In the darkness just before dawn, one spring night, a rosy glow is
noticed all along the western horizon. It's a little late for the
sunset, which can only mean one thing: the venerable forest is burning.

There's a right hue and cry goes up then, and some big commotion just
out front of the palace. Martin gets the news, hurries downstairs and on
his way out. As he strides along into the hallway, pulling on his
jacket, he sees Niara.

Niara is jabbering in fluid Virgan to a poor kitchen lad who appears
terrified within an inch of his life. Then she dismisses him with an
"Enh", and turns away, swishing for the stairs.

"Niara," Martin greets, his steps taking him past her.

Niara looks up, quick, as Martin walks right in front of her. "Martin.

"What in Riadra's name is going on?"

Looks like he's on his way to the stairs. "Fucked if I know," he flashes
a humorless grin. "Want to go find out?"

Niara replies with a simple, "Yeah."

Martin nods and heads down the stairs, two, three at a time.

Niara follows, in a bound.

As Martin crosses to the main doors, he loosens the sabre in its sheath,
nodding to the guards there to let them through.

Niara develops a need to adjust her collar, as she follows Martin out.

Outside, a very large and familiar dragon occupies a significant portion
of the inner ward, surounded by agitated soldiers, and facing the
relatively small and determined figure of the Lord Marshal, Antonio, who
is pointing out towards the distant glow of Arden.

Antonio points to the glow in Arden saying to Mordacious, "One would
hope this is none of your doing and that you're here to warn us."

Mordacious is saying, "Well, as a matter of fact, you are absolutely
correct. White fire is falling out of the sky and making a mess, and the
rangers are running around as if someone kicked over their anthill."

With a raised eyebrow, Martin heads across to join Antonio and the
dragon. In the background, Tessa also has come out into the open. She
and Niara end up together, watching the scene (or rather, the dragon)
with interest, conversing quietly among themselves.

Gavin stands a ways behind Antonio, and turns from the dismissed
guardsmen, to the dragon.

Antonio nods, "Can you carry a Lord of Amber on your back, dragon? I
wish to reach Arden soonest."

"What's going on?" Martin frowns.

Mordacious says to Antonio, "Yes, if you have the means to stay on, or
can grip a spine for the length of the trip." He adds, after Martin
speaks, "Globes of white fire are or were falling out of the sky over
far Arden, and setting it aflame."

Martin's expression darkens, and he nods curtly. To Antonio, he says,
"What do you need from me?"

Antonio says to Martin, "Get your troops ready to move. If this is a
prelude to an attack we may need to move fast."

"Done," Martin says to Antonio. "You have your Trumps?"

Antonio nods, "Yes." To the troops, "Someone get me some rope."

Gerard emerges from the castle, followed by several courtiers and
guards. He stops as soon as he sees the dragon.

Martin is standing beside Antonio, near the dragon. "Keep us posted," he
says to Antonio, clasping him on the shoulder.

Gavin stands a short distance behind Martin and Antonio, watching on
quietly.

Antonio nods to Martin as he asks to Mordacious, "You're not allergic to
rope are you?"

Gerard moves towards the dragon, his expression grim. "What is going
on?"

Mordacious settles on the ground, allowing Antonio an easier time of
boarding, and snorts amusedly, "I think not, Antonio." He looks towards
Gerard. "White fire has been falling on Arden from the sky, setting it
burning."

Martin turns away, checking that the troops are giving the dragon a wide
enough berth not to get caught by the backwash of it leaving. He heads
over towards the Regent.

Gerard says, "White fire from where?"

A length of rope is handed to Antonio by one of the troopers.

"Antonio's going to check it out. Seems the Rangers may be in trouble,"
Martin says to Gerard.

Antonio draws closer to Mordcaious looking for the best place to tie the
rope.

Mordacious says, "The sky. It takes the form of blazing globes; each
splatters as it hits and burns fiercely."

Mordacious says to Antonio, "Perhaps around the base of my neck?"

Gerard's expression darkers further.

Antonio nods to Mordacious, "That's just what I was thinking."

Antonio moves to tie the rope around the dragon's neck.

Martin looks round, spots a couple of officers just standing around
spectating, and calls them over to him.

Gerard says to Antonio, "You have my trump, contact me when you arrive."

Gerard waves Gavin and Martin over.

Antonio nods absently, "Will do."

Martin speaks quietly and urgently to the officers, who move off quickly
towards their troops. He then returns to Gerard's side.

Antonio finishes tying the rope and tests it.

Gerard says quietly to Martin, "Start calling in the troops that are on
leave. I don't like the look of this."

Seemingly satisfied with the test Antonio levers himself up onto
Mordacious' back.

Martin turns to say something quietly to Gerard. "Already done. I've put
them on alert."

Gerard nods to Martin, "Good."

From atop the dragon, Antonio settles himself on Mordacious' back,
"Whenever you're ready."

Martin glances round the courtyard, makes sure that everyone is well out
of the dragon's way.

Niara notices Martin's glance, and waves at Tessa to step back. Tessa
nods to Niara and backs away from the girth of the dragon.

A chill breeze sweeps through the courtyard, snapping the flags on their
poles.

Gerard waits, watching as Antonio and the dragon ready themselves.

Martin whispers "Still want to try for the others tonight?" to Gerard,
as he keeps an eye on the proceedings in the courtyard.

Gerard nods once.

Mordacious stands, slowly enough not to discomfit Antonio, and ambles
further into the courtyard (away from the gates) for a more comfortable
departure.

Martin says "Harold's out of town, don't know where exactly. And I can't
find Mira" to Gerard.

Gavin stands, silently, in his previous perch, and watches.

Niara takes a step back herself, now that the dragon is moving away. She
says something to Tessa, quietly.

Gerard nods. "And Wayland?"

Martin shrugs, whispering, "Beats me. Off sailing the seven seas as far
as I can tell" to Gerard.

Gerard nods to Martin, obviously displeased with his answer.

Mordacious says "That's nice to know." in answer to soething Antonio
says to it. He turns back to face the west and flares out his wings,
says "Grip tightly now," then drives them down with an audible snap of
air as he leaps, sending dust flying as he launches skywards.

From atop the dragon, Antonio says in a dry monotone, "Yeehah and all
that."

Martin squints, turning his face away from the downbeat of air.

Once aloft and properly airborne, the dragon banks mildly as it crosses
the outer walls, adjusting his course, and flies straight towards Arden.

Martin looks up to see the dragon vanishing Ardenwards. He finishes,
"And Antonio's headed for Arden. That just leaves us and the girls."

Gerard whispers "And Gavin."

Martin quirks an eyebrow at Gerard, and just nods after a while.
"Alright."

Mira, demonstrating her unerring sense of timing, chooses that moment to
return to the palace. She steps into the ward with casual strides,
tipping the hood of her cloak from her head to lay neatly about her
shoulders.

Gerard's gaze turns to Mira as she enters.

Martin takes in Mira's return with another raised eyebrow, whispering
"Speak of one devil" to Gerard.

Gavin lifts his chin, allowing Mira an absent nod.

Gerard whispers "Bring her and the others to the library." He turns and
heads into the castle, followed by the guards and the courtiers.

Martin says, "Will do." He turns to greet Mira with a nod.

Mira inclines her head slightly. "Was that my uncle I just saw depart in
such a hurry?"

Martin catches Niara's eye, as if to say he'll be with her in just one
moment. Niara seems to be smiling, and obviously enjoying her
conversation with Tessa.

Moving towards Mira, Martin replies, "Yes, busy night for him. Where the
hell have you been?"

Mira says wryly "I decided to spend the rest of winter in a warmer
clime. I got your message. I'm here. Now what?"

"Something's come up," Martin mutters, directing her towards where Niara
and Tessa are standing. "We need the family together."

Niara releases Tessa's hand, chuckling.

Mira nods to the ladies, allowing herself to be directed but not
hurried. "That'll be the day. But for the moment, Martin dear, you have
my undivided attention. What's 'come up'?"

Niara's mouth curls. Tessa quirks her head slightly at Mira's nod but
returns it, before returning her attention to Niara. Niara likewise
returns Mira's nod, but slightly.

"Ladies," Martin greets the other two, not quite answerng Mira. "The
Regent has summoned us to meet him in the library. I suggest we go there
now."

"And others might be a bit loose," Niara tells Tessa, the other side of
her mouth curving wickedly. She glances up at Martin.

Mira stands at Martin's side, hands clasped before her patiently.

Both Tessa and Niara see Martin roll his eyes discreetly, where Mira
can't see it.

Tessa's grinning face turns from Niara to Martin. "Yes Lord Martin." she
says softly, amusement clear though perhaps not from Martin's comments.
"Shall we?" she looks back to Niara.

"As Lord Martin asks."

Martin waves the three ladies towards the castle doors patiently, his
expression carefully neutral.

Martin senses Tessa looks as if she's about to burst into laughter as
she turns towards the castle.

Niara tucks her hands behind her back, and follows Tessa, her
half-wicked grin remaining tucked securely on her face.

As the three women head indoors, Martin looks round the courtyard, and
waves Gavin over.

Gavin nods at Martin, and starts toward him. "Yes?"

"Come with me," Martin says simply, heading towards the doors.

Gavin nods, again, and follows after Martin.

In the library, they find Gerard seated on the couch examining a set of
cards.

Niara unfolds her arms, and lets her short train drop.

Mira loses her cloak somewhere in transit to a servant and enters
smoothing her clothing with a prim sweep of her fingers.

"I didn't do it," Niara tells Martin, as she passes him, in Tessa's
wake.

As Gavin enters, Martin shuts and bolts the door after.

Mira glances around. "Lady Vialle is not in attendance?"

Tessa coughs slightly, glancing at Niara.

Gerard shakes his head, "No. Please be seated."

Mira lifts a faintly disapproving brow, but sits without comment.

Martin smiles briefly at Niara, a flicker of amusement in an otherwise
serious face, as he crosses into the room and finds a seat that puts him
closest to the door.

Tessa sits upon a couch, nodding to Gerard.

Gerard asks, "Mira, do you have any trumps?"

Niara remains standing, though she does cross to where she can prop a
hand on the back of an empty seat.

Gavin seats himself on a couch, as well. A brief flash of confusion
shows on his features, but quickly disappears.

Mira shakes her head. "No."

Gerard nods. He says, "I've gathered you all here today because the
trumps are now working again. I'm hoping that we might be able to
contact those that went to Chaos with them."

Gerard continues, holding up his cards, "For those that are new to the
family these are the family trumps."

Niara watches Gerard.

Tessa glances over to Martin, who nods quietly.

Gavin nods, cooly, and settles back in his seat.

Martin glances round the others in the room, seems to come to some sort
of decision, and looks towards Niara as he reaches inside his jacket.

Mira watches Gerard as well, lashes narrowed slightly and fully
attentive. For once.

Gerard says, "Each of the major arcana has a drawing of one of the
family upon it, my brothers and sisters as well as my father and one of
Amber itself.

"They can be used as a means of communication and transport."

Tessa just watches, hands folded in her lap, like a child watching a
foreign movie.

Gerard says, "Most times communication is easy, but since the storm they
have failed to work. Also great distance can prevent their working. They
can also be blocked. However the more that concentrate on a trump the
greater chance of a successful contact."

Martin looks to Mira questioningly.

Mira glances Martin's way briefly. She gives a faint, wry smile,
expressing the patience of one sitting through an old, only mildy
interesting lesson in school.

Gerard says, "I plan to have all of you help me try to contact my
brothers and sisters.

"Any questions?"

Martin returns Mira's the faint smile, as he raises a deck of Trumps in
his hands with a quirked brow. She shakes her head. Then she glances
back. Smiles. Lifts an empty hand with a faint shrug. Martin nods once
and turns his attention elsewhere.

Gavin nods, again. "Who? Or rather, who first?"

Tessa swallows and looks at Martin again. She looks like she just
swallowed an egg.

"Benedict," Martin says.

Gerard nods, "Yes. If any survived the war it would be him."

Gavin says, "True enough. You have extra sets still?"

"There is no need. We have enough cards to suffice."

Gavin nods.

Mira folds her hands upon her lap patiently.

Martin quirks an eyebrow at Niara, indicating the deck in his hands. She
turns her head slightly, then gives Martin a nod. She releases the back
of her chair, and walks over to crouch beside where he sits.

Gerard says, "Both Martin and I have trumps. Please gather around so you
can see one or the other."

At Gerard's words, Martin sets his deck down on a table beside him,
removing the topmost card. Mira rises and steps toward Gerard.

Gavin stands, and moves to Martin's side, allowing him a view over his
shoulder.

Martin catches Tessa's eye, as if to indicate that she may join him, if
she wants.

"Careful you don't step on my skirt," Niara murmurs to Gavin.

"Touch the card," Martin instructs Gavin and Niara as they join him.

Gerard shuffles out Benedict's trump. "Concentrate upon the card. Try
and picture the person depicted as though they were a real person. As
you make contact the person will take on a thirddimesnsion and will
begin to move. Do not look away or become afraid. Keep concentrating.
This is what is supposed to happen."

Gavin nods. "Of course," he returns to Niara, and extends a hand to the
corner Benedict's trump. He settles his gaze upon it, and focuses.

Niara grumbles a little when Gavin's arm crosses in front of her. She
reaches around it to touch the base of the card on the table with the
edge of her fingertips.

Tessa stands, crossing to Martin's side. She tenuously places her
fingertips on the trump, looking rather perplexed.

Gerard holds up his card so all those around him can see. "Ready
Martin?"

Mira lifts a hand to touch the corner of the card Gerard holds.

Martin nods to Gerard after a moment. He murmurs to those beside him,
"Benedict is the eldest of the Princes, the consumate general, the best
of men. He taught his brothers to fight, and he lost his left arm in a
recent war."

Niara asks, very quietly, "And the least likely to let evil things come
in with him when you call?"

"Benendict is a man of honor," Martin answers Niara.

Gerard says, "Okay. Begin concentrating on the card before you."

Gavin nods at Niara, "I'd imagine so," and follows Gerard's direction.

Gerard begins to concentrate.

Niara whispers "That I was not questioning."

Tessa turns a wide-eyed glance to Niara. "Evil things?"

Martin studies the image on the card in his hand. "Tessa, shush, put
your hand on my shoulder."

Niara drops her attention to the card.

Tessa purses her lips but does as he says.

Mira studies the card silently.

Gerard whispers, "Concentrate on the card." He peers at the card, his
brow furrowed in concentration.

Martin frowns at the Trump of Benedict.

Tessa just frowns.

The card grows colder, the image slowly takes on depth, and the figure
of Benedict seems to move, waver, resolving into:

	Tall and thin, Benedict stands just over six feet tall with narrow
shoulders and a lean build. Shoulder-length, straight brown hair frames
a thin, dour face and strong jaw. Piercing hazel eyes flank a round,
flat nose above a thin-lipped mouth that rarely smiles.
	A yellow poet's shirt seeks to hide Benedict's form with flowing,
billowing sleeves and shoulders, only to be tamed at his waist with a
simple brown leather belt; the left sleeve is folded and pinned up
neatly to the shoulder of the shirt. Between the folds of his brown
leather vest, the shirt hangs open and untied. Orange breeches hug his
hips and thighs, disappearing in a pair of knee-high brown leather
boots.
	He appears unarmed.

Mira exhales sharply her held breath. Her gaze from the card doesn't
waver.

Martin's expression grows intent, as Benedict's image resolves.

Benedict stands in the middle of a vast open field, the contents of
which are difficult to focus upon. The sky behind also, swirls, fades,
and intensifies all at once. In fact, for the less endurant, it is
painful to focus upon any aspect of the scene except for the subject of
the trump. And his presence also seems vague at best.

Martin senses Tessa is distinctly nervous.

Niara could be a painted statue, with little effort.

In their minds, Mira's presence is strong, secure, but she says nothing,
leaving that aspect of the contact to Gerard.

Gerard says "Brother."

Martin  calls softly, hopefully, "Benedict?"

Benedict says "Hello, br...Martin...whe....are you?"

Gerard says, "In Amber."

Benedict says "...have not...contact....we...vict...ous. And....Amber?"
His image shifts, horizontal lines seeming to erase him from the
picture, before he returns to view again.

Gerard says "How many of you survived?"

Benedict's image intensifies brightly for a moment, before settling. His
expression is dour as usual, his lips pursed. "Not enough."

Gerard frowns, "Who?"

Martin's expression flickers. "Who?" he echoes.

"Brand. Deirdre."

Tessa is distinctly ill at ease. Her lips tight she says nothing but
just stands there.

Mira's presence wavers, almost drops. Martin's presence seems to falter,
his features blanking, hardening.

The connection wavers, breaks.

Gerard continues to stare at the card for a moment trying to
re-establish contact.

Niara decides to take a breath, but does not otherwise move.

Gerard lowers the card. He remains silent as he turns to look at Mira.

Martin stares at no particular point just past the card, mute.

Mira continues to stare at the card, but in disbelief, not
concentration. She stands composed, milk pale, and silent.

Martin looks up to Gerard, demands quietly of the Regent, "What did he
mean, that Brand's dead?"

Tessa withdraws her hand from Martin's shoulder and pulls away.

Gerard nods once to Martin.

Mira lets her hand slip from the card and her steps carry her a pace
away from Gerard as an afterthought. She looks around, staring through
those gathered rather than at them.

Martin just looks at Gerard, his dark eyes narrowing. After several
heartbeats, he turns away, disgusted.

Gavin squints at the card, a moment, before stepping back a pace.
"Deirdre." His gaze shifts briefly to Mira, and forward again.

Mira turns her back to them, stepping swiftly to a chair. She sits,
clasps her hands on her lap, and takes a deep breath before she looks to
them again, composed. Silent.

Gerard glances to Niara and Tessa. He gestures to Mira.

Martin glances at the card in his hand, puts it down with the rest, and
gets to his feet.

Tessa is flushed, studying the floor.

Niara shakes her head, as if coming out of a dream. She blinks, once,
twice, both times slowly.

Mira looks to Gerard. She says quietly "It's over, then?"

Gerard says, "Yes." Mira lowers her gaze and nods. "Then they'll be
returning soon. Most of them."

Martin, having caught Gerard's look, mumbles something to Tessa as he
stands. Very quietly, he says to his sister, "See to the Lady Mira, will
you? Her mother is dead."

Tessa stares at Martin for a long while, then nods.

Niara gets up from her crouch.

Gerard nods, "Most likely."

Mira nods again. After a moment, she manages evenly "That's good. This
war has taken its toll. The sooner it is behind us the better."

Martin nods to Tessa, and turns his attention to Niara.

Niara reaches for her face, as if she was going to rub between her
brows, then stops, noticing Martin's look.

There's something hard behind Martin's eyes, but his tone is almost
gentle, if distracted, as he asks Niara if she's alright?

Niara nods to him. "It was ... strange. No matter. I am sorry."

Martin whispers "Don't be. Mira's loss was greater. I think Gerard wants
you and Tessa to see to her."

Niara nods once.

Gerard nods to Mira, "Yes."

Mira rises, smoothing her tunic against her thigh absently. "Then
preparations should be made. Shall I see to it, uncle?"

Gerard nods, "If you feel you are able."

Mira clasps her hands behind her back. "Of course." she says, her voice
wavering only a little.

Martin nods absently to Niara, and is about to move away when he
remembers Gavin. "Any thoughts?" he whispers to Gavin.

Tessa's back straightens and she crosses towards Mira, stopping before
her and murmuring softly.

Gerard says, "Do you feel you would be able to teach Niara and Tessa how
to make the necessary preparations as well?"

Mira watches Tessa sidelong as she approaches. "Of course, uncle.
Consider it done."

Gerard smiles faintly. He nods once to Mira.

Gavin whispers "On anything specific? Or this gathering in general?"

Martin says almost irritably, distractedly, to Gavin. "Just tell me what
you think. First thoughts. Whatever."

Mira murmurs to Tessa.

Gerard waves Martin and Gavin over.

Gavin whispers "Right now, I'm wondering how long it'll be before Mira
breaks down. Before that..I was glad to see the family's coming home."

Niara steps sideways, then back, just before Gavin has the chance to
trip over her.

Tessa inclines her head, to Mira, returning the murmur.

Martin nods to what Gavin says, as he starts to head over to Gerard.
"And Benedict's news?" he asks Gavin.

Gavin nods at Gerard, and follows after Martin. "I knew neither of them,
though from the description of Brand I've gotten, it seems like good
news."

Mira raises her voice a bit to say to Tessa. "Then I shall be in touch
with you. If there is nothing else, then I believe my first order of
business will be to deliver the happy news to Lady Vialle that her
husband is coming home."

Martin answers Gavin with a shrug, as they near Gerard.

Gerard whispers "I'd like to try Benedict again once the girls have
left."

A rising wind howls through the castle walls.

Tessa takes a step back slightly, her eyes widening. "Prince Random is
coming home?"

Niara's jaw tightens slightly.

Martin nods mutely to Gerard, turning a little way to watch the girls.

Gavin nods at Gerard, "Of course."

Mira says in a clipped tone "Eventually. One should hope."

Tessa smiles faintly and lowers her glance. "Of course. Well, I will not
keep you then."

Gerard turns his gaze to Tessa, Mira and Niara.

Tessa says, "Please give my greetings to Lady Vialle?"

Niara folds her arms behind her back, watching Mira and Tessa talk. Her
mouth twitches a little.

Mira nods to Tessa before turning her attention to Gerard inquisitively.

Gerard says, "Give my greetings to the princess."

Mira bows slightly. "Very well. A good eve to you, uncle. Cousins."

Niara murmurs, "Good evening, Lady Mira."

Gavin nods to Mira. "And to you."

"Tessa," Martin observes drily after a moment, "I think you're well
within your rights to give Vialle the news as well."

Gerard nods in agreement with Martin.

Mira pauses. She shoots Martin a look, then concedes. "Of course. If the
lady would rather..."

Tessa turns to Martin, then flushes. "Certainly." she looks back to
Mira. "Might I accompany you?"

Mira turns a smile upon Tessa. "I believe I have overstepped myself,
dear. Why don't you tell her? I shall start on those preparations."

"Ladies," Martin nods, including Niara in the farewell.

Niara takes a half-step, a step that shifts into a turn. She takes the
bolt off the door. She then opens it, holding it open for Mira and
Tessa, though she watches Martin, eyes narrowing a touch.

Tessa's back straightens. "I'm certain Lady Vialle would wish to see
you. And you are perhaps a far more apt teller of the news. As I know so
little of it."

Mira waves a hand vaguely."Nonsense, dear girl. There's no better way to
learn to swim than to be tossed in at the deep end. I'll walk you to her
rooms."

Martin turns his attention back to Gerard and Gavin.

Gerard watches the ladies leave.

Mira nods to Niara as she brushes past, trusting Tessa to follow without
glancing backward to confirm this.

Niara asks no one in particular, "Why bother?" as she departs, closing
the door behind her.

Martin waits a moment, then crosses the room to bar the door again after
all three girls have gone.

Gerard raises his card again. "Ready?"

On his way back, Martin picks up his Trumps. "Yeah," he says without
much expression.

Gerard says, "Gavin?"

Gavin nods, "Yeah."

Gerard concentrates on the card.

Martin slumps down in his seat, getting out the Trump of Benedict again,
and studying it.

Gavin allows himself a view over Gerard's shoulder, and focuses on the
card.

Martin frowns in concentration. "Benedict?" he calls. "Can you hear us?"

Once again, the card's surface grows cold, and slowly, the image of
Benedict shifts and changes. The contact is slow to form, and weaker.
The scene behind Benedict is barely visible, except for a swirling storm
in the multicolored sky.

Benedict says "I can't...storm...contact...wha....appened?"

Gerard says "Mira. Shocked by Deirdre's death."

Benedict says "Yes....I...orry. Our s...ied well."

"How did it happen?"

Benedict's reply is solitary and clear. "Brand."

Martin's features take on a hard set, but he says nothing.

Gerard says, "He is dead?"

Benedict says "Yes."

"How long before you return?"

Martin reaches out a hand tentatively, "Can you come to us now?"

Benedict says "Many...th...remai.. undone. I ...not ...ow long."

Gerard nods.

In your mind, Benedict's eyes narrow, before the image fades to black. 
For a moment it seems as if the contact is gone before Benedict returns,
and he is surrounded in black. "Wha...appened in...mber?"

Gerard says, "There was a huge shadow storm. It's been five years since
you left."

Benedict says "Why do...come...now?"

"The trumps have only just started working again."

Benedict says "I...can..understa...repeat..."

"The trumps have only just started working again. They stopped after the
storm."

Benedict says "Am...require...there?"

Gerard says "We're not sure."

Martin frowns irritably at the lousy connection. "Benedict" he offers
his hand again, "Come home to us."

Benedict says "...you...there?"

Gavin murmurs, quietly, while retaining his focus, "With the possibility
of a conflict in Arden, Benedict's presence would be a plus, if half of
what Eric said is true."

Benedict says "Wait....moment..."

Benedict almost completely fades from view, the last image of him being
seen turning away. Then he returns to view a few moments later. He
extends his arm forward towards Martin. "...going to...through..."

The connection breaks abruptly.

Gerard swears loudly.

Martin just stares at the card, his hand still outstretched.

Gerard frowns and continues staring at the card.

"I'm going to try and reach him again," Martin says through clenched
teeth.

Gavin nods, seemingly to Martin, though he doesn't turn his gaze away
from the card.

Martin glares at the Trump in his hand, focusing all his attention on
it.

Long minutes pass, and Martin eventually turns the card over, slumping
back in his seat. He passes a hand over his eyes tiredly, and doesn't
say anything for a while.

Gerard lowers the card, shaking his head.

Gavin straightens, a bit, and grumbles a "Damn," as he settles back into
his seat.

"We were close." Gerard says, "We will try again later."

Gavin nods. "Maybe he had something to take care of. Give him a few, and
try again?"

Martin nods. "Maybe."

Gerard nods.

"When?" Martin asks eventually.

Gerard says, "When we find out what's happening in Arden."

Martin nods again. "I'm going to get a drink then," he says, getting to
his feet.

Gerard shuffles Benedict's card back into his deck.

"I suppose we should be happy. We won." Gerard says, "But the price was
too high."

Martin packs his Trumps away. "Yeah," he says after a minute.

Gerard wraps the cards and slips them into his pocket.

Martin looks to Gerard over his shoulder, "Need me for anything else?"

Gerard shakes his head, "No." He rises.

Martin nods, heading over to the door.

Gavin stands. "Interesting meeting," he murmurs, and follows Martin
towards the door. "Keep an eye on Mira..she doesn't seem too stable," He
adds, absently, as he walks.

"I'll be in my rooms," Martin says, as he unbars the door. He nods to
the Regent. "Guess I'll see you later."

Gerard says, "I'd prefer if you'd see to assembling the troops."

The candles flicker, stirred by a draught from the door.

Martin says, after a moment, "Alright, but until we hear from Antonio, I
don't know there's much more that we can do here."

"Send out the cavalry anyway." Gerard says, "And have the horse guard
ready to move just in case."

A brief smile flickers over Martin's face. "Sure," he says. "On it." He
opens the door, and heads out.

As he steps out into the gallery, Niara walks out of the hallway,
pulling on her gloves as she crosses the carpet toward the back stairs.

Martin finds his way towards the same set of stairs, hands in pockets,
shoulders hunched, brow creased in thought. And an unpleasing thought,
from the looks of it.

She doesn't look up.

Gavin and the Regent come out of the library then, and after a brief
glance at Martin and Niara headed towards the back stairs, Gerard
continues on to the main hall.

Gavin stops a passing guard, as he steps from the doors, and speaks
quietly with the fellow for a few moments, before starting toward
another staircase.

Niara stops just before reaching the back stairs, and looks up. "Hi."

Martin catches up to Niara at the stairs. "Hi," he returns, the smile
not quite succeeding.

Niara has changed out of her gown into something more ... practical. She
gestures toward the stairs. "After you."

Martin doesn't comment, as he nods absently to Niara and heads down the
steps.

A servant bearing an empty tray bobs a curtsey as she hurries past.

At the bottome of the stairs, Martin looks around a moment, and after
the servant departs, asks Niara, "So, how's Mira?"

"Needing to be alone," Niara says, more than a shade bluntly. "Not
herded off to be petted and waved with a handkerchief," she adds.

If Martin is irked or pricked by her tone, he shows no signs of it. "And
you?"

Niara just shrugs. "You?"

Martin, likewise, shrugs. He eyes Niara's dress a little more, like it's
just registering that she's dressed to go out.

Niara adjusts a glove. "Your sister and I may be going riding, later. I
offered it to her as a graceful retreat. She accepted. It remains to be
seen if she will be able to take it.

"But I will see that a horse is made ready for her, none the less." she
adds.

"She already has a horse," Martin says. He doesn't offer any further
comment to what Niara says about Tessa. "Don't go further than the
palace grounds."

"I imagined she had," Niara replies, quietly. "Not to fear. I understand
that everyone is needed, and there's not a body that should be spared to
escort the _girls_."

Niara's lips purse a little. "Well, almost everyone.

"Speaking of which, I am certain I have made you tarry overlong. Excuse
me." She turns.

Martin flicks an irritated glance at Niara. "Suit yourself," he mutters.
"Good day to you, Lady." He heads towards the Eastern Corridor.

Niara jerks her head around, stopping.

Martin continues slouching on, away, moodily.

"Martin."

He pauses mid-step, turns to regard her over a shoulder.

Niara looks at him, the sharpness in her face relaxing into something
more tired and even a little sad.

"Be careful?" she asks.

Martin considers Niara a long moment. "Yeah," he says. "Be careful."

Niara shakes her head. "No. You."

Martin mananges a faint smile, after a while, but there's still a
certain tenseness to him. "Thanks," he says quietly. "Look after
yourselves."

"Don't worry," she replies. "Go worry about what you need to."

Martin studies Niara silently, just nods. He turns and continues on his
way to the barracks.

Niara, perhaps, watches him until she can't see him anymore. He doesn't
know, and for the moment, doesn't care. It's a long corridor.

-------------
March 15th 98