Copyright ©1998 Jonathan Cardon
Amber DRPG is Copyright ©1991 Erick Wujcik

The Origin of Thule, as told in the Book of Lir

As Lir was wandering the oceans he came upon the land of Thule. He found an island with rolling pasturelands as sleek and as green as the waves of a summer sea. The flowers are so richly scented that they make the warm air as intoxicating as wine.

Lir found great herds of cattle grazing in the pastures., and the countryside dotted with many small streams and lakes. Their waters are as clear as crystal and as fragrant as clover. The hillsides of Thule shined with veins of white, black, and red marble and with deposits of every kind of precious metal.

The great god discovered that the people of Thule were singularly handsome and intelligent, but so newly created that they had no leaders or social organisation.

As Lir explored the land he came to a hill rising from the very center of the largest island, and he climbed through its flowering forests until, close to summit, he found the abode of the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

She told him her name was Cleito. The dazzling glance of her sea-blue eyes, and the sumptuous beauty of her face and form, aroused such lust in the potent deity that he conquered her without delay. She responded ardently to his power and splendour and in due course bore him ten fine sons.

Lir is the most violent and most jealous of the gods, distrustful of all mortals including Cleito, and so he isolated her upon her hill by digging three great moats around it. Each was about a kilometre wide, and separated from the others by a circle of land of the same width. Thus great concentric circles of land and water surrounded the Hill of Cleito.

When Lir's ten sons grew to maturity he made them all into kings, each with responsibility for one-tenth of Thule. Under his orders they formed themselves into a council, led by, to rule the nation for the benefit of its entire people.

...

Between the Pattern of Amber and the Logrus of Chaos are the lesser powers: broken patterns, the ravelled logrii, representations, designs, and wells. Realms of power. Shards.
Amber defeated Chaos in the Patternfall War, but the battle continues.

Now the Shards begin to fall. The realm of Begam is no more.
Slowly the eyes of the other Shards begin to open. Chiare prepares for battle, but most remain blind to the danger.

And a small band seeks to reach the land of Thule, and to open other eyes...

Vance stands at the bow of the ship, wind whipping about his form.

Upon reaching the coast, you are able to hire a ship by using one of Reed's gemstones to pay for passage. You are currently onboard the Moonfish, a small ship similar in design to a junk, and but with a deeper draft and stronger construction so it can handle deep ocean, not just coasting along the shore and from island to island.

GM says "*You have a short period of rest during this journey. The Moonfish is primarily a cargo vessel and you only have three rooms amongst you. (One of them normally the captain's cabin). I'll assume the pairings are Jeanette and Sunfall, Sean and Reed, Vance and Madrak."

Jeanette chats with Sunfall, if she will, getting to know her...

Sunfall spends much of the trip practicing balance and fighting techniques with the movement of the ship.

Jeanette watches her, and smiles... "Could you teach such things, friend?"

Vance spends most of his time at the bow of the ship, somehow guiding the way.

Sunfall says "I've only just done my runewalk. I'm hardly a fit teacher."

Jeanette says "You are the only one available. And such skills, it seems, will be important in the future."

Sunfall says "What is your weapon of choice, if any?"

Jeanette says "The saber, at the moment."

Sunfall says "Do you fight with one or two?"

Jeanette says "Saber alone, or saber and dagger."

Sunfall says "Then if you will get them, I'll teach you the T'ei Kai Jian dance."

Jeanette smiles. "I will learn gladly." She slips back to her cabin, fetching the blades.

GM *holds up a hand and fast forwards over practice. GM says "*time passes, the day turns to night."

The night is shattered by a blood-curdling scream, followed immediately by shouting and the sounds of combat.

Krinac says "*Everyone was asleep in their rooms. Actions?'"

Vance and Madrak head topside.

Sunfall slips upstairs, exiting onto the deck by way of the rear hatch.

Jeanette rolls from her bed, springing up blades in hand. She wakes Sunfall, if that other has not wakened already, and heads topside.

Upon reaching the deck, you see three crewmen fighting an equal number of men dressed all in black so that they fade into the night. Their dress does not provide that great an advantage for a lantern has been dropped and the pool of burning oil that is beginning to spill on deck casts a lurid glow over the ship.

The ship is made out of wood, so the dropped latern is not something that can be safely ignored. The men in black kill two of the three sailors as Madrak and Sean rush onto deck. The one who is left is hard pressed to hold his ground. Vance and Reed follow and are just behind them.

Sunfall rushes out the other entrance, with Jeanette trailing behind. There are no obvious foes where the two of them are standing.

Vance says "Reed, take care of the fire. Everyone else, try to take one alive."

Madrak spins his staff as he advances.

Sunfall advance towards the sounds of fighting, junaive in hand.

Jeanette slips along beside Sunfall, blades ready.

Out of the darkness another figure swathed in black steps out aiming a thrust at Jeanette. Backed with surprise and skill, the thrust strikes her high in the chest, but Jeanette is able to turn at the last momement and the blade misses her heart.

Jeanette slips one hand up to beat the blade aside with her dagger, the other thrusting...

Madrak lands a series of blows against the man he is fighting. None of them seem to slow his opponent. The man counters by turning his blows toward Madrak's staff in an attempt to cut it down to size.

Sunfall whirls to take stock of the situation between Jeanette and her attacker.

Sean faces the other man and gestures with his off hand as he does so, the man doubles over, and Sean chops off his sword arm at the wrist. Shamus his dog, leaps forth for the man's throat.

The sailor suddenly falls back, he's alive for now, but his entrails spill out across the deck. The other man in black starts toward Vance.

Sean doesn't have time to gloat, another man steps out of the darkness to attack him.

Jeanette despite her wound attempts an attack, the man brushes it aside with ease, but is forced to step back from Sunfall's sudden thrust before he can strike home.

Madrak begins to drive his opponent backward. His opponent fights for every step giving ground reluctantly and taking a few scrapes. His attempts to lay a blow on Madrak's staff fail.

Sean struggles with his new opponent, while the other one tries to fend off the hound.

One of them rushes for Vance who tries to step aside, as a strange effect appears in the air in front of Vance.

Jeanette steps aside, letting Sunfall make her attack, slashing with her own blade to keep their foe distracted.

Sunfall and her opponent trade blows, a song of ringing steel going up around them.

Reed rushed back below and is now returning with a strip of canvas to beat out the flames.

Vance has a circle of power manifested in front of him, emanating tendrils of smoke-shot yellow light. He gestures, and the foe he faces is knocked sideways, sliding amidst the gore that coats part of the deck.

The one facing Sunfall and Jeanette fakes for Sunfall and then falls upon Jeanette with a ruthless set of thrusts.

Jeanette retreats slowly, parrying each blow - barely - with sweeps of saber and dagger.

Sean and his opponent come corps a corps and begin straining each to overthrust the other. The decision is made when Sean's dog hamstrings the man, and Sean pushes him over, stabbing him in the heart.

At near the same time Madrak finally lands a telling blow as he puts a stop thrust in to the throat.

Jeanette misses a final parry, and tumbles to the deck, blades flying away...

Sailors rush out from below and join Reed in putting out the fire. One of them takes a dagger and makes sure the downed ones are dead. They stay well away from Vance's power manifestation.

Sunfall lands a vicious slice to the legs of her opponent. Jeanette and the man fall into a tangled heap together.

Madrak shouts, "Don't kill the wounded, you fool! Just keep them under control!"

Tendrils lash out from the manifestation in front of Vance, the last remaining assaliant is knocked back along the deck. He bounces hard, but still staggers to his feet, and still holds his blade.

Sunfall pins her assaliants hand to the deck with her junaive.

Tendrils shoot forth to the last assailant, attempting to bind.

Vance's tendrils snake around the man, lifting him off the deck. One of the tendrils is around the man's neck, slowly cutting off his supply of air.

Madrak sees that Vance has his opponent under control, and hurries to see how the others have fared.

Vance calls out. "Look for where they came from. Is there a nearby ship?"

Jeanette crawls, slowly, out from under the man, leaving a smeared trail of blood behind her.

Madrak breaks into a lumbering run, face grim.

Sunfall helps Jeanette aside, and tries to use pressure points to slow the bleeding.

The one in Vance's grasp quivers once, twice, shaking, and then relaxes.

Jeanette accepts Sunfall's hand, pulling herself up, scowling. "Over... bloody confident..."

Krinac says "Many sailors are dead, but the battle is over, you have one prisoner who is still unconscious. The others are dead from their wounds."

Upon examination the men appear to be a little unusual. All of them have bloodshot eyes. Very bloodshot, but the condition appears normal. They have an extra joint on each finger of each hand, and sharp forward curving spurs on the back of their hands. They all have fourty-four teeth, longer and more prominent than normal human teeth. Their flesh is grayish, hard and shiny.

The tendrils release Vance's opponent, who drops to the deck unconscious. "Bind him, quickly."

Madrak, slows as he sees the others. "Jeanette, Sunfall... are you all right?"

Jeanette pauses to recover her weapons... "Injured. But I will survive."

Sunfall says "Vance, unless you can read their minds, interrogation will be useless."

Madrak nods. "I see. Good. I was...concerned. Is there anything I to be done here?"

Jeanette says "I need... bandages, and something to replace the blood loss..."

Sean circling the deck to check as well says, "Reed is a doctor, I'll go get him."

Jeanette nods...

Vance says "We will see, Sunfall."

Jeanette says "Has anyone seen creatures like these before?"

Sunfall says "Yes. Spurhands aren't demons, but they have fought alongside demons in the past."

Reed is on deck by Vance, "What are they?" he asks as Sean approaches. Sean demands he attend Jeanette. Reed sighs, "I'm not that kind of a doctor. Doctor is a title of respect, but I know a little first aid, I'll see what I can do."

Sunfall says "The old books don't mention them, but the Karcists faced them in the most recent demonic incursion."

Madrak nods. "Bandages I can provide..." He does so, then makes sure that the prisoner is bound securely, dragging him back near the group.

Sunfall says "They cannot speak, but communicate mind-to-mind. They are also loyal unto death."

The sailors hearing the words demons, begin muttering among themselves. "Did you see the hands?"

Sunfall says "Interrogation by means other than mental domination will prove futile."

Madrak frowns thoughtfully.

Vance looks to Sunfall. "Do the Karcists teach such a method of interrogation?"

Sunfall says "However, I may have a way of getting something out of one of them."

It doesn't take a genius to figure out that the sailors aren't too happy with keeping a demon alive, plus the captain is dead, and many of the crew. The situation is unstable.

Vance glances back to the assembled crew. "Which of you is the first mate?"

The lens before Vance fades as he turns to the crew. The sailors point to the half dead man with the belly wound.

Vance nods, and sweeps his gaze along those remaining. "Pick one to represent this ship, and have him meet with me in fifteen minutes."

Reed works on Jeanette, "You are well enough to move, so I'm not too worried, I have some alcohol, that wound needs to be disinfected and sewn shut. Do you want me to do it?"

Madrak says "Did anyone see another vessel, or did these just appear on our ship?"

Jeanette says "Uhm... Sunfall, do you know how to do that?"

Vance's gaze snaps over to Reed. "Sew it shut as soon as alcohol is provided." He looks back to Sunfall. "I'm putting you in charge of the prisoner. The rest of us will be securing this ship, and making sure we haven't missed any of these creatures."

Sunfall addresses the sailors, "These were not demons, but were likely sent by someone allied with them. This mission is of the utmost importance to the Karcist Almirant, and to the security of Chiare, and it is imperative that we find out what foe we face. From now on, one of us will stand guard through the night to guarantee the safety of this mission. The Council of Karcists greatly appreciates your courage."

Sunfall says to Jeanette: "How to do what?"

Jeanette says "To sew up the wound. I, ah... it would be inappropriate, for a man..."

Sunfall says to Vance: "I must remain undisturbed during the process, as I have never done this before. Keep everyone away from the door. Spurhands don't communicate with their voices, but they can do other things with them.

Sunfall says, to Jeanette: "Oh. Well, I have been taught some basic medicine, but as my mother would tell you I am a lousy seamstress.

Vance looks down to Jeanette. "You can have it sewed up by Reed, or you can wait. Sunfall is the one most suited to deal with the prisoner, and I will not have her taken from that task when another is just as suited to sewing your wound." He turns to Sunfall. "Understood."

Reed says, "I've seen a few bosoms in my day Jeanette. I will be discrete."

Jeanette scowls, and allows Reed to do it, but keeps most of herself covered while he works.

Reed washes out the wound, gives it a simple dressing, then helps Jeanette back to her cabin to finish the job.

Madrak turns his back, and walks some distance away to give Jeanette some privacy while Reed works.

Vance says "Madrak, can you help guard the door for Sunfall, so she remains undisturbed?"

Madrak nods shortly.

Vance then looks to Sean. "You'll patrol the boat. I don't want to be surprised again."

Sunfall says, to Vance "Actually, if their must be a door guard, make sure they stand well away from the door as well."

Vance nods. "Madrak, block off that section of the boat, then."

Madrak shrugs, and does so, with a rough efficiency.

The sailors appoint someone to speak for them, although Sunfall's speach quieted many of them.

Vance goes to talk with the spokesman.

Madrak waits. Madrak sighs, after a time, and calls back, "Is all well?"

Vance heads belowdecks after his conversation with the crew's spokesman. He arrives in time to hear Madrak's words. "Not well, but it could be worse. I will have to increase my efforts to get us to Thule...a strong storm would finish us at this point."

Madrak hms. "I see. And what course must we set to reach Thule?"

Long distance to Krinac: Jeanette nods to him... "Alright."

Vance says "Forward. I will handle the rest. I'll need to find someone among us who can sustain a magical wind...I do not want the sails fallow at any point in the journey."

Madrak considers this. "I see."

Vance frowns. "This does not bode well at all. Those creatures didn't come from another boat, and I couldn't even detect traces of shadow transit. This worries me...a lot."

Madrak nods, and his eyes close. "Yes. That is disturbing... what disturbs me more, is that we have an unknown enemy. That we are discovered so soon."

Vance says "Sunfall seems to have a familiarity with them..."

Jeanette mmms. "Could they have stowed away aboard?" she asks, emerging from the hatch.

Vance says "Not likely. They were abovedecks. If they had stowed away, their best tactic would be to kill us as we slept."

Jeanette nods, "Point. Rapelled down from a dirigible?"

Vance says "Would have been spotted by the lookout. Even at night, a dirigible would blot out the stars. And such a device wouldn't be suitable for following us through shadow."

Jeanette nods... "Teleported aboard?"

Vance says "I am tempted to have the crew searched for Trumps, at this point. But I doubt we'd find anything. Our best course of action is to keep a constant patrol, and make haste to Thule."

Madrak rubs his brow, as if lost in thought.

You journey across waters that grow colder, tell your breath turns to vapor. The cold grey sea match the somber mood of the crew.

Vance returns abovedeck, to stand near the bow of the ship.

Madrak mutters darkly. "Haste by all means... a stiff breeze would be nice."

Sunfall staggers out of the cabin, leaning heavily on her junaive.

Jeanette offers Sunfall a hand, and nods...

Jeanette says "What are Trumps, Vance?"

Vance glances back. "A method of communication and transport for the royalty of both Amber and Chaos." He pauses, then says, "I need a wind in the sails, if we are to travel swiftly enough to avoid further entanglements." Vance turns back to look at the waters ahead.

Sunfall says "Someone should clean up the mess. I for one could use some rest."

Jeanette nods... "Does it require a locus at both ends, or only at one? And if so, which?"

Madrak scowls, muttering to himself, possibly a prayer.

Vance says, not looking back. "I need a wind that keeps us moving at a brisk pace. I would cast the needed spell myself, but I am rather busy at the moment."

Sunfall steps up on deck momentarily, for some fresh air.

Reed asks, "So what did you find out?"

Sunfall says "Not much. The spurhand was too willing to die, and I wasn't strong enough to prevent it. He did mention a name, but whether it is the name of those who sent him, or an echo from my own mind I cannot say."

Reed asks "What name?"

Madrak grimaces. "If it was about to die, you should have sent for me."

Sunfall says "bal'Tagh. But that may be a name from my own mind. The lord of demons who fought in the dark age of the demon wars bore that name. Maybe the spurhand was trying to frighten me. It did have a slight advantage."

Sunfall says to Madrak "There wasn't time."

You journey across waters that grow colder, tell your breath turns to vapor. The cold grey sea match the somber mood of the crew.

Time passes, dawn comes, and half the next day.

The cry goes up "Land Ho!" Across the steely grey sea land begins to appear out of the mist. As you approacher the land rises out of the sea until it towers over the vesel. Tall cliffs devoid of harbor, shallow rocky beaches and seagulls appear to be all there is to see.

Madrak says "You knew this might happen?"

Krinac notes the weather has been favorable.

The sailor in charge orders the ship to heave about and asks for Vance, "Is this our destination?"

Vance finally turns from his stance at the bow of the ship. His face is lined with fatigue once more. "Yes. Approach slowly. Hopefully we will be met by another ship, that can loan us a few crewman for our journey into port." Vance doesn't even bother going belowdecks. He sits down by the bow of the ship, and closes his eyes.

Sunfall says, to Madrak "It was possible. If you had some other way in mind, you should have said something."

An hour or so and leagues of tall cliffs pass by without sign of harbor, then other ships begin to appear. They vary in design, but most are deep water cargo vessels.

One ship stands out from the crowd. It bears no sails and cuts through the water like a knife. It is painted the same dull gray of the sea and flies a banner of green and blue.

Madrak says "You should have explained your concern. My way would have killed it, and you gave me no reason to think there would not be a second chance."

Sunfall says "Fine, next time you may take the risk." She then heads below for some rest.

Vance appears asleep, at the moment.

Jeanette rests, too, but seated, watching.

Madrak growls. "I shall."

Reed pulls out his binoculars, "That's a battleship, well an frigate at least."

Jeanette reaches over to Reed. "May I?"

Vance's right eye opens, and he looks over to Reed. "Ship approaching? Gather our companions - I need to speak to them before the ship arrives."

Madrak is on the deck, where he's been all night, watching the wind in the sails.

Reed hands Jeanette the binoculars, "I'll get them."

Jeanette nods, and peers across at the ship...

Krinac pages: Steam or diesel powered, definitely not a sailboat, and there are white fluffy clouds coming from smoke stacks.

A gap appears in the cliffs and a river pouring out of it. The cargo vessels have hove to and anchored, and are admitted into a loch one by one. Dozens of smaller craft flying the green and blue banner scuttle about. One of the craft bears toward the Moonfish to intercept.

Vance sits there, waiting for Sunfall to emerge from belowdecks.

Krinac says "Reed and Sean return, and they inform Sunfall."

Vance stands up, and dusts himself off. "Thule generally looks upon outsiders as inferior. They have a society based on pologamy - a female isn't considered a woman until the birth of their first child, and there is no worse insult to a male than being called 'a man who cannot keep his women'.

Jeanette slings the binoculars around her neck, and nods, listening to Vance.

Madrak sighs. "I see. Do they also have a dueling code?"

Vance nods. "Yes."

Sunfall heads above deck.

Vance says "If you wish to make any arrangements, such as the illusion of being married, I suggest you do so quickly. Their ship is quickly approaching."

Jeanette says "How do they view a woman travelling alone?"

Madrak says "Ah."

Vance says "Women can excel at any trade about as well as a man, but you're still looked on as a girl unless you've had a healthy child. Normally, one wife stays home to watch the children, while others take up a trade. Both choices are equally respected. For foreigners...certain allowances are made, due to their inferior culture."

Jeanette nods, and clips on her sword-belt. "I see."

Vance says "As for men, you are not a man until you've faced death. And, as mentioned before, wives are part of the basis of a man's status."

Reed looks puzzled, "So what keeps the male to female ratio down to allow polygamy?

Madrak frowns. "I've faced death enough, but am not married. Do they make allowances for religious vows and the like?"

Vance looks to Reed first. "Genetics. Births are 75 percent female." He then looks at Madrak. "Their religion has no such allowances. But, you are in my company, so they will treat you with civility."

Madrak says "How...droll." Madrak looks thoroughly irritated. "Perhaps you should explain the dueling code to me on the way in. Just in case."

Vance says "It shouldn't be a problem, unless you plan to steal someone's wife. Or assault any other basis of their society, such as the practice of slavery."

Jeanette frowns, "Slavery?"

Sean says, "Three quarters women? I think I could grant them a few flaws."

Vance nods. "Agricultural societies benefit from such. Each slave has a wage set aside. When they have enough money to buy passage from the isle, and some extra to set themselves up in a trade, they can buy their freedom. It is nearly unheard of for someone to be a slave longer than fifteen years, and valuable skills are learned in the process.

Jeanette nods... "I will disapprove, then, but not publicly."

Vance looks over to Sean. "Just make certain they are unmarried, Sean."

Sean winks at Vance, "Tell me more about this dueling code."

Vance sighs. "I will have someone instruct you in the basics when we arrive. Just try not to offend...I want our stay to go smoothly."

To cut short a boring story, officials from Thule board, inspect the cargo, and you join the line of vessels waiting to enter the lock.

Madrak closes his eye, and then straightens his shoulders. "I have seen far worse in my time. Thank you for the warning."

You spend the rest of the day negoiating a series of lochs and canals that slowly raise you up hundreds of feet above the level of the sea to a broad flat plateau. Along the way you pass many mills that harness the power of the the river.

Eventually you leave the cleft and continue your journey up the river Mariah towards Atlat, the capital of Thule.

You pass villages and farms along the way, but no major cities, eventually a large hill comes into view, and spread all around it a city.

The city is mostly composed of marble, in colors of red, white, and black. The architecture would be called Classical on Shadow Earth, pillars and collumns supporting large structures dot the city. Large parks and estates make up most of the city.

Deep canals divide the city and lofty arched bridges can be seen in great numbers. The Moonfish sails clockwise around the lake surrounding the city, until it moors at a pier. You have arrived at Atlat, capital of Thule.

The city is remarkably clean and beautiful, as are the inhabitants. The people of Thule are clearly distinguished by their fine machined cloth, that is still worn in simple robes. They are fair of skin, but richly tanned mostly with dark hair and eyes. Many of the people are obviously from elsewhere. They can be easily spotted by their different dress.

Customs officials quickly arrive.

Madrak moves over to speak to Vance quietly.

Vance pauses in his stride towards the customs officials to listen to Madrak. Vance frowns, and nods to Madrak. He then beckons the customs official over, and announces that he has returned to the city. Those with him are guests of his house.

At the next ship along the pier you see a bit of drama of Thule unfold. A man bearing a sword walks up to where several people are loading a vessel.

Madrak watches, expression grave.

He bows the suprevisor approaches, "Pardon me, I have business with this one." He points singling out one of the workers who flinches.

The man continues, "Brother I heard but did not believe. I had to see it with my own eyes, and here I find you working for coins loading baggage. You bring shame to our house. Now, you shall face me. I challenge you, to a battle of the blades. Name your time."

The man hauling the luggage nods meek acceptance, "I choose the full three days." His brother nods and goes on.

As the brother leaves he looks back but once, and walks away.

The officials back off quickly when confronted with Vance.

Vance says, "Let's move on." He heads into the city.

A woman with a clipboard says, "Excuse me noble sir, but we did not expect you to arrive in such a common fashion. Should I have a litter brought for you?"

Vance looks to the woman. "My haste demands that I not wait for such. I go to my house, to speak with my wives before calling on the royal family."

Vance leads the group to a house built in the default Classical style common to Thule. It is spacious, though not overtly so, and is on a hillside overlooking a lake.

Madrak doesn't say a word until arriving, though he observes the city closely with his bleak gaze.

Jeanette walks along, eyes taking in the whole of the city...

Vance glances back to the others. "We have arrived. I will arrange for an audience with the High King, and you will stay here in the meantime."

The sun is setting, but the doorway is lit by a globe of metal that shines with an inner light, the same yellow glow as sunlight.

Madrak nods vaguely. "Of course."

Jeanette comments, quietly, "Interesting mix of technologies. Steam power, electricity, yet their weapons..."

Vance enters as if he owned the place, and calls out, "Pleione?"

A woman races forward running, "VANCE?! It's been years. She rushes to embrace Vance."

Madrak nods to Jeanette, but abandons whatever he was about to say in response.

Pleione is slightly short with long dark hair to her waist and a little to the plump side but attractively so. Her most noticeable feature are her arms and hands, which are marked with purple and red discolorations, and her hands are held mostly closed in an odd position.

Vance smiles, and embraces the woman heartily, though with care for her scarred arms.

Madrak hesitates, glancing at the others.

Vance releases the embrace after a few moments, and says, "I've brought guests...and I wish the tidings of my arrival were better. But monumentous events are at hand. Will Merope be back soon? I have a message that needs to get to Andra."

Pleione seems reluctant to release the embrace. Another woman, fairer of hair, with a more staturesques figure and striking eyes enters, "Hello, my husband" she says.

Vance puts one arm around Pleione, as he turns to the other woman, still smiling. "Hello, Merope. How goes your studies?"

This one seems more reserved in her emotions, but she does approach Vance and embrace him. Merope says, "They go well." Pleione says, "I forget my duties to our guests (?)unless...." she looks from Sunfall to Jeanette, "you have brought us another sister wife?"

Sunfall pointedly avoids looking at Vance and coughs.

Jeanette shakes her head...

Vance frowns sligtly. "Not yet. These are outlanders, and trusted companions of mine." He then introduces Madrak, Sunfall, Reed, Jeanette, and Sean.

Pleione says, "Be welcome to our home for as long as you have need."

Madrak bows slowly. "Thank you. Nothing Vance said prepared me for your gracious welcome."

Sunfall bows.

Jeanette nods, "We are honored by your welcome."

Vance looks to Merope. "I apologize for the lack of warning regarding our arrival. But trouble comes to Thule, and we have flown on the winds to outrace it. I need to garner an audience with the High King, and the best way to do that quickly is through a message sent via Andra."

Krinac *Pleione and Merope exchange introductions with everyone, servants are summoned with small bits of food.

Vance leans over to quietly ask Madrak a question. Vance mutters to Madrak, "... how..."

Merope says to Vance, "I'll contact her, but she has married now. I can't guarantee she will be as warm to you as in the past."

Madrak frowns thoughtfully.

Vance nods. "I understand. Still, she knows I would not ask unless the matter was grave indeed. You do not call on the High King as a whim."

Meriope says, "I'd best be on my way then. I'll speak to Andra, I'm sure Pleione will make you comfortable."

Vance nods. "I wish I had more time, Merope. I will make it up to you after the crisis has passed."

Pleione smiles at her sister wife, "Enjoy yourself." Merope rejoinders, "Not as much as you."

After Merope departs Pleione says, "I am sure you are tired and weary from the road. Why don't I have the servants show you to your quarters, and you can freshen up before you start talking to the nobility. I'm sure you will make a better impression that way."

Vance turns to his companions. "Though the ten kings rule jointly, there is a high king that is the most respected of them. He rules the province of Atlat and the capital city." He nods at Pleione's suggestion. "Rest. This may be the last sleep you get for a while."

Pleione nods, "I'll have the servants bring you some fresh clothing as well."

Vance nods quietly to Madrak.

Pleione looks to Vance, "Husband shouldn't we also retire?"

Jeanette chuckles softly, smiling.

Vance looks to Pleione. "I will join you shortly. I have a few things to run over for tomorrow, and want to make sure my companions' questions are answered."

A flash of fire touches Pleione's eyes but her rejoinder is soft, "Don't tarry to long." She sashays out of the room, leaving only Vance, the party, and some servants.

Sean says, "Perhaps two women is too much of a good thing after all."

Reed asks, "When did things suddenly become urgent?"

Vance sits back, and runs a hand through his hair. "It helps not to have several years pass between visits. Now, Madrak, tell them what you saw."

Madrak sighs. "It is not...something I can easily put into words."

Vance says "Try. Explain the scope and the time involved, if not the vision itself."

Madrak says "In a matter of days, perhaps hours, death will visit this city."

Vance says "Just the city? Or will this affect the rest of Thule, as well?"

Madrak paces. "It is not a vision. It may be more widespread, it may not. The city itself may survive. A number of its people, however, will not."

Vance nods. "We need to do what we can to stop this. I can't afford to have Thule weak and distracted by its internal problems."

Jeanette says "Could it be Amber, about to strike?"

Vance says "Impossible to say, without more information."

Jeanette nods. "I fear it all too likely."

Vance frowns. "I do not intend to simply react to whatever comes at us. We need to anticipate these strikes, and counter them before they start."

Jeanette says "Counter them how?"

Madrak says "I'm afraid I do not know any more than I've told you. The event itself is a mystery to me. I have not had a vision, only a...premonition."

Vance says "I don't know...yet. But I cannot do everything, despite my reputation. Madrak, have you ever fought against one of these premonitions? Averted the forthcoming death?"

Madrak rakes his lip with his teeth. "It...can be done. Not easily."

Vance says "Then, you have the night to come up with a plan. I have to ascertain the current political climate in Thule, have a favorable meeting with the high king, gain permission to once against visit the Watery Flame...Thule's Broken Pattern, and see if it is intact. I don't have time to do all of that and avert a disaster. Stop it, or at least keep it contained."

Madrak frowns. "I do not know if I can," he murmurs, brooding. He walks to the nearest window, and looks out at the city. "But I will try. I must warn you, however, that I rarely have enough warning to change the course of events. There will be, at best, a brush with death on a large scale. At worst... I do not know. I hope it will not follow Begma, but I do not know what may happen."

Reed says, "Too bad we didn't have warning of the attack on the Moonfish."

Vance nods, and glances to the others. "The rest of you will help him. You won't be able to affect the outcome of my tasks, since you are foreigners here." He pauses, and looks to Sunfall. "Though you have the potential of surviving the Watery Flame and being treated as a native."

Jeanette says "And the rest of us do not?"

Madrak sighs. "We were not in inevitable, mortal danger until they were upon us, Reed."

Vance says "I have seen Sunfall survive the Circle of Runes, and I ascertained her mettle there. The Watery Flame is a tougher challenge, but I believe she could handle it, if she's willing to take the risk."

Madrak says "Reed should observe and map this...'flame,' if it is permitted."

Vance says "I will do my best, Madrak. If he is not permitted, at the least I can bear his instruments there."

Reed nods, "Every little piece helps."

Vance glances to Reed. "If I was instructed, could I activate your instruments so the readings could be taken in your absence? You'd still be needed to decipher them, but it would make things easier in my audience with the kings."

Madrak nods, then holds up a finger. "A thought, Vance. Do you know how Thule might fit into the prophecy?"

Reed considers Vance's proposal, "I could lock it to what I think would be the best mode, but I usually adjust it on the fly to get the best data. It's really a hacked together system, a prototype not a finished product. Still better second hand data, than nothing at all."

Vance sighs. "I don't. Which troubles me. Vance nods to Reed. "We will see what my audience brings, then. Vance looks at Madrak, an intensity in his gaze. "There isn't a passage specifically relating to Begma, either."

Madrak bows his head. "Perhaps," he suggests quietly, "You should warn your wives to prepare to flee this place."

Jeanette hmms. "There are two that might apply, though..."

Madrak looks up at Jeanette pensively, as if fearing to entertain hope, but eager at the same time. "Think you so? Which two?"

Vance says "I have considered that possibility. But I must stay until my business is concluded here, and I cannot ask them to leave when I will not."

Jeanette quotes, "New builder, chases rings / Twin guards, Brother schemes. The arrangement of the city, in three circles, and the council of ten brother kings..."

Vance says "Twin guards seems out of place, though."

Jeanette says "Unless two of the ten are twins?"

Vance says "And there is little new building going on near the city. It is all developed."

Jeanette says "It can refer to more than buildings. But I do not recall anyone offering a meaning for this passage previously."

Madrak says "Perhaps the builder is new to Thule. Though what rings he might chase I cannot guess."

Vance says "The passage can apply to some of the other Broken Patterns, as well. The best prophecies are flexible."

Madrak amends. "Or she... still, you said two passages, Jeanette."

Jeanette nods. "I'm not so sure about the other."

Madrak shrugs. "Any theory is worth examining in a mystery."

Jeanette says "Wells toll, prisoner king / power claim, silence ring. I chose it simply for its mention immediately after the tale of Chiare, really."

Vance stands. "I must go to my wife, and plan for the morrow. Sleep well, and good luck. I am counting on you."

Madrak frowns. "Vance. Unless I miss my guess, you have resources for escape your wives do not. Tell them to prepare."

Vance nods. "I plan to...and I can take others with me, should it come to that."

Jeanette says "But can you take them all with you?"

Madrak says "I may have hours of warning as the premonition grows stronger. I may not see the moment until it is at hand. I do not know, and will not until it happens... bear that in mind. I would not overestimate the warning I can give you, or them."

Vance says "Two wives and two daughters? Yes, I think I can manage, provided I can get to a boat."

Jeanette says "All of the people who are threatened, I mean."

Vance nods to Madrak. He then says to Jeanette, "They will be warned, but I cannot part the sea for them."

Madrak sighs. "Nor I. A convenient wind is one thing... this, I fear, may be beyond my capacity. But where there is doubt, there is also hope. I will do what I may, and be grateful for any help the rest of you can give me."

Vance nods. "That is all I can ask, Madrak. I will see you in the morning." He turns, and heads toward his rooms.

Madrak says "Good even, Vance."

Jeanette nods. "Sleep well."

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