Benedict and Khara reappeard before the castle gates back in Amber. It was either early morning, perhaps about nine of the clock. Benedict sighed, I'm gonna have to sleep the entire day just to catch up... He shrugged to himself, and glanced to Khara, "Ready to go?"
"I'm always ready," she purred in reply. Ben resisted the urge to roll his eyes, and instead approached the gates. The two guardsmen there were fairly surprised to see the Prince.
"Good morning," Benedict said in hail. "This is Khara, Khyron's cousin." He paused, gesturing to the tall blue-skinned woman behind him. How she could be mistaken for anything other than a Gamellonian, Ben didn't know. He turned his attention back to the guards. "Any news I should know of?"
The two guards looked at each other before the left most one spoke up. "Lots actually. Do you want it all now, or shall you wait til you're in a more comfortable sitting place?"
"Now if you could," Benedict replied nicely, but pointedly. He was in a bit of a hurry after all.
"Well, Princess Llewella isn't a Princess any longer. She abandoned the title and is now Regent Llewella. She was given the title after a testing of the Council of Lords, all twenty of them." Benedict raised his brows, and nodded agreeing with their decision. After all, it wasn't him now...and he was glad for it. He nodded for the guards to continue.
"Princess Fiona, in an so far unexplained incident, was turned into a statue the morning of Sunday." Benedict frowned at that..the day being Tuesday if his Hellride took the four days or so that he thought it did.
"The interviews for the position of Regent occurred on Sunday afternoon. Most of you family had by that time fled. Caine and Deirdre in good standing, Corwin in unknown standing, Eric in hunted standing..." Benedict nodded at that, approvingly, "...Julian and Random in good standing as well. Pretty much the only Amberites interviewing for the position were Prince Corwin--he had not vanished yet--Prince Bleys, and Princess Llewella. Princess Flora had been bed-ridden since Saturday. Bleys was rejected, left for a time, and has since returned with two allies from Shadow. One of them is a thief, who assaulted and mugged one of the Hundred, and has since been bailed out by Prince Bleys. Prince Corwin was also rejected and has not been back since."
Benedict let a sigh escape him and rubbed his temple, "Is Khyron still alive?"
"Former Captain..." Former Captain? What happened? "...Khyron stormed the Council of Lords also on Sunday, resigned his position, and left with two members of the Hundred to search for Lord Dworkin and King Oberon. A new Captain has not been named. It is noted that Khyron's execution was cancelled, but he still resigned in anger. He has not been heard from since."
Benedict glanced about, chewing on his lower lip, "I see.." He paused, thinking for a moment. "Anything else?"
"The Pattern, sir. Princeling Gerard was the last to walk it, and he has not been heard from since. Apparantly, there was a being named 'Slade' who was brought into the castle by Eric. The being has somehow sabotauged the Pattern. Prince Bleys has tried to walk it, but was rebuffed, thrown backwards, and had passed out. No others have tried since."
"Lastly, with the disappearance of the King, the Ambassadors have also gone. Inter-Shadow travel is still possible with technological means, such as what the Gamellonians have, but the main force responsible for transporting non Blood Family members of the Amberian Empire is now cut off. You are also the first person to come through Amber in two days. And none save family blood members have entered the realm since Oberon was kidnapped." Benedict was thinking about the implications thereof when the guard interrupted again.
"Lastly," the guard uttered. Wasn't that the last thing just prior to this? "as of this morning, all the remaining mothers of the royal family have disappeared. Queen Moins and Admiral Rilga were both taken."
The guard ground to a halt there, then said tenatively, "That's all the major news..."
Benedict grunted, "So, in other words, we're screwed." He shouldn't have let that slip out in front of the guardsmen, but he couldn't help it. How could so many things go wrong in the couple days he was gone? He shouldn't have left in the first place.
The guard shook his head, "Now that you've come back, it must be a sign." Great Ben thought to himself sardonically, I'm a damn sign. Just great. No pressure Ben, but if things keep going wrong, now they're have a scapegoat. He kept that to himself, though he grumped over it. He definitely needed sleep.
After a few brief moments, a guard walked up to the trio standing there. "Prince Benedict." The Prince turned towards the fellow, waiting. "Chancellor Henden and the other nobles have returned...the Regent wishes to speak with you." Benedict wasn't quite tracking that, but he got the gist--Llewella wanted to talk to him.
After a few moments of walking and as they were about halfway through the courtyward, Chancellor Henden stepped out and greeted him. Henden looked worn out...probably as much as Benedict looked himself. It wasn't a good sign. The Chancellor took one look at Ben and sized him up, "You look like hell."
Benedict rubbed his chin and almost smiled. "You also." They embraced quickly then, for the Chancellor was a good friend of Ben's. Henden was his father figure throughout Ben's childhood, his own father being too busy to be much of a role-model. They had remained friends after Ben grew to manhood.
"It's been a long few days, and I fear it's only starting. And my, is that Khara? Uncle Breetai sure did turn purple when he learned you were here. A shame you missed Khyron. But, no time to waste. The Regent wishes to see you both, so if you'd please touch my shoulders, I'll Trump you there directly."
Benedict did so, and took Khara's hand into his own to extend the contact. They found themselves in a sparse looking chamber, with all the twenty lords around them. They stood, preparing to leave, and Khara rushed over to Lord Gamellon. Benedict's eyes wandered around the room, taking in the place. He actually missed Llewella the first time around, because when he did focus in on her, she looked at least twenty years older. It suits her, though, he mused to himself, She looks good being in charge. Definitely suits her. She was dressed formally, of course, in a light purple dressed that accentuated her best features. The most curious thing, however, was a baby unicorn that tottered on it's four hooves near his sister. The Lords and Khara exited out, leaving Benedict, Llewella, and the unicorn alone.
Llewella graced Benedict with a smile, "Welcome back."
Benedict barely returned the smile as he dropped to one knee and bowed low, "My regent." He wanted to make it obvious that he supported her, and this was the most direct way he could think of.
"Who is that, Llewella?"
She turned to the unicorn, "That's my brother Benedict, dear." Benedict didn't blink at the talking unicorn…he'd seen stranger things. The unicorn replied to her, "Oooh. I've heard of him. His aura is beautiful….but so sad at the same time."
"I am not surprised."
Benedict decided not to comment on that.
She then seemed to notice that he was kneeling. She gestured for him to rise, "Please do not stand on ceremony when we are not in court, brother. How was your journey?"
Benedict stood, "It was interesting." To say the least. "Khara has some information you may find useful."
"I shall speak to her then. Matters have not improved here in your absence."
He kept his voice neutral, "So I've heard." He rested his hand on the pommel of his sword, trying to look casual, and rocked back on his heels. "What is it you wish me to do to help?"
"I would appreciate it if you would remain for a time and help me to discover what has become of our siblings. They have run off, for the most part, in all directions without any sort of organization."
He nodded, "I was planning to stay, unless an errand was necessary." He paused to let that sink into her-that he felt this last errand was necessary and that he would not have left normally. He hoped that she understood that. "And if you want organization from our siblings, you're looking in the wrong place
Llewella nodded, a wry expression on her face. "It would be helpful, at least, if they would mention that they are planning to leave. But perhaps that's too much to ask. I was about to return to the Castle proper and see just how badly the situation has deteriorated while I have been occupied elsewhere. Will you accompany me?"
He nodded, grunting an affirmation. He approached his sister, and caught a faint whiff of her perfume…or maybe just of her. It was a light, sweet scent, and it reminded him of summer days gone by. He offered his arm, as was gentlemanly and expected. She accepted his arm, letting her hand rest lightly on his forearm. It was at this point that Benedict noticed that they were being watched…there was movement of a cloaked or invisible creature not twenty five yards away, to the left. He frowned slightly, narrowing his eyes as he zeroed in on the movement. Once the creature knew he knew it was there, it stepped forward, out of the wall in which it had hidden…by being part of it.
"Forgive my interruption of this touching scene. I hate to disturb a family so often kept apart." The man was tall and green, dressed in a dark royal blue.
"My apologies once again. My name is John, and I am the head of Intelligence for Lord Oberon. In his absence, the duty now falls to you, Regent Llewella." He then placed his fist in his hand, the sign of a ready arm, and a shield to protect her. He bowed slightly, like a tree wavering in a strong breeze. "You may be as informal as you like. Oberon usually had me meet in while he bathed, so that he'd be uninterrupted, and none would see my visage." Dad never ceased to amaze Ben. Not that Oberon had such agents in his employ…no that Oberon had kept so many secrets so tightly packed away, and with none of his children the wiser.
"Thank you, John. I am glad to meet you, circumstances notwithstanding." Llewella seemed nervous still, and Ben wished he could offer some comfort to her. She seemed ill-fitted for skulking about in the shadows, or having people who worked for her do it for her, but there was nothing to be done about it now. "And I think perhaps we shall come to a different arrangement than my father's. But that can wait. Have you something to tell me?"
"I have many things to tell you both. The guards and the nobles know some, but I know a bit more. If you would both listen to my tale?" The brother and sister both nodded.
"First off then, we have learned that there were at least two separate forces in the castle on that night."
Benedict frowned, "Of the same ilk?"
"No," John replied, "One force of one ilk that split into two groups, and a second force of the one ilk that stayed together. Pure coincidence it could be chalked up to, but the Pattern wills all and I have never believed in coincidence." Benedict nodded thoughtfully, absorbing this information. "There is no such thing," he commented.
Llewella blinked, taking the information in differently.
"The first, the savage brutes you've all heard so much about, succeeded in kidnapping Queen Paulette. The second, Lord Oberon and Lord Dworkin. Many trails were left by the first, none so far have been found by the second. Those from the first have slain many guards, both in the castle and beyond. They all escaped out into shadow, and with the insanity of the Pattern, it is doubtful they shall be traced. Two parts of the first group, or maybe a new group altogether, assaulted both Rilga and your mother, Regent Llewella. Both of them are now among the missing also.
"Beyond this, things begin to take a darker tone. Benedict, I assume you are familiar with the Gamellonian's battle with the Great Evil?"
Benedict nodded, tensing as he did so. "Khyron had informed me of the legend, yes." Llewella squeezed his arm gently, trying to give him comfort. He glanced towards her, and she seemed pale.
"I suspect he left out much, but one part in particular. Eric has gained a very new and very dangerous ally. A white skinned being known who calls himself Slade. This self-same being was a terror on the Gamellonians during that same war. He killed many of the leaders, often in the most secure of their prisons, more to prove a point than for anything else. A truly dangerous being of the highest order. And, we have reprove now, that this same being was allowed in the castle, for the better part of half a day, and has in some way sabotaged the Pattern."
Benedict's first thought was to kill Eric. Since Eric wasn't there at the moment, he settled for seething at this news, the anger nearly cracking his self-control with it's intensity. Llewella tightened her grip on his arm. It didn't help him much at the moment.
"After this being had worked his ails on it, Bleys walked it shortly afterwards. Brand did the same, and lastly Gerard, in his rage to find you Benedict. At the time Gerard walked it, energy had risen almost five feet higher than usual. It is assumed that Gerard complete his walk, but it is not known for sure. His Trumps have been warm ever since, and the energy was so high and so volatile that none could see him after the third bend. Since then, none have been able to enter the Pattern Room. Prince Bleys tried time and time again, until his body finally gave out on him. He was roused by the guards and he started all over again. When his body gave out a second time, he was taken back to his bedchambers by the guards. He has not yet waked. The Pattern lashed at him with bolts of energy, slamming him into the opposite wall. He never got close to it." Something in Benedict's mind started to bother him then, some errant comment made by Bleys during that awful breakfast an age ago. He was too full of anger to listen right to that worry right now, and shoved it aside for later examination.
Llewella put a hand to her mouth, her dismay out for all to see, "Oh, Gerard, I knew I should not have left you alone." Benedict just ground his teeth in frustration.
And yet there was more news. "Prince Corwin, after threatening to kill the Council of Lords, and storming out of his interview, has not officially been seen since. There is a man who is much like Corwin wandering the streets, but his mind does not read like Corwin's. I awaited your return Regent, before pursuing the matter any further.
"Prince Benedict has now returned. Eric is gone, having fled from Fiona's room days ago. Corwin is presumed gone. Deirdre, and Caine, both left the realm in Caine's vessel, deciding to track down Oberon alone. Princess Fiona was turned to stone, as you both are aware. Prince Bleys sleeps, Prince Brand walked the Pattern on Sunday, and has not returned. Regent Llewella is before us. Princess Flora has taken ill, and remains bed -ridden. The sincerity of her illness is not yet known. Prince Julian had vanished, but was seen walking into the castle earlier today. He has been meditating in the gardens ever since, ignoring any attempt at contact, as usual. Prince Random took a horse and rode off on Sunday. No word from his m since. Lastly, Prince Gerard is MIA, after walking the Pattern.
"On a spot of good news, rumor or has it that the Circle of 100 used by Brand as a focal point, and were able to summon their combined power to make a temporary Trump with Lord Dworkin. Sadly, Lord Oberon was not seen during this Trump. "
It was that news that finally snapped through the haze. A talk with Grandfather? It was impossible to hide his surprise, "What was the result of that Trump contact?"
"Dworkin informed them to leave him for now. Claiming there are bigger dangers looming closer." All anger suddenly left Benedict; he felt as if someone splashed him with a shock of cold water. The Pattern…the Pattern…everything, gone. By the unicorn, why didn't they trust us with anything? We're practically helpless here!
He nodded his head dumbly, "He would say as much…" and thought to himself, …and not tell anyone else what it was. With that thought resounding in his mind, Benedict turned to Llewella at the same moment John asked, "Will you hear of your kingdom's status now, or shall I wait til Prince Benedict is not around?"
Benedict smirked a touch, still trying to keep his outward demeanor calm. He didn't think he was doing a bad job of it either. "I think the latter might be best. Our regent may wish to keep some things to herself."
Llewella nodded, "I agree."
"I had expected as much. the family matters was information for you both, and as such I told you both. Before I depart however, I have one final piece of dangerous news that you should both here. As you both may or may not know, the realms of Amber are in part technological, and in part magic. For those of technology, Gateways are often used, to facilitate travel between shadows. However, for those where magic would not work, including Amber and most of the Golden Circle, the Ambassadors of Oberon have been used. Unknown to almost all but myself, Lord Prince Bleys, and now the two of you, these same Ambassadors were merely creations of Lord Oberon, existing on a scale beyond belief. With their vanishing, not only has Amber lost it's most often used for m of communication and transportation from shadow to shadow, but a creation of Lord Oberon's has vanished. I fear he is either dead, or stripped of his power. His not being near Dworkin during the Trump contact only heightens my fears.
"Or he may be simply cut off from us," Llewella pointed out sensibly.
"This continues in one of two bad directions. Other than your family, and people with your family, no one, and no thing, has crossed the barrier into Amber. Since Oberon was kidnapped. Three days without a visitor is a very very strange thing, I promise you. And now, for the final piece before I depart. One of the borderland shadows, known as T'bar, was home to an Experiment of the Intelligence Department. We were working on a high-speed magical device that would provide life video feeds from one shadow to another, separate from both Pattern and Trump. It was a one of a kind device, and T'Bar was the farthest shadow, from Amber with an agent of mine on it. I received a final transmission from him, detailing an invasion from three beings garbed all in Black. The three has so far walked directly into existence, like stepping out of water, leaving ripples behind, only the air itself rippled. They the n began to kill everything. Random at first, but within three hours, they had executed almost every leader and political figure on the realm.
"The final transmission I received from my agent has him screaming his head off as one of the black things stormed his hidden room, beheaded him, and destroyed the machine. I saw no the creature onwthat did it, but it's shadow was both large and monstrous. I shall describe other information to you Regent Llewella, but I no leave you two to converse." John then bowed, and sank through the floor, leaving the siblings alone with each other. They turned to look at each other, Llewella having a shocked look on her face.
Benedict sighed a touch and turned to look at Llewella. He opened his mouth as if to say something, then shut it again. Finally, he patted her hand, "I' won't leave." He paused, then added,, "No. I won't, unless you send me somewhere , of course. Whatever you need done, I'll do it. But first some advice?"
"I would be grateful for any you might have."
He nodded a touch, "It may sound redundant, but with so much on your mind it would be easy to let details slip by. First, make sure all positions that you appoint are filled by someone you trust implicitly, if possible. Especially the head of the guards. With things so....disorganized, you need to have someone upon which you can lay your trust, so that things won't get complicated.
"Second, once again, it sounds redundant, ...'" He paused, actually paling slightly, but says his next words with great force, "Make sure all the family gets back to Amber ASAP. Use whatever means necessary." Dworkin was freaked out enough about Jacqueline being out there, being a wild card. How would he feel about all the family being out loose in Shadow?
Llewella bit her lip, frowning thoughtfully. "This presents a bit oft of a problem, since I know very few people here."
He grunted, referring to the first again, "They're there. You just need to ask the right people."
She looked at him thoughtfully for a moment. "I don't suppose you'd consider taking the job yourself, at least temporarily?"
He nodded, thinking Finally. At least not everyone in the family is slow. Aloud he said, "Of course, my regent."
"Thank you, brother." She paused then said, 'That was my thought also.' She agreed with him on both points then, that was good, and it eased his mind a bit.
He reiterated, "Use whatever means necessary. I cannot stress that enough." With the Pattern..." He trailed off, then clamped his jaw shut. "Imperative."
"And if getting them here was not enough of a problem, what to do with some of them once we do it is something else. Their states of mind are not all good..."
He gave her a grim smile, "If I have to, I'll sit on them.
"Third, and last bit, ." He paused, appraising Llewella in a quick glance. Will she understand? It's a war after all, and he's a traitor. No one else has realized that yet, though. He sighed, then continued aloud, "Don't' 't trust Eric. Kill him on sight, ...or at the very least, incapacitate him. "
"I prefer the latter course of action if it can be accomplished without endangering anyone else. But if it must be done..." She shook her head unhappily. "Then it must be done. Should the task fall to you, you have my permission to deal with him by whatever means you find necessary."
He nodded again, then sighed, whatever anger and stress leaked out of his face slowly. "I'm sorry, Llewella, but I'm glad this job's yours, and not mine." He half-heartedly gave her a smile, then kisses her on the cheek , a touch awkwardly. "I need sleep now, with your leave?"
"Of course, Benedict. I will speak with you again later."
He bowed to her stiffly and formally, taking refuge in answering to a 'commander' of sorts, even if it was his sister. As he turned to leave, he heard her murmur, 'I'm not.' He felt sorry for her, but knew she would be a better regent than he could ever be, and was satisfied with that. Better her than me.
He made his way to his rooms quickly, and secured the doors behind him. He had to get ahold of his siblings, and quickly. He sat down on his new bed, and took his Trumps out of his belt pouch. Which one first? He sat there for a good twenty minutes, thinking about it, about how each of his siblings would receive him in turn. He finally stopped, his head pounding and his body aching. He needed sleep, and badly.
The Realm can last for one day without me, he thought miserably to himself, putting his Trumps away, and tucking them back in his pocket. He stretched out on the bed, and was out within minutes.
Get your own Free Home Page