It's a still morning in the fall as Martin makes his way into the King's
office.

He's seated at his desk, Gavin and Lorelei the Archivist seated across
from him. Martin slips in with a quiet nod to those already present.

Lorelei rises from her chair briefly, bowing her head to Martin.

There something lunar in this woman, though little of changeability and
less of caprice. Slender and tall, though not of a mannish height, her
build accentuated by a fitted bodice, high collar lined with lace, and a
poise that makes her seem to float along in dark full-skirted silence.
She wears, high upon a fitted sleeve, the garter of her knighted rank,
unicorn and green upon deep indigo fabric wristed with more white lace.
Around her neck, hung upon a long chain, is a filigree sphere upon
sphere, a soft starry silver glimmer in the twilight sky.

Lunar...Her hair is dark and shining. Her nightlong eyes moreso. But
her skin over high, wide cheekbones and delicately angled jaw is fair,
so fair that one could, in fantasy, imagine her able to raise a book
before her face and read by its luminosity. A few strands of bangs
soften the height of her brow. The rest of her hair is thickly braided
and bound in an upsweep that matches the propriety of her carriage.
Lorelei is saying "...How you will explain things when the objects that
appear start getting larger, or more numerous.?"

Gavin shrugs. "The same way Eric explained the Black Road, I'd guess."

  He stands an easy six and a half feet, broad shouldered and well
  muscled. His hair is so dark as to have a faint bluish cast. Cold,
  steel blue eyes, strong features, and a short black beard make him a
  rather handsome fellow. A black doublet adorns his torso, laced over
  a golden trimmed shirt of crimson which is gathered at his wrists.
  Black pants match the doublet, and descend into knee-length cuffed
  boots. A wide swordbelt is cinched about his waist, and supports a
  basket hilted sabre.

Martin takes a place not far from the King's side, listening, but not
commenting.

Random says, very seriously, after a moment's thought, "Hopefully, we
fill solve the problem before it gets to that. If it does get to that,
we'll have to re-discuss matters." He adds, tiredly amused, "The
Festival Coins didn't work that well."

Gavin nods. "Maybe we should go have that look at the Pattern now,
then."

"Depnds on which quarter you're in," Martin replies with a sardonic, but
otherwise unamused smile.

Random says, perhaps in reply to Gavin's words, "There is one more
matter." His lips tighten a little. "All things being equal, I will be
mostly out of contact for the next week or so." He pauses, then says, "I
am going in search of Dworkin. This indicates a basic seed of Chaos in
the heart of Amber, something more pernicious than event he Black Road."

Martin raises an eyebrow at that. "How long will you be gone?"

"As long as it takes," Random replies, looking intently serious.
"Dworkin is the only one left who might have the key... well, Dworkin
and Fiona, but Fiona is in Chaos and I'm not riding back there."

Gavin hmms. "Are you sure that's a great idea?"

"I don't see that there're a lot of options," Martin says to Gavin.
"Unless you have one..?"

Gavin says, "Vacating your post in this sort of time might be a bad
idea. You could find yourself without a job by the time you get back."

Lorelei looks down, "I agree."

Gavin shrugs. "You could have someone else look for him. Benedict comes
to mind.

Random replies, candidly, "No, but the other option is for me to blindly
try to use the Jewel to fix things, and I don't like doing anything with
the Jewel without some sort of sensible Guidance."

Gavin nods. "I can understand that. Then look for Corwin." He adds, "He
wore it, didn't he?"

Random replies, dryly, "I've spoken with Corwin. He had one idea and it
was potentially lethal."

Martin looks up with interest.

Gavin nods. "Then.. I suggest you find someone else to go find Dworkin."

"You ever met him?" Martin asks.

Gavin shakes his head. "Nope." His smile fades, a little. "Other than
when Eric died."

Random taps his fingers on the desktop. "I'm not sure Benedict can bring
him back," he says, slowly. "I don't want to wait like that. /I/ need to
speak with Dworkin. No one else can do this thing."

Lorelei sits up, "Then I would suggest that yur absence be known by as
few as possible."

Martin's tone suggests he isn't in favor of the King's plan either, but
he'll back it. "It was the same when Oberon was King, wasn't it? We keep
it as quiet as possible."

Gavin shakes his head, again. "I wouldn't know. I would bet Oberon
wouldn't leave his throne after sitting on it less than a year, though."

Random nods, once. "Any weakness at this point could be seen as an
invitation to invade. With the Unicorn's luck, it won't take me more
than a few days." His tone, and smile, seem to indicate he doesn't think
this likely.

He adds, lightly, "Oberon wouldn't do a lot of things. Oberon also had
Dworkin in his basement."

Gavin chuckles.

Lorelei frowns for a moment, "Will you be absent for the Festival?" She
swallows, "When people start noticing that their great auntie's plate
sets are not quite right anymore...That festival won't be an adequate
answer to the coins anymore."

Gavin says, "Tell me you at least have some place to begin? If your plan
is to search blindly until you stumble onto Dworkin, then you're well,
mad."

"The King doesn't have to put in a personal appearance at every
Festival," Martin says. "And if this isn't resolved soon, then it
doesn't much matter what the people are told."

Random nods in agreement with Martin, "If this isn't resolved soon," he
adds, "I fear for the stability of Amber herself."

Martin turns to Random then. "I don't think there's much else needs to
be said at this point,"he says. "Let's get this started and over with."

Gavin chuckles.

Lorelei says, "And I was thinking more about the potential damage done
by frightened people. What if the Festival turns into a riot? That would
not look good for a new King."

Gavin says, "There's plenty more to be said. You're going to disappear,
and stumble blindly about searching for your long lost madman of a
tutor, leaving your kingdom to run itself, or worse yet, to be taken
over by a relative?" He smiles, "Does that about cover it?"

Random says, somewhat tightly, "If Ambe continues to grow with Chaos as
it is, it won't matter what things look like for a new King. I won't
have a kingdom."

"The King is doing what has to be done," Martin replies to Gavin coldly.
"Which is more than any of us are in a position to do."

Lorelei rises to sit straighter i her chair, "Then may I make a
suggestion?"

Random looks at Lorelei, "What is it?"

Lorelei says, "A Masque. If the people think you are there, they will
take comfort in that. IF anything needs to be done quickly to quell an
emergency, you can leave orders behind and they will be announced as
yours. And then..have someone stand in for you in costume."

Random think about it for a long moment, then laughs. It's a sound of
humor edged with tension, but a laugh nonetheless. "A good idea,
Lorelei."

"Lorelei, that is a minor issue to be discussed later," Martin says with
a warning edge. "Stop delaying the King."

Lorelei lowers her eyes and bows her head, "As you command, your
Highness."

Gavin says, "So you're going it alone then, eh?"

Random pushes his chair back, rising as he says, "It makes the most
sense that way." He continues, "Gavin and I were going to take a turn
around the Pattern," he says to Martin. "Would you care to join us?"

"I said I would be there," Martin answers his father. "Shall we?"

Gavin stands. "Why not?" He replies.

Random pushes his chair in, absently and heads for the door.

Lorelei says, "Your Majesty, there might be something visible to eyes
which see matters more distantly..."

Martin abandons his place, but waits for the King to move first before
following. There's something in the set of his jaw, or the line of his
shoulders, that suggests a trace of tension.

Random glances at Lorelei and nods. "Why don't you three head down," he
says. "I'll be down after I get a few things."

Lorelei nods and adds a quiet, "Thank you, Majesty."

Martin nods Gavin and Lorelei ahead after he crosses to the door. By his
stance, it's clear he intends to wait for the King.

Gavin chuckles. "Alright, then," and turns to leave.

Random leaves, followed by Martin. In the hall, he heads to the northern
end of the hallway, steps quick. Once again, Martin follows wordlessly.
They arrive at Random's rooms, a pleasant airy set of chambers that
Martin knows well though he has had little cause to visit them in recent
months.

After Random enters, Martin checks that the door is closed before
stepping into the room proper

Random heads for the bookcase, saying to Martin, "If you look too
closely, I'll be forced to kill you."

Martin rolls his eyes, "Great. You only have one hiding place to keep it
in?"

Random laughs outright, taking down a book. "Several, actually," he
says, lightly, "but this is the one no one will ever think of."

Martin leans against a patch of wall, eyeing his father with a quirked
brow. "The behind-the-book cache. Original," he says dead-pan.

Random shakes his head, tsking, "Behind a book? You wound me." He
wanders over to the table, setting the book down. "I'm hurt, mortally
wounded and all that." Despite the lightness of his tone, his face is
worn, worried.

Vialle steps out, light feet and small. "Good morning, gentlemen. Are
you up early or late?"

"Vialle," Martin greets his stepmother, a little surprised. Perhaps
unconsciously, he straightens up from his slouch, though he doesn't
leave the wall. His glance flickers between Random and her, and then to
the book.

Random adds, then, towards Vialle, "Definitely late, my love." He pauses
in his book-laying, saying more seriously, "You remember the plan we
talked of last night?"

Vialle finds her usual place on a divan, and sits. "Hello, Martin. I
remember, yes. You've made up your mind?"

Martin eyes Random without comment.

Random says, quietly, "As near as Lorelei can tell, the effect is
growing larger and larger." The worry that was in his face filters
through for a moment.

Vialle folds her hands neatly. "You're leaving now, then."

Random says, softly, "This isn't the way I wanted it to be, beloved."
His is still for a moment, book poised above the table, eyes on his
lovely wife. "If I could have it my way, I would never leave your side
again."

Martin studies the pattern in the carpet at his feet, not intruding.

Vialle says simply and quietly, "Random - you needn't worry. Martin and
I will take care of things here."

Random smiles a bit, the xpression translating to his voice. "I know you
will. I have faith in both of you." He sets the book down, flicking at
the edge of it with a fingernail until the binding falls open and the
Jewel of Judgement, or family rock as it's fondly known, falls out.

Martin's glance flickers up as the 'family rock' falls.

Random asks Vialle, absently, "Do you remember where I tucked the chain
again?" He lifts the Jewel, tosses it in his hand.

Vialle pauses for a moment, tipping her head back till her short hair
swings. "I don't know, but I'd suspect either near your desk or by our
bed somewhere."

Random shrugs, "I'll pick up another one in shadow, unless it's by the
bed." He wanders into that room, leaving the open-binded book on the
table.

Martin looks briefly to Vialle when Random exits the room. "Do you know
what he's planning?" he says to her.

Vialle answers, "In outline, at least, yes. Did he tell you?"

"Not in so many words," he shrugs. "I have to assume he knows what he's
doing."

Vialle says, "I believe he does. I'll ask him to explain it to you, if
you like."

Random emerges from the bedroom, a chain in one hand. "Found it," he
says as he comes back.

Martin starts to shake his head, says instead, "No. Thanks, Vialle, but
I can handle it." he glances up at Random's return. "Are you ready
then?"

Random laughs, "Almost," he says, pacing over to Vialle. He adds, to the
open air, "I'll let you know, Gavin."

Vialle rises as steps approach her; lifts one small hand. "I believe we
discussed everything else last night?"

Random smiles, We did." He takes the hand, gently, and kisses it. "I
love you, Vialle," he murmurs, softly. "I'll be back, no matter what."

Martin quirks a brow, shrugs as if to say Why Not, and leaves the wall
he was leaning against.

Vialle answers, very soft, "I know, Random." Her hand lingers in his.
"We'll be here."

Random nods, once, and releases Viale's hand with obvious reluctance. He
holds out his same hand to Martin, stepping back a pace.

Martin crosses to Random. "Seeyou later, Vialle," he says, as instead of
taking Random's hand, he places his on his father's shoulder.

Vialle replies, without evidence of any surprise at all, "Until then,
Martin."

Martin doesn't answer, turning his attention to the Trump contact Random
is in.

In your mind, Random says "Ready, Gavin."

Pattern Room -- Dungeons -- Amber Castle

     This room is the size of a ballroom, the floor black and smooth as
glass. Shimmering, like cold fire on the floor lies the Great Pattern of
Amber. An elaborate tracery of bright power composed mainly of curves,
though there are a few straight lines near its middle. Mazelike, the
Pattern measures perhaps 100 metres across its narrow middle and maybe a
140 metres long.

     OOC Note: Walking the Pattern is a GMed environment. If you'd like
to walk it please +mail the wizards to arrange a date.

Random appears, Martin's hand on his shoulder. "Saved us the walk, at
least." The jwel is in one hand, a gold chain wrapped around it.

Martin appears at Random's side. As the rainbow glow fades, he drops his
hand from Random's shoulder, and offers the rest a nod.

Gavin slips trump and case away. "True enough." He smiles, wryly, "Looks
like you did pick something up. What're you planning?"

Random shrugs, "Just figured I'd take a look around." He smiles a bit,
slyly.

Martin eyes Random with a dawning suspicion. "A word?" he says to the
King. "In private?"

Random smiles at Martin. "Sure," he says, stepping back with his son.

Martin waits until he and Random are a discreet distance from the others
before turning to speak with him.

Martin whispers to Random "Do you know what you are doing?"

Random whispers "No idea... I was debating whether it was a good idea or
not. We know the Pattern can take us someplace we've been, but what
about someone?"

"My understanding was that that isn't how it works," Martin replies in
lowered tones.

Random considers a moment, then says, somewhat disappointed, "This isn't
really the time to try it out, I suppose."

Martin frowns a touch. "There's another Pattern, though, isn't there?
The one where Brand... the one that Brand knew about?"

Lorelei stands waiting patiently, hands crossed and folded together.
You sense Random nods, slightly. "I should check that out as well. I'll
do it on my way out. First I'm checking Dworkin's old rooms."

Random murmurs lowly with Martin for a moment, emotions flickering too
rapidly over his features to really be caught individually.

Martin chews on his lower lip, then reaches for something inside his
jacket. "Look, since we don't know where in six hells you're going to
be, or how long you're going to be away, there's something you might as
well have."

Ranodm smiles slightly. "All right."

Martin removes something from an inner jacket pocket. It looks like a
slim card case.

"I don't need this anymore," Martin says as he removes the bottom card
from his Trump deck. It's a torn and stained Trump, painfully familiar
to both men perhaps. He hands it over to Random.

Random accepts a slim card from Martin with a solemness that is unlike
him. He murmurs a last word, softly.

Random whispers "Thank you. I will take care of it."

Martin shrugs, returning the card case to his jacket. He murmurs
something in response, his expression difficult to read.

"Keep it," Martin says quietly. "And come back."

Random slides the new card carefully away in his jacket, no doubt into a
rattish hole inside his coat. "I promise," he replies to Martin, smiling
for a moment and looking into the younger man's eyes.

Then he turns away, as if nothing had happened, and says to the others,
"I think I should be heading off now." Nimble fingers also tuck the
Jewel away, flicking the chain over his neck.

Gavin peers at Random. He nods. "Alright then," He states, and glances
to Lorelei, "Maybe we should get started back up the stairs as well."

Martin returns his attention to the others, his expression neutral. Once
again he takes up his accustomed position at Random's side.

Random glances around the Pattern room, thoughtfully, then shrugs. "I'll
be in touch," he promises, "through Benedict or Martin, most likely."

Caine opens the door and enters the Pattern Room.

Lorelei bows her head, turning back as she hears the private moments are
over, "Good Luck, your Majesty. And Unicorn keep you."

Random nods to Lorelei, "Unicorn Bless your endeavors, Lorelei."

Caine stops suddenly at the crowd in the room, and makes ready to leave
discreetly.

Martin is standing beside Random. He glances to the Pattern, then turns
to follow the King.

Random calls out to Caine, something in his voice almost merry, "Good
evening, Caine. We were just leaving."

Lorelei dips one knee low at Caine's entrance, looking back at Gavin for
just a moment.

Gavin shakes his head at Lorelei.

Martin looks up almost in surprise. "Uncle Caine," he greets the other
man politely.

Caine is a man of medium height, dark hair, and a medium tan. He is
wearing striking green clothing, with a pair of intricately carved and
jewelled daggers in the belt at his waist. Atop his head sits a
tri-corner hat, and the eyes beneath betray both a love of life and a
long lifetime of thinking and dreaming....

He looks over the gathering, and calls "In that case I might stay a few
moments." He walks slowly to the gathered people, his gaze wandering the
pattern room idly as he does.

Gavin nods a brief greeting to Caine. "Uncle," he adds.

Random chuckles, "Enjoy." He raises a hand in both greeting and parting
to Caine. "Unicorn guide, brother."

Caine nods to Random "And you my Brother." He smiles at those in front
of him, "And not a sign of refreshments either. No wonder I was not
invited."

Lorelei returns her attention to Caine and waits with a slight smile at
the comment.

Caine bows very slightly to lorelei, and murmers a greeting.

Random laughs, "We ate them all already," he says, winking, "but I'm
sure the kitchen can whip you up something." With that, he's out the
door.

Martin returns Caine's comments with a polite, if slightly tight, smile,
then accompanies his father out.

Out in the tunnels, Random murmurs, "That was close."

"Where to now?" Martin asks quietly.

Random grins, gesturing in one of the dark directions. "Dworkin's
chambers first, then I'll trump to the plains outside of Amber."

Martin nods. "Lead the way."

Much later in the day, after they've given Dworkin's old chambers a
cursory examination, Random leaves, and Martin considers the long days
still to come. No King, just him. Great.

8/19/98