Session Twelve

I had never before noticed that the regions surrounding Amber Castle can actually be quite beautiful in the morning. The sun only just rising, the mists were still clinging to the ground and the trees, and it was very quiet...even the fishmongers of the city spoke softly...as if they were loathe to destroy what little bit of tranquility came naturally into their small lives. I rode away from the Castle, through the streets of Amber City, and onward to the coast...following the winding dirt road to the furthest edges of Arden.

Once in Arden, 'twas easier to work the will of the Pattern and move myself through the infinite realities. And so I rode on with one thought in mind, the old graveyard, where once lay my son Thorn, now recovered and interred in the family crypt in Kolvir.

Had I eyes for such things, I would have marvelled at the landscapes through which I rode, but my mind was focused on one task and one alone...finding my husband. Though I would have preferred not to, I went over the course of our relationship in my mind...re-evaluating each step...each mistake...trying to see if there was something that could be salvaged.

We met in a small shop on the outskirts of the Ways of Jesby that sold paints and brushes. Mother's face was too well-known...and the others were busy with their own tasks. And so I volunteered to procure the supplies we needed, so that we could continue to manufacture the trumps that we were so dependent upon. And so I walked through the aisles of that dusty, dimly lit shop...the wooden boards creaking under my feet. A gentle cough behind me...and a man's voice offering me assistance. And there he was...gentle green eyes...dark hair...a brooding mouth. He was a handsome man.

And so we talked about color, of all things. This paint the shade of a certain leaf in the morning, that dye the hue of tanned flesh. With his help, I quickly procured the paints I needed, and the brushes...he knew the layout of the shop so well that I assumed him to be the shopkeeper. And so I was surprised when an older man approached and offered to bag up my purchases.

He smiled guiltily and introduced himself as Edwin of Jesby...and thus we came to know one another.

We met secretly over the next few months...me using trumps to visit him when I could. It's hard to explain why things shaped the way they did.

I was at a particularly vulnerable time in life. The glamour of travelling through Chaos had faded...and one too many assassination attempts had come too close. I was weary of running, and scared of dying. I often found myself wishing I could have been Alexandra, raised in an idyllic environment...my every want and need carefully nurtured and encouraged. Instead I was raised in the Courts and tutored in death and destruction magic, as would keep me alive. It was harder for me because I could not shapeshift, though mother did all she could to encourage the development of this power in me. I simply lacked the capability.

And there was Edwin...charming, fun...safe. He made the promises that all young lovers do...that he could hide me...that he could protect me from my enemies...that I'd be safe in House Jesby. And I believed him because I wanted to believe him.

And so I ran off...and we were married...and our wedding night became the stuff of tragedy. There is little else to say of it.

Even approaching the events of that night in my mind caused a fury to burn in me, and my patience dwindled rapidly. I needed this situation dealt with immediately, and so I trumped to the Courts of Chaos.

I arrived in a region I recalled vaguely, but nevertheless asked for assistance. A passing man on horseback provided me the information I needed, and directed me to the Ways of Jesby. Arriving there, I announced myself as Edwin's wife, and was escorted to an antechamber. The servant promised to bring Edwin to me, but then returned to announce that he had left abruptly with no note.

Sigh. Why did I think this could be solved quickly and simply?

And so I took tea with his mother, who is a charming woman, indeed. We sat and talked of simple things, myself diverting questions concerning the marriage...making it clear that it was a youthful mistake that I was here to resolve through divorce. She seemed disappointed by this, but amicable.

And then I was physically/magically snatched away from tea by Jack and body-slammed into a forest scene. He vanished before I could lash out, naturally. And so again I found myself in Faerie...no conjuration...no Pattern...no Trump...just me in the forest. I was so angry I was almost moved to cry...but I choked it down and began looking for an out. I know Jack...and there is no prison he can create that does not feature a clever out.

As I explored the maze, a strange deer kept following me. At first, I ignored it. Why should a strange deer surprise me in the Plane of Faerie. For a time I contemplated catching and eating it, but without my conjuration magic, I am a piss-poor hunter and cook. Analyzing it more closely, I recognized the psychic signature. It was my dear sister Alexandra. Why must everything become such a drama for me? Why I can't I simply move from point A to point B without hindrance?

I started finding my way through the forest, Alexandra having eventually taken human form. We chatted about many things...but truthfully whatever was said has gone completely from my mind. It was our usual substance-less bickering and sniping, followed up with her cheery sense of superiority. I don't have a sister; I have a cheerleader for the opposing team.

I would have found my own way out eventually, but Alexandra was just too much for my patience. And so I called Jack to come to me that we might talk. And so we left her and talked for a bit. I expressed my desire to return, as I was in the midst of something important, divorcing an old husband I thought long dead.

Eventually, we came to an agreement, Jack and I. He has agreed to leave me alone, to not bother me or create future problems for me. I, in turn, have agreed the same for him. And so I will not press his banishment from Amber; nor will I help my family in any attempts to be rid of him. He and I are quits. Jack remarked that he missed me; I replied that I didn't miss him, which he took well enough. Before he returned me, though, I remarked that he should take a softer hand with Alexandra...and try being nice to her...if he wants to get what he wants, that is. He nodded and returned me to the Ways of Jesby.

In the Ways of Jesby, only a moment had elapsed, but for me it had been many hours. And so I appeared more than a bit scruffier than before. I apologized to Lady Jesby for the interruption, and asked to be shown to the Ladies' room that I might freshen up. Then I returned to tea and we chatted further.

Inwardly, my impatience grew stronger. Edwin was hiding from me, and this was intolerable. I asked Lady Jesby if she could provide me with a trump of him that I might contact him, but he was blocking me...something which surprised me greatly. If he is that strong now, I may be in for a very difficult situation indeed.

While attempting to force my way through, I realized that he was very far away, indeed...in Amber! That infuriated me greatly. Either he had fled to Nicholas or one of my dear cousins had stepped in to save him...and only Ariana and Ishmael knew of my intent. I will not contemplate it overmuch now...but if I ever find that one of them aided him in escaping me...well...it won't be pleasant for them or their immediate families.

I trumped Ariana and asked her about Edwin...she hedged on answering...possibly because she was unsure of the situation. I reassured her that I had no intention of killing Edwin...that I simply wanted a divorce. And that if he didn't return to the Ways of Jesby within 24 hours Amber time that I'd burn the Ways of Jesby to the ground, along with everyone in it. An exaggeration on my part, as I have no intention of harming the Jesbys, but Edwin must be brought to bear somehow.

Eventually, he returnes to the ways of Jesby. Our conversation was mercifully brief. I explained that I wanted a divorce...he tried to tell me that he wanted to mend things between us...I gave him no space to broach the subject. He even offered to apologize, but my indifference to such things struck his pride, and so he assumed a formal posture with me and agreed that a divorce would be for the best. The papers were delivered to my quarters at Jesby the next morning with his signature already on them. I signed them, kept my copy, and arranged that the other copies would be delivered to the appropriate authorities. And without so much as a goodbye, I trumped back to Amber.

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