ShootingStraight

From IMiA

By the time Patrice and Phillip wander out to the lawn, the servants have already brought out the bows and quivers of arrows and the targets have been set up. Patrice has changed into jodphurs and riding boots, which will give her better footing on the grass.

"So," she says to Phillip, taking her bow and testing the pull, "this business at Wesson's Pub. Do you think it's really over or are you just telling Juliana that?"

"The immediate danger is over," he nods. "We saw to that. Still, there will be residual effects, aftershocksif you will, that may persist for a time. Yet the larger problem remains. We will continue to have trouble unless a cure can be found-though as long as no one does anything incredibly foolish, the center should hold."

"And the odds of someone doing something incredibly foolish in this city are very high, aren't they?" Patrice replies with a wry smile. She takes an arrow and starts to sight down it.

"What about the larger problem? Is this something I can help you with, or is this going to be one of those things that's over my head because I slept through tutoring in esoterica? Or is there a social angle I can use for you?"

Phillip chuckles. "The larger problem is beyond any of us. The King goes to deal with it now."

He watches her aim. "You can do what the rest of us will do. Watch for things that seem odd or out of place. ill omens. Dark strangers. Strange things entering from Shadow. If we know about them, we can deal with them."

Phillip picks up his own bow. "As for anyone doing anything foolish, this would require a certain gift for foolishness and power. Thankfully, most people do not meet the requirements. This would take a Royal. Or perhaps a Feldane Archmage. Something may have to be done about Maximillian Feldane." Phillip does not need to say that Max is a Feldane Archmage known to keep company with Princess Fiona.

Patrice nods, and Phillip suspects she's keeping some thought that would be too indelicate to say to herself. After a moment, she says, "That would be very big game for my big brother. But I'll help if you need me. And of course I'll keep an eye out for anything unusual, although I suspect your resources for that kind of thing are far better than mine."

She adds, "I'm sorry I was teasing you earlier, about the circus. That sounds to me to be exactly the kind of place a dark, strange troublemaker might come from. I shall look out for foreign malefactors while Juliana and I are there."

"Precisely my thought," he agrees.

Phillip watches Patrice for some time in silence. Then, "I want you to be careful. Things are going to be quite different, I think. Either everything will go well and things will return to normal quickly or the King will be gone for some time, perhaps years or longer. If that happens..."

Patrice is a good shot, as Phillip knows, but that last comment is enough to send her arrow wild, and it flies past the target and into a tree. She looks disgustedly at the arrow for a moment before turning to meet her brother's gaze. "Our lives will all become very complicated if that happens. Or when that happens."

"The Princes will fight for power. Their supporters will push them towards the throne and against each other. The nobility will seek to ally themselves with whichever Prince holds the best hand. Those alliances will be rather fluid, I imagine. And in the underworld, the crime lords will sense the vacuum of power above and without the King to check them, will grow ever more bold. They have already grown too bold, doubtless a symptom of the illness plaguing Amber."

Patrice nods, slowly.

"Then the question for us is how we can best protect Amber ... and Carlisle."

"I have been bringing Carlisle to war footing for some time now. Fortunately, the other nobility have largely been too distracted by their own games to notice or care. When the time comes, we will be in the best position possible. We will have to make a choice. If we choose well, we will help set the right Prince in power. If we choose poorly, we are doomed."

Phillip studies Patrice's face. "What are your thoughts?"

"I think you've already made your decision, Phillip. Haven't you?"

"Eric is the most logical choice of the lot of them. He has command of the troops and good ties to the Rangers and the Admiralty. He is also the one who has spent time learning how to do the job. His weakness is that the King clearly never wanted him to be his heir. Still, he is a better choice than Bleys."

Phillip pauses, frowns. "Though it might make things somewhat...awkward."

Patrice nods. She leans her bow against the stand and comes to Phillip, offering him her hand. "I know it's got to be difficult for you."

He takes her hand and smiles."It is a complication to be certain." He frowns again. "Did you know she is being blackmailed and threatened?"

Patrice lets out a breath that might be a sigh. "No. But I'm not surprised. She could exercise a lot of leverage right now. I assume we don't know who's responsible, or the problem would already be solved."

"Kalledron the Scholar," he replies. "One of the Crime Lords. Sir Reginald intercepted his message to Juliana at Arbor House and warned me about it. I've been working on the matter since then, but there have been other distractions as you well know. Kalledron knows too much about her past. I am certain DCI Garrett does as well. The difference is that Abigail Irene doesn't care unless the King tells her to care. Kalledron cares and wants to control her. Juliana now knows that I am aware of this."

"I'll keep quiet until and unless she decides to confide in me. I don't care, except as it affects you and the family. You know that. Do we know what particular measures the Scholar wants her to take? And do we know what the penalties for noncompliance are?" Patrice frowns thoughtfully as she begins to run through possible scenarios in her head.

"He was primarily bragging that he knew about her past and made no demands as of yet," Phillip says. "I have begun using my resources to deal with the situation."

Patrice nods.

He pauses, looks Patrice in the eyes. "There is another matter that Juliana does not yet know about. I met a girl a few days ago. The Scholar is quite interested in her as well."

"One of Juliana's?" Patrice asks, meeting her brother's gaze as if trying to determine from his expression and tone where this might be going.

"That is a more interesting question than you know," Phillip sighs. "She looks as I imagine a teenaged Juliana might look..."

Patrice raises her eyebrows. "Remind me again whether Juliana has any sisters or brothers, Phillip. Because the first line of thought is simply impossible.

"Should I look in on the girl, or will that be drawing too much attention to her?"

"She does, though the girl is not known to be of her family." He pauses, considers. "I encountered her near Wesson's Pub. She was being pursued by Captain Dane. Perhaps you heard of the cariacatures? She is the artist responsible. I helped her escape and the carriage delivered her to Southside. I've set someone reliable to watching over her. I'm waiting for his report."

Patrice nods again in answer to the question about the caricatures.

"The Scholar's interest bodes ill for her. It would probably be too direct if I were to engage her for a portrait, but perhaps I could interest one of my friends in a portrait."

"Perhaps," Phillip agrees. "I am considering the possibility that she may need to be placed under my protection."

"That is serious. Have you mentioned this to Juliana?" With her free hand, Patrice brushes a stray lock of hair out of her brother's eyes.

"No," he answers. "I might have to eventually, but I prefer not to do so until all the facts are in."

"That could also be sticky, depending on how much protection the girl needs." Patrice releases Phillip's hand and turns slightly to wave at the servant who has come out to the edge of the lawn.

"I think we're going to have a drink now. Have the usual brought down for us. Thank you."

Patrice waits until the servant has gone back into the house to continue the discussion with Phillip. "And of course, until the facts are in, you can't even consider what the best course of action will be."

With a rueful shake of the head, she adds, "I thank the Unicorn none of my escapades ever got me married off."

Phillip's eyes darken. "That might have proven awkward, yes." Then, "Yet, it was not an entirely unwise move, and it is not without merit, but it is...complicated."

"It's come to suit you, Phillip. I'm too set in my ways to ... accommodate a husband. To make it work. I can only hope that independent women become fashionable under the new social regime."

He smiles.

Patrice takes up her bow again.

"What do you make of this business with Deirdre? The party invitation, and the circus?"

"With Deirdre there are always a number of possibilities and behind those a few more you hadn't considered. She may be doing it simply to keep an eye on Juliana. She might be doing it to gain leverage on Eric. Or me. And she might just think it sounds interesting."

Patrice nocks an arrow, sights, and lets fly. This one strikes near the center of the target.

"I shall assume that I understand about ten percent of her purposes, that what I don't understand is at best neutral to you, and act accordingly." She turns back to look at Phillip. "I don't trust her and never have. While I'm busy thanking the Unicorn, I'll add how grateful I am that her wretched brother is no longer among the living. I shudder to think what a court with Corwin as regent and Deirdre as chatelaine would look like. Worse than Bleys and Fiona."

Phillip frowns. "Indeed." He looks to the target. "you now have some idea of what I am about. What of you?"

"I came to the city to get out of Mother's hair for a while, and to get her out of mine. I have investments to look in on, the candy business and such, and other things I might like to invest in. But ... honestly, Phillip, a large part of it is that I just feel so, well, restless. If not useless."

Patrice takes another arrow and nocks it. This time, when she lets fly, the arrow strikes midway between the center and the top of the target.

"I don't wish I'd been born a man. I do wish I had more of, not even the freedoms you have, Phillip, for I don't feel lacking in those. But I'm tired of having nothing more consequential to do with my life than decide which Bayle vintage the girls will drink at our houseparties. I'm going to make a place for myself in the city, Phillip. I'm going to do something different with my life. I don't know quite what yet, but when I find it, I'm going to grab onto it with both hands and hang on for dear life."

Phillips nods. "You know tha if you want my aid, it is yours. Likewise, if you do not wish me to do so, I will not.""

"I can't ask you to take on any more burdens when your own life is so ... complicated." But Patrice is smiling as she says so.

"You don't have to ask. You are never a burden."

She glances up and waves again at the youth who is bringing down a silver tray with two drinks from the house.

Phillip takes his drink and hands Patrice hers.

Patrice nods at the boy as he heads back up to the house, and waits until he's out of earshot again to continue.

"You're a white knight, Phillip. If I find myself tied to a stake with a dragon about to eat me, it would be cruel of me not to call on you for a rescue. But I shall endeavor not to end up in that situation."

She raises her glass. "To not ending up in that situation."

He smiles. "To not ending up in that situation."

-- Main.GingerStampley - 19 Oct 2004