That peaceful, forlorn stillness is shattered by the thunderbolt of the family's arrival on the scene. The King walks alongside Prince Trace, saying "Leave that to the grooms for now, but I'll make sure to give the needed orders after we're done talking here... after all it's your neck, you can hang yourself if you like." The sound bounces off the high ceiling and plays tag with its own echoes throughout the room.

The family homes in on the largest table present, all pulling up chairs. There is a little instinctive jostling for positions near the King, but people still seem to be largely in a state of shock from recent events. The efforts to out-maneuver each other are only half-hearted. Prince Bleys gives the librarian a significant look that chases the man quickly from the room. Gerard closes the main doors of the library, and casually drops the bar.

John and Arithon enter from the side door just as the librarian exits it. They too close the door behind them, and the librarian himself is no doubt moving to secure the few other doors into the large space. Unless someone is hiding amidst the labyrinthine bookshelves and scribes cells, the library is now entirely at the family's disposal.

"So," Random says, looking down the table. "We have much to discuss. Let me lay some groundwork, upon which the rest of you can build."

He ticks off on his fingers. "Cornaro is under attack from creatures using the Black Road for transport. This is not unheard of, but the creatures both have more control of the Road and are better organized than any incursion since the Patternfall war. All this according to Tempest. I have dispatched Karval's Black Fusiliers, the Begman Third Marines, and an aerial strike team under Tempest's command." There is much carefully suppressed (but still just audible) groaning around the table. Random glares, but doesn't seem surprised. "It remains to be seen whether I've just handed many of our most mobile armed forces to the enemy, but that's for later discussion."

Another finger, another point. "Caine gained intelligence of one of the family intending to betray us to the Courts. Rather than bring this to me, which quite possibly could have saved Ana's life, he chose to try to resolve it behind my back, dragging John into his plot. He claimed that he wanted to prevent the treason before it occurred, so nobody would have to die for it. I'm dubious, but you can all form your own opinions. I learned of this somewhat before John returned. Caine's status is... unclear. My first instinct was to exile him, which I've done. But John has spoken strongly for mercy, so I may yet commute that decree. Eventually."

Florimel and Bleys glance inevitably at each other in response to the revelation of this sudden shift in power so near the King. Fiona is stony-faced about the revelation that someone concealed the threat that (supposedly) claimed her daughters life.

"Caine would not name the conspirator, but John returned and showed both more loyalty and more sense. He had investigated, and found that Julian has been providing the means for the armies of the Courts of Chaos, already established in an outpost city in shadow, to strike at us. It is vital that we act decisively to meet this threat, and to protect the worlds of the Golden Circle, and Amber itself."

Fiona and Llewella both raise their eyebrows at the wording of this, although possibly for different reasons.

"There are," Random says grimly, "Many issues to be addressed. Tempest's loyalty must be judged, and even if she is true, Cornaro may not hold. Trace," the King says turning to the swashbuckling Prince, "I've got reports that your brother James is agitating for a war against Taturov, and that could mean a war against us, at a time we can ill afford. That's not healthy for him. And there's always the risk that Koshchei's Inner Dogma has something in reserve to strike at Harmony and Wurunjerri the moment we're all sufficiently distracted."

"Closer to home, Julian's rangers will not take his capture lying down, and their loyalty will always be in question, but we may well need them in order to face the threat of the Courts. Likewise, Caine's intelligence network will need to be under strict control, and even so I expect he'll take much of it with him... but we'll need everything we can salvage. I doubt the situation in Cornaro is so controlled that agents of Chaos couldn't have already slipped into the Golden Circle."

Random shakes his head. "As I said, a lot to be addressed. And I very much doubt that I know all of it. So everybody... tell me, tell us all: Are there other issues on this scale that we haven't heard of yet? Or does anyone have light to shed on the things that have already been mentioned?"

He looks to his father. "I gave him a fairly thorough debrief before we got here," he explains.

He turns to regard Arithon, "Not with the intent that you could ambush him publically. Come on Arithon," he says with an appeal, "this is grandstanding.."

"Ookaay then," he replies cooly. "Just so that the King understands that you're asking for the benefit of everyone, because you already have an insider's prespective."

Addressing everyone, John continues, "The evidence against Julian is not water tight. That's why nothing has been done except take him into custody. If you want to explore every permutation, yes- I could be lying. Caine could be lying. Caine could have been talking about Gerard and we misunderstood him. The intelligence I gathered could have been designed to make me believe that Julian is a traitor. It goes on and on and on.."

"We have to balance what we do have, against how many variations of conspiracy and paranoia we have to consider. In defense of the King, I maintain that the worst course of action would have been to do nothing at all."

He looks to his father. "You can explain it more detail or I can. Your call."

"Caine claims that he learned of a brother who was planning to betray Amber. Knowing that such an act would surely lead to the death of -somebody- in the family, whether successful or failed, he wanted to nip the plan in the bud. For this he contacted John, reasoning that if the King's son struck against the conspirators, it would be assumed that the King himself knew of the conspiracy, which might be enough to dissuade the traitor from further involvement, without having to reveal the crime to me for punishment."

"John investigated, discovering a war-city in the midst of building an army to attack us. He infiltrated, and came into contact with some of their upper ranks. Notably, he spoke with a mistress of Chaos called Tessa Andros, and with a girl called Mock, who may well be a secret member of our family."

Randoms eyes scan the table quickly at the mention of Mocks name, lingering upon Gerard who reacts with visible (though quickly suppressed) surprise. "But we know nothing more about this 'Mock'. Perhaps one of you can enlighten us soon."

"John spoke with Mock and captured Tessa. Both of them independently named Julian as the traitor, without being prompted. When asked whether Tempest was part of the conspiracy, Tessa said 'yes', but obviously she could have a vested interest in sowing discord."

"Since Tessa is our only possible diplomatic contact, we've released her. It's a calculated risk, but I'm not ready to give up all hope of a peaceful settlement, even as we prepare for war."

"So what we have," the King finishes, looking at Arithon,"are two separate accusations against Julian, plus the fact that Caine is enough his friend to have tried to protect him. Everything fits with his guilt. Now if you have something meaningful and new to contribute in his defense I know we'd all like to hear it."

"Don't you worry, Arithon. If she really is family, we won't hold it against you..." She obviously have no doubt at all about the issue of the duel her cousin just mentioned. Then, more seriously, she adds: "When I asked "Why Julian", I was more interested in his motivation to betray Amber..."

Then he sighs. "But let us talk now about what has to be done. Julian has to be imprisoned some place trump does not work, we have to solve the problem with the rangers, think about what to do in case Tempest turns out to be a traitor and guard the pattern. In my eyes Arden has first priority. We cannot concentrate on Cornaro as long as there are possible enemies in our back. As stated before I believe that Kafshan troops are best suited to take care of the problem. They know the forest and are already in place. I volunteer for this operation and would be glad if Arithon decided to help me. This way we could operate faster. I also believe it is important that Rebma fights alongside Amber. The fall of Amber will result in the fall of Rebma. It is the time to put all dispensable disagreements aside. Amber is short of troops, Rebma could certainly provide some. The solution is obvious. Did I forget anything?" Sascha gazes at Random and Arithon.

"Thanks for bringing the trump situation back up, Sascha. I didn't mean to ignore that, or you. However, there is something about that idea that is less than obvious. When Bleys and Fiona did that to our late uncle Brand - it was different. No one except themselves actually knew where he was located. That, along with the properties of the Shadow, actually provided the real security in keeping him locked up."

He shrugs. "It's difficult to break someone out of Amber, but trumps provide a means. Or in a special Shadow it may be easier to physically break him - but the trumps can be blocked. One solution that does come to mind is limiting the number of people who actually know the location of this prison."

"And you're echoing a sentiment I proposed to the King this morning. Someone *does* need to assume command of Arden. But consider this- someone needs to go relieve Tempest of command- if she hasn't had a chance to rally her troops behind her against us. We need to make a clear statement that Tempest is no longer a legal authority, and the ramifications of supporting her. I know that's easier said then done, but I don't think we should just concede all those troops to her- though the clock is ticking.."

"Taking Tempest in custody?" She chuckles. "Obviously, Sascha, you never met Tempest!"

Looking back to Sascha, he elaborates. "You sound like you think I'm disagreeing with the whole idea, Sascha. That's not the case. I'm just trying to think it through multiple points of view to make sure we've got everything covered. I wouldn't look for that Shadow, I'd look for Julian. I might have to go through a dozen shadows of him, but I'd get there sooner or later." He nods to Bleys, "I think our uncle has a simple solution to it."

He spreads his hands. "As for declawing Tempest- you're forgetting Martin." He'll shoot a glance at his half-brother. "But maybe Bleys would be best for that.. because if you're talking about having Rebman troops support you in retaking Arden, he's your man." He'll nod to Rosalind, "As you rightly pointed out, command of Rebman forces can be extremely tricky."

He say directly to Martin, "If anyone is going to have any pull with the Queen, it's going to be her grandson."

And, indeed, Llewella is looking very angry. "It is typical," she says in a low, venomous snarl, "of the arrogance of this family that you would all so quickly assume that Rebma is nothing more than a source of bodies to die in your wars. I am not ready to concede that Amber's fall would doom Rebma. It never has in the past."

He rallies quickly in the face of Llewella's anger however. He leans on the table. "If my suggesting that my brother could speak to Moire about Arden has offended you; then I suppose you're saying that you would represent Amber's interest in Rebma?"

And here Llewella points accusingly across the table at Rosalind.

He'll look down the table at Rosalind. "I don't know about anyone else, but I'm clearly out of the loop." To Llygwen, "We were going to talk, but never had the chance."

"Roz, it's clear that something needs to be explained. Could you fill us in?"

"Those people were worked up to a point where they were going to take out their frustration on somebody, as sure as night follows day. Your people were convenient scape-goats, a fact which probably saved that world from years of bloody civil war. You're furious, and I understand why, but I won't have the girl painted as some sort of mass murderer."

Llewella looks furious. Gerard looks grim and unhappy. Bleys exchanges a glance with Rosalind, but it is impossible to interpret what it means.

She frowns. "Rausch," and her distaste for the man is obvious, "was the worst of the lot. While I can't prove it - yet - he was probably behind the death of King Alex. As long as he was tractable, this would not have been unacceptable, I suppose. But he was obviously out to climb as high and as quickly as he could."

"That kind of ambition I thought we could do without." She shrugs. "If I was wrong on that count then I apologize. But I don't think I was wrong. The fact that my maneuvering almost resulted in Llygwen's death is not something I dispute. Her death was not, however, what I sought."

"I came to Karval investigating on whoever there was smuggling an explosive substance in Rebma. Rausch was responsible. Rosalind eliminated him conveniently before I could interrogate him. I was sure, after she pointed the finger towards my fellow Rebmans and unleashed the mob upon them, that she was covering up somebody's dirty little plot. The events on the Kolvir made me think Julian was behind it." Her voice quivers. Obviously, she tries very hard to hide her anger.

"But obviously I was wrong. Rosalind is the bitch of only one master, is she?" She turns towards Random, contempt in her eyes. "Your eagerness to cover for her is quite self-explanatory now."

"The more facts we have, and less anger, the sooner something productive can get done. Well, theoretically. The family's arm falls slowly, and clumsily, from what I've seen- and spends half its time twisted around trying to stab itself in the back- but if we can only nudge it in the right direction- well, heaven help who lies beneath it." He rubs his head, wincing slightly at a memory.

But then she makes a show of composing herself.

"But Trace is correct," she admits, "We should proceed more calmly. I had no idea that Rausch was involved with smuggling explosives, much less that you wanted him kept alive for interrogation. Perhaps if you'd said something..." She shrugs regretfully.

He takes a deep breath and looks into Llewella's eyes, trying to sound as sincere and friendly as possible: "Now to clarify my point, dear aunt. I would agree with you that a threat to Amber is not a threat to Rebma normally, but we are not talking of any threat here but Chaos. What is their interest? Power. The pattern is power, but they cannot control it. What if they decide to destroy it instead? Wouldn't it be their ultimate victory? Wouldn't that affect Rebma?"

"Not to cut you off Llewella," he says to her politely, "I just wanted to interject something here before there is a misunderstanding. Turning to Sascha, "Though you may not have heard Sascha, we have had some intitial contact with them. They have internal factions as well, and it might surprise you that power may not be their unifying cause. The goals of these factions differ from each other."

Returning his attention to Llewella. "Be assured which ever faction prevails- they're not likely to distinguish Rebma from Amber. Many of them would like nothing to better than to see all of us destroyed. These people don't see Patternfall as ever finished, merely delayed."

She watches John very carefully as she asks, "How many times could they do that before you decided that enough was enough?"