Merlin is indeed waiting outside the door when you exit. He glances at you and smiles politely. "So . . ." he says in that awkward tone that says a couple of strangers have just been forced into an uncomfortable situation.
"How was the party?" Lladdwyr finishes the sentence for him, leaning casually against the doorjamb and crossing his arms, face breaking into his easy grin.
Merlin smiles back. "It was ok. I'm kind of used to Rochelle's extravagance." He glances down the hall, asking, "Did you find adequate entertainment after Asha's concert?"
Lladd snickers. "Adequate entertainment?" he echoes, then straightens up a little, dropping his arms to his sides though he still remains near the door. "Ah, yes. As a matter of fact, I had a very enjoyable time here. Thank you. The castle is quite impressive."
Merlin nods. "Yes it is. I don't think I've seen it all. I'm not sure one person could for that matter," he says with a smile. "So, if you don't mind my asking, how did Caine come to be your sponsor?"
Lladdwyr raises an eyebrow. "I asked him," he answers. "Is that unusual?"
Merlin blinks. "Well usually the younger generation is assigned to an Elder." he shakes his head. "But Caine accepted, huh? He just doesn't seem the type to me."
As Merlin finishes, a loud and earthshaking bellow comes through the door. "WHAT!?! How can that be!?!"
Without another word, Caine continues up the stairs. Lladdwyr nods to Caine's "suggestion" as he follows him up the stairs. "So how can what be?" he asks Caine, keeping his voice low as they continue walking.
Caine glances at you with an expression that clearly states, 'Not now.' He continues up the stairs to the second floor, then turns down a hall and stops in front of a door. He knocks twice and waits a moment before opening it. He gestures for you to enter. When Merlin moves to enter, Caine holds up his hand. "I need you to get in touch with Gerard and Benedict to find out what they know, understand?"
Merlin nods and replies, "Yes."
Caine nods. "Good. Find me when you have that information." he then turns and enters the room closing the door behind him.
"Catch you later, Merlin," Lladdwyr calls after his cousin. After the door shuts, he continues on into the room, watching Caine out of the corner of his eye.
You would swear this was the same room you stopped at when Caine contacted Flora before dinner. But it's on a different floor. He pulls out his Trump deck and shuffles through. When he comes to the card he's looking for, he pulls it out and focuses. He frowns and puts the card away shuffling to another. This time he apparently makes a connection.
Lladdwyr wanders around behind Caine to see who is on the card. Caine holds up his free hand in the universal sign for stop then points to the chair. Lladd shrugs and then instead of going directly to the chair, he makes a slow circuit of the room, looking out the window.
As you circle the room and take in the view, Caine ends his contact and puts away the card. He gives you a measuring look for a second then sighs. "Random knows your father is alive. I don't know who it was that told him. He received a Trump call after the two of you left the room." He appears thoughtful for a moment. "I was not able to raise Benedict via Trump either. It looks like there may be a change in plans in our immediate future."
There is no one but you in this hall, a branch off the main hallway. There are various staff persons going about their work in the main hallway, but no one here. When you go up to the door and knock, there is no answer. No noises. No one else around. After studying the two locks on the door, you estimate five minutes tops for both, allowing for eventualities. Pulling out you tools, you set to work.
The first one is a snap. Done in a minute flat. The second one though, gives you a hard time. The world, except for that part of your mind that has been trained always to keep an ear out for trouble, focuses down to only the lock and what it's telling you. Everything around you continues normally. You recommit yourself to the lock and finally see, or rather, feel what you had been missing before.
With a satisfying click, the door is ready to be opened.
You are in Julian's rooms in Castle Amber. You know this for sure because of the trophy wall directly across from the door. And if that wasn't a dead give away, the tapestry of him sitting astride Morgenstern is. Upon looking out the window, you get a commanding view of Arden in the distance, go figure. Setting to the search with every ounce of professional scrutiny reveals several things:
First - A false bottom in the top drawer of the dressing table reveals an emerald-studded dagger. No sheath.
Second - A false book on one of the shelves reveals a spare deck of Trumps. There is something vaguely familiar about these cards.
Third - A map, or rather, a partial map is tucked under the mattress. The writing is not recognizable.