Caine gives you a curious expression before launching into the details. "Last I was in Begma, I encountered a few individuals who swore they had seen me before I arrived. Now with infinite shadow it's possible to have many look-a-likes. However, they also claim this person had skills with a sword on par with mine. And what's more disturbing, they claim he had a ship like mine." Caine pauses to give Lladd a chance to absorb the information.
"Go on," he invites.
"So," Caine continues. "I need someone I can rely on, some one who can investigate without raising suspicion. And ..." he pauses. "Someone who could remove this individual if necessary," he says this last pointedly.
"I was hoping Onyx is still here," Lladd adds.
Random pulls out a seat next to him. Shamus is present, as well as another young guy about your age. "This is my son Martin. You've met Shamus." Random makes the introduction.
"Hi," says Martin. "Yeah, she's still here. She just went out for a run and should be back any minute."
As if speaking her name summoned her, Lladdwyr's sister rounds the corner of the house. "Speak of the devil." Random remarks.
She wipes her brow, "Hey," she says as a hello for now. After a few moments her breathing is pretty much back to normal. She looks to Lladd, "I'd give ya a hug, but I doubt you'd appreciate it at the moment", she grins.
"That's fine," he replies with an answering grin. "Just thought I'd see what everyone was up to here." He looks questioningly at Martin.
Both Random and Martin arch an eyebrow curiously before Random answers. "Well, Martin and Onyx, along with another cousin, Amethyst will be heading out to the Courts of Chaos in the morning. It seems they have to claim some kind of artifact before Martin can take my place on the throne." he stops and gives a firm nod of his head.
"That's about it," Martin confirms.
Onyx enters the room to see Martin and Shamus sitting back in their chairs, no cards in their hands and only a few chips on the table in front of each of them.
Random and Lladd, on the other hand, do have cards in their hands and a huge pile of chips in the middle of the table. She can't read either man's expression. As Onyx enters the room, Random calls and places his hand on the table: straight flush, Queen through eight.
When Lladd lays his hand on the table, Random looks surprised for a second then grins. The grin quickly turns into a smile. When Martin and Shamus see the hands they both gasp and Martin says, "Shit!"
Lladd has won by suit. Random's flush was hearts, Lladd's was spades. In the event of a tie the highest suit wins.
Random stands up and extends his hand. "Well played Lladd, well played," he says still smiling.
Lladd begins the day early with flexibility exercises, out under the glorious desert sunrise of Texorami. About 40 minutes into his workout, however, he becomes aware of someone watching him. Vialle. She waits patiently for him to finish up before greeting him with a nod and "Good morning Lladd."
Lladdwyr smiles, walking over to her. He's a bit more relaxed now, after having time to meditate and rest. "Bright the day--" he starts to answer, then chuckles, shaking his head ruefully. "I have no idea what to call you," he admits.
She shrugs, a rather disarming gesture. "It's entirely up to you. My name is acceptable, of course, as is any of my titles. But I would like it if you could call me mom," Vialle says with a small smile.
He nods. "It might start out as Mother, though."
Vialle nods. "I can live with Mother," she says.
Lladwyr takes a few minutes to clean off his plate. "What do you think of the Family so far?" he asks curiously, picking up his juice and taking a drink.
Onyx pauses before answering. "That's actually a tough question." Another pause, "This doesn't seem like a family to me. More like a community, with the social interactions you get in that situation. Some neighbors you tolerate, some you might dislike, others you really like and enjoy hanging with." She nods. "Yeah, I like that analogy."
He nods. "I can see that. But the analogy breaks down when you consider that you're stuck with us regardless of whether you like it or not." He gives her a smile that could best be described as bleak. "In a community, often you have the option to move away and try to find something better. But with the Family... well, you're stuck, I'm afraid."
"True. But there is always Shadow. I had no idea about this side of the family and how large it was until I came here. A lot of years without contact. Also, 'Shadow.' The possible places to go seem endless."
"Yes," Lladdwyr replies, his expression pensive. "Yet I always had the impression from Brand that - though he might go any conceivable place - Amber is never far from his mind."
Lladd tracks Vialle to her art studio. She is sitting in front of a sulpture, moving her fingers across the clay. Jenna is sitting nearby with a book. They both look up when you enter.
"Leaving so soon?" Vialle asks with a smile.
Lladdwyr finds himself thinking that growing up with such a pleasant, smiling person may not have been a bad thing. "Likely, unless... you would like me to stay a bit longer." He grins. "I don't want to intrude on you and Random."
"Nonsense." Vialle waves a hand dismissively. "Come here, son." She commands in a motherly tone, holding out a Trump card of herself. "Here. I know you have things to attend to, and I know you will be back." She smiles a gentle smile.
He wanders over, glancing curiously at the blob of clay she is working. Upon looking at the clay, it's clear who the subject is. In fact it's almost like looking in a mirror.
"I'm impressed," he says, crouching down next to her chair to accept the card from her. "You don't have to... you know, feel my face for that sort of thing?" he asks curiously.
She reaches out a hand and very gently brushes it against your cheek, just for a second. "Not now," she replies with a grin.
Just as Lladd is about to poke his head in the kitchen, he almost gets run over by his friend Josh coming out.
"Lladd! Good grief, you scared me!" The youth laughs. "Not interested in dining with the Lords and Ladies?" he asks with a wry grin.
Lladdwyr grins and shakes his head. "Josh! Good to see you. Just on my way to see how everyone was, after the evacuation and all."
"Aww, we're all good. A hearty bunch ya know." He glances over each shoulder and leans in to whisper conspiritorially, "What was that all about anyway? There's wild rumors going around, let me tell you."
"Rumors can be so much more entertaining than facts, though," Lladd replies with a wink. He lowers his voice a little. "Apparently some distant relative of the Family decided he wanted to take over Amber."
Josh gives a small chuckle. "Yeah that one's goin' round too. One of the first to come up usually. So you don't know either?" he asks, sounding and looking disapointed.
Lladd contrives to look offended. "You're saying you don't believe me? What are the better-sounding rumors, then?"
Josh frowns. "Well, I heard there was some kind of invasion in the sky. That's by far better than some far off royal trying to take over."
The cook watches you for a couple of minutes, happy that you are enjoying the meal. "Young Master Lladdwyr," she says finally. "Could I ask a favor?"
He looks up and nods, putting down his fork and picking up his glass. "You're always free to ask, of course," he replies with an easy smile, and takes a sip.
Lola looks around for a second before leaning in, uncharacteristically quiet she says. "Me boys, Young Master." She glances around again before continuing in a harsh whisper. "They be in the guard. I haven't a word from 'em since the evacuation. Could you-" She pauses to glance around again. "Could you check on me boys while you're in the city?" Lola finally gets to her favor.
"Oh, sure," Lladd answers quietly, without hesitation. "I'd be happy to check on them. What are their names? Do you know where they usually patrol?"
"Thank you Master Lladdwyr!" Lola squeeks out excitedly as she grabs your hand. "But that's the problem, young Master. Me boys, Karl and Danny, are castle guards," she whispers.
"Oh." Lladd's expression turns to consternation. "Well, not being a military person myself, I was hoping there would be some rhyme or reason to the evacuation based on their Amber assignment," he explains. "Or at least a starting place."
Lachlan shrugs. "There may well have been - but as with all plans, it probably didn't survive contact with the enemy. Even The General can't manage everything. But I'll look in the book for you - if it doesn't have anything, we can check with The General's secretary."
Lladdwyr looks a little taken aback by the offer for a second, but then grins. "Sure. That'd be great." He profers the book to Lachlan.
Lachlan scans the books and shakes his head. "These are only assignments. You'll want to check with The General's secretary. I doubt he's available right now, though - maybe if you check back tomorrow morning?"
It's late evening when Lladdwyr runs into Sarah on his way down from the observatory. "Oh!" he says, when he recognizes her. "Hello there. How are you?"
She gives a quick curtsey. "Master Lladdwyr. I am fine, thank you for asking. If I may ask, how are you?" she replies with a smile and a slight tilt to her head.
Lladd gives her a wink, suddenly feeling mischievous. "I'm told I'm very good," he replies.
Sarah's eyes go wide with surprise for a second and her cheeks flush pink. "Why, Master Lladdwyr!" she takes a step closer, wearing a coy smile. "Whatever could you mean by that?"
He smirks, letting her move nearer. "I'm always open to new interpretations."
A sparkle appears in her eye as she grins, lifts an eyebrow and takes another step closer. "Would you like to walk with me, Young Master?" she asks in a voice very close to a purr.
His smirk fades away as he takes the final step to close the distance between them. He lifts a hand to tease the wisps of hair around her cheek. "Love to."