Your mother laughs again, "Are you sure your not more on Morrigan's side of the fence?" She smiles and shakes her head.

"Stay the night here, and you can ride back to the castle in the morning. We have a base nearby come on."

Ghost your mothers owl flies over and lands nearby. She turns and pets him and hands him a strip of meat that he eats.

In reply to Ellika Stormborn (msg # 138):

"That sounds lovely.  It's been a while since we did that."

The two spend the night at one of the bases built into the side of the mountains.
Several patrols arrive and go out throughout the night. The base is heated and the night passes mostly without incident. The next morning comes quickly.

In reply to Shadow of the One True GM (msg # 140):

Tanique rose and enjoyed the sunrise.

It is a slightly warmer morning today and the air is still not stirring much.

In reply to Shadow of the One True GM (msg # 142):

OOC:  Beautiful picture!

Tanique does her stretching, and sees to her mount

The Black Road reaches up and over the mountains this morning leading to the base.

In reply to Shadow of the One True GM (msg # 144):

Tanique watched the road with curiosity
"I'm assuming that's only temporary, right?  There's no permanent damage to the mountains, is there?"

"I am not sure, we have not had visitors from the Courts of Chaos in numbers before. When one or two show up they don't need that but the Herald said they use such things to move larger numbers especially members of staff that are not initiated into the power of their realm or some such. It is like when we need to call up a true storm to move numbers, is how I equate it."

Ellika looks at it as well, "I don't think it should last long, most likely just for their stay here and will go with them. I need to speak with the Herald about it you bring up a point daughter."

In reply to Ellika Stormborn (msg # 146):

Tanique nodded
"I suppose, technically, it shouldn't be that difficult to repair, if we need to."

Ellika gives orders to her troops, "Let's make way to the castle so I can ask those very questions to the Herald. Your father will wish to speak with you as well I am sure, oh and one of Morrigan's servants a Gavven I think or Gavvren ? Told me he had many small sacks of powder for you, what is that all about ?"

In reply to Ellika Stormborn (msg # 148):

Tanique chuckled.
"The sacks are a surprise for Father, though I suppose i might have ruined that by putting him in a bad mood.  I forget sometimes how volatile he is.  Okay, let's head to the castle"

An hour of interrogation by Julian to firmly vet Tanique as his daughter and that she was the one he spoke with earlier as well as the one he saw riding that morning and...


"So why would you go to Amber after my warning you of the problems there if it is so close to the detente with Chaos here ? Does this have something to do with this private hunt your setting up for me ?"

In reply to Julian (msg # 150):

Tanique smiled sweetly at her father.
"No, no, don't worry, this had nothing to do with what's happening here.  I was just curious about what was happening between here and there.  I just underestimated how far from Amber the excitement had gotten.  Don't worry, I'll stay clear for now."

"Yes, it isn't so bad to listen to me when it comes to your Amber homeland. I trust you will avoid trouble and stick around till this, diplomatic whatever it is that will transpire does so." His eyebrows rise slightly.

In reply to Julian (msg # 152):

Tanique smiled sweetly.
"Of course, Father.  You have nothing to worry about"

"Good glad to hear it. So let's see the avian show you want to put on, I would like to see how it is coming along."

Julian will leave his rooms and let her lead on.

Tanique goes to the Aviary to show her father her birds

"You always were a natural with falcons and other avians, I think you get that from your mother some. They are very colorful, this gathering of birds you have here." He wanders about and studies the birds a bit before turning.

"I spoke with the Courts Herald, young man. Excitable type."

"Heralds always are.  Occupational hazard"

"Yes I suppose somewhat, though more so for messengers then for heralds. So what will you have these birds do ? Or you wishing to leave that as a surprise ? Also there is the situation of the hunt is that to wait till the Chaosians are here."

In reply to Julian (msg # 158):

"I'm planning an exhibition, with dazzling colors.  The hunt is a separate thing"

Julian nods then he suddenly turns and gets hit in the arm by a bag filled with powder.

There is the uproarish laughter of Ashton, "Ha, I actually got you, little prince Julian."

Julian's face went from hardened and his hand from drawing his sword to a softening look of a child for a moment. His jaw opening and eyes widening.

He whispered it at first, "Ashton." Then louder, "Ashton." He laughs and moves over to him, "You great big lummox. I thought. I thought you were dead."

Ashton, "No, not me. Though your father did come one day and ask me to move along. I wouldn't be surprised if he told you I was dead."

Julian just nods slowly then seems to recover and look at his arm with the powder.
"This was the hunt thing? You cheated Ash the hunt wasn't even begun."

Ashton smiles, "Did I now, well at least I didn't catch you with your pants down, little prince."

Julian, "Not so little anymore."

Ashton holds his hand up as if measuring himself and Julian, "Alright slightly bigger prince Julian."

Julian smiled, "It's nice to see you again. Your right about my father he did say you were dead. Damn him just to get me to focus on other things now I realize that."

Ashton nods, "How is your father ?"

Julian, "Dead now, floating in the Abyss. Of course with very recent events." He says looking at Ashton, "I have to now wonder."

Tanique stood nearby, not interrupting, but hoping Julian wasn't secretly mad.

The birds are worked up a bit fluttering their wings and moving their talons on their perches.

The two keep talking with each other and seem to be getting along well.