"The standing stones, on the hill's edge to the west of the city. Remember it?" Jerod asks, noting Rein's nod. "That's where we'll make for, arriving just shortly after dawn, when the mists are clearing away under the sun. With luck, none of the locals or the tourists will be around."
With that, he settles into his saddle as he begins to form the image of the stones, cresting the hill, the forest's edge close by...
"Hellriding is like a good horse." Eric said, pulled the final strap tight on his horse as Jerod watched from his own. "Fast but treacherous. Horses are smart enough to not like you if they want to be that way. They'll know just when to throw you, and how to keep from letting the saddle straps being tightened so that you saddles slides out from under you."
He knees the horse with a single quick movement, taking in the extra slack on the strap, satisfied that now it was secure. "They require constant monitoring." Eric said. "The same with shifting. The slow ride is easy. A colour here, a texture there. A town just at the edge of the vision, a landmark in the distance. You build it up until the picture becomes what you want. But for the fast ride, you go the other way. Now you focus on one thing only and let the rest of the universe go mad, because that's pretty much what happens."
"What about others? Can anyone come with me?" Jerod asked.
"If they do, they have to stay close. If not, they're going for a trip and they might not like where it ends up." Eric offers.
"How long does it take?" Jerod asked.
Eric shook his head before he mounted up. "As long as it takes, though a lot less time than the normal way. It's different for everyone, though usually by degrees. I've heard Gerard mention how sometimes it feels like he's pushing his way against a horrific wind. Caine mentioned once about sliding near out-of-control, like in a tube. I won't tell you exactly what I felt, simply because I don't want you to emulate it. But for everyone, it's an expression of how you face reality. You'll find your own way to do it - whatever works and is most comfortable for you."
"Kind of like how we deal with life." Jerod replied.
Eric smiles. "Kind of. This time, I'll be following you. If something goes wrong...well, I can find you. But for now...you're on your own son."
"Whatever's comfortable...and everyone's different," Jerod whispers as he lets the image build in his mind of the standing stones, the mist and forest and sun playing to create their colours. Colours first, he knows. No shapes. Too complex an image and it would not work - the universe would rebel against the magnitude of the change being demanded. Reality rips, and that's not a good thing. Get closer, find the colour...feel the colour...smell it...even touch it. Then add more.
The ride starts off as all the others do, leading the horse from canter to trot to gallop, letting the animal's speed and tension drive the energy of the ride. He remembers a comment from Julian, how choosing a good mount can hamper or improve the ride, all depending on how you want it to go. Power and speed without control were not always good - that's the animal that takes you into the dark places, the animal's fear needing control from the rider, distracting you from the task of deciding the destination. The sound of Julian's voice still lingers..."Let the animal handle how it wants to run. It's smarter than any of us. But you decide where it's going to run to".
"I wonder if he knows yet." Jerod muses. "The first of us gone now. Two uncles, an aunt, a grandfather. But no children. Until now. I wonder how worried they're going to get." Then he shakes his head, focussing on the task at hand.
As they begin to gallop along the river, letting the horse dodge trees and shrubs, Jerod risks the barest glance back at Rein, making sure he is following closely, and then Jerod can spare none as he races ahead, searching the distance, the colour eluding him for a moment. Then a glimpse...Red
But too shallow...darker, he realizes. Much darker...down to purple...better. Then he reaches out to grasp the edges of the fabric of the universe, finding the thinnest sliver of an opening in the world as it is known. Pressure for Gerard, the pellmell of changes for Caine...and the leap of faith...
...ducking low to dodge vines, black ash and soot rising from pounding hooves, trees burnt recent and fresh, the air hot...the color of desire fusing the vision ahead...reaching to leap...
....now flickers of red added, the haze of late sunsets burning the sky late in the day for villages low on scrub cropped plains...right colour, wrong time, too late, too late...
...smells filter with orange blossoms amongst rows of trees stretching to the horizon, early dawn and colours press inwards now, red shifting lighter towards orange as the yellow sun beings to rise, the oppressive purple pressed back to a more distant, manageable component....too far for the time...needs to shift back a bit...
....temples of gold and jewels rising in the distance as light flashes from gold sheeting mingles with the sunlit sky, a morning haze from the jungle misting to blur the horizon...foliage dense and harsh...too green, too early, compensating...
....crashing through rancid leaves of dead foliage, the drought sickening the jungle, the yellow of the sky more like the foliage, the steaming river mists giving the barest comfort for parched lands dying slowly of thirst...mists coming into focus now, always hard to do, always shifting...time to return...
....jungle paths of green and darkness, the sunlight ahead at the end in the distance shielded through the canopy as it makes itself felt in the early morning...colours flickering like the animals at play....almost there...just one more...
....as water splashes from the stream, racing from jungles edge to forest deep now, racing the dawn for the treeline...timing it close now...wind building, the smell of mist and salt...shifting prismatic colours at the faint edge of perception shimmering faster as they approach...
...bursting from the treeline in a headlong gallop up the hill, the standing stones coming into view as the mists filter rainbow colours from the sun as it begins its daily ascent. Jerod smiles as he lets his horse slow down - mists are always hard to do, but you can do them. As they reach the crest of the hilltop, the horses at a comfortable walk, he looks out in satisfaction to see the spires of Gateway in the distance before turning to look at Rein. He pulls out a set of appropriately coloured pennants, suitable for use with Paris' flag.
"Ready to show the flag for Paris?" Jerod asks, tying the pennant at just the right point on the spear to make it suitable before heading down to the city.
[Paris' flag is Corwin's ( sable, a unicorn rampant argent) plus a silver rose in each corner.]
"Two better representatives Paris has never had in these parts." agrees Rein. The minstrel pulls out a small stringed instrument and tunes it before returning it to his bag.
A few minutes down the road, Jerod notices a small procession of armored men leaving the city and heading up the road towards them.
Keeping the horse at an easy pace, Jerod refreshes his memory from his last visit here some time ago, tossing a few questions in Rein's directions to confirm things like the last leader of Gateway, title, general governmental structure, previous allies, general disposition of the population towards outsiders, etc, and comparing selected elements to his knowledge of protocol and ambassadorial responsibilities that he has witnessed with other cultures and with Amber. Always need to put forward a good impression.
Gateway is run by a loose confederation of Magicians, tied by family into more or less loose alliances and designed mostly to keep the damage from their feuds from spilling over too much. A Gatwegian Magician who doesn't get along with the government simply moves on. Some would call it anarchy, but it seems to work for them. It's more of a balance of power than a government.
He also looks to verify with Rein what titles he will be using on this trip. If memory serves, Gatwegians are slightly impressed by impressive titles.
Rein plans on using his Parisian titles: "Lord Rein of Paris, minister to his majesty Corwin of Paris." He hadn't considered using anything else.
The approaching riders are men at arms. They seem relaxed and are wearing their armor loosely.
"Who approaches Westport City?," they say as they come within hailing distance.
Jerod lets them approach a little closer at their pace, so that he is not yelling at the top of his lungs, adopting the pose of one accustomed in many respects to a position of comfort and ease (and power), and not working terribly hard. He does not make them wait upon his answer, well, not for more than a second or two but answers with a strong voice, with all the right words "capitalized" as it were. He also uses the time to pick out the leader of the group and size him (or her, you never know) up. He also looks to see how many there are, how well armed, the types of armor and their apparent skill level.
Moderately skilled. You'd let them guard a city gate, but not during a war.
Crowd control crew - which means they'd give Rein a bit of trouble (maybe...there are several after all), and Jerod probably even less if push comes to shove.
"I am Jerod, Ambassador to his Majesty Corwin of Paris. With me is Lord Rein, minister to his Majesty. We come to establish trade and relations with the Kingdom of Gateway."
They look at each other for a moment. The leader nods. "As you will, Ambassador Jerod. We will take you to the Castellan." They pull their horses off the road so that you can lead the way in.
Jerod nods. "I would have your name, good sir."
"I am Ctesippus, commander of the castle guards."
The leader rides close. "I have not heard of Paris. What can you tell me of it?"
"You might know his majesty as Prince Corwin, son of Oberon of Amber. His majesty the King founded Paris shortly after the defeat of the enemies attacking Amber and the victory of her armed forces." Jerod says, not bothering to correct any technical issues with timelines or other facts that might impede the flow of a good, but not dramatically delivered, story.
He nods.
"Paris is a vibrant city of culture and innovation, it's people devoted to its ruler and to living life to its fullest. This includes learning of their neighbours and working to the fulfillment of good relations with those neighbours."
Jerod lets the leader digest this for a moment before asking. "What of Gateway? How did she fare these last few years. It has been a time since last I was here."
"Gateway has had her troubles, but they are in the past, now."
"And your Castellan is...?"
"He is well. Lord Eleftherios has long guarded the western frontier from the uncivilized and those not able to live within the law.
"He is my father's father's brother."
Given the familial reference, it would seem this person has been around for awhile. Has Jerod heard of him from his last trip here?
[No. He's a western marcher lord. Jerod is a long way from the interesting parts of Gateway.]
Then we'll have to see about rectifying that....assuming it is worth rectifying of course.
"Within the law?" Jerod asks in a musing tone.
"Those who by sentence or preference leave the protections of the cities and the Magicians. Outlaws."
"Ah...of course. Are there a sizable number of such..individuals?" Jerod asks. "One must always be cautious when determining who to decide to trade with. Travelling through outlaw infested territory is naturally unconducive to the promotion of good relations...wouldn't you say?"
He shrugs. "Rewards are often tied to risk, and the right to depart and live free and unprotected is important to many, even if they do not exercise it. Outlaws are not necessarily bandits, Ambassador Jerod, although the wise would not travel to the west with a semblance of weakness."
Beyond this, unless the good captain has a lot of additional information to impart, I'm figuring they can chit-chat until the city is reached.
[He's mostly interested in what Paris offers in trade and what she wants in return. Btw, what does Paris offer in trade and what does she want in return?]
That's what Rein is here for. He'd have a much more indepth knowledge of Paris' development and it's offerings than Jerod would, and Jerod naturally picks Rein's brain when the opportunity presents itself.
In the interval, Jerod offers a suitably bland answer - sufficient for the captain to know that what Paris has to offer will of course depend on what it believes Gateway can both offer, and afford. Jerod's natural inclination will be to believe that the products and services available from Paris will be superior to those of Gateway - just as Amber was. Naturally, Amber's focus was trade and the ability to offer trade to others, or to disallow trade accordingly. Jerod's attitude, while not to be associated with arrogance, will be to assume that Paris does not come cup in hand, but instead seeks good relations and trade, should they be available, and will depart if they cannot be found.
Got it.
The walls of the town are thick and tall and look as if they have seen use as fortifications. The most impressive building is an impossibly thin spire stretching towards the clouds. Jerod would guess it's 400 feet tall or taller, based on the shadow it casts over the walled town.
The population bustles about, not paying particular attention to Rein and Jerod. They are led to a large building near the spire, and after their horses are stabled, Ctesippus offers them rooms in the home. Lord Eleftherios will be down for supper and they can see him then.
Assuming they go to the suite, they are left alone. Rein looks at Jerod and says "what do you think of them?"
"Moderately nice walls. Average guards. People ignored us so they appear to not be terribly curious about outsiders, or else they get plenty and aren't impressed easily." Jerod says, looking around the suite. "Neat tower. Lots of magic I'd expect holding it up."
He makes a visual inspection of the room, comparing the door and any other exit routes like windows, making note of the room in relation to the outside street, the floor below (and/or possibly above).
"When I was last in Gateway, I was in the more cosmopolitan parts. We're a bit on the boonies here. This Lord Eleftherios is unfamiliar. We'll have to check him out, see who he's aligned with, if anyone."
Then he looks over at Rein directly. "Do you have any instructions from Corwin concerning our trip that I should be aware of?" Jerod asks. "Just so I don't go doing something foolish, or get caught up in something?" and he will wait for Rein's response before proceeding.
"My initial idea for this trip was to arrange a ship or two for a return trip, carrying selected goods for offering as trade samples for Paris. Give the locals a chance to bid for the opportunity to trade. That would give me a reason to make a return trip, and to set out a path. If we do start a path from here, this Lord Eleftherios might wind up getting a lot of trade coming to his little town. That could make him very important, and give him some big enemies. What do you think?"
"What I've heard is that these people are like cats, and govern themselves by keeping as far away from each other as they can and still live together. It's a Magocracy, and if we make Eleftherios more powerful and he can't handle it, he'll get competition.
"As long as 'the right to trade with Paris' is the prize, the King doesn't care if they compete. He thinks it will annoy your grandmother. He suggested that we should be generous with our first hosts, so as to accelerate the process."
"Cats. That would fit with a mage's personality." Jerod says. "As for grandmother, I have no doubt that it will annoy her considerably. I'll have to be careful when I go to the embassy to drop off her message.
"Based on our location here, it will take me about a week by sail to get to the Rebman embassy, a day to take care of personal business and then a week to get back. I can cut down the latter trip if I so choose by riding, though I'll need to be at the Gateway first in order to plot the return journey. Assuming we get our negotiations completed in good order, how long do you figure it would take for a set of ships to be properly outfitted, with an adequate range of trade goods?"
Rein shrugs. "Depends on how they're situated for ships. In Amber, it would be about three days, two of which would be bargaining. Here? Unknown. All of Amber's trading partners are seafarers, so that's something. We won't have to build. I can give you a better answer after I've crawled the docks for a few hours.
"Can I assume that we can put up enough gold to convince sailors that this is a good idea?"
Jerod heads over to the chair where the saddlebag provided by Corwin is sitting and pokes it for that low metallic clinking sound that one gets when a large quantity of coinage is available.
"If that's not enough, let me know and I'll be sure to acquire some more. It may not be Parisian gold however, but rather gemstone formats. If you need to grease the palms we'll need to keep in mind who can handle gems."
Rein nods.
"What about general-making of friends? Or is that for later missions by others?"
"I think it's part of the mission. Why else send such friendly fellows as ourselves?"
He walks to the window and looks out. "Do you think our hosts will worry when one of the two courtiers goes to one of their trading competitors on a visit?"
"They might." Jerod says. "It all depends on how it's handled. If the negotiations are taken care of first and the deal signed, then the level of paranoia can be muted. In any event, the message for Moire gets delivered. Corwin gets his trade route. And I keep my word.
"Now, let us discuss our strategy for our upcoming meeting with our host and what we want to be looking for when we see him as well as what kind of appearance we want to present." Jerod says. "We want to be sure to make a good first impression."
(with regards to the latter comment, Jerod's quite happy, as I would be also, discuss this in summary. I have zero clue about how to negotiate anything except the purchase of chocolate and scotch).
Jerod and Rein discuss matters at length, covering both Amber's exports to Gateway and what might be useful at this far extreme. The basic "raw materials from the outposts in exchange for finished goods from the center" model applies. Rein recalls a story the King told him of a time and place when they shipped laundry across an ocean because it was cheaper than doing it locally.
Jerod uses the time and discussion to recall negotiations he has been a part of in previous years, remembering the requirements for careful planning and evaluation of viable partnerships, the give and take of hard goods vs the potential value of future influence, and vice versa. Plus the opportunity to focus his attention to more mundane matters that have been sitting idle since the return of the King.
Rein's suggestion is that they bring local Gatwegian merchants and let them buy what they wanted in Paris, as Jerod did with the merchants he brought to Amber.
He also will keep an eye out for scarce goods when he's looking for ships.
Jerod would agree with both suggestions, given how closely they mirror his own thoughts. If one wishes to sell the best products, one should let the merchants do it for themselves.
After about a watch, a page knocks on their quarters and tells them the castellan will see them.
[Assuming they go with him...]
Rein and Jerod are led to a room with a young man in it. He is seated at a low table and he looks up from some paperwork when the two are led in. "Good day, my Parisian friends. Welcome to Westport, I am Lord Eleftherios, the Castellan."
(the following assumes they are still armed - if not, adjustments for posture are made accordingly).
["swords? Yeah, whatever." Glass daggers, those they would take away from you...]
"We bid greetings to our newfound friends of Westport, Lord Eleftherios." Jerod replies, leaning on his spear in just the correct way as befits protocol for an ambassador who has travelled a long way upon a tiring trip. "As ambassador to his majesty, King Corwin, I thank you on his behalf for the time you have taken from your busy schedule to allow us to meet and beg leave to present my credentials."
Assuming this is allowed, Jerod fishes out the ambassadorial documentation required and passes it over. During the intervening time while the documents are examined, Jerod takes the time to check out their host. Given some of the comments previously made, Jerod would have believed their host to be a bit older than what appears to be the case. Therefore he is more watchful for mannerisms to determine if one of a number of scenarios is currently at work:
a) This is not the true castellan but instead a decoy while the real one watches from a safe place. In that case it would be an individual playing a prepared role, using stock lines and improvising as the conversation progresses.
b) This is the real castellan who appears to be a young man through some kind of magical adjustment. Jerod will have to take a bit of time to sniff that part out I suspect but he will do so. There is also the possibility that it is an illusion projected that the castellan is controlling, in which case it would probably come up under the same "I smell magic" situation.
c) This is the real castellan who appears to be a young man without magical adjustment. In that case such an individual would tend to be detected by virtue of their accumulated experience, in that an older individual would tend to be more accustomed to the conservation of energy, having learned from past actions how to do things, to move, to speak, to know the proper use of tones and inflection to say quickly what a younger man might expound upon.
[It's not obviously an illusion, it's not obviously a decoy, and he doesn't act like the gangly teen that his appearance would suggest.]
He reads the documents and places them on a table beside the window. "I see, Ambassador Jerod. This is... intriguing. Your King Corwin seems quite ambitious. Pardon my bluntness, but I have two questions. The first is 'what assurances can you make me that Paris and her trade will live up to the King's description?' and the second is 'Why Westport?' Surely we're not the ideal port for foreign merchants to ally with in all Gateway." He looks up at you, awaiting your reply.
Jerod allows the metal shod butt of his spear to move to his side, tapping it once sharply on the satchel of coin that has been placed on the ground, to be rewarded with the dull clink of coin and smiles.
"To answer your bluntness with equal candor, Lord Eleftherios, if King Corwin says it will happen, then I have no doubt that it will be so. The sons of Oberon do nothing in half measure.
"As for why your city, I would ask you if there is not a benefit to be had in starting in a smaller place, one that is perhaps a bit less busy with competitors. There are opportunities to be had in such locales. The chance to build carefully, to cultivate friendships more firmly. A large metropolis might bring a quick profit, but it is often filled with short sighted traders hawking minimal wares. Their's is a short term viewpoint. Paris looks to the future, a more long term endeavour." Jerod says.
"If such an arrangement is not for Westport then, as you say, there are other ports, and we can be on our way." Jerod's tone holds no threat or malice. It is a statement of blunt fact, mirroring Eleftherios' own tone. The choice is to Eleftherios, and Jerod will respect that choice even as he defends his own.
"Westport has been something of a haven for me, equally remote from the gate and from the northern marches. I like being on the periphery of our civilization. Do you know, Ambassador Jerod, how we govern Gateway? If a man or a magician does not like his lord, he may leave civilized lands and go out on his own. Quite a few of those who mean to leave come through Westport, and many stay." He sighs.
"While I am loathe to change the character of my outpost, I would like to see her prosper, and that means trade. Very well, I will appoint a liaison for you from Westport. Ctesippus, I think. You have the freedom of Westport and Gateway, and I expect to see you before you leave."
He smiles, but not with his eyes.
Jerod returns the smile with equal enthusiasm, playing the requirements of protocol with the ease born of constant use. He notes the name of the liaison. "The generosity of Gateway and her people remains the same from whence I last visited. Now that I might have the opportunity to add the stories of Westport to that history, I would not hope to delay in the telling. We will be about our business with all due speed and look forward to meeting your liaison at a time of their convenience."
Assuming there is nothing more, Jerod will await the permission to depart and head out to await the meeting with the liaison, unless of course they come to the room where they are currently attending.
Ctesippus meets them at the quarters. He is wearing more formal attire than when Jerod and Rein first met him, and he bows.
"The Castellan has asked me to help make arrangements for you as needed. What may I do for you?"
"A meeting of your local trading representatives would be a good start." Jerod says, nodding to Rein. "We can discuss the logistics of setting that up now if you have the time."
OOC: While I'm sure Jerod and Rein have lots of information on how to set up treaties, arrange meetings, discuss trade policies and other nice stuff, I haven't got a clue as to what to do, so I'm wondering if we can just fast forward through the technical bits?
Right now Jerod's just looking for a way to follow up on Rein's idea for letting the merchants do the trading themselves. I would think the most suitable way to winnow out the competition would be to arrange a general meeting for everyone interested to advise those interested of what would be expected (ie: show us what you've got that we might be interested in buying), and to allow them to use that as the bidding for getting passage aboard to go to Paris to do the real pitch. A series of meetings to allow presentation of their goods and ideas would occur with so much time being allotted to each representative. Then depending on the number of competitors, either a general decision or a second set of meetings with a slightly smaller number, until a suitable sized group is obtained.
As a means to ensure that there are a minimum of assassination attempts amongs the various individuals, it can be run in such a way that the individuals going to Paris will not be the only ones to be able to go, just that they will be the first ones to go and thus get the lay of the land before others. Hopefully this acts as a bit of incentive without making people nuts (how much will you do to get ahold of absolutely virgin market share, as it were?).
Once the final group is selected, there would be a number of purely logistical issues to be dealt with amongst the merchants that Jerod would leave to Rein (cause Rein lives in Paris and would hopefully have a better idea of what answers to provide). Those issues, with luck, will provide Jerod enough time to travel to the Rebman embassy and back.
Rein follows Jerod's lead and works on setting up the logistics. Knowing Jerod's plans, he rapidly works through those parts that require Jerod and frees him from duties. Jerod is free to head for the Gate and the Embassy, if he so desires. Ctesippus will arrange for a horse (or a boat) if Jerod asks.
A boat would be most suitable I think. Jerod wants to get a feel for the sailors that are available, their attitudes towards outsiders and the like, as well as their feelings towards the lords of the various cities that they travel to. Once he's at the Gate and delivered the message, he'll return via horse and hellride (or would we call that a microride?)
Not to be nasty to his host, and of course being a stickler for the finer points of host etiquette, Jerod will see Eleftherios to let him know that Jerod will be departing from Westport for a short period of time (he did say to let him know if we were leaving), to deliver a message for his grandmother and that he will be returning promptly once that duty is performed.
And on the off chance that Eleftherios does ask who his grandmother might be, Jerod will reply in a matter-of-fact tone that she's the Queen of Rebma, with that ever-so-bland smile that one learns in the arena of Court that says "and you have a good day while you chew on that".
He doesn't ask, he just nods and wishes you a safe journey.
After several days at sea, the Breeze pulls in to a quay in the southern port that is closest to the gate. Rebma's ambassador will be here.
Question - the embassy will be in the southern port, or the ambassador is at the quay waiting?
Sorry it wasn't clear. "here, in the port city", not "here, on the quay."
A few days of little to do but sit and listen to sailors on their jobs, or speak to captains of cargo, trade and possible old gripes has done Jerod no harm for the time spent. Indeed the days away with nothing much on his mind but awaiting the approach of his destination would seem to be the best kind of vacation that one could hope to obtain under the circumstances. As the ship enters the port, Jerod remains forward to observe the landscape, picking out markers and familiar places from his last visit, getting his bearings.
Despite the time at sea, Jerod departs the ship well dressed as always, the satchel bags carried over a shoulder, the spear in his right hand as a walking stick as he crosses the gangway to the quay, the tap of the metal butt-cap quietly sounding his arrival. The Parisian influence of his clothing has vanished as time passed to be replaced with a look more suited to a surfacer accustomed to the higher points of Rebman culture, though his colours remain the consistently the same. No doubt the crew thought it the use of simple magic that he could somehow always seem to have good quality, clean clothing every day, and who would they be to look any further, given the use of magic all around them.
Depending on the distance to be travelled, if the embassy is at a close proximity to the quay, Jerod will travel on foot. If not, then Jerod will set out instead to first acquire a good steed. He will have need of one in the days to come so he is more likely to deal with that little need first then let it become a nagging requirement later. No doubt such a beast will cost a goodly sum, but somehow he does not worry, certain in fact that the required funds, and of the correct denomination, will be available when he reaches into his pocket, as always.
The Rebman embassy is adjacent to the harbor, and has both wet and dry rooms. Jerod can see it as the Breeze approaches. Because Gateway is neither Amber nor completely underwater, it is considered a "hardship post", and generally a punishment. The current ambassador is Dame Dryantilla. She was appointed after Jerod left Rebma, but was a courtier before.
Noted.
Does Jerod know who the previous ambassador was? And any idea as to what Dryantilla might have done to get herself posted to this place? Jerod is open-minded enough to know that while some places are considered punishment postings, there can be advantages for the Crown to assigning people there for other reasons (like to hide them from others for a period of time, for example).
She sees Jerod immediately.
"Prince Jerod. What a pleasant surprise to have you visit us. I'm afraid we've been out of touch here for a while, but we heard second-hand of your leadership in Amber during her difficulties. Are you still in government there, now that you have a new King?" She smiles.
Jerod passes over the Queen's message first before replying. "In a manner of speaking. His majesty is eager to place his own stamp of authority upon the kingdom, as one would expect. I was equally eager to be able to go home to Family. We came to a compromise and I am comfortable with the task that he has provided me."
She opens the message while Jerod is speaking.
"What of the situation here? How did Gateway fare during the last few years? And our relations between Rebma and Gateway?" Jerod asks.
"They've been fine, " Dryantilla says slowly, looking at the message. "They seem to be deteriorating from the Rebma end, though. What's happened there recently? What did Thalia do?"
"That's open to interpretation, depending on who you talk to." Jerod says. "She was involved with a number of individuals who had questionnable dealings. It would appear to have gotten her, and them, into trouble with Tritons. We're not sure if there was official sanction involved but I'm guessing not. These individuals evaded their problems with the Tritons and made their way to Amber eventually. Unfortunately one of them had the poor timing to get himself murdered during the King's coronation. Random was quite displeased as you can well imagine. Displeased enough to send a family member to investigate and to deal with any issues that might arise."
Jerod does not elaborate on the last part further.
"Assuming her Majesty the Queen does not indicate as such in her message, I would recommend that any operatives you have available keep themselves open to the waves for news of Thalia."
"Thalia came through here with Conner some time ago. I understand that he's wanted for questioning regarding Demond Harga'rel's murder. Or," she says, picking up the letter, "I understand that now. Did her majesty appraise you of the contents of her dispatch?"
"No she did not." Jerod says. "Nor did I inquire at the time she provided the message. Since the message would appear to be connected to my task from the King, and since you mentioned that Thalia has already arrived, perhaps you might fill me in on more of the message. And on where Thalia can be found."
"Thalia arrived here a few weeks ago, in the company of Ambassador Conner, and saw the Chancellor of the University. Conner left by ship and I do not know where Thalia went.
"It seems I am too late to implement the Queen's instructions, although I will ask the Chancellor for an explanation."
She looks up at Jerod, over the letter. "What can you tell me of the situation in the Seaward reaches?"
"Calm waves can conceal treacherous currents." Jerod says. "A wise leader would be advised to consider carefully the loyalties of those they work with. There may be those who bear ties that require scrutiny. Such vigilance may prove a waste of time to be sure. But would one wish to be lax at the wrong time?"
She nods.
"What do you know of one named Khela?"
"Khela? She's been an irritant out this way since before I was stationed here. If it wasn't well known that she hated going above the waves, I'd have to keep a force on staff just to watch where she might go.
"I wasn't at court when she got crosswise of your grandmother, but we have instructions on dealing with her. It takes a special woman to annoy your grandmother for quite as long as she has."
"The irritant in question is the daughter of Llewella." Jerod replies. "That puts her in a special category. I would not be surprised if someone who so dislikes the surface doesn't have others more disposed to serve her here.
"What has been her interest in Gateway?" he asks, his tone one of focussed curiousity, as if one finds something that is unusual to them and wants to know about the oddity before them.
She nods, and picks up a glass of water. "Not unlike your category, your Grace-and-Highness." She doesn't drink the water, but stirs it with her finger, absently. "What do you want with her? Has her majesty's government turned to Amber to help straighten this mess out? I would welcome an end to the feuding. Bad for business."
"Her name has come up in a number of inquiries I have made. That her name has come up, plus the connections that she possesses, make it sufficient to inquire further to determine her position in all that is happening. If she is not involved, then all the better. If she is...and if that involvement was part of a murder that happened during King Random's coronation..." Jerod says, "...then I suspect that would require a response. Thus I was sent to the Queen's Court.
"How are things bad for business?"
She looks at Jerod, as if she'd expected that statement to pass without question. "It's hardly good for business when one of the leading shells and the powerful but very remote government are not in agreement, no? It's like swimming through a kelp bed. You can't see very far and it's really easy to get entangled in something that will be hard to get out of."
Jerod returns a bland look to the ambassador, one that says he covers all his bases, no matter how mundane they might appear. Assumptions can kill...especially in kelp beds.
"Regrettably, I've noticed that common sense and intelligence are not always to be found in the same vessel. The latter tends to override the former. Such is the way of some of our less...favorable shells." Jerod replies.
"Unfortunately my time here is short and I have need of a few things." he says, reaching into his pocket to pull out a small piece of folded paper [describing the contents for a memorial pouch from Rebma, used during funeral rites to offer respect to the dead and condolescences to the living. Various shells, semi-precious stones and other items of a marine nature (to be decided based on the storyline)] that he hands to her. "I would presume that you have these available?" and he awaits her reply before continuing.
She unfolds the note, reads it, and nods.
"Second, with regards to Thalia, if the Queen has not given you instructions to do so, I would ask that you arrange to find out more about her activities, both here and in Rebma, but paying attention to any names that come up from Amber. The information is to be forwarded to the Queen of course, but should a copy come my way, I would be most...appreciative."
"Thalia arrived very publicly by ship less than a week ago, with Ambassador Conner. He has left, but it's not known if she accompanied him. You may want to talk to her Aunt, the Chancellor of the University. She is Gatwegan, so expect stubbornness."
"And treachery. It would appear that a visit to the Chancellor is in order" Jerod says quietly, with a slight smile. "Conner huh? Do you know what ship? Did it bear the flag of Amber or another perhaps?"
"They arrived in Le Soliel, Prince Bleys' personal ship, flying the Unicorn Banner."
Jerod nods an acceptance of her reply. The astute observer will note that Jerod does not like the answer.
Once she has had a chance to respond, he nods. "I will pick up the pouch before I depart the Gate. I will have need of it on my return journey. As a final item, I was wondering if you might be able to do me a...personal favor," tapping the spear that he has with him.
"This was given to me by my mother. It belonged to my grandfather, Gaius Drusus of Scipio. There are stories of his accomplishments in Rebma, but nothing prior. All I know is that he came from Gateway.
"The trail would no doubt be long cold, the chances of finding anything limited, possibly even a bit risky. However..." and he pauses here for a moment to emphasis the moment, "...should something of interest be found, that would be quite the achievement. Such talent as that would be wasted in a place like this...don't you agree?"
"Of course, Prince Jerod," she says, her best court face on. "Where do you intend to start?"
"I will be speaking to the Chancellor concerning Thalia, and possibly about my grandfather. Do not be surprised if this causes ripples. Have people watch these ripples, trace them back. They may reveal much."
And barring unforeseen issues, he departs for a visit to the Chancellor.
Last modified: 22 August 2005