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Post by Hammett on Oct 8, 2020 20:30:15 GMT
"I knew of Gerard and Martin, and assumed that of Benedict. I reached out after all this time to make sure you were not also on that list. Just minutes before the explosion that took the King and Queen's lives, I was walking through the castle and one of the corridors... The best way I can describe it was that it turned to mist, like being in Tir-na Nog'th, but in the castle and during the daytime. And from where I was I was looking down on a city street and I saw you and two others, a man and a woman, and you appeared to be in a deadly fight against something I couldn't see because of the mists. I tried to join you then, but the mists disappeared and the hallway returned to normal. I tried trumping you also, but was unable to reach you. Then the explosion happened a little later, and I've been hard pressed since then. This is the first time I've had to try and contact you again to make sure you are alive and okay. And to warn you of what might happen. I've been told that visions from Tir-na can sometime times be glimpses of the future, and if this is something similar then you might find yourself in danger soon."
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2020 1:33:37 GMT
"We were in the cloud city above Corwin's Paris. So they said, I came there by strange means. The woman claimed to be Corwin's daughter the man some Chaos Sorcerer. ...."
I paused unsure of what to tell him. When I know him he was a man who could get you things, make things happen, he always kept my confidences and I wondered, not for the first time who else valued him for his discretion.
"They were both very nervous." I chucked. "Actually by how they reacted I would say they were terrified of me. I'm a dangerous man don't you know."
"The pieces are moving Hammett, I'm on the board, and the players are none too gentle as they jerk me around. I don't like it but I don't see what to do about it yet."
If he's an enemy I haven't told him anything he shouldn't already know. I think.
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Post by Hammett on Oct 9, 2020 1:56:53 GMT
“Ah, so it was a vision of the past. I should have know I need not worry about your safety. You always could handle yourself the best in a fight out of all of us.” The “us” he refers to is the younger generation of Amberites, at least the one’s he knows of.
He then continues, “And I know what you mean by events being in motion and pushing us around. Things have been moving much too fast, but I’ve started, if not putting the pieces together, at least learning about who is pushing them around the board. Do you know of a Lady Varda? Possibly from the courts, or at least, a far off shadow. She is the leader of the forces that took over the shadow I was living in up until recently, and is the one responsible for Gerard’s death. It was troops under her command that attacked and sunk Gerard’s fleet. I tangled with some of them. They had a file on me and they are tough. Some are shapeshifters and they were interested in how an Amberite would taste.“
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2020 18:49:46 GMT
"Lady Varda? No I haven't heard that name. [Ooc: I unless I forgot.]
...
Where are you? Or where are you headed looks like you are at sea. I am trying to get to Corwin's Paris, or Kasaba."
I paused again.
"Two warnings. There is a crusade headed for their promised land Amber. They claim to be blessed by the Unicorn and they might be right. They have an invincible power.
Watch out for red haired sorcerers. Especially if they are Uncles."
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Post by Hammett on Oct 9, 2020 22:22:33 GMT
Hammett frowns at the last statement, that was worrying. Could Bleys, his old mentor be working with the enemy? Or were there two enemies, Lady Varda and her troops being one, and this other crusade Calvera mentioned, being another? Was Bleys behind this second threat or were they both part of the same master plan? If they were two different forces, maybe they could be pitted against each other? Have them destroy themselves before they could even threaten Amber. Hmm... That seemed like wishful thinking, but it was worth investigating.
"Kasaba!? Thank the Unicorn I reached out to you. I can't stress this enough, don't try and reach Kasaba by sea. That is where I just left, and Gerard's fleet was attacked and sunk. Lady Varda's troops control the city and the harbor. The technology that works there allows them to drop massive bombs from the skies, hundreds or thousands of feet up in the air. Ships without high tech weaponry haven't a chance, as the Amber navy discovered. And that is on top of if the shadow storm/rip has subsided. Gerard was working some strong magical effect at the time of his death, trying to seal Kasaba off from the shadow paths. A rip, from the descriptions I've heard, in shadow and a shadow storm was created, destroying almost as many ships as Lady Varda's bombers. I only know of one ship that made it out, and then only barely and thanks to advanced notice from Gerard. For all I know the storm might still be raging, or Kasaba sealed off from the paths, but even if that isn't the case, sailing there would mean death or capture by Lady Varda's forces."
He pauses a moment then continues, "Why do you need to get there?" Calvera's combat skills would be immeasurably useful to Hammett's plan to get the resistance movement back into Kasaba and give them a fighting chance, but that was only if his cousin had the time or interest to train the group Hammett was putting together, but it sounded like Calvera had his own mission and goals at this time.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2020 1:14:41 GMT
The Bay of Kasaba is just a name I have, the next bread crumb on the trail. I expect I'll know why I need to go when I get there.
But if its over run with battleships and bombers I'll go to Paris instead. As much as I would love to see this vessel sail into a bay full of diver bombers missile cruisers and dreadships. I'm on her right now and she's the only ship available. The Antelope sloop is as sickening sight. You could sink her with a sling shot.
Lady Eivor is on board. On a mission from Benedict. I don't know where she intends to go but its not Paris. I don't know if you remember her, you're a bit older than me, I only know her by reputation. [OOC: If I read the the 'castle players' thread correctly.]
I might need help steering this scow. Can you sail for Paris and anchor me? I need a nap and we are far to close to Amber to shift the shadows but if you can contact me again in 8 to 10 hours. Or just pull my card and think of me and the place you are I should be able to drag the ship where I want it to go.
If she's paying attention she'll figure I am doing it but with your help I should be strong enough..... I'm chosen by the Unicorn."
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Post by Hammett on Oct 10, 2020 1:52:18 GMT
“I sail for Begma, currently. Following up on a lead. I’m not aboard one of my own ships, and I am friends with the captain, so I can’t change the course. But Begma should be along your route to Kasaba if that is where the Antelope is heading. Perhaps meet me there? As for Corwin’s Paris, I have never been and wouldn’t know how to find my way there easily. “
Hammett shuffles with something off to his side then holds out his hand to Calvera with a trump card in it.
“Here is my trump. Take it and you can reach me anytime and, if need be, I can bring you here to me.”
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2020 16:29:32 GMT
I take the card reluctantly.
"I have done very well avoiding these things so far. If Kasaba is as bad as you say I will steer well clear of it. I expect any Paris will do, if you head for one you will end up where I am. Infinite, infinite shadows and its amazing we ever meet each other. And yet we do.
Take care Hammett."
I pass my hand over the card to end the call. Then go find my bunk and rack out.
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Post by Admin on Oct 13, 2020 6:48:44 GMT
Calvera's rest is interrupted by the sounds of commotion on the docks. He has spent enough time campaigning to recognize the sound of a panicked populace under assault.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2020 23:32:09 GMT
I hear the panic and roll over to go back to sleep. That sounds a lot like Benedict's problem. Then I remember what ship I am on, I don't trust Barrett not to sink his ship in the harbor. So I grab my knife and gloves and head up on deck. Shirt and boots can stay down by my rack I won't need either if I have to fight on the ship.
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Post by Admin on Oct 14, 2020 5:22:57 GMT
He sees his cousin Eivor on the deck, looking dockside.
Following her gaze, he sees two people emerging from the water, striding up onto the shore towards where the harbour guards have set up a line of defence. One of the people is a giant carrying a trident and is wearing a Rebman guard uniform. With him is a regular-sized woman who must be his cousin Lorelei.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2020 13:00:23 GMT
Another cousin, from Remba no less. Still sounds like Benedict's problem. But with all this commotion I won't be getting to sleep, Barrett could still sink us in the harbor. So I decide to see how things unfold. And because she's naked to the waist and quite nice looking.
I sheath my dagger behind my back but leave my glove on, and saunter over to the rail beside Eivor testing my bare feet on the deck for grip. There may still be a battle, family is the only real enemy we have ever had.
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Post by Admin on Oct 15, 2020 3:46:51 GMT
Captain Barrett comes alongside Calvera and Eivor. As if sensing Cal's thoughts he says.
"Just look at that; reminds me strongly of Brennon's figurehead."
The woman speaks with the guards and they relax their defensive stance.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2020 6:11:34 GMT
I glanced about the deck at the gawkers and the idlers and chucked at his joke. Then leaned in close so my voice didn't carry.
"I hope you mean to sail soon Captain, I tell you truly, if you miss this tide you will not see another."
Any man could swallow a threat to his person if he chose to. But if the crew heard I would be threatening his authority and that no Captain could abide. He would be forced to try and regain it and I would be forced to kill him. Fortunately none of the crew was near by.
Passengers were something else. Eivor and her paige might have heard. If they did they could still get him killed, but that couldn't be helped.
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Post by Admin on Oct 17, 2020 0:34:28 GMT
"I see that you live up to your unsavoury reputation, Prince Calvera. A shame as I always got along well with your father back in the good old days.
"But we will set sail when the tide is right; only a short while longer now. If'n you can make heads or tails of Prince Gerard's machine over there, it will tell you when it is time to set out. Me, I'll wait for the harbour master's bell."
Barrett turns from Calvera to greet Lorelei's arrival at the ship.
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