Lance takes the offered hand in a firm shake, and claps his cousin on the shoulder with his other hand.

"You too?  It was a bad night, for sure.  Terrible dreams.  Thrashed and tossed so much I tore my stitches and the wound started seeping again.  It seems to be healing, just not enough to walk the Pattern today.  I was cautioned against getting blood on it.  I shall have to bow out, this morning, but will come and watch if anyone is going to try it."

  Lance shrugs, looking tired and defeated.  His cousin was clearly the stronger built of the two, and Lance could see how his excellent physique and good nature could have the girls melting over him.  He was intelligent, charming, and a decent looking fellow.  Very easy to like.  Still, any jealousy was undeserved.  Jon hadn't done anything to earn it, so Lance mentally pushes it back into the file marked Lance's Insecurities.

  Lance spies a servant, and asks if they will get a message to Flora to tell her that she need not be up early on his account, that he won't be walking the Pattern today.

  "So, are you going to try it, Jon?"

*smiles* "Perhaps, but that depends on what I find in the infirmary.  Jade is a kind and caring young women, but from my short experience with her, not one given to over reacting.  So, I take her advice seriously." he looks around "While my wound is minor and I was very lucky in my encounter with the Grey Men, I will not walk until I am at full health." *grins* "Besides, I don't ever want to be a cause of worry to Jade or any of you." he says with genuine sincerity and warmth. Claps him on the shoulder in return. "Why do you join me and let's see if there is anything we can do to help us heal up.  And I can introduce you to one of my father's servants.  His name is Rian and he will hopefully be helping me get my father's accounts and affairs in order." *grins* "Besides, it looks like breakfast with the ladies won't be for a while yet.  I bet they fell asleep in the library."

  Lance feels a pang of guilt and shame.  Jon's comment assured Lance that he had not spent the night "riding", and Lance kicked himself mentally for his own nightmares.  The ID was a terrible place.  He nods at Jon's suggestion.

  As they walk Lance asks "So, your dad had been King here back before Random, right?  I don't mean to dredge up anything painful or to pry, but did you know him before...well... before?"

*nods* "That is what I've been told.  Unfortunately, I never knew my father.  Shortly after he knew my mother was pregnant, he moved her to my home "shadow" of the Faewylds." *shrugs* "Until yesterday, I didn't believe my mother's stories. But Rain has worked for my father for years and told me about him.  He was a good man at heart, but fell victim to the same pettiness that the others have hinted at that our elder generation harbored." *smiles* "That is why Jade and I have agreed that we've be different, we've agreed to forgive the grievances of our elders towards each other and build a new and brighter future for us all.  Which is why I am so thankful that you, Ari and Ballad are willing to work with us. If gives me a lot of hope for our generation." he looks over at Lance. "Jade is indeed and Idealist, but in this I agree with her ideals."

Jon arrives at a room that turns out to be a sort of large laboratory, but which also has a lot of medical supplies...

  Lance nods.  “That’s a wonderful vision and I hope it may come to pass.  If we’e fortunate, it will turn out that the grey men are merely an external threat, and not working at the behest of any of our relatives that might have old scores to settle.  I know I’ll sleep better when their threat is ended.  How is it that you know Jade and Ariadne?  Did you just bump into them here in the castle, as I did with Ballad?”

"Yeah, I bumped into Jade shortly after I arrived and spent the day with her talking and learning." *smiles* "After a bit of a break as I met a servant of my fathers, she went to rest.  After I refreshed, I went to check in on her and ran into Ari and her at Aunt Florimel's apartment." *grins* "Then we ran into you and Ballad and ended on a high note."

  "It seems fate has brought us all here together." Lance chuckles.  "I'm glad to finally have family.  I just wish we were all meeting under better circumstances  These grey men trouble me, as if there weren't enough other things to worry about."

*nod* "Indeed, the grey men are a threat that we need to take seriously." *smiles* and claps him on the shoulder "But, don't let them consume your thoughts, that way leads to madness and recklessness.  Besides, we are stronger together as a team.  Once everyone is healed up and if we all decide to walk the pattern, then we can do some serious team training.  Then we can seriously begin our quest to investigate the source of the threat." *chuckles* "After all, travelling to different shadows and practicing those skills as well, can be invaluable.  And we get to have some fun.  You know not all training has to be void of fun and entertainment, right?" he teases.  Jon is trying to get Lance to relax a little and not worry too much.

Two men Lance has never seen before walk in, though Jon seems to recognize the older man.

After bowing briefly to Lance, the older man speaks to Jon: "Milord, I was told that you wished us to meet you here. This is my nephew Rory," he adds, referring to the young man next to him.

Rory is a strapping young fellow of perhaps 25.

*nod* "Rian, thank you for coming.  Rory, nice to meet you." he then turns towards Lance "This is my cousin Lance, Lance this is Master Rian.  He used to work for my father and Rory was just introduced." *smiles* and then offers his hand to Rory.

Rory's handshake is firm. "Milord," he nods...

Jon looks around the room, looking for a physician or nurse that might be able to help Lance and himself.
"Rian, I realized that I don't have much in the way of clothing and such here, nor do I have any local currency.  So I want hoping you might know, off of the top of your head if I have enough in local currency to buy a few things beyond the baldric?" *smiles* "I'm sure Lance is the same boat, so if I could cover him as well, until he gets himself and his accounts determined."

"Milord, while the castle is more than willing to cover the sartorial accounts of both you and milord Lance... it is also true that you, personally, have sufficient funds in the city to do the same-- indeed, for both of you. Speaking generally, the issue of liquid assets, milord, is not one of your problems, at least not in Amber. I can get you new clothes as one, either, or both of you may require..."

*Nod* "That is good to hear.  I was concerned.  I didn't want to use the People of Amber's money any more than necessary." *grins* "And luckily I don't have extravagant taste either.  So excepts for gifts and critical equipment, I shouldn't go through too much." looks lost in thought for a moment "Rian, coordinate with  Odile please.  Jade ordered a set of clothes for both of us yesterday.  And I have a suspicion that she already knows all of our measurements.  She seemed magical in that way." pauses "As for me, the most immediate would be two things.  1) a set of practice gear, brigandine armor preferred, sword and shield and spear.  2) at least one other set of clothes.  Sadly most of my father's stuff doesn't fit.  I will go through it again tonight.  And what I can't use, we can re-use as material to make some other clothes for me or donate it.  There is no good reason to throw away perfectly functional clothes."

"Yes, milord. It shall be done."

*smiles* "Thank you.  I appreciate the assistance."  He looks over at Rory. "Rory, I would like your assistance, much like your Uncle was for my father.  But right now more on the research, sparring and training partner and travel companion.  You uncle spoke well of you and your skills.  So if you wouldn't mind, in a day or two once I am fully healed and walked the pattern, I would love to spar with you." he becomes serious. "We, my cousins and I, face a serious threat and all of us need to train and improve our skills.  But beyond that, anyone who travels with me and us, needs to be capable as well and will need to train with us so that we can all coordinate and protect each other.  Working with me, won't just idle pursuits and hunts in the King's wood.  We may well face serious danger and overwhelming odds.  I need to be able to count on the person beside me.  I would like and am hoping you would be one of those people." he examines Rory, with the eye of an experienced soldier, his tone was serious almost stern, but not insulting or offense.  He wants to make sure that Rory understands the seriousness of what he might agree to.

"Certainly, milord. I feel you'll find me capable."

*smiles* "I look forward to testing and confirming it.  And I look forward to getting to know you better." he offers his hand again to the warrior. "Now, do either of you have any knowledge of the healing arts or medicinal skills?"

  Lance shakes the hands of both Rian and Tory, remarking that it is a pleasure to meet them both, and thanking Rian for his offer of assisting in procuring more clothing.

  While Jon speaks with Rory about sparring and such, Lance says to Rian,"Rian, if it is possible I would like to procure maybe a half dozen sets of suitable clothing if it isn't too much trouble.  My colors are red and gold, and I prefer comfort and function over pomp, although an extra set of something fancy for formal get togethers would be nice too."  He pauses, "And if by chance you happen to hear of anything that might be of desire by our cousin Ballad, I would take it as a personal favor if you could either procure it on my behalf or get word to me that I might do so."

"Certainly, milord."

Not seeing an Clerics or Herbalist, he looks to Rory and Rian, "Do either of you have any knowledge of the healing arts or medicinal skills?" he looks around again. "I know basic field first aid, but I and Lance, more specifically, need more than I can offer."

Unfortunately, that's all they know, either.

Certainly it seems that Jon may have to wait until he rests tonight in order to feel 100% healed...

  "Well, rest and recuperation is the order of the day, I suppose.  Let's get some breakfast, then I'll probably grab a book from the library and spend the day in bed." says Lance.

  "Shall we go eat?  The others may already be up."

*nods* "Rian, Rory, thank you for your assistance." *smiles* "Yes, let's not keep the girls waiting." he then heads to the Dining Hall.