When the guards are gone and the door is closed, Garrett moves to a separate corner, takes out his trumps, and shuffles out Random's. He concentrates.
Random's image quickly starts moving. "Hey, Garrett. That was fast. I thought I'd be back in the castle before anyone noticed I'd gone."
"I didn't even know you left," Garrett says with a quick smile. From the background, Random might guess Garrett is in some kind of large storage closet.
Garrett's demeanor turns serious. "Fletcher and I just got done speaking with the monk they brought back from the hospital. He said some pretty concerning things about work they've apparently been doing for generations there. Fletcher wants to speak with you and Benedict about it. You busy?"
Random almost laughs, or at least almost laughs out loud. "Well, I've got to work on not giving away my secrets as soon as someone trumps me, but that's more of a long-term project. I'm a bit busy, but never too busy to hear a good generations-long story of subterfuge and animosity in which I am supposed to be playing the role of the victim. I'm in Amber, do you want to bring Benedict here?"
"Hold on," he says to Random. Over his shoulder, he says to Fletcher, "The King is in Amber. Shall we meet there?"
Random nods.
Out of the corner of his eye, Garrett sees Fletcher leave and frowns. To Random, he says, "Hmm. Fletcher just went through to Benedict and I don't know what their timestream looks like. Do you want me to come through to you anyway? I could also try to grab one of the people who came back from the facility to confirm what we heard."
"If it's not actually on fire, and there's nobody that needs rescuing, I'd prefer to finish dealing with Corwin's concern. I'm pretty much only batting the closest crocodiles on the snout." He looks at Garrett again, "but if it's urgent, come through and you can brief us all. It doesn't need to be perfect, or have eyewitnesses."
He looks up, at someone in the room with him. He smiles. "We're working out how you 'Prince' for me, I guess. You'll have to let me know later how that's working out."
Garrett chuckles, unable to keep the smirk off his face. "All right then. I reckon the rescuing's done for the moment and the only fire is where they left it in Shadow. I'll hang here and see what else I can find out. If you hear from Benedict or Fletcher before I do, let me know."
Random nods. "Worst case, we send an arsonist after their fire. Plenty of those in this family. Just a few things you can help me with. One: you or Folly should trump me if something comes up. Oh, no, that's two, not one. One is : tell Gilt the dinner is off, I've gotta work here for a bit. Old one is now two. Three: can you track down the new kids and let them know I had to leave the castle and see if they need anything or if the hyperventilating has set in yet?"
"Will do. I'll trump you if I hear from Fletcher," Garrett replies, and closes the contact.
"Yep, if you need me, you know how to read my head." The trump closes.
Fletcher nods to Garrett and steps a few strides away while pulling out Benedict's trump. Fletcher focuses on his father's portrait, concentrating.
Benedict comes clear in a moment, his features in sharp relief. He's somewhere dark and there aren't many shadows.
"Who calls?" he answers.
Fletcher is keenly aware that trumps may not be secure and that the information he has needs to be handled with care. He smile brightly and says, "It's Fletcher. I need to gather up some of the gear I left with you." He extends his hand, implicitly asking to be pulled through where he can talk to Benedict face to face.
Benedict does not extend his hand. "I apologize, but I am not in Avalon at the moment." The old warrior squints at Fletcher in the darkness, perhaps realizing that something is not what it seems. "Is there something else? You can come to me, but not for your gear." He holds out his hand.
Behind him, Fletcher hears Garrett speaking. Garrett says, "The King is in Amber. Shall we meet there?"
A look of panic flashes across Fletcher's face and then vanishes. He asks Benedict, "Are you in Amber by any chance?"
He shakes his head. "I'm aboard a ship in Avalon, heading towards a battle, although I'll be observing. You're welcome to join if you'd like to see how Bleys fights pirates."
Fletcher takes a deep breathe and says, "OK, please bring me through."
Benedict extends his hand and Fletcher finds himself on a boat. The cabin is small and his father turns from him to put on his boots. It occurs to Fletcher that his father sometimes has to sleep in snatches, and he may have interrupted one.
"Welcome to Avalon. Your uncle Bleys is preparing for a naval engagement. It should be quite a show. I want to see how the Corsairs do against them. Their admiral is supposed to be quite good, tactically, but he isn't present. I will see if it translates to his subordinate commanders."
With his boots on, Benedict is ready to leave the cabin and return to the deck. He hasn't even asked Fletcher for news.
Fletcher just starts talking quietly and urgently. "Wait. I couldn't talk as the trumps may be insecure and this information may require action within minutes rather than hours. A number of family members raided a Klybesian facility and rescued Huon and several previously unknown family members. The Klybesians have access to shadow paths created for them as tunnels. We have captured a high-ranking Klybesian who shared information with us that they were conducting genetic investigations in to replicating the power of our family. The Klybesians also have some access to trumps, and our prisoner revealed that the Klybesian currently known as the Turcopolier is head of their military operations and a member of our family who has volunteered genetic material and provided years of assistance. The same source also reports that the individual in question was previously known as Sir Sinbad. As you may recall this was one of Caine's consistent aliases. This information is in the hands of myself and Prince Garrett. I see no course other than to share it with King Random, though I don't know him all that well. Unless, of course you tell me that this is an operation you're aware of in which case we may need to make up a story for Random pretty quick because Garrett is already talking to him via trump and Random is currently in Amber."
Fletcher pauses and studies Benedict's reaction. Just a few years ago he might not have consulted his father with this. However, he doesn't know Random well, and Caine was his closest relation in terms of age when they were growing up. He doesn't want to think this information is correct, or that Caine would be act in this manner unless it was somehow a ruse or scheme conceited by Oberon. Random made it clear that Fletcher owes his first loyalty to Benedict in this new age, and Fletcher is deeply conflicted as to where his duty currently lies.
Benedict seems to be taking mental notes. "The rumor that the Turcopilier is Sir Sinbad is very old, and probably not accurate. There was a Sinbad of legendary fame years ago. This is all before Caine. Not that anyone couldn't take the name, like Caine used to."
He looks at the ships sailing towards Avalon, and frowns at one, but doesn't comment on it. "I don't suspect Caine of leading a double life as our adversary, if that's what you're suggesting. The Turcopilier's style of leading and directing his troops doesn't match anything I've ever heard of Caine doing.
"But if you have information about where the Turcopiier is, capturing him would be quite an accomplishment. What would you need to do so?"
Fletcher sighs. "We don't have a location on him, but we now have access to the shadow-path tunnels that he created for the Klybesians. The prisoner is being held in Xanadu. I might go explore those tunnels more as time permits, but for now having secured your assessment about whether the Turcopilier might be Caine and determined that the information shared by the prisoner is not going to immediately spark a feud in the family, I should report to Random as I promised. Can I prevail upon you to send me to him?"
"A path is often better than a location, for our purposes," says Benedict. "I can send you to Random, but if he's in Amber, you might be better served with this." Benedict pulls the trump of Amber from his deck. "I'll eventually want this back," he says, offering the card to Fletcher. "Tell Random of the tunnels, and my recommendation is that you, or several of you, follow up on them quickly, before the trail becomes too old."
Benedict looks at the ship sailing away. "I'll need to find out why Bleys sailed his flagship into shadow, though. I might have to take a hand in the battle. Or it might be interesting to see what happens when Bleys gives orders and can't correct his plans as the fight progresses. I'm sorry you can't stay to watch it with me, Fletcher."
Fletcher answers, trying to figure out a way he can justify staying to watch. "Things are heating up. I wouldn't be surprised if several cousins haven't already gone looking for the Klybesians. Good hunting." He salutes and raises the trump card of Amber before him and concentrates on it.
"Good hunting," replies Benedict. It is the last thing he hears from Avalon as he steps into Amber.
Hannah shuts the door behind them and doesn't hesitate to get right to it. "Are you and Vere having sex, intercourse, a lot of cuddling that ends in a sweat, or anything like that?" It's not an accusatory question, and if not for being so strange would be very clinical.
Emotions dance across Robin's face as she takes in the unexpected question. First a giddy blush, then irritation at the invasion, then an understanding that the daughters of Ysabeau (and especially a doctor and new mother) should be sharing this kind of information.
"We're doing... 'anything like that,'" Robin confirms. "No intercourse, no chances of pregnancy. Why?"
Robin is curious and concerned for her sister.
"I'm worried about Vere's oath, and what metaphysically might happen to Gerard if he breaks it. I don't really know how oaths like that work. I made a promise to my father I've never broken. That brings me a sort of strength and thoughtfulness around my decision-making that it seems like most other people don't have. It brings my father many things - an ally, the relaxation of knowing he doesn't need to worry about me taking the path of disorientation, the deep trust twenty years of oath-keeping build on both sides. My promise was simple. I don't think Vere's is simple, and I'm not sure he even defined it at the time, or later, or yet? And I should be having this conversation with him, but you're who is here. I want you to step back from whatever lines you've edged closer to together. I am not saying don't love him with all of your soul. Do that - do this because you do that. Next time you're together and there is time - believe me, I know how hard getting much time is -- I am asking the two of you to sit together, and dig for the truth of what that oath means, what the nature of it might be, and how you can help him keep it until the terms of it are fulfilled. And if the terms are not possible... if there is a way to slip the knots of it loose from he and Gerard. And you. In love, you're bound as well as him." Hannah looks sad and very concerned.
Robin holds up her hand for a moment to settle her thoughts. The initial anger at Hannah's encroachment into Robin's private life fades quickly as Robin reparses her sister's words. And remembers the fondness of the recent sister huddle. She clears her throat and speaks softly.
"When Vere and I first started shaking the bushes, I asked him about this. He assured me that he was aware of the parameters of his oath and would not break it. I trust him in this and I think you should too. Has Gerard shown any new ill effects due to Vere's and my relations?"
The fair surrounds Robin, all agitated, though they calm as she does. Heckle spreads his wings over the baby, just to remind the fair who the biggest bird in the room is. Not counting Robin. He doesn't caw, but he clears his throat, despite not having one in the way humans do.
"I'm not sure I would know. I have no experience with this, and even if I did... we're us. I still want the two of you to discuss it, again. No one has exactly quoted his oath to me, I just got the feeling it was 'keeping him from getting married'. Do you know what he swore?" Hannah asks.
In the main room, Hannah and Robin can see Solange waving goodbye as she takes Pen somewhere else in the castle.
"I do." Robin says. "The relevant portion is that he will take neither wife nor lover until Gerard is healed." She shrugs. The wording doesn't cover fiancees but that feels like a cheat. Still Robin trusts her Beloved.
Hannah huffs in annoyance. Expressions cross her face, the tightening of lips and eyes, a little shake of the head, and then she closes her eyes. Robin can almost hear her trying to calm herself down. When she opens them again she is calm and precise. "Well, then you know you can be neither of those things. That must be frustrating, to love a man who isn't allowed to love you or wed you."
"It is frustrating." Robin agrees, "But I love Vere very much." Her eyes light with a deep fire. "And he loves me. Very much. We will make this work.
"There's also the added advantage that it forces us to take things a little more slowly." Robin chuckles. "We have time. No matter how much we both want to rush headlong into wedded bliss."
Hannah's forehead crinkles. "Maybe it really is just semantics. Will you talk to him about it again?"
"Nope." Robin chirps cheerfully. "But I'll make you a deal, little sister. I won't interfere in your sex life, if you don't interfere in mine."
Robin softens her words with warm fondness, but she's certain of her point.
There's a knock at the door and Gerard wheels over to open it himself. It's a page, and he says something to Gerard in a low voice that isn't loud enough for Hannah and Robin to make sense of while they're talking.
Hannah keeps half an eye on Gerard just in case it's doctoring related. "No deal," she tells Robin. "I don't care about your sex life. I care about you and Gerard and even Vere. We'd be having the same conversation if he had sworn an oath not to braid any woman's hair and then your hair was all wavy like it had been braided. But you're not going to cooperate so I'll just bother him next time I see him."
"That's probably for the best." Robin nods. Then offers her sister a hug. "Thank you for caring."
Gerard finishes listening to the page and says something back, which gets the page moving. He turns back and wheels to Corvis, sighing.
Hannah hugs Robin. "I'm never going to get used to being the 'little' sister. Let's find out what Gerard is sighing about."
Hannah heads back in with an eyebrow raised at her uncle.
Robin follows Hannah back in and looks to her Uncle for whatever the news is.
"Random's left the castle," Gerard announces. "Formal dinner is canceled. I told the pages to tell Gilt Winter I'd host an informal dinner, and tell the kitchen to plan for almost as many, less Random." Gerard sighs. "I dinnae know who's Regent, whether it be me or one of our brothers, or Martin, or Garrett. The Unicorn bring him back hale and safe before anything else goes wrong."
Robin nods her understanding. "I probably won't be able to attend. I've just had a quick errand turn into a long errand. So I'd probably better get started."
Corvis says to Hannah, "If you want to rest, I can help watch the baby."
Robin moves to hug Gerard and Corvis goodbye.
They both give her a good solid squeeze, Gerard's more solid than Corvis', and then Robin can be on her way.
Solange links arms with Pen, if Pen permits, and they head off into the castle to the Trump Booth. Once the door is closed, Solange says, "Sorry about that. I need to be out of here before dinner because it's Mandatory Fun--" which, capitalized that way, sounds anything but "--and I'm not in trouble, nor is it going to do anybody any good if I stay." She makes a face. "Anyway, the booth is basically a room with the cards, and when we get there I'll show you how to use them and tell you the theory.
"Meanwhile, you must have about nine million questions, so I'll answer the ones I can. Except about the Thing in the Basement, which we only talk about when it's family. The cards are related."
Pen nods, "The Thing in the Basement can definitely wait. Okay, well yes, I have several questions. Let me scatter a few and you can pick the ones you like."
Pen starts off on a tear and begins counting on her fingers, "Can I trust Random? So Ysabeau is your Mother. Is Gerard your father? (He seems nice). What did the family do to attract the ire of the Klybesians? (Am I saying that right? It's a strange word. Kly-bee-see-unz). Cousins all seem to have their own business and agendas to tend to, can we rely on each other for help when we need it? I was nearly killed a few days back, and I'm having to re-evaluate some things."
The manic moment fades, "I feel strangely lucky, more so having met you, Hannah, and Robin. (Corvis and Gerard were charming). Things had been grim there for a long stretch, and there's probably more grim stuff ahead, but I feel like I'm connected to something bigger than myself and that I'm going to have to push to find new limits." Pen smiles, "I like that. Or maybe I got hit on the head too hard and I'm imagining all of this."
"This is weird, but I promise you it's real. It's really Real." Solange cracks a grin at Pen.
"So the Klybesians are, I think, a Basement problem. But I can tell you that if one of our cousins calls for aid, we'll all show up. You saw how everyone ran to help Brita for family members we didn't even know, and we'd have done that for the archivists who aren't even part of our family, because Huon asked, and he's in bad odor right now for Reasons." Solange's expressive face turns momentarily sour about that. "But we do hang together, and that's a good thing.
"So the deal with Gerard is, he's my foster father. Ysabeau, his sister, was my birth mother, and also Hannah's and Robin's. I also have a foster-brother, who is Gerard's actual son, and that's Vere. So Vere is my brother and Robin is my sister--but they're also together, because they are not brother and sister. And yeah, they're cousins and that's a little close, but also I don't think they're going to have kids any time soon so that's not a huge issue.
"We don't know who my biological father is, or Robin's. Robin was raised by Uncle Julian-- he and Dad and Ysabeau are full siblings, all children of Oberon, our mostly common grandfather, and Rilga--and Hannah was raised by her biological father, who has a number of names and I don't know which is the correct one. But he lives in Broceliande, which is the nearby forest, and works with another one of our cousins, Paige, who's responsible for the woods out there.
"Most of the other cousins are cousins through Dad's half-siblings. Random is the youngest surviving sibling--he has a full sister who's dead now--but there are a bunch of them, like close to twenty, and most of them have kids. Some of the cousins are actually the kids of the cousins. Folly is technically Julian's great-grandaughter, but Huon is her bio-dad, so she's a cousin on both sides."
By the time Solange has finished this lecture, they have arrived at a closed-door chamber. It's not locked, but it could be. Solange opens it and ushers Pen in and closes the door behind them.
The room isn't very big. There's a table with a drawer in the middle of it. There are somewhere between a dozen and twenty small art pieces on the wall, all of which appear to be painted or sketched portraits, in different styles. "There's what we call a family deck, which has all the aunts and uncles, in the drawer. But these are the cousins--" she gestures at the walls "--and you can use them to contact people."
Many of the paintings are of people Pen has just met. One of them is Solange.
Pen points to the card of Solange, "Is this one I can borrow? I don't want to inconvenience anyone."
"These need to stay here, but we'll see about getting Folly or Paige to make one for you. Dad also has one, but I wanted to show you the booth," Solange explains. "Also to get you out of the way of Hannah and Robin arguing about Vere. But, since we're here--what other questions can I answer for you?"
"You've been a great help, and I'm glad I know about this place now. If I ever need to reach someone in a hurry this seems like a good choice." Pen gives Solange one last hug.
"Once Robin and Hannah are done, I need to see if Robin is heading back to Arden. If so, I'd like to join her. Be safe, Solange." Pen heads back to Gerard's quarters.
Garrett finds a page and asks where the recent arrivals are being lodged. Once he has directions, he sends the page off with instructions to tell Gilt Winter that the King has cancelled the big dinner. "Something came up," is the reason he relays. It's as good as anything and Gilt will totally understand the vagueness.
In a few moments, he knocks on one of the doors he was directed to. It's Misao's.
After a moment, the door opens gracefully. Garret sees what appears to be a young woman with greyish white skin and pale blue eyes wearing a pure black kimono with five small white crests showing on shoulder, sleeve, and back. Their sash is also black, with a small modest knot in the back. There is a small gold fan tucked in the left side of the sash. Their hair is all black, save for one silver lock, and it is in a modest updo. They are wearing white socks, with a split between the big toe and the rest of the foot.
Misao regards Garrett with a certain wary uncertainty, but not hostility.
"Hai? Yes?"
The dark-haired young man at the door seems a bit taken aback for a moment, as if he wasn't expecting someone so... unusual. But then he smiles warmly, the smile lighting up his blue eyes.
He is shorter than most of the men she's seen in Xanadu so far, but he has a wiry build and strong-looking hands that appear to know their way around a sword. He's dressed in a comfortable-looking shirt, with black pants and worn brown leather boots.
"Good day, M'lady," he says with a slight bow of his head. I'm Prince Garrett. I hope I'm not intruding."
Misao bows deeply, and opens the door wide.
"Garett-ooji, please come in. We meet for the first time. I am of Hikariguni, the child of Kimiko-dono. My name is Misao. I am well. Are you well?"
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Misao. I am well also," Garrett replies politely as he enters the room.
They close the door gently behind Garrett as he enters and move gracefully to one of several cushions placed in the middle of the room, where they gracefully kneel. There do not appear to be any chairs. Misao motions to Garret to take one of the cushions opposite and waits patiently.
Garrett starts to sit down cross-legged on the cushion, but at the last minute shifts into a kneel to conform to Misao's style.
"I'm glad to see that the pages were able to accommodate your customs," Garrett says, glancing around at the decor appreciatively. "They usually do a pretty good job."
The room is sparsely furnished, with a few low tables, a stack of storage boxes, and a brazier in addition to the cushions.
Misao nods. "They have been most kind and helpful. There are a few items that I will wish to add as time goes on. Will you take tea, Garretto-ojii?"
"I will. Thank you," he replies.
If Garrett agrees, Misao will arise, go to the brazier, and kneeling, light it. From the storage boxes, they take a tray, a cup, and several strange looking implements, placing them neatly on the tray, as if preparing for a ritual.
Garrett watches the preparations with fascination. During his time away in Shadow, learning new cultures was something Garrett discovered he enjoyed immensely. As a child, he had believed Amber was all there was - a grand sparkling jewel of a kingdom that had always existed and always would exist. But Xanadu and the Pattern opened his eyes to worlds he could never have imagined. He would never close them again.
While Misao works, Garrett explains, "The King has been called away, so we won't be having the big dinner. We'll have plenty of time to enjoy tea. If you're hungry though, I can call for a page to bring something."
Misao takes a cloth and carefully wipes a small kettle, fills it with pure water, and sets it on the brazier to heat.
"I understand. I may order something later, then."
While waiting for the water to heat, Misao carefully wipes a ceramic bowl, a wooden whisk, and a slender curved wooden stick, placing them on the tray along with a small dish of sweets and a smaller cloth.
"I am afraid that these are not the proper items to serve with tea, but I will have a talk with the kitchen at some point and teach them how to make higashi and omogashi."
Misao lifts the lid of a ceramic container and uses the stick-like scoop to measure out a green powder into the bowl.
"This may be very unlike the tea you are accustomed to." They look up with a shy smile.
Garrett smiles. "That's fine," he says. "I'm happy to try new things."
"So, Garretto-ooji, I have already met Burita-san and Shini-kaijya and I begin to find that this new family is very complicated. With that in mind, may I ask how you are related to Tenno Heika?"
Garrett's brows furrow. "Tenno Heika? Not sure who you mean." His expression brightens. "But you're right about things being complicated. Apparently my father's generation thought they couldn't have children. Until they did. Then they had lots," he laughs.
Once the water has heated, Misao pours some into the bowl, and uses the whisk to make a thick green liquid. Gracefully, they rise, and returning to their cushion, place the tray in front of Garrett.
"Hai, doozo. Please drink."
"Thank you," Garrett says, breathing in the aroma before taking a sip.
The tea is bitter, to contrast with the sweets.
"Back to your question, my father is King Random," Garrett continues. "I didn't know this for most of my life though. I was raised by my mum and my da... well, foster-father, I reckon... back in Amber. I only found out a few years ago that I was the King's get." He does not seem self-conscious about his parentage at all as he pauses for another sip of tea.
Misao blinks in clear surprise. "You are Tenno Heika's son? Then... you are not the Crown Prince? Please excuse my rudeness. I know things are different here, but I never imagined..." Misao is very clearly flustered.
Garrett starts to respond but...
There is a knock at the door. To Garret's experienced ears, it sounds like a page.
Misao seems happy to be interrupted in the middle of an awkward situation. They swiftly and gracefully rise to their feet and open the door.
"Hai? Yes?"
It's a page. The page blinks a couple of times and says "Lady Misao?"
Misao nods. "I am Misao."
"The King has been called away from Amber and formal dinner has been cancelled. Prince Gerard is hosting an informal dinner and you are invited. He says attendance isn't mandatory but all family members are welcome."
Another nod. "Thank you very much. Is there anything else you need from me?"
Garrett also thanks the page from his place at the tea table.
"Your Highness," says the page, eyes going wide. "I'll let the Steward know that you've been told about Prince Gerard's dinner." He bows to Garrett, which is unusual but not terribly so. Garrett is pretty sure the page is off-balance seeing Garrett here.
Garrett nods in acknowledgement, barely suppressing a smirk. Rumors will be flying in the servant circles by the time Gerard's dinner is served.
The page turns back to Misao. "If there's any message for Prince Gerard, I can take it for you. Otherwise this was my only message." There's a pause and then, "Lady Misao."
Please give my thanks and best regards to Jiarado-ooji and also to Korifusu-dono. With regret, I will probably not be attending dinner but will humbly wait upon their pleasure in Tenno Heika's absence. If you yourself or one of your colleagues could be available after Garretto-ooji has left, I would appreciate it."
Misao waits to see if Garrett has anything for the page, and then politely dismisses them.
Garrett politely shakes his head. "Nothing here, thank you," he says.
They close the door, and move to take the tray back to the brazier, where they carefully wash and dry the cup, before adding another, smaller amount of green powder and whisking it to a thin tea, bringing the cup back to Garrett and offering it to him.
Then they wait for Garrett's response.
"Thank you," Garrett says, taking the cup carefully. "You were right. This is not like anything I've had before."
He sips appreciatively, then sets the cup down as his face grows serious. "Lady Misao, I want to ask you about what happened in the place you just escaped from. If it's not too difficult for you to speak about, I mean. It could be important to help others like yourself, especially if they don't know their heritage."
Misao nods, and takes a minute to gather their thoughts before responding.
"You must understand, Garretto-ooji, that I am my mother's heir. She has devoted many hours to training me to become as skilled and powerful as she is. I am... important... to her. So, although I have a certain amount of freedom, my life is... was... bounded within carefully proscribed restrictions, rituals, and routines. Both for my training, and for my safety. So that when I fell asleep as usual in my own room in her palace in Hikariguni, it was a normal night for me. I remember nothing unusual about it."
Garrett nods.
Misao takes a deep breath. "Then I woke up in a room in what appeared to be a hospital. I can only assume that I was captured during the night, and probably drugged. The hospital was very unlike my home. It was a great shock.
"I saw two people at first, one of whom claimed to be a nurse and the other a doctor. He called himself Chew. Naturally, I was suspicious of them from the first, and refused to cooperate with them. Then I heard a voice coming through the vents, from a person calling himself Etana-san. By this point, I had barricaded myself within my room.
"Etana-san seemed to think that Chew wanted to take samples from me. I was not willing that that should happen. So, Etana-san and I coordinated a break out. He sent Karina-san to meet me. I was at the point of breaking through my defenses when she arrived and I accidentally hit her in the head. After establishing that we were friends, we made our way to what Karina-san called a 'laboratory'. Karina-san found samples and written records of experiments. I found a cold metal room containing corpses."
Misao shudders. "I carried them out to the main room of the lab. We collected all bodies, samples, and records together and set them on fire. While leaving the laboratory, we encountered armed enemies. Eventually, we met Etana-san, Arekusu-san, and Deruta-san in an office. Etana-san brought help through a Trump. We fought off the armed enemies. I was able to capture one alive. Then Jieroddo-san told us that it was unsafe for us to stay and Merin-san sent us through to here."
Misao thinks for a moment. "I don't believe that I have missed anything important. But, please ask, if you have questions." They smile again at Garrett.
Garrett has listened to the account with interest, nodding at appropriate points. At the end, he returns a gentle smile to her. "Your instincts are good, I'll say that. I've heard the name 'Chew' before, and not just from the prisoner you brought back. Fletcher and I just spoke with the prisoner at length, and your story confirms a lot of what he said."
Garrett thinks for a moment. "I know you said you didn't notice anything suspicious when you went to bed in Hikariguni, but looking back now, were there any people around who looked or acted differently, that you can recall? Also, was your room guarded or locked at all?"
Misao's face wrinkles slightly in puzzlement. "Hikariguni is a land of gods and ghosts... kami and yokai. There are so many types and they are so different from each other...."
They trail off as their face brightens with a sudden idea.
"Please allow me to demonstrate." Misao stands gracefully and walks away to an open area, then turns around. Then they shift into the form of the oni. Short, stocky, muscular, with bright red skin, short dark hair running like a mane from the back of the head to under the neck, with large pointy horns, teeth, and claws. They are wearing a light colored set of clothes that look something like pajamas, close fitting enough to not catch on extraneous items, but loose enough to fight in easily.
Garrett's eyes widen in amazement.
"This is an oni. Strong and enduring, they can be mischievous or even evil at times." Misao's voice is lower, and has the hint of a growl in it.
Then they shift again, this time to the form of the hooengyo. Tall, slim, and flexible, with dark, scaly skin and clawed, webbed hands and feet. Their clothing shifts to match their form.
"This is a hooengyo. Fast and flexible, they live in rivers and bring good fortune." Misao's voice is higher pitched and somehow chirpy.
Misao shifts one more time, back to their normal form, and come back to kneel before Garrett and cocks their head anxiously.
"You see, Garretto-ooji. These are just two of many forms. So, the question, 'who is acting differently?' is... hard to answer. Although... there was that one woman. She seemed to me to be a yama-uba, a mountain hag. They have powerful magic and can be trouble. And you don't normally see them outside of the mountains. So... that was unusual.
"As for my room, I live at my mother's palace... when she doesn't assign me to a teacher... and my mother is the most powerful of the Chikyuu-no-kami, the Spirits of the Earth. She rules Hikariguni. None among the yokai and few among the kami would attack her openly. So there is little need of a guard. Her power is guard enough.
"This is why I think I must have been drugged in my sleep. Whoever took me must have operated with great stealth, to avoid my mother's power."
"And some power she must have, for you to be her child," Garrett says with awe. "And I see what you mean. It would take great stealth, perhaps aided by a high level of magical ability. Invisibility, aided by a sleep spell perhaps? Are those of your realm susceptible to magic, or does your power make you resistant?"
Misao smiles. "Magic, as I understand it, is an application of one's individual power to warp reality. Yokai such as myself can wield such powers to a greater or lesser extent, and we may certainly be vulnerable to others who do so. Kami, such as my mother, define what is reality. While low-level kami might be made vulnerable to another individual's magic, it would take knowledge of their weak spots. Flexibility and strength. And...."
Misao pauses and blushes slightly, before adding, "Courage." Garrett may be able to tell that Misao has carefully elided a somewhat cruder word there. They continue, "Powerful kami, such as my mother, are almost invulnerable to such magic. Of course, this is the magic of Hikariguni. Now that I have learned somewhat of the wider world, I wonder. Would someone like Jieroddo-san be able to overcome my mother's power? I truly do not know. It is a possibility." Misao looks sad at the thought.
There's another knock at the door. This time it's a page from Signy, saying that Signy found something that she hopes would be suitable, and that it would be delivered to the castle tomorrow.
Misao thanks the page and asks them to extend their respectful gratitude to Signy for her help, before returning to the conversation with Garrett.
Garrett waits for Misao to sit down again before speaking. "It's interesting how you describe it. 'Define what is reality,'" Garrett begins. "Many in our family wield a special sort of magic that could be explained in just that way. Warping reality to your will, so to speak. Others are able to wield types that are flashier...more powerful in their own way, but through means that I'm not versed in at all." He resists the urge to tug at his brown hair and smiles. "Do you have any idea how you're related to this family?" he asks.
"My father... Otoosan... you would know him as Rukusu, the son of Furorimeru, the daughter of Oberon. Burita-san told me that Obaasan currently lives in Parisu, and that Otoosan has another family there. Jieroddo-san told me that Otoosan is dead. Hence..." Misao indicates with a graceful gesture their black robes. Their expression is strained, and definitely sad.
"Ohh. I'm so sorry for your loss," Garrett says sincerely. "But please forgive me. I don't recognize the names, except Paris and Jerod. And Oberon, of course, but he had many children. Do you have an image of your father? Or was he known by another name?"
Misao looks embarrassed. "I apologize. The dialect of Thari I learned growing up in Hikariguni does not adapt to your names very well." They withdraw a small, oiled-silk package, deftly unwrap it, and present Lucas's Trump to Garret ceremoniously.
Garrett takes the trump with equal reverence. When he sees the image on the card, he bows his head, visibly moved, holding the trump gently on his lap with both hands. After a moment, he says softly, "I knew Lucas. Very well." He looks up at Misao and his eyes are misty, though no tears have fallen. "He was a good man."
Misao bows from the waist. "Thank you," they say quietly. "Can you tell me more about him?"
Garrett nods, handing the trump back to Misao. "I can, but first it might be helpful to tell you a little about myself. I wasn't born a prince. My mum had a...dalliance...with Prince Random, back before he became King. I was the result of that. I was raised as the son of Amber's Master of Horse and spent most of my childhood in the stables.
"I first met Lucas when he brought his daughter Hope down for riding lessons. He was a little haughty at first, but you expect that from the royals," Garrett says with a little smile. "I found a nice little pony for Hope and started teaching her to ride. She took to it quite well. As we went on, he would speak to me, usually about horses, but then more generally. He was always focused on his little girl though. She lit up his life.
"Once I learned the truth about my parentage and was recognized, I got to know Lucas a little better. He was generally kind to me. I mean, he had his own motives, as most people around here do. But I remember one incident in particular. We were here in Xanadu and there was danger happening in Amber. His family was still there and so was mine. Lucas asked for my help to get back to Amber and I loaned him a trump." Garrett pauses, remembering. "He went back to protect his family. But he made sure my family was safe too. He didn't have to do that. They were servants. They would have meant nothing to many of the royals, but he cared. And I'll always remember that."
Misao recieves the Trump reverently and carefully rewraps it in the silk, before returning it to a place within their robes.
"My father was somewhat of a mystery to me... to everyone in Hikariguni. He was not of Hikariguni, and it was obvious. Normally, an outsider like that would be feared, if not hated and driven from our midst. But my mother, the chief of the Chikyuu no Kami, treated him as her equal. He was her chosen mate to produce me, and to my knowledge, I am her first and only child. Her heir. So, he was perforce accepted. He was always kind to me when he was around. He taught me to draw Trumps. Yet he was gone more than he was there. And, since I was my mother's heir, he left me to my mother's raising."
"That makes sense, given your maternal heritage," Garrett says with a nod. "You do have a number of siblings on your father's side though. Three that I know of, and likely more, knowing Lucas. He could be secretive."
Misao shakes their head, somewhat involuntarily, and rises with the tray to clean the items. They return with the clean teacup.
"It is part of the tea ritual that I present the cup, and other items involved in the preparations, for your... inspection? Appreciation? They are often heirlooms, passed from teacher to student, and works of art in their own right. This one does not, alas, have that sort of provenance, but when I return from my home, I will bring my own. Perhaps we can take tea again at that point?"
Misao offers Garrett the cup. It is of a simple wooden design, without ornament.
Garrett carefully takes the cup from their hands and makes what he hopes is a suitably appreciative gesture. "It is lovely. And yes, I would enjoy having tea again."
He hands the cup back formally, then rises. "I should go speak with the rest of your group. Thank you very much for the tea," he says with a bow for the guest who is royalty in their own right.
Misao bows, rises with Garrett, and escorts him to their door, which they open for him. Bowing again, they give Garrett a warm smile.
"Mata ne, Garretto-ooji, genki desu. Be well until I see you again."
Brita leaves the baths after informing Misao and Signy that she can meet them in the white salon about five minutes before dinner if they wish to go in together. She heads back to her rooms to spend some time working on some sketches and some Sketches. It feels like Forever since she has meditated on her Art without being Rushed.
Some time later, there is a knock on Brita's door. When she opens the door, it is a page, telling her that the King has been called away on an emergency, and Prince Gerard is hosting a dinner for family members in residence, which is not mandatory.
Brita has come to the door holding a small card in one hand with an image that the page might recognize as Queen Celina. The desk behind her has several pages of sketches strewn about showing Lords Ambrose and Edan, Lady Signy, and another lady with long dark hair - she must be Rebman as she has faintly blue skin.
Brita thanks the page for their service. She starts to close the door but stops part way and leans back out to say "If you See Cousin Robin, Please Tell her I am Here and Will Follow Her Lead on Dinner Plans."
"I'll make sure the message is delivered, Lady," the page tells Brita and runs off.
Robin is on her way to the Trump booth from Gerard's suite and Pen is on her way to Gerard's suite from the Trump booth. Unsurprisingly, they find each other in the halls of Castle Xanadu.
"Robin, excellent! I was hoping to run into you. Are you headed back to Arden anytime soon? I was hoping to join you if I can as I still have some business back there."
"Weeellll," Robin hedges, "I have this chore to do before I head back. It will either take a few hours or a few days. But I don't know which yet. Once that's done, I'm Arden-bound. You're welcome to join me or if it's going to be a while you and Brita can head to Arden without me and I'll meet with you there."
A page runs up. "Lady Penthelisea" she says, sounding out the name a little carefully, "Sir Robin."
"King Random has been called away from the castle and formal dinner has been cancelled. Prince Gerard will be hosting an informal dinner for family, and both of you are invited. Attendance isn't mandatory." The page bows to Robin and Pen and looks ready to run off.
"Thank you," Rogin says to Page Number One. And indicates with a wave of her hand that the page is free to continue on with other duties if they need to.
The page does, in fact, run off.
Then another page runs up, just in time to catch the tail end of the previous page's spiel. "Sir Robin," the second page says, "Lady Brita sends word that she is in her quarters and will follow your lead on dinner." This page is clearly going to wait for an answer.
Pen looks to Robin. "It sounds like we're staying for dinner? I would like to see Goddess Brita again. She seemed nice."
"Goddess Brita is nice." Robin says with a nod and a smile.
Saying that Robin takes a moment to think. "Well, pooh. I think a planning session is in order. Pen? Would you please accompany me to Brita's chambers?"
Robin gestures to Page Two to show the way.
The page leads them back toward Brita's rooms. When Brita opens the door, the page announces Sir Robin and Lady Penthelisea.
"Goddess Brita, it's a true pleasure to see you again," says Pen, and then she sees the sketches strewn about and alights like an enthusiastic youth, "You have a deft hand, truly, Goddess. It's an art that I know no touch of. My education has been more physical than mental for many years."
The page is waiting for any other instructions and will take them or a dismissal and go.
Brita nods at the Page and thanks them for their efficient service in dismissal. She smiles broadly at Pen and Robin. "Well Met, Cousin Pen, Cousin Robin; Come in." She shifts to let them in. To Pen she says, "My Talent is Small compared to Some in Our Family, But it is Sufficient to Create the Familial Art." She roots around on the desk for a bit and unearths a small notebook. Handing it and a pencil to Pen, she says "Take Field Note of Your Observations of our Cousins, Aunts, and Uncles. Small sketches to Note a Prominent Feature or Natural Expression will Grow into More. My Understanding is We All have Time to Learn New Talents."
Robin smiles to Brita as she steps into the room. As Brita and Pen talk, Robin muses on what New Talents she might learn. Then she snorts to herself. She's learning to be civilized; that's enough for now.
Pen moves to hug Brita, without thinking, and thanks her sincerely for the notebook, the pencil and more than anything else, the confidence. She realizes that she's probably keyed up from all the recent 'sistering' and emotional moments, but her protocol training as a soldier and emissary should not be discarded, even among new family members. She apologizes for the breach in etiquette, smiling awkwardly.
Brita laughs and gives Pen a second hug. "No Etiquette among Family," she says with a smile. "We Are Kin." Brita waves the two to a small seating area next to the desk with two chairs around a small table, before spinning the desk chair around and sitting herself. "So, Cousin Robin, what is The Plan going Forward? Do we Attend Uncle Gerard's Dinner or go our Own Path?"
Robin flops into her seat, slouching for a moment as she gathers her thoughts.
Then she sits up and looks to Pen and Brita. "I'm in quandary and maybe you two can help. On the one hand, I'm eager to get to Arden -- both because of my Father's strain and because of my acceptance of Martin's mission. On the other hand, I have made a promise that won't keep for the length of a war.
"You see, the last time I was walking the Deep Paths around Arden, I came across a pair of truly ancient outposts. Each was staffed with a Lady and a Knight, bound to their service by an ancient blood oath. The Ladies and their Champions had been holding their positions for so long that the universes had moved on without them; their peoples were gone, their war over for millennia. But still, they were... sealed to their duties." Robin frowns and shakes her head at the waste of it.
"Now, I'm not one to let a cage stand, just because of tradition. So I offered to free them and see them on to new places in the worlds; Rebma for one pair, Paris for the other. Vere was with me when I... completed the first part of that promise. I undid a purposeful knot in their Shadow which resulted in enormous storms and flooding. During the storm, we became separated. Myself and the Water Knight eventually made it to Rebma. And Vere got the Water Lady, the Land Lady and the Land Knight to Amber. Before he himself was called away.
"I... very much feel like I have to keep the rest of my promise and see the remaining Ladies and their Knight to their respective destinations." Robin's eyes light with determination.
"I was hoping I could do it via the Trump Booth. But Caine isn't answering his Trump and things are unsettled enough in Paris that I'm not sure Flora will be able to help either.
"That leaves physically going to Amber, then Rebma, then Paris. But that could take longer than I'm comfortable with." Robin shakes her head and sighs.
"I mentioned to Pen, that maybe you two could go ahead of me to Arden, but then I'd miss talking with Pen about the current state of the war and the progress of the Green Disease...."
Robin winds down without a good finishing place and looks to her Cousin and her Sister for their thoughts.
"I Created a Place Trump of The Fire Gates of Watery Remba for Queen Celina. I can Likely Create a Quick Sketch of it from My Notes that will Enable Transport of a Couple of Travelers." She spins to the desk and starts rooting through sketches before flourishing a detailed image of a fountain and saying, "I Also have sketches of Cousin Lucas's Memorial Fountain in Bright Paris. I Can do a Sketch from These for the Other Transfer." Se glances at the image. "I was Reviewing These as I Worked on Our Cousin Misao's Image; she is Daughter to Cousin Lucas." She points at the sketches of a young woman with long dark hair.
Pen asks "Are we staying for dinner or heading out directly to Arden?"
Brita looks to Robin. "I Gave my Trump of Post 9 to Cousin Vere, but I Could make a Sketch of That as Well. Travel Time would be Reduced with The Sketches, But we Would Need to Wait for Their Creation."
Robin thinks it over. "I would like to get started as soon as possible. Brita? Is there anything we can do to help?"
Pen's stomach rumbles, and she looks down, chagrin at its betrayal. "This may take some time so I think I'll go and get some food, and I'll bring some back. If you need me any sooner, just send a page for me." Pen leaves, smiling awkwardly, and heads to the dining hall.
Thank You, Cousin Pen. I Am a Little hungry." Brita grins a little ruefully as her stomach grumbles agreement. She responds to Robin with, "The Creation of the Sketches just takes Time. If you Wish to Decrease it, you and Perhaps Cousin Pen could Bring the Ladies and Their Knights Here. I Can Make the Post 9 Sketch First; You Traveling There and then to Former Reality Amber will give me Time to Create the Remaining Sketches. You can Take My Sketch to Return Here." She adds, "It Is Complicated, but All I Have to Offer."
Robin nods. "That works for me. Thank you, Brita." Robin's gratitude is heartfelt. And she hopes that her Cousin doesn't think that Robin thinks she is just a Trump machine.
Having said that, Robin looks around and carefully clears a space where she can sit down and give her firelizards a good long oiling.
After a few moments, she says, "Cousin Misao?"
Brita hmms as she sits sketching. "One of Cousin Lucas's Children, but from Shadow and Not Bright Paris."
"Is she one of the Family rescued from the Klybesians?" Robin asks as oils Peep gently.
"Yes, I Believe So, Although They did Not Come Here through My Connection to Uncle Huon," Brita notes.
As Robin continues to gently rub in the oil onto Peep's golden hide, her head tips to the side in thought.
"Hey, Brita," she asks her Cousin, "What about that Trump portrait of Reid's? We would be Trumping into the former frontlines, but it's a walk to Aber from there. We could make Amber, see if Caine will let us use his Trump of Llewella, then you could draw the sketch of Lucas' fountain there. And we all Trump to Paris. What do you think?"
"That Would be Less Complicated," Brita agrees. "Fitting that Master Reid should Help Us."
Robin nods sadly.
Pen heads to the dining hall and looks for a page, gently convincing them that they are needed to assist with an important food gathering task.
Pen doesn't even make it to the kitchen before the flight of pages intercepts her. What does she want, where should they bring it?
She advises that she will need to make a few plates of food for herself, Goddess Brita, and Ranger Robin, and she would appreciate help bringing it back to Goddess Brita's room. She is open to any advice on what foods to get that Brita and Robin might enjoy (assuming there is a choice), but absent that she will make a best guess.
The pages will be happy to take the request to the kitchen. What does Lady Pen require? The kitchen is already acquainted with Lady Brita's preferences and Sir Robin's. They like their food hearty, so there will be bread and cheese and cold meats, and a little fruit.
Also will there be raw meat for Sir Robin's dragonets?
She remembers putting together a plate of food for her Mother when she was busy speaking with Queen Thalestris in the late hours. Mother sometimes would forget to eat if she set her mind to something. It was usually dates, olives, cheese and apples. Those were good times.
Dates and olives and cheeses and apples can be found. Would Lady Pen like wine or small beer or something else altogether to drink? Is there anything else they can do for the ladies?
Should they pass word to Prince Gerard that the ladies will not be joining the family for dinner?
Pen trusts the kitchen's experience arranging food for Lady Brita and Sir Robin, especially dragonet dietary requirements. Pen's tastes are similar to Brita and Robin, adding only dates, apples and olives.
On the matter of wine and beer, she decides that she will need something non-alcoholic. Best foot forward. Perhaps some fruit juice or cold water.
Pen does request the pages to pass along apologies to Prince Gerard that we will not be able to attend his dinner, but we thank him for his many courtesies.
The pages bow and scurry off, leaving Pen in the hall. She's not very far from Brita's chambers.
There's a knock at the door, and Pen returns with a fine assortment of plated meats, cheeses, bread, fruit, and a few pages in tow to assist. Also, there are mugs of hearty drink and water.
Brita greets Pen with a surprised, "That was Fast, Cousin Pen!" As she begins to fill a plate, she gestures at the water, "I Need to Purify Water for the Mourning Ritual of Our New Cousin Misao Before we Go. I Would Gather the Water from GrandMare's Grove."
"Thank you, Pen," Robin chirps as she helps herself to a plate of meat to share with the firelizards. "Sooo, you're wanting stop at the Grove on the way out? And then, come back to deliver the Water?"
Brita nods but adds, "Or I Can Go Now and Return Before we Depart for Former Reality Amber."
"Or, if I promise to be respectful, Pen and I can go get it, and you can work on your other projects." Robin suggests, nodding toward the sketch of Misao.
Brita cocks her head to the side slightly as she thinks. After a few seconds, she nods and says, "That Sounds the Most Efficient. I will Remain Here and Work on the Lucas Fountain Sketch and Rebma Fire Gate to Complete our Set. I Think about a Rum Jug of Grove Pond Water should be Sufficient for Young Misao." She smiles and says, "Say Hello to Grandmare for me If you See Her."
Robin nods and smiles to Brita. "I will," she says. Then she quickly finishes off her food and gets to her feet. With a quick wave to Pen to follow her, she's out the door with a "Let's go."
Last modified: 25 September 2021