Editing Vekscapades (section)

==5.5===

She looks to Vek." As host you have gone to great effort I understand securing the property.  First the parking lot. Secondly informing Alexei about the availability of the werehouse.  Nala tells me you have also secretly purchased the whole block discreetly. Including the pizza place that attempted to extort you in the beginning?"🐅

Vek chuckles,,"Not discretely enough it seems. Nala, my dear confidant, you seem to have squealed one secret at least!!"  He laughs with the others.

Nala shakes her head." Not I."
Taslii says,"I have ways of knowing. And....I can't stop. So if you wish me to move along I will with no harm done .  But... I need a group like yours to block those seeking me.  They would never assume a group like yours would give me of all people such excellent camouflage. But before you agree to let me stay,as I feel you will.  We must agree to payment."

Jurt laughs, "All the tea we can drink, goat's milk included?"

She nods," That for certain.  But....none of you have any secrets from me now. Just standing near me now. Jurt, your raid on you family's treasury? Vek, touching, breaking your own heart💔 and your agreement with the king of Amber?"

Vek looks uncertain. "Alexei? Nala? What is this.  I grow angry."

"Tell me your price to provide camouflage for me till this camp breaks up. At such a time we can renegotiate a new payment.  "

Vek says ,"Alexei, Nala, this strains our friendships.  No ranks or titles in our camp.  Why did you bring this woman here? To my camp? No offence meant but you're the 
Definition of ranks and title.

Cymnea says, "I am being hunted by very special trackers.  Not monster nor great wizards. Far worse." She looks to them each as the listen.

Vek asks,"who would scare you?"

She tells him, " I am not frightened. In a battle of arms each of you could easily defeat the person seeking me.  His is not martial power.   But it is their organization I seek to hide from andxx to avoid being forced into council with.  The prices I am willing to pay for camouflage should make that clear."

Jurt frowns," Who?" Vek nods
What organization and what tracker?"

She sighs," Duke Fredo al at  Gregerous." Jurt and Vek shrug shoulders.

She say,"Dean of the College of  Heralds for the Kingdom of Thelusia.  He seeks to clarify my rights to bear Arms and to clarify the status of my husband's right to arms.  This would include bringing me to a Court of Challenge to my Arms and Oberon's Arms. And to the fiefs and lands of Thelusia attached to those Arms."

Jurt looks to Vek confused.Vek isn't clear either.

Alexei says," This would mean challenging Oberon's hiers, every single one, and to thier rights to hold land of Amber and Thelusia.  It would be a damn boring hostile takeover  of Amber by heralds."

Vek says," Damn..."

Alexei goes on," in practice it would probably only mean about half. Kibar, Nina, Emilie, Joseph, the warrior girls and a lot of others were never technically granted land. Borlak was disenfranchised.  But a Benedict , Osric, Eric and Arlo, Corwin and Merlin, etc. Most importantly though .."1

Vek adds,"Random and Martin, Silvana."

Alexei says, " Random never got around granting Silvana land but he might have.  But just with Random and Martin is enough to unhinged kingdom. Amber's College of Heralds would go crazy. This would effect every noble. Lots of gen1eral craziness.

Jurt adďs," Every land holder.  Even in the cities are at risk.  I don't know the Heraldic laws in Amber.  They are insane enough in Chaos.

Vek stands, your grace, we have a no title rule in this camp. That is one you would have to accept, even to minor differences if this camouflage is to work.  We must discuss this and you must not eavesdrop. Agreed?"

She nods," A wise precaution, Piano Player ".

Vek,Jurt, Alexei, Chasa,  and Nala go to Vek's trailer.

Vek pours dark black whiskey. 
"First of all, Alexei, Nala.  I am tempted to send you on your way for this."

Alexei nods," I would understand.  But it was too good of an opportunity for us and I thought for you I too"

Jurt says," why us? "

Alexei shrugs, "having one such as her in your debt might be useful in many ways.  Information.  Access. Treasures. Magics. Who knows.  Information alone could be incalculable. "

Jurt says, "Despil and I raided the Sawall treasure vault and yet she represents more.  What do we know of her? "

Vek say," legends. I have heard that she is revered in Thelusia. Kings and queens have been raised or ruined by her frown or smile.

Nala says," She is possibly the greatest potion maker in all shadow.  We have talked about it.  Legendary. Benedict would be able to attest to that. He apparently drank numerous of mommys drinks

Vek ponders.  "Chaos has many mighty sorcerers that make potions. Could be quite useful to bridge gaps.    Nala she spoke to you of this.  What did she suggest?"

She and Alexei look to each other.

Nala says,"They are not easy to make, take years in some cases, and ingredients of rare and exotic natures. But she had some.  I took 3. One made me grasp magics better. One made me strong. One made me more...Hale? Greater endurance.  It was worth it. I was sick as death for months after taking them.  She said that was the result of mix them internally.  "



"We spent 5 years traveling together. Festivals, concerts, movies even. Things she had denied herself for thousands of years hiding in Thelusia till the Heralds came and she fled. The tea skill was already hers.  We built her Vardo and her persona. Can  you believe it's her first chosen persona beyond her real one?"

Jurt says, " Ya sure. But we have a gig in like 20 minutes. You guys just got here. We got piano of course, and bass.  The three of you gonna come watch or join in? I'm sure you both have the spell 'Come along and play' so. Cast it and let's see.."

Nala nods" secondary piano? Guitar? Banjo? Violin? :

Vek smiles. "Roll out piano? I've got a spare Amp on stage? Violin might be good"
She nods. " the rollout is in the violin case. Well go cast clean and get out our city clothes."

Alexei says." I can play stuff but I'm best on set up and tear down.  Maybe tambourines.   I can play Military drums."

Cymnea comes over, smiling. 
" I play nearly everything.  And my voice is perfect. I just need a few rounds 'Come Along and Play'  Sax?  Guitar?"

Vek says ," Alto Sax it is.  Nala, violin and roll up piano."

A short time later the regular crowd wandered in. They were surprised by the two well dressed women. 
One in her 50s, though clearly a gorgeous blond woman in shades of purple.  She set up a chair and a microphone stand. Then set a purple and silver alto Sax on its own stand.  The Sax stand held a flute and a harmonica.  The audience didn't quite know what to make of her and there was more to come.

The younger woman in shades of green, green hair and green makeup opened a guitar case and opened the front of the case and pulled out a rythem guitar first and a violin next.   It took only a moment to tune them. Closing the case and setting it on its edge as a seat she casual settled on.  If the back side had opened there would have been a need for explaining

The bartender came over to Vek.
"What the hell man? You've practically got an orchestra and you were filling out the piano stand already!  You going to bring in a choir Next? "

Vek nodded. "3rd Street congregational. 200 singers....ok look. Charge us for food and drink. Give me the bill at the end of week.

"Man, I told you when we got here we were going to have record executives in to hear us.  We're figuring our band out. You aren't losing money are you? Or is it that playing a recording of us on Tuesday and Wendsday makes that a light night?"

Vek chuckles, "You working too hard? Hire a second bartender.....  Oh hey!! wait!..I got a guy.  Great bartender. And if there was ever a fight he's the guy to handle it nice and quiet like. Neala's guy. She's the one in green.