Well... That worked, I guess. Tamash is basically dysfunctional again, but he's not a rock, at least.
We got in touch with Clare, eventually, and passed her Tamash. After a while, she got back in touch, and asked for more details, which was gratifying. Anyway, myself and Prospero continued with research, although he was rather lost in some esoteric varient on shapeshifting (seems his understanding of the Logrus is such that he needs to alter his mind to advance it more, or thereabouts).
Clare meanwhile, had Tamash cured, in a fashion which I can only presume involved expensive treatment in the Courts, which is an odd thing for her to think of, but seems to have worked.
Anyway, we were finally remembered after everyone had had dinner, and judging by the temperature in the room, I was surprised that Coenna's dress was the only casualty.
Coenna appears to have been meddling with Elaine's mind a little, leading to a case of divided loyalties. Or, to put it another way, a crush. I just find it amusing, I think. Although I suppose I'd better assume Elaine will tell Coenna everything. Anyway, it's keeping her out of trouble.
Clare managed to be fairly noncommittal about her experiences to date in Tir'na'nogth but did mention in passing that someone had tried to batter their way into my quarters in Amber. I felt it prudent to enquire exactly *what* was going on, and concluded that asking someone else would be better.
Went back to Amber, with Coenna (the rest were off into Tir'na'nogth, in various senses) to take a look at my door. It had been battered quite thoroughly, and some sort of automated defence had stopped anything further from happening. Since it was pattern based, I tracked down Gerard (who was handling the investigation) rather than try to open it.
My room was undamaged, and contained nothing unexpected - except a forgotton secret passage, and a painting with trump powers. I mentioned the secret passage to Coenna, and arranged for the door to be fixed - Gerard also gave me a trump of my door which had been found outside, after the attackers (humanoid, incompetent, were pulled out via trump after being disturbed).
We headed for the summerhouse, to see what had happened there, but were interrupted by Coenna stopping a pickpocket. She seemed very keen on punishing him, but I really wasn't bothered, he'd only been after the gold. I left it up to her, and she just let him run off, saying something about having a crossbow pointed at her. I really must keep some sort of amusing curse racked for those situations. Ellimar's Imagined Emascualation seems about right. I'll dig it out sometime.
Got home, checked it was undisturbed, and had dinner (with Coenna) - then headed back, testing the trump in the process. (Worked fine - and so much less trouble than asking Clare about it). Coenna went off, and I investigated the secret passage (leads to many other bedrooms, and a reception room, near the throne room, not been used obviously in a while, except for one branch).
Having done that, I moved the trump painting (which I also tested the empirical way) to the upstairs privy at home, as an escape route (an entirely deserted beach, a long way from anywhere, so far as I can tell). Then I went to find Elaine (who waited in Clare's shadow.
She, of course, was playing cards with Coenna in Amber by this point - but they invited me to join them, so I did. Not having seen the girl for weeks. Coenna was having really, really good luck.
At Coenna's request, I searched her chamber for secret passages, and we investigated the one in the fireplace - it was defended by Pattern, so she opened it, and led down to the subbasement, somewhere near the Pattern Chamber itself, I think.
After that, we played cards some more, and fenced briefly. Coenna has definitly practiced a lot, but to my knowledge relies on just this, so ought to be easy enough to beat by surprise, if it came to it.
I also retrieved the swords I had retained after we were attacked on the Beach, a fortnight previously, which were enchanted, but not otherwise special. One for Coenna, in whose hands it might do some good, and one for Elaine, who has been learning to fence, and would have been mortally offended otherwise. I remain happy with Kiall.
After that, home to bed - although I showed Elaine out new 'back' door first, just in case.