The Diaries of Cordelia Chan

Amber- 3 ^rd Maivich PF5

Well I didn't make it very far and am now back in my quarters, which at least solves the clothes problem.

Having completed my last entry I'd put the journal back in my pack and gone down stairs in search of dinner. Sitting at a table in the middle of the bar, obviously waiting for me was Benedict. I'd thought about dashing back up stairs and exiting via the window, but he'd said that if he had to chase me he'd put me across his knee and tan my backside so I wouldn't be able to sit down for a week. If I didn't want to be treated as a disobedient school girl then I was to join him for dinner, the choice of course being mine. I chose to join him. Apart from ordering dinner and a bottle of wine he said nothing all through the meal. This of course served to infuriate me but I held my temper in check. By the end of the meal however I cracked "Are you just going to sit there all night or are you actually going to say something?"

"Of the three of you, you have the greatest freewill and the greatest ability to get yourself into trouble, much like your father in his younger days. Where exactly did you think you were going and did you think that we'd leave you alone to wreak havoc across the Kingdom?"

"Actually I was heading for Ashan. I needed some clothes. Then I was going to call Llewella and see if I could sort my Trump training out. As to what you'd all be doing I haven't got a bloody clue. None of you trust each other and you certainly don't trust anybody else, and you're always sticking your oars in because you think you know best."

I wasn't expecting the slap across the face and he gave no indication it was coming. One second he was sitting there and the next, wallop. "You need to learn to control your temper better.Now sit down!" I turned to leave, the next instant I was across his knees. The fact I had no underwear on under my skirt confused him, and he let me up pushing me into another chair. "Next time, I will thrash you, whether you have underwear on or not, and I can assure you you won't enjoy it." I was about to retort then thought better of it. There was something in that threat that was just too menacing to attempt to test. Carefully I stood up, reversed the chair, and sat down again, my skirt riding up as I did so. My lack of underwear seemed to disconcert him and at that time I needed any edge I could get. "Okay! You've made your point, now get on with delivering whatever ultimatum/punishment Random sent you to deliver.I'm not going anywhere."

He leaned back in his chair and ordered another bottle of wine. When it arrived he poured two glasses. 

"I hope you're not trying to get me drunk."

"You do not have to drink it, but bear in mind that we'll be leaving here when we have concluded our business, and if you're not capable of riding unaided I will strap you across your horse exactly as you are."

I picked up the glass, drained it, and held it out for him to refill.

"So like your father. Now pay attention. Random did not send me here. Your handling of the Dakota Embassy situation was sloppy. You left a number of guards in a position where they could shoot either yourself or others, but it does appear you're learning. 
You will now go and pack your things and we will then return to Amber. You will then go to your room and remain there. In the morning you will ride to Rebma where you will begin your training under Llewella's guidance. You will not argue, disagree, comment, or otherwise remark. Do I make myself clear."

I nodded.

He looked at me with an "are you still here look".

So it was that half an hour later we departed for Amber. There were two horses in the stables, he rode one and I rode the other. When we reached the castle stables some 3 hours later I handed the reins to one of the stable lads. Benedict was watching me. "Yes I'm going." He smiled briefly before heading off in the other direction.

So here I sit having had a bath - well I've got little else to do. This confinement is irksome. What I could do with is a drink, a bottle of Jack Daniels would be nice, but that means a trip into town, and a visit to Dave's. The problem is that I bet the minute I step outside those doors Benedict will appear, and I really don't fancy a spanking. I suppose I'll just have to put the pen down and have an early night.

Amber/Rebma/Shadow - 3 ^rd Maivich PF5

Having slept for most of yesterday afternoon I wasn't that tired and found myself wide awake by 6am; far too early to attempt to call Llewella, and too early to get breakfast sent to my room. Given that I had leave to go places today I decided that I'd go sort my own breakfast out, and made my way down to the kitchens. I was surprised to find Benedict and Julian sitting at a table in one corner. Benedict indicated that I should join them. I risked his promised thrashing by first locating and pouring myself an orange juice and a large mug of coffee. I also located a bowl of left over profiteroles and a jug of cream in the cold pantry.

Julian smiled as I sat down. "Just like Flora", he said which made Benedict smile as well. "Yes, although she has a few more morals."
I looked at the pair of them and with a mouthful of chocolate and shue pastry said "I am here you know."
Julian said "We know. Its difficult to miss you dressed like that, although why anyone would want to go running up Kolvir in a storm dressed like that I don't know; although if I'd just kicked Random across the room I might be tempted to do the same."

I glared at them. He continued "I see what you mean. Definitely has a touch of her father's beligerance. " I tried to swat him with the spoon but Benedict caught my arm. "I told you you need to learn to better control yourself, or are you really after that spanking?"

I glared at him, but he didn't meet my gaze. Now I thought about it neither had Julian, then I remembered what Llewella had said about me possibly being her equal. Did that mean that she'd warned the rest of the family or did it mean that both were being careful? Surely I wasn't better than both of them. I didn't feel like finding, out just in case.

Benedict let go of my arm and I returned to eating. Julian said "Firey little thing isn't she. Might even consider taking her on myself, although I'm not sure her father would strictly approve, but as he's not here." I was about to open my mouth to say something then thought better of it. I returned to eating. "Oh well, if she's not going to take the bait. I better be going, and I was so looking forward to seeing your arse. Another time perhaps?" Another retort flashed across my conscious mind where it stayed. I picked up the mug of coffee and glared at his retreating back as he made his way across the kitchen. "I'd give it half an hour before calling Llewella. She should be organized by then. And Julian wasn't interested in seeing your arse, but he would have enjoyed seeing you spread across my knees. Be careful if you find yourself alone with him." With that he too got up and left, leaving me alone with half a glass of orange juice and a half drunk mug of coffee. In the background the cooks were getting started on the days catering.

I downed what was left of the orange juice, topped up the mug of coffee and made my way back to my room. I repacked my armour and laptop into my pack, along with underwear, a couple of t-shirts,a jumpsuit, pair of jeans, skirt, dress, towel, and the pad of paper and pencils I'd purchased in Shiftsville. I made a mental note that when I made it home I really aught to add a washbag , make-up, and other necessities. A few snacks and drinks wouldn't go a miss either. Packing done I changed into one of my Chinease style dresses. I was fairly sure that Llewella would complain about the style and length but it wasn't a mini-skirt, or jeans, or one of the other styles she had a major problem with. I thought it a good compromise. I threaded my sword through the sash, picked up my jacket, putting the the trump deck in the pocket, shouldered my pack, then pickng up the Quantials Arch trump from the table activated it and stepped through.

It was interesting to note that Rebma was far more active at this time of day than the Castle. I expect that had I been in town the level of activity would likely have been comparable if not greater. I made my way through  the labyrinth that was the city of Remba to Llewella's appartements. With a little trepedation I knocked. The last time I'd been here Llewella had kept me hanging about for nearly 20 minutes. This time the doors were almost immediately opened by a maid. She showed me through to Llewellas studio, then went to get refreshments. Llewella arrived at the same time as the coffee.

"I do apologize but I wasn't expecting you this early. If it hadn't been for Benedict's call I'd have been elsewhere. Anyway, have you had a chance to fetch me the samples of your artwork I asked for."

"No I'm sorry. I haven't. I did try and do some sketching but its not what I'm used to."

"Let me have a look. It'll at least give me something to start from."

I handed over the sketches. She looked through them. "I need to see some finished pieces before I make any decisions. Are you able to get them today?"

"Yes. But I need to get to my condo in Sacremento."

"That shouldn't be a problem. You can walk the pattern here, jump to your condo, then meet me at the villa where the Isla incident occurred. The repairs should have been completed by now."

"I'm sorry about that. I didn't mean it to happen."

"Don't worry about it. I should have spotted the warning signs. I'll get you a trump of the villa. You can return it later. You've not been to the pattern here have you?"

"No. But there is one thing,  is my walking the pattern likely to result in a driving need for me to have sex afterwards."

"I don't understand. Why would you think it might?"

"I take it you're aware of the stable incident after I walked the pattern for the first time." She nodded. "Well after I used it as a shield for the first time I had the same urge. Not as strong and I was able to control it for a while but the longer I left it the worse it got."

She thought for a minute. "I'm not sure. If you don't mind I'd like to ask Fiona. She has a far better understanding of the pattern than I do."

I didn't mind particularly, as it was a question I really could do with knowing the answer to. She drew Fiona's trump from her deck and made the call. After a couple of minutes she "returned" although I could sense she was still holding the connection with part of her mind. "We're not sure but it may prove inconvenient if it did. It'd therefore be safer if you walked the pattern in Amber. If you can collect your things, Fiona will provide you a gate into the pattern room."

"Why can't I just trump into the courtyard and make my own way down to the pattern"

"Because things are a little awkward now. Your kicking my half-brother, for what ever reason the other morning didn't go down too well, and we'd rather he didn't find you right at the moment. In a couple of days he'll calm down, go and get blindingly drunk, then realise he's been something of an idiot over the Dakota affair. They did rather screw him over the trade agreement, but he wouldn't listen and sent Gerard in rather than waiting, something which is much easier to see in hindsight. Anyway in a couple of days this will all have blown over and things will get back to normal. In many ways your wanting to learn trump works to our advantage at this point as you can legitimately disappear for a while. So if you grab you're things Fiona will gate you into the Pattern room."

I picked up my things as Llewella formed the gateway. "I'll see you at the villa in a couple of hours Amber time"

I took Fiona's hand and she pulled me through the gate into the Pattern room. I thanked her but she just said "Goodluck" and made her way out leaving me alone with the feintly glowing pattern. I started walking. It was much easier this time than the last and I passed the first veil without really noticing it after about 7 minutes. the second veil came and went about 10 minutes later. I could now feel the pattern starting to resist. I put the effort in and slogged on, having to draw on reserves to break the third veil 16 minutes later. Now in the center of the pattern things were peaceful, although I could feel my blood was still on fire. I formed the picture of the condo in my mind and imagined myself there, the darkness of the pattern room lit only by the glow of the pattern vanished, replaced by the glow of early autumn sunshine of  western California.