Chaos, year one, day 128 continued

Shard is back, apparently unharmed, but now Ahab is missing. And Random is King. Everyone looked pretty surprised about it, especially Random. But the Unicorn picked him, and apparently the Unicorn's word is law. Corwin was pretty relieved about the whole thing.

Shard Trumped me shortly after he disappeared. I almost did not answer, for I know that bitch, Heather, can draw a Trump of me. As it turns out, he was using a sketch she had done of me. I asked him for it, but he wanted to hang onto it, and I did not wish to press the issue. It seems that Heather and Mandor are responsible for Brand's sudden disappearance. Shard is lucky that they were too busy to deal with him. Given Shard's account of the whole matter, I suspect that Brand may yet live.

Ahab left as soon as the battle was ended, saying that he wished to peruse the library here in Chaos. I am not sure that this was the wisest thing for him to have done. To go wandering alone through the home of your newly defeated enemy, where there are likely many who harbor a grudge... But Ahab is stubborn and usually wont to ignore the advice of others. I hope he is well. I will admit, I would like to see the library here myself. Perhaps when the negotiations are over, I will have the opportunity to go looking for him. With some guards, of course.

New cousins seem to keep popping up on a regular basis. When Felix and Driscoll arrived for the treaty negotiations, they brought with them Martin, another one of Random's children. The man certainly keeps busy. Outside of Oberon, he has the most known children. Of course, I have trouble believing that with all the centuries that my aunts and uncles have been alive, they have not had more than one or two children. No, I would wager that I have many more cousins out in Shadow than are currently acknowledged. It turns out that Corwin has a son in Chaos. His name is Merlin, and he appears to be in his teenage years. He was not with us long when his mater came and dragged him away. I think that we may see him again, though. He said that he was interested in seeing Amber.

The negotiations are not going well. Dworkin appeared and seems to take great pleasure in annoying all of the Chaos representatives. They were not at all happy when he arrived. There must be some bad blood between them. None of the elders seem willing to say anything in opposition to Dworkin. He must be pretty powerful if even Benedict is holding his tongue. I wish I could leave to go looking for Ahab. I tried to slip out, but Dworkin spotted me and told me to sit down. Random is beginning to voice an opinion, and it looks like Dworkin is actually agreeing with him. He does not look happy, but he is backing off somewhat. It seems that even Dworkin respects the Unicorn.

We have finally finished. Chaos is to be on its best behavior for the next decade or so. Mandor, of all people, has been appointed the ambassador from Chaos. Not that I have ever met the man personally, but I do not think much of some of the people he spends his time with. Dworkin discovered Alex disguising himself as an Amber guard, and he has been named an ambassador as well. Dworkin is ordering most of us to leave. Where is Ahab? I told Dworkin that he is missing, but Dworkin will not let me search for him. He says that he will take care of it. I am not certain that he will remember. He is a bit odd.

Felix had the gall to tell me that Martin is much like Ahab, so if Ahab could not be found I would have a suitable replacement. What a callus attitude these Amberites have towards one another! No wonder no one except for Mirelle searched for me when I was missing. I am afraid I was rather rude to Felix, but he made me so angry! Brand said that he had sold Ahab's Trump to those who wished ill of him. Perhaps they are holding him even now. If only I could look... But Dworkin is quite adamant that I leave. What choice have I? Driscoll mentioned going to a place called Bloody Jake's in Amber. I have never been there before, but it seems to be a bar of some sort, and I could really use a drink or three. I believe I will join them there.

Amber, year one, day 129 (Friday, October 29, 2987)

Bloody Jake's is indeed a bar. I tasted a new drink last night. It is nothing like the wine that I am used to. I believe it is called ale. I had rather a lot of it to drink. I remember dancing with Felix and Martin. I even think I was sitting on Felix's shoulders at one point! Felix was very drunk. Martin and I managed to push quite a few drinks on him. And Shard as well. Driscoll did not have much to drink at all. I think he found us rather amusing. All was going well until Felix took issue with the attention I was paying to Martin. He said that Ahab would not like it. I asked to explain this, and he said that Ahab never likes sharing his toys. As if I was merely Ahab's plaything! A first I was furious with Ahab, but when I pressed Felix I learned that this was simply one of his own observations. This did nothing to calm me down. It is none of Felix's business whom I choose to sleep with! And he was the one who was offering me Martin as a replacement for Ahab in the first place. I left before I did something which I might regret later.

Martin and I went down to the beach. The sand and the salt air made me rather homesick. I really should journey home and see how things have fared in my absence. We went swimming together. Well, that is what we started out doing. It seems that Martin can remain underwater for a long time, and he became rather creative while he was down there. My previous question about Amberites has been answered. They all have a great deal of energy. Things were going wonderfully when I received a Trump call! It was rather inconveniently timed, to say the least, so I ignored it. The call persisted, so I eventually gave in and told the caller to go away. I was somewhat surprised to see that it was Shard who was calling. Felix abandoned him at the bar and he wanted directions home. I do not know what he expected me to do. He and I had to ask a page for directions on how to get to Bloody Jake's in the first place! I told him there was nothing I could do for him and closed the contact. I was quite relieved that he did not call back.

We awoke at sunrise on the beach. It is truly pleasant to wake up to the sun's warm rays creeping over your body. Martin used one of his Trumps to bring us to the main hall of the castle, and we joined the family for breakfast. Shard was there, looking rather ill. It seems that Battlestar led him home. Sometimes I think the hound is smarter than he is. Felix joined us late, remembering little of the previous evening. I hate it when the person you are angry at has no idea why. Martin and I told Felix that he had become engaged the previous evening, and we had him rather worried for a while (and Gérard as well). Eventually Driscoll told him that we were playing with his mind. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.

Breakfast was interrupted by Dworkin's appearance. He has decided that we are to be a happy family again. It would seem that this includes eating meals in Amber, for he caused Corwin, Julian, Brand and Heather to appear, quite against their will. While we were journeying to Chaos, Ahab told me that Dworkin created the first set of Trumps. After watching him today, I can well believe it. I would like to learn how to draw them from him, if I can get him to agree. I asked after Ahab, since Dworkin had not brought him to breakfast (Mirelle and Sand were also ignored, but I did not wish to mention them around the others). Dworkin claimed to have seen him, but was not even certain if he was alive or dead, much less where he saw him. Talking with Dworkin can be very frustrating. He sat down between Felix and Alex and began to shovel food down like a small child. Even Eris was neater. The elders were rather quiet. They definitely do not like having Dworkin around. Felix looked upset as well, but I think that was due more to Brand's presence than to Dworkin's. When Dworkin finished, he announced that he would be moving back into the Castle. I believe he means to take some rooms on the third floor. He left with Corwin, and several others left immediately afterwards (thankfully, Heather was one of them).

Brand asked for and received Random's protection. He then left as well, which made Felix very happy. I have got to find out what Brand did to him. I followed Brand into the hall, and asked for an explanation of his actions. It seems that even without the Spikard, he can have rather nasty mood swings. I offered to help, for when he is not behaving like a maniac, I rather like him.

I have decided to go looking for Ahab. It is obvious that no one else is going to bother. Martin was the only one who even volunteered to accompany me. I had originally intended to ride through Shadow searching for Ahab. However, there are these tattoos that I have been longing to get rid of, and once you reach the center, the Pattern can transport you anywhere... I think I shall walk the Pattern, which will hopefully remove the tattoos. Then I will Trump Martin to the center with me and ask the Pattern to take us to Ahab. I wonder if walking the Pattern will be any easier than the first time?

Someone beat us to the Pattern room, and locked the door behind them. Fortunately, there is another one in Rebma, and Martin has a Trump of the main hall there. I am pretty sure that his mater was from Rebma. Everything in Rebma seems to be a reflections of Amber. Even the name. I wonder if the Pattern will be as well?

Well, it is over. Not only was the Pattern reversed on the floor, but the level of difficulty was as well. The first few steps were like slamming face first into a wall. All in all, I am glad my first experience was with the Pattern in Amber. On the other hand, the Pattern here is far easier to reach (just jump over the edge and float down), and the water helps keep you cool. Just a few minutes to catch my breath and then we find Ahab. I hope he is still alive when we find him.

"Outrageous Fortune"
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Last modified on August 5, 1994 by Kris Fazzari.