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Post by Admin on Feb 27, 2023 2:53:08 GMT
The way through shadow is as it always is: Skies, suns, lands and moon change as they ride. In the depths of an endlessly deep ravine, to the edge of an endlessly tall cliff; thousands of small islands crossed on dainty bridges; through a desert of tumbleweed and dust; a locomotive graveyard filled with hulking, rusting machines; across a cold great salt pan, mirages dance on the horizon, an inch of brine underfoot. Salt-rimed boots and hooves trudge out of the salted lands into peaceful green glens; trees thickening, beginning to resemble Arden; ground climbs into hills, then mountains; trails thin, so the soldiers need to walk in rows of four. Slow going now as the troops grimly walk up the paths through dozens of mountain passes. A few more nudges of shadow, and then Edward has come as close as he can to Arden.
They are amid the mountains, pine forests all about. the trail should lead to the last mountain pass and then down into Arden proper. Rangers should have guard posts ahead and probably scout this side of the mountain as well.
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Post by Edward on Feb 27, 2023 6:53:46 GMT
As they reach a good enough area for the troops to camp, Edward will delegate the responsibility for the scouts and rangers. He will find his own place to set down and set up camp.
Initially, he isn't too worried about a shelter of his own, but he does not intend on abandoning this army either. He can conjure something later if he needs to. Right now, he wants to clean up and get rid of that god-awful brine from his boots. It will be tough to get rid of the salt from the leather.
Edward will take a moment and look through the surroundings and admire the view, and then check for anything unusual.
Oh Dear God, my feet are aching. I can't wait to get my shoes off, but I can't break down in front of the troops. Image is everything.
He looks for Xu and see how he is doing.
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Post by XuLiang on Feb 28, 2023 4:22:44 GMT
Xu Liang took his turns with leading the army through Shadow. He closely watched how Edward manipulates the environment to bring them ever closer to Amber and learns to use the same methods. He notes that the closer to Amber they get the harder the shifts become but what must be shifted is clearer. (OOC – I believe it will take a few days to bring the Army back, right?)
Xu Liang prefers a less direct method of leadership. He follows what Lord Mortius does to manage the army with great interest, learning much through observation and the occasional question. He offers to help when he understands what is needed and feels he can contribute.
When they stop at the edge of Arden Xu Liang dismounts from Tea and looks to Edward questioningly, “Why did you not shift yourself a horse? Do you prefer walking?” Xu asks with curiosity. He listens carefully to the answer.
Noticing a slight stiffness in his posture and hesitations in his walking movements Xu Liang pulls out a small vial from one of his saddle bags and tosses it to Edward and winks at him. “Try rubbing that on later.”
“I certainly wouldn’t mind riding. But they kicked me out of the wagons.”
“Rightfully so. Those wagons are for provisions, not your personal carriage.”
“But look at what that salt did to the pads of my feet!”
Xu Liang looks a bit exasperated. “Come here then.” Kai makes a show of limping painfully over to Xu clearly acting for sympathy not actual pain.
Xu Liang focuses a moment and kneels next to the Fu Lion. Kai lays down in the grass and offers his paws to Xu. The Scholar passes his hands over the lower legs and paws and the fur gains a slight glow and the pads of the paw shrink slightly. When he is finished he wipes his hands on a small towel in his belt at the small of his back. “There. Better?”
“Mmmm… Yes. This grass smells nice. Did we pass this way before?”
“I believe so.” He scratches the Fu Lion behind the ears affectionately.
He stands again and walks over to Edward. “Do you have a Trump of anyone in Amber? We really should get some guidance on what to do from the powers that be. Marching a full army into Amber might make some of the elders … concerned.”
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Post by Edward on Feb 28, 2023 6:48:47 GMT
As Edwards accepts the Salve for his feet, he ponders the question and secretly face-palms himself.
"I like to earn the respect of the men, so I choose to live among them and show them that noble birth does not make you a good leader." "Thanks for the salve, I am sure it will be useful later."
He looks to the Castle and back to the men. "I am sure "The Powers that be." know we are here, but you are correct. I am the newest of the family and I should not shirk my duty and informing the Lord or Lady of the House who we are and what are intentions are."
He looks to Xu and assesses his own capabilities on his summoning. "I could send a dove with an olive branch. What do you think? Too Poetic?"
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Post by XuLiang on Feb 28, 2023 17:23:11 GMT
Xu Liang nods at his head at Edward’s explanation. But pauses a bit at the part of noble birth not making you a good leader. To himself he thinks - So, there is no training on the arts of leadership if you are of noble birth? Well considering how they are ‘training’ me I guess that is to be expected. Learn by doing I suppose.
“It seems as good as any other bird, as long as it is strong enough to carry the message. Let’s see if Lord Mortius knows what the protocol is for this part of the march. Surely, he has done this before. He will know to whom the message should be sent and what it should contain.”
As they walk to meet Lord Mortius Xu comments to Edward in a low voice that shouldn't carry, “This is my first trip into Shadow after walking the Pattern so I am also a new member to the extended family.” He shakes his head. “Everything is so different from back home. There were always teachers for everything until you mastered the necessary skills to do self-study. Even then junior Scholars usually worked under or with senior Scholars. Did anyone train you or was it more of a self-study affair?”
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Post by Admin on Mar 1, 2023 2:39:22 GMT
Motius tells them that his army is often encamped close to Kolvir when they are not on campaign, but Eivor's additions to the force have made it larger than he has ever brought through Arden before. Flora is relatively relaxed with protocol among family in private, so almost any message would be fine. Once she learns of their arrival Bleys and Rinaldo would be told of their location.
Edward and Xu do feel like they are being watched but they can't see anyone through the forest and fog and rocks
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Post by Edward on Mar 1, 2023 6:17:52 GMT
He looks to the way he is dressed, then eye's over Xu's outfit. "Heh...I came from a shadow where the time was a bit more advanced than here in Amber. It was considered the 18th Century in a certain timeline. A time where differentiation between classes is magnified. Those who have power, nobility, money or any combination of these is often fought civilly. Power Plays with different families and negotiations to keep your family on top. Otherwise, you could lose any of these attributes and fall behind. Then you find yourself fighting twice as hard to get back to the top."
he takes a small step to the side and smiles as he has a flash back to many memories of his past and his grooming.
"Family members often did the teaching and training. There is formal schooling, but nothing teaches you about treachery better than a surviving family member. It makes people vile, and fake. So, not too long ago, someone I will not name, came to me and enlightened me. At first it was a just a tutor that my family had hired for advanced education. Eventually I found out the truth and we shared a friendship. They taught me what I was capable of, not to mention a bit of magic...and the rest is as they say....History?"
Edward smiles again at a memory not long ago that he shared...
I came here, to Amber looking for more. The story, the history, Friends, family....you know...the Legacy. I took a chance when I came through and I ran into...Uhm...What was his name again? Ryland. (he exclaims in that Ah Ha! moment). Now he is gone. Easy come easy go I suppose.
"What of you Xu? Care to depart some tasty morsel of knowledge that is you?"
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Post by XuLiang on Mar 2, 2023 3:37:27 GMT
“Ah. It appears you have been well prepared for the political arena in Amber.”
“My beginnings were in a minor noble’s house. Lord Han had many children by several wives and concubines. My mother was a particular favourite which can create many of the situations you described but as the leader of the local Triad, a kind of criminal organization, she held her own power that in some ways rivalled Lord Han’s.”
“Then there was an … incident and it was decided I should depart and become a Scholar, which is a kind of … what is the Thari word? Professor! That’s it! We are professors of Chi who study its flow and learn to balance it in the environment and harness it for our spells. They also provided a guiding wisdom that helped Guong Zhou prosper over several millennia.”
“When the great war came I was assigned to help a group of crossbowmen and women. We provided support for our army against chaotic barbarians from the north. This was my Shadow’s version of the Black Road Wars.”
“After the war there was not much to stay for and …” he closes his eyes remembering, “reasons to leave.” He looks up and smiles a bit sadly, “So I started wandering and seeking adventure.” He starts to cheer up again, “Eventually I found my way to Amber as an iron filling is pulled to a magnet. Mysterious forces attacked me and only with the help of Lady Chantris was I able to escape. She brought me to the attention of the Regent who sensed my royal heritage.”
“After an express learning course they set me on the Pattern proving I was a Lord of Amber. The Regent then sent me to learn from Lady Eivor but that does not seem to have worked out so well. However, this time has not been wasted as there have been ample opportunities to do self-learning.”
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Post by Edward on Mar 4, 2023 5:16:06 GMT
"Fascinating, but what would have happened if you weren't of Royal Blood? Would the Pattern simply destroyed you or would your sponsor be blamed for murder?"
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Post by XuLiang on Mar 4, 2023 8:52:01 GMT
“Murder? The choice to take the Pattern was mine. They explained the dangers but never forced me to step on it. Besides at the time I was just someone washed in from Shadow. Evidentially there are regularly people who show up claiming to be this or that forgotten child of a royal. Most are quietly shown away or enter the clergy of the Church of the Unicorn. A few get interviewed and then told of the risks in graphic detail. In some rare cases they cannot be dissuaded and are allowed to attempt the Pattern. My case jumped the queue because of Lady Chantris.”
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Post by Admin on Mar 6, 2023 6:04:09 GMT
Ryland has returned to the army. A scout leads him to Edward and Xu.
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Post by XuLiang on Mar 6, 2023 10:58:10 GMT
“Lord Ryland! This is a happy surprise! We feared the worst when you did not come back from the mele.” Xu Liang’s cheerful smile hides a bit of unease.
He makes a subtle gesture to Kai, who stretches and circles Ryland at a distance. Kai shrugs at Xu Liang and says. “Smells the same as before, but with a bit of battle stench and a strong burnt spell overlay.” (OOC – I’ll just put this for Kai. If you want him to say something else, PM me and I’ll edit.)
Xu Liang grins sheepishly, “Sorry for that, but when the enemy employs shapeshifters you cannot be too careful.”
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Post by Ryland on Mar 7, 2023 4:22:42 GMT
Ryland raises an eyebrow a the 'sorry' comment but lets it go.
“Cousins. It is good to be back. And just in time to assault Castle Amber. How go the preparations?” Ryland asks as he leans against a tent pole. Just giving them enough time to open their mouths like fish, he continues.
“Did you notice our cousin watching your army? I explained you weren’t an attacking force.” He said laughing.
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Post by Edward on Mar 7, 2023 6:06:50 GMT
Edward was indeed happy to see Ryland, but some of his comments weren't making sense....at least to Edward.
Inadvertently, he shuts his mouth as he believes he detects a lie in his words.
"There are moments that I believe that I am beginning to dislike you Ryland." he says with as much of a serious face as he can commit to.
Edward takes a step to the side, just to keep the circulation in his legs going...."Which cousin were you referring to?"
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Post by XuLiang on Mar 7, 2023 14:47:05 GMT
Xu Liang only raises an eyebrow at the assault on Castle Amber comment. And gives a speculative look at Edward.
“Only one cousin? More likely several and aunts and uncles. Though after our showing in Eshanta it is unlikely that they are very worried about this army.”
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