On arriving back with the others, Drake orders his men to stand
down, then
leave the field. The captain salutes Drake and barks out his own
command.
As one, the soldiers re-sheath their swords, turn smartly, and file
up the
stairs and out of sight - provided no-one interferes.

Obi offers the men a nod of respect and once they've gone, adds a
small shake
of his head.

Only one returns his looks, his expression is unreadable, but not
cold. Nevertheless, these are proud men.

Dina motions Eduard back over. To the group in general she says, "I
think the two injured parties should get the horse. I don't like
the
way that leg looks. Corwin can drive."

Eduard canters over on Geb.

"Neither do I," Drake adds, looking at the blood still flowing into
the
water. "That's the trouble with Rebma. Ya never can feel it drawing
blood
until it's too late. Thanks for the offer of the ride," he adds to
Dina,
knowing full well it wasn't an offer at all, "I'll walk. But I'd
really like
to stop bleeding anytime now..."

Obi steps up to Geb and draws a woman's scarf from the saddlebags.
He
kneels at Drake's side and begins to bind the wound if he's allowed.
It's nothing pretty, the bandaging at least, being at odds with the
brightly colored scarf, but it should staunch the loss of blood.

          "Well-met indeed," Drake says to Obi echoing his earlier words

of greeting to his cousin.

"Crap," says Graham suddenly shaking himself back in the present
moment. Looking at Terry, they doff their chain gloves and tuck them
into their belts and move over with Obi to take a look.

"If it's okay," Terry offers to the Obi, "we'll take over. It's our
job after all." The two of them get to work on tying it off and
putting a bandage together.

Dina tries to hide her grin.

The Messenger apologizes to Marie as he stands. "It was supposed to
be a present I picked up along the way, but I'll buy you something to
replace it, I promise."

Marie smiles. "That's okay," she assures Obi. "Business before
pleasure, and it's not the first time I've had to sacrifice a good
dress in the name of first aid."

"Marie wears dresses?" Graham mutters under his breath, but Drake will
catch it. "Careful," Terry warns his partner lightly, and just as
quiet.

"It seems we'll have to go shopping for new outfits presently," Obi
says with a nod toward the underwater city before them and the
obvious
differences in fashion as evidenced by the Rebman guard and the lady
at their side.

Marie follows his gaze and arches one eyebrow. She shakes her head
ruefully, but still has to stifle a laugh, as if she might be
protesting too much.

"Captain, Lady?" he greets them again. "What were the Crowns wishes
once the issues here were resolved?"

The Lady and Captain Soybek approach the Arch where Obi can meet with
them face to face.

Miho stands by Corwin, watching as he checks his nose.

Corwin offers Miho a chagrined smile. "Just my pride," he offers.

She cocks her head, as if seeking instructions. Corwin looks
pointedly at Drake and jerks his head in his nephew's direction. Miho nods
with a small smile.

She makes her way to where the EMT's have created a makeshift
tourniqet and bandage from the scarf, and places one hand on Drake's arm. Her
touch is light, but firm, and could easily become a grip should it be needed. "That
looks as if it might be difficult. Perhaps you would prefer a step up
onto the mount, and I will ride with you."

"Hold on Miho," Corwin calls. He turns to Dina. "Actually you should
ride. Whoever's mounted is going to get all the attention. If you're
going to speak on our behalf and play the blood line angle, we'd be
smart to make sure all eyes are you. I'm fine, and Drake can walk,
after all he's been a pain the a$$ and that cut isn't going to kill
him."

"Besides, he's given his parole and he's a sailor by the look of it. I
got that right Drake?" Corwin grins. "Otherwise Miho has my blessing
to send you right to mandatory nap time, and without a kiss."

"Yep that's about right," Drake says to Corwin then looks across at
Miho speculatively with his more usual good humor. "A kiss for good
behavior then...darn, if only I'd known that earlier..." He does lean
on her offered arm. Miho can tell that although Drake is still talking
a good game, he is rather weakened from the blood loss.

Quite possibly unnoticed by anybody else, Graham narrows his eyes.

Dina sighs and looks at Geb. She looks back at Corwin. "Do I look
anything like her then? Well, I'll get on. Maybe they won't take my
weapons if I'm up there."

Meanwhile, Obi comes face to face with the two Rebman's in charge of
the scene. The Lady is short of stature but carries herself with a
certain amount of presence. With hair a faint green like Llewella, she
looks up at Obi with a smile. "Her Majesty has dispatched an envoy,"
Her eyes start to wander as she looks closely at every member of their
party.. searching? This is the first time she's had a clear look at
anyone besides Obi, Drake, and Corwin.

The Lady looks back at Obi, but something is different. She is a
little uncertain for the first time. Around her neck is a delicate
chain that connects to either side of little medallion. The symbol of
an eye fashioned from silver wire... with some little rune in the
pupil, like two triangles, with one inverted and pointed down towards
the other. She opens her mouth to say something and hesitates..

"Sister May'ell?" Soybek inquires, not sure of her behavior. Obi will
realize that the term Sister, unless one is an actual sibling,
sometimes has a spiritual connotation to it.

"Excuse me," May'ell says abruptly. "I think they're almost here.
Captain, I'll debrief them." She whirls around, and following her with
their eyes both Obi and Soybek will see that, indeed, three women are
being escorted from a open carriage drawn by three rather large
turtles. May'ell barely refrains from rushing to it. She can not be
overheard at this distance, but she is speaking quite earnestly as the
three other women finish exiting the carriage.

One is a regal woman, with a proud haughty face and silver hair. The
second is also tall, but breathtakingly lovely. The first two are
blessed with youth, but Obi can tell the third is elderly, and
slightly hunched, with a hooded robe and a staff. All three look in
the direction of the Arch, and at Obi.

Whatever she is doing at that particular moment, Dina will catch sight
of something that stops her cold. Glancing at three women who have
come to act as Moire's envoys, she realizes that she recognizes one of
them.. sort of. She and Dina have never met, but Corradina has seen
her face before. Her name is Theano, beautiful with striking blue
hair..

...In fact, Diomedes was supposed to marry her.

Dina smiles, and moves Geb over so they're next to Obi. "I'm gonna
borrow your horse, coz." She watches the Rebman women very closely.

Obi offers a lazy shrug. "Guess that's what I get for bringing him,"
he chuckles patting the Arabian's nose, knowing he doesn't love these
trips but proud of how he's held up. Quietly he suggests, "But I
wouldn't mount yet, as none of them are going to take you talking down
to them well, even if it is just literally."

The 'debriefing' doesn't take very long, and soon the three women walk
over to the Arch. Captain Soybek gathers one edge of his cloak, and
bows to them, yielding so that they might face Dina and Obi.

Theano wears a light silken dress that moves lightly with the current.
The silver haired beauty with the cold eyes is wrapped in a sheer
garment that only serves to tease the imagination. The third however,
is a crone. They can tell by the wrinkles her on her hand that
clutches at a staff that looks carved from drift wood and sanded
smooth. Her face is unseen.

"We would welcome you to Rebma," Theano starts gracefully, looking
Dina fully in the eyes.

Dina meets her eyes and smiles warmly.

"But we would know what you seek, outcasts of Amber" adds the silver
haired one.

"Not all outcasts I think," muses the crone from beneath her hood. She
points a crooked finger directly at Drake. "Not that one. We *know*
him." The faceless hood turns just slightly to in the direction of
Corwin and then Obi. "And we know others."

Behind Dina and Obi, Corwin gives Drake a questioning sidelong look.

Drake shrugs, returns the sidelong glance. "I get the impression
they'd like to turn me into fish bait," he replies. "Last visit
didn't go so well."

Corwin and anyone overhearing Drake's reply can tell
there's much more to it than that. Obi, Dina and Miho are the ones who know
Drake better. They have all seen Drake act that way before. He clams up like
this whenever anyone hits on the subject of what it was that he and Random got
into hot water over that made Caine want Random's head on a pole.

Corwin nods amiably. "I've had that effect on people too."

Miho gives Drake a sidelong glance, but stays silent.

"And we know that Prince Julian knows better than to consider
Faiella-Bonin his territory. Her Majesty has suffered Lord
Drake these past hours, in hopes that someone would come to correct
him," the silvered hair one says. "You have her thanks."

While the women discuss things amongst themselves, Obi
removes the Trump he had pocketed for quick use earlier and, his back
to the gate and Moire's envoys, concentrates on his mother's hands,
willing them to movement. Mother? he thinks

The trump grows very cold for Obi, very quickly. Unusually
so. It seems charged with life, but there is no answer.. just a bit
of a tingle. He continues to concentrate as the three Rebman
ladies continue their introduction.

Obi presses on with intent, half-listening as best he can.

"I am Theano, Lady of the Line of Telecleia," the blue
haired woman introduces herself to Dina, with a gracious bow of her head.

Dina bows.

"Jeyra," the one with silver hair murmurs, "Lady of the Line
of Winath." She inclines her head in something of a bow.

Dina bows again. It doesn't cost her anything to be nice.

Then the old woman takes her stick and jabs Obi in the back
with it, and not gently either- it's a rebuke. "Why should I give my
name when this one turns his back on us to do his wizardry?" she
demands.

Dina slips herself protectively between Obi and the one old
enough not to care, but she can't help but grin.

"Mother Horath," Jeyra gestures to her side with a casual
flip of her hand.

"Bah," grumbles the old woman.

"He only seeks his mother, my lady. Is it so inappropriate
for him to do so here?" Dina asks the eldest directly.

Horath ceases her impromptu poking of Dina's cousin. "Bide," she
says calmly to Dina, "I'll answer in a moment. Let us allow the ladies
their formalities."

Theano and Jeyra exhange glances at Horath's display, but
continue on smoothly. "Will you tell us your names and your lines so
that we might know you and your reason for coming here in troubled times?"
Theano speaks directly to Dina, but she and Jeyra's glance over
Dina's shoulder to make it clear that it applies to all of them.
The two younger women definitely behave as if this is a formal
prelude to guests of notable station being admitted to the City and
escorted to the Palace.

Dina looks back to Theano. "Of course, cousin. I am Dina,
Lady of the line of Dante, and through my father, Corwin of Amber,
Lady of the line of Queen Faellia, who made connections. And that, my
ladies, is what we have come to speak with the Queen about." Dina waves
Corwin and her men over.

Corwin, Eduard, and the boys approach, as does Marie.

Drake decides that it would do no good for the others to introduce
himself, so he doesn't offer to come forward; by extension neither
does Miho who stays by his side.

"This is my sire, Prince Corwin, son of Faellia."

"Honored," adds Corwin warmly with a casual but quite cordial bow.

"And this is Master Eduard Benium of the Shadow Sanctuary, who
is my companion. This is Terry and Graham of Corwin's Earth, where
they were healers."

Eduard also bows in imitation of Corwin. Terry and Graham try as
well, and do a fair job of it for being unused to the custom.

Obi is cool and collected when he turns back to the triptych of
witches, the Trump already returned to his case. "This is the
Swordwoman Marie Parker, also of the Shadow Sanctuary." He
offered his free hand toward the dark haired woman at his side.

Marie glides up to join Obi, nodding her greeting and venturing an
uncertain smile.

The Messenger bowed deeply, his walking staff in the other hand.
"I am Obi Abidemi, the Heart Born During the Father's Absence, of the
Line of Faiella through her daughter Deirdre, Princess of Amber."

"Such a silver tongue," cackles the robed and hooded old woman, and
her voice is not completely mocking and reproving. "Such a shame not
to use it!" Mother Horath turns in the direction of Dina. "And to
answer your question, there is nothing wrong with seeking the
counsel of one's mother." She chuckles. "But are two girls and an old hag so
fearsome? Never has Lord Abidemi been described as bashful, not to
me anyway. So I'd say he can speak for himself can't he, after all
child, he's a full grown man."

Dina snorts.

A small smile from Miho.

A shaky old hand reaches up to lift up her hood and drop it back
over her shoulders. Mother Horath's hair is gray and pulled back
severely. Her face looks like it may have been handsome once, but is not now
deeply lined with age. Her eyes are blind and milky white. She turns
towards the carriage now and takes a few short steps. "Oh, call her
Highness if you want," she mutters tiredly referring to Deirdre,
"but you don't need her. It doesn't change anything."

"I appreciate your concern, Mother, but my concern is not for myself
or even my traveling party," he answers with the grin that appeared
after her earlier flattery. "I've seen enough years of my mother's
care and concern to hope that I might return the sentiment, as best a
son might in such circumstances. My apologies if such obligations
might have given offense."

The old woman pauses and calls in the direction of Captain Soybek.
"You will be so good as to alert the infirmary Captain. Lord Drake
has his own physicans, but see that they have the things that they
require for his care as our guest. We wouldn't want him to think he'd been
forgotten."

[OOC: just for the record, if you think Horath reacts fairly capable
for a blind woman, then I have described her correctly]

Meanwhile Theano and Jeyra have exchanged looks again, and a
backward glance at their elderly companion. Then Jeyra addresses Dina. "Allow
us to offer you the hospitality of Queen Moire, and arrange to have
you received by her at the Palace. She sends her personal welcome is
looking forward to meeting with you, the Prince, and the rest of
your company."

"We're honored," Dina says.

Theano lifts her soft compelling eyes to look between Dina and Obi,
and when she speaks, she speaks softly. "Forgive us, but we should
clarify.. in the case of Lord Drake that isn't strictly an
invitation, rather an order to appear. But we will of course assist with his
care, we were informed that he was injured." She adds to Obi. "And if
you'd like to confer with Princess Llewella, she is in residence at this
moment."

Dina turns her head to give Obi a look. "Perhaps you should try to trump your
mother again, before we enter?" Dina suggests.

"I'm sure now that contacting Mother can wait for us to be uopn our
way, or even until we're settled and injuries have been examined," Obi
assures her affably.

"Might I help you mount, Cousin?" He helps Dina onto Geb's back,
reassuring the loyal mount and patting his nose again.

When he's done there, he regards Diomede's former interest,
appreciating the boy's taste, but keeping the simple face of a
messenger. "I would be glad to visit my Aunt Llewella, but perhaps
once my Uncle's business is complete, thank you."

"As you wish," Theano replies evenly. "We'll inform that Palace that
you'll be coming." She and Jeyra turn and follow in the direction of
Mother Horath, who is now being assisted into their carriage.

Miho glances at Corwin while she stays with Drake. She cocks her
head, looks between the two men as if to silently ask which one she
should stay with once they are escorted inside.

Corwin catches Miho's look and gives Drake the once over. "I'm
inclined to ask you to surrender your trumps, Drake. That way no one
has to babysit you, and you can't warn Eric, or anyone else poorly
disposed towards me."

Drake looks directly back at Corwin. "Why would I want to do that?
That would only bring about what I'm trying to avoid. You have my word
of parole until you leave this place. After that, whatever you do,
you're gonna do it before I get a chance to even react." He tilts his
head to indicate the Rebmans. "They're gonna keep me busy long after
you're gone," he adds.

Corwin gives Drake another appraising look, and then turns to Miho.
"Miho-my, I figure we'll have a little time to kill. If our expert
medical staff has no objections I'd like to challenge you a duel of
backgammon, chess, or mah-jong. Family quality time. They must do
something around here besides be beautiful."

Corwin offers her his arm in a gentlemanly way, and his lack of
response to Drake suggests that the son of Caine truly is on his
honor.

With a smile, Miho takes his arm and nods. "That sounds like an
enjoyable way to kill time, in games of strategy."

Of course, Obi will remember a time before Dina was around, when it
was he who was the one being challenged to board games.

"Shall we then?" Obi asks his Uncle and cousins.

"Lead on Obi," Eduard replies, petting Geb gently from where he stands
near Dina. Only a few seconds later he is echoed by a chorus of
agreement from the others.

Everything is seen through a green haze. Rebma for those who never
have been is a true city. There are buildings, all of them fragile and
most of them high, grouped in patterns and standing in colors that
enter your eyes and tear through your minds, seeking to be remembered,
always.

Corwin peers around, and therein lies the tragedy. So many family
around him have lent him the illusion of being really himself, but now
that illusion fails. So much glory and dominion surrounds him now, and
he is reduced to nothing but a tourist, no matter how many times he
may have beheld the streets of his mother's country.

Your escort are men with green hair, purple hair, and black hair, and
all of them have eyes of green save one who has eyes of hazel. Jeyra's
radiant silver hair is a rarity for you see no one else with locks the
same shade, except in the elderly, and even then Mother Horath's hair
was actually dull gray. The men with you wear scaled trunks and
cloaks, cross-braces on their breasts, and short swords depending on
sea-shell belts. All pretty much lack body hair. None of them speak,
though some stare and others glare. No one asks for any weapon to be
surrendered however.

Inside the city, you are conducted down wide avenues, lighted by
pillar flames set even closer than on Faiella-bonin, and people stare
out at you from behind octagonal, tinted windows, and bright bellied
fish swim by. A cool current comes, like a breeze as you turn a
corner; and after a few steps, a warm one, like a wind.

All the way to the Palace you are led, with Dina riding proudly on Geb
in the lead. She is accorded most of the attention. Once at your
destination, Geb is taken to stables, maintained for the sake of land
born visitors. Each are given their own quarters unless they are
specified as couples.

Terry volunteers to go to a room set aside as an infirmary with Drake,
and see to his wounds properly.

Obi is greeted individually on the way in, perhaps the only thing that
detracts attention away from Dina. While Drake and Diomedes both have
known Rebman culture at one point or another; Obi is a moderately
frequent visitor to the Palace and is known by some. Perhaps a point
of contact for later.

The group is informed that Court will not open to receive them for an
hour or so, and they will be sent for when the time comes. Obi has
errands to run, and this affords Drake the chance to see to his health
needs. Corwin does actually invite Miho and Graham to his rooms for a
drink and to pass the time, as well as Dina and Eduard if they are so
inclined.