Chapter Eighty-five: "The living and the unliving really shouldn't live
together."

	Bart, Lyss and Darby spend a year in Discworld.  Lyss doesn't
suffer morning sickness, mood swings or cravings, and has a short labor. 
All women hate her.  She gives birth to a baby boy, with darkish
green-brown hair and pale blue eyes.  They name him Barton.  Bart names
and numbers Ariel, and hangs about 144 spells on the various pearls.

	Laughter shows up for her lesson with Ariana and finds Nicholas
waiting there.  He wants to spar for old time's sake.  She finds that she
is still stronger than him, but he is better with a sword than her.  Well,
it was fun while it lasted.  She asks him to show her what he's learned. 
Five seconds later, he's holding Sequence.  Sequence protests, and drags
Nicholas around until he lets go.  You know you're bad when even Sequence
is stronger than you are.  Laughter figures her duty's been discharged. 
Nicholas asks how long it's been since he left, and Laughter fills him in. 
Nimue enters the room, asks if they're finished, and curtsies.  Laughter
bows.  Nicholas introduces them.  Nimue is 5'10"  tall, with long black
hair and pale blue eyes.  Laughter observes that Ahab's been busy.  She
wants to sit in on Nicholas' lesson with Foster.  Er, is Foster still as
strong as he used to be?  Yep.  Nicholas says that he'll pass.  Laughter
offers to tell him how to win Beauty, if he's interested.  Since Beauty's
fallen in love with a vampire, she'll give him all the help she can. 
Nicholas observes that it's been a long time since he failed to get what
he wanted.  Laughter gives him a Trump of Foil.  Nicholas also asks for
quarters there.  Laughter offers to show him Haris, who is, conveniently,
in Foil.  Nimue tags along.

	Meander warns Ahab that Fiona is about to get sucked into
Benedict's Trump trap.  Ahab Trumps her and warns her off, then thanks
Meander.  Meander says that Fiona makes him nervous.  They discuss the
skewed perspective that seeing through the eyes of Abel (the crow) gives
Meander.  Ahab asks Ariadne if she still is contracted to him.  She is
until the King releases her, and he's not saying much.  Ahab decides not
to point out that he is, technically, the king now.  He arranges for the
protection of Oberon's body with Lander, the captain of his guard.  Then
he tells Ariadne that he was thinking of setting her, Kimdyl and Nimue up
in business together, since they get along, have similar mind-sets, and
never talk to him, anyway.  He wants them to keep an eye on things and
make sure that no trouble occurs, so they'd never actually have to report
anything to him.  Cuts down on the paperwork.  Ariadne leaves to check the
security of the castle, which makes Lander nervous.  Ahab spends the rest
of the time until the meeting thinking.

	Usires passes the time cleaning his armor.  No comment on possible
reasons for it being in need of such a cleaning.

	Alex walks the Pattern in Tir-na Nog'th.  Actually, he does this a
couple days in the past, but Matt missed several game sessions, so it
happens now.  He thinks that every bad thing he's ever heard about the
Pattern is true, as his body shifts wildly to stay alive.  All three of
his personalities relive all three of their lives.

	Back in the present, Ahab is told that the Jewel is pulsing
wildly, so he goes to investigate.  It gives a flash, which is somehow
linked to when Alex hit the First Veil, even though that was several days
ago.  Then the pulsing stops.  The headache brought on by thinking about
this, does not.

	Back in the past, passing the First Veil gives real life to the
personalities in Alex's head.  passing the Second Veil equalizes them in
power, and passing the Final Veil meshes them all together.  Alex's
Spikard begins to pulse, as does the Jewel.  In the future.  Don't think
about it, you'll be much happier.  Alex falls to his knees at the center,
feeling like death warmed over.  The Logrus is very unhappy with him.  He
teleports back to the edge of the Pattern, and notices that the ground is
becoming less substantial.

	In the present, Ahab goes into the Jewel, and notices that the
focus of power is outside and above.  The power is a combination of
Pattern and magic, which the Jewel is simply monitoring and reacting
sympathetically to.  Felix, who was sulking on the battlements about
something (no doubt his love life, or lack thereof), notices that the
Pattern room of Tir-na Nog'th is appearing in broad daylight.  He Trumps
Ahab, who leaves the Jewel before taking the call.  Felix tells him what
he sees, then tries to turn so Ahab can see it.  Ahab goes through, and
decides there's nothing he can do about it.

	In the past, Alex leaves the castle, and notices that a large
cloud is obscuring the moon.  Tir-na Nog'th fades out, so he glides to the
ground and investigates his new state.  The Pattern seems to have fused
the Spikard into his body, and he can't hide it with shapeshifting.  He
passes a couple of days, mostly to get caught up to everyone else.

	Ahab returns the Jewel to its guards, goes back to the armory, and
sends a page to find Nicholas.  Then he Trumps Eric, and asks him to be
Regent for his son.  Eric accepts.  Julian is Trumped next, and told that
Nicholas will be named Ahab's heir, while Eric will be his Regent.  Ahab
wants to name Julian one of the Protectors.  He accepts.  Deirdre gets the
same request.  She points out that she might not be able to accept,
long-term.  Ahab's certain that he can convince Lord Hendrake to agree.

	Laughter sets Nicholas and Nimue up with rooms in Foil, and brings
them to see Beauty.  Nicholas gives her an honest smile.  Beauty doesn't
recognize him right away, and then looks a little scared (probably because
no one's ever seen Nicholas with an honest smile before).  Laughter makes
introductions.  When Beauty looks to her for reassurance, Nicholas kisses
the back of her hand.  Sneaky devil.  Laughter offers to show Nimue the
gardens, and they leave the young couple alone.

	Ahab is told that Nicholas can't be found in the castle, so he
leaves word for Nicholas to speak to him before the meeting.  He arrives
at the hall five minutes beforehand, and finds Laughter, Foster, Haris,
Nicholas and Nimue waiting there.  Nicholas still has some color to his
cheeks, and Nimue has a shit-eating grin.  Ahab tells Nicholas that, until
he walks the Pattern, Ahab will have to name a Regent for him.  The same
applies to Nimue, since she inherits after Nicholas.  And, of course,
they'll want to take the Logrus first, and deal with the requisite
insanity.  For some reason, neither one of them seem eager to do so at the
moment.

	Ariana wakes up, and is told by Shard that she's been sleeping for
about two hours.  She Trumps back to Amber and hurries to the meeting
place.

	The elders begin trickling in for the meeting.  Flora sends one of
her maids of honor to take notes, since it just wouldn't do for the Queen
of Chaos to attend.  Kimdyl walks in wearing a floor-length dress, causing
Ahab to make meowing noises under his breath.  He tells her psychically
about his bitch patrol.  She likes the idea.  Besides Kimdyl and Ahab's
kids, the others present are Swiss Family Foster, Swiss Family Gerard,
Usires, Bleys, Delwin, Teresa, Eric and Deirdre (who entered together),
Julian, Random, Driscoll, Eris, Martin, Meander, Merlin, Rinaldo, Ariadne
and Ariana.  Ariana Trumps Shard in, on the opposite side of the room from
Julian.  Shard is dressed in black from head to toe.  Upon seeing each
other, Julian puts his hand on his sword, while Shard places a hand on his
whip.  They glare at each other.  Ahab tells them to cool it.  Alex
squeaks in just as Ahab has the doors closed and Bleys secures the room
magically.  Abel begins cawing loudly, until Ahab glares at it, and it
wisely shuts up.  Benedict and Fiona are let in just as Ahab is about to
begin.  Fiona is just beginning to show her pregnancy.  Apparently freeing
Benedict took a while.

	Ahab announces that Nicholas is his heir, and then Nimue after
him, with Eric as Regent.  There are protectors, but in the interests of
not having them assassinated, he's not going to name them.  He explains
that they are in a bit of a crisis, and Dara is involved.  He has no
intention of holding grudges, but if anyone has a problem with things
being this way, they can feel free to discuss this with him, or he'll
challenge them to a duel and kill them.  Oberon isn't dead, but they
haven't figured out how to undo it.  Dara has Dalt's army, and Brand
appears to be working for her.  This makes a few people rather nervous. 
Ahab's first priority is finding out what's going on, so he wants those
with informant networks to let him know what they find out.  He'll be
meeting with the nobles tomorrow.  That's pretty much, it.  Random tries
unsuccessfully to have someone else named Chancellor, then gives up and
leaves to set up the meeting with the nobles.  Meander returns to looking
at Alex, who notices this and leaves.  Meander tells Ahab that the
gentlemen who just left seemed familiar.  Ahab explains that Alex has a
few personalities from the Disc with him.  Meander offers to keep an eye
on him.  Most of the family leaves to go about their business.

	Laughter talks with Ahab about Beauty and Nicholas.  Laughter
isn't happy to learn that Nicholas has been saving himself for Beauty. 
Determined, isn't he?

	Ariana chats with Meander, while Abel stares at her chest. 
Meander admits that Abel is his familiar, and he sees through the crow's
eyes.  Sometimes.  He directs Abel's gaze elsewhere.  Ariana asks if he's
ready for her to heal him.  He's afraid that if he gets his sight back,
his visions will stop working.  Ariana asks after Meander's Discworld
companions, and learns that Jaquee has married Ruepert.  Ariana finds this
amusing, and compares their somewhat volatile relationship to Ahab and
Kimdyl's.  Kimdyl likes this not at all, and glares at Ariana.  Then she
dispatches a Hellmaid.  Ahab arrives at this point, and hangs out in the
doorway.  Meander asks Ariana who the man was who left right after the
meeting.  She tells him about Alex, then says goodbye and Trumps out. 
Ahab snags Kimdyl as she leaves, and asks what that was about.  She
explains, and asks if Ariana gets a grace period.  Well, he's going to
need all the help he can get right now...

	Bart and Lyss leave Darby and Barton with Constance and go hunting
for Dara.  They begin by going through the link leftover from when Meander
contacted Bart.  Time is flowing immensely fast on the other end, and
magic is strong.  Unfortunately, Lyss tells Bart that there is absolutely
no Pattern around.  She says it would probably help if she had the Jewel,
and offers to get it.  By all means.  Raise your hand if you think this is
a bad idea.  Too late.  Lyss cups her hands together, concentrates, and
the Jewel appears in them.  She asks if someone was supposed to be where
they are.  Bart confirms this, so Lyss yells "Hello!" but gets no answer. 
Bart contemplates his pain.

	Ariel's danger sense flickers, just before they hear a voice ask
if he can help them.  Bart turns and sees a 5'9" tall man standing on a
rock outcropping.  He feels like a whole lot of magic, and wears the
symbol of House Chanicut.  He asks what brings a Jesby out this far.  Bart
says he was looking for trouble.  Well, the stranger has often been told
that trouble is his middle name.  And his first?  Cort.  And what brings
him here?  He lives here.  They discuss Benedict's love of rock gardens,
and Bart offers to introduce Cort to him.  Uh, no.  Well, Bart's on a
schedule, so he must be going, but he can come back later.  Cort offers to
go with them, and asks what Bart is doing.  Seeking Dara.  And what will
he do once he finds her?  Well, he hasn't thought that far ahead.  Cort
informs him that Dara's not here right now, but if he wants to see her,
his best bet is to take a left.  The cliffs are illusionary, you see. 
Bart confirms this with Ariel, who tells him there is a hallway behind
them.  Cort asks if there's anyone else with them, since most bring
reinforcements with them to see Dara.  Nope, they have no weapons.  How
did they get here?  The tunnel.  Oh yes, that was created decades ago. 
Bart tosses a rock through the cliff, which Cort tells him set off every
alarm in the place.  He climbs down to join them.  They wait a while, but
nothing happens.  Cort suggests that maybe Dara doesn't see them as a
threat, so maybe they should try and let Corwin escape instead of waiting
out here.  Bart pretends surprise at learning that Corwin is there, and
asks if he's a guest of Cort's.  No, he's a guest of Dara's.  Cort is more
like the butler.  Cort asks what Bart intends to discuss with Dara.  He
wants to bring her before the King, well and unharmed.  Cort figures that
the King will be disappointed, in that case.  Ex-lovers and all that.  Did
Bart have a way to present her before the King so that she couldn't defend
herself?  No.  Cort wants to know if he's really that stupid, or if it's
just an elaborate act.  Bart asks why he's helping them if he's working
for Dara.  Well, Dara's not exactly his favorite person right now, so he
might be willing to let in people who were dangerous.  Which Bart isn't. 
Cort mentions that he's probably forfeited his title and lands by now. 
Bart says there can always be redemption.  If he helped them bring Dara
before the King, he might be grateful.  Cort wants something more solid
before putting his head on the block.  Bart offers to bring Cort along
with them as someone who helped, if Cort doesn't interfere with the
capture of Dara.  OK.  What can Bart expect from her?  Well, last time she
came in guns blazing.  It's that relationship she has with the Logrus. 
Bart swipes his hand through the barrier, so that Ariel can get a reading. 
Strong magic and Logrus, and no Pattern, but Lyss is generating her own
sphere of Pattern.  Cort offers to come along, since if Bart dies, there
goes his chance for redemption.  They all walk through the cliffs into the
hallway in Dara's domain.

	A page runs up to Ahab with a note telling him that the Jewel has
vanished.  Ahab looks like he suddenly has a splitting headache.  He
Trumps Bleys and brings him through.  After some initial snickering, Bleys
investigates the scene and determines that the Jewel seems to have been
removed via Pattern.  Ahab realizes that Lyss must have been responsible. 
And here all most parents have to worry about is their kid taking the
family car.  Ahab Trumps Lyss, but can't get through, even with Bleys'
assistance.  They try with the additional help of the Jewel's six guards,
and are totally blocked this time.  Ahab is not happy.

	Cort directs Bart and Lyss to a lower level where is less light. 
Cort, of course, follows along at a distance.  They approach a door with a
small food slot in it.  There's no magic on the door that Bart can sense,
so he tries the door, but it is locked.  Bart realizes that he didn't
prepare for something as simple as a physical lock.  Doh!  They hear a
cackle from inside.  Lyss says she'll handle it.  The Jewel glows, and all
of its initiates feel a tingle.

	Random Trumps Ahab and asks where the Jewel is.  Ahab gestures. 
Random figures it's not his problem and breaks the contact.  It's good to
not be the king.

	Back in Dara's dungeons, the latch to the cell door opens. 
Suddenly, Ariel goes nuts, and Dara says, "Excuse me," from behind them. 
Bart says they were just trying to find her, and asks her to come quietly
with him to the King.  She looks from him, to the Jewel, and then back
again, and asks what happens if she says no.  Then things will get
difficult.  Dara asks Cort if he's eliminated that little ability of
Bart's, yet.  Cort looks innocent, and Dara glares at him.  Bart protects
Cort with a spell.  Dara looks back at him, says two words, and the Xenos
on Bart and Lyss go down.  Bart casts Domino on Dara, which should set off
all the spells in the Shadow and direct the damaging ones at her. 
Unfortunately, only a couple of her spells go off before she speaks a
counterspell which stops this.  She is still stunned, however.  Lyss says
"Hey!" as the Jewel pulses, then Cort punches Dara with some Pattern
energy to back it up, and she goes down.  Now, about that pardon...  Cort
asks to borrow Dara's mind, kneels down, and concentrates.  Then he
brushes off his hands and says that's all he needed.  While Bart and Lyss
look rather stunned, he brings a haggard and completely insane Corwin out
of the cell.  Amazing what sensory deprivation will do after 50 years. 
Cort explains that he needs Corwin, just as Bart needs Dara.  She'll be
out for a while, though.  He asks if Bart is curious as to who he is. 
Well...  Cort speaks a spell of dismissal, and Brand stands before them. 
He suggests that Bart get the Jewel back to Ahab.  Lyss does this, and it
appears just as Ahab is leaving the room.  Ahab looks at it and tells it
to stay.  If only it were that simple.

	Reeshan tells Alex that Meander can see into the future.  Teresa
catches up with him and observes that he's gone through some changes.  She
noticed the death of his Spikard.  She also tells him that the ruling one
wasn't on Oberon's body when she searched it.  What is he planning?  He's
exploring.  She offers her help.  He comments that she must think he's
stumbled across something significant, and asks what she has to offer.  A
functioning Spikard?  Someone to watch his back?  Getting a meddling
sorcerer off his back?  Alex isn't worried about Meander.  Information is
always valuable, however.  He has 3/4 of the puzzle, missing only Trump... 
Teresa comments that Heather never liked him very much, but perhaps she
could intercede on his behalf.  In return for part of the power.  Alex
intimates that he can find other paths to Trump.  They eventually agree
that he will let her request something, in exchange for her help.  She
decides to hold off on her request, for now.

	Ariana returns to Vetchways and finds Riftvan waiting for her
there.  She asks if he's done with whatever he was doing.  Actually, no,
he's going to be gone for a while.  Does it have anything to do with what
happened to Oberon?  Yes, but he asks her not to ask him anything more
about it.  She asks instead why it was so significant that Driscoll was
the one who had her walk the Pattern for the first time.  He explains that
it told him who some of the players were then.  She tells him that she
knows of the psychic block in her mind.  He figures she must have been
speaking with Tamaryn, since she's the only other person who could have
found it.  She asks why he didn't tell her about it.  If he had, she
wouldn't be able to do controlled shapeshifting.  And why didn't he tell
her that's what she was doing?  Because it would spoil the illusion.  She
points out that it was spoiled anyway.  Yes, thanks to his meddling
daughter.  Ariana says that she had asked for Tamaryn's help.  Fine, so it
was due to his meddling wife.  She smiles.  He returns the smile, points
out that she's made him late, and asks if there's anything else.  One
thing.  She gives him a rather thorough kiss, to remember her by.  He asks
how he could forget, and then leaves.

	Usires Hellrides for the metal Miranda requested, but begins
losing control.  He slows the pace down somewhat and continues.

	Nicholas chats with Felix, and Vivienne is mentioned.  Nimue finds
the whole story rather amusing.  Nicholas says he was only seven, and it
was Gerard's daughter, after all.  Nimue questions Felix about his love
life, or lack thereof.  She and Nicholas tag- team Felix briefly, then
Nimue decides that Felix will tell her all she needs to know about Amber,
and drags him off.  She asks where his kilt is.  In his closet.  She asks
his opinion of how the change in ruler is going to go, like who might be
unhappy about it.  Felix notes that those he would have expected to be
unhappy seemed to be OK with it.  Like Eric.  He only came back to Amber
because of the marriage, after all.  Nimue asks what marriages are left. 
Just Driscoll and Emer, and Caine and Jalana.  Can kings arrange
marriages?  Only for their children.  They can impress their wishes upon
their subjects, however.  Nimue asks what role Felix intends to take in
the new kingdom.  He's not sure.  She invites him to lunch, so she can
continue pumping him for information.

	Nicholas and Laughter discuss how he's going to win Beauty.  She
tells him everything that Beauty likes.  Foster foolishly comments that he
didn't have to try that hard to win Laughter.  Open mouth, insert both
metallic feet.  Nicholas asks if he has Laughter's permission to court
Beauty.  Of course.  He hopes he can win her over in three months, because
his father is going to marry him off after that.  Laughter bellows for
Ahab, and mumbles "Rat bastard of a king."  Nicholas suggests that maybe
she can convince Ahab to give him more time.  Who does Ahab want to marry
him to?  One of Heather's daughters.  Given that there are none currently
available, Laughter thinks Ahab is bluffing.  She Trumps to Foil with
Foster, and suggests naming the baby Isolde, if it's a girl.  That's fine
with him.  They leave Haris with Caitt, and return to Amber for lunch.

	On the way to lunch, Nicholas asks Ahab if he heard Laughter yell. 
Oh, yes.  What was that all about?  Nicholas explains that she learned
about the deadline, and would like it extended to six months.  Ahab
figures it's too soon for Nicholas to give up on meeting the deadline. 
They discuss the morning lesson.  Ahab thinks Nicholas should offer to
teach Laughter, as an excuse for hanging around in Foil.

	Bart returns to Jesbyways with Dara.  His servants all go "Eek"
and run away.  Smart servants.  Bart asks Constance to arrange an
emergency meeting with the King, then Trumps Llewella to tell her of his
plan, now that he's succeeded.  He shows her Dara's head.  Llewella comes
through, smacks him, then demands that he tell her his plan.  He explains
how he learned of Dara's return.  Llewella scowls.  Bart has Lyss hand him
a pearl, which he gives to Llewella.  He explains that his plan would have
worked, and then Brand was there...  Llewella asks why she shouldn't
thrash him within an inch of his life.  Bart holds up Dara's head again. 
He explains how he was going to use the other 11 pearls, once he'd used
Domino to take out all the spells in the Shadow.  Didn't Brand have a
counterspell?  Well, yes, but he didn't use it.  He fails to mention that
Dara also had a counterspell, and did use it.  Llewella tells him that
he's incredibly lucky Brand didn't see him as interrupting his plans. 
Bart mentions that Brand has Corwin.  Llewella asks if he has any idea how
Brand could use Corwin against Ahab?  Ooops.

	Llewella Trumps Ahab, and comes through.  He asks if she's seen
Lyss.  Yes.  Llewella explains how Brand wound up with Corwin.  Ahab tells
her that he doesn't see why someone has to not be considered part of
Amber, just because of her marriage to a Chaosite, so she's always
welcome.  She thanks him and leaves to clear Dara out of her parlor.

	Lunch in Amber.  Vivienne spots Nicholas and blatantly stares at
him, trying to figure out why he seems familiar.  Felix points her out to
Nimue, who smiles, sits down by Nicholas, and openly laughs at him. 
Vivienne keeps staring.  Laughter explains that the strange man is
Nicholas.  Uh-uh.  Laughter tries to explain how this is true, using how
she showed up with Haris overnight as an example.  Vivienne says that
Gerard told her the stork had visited Laughter.  Laughter says it takes
nine months for the stork to arrive from Chaos.  Vivienne is aghast that
the stork lives in Chaos.  Er.  Laughter says that's not important.  What
is important is that Nicholas spent 30 years in a special Shadow.  Uh-uh. 
Felix points out Eris, but Vivienne doesn't believe she's really Eris,
either, especially when Eris claims her name is Sally.  Driscoll bats her
on the back of the head.  Felix agrees that she can't be Eris, because
she's much too pretty.  She asks him to back up his words with his sword. 
Ahab interrupts and says there will be no dueling during lunch.  He also
verifies that this is, indeed, Nicholas, and he's 38 years old.  Vivienne
crawls into Gerard's lap and sucks her thumb.  Foster, Felix and Laughter
argue over whose fault this whole mess is.  Laughter tells Felix
psychically that she's pregnant again.  Vivienne remains on Gerard's lap
for the rest of the meal, thumb in mouth.

	Usires finally finds his metal, gathers the appropriate amount,
and Trumps back to Amber.

	Llewella chews Bart out, pointing out that she might have been
useful, had he chosen to include her.  She tells him to consider himself
grounded for a while.  They pick up Dara, go to the palace, and are
transported rather quickly to the King's presence.  Bart bows very low. 
Gramble asks how he went about accomplishing this feat.  With very little
presence of mind.  And why did he do this?  She disturbed his sleep.  What
does he want for this gift?  Oh, nothing.  Gramble makes note of this, and
summons his guards, who bind Dara securely.  Bart also mentions that there
was another involved, who he promised to put in a good word for.  He
approaches Gramble and tells him privately that although the man called
himself Cort Chanicut, a man Gramble has heard of, he was, in reality,
Brand.  Where did this all transpire?  A Shadow near the Courts.  And what
did Brand want there?  Well, Prince Corwin.  Gramble thanks him for
sharing that, and ends the audience.  Bart scurries out, like a good
Jesby.

	Ariana has lunch with Mirelle in Vetchways.  Mirelle has decided
to call her Ariana, since she dislikes Mercedes so much.  Ariana explains
that she doesn't especially dislike the name, it's more that it holds no
meaning for her.  She suggests they eat lunch on the beach, and offers
some appropriate clothing to Mirelle.  Mirelle worries that someone might
see them dressed like this.  Ariana says the beach is a part of Vetchways,
and doesn't see the problem.  Mirelle asks if Ariana's husband lets her
dress like this.  Ariana points out that the clothing did come from her
closet...  While the children amuse themselves in the water, Ariana asks
Mirelle how married life is going.  Mirelle doesn't look happy.  She
hasn't seen Fenar since the wedding night, and wishes she was in Amber. 
Why not just go there?  Fenar wouldn't like it.  Ariana doesn't think much
of Fenar.  They are interrupted by the boys tossing Jalana into the water. 
Ariana returns the favor, to their protests of innocence.  After the
second run-through of this, Ariana simply has Jalana sit beside her.  As
the meal continues, it's obvious that Mirelle feels very unhappy about her
life right now, so Ariana invites her to visit whenever she wishes.  This
seems to cheer her up a bit, and she takes Ariana up on the offer.

	Gerard tells Swiss Family Foster and Felix that he and Isabeux are
expecting another child.  Laughter tells them that she and Foster are as
well.  Yes, there's a regular baby boom going on.  Nicholas catches up
with Laughter as she leaves the dining room, and asks to speak with her. 
He suggests that a convenient excuse for him to be in Foil would be the
continuing of their lessons, with a slight role change.  She'll agree, on
one condition.  He must continue his lessons with Foster.  He reluctantly
agrees.  Now we know he's desperate.  They decide to start tomorrow, and
Laughter tells him to show up for breakfast in the morning.

	Ahab uses the Pattern to contact Arthur, who is in the Palace in
Rebma.  Ahab asks if the underlying motivation of his activities still
holds true, regarding an individual whose aims he wished to further. 
Arthur looks confused and asks who he means.  Corwin.  No, that was part
of the madness.  Is there any residual loyalty there?  As much as any son
would have.  Is he on good terms with Caine?  They don't argue.  Ahab
explains that he'd sent Caine out to find Brand, and now Brand has Corwin,
so he's concerned.  He'd like Arthur to look into it.  Caine could always
use a decoy, after all.  He understands that Arthur has the concerns of
his own realm to deal with, but Ahab can hardly run off and deal with the
matter.  Arthur says he'll need a few days to settle things.  He fails to
mention that Moire has returned to Rebma, now that her fiance is
practically dead.

	Laughter searches for a new Shadow to live in, since she's ceding
Foil to Beauty.  She notices that her connection to both Source and Foil
is beginning to fade.  She Trumps Ariana, and tells her that Nicholas will
be teaching her now, so she won't have the energy for Ariana's lessons for
the next three months or so.  Ariana points out that by that time, she
won't be in any shape to give lessons.  True.  Which prompts Laughter to
inform Ariana that she's expecting again.  She breaks the contact before
Ariana can reply.

	Random finds Ahab, opens a large ledger book, and says it's time
for meetings.  The first one on the schedule is Driscoll, in about ten
minutes.  Ahab goes to see Bill Roth first.  He asks what obligations he
has to respect the Chaos rule that women become part of their husband's
house.  Well, he'd be setting a precedent, but Oberon had no rules in
place to the contrary.  Barimen is a renegade house, after all, so they
don't really have to follow the rules of Chaos, anyway.  Ahab asks if
there were any additional considerations gained in the marriages that
Oberon arranged.  No, just exchanging people from each side.  So, would he
be transgressing against Gramble in any way by nullifying the betrothal of
Caine and Jalana?  No, Bill doesn't think there would be any difficulty in
that.  Ahab figures he'll talk to Caine and Vetch about it, then.  In the
long run, it can only promote harmony in the Courts.  The next thing Ahab
wanted to discuss is the ambassadors.  Bill tells him that the posts of
both Chaos and Amber ambassadors are open.  Messages are currently being
exchanged via a Shadow path between the two courts.  Bill thinks Chaos is
ready to name their ambassador, and is just waiting for Amber to name
theirs.  Ahab asks if anyone wants the job.  Random mentions that Driscoll
has quite a few ties in the Courts, having spent some years there.

	Ahab meets with Driscoll, who tells him that he found no army
waiting to attack Amber.  Ahab tells him that Lyss and her tool of the day
managed to capture Dara, so he's not expecting any more trouble from that
quarter.  Ahab brings up the vacancy in the ambassadorial post, and asks
if Driscoll is interested.  He asks to think about it.  Ahab allow this,
but warns him not to take too long.  Ahab asks if Driscoll is happy with
his current marriage arrangement.  Well, he'd been thinking of ways to get
out of it.  He'd like to hold off final judgment until he's had a chance
to talk to Heather, though.  After Driscoll takes his leave, Ahab sends a
letter to Gramble regarding the handling of Dara, seeing as how she's
implicated in what happened to Oberon.

	Kimdyl Trumps Ahab from their quarters, looking uneasy, and asks
to talk to him.  He goes through.  She leads him into the bedroom, where
there is an old man lying on the bed, with a note pinned to his shirt. 
The note says "He's quite mad, there's nothing I can do about it.  I
apologize for it, but at least he's yours again.  - B"  Kimdyl doesn't
like the fact that Brand got in and out with no one seeing him.  Ahab has
Corwin brought up to the infirmary.

	Benedict has the next meeting with Ahab.  Benedict says he's
surprised that a Chaosite was skilled enough with Trump to trap him in
such a manner.  Ahab explains that Brand was responsible, and that he
views Brand as a major long-term problem.  He admits that, much to his
surprise, he finds himself sharing Benedict's opinion on dealing with
family members, but if Benedict has any suggestions on how to minimize the
damage...  Benedict points out that Brand's Font was lost with his
Pattern, so he's not going to be as skilled with Trump as he was before,
and he should be as mortal as anyone else now.  Ahab asks if there's
anything Benedict needs to say to him in his new capacity.  Good luck. 
He'll do his best to see that Ahab's reign is a long one.  Ahab says he
wouldn't wish this job on anyone.  Random grins, causing Ahab to add
"Present company excepted."  He asks Benedict to be one of the Regency's
protectors.  Benedict observes that Nicholas has grown up well.  Ahab says
that Benedict is free to offer suggestions on what he should attend to. 
Benedict thinks Oberon's idea of having the family settle out on the edges
of Amber is a good one, since it will make Amber better defended. 
Besides, the more cooped up together the family is, the more they tend to
fight.  Ahab remarks that it will also allow more room for the results of
reproduction.  They are competing against umpteen houses of Chaos, after
all.  Benedict admits that Ahab's uncles are all expecting children,
including him.  Ahab has Random conjure a cigar for Benedict.  For now, he
wants Benedict to keep an eye on Dalt's army.  Benedict also offers to be
present for the meeting with the nobles tomorrow.

	Random meets with Ahab next, and explains that Ahab can change
pretty much any or all of the positions in the castle.  Oberon only
changed a few when he returned, most notably the Minister of Finance, who
used to be Peter Loretto.  Oberon replaced him with a Bayle.  Random
thinks this was due to a problem dating back to Oberon's previous reign. 
Ahab considers splitting the post up, and has Random arrange an
appointment with Peter and his heir.  Random suggests Ahab think about his
replacement as well, as he leaves to work on the nobles meeting.

	Ahab and Lander discusses Lander's concerns over Ahab's sudden
disappearances through Trump.  Lander would like it if Ahab at least told
him of his destination, so they could have someone there quickly.  Ahab
says he'll do his best.

	Usires heads back out into Shadow, looking for the jewels Miranda
requested as part of her fee.

	Bart mopes in his room, since Llewella won't let him see anyone
while he's grounded, not even Ariel.  After two hours, Llewella says he's
free to go, and swats him on the behind as he leaves.  He got off easy. 
Lyss asks him to go apologize to Ahab for her.  Yes, she is that stupid. 
Bart, however, is not, and declines.

	Ariana arranges for a guest room to be set up for Mirelle after
lunch, then finds that Riftvan has returned already.  He tells her that
apparently someone beat him to Dara.  Ariana is not disappointed to hear
this, and they find a way to make use of his unexpected free time.

	Lyss finds Ahab, and tells her sorry tale, playing with her skirt
all the while.  Ahab just listens to her while she explains.  She observes
that he's really mad at her, and looks down at the floor.  Ahab proceeds
to pick apart the flaws in her plan.  Especially what would have happened
if Dara had won.  And how it made him look when the Jewel vanished two
hours into his reign.  Lyss looks abashed, and asks if he's going to lock
her in her room now, like Llewella did Bart.  Ahab says he doesn't have
Llewella's maternal instincts.  She asks if he has any paternal instincts. 
He sends Meander out of the room before admitting that he does.  He asks
if it crossed her mind how he and a great number of people would have felt
if she hadn't come back.  Yes, but she ignored it.  Which is why she
should understand that he might feel inclined to ignore his instincts.  He
doesn't have enough relatives to lose any of them, and there may come a
time when he has to ask one of them to sacrifice their lives, but he
didn't have to this time.  He's willing to bet that Gramble had his own
plans in mind for Dara.  Plus, she lost Corwin to Brand.  So her
punishment is as follows: she is to bring Bart and her various offspring
to Amber, and she is going to spend the next month of her life keeping
track of her family and taking care of them, changing their diapers, and
every now and then thinking about how much it would piss her off if one of
them dies on a self-declared mission against one of the most dangerous
sorcerers in the universe.  Lyss cries a great deal, then returns to
Jesbyways, grabs her kids, and tells Bart that they're going to Amber. 
And this is the last time she's playing with him, since she's in a lot
more trouble than he was.  Bart tells Constance that they should delay the
wedding, and asks her to explain things to his parents.  Lyss Pattern
teleports them to his old quarters in Amber.

	That evening, Alex manages to stay in Tir-na Nog'th when it
disappears, and finds that he can interact with the people there when this
happens.  The inhabitants all have pointed ears, and are trying to figure
out what to do with him.  The most popular opinion seems to be flaying him
alive.  Which seems to be most people's opinion once they've met Alex, but
that's beside the point.  Alex concentrates on making the city solid, and
Tir-na Nog'th appears in full glory at high noon.  Alex gates out of the
city, and it vanishes again.

	The following morning, Nicholas arrives for breakfast in Foil. 
Laughter asks him about his time in Shadow, while Beauty does her best to
ignore him.  He instructs her, and then takes his beating, er, instruction
from Foster.

	Usires delivers his payment to Miranda.  She tells him to come
back for his ax in a month.

	Ariana notices that Tamaryn seems listless, so she takes her
riding in Arden in an effort to cheer her up.  Tamaryn likes the forest a
lot, and spends some time climbing the trees there.  Later on, over lunch,
Ariana suggests that maybe Tamaryn should spend some time in Shadow, since
there's a lot out there, and getting away from Amber for a while might
make her feel better.  Tamaryn likes the idea, and decides to leave in the
morning.  Ariana lends Tamaryn her extra Trumps of Ahab and Felix, since
she has no Trumps of her own.

	Laughter tells Mandor what she's learned about Chameleon.  Mandor,
of course, knows much about this already.  He admits that Chameleon's aid
in the war is probably all that kept him alive.  Jordan and Emer are
invited to spend a week in Foil, sometime in the future.  Nicholas speaks
with Beauty, and the next day she's cut off all of her hair and is wearing
hose and a jerkin.  Laughter talks with her, and she eventually admits
that she cut her hair off because Nicholas liked it.  Laughter cancels her
lesson with Nicholas and Hellrides with Beauty to a punkish Shadow.  They
decide to die Beauty's hair purple, and shave the back.  Beauty is hoping
that Nicholas will take this to mean that she has no interest in him
whatsoever.  Of course, since this is Beauty, she still looks absolutely
gorgeous.  She wants to know when Shard can come back.  Laughter doesn't
understand.  Beauty points out that he won't return until Laughter invites
him back into Foil.  She adds that she is in love with Shard, so there's
no point in dragging Nicholas to Foil all the time.  She doesn't believe
that Laughter needs him to teach her, since Laughter would never take
instruction from a man, and asks what's wrong with Ariana.  She's
pregnant.  Not so much, yet.  Laughter decides to be honest, and says she
strongly disapproves of Shard, both for being a vampire and for raping
Beauty.  Beauty says that was different, but she's late for her lesson
with Fiona, so she has to go.  Laughter sees her off, and then Trumps Ahab
and goes through to commiserate.  Laughter feels crappy, since she's
sounding just like Mandor.  Ahab suggests that she talk to Shard to see
what his opinion on the whole matter is.

	Lyss spends the next couple of days crying, except for when she's
around the children.  Bart tries to soften what Ahab said to her, but she
still thinks he was right, and that she's a horrible mother.

	After a few days, Ariana begins joining Laughter and Nicholas in
their morning lessons.  She also teaches Jalana how to defend herself when
her brothers gang up on her.  Jalana's a fast learner, and the boys are
most unhappy.  Riftvan finds the whole thing rather amusing, and teaches
Jalana a few tricks of his own, figuring that the sooner the boys learn
that women are dangerous, the better off they'll be.

	Laughter talks to Shard about his relationship with Beauty.  He
agrees that she needs to be in a normal relationship, and admits that he
seems to need her less the longer he is away from her.  Laughter asks if
his attraction to Beauty was due to Belle.  He thinks it was. 
Unfortunately, he's fallen in love with Beauty.  He looks like he's in a
lot of pain, but says he'll talk to Beauty soon.

	Ariana asks Riftvan for advice on how to set up an information
network.  After some coaxing, he agrees to help her, but suggests that she
start in Amber, where she has more influence.  She tells him she was
planning on doing that anyway, seeing as how she's still rather unfamiliar
with the Courts.

	Ahab lectures Nicholas about slowing down his approach.  He thinks
Beauty is too young to move in on so quickly, and suggests that Nicholas
hang around, but ease off for a couple of years.  Guess he's giving
Nicholas that deadline extension.  Nicholas figures he's already waited a
while, so he can wait a little longer.  He bows as he prepares to leave. 
Ahab tells him that scorn is appropriate in private, so Nicholas knocks
his feet out from under him.  Ahab grabs Nicholas' foot on the follow
through and yanks him down to join him.

	Ariana and Usires continue their sparring.  She notices the
absence of his ax, and asks what happened to it.  He tells her that he's
having it modified so that it works against shapeshifters.  She explains
what Takaran blades can do, and warns that they are illegal in Chaos, with
the penalty being the loss of your hand.  Permanently.  She also mentions
that they have an odd feel to them, and offers to show him one the next
day.  He takes her up on this, and she brings the dagger Riftvan slipped
her at Laughter's wedding.  Usires notices nothing unusual when he holds
it.

	Ahab talks with Lyss two days into her punishment, and apologizes
for what he said.  She asks why he should apologize when he was right.  He
tells her that there's nothing wrong that won't mend, and admits that
Corwin's actually been back for two days.  Lyss says she'd be mad, if he
hadn't done it for her children.  Actually, he did it for him, since her
dying is not acceptable.  She offers to show him his grandson.  Bart is
oh, so happy to see him, but bows deeply, as does Darby in imitation. 
Lyss hands Barton to him.  Ahab looks at the baby, and observes that he
probably hasn't even killed anyone yet.  Lyss smiles.  Ahab looks at Bart
and tells him to be at ease, and have oodles of children if he can talk
Lyss into it.  Bart wonders who killed Ahab and replaced him.  Ahab
explains that he spent 30 years away, so keeping grudges from the old days
seems rather small.  Lyss seems to be seeing him in a new light.  Ahab
leaves shortly afterwards, but sends down dessert for them, with lots of
topping.  We will refrain from commenting on what use the whipped cream
was put to.

	Gerard offers to supervise therapy for Corwin, who is completely
insane, and will be a long time recovering.  Ahab is happy to leave the
matter in Gerard's hands.

	Ariana meets with Fiona, and tells her of the block in her mind,
along with who she thinks was responsible for it.  Fiona examines it, and
says that, due to the length of time that it's been in there, she'd rather
Brand removed it.  She might damage Ariana's mind, if she tried to do it. 
Specifically, her memories.  Ariana is concerned that, even if Brand
removed it, he might leave something else behind.  Fiona suggests that she
consult with Ahab regarding that matter.  Ariana returns to Vetchways and
explains Fiona's findings to Riftvan.  Since she's determined to have the
block removed, Riftvan decides that it might be a fun challenge to find
Brand.  This worries Ariana.  He reassures her that he didn't live this
long by not knowing when to back off, says he'll contact her when he's
secured Brand, and leaves.

	Alex does some research on Faeries, and is interrupted by Meander. 
Alex claims he's doing a little light reading.  Meander says he missed
Reeshau in the last battle, and explains how it went.  Alex asks what
brings him here.  Meander says he's concerned, and offers to help Alex
adjust.  Alex thanks him for his concern, but it's not necessary.  He
returns to his research, but there's not much there.  He figures that the
best people to ask about Faeries would be Riftvan or Tamaryn.

	A few days after Laugher's conversation with Shard, Laughter finds
Beauty in hysterics.  After half an hour of this, Laughter dumps her in a
tub of cold water, and then a tub of warm water.  Beauty begins splashing
her and calling her names.  Laughter waits for her to calm down.  She
eventually just slides down the wall and puts her head on her knees. 
Laughter wraps her in a big, fluffy towel and waits.  After about an hour,
she stands up quickly and walks out the door, so Laughter follows.  When
she can't slam the door on Laughter, she heads for the window, but
Laughter grabs her before she can reach it.  She pounds on Laughter for a
while, and says she wants to be left alone.  Laughter does this, but sets
up spells to keep her from going out of the window again, and waits
outside of the door.  After a day passes without Beauty eating or drinking
anything, Laughter brings in some food and sets it far enough away so that
Beauty can't knock it over.  Then she brings a sandwich over to Beauty,
who is sitting in the same position as when she left.  Beauty asks if
Laughter put Shard up to it.  No.  Beauty starts crying again, so Laughter
hugs her.  After a while, Beauty asks for the food, and picks at it. 
Laughter points out that the world isn't coming to an end.  True, but
don't expect her to be happy for a while.  She turns and faces the wall,
so Laughter leaves.  Foster comforts her for a while.


Quotables:

"(Nicholas) has got two Trumps." -- Mer
"Kind of like Usires in that matter." -- Liam
"Usires has three." -- George, rather proudly

"Would you like to see your young cousin?" -- Laughter to Nicholas
"Yes, where is Felix?" -- Liam

"Is Nicholas cute?" -- Laughter
"Yes." -- GM
"He can be my son-in-law, then." -- Laughter
"How are you going to stop him?" -- Ahab
"I'll be disapproving from afar." -- Laughter

"I'm doubling your pay." -- Ahab
"Um, nothing doubled is still nothing." -- Meander

"Ahab smiles, not pointing out to the Hellmaid that she's missed his
point." -- Jason to GM

"I don't think there's a 'Use a condom' look, so I won't give (Ariadne)
one." -- Jason to GM

"I always give people an opportunity to back out, before I force them to
do what they don't want to do." -- Ahab to Eric

"I would appreciate it if most of you with informant networks, that is to
say, all of you..."  -- Ahab to the family

"Crown Prince of Amber.  Vampire.  Which is the lesser of two evils?" --
Laughter to herself

"What good is being able to tell the future, if you can't tell where
you're going to sleep?" -- Ahab to Meander

"I don't suppose you'd care to find whoever stole the Jewel?  Assuming it
wasn't you." -- Ahab
"Two hours on the throne, and already you've lost it?" -- Bleys
"Well, these things happen." -- Ahab

"A lock.  How devious." -- Matt to the group at large

"Felix, I remember you being taller." -- Nicholas
"And I remember my younger sister beating you up." -- Felix

"So, the next time we're making love, and (Brand) taps you on the shoulder
saying, 'Can I have a moment?' you're going to react how?" -- Kimdyl
"Violently, I imagine." -- Ahab

"(Bleys) is perfectly loyal - to nothing in particular." -- Ahab to Benedict

"One of us should talk to the undead person." -- Ahab to Laughter

"Are you sure you want (Laughter) to (talk to the vampire) unsupervised?"
-- Mer
"The vampire had better not kill her." -- Jason

"The fact that a conversation was never started doesn't mean that Laughter
can't continue it." -- Jason to the group at large

"As Ahab said, the living and the unliving really shouldn't live
together." -- Laughter to Foster

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