The dame was dead - no doubt about it. My doubts were slowly consumed by the slowly overwhelming amount of evidence. Having to make a less then surreptitious exit, when an angry mob drew close to the mansion, we hid in a nearby shadow (thanks to the effort of Cordelia).
The Amber pattern image didn't work here, but Carnelian's did. Was this relevant? Perhaps to try and dissuade Brand (who probably only had the Amber pattern imprint) or other Elder Amberites from "helping out".
It seems it wasn't enough.
Having a thought that it may not have been Brand's work (more than one signature of killing) I tried searching for Tar-Rodian between here and the Keep of the 13th hour. After 24hrs, I found nothing.
Returning to another superficially similar shadow to the one we found Coral in, we ingratiated ourselves on the household staff's hospitality. While we were about it I searched for the Abyssal signature around the mansion, to try and see where they went. All I found was the aftershock of an Abyssal Gate, which, (I presumed) meant they had bypassed shadow completely and returned to the Abyss. From there, who knows where they went. One can only hope that I am completely wrong, that we have all been fooled, and that Coral is still alive and safe.While I was in the mood, and after another good rest, I
pattern-searched the Keep, for the Jewel of Judgement. I discovered its layout
and level of defence, but found no Jewel and no Brand. I did find out where the
seal was situated. Not that I intend going there any time soon.
While I was doing all this, Alfred, found Coral's safe,
which once I had emerged from my contemplations, I duly opened. Inside, apart
from money and other trivialities, we found Coral's last will and testament,
citing her son's name and guardian, Mandor. Mandor (and get this) Saywall. My
mum (Lillian) had a double barrelled name Saywall-Winters. Coincidence? In this
place - unlikely. But I was unlikely to find any answers here - about my
surname, or anything else as it happened. So, it was off back to the Courts to ask Mandor what, if
anything, he knew of Coral or her son. Our hell ride there was foreshortened by
the 13th hour (no greeblies came looking for us thankfully) and Cordelia (I
think) trumped us all there instead. Mandor and Merlin were informed of pretty
much everything, but they had little of note to tell us. So we decided that
unless something resented itself to us in the meantime, we would direct our
attention to restoring the pattern. That meant it was off to Deirdre's again,
just to make sure we knew what we were doing. That suited me fine, as I was
missing Orac (and the sword, which I felt I might need soon). Plus, I would be
able to contact Habakkuk and determine if he'd sensed the jewel's presence in
the Void. So. Onwards and downwards!
| Back | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hero of the Hour - Charity | The Keep of the Thirteenth Hour |