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Post by Admin on Jun 2, 2020 7:38:15 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/DRmPnR2/8617122259497d4d0005cd6344775e77~jpg Even though Benedict isn't one to slouch he sits up straighter, startled by what Calvera has said. He then composes himself. "Why would I want such a thing done?' he asks. "With so many lost these last few years, we need everyone alive to defend the realm.
"Why do you think that I would want you dead?"
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2020 2:48:15 GMT
"With out a King there will be civil war. My claim is as good as any other. People will die. Until there is a new King on the throne any of us could be next. Someone will be gunning for me, I'm glad it's not you.
You may try to hold your self apart. But you are occupying space other people want. They won't all accept your neutrality forever."
[OOC: I read Benedict's reaction as authentic. He does not see me as a threat or intend to kill me at this time. Were there any tells to indicate otherwise?]
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Post by Admin on Jun 4, 2020 8:14:47 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/DRmPnR2/8617122259497d4d0005cd6344775e77~jpg [OOC: Calvera picks up no hint of animosity from Benedict. But then again, Benny has had many centuries to perfect his poker face.] "Is the throne something you would desire?
"They've always been smart enough to give me my space before. Do you have reason to believe things have changed?"
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2020 14:45:14 GMT
"You've never sat in the chair and declared yourself protector before. Its one thing to allow you to be neutral when you have taken yourself off the board, quite another when you are blocking the prize. Either declare yourself king or clear the path for others who would.
As for me. I never thought of being King. I expected Random to provide order and stability for centuries. But someone needs to. If you would take the throne I would support you. Others I'm not so sure."
I paused to take another sip of my wine.
"What I want now is less important than what my duty is. I will have to think on that.
"Who else has come forward?"
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Post by Admin on Jun 7, 2020 8:18:26 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/DRmPnR2/8617122259497d4d0005cd6344775e77~jpg "I have never needed to take on this role before. Oberon or Random would delegate rule when they were away or, in the troubled times, Eric and Corwin grabbed the position. I will step aside once someone shows me interest, aptitude, and support for the position.
"I do find it odd that you consider it a 'prize'"It is his turn to stop and take a drink of wine. "Gerard is dead, Corwin, Bleys, and Flora remain unavailable, Flora and Llewella show no interest, Julian seems amenable to the position but waits to see who it is that threatens us. Dalt, Merlin, Martin, and Rinaldo are also unreachable. Dorian and Edmund are too new to this. Did I leave anyone out?"
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2020 8:25:05 GMT
"I never said I consider it a prize, but others do.
Dalt, Merlin are more of the Courts than of Amber. Martin has a better claim than I if the throne were to pass by English rites of succession but it never has before. I know a little bit from my time as Random's ward. He might make a strong King. Dorian and Edmond I agree are to new to Amber.
Julian could be a strong King if he didn't bring too many personal Enemies with him.
Gerard is dead? I'm sorry. I didn't know. How did it happen?"
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Post by Admin on Jun 13, 2020 7:06:23 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/DRmPnR2/8617122259497d4d0005cd6344775e77~jpg "He fell fighting in a version of that shadow Earth people seem to enjoy visiting. It was quite recent too. In battle against a force which wants the place for themselves.
"To have that loss so coincident with the death of King Random is disconcerting. As you can imagine, there can be no sitting a new ruler on the throne while the question of these deaths hangs above us."
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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2020 14:09:03 GMT
"I disagree. There will always be some threat or troubling coincidence hanging over us until a new king or queen is safely on the Throne. But I have said as much before, I see no point in arguing."
"You said several of your brothers and sisters could not be reached, I am assuming you mean by Trump. You did not try to contact me by Trump, does that mean the kings deck was destroyed with him. He had the only likeness of me that I know about. Are the more decks in the Library? Normally I don't carry one but if we are going to work together I might need one."
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Post by Admin on Jun 22, 2020 7:08:39 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/DRmPnR2/8617122259497d4d0005cd6344775e77~jpg "Random's deck was presumably in the room with him during the explosion. It hasn't been found amid his surviving effects but the servents are still at work collecting and organizing his effects.
"Sadly the decks are difficult to come by now. The ones in the library were either handed out during the Black Road war to those who needed them or destroyed in the first explosion. Dorian and Hammett would be the ones to contact if you would like some of the cards but expect them to require payment of some sort and even then they might not be able to furnish you with all the people you desire."Again he gestures into the shadows and the servant silently pads in with a new bottle of wine. "Martin needs to be informed of the loss of his father. I haven't been able to reach him but if you take this -" he reaches into a breast pocket and pulls out his deck the cards inserted in an ingenious device that can fan them out and allow him to pick a card one-handed. He takes Martin's card and passes it to Calvera. "As a duty to Amber, find Martin and bring him back here. Alive. The card may be of more use to you the closer you get to him in Shadow."
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2020 9:43:55 GMT
I consider the card. Chasing off into shadow after Martin is the last thing I want to do. But I take it any way.
"Can I have one of you as well for the return trip? Or I hear they can be made of locations. The docks in the City would be a good place to return, or any place near by."
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Post by Admin on Jun 27, 2020 8:28:58 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/P6Js86H/benedict~jpg "I am lacking in spares," he says. "Even giving away one card is a handicap. I will expect it to be returned to me when you are finished with your task."And with that, it seems like the meeting is concluded. If Calvera didn't realize it when Benedict spoke, the coming of the servant to remove the empty bottle and glasses is a greater hint.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2020 11:51:08 GMT
I stand and bow then head back to my cell. I'm not keen to go racing off into shadow on a wild goose chase. I just got here, this is where the action will be.
It's a painfully transparent way for Benedict to remove a rival to whomever he intends to put on the throne. So much so that I wonder if he actually does want me to find Martin. I've never missed the Trumps before but I would really like to be able to talk to Bleys again.
Once back in my cell I block the door closed with the chair under the handle. My mind is still racing. When I was last here I would have headed down to the city to drink and fuck and fight. Now I run through the sun salutation a couple times, lay down and go to sleep.
We'll see what tomorrow brings.
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Post by Admin on Jul 8, 2020 4:46:02 GMT
The night passes quietly. If rivals for the throne want you dead they are not foolish enough to try and take you on in the close quarters of your own rooms.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2020 2:38:37 GMT
I wake early still unsure of my course. For a long time I stare at the ceiling. Any answer I want is in the basement, I could be transported straight to Martin, or to Bleys, for that matter. And jump straight in to the fire unprepared. That's if everything goes well. I'm reluctant to walk the pattern a second time.
...
I should find out how things lie before I go searching for Martin. Talking to the Palace staff has a lower chance of success but much less danger. The pattern will always be there, I can try that if nothing pans out.
That decided I rise, and begin my practice. Then shower dress and breakfast. I can start my investigation then. Where Martin might be, who he might be with and what he might be doing. And while I'm at it I'll find out who is making waves in the city.
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Post by Admin on Jul 23, 2020 7:26:53 GMT
The castle is still decorated with black bunting in memorial to Random and Vialle. The staff are also sombre still in shock of the loss of the King and Queen but also of their fellow staff members who were also in the area of the blast, many dozens are still missing, their remains unaccounted for.
Still, they work with diligence and efficiency and when questioned they show their sorrow and spit the name Leonil (but, thankfully, not towards the food). Of Hammett some display shock that he was involved in the disaster, others show indifference with one of the serving girls saying "Not like he was really one of you great lords anyways, was he?"
Also in the dining hall are dignitaries from a few score lands come to pay respects to the fallen royalty. Llewella is there also sitting by herself at a small table eating fruits and kippers.
[OOC: Will hold off on the city in case you want to hang out with the breakfasters here first.]
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