1 February 2002

You open the door and enter Eric's chambers.

Eric's Chambers - Castle Amber(#8978RLh)

These rooms are well furnished, but show few signs of being lived in. Traditional decor - chairs, a sofa, a desk, wardrobe, bookcase, poster bed, are all of matching dark hardwood and in excellent condition. The upholstery is dark leather and the bedding is done up in rich fabrics of red and black. A few tasteful works of art hang upon the walls, lending an air of sophistication to the quarters. Centered on the floor is a black wolfskin rug.

Contents:

Eric

Obvious exits:

Out

Lisle walks into the room, snow half an inch thick the shoulders of her cloak, face pale from the cold outside. "Afternoon, father."

Eric sits in a chair, his saber aross his lap as he polishes it. Upon the small table nearby stands a veritable leaning tower of parchments.

Lisle comes over to stand near. She seems in high spirits, eyes bright blue. A glance at the saber, she says, "I wondered if you really did want me and Alyssan to look for Desdinova."

Lisle gives a sudden shiver under the cloak, still cold.

Eric says "You should wonder less loudly, Lisle."

Eric says "And you should, if you care to talk a bit."

Eric gestures at the corner of his bed.

Lisle lifts her eyes, looking around the room. "I see no one save you and me, father."

Eric remarks, "Seeing is one thing, hearing is anohter. Now do sit, if you please.

Lisle takes a seat. She takes off her gloves, putting them in side pockets of her cloak. Her hands clasp together, though, cold.

Lisle says, "Perhaps I should not have spoken of the merchantman then, here."

Eric says "Aye, perhaps not. But no matter, he speaks for himself."

Eric points at a letter.

Eric says "There, he's written the Crown regarding Chantris assets."

Eric shrugs a little bit.

Eric says "I am glad you stopped in, actually."

Lisle glances at the papers, then back, "Good. I'm glad about Captain Guerin. I always feel uncomfortable when people who wish to serve you come to me first."

Lisle stops shivering, finally.

Eric says "That might happen more often, and they may not be sincere, you realize."

Lisle says, "I do. It's that which gives me discomfort. But I know from being a Baroness that people -do- wish to serve. Finding the roles they can take and either not be harmful or be helpful seems to be the thing I do most in that capacity."

Lisle's fingers brush through the hair at her temple before finally unfastening the sapphire clasp of the cloak.

Eric sets his blade aside, crossing his legs at the ankle and relaxing in his chair, arms folded across his chest.

Eric says "Well, since you mentioned it upon your arrival, I will address it. The answer is that I do indeed wish it. I shall not say more of it, however, just now. I will tell you to speak to your sister 'pon the matter."

Eric says "And do have a care where you discuss it."

Eric says "And never, ever discuss it with anyone else, nor mention it in anyone else's presence."

Eric says "ANYONE."

Lisle smiles subtly, the dimples showing at the corner of her mouth. She says, "I will not speak of it to anyone save yourself or my sister."

Eric smiles back pleasantly, saying, "Excellent."

Lisle says, "Just the other evening I thought your brother, Benedict, might straight out tell me. I think, you know, I'm harmless. And naive."

Eric makes a soft, skeptical sound.

Lisle laughs a little, mostly seen in her eyes, less something that's heard. "It must be my blonde hair. But aye, I think between Alyssan and I we can do something, maybe. Mostly for what people will tell, I think."

Eric nods a little bit, then straightens his posture, as if moving away from that topic and onto something new.

Eric says "Back to the subject of unsolicited offers for aid..."

Eric says "I would appreciate it if you make certain to report them to me. All of them, no matter how inconsequential they may seem. I think you do this, but I am reminding you to continue."

Eric says "i would rather not have someone unseemly try to use you as a fulcrum point against me..."

Lisle moves clasped hands to her lap. "I always tell you. But sometimes I can tell people wish to pursue this topic but a stop them. But I've come to think that is a bad idea, too. I think people approach me, rather than you, or Alyssan, simply because I seem more approachable. I will just listen from now on and let you know."

Eric says "Very good, daughter. So, let us move from these business like topics to something more frivolous."

Eric says "anything at all."

Lisle flashes a smile. "All right. Then I will tell you I am pleased because Uncle Benedict has taken an interest in my young cousin, Dalton. I think he may send him to the navy to serve as a captain there for a time. And I have been with Alyssan for quite some time, and must say I really like the shadow where she was born."

Eric says "I am glad you enjoy that expansive place, though I no longer do. As for this young friend of yours, do not congratulate him too soon; it takes many years to rise through the ranks of the officers."

Lisle says, "He's aware of this. Uncle Benedict told him so last night, and he said he didn't care how long it took, he intended to earn the title paladin. He's very, ah, principled. Almost to the point of stubborn. I congratulate him for getting Benedict's notice, something that took me several years to accomplish."

Lisle says, "Benedict is so terse."

Eric says "You must understand, Lisle, that a few years is but a mere blink of an eye to Benedict."

Eric says "Speaking from a certain perspective. And I realize that you cannot gain this perspective from study, only from experience."

Eric says "But do try to remember that."

Lisle inclines her head, agreeing. "I've had some experience with that point of view. I was never insulted he took no notice of me. Aunt Flora reminds me often that time, to your generation, is a different thing than to myself. Even Alyssan thinks in a different time scale than I."

Lisle says, "It doesn't bother me that much now I understand."

Eric says "Perhaps you can lend that understanding to your friend, should he become frustrated as he tries to climb through the ranks."

Lisle says, "I will. But Dalton is infinitely more patient than I am, about everything, even though he's but seventeen. Although I think I am more patient than I was, mostly because of these experiments I've been planning, with Uncle Brand."

Eric says "Do you still pursue your academic endeavors?"

Lisle inclines her head, "Actively. I spend most of my time studying with uncle Brand or Alyssan." Then she says, eyes thoughtful, "Oh, I almost forgot. Do you know Benjamin Stone? He is Aunt Flora's son, and he has had a large interest in meeting you. He wants me to introduce. He never mentioned wanting to serve you, and I confess he seems an expert at extracting information out of the most unlikely people. He is known from the Courts to Amber, from nobility to ne'er-do-wells."

Eric answers, "I can only say I know of him."

Eric says "But we have never been properly introduced, no."

Lisle says, "If you like I'll bring him by the palace. You can make of him what you will. He doesn't seem to have loyalty to anyone in particular."

Eric says "I am terribly busy; in fact I've got to adjourn our little chat in just a few moments. But I shall make some time to meet the man, if not soon, then soon enough."

Eric rises from his seat, then grasps his blade and scabbards it.

Lisle says, "All right." She also stands, letting the cloak slip over an arm. "See you soon."

Lisle slips past, and toward the door.

Lisle smiles one last time, before she exits.

End of Scene