Flavel’s extra credit diary. To be published once per month.
This is essentially the threads Flavel is involved in rewritten to a 1st person point of view.
This allows me to jump into the character’s thoughts, memories and feelings with a bit more depth.
It was a dark and stormy night. I’m not certain how long I’d been without sleep. Time passes strangely for me when I’m compiling my research. I work in cosmological investigations. Not exactly the sort of thing you describe at parties, then again, I’m rarely invited as I call no place home, and everyone’s a stranger. My latest abode was a mansion I had found somewhere in a large city, of a large country, in a dimension a bit off the beaten path. The nice thing about moving through dimensions is you can always find what you want. The mansion suited me, the food was good, the servants weren’t nosey, and the computer equipment left lying around really helped out with some of the number crunching I was faced with. So it came with something of a shock that there came a knocking on the door.
I was puzzled by this intrusion. I’d given the servants a couple days off so I would not be disturbed. I hadn’t advertised my location and the gates were locked. Still this was a mystery easily solved.
Opening the large wooden door I looked down at the tiny, perfect form of my red haired mother, Fiona, Princess Royal of Amber, and sorcerous supreme.
Smiling up at me, she said "Good evening, Flavel."
Evening indeed. Past her shoulders I could easily see it was a bright sunlit day. I’d either been up a very long time or she didn’t like the weather and decided to change it. Probably both.
"Good Evening Mother. Please come in."
I glanced around the room seeing a chair that had fewer manuscripts then others, I brushed them aside. "Please have a seat, and tell me what brings you to grace my humble hovel."
Fiona looked round "Hardly a hovel, Flavel." She sighed "You know, there really is no reason you cannot have your own rooms in my home in Shadow Earth."
She leaned forward a little, her face calm "And it would mean a lot to me."
It really is amazing how your entire world can be turned upside down inside thirty seconds. My mother had been suportive of my activities and rarely ever interferred in my lifestyle—until now. Then again, although it’s rare that I can figure out her motives, she never did anything without reason, and she looked agitated and possibly even frightened. Add to this the glyph on my left hand was feeling chilly.
I’ll have to digress for a moment to describe the glyph. For as long as I can remember I’ve had this runic inscription on the palm of my left hand. It’s the size of a silver dollar and presently looks like a circle with a single line drawn through it. I say presently as it’s changed form a couple times in my life. Once it looked like the letter R, the time I essayed the pattern it changed to a whorl. I don’t recall what changed it to it’s present look. One of those bizarre mysteries in life I guess. Now it felt cold, interesting, but nothing illuminating.
Realizing I’d been staring at her (never a good idea when confronting a magic-user of her caliber) I glanced away determining it was time for diplomacy.
"Well, it means a lot to me that your house is always open to me mother but I'm not really calling anyplace home these days."
I Gestured at the room absently; "This is where I am consolidating my latest research. But I've only been here a week and plan to be moving on by month's end. Which makes me wonder how you found me as I don't normally advertise my presence."
Fiona said in her precise style of speaking "I found you using a Pattern Lens for speed. Something which I will be glad to teach you later."
Pattern lense? A method of interposing the Pattern to magnify…? Not sure, maybe there’s a text on this somewhere in Fiona’s library, maybe castle Amber. Teaching me later could mean tomorrow or next century. More probably she dropped it on me to have me look into and spare her the effort of explaining. Somethings are best learned by oneself.
She smiled "Would you be interested in a small investigation into an irregularity in the nature of Shadow?"
This confersation was definitly getting strange. Normally when relatives meet we have a sort of protocol. The first being not to arrive unanounced unless an emergency. The second being to offer food, drink, and any hospitalites before business. I wasn’t sure if I boloed this or my Mother. There’s other protocals that were being stomped on but really after the first one or two fax paux, it doesn’t matter. I was in an emergency whether I knew it or not. I decided I knew it and had better follow my mother’s lead.
After all, she’s several hundred years my senior and knows things I haven’t even contemplated yet.
"How could I say no to such an offer? Just give me a minute to collect my things."
Walking past the computer on my way to the master bedroom, I recited; "Computer destruct niner, niner."
A faint whisp of smoke drifted up from the expansive electronics.
In the master bedroom I grabbed a cloak off the wall. A dark green affair. Very tough, very supple, and very wrinkled. I hadn’t allowed the servants into this room. Taking a shoulder bag off it’s hook I tossed in the equipment I thought would be useful.
Standard investigation crap. Binoculars, small med-kit, notebooks, pencils, slide-rule, and a couple other odds & ends. I never inventory my bag’s contents as it improves my chances of having the correct item when I’m out in shadows. Sounds bizarre but so is shadow.
In the dresser was a handgun, under my pillow was a scabbarded gladius shortsword. I’m adequate with either but didn’t feel like carrying both. On whim I strapped the scabbard onto my side. The rest I could pick up through shadow. Hell, If I get right down to it, I could acquire everything I had on me in shadow, but I was feeling tired and playing with shadow can be taxing.
Stepping back into the Study Room, I made a short bow to my mother and announced; "At your convenience then."
Fiona smiled her approval of my self destruct mechanism. Internally I shrugged, the destruct mechanism was a combination of high voltage and the application of a massive magnet to the harddrive. I figured it 50-50 my mother could work a spell to core-dump the data if she had a mind to.
Taking my arm we walked out into the warm sunshine while she asked; “Have you heard of the Cerdok Theory? My place first, dear, I think."
Wincing momentarily in the bright sunlight, I took a moment to slip on a pair of bulletproof Versace X53's I had in my shoulderbag. It wasn’t like I really needed them. I’ve never been especially bothered by bright sunlight. This is partly a matter of my mixed heritage. One of my eyes is bright green, the other a bright blue. One eye has really good spatial clarity, the other sees color to a very fine degree. Nothing outlandish, but enough to know my father must have been someone quite different from my mother. I sometimes think my genes mixed like oil & water.
The sunglasses had tiny lenses to allow me to see movement behind me. You can’t be too careful.
Remarking to Fiona my ignorance of the Cherdok theory we walked out past the courtyard and gates to the busy city street. Asking her preference of transportation she indicated my car would be fine. As we walked to my car she began to describ the theory.
“The Cerdok Theory is quite an interesting one suggesting a possible octal influence on the matter of Shadow in addition to the normal dual confluence of Amber and Chaos."
I nodded slightly and replied; "this parallels some of my own research but I never came up with a particular number."
I’ve had a lot of practice dealing with bombshells from my mother. I had been investigating the possiblilites of other focal points in reality beyond what was considered the excepted version of just Law & Chaos. It’s a known fact that our kind can journey through dimensions (shadow) and find whatever we want, but finding something that is real and separate from shadow; realms that cast their own shadows so to speak, is an altogether more difficult undertaking. I’d spent several years penetrating shadows were one theme or another would dominate with limited success. Enough promise to know I was on to something but not enough to think I’d find what I was looking for by just aiming at absolutes. What I was looking for wasn’t in shadow, it’s one step beyond into the realms of the real.
Stopping at a blue sedan that looked similiar to BMW M5, I walked around the vehicle reviewing in my minds eye how I’d left it. I’m paranoid, but am I paranoid enough? Comes with the territory. Satisfied, I opened the passenger side door and with a slight florish waited while Fiona got in. Getting in on the driver's side I again looks around momentarily before starting the engine and pulling out into traffic. Looking at details gave me a chance to reflect on what I’d tell my dear mother.
"The problem with this sort of research is attempting to find distilled forms of these other confluences. I've been able to infer that they may exist by chasing and backtracking shadow storms. I originally thought shadow storms would move either towards chaos or Amber but I've tracked a couple that did not originate or head in those directions."
Mostly true. I had an idea I could take the similarities in shadows where Storms were found and subtracting differences to arrive at or near their source. It would require plotting several Shadow storms and performing a philocartographical resection. Such is the lot of the cosmological investigator.
Slipping onto a highway, I turned on the radio as a distraction.
"At least, that's the way it seemed to me. Shadow Storms can be devilishly hard to follow, and I've never been able to reach the source of one...yet. That and you can never find a storm when your looking for one."
I started to add and subtract elements in the scenery to place us in the realm that contained my mothers home. Just then the previous song on the radio ended, and a new one started. The dreamy, surreal lyrics of "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" wafted from the car's high performance speakers.
I cringed at the lyrics; “That song always seems to pop up whenever I'm about shadow."
It’ll either be on the radio, or some passing minstrial will play it or what-not. It’s not a bad song but after the 5,000 time I’ve heard it there’s nothing more to get out of it. One of these days I’m going to have a beer with whoever wrote that song and find out what the premise was behind it. Just another item on my long list of things to do.
Fiona smiled "It could be worse. At one time, Bleys was haunted by a rather pointed melody. 'You're so Vain' was the title I think." She turned to look out of the window briefly before continuing "What if I told you I suspected some storms, a particular type of vortex, are in fact a side-effect of the deliberate disturbance of the balance to be found in Shadow?"
The road narrowed while other traffic around us disappeared.
"Sounds like an interesting premise."
Internally I called to mind what I knew about the phyics of vortexes. Warm, moist air slamming into cool, dry air within the vicinity of thunderstorms. When opposites collide within a localized area of energy… sounds like when someone rewrites the local rules of a given shadow using a directed energy source. More maybes. I mentally filed it under list of things to investigate.
Past the farmer's fields our car now negotiated a series of tight corners in mountainous forested terrain.
"Any idea what, or who could cause such a thing?"
Fiona smiled "There are rumours of an actual device that could cause such thing."
Entering a fog bank, I slowed the car down to a crawl and turned on the low beams.
"Speaking of which, I've been out of touch for a bit. How's the family doing now-a-days?"
Fiona grew more serious "Justifiably nervous. There have been a number of attacks on your generation."
I remained silent digesting this. More changes around us as I worked shadow. A passing sign stated Lous Angeless 84 miles.
"I hope I haven't missed any funerals."
Fiona answered quietly "Not so far. I was worried about you. Signs point to an Amberite behind it, or a very close Shadow thereof with broken Pattern perhaps."
What signs does an Amberite leave? The pattern obviously.
She looked out of the window briefly "Bleys is also investigating this matter. The spate of attacks combined with the incidence of triggered storms is interesting, especially when one of the victims is said to have one of the devices I mentioned."
Device, & devices. Who else would have one? Why would they use them? Spikards maybe? I reeled with the possiblities. If that wasn’t enough, twice now she mentioned Bleys. Swirling his name around events of shadow storm and attacks on my peers. Interesting.
She gestured to a turnoff "That's a shortcut to my home on Rhode Island."
I thought she’d never get around to helping me navigate. Of course, having me work shadow to find a place I hadn’t been to in decades would definitely distract me during the course of our conversation.
"I've only met a few of my elders back when I toured Amber. I got the distinct impression that they were mostly amused by me, and as I've never--"; I paused as my mental process performed a quantum leap.
"Sure, and of course I'm out chasing storms but who can tell what I'm doing? If they can spy me out they just see me and shadow storms, and when I'm not doing that I'm doing research. Very neat."
And also not quite right. I missed something but I wasn’t certain what it was.
Chuckling I said; "It's a stack of assumptions but I feel better already. At least it's not personal."
I glanced sharply at Fiona "But I've never controlled shadow storms, nor does it explain why they would take pot shots at my peer group."
I wish I could set off a couple of shadow storms though. I’d measure their cause and effect and use them as a baseline to further refine my tracking them.
Fiona noded, and answered "It's an unwritten rule that your generation is off-limits to the worst of our arguments, which is why this is so puzzling. The only other strangeness seems to be the new types of storms. To that end, I've arranged with Father to team you up with a couple of your cousins who have also been investigating this storm phenomenon, should you be willing to work with them that is."
"I've never met anyone from my generation. I've heard they can be an independent bunch. Regardless, if Oberon wants it done that way, then that's the way we'll do it."
Fiona smiles slowly "Did I say that? Let us say more that Oberon wishes the matter investigated and I managed to get you a place on the team. And rumour is correct. Your cousins are a decidedly independent group."
So score a point for me, I got clarification on an issue.
After negotiating a series of rapid interchanges the outside conditions seemed more temperate, with decidious trees and a decidedly more New England air to the surroundings. I ventured to say "I think we're on Interstate 295 which should skirt the Northern part of Providence before too long."
Fiona smiled "Excellent. Take the turnoff to the right one mile before Providence. That leads to my home."
No longer shifting shadow, I casually noted the vehicles behind me. A quick glance back while taking the exit ramp, and periodically as we approached Fiona's home ensured there was nobody obviously tailing us.
Time for some fishing. Keeping my voice carefully neutral I asked, "While I'm on the team is there anything in particular, aside from these storms, that you wish me to investigate?"
Fiona shrugged eloquently "There may be. I fully expect the storms to be but a beginning to the mystery. I do know that Oberon is gathering a team together."
Go fish. Pulling up in front of an old, established house that looked both spacious and comfortable Fiona smiled "Make yourself at home, Flavel."
I nodded slightly. "Thank you, your hospitality is always a rare pleasure."
So I was back home, right where my mother wanted me. I was missing something obvious but I was tired. Stepping out of the vehicle, I walked to the front entranceway and stepped inside. Pausing at the full length mirror inside the foyer I saw myself now clad in blue jeans, running shoes, loose collared shirt and bomber jacket. It’s unfortunate in Fiona’s Shadow-Earth, that cloaks had gone out of style. Dropping my scabarded sword in a nearby umbrella stand, I realized I was enormously hungry. I headed to where I smelled cooking before I remembered my manners and turned to Fiona.
"I'm uncertain of your plans this evening. Are we dining or have you other arrangements?"
Fiona smiled "We're having dinner here, Flavel. However, first I have a surprise for you. Please, come with me."
What could I say? Since she announced the surprise it would probably be pleasant. It’s the surprises that blind-side you without warning that turn into ugly situations. She led me up to a door at the end of a wing on the first story. Within was a comfortable den leading to a bare study on one side and a large bedroom on the other with a good sized bathroom attached. All the rooms overlooked the well-tended gardens surrounding the estate.
Fiona noded at me, "Your rooms, Flavel." She handed me a Trump of the Den, "For your use. Dinner is at eight in one hour. If you need anything, just ask."
I thanked her and closed the door behind me. For several minutes I studied the rooms. Memorizing the items, and their locations.
Eventually I took a seat behind the desk in the study and pulled out my deck of trumps. Placing the new card in the deck I shuffled the cards and letting my mind go blank essayed a reading of the tarot. It’s not something I do often, but when new events present themselves, and I’m nolonger in control of what’s going on I like to perform a reading. Something my loving mother taught me when we met for the second time, me at the age of eighteen in a shadow that was much like Rome at it’s high water mark.
Seven Trumps I dealt out. The Questioner in the centre. The six Trumps around it from the top and going clockwise The Source, Allies, Enemies, That which may be Lost, That which may be Gained, The Answer.
Turning over the Questioner. My own Trump. Seemed obvious enough.
The Source. Delwin. Learning, friendship, the Mentor.
Allies. Bleys. Cunning, guile, The Trump Artist.
Enemies. Sand. Magic, focus, The Sorceress
That which may be Lost. Oberon. Leadership, guidance, The King.
That which may be Gained. Amber. Family, home, The Centre of Order.
The Answer. Eric. Ruthlessness, resolution, the Swordsman.
Bleys as friend, interesting. Loss of leadership if things go bad. A wielder of magic opposes us maybe, or possibly a magical device like Fiona mentioned. Whatever was going on the stakes looked high. So in a nut-shell, stay frosty. The trouble with the Tarot is it only makes perfect sense after whatever events have transpired. Should be a warning label on the deck. Your mileage may vary.
Reshuffling and pocketing the cards, I stood and glanced at the bed and stifled a yawn. Soon, but not yet time to sleep. After taking a few minutes in the bathroom to freshen up, I emerged from my quarters in search of food.
It didn’t take me long to find the dining room using my nose as a guide. Fiona looked up and smiled in my direction appearing genuinely glad to see me. She indicated the chair to her right, and said "Come, Flavel. Tell me how you've been doing since last I saw you. It's been such a while since we last had dinner together. We can compare notes on research if you like."
Taking a moment to savor the pate of boar and doe with a Maury wine jelly, I gestured with my fork.
"It's not easy to explain really. The stuff I've been examining is as much philosophical as metaphysical physics. The theories are difficult to test, and are prone to many interpretations. As you are doubtless aware the very nature of natural law changes from one shadow to the next. So I've had to confine my research to a study of relationships."
Setting aside silverware, I paused to take a sip of wine and compose my thoughts. What to tell, what to tell? Not about storms, maybe meta-data. She’s a sorcerous. This may get her attention.
"It all started back when I was leafing through a college text in search of some formula to process some...ballistics data I was working with. There was an elementary equation for kinetic energy that I found amusing. You know, the one about Kinetic Energy equalling one half mass times velocity squared? Anyways, before I knew it, I had torn the silly thing apart to solve values for space, time, and matter. The four cornerstones to reality. Basic algebra really. As an example, time is nothing more then the Distance multiplied by one over the square-root of twice the kinetic energy divided by mass. Of course these values differ between shadows, but the relationships between them are always there. "
Setting aside my wine glass, I pushed my chair away and stood. In my minds eye I accessed the file I had previously recorded on my now destroyed computer. A moment of self hypnosis followed and I began to recite my previous recording ver batim.
"Changes in reality have a direct effect on the relationships between these variables. What does not change is the fact that these variables will always be related."
"No manifestation of reality can be totally devoid of any one or more of these variables. Example: an instantenous object does not exist. An absence of natural attributes resulting in an object being unable to interact with other objects within a defined reality. This is philosophically symetric in that the only way to define one variable is by the values represented by the other variables."
"The demonstrated use of sorcery, conjuration, pattern and other supernatural conditions on an environment establishes the possiblity that, within extremely localized areas, the relationships are subject to spontaneous modification in a controlled manner."
"Consequent tests have born out that there are multiple ways in which to modify an object. For example, turning a red ball the color blue can be accomplished by Sorcery having first spent time researching the proper spell. The use of the pattern to rework the red ball to the color blue could also be accomplished by someone with with sufficient time and focus."
"This hints that the various realities, and the properties within realities may posess metadata that describe all local phenomena. Furthermore this metadata can be accessed and adjusted with corresponding changes to our reality. If there is a multiversal set of metadata that can describe the properties of all realities we need look no further then the pattern. Possibly two sets of metadata as there is also the logrus. Possibly only one set of metadata that is being warred over as the Pattern, if history is correct, descended or
evolved from the Logrus."
"What is disturbing is that this metadata could be sentient. Here's an interesting question. What if all means of accessing and modifying metadata were nothing more then elaborate, ritualistic methodologies for establishing communication with, and persuading The unicorn (or its opposite number)? If this were the case a Sorceror had better hope that responses from a power of this magnitude were reflexive. Much in the same way a couple bees could be attracted by the presentation of flowers, but you certainly wouldn't want the whole damn hive!"
"Even more disturbing is the idea that communication could run both ways. As a sorceror or pattern initiate changes his environment by contacting metadata, could not the reverse also be occuring?"
"End recording forty-four. Metadata Speculation."
Letting the trance end I relaxed back into my chair. Realizing I had talked at length I apologised for being long-winded, and asked as to her research.
Fiona smiled "Very well, thank you." She paused as the next course was brought in.
"Concerning your speculations on the sentience or not of the metadata, I might suggest that a short course of study on the Pattern itself would be most illuminating. Perhaps when we travel to Amber to let you meet the rest of the research team."
So much for an exchange of research. Hardly surprising and really I expected nothing more from her. Fiona has always been long on advice and short when discribing her own activities.
I responded, "I'd like that very much...if there is time."
Taking a moment to relish the tiny rock crab in brined Seaweed I thought about this team being put together. I decided more information on this group would be welcome.
"Incidently, I am curious as to who else is on this..." visions of the Special Olypmics flashed through my mind; "Tiger Team."
Fiona answered "Some specifics of the team have yet to be fixed. However, your cousins Genevieve and Salome are almost certain to be on it as they, along with you, have also been investigating the new storm types. Random is bringing along someone specialising in chemistry and physics. There will be a few other more martial types as I understand it, plus a doctor or two. An interesting mixture, wouldn't you say?"
Interesting indeed. Warriors and doctors spoke volumes as to the adventure we where going to be heading into. Unfortunate, as I’d spent less time developing warrior skills then any of my relatives. I might be plunging into an awkward situation.
"Sounds like a good mix. I imagine the chemistry and physics will be very helpfull. I'm hoping that the doctor and warrior types will find the adventure boring. Still it's good to have all your bases covered."
Stifling a yawn I asked, "So tell me, when do we depart for Amber?"
Fiona smiled "After you get some sleep, Flavel dear. Time enough after that."
Bless you Fiona, I could do it without sleep. But I’d be crawling by the time we got to Kolvir..
"I appreciate that, I've been up for some time now."
Getting to my feet I bid Fiona good night. As I began to depart one of the missing pieces to this puzzle came into focus. I’d have recognized it sooner but I was short on sleep.
"One thing excites my curiosity. Why did we return here before departing to Amber? It seems we could have made the journey directly from whence you found me in shadow."
Fiona nodded, in her way that showed I was still thinking correctly. She said simply "Preparation is all."
"I will leave you to your preparations then and see you on the morrow."
Climbing the stairs to my rooms, I mused. Leave it to my mother to always provide me three new questions for every answer she provides. Must be why I got into investigations.
Upon returning to my apartments, I compared the rooms contents and layout from the image I had previously memorized. Nothing seemed changed so I immediately headed for Slumber land.
Awakening with the dawn I went through the morning rituals of hygiene. Fresh sets of clothing were found in the closet and dressers that I took advantage of. Dark purple collared shirt, Black belt, charcoal slacks and black low quarters freshly shined. An assortment of ties were at my disposal that didn’t bother with. Never where a tie in a fight. If your not sure, don’t. The other accouterments of fashion; watches, pins, cufflinks I likewise neglected.
One requirement taken care I was ready to tackle my second, more important goal, food. I determined this might be put on hold when I reached the bottom of the stairs and heard the doorbell ring. A servant opened the door and the devil himself strolled in, followed by a diminutive young woman with burgundy dyed hair. The devil I knew was named Random, one of my elders I had the displeasure of meeting in Amber when I resided briefly at the family castle, the girl I couldn’t place by face.
Random grinned at me "Hi Flavel. Your mother about? And this is Kit." he added, indicating the small woman. Fiona appeared at one of the doors and said to Random "You took your time."
Random grins "Yeah, well you know me, Fi."
Fiona just shook her head. I don’t think she cared to much for him either. Of course Random’s idea of socializing included binge parties, drum solos at 3 in the morning, and practical jokes that could end up killing the victim.
Turning to me, Fiona asked, "Flavel, would you look after Kit please while I have a small talk with Random."
Nodding at Fiona I replied "Of course, it would be my pleasure."
Best behavior and all that with relatives. When the tigers smile, smile back.
Kit blinked, and stuck out her hand with a wide grin to me. "Hellooooooo! I'm Dr. Walker! You must
be a scientist too...what do you study, hm?"
And you must be Random’s child…
Turning to Kit, I accepted her hand in a gentle embrace and performed a sort-of half bow from my waist "Greetings Kit. I was about to breakfast in the garden gazeebo? Would you care to join me doctor?" Normally I’d referr to relatives by their proper names but with these two hellions It probably didn’t much matter.
"Ah...sure," she responded with a wide grin.
Hmmm, no fangs, that’s a good sign
Walking Kit to the Garden entranceway "I'm not certain I'd qualify as a scientist. My modus operandi frequently departs from the scientific method. I guess you could say I am a student of whatever strikes my curiosity."
"Well that's cool," she nodded, stepping into the garden she seemed interested in the surrounding plants and flowers. "It's nice to finally meet someone else interested in the same stuff at least. Most people tend to give me that kinda 'Hey are you on crack?' kind of look when I talk about science! So where are you from? Tell me about yourself!"
"I might ask you the same," I effected a shrug. "I was raised near the city of Castra Regina. What is presently Regensburg in a shadow where Rome was at it's height. My foster family were minor nobility."
"Well, that explains your excellent manners then!" she snorted. "Kwah ha ha!"
I’ll get you for this Fiona!
Arriving at the Gazeebo, I casually seated myself. "Since then I've pretty much toured shadows. There's always something new to explore. Stuff I don't understand, I spend time investigating." I Chuckled momentarily. Depreciation can deflect a lot of questions I’ve found. "As you can imagine it keeps me busy."
"Yeah...there's a lotta stuff to discover! I wish I knew just how many Shadows there were. May as well try to calculate just how many stars are in the universe though...however many universes there are," she added with a mutter.
Taking a moment to select a pastry from the assorted dishes of food on the table, I paused to relish a couple of bites. Waving my hand I asked, "What of yourself?"
"Oh, ya know...typical crackpot scientist whose genius is taken for granted! Kee hee!" She looked over the plates of food and fairly pounced on a small meat pie. She bit into it with gusto only to discover they were very fresh and very hot. Leaving her to rapidly wave at her mouth to cool off. "Hoo! Shoulda blown first! Well, Random says it's similar to this Shadow in a lot of ways. But instead of Einstein, Lockfast is our man of discovery, and a couple of other slight variations. Stuff like that."
"I imagine one of the servants.” What does this have to do with the tea in China? “Although I could not tell you with certainty."
Reclining in my chair, I relaxed and tried to enjoy the view of the surrounding garden. Assorted Butterflys and Bees busied themselves collecting nectars and pollen from the impressive collection of flowers in bloom. Something was weird about this situation, time to fish. Closing my eyes, I brought the pattern to mind and held the thought of Digitalis in my hand, was my hand. Opening my eyes I watched a bee land on my outstretched finger.
Regarding Kit "I understand we will be journeying to Amber soon to meet the rest of the team. Have you been briefed as to our mission?"
"Um, no, just that we'll be researching something," she said slowly as she scooted slightly away. "There's a bee on your finger you know," she pointed at it. "Aren't you afraid it'll sting you?"
Shaking my hand briefly the bee buzzed away. She doesn’t know! "We are real, the flowers are shadow, and a bee has a one-bit brain with a parity error. The fact we are children of the pattern gives us an edge in forcing reality to our perception. The bee might have thought my hand was Foxglove because that was what I thought... momentarily anyway. It's a pleasant exercise on a pleasant morning."
Smiling I added, "I wouldn't try it with a charging Rhino."
She chuckled, and popped the last bit of meat pie into her mouth.
Pouring orange juice for the both of us. "Our mission, according to Fiona, has something to do with finding the source of some disturbing shadow storms that have been cropping up. I imagine your science background will be of immense benefit. Know anything about meteorology?"
"Just the basics. I'm so glad Dr. Umatso's latest text was based upon it!" she giggled and raised her glass of orange juice. "Sounds like fun to me. Here's to an exciting and productive delve for information!"
Draining my glass, I carefully set the empty on the table before me. "I might also add that a couple of warriors and doctors will be accompanying us. This speaks more of excitement then information. Very likely there will be a strong element of danger involved in this enterprise. Random told you nothing of this?"
Strange that she wasn’t briefed before visiting relatives. What the devil is going on?
"Warriors," she snorted derisively before gulping down the juice. Bunch of thick-headed lugnuts from my past experience..."
I didn’t know my cousins but one thing I’d had hammered into me for a very long time is you never spoke ill of relatives, especially to another relative, and never to another relative you don’t know. Was she testing me? This was flippancy in the extreme! Focusing my attention back to Kit she continued on as if unaware of what she was saying.
"Well, he mentioned there'd be others, but I don't think he was very clear on the details. HA! He didn't even know what we'd be researching either! He's my dad, you know that? I didn't know until just a few hours ago. Now that trick you did with the bee, now that was REALLY interesting," she twisted her body more fully to face me. "Show me how?"
I couldn’t let this slide, I’d be as much with her in condemnation of relatives. She must be testing me. I stared directly at her and said in an even of voice as I could manage, "These, lugnuts...are also our cousins who may in the very near future save our--",
The thought skyrocketed through my skull, Didn't know her father till just a couple hours ago? My god she doesn’t know anything! Random pulled this kid out of shadow and she’s totally ignorant.
Putting a hand to my face I spoke softly, "I'm gonna go out on a limb here. You don't really know anything about Amber, or the pattern, or family politics do you?"
"Ummmm...just a little. I know it has something to do with shifting dimensions," she bit at her nail. "Just how many of us ARE there? It sounds like we're pretty common!"
"There's quite a few, and the politics can get lethal." I paused to collect my wits. What the devil was Random thinking when he plucked her out of shadow. And why did he leave her alone with another relative when she didn’t know anything?
"Politics? Why, are we royalty or something?" Her eyes widen at the thought. "Heh...never thought of myself as a noble type..."
Now she’s thinking fairy tales. I’ve got to wake her up somehow.
I Averted my gaze from Kit "Yes Laura there is a Santa Claus...but the elves can be very, very Machiavellian."
"What?" Kit blinks, confused. "Is that some sort of hero from your Shadow?"
Time for the cold water via a post-graduate course in proper paranoia .
"Listen to me very carefully Kit, I've got a couple points to make." I glanced at the garden entrance. It wouldn’t do for my elders to overhear this monologue.
Her brow twitched slightly. "Okay..."
I savagely ticked off my fingers to emphasis my points. "Random shows up, announces he is your father, and subsequently has a job for you to do. Why didn't he show up sooner so you could claim your heritage? Instead he shows up when there is work for you to do, is totally vague about what needs to be done, and drops you off with relatives you don't know. What would have happened if you had told him you were gainfully employed? Conclusion: Random is not acting in your interests. He is acting in either his interests or other interests, but NOT your interests.”
"Point two. Why did Fiona have me look after you while she and Random could talk? This one is obvious; so they can talk about stuff we aren't supposed to hear. And what is it we are not supposed to know? Why? Conclusion: We are not equal parties to what is going on. We are being controlled, and manipulated.”
"Point three. Rumor has it that attacks have been made on third generation amberite royalty...that's us sweetie. Random picked an interesting time for you go public, eh? Right when our peers are being targeted? Would it not have been safer to have left you anonymous in shadow. Conclusion: uncertain.”
"Point four. A team is being put together that comprises third generation amberite royalty to investigate some anomalies in shadow. Yeah, let's put all the third generation amberite royalty in one group, and send them off into shadow while they are being hunted. Yeah, thanks folks...instead of having to pick them off one at a time they can snuff the whole lot of us in one easy strike. Conclusion: uncertain. This could possibly protect us, possibly destroy us. Regardless, all interested elders would be monitoring our activities. It being previously established that their interests are not necessarily our interests we might find it conducive to investigate this matter by disappearing...as a group.
"Point five. Rumor has it that an Amberite is behind these attacks. That this same person is causing shadow storms by use of an item. Possibly more then one of these items exist. Possibly one of these items are in the possesion of our peer group. Some of our relatives (Bleys(?), Fiona )are already investigating this. Conclusion: This is a house built from the cards of possibilities...Motive could be an elder attempting to gather or destroy these shadow storm artifacts at all costs. Confirmation of rumors required. Contact peer group without supervision of the elders. With all cousins present we could confirm or deny these rumors without parental influences intruding."
Point six. I considered, I hope this isn’t some lunatic Random picked up off the street to pull information from me…
Studying her eyes I saw shock and pain, "Yeah, but... He's my dad, you know?"
If she is, it’s a hell of an acting job. No, Random is reckless but he’s not that subtle.
"I'm sorry Kit, I know he's your father. But I trained with an elder extensivley for over a year before I meant any of my other relatives. This was necessary to [my] understanding and survival. What Random is doing is insane."
She flinched slightly at the mention of Random's possible insanity, and looked back down at her hands which twisted into one another, pale and clenched. "Maybe it's a dream," she muttered. "I shouldn't have eaten that pot sticker..."
Raising my hand, palm toward Kit, "I spoke hastily. Our parents operate without discussing issues with us as a matter of habit. What appears to be insane behavior is certainly credible action in Random's eyes." Dropping his hand to the table. "I'm trying to condense a year's training in five minutes. Do not assume anyone of royal blood is operating in your best interests. You’re a pawn, you could be easily sacrificed."
Her hands rose to her wild scruff of bangs, pushing them back from her forehead and resting there as she closed her eyes, and rocked slightly. "No, I don't like this...don't like this talk. Tell me about the bee instead."
Damn, I pushed too hard. She wasn't ready for this.
I sighed, "Keep what I've said in the back of your mind. As for the Bee...well, you'll need to walk the pattern. Something we can have you do when we reach Amber."
…and the sooner the better.
"Okay... Okay," she exhaled, closed her eyes and tipped her head back as her fingers kneaded the back of her neck. "I'm sorry. I haven't been myself lately."
I Laughed and poured more orange juice in an effort to diffuse the situation. "Relax, it's not everyday you discover there's a whole new world all around you. Just remember it's like any city. There's good parts, and then theres the other side of the tracks."
"Wonder if this is what people felt like when Corruga sailed around the world and proved it wasn't flat," she laughed a little, and rubbed at the corner of her eye with the tip of her ring finger. "Tell me of the good parts?"
Spreading my arms wide I put on my best feel good about everything smile "The good parts are very good. Your nobility. Money is never an issue, your immortal in regards the natural aging process, and theres an infinite number of dimensions to explore. Your strong, fast, smart, and not much can slow you down."
And it still might not be enough.
"You mean I'm gonna look like THIS for the rest of my life?!" she pointed at her face. "Drat...hope this color grows out of my hair, soon..."