The day continues to be most disturbing. Something is wrong with Lightbringer. It's being drained of its energy at an alarming rate, causing it to actually require souls. So much so that I've had difficulty restraining it. Nothing like this has ever happened before, in my memory or its. Lightbringer has always desired souls. All Morganti weapons do. But it's never required them before. And feeding it would seem to be more complicated than expected. I started to get concerned when Mead arrived. Covered from head to foot in black armor, he reminded me of those creatures that were attacking when I first arrived in Amber. Lightbringer asked for his soul. Which isn't that unusual. But I'd noticed it was becoming more and more insistent about such things. I'm almost positive that some Amberites can hear Lightbringer, which shouldn't be possible. I'm not sure why. There's so much I don't understand about this place. I suspect Mead was one of those who can hear Lightbringer, for after Lightbringer's comment he turned suddenly and stared at me. Lightbringer told me his armor was doing something dangerous, so I got ready to fight. It never came to that, which is a pity. I could have gotten away with killing him if I was defending myself. And I'd know the answer to one of my questions. Peter interposed himself between us, which was a stupid thing to do. Lightbringer was more than willing to take his soul instead, and I had a hard time saying no. I would so love to introduce him to Lightbringer. He is arrogant and pretentious, all the worst traits of a Phoenix Guard. Unfortunately, I believe he has the same protections. Deathsgate! Then Amanda appeared and Lightbringer wanted her soul. This was when I began to be alarmed. I went to the library and had a talk with Lightbringer. It was as frightened as I've ever seen it. Except for that time by the Pattern. And it's fear and hunger was affecting it badly. It kept insisting I kill Peter. When I refused it said Amber is affecting me. I disagree. Even in Dragaera, I wouldn't just kill someone of Peter's position on the street. That's a good way to get executed. People with power can't be openly killed. Even if you are legally exonerated, you have to deal with their supporters. No, people like Peter have to be assassinated. And I don't rush assassinations. That's why I'm still alive today. Lightbringer knows this. And normally, it would agree. But it was so blinded by it's hunger it was like reasoning with a child. It wanted Peter, Mead, anyone. And Mead had to walk into the library at that point. I'll admit I was tempted. From what I'd heard, Mead has pretty much the same status in the Castle as I do, which isn't much. He's probably family, but they're not sure how he's related. So there's no one obvious to come after me for killing him. Except, Random knows him. Which means Random might feel obligated to punish the killer. And from what I've seen and read about this family, I don't think I could get away with killing another family member in cold blood. Even Mead. I have no doubt I could have killed the witnesses. But Peter could place me in the room not long before. And I don't know what kind of surveillance they have here. I really need to continue my exploration of this place. No, it would have been foolish to attack him in the Castle. Especially given the unknown quantity of his armor. Unfortunately, Lightbringer didn't share my opinion. When it began to vibrate out of the scabbard of its own accord, I knew it was time to leave and teleported back to my room. It was obvious I was going to have to feed Lightbringer soon. I considered going into the town below the Castle. I still may. But it is so close to the Castle that I am concerned I might run into other Amberites. Shadow was my other option. The number of shadows I have seen is limited to three. The shadow Amanda brought Morrolan and I to, the shadow I followed Peter to, and the shadow we left Frank in. I discarded the notion of returning to the first shadow. If Blackwand was unable to devour souls there, than it is likely Lightbringer would have the same problem. The area of the third shadow I had seen was virtually uninhabited, except for Frank's men. Killing one of them is still a possibility, but I'd rather avoid possible Amberite involvement. And Frank seems the type to follow up personally on the death of one of his men. That left the jungle shadow. I killed two of the local inhabitants without any difficult. But Lightbringer couldn't touch their souls. I decided to go home at this point. I was harboring a suspicion that Lightbringer might require the presence of the Orb. In retrospect, it was a foolish notion. My first years with Lightbringer were during the Interregnum, and it didn't have problems like this. But, I needed to check on the status of my investigation anyway. And I knew Lightbringer could feed there. I didn't go directly home, of course. I went to the spot where I found my second familiar. Lightbringer reported a lessening of its hunger, but not an abatement of it. Hmm. Perhaps it is the presence of the Pattern in Amber? That will certainly complicate things. Does that mean Lightbringer will be more powerful in Chaos? I'll find out soon enough. No new information from my people. Whoever is looking into the Emperor's death, they're being very careful about it. I wish I knew what their objective was. I was positive I'd eliminated anything that might connect me in any way with the assassination. Where are they getting their information? I set two of my men to compiling a list of all e'Kieron's who were alive when I was born. Everything else seems to be running smoothly in my absence. As it should be. I certainly pay my people enough money to ensure that. No new jobs for me or Mario. So I spent a night on the town. The Easterner's quarter, specifically. When I hunt Easterners, there is a specific type that interests me. The type that plagued me as a child. They tend to be young males, and they rove in gangs for protection and power. They are arrogant, fearless and way too sure of themselves. Much like Peter, only stupider and less seasoned. I've always enjoyed killing them. Today was no exception. Lightbringer had no lack of souls to choose from. I could have returned to Amber by using the trump I possess of it. Instead, I trumped Amanda. I wanted to see what it felt like. It's much like psionic contact, only there's more to it. It's hard to explain. It remains to be seen what it feels like to be on the receiving end. Amanda pulled me though into what I soon learned was Peter's room. He behaved rather oddly. He rudely asked me to leave. Then he offered a truce until he'd dealt with his problems, at which point he promised we could settle things like adults. I've never heard anything so ridiculous in my life! Verra, how stupid does he think I am? He reminds me of Jonathan. Why would I believe he truly desired a truce, when only moments ago he was openly hostile? And why would I promise not to take advantage of any problem he might have, but instead wait until we could fight openly? Which is not how adults fight anyhow, but that seemed to be how he meant it. I left Ariel to eavesdrop outside of his window and learned a few things of interest. Peter requires that map of his to travel through shadow. Which puts him one step ahead of me, but indicates he hasn't acquired the Pattern's power either. Good, that improves my odds against him. He and Mead were asking for Amanda's help in finding a scapegoat for a crime Dice committed in Mead's shadow. It seems Amber is no more eager to turn over it's own for judgment than a Jhereg would be to turn another over to the Phoenix Guards. Perhaps we have something in common, after all. I've returned to my quarters to continue my work on my genealogy spell. Faced with an actual person, I'm reasonably certain it would work. Adapting it to trumps is another matter. Hopefully I will have some uninterrupted time to work on this.