Arkana pales" I would be most honored your majesty."

Vielle looks at Doria, "That is all right with you isn't it, dear?"

Doria responds, "Was that what I was supposed to say?" Laughing. "I would like that. Like I said, I'm not much for teaching her how to be a young lady. Don't think I'm not still a little miffed about being forced into it myself."

Random speaks, "well, you could have run off to a seaside bar yelling 'GODDAMN RANDOM' and swearing to show us"

Galvar leans in and whispers in Random's ear

Random smiles, "OH! That is what you did... My bad..."

"I figured they needed to see me mad. That way, they might think I will do something about it."

Random looks up suddenly, obviously receiving a trump call. "Who?"

He looks down at Doria. "Can you believe the stones on this guy..."

Doria sips her brandy, patiently, smiling motherly at Arkana.

Random mumbles, "ah, the call is for you Doria. He said he thought it might be easier to call me. That takes guts if not brains. Guy wants to know if you would take a trump call?"

"Who is it?"

"Get this. Galvar! Now I am her social secretary! It is Jurt"

Doria's face darkens menacingly, "No. I need to get angry again before I talk with him and we have a few more things to discuss. If your majesty would be so kind to inform him."

Random nods. "Of course." He turns his attention back to the contact, " Sorry, Sir, the War Goddess can not take your call at this time. Please seek her out when she is not entertaining royalty and when she is suitably armed. oh, and..

Doria snickers.

" ...never call me again without a better excuse!!!!!!!" He winds up and breaks the call with a massive psychic blast, his shirt glowing red briefly.

<Kynan> suitably impressed and wary, "Thank you. Ah.. Very much."

Random_"so, is that it? Doria? "

"I just wanted to explain to Arkana the Dusters situation. This is probably the safest place for me to talk with her about it. It shouldn't take long. Also, Is there any way we can protect her from getting her mind read?"

Random-"I am certain I can arrange something." He reaches into his shirt and grips the jewel. It glows briefly.

Galvar leans in and whispers to Random. He sighs, "Well, this has been fun but I have a speech to prepare for dinner tonight. Thelusian Ambassadors are changing after our recent change of Mandalay Ambassadors... Damn night. The whole Rebman Ball is going to bea thousand Golden Circle Kingdoms all changing there Ambassadors to provide one better able to interact with the new Mandalain ones. Care to wager how many new diplomats will be coming to Amber soon, who all have Veterinary Sciences in their background?

<Kynan> "Thank you. May we stay here for a few minutes while I explain the situation to Arkana?"

<Gulliver> Of course. You will be at Dinner won't you? I have to find out if the new Mandalay ambassadors plan to attend in human form or if I need to get dog bowls for them. Where does one get formal dog bowls anyway?"

<Kynan> "In formal dog shadows. I think dinner would be a good idea. Maybe I can get in touch with the other side of my heritage." Salute Random, in a military fashion of my home.

<Kynan> salute Vielle as well.

<Gulliver> "You calling in the Chaos family? It isn't bad enough I now have to have a wolf translator to talk to my Mandalay ambassador but you want to bring in demons?"

<Kynan> "I'm talking about Benedict's mother's side of the family, the Thelusians."

<Gulliver> "I was not aware you had made contact with them? Benedict is not all that comfortable with Cymnea's crowd these days. Not that Cymnea herself ever goes anywhere.

<Kynan> "I haven't. But I know next to nothing about Thelusia. It will be educational for me."

<Kynan> "Wait. You know where Cymnea is?"

<Gulliver> "well the new ambasador, Malritir, traces his lineage from Cymnea's brother. Technically he is her great, great, great grandnephew. Cymnea? Certainly. She is in a Sorceror's Monestary in the mountains of northern...

<Kynan>

<Gulliver> ...Thelusia. Has been for centuries. Comes out for coronations and royal weddings. She didn't attend mine though and has not come to amber in 2000 years

<Gulliver> Galvar leans in and whispers to Random

<Kynan> "I'm sure we have taken up enough of your time. i would love to discuss this further with you at your leisure."

<Gulliver> Random-"Ya? Ok, Galvar assures me I left out like 6 greats, ok?"

<Kynan> smiles

<Gulliver> "Hey? You have met Fleece, right? Bruiser?"

<Kynan> "Yes, both a couple of times."

<Gulliver> "Well, considering their new status I need to seat them near the front. Mind if I seat you next to Fleece and Ripper? None of my brothers want to sit next to Fleece or Bruiser, all things considered."

<Kynan> "I don't mind. I get along with them pretty good."

<Gulliver> "great. Who would have guessed. Damn. See if you can get an idea about what I am going to have to do to fix Bruiser. "

<Kynan> "I'll think on that."

<Gulliver> "Next thing I know they will replace Despil as Ambasador from Chaos and stick me with Jurt!"

<Kynan>

<Gulliver> "It is bad enough I have heirs of house Bariman as ambassadors for chaos an Mandalay but now I have to have magically damaged ones too."

<Kynan> "Sir, you still have that speach to write."

<Gulliver> "You don't think those lines should go in? I thought I was writing it."

<Kynan> "You're the diplomat."

<Gulliver> He snickers, guns his brandy and leaves the room. Vielle dismisses you as well and turns to go

<Gulliver> Galvar straightens up the glasses and fixings

<Kynan> After they leave I explain to Arkana the situation with the Dusters and the fact that we are trying to get inside for information.

<Gulliver> She understands. She says she has seen the book vendors with some of that literature. Radical stuff she says. All about no kings and no aristocracy. Madness

<Kynan> "I need to get back to the Black Cow. You should probably act mad at me for a while. I hope you understand. And I hope we can start fresh from this point on."

<Gulliver> "It was you that was making thing hard. I was trying to make friends and have a life. Pardon me..."

<Gulliver> "We leaving then?"

<Kynan> "I will try to be a better listener."

<Gulliver> "ya, ok." She stands and walks to the door opening it for you

<Kynan> "Yes. Remind me and we can go get some cheesecake when we have more time."

<Gulliver> You go out the door?

<Kynan> Sure. I will start to storm out.

<Gulliver> She follows, glancing over her shoulder. "Oh Galvar! Look me up sometime, I want to talk to you about that Magic Flute thingy!" She chuckles and closes the door, following you

<Kynan> shudder, scowl appearing quite naturally on her face.

<Gulliver> hehehehehe

Doria will go back to the Black Cow for a few more drinks. Working up her anger along the way.

<Gulliver> as you walk to the Black Cow

<Gulliver> Ark-"So, Galvar is rather dashing, isn't he?"

<Kynan> She is supposed to be throwing a bit of a tantrum from the imbarasment I gave her.

<Gulliver> " Do you think he is seeing anyone?"

<Kynan> "Damn it girl, can't you think with anything besides what's between your legs?"

<Gulliver> "A girl needs to look after her fortunes don't you think? My life has certainly taught me that men are to be manipulated and the best way to do that is not polite conversation." She stops at a pastry trolley to look.

<Kynan> "You don't have to worry about fortunes anymore, so you can stop acting like a whore."

<Gulliver> "Excuse me for having a sex drive. I am not yours by blood so I need not follow your prissy mores. Besides. I have never charged anyone and I have been forced into nothing" She pay a silver for three pastries.

<Gulliver> she hands a strawberry jelly and cream cheese one to you

<Kynan> turn away from her and storm to a table. take a seat.

<Gulliver> She follows you in, sees Jurt at the Tonk table. She walks over and hands him the pastry you declined

<Kynan> "You will become a nice young lady if it takes a decree from the king!"

<Kynan> noticing Jurt, storm over to him. "You got my ass chewed out by Random!"

<Kynan> take the pastry from his hand.

<Gulliver> "Care to sit in? We got an empty seat here?"

<Kynan> "What was so goddamn important?"

<Kynan> take a bite of the pastry.

<Gulliver> "Well, I could talk about it here if you like. What do you say, Pawnbroker? Want to know some really cool secrets about Amber?"

<Gulliver> Pawn goes pale looking from Jurt to you

<Gulliver> pawn--"aaa I would rather play cards, Jurt"

<Kynan> harumphing, storms over to an empty private chamber, orders a drink.

<Gulliver> Jurt tosses his card, they land perfectly, and follows you, grabbing a bottle of brandy and two clean glasses. He tickles blister's chin. She stares daggers at him as he walks to your booth

<Kynan>

<Gulliver> "So. I was running a game the other night over at my place. It so happens I overheard two dudes discussing an arriving shipment of books of questionable loyalty to Amber, so I thought it might be interesting. "

<Kynan>

<Kynan> takes the bottle out of his hand, pours herself a drink, sets the bottle on the table, picks up her glass, takes a sip.

<Gulliver> "I followed these two dudes to the docks. They took possession of three crates. Two contained books, one contained pieces of repeating crossbows. I followed the books. They took them to a town house in the harbordistric

<Kynan> takes another sip

<Gulliver> "That cut me any slack in this shack?"

<Kynan> "Why? You think this information is important to me? Perhaps you should tell Delwin?"

<Gulliver> "Delwin blows ducks. Guy is a jerk. He thinks that just because I am not in fealty to Amber I am an enemy. Heck! I am a businessman! I'm not part of the Chaos military. I might be a lord there but, heck, they got ...

<Kynan> "Are you still fucking my daughter?"

<Gulliver> ...thousands of them there. I can't do a good turn for Amber? I got family blood. Merlin and Despil are my brothers."

<Kynan>

<Gulliver> "No, I am not. I am talking to you and having a drink with you. Ask me in a couple of hours though and my answer will be differant

<Gulliver> He knocks back a brandy and pours another

<Kynan> "Then my answer is no. That does not cut you a little slack."

<Kynan> "Besides, why do you want to be my friend?"

<Kynan> tosses back her brandy. pours another.

<Gulliver> He leans in close, "Look. I live here now. I wouldn't mind being on non-spitting terms with some of the locals. Most the elders would rather spit then play nice with others.... besides, you should want to be friends with me. I can help you out in lots of ways."

<Kynan> "Such as?"

<Gulliver> "Well, I know most of the players back in my old home town. They all know me. I may not be tough enough to piss in the tall weeds with the High Lords of the houses, but they invite me to all the parties.

<Gulliver> "You want to visit House Hendrake at the Red Turn Ball? Come as my date. A certified safe conduct, inforced by the High Lord of Chaos, keeps the Hendrakes from mucking with you."

<Kynan> "Listen, you are not as much of an asshole as I first thought, but I want you to stop cavourting around with my daughter. She may seem willing to you, but you are taking advantage of her. Stop it with her and I may be a little more friendly."

<Gulliver> "You think if I said no play to her she would stop coming to me? Heck, she has the itch. Bad things have happened to her but not by me, War Goddess. She is all Yea! for Play!. If it isn't me it will be someone else...

<Kynan> "So you are doing the gentlemanly thing by keeping her out of trouble. Maybe you are the asshole I thought you were."

Jurt continues, "Heck, it has been someone else. She played with a couple of your boys in black the other day. I don't want to keep her out of trouble. I want to get in trouble with her. I like her. She has guts, brains, power, and a flexible value system and whether you like it or not, she is a puppet master in training. She wants to pulls the strings on guys and it will get her hurt. Just not by me..."

<Kynan> "Know any good convent shadows I can throw her in? Damn it, just leave her alone. I'll deal with the rest."

Jurt foolishly presses, "Let me guess. I read your book. You are thousands of years old but never raised any kids yourself. Probably never been around any. Well, I have. You squeeze her, you tell her not to see me, and she will just go wild. Now you give me your blessing, tell her she can see me when she wants, sure as Dworkin's toes, she will tire of me faster. Make an issue of it and she is mine forever, whether I want that or not "

<Kynan> "Damn you!" tosses back another drink.

Jurt- "If you doubt that, ask some peasant in the street. They know about kids " He pours Doria another brandy.

<Kynan> "I have to get ready for dinner." tosses back the new drink, get up and leaves.

<Gulliver> "You look tense... You should not go to dinner tense. How about you, me, Arkana, and Adjur over there pop out to Saligir. Hot mineral pools, waterfalls. warm weather. flowers. take a nice picnic basket and spend a few days. It has a swell time ratio to amber. 60 to one I think. an hour here is like days there

<Kynan> is he following me out?

<Gulliver> ya, talking over your shoulder, waving Arkana to follow, which she does

<Kynan> pull out a trump for Halzir, hiding it from Jurt. take Arkana's hand "Good bye, Nephew." a little sarcastically. open trump and go through.

<Gulliver> "You are in more dire need of a....." You arrive in Halzir cutting off his remark as the trump closes

<Gulliver> Arkana looks around, looking back, longingly at the area the trump closed on

<Kynan> Ask Wendel if they have anything that passes as a dress shop around here.

<Gulliver> He gives you directions and says he can have your room ready when you get back. Or you can get rooms and he will send some one to bring the seamstress here

<Kynan> No we will go there. We go to the dress shop and pick out something nice for Arkana to wear to the dinner.

<Gulliver> alright. It looks a little provincial you think, not fashionable in Amber. Arkana curls her lip at them, finding fault in each one

<Kynan> "Fine then, what kind of dress do you want?" Have her describe it to me and I will conjur it for her. We at least have time for that here.

<Gulliver> She looks at you in shock."MOM!!!!!" andgoes running out

<Gulliver> hehehehe

<Kynan> "Arkana, STOP!"

<Kynan> If she keeps going, "That's an order!"

<Gulliver> she disappears down the allyways of Halzir

<Kynan> run after her.

<Gulliver> You quickly come to a turn with five paths that all turn quickly themselves, going up, down,left right

<Kynan> Attempt to contact her through psyche, like in the books.

<Gulliver> you sense her ahead, up a couple of turnings, you hear a scream

<Kynan> run that way.

<Kynan> pull sword

<Gulliver> you turn into an allyway and find Arkan fighting three men, two others are on the ground. One is clearlydead, the other has a knife sticking out his stomach. Arkan smasshes one with a brick to the head and he crumbles.

<Kynan> Jump in if she seems to need any help, otherwise, watch the fight.

<Gulliver> one of theguys grabs her arm and spins her hard, she moves with it and rolls, pulling the guy down. As he is falling forward she flings out wildly with the brick, cracking him with incredible force, he falls dead.

<Kynan> 1 guy left now?

<Gulliver> She rolls to a stance, showing the bloody brick to the last guy. He turns and flees down a little cubby hole of a building.

<Kynan> Joe is willing to run the family dinner, if you want him to join in.

<Gulliver> Sheturns to see you. "Nice town Mom.

<Gulliver> he online?

<Kynan> yep

<Gulliver> sure

<Kynan> I just want to get some dresses for Arkana, nice respectable ones. Just assume we do that, even if we need to go to another shadow. Doria might pick out a few herself.

<Kynan> "Nice job. If you ever want a sparring partner, let me know. Perhaps it is an area of common interest we need to relate to each other."

<Gulliver> "I have one, thank you. And then there are the dozen or more soldiers of yours that want to do so too. Heck. Some of your guys are the bastards that raped me but do you care?"

<Gulliver> He is thinking depressing mugger thoughts

<Kynan> Just a mugger then, who attacked the wrong girl.

<Gulliver> ya

<Kynan> "Arkana, that is something we should talk about. But not here. Let's go back to the bar and have a few drinks."

<Beoir> can i get a room desc and background?

<Gulliver> you get a view of the fight. They were standing around planning to mug someone when Arkana came racing into them. It all went on from there

<Gulliver> nope. we will be in amber soon

<Beoir> *nod*

<Gulliver> They are in Halzir, Taxorami. In a back ally

<Beoir> *nod*

<Kynan> Eventually we make it back to Amber in time for dinner.

<Gulliver> Halzir is a lot like Greece. Narrow streets, many storied buildings of bad design

<Beoir> *nod*

<Gulliver> You and Arkana go back to Wet Wendall's and get cleaned up and dressed. good time ratio to amber

<Kynan> Sounds good.