Royal Flush (Reena & Mint)

"His pets are tough creatures out of some distant Shadow. They are big, kind of like a wolf crossed with a gargoyle, claws, fangs, seem to have an aura that disorients their prey, can teleport or use some similar type of transit. Intelligent and fiercely loyal to those they pledge to.

"The assailant was a tall man shaped construct armed with a sword and a mace. It seemed to be made of elements; it could emit fire but I felt a deep cold to it when I chopped it up. The thing cut a swath through the city guard and it took one of Fernand's pets to fight and weaken it until I could finish it off.

"Tough things - both of them."

The sound of a trumpet echoes from the courtyard. If either Amberite checks, they can see the King's entourage leaving Fernand's stronghold. Many of his personal guards, however, remain on the walls.

Reena looks out to watch Nikolai and his guards move out. Pointing the procession out to Mint she says, "That's Valentine's old man the king of this land. The attack on V may have been a result of internal Uberwald politics or an external shot at Fernand, or a bit of both. Our helping escort the princess may result in our being caught up in the internal affairs of this land. Luckily we could just Shadow walk away if we need to.

"You'll have to tell me of the fun you have been having out in Shadow lately but maybe when we could have more privacy. And Bleys made hint of some new cousins in the fold - excluding the red'icorn cousins, have you met any of them?"

"If Golden Circle politics features assassination attempts with thing like the one you described then it is more exciting than I ever thought."

"I'm still not convinced that anyone or anything other than family poses a serious threat to me."

How long have you been away? You've met Winnow, right? The new arrivals since him are Fergus, the new ginger, and the Kier, a pair of twins named Kieran and Kierenne. Those three will definitely shake things up if they don't get killed first. Kieran has already challenged me to a duel. Kierenne threw herself at me and then threw a hissy fit when I declined. Fergus thinks democracy is a good idea."

"Oh, not just us voting, everybody. Power to the people. Fergus wants everyone to have a say."

"Nah, the elders are well ahead of this one. They already have him busy on a mission off in Shadow."

Nah. He has Aiden and Karlsen as babysitters. He'll be fine.

"Aiden is an archaeologist not an assassin. And i haven't even walked the Pattern yet. That doesn't mean that you have secret orders to dispose of me, does it?"

"Don't get hissy.

"And maybe I do." Reena says with a wicked grin. "You are the daughter of Brand aren't you?"

Reena refills Mint's wine glass. "And why haven't you walked the Pattern yet? It is a pain in the ass but once it's done you'll need those Trumps less and how could anyone stop you from walking away from the Rangers and going out to have some fun?"

"I don't do hissy." Mint says with a smile.

"I will walk the Pattern, but like you said, I am Brand's daughter. I have to prove myself first. I wish I could just walk the Pattern and then run off into Shadow to have fun. Unfortunately I'm the one they really would have sent assassins after. Maybe they still would? Maybe not? What do you think?"

"Maybe you are right, If things go well I can at least ask to walk the Pattern. I doubt that they will say anything worse than no."

"If I do walk it do you have any advice?"

Something odd at the window. A bird. Not unlike a wren. It simply lights at the window sill and blinks its tiny dark eyes. Then flies away a moment later, vanishing into the sky.

It is the color of clay.

Nope. Unless that bird moves at supersonic speeds, Mint has enough time to take a shot at it. She strings her crossbow faster than any mere human could, draws back a bolt and lets fly at the clay bird. She does not miss.

The clay shatters into a combination of chunks, pieces, fragments and powder. An odd popping sound accompanies this, one not usually associated with breaking pieces of clay sculpture or pottery.

"Please tell Fernand that we were being spied upon and haste is of the essence. I'm going to retrieve fragments of the spy device."

Mint heads off to do exactly that.

Heading down and out to the courtyard of Fernand's stronghold and the area outside the wall, Mint gets a view of the stronghold from the outside. Gathering the pieces of the bird isn't too difficult but some pieces almost certainly down the cliff below to the city of Fjordheim. There's nothing at all odd about the clay, which is hardened much as if it were a bowl or plate. Some of the shape remains intact, but again it look just like a clay bird--in this case "in flight."

Looking around, there don't seem to be any other such clay birds in the vicinity.

Mint retrieves the bolt as well if possible. Long stretches of time in the Arden have taught her to conserve supplies. She doesn't go down the cliff, but instead wraps what she can find in cloth and heads back inside to find Reena and Fernand.

Reena claps her hands and shouts out "Excellent shot!" as the bolt destroys the bird.

Then on Mints command to find Fernand she just raises one eyebrow and sticks her tongue out at the back of her cousin.

"Just a messenger for her, am I?" she mutters as she heads out into the hall.

Seeing a passing servant Reena instructs him to find Fernand and inform him of a serious message that he must receive in person. Then she returns to the foyer and resumes drinking until Mint or Fernand come by.

It takes several minutes but Fernand does finally show up in the foyer, dressed quite clearly for travel.

"A serious message?" He says simply.

Mint arrives mere seconds after Fernand. She holds the cloth in her left hand and unwraps it with her right so that he can see the contents.

"I dislike spies." Mint says to Fernand.