Locating the place is easy.  Roman knows exactly where he wants to go, and even though it is far away, most of the distance towards the Courts in fact, it takes less than an hour to find the right place.  Roman attaches tendrils to the mounts, and to Baerin, even as he slides additional tendrils across Shadow to his destination, where they take hold of the world.

And then he simply... pulls.

Using the Logrus to travel is not always the best way.  Yes, it is fast, but it does tend to sacrifice comfort for speed.

The journey is long, and by the time they arrive Baerin is pale and sweating, having vomited up most of his most recent meal.

The world is dark, lit mainly by an almost continual barrage of reddish lightning.  Torrential rain hammers down almost constantly, turning the city streets into shallow, fast-flowing rivers.  Baerin comments that the architecture, what he can see of it in the gloom is making his head hurt - tall, twisted minarets, built of a material which seems to blur and shift and spurn the eye.

The two men are close to one of the buildings, and a crowd begins to gather around them, massive creatures, a four-legged frame topped by a torso and head which resemble nothing so much as an octopus, complete with tentacles.  The whole is covered in a thick, leathery hide, and adorned with jewellery in twisted shapes.  The creature's eyes are, almost universally, a startling blue.

One of the creatures speaks to Roman in a high pitched fluting voice.  "Greetings, friend.  Do I have the privilege of addressing a member of one of the great houses of the Courts?"

Roman is a little apologetic about the roughness of the ride, but he WAS in a hurry.  And this is certainly an unusual place to anyone more accustomed to the conditions around Amber's Pole of Reality.  And experience for Baerin !  An opinion that he is quick to share.

Roman replies to the friendly creature with a very small bow.  "Indeed you do.  I am of House Chanicut,   And most pleased to be here.  I have brought new symbols."  The creatures seem to take pleasure in the process of copying.  If they are exploited it is at least in harmless way, and they consider the rewards adequate.

"House Chanicut?  Too long has it been since we have seen a scion of Chanicut here." the creature replies, performing a complex bending of limbs which could best be thought of as a bow.  "I am Entarathtynsarna, scion of Athyraghlythante, Third Junior Assistant Chancellor here at Molathelasz.  If you will follow me, please, the scholars are always glad to study new symbols."

The high pitched voice rises slightly, and takes on a sing-song tone, "All symbols, whatever their intent, reveal something of the Universe in which they were formed.  Thus is it written."

Entarathtynsarna turns away, surprisingly graceful for such a bulky and ponderous looking creature.

Baerin gives Roman a puzzled look, and chuckles as he comments, "Clearly you have some strange friends.  Which worries me a little.  Am I strange enough to keep them company?"

The two men follow the alien creature into one of the twisted structures, and Baerin almost stumbles as the floor seems to shudder beneath his feet.

The interior of the building does not fit the geometry of the exterior - rather than a tall, narrow spire, they are standing inside a long narrow corridor.  Along one side are set hundred of lecterns, and at each one stands one of the creatures, carefully scribing symbols onto a sheet of fine parchment.

Stopping close to one of the lecterns, Entarathtynsarna speaks again, as the occupant of that lectern stops writing.  "Master Chanicut, if you would be so kind to present the symbols to Scholar Hederochythisaen."

"Their philosophy is unusual, certainly." Roman replies to Baerin.  "And if not for visitors from the Courts, they might consider you strange indeed, with so few limbs."  Or they might think him a cripple, though Roman does not voice that thought.

The spatial dislocation encountered at the entrance reminds Roman of the Courts, a pleasant change after the rigid geometries of Amber's space.

Roman presents the documents to the creature at the lectern.  "Learned Scholar, there are many who desire to see these symbols.  I, myself, have not had the time to examine them yet.  I hope that they are of equal interest to you."  It would be crude to bring up the usual arrangement...

The scholar turns its attention to the notebook and, as it does so, its eyes seem to light up.  Then, as it studies the pages, it stops suddenly, "Third Junior Assistant Chancellor Entarathtynsarna, many of the symbols here are unknown to me.  But this one is familiar."  One tentacle taps at a diagram on the page, a precisely rendered sketch of a bladed Archon.  "It has appeared in a number of collections of symbols that I have transcribed in the last seventeen revolutions."

Pushing aside the document s it had been working on prior to Roman's arrival, Scholar Hederochythisaen proceeds to copy the new collection.  As it works, it produces a faint keening sound, rapidly rising and falling in pitch.  In less than a minute, the first page is complete, and the second is started.

Entarathtynsarna bows to Roman again, "Master Chanicut, it would be for the better if we were to leave Scholar Hederochythisaen to his task.  May the halls of Molathelasz extend to you the use of a use of a chamber where you may exercise  patience in comfort?  Do you desire refreshments?  Perhaps fresh krill and a fine fish oil tea?"

" Indeed, indeed" Roman responds.  Although the recognition of the Archon depiction is of some small interest.  "My companion's digestion is a little delicate today, so he may feel unable to partake of the delicacies on offer.". Roman follows the creature to the offered chamber, only a little anxious at letting the documents out of his sight.  The locals are trustworthy, and it is unlikely that anyone from Amber even knows if this place.

The chamber is spacious and airy, with a window in every wall (including one which, by the laws of geometry in saner worlds, should show nothing but the interior of the structure).  The furnishings are of fine quality, though many of them are a little uncomfortable for the human form - perhaps too low in parts, or too high in others, or not quite the right shape.  Still, with careful selection, Baerin is able to find a seat which gives only minimal discomfort.

Roman simply adjusts the proportions of his body to suit, and is entirely comfortable in his own seat.

Refreshments are provided, and Baerin tries them.  The krill he pronounces palatable, though he chooses to taste neither the sea urchin nor the still living deep sea worms.  The fish oil tea causes him to grow pale at the first sip, and he sets his cup aside.

With nothing better to do for the moment, the man eventually asks Roman, "I have told you a little about myself.  What of you?  How came you to be in your current position, and how do you know of this world?"

"To be brief" Roman answers, "In my travels, the place I was staying was attacked by the enemy.  Joining with others, already opposed to those forces, I learned that the threat was far greater than I could have imagined, affecting the entire structure of reality."

"I intended to find a device that had played a role in creating the present situation, and disable it.  However, these documents must come first, lest they contain information of greater import"  Roman doesn't mention that he had also hoped to obtain a weapon of considerable power in disabling the device...

"This world is known to a number of my peers.  Like the Lords of Amber we can seek out worlds where we may obtain many things we desire.  A truly honest copyist and archivist is of value to many of us.   Treaties between the Houses have been copied here and may be found in their archives."

Some little time passes, which Roman and Baerin spend relaxing in comfort (Roman slightly more so than his companion) and discussing how they found themselves to be in their current circumstances.  Baerin's tale is interspersed with odd gaps, which the man says he is quite unable to fill, save with informed speculation.  Even after he "awoke" and was given his current name, there are spans ranging from a few hours to a number of years which he has no memory of.

Or, rather, he sometimes has memories of those times, but they are nebulous and prone to shift and change.  "I tried keepin' a journal for a time," he explains, "but it were no good.  I'd write somethin', and a day or two later my memories'd be gone.  Or changed so that what I'd wrote didn't match what was in my head."

"In the end, I gave up."

There is a polite cough, and Entarathtynsarna stands in the doorway, "Master Chanicut, Scholar Hederochythisaen has continued with the assigned task, and has almost completed the copy.  Do you wish further copies?"

Roman considers that Baerin may be under a curse of some sort.  But it may not be a kindness to mention that fact - perhaps he had earned a curse.  If he recovered his memory, he might tun out to be a different person.  It's not something to rush into.  He remains silent on that point, for now.

When the Junior Assistant Chancellor enters the room, Roman rises to greet him.  "Further copies ?  Oh, indeed.  Four, I think.  My thanks to the Scholar."

Entarathtynsarna shuffles both pairs of feet nervously, "Forgive me, Master Chanicut, and Scholar Hederochythisaen too, but he says he has discovered something of interest while copying the documents.  Scholars are, of course, forbidden to absorb the information they are copying, focussing only on the symbols and not their meanings, but in this case Hederochythisaen was interested enough by some of the symbols to actually peruse the document while duplicating them."

"He says that he has discovered that there is a war going on, and he believes that one of the creatures involved in this war is here, in the city.  Are we about to be drawn into this war, Master Chanicut?"

Roman strokes his "chin", considering his words.  "I cannot say" he answers.  "The wheels fight each other.  One side wishes to remake all worlds to their own purposes, the other to preserve Reality.  If one is here, it may mean no harm... If I knew more, I might have more to say.  Startbwith telling me of it's substance..."

The Third Junior Assistant Chancellor appears baffled by the use of the word "substance", but a brief explanation clarifies the point, and Entarathtynsarna seems pleased to give more information.

"It is a thing of metal, and it speaks in a voice like the sound of a thousand forges." a brief hesitation, and then, "That is to say, I have never spoken to it, nor even seen it, Master Chanicut, but I have heard reports of those who have, though relayed through other parties.  They say that it speaks of those who would come here and teach us of worlds beyond our own.  It has not, to the best of my understanding, spoken so much as a single syllable on the topic of war and conquest.  Nor has it ever, so far as I am aware, shown any interest in symbols of any description."

Hardly surprising.  "I still need more." Roman responds "It might be well to hear more of what it says,  but tell it nothing, of the Courts or the symbols I brought.  If it is a foe, it could bring an army upon you with no warning."  Leaving here safely might be difficult.  But perhaps safer for the inhabitants if the Archon is drawn away.

"I shall instruct Scholar Hederochythisaen to produce further copies of the document.  I shall also endeavour to discover more concerning this creature which has come to our world."  Entarathtynsarna starts to back out of the chamber, then halts for a moment, "Forgive one more question, Master Chanicut.  Am I to assume that this rotation's services will be charged against House Chanicut's account?"

When the Third Junior Assistant Chancellor finally leaves, Baerin gives Roman a grin, "They're strange folk, that's for certain, but friendly enough."

Roman waves the Third Junior Assistant Chancellor off "The usual arrangement"

"Friendly, aye.  I would not wish to bring war upon them." he answers Baerin

More time waiting, and talking, while Roman eats and Baerin manages to find a few items on the menu which his palate finds tolerable, if a little salty.

And when the Third Junior Assistant Chancellor returns he is followed by two more of his kind, both slightly smaller than he.  "Master Chanicut, it is exactly as you have told me.  These are two of the Sub-Apprentices.  They have personally witnessed this creature speaking."

The two newcomers perform the usual odd bow, adjusted to take account of their lowly status, and one of them starts to explain, "Noble Visitor.  We were in the public gallery of the Guildhall, and heard it speak to the Council of Sages.  It gave its name as Hadraniel and told those who were present to hear its words of a war which is coming, which will unleash destruction upon our world.  It said that the only way to avoid this is if the people agree to serve it and offer it tribute, and help to overthrow its enemies, the Seraphim and the Nephelim."

Roman shakes his head.  "Likely it is alone, with no friends.  To aid such a one would risk bringing armies of the creatures upon you.  I can see no way in which you might threaten hordes of the blade wheels, let alone those of fire or lightning.". How could this lone archon hope to win a war against both the major factions ?  Even if they were to largely destroy themselves in conflict, the winning side should still be greater...  Maybe this should be investigated, but first - the documents.

The Third Junior Assistant Chancellor leads Roman and Baerin back towards the hall where the scholars work.  The nameless Sub-Apprentices - and Roman knows this to be literally true - in this place they will not earn names until their apprenticeships end - depart to continue with whatever menial tasks they have been assigned for today.  Entarathtynsarna walks in silence, his gaze fixed directly ahead.

Baerin moves closer to Roman and murmurs, "This Hadraniel?  Could he... it be part of some new faction of Archons, one which is opposed to the others?  I've heard a little about these creatures... that they are as happy to fight among themselves as to declare war on other peoples.  This might be just such an occasion."

"If 'tis so, then we can mayhap use it to our advantage."

Roman shrus with a clatter or armour plating.  "Maybe so.  If the Seraphim are falling apart.  But, we'd have to. Know what any new faction wants, and how strong they are.  If they just want to take over the Seraphim we would need to be very careful..."

"'tis a good point." Baerin concedes, with a sigh, "Wouldn't want to trade one enemy for a worse one, would we?  If this Archon is due to make another speech, we should try to place ourselves, or one of us at least, where we can overhear it.  Learn more of its goals, try to fathom out the best course of action."

He rubs at his eyes, and sighs again, "You know, on occasion I wish for the times when my biggest concern was remembering my own name from one day to the next."

The trio arrive  at the place where Scholar Hederochythisaen continues to work on the copies.  The creature's tentacles are a fast moving blur as it transcribes the pages to sheets of fresh paper, or something which is a close approximation.  As they approach, the Scholar sets aside his styli, laying them carefully in a silvery metal box.  "Third Junior Assistant Chancellor Entarathtynsarna.  Honoured visitors.  I have completed the requisite number of copies, and would submit them for inspection and approval."

One limb gestures towards several neatly aligned stacks of pages which lay on the desk before him.

"You did not have to come with me" Roman points out to Baerin, amused.  "If it gets too much, I will get you somewhere more to your liking, as soon as I can afford the time."

On their arrival in the scriptoriium Roman thanks the honoured Scholar.  The copies must be inspected, before they do more.


OOC: I intend to assume that Roman has been warned about Trump use...I can't remember whether he heard it from Dworkin in-game or not.  Correct me if I'm wrong !

Baerin simply grins at Roman, then waits while his companion inspects the copies.  The Scholar steps back, waiting patiently, while Entarathtynsarna demonstrates what may be a certain amount of anxiety as he awaits Roman's verdict.

As it turn's out, the duplicate pages are, at least as far as Roman can tell, identical to the originals.

Since the Danioti might be sensitive to Trump use, Roman decides that it may be best to listen to it's demands first.  " If things should go awry, these documents must be sent to people who might understand them" he informs the others.  "To House Chanicut, I hope, but to others - e'en the princes of Amber, if it might help."

"I am certain that we would be able to deliver them to your house, Master Chanicut.  We have, after all, had extensive dealings with them before." the Third Junior Assistant Chancellor assures Roman, "As far as the lords of Amber are concerned, while I am familiar with that name, I am not aware of the actual location of this place.  It may be possible to ascertain such information, but a delivery to them may be beyond our capability."

He makes a gesture which members of House Chanicut have always assumed indicates an abject apology.  "Is there any other service you require from us, Master Chanicut?"