The limo dropped us back at my condo. The kids drifted off towards next door and Random and I went inside. I asked him if we were staying the night or going and he said going. I told him I needed a shower. I wanted something else but wasn't going to have him provide it.
We left about an hour later, although technically we didn't leave. We stood in the garage next to the piles of boxes and Random began to manipulate probability. Slowly the building shifted about us until after half an hour we were standing in a storage room at one end of a wooden barn. As I stepped around the corner there was a cart waiting to be hitched with a team stabled beyond.
Random passed me and walked to the doors pushing them open. Beyond lay some form of courtyard, framed by two similar barns and a house beyond. As we walked outside a large man approached, obviously looking for Random. "You'll have to hurry if you want to catch the afternoon tide" . Random responded "Yeah I know, took longer than expected. Can you get the cart loaded and hitched, I need a drink after that". The guy winked at me, clapped Random on the shoulder, and said "Sure boss".
Random skipped across the courtyard as I said "Random" in a drawn out manner. He just laughed and increased his speed.40 minutes later we climbed into the cart and Random took the reins. Two hours passed and we began to approach a large town. Another hour and we entered its gates heading for the dock side. As we approached men began to shout. We were obviously cutting it fine.
The vessel was bigger than I expected. It had 4 masts, and several cabins in addition to the large cargo hold. Random told the captain to stow the cargo in one of the cabins and to be careful as it was fragile. The captain ordered a cabin boy to show us to our cabins.
We put to sea about an hour later . I went on deck as we left port, fascinated at the level of activity as hands scurried aloft to unfurl and set sails. I suppose it was about an hour later when there was a knock on my cabin door and Random walked in. "Don't you ever wait before entering?", "Not often although it depends on who I'm screwing. Anyway I didn't come here to discuss your sex life, time to go on deck and educate you some more". I noted he had a heavy coat on which seemed odd; but at the time I didn't understand why.
We went on deck and Random approached the captain - "Rig for storm conditions there's a storm approaching".
"Whilst we're at sea I'm captain and the weather is good. There's no storm approaching". Random just said "If that's the way you want it"
"What storm" I asked "I don't sense anything either"
"That's because I haven't created it yet. We're about to start shifting shadows and a storm is the best mask for hell riding"
"What's hell riding"
"A fast means of crossing shadow, but you can't do it with lots of people and you need a trained horse otherwise you end up flat on your arse very quickly. In many ways its the opposite of Shadow walking. When Shadow walking you change small details there by changing the Shadow. In hell riding small details stay the same and we change large details about the shadow. Since large things are changing it tends to send most people crazy for a while unless they are unaware that its happening, hence the storm. I take it you have something waterproof to wear"
"No. I wasn't expecting to navigate a storm."
"Looks like you're going to get wet then. Now pay attention."
He started manipulating probability pushing us into the path of a large storm. We'd crossed 30-40 shadows by the time the sky had turned dark, with threatening clouds, and a strengthening cold wind that held the promise of rain. The captain not understanding what was happening started giving us a wide berth and ordering his men aloft. As the first rains began to fall, and the first flash of lightening lit the sky, a cabin boy appeared with a leather poncho and belt for me.
Random continued his manipulations as I struggled into the poncho. "Okay now we have cover I can start us moving. We're going to the Port of Hygria in Datlearne where we can get the bulk of the rest of what you need. I've leave you there and you can make the last journey on your own and then bring the ship to Amber. Are you ready?"
I nodded and felt the ship lurch. Although I'd been expecting it the change took me by surprise and it took me several seconds to recover my senses - not helped by the fact that Random was now into his stride and Shadow was flashing by at an incredible rate. I tried to ignore the pitching of the ship, the howling wind, driving rain, and water running down my back and concentrate of what Random was actually doing. Several times I lost my footing as waves crashed over the ship and I was thoroughly soaked and cold by the end of the first hour. I had managed to work out what Random was doing but not how, although by the end of three hours I'd sort of got that figured, which was a good job, as Random turned to me and said "You take over for a while. Just keep us heading the way I've been going and I'll be back shortly to take us through the last bit."
What he actually meant was, you play for the next six hours whilst I go and get some sleep, and I'll then come and do the last 50 minutes . He also then informed me I could just as easily maintained the hell ride from the warmth and comfort of my cabin as standing on deck. If I'd had any energy or feeling left I'd have decked him but it was all I could do to remain awake.
By the time we entered the harbor I had changed into something dry, even if it was unsuitable for traveling. I make a note to carry a few more clothes in my pack in future. As we tied up along side Random approached the Captain and handed him a bag of coins. Miss Chan and I are going ashore for a couple of days, to arrange additional cargo to be stored with the rest. It is up to you whether you wish to grant shore leave. I shall be remaining here to attend to other business but Miss Chan will be returning. You may look to her as you would me."
We disembarked to find a cab waiting for us. I had expected us to travel to an inn but instead we headed for the top edge of the warehousing district where it bordered the Merchant Quarter. We stopped outside a small but imposing building that appeared to be a mix of office, shop, and warehouse. Random got out and I followed him in. An office junior was about to attempt to throw us out when a obviously more senior staff member realized who Random was and immediately ushered us upstairs. The single office upstairs was quite opulent and furnished with a variety of pieces most of which appeared not to be native. The short woman who rose from the desk to greet Random, was introduced as "Mincheza Gara-Ult", proprietor of the "Garault Exotic Trading House".
Random in turn introduced me and I was subject to almost the same level of greeting. "I was wondering when you'd be back things have been a little tight recently and I've had to lay a couple of staff off"
Random seemed genuinely concerned. "That's bad news. You have enough to meet our usual order"
"Yes I can do that, although the price of somethings has gone up. Without the staff I might not have it all next time though. Have you got the stuff I asked for?"
"No we didn't come out of Amber. I'll have to send it separately. Cordelia can you remind me to have Gerard dispatch the Garault order when you return. I'll pay in coin. Is there anything else you need?"
"Yes. I've a list here somewhere" She rummaged in the piles of paper on the desk and pulled out a parchment roll. She was about to give it to Random but he told her to give it to me. She then asked where we were staying. Now I understood why Random had come here first, as she immediately offered to put us up at her town-house, an offer which Random accepted. "Now I need to take Cordelia shopping for more suitable attire, so if it's alright with you we'll see you later?"
"You're a terrible rascal Random Sachsman, now off with you before I change my mind"
As we turned to leave a girl of about 14, with flame red hair entered. "Uncle Random you're back" She ran up to him and gave him a hug and a kiss, until her mother said "Is that the way we treat clients?" "No mother but Uncle Random, and Uncle Gerard, and Aunt Fiona are different"
"Yes I know they're different but it doesn't matter. The young lady by the way is Princess Cordelia. She's Corwin's daughter"
There was a quick change in tack and she greeted me formerly, making Random laugh.
We left the Trading house and the cab took us into the Merchant quarter. We spent several hours sorting me out several dresses, more in Llewella's line rather than my own preference, one for this evening and a couple for the onward voyage. In addition Random bought me some wet weather clothing, Hermione a new dress, and an assortment of odds and ends. Random then had the cab take us to Remple Street, Number 3 to be precise, which is the Gara-Ult residence.
We were greeted by the Butler and shown to rooms, being informed that drinks would be served in the sitting room prior to dinner at 7.00 and did I want a bath. I replied that I did and he arranged for the bath to be bought up and filled with hot water. After bathing I dressed and made my way down stairs to the sitting room - I was the last one to arrive. Dinner was a fairly cordial affair, although I'm still not used to the formality associated with it in many shadows. Random stayed as short a time span after dinner as he could get away with before taking his leave, by which time I was struggling to stay awake and retired to my room.
I was far more tired than I thought and didn't hear the maid enter to wake me for a late breakfast. Mincheza had already left but was expecting me to join her for lunch. I organized another bath mearly as a means of killing a couple of hours, then had the butler flag me down a cab to take me to the Merchant Guild building for lunch. After lunch I managed to excuse myself so I could go exploring, although in actuality I needed the time to acquire some funds and buy a couple more dresses.
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