Knew that book was a mistake. It's gone now. Should've known the
dark clouds were more than just a special effect. Now that I think of it,
the air was rather heavy with my efforts too. Sorry, not being too clear.
Spent the afternoon drinking after I discovered the disappearance of the
original book. Wonder if Brand planned this all along?
Anyway, the last four days started the day after the midnight
punishment of Brand. Still don't know why that was necessary to perform
as soon as they brought him back, instead of waiting till the next day.
Stopped by Ari's to arrange for conjuration lessons, which we decided to
start in earnest after the grand ball tomorrow. While there, Vix stopped
by to see Vetch. Thought that was odd, since he doesn't seem to socialize
much with the rest of the Amberites. Probably cause he's not one.
Doesn't bode well for me. Think even Ari thought it was odd. She seemed
surprised, at least. Wonder what's up? Learned a few other things while
visiting. Ari still doesn't trust Angel, of course. She also feels that
the definition of 'traitor' Nick is likely to use is the obvious one,
apparently no special little clauses, like anyone who pees on Benedict's
rocks. Hope she's right. Wouldn't want to be tripped up for something
stupid I had no idea was taboo. Brand's fate doesn't seem like fun. Ari
also opined that criticism of a royal nature was somewhat dangerous.
Clearly, one must phrase one's critique carefully. She also admitted, and
it's the majority reason for the delay in my lessons, that she was going
into Shadow for a few days. Suspect she was hiding something, but didn't
want to pry, as I didn't feel like it was all that important to me. Ari
also confirmed my suspicion/fear that Nimue is the Avatar of the Pattern,
replacing the Unicorn. Find this news positively a joy to my ears. Not.
Fortunately, it appears that she no longer is as attentive to my comings
and goings as she used to be. Ari also indirectly confirmed that Brand
raped her, hence the appropriateness of her vengeance. Suspect that Ari
doesn't like demons a lot, either. Possibly the same reason? I'd think a
woman who carries a sword would be able to defend herself, but maybe
that's why she carries one. Anyway, she describes demons as fast, nasty,
and they leave scars, and are not to be messed with. Now that she is back
in her own body, think she might be of Greek descent. But what does that
mean in Amber? Probably no more than it does that I was originally an
Ohioan.
Having nothing else to do till after the ball, arranged suitable
attire with a tailor in town. Then spent my time copying the interesting
portion of the book Brand gave me. Since Brand sent it to me while
supposedly confined and watched at all times, undoubtedly someone would
come looking for the original as soon as they realized what he'd done. I
figured on not losing the potential use of the spells contained within by
having an unknown copy hidden away. Starting to understand exactly why
everyone told me not to speak with him. Anyway, the dark clouds and the
close atmosphere made their presence felt while copying. Thought they
were just odd effects that went with working with magic, which they might
very well actually be, but I think I should have taken them more as a
warning. Nobody else seemed to notice anything was amiss. Course, I was
rather absorbed with my task and not really paying much attention to
anyone else, either, so I guess I don't really know if anyone noticed.
Certainly nobody stopped or interrupted me. Since nothing else happened,
I finished the copy late this morning. Hid the copy and proceeded
slightly late to lunch. Upon returning from lunch, the original book was
gone.
Realized immediately that something significant happens when you copy
a magical text, and the possible consequences are rather daunting. Didn't
know what to do. All I could think of was that I'd just lost my 'backup,'
so to speak. Felt like getting drunk to drown my sorrows at failing to
achieve my goal. Unfortunately, the more I drank the wilder I imagined
the consequences. The worst included opening a channel for demons to
stream through and savage Amber, which would be blamed on me. Think,
though, that since it 'disappeared' instead of sticking around to be a
door to another dimension, it's either destroyed cause I can't copy the
magic of the spells it contains, or perhaps it has become something else.
Something mobile, obviously, like a demon, perhaps. As soon as I sober
up, Angel and I are going to go demon hunting, to see what we can find.
Should be fun, we haven't hunted together in 40 years. Not since Chicago,
have we hunted. She's scouted out lots of places for me, but that was
just for information, not really hunting. Should be interesting.
"Outrageous Fortune"
Gavin's Diaries
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All text on this page is © 1998 by George Rabick.
Last modified on November 18, 1998 by Kris Fazzari.