Roman and Finndo leave the room, with a servant whose duty it is to lead them to an area of the palace where diplomats and ambassadors are quartered.  The man leads them through a maze of rooms and passages, occasionally seeming to take longer routes than necessary, or even double back from time to time.

Oddly, on those occasions, the area doesn't look quite the same when they pass through it the second time.

Eventually he stops at the end of one short corridor.  "These twelve suites are occupied by a group from the Courts.  They have expressed a preference not to be disturbed in their chambers, so I have no idea who occupies any particular suite."

"Will there be anything else, Sirs?"

"That will be all, thank you"  Roman answers, dismissing the servant.  "We can call another guide when we are done."

It complicates matters, not to know who is where.  And Roman would not put it past the ambassadors to change rooms occasionally, to make sure that the Amberites did not know for sure who was where.  He chooses a door at random and knocks.

The door opens, just a little, and a woman stands there.  From the little Roman can see of her clothes through the ajar door, she looks more like a servant or minor functionary than an ambassador from some ruling house of the Courts.

She waits for a few moments, regarding Roman with some little interest.  "Yes, can I help you?  Do you wish an audience with Emissary Qiexz?  I'm afraid the Emissary is resting just now, but if you leave your name, and a place where you can be contacted, I'm sure something can be arranged."

Her eyes flick to Finndo, standing behind Roman, but if she recognises him, she gives no sign of it.

Roman cooly answers.  "I wish to speak to the entire delegation, or at least everyone of importance.  Matters of great moment are afoot.  and time is precious.  Still, if the Emissary needs his rest, perhaps we could proceed without him for a time..."

From somewhere further into the room, and out of Roman's sight, comes another voice, older, rasping, "That's alright Vaala, I know who it is."  The woman opens the door wider, revealing the speaker.  The man who comes into view is misshapen, twisted, not quite human, with red eyes and long white hair bound into numerous braids, which writhe like serpents, with a life of their own.

"You're Chanicut's boy, aren't you?  I'm Qiexz.  Forgive the subterfuge, I don't quite trust our hosts, so I always have Vaala deal with unexpected visitors."

He studies Finndo for a moment, and asks, "And you are?  I don't believe I know you."

"I'm Finndo, son of Oberon.  Don't worry though, I don't trust your hosts either."

"Ah... I have heard of you, yes."  Then, to Roman, "Why have you come to see me?"

It's something of a relief to see some normal beings, after the monotony of humans.  "The matter at hand is the role of Chaos in the coming war.`"  Roman exp;lains.  The enemy is our enemy, too, but Amber's enemy first.We have intelligence concerning that enemy - Prince Finndo here has his own knowledge of them.  And he claims connections to the Courts, and seems unwilling to reside with his kin..."

"Interesting." Qiexz replies.  "Certainly the Amberites have seemed... reluctant to divulge much information regarding this threat, so... "

"No." interrupts Finndo, "Any apparent reluctance is actually due to them not knowing much about what is really happening.  Any intelligence they have comes from Roman and his partners, and has only recently become available to them."

"Ah, I see.  That's definitely interesting news." the Emmisary murmurs, "There are many in the Courts who think that the Amberites are deliberately keeping us in the dark regarding this enemy.  Their suspicions are making cooperation difficult."

"Prince Finndo.  I can offer you a home in the Courts, should you wish one.  My own House would certainly take you in."

Finndo nods, "My thanks.  I'll consider it overnight, and try to give you a decision in the morning."

"As you wish, Majesty," Qiexz bows, then turns his attention to Roman again, "Any further intelligence you can provide regarding this enemy would be most welcome.  Or if there is anything I can do for you, you need only ask."

"There are things better discussed in the rooms" Roman points out.  Standing on the threshold is all very well.  "There is much information on the nature of the enemy, and the Amberite's problems..." That should get him interested

"My apologies, Chanicut." Qiexz says, stepping back, and gesturing for his visitors to enter, "I forgot my manners."

"Please, do come in.  Vaala, bring refreshments for our guests."

Once Roman and Finndo are settled into a couple of severely overstuffed chairs, and provided with the requested refreshments, Qiexz moves to stand near the fireplace, "These are dark times.  An enemy which threatens all, equally, at the same time.  I don't believe such a thing has ever occurred before."

"I would be interested to hear whatever intelligence you have on this enemy.  And, as for the problems of Amber, well, unless we know what they are, how can the Courts help in solving them?"

Roman sits, and starts to explain the basics, "The enemy are a faction - the largest faction - of creatures known as Archons.  Their goal is to take control of everything, Amber, Chaos and all that lies between and remake it as pleases them."

"Three types are known, appearing as wheels of blades, fire or lightning.  They can change in size and they are adept at traveling through Shadow.  Unaided human forms are not well equipped to fight such creatures, which is why Chaos has some advantage, and perhaps some leverage."

"Prince Finndo, perhaps knows more of these creatures..."

Finndo adds, "What Roman has told you is the core of it.  I know they are powerful, both individually, and as a people.  In combat, the most powerful warriors can defeat some Archons, but it takes knowledge of the techniques required, and a ridiculous amount of luck.  Put a group of them together, and nothing can stand in their way."

He sighs then, and thinks for a moment before speaking again, "The only point in our favour is that the larger the group, the more likely it is that they'll turn on each other.  It sometimes comes down to direct physical combat, but more often they will start to work against each other, subtly at first, but more overtly as time passes."

"I see." Qiexz responds, his gaze switching back and forth between the two visitors, "And do you, either of you, know of a weapon which might be used against these Archons?"

Finndo actually laughs.  "Oh, they are vulnerable to a number of weapons.  The problem is that there are so few people who can wield those weapons.  I suspect, for instance, that the Logrus could probably hold one of them, which would be fatal to them.  Spinning is to Archons what breathing is to humans.  Unfortunately, for most people, the simple attempt to use the Logrus would probably be equally fatal."

"They're fast, and don't know the meaning of the word indecisive."

Roman considers a while.  "The best weapon we have is their own tendency to disunity.  If the Seraphim can be destroyed as an alliance, the threat is greatly reduced."

"However, I do have the beginning of a plan to obtain a weapon that may be of some use to us...  But until then,how much support can we gather from the Courts, and how can we best squeeze concessions from the Amberite King ?  His realm will be the first to go.."

Qiexz smiles, "Interesting.  That makes them sound almost as disorderly as the Amberites themselves.  No offence, Prince Finndo."

"None taken."

"As for support... " the ambassador continues, "Our people are concerned about this.  They know that something threatens the Courts.  Some of our trading partners have simply... vanished.  Whole nations gone, with no sign that they were ever there.  I'm sure the Houses can be relied upon to extend their might, even as far as Amber, if need be."

"I don't believe we need to squeeze concessions from the Amberites.  I suspect that they'll be glad to consider anything we present to them, in exchange for promises of assistance."

A pause, as he considers what he has heard, then, "I can send word home about this weakness of the Archons.  I'm sure somebody would be able to think of something to aggravate their distrust of each other.  After all, some of our people have been doing that sort of thing to other nations for quite some time."

"Yes, sending word back to the Courts would be good.  Our people need to know how to deal with this threat." Roman replies. "And send word that a great battle is in the offing.  That should be worth a few recruits from Hendrake, at the least."

"In the mean time, I assume that I can rely on you, Chanicut, to report any new developments to me promptly?" Qiexz asks quietly, his eyes fixed directly on Roman's.  "I shall, if you desire it, mention your name in my own reports to the Courts.  It should reflect well upon both you, and your House, when this is all over."

His left eye, the one furthest from Finndo, closes in a definite wink, as he adds, "Not that I would expect you to pass on information to me before giving it to our hosts, of course."

"Recognition for one's achievements is always welcome" Roman answers. "I think we have occupied enough of your time - for now.  And there is some other business I wish to see to with Prince Finndo." He prepares to rise, but mindful of the protocol he waits a moment to see if the representative has anything further to discuss.

"By all means.  Feel free to come back at your convenience." Qiexz responds, with a nod, "I shall give instructions that, if I am away on business, somebody else will speak with you.  Hopefully the suspicion which greeted your first visit will not be repeated."

Finndo stands, "My thanks for your offer of sanctuary.  I shall give it due consideration."

"Think nothing of it.  It would be an honour for any house to have so distinguished a guest."

The ambassador makes a small gesture, and the woman, Vaala, moves to open the door.  Allowing Roman and Finndo back out into the corridor.

Roamn departs with the usual politenesses.  Waiting until they are well away from the rooms given over to the Chaotic contingent  - and when there is nobody to overhear within earshot, even a servant, Roman decides to broach another subject with Finndo.  "I was quite convinced by the arguments against using your device to try to reimprison the Archons.  A temporary solution at best, and one that fails to adequately distinguish between ally and foe.  Perhaps it might be as well to disable it, to forestall any mistaken attempts to use it..."  And Roman has a quite specific idea on how to do that.

Finndo stops in his tracks and studies Roman intently.  "Yes, it is temporary and, upon further reflection, increases the likelihood that those who are currently friendly will switch sides."

"Destruction of the device would be acceptable to me.  I am reluctant, following my experiences with the Archons, to go poking about in such spaces again.  Should I get the urge to do so at some point in the future, well then, I can build a new device.  One with better precautions built in to it."

He resumes walking again, "How, exactly, would you do it?  Bear in mind that the Archons may have sentries posted to protect the portal from such interference."

"I intend to remove a vital component" Roman answers. "Perhaps you can provide plans of the device ? And information about the Shadow where it is located ?  I am sure that we can work out a way around any sentries."