Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 17, 2020 2:48:33 GMT
Calvera rides into the courtyard under lamp light and hands Bolt to a groom with out a word. They look after horses here at Castle Amber and don't need to be told their business. He avoids the main Hall and cuts through a servants entrance by the kitchen. He had years in this Castle as a page and then a member of the court, he knew how move about quickly without drawing attention to himself.
He did leave word with a footman for Benidict, he would refresh himself from his days on the road then pay his respects to the King. After that he would be available to the protector.
His old room was as he left it. He never took the grand apartments his Aunts and Uncles claimed for centuries. His was a single cell from his time as a page, just big enough for a bed, a desk and a wardrobe, but it had a window was close to the kitchens and bath and was all his own. Even after all this time. He couldn't remember if he knew the trick with the hair when he left or if he learned that watching James Bond movies, either way people had been in his room, nothing was taken, nor had it been dusted in some time, but at some point while he was gone someone had gone through his things.
Wasn't important.
He dropped his saddle bags on the desk and just stood staring out the window for a while. It was odd being back. When he left he chafed at the restrictions, the rules, the orders. Now their were no rules, no order, even if the city didn't understand it, anything could happen. The wolf was at the door and they didn't even know it.
He took a deep breath and began his sun salutation. Just a few times through to clear his mind and shake out the travel tension.
Then he laid out some fresh cloths from his wardrobe, he wouldn't wear livery or a pages uniform so his options were limited. He chose black on black with a red shirt instead of his customary orange. His fathers colors, but it wouldn't hurt to remind anyone.
He grabbed his shave kit to clean his face and clear the stubble off his scalp and padded down to the showers.
|
|
|
Post by Admin on May 17, 2020 7:05:02 GMT
While going about his bath a servant knocks at the door and calls out:
"You will report to Protector-Prince Benedict immediately upon completion of your cleansing."
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 18, 2020 1:37:39 GMT
It starts already. I thought I could pay my respects to the King before he started the power struggle. Should I go? Or push back?
Benedict won't take the Throne. I don't have to listen to his orders and never will.
...
But I don't know where the King and Queen have been laid out. I'll pick my battle when I don't have to ask for directions.
He dresses quickly but grabs a slice of slice of quiche from the kitchens which he eats on the way.
|
|
|
Post by Admin on May 21, 2020 8:37:11 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/DRmPnR2/8617122259497d4d0005cd6344775e77~jpg Servants direct Calvera to one of the sitting rooms. Benedict's favourite, it is said. Inside the place is decorated in Benedict's colours: Brown and orange painted sections on the walls, wooden beams and furniture varnished to a warm golden glow. A small lamp keeps much of the room in shadows; bookshelves and wine racks are barely visible in the dark. In the centre of the room are two padded chairs, Benedict sits in one with a book in his lap. On a small table beside him are a lamp, a bottle of wine and a half-full wine glass. "Come. Sit," he says gesturing to the chair. After a second gesture, a servant steps forth and places a second wineglass on the table then fills it for Calvera.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 22, 2020 1:34:19 GMT
"I'm sorry about your brother.
I heard it was a suicide bomber of some kind? How did that happen? Explosives and powerful magics don't work in Amber."
|
|
|
Post by Admin on May 22, 2020 6:47:21 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/DRmPnR2/8617122259497d4d0005cd6344775e77~jpg Benedict raises a toast to Randm and expects Calvers to join him. Then one also to Queen Vialle. "Such things are rare, A few years ago one occurred when symbols of the Pattern and Logrus collided in a hallway near here. Then again a few days go when sources say the Leonil was experimenting with drawing power straight from the Pattern to use in spells. It didn't work and now he is gone as well." he takes a sip of wine. "Supposedly that Hammett person was also in attendance."He waves his servant back bringing with him another bottle of wine. Benedict inspects the label the hands it back. Servant and master go through all the complicated ritual of cork sniffing and sip tasting before Benedict waves him back. "What has brought you back to Amber, nephew."
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 22, 2020 19:27:55 GMT
I raise my glass to Random and Vialle then consider his question. Bleys brought me back and a loyalty to the King and Queen I am surprised I have. But they're gone now and I don't know where that leaves me.
"He drew power straight from the pattern? He must have walked it then ... Do you know if it was a personal grievance or did someone get to him. ... All creation to explore and he chose to kill himself and take as much of us with him as he could.
There were times that path made perfect sense to me." ...
"But that's not what brings me back today. There's trouble in deep shadow coming this way and I came warn the king.
I suppose since you are the protector now I should warn you."
|
|
|
Post by Admin on May 23, 2020 9:14:14 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/DRmPnR2/8617122259497d4d0005cd6344775e77~jpg "He was one of us and had walked the Pattern a few months ago. It seems that the thought got into his mind to do it again in a mad quest for more power. The foolish man should have realized that if such a thing were possible one of us would have done it aeons ago.
"Most seem to believe that it was an accident and those that knew him best are the most convinced that he erred. I have not ruled out the possibility of his being used by others in some sort of plot."..... "I have also been dealing with trouble from Shadow. Tell me what you have seen."He gestures again and the servant brings over another bottle of wine.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 24, 2020 1:53:34 GMT
"Suspicious timing for an accident. Powers are moving.
I met a Crusade of Demons bent on retaking the Holy City of Amber with a weapon equivalent to Corwin's rifles and seemingly allied with a power that cannot be overthrown.
But it doesn't matter what I faced. There are always demons in deep shadow. What matters is that our house is in order.
Tell me Lord Protector Benedict will you finally take the Throne? None would oppose you. Most of the elders trust you and the younger generation hold you in awe.
Take the Crown. Call Fi, Gerard and Julian to support you, the others would all fall in line, hold your coronation and end this period of dangerous uncertainty."
|
|
|
Post by Admin on May 25, 2020 6:59:45 GMT
Benedict sits impassively listening to Calvers. The orange lamp light casts his face in sharp shadow, half lit, half in darkness.
"If I was to sit here in the castle on whom would it fall to lead the armies? Gerard is needed on the seas and Julian is best used as Defender of Arden. Bleys is not one to show loyalty to Amber unless he is in charge and I doubt many of the others trust him. My duty is in the field, some other will have to take the crown.
"Describe to me these demons you met. Their tactics, appearance, and banners."
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 25, 2020 12:25:32 GMT
Bullshit! Plenty of kings and Emperors have ruled from the field, Genghis Khan, Napoleon, Arthur of Camelot, and with the Trumps you can practically be in two places at the same time.
You maybe the greatest General that will ever exist but none of your victories matter if the throne is not secure.
Do your duty. Take the crown let your brothers and sisters sleep with out fear of a knife in the back. Last time the succession was in doubt creation itself was destroyed. We need the strength of the Leviathan or we will tear ourselves apart.
|
|
|
Post by Admin on May 26, 2020 9:21:37 GMT
"Those names you mentioned only had to fight across one world. If I was far away out in shadow, how could I return to my army once duties in the castle were complete? What of places where time runs differently? What if I fell in battle? Who here would know? If was king would you accept Lady Dara as my heir? Would you kneel to a demon Lady of Chaos?"
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 27, 2020 1:33:59 GMT
Again bullshit! Those problems are the same for any King. You could solve them if you wanted. As for who would succeed you, we can worry about it in a Thousand years. It's no reason for you to reject the throne now.
But I've asked twice and you said "no." I hear you Lord Protector.
If not you then who? You say you won't keep the chair but you're sitting in it. Who are you keeping it warm for?
|
|
|
Post by Admin on May 29, 2020 11:09:11 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/DRmPnR2/8617122259497d4d0005cd6344775e77~jpg "It would be unwise to nominate anyone so soon when we haven't yet fully studied the demise of Random. Condenders will present themselves in time."
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2020 2:15:10 GMT
I open my mouth to argue, but then shut it again. He's rejected me three times now. He doesn't need my trust or my help. I'm on the outside. My heart starts to beat a little faster, I hadn't expected him to offer me the crown, or take me into his confidence, but being shut out so firmly I realise how precarious my position is.
The king is dead, there is no clear successor. People will die and I very well could be one of them. My claim is one of the stronger ones. Civil war is coming, it was coming before Random was killed but now everyone knows it.
And I have no allies! I'm an obstacle to be removed. He could kill me now. No one knows I'm here. ... ...
I get a hold of myself and slow my breathing. I take a big drink my wine. He asked me here for a reason, the Crusade, he wanted to know what I knew about them. Which means he wants to know about them, or he wants to know how much I know. The man in the pass had a partner I thought it was Fi but it could be Benedict, they could all three be allied.
This isn't how he would kill me. I am safe until the interview is is concluded. But when I walk out how to know? ...
...
I could ask him. ... ...
They say he is the greatest strategists that has ever been, but he doesn't play cards with uncle Random.
I do.
There is only one thing more I need to know from him.
"Do you mean to have me killed Uncle?"
|
|