From Kris.Fazzari@um.cc.umich.edu Mon Feb 7 13:58:16 1994 Date: Mon, 7 Feb 94 13:27:10 EST From: Kris.Fazzari@um.cc.umich.edu To: thari@umich.edu Subject: Kris' Campaign Log Chapter Thirty-one Felix leaves Foster happily reading his old college text books in his rooms, while he goes to tell Isabeux the good news. Isabeux takes it pretty well, although she tells him this will probably keep her and Gerard from having another child. Merlin trumps Felix to tell him that Murine can walk in shadow, giving Felix the unique experience of being one step ahead of Merlin. He updates Merlin on what's happened. Merlin tells him that leaving a ten year old child alone was a bad idea. Ariana arrives home to find that a generation has come and gone. Everyone she knew is dead, and she is remembered primarily as a legend. Neither she nor her retainers are pleased by this. After spending a few weeks there, she begins her shadow education. Kimdyl tells Ahab that Murine is her sister. Ahab and Kimdyl discuss his marriage proposal. She isn't sure she wants to be tied down. Ahab admits that he wouldn't have asked if she wasn't pregnant. He asks if she's going to have the child and warns her that Dworkin may want to kill it. Kimdyl decides she'd like to see her nephew. She does this by grabbing the kid with the Logrus and pulling him to her. Foster doesn't like this at all. Isabeux suggests Felix introduce her to Foster, so he brings her to his rooms. When Felix realizes that Foster is gone, he begins to scream. Ahab hears this and trumps Felix. He tells Felix that Kimdyl has Foster and pulls Felix and Isabeux through. Foster is glaring at Kimdyl. She thinks he's adorable. Foster looks accusingly at Felix and says "Oh sure, I'll be safe in the room." Felix is not happy with Kimdyl. She apologizes to both of them. Isabeux introduces herself to Foster. Foster reassures Felix that he'll get over the experience. Felix figures Gerard should be told. Figuring that Ahab's rooms are getting a bit too crowded, they all move to the library. Alex and Mebd finish up their whirlwind tour of shadow. Alex wants to erase Colleen's memory of what she's seen. Mebd isn't sure that's a good idea, but he convinces her that it's best for Colleen. Alex decides to do some window shopping while he's in Colleen's mind. With this accomplished, they return to Amber. Mebd isn't looking forward to explaining the trip to Heather. While Mebd unpacks, Alex checks in with Random to make sure there isn't something he should be doing. Heather's wedding day approaches. Mandor trumps her to let her know that the ceremony will be in two days, Bedlam time. Heather is upset since that doesn't leave much time to notify her guests. Mandor offers to contact them for her. Her guest list includes: Brand, Rinaldo, Fiona, Bleys, Mary, Driscoll and Random. Mandor looks pained at Mary's name, and says he was considering making her the Best Man. Heather calls Mebd herself. She catches Mebd wearing a mini-skirt and sunglasses, since Mebd hasn't had a chance to change yet. Heather invites her to be her Maid of Honor, and suggests she wear something more appropriate. Mebd blushes. Heather tells her the wedding is in two days. Mebd is worried she won't have a dress in time, but Heather says Mandor will take care of that. Mebd tells Heather that Alex proposed to her, but she talked him out of it. Foster is suitably impressed by the library. Felix asks Isabeux how he should break this to Gerard. Isabeux offers to tell Gerard, but she's not sure how he'll take it. She starts to tell a story about when Felix was Foster's age. Felix stops her, despite Ahab's best efforts to get her to continue. Felix tells Isabeux about Murine. Kimdyl tries to listen in, so Felix continues the conversation psychically. Kimdyl frowns at this and pulls out a trump of Murine. Ahab notices this and tells her she should be watching Foster. She points out that Foster is engrossed in a book. Ahab says he's going to tell Deirdre the news. She tries to get him to delay, claiming they have plenty of time. This subtle hint goes right over Ahab's head. He tells her that he also wants to tell Deirdre about Corwin and the Pattern ghosts. Kimdyl doesn't think this is wise, but she can't talk him out of it. She gives him her trump and says to call her if he needs help. Isabeux suggests taking the direct approach with Gerard. Felix trumps Gerard, who answers saying "Caine, you cheat". He's obviously drinking somewhere. He looks relieved when Felix says he didn't drop out of school. Felix tells Gerard about Foster. Gerard reaches out for a tankard, downs it, and asks Felix to start over. Felix tells him the story again. Gerard seems to understand this time and says he'll talk to him about it later. Alex catches up on the Castle gossip. He smirks appreciatively when he hears the news about Kimdyl. Ahab trumps Deirdre, who is working on her sword. After exchanging a few smart remarks, she pulls him through. He notices that her hair has gotten quite long. He explains that he's ready to tell her some of the things he couldn't talk about before. He starts off by telling her of his trip to Tir-na Nog'th. Deirdre's eyes narrow at this. He claims that observing the circumstances off his conception and birth gave him an interesting perspective, given that Kimdyl is pregnant with his child. He says this is the piece of his news that he feels the worst about, since he dislikes snooping on her. She asks what he learned, but he says he didn't find anything she hadn't already told him. Deirdre asks what his other news is. He meets her eyes, and is relieved that she doesn't fry his brain. He tells her that he heeded his promises to her. She asks why that sounds like there's a conditional. He tells her about the Pattern ghost and how it told Corwin that he was Ahab's father. She says he leaves her no choice, picks up her sword, and leaves. He follows her, telling her it doesn't have to end this way. She says that she made a promise to herself, and she sticks by her word. The prospect of being a grandmother doesn't seem to change her mind. Ahab continues to follow her. She tells him to go away. He tells her he'll slit his throat over the Pattern if anything happens to her. She says she'll have to bring him to his senses and knocks him out. Mandor trumps Heather and pulls her through to Chaos. He informs her that all her guests will be attending. She asks what he did about Mary. He says he invited her to be the Best Man. Heather figures that will cause a stir in Chaos. Mandor's planning on dressing Mary appropriately for the part, but he doesn't share that with her. Heather asks what he's doing about getting her dress ready. Mandor says he'll get a tailor, as soon as he brings Mebd through. Mebd arrives and is surprised that Heather is so far along. Jasra drops Rinaldo off and leaves. The tailor arrives and looks uncertain as to how to take Heather's measurements. Heather wants the dress to emphasize her pregnancy. Mebd asks why Heather isn't more happy about her wedding. Heather points out that it's just a formality, and glares at Mandor. Mandor appeases her with ice cream. Heather and Mebd discuss wedding details. Heather is planning to have a bigger ceremony in Bedlam, later on. Mebd wants Mary to wear the same dress as she will. Heather tells her that Mary won't be wearing a dress, which Mebd doesn't understand. Heather pulls Mary through to explain. Mary says she doesn't do pantyhose, so she doesn't wear dresses. Felix talks with Isabeux about the situation. He says Foster reminds him more of Ahab than himself. Isabeux suggests that Felix get to know Foster. Felix walks over to Foster to see what he's reading. It's a book about Patternfall. Foster says the book doesn't make Chaos look good. Felix points out that the Chaos versions are probably equally biased. Foster closes the book and asks if Felix wants to talk. Felix asks what he's like. He learns that Foster likes books and spent a lot of time in school. Murine wasn't around much. Foster wants to know if he can continue going to school in Amber, since he just started learning swordplay and would like to continue. Felix says that shouldn't be difficult to arrange. Foster suggests that Felix take him on a tour of the Castle. Alex is trumped by Mebd. She tells him she'll be in Bedlam for a couple of days, preparing for Heather's wedding. Alex hears a flapping at the window and sees a little demon hovering there with a note. He says good-bye to Mebd and takes the note. It has Gramble's seal on it and request his presence at the wedding of the Crown Prince. Alex tells Random that he has to leave. Ahab wakes up with a sore jaw. He tries Deirdre's trump, but can't get through. He tries again a little while later, but still no luck. He Pattern transports to her, jumps back a yard and yells "Surprise!" Deirdre says she should have hit him harder. She levels her sword at him and tells him to leave. He asks if she's going to kill herself. She asks what ever gave him that idea. He asks what she's planning, but she won't say. He attempts to get the information out of her by making her feel guilty. She tells him the only thing she's angry about is his investigating her in Tir-na Nog'th and that he's only slowing her down. If the hunt goes well, she'll be back to the den. She doesn't seem to care that if she fails, he'll be out a mother. He says he'd like to reason with her. She's surprised that he knows her that poorly. She says that he'll either have to incapacitate her, or she'll have to incapacitate him. He tells her that he's been talking with Corwin and the Rose about how to deal with Dworkin, but the Rose won't share it's ideas. Given that she's the best tactician, he'd like to have her help. She tells him she is already planning something tactically sound. He tells her he is afraid she'll kill herself because of the visions he saw in Tir-na Nog'th. She says Tir-na Nog'th was being metaphorical. She will only say that she is taking care of both of their problems. She won't say what her plans are, since he always finds ways around them, anyway. He points out that he only does that when she won't tell him what's going on. She says he's delaying her and tells him to leave. He attempts to bluff her, claiming the Rose told him why Dworkin is afraid of him. He says he won't say more until she tells him her plans, but she's not willing to take the bait. She tells him she's sorry that this is so difficult for him. Ahab says he has to show her something. She says she has to go. He says she's not going to. She finds she can't move and asks what he's doing. He tells her he's demonstrating. She asks if he can do this to anyone. He says anyone but Dworkin. She asks if he intends to hold her there and says she can see why Dworkin wants him dead. He asks her again what her plans are. She responds that it seems he can force the information from her, so that's what he'll have to do. He lets her go and sits down, saying that's not how he intends to do things. She tells him to be very careful with that power of his and starts to leave. When he gets up, she comes back to knock him out. She says she'll tell him her plan, if he promises not to interfere. He asks if he can wait a minute before deciding. He tells her that if she dies, he will make the others pay. She says she understands that. He asks why she knocked him out then. She tells him she wanted to make sure and asks if she has his promise. He stalls some more. Deirdre says she's lived too long. She committed a faux pas by sleeping with her brother, and Dworkin has never let her forget it for the past 900 years. Ahab tells her that he can't promise not to break his promise, since he's not sure if he'd rather have his integrity or his mother. She tells him he'd rather have his integrity, that is their way. Ariana finishes med. school and learns how to fly. Curious for news from Amber, she trumps Ahab, but he isn't receiving. She waits a while and tries again. The call is strong enough to be distracting, so Ahab asks his mother to wait and takes it. He asks Ariana to call him back. She notices that he is pale and asks if he's all right. He says he's fine. She breaks the contact. Ahab looks around, but Deirdre is gone. Ariana trumps Felix next and is surprised to learn that he is in Amber. They talk for a while about their schooling in shadow. Ariana asks what's happened in Amber since she left. She is amused by the news of Kimdyl's pregnancy. She asks what else is going on. Felix suggests she come to dinner. He looks very uncomfortable, so Ariana presses him as to why. Eventually she learns about Foster. She congratulates Felix and decides to come to dinner. Felix continues his tour with Foster. He learns that Foster doesn't really do much other than study. He doesn't like to ride and he gets seasick. However, he has already learned sorcery. Felix is disturbed by how little he has in common with his son. He ends the tour by bringing Foster to the battlements, his favorite brooding place. Ahab calls out for Deirdre, but gets no answer. He trumps Fiona and updates her. Unfortunately, Fiona doesn't know what Deirdre may be up to. He asks if Fiona will help him. She agrees. He asks her if she can use Deirdre's trump to determine if she's set up a trap for anyone who appears by her. Fiona comes through and does so. After pondering the card for a while, she says she doesn't think Deirdre has the capability to do that. He thanks her and gets ready to go. After waiting several hours, Ariana trumps Ahab again. He takes it, looking rather annoyed. She asks if Dworkin is after him. He says no. She asks if he's doing something stupid. He says always. She tells him to be careful. He says hardly. She congratulates him on Kimdyl's pregnancy and breaks the contact. Ahab transports in and is decked by Deirdre. She knocks him off his feet, but he remains conscious. She wonders if binding and gagging him will keep him off her back. Eventually she tells him she is planning to kill Dworkin. He asks what makes her think she can do what even Rygat couldn't accomplish. She says she's been planning this for years. He suggests they go to Corwin's Pattern where they can discuss this in safety. She says she has no desire to go that near to anything of Corwin's creation. She also doesn't want him any more involved than he already is. She's doing this to predict him and his child. Ahab tells her she doesn't have to do this, since he's in no immediate danger from Dworkin. He says that Dworkin fears the Unicorn. Besides, killing Dworkin may eliminate the Pattern. Deirdre believes she deserves this. Ahab argues that eliminating the Pattern wouldn't be fair to his relatives, some of which he's become close to. Deirdre warns him to be careful about caring for them. Ahab starts to reply that he's not going to fuck any of them anymore. He thinks better of it, but Deirdre catches the beginning of it. She leaps to her own conclusions and beats him unconscious. Heather's wedding is a quiet affair. Alex is distressed to see his mother on Eric's arm. Heather is distressed to see Alex. As soon as the ceremony is over, Heather is carted back to Bedlam. Felix brings Foster to see Random and introduces them. Random shakes Foster's hand, catching him in the middle of a bow. Foster is a little overwhelmed at being in the presence of the King. Felix asks who he should see about getting a spare bed. He is directed to Flora. Foster asks what he should do for clothes, since he only has the ones he's wearing. Felix says he'll take care of that after dinner. Flora, Felix, Foster, Isabeux, Vialle and Ariana are at dinner. Ariana shows up wearing a rather short sundress. She has quite a tan and her hair now reaches past her waist. Felix introduces her to Foster. She asks how he's finding Amber, so far. He says it's pretty overwhelming. She reassures him that you do get used to Amber after a while. Foster tells her about his tour of the Castle. Ariana asks if Felix has shown him the labyrinth underneath the Castle. It turns out that Foster likes spelunking, so Ariana offers to take him down there, if Felix doesn't want to. Ahab is woken up by Fiona, who says that must have hurt. She tells him that Deirdre is fighting what she believes is Dworkin. They decide it's best not to disturb her. Fiona says that what she's got set up should keep Deirdre busy for quite some time. He asks what Dworkin's doing now. She says the real one is puttering around in his lab. Ahab wants to observe the fight, but Fiona won't let him. She mentions she'd like to better understand the Rose, and says that's where he could come in handy. He asks what she wants. She claims all she wants is cooperation. He won't agree to unconditional cooperation, but offers to assist in anything that won't damage the Rose. She asks if he's ready to come back to Amber. He says that would be the smart thing to do, but first he fills her in on the Amber gossip, including the news about Kimdyl's pregnancy. Fiona observes there's quite a rash of that going around. Ahab says it's almost as if someone intended it. Fiona comments that the Pattern can be tricky that way. Ahab asks if the Pattern could have caused it, and thinks it would explain a lot. Fiona says she only knows about her Pattern. She asks if Merlin's walked the Rose yet. Ahab says he has. They trump back to Amber. Ariana asks Felix if Mirelle has improved. Felix isn't sure, since he's only been back for a couple of hours. Ahab walks into the dining hall, looking rather bruised. Ariana asks if he succeeded in his stupid thing. He says it wasn't stupid, it was right. He adds that he had help. Ariana volunteers to help Felix with Foster. Felix apologizes for the way he was treating Ariana before he left for school in shadow. He was used to Victorian women and felt she wasn't acting appropriately, but living in California broadened his mind in that regard.