King Oberon summons all Princes and Nobles to attend the Midsummer Royal Court at Castle Amber. All notables are expected to be in Suitable (medieval/tudor) Apparel.

Court will be held in the Great Hall.

Please give petitions and requests to Balaam or Gram before Court.

As a result of which, Dunstree shows up in work clothes...again!

Not shabby or dirty clothes, but clearly favoring durability and comfort over style or fashion. Traveling clothes, Tudor era.

"I'm dressed based on the assumption that as soon as court is over, I'll have yet another job I'm being sent off on," Dunstree explains.

"Good work on saving your Dad's life." Oberon says to him. "Now for business."

He looks at Dunstree pointedly. "Pepper assisted by Jessa caught a Mecklenberg Swayvillist in her bedroom and apprehended the shit. Tomorrow at sunrise on Solstice I want him hanged drawn and quartered at the city scaffolds. Can you do it and on time without botching it, boy?"

"He must die at the suns first rays on his throat." Oberon declares. "Can you handle it?"

"After what's happened to Alexis and Gerard, I'd have no qualms about executing someone who tried to kill Pepper. Of course, I assume he's been interrogated as to why he was there -- who sent him, how he arrived, the specifics of his misison..."

"yes he has." Oberon reveals,"He is a member of the Thulist sect, the Stormwatch intelligence. Seems that he was sent to get Pepper's DNA because that twerp Reinhard wanted to find out her parentage."

Oberon snorts,"What a little blond twerp, Trinity has no idea of Noldor DNA and genealogy. Dunce."

Zariya will arrive at Court wearing a more Arabic flavoured dress. It covers her neck to ankle with pale green silk, but clings almost immodestly to her body. It is belted with a heavy golden belt, studded with a few small emeralds and inset with a decorous patten of flowering vines. Her slippers are pale green, and have upon them the same pattern of flowering vines embroidered in gold. Two braids, woven with golden thread, were braided at the sides of her head, and twisted back around to hang down her back, thus holding the rest of her hair away from her face. Many simple gold bracelets hang from her wrists. A shawl made of pale green silk and hung with golden tassles completes her outfit.

Oberon sees her,"Hello granddaughter."

Then he smiles,"So what can you tell Us so far about the redheads in Garnath and New London? Any Mrrr scratches?"

Zariya will curtsey to Oberon. Upon straightening, she will smile and give a sigh, "No scratches as of yet, Your Majesty, though some have been trying. The climates of both places have changed little since I have been there, though I expect that to change somewhat in the future." She pauses and adds, "Your Majesty has graced me with a burden that I must nudge and shift when I can. It is slow work."

Oberon smiles,"I gave you a challenge and so far you are doing well. Patience when moving glaciers is a virtue."

Zariya returns his smile sunnily, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"You are welcome, grand daughter," Oberon says,"While you are at it. Check and see what is going on in NS with that recent turmoil and problems with Ultrabrandites making trouble for Jason."

"I will investigate as soon as I am able, Shahinshah," Zariya replies, curtseying to him.

Oberon beams and says,"I should add that title to my Amber title here too."

"Don't take any shit from those damned talking cats either." Oberon says," A boot to the head will settle their hash, mithril claws or not."

"I endeavour to be diplomatic first, my liege, but sometimes force can accomplish what words cannot," Zariya replies. "I shall keep your advice in mind."

"See if you cannot get any money out of Kirk or Jason. Both will claim penury and abject poverty however if you are creative you may soak them."

"I will do my best, Your Majesty," Zariya replies.

"You could always try bribing them with golden litterboxes," Breyd suggests blithely. "It seems to have worked so well everywhere else."

Oberon chuckles,"We would have to electroplate the gold, Girl. We are not rich. Even now I am trying to squeeze more coin from Rory. It seems that the public works and road works have made bigger inroads in my treasury and Olivia wants her interest payments."

"I mean her own cats need feeding and that woman has ten thousand cats in just her main palace." Oberon shudders.

Zariya smiles, "I did grace the High Mrrr Rowan with a very expensive collar, done in diamonds and sapphires." She pauses before adding, "I fear me that too much was read into the gift."

"Mrrr read too much into everything." Oberon says,"Then again I think it was stupid to teach talking cats how to read anything."

"Mrrr rarely wear collars,"Oberon says, "Too easy to choke them with it and it also has to be breakable for them if they get snagged in brush."

"Then again," Oberon says laughing,"The more dead mrrr the better;"

"Your Majesty is most wise," Zariya says as she bows her head, smiling.

"and you are an excellent Princess. Alexis. Ten percent of your budget is to be immediately turned over to Zariya's special discretionary funds. Mind you Zariya, not one penny through any means devious or open, legal or illegal to Dunstree and Alexis until they learn to stop overspending."

Alexis bows her head from her seat. "Your Majesty, as you request. Ten percent of the Crown funds I handle shall be sent to Zariya... here in Amber City or to Ardor?"

"Here of course," Oberon says,"Rory would raid those ships and if he didn't, Pearl would."

Alexis bows again.

Jessa clears her throat, "actually Grandfather, I do have a question. Don't you believe that if one of us were to clear a lot of people off their land by promising that if they move here they would be able to live off your welfare, that that person should have to pay something for 'his' actions."

"What are you refering to?" Oberon begs the answer.

"Sure," Rory says. "Dunstree promised that anyone who wanted to could come in, and I couldn't hold back my peasants. But I think he's already paying for that, Jessa. Too late."

Jessa smiles, "I think if someone were too look, you would find a large amount of new citizens from Hathor. And if you were to interview them, you would find that they were promised many benefits by moving here and giving up their land. Infact they were even lead here at the start by that person, one of my cousins."

Rory looks a bit bewildered.

"First I've ever heard of it," he admits. "In fact, I've been responsible for a lot of unemployed laborers moving from Amber to Hathor to take advantage of employment opportunities in my businesses. Clears the welfare rolls and gets me reliable labor that I can't find in Hathor."

He looks at Jessa.

"Have you been smoking gort?"

"I hadn't even learned to _start_," Dunstree observes. "Last I heard, I was being scolded for spending too little on executions!"

"You are still not spending enough on executions,"Oberon cuts him off. "Its these damned ballcutting clinics. I hate neutering anything not convicted of treason. Just bugs me. I think Jasra wants it done to me too."

"Stop wasting money on public works and stupid things and make weapons and cash. You can make money with selling souvenirs and tickets and food at the hangings."

"Actually, Grandfather, I have a better idea. Your edicts forbid mass communication technology but clearly you're aware of popular television shows such as Mystery Science Theatre -- Alexis introduced me to it. Perhaps we should invite the actors to give live performancesand sell tickets. Even better, simply use the scripts to hold performances; as Rory yould observe, we're not obligated to pay for them."

"You can do as you want as long as it earns money and you still keep the hangings going. Thieves are stealing my profits," Oberon says,"String them up for admission profit."

Breyd looks up from her seat again, her hands tightly laced in her lap. "With all due respect, Your Majesty, it is a vain thing to boast of your severity in punishing theft, which though it may have the appearance of justice, yet in itself is neither just nor convenient. For if you suffer your people to be ill-educated, and their manners to be corrupted from their infancy, and then punish them for those crimes to which their first education disposed them, what else is to be concluded from this, but that you first make thieves and then punish them ?"

"Basic Philosophy dose support that, but the core of society will find ways of adapting to the rules and regualtions set before them. Why don't we instead of punshing all of thoes that seam to have became theives. Train thoes that seam to excell at it to steal things for us, and send them to our opposition and then retreave them with their bounty." Scherazade comments.

Oberon growls and waves to Gram, in a gravelly and restrained voice between clenched teeth,"Gram, hang every thief awaiting trial today. I pronounce them all collectively. Send the Fifth House Guard to hang them at the Crown Grand Arch gallows. Cut them down and burn their entrails then quarter them. All."

He looks at Scher,"I want to you to certify each thief is dead after they are quartered. You are the acting medical officer."

"The matter is closed." Oberon says with a tone of dread finality.

Dunstree seems to be preparing remarks of his own, but he listens for a bit longer..

Breyd glances heavenwards for a moment. Then she pins her intent gaze on Scher. "Bless us, we've been gifted with a genius. Did you trip far tangling yourself up in a heady thought? If you've been paying attention at all, you'd have realised there's precious little in the way of original thought anymore. I hate to throw a spanner in your works, but frankly somebody's swiped your idea already!"

"You know most family skeletons refer to the odd common-place scandal here or there, this one really takes the cake with its homocidal meglomaniacs," she comments dryly. Then she turns back to the topic at hand.

"I refer not to those which may serve the Crown in some regard by their adroit skills, cousin. I refer to those to whom theivery and beggary are not a blessing, to those who have been down-trodden and only steal to gain a heel of bread. If you'd bother getting off your silk cushion sometime and take a few strolls down in the bombed-out areas or near the waterfront, you'd get an idea of what I'm talking about. Even if you bothered to stop playing with your dolls and your little-girl fairytales and stepped outside into the Golden Circle, I could show you a few places that would tear your heart out, still beating, and leave you with a hollow recognition of what evil creatures *we* are for our treatment of fellow-man. Would you like to see a few of them? I could arrange a tour."

"While Zariya throws sapphires and rubies and gold to choke our enemies with their own greed, there are millions who could be fed, clothed and sheltered. You scorn Rory, but what he does fills our coffers to allow our kin to launch their myriad projects to better our kingdom. I wonder if you would be strong enough to do what he does."

"How can we call ourselves Royal when we allow those that we should be protecting by gifts and wit to suffer? What nobility lies in that? I ask you." Her dark gaze is levelled at Scher like a gun.

"Because I say so." Oberon growls,"Royalty is defined by my decree and the power of the Pattern."

"Both of the two houses we spring from, the House of Kolvir and the Cornelian Atlanteans are divine from the eons of time. If I say fifty shadows starve then so be it." Oberon says.

Breyd's jaw tightens, her dark gaze banked with confounded fury as she tries not to ball her hands into fists. "I am sorry, Your Majesty," she says stiffly, formally. She bends her head and despite all her insticts to strike back again, she restrains herself, becoming as mute as stone.

"Pepper, I forget, did you grow up in Amber?" Dunstree asks. "You see, I did not, nor did a few others. While it's my nature to pursue a responsibility to the best of my abilities and my conscience, I myself find those are still my motivations in the middle of a kingdom of strangers."

"If you would so kindly get your head out of what ever gutter it normally inhabaits. Perhaps you would realize to train them to steal for us. We would be providing for them, means to be respectable as so they would not need to steal for their own means. As for if its already done. I do not yet believe that we have any small unidentifiable partons across out borders. What I mean as this is that we are not traced back to these as we may be in other ways. The foregin parties see thoes we send over to steal measurable good off of them. As their own common petty thugs. Misinterpreting them as part of one of their street gangs. Trying to make a few quick bucks. Where as in fact we giving them a job, a bit dangerous but one in that they will have a challange of the mind." Scherazade comments. "You wish to educate the masses, how do you suppose we do this. Our library looks like a some one left the window open in a hurricane. What few presious books we have are not much to speak of. Not only might these masses be trained to gain us montary support for our King but also bring us much needed valuable information of the weakness of thoes we battle against politically. News either ignores the worst or it is sensored out. If they wish to sling mud at us why not have something to come back at them with."

"Now if your quite done playing with *your* dolls, perhaps you might want to pick up a book somewhere and learn something other then hollow insults that don't even stand up to basic logic. I never thought I would ever meet someone that couldn't even apply logic." Scherazade stared back at Breyd her eyes like solid spheres of violet crystal.

Sabine glides up behind Scherazade, and lingers to enjoy the exchange between the sparring princesses.

"And _why_ should we call ourselves Royal?" Dunstree muses. "At some level, the drive for wealth and power is tied to that of self-preservation...but the need for rank is tied to vanity, like an albatross tied around the neck.

"Having learned recent facts given how poor Amber's financial state is, I'll credit Rory's financial activities to an earnest attempt to help Amber...although I realize Rory may still prove my opinion of him correct the first time.

"But I'll join Pepper in rejecting any scheme that is predicated on maintaining the poor spirit of Amber's citizens, even on maintaining it. Scherezade, no nation should proudly boast of a Royal Thieves' Guild. Amber has good examples. The general Benedict is regarded well by all, as an example of courage and achievement. My father Gerard, as an example of strength and compassion. My Uncle Julian, as a warrior and master woodsman.

"Shall we begin again from there, or shall we continue as we have been?"

Oberon growls,"I think there's no one left to hang by daybreak but we can always start on your staff..." he murmurs dangerously to Dunstree.

"In the meantime," Oberon says,"I want you to go to Paolo and ask him to make a donation to the Amber coffers, Dunstree."

"I'll forward him the same reports Laszlo has, unless Paolo's seen them already, and he probably has."

"Now who says it should proudly boast it. Or even openly admit it exists. But to start something, only to mesh it into something more honorable in the end. To train the with something basic, that which they already know. And the build on to something more valuable. Our ambitions are that of self preservation. Well If we know of what is going on else where, but we need someone on the inside to help. Well going in and bribing them won't exactally work. They just may end up takeing the bribe and then not doing anything. But if citizens loyal to the core to Amber were given a chance to become more then a a normal every day street theif. We train the to be a sort of secret service. While they are in the ruff, it can help to allievate some of the expences we see now. If we would let it go one for a few years with a few trained and loyal persons that seam respectable to our opposition. Let them work their way up the ranks. We have some one at our beck and call right in the thick of things. With a slight forging of documents to give them placement in where we choose to place them. Once possibly high enough, let a small amount of support to be highered be them. And we have a good stronghold on their forgin affairs." Scherazade commented. "If you would look past the obvious and mundane and to the future. Things are not as idiotic as you think they were."

"The obvious and mundane are the stone and dirt forming the foundation you wish to build a future on. Your 'If,' 'may' and 'possibly' are not solid ground." [Dunstree]

Breyd grins pointedly [to Scherazade]. "You little moron. Where do you think our present network of spies comes from? If we had any small unidentified patrons out across the Golden Circle, you'd better believe you wouldn't know any of them. Not only that, but frankly what you're proposing would not actually *work* in a quite few places that spring to mind. If this is your logic, then it disappears up it's own arse, *your highness*. If you're an example of what book learning is all about, I'll give it a miss, ta. It'd rather keep my wits about me."

"Then perhaps you would know everything then, and don't need any advise or suggestions from the rest of us. Then why don't you fix every problem brought up today. Go on if your such a know it all with your street smarts. Tell us how to run everything, and come up with an end to all this competetion between us." Scherazade retorts. "Come on what is your great solution to every problem facing us?"

"Perhaps you might take ideas given as possibley solutions and not just as some idiotic rambling that you seam so very fond of."

Sabine chuckles at the tension between the two women and steps to Sher's side, "I seem to have arrived late to this discussion." She looks to Sher, "fancy a drink?"

"I don't pretend to know everything, my dear," Breyd says with a hint of piousness. "I simply know when I don't know very much about a topic and don't venture further until I know enough. It's called wisdom sometimes. You might look that up in one of your books."

Sabine looks about for a footman and waves him over - signaling to bring a tray of drinks with him. She takes a champagne flute from the tray for herself and picks a second up. She sips from her own and offers the one in her hand to Breyd. Several more glasses remain on the tray.

"And how much wisdom have you accrued in your many years, cousin?" Sabine asks.

She motions to the footman to offer his tray to Sher.

[Breyd] tips her head to the side, her dark eyes penetrating as she gazes at the throne.

"Maybe I should punish you." Oberon glowers at her, Your mother obviously did a terrible job in raising you."

Fiona glares at Oberon who glares at her back. Oberon then smiles to her and she lowers her eyes.

He turns to Breyd,"Child," he says slowly and carefully,"I do not care if they steal as long as they do not steal from me or my friends or my loyal subjects. If they steal from my enemies or my disloyal subjects, I really do not care. Amber is a subjective medieval city state. The land is the King and the king is the land."

"Caine, why don't you go to Pallisade Bury and start recruiting a few soldiers and string up a couple redheads with ties to Brand. I am sure Kirk will not control herself and the Rolandae will level the place. Most of the refugees from Pepper's homeland fled there. And if the Rolandae Amber Seas Fleet won't then the Mecklenbergs will certainly waste their resources on this side of the Paolo line to do so. If that fails Caine, then proclaim a socialist republic and that will provoke the Red Wolf to strike."

"Flora once it happens, show up and help the survivors. Bring Alexis because she is very caring and empathic and photogenic. Start a fund for the survivors and toss them some hotdogs and get some photo ops for the Chaos press and then send me all the money." Oberon says callously.

"And the old red fox criticizes how the young red fox, he trained, raids chicken coops," mutters Julian looking at Rory.

"Rory, pay Zariya her expenses in Ardor." Oberon tells him as well. "Zariya. No one may audit your expenses unless they go over ten thousand gold crowns.”

"Which expenses? As far as I can tell, she's part of the large group that has done precisely Jack Shit in implementing your will in ardor, your majesty," Rory says, "and Jack just left town."

"At least its more then what he's been doing." Scherazade comments.

"Explain yourself, grandson," Oberon asks Rory

"Certainly, your majesty. You gave us instructions to bring Ardor to heel and end the Court's impudence.

Oberon nods listening.

With some well-placed assistance from some of those gathered here, Ferris has delivered up Hathor, and even expanded the kingdom by adding marchlands in the north" Rory says.

"Good. We can receive tribute for the new marchers."

"I am attempting to reduce the Mumukan tribelands, and have worked on building up the necessary forces to reduce a Court stronghold and begin gutting Tanturaki trade - and the money from captured prixe ships, I might add, will help to pad the royal treasury.

Padding the treasury gets Oberon to raise his eyebrows.

According to may agents, thus far Zariya has managed to do nothing but spread money around the Koronande Senate the way Dunstree spreads it around the streets of Amber."

"She has just started her task,"Oberon notes,"It is too early."

"Until Zariya has shown that she can actually raise money and do more with it than entertain politicians, she should be left to her own resources."

"WE," Oberon says, using the royal we,"WE will determine that. Thank you for your advice grandson."

Zariya turns towards Rory, "I have removed myself from the Ardor business, since you had things well in hand there. I have had many other duties to tend to, and it seemed foolish to step on your toes needlessly. All I am doing in Ardor currently is establishing trading routes with Amber."

Zariya gives Oberon a deep curtsey, "Your Majesty is most generous as well."

Oberon looks at Rory and then Dunstree and Alexis,"No, Zariya. Those three will be most generous as well."

"I stand corrected, Shahinshah," Zariya replies. She turns, faces each of her cousins in turn, and gives each a curtsey, though none (of course) as deep as the one she gave the King.

Rory responds with the Grand Salute of the Order of the Cheetah as it is buried somewhere in the appendices to the royal petition: flipping her the bird.

Alexis appears in almost white, it has ice blue trim but is very very light, and in linen, empire waist and loosely gathered sleeves in tiers, something very summery and breathable. Her short hair is gathered back in a silver net, and blue drop earrings and a delicate blue drop Y necklace give accent to the otherwise lawn tea party type gown. It is barely old-styled enough to be acceptable, but the skirts do go to the ground so. There is a key ring (with fabric bits between the keys so they don't clink) and a pomader on chain on her waist, and a fan tucked in to the band.

Oberon smiles to Alexis, "My compliments on your medical work with Julian and Dunstree in the Infirmary. I am annoyed at the incidents. Seems that the Gheneshi and the reactionaries struck independently at the same time with help from Kolvirii spies and Abyss meddling."

Alexis curtseyed to the King before being addressed and smiles. "Thank you. My father should be up and about soon. We're still trying to figure out exactly what attacked him."

"If it tried to bite Caine," Fiona snarks,"It would be suffering from indigestion."

Oberon ignores his redhaired daughter,"Good work for you Julian and Dunstree. Your actions saved us much grief. Find the cause and torture and hang the criminals and then I will feed their soul to an aardvark."

He looks at her for a moment,"Why are you wasting money on this animal facility? Animals are pets or beasts of burden and tomcats should run around and make more cats so we have less mice."

"It is the 'dry run' for the public facilities of the hospital, social services, and education system. Getting that working is a simplified version of the others...allowing procedures to be worked out, supplies logistics worked out, and so on. Plus it has reduced the mongrel STRAY population, making city streets safer. They also work with the local rat problem, trying to reduce it...and that is working. Any regular rat or mouse catching animal or breed is encouraged..."

"No wonder I am broke," Oberon complains,"We are not Haven. We are not Jasra Amber." he says to her,"We cannot feed and clothe and nut every stray dog and cat let alone the population. I should let Rory manage your budget if you keep overspending. After all I am taking his money to pay for your antics."

Bleys chuckles from afar,"It should be the Prince Rory Cat and Dog Farm since he's paying for it." he laughs.

"My quartermaster-general is training some bright young fellows. I could loan out one of them," rory says. "Any comptroller trained by my quartermaster is guaranteed to make Scrooge look extravagant."

"Good,"Oberon says,"I like money these days. You have no idea how badly Suhuy is screwing this poor country dry."

"If you look, Your Majesty, it is privately funded. Not the public coffers. Though a portion of the license fees do get remitted to the Crown..." Alexis replies calmly. "And projections look that I shall be making the bond interest payment on time. To fund the rest of it...the medical facilities for the residents, the schools, the public transportation, and the employment agency, public works projects, and assistance programs."

"Double the dog licences and quadruple the cat licences," Oberon tells her,"And turn over the difference to the Crown."

"Your Majesty, that will sabotage the efforts to have the animals around to fight the rat and mice population." Alexis begins. "After court I shall sit down with the Exchequer, and we will go over other ways to increase Crown revenue, without impacting the vital services that department renders. I believe I can rearrange to provide probably..." she looks that way briefly (a few seconds) in hard thought, then back to Oberon, "..ten times current revenue." she offers. "From the Humane Society." she adds.

"That's next months problems," Oberon says,"See if we can find some Dubeeners who like Miceburgers. Rolandae almost wiped them out but they like our nice fat black rats for shish kabobs."

"The increase in revenue should be almost immediately..." Alexis replies. "Not next month."

Laszlo raises an eyebrow, scratches a few lines in his notebook and returns it to his pocket.

Breyd's underdress/chemise is made of an unfigured black silk, the sleeves of the dark green velvet overdress tied at points and tight around her upper and forearms, but where they lace at the elbow and shoulder, the underdress poufs out between the laces, leaving complete freedom of movement. [14-15th century Italian court designs. ;)] The waistline of her dress is high, starting just under her breasts (well, where they would be if she had any). On the front panel of the bodice is a device embroidered in gold and silver. It seems to be a cross between an ouroboros and a Celtic knot, with a dragon picked out in gold devouring the unicorn picked out in silver, which seems to be devouring the dragon in turn.

The flaming red-orange riot of curls is piled atop her head with loose spiralling coils falling from her temples to soften and frame her angular face as well as obscure her ears...

Oberon looks at her carefully,"I see you erased all signs of your recent temper tantrums. Good."

Then he adds,"Why are you wearing that stupid dragon? Dragons never eat unicorns. A symetrical unverse is not to be."

"I have a mission for you girl." he tells her,"you are the new Ambassador to Hathor."

"You will look out for the Crown's interests there. Not Rory's."

Oberon calls out, "where the hell is Rory?"

"Seeing to his jihad," Zariya replies dryly.

"Bloody hell!" Oberon roars,"Someone tell him to get his ass over here. He can play vendetta later."

"There's always room for vendetta," Breyd quips snidely, misquoting Jell-O adverts.

"Not when my work comes first." Oberon snaps,"Never forget that. People have a way of being thrown to the abyss. Beloved tutors, favourite boyfriends, spare shadows whenever my children and grandchildren forget to take out the garbage when I tell them to."

Jessa arrives, quietly waiting for her turn. She is wearing a dark green brocade dress, ivory trim. When she approaches Grandfather, she does a deep curtsy.

"Hello Jessa," Oberon asks her,"What can you tell me of the situation with Hathor? How badly did Rory raven the country?"

Jessa sighs, "I have seen and heard much grandfather. I will have my report for you tomorrow, if you can make some time for me. Did I just hear that you are appointing a embassies to Hathor?"

"Oh yes, would you like to be the new Ambassador." He asks her," I cannot appoint Rory because he's their Minister of War and Ferris is the King. Laszlo is too busy in the area. I hear he's making lots of rounds with Pearl's hottub parties and Si's gort parties in Koronande." Oberon says

Jessa smiles, "that about sums it up, sort of. I'm not all together sure you should even reconie Hathor. I mean would it set a good presidence too reconie a puppet king being run by one of your grandsons for his own exploytation and profit?"

Caine chuckles and flashes Jessa a thumbs up sign

Oberon turns to Rory,"I think she means you. What say you to this?"

Alexis crosses her arms to wait for this reply. Lips pursed and eyes on Rory.

"Balderdash, your majesty. Stuff. Stuff AND nonsense," Rory responds calmly. "Hathor was not 'set up', it was a kingdom with a long and noble history. As for the family connection, it was originally set up by one of your sons in the first place. Caithness and his sons were merely persuaded to recognize the legitimate line of succession and allow another one of your grandsons to take the throne."

"Ferris both reigns AND rules. I merely handle annoyances - like relatives - that he does not care to deal with. As for my enterprises there, well...they certainly are doing Amber's coffers no harm, your majesty."

Oberon nods then looks to Jessa,"And what do you say to this Jessa?"

Jessa shrugs, "I can only report what I observed. When I attempted to speak with the king, as your representative grandfather, I believe the message was never given too him. So since I was unable to conform my observations, I must go with them."

"Excellent point. Observations are empiric and as such it is hard to dispute observations."

"Yet Rory says that the situation is different."

Almost Yoda like Oberon looks to both of them.

"Seems we have a contradiction in the picture or is it both or neither. Perhaps there is truth is both."

"What say you about this Alexis? Dunstree? Breyd? Sabine?" Oberon turns to each in turn.

Sabine turns her dark eyes from Jessa to Oberon, "I would say that gold speaks the truth here, Your Magesty, and if your coffers have been enriched - the truth must lay there." She nods her head to the King and resumes watching the court.

Dunstree sighs. "At the risk of encouraging you to send us on further errands, I suggest that the only effective way to resolve this conflict is by sending a few of us to observe for ourselves. Looking at the same things at the same time, such a committee can report on their own opinions -- and even if they fail to converge, they can at least describe the range of opinion."

Alexis shakes her head slightly. "I can give no relevant or pertinent information to settle this issue, Your Majesty." she offers politely.

And lastly he says "And what make you of this Constantine?"

The red-haired youth looked up, nonplussed.

"Majesty, I've seen you eviscerate greater men who dared less. Why do you bother with such trivialities and waste as this?"

Breyd waits until Constantine is done speaking before she will say her part.

Breyd looks intently at Constantine for a moment before her gaze strays to the windows again. An unnamed emotion flits across her face briefly before being extinguished.

"Relations are simply a tedious pack of people who haven't got the remotest knowledge of how to live, nor the smallest instinct about when to die..." -Oscar Wilde, 'The Importance of Being Ernest'

"And I say money talks and bullshit walks, your majesty," Rory says. "Jessa's commission was inresponse to Caithness' complaints about Ferris' pushing for the throne. Well, Caithness and his sons have quit their claims, Ferris was crowned, and the relevant parties gave their oaths to Ferris. Furthermore, themoney you get from Ferris comes in large part from taxes that I pay to him. The taxpayer-payee relationship demonstrates the power relationships pretty clearly."

"If I was the one in charge, I would have delegated the task of dealing with Jessa to Ferris, not the other way around."

Jesse looks at Oberon., "you asked to me to go and look around and report back. You will have your report tomorrow. I have only my observations, primarily because several time my actions too meet with people were blocked. But I did as you asked. And I did it too the best of my ability. As for it if I would like to be a representative there, I would honestly have to say I hope too never have to see the place again. And I stand by my earlier opion about it's ruler. When reviewing my report, I hope you will keep one thing in mind grandfather. One person has a strong monetary stake in the outcome and one of us has none. Which one would you think we give a more truthful report?"

"I believe you did a thorough and well researched report," Oberon says to Jessa, "For which you have our thanks."

"I need to review the whole picture before I decide on a course of action. However you have served well as my eyes. Now to hear the other senses."

"Where your eyes have remained silent, let your ears speak," Breyd says quietly, again lifting her gaze from the windows along the hall. "Rory may perhaps feel justified of his opinions that our cousin Ferris rules in Hathor; but our cousin Ferris does not. How I have heard this is a triviality; but it remains that Ferris himself does not feel he rules within his own lands. Pray, how effective a king is one who feels he himself is a puppet?" she asks shrewdly.

Oberon looks to Rory curiously.

Rory shrugs.

"Your majesty, if Ferris thinks I'm being a bit too aggressive as a minister and a private individual with a great deal invested in Hathor's future, he's never let me know. In any case, it's a moot point. Jessa's mission was to report on Caithness' claims that we - Ferris, Jada, George, and Laszlo - were usurping power in Hathor. Since then, Caithness has abdicated in Ferris' favor, eliminating the reason for the investigation in the first place," Rory says. "If your majesty wants another investigation to determine if Ferris thinks I'm being pushy, that's your call."

"Incidentally, tell Jessa to do a better job next time. Granted, Ferris didn't want to talk to her, but she wouldn't talk to me, and as far as I know, she didn't talk to anyone else in the so-called 'Gang of Four.' All she did was yack with Caithness and his kids and tour teir estates. I don't know how she was able to arrive at any comclusions at all."

Jesa sighs, "and with an additude like yours your are surpoised I didn't ask for it? After observing your troups in action, I already had my answers. Grandfather just said that I was suppose to be his eyes, and told me a did a good job. As for the meeting we had, you attempted to do a really good job of intimidating me."

Breyd quirks an eyebrow shrewdly. "I scarcely think a potential cartel leveraging power along Amber's borders is a moot point," she says quietly, evenly, and stands from her chair, drawing herself as tall as her diminutive height will allow her to tower. Her gaze shifts to Oberon.

"However, I have spoken with both Rory, Laszlo and even observed George. (I gratefully avoided Jada to be honest.) If there were any central effort, it would have originated with Rory. I can see Laszlo and George being willing to help in this instance, but it is my considered opinion that there is no fixed alliance between those three. I cannot comment upon Jada."

"The point remains even if Ferris claims to be king of Hathor, he does not feel one. The point still remains whether or not Rory is attempting to gather reins of power surrounding Amber one by one...and for whose benefit."

Sabine arrives at court dressed in a midnight blue gown. Her dress moves with the weight of heavy silk, it consists of a full, floorlength skirt, a boned bodice that begins with a deep V at her waist and ends mid-chest diplaying her ample clevage. Sheer, diaphanous material of starlight white is gathhered at her neck by a large sapphire broach - slpits to expose her clevage - on its way to dissapearing within the bodice and to become long, flowing sleeves gathered at the cuffs. She wears her hair off her face, gathered in a net of glittering diamonds, with one lage stone centered on her forehead. Underneath it all is anyone's guess - but she is probably wearing black leather boots....

"Good day, Girl," Oberon addresses her,"What can you do for Amber to help us get more gold and lucre?"

Sabine gives her grandfather a smile and drops a graceful curtsy, "Greetings, Your Magesty. I have just returned from Dagobert, and am sad to report that it will be a few seasons until the subjects residing there are re-established. I have several crews of workman revamping the local trade, and we should see some profit from sales soon."

"Good work," Oberon says.

"One idea I've been considering is issueing comerative coins - with a price above face value. The proceeds could be turned over instantly to the Crown."

"Coin collecting and stamp collecting is a huge hobby in Haven and many of the modernist powers. Kelric has 50 stamps of him, 50 of the red wolf, 5 of each prince 5 of allied monarchs, 5 of his ancestors, 5 of his mother 2 of his father. And that's just in one year and stamp collectors go nuts." Oberon agrees.

Sabine inclines her head in agreement, "Then with your blessing, Grandfather, the Mint will issue stamps and coins to collectors featuring prominent Amberites. All proceeds above production will be deposited with the Crown."

"I will be looking forward to the revenue. I trust the stamps will all have the unicorn of Amber on it. Make sure it is the right unicorn. Jasra, the stupid bitch, used my second cousin Diggory Ap Kolviron as the model even though he is clearly a stallion. Diggory was most appalled at her."

"Imagine making a mistake like that - assigning the wrong sex to something!" with this statement Sabine tosses her head in Breyd's direction.

"Pardon me, Grandfather, but I crave a boon. Would you grant me permission to walk the Pattern also?" Sabine drops another curtsy to the dread monarch.

"Granted." Oberon says absently,"Get Gerard to take you down there and explain it."

Scherazade looks questionally up at the king. As if asking the purpose of assigning a person longer in use of such a thing to one and one that has just walked it to another. Was this in such a way dangerous that he hoped one to die.

Oberon sees her,"Gerard, have her walk at the same time." pointing to Scher.

"Have her start charging hourly rather than nightly rates," Breyd mutters.

Sabine turns just her head to Breyd and slowly takes her in from toes to hair with her dark eyes, her expression conveys that something seems to be lacking in the short princess.

She smiles wickedly at Breyd, "Ah, the little girl is playing dress-up and attending court. Remind me to refer you to my own seamstress next time, your own seems to have forgotten a padded bodice."

Caine laughs crudely,"I love a good cat fight. I am cheering on Sabine."

Sabine winks at her Uncle....

Fiona glares angrily at Caine. "You bastard."

"Better a bastard than a daughter of a chaos witch like Clarissa." Caine sneers back.

Breyd grins just as insincerely in reply to Sabine. "I think I'll pass. Yours seems to have rather overdone it. I'd watch out, If you're not careful somebody might mistake you for a cow. Milking the public is one thing, but getting milked in public is another."

"Ah, the kitten still has her milk teeth! Once again, Princess, I must gracefully refuse your offer, and ask that you stop these homosexual overtures. As I informed you outside your chambers, my interest does not fall that way." Sabine says with a grin.

Cedric snickers at that insult. Olivia jabs him in the side with her elbow,"Decorum. Cedric. You need to set a good example for these poor wretches."

Sabine drops a bow twoards the visiting monarchs, displaying the objects in question.

"You elbowed me,"Cedric accuses.

"You were making noises." she says "My cat told me that you were ready to break out laughing."

Cedric groans,"Then you pinched me."

"You were falling asleep. You know Oberon throws a temper tantrum if you fall asleep on him. Last time you did, he practically smashed your pool."

"It seams that the only source of brains in this room. Thinks that the new sense of fashon will be all off her own tastes. Too bad she's the only one of us that still looks like a tomboy. If she has so many years beyond us in wisdom. Then surely in that time she would have aquired some means to look her own gender. Not like some punk boy in a dress." Scherazade mildly comments.

"Some tend to be satisfied with what they were graced with." Alexis murmers quietly. "Instead of packaging the goods."

Sabine can be heard chuckling at Sher's comments as she returns her attention to Oberon. "Forgive me, gracious Magesty, but sometimes one cannot resist." She smiles up at him.

"If my walking the Pattern is in accordance with your wishes, might I attempt it at the same time as my cousin Sherazade?" Sabine winks at Sher and continues, "For moral support...."

Alexis bows to Oberon and looks to Sabine. "Beware the stairs. They need repairs." Alexis looks to Oberon and bows again. "Might I get permission to start a crew at the bottom, to straighten, widen and add some rest landings, Your Majesty?"

"Stairs. Alexis," Oberon states firmly,"Not a grand staircase. And do not even think of an elevator or magical equivilant or I will root it out and throw it in the harbour."

"Yes, Your Majesty, stairs. Just a little less claustrophobic and easier to traverse." she pauses. "I found where there was once an elevator, in history, before Patterndeath. It would not be feasible for that depth. The efforts would be to level the steps and make the tread better spaced...and an occasional space to stop and rest if needed."

"Picnic tables and park benches?" Oberon says raising an eyebrow at her.

"If Your Majesty wishes." Alexis says seriously. "An occasional landing with a very visible bench seat to the side. Carved so that there is no protection, just a place to rest, is what I planned."

"Anyone who needs a rest stop propable shouldn't be going down there in the first place," Rory says.

Oberon grins at Rory,"Good boy!"

Oberon looks at Breyd sharply,"Maybe I can lend you out to Suhuy by hourly or daily rates to work the Spice Mines of Kessel. You seem to be filled with opinions girl. Tell me how do I earn more money for Amber?"

Petition: To be able to learn Amber's Magic as to be able to better react to any other threat to Amber and its decendents.

Scherazade appears in a long gown of dark violet, almost black. Shoulderless, with full length tight sleeves. Formal knee high shoes with a slight heal. About her neck is a thin silver chain holding one small dark Amethyst, sitting at the middle of her neck. The fabric fits to her upper torso like that of the Medieval Age before flowing to the ground.

Oberon reads the petition and looks at her curiously,"What can you do with sorcery to protect Amber Castle and the Kingdom and the Royal Family?"

Oberon has Gram read the petition, "As long as it costs not much. She may learn from Alexis Rory or Dunstree. Granted."

"She may walk the Great Pattern of Amber. Alexis who just did it can help her."

"She is assigned to Alexis office until I see she is ready to tangle with Rory and his tricks,"

"Then is it that to which you assigned me that claims no magical ablities to speak of. Turns to thoes with lesser ablities in this place in times of need. When at the time there was actually many others that were more qualified."

"If you can raise me some gold, you will make your grandfather happy." Oberon tells her bluntly as Cedric and Olivia enter the Court.

Laszlo walks in, wearing dark trousers with a forest green doublet, its polished gold buttons showing the emblem of the Postmasters. A pale cream ruffled shirt bursts from the short sleeves and v-neckline. As usual of late, he is wearing the sabre the king presented him, and the golden spurs of the Order of Ganelon, which jangle on his mirror-finish high black boots. He smiles radiantly to those already present, and bows respectfully to the king.

Oberon looks at him,"Ho Lazslo,"

Then the monarch of Amber says to him,"Boy, what is the situation with Koronande. Rory seems to not go there much."

Laszlo bows and steps forward. "Most Esteemed Majesty, my diplomatic efforts are impeded by the machinations of Haven and many agents vying for the attention of the Senators. However, I am pleased to report solid progress, and a warming of relations between our lands. If there are further developments, I will be sure to inform His Majesty promptly."

Oberon rubs his hands,"I love it when Tanturak gets totally dependent upon Haven and Chaos money and then when we cut it off and take it for ourselves....."

Rory enters Court dressed in his black and gold. he looks tired and jet-lagged.

Oberon looks him over with curiousity and annoyance, "Been spreading yourself too thin I see."

"Now to business," he says looking at Rory,"Where was my last contribution from activity in the jungles of Ardor. I have a report saying a large regular cash flow has been occuring between there and Suhuy's Imperious Bank of Nomercy with little of that revenue going to Amber."

"We made our contribution for our initial winfall profit," Rory says. "And we've been paying taxes on the further GKTC profits."

"Not enough,"Oberon cuts him off,"I need more money. Alexis and Dunstree like spending like wildfire. And you are the principal fundraiser for me."

"Your majesty, I am reacing the limitation of resources to devote to revenue generation. If I am to keep up with the frivolous levels of expenditure, I will need some assistance," Rory says. "Royal naval escorts for the trade convoys would free my attention from that task and allow me to devote it to more revenue-generating activities."

"Work it out with Caine and Gerard," Oberon says nodding,"You and them can work out the details."

"I am going to ask Pepper to go with you to your vault and bring back enough gold to make me very happy." Oberon says pointedly.

"I am only too happy to contribute to the kingdom's treasury, knowing that the monies will be well-spent securing her interests," Rory says. "Especially the vital interests of trade and commerce."

"If we don't get money fairly soon," Oberon says,"We will be all renting those campus facilities out from Suhuy in Haven City."

"Do you really want to be living in Haven Rory? You were there once." Oberon slyly reminds him.

"Not particularly, your majesty. They have an overabundance of rules there," Rory says. "You spoke of needing money. Money I give to my cousins and allow them to waste is not money that is invested in making you more money. Perhaps they should demonstrate that they can reaise their own capital before being entrusted with the kingdom's."

"Then you as alderman should do your job to ensure due probity," Oberon cuts him off.

"Of course, I'd thought money spent as _insurance_, to maintain infrastructure and ward off the effects of decay, was neither investment or waste," says Dunstree. "Of course, I'm also used to realms governed by rules rather than individual fiat."

Oberon turns to Dunstree,"If I wanted your input I would have demanded it. This is not some Chaos style Parliament boy. And get used to individual fiat. I am the Rule. I am the Law. I am Amber."

He turns to the Gram,"have Dunstree's budget for the roads 4 blocks within his house rebated back to Rory. And put up a sign saying Dunstree's Havenish attitude caused them to lose their new roads."

"Feel free to check out the city books,"Oberon says,"You control a seat on council."

Alvin shows up in long robes. He looks tired, yet cherry with a bounce to his movements..

"Hullo Alvin," Oberon nods recognizing his grandson,"Tell me, have you your affairs in order so that you may serve me and the Kingdom?"

"Greetings my King" Alvins voice booms "Yes, the thump in the nuts got my attention" he says off handed "How may I serve" this with sincerity.

"I like that attitude." Oberon says,"I hope everyone hears that one."

"... I have a little job for you." Oberon says to him with a smirk.

A loud chuckle (an octive higher than norm) "Oh Oh. I felt this coming" with a sigh "Good Grandfather. I'm err (pause) looking forward to it" It's plain that Alvin feel that the hammer will fall....

"I want you to contact Rory and see if he can use some help in his operations to make money for Amber."

This text is copyright © all the players of Equinox; "Amber" is copyright © Roger Zelazny; "Amber" the diceless RPG is copyright © Phage Press. No copyright infringement is intended.

Please click to go back to:

Zariya: Equinox

This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page