Amber, year one, day four (Sunday, September 14, 2985)

I am going to kill Brand! Remember what I said about each day getting more and more interesting? Well, things have gone a bit beyond that point. I was still waiting to see Eric when I experienced pain of a most excruciating kind, filling my entire body. I remember screaming, and then, thankfully, the world faded to black and I knew no more. Eventually I awoke to find myself bound hand and foot. As I took in my surroundings and tested my shackles (they were too tight for me slip out of), I was rather dismayed to find Brand bargaining with some slavering creature of Haldor's over possession of me! Needless to say, I objected rather strongly to this, and proceeded to bite, kick and spit on Brand until he left me alone with the creature. I am surprised at how easily I was able to hit him. Somehow I had thought he would be a more formidable fighter. Before he left, I asked him why he was doing this to me, and why at this time? After all, he had all of us at his mercy earlier, but he let us go. He would only tell me that I had damaged something he valued. I cannot imagine what he was talking about! I never even met the man before he escaped! I doubt he had any real reason at all. The truly mad never do. If only he did not have his magical ring. It appears to be an artifact of great power.

After Brand left, the creature and I struggled for a while. Eventually it managed to hang me by my wrist chains over a hook on the wall and left. I quickly set to freeing myself from the hook, but had no sooner done so when the foul being returned. I fought with it once more, and even tried shifting shadow in an effort to escape, but to no avail. The creature soon clubbed me into unconsciousness, and I embraced the darkness once more.

When I next awoke, I was bound to a table, with each wrist and ankle secured to a corner. The creature had begun painting odd symbols on my right leg. Realizing that there could be no good purpose for these symbols, I began to move my leg in such a way as to ruin its designs. After a while it grew tired of this and produced a device which made his designs somewhat more permanent.

I was beginning to despair of ever escaping from this creature, when, much to my surprise, I felt a trump contact. I eagerly opened my mind to it, and found it was Mirelle. She had just learned of my strange disappearance from Amber, and was the first person who even thought to try and contact me! Needless to say, I asked her for help. She talked with the people present with her, who I soon learned were Alex and Heather. The next thing I heard was Heather's voice asking me if she could view the situation through my eyes. It would seem that the trump contact did not afford a very good view of my tormentor. I was somewhat reluctant to allow her the access to my mind that was necessary for her to accomplish this task, but I had no other options, so I agreed. She studied the thing carefully and then left the contact to draw a trump of the creature. I learned that this trump would enable her to attack its mind (I was not aware that you could do this. It would seem that a trump can be a very dangerous weapon).

While we were waiting for her to finish (with me still attempting to slow the beast's progress), Alex entered the contact and told me that he had a spell which might be able to open my shackles. Not wanting to risk having it fail and warn my captor that I was receiving aid, I managed to successfully convey that I would rather he waited until Heather was ready with her attack (not an easy thing to do, when you cannot talk). I am glad that I did so, for although his spell worked, he had to cast it separately for each shackle, and I fear that the creature might have been able to subdue me before I was completely free.

As it was, Heather was able to render the creature senseless with her attack. I believe she may have completely destroyed its mind, for it suddenly stopped its work on me and began drooling (well, it was drooling before, but not quite so much), and it did not react at all when Alex began to free me. Once loose of my shackles, I found my sword and proceeded to slice my captor into pieces so small as to make it completely unrecognizable. With this accomplished, I cleaned off myself and my sword, and found my clothes and other belongings. As I dressed, I asked Alex if he wanted anything from the room, to repay him for his aid. He asked for a large book, which he called a "Grimoire." I fetched this book and then happily left that place behind.

I was quickly brought up to date on what had passed while I was imprisoned, and learned that Driscoll had killed Eric (well, actually poisoned him so he seemed to be dead). He did this because Chaos was holding his daughter hostage. The man has entirely too much pride. I would have been happy to help him free his daughter, and I am sure there are others who would have felt the same. After all, once the truth was known, Alex and Heather (along with another Chaos resident named Mandor) freed Eris without too much trouble.

Although it is to Driscoll's credit that he did not actually kill Eric, rendering him comatose gave Corwin the opportunity to steal the Jewel of Judgment off of Eric's body. From what I can understand, if one is properly initiated, they can use the Jewel to control the weather. Truly a powerful weapon, and one that quite rightly belongs in the hands of the ruler. Unfortunately, there appears to be a disagreement between Eric and Corwin over who the ruler is, and they lack the intelligence to cease their quarreling until the threat to Amber has been dealt with. Instead, they decide to give this enormously powerful weapon to Gérard, who not only does not appear to be very sharp of wit (obviously Felix takes after his pater in that regard), but does not have the proper bond with the Jewel, and therefore cannot use it to help Amber! It is a tactically foolish action, and one that plays right into our foe's hands.

These Amberites are truly a childish, quarrelsome and petty lot. Most of their difficulties are more their own doing than the result of their enemies. Why, for example, was the Jewel not placed under better guard? Gérard was supposedly guarding the body, but if Corwin was able to reach it, Gérard's vigilance was obviously lacking.

After absorbing all that Mirelle and the others had to tell me, Alex mentioned that he must be returning with Eris to Amber. Although I would have enjoyed talking with Mirelle for longer, I had no real desire to stay overlong in her new shadow home. The people cover themselves from head to foot. No doubt Heather loved it there. I asked to return to Amber with Heather and Alex, and they had no objections. Heather contacted Driscoll, who brought us through to Amber. I carried Eris, who is truly a beautiful child. However, when I took her in my arms, I noticed that she seemed rather dazed. Perhaps it was an effect of her imprisonment? Eris was quite happy to see her pater, although I was somewhat shocked by his condition. I had been told that his death had been pretended as well, in hopes that the Chaosites would release his daughter, but I had not known of the injury he received in the process, nor of the beating he received from Gérard and Felix when Eric's death was first discovered.

In the room with Driscoll were Eric, Corwin, Gérard, Felix and Ahab. Ahab and Felix were wearing less clothing than usual (most Amberites go around wearing far too much clothing, although not to the extent that Heather does). I took the opportunity to admire their physiques, which seemed to fluster Felix a bit. I do not understand why. Bodies are meant to be admired, not hidden away and concealed. Ahab introduced me to the others (except for Felix, of course), upsetting Eric and Corwin when he only titled them as Princes of Amber. It was at this point that I learned of the Jewel and how it had been hidden somewhere by Corwin. Corwin agreed to lead the others to it, once he was assured that Eric would not be getting it back, so Eric, Corwin, Gérard and Ahab set out to retrieve it. Alex tried to go along as well (I am not certain as to why), but, of course, they would not allow it. Felix stayed behind and had quarters prepared for all of us. Heather decided not to remain and trumped herself elsewhere, but Mebd, Driscoll and I were happy to be led to our quarters.

Alex tried to question Driscoll about Eris' captors, but Driscoll was too tired to talk about it, and asked Alex to wait until morning. I am rather exhausted myself, although I feel much better now that I have had a hot bath. I asked Felix for a scalpel to use in removing the tattoos on my leg, but he seemed to think that Gérard might know of an easier way, so I have resolved to wait until Gérard returns. He also told me some additional information about things that happened while I was gone. The most interesting news was the fact that Ahab left his horse behind at Heather's again (it would seem that this is a common occurrence). When he returned to Heather's shadow to fetch it, he managed to get in a disagreement with Heather, which resulted in her shooting him in the shoulder. The same shoulder that was injured earlier when Ahab was talking with Eric (I am still not clear on how that happened). Ahab retaliated, of course, and disemboweled Heather with his sword. Perhaps she was trying to kill herself again? No doubt she would have died if this Mandor had not chosen to make his appearance then. He must have used some sort of spell to heal her, for when I saw her she seemed to be fine and such a wound would takes months to heal, assuming the person survived. Or perhaps she was recovering in one of those shadows where time flows swiftly. Heather certainly does seem to have trouble getting along with people. And now for my first night's sleep in Amber. I must ask Felix to arrange for Kira and the others to join me here tomorrow.

Well, I have not quite managed to find sleep yet. Just after I had closed this book, I heard a pounding on my door. I was rather surprised to find that it was Felix. At first I thought that he had come seeking companionship, but I soon learned otherwise. He had spotted Brand in the Castle kitchen and had come to tell me that he was in Amber. I quickly changed to more appropriate clothing (which got quite a reaction out of Felix) and found my sword. But, when I asked Felix to take me to confront the source of my recent travails, he grew pale and begged me not to go. I soon learned that he had not told me of Brand's presence so that I could avenge myself. Rather he had expected me to hide in terror from Brand. I found this notion completely offensive! What kind of person does he think I am! With much difficulty, I managed to persuade Felix to take me to where he had last seen Brand, but it was a commonly used staircase, so there was no way to track him. Having no better place to start, I asked Felix for the location of Brand's quarters in the Castle, but Felix was determined not to go anywhere near it. Eventually I managed to get him to show me the correct hallway, and give me directions to the proper door. He seemed quite upset to find that a sword that had been stuck in the door by Ahab was no longer there and went scurrying off.

I think I shall pay dear Felix a little visit. Disguised to look rather dead. It should be interesting to see how he reacts, since he seemed convinced that Brand was going to kill me. I will admit, I had my own doubts about emerging from the encounter alive, but it was either confront him or spend the rest of my life hiding from him, and I have never been the sort who runs away.

So there I stood, in front of Brand's door, sword in hand, ready for anything. Or so I thought. Not being sure what to do next, I knocked. Much to my surprise, Brand invited me in. I was prepared for him to attack me, but he merely looked up at me and invited me to sit down. This was not what I was expecting. Which pretty much sums up our entire conversation. He claimed that he was under a geas, which controlled his earlier actions. The geas had been placed in that magical ring that I had noticed him wearing. He calls the ring a "Spikard." The hand that wore the Spikard is now bound. Apparently Fiona removed the Spikard (along with his finger), thus breaking the spell. He says that he went looking for me after that, but I had already made good my escape. I was still doubtful after hearing this tale. After all, Amberites do seem rather prone to lying. He noticed this, and offered to remove a spell that he had cast on me as proof of his veracity. I did not even know of its existence, until he removed it.

I now know what really happened when he left us in Heather's shadow. The purpose of the spell was to make us believe that Heather was just an innocent dupe instead of the scheming bitch she is. To think, I was actually feeling sorry for her! I wish I could have been there when Ahab disemboweled her. Or when Fiona was strangling her. Or, most of all, that the dagger I threw at her in an effort to distract Brand when he was casting that spell had struck true, instead of merely injuring her. That injury is the reason Brand singled me out for his special attention. I am certain that Heather would have left me to rot with that creature if Alex and Mirelle had not been present.

Given that the removal of the spell caused an increase in my hostility towards his daughter, I am inclined to believe that Brand is speaking the truth. So I put aside my anger at him and made a peace of sorts. After all, if he is speaking the truth, he is not the one who is most responsible for all the trouble he has caused. If I ever find those who created the spell that was controlling him, I shall make them sorry they were ever born.

With matters between Brand and myself settled, I prepared to leave. As I departed, Brand asked me to keep his presence in Amber to myself. I asked him what his business was in Amber, for I am still not inclined to trust him completely. He claims that he is researching a way to repair the damage he did to the Pattern. I hope, for Amber's sake, that he is telling the truth. I agreed to keep silent, in part because I knew that Felix was aware of Brand's presence as well, and I am certain he will be quick to tell others. Brand knows of this too, so it will be interesting to see how he handles it.

This leaves me in a rather uncomfortable position, though. The spell that Brand removed from me is likely still in effect for Driscoll, Felix and Alex. I cannot easily tell them of this without revealing that Brand is here. Brand could remove the spell, but even if he wanted to, that would also reveal his presence here, so I think it is unlikely that he will do so. Which means that Ahab is the only Amberite that I know who distrusts Heather as much as I.

I must remember to ask where the library is tomorrow. Hopefully, it will contain more information than Mirelle's. I wish to know more about the Patterns, how they were created, and what you can do with their power. I learn more and more every day, but I feel I am woefully uneducated in these matters. Especially when compared to those who have spent all of their life here.

But first, I must attend to dear cousin Felix. I will admit to being rather annoyed at him. It is bad enough that neither he nor Ahab made any effort to investigate my disappearance. Alex and Driscoll were under guard, and I would not expect Heather to care, but I would have hoped that Ahab or Felix might have at least made a few inquiries. Given the way Felix acted about Brand, I guess I should not be too surprised at his lack of action. He was probably too frightened of Brand to try and find me. Or he assumed that I was dead. I really must find out what Brand did to him as a child. He kept going on about me not growing up in Amber and not knowing what Brand was like. Now, where shall I set up...damn! I just realized that Brand still has my trump of Ahab. I was so thrown off by what I learned that I completely forgot about it. Well, I will slip a note under his door requesting that he return it. I shall know by his actions how much he has truly changed. And now, to deal with Felix.

"Outrageous Fortune"
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Last modified on August 2, 1998 by Kris Fazzari.