A morning in spring, some days after Martin brings Tessa to Amber and
put her up in a room in the Guest Wing, safely out of the way. It's the
first time he's seen her since, the earliest he's managed to line up an
audience with the Regent. Damn it all.

Knocking, he gets a reply, and opens the door. He lets the door swing
in, looking in from the doorway.

Tessa is sitting on the couch, back straight, dark dress, her ankles
crossed. Her hair has been done up carefully, and someone obviously
spent time upon it.

Flaxen hair falls gently about her shoulders, curling perniciously at
the ends. Her features are unextraordinary, blue-grey eyes being the
only ones that draw any possible attention. There is no stunning beauty
evident, but the combination of decent features and exquisite grace are
beneficial enough. She stands with the poise of a trained dancer, easily
on balance and ready to move given any lead to do so. Her dress is
ebony, off the shoulders with elaborate sleeves that allow strips of the
white chemise under it to show through. The skirt is long and as flowing
as the bodice is tight.

He steps into the room then. "You're looking better," he says.

Tessa looks up and smiles faintly, though it fades just as quickly as it
appeared. "Thank you Lord Martin." she stands, a tinge of awkwardness.
"You are looking fine yourself."

For a moment, Tessa's faint smile seems to reflect on Martin's features.
"It's alright," he says. "In private, just Martin will do."

Tessa nods again, fidgeting with her dress to straighten a wrinkle. "I
shouldn't forget it though. It wouldn't do for me to sound too
familiar."

"Between family..." he shrugs, not finishing it. After another moment's
hesitation, he approaches her couch.

Tessa smiles faintly again, looking down. "I don't fit in very well do
I?"

"Not yet, maybe," Martin says, gently. "Give it a little time."

Tessa nods again, then looks up at you, catching her lower lip between
her teeth. "Well..." she says, straightening. "Do I at least look the
part?"

Martin nods, "Very much so."

Tessa nods again, releasing a pent breath. "Well then, give me a kiss
for luck."

"Something better," he smiles briefly as he slips his hand into a
pocket. "Close your eyes."

Tessa wrinkles her nose briefly, then does so and extends her hand. "If
this is a frog Martin, so help me..." she lets the sentence trail off.

Martin steps close to Tessa, past her outstretched hand. A moment later,
his hands brush her neck and hair perhaps, and something cold and
metallic rests on the bare skin beneath and around her throat. Another
moment, and he's fastened the clasp and stepped back again.

Tessa jerks back slightly, eyes opening wide.

The pendant is a greenstone, like jade, with silver filigree around it,
a unicorn on the front, all on a silver chain.

Tessa places a gentle hand over the necklace, mouth falling open
slightly, surprise registering in her eyes. She turns then, glancing
into a mirror, her hand coming away from it long enough to see the
delicate work, then her hand covers it again and her gaze goes back to
you. Shock evident. "Martin it's..." she swallows. "It's beautiful." Her
lip begins to quiver slightly.

Martin says nothing, but he seems pleased by her reaction. "I'm glad you
like it," he says eventually, and inadequately. "Come on," he extends a
hand. "Time to meet your uncle."

Tessa still seems overcome and she brushes at one eye carelessly. "It's
not my birthday." she claims. Then flushes. "Stay still a moment?"

"Sure," he says, resigned, and with a small laugh.

Tessa moves forward and wraps her arms about you, hiding her face
against your chest. "Thank you. I've never seen anything so beautiful."

It's a moment before he responds, embracing her quickly. "Welcome home,"
he says then, and kisses her forehead. "And there's your luck."

When she moves away, she's positively glowing, the smile having spread
from her lips to her eyes and to her very manner. Straight backed, she
strokes the stone gently then lowers her hand to her side. "Very well. I
am ready." she extends her hand to you. "Whom am I meeting?"

"Gerard, Prince Regent of Amber," Martin replies. "And our uncle."

"I think you'll like him," he adds. "He's alright." He offers her his
arm, "shall we?"

Tessa nods, taking his arm with a smile. "I think I shall as well. How
do I address him?"

"Your Highness, or Uncle, if you're feeling brave," Martin grins.

Ten minutes later, they're entering the study in the King's Tower, where
Gerard busies himself with the running of the Kingdom.

Tessa enters the room, slightly in front of Martin, head held high.

Martin follows her in, closing the door behind them. He moves to take a
place beside her.

Gerard is seated behind the desk the is covered with parchments and
papers. He holds a quill in his hand. He's a big, powerful man with a
heavy jaw that is fringed by a beard and light mustache. He wears blues
and greys and a wide black belt encircling his middle.

"Uncle," Martin greets the large man respectfully.

Gerard's gaze lingers a little on Tessa as he nods to Martin, "Martin.
What can I do for you?"

"This is Thessaly," Martin says quietly, introducing the young woman.
"It was Random's intent to bring her to Amber."

Gerard rises, brow quirked his gaze remaining on Martin.

With some amount of grace, Tessa executes a curtsy, bowing her head.
"Your Higness." She says politely.

Gerard frowns, "What is this about, Martin?"

Martin chews on his lower lip before he answers. "She's his daughter."

Gerard arches his brow. He turns to Tessa and nods, "Young lady." Then
he asks Martin, "How do you know this?"

"Vialle," Martin answers.

The smile that crosses Tessa's lips is fleeting. Her back straightens.

Gerard says, "And how did she know of this?"

"He told her," Martin replies. "And left her enough documentation so
that any of us could have found her. He wasn't exactly being discreet
about it."

Gerard doesn't look happy.

Tessa swallows, releasing a soft breath. She looks faintly
uncomfortable.

"If not me, then someone else would have," Martin presses, his voice
quiet. "Sooner or later. I didn't have a choice in this."

Gerard says, "Random's been gone for five years. Why now?"

Martin shrugs a shoulder. "Maybe Vialle thinks he's not coming back," he
says without much expression.

Gerard says, "It would have been better if I had been consulted first."

Tessa looks away, shifting on her feet.

Martin nods, after a heartbeat. "When I realised how long she'd had
those papers just lying around like that, I..." he falters, and just
nods again. "I should have spoken with you first."

Gerard nods to Martin, "Yes you should have." He turns to Tessa. "Did
you ever meet your father?"

Tessa returns her gaze to Gerard, inclining her head. "I did. Twice."

Gerard nods, "How long ago was this?"

Her lips tighten. "The first occasion was perhaps a decade ago. He
slipped in and out of my life within twenty four hours." She inhales,
swallows andthen continues. "The seconds was perhaps three years after
that. He arrived just as brusquely then. We spoke briefly and he left me
with his photograph. When I got home there was a parcel filled with
papers and materials. I can only assume he left them for me."

Gerard frowns, "Photograph? What were the papers?"

Tessa frowns slightly. "It's a card. But it's his picture. The papers
were to instruct me on Thari." she flushes, stumbling slightly now with
words. "As it is not my native tongue."

Martin adds nothing, watching Tessa as she answers Gerard.

Gerard glances to Martin, "A trump?"

"I haven't seen it," Martin says.

Gerard asks Tessa, "How you the card with you now?"

Tessa nods, then reaches into the sleeve of her dress, withdrawing the
green backed card. "I have carried it close since that day."

She offers it to Gerard, frowning slightly. "It's strange now though."

Martin's glance flicks over to the card in her hand, his features
hardening.

Gerard reaches across and takes the card. "It's cold."

Martin's gaze turns sharply to Gerard's.

Tessa nods, staring after the card as it leaves her hand. "When I first
received it, I always thought I was imagining the coolness. More so when
I pulled it out some time later and found it gone." she shakes her head.
"But it returned some time before Martin found me."

Gerard flips the card in his hand so he can see the design on the back.

Tessa's head cants slightly to the side. "Is it supposed to be cold?"

Gerard nods, "Yes."

"How long before?" Martin demands of Tessa, as he reaches quickly into
his jacket.

"It looks like one of Dworkin's." Gerard flips the card back over and
stares at the image.

"Probably just left her his own card," Martin says absently as he
withdraws a slim case from an inner pocket.

Tessa turns to Martin, shaking her head. "I don't know specifically.
Perhaps a fortnight? Perhaps longer. I never pulled it out during the
month of August." She adds "Or the month of February."

Gerard concentrates on the card.

"..Why's that?" Martin mutters as he empties out a deck of cards from
the case, focussing his attention on the topmost one.

It appears to be of a tall man leaning on a staff.

Tessa frowns, looking down. "Because he first visited me in February.
And the second visit was in August, and I don't like to remember that
one." she mutters softly.

Martin doesn't answer, his brow creased with effort as he stares at the
card in his hand.

Gerard is likewise concentrating on the card before him.

Tessa just stands there, her eyes rolling upwards.

Gerard shakes his head, "Nothing."

After a minute, Martin shakes his head, "Nothing here either," he says
in disgust, and uncertainty. "Nothing at all."

Gerard lowers the card. "Have you got one of me?"

Martin nods, shuffling out another from the deck and placing it over the
one he'd been staring at. He begins to study it.

Gerard stiffens slightly.

The card grows colder in Martin's hand, and the image of Gerard upon it
wavers into life.

In his mind'e eye, Gerard says "Yes?"

Martin's expression is tense. "Bloody Lir," he says.

The Trump-Gerard says "They work."

Martin does not notice how Tessa just stares, looking mightily confused.
Then he looks up from the card bearing Gerard's image, and just stares
at Gerard.

Gerard grins back.

Tessa just shakes her head, obviously not understanding.

"But we can't reach them," Martin frowns.

Gerard shakes his head, "Not yet. But maybe with the rest of the family
helping we might. I'll call a family meeting." He turns to Tessa,
offering her card back. "Thankyou. Today is a momentous day."

Martin nods. "Right." A pause,then, remembering Tessa. "And Tessa..?"

Tessa reclaims the card, offering a smile and returning it to her sleeve
with a nod. "You're very welcome." she pauses, then looks to Martin.
"Yes?"

Martin looks to her before glancing back to Gerard, "What about her?"

Gerard grins, "Has she been given quarters?"

"In the Guest Wing," Martin answers.

Gerard nods. He turns to Tessa offering her his hand, "Welcome to our
family."

Tessa's chin quivers slightly and she smiles, extending her hand to his.
"Thank you." she almost laughs. "Uncle."

A faint smile finds its way onto Martin's face. "Thanks," he says to
Gerard.

Gerard smiles. He gently shakes Tessa's hand.

Tessa's cheeks suffuse to color, as she returns Gerard's handshake.

Gerard releases Tessa's hand and says to Martin, "See if you can contact
the others: Wayland, Antonio, Harold, Mira and even Niara. I want to try
this soon."

Martin nods, "I'll pass the word along. Anything else?"

Gerard shakes his head, "Not for now. Make sure your sister is
comfortable. I'll arrange for more permanent quarters later."

"I will," Martin says, crossing the room to open the door for Tessa.

Tessa smiles again at Gerard, then leaves the room ahead of Martin.
Tessa goes out the door.

Martin nods to Gerard again, and heads out after Tessa.

The door's barely closed beind them when they hear a man call out,
"Yahoo!!"

Tessa falls into slightly nervous laughter, her head falling backwards
and curls bouncing madly.

Outside, Martin glances back at the door, smiling worriedly. Then,
without warning, he catches Tessa up in a quick hug.

From beyond the door, someone sings, "I am the sailor upon the quiet
sea...".

Tessa laughs merrily and hugs you back. "Oh Martin! Martin he's
wonderful!"

"You did well," Martin grins, kissing the top of her head. "You did very
well. Thank you."

Tessa hugs him tightly, then looks up with a wide grin. "Thank you, and
you're welcome. What did I do?"

Martin holds Tessa at arm's length, "You gave us the news that we've
been waiting almost six years to hear."

Tessa smiles, looking rather proud of herself. "I'm good." she says
softly, then smiles again. "Just how did I do this?"

Martin chuckles, and the smile fades a little. "The card Random left
you. He didn't tell you what it was, did he?"

Tessa shakes her head. "No. He simply said to use it if ever I was in
trouble."

"But not how?"

Tessa shakes her head. "After finding the parcel I assumed he meant when
I was in his embassy. And some guard would take me to him."

Martin just shakes his head. "Right," he says, as though wondering where
to begin. "We call them Trumps. Most of the family has a full deck of
them, one for each of the Princes and Princesses. They're more than just
playing cards."

Tessa blinks, head canting to the side. "Playing cards like Tarot
cards?" She seems to mull this over. "Personal tarot cards."

"Like, but not exactly," Martin says. "Among other things, we use them
to speak with each other. Like what we were trying to do back in there."

Tessa's lips purse. "You talk to the cards?" she asks softly, staring at
you as if, you were perhaps, not all there.

"Call it magic," Martin grins momentarily. "It's what they were designed
to do. Only we can't reach the rest of them."

"Magic tarot cards." she nods. "Mhmm." the look hasn't left.

"Look, I haven't got all time to explain it right now." The grin
returns, flickers uncertainly, hangs in there bravely. "I have to go
find the others, tell them the war's over. In the meantime, I think
there's someone else you should meet."

Tessa nods, then smiles again. "Hey Martin..." she grins, looking down.
"Thanks again."

"Thank me later," Martin says, taking her by the hand. "When you know
what it is you're thanking me for."

Tessa flushes. "I meant for the necklace. It's much easier to feel like
a lady when bedecked as one."

Martin starts to say something, changes his mind. "Come on, it's time
you met your family."

Tessa nods, smiling.

As Martin walks with Tessa, he says, "Her name's Vialle. She's the one
who told me about you."

Tessa nods, following quickly. "Is she a sister?"

"Uh, no," he answers. "She's Random's wife." His tone softens a little
when he says this. "So far as I know," he adds quickly. "You're all the
sisters and brothers I have."

Tessa startles, and pauses in her step. "Random is married?"

Martin mms. "Yeah."

Tessa ohs. She stays quiet then.

"It's not what you think," he says after a while. "Hell, I don't know
what you're thinking, but whatever it is, that's not it."

Tessa flushes. "Is she my step-mother than?"

Martin shrugs, "Yes."

A pause, and he says, quieter, "Be kind to her."

Tessa nods again. "Will she dislike me?" she whispers quietly. "After
all I'm..." she swallows again.

"She's not like that, you'll see," Martin says softly. "She... she sent
me to find you, and to bring you here."

Tessa nods. "I'll be nice to her. I promise."

"I know you will, just..." Martin hesitates. "She's blind, so have a
care."

Tessa nods quickly. "I will."

Martin's reply is a nod.

Tessa breathes in deeply.

Martin walks Tessa up to one of the doors in the hallway, and knocks on
it.

From beyond the door, a woman calls out, "Who is it?"

Martin replies, "It's me. Martin."

From beyond the door, someone calls, "Just a moment!", and in that
promised moment light footsteps come quickly to the door, and the door
opens.

As the door swings open, Martin turns to Tessa, and waves her towards
it. "After you," he says.

Tessa takes a deep breath. "Here goes nothing."

Their father's rooms are, as they have been these last five and a half
years, neat, bright and airy.

Tessa enters, followed by Martin, she glances about, cautiously.

Martin follows Tessa in through the room. "Vialle," he greets.

Vialle holds the door for them both, head at a slight angle; she smiles,
warmly. "Martin. Good afternoon! It's good to have you back."

Martin smiles, something of warmth and affection in it. "Can't stay
long, I'm afraid. I..." he pauses, says quietly, "this is Tessa."

Tessa turns towards Vialle. "How do you do?" she asks softly.

Vialle releases the door; dark eyes blink, though not toward either of
them. "Tessa," she repeats, softly. "It's good to -" She stops; then
offers an arm toward either voice, mutely.

Martin raises a hand, touches Vialle's, but makes no move to step any
closer. "I have to go. Now. Tessa will give you the good news."

Vialle clasps at Martin's hand for a moment. "Good luck, then."

Martin nods wordlesly, his gaze dropping to her hand in his hand,
lingering there a moment. He squeezes her hand tightly.

Vialle returns it, gentle.

The he lets go of Vialle's hand, draws back towards the door. "I'll
leave you two to it then."

Tessa stretches her hand out, and touches Vialle's gently, letting her
know where she is.

"Tessa, Vialle," he nods a farewell to both, and lets himself out.

Tessa watches Martin go with slightly wide eyes.

Martin gives Tessa a smile as if to say, "You'll be fine." She senses a
trace of unhappiness in his eyes that wasn't there before.

Without another word, or backward glance, Martin goes out, closing the
door behind him. And putting Tessa and Vialle out of his mind, he sets
off to find the rest of the family, to tell them the war's over.

-------------
3/12/98