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Post by Eivor on Aug 29, 2020 13:32:50 GMT
There was a howling gale outside, and the door rattled on its hinges as if some giant was trying to escape from the snowstorm. The light from her lantern cast strange shadows across the table where the cards were spread. She sighed, collected them, did another six card spread. What sign was she looking for? What hope was she seeking when each time there were nuances of disaster? She refilled her tankard from the urn and took a deep draught, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. The threads of her connection to the eternal city were slowly being picked apart, she could wait no longer.
There were no good options, but were there ever? She looked at the faces staring back at her, smiling, laughing, scowling. One card had kept coming up, time and again. It was time to see is she still had the gift.
It wasn't hard to stare at the portrait, her lustrous long hair, twinkling blue eyes, perfect skin.
"...Aunt?"
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Post by Admin on Aug 29, 2020 20:51:31 GMT
There is the slightest of pauses before Eivor sees the image of her Aunt Flora appear in the air.
"Eivor!" she says pleasantly, "You have been away too long! Considering a return to Amber? Now would be a good time for it - you are duty-bound to pay your respects to Random and Vialle."
Eivor recognizes the room her aunt is in as one of the small dining rooms. Around Flora can be seen a table with the remains of breakfast, many maps and books, and Princes Benedict and Bleys.
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Post by Eivor on Aug 29, 2020 21:21:43 GMT
"It seems Amber has need of me at last," Eivor replies, slightly relieved her aunt remembers. So much has happened since she left. She takes in the tableau and wonders at the significance of the gathering. It seems more than a casual repast.
"Would now be a good time to bring me through or are you...occupied?"
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Post by Admin on Aug 30, 2020 6:45:08 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/j5FLskF/Florimel~jpg "There certainly will never be a better time," Flora replies extending her hand to Eivor. Coming into the room Benedict gives her a nod for a greeting. Bleys smiles and stands to pull out a chair for her. "Dump all your stuff on the rack there then join us. A servant will take it all to your rooms." he says.
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Post by Eivor on Aug 30, 2020 10:03:40 GMT
"I prefer my stuff where it is, thank you Uncle," Eivor replies, squaring the trumps into their case and slipping them into her pocket. Damn, I've been out of polite company too long. "Though I could probably use being taken to a room myself," she adds, deliberately moderating her tone. "All in good time."
She takes the offered seat with a nod of thanks.
"The omens are grim. Are things as bad as I think they are?"
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Post by Admin on Aug 31, 2020 8:36:40 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/j5FLskF/Florimel~jpg Bleys raises an eyebrow at her words and glances down to her weapons, shield, armour, and travelling clothes. Not proper attire for a civilized breakfast, his eye seems to say. "Things don't get much worse. Fill her in, Florimel," Benedict says. "Plainly put, King Random and Queen Vialle were killed a few days ago by a bomb of some sort wielded by your cousin Leonil. You probably never met the man; he showed up about a year ago and walked the Pattern then hung about poking around in the library. He walked the Pattern again then ended up in the King and Queen's quarters where he killed them and himself while knocking down a large section of the castle.
"Your uncle Benedict is running things here for now and the rest of us are assisting him as we are able.
"If that wasn't enough to deal with we also have word that Prince Gerard fell while fighting a war in some shadow. Julian has also disappeared leaving only a word to his rangers about needing to investigate something somewhere in Shadow."Bleys is busy getting a glass and pouring wine for Eivor while Flora speaks.
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Post by Eivor on Aug 31, 2020 11:57:56 GMT
Eivor puts her head in her hands.
Leonil? Bomb? GĂ©rard dead?
"How can this have happened?" She says, accepting the wine gratefully. "I thought Random was supposed to be the chosen one, the once and future king, blessed of the Unicorn?"
"This Leonil...did he have accomplices? I find it hard to believe he could eliminate the king of Amber without help."
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Post by Admin on Sept 2, 2020 6:26:46 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/DWv9606/eb575b70ad14783bb703003099cc10b7~jpg "The Unicorn may choose you but after that you're on your own.
"It is possible he had an accomplice or two-""Which is still being investigated." Flora interjects. "-But never discount the role stupidity and bad luck have in the writing of history." Bleys says.
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Post by Eivor on Sept 2, 2020 8:29:03 GMT
Eivor drains her glass, takes a deep breath through her nose and pushes herself to her feet. Striding purposefully over to the unfurled maps, she takes in the locations and any markings her uncles have made.
"So. I presume we have a plan?"
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Post by Admin on Sept 3, 2020 7:19:48 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/j5FLskF/Florimel~jpg "Since you are here we will make use of you," Benedict says gruffly. "Wasn't it just mentioned that Leonil may have had accomplices? An overabundance of enthusiasm over our troop placements might be construed as suspicious behaviour." Bleys says as Eivor looks at the maps. Flora takes her arm and leads her from the room. "Benedict does have a job for you. Come and we can discuss it while I bring you to your rooms. Just a warning: the explosion destroyed your old quarters. Something new has been created for you. I hope you didn't lose anything of value."
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Post by Eivor on Sept 3, 2020 12:00:05 GMT
Eivor nods and allows herself to be led away by Flora.
"In truth, I can barely remember having rooms here, let alone sleeping in them. I'm sure there was nothing there that can't be replaced," she says, turning over Bleys' comments in her head. Was he accusing her of something or was she just being paranoid? Or maybe it was just his twisted sense of humour.
"It is good to see you again, aunt. Please forgive my manner, I will do what I can to help."
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Post by Admin on Sept 5, 2020 10:25:36 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/j5FLskF/Florimel~jpg "Your manner is fine, dear," Flora says with a laugh. "I think Bleys is miffed that a lady didn't swoon in his presence and make big eyes at him. You threw him off his game."Eivor's aunt leads them down hallway after hallway sometimes going up a few steps other times down. The part of the castle they are in now is showing signs of reconstruction bare of decoration or ornament so unlike the other, older, parts of the castle. "This new area is a chance for us to have a new start, most of the older places are starting to look like a junk shop with old banners, weapons, and tapestries blocking the way. Luckily Corwin isn't around anymore because a lot of momentoes from his campaigns were destroyed in the blast. Oh, if he was here we wouldn't hear the end of his grousing about what was lost."They come to a long hallway with a few doors on either side. "Now let me tell you what Benedict has in mind for you. Something else odd happened in the castle at the time of the blast. It - "She stops short startled by the appearance of a young woman dropping out one of the doors. Before the door way dissolves away into the ether, Eivor sees the Corridor of Mirrors.
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Post by Admin on Sept 5, 2020 10:35:58 GMT
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Post by Admin on Sept 22, 2020 4:22:28 GMT
Back from: amberunleashed.freeforums.net/thread/55/eiv02-kat02-cold-rain-snow
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Post by Eivor on Sept 22, 2020 7:44:49 GMT
Having left the room, Eivor takes a breath. She punches the wall hard enough to make the portraits dance, the pain of it making her feel better.
What place is this, that Random gave his life for?
Her first port of call is the library, giving the librarian a list of books to be forwarded to the Antelope - histories of Amber, the Golden Circle, the family. Nothing that will be missed. She finds someone to direct her to her room and quickly changes into something more appropriate for sea travel (leathers rather than chain) and a warmer climate. To help focus her mind she sits herself next to the window, takes a knife and a wooden tile from her pack and begins carving. She has the long journey to Deiga ahead to finish it, but now was a good a time as any to start.
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