The Diaries of Cordelia Chan

Sacramento, Earth - Sat 16 ^th October 2004

Heather's place turned out to be a large apartment block set in it's own secured grounds. I'd initially wondered how we'd gain entry but as we approached the gates they swung open in response. We drove in and up the long drive, the approach reminding me a little of the approach to Florimel's residence in New York.

I parked the car opposite the main entrance and we got out. As we did so three figures came running out, then stopped suddenly at our unexpected appearance. Two of them I recognized, they'd kept Brad and Patrick busy that afternoon at my condo. "Where's Heather? What are you doing with her car?"

"Look I don't want us to get off on the wrong foot, but I was hoping she'd be here and could provide the answers to a few questions of my own."

"Sorry! That doesn't add up. We've not seen her or Hope or Faith since they left for your place on Wednesday."

"Can we go inside. I'm sure the parking lot is not the best place to reslove this."

There was a huddled discussion by the three of them at this. It appeared quite heated. In the end the the one who's name I didn't know answered, "No! Here's fine."

Sulin chose to speak at this point."Really, that's not very courteous. Now my senses tell me that there are more than a dozen Illiarri here , although at this range it's difficult to tell exactly how many. That's more than I'm aware exist in my own realm. I'd like to meet some or all of them."

"You can enter, as can the girl, but she can stay out here or better still leave."

"Not acceptable. Cordelia is my friend. She also saved my life. If she's not welcome then I shall take it that I'm not welcome either."

"But she's an Amberite."

"So? Palrity is from the Courts, yet you're prepare to welcome her."

"What? She's not is she?"

"Palrity, would you be so kind to indulge me and assume your true form please."

She concentrated,  her dress became scales, her shoes talons, her purse vanished, and she grew a tail. Robert looked stunned. "It's okay Robert. She's no different now to the girl who was wandering about naked this morning. She's just not in human form any longer."

"Yeh okay, but it's not exactly like I've seen her like that before. It's a bit of a shock. I'll be alright in a minute or two."

Talons and tail vanished, shoes, purse, and dress reappeared, as did Palrity in the form Robert was used to, "Better?"

"So can we go inside now? I think Robert could do with a shot of a strong spirit if you have any."

"Okay, but on your head be it if the other one steps out of line."

Silence fell as we walked across to a table. Extra chairs were quickly added and we were gestured to sit. Drinks appeared. 

"Perhaps we ought to start with some introductions. I'm Krystiana Hart and I shall be 423 next April. I believe you've met Patricia Stern, who was 187 last month, and Kelly Evelyn Bonwick, who was 183 last June. We know you only by what she called you."

"My friend is not a 'she'. Her name is Cordelia Chan Barimen, Princess of the Royal House of Amber", the hubub that had resumed died instantly, Sulin carried on as if she'd said nothing of importance. "and daughter of Prince Corwin of Amber, Lord of Avalon, and Crown Prince of Carnelian. My full name is Sulin Chiobahn Merrick and I shall be 648 in a few months. The young lady is Palrity Teliam Delaman, daughter of the house xxxxx of the Seelie Court. The young man, Mr Robert Anderson, is a friend of Miss Chan's and a resident of the local realm."

"You're not going to like my answer. I came here hoping she'd be here and could fill in a few holes in our memories."

"I don't understand what you're trying to say Miss Chan. Heather left here to attend your summons of help on Wednesday night, yet we find you parading yourself on TV 2 days later, and then turning up here with here car with no explanation as to why none of them have returned."

"I'm trying to tell you I don't know where they are. Yes I did call on Wednseday night, well actually Marcie did. We came in her car since she left it at my place along with her purse. The last time I saw her she was standing in a pentagram in a cellar in Mandor's Ways somewhere in or near the Courts."

She leapt across the table at me, and it was all I could do to dodge her attack. "Liar. She'd never have gone to the Courts, much less consorted with him."

"She did. She had a necklace that he gave her. She gave it to me and I took it to him, well his servant, and he fetched us to Mandor's villa. I don't remember much after that."

She rounded on Palrity, "Liar. You lie. Either you love her or she coerced you and planted false memories."

Paltiry stood up, barely hoding control, rivers of scales rippling across her dress. "I'm not lying. We went to the Courts to save Sulin. Mandor did something to stop her becoming a Xilrokal. Afterwards I found them both. Sulin was naked and Cordelia looked like she'd been a massive fight. Her clothes were shredded and she was covered in blood, bruises and bleeding wounds. She had a trump in her hand. When I touched it it returned us to her home. She nearly died as a result of what happened."

"You dare use that word, I'll kill you for that." She lunged at Palrity but Sulin grabbed her. "No you won't. You don't want to believe what you know to be true. What they say is true. I very nearly turned, I could feel it, taste it, all that power, but Cordelia stopped me, then took me somewhere. When I awoke I could barely move due to the pain of her wounds. We came here looking for answers. It seems we're not going to find them."

"Let me go."

"Only if you calm down."

"It's not the truth. It can't be. There is no way to stop the turn."

"You deny your own senses. You know it is yet you still refuse to accept it. There are stories, ancient sstories, at least in my realm, of our kind being saved, and I have now saved two but they were very young. In connection with the stories in my realm I had heard the name Mandor."

She ceased struggling, slumped into her seat and began to cry. "It cannot be. They said it couldn't be done. They took my daughter."

Sulin looked at me. Alarm bells were ringing but I didn't know why. "I don't know. All my instincts tell me there is something very wrong going on here but I haven't a clue what. Somebody lied or is lying for reasons known only to them. Unfortunately now is not a good time to find out. I'm expressly forbidden from going anywhere near the Courts and my instincts tell me it would be a really bad move for other reasons, yet I'm sure the answers lie there."

Krystiana looked at me."Tell me why you didn't attack me."

"I told you I didn't come here looking for trouble only answers, it seems however I have found only more questions."

"But.... we were told you'd kill us on sight if you found out what we were."

I looked at Palrity who just shrugged. "I think somebody's been feeding you a pack of lies.There are possibly one or two members of the family who might, and most of us would if crossed, but other than that, what would I have to gain by doing so, if anything you're in far more danger from members of the Courts. What is it that you call then Palrity?"

"Xilrokal, we're brought up on stories about them, especially how they steal away virgins in the night to be sacrificed and eaten."

"I'd apprecaite it if you didn't use that term Palrity, and Cordelia should know better than to ask you to repeat it. It's a foul term. I think Heather may have been manipulating things here either for her own or other's ends, but dwelling on the point is not going to move us any further forward so I suggest we change the subject. Did Heather say anything about finding candidates who'd be willing to move to my realm? There are so few of us left now."

The three of them looked at each other blankly.

"I think I can answer that Sulin, based upon their reactions. No she didn't. Krystiana how many of you are there here?"

"86 if I include Heather, Hope, and Faith"

"And how old are they?"

"The youngest was born about 30 years ago. There are 3 who are older than me by a few years, but the majority are about 87 years old."

"And you were all born here?"

"No., in various places across the country. We've only been here for about 15 years."

"Okay, one more question, how on earth do you earn you living. It can't be cheap to live here."

She roared with laughter. "On the contrary, none of us pay to live here, we all work here."

Now it was my turn to be completely dense, "Sorry I don't follow"

"You entered this complex by our private entrance, the one the public don't get to see. Perhaps you've heard of the Mocking Bird Club?"

"Yes, but I've never been."

"We'll the club is on the other side of the pool from where we're sitting. It has it's own entrance and car park. We all work in the club, and entertain those who attend as guests. We have our own apartments, spa, clinic, and gym. We get a monthly allowance for food and clothes, although most of us don't spend it all. In addition we get a performance bonus twice a year based on how well the club is doing. Some of us also own other property locally, but that's mainly the older generation like myself. It's much easier and attracts less attention to operate from the club than from a smaller property."

I sat back completely stunned. I could see Sulin smiling at me. It was Robert who spoke first. "I take it I'd be right in thinking this is one bloody great whore house."

I looked at him. "Don't be so crude, but in essence you're correct. The oldest profession in the world, and one your sister seems determined to persue."

"Yeh I know. That's why I want her to work at the Purple Dragon. At least she'll get a decent wage and properly looked after."

"10 years ago that wouldn't have been the case."

"Really?"

"Yes. Really."

"So how many of you would be prepared to live and work somewhere else, a place much cooler and wetter than here, at least for most of the year. A place where cooking is done in brass or iron pots on an iron grill over an open fire; a place where to take a bath you heat water over a fire, pour it into a tub, and then 4 of you share before the water gets too cold; a place where you get clean sheets once a week, which you'd had to take turns in scrubbung by hand, and then pressing with heated flat irons."

"What Sulin is trying to describe is a place akin to the 1820's frontier, with no gas, no electricity, and no modern conveniences."

"I don't think there would be many, at least that would want to live that way permantly. There'd possibly be a few who may want to try it for a couple of weeks but I doubt they'd stick it beyond that. I for one wouldn't want to go back to that style of living."

"

"Heather was of the opinion that finding suitable candidates would not be a problem."

"For her maybe not, she has contacts all over the world. It's most likely that there'd be plenty of candidates in a lot of 2nd or 3rd world countries who'd jump at the chance of what they saw as a better life We have a couple of charities but we can only do so much."

"Would you be willing to find a group of 30-40, bring them here and put them up until I could transport them to Sulin's shadow. I could probably take 3 with me when I take Sulin home in about a week."

"Don't take this the wrong way, but what do you get out of this?"

I was about to reply when my phone rang. It was Marcie. "Sorry I've got to take this call.". I got up and walked the 30 feet or so back to the entrance to the foyer. "Hi Marcie, Yes I can talk now."

"Cordie, can you come and get me please? Brad say's my parents are on the war path so I need somewhere to stay until they calm down. I've also got two more interviews to do this afternoon, and could really do with a shower and some clean clothes. I wouldn't ask but I haven't got a credit card so can't even get a hotel room, well at least one that I'd be prepared to take a shower in."

"I'll send somebody to pick you up. Give me your address, and I'll phone you back with an ETA.........Okay got that see you later."

I rang off and pulled up Wuz-Hou's number on speed dial. He didn't answer. I pulled the club's office number and dialled that instead. On the thrid attemt a rather breathless Xi Feng answered. "Put Wuz-Hou on and tell him if he tries to deny he's there I'll cut his dick off and hang it over the main entrance."

There was a muffled exchange in the background, then Hou answered. "Cordelia, how charming, what can I do for you."

"Look sorry for the interuption but I need somebody picked up."

"Why phone me then, just call the security office."

"Because I don't have their number on my phone, and I need this done quietly, and they don't know me from Lee Wung, and because I trust you to get done what I need done."

There were the sounds of things falling off a desk, the rustling of paper, a few expletives, then "okay what's the address?"

I gave him the address, and instructions, including that the driver needed to phone me with an ETA. I walked back to the talble.

"Problem solved?"

"Unfortunately not. Now I've got to work out where I can stash Marcie for a few day's whilst her parents calm down."

"I know that name, I once caught Heather and Faith arguing. I'm sure they were arguing over someone called Marcie."

"Perhaps you can do me a favour then. Marcie is one of you. Her human parents are on the warpath over the stunt she and Sulin cooked up yesterday, so she can't go home. She's a smart kid and is exploiting all the media attention. She needs a chaperone to some interview she's got lined up this afternoon, a place to stay, and some clothes."

Krystiana looked first at me then at Sulin. "How old is she?"

"Coming up 16. I think she maybe Faith's daughter. She's the one Sulin saved 5 days ago."

"Yes we can look after her, but not as a favour to you. We will do it because she is one of us and because if she is Faith's daughter it's what Faith would have wanted. She can stay here for as long as she wishes."

"I have one thing to ask then. She is not to go on the game. She is to finish her schooling and get the striaght A's she's more than capable of. She is then to go to colledge. Once she has a first or a PhD then she can make her own decision as to what she wishes to do. This whole stunt was so that she could cover her school fees despite the fact that I'd already said I'd cover them."

"Perhaps she doesn't want your help under your terms, even if they are laudible in your eyes. She cannot change what she is or act against her nature."

"I'm not suggesting she does. If she wants to sleep her way through highschool and colledge I'm not going to stop her, I just don't want her having to do it to pay her fees."

"I see. And you do this out of the kindness of your heart?"

"You think I have other motives?"

"At the moment yes, I cannot instantly dismiss years of stories based on 15 minutes of conversation."

"I can live with that. Do you mind if we wait here until Marcie arrives?"

"No. It's better that you are here when she does. But we will need to move to our private lounge, unless she arrives within the next hour."

I looked at her with a puzzled expression. "We open at 2, so we need to clear the pool and tidy up, and I'm not sure it would be a good idea for you to be seen here. If any of your bosses were to turn up they wouldn't be very happy."

I was about to say something then completely chaged my mind, "Well why not, I suppose a diet of just Chinese gets boring after a while."

Robert and the three girls burst out laughing, whilst Sulin and Palrity sat puzzled for a while, until Sulin made the connection and explained it to her.

We eventually left about 2 hours later, Marcie having turned up about half an hour prior to that.

I suppose it was about 3:30 when we reached home. Brad had gone but Hou-Jin was still there, although he was sober now. We'd barely got inside when the door buzzer went.

"Yes. Who is it?"

"Frank Gray, Marcie's father. What've you done with my daughter?"

I turned back and open the door. "You'd better come in."

He looked me up and down then said. "Aren't you a little overdressed? I'm going to have you locked up then sue your arse over yetserday's stunt. You know she's a minor!"

"Why don't you go through? Can I introduce District Commander Sun Hou-Jin of the San Francisco Police Department, Robert Anderson, a PhD student at MIT, Miss Palrity Delaman, and Sulin Merrick, the latter are staying with me for a few days. If you'd care to take a seat. Can I get you a drink?"

Hou-Jin had reacted at Frank Gray's statement that his daughter was a minor, but I shook my head. He extended his hand to Mr Gray, "Nice to meet you Mr Gray. I'm sure Miss Chan has a suitable explanation as to your daughter's where abouts and over the circumstances regarding yesterday's happenings. If as you say she is a minor I'm sure Miss Chan would have done nothing that would be in violation of the law nor not in the best interests of your daughter." 

He was stressing points and sylables all over the place knowing I'd pick them up. Frank appeared not to notice.

"Really Commander? Why don't you just sling her arse in jail and we'll leave the guilty verdict to a Grand Jury."

"If I was aware that a criminal offense had been committed, and I were within my jurisdiction then I'd have done exactly that. As I'm not, although I could quite easily make a call and have either the Sacremento Police Department or California Sheriff's Department arrest her. Perhaps you'd like to eplain what offences she's committed."

"Kidnapping, Soliciting a minor, Lewd Behaviour, Indecent Exposse, Moral Corruption, Conspiracy, and Fraud"

I was laughing which impressed neither Hou-Jin nor Mr Gray. 

Hou-Jin responded first "This is not a laughing matter Miss Chan. Perhaps you'd like to explain to Mr Gray where his daughter is."

"She's quite safe. She's staying with a few friends. She recieved a phone call this morning from her brother indicating her parents state of mind, as a result of which she contacted me, and I made arrangements for her to stay somewhere she feels safe."

Frank Gray rounded on me "So help me you're going to tell me where she is?"

"Or you'll do what? Exactly how much time have you or your wife spent at home over the last 6 months?"

"That's irrelavent. You're going to tell me where my daughter is."

He advanced on me until Hou-Jin interupted. "I'd calm down if I were you Mr Gray. Assaulting or attempting to assault Miss Chan will not do you any good, and were she to choose to press charges would prejudice any case to chose to bring against her. I'm sure that Miss Chan would be willing to confide the location of your daughter to the family court if she feels that any other course of action may endanger her welfare."

He whirled on Hou-Jin, "Are you accusing me of molesting my daughter?"

"Not in the least, I am merely stating that Miss Chan appears to have reservations, for whatever reasons, of divulging your daughters current where abouts to you. Since you're obviously concerned for her well being, the involment of a neutral party that has the authority to satisfy itself that she is safe and her health and welfare is being looked after is possibly the best option, unless you're willing to accept Miss Chan's word."

"I'm not having Social Services involved in this but I still want her charged with Soliciting a Minor."

"Then, that'll gaurentee they become involved, they may even insist that she's made the ward of the court or another responsible relative, although if as you say she's a minor they may be asking questions already, especially after all the coverage yesterday, and the interview she's apparrently given Letterman, it was on the trailers after the lunchtime news."

"What interview? This is more of your doing isn't it"

"Actually it has nothing to do with me at all. Yesterday's events were primarilly driven by your daughter. She's a smart head on her shoulders, and probably has all her colledge fee's covered already."

He whirled round , throwing a punch he did so. "Lying bitch."

I mearly caught his fist, and applied presure forcing him to his knees. There was a sharp "Cordelia". "Oh all right." I let go.

Mr Gray looked at Hou-Jin then back at me. "You two, your.."

"I'd be very careful what I said next if I were you. There are 3 witnesses present"

A voice from the landing on the stairs said "4 actually."

I turned. "Miss Wong. I didn't know you were still here."

"I've been here a while, I woke when you returned. Where's the young man who was here earlier?"

"I think he left. I can get you his phone number if you like."

"If you wouldn't mind.You could also bringme up to speed on who this gentleman is and why he took a swing at you."

"His name is Frank Gray, and he's Marcie's and Brad's father. Marcie is the other young lady who was here yesterday. Him and his wife saw us on the news coverage late last night and both flew in the early hours of this morning. When we returned he decided he'd come round here and demand I hand her over, having some sort of miscomprehension that I was her guardian and had a legal responsibility to know where she was and what she was doing. No sorry that's not it at all, he thought I'd kidnapped her, forced her to parade naked about the streets and in front of TV cameras, then burried her in a hole somewhere. When I tried to explain that neither of these were indeed the truth, he decided to attack me."

"You think your really clever Miss Chan don't you. I'm going to see to it that that pathetic company of yours is bankrupt within the year and that you spend the rest of your days rotting in jail."

"Can I quote you on that Mr Gray. Is there anything else you like to add to your statement. Where was it you said him and his wife were?"

"I didn't, but now you ask. He was most likely shagging his current PA at a tax conference in Chircargo, whilst his wife was in Dallas. Whether she was shagging anyone I don't know, Marcie didn't say. I could phone her and ask her if she knows if you need the details.Do you think you can  make the late evening edition."

"I should think so, I'd need a hour or so to knock something into shape."

"If you print one word of that I'll sue. You've got no proof for any of it."

"Oh proof isn't difficult to obtain Mr Gray. I'm sure the abortion clinic has records, that was your office junior wasn't it. Then there's Mrs Robertson, that started after the Christmas party I believe. Oh and we mustn't forget your wife, I believe she fucked the CEO of your company on the board room table at the same party. She's also had a string of affairs with various of her subordinates, and was seeing David Ward from across the road until June when his wife found out. I also believe she has a very up and down relationship with one of the personal trainers at the gym she uses. But we digress somewhat, you were saying something about your daughter?"

He looked completely deflated. "You can't it's not possible."

"We'll I do, and I'm afraid it is. There is more to your daughter than you can possibly imagine. So I'm going to tell you exactly what you're going to do, precisely nothing, well almost nothing. You're going to go back to your little house next door and you're going to tell your wife exactly what I've told you. Both of you are then going to carry on your pathetic lies as if nothing happened. There will be no recriminations against either Brad or Marcie. In a few days, if she chooses, she will return home, although I suspect that she'll prefer to stay where she is. 

And before you choose to say anything else, be under no illusions about either me or my abilities. I have made it explicitly clear to Marcie that she will complete her schooling and get the straight A's she more than capable of. She will then go to colledge and get a first or PhD in what ever subject she chooses, before she decides on any future career.If she deviates from this she will incur my wrath, which is not something to be taken lightly. Is this all sufficiently simple for you to understand?"

His response was cut short by the door buzzer. Robert answered it. It was Mrs Gray. "Un I believe my husband is here?"

He was sarcastically polite in his reply, "Yes indeed he is, but he was just about to leave, I believe he has a number of things he wishes to discuss you."

I offered to help Mr Gray to his feet, but he ignored my hand. "Nice to see you Mr Gray, do drop round again."

He left without responding, stalking past Robert and his wife.  She ran after him calling "Frank, what the bloody well happened? Where's Marcie?". Robert closed the door.

Hou-Jin and Miss Wong then both pounced with questions, Hou-Jin with "With the bloody hell is going on Cordelia" and Miss Wong with "I take it that I was right that that was Brad's father, but how the hell did you know all that stuff and what did you mean about there is more to his daughter than he could possibly imagine."

"I'm not sure either of you would believe me if I told you so I think a little demonstration may be required. Sulin are you able to assume your true form here?"

Hou-Jin and Linda moved as if to speak again but I held up my hands, "a little patience please."

"Yes I can Cordellia, but are you sure that's a wise move?"

""I think it's the easiest way. Robert I'm afraid you're in for another shock."

"What do you mean? I saw Palrity change earlier."

"Yes but Sulin's different, and you didn't sleep with Palrity. I think it'd be wise if you all sat down. And all of you please try and not to vomit all over my floor or the furniture."

After they seated themselves I nodded to Sulin.