"Bah!  Is that all?" Senghiz asks, "I could do all of that myself, where I but half my age.  By the sounds of it talented shape-shifters and Logrus adepts would be ideal for the task.  If not for this irritating... Broken God, did you call it?"

"So you need somebody who would be able to do all of those things, and not have their abilities taken from them."

He ponders for a moment, then, "House Boisjolis has some new trading partners who might fit the bill.  I'm sure that, given their friendship with Chanicut, they can be persuaded to allow us access to the Khayoudh to negotiate some sort of military support."

Roman declines to point out that a Logrus Adeot might choose to take te power for himself.  Demon allies seem safer in that score, if they are trustworthy.  "Have House Boisjolis released much information on these Khayoudh?  I don't doubt their abilities, but commitment, courage and loyalty are important - as well as the matter of whatever payment they might expect."

"Better than that, boy.  I've met one of them, a couple of months ago.  They can fight, and that's for certain... " Senghiz replies, then adds, with a chuckle, "Your biggest problem might be getting them to stop.  Their parents raise them to avoid any signs of weakness, and their priests teach them that leaving the battlefield while an enemy still stands on it is a sign of weakness."

He ponders for a moment more, "Payment should be easy enough - they're a simple people who seem happy with the usual shiny metals and pretty stones, but Falmer Boisjolis told me a delightful tale about a group of Khayoudh mercenaries who had a choice between two employers.  One employer offered more pay, but the other had more interesting foes."

"The Khayoudh took the lower pay and the more interesting fight."

'An interesting fight, I can offer them" Roman replies.   "But the plan was for a hit-and-run raid.  Of course, if they don't mind going to near-certain death, that might not be a problem.  But tere are a lot of Archons on that world, and it's quite likely that they'll just keep coming until all the attackers were dead."

Senghiz tugs at his ear as he ponders Roman's words, "I see your point.  A force of berserkers might not be the best choice if you want to hit and run.  Hit and hit and hit again would be more their style."

He suddenly seems to notice what he's doing, and snatches his hand away from his ear with an irritated frown, "However, if all else fails... they might serve as a distraction while a small group from Chanicut escapes with the weapon."

"Although it might be better to recruit elsewhere.  As I said, I'm not entirely certain that I trust your grandmother at this point.  Either she has some scheme of her own, or somebody who has her ear has their own scheme.  In any case, she's been less than stable of late."

Then he looks at Roman, and smiles, "In fact...  What would you say to coming to stay at my home while we work something out?  It would take us away from Derris' direct influence, at least."

"Oh, I wouldn't mind them staying and dying if they wished it.  But I would hate to explain to a race of berserkers how it was that I managed to return while their kin did not." Roman replies with a wry smile.  "Some peoples have strange tastes - and all too often a regrettable tendency to expect others to share them."

Roman returns Senghiz' smile.  "I think that a quiet stay with my dear Uncle might be wise, it takes time to get up to spped with the political developments here.  And we have documents to study, without distraction"

"Splendid." Senghiz looks at the documents, spread out on the table, and starts to collate them into a single sheaf again.  "I'll speak to Derris.  Tell her that you've had a tiring journey and that I think a few days somewhere quiet will do you the world of good.  I believe she'll listen to me."

"I'll also tell her that we'll keep her informed of any conclusions we reach regarding the Archons, and how to deal with them.  It probably would not be a good idea to mention this weapon, as your grandmother would be just as likely to order it retrieved and used against certain of the other Houses."

True to his word, Senghiz speaks to Mistress Chanicut, and convinces her that Roman would benefit from spending a few days in a more peaceful location.  Within three hours, Roman is entering Senghiz's demesne.

Senghiz had not exaggerated when describing his home as "somewhere quiet".  Deep pile carpets and heavy velvet drapes, all in a dark bottle green, deaden all sounds.  The ceilings are high, lost in shadow, and there are no windows, save one, in the whole manse.  The two are met by one of the servants, who bows to the men before starting to flutter her hands in a complex sign language.

"Thank you, Ordeia, some tea would be excellent.  I believe we'll take it in the study."

The only window in the house is in the study.  Beyond it is a strip of ground, about three feet wide, and then the Abyss - infinitely deep, as far as anybody knows.  If there is a bottom to it, nobody has ever discovered it and returned to tell of the tale.

While they wait for the tea, they make the usual small talk, while gazing out of the window.  Only their reflections in the glass gaze back at them.  After the tea arrives, and Ordeia leaves them alone again, the conversation turns to the matter of the Archons.

"You mentioned a weapon, Roman.  But you didn't describe it's nature?"

Romn relaxes, noting Senghiz's care to choose servants who might find it hard to communicate with others.

How much to tell him ?  "The weapon takes the form of a crystalline sword, but it I have cause to believe that is capable of wielding massive amounts of energy. I have encountered shards of the sister-weapon and seen them deliver energies capable of hurting Archons - and, I am given to understand, negating Broken God fragments.  Sadly I was unable to obtain one of those fragments, but a complete weapon will make up for that misfortune."

Beyond the window a trail of fire slopes down the sky, fading as it drops into the Abyss.  Senghiz watches it in silence as he ponders Roman's description of the weapon.  Then, "Interesting."  He holds out his left hand, palm up, and a book simply appears resting in it.  It's a large, leather-bound volume, demon hide by all appearance, with hinges and clasps of iron.  Iron letters are set into the cover, glowing red hot and seeming to writhe and squirm.  Roman can see that they spell out the words, "Lux lucis in antiqua mysteria".

He opens the book and starts leafing through it, saying as he does so, "Of course, that might make things easier.  If the sword can injure Archons, then with luck all you need is for somebody to lay a hand on it, and fighting their way out will be easier.  Ah... here we are."

The page bears an illustration of a sword and a staff.  Both appear to be crystaline in nature and wreathed in some form of energy or flame.

"Could that be them?"

Roman looks more closely.  "Perhaps."  he states.  "The brother weapon was referred to as the Spear, which is not an exact match, but perhaps close enough. I shall need to examine the text, to be sure."

Senghiz passes the book to Romam, "By all means.  Take as long as you need.  As I recall the text describes it sometimes as a staff, sometimes a spear, and occasionally as a lance.  It doesn't seem to have a blade in this sketch, but perhaps the crystal is sharp enough to act as one, or the power within it acts as one."

"While you catch up on your reading, I'll see what I can do about raising you a small army of Khayoudh, or would you prefer me to find something a little more stealthy, if I can?  And I can send word to... "

He is interrupted by a gentle rapping at the study door, and the servant, Ordeia, hurries into the room again.  She makes a brief series of gestures, and Senghiz's face drops, "Well, that didn't take long.  There are some Chanicut soldiers at the door who want to speak to you.  They must have been sent almost as soon as we left."

So much for taking as long as he needs!  And now a choice.  With his dear grandmother acting strange it is possible that these men were sent to do ill.  But if they do not and he doesn't meet them, then it is all too likely that her suspicions will be aroused, and that a not-too-likely fear will become reality.

And so he goes to find out what these soldiers might want.

Senghiz follows Roman, after taking a few moments to conceal the documents.  Thus he is a short distance behind his nephew as Roman approaches the troops.  There are eight of them, armed and armoured, with Chanicut's crest clearly displayed on their surcoats.  Seven of them are in the entrance, while one has walked further into the room and is looking about the place.  His armour is more ornately decorated than that of the others.

Roman moves near, and the leader draws his sword, "Roman of Chanicut, you are hereby bound, in the name of Lady Derris of Chanicut, to stand down."

"What is this about?" Senghiz demands from a little distance off, "This is my home, and I have the ear of the Lady Derris herself.  You must treat her grandson with respect, or she will hear of it."

"My orders come directly from the Lady Derris, sir."  The officer's eyes snap back to Roman, "You are to accompany us back to House Chanicut immediately."

This doesn't really make a lot of sense.  "Perhaps you could explain the purpose of this." He answers, instinctively beginning to shift to demon form. "I see no reason for so many soldiers to be dispatched to ask me to return when I had barely departed the place..."

"You are to return with us, immediately, sir." the officer repeats, "This is a direct order from Lady Derris, and we do not question her orders.  If you do not come with us, we are authorised to use force to ensure your compliance."

Behind him, the rest of the troops fan out a little, and ready their weapons.  The officer gestures for Roman to walk out of the house, "Please come this way, sir."

"If you will pardon me, your story is somewhat difficult to credit.  Why would my dear grandmother give such orders ?  And so shortly after a pleasant visit with her, too ?" Roman answers.  "I believe that I must decline to comply until I have adequate assurance that you speak the truth."  He stpes back, with his hand on the hilts of Wormwood.

"We are not privy to her reasoning, sir.  We simply comply with her orders."  The officer steps back also, and lifts his own sword.  Lurid green flames appear and dance along the blade.  "If you do not stand down, we will be compelled to use force against you."

Behind him his troops ready their own weapons, four of them have spears, and the rest swords.

Senghiz raises his hands, "Please... this is my home."

"Nonetheless, sir, our orders are to bring him to the Lady Derris."

Roman looks to Senghiz for advice.  He's at least right that it is his home.  At worst he will provide a face-saving reason to go along with these men....

Senghiz looks at Roman and shakes his head, "If it were up to me, I'd go with them, were I in your place.  They wear Chanicut livery, and say they have orders from Derris.  If they have been sent by her, and you refuse to go, then she'll likely send a larger group, with orders to be less... polite."

He moves closer to Roman, "I'm sure it's nothing.  Derris likely forgot to speak to you of some matter and thought this the fastest way to call you back."  His hand comes up to rest on his nephew's shoulder, and he smiles reassuringly.

"I can imagine ways of obtaining livery." Roman mutters, not very content with Senghiz spoken argument.

More loudly, he states.  "Good Senghiz has persuaded me.  I will go."  Senghiz may as well get the credit, if this is real

The troops take Roman into... not exactly custody, though they do move to surround him at a respectful distance, and their commander leads the whole group out of Senghiz' home.  The documents, of course, remain safely ensconced in a drawer in the study.

A carriage is waiting, harnessed to a quartet of scaled grey creatures, not entirely unlike horses, and Roman is instructed to board it.  The team of beasts hiss and mewl like giant cats, and then set off, pulling the vehicle behind them.  Most of the troops walk behind the carriage, leaving Roman alone inside, while the officer rides alongside the driver.

Perhaps surprisingly, Roman finds himself taken back to House Chanicut.

He is escorted into a room, not one he recognises, and Mistress Chanicut is there alone, seated in a high backed chair.  She raises a hand and waves for the troops to depart.

When she and Roman are alone, she smiles at him, and says, "I'm sorry to call you back so soon, Roman but there is an urgent matter I must speak of."  A pause as she studies he grandson's face, "Tell me... what is your opinion of Senghiz?  Does he seem... normal to you?"

A bit of a tricky conversation, this.  Roman pauses a moment to consider how to respond.  Keep it diplomatic.  "I have been gone for a while, and I have only been back a short time.  But Senghiz seems much the same to me, as I remember.  Perhaps I might notice a difference in time..."

"I see." Derris continues to smile, but her expression does not match her tone of voice.  She rises out of the chair and walks forward, reaching out a hand to touch Roman's chest as she starts to circle around him.  Once behind her grandson, she leans close, and whispers, "You were always my favourite Roman.  The only one I ever trusted."

And she moves again, completing her circuit and starting back towards the chair.  Before she reaches it, she stops with her back still turned, and says, "Did Senghiz, dear Senghiz, tell you that he believes me mad?  Oh, he hasn't told me that in so many words.  How did he put it again?  Ah... yes... "  Her voice changes, becoming a passable imitation of Senghiz' own, "My Lady, I believe that the strain of recent events may be taking a toll upon you.  Tiring you, and impairing your judgement."

She turns then, her face a mask of fury, "Do you believe I am mad, Roman?  I have only the well-being of House Chanicut in mind!  I make alliances that will strengthen us, and Senghiz implies that I am weak, and foolish.  Do you believe him?"

Definitely uncomfortable!  Roman struggles to think of the words.  The unvarnished truth could be fatal.  Lying possibly worse!

"He, Ahhh, intimated some concerns with recent decisions." Roman says.  "For my part, I think it's only fair to...make my own observations before coming to a conclusion.  But I would never consider you weak, or even foolish". Well maybe foolish. Maybe

Derris lifts her right hand, spreading the fingers with the palm turned away from her.  She turns it this way and that, studying it closely.  There is a ring on her middle finger, which seems to have distracted her, absorbing all of her attention.

A smile, and after what seems like an age, still looking at the ring, she finally says, "My favourite, you see.  This is why... I can always rely on you to speak truthfully.  Senghiz fancies himself head of the House, you know?  Oh... he pretends otherwise, and makes no overt moves for the position.  But one day, and not too long hence, I shall die, suddenly.  And for some reason Senghiz will be seen as the best choice to replace me."

The hand is lowered, and balls into a fist, "He will, reluctantly of course, accept the position as leader of House Chanicut, and all that I have worked for will be undone."

"He thinks that I haven't seen the strings being pulled, the movements in the shadows, the wheels being set in motion.  He believes that I am unaware of the whispered conversations in locked rooms.  And he is certain that I know nothing of  the visitor who regularly comes to his home in secret.  Always they seek to interfere in the politics of the Courts!  Cursed Amberites!"

That last is almost a shriek, and she reaches out to grasp Roman's right wrist in a grip like an iron vice.  She lifts it and gazes at his hand, and her voice is quiet, calm, as she asks, "Roman, the best of all my grandchildren, would you kill Senghiz for me, if I asked it of you?"