Chapter Ninety-eight:  "You can force a man to do voluntary action."

	Alex tells Caitt that he's going to Middlecourt.  Caitt decides to
go with him.  Alex begins to cast a spell to take them there, but is
interrupted by a knock at the door.  It's Bleys, who wants to know what
Alex is doing.  Leaving.  Bleys says he'll allow that, but don't return
the same way.  Gotcha.  Alex casts the spell again, and they arrive at the
outskirts of Middlecourt.  The guards look surprised that Alex is back,
especially given the late hour.  Alex says he's there to see Varnan.  Ah,
yes.  The guard doesn't think it's any place for a lady.  Caitt thinks
otherwise.  Alex heads for Varnan's new quarters.  Varnan looks up, sees
Alex, and the hope drains from his eyes.  He hands Alex a parcel and
reminds him that it's more effective when applied directly.  Alex excuses
himself from Caitt and injects his fingers.

	Laughter gets a Trump call from Caitt.  She's all excited about
being in Middlecourt with Alex.  Laughter comes through.  Alex is
surprised to see her there when he returns.  He reminds Laughter of a
junkie who's just had his fix.  Laughter says she's going to see Mandor,
and she wants Caitt to go with her.  Nope, she still needs to learn from
Alex what the faeries erased from her mind.  She and Alex picnic at Ygg
and spend the evening doing this.

	Laughter gets a guard to take her to Mandor.  She notices on the
way that Middlecourt seems to be set up much like the Courts.  Mandor
tells Laughter that he hadn't expected to see her in Middlecourt.  Well,
Caitt Trumped her from there, so she figured she'd drop by.  If she tells
him something, will he promise not to get angry?  Well...  Never mind,
then.  He asks, in jest, whose child she's carrying this time.  Doh!  Her
face gives away that he hit on the truth, and she admits that the child is
Driscoll's.  Mandor observes that Emer may not be happy about that, since
they are betrothed.  How is she sure that the child is Driscoll's?  Well,
it's an albino.  Mandor tells her that Emer wasn't all that thrilled about
marrying Driscoll, but Heather hadn't quite given up on the idea. Speaking
of which, Heather would like to speak to Laughter.  Laughter foolishly
says yes.  Mandor fetches Heather and then leaves.

	Heather admits that she may have been upset at the wrong person
regarding Laughter's parentage, and she's sorry for targeting her
unfairly.  She's sure that once she gets to know Laughter, she'll find
better reasons for disliking her.  Er.  Heather assures her this was an
attempt at levity.  Laughter says she always prefers to be hated on her
own merits.  Heather admits that she had planned for this conversation to
take place in a different setting.  Laughter thinks that being roasted
over coals was the setting Heather had in mind.  Heather picks up on this,
of course, and tells Laughter that that hell is reserved for someone else. 
Laughter wants to go home, and returns to the Rath.  She tells Fiona about
her talk with Heather.  Fiona says she'll deal with it.

	Ariana tells Shard that Felix will also be contacting him.  Why? 
Because they're both in the same situation, as far as the child is
concerned.  Ah.  Ariana ends the contact and immediately gets a Trump call
from Felix.  She pulls him through and tells him of the conversation she
had with Shard.  Felix begins to Trump Shard, but is interrupted by a
knock at the door.  Ariana answers.  It's Shard.  Felix tells him that's
unnerving, to which he responds with a sweeping bow.  They discuss the
situation.  Shard would like to see the child.  Felix tells him they'll be
returning to Amber shortly.  Shard figures he'll wait until then, and
leaves.

	Ariana looks in on Bridget and then goes to sleep.

	Felix Trumps Laughter and goes through to her.  Laughter tells him
that she hasn't heard from either Foster or Driscoll.  Felix asks if she
wants him to fetch Foster.  No.  She's going to slow Rath down to Amber's
speed, though.  They both go to sleep.

	Caitt tells Alex that she needs to go home and write down
everything that he's told her.  Just in case.  She also says that she
knows of Ygg from faerie legend, and it's a dangerous place.  They return
to Amber.

	Alex wakes up in the middle of the night to find something sitting
on his chest.  It's short and full of fangs and claws.  Even more
distressing is the fact that it has a knife and fork and is leaning over
his neck.  Alex bats it off of him and hears a cry and a thud as it hits
the wall.  It lands between him and the door, of course.  It picks up one
of the pieces of cutlery.  Alex holds a blanket out in front of him and
gets out of bed, slowly moving towards the door.  It sounds like the thing
is circling behind him.  He hurries out of the room and crashes into a
guard.  Once they get disentangled, Alex tells the guard that there's
something in his room.  The guard tells him to go get reinforcements. 
Alex wants the guard to go after it.  By himself?  Is he mad!  They argue
about this until some other guards come running by and are called over. 
The guards get a torch and cautiously poke it into Alex's room.  A few
minutes later, one of them comes out and asks what Alex saw.  A small,
fanged spiky thing.  Right.  They decide that this was a crank and leave. 
Alex finds other quarters and goes back to sleep.  He wakes up in the same
fashion as before, catches the thing in his blanket, and slams it into the
wall.  He repeats this process a few times and then finds a guard.  He
unfolds the cloak for the guard, but there's nothing inside.  The guard is
nonplussed.  He mentions that he's searching for strange occurrences. 
Alex claims there's nothing in his quarters.  He's just dusting.  Has the
guard seen any strange occurrences?  Only Alex.  He's going to have to
tell his superior about him.  Alex suggests they go see him together.  Er,
he'd rather not.  Alex continues to be annoying, so the man decides maybe
they should see his superior.  Alarms begin going off at this point, but
they fade after a few minutes.  Alex is taken to a corporal.

	Usires hears the alarm and begins running to the castle from the
harbor.

	Benedict comes around the corner, spies Alex and the corporal, and
asks what's going on.  Alex describes the thing he saw.  Benedict wants to
know exactly what happened.  Alex fills him in on the details, including
the cutlery the creature had.  Benedict tells Alex to stick around for the
next day or so and dismisses him.  Then he tells the corporal to continue
the search, and let him know of any other family members that are awake.

	Usires arrives at the castle and asks a guard what's going on.  An
intruder alarm.  Usires hasn't seen anything.  Another guard tells him
that Benedict would like to see him.  Usires seeks him out.  Benedict
wants to know why he's awake.  He was working at the shipyard and heard
the alarms.  Benedict tells Usires to notify him if he does see anything
unusual.  Usires heads back down the shipyards.

	Ariana receives a Trump call in the middle of the night.  She
throws on a robe, grabs her sword, and answers.  It's Benedict.  He wants
to speak to her.  She comes through.  He asks if she's heard from her
husband.  Not since Chaos fell.  He has been known to take faerie form,
has he not?  Yes.  And she hasn't heard from him?  As she said before, no. 
She asks what's going on.  There's been a disturbance in the castle, and
he's following up on all leads.  Was anyone hurt?  No new bodies.  She
returns to Rath.

	Benedict Trumps Laughter and brings her through.  How much does
she know about faerie magic?  Less than Foster and Tamaryn, more then
some.  Benedict has her contact Foster.  He's healing.  She tells him that
Benedict wants him to come through.  He does so.  Benedict leads them down
to the practice room in the basement, touches a stone, and walks through a
tapestry.  There is a room with an open safe beyond.  Benedict asks them
to check for traces of faerie magic.  They find traces of a gate and a
glamour.  It's certainly on par with Vetch's power level, but there's no
defining signature to it.  Laughter tries to use talking bones, but it's
been blocked.  She tells Benedict what she's learned.  He thanks them for
their help and they Trump to Rath.

	Foster collapses on the nearest soft thing, prompting Laughter to
Trump Ariana and psychically explain the situation.  Ariana comes through
and takes a look at Foster.  He's managed to heal all of his wounds, but
the effort's left him exhausted, which means he's fine but good for
nothing for the next six hours or so.  Laughter suggests that Ariana find
Driscoll, since she's sure Foster was fighting him.  Laughter also
mentions that Benedict had her investigating strong faerie magic.  Ariana
relates her own conversation with Benedict.  They discuss how men never
contact the women in their lives.  Laughter wants to go to Amber with
Ariana.  Foster wants her to stay.  Ariana suggests psychically to
Laughter that staying instead of running off to check on Driscoll would
probably make Foster feel better.  Laughter sees the wisdom in this.

	Ariana Trumps to Amber and knocks at Driscoll's door, but there's
no answer.  She Trumps Laughter and asks her to find out from Foster where
he and Driscoll fought.  Foster proves uncooperative, wanting Driscoll to
suffer.  Ariana goes up to the battlements and finds Clytemnestra sleeping
there.  She clears her throat and asks if Clytemnestra can locate
Driscoll, since she thinks he might be bleeding somewhere.  Clytemnestra
practically runs Ariana over getting to the door, but can't fit through
it.  Ariana asks if she can tell where in the castle Driscoll is.  She
sniffs the air for a bit, then tells Ariana that he's in his quarters. 
Ariana returns there and picks the lock.  She finds Driscoll sitting in a
chair when she enters.  He observes that she doesn't give up.  She tells
him that doctors are annoying that way.  Now, is he going to let her heal
him?  Yes.  She does so, finding several broken ribs, a compound fracture
of his right leg, and many bruises.  He screams when she sets the leg,
prompting some guards to investigate.  Ariana tells them she's just
setting a bone.  They leave.  Ariana receives a Trump call from Benedict
shortly thereafter, asking her what happened.  She's setting Driscoll's
leg.  Why?  Because it was broken.  He asks her how this happened.  She
relays the question to Driscoll, who says he fell down the stairs. 
Benedict says he'll be there shortly.  Ariana suggests Driscoll let
Clytemnestra know he's all right.  He sends Verdegris to do so.  Ariana
leaves when Benedict arrives, not wanting any part of that death culture. 
She sits up on the battlements and drinks for a bit, then returns to Rath
and sleeps.

	In some miscellaneous Shadow, we find the latest player in our
little drama.  Ronan is a 6' tall man with deep green eyes, flowing black
hair, and a goatee, dressed in true Scots style.  He finishes cleaning up
some problems and is heading back to his king with his army when they see
a lone rider charging towards them, dressed in a courtly fashion.  The
rider has an urgent message from the King.  It says that there have been
some recent storms, and since then there have been reports from the
western edge of the island of slippages.  The King thinks it's a precursor
to a Feyan invasion and wants him to check it out.  Ronan begins riding
for the west coast.

	The Rath group has breakfast, then discusses returning to Amber
with Bridget.  Bridget asks what she can do with herself, since she
doesn't want to take charity.  Laughter and Ariana convince her that she
is now family, which sits easier with her.  Felix isn't sure how to break
the news of his possible son his parents.  Ariana offers to run her
genetics scan on Isabeux before he does, since if the child is Shard's,
Felix won't need to tell his parents anything.  Felix is all for this. 
Laughter asks Ariana and Felix to look into getting some sort of official
status for Bridget in Amber.  Ariana catches Dead Oaks up on how his tribe
has been, then returns to Amber with her kids, Felix, Bridget, and
Brendan.

	Ariana brings the children's things back to her quarters, and
finds a white rose on her pillow.  She goes down to breakfast and happily
lets Mirelle watch the kids while she talks with Isabeux for a bit. 
During the conversation, she runs her genetics scan, and determines that
Isabeux is not related to Brendan.  She lets Felix know psychically that
he's off the hook.  After breakfast, she catches Usires as he is leaving
and tells him that she knows where Miranda is.  He's still interested in
finding her, but he wants to finish working on the fleet first.  Ariana
asks him to get in touch with her when he's ready.

	Felix talks with Eric after breakfast, in order to arrange
quarters for Bridget.  He fills Eric in the whole Bridget situation,
including the fact that Shard is the baby's father.  Which makes things
difficult, since he's a vampire.  He's what?  Eric is annoyed that Ahab
and others knew this, but didn't tell him.  He suggests having Fiona speak
to Bridget about her problem with vampires.

	Ariana tells Laughter that she learned a regeneration spell while
on the Disc, and she'd like to try it on Laughter's missing toe.  Laughter
is agreeable to this.  Unfortunately, the spell doesn't seem to work, in
Amber or in Rath.  Ariana is uncertain as to why, since she's positive she
cast the spell correctly.

	Felix asks the pages where Fiona is.  They tell him she's in her
quarters, and then run away.  Apparently Fiona isn't in the best of moods. 
Something about being in her last trimester, no doubt.  Felix Trumps
Laughter and fills her in.  He wants Laughter there for moral support. 
Laughter comes through knocks on Fiona's door.  There is a crash, then
Fiona tells them to come in.  Felix and Laughter somewhat haltingly
explain the problem.  Fiona sarcastically observes that taking on one more
problem wouldn't do her any harm.  Felix looks nervous, especially when
she invites him to tea.  Laughter thanks Fiona for the Trump gate she's
using to transport her troops from Rath.  Fiona comments that it's good to
see she can do something right.  Felix asks when would she like to set up
the appointment.  Oh, her time is completely Amber's, so whenever he
arranges is fine.  Laughter and Felix leave quickly.  Felix thanks
Laughter for her help, and goes to arrange a tea between Fiona and
Bridget.

	Usires works on the fleet some more.

	Caitt finds a book of fairy tales and gives it to Alex.  It refers
to Ygg as the "'Tween Place," between Faerie and the other worlds.  One
can exit Faerie from there.  Caitt offers to whip up a few wards and
potions to help protect Alex from faeries.  He likes this idea.  Caitt
Trumps to Foil to work on this.  Alex notices that the spread of the
cancer has slowed, but he's not sure by how much.

	Ronan reaches the coast and finds nothing.  He hears strange
reports in a town.  Farmers are saying that their cattle are missing.  He
goes to the forest to investigate, and hears people talking about him.  He
calls them cowards.  They say they can talk to him.  He asks if they have
someplace in mind.  He's grabbed by what feels like an invisible rope and
dragged off.

	Felix spends a few hours with Bridget and the baby.  He goes
looking for Tamaryn, but can't find her.  He Trumps Foster, waking him up,
and asks if he's OK.  He was until Felix woke him up.  Felix comes
through.  Foster begins eating the food Laughter left him.  Felix reveals
that the child is not his, which should make things easier with Tamaryn. 
Foster points out that Felix still slept with Bridget, along with several
other women.  Felix decides that maybe running to Tamaryn to tell her "The
child isn't mine!" isn't such a good idea.  Foster mocks Felix's dating
abilities.  He's still upset about Laughter carrying Driscoll's child. 
Felix reassures Foster that it's not Laughter or the child's fault. 
Foster is mostly upset that Laughter still loves Driscoll.  She's only the
second woman he's ever been with.  Being an assassin didn't leave much
time for dating, you see.  Felix thinks a few chapters on it would have
been useful.  Foster agrees, since love is a great way to get close to
someone to kill them.  Felix doesn't like this idea.  What, Felix never
buggered a boy while he was at sea?  Felix changes the subject, and asks
if Foster's talked to Laughter about the child.  Um, yeah, sure.  Felix
points out that Ariana's been in a similar situation as he.  Yeah, but
Vetch never loved Sand.  Foster wonders why Laughter didn't pick Driscoll
if she loved him.  Felix suggests that maybe she couldn't resist Foster. 
Must be the pecs.  Foster goes down to the kitchen, followed by Felix, who
snags a note Laughter left for Foster off of the table as they go.  Foster
reads it, then follows its instructions and Trumps Laughter.

	Laughter comes through to find Foster chopping things up
vigorously in the kitchen.  Felix asks what he should bring Fiona to
improve her mood.  Laughter suggests chocolates.  Felix wants to bring
Shard along, since he might not be afraid of Fiona.  When there is no
response to this idea, Felix decides to leave.  Foster continues chopping
vegetables.  Laughter observes that this is going to make things
difficult.  Foster figures they'll fit the baby in.  Laughter wants
Driscoll to be a part of the family.  When she was growing up, she really
wanted to know her father.  Foster remembers that too.  He supposes this
means they'll have to talk to Driscoll.  OK.  But first, he'll need more
food.  Foster is quiet for a while, although chopping things seems to be
having a rather therapeutic effect on him.  He passes the afternoon in
silence.

	Ariana checks her bedroom for faerie magic and finds that a gate
was opened within it during the night.  She sits quietly for the rest of
the morning, twirling the rose in her hands.  After lunch, she seeks out
Benedict and asks if what happened the previous night was bad.  It wasn't
good.  She reluctantly tells him that Riftvan left something for her that
night in her quarters.  She won't say what, but it's something that only
he would have left her.  Benedict softens a bit, and thanks her.  She says
that Riftvan may not have had any choice in the matter.  Benedict figures
there's always a choice.  Ariana returns to her quarters, conjures some of
the green juice Foster created for her at Ahab's wake, and gets drunk.

	Foster finally agrees to let Driscoll be around.  Laughter wants
him to be in Rath when they speed it up.  Foster wants him far away, and
says he must be willing to earn his keep.  He leaves before Laughter
Trumps Driscoll.  Driscoll's Trump doesn't animate.  She Trumps to Amber
and knocks at his quarters.  He's icing his leg, and looks relieved to see
that it's her.  He puts down his sword.  She explains Foster's offer.  He
considers it for a bit, and then agrees.  How long does she want to go? 
Two years.  He asks to bring Clytemnestra.  Laughter agrees to this.  This
turns out to be a mistake.

	Come evening, Ariana and Felix both go to talk to Shard, running
into each other outside of his quarters.  He hears them and invites them
in.  Ariana tells him that the child is his.  Felix explains Eric's idea
of having Fiona talk to Bridget.  Shard thinks he should talk to her
himself.  He has a certain charm when it comes to women's minds, you see. 
Ariana conjures a glass of the green liquid and downs it after he says
this.  Shard observes this and figures that explains a few odd sensations
from this afternoon.  Felix is confused.  He asks if Shard wants him to
make introductions, but Shard says that he's already met Bridget.  Felix
reminds him that Bridget doesn't know the vampire is her "Irish."  Ah.  He
tells them that he has to go, and Ariana can sense that he needs to feed. 
She and Felix make their excuses.  Ariana goes back to her room and drinks
some more.

	Felix gets Isabeux to coach him on what to say to Tamaryn.  He
also gets her help in writing a letter to Fiona, telling her that she
doesn't need to deal with Bridget.

	Laughter Trumps Ariana and tells her that she's going to Rath for
two years.  Ariana is surprised to learn that she's taking both Driscoll
and Foster, and comments that that will be painful.  She asks Laughter to
let her know when she's had the kid.  Or is having it.  If she wants her
help.  Laughter asks if Ariana wants to join them for a bit.  Ariana asks
if Laughter wants her to.  Laughter finds something odd about Ariana's
manner, so she asks to come through.  Sure.  Laughter does so, sees the
drink, and asks what Ariana is doing.  Drinking.  What's going on? 
Nothing.  Ariana says that Laughter has enough problems, and tells her not
to worry about it.  Laughter flees.

	Laughter finds Fiona and asks if Fiona can find Vetch.  No, Vetch
has spent most of his life perfecting not being found.  Why?  His wife's
cracking up.  Oh, she did that the other day.  Laughter didn't notice. 
Fiona comments that Ariana was doubtless hiding it from her.  Laughter
asks if birds of your desire can get through the Logrus wall.  Yes, but
Laughter will have to leave Amber to do it.  OK.  Laughter also mentions
that she'll be going to Rath and speeding it up, causing Fiona to pout
about not seeing another grandchild.  Laughter invites her to come visit,
which mollifies her a bit.  Laughter Trumps to Arden and releases a bird
to find Vetch, with a note that says, "A needs you.  L"

	Laughter Trumps Felix and goes through.  Isabeux notices that
she's pregnant and says that Foster must be pleased.  Laughter bursts into
tears at this.  Isabeux thinks it must just be hormonal.  Laughter
eventually says that she doesn't think Isabeux will want her as a
granddaughter-in-law any more.  Why?  She can't say.  Isabeux looks at
Felix, who looks uncomfortable and tells her it's not his place to say. 
Laughter says that she's going to Rath for two years.  Isabeux asks her to
have a portrait done of the baby.  Laughter buries her face in the
cushions.  Felix asks if she wants him to tell Isabeux about the baby. 
Yes.  Felix does so.  Isabeux says, "You poor thing," and calls Driscoll
an awful boy.  She understands why Laughter wants to get away and tells
her to keep her chin up.  Right.

	Laughter returns to Ariana's quarters.  They commiserate over the
hell that Laughter's life has become.  Ariana offers her a drink and
points out the various flaws in Laughter's plan, which doesn't help
Laughter's mood any.  She takes the drink, though.  Ariana thinks that
letting Clytemnestra come along was a really bad idea, especially given
Foster's fear of dragons.  Laughter finally says that she'd rather be
talking to Heather, since at least Heather didn't make her cry.  Ariana
says she'll leave in that case, stands, and pulls out her Trump deck. 
Before she can use it, though, Riftvan walks through the wall and says
hello.  Ariana sits down rather suddenly and figures that she must be
drunk.  Riftvan gives her a kiss, then asks what she's been drinking. 
Laughter says she'll leave them alone, and heads for the door.  Suddenly,
the door is knocked down and Fiona and Benedict burst in.  Fiona casts a
spell that involves Riftvan's true name, which reverts him to his true
form, and throws him back against the wall.  Then the room is flooded with
Pattern, leaving Riftvan very unconscious.  He is quickly bound.  Ariana
tries to reach him, but Benedict doesn't allow this, grabbing her in a
hold that makes it painful for her to move.  Laughter tells Fiona that she
doesn't think Riftvan was there to kill anyone, nor does she think that he
has.  Fiona knows, but there are other things he must be questioned about. 
Oh yeah, the vault.  Ariana continues to struggle to get away from
Benedict, despite the hold he has on her.  When it becomes obvious that
she isn't going to stop, Benedict nerve pinches her unconscious.  Laughter
leaves at this point.

	Usires gets jumped by three shipbuilders, who claim they don't
want him in charge of the army again.  He throws one of them away, and
beats one into submission.  The third one runs away.  Usires brings the
prisoner up to the castle to see Benedict, but he's rather busy at the
moment.

	Alex wakes up to find the creature sitting on his chest again.  He
stabs it.  It squeaks and runs away.

	Laughter goes to Rath with Foster and Driscoll and speeds up the
Shadow.  Foster seems OK with things until he finds out about
Clytemnestra's presence, and then he gets mad again.  Clytemnestra doesn't
seem to like Foster, either, which doesn't help.  The squabbling continues
as the months go by.  Finally, when Laughter is two weeks shy of her due
date, there is one final fight, which begins when Driscoll berates Foster
for the hell he's putting Laughter through.  The two men begin yelling at
each other, until Foster loses his temper and backhands Driscoll, at which
point Clytemnestra guts Foster.  Driscoll intervenes and beats her off
with his sword, while Foster curls around himself, trying to hold his
intestines in.  Laughter comes upon them at this point, and interposes
herself between the dragon and Foster, knowing that Clytemnestra won't
harm Driscoll's unborn child.  Clytemnestra flies off in a huff.  The
stress of seeing Foster's condition causes Laughter to have a contraction. 
She slows the Shadow down to Amber speed, which causes another
contraction.  Then her water breaks.  She suggests that Driscoll remove
the dragon.  He leaves to do so.

	Felix gets a Trump call from Laughter in the middle of the night
and learns that she's in labor.  He comes through and sees a lot of blood
around Foster.  Foster doesn't respond to Felix when he asks if Foster is
all right.  Laughter thinks he's healing, and she wants to lie down now. 
Felix brings Gerard through and asks which one he wants.  Gerard tells
Felix to help Laughter to the house, while he gets Foster.  Caitt arrives
soon thereafter.  Laughter receives a Trump call from Driscoll, who's
rather shocked to find that she's having the baby.  She pulls him through. 
He looks uneasy when he sees Felix and asks if Foster's all right.  Felix
doesn't know, since Foster wouldn't let him see him.  Laughter's labor
progresses for about 45 minutes, until she's dilated eight inches, but
then things suddenly stop and the contractions back off a bit.  Laughter
tells them to hurry up with Foster and goes to sleep.  A short time later,
Driscoll and Gerard help Foster limp into the room, and Laughter wakes up
to Foster holding her hand, looking rather pale.  She is able to push
another 20 minutes later.  An hour after that the baby is born, screaming
quite loudly.  He's healthy, despite being two weeks early.  Felix hands
the baby to Laughter.  Foster curls up next to Laughter, and they go to
sleep.

	Felix leaves the room and finds Gerard shaking his head outside. 
Felix asks him how much he knows.  Driscoll says he's told him everything. 
Felix tells him welcome to the family and slaps him hard on the back,
causing Driscoll to stagger forward several steps.

	Ronan is brought to Middlecourt, and Mandor chews out the guy who
did it, since bringing a Patternless Amberite to Mandor as some sort of
captive is not a real great diplomatic move.  Mandor then asks Ronan to be
shown in.  Ronan notices how nice the place is.  A real nice place to be
dragged to by an invisible tendril.  Mandor stands up;  Ronan is impressed
by Mandor's appearance (you know, albino, black leather and velvet,
ruthless eyes, silver spheres circling his head...that kind of thing is
pretty damned impressive to a guy in a skirt).  Ronan says he was
"absconded with."  He isn't where he intended to be.  Mandor apologizes
and says that was not what he intended.  The individuals who brought him
here will be dealt with.  Mandor says Ronan is in Middlecourt, which is
between the two worlds.  Ronan doesn't really get it.  He observes
something small scurrying in the corner, but can't really tell what it is. 
Ronan asks why he was chosen.  Mandor says Ronan is a nobleman.  Ronan
says he begs to differ, he works for his living.  Mandor says he was
probably born into a dukedom of Amber, and that Ronan's parents probably
don't know about him.  Amberites are sloppy that way.  In that case, Ronan
has business to take care of, so which roads lead to Amber?  All roads,
but that doesn't help him, since he hasn't walked the Pattern.  Mandor
could secure him passage, to make up for his rough arrival.  Great, but
he'd like to rest first.  Mandor summons a servant to show him to the
guest wing.  On their way, they encounter Emer, who smiles and curtseys
before continuing on her way.  Ronan finds the guest quarters to be very
opulent.  He takes a hot bath and then eats.  The food strikes him with
its rareness and taste, so naturally he eats like a pig.

	Alex decides not to go back to sleep.  Shard notices that his
light is on, and asks if he's all right.  Oh yeah, fine, never better. 
Really.  Shard doesn't buy it, but leaves him alone.

	Mandor borrows a Trump of Felix from Heather in the morning. 
Felix is rather disconcerted when he sees who is calling him.  Mandor asks
him to come through.  Felix wakes Driscoll and warns him where he's going,
just in case, then comes through.  Mandor tells Felix that they found one
of his while expanding Middlecourt, prompting Felix to ask if he means his
personally.  Mandor can't say.  He does share Felix's taste in clothes,
though.  He'll be getting up for breakfast, soon.  Felix is invited to
stay for breakfast as well.

	Ronan wakes up, surprised that it wasn't a dream.  He dresses and
opens the door, finding a servant waiting outside.  Ronan can't believe
the servant has nothing better to do.  He asks the man to take him to
Mandor.  The servant tells him that Mandor is sitting down to breakfast,
but Ronan is invited to join him.  OK.  Ronan is escorted to the dining
room and introduced to Heather, Emer, Jordan and Felix.  Ronan is very
courteous, and comments that he's surprised that he woke up where he went
to sleep.  He also mentions to Felix that they apparently have something
in common.  Felix confirms that one of Ronan's parents probably came from
his homeland.  Ronan says he never knew his parents.  Emer says that
sounds terrible, prompting a dangerous look from Heather, which she
ignores.  Ronan asks who his parent is.  Felix doesn't know.  Can he take
Ronan to someone who does?  He hates being manipulated, you see.  Felix
can try.  Ronan gets the quick explanation of Amber, Chaos and Shadow from
Emer.  So why was he brought to Middlecourt?  It was unintentional.  Those
responsible are being dealt with.  So why were their people tromping about
his woods?  They were securing the area, to make sure they knew all of the
access routes.  They found that his Shadow was more real, obviously
because of his presence there.  Ronan is turned over to Felix after
breakfast, and Felix Trumps with him to Amber.

	Ariana wakes up in her bedroom, and finds no sign of the night's
disturbance, other than the white rose in the vase.  She wonders if she
dreamed it all, and goes to find Mirelle, who asks if Ariana is feeling
better.  No.  Ariana asks if there was a disturbance last night.  Yes. 
Ariana leaves to find Benedict, but before she gets more than a few feet
down the hall, she sees Riftvan rounding the corner, looking rather
pissed.  She hesitates.  He sees her and hides most of his anger, going to
her and holding her tightly to him.  She begins to cry and says that it's
her fault.  He brings her back into the sitting room and tells her that
Benedict already knew he'd been there, before she told him.  Why did he
come back?  Someone was concerned about her, so he was checking to see how
she was.  It turns out that he was a victim of bad timing.  He had finally
found a moment to slip away to let her know he was all right, but
unfortunately, something was stolen in Amber at the same time.  One of the
Unicorn's eyes.  Benedict spent the night questioning him about it. 
Ariana says she's sorry and cries again.

	Usires tells Benedict of his evening run-in.  They go to question
the survivor.  Benedict gets called away.  Usires drinks ale in front of
the prisoner until Benedict returns.

	Riftvan admits that the night's events have rather made a mess of
his plans, since now it will be impossible to get close enough to Zane to
kill him.  So, he's going to throw his support behind Mandor.  Ariana
mentions that Drumm could get him into Zane's quarters.  Riftvan asks who
Drumm made this offer to.  Ariana looks away.  Riftvan wraps his hands in
her hair and says he thought she knew better.  Well, she didn't wind up
going, in the end.  He tells her that she has to stop hanging around
Laughter, adding that at least Ahab isn't around to be another bad
influence.  She begins crying again at that, and says she should have
stopped him.  Riftvan disagrees.  He points out that Ahab's style made it
unlikely that he'd live for long.  He tries to make her angry to get her
to stop being upset, but it doesn't work this time.  She repeats that it's
all her fault.  What else has she done?  Well, remember when he was
hunting Dara?  That was a long time ago.  Chaos is no longer running equal
to Amber.  How long has it been for him?  Too long.  Ariana eventually
manages to tell him what happened with Shard.  So she's broken their
marital vows?  She points out that there wasn't anything in their vows
about fidelity, it being a faerie wedding and all.  He figures this makes
her even for Sand.  She tells him she didn't do it out of revenge.  He
tells her it's all right.  He's not angry?  He didn't say that.  She tells
him that it wasn't Shard's fault.  Well, then it isn't hers, either.  He
notes that it's daylight, and vampires don't operate well then.  Is he
planning to visit Shard?  Perhaps.  She'd rather he didn't.  It wasn't his
fault.  He even spent 400 years away from Amber to improve his control so
it wouldn't happen again.  Riftvan points out that it also makes him
harder to kill, which means that morning visit is looking better and
better.  She asks him not to.  Very well.  Shard lives solely by her
request, at least for now.

	Laughter wakes up, gives the baby to Driscoll, and goes to the
gardens.  She spends three hours meditating and shapeshifting the pain
away.  When she returns, Driscoll is asleep with the baby on his shoulder. 
She talks with Foster, who asks what he can do to make her less upset. 
Stop fighting with Driscoll.  He'll try.  He figures he was that angry in
part because Driscoll was right.  Laughter leaves to see her other kids,
leaving Foster with the baby.  Foster figures he'll give the kid to
Driscoll to change.  Laughter Trumps Isabeux, who comes through.  Fiona is
contacted next, and notices that Laughter is pale.  Laughter explains what
happened.  Fiona tells her to send the men to her if they don't behave. 
She comes through to see the baby.  Laughter is naming him Paxon, or Pax,
for short.

	Ariana asks Riftvan if his change in plans means he won't be
leaving.  Well, he'll have to travel to Middlecourt on occasion, but
otherwise, he's all hers.  On one condition:  she stop blaming herself for
Ahab's death.  She says she'll try.  He asks if she managed to get any of
the staff out of the Ways.  He sent her a warning through the ring as soon
as he found out what was going on.  No, she was in Trump contact when she
got the warning, and went right through, not knowing what the danger was. 
By the time she checked back, it was too late.  He asks if the children
have been giving her a hard time.  No more than usual.  Ah, he'll speak to
them, then.  She tells him that the Serpent and the Unicorn died when Ahab
did.  He knows.  Apparently the Logrus suffered a power loss when this
happened.  Ariana observes that if the Pattern suffered the same, her
skill with it is too small for her to have noticed.  Well, he didn't
notice the drop in the Logrus' power, either, but there were adepts who
did.  Zane is actually fairly upset about Ahab's death.  Why?  He knew
what to expect from Ahab.

	Laughter Trumps Ariana and says that she's had the baby.  She also
tells Ariana of the circumstances surrounding the birth.  Ariana refrains
from saying "I told you so."  Laughter asks if she wants to come see the
baby.  Ariana wants to bring Riftvan with her.  Laughter claims she can't
make another mantra to allow him access, although she really just doesn't
want to let an assassin into her army Shadow.  Ariana won't come without
Riftvan.

	Felix Trumps Gerard, brings him through to the docks, and
introduces him to Ronan.  Gerard figures Ronan comes from Faiella or
Rilga's line.  Felix suggests that Ariana might be able to help determine
which line it is.  They walk back up to the castle, then Felix sends a
page to see if Ariana is available.

	Benedict glares at Usires' prisoner, who is so battered that he
can't talk.  Benedict Trumps Ariana and says he needs her services in the
dungeon.  She tells Riftvan of this, and figures that he probably doesn't
want to go with her.  No, he's not sure he could restrain himself from
going after Benedict.  Does he mind if she goes?  No, he'll just pine away
for her until she returns.  She kisses him and goes through.  Benedict
asks her to heal the prisoner.  She does so, much to the man's dismay. 
Benedict asks why he did it.  Because of the lost fleet.  Benedict slaps
the man and asks what the real reason was.  Five shillings.  Benedict
reminds the man that assaulting a member of the royal family is punishable
by death, and asks if it was worth five shillings.  The man says nothing. 
Benedict says he will know who hired the man, one way or another.  The man
glares at Usires.  Benedict slaps him again, and gives him the morning to
think about it.  They all leave.

	Caitt stops by Alex's quarters in the morning.  She hands him
several items.  There is a cross, which is to be worn on the outside, and
will grow warm when faeries are near.  The cold iron circle's use is
obvious.  And then there's the faerie catnip.  How can he repay her? 
She'd like to discuss magical theory with him at some point, but she's got
to help Laughter.  Alex sends his regards.  Caitt returns to Rath and
relays this Laughter.  Laughter is depressed, so Caitt makes her cookies.

	Ariana is heading back to her quarters when she is found by the
page.  She joins Gerard, Felix and Ronan.  Felix says they need to use her
genetics spell.  What, he's found another baby?  Uh, no.  Felix introduces
her to Ronan and explains what happened.  Ariana uses her spell to compare
him with Gerard, and finds out they are too distantly related for Ronan to
be of Rilga's line.  The next likely line is Faiella.  Which means talking
to Eric.  They arrange to see him and explain the purpose of their visit. 
Eric is rather surprised to learn about Ariana's ability, but allows her
to scan him.  She determines that he and Ronan are a perfect match, and
tells Eric that he's a father.  He seems stunned, as does Ronan.  What
Shadow was he from?  Caledon.  Eric definitely seems to recognize the
name.  Gerard, Felix and Ariana leave the two of them alone.  Eric tells
Ronan that he didn't think he'd left anything behind in that Shadow.  Does
Ronan have anything left there?  Well, he was in the service of the king,
so he needs to go back to formally say goodbye.  Eric offers to come with
him.

	Ariana returns to her quarters and finds Riftvan putting a few
things away in the bedroom.  He seems to have shed a lot of his age, and
now looks to be in his early 40's.  Ariana hugs him and asks if Benedict
hurt him.  No, given Benedict's mood, he decided to cooperate.  He seems
to be in a remarkably good mood, and asks if she's going to be able to
adjust to him around the house again.  She points out that she couldn't
adjust to his absence, so that won't be a problem.  And him?  He intends
to adjust to that and more.  He has a present for her, you see.  He's
retired.  Which means he's no longer an assassin.  To say that Ariana is
overjoyed at this news would be an understatement.  He explains that his
priorities have changed, of late, and he's been wanting to do this for
some time.  They proceed to get reacquainted with each other.  Riftvan
notices that Ariana has lost some weight, due to the stress of the past
week.  They discuss the baby, afterwards.  Riftvan thinks she'll take
after Ariana, which means she'll be small.  At least it will be an easy
birth.


Quotables:

"I warn you, (the cat) has no respect for your private areas." -- Wendi
"That's OK, neither do I." -- Eric Braun

"I thought that since I was this close to being here, I may as well come
here." -- Laughter to Mandor

"Go ahead, blurt out everything to Mandor.  You always do." -- Kris
"That's why he lets me live." -- Mer

"How is Foster taking the news?" -- Mandor
"He broke a tree." -- Laughter

"If (either Foster or Driscoll) kills the other, my problems will be
solved.  I don't think that will happen." -- Laughter to Felix

"What's Usires doing tonight?" -- GM to George
"The Macarena." -- Liam

"I tell Benedict about the cutlery." -- Alex to GM

"Have you just been talking with Laughter and Driscoll and stuff?" -- Sean
"Yes." -- Kris
"Why else would she drink?" -- Mer

"What happened to Foster?" -- Felix
"He did something stupid." -- Ariana
"That runs in the family." -- Foster

"I didn't exactly have time to date when I was in assassin's school, Dad."
-- Foster to Felix

"The hills are alive, with the sound of strangers." -- Ronan to the group

"Does earning my keep consist of daily beatings?" -- Driscoll
"I don't know.  I probably should have checked." -- Laughter

"You can force a man to do voluntary action." -- Laughter to Ariana

"My tongue was in his mouth before he figured out I was coming on to him."
-- Laughter to Ariana

"You were very likely born into a Dukedom of Amber." -- Mandor
"Ew." -- Ronan

"My liege?  (Mandor's) not my liege.  My liege is fucking dead when I get
back." -- Ronan to the group

"Tell me what good harming you would do me?" -- Mandor
"Give you a few minutes of pleasure and a spring in your step?" -- Felix

"This is not good.  This is not good at all.  I was hoping that I was
merely daft." -- Ronan to GM

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