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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2020 21:05:02 GMT
*the same old song*. Dorian puts the Trump back in the deck and heads for the source of the purple emanation, into the Castle. On his way, he tries to unite a few guards or armed men behind him, in case this is an attack.
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Post by Admin on Apr 20, 2020 4:22:55 GMT
The way to the castle becomes more crowded as he climbs the mountainside. Some people are running towards the castle while others are running away. Thankfully those wearing the castle guard uniforms are moving uphill.
Once Dorian is close to the castle grounds he bumps into Coy who is also pushing through the crowds towards the castle.
"Good thing I always wear my rapier for diplomatic missions," he shouts to Dorian. "But never expected to have to use it outside of a duel."
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2020 20:07:37 GMT
«Coy! Well, certainly not the tool I expected you to wear, but your help is welcome. » says Dorian. He looks at the blade and try to sense if anything particular radiates from it. Then, called back to reality by the rush, Dorian continues, « Come on, my friend, let's hurry »
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Post by Admin on Apr 20, 2020 20:22:18 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/LQC26H5/419-V0i-Xv-4-L-AC~jpg Amid the press Coy yells out "Make way for Lord Dorian! Aside for the son of Prince Gerard!"The crowd melts away at his words and Dorian has a free path to the gates. The guards recognize Dorian and let him pass into the castle. Coy is given a close look then allowed to pass in with another of the Deiga delegation. "Dor, I must go to check on the fate of my fellow delegates," he says then runs down a hallway toward the visitor's wing of the castle.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2020 9:00:47 GMT
Dorian is about to sink towards the centre of the Castle or the Royal apartments, but hesitates for a moment. Noticing that the guards are rushing, probably to the hot spots, he hears the voice of his father. An annoying counsellor, sitting on his shoulder, whispering in his ear. The voice of reason. If Coy or another member of the Deiga delegation is hurt or injured in this incident, Amber could pay the price, politically speaking. Dorian turns around and goes after Coy in the corridors toward the visitor's wing of the castle.
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Post by Admin on Apr 22, 2020 2:47:37 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/j5FLskF/793b34030beee9e7d3f45ee4d2cbe102~jpg The hallways are filled with panicked visitors to the castle. Coy is there with the Deigans others from different places are also in the halls. All yell different theories on what is happening, some are packed and ready to leave, others seem too confused to organize an escape. Dorian can see Flora at the other end of the corridor trying to calm the mob down. She sees him through the crowd. "Dorian! To me!"She then returns to calming the people's fears.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2020 8:46:44 GMT
Panic seems less palplable in the atmosphere, now that the surprise is over. Looking at Flora, Dorian thinks the situation is probably under control all over the Castle by now.
Just to make sure that everything is in order, and that the elders are on duty, Dorian goes deeper into the Castle. He goes specifically in search of Random and Vialle, in the throne room, the yellow room, the royal apartments, just to check that the head of the kingdom is still in place. This is obviously not the time and mood for introductions. And, anyway, everyone and their dog already seems to know about Dorian’s return…
Walking down the corridors, Dorian thinks back to the mighty blast. He can’t help but let his thoughts wander to Oscar, the influence of his writings, which found echo in the desire for emancipation and change of a population, their crystallization in the anarchist movement at the end of the nineteenth century, and, finally, the logical and disastrous path from the idea to its application: the bombings that hit France as early as 1892.
What if that explosion at the Castle was just the setting for a more deadly series? A sign that the worm is already in the fruit?
*Maybe I’ll have to move up the reunion with father after all…* While walking in search of Random, Dorian spins Gerard’s Trump between his fingers.
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Post by Admin on Apr 23, 2020 0:00:32 GMT
The way through the castle is hampered by the guards marching about and by the fact that a large section of the building has been destroyed. The section including the royal apartments and offices and a section of the library.
"Lord Dorian, proceed no further, if you please," a captain of the castle guard says. "The building is quite unstable past these doors."
Past the captain there is a few meters of floor and walls then empty space providing a view of the side of Kolvir. It seems as if the storm has paused in its range.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2020 14:54:05 GMT
Since he's blocked by the guards, Dorian is beset by many questions and doubts. He look up at the gaping hole, at the sky, and turns to the captain of the Castle guard to question him.
"Do you have any clue of what happened? Was it an attack?" Dorian throws to the man, ready to grab him by the sleeve if necessary. "Did you see any enemy soldiers?"
After a few seconds, Dorian pulls himself together and goes on : "Any news of the King and Queen? Anyone missing? Elders? Guards? Servants?"
Dorian remains for a moment stunned by the extent of the damage. "Can I help you in any way?" Dorian asks, knowing full well that the elders have already taken care of everything and that those of his generation are often just an inconvenience.
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Post by Admin on Apr 24, 2020 6:28:00 GMT
"The King and Queen were said to be in their quarters when this happened," the captain says. "I haven't had a word from them since. Prince Benedict has been coordinating our response. I have heard nothing about any attack or invasion."
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2020 7:47:44 GMT
Dorian thanks the captain and wishes him good luck. He then stands aside and search his deck for the Trump of Random. He concentrates on it in the hope of getting an answer. Maybe Random had the time to contact one of the Amberites and trumped himself elsewhere?
Whether the conversation is established or not, Dorian now knows the person most comitted to defending Amber must be informed. Dorian runs his hand through his blonde hair, adjusts his tie, then he concentrates on the Trump of Gerard, trying to feel the sensation of coldness, closing his mind to anything else and pushing hard until contact is made. Something he hasn't done in years. Maybe even decades.
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Post by Admin on Apr 26, 2020 8:18:14 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/FJsDRxM/dworkin~jpg Unfortunately, neither of the cards connects with Random or Gerard. After trying and failing to contact his family with the cards he fells a tugging at his jacket. Turning he sees someone who could only be Dworkin. "Son of Gerard, what have you done to my castle?" he asks.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2020 9:06:20 GMT
"Dowrkin! Good timing. I was going to ask you the exact same question!" Dorian says with an emphasis on those last three words. "And a couple of other related ones..."
"What have you done now with your Jewel that I must leave my Shadow to inquire about its survival and that of its inhabitants? The weather's so bad in Victoria I had no choice but to come in Amber to find out what's going on."
"All this just so I can see that the weather is even worse here. I was with Lord Chantris at Eaglesign when we heard the exploding thunder."
"And to top it all off, no one seems to want to answer my Trump calls. For Unicorn's sake, what's wrong, Dworkin?"
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Post by Admin on Apr 27, 2020 6:59:04 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/FJsDRxM/dworkin~jpg Dworkin blinks in confusion at the barrage of questions then retorts. "Me? Me! You're blaming me for this, you, you, you young upstart!"Then in a quieter voice as if talking to himself. "It had to go, it had to get out of Amber to prevent this kind of thing from happening again. What's a little rain to save everything? Ygg needs the rains."Then back to talking loud again. "But someone did it! Someone messed around where they shouldn't have! And you're blaming me!?
"The cards won't work when someone messes around with the Pattern or when the person they want to contact is sleeping or dead. It was that Random who became king, yes? What a strange choice! here you are blaming me for using the Jewel of Judgement when it was the Unicorn who made him king. The Trumps were such a good idea of mine but then everyone with a sheet of paper and a paintbrush thinks that they can start playing around with the concepts and now it's all gone to mess.
"Believe me, this whole disaster happened because of someone writing something down!"He goes back to muttering under his breath and looking around furtively.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2020 8:55:36 GMT
«I do believe you, Father of All Things. And what I know is that I had nothing to do with this.» Says Dorian pointing with his arm outstretched at the gaping hole in Castle Amber behind him. « But you’re right, Dworkin. Somebody had. Someone close enough to us… »
Dorian’s staring at him from the heights, almost two heads taller than the bent old man. «You know my father. He’s always put the defense of your Artwork above all else.» Dorian swallows, his throat tightening on those words. «For that, he was good. His behavior flows through my veins.»
Dorian spent time on Shadow Earth and similiar styles Shadows, geting passionnate about psychology and pyschoanalysis from their beginning, through the work of Freud and others. Dorian knows he won’t hold the attention of the lunatic man indefinately, that he’s walking on a tight rope, that he has managed to impose himself and deflect the crazy accusation. But now, Dorian has to reverse the balance, give Dworkin the upper hand.
Dorian bends down and puts one knee in the ground in front of the hunckback, like a holy warrior waiting to be knighted. He’s picking up rubble from Castle Amber. The stone is large, occupying his palm and fingers spread out. Dorian lifts it up in his right hand to show it to Dworkin, while with his other hand, he takes the old man’s with tenderness.
«I know you do what’s best and fairest to save us all. I know you need to put Order back here. But you can’t do it alone. Not this time.»
«You need the support of someone who understands your Artwork, who knows the Line as well, who can assist the Master in his Painting. You need an Apprentice. One that’s distant from family quarells. One who is truely devoted to Amber. And to You. Teach me the secrets of the Line. Help me to help you.»
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