The Warden offers Robin his arm, for all the world as if they were at a garden party in the castle.

Robin looks up at her father, blinking away the swell of heat, tears and emotion.  With a faltering smile, she puts her hand on his arm and processes away.
            Once the two of them are out of earshot of the boys, Robin pats her father's arm.  "Th-thank you, Sir."  The stutter reveals how rocky she still is.  And there is her father, once again appearing out of his own personal chaos to lead her away from hers.

"You're welcome," Julian replies. He keeps Robin moving, slowly enough to let her steady herself, but quickly enough that she couldn't easily freeze up.
            "Your brother came to me to demand that I bar you from Arcadia. Without far more evidence than he offered of some misdeed on your part, I would not so insult you. But I would hear your side of the story from your lips, if you are willing to tell it."

"I don't know if there's a story to tell, sir."  Robin blinks in confusion, she's still not really sure what happened.  "I really don't... remember that there was much of substance at issue.  He wanted to stop and tend to all the wounded.  I wanted to move out now.  Other than that, it was all abstracts and chest-beating dominance issues, really."
            Robin lets her moving feet, the air flowing past her, her father's presence work their normal magic.  And breathes.
            "I... well, I suppose I can see why he would ask you to bar me from Arcadia.  He *did* say that he considered me a threat to Arcadia and Arcadia a threat to me, so he didn't want me in there."
            "Don't think it was a 'misdeed' situation, sir.  I think he just felt that I didn't respect him or his people or situation enough to be allowed any input.  Whiiicchh, I guess I can understand from someone not used to Robin-speak."  The girl winces as she remembers Adonis' bewildered and cold looks at some of her words.  "That was my fault, sir.  I... mistook relation for familiarity and jumped in with both wings."
            "On my part -- guy tried to pull rank on me."  Robin's eyes narrow slightly.  "That's when I got really frosty."
            The Ranger shakes herself out of it.

Julian shakes his head. "Adonis is a sad case, Robin, He feels much put-upon, and in some respects he is correct, but his behavior is so outrageous that I can rarely find any sympathy for him beyond that naturally occurring in a father for an estranged son. Jovian chose Calusa with some small idea of what he was choosing, and what he did not choose.  Adonis chose Arcadia because he knows nothing else, and the conditions under which he was raised, conditions to which I agreed, to my discredit, have prejudiced him utterly against me and the rest of our family.
            "He does not understand why we are not impressed with his godhood, because he does not understand that any of us could be a god, anywhere in shadow we desired, and certainly does not credit that a number of us have done so.  This leads him to self-justifications for his misbehaviors, such as lying to you. I had hoped he would become acquainted with your cousin Brita, who is a goddess in her home shadow as well. She seems to have a much more balanced view of what it means to be deity; for her it is only one aspect of her being."

"Yeah well... Brita broke his jaw."  Robin's lips press together as she sniggers.  If she can't hit him, at least someone can.  Brita... no!  Robin pulls herself back from that particular emotional precipice and concentrates on the here and now.

"Yes," Julian agrees, "she did."

The two of them can see the camp, and Julian raises a hand to the rangers.  They come out to greet the Warden, and friendly clasps are exchanged all around.
            Since Robin is in charge of the camp, Julian lets her give all the necessary orders.

It is with comfort and confidence -- and some little sense of relief -- that Robin sets Avid to packing up Luke for transportation: horse, travois and all.
            Looking around at the others, she raises any eyebrow to her father.  "Sir?  I'd like to get back to the Breeze Hunt if I could.  We picked up a possible but old trail 'bout half a day from here.  Should I store these here?"  Robin asks nodding in the direction of the other men.  "Or did you have plans for them?"

"We'll want to send them back to Amber with Jovian when he returns. That way, I can send someone for them when I need to question them. Were Arden more stable, I'd send them with runners to a camp."

"Got it."  Robin nods.  And motions to Totter and Levet to see that the rest are bundled up for travel as well.

Julian turns his gaze back in the direction of Adonis and Jovian. "Be careful in Arcadia, Robin. It is as dangerous as anyplace I have ever asked you to go."

"Okay, then..."  the question dies on Robin's lips as she finally hears what her father is saying.  A cold chill sweeps through her, head to foot, as she remembers the *last* dangerous place her father sent her.
            "Oh," she finishes in a quiet voice and licks her lips nervously as she follows Julian's gaze.  "They... they won't be able to come this time either.  Will they?"

"Arcadia is dangerous in a different way," Julian replies. "The strength of our blood is one defense against it. There are others." He turns back to his daughter. "I took Vista with me when I fought the dragon last."
   
Avid waves as he sets off with Luke in the direction of Adonis and Jovian.

Robin waves back with a grin but continues her discussion with her father.
            "Who would you recommend as a second this time?"

"Whom do you trust absolutely?" Julian asks in reply.

"Yourself.  Vere."  Robin is very definite on those two but then her brow furrows as she thinks.
"Morgenstern.  Vista."  She nods in agreement with her father's call on that one.  But her voice slows down after that as her memories of the time spent apart from her friends, her own troubles on the Black Road and Girth's... demise have weakened her ability to trust.  "Dodge... Modal...."
The Ranger's nose wrinkles, that isn't a very long list.

Julian looks at the camp, though Robin knows he knows by heart who has come with her and who hasn't. "I would send you with my steed, but I fear I may need him sooner rather than later. As for the others ... if you would not trust your companions with your very soul, I will take them when I leave."

Robin toes the ground, watching her boot shift the soil.  When she looks back up at Julian, her eyes are wet, her lips pressed flat, but she nods.  "They're good men, sir. I'd trust them with my life.  The lack is not in them.  I just know that... under pressure, I'd start to second guess 'em.  And... that doesn't sound like it's going to fly on this one."
            "Soooo..." the Ranger mantles and then settles her shoulder.  "I guess I fly alone on this one too, sir."  A brave smile crosses Robin's face and she stands on her tip-toes to kiss Julian's forehead.

"Or I could send you to Jones Falls to parley with Artemis' sisters," Julian says quietly, looking deeply into Robin's eyes. "If you go into Arcadia to seek Breeze, my road lies that way. I can trust no one else."

"If..." Robin licks her lips.  "If I do that, where will you go, sir?"
            Behind her eyes, choices are laying out like forest paths, each one twisting off into a dark green unknown future.  And Robin's pretty darn sure she isn't going to like where any of them take her.  But she also knows, that Julian would never tell her which way to set her wing.  Her fate is her own to choose.

"Then I will ride into Arcadia," Julian says. "There is no one else I trust for that, either."

Robin nods once.  Yep, she thought that was the way the wind was blowing.  But the mention of her father's trust does help armor her heart against what's coming.
            "I think the ladies would rather speak with you directly sir.  And I think... well, I think I made it before.  I can do it again."  A half-smile cocks one side of her mouth.  With the decision made, the hard part for Robin is over.  Now it's only to jump.
            "But... before I go, sir.  Has there been word?"  Julian, Adonis, Jovian -- she knows where all of them are.  And how they are.  That only leaves one person left.

Julian smiles. "I have been told your paramour has passed the trial of our blood. His father tells me he thinks often of you. I have promised to give any message you might have for him to Gerard."

Foompf!!  Within the space of a heartbeat, Robin is glowing, incandescent.  Her ear-to-ear grin is bright enough to blind.  Her eyes are brilliant with joy, her body is crackling with exuberance.
            "Oh, Dad!"  The girl pounces on her father and fiercely hugs him, pure happiness incarnate.  "Tell him... tell him 'Wahoo!'  Oh, I *knew*... I *knew* he could do it!  Nothing but nothing outstubborns my Vere.  Oh, Unicorn... the things we will do together..."
            Robin's eyes wander off for a moment, tracing other paths through the forest of the future.  These ones not so dark and twisting, instead bright meadows, merry streams and, eventually, the sea.
            The Ranger's green eyes dance back to meet her father's, her grin slowly fighting it's way down to a more decorous smile.

Moments later, Avid's familiar and reassuring whistle announces his approach with Jovian.
            "That could have gone better," he tells his father without preamble.

"I see that your penchant for understatement now matches my own," Julian says by way of reply. "I had no idea it was an inherited trait."

Jovian's *what, this old thing?* shrug is one Lucas would be proud of.

Julian glances at Robin, then looks back at Jovian.
            "Robin rides for Arcadia. I ride for Jones Falls. When we are done here, I would have you take the prisoners back to Amber with you, and some of the Rangers as well. There is a thing I must do, and I will need witnesses to it, including both of you."

A look of confusion, not completely undiluted with dread, crosses Robin's face.

"Sure, I'll do that," Jovian says, a little warily.
            "But...well, there's no question you're the one to conduct any negotiations that have to happen with Britomartis and her saner sisters, but it seems to me that if she makes plans with me and you show up instead - when you're known to be at war with Artemis - she may think she's been lured into a trap. Not a good way to open a parley. Maybe there's merit in my going with you, at least long enough to explain. Without Canareth," he adds before Julian can object on that ground. "Although she did hope to see him again, which is why we chose a spot outside Arden."

"I am certain she did," Julian says dryly. "Her greater hopes in that matter are unfounded."

There's a rustling at the edge of the clearing, and a soft whicker that Robin and Jovian can barely hear over the noises of the clearing.

"There is also the possibility that she has been overshadowed by her mother, and that there is a trap laid for you, Jovian. I am better prepared to spring such a trap, if it exists. And your oaths lie elsewhere now. I must take the risk of dealing with Britomartis alone." Julian looks at his younger son as if he expects an argument.

Oh, well.  If Dad and Jove are going to argue, it's probably time to get Morgenstern his apple.  Robin fishes in her pocket for the ripe red fruit that she knows is there as she looks toward the whicker sound.

Robin finds it, and catches sight of the great grey horse as he sticks his nose out, perhaps scenting it.

Jovian arches an eyebrow, considering. "Possible," he allowed. "I must say, though, that the thought of even you standing alone against one of these possessed creatures - or worse - gives me pause for concern. If you think that's likely, I wish you'd consider bringing a backup." By which he clearly means himself, and just as clearly means no disrespect.

"Jovian," Julian says quietly, "I appreciate the thought. But the risk to you is too great. Your people are depending on you. They have no one else.  I have my Rangers. I will not go alone, I promise you--but you must look to the weyr first. With the cornerstone of Amber's power riven asunder, there is no safety in Amber from the storm. You must be prepared to lead them away."
            Julian tosses a second apple to Robin.

The Ranger catches Julian's apple with easy deftness but, with equal deafness, chooses not to catch his words.  Robin isn't ready to give up on Amber yet.  She just isn't.
            Holding the apples easily in her left hand, she strides over to Morgernstern and offers them to him with a warm grin.

The great grey horse takes a few steps toward Robin and eagerly accepts her gifts.

Jovian nods slowly, somewhat appeased. That he accepts his father's promise as ironclad goes without saying.
            "At least," he says, removing the rank cords and their complex knot from the shoulder of his jacket, "take this with you as a token? In case Britomartis has less reason to believe in your good faith than I do."

Julian takes the cord and nods at his son. "I will do so, and return it when next we meet."

He waits until Robin has finished feeding the apples to Morgenstern, then makes a piercing whistle that Robin and Jovian recognize as a summons to the Rangers. All of them gather round the Warden quickly.

As does Robin.

Julian waits for them to come to order before he speaks. "All of you know that we are engaged in a war. Originally we believed this matter was internal to the nearby shadows, particularly Arcadia, but I no longer believe that to be the case. All of Arden is in peril, and even the royal gifts are no guarantee of victory."
            There's a murmur of agreement when Julian speaks of peril to Arden, and disconcerted look and noises from the men at the mention of the royal gifts and their possibly failure to ensure the Rangers win.

Robin's lips presses into a flat line as she nods.  Her own experiences with the 'Chasm of Doom' and Heather Vale seem to support that.

Julian's eyes fall on Robin. "My daughter Robin has long dwelt among you.  She has earned your trust as your companion and leader. In my absence she is best suited to, indeed the only Ranger who may be able to, lead you against what is coming. She and I both ride into peril from this place. If word comes of my death, rally to Robin. If word comes of both our deaths, fall back out of Arden and follow the lead of King Random."

A shocked pause follows this announcement. Robin has never heard anything like it before, even in the time of the Black Road.

The girl looks to each of the Rangers around her before returning her gaze to her father.  Her face is grim, but not hopeless.  Beneath her eyes burns a spark of unflagging determination, and a small smile tugs at one corner of her mouth.  She has confidence in her men, her father and herself that come what may, the Rangers of Arden will make it count.

Julian looks over the assembled Rangers. "Totter, you will ride with me.  The rest of you will return to Amber momentarily with my son Jovian, who goes to fulfill his duties among his mother's people. You will see the slavers into the custody of my brother, Prince Caine. Then you are to bear my message to the rest of the Rangers, dividing the posts among you as you see fit."
            The Rangers all nod, and there are a few breathless, "Yes, my lord"s.
            Julian finishes, "May the Unicorn watch over you all until we meet again."
            All of the Rangers look to Robin. She'll need to give the order to break camp if they're leaving immediately.

"Alright then," Robin claps her gauntleted hands together as a spark of enthusiasm creeps into her.  "Let's show 'em how it's done!  Break her down in three.  And let's get on the trail."
            "Avid, I'm flying solo, you've got the team.  Rain?  Levet?  I've been proud to hunt with you.  Totter?  Keep your mangy self together you hear."  Robin grins to the men, letting her confidence in them burn like a bonfire.
            The Ranger strides to where her own backpack lies packed and ready to go.

As the Rangers prepare, Jovian steps aside for a moment with his father. "When the Rangers are ready to return to Arden and fan out, shall I send them through you? If there ever was a place Trump of any of the posts, I doubt it would work these days."

Julian shakes his head. "The near posts, closest to Kolvir, will be safer to reach on foot or mounted than where I go will be. I suspect that Britomartis, like her sisters, can bring parts of Arcadia with her."

"Got it," Jovian nods. "I'll hand them through with their horses. You and Robin each have my sketch, right?"

"Robin will have hers before she departs," Julian replies.

"You'll call me, if there's anything I can do." That it is not phrased as the plea his eyes make it is of no consequence.

"I will." Julian places a gauntleted hand on his son's shoulder. "This is not your fight, not this time, Jovian. Your duty lies elsewhere, however much we might wish it different. But before you go, you should know that I am proud of what you have done in Calusa, and at the battle that lies behind us, and I know you will make me proud in the battles that lie ahead."

For a long moment the bronze rider looks gravely into his father's eyes, as if searching for the next thing to say. He gives up the effort, pulling him into a fierce hug, tight enough for wherhide leather to squeak against enameled plate.

Julian returns the embrace with a strength that would surprise anyone but his son.

"Be careful, Dad," Jovian admonishes as he pulls back. His tone is low but steady, resolute.

Julian nods. "You be careful too, Jovian."

The rangers gather their things and move off to round up the prisoners. In a few minutes, they're back, and all of them are ready to go with Jovian.  They all seem to be in a state of shock.

Jovian approaches Robin as they muster. "Be safe, little sister," he says simply. "I love you. Dad's got something for you, use it when in need - and remember we don't keep count," he admonishes, his arms opening.

"Oh, Jove."  Robin throws herself into his wings, clasping herself against him tightly.  "Can't be safe.  Love yoooou.  No counting," she murmurs into his chest.  After that, the girl loses her words, and contents herself with tight warm squeezes, croons and fond nuzzle/head-butts before reluctantly releasing her brother.
            Turning to the Rangers, she smiles bravely.  Totter gets a hug, Avid a fond shoulder punch, Rain "Say hi to Brita for me," and Levet?  Robin doesn't like to make promises, so she won't.  But she looks deeply into the young man's eyes and nods firmly.  She's going to get Breeze back or there'll be hell to pay.

The Rangers all seem a bit dazed by Julian's announcement, but respond in kind with grins and hugs and arm-butts.

Jovian turns back to the Warden. "Sir, I have a courtyard Trump but not a Caine. If you'll alert the admiral, we're ready."

Julian does so, and within a few minutes, Rangers, horses, prisoners, and all have disappeared.

Robin looks after her brother's disappearing form with a fond smile and wistful eyes, before snapping back to this world.

Once the Rangers have been bundled off, Julian asks Totter to see to dividing up the extra supplies the departing Rangers left behind for Robin and Julian and preparing them for the ride. Totter nods and gives Julian and Robin a bit of privacy, which is what the request seems designed to do.
            Julian fetches an oilskin from Morgenstern's saddlebag and opens it. There are two pieces of paper in it.
            The first he hands to Robin. "This," he tells Robin, "is for you. Your brother arranged it." When Robin takes it, it proves to be a trump sketch of Jovian.

As Robin realizes what the paper is her reaction is two-fold and simultaneous; one, a wrinkle of distaste curls her upper lip and she almost drops the paper.  Two her head cocks as she beholds her brother's image all swirly and pretty and her eyes twinkle with fondness at Jovian's prepardedness and thoughtfulness.
            Then, almost in a rush Robin will refold (or reroll as the case may be) the sketch and tuck it away in an inner pocket of her vest.
   
The other piece of paper is a sealed note, which Julian opens and skims while Robin is examining the trump sketch. He arches an eyebrow midway through it, and when he is done, says, "I think you should read this, Robin. Tell me what you think when you've finished."

The Ranger takes the letter, and though she does her best to let her father know that yes, she's been keeping up on her readin', a bit of tongue slips out of the corner of her mouth as she concentrates.

This is the letter:

Prince Julian --
            I hope this note finds you -- and Arden -- well. I apologize for interrupting your duty to her even in this small way, but I have recently had some news that I thought I should pass along as soon as possible.
            If Gerard has spoken of me to you, then you no doubt know I have recently become his ward. Although your father Oberon identified me as a relative when he sent Martin to fetch me to Amber, he did not reveal how I am related, and no-one has stepped forward to claim me as his own child in blood.  Gerard, having been something of a father in spirit these last few years, has therefore stepped into the role.
            In the weeks since the Coronation, I've finally had a chance to return to the land of my birth and speak with my mother for  the first time since I came to Amber. I had hoped that she might shed some light on the mystery of my paternity; but alas, she remains as stubborn as ever and was quite unhelpful on that front when asked.
            However, much to my surprise, when confronted with pictures of the sons of Oberon in an attempt to jog her memory, she identified you as her own grandfather.
            Now, my mother is not always entirely trustworthy, but I have no reason to believe she is lying in this instance. She may be mistaken, though, of course.
            Here are the facts as I know them: Upon my great-grandmother's death, my mother learned from her old diary that she had borne the child of her riding instructor, who vanished before he even knew she was pregnant. The diary included sketches of  the riding instructor; these apparently bore a strong resemblance to your Trump. The child of that union, my mother's father, has himself been gone -- off "defending his primal woods," Mum says -- for almost sixty years. I don't know how old he was when Mum was born, but my best guess is that he'd be a little shy of a century old at present. His family name is Kuli.  If he grew up in the same place as Mum, then he is from a town called Winterness.
            If you really are the man in those sketches, I figured you'd rather know than not know.  I understand you are in the middle of a war, and it may be some time  before we are able to speak of this matter in person. In the meantime -- and I hope this will quell any uneasiness you might have about my situation -- please understand that I am not especially looking for anything from you. Confirmation or denial of my mother's story I  would certainly appreciate, if you are able to give it, but even that is hardly an obligation.  I am, and have been, well looked after; I  certainly don't feel you owe me anything.
            But in some quieter future, if you are amenable, I do hope we might get to know each other a little better.
            (At the very least, if you decide you wish to seek out your alleged son and granddaughter, I hope you might allow me to warn you in  person just what you are getting yourself into....)
            Sincerely and respectfully,
            Your great-granddaughter (or not),
            Folly

"Well." Robin states after finally getting to the end of the letter.  She hands the letter back to her father as she thinks about her answer.
            "Well, before you all came back I wasn't at my most observant, sir, but Folly always struck me as a bit naiv... no, that's not right.  Not naive.  Perhaps 'dangerously optimistic' is better.  And while she is one *hell* of a people herder, I never noticed an out-and-out lie coming out of her.  Or her working against someone's own best interest.  So she's probably telling as much of the truth as she knows it as she can."
            "That that" Robin points at the letter, "is so tentative with regards to yourself, sir, tells me that she is at least starting to understand how things are, now that everyone's back... That's good."  The Ranger nods in satisfaction, she'd much rather see Folly alive and a little less optimistic than the reverse.
            The girl rubs her chin as she continues.  "Otherwise, a couple of things occur.  Folly used to run a pretty tight herding pattern with Martin and I don't see that changing, so connections to her will have Royal implications these days.  Plus I'd be willing to bet heavily that there's more in her background than just a Prince as a great-grandfather -- Folly Hears really, really well.  Maybe better than me."  Robin looks up at her father to make sure he catches her allusion.  "That *could* be Shadow... but somehow I don't think so."

Julian nods at Robin's assessment of the situation. "It is entirely possible that her mother's account of her origins was correct. There was a time some decades ago when I was--not myself. I don't remember all of it well, so I might well have sired her ancestor then. If Folly's mother was of the blood, it may be that one of our relatives was drawn to her and sired Folly."

Robin purses her lips and nods, that would make sense with what she observed.

He takes the letter and refolds it. "If Gerard has her in hand, then she is well-cared for for the nonce. Since she came here at the time of the so-called Sundering, she cannot have much experience with the Royal gifts, and what you say of her does not make her out to be a Ranger. If I must send my own son away, I can hardly do better for my putative great-granddaughter than to leave her be. I shall have to reply to her later. For now, though, let us speak of other things."
            Julian looks Robin straight in the eye. "I do not see how you could know of this, but I shall ask before I tell. Has anyone told you of Random's new endeavor?"

"No," the Ranger's voice is small.  She's pretty sure that she's not going to like what she's about to hear.  But she's on board with the Royal program, however icky it might be.

Julian frowns. After a moment, he says, "Random has duplicated Corwin's feat. He has scribed a new Pattern. I suspect that he means to let Amber fall, and to disperse the people between Corwin's Paris and his new city of Xanadu. He suggested to me that it would be wise to start evacuating Arden, and we agreed to disagree on the matter after some discussion. He very carefully did not issue any commands and I very carefully did not violate my oath to him. If he and I both survive, we have the beginnings of a working relationship between Arden and the new monarch."

"I understand, sir."  Robin says very carefully.

He offers Robin a tight smile. "My father's last command to me was to hold Arden against all enemies. I will do that if I can, because I said I would, and because my people need me, as do the people of Amber if they only knew it. But we may be on our own in the end, Robin."

"Then we're on our own."  The girl's blond head bobs and a grim smile dances across the girl's face.  "Wouldn't want to be anywhere else, Dad."

"Nor would I," Julian replies, his tight smile lightening into a more genuine one. "But if it should come to the worst, remember that your oaths lie otherwise than mine."

"Yeah.  I understand."  Robin's mouth flattens a little as she nods.  But then she looks up at her father again and a wave of warm gratitude flows through her eyes.  "Thank you for that chance, sir.  I... I never would have made it on my own."
            "Even if I *did* have to wear a dress."  Fierce playfulness ripples through the girl and she pounces on her father for a big wrestle/hug.

Julian's strong arms tighten around Robin around Robin, and she can feel her ribs creak for a moment before he releases her. "You were the loveliest woman at the ball. And you will be the loveliest at--the next one you attend, as well." He kisses her Robin's forehead.

Despite the electric spark of curiosity that runs through her at Julian's rephrasing, Robin decides to let it pass since her father obviously doesn't want to talk about it right now.  Instead she chooses to concentrate on giving as good hugging as she is getting and a small croon thrums through her.

Then he says, "My duty bids me to Jones Falls. Is there any other aid I can give you before our roads part?"

Robin shakes her head.  She's as ready as she'll ever be.  But she also worries that Julian isn't.  "Sir?  You are the best father any of us could have ever had.  Don't let the others' stinkiness convince you otherwise -- they'll get over it in time... and I want you there when I marry that boy, K?"

Julian nods. "I shall plan to be there. Because I plan for the worst does not mean I shall not endeavor mightily to avoid it."

"Good enough."  Robin nods with a bright smile.

Robin can see that Totter has bulging saddlebags for three horses, and is respectfully standing by at a distance, pointedly not listening to the Warden and his daughter.

Reluctantly releasing her father, Robin nods a farewell to Totter. Returning sparkling eyes to Julian, she smiles at him, bows, catches up her pack and makes fast tracks for the forest.

Behind her, she can hear Totter and Julian readying their gear for their own departure. If she turns back, she sees that Julian is watching her.

Though the Ranger can feel the weight of her father's gaze, she resists the urge to look back.  The good-byes are done, it's time to set her feet for the hunt.