The place is packed with surveyors from the East Rajistan Venture company, a railroad concern out of Maintenon that (from the excited technical discussions Roz can overhear even through her closed door) is looking at the possibility of extending their lines past Begma and into Karval itself. The manager of the hospice seems quite taken with the notion of converting it to a railroad-side hotel. Apparently he's heard great things about the Majestic, at the current terminus of the ERV's lines where they come into Begma.

Having gotten this far, Roz is within a day's unhurried ride of Amber (shorter than the unaided shadow-road taken by traders, for the strength of her blood lends speed to her travel through the veils of shadow). With few amenities (given her rapid deployment to Karval) but plenty of good solid gold coins, Roz can certainly take advantage of the comprehensive services of the hospice.

Much of the buzz of news is that the King, and Bleys and Florimel, rode through this very hospice but last night, staying long enough to break the tragic news about Princess Ana, and to lead a service in her honor. If they're keeping to that schedule of public appearances, Roz should catch them up on the road before they reach Amber itself.

Do you want to push the connection? And if so, do you want to spend 1, 2 or 4 Psyche DPs to overcome whatever the barrier is?

Roz hurriedly packs her few things, and the dresses, into her saddle bags and dons in her usual travelling attire, a split riding skirt, boots, a loose blouse and a tooled leather vest that was a gift from a close friend. She buckles on her weapons belt, from which hangs her two weapons, a curved cavalry sabre, and a short barreled, lightweight revolver (chambered in .45 long colt).

(Roz had this pistol specially made by a gunsmith she knows. Its finish is a dark gunmetal blue and it has a very elaborate tracery engraved onto it that is purposefully reminiscent of the pattern. The engraving is filled with a mixture of silver and tiny glass beads, just like reflective road paint, that shines and shimmers in the light, almost as if lit from within.)

She saddles her horse and rides off in haste. As she travels through shadow, Roz shifts so that the dresses in her saddlebags are of the style and size that she prefers (essentially what Random did to his and Corwin's clothes in NPIA).

She's riding hard to catch up to the King.

"... a blazing star in the constellations of Amber's heroes. Let us all strive to live up to the spirit of her bravery and sacrifice."

From the roar of approving applause, Roz can only presume that the rest of the speech was more inspiring. Random steps down off the platform, looking very tired. He shakes hands, but Roz can tell from his expression and the quickness of his conversations that he is breaking away as quickly as possible.

Florimel and Bleys sit their horses nearby, waiting for Random to make his farewells and join them. Bleys spots Rosalind as she nudges her horse around the fringe of the square, and raises a hand in greeting.

"Rosalind," Florimel says neutrally as Roz rides up, "Your timing is impeccable as always."

"The coronation go well?" Bleys asks. He doesn't look directly at Roz, but that's probably because he's keeping an eye on Random and the crowd around him.

Turning to watch Bleys for the first time Roz keeps a careful eye on her red-headed uncle as she asks the following question. "So why do you suspect Tempest may have had a hand in Ana's death?"

"Oh, it's a wonder and a half," Florimel confesses, "I think he may be bucking for the long-debated black sheep title." She massages her left shoulder, which Roz now notices she is holding quite tenderly.

"Well he's got stiff competition. Tempest," Bleys says dramatically, clearly working a story he's been perfecting, "comes to me and tells me that fell things have plowed the Black Road straight into her little preserve of Cornaro. But," he continues with relish, "she asks me not to tell the King, or in fact let anyone know, just to come look at it myself, all by my lonesome with her for my guide to the very site of Ana's sad demise."

Florimel is already chuckling, but Bleys quickly says, to forestall any serious interruption, "But that isn't even the best part. When I allow that I might do this thing, but that I would expect some minor assistance quid pro quo, she says..."

And here Bleys lapses into an imitation of Tempests mannerisms and pattern of speech so perfect that it makes his continued use of his own unchanged voice eerie. "Either you're going to help me because it's the right thing to do, or you're not."

"Tell me about it," Florimel says with a smile, "I still remember when he staggered into my foyer, fresh from the hospital, and proceeded to take everything I said as deeply meaningful, even though he clearly didn't have a clue what was going on."

They bow as Random comes closer.

He waves a hand to bid them (and Roz) to rise. "I'm glad Trace let you go in time to meet us, Flora," the King says.

"Welcome back to Amber, your Majesty," Florimel replies.

"Rosalind," Random says, turning to her. "I didn't know whether you'd catch us up on the road. It's good to see you."

Roz's tone is light. Her words are well-rehearsed by now and she expects they'll be completely ignored. "Respectfully, I remind your Majesty that you are not the itinerant gambler and jazz musician," Roz arches an amused eyebrow at Flora, "from your younger days."

She's making a slight joke here with the Jazz musician thing but in a way she's also reminding Random of 1) Roz's connection to Corwin, and 2) that Flora never liked Random. If Roz could figure out a way to work 'ratfink' -- Flora's pet name for Random in the CC -- into the conversation she would.

"You represent the state of Amber and are far too important to risk. All due respect to Prince Bleys -- his prowess at arms is well known to me -- but you should be traveling with your full retinue of guards. It is your responsibility to your kingdom you must think of here, Majesty," Roz says as she bows again. "I say this only because I feel it is my duty, your Majesty." She concludes.

She expects a tongue lashing -- but that's okay. It's a time-honored tradition for a King's advisor to get tongue-lashings for the giving of sensible advice....

Bleys and Flora both seem somewhat taken aback by this philosophical turn. Either the fatigue or thoughts of the funeral are probably playing on Random's mind. Usually he'd have just blown Roz's worries off with a grin and a wink.

She fully intends to bring this subject up again later when she can do so without seeming contradict her boss.

"Shall we continue on to Amber or do you wish to rest here for a time?" She asks.

Florimel first, of course, runs down who is in town (since she just came from Amber, having Trumped over to tag along with Trace on his first entrance to the city). Martin has arrived, well early, and is apparently taking the funeral with quite unaccustomed seriousness... it is possible that he actually knew Ana on more than a superficial level. John, surprisingly, is -not- in the city.

Fiona, of course, is still here, as is Gerard. Arithon is said to have come into the city, although he has not yet made his presence known at the castle. Julian rode in just ahead of the royal party, though with nothing like the fanfare of course. Caine is not yet there, but has sent a message that he will be getting in sometime tonight. Llewella arrived early in the morning, and has been spending the time at several of the local churches, with groups of mourners. Llygwen has not yet arrived (surprise, surprise) and it is not known whether or when she intends to.

Florimel does, indeed, have a charming story of Trace's first journey to the City of Amber... apparently, finding Councilwoman Sherburne's ship docked at his personal mooring (not uncommon, since it's a great spot and has been unused for five years) he hoisted the Jolly Roger, loudly declared himself the Dread Pirate Fitzalan, and together with his crew boarded the ship and tossed its crew in the drink. When the police came to collect him, Trace pretended to cooperation long enough to steal their paddy-wagon and take it on a reckless chase through the streets of Amber, destroying a funeral procession in honor of Ana and toppling the historic statue of Oberon in Prospect park, which impact at least put a stop to his flight. He's now in prison.

Random and Bleys both seem quite amused by the details of the story, and quietly impressed by Trace's flair and persistence.

Of course, she lets absolutely none of this show.

Taking her cue from the Boss's attitude, Roz shakes her head and smiles a little. "Want me to go bail him out, Boss?" She asks. "We can't just let him sit in jail."

Random checks with Roz that she has been informed of the details of possible chaos involvement in Cornaro (i.e. the things Bleys told her in his story about Tempest). If you have specific questions you'd like to pose, this would be the place.

"Julian would love an excuse to keep his Rangers right where they are," Bleys says, "and if people believed they were between Amber and Chaos..."

Random wants a full briefing on Karval, of course.

She is led into the King's office, where he's looking over a little crystal-and-gears contraption that he received from a Rajistan Pasha a decade ago, was briefly fascinated with, then left here when he grew bored with it. From the look on his face, he's trying to remember what it did.

He looks up at Roz and sets the gizmo down. "I could ask Jenkins," he says with a grin, "but damned if I'll give him the satisfaction. Ah well. I thought I'd be seeing you again," he says. "Tell me what's on your mind."

Random listens patiently while Roz discloses the parts of her Karval mission she decided to keep from Bleys and Florimel.

When she is clearly done, the King asks mildly "Is there something else you feel you ought to tell me?"

Roz is taken aback by the King's tone but uses her years of diplomatic and negotiation experience to hide her surprise.

She's greatly surprised that Random just dismissed her request to investigate Ana's death out of hand like that but she decides not to push it. And she's rapidly trying to think of what the hell he could be fishing for. Is there something she's done that she hasn't told him about? What could it possibly be? She wonders to herself. She doesn't feel at all guilty about hiding anything.

"I've told you everything about the recent Karval situation and all its attendant nuances..." Roz shrugs, "there's nothing else to say about that, really." Roz is shaking her head. "I can't think of anything else that's been going on that I should be telling you..." She stops for a moment. "Well, I did have a rather odd conversation with John a few days ago...."

Roz relates everything about her conversation with John.

"I tried trumping him just before I got your note about Ana's death," she continues, "it was blocked -- which is not so unusual as to be a cause for alarm. If it persists over time I'll try another approach. I received your note about then and left to meet up with you."

He pauses, visibly restrains his temper. "Now, Rosalind," he says, his tone a bit gentler, but not much. "I'm very glad that I didn't have to force this information out of you... much. But you insult me when you lie to my face about why you didn't tell me sooner."

I need some OOC explanation here, Tony because this makes no sense to me.

"Don't you?" he says testily. "You heard that Caine is concealing a plot to commit treason against Amber, and that one of my brothers is in league with Chaos, and you didn't think I ought to know?"

"From Bleys I might buy that," he says shaking his head ruefully, "he's always been one to go his own way and take the big risks on his own head. But you? No. You can't honestly think I'd believe that of you. Why even bother claiming it?"

"Thank you Jenkins," Random responds.

When the servant has stepped out again and secured the door, the King turns to Roz. "Do you want to be present for this?" he asks simply.

"I was surprised to hear you're still up," Caine says, looking over the King with a careful eye. "Thought you'd have taken the opportunity to crash as soon as you got in."

"Affairs of state, Caine," Random says. "I hear you've been keeping very busy yourself. Is there something you think you ought to be telling me?"

Caine smiles. "Nothing so important that it cannot wait until after the funeral, your Majesty," he replies.

Caine glances aside at Rosalind again. "Do you really want to have this discussion before the young Princess?" he muses.

"She's earned the right to see it," Random replies shortly.

"Very well," Caine responds with a sigh. "You're fishing. I'm not biting. If you've got more to say, by all means say it."

"You know which of my brothers plans to betray me," Random hisses, "to betray Amber!"

Caine is visibly shocked. He glances at Roz again, and this time there is much more than casual inspection in his eyes. There is anger, cold and calculating.

When he turns back to Random, Caine says "Planning is not the same as acting."

"Which is no damn excuse for you!" Random shouts. "You hid this from me! You drafted my SON into your conspiracy! For you it's treason, planned, acted and concealed, and I will not have it!"

Then the King goes very grim, very quiet. "I will have the one you're protecting," he snarls, "or by God I'll take it out of your skin instead."

"As your Majesty wishes," Caine grates, his face contorted with rage and the effort of restraint.

"And that's it?" Random asks, a little surprised, but still angry. "You know that I will find him out, one way or the other."

"But not from me!" Caine says sharply. "I don't expect you to understand... either of you."

Random nods. "Very well," he says. "Caine, I will not disturb our sister over this matter. Your fate is too unimportant to cause such a scene. You will attend the funeral. You will make your excuses early, and depart. You will never again return to this city, or any part of my kingdom, under pain of death."

Caine nods. "Is that all, your Majesty?"

"That is all," Random says heavily. "You have my leave to go."

Caine stands and, after giving Rosalind one long look full of violent promise, opens the door, steps through, and shuts it firmly.

She turns to the King. "I have a couple of things to say, but you won't like either of them," she only pauses for a moment. "Exiling someone like Caine is just way too dangerous. I recommend the dungeon -- preferably with the inclusion of hot pokers." The venom in her final words surprises even her. She looks down and notes with detached amazement that her hands are shaking.

He lapses into brooding.