Chapter Eighty-one: "I don't want to throw up on Benedict, it would be bad
form."

	Flora's reception continues.  Bleys dances with Laughter.  They
discuss her upcoming nuptials with Foster.  She mentions that the more
weddings she attends, the less certain she is that she wants to get
married.  Bleys thinks she's getting wiser.

	Ariadne drags Felix onto the dance floor, and dances very close to
him.  Felix does his best to studiously ignore this.

	Ariana asks Arthur if there's any way to defend against Ahab's
power.  He's determined that it doesn't work if you don't hear it, and he
has a way of dealing with it, should it be necessary.  Are there any nasty
new surprises that they should be wary?  Only if Ahab is incredibly
creative, and incredibly sloppy.  Ariana remembers the incident where Ahab
teleported out of the window, and smiles.  Arthur sees this expression and
decides that maybe he should draft Ahab a letter, warning him what to
watch out for.

	Gramble dances with Laughter, and sticks to topics she can
understand, which aren't many.  Then Laughter dances with Mandor (after
Heather has left, naturally), and tells him of her plan for dealing with
Chameleon.  He seems to like it, due to its deviousness and public nature.

	The celebrations go quite late into the night.  When Laughter
returns to Foil, it is dawn there.  As she and Foster enter the manor,
they are found by a desperate-looking servant, named Siobahn.  Siobahn
tells them that Shard apparently was looking unwell the previous evening. 
When she checked his room, he was gone, and she heard a struggle from
Beauty's room.  She went to investigate, but when she placed a hand on the
latch, she was overcome by fear, and could not leave her room until the
sun had risen.  Laughter has Foster hand Haris to Siobahn, then instructs
Siobahn to take to the child to Caitt, and lock themselves in the room. 
Once Siobahn is gone, she draws Sequence, goes to Shard's room, and kicks
open his coffin.  It's empty.  She knocks on Beauty's room, and hears a
slight noise from within.  She knocks louder, and Shard answers the door. 
He looks from her to the sword.  She asks to speak to Beauty.  Shard
stands aside.  Beauty is asleep in bed, naked, with numerous small
scratches and bruises, the most prominent of which are on her neck. 
Sequence twitches as Laughter looks back at Shard.  Laughter moves closer
to Beauty, and is able to determine that she has no puncture wounds. 
Shard says that she had a rough night.  Laughter asks who was responsible. 
Shard implies that it was him.  Sequence twitches again.  Laughter
instructs Sequence to take Shard's head off if he makes a threatening
move, and picks Beauty up, wrapping her in the bed sheet.  Shard says that
she was of great help to him last night.  Laughter walks out the door,
while Foster watches the vampire.  Laughter tells Foster to go to Haris
and Caitt, then Trumps Fiona and goes through with Sequence and Beauty.

	Beauty wakes up with a start as they arrive in Suhuyways, and is
rather confused as to why she's there.  Laughter shows her a mirror. 
Beauty says she knew of her injuries.  Shard's maker tried to call him to
her last night, and Beauty stopped him.  Laughter is concerned that Shard
might have killed her.  Beauty disagrees, revealing that Shard would not
make her a vampire, even though she asked him to.  Laughter puts her down,
and explains that she's on a course of self-destruction.  Beauty claims
that Shard convinced her to alter her course.  Laugher finds Shard's
current behavior less than reassuring.  Beauty claims it doesn't happen
all that often, then says that she now wants to be Queen of Foil.  She and
Shard have been discussing this, you see.  Laugher decides that she's had
enough, and Trumps Ariana.

	Ariana and Riftvan are making love when the call comes in.  Given
the timing, Ariana figures it must be Laughter.  Sensing Laughter's
terror, she dresses and answers it.  Laughter realizes what she
interrupted, and says she can call back later.  Ariana points out that
it's too late now, and asks what's going on.  Laughter wants Ariana to
come through with Riftvan.  He is agreeable, so they finish dressing and
join her.  Laughter takes them and Fiona into a corner, and explains what
happened.  Ariana and Laughter notice that Fiona actually seems to respect
Riftvan.  Ariana and Riftvan figure that the only real way to end the call
is to kill Belle, although Riftvan suggests that a charm or spell might
help Shard resist the call.  Laughter thinks maybe they can lure Belle out
of her Shadow.  Ariana doesn't think Belle can traverse Shadow, because if
she could, she wouldn't need Shard.  Which leaves going to Belle as the
only option.  Unfortunately, a Shadow full of vampires will not be easy to
invade.  Ariana points out that the pull was lessened when Shard got some
of her life-force, so more might help.  The life-force would have to be
from someone real, though.  And she's not volunteering any more of hers.
Fiona points out that there are plenty of executions in the Courts...
Laugher thanks Ariana and Riftvan for their help.  Ariana examines Beauty,
and determines that her injuries are superficial.  She conjures a dress
for the girl, and suggests that Laughter allow her to change.  Riftvan
pulls out a Trump, hands it to Ariana to activate, and they return to
Vetchways.  Ariana asks why Riftvan had her activate the Trump, guessing
that it prevented anyone from tracing him.  He confirms that this was the
reason, and congratulates her on her powers of deduction.

	Beauty asks if Laugher wants to know why she wanted to become a
vampire.  Laughter guesses it was love.  Nope, it's because she doesn't
want to die.  Laugher points out that Beauty is 1/4 Faerie, but Beauty
thinks that will only give her a couple more decades.  It was hard to
watch Caitt grow old.  Laughter tells her that she should at least wait
some years, and asks if she understands what becoming a vampire implies. 
Yes, she does now, Shard explained that all to her.  She wants to know
what her punishment will be.  Laughter says she's too old to punish, but
she'd prefer it if Beauty remained in Suhuyways for a couple of days,
until her anger has cooled.  Beauty wisely agrees to do that.

	Felix goes off into Shadow in the morning, tracking down all of
the women he slept with after Laughter's Wild Hunt five years ago.  He
wants to make sure that none of them have gotten pregnant.  Apparently,
the recent rash of pregnancies has made him nervous.

	Kimdyl begins throwing up at 5 a.m., and makes no move to get out
of bed until noon.  She doesn't eat anything until 4 or 5 in the
afternoon.  Sucks to be her.  Nicholas is concerned.  Ahab explains why
it's good to be a man.

	Laughter still looks rather upset when she shows up for Nicholas'
lesson, and Ahab suggests maybe she might want to postpone it.  Nope, but
she does decide to use him for demonstration purposes.  She seems to be
taking a lot of frustration out on him, but Ahab is good enough to at
least hold her off, and he doesn't exactly tire quickly.  Ariana shows up
for her lesson with Laughter, but Laughter is so engrossed that she
doesn't even notice.  Ariana joins Nicholas in watching on the sidelines. 
After another hour, Laughter finally grows tired and stops.  She fills
Ahab in on the Beauty situation.  Ahab figures they should just kill
Shard.  Other options are discussed.  Laughter mentions that Beauty wanted
to become a vampire, which definitely gets Nicholas' attention.  No one
knows where the vampire Shadow is, so Ariana suggests asking one of those
who found Shard, like Bart, Driscoll or Merlin.  Laughter needs to see
Clytemnestra, anyway, so he's the lucky guy.  Ariana warns that the
vampire Shadow will be rather real, since its inhabitants are, so it can't
be easily destroyed.  She suggests locking down Foil so that you can't
leave with Pattern, and removing all place Trump from it.  That way, if
Belle calls Shard again, he won't be able to leave.

	Bart does a bunch of stuff that all took place over e-mail.  I'm
sure it was sneaky and clever, or he at least thought it to be so.

	Laughter knocks on Driscoll's door, and explains the Beauty
situation.  Driscoll confirms that the Shadow was definitely not normal. 
He faired better than Shard when he was deposited there because Verdegris
protected him.  Laughter would like to commission such a item to protect
Beauty.  Driscoll points out that an item like that would require a lot of
personal energy from the creator (translation: he already has too much bad
stuff, he doesn't need any more).  He offers her Verdegris instead, to
protect Beauty until the danger is passed.  Laughter wants to know if
Verdegris can tell if she's one or two.  Driscoll is confused.  Laughter
doesn't bother to elaborate, figuring she'll just have to see
Clytemnestra.  Driscoll programs Verdegris to obey Laughter, by tracing
the length of the little dragon's body.  After tucking Verdegris into her
pocket, Laughter goes up to the battlements, where Clytemnestra is sunning
herself.  Laughter bows, and asks if she's pregnant.  Clytemnestra mumbles
something about stupid humans not being able to tell these things for
themselves, and takes a deep breath.  She then informs Laughter that she's
safe.  She returns to Foil, and tells Foster the good news.

	Nicholas asks Ahab and Ariana when Shard became a vampire, and is
filled in.  He thinks Beauty should be married off.  Ariana asks if he's
thinking of making a play for her himself.  He denies it, since she is
older than him, after all, but Ahab doesn't believe him.  Ariana
thoughtfully mentions that there are Shadows where time flows faster than
it does in Amber or Foil.  Ahab isn't thrilled to have Nicholas learn
about this.  Ariana offers to fill in for Laughter and instruct Nicholas
this morning.  Nicholas responds by saluting her with his sword, and they
begin.

	Ahab leaves Nicholas to his lesson and goes in search of Kimdyl. 
He finds her sitting at a window in their quarters, enjoying the fresh
air.  Ahab tells her about Nicholas' new knowledge of fast-time Shadows. 
He likes the idea of going to one for several reasons, including giving
Nicholas and the next child some time to grow up, since as possible heirs
to Amber's throne, they are targets.  Kimdyl's thought of this already,
and thinks they should wait until things settle a bit.  Currently, the
kids should be fine in Amber.  When that changes, she'll let him know. 
Besides, she doesn't want to lose the chance to gloat over some of the
less fortunate.  Ahab figures that if Oberon links his name in the
succession, he'll either have to age Nicholas quickly, or remove him from
the line of succession.

	Ariana finishes Nicholas' lesson, and returns to Vetchways for
lunch.  She asks Riftvan what Fenar Borge is like.  Specifically, if he's
likely to hurt Mirelle.  Riftvan figures that will depend on how quickly
Mirelle adapts to her new role.  Ariana reminds him of what happened to
her father.  Riftvan says that trait in her line rather appealed to him. 
The fact that her line tends to kill their mates?  Yep.  She points out
that this trait is what stopped her from killing him, back when she first
learned who he was.  He asks what she wants.  She doesn't want Mirelle to
be hurt.  He offers to tell Fenar that if Mirelle is hurt, his wife will
be vexed, which means he will be vexed.  Ariana kisses him in thanks, and
they get ready for the wedding.

	Usires stumbles down to the fencing room in the afternoon, and
finds Random and Corwin fencing.  They seem to have been griping over the
shit that is their lives.  Usires watches them for a while, noting that
they both seem a little better than him.  Random eventually points out
Usires' presence, bowing out in favor or the Viking.  Corwin salutes
Usires with his sword.  Usires doesn't return the salute, so Corwin
schools him appropriately.  Random watches them fight for a while, then
jumps in, supposedly on Usires' side.  Somehow, though, Usires winds up
collecting far more blows than Random does.  Hmmm....  Revenge for all of
the times that Usires made Random announce him?  Nah.  Eventually, Random
and Corwin stop abusing Usires for their own entertainment, since Random
has to leave for Mirelle's wedding.

	Ariana, Riftvan, Random, Vialle, Driscoll, Eris, Martin and Oberon
attend Mirelle's wedding.  Teresa is also there, representing House Borge. 
Mirelle is her usual blissfully unaware self as Oberon escorts her down
the aisle.  After the ceremony, he has the standard chat with her on the
reception line, encouraging her to be fruitful and multiply.  Ariana
presents Mirelle with her gift, which is a dress with all of the ribbons
and ruffles that Mirelle goes nuts for.  Mirelle introduces Ariana to
Fenar as her daughter, Mercedes.  Ariana says that she prefers Ariana, in
a tone that indicates he'd better not call her Mercedes.  During the
reception, Riftvan speaks briefly with Fenar, who goes rather pale.  The
rest of the wedding is uneventful.

	Bart checks his quarters for Lyss, but she's not there.  Ariadne
knocks on the door shortly afterwards, and says, "Hello, son."  He bows
and looks nervous.  She smiles, and bares her teeth, then sits down.  She
asks if he loves her daughter.   Yes.  Does he intend to treat her
properly?  Oh, yes, she's very important to him, he'd never mistreat her. 
Ariadne observes that if he's lying, she'll find out.  But that won't
matter until Lyss emerges from her chrysalis.  Benedict will be dropping
by later to talk to him about that.  Er.  Ariadne figures that he's either
a very clever liar, or utterly sincere.  She takes his hand and gives him
a peck on the cheek.  He sags in relief, then says that they've found
Dara.  Ariadne tells him to stay away from her.  Wise advice.

	Usires fights some more with Corwin, but salutes him at the
beginning this time.  He can be taught.  Corwin fights pretty low-down and
dirty, but what else would you expect from Corwin?

	Laughter plays with her son until after dinner, then looks for
Shard.  No sign of him.  She Trumps him, but the card does not animate. 
She uses the talking bones to determine that Shard is not in Foil.  This
makes her nervous.  She Trumps Fiona, who denies her, then tries Beauty,
who answers.  Laughter comes through and gives Verdegris to Beauty. 
Beauty asks where Laughter is going.  After Shard.  Beauty is concerned
about the fact that he's left, and doesn't want Laughter to go after him
alone.  Laughter figures she'll take Foster, and Trumps him.  He answers,
and is informed that they will be Hellriding for vampires.  Foster likes
this not at all, and only will help once she agrees to turn back if he
deems things too dangerous.  She leaves it up to him who else to bring. 
Foster Trumps her shortly afterwards with Rinaldo.

	Ahab spends the afternoon searching for a fast Shadow with his
Pattern lens.  He wants a place much like pre-1970's Israel, so Nicholas
will be well trained.

	Felix returns from talking to one of the women he buffed the floor
with, those many years ago.  Luckily for him, he's just in time for
dinner.  Ahab sees Felix enter the dining hall looking as though he has a
heavy weight on his shoulders, and comments on it.  Felix doesn't want to
talk about it.  The entire Court is at dinner, and Oberon soon calls them
all to attention.  He names Corwin as the official heir to the throne,
causing Ahab to give Corwin a rather smug smile.  Corwin looks like Ahab
will pay for that, later.

	Felix looks for Tamaryn after dinner, but can't find her.  He
Trumps Foster next.  Foster pauses the Hellride, and takes it.  Felix
wants to ask his advice.  Foster tells Laughter and Rinaldo to wait for
him.  Laughter doesn't want to, but Rinaldo nods.  Foster goes through. 
Felix explains that he went back to the Shadow where he had that floor
exhibition, but only three months have passed there.  Foster notes that
the Shadow wasn't that slow when they were there, five years ago.  Felix
tells him that one of the women is pregnant, but she doesn't know if Felix
or Shard is the father.  She doesn't want to stay there, since she's
considered a sinner.  She wants to be set up as a maid or something. 
Foster would do what she wants, in Felix's situation.  Felix asks who
would take her.  Foster observes that Ariana always seems to be picking up
new staff.  Felix doesn't want to put a possible child of his in Vetch's
grasp.  He considers leaving the woman in Foil, but there are problems
with Shard there right now.  Foster figures they have time to spare, since
the Shadow is so slow.  He suggests that they talk about this tomorrow,
Trumps Laughter, and goes through.

	Laughter, of course, had gone on, but Rinaldo had managed to keep
them from traveling far.  They continue after Foster rejoins them, but
Rinaldo stops not long afterwards, and observes that they are getting
nowhere.  Pattern, Trump and sorcery are a loss.  Maybe Logrus would work. 
In the meantime, Laughter figures Beauty can return to Foil.  Rinaldo is
intrigued by the whole thing, and wants to stay involved.  They Trump back
to Foil, and the guys go off together.  Laughter Trumps Beauty, and brings
her back to Foil.  Then she sets about retrieving all of the place Trumps
in the Shadow.

	Ariana spends the evening exploring more of Vetchways, working on
her new spell, and imprinting the psi-stone she obtained in Shadow.  She
spends quite some time working on some new bracelets, which she conjures
several times before she is satisfied with the result.  She makes several
pairs of varying styles and colors.

	Bart drives Constance crazy for several hours, before returning to
his quarters with some water.  As soon as he gets settled, Benedict
arrives.  He mentions that Barnabas told him that Bart wishes to marry
Lyss.  As she has no objections, neither does Benedict.  He leaves Bart
with the deactivation spell for Lyss, should the need arise.  Lyss peaks
in, and observes that he's in one piece.  She asks if Benedict scared him
as much as he scared her.  Well, he was expecting to be more scared,
actually.  How deeply did Benedict question her?  She doesn't really
remember.  Now all they have to do is throw a ball and make it official.
Constance appears at the mention of a ball, and suggests combining his
engagement party and hers.

	The following day, Kimdyl continues her pattern of throwing up in
the morning, and sleeping in the afternoon.  Ahab checks her out with a
Pattern lens, and notices a seed of Pattern there, just like with Ariana. 
He Trumps Fiona and comes through.  He asks if she's familiar with the
unusualness that's surrounding the children conceived due to the Pattern. 
She is.  He mentions that it's not agreeing with Kimdyl.  Fiona checks to
see if the Count is available.  He is, so they see him.  Ahab explains the
problem.  Suhuy thinks Kimdyl should be OK, since she no longer has the
Logrus.  He might be of more help if he could examine her, though.  Ahab
says he'll check with her.  Suhuy would like to see her in the morning.

	Lyss suggests visiting Rebma.  Bart is up for that.

	Laughter instructs Nicholas, then spars with Ariana.  Foster
tracks her down as soon after she returns to Foil, while she's bathing. 
Foster explains about Felix's possible Wild Hunt child.  Laughter says
she's willing to take on another servant.  Foster offers to wash her back,
and things progress from there.

	After the lesson with Laughter, Ariana looks for Tamaryn, to see
if she wants to continue learning healing magic.  She does, but she's busy
with other things right now.  Ariana spends some time healing people in
one of the local infirmaries in Amber, then returns to Vetchways, where
she begins redecorating the nursery.

	Felix works out in the morning, then Trumps Foster at lunch. 
Foster tells him that Laughter says she'll take the pregnant woman on as a
servant.  Felix still looks unhappy about the whole mess.  Foster asks
Felix to let Laughter know if he comes across Shard, seeing as how he's
gone missing.  Felix continues to look worried.  Foster tells Felix to
relax, since they don't know that the child is his.  Felix is positive
that the child will be born at a horrible time, just because.  Foster is
amused at the idea of an invasion of Felix's progeny.

	Laughter tells Foster that he should be more patient with Felix. 
Foster proceeds to tickle her, and the claws that she grows do not phase
him.  They eventually get around to telling Caitt that she's getting a new
servant.

	Felix returns to the Shadow where Bridget, the pregnant woman, is. 
As before, not much time has passed.  He decides to Shadow ride with
Bridget to Foil, so he has time to explain what's going on to her.  She
views him as her savior, and is willing to do pretty much whatever he
asks.  Of course, if she hadn't been willing to do whatever he asked the
first time, she wouldn't be in this mess.  It is evening in Foil when they
arrive.

	Benedict's wedding takes place in Amber that afternoon.  It is a
small affair, with no reception.  Oberon, Ariadne, Lyss, Bart, Luther and
Deirdre are there.  The ceremony goes flawlessly, and Magdalyn looks like
she wonders what her brother has gotten her into.

	After the wedding, Deirdre pays Ahab a visit, hoping that her
idiot husband won't be able to find her for a while.  She asks Nicholas if
he has a sweetheart.  He admits that he does, but he's not at liberty to
say who.  Deirdre observes privately that he's just like Ahab.  Ahab asks
how she's doing.  She says that she'll figure out how to kill her husband,
eventually.  Ahab has no doubt of this.  She is invincible in
Hendrakeways, after all.  Deirdre admits that this is true.  They chat for
a little while longer, until a Helgram servant comes by and tells Deirdre
that the Lord wishes to leave.  Deirdre likes this not at all, but leaves
anyway.

	Ariana spars with Usires, who is actually slightly better than
her.  This irritates the hell out of her.

	After dinner, Ahab observes to Kimdyl that things seem to be worse
with this pregnancy.  She figures she'll get over it.  Ahab thinks it
might have something to do with carrying a Pattern baby, and asks if she'd
let Suhuy examine her.  She asks if he's nuts.  One doesn't place oneself
in Suhuy's care without a lot of thought.  Ahab mentions that she has a
few hours to decide, and she always thinks fast.  She asks if he's
arranged this already.  No, he's waiting for her to decide.  If she
refuses, he'll just have to apologize to Fiona and Suhuy, for wasting
their time.  She agrees to the examination, but only if he doesn't leave
her alone with Suhuy.  He sarcastically asks why she thinks Suhuy would do
anything wrong.  She kicks him, but he catches the foot and kisses her
toes.  Two of them grow longer and pinch his nose, then start rubbing back
and forth.  Owie!  She says she'll carry that image to her grave, and
looks terribly amused.  She goes to sleep shortly thereafter.  Ahab goes
into the other room and Trumps Fiona, relaying that Kimdyl is willing. 
Fiona notes that he's not even bruised, and offers congratulations.  She
tells him to bring Kimdyl by at 10:00.

	Felix presents Bridget to Laughter.  Bridget is very grateful to
Laughter for the opportunity.  She's about 17, and seems to be strong and
healthy.  Laughter grimaces, as she tries to picture what it's going to be
like for the poor girl to have Felix's child.  Felix asks Caitt if
Laughter's explained things.  Caitt responds, "Aren't you the devil?" 
Felix looks very guilty, and protests that he didn't mean to do it.  Caitt
more than understands.  He asks her to keep him up to date, and he'll get
whatever she needs.  Caitt figures they'll be able to take good care of
Bridget.

	On Felix's way out, Laughter tells him that he's welcome to keep
rooms in Foil, so it will be easier for him to visit.  Foster jokes that
he doesn't want to live in the same house as his father.  Laughter kicks
his leg, eliciting a loud clang from the metal.  Felix glares at Foster,
and tells Laughter that he'd appreciate it.  He asks what will happen when
Shard returns.  Foster tells him what happened with Beauty.  Laughter asks
why Foster didn't stop Shard from leaving.  He points out that it's not
easy to stop a vampire in the middle of the night.  Of course, Shard left
after dawn, but never mind.  He makes another smart remark, and Laughter
kicks his leg again, prompting him to brag that he's made of better metal
than Sequence.  Sequence decides that these are fighting words.  Laughter
drags Felix off to get something to eat, while Sequence attacks Foster. 
After a while, Foster casts a spell, and Sequence disappears.  Laughter
re-enters the room as this happens, and says he'll be bringing Sequence
back *now.* Nope, he doesn't have that spell.  Felix "suggests" that
Foster do what she asked, but Foster repeats that he can't.  He starts
laughing pretty hard, but stays out of Felix's reach.  Laughter goes
outside and begins calling for Sequence, who's actually only two miles
away.  It arrows to her, arriving after five minutes have passed.  Felix
manages to grab Foster by the ear, and drags him out to Laughter and
Sequence.  He tells Foster to apologize to the sword.  Foster says he's
sorry that Sequence forced him to send it away.  Sequence isn't quite sure
what an apology is, but decides that it's happy that Foster is sad.

	Ariana returns to Vetchways after her session with Usires, and
does some more exploring of the place.  She finally finds the main
entrance to the place, but is still unable to determine how one spots the
passages between Shadows, so she asks Riftvan again how he does it.  He
sees how frustrated she is, and explains that there is a sigil present by
each passage.  She expresses her concern about not knowing how to act in
Chaos.  He says he will teach her what she needs to know, and suggests
that she think of it as just playing a role.  She mentions that she thinks
she's losing her fighting skills.  He points out that Usires doesn't have
four small children to look after.  They have dinner, after which she asks
him to set up an audience with the Dexterian King, for sometime after
Bleys' wedding.  She spends the rest of the evening playing with her
children.

	Usires chats with Caine at dinner.  He observes that Caine has no
wife.  Caine points out that his betrothed is a bit young, yet.  Usires
asks if she's anyone he knows.  Actually, she's Jalana, Ariana's daughter. 
Usires asks if he'll have to call Ariana "Grandmother."  Caine likes this
idea.  Usires is less keen on it.  He asks if Caine's been back to
Rimmersgard, lately.  Nope.

	The next day dawns, and the standard morning workouts occur. 
Afterwards, Laughter tells Ariana that Shard is missing.  Ariana checks
her link with him, and finds that he's in the vampire Shadow.  She relays
this to Laughter, and tries to contact him via the link, but he breaks the
contact as soon as he notices it.  While they are deciding what to do
about this, Ariana notices that Shard has begun moving towards Foil.  She
informs Laughter of this, then Trumps Riftvan, and asks if he's busy.  He
is at the moment.  She tells him psychically what's happened.  He says
he'll try to wrap things up as soon as he can.  Laughter Trumps Fiona, and
relays the current situation psychically.  Fiona tells Ahab and Kimdyl of
this, since they are there for Kimdyl's exam.  Kimdyl looks like she's
been saved.  Ahab suggests that he might be of use, or his power, at
least.  He Trumps Lyss and hands Kimdyl through to her in Rebma, since
Kimdyl's in no shape to go with them.  Kimdyl suggests that Lyss put her
down, then throws up.  Ah, motherhood.

	Laughter brings Ariana and Foster to Foil, where they meet up with
Ahab and Fiona as they arrive.  Ahab and Fiona bring up the Pattern, and
Ahab uses his Pattern skills to "find" Morglyph in Foil.  Ariana tracks
Shard's approach, and suggests that perhaps someone could observe him, to
see if he has company.  Fiona determines that he's alone, on horseback,
with a sack.  Eventually Shard reaches them, and tosses Laughter the sack. 
It contains Belle's head, which Laughter trees.  Shard asks if he passes. 
Laughter decides that he does.  Shard smiles at this, which sends a thrill
through Ariana, something that Fiona notices.  She and Ahab go back to
Suhuyways.

	Laughter invites everyone else to a meal.  Ariana Trumps Riftvan,
and tells him the danger has passed, but he's welcome to join them for
dinner.  He's still rather busy, but asks her to take notes for him.  At
dinner, Ariana asks if Shard has noticed any further changes since she
last spoke to him.  Nope.  He apologizes to her and Laughter for not
returning their contacts.  Ariana figures he was rather busy.  Laughter
notes that it's a good thing returned with what he did.  He figures it was
the only choice he had.  She asks how he managed to overcome Belle.  He
explains that he used his acting skills to pretend that he had answered
her call.  Apparently she wanted to know about the life-force that he had
acquired.  He waited until he had the opportunity, then killed her.  The
reason he was gone for so long, was because he had to plan his escape such
that he would not be followed when he left.  As for his future plans, he'd
like to stay on in Foil, if Laughter will allow this.  Laughter says that
will depend on what kind of agreement he, she, Beauty, Senlin and Fiona
come to.

	Ahab Trumps Kimdyl and brings her back to Suhuyways.  Suhuy
examines her, and tells Ahab that, because of the amount of Pattern
present, there isn't much that can be done, other than drugs like the
Alka-Seltzer.  Kimdyl is a shapeshifter, and therefore prone to survival
at all costs, so she will get through this.  She should cut back on her
normal activities, though, since she will need her strength.  And the
labor is likely to be unassisted by her shapeshifting this time.  Sucks to
be her.

	Eric's wedding takes place that afternoon.  Oberon, Felix, Foster,
Laughter, Haris, Caine, Julian, Swiss Family Gerard and Benedict are
there.  The Amber celebrations are tending to be rather small, as a rule. 
Eric is obviously not very thrilled about getting married.

	Ariana and Usires spar again in the afternoon.  They both agree
that this is good practice, and decide to make it a regular occurrence.
Afterwards, Ariana returns to Vetchways, and spends some time with her
children.  After dinner, she asks Riftvan what else her serpent ring can
do.  He tells her that, besides the abilities she knows of, it can also
move her through Shadow, and can hold 12 spells.  The latter is a recent
addition, due to her interest in learning sorcery, and he meant to
surprise her with it.  He looks like sharing all of this information is
new experience for him, but Ariana is rather pleased with him for doing
so.  They spend the rest of the evening making love.

	Tamaryn returns to Amber, and spends some time with her "kids" and
grandkid.

	Ahab spends the evening pampering Kimdyl.  He also sends Bart and
Lyss a Rebman picnic basket for their help.

	Ariana spars with Laughter in the morning, then returns to
Vetchways and does some research on demons.  After several hours, she is
able to determine the type of sacrifice that she was being prepared for by
the demon that Brand sold her to, just before Patternfall.  Apparently, it
was part of some sort of containment ritual, that would have used her body
as a living vessel.  She is unable to determine what she would have been
containing, or whether the spell would have destroyed her soul or not.
She is, however, able to discover the demon's affiliation - House
Hendrake.

	People busy themselves until Bleys' wedding in the late afternoon.
The bride is wearing Chaosite mourning colors, something that is not lost
on many of the observers.  Fiona, naturally, is in a very festive mood.
Mirelle is sitting quietly with her husband, prompting Ariana to ask
Riftvan if she's really one of the Stepford Wives.  Riftvan doesn't get
the reference.  Once the wedding ceremony is over, the celebration begins
in earnest.  There is much dancing, fine food and fine wine.  Suddenly,
Lyss collapses, and Ahab gets a headache.  Corwin is nowhere to be seen.
Ariana examines Lyss, and determines that she is simply unconscious, but
can't find the cause.  Ahab gets a Trump call from Merlin, and vanishes.
He arrives at the Rose, and finds Corwin lying next to it, Greyswandir at
his side, his throat slit, and his blood spreading across his Pattern.
Ahab checks, but Corwin is already dead, although he hasn't been that way
for long.


Quotables:

"Foster is the only one Laughter can marry, because everything else would
be heinous incest, due to all of the other marriages." -- Mer to GM

"Fiona hasn't gotten around to teaching you to mask your thoughts, has
she?" -- Bleys
"You can do that?" -- Laughter

"Fiona's been busy on her honeymoon." -- Laughter
"Why would that keep her busy?" -- Bleys

"Are there any nasty surprises waiting for (Ahab)?" -- Ariana to Arthur
"Gonorrhea." -- Liam

"We know our status in the world, and we are fly, and (Gramble) is
swatter." -- Laughter to GM

"When they replace Gramble versus Oberon, with Mandor versus Ahab, the
world will come to an end." -- Jason to GM

"(Kimdyl's) sex drive is stronger than nausea, it just needed a few days
to build up." -- Ahab to GM

"No, Shard would not make me (a vampire), even though I asked it of him."
-- Beauty to Laughter
"You're grounded." -- Sean

"I Trump Ariana, this is her pet vampire, after all." -- Laughter to GM

"(Haris) can't be Driscoll's child, because we never slept together." --
Laughter to GM

"I don't want to throw up on Benedict, it would be bad form." -- Bart to
Constance

"It's about an unexpected pregnancy.  Well, frankly it's between Dad and
Shard." -- Foster
"That's not physically possible." -- Laughter

"I don't tire easily." -- Bridget to Laughter
"Of course not, it took two of them to, oh, never mind." -- Sean

"What are you going to do when Shard gets back?" -- Felix
"I'm not putting the two of you in the same room!" -- Laughter

"If you can't provide a sword for your wife, what kind of husband will you
be?" -- Felix to Foster

"We miss Julian.  He's the only person half as grim as me.  Except for
Benedict, who doesn't count, since with him it's a state of being." --
Ahab to GM