Royal Flush (Reena & Mint)

From the sounds beyond the door, it would seem Fernand's citadel is awash with activity in the morning. Lots of footsteps lots of voices. The place feels busy.

Sure enough the first peak outside the door reveals servants walking quickly, purposefully on their errands. More, guards that look like much higher class versions of the City Guardsmen stand watch here and there. A glance out the window to the courtyard below reveals several carriages and plenty of mounted soldiers standing guard in and around the place. Armed men in the livery of Fernand's household seem fully geared up and out in force, also on patrol.

Busy morning. Are they preparing to defend this mansion or march out to meet an enemy?

Reena rings for a servant to come to her room. While waiting she gets dressed and checks on the condition of her weapons. Can't be too careful if more fighting is planned for today.

Everything is fine. When a serving girl arrives, she is slightly out of breath and has with her a long gown of simple design but exquisate workmanship. She explains King Nikolai is here and Lord Fernand thought you might like to wear something formal to have breakfast with His Majesty? But he also left word to make sure you know this is an offer, maybe even a request, but in no sense any kind of a demand. Breakfast will be in half an hour.

"Inform Fernand that I would be delighted to join him and the King for breakfast. And bring a hair brush and a basin of water to me; I would look my best to meet the king"

Reena quickly gets in the dressed and looks at herself in the mirror. A fine dress and in my colours too. Well the orange is off a shade. And tight. Is Fernand playing a joke on me or does he prefer the sight of my assets?...or is this king is single and looking for a queen? Should I bring the dagger? No, I will probably be inspected before entering the dining room and, besides, there will be enough knives and forks to use if necessary.

When the servant returns she has brought the comb and water Reena needs as well as some makeup.

She decides to bring her Trump deck with her, hopefully inconspicuously belted to her thigh but leaves her cloak behind.

She is shortly in condition to meet the King and waves the servant onward to lead her to the dining room.

The dining room is on the ground floor, and there are indeed royal guardsmen at the door. With them is a Holy Sister of the Unicorn, who gives Reena a simple, routine search for any weapons. Quite polite if thorough.

Within the room Princess Valentine sits across from Fernand. Between them, at the head of the table, sits a a man with gray and white hair--shoulder length, with a long but neatly cut beard. His moustache is nearly as long. He looks almost six feet tall, with broad shoulders and a bit of a paunch, and sharp green eyes deepset into his face. Thin lips in a broad face. He looks serious, a bit tired. Excellent but simple clothes, but a huge signet ring on the finger of one hand.

King Nikolai rises as she enters. "Welcome to Uberwald, Reena of Amber. Had I but known a daughter of Caine had arrived we would have greeted you properly."

Reena gives a short curtsy to King Nikolai and says "Greetings King, Princess, others."

After sitting at the table she adds "Spare no concern for my welcome to Uberwald; I do prefer to travel without the pomp and ceremony of my station. And," she says with a smile "My aarrival here was hardly what I could call dignified enough to warrant a honourable greeting."

That remark earns the ghost of a smile from their host.

King Nikolai, evidently not one to dwell on minutia of etiquette, simply sits and leans back. "And what do you yourself know of this attack on my daughter's life? Within one hour of a sighting of the Unicorn, the first in generations? A man my daughter had hired as a bodyguard died defending her, a man who saw the Unicorn and who himself longed to see your homeland. Many a coincidence it seems to me. What're your thoughts?"

"No coincidence, King. I have discussed this with members of my family and we believe that recent events point to a conspiracy against my family and your daughter. The link between Amber and Valentine is not understood as yet but my aunts and uncles are looking into finding a link." Reena flashes a quick conspiratorial look at Fernand.

Will he suspect I know of his link to Amber royalty? Did the King or V notice and wonder what game Fernand is playing? I hope so, it'd serve him right for not accepting my offer.

King Nikolai gives a small cough. "The link exists to be sure--although I've sworn not to divulge it. More of the problem is how it precisely it leads to an attack on my daughter. You say someone conspires against the House of Oberon. You have evidence of this? Is that why you came to Uberwald?"

[OOC - not well known at all. Nikolai knows because of Valentine's relationship with Fernand. If you asked any of his officials, they might have suspicions but know really nothing. And their suspicions are pretty far off. Meanwhile, if you went elsewhere you wouldn't find anyone who had even a clue.]

"I like the sound of that," says the King. The expression on Fernand's face likewise seems to hint at approval. "So--what do you need? Amber's far away but I'm right here and right here I'm king. There isn't a lot I wouldn't do to solve our mutual problem."

[[OOC: I figured that. R was just being a sarcastic teenager.]]

"Well that's the thing. There are a few people I would like to speak with most of whom are in different lands but if their is a link between the Unicorn sighting and the attack today I would like to see your records on the Unicorn in Uberwald. Maybe in the historical record I can find a link between it's sightings and other events in the family history. I would also like to get a detailed description of the invader from yesterday from those who fought it; greater detail on how it operated could lead to the person who created it.

"But would you consider moving Valentine to another location? Maybe some place hidden or beyond the reach of any further assault?"

Reena turns to Valentine, "I know all of your homelands resources will be used to protect you, Princess, but your foe must have scouted and learned a great deal about Fjordheim. Maybe it would be safer for you to be a guest in Castle Amber? Or my homeland of Gupta?"

[OOC - wow, for some reason I thought Reena a bit older than that. My bad.]

King Nikolai nods. "I sure the Holy Sisters would happily share any and all information with you, especially to one of your lineage. There are even multiple copies that form part of their archives. My personal guards can assemble the rest of what you need." He glances at his daughter. "My child has more experience than I beyond our shores."

She in turn shares a long look with Fernand. After a few moments she speaks. "I choose not to go to Amber at this time." Her tone remains firm. "As far as a place of safety, I can think of at least one place Fernand mentioned to me. If it still exists?"

Fernand lifts an eyebrow. "That lighthouse?" she says. He blinks and nods. "You're right," he says, "that is almost inaccessible save through the most circuitous of routes. Hardly anyone even knows it exists! Save one person, and he I trust absolutely. Whoever lies behind recent events, he at least I know innocent of any ill-will towards me or mine. More, that place is among the most warded in all creation against harm."

This Lighthouse? A warded shadow of Fernand's? Highly regarded, worth investigating if the free time ever comes about.

"Assuming you can be safely escorted there, Valentine, that would seem to move you out of the range of our enemy. But I wonder if this attack wasn't against you personally but rather a move against the ruling family of Uberwald.

"Once Valentine is safe would the next attack be directed against you Nickolai or someone else in your family? We still don't know the goal of our aggressor, or even who he is. Any candidates from the enemies of this land?

"Fernand, is there anyone you know of who would attempt this sort of assault?"

"Two come to mind," is his answer. "Either would be an enormous tragedy on many levels. In many ways I rather hope a mysterious third party behind it all. As for purpose, the most obvious reason for such an attack seems to me provocation. Someone intends to make me act, but launching an assault upon those I hold dear. Clever, as far as it goes. I will act. But anyone who knows me well enough to do this realizes as well I will not strike back blindly. "

"Or to lead me to act against someone guiltless in the attack," is his reply. "Lady Reena--if you wish to accompany Valentine to a place of safety, even as an escort, you are most welcome. I myself need to track down the perpetrator once she is safe. Even though," he says as Valentine raises an eyebrow, "I know such an arrangement chafes. Any danger to her will, I fear, prove too much of a distraction."

"Nor would I look favorably upon allowing it to continue," says the King.

Fernand nods. "So, Lady Reena--will you come with us to a place of safety? From there, you can decide which path to follow. My word of honor--I will not leave you stranded anywhere by choice."

"Uberwald doesn't have a dynasty," says Valentine, "at least not in the sense as the House of Oberon."

"When I die or abdicate," continues Nikolai, "the highest nobles of the land, the Electors, choose a new monarch. Of necessity this involves them being locked away in tower until they do make a choice. Sometimes it takes a few weeks, but never longer. The only nobles excluded from election are my immediate heirs, just as those of my predecessor were ineligible. Still are, the few still alive. My reign has lasted fifty years now, and with luck may last another twenty or so."

"So it remains possible a potential candidate might," Fernand says, "try to force things at a time when they believe they have the votes. I see some problems with that scenario."

"So do I," agrees the King.

"First and foremost, an attack upon Valentine doesn't seem to accomplish that purpose. Even if successful, it succeeds only in alerting His Majesty's personal security. Secondly, the attacker is exotic to say the least."

"It is possible someone could venture into Shadow and recruit such I suppose," says King Nikolai. "Still, it makes little sense to attack either of my daughters in order to strengthen a claim on the throne. An attack on my forces would be foolhardy. As King I command far more resources than any four or five Electors--and that assumes none of the Electors would side with me. In truth over half I feel certain would rally to my banner--not least because of generations-long feuds between different Elector's houses."

"Personally," adds Valentine, "I simply cannot see how this assassination attempt works as part of the plot against my father. But as a means of manipulating Fernand, that does make sense. A good deal of it."

Fernand nods. "I can take Valentine to the Lighthouse later today. From there, I can begin an investigation, once I know Valentine safe. But her safety must be my first priority." He looks at Reena. "Please consider what you might wish to take with you. En route and once we arrive, we can consider options."

"With a change of clothes I should be ready to go; although, if you have an armoury I would like to equip myself in case of trouble. I did pick up a fallen sword in the street but it should be returned to the family of the fallen soldier who carried it."

Reena takes a last bite of toast as she stands. "And Fernand, are you an elector? Or would you be eligible to be crowned? Someone could be making an early start to clearing a path to their coronation."

"No," answers King Nikolai. "Fernand is not of Uberwald. He holds no rank here, save by courtesy."

He nods. "Quite so." He turns to Reena. "By all means. One of my retainers will show you the armory. I was thinking to leave by late afternoon. That will give His Majesty's men the chance to learn all they can."

"Agreed. I will return to my room to prepare myself. When your man is ready to lead me to the Armoury he can find me there."

Reena approaches Nikolai and extends a hand, "King, it was a pleasure meeting you. I will do my part in protecting your daughter on our trip to Fernand's sanctuary. I hope to meet with you again soon."

He takes her hand and nods politely. Reena gets the impression he's distracted, which makes sense under the circumstances.

Within the hour, a young man in his twenties will knock on her door, introducing himself as Roderick and offering to show her to the armoury.

Reena is getting a Trump call.

If she answers, Mint says, "Greetings cousin, I heard you were in Uberwald. May I join you?"

Mint is dressed in her standard leathers in her background nothing remains visible, but a nice solid wall. The smells of a very talented kitchen suggest she might have decided to call from a restaurant of some sort.

"Mint! I was wondering when you' call again, cousin.

"I am in Uberwald but about to head out to some other Shadow with a few new friends. We will be travelling under threat of attack from a mysterious foe so your sword would be a welcome companion. Or you could just look around this place.

"Come on through." Reena holds out her hand to pull Mint into Fernand's home.