Not too far away, Marrek spies Benedict and Eleanor with a distraught Ryoden
not too far from where Mandor abducted him.
Ah. Wonderful confusion.
/Simply must have a word with my dear brother about abrupt abductions./
Marrek hails the frantic trio (well, duo...Benedict could never be described as
'frantic') with a shout and a wave. "My appologies, Benedict, for the haste
of my departure. Before coming to Amber in the company of Ryoden, I was not
suitably able to inform various parties in Chaos of my imminent departure. One,
a lady friend of my aquaintance, took severe umbrage and took me to task."
Benedict nods. "Find a more demure
lady." He replaces his sword and walks back to the castle, tapping Ryoden
lightly on the shoulder as he passes. She turns and looks confused. Ryoden glares at Marrek.
"You scared me." Ellie just behind Ryoden
says, by way of explanation "We were told you had possibly been abducted,
Marrek." Marrek smiles. "If you
knew the lady in question, you'd find the term to be an apt description."
He turns to Ryoden. "Sorry to frighten you, Your Highness, but the matter
is resolved, so there should be no other frights from her quarter for the
foreseeable future." Looking back up at Eleanor, he asks, "Where is
Jurt? I would thought he would accompany you both in my absence." Ryoden breaks in.
"Jurt's in the rooms, resting. He needs to heal a bit more before I put on
his foot." Her smile is wicked. "You mind the sight of blood?" "I have no real
problems with it, no." Marrek eyes the little Chaosite openly. "Try
not to make him scream too much, ok? We don't want to upset the neighbours." Ellie asks Ryoden
"What if Jurt is knocked out again? Would that help in putting the foot
on?" "Might not be a bad
idea." Ryoden makes a disgusted
look. "Of course I'm going to knock him out. I'm not mean!" She starts
to walk down the garden path, looking around. "Besides, he'd squirm too
much." She stands on a bench and
cranes her neck. "What's Faetan look like?" Ellie answers "Black
hair, black eyes, about 5' 10" tall. Any sign of her?" Marrek looks puzzled.
"Who's Faetan?" Ellie replies
"Daughter of Bleys. It was a possibility that we were meeting here to go
out and explore Amber." Ryoden turns about. "I
don't see her. I bet if I could fly..." She smiles sweetly at Marrek and
Ellie. Ellie shakes her head with
a smile "No, Ryoden. That's not really a good idea I think. Jurt said no
shifting." "No no. We have enough
trouble keeping track of you on the ground, Highness." He looks around for
someone matching the given description. Ryoden pouts and jumps
down, then starts picking up some sticks from the ground. Marrek looks around, and
doesn't see anyone matching the description. Ellie wonders if Faetan
might still be involved with Bleys and Corwin... Ellie says "Look,
Faetan may still be involved with Corwin and Bleys. Let's just carry on with
what we wish to do next. Ryoden, what would you like to do next?" "You two have a good
time. I'm going to go look in on Jurt. Let me know if you need anything."
With that, Marrek heads up the Castle steps and through the huge double doors. Ryoden watches Marrek
disappear. "Good. Jurt won't be alone." She turns and skips down the
path a bit, then stops. Turning, "Weren't you saying something about
Gerard?" Ellie walks up to her and
says "I was saying we can either explore Amber on our own or call Gerard.
What would make you happier, Ryoden?" Ryoden looks at her stick
collection approvingly. "Mmmm -- if Gerard's nice, then him." She
looks at Ellie sneakily. "Or someone else in that deck." Ellie laughs "Alright,
let me contact Uncle Gerard and see if he has any time to meet us. Fair
enough?" She nods. Eleanor pulls out
her deck and locates the right card. She concentrates like Jurt taught her, and
the card grows cold... Gerard’s face animates,
and she sees him in the same place as the first time she saw trump being used.
He looks up. "Eleanor?" Ellie smiles brightly and
says "Hello, Uncle Gerard. I hope I haven't disturbed you. Would you mind
bringing myself and a friend through?" He smiles and holds out a
hand. "Why not? You're doing well in Amber, then?" Ryoden takes Ellie's arm as
they pass through, and Eleanor finds herself on a familiar dock, not too far
from the place she first set foot on Amber. Ryoden's eyes go wide at
the ships, and she steps as if to run off. Gerard grabs her by the back of her
jacket. "And this is?" Ryoden looks up, miffed.
"I'm a princess." He laughs. "Big deal. I'm a
prince." Ellie smiles and says
"Uncle Gerard, may I introduce Princess Ryoden, Merlin's youngest sister.
Ryoden, this is Prince Gerard of Amber." She takes Ryoden's arm and says
"We're exploring Amber and thought you would be the nicest person to direct
us as to good places to visit, Uncle Gerard." He smiles at her. She
regards him a long time. "Everyone is tall here," she comments. He pats her head.
"Bright one, huh?" He looks at Ellie. "So, what have you been up
to?" Ellie smiles up at him and
answers "Learning a little about the family, doing some sketching and
getting to know people mostly. There are some very nice people here in
Amber." "Like who? Didn't know
all that many were in town." He looks down at Ryoden. "And how'd you
hook up with Merlin's sister?" Ryoden bounces around.
"I'm here because someone blew off my brother's foot." "Merlin?!" Gerard
looks alarmed. "Nope. Jurt."
Gerard no longer looks alarmed. Ellie adds "Merlin
sent Ryoden here as a precautionary measure. And while Jurt is resting and
recovering, we're going out for some fresh air and a chance to get out of the
rooms we've been cooped up in. Where would you best recommend, Uncle
Gerard?" He looks around. "Not
here. We're not in the best part of town. How about the shopping district? Kids
needs some souvenirs." Ryoden claps.
"Shopping! I want Uni --" She stops herself. "Candy." Gerard ignores the flub.
"You're a little thing. How old are you?" She counts in her head.
"Seventeen." Ellie looks at Ryoden in
surprise. At most, Ryoden looks nine years old. Is this another difference in
Chaos? Shopping is a good idea, Ellie thinks, but... She smiles and says
"Uncle Gerard, may I briefly borrow your Trump of my father, please?" He takes out his deck and
shuffles out Corwin. "Sure..." He stops. "What, you get a
stripped trump deck?" Ellie smiles ruefully up at
Gerard and says quietly "Not as such. Dad was really busy and didn't have
the time to tell me about Trump or stuff though he said I'd learn at some point.
Anyway, a nice relative helped me out and explained it to me and got me a Trump
deck, just in case of emergencies or stuff. However, if I use my own Trump deck
to call Dad, he'll just fret and get annoyed with me again. If you don't want to
loan me the Trump, it's alright Uncle Gerard." He hands her the trump.
"Mind if I ask who the 'nice relative' is? Now, if you act cute and flit
your eyes and try to distract me, I'll understand that you don't want me to
know, and I'll act like your dumb lug uncle. Okay?" Ryoden hums and dances
around, just bursting with her secret. Ellie flashes a brilliant
smile up at Gerard "Thank you for being so understanding, Uncle Gerard.
Consider me having acted duly cute, please." She steps a short way back
and concentrates on the Trump before her... The image on card shifts
and grows real, and she feels Corwin's mind touch her own. He appears in front
of her, and she can see he's still in his bedchambers. "Eleanor? How did you
get a trump of me?" Ellie smiles and replies
"Hi dad. I asked Uncle Gerard if I could borrow his trump of you and he
agreed. That's how I have a trump of you. How are you feeling?" He looks behind her, and
doesn't answer her question. "You're on the docks?" His face grows
serious. "You're not in the best part of town. Do you have anyone with
you?" Ellie nods "Yes, I'm
with Uncle Gerard and Ryoden is also here with me. We're getting advice on good
places to go in Amber to visit. It's alright, Dad, honestly." He nods. "Stay close
to him, then, a keep a tight reign on the girl. Was there a reason you
called?" He thinks a moment and looks confused. "None of the other
Chaosites are with you?" Ellie shakes her head
"No, Jurt's resting and I think Marrek is keeping him company. Were you
expecting either of them to be with me? As to why I called, Uncle Gerard
recommended shopping for Ryoden and I, but I don't have any Amber money yet. May
I borrow some money from you, Father?" He smiles. He takes a ring
off of his finger and hands it to her through the contact. "Show them that,
and tell them to bill the castle. Gerard can help confirm the
authenticity." He looks relieved that it was such a normal request. Ellie smiles warmly at him
"Thank you, Dad." She grins and says "I promise not to bankrupt
you." then adds more gently "We can chat when I get back if you
like." He nods. "We did get
interrupted, didn't we? Have fun." He thinks for a moment. "Buy
something nice to wear. I'd like you to have dinner with your Aunt and I. You
can meet one of your cousins." Ellie nods and answers
"Formal dress. Alright, Father, that shouldn't be a problem. May I ask
which Aunt and which cousin I am to meet? Or is that for later?" "No reason for it to
be secret. Flora and her son Mathonwyr. I might have mentioned her before."
He looks to the side, as if hearing something. "I have to go. I'll see you
later tonight." And abruptly, the connection is gone. When Ellie looks up, Ryoden
is sitting forlornly on a half-wall. "He said to stay here, or he'd throw
me in the water." Gerard is nowhere in sight. Ellie nods and takes one
last quick look around. Hopefully things will proceed smoothly enough that
Gerard will not need to be called upon. She turns to Ryoden and smiles
"Well, as long as we stick together, we should hopefully be fine.
Apparently though, this isn't a good area for us to be in." She holds out
her arm to Ryoden "Shall we go shopping then and leave this area?" Ryoden pouts and folds her
arms. "He said the water's cold, and I can shift all I want, it'll be cold,
and he knows where I'm staying." She kicks the wall with her heel. "A
man came up and got him, and they were talking about people coming out of the
water." She looks at the ring and smiles. "What's that?" As Ellie slips the ring
onto a middle finger, she replies "My father's ring. As long as I show it
to the shopkeepers, we can bill the Castle. We may need Gerard to back that up
though. I hope everything is alright." Ellie adds with a smile
"I've been told to get something nice to wear in addition to anything else.
What do you want to get apart from candy?" Ryoden shakes her head and
stands up on the half-wall. "I can't see him. He's gone. Forgotten
us." She jumps off the wall. "There isn't a ball or anything, is
there?" She makes a face of pure disgust. Ellie shrugs "I don't
know. Corwin wants me to attend a dinner with an aunt and a cousin though hence
wearing something other than jeans." Ellie smiles and continues
"Alright, let's go then. Remember to keep close or I won't be allowed to
take you out on my own again. Which shop would you like to go to first?" Ryoden looks around, then
eyes Ellie's clothes. "Um, when did Mandor make those for you? They're
fading." She quickly adds, "Not much, just a bit." Ellie looks down at her
clothing then back up and says "A few hours ago. I guess we better get
moving." With a grin to Ryoden, Ellie says "Alright, shops
first.". With a last look round, she and Ryoden then head off into Amber. Ryoden skips off, casting a
glance back now and then to ensure Eleanor still follows. The town gets better after
a few blocks, and more suitable stores start to appear. Clothing, food, books...
Ryoden runs to one store and peers at something in a display. She pulls out one
of the items and shows it to Eleanor. "A map. I think we
need one of these." She smiles sweetly. Ellie replies "That's
a good idea, Ryoden. Let's get it and then head in there." indicating a
nearby shop. Its display shows clothing of good quality, tending to the simple
rather than the extravagant. Ellie smiles then pauses, thinking for a moment,
and asks Ryoden "How are you doing for clothing, Ryoden? Would you like
some more too?" Ryoden instinctively hugs
her jacket to herself. "No! I like my clothes." She looks around,
distaste colouring her face. "I don't like towns like these. It's all tight
and skirts and lacings... I like shadow Earth stuff." She proudly tugs at
her shirt, displaying a pair of feline eyes and the word CATS etched across it.
"Theirs are much neater." She gets her map, and after
accounts are settled, walks over to the clothing store. She finds a place to sit
on the floor and proceeds to look at her map, making interested noises. Ellie picks out a selection
of clothing in greens, blacks and creams. As she does, she says "How about
this then? We get you some clothing here to satisfy the court and when I can, I
take you to shadow Earth and we get some more clothes there that you like. I
wouldn't mind picking up some more jeans either." Ellie smiles then adds a
simple and elegant gown in cream, saying "Have you ever been to
France?" Ryoden looks up from her
map, indignant. "I don't need new clothes. Jurt didn't say." She looks
down. "I won't be doing court stuff here." She's silent for a moment,
then folds her map back up. "No, we didn't go to France. I've been to
Florida and New York and California, but that's it." Ellie nods "Alright, I
know you don't need new clothes. It was just a thought to stop people
questioning the fact that you're a princess. Unfortunately, most people tend to
judge by their appearance." She purchases the last items, smiling and
complimenting the attendants on their service,
and continues "So would you like to go to France? I'd be more than happy to
take you at a later date." Ryoden smiles and stands.
"Sure, I'll go. Jurt going too?" Her face is neutral as she studies
Eleanor. "Where now? Do you need more things?" Ellie shakes her head
"No, that's me finished. They're delivering to the Castle. As for Jurt, I
don't know. I was inviting you, Ryoden, for your own sake. How about we go get a
couple of sundaes before we do any more shopping? What would you like to shop
for?" She taps the map in her
pocket. "I have what I want. Did you get walking shoes?" She turns and
exits the shops. "Sundaes... Sundaes..." She looks around, searching.
She spots something and smiles, heading off. Ellie smiles, shaking her
head a little, and heads off after Ryoden. Catching up with her, Ellie replies
"Got walking shoes and a change of clothing. What's your idea?" Ryoden jumps up to a
counter and sits on a barstool. Eleanor can see that the case to her left holds
a number of sweets. Ryoden studies a menu on the wall while handing Ellie the
map. "Just a place I heard about. Supposed to be nice." She orders something
involving brownies and caramel, then looks at Eleanor. "Grove of the
Unicorn." Ellie orders a strawberry
dessert and pauses before answering "That does sound like a nice place, I
agree. However, you would be better off going there with Jurt." She shrugs
apologetically "I'm afraid Arden is kind of off limits to me at the moment.
Sorry, Ryoden. It should be fine for you and Jurt to go though." Ryoden looks confused.
"Why? It's just some trees and stuff." She smiles. "What's
_really_ there? Is it neat?" Her dessert comes, then
Ellie's, and she digs in, but keeps her appetite in check enough to listen to
Eleanor's response. Ellie answers honestly
"I don't know what's really there. I've never been to Arden. Julian and Dad
don't get on in some ways, so I'm kind of in the political crossfire I guess,
hence Arden being off-limits." She pauses then changes the subject, saying
with a smile "You know, just because I like Jurt doesn't mean I can't like
you for you as well." She pauses for a moment,
and appears to study her whipped cream. "I didn't say you couldn't. Neither
did he." She licks a gob off her spoon. "Are you coming to Chaos when
we go home?" Ellie replies quietly
"I would like to visit certainly. What would you say Chaos is like,
Ryoden?" She pushes away the remainder of her dessert and orders coffee for
herself then turns to Ryoden "What would you like to drink?" Ryoden looks up sharply,
her hand flying to her pendant. Without a word, she vanishes in a rainbow trail. Ryoden looks up sharply,
her hand flying to her pendant. Without a word, she vanishes in a rainbow trail. Ellie quickly pays the bill
and makes her way back to the Castle, trying to trump Jurt as she does. From
Ryoden's touching of the pendant, she guesses that is where the problem is.
Worry wells up within with her for the two people whom she has come to care
about as family and more. She readies Corwin's trump in case the first contact
doesn't get through. She feels a faint contact
with Jurt's but feels as though he's trying to shrug it off. She grasps Corwin's
trump, and gets contact almost immediately. He looks at her calmly, then
worried. "Ellie? What's wrong?" Ellie replies quickly
"I think something is wrong with Jurt, Dad. Ryoden vanished, back to him I
think. I'm on my way back, but you're already there. He's not taking Trump calls
either." Corwin reaches out without
a word and grabs her by her arm, pulling her into his chambers. He turns and
grabs his sword off the wall, cursing. "Every day," he utters and runs
out of the room. Without hesitation, Ellie
runs after her father. At least it's a short distance, she reflects as she runs,
careful to keep out of her father's way and give him room to act. Corwin throws an arm back,
stopping her as an explosion goes off. He pushes her back. "Stay." Ellie stops immediately
then nods and waits patiently, saying to Corwin "Be careful, Dad, please.
Remember you matter to me too." She watches as Corwin
approaches the door to Brand's room. He listens a moment, then sighs and opens
it slowly. "It's Corwin. What happened?" Itching to find out what
has happened, Ellie nevertheless manages to stay where she is as instructed. She
continues to watch and listen keenly though for anything she may see or hear. Jurt exits, looking
dishevelled, pushing a crying Ryoden. He closes the door. "It's okay, Ryo.
You didn't hurt him that bad, okay?" She shakes and puts her head in her
hands. Jurt sees Eleanor out of
the corner of his eye, and smiles weakly at her. "Exciting afternoon." Ellie nods and moves over
to comfort Ryoden as best as she can, surreptitiously scanning for her any
injuries. Quietly, she asks Jurt "Are you alright? What happened in
there?" He stops Ryoden with a hand
on her shoulder. "We should discuss this somewhere else." He looks
back at the room. "Soon." Ellie nods and answers
"Alright. I'm just very glad to see that both of you are unharmed."
She takes out a handkerchief and gently wipes away Ryoden's tears, adding with a
small smile "Besides, I still owe this young lady a milkshake or something.
Don't I, Ryoden?" Jurt nods, and heads away
from Brand's room, talking quietly to Eleanor. "She landed the four of us
-- Merlin, Mandor, Despil and I, I mean -- in the hospital with a more tuned up
version of what you heard go off. Ever since --" He looks at Ryoden, still
shaking. They turn a corner, and he
spies a small alcove. "Here." He sits on an available couch, and
Ryoden curls up onto his lap. He pets her head. "You know Marrek is
back there lying for you, right?" She nods. "So, who cast the
spell?" "Marrek." He hugs her close.
"Good girl." Marrek seats himself on a
convenient couch, and quietly summons a glass of a much needed brandy. "You
father's been mollified," he tells Eleanor. Turning to Jurt he adds,
"He took our little visitor and trumped off somewhere, presumably to find
Florimel. That's something to keep in mind, by the way. That guy is her son. The
two of us are not likely to be popular with her for a while." Ellie nods and replies
"I trumped Dad to help out when I couldn't get Jurt." She looks
upwards, muttering something under her breath then adding quietly "Flora
and her son. This is going to make life interesting, especially in the short
term. Shall we all go back into the room now?" Jurt nods and gets up.
"So, Marrek, heard Kashfa is beautiful this time of year." He grabs
his crutches and heads back, a tearful Ryoden beside him, calming down, slowly
but surely. As she passes Marrek, she
looks down and whispers quietly. "Thank you..." Marrek looks Ryoden in the
eye and gives her a sombre nod. "Any time, Your Highness," he says
softly. "Call me and I'll be there." Marrek rises and falls into
step behind Jurt. "Kashfa," he says in a lighter tone, "is
definitely looking better and better." Ellie falls into step
beside Marrek and says "Luke said to give it a couple of days, but I'm sure
he'd be fine with the rest of you going on ahead early as circumstances
warrant." Jurt shakes his head.
"No. I'm not leaving you here alone. This was not a good example of
Amberite behaviour, and I'm not leaving a novice to the games to herself." Ryoden hits the room first,
entering and making a beeline for her room. She pulls out a pack and rifles
through. Finding a box, she opens it and starts snacking on the contents.Ellie and
Ryoden in Amber
Marrek, Ellie, Jurt and
Ryoden, impromptu pow-wow