The captain says, "Glad you decided to be reasonable. I'll expect payment within the hour."

Jeanette says "So long as it is understood that there will be no more ... difficulties."

Vance emerges from belowdecks.

The Captain says, "As long as this journey remains safe. The fee doubles again if this ship or our lives are placed in jeopardy."

Vance frowns, as he overhears the Captain's words. He walks towards Jeanette.

Krinac to Vance: Currently the ship is drifting.

Jeanette glances over at Vance, smiling warmly.

You say "Jeanette, we will need to make a brief stop before our destination, to garner supplies. I am prepared to forge the way."

Jeanette nods. "Speak to Engela, then. Is Allyna still with us?"

Engela and Rex are conversing quietly near the bow of the ship.

You say "I have not spoken to her since the other night. And I have already talked with Engela."

Jeanette nods. "Time to discuss funding with the others, then." She steps off, apparently in search of Allyna.

Vance holds a hand in front of Jeanette, briefly. "Speak to Reed. He can arrange payment."

Jeanette nods again.

Vance glances over to the Captain. "Raise the sails. You will be paid." He then walks to the bow of the ship.

Long distance to Krinac: Vance goes to talk with Engela and Rex, briefly.

The engines do start up soon after, and the ship lurches forward.

Krinac to Vance: Engela is talking with Rex quietly, her eyes almost fixated upon his as she talks.

Vance walks over to Engela. "I am ready to take over the burden of navigation."

Jeanette steps belowdecks, headed for Allyna's cabin.

Engela bows, "If you wish, we are still a long way away, and as long as you realize that I will stop when we reach Avalon, then we can trade off."

You say "We will move faster if we take turns bearing the burden. I am rested, and will appreciate the change of scenery."

Engela says, "Perhaps I should rest, I am quite tired. Honored Dark Master, Rex, good day."

Rex nods to Engela, with a smile.

Vance nods to Engela, and then looks out over the bow of the ship.

Engela backs away, smiling, then dissapears below deck.

Vance to Krinac: Vance will start guiding the ship.

The clouds and see slowly start to alter as the ship once again winds its way through shadow.

Ariadne comes out to join Vance in the bow of the ship.

Ariadne asks, "So how are you doing this?"

Vance says, without turning, "Watch...and learn."

Vance to Krinac: Vance exaggurates the shadow-shifting process a bit, for Ariadne's benefit.

Rex returns to his room.

Krinac to Vance: Ok, so noted.

Vance gazes forward to the horizon, wind brushing against his face as he stands at the bow of the ship.

Sean walks up to the bow.

Vance glances over to Sean, after a moment, and waits.

Sean says "How did it go with the others?"

Vance shrugs. "Nothing has changed. As I told Jeanette, she is in charge until Arcadia. I resume command then."

Nayda asks, "What is in Arcadia?"

You say "Another piece of my guardianship, and others that may aid our cause."

Sean says "And you mean to question Dalt from beyond the grave. What's so important that you need to know from him?"

You say "Several things. The secret of the gunpowder. The location of Coral. The names of others with his views that might be persuaded to join our cause."

Nayda smiles, "You don't have to go to the grave to find out where Coral is now. I can tell you that."

Vance looks at Nayda with renewed interest. "Oh? Can you take us to her, then?"

Nayda says, "Right now? I'm not sure, I've never led a boat across shadow, certainly I could lead you there on horses."

Vance hmms. "We'll land at Arcadia, I will conclude my business there with all due speed, and then...we ride."

Sean says "There's more, Vance..."

Vance hmms. "Speak on, then."

Sean says "Nayda believe she knows who was involved in the Begman ritual with Coral."

Vance turns to Nayda.

Nayda says, "Merlin, son of Corwin, but I cannot believe either of them knew the consequences of her actions then."

Vance frowns. "Why do you believe it was Merlin? Rinaldo would have been just as appropriate, and he was Coral's husband-to-be."

Nayda says, "It was an arranged marriage, no love on either side and unless Coral's lied to me she's never slept with Luke."

Vance hmms. "Assuming that's true...why choose the center of the Broken Pattern, if it wasn't intentional?"

Jeanette shrugs, approaching them. "Someone else put them there?"

Vance gives Jeanette a wry glance. "Not exactly the scenario that inspires lovemaking."

Nayda says, "It may have been intentional, but I cannot believe they knew what the Pattern would do once Begma's pattern was healed. As I am given to understand the same ritual can create another image of the Pattern, making it stronger. It doesn't have to destroy. Knowing Coral and Merlin, I would say the Pattern betrayed them."

Vance frowns. "Which leads us back to Coral, and what she bears."

Sean says "The Pattern itself?"

Nayda says, "Perhaps, the Pattern is sentient, but some other Amberite could easily have misled them for some advantage of their own."

You say "Irrelevant, until we know more. What is important is where Coral is, and how long until Amber finds her."

Nayda says, "Amber, or at least the Pattern probably knows where she is. If you are willing to defend her, there may be another way to help."

Sean says "I'm willing to try to help her."

Vance nods. "As am I."

Nayda looks to Jeanette and Ariadne, "The help would require the aid of a woman, one attuned to a broken pattern. The ritual that was used to destroy Begma, could be used to shield a Broken Pattern, and at the same time strengthen the forces which guard Coral."

Jeanette hmms, "An intriguing possibility."

Ariadne looks to Vance, "What protection would out homes have against betrayal?"

You say "You are asking for a lot of trust, Nayda."

Vance looks to Ariadne. "Little, actually. It comes down to the word of those we barely know."

Nayda says, "You would have to trust Corwin. Say what you will of him, there are none that call him an oathbreaker."

Vance grimaces slightly. "None alive, at least."

Sean says "How many times have we been asked what power we have, that we would stand against Amber and Chaos, Vance?"

You say "Coral's destroyed one Broken Pattern, Sean. I'll want to speak with her in detail before I give her the keys to another."

Sean says "Coral was betrayed!"

Vance shrugs. "What proof do you have, Sean?"

Nayda says, "He has me, Coral is my sister, and she would never have willingly destroyed our home."

You say "Then, when we meet her, we will hear her side of the story."

Jeanette says "Is she the only one who could undertake such protections?"

Nayda says, "Coral wouldn't actually take part, Corwin would."

Jeanette says "Then why are we so worried about her? It's him we need to consider."

Vance glances out at the sea, then back to the others. "Arcadia is the most convienent stop before searching out Coral, and I want to make sure the Courts of Light and Dark are warned. We will gain more information about what happened soon enough...and I need rest. Have Engela guide the boat, and I will come back up when she tires."

Sean looks at Nayda, like a question.

Vance does seem fatigued, and he turns to walk off.

Nayda says, "That didn't go very well."

Sean says "Vance. One last thing to consider."

Vance glances back. "Yes, Sean?"

Sean says "There's another Pattern. Corwin's. It's caught in the middle, same as we are. He's looking fo allies."

Sunfall says "So, what did I miss?"

Vance is motionless for a moment. "I...see. That probably should have been mentioned earlier, Sean. When I awaken, I'd like to hear more."

Sean says "That's where Coral is, and why she is safe from the Pattern, for now, but no one knows how long that will last. The Pattern is getting stronger."

Sunfall says "A full pattern?"

Sean says "I didn't know, earlier, Vance. I was getting to that."

Nayda says, "That's where Coral is, and why she is safe from the Pattern, for now, but no one knows how long that will last. The Pattern is getting stronger."

Allyna says "Where?"

Nayda says, "A full pattern, but slightly different from Amber. The lines are not all the same, and the Pattern of Amber, isn't too happy about it."

Allyna says, "Have you been there?"

Vance frowns. "This is...troubling. I would like to hear more, but I think rest and meditation are in order for now. I would speak with you further, Sean, when I awaken."

Nayda replies, "Yes."

Allyna says "You've seen this Pattern?"

Sean shakes his head. "I just found out from Nayda."

Vance turns, and slowly heads belowdecks.

Nayda replies, "Yes."

Jeanette mmmms. "Verrrry interesting."