Session 1 Diary

Well. That was an experience. I met a couple of the younger Amberites yesterday, and Tamash. *That* Tamash. And he's walked the Pattern!

Okay, I guess it's not *that* odd, but still - strange to discover that he's Oberon's grandson. Wonder what the Hedrake gossip mill is making of that one. He seems a decent enough sort - something of a playful side I really hadn't expected came through, too. Certainly not the taciturn fellow I'd expected. Anyway, I told him most of what was going on, and he made helpful noises. Hope there, I think.

Speaking of playful, we have Lady Clare - she seems to be the one who's drawing out Tamash. She seems to spend her time exuding sophistication - rather well, actually. Certainly more than I can manage - and I don't think my father would have outstared her, either. But there seems to be an air of fun behind it - and Tamash assures me she's above the general sort at Amber, although I really haven't had a chance to talk to her properly.

Speaking of common sort, what on earth is up with Coenna? I mean okay, we got off to a bad start, running into each other - but really. Not one single hint of 'Hello, nice to meet you, terribly sorry I wasn't paying attention'. But 'Watch where you're going.', 'Tell me this.', 'Tell me that.', 'Stop being so rude.'. I tried three times being polite and understanding, and then just gave up. It looks like what they say about Amberite uppityness is true. Which would be a first for bar talk.

We entered a hall of mirrors - which I think isn't normally there, or is strange, or something. One of them had an image of home in it. That really threw me - is someone taunting me here? Or is it just something which reflects your thoughts. I think not, because later a picture (some random general, I think) gave Coenna a Trump of Elaine to give to me. Oh, I've seen trumps working, very odd, and quite handy by the looks of things.

However Coenna retained said trump of Elaine. She gave no particular explanation save 'I don't think you can be trusted with it - you're inexperienced.' What the HELL was that bitch thinking? If half of Amber is spying on me, and feels safe enough doing so to casually taunt me with pictures of home, then Elaine really isn't safe. Given what I've heard you can do with trumps, I'm not letting ANYONE near one of Elaine, ESPECIALLY not someone so simultaneously stupid and self-important.

I managed to keep a lid on things - although knowing what I do now about her, I'll not bother with that next time she's so idiotic. She just needs telling so, not humouring. But I digress - she hadn't had all of her chances by that point. Luckily Fiona has a sense of humour (and how sickeningly and falsely ingratiating does she need to be, anyway? Surely everyone can see through her?) and gave me the Mirror Coenna was seeking.

Anyway, a little dancing around the theme of 'I'll give you yours if you give me mine', and Tamash and Clare joined in, saw what was going on, and told her to stop being so bloody stupid. Which was a relief. That was when I first met them - so I'm guessing they're pretty ticked off with her, too - if they'll side with a complete stranger against her.

We were attacked in Shadow - Tamash did some interesting things with shapeshifting, and Coenna showed off with a sword. She is quite good, by the look of it, so a duel would be interesting. Oh, and Clare casually walked through a sword blow as though it wasn't there. Nice trick if you can do it - I can, of course, in about a dozen ways if I put my mind to it - but Clare used none of them. Tamash was very, very keen on protecting unicorns.

Dinner was *interesting*. Tamash and Clare were dressed impeccably for an Amberite Soiree, but the tone seemed much more like home. I dragged out something vile in scarlet and gold - just like at home - and fitted in perfectly. Coenna was next to me, and clashed. Badly. With everything. Aside from that I must remember the trick of metabolising alcohol. Actually, I know I can do it, but must remember to use it while still conscious. I didn't get a hangover, at least - so the self-preservation instinct seems intact.

In the morning, we carried onwards. Tamash insisted we stop for a man who had been gibbeted for stealing food. Fair enough, I suppose - but he then expected the man to be useful for something afterwards. I'm sorry, but no. Saving people like that, sure - especially from unfair oppression, but vagrants are mostly vagrants because they aren't good for anything else. Luckily Tamash spotted that one eventually - he granted another chance, not the high life on a platter. Which seems fair to me.

We arrived at a shadow very like Corwin's Avalon, but within the universe generated by his Pattern - it had only very faint traces of reality, so we speculated that he came here only briefly. The others insist on searching anyway, so I'll do my best to help, but no great hopes.

Personally, I think that if they want to find the shadow corresponding to Avalon, they'd do better starting at the original Avalon (or near it, since it's been destroyed?) and crossing 'through' the mirror. I'm pretty sure I can pull that off by teleporting, so I'll go and rack a couple of relevant spells now. Not sure what they expect to find there, but they seem to be pretty sure it's there.



Tom Garnett
Cambridge, England