Session 20

Three weeks pass. Maevyn begins his work as ambassador by negotiating the formal armistice between Thelbane and Amber. This involves meeting a lot with Corwin, which Maevyn doesn't seem to enjoy very much. Apparently Corwin's very aggressive. Jasra keeps mostly to herself, which is fine with Miranda. Since Jasra makes no inquiries about the twins, Miranda suspects that she doesn't remember the old history.

Miranda spends some of her time studying sorcery. It's slow going, slower than reading a novel, for example, and she's only able to get through three books during the week. She also spends some time getting familiar with the town. She finds that people don't know who she is, but she's treated with respect since she's dressed like a noble. The people seem to be happier than she remembers in the East, and there seems to be a greater degree of economic prosperity. Conversely, the nobles aren't as wealthy as they were in Thelbane. She notices that the local style seems to be to cover your arms and hair. She decides to get a new wardrobe that more closely matches the local style, starting with winter clothes since it's now late autumn, but refuses to cover her hair.

Miranda also asks Amelia to introduce her around the court. Amelia introduces Miranda to the nobles as her cousin, not mentioning the Thelbane connection initially, then subtly brings it into later conversation. Most of the women seems envious of the fact that Miranda doesn't cover her hair, but not to the point of being nasty about it.

Miranda studies Martin as the opportunity arises, trying to learn his habits and routines. She often notices that when she's observing him, he's also observing her.

Seeking to practice what sorcery she's learned, Miranda spends some time out in the country with Yut-Lung. Unsurprisingly, given his background, he is able to give her some advice on the subject. They also resume their sparring, although in secret. It is during one of their sessions in the country that Miranda gets a Trump call from Driscoll. It feels like he's closer than Thelbane. When Miranda takes the call, Driscoll explains that someone has poisoned Florin, his middle daughter. The poison came from some kind of puzzle box that she touched. The Sorcerer's Guild has never seen anything like it. They aren't sure whether it's Eastern sorcery. Miranda points out that it could be sorcery from Shadow, too. Yut-Lung asks Miranda what's going on. She invites him to join the contact and he is filled in. They decide to go through to Driscoll, once Miranda shapeshifts to look different.

Once they join Driscoll, he uses Logrus to bring them to the Imperial Palace where he shows them the note he received.

Lord Driscoll of Hendrake

It is unlikely that your physicians will be able to do anything for your daughter. If you wish her to live, you will meet me tomorrow at the Ways of Anch, during the hour you know as Bluesky. You will arrive via horseback, not via your magic cards or the power of your deity. Make your goodbyes to your family and come alone; you will not be returning for some time.

If you attempt any tricks, you will lose the only chance you have to obtain an antidote for the poison that is killing your daughter, and the opportunity to protect the rest of your family.

(symbol)

Yut-Lung recognizes the symbol at the bottom as being the language of his Shadow. It means Shae-Lun, a feminine name, but not one he recognizes. Miranda is able to tell that the poison spell is quite strong. Yut-Lung confirms that the poison is from his world, on the level of a god, in fact. Miranda remembers that there was a goddess whose domain was poison, but she had a different name. Perhaps this is her daughter? If so, Yut-Lung says she'll be the only person who can remove it. Miranda tells Driscoll that she can do some research, but it's only three hours until Bluesky, and that probably won't be enough time. On the plus side, if Yut-Lung's Shadow is similar to how it used to be, the culture is very honor-based. Which means that the poisoner is likely to live up to her end of the bargain. Miranda asks if Driscoll still has the item he used against Suhuy. Yes. That may help. She tells him she's seen a picture of her Uncle Caine in which he's wearing the dagger. Really? Driscoll draws the dagger, at which point Miranda realizes that it's a Pattern blade. She informs Driscoll of this. He apparently wasn't aware of it. Miranda asks if there's anything else they can do to help. Not that Driscoll can think of, but he thanks them for trying. Miranda offers to try and contact him later.

Driscoll uses Logrus again to bring them back to the original spot he Trumped them from, which is about midway between Amber and Thelbane. After he leaves, Miranda studies the place long enough to be able to draw a Trump of it, then goes back to Amber with Yut-Lung. They discuss the situation a bit longer, trying to figure out why someone from Yut-Lung's Shadow would want Driscoll, and how they got to Thelbane. Miranda suggests that it could be because of something Driscoll's other self did, and they may have gotten to Thelbane the same way Yut-Lung did, via someone else. The problem is, they just don't know what Driscoll's other self did in the past. Yut-Lung suggests that maybe Shae-Lun is after Miranda. Miranda admits this could be true, although they don't know if she spent time in his Shadow in this history, nor if she was close friends with Driscoll. It occurs to both of them that maybe it's Yut-Lung that Shae-Lun is after, since he is associated with Driscoll in this history. But what do they want from Driscoll? Why not just make the price of the antidote be turning over Yut-Lung? He isn't sure.

Miranda spends the next several hours drawing a Trump of the halfway point. After six hours pass, she Trumps there with Yut-Lung, then Trumps Driscoll. She can't get through. Something feels wrong. She explains this to Yut-Lung, who suggests they talk to Faith. She knows Yut-Lung. Does she remember the other history? No. Miranda draws a sketch of the room that Driscoll brought them to in the Imperial Palace, then shifts back to the form she had on her earlier visit and goes through the sketch with Yut-Lung. The bedchamber is empty. Yut-Lung opens the door and sees Faith in the next room. She looks a combination of edgy and relieved. He greets her and introduces Miranda as one of his students, then asks if Driscoll has returned. Faith says he has, much to Miranda's surprise. Faith says she'll tell him of Yut-Lung's arrival, and leaves. Miranda tries to Trump Driscoll again, but still fails. She tells this to Yut-Lung, and says this shouldn't be happening if Driscoll is really here. At this point, Driscoll walks into the room and greets Yut-Lung, looking rather surprised to see him. Then he looks to Miranda, obviously not recognizing her, even though he saw her in this form six hours ago. Miranda quietly tells Yut-Lung that this isn't Driscoll. Before he can respond, Driscoll lunges at Yut-Lung with his Pattern dagger. Miranda pulls out her Trump of the midway point, and looks for a chance to grab Yut-Lung and flee, or an opening to cast a spell. Yut-Lung proceeds to easily defeat Driscoll, much to everyone's surprise, disarming and then pinning Driscoll to the ground. Miranda picks up the dagger and pockets it. Yut-Lung begins to question the man, at which point Imperial Guards burst in. Miranda grabs Yut-Lung and activates the Trump she had ready, and the three of them disappear.

After they appear at the midway point, Yut-Lung and "Driscoll" converse in Yut-Lung's language. After some conversation, it becomes apparent that the man was sent to kill Yut-Lung by Shae-Lun...Yut-Lung's sister. Since Yut-Lung didn't have a sister in the old world, both he and Miranda are a bit surprised. Yut-Lung gets a bit frustrated at this point and knocks the man out. Miranda suggests they leave the area, since it's possible there might be someone in Thelbane who can trace the Trump. Yut-Lung casts a spell that transforms Driscoll's body into an egg, then puts it in his pocket. Miranda suggests a protective case for it. After they put some distance between them and this site. Miranda uses the Pattern to shift them several Shadows away.

Miranda asks Yut-Lung if that was really Driscoll's body, or just one that looks like it. He explains that Shae-Lun used soul magic to switch the bodies. He's heard of it. Did the man say where Driscoll is? No. Yut-Lung admits that probably would have been a good thing to find out. He says they're going to have to go to his Shadow. She knows. She could probably draw a Trump of one of the places she visited, if it still exists in this history. Actually, Yut-Lung can bring them there. Sorcery? Yes, he's just never needed to use it before, because he never planned to go back. The trick will be finding Driscoll there, since they don't know what he'll look like. Miranda wonders if there's a spell that can find people who are from Thelbane. Basically, Driscoll is different than the inhabitants of Shadow, so maybe there's a way to detect that? Yut-Lung doesn't really understand soul magic. Miranda explains that there is a theory that all those who remember the previous history have something similar about their souls. If this is true, maybe they could use that to locate Driscoll. Yut-Lung suggests that they find a sorcerer in his Shadow who knows soul magic. Miranda says they'll need to disguise Yut-Lung. He doesn't like that idea, since any disguise, even that of a noble, will mean a lowering of his status. Miranda points out that Shae-Lun likely has plans for what to do if he shows up. Yut-Lung concedes that this is true. Which means that wherever Driscoll is, it's likely a trap as well. They Trump back to Amber to prepare. Miranda gives Yut-Lung a padded jewelry box to keep the egg in.

Miranda's Page | Miranda's Logs

Last modified on April 12, 2003 by Kris Fazzari.