There Were Six F's


Morgne meets Robin and Ophiuchus at breakfast. She's dressed for riding, or in what some shadows consider a lady's riding habit. It's not as practical as Ophiuchus' clothing, but it's not completely useless.

"Lady Robin, I have considered the weight of your offer. We will leave the lake and these environs, if the spell binding Sir Ophiuchus to the fountain can be undone. We would not have him be bound unwilling as Laudine's husband Owain is to the fountain above the lake.

"Have you a plan for the unbinding?"

Robin's still a little bed-tousled, but she's made an effort to be presentable. It's just that some people are naturally rumpled and those people are Shadows of Robin. The firelizards, however, are buffed, polished and gleaming. It's obvious where Robn's morning priorities lie.

And from the carnage around her table-setting, an extremely hearty breakfast is another of those priorities.

"Thank you for your trust, Lady." Robin bows her head to Morgne.

"I have no formal plan as yet. (OOC – I've got, like, 12% of a plan.) I would like to investigate the Heart of this Land more closely before crafting something. I'd also like to confer further with your land counterparts. In fact, if at all possible, I'd like to get the four of you together..." Robin floats it out there.

She nods. "It would be better for the two of us to meet. Our champions' doom is to fight if ever they meet. Arrange it and we will be happy to see our kinswoman. We have missed her these long years."

"I will"” Robin nods again.

"But first, I'd like to get a better idea of what I'm dealing with here -- Landwise. With your permission, Lady, I'd like to travel to the Heart of this Land to do some direct investigating."

Robin indicates Morgne's attire. "You are welcome to join me, if you don't have other plans..."

She looks unsure. "It is tempting, for who has not wished to look on the heart of a place, and see what unseen shallows and deeps are concealed within it?"

Morgne takes a deep breath. "I wish not to, for fear of what I might learn of it and myself, and yet I must, for if it does not survive, only the five of us will exist to tell the tale, and I must know a thing to know the telling of it.

"When shall we leave?"

"I travel light so whenever the two of you are ready is fine with me." She smiles to Morgne and Ophiuchus. A little wriggle goes through Robin at the thought of riding Ashford again.

But Morgne's struggles bring her back to the present. Robin reaches over to pat Morgne's hand. "There are things in my past that I have been avoiding investigating as well. Your example gives me strength, and hope that when the time comes for me, I can be as graceful as yourself."

Morgne seems surprised by the touch, although she does not flinch away. "I assure you that my inner state is not particularly graceful, Sir Robin. Sir Ophiuchus will not accompany us to look into the center of the place. He is still sorcerously bound and we do not feel it safe to expose him to it. He will pack our things and go to the shore of the lake to await our return."

Robin nods. "Sounds like a plan." She can't resist shoveling a last bite in before wiping her lips and gathering her firelizards to herself.

"I'll miss your company, Sir," she says to Ophiuchus, "and while on this journey, I promise to safeguard the Lady to the utmost of my ability."

And with that she waits for said Lady to rise first -- just like Castor taught her.

Ophiuchus bows, "I shall see you shortly, Sir Robin, my Lady."

Robin returns the bow. "Until later."

They depart the castle and head towards the ridge that marks the point where they can make no further progress. It is not that far a walk/swim. "You may call me Morgne, rather than 'The Lady'. It is a title that attaches to a place that I am relinquishing."

"Very well. And please, feel free to call me Robin. There are no titles in the places I am used to." She smiles to Morgne.

Robin carefully selects a place that she and Morgne can be comfortable for a while; a shaded glade with moss-covered tree trunks that one can settle into. Once she gets Morgne and her own gear settled, Robin scouts around, making a noticeable bit of noise, to be sure that they won't be disturbed by the usual denizens of this place. (Essentially she's nicely shooing away any wildlife that could interrupt her studying and getting her scent all over place to discourage any ranging creatures from approaching too closely. And no, she’s not marking her territory – that'd be rude. This is Morgne's place.)

Once Robin has everything settled in the glade for a long contemplative Listen, she cocks her head as a thought strikes her. "Ummmm, Morgne? Is it possible for me to start a small scrying fire here? It's not strictly necessary, but it'd be nice."

Morgne sticks out her lower lip in thought. "It's certainly allowed, if that's what you're asking. We do not use flame very much because it's difficult to maintain and there are other methods of light and heat that we have gotten used to. Expect to use a lot of fuel or magic to keep it lit, but you may do anything needful."

"Hmmm... okay," Robin says thoughtfully. Time to put some legendary fire-making skills to work then, she thinks. Then she gathers a lot of what she would consider dry wood, if she were in an air-bound version of this forest.

After building a small, safe firepit, Robin puts her Ranger skills to use to get a smallish blaze going. If that works, she then sits herself down comfortably before it and gathers her firelizards around herself. Breathing slowly and deeply, Robin lets her 'civilized' self go and returns to her more savage and primal self; wordless, observant, without thought, judgment or analysis. Just being.

Slowly, Robin lets the odd under-water crackling sound of the fire guide her to the blue lightning that crackles with herself: her Heritage – the Pattern, so freshly rewoven through herself. Robin fans the fire of the Pattern within herself to a bright cheerful flame and then she turns her attention outward to the Shadow around her. Eyes closed, Sense open, Robin Listens to the weave of the Shadow in front of and around her.

(OOC – Backed up with Pattern senses, Robin's taking her time to sense the shadow energies as fully as she can.)

Robin has in the past had the impact of Amberites on shadow like the effect of a number of lead spheres placed on a sheet pulled tight. If that metaphor is accurate, then this shadow had someone tie a knot in it. Robin could probably break it, but it might be ... messy.

Her Listening complete, Robin sits back from the fire with a pensive fluff of breath.

As she carefully extinguishes the fire, she slowly lets her words come back to her. "Soooo, yeah. I can undo that. But I wouldn't want anyone to be near it when I did so." Her blue eyes dart over to Morgne. "And I'd like to consult with an expert before I start messing in there."

Morgne nods. "Of course. I'm curious about your expert. It was only certain Princes of the Realms that were experts in such matters in my day."

"That is still the case." Robin agrees, "I'd like to consult with Prince Julian, Warden of Arden."

And then Robin waits for any reaction that might cause.

She doesn't seem to have heard of Julian or Arden. "A Prince, then. At least that hasn't changed. Who is his mother?"

"Queen Rilga, Oberon's fourth wife... by most counts." Robin smiles wryly. Oberon, what can one say?

Morgne smiles. "Interesting. I did not think they married. A custom adopted from the people, I suppose."

"I always suspected that it was the people that adopted the custom from them. But one never really knows with those types of beings." Robin shrugs with a smile.

"And of course, we still have to check with Lady Laudine to see if she is amenable. 'Cause...." Robin looks out back over the valley, "this thing might unwind... quickly." 'Explosively' is the subtext.

Morgne doesn't quite look alarmed, but Robin thinks she understands the subtext. "Let us go to her castle then."

"Okay then." Robin nods and quickly returns the campsite to as close to natural as possible. Slinging up her backpack, Robin heads back toward the stair.

The stair seems closer and shorter than when Robin descended and after a brief walk, she finds her head rising above the lake's surface. When Robin looks back, all that she experienced under the water cannot have taken place in the confines of the shore of the lake behind her.

Robin breathes deep and happy in the forest air. And with a gleeful gesture, sends her little friends aloft with coos of praise for their wonderful, wonderful behavior while they were underwater. Loves them, she does!

Morgne blinks in the sunlight. "You have no idea how I've missed the surface. Look sharp, Sir Robin, in case the binding recognizes you as a threat and sends Ywain to fight you."

"Ah, I hope not. I kinda like the guy." Robin does indeed look sharp, but she pretty much charges the dry land like a cat getting out of a bathtub.

"How about you?" She asks looking back at Morgne, "Is his binding going to see you as a threat?"

Morgne shrugs. "He would, but I am a witch of no small power. You may note that I have not yet set foot on the land."

There is a small pool of water under her feet. It doesn't go beyond her sandals, and they seem to float on it.

Robin notices that the birds have stopped singing. Fountain and castle are not far from the lake shore.

Morgne starts towards the castle. "Let us go. I am anxious to meet my cousins."

Robin nods as she joins the water-walker on the way to the castle. Yeah, she thinks as she listens to the unexpected hush of the forest, this is going to be an epic Robin-style disaster.

On the walk, her mind wanders to the spatial improbabilities of the Lake. Normally she would just shrug it off as 'Fey-stuff' or 'less-Ordered physics,' but given the age of Morgne... that Shadow-knot might actually be something... formative, maybe?

Oh, well -- after the disaster with Ywaine and Laudine, it will be time to call Dad about the local Shadow-architecture.

A voice rings out from the top of the hill. It is Laudine. "Halt! Lady Robin, for what purpose do you bring Morgne to these shores?"

"Hail, Lady Laudine." Robin puts some projection into her voice. "I bring Lady Morgne to these shores to enter into good faith negotiations to peacefully end the millennium old stand-off between your peoples. Would you kindly join us in such an endeavor?"

Wow, that was a lot of diplomacy in two sentences. Robin is tired after just speaking it. Light and laughter dance across her eyes as she feels Vere's influence upon herself.

Laudine steps out from behind a tree, one which Robin would not have said concealed anyone, and walks forward. She has a crossbow with her. Morgne chuckles at the sight of it. "Clever, not trusting entirely to magic."

Laudine steps forward. "I come, without my protector, to negotiate. Do we truly mean to end what we've done here? Is our sacrifice finally at and end?"

Morgne nods. "I think so, my dear, I really do."

Laudine's eyes flick between the two women. "How?," is all she asks.

Morgne looks to Robin for more details as well.

Robin takes a deep breath. "Morgne was kind enough to show me a place in her realm where the Land is... twisted into a knot." Robin waves one hand to show that she knows what she Heard but doesn't have the words to describe it well.

"I can undo that. Though I am young and would probably be ham-fisted about it." Again, 'it could detonate' undertone is there. "I'd like to see the same knot from this side if I may. And consult with Prince Julian of Amber, an expert on such things.

"I... also really think it would be a good idea if there weren't too many people too close. I've already offered to escort the Lady Morgne to Rebma afterwards, and I'd be happy to get you and Ywaine an escort to say... Paris? as well. If such was needed, of course."

Laudine nods. "Paris will be quite suitable, as long as we can travel to visit each other. We would leave immediately, were we free to do so."

Morgne reaches out and touches the other woman. "What you saw is what there is. We don't understand what you mean by 'this side' of the knot. It is what it is, where it is."

[OOC: I am picturing a sheet, like a bedsheet, pulled flat. Now grab a hunk in the middle. It's all middle because it's an infinite sheet. Pull it up and put a rubber band around it. If you're on the surface of the sheet (which is reality), there's only one side. They don't get your reference.]

"Yeah," Robin nods distractedly as she thinks about her metaphor, "I think there's some kind of watery-pathway-tunnel thing between Rebma and Paris... though I think there's a Queen of A&D pinch-point on it. Hopefully, we'll take care of that soon." She finishes with a wry smile.

"What I was thinking with the 'knot' was," she holds up her fist and walks her fingers in a small orbit around it. "See, getting other perspectives. But you guys are far more familiar with it than I and if you say it's all the same -- I believe you. Soooooo, time to call the expert?"

Robin gets the feeling that there's not much in the way of keepsakes or luggage that these two want.

Morgne nods. "You are our expert, Sir Robin. If you wish to consult another Prince, then now is the time. We have no reason to delay you."

Laudine lets her hand rest on Morgne's, as if seeking assurance that she is real.

Robin raises a Julianic eyebrow at the 'another.' As she digs under her shirt for the beaded bag that was her mother's, she mutters under her breath, "I'm not a Prince..." And though her mutinous mind finishes the sentence with 'those guys are assholes,' she also concedes that that may not be the case anymore.

Robin takes a moment to run her hand over the Thunderbird stitched into the leather. 'Sacred Messagers' is what Hannah called them, but Robin can't help but think of them as Storms on the Wing. A quick fierce smile darts across her lips.

Within the bag is her waterproof, fire-resistant, Robin's-carrying-paper-things case, and within that? A fine collection of the dead, the incomplete and one beautiful Trump of her Father, white against the green. Robin smiles fondly again. Then snaps herself out of what is becoming a reverie.

She looks up to the Ladies. "Now these don't always work for me. But at least they don't seem to be making me ill anymore." Bless Fiona for small -- and large -- favors.

With that, Robin gazes into the Trump and reaches for her Father, the Warden.

Julian's image comes clear quickly. He's sitting in a camp chair, possibly not far from where she left him in the new forest.

"Who calls?" he asks.

"It's Robin, sir." While Robin's tone is professional and respectful, she is -- as ever -- happy to see her Father.

Robin continues speaking aloud for the benefit of her companions. "I am standing in Shadow near the borders of the Deep Green, Arcadia, Arden and Broceliande. With me is Lady Morgne, descendant of the vassals of Moines via Tir-na N'ogth. And Lady Laudine, ...of similar heritage, I believe. They are both Bound Guardians of an abandoned frontier between the Forces of Order and Other Things. That frontier seems to consist primarily of a big ol' knot tied in Shadow, sir. And Lady Laudine and Lady Morgne have guarded this knot with for eons with no relief, as have their Champions. I'd like to do something about that. And about that knot." Her brow furrows slightly.

Robin nods, yep that about covers it.

Julian listens, nodding in appropriate places. "I see. While I am normally loathe to dismantle ancient protections, if they serve no purpose, then they can be eliminated." He pauses. "If you are confident that the consequences of your unmaking are worth the risks, then by all means continue.

"I have Vere with me, and he is uncertain what Ranger tasks he should next undertake," Robin can hear her father's disappointment, but he continues. "Would it be useful to you for me to send him to you?"

At first, Robin's heart leaps -- yay, Vere! Love him, love him, love him! Then she thinks, 'Boy is he going to go all investigate-y with this!’ and then, 'Well, soooommmmeee investigation is called for' and finally, 'Okay, then it's going to be up to me to make sure we don't get bogged down in investigation.'

All of which comes out as, "Yes."

"A moment, then." Julian holds up his hand. He does not drop the trump contact, but somehow Robin is not able to hear his next few sentences. His mouth is moving, and she can see that, but there is no voice coming through the connection.

Robin waits and watches with interest. Another skill that she may try to emulate when she's got as much experience as Prince Julian.... hah.

Robin doesn't quite see the trick of it, but at least now she knows it is possible.

Julian nods, and holds out his hand and his voice is once again in the conversation. "Then, unless you have other business to complete first, I will send you to her."

Julian takes Vere's hand and passes him through to Robin.

Vere appears in a rainbow shimmer. His eyes flick around him, measuring his surroundings, even as he says, "My lady," and offers a hand to Robin.

At the sight of her Beloved, Robin's eyes flare to life like a bonfire. (One drink.) She reaches out to take his hand and an almost visible woof! of joy shoots through her at their touch. For a moment, she struggles. He's right; the setting is formal, the company unfamiliar. Castor's instructions run through her mind in a quick blur. But... in the end, she's Robin.

The girl throws herself on Vere with a joyful and triumphant cry. And if Vere allows it, will do her best to merge cells and breathe in a tornado of ardor.

The two women, sensing that Vere and Robin want some privacy, walk together a few steps away to gossip about them allow them to have a conversation.

Vere catches Robin in his arms and lets all thoughts of propriety and watchers fall away. He hugs her tightly, crooning delightedly but without words, kissing her again and again and willing this moment to last forever.

After an eternity, Robin pulls back from the Kiss and laughingly rests her forehead against Vere's chin. "Someday, I might be able to not do that. But iiiiittt'sss going to be a while." She chuckles. "Love You." She adds with a fond chin bump.

"Forgive me for not sticking around for Togetherness?" Robin says apologetically. "I was all.... restless." She wriggles in Vere's arms. Full of Pattern-energy is what she means.

"There is nothing to forgive," Vere replies. "And it is good to let others see that we can work apart." He chuckles slightly into her hair. "Although I believe you father is not convinced of that. He is not pleased with me, I think. He takes my constant questions and seeking information as indecisiveness and a lamentable lack of independence."

"S'okay. Some folks take my lack of questions and commitment to action as stupidity and recklessness." There's a bitter twist to her lips at that last.

"But we're both still kickin' and serving -- that'll have to be enough. Even if we ain't the popular kids." She grins at him, a hint of wickedness in her smile.

"Soooo, one last kiss..." Robin follows words with action, kissing Vere deeply but not enough to lose her sense of time, "and then to work. Anything to report from the Warden's camp?"

Vere lets her end the kiss with reluctance. "The goddesses continue their war," he tells her. "And it begins to slip over into Arden. Nothing major so far. They are sending armies against each other into Arcadia and some troops are being lost and ending up either in the Deep Green or in Arden. I led a small band into the Deep Green and it sent the spirit of a dead Ranger to speak with me, now nothing more than a part of the Green. It gave me a veiled warning not to enter the Deep Green again and sent a cryptic message to the Warden. Nothing else of import to report at this time."

He cocks his head slightly to one side and asks, "And you? Was your visit to Aunt Fiona fruitful?"

Robin nods as she listens to Vere; that sounds about like what she expected. Though she does raise an eyebrow at the 'warned not to enter the Deep Green again.' Off the top of her head, she doesn't think she's ever gotten a warning like that; just lots of embarrassing moments in front of Goddesses.

She perks up at Vere's question. "Yes, that went great! Aunt Fiona confirmed that I'm not compromised, changed or really weird -- just understandably shook and confused. So we... took some steps to reinforce more fundamental thought patterns." Well, there's a euphemism. "It's definitely helped but there's still more to do." She adds with a shake of her head.

"The initial healing phase was... scary and really awesome; though even more exhausting than ever. I have got to stop doing that." She states emphatically, shaking her head with wry humor. "It was especially wonderful because the healing took place out in the wilderness. And I am so.... happy (read -- overjoyed) to know that one of those is NOT in a city or a dungeon or some other sprawling human place. This one even smelled of a nearby reptilian macro-predator, always a bonus. Though I didn't get a glimpse it because I was kind of busy." She finishes sadly. Someday -- that one and the one in the caves under Xanadu. Someday, there will be time for big lizards. Shaking her head, Robin pulls herself back to the track of her conversation, such as it is.

"Buuuuutttt, I really did like the wilderness aspect of the whole thing. I'd... like there to be more of that in our universes. More wilderness that doesn't serve the need of humans -- or any sentience really. More spaces and places that just... are. But since so many of us are civilized and like cities and dungeons and swarming human places, I guess it's going to be up to me to Dream of the Wild and the Free." She grins at Vere. "I think I'm up to that.

"Don't worry though, Dad made it real clear that I have to show up at Family Reunions and at the Castles so no one thinks I'm off in Shadow planning treason. Which when put that way, makes sense." She wrinkles her nose in distaste.

"Oh! And I forgot to ask for hair." Robin says, reaching out to run her fingers through Vere's beautifully colored Pattern-locks. And like a bounding puppy, she just stops because she's done.

Vere rubs his head against Robin's hand. "Excellent news," he says. "And we shall make time for the wilderness. And perhaps I will even be able to bring you to enjoy the glories of the open sea, given time." He grins at her.

Robin returns his grin and nods, not exactly eager but willing.

"For now," he glances over at the two waiting ladies. "Is there anything I need to know about the current situation, or shall I just follow along as best I can?"

The ladies are indeed waiting. They are regal in bearing, and one stands perhaps a half inch off the ground, on a layer of water. There is a small rivulet running behind her to the lake, which is quite beautiful as well.

Robin nods again. "While I certainly trust your ability to figure it out and react accordingly," love Him!, "here's the nutshell; the two ladies are bound and ancient defenders of a giant Shadow knot designed to prevent Bad Things and the Forces of Order from constantly mixing it up. They and their single Champions have been alone at their posts for a very long time. Despite that, they have a good but really outdated understanding of the nature of the Universes.

"Now I've already determined that I'm going to undo that knot... for reasons I can't... put into words just yet. So, three things: once I undo the knot, the Ladies and their Champions are going to need a place to retire. Lady Morgne," Robin flicks her eyes toward the watery lady, "and her Champion are interested in Rebma. While Lady Laudine," another eye-flick, "and her Champion think Paris sounds like a grand idea." Blech, Paris.

Vere nods his understanding while his eyes flick over the ladies, measuring them without openly staring.

"Second thing: Iiiii'mmmm having trouble determining what the outcome of the knot-untying will be, scale-wise. I've both over- and under-estimated the effect of Shadow work before." She shrugs, only one way to practice this kind of thing.

"So, what I'd like you to do, please, is talk to the very formal and polite Ladies to help me figure out how their Binding tangles into the Knot and what they are guarding against." Robin looks embarrassed, "They told me but I'm afraid it didn't really stick. That will help me determine the scale of what I'm working with here."

Vere nods again, accepting this without any questions.

"Lastly, If things do go well, I'd like your help negotiating the Ladies' relocation. Oh, their Champions are Ophiuchus, honorable cavalier and gentleman, and Ywain, wandering knight who just got caught up in this mess by accident. Both of them are great guys, just really different from one another." She shakes her head with a fond smile.

"If things don't go well, could you start working on an explanation for the rest of the Family, especially Jerod & Brennan, about why this was an important, noble and good thing for the Family to try? I'm really, really bad at explaining myself under pressure." Robin rolls her eyes and looks faintly sick to her stomach.

A faint smile crosses Vere's lips. "Neither Jerod nor Brennan are happy with me right now, but I do not believe they would let that stand in the way of giving me a fair hearing. As for Rebma and Paris, did you wish me to speak with Celina and Corwin before or after we arrive with the refugees?" His smile grows wider. "I can give you good arguments for and against both options, as well as several other options. Exactly the sort of thing that annoys the Warden."

"Don't worry about annoying the Warden, Vere. He's just touchy right now 'cause he's in a war that he sacrificed a lot to try to avoid." Robin shrugs, that'd piss anyone off.

"With regards to giving various rulers a heads-up, let's not. I'm still not sure how this is going to go down yet and if we start talking to folks, they're going to start asking questions, feeling invested and start giving all sorts of advice. I'm... not fond of decisions by committee. But I understand that this kind of thing is what got you in trouble with Jerrod and Brennan in the first place. And you're right - they've shown themselves to be fair. But no, I don't want any more cooks in the kitchen than is necessary."

Vere nods his understanding and agreement.

"Can you quickly list your several other options?" Because Robin knows thinking things through is not her forte and it's just dumb not to use an expert when one is there.

Vere gives a slight shrug. "Nothing that I would seriously advise, beloved, merely a couple of thoughts that occurred to me. We could seek out their respective courts, to try to return them to their own folks. If they are of immortal folk then their relations might still live. We could take them through Shadow to find Shadows of their Desires, where they and their Champions could find rest and reward from their long service to Duty, and not be at risk of being drawn into the political machinations of Rebma and Paris. We could take them to Arden, where their ancient knowledge and power might serve the Warden in his war." He smiles a trifle ruefully. "I can always think of alternate possibilities, my lady. It is my gift and my flaw."

Robin returns his smile with fondness. "I love that about you, both ways.

"But just so's you know, I gather the Ladies' former courts are either no longer existent or so... distant in time/space that they don't know where they are. And their period of isolation has been so long that it really makes me want to get these people where things are happening. But I think an active war might be a little too happening, so no Arden. But keep the thinking going. I'm bound to overlook something.

"In the meantime, let's get this hunt started." She says, turning toward the waiting Ladies.

Vere lifts her hand to his lips for a final fond kiss before taking her arm in his and escorting her to the Ladies Morgne and Laudine. Once there he waits for Robin to present him.

It's a measure of Castor's training that Robin allows the escort. It's a measure of Robin's Robiness that allowing is involved. But for Vere, Robin has all the allowance in the universe.

Once Vere has determined the correct difference -- because he's soooo good that way -- Robin retrieves her arm and speaks as formally as she can. "Miladies, it is my honor to present to you; Vere, Son of Prince Gerard of Amber and Xanadu, Prince of Danu, Knight of the Card, my beloved and fiancé.

Robin then turns to Vere. "Vere, may I present to you; Lady Laudine of Lothian, Countess of Landuc, Guardian of the borders of Order and wife of Sir Ywain, Guardian of Methrin's Font. And Lady Morgne, Princess and Lady of the Lake, Guardian at the borders of Order. Her Champion, Sir Ophiuchus, guards Merlin's Font."

Robin pauses for a moment then adds, "Peep, Chirrup and Ooot already know everyone so they're good." Okay, that last part was a little awkward, but at least it brought closure to the whole thing. Bleah, diplomacy.

"Ladies," Vere says, with a courtly bow. "Lady Robin has given me a brief overview of the situation. But might I beg your indulgence to ask for your understanding of the ways in which you are bound here, so that I may better understand what it is that my lady is undertaking in her unweaving of this mystical knot?"

"Of course, Prince Vere," replies Morgne. "Many years ago, our two cities were frequently at war. Hardly a generation went by without open hostilities, and to the detriment of our various peoples.

"A plan was formed by one of our keenest sorceresses, our sister Basina, to put distance between the realms to prevent fighting. We chose to stay here to prevent the wars that had so hurt all of our people.

"It worked, but the binding outlived the need."

Laudine nods. "As simple as that, but we have not the power to undo it ourselves."

Vere nods thoughtfully. "If I understand correctly, then, the realms were separated, and this area," he gestures at the woods around them, "Created as a buffer zone, to keep them separate, with the two of you and your champions bound into the enchantment as guardians. Is this essentially correct? And the realms themselves either no longer exist, or have drifted away from the binding?"

Robin listens carefully. Already she has a better idea of scope and approach. Whatever Vere may think about his own inquiring nature, Robin loves his analysis skills.

Laudine nods. "Yes, although I would describe us as sentries, rather than guardians. Our castles are not garrisoned. Something... changed the relationship of place-to-place, so that the places were not so close, yes. It was, suddenly, as if they had always been further apart than we remembered them."

"The Remaking," Vere says, looking at Robin. "Does that knowledge change anything?" He looks back at the Ladies, opening his Third Eye.

They are solid to his third eye, more like rocks than trees. It jibes with their claim to be very old. There is some sort of connection between them and something out over or in the lake. It's hard to say where.

Robin looks knowledgable and nods, though she actually doesn't have a clue what 'The Remaking' means. She just figures that Vere will catch her up in private. After all, he keeps up on current theories whereas she vaguely remembers that Edan said... something. Maybe?

Laudine looks pensive. "Do you mean the erasure of the black road? That was not the event we were speaking of. It was... ancient."

Morgne nods. "Perhaps there were two of these Remakings." She doesn't sound very sure.

"Perhaps," Vere says. He doesn't sound as though he thinks it likely. He looks out into the lake and says, "Brace yourself for a bit of Chaos, my love. I am going to violate the natural Order just a trifle." He inscribes a circle in the air with one hand, looking through that circle and the connection between the Ladies and the Lake, and use the Principal of Space to move his vision, both natural and Third Eye, along the connection, looking for whatever the two Ladies are linked to. As he does this he says, "I believe that your intent is to unweave this enchantment, my love. Is that not correct? And it seems likely that if this place is a creation of that enchantment it will cease to be when that enchantment is unmade. Possibly with some violence, if there is metaphysical tension that is released too quickly. Thus we need to unravel the connection to the Ladies as well, to protect them. Do I have the basic idea correct?"

"Partially. But I'm guessing that it's not an 'enchantment' that's the central to this. To me, it looks like someone with approximate Family skills did a little..." she makes a twisting gesture with her hands, "Work... with the... Local Architecture." Darn it. Most of her and her Father's understandings aren't verbal and it's hard to explain.

"There's probably a sorcerous component involved in the Ladies' link. Which I could definitely use your help on. But the Architecture? I'm hoping I can just smooth out the locale. But yeah, tension. In addition, there might be... side effects or ripples in the nearby Realities. That's the bit that concerns me.

"We're close enough to Broceliande that I suspect it's going to provide some stabilizing influence. But Arden and Arcadia are completely shifty right now. And I'm just having trouble figuring if this is a Local problem and I think too much of myself. Or am I going to be shaking the entire spiderweb..."

Vere's sight leaves the lakeshore and moves outward, along the thin but definite link he sees with his third eye. There are two trails, and they go off in parallel. As they near... something at the water's edge on the far side of the lake (one from above, one from below), they get closer together. Vere is not sure that the thing is not chaosian in origin, as it seems that the closer he gets, the more relevant detail shows up and perhaps he is no closer at all. He feels there is some dimensional irregularity at the locale, but he cannot put it into words, precisely.

If this is how the armies were kept apart, it is indeed a practical solution--if they couldn't reach each other, they couldn't fight.

"Interesting," Vere says, his eyes focused on something in the distance. "There is something odd happening. I am unable to reach the place where the bindings come together. It is as though the closer I come the further off it is. It is not an Orderly phenomenon. How do you propose to undo this binding, my love?"

"Hunh." Robin's bangs lift at the puff of air. "I thought it was an Ordered phenomenon, just not one we typically run across. More... freeform, as it were. But you have more experience with Chaos than I, soooo..." she shrugs.

[OOC: The GM has failed to describe fractal geometry adequately. It is ordered, but the dimensionality is not integer based. It would probably not work in a pattern-realm.]

"What I'm thinking of doing... doesn't translate well to words, but the theory is to Listen really closely to the... tunes of the worlds, get a feel for their melodies and then 'Sing' into 'weave' of Reality to tease the melodies apart. Of course that means I have to take possession of all the involved realities and I don't... have a gentle touch. Eventually, I might even have to brute force it... which, of course, could be exciting.

"If it comes to that, it'd be nice if you had a quick Card-type evacuation plan ready for us, the Ladies and the Champions bound to them who can't be in this immediate area 'cause they're bound to fight one another if they're face to face." Robin blinks. That sentence got away from her.

"Their Champions are nearby in their respective realms?" Vere asks. "It might be tricky to get them here and then somewhere else quickly in the event of a sudden catastrophe."

"Weeeellll, it was my understanding that the guys couldn't get together. Ladies? Is there a way of establishing a truce or parley that would allow Ophiuchus' and Ywain's honor and oaths to remain intact but bring them within emergency grabbing-and-whisking-away reach?"

Vere turns to look inquiringly at the Ladies, waiting for the answer to this question before going any further into the mechanics of an evacuation.

Morgne nods. "It is true. If my champion sets foot on land, or hers in the water, then the magic controlling them will cause them to a pass at arms."

Laudine adds, "They can be close, as close as the shore of the lake, but no closer. We used to meet here, long ago, when Esclados was alive." She looks across the water quickly, the topic is sad, but not a fresh sadness for her.

Vere considers this answer. "So then, we can have them stand on the shore within a few feet of each other? That should be sufficient." He looks at Robin. "I see three possibilities. Which we use depends on how much time we have, and the method you use to unravel this."

He tells the methods off on three fingers of his left hand as he explains them. "Primus: we could trump out. The difficulty with that is that we can only hand them through one at a time, which may be too slow.

"Secundus: I could use Sorcery to Part the Veil and rip an opening to another world. The benefit of that is that we can all leap through together. The difficulty with it is that there would almost certainly be interference between my Sorcery and your use of the Pattern.

"Tertius: I could call the Psyche to this lake. Everyone save the Champion of Water can be on board, and he can be in the water holding onto the side. We hellride out of here on the shock wave of the destruction of this shadow."

Vere smiles slightly. "The strong point in favour of that third option is that it is the most spectacular and exciting method."

Robin just smiles. "I must admit, I'm partial to option three myself. But Ophiuchus wouldn't have to hang off the side of the Psyche. He has this... awesome ride named Eckford, who can probably keep up with and alongside of the Psyche. Just in case I'm out of it, what's your drag diameter?"

[OOC: Let's just assume Vere can give the answer to this question, since James doesn't have the faintest idea.]

[OOC - Let's further assume that it's something that allows Ophiuchus to ride alongside the Psyche. Sorry about that Janes.]

"That'll work." Robin nods. "Okay, will you set that up while I see about setting up my end?"

If it seems like everything is in order, Robin nods again to the Ladies. She paces off a few feet and starts gazing into the direction of the fractalized land.

Vere turns and starts walking along the shore of the lake, fully expecting to come upon the Psyche just around that slight bend ahead, behind a small stand of trees.

The ship is where Vere expects. He can return to Robin's position, as there is a place with a deep enough inlet near the shore. Do you intend to board the parties onto the ship before Robin does her work?

Yes, Vere wants everyone except Ophiuchus on board before we do this. Unless Robin has a good reason for why she has to not be on board.

The boarding is accomplished with a minimum of fuss, although Robin and Vere see Ywain give his sword to Laudine before Ophiuchus arrives. Eckford is a magnificent sea-horse, of a size to ride, and built like a fairy dragon.

A minimum, yes. But Robin does fuss a little. This is the first time she's met the Psyche and she will properly introduce herself to Vere's other Lady. She coos, murmurs sweetness, strokes and pats the ship as she would horse, hawk or hound.

And when Ophiuchus, Ywain and Eckford show up, she is friendly and happy to see all. Robin doesn't differentiate her behavior much between men, creature and ship -- other than making allowances for two of them being non-verbal.

Once on board, the ladies turn to Robin. "We will take mostly memories from these places, and those we have a surfeit of," says Morgne.

"We are prepared," says Laudine.

"Is there anything I can do to assist you, my love?" Vere asks Robin. "Or shall I just stand ready for a rapid escape?"

"Weeelll..." Robin says as she seats herself comfortably and securely. "Father said that two practitioners mostly cancel each other out or create really bad interference." Something in her voice says she intends to investigate that further in the near future.

"But seeing to our guests and our potential hair-raising escape really helps with the distraction and focus angle. If you could keep supporting that, that’d be great." Robin looks to Vere with Love and Trust in her eyes.

Once she is settled, Robin takes a deep breath and relaxes into alertness. From within her, she stokes the blue lightning of her Heritage and Blood, summoning the Power of the Pattern to mind and soul. Eyes sharp as a hawk's, head tipped to Listen, Robin reaches out and gently, gently takes the weave of the Shadow into her 'hands.'

Robin reaches out mentally and the pattern springs quickly to her mind. It is clear to her that the thing she sees is ordered, but not naturally ordered, and is kept in place by some chaotic affect on it. It is a wrongness and she can right it. Not easily, but permanently and simply. She's also strongly convinced that she will need to manage it carefully to keep it from exploding like overtightened clockwork.

Vere is watching Robin carefully, trying to follow what she is doing while remaining fully aware of his surroundings. He doesn't expect one of his passengers to suddenly go on a murderous rampage, or a Lord of Chaos to burst up through the water under the Psyche, but he doesn't plan on being surprised if something along those lines occurs.

Gently, gently, like untangling a hurt animal from a snare, Robin begins to free the Order of this place from its constraints. Unconsciously, she hums and tweets under her breath as she keeps herself both aligned to the 'music' of the land and in charge of it.

The 'music' of the land is a steady repeat of a theme. It seems to have been stuck in a single long, beautiful phrase for some time, repeating it again and again, for uncountable ages. The first loosening of the ties seems to release new themes, at first cautiously and then louder and faster, the breech becomes a rent, and soon an entire shadow's worth of space and time and dimensionality are flooding out of the gap. Vere, at the helm of the Psyche, feels the water start to recede from the boat, and the lake level seems to fall. Behind him, one of the ladies gasps. A great wave is forming behind the ship.

Shortly, the Psyche, and with her Eckford, are climbing up the wall of an unimaginable wave. It's that or crash or the now-exposed rocks.

Robin feels a final crack as the Chaosian influence splinters and breaks away, separating the two lands from each other at last. Robin isn't quite sure when the oscillations will dampen, although she thinks it is quite likely that eventually they will.

This place is dangerous to still be in. It's one of the last bits that part of both shadows. Oh, and the tidal wave. And the rocks. It's definitely not safe, at all. It would be a pity to accomplish a great feat of Patternry and then be dashed agains the rocks because the two shadows each need a full ocean.

Vere concentrates on keeping the Psyche stable as she climbs the wave, focusing on minor and transitory things such as bits of foam and small swirls in the currents around them to hellride them quickly away. He's trying to get them onto open ocean, away from rocks and the danger of being cast upon the shore.

Robin looks up for her Pattern work, slightly disoriented. But as she takes in her surroundings, a wild grin of glee splits her face. Robin shifts her focus instantly: no Pattern from her, that's Vere's job. Safety of passengers and outriders, her job. She figures the Psyche probably knows how to take care of herself.

Robin watches Eckford. He's struggling. If it gets much worse, he'll be lost. And it seems as if it's about to.

This being the Psyche -- Vere's boat, Robin is pretty sure there's a life-preserver with line close to hand, 'cause Her Man doesn't head out to sea underprepared. If there is, Robin will throw the preserve to Ophiuchus, using just strength and skill (no Pattern.) If that goes well, Robin quickly ties off the line and hangs on to it, doing what she can to help the unfortunate tow-ees.

If there's no life-preserver or things don't go well, Robin will consider jumping for Ophiuchus and Eckford. If she gets even into their vicinity, she can hell-splash the three of them out of there... hopefully.

[OOC: Well, that's too good an option to pass up...]

Ophiuchus is hanging on to Eckford for his life and can't let go enough to try to catch or use the line Robin throws. She's pretty sure she can reach the two of them, but she’ll get even wetter...

Vere's changes come and go quickly, a swirl, a curl of foam, a hard cross-current at just the right second. It's easy to hell-ride when tossed by a tidal wave, although it's hard to know where the changes will land oneself.

The skies open up and a torrential rain starts, harder and faster than anything could, naturally. Moments ago the sky was clear and blue, but now it cannot be seen. Visibility is non-existent, and the waves are terrifying. Vere's ship and skill seem to be holding, but it's hard to see or hear anything at all. There could be reefs or even mountains just feet from the Psyche and it wouldn't be obvious.

It's at that point that the lightning starts, close enough to blind anyone looking that way. Crashing huge and loud near the boat, the ozone smell temporarily overwhelming the salt sea. The thunderclap, nearly simultaneously, is deafening.

Vere laughs, reveling in the exhilaration of pitting himself against the elements. He steers the sloop as though he and the Psyche are a single being, feeling the motion of the wind and water as she rides the waves, sensing the currents moving along her hull and letting them guide him as he steers her through the storm.

"Verde..." Robin curses under her breath. Wetness... why does it have to be wetness...

She quickly hauls the line back in and dumps it somewhere safe on the deck. "Vere! Meet us in Xanadu!" She yells and then leaps for the struggling Ophiuchus and Eckford. Bleah, yuck, wetness!

Struggling to control the helm Vere has time for a shocked, "What?" before the love of his life and star of his existence vanishes over the side into the merciless sea.

After that single instant of shock he brings himself back into control. His face slides into an emotionless mask as he analyzes the situation, determines that there is nothing that he can do to aid or retrieve Robin, and focuses on the task of guiding the Psyche to safety. The joy is gone, and now there is only grim determination to complete the task. He guides the Hellride towards calmer waters, working to step it down from Hellride to a simpler working of shifting shadows as they leave the shock of Robin's working far behind them.

Vere has two high-priority tasks, which he manages successfully. First he must keep the ship in adequately deep water to prevent her becoming a smear of wreckage along a mile of coastline. Second, he needs to ride away from the rough storm that is making a hell ride the only thing it's possible to do.

Finally, he needs to arrive in a shadow from which he can reach Xanadu.

It's hard to tell if the final goal has been achieved. The sails are in tatters, and the ship seems to have come to rest in some sort of tropical lagoon. The water is clear and shadow, but the island is becalmed.

There's a volcano rising from the center of the island. It looks dormant.


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Last modified: 2 January 2016