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Post by Hammett on Mar 31, 2021 4:21:17 GMT
Hammett takes the offered hand and step through to wherever Calvera is. He stretches in the sun and take a deep breath of fresh air.
"Thank you, Cousin. The confines to that room, and the smell, were starting to affect my composure."
He looks out over the army.
"You have done well for yourself since we last spoke. Much better then I have fared."
[[OCC: Sorry for the delay in replying. It was a long day at work and very busy.]]
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Post by Admin on Mar 31, 2021 4:30:30 GMT
Hammett finds himself in Baja, Mexico. The army is encamped by the side of a road. Something that would be terrifying to usual shadow-folk, but these people are used to Americans coming down from California.
A car passes and the driver yells "Madre Dias! Loco Americanos!"
A hundred meters away, where the road bends, there is a large faded billboard showing a happy, excited family of four driving to places of interest: Hollywood! The Salton Sea! Death Valley! are labelled. Large letters would read 'Come Visit California' if vandals hadn't defaced it so they spelled crude words.
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Post by Hammett on Apr 3, 2021 15:56:37 GMT
Away from the permanence of Amber and the Pattern, Hammett starts to mold his clothing again, cleaning and freshening them up from the suffering and smells they were subjected to in the confines of his cell. He also modifies them to a more practical, travelling, style and cut.
"Have your troops scouted the area? I have had nothing but bread and water for the last while, and could definitely do with a margarita and some tacos. Any roadside restaurants near by? Over lunch we can discuss the questions you had, and what the next steps might be."
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2021 10:00:31 GMT
"I keep thinking I need to find a place for this army to rest. I worry about feeding them and finding them billets, defending them from raids and disease. But I shouldn't worry. They have been marching through shadow for a thousand years. These are things they already know." "Lieutenant!" A young woman rushes up. "Lord I'm not a Lieutenant, my rank is..." "You're young, fit, your kit is well kept and you are well groomed, you are moving about with an air of importance and the older soldiers are ignoring you. You are the woman I want. Find the commander if you would and let him know I intend to take a citadel when it is convenient for him. Not today but soon. A place of safety and plenty where we can rest and plan before pushing on to Amber. We will be that taco stand if he wants to join us. Or return and tell us where to meet him." Lt's are used to obeying so I don't even have to lay my will on her. The taco stand is a ways up the street. I tie my palomino up next to a Buick and stride through the low ceilinged dining room to the patio out back and grab a table. "Senorita! Tacos and a pitcher of margaritas, frozen. Keep the food and drinks coming, tell the chef we are in his hands." "Sorry to keep you waiting Hammet. Tell me how things stand? Flora is Queen? How do the others take that? What does the Golden circle think? I don't see how she will keep her crown if all the most powerful elders leave. Any stirrings from the courts? The game has started and I mean to deal myself a hand."
1 can frozen lime aid
1 can tequila
1/2 can triple sec
Fill the blender with ice and blend.
Serve in a low ball or tumbler with a salted rim (sea salt or kosher) a mason jar also works great.
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Post by Hammett on Apr 5, 2021 15:39:32 GMT
[OCC: No worries. Life happens.]]
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2021 9:43:03 GMT
Up dated.
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Post by Hammett on Apr 6, 2021 19:25:06 GMT
Hammett digs into the food and drink as it arrives, but not so focused on eating that he can't carry a conversation.
"She's not queen yet, but knowing her I'm sure that is mainly because she hasn't finished arranging the celebrations, decorations and ceremony to her satisfaction. The invitation list is surely the size of a New York phone book. My friends in the staff say she has them running their feet off redecorating the castle to her standards. I have no word on how the others are taking it." He takes another few bites, "From a diplomatic stance, I guess she was probably the best decision Benedict could make. From what I know she is well liked across the Golden Circle, as she has always been the most social of any of the elders, and has been part of many, if not more, delegations, diplomatic missions and so on then anyone else that I know of. So I'm betting a lot of the Circle will happily welcome and support her in the role."
He finishes off his drink and orders another, "As for the courts, I've found out more about this Lady Vada. She was apparently fairly small time there. One of my contacts didn't think she'd have the skill nor gumption to try and take Amber itself, but as to why she would take over Kasaba, and possibly other shadows just outside the Golden Circle, he didn't know. Unless there was something special about those worlds. I remembered that King Random was meeting with Kasaba delegations, and had a file on Lady Vada, with him just before the explosion. There was also some issue about two of Random's spies being killed by Lady Vada's forces in Kasaba, which is what drew me into this whole mess in the first place. That is why I was attempting to return to the castle. To try and learn and recreate what King Random had discovered before his death. Unfortunately that didn't work out so well. As to the rest of the COurts and their feelings on Flora as Queen, I have no word, although I do hear the Merlin has been having a rougher go of establishing control there then, I assume he and others, had originally hoped. If he was in full power, I wouldn't think we'd have much to fear from them, but if not... well... anything might happen."
Meal done he sits back in his chair, as happy as he could be under these circumstances, "I think having an army under your command, and a legitimate claim on the throne now that the Unicorn isn't making the decisions, not only deals you in, but gives you a a seat at the table."
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2021 12:07:38 GMT
"You can't be done already Hammet? Senorita, another round of tacos. I particularly like the white fish ones." I refill his glass from the pitcher, there's still salt on the rim so I don't need to order another. The last Taco is pulled pork and pico de gallo. They're small so I finnish it in 3 bites. The margarita is good, topped mine off with the last of the pitcher and singled with the empty blender for another. "Is Lady Vada still in Kasaba? A victory in the Golden circle never hurts ones standing. Flora might be a good Queen. As a daughter of a king her claim is as good as mine. I wouldn't trust the Unicorn to stay out of it though. Have you seen the Idol these demons bring with them?" "What of you Hammett? What's your angle in all this?" There's something I've always wandered about this sly little man. So I match my breathing to his an sink into the pattern. Breathing it in, and then back out. I'm trying to set but a resonance. Once I match our rhythms, if he carries the pattern he should be in tune with with me. And if he doesn't probably nothing will happen. Maybe, I've never done this before. Calvera is not considering what will happen if he carries a broken pattern or the Logrus. |
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Post by Admin on Apr 8, 2021 16:37:15 GMT
Calvera doesn't sense the aura of the Pattern in Hammett. Maybe his test worked and there was nothing to see or it didn't work and he missed the sign. He can't determine which. |
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Post by Hammett on Apr 8, 2021 17:30:59 GMT
Hammett doesn’t say no to more food and drink.
“As far as I know she is still in Kasaba, I know her troops still are. I rescued a friend of mine who was being held there, just earlier this week. As for my part in all this... well Kasaba was my adopted home, I had my life and business there, so I’m not happy about being forced out and that she killed so many people I know. But, in the end it is just another shadow, I could probably have moved on. But what happened to Gerard I can not forgive or forget. Unlike most of of our other cousins, I’m a bastard of the bloodline. I don’t know which prince my father was, and none has ever claimed me. I can only assume he died a long time ago. My mother died before she could tell me, so it is just a mystery. But when I was brought to the castle and grew up there, Prince Gerard always treated me well, and took me on as part of his navy and trained me in sailing and the workings of the golden circle. So I owe it to him to avenge his death. Plus, King Random wanted me to look into this matter as well, and though he is also now dead, I feel honorbound to fulfill his last requests. Beyond that, my only concern is that Amber stays standing and is able to fend off any future threats.”
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2021 15:17:38 GMT
"On that we are agreed. There is a debt to be repaid. We will take Kasaba back from the invaders and sing songs of Gerard over a mountain of their skulls." I stand and refill out glasses. I slopped some over the side of his but no matter. "DEATH TO THE ENEMIES OF AMBER! A RIVER OF BLOOD FOR OUR FALLEN PRINCE!" I raise my glass to salute Gerard. I slump back into my chair, we've finished our second platter of tacos save one and I was planning on ordering a third but now I don't feel like it. Again I grab the last taco, white fish this time and devour it in 3 bites. "Senorita! Cigars! And roll us a joint. More Margaritas Hammett? Or switch to cognac?" Calvera may be getting a little drunk. |
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Post by Hammett on Apr 9, 2021 20:21:07 GMT
Hammett agrees to a cigar, but refrains from anything more to drink. Not that this was too much for him. He was always a big drinker, part of the package that comes with running a nightclub and having an Amberites Endurance. A pitcher or two of margaritas was common over lunch. But he knew not everyone was that way or used to it, and he didn’t want to push or encourage Calvera to get any drunker. A drunk, highly skilled, Amberite swordsman could be dangerous to be around.
“Cigars sound good.” After they arrive and they light up and relax, he turns the questions to Calvera, “Now that you have this army, what do you plan to do with it?”
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Post by Hammett on Apr 14, 2021 1:04:19 GMT
[[OCC: I guess Calvera is pretty busy right now, so I am going to try and move things along, but leave it open enough that we can fill in the "blanks" once he returns if need be.]]
After lunch is over Hammett and Calvera half-stumble their way back to the encampment, then over the next week Hammett stays with Calvera and his forces as they continue their path through shadow. Between spending time hanging out with Clavera, helping organize the troops, he also works on a trump card for Calvera. Unable get access to his usually preferd art supplies he has to make do with whatever unusual card stock, paints, inks and brushes he can find along the shadow paths they are taking. In the end he ends up with a card of a style unique even to himself, but which he finds quite appealing. He even goes so far as to paint Calvara's symbol on the back of card before presenting it to him. [[OCC: As for who the card is of, the GM, Calvera and I can discuss here or via messages. But maybe it should be of the General of his new Army? That way even if Calvera has to leave them for a bit, he can always trump the general to go back to them, or just give orders, etc... from anywhere.]]
After about of week of journeying it is time for Hammett to take his leave and return to his own people and the tasks he has before of him.
After making his goodbyes, he begin to head off into shadow in a different direction then the troops are taking, walking shadows that will take him back to Ceridin eventually. [[OCC: Unless the GM has something planned to happen to us before that time.]]
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Post by Admin on Apr 14, 2021 6:51:15 GMT
[[OOC: I will start a new thread for Hammett.]]
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