The Changing Shape Of Order


Though he would like to go and meet other cousins, Garrett realizes that if he leaves Martin's side without at least speaking with his brother, it's going to look like he's avoiding him. He does not want to give that impression, even if, deep down, he would prefer to do just that. He turns to Martin and says levelly, "Martin, before you left, you said you wanted to speak with me. Shall we do that here tonight or wait 'til we get back to Xanadu?"

Martin looks distracted, as if he's mentally somewhere else. "Hmm? Oh, yes. We can take care of that now, while we walk down. I'm not going back to Xanadu." He takes a look at Brita, who is doing something at the cairn, and starts to move off down the hill at a steady, fast pace.

Garrett was also watching Brita as Martin started walking, so he trots to catch up. As he slides into step with his brother, he says with surprise, "You're not?" He answers his own "why" with, "So the King's keeping you here to deal with things on this end?"

"No. I'm leaving to find Folly. She's been missing since court. Dad says she went off with Dworkin, but she should have answered a Trump contact by now. She wouldn't have missed the memorial if she could have made it." Martin scowls and picks up the pace a little, nimbly picking his way down the hillside.

If Garrett hadn't grown up exploring these mountain trails, he might have a hard time keeping up with Martin. Instead, he matches his brother's pace. Though he appears to be concentrating on his footing, Garrett really is just unsure of what to say. Every response he considers sounds feeble. Garrett is concerned about Folly, too, but so far he's managed to convince himself that if the King isn't worried, he shouldn't be.

He chooses his words carefully. "Could it be she's in one of those strange-time shadows you told us about? Perhaps she's only been gone for a glass, her-time. And does anyone even have a trump for Folly?" He remembers that there wasn't one in Martin's deck.

"There's a sketch of her in the booth. That's what she's not answering. If it were just once, I'd think she was asleep or something. Over time, though? She's either in a bad slow-time pocket, which worries me, or someone is blocking, which worries me more. Or she's--far away, which really worries me." If Martin picks up the pace any more, he'll be running.

Garrett trots alongside Martin, thankful that his brother's legs are not that much longer than his own. "Has anyone else heard from her? When she left, she still had your trumps of the King and Prince Bleys, plus whatever she had in her own case."

"Folly doesn't have a lot of trumps, and none of the people whose trumps she has have told me where she was. If she expected to be gone, Garrett, she would have told me." Martin scowls again. "There's a reason why she's not getting into contact, and I intend to find out what it is."

Garrett's mouth becomes a tight line and he nods once. "I know I'm not much help, but if there's something you need me to do, I will. Folly means a lot to me, too," he offers.

Martin nods, once.

Garrett hustles along in silence for a moment, then ventures cautiously, "About that trump thing with Lucas, we can discuss it later if now's a bad time."

"No, you need to hear this before I leave." Martin's scowl deepens, if that's possible. "He hit you to get that trump out of you, didn't he?"

Garrett quirks a wry smile, but quickly suppresses it. "He tried to, but he missed. It ended up being just a shove against the wall." Garrett concentrates on his feet again. "I gave it to him 'cause his children needed protection." By the sound of the confession, though, there's more to it than mere concern for Lucas's kids.

"You mean he manipulated you into it," Martin says. The dryness of his tone could spark into a burning anger at any second. "Because his kids were more important than every other mother's son and daughter in the castle. He tried to sell me on that too, but I wasn't buying."

He looks over at his brother. "You understand that letting him push you into it means anybody in the family pecking order who thinks he's above Lucas--and that's a lot of people--will try to push you around now?"

Garrett's jaw clenches tight and he takes a long, slow breath to control his anger. When he speaks, his tone is icy. "I didn't have _time_ to get in a fight with him, Martin. Don't lecture me about 'every other mother's children'. What do _you_ know about it? My family was THERE.--"

Martin makes an angry noise that could be a laugh, but lets Garrett go on.

"-- I gave him the card BECAUSE others were important. Because it was the quickest way to get him out of me face so I could get YOU to AMBER to STOP it."

This time it's Garrett's turn to pick up speed. As he does, he snarls angrily, "And I can take care of me own honor, thank you very much."

"Hardly. You don't know enough to know what your honor is yet, much less how to take care of it." Martin closes his mouth as they approach the castle gate, and waves to the guards as he and Garrett step under the open portcullis.

[Martin will wait until they're out of earshot of the guards to continue his discussion. He appears to be headed back to his suite.]

Garrett nods officially to the guards as he passes. The forced silence gives him time to order his thoughts and get his temper under control. Beyond the guards' earshot, he speaks again in a much lower, less icy voice, but still with an edge. "Might I ask how I'm _supposed_ to know anything when all I get from you is 'You don't need to know?' Since we got to Xanadu, every question I ask turns into some big _challenge_ to your authority. How can I learn anything if no one tells me anything?"

Martin glances at Garrett and his eyebrows arch. "I just told you why not to do something and you told me to beach myself. Now you're demanding answers. Make up your mind, Garrett. Dad wants me to make a prince of you, but you're the only one who can do that. All I can do is give you the tools. If you don't want them, I can't make you take them."

Garrett strides along silently for a long moment as he mentally reviews the conversation [and his player rereads the log!]. He heaves a frustrated sigh and rakes his fingers through his hair. Martin can sense his frustration has turned inward. Garrett finally says sullenly, "I'm sorry, Martin. I didn't mean it to come off that way." He shakes his head. "All the rules I ever learned are bein' turned on their heads. It's all so damn confusing."

"The rules for being a stablehand and the rules for being a prince are very different," Martin replies with studious neutrality. Something Garrett said has finally gotten his full attention.

"I was thinking more about the rules for being a person," Garrett clarifies.

As they near the family wing, Garrett says, "Y'know, there's a couple of things I been wondering about the squire thing. First, do you think it's good idea for both the King's heirs to be in harm's way together? Brennan mentioned that after you left Xanadu and it's a good point." Garrett doesn't seem to be trying to get out of it. He's just asking Martin's opinion.

"And second...," Garrett nervously tries to smile as he continues, "given our history so far, do you reckon we could work together for that long without killing each other?" Despite the attempt at humor, Garrett is obviously concerned about this point.

"I don't think Dad would take it very well if I killed you, and I don't think you're up to killing me, so I'm not too worried about that." The wry twist of Martin's lips makes it a joke. "Security--that's an issue. It's complicated." He sighs quietly. "If you were going to have someone else do it, who did you have in mind? There are a bunch of political complications too, but he seems pretty set on it being me."

Garrett hesitates because the King didn't take kindly to this suggestion the first time. Still, if you never ask... "The best one I can think of is Sir Brennan." He shrugs. "There might be others, but I don't know them well enough to say."

As an afterthought, he adds, "I reckon Prince Jerod might be all right, too. He's experienced in the prince part."

"That he is, but he's not a knight. And I'm not sure I can get him to stand still long enough to push him down on one knee and whack him with a sword." There's exasperated affection in Martin's tone. "But we might find another way to make that happen. Brennan--I don't know. He's Brand's son and that's going to count against him in this, even if it doesn't count against him in almost anything else."

Garrett looks puzzled. He thought Brennan was fairly well-respected.

Martin looks over at Garrett. "Did anyone explain to you why him being Brand's son is a problem? What Brand did?"

Garrett's brow furrows and he shakes his head. "No. Not really. Something about him starting the war. That's all."

"He tried to kill me."

Garrett turns to stare at Martin incredulously.

Martin seems stone-cold serious as he continues: "Well, that's not quite what he did--it's how he did it. But that's a long story," Martin says, and pauses as they enter the family wing of the castle and the guards who apparently don't need to hear that long story. When they're out of earshot of the guards again, they're at Martin's door and he stops. "Anyway, it's a long story and you can ask Gerard about it. Or Bleys," Martin says in a way that's a touch too pleasant.

Garrett eyes Martin warily. He had wanted to talk to Bleys at some point, but the way Martin said that, he's no longer sure he should.

"You can ask Dad but it's an upsetting subject for him. He feels like shit that he wasn't taking better care of me or something. Anyway, because of that, letting his second kid run off with a nephew or niece he doesn't know well is a big deal, and Brennan is who he is and Dad doesn't know him very well, so that may not work out. Not in time for you to be a squire, anyway."

Garrett nods pensively. This puts his father's overprotectiveness in perspective. It could even be behind his reluctance to let Garrett walk the Pattern. Pondering a way around this one will take some time.

Martin pauses, his hand on the door handle. "We can talk more about Lucas and Brennan later. Just don't let Lucas jerk your chain, OK?"

"Okay," Garrett agrees, mentally shelving for the nonce his plan to go thank Lucas for looking in on his parents.

Garrett turns to leave, but turns back after a step. "Martin?" he begins, "When you find Folly, could you let me know? She's, um... she's always been real good to me and, ah... I'm worried about her, too." From all the hesitations, Martin can sense that Garrett has strong feelings for Folly, even if they are not the same as his own.

"I'll tell Dad to let you know when I talk to him," Martin agrees.

"Thanks," Garrett responds. He hesitates for a second, as if he thinks he should say something more. Coming up with nothing that doesn't sound lame, though, he simply nods and says, " 'Night," before walking off to find the dining hall.


Celina wonders as the funeral ends if she is the only one carrying more grief now than when she arrived.

The motion of various relatives seems chaotic for a moment. She reaches for Merlin's hand now and also finds Corwin's hand again. She weeping, but so slowly and quietly that she thinks no one can see it beneath her veil.

Merlin squeezes her hand tightly, but not painfully so. It's an awkward gesture for him, one that he has perhaps seen or experienced, but not one that he is familiar with initiating.

Corwin accepts her grasp but, as before, doesn't initiate further intimacies.

"Father, I--," Celina cuts off, watching the unexpected for her kiss between Vere and Robin. The weight in her chest releases and grief is lightened to a tolerable place.

"Outstanding." Celina whispers. She admires the kiss in form and feeling.

A few breaths and she recovers her thoughts again. "Father, Merlin," Celina says, "I will be returning to Rebma in weeks to come. I'm not sure I should ever have left, but I realize the good in the steps I've taken."

Corwin and Merlin both seem to have something to say about this, but neither of them are fast enough to override Celina as she continues.

She spots Hannah and Solange exchange words. "May I introduce you to Hannah, my blood? She is new to the family."

"It's always my pleasure to meet another of our kin," Corwin replies courteously. "Which of my brothers does she belong to?" His eyes search the group, as if to see who the unknown person might be.

There's no diplomatic prince like an Old Amber Diplomatic Prince. Celina lowers her voice. "I thought perhaps Oberon, but didn't think it was my place to suggest that. Her eyes are fresh and she drinks from everything."

The Seaward lass meanders to intercept Hannah. There is no particular beaten path down the mountain so Celina's tries to bring them alongside Hannah at a relatively good spot for stopping without blocking anyone from moving to the castle.

She releases the hands of her kin. "Hannah?" Celina smiles as the gleam of Hannah's hair shifts around.

Hannah turns to look curiously behind her, and smiles warmly when she sees her cousin. "Celina." That curious gaze turns to the men.

"This is my father, Corwin son of Oberon and ruler of Paris. And this quiet fellow is my brother, Merlin, who I adore above all other of my kin. I thought now might be the only chance for you to meet them before you had to return to Xanadu." She leans closer and whispers, "I hope you don't mind the informality, I don't think I ever heard a family line or title given for you."

This actually draws a little chuckle from Hannah. She looks up into Corwin's eyes and the smile brightens for a moment.

Hannah grins back at Celina. "Well, my father is Es-ta-mah-za, who was named the eldest son of Chief Opau-tauga and his mother was Wa-tun-na, whose father was the War Chief of the Ponca, whose father was the Fire Chief of the Ponca, whose father was a Holy Man of our Nation, the Omaha. My mothers are Hin-nu-ags-nun and Tainne and lately Tah-ca-wa-cipi, but none of them gave birth to me."

She looks back to the men and shrugs. "I'm not sure which of your, uh, our female relations found such potential in my father when he was a young man. But there it is. It's a pleasure to meet you both, your Majesty, your highness. Please just call me Hannah."

Behind the black ghost of her veil, Celina's eyes widen. Her mother gave her up? Walked away? We could be sisters of a kind.

Corwin bows slightly, and Merlin, studious, follows his father's example. "The pleasure is mine, Hannah. How long have you been with us? I've been in Paris and I'm afraid I missed your arrival."

"I'm not sure how long it's been in Amber now. Is Amber's time the same as Xanadu's? It feels like quite awhile, but I think perhaps only a few weeks. I had heard that Paris was where you were making your home. Do things go well for you there?" Hannah asks. Her eyes flicker to Merlin to include him in this question.

"Paris is bustling, and there are more newcomers every day. There's not much for me to do to rule the place; it seems to go on without much effort on my part," Corwin explains. "I haven't been back to Amber since Random was crowned."

Merlin adds, "I came to Amber with Celina and have stayed here to complete some work. I think there is some slippage of time, but I never learned to account well for such things, so I cannot be certain. I know there is some between Paris and Amber, because my father told me so--the hours of the day do not hold parallel when I contact him."

Corwin nods. "Probably the same for Xanadu."

Which makes sense. Celina is interested in how Hannah takes that.

"Hm." Hannah nods and looks thoughtful.

Paige and the twins approach from having spoken to Fiona, "Uncle, Merlin? If I'm not interrupting, I'd like to introduce my children, Brooke and Leif."

"Children, you remember Hannah and Celina, of course.

Celina nods to the teens. Her eyes smile behind the veil.

Hannah smiles at the young ones and their mother.

"A pleasure," Corwin says gravely, bowing to the young lady and offering a clasp to Leif. Leif isn't sure of what to do, but sticks his hand out anyway, and Corwin walks him through the proper procedure.

"If Merlin had a moment, the children had some questions that you might be the best suited to answer," she explains.

And Celina is sure she'd like to hear such questions.

"Of course. Excuse me," he says to the assembled company, without specifying to whom, and starts to move away with Paige and the children. Since Celina seems inclined to come with them, he offers her his arm, leaving his father and Hannah alone.

Celina makes nod to her father and squeezes Hannah's arm in a silent 'later'. She glides off with Merlin a few steps before giving Paige an 'out' if she wants one. "You don't mind, cousin Paige?"

"Of course not," she answers.

The Seaward lass nods politely to Paige's answer.

Paige explains, "The children's Arcadian legacy offers them other shapes, and they were concerned that assaying the Pattern, once they're older, might deny them those abilities."

Merlin nods seriously. "The changing of shape is not a thing that should be done lightly in Amber. People here are frightened by it, so you must not do it with people you do not know," he explains to the twins.

Leif scowls at Merlin, and Brooke asks, "Why are people afraid of shapechangers here?"

"It has to do with the war," Merlin says. "I was not in Amber then, so I do not know all the details, but I have been told that there were attacks on Amber the city by creatures that changed their shapes. Perhaps your mother can elaborate."

Eyeing Leif, Celina nods. She was a girl when the Black Tides washed through Seaward. As scary as that was, she's heard things about the Black Sand War of Rebma that are worse. Leif doesn't have enough connections to what is to care very much about such trappings.

"Amberites assume that the gift of changing forms is tainted by Chaos, who was seen as our prime enemy in the last war. Many lost family and friends in the battles that ensued and still harbor ill will to anything they believe may be associated," Paige explains.

"I am of that heritage," Merlin says, "so I am careful not to show my gifts. But I still have them, even after my initiation into Order."

Brooke says, "Show us!"

Merlin shakes his head in the negative. "Not without walls, and among strangers." He glances down into the dusky gloom, where two of Julian's rangers are speaking with the Warden.

"I don't believe you can any more," says Leif. "If you ever could."

Paige turns quickly on her son, the hesitation of her hand is almost unseen. Her palm strikes his cheek flat, a quiet but sharp crack sounding over the subdued mountainside.

Paige is blindingly fast. Celina has a sliver of time to note her own shocked reaction to Leif's intense words.

Leif raises one hand to his stinging cheek, and Brooke mirrors the gesture.

[Paige's] voice is firm but kept low. "You will show me and your elders due respect, Leif." The redhead's gaze encompasses his twin sister as well. "You may have the body of a boy nearing manhood, but you take such a tone with the wrong man and you'll never reach it, no matter what magicks your great-grandmother wields.

"I told you yesterday that Merlin had such ability," she finished. "Calling him a liar is to call me one also.

"Apologize for your rude behavior." The flame in her eyes brooks no argument.

The Seaward cousin stands poised to assist Paige or Merlin, but balanced in TaKhi so as to offer no threat to Leif or Brooke. Celina doesn't want Brooke to rush to her brother's defense because he is the underdolph here.

For a moment everyone stares at each other, unmoving.

Brooke breaks the silent stillness by speaking to Merlin. "Leif is sorry for saying you could not change your shape, kinsman." She prods her brother, but he doesn't say anything just yet.

Merlin starts to say something, but decides against, and lets Paige deal with her children.

Celina is absorbed watching the waters swirl in Leif's eyes. She welcomes the moderation and rhythm of the TaKhi. Surely the raising of children is an awesome and sacred responsibility--and the perversions and honor of that bond in the Amber bloodline are only too Real.

"Leif?" Paige prompts, her gaze never wavering from his. She knew it wasn't his fault, that she expected the emotional maturity that should've matched the physical. It was irrational of her, but he had to learn and it's easier to stay away from the flame once you've been burned.

Watching Leif and thinking of children, Celina imagines a moment of sisterly association with the lad. The boy hasn't had five minutes of manners, let alone a full course in cultural etiquette. She thinks hard at him across the short distance. Go on. It won't hurt and it will be over quickly. And you'll get a nice surprise.

Leif lowers his gaze. "I'm sorry," he mutters sullenly. Another prod from Brooke gets a "kinsman" out of him.

Merlin's tone is formal. "I accept your apology, young kinsman. Sometime when we are all alone, I will show you what I know of changing shape, if you like." He offers Leif a hand, which the youngster very tentatively takes, and a handshake. Paige feels it's the way Martin would have handled it.

Such thoughts Paige pushes aside with a small smile. She nods approval to her son and never chuckles at Brooke's prompting.

Then Merlin turns back to Paige. "If you and the children have no further questions, it is perhaps time for me to escort my sister back to the castle before it becomes too dark." The lilt at the end doesn't quite rise to make it a question, and Merlin glances at Celina for confirmation that this is acceptable.

"It has been a long day and I wish to discard the ritual clothing," Celina nods.

"Agreed," Paige says. "I need to get the twins abed and send some notes myself. I've plans to leave for Xanadu as soon as possible, most likely to blaze the sea route. If either of you are planning on returning, you'd be welcome, I'm sure." She hugs Merlin and kisses him on the cheek.

The Seaward girl goes to Brooke and gives her eye contact first, then a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you, Brooke, for being a good cousin."

Then Celina shares the same sentiment and inflection with Leif. A look, a hug, and a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you, Leif, for being a good cousin."

With a nod to Paige, she lets Merlin guide her back to the castle.

Paige returns the nod and gathers the children for a similar journey.


As the Family begins its trek back to the city, Brennan looks around, sees Corwin in conversation with Celina, but that Benedict is apparently free. He alters his stride in an appropriate fashion to come up along side him.

"Benedict," he begins. "Good to see you again, though the circumstances are heavy. Congratulations on Lilly's walk."

He nods, but seems distracted.

Although Brennan will indulge in small talk and pleasantries if Benedict is so inclined, he never struck Brennan as that sort of personality. So he will get to the point quickly. "I doubt Julian will let his loss go unanswered... nor should he. I am planning to offer him whatever help I can render. If memory serves, Julian was not the first Warden. Corwin preceded him," Brennan says, pointing a chin in Corwin's direction. "Is it true that Finndo came before Corwin in that position?"

"Your memory or your sources are accurate," says Benedict. "My brother knows his duties."

"Without doubt," Brennan says. Benedict might infer from his behaviour on the field at Patterfall that Brennan, while aggressive and forward-leaning, is not the sort of fool who would charge into Arcadia with the first bright idea he's got, wrecking all of Julian's plans. Too much respect for chain of command, as long as it's intact and functioning.

"It's also said that many or all of the divinities of Arcadia are descended of Finndo and the Dragon. Ancient legacies have a way of returning to the Family," he says. "And of Finndo, I know nothing but rumors and gossip, necessarily third or fourth hand." Even Julian's knowledge would be indirect. "Would you tell me of your brothers, Benedict?" he asks.

"My brother Finndo let his desire to reproduce overcome his understanding of what was good for Amber and the greater worlds. He has created dangers that threaten us through the ages." He looks directly at Brennan and he does not blink. "Do not reproduce, Brennan. It is bad for everything."

Brennan blinks. Then looks away for perhaps twenty paces of contemplation before he looks back up at his Elder.

"Why?"

Why is it bad for everything?

Benedict walks on without replying, so long that Brennan may think that he is not going to reply. Finally, he speaks. "The Universe is not strong enough to have such as we in it. We stress it and risk everything, and we do not know how to tread lightly. And threats from ages ago can surface like a long-forgotten weapon. My brother Finndo's legacy is one of death, not life. Do not reproduce. It is safe for neither the universe nor those in it."

Brennan mulls that over, since Benedict doesn't seem to mind-- may even prefer-- a slower conversation. "And our counterparts from the Courts? They, as well? Or only those of Dworkin's line?"

It's not what he'd intended to talk about, but Benedict is a mine with more than one vein.

Benedict looks at his nephew. "We do not have counterparts from the Courts of Chaos. Not in any meaningful sense."

Brennan thinks that over, out loud. "Our own origins lie in Chaos through Dworkin, if my history is correct. And there is growing speculation that Julian's adversary is Chaotic, as well." His voice takes on the tone of someone running down a tree of speculation, ordered by some criteria that he thinks will be most efficient. He begins with a skeptical question. "But I would not have thought the offspring of its congress with Finndo would have been allowed to take the Pattern, either. Have they? Is there one, or a reflection, or something similar, in Arcadia?"

"I have no knowledge of one in Arcadia. It seems unlikely that it would co-exist with a dragon. Not all of Dworkin's kith can take the pattern, of course."

Brennan nods; he thought not. "Then the danger of our being lies not solely in our origins in the Courts, if unrelated Lords of Chaos don't share it; nor is it solely the mark of having taken the Pattern if Finndo's kin do share it." He runs through a number of almost unrelated memories in his mind, one last time (and waiting for Benedict to correct him if he's mis-stated) before making a leap: "A tie to the Unicorn? Benedict, who-- or what-- is the Unicorn?"

"As I understand her? Your grandfather's mother. More than that, I don't know. But the Pattern or the ability to take the Pattern are my concern. It changes our reality and we become a risk for less-real places. Look at what happened in Rilga's homeland, where there's now a rip in the shadow." He shakes his head. "And that's not considering intentional damage."

Only some of that surprises Brennan-- he'd reasoned his way toward a close Family tie with the Unicorn some time ago, and Benedict is only confirming it, along with the central enigma of what, exactly, she is.

"I know nothing of Rilga's Shadow," Brennan says. "I don't even think I understand what a rip in a shadow entails." It's not a lack of curiosity, per se, but Brennan doesn't think Rilga's homeland is any of his business. "But, thank you, Benedict. Brand never spoke to me of any of this. Perhaps we can learn to walk softly if we know the dangers."

Benedict doesn't look like he thinks much of that prospect.

Brennan does not contradict.

Brennan looks up, and catches sight of Lilly. "Benedict, will you be staying in Amber or in Xanadu this time?"

"Not for long. I have duties in my home."

Brennan nods. "Duties everywhere," he agrees, "and the heaviest are those we set for ourselves." There's another long pause as Brennan considers how best to broach a subject, evidently deciding that the best way is to leave a clear path for deferral. "There is a duty I find myself reaching for, Uncle. It's a grave matter, for which I seek advice. And have been instructed to seek it. But here and now may not be the best setting. May I call on you later?"

Benedict nods. "Yes. If you do not find time before I leave, you may call on me in Avalon."

Brennan nods. "Thank you, Benedict. I shall, one way or the other."


After he's done speaking with Benedict, Brennan's eyes fall on Lilly, and he makes his way to her with purpose. He's not obtrusive, but he makes just enough casual noise in stepping on gravel or twigs that Lilly shouldn't be surprised when he falls in next to her and puts a hand on her shoulder. The lines on his face are deeper than they were a week ago; and that looks like it might be a permanent feature.

"And then there were four," he says softly. "How are you holding up?"

As she turns towards him, her mind seems to return to the present. "All right," she says though it is clearly not the case. "I have never really had to deal with death on a personal level before. I supposing it is hitting me harder then it should." She shrugs. "How about you? From the look of things I am not the only one who has faced some adversity as of late." Blunt and to the point. Like father, like daughter.

For a minute, it looks like Brennan might deny it, but then he nods. "I'll tell you about it later. A few days, probably. Someone else deserves the news first." After another minute, he realizes what that might sound like, then adds, "Don't worry too much about it. It's my problem, no one else's."

She accepts the answer with a simple nod. Brennan could handle his own problems. There is no need, as far as Lilly is concerned, to persue the subject further.

Brennan is grateful. "What do you think of Robin?" he asks.

"She is untamed," Lilly replies after a moment's thought. "Far more of a free spirit then most of our cousins to be sure. But she also strikes me as loyal to her father and to her men." She smiles a bit, "Do not repeat this, or at least do not credit me with this, but she strikes me as being the personification of one of Julian's hounds."

He nods. "I don't think she'd take it amiss, actually. But I think one of Julian's hawks might be a better comparison... and not just because she comes across as a bit flighty at times. Don't hear that the wrong way, though. I think she's solid. I'd bet my ring that Julian thinks she's solid. I just don't think she thinks she's solid. She's also a hell of a warrior and a good small unit leader, from what I hear, and I'd give up a tooth to hear the full story of what she did during the Black Road period and the aftermath.

"I also think we're down to four Knights Commander, now," he says. Brennan looks at her, expecting her to draw a conclusion, even if she disagrees with it.

Again she nods and takes pause before answering. "Yes, you are right. We shall need more of us if we intend for the order to continue. And she would seem to be a fine choice. I suspect Jovian will agree and Marius... Well I never quite know what to expect of him." Not that it matters, Lilly thinks to herself. Not really. A unified front is all well and good but Brennan will have his majority regardless.

"I think Jovian will agree, too, but that's why I spoke to you first," Brennan says. "I didn't want to ambush you to get your agreement. And Marius isn't here to consult. Ordinarily, I'd wait for a unanimous decision, but I think a unanimous quorum is the best I'll get. If whatever Marius has going is volatile or dangerous enough to miss the memorial service, he won't have time for this either, and I'm worried that waiting a day will see Robin already flown."

[Lilly gives] a third nod. No point in wasting words while agreeing.

He holds out his hand in that characteristic list-counting way. "Issues. One: Do we have the authority to do this? Probably not. But we don't know that we don't, either, and it's usually better to ask forgiveness than permission.

"Two: When, where, and whom? Tonight, if possible. Red room. With a Knight named by each Knight Commander as witness, and a balancing number of Rangers. Julian. Probably Vere. Probably the King.

"Three: Politics." He makes a face. "Could be interpretted as the Order trying to influence the Rangers, which is not my intent," he says, with emphasis. "I'd like to think of it as building a bridge between the two. But, I was going to offer Julian whatever assistance the Order can provide, at his discretion, up to and including my self as long as no other fires break out. Should head that concern off, I hope." He looks to Lilly to see if she's got any opinion or objection there.

She is thoughtful, but does not seem ready to interject.

"Four: Assuming Jovian will agree is sensible, but we'll talk to him soon, I hope. Assuming Robin would want this, maybe less so. Maybe Jovian has some insight there, too."

"Later this evening or early tomorrow would be good. There is something I wish to look into early in the evening but it shouldn't take long. Having some time to gather everyone will probably make things easier. As for location, I have no preference. And your guest list seems about right to me."

Brennan nods. "I assume you'd ask for help with your errand if you need it," he says.

"It's nothing. Checking in on a friend. But yes, I would. I would trust you without hesitation." Lilly replies. "But we'll get off topic if we keep discussing that, so where was I? Ah yes...

"Politics? People will read into this what they will. Not sure we can control that. However we can probably influence it. I agree that this can serve as a bridge and I agree that we can offer assistance as a group. There is far too much at stake here for us not to do just that. I think Julian will understand however, that we are still two completely seperate entities and that while we will endeavour to aid him in this, we may also have issues and agendas of our own.

"No, I agree," Brennan says, "but people make their own politics even more than they make their own luck. A little forethought never hurts. Martin and I had a sit down after the King announced Card, to make sure the orders don't step on each others' toes, too." He gestures with a spread hand-- there shouldn't be any worries on that front.

[Lilly] "As for Robin... I am not a diplomat. Not by any means. But I will find time to speak with her if neccesary."

A bit of Brennan's mischievous nature creeps back into his eyes. "Or we could just surprise her."

We could," she agrees, humor invading the lines of her face. "But we'll still need a compelling summons. Perhaps her brother would be best for that job, however."

Much as Brennan might prefer that-- really, really prefer that-- he slowly shakes his head, "Nnno, maybe not. Well, yes, let's go talk to Jove," he clarified, angling in that direction, "But let's not spring it on her. Good clean fun, but probably not wise."

When they reach Jovian, Brennan gives him a run down on the plan, including points Lilly expressed, and asks his opinion.

Jovian thinks his sister is well-qualified to be a Knight Commander, but isn't sure about the timing. He thinks it would be bad if she were seen as a replacement for Daeon. She's also not very likely to come to meetings in the castle. He wants to know what Brennan's first answer will be if she asks why he wants her.

Lilly will point out that she thinks it best for one of them to talk with her as soon as possible. She can see the timing point. Hopefully, if Robin is found to be agreeable, they can decide on a suitable time that pleases everyone. Lilly would like to see it happen within the next few day but is willing to wait as long as necessary for the sake of propriety. She does not want Robin to feel like a mere replacement. As for as Lilly is concerned, she has earned this title on her own merit.

Brennan's immediate answer is that he wants Robin because she deserves it, and she's well qualified. If she's not Julian's de facto second in command of an elite military structure, she's at least somewhere in the second tier; from what Brennan can see, she's held in very high respect therein; and at least some of her talents have come back to Brennan's ears. He keeps in touch with the army, and he's encouraged the army to maintain good relations, not to position themselves as a rival group. Not only that, but he doesn't know of any plans for Martin to recognize her in Card, and frankly, Ruby is a better fit.

If Jovian wants to cap it with the recollection of a particular deed or three, that's more than welcome.

He'll think on that. He's willing to let you all propose it to her.

On the subject of timing, Brennan agrees and sympathizes, but reminds him of the flipside-- Knights Commander of the Order of the Ruby all tend to be highly mobile agents of the Crown. Even getting three of the four together without Trumps is difficult. Who knows when the next opportunity is?

Who's up to talking to Robin?

Not Jove! He's not a PC.

Brennan nominates Lilly.

Lilly will but this is Tara's proposed timetable for it...

Lilly finishes talking to Brennan and returns to the palace... She goes to her room, washes up, braids her hair, then sits down and pens a note to Robin asking her to a meeting at her earliest convenience. She'll hand the note to a page, tell said page that she will either be in her rooms or in Lucas's and head off to speak with Solace. No Solace but now she's spekaing with Lucas. So while the Lucas thread is going on, Lilly is waiting to hear from Robin, via a page. So as the conversation with Lucas is going on Lilly has no idea if she is free either but that's ok. In fact it makes things rather fun.

Is this all right? If so, I will repsond to Lucas, ASAP and also word the letter that is being sent to Robin (with orders that it be given directly to Robin and that the page should wait for a reply...)

Brennan thinks that sounds like a capital idea, since, looking up, he surmises that either Ambrose has absconded with Random, or Random has absconded with Ambrose, and that either way he has developed a pressing need to be somewhere else.

He thanks Lilly for her willingness to touch base with Robin, tells her to feel free to say whatever she thinks is wise, and that as much as possible, Brennan will be available to speak with Robin afterwards, if she still has questions or concerns.

And for that matter, there are some less pressing, less business-like things that Brennan would like to talk to either of them about... at a point when free time is easier to come by.

Judging from what she knows of Robin, Lilly decides to take a very informal tone when writing the note. It reads as follows:

Robin,

I have something I would like to discuss with you. It would be best if we could meet either tonight or early tomorrow morning. I will leave the place up to you. Please let my know when and where.

Thank You!
Your cousin,
Lilly

The page will be sent off to find her and be asked to wait for a reply. Once he has the reply, Lilly wants it delivered directly to her as quickly as possible. She will let him know where she plans on being (either her rooms or Lucas').

The page takes the note and promises to deliver it and wait for a reply.


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Last modified: 10 October 2005