[Archivist's note: This is a trump conversation between Kanna and Lian
sometime during Day 4 when the three of them had ended up splitting up on
various tasks, and since it's a pure IC info exchange, shouldn't require
GM intervention.  If it -does-, then this entire sequence can be
disregarded as a particularly intense dream on the part of the players. 
Thank You For Your Patronage. -- Magnetic Terrapin Studios.]

Kanna sits, and pulls out her trump of Lian, and concentrates on it.

spoof It takes a few seconds, but soon enough the trump comes
alive. Lian seems to be in a small high-tech looking vehicle. "Hello?"

Kanna smiles a bit, a bit of tension dropping out of her frame.  "Hey
there, Lian... out for a joyride?"

Lian smiles, but keeps an eye on something outside the trump
contact. "Not really. I'm on the way to the infinite library for some
research."

Kanna nods.  "Right.  I'll try to keep this short, then.. don't want
to distract you too much from driving.  And this works out, in its
way..." She takes a deep breath.  "Well.  I'm pleased to report that
Aunt Nanami doesn't want us dead.  But she -does- advise us to lie low and
stay out of Amber for a while, 'cause... well, Siam -and- Sind have a
price on our heads at the tune of one Comet each, for Piracy." She winces.
 "And -oh-, the KTC lodged formal protest at a ship hauling sugar being
destroyed by members of the Royal Family, AND Siam has protested the
killing fo 60 monks on their way to Amber for missionary work."

Kanna says, "The Nogul ambassador wants to hire us as pirates in his
service, but Iiiiiii think I'm gonna be turning him down on that."

Kanna says, "Same with Bey." She quirks a smile.

Lian nods, grinning briefly. "Is it only you two who are so popular,
or should I worry too?"

Kanna says, "Aunt Nanami said 'you three', so yeah, I believe you were
spotted.  I'm going to be doing my best to avoid anything in the
ambassadorial areas the next few weeks.  And cancel any plans to vacation
in Siam and Sind for the next few years..." She pauses, and scratches her
cheek.  ".. weird that -both- Siam and Sind put prices on our heads,
'cause they're generally at each other's throats what with the KTC..." She
groans, and mutters darkly about politics. "Well, as it stands, once I
finish with business here in town, I'm going to be in Begma for a while, I
think.  Some stuff Renard nabbed seems to have popped up there, and I'm
gonna try to backtrack.  Bey's heading to CAFAM to try and buy some
Elder-Sign ammo, and I think after that is going to ... oh, right you
don't know this yet, I think."

Lian says, "It seems I don't, yes."

Kanna says, "The vases the Bey found and were later bought/stolen?
The runes on them lead to a map to a Spikard.  A Dragon Spikard, Aunt
Nanami thinks, which is another group of 'em, supposedly made for and used
by Chaosians."

Kanna says, "Bey's gonna check with Gran-aunt Anthy to see if he can
get a Sidar translation, before heading off to CAFAM.  And I think he was
planning after that to head off to find that spikard."

Lian hms. "Maybe I'll give Bey a call once I find what I want at the
Library. I'd be quite interested to get a good look at a real spikard ...
maybe I can find a way to duplicate it."

Kanna mmms.  "Right.  Well, I'm having sis make a trump of you for
Bey, since he doesn't have one... we agreed to catch up with each
other via Trump in the evening since we were going to be roaming
hither and yon.  For the moment, Amber's going to be claiming they
don't know what happened with the sinking, so I'm planning on making
myself scarce." She smiles.  "Aunt Nanami and Beowulf talked a bit
about the spikards while I was there, but I figure when the two of you
chat he can fill you in."

Lian grins, "I'll make sure to call him later." She glances at
something, then nods to Kanna again. "I visited uncle Fuyutsuki before we
went a-piratin' to see what I could get out of him on prophecy-related
stuff. Not much, really ... a bit more info on Melkor, confirmation that
it was his master spikard that Annadil used. Unfortunately, all the
reference works that might be useful either went off to join the enemy,
had to be killed, or were sold to get money for toys, so he suggested a
trip to the Library. I figure while I'm there I'll also look for some
books I've wanted for a long time, so it's likely that you can find me
there for at least a day Amber time, once I actually arrive."

Kanna's eyes widen a bit, and then nods.  "Right... that explains why you
were distracted about things when we met up last night.  .. the fact that
the books ran -off-... yeesh."  She shakes her head.  "And I and Aunt
Nanami had to point out to Bey that while noble, trying to retrieve the
master spikard from Those Beyond would be Really Really Stupid.  Yes, even
though they probably got it off of Annadil once he got locked Out and
could probably try influencing the wearers of the Lion Spikards, whoever
they may be."  She sighs, and then manages a smile.  "Well, good luck in
finding editions that are safe to read in the Library... and take care,
okay?  Things are starting to come to a head, and they're worrying me."

Lian grimaces. "Actually, what distracted me was something uncle Fuyu
said. When I mentioned that things are getting ... interesting ... again,
he asked me if I had been nailed to a big metal crucifix yet. And I know
him too well to just assume it doesn't mean anything."

Kanna's eyes widen at that.  "... the dark prophet..." she murmurs, a hint
of fear in her voice, but then blinks.  "But... you're not a prince,
though..."  She shakes her head. "But.. yeah.  Mom said the same thing
about Dworkin, and how he reminded her of Great-Grandfather.  You -think-
it's just rambling, and it -could- be, but at the same time..." She sighs.

Lian says, "I don't think so this time. Oh yes ... I also got some
more info about the Knife and how to get it. Though some of -that-
could be rambling."

Kanna now looks curious.  "Oh?"

Lian says, "It involves being able to recite a short story from
memory."

Lian says, "On the other hand, it's a story about cats, and the person one
would be telling it -is- a cat goddess, so ..."

Kanna says, "Never hurts to cover all the bases." She chuckles.

Lian says, "Exactly. We should definitely get the Knife though, and as
soon as possible ... according to uncle Fuyu, it's good for killing things
in general, dimensional travel, and slaying Outsiders. Especially the last
ability might come in handy ... especially if some of my suspicions come
true."

Kanna nods, her expression serious.  "Given the worries we had when we
went through ananlyzing things last night... having an Anti-Outsider
weapon would be very, very -damn- useful."  She then sighs.  "I think I'm
going to be distracted on this Renard thing for a little while longer, but
I'll see what I can do for rearranging priorities to join up in a group
for this."

Kanna says, "And oh.  That reminds me.  We happen to have a new
addition to the family who I met yesterday before we re-rendevoused,
most likely."

Kanna says, "A new prince of the blood.  Name's Lucien... and he says he's
derith's -son-."

Lian asks, "... Derith's son?"

Kanna nods, slowly.  "Arimi found him out in shadow, and brought him
here.  Lucien's out to claim his 'birthright', walking the Pattern,
and then some other things, I suspect.  A very chivalrous sort... he
gave his name as Sir Lucien du Lac."

Lian says, "Sir Lucien du Lac, hm? Fits, I guess ... "

Kanna chuckles a bit.  "Raised in the realm of Arthur Pendragon, by
Merlin Ambrosius, and trained in war by Lancelot.  I'd hoped to talk
to him more, but by now he's probably walked the Pattern and either
fried to a crisp or gone off to do what he feels needs doing."

Lian grins, "You royals ... meddlers one and all."

Kanna raises her hand in supplication (since one hand's holding the
trump).  "Hey, don' look at me... *pause* Okay, DO look at me, I'm
prolly a poster child for Meddler of the Month club."  She grins.

Lian snickers, then looks away. When she turns back to Kanna, she
sighs. "Got to close the call now. I'm about to get into the Graveyard of
Dreams. NOT one of my favorite places, and I'll likely have to go through
Nightmares again."

Kanna winces, and nods.  "Right.  Pyricorn and Unicorn go with you and
watch over you, Lian.  Take care."

Lian says, "You too, Kanna. Try not to increase the bounty on your
head."

Kanna chuckles a bit again.  "I'll try not.  At least I don't have
Tre-Stone bounties on me. *pause* Well, yet, at least.  Later."

Kanna waves, and then passes a hand over the card, cutting the
connection.

[And so we end this scene, to be spliced hopefully into another scene.
Thank you for joining us for this recent edition of Amber Sidebar
Theatre.]