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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2021 22:54:57 GMT
The soup was good. It wasn't great, but as trail fare for a band of deserters and outlaws it was pretty good. I helped myself to a second bowl and then settled back against my saddle with my feet by the fire. If I had known there was a good cook in this band I might not have killed all of them. No, I would have, you can't trust a deserter, better to continue my hunt alone. I was getting close now. It had taken me some time to find the trail and traveling in the wake of an invading army in never easy. Too many desperate broken men, not enough food or safe dry places to sleep.
One of the dead men farted so I took that as my sign to be moving on. I would prefer to take a nap but there was still plenty of daylight left, I had miles and maybe shadows to travel before I settled in for the night.
I saddled my horse and headed down the road. I had more practice so I could feel the pattern now by focusing on my breath, I bought it just to the edge of my awareness feelers out for just a tug where they crossed into the next realm. It didn't go so well last time I tried to stop this Crusade. This time I would try to join it. Amber has never been taken by an outside force, they would need my help. I still wasn't sure what I would do with the Crusade after I had it. I could decide that later, once I knew who the enemy was, and who Benedict intended to sit on the throne
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Post by Admin on Mar 4, 2021 5:57:45 GMT
The trail is not difficult to find and follow. Knowing the army as he does, along with its large size tearing its way through Shadow creates an unsubtle trail even someone carrying only a degenerate copy of the Pattern could follow.
This does bring a thought to Calvera's mind of how these people manage to cross through the veils of Shadow from where they came from toward Amber. It couldn't have been the general since he was dead along with many hundreds of others, so someone or something else must have the ability.
After two more sleeps, he can feel a wavering of shadow telling him that the army is near. A few afterimage-like visions and echoes across shadow show him scenes of the army on the march.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 11, 2021 15:47:26 GMT
The after images concerned me. While we may cast shadows, armies, even demon armies generally do not (they say the Unicorn casts no shadows but is equally real in all places at all times.) For me to be able to sense their reflections across shadow and time ment they were especially dense. Or perhaps my powers of perception had grown. I resolved that I would meet them tomorrow morning and set about to make it happen. First I found a stream and dismounted to bathe. I cleared my mind in the icy water just as I wiped the grime of the road from my body. Then, still naked, I unrolled my mat and set in for a full order of stretching and strengthening exercises, deepening my focus and sinking further into the pattern with every breath. It had been a while since I had done a full exercise and I was tighter than normal. As I worked though my positions I could see the place I would meet, a stone bridge over a deep river, the town on one side already deserted and burned to ash. I would wait on the other side where there were only a few houses, thankfully still standing. Many of the details of this place I chose, but some of them came to me, I don't know if I created this place or found it, but I had laid my will on the weft and the army would have to cross there. That bridge was in their path in all shadows. Now I just had to make it there before they did. After my exercise, I wiped down, dressed and rode like hell. I did stop at one point, there had been a small skirmish, and benith a fallen horse I saw a familiar orange and black pattern. My banner. I didn't even realize I had been missing it but felt much better once I had it with me. by the end of my next post I intend Calvera to be waiting at the bridge for the leading elements of the army. He will have his banner, some indication of peaceful intent, and an escape route, probably just a house and a bit of good road. Beyond that I cannot see.
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Post by Admin on Mar 13, 2021 7:07:33 GMT
Calvera arrives at the place he had designed in his mind and Shadow. From his end of the bridge, he can see the vanguard of the army approaching. The same grey-skinned soldiers in their armour and weapons but now also carrying rifles. Further back, the wicker statue of the Unicorn is still being pulled. Among the remembered banners from before there are a few dozen new flags and new reinforcements to the group; different folk wearing different styles of clothes and armour but also equipped with firearms.
The vanguard stops before crossing the bridge. They move into a defensive formation. Calvera can tell that messengers have been dispatched to the commander of the force.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 18, 2021 16:00:27 GMT
The fucking rifles ruined my presentation. I had been sitting at the end of the bridge at a small table I had scavenged from one a the 2 building on this side of the bridge, a large inn. The table was clearly set for 2 and rather elegantly at that, making my intentions clear. But only a madman sits in the open in rifle range so I had to get cover. I left my banner to guard this end of the bridge and went back into the inn. One at a time I grabbed 3 trestle tables and stood them on end at the end of the bridge providing cover for my table. I thought more of my invitation and went back again and got 1 more table, smaller this time and 2 bench seats. That one I set on the bridge a little way from the end where the parlay would be. A final trip into the inn I grabbed a beer keg and a wheal of cheese. Those I set at the 4 person table. Then I waited. My intentions should be easy to read. 1 person could cross the bridge to talk to me, but they could bring 4 guards who had to stay on the bridge. I wouldn't be surrounded but they would have help near at hand. If anyone tries to set foot on my side of the bridge with out my invitation I am going to throw them in the river. I will warn them first.
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Post by Admin on Mar 19, 2021 4:42:01 GMT
[OOC: How do you create spoilers on this site?]
As Calvera waits and watches the soldiers, he can tell that they have been through some hard fighting recently; the sheen is off their once polished boots, uniforms have rips and bloodstains, and there is a weariness about them. They do not look like a force willing to fight over this bridge.
Eventually, the leader of this force pushes his way through the front line of soldiers. He is also one of the odd grey-skinned people that make up the bulk of this army. He wears tan and brown fatigues designed for desert fighting. A bandage is wrapped around his head and another around his left forearm. Both have small bloodstains soaking through. He drops into a chair with a weary thud and pours himself a stein of beer. Without preamble, he launches into his tale after a quick nod to Calvera.
"We lit out from Reno trailed by twenty hounds. We had to nuke the bunch of them before we could hope to cross the Sierra Madres. And then something changed, and our tanks and trucks wouldn't run. I had to continue on foot. Kept the guns incase we crossed into someplace they'd work again. And now we find you, Son of Perdition.
"We know the stories of how, generations ago, you, Son of Eric, fought us in the riverlands. We persevered and continued on, finding others to follow our banner and fight for Prince Bleys."
The mention of Bleys stirs memory in Calvera, of the story from Flora of the people who attacked her mansion when Corwin and Random were her guests, how they were found to be creatures of Fiona's who had a skill at travelling through Shadow. But it had been years since they were last reported seen by anyone in the family.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2021 1:46:45 GMT
I looked at the leader and the army. Then the Unicorn effigy. They seemed worn down and hard, clearly they were tough and had see years of fighting and travel but generations? If that was true they were made of more than just shadow stuff. With time I could probably look back along their trail and see their path through shadow, but for now I could just ask. "Your crusade has lasted for generations? Are you any closer to your promised City of Eldorado or was it Shangala? I have come a faster way as you can see. Who leads you now? What is your intent when you get there?" I sip my wine. Its strange what you can find in a war zone, but I learned long a go to take what pleasures I could where I could. I had found caviar but no crackers in the inn. I took a small bite and passed him the can. We had to eat straight from the tin but the spoon was silver. Asking for exposition. As much as Calvera can get and you care to write. PM me is you want to keep secrets from the other players, I love secrets.[/spoilers]
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Post by Admin on Mar 20, 2021 7:25:05 GMT
The hint of a smile tugs at the corner of the general's mouth.
"We march towards your homeland of Amber, as you well know, Prince. Your great enemy, Prince Bleys, set us upon this task many generations ago and gave us the means to find our way. But we are blocked at every path to the great forest. We can sense the path and can feel the way, yet some force bars our final march. So we search for our way around the barricade, giving our offerings of destruction to all lands we cross."
He takes a bite of the caviar and nods in appreciation.
"These skies, this ground, they weary us. So many children have never seen the land we came from."
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2021 2:51:05 GMT
"I can take you there you know. I have walked the pattern and as long as I can move no force can stop me from making my way back to it. Not for long."
I re-fill my wine and his beer. The cheese is good but a little salty.
"Tell me where you came from and why you left. So long on the road knowing only war, why not go home. How long had you been on the road when your people met me in the river lands? Tell me about my Uncle Bleys. How long has it been since you have seen him? Does the Unicorn vist? Bleys is not my enemy but it has been a long time since I've seen him.
Then tell me about the obstacle if you can."
We've been talking for a while so I check my horse. I can only see part of the river banks and army since I had to put the tables up to screen. But my horse can see a lot more. If they are trying an ambush he may be nervous. I don't expect trouble but I have no back up so I should at least pretend to be cautious.
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Post by Admin on Mar 22, 2021 1:54:26 GMT
"That is a generous offer but I would have to ask what you would like in return for this favour?"
"It was King Bleys who found us and raised the power in us to find our way through the shadows. We vowed to follow him and his allies in their war against the evil gods. This army vowed to follow the ways through shadow and meet him in Amber for the final battle where he would defeat the last of the evil gods and ascend to a place beyond Shadow. The way has been long and the years uncountable as our passage bends and twists the suns and seasons. All those who had hoped to stand in our way have been defeated.
"Thre has been no work from King Bleys and none has been needed - we have vowed to our task and will continue to search for our way forward. The Unicorn has only been seen when you summoned her."
"I can't describe it in any way other than that our way forward seems clear but as we move the shadows shift and flow leading us to an unplanned destination."
Calvera can detect no sign of the army attempting to surround him or steal their way across the river.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2021 12:34:16 GMT
"No one summons the Unicorn. She goes where she will, that day she came for me and sent me to see something."
I stared out across the river then turned my eyes on him. If I hoped to make any use of this army I would need their loyalty. Loyalty now given to my uncle, loyalty pledged to defeat my father one of the better kings of Amber.
Would they bend? Or shatter or just ignore anything that didn't fit their religion.
"You call me Son of Perdition. Do you hate me? Do the men hate me? If you have been on this crusade for generations there must be women in your army and children too. To persist so long you must be blessed. Or cursed.
The war my uncle Bleys set you on is over, has been since before I was a man. Bleys lost. My father, the King you were sent to topple, was killed in a different battle against different enemies and is now a hero of Amber.
Your crusade was a small part in a family squabble over which brother got to be king. You are all forgotten.
That is the truth as I know it. Everything I have told you, you will soon discover if you ever reach Amber.
Can your people survive this revelation? You were used for Bleys own purpose and forgotten? Centuries of war and homelessness and suffering for nothing?"
....
....
"As for what I want simple loyalty. Loyalty which I will repay in kind. War is again coming to the True City. Random is Dead, once again my Uncles and Cousins circle the throne. Dark powers from beyond shadow threaten. I mean to have a say in who sits on the throne. For that I need an army."
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Post by Admin on Mar 23, 2021 5:00:05 GMT
Calvera can't help but see how the man's mind works furiously, trying to assimilate this new knowledge into the religious and traditional beliefs he has long held. He finally speaks.
"Prince Eric is the greatest of evils, followed closely behind by his vileness of his children. Also on the pantheon's dark side are the demon-generals Julian and Caine, and the demon-sorceress Deirdre and all their get. Still, if Eric is dead, I see no need to pursue a war against his children. Do the dread-generals Julian and Caine rule the field? It is said that we are destined to battle Julian in Arden and burn his fox-children out of their dens."
More time spent thinking.
"You claim that the war is over and we are forgotten and lost, yet you acknowledge that the war has continued after a brief truce. Prince Bleys will still need us to march to Amber and force his claim to the throne as he had planned all along. Our vow can never be ignored or rescinded, and now, when things may have seemed to be at their weakest, you have arrived to offer us passage into Amber. Just as the great book foretold!"
He raises an arm and yells out a cheer. The soldiers at the other side of the bridge respond with the same gesture and call.
"Now that we have established our mutual interests, it is time to negotiate the terms of a working relationship between us."
He calls back to his troops in a language unknown to Calvera.
"As a sign of good faith we will share some of our plundered food with you."
Heated trays are brought forth with fried chicken, MacGizzard's fried lizardburgers, macaroni salad with brown sauce, lobster of dubious freshness, and french fries, so so many french fries. Paper cups of soda pop is brought as refreshment, two straws in each.
"The bounty of Reno," the general says with supreme happiness.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2021 2:01:41 GMT
"The bounty of Reno indeed." If this is how they eat no wonder they are so pale. I dig in, sticking to the fried chicken and french fies, those are good as long as they are hot, greasy and salty. "Introduce me to your officers and tell me of your people. After we break camp I will take you to a place where we can rest for a time and refit before we tackle the barrier and move on to Amber. Like all places that can support an army there will already be a force there. I will bring us to a place with a battle waiting to be won." I'll need to make changes in the leadership. I don't plan on burning the Arden, nor do I intend do a deliver an army for Bleys you use. But I have time. I will also need an ally on the inside. Its either Hammet or Martin since those are the only Trumps I have. I will Trump Hammet soon and find out how things stand. I don't really want to role at meeting all the officers, and junior officers to find which ones are tired of a constant fruitless crusade for a man they have never met, sponsoring their career, building their power base and gaining their loyalty. I don't expect it excites you either, just thinking of the number of names you would have to come up with makes my eyelids heavy. But that's the plan, Calvera may be arrogant but he is not going to pick a fight with a knife that will turn in his hand.
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Post by Admin on Mar 25, 2021 6:50:57 GMT
Oh, yes, no need to go through all of that and with such a large army, there would be hundreds of officers at various ranks. Fortunately, Calvera has the means to quickly bend the minds of the army any way he'd like. We can consider it done and you can document the next step. Try not to go too far ahead in case someone decided to ambush your army before it reaches Arden! Calvera is welcomed into the army as the Guide, the Pathfinder, the One Who Will Open the Door to Amber, and a host of other titles the bored soldiers invent while sitting around the campfires. The army comprises the grey people, human-looking folk who may be from Earth or somewhere similar, a legion of short bald, red-skinned people, and small bands of different shadow folk. All have become converts to the Unicorn's religion, and all hope to rid the promised land of Amber from her evil overlords. The priests still pull the great wicker statue of the Unicorn, and they still preach a radically different version of the faith than is taught in Amber.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2021 14:12:52 GMT
The army is bruised and battered my next step will be to take them to a place to rest, recuperate and refit. I have a place in mind, Baja under Santa Anna. But I will get to know the Men (and women?) A bit more. [Also its a longer post and I am not up to writing it yet]
I shuffle my Trumps, all 2 of them. Martin or Hammett? Martian or Hammett.
I put Martin away and Focus on Hammett.
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