(no subject)
Gerard is arranging paperwork on the pool table, a drink on the side.
Lucretia is at the head of a veritable parade, there being no fewer than six guards on her. She waddles forth at the front of the column, doing her best to ignore the men in black and yellow, the women in yellow and black, the ... androgynes in red and black. "Your highness Prince Regent Gerard," she greets with such equanimous aplomb as she's able to bring to bear. "How have you been?"
Gerard says, "Better than you, looks like. How long do you have?"
Lucretia chuckles. "Three months, give or take. You don't mind me sitting down, I hope? I'm looking forward to returning to full mobility, but I'm not known for my patience."
Gerard says, "Be my guest. It's not like we're in the throne room."
Lucretia drops into a seat, settling back. "True. Just as well. It's a very uncomfortable chair - or so Brand's said." She closes one eye in a merry wink. "I haven't tried it on for size. So what can I do for you, Gerard?"
Gerard says, "What appears to be everyone's favorite subject. Navarre. Kincaid the Honest loves him, everyone else thinks he's a crook, and he's Flora's night. What's your angle?"
Lucretia pinches the bridge of her nose. She sighs. "Ah."
Gerard says, "Yes."
Gerard says, "I should note this is a fact finding mission. He's not petitioning me or anything."
Lucretia straightens up, resting one hand on her stomach. "Well, frankly, we threw him out of the House for bad conduct, and since then, I haven't had a thing to do with him. Brand asked the House for opinions on him pursuant to his request to be put in charge of the Watch some months ago; I abstained from the proceedings entirely, because I felt that it would not do for Brand's decision to be called into question on account of potential bias."
Gerard says, "Good idea. May I ask what he did?"
Lucretia smiles wryly. "A number of things during a time when the House was already rocked by troubles. He behaved dishonourably, lied to me and to others when formally asked for data, he attempted to cheat in a formal duel in front of witnesses, then after the duel was concluded admitted that he'd thrown the duel - still in front of said witnesses. As that was after a series of more minor transgressions, and some serious ones involving alleged assault, I called a meeting of my House to discuss how to deal with him. The consensus was that we should kick him out. I demurred and gave him a fortnight to show measurable improvement, and assigned various members of the House to work with him to teach him how to behave properly."
Gerard says, "And he ditched them or challenged them to duels?"
Lucretia says, "No. He showed some improvement, for a time. Three days before the probation was due to expire, he came to me with a strange woman, and informed me that they were in love and wished to marry. I asked what her provenance was, and intended to help her gain provenance if need be; I was not given the opportunity to explain this, however, for she lashed into an intensive verbal assault in which she told me that if I did not permit them to marry, that his sworn oath to me of loyalty to the House and his word that he would marry for the good of the House would count as nil, for he had promised her he would sleep with no one other than him. He confirmed this to be the case."
Lucretia says, "At that point, his past improvement became moot. If his sworn oath is worthless, then his worth to my House is moot, and I will not and cannot be held subject to blackmail."
Gerard says, "Sounds,,,fun. Do you know anything of his commander, or his replacement?"
Lucretia shakes her head. "As I said, I've absented myself from anything to do with him since. He's no longer Mandrake, and while one hears rumours, it's not been my business. I can suggest you try asking Celeste or Valentine, though; they knew him better, and it's possible they might know more than I on this."
Gerard says, "I was asking you as brand's wife, not as Duchess."
Lucretia smiles. "Brand and I rarely if ever talk about politics, Gerard. The throne's weighed heavily on him. At the end of the day, the last thing he wants to do is bring that work into bed with him. He brings the work he'd rather be doing instead. I can tell you what brand of paint he likes, and discuss the influence of two hundred years of Aoctian settlers on Nehitian poetry, but of politics? I can speak most and best as Duchess."
Gerard says, "And this "we can't use trumps or it'll destroy everything" business?"
Lucretia shrugs. "I'll ask him when he gets home, but you likely know as much as I do. I heard a little of it from Addison, but I tend when Addison tells me things to go back to Brand to get it from him. Things lose something, the further away from the source they get. From what it -sounds- like to me, it's a case of mystical resonance beginning to fail. In the simplest terms, imagine Amber as a sheet of canvas, and every trump connection as making a pinhole connection in the canvas. Drop the connection, and the threads will usually tighten up again after. Passing someone or something through the trump connection, though, is like punching a needle through all the way. A larger-size needle. At first, it's fine - pretty small hole. Do it often enough..."
Gerard says, "So it's only for travelling?"
Lucretia says, "That appears to be the case, yes."
Lucretia says, "But I would ask Brand to be sure."
Gerard says, "Hrm."
Lucretia says, "I should at this point note, dammit, Gerard, I'm a doctor, not a trump artist."
Gerard says, "No, but you live with the greatest one alive. If only we could find Dworkin."
Lucretia gives Gerard an odd look. "Dworkin's dead."
Gerard says, "Yes, but his soul may be floating around somewhere."
Lucretia says, "Ah. Well. That is true. Wasn't it in that sword thingy, or am I mistaken?"
Gerard nods. "No idea if Corwin followed up on that.
Lucretia gives Gerard a somewhat droll look. "I'm afraid I really can't answer that. I left as royal physician and was released from all my vows in order to take up my role as Duchess. My oath to Amber still holds, of course - but I have no information on that."
Lucretia says, "I can however tell you that Addison was one of the Feldanes involved."
Lucretia says, "So he might know."
Gerard says, "Oh, really? Hrm. Well, Duchess, anything you want to toss my way while I'm keeping The Chair warm?"
Lucretia settles back, considering. "Hmmm. I admit that nothing immediately springs to mind, other than the usual query as to whether you're hoping to make it a more permanent seating arrangement. Other than that, I have a question for you : how can I help?"
Gerard says, "To answer your question...there's likely a reason Brand picked me. I'll serve if needed. As for how you can help, you already have. Oh...you resigned, did anyone replace you?"
Lucretia says, "I made a recommendation, but Corwin chose to leave the role empty."
Gerard says, "Who was it?"
Lucretia says, "My cousin, Valentine de'Mandrake. He's presently serving as Deputy Mayor."
Gerard says, "Hmm. Good choice."
Lucretia smiles. "Otherwise I'd suggest my brother, but he's somewhat retired now. I'm not sure if he'd be available."
Gerard says, "None of this was mentioned to Brand? If not, I'll mention it."
Lucretia says, "I don't remember if it was or not. It's been a bit, and it's very a fairly busy time. Feel free to bring it up to him, by all means."
Gerard nods. "I will. That position needs someone in it."
Lucretia chuckles and nods. "I'd offer, but I'm not entirely sure how that would work. Still, if no one else is available who has the time, let me know and we'll see what can be worked out."
Gerard nods. "Thank you."
Lucretia hauls herself up to her feet with a smile. "Quite welcome, your highness. If you need anything else, do let me know. I'd best be taking the boy back home for a nap."
Gerard says, "You know the sex already?"
Lucretia chuckles. "I'm a Mandrake, and it's within my own body. There isn't much I can't tell you about him - except his name. Brand wants to meet him first, before we decide on a name."
Gerard says, "Given that it's Brand, will that be before or after the birth?"
Lucretia says, "Oh, definitely after. I try not to mix metaphysics with biology. The results are too unpredictable. Zombie ferrets, for example. They're hideous - the way they chitter-poing as they drag themselves along the floor..." She shudders. "Or those ravenous toad-slugs I ran into in that one shadow, they were being worshipped as gods. They tasted quite good in a wine sauce with enough garlic, though."
Gerard arches a brow. Looks a bit grin. "I'll take your word on that."
Lucretia smiles, waggling her fingers in farewell. "See you around, Gerard." She turns, then sighs as she eyes her bodyguards with mistrust. They eye her in much the same way. "Fall in," she tells them resignedly. As she walks out, she can be heard to say, "I don't suppose any of you play the trombone?"