Morning.

It was always a hectic time at Castle Camelot. The servants had usually been up for hours by the time the sun rose. There were always clothes to be washed, food to be cooked, and the myriad and one chores that went into making the castle community function like it ought. But today was a special day.

It wasn't everyday that the Empress had her birthday and wedding anniversary! Yes, it seemed that Emperor Corwin had waited until Empress Lorraine's birthday to wed her and make her Empress all in one swoop. The castle staff found it infinitely easier to remember one day a year instead of three. There was no comment as to whether the Emperor had planned it that way for reasons of his own. Regardless, Camelot was all abuzz! There would be a grand feast that evening, after an afternoon of tourney. But before any of that, breakfast!

Corwin was up earlier than usual for this event. He'd made it a point to sneak out of the marital bed early this morning, get dressed in his silver and black robes, and make his way down to the family study without waking Lorraine. No easy feat, considering Lorraine was a warrior born who was used to sleeping lightly! Nonetheless, he had achieved it. And now he was seated in his favorite plush chair, Trump deck in hand. One by one he would contact his children and invite them up to the study for the annual ritual of surprising Lorraine with presents and food before the busy day began and they had to be all official.

Caitriona was up before the dawn. She had berries to collect for her mother's special breakfast. Along the way she had managed to gather a bouquet of blue roses out in the wilds where they grew best.

Cait busied herself for a long while with making fresh bilberry jam which was still warm as she ladled it into the crystal serving dish to go on the breakfast table. With everything prepared, she made her way up to the study with the flowers now in a vase with water. She kissed her father's cheek as she entered.

"Good morning, Daddy," she said, merrily. "Ready to start rousing the troops for Mummy?"
This message was last edited by the player at 00:43, Sat 15 Sept 2018.

Kierahn had spent the better part of the week without sleep as he worked on his gift to his mother, whose birthday he had been unable to attend for the past 4 years.  This year he had a special present for her, one that was fit for a Queen/Warrior.  When he received the call from his father, he eagerly raced down the stairs to the family study, his gift wrapped in a box shaped a slight bit like a coffin.  Seeing his father sitting in the study, Caitriona standing there beside him planting a kiss on his cheek, he smiled as he often did.  Coming to an abrupt halt, he stretches a bit as he looked around, "Well goodness old man, where's mom?", he asked with a joking smile on his face.

Cait gave her twin a warm smile and moved to give him a hug.

"Good morning. You know Mum always pretends to sleep in until we are all gathered... At least, as many of us who are both willing and able to be here at any one time," she said easily. "She is going to be so happy that you were able to come home for her celebrations."

 "Speaking of which," she added, not too subtly, "Dad, Kierahn and I are sixteen now. I thought that this year maybe I could join the rest of the family for more than breakfast and attend the tournament and evening feast?"
This message was last edited by the player at 00:43, Sat 15 Sept 2018.

Two months ago had not been a placid month in the ongoing verbal and emotional melee that constituted Branwen's relationship with her father.  Last month, on the other hand, had been perfectly calm, inasmuch as Branwen's resulting complete absence from the castle could be said to be a calmness.  So it was likely the first time anyone had seen her in a while, when Branwen breezed casually into the room and past Caity with her traditional greeting: she mussed her little sister's hair with clawed fingers and said "Hey, midget."  (Branwen invariably insisted on conveniently overlooking the fact they they'd been precisely the same height for at least a year now.)

She did not seem to have come directly from her chambers, and wherever it was she'd been until a few minutes ago, it didn't seem to have been early morning there: Branwen was dressed in her customary out-and-about uniform of black leather jacket and Birkenstocks, black skinny jeans, and tank top in a dark enough gray that it might as well also have been black.  A pair of sunglasses dangled from one of its arms folded into the neckline of her shirt.  Her overall mildly tough-chick image was softened by the incongruous profusion of sparkling silver and diamonds she always kept spangled around her fingers and ears and neck.  It wasn't really a fashion statement that made sense to anybody but herself, and she liked it that way.

"Hey, Key," she greeted her brother as well as she claimed her customary place at the edge of the room, flinging herself down onto one end of a long plush sofa, flumping her well-worn leather messenger bag (also, of course, black) down beside her.  She exchanged a tiny flicker of eye contact with her father, but that was all.  This had become the traditional routine between her and Corwin upon one of her returns to the castle: pretend that nothing had happened and that everything was normal.  It was just easier for the whole family that way.

Quiet thereafter, she just listened to the conversation she'd arrived in the middle of, without adding anything for the moment.  If past experience was any guide, nothing she could have said would be any help to Caitriona; the best thing she could do for her sister on the subject was just stay silent.

Erica had been Out, but she arrived with time to spare, freshly groomed and wearing one of her dressiest emerald-green shirts along with her usual black trousers and boots.  She set aside the small gift box she was carrying and proceeded to greet her father and then the present siblings: hugs for those who liked hugs, bows for those who didn't.  She was happy to see them all.  She was especially glad that Branwen had chosen to come, but she knew better than to say so.  She took a seat on the far end of Branwen's chosen couch: she also preferred the periphery, and Branwen minded her company less than most.

Marian had, much like many of her sibling, been up early this morning and h.ad been overseeing the castle staff - ensuring that (despite her father's 'best' efforts) everything would go as planned!   Caitriona is sure to have noticed her big sister in passing as she visited the the morning's table

Possibly due to these last minute preparations, she accepted her father's call and so appears amidst a rainbow of sparkles having somehow managed to find time to dress in an elegant off-the-shoulder ombré tulle that bleeds from maroon to salmon pink, with silver rose petals embedded throughout.   He hair hangs loose about her shoulders and features the ever present butterfly pin and as always, her wrist is adorned with the softly jingling charm bracelet (upon which, if you look carefully, you may even spot your own!)

"Thank you, Daddy."  (You simply can't be too old to call your father, Daddy!)  She leans forward and places an affectionate kiss on his cheek before turning to greet those who've already gathered.  "Good morning.   We're all ready I hope?"

Tamlin had a very long night but woke up in time to dress properly for the occasion, all fitted green shirts and dark hose with a red jacket. Of course, after the effort of that he'd drifted off to sleep in a chair and didn't wake up until Corwin's contact. He stifled a yawn as he retrieved two lacquered wooden boxes the size of someone's palm and moved through the contact.

"Good morning," he told the room at large as he moved off to the side to avoid any pile ups should late arriving siblings appear.

Cador’s translation is delayed a moment.  But he steps through, dressed in the style of the Realm, in his brown and gold.  The collar of his position - worn only when formality demands - is around his neck.  A thing of heavy gold plates, linked by chains, and between each plate a silver rose and a red, their stems entwined.

In his arm is a box big enough to contain a man’s head, with room to spare, wrapped in blue paper adorned with red roses.  He will not be drawn on the contents.  All will be revealed at the proper time.

He smiles at the gathering, nodding in acknowledgement..  “Father.  Sisters,  brothers.  The Knights are ready for their part, and I for mine”. He refrains from commenting on Branwen:’s choice of attire. Or even Erica’s.  It would do no good.

Caitriona greeted the rest of her siblings with warm smiles and hugs before returning to her plea to their father, the hem of her skirt bouncing as she rocked on her heels.

"Please, Daddy? I promise I won't be disruptive or anything. I just want to help Mummy celebrate her day," she continued.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:44, Sat 15 Sept 2018.

Corwin made it a point not to antagonize his volatile Branwen, and instead reacted with joy at the kiss on the cheek. He nodded to the boys and smiled to the girls. "It's good to see you all made it. No telling if Madoc will get in touch." He sighed. "As for you Caity, well, I just don't think you're ready to deal with the knights." He looked over at Cador. "No offense son."

He looked into Caity's eyes and sighed. "Look, I'll talk to your mother and we can see. In the meantime, is everything ready? I want it to be perfect when we surprise her." It was at that moment that Oriana arrived in a shower of sparkles and lights.

"Perfect timing Ori!"

The older girl smiled and waved to the others present with one hand, and clutched a box wrapped in black and red wrapping in the other.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:53, Wed 12 Sept 2018.

Caitriona gave her father a smile. Talking to their mother was a step closer than she got last year when she asked.

She nodded at her father's announcement and patted the small package in her dress pocket. Her mother's favorite jam would be on the breakfast service already and she would carry the vase of flowers in.

Kierahn took a seat next to his twin, Caitriona, "Hey sis...", he says as he sits in a manner that squeezes her against the arm of the sofa, "Oh sorry, didn't see you there...", he jokes.  As he sits though, his cloak slides up and off of him of its own accord, converging into an Owl that sits upon his shoulder, then steps back onto the back of the sofa.  Kierahn reaches up to pet it, but the owl slides over to Caitriona, nudging her with his head to be petted.

Thor was tired of drapping across Kierahn, and really didn't want to be sat on or against, so when Kierahn took a seat, he slid up onto the back of the couch, taking his owl form.  Then, proceeded to nudge at Caitriona in an effort to get some attention.  He could smell the flowers, and decided it would look nice if some of them were on his head, so he waited patiently for her to raise her hand, so he could hopefully slip under them and grab the flowers from her.

"Hey you."  Branwen wafts a faint smile in Erica's general direction as she lands nearby.  "How's things?"

People who hid their feelings had always been vaguely perplexing to Branwen.  Not that she wasn't capable of keeping her thoughts from being writ plainly on her face, she'd just never really understood why anyone should bother.  And so her reactions to the rest of her family are unmistakable despite her silence.  To Cador's appraisal, she returns an expression of obstinate challenge: yeah, you just go ahead and say something, see how that works out.  At the conversation between Caity and her father, she closed her eyes and clamped her jaw tight, stifling her comments by plain force of will.

"Wow, Kier, you might want to lay off the pastry, if your butt is getting that wide," Cait replied with a grin to her slim twin. She then leaned onto her twin in an affectionate greeting before Thor demanded her attention though she could plainly see that his object was not her but the flowers in her hand.

"Mind your manners, Thor. These are for Mummy," she said warmly as she twirled a finger surreptitiously and created a small wreath of simple wildflowers for the cunning bird which she rested on his head... a crown fit for an avian. "There, now you look perfectly handsome to give Mum her birthday greetings."

She then turned back to her brother and began to chat with him in their own language, a twin-speak that only the pair of them were privy to.

Erica smiled with genuine pleasure: Branwen was actually in a decent mood, not just begrudging and stewing about it like last time.  "Things are well with me, and well here as far as I know.  I just got back myself.  How's things with you?"

Erica felt no need to stand up for Caitriona the way she had stood up for Branwen when the latter had needed more freedom than "God-Emperor Daddy" had been prepared to allow her.  Cait's dance was different.  Cait wanted more freedom but didn't need it the way Branwen had, and Cait also had a conflicting desire to remain Daddy's little girl.  She was mature enough that if she had insisted on her liberty, Corwin would have granted it without complaint.  For now, however, the status quo suited them both.  Or so it seemed to Erica.

Privately Cador suspected that the Knights might have more trouble from Caitriona wrapping them around her little finger.  But, there was no telling what might occur.  “As you say, father” was all he said.  This was neither the time nor the place for arguments.  Even if Branwen seemed to be hoping for one.  He looked at Branwen with a tight smile that said ‘No’.

Clearly Marian is ready or she'd still be with the kitchen staff ensuring everything was... perferct!

Tamlin spent a few moments adjusting his clothes so they had a bit less of that just napped in look. He did a quick head count.

"Who gets the honor of waking her?" he asked the group at large.

"Someone wearing protective armor?" Caitriona suggested with a half smile.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:44, Sat 15 Sept 2018.

Kierahn, sensing that his mother should be arriving soon, stands up, and puts a hand out towards Thor, "Come Thor...", he says as the bird alights again, landing in a flurry of feathers around the shoulders of Kierahn, forming into a complete formal jacket around the young prince, his feathers turning into hues of black and dark purple.  The jacket was body length, with a high collar that always shifted to insure Kierahn's vision was never hindered; and raised shoulders that curved upwards into a soft spike.  Kierahn's visage also changed, his hair pulling back into a topknot that tied itself, his eyes turning into a vivid bright purple, his morning stubble turning into baby-soft skin.

"Good.  Maybe kind of bored just recently.  Where've you been, somewhere beachy?  You feel like going back?"  Her smile is mostly in her eyes, and the playful arch of one slender eyebrow.  "I wouldn't mind a mai tai."
This message was last edited by the player at 10:08, Fri 14 Sept 2018.

Erica grinned.  "I've been busy, so a beach resort will be perfect, especially after the festivities here.  Let's call it a date."

All were present who intended to be present, it seemed, so Erica looked to their father to open the proceedings.

"Come on kids. Keep quiet and no sudden moves. You know how your mother gets." WIth that, he'd stand and lead them upstairs to the royal bedroom. His steps were soft in his slippers, and when he cleared the doorway he'd move to one side. Inside was the four-poster bed, taking up a good quarter of the room. And on that bed, beneath a cover of bear fur, lay their target.

In sleep, Lorraine looked smaller than she was up and striding about. Amazingly, she was still asleep, her chest rising and falling regularly. She looked...surprisingly delicate. Almost like a porcelain doll with skin that had had become paler from time indoors, framed by long flowing black hair. For a woman who was turning 62 today, she didn't look a day over 35.

Corwin looked to his children and mouthed the words "Who wants the honors?"

Caitriona nudged her twin with a quiet whisper. "You've been gone the last four years. Mum will be happy to see you so do it."

Marian had long since rested to 'cheating' at this point having given the game away at least once in the past.   Now though, her footsteps were completely silent and even the jingle from her bracelet could not be heard.

Erica didn't want the "honor".  She stood back and let the younger kids sort it out.

Branwen likewise hovers at the back of the group, observing quietly, apparently perfectly content to let Keirahn have the moment.

Kierahn grins at his twin, puts his hand on the small of her back, and pushes her along with him towards his mother's bed.  It didn't have to be a single person that awoke her, and he knew better than to take all the honor, so he snuck up to his mom's bed with Caitriona in tow.

Cador smiled benevolently.  His days of holding that honour were long gone, as had any resentment about being usurped by younger siblings.  The youngest twins had escaped that, when their mother called a halt (and not before time) to further offspring.  He kept very quiet, so as not to disturb the sleeper.

It didn't take much to move Caitriona along with him. She'd always been close with their mother and this was her special day which was why Cait suspected her father was aware that she wouldn't make a fuss over things today.

She set the vase of flowers and the bottle of perfume from her pocket on the bedside table. This time it was a honeysuckle rose scent that Cait remembered from when she was quite small while walking in the gardens with her mother and she said that it was one of her favorites.

Caitriona still knew her mother was an extremely light but dangerous sleeper, even after decades of having her children wake her on her birthday. She kissed Lorraine's cheek before pushing Kierahn up closer.

Tamlin stayed in the middle of the pack, moving a bit to the side as even the large room could easily grow crowded with the bulk of the family present.

Given her twin's reluctance, Cait shook her head with a grin and mouthed the word 'Chicken' at him.

"Happy birthday, Mama," she said gently.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:26, Fri 21 Sept 2018.

Lorraine felt the shaking and on instinct she bolted straight up. Her hands reached to her side for her weapon. Feeling nothing, she reached above her head for the sword she was sure was on the wall. Finally, after a moment, her blind panic reaction faded and she saw the face of her youngest.

"Oh! Caity!" She reached out and hugged her. "Oh good morning you bunch. I see you lurking there. It must be my birthday today!" She smiled and laughed, opening her arms to hug her family.

Caitriona laughed and returned her mother's hug.

"Since everyone else was too scared to get any closer, I had to be the courageous one," she said, teasing. She then tugged Kierahn toward the bed since he hadn't been there for the ritual for the last few years. "And look who showed up this time!"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:27, Fri 21 Sept 2018.

"Happy Birthday, and Happy anniversary mom.", Kierahn wished to Lorraine before turning to look at his father, "Day's also about you old man, Happy Anniversary.", he says with a grin as he bends over to give Lorraine a bear hug.  "So where's my cake?", he asks.

"Breakfast first...." Marian is standing near the back but can't help herself replying to Kierahn's comment before adding maybe a little sheepishly, "And Happy Birthday mom."  She's smiling happily though.

Erica waits her turn and then gives her mother a kiss and a hug.  "Happy Birthday, Mom."

"Don't worry, Kier, I made some sweet bilberry jam for the table this morning if you need your sugar rush," Caitriona consoled her twin while hiding a chuckle at Marian scolding him. To be honest, it wasn't a terribly unusual thing as she was thirteen when the twins were born. She always seemed like a grown up to Cait.

"Good morning mother, and congratulations," Tamlin said as he gave her a brief hug, "Gifts after breakfast or your oldest may scowl so hard her face freezes."

She simply gives Tamlin 'one of those stares' that simply says Careful Tamlin.  I'm not above making your words... stick.  Though it's playful enough.   She's never been an overly vindictive big sister - confident enough in her own standing within the house to know that revenge is a dish served cold and sweet.   It wouldn't be the first time that one of her siblings has had their favourite shirt shrunk in the wash... their wine watered down... their horse sent for shoeing at the most inconvenient time.  And somehow those tricks never quite seemed to work on Marian.

Apparently still content to yield the moment to her siblings, Branwen remains hovering at the back of the group, a faint trace of a smile just barely evident on her face, her contribution to the pounce-on-Mom ritual limited to a simple "Happy birthday, Mom!" as the scrum begins.

Having let his siblings go in before him, Cador worms his way through the assemblage to greet his mother with the others.  “Happy Birthday” he says with an open smile.  “And from Aurelius, too”

Lorraine gladly hugged each of her children. She'd even get out of bed and go over to hug her Branwen. She stretched and then smiled. "Come on everyone. I don't know about you but I for one am hungry. And since today will be spent with all sorts of people from the court, I just want to enjoy some quality time with my family." As she started out of the room, Corwin took her hand and all the kids could see the patently adoring look they gave each other.

Corwin and Lorraine would lead the way towards the dining area to see what had been set up for them. "So are you kids looking forward to today's events?" Lorraine was smiling as she asked.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:36, Sun 23 Sept 2018.

"Even more so considering the company!"  She smiles as she opens the door to usher the family out towards the prepared breakfast chamber.

Kierahn earnestly shakes his head, in truth he had little interest, but if it made mom happy, he was going to be happy for her.  He held his tongue though, with all the kids talking and wishing, he felt a bit like a drop of water in a bucket.  Instead he works on adjusting his hair color to transparent while listening to everything going on instead of interacting with it.

Caitriona set he lips hard against one another to keep from saying anything in response to their mother's question. She would have to wait for Corwin to keep his word and talk to Lorraine.

Meanwhile, she watched Kierahn as he fussed with his hair. Hair without color was a bit different...

"Now you look bald and scruffy all at the same time," she commented with a grin. "Try matching your shirt color. That way you're coordinated."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:40, Mon 24 Sept 2018.

“Of course” Cador answered, meaning the parts which he didn’t count as work.  So long as none of his knights got into trouble it would be bearable.  He’d just have to keep a protective eye on Caitriona.  Marion and Erica were more than capable of handling themselves, Branwen, well maybe Branwen needed watching too.  For different reasons.

But that was still ahead.  Breakfast and presents first, and as long as the younger behaved themselves - more or less - there should be no problem.

"I am prepared," Tamlin answered as they moved to be seated for breakfast.

Erica trailed along, happy to be present but feeling no need to add chatter to the chaos.

Corwin checked an internal sigh. He supposed there was no way to avoid it. "Dear, Caity and Kierahn were wondering about going to this year's tournament. I...don't think it's a good idea to expose them to the Court at such a tender age. Courtiers can be schemers in my experience and..."

Lorraine waved a hand dismissively. "Nonsense honey. Cador and his knights will be on hand to protect them from any physical dangers. You and Oriana are here in case of anything they can't handle. And besides, how will they ever learn how to navigate the Court if they have no experience? Besides, if anyone tries anything, I'll rip them apart." Her cheerful tone didn't change in the slightest as she said that.

Corwin checked another sigh. "Alright. Alright. I guess you two can go. But you have to promise to stay in sight at all times, and Cador, I'm going to want a special detail for them."

Caitriona smiled widely and let out a small "yay" in excitement before moving to her father and giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you," she said happily before then giving her mother a kiss as well. "We won't be any trouble and it will be fun to see the tournament and go to the grand feast in the evening. Is there dancing, Mum? Surely, you and Daddy must dance."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:41, Mon 24 Sept 2018.

“I”ll assign a knight each to guard them, unless more are required” Cador puts in.  An older, married knight in Caitriona’s case.  It won’t stop the “courtly love” crap but Oriana ought to be able to straighten that out.  He isn’t aware of any real danger.  “And I’ll see if they can be seated by me” - which shouldn’t be a problem.  “You’ll get a good view” he tells the two youngest.

If there was any excitement at this news for Kierahn, it didn't register on his face.  He was a Prince of Amber, he always knew he'd be in the courts eventually, he just never looked forward to it... his place in a court was decorative, not administrative.  He'd look pretty, avoid interactions as much as possible, and nod & wave as expected, the whole time daydreaming of adventure and battle.

If Branwen were to be honest, these whole elaborate court productions had always felt like events she was required to attend as punishment for some sort of only nebulously defined misbehavior she hadn't even known she'd been guilty of.  She had, however, long since given up on being honest about that particular sentiment, having recognized that being honest about such things typically only ever resulted in discord and bitterness.  She chose instead to weather the interminable pomp and pageantry by wandering off to distract herself with whomever seemed least dull.

Lately, to Corwin's annoyance, the least boring people in the room had often been the musicians, though it was unclear which was more vexing: the songs she learned from them and cajoled them into playing before the assembled peerage of the realm, or the ones she brought back from somewhere in Shadow, taught to them, and cajoled them into playing before the assembled peerage of the realm.  Possibly the highlight of Mom's birthday party last year, at least according to Branwen, was her hijacking the band into Sweet Child 'O Mine near the end of the night, and she didn't care what else happened after that, she fucking nailed that lute solo.

She didn't have any such plans for today's gathering, but then, she never really did actually plan these things, they just sort of occurred to her in the moment and demanded to be played out until someone stopped her.

But none of that was inevitable until later, at the public festivities.  For the moment, happily ensconced among her siblings, she was more or less content to just go along to get along, trailing behind the group near Erica as they stampeded lazily down towards breakfast.

For years after breakfast, Caitriona was isolated from the rest of her family for the day when they were all together and celebrating their mother's birthday and parents' anniversary. At least when the rest of them were too young to attend, they had other siblings around for company. With Kierahn being gone since they were twelve, she'd been left alone, only to hear the cheers and joy from a distance. Even the castle staff was too busy to be bothered with her.

There was little to dim her excitement now though. Not even having a guard could dampen her spirit. Mentally, she prepared a list of what she would need to take with her. Her bag would be well stocked.

It was no secret in Avalon that Caitriona had made an early and earnest study of herbs around the area and magical healing. She was medically well learned for her age and was working on transcribing some older medical tomes along with her own observations.

"You can explain anything that goes out of the ordinary with the joust. My stores of antiseptics and pain relief are fully brewed up and ready. Hopefully they won't be needed though. I wouldn't want any of your men to get really hurt. The tournament is supposed to be fun and entertaining, after all." Caitriona offered Cador with an earnest and open smile.

"A compliment of knights seems excessive," Tamlin put in, "I can keep an eye on them, if the youngest brother can resist the urge to scamper off. Which, to be fair, the knights wouldn't be able to stop either."

Cait helped get the serving dishes on the table. "Come on, you lot... I made jam, Marian worked hard to make sure Mum's favorite foods are on the table and we're supposed to be celebrating. You're all too quiet."

Kierahn grinned at this comment, not only because it was quite true, but because he'd already planned on giving his guard the slip.  At least with Tamlin, that urge to disappear would be lessened considerably.



"Don't forget goober, it's Dad's Anniversary too.", Kierahn reminded with a wink towards Cait.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:24, Wed 26 Sept 2018.

"That's why we put booze in his study," Cait replied, sticking her tongue out at her brother. "Let's start with her birthday presents and go from there."

“You can only keep an eye on both of them if they stick together” Cador points out to Tamlin.  Not that he’s about to change his mind unless his father says so.  He has no doubts about the two’s ability to escape either but there’s a chance they might be good today.

"Cador, I can stick with you and Tamlin can have Kierahn. Then there's no problem, right?" Caitriona offered. "I will still have my balms and everything so if one of your men get hurt, I can help, if you want me to."

Their youngest sister had zero intentions of doing anything to ruin her father's trust in her behavior. She had been trying to behave like a grown up for the last four years, to varying degrees of success, to make up for those who wouldn't. If it required having a guard or an elder brother on hand, then so be it. She actually wanted to be there and was looking forward to it.

“If our father considers that adequate” Cador says firmly.  He’s not about to argue with his parents over this today of all days.  “We all want you to be safe, although I think that Oriana will be more help against the problems you’re likely to run into.”

"So Dad, is the Master of the Knights of the Rose sufficiently special detail enough for me to watch jousting?" Caitriona asked seriously, perplexed by their continued worrying; especially since in all the years of having to listen to everyone saying how enjoyable it was, not one of them had ever mentioned trouble before.

"If you're concerned about someone taking liberties, remember that just because I choose NOT to hit someone most times doesn't mean that I won't," Caity reassured her family, particularly her father and Cador. "Mummy taught me how to strike an efficient blow years ago."

She hoped they understood what that meant. As men... they should have.

"Think you're up for it, Kierahn?" Tamlin asked his brother.

Corwin sighed and Lorraine laughed. "All right, all right. Tamlin, you keep an eye on Kierahn. And Cador, keep an eye on your sister."

Lorraine was still chuckling. "You can't deny they're growing up dear." She then seemed to consider the matter closed and proceeded straight to the table. "Oh Marian! You shouldn't have! This is a wonderful spread! And is that Caity's special jam I smell?"

"Berries collected and made fresh this morning, Mum, just in time to join all of Marian's efforts," Cait told their mother with a smile taking her place at the table, glad that their mother put an end to the silliness. She then beamed at her eldest sister. "Mari was up even earlier than me and did all of the hard work making sure everything was perfect for you and Daddy."

Kierahn nodded at Tamlin, "Yeah, I don't think it's as big a deal as she thinks it is...", he whispers to Tamlin.

He then proceeds to head to his place at the table, standing at his chair until his parents have seated.

Relieved that Tamlin is taking on the difficult part of the task, Cador says “”Agreed.  I’ll have Aurelius help with the physical side of security, although I do not anticipate any danger”. The great eagle may not be at his best on the ground, but he is a fearsome presence. “I’ll send an invitation to Oriana, too”

Oriana's ears perked up. "I'm right here Cador. What did you need?" She smiled at her younger uncle.

“My youngest sister needs the benefit of your wisdom.  How a Lady successfully navigates the treacherous waters of the court.  Most definitely before she attends the ball tonight.  And your presence would be welcome at the joust because the courtiers are certainly not going to wait before putting her to the test.” Cador told his niece.  “I was going to send a formal invitation to make it all proper”

Marian waves a hand dismissively.  "Not the hard work by any stretch of the imagination.  And besides, the jam is the perfect final touch."  And to be fair, that really was the case considering how busy the staff had been preparing for the event!  Marian had been far more of a organiser than a do-er, but then that was her thing!

She does however give her little sister a wink and a broad smile.

"You're not the one he's been explicitly keeping it from," Tamlin returned quietly, "We can bow out early if you like, but spend much more time gabbing and they'll have eaten the plates."

And so Tamlin tucked in, favoring grains and some of the more savory dishes over the fruits and sweets.

Caitriona beamed at her sister's praise and once they all sat to eat, she grabbed a piece of sausage and some toast along with a cup of strong tea. She gave Oriana a smile.

"If it would put everyone at ease, yes, please help me with any advice you think worthy of your attention," she said, certain that Cador actually believed she'd been given no tutelage on court matters by older, more experienced sisters. The elders would set him straight if they felt the need to correct his assumptions.

That certainly was the case.   It would be unseemly to have reached Caity's age without having been tutored or worse still if Marian had been remiss in helping in said tutelage!   Fortunately that wasn't the case.   She was however pleased to see Caity user her training to draw Cador deeper into conversation.

Having taken a seat, she set about passing platters around the table.   It was one thing to be served at a state dinner, but when it came to family events, Marian preferred doing this part, at least, herself.  "Eat up, Eat up."

Tamlin placed the two small gift boxes from earlier on the table and slid them down towards his mother.

"Before I forget and find them in my pocket tonight," he said in explanation.

Lorraine smiled over at her son. "Thank you Tamlin!" She'd begin unwrapping the presents. "I wonder what my sweet boy has gotten me, hm?"

Oriana looked over at Cador and gave him a charming smile, but yes, she had noticed that her youngest aunt was trying to draw him deeper into conversation with her, so instead of replying she started in on a plate of pancakes and bacon.

Cador puts his box down, and grabs a plate.  “Good.” He remarks to both Oriana and Caitriona, satisfied..  “That’s selected then.”  He starts piling his plate with food, starting with the savouries.

One box holds a silver ring wrapped around a series of emeralds and rubies. The other is a bracelet made of what looks like lacquered rose vines with the inner thorns smoothed away.

Caity gave Marian and Oriana a smile, knowing that they were likely both thinking the same thing as she.

Seeing that Cador had nothing to tell her for the moment, Caitriona watched as her mother opened her gifts from Tamlin with interest while tucking into her food earnestly. Caity made the appropriate "oohs" and "aahs" over the beautiful jewelry and waited to see what Cador had for their mother.

Kierahn finally rises, his breakfast uneaten, and brings his own gift to his mother, a rather long and narrow box, a little more than a meter in length, but small enough in the other dimensions to fit in the palm of ones hand.  He lays it on her lap, leaning over to give her a cheekkiss before stepping back to allow her to open it.

---

"Any new recruits?" Tamlin asked Cador as the end of his first plate came into sight, "Anyone you think will be taking a vigil soon?"

“I’ll be watching who performs at the tournament.  The Order doesn’t have any vacant seats at the moment, but it’s always wise to keep an eye on those with potential” Cador answers Tamlin, between bites.

"I've been thinking maybe I should be a Knight, Cador, what do you think?"  Branwen deadpans casually, though there's a spark of a grin in her eyes.  "I'd rock the uniform."

Lorraine took up the gift Kierahn had made for her and smiled. "It's lovely Kierahn! Oh!" She gasped as she put her hand into the rose and it became a rapier. "And practical too!"

She beamed at her children, then set the rapier aside and began to consume the delicious meal her oldest and youngest had prepared for her. Corwin and Oriana joined in at a more sedate pace. It seemed that Lorraine had never quite gotten over her habit of eating quickly at each meal.

Afterwards, she and Corwin stood up. "That was a wonderful meal. Thank you all." She smiled. "Now, we have a tournament to oversee, and it's about time the youngest got to be involved. So everyone go and change and meet back here in thirty minutes." She clapped her hands twice and Corwin, with a bit of a chuckle, looked at them.

"You heard your mother."

Caity didn't need telling twice! She was off like a rocket and heading towards her room.

She'd had an outfit selected for weeks in hopes that this year she'd be allowed to go. The gown was soft blue with white trim and a satin ribbon at the waist. Her bonnet, shoes and handkerchief were done in matching silks.

She took a little extra time with her hair, making sure that it was put up and tidy for her first official outing with her family. It wouldn't do, after all, to go out looking sloppy and hair flying about as if she were some sort of wild beast.

She then picked up her bag in which she carried a variety of medical remedies... just in case someone needed help. Nerves began to take hold as she looked over herself.

'What if I blunder terribly over something unexpected or what if no one likes me? That would be terrible!' she thought anxiously before shaking herself out of it. She was a princess of Avalon... of course people would like her.

“If you can manage the discipline, Branwen.  And I’ll need proof” Cador answered his sister, knowing full well that she didn’t qualify on that count.

He didn’t rush to change.  “Present’s first, mother.” He said, sliding across the box.  Within there was a bronze figure in the form of a rose bush, with black thorns and red flowers.  A robin perched in the bush.  “The thorn near the bird’s foot is a switch” he said, wanting to see her reaction when the bird fluttered it’s wings, turned its head and sang.

Kierahn didn't rush with his sister, he'd already prepared himself and intended to wear the same garb for the tournament as he'd worn for her waking up and breakfast.  As he stood, his cloak transformed into a resplendent plate armor with wings in the back, shimmering with a purple-silver hue.  "Day's half over mom, you're the only one still in your jammies...", he grinned as she prepared to leave as well.  As the others left, he walked around the table, grabbing up morsels from everyone's plates and stuffing them in his mouth.  Within half an hour, he should be full...

Erica's gift, when time came to present it, was four small jars of exotic spices, unknown to Avalon, from Shadows she had discovered during her wanderings.  "Let me know which ones you like, and I'll get more."  She kissed her mother on both cheeks.

Tamlin took a small plate with honey and bread out of the room. He returned a few minutes later to check on his younger brother's progress. There was a slight snort at the armor.

"Sure you're just planning to watch this year?" he asked Kierahn.

Marian was content to sit and eat, delicate hands wielding knife and fork with precise ease, even as the others seemed ready to rush away.   These events always took longer than some expected and with good planning, Marian knew she would miss nothing.  Of course, it wasn't that the tournament itself held particular interest for her, but she'd not miss her little sister's first experience of it for the world!

Kierahn grinned at Tamlin, "What one plans is not always how things turn out, this is why I make a plan-b for everything, and then a plan-b for those plans.  However, the armor is just for show, it offers no more protection when worn, than when not.", he admitted as he looked over Tamlin's attire in return.

Tamlin was still wearing the fitted clothes in his colors from earlier, with the addition of a small half-cloak in case the weather proved quarrelsome.

"That sounds far too exhausting," he told his little brother, "But better that than the constant bucking some try. Anyone on the field you'd rather we not bump into?"

Once Cait was satisfied that she had everything and was entirely presentable, she picked up her bag and headed back to the family rooms where they would gather and head for the tournament all together.

She was ready to celebrate the birthday and the anniversary with her family and if she was enthusiastic and excited more so than the rest, then so be it. For her, this was a new experience and one she fully intended to enjoy.

When the half hour had passed, Corwin, Lorraine, and Oriana returned to the dining chamber. Now they were all formally attired. Corwin was dressed in fitted robes of black with silver cross-stitching and silver trim, a silver rose on his left breast. Grayswandir hung at his side in it's black sheath. His crown of silver with black gems in it, was on his head.

Next to him was Lorraine, dressed in a regal gown that emphasized the fact that, for a woman who had had seven children, she was still very much fit, and every inch a warrior. The skirts of the dress were cunningly slitted and weighted in such a way that if Lorraine had to move suddenly it would not hinder her at all. Her dress was black, edged with crimson, and at her side hung the present Kierahn had just given her, dangling from a red cinch. She too wore her crown, which had seven minarets and was made of ruby.

Oriana wore a shimmering dress of what appeared to be liquid gold, one that clung to her curves without being blatant. At the top of her decolletage she wore what the Nolavans called a Skytear. A gem as purple as the setting sky, so rare that there were believed to be gifts of the Fae or fallen from the skies above the Sky Kingdom. Attached to her back was a circle of gold with eight extruding spikes. From each spike was hung a pennant of blue and on each pennant was Oriana's personal emblem: the Unicorn rampant against a field of Nolavan Sky Forest. A crown of gold set with sapphires adorned her head.

Corwin looked at his children as they assembled. "Shall we?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:32, Tue 16 Oct 2018.

Kierahn joined his parents and aunt, following behind them in the procession as they prepared to join the festivities that could already be heard beyond the kitchen.  He held is elbow out for Caitriona, assuming that she'd want an escort out the door, and since this was likely the last time he'd see her on this day, seemed appropriate to offer to her.  "Good luck today goobs...", he whispered in their own private little language.

Caitriona took her twin's arm and gave him a grin as they took their place at the end of the family order, as was expected for the youngest.

"I plan to enjoy watching the tournament and attending the banquet tonight," she whispered quietly back to him, still using their own language. "You don't know how it's been. Good thing you were in Nolava before Branwen stormed off into shadow or you'd have been stuck here with me the last four years. Maybe it doesn't matter to everyone else, but it's been torture to have to listen to festivities I wasn't allowed to enjoy myself."

Cador’s clothing looked almost exactly the same as that he was wearing to breakfast, unless one checked the details.

He nods to his father and moves to stand behind him, ready to proceed.

Erica still wasn't wearing a dress, but she was all dressed up, in her finest silks and more jewelry than usual.  She settled comfortably into her place in line.

Marian arrived accompanied by one of the more senior household staff.  She was clearly concluding some matter or other with Rodney (if you'd ever bothered with names) and the man nodded curtly (not rudely, rather sharply focused on the matter at hand) as he added, "Of course, your highness.  We will have everything prepared."   She smiled at him in thanks - speaking miles as to her relationship with the staff.  He in turn, bowed to the young woman, before leaving via the door the pair had just entered through.

Marian refocused on the gathering and smiled brightly.  For those keeping track, she'd not changed - but then she'd been ready this morning and had been busy in the interim.  "Everyone set?  I've a small wager on the outcome of the tournament if anyone'd care to join me?" Knowing when to win and indeed lose when it mattered was a skill - and in this both the winning and losing clearly brought enjoyment as backing an underdog regardless of his (or indeed her) success on the day brought an enjoyment all of its own.  To that end, she produced a number of pennants bearing symbols, some might recognise as representing some of the more well known knights participating, and gives them a small fluttering wave for everyone to see.

Tamlin stayed towards the middle of the family pack, one eye kept on his youngest brother. He'd remained in his earlier attire.

"I think you and Cador have a bit too much of an advantage in such wagers for the rest of us," he noted wryly, "Besides, aren't you supposed to be the one keeping us on the straight and narrow?"

Branwen had apparently chosen to actually play at being a proper Princess today, returning in an elegant midi built of clean lines and subtle curves, fitted and clingy around her curves but flaring loose at the cuffs and hemline.  Perhaps more startlingly, apparently she managed to find the long-neglected corner of her closet that contained anything other than black: perhaps in deference to Mom's colors, Branwen is bedecked in solid, vivid scarlet red.

If any of the tourney Knights are women, Branwen promptly calls dibs on Marian's corresponding pennant (otherwise she just picks one at random).  "I'll be your sucker, Marian.  What's the bet?"
This message was last edited by the player at 23:08, Wed 17 Oct 2018.

Corwin, Lorraine, and Oriana led the way out of the sitting room and down through the complex maze of the royal palace towards the courtyard. Today they used a little-known side-door to bypass the main hall that led to the courtyard, and let them arrive at a room just big enough for the family. This door opened onto a grand balcony of white marble that overlooked the extensive courtyard.

Today the courtyard had been turned into a massive tourney ground. Stalls were set up at the sides, allowing a selection of people from the city below and even travelers from afar to watch. Beneath the royal balcony, on all three sides, were lower-level balconies where the nobles of the Empire were gathering. They had been milling about for a short time, greeting friends and rivals, placing bets, that sort of thing. When Corwin and Lorraine stepped onto the royal balcony, trumpeters on either side let out a long, piercing note.

"Their Majesties, Emperor Corwin and Empress Lorraine of Avalon!" The criers then listed a series of titles for both of them, and all, amazingly, without seeming to pause for breath. Oriana received the same treatment.

Once the three of them were seated on great thrones that had been built into the balcony, the criers would pause, breathe, and then begin again, listing each Prince and Princess by name and title. Corwin flashed a wry grin at Cat and Kierahn, as if asking if all the pomp was worth it.

If the royals are getting introduced in order of age, it's obvious that by the time the criers get around to announcing Princess Branwen, she's already veering precariously close to boredom.  Once she's out on the balcony and perched on the edge of her assigned seat, she distracts herself scanning the banners and emblems of the tourney knights waiting in the lists, calculating which of them ended up being her randomly chosen champion, and what her chances look like in a potential wager with Marian.

Kierahn waited until he had been introduced, lacking in any title other than Prince, there was no need to bother with listening for these titles.  Besides, based on the rising volumes of meandering chatter amongst the nobles, most had quit listening to the Herald's introductions and gone back to their personal discussions they had been in prior to the trumpets.  He sat in his chair, looking at the court to determine what was happening where.  After all, it seemed unlikely they were intended to stay in the balcony, or there wouldn't have been so much ado about who was watching who.  He thus started to plan what he would do once introductions were completed.  "Why are we so high up, and the other nobles so much closer to the events?", he asked to Tamlin when a moment presented itself.

Caitriona smiled back at her father widely as she was introduced for the first time. A new face at court always generated interest. She waved at the crowd and smiled appropriately as they took their places. To her the wait had been worth it.

She sat next to Cador as he was her guardian for the day.

 "It is much louder up close than I thought it would be," she mused as the crowd settled and the knights were about to be brought in.

“If Caitriona could sit next to Oriana, and I on her other side, I’d appreciate it” Cador says quietly to Erica - expecting Marion to sit at her father’s side, as is her right as heir.

When it is his turn to be seated he proceeds graciously to the balcony, and reserves a seat for Caitriona.  Thankful that he doesn’t have to stand for the rest of the droning pomposity.  It gets longer every year.   Surely they could start skipping some of the titles ?

Erica answers Cador with a brief nod.  It would be wrong to say that she never stands on ceremony; there are times when it's important to maintain royal dignity.  But where she sits in the royal box, she literally couldn't care less.

"My sucker?  No Branwen.  This is just a bit of family fun." Something Branwen  has isolated herself from these several years.   Whether Marian forgives her sister for that is another matter entirely as she's seen the effect it has had on Caitriona.

As they head for the balcony, Marian will forsake her place and direct Caity to sit there.  It was a small gift, but a gift never-the-less.  She's also arranged for flowers for the family and young maid passes them out to various family members - something to throw in appreciation of just simply to adorn.  There's also knee blankets and cushions to make the seats a little warmer and more comfortable.

Caitriona gives Marion a hug for her gift of allowing her to sit in her eldest sister's usual place. She knows the order of precedence and understands the enormity of changing, even for one day.

Sitting between Corwin and Cador, Caity supposes that there is no safer place in Avalon than that.

"How do they decide who jousts against one another and in what order?" Caity asks Cador. "Do they draw lots or flip a coin or what?"

"Status means height to some people, and part of our family's job at these things is to be seen. Hard to do that from the first rank along the grounds," Tamlin answered his brother, "We won't be kept too long once things are under way. Everyone after the heir is a bit easier to do without."

In reply to Caitriona (msg # 111):

“It is mostly decided by lot” Cador answered.  “Unless a challenge has been issued and accepted.  The first few rounds will be younger knights wishing to display their skills.  After that, we shall see the flower of chivalry going at it”

He sighs “i’d pray that no horses die, but Aurelius gets disappointed when that happens”

"You ever seen giant eagles devour a horse, Caity?  Takes them about three minutes," Branwen deadpans, nodding gravely.  She has no idea whether this is actually true.  "Bones and all."

“What do you expect, sis?  A horse is too big to swallow whole” Cador shoots back with a thin smile.

"I've never seen it myself but would hardly be surprising, would it? Predators, particularly those of the carnivorous variety, tend to be efficient eaters taking their fill before they can be challenged by a greater one," Caity replied with an equal smile as if reading from an encyclopaedia.

She kept her voice lowered to the immediate area. "They rather mate the same way before a more dominant male can take their place."

Over the last few years, Caitriona spent a great many hours in the library in earnest study under the guidance of their bookish brother Tamlin and had the steadying influence of Marian to rein in the overly exuberant personality of the not yet teenager Caitriona from before Branwen ran away from home.

As a child, Cait was a little wild... a daredevil willing to go find her own adventures, usually dragging her twin along with her. It was not unusual for her to return home soaked in mud or scraped owing to a fall from a tree.

But time, events, and influence have their effects and the little girl had calmed considerably into less of a tomboy and now was a young woman entering society where certain behaviors were absolutely inexcusable. Being lively around family was one thing; being unchecked in public was quite different.

People would be watching and judging her based on how she behaved. For her first outing and with so many strangers surrounding them, Caitriona could not afford any major missteps. It was a little intimidating to see so many faces staring up at them.

"Don't lie to the youngest unless you want to find out what she's like mad," Tamlin told his siblings mildly, "Besides, you might put it in her head to get a bird that big and bring it around."

Corwin listened to his kids talk and tease each other with an amused grin on his face. So young. And better off relationship-wise than he had been with his siblings at that age. He looked at Lorraine with fondness and love. They had done a good job with this bunch, even with the problems they'd had with Branwen.

As the opening rounds of the tournaments started, a man would arrive at the royal balcony, bearing an invitation and wearing a hood that concealed his face. The guards, after a moment, would consult with the Royal couple and allow the man to enter, where he would find his way to a spot near Marian and wink at her.

In round 2 of the opening fight there was a surprise. Some of the younger knights had begun to declare their victories in the names of one or another of the Royal Family, usually the Emperor and Empress, though Oriana got a fair few. Marian and Erica were favorites, as was Cador and even Tamlin got a few. But at the start of the second round, a young knight stepped forward. He was tall, nearly six feet, with raven-black hair and bright blue eyes in a rounded face. He wore red armor with the crest of House Tremaine on it, and bore a a great double-headed axe. Several of the noble ladies in the stands swooned over his appearance.

Without warning, the knight bowed to the Royal Balcony, then knelt. "I declare my victory in the name of the Princess Caitriona! May my skill at arms prove worthy of her beauty!" He would then start to face off against another knight with a spear.


Oriana suddenly looked up in surprise and she leaned in to murmur to her grandfather and step-grandmother urgently.

He was a handsome young man but surely he was just being polite?

Caitriona blushed at the sudden declaration but smiled nevertheless and nodded, tossing him a rose of favor for the compliment.

"Who is he?" Cait asked Cador.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:21, Thu 01 Nov 2018.

Marian smiles to herself as the rather handsome knight makes his appearance.  Oddly, his crest happens to match the one that Caity is holding in her hand (even if she hasn't yet recognised this).   Marian might have said or done more though if not for a odd little expression that crosses her features and she too turns to her father as Oriana whispers urgently.  Seeing that her father has been alerted, she chooses instead to step aside (so she's not in the way of the others) her features quickly taking on a distant look.

Tamlin closed his eyes and seemed to slump slightly in his seat, almost as if he had dozed off. After a moment he shifted back towards a more alert posture.

The tournament to that point had only been tentatively holding her interest, but Branwen's attention was drawn to the red-armored knight, fixing him with a distantly contemplative stare, a little frown of concentration furrowing her brow.

“Sir Tristan.  Your first would-be suitor.  And far from the last, I expect.  Had your attendance been expected we might have sen more already” Cador answers, smoothly.  “Now one has declared himself, more will follow.  Be ready to face the jealousy of many Ladies of the Court tonight.”   He is not greatly concerned - yet.  The young knight’s gesture and its intent cannot have been missed.  “What do you think of him?”

"He seems quite bold and I hope he does well," Catriona replied, thinking. "But I would have to talk to him to find out what his personality, demeanor and intelligence are to know if I would be interested any further. If he has any degree of honor about him, he would want to learn the same about me and not just see my political and social benefits as well. Looks are a fine thing, but without intelligence and wit, a man is no more than the equivalent to my dolls and I've not played with those in a long while."

"Be that as it may, however, any would be suitors must come with a reasonable understanding that until my three elder sisters settle down, I will be a long time from available," Caity continued. "Besides, I've a great deal I want to do first."

“You will have your chance this evening, I think.” Cador replies with a bit of a smile.  “At least if he wins.” He halts to add a correction.  “Unless our parents find some reason to dissuade him. “ He looks heavenward, with a sigh.  “Politics.  Sometimes I wish... Never mind. He shall ask to dance with you tonight, and ‘twould be an insult to refuse”

"I would never dishonor him or myself by behaving so boorishly as it would reflect poorly on my family as well. I can't think of any reason to refuse him a dance, barring injury or illness," Caity assured her eldest brother. "I understand the manners attached. He must be formally introduced first by either the host (Daddy), his superior (you) or Master of Ceremonies. Otherwise, I mayn't dance or even speak with him at all. Also, he may have more than one dance if he should ask but never two in a row. I mustn't be seen as behaving with any manner of favoritism to a single gentleman in the course of my first ball. People would think liberties have already been taken and that will not do."

It was obvious that the youngest sister had been studying the etiquette of the day for a very long time in preparation.

On the battlefield, Sir Tristan was engaged in a spirited contest with the other knight, a young Sir Markham. Markham wielded his spear with a strong hand, using thrusts and jabs to try and keep Tristan at bay. Tristan was carefully working his way into the range of the spear, adeptly dodging from one side to another as he drew close enough to use his greataxe.

"Kierahn, up for a quick hike?" Tamlin asked his brother quietly.

In reply to Caitriona (msg # 126):

“Etiquette is all very well, although you will find that strict adherence to those rules is rare.” Cador informs his youngest sister.  “Politics is not so simple and ever-shifting.  Sometimes it is necessary to show favour to a House, sometimes to withhold it.  Alliances must be chosen carefully - and personal feelings must come second to the needs of the day”.

He looks to the field.  “Sir Tristan is a canny fighter.  So long as he does not overreach the victory should be his.”

From her second-row seat on the balcony, Branwen leans forward to rest a hand on Cador's armored shoulder and murmur gently to him, though her ice-blue eyes remain fixed on the field, cautiously curious.

Cador whispers back

"Absolutely brother...", Kierahn replied, having lost interest in the battle attempts on the field below.  He looked around to see what sort of amusements there were to be seen, that might be worth visiting, as he edged himself towards the doorway of the balcony.

In reply to Cador (msg # 131):

Branwen glances over to the center of the group, Mom and Dad and Caity and Marian and Oriana, then back to Cador as murmured conversation continues.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:58, Mon 05 Nov 2018.

Cador shook his head and replied.  “

Frowning, Marian surfaced from her revere and immediately stepped forward towards her father and mother, leaning in to whisper to them.    She then looks up, noticing the conspiratorial looks from her siblings and adds a few more words to her parents.

Caitriona watched the match excitedly but when she looked around noticed that her siblings all seemed to be in some sort of conference with someone else. She wondered if this was a boring match and she just didn't know the difference.

"Cade... Branwen... why aren't you watching?" she asked. "Did something happen?"

Branwen observes her younger sister for a long moment without voicing an answer, her expression contemplative and... even indecisive?  That wouldn't be typically characteristic of Branwen, not by miles.  But it appears to be the case nonetheless.

Rather than a direct response to the question, she turns to Oriana and Marian.  "Are you guys going to tell her?"

"Tell me what?" Caitriona replies... almost demanding. "What's going on?"

"Something is lurking about," Tamlin tells Catriona, voice quiet but not whispering "Here and some ways off. If the King and Queen will permit, I'd like to take Kierahn and have a look. This work feels familiar."

He looked towards his seated parents and older siblings with a questioning look.

Erica asks Tamlin quietly, "Should I tag along?"

In reply to Caitriona (msg # 138):

“I don’t know what’s going on, but you should be ready for trouble.  If it starts, get behind me” Cador quietly tells Caitriona.

Cait nodded to Cador, but then looked to her parents and Oriana. "What is it really? What am I not being told?"

Tamlin seemed to weigh the question for a moment. His nod was slight.

Oriana heard the concern in her youngest aunt's voice and broke away from Corwin and Lorraine to come sit next to her. She gave her a gentle smile.

"The mystical defenses around the castle are starting to weaken, and some of your siblings and I have detected some sort of strange magic about your would-be suitor, Sir Tristan. We don't know exactly what yet, but we want to take precautions so that everyone is safe. If anything bad starts to happen, do what Cador said and get behind him. Marian and Branwen and Tamlin and I can use our powers to protect you"

Corwin stood at this point. "Tamlin, take Erica and Kierahn, warn the guards and then return, swift as you can. Be swift and careful." He looked to Cador. "Send word to the knights. Today's revels are ended."

Down on the field, the crowd was roaring with approval as Tristan overcame Sir Markham's defense and landed a telling but non-fatal blow, knocking him to the ground. Lorraine stood up at that point. "The victory to Sir Tristan! And now an intermission!"

She sat back down and looked to her family. "As soon as the field is cleared I want you to..."

There was a brilliant, blinding flash of blue light that filled the entire courtyard. Amongst the cries of the spectators came the blast of horns.

“Now! Caitriona!” Cador cries, standing at the sudden light.  He whistles loudly  for Aurelius, and claps his hand to the hilt of his sword.  Is this an attack or just someone’s way of making an entrance ?  Whichever it is, who has the power to do it?  More, enough power that they dare do it?

Kierahn launched from the balcony, heading towards the light with an alacrity that would be considered unnatural in most of the shadows.  His armour seem to flow around his body, allowing for him to move with an agility one would not have in such heavy armour, always flowing in a manner to insure he was unimpeded.  Whomever was coming through this portal, his natural assumption based on the horn blast, he intended to be the first thing they saw.

"Dammit, you impulsive little," Tamlin shouted after Kierahn as he took off after his brother although his route was more roundabout, "Erica, stay close. I handle weird, you take steel."

He cocked his head as he ran, listening to the horns. After a moment he went from running to flat out sprinting in a probably doomed effort to intercept Kierahn.

"Kierahn, stay in formation!" Erica shouted.  That seemed more polite than "come back, you idiot".  She moved slightly ahead of Tamlin, ready to intercept any physical threat to give her brother space to work magic.

Caitriona, momentarily blinded by the flash yelped in surprise. Then she heard her brother's orders and she moved behind him, but reached out for their father and mother.

"Mum... Dad? Are you okay?" she asked.

Marian straightened to allow her parents to take the lead and she was therefore looking 'up' as the blindingly bright light flashed overhead.  Fortunately it hadn't come as a surprise and she was able to close her eyes just in time.   Those however who can tell will notice that her sight is magical as she attempts to study what has damaged the wards and what might now be coming.

What at first might have looked like a hand reflexively flung before her eyes to shield them from the blinding blue flash seems to have been not that, or at least not exclusively that: her hand remained before her eyes well after the flash faded, her palm facing outward towards the tourney ground, her fingers spread apart, stiffened into a claw and moving in slow weaving motions, almost as if plucking at some unseen stringed instrument in the air before her.  She peered through the gap between two of her fingers down at Sir Tristan with an unmistakable intensity of focus: she was manipulating mystical forces as well.

Corwin and Lorraine had blades in hand, standing before Caitriona. Aurelius let out a screech as he swooped to Cador's side to be mounted. Tamlin and Erica raced through the palace, using their knowledge of the many secret shortcuts and hidden passages to reach the courtyard just as Kierahn got within striking range.

In the meantime, Tristan suddenly screamed in pain as Branwen's disjunction spell hit him. He dropped his axe and fell to his knees, letting out an almost inhuman howl of agony. His screaming rang out over the sound of horns, and when the flash of light cleared, he could be seen writhing at the feet of a very strange company.

At the head of the procession was a woman who was seven feet high. Her skin was alabaster and her form was clad in a tight-fitting armor of leaf-green and mottled black. The only part of her not armored was her face, which was framed by flowing red hair that set off golden eyes. Butterfly wings of transparent silver and gold emerged from her back.

Around her were a group of beings. All of them topped six feet in height at least, with some nearing eight. All of them were armored, in black and gold. All had wings. And all bore weapons and shields. And all of them were mounted atop great stags and horses that bore feathery white bird wings emerging from their torsos.

The woman in the lead knelt down and passed her hand over Tristan's writhing form. At once he stilled, then stopped moving entirely. She looked up then, at the royals of Avalon and Nolava. In a deep, rich voice, she spoke. "So it is as I feared. The arrogant humans who dare claim dominion of the realm of Faerie would just as soon maim and attack the rightful rulers of the realm than treat with them. I had hoped for better." She sniffed.

"Know you that you said in the presence of Titania, Empress of Faerie, rightful mistress over all land, sea, and sky as far as the sun may travel and the moon may wander. Long ago I watched the dandies of this court proclaim their rulership over that which is mine with amusement. How funny, these little talking apes be. I even thought it sport, to seed your realm with my own children, and see how would they develop absent the congenial airs of Faerie." She gestured, and Tristan began to float in the air before her, still stationary and possibly not breathing. "I had hoped that when you apes had tired of pretending to greatness there might be peace between our realms.

Instead, with each passing year, your "empire" expands. You cut down the sacred groves. You enslave the rivers to turn your waterwheels, to sluice out your middens. You claim the land in the skies above and befoul that with your leavings. No. This jest has grown stale. Know you that your self-proclaimed realm of Avalon is now at war with the Empire of Faerie. We will remind you apes of your proper place. But I am not without mercy. You are permitted this one chance to make amends and abase yourselves before your betters."

Without thinking and seeing Sir Tristan seemingly hurt, Caitriona sent out an immediate word of power, "LIEVZ, Sir Tristan" to give him a bit of a spark of life as he seemed quite nearly dead.

"Let me past, Mum," Cait said. "She did something to him... and he needs help. I brought my healing herbs."

This is a matter of policy, and not for Cador to decide - for war or peace.  Had he been the ranking member of the family present, he might do more.  But he is not.

“Aurelius.  Hold.” he commands.   He shoots Branwen a look, suspecting - but not certain - that the sorcery came from her.

Most importantly he looks to his father to see which course he should follow.  He cannot imagine Corwin bending the knee to these creatures,   But he might wish to seek an alternative to an immediate declaration of war.

Kierahn, who was closest to the Faerie Queen when she entered Avalon, was also the most impressed, "I like this one...", he admitted as he observed her and her entourage, she was near perfect, save for her insanity of course, "Wait... did she say we enslave the rivers?", he asks incredulously out loud, but obviously more talking to himself than to anyone in particular.

Thor, his armor, tried to grow wings like the newcomers, but seemed that it was something he'd have to practice and work on later... but he did like the effect.  Meanwhile Kierahn just barely held back the urge to look back at Lorraine and ask, "Can I keep her?", realizing that it was a diplomatic situation, and such a question would be far out of place.  So he remained still, ready to shield others from possible attack despite the fact that it seemed no attack was imminent. At least, not from the newcomers... not yet...

Anyone who happened to see Tamlin's face when the new arrivals became clear would have seen a mixture of resignation and vindication flash across it. Still, it was schooled to careful neutrality a moment later.

"Back up a bit, little brother," he said quietly, "You do not know the protocols yet, and that means you might make a choice for us before the King and Queen have decided."

Erica kept her face straight, her sword down, and her mouth shut.  This was father's business only.

... abase ourselves?  Branwen goggled at the Faerie with ill-concealed incredulity, her hands not wavering from their poise, ready to cast again at so much of a twitch of encouragement from Dad.  ... abase ourselves, right.  Who does this bitch think she is?

Tamlin seems to reach a decision and slips off his small dagger and sheath, holding them towards Erica.

"Hold this, things are about to get touchy," he told his sister dryly before he walked towards the Queen and her honor guards.

"Tamlin, Prince of Avalon, greets Her Imperial Majesty, Empress of the Daoine Sidhe," he said, giving her a polite bow, "While it would be remiss for me to intervene in such weighty affairs, I beg your indulgence to gather those injured in the recent mishap and dismiss the spectators. The discussions of empire are not served by the same gallery as those of a chivalric nature."

He glanced at Tristan.

"We would, of course, see to the needs of all our guests if permitted."

It is a stalling tactic, but an all out clash here wouldn't favor the unprepared Royals in his estimation.

Corwin had half-raised Greyswandir to respond to this arrogant fae woman when his son stepped in. He swept his gaze about the crowd and announced in a cold voice "The revels are ended. All guests are to depart at once." The guards would begin escorting people out of the stands, even manhandling a few who insisted on staying to spectate.

Cait's use of a Power Word had jolted some life back into Sir Tristan, who came to with a start and then demanded to be let down.

Titania glared at Branwen, with an expression that might have killed with a look. Then she looked at Corwin. "Your son knows manners even if you do not. I am not unreasonable. Send a delegation to Glanden Tor in what you deem Nolava on the first night of the full moon. They will be allowed safe passage, should they come bearing these tokens." She waved her hand and several green pennants edged in gold fell at her feet. "Meet my terms and your realm will not be pillaged any further from that point. Until the conference however..."

Another gesture, and there was the sound of a large explosion. Black smoke began to drift up from the town at the base of the cliff the castle stood on. The morning air began to turn slightly red as well, as the trees in the forest atop the cliff suddenly caught flame and ignited into a wildfire. "All of nature will be at your throat. We're done here." She snapped her fingers and there was a blinding flash of blue light again. When it cleared Titania, her delegation, and Sir Tristan were all gone as if they never were.

The sound of alarm bells began to toll as the watchtowers in the castle and the city began alerting the people to the sudden danger they were in.

Cait wasn't sure what to make of what just happened. Her father was supposed to be the ultimate power in Avalon... so why was she so easily able to overcome his defenses and assault his people without a single act of retaliation... was he weaker than Caitriona had always been led to believe?

Seeing the fire start at the top of the mountain, Cait worked at conjuring rain clouds to move overhead. People's lives depended on getting the fire under control and there would be no other way to do it from their current position. All of the trees and flowers where she gathered her ingredients would be gone if something didn't happen fast.

She also decided she would never attend another tournament as she pushed past her family to leave the tournament stands without another word. Branwen attacked Sir Tristan who was competing in her name... and now he'd been taken prisoner by the fae woman.

Her path was clear and it wasn't remaining hiding behind parents and brothers.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:26, Thu 29 Nov 2018.

That does not sound in the least good to Cador.  But, for now the immediate problems must be dealt with.

“Father, with your permission I’ll take my knights and see that order is maintained in the city.” he offers.  The wildfire will have to be dealt with by others - if they can

Kierahn stayed paused on his perch near to where the lady had stood moments before, for a few seconds before leaping into the air and landing precisely where the strange lady had stood moments before.  His olfactory glands swelled ever so slightly under his bidding, and he took in wafts of air in search of her scent.  He wasn't expecting to track her, but he wanted her scent memorized for future reference.  Slowly he picked up the tokens that would grant entry to Nolava, deftly slipping one of them into his own pocket in a covert manner, just in case someone felt overprotective enough to prohibit him from tagging along.  Turning he states, "Seems it's time for us to return home, Aunt Oriana...", his hand open revealing the tokens he'd picked up from off the ground.

"We need to get those to our father," Tamlin told Kierahn, "And quickly if we're going to stop the damage from growing worse."

Kierahn nods, but comments nonetheless, "The first night of the full moon won't come any quicker, but yes, I intend for these to go to father.".

[OOC: While I can see why it looked like I was handing them to Oriana, that wasn't how I planned/envisioned it.  I was speaking to her while revealing the tokens to Corwin, not intending that she receive them.]

The storm Caity summoned began to drop rain on the fire, dousing it before it could consume too much of the forest. There was the smell of burnt vegetation in the air, but it wasn't the firestorm that it could have easily become.

Corwin saw his youngest head off on her own, and his brow furrowed. He shared a look with Lorraine, and then stepped forward to the balcony.

"Kids, it's time I taught you the art of delegation. Cador, take some knights and investigate what's happening in town. I want our people protected. Do what you feel is necessary. Once the city is secured report back and put the knights on a war footing. I'll meet you in the war room in two hours and we'll go over our strategy."

He looked to Tamlin. "Tamlin, take one of those pennants. You're our expert on the Fae. If anyone's going to negotiate with them, if we go that route, it'll be you. Hit the library, study everything we've got on the Fae. Oriana will make Nolava's libraries up to you too."

He looked to Kierahn. "Go after your twin. I don't know what she's planning but I don't want her alone when an enemy is on the loose. Protect her, son."

He looked to Oriana. "Come with me. I have an idea." He looked to Lorraine, who nodded. "I might be gone for a bit. If anything comes up and I'm not available, you kids listen to your mother."

“It shall be done, sire” Cador answers his father, stepping forward, and barking commands.  “You! squire!  Go to the knights and tell them to take charge of the city gates.  Entrance and egress to be controlled in an orderly fashion.  They are to tell the gatewardens, it is my command, in the King’s name.  I will return to them with further orders.

He looks to the nearest knights.  “You two with me.  I would survey the city, and the site of the detonation.  Aurelius shall takes us.  Aurelius!  Ready!”

Hmm..   Tristan.   I wonder.  Everyone else seemed committed to action whether by fleet of food, random use of magics (there was no actual proof that Tristan had done anything!), or simply the need to draw steel (or silver!) but Marian waited and watched.

What had caused her vision of traceries in the sky?  Why had it so obviously pointed at Tristan when it could have pointed anywhere (indeed, if she were attacking her family, she'd have pointed her own 'showing' at one of her siblings as it would have certainly resulted in a good deal of confusion.)

The arrival of the armour clad fairy-titan and her guard (all being of immense strength and magical power) didn't help to clarify matters though it did at least measurably point towards Branwen's rash actions as an immediate cause of hostility towards the woman.   As usual, Branwen acted before she thought!

For now thought the 'Faerie Queen' had them at a disadvantage and Marian watched not only the 'Queen' but her family.  Did anyone know about this?  Did she spot Tamlin's resignation and could it mean that he knew of this?  Her speculation was confirmed as Tamlin chose to speak to the Queen using a title that spoke of familiarity - one that the 'Queen' herself had not used.

The woman's departure was no less impressive though hopefully Marian was able to analyse the departure a little more carefully than the entrance.

She did however note that her father had not delegated any specific task to her and so she waited too, considering where to her might be heading, why and what for.

OOC: Hopefully discovering something about the powers used for transport.  I sadly have no 'clue' to follow - which is why I've been silent.  I'll remain silent for the time being as I'd prefer not to pick on Branwen for her rash actions or on Tamlin for being a traitor :-)

"I'd meant to drop it off and see about tracking their path, but I imagine they've left a rear guard," Tamlin told his father, "It pains me to admit there's probably little in either library but I'll work through it tonight and, if needed, work out who I need to talk to next."

Tamlin suspected this was going to be a long chain to work through, but with luck he could start in the middle rather than having to work across everything.

So off to the library he went, with this or that tome and scroll pulling itself free and presenting itself to him as he scratched out notes in tiny, near chicken scratch hand writing on a clay tablet.

Corwin looked at Marian. "Marian, I need you to work on our magical defense. Oriana will help as she can, but I'm trusting you to make whatever just happened here..." He gestured to where Titania had been. "Not possible again. I don't like people just appearing in my home without warning."

Tamlin made a few more notes, had a message delivered to his parents, and rubbed at his eyes as the tiredness fully hit him. A glance up showed that it was not quite twilight yet, but it would only be a piece of an hour to change that. He stood and popped his back with a sigh.

"Prepare a travel pack for three days," he told the empty air before making his way to see his parents. There should be a sibling they could spare, he wasn't up to a solo trip if it could be helped.

Marian is most certainly paying very close attention to the events and notes that her father hadn't immediately picked up (or possibly picked up and not mentioned - he was a wiley old man after all) on the fact that Tamlin was by no means surprised by the arrival.  She however trusts her father for the time being and nods as he gives her a task.  "That will be difficult given our magical defences were overcome."  She pauses and then asks, "I assume the solution used in Amber isn't suitable?"  She obviously means the complete suppression of magic in their home world.  Her father's tales of Amber and the fact that no magic worked there had always fascinated her.

While she's waiting for her father she'll work on a spell to conjure a magical container and capture some of the air brought through by Titania.  The disturbance had been both magical and physical implying some sort of interconnection and an exchange of atmosphere.   Some trace from a sample might be analysed to give them a hint of the 'other end' of the disturbance.   When she's ready (which will hopefully not be long) she'll release the spell.

The knights quickly formed up on Cador and Aurelius swooped down to let Cador and his knights board. Once they were on, Aurelius spread his wings and took off for the city. A journey of perhaps an hour was done in less than fifteen minutes. What greeted them was a nightmare.

The city was burning. The storms that Cait had summoned to quell the fire in the forests atop the cliff had yet to sweep down into the city. Blacksmoke was ablaze, the smoke rising from beyond the hills. The Sentinel River had been piled high with the trash that was normally washed away, and it too was burning, spreading the flames into Slopeside and Riverside. There were smaller fires burning in Byzantine and Royal Hills. But what caught Cador's attention was the screaming coming from the Royal Hills district.

Aurelius swept down lower and the knights could see strange winged humanoids, clad in armor that seemed to be made all of spikes and thorns. They were chasing the well-dressed citizens of the city's most prominent district, and butchering them with swords and axes. The armored creatures were concentrating at the estates of the wealthiest nobles in the city, cutting down guards and hacking their way into the fortified homes of the elite.

Marian was able to conjure her container and capture a sample of the air Titania had left.

Tamlin would find Corwin, Oriana, and Lorraine in the war room when he came looking. Lorraine looked up at her son. "You seem tired Tamlin. Have you found anything?"

"References to her method of travel. Enough that I can navigate towards it without relying entirely on the tokens she left," Tamlin replied as he pinched the bridge of his nose, "Once I am closer to that it will be a matter of getting information from the locals. Normally I would try to keep my brothers and sisters, hell everyone really, away from them but..."

He gave a tired smile.

"-We seem to be well past that point. So if we can spare a few who will not object to magic and accept strange orders because I said so they are welcome."

A small shrug.

"Otherwise I go with cold iron, a crown of holly, and berry-ink. Which means that I will be ready to fight but only be able to scout for so long before they notice me."

Damn it!  Those fae have done more than enough!

First Cador assesses the fires, forming a plan to deal with them - where firebreaks may be made, where water may be got, which buildings must be sacrificed that more may be spared.  Two hours will not be enough to finish the job, but at least with his view from the sky he can see more than those on the ground.

He instructs the knights in his plan, and takes them down to where they may meet with the city authorities.  They will have to see that his commands are put into action, backed by the authority of his signet, and the name of the King.

Meanwhile, the winged creatures may be doing well against earthbound guards but perhaps an attack from above will be a different matter. “Come Aurelius,battle awaits!”.he cries.

 He hopes that the great eagle’s beak and talons will prove more effective than the weapons of the hapless guards.

It really hadn't taken long to do, but apparently answering questions wasn't high on Corwin's agenda.   With sample captured, Marian turned to further examining the tunnel-like effect for magical residues.   Was it sorcery or some sort?  It certainly had felt like more but what were they?  She had access to multiple means of analysing those residues - and so she set to work.

Cador's commands were given and the knights left with the city authorities to see that they were carried out. In the meantime, Cador and Aurelius soared into the battle. The Fae seemed disoriented at being on the receiving end of an aerial attack, and although their armor was hard and Cador would need to check Aurelius's talons, the great bird did managed to crush two attacking fae, one in each talon. Cador's own sword took off the head of another. The Fae stopped advancing and quickly began to retreat into the Royal Hills District to regroup.

Marian discovered through her research that what Titania had done was a type of sorcery. It wasn't the normal type that she and her siblings were used to, but it seemed to be some kind of variant that the Fae had developed. Analyzing the residue brought her the scent of powerful magic, as if the air was supercharged with it somehow where Titania had been, as well as the taste of...berries?

Corwin and Lorraine looked at Tamlin and smiled. Corwin said "Get some rest first son. We'll need you at your best. When you go, take Marian and some knights with you. Do what you can but come back in one piece. I don't want any heroics. Just get what advantage you can and get back to tell of it."

Cador directs Aurelius to swoop down on the fae again and again, harassing them and driving them apart.  He refuses to permit them to gather and organise, for then they would become a far greater threat.

Still working on the analysis Marian considers her findings.   The question she has to ask herself though is... without magic, would her home survive?  If she managed to change her home, what damage would she do suppressing magic here? And if she could do that, would it be possible to suppress magic selectively?

"Understood," Tamlin told his parents before he excused himself with a bow and tracked down his sister.

"Marian," he said with a polite knock on the door a few minutes later, travel bag slung over one shoulder, "You drew short straw."