Even Chaosites, it seems, know more of the ways of the Amber court than I do. Darien, for example. Still, I cannot help thinking that he is one of the 'easy to manipulate' category. However, he seems to be sincere, and was willing to open his mind to me to prove himself so.
What he said makes me wonder about both him and Tamora. Was she simply a very a very good liar? If so, she was certainly willing to go all the way to stand by her tale. To die for it. The very honourable can be so stupid sometimes. She reminds me of Tanisla Hendrake. Or perhaps she was deceived by Mandor, as Darien says the king of Chaos is someone named Swayvil, not Mandor. Having met Mandor I can believe he is a manipulator. Darien also claims not to have heard of Tamora's house in Chaos. One would expect neither of these things. Incorrectly naming ones king and being from a house others of Chaos have not heard of? Both such happenstances seem unlikely. Really very unlikely. Perhaps Tamora is not really from Chaos, or is deceived. Or a deceiver. Well, apparently she is staying in 'the best inn in Amber', whichever that is. So perhaps I should go there - but not, I think, alone - and see what she has to say.
It is strange though that Darien apparently brings similar news, though without, it seems, my integral part in it Tamora implied.
I was surprised when Darien obtained Trumps so easily. One would have imagined something so apparently important would have been better guarded. However, this lack of security did at least let me obtain a full deck of Trumps for myself.
I wonder if that really was Dworkin in the meeting room as I was about to kill Tamora. It certainly looked like him. And he sent Tamora away, if not, it seems, very far. I wonder why he felt the need to save her? And how he walked though the solid wall into and out of the room. That would be a useful trick to learn should the chance arise!
I have not met this Rankin before, whoever he is. But his first words being an admission of deception, almost daring us to do something about him, have not given me a good first impression. Presumably, Tobias, by his words, knows enough of him to know he is not an enemy. But it appears that, whoever he is, Rankin is incapable of distinguishing between an external enemy and someone who purposefully deceives their way into the opposing camp. What we, in Timashkurabad, would call a traitor. Perhaps I have overreacted a little to Rankin's words. But I have not liked traitors since I was old enough to understand the concept. Nor do I take threats lightly, even if supposedly delivered in jest.
With talk earlier of interrogating Julian's ghost I wonder if Chaos has done the same with Tanisla's? I might have expected a more hostile reception from Darien and Rankin if they had.
As irritating as Xandra can be, her ... irreverent, perhaps? ... view on things did, I think, help defuse the situation before it all got out of hand. Crystal's unexpected ... explosion ... probably helped in this too.
Legion's words, his desire not to allow secrets, also came as a (pleasant) surprise. I have had no contact with him before but from this he appears to be a fairly upstanding chap who claims no loyalties to Amber or Chaos. Much like me, I suppose.
Rune certainly seems to be adapting to rulership. His forceful manner and 'survival at any cost' comment was also surprising and, I suppose, encouraging. But also, perhaps, indicates that he is going too far. I am certainly not sure I am ready to swear loyalty to him yet. I know so little of him. From what Llewella told me I know more of his fathers actions than his own.
Simon seems to be taking Darien's actions in entirely the wrong light. As far as I can tell Darien is quite correct. Had he wanted to steal those Trumps he could easily have done so and been gone before any family members could have reacted, or even been aware of the problem. And his projecting his sincerity at me tends me to believe he at least believes what he says. Unless one can lie mind-to-mind like that...
But regardless, there is a lot of reaction to Darien's actions based on ignorance of what he really did. Ah well, I have told Xandra, and if anyone can be relied upon to make the facts widely known, it is probably her.