The Keep of Beasts.
Michael James Watson
The trail continues and the beasts are thick but easy to avoid. Then one day the shadow trail makes a huge break and comes out of forest land to a huge hard packed dirt-floored desert. There are rivers so its not desolate and dry but it looks like everything has been pounded flat by centuries of the river of beasts flowing across the desert in to the flat edge of the forest. On the leading edge of the forest are pillars about 10 miles a part. Each with a glowing orb on the top. In the distance is a flat cliff edge with what looks like a rich green land atop it, a tall light house surrounded by what looks like classical buildings but no fortified wall. The Cliff is easily a thousand feet tall. But its the cliff that gets everyone's attention. The rivers of animals are coming directly out of the cliff. Forming in place, not as if they were riding through a tunnel but coming into creation at the cliff edge. The rivers run directly, with no interest in diverting, past one of the pillars after which they fade into shadow.
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex looks baffled and just stares. "The flying fuck is going on here? Wait no i can see what is happening. ... just not why. And more important who..... " She looks at her command group to gauge their reactions. Then turns to Xandra her group to see theirs. "Guess we found the start or the river.... now just to find the source of the creation of those beasts." She looks at her group, especially Dalt. "Shall we find a route around to the top of the cliff? I am afraid if we disturb the orbs things will only go wrong as it seems that guides the beasts through shadow and then they'll strand here. " Alex tries to study the flow of the land as far as she can to see if there might be a way up via a slope or something.
Michael James Watson
Dalt stares, "Thats the damndest thing I've ever seen. " Xandra looks as struck as Alex but say "Ya, lets go up.. Someone needs to explain shit to them." Jax says, "Shit, shit....shit, piss, and industrial waste. I've heard of this place.. I think.. a font where death comes from... Oberon mentioned a wall where deadly beasts are created. It was part of a lesson in how vast shadow is. He called it the Twisted Way. " As everyon rides to it a trio of Pegasus fly out of the fortification. They fly low over the drake's path and drop iron hooks, each hooking one and flying high above the tower. Each releases it, the wingless drakes falling to their deaths up on the table top land. Jax says, "OK, so they fish the river." Another Pegasus comes out and flys to look over the company. The rider waves, and points a spear toward the west and signals to go there before flying off.
Amber Bronkhorst
With a nod they start riding again. Then seeing the pegasi it does give her pause. But they do keep riding now to the way they are directed. "They fish the river of monsters.... for food? So this is just one more shadow, but this is the source of a river of creatures being divided through Shadow." She looks a bit worried to Dalt. "I'll call in Duncan when we got some more answers here. And i'm sure when we're back i have to answer a bunch of questions by alot of people." She continues after that but she does keep an eye out to their back with that continuous stream of monsters.
Michael James Watson
Staying far east of the Twisted Way's river of living beasts the crew eventually finds a wide path leading up and around the cliff. It ascends gently around till coming to an extremely heavily fortified wall bridging the gap in the cliffs.The wall goes all the way to the top of the cliff. It has various protruding spikes. It has arrow slits in the wall and archer and artilery berths above. At the base of the wall is a pegasus with an armored woman sitting on it. She holds a long spear, but seems well armed with bow and sword. Above, movement betrays that the fortification is well prepared. She yells, "Stand and Deliver! Who comes to the Keep of Beasts?"
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex looks up she does not try to hide her amazement. Shaking her head out of the staring she has Scully take a few steps forward. As she and Xandra are leading this expedition. In a clear and loud voice she answers "My name is Alexandra, i am second Warden of Arden, we have followed this river of beasts to find its source. " She looks to her side wondering if Xandra will introduce herself. She does hope it will not turn out to an immediate fight. She promised Duncan not to start a fight right away.
Michael James Watson
She says, "I am Xandra, Second Warden of the Kingdom of Arden. Stand and deliver your own damn self!" The rider looks up, sees a colorful flag. Waves up to it. She rides a bit closer, "I am Styla of the Green Fold. Welcome to the Keep of Beasts. A feast is being laid out in the Hall of Queen Deirdre of Amber. You are welcome The path is being opened. " She prances the Pegusus around and rides directly into the great wall. fading into it. Jax says, "Well, damn....."
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex looks at Xandra and frowns she then turns to her group. "Well how about that, so lets follow. Would be rude to decline. My curiosity is fully triggered." Alex guides Scully forward but does wait for the rest to follow her to the wall, and hopefully she won't smack face first into it.
Michael James Watson
Leading the group up a steep road beyond the wall it twists and turns below embattlements the look formidable but lightly populated . Coming up and through a more conventional but equally strong portuculis the group arrives in a large courtyard. It looks suitably active though curiously festive. Off to one side many wagons are being unloaded of produce. The people are mostly human with a sprinkling of high elves but they range in colors. A bright blue skinned man comes up and waves and your escort salutes. He brings several men who are clearly grooms. The escort dismounts. In the vast area are many horse and mules but there are about 30 Pegasus on perches built into the sides of the walls. Dalt stares at them in wonder. The man bows to Alex. "Greetings!!! The queen is up at High Perch and bids you and your commanders meet her there. Your troop look weary from the road. The barracks over yon festooned in the blue vines is currently vacant. Its available for their use. It has ample bathing space. Feel free to take that for the length of your stay. You come on a special day and are welcome to join in the feasting latter today. In the meantime, you will be refreshed on the High Perch but you must hurry. These grooms will tend to your mounts. Xandra asks, " What celebration is it?" The red man turns as he walks, "Today is a Rider's Day!!"
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex takes in the sights, looking around, amazed by the pegasus. A slight smile appears on her face as she feels quite at home, she always loved festivals as it brought a lifelyness and buzz around BrightEdge. Hearing the instructions she inclines her head politely "thank you, yes the troops are weary and could use some good rest and bathtime. " She smiles back at them and nods to Calsall to instruct the troops to follow directions to the barracks with the blue vines. Alex looks up to where she thinks the high perch is (if it has not been pointed out to her yet) She dismounts of Scully and scratches him behind the ear "Behave my friend, will see you in a bit. " She then turns to Xandra, Jax, Dalt and her group she shrugs. "Lets get to the high perch then. However to get there the fastest. " She looks at the grooms that would take their horses and asks "which way is the fastest to the high perch?"
Michael James Watson
The man stops, looks confused, then says in the manner one might address a child. "Ah....the stairs.." pointing to stairs leading out to the cliff.
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex shrugs. figuring there would be nothing wrong with asking at least which way to go. She then looks at the rest of her command crew and nods. "well lets get up then, i do wonder what this Rider's Day is. " Alex goes to the stairs that had been pointed to.
Michael James Watson
Reaching the top is a wide varanda. The place people were looking down from is seen. Nearly a hundred people are here, almost all dressed in Casual but elegant wear suitable for the warm weather. The sky is a clear blue. Along the edge are about 30 people in armor similar to the woman who greeted the cadre. They seem less warlike with tall silver tankards in hand. As the people note the arriaval of the two Alexs and friends, the groups part. Near the edge is a wide broken area where 6 young men and women in fine riding leather, but no weapons stand on the very edge of the cliff. With them are a group of a dozen well dressed men and women all with gold, silver, bronze, and in one case iron coronets. One with a slightly larger silver and jewel coronet is Deirdre. A mitril tankard in her hand. Smiling, talking to the crowned group. The crown group stops as the Alexes are lead to them. Deirdre walks forward and says, "Welcome!! Fair Day and Fair Skies, my kinsmen of Shade. I am Deirdre of Amber though I suspect you know that. Not of either of yours of course. Come. We have seats over her for you to rest after what must have been a frightful journey to get this far. Its been..." She looks to the side as a man who looks terribly close to an emaciated and rail-thin Gerard in an Iron coronet tipped with 3 bright gems, steps up and answers a whisper from Dierdre. "35 years I am told, since a shade has visited. And to come on a Rider's Day no less! I know you are tired. But once todays ritual is performed, we will go below for a proper greeting. Right now we are eagerly waiting. So... I have introduced myself. What do you shades call yourselves?"
Amber Bronkhorst
Calmly walking up she tries to look as friendly and non threatening as she can, which in her case is not that difficult. Seeing Deirdre she can't help but smile, if this was any way a bit like the Deirdre her mother felt so much for, she could really understand why. Alex inclines her head politely as they are in Deirdre her realm of course. "Thank you for your kind welcome, i am Alex. The journey to this place has been.... quite tiresome and difficult yes. I am very curious though, what does this Rider's Day entail? it seems to be a great festivity. "
Michael James Watson
"Alex? Thats all I get? So, Alex and the Three Silent Statues?" Xandra says, "I am Alexandra, daughter of Fres Mira. This is Prince Random. We are from the same Shade." Dalt steps up, "I am Prince Dalt of Eregenor, son of Oberon, and I come from this Alex's Shade." She nods, "I see.. A Dalt and a Random. So your shdaes lived longer then mine. I am the last of the house of Amber to sit the throne of my Amber. This is my brother, a prince once, here Duke of Iron Hold, Gerard. My brother Caine is currently at sea. No loss. He tends to avoid Rider's day." "To answer your question, Rider's Day is a celebration. As you have seen, no doubt sought, the cliff below creates beasts. If several Oberons had not joined together to funnel them off into shadow this world would be, as my Caine likes to say, 'Up to Its Assess and Ears' in fearsome beasts. We have learned how to know what will come out. The constant flow is useless to us except for harvesting meat fairly regularly. And our defenders keep them from turning inland or upland.
"We have determined that at least 3 Pegasus will be coming from the wall soon. We have 6 candidates. We will test their courage. They must leap from the cliff, cacth one of the great creatures, and bond it to them in the first try. If they can't bond with it, they must try and survive the rejection. If they do not catch one, or the one they leapt for is caught by someone else, they must survive the fall into the Twisted Way. Bravery, sacrifice, audacity, that is what is expected of the Riders of the Wing. "
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex may have not been as open with introductions but then again better to give as little info as possible. She had no clue to their position here yet. She nods to Dalt as he introduces himself. And she does look at Gerard for a bit, wondering what had been so different in his life that he would look like that. Recalling the towering broad Gerard from her Amber. Listening to the explanation of Riders Day she looks at the people in riding leathers at the cliff. then back at Queen Deirdre. her eyes widen a bit in surprise. "That is.... quite a trail to go through." She looks around a bit to sense the atmosphere. "These riders are willingly doing this? Or are they hand picked? Are they choses from willing candidates? apologies for the questions but i am just curious. It is quite a challenge for them and half of them will end up falling. Or well at least half of them."
Michael James Watson
One of the rider candidates looks over, "She's forcing us! Its this or death!! Help us throw down this evil queen!!!!!!!"
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex frowns, looking at Dalt and Xandra. She doesn't pull weapons right away that could be an escalation one doesn't want, but Alex does look at the Queen how she reacts to this, and hopes this is just a sick joke from the rider. "Please tell me tha tis just a joke. "
Michael James Watson
The group starts laughing. The candidate most of all. Thin Gerard says, "Gascigne thinks he is funny. My goldwings are on him looking funny being eaten by a drake. I take it you all are from shades where Eric outlawed humor?"
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex laughs. "No i do not recall he did outlaw that. I am just really bad at reading the room at times..." She looks at Gerard and then the rider. "I know i shouldn't ask, but how can one look funny being eaten by a drake. No never mind don't need to know fought enough of those beasts." She looks at queen Deirdre again with a smile. "It is quite different here from the version i am from. But you say that multiple versions of Oberon have converged the stream of beasts here? So that Twisted Way has been purposfully made this way? To send all these beasts along to other shades? "
Michael James Watson
"The Twisted Way was created to save this world from being overun with created beast. When the Two Oberons met and began hunting together, they with their sons sought places of great challenge. Is there a shadow called Calrabon in your Ambers? That was a game shadow for them. So was this except it was to dangerous for them. Imagine a world two Oberons, two Osrics, Two Finndos, Two Benedicts, Two Elfwines, two Borlaks, two Erics, two Corwins, and two Deirdres found too challenging?" She hears a cheer and looks over. A Pegasus has come from the cliff. She moves to the edge and one of the riders leaps from the cliff. He lashes out with a lasso and swings it over its neck. It bucks and rides high. The man hands over hands till he pulls himself ont the beast's back. It bucks and swirls and swings and is 10 times as hard to ride as breaking a normal horse. People cheer his heroics. During it she says, without taking her eyes off the spectacle, "It took years. The beasts lived on cannibalism and brutality. There was more to the place but the Oberons kept leading expeditions here." In time the man wrangles the beast and the two come to an arrangement and fly together.
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex listens to Queen Deirdre she shakes her head "Sometimes the ego thinks it is stronger then the person holding the ego actually is...." Hearing the cheers she goes to look as well seeing the rider wrangling the pegasus. Alex looks with an amazed look. "That is fantastic. What a feat to perform." Alex keeps looking over the cliff as well as she speaks. "So due to the beasts being to much for this land the streams are guided through shadows? Why has it recently become more though? It is the reason why we followed the twisted way."
Michael James Watson
She looks curiously, "More so? I'm not sure what you mean. The Way has been dispersing the multitudes of animals out to the shades of Arden for thousands of years. There are ebs and flows but in general the paths stream fairly evenly. How does this More So represent?"
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex looks up at Queen Deirdre and holds up the iron spike which trail they had been following. "Armies, hordes normally yeah it is a couple of manticores and we deal with them and the rangers are quite skilled in hunting those. But recently armies of bugbears hordes of Orcs A herde of about 100 warstags attacking... That type of escalation. That is why i am send to investigate. "
Michael James Watson
She frowns, "Usually they break down a bit. 100 of anything is a large group to stay together. Bugbears we have but not orcs." A cheer goes up and two riders leap to two newly created Pegasus. They each try mounting in thier own way.
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex looks back at the riders and the pegasus seeing them work their skills on keeping grip and taming the majestic animals. She stays silent for a moment probably along with the rest of the people watching to see how the riders do. Alex then adds. "I do not know if the orcs had such a spike but the army of bugbears did. The warstags had no does with them which was odd. But they made for good game. " Still holding the spike she looks at Queen Deirdre "So these spikes come from here? As we were backtracking this to its source. As for the orcs it could have been coincidence though i barely believe in that. " She looks to Xandra for a short moment and then back to the sights down the cliff. "Could it be. That perhaps some shades have found a way to stop the stream to their realm and that due to that the stream of beasts splits less and those still receiving only get more? Or perhaps some shades are gone. Which would end the flow as well. "
Michael James Watson
Thin Gerard ask," May I see that?" Taking the spike he concentrates, raising the sign of a very different looking pattern. This Gerard is a powerful sorcerer. The Queen's attention is drawn from Gerard by a great cheer. "By the teats!!!! That's five!!!!!! You come on a lucky year, Amberites!!! Festar!! Who's left?" A shout returns,"Dakto, my queen." She sighs," a pity. I was so hoping this would be her year. She's going to be a handful till next time. She'll be so stoic, telling everyone its fate, and maybe someday...Those eyes of hers...oh well. Marie, later tonight get her good and drunk and find her some young man she can wear out." Turning to Gerard, " Well? Its what I think isn't it?" Gerard nods, " Yes, my queen. A way marker. It is as you think, Shade Alex. A guide calling a trickle of beasts to some shade. Some removed it, and cast it into your realm. Free of its binding to a shade it would draw not just beasts of the Twisted Way but nearly anything out of shadow to it. " A woman from the court steps up, deep purple skin, an Adask," And it would make spikes in nearby shades work extra hard calling beasts. These spikes need to be returned to the shades of their origin to restore the proper trickle. All the surrounding shades are in great danger. Any Warden of Arden would know this. You two are Second Wardens? Are your Lords so foolish as to not understand their roles? To send you with these spikes here? "
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex hands the spike over to Gerard and looks curious to the pattern he raises. But she lets him work. When the cheers happen again she looks "Five wow i thought you said three. So it can occur more will appear then originally thought. " When Queen Deirdre gives the order she looks back at Gerard waiting for his findings. She wants to answer Gerard but then looks at the deep purple skinned Adask. "Yes we are both second Warden. And i believe the Warden would not have send us on our respective missions if he would know of this. The Warden before him hadn't spoken much of it either i believe." She turns fully to the deep purple skinned Adask. "So foolish no. If it was a danger he would have thought twice. And this is for us a information gathering mission nothing else. Just to learn what these things are and how to deal with them. " Was Alex very defensive over her Warden Duncan.... yes but then again it was also a matter of feelings to him. She looks at Dalt and with a sigh says "Perhaps i have to contact Zachary that i might be a bit longer away then first thought. "
Michael James Watson
Dalt nods, but everyone is distracted by a great cheer. From the edge a cry comes,"Two!!!!!! Two more!!!!" The Queen's steps clear, yelling, "Go Dakto!!!!!!" Someone says,"There's one loose. We've no more riders." A Pegasus flies up from the space below, wheels, dives to the exclaim of the crowds. Dalt turns and in a step is running hard, acquiting himself as a Prime of Amber. He runs and hurls himself off the cliff. A few moments later Dalt, astride the Pegasus flies high upward into the sky as the beast spins and swirls to unseat him. Dalt rides it as if he had spent a life time in the saddle, as he may well have done. The crowds cheer his audacity.
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex was still looking at a that purple skinned woman a slight scowl on her face, there was something about the tone. She then turns to Gerard "Is there a way to find out where these spikes need to go? To bring them back to the rightful places. " As the cheers and yelling start Alex turns hearing one is loose Alex looks wide eyed to Dalt. Would she herself attempt it. Possible, but knowing Dalt now since they are fighting together she half expected him to dash off that cliff... and so he does. Alex hurries closer to the edge. She doesn't doubt his skill and audacity but she also doesn't doubt the fierceness of a pegasus. With held breath she watches Dalt. Untill he seems to have the pegasus under control. She then joins in with the cheers.
Michael James Watson
Alex finds a strong hand around her back and shoulder, grasping,pulling her close, looking Queen Deirdre is laughing, "Look at that Prince of yours! He rides the great beasts like a Beastholder born! See his thighs!? They clamp like a vise! That lets him hold his seat while one hand holds the mane and soothes it under jowl. Its not like breaking a horse...You have to convince them. They are new." She passes her tankard to Alex in a gesture that seems so natural. Suddenly she feels something, a memory. The arm on her shoulder, the closeness, the handed tankard of ale, coffee, tea, juice, water.... She has seen her mother do this a thousand times. To Festival winners. To a groom who did a good job. To a soldier coming from a tough mission. To every child that had ever come through Brightedge. She remembers her mother doing it to her throughout her life. She remembers her anger and jealousy the first time she saw her do it to Hannah. She realizes its Deirdre's move. She must have done it to Fres millions of times...Often enough that Fres picked up doing it herself. She thinks she may have done it with Duncan on her ranger tour, just out of instinct. Suddenly she can see why Deirdre plays so strongly in her mother's mind and in the legends of Amber, as the big sister of Julian, Gerard, and Caine, the love of Corwin, the foil of Eric. She leans in and speaks warmly, excitedly almost directly in her ear. Part for the crowd noise, but its another thing her mother often does with people. It seems like shared secrets even if it isn't. Another trait her mother got from Deirdre. “ These Pegasus are not horses, not even Pegasus from shadow. These bond like a newborn child. Like some dragons and animals do at birth. These Pegasus have just come into existence and flight is the first thing they know. Watch when he lands....ah... let me get a good look....oh!!! The bastard! Its a mare! What a lucky fuck! He'll be able to breed here when he gets home. Her offspring may have wings but if not they will be strong beasts. Like Morgensterns. I was saying, when he lands HER she will stumble and probably fall, because unlike horses, walking isn't one of her first instinct. Her first instincts are flying and recognizing their bond-mate. And your Dalt is feeling the love of the beast in his mind. They have pyche-based intellects. Some will learn to cast cantrips and even magic. But they will beat the hell out of all horse save those in a direct line of a Morgenstern. Some of the Stallions can impress minor magics on mares they mount. We call it 'Fucking them magical” She laughs in Alex's ear. She kisses the side of her head in a way her mother did often before she walks over to the Adask woman talking excitedly. Her closeness, Deirdre. She sees how the children of Oberon gain such followings. Looking over at Xandra, she makes eye contact and a look on her face shows she understands. She nods her head in understanding before walkign over to where Jax stands watching Dalt fly.
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex being on the edge as she watches Dalt and she still has no feel of their position here. She almost looks shocked at Queen Deirdre as she is pulled close but feeling the memories flooding in her mind, the sense of security she smiles up at Deirdre almost as lovingly as she does to her mother. It is so beautiful to see a version of Deirdre who has some of the same traits as she knows that her mom still loves Deirdre and it is doubtful if that Deirdre will ever return. She does break her stare for a moment to focus back on Dalt. And hearjng the explanation and enthusiasm of Deirdre in her ear. Feeling the kiss she touches the spot watching Deirdre walk off. And the interactions between the people. She then turns back to watching Dalt to see where he will land or crash. A small grin on her face. Typical family.... Wait did Deirdre say dragons? Do they appear here to? She shakes the thought off and stares at yhe stream of beasts the Twisted Way and Dalt. Maybe she should report soon.
Michael James Watson
She sees Xandra turn from the group and walk back toware the stairs lead down to the barracks where the troopers are. Jax walks next to Alex. "Xandra is a bit jealous. Its not uncommon for her. She is so used to being mommy's favorite. But her relationship with her mother is complicated. She knows you know something she has been trying to find out her whole life but if she asks, asks anyone including your troopers, then she has given points to you. She is a scorekeepr. I don't suppose you would mind telling me who your father is, would you? I am afraid seeing the two of you together has made me put a pin in my answer but it would be nice to confirm it. " He lights a ciggarette, inhales deeply, a colorful smoke exhaling. " Beyond that...She is not sure if she should contact Duncan or not. Julian was Warden for a couple thousand years. When he became the Unicorn's Choice and the King of Arden, he made Duncan Warden but apparently didn't tell him or Alexandra about this place. He let us stumble from battle to battle till we found you. We taloked to Duncan and him several times as we followed the trail. He must have known about this place. It makes sense that he never worried about the occasional Drake or Aligot wandering into Arden if he knew the Twisted Way wasn't really a threat. Now it seems the threat is nopt this place but whoever has been pulling the spikes. Which means she, and you, passed by the real culprit on the way here. She sees that as a failure..and you as a better, more competent her. I made the mistake of suggesting a few weeks ago that i thought your shade was higher on the priorities then ours. She didn't like the suggestion that SHE was the copy."
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex lights a cigarette as well and inhales deep listening to Jax she nods slowly "You are right that i know who my father is. But it might have some consequences so i didn't want to flat out tell her. But you seem to care about her in your own way. So how about you tell me your suspicion than i'll confirm or deny. " She looks over the cliff inhales and nods slowly. "Yeah i have the same doubts though i know practically for sure that my Duncan didn't know at least not for sure. Julian yeah Julian would know. But in my Amber he is not king of Amber or Arden. He left to marry his old love and be king somewhere else. " With a grin she looks at Jax while inhaling and then slowly exhaling the coloured smoke. "In my version we have King Random on the throne picked by the unicorn. " After a short pause to let that sink in she continues "Well the jealousy is not unfamiliar, i can be as well. But this is a combined effort so far. I to realized only when we were here what was going on. We are acting on the knowledge we got. So i didn't do better." A slight smile. "I am sure it will be a weird and existential error in ones mind to figure out which version you are. But does it really matter? And as for Duncan. I think when Dalt is back and things are calm i contact him for further instructions. "
Michael James Watson
He watches as Dalt starts to bring the Pegasus around. "My suspicion....Well, remember your mother and Xandra's are different people when I say that our Fres cats around a bit. Always has. Few of my siblings have not had at least a roll with her. Including me. Oberon had her at least once during a rather well known drunken debauch with Clarissa. She and Flora had a drunken fling around the right time and out into shadow. Flora in our shadow fathered a son, Zachary. You appearances have a strong Oberon cut, much like most the princes. So its believed its at least a prince. But what I know few others do, is that her Ice Mark's origin is Abyssal. There is a belief that Brand currently rules a level of the Abyss. So if I were a betting man, which I am, I would say Brand, despite the treason. Probably why she won't admit who chunked her up." "King Random? Damn.....that chills my bones just thinking of it. Glad the Unicorn had better sense in our shade. Wait...so.....Coral isn't queen of Amber in your realm? "
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex looks at Random and shakes her head "No Coral isn't queen of Amber. King Random and Queen Vialle rule. And it goes quite well. Great things have been accomplished. And i am as much loyal to Amber as to the King." Letting his reasoning sink in she nods . "My Brand doesn't rule the Abyss or a layer of it. He is in the castle imprissoned. Or well not as much anymore... but he does not have the ice mark. Brand has a fire mark...." She turns to Jax and smiles "And so did Laravella his daughter and so do i... his other daughter...." She pulls on her cigarette and sighs runnjng with her free hand through her high blonde curls... "They went as far to hide it from me to change my appearance or well my hair. And i was kept away from alot of things. Been trained on the fast track. Kept away from fire.... " She laughs though not really put of amusement. "But yeah. He was there when i needed help with the mark. He send me to Osric to walk the primal pattern. Or well wasn't the first plan but Osric figured to just push me on the pattern if i survived yay if not no problem either." She follows with a bit of an awkward laugh.
Michael James Watson
"Alexandra, Daughter of Brand...Damn....I don't know Laravella...Wait...Brand helped you? He's free? He didn't cause the Black Road war, nearly destroy Amber in your realm?"
Amber Bronkhorst
"Xandra called her a different name. It is the one she claims she got the ice mark from. Amd no Brand is not free. He had been retrieved at a point and placed in the dungeons of Amber. But King Random as smart as he is pulled the... might kill you tomorrow thing. At a point King Random and Brand got a sort of understanding that as long as Brand was willing to teach, to give information and such he wouldn't be executed.... " She pulls her cigarette and slowly exhales "So far he is dojng a good job at that... but yeah he did that whole Black Road war. " A slight shrug "It is how the things go at this point. "
Michael James Watson
"So the Dread King Random. Good Work, Go to sleep. Most likely kill you in the morning...." He laughs. "Sounds like something i would do.. " Dalt lands and the Pegasus stumbles but then walks slowly. Dalt, always a fairly positive person, has a beaming smile from ear to ear. He walks the beast over to Alex, "You seem in good hands, niece. You may end up staying here awhile. I am going to leave you here. You have my gratitude for leading me here. Though I know you had no idea what we would find, no more then I, but your quest led me to her. Consider me in your debt. That is a card you may call any time. Do I have your leave to depart?"
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex laughs hearing Jax his comparison to the movie she nods "Well yeah our King does have a fun sense of humor think if he didn't he would not have managed. The crown of Amber is heavy." Seeing Dalt land she was ready to help him up but as the pegasus only stumbles and then walks she looks impressed. Seeing the beaming smile she can't help but smile brighter as well. She likes it when people are genuinely happy. "First congratulations on your succes bonding with this beautiful pegasus. Second what will you do with your troops will they follow you through shadow or shall i send them somewhere? " She inclines her head. "Thank you for your assistance along this journey uncle. You have my leave to depart. Go prance and be happy." She adds with a wink.
Michael James Watson
Dalt smiles, "I pass the command to you. My commanders know you well enough. I assume you will eventually get your troops home and as soon as mine reach the Jeweled Road they can find their way back to their shadow. " Queen Deirdre walks over, "Well, Prince Dalt. You have claimed a prize of Beasthold. I hope one day you will come do service here for the companion you have gained? " Dalt salutes, "Indeed. I will come back directly in fact. Let me have a few years in shadow gaining skill with her. Learning her secret name I bid you leave." Dalt leaps into the sky, the Pegasus beating its great wings into the clouds."
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex inclines her head once more. " i will see them on the jeweled road when we are heading back. ," Listening to Queen Deirdre and Dalt she smiles and does a little wave after the departure of Dalt. " have fun." She turns to Queen Deirdre "Has Dakto as well been successful in bonding with the pegasus?" She is not ashamed to admit Alex had mostly focussed on Dalt taming the pegasus. Alex takes a long drink and nods. " i know it is a festival but with some spikes out of place from their shades i believe there is some work to be done. Is it alright if i contact my Duncan? I mean, my version of Duncan.. the Warden of Arden... not like MY Duncan... heh" Alex then shuts up and hopes that fumbling can soon be forgotten
Michael James Watson
"Dakto is flying over in the east now. She did well. Im so pleased for her. And for Prince Dalt. Though it was a surprise so many Pegasus erupted it greatly improves our defences"
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex looks over in the east as a reaction and nods. "Well i am happy for you and your troops. It was a pleasant surprise then. And i had figured after Dalt had tamed his pegasus he would stay here for a bit. " She looks around a bit and seeing the Rider portion of the festival is done she smiles ip at Queen Deirdre. "If you would please excuse me, i need to inform my Commander. As well inform someone that has another of those spikes. Now we know what it is, it needs to be dealt with. By me or by someone else." If Queen Deirdre is okey with it Alex mobes off to a more calm spot on the cliff possibly with a bit of the Twisted way in the background to emphasize she found it. And in case of jealous Alexandras to not be stabbed in the back. Alex lays out the people she needs to contact, Duncan, Arlo, possibly Bleys and or Random. And Zachary to apologize profusely for letting him wait.
