[Heerat trip]
Before making the arrangements for the (brief) Heerat trip for Paige and
Martin, Gerard takes Paige aside privately and asks her whether she wants
Vere or Brita or Folly to accompany them. If it will make things easier,
Gerard can arrange for that.
"Unless you know something I don't, Uncle, I don't see why that should be a problem." Paige smiles and sets her hand on his in a comforting gesture. "Martin and I are getting along well enough and I don't see why there should be any issues. Thank you."
Gerard nods sagely. "Well enough, lass, I just wanted to hear what ye had to say."
Paige and Martin set off under overcast skies for Heerat, each with one horse and two weeks worth of provisions. Paige leads the way, not trying to shave any corners and miss something that would've lead to her discovery of Heerat last time out. Conversations ranges from the state of economics in the city to the probability of these Shadow Paths lasting, to the shrinking city. Paige is interested in hearing his opinions on that and anything else he's willing to speak on.
Martin doesn't have a lot of opinions about metaphysics ("You're the redhead, remember?") but he actually has opinions to offer on economics. There is something very wrong with Amber's economy, and he can't quite figure out what it is. He thinks it's tied in with the shrinking city somehow. He discourses at some length about how various states of inter-shadow trade should affect gross economic indicators until he decides Paige is bored and then changes the subject.
("Yes, people keep reminding me."
Martin draws on a number of points addressed in general terms in Solange's book, but Martin also has a reasonably clear-headed view of intra-shadow economics, which Solange glosses. He's willing to stop and explain, especially since it's all information that he thinks princes of Amber should know anyway.
[Paige]
The economy's going to come up in Court sooner or later and
she's determined to prove to some people that despite her short-comings
she does have the head for politics.
[GMs]
[This discussion should precede the Y5 finances discussion.]
[Paige]
[Noted, and I figured as much, but currently Paige is slated to
take more of a role in Court anyway, what with Jerod's laying of
Shadowpaths...]
Mention of the shadowpaths turns his mood a bit sour, and he changes the subject.
Paige's final thought on the matter. "To be perfectly honest, once it seemed the Bellum route was going to be so much work compared to it's reward, well... the only reason I saw for supporting it was as a sign of accomplishment. I don't think it's giving us the return commensurate with the effort put into it. But that's just my opinion."
"I don't either," says Martin, a touch grumpily. "I also don't think it's a decision we should be rushing through."
"True, but I'll admit, it gave me a wonderful excuse for finding Heerat." Her smile is a bit smug.
"I don't think you're the only one who finds it a convenient excuse to do what you want," he says, and changes the subject.
[Paige]
She figures that will cover maybe
15 minutes of the 10 day trip there, so she's content to travel in silence
with him most of the way, just enjoying his company like they haven't done
in years.
They make camp along the way as best they can find shelter, as Paige never was one for the Royal Way. She huddles close to him for warmth the first night, as her worries of shifting around the storm and losing Heerat kept her from finding a more hospitable climate to spend the night.
Martin seems unaffected by the chill, but is willing to share body heat. It's clear that's all he intends to share, though.
Paige looks for nothing other than that and by the next morning she's found her own space nearer the horses. The next day she shifts enough Shadow to find a much warmer camp for the night so he can have the distance he desires.
Save some balmy weather in a close Shadow right before finding it, and skirting a run in with Shadows of the natives that ruined Paige's first caravan, the trip there is rather uneventful. Like Amber itself, Heerat has seen a drop in it's trade, but it remains much the same as when they left that last day before the Sundering, he to return with his father and she to be brought through by Martin, himself, just before he left to find Folly. "I never thanked you, did I? If you hadn't brought me to Amber, I would've had to ride out the Black Rain here. I wouldn't have what I do." Paige doesn't meet his eyes easily. "Thanks."
"You're welcome," he says.
Spending one night in rooms at Maria's, they leave again, early the next morning.
Martin doesn't even wince when Maria tells him how glad she is to see him with Paige and how she's so happy they're still together after all this time. She seems delighted that Paige is out of the life and in an honest trade.
"Honest? Oh, the trading. Yes, well, gotta pay the bills. But Martin and I aren't together any more. We'll need two rooms tonight if you can spare them." Paige will answer questions Maria might have, later and in private.
And she has a lot of them, with tea and sympathy. Martin gets a touch of the cold shoulder from Maria afterwards, which he accepts with equanimity.
The story told, might not induce that harsh a judgement. Paige lays much of the blame on herself and only laments that she wishes she had a chance to do it over again. "You don't know what you had until it's gone, eh?"
But Maria will act as Maria will act. [And the HiveMind dictates...]
"Oh, honey," she says, and offers more tea and sympathy. "I think he's still in love with you a little. I see the way he looks at you when you're not looking and he thinks no one else is." Hard to tell whether Maria means it honestly or is merely saying what she thinks Paige wants to hear. Or both.
"Well, only time will tell, eh?" Paige answers quietly. "I think I still love him, too, but... I don't know." She finishes her tea and kisses Maria goodnight. " I've got an early ride before me tomorrow, so I should probably retire. Good-night."
Paige smiles, "You know, it's taken finding this city and Maria's to really understand. Even if it is but Shadow now, Amber's home. I'm not sure I ever really had one other than N'Orleans, really and that only because I was born there.
"Hey, I wonder. Maybe we should see if the Shadows we're trading with are seeing a shrinking. If Heerat reflects the trade problems we have, wouldn't it follow that it will reflect other problems, too."
[Martin]
"You lived in Heerat longer than I did. Does it seem any different to you?"
"I haven't been here long enough to really notice. Seems to be a little economically distressed, but other than that, I can't say. Could just be the downturn in trade."
Martin frowns. "I've seen a lot of that in my travels, too. It makes me wonder, given the Situation in the Basement."
"As to how Amber, arguably not the center of Order anymore, still casts Shadows? With as many beings of Substance that reside there, one would have to assume it's not any different than the Shadows of Uncle Corwin's Avalon that Uncle Benedict lived within." Paige looks thoughtful. "Or am I missing your point?"
"I'm not sure it's the same, though. Not that we have a lot of experience with broken Patterns to draw on."
"This is really Aunt Fi's realm of speculation, but if I remember right, the Patterns in Rebma, the Tir, and Amber were reflections of the Primal Pattern, yes? So, Grandfather fixed the Primal Pattern, and in doing so cracked the mirrors that reflect it. So how do you fix a mirror cracked? Or do you find a new mirror? And if the mirror is Shadow, can we influence it to fix it? What's the probability of another tectonic shift that might seal that fissure? Can our physical actions make that probability more likely so our metaphysical influences have a better chance of success?" Paige curses under her breath in a very unladylike way." I wish I had paid more attention to her lessons..."
"You can ask her when she gets home," says Martin. "Who's in Amber that might know?" Inspiration and revulsion: "What about Ossian? He's been taught a bunch of this stuff, too. Any of the others?"
"You know as much as I as to who's got what ability with the Pattern. Solange's a conjurer, so she's more than I had after just walking the Pattern, and of course Jerod. Ossian? Good idea. What about Reid. He's really an unknown still to me, as is Brita." Paige thinks further. "What about Folly? My analogy has to be strings and sounding boards then, but Father always related metaphysical to musical, anyway. Cambina, too."
"Ability isn't going to help here, Paige, or I'd be as good as anyone. We need people with theory, and nobody seems to have a lot of that. You'd think someone would have said something by now." Martin shrugs.
The rains come on the way back to Amber, but still Paige and Martin make good time. She'll be happy to hear his guess at time estimates for handling a caravan here. She estimates a month each way, but he's more experience overall in these matters.
Martin demurs, commenting that his experience is more theoretical than practical. Pressed for an estimate, he comes up with numbers that roughly agree with Paige's.
Once she returns, she'll look to arranging the first caravan, perhaps with the new tarriff system in place, depending on timing of other talks.
Vialle suggests that it might be nice for the Royal family to have a ball at the Castle during the season of the Dedication of the Fleet. Would anyone be interested in that? Or having another such social event?
Lucas would be interested.
Solace is thrilled.
"A masquerade ball, maybe?" says Folly hopefully. "We oughtta do something festive -- we could use the positive PR."
Paige smiles, "That sounds fun. Yes. We can do this. Between Solace and Vialle we've got a good read on the social scene and proper forms. Yes, I think we could all use a night of casting off the mask we wear for each other and the City in favor of others. Guess one of these trips I'll have to dig up a stake for the costs we're going to incur."
Vere looks inconspicuous during the festival discussions.
Vialle gets a funny look on her face at the suggestion of a masquerade ball and the talk of masks.
"Umm... and maybe I'll wear something fuzzy," adds Folly hastily, looking a little embarrassed.
"Is there a problem Vialle? I think it could be enjoyable. And there's a deniability angle if I do anything too dreadful." Paige smirks, but is really listening for Vialle's answers, spoken and not.
"If that's what you all want, dear, I'm sure it will be a lot of fun."
Paige pauses in thought. "Perhaps... the climate of the city might not be right for that sort of an event. We want to do something to make us look better to the city, not indulge our own pleasures. You know these sort of things much better than I, Vialle. You did a wonderful job with Hope's luncheon and I'm sure you'll do a wonderful job with this. I think I speak for most everyone when I suggest you do as you see best and we'll all have an enjoyable time." Paige says with an apologetic smile for her short-sightedness. Folly gets the look, _Not a battle to fight, now._
"Oh, no," says Vialle. "You young people must have your fun. I'm sure everyone would enjoy a masquerade. Perhaps I will ask Ossian to design a costume for me."
[Sudden vision of Art Cars as designed by Ossian ... FTNITK, see this.]
"If you're sure, Vialle. Any assisstance I can be to helping prepare for it, just let me know," Paige answers.
Ossian smiles: "I'll gladly help too, of course.
"And a masquerade ball would be really fun, I think.
Vialle says, "Well, who do you think we should invite?"
"Everyone," says Folly, grinning.
Ossian answers: "Sandra surely deserves an invitation. So does Baron Kaliq. Why not invite Drudge? That could silence him for a while."
"Mmmmm," says Vere. "It really depends upon what the desired result of this affair is, I suppose. Is the intent to show that the Royal Family remains firmly in control? In that case, the major political and social figures should be invited. Is it to sound out potential trouble-makers and woo them to our support? Then they need to be invited, along with those people who are already strongly under our influence. I could go on, but I believe my point is made. Decide what the central importance of the event is to be, and then choose the invitees accordingly." Vere pauses for a moment, then continues, "If my presence will be of assistance I will of course attend. Although it might be wise to have at least one member of the Family monitoring events outside the Castle at the time of the party, in the unlikely event that someone with nefarious intent might choose that moment to act."
"I wanted," says Vialle softly, "to make everyone a little happier." If she weren't blind, she's be looking at her feet. "But I won't ask you to attend if parties are a chore, Vere."
Vere regards Vialle with considerable interest, attempting to determine if she is truly hurt or merely attempting to manipulate his emotions through an excellent facsimile of unhappiness.
[GMs]
Vialle is truly annoyed and frustrated, although not just at Vere.
Vere files that information away, although there doesn't seem much he can do about it right now. She certainly has reason for it, being a member of the Family only through marriage to a Prince not in residence, but Vere doesn't feel it to be his place to interfere in her relations with his Cousins.
[Vere]
This does not show in his voice as
he says, "I have no doubt that most of the Family will truly enjoy such a
festivity. However, you have known me long enough to know that I take no
great pleasure in large gatherings of people. You should also know by now
that if it is deemed important I can attend and give a sufficient
impression of enjoyment that I will fool the vast majority of the attendees
into believing that I have no greater pleasure in life than such an
affair. I should also confess that once at such a party I do find a great
deal of interest and amusement in the game of analyzing what is truly going
on behind the polite masks. Interpersonal relations are a fascinating
study, and I have learned a great deal about the people of our city by
watching them in what they fondly believe to be their most guarded
moments. Still, I would be less than honest if I did not say that I would
rather be spending the time with a good book, or alone upon the sea in the
Psyche."
"Then I shall exempt you from the duty," Vialle says, and excuses herself.
Vere watches her leave, not moving from where he stands until she is out of sight. Were anyone watching, they would see no sign of emotion on his face or in his bearing.
Paige will shoot Vere a look, that says for high Waters _I know emotions are hard for you, but show a little courtesy if not sympathy._
Vere looks at Paige curiously, raises an eyebrow slightly, and says nothing.
"As to Folly's idea of inviting everyone, how feasible is that?" Paige asks. "I like the idea of a great event, but it might be a bit over the top. I'd suggest the who's who of society and Court, including Ambassadors and a select few of the citizenry." She takes out a small journal and scribbles some notes in it. "I still feel Vialle's the best bet to handle such an event. I'll be happy to work with her on it when I'm available."
Paige sends Liam to find Vialle later that evening.
"Lady Vialle's retired to her chambers, mi'lady," he reports but a few minutes later.
"Thank-you, Liam. That'll be all for this evening. Get some sleep, we leave for Jones Falls in the morning." She goes to tossle his hair, but stops herself, thinking that he's grown much since the Sundering and perhaps he's beyond it. A quick kiss goodnight on his forehead and she sends him off.
Paige stops by the kitchen to procure a pot of hot water and a service for two and heads back to the family chambers.
Knock, knock "Vialle?" Paige enters slowly, balancing the tea service on her tray. "I thought you might like a spot of tea." _Or need someone to talk to._ "If now's a bad time..."
"No, that's all right," she says, "I'm just a little tired." And she does look very tired. "I was just about to ring for someone to bring up some tea. Thank you, Paige."
Paige pours out for both of them. Handing Vialle the cup, she finds a seat herself and sips quietly at the tea. "I believe the party idea was a great success. So much so that some of us were a bit quick to jump on it. If I over-stepped, myself I'm truly sorry, Vialle.
"There's more on your mind than just this though, isn't there?" Paige asks softly. "I can't imagine what it's like to have the man you care for missing like this. I miss my father greatly, but that's not the same."
"I'm sure Random will be home soon," Vialle says, her upper lip too stiff to quiver. "And your father."
Paige rises with a rustle of skirts, and the soft scent of sandlewood, and seats herself beside Vialle, taking her Aunt's slender hand in hers. "I'm sure they will, but until they do, it drives me mad worrying for them. If I didn't have friends to talk to, like Folly and Cambina, I know I'd fall to pieces even worse than when I lost sense over your step-son."
Vialle stiffens at the mention of Martin, then forces herself to relax. "I don't really know what to say, Paige. It's just been a long time, and I miss having him around. I always feel like he'd know how to handle things if he were here, but, but, then I think about the castle having collapsed on him instead of dear Gerard, and I, I don't know. I just want all this trouble to be over."
Paige nods, her long hair brushing over the silk of her gown as she comforts softly, "We all do, cousin. We all do, but until then, we need be strong, and when we can't, we need to be strong for each other. If you need to talk, I've always a willing ear. I know talking though things has helped several of us deal with the stresses of these troubles. Folly, Solange, Cambina, Brita... we all have worries, concerns for this new life we're building and the old kingdom we're rebuilding. So until something happens, we've got each other at least.
"I think I owe you an apology, Vialle. When we first arrived, I think my impressions were influenced too much by others," Vialle should hear _Martin's_, "reactions. I never gave you the time you deserved to make your own impression. For that I'm heartily sorry."
Vialle smiles at Paige, warmly.
"There's many things that confuse me about my cousin, his attitudes toward you, being one of the greatest." Paige sips at her tea again.
Vialle squelches sudden suspicion, and says only, "I think all either of us wants now is for his father to come home."
The appointed day for the contest comes, and Sandra, the judges, and the final contestants all arrive at the Baron's home. You have all been here before; the place is rambling and has an aura of genteel poverty. All the furnishings and upholsteries are very fine, but they have begun to fade and are a little shabby.
The dining room once held a table that could have seated thirty, but it has long since been removed. The chairs remain, however; the room's excellent acoustics make it the best place to hold auditions and concerts.
All of you settle in to listen to the contestants. There are perhaps a dozen men here to audition, but all of you know that it comes down to only three: Maunder, Barenthkov, and Ossian.
Barenthkov sings the part first. It is the rare day on which he actually gives a poor performance. He's just a touch, well, lackluster; perhaps the piece, which is a classic, does not appeal to him.
Maunder gives the part a very traditional rendition. He is technically perfect, and accompanies himself on the lute with great skill.
How does Ossian sing the part?
Ossian starts very laid back, loftily, with very little pressure. During the course of the song he gets more and more intense, involving himeslf more in the piece than Reins style normally permits.
When all of the contestants have sung, the judges retire to another room to discuss their decision.
Sandra remains with the contestants. She seems amenable to chatting, but Ossian doubts she will venture an opinion until the judges make their decision.
The contestants are sitting in the cavernous dining room of Baron Kaliq's home and waiting for the judges to return with a verdict.
Barenthkov, perhaps aware that he was not in top form this evening, sits aloofly alone. Maunder sits with a number of the lesser-known contestants, young men who sing in Rein's tradition, chatting in a low voice with them; occasionally one or another comes and goes, but Maunder speaks to all of them. Sandra, like Barenthkov, sits alone, but she appears more nervous than aloof.
What is Ossian doing?
Ossian settles near Vere and sits quiet, watching the other contestants for a while. Then he leans close to Vere, and says in a low voice:
"I guess the good baron has made a slight blunder here. He has managed to build up some tension, but to keep it we should probably have had some music in the right mood being played during this pause."
"Then, maybe, if the jury make their decision fast, silence is probably the best way of keeping the tension."
Vere looks at Ossian and smiles. "Perhaps I should have brought my bagpipe," he says, "That would most likely suffice to maintain the level of tension within the room."
Ossian laughs out loud. "It certainly would, if not in the way I thought of."
"Of course," Vere continues, "The most efficient thing might have been for me to play the pipes for the judges. I find that the presence of a bagpiper in an enclosed space has a tendency to hasten the decision-making process most amazingly."
"However, I have heard" Ossian adds, "that the desicion reached in those cases is not always very pleasant for the bag pipe player."
"Ah," says Vere, "And that is why it is sometimes important that people remember that I am the son of the Regent. It would make an interesting experiment, actually; just how much bagpiping can I get away with on Father's reputation?"
"If the listeners does not dare to to interfere with the musician, they might decide to interfere with the instrument instead.
"That's one of the favours of song to bagpipes." Ossian smiles.
[The judges are getting their information privately.]
Ossian is very exuberant, but lacks the technical perfection of Maunder. His lack of experience compared to the other two is clear.
Having heard all three of them sing under other circumstances, Ossian is clearly the one with the most innate talent.
You all retire to the library to discuss the performances. The Baron encourages Folly and Reid to start.
[Reid]
"I'm all for tradition. This is an old song, and should be sung in the
old manner. Maunder seems to have the best handle on that aspect. But
ultimately this is a duet. Technical merits aside, which voice would
blend best with Sandra's?"
"Stylistically, I think Ossian has the edge there," says Folly. "He gave the most subtle and nuanced performance, well-suited to playing off another singer. Maunder's rendition, I thought, lacked the necessary emotional depth to convince me that he really was the character in the song, rather than just a singer wailing at another singer. I preferred Ossian's performance for that reason, though Maunder runs a very close second. Barenthkov is often quite good, but I don't really think this is his type of piece."
"I thought Maunder's lutework was very beautiful, but that won't make a duet. I wonder how Ossian would do the piece with a lute?" Kermit muses, almost to himself.
"I'll bet he'd play it for you, if you asked," Folly says. "He's not as accomplished as Maunder, but he's good. He has a fascinating sense of harmony."
Kaia says in her odd Rebman accent, "I agree that this piece does not suit Barenthkov, but I am hard-pressed to choose between Maunder and Ossian. I think Ossian has more verve in his singing, but I cannot tell whether this means he would sing better with Sandra or not. I defer to the judgement of those of you who are more experienced on that question."
The Baron remains silent, as is his wont. He won't express an opinion until nearly the end.
"It's a tough call," Folly says, "coming down to a matter of personal taste." She turns to the Baron. "If I understand rightly, the performance of this piece is ultimately intended to honor the memory of your wife. Which do you think she would've preferred -- perfection or passion?" The twinkle in her eye suggests she's already made a guess at the answer.
"I think," says the Baron in his own mildly guttural accent, "you have an idea already, Lady Folly." But his eyes are sparkling. "Lord Reid, what is your opinion on the matter?"
Reid smiles. "Ever the diplomat, eh, Baron? Ok, if it will make everybody happy, what if we let Ossian sing with Sandra, and Maunder accompanies them both on lute?"
Kermit nods at this suggestion.
Folly grins at Reid. "Who's the diplomat, again?" But she seems pleased with his suggestion.
Kaia says to the Baron, "And you can commission a new piece from Barenthkov in honor of the concert, which should keep him from feeling insulted."
The Baron laughs. "Brava, madam. I believe we have settled the matter. Let's give our decision to the contestants."
A few minutes later, the Baron returns with the rest of the judges in tow. The conversations around the room cease, and everyone gives him their attention.
"The decision of the judges is as follows: Ossian will sing the duet with Sandra, accompanied by Maunder on the lute."
There is a buzz of chatter in the room and the Baron holds up his hand. Everyone falls silent again.
"In honor of the occasion, I have decided also to commission a new piece from Barenthkov, if he will accept the commission."
Everyone looks at Barenthkov to see what he will do. He looked exceedingly cross at the initial decision, but a bit less so now. He stands and bows to the Baron. "I will be pleased to discuss the commission with you, Baron."
"Perhaps over a drink in the library?" the Baron suggests.
"Indeed," says Barenthkov, and the two of them leave together.
A crowd gathers around Ossian to congratulate him. Maunder comes over and says, "You really bring a lot to the piece. I'm looking forward to working with you."
Ossian seems unruffled by the praise. "Thanks. I applause their choce of such a good lute player."
Sandra also comes over to join Maunder and Ossian. "When will the two of you be ready to practice together?"
"Hmm, I have lots to do down in the harbour, but I guess Wednesday afternoon can be made free."
Vere nods. "For such an important cause we can manage without you," he says.
Folly approaches the group around Ossian, smiling. "Congratulations," she says, opening her arms in a gesture to Ossian and Maunder, "to both of you. Exquisite performances." Turning to Sandra, she adds, "I'm quite looking forward to the concert. You always do such lovely work, and I'm sure the addition of so many talented collaborators will only enhance the experience." The praise is genuine, but she also sounds a little amused -- or sympathetic, perhaps, at the extra work the judges have just made for Sandra.
[Arden]
Three Rangers on deep patrol in Arden, Thorn, Bay, and Sticks, have been
out on patrol for an unusually long time. Thorn is a retiree who returned
to the Rangers after the Sundering; Bay holds middling status from his
service to Prince Julian before the war, and Sticks is a recent recruit who
was a sailor before the Sundering.
While this isn't formally a training patrol, which wouldn't go so deep into Arden, the patrol clearly balances a less-experienced Ranger with the two older men, and the aged Thorn, who returned from retirement, with the two younger men.
If the patrol had not checked in within four days of the expected time, Brita would have alerted the posts in the area to be on the lookout (probably posts #3 and #4 and the new post - #8 - that Brita was planning on creating near the hunting lodge - see the map, about half way across and an inch or so down from the top). If the patrol was not spotted within a week, Brita would have gathered information about the last known whereabouts of the patrol and would organize specific forrays into the forest in search of the missing patrol. The forray patrols would be specifically looking for the lost patrol and thus would be moving more quickly than normal. They would be told to check in (or return) each day (using runners as necessary). Each patrol would be given four to six young runners (with horses) who could return (in pairs) to the nearest post when the patrol broke camp each morning to relay the plans for the day and the events that happened on the previous day. The patrols would begin as systematically as possible working from post #3 north towards the hunting lodge.
oh, and Brita would relay a message to the council that the patrol had gone missing and explain her plans...
Lucas looks worried. Really. He does.
A deep Arden patrol (which is far less deep than in the old days, grumble grumble) is going to be off the top left side of the map. The runner plan is probably not viable over those distances. Note for size: while the map is not to scale exactly, the length of Garnath is 100 miles. A long circuit on horseback can cover a lot of turf.
Brita probably doesn't need to report the missing patrol to the council immediately.
[Ok, fine. You can tell Brita wanted the patrols closer in since the people are all coming from Garnath/Amber and it is unlikely that poachers would end up in the deep forest unless connections are reestablished with shadow....Brita's response changes accordingly below]
[GMs]
[Deep patrols are to make sure no nasty chaos/shadow critters come in;
that's why you want experienced men on them, so that they recognize the
spoor and learn how to track and fight such enemies]
[Brita]
If the patrol had not checked in within four days of the expected
time, Brita will begin gathering information on the last known
whereabouts of the patrol. If the patrol was not spotted within a
week, Brita would organize specific forrays into the forest in search
of the missing patrol. The forray patrols would be specifically
looking for the lost patrol and thus would be moving more quickly than
normal. Each patrol would be given four young runners who could
climb the tallest tree each evening when the patrol made camp to
attempt to relay information back to the Posts using lanterns. Each
post would be on the lookout for the signals at a specified period of
time each night. The relay codes would be simplified to four
messages: no signs, signs, found patrol, and a general SOS. The posts
would note locations of each forray patrol during the message relay
and would signal back any changes in directions (based on movement of
other forray patrols). The directional changes would be just that,
directions for the patrol to head next, or a generic "continue on
course" message. [Each patrol would have the signals written down, by
the way.]
If any signs of the missing patrol are found, Brita would head out to join that forray patrol.
There is no immediate sign of the patrol. But the deep reaches of Arden were always honeycombed with paths into Shadow, although the Rangers don't call it that. And if three Rangers ended up falling through into Shadow, they wouldn't be able to get back without help.
[Brita]
[OOC - if Amber's connections to shadow were shattered during the
Sundering such that only the initiates can travel back and forth and
only the Bellum path was reestablished (and now is fading), are the
Arden shadow connections truly there?]
That's true of deliberately laid paths. However, it was always the case in Arden that there were (apparently) natural land routes to places like Arcadia. No one has bothered to investigate the land routes yet, AFAIK.
Last modified: 1 Jan 2002