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

====<big>Preparations for Rasak</big>====


*'''Michael James Watson'''
Tesa comes in to view, "hello. How fare thee?". The transition feels strange for a trump contact. As a trump artist you are not sure what is odd for sure.
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"Tesa; it's Realmer. Remember, I made a Trump of you so I could contact you... I know it was awhile ago and I have not used it since... I didn't mean to startle you."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
She nod, "Sure.. i know.. There are other trumps of me.. I just...ah..had a trumplike call a few moments ago and thought it might have been... ah.. so. Whats up? its been awhile since i left Adagalask..im back in Amber now though I've been toying with going to that school you went to, Fantalin. Is there something you need? I have reasonable rates."
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"Last I had seen you, you were in Blomsia, I thought you might still be there. As I am sure you know, I gave up my Ambassadorship there and left to attend to some matters. I'm sorry I didn't let you and the others know at the time, it was a bit sudden. Speaking of the others; Carston and Gangdis, do you know their whereabouts? I will have need of yours and Carston's services in about a month..." Realmer pauses to think a moment, "but possibly sooner for a little trip, I'll let you know. I will need Gangdis in about a month."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
She nods," Can you bring me through? "
Upon arrival she tucks several strand of jewels into a bag so quickly it almost seems a if you hadn't seen it.
She chuckles. "let them figure that out. A totally sealed chamber, shut inside 4 snapped vault doors, with 40 guards and no way in or out, no ventilation system, and on a world with no history or knowledge of magic. though as I've told others, if you use magic its almost like cheating but then, thievery isn't a game. So.. Thanks for the trump assist! '
She pats herself, looking up, "though, i did leave my victory dance on my horse..got something to quench a thirst?"
"Well, Gangdis was recalled when your embassy changed. He said he was being reassigned to a combat command and you would be assigned a new Elite. Carston stayed on with Ambassador Roth till this progress business started. Now he has signed on with King Julian as a ball buster-drill instructor. Carston and Julian agree that the average soldier in Adagalasck is no where near up to snuff. Julian contracted through Carston with CHAD for a cadre of Drill Sergeants, Training Officers, and logistics staff. ya know, military guys. Also hired a 100 of what he calls specialists; adventurers mostly. Even hired a court bard with the lure of a Crowned Bard slot."
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer chuckles. "Happy to help with your heist. It seems much as happened since I left Blomsia, though it has only been perhaps a week for me. Thanks for the update. I will have to see if I can get Gangdis re-reassigned... back to me. And Carston... well, I'll let him know of my plans, but if he is happier as a drill-instructor under Julian, so be it."
"I will be heading back to Adagalasck to speak with Julian and Nina soon, then back to Amber, then a personal matter I must attend, hopefully it won't take long Then I will be attending Benedict's Personal Military Course at Nasty Place. If my timing is right I should graduate just in time to leave with King Random on the Progress... which is when I will want your services; about a month from now. I'd like you to come with on the Progress; you will be working for me and you will be well compensated for your time and services."
"And since you have an interest in attending the Imperial University of Thelusia in Fantalin, now is your opportunity to look into the matter. This is the City of Fantalin and those buildings over there are the University. Tell them I sent you. But please, keep your 'side jobs' off the Campus. What you do on your time is your business, but what happens on Campus is a different matter; I have a reputation to uphold and you will want to stay in good standing while attending."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
she looks around, nodding....
"Look, you've been good to me and Id like to work with you more.. So... i hate to impose.. But, It has recently been pointed out to me by....a...ah.. friend.. associate... ah.. patron... that even with Snikura training I'm likely to get myself killed if i don't branch out and toughen up. I've heard of Benedict's training hell. Rumors, guesses, and' the people who have been there don't talk about it. think there is a chance if you brought me along that they would sign me up on the spot?"
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"I am aware of your other Patron; we have spoken. If you wish to attend when I do I am certain I can get approval for you to attend as well. I was told to bring Gangdis with me, for a refresher course, and I was considering offering the opportunity to attend to both you and Carston, if you were interested and I could get approval."
Realmer looks thoughtful for a moment then draws out his Trump Deck and shuffles out Benedict's card. "Let's find out now, shall we."
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"Oh, and your 'victory dance'..." Realmer pulls out two containers; a green glass bottle and a red ceramic jug. "Your choice, depending on your mood; Thin Whip's Tequila or my Dwarven Pale Ale... I finally perfected it."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
She smiles, "I've been to Thin Whip's. Ale please."
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer hands her the green bottle and puts away the red jug.
"Leave one quarter in the bottle and I will show you a neat trick I just learned... from Prince Brand, no less. Enjoy."
Realmer then focuses on the Trump of Benedict and attempts to make contact.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Benedict answers and gives you the information on Gangdis. He says to speak to Random or Feldane for your new Elite assignment. he hems and haws on Tessa for a few moments but agrees since he usually lets family members send special followers.
he is less pleased about Carston because he knows that if one CHAD is admitted he won't be able to deny a thousand requests in time. He also says there are ever a solid 20 he wouldn't normally turn down if they came to serve Amber. but suggests talking to Random about this and let him make the call on Carston.
Random, in the diplomatic sector amid tables full of maps and lists and Progress paperwork listen to both arguments. He approves Carston though questions why a relatively low level soldier should receive recommendations from two family members. Ben says to tell Julian his request is granted. It's the first step to bringing Adagalasck into the Empire of Amber. Though the idea of Julian as a Golden Circle king makes him itch.
Random and he talk about CHAD recruits.. Fortunadas, Jake Whitetail and Kirgor, Tarooos, Vomil. Reltorious, Sir Cantor. and of course Alexandir Kos Korag and a couple dozen of his titans..
Ben-"You know having Alexandir at Rasak will be quite a thing. we have few of the great warriors gods from shadow. And..as the Primas saint of battle, he might bring that accolade to Amber."
Ran-"You want some Sainthood Jewelry, so you? Alex is going to be a nightmare for years...He has already started setting up a kingdom just outside the city. We are going to need to find a Shade to send the whole Tosian crowd to. Close enough to reinforce Amber but not so close that they are here all the time."
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer smiles broadly. "Might I suggest Ambir? It is just outside the Golden Circle, it has lots of intact empty buildings... though most will need repair. And there is nobody living there... except the ghosts... but they are pretty harmless and once you learn to ignore them they mostly go away. And according to Grandfather, without the Shade Jewel of Judgment I currently possess, it is impossible to access the one Shade Pattern in that realm. Just a thought."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Ben and Random look at each other thoughtfully.
Ben -"Is that Big Jim Torrio's Shade?"
Ran-"No, but it think it a close one. Jim still has his Jewel. From what I remember of the Ambir that Realmer has the stone of it was a castle and a quarter of the city, about 1500 year dead. most of the movable stuff was taken by the Moonriders.. destroyed everything including the Pattern in the dungeon and Rebma. Check with Dworkin and have Finndo take a walk and check out the magic details If there is no trouble it might be a good kingdom for Alexandir. Keep him and his people from pissing off Jopin for awhile anyway. Realmer, go take a look for structures and natives. and if the ghosts are friendly.. Shouldn't take long. Then i suspect you would be reporting to Rasak?"
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"Actually, meeting with Julian and Nina would be next. If the next course at Rasak starts so soon, then my personal quest can wait until I graduate.... might actually be better that way for me; better prepared for the unexpected. And perhaps my Pattern walk should wait until after graduation as well."
"Would you prefer I take care of Julian and Nina first, Majesty, then investigate Ambir? My meeting with them won't take long considering the faster time flow." Ambir's Time Flow is close to Amber's."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Random thinks for a moment.."Well, actually, you have been to this Ambir and I'm not sure I have. Can you make a couple trump sketches for me? I'll call a surprise drill on the Castle Elite and take the first few who how up I'll take with me. After that your pick. Nina and Julian aren't going anywhere. As for the pattern, if you decide to go to NP first then Ben will see you through the pattern afterwards. You could teleport to Adagalasck from there. "
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer thinks for a moment... "I'll get those Trump Sketches to you very soon. I will have one for the Castle Ruins and one for the Harbor area... those are the places I remember best. And I'll take your advice on the order of things."
Realmer Sketches out the two areas he mentioned to Random and checks them both to make sure they work. When he gives them to Random, he suggests that he mention to his son, that he (Realmer) is attending NP, if for no other reason that to see the look on his face.
Then Realmer rounds up Tesa, Trumps to the Hunting Lodge where he left Kevin and rounds him up, then goes back outside the Lodge and calls for his horse by saying "Graso". Once his horse arrives he pulls out Benedict's Trump and once contact is made he tells Ben where they are and asks where he and Tesa should report; they are both ready for training.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Ben passes a trump over.. "Do it soon. Bring nothing you don't need. leave your magic home. You won't be training with it and you need to learn to not depend on it."
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
He leaves his horse, Graso at the stables at the Castle in Amber, asks Flora to dog sit for a few weeks, leaves all of his magical gear in his Dungeon Apartment, except the Ambir Jewel of Judgment... for security reasons it is best kept on his person... for now. Then he rounds up Tesa when she is ready and uses the Trump given to him by Benedict. All of this would have been accomplished as quickly as possible.