From Kris.Fazzari@um.cc.umich.edu Tue Jan 11 16:58:39 1994 Date: Tue, 11 Jan 94 12:00:56 EST From: Kris.Fazzari@um.cc.umich.edu To: thari@umich.edu Subject: Kris' Campaign Log Chapter Twenty-seven Ahab has a surprisingly civil conversation with Deirdre, but he is still unable to shake her out of her depression. Alex leaves the dining hall and seeks out Kimdyl. When he finds her, he asks why she wasn't at breakfast. She says she thought it would be safer to eat in her room for the moment. Alex tries to convince her that she's safe, but isn't very successful. She asks him whether he ever took the sorcerer's test. He reluctantly admits he hasn't quite gotten around to it yet. More questioning reveals he hasn't even woven a spell yet. She asks what he's been doing with himself. He says he's been dodging swords, intrigue, etc. He offers to show her around the Castle. At breakfast, Felix notices that Ariadne is staring at him, so he stares back. Ariadne tells him psychically that whoever blinks first, loses. Felix's eyes begin to water. He asks what the winner will get. Ariadne replies that she didn't know there was a prize, and is delighted by the idea. She asks to borrow his broach for an Amber week. Felix isn't happy about this. Ariadne asks what he wants if he wins. Felix isn't sure. He says he'd like to know more about Grammy. Ariadne asks him to be more specific. Felix asks how long Rygat's been in Chaos. Ariadne agrees, but says that's awfully little to ask for, in comparison to his broach. Felix doesn't want to give her the broach. She argues that's what she wants. She insists there must be something else he wants. He for a brief moment he imagines sleeping with her. She picks it up through their psychic link and says "that's disgusting" out loud. This, along with Felix's blush in response, draws the attention of Gerard and Ariana. Felix apologizes and blames the stray thought on Ahab and Ariana. Ariadne says she didn't know that Ahab and Ariana were sleeping together. She asks who Felix's sleeping with. He tells her that he hasn't slept with anyone since before Patternfall. He changes the subject, asking why she wants his broach. She says she likes it because it's pretty. She makes various comments about Ariana and sleeping with cousins in an attempt to distract him. Eventually Felix agrees to lend her the broach for a day, tosses it to her and concedes defeat. She catches the pin and leaves. Ariana asks what was going on. Felix will only say that he was in a staring contest. Ahab goes looking for Merlin. He knocks Merlin's door, saying that if Merlin's there, he'll have to open it, because Ahab won't be able to hear him. Merlin comes to the door, wearing a pair of pajama bottoms and looking rather bleary eyed. Ahab says they'll need to talk psychically since he's deaf. He asks Merlin for some pointers about sorcery. Specifically, he mentions the spell that caused Alex's head to explode when he tried to access the Logrus. He thinks that such a spell would be useful if targeted at one of the Hellmaid makers in Chaos. Merlin asks how Ahab will go about this. Ahab points out that Merlin's the sorcerer. He wanted to make sure it was feasible before he wasted anyone else's time. Merlin isn't real eager to assist in such a plan, seeing as he'd like to be able to show his face in Chaos when the war with Rygat is over. Ahab asks how Merlin got bruised. Merlin answers that he was on a bit of an adventure. Ahab observes that it seems to have turned out better than most of his and leaves. Heather wakes up in the infirmary, feeling somewhat better. She carefully gets up and starts to leave, then realizes she's only wearing a hospital gown and hurries back to her bed. As she does so, she catches Julian leering at her. She waves for a nurse and asks where her clothes are. The nurse says they gave her more comfortable ones. Heather insists on having her original clothes back. The nurse says she could get in trouble, since Benedict himself put her in charge of Heather. Eventually she agrees to give them back, but insists that Heather can't leave the infirmary. Benedict's orders. Heather suggests telling Benedict that she had no choice. The nurse draws the curtains and Heather changes. When she is finished, she finds a page and sends him to Random with the message that she wishes to speak to him in the infirmary, since Benedict won't let her leave. The page returns with a note from Vialle. She writes that they are at an impasse, since she won't let Random out of bed either. Heather Trumps Vialle and asks if it's OK to Trump him. Vialle gives her permission, so Heather Trumps Random, who looks as unhappy about the situation as she is. Heather says she has some news which might cheer him and tells him her plan. He asks if she's talked to Fiona about it yet. She says she hasn't had a chance yet. He advises her to do so and to keep him updated. Ahab comes across Alex and Kimdyl as they are rounding a corner. Alex says hello. Ahab points out that he can't hear anything. Alex says that's a shame, causing Kimdyl to elbow him. Ahab gives Kimdyl a Trump of him and asks her to contact him when she's done with Alex. She takes it and bows. He says that's not necessary and leaves. Kimdyl asks if Alex thinks Ahab is going to quietly kill her. He thinks that's unlikely, but he's sure that whatever Ahab's planning will be stupid. He warns her to say she's busy if Ahab asks her to come with him on a mission into shadow. When she asks why, he says that Heather and Ahab seem to compete to see who can get the most injured while dragging as many people along with them as possible. Felix tells Gerard why he gave Ariadne his broach. Gerard is worried that she won't return it. Felix tells Gerard that he saw a vision in Tir-na Nog'th of Merlin on the throne, with Benedict, Dara and Rygat at his side. He asks if the spirits can harm you there. Gerard thinks they can, but says Corwin would know better. He advises Felix that the visions in Tir-na Nog'th can't always be taken literally. Felix adds that Brand fell into the Abyss in his vision. Gerard says that Corwin had a similar vision. Felix goes back to his room and changes into some shadow Earth clothes. Kimdyl asks Alex if he's discovered all the hidden passages in the Castle yet. Alex says that exploring the depths of Kolvir is not one of his favorite past times. Kimdyl points out that you never know when a secret door could come in handy. Alex offers to hang around while she Trumps Ahab. She accepts, but asks him to stay out of sight. Alex tells her she doesn't have to worry about Ahab overpowering her psychically. Kimdyl is relieved, saying she had assumed that those who hand out Trumps can usually defend themselves from those they give them to. Alex says this shows how Ahab thinks. They go to her rooms and he hides while she Trumps Ahab. Ahab is in his room when he gets her call. He tries to persuade Kimdyl that she need not feel guilty for her actions, since Rygat has used many people. He points out that Rygat tricked him into shooting his Aunt, twice and says that he's sure the rest of the family has forgiven her. He also asks her to stop calling him Lord, and subjecting herself to his orders. She refuses, saying it wouldn't feel right. She asks him why he got over his anger at her so quickly. He says that when he first saw her, he was taking out his anger at Rygat on her. She asks what changed his mind. He replies that he realized that it wasn't her fault and he doesn't like beating up on innocent people when there's plenty of guilty ones around. She guesses she should consider herself fortunate. He says she needs to be more assertive. She points out that pouring lava on Ariadne and stopping Gerard's heart was pretty assertive. Ahab says that for the moment he's assuming she's one of the good guys and asks her to return his Trump at some point. Heather Trumps Fiona, but the Trump doesn't animate. A little later, she gets a Trump call from Fiona, who looks rather sweaty. Heather tells her that she ran an idea by Random that she wants to talk with Fiona about. Fiona says "By all means, if it has Random's approval." She sounds rather sarcastic. After Heather finishes relating her plan, Fiona actually looks impressed. She tells Heather that she'll be back in Amber soon. Heather decides to amuse herself while she's waiting by giving Julian some suggestive looks, in revenge for the way he was looking at her earlier. It occurs to Felix that Ariadne said that day was an Amber day. He tries to Trump Brand again, and gets through this time. Brand puts on a mock look of surprise when he sees Felix. Felix shows Brand that the sword is back, locks the door and hands Brand the key. Brand asks if he's done with it. Felix says he is, but he thinks Ariana wants it. Brand responds that he won't lend it to her, but asks why she wants it. Felix says she has her own things to work out. Brand says he's sure she does, but the comment goes over Felix's head. Felix asks if maybe the short dark man outside of Dworkin's lab was not Rygat. Brand replies that even if that's true, who's the greater threat? He asks to be pulled through. He goes into his room, then sticks his head out and asks Felix to tell Ahab that he'd like to have a chat with him. Felix waits until he's walked out of ear-shot of the door and then mumbles "like he doesn't have his own Trump deck." Felix goes to the infirmary looking for Driscoll. He notices Heather giving Julian some very odd looks. He asks Driscoll what's the deal, but Driscoll doesn't know, and doesn't want to find out. Felix asks if he can borrow Driscoll's Trump of Ariadne. Driscoll says it's in his room and asks why Felix wants it. Felix explains that he needs to find out how long she intends to hold on to his broach. Driscoll suggests that if Felix can't get a hold of her, he can recall the item in shadow. Felix says he just wants to clarify what sort of day Ariadne was talking about. He goes to Driscoll's chambers and finds Eris playing with her dollhouse in the middle of the floor. She sees Felix and says "Oh good, you can be the Daddy." Felix explains that he's just come to pick something up. Eris is disappointed that he didn't come to play with her and says that it's not as much fun to play by herself. Felix says he has some errands to run and asks where Driscoll's Trumps are. She gets them for him and asks if they can play horsy in the gardens that evening. Felix agrees to do so after dinner. He goes to his room and Trumps Ariadne. Kimdyl looks disappointed as she breaks the contact with Ahab. She explains what happened to Alex and says she was expecting something more exciting. She asks Alex to show her the library. Ariana goes to the infirmary. She sees Heather there and asks what happened. Heather is her usual cryptic self, saying only that she was suddenly in the wrong place. There is an earth-shaking thud from downstairs. Heather looks at Julian and says "Was it just me, or did the Earth move?" Julian glares at her. Ariana observes that Heather seems to be keeping herself entertained and hopes she feels better. She goes downstairs to investigate the source of the noise. So do Felix, Alex and Ahab. Felix arrives first and finds a large weight embedded in the middle of the Main Hall, with the words '2-Tons' written on it. He also sees Mirelle hiding behind a pillar. The others notice him staring at the pillar and spot Mirelle as well. Ariana greets Mirelle, surprising Ahab, who doesn't know her. Ariana introduces them to each other. Felix has some guards get a rope and uses it to pull the weight away. Mirelle mutters "Did I get him?", but only Felix hears her. When the weight is removed, they find a hole in the floor where it had landed. They lower a rope and Ahab descends with a torch. Ariana Trumps Ahab so he can communicate what he sees. Felix notices Mirelle sneaking off, but doesn't stop her. Ahab finds himself in a large cavern. He eventually reaches the ground and finds Brand's body lying there. Surprisingly, Brand seems to be alive and in pretty good shape, considering. Ahab tells Ariana to have Mirelle arrested for attacking Prince Brand. Ariana relays the message and learns that Mirelle has left. She tells Ahab this, who suggests shooting Felix. Alex starts searching for Mirelle with the Logrus. He quickly finds her, but can't hold on to her. Ariana suggests that Felix tell Random what Mirelle has done. When Felix asks why, she explains that Mirelle is Random's sister. Ahab Trumps Gerard, breaking his contact with Ariana. After hearing the situation, Gerard asks to come through. Ariana runs up to the Infirmary to get some medical supplies. She breaks the news to Heather. Heather tries to Trump Mirelle but is blocked. Ariana offers to take Heather to Brand and she accepts. Ariana Trumps Ahab, who pulls them through. Gerard is examining Brand and looking rather amazed. Ariana hands him the supplies and they set to work on Brand. Heather starts sketching a Trump of Jasra. Feeling somewhat accessory, Ahab starts exploring the tunnels that connect to the cavern. After 15 minutes or so, he comes across a fork in the tunnel, with light coming from one of the branches. Investigating, he finds a room that looks fairly lived in. A few moments later, Mirelle comes skipping in. He tells her that he's deaf and that she's under arrest. Using hand signals, she communicates that she's not going with him. After several minutes of "arguing" back and forth in this manner, Ahab becomes impatient and kicks a chair at her. He manages to knock her over, but when he tries to kick her head, she catches his foot and knocks him off his feet. He asks her how old she is. She indicates she's 500 or so. Ahab says he's amazed that she's acting so childish. Ariana notices that Ahab is missing and Trumps him. He says he's found Mirelle and pulls her through. Mirelle ducks into another room and slams the door. They follow, but she's disappeared. They go through another door and find themselves back in the tunnels. A short distance later, the tunnel branches again. Finding nothing to indicate which way Mirelle may have gone, Ariana Trumps Felix and asks for Alex's assistance in locating Mirelle again. While she is talking, she hears a clicking noise coming from one of the passages. She steps back and warns Ahab of what she heard. Too late. Ahab's deafness proves to be a liability as he fails to react in time. Mirelle shoots him in the crotch with a crossbow. Ariana pulls Ahab out of the line of fire and asks Felix to pull them through. Once back in the Main Hall, she asks Alex to use the Logrus to bring Ahab up to the infirmary. Felix Trumps Eric but can't get through. He shouts down to Gerard the news about Ahab's latest injury. Heather does some tunnel exploring of her own and also finds Mirelle's room. She hears sobbing and investigates, finding Mirelle still holding her double-shot crossbow, with one bolt still loaded. Mirelle asks if Heather's here to thrash her. Heather asks if she looks to be in shape to thrash anyone. Mirelle admits this is true, and says that Heather doesn't look as mean as Ahab. Heather asks if Mirelle is done. Mirelle asks if Brand is still alive. Upon learning he is, she responds that she isn't done. This doesn't exactly endear Mirelle to Heather. Mirelle points out that Heather hasn't been tortured by Brand for half of her life. She is disappointed that Brand is a living Trump, since it makes him hard to kill. She says she has to go now and asks Heather to leave. Heather refuses, but Mirelle insists she must. Heather takes a step towards her, causing Mirelle to raise her crossbow in response. She claims she doesn't want to shoot Heather. Heather says that she has trouble feeling sorry for someone who would shoot her over something like that. Mirelle Trumps out. Since she must drop her psychic barrier in order to do so, Heather has an opportunity to attack her, but she allows her to escape. Ariana, Ahab and Alex arrive at the infirmary. Driscoll winces at the location of Ahab's wound. Ariana shoots Ahab up with morphine and gets to work extracting the bolt. Felix asks Gerard if there's anything he can do. Gerard tells him to watch out for falling weights. Brand doesn't think that's very funny. Heather returns, claiming she didn't find anything. Random Trumps Felix and asks where Mirelle is. Felix says that Ahab and Ariana found her, but she shot Ahab in the crotch and got away. Random winces in sympathy and says Mirelle always did have a bit of a temper. Felix tells him about his vision in Tir-na Nog'th of Merlin on the throne. Fiona arrives as Felix ends the contact and asks who's at the bottom of the hole. Felix tells her it's Brand. He explains that Mirelle dropped a 2-ton weight on him. Fiona says that since she sees a light down there she assumes someone's helping him. She asks where Heather is. Felix shouts down the hole that Fiona wants to see Heather. Heather Trumps up to the Main Hall. Fiona says that the timing is bad, but she's ready to help. As they walk off, Fiona says she left Bleys behind as a decoy. Heather asks why. Fiona says that Rygat would be suspicious if they stopped attacking her completely. Felix climbs down the hole and starts exploring the tunnels. He also finds Mirelle's rooms and goes into the sitting room. Unable to think of anything else to do, he calls out Mirelle's name. The bedroom door opens and she peeks her head out. She is holding a teddy bear. She says she had left, but she came back for the bear. She asks if Ahab is OK. Felix says he hopes so and asks if all this was really necessary. She claims it was Ahab's fault. He asks if she attacked Brand because of the way he treated her as a child. She gives him a "no shit, Sherlock" look. He asks why she came back to Amber anyway. She explains that it seemed safer than elsewhere, and she was trying to avoid people, but she kept getting disturbed. Felix points out that the Pattern room was not the best place to hide. She says that no one ever walks it, except for Corwin. Felix observes that she hasn't been in Amber for a while, Ahab walks it all the time. She asks if Brand's been brought to the infirmary yet. He says he doesn't know, but Gerard is with him and he'd be terribly upset if Gerard was hurt. She says that Gerard is much too sweet, she'd never hurt him. On the other hand, she'd like to rip Brand's liver out. She claims it's a dye for a dye. He asks if she's going to avenge every life that was taken in her shadow. She tells him that's a marvelous idea and starts to skip away. He follows her, protesting that that wasn't what he meant. She says he's making her nervous and warns him that she can find a crossbow easily. He says that Gerard would be upset if she hurt him. She asks if he's Gerard's boy. He points out that it's pretty obvious. He tries to get her to talk to Random. She says she will, but later. Felix keeps insisting that she do it now. She doesn't want to wind up in the dungeons. She moves away, but Felix continues to follow her. She gives Felix her teddy bear and tells him to take good care of it. She walks off, and Felix lets her go.