After breakfast, Robin reluctantly returns to the tom... her room and shuffles through the spilled and sprayed packing cartons.  Eventually she finds something paper-ish and something ink dispensing.  Plopping herself down on the floor, she composes a note.  She doesn't quite stick her tongue out of the corner of her lips as she labors.
            Once done, she folds the paper up and goes off in search of page, not noticing the smear of ink on her nose.
            The note is for Reid and reads such –

"Reid     I am leaving the Castle.  Ne  Could we meet to talk about tur  stuf  paths?  Youll have to find me as I don't know where either of us is.
            Thank you Robin"

Upon receiving the note at the end of his breakfast with Jerod, Reid turns to his cousin and says, "Wish we had a few more rangers in the castle. Their communication methods are almost as uncanny as our own. I bid you farewell and safe journeys.  I will take action on the matters we have discussed, and keep you informed of their outcome."

With that, Reid excuses himself and attempts to track down Robin in or about the castle.

Robin's using a tried-and-true forest method.  She's standing right where she found the page to send the note with.  But from her puzzled gaze around the room, she's not really sure about this particular place.
            An older room, it was probably once a solarium.  At least that's what the Ranger guess from the cracked glass panels that line seven of the room's eight walls.  The board and canvas ceiling was most likely placed after the Sundering shook a glass dome to the ground.  In fact, the orange carpet on the floor is still a tad crunchy with glass fragments.
            Most of the furniture is draped with dust covers, though Robin's investigations while she waits has revealed them to be a collection wrought iron patio style chairs, tables and settees in the oddest shade of puce.  The only thing undraped is a large storage chest where the unfortunate page was rooting through... orange dinnerware?!  Robin shakes her head.
            Outside, newer construction has put a *large* stone wall in a nice tight right-angled corner around the room, just about two feet away from the windows at the closest point.  Rendering the room, dark and closed in by stone and smelling of disuse and mold.
            The girl shudders.  What *is* it with this Castle?!?  That's it's full of places like this for the Ranger to stumble into.

Reid catches up to her in short order. "You summoned?" He's a little winded from darting around the castle, but he tries to hide it a bit. "I'm guessing that you're heading into Arden. I'd join you, but I've got my hands full here at the moment. How can I still be of assistance?"

The Ranger smiles as Reid enters the room.  But blinks at little at his statement, obviously a little off-balance.  Ummmm...
            "Reid.  Thank you coming.  Sorry for the inconvenience."  Robin blushes and flaps one hand somewhat helplessly at the place she's dragged him to.  Then sensing the man's need for expediency, Robin jumps right into it.
            "Prince Julian has closed the borders of Arden effective last night.  With His Majesty's knowledge and permission.  Forthwith no citizen of Amber will be allowed within Arden.  Any citizen attempting to enter or cross Arden's borders or boundaries will be turned back with whatever force the presiding rangers deem necessary."  Robin's lips press together in a flat line.  She knows it isn't good news but she told Reid as soon as she legitimately could.
            "Reid.  I told father about our conversation last night.  He is not pleased at all that there has been trafficking of humans within our lands.  He has assigned me to the task of seeking this out and stopping it.  Whatever it takes.  He has also asked me to liaison with you to make sure that no more citizens of Amber attempt to take an Arden route out of the city."
            The girl looks over the man-in-a-hurry that Reid appears to be.  A wry smile cocks her lips.  "I'm leaving the Castle very shortly.  And you have your hands full.  So... how do you want to work this?"  There's a sympathetic twinkle in Robin's eyes, she knows it's a pain in the ass but she's willing to help work it out.

"Well, as you probably know, Brita's been snatched. I'm attending a meeting with her mother in a short while to discuss how to proceed." It's clear that Reid would prefer direct action to strategy in such matters. "I'm also investigating a murder which is sensitive to both Gateway and Rebman concerns. I can remember a day when family of a murder victim would pursue their revenge personally, so, while I find it distasteful that their part in the search isn't hands-on, I suppose I serve Amber by my diggings. Between the two my hands are full."
            He ponders for a moment, before ticking off on his fingers the items that may be of most use to his cousin. "I was lead to the spot in Arden by May, an investigator in town. While I'm sure you and the rangers won't need the help of a townsperson, you may consider talking with her before you head out too far. She may have some information that could save you from misstep. Similarly, my prisoner is still in the dungeons, or perhaps the infirmary, should you wish to interrogate him. You are my guest to do so."

Robin listens to Reid without interrupting him.  And the expressions that dance across her mobile face are somewhat less guarded than she's used in the past with the man.
            The mention of Brita's abduction brings the wry twitch of an eyebrow.  She was in the room, trying to prevent that very thing, so yes, she knows.  The mention that Reid will be meeting with Fiona to discuss the issue of a rescue brings a flash of both relieved eagerness – something's going to be done – and irritation – but she's not invited.  Ah well, she didn't consider asking Conner to ride out to aid her in the rescue of Daeon.  So... Parental camps are still the stronger influence, a pity that.
            Reid's opinions on his investigation of the murder bring a wry and sympathetic snort from the Ranger.  She's in total agreement – much more a vengeance person than a justice person.  And very much aware of personal and familial responsibilities in such areas.  But Dung! does she understand how unwanted duties can fill the hands.
            So as Reid leans into the summary, the Ranger listens closely and focuses a raptor's gaze in.  She nods at places and chuckles appreciatively as Reid uses the irony to lace the point across that a *smart* ranger might actually listen to someone not wearing the green for at least a moment or two.
            As Reid finishes, the Ranger purses her lips and thinks for a moment or two, meshing Reid's reality with her orders.  When she speaks her voice is friendly but down to business.
            "Okay.  May I ask your advice then, Reid?  Firstly, if you wanted to spread a message among those citizens of Amber most likely to try a run through Arden, how would you do it?  Could this May help?"

"She could perhaps get the word out among some circles. Folly's group at the wharves would be another option," suggests Reid.

"Good thought."  Robin nods.  "Would you be kind enough to convey a message to May – soon-ish? – concerning the closure of Arden?  I know you're busy, but I'd appreciate it."  The girl shrugs a little ruefully, she doesn't know May and a message from Robin might not only go astray, but even if it got there might be discounted.  Whereas a message from Reid...

"I'll send word to town this afternoon. Don't think I could deliver the message in person until tomorrow or the next day at the earliest, but I'll pass it along," he offers.

"Whatever you can do."  Robin nods.  "Thank you."
            "I'll see if I can speak to Folly concerning her Soup Soldiers."
            "Secondly, thank you for the access to your prisoner.  That's very kind of you.  But would you be opposed... to my taking custody of him?  At the Masq, you mentioned that he wouldn't be ready for further interrogation for a few days, and my timeline is shorter than that."

"He's not, um, well. But if you're easier on him than I was, he might survive the trip. I don't think I broke anything, other than his spirit. But, there was shock, and a lot of blood, and, well, you know how that goes."

Robin drops one shoulder nonchalantly.  She definitely understands, that *is* the way it goes.  "Thank you very much.  I'll do my best to make sure he lives long enough to be useful.  Did you want him back when I was through?"  After all, Turf is Reid's capture, and Robin has a hunter's manners at their best.

Reid considers carefully. "I don't think I can get too much more from him. I don't know the best place to put him though. He did, after all, participate in the raids. Certainly my interrogation serves as some form of punishment, but I don't know if the scales of justice are quite level yet or not. Perhaps your father could find a place for him?"

One of Robin's brows goes up and she bows.  "Thank you, Reid. We're honored."

"Once he's healed, he should be a good worker. And if he's been lurking in the forest long, he may even make ranger some day." Reid offers.

The girl nods.  "I'll take that under advisement."

"Thirdly, I do retain possession of the... Card you gave me at the Masq.  But to the best of my knowledge, no such Card of myself exists.  And probably won't for a while.  How can I get messages to you should such be necessary?"

"By my card, you can get messages to me. Should I need to reach you, I'll need to come up with a sketch, if that's alright with you."

The girl definitely gets nervous at that prospect.  She licks her lips, but nods.  "Will you need me to do anything?"

"Ideally you'd be available to pose for me, at my beck and call when artistic inspiration hit, and you would sit in one place in a chair for hours on end while I painted." He waits for her reaction, but not too long.

An indelicate snort escapes the girl.  Sure, and right after that she'll build a stairway to Tir using only the kitchen cutlery.

"Of course, that would be ideal for my needs, but obviously not for yours," smiling warmly. "I'll make do. Don't count on contact coming from my end for a while, as these things do take time, but I'll begin work on it."

"Okay."  Robin nods.  Then a quiet smile spreads across her face.  "Reid?  Thank you for asking.  I...  really appreciate that.  Maybe later... when things are quieter, we can... I don't know..."  she shrugs one shoulder a little self-consciously.

Reid changes the subject to let her off the hook. "May I ask your plan for the fiends in the wood? Clever reconnaissance, or full frontal assault?"

"There's... complications, Reid.  Right now, I'm considering full frontal reconnaissance."  A wry twist lifts one corner of her mouth.  "But I'll probably think of something better before I get there."

"Well if there's anything I can do to help, you know how to reach me," Reid offers.

A beautiful shy smile lights Robin's face.  "I do.  Thank you, Reid."
            "If you wouldn't mind mentioning to Turf's guards that I'll be picking him up later, I'll see if I can track down Folly," the girl makes an exasperated pffff! noise at the thought of wading out into the castle again, "to see about the Soup message."
            She smiles again as she prepares to take her leave.

"Good luck with that." And with that, he bids her farewell.

"You too."  Robin smiles.  And wanders off to find her brother, somewhere in the rockpile of Amber Castle.