Editing Volume One: The Vampire of the Dungeons (section)

====<big>Fortunadas, Jeremy Fairhand and Crown Prince Martin</big>====


*Act 5
*As Realmer arrives at the Trump Site for the Oracle of Night, he does not bother to wait for the others to arrive; he immediately heads for the steps at maximum speed. Realmer thinks to himself in that intense self deprecating way that he does at times.  ''~Fuck me, fuck me, fuck me, fuck me! I can't believe I botched this up so badly.~''

*But Realmer is not running, he is flying; his Robe sensed his need for speed and provided it. Realmer hovers about 6 inches off the ground and appears to be standing upright and leaning forward slightly, and he is moving forward at great speeds, faster than any normal man or beast could attain.  ''~My first 'command' and I made the worst mistake possible; I left a man behind. I should have made sure he had left before I did.~''

*When he reaches the stairs, he ascends with intense focus; Realmer does not bother to pay attention anything other than the steps in front of him... and at the speed he is moving, it is probably best that he does.  ''~I should have made sure! I should have made him leave first. I could have been less concerned with my own comfort and safety. I was in command; the men come first. Maybe I do deserve a long sentence in Nasty Place.~''

*'''Michael James Watson'''
Reaching the top in a hurried pace he sees three people. One kneeling, cradling a second. The third, standing cross armed is in fox browns with a brown cavalier hat with feathers. He has a rapier on his hip and an ornate wizards staff in his hand.
The kneeling man looks like a withered ancient wizard, a emaciated Gandalf type, long beard, magical items dangling. An unwizardly broadsword on his hip. He is doing magic around the second ma, Martin, who is unconscious in his arms.
The fox brown dressed man looks at you as you come up. He goes on guard, drawing his rapier point forward, Letting the wizard's staff drop into the wizard's hand.
Fox Fop says, "Stand and deliver... I protect all on this place from all foemen. If you be come for a fortune to be read, seek the Hepplewhaite Circus or wait your turn!"


*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Addressing the Fop: "I am Lord Relmopator of Amber; that man" points at Martin "is a friend... and my responsibility until he his returned safely to his Father. Others from Amber will be here soon; they're with me. Thank you for watching over him. Will you please stand aside so I may attend to my friend."  
Realmer moves past the Fop, regardless if he 'allows' it or not. If he tries to get in the way, Realmer will use the flying speed of the Robe to get him past/around/over him in order to get to Martin.  
Addressing the Ancient Wizard: "Wizened Wizard" Realmer bows his head respectfully, "What have you learned of my friend's condition?"
Realmer almost brings up the Pattern, but realizes that may not be wise up here. He uses his medical knowledge first to observe his condition, including checking his pulse and such physically. Then he will very carefully make Psychic contact, but just light enough to 'scan' Martin's Psyche passively, to check his Psychic condition/mental health.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
The fox fob does not stand aside. He puts the tip in line with your solar plexus. Looking down Realmer sees pattern like engraving in his magical sense running up and down the blade though it is not the pattern of Amber. The robe seems willing to tangle the blade tip but on contact leaps back in pain, echoing a fear of its powers unraveling.
"Oh! Yes.." Moving the blade to guard, hindering your passage a moment before stepping back. " We have met, haven't we. Duke Fortunadas of Wall, Thrice Crowned Bard, and the second of CHAD. This is also my friend and my traveling companion. He summoned me when he finished sitting this abysmal construct.. . You were the one they gave the Embassy to..The one i thought looked like a fitting suitor for Lady Vonnilia...."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
The wizard looks up and meets Realmer's eyes. Unbidden he slams his defenses up but fears this dark wizard may have seen much of his history before his defenses either stopped the intrusion or the wizard retracted an automatic effect.
"He is unconscious, and in what I would only call a 'Swoon'. Who knew that the Crown Prince of Amber would be so affected to have the vapors..He should awake momentarily. Fort, you called me for a child with a panic attack? I'll leave this buttercup to your tender mercies..You have the tender hand after all."
Standing he takes your measure..
"Lord Relmopator, son of Hagalta and Satura, children of Dworkin...My trip would have been an annoyance and a waste of my time and attention if it were not for meeting you.. I am Archmage Jeremy Lockpick Fairhand, an associate of CHAD if not properly a member.. Consider an invitation extended should you wish to speak of the forces at play."
he does not extend a hand and looking at his, tattooed and be-ringed, you are not sure you would have grasped it if you had.
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer bows to Jeremy and says, "Archmage Fairhand; it is always to pleasure to meet a fellow Practitioner of the Arcane Arts. I gladly accept your invitation and when time permits I will surely seek you out; it is always good to share a few secrets and get the view point and opinions of fellow Practitioners."
Realmer looks to Martin, "I'll take charge of Martin from here. Thank you both for your timely arrival and action. I will be certain to mention it to King Random."
Realmer leans down over Martin. "Martin? Wake up."
Realmer does not shout but speaks just slightly louder than conversational tones.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Jeremy turns as if dismissing the whole scene as beyond his interest. He walks to the seat and looks it over carefully.
'I stand corrected. Seeing this is enough to have made the trip. Such craftsmanship. Such art.. "
he produces a crystal ball a bit larger then his hand and sets it on the stone. Producing a ferret he slits its throat expertly and coats the ball with blood, blood pooling on the seat. The Ball glows with a dark purple black light.
Fort shakes his head, "Jeremy, there is a reason we don't invite you to family gatherings.. No bloodletting."
He looks up, raising the ball, looking deeply into it as the blood dries and flakes away.
"We are in Amber now. That may change, Foxmate" He steps off the edge, plummets, shifts to a black vulture and flies off toward Zilla.
Fort sighs..."One would think he came from a broken family. But not.. Not till he broke it according to his son Venki."
Sheathing his blade he kneels beside Martin with you. "Lets not be concerned about the jurisdiction of care sir. He will need us both"
Martin slowly opens his eyes.. Smiling, "At least now I know.."
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer helps Fort get Martin to his feet slowly and carefully.
"Now you know what, Martin?" Realmer asks, steadying him once he is on his feet.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Martin-"That I'll never be king......"
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"That must be an incredible relief. How are you feeling? OK to walk?"
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Martin looks up, trying to stand, weak kneed.
"i..think.. I made a mistake..I thought how could I pass up the chance, left alone there.. But.. I've walked many paths... rode shadow like a wildman...I've stood at the Abyss and looked in. I've stood beside the High Lord of Chaos. I thought myself.....worldly.....wise in the ways above the waves..."
He looks at Realmer, a man he knows from a few family dinners and a few court functions, then to Fort, whom he has traveled in Shadow and stood to battle with.
"It's like Elayne is fond of saying.....I am an egg...not an omelet...I'm not a finished thing... and to become a fit Prince of Amber...I must suffer and learn....I must rule....somewhere. So.. ."
He straighten himself up, shakes off hands.
"So i need to put my experiences at nasty Place to work and conquer someplace.. Fort? I need a cadre of commanders and a bunch of drill sergeants for the Army i plan to raise in shadow. Price is no object"
Fort nods, "No problem sir! If price is no object I know just the guys."
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
“Well, Martin, it looks and sounds like any side effects of the Vision have worn off. Good.” Realmer's concerned and friendly tone disappears. “I need to have some words with you.”
“What in All the Hells were you thinking? I told you to go through to Arlo after you covered my back. And what did you do? You disobeyed my orders. You decided to go off on your own. You could have died... or worse. If I had but the tiniest inkling that you were going to pull something like that, I would have pushed you through the Trump Gate... and believe me... I would have found a way.”
“You might be able to pull that 'you don't have the authority' Troll Shite with Benedict, and others, for whatever reason... but not with me, not now, not ever. I DO have the authority. You volunteered to join ME on MY mission given by the King; that means _ I _ am in command and I do have the authority. Even Benedict deferred to me... mostly. I must write up a Reprimand for him and Vance.”
“You should know better, Martin. Especially since you are a Graduate of Nasty Place, you should definitely know better. I have never attended Nasty Place or had any formal military training, and I know better. A commander is responsible for the men and women under his command and will be held accountable by his or her commanding officer... or King, for anything that happens to those under his command. If anything had happened to you it would have been on my head. But more than that, it would have been on my soul.”
“After we talk to King Random about this, if I still have the Authority of a Commander and the right to issue Punishment, I will recommend a 10 year sentence in Nasty Place.... for both of us. I screwed up too; my actions allowed for an opportunity for a man to be left behind because I was more concerned with my own safety, and not yours. It won't happen again. And neither will you disobeying my orders. Until you are safely returned to the King, you are my responsibility and you will follow my orders; your raising of an army and conquest will have to wait. I do not care who you are or who your father is... when you agree to join me, you agree to follow my orders. Do you understand me, Martin?”
Realmer's ass-chewing of Martin is not shouted or even conveyed with a raised voice, but it is certainly impassioned. The is no anger in his voice; he is not speaking through gritted teeth or overemphasizing words or pausing dramatically. He seems calm and is speaking in a mostly even tone. But the question at the end of his ass-chewing is smartly directed at Martin with Realmer purposefully looking into his eyes. Realmer waits for verbal confirmation from Martin.
*'''''Michael James Watson'''
Martin chuckles, turns, and sits again
*'''Michael James Watson'''
just kidding...
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
You got me!!!
*'''Michael James Watson'''
that would have been funny though!
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
 no kidding. could have taken the game in a whole new direction''
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Martin chuckles..
"Never been to Nasty Place? never served in a military? ..and you presume to tell me, who has literally bleed in the war for Amber, what is right and wrong in a command situation? Do you think any barking of yours is going to make me regret what I did? I've stood to battle for Amber! I stood at Patternfall and watched the Unicorn's horn touch my father and knelt among my uncles. I've stood at the side of the Queen of Rebma as a cupbearer before you were born. I was rocked to sleep in my shell by the woman who is now Amber's Queen! IF you do not like my telling you that you don't have the authority to tell me when to piss then that's your personal problem. I came here with Vance and if i was inclined to obey anyone's order it would be his. As for Benedict deferring to you, that gives me more pause to consider your tantrum then any perceived authority you may think you have. Besides, am about to have the King of Amber throw a tantrum at me. There is a story about something my father once told Doria. She was charged with high crimes and he said to her, 'Doria, I may have to kill a brother in the next few minutes. I'll worry about imprisoning a niece tomorrow. Kingship is all about setting priorities'"
He straightens his attire,
"Now..If my father orders me to a refresher course at Nasty Place i will attend. Especially if you end up there as well. If you think you have the caviar to survive it. In fact i may ask to attend again for the advanced training I've been avoiding. During every break there is a bell you may ring to opt out. I'll make sure your cot is near it. But what i saw is that it is time i begin a proper education in rulership if I am ever to be a worth Crown Prince.. Now...I have business to attend to and its as far east from here as one may go."
He withdraws his trump of the king, a direct calling card.
"Oh, once i have my army, i could uses a commander of mages. If you think you have the caviar for it. "
He disappears suddenly drawn into the card.
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer sighs. "I dislike not being able to rebutt... but I am getting used to it. Fortunadas. Jeremy. Again, thank you both. I am sure our paths will cross again."
Realmer bows to them then withdraws Arlo's Trump and focuses to make contact.