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Post by Admin on May 6, 2020 7:45:35 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/xqdCvzH/4d018a2f954cffa33f9daa13381ed638-roger-zelazny-ambre~jpg Llewella walks Hammett through the castle. "You did well in there. I think the Queen likes you."From the castle they walk through the city until reaching the great golden gates and the stairs beyond. "Here's where we say goodbye. And where I say good luck. It will be best for everyone if Martin is in Rebma. He will be safe here and he isn't ready yet to sit on the throne in Amber of Rebma."
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Post by Hammett on May 6, 2020 9:07:19 GMT
"Thank you, Aunt. You have done more then I can ever repay. If you ever need anything of me, just ask. And don't worry, I will do everything in my power to find and keep Martin safe, and to convince him to return Rebma."
With that he gives her slight bow and begins his journey up the staircase and back to dry land.
The climb is long, and in his weaken'd condition, tiring, and when he finally reaches the top he collapses on to the sandy beach and rests for a good while before getting up and brushing himself off.
"Right then." He mutters to himself, he had maybe over-sold his defective mental condition to the Queen and Llewella, but he had wanted to be able to talk to Martin in private if possible and not blindside him with a summons from his grandmother in the throne room. He hadn't experienced any dizziness when using his trumps, he just hand't been able to make contact with Brennon, and there could be numerous reasons for that. Still, he was hesitant try this close to Rebma, in case he was still being watched somehow.
So he quickly orientated himself and set off along the road (path? I assume there is some nice road or connection that goes from the top of the stairs to Rebma to the castle and/or the city?) and heads towards town. When he gets closer to town he removes the mask and dirties up his clothes a bit, maybe enough to pass as a sailor who went a little to hard the night before. With his injuries and disheveled appearance he was fairly certain no one would recognize him, heck he hadn't been into the city in years. Once in town he makes his way directly to the docks. Krutch would be able to assist him and fill him in on the latest news, or at least the latest rumors.
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Post by Admin on May 7, 2020 2:24:01 GMT
Small paths lead from the beach towards Amber. Hammett makes his way along in his disguise, the occasional ranger patrol or city guard troop that pass turn their heads in fear and disgust but none stop him.
The gates to the city are guarded heavier than usual but people still come and go from the forest and farmlands outside the walls. Inside, he can see the castle farther up the mountain with a large portion blasted off the side.
The people of the city seem on edge, the scare of the explosion still fresh in their minds. Groups of soldiers in Benedict's colours march about, while smaller groups and messengers wear the colours of Flora and Fiona.
Hammett finds Krutch at a rough dockside tavern called the Angry Aboleth. The man doesn't recognize Hammett at first but eventually sees the friend underneath the dirt and scars.
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Post by Hammett on May 7, 2020 3:02:02 GMT
"Krutch." Hammett says with a happy smile when the man finally recognizes him and gives his shoulder a friendly grip, "I am glad you are safe and well."
After taking a seat and signalling for a round of drinks, Hammett leans in closer to the man, the tavern is loud, but he still didn't want to be overheard.
"How have you been? How are things here and town and in the castle? I have been away the last few days and I am not sure what has been happening since the explosion." Hammett motions to his injured face, "As you can see I saw that a little too up close and personal."
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Post by Admin on May 7, 2020 7:45:37 GMT
The man whistles long and low.
"No one was supposed to have survived the blast. What trick did you pull this time?
"I suppose you've heard some of it. Prince Benedict and Princess Flora rule the roost. Lord Dorian came back shortly before the blast so you might have someone to blame there. Lord Edmund came into Arden shortly after the explosion so you could consider him an accomplice too.
"Otherwise people have been calm for the most part, the port has stayed busy. But they haven't officially announced the death of the King and Queen. I'd put my money on trouble in the city when they start to plan the funeral."
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Post by Hammett on May 7, 2020 10:19:24 GMT
Hammett smiles, "I wish I had some hand in saving myself. Would be a much more heroic story. But alas no, I was just very lucky."
He debated telling him the truth of the matter, that it wasn't an attack but rather an accident. It might help ease some worry of attacks and invasions, on the other hand he wasn't still convinced that Amber wasn't under threat from other sources and making people feel safe might cause them to let their guard down at the worst time. Best to remain silent on that matter for now...
"I know of Lord's Dorian and Edmond, and I would find it hard to believe either of them would have the desire or power to stage such an incident. Is there any word on Gerard's fleet? Before the explosion at the castle he was in the middle of an invasion in Kasaba but it did not seem to be going well for him." If anyone knew anything about the fate of the fleet it would be Amber's Harbor Master. "And I don't suppose there is any chance the Celessia has docked, is there?" He very much doubted Brennon would have sailed to Amber after escaping Kasaba, but one could always hope.
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Post by Admin on May 7, 2020 18:10:06 GMT
"There was a big to-do here when Gerard was getting ready to sail out a few weeks ago but I've heard nothing since. No sign of the Celessia either. Cap' Brennon doesn't come by here too often at the best of times."
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Post by Hammett on May 7, 2020 18:48:51 GMT
Hammett nods, "I figured as much." He orders another round of drinks and turns the conversation to more general matters, like how's Krutch's family, the strange weather, mutual friends, problems and funny events in the harbor, Wormwood's, etc... just old friends catching up. During this catching up time Hammett also keeps an eye, and a Psychic feel, out for anyone maybe watching, following or otherwise taking too much interest in him.
Assuming he notices nothing after a couple more drinks Hammett makes his goodbye, "Well I should probably be off, Krutch. Lots of things afoot these days, and I best stay on the move. But it was great seeing you again and I'll be in touch as soon as I can. Take care of yourself, and if you ever need me you know how to put the word out." With that he gives him a fist bump, and gets up and makes his way to the washroom. Inside a stall he pulls out his trump cards and draws the one for his offices in Ceridin. He focuses on the card for a moment, (hopefully) feeling it grow cold and steps through.
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Post by Admin on May 10, 2020 5:44:45 GMT
The card works as it is supposed to and in seconds he is in his offices but with a blinding headache.
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Post by Hammett on May 10, 2020 9:26:07 GMT
Hammett grips his head and slowly makes his way around the room, closing the window covers and dimming the lanterns (if they were lit), he then rests in the darkness at his desk, drinking water, until the headache fades.
He really needed to get home and fully rest and recover before doing much more, but there were a few things he needed to take care of first.
Once he is feeling better he changes into an extra set of clothes like he keeps in all his offices across shadow and heads out into the main part of his building and the shipping offices. It should only be mid-afternoon here, given the time he left Amber, so he tracks down Conrad and after assuring him he was okay, despite the injuries to his face, asks him for an update on anything that might have happened in the last few days he's been away.
Assuming not much may have happened in that time, he begins to list out the things he needs Conrad to start dealing with.
"Conrad, I'm going to have to head back to Carcosa and recover fully, it'll be longer for me, but only be a day or two here, but during that time I'll need you to get somethings in motion. First, we need to find Captain Brennon and Pinky, put out word to find them and check for any rumors, sightings, and what not. You know the drill. He might be trying to stay off the main shadow paths, so I'd assume he might be hitting up some of the pirate ports'o call. But it is imperative we try and locate him or what happened to him. Same for any word, rumors or first hand accounts of what happened in Kasaba to Gerard and his fleet. Those are the main things, but we also need to get one of the crew to Begma as soon as possible. Maybe send Dalton. He can handle himself. Get him on the first ship out with enough funds to last him awhile. We'll need him to get a feel for the capital. Make some connections at the docks and in the underworld if possible. Learn anything he can about whats going on there. Whereabouts of Coral and her sister. If that annoying jr. ambassador who kept coming around Wormwood's made it out and back to there. Stuff like that. Given time changes in shadow he might only be there a day or two before I arrive, but maybe longer. Either way have him do what he can. Sound good?"
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Post by Admin on May 11, 2020 7:25:42 GMT
"Sounds good to me boss, Dalton ill be on the next ship outta Dodge. Brennon 'ill show up - he always does. If you're going to be busy I will try to keep Yvette busy 'n off your back."
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Post by Hammett on May 11, 2020 9:53:57 GMT
"Thanks. Keep her busy with all the resistance stuff. Lists of people she knows who would be willing to help, fight, spy, etc... Maps of the city, choke points, vantage spots, hiding places, stuff like that. Then on to signals, codes, or whatnot. Help her as needed. All of it will be important somewhere down the line, especially if we have to brief recruits that aren't from Kasaba."
With that he sends Conrad on his way and then takes a brief nap to make sure he has recovered as much as possible since his last time using the trumps.
Then Hammett draws out his trump for his home in Carcosa and opens the connection and steps through.
((OCC: Let me know if that works, and then I'll keep going. ))
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Post by Admin on May 12, 2020 1:04:23 GMT
Continue.
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Post by Hammett on May 12, 2020 9:55:41 GMT
Hammett staggered a bit as another headache hit him, but he was home.
A few whispered words of spells and commands awoke some of his ghostly servants to fetch him water, a cold compress and to ready his home for his extended return. He usually didn't like summoning them for such simple matters, but he was going to be here for awhile and would need their help, and, if truth be told, their company.
After a bit of rest the headache faded and Hammett felt more comfortable exerting his intent on the world. He slowly adjusted the time flow making each day that passed here in Carcosa equal to an hour in Amber time. With that done he could relax, he had much to do but he needed to be a lot healthier before he started.
He spent the next three days mostly sleeping and relaxing, the most exertion being to occasionally walk a bit around his yard to get fresh air. His ghostly servants taking care of him and bringing food, drinks and medical supplies.
After those days he felt quite a bit better, or at least well enough to slowly start to work. It took a lot of willpower not to throw himself completely into it as he normally would but he forced himself to take it slow and steady.
His first project was to start work on two new trump cards, ones for Renault & Ugarte. He knew them well and they were just shadow-folk so it would normally only take a day to make each card, but Hammett spread the process out over 4 days, resting and reviewing his notes on his other projects when he needed.
Now a week after returning and taking it easy Hammett started to exert himself a bit more. He began exercising and training. First pushing himself to see how far he could go, then quickly toning it back to moderate levels. For the most part his body was fully healed, most of the trauma had been confined to his head, but he couldn't afford to get headaches or dizzy spells if he needed to fight again soon or push himself physically.
Another week of that and he felt strong enough and well enough to start some work on his project and maybe even attempt a trump contact. It had been two weeks for him since he left Amber and Ceradin, but only 14 hours had passed there making it probably about 10am the next day for them.
((OCC: How am I feeling now? Any headaches anymore or dizziness? Do I feel back up to full mental and physical strength? And how are the scars healing? I assume the eye will take a lot longer to regrow, but apart from that is everything else back to normal?))
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Post by Admin on May 13, 2020 5:54:41 GMT
[OOC: Hammett's headaches are gone, swelling about the wound has diminished, the eye is nowhere near regenerating.]
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