A Clandestine Meeting of the Interminably Lachrymal Order of the Deniable Moth

Pt 3: Nachtherrin

“Well,” says Eisigenrache, settling back into his stall, “we’d better elect a new head of the Order… any nominations?”

Constance looks to catch Ariel’s eye and therefore his lead.

Ariel isn’t looking at Constance; he’s turned and is advancing on his stall, the other side of the late Ubermeister’s from hers. Everyone else is also returning to their seats, Todmaschine and Wunderschontod reluctantly.

Constance also returns to her seat and waits for proceedings.

Everyone looks at Constance, apparently she’s meant to make the first nomination. Come to think of it, her name did appear right after Ubermeister’s and her stall is to the right of his, in the pre-eminent position.

“Fellows,” Constance catches the gaze of the members of the Order. “I choose to nominate Vorneweg for our new Head of Order.”

Vorneweg nods once, accepting his nomination but not looking particularly happy about it. “And I nominate Eisigenrache…”

“Declined!” replies the frost-demon, emphatically.

The vampiress smiles lasciviously, “I think Grossehinrichtung’s talents are under-appreciated and under-used.” Elephant-head looks startled to be named.

Hartmann shakes his head. “The ones I would nominate have already been named.”

“Hartmann!” states Eisigenrache.

The cyborg, elephant-head and Rachael all shake their heads.

“Nachtherrin!” announces Dolchstoss, with a smile.

Blitzstrahl shakes his head, “Pass”.

Wunderschontod, despite having the longest to think already, takes some time to mull things over, wings fluttering in agitation. “Strahlendflieger?” he finally announces, tentatively.

“No,” replies Rachael, “I will be leaving soon and the Order needs continuity more than anything.”

“Anyone else?” asks Ariel, “Each of us may proffer as many names as we choose…”

“I will also be leaving soon, by My Lady’s Grace and, like Strahlendflieger, I would see continuity for our Order but I also seek a clear renewed sense of purpose. What is our future and how can we regain our Royal warrant? Vorneweg, what thought has been put to these challenges?”

“These issues require direction from the head of our Order,” replies Ariel, “our most pressing concern is therefore this election.”

“Why do you ask these questions?” asks Hartmann. “They cannot be answered save by the head of the Order.”

Eisigenrache asks rhetorically, “When King Oberon’s death became known, did not Amber seek a new King?”

“Before even leaving the battlefield,” finishes the vampiress.

Constance shakes her head mildly. “The new King was selected by the Unicorn. Various factions had sought the crown but it was the Unicorn who chose.”

“That’s not the point,” contradicts Hartmann. “You are quibbling about mechanism but the inescapable truth is that as soon as the death of the late King Oberon became generally known, Amber had a new King within but a few minutes.”

“The King is dead!” interjects the vampiress with a twisted smile, “Long live the King!”

Ariel speaks again. “I ask again, for the third and final time, are there any more nominations?”

Constance remains quiet and watchful.

There’s a long silence while ten pairs of eyes and Todmaschine’s single electronic equivalent move from one face to another, waiting for someone to speak…

Constance raises an eyebrow. “Well then. We would appear to have nominations for Vorneweg, Nachtherrin, Hartman and Grossehinrichtung,” she smiles warmly. “How do we proceed please?”

“Well we all know the candidates,” replies Eisigenrache, “so I move that we go to a vote... unless,” he continues testily, with his eyes on Constance, “some of us feel the need to question them regarding policies?”

The vampiress shrugs, “Might be fun…?”

Constance smiles a very innocent smile. “Why what an excellent idea, Eisigenrache! And as I don’t know the candidates terribly well it would be... informative for me, if not fun,” she turns her gaze to the Vampiress, “…to learn of their intentions before we vote on their suitability for this important role.”

The vampiress smirks as Eisigenrache bestows her a dirty look and suddenly Constance can see a clear family resemblance between the frost demon and Suhuy. “Very well, in order of nomination…”

All eyes look to Ariel who seems suddenly uncomfortable with all the attention. “Oh! Ah… yes… well I suppose I am a little… um… inexperienced in the leadership role but I suppose I would… make soundings among the Order and then form policies… based on what you all think…?”

“In other words,” comments the vampiress, caustically, “you’d blow with the wind?”

“Yes!” replies Ariel, delighted that someone gets it so easily.

“Alternatively, Ariel, ” interjects Constance, “you prefer to listen to the wealth of experience around you before committing the Order to a particular decision or direction.” She nods. “That sounds admirable.”

Ariel looks like someone who knows he’s being flattered so as not to hurt his feelings. The vampiress, frost demon, Blitzstrahl and the butterfly all look at Constance as if she’s grown an extra head (which may happen more often in Chaos but is still sufficiently rare to be remarked upon). Dolchstoss doubles-up laughing.

Most of the others are too hard to read but Constance guesses that no one else here sees Ariel as leadership materiel, including Ariel himself. “Next nominee please,” she requests.

Eyes look to Grossehinrichtung. With a little more time to prepare he’s not so overwhelmed as Ariel. “First I shall not pursue Lord William immediately, at least until after the funeral of King Oberon. Then I shall chair a discussion within the Order to determine whether we should formally pursue vengeance in the long term. There are pros and cons either way.

“As you know, I am first and foremost a warrior so my personal leaning at this time is toward long-term vengeance – it is, after all, the foundation of our Order. But I think honour demands only one more attempt on Lord William – if he survives three assaults by our Order then clearly it is not mean to be – and I am not prepared to use the methods outlined by Ubermeister.”

Elephant-head’s words meet with a general nodding of heads from around the Order – it all seems very reasonable so far.

“However I would not be content to allow the… ‘other culprit’ to be allowed to escape without sanction. Obviously direct assault is out of the question but I wonder if we might not pursue our goal through more… subtle means – perhaps by supporting others? Alternatively we need to replace recent losses so perhaps we might recruit an assassin willing to die for the cause…?”

Constance can tell that mention of vengeance against the High King does not go down so well, nor the idea of recruiting ‘an assassin willing to die for the cause’.

After a suitable time to allow for thought and questions arising, when they don’t Eisigenrache (Constance probably can’t help wondering why such an obviously adept manager of people ruled himself out of the leadership contest) asks, “And Hartmann…?”

“You all know where I stand. I believe we should pursue vengeance against Lord William but not until the truce ends. I do not hold with action, no matter how ‘subtle’, against our sovereign. But whatever the future holds for us, my watchword would always be ‘restraint’. All sanctions, of whatever nature, would be achieved as an Order, through concerted action and exhaustive planning.”

Constance tries to catch Rachael’s eye. She returns the glance with a miniscule shrug, evidently she’s heard nothing to draw her vote so far.

Eisigenrache seems slightly disappointed, though whether that’s with Hartmann’s manifesto or with the lack of questions for his nominee is hard to say. “And finally Nachtherrin…”

The vampiress sits up with a wry grin, “Well I don’t buy all this vengeance malarkey. I say we forget Lord William and the King and go back to being champions of the underdog. I kind of like the Amberites anyway.”

“We know,” smirks Dolchstoss.

Constance blushes slightly.

“Well?” demands Eisigenrache, “Are you satisfied? Can we move to the vote now?”

Constance looks for a consensus. “I am as ready as I will ever be, thank you Eisigenrache.”

“Very well, then. It is permissible to vote for yourself but everyone will regard it as being in extremely poor taste.” He nods to Constance to cast the first vote.

“My vote is for…” she pauses consideringly, “Nachtherrin.”

The usual suspects are hard to read but everyone else merely nods to indicate this doesn’t surprise them – or possibly they try to give the impression of not being surprised – or maybe they just don’t care. At least Ariel doesn’t seem disappointed to find his lone supporter has deserted him. Only Rachael wrinkles her nose in distaste – Constance’s choice might not sit well with her, though Constance gets the feeling it’s more complicated than that.

Ariel’s brow furrows in consternation and he takes some time weighing his decision. Eventually he heaves a great sigh and says, “Yes… Nachtherrin.”

Nachtherrin chimes in without hesitation, “Grossehinrichtung”.

“Grossehinrichtung,” repeats Hartmann, equally emphatic but managing to lend gravitas to his decision, rather than making it sound as if he just doesn’t care.

Eisigenrache has clearly been unswayed by the debates. “Hartmann,” he affirms quietly. Todmaschine also votes for the statue, as does Grossehinrichtung, all with little indication of protracted thought.

But Rachael seems deeply conflicted, spending quite some time wrestling within. Eventually, as if settling for the least of many evils, she votes, “Ariel”, to everyone’s surprise.

“Nachtherrin,” votes the lizard-man, gleefully.

“Hartmann,” votes Blitzstrahl, heavily.

Finally Wunderschontod flutters his wings in agitation. It seems he also finds it difficult to choose. At last he breathes out, “Nachtherrin”.

Eisigenrache sighs, “So that’s four votes each for Hartmann and Nachtherrin, two for Grossehinrichtung and one for Vorneweg.”

“Naturally I withdraw my candidature.” Ariel seems frankly relieved. “Strahlendflieger, you will need to transfer your vote.”

Rachael seems truly conflicted at the choice between the vampiress, elephant-head and the statue. Shebites her lip and looks around the Order, wrestling with her conscience. “Grossehinrichtung,” is her final decision, but she doesn’t look happy about it.

There’s a ‘tut’ of irritation from Eisigenrache. “So that’s four – four – three, with Grossehinrichtung behind Nachtherrin and Hartmann. Does anyone want to change their vote?”

Constance gazes again at Rachael, who looks as if she’s chewing lemons – you would think Nachtherrin’s professed manifesto would suit her down to the ground but clearly it’s not as simple as that. It’s obvious that Grossehinrichtung is about to withdraw from the leadership contest and Constance can see that Rachael sees it coming too, in which case she will be given a straight choice between a candidate who intends to pursue vengeance against her husband-to-be and one who admits to liking Amberites. Constance is forced to conclude that Rachael has a personal dislike for the vampiress, though what that might be is hard to guess. Constance suspects it’s more than one thing, but whatever the issues, they clearly run deep.

No one answers Eisigenrache until Grossehinrichtung clears his throat. “Ahem! Well friends, I admit to being greatly flattered by all your attention. I never thought to be considered as a potential head of our Order, let alone to do so well in the running, but I think it is time I withdrew my candidacy so we can all focus on the real contenders.”

There’s general quiet applause around the Order at such a graceful capitulation.

Constance bows her head to Grossehinrichtung to acknowledge his decision then shoots Rachel a quizzical glance who is looking apprehensive.

Eisigenrache states the obvious, “With Grossehinrichtung’s gracious withdrawal, that leaves Nachtherrin and Hartmann on four votes each with at least three votes to be recast. What say you?”

“Hartmann!” snaps back Nachtherrin immediately, as if there’s no choice, which for her there isn’t.

Hartmann’s response is more measured but equally inevitable, “Nachtherrin!”

And all eyes turn to Rachael, who obviously does not relish the attention. This time she looks up and Constance notices her jaw setting with the same determination she showed earlier on. “Nachtherrin,” she says quietly but clearly.

Eisigenrache looks around the Order. “Does anyone else wish to recast their vote? This is your last chance.” Constance looks across to Ariel and then around the Order members, finishing with Eisigenrache. No one speaks, until after a suitable interval Eisigenrache exclaims, “Very well then, with six votes to five, Nachtherrin is the new head of our Order.”

Ariel asks, “Will you take a new name to signify your ascendancy?”

“What? You mean like how Feurigentrotz became Ubermeister?” The vampiress’ smile is twisted, “No, I shall not inflict an Uberherrin on you. I shall receive your devotions as I am, as Nachtherrin.”

Immediately the statue rises from his stall and falls to one knee. “I, Hartmann, pledge obedience unto death to the head of my Order, Nachtherrin.” Then each member of the Order does the same in the order: Dolchstoss, Wunderschontod, Todmaschine, Eisigenrache, Vorneweg, Constance, Grossehinrichtung and Blitzstrahl. Constance notices that the oath doesn’t state whose death.

Only Rachael is left. Slowly she rises from her stall. Constance just knows she cannot bring herself to submit to the vampiress as leader, even though it was her vote that put her there.

“In light of the fact that I shall shortly be leaving the Thelbane and may not return for a long time, if ever, I think this is an appropriate time to step down from the Order. I have learned much from the Order but I think my destiny lies elsewhere. My only regret is that it leaves the Order under strength at a time of crisis when withdrawal of our charter makes recruitment difficult. But I trust the Order will bounce back from adversity and I will follow your exploits with great interest.”

Constance watches Nachtherrin’s response as she sits more alertly in her stall.

Nachtherrin shrugs, evidently whatever the issue it means nothing to her. “OK, go if you must, but it seems a shame as I want to move us out of Chaos…” This brings mutters of surprise from half the Order, causing her to address the knights. “…Well we’ve lost our Royal charter and it seems there’s more work for us out there than in the Thelbane.” She turns back to Rachael, “Are you sure?” Rachael nods once. “OK! ‘Spect you’ll see us around – anyone else feel the same way…?”

Constance gets the feeling that the vampiress’ words surprised the knights but none are inclined to follow Rachael’s lead and some: elephant-head, Blitzstrahl and Dolchstoss, display avid interest at this new policy.

Constance looks to Ariel with a raised eyebrow. He seems to be neutral on the matter, more concerned with Rachael’s leaving but obviously indisposed to say anything at this time.

“OK, just Strahlendflieger, then. Sorry to lose you girl but if you want to go I can’t stop you.” She looks round at everyone else. “So unless anyone has anything seriously urgent to bring up I guess we stop here. I want everyone to think seriously about recruitment – we need another three knights to get up to full strength and without a charter we better be discrete. Now get out of here!”

Constance walks over towards Ariel as everyone rises and move towards the door.

Without Ubermeister’s bulk in the way, just two steps brings her to Ariel as he eases himself out of his stall – with everyone else between him and the door he’s obviously decided it’s not worth rushing. He turns a tired but pleased smile on Constance.

“Well, more than a little fraught but it went as well as could be expected and I think everything got done that needed doing.”

“That is good to learn. How long ago did you plot the late Ubermeister’s demise? It seems as though there is almost a…” she pauses to continue with a wry smile, “…pattern, of using my family as a way of achieving the removal of someone or another.”

“I think ‘plot’ is altogether too strong a word. Let us say we had made a contingency against certain circumstances some time ago. But I confess I am at a loss to understand how you think you have been used to remove Ubermeister – you came close to preventing it.”

Abruptly Ariel’s eyes refocus on a point immediately behind her as Constance realises her back is to the rest of the room – and with a shock she recalls that Ubermeister was stood exactly where she is standing now, when Ariel addressed him from his stall…

Constance eyes widen slightly as she pivots round to face what or whoever it is behind her. Her hand towards a dagger at her hip and a word to increase her Grace to mind.

“I just wanted to say farewell,” smiles the reptilian visage of Dolchstoss, “and I couldn’t help overhearing Ariel’s words just now…”

At this point Constance feels something sharp prick the midpoint between her shoulder-blades, ever so gently, and suddenly it occurs to her that she now has her back to Ariel.

Constance stands ever so still. “Dolchtoss,” she smiles, “I hope a permanent farewell is not intended. I had hoped you would dance with me at the Ball. I should like to dance with one whose House has a reputation for dancers. But this not why you are right here I think. Vorneweg was explaining something to me.”

The lizard-man opens his mouth to say something witty and amusing but Ariel beats him to it, whispering so only she and Dolchstoss can hear above the hubbub of conversation in the rest of the room.

“My lady, you are a guest in my house and only the greatest provocation brings me to even mention the issue but I must say that I personally find your manners execrable.” Constance can still feel something sharp pricking her flesh.

“You were invited into our Order in the hope that someone of your lineage and blood would lend honour and gravitas to our humble clique, not to mention providing a brake on our demented leader, possibly leading future excursions and rescues and ultimately promoting our ideals in a manner fitting to your station.

“Instead I have watched with dismay as you vilify fellow members of the Order in the most crass manner imaginable. You couldn’t even offer insult with any Grace but chose to proffer some incomprehensible babble that sounded as if it were meant to be a slur on Ubermeister’s lineage (which is surely the one thing about him that could not be criticised) but truly I am uncertain as it contained so little meaning.

“Your every utterance is plagued with factual error and you seem unable to comprehend the meaning of your own words, nor their impact upon those of us forced to endure such improprieties. Your words came close to provoking the Order into supporting Ubermeister, which would made nonsense of this meeting and likely have been disastrous for our Order.

“Finally, having brought you here, at considerable risk to myself, and desirous of raising these issues in the most discrete way possible, you turn your back on me in mid-conversation.” Ariel sobs, he really feels wounded.

“You should know that when this meeting started I had high hopes that you might replace Ubermeister, but now I consider us fortunate to have avoided such a calamity.

“The only words of Grace and discretion I have heard you utter was your apology to Ubermeister, and even he saw it for what it was worth – nothing. Your apology being worthless I will not accept a single word of apology from you now. Say nothing, lady. I ask only that you endeavour to become worthy of the hospitality my House has granted, that perhaps one day someone will mention your name and I will not hang my head in shame.”

Suddenly the sharp pricking is no more.

Constance’s eyes close during Ariel’s speech. There are real tears brimming in her eyes and eventually they fall to her cheeks and she says nothing. Absolutely nothing at all. Her head hangs in abject shame and contrition. Her shoulders collapse forward. She stands straight no more.

“You should not take it so personally, Ariel;” Dolchstoss consoles with surprising gentleness, “you know what they are like.”

Ariel takes a deep breath, and another, as he moves out from behind Constance. “Yes, I am sure you are right, Kageorgis. Forgive me, both of you, I am tired and doubtless recent events have left me fraught. I must rest. Kageorgis, would you kindly discharge my duty and see Lady Constance home?

“Assuredly, Ariel.”

“My thanks! You shall have reward of me.”

“Indeed, I shall expect a most wonderful beverage – we are talking cocktails.”

Ariel actually smiles wanly, “My lady, we shall talk again on the morrow. Good day to you both.”

Constance curtsies to Ariel as low as she can with her head still bowed and tears still falling and does not rise until Ariel departs. She rises slowly and waits for Kageorgis to move or speak.

Ariel returns Constance’s curtsey with a curt nod and then he and Kageorgis clasp forearms (Ariel's cloudy equivalent emerging from the swirling stormclouds). Then he is gone. The crowd is thinning now, the cyborg, butterfly, Blitzstrahl, elephant-head and Rachael have also gone, leaving just five, including Constance and the lizard-man assassin.

Kageorgis smiles sweetly, which is a most disturbing sight on a reptile. “Do not be too perturbed, my lady, I am sure he will recover his temper anon. It is just a momentary disappointment.”

“No Kageorgis. It is far beyond that but you are very kind to say so. I am heart broken to have gone quite so far out of my way to offend all of you.” There are tears brimming in her eyes again. “Please do not judge the rest of us by my actions. You never deserved to have been caught with me. I never had the qualities to lead your Order and nor would I have been able to – even if I had have had that expectation explained to me. I really, really want the Order to continue in its aims – they are worthy aims – but murdering my cousin William? No. I could never be part of that, but I caused you to murder Ubermeister.” She stops. Unable to speak further.

Kageorgis chuckles, “See, you are doing it again. You have no idea how amusing it is to see you behave so, really quite hilarious. Believe me, I am not at all offended; I have never had such entertainment.

“How, upon the Serpent’s other eye could you believe that you caused me to… (and the correct term, lady, is ‘assassinate’) …Ubermeister?” The lizard man guffaws. “It is wonderful how you fail to perceive the reality even when it is explained to you in the simplest of terms…

“You did not cause me to assassinate Ubermeister. Did you not listen to Ariel? You nearly caused Ubermeister not to be assassinated. It was touch and go there for a while; you came so close to distracting us from our purpose and provoking the waverers into siding with him.

“And still you use words in a manner quite apart from their meaning: in what sense are we ‘caught with’ you? And you believe I am wrong to say that things have gone ‘far beyond’ my valuation of the situation, despite all evidence which says you are utterly hopeless at evaluating any situation. Lady, I tell you again, all this is as nothing and the next time you meet Ariel he will be himself. See things as they are, not how you believe them to be, and all will be well. We are all well aware what you Amberites are like.”

“Then I shall attempt to stop weeping for my idiocy.” She gives a very sad smile. “I fear I shall never master my emotions either.” She looks directly at Kageorgis. “What exactly are we all like, Kageorgis?” She produces a handkerchief from somewhere and starts to dry her eyes.

“Crass? Unsubtle? Lacking in temperance? Lord William has a dispute with a single person, and he eradicates an entire house?” He chortles quietly. “Rather than the subtlety of a stiletto,” and a thin, wicked blade flashes into view, almost subliminally, “you wield weapons of mass destruction…”

“William told me that the facts of his duel with Tybalt were as portrayed in the Opera. He also assured me that he did not realise the effects of brandishing Pattern whilst in Chaos. It is difficult to use Pattern with subtlety in Chaos. Consider what I nearly caused when we arrived in the Thelbane. William was used as a very unsubtle weapon indeed.”

The lizard-man shrugs; Constance doesn’t seem to have taken on board his point and he suspects it’s fruitless to belabour the point.

“Some of us entertain ourselves watching you; you say and do things we could never contemplate – your response to Ariel’s denial of leadership qualities was quite priceless. Did you really not realise he was trying to worm out of the position you had put him in?”

“I did, but I wondered if he could be encouraged to take the role and grow the Order as he grew in confidence. But tell me Kageorgis, why did Eisigenrache rule himself out of the running? He displayed the qualities of Leadership that I would look for.”

“Who can tell? Perhaps you should ask him?” A frown of puzzlement crosses his face. “What makes you think Vorneweg lacks confidence?”

“Mmm. I may be mistaken – he seems exceedingly competent to me in what he does and how he goes about it. He has been an exceedingly kind and generous host – at least to me. And apologetic at some decisions regarding me – in his House” She considers. “He looked unhappy at his nomination but you say that he was just trying to worm out of it? So confident at avoiding tasks he does not want to undertake – and I am mistaken. Again.”

“Did he strike you as lacking in confidence just prior to taking his leave?”

“No. Not at all.”

“And what is his place within House Pheon?”

“That is difficult to tell. He deferred to Prospero and, although apologetic about the decision of who would escort me to Zigo's painting unveiling, yet seemed unable or unwilling to change it. He seems powerful magically yet is tied to the hierarchy of his house. He was empowered to act on my requests yet nearly had a fit when I asked if my Lord Warden might be a guest.”

“The question of where our guests are domiciled is a matter of rank – it would be a grave breach of protocol for a lesser house to accommodate one so august as a prince of Amber – have you not noticed that all the princes and princesses are with the houses of the Rim? Ariel defers to the Archmage Prospero because he is the head of House Pheon. But have you not taken the time to elucidate where Ariel fits in the hierarchy of his house?”

“No, because ironically enough, I didn't wish to offend him. Equally, I have not asked what part, if any, Pheon played in the recent war – or in past events in the Courts. Can you elucidate perhaps?”

“Why should simple questions about status within house or recent history cause offence?”

“Mmm. Because I do not know my place in Chaos. I am still finding my way in Amber.” She smiles a small smile again. “You are aware that I had a less than pleasing stay at House Spectral. I knew not what to expect from Pheon and would not have done anything to bring displeasure. Nigglingly, I worried that the great kindnesses they showed me was because they were beholden to Mandor and any questions about their House and recent history might cause discord. I realise now, that recent history matters not a jot to the Houses I have met – it is a more distant history that is troubling.”

“Such nonsense! Surely, such a lack of interest is itself an insult? To have so little regard for your host?”

“I have the greatest regard for Ariel. Tell me about him if you would, Kageorgis,” she asks quietly.

The assassin shakes his head. “You have no regard, in the literal sense of the word – you have never taken the trouble to examine him, observe his condition, inquire as to his position… He is heir apparent, one day he will succeed Prospero as Archmage. He is the hierarchy of his house. Do you believe Prospero would choose a successor unable to lead?”

“No. I do not. But then, bar Calaban, I have had little discourse with members of Pheon.”

Kageorgis chuckles, “Verily it is said, ‘none are so blind as they who choose not to see’. If Ariel has a crisis of confidence, it is in you.”

“Kageorgis. I have a crisis in confidence in me!” she whispers.

“Zerstörer? A word before you go?” Constance finds Nachtherrin looking toward her and the lizard-man, flanked by Hartmann and Eisigenrache.

Constance bows her head towards Nachtherrin. “Excuse me Kageorgis. Or perhaps accompany me?”

“I was not asked for so I cannot intrude. I shall wait by the door.” And the lizard-man slithers away. Nachtherrin, Hartmann and Eisigenrache wait to one side of the room for Constance to join them.

Constance turns and walks over to join Nachtherrin and her group. She curtsies to her and acknowledges her companions with a formal bow of her head.

“Zerstörer, I want you to know that I’m not Ubermeister. What that means, girl, is that under me you’re no figurehead. Hartmann and Eisigenrache are with me on this. If the Order is to mean something outside here then we need to move through shadow.”

Constance nods her head at this.

“Now it’s possible to do this with magic and Eisigenrache says he can crib off his great-uncle, but basically we’ll be relying on Vorneweg and me as Logrus masters, and on you with that Eidolon you guys use. I’ve talked it over and you’re my number two, got it? Any questions?”

“Thank you for your trust Nachtherrin. I have no idea as to how we of Amber will be able to leave Chaos and I do not know the state of planning on the how we will leave. May I ask as to your current planning for the Order to leave Chaos?”

“Amber! I’ve only been in the job ten minutes.” The vampiress seems to use Amber as some sort of expletive. Much as an Amberite might say ‘hell’. “’Bout the same time your lot leave but prolly by a difrent route. Which means I’m playin’ it by ear.

Constance smiles slightly and nods with understanding.

“Better not tell your compadres just yet; I can’t see ‘em trusting us until we prove ourselves in action. Do you need anything else from me right now?”

“No. I do not believe so,” she replies.

“We’ll talk soon – Ciao!”

“Yes. Ciao Nachtherrin.”

The three return to their discussions – the lizard-man waits patiently by the door.

Constance curtsies again and returns to the lizard-man.