, then let's go to Rebma. But if there's a chance of getting to Tir, should we not try it? If there are enough hours of moonlight left, that is?"
[Teridias]
"I think we should still visit the city. Its portents may be important. We need not be there long."
[Laurel]
"Then perhaps you and I should go, if Darthene and Andelia don't mind waiting for us? And if you know what to look for once we get there?" suggests Laurel.
[Andelia]
"We could, but, as much as I dislike doing anything that the self-styled oracle suggested, someone should probably go to Rebma as soon as possible, see what's happening there. Assuming it will take some time to get to this city," Andelia looks a little confused, "it might be best if those going to Rebma left immediately. Co-ordination then becomes the
problem."
[Laurel]
"Yeah", replies Laurel, "I can see your point".
Turning to Teridias, she continues "I'm not altogether happy with the idea of visiting Tir with no-one on the ground for backup. If you definitely want to go there tonight, perhaps the best we can do would be for you to go there, while I remain below to warn you if any problems
arise, and bring you back if need be. Then when we're done, we can join Darthene and Andelia".
"Or we could all go to Rebma now, and leave Tir na Nog'th for another night".
[Andelia]
Andelia looks towards Darthene, a question on her face.
[GM]
Darthene replies, "I don't trust Pierre, honestly... Corwin wields Grayswandir, the Pattern Blade of Tir-na Nog'th. I would not be surprised whose side he's on. No doubt he is a pawn of Corwin's, and we risk running into a well-laid trap. My return must have reached Corwin's ears by now, and I am certain that he may try to avenge the destruction of Avalon, blaming it on me! Wherever we go, we must be prepared. There will still be time to explore Tir, but what if Pierre suddenly dissolves the City? No, we need more power before we attempt to go to Tir."
[Andelia]
Andelia nods, a little slowly.
"So, if anyone went to Tir-na Nog'th, it shouldn't be you and I. And without you, finding Meredith might be more difficult, unless Teridias or Laurel know how to read what is to be seen there."
"Right. Anyone know a good place in Rebma to appear?"
[GM]
"My old room, perhaps? If they haven't given it away in my absence," says Darthene.
[Andelia]
Andelia raises her hands, palm up, an expression of "Can't say" on her face.
[Laurel]
Laurel flips through her trump deck again. Picking out 2 cards, she looks questioningly at Darthene and Andelia, asking "Lir? Or Moire? Both are likely to be in Rebma, I should think".
[Andelia]
Andelia shrugs. "I'd say pick whichever you know better, if you know either at all. I don't know either of them, so I'm not much help. To me, they're both merely names...."
[GM]
"Aunt Moire is easier to approach."
[Andelia]
"Would she respond better to someone she knows, like you, or someone she doesn't know?"
[GM]
"Well, for the defenso of Amber, it would be better for someone who she knows. But I have been presumed dead all these years, and she may think it is a trick. Unless Laurel and Teridias know her well, I would say any one of us could contact her and get the same reactions."
[Andelia]
Andelia nods.
[GM]
Darthene asks Teridias to take them to the stables, and there she will prepare the horses, and head towards Rebma with Andelia, and she invites both Teridias and Laurel along.
[Andelia]
Andelia will help saddle up the horses (and if she gets the chance, she'll do it instead of letting Darthene do it).