From Kris.Fazzari@um.cc.umich.edu Sun Apr 17 22:34:39 1994 Date: Sun, 17 Apr 94 21:34:10 EDT From: Kris.Fazzari@um.cc.umich.edu To: thari@umich.edu Subject: Kris' Campaign Log Chapter Forty Heather Trumps Ariadne and invites her to dinner. Ariadne is more than willing to come through for some free food. She asks Heather what the occasion is. Heather explains they are celebrating the creation of a new Pattern. Ariadne remarks that there are rather a lot of them now. They discuss the advantages of drawing a Pattern. Fiona walks in and tells Heather that Brand is awake. Heather is rather dismayed by this. Heather decides to face the music and looks in on Brand. He is not pleased to see her. He proceeds to insult her, especially when she tells him the Jewel is back where it belongs. When he accuses her of suffering from PMS, she picks him up and throws him against the wall. He makes a rather satisfying thud when he hits and slides to the floor unconscious. Fiona enters the room and remarks that what Heather did is not really conducive to bone knitting. She asks if Brand deserved it. Heather claims he did. She ponders whether to just leave Brand lying there, but eventually picks him up, puts him back in bed and sets his bones. Fiona and Heather go down to dinner. Alex goes to dinner in Amber. Driscoll is there with Eris, but minus Rinaldo. Deirdre, Flora, Kimdyl, Nicholas, Random and Vialle are present as well. Alex asks if Kimdyl is dining alone tonight. She asks if that's an offer. This throws Alex for a bit and he opts not to pursue the matter.. He waits until dinner is over and then corners Random. Random asks if this is official or unofficial business. Alex says it's official, so Random takes him to a side room. Alex asks to be updated on what's been happening. Random asks him to narrow the focus of the question down a bit. Alex asks how Brand is doing. Random suspects he's rather sore. Alex asks how the Vetch hunting party did. Random says they were unsuccessful. Alex figures that's what happens when you don't have a plan. Random smiles. Alex leaves and asks a page about Gerard's whereabouts. He's told Gerard is at the summer house, so he goes back to his room. Foster goes to his room to change. Felix, Ariana, Ahab and Isabeux discuss the day's events while Gerard makes the steaks. Dinner goes uneventfully. Ariana asks Foster some questions about what being a Head of House entails in Chaos. When Ariana asks him what House he's a member of, he looks very uncomfortable and doesn't want to say. She asks him some more questions about how the succession works in Chaos. Foster looks like he doesn't like talking about this. He offers to get her a book on the subject. Heather's dinner is an uncomfortable affair. Ariadne seems to be intimidated by either Fiona or Mandor's presence (or maybe both) and spends most of the meal concentrating on etiquette. Mandor is guarded due to Fiona's presence. Ariadne leaves as soon as politeness allows. Fiona is much amused by her and laughs as soon as she's gone. She suggests that Heather invite Benedict next time. Heather thinks this is a bad idea. Heather checks on Brand and is relieved to find he's still out cold. Fiona leaves. Heather Trumps Jasra, but the card does not grow cold. Heather tells Mandor about this. Mandor isn't surprised. Heather wants to investigate, since she feels Jasra is a loose end and might have some information. Mandor figures they can obtain that without disturbing whatever Brand's done to her. Foster reads a book by Nietzche while the others clean up after dinner. Felix is frowning. Foster asks what's wrong. Felix thinks philosophy is a little much for Foster. Ariana figures if Foster can understand it, Felix shouldn't worry about it. Ahab tells Felix about the Pattern's affect on fertility, despite Ariana's psychic request that he not do so in front of Foster. Foster looks puzzled until Ahab remarks that he thinks it's the Pattern's idea of a practical joke. Then Foster looks he's just realized something important. Ahab and Ariana ask him to explain his reaction. Foster refuses. Felix gives Foster a look that indicates they're going to have a talk later. Gerard and Isabeux exchange a significant glance when they hear the information about the Pattern. Foster suggests Felix should read some philosophy. Felix isn't so sure about this idea. Ariana tells Felix that he and Foster can discuss what they read together. Ahab tells Foster he could have some interesting discussions on morality with Brand. Felix glares at Ahab. He explains that he doesn't want Foster talking to Brand, since Brand has no morals. Ariana says Brand would be better for discussing Machiavelli. Ariana asks Gerard when he wants to deal with Mirelle. Gerard says he'll Trump her, then recalls again that he doesn't have her Trump. He sighs and asks her to Trump him tomorrow morning. Ariana and Ahab race each other back to Amber on horseback. Ariana wins, by sticking to the better terrain. When they reach the stables, Ahab turns it into a foot race to the Castle, which he easily wins. Ahab goes to his quarters. Kimdyl warns him not to leave her alone and claims that Alex made a pass at her earlier. After the usual amount of banter, their discussion ends in sex, as always. Ariana goes down to the Pattern room to continue her observations and winds up falling asleep on the floor there. She wakes up in the middle of the night and goes back to her quarters. Brand wakes up shortly after sunrise. Heather asks if they can be civil this time. Brand suggests she study her medical books again, since her performance the other day wasn't conducive to healing. Heather says it was the proper treatment for the symptoms he was exhibiting. Brand actually smiles at this. He does agree to talk civilly. Heather tells him his Pattern is all right, but confused. Brand says it won't be when he speaks to it. Heather tells him she's prolonged his life expectancy. She points out that he made many people very unhappy when he drew his Patter, so she diverted the attention to herself. He asks what she did. She tells him she's been dabbling in politics, and explains that she's made treaties which name her Lord Protector of the lands created by his Pattern. Brand asks how she expects to control his Pattern if she hasn't walked it. She says she's talked to his Pattern and it doesn't have any problem with that. He tells her that can be changed. She argues that she doesn't care about the control, and explains again that her actions have diverted the attention away from him. Brand says he'll leave her to take care of it then, and disappears. Heather Trumps Fiona. Fiona is explaining the merits of squash to Rinaldo, who is arguing that something so bright and colorful can't be good for him. Heather explains what just happened. Fiona figures Brand is off sulking somewhere. She adds that if Heather's lucky, he'll sulk for a year or so. Heather asks what will happen then. Fiona says that will depend on his mood. She asks if Heather wants her help. Heather looks hopeful. Fiona gives Rinaldo to Heather and says she'll take care of it, providing Heather deals with Rinaldo. Breakfast in Amber is uneventful. Ariana asks Kimdyl what she knows about Vetch's house. Kimdyl claims to know nothing about it. Ariana asks Alex what Gramble decided regarding their request. Alex tells her they are allowed to pursue Vetch, but not his house. As Ahab gets up to leave, he is greeted by Ariadne. She wraps her arms around him and plants a big kiss on his face. Ahab is nonplused, to say the least. It soon becomes obvious that Ariadne thinks she's slept with Ahab. Ahab tries to run away, but is tripped by Ariadne. She mentions that Ahab's hair was longer the last time she saw him. Ariana gets a serious look on her face and asks when this seduction occurred. Ariadne says it was the other night, near Chaos. Ahab insists it wasn't him, adding that he has an airtight alibi. Ariadne runs out of the room. Ariana suggests to Ahab that it might have been Vetch. She runs after Ariadne. Kimdyl gives Ahab a look that makes him rather nervous. He asks her if they can go to their quarters before she kills him. She allows this. Ahab tries to convince her of his innocence. She points out that his past track record is less than inspiring. Eventually he manages to convince her that it wasn't him, but it isn't easy. Kimdyl confesses that she's from House Vetch. She says she's not going to help him go after Vetch, since destroying the head of a house always causes a lot of chaos. She also tells Ahab that Vetch often uses the name Riftvan. She points out that trying to run away from Ariadne earlier was stupid and warns Ahab never to turn his back on a Hendrake. Alex Trumps Gerard, who looks rather surprised to see Alex. He explains he was expecting someone else. Alex asks to talk with him about the family. Gerard says he has something to do with Ariana first, but he'll Trump Alex when he's done. Then he realizes he doesn't have Alex's Trump either, and frowns. He tells Alex to Trump him an hour or two after lunch. Felix Trumps Caine to ask how he's feeling. Caine explains that he and Heather had a difference of opinion that's been more or less settled. Felix pours out his troubles with Foster to Caine. Caine points out that it's only been a week. He also says it's nothing a good beating won't improve, but he looks like he's joking. Felix asks if Caine is still up for that sailing trip when he feels better. Caine says he will be when his mood improves. Felix asks if there's anything he can do. Caine thinks for a moment, but says he's fine. Felix breaks the contact and looks in on Foster. Foster is not in his room. Felix asks Gerard and Isabeux if they've seen him, but they didn't even know he was up. Felix checks Foster's bed and finds it's cool. He checks around the house and finds some footprints on the beach. Felix follows them towards a large group of rocks. As he gets closer he hears a voices coming from the rocks. One voice is Foster's, the other is unknown. He approaches cautiously and hides. He hears the strange voice reassuring Foster that Vetch wouldn't have killed Murine. The voice says Vetch never told her anything useful, and besides, it wasn't part of the plan. Foster points out that the demon wasn't part of the plan either. The voice explains that Vetch isn't the only one with plans or who knows of Foster's existence. Foster asks if the other person is going to take him back to Chaos. The voice replies that it's up to Foster to decide, they won't force him to go along with the plan. The voices suddenly stop and Felix thinks he's been found out. Foster looks over the top of the rocks, but Felix ducks out of sight. Foster calls out "Father?" but Felix remains silent. He reveals himself when he hears Foster worrying that the demons are back. He finds that the other voice belongs to 5'11" tall male, with red-gold hair, blue eyes, pointed ears and slanted eyes. The man introduces himself as Riftvan. Felix asks Riftvan what he meant when he claimed Vetch wouldn't kill Murine. Riftvan asks how Murine is doing. Felix replies that she's not doing anything. Riftvan points out that most bodies would have rotted by now. Felix invites Riftvan to lunch, saying his parents would be interested in meeting one of Foster's friends. Riftvan accepts the offer. Felix asks how long Foster and Riftvan have been friends. Riftvan will only say that it's been a long time. Foster looks very uncomfortable. Riftvan observes that something is bothering Felix. Felix explains he's disturbed that Foster never mentioned Riftvan. He tells Foster to run ahead and inform his parents that there will be a guest for lunch. Foster looks to Riftvan for permission before he does so. Felix asks how Riftvan got to Amber. Riftvan replies that Faerie have their ways. Felix claims that Faerie aren't real. Riftvan responds that Faerie have always dwelt near the Courts. Felix is afraid that Riftvan is going to steal Foster away. Riftvan points out that he left the choice up to Foster. He admits that the lack of recent attacks indicates Foster is probably safe in Amber. He asks why Felix invited him to lunch if he mistrusts him so. Felix replies that it's only polite. Ariana catches up with Ariadne. She says she knows what Ariadne is going through and offers to talk. Ariadne thanks her but says she wants to be alone. Ariana lets her go. Ariadne goes up to the Battlements and throws herself off of them. Ariana Trumps Gerard and asks if now is a good time to work on Mirelle's problem. He says it is, so she pulls him through. They go down to the dungeon. Mirelle is not please to see them. Ariana explains that they want to try helping her psychically. Mirelle claims she's doing better. Gerard doesn't agree. Mirelle says she doesn't want Ariana rooting around in her mind and she'll never forgive Ariana for doing it. She claims it will ruin any chance they have at a relationship. Ariana retorts that they've never had a relationship, Mirelle took care of that. Mirelle responds that now they never will. Ariana tries to assure Mirelle that they wouldn't be doing this if they didn't think it would help. She touches Mirelle's cheek, causing Mirelle to kick her in the stomach. Ariana waits until Gerard flips Mirelle on her stomach and holds her legs down before making psychic contact again. Heather forces Rinaldo to eat his squash, much to his dismay. He accuses her of being like his mother. Heather doesn't care. She does let him add whatever he wants to it, so he eats it with salt, pepper and ketchup. While Rinaldo is trying to force down this concoction, Heather checks in with Mandor. She asks how he's progressing in their attempt to free Mebd. He says they should be done in a few hours, now that they have the Hendrake who was imprisoning Mebd. Heather suggests they work on locating Jasra. Mandor says "If I must.", and leaves with a bow. Heather looks over at Rinaldo and tells him his concoction looks revolting. Rinaldo replies that it's not as revolting as the squash. He asks if Heather likes it. She claims it's acceptable. He asks if she liked it when she was four. She says that was too long ago to remember. Felix asks how Riftvan knows so much about him. Riftvan claims he has information from the Courts. Felix doesn't believe him. Felix says he's worried because Foster won't reveal what he was taught about Felix in Chaos, so Felix figures it's bad. Riftvan disagrees, pointing out that Chaosites worship Amberites. Felix and Riftvan arrive at the summer house. Isabeux tells Felix that Gerard had to return to Amber and she's not sure when he'll be back. Felix frowns. Foster looks really guilty during lunch. He won't meet Felix's eyes. Riftvan and Isabeux strike up an animated conversation about literature. Felix asks Foster what's wrong. He assures Foster that he didn't hurt Riftvan. Foster says he didn't mean to keep things from Felix, he just doesn't usually talk about them. Felix explains that he's naturally curious about Foster's childhood, since he's missed it. He doesn't want to force anything out of Foster, he just wants Foster to know he trusts him. Foster says he knows. Felix adds that he'd do anything for Foster. He admits that this morning wasn't what he'd expected. Foster asks him to explain. Felix says he wasn't expecting Foster to have a friend who could travel across shadow. Foster explains that Faerie can do that. He tells Felix that Riftvan's always been good to him. He adds that Riftvan was the first person who told him good things about Amber. Felix asks if Riftvan's visited Amber. Foster admits Riftvan says he's been there once or twice. Ahab asks Kimdyl what she turned up about his past. Kimdyl asks if he's ever gone back to see if he left any children in shadow. Ahab figures he wasn't walking the Pattern nearly as much back then. Kimdyl asks how good Ahab's luck is. He figures he's survived being engaged to her, so it can't be that bad. He asks how strong her jealous streak is. She says it's getting better. He tells her he needs to talk to Ariadne, to make sure she understands that he didn't sleep with her. Ahab finds Driscoll and asks to borrow his Trump of Ariadne. Ahab can't get through to her, even with Driscoll's help. He teleports to the Rose and tries again. This time he gets through. As soon as the contact is established, Ariadne punches him and knocks him out. He wakes up to find his Pattern ghost laughing over him. He tells his ghost to hold the Trump with him while he tries again. This time, he angles the card towards his ghost, who gets decked when the contact opens. Ahab eventually manages to convince Ariadne that he wasn't responsible for what happened. Ariadne figures he wouldn't want her anyway, as ugly and crazy as she is. Ahab tells her she's exaggerating. Ariadne figures she'll find a man someday who isn't intimidated by her. Ahab tries to reassure her before breaking the contact. Ahab's Pattern ghost rubs his jaw and says that Ahab is a son of a bitch. Ahab replies that they both know that and shifts shadow to get out of range of his ghost. Then he teleports back to the Castle and returns Ariadne's Trump to Driscoll. Ariana's probe reveals that Mirelle had a miserable childhood. The only person who loved her was her brother, Random. Brand tormented her a great deal as a child, which caused a lot of psychological damage. The root of Mirelle's psychosis seems to be the suicide of her mother, Paulette. Ariana also learns that Mirelle killed her father. He was a sculptor on Shadow Earth in the 1920's. Mirelle killed him during a bout of insanity shortly after Ariana was born. It was that which caused Mirelle to abandon Ariana in shadow. Ariana realizes that it will take several sessions to fix the damage involved. Mirelle is sobbing by the time Ariana finishes. Gerard doesn't look real happy. Ariana looks pretty upset herself. She explains her pertinent findings to Gerard. He asks if she's ever done anything like this before. She tells him she's had psychiatric training, but she's never tried using psychic contact as part of the treatment. Gerard suggests asking Fiona for her help. Ariana tells him to do what he thinks is best. Foster and Felix have a talk. Foster claims Vetch's plan is peaceful. He explains that Vetch wants to see the houses of Chaos and Amber reunited bloodlessly, and he thinks the children of mixed blood would be the perfect people to rule over this empire. He also tells Felix that Kimdyl and Murine belong to House Vetch, which technically means Foster is as well. Felix asks why Foster was kidnapped if the plan is so peaceful. Foster believes the kidnapping was instigated by someone else. Foster asks if they can go back to Amber so he can get a book. Ahab and Kimdyl engage in their usual foreplay. He flirts with her, so she asks what he's hiding. They start fighting. This would probably have led to sex, but it's lunch time, so they go down to the dining hall instead. During lunch, Ahab notices that Ariana is upset. He asks her what's wrong. She says she'll tell him later. Ahab and Kimdyl discuss wedding plans after lunch. Ahab asks if he'll meet Vetch at the ceremony. Kimdyl replies that she won't help him if they do meet. Ahab asks if she'd stand idly by while Vetch beat him up. Kimdyl figures she'd draw the line there, but observes that Vetch never did anything to her. Ahab says that's a rather narrow view. He asks if she'd rather he gave up looking for Vetch. Kimdyl points out that she worked for Rygat, the same as Vetch. Ahab argues that she was brainwashed. Kimdyl reveals that she was willing at first. She says that all Vetch has done is get Ariana pregnant and possibly murder Murine. Ahab disagrees, blaming Vetch for his actions during Patternfall as well. Kimdyl tells him she doesn't want to argue about it.