Chapter Two

	Cat Trumps Sebastian and tells him about the mission.  He 
suggests she spy on Garth.  She says she'd be happy to, as soon as he 
teaches her that trick.  He decides to send Kilroy with her.  Cat offers 
no objection ("The more people there are, the better my chances.")

	Sebastian Trumps Kilroy and asks him to go on the mission.  He 
wants the red-heads protected, because "There are few enough of us 
as it is."  Pretty prophetic in light of later events.  Kilroy decides 
watching Zane drink himself into oblivion has provided all the 
entertainment it's going to, and leaves the bar.  He Trumps Cuel and 
asks to be taken along when Cuel goes to Chaos.  Cuel, ever trusting 
of Sebastian's minions, says he has something else to do.

	Zane gets rip-roaring drunk.  He tries to pick up some women, 
and manages to piss off a couple of really big guys.  His recitation of 
his lineage doesn't impress them and they begin beating the shit out 
of Zane.  Eventually the pain penetrates his besotted brain and he 
starts screaming.  Kilroy hears the commotion and comes back into 
the bar.  He decides that beating up the brawlers will be more fun 
than watching Zane's pathetic attempts to defend himself, and wades 
in.  When all is said and done, Kilroy has broken the necks of two of 
them, and knocked the third one unconscious.  Zane is embarrassed 
that he didn't take out at least one of them.  I guess we know who 
bid high in warfare.  And who didn't.

	Byron wakes up tied to a tree, stripped of any of his 
possessions that might be useful.  He asks why he's still alive.  Li 
Chan asks why Byron's trying to kill him and then stabs him.  Not 
much for conversation, is he folks?  Byron tries to avoid this, but 
fails.  He tries to run away, but is tripped.  It's obvious who has the 
higher warfare here.  It turns out the dagger was coated with a 
serum that nullifies shapeshifting and makes the victim susceptible 
to suggestion.  Someone really needs to introduce Li Chan to the 
concept of hypodermic needles.  Li Chan uses the drug to convince 
Byron to stop attacking him and spill his guts.  Byron explains that 
Mandor is trying to kill him because he's going to be the greatest 
wizard alive.  After restraining himself from laughing outright at this 
remark (the rest of the players didn't bother), Li Chan asks why 
Mandor wants the Amber mission to fail.  Byron is positive that 
Mandor is just after him.  After all, he's much more important.  
Mandor apparently indicated that Byron has some Amber blood, and 
told him to seek Fiona.  Given what we learn later, it sounds like he 
was telling Byron to take a flying leap.  Literally.

	Sebastian Trumps Kilroy and asks what happened.  Kilroy says 
he was in a fight defending Zane.  Sebastian points out that his 
instructions were to defend red-heads, and Zane doesn't qualify in 
that regard.  Kilroy mentions he's trying to persuade Zane to go with 
them.  Sebastian figures another person would be handy as more 
cannon fodder.  I guess Cat and her father do share a few traits 
besides their hair color.

	Kilroy hires some thugs to keep an eye on Zane.  Don't ask me 
why.  Maybe he's color blind.  Zane is annoyed that these idiots won't 
leave him alone.  He returns to the castle and locks himself in his 
room.  The thugs tell him that if he stops talking, they'll assume he's 
being attacked and break down the door.  So naturally Zane shuts up 
and pulls out his Trump deck.  As promised, the thugs start breaking 
down the door.  Zane tells them to stop, but they ignore him.  He 
might have been attacked and replaced in those few seconds of 
silence, after all.  It's best to be sure.  Zane tries to Trump Gerard, but 
gets no answer.  The thugs burst in and tell him to freeze while they 
search his room for bodies.  Zane runs away.  The thugs pursue, 
crying murder.

	Cat runs into Isabel in the audience chamber.  They hear a 
commotion in the hall.  Isabel sends a bird to investigate, and Cat 
checks it out personally.  She sees Zane run into a group of Amber 
guards, who are also investigating the noise.  Zane sees a way to get 
rid of his annoying pursuers, and cover up the fact that a Prince of 
Amber got the snot kicked out of him by some locals.  He tells the 
guards that the thugs pursuing him broke his nose, and orders the 
guards to kill them.  The thugs claim they were hired by Kilroy.  Cat 
Trumps Kilroy and fills him in.  He promises to be there shortly, but 
he doesn't care if the thugs are killed ("If they're dead, I don't have 
to pay them.")  The thugs decide that this wasn't in their job 
description and surrender.  Zane wants them killed.  The guards 
won't do that, and take the thugs to the dungeon.  Zane goes to a 
healer in town and has his nose set.  Apparently he enjoyed the 
experience immensely, because he has Isabel do it again.  Ow.  I 
think we've found the masochist of the group.

	Li Chan and Byron arrive in Amber and are taken to see Dirk 
Regan.  He takes them to the Near Chaos ambassador, Phaedra from 
House Harten.  She asks Byron to leave as she has state secrets to 
discuss with Li Chan.  She suggests he visit the Sawall delegation 
down the hall.  Byron shuffles off.  Li Chan hands over his 
information.  Phaedra reads it and tells him he'd better inform the 
nobility.  He demurs, saying he's only a lowly sergeant.  She tells him 
she's under orders from Lord Darien to have him do it, in case the 
Amberites want a head.  She doesn't think that will be necessary, of 
course, but you never know.  Li Chan finds this oh so reassuring.

	Byron is greeted by Waldhiem, Sawall's ambassador to Amber.  
He says he's looking for information on his past.  Plus, he wouldn't 
mind seeing some of the castle, especially the Pattern room.  No 
particular reason why, just curious.  Really.  Waldhiem asks what he 
knows about Barimen's announcement.  Byron says it involves two 
deaths that Amber will take hard, but he doesn't know who, 
specifically.

	Dirk briefs Isabel, Cat, Zane and Kilroy on what they've gotten 
themselves into.  They are to pinpoint the source of the shadow 
disturbance that Isabel found, and then Trump Oliver, who can't be 
bothered to come along.  They are also told to protect Oliver.  
Protecting themselves is optional.  They decide to wait for the 
Barimen announcement before leaving.

	Julian, Garth, Gerard, Brand, Sebastian, Cuel, Cat, Kilroy, Isabel, 
Zane and the two Chaos delegations all gather for the announcement.  
Li Chan is presented to relate (take the blame for) the fact that Bleys 
and Fiona were lost in the Abyss.  Oops.  The story is, they were 
attending a party at Thelbane when they were attacked by assassins 
disguised as Barimen retainers.  The assassins fired arrows with 
Pattern energy at them, Fiona and Bleys protected themselves with a 
spell, but some other spell threw them into the Abyss.  The spell 
apparently resembled black tendrils, but not overtly Logrus ones.  
Skillfully seizing the opportunity to make Barimen look as bad as 
possible, Waldhiem offers the services of Sawall to track down those 
responsible.  Obviously, it's beyond the abilities of House Barimen.  
Phaedra says Lt. Sagan is investigating the case for Barimen.  Li Chan 
grimaces.  Brand asks why they were unable to save Fiona and Bleys.  
Li Chan says the arrows were death to all Chaosites, plus Bleys and 
Fiona's shield prevented anyone from grabbing them.  Cat suggests 
that it was more likely the first reason than the second.  A Prince 
Leander of Barimen was also killed, but he's only a Chaosite, so who 
cares?  Isabel reveals that she's encountered tendrils of that nature, 
when a Chaosite named Verdan tried to bring her in for a bounty.  
Huh, what bounty?  Remarkably, no one asks.  Isabel escaped by 
bringing Pattern to mind.  Phaedra offers Li Chan to Amber for any 
vengeance they may find necessary, since he is the sole surviving 
member of the security team.  You can practically see the Amberites 
lick their chops.  Brand offers to "question" Li Chan.  Garth tells Brand 
he and Julian will want to do the same, when Brand is done.  
Different approaches and all that.  Doesn't Li Chan have an exciting 
day in store for him?

	Everyone leaves to take care of their own agendas.  Waldhiem 
offers Cat Byron's assistance.  She happily accepts (more cannon 
fodder).  Waldhiem also assigns Byron two demon retainers.  These 
prove to be about as effective as Amber guards.  Zane introduces 
himself to Byron as the son of Lady Zed and asks how things are 
going in House Sawall.  Subtle, ain't he folks?

	Valentine notices that his shadow is being enveloped by a 
shadow storm.  He Trumps Brand and tells him this unsettling bit of 
news.  Brand comes through, along with Julian and Li Chan.  Val has 
Julian and Li Chan shown to a secure room.  Julian starts beating Li 
Chan.  Li Chan backs away and says this isn't necessary.  Julian 
claims he needs to find out what Li Chan knows.  Li Chan suggests he 
ask some questions.  Julian asks why he's lying and punches him in 
the face.  Realizing the futility of trying to reason with Julian, Li Chan 
leaps for the rafters and shapeshifts his skin to be harder.

	The expedition sets off for Isabel's shadow, passing through 
some nasty shadows on the way.  They arrive in Chicago and find 
people screaming, looting, collapsing to the ground with maggots 
bursting out of their bodies.  You know, a typical Chicago afternoon.  
Byron uses sorcery and determines that the cause is a malevolent 
shadow storm that is moving through shadow.  Everyone somehow 
fails to notice the crowd of 200 or so gathering until they  are 
surrounded.  Isabel shoots 10 or so with her pistol, while Kilroy 
moves closer to Cat.  At least he's watching her instead of Zane this 
time.  Cat decides discretion is the better part of valor, and gets 
ready to Trump the Hell out of there.  Byron opens his hand and 
blows a marble sphere towards the crowd.  As it rolls along, it 
increases in size.  Hmmm, think Byron's been taking notes from 
Mandor?  The giant marble squashes a path through the crowd, 
which the Amberites quickly take advantage of.  It also sprays some 
of the expedition with maggots, notably Zane.  They begin burrowing 
under his skin.  Nasty suckers, ain't they?  Isabel Trumps Oliver, but 
he's much too busy to come through unless they're at the center of 
the storm.  Or they can give up.  He doesn't really care.  Cat brings 
Pattern to mind and uses it to determine that they're on the edge of 
the storm.  Instead of doing the intelligent thing and going home, 
they begin Hellriding for the source.  The shadows get nastier again.

	Julian beats Li Chan for five hours or so.  Li Chan decides 
obvious resistance is getting him nowhere, so he becomes the willow 
that bends with the breeze, or some such crap.  Basically, he makes 
himself more rubbery, so the blows don't hurt.  Julian stops after 
several hours of this, because it's not as much fun when the victim 
doesn't scream in agony.

	The expedition finally reaches the center of the storm, after 
slogging through some truly nasty shadows.  The eye of the storm 
appears to be hovering over a valley.  Eager to get this over with, Cat 
Trumps Oliver, but is unable to reach him.  Isabel knocks on the only 
door around for miles.  She tells the man who answers that they are 
in the middle of a storm (oh really, we hadn't noticed).  He takes 
them to see Lord Valentine, the master of this place.  Cat and Zane 
recall that Valentine is a Rebman noble, who is rumored to have 
walked the Pattern.  He is also Brand's star pupil.  Zane shares the 
Rebman noble information.  Cat says nothing.  The intrepid party is 
left in a sitting room while they are announced to Val.  Zane passes 
the time by killing the maggots that have burrowed into his body.  
He does this with his Pattern sword.  It's very messy.  Byron uses the 
Logrus to find himself a clean set of clothes.  They turn out to be 
Valentine's.  Aren't we starting off on the right foot?  Cat is not 
happy to discover that Val looks exactly like one of her dead lovers.  
Isabel gets stuck explaining why they're bothering Val.

	The group tries Oliver again, and he deigns to answer this time.  
He calls Val's shadow "The Great Library" and is more than willing to 
come through.  He asks for a private room that's well ventilated.  
How this will help him examine the shadow storm is anyone's guess.  
No doubt it has to do with his proclivity for examining such things 
while stark naked.  But I'm getting ahead of myself.

	Julian drags Li Chan's bloody body into the room.  He 
announces that after five hours of torture, he's convinced that Brand 
was right and Li Chan is telling the truth.  I'm sure everyone will 
sleep better now.  Val despairs of ever getting all the blood cleaned 
up in this room.  He has Li Chan moved to a more comfortable place 
so he can heal (and so no one else has to look at him).  He also has 
the expedition shown to guest rooms so they can clean up (and stop 
tracking dirt, blood, maggots, etc. all over his nice clean floor).

	Val tells Brand they've had visitors.  Brand suggests the storm 
may be one of Oliver's constructs, but he doubts it.  It's more likely 
that Mandor and Darien are involved.  He asks Val to have his people 
research all occurrences of both Vale's, her shadows, Oliver, Mandor, 
Darien, appearances of Random or the Jewel.  Hmm, move the last 
two to the top of the list.  Nice to know Brand hasn't changed.  He 
notes that the storm moved through shadow for a while, then paused 
over the Library, and now it's moving again.

	Val checks on parties that arrived and left at around the same 
time as the storm.  He learns that one of those parties left Vialle 
behind.  She says she has a message from Random for Caine and 
Julian.  Val sends for Julian, since he's conveniently around.  Vialle 
says she and Random have been chased by the storm for days.  Val 
manages to wait until Julian arrives before running off and telling 
Brand that Random was there.  Brand vanishes.

	Brand reappears outside of Zane's door and asks to search 
Zane's possessions.  Being apparently the world's biggest sucker, Zane 
lets him go right ahead.  After rummaging through Zane's belongings, 
Brand asks to see Zane's sword.  Continuing to find nothing unusual 
about this, Zane draws his blade.  Brand asks to see the scabbard.  
Zane finally buys a clue and looks into the bottom of his scabbard.  
Lo and behold, he finds the Jewel of Judgment there, along with 
something else.  Now, there were any number of good responses he 
could have made at this point.  Handing his sword to Brand wasn't 
one of them.  Yes, when in doubt, always arm your opponent while 
rendering yourself defenseless.  Obviously Zane hasn't gotten beat up 
enough for one day.

	Oliver appears in Zane's room, buck naked and carrying a giant 
Pattern axe.  Both Oliver and Brand ask Zane for the Jewel.  Val 
senses the disturbance and barges in with five retainers.  Val asks 
for Zane's scabbard.  Zane asks Brand for his sword back.  Brand 
offers to trade.  For some reason, Zane thinks this is a good idea.  
Brand tips up the scabbard, and the Jewel falls out, along with a note 
with the royal seal.  Brand pockets the note, and puts on the Jewel.  
He and Oliver both begin concentrating.  Zane asks for the note.  
When Brand doesn't answer, Zane snatches the pouch containing the 
note.  Val reads the note over Zane's shoulder.  It's from Random, 
who tells Zane not to give the Jewel to anyone other than the rightful 
ruler of Amber.  Too late.  Obviously Zane was not the best choice 
Random could have made.  Oliver tells Brand to give the Jewel back.  
Brand says he'll only use it against Amber's enemies and vanishes.  
Zane asks Oliver why he wanted it.  Oliver claims he wanted to keep 
Brand from getting it.  What would Oliver have done with it?  Why, 
use it against Amber's enemies, of course.  Zane complains that 
Random was really stupid to leave the Jewel with him.  Oliver agrees.  
Everyone agrees.  Val invites Oliver to leave the Library.  Zane 
argues that Oliver is a guest in his room and he wants him to stay.  
Bad move.  Val kicks him out as well.

	It's obvious to anyone who cares to check, that for a library 
there are surprisingly few books around.  The librarians claim that 
all information eventually finds its way to the Great Library.  But 
you can't just wonder around looking.  No, you have to file a request.  
Then, when they've found the information, they figure out the fee.  
Cat puts in a request for information on Val's death.  Not the Rebman, 
her dead Mardan lover.  Don't ask.  Val learns of this and finds it 
intriguing.  He instructs the librarians to bring him the results first 
(of course).  Isabel wants information about her arrival in Shadow 
Earth.  Vesper thinks it can find what she's looking for, if they can 
ditch the librarian that's been assigned to them.  Isabel orders 
Phosphor to distract the librarian.  Phosphor takes off the man's 
hand, providing one mother of a distraction.  Isabel decides she'd 
better be more specific with her instructions next time.

	When Li Chan wakes up and tries to leave, he finds a librarian 
and two Hellhounds waiting outside his door.  He asks the librarian 
for some weapons, apparently hoping the librarians here are as 
gullible as Zane.  No such luck.  The librarian says Li Chan's request 
will be processed and he'll be informed of the fee.  He even writes it 
down on a pad of paper and hands it to a page.  Think it's likely to 
get approved?  Nah.  They hear screams reverberating down the hall.  
Li Chan tries to persuade the librarian to leave, but, as we've already 
established, he's not that stupid.  Li Chan asks where he is, and 
learns he is in the Great Library, which is located in the Valley of the 
Great Library, which is not in Amber or Chaos.  Apparently the 
librarian believes that Amber and Chaos are pale reflections of the 
Great Library.  No comment.  Li Chan asks for the book that contains 
his destiny.  He's told (you guessed it) that his request will be 
processed and he'll be informed of the fee.

	Byron puts in a request for the genealogies of Amber.  Then he 
searches with the Logrus for a book on bastard Amber children.  He 
finds a fictional one.  He continues to search, looking for things that 
the author believed to be true.  It finally occurs to him that he's 
getting nowhere with this, although he is accumulating a hefty pile of 
books.

	Zane Trumps Kilroy.  He says he's leaving the library, but 
would like to know when Kilroy continues his journey to Chaos.  
Probably because he figures everyone in Amber will want his head.

	Isabel is questioned about the librarian's injury and the 
disappearance of one of her birds.  She offers to send Phosphor after 
Vesper.  For some reason, Val doesn't want any more birds running 
around.  Especially ones with a tendency to remove limbs.  Vesper 
tells Isabel it's found the Amber section, but it's warded.  It thinks it 
can get through them, but Isabel figures she's caused enough trouble 
and tells it to return.

	Julian tells Val he wants to see all the expedition members as 
soon as possible.  They gather in one of the sitting rooms, where 
Julian says that Random left the Jewel with one of them, and he'd 
like them to hand it over.  Now.  No one leaps up to oblige him.  After 
a few moments of uncomfortable silence, Cat asks where Zane is.  Val 
admits that Zane gave the Jewel to Brand, but, not to worry, he 
kicked all those involved out of the Library.  Julian Trumps Garth 
and fills him in.  Cat leaves and Trumps Sebastian.  He asks what the 
Hell happened.  She tells him Brand has the Jewel.  He knows, since 
Brand just walked the Primal Pattern.  Timing is everything, it 
seems.  Julian tells everyone meet back in Amber.  They all comply, 
since the Library was getting boring anyway.  Val bids a happy 
farewell to the rudest guests he's had in a long time.

	The meeting in Amber is well-attended.  Maybe a little too 
well.  Julian spots Kilroy and asks who he is.  Cat explains, and Julian 
decides to let him stay.  He's Sebastian's adjutant, so he must be 
trustworthy.  Not.  Julian wants Zane found, so naturally he sends 
Byron, Isabel and Li Chan to do it.  Obviously Random isn't the only 
one having a bad day decisionwise.

	Byron Trumps Zane, who blows him off.  Byron readies a spell 
and Trumps Zane again, but Zane doesn't answer (he can be taught).  
Isabel and Li Chan decide to investigate Verdan, since that's likely to 
be much more fun than dealing with Zane.  Before they go, Li Chan 
tells Phaedra that Brand stole the Jewel and attuned himself to it.  
Hope Julian didn't want that kept a secret.

	Julian asks for options.  Cuel wants to kill Brand (sure Cuel, you 
first).  Julian asks how he suggests doing this.  Brand walks in with 
Llewella and Val and says they're overreacting.  Kilroy asks what he 
thinks of their plan.  Brand asks who Kilroy is (didn't we just go 
through this?).  Kilroy explains that he's Sebastian's adjutant.  Brand 
sets him to fetching drinks.  Julian asks Brand to turn over the Jewel, 
since he is the rightful ruler of Amber, and that's what Random's 
note ordered.  Brand says that if the note exists, and if he can verify 
its authenticity, he might be persuaded.  Unfortunately, Zane still has 
the note.  Assuming he hasn't lost it.  Cuel tries to Trump Zane, but 
can't get through.  Cat taps him on the shoulder and asks if he's 
having any luck.  Cuel decides this must be an attack and almost 
breaks her wrist.  Now that's what I call paranoid.  She begins 
harassing him, by activating and deactivating his Trump.  He throws 
a plate at her.  Aren't Amberites mature?  Brand asks Kilroy to leave, 
now that he's heard everything useful.  Then he tells the others that 
he'll be at his estate in Rebma, merely a faithful servant of the 
Crown, and possible ruler, if they need his help.  He and Llewella 
leave.

	Zane is Trumped by Jove.  Has he called to get acquainted with 
the son he abandoned long ago, the son who's been seeking him 
desperately?  No, he's called to ask for the Jewel.  Zane explains that 
he gave it to Brand.  Jove is not pleased.  He tells Zane to get it back.  
Zane asks how.  Jove tells Zane to form a cabal (it worked so well for 
him, after all).  Zane asks to speak to him in person.  Jove says he'll 
call back from a safer location.  He does this thing and brings Zane 
through to a restaurant.  Zane asks what dear old Dad's been doing.  
Jove says he wants Zane to join his fan club.  I am not making this 
up.  He also wants to take his place as the rightful ruler of Amber.  
He was the Crown Prince, after all.  Never mind the circumstances 
that caused him to lose that position.  Zane asks what's in it for him 
(first intelligent thing he's said all day).  Jove claims he'll do 
whatever Zane wants, initiate him to Jewel, whatever.  He wants Zane 
to ingratiate himself with the Amberites.  Zane points out this will be 
rather difficult, since most of them are rather pissed at him right 
now.  Jove tells him to use Random's note to sow dissension.  Then he 
should make psychic contact with Brand while Jove is Trumping him.  
That follows, doesn't it?  Let's not talk about what'll happen to poor 
Zane's mind as it's caught in the middle of this.  Zane asks why he 
was abandoned.  Jove claims it was for Zane's own safety.  Feeling 
like Jove may be using him (no, really?), Zane refuses to do as Jove 
asks.  Jove says he's sorry he has to do this (Danger, Will Robinson!).  
Zane decides this sounds particularly ominous and tries to Trump to 
Amber, but winds up in this blank area.

	Cuel Trumps Dworkin and asks who's the rightful ruler of 
Amber (yeah, he's exactly who I'd ask for advice on that topic).  
Dworkin asks who has the Jewel (not this question again).  Cuel says 
Brand.  Dworkin asks who else thinks they're the rightful ruler.  Cuel 
says everyone else.  Having summed up the situation in such a clear 
manner, he asks Dworkin to solve the problem.  Dworkin pulls him 
through.  He tries to convince Cuel to destroy the Pattern and create 
a new one (nice to know some things haven't changed).  Cuel is more 
interested in stopping Brand.  Dworkin says he'll look into it and 
returns him.  Dworkin should just talk to Zane.  Anyone who turns 
the Jewel over to Brand is probably stupid enough to destroy the 
Pattern.

	Valentine drops by the Rebman embassy and then returns to 
Rebma.  He tells Llewella that Random's being chased by shadow 
storms.  Llewella suggests helping Random.  Val ponders this novel 
concept.  Help an Amberite?

	Li Chan and Isabel journey to Chaos.  They search for records 
on Verdan, but don't find any.  That would be too easy.

	Kilroy asks Duncan, head of Sebastian's guards, about the Jewel.  
Duncan offers Kilroy whatever he wants if he gets it.  Is there anyone 
who isn't after this thing?

	Byron uses the Logrus to search the Great Library for Zane.  
This fails, since Zane is currently in limbo somewhere.  Byron returns 
to Amber and racks his spells.  Then he fills Waldhiem in.

	Cat Trump harasses Cuel again.  He tries to force a Trump call 
with her, but fails (caller-ID is a wonderful thing).  So he subdues her 
guards and breaks down her door.  Definitely a child of Garth.  Cat 
Trumps out to Marda before he gets through.  He sets her bed on fire, 
for lack of anything better to do.

	Zane is attacked by several shadowy creatures.  He kills them 
with his Pattern sword, and is then able to Trump back.  At least he 
finally managed to win a fight.

	Cuel Trumps Zane, and gets through this time.  He says he 
wishes to protect Zane from those who are looking for him with bad 
intentions.  Sure he does.  Zane says he has some errands to run, but 
he'll call Cuel back later.  Really.

	Cat continues to pester Cuel for a while, until it gets boring.  
She talks with Sebastian about the meeting.  He's taking a wait and 
see attitude with regard to Brand and the Jewel.  She suggests that 
Brand might be able to help rescue Fiona, since he's escaped from the 
Abyss before.  Sebastian agrees Brand might be able to help, but he 
may not be willing to, since it's currently in his best interest to have 
Bleys & Fiona disabled (gee, I wonder why?).  Sebastian mentions 
that he might send Cat and Kilroy to talk to Vale, since she and Jove 
were the ones who rescued Brand the first time.  And we all know 
how cooperative Vale is.  Cat asks if it's possible to activate a Trump 
without looking at it.  Sebastian says it is.  She goes back to her room 
and practices this for a while (on Cuel, of course).

	Byron offers his assistance to Garth, then tries to persuade his 
guards to take him to the Pattern room.  No luck.  Even Amber's 
guards aren't that stupid.

	Zane is told that Julian is looking for him.  He goes to his room, 
props up the door, and Trumps Brand.  He tells Brand that Jove is 
after the Jewel.  Well, if you have to pick a side, you may as well pick 
the side that isn't already pissed at you.

	Cuel can't find Benedict in Amber, so he asks Garth for 
permission to walk the Pattern.  Garth grants it.  Having your Dad as 
Regent can be handy sometimes.  Cuel walks the Pattern and tries to 
Trump Benedict.  No answer from him or Connor.  He asks the 
Pattern to transport him to Benedict.  No luck.  Apparently, when 
Benedict doesn't want to be found, he won't be.  Cuel has the Pattern 
transport him to the Primal Pattern and examines it for damage.  
Finding none, he has the Primal Pattern take him to Avalon.  Still no 
Benedict.  He tries Trumping Benedict, but (surprise, surprise) gets 
no answer.  He asks to see Corwin.

	Li Chan checks with his underworld contacts, but none of them 
have ever heard of Verdan.  He returns to his apartment, and is 
slapped by his girlfriend, Nesta, on her way out.  She is upset that 
he's keeping another woman in his apartment without telling her.  
Oops.  After one of the most interesting entrances so far in this game 
(he listens at his door, jumps inside, rolls over, and comes up with his 
sword) he discovers that Isabel was surprised in the shower by 
Nesta.  Is this starting to sound like a bad Hong Kong movie?  Good, 
because it gets better.  Li Chan goes into a Zen trance and checks his 
mind for anything Brand might have left behind.  Like he has any 
chance of detecting Brand's handiwork.  He asks Isabeux for 
suggestions on Amberites who can be trusted in investigating the 
Pattern arrows.  She suggests Caine (he is her sponsor, of sorts).  Li 
Chan disagrees.  I can't imagine why.  Everyone trusts Caine.  Li Chan 
suggests Oliver.  Isabel says Julian would be more trustworthy than 
Oliver.  But how much can you trust the opinion of someone who 
trusts Caine?

	There is a knock at the door.  Li Chan asks who it is ("Land 
shark!").  They want to speak to Li Chan.  He asks who's calling.  They 
say they owe him money.  He tells them to slide it under the door.  
They say they're under orders to give him what he's got coming 
personally.  My, that sounds ominous.  They hammer on the door.  Li 
Chan tells Isabel it's time to leave.  He scatters poison caltrops in 
front of the door and they go out the window.  About twelve guys on 
the ground spot them and pull weapons.  Li Chan jumps down and 
starts shooting them.  Isabel picks off a few as well.  Li Chan throws 
a motorcycle at the last two.  He picks up the lone survivor and gets 
on one bike.  She gets on another and they drive off.  The audience 
cheers wildly.

	Byron wanders around the castle as a transparent dragon fly, 
which would have been much more inconspicuous if the eyes weren't 
visible.  He looks for floor plans for the castle, but can't find any.  
Apparently it's only Trump decks that the family leaves lying around 
in plain sight.  He looks up Zane, who takes him down to dinner at 
Bloody Julio's.  Zane tries to get Byron drunk, but is unsuccessful.  
Maybe because Byron's a shapeshifter?  Zane asks Byron about the 
Logrus.  As if Zane needs something to make him act even crazier.

	Cuel is brought in to see Vale.  They make small talk.  He asks 
if Corwin's available, since he has information about Brand and the 
Jewel.  She says he's off in shadow somewhere and she can't (or 
won't) reach him.  She winds up having to repeat this several times, 
since Cuel keeps asking to see Corwin.  Either he's deaf, or he thinks 
she's very stupid.  She offers to relay the information, but he refuses.  
He tells her to convey to Corwin that it's urgent he communicate with 
someone in Amber.  Is that vague enough for you?  He also asks if 
she has an easy way for him to get out of there, since he can't exactly 
return the way he came.  Guess he should have thought about that 
before he left.  She tells him there's rumors of a passageway 
underneath Mount Avalon, but it's highly dangerous.  One can also 
travel by the Abyss, which is equally dangerous.  Cuel chooses to 
explore the caverns under Mount Avalon.

	Val investigates the storm.  He finds it seems to have been 
deliberately created, is more focused than an ordinary storm, and 
seems to be following something.  Didn't we know this already?  
Research is progressing on Brand's request.  Information from Cat's 
request reveals that Valentine was a young Mardan noble who was 
run over by a horse and carriage.  He was suspected of being a 
revolutionary, and there are rumors that the doctors took too long to 
help him, etc.

	Isabel's birds return and tell her they couldn't find Verdan.  Li 
Chan stabs the prisoner with his special, patented, drug-coated 
dagger and questions him.  The man tries to break his own neck, but 
Li Chan stops him.  Isabel psychically probes the poor schmuck's 
mind.  They learn his instructions were to wipe Li Chan out because 
he's one of the only witnesses to the attack on Bleys and Fiona, and 
he's one of the toughest cops in Chaos.  In the same way that Byron is 
the greatest sorcerer in Chaos, no doubt.  Guess who ordered the 
attack?  Li Chan's old pal, Sagan.  Isabel asks who Sagan is.  Li Chan 
explains that Sagan is an assassin from a house of assassins.  Isabel 
asks what's wrong with that.  Li Chan explains that Sagan was 
responsible for the deaths of Fiona, Bleys and his partner, and he's 
been after Li Chan's family for centuries.  Oh, is that all.  Isabel says 
she finds nothing wrong with being an assassin.  Li Chan disagrees.  
She tells him that she is one.  Yep, assassination and emergency 
medicine, two careers that go great together!

	Cuel wanders around in the passageways underneath Mount 
Avalon.  Just when his light is about to fade, he comes across a large 
room.  Dworkin is sitting inside.  Not again.  Dworkin says he's been 
thinking about Cuel's problem.  He gives him some black armor and a 
helmet and claims that if Cuel wears the helmet, he'll be immune to 
Brand's attacks.  Then he can take the Jewel and draw a new Pattern.  
The armor bears an amazing resemblance to that worn by the late, 
unlamented Fiero.  Cuel thanks Dworkin and exits through the 
nearest door, finding himself on the street in Amber.  He goes to his 
quarters in the castle and hides the armor under his bed.  Such a 
good hiding place.  No one would ever think to look there.

	Cat converts her sketches of Byron and Li Chan into Trumps.  
She also draws a Trump of Valentine.  For some reason, she doesn't 
show this one to Sebastian.

Quotables:

"So, Lord Brand, what do you think of our plan?" - Kilroy to Brand, 
when Brand walks in on their attack plans

"He's an assassin from a house of assassins." - Li Chan
"What's wrong with that?" - Isabel