From Kris.Fazzari@um.cc.umich.edu Mon Apr  4 22:38:07 1994
Date: Mon, 4 Apr 94 11:06:18 EDT
From: Kris.Fazzari@um.cc.umich.edu
To: thari@umich.edu
Subject: Kris' Campaign Log

Chapter Thirty-eight
 
        Benedict looks at Heather, then Caine, then back at Heather 
again.  Heather struggles to find the right words to explain the 
situation.  Benedict starts to look impatient.  Heather claims Caine 
lives through her efforts and says there was little she could do to 
stop Brand.  She figured the best she could do was keep Caine from 
getting too badly injured, but that didn't work out well.  Benedict 
looks over at the Pattern.  Heather tells him the Pattern is Brand's 
and that Suhuy is lecturing Brand right now.  Benedict smiles briefly, 
but the smile disappears as he focuses on Heather again.  Heather 
explains that Brand was able to stop Fiona and Mandor, and she 
feared Caine was working alone.  Eventually she admits that she 
trumped Caine and took over his mind, but not before he got back to 
Amber.  Then she made the mistake of trumping Brand to get back. 
Benedict asks if that's all there is.  Heather adds that Jasra had the 
Jewel of Judgment and Brand was chasing her.  Benedict asks how 
Jasra got the Jewel.  Heather claims she doesn't exactly know. 
Benedict doesn't buy it.  Heather sighs and tells him about Alex's 
vision.  Benedict takes a moment to absorb all of this.  Then he 
orders her to pick Caine up while he concentrates on a Trump.  He 
takes her hand and they appear in the Main Hall.
 
        It's morning in Amber.  Benedict tells Heather to take Caine to 
the infirmary.  He follows behind and has her lay Caine on a bed 
while he trumps Gerard.  Gerard comes through and starts working 
on Caine.  Benedict tells Gerard that Heather took over Caine's body. 
He orders Heather to follow him while he goes to Random's quarters. 
Random answers the door looking somewhat bleary eyed.  Benedict 
says that Heather has something to tell Random and leaves.
 
        Ahab wakes up.  He showers and shaves and wakes Kimdyl up 
for breakfast.  He tells her that he has some errands to run in 
shadow after breakfast.
 
        Alex asks one of Gramble's people to relay a message to 
Gramble asking for the return of his item so that suspicion is not 
aroused.  Then he goes to see his mother.  He tells her he's returning 
to Amber and asks if she wants to join him.  She doesn't, so he tries 
to Trump back to the Main Hall.  He doesn't quite have the psyche to 
do that, so he uses the Logrus to pull himself there instead.
 
        Ariana watches the sun rise from the battlements while she 
ponders how easy it would be to jump and end it all.  Then she goes 
down to the dungeon to see Mirelle.
 
        Felix wakes up and looks in on his parents.  Isabeux tells him 
that Gerard trumped to Amber early that morning.  Felix trumps 
Gerard and learns that Caine's been injured and Heather had 
something to do with it.  Gerard doesn't share exactly how she was 
involved.  Felix eats breakfast and then trumps Corwin.
 
        Heather explains to Random that Brand has successfully 
completed a Pattern, which causes Random to frown.  She adds that 
she doesn't think that's what Benedict wanted her to tell him. 
Random invites her to sit down, which she does.  She says that Caine 
was injured at the beginning, when Brand shot him.  Random asks 
how Brand managed to hit Caine.  Heather reluctantly admits that 
she was possessing Caine at the time.  Random asks why.  Heather 
explains that she was helping Brand.  Random asks if she's saying 
that she possessed Caine's body and allowed Brand to shoot him. 
Heather responds that it wasn't quite like that.  She says that Brand 
had already stopped Mandor and Fiona, so she figured the best thing 
for Caine, given his proclivity for acting alone, was to persuade him 
to leave.  Random doesn't think possessing Caine's body was a good 
idea.  He tells Heather he won't protect her from Caine when he 
wakes up.  Heather explains she was planning to be gone at that 
point.  Random tells her that he won't let Caine kill her, but Caine will 
demand some sort of retribution.  He doesn't think running away will 
solve anything and asks where Brand is.  Heather explains that 
Suhuy was displeased with the presence of a new Pattern.  Random 
advises her that Benedict will be trumping him later to give his side 
of the story, in case Heather left anything out.  He also "suggests" she 
not leave Amber.  Heather says she's worried about Mandor and 
Fiona.  Random says he's taking care of it, adding that Bleys wouldn't 
miss the opportunity to help his sister in her hour of need.  He asks 
what Heather has learned from this.  After a few incorrect guesses, 
she figures it's not to piss off anyone who's bigger and nastier than 
her.  Random suggests she get herself cleaned up.  As she leaves, 
Random adds that since Benedict brought her here, he's probably 
taking her on as one of his responsibilities.  Heather is not exactly 
thrilled by this news.
 
        As Ariana approaches Mirelle's cell, she hears Mirelle singing a 
Billie Holiday song.  Mirelle stops when Ariana's shadow falls across 
the cell door.  Ariana asks Mirelle if she's her mother.  Mirelle claims 
she isn't.  Ariana asks if Mirelle knows who her parents are.  Mirelle 
says she doesn't.  Ariana asks if she'd tell if she knew.  Mirelle 
replies that she would, because it would make Ariana miserable. 
Ariana says she's miserable enough as it is and explains how her 
lover is in all probability a Chaosite shapeshifter who murdered 
Felix's lover.  She asks if Mirelle knows anything about the half-
breed plot.  Mirelle claims to know all about it.  Ariana says Mirelle 
should know who the children involved were then.  Mirelle will only 
identify Felix's child, but she claims there were three or four other 
children.  She won't say who they are, since information is valuable. 
She then proceeds to insult Ariana.  Ariana leaves and goes to the 
Pattern room.  She sits down and begins to study it.
 
        Gerard asks Corwin if he has Merlin's Trump.  Corwin doesn't, 
nor does he know who does.  Shortly after breaking the contact, Felix 
is trumped by Gerard, who says he's ready to return.  Felix pulls him 
through and asks how Caine is doing.  Gerard replies that Caine is 
unhappy.  Felix asks if Heather is responsible.  Gerard won't say, but 
he doesn't look happy.  Felix explains what Foster told him about the 
other Amberite children and adds his suspicion that Merlin might be 
the older child.  He tells Gerard that he'll be visiting Merlin.  Foster 
comes down for breakfast.  Felix tells him that he has some errands 
to run and gives Foster his Trump.  He asks Gerard to keep an eye on 
Foster and says he'll be back around mid-afternoon.  He trumps to 
the Castle.
 
        Present at breakfast are Ahab, Kimdyl, Nicholas, Random, 
Vialle, Driscoll, Eris, Rinaldo and Flora.  Eris is trying to watch over 
Rinaldo, who is doing his best to make her life difficult.  After 
breakfast, Ahab asks Random if he can procure some guards for his 
quarters.  Random agrees to assign some.
 
        Ahab Hellrides to find a blue diamond to pay off his bill for the 
engagement ring.  This takes him about three or four hours.  Next he 
finds a seafaring shadow and picks up a high quality sextant for 
Gerard, adding another hour to his travels.  With these tasks 
accomplished, he returns to Amber.
 
        Heather looks in on Eris.  Isbtan informs her that the child has 
been hungry for some time.  She takes care of this, then seeks 
Driscoll out in his quarters.  She tells him she needs to talk to him, so 
they go into the next room.  She explains that Caine is going to try to 
do her great harm when he awakens.  Driscoll asks what happened. 
Heather says they had a misunderstanding and Caine got the worst 
end of it.  She adds that she can't leave Amber and no one really 
likes her.  Driscoll asks what she wants of him.  She says she won't 
ask him to stand in the way, since that would be foolish, but she'd 
like to hang around in case Caine will let witnesses stop him.  Driscoll 
suggests talking to Gerard, since he'll forgive her if she's sorry she 
did it.  Heather replies that there are shades of repentance.  Driscoll 
still feels that if she explains that she didn't intend for Caine to get 
injured, and that she was trying to stop him from hurting her father, 
Gerard might be willing to intercede with Caine.
 
        Alex goes looking for Mebd, but she's not in her quarters or in 
Heather's.  He searches for her with the Logrus.  He can't find her 
anywhere in the Castle.  He asks the guard Captain if they know 
where she is, but they don't keep a log.  He asks to be notified if she's 
spotted.
 
        Heather gets a Trump call from Mebd, who is in demon form. 
Mebd says that unless Heather can come up with that containment 
spell soon, she's going to have to do something stupid to keep from 
following her orders.  Heather wants to pull her through.  Mebd 
explains that she is prevented from either coming through or pulling 
Heather through to her.  She does say she is in Arden.  Heather 
breaks the contact and asks Driscoll for his help in eliminating the 
threat her daughter poses.  Driscoll asks why they don't just Trump 
her.  Heather explains the problem.  Driscoll brings out his Trump of 
Julian.  Heather is worried about this, but Driscoll says Julian's the 
only one who can find her in Arden.  Heather warns that Mebd is in 
demon form and under a compulsion.  Most of Driscoll's conversation 
with Julian consists of convincing him not to run Mebd through and 
that this is on Random's authority.  Eventually Julian agrees to look 
into the matter.
 
        Felix goes to walk the Pattern and finds Ariana in the room.  He 
asks if she was planning to use the Pattern.  She points out that her 
current condition kind of precludes that.  She asks where he's going. 
He explains that Foster told him about an older Amberite child in 
Chaos and he thinks that child might be Merlin.  She warns him that 
it may be dangerous to confront Merlin, if he's in on the plot.  Felix 
figures he's safe, since he and Merlin were friends for a while. 
Ariana points out she was pretty friendly with Mark as well, and it 
didn't matter in the end.  Felix tells her what Foster told him about 
Theresa.  She theorizes Theresa may be the daughter of Bleys and 
Brand.  Felix isn't real happy at the thought of another child of Brand. 
Ariana tells him what Mirelle claimed to know about the half-breed 
plot.  She notices that the Pattern seems to be listening intently to all 
of this.  Ariana asks when Felix expects to be back.  He tells her mid-
afternoon.  Felix walks the Pattern and has it take him to his 
apartment in Shadow Earth.
 
        Felix appears in his apartment, which is very dusty and hot 
(around 110 degrees).  While walking to a phone booth, he spots the 
date on a newspaper and realizes that four years have passed since 
he left (it's 1994 now).  He calls Merlin's number, but the person who 
answers has never heard of him.  He calls Julia and asks if she has 
Merlin's number.  She is quite surprised to hear from Felix after so 
long.  She gives Felix Merlin's current number and tells him that 
Merlin's working for software firm outside of Berkeley.  Felix tells 
her he'll have to pass through Berkeley anyway, and invites her to 
dinner.  She asks where he's been for so long.  He claims there was a 
family emergency, and the estate management took quite a while to 
wrap up.  He hangs up and calls Merlin's number.  Merlin's not there, 
so Felix leaves a message asking Merlin to call him and saying Merlin 
has his card.
 
        Felix drives up to Berkeley and takes Julia out to dinner.  While 
they are eating, Julia fishes for information.  She asks if Felix has 
talked to Merlin.  Felix notices that she said Merlin instead of Merle, 
but he lets it go without comment.  He tells Julia he hasn't talked to 
Merlin in years.  In the middle of dinner, he gets a Trump call.  He 
excuses himself, saying he has to make a phone call.  He walks over 
to the public phone, dials time, and takes the Trump call.  It's Merlin, 
returning his call.  Felix explains that now is not a very good time 
and asks for Merlin's address so he can stop by later.  Merlin looks 
very amused at this, but gives Felix his address.  Felix returns to the 
table and tells Julia that he called Merlin, but Merlin was expecting 
another call so he had to hang up.  He catches up on what Julia's been 
doing since he left.  During the course of their conversation, Felix 
uses Merlin's correct name.  Julia notices this, but makes no 
comment.  Felix learns that Merlin and Julia have broken up under 
conditions that were not exactly optimal.
 
        After twenty minutes of waiting, Heather gets a Trump call 
from Julian.  Julian says Mebd is bent but not broke and invites 
Heather to step through.  She drags Driscoll with her when she does. 
Mebd is tied up in human form and she looks quite grateful to see 
Heather.  Heather doesn't bother to say thank you to Julian.  She 
picks Mebd up and trumps back to her quarters with Driscoll. 
Heather asks if Mebd is ready.  When Mebd says she is, Heather 
enters her mind and turns it off.
 
        Ahab gives the blue diamond to the jeweler as payment for the 
ring, then heads back to the Castle.  He checks on Kimdyl and 
Nicholas, both of whom are napping.
 
        Ariana trumps Gerard and tells him what Mirelle told her. 
Gerard is disappointed that Mirelle is not improving.  He mentions 
that he wishes Fiona would help, since nothing else is working. 
Ariana offers her assistance, if Gerard thinks it would be useful. 
Gerard seems to think that once someone gets inside Mirelle's head, 
it will be relatively easy to help her.  Ariana asks Gerard to assist 
her.  He agrees, but says he has to wait for Felix to return.  He tells 
Ariana to Trump him after dinner.  Ariana goes back to studying the 
Pattern.
 
        After a while, the Pattern forms an image of a double-helix. 
Ariana comments that it would be so much easier if the Pattern could 
talk.  She hears a voice say "Oh, but I can." and Mirelle steps out of 
the shadows.  Ariana jumps at least a foot, since she wasn't expecting 
an answer.  The Pattern ghost says that Mirelle has been on Ariana's 
mind of late, so it seemed appropriate.  Ariana asks if Mirelle is her 
mother.  Mirelle's Pattern ghost admits this is true.  Ariana asks why 
she was abandoned in shadow.  Mirelle says she had to because she 
was in no condition to deal with a child at the time.  She won't talk 
about Ariana's father, other than to say that he's dead now.  Ariana 
tells Mirelle's Pattern ghost about Mirelle's attempt to kill Brand. 
Mirelle looks delighted at all the pain she caused Brand, although 
she's disappointed to learn Brand survived.  Ariana asks if Mirelle 
has any suggestions for what she needs to do to learn how to teleport 
by walking the Pattern in her mind.  Mirelle asks what she's done. 
Ariana explains that she thought walking the Pattern frequently 
would help her visualize it better, but that only got her pregnant. 
Now, she's trying to study it.  Mirelle says she's on the right track. 
Ariana asks if the Pattern's affect on fertility is a side effect, or 
something the Pattern can control.  Mirelle says she's not allowed to 
say.  She adds that her time is almost up and asks if Ariana has 
anything else to say.  Ariana says she understands why Mirelle 
doesn't want to talk about Ariana's father.  After all, she knows all 
about making bad choices in men.  However, if Mirelle ever changes 
her mind, she'd like to know about him.  Mirelle replies that she'd 
hoped Ariana hadn't inherited her bad taste in men.  They say good-
bye and Mirelle walks off, waves and fades out.
 
        Felix goes to see Merlin and says he's had the most interesting 
conversation with Merlin's ex.  Merlin is surprised that Felix was 
talking to her.  Felix says he needed to get Merlin's phone number 
from her, adding that he's surprised he was gone for four years, since 
he only spent six days in Amber.  Merlin is shocked to hear this and 
looks vaguely worried.  Felix mentions that this isn't just a social call. 
Merlin offers him a beer.  Felix tells Merlin that Murine had his child. 
Merlin points out that Felix said only six days had past for him since 
he left.  Felix adds that Foster was ten when Murine brought him to 
Amber.  Merlin makes the appropriate conclusion and apologizes for 
not checking her out.  Then Felix tells Merlin that Murine was 
murdered by the same Chaosite who disguised himself as Martin for 
a time.  He asks if the name Vetch is familiar.  Merlin says that's the 
name of a little known house in Chaos.  Felix tells Merlin of Foster's 
information about two other Amberite children in Chaos, and says 
that Merlin is the only other half-breed he could think of.  Merlin 
responds that until he heard Felix's news, he was the only one he 
knew of.  Felix fills Merlin in on all the recent births and pregnancies. 
Merlin looks slightly amused when he learns that Heather has 
married Mandor.
 
        Heather has Driscoll untie Mebd and asks him to keep an eye 
on her.  She trumps Gerard, who looks like he's been waiting for her 
call.  He brings her through.  She tells him she didn't mean for Caine 
to be hurt.  Gerard replies that she should be saying this to Caine. 
Heather is understandably reluctant to do so.  Gerard promises not to 
leave her alone with Caine.  Heather says she is willing to talk to 
Caine, if Gerard will protect her.  Gerard agrees and leaves for a 
moment to put some leather armor on.  He asks if she has armor. 
She mutters a word and does.  Gerard shuffles a card out and offers 
her a hand.  She takes it and they step into the Main Hall.  Gerard 
tells her he can't be gone for long and takes her to the infirmary.
 
        Caine's eyes narrow when she walks in.  Gerard tells Caine that 
Heather wanted to talk to him.  Caine smiles and says "By all means, 
my lady."  Heather assures him that she didn't mean for him to get 
hurt.  He responds that he's terribly sorry she's become a 
consequence.  Heather insists she was trying to get Caine out of a bad 
situation, and that she didn't want him to harm Brand because she 
didn't know if anyone else could undo what he did to Fiona and 
Mandor.  Caine thinks about this, but doesn't buy it, figuring that 
Bleys could undo whatever Brand did.  Heather explains that she was 
under a bit of duress and wanted it over with when he came along. 
She was convinced that he'd wind up like the others, so she did her 
best to drive him away.  Caine asks what caused her to Trump Brand 
at the end, sheer stupidity?  She replies it was something akin to 
that, since she was very tired at the end.  Caine strongly suggests she 
never try anything that insane again.  Heather apologizes, saying she 
wasn't thinking.  Caine tells her not to interfere from now on.  She 
nods.  Gerard lays a hand on her shoulder and suggests they leave. 
Once they're out of earshot of the infirmary, Gerard says he's proud 
of her, since Caine didn't pull his knife out from under the bed.  He 
tells her that's the calmest he's ever seen Caine.  This does not 
reassure Heather.  Gerard says he'll tell Caine how disappointed he'll 
be if any harm comes to Heather.
 
        On the way down to dinner, Ahab asks if Kimdyl minds if he 
starts making plans for the wedding.  Kimdyl says she doesn't mind, 
as long as they have the wedding in Chaos and Flora doesn't pick her 
dress.  She thinks Flora is overrated.  Ahab says there are reasons 
why he won't say that to Flora.  Kimdyl asks if Ahab's picking Flora 
over her.  Ahab says he won't let Kimdyl pick out his tuxedo, since 
she has a nasty sense of humor.  She demonstrates this by grabbing 
his pants and lifting him four inches.  When his voice returns, Ahab 
tells her not to give Nicholas bad ideas.  Kimdyl figures she's training 
him to show his father the proper respect.  There's more, but it's 
basically a typical Ahab/Kimdyl conversation.
 
        Dinner is remarkably well attended.  Present are Deirdre, 
Driscoll, Eris, Rinaldo, Heather, Flora, Random, Vialle, Heather, Alex, 
Ahab, Kimdyl, Nicholas and Ariana.  Heather looks quite nervous 
until Mandor walks in.  She's quite happy to see him.  Ariana notices 
that Felix is missing, so she trumps him.  She explains that it's 
evening now and he's overdue.  Felix is quite surprised to hear this. 
He tells Ariana that four years passed on Shadow Earth during his six 
days in Amber.  However, the same amount of time seems to have 
passed on Shadow Earth since he arrived as has in Amber.  They 
both think that's odd.  Ariana tells Felix to say hello to Merlin and 
breaks the contact.  Merlin is amused that Felix has a baby-sitter, but 
says it's kind of touching that someone in the family cares enough to 
check up on him.
 
        After dinner, Ahab tells Deirdre about his engagement.  She's 
happy to hear the news.  She's also quite pleased at how off-balance 
she's keeping Flora by being nice to her.  She plans to try Gerard 
next.  When he's done talking to Deirdre, Ahab tells Flora about his 
engagement and asks for her help in planning the wedding.  Flora's 
more than willing to help.  She asks if Ahab's been to Shadow Earth 
recently because some odd things have been happening there.  Ahab 
says he hasn't, but adds that Felix and Merlin are friends of his, so if 
she needs his help, all she has to do is ask.  Besides, he owes her 
some favors anyway.
 
        Alex goes to Heather's quarters and is invited in by Mandor. 
Alex says he's concerned that Mebd may have been abducted.  He 
soon learns that she's tied up in the next room, so that question is 
answered.  Alex gives Heather a rather questioning look, which she 
ignores.  He asks if the whole business is finished.  Now it's Mandor's 
turn to give Heather a questioning look.  Heather tells Alex she 
figures it is, so he leaves.
 
        Ariana trumps Gerard and asks if now is a good time.  He tells 
her that Felix hasn't returned yet, and he doesn't want to leave 
Foster.  Ariana tells him of her earlier conversation with Felix.  He 
suggests she tell Flora about what Felix observed, since it's her 
shadow.
 
        Ariana finds Flora in her quarters.  She tells Flora what Felix 
observed on Shadow Earth, and of similar things she noticed when 
she was in Maui.  Flora says she's been trying to track the changes, 
but she doesn't know who's doing it.  Ariana asks who has the 
necessary skill.  Flora tells her most of the elders do.  Ariana asks if 
Merlin does, but Flora's not sure.  She asks to be told if Ariana learns 
who's responsible.  Ariana thanks Flora for setting up her schooling 
in shadow and leaves.
 
        Felix learns that Julia broke up with Merlin because of the 
boating incident that occurred while they were in college when Felix 
was visiting.  Felix is surprised that was the cause of it, since it 
happened early on.  Merlin explains that Julia's the type to let it 
fester.  During the conversation, Felix notices Merlin glaring at a 
circle of light off in a corner.  After a while, Felix tells Merlin he 
should be going.  Merlin says he'll look into the shadow problem.
 
        Felix trumps Gerard and goes through.  He asks how Foster is 
and learns the boy spent the day gathering shells.  He asks how Caine 
is doing next.  Gerard tells Felix that Caine and Heather worked 
things out.  Felix asks if Heather did something to knock Caine 
unconscious.  Gerard says it was something like that.  Felix observes 
that for being Brand's daughter, Heather isn't very bright.  Gerard 
won't comment.  Felix goes to see Foster.
 
        Heather asks what happened to Mandor.  He won't say, other 
than he got caught looking.  Heather tells him he can work on Mebd's 
problem, now that he's back.  Mandor observes that she's looking 
stressed.  She tries to convince him that she's fine, but he doesn't buy 
it.  Eventually she tells him about Brand's new Pattern.  Mandor is 
relieved to have an explanation for how Brand was able to defeat 
him so easily.  Then Heather tells him about Caine.  He tells her Caine 
is small fish and not to worry.  When Heather still looks worried, 
Mandor says that if Caine is too persistent, Mandor will change his 
mind for him.  Heather replies that it's nice to be avenged when 
you're dead, but you're still dead.  Mandor pulls out one of his 
spheres and says he could easily teach her how to use them.  She's 
not real eager to learn.
 
        Ahab asks Kimdyl if Nicholas would be up to a brief ride of 
about an hour.  She doesn't think so.  He explains that he thinks 
they've been taking Gerard for granted and wanted to see him, but 
he doesn't want to leave her and Nicholas alone.  She tells him to run 
along on his little errand.  He says he won't leave her alone for that 
long.  She suggests he Trump Gerard.  He thinks that's kind of tacky. 
She asks if she isn't the Queen of Tact.  He asks if she'd like him to 
call her that.  She replies that he knows what would make her happy. 
Things degenerate from there.
 
        Ariana realizes she's feeling rather nauseous.  After throwing 
up a few times, she manages to keep some food down, then goes to 
bed.
 
        Felix knocks on Foster's door and admires the shells he 
gathered.  Foster observes that it doesn't look like Felix's trip went 
well.  Felix says he talked to Merlin, but Merlin didn't know anything 
about the plot.  Foster tells Felix he never heard much about Merlin, 
since he was gone so often.  Felix explains he thought that Merlin 
might be the older child Foster mentioned.  Foster suggests that 
tomorrow will be better.  He adds that Murine hasn't rotted yet, so 
there's some hope she might still be alive.  Felix points out that it's 
only been a day since she died.  They decide to turn in for the night. 
Felix suggests they go snorkeling tomorrow.  Foster likes the idea.
 
        Heather gets Mandor's mind off of his steel balls by focusing on 
a set closer to home.
 
        Just as Ahab is drifting off to sleep, he hears a "Psst."  He says 
"Spider?"  The voice says "No, actually, I'm not."  It sounds like 
Merlin and it's coming from the end table.  Ahab grabs Morglyph. 
The voice says that's not necessary.  It tells Ahab that father's 
disappeared and all of his programs aren't in order.  Ahab notices a 
circle of light on the end table.  He asks how it's doing this.  He lifts 
the glass, and the circle of light stays with it.  The voice tells him that 
it can change its size, and the light shrinks down.  Ahab asks how it 
did that.  It says it's in its program.  Ahab is confused.  He asks if 
Corwin's disappeared.  The voice says it's Merlin that's vanished. 
Ahab asks who he's speaking to.  The voice introduces itself as 
Ghostwheel, a computer that Merlin designed.  Ahab explains that he 
thought he was talking to Merlin and asks what happened.  Ghost 
explains that after Felix left, Merlin got it into his head to go looking 
for Lord Vetch.  Apparently he's been gone for three hours.  Ahab 
asks if that's never happened before.  Ghost replies that he's always 
known where Merlin was when it happened in the past.  Ahab asks if 
Ghost knows where Merlin is.  Ghost tells Ahab he knows where 
Merlin last was.  Ahab asks Ghost to show him where that is.  Ghost 
expands into a larger ring and passes over Ahab's head.  Ahab finds 
himself buck naked, with only his sword, in a shadow on the Chaos 
side of Ygg.  He is not happy about this at all.  He orders Ghost to take 
him back.  Ghost asks if he's not at least going to look around.  Ahab 
says he will later and repeats his request.  Ghost brings him back to 
Amber.