Trouble in Paradise

Vek et al
Titana nods, "Thank you. You should know Lord Duncan was not liked by the Fea. unlike his father he did all he could to see to it rangers with fea heritage did not advance. He avoided our celebration. He mocked us in Court and to our faces. he befriended Donovan but that does not balance hundreds of years of provocation."
Alexandra Dejana Mira
Alex frowns hearing that about Duncan. A mix of emotions can be read from her face. Though having a crying or screaming session now about her frustrations of Duncan, Alex inhales deep gives her a moment until she can speak in a more reserved manner. "I find this very hard to hear knowing that Duncan as a man and now as Warden does not do what is best for Arden."
She hopes with that statement it is clear she sees the Fae as necessary for the health of this magnificent area.
"I cannot change his ways. He is the Warden and my superior. And eventho he and i are sometimes close i do not share his feeling towards Fea Court or the heritage advancing or expanding. " She musters a soft smile.
"But as second warden i will do all i can to keep the respect alive and our cooperation. " In her mind a thought crosses...* great get to fix more of his mess*
Vek et al
She and Cyrene look at each other confused, then to Alex.
Cyrene says," Random told us Duncan had resigned in order to rule the dragons. That you had replaced him as soon as you touched the stone. We agreed. He had refused to touch the stone. The king said you would see to the fea gaining the respect true life of the forest deserved. Your request for Dimitri to touch the stone....we thought it your first request as Warden."
Alexandra Dejana Mira
Alex looks shocked... she then sighs realizing Random did not misspoke. She inclines her head
"I had not heard this yet. But yes King Random is right. I will see to it that the Fea gain the resepect true life of the forest deserves.
So i do make that statement then as Warden. " She smiles at Titiana and Cyrene. She then nods to Dimitrius. "Thank you Queen Titiana and Duchess Cyrene for allowing Dimitirus touch the stone, and i do need to hear what is needed to restore the respect so i can make work of it."
Vek et al
Titiana nods to Cyrene. Cy says," I shall come to Castle Arden and we will speak at length." end for tonight
Alexandra Dejana Mira
Alexandra still a bit flabbergasted by the sudden promotion. She inclines her head. "Very well, that sounds like a good plan. I need to suddenly arrange a few things and plan a new tour through Arden and the Hamletts. " Rubbing her head Alex is trying to figure out if anyone is going to up and leave again..like they did with Julian....
Duncan is really a son of his father. The Rangers will feel so betrayed. Her head is a storm of thoughts but on the outside she tries to keep a pleasant or at least neutral look.
Turning to Cyrene she smiles "What way do you wish to travel to the castle of Arden? We can go by a few days ride. Or the trumps."
Vek et al
She says, "I gather you need to get to Castle Arden quickly. If word of the change of leadership occurs and you are taking the slow road they are likely to angry. Trump will be fine."
Alexandra Dejana Mira
"You are absolutly right, i do have some haste last thing j want is the rangers feeling abandoned by their warden.... again. " She bows her head to Queen Titiana "By your leave i will gather our things and horses so we can move quick. " When Alex has permission she wilk gather their belongings, horses and such and wait for all to be ready to move out to Castle Arden
Alexandra Dejana Mira
When arriving first on the planning is settling Cyrene in and make her comfortable, as she should be treated respectfully. Make sure Dimitrius is settled. Then trump Duncan. Random can be after the talk with Cyrene.
Vek et al
Cyrene takes her hand, looks in her eyes," Alexandra, May I suggest before you go much further, that you breath deeply 9 or 10 times. All is well. I know the castle probably as well as you do. Many a Fea summer festival was held here under Julian. We attended many of the Ranger activities here. and, " She leans in to whisper, "Donovan was probably conceived right in the pattern chamber of the Castle Arden. Julian can be romantic...So there is a small meadow, hardly an opening, a hundred meters in diameter, just over there, Fern Hollow, you know it i am sure. I will go there and await my entourage. I will set up my embassy there. When you have done what you must, come have some peppermint tea with me. I'll be having my pixies making sweet cookies today.." " Now...good.. Now, be strong, take no crap."
Alexandra Dejana Mira
Alex looks surprised. But hearing the caring words of Cyrene she smiles and nods. "You are right, i will. It is just a bit much and very unexpected. " A soft laugh hearing where Donovan is probably conceived . "That sounds good and fitting that you will set up there. Please feel.free to ask for anything you need. As you said. You know the castle, probably even better then me. I just work here, no time for fun." She winks.
Turning to Dimitirus she nods
"I will not take long but please explore or stay withbDuchess Cyrene. " A chuckle.escapes at Cyrene her last words. "Take no crap got it... i won't. And I will gladly accept your invitation lots to talk about." With that she bows her head and does a small salute and moves to a private location she often use to get a difficukt talk done with Duncan."
Vek et al
Trumping him?
Alexandra Dejana Mira
Yes she'll trump him when in her office or somewhere private.
Vek et al
"Who? Ah... Hello Alexandra. Where are you?"
Alexandra Dejana Mira
"Hello... Duncan. I am in Castle Arden. Some interesting news just came to.my ears. And we clearly need to talk so hope you have time."
Vek et al
"Yes. Good timing to. Are you outdoors?"
Alexandra Dejana Mira
"No in my office. Why?"
Vek et al
"Can you please go to the main grounds outside the east gate and call me again?"
Alexandra Dejana Mira
Alex sighs without a word closes the contact and goes to the grounds outside. There she does call him again
Vek et al
"Excellent. Hold the gate. " As he stands there a dozen men with dragons line up behind him. Each touches a dragon and it shrinks to the size of a horse. They start leading them through. When Rider and Dragon pass through they enlarge and take to the air. Lastly Duncan walks his own dragon through who takes to the air. With him walks a small dragon the size of a large dog. Its scales are a shiny gold. A young girl, about 12, long braided blond hair and nervous green eyes. She hugs the Gold dragon's neck as the tw walk through..
Alexandra Dejana Mira
Alex looks at the entourage that walks through. Her face calm and neutral taking deep breaths. She watches the dragons take the sky and she waits patiently untill she can close the gate and Duncan stands before her. He better not run off again.. With worry she does look at the 12 yesr old girl.
Vek et al
Duncan steps through and closes the gate. "Jeneralla, S'ena, this is Alexandra, who I told you about. She is my companion in this world, Amber. Alex, this is Jeneralla Trarie Haslalki and her gold S'ena.. Their world has fallen apart and these and others in the ralm i just left are all thats left of their world's dragons. 100 in all. about a eight thousand people. What a colossal mess. Lankaor!! Lankaor, this is Alexandra Mira, she is second warden of Arden. She will be here as we move your peop,e across. I just have to find a place. "
Alexandra Dejana Mira
Alex stares at Duncan...she lets him talk. Then hearing him still call her second warden she swallows. Takes a deep breath. "Duncan... you and i need to talk... like now." She nods to the child and as she watches the girl she does a sharp eyed look on Duncan.. "Walk with me."
She points which way and really hopes he follows.
Vek et al
He nods, "Lankaor. ah...Get your people over there by the elm trees in the west side. I'll get rangers out her to help. We have a store of a thousand tents nearby. We'll get you all here soon. In the mean time, your people are safe. . " He walks off with Alex. he walks to a stand of trees, waving off any rangers who see him.. "Ok. forst things first." He leans in for a kiss if its allowed.
Alexandra Dejana Mira
She will not kiss him she looks absolutely annoyed and pissed. "So you do not know yet? The agreement of Random? My promotion? I heard it was because you wanted to quit."
Vek et al
He looks sideways, "Promotion? Ah... I haven't spoken to Random since before i set out to find the Lekala'kene. Quit? the Rangers? Ridiculous.. I told random i was going to push out into shadow hard for a very specific type of dragonriders and it might take some time.. But i hardly quit. By the way.. i have about a foot of lance wood shoved through me and I would really like to get to a healer. Its been in me for a couple days and i didn't want one of the Kene alchemists to pull it out."
Alexandra Dejana Mira
Alex shrugs. "Well perhaps we should get Random here then. But that is what i understand... and when were you going to tell me? That you would push even further away? And AGAIN bring people here... expecting me to take care of them house them protect them and at the same time perform my duties AND yours. Don't you see what you sre doing.. yoi are just like your father... abandoning your duty because you found something more fun to do... a new project... "
Vek et al
He straightens up, "I am providing for the defense of Amber, like my father. I am establishing the dragons of Amber as Random requested so that when Vox or Hinariak come here they can't claim to be the dragon lords of Amber. And I left you in charge because i know you could manage it. As for these people, once they are here they will take care of themselves quite well. "
Alexandra Dejana Mira
Alex raises an eyebrow. "You agreed as well about your father he abandoned his Rangers and so do you... It doesn't matter if you carry the title.or not. You are not here for them. Now its clear this talk goes nowhere... and i have a talk with Duchess Cyrene about the further cooperation and future in Arden and the Fea Court... " She waves her hand dismissive "I'm busy as usual. And by the way... how old is that girl... 10? 12... aren't you grooming them a bit young now?"
Vek et al
"Lankaor's daughter? She's 12 and you are jealous of her?!?! She will be a dragon queen and one of the Kene will fly her but not for a lot of years yet. What do you mean Cyrene? What the hell? Is she here? She knows better. You haven't let he call a place home yet have you? Oh for the love of the unicorn.... Where....ah... ah....I can smell her from here. Why is she here?"
Alexandra Dejana Mira
Alex laughs "No i am not worried, i just really starting to doubt that i know you. and i have no clue what you are up to. " She then nods "She is here, i allowed it, she set up embassy here, the Fea court are a vital part of Arden you cannot deny that. And i was appaled seeing that the hamletss near the Fea courts have been neglected so. How could you?" Alex shrugs. "i'll call Random to speak about the details. perhaps smart if you do that as well and then you can ask where to put up these people. But perhaps best if you look for that healer first."
Vek et al
"Excuse me, i thought a wound i had been carrying would have a higher priority then kissing the arses of the Fea. Julian was enamored of first Nina then Titiana, then Cyrene and ruled Arden for near 4000 years. He allowed the fea full rights as citizens of Amber even though kingdom law does not clearly grant them citizenship. Yet in all those years he never allowed anything except temporary encampments and pavilions and guest quarters. Their closest permanent royal dwelling is 5 and a tenth kilometers from the castle. Julian never allowed them home ground closer then 5 kilometers. Why do you think he did that? Ask Cyrene, she will know. Before you do anything else, Second Warden, go make sure Duchess Cyrene knows she has no permeant dwelling within 5 kilometers of the Pattern of Arden." He turns and walks off,"I'm BUSY TOO!!!"
Alexandra Dejana Mira
She looks at him walking off shakes her head and moves to her office. she searches for Random's trump. Perhaps she has been tricked by the Fea.. but why would they. At least she can call him ask what to do with these extra people Duncan brought in and if he has any particulars on the contact with the Fea. She'll learn soon enough if it was fake or not.
Vek et al
"What now? Nixies weaving your garters into fishing nets?"
Alexandra Dejana Mira
Alex laughs 'Ig only then those garters would finally be useful... So please tell me that i have seen you in Arde n a bit okey. And what was the agreement you had with Queen Titiana and Duchess Cyrene."
Vek et al
"Ah, did you ingest some psychoactive frog gonads up in Fea Hill? Yes I was just there. And I just talked to Ben a moment ago too. He tells me Duncan is bringing a huge group of dragons here. Know anything about that? And... and.. what was that about a deal with the Fea royals?"
Alexandra Dejana Mira
Alex frowns. "Well yeah Duncan has just brought a group here on dragons. And here is Castle Arden. " She lets out a groan. "After touching the stone the Fea Royals mentioned something about Duncan quitting as Warden lr wanting to quit. And that i was taking over... i heard nothing like that from you."
Vek et al
"You taking over as WARDEN? Ah... Alex, i hear great things about you and while i supported Duncan appointing you Second, agaisnt advice from nearly everyone, I would be roasted alive if I handed Wardenship to you."
Alexandra Dejana Mira
Alex nods cursing to herself how she could be so stupid. She then lets out a sigh. "I figured it was weird. Well i got some.shit to clean up and an angry Duncan to deal with. "
She shrugs "Or just start fires.. sounds fun to " A slight grimace on her face. "Anyway thank you for confirmation. Duncan is here with his Dragons.. more. Dragons. "
Vek et al
"How many more?'
Alexandra Dejana Mira
"A 100 and again from a dying world so with those 100 come about 8000 people as well.. "
Vek et al
"Well, he did it... He got to the Kene... Thanks. Listen, Duncan is neglecting his duties in Arden. But he is working on something for Benedict and I. Lets keep a back channel between us open. Alright?'
Alexandra Dejana Mira
Alex laughs
"I doubt i can talk to Duncan at the moment... and I KNOW he is neglecting his duties as i am picking everything up... I am swamped.. and with all the respect i can muster... I cannot also babysit Duncan and his new obsession.. i have also the Jaquen to keep a constant eye on as i trust then as far as i can throw them. . Whixh is probably not far. And they are not happy with the current state of afairs in Arden i feel. But thats a worry for later. They are now content as the Ranger Woodsmen they are. And now with a new group coming un means i have to find then a spot help them build up and and make sure things go well too. So you are asking me.. to do the second wardens job AND the wardens job. AND care for all newcommers AND still protect against any extra creatures coming in due to the spikes.... Yeah sure... you know me. I'll die before neglecting my duty for Amber and Arden..... But now i have made a major mistake and have to fix that as well with the Fea... " She then stops and adds in a dry tone. "Ah and he got a girl riding a young golden dragon so chances are in a couple of years they can breed dragons here."

Vek et al
"He got her here? Really...Benedict went off into shadow to help Duncan and he told me the girl's father was a raving nutjob, if a devoted one.. He was going to let his dragons all be destroyed rather then bring them to Amber. Hmmmm Now.. let me guess.. The Fea implied, maybe outright said, I had told them Duncan resigned. Teaches me to get familiar with them.... ok...Tell them that you came to me and made demands on their behalf now that you were the new Warden. That you wanted rights and titles and full recognition or else you would resign. Tell them you went to the mattresses with me and then found out that you were not the new Warden, and then had to convince me to let you remain Second Warden after such a insulting barrage. Make it clear to them that you got in all this trouble because of them... They will fall all over you for demanding so much for them, and they will be eager to do whatever you tell them.. Oh... whatever you do.. They can't claim a foot of ground as their permanent home within 10 kilometers of Castle Arden. It has reverberations with the pattern and sends out shadows of the fea into shadow.".
Alexandra Dejana Mira
Alex just blinks. She laughs and shrugs. "Yeah he got her here... And yes that was the general play i wanted to make with the Fea because i figured they trick me and since i do read nkw and then although not the last year or so... but okey. That making them having a debt with me so to say is the safer play. I need nothing of them... but i'll make sure thsy move... as for Duncan.. since i did already make the mistakes he is mad at me.. but then again.. he will be pissing off soon anyway into shadow..." She looks dead serious. "It is good to know that i am not believed to be able to do a job as second Warden which i am doing already... double so... "
Vek et al
"The Fea are a problem... Oberon all but banned them from within a hundred miles of the Pattern. He couldn't keep them out of Arden though. They just kept popping up.. Oberon also hated his children having magic since the First Brood is such a collection of bad examples of what his children being powerful is. The fea are generally beneficial. Constructive too. If there is a way to get them to contribute, and they are willing to stay away from certain places for magical reasons, I am open to making them citizens. Dangle that over them for good behavior. Take credit for helping them out. Make me the heartless villian and Duncan the negligant doof. Its fine with us."
Alexandra Dejana Mira
Alex inclines her "I'll fix things. Thank you for your time. If that was all? " She waits till he shuts down thd contact or tells jer to do it. Alex again seems a bit colder and neutral the usual happy and friendly smile, nowhere to be seen.
Vek et al
Random smiles,"One thing.. "Want my job? Comes with spacious living space and fancy jewelry. "
Alexandra Dejana Mira
Alex raises an eyebrow. Figurinf this is a point he wants to bring across. She shakes her head "No thank you...my Liege"
Vek et al
"I can't give it away. Even Bleys turned me down " He breaks the trump.
Alexandra Dejana Mira
Alex sighs muttering to herself.. "Well twaches me to out my worries and complaints to the King... he can always trumpe with work pressure." She says probably to her dragons as noone else is around. She packs her trumps puts them away and goes to the meadow Cyrene spoke about to break the news and try and fix it.
Vek et al
Arriving in the meadow several dozen fea of every description stand around with Cyrene. Sweet buns and water are being drunk. A few other groupings sit on trunks a rolled cloth piles.
Alexandra Dejana Mira
Alex walks up to Cyrene and inclines her head. "Well i just had a round of talks. Seems we need tk discuss things. Do you wish tk talk here or in private? "
Vek et al
Cyrene says, "Here is fine. If you can settle something most of my entourage will run off and get busy."
Alexandra Dejana Mira
Alex nods "Well then, i think it is best if i rip this proverbial bandage off as quick as i can. I must ask you to go back. You cannot settle here or set up anything. I was willing to discuss the matter and i know i said yes. But that was under the impression of being the New Warden. Having confirmed with King Random if this was true. Thing went rather sideways. Nearly losing my position as Second Warden. Having lost all my credibility to keep the job. Sadly that leaves me in no position to agree or help you and your people out in any way. In fact due to your deception you are further away from achieving something here. So please keep to the agreement of staying 10 km out of the way of the pattern here and anywhere. And perhaps one day i could really help you. Though building up trust and credibility again... might be a long while. It really saddens me that this way of conduct was chosen. It cost me greatly."
Vek et al
She smiles, "So, let us say 12 kilometers. Duncan told you order 10, offer 5, or just 5. Random said to play the wounded representatives but nothing less then 20. Obeton said nothing less then 100 which is why fea in the city live in hovels or in homes not thier own. Many do for generations. As Second Warden will you allow us 5, as Duncan offered, 10 as Random offered, or do you wamt further put to show them you mean business with us. Dear, i have been in Amber for over 5000 years. We have played this game before. Dandelion wine?"
Alexandra Dejana Mira
Alex nods "Fine 12 kilometers because you offer it. Was going to agree with 5. But you cost me alot. Then this is done and please stick to this agreement. And no thank you. I am now having to return to the same job but with less respect. Sadly it is not a play of wounded representative... i lost all credibility. And a relationship. Ah well." She inclines her head politely and does a step back. "Hope you have a wonderful day. "
Vek et al
"less respect? I doubt it but i wont argue. Duncan and Random are leaving you torun the land route into amber. Sounds like respect to me. Please stay. Let Duncan wait." Night.
Alexandra Dejana Mira
Looking over the area and back to Cyrene she shakes her head once. "Oh Duncan is busy with his duties.. i am going to have to resume mine. It is not that he is waiting for me. And i think you cost me enough for me to spend more time here with you." She inclines her head once mkre and turns to leave
Alexandra Dejana Mira
Alex will hurry to her office or room whatever room she usually works from. Feeling quite ashamed of her mistake and the sheer gall she had to think she could be Warden, Alex doesn't feel particularly the need to talk directly to Random again for a bit. Until she has picked up her work again of course. And shown she can still do it. Alex writes a message instead. Knowing her white dragon often wants to spend time in the library of Amber she now gives it a good reason to sneak off. The letter states:
__
She offered 12 instead which i accepted. Good chance she will keep the 5 though as that was the agreement with Duncan.
Of course she suggested my telling about the damages was a play. I did not confirm nor deny as i do feel i damaged trust and respect with my actions.
Will pick up where i left off with work.
The dragon bringing this won't return to me for a while he'll hide and read in the library.
Alexandra
__
Alex will then try and find Dimitrius to get him up to date to what happened. And to get ready to get moving.