"Oh," Moire says softly, "but not *all* of you are safe."

She glances at Drake before continuing to explain to Dina. "I'll spare
the 'good' Captain from having to explain, he seems so content on
holding his tongue, I'll let him hold it a bit longer until I
pronounce sentence." All of Moire's previous humor is gone now, as if
Corwin was merely the preliminaries. Scarely a sound can be heard in
the chamber of glass and mirror, not even the breathing of the crowd.

"Surely you recall," the Queen continues, "that one time Prince Random
came into my realm as a friend, and did thereafter depart in haste
with my daughter Morganthe."

"Let me assure you, the story is true. A month thereafter was she
returned to me. Her suicide came some months after the birth of her
son Martin."

Moire fixes her round eyes on Drake now, and does not look away, and
for all that she remains poised, there is growing air of tension and
even fierceness in her demeanor. "Now let us recount what has not been
known before. Another 'explorer' came to my realm before Random. He
too, cultivated a friendship with my daughter. Of this, I knew. I
looked the other way, thinking it was merely a dalliance. No, I
reserved my anger for Random. When my daughter was stolen from my
Court and I was sick with worry, who came to me to express his
concern? Prince Caine. And who assured me that his son had nothing to
do with it? Prince Caine."

Moire raises one hand to the side, and a servant rushes up the steps
of her dais to hold out a packet of papers. The Queen nearly snatches
them out of her hand. Instead of looking at the letters, Moire points
at Drake with them. "My staff found your letters. Where she'd hidden
them all this time, Drake." Moire spits his name as if it were a
curse. "It would appear that after you'd taken her maidenhood, you
broke her spirit. Walked out, and so careful not to commit to anything
explicit. But I can read for myself. I see how you played her, and
then left her as easy prey for the likes of Random."

"What have you to say to that, Captain Drake?"

"These letters," Drake replies, "who found them for you today? Convenient
for them, not so for me. I have nothing else to say."

Dina looks between Drake and the Queen. "Your Majesty, let it be a
day for mercy," Dina pleads.

"Mercy Lady Corradina?" Moire takes her eyes off of Drake just long enough to consider the daughter of Corwin. "You have both your parents now, and all of forever to have a child of your own. Ninety years is too long to wait for closure for my only child. When Martin came of age," she continues, "because he was of the blood of Amber, he determined to walk the Pattern. The only one of my people to have suceeded. Thereafter, he walked in Shadow and I have not seen him since. The only grandchild I may ever have. Mercy or justice, what would you rather have in my place?"

Dina looks between Moire and Drake, her expression pained.

Corwin leans over to Miho as Moire is finishing. "I got a bad feeling about this, kid," he whispers for her ears alone. "This isn't going to end well. And, not related to this, we need to talk before I try the Pattern. Alone."

Moire does not wait for a reply, but looks back to Drake. "Still nothing to say to that, Drake?"

"Still nothing," Drake replies.

Just then, there is a faint noise toward the back of the Throne Room. The side door that Llewella disappeared through re-opens. The first figure to step through the doorway is Diomedes, then followed by Llewella.

Moire looks that way and freezes for a moment, glaring at the son of Brand for a brief moment. "How very apt. Late, but close enough," she mutters under her breath, though Dina and Drake will surely hear it.

Across the Gallery, Diomedes will notice Llewella's softly green tinted skin actually go pale. Raising her hands shoulder high, she tries to wave to Moire, but the distance is too great, the Gallery too filled with people, or the Queen is just too distracted with Drake.

Returning her attention fully to son of Caine, Moire continues. "Therefore, I will punish thee. You shall marry a woman of my choice and remain with her in my realm for a year's time, or you will forfeit your life. Lest you think me totally unkind, she is exceedingly fair to the eyes, not unlike my Morganthe. She was bethrothed to a man of high station, but rejected in the most humiliating of manner-"

"Oh no," whispers Llewella to Diomedes. "She's going to do it."

"-and she has no other wooers among my Court, thanks to this other scoundrel. A third inequity we owe the Blood of Amber." Moire crosses her legs and reclines slightly as she peers down at Drake, her eyes glittering now.. in triumph. "You will marry into the Line of Telecleia. To our Lady Theano, to whom you met earlier this day."

A whispered sound of shock rises from the Galleries.

"What say you to that, Captain Drake?"

Diomedes' mouth hangs open for what seems like an infinitely long and
excruciating moment.

A whispered sound of shock rises from the Galleries.

"What say you to that, Captain Drake?"

And then, action.

He raises a hand, high.

"*I* have something to say to that, your Majesty." Diomedes says, loudly.

Lowering his arm and gripping the railing along the Gallery where he
stands with Llewella, Brand's son vaults over it, and floats down
toward the ground,his eyes on Moire and the group assembled before her
during his entire descent.

And then he is moving, moving with speed, confidence,and desperation
across the throne room floor to where Dina, Corwin, Miho and Drake now
stand. If guards move to intercept him, he uses all of his
maneuverability to try and dodge them, in his desperation and his
desire to reach Moire's throne.

Unless he is successfully stopped, Diomedes takes a position on the
rightmost edge of their group, at the same distance that they stand
from Moire.

The Guards snap to attention and make to impede Diomedes with their
spears. Astonished gasps echo through the vast chamber. A group of
cowled women rise and are being led by other women from the Galleries
towards the main floor but they don't get very far; seating is too
congested, and people are leaping to their feet!


Moire remains steady though, eyeing Diomedes warily. Seeing that he
bears no weaponry, and doesn't look to be intending violence or
mischief, she waves him forward and the Guards let him pass. He may
join his Amber Cousins before the Throne.

Miho's stance changes subtly; there is little question that she is
still protective of Corwin, but now also watchful of both Drake and
Diomedes. She is loose-limbered and ready should action be abruptly
required.

Dina actually looks relieved. "Welcome to the show, kid," she mutters
under her breath.

Drake waits only a moment to shoot Corwin and then Miho a glance. He is clearly about to take action. Having given both of them the heads-up, Drake holds up his hand for everyone to settle down and steps out into the middle of the throne room away from the others, a little farther away from the throne so the rest of the room can also hear what he has to say.

He waits until Diomedes has come to join him before the throne. Drake puts a hand on his shoulder. "OK, kid," he says to Diomedes so that only he can hear. "Take it easy. Follow my lead..."

Diomedes shakes his head at Drake's aside. "Drake..."

Then he turns to the throne. "I've held my peace until now," he says to Moire, "because I gave my parole to Corwin. I didn't want what lay between us to effect the outcome of his request made through his daughter, Dina." Drake glances at Dina having noticed the pained look she gave him, but clearly not having any clue what that means. Nevertheless, Drake picks up on her cue.

"But this situation is not at all as it appears, is it?" he turns and includes the whole throne room in a conversational manner. "As usual, as a Son of Amber, I recognize that instantly. Whereas," he turns back to Moire, "I was prepared to take whatever verdict you set upon me as just and true, I can see that what's going on here involves not just what passed between myself and your daughter. I don't know exactly what it is, but it involves Diomedes here and whoever this other woman is, who you would have me marry. So the question I have for you is...

"'What *the hell* is going on here?! And why are *they* running this show?" He turns and points unerringly at the group of cowled women heading down towards the Queen.

"You horrible little man!" barks one of the cowled women from the Gallery.

"Order!" snaps Moire at Drake, and then surprisingly with a severe glance at the hooded figure who said answered him.

Diomedes breaks his attention on Moire to briefly see the women. He gives the slightest of nods, to himself, and returns his attention on the Queen.

"Drake, let me go first. Please."

"The floor is yours," Drake replies with a wave of his hand. Dina takes this moment to walk back and take Eduard's hand.

Outwardly, Drake narrows his gaze at the leader of the women. But he thinks at the woman, *You want to play. OK. Let's play...*

Dina follows Drake's gaze, and sighs. She whispers to Eduard, "Theano is my cousin Dio's intended, but he took off with no explanation for some time, because he felt manipulated by these crazy seer women, I'm guessing. He's completely in love with her, so this could be a problem."

Diomedes steps a beat forward from where the rest of the group stands.

He makes a Rebman bow, and then sinks his stance to his knees, looking down at a point at the base of the throne as he speaks.

Drake swears quietly.

There is a gasp throughout the Gallery! Moire herself even blinks a few times in surprise. Even though not a Prince, one of the Blood of Amber has dropped to his knees. Theano can finally be located, were anyone to look, as a number of people are staring at her. Her eyes are bright and intent, and she watches the drama below continue to unfold.

Corwin looks away and whispers to Miho, "Tell me he didn't just drop to his knees?"

She flicks a glance to him. Whispers. "Unfortunately," a soft sigh, "I can't. This must be his heart to do so."

"Magnanimous Queen, a year ago, for reasons of foolishness and manipulation from without, this scoundrel shamefully left your undersea realm, after sincere promise of marriage into the Line of Telecleia, to the Lady Theano. My actions humiliated, besmirched and badly hurt a woman of honor, breeding and quality, and besmirched her honor, the honor of her sponsor Princess Llewella, the honor of her Queen, you, Moire, and the honor of Rebma. I do not dispute these facts and freely admit what I have done wrong."

Moire leans forward on her dais to listen carefully, fascinated.

"In the year since this cowardly act, I have come to the realization and regret that such an action cannot and should not stand. And although my journey here was interrupted by capture and bondage, my only,single crystallizing thought, upon release, was to make my way here regardless, to put right what I did wrong."

"Please, gentle Moire. If the Lady will still have me, and if you will bless it, I will take any punishment you decree fit for my actions, if I am allowed to make restitution by my union with the Lady, the Line of Telecleia and the City of Rebma, rather than my cousin Drake."

Drake turns away. He tacitly acknowledges Corwin, Miho and Dina but does no more, because he doesn't want them to suffer for his own troubles with Rebma. He leaves. He walks down the length of the throne room and exits the room.

The Guards themselves have stood stunned by these events, but they unthaw themselves and move to block Drake, standing in his way.

Moire looks up briefly at Drake's departure and narrows her eyes. "See that he doesn't leave the Palace, but let him go," she calls out so Drake can hear her. "Morganthe is dead and he has nothing left of her now either." She waves towards Drake's retreating back in frustration. "He and I will speak later, in private."

Drake stops. It's hard to say whether it's because of the guards who block his way or Moire's words. It's so brief that it's hardly noticeable to any, except those who know him well, like Dina, Obi, Jack, or perhaps Corwin. Then he keeps going.

He doesn't look back.

Moire focuses her attention on Diomedes, but doesn't say anything for a long few moments. "Well, at least I've gotten your attention," she mutters to herself, but loud enough to be heard by the Amberites.

"Rise," she commands, studying him.

"Long have I desired for something like this to come to pass. One of Oberon's male descendants to actually take responsibility for something. You speak sweetly when you've a mind for it, but I noticed that the first time we met and still you managed to disappoint."

Diomedes rises at this point, but now averts his gaze from Moire to the floor at the rebuke.

"But you speak of punishments, son of Brand. However you're only guilty of one thing, not valuing a good thing when you see it. Oh, four things- add being cowardly, inconsiderate, and dishonorable." Moire sets aside her sceptre aside for a moment, and crosses her arms under her bare breasts. "You see, a wife isn't something you discard for the sake of inconvenience."

"A wife is a life partner," Moire adds to give it special emphasis. "I'm of the mind that the most fitting punishment for you is just to send you on your way, alone, hopefully wiser for all of this."

Diomedes exhales slightly, letting out a stream of bubbles. He wearily and sadly gives a nod of the head in acquiescence.

"If I might add something, sister," Llewella interrupts hastily after finally descending from the Gallery. "Diomedes mentioned to me that he was manipulated into leaving by a third party, with their own agenda."

She is joined by one of the cowled women, descending from a different part of the Gallery, possibly Mother Horath herself, who has been led by the hand by a young woman. "Majesty, my pardons," she breathes heavily, "perhaps we should not be hasty. There was always been something very odd about the young man's departure. If what Princess Llewella says is true, perhaps we should explore all the facts, before swift judgment. Especially since he has offered himself to you willingly? We should determine who dares meddle in Rebma affairs of state.."

Moire pauses to consider this.

Eduard whispers to Dina. "Do you know what other agency they're referrring to?" He shakes his head a little. "Sounds to me like that the lad's trading the frying pan for the fire. Or maybe not, this fascinating if not confusing."

"I'd been assuming these witches had something to do with it. But we talked more about the girl, and less about the supposed conspiracy. He always intended to come back," Dina whispers. "I'm glad he's gotten up though." Dina quietly growls in the back of her throat.

Dina leaves Eduard a moment to go over to Terry and Graham. She pulls them both close and whispers, "This is what I was talking about when I said be careful who you decide to screw around with." She follows this statement with a smile, but she means it for an object lesson.

"You aint kidding," Terry murmurs.

Graham shakes his head. "Make this into a movie and you'd be one rich SOB."

Diomedes raises his head a fraction, as if listening to the discussion before him, but he maintains a penitent pose.

The Queen frowns, but is clearly thinking about it. "I dislike thinking that the next time you have a falling out with someone else, you abandon the one agree to marry. However, Lord Diomedes, you have impressed me with your willingness to make so public your atonement. I'm thinking perhaps you should be allowed the opportunity to earn Rebma's love once more...."

"So here is my decision. You will have one year to demonstrate your worthiness to me," Moire says to Diomedes, "whereupon I will reconsider your request. You may visit her, but should you try to steal her away from us, it'll be your life that is forfeit."

"Now perhaps I'll get this question finally answered," the Queen smiles grimly. "What say you to that, Diomedes?"

Diomedes pauses for a few seconds before speaking. He finally finds the strength to look up and at Moire once again, and he speaks.

"I accept your Majesty's judgement and I swear to abide by its terms. While I can make an assumption as to what you will ask of me first, and as I told your sister in camera that I will freely share what I know, I only ask for clear continued guidance on how to maintain the demonstration of my worthiness to be considered once more as a suitor and betrothed to Theano of the Line of Telecleia and the favor of the City Under the Sea."

Moire actually smiles at that. "I'm sure such guidance can be arranged," she says simply and without having it laden with any sinister overtones. "Just take this time we force upon you to really consider what you want, and.. do better."

Diomedes bows his head in acquiescence but does not interrupt her speech.

"I didn't appoint a chaperone, so I don't think you fared *that* poorly," she adds, mostly to herself. To the entire Court she calls out, "So be it," and striking her sceptre upon the arm of her turquoise throne.

Diomedes bows again.

Though Moire's tone was not suggestive, concerning guidance to be provided, there already looks to be more than a dozen Rebman's who wish to speak to him. Some of them are the very women Drake took to denouncing.

"Before we adjourn," Moire declares, "is there any business regarding the Amber folk left unheard?"

"Don't forget what I said," Corwin murmurs softly to Miho. "We have plans to make."

"I'll come by," Miho says quietly back.

Dina glances at Corwin and Miho with their heads so close together and her eyes narrow. She looks back to the Queen and steps forward. "Only, your majesty, if my father and I might borrow the use of a Salle?"

Miho adds another soft murmur to Corwin. "After you are done."

"You know," Corwin murmurs back, not moving his lips much, "if she keeps this up I might actually enjoy it."

A quick flash of a smile. Still quietly. "How long before I should come by?"

Corwin frowns slightly. "Depends how good she is."

With soft emphasis [Miho] "Good."

Moire stands up and is looking around the room when Corradina calls out, but she catches Dina's request over the rising babble of the people in the Gallery who are also rising to their feet and talking.

"Yes!" cries the Queen across the room. "You may." She gestures to a man with the marking of a uniform. "One of my advisers shall assist you," she calls out. Then accepting a hand from one of her staff who are approaching, and steps lightly off her dais to exit through the private door behind her throne.

Diomedes turns his gaze to the women and gives a slight nod, suggesting that he recognizes that they need to speak to him. And then, briefly, he allows himself the briefest of looks up at the gallery to look for Theano.

Theano is being led through the crowd right for Diomedes, even as he turns to look. Holding her hand, and pulling her along is one of her best friends, the sea-green haired Thermodosa of the Line of Penthesilea.

Thermodosa is laughing and looks excited. Theano looks shy, and is wiping at her eyes, but there is something happy about her expression. Diomedes can tell his honesty and courage in declaring his feelings has touched her deeply. And judging from her expression and body language, if it's what Diomedes wants, he and his lover will be getting back together.

A rebman nobleman approaches Corradina and introduces himself. "Lord Kelvyn," he says with a bow. "It would be my pleasure to show you and his Highness to a salle, and for arrange your use of it."

Corwin pats Miho on the shoulder and wades forward through the growing mingling crowd growing around all of them. He extends a handshake towards Diomedes. "Corwin," he introduces himself. "Congratulations."

"We meet at last, Uncle." Diomedes tears his eyes from the scene to face his uncle and gives him a fair grip." His eyes flicker from Corwin to Miho and Dina and then back again. "Welcome back."

Miho offers a small smile of greeting to Diomedes.

Diomedes smiles back at Miho.

Another non-Rebman man next to Corwin (Terry) smiles at Dio as well. "I thought you were awesome man, good job."

Diomedes blinks briefly. "Thanks."

Graham brushes against Miho now that Corwin has temporarily left her company.

She looks up at him with a smile.

"Hey," he says softly. "We were just invited to.. whatchya call it, demonstration of dance and martial arts," he gestures to Rebman courtier. "It's on how the two can interrelate. They also have something called the Glass Gardens, it's a sculpture exhibit." He shrugs. "Just something we can do for awhile.. Or we could go watch Corwin and Dina beat the hell out of each other?"

She slips a hand into his and squeezes gently. "I think they likely wish to do that on their own. The demonstration sounds intriguing."

"It's a date," Graham says cheerfully.

Theano will be there to see Diomedes any moment.

Dina goes over now that Graham is talking to Miho, and takes Corwin's arm. "What do you say, old man? Do you want to eat first? Shall we discuss rules over drinks? We need to grab Terry so he can be the patch-up guy too."

"Drinks and dinner it is," Corwin says magnanimously, sliding his arm around Dina possessively shoulders to give her a quick fatherly hug. "Over which we'll discuss the rules of our impending kick-ass duel." He says this like it's an agreement to her suggestion, but if anyone is feeling particularly suspicious- there is just the faintest, tiniest little hint that he just *might* have been clarifying what specific *sort* of rules they'll be discussing. It's a matter of interpretation if there is any doubt. "You did good with the Queen, by the way," Corwin adds.

"Thanks, Daddy," Dina whispers, and if there's a touch of sarcasm to it, there's no more of that than sincerity.

"Miho, Corwin, Dina." Diomedes raises his voice slightly for the benefit of two cousins, an uncle, and the men who appear to be Dina's retainers. "Before we all get separated. This is not the place or moment, but we all need to talk and soon. Very soon." Diomedes adds.

Dina hesitates. She nods. "Before breakfast, then - come wake us all, okay Dio?"

Miho nods her assent to this timing as well, if it is good for Diomedes.

The two retainers (Terry and Graham) look at Dina to see if they're actually invited, but seem amiable to it. "Fine by me," Corwin answers for himself. "I should be up, early to rise and late to bed-"

Dina looks at Terry and Graham and shrugs. Unless Dio asks them to leave come morning, or doesn't gather them up, she's fine with them being there.

"Before Breakfast" Diomedes confirms. "All of us."

Diomedes literally has no more time than that before Thermodosa arrives on the scene with Theano in tow.. "Somebody would like to see you!" she calls out in a sing-song voice that interrupts the conversation.

And there is she is, Theano with her eyes full of hope.

"Seeya!" calls out Corwin to Diomedes with a wave, taking this as a sign that the group is breaking apart, and he turns back to Dina and Terry.

Diomedes gives the briefest of nods to Corwin before he turns, palms sweaty and a bead of sweat on his forehead already, to the approaching Rebman ladies.

"You want to go dinner with us, Terry?" Corwin promptly invites the young man.

"Sure.." Terry replies, but he does have the presence of mind to look at Dina and ask silently 'unless you'd rather I didn't..'

Dina smiles a welcome at Terry. She also looks over at Eduard, who she knows she should invite just to keep her out of her own trouble. She gives him an eyebrow and motions for him to come on.

"Have a good time you guys," Graham says to Dina, Terry, and Corwin. Looking to Miho, "Here, let me introduce you to Lady Merwyn and her husband Lord Welquin. They're the ones that invited me and a guest. I'm assuming a royal guest, but you know what I mean.."