Arrotel and Alamor

[Icebird]

'Well, that certainly puts a different spin on things.'

"Yes, I am from Amber. But trumps come from many places, even from shadow now. Where do you hail from?"

[Wired*Nun]

A smile. "But Pattern Trumps come from Amberites, mostly. You can say I am from the Courts, though I have only been there twice, properly speaking. That side of things, in any case. There are a lot more Chaos Lords than there are Amberites, after all." He holds his hands out over the fire, warming them. "I am out exploring shadow, and I wanted to meet an Amberite, for curiosity's sake. I have had to come a long ways from my home to find one. I am happy to make your acquaintance. Has your journey been pleasant?"

[Icebird]

"Yes, very much so. I was taking a quick excursion to refresh my spirits before returning to the task at hand. I don't belive that I have ever met a Choas Lord before either, so it is a pleasure, even if my friend Telloth," Arrotel gestures, "belives you to be several days dead."

He watches very closely to see what reaction this provokes.

[Wired*Nun]

The ivory smile in the ebony face widens. "The dead have no need of speaking, but I understand his feelings. I am old enough to make the Change. It is the price of power, and of immortality, for my kind. Yet, I live, and sit before you now. My flesh decays not, but neither does my heart beat as a man's does. I have passed from the natural to the unnatural, but do not mistake unnatural for evil or profane. I have friends, lovers, likes and dislikes, joys and sorrows." His smile seems more forced now, as if he has defended himself in this manner before.

[Icebird]

'There, see? Something to be very worried about, but no immidiate danger.'

"Well, live and let live, I have heard others say, althogh I suppose that this situation would stretch the boundries of grammer in a whole new direction. Live and let mostly live except in the biological sense?
There are certainly many strange things to see in the universe, and I certainly haven't but scratched the surface. If I may be so bold as to venture a guess, I would say that you are perhaps a vampire?"

[Wired*Nun]

"The same way your companion is just another bird, I suspect. I had hopes that those of Amber of all people would take life as they find it, not as they wish it to be. Bah. In my kindest thoughts I judge you ignorant. What defends you against the charge of bigotry?"

[Icebird]

"Humor. I made no attack- I simply tried to change my earlier mistake into a joke. And I certainly am ignorant, as I have just myself finished saying. If it was the comment about a vampire, enlighten me as to the true nature of the situation that I may not repeat my mistake."

[Wired*Nun]

"Calling me a vampire is akin to calling you an ape. That's probably as clear as I can make it. We are transformed, or embraced, or some even say ascended. Homo Nocturnis, if you are of a classical bent. I just prefer to call it another stage of life - one which not even some of the vaunted dwellers in Amber have entirely avoided embracing...if you will pardon the pun. You will also pardon me, I do not mean to brand you for the sake of your fellows, but the irony is inescapable, given our blood ties...don't you think?"

[Icebird]

"I will not do so again. I must confess, I am unaware of any blood ties directly between us two, other than the ancient ones of Dwarkin. I do believe that that is one of our side's weaknesses- the ties that bind can also strangle. The old saying has circulated so long that it has become true, while originally it may have been true for only a portion of us. It is better to trust a stranger than family- with the stranger, there is at least a chance you might be safe."

[Wired*Nun]

The hiss of escaping breath shows that Alamor is listening closely. "Ancient, yes, but not so far removed. You are of the third generation, only, since the Rebel stole the Left Eye. Little enough time to grow apart, I would say. Blood feuds have raged in the Courts for far longer. Blood cries out for blood! I'm sick of the lot of them. I'll make my own way, that's my vow."

"So...what is it that Amberites talk about on long cold nights by the fire? Women? Victories? Each other?"

[Icebird]

"Well, most likely each other all of the above, although I am too young to know. Looks are decieving in Amberites- we reach an age and stay unchanged forever, making it impossible to judge our true life span. I, on the other hand, really am my apparent age. It always ammuses me that I am likely the great great cousin once removed of many from your end. I never have tried to find out exactly what it is, but something of that sort anyways. And even odder, in my family there are people who really do know."

[Wired*Nun]

"Yes! That's what has always fascinated me, the deceit and the similarities between us. My father liked to say that Amber and Chaos are mirrors, and mirrors show the same thing from different perspectives. Do you mind if I travel in your company for a time? Feel free to contact someone if you are concerned about your safety, after all, we 'vampires' can be dangerous, right?" That cheshire-cat smile seems to be floating in midair, so black is Alamor's skin.

[Icebird]

"As can we young'uns. I have no qualms, although as I said, I am on my way back to Amber. Perhaps I shall show you some of it. As for mirrors, have you ever heard of the hall of mirrors? It is said that it can be found anywhere in Amber, and there were references to it being elsewhere as well, even in chaos."

[Wired*Nun]

"No, of that I have never heard. What is it? You make it sound as if this thing moves, or are there more than one of them? But there are many strange things in Substance and Shadow, of that I do know. One thing I have heard of, and it fascinates me. I have heard of some new thing, which I was hoping you had some news of, which is a thing called a Maze. I very much want to see this thing, for I have been told it respresents a route to different powers, not beholden to either Amber or Chaos. Have you heard of this thing?"

[Icebird]

"It is, as the name implies, a hall full of mirrors. They reflect many things other than their surroundings- rumors tell of dead people, places long lost or yet to be, and advice, both good and bad. It shows up anywhere- defying the common laws of physics regarding just where a castle hallway can placed and when it can appear."

Arrotel sits for a moment, thinking before he continues. A slight frown creases his face.

"Do not be so swift to search for the Maze in idle curiosity. It has a guardian, or whatever you wish to call it, the Nightmare. A mad cross between the Unicorn and the Serpent, and it tried to kill both me and my father without a word last time we saw it. The maze itself is a crisscross of green lines that shift slowly, like a green ocean. I wanted to walk it, but my last encounter with its guardian cured me of that. If you ever see it, have escape close at hand."

[Wired*Nun]

"Fascinating! And I am not afraid, of Nightmare or dream. If it judges me not worthy, then I will go, and bother it no more. Perhaps, once we have said all there is to be said to each other, you can show me the way to find it? You need not come near it, and you would have my gratitude."

[Icebird]

"Be warry, not afraid, I would say. There are three mazes that I have heard of, each located fairly close to each other in a series of storybook shadows. Have you heard of the Keep of Four Worlds? The maze is there, as well as in two other nearby settings from popular books."

If not, Arrotel will explain the Keep's metaphysical location as best he can.

[Wired*Nun]

In the middle of his explanations, Arrotel receives a Trump call from Raevyn. Should he go through, Alamor would like to accompany him. [If so, move yourself to the other thread and go on there as far as you can]

[LynMars]

Ravyn's quick Trump explanation to Arrotel; he may, if sensitive enough, pick up twinges of inadequacy (like when she talks about not being able to help Roland directly herself), worry for the others, and urgency.

[i]"Arrotel, it's Raevyn; the Keep of the Four Worlds is under attack by Chaos forces, and now someone seems to be mucking with the Fount itself. Kat and her men are outside trying to hold the gate along with Dunstan and Josh, leaving Roland to defend the Fount alone. I'm with Lady Jasra, I can't help him. We need your group's help; Gray's healing skills, and you and Heldrik to help Roland. Please?"