Light and warmth.
        Warmth and light.
        These were the first sensations that greeted me as I slowly
opened my eyes.  I slowly opened my remaining senses to the
surroundings as I took stock of where I was.  The smoothness of silk
against my bare skin, the soft support of a pillow behind my head.
The sound of soft breathing next to me, the firm weight of a strong
arm resting across my waist.  The scent of masculinity and femininity
mixed together in that unique combination that could only occur after
a long night... day?... of a man and a woman making passionate love to
one another.
        As awakenings went, this one certainly went into my top ten.
Top five, even.  It certainly beat waking up on one's side in the
middle of a Pattern chamber, and a soft, quiet chuckle escaped my lips
as I turned my head to the side.  My lips curved upwards in a fond
smile as I regarded the face of the Red Knight next to me.  His eyes
were closed, his breathing calm, his body curled towards mine beneath
the sheets and equally as naked as my own.
        Good Unicorn, he looked so handsome yet innocent sleeping next
to me.  It was hard to believe that he had never made love to a woman,
had not even -kissed- a woman, in over five hundred years.
        Yet, there was no question at all at what we had done in the
hours before we had both fallen asleep due to well-earned exhaustion.
A flame had burned within us, sometimes the soothing warmth of steady
coals, sometimes the roar of a bonfire at the peak of its consumption.
And even now I could feel that heat next to me, and within me, in a
quiet steady state between the two of us.
        ... And it had just felt so -right-...
        I let out a quiet, almost self-satisfied sigh as I turned my
head back, and just looked up at the canopy that covered the bed.
Even with the bed curtains surrounding us, the light still penetrated
the fabric, giving a warm, orange glow to our recumbent forms.
        I could have laid there beside the Red Knight for eternity if
I so desired.  It certainly was an attractive option, right at the
moment, and I was not particularly inclined to move from where I was.
        I felt safe... safe and secure, within his arms.  How long had
it been since I had felt this way, so deep within the core of my
being?  I could not clearly recall, unless I thought far, far back to
the time of the Second Cimbri War, and of Harold, and of the chaos and
insanity that marked times of conflict... or to the blessed moment
when Juri had saved me from my own self-destructive impulses,
solidifying the foundation for the love that I had for my sister.
        But this was different.  I could not put my finger on it right
at the moment, but this was a different aspect, a different level to
what I had felt for Harold Kusanagi, my first love... or for Juri, my
dear beloved blood-sister.  The former I had once hoped to marry, once
upon a time... the latter cared for me and bolstered me when none
other would or could, sister through thick and thin without critique
or stigmata.
        What I felt for the Red Knight... felt like a combination of
both.  Familiar, yet different, and in its way, frightening in its
unfamiliarity.  Yet, I felt as if I could let all my defenses down
around him.  I felt as if I could tell him my deepest, darkest,
innermost secrets and fears, without hesitation or reservation or fear
of rebuke... and these were feelings I had not felt in relation to
another person in a long, long time.
        Given that I had just only KNOWN the Red Knight (in both the
intellectual and biblical sense) for less than a day, the fact that I
was feeling these things for him was unsettling.  But at the same
time, the fact that I was feeling them at -all- was a joyous
sensation.
        Nobody ever said that this sort of thing was in any way
logical.  But at the moment, I wasn't quite sure that I particularly
-cared-.
        These thoughts, and more, continued to whirl through my head
in a quiet haze of warmth and light as I lay next to the Red Knight.

        It was a while before the Red Knight stirred.  I didn't bother
keeping track of how long I watched him sleep next to me; the mere act
of watching and studying him was enough to occupy me.  But then his
lips parted, taking a deeper breath.  His eyelids slowly opened,
revealing the red-amber of his irises as his eyes focussed on my face.
        I couldn't help smiling as I watched a slight blush appear on
his cheeks.
        "Good morning, Red Knight," I murmured as I looked into his
eyes.  "How are you?  How do you feel?  Did you sleep well?"
        "It's 'good waking', actually..." he quietly replied, his eyes
still wide with wonder.  "And as for how I feel... I don't think I've
ever felt this way before, Corrine."
        I could feel a blush rising on my cheeks.  How I could tell
given the mutual warmth of our bodies was anybody's guess.  "You're
not the only one, Red Knight ..." I admitted, and then blinked as a
thought occured to me.
        The Red Knight looked at me, curiously.  "What is it?"
        "Forgive me for asking this..." I started, a sheepish
expression on my face, "... but ... do you even -have- a name, other
than 'The Red Knight'?  Because while accurate, it does feel decidedly
odd to keep referring to you as that all the time."
        He blinked.  "I don't, actually.  It's never been an issue
before.  I suppose, if you really wished it, you could name me and I
would take that name as my own, alongside my title."
        I looked at him.  "You're serious."
        "I am," the Red Knight replied, earnestly.  "This realm is now
yours, Corrine, to do with as you will."
        "Well, given everybody's been calling me 'Queen', I suppose
that goes to follow -- it's going to be odd being at the top of the
food chain up here, but..."
        The Red Knight chuckled softly, and shook his head.  "You
misunderstand me, my Queen."  He gently reached over, took my left
hand in his, and gently lifted it to his lips to kiss it before
letting go.  I let my hand rest against his warm chest as I listened
to his words.
        "When... we Compacted," at this he blushed, and I did the
same, "a bond was forged between us.  Between you and me as
individuals, and between you and the Fire Pattern, beyond even what
your repair accomplished.  The realm of Ember is now yours to shape
and control as you wish, to whatever you desire, with or without the
Fire DemiJewel to adjust the changes.  Though, of course, the Jewel
does make it easier."  He glanced over at the firey ruby that rested
on the end-table next to my side of the bed, and I glanced there
briefly as well.  "Any aspect of Ember's Reality may be changed by
your whims, Corrine.  That is what it means to have Compacted with
me."
        I stared at the Red Knight.  "... you mean..."
        He nodded.  "As the Queen's will decrees, so goes the Kingdom.
In word and in spirit."
        I turned my gaze upwards, and closed my eyes.  I took several
deep breaths to center and calm myself, and brought the Pattern to my
mind, and the skills that my family had taught me, becoming more
in-tune with the nature of the Reality around us.  I was not a master
of the arts of the Pattern like my grandfather or my half-brothers
Derith and Drake, and I did not expect to be immediately successful,
especially for a reality such as Ember, which was not a mere Shadow.
        Therefore, it came to much surprise as my awareness was filled
with new information, new sensations, an expanded perception of the
very fabric of the Reality around me.  Despite myself, I let out a
soft gasp of wonder and fear.
        "... good unicorn... you're -right-..." I opened my eyes, and
just stared at the canopy of the bed for several moments.  The full
implications of what I had done in the past several days finally began
to sink in, and worry crossed my features.  I began to tremble despite
the warmth of the room, and the Red Knight looked at me with concern.
        "Corrine?  What is wrong, my Queen?" he asked, and gently
pulled me into an embrace within his strong arms.  I curled up against
him, and a wan smile played across my lips as I glanced up at his
handsome face.
        "It's just..." I shook my head, trying to gather my
thoughts. "You have to understand, I've never really sought a refuge,
a Shadow- Fortress like some of my siblings have done, Red Knight.
Arden, a few places in Shadow I like, my beach-house; those have
always sufficed.  If I'm -desperate-, I can spend time in Juri's
perfect kingdom... but that's HER domain, not mine.  And those are all
just -shadows-, anyway.  Not really real."  I reached over, and
squeezed the knight's hand, tightly but carefully.  "But good
Unicorn... to have control of an entire -kingdom- to such a
degree... not a shadow-kingdom, but one that's -Real-, with its own
Pattern, on a level akin to Amber and Rebma..." I trembled again.
"What will happen to it if I'm not careful?"
        The Red Knight pulled my head close to his chest as he ran his
free hand through my chestnut hair, smoothing it and soothing me with
his caresses.  "Shhh, Corrine... do not worry, do not fret," he
quietly replied, a gentle smile gracing his lips.  "The kingdom has
survived quite fine for five hundred years just by your subconcious
vision and unconcious desires alone.  Ember is defined by your will
and whims, this is true; but it isn't restricted to those parameters,
either.  It has grown and thrived, and I am fully confident with you
now here in your rightful place as Queen, it will prosper all the
more," he continued, and his soft words soothed my racing heart.
        I raised an eyebrow as I glanced up at him again.  "So, what
you're saying is: even with me having TOTAL CONTROL over Ember, I
shouldn't worry, since it's complex enough that my desires as they are
may effect some things, but not all of them?"
        He chuckled.  "When you redrew the Fire Pattern, repaired the
Final Veil, your ideals, your desires for how a kingdom should run
were etched into solid form, Corrine.  And I know for a fact that you
value free will, responsibility, and personal integrity highly."  He
leaned forward and kissed me on my forehead.  "These are things that
help a kingdom survive, even if its Queen has a bad day or two."
        I blushed, and smiled shyly up at him.  "This is true.  Thank
you, Red Knight.  To hear that, from you... it helps."  I shifted
slightly in his arms, pulling myself so that my face was level with
his.  "This is going to take some getting used to."
        He smiled back, still holding me close and safe.  "You're
welcome, Corrine, and I'm glad that it helped.  And that is perfectly
understandable, my Queen.  You'll have all the help you need, from
myself and others.  Good things take time... Ember wasn't reborn in a
day, you know."
        My lips quirked into a grin.  "Oh, I think -some- people might
think otherwise... after all, to Amber, it was." I winked, and he
laughed.
        "True, true!" he grinned, looking into my eyes.  I looked
back, gazing into his amber depths, transfixed and very thoughtful.
"Hm?" he vocalized, likely curious at my sudden quiet.
        "Hmmm," I commented, studying the Red Knight's face, his
features; so similar to those of Harold Kusanagi, yet wholly his own.
His attitudes were similar as well to what I remembered, but tempered
and refined in ways that I found intriguing and enticing.  I found
myself looking forward to exploring his history and explaining my own,
and to the two of us working together to help Ember prosper and thrive
for a long time to come.
        I reached up with my free hand, and caressed the lines of his
face, around the curve of his ear and down the angles of his jaw,
shifting closer so that my nose brushed against his own.
        "Mmm?" the Red Knight replied, his own hand lifting up to
trace across the back of my hand, up my arm and shoulder, and along my
neck to side of my face, caressing my cheek before shifting to trace
the edges of my ear.  His eyebrow arched curiously as I moved nearer,
my eyes still focussed on his.
        "I love you, my dearest knight," I whispered against his lips,
and in that moment, I knew that the words were true.
        "I love you, my dearest corrine," he murmured back, and I knew
those words were true as well.
        We kissed, and no more words were said for quite a while.

        Sometime after our kiss and what came after, I leaned against
the Red Knight's shoulder, quietly thoughful.  I hadn't bothered
keeping track of how long we took; some things are best left untimed. 
A slight smile played across my face as I held his arm across my torso
and traced his musculature with my fingers, and I could feel his own 
fingers gently playing with my hair.  A warm breeze from the open 
windows in the bedroom stirred the bed curtains, parting them breifly 
and letting in brief spears of light that highlighted the sheets 
arrayed about us, and our own bodies.  I considered the effect, and 
found it very attractive; I'd have to experiment with it the next time
I did a painting.
        I had a feeling that I'd be making -many- paintings of the Red
Knight, and of Ember, in my near future.  This thought provoked a soft
murmur in the back of my throat, and I nestled backwards into my
love's embrace.
        "Mmm?  What is it?" the Red Knight asked, tilting his head
curiously towards me as I shifted.
        "Just thinking about some things." I glanced up at him.  "So
you've been here for five hundred years, local time, right?"  He
nodded, and I continued.  "What was it like?"
        The Red Knight looked thoughtful, and leaned back slightly
against the pillows and headboard of the bed.  I, of course, moved
with him, very willingly.  Finally, his quiet, warm voice spoke, and I
listened to his words as they also resonated within his chest.
        "Ember started at the base of Mt. Vesuvius, many centuries
ago, Corrine.  The castle and city had been healed by your
restoration, but the populace had not yet even begun to settle within
its boundaries.  The small core nucleus of castle personell and
settlers who appeared beleived that you had come to them one day and
brought them out of Shadow to bring them to Ember, and from one point
of view it was certainly true.  I felt no need to disabuse them of the
notion, having my own duties to perform, to help protect the Fire
Pattern and the kingdom until your return."
        I nodded quietly.  "Like Catherine mentioned..." I murmured,
and then drew quiet again to allow the Red Knight to continue.
        "Indeed.  Catherine felt you'd apponted her as your Regent,
and worked to stabilize the kingdom from the beginning, seeking to
secure Ember's boundaries and obtain trading partners.  Since the
kingdom has its share of natural barriers, she focussed primarily on
sending explorers, emissaries, and traiders along the Pyricorn
Threads, to hopefully discover other countries who would be willing to
trade with us."
        "Very sensible," I replied, and then a thought occured to me,
reminded by the Red Knight's words of the conversation I had with my
regent the day before.  "'Pyricorn Threads'... those wouldn't happen
to be like Unicorn Trails and Narwhal Currents?  Paths through Shadow,
forged by the Unicorn or the other heraldric creatures to other
places?"
        He nodded in answer to my question, and smiled.  "Correct, my
queen.  There aren't many of them, but they are the means by which
Ember reaches its major allies throughout the Lava Circle and beyond.
The Fire Highway, which spans from the foot of Vesuvius, cuts through
the Corona, and heads beyond Yig (which I have heard of but never
seen), is just the most notable example of its type.  There are routes
which lead from the lava and plasma oceans which define Ember's
eastern borders, and ones which cut through Amber's sun to reach deep
space and planets in Shadow, as well."
        "Well, I doubt that the Forestals would appreciate an avatar
of Fire to show up on their doorstep," I mused with a wry smile on my
lips, and then blinked.  "Wait.  You mean to tell me Ember has -space
travel-?"
        The Red Knight looked at me, curious.  "Why, yes.  Admittedly,
this isn't a recent development; we've had the capabilities for
regular travel for the past two hundred fifty years, though mostly for
exploration and cargo."
        "But... but... how do they function?  How do they manage to
travel through Shadow without being destroyed or twisted by wildly
changing conditions?  Technology doesn't work everywhere, ESPECIALLY
close to a place such as Amber or, I surmise, Ember; and Magic comes
and goes even during simple Shadow journeys if you're not careful..."
        I stared, unable to hide the surprise on my face.  I was not
unfamiliar with the idea of space travel.  None of my family were,
though we were of mixed feelings on its usefulness given the inability
of high-level or even industrial-level technology to work in Amber
proper.  But -this- development threatened to turn the entire
'technological race' between the kingdoms of the Golden Circle and
Amber on its ear.
        "I'm told that magic plays a big part in Emberite ship
construction, Corrine.  However, I have also heard that some of the
major ships are not hampered by that restriction.  Truthfully, my
expertise is not in that area specifically," he admitted, looking
sheepish while scratching the back of his head with his free hand, "as
I've never ventured beyond the borders of Ember proper, not even along
the Pyricorn Threads.  You may wish to ask the Admiral of the Space
Fleet for more details."
        "I may have to do that," I murmured thoughtfully.  "So many
things to learn..."  I shook my head and sighed.  "It's going to be
hard catching up.  -Especially- with people like Catherine expecting
me to know this already."
        My lover smiled, and shifted his hands to massage my
shoulders, working out some of the tension that had been building
there within my muscles.  "Don't hesitate to ask me, Corrine, if you
have any questions about Ember and how it functions.  I'll answer, to
the best of my ability, though there's very little that I -don't-
know, as I've been around since the reconstruction."
        I made a pleased sound at the back of my throat as his hands
worked at my shoulders and neck, and I lolled my head back to look up
at him.  "Mmmmm... thank you."  Another thought occured to me, linked
with something the Red Knight mentioned earlier.  "Has Ember ever had
any problems with invaders from out of Shadow?  Or do the Pyricorn
Threads and Ember's natural borders cut down on that?"
        "There've been some attempts at invasion, true..." the Red
Knight replied, "but none have gotten so far as the outlying cities.
Ember controls the endpoints for the Pyricorn Threads proper within
the kingdom, and can close them off quite rapidly should circumstances
warrant.  The terrain and Ember's environment gives us the advantage;
the only notable attempts have been those via the threads to
Metallicana, Flaim, and Khem, and those were centuries ago.  Ember
sends its armies out to aid its allies much more often than it has to
rally them close to home to defend its borders and oceans."
        I nodded to that, a smile on my lips.  "Thank the Unicorn.  I
admit, I'd have been surprised if things were -absolutely- peaceful;
I'm too much of a realist for that sort of nonsense.  But from the
sound of things, it sounds like living here is pretty idyllic.  Or at
least better than Amber's succession of wars with barbarians, sea
invaders, or even at times its allies."
        The Red Knight laughed.  Good unicorn, I loved that laugh.
"Well, we try, Corrine.  I can't promise that things will be perfect,
but I think you'll be pleased and proud of how things have turned
out."
        "I imagine I will, at that." I leaned back into his arms
again, content.  "I'm glad.  A country's history is importaint.  And
its prehistory even moreso."  I pursed my lips, and looked up at my
love's face again, curious.  "What was it like... before?"
        He blinked.  "Before what?"
        I shifted in his arms, turning my body so I could look at him
without straining my neck.  "Before I repaired the Fire Pattern...
before, when Queen Shayla ruled as the First Queen of Ember.  In all
my attempts to explore and research, I've never been able to figure
out what happened to ... devestate the Pattern and the kingdom like
that."  I shivered, despite the warmth of his body in front of my own.
        The Red Knight looked at me thoughfully and then, to my
surprise, closed his eyes and tilted his head downwards, his own
features etched with worry.  "... i do not know, Corrine."
        Now it was my turn to blink.  "You don't?"
        He shook his head, and then lifted it, opening his eyes to
match my own.  "No, I don't," the Red Knight replied quietly.  "All
that I know is what the Fire Pattern has told me... that it was
damaged, devestated, and that you repaired it... and that
my... 'predecessor', for lack of a better word, died fighting the
Ravager Beast, which destroyed Ember.  But... I don't know what that
-is-."
        I stared, sucking in a quick, quiet breath.  Whatever this
'Ravager Beast' was, to have devestated Ember and the Fire Pattern to
such a degree, it was clear that the very thought of such a thing
frightened the Red Knight.  Wordlessly, I drew close to him, and
embraced him with my arms and body.  I murmured soothing words into
his ear as I caressed him, trying to soothe his trembling form.
        "Shhh, shhh..." I whispered, holding him tight.  "That was 
ages ago... by now, whatever it was is certainly dead."  I ran my
hands through his hair, and slid one down his cheek and under his 
chin so I could lift his head to face mine.  "And even if it's not... 
I promise, I -swear- to you that I will not let such a tragedy ever 
happen again.  After all, am I not the Queen of Ember, compacted with
the Red Knight of the Fire Pattern of Ember, pledged to protect him 
and his Pattern as he is to protect her highness and her kingdom?"  I 
grinned a bit, looking into his eyes. 
        "Returning my own words to me, hmm, Corrine?"  The Red Knight
chuckled softly, a slight smile playing on his lips, and I could
almost feel his good humor returning.  He leaned close, and murmured
into my ear, "Thank you, my Queen."
        I blushed, and murmured back, "You're welcome, my Knight."
        We sat there in each other's arms, saying and doing nothing
save listening to each other's breathing, for several minutes.
Finally, I cleared my throat to break the silence.
        "Mm?"
        "So... now... where do we go from here?" I asked, looking up
at him.
        The Red Knight opened his mouth to reply, but whatever he was
about to say was interrupted by a knocking on our chamber door.
        "Your highness?" the voice of Chef Makoto resonated from the
lounge beyond.  "Breakfast is ready -- would you like it brought in?"
        I blinked, and felt a blush rapidly climbing up my cheeks, and
I quickly seperated, pulling away from the Red Knight's arms.  I
glanced over at the door, and raised my voice.  "Ah, no, leave it out
in the sitting room; we'll get to it soon enough.  Thank you, Chef
Makoto!"
        "You're welcome, your majesty!"  There were the sounds of
things being set up in the other room, and then the sound of another
door closing.  Then silence.
        "I believe that we go to breakfast next, Corrine," the Red
Knight finally said, a smile on his lips and in his eyes.
        "... I guess we do at that," I replied.  I glanced up at him,
and shifted in his arms so that I faced him once more.  "But first, we
should work up an appetite," I purred huskily as I wrapped my arms
around him and pulled myself into his lap.
        The Red Knight stared at me in amazement, even as we embraced.
"By the Pyricorn, you're insatiable, my queen..."
        I grinned.  "I haven't slept with a man for nearly a century,
my knight... I'm making up for lost time."
        He laughed heartily, and I laughed as well, before our
laughter was cut off by a mutual, passionate kiss.
        To put it mildly, we ended up eating a late breakfast.

        Our parting was amiable and pleasant.  Not drawn out, though
both of us certainly would not have minded staying together longer.
But his duties called and so did mine, so after a quick, mutual shower
(with, ironically, no funny stuff while within the shower curtains
under the plasma-spray -- a decidedly odd but refreshing way to shower
if there ever was one), we embraced once more (he in his armor, I in a
lush dressing gown), kissed, and exchanged promises to talk once more
before heading off to sleep.
        Then the Red Knight left, walking away from the bedroom
doorway, his head uncovered by his helm.  I watched him hesitate, and
he glanced back at me.  I gave him a small but heartfelt smile, and
quickly gestured with my left hand to indicate that he had better be
going.  He smiled, nodded, and put on his helmet.  The Red Knight
turned, and walked off down the hall, out of sight.
        I returned to my bedroom, and closed the door.  As much as I
wanted to follow my love, right then and there, I had too many things
to do that day.
        The first and not least of which was getting dressed.
        My Warden's uniform was out of the question.  It had been
through too much in the past few days, and the built-up levels of dirt
and wear (not to mention its scent) had made the clothes unwearable.
They had already been tossed into the nearest hamper after our shower,
awaiting whatever the castle had in the way of a laundry service.
        I looked around the bedroom, already the site of fond
memories, and sized it up.  The two outer walls were taken up with
wide windows, showing the skies beyond, tables and chairs, cabinets,
dressers, and shelves occupying the space beneath the windowsills.
The wall to my left was dominated by the four-poster bed where we had
Compacted the evening before -- or whatever term should be used for
the time when we slept, since Ember had no night that I was aware of.
        There was a door on the far side of the bed, past the
nightstand there; that was the one that led to the bathroom.  The wall
to my right had a pair of large wardrobes bracketing a mirrored desk
and high-backed chair, and the far end held another door, the one that
led to the lounge.
        I put my hands on my hips, and made a thoughtful sound.
Right.  This would be where I would start my search for suitable
clothing.  I turned towards the wardrobes and opened the first set of
doors, studying the outfits stored within.
        Raising my eyebrows, I whistled softly as I ran my hands along
the garments that hung within the first wardrobe.  There was quite an
assortment of outfits that stood inside, from casual business suits to
frilly full-sleeved dresses, a pair of Lipunese kimonos decorated with
falling silver maple leaves, a striking floor-length Cathayan dress
styled in red and gold flames, artist's smocks, jackets and vests and
efficent skirts.  I chuckled as I saw at least three copies of my
leather and silk Warden's uniform hanging next to each other, and then
I laughed as I realized that this wardrobe held samples of my favorite
outfits, both at home in Amber and when I had lived in Shadow.
        But none of them felt like the right thing to wear.  No, not
now.  I closed the doors of the first wardrobe, and moved over to the
second one, and opened its doors.
        I stared, and sucked in a quiet breath as I regarded the
outfit that stood within the wardrobe.
        The cut of the clothes were familiar -- a sleeveless red
uniform jacket, military-style gold epaulets and shoulder braid
reaching from the right epaulet to the base of the center of the high
collar, a pocket over the left breast and two more above the hips.  A
long, floor length pleated skirt, also made of that same lush red
fabric.  The overall design of the outfit was very much like the dress
that Dowager Queen Anthy regularly wore.
        But this gown was trimmed in silver piping, the pockets edged
with gold braid, the underskirt silver silk and the frill between
jacket and skirt a fine golden fabric I was hard-pressed to
immediately identify.  Gold buttons, fittings, and a ruby cabachon
nestled at where the collarbone would be, forming the attachment point
for the shoulder braid.  Silver tassels hung from the ends of the
epaulets.
        With a start, I realized that this had to be my royal regalia.
        Tentatively, I reached a hand foward, and ran my fingers along
the fabric of the jacket and skirt, as if to confirm its reality.  The
cloth was smooth and light under my touch; a sensible thing, a part of
my mind commented, given the prevailent heat of Ember.  Thick fabrics
would not be that comfortable for the person wearing them.
        I had a feeling that I would be wearing this particular outfit
very often in the near and far future.
        I glanced from side to side, and my eyes caught on a smaller
set of dresser drawers inside the wardrobe.  I checked the topmost
drawer, and was rewarded with the sight of several pairs of suitable
undergarments and white socks.  Good.  At least I wouldn't have to
worry about that particular detail.
        My hands loosened the sash that held my dressing gown
together.  I shrugged my shoulders, letting the weight of the robe
fall onto my elbows.  I removed it in full, and hung the gown on a
hook on the back of one of the wardrobe doors.  Underwear and socks
were quickly donned, and then I reached forward again, my hands
hesitating before opening the side of the skirt and pulling it free
from its supports.
        Well, this was a wrinkle.  Hidden beneath the skirt was a pair
of sleek, red slacks.  And now that I looked more closely, I could see
a line of red velcro circling around the upper edge of the red skirt.
        I chuckled softly.  This was the same sort of arrangement that
I used for all my other formal dresses, those that had full skirts
that were not necessarily intergral to the rest of the gown.  After
all, one never knew when you'd have to defend your guests from a
sudden ninja attack or some other thing, and it wasn't easy to fight
in a ballgown.  I had tried that before, with less than optimal
results.
        I set the skirt aside momentarily, and pulled on the slacks,
securing them at the waist with a dark leather belt.  I returned my
attentions to the skirt, and put that on as well, fastening it at the
side by means of a clever internal eye-and-hook arrangement.  The
sleeveless jacket with its golden waist frill came next, and I twisted
my torso a bit to confirm that everything fit and was comfortable
after I had buttoned the jacket up and secured the internal velcro
tabs to the lower skirt.
        At least this outfit didn't have those large cuffs that Anthy
always wore.  I could never figure out how she managed to keep them in
place on her wrists.  I bent over to grab a pair of brown saddle shoes
that I had seen on the floor of the wardrobe, and then sat on the edge
of the adjacent dressing table between the wardrobes, as as to put
them on.
        Something was missing.
        I couldn't put my finger on it immediately, but there was
something importaint that I was forgetting.
        I glanced over at the nighstand where the large ruby on its
golden chain still sat; no, not the Fire Demi-Jewel, that wasn't it.
I fully intented to carry it with me, perhaps more prominently this
time, but that wasn't what I was forgetting.
        Weapons?  No, save for my own fists, I was currently unarmed.
I'd have to rectify this in the future, but that issue could wait.
        Trump Deck?  I patted myself down, and relaxed as I realized
that I had habitually slid my oaken trump case into a cleverly-hidden
pouch underneath the front waist flaps of the jacket.
        I rested my hands against the edge of the table, and my left
wrist hit against a plain wooden case that had been near one side.
Curious, I turned around and opened the case, unhooking the small
latch that secured it.
        Inside, nestled on a cusion of red, plush velvet, was a
five-pointed gold tiara.
        Oh.
        -That's- what I was missing.
        I stared down at the glittering gold bauble, a pregnant pause
filling the silence as I tried to quash the guilty feeling that was
welling up inside me.  For the first time since the previous day, my
inner skeptic protested that this wasn't happening, could NOT be
happening.  The very thought of me, Corrine, a Queen?  Preposterous!
        But there I stood, in a Queen's bedroom, wearing a Queen's
clothes, staring down at a Queen's crown which another part of my mind
commented that it would be so easy to put it on and that it would very
likely fit...
        I took a deep breath, reached down, and as if handling the
most delicate and fragile piece of blown glass sculpture, picked up
the tiara with my fingers.
        It was somewhat heavier than I expected, but not overly so.
It was more the emotional and spiritual weight that was bearing on me.
I turned the metal object around in my fingers; it was actually rather
plainly styled, with a minimum of actual filgree or ornamentation on
it.
        I lifted the tiara upwards, past my eyes and forehead, and
tried hard not to guiltily glance to either side to see if I was about
to be spotted.  A memory flitted to my mind, one of long ago when I
had been much, much smaller and less concerned with even the trappings
of propriety, where I had entered the royal suites alone and played
dress-up with my mother's clothes.  I had pulled on her skirt and
styled gown, both much too big for me, ransacked one of her jewelry
cabinets for some pretty bracelets and pendants, and had paraded
around the room pretending to be her -- pretending to be Haruka of
Harad, the Queen of Amber and Harad.  I had considered putting on her
crown (my mother generally favored a gold circlet with a sapphire
inset on the center, and did not wear the crown save for exceptionally
formal gatherings), but before I could decide wether or not to really
try it, the rest of my family had returned.  Juri had scolded me with
faint disapproval at her sister's antics (so as to hide her
bemusement, I'm sure), mother had advised me calmly to ask her the
next time I tried this, and father had just looked at me with his
stern level gaze that could make anybody feel guilty.
        The sensation I had felt back then was the same as the
sensation I was feeling right now.  But my hands were still in motion,
and before could I halt them, I could feel the weight of the crown
settling on my brow, circling my head.  It fit snugly, cusioned by the
waves of my chestnut hair, as if precisely made for me.
        I glanced at the mirror in front of me, and stared.  
        A regal-looking woman stared back at me, her blue eyes wide
with surprise.  Her chestnut-brown hair fell naturally in waves
beneath her tiara and down about her shoulders, glowing in the Ember
light.  A stocky build was well-contained within the skirt and jacket
she wore; the light skin of her rounded face and trim arms went well
with the red fabric of her regalia.  She was undeniably feminine and
attractive, especially with the blush that was creeping up her cheeks
-- the same blush that was creeping up my own cheeks.
        She was me.

        A knock at my bedroom door startled me out of my reverie.  I
quietly gasped as I jumped, and my left hand jerked upwards in case my
crown fell off.  It didn't, for which I was thankful.  I quickly
glanced at the door, as the knocking continued.
        "Who is it?" I exclaimed, perhaps louder than necessary, due
to my nervousness.
        "Your highness?  It's me, Catherine!" my Regent's voice
replied.  "Are you ready for your Privy Council meeting?"
        "Oh!"  I turned, and with a rustle of skirts, I quickly moved
over to the door to open it.  "I'm sorry, I lost track of the time,
what with everything..." I hurredly apologized, but trailed off as I
realized Catherine was staring at me.  "... is something wrong?"
        My regent shook her head, her surprised expression changing
into one of delight as a broad smile graced her face.  "Oh, no, no,
not at all!  Corrine, you look -beautiful-!"
        I blinked, and I could feel my blush return.  "I do?"
        "Of course you do!"  Catherine grinned as she patted me on the
shoulder.  I didn't move to stop her, still feeling out of my element.
"You're the Queen, you have a -right- to look good in whatever you
wear.  Tailoring only brings out your natural beauty, your majesty."
She winked at me, which only caused me to feel more sheepish.
        "Er.  Right."  I scratched the back of my head.  "My
compliments to the royal tailors, then," I continued, trying to
regroup from the totally unfamiliar scenario I found myself in.
        "I'll be sure to pass on your kind words, my Queen," Catherine
replied as she bowed to me.  She stood again, and looked me in the
eyes, blue-green to blue.  "Ready to go, now?"
        I nodded.  "Yeah.  Let's go and meet the happy people."
Catherine nodded back, and moved back out into the hallway to let me
through the door.  However, before I could take a step forward, I
remembered that I had left a very importaint bauble behind me on my
nightstand.
        Without really giving much concious thought to my actions, I
gestured with my left hand.  There was a burst of flame in front of
me, next to Catherine, and the Fire Demi-Jewel appeared in midair.  I
caught the large ruby in my palm before it could fall too far, and I
grinned at Catherine's startled expression.
        "That's... that's... that's the Fire Demi-Jewel!" Catherine
exclaimed as she stared at the gem.  "It's been lost for centuries!"
        "Why yes, so it is," I calmly replied as I gathered up its
golden chain, and slipped the Demi-Jewel into my left hip pocket.
"Fancy that.  Shall we be going?"
        Catherine gathered herself with a nod, and led the way.
        Good, my sarcastic side wryly commented to myself.  At least I
wasn't the only one who was getting their share of surprises today.
        
        We walked down the central staircase of the castle to the
second floor.  Once again, people got out of our way as we walked
past, many of them bowing and exchanging plesantries with us.  I
nodded and replied as was appropriate, looking at them and fixing
their faces in my mind, and their names if Catherine mentioned them.
It did not take us long to reach our destination, and my guide stopped
at the door to the room beyond, waiting for me to enter.
        "Tenchi-sama is much too good for the likes of you!" a
cultured feminine voice shrilly protested, audible even through the
thick wood door.
        "And like you're in port long enough to show him a good time?"
another female voice replied, rougher yet possessed of a certain
seductiveness.  "Tenchi's always willing to have a little fun if you'd
let him."
        "Hmph!  Like -you're- one to talk," the first voice rejoined.
"Flying about the cosmos like a drunken airship driver.  Tenchi-sama
does NOT need your brand of 'fun'."
        "That's not what he was saying last Launching," the second
voice continued, audibly smug.
        "Why-- YOU--"
        Catherine gave me an embarrassed grin.  I just arched an
eyebrow at her, smiled slightly, and turned the doorknob, opening the
door.  I stepped the rest of the way into the Privy Council Chamber.
"Good morning, everyone," I announced with a broader smile, taking in
the scene laid out before me.
        A purple-haired woman in vaugely Lipunese robes was standing
over the edge of a long, oval table, her palms pressed down on the
surface as she stared down at another woman with a mane of bright cyan
hair who languidly reclined in the opposite chair.  Other people were
arranged around the table, wearing expressions of concern or resigned
acceptance at the proceedings.  "Ryoko, you sorry excuse for an
Emberite Noble!  If it weren't for your position, granted to you by
our Regent --"
        The seated woman grinned, and pointed towards myself and
Catherine.  "-- who happens to be standing at the door behind...
our... Queen.... urk."  Her eyes widened (I noted with interest that
they were gold-toned and slitted, like a cat's), and then shot to her
feet, almost knocking her chair back in the process.
        "Yes, Regent Catherine and..." The purple-haired woman turned,
her own violet eyes widening with recognition and shock.  "... Your
Majesty!  Queen Corrine!  My apologies for our behaviour!"  She
quickly swept into a precise, formal bow, even as the other folks at
the table stood up more slowly, realizing just who had arrived.
        "Am I interrupting anything?" I asked, walking towards the far
side of the room, in front of a gallery of windows that illuminated
the council chamber.
        "No, of course not, Corrine-sama," Ayeka replied, standing
stock-still.  "A minor matter of a personal dissagreement between
myself and my collegue, Ryoko, which shouldn't be brought up in the
middle of the Privy Council!"
        "That's good," I smiled slightly.  "I'm certain the two of
you'll be able to resolve things satisfactorly without my meddling."
        "Thank you, my Queen!"
        "Way to suck up, Ayeka," Ryoko murmured under her breath.
        "Shhh!" Ayeka bit back.
        I ignored the two, moving the rest of way to the far end of
the table.  The largest chair sat there, empty and waiting.  It didn't
take a rocket scientist to figure out where I needed to sit.
        "Please, sit down, all of you," I asked, taking my own seat.
There was a succession of nods, and the rest of the group resumed
their seats.  I looked at each face in turn, sizing them up from left
to right around the table as Catherine introduced them to me. 
        The first was a man in official looking robes, his skin dusky
and his face lean, a dark moustache overhanging his upper lip and
bushy black eyebrows that swept over his piercing grey eyes.  He wore
a short beard that was tied off at the base of his neck; I assumed his
hair was probably styled in much the same fasion, save that I could
not see it thanks to the cloth that trailed from the back of his
pointed hat to cover his neck.  He was clearly a native of this place,
and a jewel-encrusted Kunjal knife hung from his belt.  His name was
Lonz, and according to Catherine, he was my Lord High Chamberlain.
        Next to Lonz sat another man, whose skin was also tanned and
weathered from exposure to the elements, his face lean with age and
experience.  He wore a thin grey moustache, his grey hair was parted
to either side, and the remainder of his hair was pulled back into a
ponytail that trailed down to the small of his back.  The light
glinted off his rectangular glasses, breifly hiding his violet eyes.
He was clad in a white gi top and pale blue hakama pants, and his
entire bearing was that of a retired warrior and scholar.  This was
Katsuhito, the Steward of Ember City.
        An empty seat rested next to Katsuhito, but this only meant
that the next person over was able to lounge across her chair and the
previous one like a pampered cat.  Ryoko's spiky cyan hair draped over
the red-clad arms that were folded behind her head, her red leather
jacket and black leather pants showing off her figure for anyone who
cared to be enticed by such things.  A single spherical earring hung
from one rectangular-shaped ear, and two similar gems glinted near her
wrists.  She gave the impression of restrained sexuality and violence,
despite her slim, trim frame; and the five-pointed stars arranged in a
pentagon near her collar marked her as the Admiral of the Onyx Fleet
-- the space branch of Ember's military.
        Two more empty seats were next to Ryoko, one of them directly
opposite my own place at the opposite end of the table.  Then came the
violet-haired woman who had been arguing with Ryoko earlier; Ayeka,
the Admiral of Ember's Sapphire Fleet, one of two whom commanded
Ember's naval assets.  Her precisely-coiffed hair and bangs framed an
aristocratic, light-skinned face, her ruby eyes constantly regarding
and measuring everything in sight.  Ayeka's Lipunesque kimono was
professionally tailored, made in complimenting shades of blue, violet,
turquoise, white, and cyan, going well with the maroon obi belt and
the long streamers of her violet ponytails.
        Next to Ayeka sat a taller woman, but the shape of her face,
the styling of her hair, and the color of her eyes marked them as
sisters, even if their outfits and bearing were different.  Turquoise
hair parted to either side in feather bangs, and a thick fall of that
same hair secured into two ponytails, flipped over the back of her
chair so that it wouldn't be caught by her body and her blue, white,
and pink military uniform (which had a naval cut to it, I noticed).
She smiled quietly at me, and I could sense nothing but good-will and
patient concern from her.  She was Sasami, the Admiral of the
Aquamarine Fleet, the younger sister of Ayeka, if Catherine was to be
believed.  She certainly didn't look it!
        A short, portly man sat next to Sasami, smoking on an ornate
pipe that jutted out from beneath his curled white moustache and
beard, and despite myself, I could not keep from smiling.  I knew him,
or -a- him, all too well -- he was Johann Pariseau, Catherine's
father, as a shadow of him had been my Assistant Headmistress's father
out in Shadow.  His shadow had taught me all that I had known about
painting and sculpture; and from Catherine's words, I surmised that he
had much the same interests.  I looked forward to talking with him
after the meeting was over, if his duties as Castellan of Castle Ember
did not drag him away.
        Another woman sat next to Johann, clad in Lipunesque robes
much like Ayeka's, but the older woman's clothes were much more
ornate, covering over her shoulders so that her sleeves were barely
visible.  Her skin was light, her face was rounded, and her thick
black hair fell down the front of those robes in two tied tails, as
well as down her back in a thick cascade that was only tied near the
end to split into two more tails.  Her eyes were violet, her
expression was thoughtful and composed, and for a brief moment it felt
as if she was sizing me up.  Whatever she saw, however, she clearly
approved of, as she gave me a slight smile and introduced herself as
Funaho, the Mistress of the Revels for Ember.
        And then finally there sat Catherine, whose presence at my
right hand was becoming a welcome and familiar one.
        I glanced over at Catherine, having already noticed the empty
seats around the table.  "I take it not everybody's here..."
        Catherine looked sheepish, and shook her head as she looked
down at the notepad she had produced from somewhere.  "Yes, your
majesty.  The Warden of the Corona and the Wyvernmaster of the Dragons
are going to be late getting back from their regular duties.  Your
Marshal of the Armies is currently out on maneuvers, and she doesn't
know if she'll be able to get back in time."
        I nodded.  "We might as well get started then.


[Morgenstern arrives, his usual blunt, gruff self, which concerns
Corrine, though Catherine reassures her off to the side.  More info
reporting, with Morgenstern acting like he doesn't fully approve of
the new Queen.  Corrine manages to deflect things with a little bit of
verbal sparring, and an offer to take him up physically anytime,
anywhere.]

[More chatting.  The Marshal arrives, in armor, apologizing for her
lateness -- she had a drill session with a portion of the military in
Darah City, and was late getting back.  She removes her helm,
introducing herself to Corrine, who gasps in utter shock... since save
for her hair color, eye color, and tan, looks like an EXACT DUPLICATE
of her mother, Haruka.  It takes a little bit for Corrine to get back
and centered after this; several people regard her with concern, but
Catherine helps her get back on track.]

[Corrine reassures folks that she has no intentions of reassigning any
postings for the nonce, since it's clear that they've been performing
admirably in her absence.  Next week will be the formal pledges and
re-investiture of position and fealty, but they don't need to worry
about that now.]

[Eventually, things split up for the day.  Funaho asks to be allowed
to speak with Corrine later at lunch, with Catherine, and she
accepts.]

[Corrine and Catherine and Funaho lunch -- Funaho reveals that she's
also the kingdom's Spymistress, keeping tabs on everybody, which
surprises Corrine but comes as no surprise to Catherine, who appointed
her to the position.  Corrine gets behind-the-scenes info on the sitch
of the kingdom, which is pretty good.]

[Corrine feels a sudden need to unburden herself, and speaks about
what she experienced in redrawing the Fire Pattern.  Catherine is
disbelieving, but Funaho is more open to the possibility... a quick
mind-probe by Catherine and Funaho confirm that at least to CORRINE,
her memories are accurate.  But then again, so's Catherine's and
Funaho's.  Clearly, this is a quandry to be addressed another day.]

[Include some mention of the Prophesies of the Pyricorn and chapter
"Origins", detailing the believed creation of Ember, and Corrine's
part in it.]

[The lunch breaks up -- Funaho reassures Corrine to not be intimidated
by Ryoko's bluster, or Morgenstern's gruffness.  Then Corrine and
Catherine go to tour the castle.]

[Brief summary of tour details here for now.  More in-depth visuals as
Corrine visits them personally later.]

[Corrine takes a breather, and calls Fuyutsuki to ask WHAT THE HELL IS
GOING ON HERE!  She gets information, as specified in the outline,
though not all of it of course.  Corrine promises not to bug him -too-
much for advice, though she'll need help in the latter stages when
getting her construct online.]

[That evening is dinner... general toast to the Queen's Health by
Catherine.  Corrine also gives a speech, extemporizing and putting her
acting skills to the test.  Good food, some random chattage, then
people turn in for the 'night'.  Corrine rendevouses with the Red
Knight, and they talk before heading to bed (though this night, no
funny stuff... Corrine just needs somebody to be with her.)]