| |
|
Part 35: Well met
===========================================================
Part 35 - Well met by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
A coloured nimbus fills the room, and then it fades, and is replaced by assorted people and creatures.
Cyan, James, and Jonnee are there, along with Berd and Hunter.
And a stranger. A young woman with auburn hair and green eyes.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Fascinating," Dorian says, eyes distant. He doesn't seem to notice the
arrivals. Appearing deep in thought and distracted, he turns and walks
into the bedroom to the cabin and closes the door without a word.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Serena
-----------------------------------------------------------
Serena was a bit taken back by the moving to where Aaron and Dorian
were and when Dorian simply said" fascinating" and left she felt
less than comfortable or safe there. Technically they all knew one
another and serena knew nothing about them. So she remained quiet
and stayed a few steps back from the group,
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Well!" Cyan shakes out her arms. "I did warn you it would
be quick," she says to the others, then stares with some curiousity at
Dorian as he leaves the room. Frowning, she turns to Aaron -
about to ask a question, Cyan pauses. Her darkening, sapphire
eyes flick left...then right. Slowly one thin, coppery eyebrow
rises as Berd's eyes blink open, then the bard sighs.
"Gone again, I take it?" she says to Aaron wearily. "Serena, this
is Aaron of San Anyn, our leader," she continues, with more animation,
motioning to the one-eyed man. "Aaron, this is Serena...we have
yet to acquaint ourselves fully with one another. Dorian, Serena,
was the man who has just left us, for reasons unknown, and
Jack..." Her mouth twists in a disappointed frown, though there
is no surprise in Cyan's eyes. "...is nowhere to be found."
Berd coughs, once. Oddly, his stomach is not nearly as bulging as
it was only a few minutes before. The little dragon sits up on
Cyan's shoulder and begins grooming himself, now appearing fairly
contented. No longer dull, his eyes glitter slightly in the dim
light.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
Private line:
James steps through into the little cottage. Glancing around he locates a chair and settles into it.
"Aaron, this is Serena. I believe she is one of my cousins. Serena this is Aaron and, that was Dorian. Don't mind him, grim-faced doesn't do him justice
sometimes, but he's reliable and remarkably good at what he does."
"Well, Aaron, the job is done. We drew off the Archons and
eliminated them. I hope your trip has been successful? But
where is Jack?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Serena
-----------------------------------------------------------
Serena smiles at Aaron and with a bow of her head says<"I am glad to finally see you in person Aaron.Thanks for the introductions Cyan and Jonee." Which in it's own way was true. Just because Dorian was rather rude Serena knew it was important to meet with them all.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
To Cyan and James, Aaron nodded, and a small smile found his face at
James' announcement. "That's good. Very good, actually. It pleases me
to see that my entire group..." he paused there, his eye flicking to
Cyan for the smallest moment before he continued, "...all of you, have
returned safely, and especially that our enemies have been thwarted for
the moment. We'll have to speak of that particular adventure before we
leave."
Aaron turned, and his lone eye took on an appraising look as he gazed
upon Serena. It was level, this gaze, though he seemed to be weighing
something in his mind, greetings versus questions. The colors of autumn
were in that single eye, falling down through it like dying leaves of
gold, red, orange and brown.
"I greet you, Serena. My bard informs me that you've a message for us,
yes?" He sighed, noting that Dorian had departed, then waved it off
with his left hand in the direction of the doorway. "Do not mind our
dark companion, though I believe we'll have to get him in here sooner
or later, if we wish to hear what you've come to tell us."
He turned and took a step, then paused and returned his attention to
Serena. "One thing grabs me, however, and it is a question I must ask
before we convene. Tell me, Serena, how did you come about gaining a
Trump of Cyan?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Serena
-----------------------------------------------------------
"I
was sitting in an inn getting ready to eat my breakfast and the man
next to me was sketching Cyan. I recognized her from the dream portent.
His name was Leonardo and after I convinced him that my need to reach
Cyan was urgent he gave me her trump.". Serena explained calmly and straightforwardly meeting Aaron's gaze.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Leonardo." Aaron nearly growled the name when he spoke it, his
teeth gritted in annoyance. "Will the Powers throw Kaelyn or Jadelynn
into my path next?" this he asked, his voice a vicious whisper.
Turning again, Aaron ran a hand down his face and didn't speak for some
time. He took a deep breath and closed his eye before sitting himself
down into a nearby chair and releasing it in a great sigh.
"Forgive me for that, Serena. The man who gave you Cyan's trump was...
a trial on the patience of more than one of us. I do not think ill of
you." Aaron didn't even think what he wanted to think, for he didn't
yet understand the scope of this woman's abilities or talents. Raise a
thought you wished unheard, and it could be plucked forth before you
blinked. Jack, and now Dorian, had taught Aaron much more about the
mind than even they would believe him to know.
"We are one short, Serena. A member of our party, a man known as Jack,
is not with us at the moment. If your impartation has anything to do
with him... well, I suppose we'll just have to tell it to him when we
see him next." A quiet answer to the question James asked, and the
questions that Cyan wasn't.
"Whatever the case, I'm pleased to see that you've made it into the
safety of our little group." Aaron leaned back in his chair, getting
comfortable as he gestured to Serena and the rest of his group. "Find
chairs, my friends. I fear this may be the last time we get to sit
together and relax... for a very long while."
To Jonnee he looked then, and flicked his head towards the door.
"Please retrieve Dorian for us, Jonnee." He smiled slightly, and
chuckled along with it. "You're faster than me, and you could probably
shove him into the room if he gave any fuss."
Aaron had a few plans of his own while he had everyone piled into this
room. A list of powers and talents amongst them. Histories, if they
needed to be shared with Serena, would have to wait till later. Much
later, more than likely.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Serena
-----------------------------------------------------------
Serena smiled and said,Do
not worry Aaron. Leonardo gave me the distinct impression he was not
particularly well liked. Let me get my journal out of my packs and then
we can begin whenever you are ready." Serena had deliberately
left her packs outside. Serena left the room and went staight to the
right pack and grabbed her journal then muttering three words she
watched as her dream materialized on the pages word for word.
Grabbing her other packs she re-entered the room and said, " I am ready whenever everyone else is." and she picked a seat and sat down.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
After a quick bow to Aaron, Cyan stands silently, waiting while he
makes his own introductions. The man talks for a while with
Serena, and the bard takes the time to examine the room, wandering
around and staring at the furniture, the walls...out the windows.
Her ears perks up when Leonardo is mentioned, and for an instant
sadness crosses her features. So. A palanquet of me. He was skilled...I could have learned much from him.
Except...he drove himself from us, but did we not partly do the same?
Then, coincidentally, Jack's name flies into the conversation and Cyan
stiffens for a moment before sagging, leaning against the wall and
staring out the window, one arm over her head. Left
again, did you Jack? I do not know you. I knew a Jack, or
so I thought, but that Jack did not know himself, nor did he stay
himself. Ever-changing...what am I to do? Where are you
now, Jack? Shall I pursue you through the Myriad Worlds, hoping
you will again be the Jack I knew?
Then Aaron calls his hounds to heel, and Cyan, rubbing her forehead,
walks to grab a chair of her own, turning it slightly so that she sits
on a corner, placing her blade across her knees and leaning on the
hardwood scabbard with her elbows. For a moment, her head hangs,
copper hair obscuring her eyes, but then she looks up, topaz gaze
surprisingly bright in the dim light, and nods.
"I do not know if this is relaxation, Aaron, but it shall
suffice. We have eaten. So with a full stomach and our
weight from our feet, we await the tales."
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd lies across Cyan's shoulders, part of his body lost in her hair, appearing for all intents and purposes to be asleep.
But, as those who know him are aware, not.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
The door to the bedroom clicks open and Dorian emerges, stoic but a little fidgety. "Er... Cyan? Would it be possible for me to study one of those..." he waves his hand dismissing the fact that he doesn't remember the name correctly "...placard things you use?"
Becoming aware of others eyes on him, he frowns. "Oh, yes. I
forgot this part.... the part where we all attempt to communicate and
yell 'enough!' a lot. Honestly, it is a poor substitute for prepared
spells, but let's get it over with."
His eyes make their way back to Cyan, forming a question.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
With a burger in each hand, and still chewing on the last bite of the
previous one, Jonnee goes in search of Dorian, turning back as the man
appears in the doorway.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Serena
-----------------------------------------------------------
Serena watched and listened to Dorian, gazing at him levelly as he
spoke,but for the life of her she could not figure out what he meant
about the sitting around and yelling "enough" versus prepared spells.
Whatever it was and whatever he wanted things could wait...but only for
so long.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan closes her eyes for a moment, feeling a headache
threatening. She pops them open a heartbeat later, fixing their
ruby gaze on Dorian, and nodding with an odd smile. His irony is cutting, but it certainly gets to the root of the issue. One hand fumbles in at her beltpouch as the bard nods, then she comes out with a small, leather case.
"Palanquet," Cyan states emphatically. "'To Speak
Far' is a rough translation. It loses something in the crossover,
but...." With a shrug, the bard comes up with a card illustrated
with a woodland scene. On it stands a tall man, half-obscured in
the forests shadows, wearing forest green and dark brown for
colours. He leans on a great, black bow, and the ornate hilt of a
heavy blade juts from his hip. A devil-may-care grin spreads the
lips on his inhumanly beautiful face; his hair, long, is tied back
carefully, revealing slightly pointed ears.
"Cuthalion," the bard whispers. She holds out the palanquet to Dorian without hesitation. "This is precious to me...please be
careful with it. Will you join us, Dorian, or do you need to
replenish your spiritual energies? I have seen the like with
sorcerers before." Her free hand indicates Serena. "This
could be extremely important, though, and your opinion is valuable."
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dorian only smirks at Cyan's explanation of the word, though his eyes do not seem to convery cruel intent. "Palan-quet," He repeats slowly. "Thank you, I shall endeavor to remember it, this time; but please understand I am a little distracted, right now." He sounds almost amused by the word.
He looks down at the palanquet a moment, studying it. His voice grows softer, distant, serious. "Yes,
I think this will do, nicely. I will indeed be careful with it, since
it is of value to you. Anything of value to you is of value to me."
He sits down on the floor and sets the palanquet in front
of him, rapidly becoming absorbed by it, but with an analytical
scrutiny. After a moment, he looks up and looks around.
"Yes, well let's get on with it. To the best of my knowledge, nothing is broadcasting our location, right now."
He turns to Serena, seeming to see her for the first time.
"If you're a spy, your job will be easy. We are some of the most
trusting and gullible fools in the universe right now. As long as you
aren't rude, we'll follow you to the ends of eternity and back.... So,
what is your story?" He stares at Serena, as if weighing her with a carful eye, as if she work a peice of art composed by an obscure artist.
He surprised himself, he noted. He almost forgot to be rude to them. He'll have to do that, or they might think he was soft.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Serena
-----------------------------------------------------------
Serena regarded Dorian with an almost identically studying look. Well,
Serena, you knew they would want your personal information at one
point, however, that will have to wait.
"For now I will tell you I am not a spy nor do I
mean any harm to you or your friends. It is more important that I tell
you of the portent I have been recieving . After which I will be glad
to give information that is of a personal nature. So long, as it is a
two way street. I am at a disadvantage as you all know one another and
I know nohing about any of you except what I have been able to glean
from observations. So,after I deliver the portent I will gladly engage
in a "Mutual" exchange of personal information. Is that acceptable to
you all?" Serena having adressed the whole group, however, had never take her eyes from Dorian's.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"I have always been equitable toward an exchange of information," Cyan
says quietly, still staring down at the ground between her feet, elbows
on her knees, hands clasped. Her hair again shields her
eyes. "I would be more than willing to tell you of my past,
first, to...'get the ball rolling', as I have heard said."
"Aaron, James would have been better prepared had we all stopped at
some point to discuss our capabilities - as would have been Jonnee and
myself, as well. Might I suggest that we take some time to
enumerate our strengths when we are finished?" A slight shift of
the head. "After of couse, we decide whether or not Serena is
joining us - that is we, of course, for Serena herself may simply choose to give her warning and depart. I know not what her plans will be."
"Again, I am more than willing to be the first to relate what I carry,
both with and within. A show of good faith, you might say."
Her head comes up, dull jade eyes locking on to Dorian's; Cyan gives
him a wan smile. "I know full well that of our company of
trusting and gullible fools, I am the worst of the lot." Her eyes
fall on the palanquet before Dorian, and she studies it, brow furrowing, trying to see what he has done.
Berd snorts in disgust; his tail has dropped down to Cyan's palanquet pouch for an instant, waggling back and forth above it, then rising again.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
As he expected, more of the incessant talking. Dorian's eyes had fallen once more to the Palanquet. "Yes, of course," he agrees distractedly. "Personal information, fine. I'm listening, let's begin."
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jonnee, still eating, swallows hard, then speaks, "You
know me. I got no problem with spilling the beans. Got no
secrets anyway, most of what I can do is normal where I come
from. The stuff that isn't, well, I never wanted it anyhow.
It was done to me."
He shrugs. "I can go first, if you want? Mine'll be the simplest story to tell."
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Serena
-----------------------------------------------------------
Serena at that point knowing time is ticking says,"If
you all please, I wish to tell the dream portent in a certain way.
Unfortunately, I am on a bit of a time clock to do so. So if you don't
mind can I tell you the dream first and then we can exchange
information?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dorian's words were both amusing to Aaron, and cleaving to the heart.
How often had their conversations, between any of them, devolved into
shouting matches and one-sided arguments? Aaron would bode none of
that... but he believed that, especially now, they wouldn't have a
problem with it.
What was the reason? Jack's absence? His own sudden grasp of
responsibility and his place as their leader? Aaron didn't know, but
neither did he have the time to ponder it.
"Our extended histories can wait for another time, for time, you see, is what we sorely lack. An explanation of our abilities and talents, however, is definetly in order."
Adjusting his postion, he removed from his back his sheathed blade,
Ilsefranvir. Placing her lengthwise upon his legs, he gestured with his
right hand to Serena.
"Your portent takes precedence, Serena. Once we have heard it and
considered your words, then we will consider your future with our
group." His single eye narrowed, once more taking that weighing gaze.
"Understand that all of us have been tested and scarred by time and an
all-too-easy acceptance of strangers. What you do, as much as what you
say and who you are, is weighed upon our decision. In many ways, being
in our group is almost a thousand times more complicated than existing
in the heirarchies of Amber. Almost."
He sighed then, and cleared his throat for a moment before unsheathing
his blade for a few inches. That act wasn't threatening in the least.
Rather, it almsot felt like Aaron, or Aaron's sword, was... stretching.
"But I digress," he smiled. "You may begin at your leisure, Serena, for
my curiosity can no longer be contained." This he said with an air of
seriousness. Aaron did not take portents, dreams and prophecy lightly.
Not at all.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Serena
-----------------------------------------------------------
Serena had listened to Aaron's speech and nodded occasionally as he
made a point. so, he was obviously the leader here already. When Aaron
got to the part about acceptance into the group Serena rather thought
that she had taken a "much" larger risk coming to them withthe
information she had. After all it was a seven to one situation.
However, she did understand suspicion as well, she herself simply was
less so.
"This is my dream. This is the Portent of what "may" happen "Serena said as she opened her journal and then she began to read.
The tower stands at the crossroads, or rather, it stands upon the
crossroads. The roads actually meet beneath the base of the
half-mile-high structure, having passed through gates and doors of
ancient oak, bound with bronze straps, heavy with verdigris.
Every stone of the tower itself is engraved with a rune. Some
provide warding from such mundane threats as wind or lightning, but
others are intended to protect against... darker things.
Here, in the world known as Charyk, darker things are well known.
Is not the tower warded against them? Are there not devices
intended to protect the roads below from them. Do the ormvråkarna
not roost in their mews, ready to defend against them?
Do not the bodies of those who served those things swing yet from the
gibbets which encircle the tower, just beneath the entrances to the
mews?
The caravan emerges from the forest, close to suns-set, into the three
mile radius kill-zone which surrounds the crossroads. It is clear
that they are in trouble, although two of the pale suns of Charyk still
hang just above the horizon. The enemy has been growing bolder of
late, and travellers are not assured of total safety, even in daylight.
Lean shapes are harrying the flanks of the draft beasts, and one of
them falls, immediately halting the progress of the lead wagon, which
it is hitched to, and dooming its team-mates in the process.
With the lead wagon halted on the road, it seems that the others too
must stop, or risk moving onto the rough terrain to each side.
The ormvråkarna leap from their perches within the mews, plunging
earthward, before flexing wings, large as bedsheets, to break their
fall and speed towards the enemy. The rider perched on the back
of the leading ormvråk curses, as he sees more of the draft beasts
pulled down, and even as the firelances upon the tower lay down a
withering barrage upon the attacking horde, he knows the caravan will
fail.
He turns to regard the rest of his group, his single eye glaring
angrily out of his scarred face, as he raises the arm that still bears
a hand, and signals them to attack.
And then the forest errupts in a storm of knives and fire, as they appear, wheeling through the air to assault the tower...
Then I awaken with a start. The same dream.
Again. The same people in it. The one-eyed man, the
red-haired woman, the young man with strange eyes, the grim-faced one,
and the soldier... all of them. All dying. Again."
"I am sure you all know who you are. James ,
Joneee, and Cyan should recognize the attacking things. If anyone has
any questions I will be happy to answer."
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan listens silently for a long time, with her bard's ear, taking in
the tale. When Serena is done, the ruby-eyed woman would be
capable of spinning it back, word for word. Perhaps with a few
embelishments, though.
"I have never heard of Charyk," she says quietly. "But the
Archons, they I recognize. 'A storm of knives and fire',
indeed." She frowns. "Berd states that this sounds much
like one of the worlds of the Million Spheres, the worlds of the
Runestaff." A shrug. "But I did notice something else in
your description."
Suddenly she chants, voice clear and bright in the dim room. "He
turns to regard the rest of his group, his single eye glaring angrily
out of his scarred face, as he raises the arm that still bears a hand,
and signals them to attack." Finishing, Cyan waves her
hand towards Aaron. "Aaron, of course. But your choice of
words is interesting. Aaron recently was healed of an injury that
cost him his hand. And here you write that he has only one hand.
"Yet now, again, he has two."
Cyan frowns. "Which means either Aaron is fated to lose his hand
again, the future has already taken a shift and the dream is echoes of
what-might-have-been, or...this dream has been sent to you by someone
who is not aware of where things stand." She moodily taps Kirilinde hilt, the sword still across her knees.
"Serena has seen the archons in her dream. She knew of you,
Aaron, and you, Dorian, before she saw either of you. And we have
Walked through strange Worlds, of late...if any could be called
'pedestrian'. But why would we be defending a tower?
Against the archons, of course, but what lies upon that world?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Serena
-----------------------------------------------------------
One small correction Cyan . I knew of all of you
from the dream. Not just Aaron and Dorian. That is how I found you by
recognizing our picture as Leonardo was sketching it. Serena commented calmly just to be sure they had that straight.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan laughs quietly, shaking her head and tapping it with her
fist. "My apologies, Serena. I have not, apparantly, made
myself clear. My teachers would be horrified." The
mercurial bard seems to have swung back toward a good mood, for the
moment, and her emerald eyes gleam with self-mockery for a moment.
"What I meant was that you described Aaron and Dorian, to me,
before you ever knew or met them. That is a point in your favour,
in my opinion, indicating that you are at least not making things up as
you go along." Her smile takes any sting out of the words.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Serena
-----------------------------------------------------------
Serena smiled and said, "Ah...I understand now. My apologies for the misunderstanding." It never hurt to apologize although most amberites would roll over and die first.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
"The whole thing with the hand is the only fault in the descriptions, and I can think of a few possible reasons for that." Jonnee has finished eating, but that probably has more to do with the empty plate in front of him than any lack of appetite.
"First, and most obvious, is that dreams don't always make perfect sense."
"Second, Serena says she's been having these dreams for a while.
Well maybe Aaron still only had one hand when it started, and in her
dream Serena still sees him like that."
"Third."
He pauses, looking worried for a moment, then continues, "Third
is we don't know just what Jack did to Aaron. Maybe the repair to
his hand isn't real, or it's broken in some way, so in the dream it
still shows as missing."
"Anyway, the dream is close enough to convince me."
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Aaron is silent for a long while, letting those in his group who wished
to speak to Serena do so. He considered her dream, rolling it over in
his mind here and there. The fact that within it he was once more
single-handed had interested him, but for a different reason than its
blatancy.
"The tower will belong to us. Those upon the flying beasts are I and my
group, and according to the dream, I will lead them from a great tower,
in defense of a group of wanderers... or a people in exodus." He speaks
finally, and his mellow voice seems to take up space in the room itself.
"That's one thing about dreams, though," Aaron sighs. "This seems less
like a dream and more like a vision. However, in either case, what you
see can't always be taken as a literal occurence. I may have a lost
hand in her dream," he flexed his left hand, quite unconsciously, "but
that could mean more than the fact that I lacked a limb."
Leaning forwards, Aaron rested his hands upon Ilsefranvir and dragged a finger down her sheath.
"Perhaps the lost hand signifies one of my closest associates lost?" Even as he said it, Jack's absence burned in his mind.
Sighing, he rested back into his chair, nodding to Serena as he did so.
"Whatever the case, our journey has taken us to many places. There may be a place in our future that will resemble, or may even be the tower that Serena's dream speaks of. If that is the case, then we
already may know that the Archons will attack it, and the people who
travel to it."
To Jonnee, Aaron turned his attention, and raised his left hand in his
direction. "This hand seems to be of my flesh, Jonnee. If there are
faults in it, I've yet to run into them... though there are many
unknowns out in the myriad worlds, and I've already come to accept that
I may not have all my limbs remaining by the time my journey is
finished. Whatever Jack did, I know only what I've learned from him and
my brother Eiad... Jadus. The Dark Well takes things as well as gives
them, however flawed those things may be."
Aaron paused again, thinking.
"Quite a disturbing dream, indeed. It will certainly dominate my
thoughts when nothing else takes my attentions." Rising from his chair,
he walked around the room for a moment, finally taking up a position
near the wall, so he could face everyone in turn, though his eye was
leveled at Serena as he spoke.
"I see no problem with accepting Serena into our group. She has already
taken great risks by bringing this message to our attention, and such a
risk as that weighs well upon my own considerations." Turning his eye
to each person in the group, he gestured to Serena and raised his one
good eyebrow.
"Well? What say you lot, should we include this dreamer into our company, if she'll have our protection and companionship?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
"I think there's something you should know before
deciding, Aaron. We managed to capture and interrogate the last of the
Archons that was pursuing us. It told us that the Archons were
working to free the Broken God. The energy drained by the orbs
somehow feeds it. I suppose that once it has fed sufficiently it will
be able to break free. The tattooed arm and the face in the
pyramid where both pieces of the Broken God."
James shrugs dismissively,
"Most of you already know all that. The Archon also said that
they were acting on the instructions of a messenger, who came from
Amber. Serena, though she hasn't out and said it, is almost
certainly one of the family. When she first made contact with
Cyan she swore by the Unicorn."
James looks to Serena, apologetic.
"Sorry, Serena. That suspicion falls equally
on me of course, but they need to know. I, for one, would be
happy to have you along, if you're willing."
James turns back to the others to explain, "On
the way from our confrontation with the Archon she stopped to help a
stricken man on one of the worlds we passed through. That counts
highly with me." and she's prepared to apologise, which is refreshing in one of our line.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan listens gravely to Jonnee's interpretation, nodding as she
does. It makes sense, especially the part about Serena having had
these dreams for some time. The Broken Pattern, used to heal
Aaron, is a significant alteration in The Way Things Are. Perhaps
the dream began before the healing, and the healing itself has not
been...recognized, for want of a better term.
Then Aaron steps in, and to a certain extent, brings up similar points
regarding dreams. Not of the Broken Pattern, and the timing, but
of one, simple fact. Dreams are...fluid. Look at them from
ten directions they mean eleven things.
And then there is the matter of Jadus. Cyan's throat burns, and
she looks away for a moment. Shame floods her, and she nods,
once. I do need to speak to Aaron. And soon.
As always, it seems, James is both the voice of considered caution and optimism, tempered by perception and wisdom. A cool head on that one. Does he miss anything?
"Indeed," Cyan agrees when James is finished. "I see no reason
not to believe Serena, and many reasons why we should trust her.
Just because one happens to be of the Royal Family of Amber does not
mean we should condemn them. Look at James, for example...and
there are others we know, have known, who fall under the same
bloodline. That, I believe, is no reason to interdict Serena from
joining us, should she so wish."
Cyan finally looks up, and her topaz eyes fix on the other red-haired
woman. "For the reason James states alone I would be prepared to
trust in you. But there are others - the dreams, the knowledge of
our names...I could go on. And my word on the matter is yes."
Berd, lying on her shoulders with his back to the center of the small
circle, belches agreement before going back to (apparant) sleep.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dorian glances up from the Palanquet, to Serena. "See
what I mean? I've learned it gets us no where to oppose the group, so
I'll simply refrain from voting on the matter. We've proven ourselves
to be quite capable of betraying our presense to the enemy without
outside help, anyway." His eyes shift to Aaron, but with an amused glint, and then he goes back to gazing at the Palanquet.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
In the quiet that follows Dorian's statement there is a sudden rattling
of rain against the window facing the lake, and a glance in that
direction reveals more rain, sweeping across the water like grey
curtains.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Serena
-----------------------------------------------------------
Serena listened carefully to what they all said. Although her
expression stayed neutral she was quite surprised on Aaron's take on
the dream. He seemed sure he would win but that was not how things
turned out in her vision. That kind of arrogance and self assuredness
screamed amberite to Serena.
Serena had spent so much time alone over the last very many years that
she actually did find herself wanting to join this group. Perhaps she
could help in their cause and help turn the tables a little bit. Since
there was only Jonee left to approve her Serena remained silent
although she was not sure how she felt about Dorian's less than happy
to have her comments. Well, he is only one. The rest all seem to be
good people. I wonder what all of them are and if they are Amberites
who their parents are and how old they are. Turning her neutral gaze to
Jonee she waited for his statement and wondered about the suden change
in weather.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jonnee glances at the window and smiles, showing what seems to be slightly too many teeth. "Rain.
Great! Could be the biggest thing we got going for us.
While it's wet out, the Archons won't come here, at least."
He looks at Serena, head tilted to one side, "The burning ones don't like getting wet, and the knife ones don't like being pinned down."
His attention shifts to Aaron, "They've got weaknesses, which is good to know."
"My vote goes with Serena too. She went through a lot to get here, including talking to Leo." A grimace of overstated horror, "It's not her fault the message she fetched with her is in code."
"We'll crack it in the end. I got every confidence in us." Another smile.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Aaron leaned his head back, and when Dorian finally spoke, he cracked a
smile himself, though he couldn't see the man's eyes. His own were upon
the ceiling, but his head was upon his thoughts.
"The decision is now up to you, Serena." he said, finally lowering his
head to gaze in her direction. He really did gaze alot, actually,
preferring to take everything he could see in one solid look, rather
than glancing here or there. Perhaps the lack of an eye caused it, or
simple habit.
"You may think it over, if you wish." he continued, then began pacing a little, as he spoke aloud.
"My friends, upon hearing of Serena's dream, the first thing that came
to my mind was that we were defending a place of refuge. I spoke of the
tower as 'ours', simply because I believe that in that particular
vision, that tower was already within our posession. There will be
something there that the Archons will want, or may discover after
harassing the approaching caravan. They will be attacking us, from our defensive position... and, according to Serena, we will die."
He sighed and stopped pacing, one hand resting upon his chin as if in thought.
"And yet... why there? Is this dream merely a dream, or a presence of
what may come in the future? Ach. I may not take such prophecy lightly,
but it certainly is a confusing conundrum." Again another sigh, and
Aaron smiled somewhat sheepishly. "Please, pardon my thoughts. I feel
better when I speak such things aloud... though you won't find me doing
that with everything I think."
Not like some people would, anyway. Aaron thought, and a frown very nearly creased his features. For some reason, he immediately pictured both Jack and Leonardo. Whether that was good or bad, he didn't know.
Aaron turned and looked to Jonnee as he spoke of the Archons, his one eyebrow rising.
"They're weak to the very things that would seem blatantly obvious. The
things that, as far as I'm concerned anyway, I'd never even thought of.
Did you lot manage to attempt a bit of 'trial and error' with our
Archon enemies? Magnetism and thunderstorms?" And here he smiled, which
was quite a look on his severely scarred face. Aaron was liking the
image of thrashing Archons quite a bit.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Serena
-----------------------------------------------------------
Serena smiled and said,I
cannot see any good reason not to join your cause and I can think of
many good reasons to do so. However, whenever the time is right for the
rest of you I would like to know a bit about you personally. Not that I
beleive that will alter my decision exactly but a mutual exchange of
information would probably be beneficial. Thank you all for agreeing to
let me be part of your group." Serena said the last bit even though Dorian had actually not agreed but had stepped aside from the issue.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dorian hands the palanquet back to Cyan, with a nod to her. "Thank you." He leans back and looks around the room. "I may ask to see one again, in the future, once I have learned more."
The lot of them had been chosen by Fiona, and he granted them some lee
because of that. He acted under their orders, as did they, a common
bond of sorts. This one, his eyes fell on Serena, had no such bond. A
stranger appearing out of the mists with important visions to save
their lives, a classic story, and enacted at an opportune time, when
they needed a savior the most.
"Of all the points on the compass, there is but one direction, and
time is its only measure*. Time, we have been told, is the advantage
our enemy has over us. My intuition tells me our enemy-- not the
Archons, but the enemy behind the mask-- has had maybe eons to prepare.
Time is the one thing we lack. I suggest, from this point on, we
maintain a keen awareness of time. Our enemy would love for us
to waste time, if they are intelligent-- and they are-- they will try
to divert and distract us. We seem to do a good job of this, ourselves,
too."
Serena was a member of their small army, now. He knew no matter how
vocal he could be on the matter; she would have been accepted anyway. Trusting fools. "Serena, please understand I do not hate you. I distrust you because that is my job. I will watch you, and if you play games with us, I will be the one to end it. However, you are a part of our little group now,
and for all my suspicion, you have my support, as well. The one I
follow put Aaron in charge, and I defer to his judgment-- as misguided
as I feel it is-- because of her. You have my assurance I will treat
you the same as I would any of these."
"We have been seperated; I think it best if we each give a complete
report, in case anything was missed by one party. As well, we have
agreed to exchange information on our... abilities... to better unify
our efforts against the enemy. I have no problem with sharing some
personal information, but please don't make me suffer through your life
stories... the basics will suffice, if it is okay.
*William Shakespeare
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jonnee laughs, a short barking sound, almost like a cough, "Oh
yeah, Aaron, we had some quality time with one of those guys.
Pinned it with magnetism, and it got angry and frustrated.
Stopped it spinning, and it cried like a baby."
Then he looks to Serena, with a nod, "Sure, I'll tell you about me. Not much of a story, like our friend the bard could tell, but it's fairly short."
"I was born in a place called Las Angelos, in a land called
Califonia. Lived most of my life there, running with a
gang. We controlled some prime turf, and a beach where the waves
came in smooth as silk. Nobody messed with us much, and if they
did, we shut them down."
"Life was sweet."
"Then this guy came to me one day and offered me and my bro a
job. He wanted somebody killing, and he was willing to pay us
well to do it. Well, I said yes."
Jonnee removes his old leather jacket and rolls up the short sleeve of
his shirt to show a tattoo that is there, a design of interlocking
lines and angles, which looks vaguely familiar to Serena, "Next thing I knew, I was waking up in the back of a car, and I had this tat."
"I thought of quitting, but the money was tempting, and the tat was
pretty rad, so I decided to go ahead with it. So we drove to the
mark's house, and that's where things went wrong. Bro got killed,
and I got jumped by a bunch of guys who came in. One was Kalika
Wolfblade, and she had Hunter with her."
"Man, I didn't stand a chance. Anyways, they offer me a
choice. Take them back to show them who hired me, or die.
What could I do?"
"When I got home, I found that Kessler had set me up. In the
couple of days I was away, decades had passed at home. All
the turf we'd owned was at the bottom of the sea. A quake, big
one, had dumped half the city into the ocean. Nobody in Las
Angelos would remember Jonnee Kay."
A shrug, and a long pause as Jonnee stares out the window, seemingly lost in thought. "I
asked Collin and Kalika and the others to take me with them. They
were after Kessler's boss, all I wanted was Kessler. They caught
up with Brand eventually, or with the machine that he had moved into
after it fished him out of the Abyss, and let me tell you, the edge of
the Abyss is not a nice place. I got Kessler. End of story."
"Well nearly." Jonnee pulls a packet if cigarettes from his jacket and lights one up. He taps a finger against the tattoo, "This,
it turns out, is a sort of watered-down version of the Pattern,
simplified so it doesn't make my brain melt and run out of my ears."
"Collin and the others were working for Caine, and the prince offered
me a place in Amber, and since I had nowhere else to go I figured I
might just as well stay."
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd, when Jonnee pulls up his shirt, suddenly rolls over and turns,
staring at Jonnee's tattoo with intense interest. So much so that
Cyan starts to get a little nervous.
She has heard the story before, of course, but it never fails to amaze
her. Here is this man, Jonnee...and he speaks of battling against
the demon who sought to destroy the Myriad Worlds themselves.
Brand. A name out of song and legend. And Jonnee helped to
destroy him.
It certainly puts a different feeling on the rough-looking young man.
And that, a piece of the Great Pattern itself...in a manner of speaking...upon his back. Incredible. Shaking her head, Cyan rouses herself somewhat.
"I suppose I shall leap into the breach next," she states, a wry smile
growing on her face. "I name myself Cyan, of No Place in
Particular, and that is as close to the truth as I might come.
There is only one place I could truly call home, and it is destroyed
years past." A sad look comes into her amethyst eyes, but,
closing her eyes briefly, she dispels it.
"To be brief - I know not my parentage, but Berd assures me I am not
one of the lost children of Amber or Chaos. The first thing I
remember is coming across him while lost in a forest, as a young
child. My parents were likely slain - the world was in turmoil,
and by the time I was old enough to truly concern myself with it, the
trail would have been cold." Concentrating, Cyan struggles again
to remember.
...the fluttering of leaves, with the bright light shining through
them...the fluttering of wings, with the bright light catching on tiny
scales...the glittering rainbow of the waterfall, dancing in the
brilliant sunlight...the glittering in the eyes of the creature
flitting down to hover before her...
A child's arm raises toward the tiny dragon.
"Bird! Bird!"
Cyan shakes her head. "No, there is nothing before then." Rubbing her head, she considers where to go next. Best if I make this short.
"I grew up with Berd, and was apprenticed at the Bardic College at
Cattashford. During my time in Cattashford, Berd introduced me,
secretly, to Walking Between the Worlds. Once I acheived my
Journeyman status, Berd and I set out to seek our fortunes." A
small smile quirks her features. "I ended up in a land...yes,
Berd, I shall be brief." The dragon removes his teeth from her
hair. "Eventually we decided to leave Our journey through the
Myriad Worlds took us a great deal of time. Berd does not always
chose the shortest route between points, and we ended up in a great
deal of situations -agh! Fool drake!" Cyan irritably rubs
her head where the dragon has again tugged at her hair. "I
digress." A sour glance toward the dragon, still sitting on her
shoulder. "Suffice to say that we never quite reached
Amber. Our recent time in Cadiniagart was the second closest I
have been, the first being at the opening of this Quest, when I spoke
with Prince Julian and Princess Fiona in the Forest of Arden."
Shrugging, the bard gives the room a crooked smile. "I find
myself not so eager to visit Amber, now. I have seen many
incredible things in my travels to date, and the Great City holds less
of an appeal. As to my travels...well, I am to understand that
those of Amber are particularly long-lived?" She raises an
eyebrow. "Some of the people here might be centuries old, even?"
"Well. I am not. I am as you see before you - less than three
decades of age, and likely the youngest present." Rather
embarassed by that fact, Cyan settles back into her chair.
"Oh! And I am finally finished, Dorian. You may say
something cutting about the length of my tale, now."
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dorian smiles an unusually warm, if not slightly fake, smile. "Something
cutting? Why would I say something cutting, Cyan. It was an adequate
accounting, if not a trifle boring and lackluster for a true bard...
but it was adequate." The smile turns cold, almost critical. "However,
these tales speak nothing of abilities, which I recommend sharing so
that we may know our strengths and weaknesses. In the heat of battle,
it will do no good for Aaron to seek out who can walk the worlds or who
can conjure dragons to our aid, and so forth. It would be advantageous
if he could be fore-armed with knowledge of our talents.... but I offer
this as only a suggestion."
"As for myself, I am simply Dorian. I choose no other title, though
I have had many in the past, including god. I came from a brutal world
called Samain, where I ruled with an iron fist. Yet, I discovered I had
parentage elsewhere, and I seek knowledge of that secret lineage. When
I was found on the doorstep of an orphanage, this device was in my
basket..."
From the folds of his cloak he produces a small, brass compass. He
holds it out for all to see. He presses a button and the cover pops
open. Inside, the tiny iron needle spins lazily, refusing to point in
any single direction.
"In time, I discovered it could lead me across the worlds, and I
explored in great detail. That is to say, I conquered for some time.
Eventually, I asked it to do something different-- I asked to lead me home... it lead me to Amber." His voice suddenly grows softer, gentler. "I
help this quest, not only because Princess Fiona requested it of me,
and I swore service to her, but because she promised to find out about
my lineage in Amber, for me. To try, that is. And yes, Cyan, I have
lived for many centuries. It is hard to tell, given the nature of time.
Time on Samhain moves very quickly, it seems."
"Power..." he changes the subject with a sigh. "I feel there
is only one power, and we merely toy with different facets of that
power, calling it by different names and using it in different ways. My
first clue was in the room with the face. All or our powers were
overwhelmed, at the same time.... this is only my theory, for what it
is worth."
Clearing his throat suddenly, he continues. "I am a sorcerer.
If anyone needs me to elaborate on that, I shall. In addition, I am a
Conjurer and a master of manipulating the minds of others, which I have
demonstrated to most here. Both Sorcery and Conjuration takes a great
deal of time, which is why it is important for me to spend some time
preparing my spells in advance. I have few left to me, now."
"And..." he glances at his grey, withered walking staff, a
crooked piece of driftwood. He seems to hesitate, as if unsure if he
should reveal all his secrets.
"My walking staff, fashioned to look like an ordinary staff, is special. It protects me from harm, nearly all normal harm."
"That is all that can be said about Dorian, and more than needed to
be said. I hope we find it useful in our efforts against the enemy,
whoever that may be."
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Oh, right,if it's abilities you need to discuss, well I have very few of those." Jonnee replies, tugging at one of the rings in his left ear, "Beyond what other people can do, where I come from, that is."
"I'm fast, you've seen that, but it burns up the calories. My
bones are stronger, lighter, and more - um - yeah, resilient, that's
the word, than yours, which means I'm harder to hurt. Then, of
course, there's these."
Muscles bunch across his forearms for a second, and then two blades of
razor edged bone slide smoothly from the backs of his wrists until each
projects a foot or so beyond his knuckles.
"That's all just normal where I come from." "
The ink though is a whole different thing. Originally it was just
a sketch map of part of the pattern. It let me get from Las
Angelos to Merlin's crib to kill him, and then it let me go back
home again. Caine has been teaching me a bit more about it, and I
can use it to find people and places in Shadow, if I know what I'm
looking for."
"Not as good as what Aaron or James can do, but if I need a pizza or a gun or something, I always know where to find one."
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"I am surprised at you, Dorian. Giving away your secrets before
any other. Could it be that you are softening?" There is
gentle mockery in Cyan's tone, and she stares at the dark man with a
wry smile. "No, perhaps not. There must be another motive,
but it is to subtle for me to find...save, perhaps, you wish us to
hurry?"
The truth of the matter is, Cyan is highly impressed by both Dorian's
story and his description of his skills. Honed by centuries of
use, of tyrannical control over his people, no doubt, and now used for
the benefit of all...with an ulterior motive, of course. Or so
Dorian states. He
walked away from rulership, from conquering...because, in the end, it
was not enough for him. And he may be a child of Amber, as well.
And then there is Jonnee, of course. Clever Jonnee...funny Jonnee...mystical Jonnee...deadly Jonnee. A veritable tangle of a person, all in harmony.
Berd's eyelid opens slightly wider when Dorian mentions power, and the
possibility of there being only one. The glittering grows for an
instant, then fades.
With a nod, the bard grows more serious. "Like Jonnee, I shall
attempt to summerize my own abilities. Berd's defy description,
but I shall also make the attempt for him."
The little dragon looks awfully happy about that pronouncement, rising up and nodding his head toward Jonnee before preening.
"My skill lies in the creation and usage of the palanquet - the Far-speakers. I can sketch one in a matter of minutes,
which is by far more quick than Leonardo, for example. In a few
hours, Berd and I can forge a full palanquet capable of
resisting the changes both of its subject and of time. That is my
sole mystic talent that I bring to the group, I fear."
"Beyond that, I am a skilled musician and bard, with knowledge of many
legends throughout the worlds, and more songs than any might imagine,
save perhaps Lexy. I have also, on occasion, been known to fire
the hearts of men and women to action with my words. In the past,
I have had cause to learn a few, less ethical skills, from
necessity." Coughing with embarassment, Cyan gives the group a
rueful glance with her topaz eyes.
Shifting slightly, the bard holds up her sword. "And here lies
another facet of my skill. I have met few people I would call
equal with my skill at arms, and I believe...no, I know that continues to grow. Cuthalion and the Heavy Hand both spoke
of it." Now shame has her glancing down at her feet.
"Regrettably, I have...difficulties with battle. My control is
not...favourable. I have yet to harm a friend, though, and do not
believe I ever will." It's obvious that this part of the
discussion makes her extremely uncomfortable, and she continues.
"I am stronger than the norm for the people of my world, far stronger
and far more enduring. Indeed, I surpass many of the champions of
the Eldar in both regards, much to their surprise. And it was
from those very Eldar that I received a gift."
"Kirilindë." Here Cyan draws her sword partway from
its plain, battered and scarred wooden scabbard. The hilt and
pommel are of simple brass (the hilt so small as to be almost usless),
the grip wrapped with black wire. The blade is straight, thin,
and fairly long. When the tug breaks the friction holding the
sheath on the blade, a rainbow gleam shines for for an instant.
The metal visible is silvery, rather than steely, and, oddly enough,
utterly blunt for the first six inches or so. "It cuts iron like
wood, and wood like paper." For an instant, a rainbow shimmer
ripples up the length of blade visible, carrying with it a vision of
clouds, a blue sky, and mountains in the distance. "Thanks to
Berd, it bears a palaquet of my home, as does my harp." Cyan happily pats that particular case, strapped to her backpack.
Now she fingers her clothing. "My clothing also bears within it a palanquet image, this one of myself. I use this image to defend myself
against sorcery and other powers, and it gives the clothing a
certain...hardening against the blades of my enemies."
With a sigh, the bard pauses, taking a look at the half-asleep dragon on her shoulder. Lips thinning, she continues.
"Of Berd, I can only give my own experience. I have never seen
his like anywhere within the Myriad Worlds, and neither has any I have
met. Oh, physically, perhaps...but otherwise?" She taps the
little dragon on the end of his nose, and he breathes out a small cloud
of fulminating smoke. "It was he who taught me the art of the palanquet. Berd, himself, is capable of reaching through the Myriad Worlds with his thoughts, much as a palanquet can, seeking out those he knows, or places of which he is familiar,
even if only through spiritual impression, and observing them, or
working his power on them at a distance. It is Berd who opens
gateways for us to Walk between the Worlds, he and I. He can
travel at will, much as those who bear the Mark of the Pattern within
their blood, only less...reliably." Berd snorts at that.
"And his control over the Myriad Worlds is...well, many of you have
seen of what he is capable. He twists reality, creates and
destroys, makes it dance, should he so wish. I have seen him
forge servents from air and dust, turn stormfall to acid, shatter
armies, drive the memory of our passage from people and machines, and
cause a single flower to bloom."
Cyan's lips twist in another wry smile. "Regrettably, I know little of
where his power derives. I am not entirely certain Berd, himself,
knows. The only thing I DO know for certain is that he was once
much, much more than he is now. Something happened, long ago,
something terrible, that shattered him...and I believe Berd begins to
remember." She looks at the little dragon, sitting on her
shoulder. "It began in the battle, did it not, when you touched
that well of power?"**
Berd simply looks inscrutable.
"He grows, now. His psychic defenses have doubled, doubled
again. Once only capable of cloaking myself and himself from
detection, and that is another of his tricks, Berd can now raise an
almost invulnerable fortress around those who connect with his spirit,
and wage a full-scale, spiritual war against any attackers." Cyan
nods.
"Something changes in him, and continues to do so, the more he...remembers."
About to continue, Cyan suddenly blinks, then turns to Dorian.
"Regrettably that went on longer than I had expected. Forgive
me. I now yield the floor."
** See part 24a, War Without End.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Excellently told, Cyan." Dorian ofers a slight smile for a moment. "And there is always another motive; these are only my goals for the moment. I have millenia waiting to unravel my true goals."
He notes the tiny drakes reaction to his wild theory and smiles, catching Berd's eye for a moment.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Milennia..." Cyan sighs, leaning back, a rueful look on her
face. "A pity I will not live to see them come to fruition.
I am, truthfully, interested." Because
you have changed, Dorian, even now, from the person you were when we
met. A bit of life away from Ûdun, that hell you called a
home...and you are not the same man.
Berd grins at Dorian from across the room.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Bah! I am overambitious, my plans are nothing. Perhaps the
immediate goal is more important to me than it seems. Perhaps I seek my
father simply to end him for leaving me in that hell to be raised, and
perhaps the man who left me there was not even my father. It's nothing."
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Aaron always was one for stories, and despite Dorian's warnings and
casting about the words of the great tree, Aaron personally felt that
he wouldn't let that fact get to him.
Aaron decided then, that he would not let the Archons, or whatever they
served, ever dictate his state of mind. For this time, he and his group
in this cabin, Aaron would make sure that the Archons did not steal
their time.
Jonnee's story always seemed to grab him in a way he couldn't
understand. The fact that the man had faced up to one of the Lords of
Amber, a straight-blooded Prince no less, still caused him to scoff.
The scoff wasn't one of disbelief, but of sheer amazement. It was an
awesome feat... but it also showed that even those who seem the
strongest in Amber can fall fast when their weaknesses are revealed.
Cyan's story was familiar to him, having heard it so many times
already. It still didn't cease to cause him to smile, and even frown at
times, for he knew a few of the things that she hid, and not merely for
the sake of Dorian's patience.
But Dorian, he had changed the most, it seemed. The man's
mind was full of a depth that Aaron felt he could never hope for. A
person whose whole purpose in life was to dominate others, who measured
the worth of whole races by testing their abilities against his own,
was suddenly revealing a softer side to people he still wasn't sure he
trusted. The fact that he did so before Serena, a complete stranger,
proved that even more.
Aaron knew that James had yet to speak, but Aaron felt that, as the
leader of this ragtag band, he was next in line. After all, Cyan hadn't
spoken first this time.
And so, he found a seat, cleared his throat and raised his voice a bit.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Serena
-----------------------------------------------------------
Serena had listened with rapt attention to each of their stories and
had been translating terms they used in to the terms as she knew them.
As Aaron cleared his throat Serena turned her emerald eyed gaze on him.
Frankly, each one had told such a unique, interesting and impressive
story she was pretty sure hers would be the most boring one of them
all. She had some questions for almost all of them so far but did not
want to interrupt. Instead she deecided to wait until after she told
her story last to ask the things she was curious about or that needed
clarification.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Ever since the day I met Jack, I have discovered that there is more to who I am than even I truly know. With every step I take upon this journey, I end up learning
more and more about myself, where I've come from, what I'm capable of,
and who I am."
Aaron held his blade within his hand as he sat down. A single swift
movement unsheathed the weapon, and he impaled the tip of it between
his feet, so he could lean his weight upon the blade.
It was a long blade of black, similar to a saber save for the trailing,
almost invisible edge along the rear of its length. The hilt was
wrapped leather, or something equally similar, the handguard two
lengths of curved steel. The gaze in Aaron's eye spoke simply of time,
a great amount of time, having passed since he'd obtained that sword.
"I am Aaron, son of Calith and Enoch, of the blood of Garathume the
White, whose blood held the Pattern. My birthplace was Ald Thiriel, my
power is from Amber, and my kingdom was San Anyn. I track our enemies
and lead this group only of my own volition, rather than the order of
the Leadership of Amber, despite the fact that one of them named me
that leader." His eye sharpened at the mention of each name, the colors
of dying leaves spiralling down within it.
"As I hold the Pattern within me, for I have walked the lines in Amber,
I could have left this group at any point. And I have, more than once,
to my own folly. That folly, and my dedication to our purpose, is the
reason why I lead this group. I fight alongside the lot of you, with
this blade in my hand."
Here, he raised his sword, and the blade seperated into eight completly
seperate versions of itself, a literal sword-whip trailing down into a
small, black-and-silver pile between his feet. A twist of his wrist,
and the blade was together again, Aaron's weight resting upon it.
"This is Ilsefranvir, a blade of Anynian make. No flesh, no bone, no
armor can withstand her edge. She has the ability, though not as
precise as my own, to manipulate the stuff of reality, as well as make
me known of immediate dangers."
Aaron smiled slightly after a moment, and he stared down at the blade with a wistful look.
"Well? Introduce yourself!"
Removing his hands from the pommel of the blade, Aaron leaned back in
his chair and watched as the sword seperated again, remaining upright
and rotating seven of her eight blades. A new voice suddenly
materializes from the direction of the weapon. Light, femenine, but
with a subtly hidden depth; a singer's voice, to be sure.
"I would sigh if I lacked the patience, but dealing with you has caused me to develop an almost overabundant amount of it," the blades stopped moving for a moment, before reversing direction. "I am Arianne den Ilsefranvir. I've been Aaron's advisor since long
before I sacrificed myself to this blade, and his friend for even
longer than that. If any of you have ever wondered what's kept Aaron
sane for a majority of this journey, you have me to thank for it."
"Far be it from me to speak of myself, but I've
quite the mind, as I used to be just like each one of you. As long as
I'm with Aaron, I have the ability to communicate with any one of you,
should you allow the psychic contact. As Aaron already stated, whenever
something doesn't carry my attention, chances are I'll warn you, and
not just Aaron, of any danger approaching. That, however, is the least
of my abilities."
"My greatest ability, as long as I'm in this blade, is the ability to kill."
Then Aaron resheathed the blade, quite swiftly, and rested the weapon upon his knees once again.
"Those are my ablities and my items, save for the Armor Herzkrieg," and
here Aaron knocked a fist against the scale-armor plate that was hidden
beneath his jacket. Its silver was so polished that it was nearly
totally hidden, having reflected the blackness of his duster. "There
are few things that can breach this, though it has lost a great amount of its ancient powers."
Sighing, Aaron nodded and leaned back, folding his hands in his lap and over his sheathed sword.
"That's that."
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
Why Cyan, I'm old enough to be your pa. In his mind James pronounces 'pa' with a drawl, twisting it into something like 'paw'. And Aaron's probably old enough to be my great-grandfather.
quote:"That's that."
James sits up a little straighter, "I scarce know where to begin my story since it seems the beginning is also the end, or perhaps it is the other way around..."
"I am sorry, I shall try to be brief."
James stops for a moment to collect his thoughts. "I
have recently been told that my mother was Deidre of Amber. I do
not know whether this is true, but one day I hope to find out. In
any event I have walked the Pattern on Kolvir so there is no doubt that
Aaron and I are related, if very distantly."
"I did not know about my parentage until very recently. I was
placed with foster parents and grew up on a world I knew as
Earth. I was a soldier there, and a mercenary, but I left the
army."
James pauses, "I feel I owe you an explanation here. On Cargach's world, when you..."
James starts again. "During my second
stint in the army, when I was serving in the SAS, the unit I was in was
called Hua Noc Hinh, the Night Terrors. We were a psy ops unit
operating behind enemy lines. Our modus operandi was to scout an
enemy position, or even a suspect village and capture a couple of
sentries. Then during the night we would torture them. The
enemy unit could hear their comrades pleading, and screaming, but they
knew that if they came to help we'd pick them off in ambushes. We
taught them that the hard way. When they came looking in the
morning they'd find the mutilated body hung from a tree and no trace of
us."
"They did it to us, so some bright spark in Intel figured payback was o.k."
"Trouble was, some of the boys in my unit got to like it a little too well...Enough! I'll just say that up here," James taps the side of his head, "are
more ways to cause pain than any sane person should know. I'd
rather die than go back to that. So I was very glad that you
found a way to deal with that guy, even if meant messing with his head."
"I'm still not sure if I like the idea that I was prepared to torment
the Archon for information simply because it wasn't human."
James swallows hard, then continues, "I left
the army. More recently I've been a student. At my last
university I was approached by a man, who turned out to be Bleys.
Bleys took me to Amber, taught me a few things about my family and had
me walk the Pattern. He gave me my sword as a sort of welcome
present."
James pats the empty spot at his left hip where his sword used to hang. "I
had to leave it behind when the Archons chased us, but I can get it
back. Like Isefranvir it can cut through pretty well
anything. Truth is I don't really need it. I'm stronger
than anybody I know and I'm schooled in a number of martial arts.
I'm probably more dangerous without it."
"In terms of what we have done since we parted there's not a lot more
to say, except to add detail. Sephiroth summoned a bladewheel to
assist him against Cargach's forces. Berd attacked it directly
and forced it to retreat. Sephiroth summoned further
reinforcements. The rain Berd created extinguished the
firewheels. The bladewheels seem to be a second class, without
the firewheels command they began to fight amongst themselves.
Sephiroth regained control and sent the survivors in pursuit of
us. I used the Pattern to lead us between worlds, seeking out
natural booby traps. Where conditions weren't perfect Berd gave
them a nudge. We thinned the pursuit and managed to keep our
noses in front until I found a world who's planet's magnetic field was
enough to pin them. The stronger of the two Archons killed the
weaker and grew. But Jonnee is right. Stillness is
intolerable to them. It told us what I have already told you."
"I've been thinking. We speak a lot about the Pattern, but some
of you have never seen it and probably don't know all of what it can,
and can't, do. I'm no expert, but..."
"I can use the Pattern to walk between worlds. There being a
theoretically infinite number of worlds I can find pretty well anything
I want. I set my heart on something and then progress towards it
by willing incremental changes until the circumstances are right for
that thing to be present. It seems to require less mental power
than some disciplines, just the desire and endurance, since it is
tiring. Importantly, I can't just impose my will upon reality as
Dorian and Berd seem capable of."
James grins and relaxes back into his seat, glancing across to Serena.
"And now you can see why Dorian is impatient with our stories."
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan listens with a small smile to Aaron speak of himself and
Arianne. She knows the story, of course, and knows many of
Aaron's abilities already. They have discussed them,
before. Herzkreig is something a little new to her, and she studies the battered armor with interest.
Some things, however, surprise her. Ald Thiriel?
And who are these names? Aaron is not a child of Amber, but one
of her BLOOD. There is much more to him, now, than there was
before. He has never mentioned this. Knowledge regained, or
simply avoided until now?
How will this affect him?
Then James begins, and Cyan's amythest stare sharpens. The man is
an enigma, and the bard does not like such things. Mysteries are
meant to be solved...mostly. Perhaps his story will shed some
light?
And it does.
Deirdre of Amber. 'Was'. She has died, then?
She shudders at his recounting of the War. Part of Cyan's mind is
fully aware of the destructive force of psychological warfare.
Most of her mind, though, recoils from the methods, horrified. He
was a soldier. In many worlds, soldiers do as they are told...but
that does not absolve them of responsibility. How could
he...? Enough! James is not the same man. Witness his
actions, now. He has learned. Whatever his past, he has
learned.
She considers Dorian for a long moment. A despotic ruler. A
conquerer. Fascistic, arrogant...no doubt many people perished
under his rule. And yet he has thrown it aside, cast it away, to
live the life of a wanderer. And is there not a better man there
than the Despot of the past?
Yes. And if you can forgive Dorian for his past, and well you
should for he has left it behind, you can forgive James. For he
is no longer that man.
And she does. For that is one gift that Cyan does possess.
It does seem that potent blades are de rigeur, here. She has little doubt that both Fangmir and Ilsefravnir are more deadly than her own. While Kirilindë is razor keen and cuts steel like tin, it can be stopped.
For a moment she considers another possibility, then discards it. Not a good idea, that. Best to leave it where it lies.
James, ever the tactician, comes up with a reasonably good accounting
of the situation they left behind, as well as a quick recap of their
observations of the Archons. He then moves into territory which
is new to Cyan. For, at odds to what James says, she knows little
of the Pattern. Most of what she DOES know has been gleaned from
Lexy, from Aaron, and from Jack's discussions of his Broken Pattern.
Now she better understands how it works. Nobody has explained that to her before. They
shift...gradually. Piece by piece. Changing things. I
wonder, is that how Berd moves us? It does not feel quite the
same...but close.
And from where DOES Berd derive his own power?
"A few more points to add. The Bladewheels of the Archons are
deadly. I would not like to hazard myself against one - each one
of them slaughtered the Warriors of Prime's world in the hundreds
before Berd...altered the Warriors. And even then, things were
not equal, from what I saw. But they seem to be weaker than the
Firewheels, spiritually."
"The Firewheels carry their power within, or so it seems. Their
strength lies in a more mystic area, though I suspect they can also
enter battle most effectively with their flames. As James states,
and logically, they are the leaders, controlling and overawing their
lesser soldiers."
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Very well, it appears we have just one left. Serena, we've heard
your dream. If you're to join us, we would also like to hear about your
abilities-- I'd hate to think we just adopted some child with no means
of defending herself-- and I'm sure everyone is just dying to hear
about your life story, as well." He turns his eyes back to Berd, as if completely ignoring the person he just adressed.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Surprisingly, James' accounting of his past was one that Aaron himself
found familiar. He had heard many stories, and even during a few of his
recent travels, seen the resluts of, specially trained units and groups
that focused on psychological warfare, and a sapping of the enemy's
strength through vicious manipulation.
Despite his better judgements, a piece of him filed that idea away. Just what would freak out an Archon?
His description of their battles with the Archons caused his mind to
grind away at the possiblities. The Archons were a formidable race, and
an even more formidable enemy, but they were no longer insurmountable.
They had weaknesses, blatant weaknesses that Aaron still felt he should
have realized. Seperate them, divide them until they absorb eachother
and then limit their mobility and effectiveness by manipulating the
surrounding environment to our advantage.
It was not impossible... but Dorian's earlier statement, about all of
their abilities being linked under a single, powerful uni-system, made
him realize that no matter what they leveled against the Archons, they
still had the ability to cause a "blackout", so to speak. If this uni-system, this... 'current', truly existed.
If it did, then speculation would state that they had to find the
connection between the Broken God, and how it eliminated the power
beneath their Powers. Then they needed to discover how the Archons
leveled control over such a thing, and shut them down.
Sighing quietly, he turned his attention to Dorian, and then to Serena, once his point had been made and understood.
"Indeed," Aaron spoke to her now. "I too am curious of your heritage, and of the skills you bring to our group."
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Serena
-----------------------------------------------------------
Serena was not nervous about telling her life story exactly. It was
more a matter of never having done it before. That and trying to make
sure she neither rambled on nor left out anything that this particular
group of people would need to know.
"First of all, I would like to say that I have
never before told anyone the story of my life and most definitely have
never told anyone what all my skills are so I ask you all to bear with
me if the telling is a little disorganized or rambling." Serena stated calmly but softly.
"I as born and raised in Amber. Around my
twelfth year I began my education of the Pattern and of Sorcery. Both
of those were taught to me by my mother. I also learned sword work,
tactics and other aspects of combat from the best of the best my Uncle
Benedict. So, I am good at that. I could have been much better if
I had chosen to invest more time in it. However, I spent most of my
time working on Sorcery as that was what would allow me to do what I
wanted to do with my life. At the age of twenty -five I walked the
Pattern and shortly thereafter I left Amber. My mother wanted me to
stay and learn other talents but I wanted to pursue my primary
interest. However, I must add part of the reason I wanted to leave so
badly were my myriad of Aunts and Uncles. It is not as though any of
them had a grudge against me and I had to run. It was more a matter of
not being able to stand the way they behaved.
Serena paused for amoment to think of how to explain the way they had all been back then,""Almost
all of them turned subterfuge, backstabbing, and word twisting into a
high art form. I simply did not want to be involved in all of it. I am
not sure how most of them viewed me, whether they thought that my plain
way of speaking and direct approach to things was in it's own way a
subterfuge or if they thought I simply wasn't able to keep up and that
I was essentially flawed. My mother used to grumble my father was too
human. In any event I left. There wasn't any lasting damage between my
mother and I. It wasn't that serious.
" I wanted to be a healer. Nothing really
grandiose. So, I spent a large span of time learning and perfecting
that craft. I'd use the Pattern to send me to whatever challenge I
cureently was looking for. My bags hold herbs, poultices, bandages and
my journals. All of the things work on their own and often have saved
me using spells where it was not necessary. That and the fact they
function as a cover or ruse if you will. The first time I healed
someone with magic and was then chassed out of town by an angry mob
screaming burn the witch was the last time. I can heal the body, the
mind and the land. Serena stated all this in a matter of fact tone.
"I am also adept at combative magics and
defensive magics. I have found what I believe is a unique form of
combative spells Perhaps Dorian has thought of them or perhaps
not. I only mention it because *I* find it singularly unpalatable and I
don't use it unless it is literally life or death. To put it
simply the spell I used on the dying man was designed to leech
out poison. However, alter the spell and you could leech out blood, or
spinal fluid. I consider it a form of anti- healing. There are many
ways to fix things and an equal number of ways to break them apart. Serena made an instinctive kind of grimace as she did not like those spells at all.
"To finish up I would return home every twenty to
thirty years see mother if she was there.If not leave a note. Drop my
journals, pick up new one's, that sort of thing. Visit with whoever
happened to be around at the time. The last time I saw any of them was
about two years ago. My mother trumped me home to go with her to what
is now called the Patternfall wars. I didn't fight so if any of you
were there you wouldn't have noticed me as I was back with the other
healer's. I swore fealty to my youngest Uncle Random said goodbye to my
relatives and went off again.
"I would like to add that in Amber years I
am 145 but my mother says I have spent so much time in Shadow that that
is really an arbitrary number. This ring I wear is not just a
pretty bauble." Suddenly rather than a ring Serena is holding a
sword with a gold pommel. An amethyst the size of a thumb is set in it
and engraved upon it in white gold is a lily threaded through the
eternity symbol. After a few moments it returns to her hand as a gold
and amethyst ring withthe same symbol. "" The
reason I didn't use any defensive spells to protect myself from all of
you is the ring will warn me if danger is about and since it was silent
I knew I was safe enough. It also serves as a place to store my spells
so I don't have to spend all my time building them. However, as Dorian
stated I still do need time to build the one's I use up."
"I have to say I am relatively sure who has
been sending me that vision and pushing me towrds all of you. It is a
name I have heard from Leonardo, Dorian, and alluded to I believe by
Aaron. This person has the ability to do so and would know the kind of
thing to send me that would disturb me enough to find out what it meant
and more importantly pass it to you. I believe it was Fiona, Princess
Fiona, Or as I have called her all my life Mother. Serena then
fell silent feeling as though Dorian would surely say something about
the lengthy account of her tale. That and possibly what she had to
offer that others didn't. Serena wasn't to worried. Although she would
like to stay with a group after spending so much time alone it would
not kill her to go off alone again.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Another scion of Amber...another Sorcerer...and another one far, far older then myself.
Cyan shrugs. She will have to make do. She knows that,
despite her age and lack of experience, she brings some useful things
to the table.
"Well then - you have led a long and full life, Serena. If I live
to be...one hundred forty five years-" she blinks sapphire eyes in
amazement, and resolves not to ask Dorian or Aaron exactly how old they
are (James, too, for that matter, though he seems younger from his story) "-I will be well pleased with my vigour."
She eyes the ring as it changes into a blade, and does not seem quite
as surprised as she might have been. "That appears to be a
popular trick...there was a woman I met, recently, another child of
Amber, who had a similar ring. Are these hidden weapons common
among those of Amber?" she asks, flicking a glance to James (who, out
of the other Sons of Amber present, has spent time in that fabled city).
The 'storing' of spells is beyond her - Cyan has only the most limited
knowledge of sorcery, from an academic standpoint. The spell she
mentions sounds...most horrifying. Is there a good way to die, I wonder? No doubt Dorian has thought up equally horrific magics...witness his offer earlier, in Cargach's world.
She considers Serena's past in Amber, learning from her mother, the
Princess Fiona, the woman to whom Cyan had sworn to complete this
quest. Prince Benedict...that was the man Jack and I met with her. The best of the best? She certainly knew the man was good, better than she, herself. No doubt the Princes and Princesses of Amber are all, similarly skilled in other ways.
The people of Amber, though... the more Cyan hears of the place, the less she desires to visit. It
sounds like a wonderful city...with a large cancer at its core.
How do they live like that, always fighting among themselves?
With family, even!
"I, myself, am impressed. It is not a common thing to meet a
dedicated healer - such people, who give of themselves to help others
in need, are certainly worthy of respect." She stands and gives a
little bow to Serena. Berd opens one eye and makes a rather
magnaminous nod. "You could at least show some appreciation,"
Cyan mutters, sitting back down. She turns her attention back to
Serena. "And I can see by the way you hold it that you are
skilled with the blade."
Sorcery, the Great Pattern, and an enchanted blade. Certainly
a Princess of Legend, and a potent addition to our little, merry
band. Though frankly, in our present states, I would be pleased
to have any real assistance. Impressed, Cyan falls silent for
a moment, then frowns. "I am surprised, though, that your mother
simply did not inform you of our plight, of the plight of the Myriad
Worlds. Why would she take such a roundabout route to having you
join us?"
Unnoticed by the bard, Berd's head suddenly dips lower, staring at her
pouch, his eyes beginning to glitter like diamond dust in the sunlight.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Though I too, am curious as to why Fiona wouldn't inform her daughter
of the extreme dangers within the myriad worlds, it doesn't strike me
as surprising that she did not." His eye glanced at Cyan, and Aaron
shrugged. "I'm beginning to think that our mission is considered a
'state secret.' If that's the case though, I doubt it will remain so
for long. I believe that before this battle is over, great powers will
have leveled themselves against, or for, the Archons."
Sighing, Aaron leaned back a bit more into his chair, his fingers tented over Ilse's sheath.
"Quite the life you've led, Serena. I'm quite satisfied that we have
more than one mystical person amongst our group, and more than
satisfied at your specific talents. Long have I wished for the presence
of a true healer in our group, one who manifests such power without
possible... backlashes."
Aaron ran a hand through his hair, his fingers pausing at the great
mass of scars over his face as if checking to see if they were still
there. They were... and still his eye had yet to return. Prices paid,
even still.
"Now," he said, and sat up straighter. "I believe you all should know
that, prior to arriving here, Dorian and I visited a world known as Ald
Thiriel. This world was my birthplace, and is home to a great many...
primal forces. I was able to question the representative of one such
force during my short stay, and the one single answer I recieved, as
Dorian has stated, is that we lack time. Time is our enemy."
"So, my friends, considering our situation, what should our next step
be? A trip to Amber, to inform the Lady Fiona of all we've learned may
be a good idea... though that is up to debate."
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Or we could take the fight to them for a change." Jonnee says, teeth bared in a feral grin that has Hunter pricking up his ears, "We,
well Cyan, sent one of them home. If we went there we could walk
in and do some damage, then get out again. If we could find a way
to bring a storm to visit, it might kill a few of them."
He tilts his head towards Aaron. "We
have an orb and two cubes. The cubes would let us keep going back
there, take an army with us. The orb could be triggered there, so
long as we know how to do it. Okay so they might be able to shut
it down, but if they do that, then maybe we can learn how to kill the
orbs by watching how they turn that one off."
"Whatver happens, it would force them to think about defence for a
while, instead of attack. Put a hitch in their plans.
Perhaps make them a bit nervous and slow them down for a while."
"Anyway, it felt good to hit them back, over on Cargach's turf."
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
"My next step is to recover. I need to meditate and replenish my
spells. After that, I would suggest we contact Fiona-- is it necessary
to travel all the way back to Amber? That will take time, and if our
enemy is in Amber, it'll draw suspicion if we keep showing up and
having meetings with Fiona. Though, Serena would draw no suspicion--
and I am eager to speak with Fiona, for other reasons.
"I do see the wisdom in attacking them and putting them on the
defensive. However, I don't believe the Archons are out true enemies.
We have an enemy, possibly in Amber, who has had much time to prepare.
These plans are ancient and well set, I wonder if a diversion such as
this would truly be enough. I don't know. We can only hope it is.
"To stop an enemy action, you need to do two things. First, know their
plans. Second, cripple them so they can't enact their plans. I don't
believe we know their plans at this point. I wish I knew how to
discover their plans, however, given time, I might be able to devise
something.
I need to escuse myself while I prepare. I will leave your all for a
time. Perhaps it would be wise for us all to rest before we form a
plan. We will think better once we've had time to ponder the situation
and our enemy-- I will certainly do so."
With that, Dorian stands and heads back to the bedroom he used before, without so much as a nod or gesture of fare well.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan typed:Are these hidden weapons common among those of Amber?" she asks, flicking a glance to James.
James catches Cyan's glance and shrugs. The question really
wasn't for him to answer. Bleys hadn't encouraged mixing during
the short time he had spent in the city.
He watches as Dorian walks out of the room. Dorian was right in a
way, a short rest would do them all some good. Even after a solid
meal James felt dead on his feet from the chase through worlds.
But there were some things that needed to be said.
"Dorian is right, to a point. I think we now
have a fairly good idea of what the enemy is trying to do. What
we don't know is why. Perhaps worse, we don't know precisely how,
which makes their plans very hard to counteract."
"Much as I would like to strike out against the Archons I don't think
Jonnee's plan would work. We might be able to take out the
Archon's home but there's no certainty we would succeed. And it would
take a protracted campaign. Like it or not, we are in catch-up
mode. There are almost certainly thousands of orbs. Even
striking at the transmission points will only slow them down."
"The enemy has two singularities. The Broken God and the
messenger. The Broken God is itself scattered and likely to be
well protected. So... I suggest we go to Amber and report
to Fiona. I would also suggest that we tell no one that our
purpose is to locate the messenger."
"It is a risky approach. It's entirely possible that Fiona is
hunting the messenger herself while using us as 'field troops' and will
not appreciate the interference, particularly if the messenger is
already aware of us and not of Fiona. There is also a remote
possibility that Fiona is the messenger and we're being played for fools. If Bleys' report of his sister is correct, we really don't want that to be true."
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan isn't certain what to do.
On the one hand, Jonnee's idea of taking the fight to the enemy,
immediately, makes sense. They are working with a brutal time
deficit at the moment - now is not the time to head back to Amber and
discuss things with the superiors.
On the other hand, James' words hold good wisdom. How can one
simply lash out, blindly, through the myriad worlds in search of a head
to cut off? They have no idea where. True, they know a
citadel of the enemy, and another (the one found by Jack). They
have the cubes. The orbs. What they don't have is time.
Dorian offers a compromise, oddly enough. Contact Fiona via palanquet, and then search for the Enemy. But...is a compromise a good alternative in this situation?
She jerks at a terse message from Berd, then looks up at Aaron.
For a long moment Cyan stares at the man, then she abandons eloquent
speech to simply shrug. Jack's disappearance...the long run...the
tension...and now this news? Wearily, Cyan puts her face in her
hands and settles for a quick rub.
"Risks will have to be taken one way or another," she states
hoarsely. "Without risking a short-cut, we will never, ever make
up the lost time. That does put us in the position of losing
all...but we operate right now at such a loss that we must stretch for
something difficult. We have the knowledge of two of our Enemy's
worlds, one of which is some kind of bastion of Power...and we also
have Amber, with a possible traitor."
Reaching into her pouch, she slowly pulls out the cube, staring at it
with loathing. Berd hisses, eyes still burning, as Cyan turns the
cube this way and that.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Serena
-----------------------------------------------------------
Serena watched as Dorian went off and the others began talking about
what to do and understandably the more they talked the more she did not
understand. The one she did understand was Dorian. She knew well the
time it would take for him to replenish his spell arsenal.
First off, let me answer Cyan's questions as best
as I can. Are the rings uncommon. Not precisely I have an Uncle whom
you just recently brought up. Bleys actually who tends to wear three
rings. I am one hundred percent certain they are not all ornamental. I
am also one hundred percent unsure of what they do. I believe all of
them have their little tricks. Whether it be a ring or something else.
Secondly, the primary reason I can think of for Fiona not to go the
obvious route and trump me or as you say Cyan use a palanquet is
because she wanted to avoid a bunch of annoyingly direct questions.
There would also have been the likelihood I might decline altogether.
Whoever sent the vision or portent knew exactly what would get under my
skin and employed it well enough for me to do what I did.
Serena looked at them all and then continued saying,"Now
that Bleys is in the mix it seems to me all the more likely I may have
decided this was an interfamily brou-ha-ha that I simply would not
involve myself in. I have some questions. First of all, who was the
daughter of Amber and whose child did she claim to be? Secondly what is
that? Serena points to the cube Cyan is holding""What orb are you speaking of? and lastly What did Bleys say in regards to Fiona?"
Serena was rather more surprised about the last thing than the rest of
it. As far as tight went in the family Bleys and Fiona had always been
close. So, what was going on that had Bleys evidently seriously
undermining her mother or Fiona was up to something and now she was
involved like it or no.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Suddenly, everyone was speaking of the cubes, and Cyan had even
retrieved hers. The words of Yggdrasil came rolling back, and Aaron
stood up, no doubt attracting the attention of everyone else in the
room.
"The cubes... I do not believe we can trust them any longer."
Then Aaron reached into his jacket, withdrawing first his own cube with one hand, and then his deactivated orb with the other.
"While time may be our enemy, perhaps we have been tricking ourselves
all along." Looking to Cyan, his eye took on a very serious stare.
"Do you remember, on Jadus' world, when we were visited by Luke, that
he referred to our group as a bright beacon, one that could be seen by
those with the ability to detect it? The power I consulted with
detected my cube almost immediately, and the reaction it garnered was
not one I wished to hear."
Sighing, Aaron gazed upon each surface of the cube, each world that he'd been to since he'd found it.
"I believe these cubes of ours may act like tracking devices for our
enemies. If that is the case, then Cyan, they've been tracking you
since the very beginning."
"The orbs are something entirely different, a thing that I know I
should understand... but can't quite grasp. The orbs draw power from a
world, sucking the life out of it until it's nothing more than a
useless husk. If you try to interfere with one using any of the primal
forces at our command, you get knocked around quite a bit. There are...
ways, however, to deactivate them." Aaron suddenly looked very pained,
just before he turned his back to the group with a tired-sounding sigh;
the orb in his left hand was clutched almost in a death grip.
"Whatever decision we make, and the decision will be mine in the end, I
agree that we need to rest for a while first. Simply put, we've been
run ragged. No, we don't have time. No, the Archons won't stop
absorbing worlds while we sit and sleep. No, our hidden enemy in Amber
- and I do believe someone there is against us - will not stop. But I refuse to be
pulled and yanked by forces seeking my destruction. We need a bit of
rest, and if they don't like it, I can show them where they can stick
it."
"So that's it." Turning again, he nodded, leaning on his sword as if
only it was keeping him upright. "Get what rest you can. I'll gather
everyone together, and hopefully we can take our next step. Cyan," and
then he looked to her, pocketing both his orb and his cube in the
process. "I wish to speak with you, if you wouldn't mind. We have much
to discuss."
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Serena's explanation of the rings and the palanquet gets an ironic smile from the bard, who then nods along with Aaron's
explanation. "Berd said much the same," she murmurs, "and is
cloaking this one as best he can, now."
Slipping the cube into her pouch, Cyan turns to Aaron. "We have
spoken much of ourselves, and of what we can do...but we have not yet
told Serena why.
She knows nothing of our travels, our reasons for doing this, the quest
itself. If we are to invite her to join us...might it not be wise
to first inform her of what we seek? What we seek to prevent?"
A ruby-eyed glance back to Serena. "The Child of Amber of whom I
spoke was named Kaelyn. A mercenary, who briefly joined us.
I know not her parentage, I fear - only that she had red hair."
Cyan touches her own, brilliant hair, and indicates Serena's.
"This does not seem to be so rare, though."
"Aaron, may I tell Serena the story of our journey?" Again....
It always seems to fall to Cyan. Well, that is her lot. She
is a bard, after all. "Then, if you wish, we could speak
together?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
"If you two need to speak Jonnee and I can fill
Serena in. I know there's a lot of history there that we only
know second-hand but we can cover the basics." James posture shows ambivalence, he's happy enough to do it but he doesn't really care.
"Serena, Bleys merely said that Fiona had the
sharpest mind in the family and that I should not underestimate her
because she can't knock me flat like Gerard or cut me up like
Benedict. All I meant to say was that if she is secretly against
us, we are in a lot of trouble because she has the experience to run
circles around us and enough power not to have to."
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan frowns, shooting a worried glance in James' direction. Then
the bard nods, stuffing the cube back into her pouch, Berd hissing
again in annoyance at the thing. James seems put out by something. I hope it was not my fool mouth, running off again.
"My thanks, James. I need to speak to Aaron as well, in any
case." Her dark, sapphire eyes flick toward the leader for a
moment. "Your pardon, Serena. James, Jonnee." With a
little bow, she moves off to await Aaron.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
At Cyan's suggestion, Aaron hesitated, but James spoke up in favor of
his idea, and that allowed Aaron a bit more freedom. He would rather
not have to listen to history... despite its usefulness in Serena's
education.
And, to be honest, he was distracted as it was. Sighing, he motioned
for Cyan to follow him towards a more private portion of the building.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Following Aaron, Cyan leaves her pack behind. Berd stares
longingly at it for a moment, then continues his fulminating glare at
the pouch holding the cube at Cyan's hip as he is carried away.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
The rain rattles against the glass with renewed intensity, and out on
the lake the water is becoming increasingly choppy. The doors
which lead from the boathouse out onto the water are creaking, and the
chain which secures them rattles with every movement.
The sky grows darker with every passing moment.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Well, Serena. What would you like to know? Or would you just like the potted history."
James has some concerns about these cube devices but figures it can wait.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Aaron adjusted his stance, choosing instead to lean against the wall
and face the window opposite it, his eye now upon the storm once more.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan remains leaning against the wall, head down, face obscured by her hair, dark in this dim light.
Berd slowly glides back into the main room, landing upon Cyan's
pack. Stumbling away from Aaron in the other direction, Cyan
hunts for an exit.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jonnee eyes Berd curiously as the little dragon returns alone,
wondering what was said between Aaron and Cyan. Then he stands
and crosses to the window, looking out at the lake and the gathering
storm.
At least bad weather keeps the archons away, so we should be safe here for a while. he thinks, then heads for the kitchen to see if there's anything to drink there.
A moment later he is back, slamming through the door, an expression of confusion on his face, "Aaron. I've listened to you and Cyan and Jack tell this story of yours a few times now, and I just realised something."
"Lots of times you've encountered storms, freak weather,
blizzards. The archons don't like that sorta stuff. So, why
is it that nearly everywhere you've found the stuff that the archons
want, there is bad weather?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Aaron watched Cyan leave, his eye lingering for a long moment upon her
sought-out exit. Aaron answered Jonnee then, though his gaze was not
upon him.
"I can't say for sure, Jonnee." he said, turning and slowly walking
over to the group. His somewhat short stature never seemed to come into
play unless he stood directly before you, and Aaron knew that, which is
why he stood somewhat off to the side of the lot.
Crossing his arms before his chest, he too mulled this over.
"I think the Archons simply swallow worlds. Where they cannot abide, they manipulate the populace so that they do the work for them. If the weather does not do them ill, then they
simply absorb all that the world holds. Sometimes they even stick
around and dominate, using those fitting worlds as basecamps for their
power-sinks and thinktanks."
"Bad weather bothers them, that's true. But they avoid it when they
can. When they can't, they suffer until their goals are met, and then
depart with haste. If I know anything, it's that the Archons are
certainly a determined lot."
Raising one hand to his chin, Aaron seemed to ponder.
"They always leave something behind, though. A cube, an orb, something
that shows they or their servants were there. I cannot say for sure how
many worlds the Archons have, but I can say for certain that their
resources are as limitless as the worlds around us. The blood of Amber
allows us to gain whatever we wish, but the Archons already have
everything they need. All they want is more of what they have - but
why? What for? And what's with the Broken God?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
"See, what I was thinking, is this." Jonnee replies, "What
if we aren't the only ones trying to stop them? What if somebody
else is after the same things they want, and screws with Shadows to
make it harder for the Archons to get them?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
"While I believe that such a thing may be a small possibilty, I just
can't believe that we wouldn't have seen some sign of them already. If
they had the power to manipulate Shadow wherever the Archons existed,
then why not just shift the worlds so that the Archons can't abide or
work at all?"
Aaron shrugged, lowering his arms and placing his hands in his pockets while he moved to find a more comfortable place to stand.
"The Archons seem too focused to be concerned about some overwhelming
enemy. Considering thier power as-is, I think they would already know
if an enemy was harassing them as you suggest. It just doesn't seem
feasable."
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
Aaron typed:I cannot say for sure how many worlds the Archons have,
"The Archon we captured spoke of thousands of worlds, Aaron. That's why I don't think we can attack them directly."
"I wouldn't say that I've seen enough to be sure, but so far any
'artificial' bad weather seems to be Berd's doing. So until we
find more evidence of a third party, I'll just be grateful for anything
that gives us an edge."
James stands up and stretches.
"If no-one needs me straight away I'm going to bed. I feel like I could sleep for a week."
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd grins at the three men from atop his perch, then stares out the window for a long moment.
Then his eyes swing back to the three.
With that, the little dragon curls up where he sits, atop Cyan's pack, and promptly goes to sleep.
Outside, Cyan sits on the stoop, staring out into the rain with dull,
jade eyes. She slowly settles her face down, pressing her closed
eyes against her knees and hugging her legs to her.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
One by one, the group find places to sleep, or to wait. Silence
descends on the house by the lake, broken only by the rattling of rain
on the roof, and the occasional tapping of branches against the windows.
By dawn the rain has cleared, and the wind has dropped to the barest
breeze which serves to do little more than ruffle the surface of the
lake.
It is time, it seems. A decision must be made on what is to be done next.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dorian emerges, looking no more relaxed than they day they met him. He finds a seat near a window and looks outside absently.
"It seems like our choices are return to amber with a report or take the fight to the enemy. If my memory serves, and it always does, Princess Fiona charged us to gather intelligence on these
matters, and to halt the enemy's activities wherever possible. In
particular, she posed the question if the Chimaeric were connected to
the orb found there. I believe our first task is to gather information
for Fiona and our second task is to stop the enemy, wherever possible.
We have information, so we should report it. Then I feel we should
develop a plan for gathering more information."
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
The lot of the group slept, and yet Aaron was without sleep for quite some time.
Berd had jogged his memory. To let the Archons widen those breaks,
creating a crevasse large enough to split Shadow was insanity. Aaron
didn't know why they were doing it... but he had a few ideas.
Eventually, he napped.
Rising with the dawn, Aaron waited outside the building until he was
sure eveyone else was awake. There was something about seeing the sun
rise, especially after a long rain, that always drew him. Memories, he
supposed.
When he did return, Dorian's statement echoed his own thoughts. He
would wait, however, until everyone else had spoken. In the end, he
would be the final arbiter of decision.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dorian falls into a quiet solitude while he waits. He is hungry, but he
will wait until the others have finalized their discussion before he
dwells on that.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
In the early morning, well before sunrise, Cyan awakens sitting on the
stoop. She blinks, feeling oddly comfortable, despite her cramped
confines, and oddly well-rested, despite the darkness. One look
at the blurring, slowed motion of the trees has her smiling thinly.
"I see. Yes, I understand - we should at least finish that."
Ensconced in a wavering, shimmering haze in the air, to an outsider
Cyan would appear to be drawing with ridiculously blurred speed.
Time-lapse photography? How real an assumption.
Finally, as dawn creeps toward the horzion with a ruddy glow, she
finishes...and Berd ambles out as the haze around her bleeds
away. Cyan stares at him for a long moment. "How much did
you steal from me this time? Two? Four? Ah, I thought
as much." Shaking her head wearily, Cyan closes her eyes, placing
the sketchbook upon the ground. As she rises and stretches, Berd
breathes a dancing, rainbow cloud upon the image inked therin.
When the cloud clears, the palanquet has been forged, lying upon the pages.
Aaron.
Snapping it up, the bard slides it into the case, her fingers lingering
over the edges of the cards. Abruptly, she turns back to
Berd. "Give over." Berd merely stares at her levelly.
"I am beyond that. Should he so wish, he will find a way.
He always does. Then we shall consider the future, if there is
any to be had." For an instant, the cold mask of her face
crumbles, but Cyan manages to catch herself.
Berd, clawed 'fingers' coming out from under his wing, fans two cards. Jack...and Jack.
Cyan's eyes shimmer when she takes them; then, with a quick motion, she slaps them into her case, turning away, sweeping up Kirilinde with a foot and catching the sheath in the air. "I need...I
require-" A drop of water falls from the seemingly clear sky, and
Cyan twists her head to stare back at Berd with hollow, jade eyes.
"My thanks," she whispers, and there is a rainbow arc in the air.
The blade flickers and dances in the dim light, its silvery shine highlighted by the colours dancing along the edge. A gim,
the sword is a straight, razor-edged fencer's weapon, made to slay
through precise cuts, exact thrusts. Different weapon, different
use. Here, tip control is more important than cleaving patterns -
each have their place, though, and one is not superior to the other.
Another drop falls from the sky, and Cyan's blade cuts it in twain.
She continues to move, footwork carrying her in and out of 'range', tip
stabbing at imaginary throats, cutting the inner thigh, the groin,
sinking an inch into an imaginary stomach, or flicking through to slice
under the armpit. No more, and no more needed. Another
falling drop of water falls victim to a thrust, a third she catches
upon the blade and slings it away. Precision.
There is another blade that requires a different hand....
Eyes onyx-dark, Cyan ignores that small voice speaking inside. Spinning, she salutes the rising sun.
Jack.
Gone. Perhaps forever, at least as she might think. Oh, he
might return...in a hundred years, seeking her out, confused as to why
he does not find her. Alone. Lost.
Closing her eyes, Cyan slaps her blade back in the battered, wooden
scabbard as Aaron slips out through the door. "Well met, Aaron of San
Anyn," she states quietly, moving to enter. A bow to Dorian,
then, emerging from his room. "Dorian," she whispers, sitting
down and closing her eyes. "I hope you are well rested."
Not that he appears it, but hope springs eternal.
Dorian's words put a furrow in her brow.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Yes, thank you, Cyan."
James emerges from the bedroom he dicovered earlier. As he
approaches he is fastening the last of the straps on the combat webbing
that he wears over the combat fatigues he arrived in the evening
before. It's a very different look to the casual clothes he wore
when the group first met, but not inappropriate.
"All I need now are dog tags," James sighs. Looking to Aaron he asks, "What's it to be, boss?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Blinking, Cyan looks up at James in surprise. A military uniform
of some kind. She nods, slowly. "You have prepared
yourself," the bard whispers. Within as without.
"What are these 'dog tags' of which you speak?" It sounds
vaguely...rude, or demeaning. But if James requires them...?
A whisp of a smile accompanies her greeting, but it fades as, with
James' words, Cyan turns her sapphire eyes upon Aaron, waiting for his
decision.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Arms crossed before him, Aaron leaned casually against the wall near
the window where he and Cyan had their conversation prior. Though his
eye lingered on Cyan for a moment, at James' question, Aaron nodded.
"I've a mind to agree with Dorian's statement. Our best bet is to meet
with Fiona first and inform her of what we've learned. After that, we
should probably pick a point in the myriad worlds and see what we can
gain from our enemy. Maybe do a little damage while we're at it."
"James, Cyan, I would have you two accompany me during that meeting
with Fiona. Dorian," and here he looked to the man, "you may accompany
me also, though if you wish to speak to Fiona alone, that too is
acceptable."
Sighing, Aaron looked away from them for a moment, his eye casting a far off look across the room.
"If Fiona is our enemy, and I surely hope she isn't, we should be on
the watch for any signs of that fact from her. That watch will probably
be impossible, though, considering her particular talents." Shaking his
head, he returned his gaze to the group.
"Do any of you believe we should keep anything, anything at all, from
those in Amber?" That was a question he'd been waiting to ask, and he
figured he'd get a varied amount of responses.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dorian smiles, though the smile is subtle, thinly curling at the edges. "If
Fiona is our enemy, then we would do well to continue to work for her
as best we can. Quite simply, if she sought to get rid of us, she would
have done so already. It wouldn't be wise to give her a reason to not
need us around. I will go with you back to Amber."
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Outside the house, a pair of deer wander down to the lake to drink, in plain view of the main room's window.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dorian sighs suddenly and then places a small, round crystal on the
table next to him, absently. He stares off into the distance, as if
lost in thought.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Dog tags are little pieces of metal embossed with a
soldier's name and identification number. They're only really
useful for identifying the dead, but they've been a symbol
of...belonging, I suppose, to the army for as long as I can
remember. I don't really need them, it would just complete the
outfit," James indicates his clothes. "Honestly, I'd rather be back in civvies, uh, civilian clothes."
James considers Aaron's question. "To
those people we decide to speak I think we should be as open and honest
as possible. Having said that, I wouldn't talk of our mission to
anyone except Fiona and Benedict. I think, Cyan, you mentioned
that Julian was involved at the start of all this." James shrugs, "I
wouldn't trust him as far as I could spit, but that might be Bleys'
bias rubbing off on me. If you want to talk to someone else as a
safeguard against Fiona I suggest Gerard, he's reknowned in the family
as a straight-shooter."
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Thank you for your advice, James. I will heed it, myself. However,
I had planned to ask Fiona herself who she considered trustworthy,
should we meet some of her family in the field. Though, if she is any
indication of her kin, it probably won't matter how much we trust them.
In any event, I have heard names only. Other than Fiona, I know none of
them."
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Oh, I haven't met them. Well, apart from Bleys,
Fiona and Benedict. But Bleys made a point of briefing me about
my various aunts and uncles."
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan stares at James while he explains the 'Dog Tags'. They
sound...unhealthy. Spiritually. The clothes James wears
don't fit well, either. Spiritually. He wears the clothing of a man he no longer is.
Giving James a sad smile, she shakes her head. "I think you look
better in your other clothes," she says simply, and means it.
The discussion of 'who's who' in Amber is mostly over her head.
Cyan listens, committing names and qualities to memory, then turns her
amythest eyes on Aaron. "What of Jonnee and Serena? Will
they not join us in the meeting with Fiona? Why myself and
James?" she asks, curious as to Aaron's reasoning. Certainly he
HAS a reason...but what is it?
"I know little of these Princes and Princesses, but certainly Fiona would at least be pleased to see her daughter, would she not? It sounds as though her and Serena
remain on reasonably good terms. As for where to begin in the
Myriad Worlds," Cyan finishes, "we do have the World where Jack
discovered the flaming citadel." Pain flickers in her eyes for a
moment, and she looks away, out the window.
Berd, seated on her pack, narrows his eyes, a flare of ruby fire
flickering at his nostrils for an instant. The little dragon
stands, turning about in irritation, then coils himself up again.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Serena
-----------------------------------------------------------
(NPC'd)
Serrena has been oddly quiet, but the talk of Fiona gets her interest. "If you want, I can take a message, a report,
to Amber, to Fiona at least, since I'm known to her. That would
leave the rest of you free to continue what you're doing."
"I have Cyan's card, so I could get in touch, if need be."
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Though Aaron only knew of the majority of the Amberite lineage by name,
he was familiar with all of the names. Cyan's question actually
surprised him somewhat.
"You're right, Cyan. I suppose I merely figured that bringing the
entire group into a meeting with Fiona may not have been the best idea.
While not including Serena in a meeting with her own mother was more
than likely a faux pas on my part, I'm not exactly used to Amberite blood... getting along."
Aaron nodded to Serena though, and actually smiled somewhat.
"That's a good idea, actually. Though I had a few personal reasons to
want to visit Amber, my desires can be curtailed in the meantime. Cyan
brings up a very good place to take our next step, and I wouldn't see
any problem with you being our ambassador, Serena." Aaron looked to
Dorian then, and cocked his head in his direction.
"Unless, Dorian, you wish to travel to Amber with Serena and meet
Fiona, for I understand that you have business with her as well. I too
would join you, but I believe my place is here."
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dorian shakes his head slightly and holds up a hand. "My
business is personal; I'll not put it ahead of our mission. If Serena
would do me the favor of telling her mother than I would be interested
in any news concerning my request, I would be satisfied. Perhaps Cyan
should create a Palanquet of Serena before she leaves."
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
"You're right, Cyan." James looks about to say more but decides against it.
Sending Serena as their envoy to Amber does make sense. A meeting
with her mother will be much less likely to draw attention that the
entire motley crew turning up unannounced. As long as they can
communicate with her, as Serena knows little of the detail of their
travels.
"Dorian has a point there, it would be good to be able to get in touch with you, Serena."
A flaming citadel. Oh, goody.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan sighs with disgust at Aaron's explanation - not with disgust at
Aaron, nor at his point of view, but at the obvious truth of his words
(from what she has discovered from him and the others). Even in
trying times, it seems unlikely the Lords of 'Order' will get along.
How strange. In the middle of that bastion of Order,
chaos. And, according to Lexy, Chaos is ruled by a hierarchy
almost bureaucratic in nature. Dichotomies on both poles, Paradox
'ruling' the Myriad Worlds.
She is glad, though, that Dorian chooses to stay. The Dark Man,
for all of his cutting edge, nonetheless is a humourous and reliable
travelling companion, who brings a great deal of aid to their
Quest. For all of his intractable nature, he is one of the
easiest of the Questors yet with which to deal. One
must merely understand that Dorian will be Dorian, regardless of the
situation. And things proceed more easily from there.
"Easily done, Aaron. I can forge a palanquet of
Serena at any time. She has touched my mind, and through my mind,
Berd's. He will not forget her...what is the word?
Signature." Nodding, Cyan gives James a sad look, topaz eyes
downcast. The man has drawn in upon himself again. He finds himself once again donning the same uniform, for a war that may yet steal away his spirit. As a war did before. And why should James not worry? Look what the quest has cost them so far.
Not to mention our own injuries, to body and spirit,
but...Otandal. Ducan. Derek. Perhaps Lexy.
Lazarus. Arex. Jack.
Jack.
Cyan looks down at her hands again, wondering to what the final cost of this Quest will amount. For all of them.
No matter. We will meet it. For if we do not, who will? The bard's head comes up. "I stand ready," she says, an echo of her former spirits now returning to her voice.
From atop Cyan's shoulder, Berd grins toothily at James, and drops one eyelid in a definite wink.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
"As am I," Dorian says simply.
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Serena
-----------------------------------------------------------
(NPC'd)
Serena starts to gather her few belongings together, then waits while others do the same with their own.
"Well, it's been good to meet you, and to finally
find out what the dream was about. And I'm glad I can help you
out in this small way. I'll see that Fiona hears the
report. Gerard too, if I can get to him."
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jonnee nudges Hunter with his toe, "Come on Lazy, we're moving out." As the wolf gets to its feet, he ruffles its fur, "I know, I know. You've only had twenty three hours sleep in the last day. It's a hard life, isn't it, old fella?"
He turns and grins at Serena, "Do you want
to buy a wolf? Makes a good bodyguard, and you can use him to
rest your feet on while you watch TV. Just don't let him hog all
the heat from the fire."
One hand is toying with the wolf's ear, scratching at it and causing the wolf to grumble with pleasure.
"If you could try to get word to Caine for me too, that'd be good."
Jonnee looks to Cyan next, then Aaron, then back again, "So what's this about a flaming citadel?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Well met, Serena," Cyan agrees. "But I hope to see you again, and soon. Safe journey...."
With a sad expression, the bard turns back to Jonnee, brightening a
little when the young man asks her a question. "Well. Berd
sent me a vision of the place. I believe that Dorian was privvy
to the vision, and possibly yourself as well, Jonnee...Berd, can
you? Yet again?"
Berd gives a long-suffering sigh, then his sparkling eyes begin to dance more quickly.
The little dragon offers out the vision to any who care to take it, including Serena if she remains here.
The sky is ablaze, the clouds themselves
burning, and yet there is a sheen of ice on the towers of the fortress,
even though the buildings around it are glowing a dull red.
The structure seems to be shielded, as are they all, and Jack cannot
see what is inside, but there are creatures of living flame like the
Unknown moving about the city. And there... an Archon.
It is a place of Shadow. And it is waaaaaaaay out there, far towards
the Chaos end of things. Much further towards Chaos than any of the
companions have ever travelled, save perhaps Lexy and Lazarus...
No Breaks though, but something Jack has never encountered before seems
to pin the entire world, like a butterfly in a lepidopterist's display
case. Only this particular butterfly is still alive and strives to
escape the spike driven through its body...
This image, come's Cyan's mental explanation, is
of a world found by Jack as he searched for the spoor of the
enemy. The Unknown was a being we battled time past, a creature
of fire who took upon the shape of an innocent to beguile us. To
no avail. Jack managed, with our assistance, to best it in a
struggle of will. What pins the world is some kind of primal
force, a madness at its heart. Is it possible that this is the home of the heart of the Broken God? The Enemy's doorstep, itself?
The vision clears, and Cyan grins ferally, eyes like emeralds to match
those of Hunter. "This could be exactly what we need...or a fine
place to die."
"Or both."
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
"It seems like as fine a starting place as any, given our lack of
better intelligence. Normally, I'd suggest our first step be recon, but
recon seems a tad dangerous in that place. It may be an assault on that
place is our only way to learn anything, but I think we should make
that our last resort."
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Nevertheless," Aaron spoke after Dorian, opening his eye after viewing
the image. "We still need to go there. We'll decide what to do when we
arrive, but we should not be shy towards preparation. Whatever's there,
I know for certain that Jack did not let his mind rest there long."
Or something got mad and found out he was snooping...
Turning to Serena, Aaron sent a nod her way, followed by a small sigh.
"It seems our meeting, however fated, comes to a close much too soon.
Whatever occurs in the future Serena, know that we will see you again.
I too, wish you a safe journey."
To the rest of the group Aaron now turned his attention, approaching
his former chair and grabbing Ilsefranvir. Strapping it to his back,
Aaron pulled his long hair behind the straps holding the blade to him
and faced his group. His one eye cast tumbling, fall colors towards
those before him.
"Let us make haste, friends, to the gates of hell."
===========================================================
Re: Part 35 - Well met by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"We could Walk to this place, and you of Amber might pick up that which
you require along the way," Cyan points out, standing and hefting her
pack. Berd rocks back and forth, but doesn't fall off of
it. "Or I can attempt a sketch. But I suspect your method
of travel, while taking longer, might prove the more useful as well as
being...quieter, one might say." Her amber eyes glow slightly in
the dim light as she considers the possible 'distance'.
"Berd's method of travel would prove too slow." Berd looks smug for a moment, then lapses back into his slumber.
===========================================================
|
|
