Allagahn's Diary

Chapter 8 - Am I still handsome?

I failed to impress myself with an attempt to escape. I tried just about everything I could with pattern to alert the others to my predicament, without success. I was able to bring up the pattern and find what appeared to be the pattern room, however I was unable to detect any of my companions. I tried some pattern searching, looking for either my sword, Cordellia or Charity, however I only got a general impression of direction.The backup plan could have worked better as well.

I managed to attract the guards into the cell at the correct time for the thirteenth hour, I even managed to keep them talking until the exact time. Then nothing happened... So I attacked and they beat the shit out of me.

Shortly after coming to, I heard shuffling outside my cell, it was Alfred, looking all scaly and demon like. He let me out and we joined with Charity and Cordellia.

Cordellia had come in looking for us all and had worked out I was taken prisoner. We escaped using one of Dworkins trumps she had taken from his tower and attempted to make our way around the castle and back up to the bluff where we'd left our horses.

Climbing up the cliff to get back to the bluff was no easy feat (especially for Charity, who had to carry me). Luckily we were rewarded at the top by being spotted by two guards and having to fight them. Cordellias' dog helped us out a bit and we managed to get rid of them and get the others up the cliff.

After rejoining Sorcha (alive and well... lucky us) we set off away from Amber, I thought we should head to Carnelian and see if they needed any extra assistance, however Cordellia though finding Dierdre was more pressing, so we set off towards her (where is she? No one knows, doesn't matter, we'll go this way!). Cordellia seems a little more open to teaching us bits of pattern than Charity has ever been, she has taught me the basics of both pattern defence and psychic combat. The psychic combat lesson was rather short and I get the impression I did quite well.

We headed off to board a ship that could sail us away from Amber and hopefully towards Dierdre. Something wasn't quite right, when we boarded the ship, I told the others to be prepared for trouble, but Cordellia was already on her way below decks with the captain. She seemed aware there might be trouble too and I know she can look after herself quite well. Seconds later we all froze, literally, someone had case a spell of some sort. Cordellia came back on deck followed by a tall man. Luckily for me I was expecting something of the sort and I managed a simple cordial greeting
"Father."

I hadn't seen him for over 15 years, he had not changed a bit. He led us all back below deck where we met the lady he was body guarding (another Queen I think). They are heading towards Carnelian (strange how things turn out) and they have instructed us to escort them.

I have about a million questions to ask my father. He has agreed to help me improve my swordplay as we travel, perhaps that will be a good time to get some of the answers.