The Diaries of Cordelia Chan

The march from the burial ground to the Ambassadors residence was unremarkable. Other than the unnamed all of the women left the procession as we entered the city proper, although by the time we reached the residence a number had re-appeared, dressed in traditional dresses but without girdles and Trunnii. There were also children on the street once more who tagged along in the manner that children do. As we approached the main gates I could see that the guard had been substantially re-inforced, and a couple had been given rifles. Even so they looked decidedly nervous.

By the time I reached the gates I was in no mood for compromise. "Who are you to dare bar my way. Open these gates now or pay with your lives." One of the guardsman moved as if to unbar the gates and was struck from behind by the butt of a rifle. "So be it". He started to raise the rifle. By the time it reached his shoulder, my sword was already on the down stroke, and took his arm off at the shoulder. The other guardsman turned, completely surprised by my apearance behind them. "Anyone else feeling stupid?" There was a clatter, as halberds were released from hands. The other rifleman made to raise his rifle, suffering the loss of his left arm half way between the wrist and elbow. "Now open those gates." "Stands-Tall-Against-Storms I want the uninjured ones alive - do with them as you wish but I want them alive to stand trial in Amber." There was the sound of breaking glass and figures began appearing on the residence roof. So they were going to fight to the last.

I brought the pattern to mind and began to walk it. Several bullets winged off the paving close to my feet, and a couple of the warriors took minor wounds from crossbow bolts. A voice anounced that we were trespassing on the sovereign territory of Amber and that we had thirty seconds to leave. There would be no further warning shots. I ignored it and continued my pattern walk. A distance shout of fire, reached my ears as the pattern blazed in front of me. Bullets and bolts dropped from the sky like a minor hail shower. Smiling at the half concealed watchers I started the slow walk up the short drive. After the third volley was stopped harmlessly a few feet in front of me they changed tactics and started trying to pick off the warriors now streaming, fan like, across the gardens. A couple continued to take intermittant shots at me as I made proges towards the buildings.

By the time I reached the point where the Pattern Shield would become useless, since it was only a flat shield and not a hemispere, and the layout of the buildings meant I could shield either the front, left, or right side, warriors were clambering up walls and engaging those on the upper floors. The riflemen had either run out of ammunition or retreated as no further shots came from the building. I dropped the pattern shield, and now unencumbered by having to maintain it, advanced on the main doors at a more respectable pace.

I had expected the main doors to be locked and barred but they opened at a touch. The scene inside was almost normal if you exclude the bodies of 2 dead guards and 4 warriors, or the other half dozen warriors nervously waiting at the base of the two staircases leading one to each wing. A second set of ornate double doors, 50 feet down the long hall lead to the main reception hall. As I reached the middle of the hall several of the warriors approached, "The men with fire-sticks have retreated into Uketana's dwelling. His spirit is strong there, stronger than our medicine." I acknowledged his statement. "See to the rest of the house. If Uketana's puppet seeks to flee let him pass. If I should fail the King will come form Amber to deal with him, otherwise I am his reconing."

Saying the words was one thing, acting on them was something else, and I had no idea of what lay behind the doors. Most likely a line of riflemen ready to gun down anyone stupid enough to enter. If I was going to die in a hail of gunfire then I might as well do it properly. I turned to Yousheng, "I want you to announce me using my full title then throw open the doors. If you're quick enough you should be ok, I doubt they'll fire until I step through the doors" 

"I've sworn a duty to protect you. They will have to shoot you through me." 

I shook my head. "I'm almost convinced the Ambassador will want to meet me before he tries to kill me, but I can't be one hundred percent sure. This is a game and we have to play properly. If this was a normal visit I would be announced, so to play the game you need to announce me. If he's playing you can follow me in, if not." I paused "I know I have no need to tell you we're walking into a trap, whether we leave or not depends upon how good a trap it is. Now let's get on it."

Yousheng moved to the doors, with me a couple of steps behind hind and the rest of the entourage of the unnamed led by Guides-Traveler-Seeking about half a dozen steps behind. He reached the doors and stopped, turning to look at me. I nodded. He grabbed the handles, and flung the doors open, stepping to the side to announce me - "Pray make way for Cordelia Chan-Barriman, Daughter of Corwin, Granddaughter of Oberon, Princess of the Royal Household of Amber" I stepped through the doorway. No hail of gunfire greeted me. The Ambassador remained half-sitting half-reclined on a throne on a dias at the far end of the room. Kneeling to either side of the arms were two naked native girls. At each front corner of the dias a pair of guards stood with swords ready. A dozen more lurked behind pillars which supported the upper gallery which ran down both sides of the room. Several rifles were pointed over the balustrade in my direction. At the rear corners of the dias were two eight foot diameter wheels. On the right hand one another girl was spreadeagled upside down. To her right a second girl was spreadeagled on her back over a vaulting horse.

I walked down the hall. Low whimpers came from the girls on the wheel and vault. As I passed the halfway point the Ambassador looked up. "I think thats far enough. I see you've brought me a present for my other wheel, and she's already impaled, how thoughtful of you. I'm sure I shall enjoy several of the others, but as they're damaged goods they'll be better suited as toys to keep the men entertained for a short while. After all, they'll need some relief from the killing. As for you my dear I shall enjoy breaking you whilst your lackies watch. Now save us all a lot of time and bother, throw your sword over here, take that ridiculous garment you're wearing off, and kneel in the presence of a superior power." I kept walking, mentally preparing a travel unseen. "You know I'm not going to do that. You can save everybody a lot of trouble by surrendering now. I can then take you back to Amber where you'll get a fair trial before your execution."

He laughed. "You don't frighten me with your cheap parlor tricks little girl. I have more power than you can imagine." He paused momentarily, "You have your orders, I want as many of them alive as possible." As the guards rushed in I activated the travel unseen, but as I did so he spoke a word and I felt a surge of power. I managed about two steps then slammed into a wall and rebounded landing in a heap on the floor. The butt end of a halberd lanced towards my head and it was all I could do to deflect it onto the floor. It did however leave the guard in range of my feet, and I planted a sharp kick on the side of his left knee. He toppled sideways in surprise, letting go of the halberd in the process. I rolled forwards to avoid its path. Two pairs of hands made to grab me. I let them half grab and lift me then somersaulted, landing behind the one on the left. I didn't have time for games, and punched hard to the base of his spine. He lost all interest in remaining upright. I blocked a clumsy attempt at a grab from his partner and jabbed my fingers into his exposed wind pipe. I risked a quick look round and saw Guides-Traveler-Speaking rush the Ambassador. He let her get within 6 feet then spoke a single word. I felt the release of power and she froze. I ducked under the sword swing from the guard who's knee I'd kicked, grabbed his sword arm and broke it. This left me free to tackle the Ambassador. The guards who were left had now drawn swords. They were no longer trying to take people alive. The Ambassador started to clap his hands, "Bravo, bravo. I didn't think you'd get this far but there we are. Time to finish this little game I think. As he spoke the first word, I moved. I could feel the power building, he spoke the second, I was still only half way to him. As he started the third I knew I wouldn't make it. The world appeared to freeze, then snap back. I could hear and see but was frozen in place, as were everybody else. The Ambassador spoke again. "Get down here and tie them up." He walked over to me and ran his hands down my body, then took the trump deck out of the sash and threw it across the room. He then drew the sword from its scabbard and started to examine it.

The world faded from view. I was standing on a pale grey plain, illuminated by a pale grey light. In the distance vast hills rose from the plain. A single female figure, naked except for what looked like a Trunnii walked towards me. She seemed familiar somehow. "We meet but briefly, yet you have carried me to where I can return what was done to me. When he finds the dream charm you must act. Your power must break his magic. Now you must return." The world started to materialize. Unbidden I voiced "Wait, I don't know how", a feint echo replied "Remember your teachings."

He was twirling the sword in his hands now. He slashed once severing the sash, partially cutting the dress and nicking my skin underneath. The he made two more passes, cutting through the dress parallel and just below my shoulders, causing two long cuts about an eighth of an inch in the process. Pain flared through my nervous system as the dress slid to the floor. The sword rose caressing my vulva , then naval, before stopping at what hung just level with my left breast. "What's this then?". With his free hand he wrenched it from around my neck. There was a surge of power, and a ghostly figure appeared her hands wrapping themselves around his throat. He staggered backwards, dropping the sword. An inner voice said "Now. Use the pattern now."

Frantically I brought up the pattern and began to run it. My head screamed, lights flared across my vision, my body started the burn and a massive weight landed on top of me crushing the air from my lungs. I crossed the second veil. Coils now enveloped me, and the air became thick with ash. I couldn't breath. My heart pounded in my ears, its beat slowing with every step. I lunged forward. The world exploded, and I fell to the floor. Screams and cries echod about the room as people collapsed and guards were suddenly surprised as their hapless victims returned to full movement. As I picked myself up the ghostly figure of the girl blazed briefly and was gone. The Ambassador looked at me. For the first ime he was unsure. He raised his hand, pointed at me, and spoke two words. I watched as the spell coalesced, left his figures and crossed the gap between us. It reached the surface of my skin where it flared briefly as the pattern consumed it. His mouth moved again, but I heard no sound. Fear crossed his face for the first time. I bent down and picked up my sword.

He gestured and spoke again. Instinct took over and I dived sideways as a bolt of electricity shot through the space I'd just vacated, hitting one of the gallery supports and obliterating it. Wood protested under the sudden stress and gave way. He gestured again but his aim was off and the throne exploded showering everyone with splinters. He turned to run. Suddenly, Guides-Traveler-Seeking was in front of him. The Trunnii she wore was somehow different. Instead of the carved phallic end that had been there previously a maw lined with razor sharp teeth beckoned. There was the sicking sound as they collide followed by an ear splitting scream. As Guides-Traveler-Seeking staggered backwards, she no longer wore the Trunnii, but it wasn't from her the screaming eminated.

The Ambassador was lying on the floor, his legs forced apart by the inverted Trunnii. Where his groin should have been a elyptical hole perhaps 4" along its major axis and 2.5" across its minor now existed. It had all the appearences of an erect vagina. There was a gunshot and Guides-Traveler-Seeking collapsed to the floor a hole appearing in her side. I turned and threw the sword taking the rifleman through the chest. "Enough. Lay down your weapons and you'll get a fair trial, continue and I'll cut you down where you stand." A guard rushed me, making a clumsy lunge. I sidestepped, grabbed his wrist, broke it, took the sword, and drove it through his middle. Twisting the blade I pulled it free, then slashed through his neck as he slumped to the ground. There was the whistle of an arrow, then another gunshot. A bullet winged of the floor about 6" to my right and rifleman fell from the upper balcony. Stands-Tall-Against-Storms nocked another arrow. I walked over to where the fallen rifleman lay groaning. He'd survived the fall and perhaps he'd live. I lept in the air, shrieking as I did so and landed with my heels on his neck. The sound of his neck breaking was masked by the trailing edge of the cry. I looked round. Weapons were falling from hands.

I moved over to Guides-Traveler-Seeking. She was bleeding badly. If she didn't get to a hospital she'd be dead within a few minutes. "Somebody find me something to wear, and get my sword. Yousheng you're in charge till I get back, there's a Company of Royal Guard due in about 48 hours. Stands-Tall-Against-Storms the Ambassador is yours to do with as you will. If he's still alive when I return he'll go to Amber for trial and execution." I picked up the trump deck and shuffled out the Amber Courtyard card. Stands-Tall-Against-Storms handed me her dress. "Can you save her?"

"I'm going to try." I slipped the dress over my head, took the sword, and with it in hand picked up Guides-Traveler-Seeking in my arms. I concentrated on the trump, felt it go cold, built the door and stepped through.

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