As if a traitor in Amber would be news...

"Not much of a plan, I must admit.  I have to add that I cannot be seen to offer significant aid or harm to Amber, without risk of severe inconvenience to myself and my House, back home"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:58, Thu 11 Sept 2008.

Tahirah gives a quiet nod after Roman's comment, but nudges it a little back.  "It is the carefully laid plan that fails before the pen leaves paper," she suggests.

Benedict's response to James' explanation is a simple nod, and "Flexible.  Good.  I'll talk to Random about a meeting."


It takes some time, but Aaron draws closer to the wall, and the crowd grows more dense as he does so.  The reason is soon evident.  The gate to the city is guarded.  Not in the manner he would expect to see though.  There seem to be upward of thirty men, armed, and wearing the livery of Amber, stationed outside the gate.  One of the men is mounted, probably an officer of some description.

As people approach the gate, the troops stop them, ordering them into line.  Singly, or in small, family groups, they are called forward.  The officer speaks to them briefly.  Most are then permitted to enter the gate, while a few are directed to wait at the side of the road.

Aaron reaches the troops, and is directed to take his place at the end of the line...

The man with the place in front of him, accompanied by a woman and two young children, twins by the looks of them, though it's hard to be sure through the dirt, turns his head as Aaron takes up position behind him, "Wonder how bloody long this'll take.  Since word came of the invasion, every bugger's trying to get in to the city."


Benedict moves away, but not before giving each of the other passengers an appraising look.  He makes his way to the captain, and the pair are soon engaged in a quiet conversation.

The distant mountain grows more distinct as time passes, and before too long, it becomes clear that there is an extensive dark stain spreading across the lower slopes.  Amber itself.  Shortly after that, something else becomes apparent.

Smoke is starting to rise over a wide area.

Behind the mountain, something big has started burning, the smoke blowing inland, away from the city and the sea.

Aaron remained quiet for a time, though he was initially going to comment on the delay. He thought better of it, considering the situation.

There was an antsy energy about this place, though the underlying sense of building tension could not be ignored. Above all, Aaron decided that he'd end up having to look into it eventually. He made his priorities and waited for his turn in line.

James looks around at each of his travelling companions before turning to regard the mountain Kolvir.

"We will have to move faster than I had hoped, James says, "For that smoke can only mean one thing:  Arden is burning.  The war may already have reached the gates of the city."

"I have a nasty feeling that I will look back on this voyage, chimera and all, as a restful interlude."

Roman shrugs.  "If it is outside the city, it is just a prelude.Or a feint.  Perhaps even a trap.  Harbonah will have lost prestige at Charyk.   Destroying those  who defeated his forces there would do much to restore his standing."

Tahirah stands still at the side of the ship, watching the smoke swirl and waft, as she had watched the storm in Cardiniagart, or the wreckage float by before.  Seeking the patterns in the chaos.

She would very much like to ask what Arden is; from James' tone, it sounds important.  But professing ignorance is as much her strong suit as it is, say, Fiona's, so she stays to herself.

Aaron waits.  Occasionally he shuffles forward a few paces, but mostly he waits.  And thinks.


Seahorse moves ever closer to the port.  The mountain looms higher, blocking more and more of the sky, and details of the city become more apparent.  It bears a startinng resemblance to Cadiniagart, when viewed from this angle, albeit a Cadiniagart writ large.

There seems to be no signs of damage or warfare on this side of the mountain.  Just Amber.  Busy as ever.  There are other ships visible, moving around the harbour, now.  Not fleeing though... some are leaving, yes, but an equal number are arriving.  Not a few of those ships are flying the colours of Amber.

It seems that, even with a war on her doorstep, it's business as usual in this city at the heart of the Myriad Worlds.


At last, as the sun nears the horizon, Aaron finds himself facing the mounted officer.  The Amberite looks down at the wanderer, "What is your business in Amber?"  Thus begins the questioning...  What is your business?  Have you been to Amber before?  Have you ever been imprisoned in the city?  Do you have kin here?  Do you have a place to live during your visit?...

On and on the questions continue, every answer seeming to bring more questions.

"Well, the city itself seems in fair shape."  James sounds, and is, relieved.

"The last time I came to Amber was by land, so I don't know what customs or immigration checks they might have.  Once we've cleared those we'll head straight up to the palace.  Since I mean to announce myself there's no point looking for other lodgings in town."

"Yes," Aaron answers once. "No," Aaron responds again. Politely. Patiently. The guard was simply doing his job. Aaron didn't fault him for it.

But Aaron wondered how questioning every individual entering Amber could at all halt or hinder the enemy. Their talents for obfuscation were legendary. Their practice at penetrating other societies, well-earned.

So Aaron didn't fault the King's guidance in this, at least. It was a better idea than most in his position, and while Aaron didn't have any concrete proof of the fact, he was almost certain that there were other, far less-obvious methods of 'questioning' going on, even as the guard continued the veritable interrogation.

Aaron considered his grand-daughter, and the woman who he left her with. Fiona would, no doubt, be rather busy at this moment, yet Aaron had always considered Fiona to be something of a handful. No. If he had to meet Fiona, it would only be in the company of comrades or in the presence of what little family he had left.

The questions done, finally, Aaron could move on. He did so, with much more haste.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:57, Wed 24 Sept 2008.

"I expect that their checks will be rather more thorough, once I reveal my nature" Roman comments.  Adding with a grin "At least it may confuse and distract tha traitor."

Aaron's interrogation takes some time, which combined with the initial wait means that it is almost sunset as he enters the city, passing through the wall via a portal which looks to have been heavily (and recently) reinforced.  Plates of steel have been riveted to the oak gates, on both the inner and outer faces.  There are more guards here too, both Amberite troops and mercenary companies, by the looks of them.

Aaron finds himself in the streets of the city, and soon gets his bearings.  It almost feels as if he has never been away, so familiar are the streets. 

At the other end of the city, where the feet of Kolvir reach the ocean, the docks of Amber are busy.  Somehow though, Seahorse, navigating through the gathering dusk, seems to have an easy time finding a berth.  The ships docked nearby are not merchantmen though, most of them, in fact, appear to be warships, and all fly the colours of Amber.

The rail is pulled aside, and the gangplank run out, and a few minute's later, Seahorse's passengers have honest stone beneath their feet again, as they step on to the quayside.

Above them, and some distance off, the castle itself is visible.  Behind it, Kolvir stands outlined against a red sky whose colour has little to do with the sunset...

Strangely, though there are obvious guard posts on the docks, there are none in this particular area.

Seemingly oblivious to the banter around her, Tahirah continues to watch the smoke.  "The War is here," she says, her voice soft, yet somehow carrying.  "Rivers of blood flow; mountains of wood burn."  Her arms lift, seeming to frame a portion of the smoke in her view.  "The beastial ones press forward..."  Her left hand drops, "And the Guardian of the Wood falls back.  Hurting.  Failing."

Her raised right hand traces a design in the air before her, and she rises off the deck of the ship.  Pausing briefly, she pivots in the air, and bows lightly towards Captain Rovane.  "Thank you for your hospitality.  May the Seahorse weather every storm."

Roman nods, at Tahirah's words.  "Indeed, our thanks for providing transport here."  Turning to the others, "Does anyone wish to leave before I make myself known ?  The authorities may be absent from this dock, but I have no doubt that they will react, as soon as they notice."

Aaron knew that he had to go straight to the castle. He had considered stopping short of it, perhaps at one of the inns nearby, but thought better of it. They didn't have much time, and Aaron wanted to know the full extent of Amber's current status.

However, he did pause for a moment to take in the place. He had always felt somewhat disconnected from Amber, yet at this moment Aaron discovered that he could no longer push his heritage into the past and leave it done with. He was an Amberite, whether by some bastardization or otherwise. As he looked behind him, at the disgruntled, sad refugees slowly flooding into the gates, Aaron set his jaw and moved on. He could not deny these people their freedom, nor himself the honest truth. Amber was home.

This place was much, much more powerful than he had originally thought. If the enemy truly did wish to take this place, Aaron didn't really think that they would attempt a seige. Oh, they may attempt it as a feint whilie they struck out at the real heart of the matter, but even despite the Archon's numbers, the defenses of Amber could be truly formidable to someone who understood the depths of its power.

As he continued on, shifting his pack and sword more comfortably, Aaron wondered if there was anyone left who did.

The passengers make their way to the dock, most by walking, or in Tahirah's case, by simply floating ashore, through the otherwise empty air.

After a brief discussion, they start towards the castle.  Despite Roman's misgivings, they soon find themselves traversing the city's streets unmolested.  It seems that any guards on duty at the moment are all busy elsewhere.

With darkness falling, the ominous red glow in the sky above and beyond Kolvir is growing more obvious, drawing nervous glances from the citizens in the crowded streets.  James leads the way, his familiarity with the city clear, as he avoids the busier main thoroughfares, and travels via the quieter back streets and alleyways.

Eventually though, they reach the gates of the Castle itself, which stands closed, and there they are finally stopped by a patrol.  The officer looks at the group of wanderers as they approach and, with a gesture, sends a half dozen men to intercept them before they get too close.  He goes back to his conversation with the lone stranger who had arrived a few moments earlier.

"Quite the portent, Tahirah - not too hard to interpret but hardly favourable.  The mountain of wood burning will be Arden, which is the forest currently lending that scarlet tinge to the sunset.  And the guardian of the wood is Prince Julian of Amber."  James comments as the group makes its way through the streets of the city. And if he is failing, then real trouble is very close at hand.

As they approach the gates of the Castle, James spots the guards sent to intercept them.  "Just stay calm and let me...Oh, damn, that's Aaron."

James had mixed feelings about Aaron, although meeting here in Amber couldn't help but remind James that the man was his cousin - somehow.  He respected Aaron's power and strength of purpose, but James was no longer entirely convinced that Aaron's purpose was the same as his.  He could be a valuable ally, or a severe hindrance, or just a convenient distraction.  Right now, it was impossible to tell which.

 

Banglen-Yp remains on the ship for an instant longer, having been busy playing catch with her little furry friend.  She quickly gathers him as the others leave and then stops at the captain, thanking her for an interesting journey as well as the food - both the one she ate in her human shape and the one the two cats ate.

Then she is off after the others, waving in parting.  A few moments later she catches up with the others, seemingly with boundless cheer and energy, more skipping along than walking.

 

Roman tries not to be too obvious at playing tourist.  But the city is most impressive, allowing for the stable nature of its environment.  It's beauty is quieter and tamer than the great sights of his homeland.  WIll the guards pose a problem ?  Too early to say, but so far someone seems determined to keep the group free of the entanglements of officialdom.

Aaron was trying his best to be patient, for patience was a thing that was new to him and had become swift and hard to learn. It seemed the guards could sense that, but it didn't do him any good to belabor his points.

"Look, my Granddaughter is..."

Then he paused and turned, as the attentions of the guards were taken by something other than himself. He narrowed his dark eyes, taking in the approaching group with interest... and recollection.

He knew these people, but did not know them. No names, no things that hinted that he recognized their personalities or understood their goals. Nothing like he used to identify Jack or Cyan or Berd. This group... Aaron had been with them, yet he had not been of them. They were fighting the same war together... but Aaron was hardly a reliable individual when it came to being a member of a party. Perhaps he could change that, now.

"I believe," he said to the guards after a moment, "that these people will explain the situation quite deftly. I'm... ah... with them."

Then he retreated to the side, to let the new arrivals make their case. One thing rolled around in his head, however, and he couldn't help but be amused by it. "All Roads Lead..."

The guard officer glances away for a moment, as Aaron claims to be with the approaching group.  His eyes narrow as he regards the newcomers, now detained at a distance by half of his men.

Then he grins, and calls out, "You men, let them pass.  James!  When did you get back?  If you're here to collect that half-crown I owe you, I'm afraid it's long since spent."

"Hello Kallum, good to see you.  I just got back.  As for the half-crown; I suppose that's what I get for being so long away."  James walks past the other guards, giving them a smile as he passes to show there's no harm or ill-feeling.  He shakes the guard's hand warmly.

"Allow me to introduce to you Tahirah, Roman and Banglen-Yp.  They're with me."  James indicates each of his companions in turn as he introduces them.  "As, I suppose, is the man you have there with you, whose name is Aaron.  Although I suspect he has his own right and reasons for being here."  James gives Aaron a short half-bow.  He's never really cleared up whether Aaron is an accepted member of the family and it seemed best to let Aaron speak for himself in that regard.

"So tell me, Kallum, what's the news?  I saw the smoke as we came in so it can hardly be good.  And who have you offended to find yourself on guard duty?"

 

As James indicates her, Banglen-Yp smiles brightly and waves at the guard and then at Aaron as well.

• Hello •

A cheerful statement aimed at the new peopel in general.

 

Tahirah turns slightly as she hovers, towards the smoke and the reddish glow on the horizon.  It seems to be weighing heavily on her mind.  Hearing James ask the guard what is happening, though, she pauses, and waits to hear the answer.

Roman remains silent.  Revealing his nature here would only distract the guard.  And he, too, wishes to know just what is happening and what form the attack on Amber is taking.  The Archons themselves, or more of their pawns ?