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Now Gaston, who has previously been under strict instructions to bar the door to visitors as though his life depended on it, is permitted to usher well-wishers and family into Lucas's presence.

A sharp knock brings him to the door.

"Presumably the Queen," says Lucas, before Gaston opens it.

As the door opens it reveals not only Vialle but Lilly as well. This is not entirely unexpected. Random named her something of a sword maiden in waiting after all. It is her duty to protect the queen. From that moment forth she has been something of Vialle's shadow. Ostensibly she has been playing the part of Lady in waiting. Evidently last night changed that.

Gone are the Amber style dresses she wore somewhat awkwardly. Today she is wearing black trousers with high black boots and a deep red jacket trimmed in gold. Her ever present sword hangs at her side. Her dark hair is woven into a neat braid instead of being piled in a bun atop her head. For whatever reason the current style seems to suit her better. Perhaps it is simply because she is far more comfortable in this sort of attire. True to herself though every hair is in place, every button gleaming; there is not a mark or a spot on her. Lilly just seems to have a way of always managing to look just so regardless of what she is doing.

Seeing Lucas she bows her head in greeting, eyes momentarily meeting his. She maintains her silence as she enters with Vialle, giving the queen the opportunity to speak first.

Lucas returns the bow with a slight inclination of his own dark head, a gestuure that displayed to perfection the rather fine cap he was wearing. His invalid status means that he does not rise to greet them, but he watches closely as Gaston moves to assist.

Vialle is clothed simply, in a dark green dress with a fitted bodice and a white underskirt, all trimmed in gold. The green sets off her dark hair, showing the hint of auburn in it. Her hair has been braided and pinned up around the thin gold circlet that marks her as Queen of Amber. Her eyes are unseeing, but she has an uncanny sense of direction and barely requires Gaston's help to find her way around the chamber

Gaston leads Vialle to Lucas' side with a minimum of fuss.

"Lucas," she says. "I'm pleased to hear that you're better. I was very worried about you when I heard you had been hurt in Dara's attack."

"Much better," he says, "and most grateful for your concern. Will you take a seat? Might I offer your refreshment? Lilly?"

"Please don't trouble yourself, Lucas. Your mother was most firm that I was not to offer you any tidbits or disrupt Gerard's regimen in any way. And neither of us would dare to thwart her will." She offers him a sunny smile that almost makes him believe the deadpan good humor in her voice.

"As you please," says Lucas. He quirks an eyebrow at Lilly to see if she wants anything - or if she holds herself strictly 'on duty'.

"I am fine, thank you." she says in reply. Judging from the post she has taken up near the door and her straight backed stance it is clear she is indeed on duty. That is not to say though that she is not concerned for Lucas. It is merely that she has a job to do. With Lilly duty and honor always come first.

Gaston ushers Vialle to a chair and helps her seat herself. She doesn't really need Gaston's help, of course, having visited Lucas in these chambers in the past, but he still hovers a bit.

Lucas waits until she and Lilly are settled before speaking again. As he addresses Vialle, his voice is less drawling and crisper than usual.

"I am honoured by your visit," he says. "You must have many pressing matters bearing in on you as a result of last night's alarms. I wish I were in a position to assist you, rather than constituting one of the problems - although a very minor one.

"I do hope to be on my feet and available for service in the next couple of days."

"It is more important that you be well than that you assist me," says Vialle. "I will find someone to aid me in the other endeavours."

"Ah, but none who can do them so stylishly," he rejoins. "Allow me that consolation at least!

Lilly refrains from rolling her eyes. Style over substance. That washer early impression of her cousin. She has assumed there would be more to him than that but has not really had the time to go looking for it. He certainly is not showing her much more right now.

"And I shall be well soon. And all the sooner if I am amused. Boredom sends me petulantly back into my pillows, but news of what wags the tail of the wicked world has me sitting up and taking notice, you know ...

"For example, I understand I narrowly missed being embroiled in a duel ... and missed a murder most foul ... and I'm not referring to my own narrow escape, of course ... "

A look of interest comes to Lilly's features. It would be most interesting to know how Vialle views the interchange between Aisling and Martin. She listens intently for the Queen reply.

Vialle says, "The story of the murder is true. One of the guards found the merchant Demond Harga'rel drowned in the champagne fountain. It seems someone may have taken advantage of the distraction of Dara's presence to kill him. I understand that your cousin Reid has started an investigation. I'm to meet with some of the surviving family members tomorrow, and I hope to have something to tell them." A little worried frown has marred her expression as she speaks of the merchant's demise.

"Of course," agrees Lucas.

"And of course, he's Duchess Valeria's father, so it's extremely politically sensitive."

"And related the half the Court of Rebma through his marriage, and his daughters, I believe," says Lucas quietly. "This circumstance must be peculiarly painful to you, your Majesty."

Interesting. Something shifted in Lily's mind as Lucas said those words. Sometimes things only became clear when they were voiced in such a simple way. This murder might just have to move up a notch on her own personal list of priorities after all.

Vialle adds, "The duel I don't know about. I've been told Martin quarrelled with Aisling and I've been told he was injured--but he seems to have left the castle without help. I'm not surprised if he's a bit--defensive--around Aisling. He was almost murdered in the war, you know, and it's made him bitter." She shakes her head sadly.

Lucas' heavy eyelids lift a fraction. "He does not speak of it," he says. "I had assumed the facts were known to ... very few."

"His father," Vialle says quietly, by way of agreement with Lucas.

"Of course," agrees Lucas. He is watching Vialle's expression, with an expression of gentle sympathy on his face - although only Lilly is in a position to register it.

"From what I gather," Lilly interjects, "There was an exchange of words. Martin does not believe Aisling's days of spying have ended. He also feels, I gather, that the information she sent is still being used against us. When the Prince brought this up, it was Aisling who became defensive. If the rumours I have heard are true, and I've no reason to believe they are not, she stopped just shy of calling him a liar at one point. Of course Martin interpreted as her calling him a liar so the semantics of it are somewhat irrelevant.

"Well, yes," says Lucas thoughtfully. "And yet that might be put to some use - although Martin is not usually amenable to sophistry, I will admit."

Lilly nods. Lucas has surprisingly voiced her own thoughts on the matter. "I expect there to be some sort of confrontation when Martin returns. It should be interesting to say the least."

"I can only hope it does not result in bloodshed," says Vialle. "Amber will need all her defenders now."

"Indeed she will," agrees Lucas. "Indeed she will. I myself am making every effort to recover apace ... "

However, reclining indolently in his furred robe in his armchair, it seems more that he is inclined to let nature take its course.

"The matter has been discussed among my fellow knights. We too would like to see a peaceful resolution." Lilly leaves it at that for the moment. She is not comfortable discussing the details of that particular discussion.

He allows a slight pause to develop before adding, "And what steps, your Majesty, do you feel are necessary to avoid this unfortunate outcome of the quarrel?"

Vialle straightens slightly. "That depends on many things. Martin is out of Amber, and Random said I was not to contact him unless--" She clamps down on that very distressing thought and goes on.

"I do not yet know whether Aisling proposes to challenge Martin for his comments, or what she might be willing to do to see the matter disposed of without a duel. Do you think it would be reasonable to delay any duel on the grounds that the current crisis does not permit it?" The Queen cocks her head in Lucas' direction, perhaps to better listen to his reply.

"That could be done," says Lucas slowly. "It would probably take an edict forbidding duelling while the current crisis lasts, and - quite frankly - I would not advise doing something that would be so unpopular and divisive."

Vialle frowns. "I had thought to forbid Martin from duelling until his father returned because of his particular duties to the crown, but you're probably right."

"I think that forbidding Martin to do something that he feels touches on his honour would not be well received," says Lucas. "Most men are sensitive in such areas - I am myself. And I feel that open conflict - or even the rumour of conflict between you and the Prince is something you would wish to avoid."

Lilly nods. She hoped her cousin realized that there were women who were sensitive those areas too. Now was not the time for that discussion however so she kept the thought to herself.

"I have an alternative suggestion. I don't believe this duel can be wholly avoided - but it might be possible to mitigate the consequences. First blood, rather than death, for example. But tact ... diplomacy ... a certain finesse will all be called for.

"If you grant me the authority to act in your name in this matter - and in any other similar matters that should occur - then I shall use my best efforts to achieve a satisfactory outcome."

"If I may add your majesty, Lucas *is* a perhaps the best choice for this. Certainly he represents the most impartiality," Lilly says to the Queen.

Lucas smiles - it comes perilously close to being a smirk but dips one toe in those waters and retreats into blandness.

Her body language alters slightly as she continues speaking clearly indicating that her next comment is meant for Lucas as well. "You should also be aware that Aisling has made herself open to suggestions by her fellow knights as to how to handle the situation. I think she will accept any guidance we give her. Certainly none among us wish for this to end in death."

Lucas nods. "Yes," he says, "I was expecting Aisling to approach one of the Knights to act as second. Will they be amenable to that?

"I believe so." Lilly answers.

"You see," he said to both Vialle and Lily, "it seems to me that this duel could be particularly dangerous in driving a wedge between two factions in Amber that are not yet openly acknowledged - those who fought, and those who stayed. Martin is, for various reasons, many totally unconnected with his father, pre-eminent in the second group. Aisling is identified with the first. The fact that the Knights have discussed this among yourselves is, perhaps, indicative of a greater malaise."

"Malaise?" asks Vialle. "I'm not quite sure what you mean, Lucas."

Lucas pauses, as though weighing his words, glancing at both Lilly and Vialle. "I believe that there is a very real danger of Amber, in these difficult times, either splitting into two factions or being perceived to be splitting into two factions which would, almost inevitably, lead to a real split.

"The fact that the Knights may not be the best people to advise her on the delicacies of handling such a situation in Amber itself is one example. Clearly you see yourselves as her advisers - a cohesive group. I think it would be better that if the Knights were to meet and discuss this, it might actually be wise to have some people from ... ah ... the Stayers present, not only to give their advice - which would be useful - but also to give the appearance that this is not a partisan matter.

"The public face could start to look very ugly; that the Knights are working with a possible traitor against the Heir Presumptive. Think what the scandal sheets could do with that. But with a little thought and tact, it could be avoided."

He smiles, a little scornfully. "Not that anyone has accused me of tact lately," he murmurs.

Lilly shrugs. "The Knights of the Order of the Ruby is a cohesive group Lucas. That is the nature of any knightly order. To be honest we did not meet to discuss Aisling and Martin. We meet regularly to discuss any number of things pertaining to the safety and security of Amber. This morning was simply a scheduled meeting."

Lucas simply nods, taking the news of the meeting - if it is news to him - with unruffled calm.

She pauses for a moment to gather her thoughts before she allows herself to go off on an Aisling tangent. It's not a road she cares to take at the moment. "I should say that I do agree with you in some ways though. There are two distinct groups here in the palace right now. We have not really learned how to bridge our differences. We need to do that. Though and tact are called for in all of our actions. Not just the ones concerning Martin and Aisling."

"Indeed," says Lucas. "Worthy sentiments, which I applaud."

Then he turns to Vialle, who was listening with interest to the interchange. "That aside though, the whole issue of the duel is liable to lead noble hotheads to imitate royal examples. That is why the authority to act in your name would be beneficial. I would wish to hold discussions with the Watch as the best way to proceed, and then to take action as they and I deem appropriate, without running to you each time for permission to do this or that - delightful though it is to run to you, my Queen. Still, I am sure to find other occasion for that."

Vialle laughed lightly. "I am sure you will, Lucas. Very well, I'll have a patent written up appointing you--what? Official mediator? There won't be that many duels, I hope; the dueling class isn't that large, or that quarrelsome, most of the time. There will be some violent quarrels in the lower classes, but Sir Archer won't need your help to mediate there. He'll just arrest the perpetrators. Still, it can't hurt to coordinate things with him." --

I think that is an excellent suggestion," says Lucas. "As for titles ... I am not sure this will take sufficient of my time to merit a title. But Official Mediator will do as well as another, I imagine. Who knows," he added with a glance at Lilly, "it might even suggest to the Knights that such a Mediator could be useful in overcoming what is perceived to be a division in our ranks, to filch a military metaphor which I am, of course, totally unentitled to use."

Lilly is treated to a particularly lizard-like smile.

From the return look it is quite clear Lilly gets his point. It was something she would discuss with the others in due time.

Vialle says, "Let us all hope the Knights do not consider Martin's behavior to make the office necessary."

"I think," says Lucas with careful delicacy, "that this issue of division goes somewhat deeper than Martin's behaviour - or, indeed, the behaviour of any individual."

"Now, let us turn our minds to more important matters. I wish you would do me the honour of feeling my hat. Doubtless you have been told of the abominable injury I have suffered, and I fear for some days I must be behatted to compensate for this ... My sweet Hope has been at great pains to find the soft possible fur and feathers to trim this particular headpiece and has, I am happy to say, produced something rather fine - although I suspect my mother added the finishing touches. But it would send Hope into ecstatic delight if the next time you meet with her, you could assure her that you have never touched softer fur or a finer feather."

He reaches out to take her hands gently and guide them.

A look of amused delight comes to Lilly's face. Whatever she thinks of Lucas and his politics she has firmly put aside for the moment. Right now she sees only a devoted father. It is that image that seems to please her more then any other.

Vialle lets Lucas take hold of her hands and, with his assistance, reaches over to stroke the cap and its soft decorations. She smiles as her fingertips lightly touch the fur and feathers.

"I will be certain to tell her so," Vialle says.

"Thank you," says Lucas. "She has still not forgotten the day you let her handle one of your sculptures. I believe she has an artistic soul."

"Speaking of your family Lucas, if there is anything I can do to aid them, right now be sure to let me know." Lilly says. She realizes he has probably had a hundred such offers but she still feels obliged to make her own. Even with the obligation though the sentiment is sincere.

Another heavy-lidded look from Lucas and then a smile. "I shall pass your kind offer to Solace. She has been much stregthened to know how many kind friends she has in the Castle."

"If there is anything I can do, or have done, for either of you, do not hesitate to let me know either," Vialle offers.

From the corner of their eyes, Lucas and Lilly can see that Gaston has returned. He glances significantly at the door, as if there is someone waiting beyond it.

"Thank you," says Lucas to Vialle, his voice unruffled. To Gaston he makes a sign, which the man acknowledges with a bow of his head before withdrawing.

"I think, at the moment, the greatest service you could both render me is to assure my mother and Gerard how well you found me. Otherwise I fear I shall be immured within my chamber walls for an almost indefinite period.

"And the greatest kindness you can do, my Queen, is to visit me if you should find time again. Although, I hope, on our next encounter, it is I who will come to you."

Lilly remains passive. Any report she gave to Florimel or Gerard was sure to be accurate. She was not about to promise anything other. Still he did seem well enough. If this were a desperate situation she might not even see the point of wasting a man in such good condition. But it was not that type of war. They had time. The better rested he was the more useful he would be.

Vialle's smile is evident in her voice as she agrees, "I hope so as well. I will tell your mother and your physician that I found you surprisingly well and alert." She leans forward and slides her arms around Lucas in a kinswoman's embrace, then releases him.

"And now we'll take our leave, and let you rest, Lucas. I'll call on you again tomorrow, unless Gerard pronounces you fit to visit me first."

Lilly allows the Queen closing words before voicing her own. A simple '"good day" before departing.

 

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II: Letters to an invalid | Index | IV: Receiving Aisiling