14 - Returning to Amber

//--GM
As soon as you arrive, your secretary presents you with a short stack of invoices to be signed, and brief notes on messages that have been left. Apparently, some representative of Julian's has been by first thing in the morning over the last two days, and would speak of his business only to you. Nothing else seems particularly noteworthy.

Saras and the luggage come through just fine after, and the secretary bids him welcome, looking to you to announce the Junior Adjutant's business, that he might direct him.

//--Helena
"Junior Adjutant Saras is joining the Embassy staff. He will act as surgeon to me and others of Chaosian stock while visiting, and he will be a security liaison with our Amber contingent consulting on security and protocol concerns specific to events at which there will be a Chaosian presence." I hand the papers to the secretary, and formally introduce the two men. "I will show him to the rooms which we will set for his office as surgeon and his office for security matters, and introduce him to the others. But if you would get these papers of introduction to King Random for his approval, and arrange a fund for the doctor to appoint his offices, I would be grateful."

//--Makkus
"Of course, Ambassador." Makkus has not been here long, but you are impressed thus far with his efficiency. Although his empathy could use some work occasionally, he is unfailingly polite.

//--Helena
I also introduce the secretary to Boss, the Large, Cheerful, and Almost-but-not-quite-always Harmless.

//--Makkus
"Charmed." (Liar)

//--Helena
Boss barks happily. ( A Pollyanna who doesn't care ;-) )

"As for these messages, let me know the hour at which I should prepare for the arrival of the Prince General's representative, and I will be in my office."

//--Makkus
"He has presented himself at the hour when we open the doors each morning, and is gone five minutes later in your absence."

//--Helena
I nod.

I smile up at Saras, "Shall we get this luggage up to our quarters, and I will give you the tour as promised."

//--GM
Saras nods. Makkus raises an eyebrow, making a mental note for himself, but not being so bold or impolitic as to comment, and then goes on about his business (unless you waited until he departed).

Can you give me some detail as to the layout of your rooms, and perhaps describe where Saras might deposit his weapons, personal medical gear, and clothes?

//--Helena
Surgeon's office-to-be on the second floor in a room at the back of the building where it is quieter. Security liaison office and small private meeting room also on the second floor at the front of the building on the left side of the corridor heading left from the main stairs.

//--Saras
Saras pronounces the basic space good, and makes plans to summon and /or send for the appropriate tools over the next few days.

//--Helena
My quarters are currently four rooms and a bath at the back and side of the building on the third floor to the right of the stairs. I can add another room; enlarging the bathroom is a longer term project so in the meantime I just add the bathroom from an adjoining unused office; this only requires changing the doors and some replastering.

//--GM
(Bedroom, sitting room, ?, ?)

//--Helena
(kitchenette, dining room / home office (as opposed to the one I sit in on the first floor doing work).)

//--GM
(Makes sense. Any thoughts about furnishings?)

//--Helena
I show Boss around and let him know his okay places to be -- i.e. nowhere on the floors below by way of the main stairs unless he is invited. He can use the small back stairs to go out into the fenced garden behind the building. It is not much improved yet. Tomorrow I will look for a dog lover among the household staff to escort him places and clean up after him, or ask after a teenage boy or girl known to one of them who may wish employment.

//--GM
You are encouraged to hire a girl of thirteen, Michelle, whose mother - a distant neighbor of limited means - recommends highly. She does seem responsible enough, and Boss takes an instant liking to her... but she seems a little quiet. Alternatively, one of the security men was a former hellhound wrangler, who seems to have an efficient - but not unkind - plan for managing Boss' needs.

//--Helena
I will hire the young girl, but introduce her to the security fellow for backup ;-) both schedule-wise and in case she gets overwhelmed.

//--GM
Blintz and Michelle seem to hit it off okay, and Michelle seems relieved to have an adult to ask questions of, just in case. She seems nervous but eager, and shows a little flair in her negotiation of fees. ;-)

//--Helena
I introduce Saras (and Boss) to any staff we meet during the tour. Of course I specifically want to introduce him to the Amber security staff (the 6 men Benedict sent), making it clear that their leader is still head of security and that Saras is his information resource, and available for him to assign, with discussion and in the absence of Saras's duties as surgeon or liaison. (Or whatever way feels best for the existing security to accept him.)

//--GM
The leader and Saras have a few words, having apparently met 'professionally' in some capacity some years back. There appears to be a mutual admiration society feel to things after a moment, though, and Saras doesn't look concerned. Hoss (the leader) assures you that he has no problem working with 'such a fine snake of a man-thing' and they make much of shaking hands. When Saras asks if Hoss would like his eye back, Hoss jokes, "Why, did you keep it?" but you don't think he's serious, especially when Saras starts talking the nuts and bolts of growing it back.

//--Helena
I am comfortable with their relationship for the moment, trusting both of these men to tell me if anything does not work for them.

I leave them to their discussions while I unpack and settle in, then go downstairs to my formal office and read over the past several days' local newspapers and any correspondence here (though I am expecting little enough so far). I then begin turning the work I did while I was away into action plans for myself, my secretary, and the rest of the staff. I'll also draft some correspondence to begin looking for that artwork for Lady Bonietta.

//--GM
Your perusal of local newspapers unfortunately reveals some details that may complicate finding the artwork: the artist has just been implicated in the defacement of a Unicorn Shrine in Zava (an associate member of the Golden Circle). He's 'at large' at present, but the Noble Priests of the Unicorn, Gerard among them, are calling for his head.

//--Helena
I will work on this more tomorrow if time permits (you said she had done a lot of the legwork for me as to who might have some of his work already in collections and so on), inquiring after various pieces if any have made it to galleries, and separately following up more of the leads she gave me.

//--GM
You are fairly certain that you could gain some of his preexisting work, if you negotiate vigorously, but Lady Bonietta sounded like she wanted something specific, maybe even a commission, so unless you got REALLY lucky, you wouldn't likely find what she seeks from a collector of some sort.

//--Helena
It's all right. I am just laying the groundwork for backup plans…

Also I will draft my formal acceptance to King Merlin for the Ambassadorial posting, and will ask if His Royal Highness wishes any particular observances or presentations in Amber. That goes back through the Trump gate.

//--GM
By evening, you have a long formal reply that could be best summed up as, "Not at present, but thank you."

//--Helena
I will personally create a companion letter to that one, addressing the King of Amber and putting myself at his disposal in that capacity. This letter I will give to Makkus to send out.

//--GM
No immediate word from King Random, but Makkus was assured of a response sometime the next day.

//--Helena
It seems my afternoon will be busy. I will have the kitchen staff prepare a meal for me late in the afternoon. When and if Saras returns to my office I can also suggest a pub meal nearby, or we can stay in. I imagine I could be busy until I'm too exhausted to work.

//--GM
Saras shows up every hour or two with minor but relevant questions about the medical arrangements. Later, he brightens at the idea of taking in a local pub's fare. "Lead on, Ambassador." The fish sandwich vendor you enjoyed so much has gone home by now, but there are several pubs within a short walk of the Embassy. Fish, shellfish, or seafood? *eg* Quadrupeds or (quality) foul would require a walk of a few more blocks, although the first tavern has a few rough birds on the menu.

//--Helena
I will take him on a local walk for now, heading to my favorite of the seafood places where I've already been a few times.

Eating, drinking and light talk are on the menu, followed by home and bed!

//--GM
Anything special for 'christening' your new digs, just sleep, or ?

//--Helena
Depends on how tired I am, given the past couple of nights. I do want to ask him what news he had from Father. I would ask him as we prepare for bed.

//--Saras
Being back in Amber has you feeling spry, and the paperwork has left you with little worse than a stiff neck. Your call. Saras would not press you one way or the other, but he is somewhat free with his kisses before and after you are under the covers.

//--Helena
I let his playfulness cheer me, and perhaps linger as we speak.

//--Saras
"Loren said he would contact you when he had news. He sounded very hopeful for our entity's chances in court... but I kept my opinion to myself." He smiles. "Otherwise, it was chit-chat between old men, and a lot of paperwork. Something in the fine print about my soul being yours to do with as you will... the usual."

//--Helena
"We need paperwork for that?" I let my fingers trace the direction of the light hairs on his chest. "And what else is mine to do with as I will? I think I need to know these things." I push him over onto his back. "This mouth, perhaps?" I kiss him long and lingering, with no hurry to finish, and I end breathless. I straddle his stomach and sit up straight above him with my weight over his hips where I can feel him stirring, which makes me smile. "This belly? This chest? These hands?" I let my hands run in a slow massage up his stomach across his chest and down his arms, where I catch up his hands and lift them to my breasts, leaning into them against the strength of his arms.

//--Saras
"This man, yours to do with as you will." His fingers part slightly, exploring the boundary between flushed peak and proud flesh beneath his hands on both sides at once, ring and middle gently tracing. Slowly, his hips seek position beneath you, the point of his excitement seeking its place within you. Such a slow entry.... Once fully sheathed, he moves his hands to grasp yours, lightly pinning them against your hips. "Were our positions reversed, and your only bond your will and desire, would you not sign the same?" The answer he seeks need not be serious, but you see more than just desire behind his eyes, even as he struggles to stay focused past your small movements.

//--Helena
I look down at him seriously, though passion makes my voice breathy. "I would. I know now that I would." I smile, holding the moment for a while so I can understand what we both have said.

//--Saras
Saras smiles, and the space behind his eyes no longer seems so busy. "I love you," he whispers.

//--Helena
I nod. "Yes. That is what I meant to say. I love you."

//--Saras
He moves a bit to banish your equivocation, and then lets his love be evident in his touch.

//--Helena
And then I can't wait any more, and I am lost in him, him in me, together.

//--Saras
He intertwines your fingers with his, steering you with his hips alone, keeping your motion tight and close, and you upright where he can watch you exult. His release is not quick, but neither does he draw things out to excess.

//--Helena
Afterwards I want to fall asleep in his arms.

//--Saras
Saras grants that wish, gladly.

--------

//--Helena
For the morning, I have asked to be awakened early, to prepare for the messenger from the Prince General.

//--GM
The wakeup call will come while it is still dark, if only just.

Come morning, what uniform do you take to? Do you leave Saras to sleep, or ask his presence? Any other preparations for the visit?

//--Helena
I assume the new uniforms are not yet prepared and sent through? If not, I wear my existing uniform with the Ambassador's and trade mission and retired military badges. If it is inappropriate to wear the Ambassador's badge on my uniform, I will transfer all the badges to a formal, neutral business suit.

//--GM
Not inappropriate, except in the most formal of occasions.

//--Helena
I will wake Saras or reset the alarm for him, at his request, though I make him be awake enough to tell him I will likely have a messenger from the Prince General, and that it has gotten loud before. I think it inappropriate for Saras to be my security in this instance, however, and I will be discussing the matter briefly with Hoss.

//--Saras
Saras rises with you without complaint, although he's a little formal this morning. He plans to continue working on the infirmary for a while. "Perhaps we can break in the space tonight, and make our final adjustments... assuming you feel well and safe enough here.

//--Helena
"Let us see, then. And do let Makkus know if there is anything you need."

//--Saras
"I will."

//--Helena
I get some breakfast in me and head to Hoss's office to give him the day's schedule, such as it is. I am happy to leave to him whether it is appropriate for him or any of his men to be present or just to be visibly nearby. (I have a slight preference for "nearby" rather than actually in my office).

//--Hoss
Hoss makes it clear that tangling with a Prince is not a good way to survive to retirement, but he won't let anybody kill you if he can help it. "Once I lay hands on him, there is no 'pretense of politeness' anymore... just so we're clear, if you give the word."

//--Helena
"I would expect neither more nor less. Thank you." For whatever reason, I am confident in this man's judgement.

//--Hoss
Nearby works for Hoss and his men - three security, the other two having pulled the night shift, but wake-able.

//--Helena
I should still have time to glance through the newspapers and broadsheets before the embassy opens its doors....

//--GM
Not much of note in the news. A regatta coming up next month... new Golden Circle treaties near signing... a few semi-complimentary words about the opening of relations with Chaos, but nothing particularly specific; not even mentioning the Embassy. Nothing new about the Unicorn Shrine 'issues', or your artist.

The messenger arrives just after the doors open. It is the officer from the Far Arden Barracks, but dressed like an adolescent page, and clearly missing his marks of rank. Once he is ushered into your office - nodding politely at Hoss and his men - he faces you as squarely as his short breeches will allow and says, "Prince Julian requests to attend the Embassy Opening Gala," to the space just above your head.

//--Helena
"Of course. I will add him to the list." I reply formally. "How many shall be in his party?"

//--GM
"Five. To be announced as 'Prince Julian of Arden, and Advisors.' He requests acceptance in writing, although the standard invitation, delivered in timely fashion, will suffice."

The man looks supremely uncomfortable, but does his best to maintain his decorum.

//--Helena
I completely ignore his non-standard dress, inwardly feeling sorry for the man. I jot down the announcement request. "If you can wait a moment, I will give you the invitation cards now."

//--GM
He nods, and moves to parade rest.

//--Helena
I stand and go to the door between my office and Makkus's. I knock and enter, then ask, "Good morning, Makkus. I ask if you would please prepare one of the Gala invitation cards addressed to 'Prince Julian of Arden' and four addressed to 'Advisor to Prince Julian of Arden' and bring them through immediately."

//--Makkus
"Of course, Ambassador," and his pen is working before you even close the door.

//--Helena
I return and sit back down behind my desk. "Please, sit if it is allowed, or if you prefer you can wait in the front room and Makkus will bring the cards out to you." Of course, Hoss and his men are visible from the front room, so that may not make the poor man less uncomfortable. Sigh.

//--GM
"Thank you, Ma'am," he says crisply, bowing just his head to keep from testing his breeches, and returns to the lobby. Hoss and his men are disciplined enough not to comment.

//--Makkus
Makkus presents the messenger with the invitations in short order, who leaves immediately. When the man is well gone, Makkus mutters, "Unfortunate..." under his breath. More to you now, "Will there be anything else, Ambassador?"

//--Helena
"I need to set up a meeting with Prince Admiral Gerard. How would you suggest I best go about this?"

//--Makkus
"I could speak to the North Fleet office, and see what the current protocol is. Am I to offer them any reason why, or is this a 'general inquiry' of some sort?"

//--Helena
"It is an initial inquiry from the Jesby Trade Commission. Thank you."

//--Makkus
"Of course, Ambassador."

//--Helena
"On a completely separate topic, I also need a meeting with the young woman who is assisting with the organization of the Gala, and see where we are with that. Finally, a meeting with the Crown scheduled for between a week and ten days before the Gala to discuss the Royal Presence."

//--Makkus
Makkus checks his big leather folio. "Miss Linna has an appointment on the books in two days time. Do you want me to see about moving that up? When that meeting is done, I can make the Crown arrangements, assuming a firm date for the Gala is set."

//--Helena
"Yes, please.

//--Makkus
Makkus is shortly able to move up your meeting with Linna to tomorrow after lunch. He also mentions that the new uniforms are due that morning, conveniently enough.

//--Helena
"By the way, have we yet installed a press liaison?"

//--Makkus
"If you feel a dedicated officer in that capacity would be an asset, I can arrange candidates for your review. Do you prefer someone of local extraction, or a polished Jesby product?"

//--Helena
"Eventually I would hope to have both, but in the short term our need is for someone who understands Amber. Need I say that I understand such a person is likely to be a spy? I am fine with that, so long as they will give sound advice and the person for whom they spy is not overtly hostile."

//--Makkus
Smoothly, "I will certainly take that into consideration when I prepare a candidates list.

"Also, a letter has just arrived from the Crown."

//--GM
Random's letter did indeed arrive, accepting your appointment and 'welcoming you to the diplomatic corps.' The next day, several boxes of miscellaneous requests, missives, and other low-priority items arrived, with a thank you note from Random, "For helping me clear my desk." Included in the last box is a fine bottle of red wine from a prestigious local vintner. "Don't save it; I'll bring more if I get a chance to visit," the note says.

//--Helena
I make it a point to have the staff prepare a meal appropriate to the wine that evening, so that I might try it, and include my review of the wine with my thank you note the next day, looking forward to the King's potential visit.

//--GM
The wine is wonderful, and likely would be even had the meal not been so exceptional. (I know nothing of wine, so ascribe whatever positive attributes you choose to this dark, fragrant red *g*)

So, for the press liaison, whose spy would you most prefer to hire? It would seem that every Elder but Benedict and Random sends you one... very discreetly, of course. You can increase Flora's foothold in your office, give one of the surviving redheads an in, or take on a agent from any one of Rilga's boys.

//--Helena
Damn good question. (Benedict has agents of his own; doesn't need a spy ;-) ) It's my temptation to let Flora's man or woman in, because that would only give her more of what she's already got, but it isn't so useful politically. If Gerard's or Caine's pick seems savvy, I should probably go that way.

But it is very important that I pick someone who is very talented in managing press and relations proactively, and whose subtle loyalty to an Amber faction won't interfere with their work for us (i.e. someone who is scrupulous about doing the job they are hired to do rather than only working in the interests of their behind-the-scenes patron). So, I guess I will let those qualifications guide me more than the person's background loyalty. If they are really truly all equal, I would say my preference is 1) connection to Gerard or Caine; 2) connection to Bleys or Fiona; 3) connection to Flora.

//--GM
After careful consideration, the agent of Fiona, Miss Meyani Honeir, seems the most scrupulous in performing her duties first and spying second. The other candidates pay proper lip service to the idea of loyalty to position over sponsor, but Miss Honeir (pronounced a bit like 'honor' drawn out) seems to have actually drank the Kool-Aid on this point. ;-)

//--Helena
A bit sorry to have missed the opportunity to... entertain one of the others, I draw up the documents to have her hired.

//--GM
She begs time to handle some pressing family business before beginning work - two days, at most. Also, Meyani asks if there might be room or opportunity for her to reside at the embassy, as she wishes to have "every opportunity to stay on top of her work."

//--Helena
I will look into this. I am sure by the time the second home is set up we can figure something out for her, but it won't be immediately.

As for my own work, I'll put in some time more thoroughly researching our poor dissident artist.

//--GM
Be'am "Globe" Carter is locally infamous for his depictions of rent unicorns in explicitly detailed statuary and woodcuts. His work - and anti-religious rants - have gained him the support of Dalt, son of the even more infamous Deela the Desacratrix. Nobles on the outs with the prevailing wisdom, or who feel slighted by current arrangements with Amber, often acquire Globe's work as a symbol of defiance - and for shock value in visits from loyalists and priests of the various incarnations of the Unicorn faith.

//--Helena
So while political dissidents may make use of his work, the work itself is mostly anti-religious?

//--GM
It is Globe's contention that the 'Unicorn Cult' is just a means of keeping the people of the Golden Circle nations culturally and emotionally subjugated. Political subjugation he doesn't seem to have much issue with, at least if his choice of sponsors in any indication, but freedom of religion is a big rant with him. What exactly he worships isn't clear.

//--Helena
Okay. Are there specific pieces and public statements I can cite to show this difference? I'm building up an argument for Gerard and the Crown, in case you're wondering.

//--GM
There are quite a few depictions of Unicorn as Stallion (which is categorically incorrect according to scripture), pinning peasants or the symbolic animals of various kingdoms to the rocky ground. Several of his screeds state plainly that he desires the freedom to practice else-wise more than anything else, and one tract actually says, "I would live in peace with the Unicorn, save that he will not leave me in peace, so his horn must be cut off..." and it unfortunately degenerates from there.

//--Helena
It sounds in part like he started on the "religious freedom" track, and then started enjoying the scent of notoriety. Is there evidence that his tone changed either after his work first got labelled seditious or after he ended up on the wanted lists?

//--GM
It is difficult to say for sure, given how rumor-rent accounts of his personal life are, but the prevailing 'legend' is that the death of his lover in a peaceful protest, violently suppressed, pushed him over the edge. Of course, other rumors say he was bribed along the path of violence, following the money of his most outspoken patrons, or that he simply snapped due to some events of Pattenfall.

//--Helena
Right. Well, I think I have much of his story in hand. Any famous folks have his works, seditious or otherwise?

//--GM
No one in Amber admits to such, and that is the bulk of your current connections. It will take time to get feelers out farther.

//--Helena
No problem, I'll work on it. I had thought that Bonietta had given me some leads...?

//--GM
Her leads were for dealers, not end purchasers. Find a chatty dealer and you may get several leads on patrons of the arts, but you have to figure that the chattier the dealer, the less likely someone of note would have dealt with them.

//--Helena
Still, it's a start. The names a chatty dealer might give me are leads on less chatty dealers from whom they might get a commission...

//--GM
A reasonable set of assumptions. Do you take any precautions in your inquiries, to keep this line of questioning from being traced back to the Embassy?

//--Helena
At first, yes. Though eventually if things progress it will certainly become a matter for the Jesby Trade Office. NOT the Embassy of the First Realm.

Also I'd like to get information on the stevedores both for dock work and for transports from our warehouses: how are they controlled, who runs them, etc.

//--GM
There is a loose dockworkers 'federation' that tries to act in the best interest of the freight handlers in the port, but they've taken little interest in land- (or Trump-) based trade. Their interest may rise if you seek to hire away men from the more traditional dock positions. The Crown doesn't tolerate too much forward thinking, but smart and conservative dock leaders (upwards of several dozen at any one time, allied or opposed to widely varying degrees) can wield a lot of personal power. The 'federation' is more of a information sharing and price fixing arrangement than a formal union, but every few years, someone gets it in their head to test tradition. They very often end up being fished out of the harbor....

//--Helena
Do they do business with the Crown or any of the Royals specifically? I don't want to step on any toes (and if it is someone I feel comfortable asking, I can enquire about which groups are better).

//--GM
Both Admirals and the Crown all have their favorites to deal with, but there's more than enough business to go around to keep them all busy. From all you can gather, the service is fairly consistent across the board, due to both tradition and Federation pressure.

//--Helena
Good, good. Then I will put out for bid some contracts that will start as piecemeal, with the potential to award a longer term contract based on performance review. Obviously this won't begin until we have a stream of goods to work with, but I am thinking about it in advance.

//--GM
In a few days time, barring developments to the contrary (*eg*), you will get some bids from the less favored longshoreman groups. The terms are a bit unbalanced, but perhaps not out of line for a first offer to an unknown quantity on an unproven route.

//--Helena
I will hold the bids in hand and negotiate them slightly when I have an actually delivery to manage. (I'm assuming this took several days, so this is closer to an actuality than it would be now.)

I am looking for a small home in a high-end part of town. It should be the kind of place where we can offer and host salons, do high-end tastings, display fabrics and art, etc. I'd like to get this in place relatively soon.

//--GM
There are two 'well-to-do' areas; one in the heart of the city, and the other significantly farther afield.

The best offering in the heart is a the home and business of a former florist-to-royalty who chose to fight in Patternfall rather than face the scorn of having failed to present a suitable arrangement for Princess Florimel at a high prestige event. Perhaps due to being a florist from a long line of florists, he died of some misadventure on march without ever facing an opponent. The property has been held in trust since, unable to attract a buyer, since his neighbors consider his passing to have been profoundly unlucky, and the population pressure is low from the losses of the war. It is a beautiful home, with glorious greenhouses and gardens, but is in serious disrepair.

//--Helena
This sounds so perfect! I would enjoy the project aspect; it is of some benefit to the city for the property to not sit vacant; the price is right; and I love having gardens. I will liquify some personal assets as well to justify the private area I am inspired to have in the home.

//--GM
[Gaining property in the old noble estates would require outbidding someone, or negotiating to split an existing parcel. You would likely begin with a servants quarters or some other 'pool house' equivalent and have to add on or build separately to your satisfaction (following the split option), unless you wish to risk upsetting some noble house by outmaneuvering them financially.

A third option, which may be too contentious in your mind to attempt, would be to lay claim to your heritage through Benedict and Julian and gain apartments in Amber Castle. The Castle gardens and assorted commons and reading rooms would then be at your disposal (as much as anyone, anyway) for the entertaining you propose.]

By liquify personal assets, are you deleting rooms from your spread in the Embassy, or something else? Otherwise, sounds good. How much of the work will you contract out, and how much will you do yourself? Assume it needs a bit of everything, and roofing in particular.

//--Helena
I meant assets in Chaos. A few investments or what have you.

I have to get a better idea of what the work is before knowing for sure, but I am guessing I will be too busy to do actual construction-type stuff. So contracting on roofing, plumbing, gas, etc.

//--GM
Sure. Additional details available for the asking. Looks like it will cost quite a bit, but at least the walls are sound and the interiors not overly infested with things that eat wood.

Are you looking to do things in stages - to let you move into one area while the rest is being fixed - or redo the entire building at once? You could be relocated in two weeks, but would have to wait three months minimum for it to finish in stages. Doing the entire building shaves a few weeks off the completion time, but means you can't move in for two+ months.

//--Helena
I would rather the project be done more quickly so that there is not a longer delay between the gala and the availability of this higher end meeting space. I find my quarters here very comfortable, and Ms. Honier can wait a few months, I believe ;-)

//--GM
She accepts readily, stating that she can stay with a cousin in town in the meantime.

//--Helena
Perfect. I thank her and plan a full morning's briefings with her for a couple of days' time.