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Post by Cody D'Avalon on Apr 26, 2023 6:10:01 GMT
To Brian's last question, "Time us a very slippery thing in the Abyss. All things being relative... Maybe a year for me. Half that for the crew since aiding Able. Much longer for you by the sound of it."
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Post by Brian on Apr 26, 2023 8:25:45 GMT
I take in Cody's story for a bit chewing on it in my mind.
"Flora didn't know of you till I mentioned your name. Albeit Flora is likely a talented liar. She also doesn't think much of anyone in the family who hasn't walked the pattern. You like Lor are going to be viewed worse than someone like Kat. While *I* suspect Kat is kin, it isn't confirmed. Though Sand's interest seems to make it more certain to me. We also have people who claim to be part of the family.....they are tied up in the religious war brewing in Amber. They got rounded up and dumped on the Bayle estates. One of them knew me he said. Either he is connected to my missing memories, a liar, or one of the factions in Amber put him into play to try to manipulate me."
I take in a moment of thought before pressing on. "So the 'Interested party' met you as well. Ghost sent me to a Giant explosion in Shadow. Ghost probably isn't happy with how I handled it. Where my head was at that point in time.....I thought it wasn't the sort of thing I could handle. I handed it to Flora and she didn't seem to think much of it. "
I smile a bit " I spoke to Queen Moire once. And I do have a formal offer of her hospitality. I am coming to see if the reflection of the Library in Amber isn't destroyed down here. See if there is knowledge here of use. Also....she said something to me once that seemed like a throw-away line. I think this sort of thing has happened before. If not that she knew the scope of what was coming. " I laugh "Queen Moire thought I bed her daughter as well. She could be my sister for all I know." I shudder " Hell, she could be an Aunt for all I know." I grin a bit "But her daughter is something she is very protective of and sensitive of. Of the major players in the game her motives seem the clearest."
I take a heavy sigh "I'm going for the Jewel. From what I hear that's the key to stopping the storms. Thats my top priority. Once I'm fully recovered from my bloodloss that's where I plan to go. My second priority is to try to find out about the quest for items and pieces of power. My current working theory is the Storms and Instability in shadow are being used as a race for power. Once I put the storms to bed I need to go home and try to put Ayalos back right. Then I can attend to the machinations here in Amber....and possibly continue my quest to find out about my connection to the family. But I feel like we've been in some one's back pocket to play for the events that are happening right now. So i'd not be surprised if those answers don't come sooner."
I pull out a cigar and frown at its dampness. "I also think my Wife has been involved in one of the factions playing for power in all of this. I think its why she influenced me to come to Amber. She wasn't herself when I saw her and brought her back here." I scowl "She also spent time with Dio. I lost track of Dio after that point in Flora's party....Its on my list of things to talk to Dio about when we arent racing around stopping a major existential crisis."
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Post by Brian on Apr 26, 2023 8:28:51 GMT
"So....what do you think we have going on? rattling all of this in your head?"
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Post by Cody D'Avalon on Apr 26, 2023 14:20:01 GMT
"Yes, yes... That was another thing I discussed with Fiona. I had heard that Dworkin had given the Jewel of Judgement to Coral. So it would be a good idea to find Coral and get her to use the Jewel to fix the weather."
"Fiona said that, 'Merlin is keeping Coral in one of his harums.'"
"I can see how keeping the Jewel so close to the Logrus in the Courts can be detrimental."
"But I don't know if getting Coral out of Chaos is kidnapping or rescuing her."
"Either way, it's not a one man operation."
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Post by Brian on Apr 26, 2023 15:07:13 GMT
" And likely one that some one who hasnt killed a leader of a Chais army." I look seriously at Cody " I'm told her house would take it personally. It's not my fault she didnt surrender...and been involved in a Chaos Skirmish would have difficulty doing. We need a Trump artist to coordinate things." I murmer " And that's assuming intelligence is current, or that she still has the Jewel....." I shake my head " well it's at least something to go on."
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Post by Cody D'Avalon on Apr 26, 2023 18:12:29 GMT
"While I was punting theories around with Auntie Fiona, I suggested one more: What if Uncle Corwin's new Pattern was causing all the problems? Either conflicting with the Amber Pattern or exerting too much pressure on the Logrus? Or both?"
"So in order to restore balance the extra Pattern has to be, er, decommissioned?"
"So between the Jewel and the extra Pattern: One, the other, or both things could be the problem. And that doesn't take into account whatever other artifacts the warring factions are fighting over."
"You are absolutely right. We've got cousins scattered to the four winds without a way to effectively communicate with and coordinate them. At least all the elders had Trumps. Although, that didn't exactly keep them from each-other's throats..."
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Post by Brian on Apr 26, 2023 19:03:16 GMT
" or lesser powers like the mirror maze of Eshanta....or the purple stuff. They may have their own agendas. It could be we need to make another pattern to stabilize things.....but that's outside my level of metaphysical knowledge. I cant find the person in Amber with those answers...courts are out....so I have to see if I can find the information in Shadow. You want to Johnny Apple seed the food here in Amber?"
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Post by Cody D'Avalon on Apr 26, 2023 19:23:23 GMT
"That's another option. We should all have our own personal Pattern or Power Base so we're not coveting someone else's"
"That's my ultimate plan."
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Post by Cody D'Avalon on Apr 26, 2023 19:26:06 GMT
"I don't know about making food, but with the Puffers it will be easier to transport food in from the Golden Circle and beyond while these storms continue."
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Post by Brian on Apr 26, 2023 19:38:07 GMT
" So, we go to visit the Queen. After we do that I will introduce you to whom is at the castle , and i will try to sort out more information in Shadow?" I grin " unless i find what I'm looking for"
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Post by Cody D'Avalon on Apr 27, 2023 1:07:38 GMT
After talking for an hour or two and catching up Cody and Brian see that Cody's crew are all sleeping awkwardly on the steps of Failla-Boinin.
"I envy them for getting some sleep. But it's time to wake them up and head the rest of the way down to Rebma. Hopefully we'll find some more comfortable accommodations for the night."
Cody gently nudges his crewmates to rouse them from their naps. "Alright, kids. Wakey, wakey. Let's go meet some Merfolk."
Yawning and stretching the crew drag themselves to their feet and take the Puffer's leash in hand. Giving the rope a tug they encourage the big fish to dive down and settle on the steps. The harness has a rope ladder allowing the passengers to climb up onto its back.
"Climb aboard and we can ride the rest of the way down..."
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Post by Brian on Apr 27, 2023 1:09:31 GMT
I join and take my time resting as we make our way down to Rebma proper.
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Post by Admin on Apr 27, 2023 4:14:26 GMT
Swimming down the grand stairway, then come to the guards stationed on the sea floor.
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Post by Cody D'Avalon on Apr 27, 2023 5:47:22 GMT
Cody climbs down from the Puffer's back and walks up to meet the guards. He gives a shallow bow.
"Greetings, Princess Fiona has sent me to Amber in order that I may claim my birthright as a Prince of Amber before Regent Florimel. My intrepid crew and I have sailed in most recently by way of Ghera to make a stop in Rebma in order to pay our respects to Queen Moire before making my way up Kolvir. I have brought a gift for Queen Moire, Princess Lorelei and the fine people of Rebma."
Cody doubts that the Ambassador of Ghera sent Cody's message ahead as requested.
"I have been well met here and am accompanied by Saint King Brian."
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Post by Admin on Apr 27, 2023 6:20:07 GMT
"King Brian? He will have to come out and talk to us." one guard says.
"And we will need to inspect this beast," says another.
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