Chapter Sixty-five: "Yes, you do have breasts."

	Ariana heals Felix's hand, much to his surprise.  They discuss why
he's so upset with Foster, and why everyone got transported.  All Ariana
knows is that it had something to do with the Jewel.

	Ahab finds Kimdyl and tells her about the shattered Jewel.  She
gloats that he's now dependent on her.

	Alex follows Bill Roth in to see Random, who asks him to check on
the state of things in Chaos.  Alex finds a secluded spot and Trumps
Lucretia, although not without some difficulty.  She tells him that things
are stressful, since there's an uprising going on.  A civil war, to be
more precise.  House Borge is remaining neutral.  Alex tries his official
contact next, who tells him that it's House Sawall and its supporters vs.
House Hendrake and its supporters.  Alex breaks the news to Random, who
says to tell Gramble that he has their support.  For what that's worth.

	Bart reaches the hallway in Rebma that he disappeared from, and is
happy to find his missing stuff lying there.  He gets dressed and Trumps
Llewella, who seems to be fine, but Bart gets the feeling that she's not
at liberty to speak.  She tells him that she'll call him back.  Bart goes
to retrieve Darby from the kid's father and sets about hanging spells.

	Usires arms himself and heads to the Great Hall, but Shard is the
only one there.  Shard is clueless as to what happened, as usual.

	Ariana finds Ahab and asks why Lyss is so weak.  He explains what
happened to the Jewel.  Lyss thinks it can be put back together.  She also
points out that everyone with Pattern was affected when it was shattered,
including those who were in the dungeons, etc.  Meaning Brand and Sand are
free.  Ahab says they need someone who can teleport groups of people at
least far enough out so that the Logrus will work for Kimdyl.  Right on
cue, Rinaldo walks in.  Ahab outlines his plan.  Ariana and Ahab argue
briefly over whether Random should be told of this plan, and whether he is
any good as king.

	Ariana Trumps Mirelle, who is tied to a stake and trying to blow
out a fire.  Ariana cuts her free and pulls her through, but Mirelle gets
hit by two crossbow bolts in the process.  Ariana puts out Mirelle's
burning dress and pulls out one of the bolts in her shoulder, at which
point Mirelle decks her, breaking her nose.  Then Mirelle faints.  Ariana
pulls out the other bolt, heals the wounds, then heals her own nose. 
Mirelle wakes up and asks what happened.  She looks confused when Ariana
calls her "Mother."  It turns out that she knows her name, and remembers
being in a dissolving Shadow, but little else.  She does recall Driscoll
bringing Heather to her, and vaguely remembers Ariana, once Ariana points
out that Driscoll brought her there at about the same time.  Mirelle goes
to sleep.  Ariana tells Felix that she's going to check on her children. 
Felix doesn't understand why, until Ariana explains that Sand is probably
free.  Felix is most unhappy about this little fact.  He asks if Ariana
can heal things the wrong way, so that bones mend badly, etc.  Ariana's
never tried this before, and isn't real keen on the idea.  She asks him to
let her know when Mirelle wakes up, and leaves.

	Ahab finishes planning with Rinaldo, and figures it'll be an hour
or so before they can get people together.  Felix tells him that Ariana
left to find her children, since Sand is free.  Ahab points out that Brand
is gone as well.  This does not improve Felix's mood any.  It occurs to
Ahab that maybe he should check on his mom, given how much fun Ariana's
mother was having.  He Trumps Deirdre, who's being interrogated by Nazis. 
Ahab considers trying Ariana's method of just cutting her loose and
pulling her through, but realizes that machine guns will do more damage
than crossbows.

	Ariana finds her children in her quarters with Caitt.  They seem
to be fine, although Morgan is standing in the corner, as punishment for
looking up Vivienne's skirt.  Ariana has a note delivered to Random,
explaining about Mirelle's personality change.

	Felix Trumps Gerard and shows off his cast-free hand.  Gerard is
confused.  Felix explains that Ariana healed it.  Gerard files that little
tidbit away.  Felix asks what's going on.  Gerard comes through and
explains about the Jewel.  Felix tells him that Ahab is putting together a
posse.  Gerard says Random has a similar idea.  Apparently some in Chaos
are taking advantage of Amber's weakened condition, and an army is
advancing towards Amber.  The idea is that the elders will remain in Amber
while the younger generation goes Jewel hunting.

	Alex checks the hidden alcove for Delwin, but he's nowhere to be
found.  He doesn't answer Trump either.  Alex goes up to the infirmary,
where Ahab asks him to join his Jewel-hunting posse.  Alex would rather go
after Sand.  Ahab figures maybe they can make time for her after putting
together the Jewel.

	Usires searches the castle for Caine for half an hour, before
deciding that maybe it would be faster to Trump him instead.  Caine says
all will be explained before long.

	Ahab picks up a gun and some appropriate ammo, and explains what's
going on to Kimdyl.  Then he Trumps Deirdre, who's being hustled down a
hallway.  He shows her the gun, and she doesn't look adverse to the idea,
so he pulls the trigger.  Unfortunately, nothing happens.  Ahab confirms
with Deirdre that there are more than two, but shooting two will help.  He
does this with a crossbow, and Deirdre dives through before the other two
can react.  Ahab explains what's going on, and lends Deirdre his Trumps of
Random and Corwin.  She uses Random's and disappears.

	Felix Trumps Ariana and asks if she still wants him to watch
Mirelle.  She does.  He starts to tell her what's going on, but she
suggests he come through first.  When he does, she explains that it isn't
wise to discuss plans over Trump.  He tells her about the Chaos invasion,
and how the younger generation is going after the Jewel.  Ariana wishes
him luck.  Ahab Trumps Felix and says the time is nigh, so Felix agrees
meet him up in the infirmary.  Ariana arranges for a page to watch Mirelle
and Foster in his absence.

	Random Trumps Ahab and asks Ahab to come through.  Bleys,
Benedict, Caine, Fiona, Flora, Gerard and Llewella are there.  As Ahab
arrives, Caine pulls through a green and bedraggled Julian.  Gerard is
talking to someone (probably Eric), who doesn't want to come through. 
Random asks Ahab how many people he's found for his posse.  Ahab explains
that he's recruited Felix, Kimdyl and Rinaldo.  Random suggests adding
Usires, Shard, Bart and whoever else Ahab can find.  Ahab isn't keen about
including Bart, but sends a page with a note for Usires and Shard.  The
note tells them to meet in the infirmary, by order of Random.  Shard
arrives with Battlestar.  Ahab Trumps Rinaldo, who comes through, and
Alex, who doesn't answer.  Ahab explains what's going on to those who are
present.  Lyss says she can direct them to the Shadows where the shards
are located, and give them the general location of the shards within the
Shadows.

	Rinaldo has everyone join hands and teleports them to a Shadow of
Arden.  Kimdyl then begins pulling them through Shadow with the Logrus. 
The tech level around them begins to rise, and they arrive an hour later
on a hillside overlooking a large Japanese metropolis, at dawn.  There are
both flying carriages and horse-drawn carriages visible.  Which you have
seems to relate to how wealthy you are.  Kimdyl checks with the Logrus and
says the Jewel isn't within a few miles.

	Alex teleports to someplace near the Black Road, and casts a spell
to slow the oncoming army.  Then he Trumps Ahab and asks to come through. 
The posse decides to split into two parties, since they now have two
Logrus users.  As an added bonus, Rinaldo reveals that he can sense the
Jewel as well as Lyss.  Ahab, Kimdyl, Felix and Shard make up one team,
while Alex, Rinaldo and Usires make up the other.  They split the city in
half and take off.  By the end of the day, Ahab's team has covered the
entire city and Kimdyl is making a beeline for a nearby mountain.  Alex's
team does the same.  They reach an area that is full of many spring-fed
pools, separated by narrow strips of land.  Kimdyl stops and says that the
shard is somewhere close by.  They all start picking their way between the
pools, being careful to stay on the dirt earthworks.  Just as Ahab spies a
glint of red in one of the pools, Felix's danger sense goes off, and he
spies an arrow whizzing for Ahab's head.  Felix yells a warning, and Ahab
ducks, but the arrow still clips his head and knocks him into the water. 
He dives for the red glow, while everyone except for Rinaldo and Alex
heads for the forest.  Alex focuses on bringing up the Logrus.

	Ahab grabs the Jewel shard and surfaces to find Rinaldo staring at
him.  It seems he's developed breasts.  He tries diving into the pool, but
nothing changes.  He suggests Rinaldo start searching the other pools for
the counter-spell.  Rinaldo says it will take a while, but Ahab doesn't
care.  Felix, Shard, Usires and Battlestar start wasting the people who
fired on them.  Alex grabs one with the Logrus and mind rapes him.  He
learns that their attackers are part of a peasant uprising, and they
thought the Amber group was part of the government militia.  Alex lets him
go, then notices that he's walking very carefully around the pools, so he
grabs the guy again and queries him about the pools.  He learns that
something has drowned in each pool, and anyone who falls into one assumes
the form of whatever drowned there.  Think Ranma 1/2.  Alex notices a
woman in one of the pools, motioning him over.  Then he notices that she's
wearing Morglyph, and his jaw drops.  Ahab asks if Alex knows of any way
to undo this.  Nope.

	Kimdyl approaches the pool, and Ahab dives for cover.  Kimdyl
Trumps him, but he doesn't answer.  Ahab starts breathing through a reed
so he can remain underwater.  The others arrive at the pool, but still no
sign of Ahab.  Kimdyl is growing concerned, so she finds him with the
Logrus and pulls him out of the pool.  Then she gets a good look at him,
drops him back into the pool, and asks Alex what's going on.  Alex
explains.  Shard and Usires decide to guard the perimeter, far away from
the pools.  Felix quickly joins them.  Alex finally realizes that the
reason they had so much trouble finding the Jewel shard was because of the
large amount of magic present in the pools.

	Ahab waits until it's nice and dark before finally emerging from
the pool.  He Trumps Lyss, who is quite surprised, to say the least.  He
passes her the shard.  She takes it, but then doesn't have enough strength
to pull him through.  Which leaves him stuck with the others.  Oh, joy. 
Rinaldo finishes his search, and tells Ahab that when the shard came to
the Shadow, it made the Shadow really potent, so there's no way to remove
the spell, although there does seem to be some kind of reversal tied to
water.  Kimdyl is upset that Ahab has a better figure than she does.  Ahab
wants to head home, but soon realizes that this is not an option.  Shard
gawks at Ahab until Ahab asks if there's a problem.  Felix just looks at
the ground and blushes.

	Bart finishes hanging his spells and finds that Darby has eaten
and fallen asleep.  He decides food would be a good idea.  Darby wakes up
and asks where his mother is.  Oh yeah, her.  Bart says he'll take Darby
to her in the morning.

	Ariana is informed late at night that Mirelle has woken up. 
Riftvan returns right after she gets the news.  She tells him what's been
going on, including the fact that Sand is free.  He figures the children
probably won't be Sand's first priority and offers to put them someplace
safe, that only Logrus masters can access.  Ariana refrains from pointing
out that this won't stop the Hendrakes.  Riftvan tells her that the army
heading for Amber has been delayed, since its leader was blown up by a
spell.  He also tells her which houses are involved in the army: Hendrake,
Hondl, Dhurban, Ranc, Eireg, Bartock and Solm.  Apparently Hendrake has
enough people to divide their resources between the war in Chaos and the
army.  Riftvan mentions that the civil war is going to keep him rather
busy, a fact which pleases Ariana not at all.  He asks to see Foster,
having heard some of what happened to him, although he doesn't seem to
think the loss of Foster's legs is very significant.  Foster will just
grow them back in a century or so.  Ariana tells him of Foster's
engagement to Laughter, and of Laughter's plan to talk to Mandor.  Riftvan
doesn't think this was a good idea.  No kidding.  He also expresses
surprise that rumors of Laughter's parentage are true.

	Ariana takes Riftvan up to the infirmary, but he opts not to
disturb Laughter and Foster after all.  Mirelle notices them walk in and
asks when she had Ariana.  Ariana explains, but Mirelle doesn't remember
it.  Ariana introduces her to Riftvan, who kisses her hand.  Ariana also
mentions that she has four children.  Mirelle seems surprised to learn how
old Ariana is, and seems ignorant of the family in general.  Ariana takes
her to get some food, telling her a bit about the family along the way. 
Ariana is rather stressed out by all of this, but Riftvan gets her to
relax in his own special way.

	Ahab and Rinaldo Trump Lyss, to determine the location of the next
shard.  She gives them directions, but says it seems to be a restricted
Shadow.  Ahab figures Kimdyl can handle it.  Lyss thinks the key is
related to Trump in some way.  The posse journeys onward.

	Morning dawns in Amber.  Bart takes Darby to see his mother in the
infirmary.  Seeing her so weak has a definite affect on the child.  Foster
and Laughter are no longer in the infirmary.  Bart Trumps Llewella, who
apologizes for not Trumping him earlier, but she wasn't sure when he would
be finished racking his spells.  He pulls her through and asks what's
going on.  She tells him about the army from Chaos, and Ahab's posse,
adding that she's due back in Rebma soon.  She says everyone's a bit
nervous, since they've never fought Chaos before without the Jewel or
Pattern.  Bart wonders why he's been sitting in Rebma, if the rest of his
generation is out hunting for Jewel fragments.  Llewella explains that
Ahab is in charge.  Bart figures he should help, but Llewella suggests he
talk to Constance first.

	Bart Trumps Constance, who says she can offer him some advice,
since Jesby is neutral in the civil war.  Bart is confused as to why Jesby
isn't siding against Hendrake.  Constance comes through and explains that
they are secretly supporting Sawall.  Bart thinks the Hendrakes will
figure this out.  Constance wants to talk to Lord Jesby, who's still in
the dungeons.  She also tells Bart that certain factions in Chaos are also
after the Jewel fragments, but fortunately, most of them have fallen close
to Amber, which makes it harder for Logrus masters to operate.  Constance
thinks she might be able to make a case to some to turn over what they
find to Amber, since that would make Amber a strong ally of Gramble's
again, and restore the status quo.  Bart brings Constance to Barnabas, who
is not happy with Bart for doing so.  Constance asks Bart to leave, so he
won't think less of her.  Once Bart does so, she proceeds to pile guilt
upon Barnabas for abandoning his duties.

	Ariana goes down to breakfast with Riftvan and the children, who
are remarkably well behaved once Riftvan speaks privately with them. 
Breakfast is well attended, with Gerard, Mirelle, Bleys, Fiona, Flora,
Gerard, Benedict, Deirdre, Corwin and Eris all showing up.  Eris looks
quite upset.  When Ariana asks what's wrong, Eris explains that Driscoll
is still missing.  He's been upset since learning of the Foster/Laughter
thing, so Eris thinks he might be in Lazarus, since he used to know a
Shadow of Laughter there.  She gives Ariana a Trump of the place, and
Ariana promises to look into it.  Riftvan spends the meal looking smug. 
Ariana shows him the Trump after breakfast, and he recognizes it as the
dragon Shadow, which allows Ariana to place it as the one Laughter visited
several years ago.  She asks him what he said to the children before
breakfast, but he'll only say that it was something he's willing to carry
out, but she couldn't do.

	Ariana leaves the children with Riftvan and goes looking for
Clytemnestra, who's on the battlements in a foul mood.  She quickly
approaches when Ariana explains that she's going looking for Driscoll, and
they go through the Trump of Lazarus.  Ariana meets Ironclaw and is
impressed.  She explains who she is and asks after Driscoll, but Ironclaw
hasn't seen him.  Ariana Trumps him, and barely gets through.  He's been
ill-used.  Driscoll waits until he's alone and asks who's with her.  When
he learns Clytemnestra is there, he says to tell her that he's with the
dragon-slayers.  Nestra does not react well to this, and says they have
weapons strong enough to shoot her down.  Ariana tries to Trump Riftvan,
but can't get through.  She asks Nestra if there's anyone in Lazarus who
will help Driscoll.  Nestra reveals that Driscoll is king here, and his
chancellor is loyal to him, so he should be willing to help.  Nestra flies
Ariana to a city in the side of the mountain and explains things to the
armed guards, who look almost elfin, and definitely don't like humans. 
They began planning a rescue, but Ariana gets the feeling that they don't
want her around until the actual attempt, which will be in one week. 
Ariana opts to do some research.

	Bart chides Ariel to warn him in the future when he's doing
something stupid (like destroying Sequence, perhaps?).  When Constance
emerges from Barnabas' cell, he thanks her for her offer regarding the
Jewel shards.  She reveals that Barnabas has agreed to return to Chaos,
once Amber finally releases him, and Trumps out.  Bart Trumps Felix and
asks to come through.  Ahab vigorously signals Felix not to, but Felix
pulls Bart through anyway.  Bart introduces himself to the lovely young
woman and asks where Ahab is.  Ahab responds by tossing his scabbard full
of cursed water on Bart, turning Bart into a green-haired beauty.  He
tries to explain the sudden change to Ariel.

	Ariana asks Clytemnestra to take her back to the point where she
Trumped in.  She is able to Trump Riftvan from there, and learns only 15
minutes have passed since she left Amber.  She asks Nestra to meet her
there in a week and goes through to Riftvan.  She tells him what happened
in Lazarus, and he's not surprised that the inhabitants weren't too eager
to see her.  The dragon-slayers are human, you see.  Apparently the
dragon-riders like Driscoll because his mother was one of them.  The fact
that he waged war on the dragon- slayers for over a hundred years doesn't
hurt either, although it means the dragon-slayers are none too fond of
him.

	Lyss Trumps Ahab and tells him that the key to entering the Shadow
where the next shard lies has left that Shadow and seems to be in Amber
now.  Ahab suggests she find out who's returned to the castle recently.

	A page comes to Ariana's quarters and asks if she's returned via
Trump recently.  When she admits she has, he asks her to talk to Lyss. 
When she goes up to the infirmary, Lyss asks where she was returning from. 
Ariana explains that she was in Lazarus, looking for Driscoll.  Lyss tells
her that the next shard is in that Shadow, and she holds the only means of
getting there.  She suggests that Ariana Trump Ahab, then realizes she'd
better explain what happened to him first.  Ariana manages to wait until
she returns to her quarters before laughing uncontrollably.  Riftvan waits
expectantly for an explanation, which she eventually gives to him, but
only after making him promise not to tease Ahab about it.  Riftvan
recognizes the pool Ahab fell into, and says to tell Ahab that he knows
how to reverse it.

	Ariana Trumps Ahab, who assumes from her lack of surprise that she
was forewarned about his change in gender.  She tells him she has the key
he's looking for, and asks to come through.  Before she goes, Riftvan
conjures a container of steaming water and tells her to pour it on Ahab. 
She does so, much to Ahab's surprise.  He asks how she knew that would
work, but she won't say.  Bart asks if she brought any more, but she
explains that she didn't know there would be two of them.  Rinaldo
conjures some hot water for Bart instead.  They speculate that cold water
will cause Bart and Ahab to become female again, which is more unfortunate
for the Rebmite than for Ahab.  Ariana tells them that the Shadow they're
heading for is Lazarus, the dragon Shadow, and warns that Driscoll's
people don't like humans very much.  Ahab recognizes it from his last
visit.


Quotables:

"And you won't, of course, mind explaining what you said." -- Random to Alex
"That costs extra.  Sorry." -- Jason

"There's no one in the Great Hall, except for Shard, who is looking
confused." -- GM
"And this is different from his normal expression, how?" -- Kris

"I take it you're not well enough to cast spells?" -- Ahab
"I never could." -- Lyss

"For his next trick, Ahab is going to Trump Corwin.  I need a cheap
feeling of superiority right now." -- Jason to the group

"Do I take it you find yourself inconvenienced by the situation?" -- Ahab
to Deirdre, who's being interrogated by Nazis

"If I do this right, the guy in front shouldn't have time to react.  On
the other hand, Ahab never does anything right." -- Jason to the group

"Felix tells you everything he knows, you mock him, and then you leave."
-- Sean

"You might want to track down Bartholomew, or any others you can find." --
Random
"I wanted to limit this posse to people I can trust." -- Ahab

"How are we leaving?" -- Felix to Ahab
"Where are we going?" -- Usires to Ahab

"Is Kimdyl going to reach out with the Logrus and grab the Jewel shards?"
-- Felix to Ahab
"Are you nuts?!" -- Kimdyl

"Sorry about this, but you all have to hold hands." -- Rinaldo
"Well, as long as no one takes pictures or demands a group hug." -- Ahab

"My two best guesses: (the thing in the pool) is either the Jewel of
Judgment or something with glowing red eyes." -- Ahab to GM

"Yes, you do have breasts." -- GM
"I quit." -- Ahab

"I would say that you've changed gender." -- Rinaldo
"I noticed that, thank you." -- Ahab

"I don't suppose you know how to undo this shit?" -- Ahab
"Not unless you want to be a pig." -- Alex
"Don't tell my wife that that's an option." -- Ahab

"Ahab shows the Jewel to Kimdyl." -- Jason
"It's the only jewels you've got left!" -- Sean