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TonyLB · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 494

April keeps glancing over, as if trying to read Eric's mood, but doesn't broach the silence again. Apart from the respectful greetings of happy citizenry, and an occasional polite nicety, they ride the remainder of the distance to the castle in silence.

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 1:29 am Post subject:

Everything is very much like her mother had told her. April is well-treated and feels that she is upon quite a privileged situation. When they arrive at the stables, the horses are tended to and she is lead away from the King, having been promised he would see her soon. She is given a formal chamber and a maid to tend to her needs. She is quite young, perhaps mid-teens and her name is Ariana. April has a chance to change her clothing as she wishes before she is formally introduced to the Court in Amber as Lady Deirdre's daughter.

...

After what seems like interminable introductions during which the King is absent and during which lovely hors-d'oeuvre are served, April is finally brought to the Throne Room. On the way there, a young noble in a yellow jacket catches her eye. He reminds her of Jean, and when he makes eye contact with her he quickly looks down and bows.

...

King Eric is seated upon the throne, adorned with his crown and the Jewel of Judgment.
Six of the King's advisors are present and look at April, some harshly, some with some courtly feigned sympathy.

Without any introductions, a portly man with an overgrown beard and a monocle asks, "What does the Rebman Court offer to Amber in exchange for the mercy of the traitor Random?"
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TonyLB · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 494

April smiles tightly. "In exchange for you not executing a Prince of the Blood," she says, "we're willing to forego reparations for the dozens of broken warships that you dropped on top of the people and city of Rebma. You weren't really going to kill him anyway, and we weren't really going to press the matter of war damages, so it's tidy that way."

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 2:53 am Post subject:

The man retorts, "The Blood of Oberon is not enough to lay claim upon the Throne of Amber, Lady April. While we recognize clemency toward Random in the name of fraternity, his freedom is still at stake and I suggest you use your words carefully! The King of Amber is not..."

Behind the King's advisors, Eric looks at the ceiling grimly and gets up non-chalantly as the bearded man is about to start a tirade.

"Lord Feldane." The man stops immediately and turns to the King, bowing. "When you make use of my title, do it when you are in a position to do so." Lord Feldane nods in his bow.

"Rest assured, Lady April, that the Blood of Oberon will be recognized as legitimate until the end of this conflict," Eric looks at April as he says this, and the advisors quickly begin to complain and argue.

"Gentlemen. In the meantime, I suggest you thrust your efforts in the resolution of this war, not the claims of any outside party over the Throne... Leave us."

Lord Feldane gives April a nasty look as he and the other advisors leave.

"I know Lord Feldane owes you an apology for his tone, but please disregard this trifle incident. Now. Concretely speaking, has your mother offered anything we can make use in the war against those foreign forces out of the Black Road?"
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TonyLB · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 494

April looks searchingly at Eric.

"I told her she should offer to raise armies to help Amber's," April says, "but she said you'd never accept it, and ... " she gestures toward the door that the advisors just left through, "well, I suppose I can see why. It looks like there wouldn't be much profit in it, once you account for the trouble it would cost you here to give even the appearance of such trust."

"So," she finishes, looking a bit nervous at so much exposition, "unless I've totally missed the mark, you've no use for any armies of Deirdre's ... she'll relay all the intelligence she can gather to your agencies, but she said you'd be expecting that anyway ... and that leaves me as the only surprise. As you may have guessed, Rebma could have fielded more experienced diplomats. I'm the concrete offering. I'm fast. I'm strong. I know the paths of Shadow ... heck, that's where I've spent my whole life. And ... I was far enough from the war that nobody can take me to task for much more than having an impolitic mother. I'm here to do all I can. If you'll have my help, I hope I can manage to solve more problems for you than I cause."

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 3:35 am Post subject:

Eric smiles at April, remaining quiet for a long moment after she finishes speaking. "I'm glad you've arrived to help. I don't care to test your claims of strength and speed. You are your mother's daughter, after all. What I would like to know is this: are you willing to die for Amber if it requires it? Are you willing to throw yourself into a war from which you could simply walk away from? A war that does not involve you at all, really..."

He sighs,"What say you, April?"
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TonyLB · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 494

April ponders for a few moments before replying. "I really don't want to die," she says, holding her tone carefully level. "I don't know that a person could ever know if they're ready, before the moment itself."

"But as for walking away," she continues, her voice gaining strength as she continues, "I know what I feel about that. No matter where we each travel, no matter how long we stay away, this is the only place that my family will ever call home. Now some rat bastards want to destroy our home, before I even ..."

She stops speaking abruptly, takes a deep, deliberate breath, and unballs her fists.

"Your Majesty," she says, "You want me to see this clearly, and for that I am grateful ... but I must respectfully disagree with you: this war is not something I could walk away from."

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 5:19 am Post subject:

Eric gives her a satisfied smile, and says "I'm glad you feel this way, April. Besides I would hate to lose you too... And as much as I would dislike sending you away from Amber, there is something you can help with right away... It isn't too far from here, just outside the Golden Circle, in fact."
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TonyLB · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 494

If her eyes drop and her shoulders slump for a moment ... well, it is only for a moment, before she smiles broadly. "A chance to explore," she insists, "That sounds ... perfect. After all, Amber will still be here when I get back."

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 4:45 pm Post subject:

"Excellent." Eric moves a chair close to her and shares with her what the mission entails:

"I need you to go to the Shadow called Windborne. It is only a couple days walk from here. There, go through the forest and to the black mountains near the Windborne estate. Don't bother with the Lord of Windborne, there isn't enough time to make friendly with the locals. Stay hidden and look for a cave that holds one of the Lesser Patterns, a weak and distorted version of that of Amber. Once there, I need you to contact me using trump and to guard the Pattern. Kill anyone who approaches until I arrive."

"Do you prefer to travel by foot or by horse?"
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TonyLB · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 494

"Whoa!" April says, raising a finger. A flush rises in her cheeks, and she visibly composes herself. "I mean ... uh ... well, which one's the mission? Is it to guard that Pattern, or is it to kill anyone who approaches it? I mean, I can do both if both are actually needed, but ... "

April pauses, glances down, tugs at the edges of her gloves.

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 11:46 pm Post subject:

Eric clears his throat. "Use your own judgment in these matters. When I say kill anyone who enters said Pattern room, don't go around killing your cousins, uncles and aunts if they approach... Unless they're trying something funny... Just make it clear to them what it is you were sent for. If Shadowlings approach, dispose of them so that you are not compromised..."

He looks a tad annoyed, but hides it well, "Either way, I only expect you to encounter the enemy, which will be made very obvious when you realize they are prepared to kill you if they see you there. I suppose subduing works just as well, but it's often more dangerous than being prepared to kill outright."

Eric stands up and looks out the window, "Something you might not know is that I suspect a family member may have turned on us. Just... don't trust anyone else but myself in this matter. I'm certain your mother has warned you about family, by now..."
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TonyLB · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 494

"She has said a few things in that direction," April replies distractedly. She mulls over the great deal that has been told her in a few sentences.

"To your earlier question, Your Majesty, if a horse may be spared I will ride into Arden to conserve my strength, and proceed from there on foot. Are there any landmarks of Windborne that I should know, to help me visualize my way there more quickly?"

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 11:16 pm Post subject:

"Of course, I'll outfit you with whatever you need for the journey. Starting with this, here." Eric hands her his trump.

...

"I'm told the forest is large and inhabited by fair folk of some kind. The estate of the Windborne is a series of connected white towers, the winds are powerful and windmill structures are common to the area. At the edges of Windborne is the range of black mountains. Within the caves there, the Pattern can be found."

Eric adds, "With the Pattern there, you won't be able to change things around much at all, so be careful. And the Shadow walk will feel slower as you get near, much like it does when reaching here and Rebma."
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TonyLB · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 494

April nods, turning the cold trump over in her fingers. "Thank you," she says. "It sounds like I know everything I'll need. You can rest easy, at least on this one point ... I won't let you down."

She glances toward the door, then back at the King.