Chapter Seventy: "It seems there's a few people fixing to beat the shit 
out of Ahab, and I'm at the top of the list."

	Gordon continues to try and get through the bio-suit to Foster. 
Ariana makes contact with it, and finds that it has the mind of a four
year-old.  She thinks reassuring thoughts.  It responds by morphing itself
around her arm.  Ariana finds that, at 20 pounds, it's a bit on the heavy
side.  She suggests that Felix move Foster up to the infirmary.  Felix
examines Foster, who sits up with a gasp.  It occurs to everyone that the
air filters on the suit probably don't work in Amber.  Oops.  Felix
hurriedly carries Foster to the infirmary and opens the bag, with Laughter
following close behind.  Foster gasps for air for a while, then asks Felix
for a pint of beer.  Felix's examination reveals that Foster's fever seems
to be passing.

	Ariana suggests that maybe the ongoing discussion could move out
of her quarters, so everyone starts filing out.  Felix stops by on his way
back with Foster's beer, and tells her that Foster is awake.  Gordon is
busy trying to find nerves on Ariana's arm to hook up to, so it can
function the way it does with Foster.  Ariana brings it up to the
infirmary and it quickly transitions over to Foster.  She examines Foster
and determines that he is probably no longer contagious.  She suggests
that Felix fill Foster in on what happened.  Foster asks if he wants to
know.  Felix says that Ariana knows more.  Ariana figures Felix will put a
nicer spin on it and leaves.  Foster comments that Ariana does know more,
and mentions that he thinks she got in contact with him while they were
being held in Kalevala, but he's not sure.  Felix doesn't understand what
he means.

	Bart inquires and finds that Lord Jesby has been released.  He
toys with the ring he got from his dad, and finds that the top flips up. 
There's a compass inside, pointing away from him.  After accosting a page
to determine which direction is north, he proceeds in the direction that
the compass is pointing, south, towards Arden.  Bart decides that he
doesn't want to go through Arden at night, unescorted.  Ariel agrees, and
tells him to apologize to the page.  Bart will have none of this, but he
finds the same lad, and inquires after Shard.  The boy reveals that Shard
and Usires have gone drinking at Bloody Mary's.  Bart gives him a gold
coin, which makes him quite happy.  Bart finds the drinking duo, sits
down, and joins them.  He asks how well Shard knows the woods.  Shard
gives him a "What do you think?" look.  Bart explains that he's looking
for Barnabas.  Shard figures Bart won't last long in Arden, so he and
Usires agree to go with him.  Bart rides behind Usires, hating every
minute of the wondrous experience that is horseback riding.

	Alex goes back to the library, in a continued effort to avoid
plot.  Then he realizes that he hasn't seen Mebd for a while, so he checks
the infirmary.  She's not there, but Laughter and Foster are discussing
baby names, while Felix looks like he wishes he was elsewhere.  Alex asks
if everything went well.  Big mistake.  They all give him incredulous
looks, and Felix asks where he's been.  He says he had to deal with
affairs of state, and asks if they recovered the shard.  Felix suggests he
talk to Random.  Alex figures that means things went poorly, and leaves to
find Random.  The King is in council with Driscoll, Bleys and Fiona, but
Alex is admitted anyway.  He asks to be updated, and is informed of the
loss of the shards.  He cringes.  Random orders him to go find Ahab,
incapacitate him, and bring him back.  Fiona explains that Ahab is
following in Martin's footsteps, as far as body possession goes.  Alex is
checked to make sure he doesn't have a personality chip, although, being a
shapeshifter, it's something he could easily hide.  He agrees to help. 
Fiona hands him a Trump of "Ahab's" location, brushing him with her
fingertips as she does so.  During this brief contact, she commands him to
find "Ahab," give him all the information he's been gathering for Chaos,
and then do whatever "Ahab" wants.  Alex leaves for Chaos in search of
Mebd, since he'd been planning to do that anyway, and Fiona didn't
specifically instruct him not to.

	Felix suggests that Laughter should let Foster sleep, so she stops
talking and just sits with Foster.  Felix gets something to eat, then
looks up his parents.  Isabeux tells him that Gerard is out at sea. 
Vivienne wants to play with him.  He tells them that Foster is recovering
in the infirmary.  Vivienne figures that Foster is tough, although not as
tough as Nicholas.  Apparently he wouldn't go away at one point, so she
punched him in the nose.  He bled and got up eventually.  She adds that he
was mad and said he'd get even, and asks if she should be worried.  Felix
figures she might have to punch him again.  Isabeux tells him not to
encourage her.  Felix figures Nicholas deserves it.  Isabeux disagrees,
and figures he should listen to her, since he owes her something for
bringing him into the world.  48 hours of labor, felt like she was passing
a watermelon...  You get the idea.  Felix warns her to avoid Fiona, since
"Ahab" took care of her.  She decides to move to the summer house.  Felix
Trumps Gerard and goes through.  He warns Gerard to avoid Ahab and Fiona
and explains what happened.  Gerard Trumps Isabeux and tells her to stay
in Amber, since the army from Chaos is too close for the summer house to
be safe.  Then he Trumps Benedict and Caine and updates them.

	Ariana gets reacquainted with her kids, which involves lots of
hugs and kisses.  She also learns about the altercation between Vivienne
and Nicholas.  Riftvan welcomes her back by twirling her around a few
times and giving her a kiss.  She asks him what happened in Amber while
the shard posse was gone.  He tells her that Corwin's raised an army and
joined it with Dara's.  Fiona's been in the castle for half an hour, and
she's met with Random, and possibly Driscoll.  And the Logrus has just
been turned on.  He doesn't know much else, since he's been trying to keep
a low profile.  Ariana is nonplussed about the Logrus working in Amber
again.  Riftvan suggests constant exposure may help her acclimate to it. 
She isn't eager to try this out.  She Trumps Benedict, to warn him about
Fiona and Random, but he doesn't answer.  She decides that perhaps hiding
the children in Faerie is a good idea after all.  Riftvan tells the kids
to pack, and they quickly leave to do so.  Ariana observes that they've
been practicing, and asks if he can get her to Benedict.  He figures that
now that the Logrus has been turned on...  Swell.  She starts writing
notes to warn people about Fiona, while Riftvan brings the children to
Faerie.

	Bart and company make it through Arden without finding Barnabas. 
Bart Trumps Constance, who tells him that Barnabas has already joined her
in Chaos.  She brings Barnabas in on the contact.  He pulls Bart through,
much to the confusion of Bart's companions.  He wants to abdicate to Bart. 
Bart is less than thrilled.  Barnabas says he'll at least wait until after
the civil war.  Bart suggests they might want to side more openly with the
Crown, seeing as how they're dead anyway, if the Hendrakes win.  Of
course, this would mean helping Amber.  Barnabas figures that perhaps some
of Constance's Helgram suitors could lend a hand.  Constance offers to get
Bart some appropriate clothing in which to meet the King of Chaos.

	Shard and Usires begin riding back to Amber.  Ariana Trumps Shard,
learns who he's with, and hands him a note explaining the Fiona/Random
situation.  Shard explains the situation to Usires.  At first, Shard
figures they should stay in Arden, but then he recalls that Laughter's in
the castle, so they head there.

	Alex arrives at Mandorways looking for Mebd.  A servant informs
Heather of this, and she comes out to see him.  Lucky him.  She asks how
things are in Amber.  He changes the subject rather poorly, asking if
she's remodeled.  Heather looks at him oddly, and asks if Amber is
preparing for the onslaught.  He nods.  She asks if he's under a
compulsion.  Before he can answer, a servant announces Brand.  Heather
sees him in another room.  Brand seems somewhat the worse for wear, with a
buzz cut and an eye-patch.  He warns her that her "mother" is not
herself.  She mentions that Alex is there.  Brand decides to "talk" to
him.  Heather assists in flushing Alex's brain.  Brand tells Heather that
Rinaldo was handed over to Dara.  Alex asks if they know who is inhabiting
Ahab's body.  Brand has a few guesses.  It could be Dalt, but if it is,
he's got a lot of help.  Brand thinks it's a child that Corwin had by
Moire.  Whoever it is, Pattern works in the Shadow he's in, due more to
the Shadow than the shards.  Brand can't help much, since Dara has his
son.  He figures that Rinaldo is probably sequestered somewhere in
Daraways, along with Merlin.  He'll do what he can, so long as it doesn't
get Rinaldo killed.  They need to restore Amber to give Gramble the backup
he needs right now.  Heather mentions that helping Amber would also piss
Dara off, as an extra added bonus.  Brand offers to take them wherever
they need to go.  Somewhere in this, Alex Trumped Delwin and brought him
through.  He wasn't real pleased with Alex for bringing him into Brand's
presence.

	Felix is Trumped by Ariana, who gets through despite his attempts
to resist.  She gives him one of her notes and breaks the contact.  He
goes to warn Gerard, and finds him talking to Bleys.  Gerard asks if it
can wait.  Felix thinks Gerard looks a little odd and says it can.  As he
leaves, Caine Trumps him and pulls him through.  Caine explains that
people are organizing to beat up Ahab, and that Bleys and Gerard have been
affected by Fiona.  Felix suggests he tell Ariana, since she's been
warning people about Fiona.  Caine says he'll take care of Gerard, but
he'll need Felix to take his father's place.  He also gives Felix a ring
to help him resist Trump contacts.  They try Trumping Ariana, but can't
get through.  Felix asks Caine to get Isabeux and Vivienne to safety.

	Ariana continues distributing her notes.  She is unable to reach
Mirelle, Caine or Julian, but gets through to Ahab (the one in Martin's
body).  She decides to wait for Riftvan to get back before Trumping
Deirdre or Flora.

	Bart is brought before Gramble.  He proceeds to offer Jesby's
allegiance to the Crown.  Gramble observes that Bart was roped into
delivering his message.  Bart figures that it was his idea, after all. 
Gramble accepts Jesby's allegiance, and offers the possibility that open
season on the Jesbys might be ended after the war.  Constance, Adam (the
Helgram heir), Florian, and Mordicai (Adam's brothers) are waiting for him
outside.  He Trumps Ariana, and addresses her as Lady Vetch, which doesn't
please her at all.  He wants to talk to Lord Vetch.  She suggests they
talk psychically, so they join hands and he tells her the outline of his
plan.  It basically involves having those who still possess jacks make
"Ahab's" life difficult, while his Chaos allies attack in a more
conventional manner.

	Riftvan returns, in Faerie form, startling the shit out of Ariana. 
She explains what's going on, and brings him in on the contact.  They
decide to join Bart in Chaos.  Riftvan shifts back to his true form as he
comes through, and the others look impressed that House Vetch is getting
involved.  Ariana looks decidedly green due to all of the Logrus present
by the Palace.  Riftvan offers her his arm, and tells her psychically to
try not to throw up.  She reminds him that his is all his fault.  He
observes that she participated.  She points out that he's the
shapeshifter.  He says he wants children.  She says she does as well, but
not the accompanying sickness.  He figures shapeshifting would help with
that.  She asks if he's offering to teach her.  He says he would if he
could.  The Helgrams can't hear the conversation, but seem amused by the
accompanying body language.  Riftvan brings them to a conference room in
the palace.  The overall architecture of the palace is very gothic and
ornate.  Lots of gargoyles.  Ariana thinks she sees one move, but can't be
sure.  Bart outlines his plan again.

	Since only Brand and Delwin, and possibly Heather, can undo
Fiona's handiwork, Riftvan Trumps Heather.  They decide to have the
discussion in Mandorways, since Brand and Delwin are already there. 
Riftvan passes his wife through first, much to Heather's delight.  She
also calls Ariana Lady Vetch, as does Brand.  Ariana returns the favor and
addresses him as Prince Brand.  Brand wonders why she's being so formal. 
Riftvan explains Bart's plan to Heather.  Then Mandor arrives, so everyone
must bow and explain the plan again.  Mandor has a spy in Kalevala, but
contacting him will be difficult.  Ariana tells Riftvan psychically that
she blew up the hospital they were being held in when they left Kalevala. 
He points out that this was probably a little hasty, and tells the others
that there was an act of sabotage, which means security will likely be
increased.  He also suggests that Martin would be better than Ariana to
use in gathering information, given that Martin knows the Shadow and the
technology.  They decide to send Martin in to get information on who
"Ahab" would trust.  Then they'll have a shapeshifter use that information
to impersonate someone close to "Ahab."  Mandor looks significantly at
Riftvan for this task.  Of course, this means getting Ahab to give Martin
his body back.  Alex is "volunteered" for the job.  Ariana explains what
she learned about the Shadow of Ahab in Kalevala, which is mainly that
he's a high ranking general.  She also tells of her attempt to make
"Ahab's" life difficult, by making known that there was a duplicate of the
general running around.  It occurs to Ariana that this may not have
deterred him much, given that Laughter made him female, and didn't know
how to reverse the change.  Unfortunately, this information has to be
shared, so the Kalevala crew knows that they may be looking for a woman. 
Brand is much amused.  Ariana offers to assist Martin in his data
gathering.  Riftvan frowns at this.  Delwin and Brand agree to deal with
Fiona.  Brand opens a Trump gate and everyone but the Mandor family goes
through it to Amber.

	Caine asks Felix for a hand in securing the unconscious Gerard to
the bow of the ship.  Felix does this, then Trumps Foster, bringing him
and Laughter through.  Gerard wakes up and is royally pissed.  He begins
trying to free himself.  Felix explains what's going on to the confused
new arrivals.  Laughter feels a little sick, but it's nothing she (and her
Alka-Seltzer) can't handle.

	Brand and Delwin go Fiona hunting, while Alex fetches Martin. 
Ariana Trumps Ahab, brings him through, and explains the situation.  He's
less than thrilled with the prospect of giving up Martin's body, and
points out that he also has some computer knowledge.  Martin points out
that he knows the Shadow.  Alex doesn't think Ahab really has a choice,
although Ariana says she won't force him to do it.  Ahab eventually agrees
to give up Martin's body.  His chip is placed in the bum, but then removed
and pocketed by Bart, who figures he more easily transportable this way,
and the bum won't wake up for an hour, anyway.  Martin crushes his chip. 
Bart asks why the group can't fix Random themselves, given that there are
some reasonably large minds present.  Ariana explains that while they
possess the power, they don't necessarily have the finesse to undo Fiona's
work.

	They decide to round up some others, so Ariana Trumps Felix, but
is blocked.  Alex begins looking for him with the Logrus.  Doh!  Ariana
looks rather green again.  She Trumps Laughter, and asks her to return to
the castle.  Laughter doesn't want to, since she's afraid Fiona's gotten
to Ariana.  Ariana goes through to explain what's going on.  Gerard
continues to make a racket trying to free himself.  Alex and Martin arrive
on the scene, in a poof of Logrus, at which point Ariana throws up over
the side.  Laughter mentions her savior, Alka-Seltzer, and Martin conjures
Ariana a package of the stuff, which she quickly uses.  Alex, Martin, and
Ariana explain the situation thus far, and all but Caine (and, of course,
Gerard) return to the main hall.

	Brand and Delwin return with Fiona, and deposit her, none too
gently, on a coach.  She has a black eye.  Then Brand Trumps Random and
pulls him through.  Felix holds Random down while they deprogram him. 
Driscoll can't be reached, so Alex grabs him with the Logrus.  Verdegris
attacks Brand, but Laughter pulls it off.  Then Clytemnestra arrives, with
a roar and a gout of fire that comes *this* close to hitting Laughter. 
Ariana explains what's going on and convinces Clytemnestra to stand down. 
Brand and Delwin finish with Driscoll.  Laughter asks Ariana to heal
Fiona's black eye.  Ariana does so, which wakes Fiona up.  She looks
pissed.  Felix asks someone to deprogram Gerard.  Fiona figures she'll
have to handle Bleys, but she'll get Brand for this later.  She leaves, as
do Brand and Delwin.  Riftvan asks who's coming to Kalevala, which turns
out to be just Martin and Ariana.  Riftvan warns Ariana to hold her
breath, then leaves with Martin.  Ariana is not happy about being left
behind at all.

	Fiona comes through to Caine's ship, Trumps Gerard, and debugs
him.  Felix and Caine haul him up, he punches Caine, and all is well.
Felix is placed in charge of his own ship, with Ethan, an old school chum,
as his first mate.

	Ariana asks to speak privately with Foster.  She tells him that
she looked in his memory file, explains why she did it, and apologizes. 
Foster reveals that she was actually in his mind, and is rather upset
about the whole thing.  Ariana goes up to the battlements to brood.


Quotables:

"You don't know which way is north?" -- Bart
"Not relative to my current position in the castle sir.  Why don't you
look out the window?" -- page
"Why don't you look out the window and tell me?" -- Bart
"Ah hah!  You don't know which way is north, either." -- page

"Reality's falling apart, and I'm on the wrong end." -- Bart
"And you're talking to a pearl." -- Ariel
"I should have known better than to expect pearls of wisdom from you." -- Bart

"Oh no, not Bloody Mary's.  Quick, kill the owner, so the name will
change." -- Kris to the group at large, upon learning the new name of
Bloody Jake's

"I've lost my dad." -- Bart
"And this bothers you?" -- Shard

"Knowing Laughter, they're probably discussing baby names.  Foster looks
kind of pained." -- GM
"In much the same way that everyone does when talking to Laughter." -- Kris

"I'll at least wait to abdicate until after the civil war." -- Barnabas
"Perhaps I'll have the good fortune to be dead by then." -- Bart

"So, tell me how things are going in my other home." -- Heather
"They're going.  So, have you remodeled?" -- Alex

"Good morning.  Bitch!  I wasn't referring to you." -- Alex to Heather,
after being freed of Fiona's influence

"It seems there's a few people fixing to beat the shit out of Ahab, and
I'm at the top of the list." -- Caine to Felix

"Respect your elders." -- Felix
"I'm older than you are, Dad." -- Foster

"Tell me why, Felix?" -- Gerard
"Because you spoke with Bleys, and that's a very bad thing to do right
now." -- Felix

"So, where is Ahab, anyhow?" -- Kris to GM
"Fucking Kimdyl." -- Matt
"Not in that body." -- GM