Perhaps I said too much when Crystal stated her desire to go to Chaos to look for her father (as seemed inevitable following her initial reaction to Tamora's words). Rankin's reaction might tend to imply that I did, both regarding myself and my opinion of family ties, and our parade of dead relatives. But I really would rather Crystal not be added to that list. I do quite like her even if she is so unlike myself.
Perhaps I should have been more discreet in both cases. Too late now, though. At least I named no names.
Hopefully Rankin's words may, if nothing else, preclude any thoughtless - and potentially dangerous - rush down to Chaos. He also makes the ... unpalatable ... point that Crystal may well need Tamora - or Mandor - to find her father, whoever he is.
Perhaps Rayner may also be able to talk Crystal out of doing so, for now at least. He does seem to know her best out of all of us.
I personally do not think Crystal should go, but ... with as little concern as I might normally have for such things ... I feel unsure whether I have the right to stop her, other than by words alone. If there is one point upon which people may be almost guaranteed to not act in a rational manner it is family, and the family of Amber seem to be no exception to that rule.
And I had not even considered that forces in Chaos may try to kill Crystal to spark another war. I suppose I am not used to considering that we are, individually, so significant. But on the other hand, with so many of the family killed already, and fingers certainly pointing in the direction of Chaos, were their deaths to start a war I might have expected it to have begun already.
How unsurprising. Legion wishes to leave now that our - as he puts it - 'hosting duties' are done. Well, of course, he would not wish to associate with the likes of us for any longer than he absolutely has to.
Not that there are any good reasons for him not to leave, now, and his checking of the forces he brought here is, I imagine, a necessary task.
But it grates on me, grates upon me a great deal, that he continues to treat us all - other than Rankin - with such contempt. No doubt this will, in time, reflect back upon him, though...
It seems, also, that Rankin has not ... lost his ... appreciation of Xandra's oh-so-obvious charms since we saw him last.
And why, when leaving, was Tamora showing such an interest in Legion's ship? Another nugget of knowledge Legion has not, as yet, seen fit to impart to the rest of us? Closer ties to Chaos, or Mandor, or Tamora herself than he has previously admitted? Or is she simply using this opportunity to spy out the lie of the land, perhaps gain some knowledge, perform a little sabotage, stir up some trouble amongst us? I wonder if one could make one of these Trump cards of a ship? That would be a useful skill to have in time of war, and invasion!
If Tamora is planning spying or sabotage, this was certainly an extremely inept way to go about it. If she knows Legion, then I am not sure what her actions may mean. If she is attempting to discredit him in our eyes, this would be a not-impossible method of going about doing so, given the high degree of love and trust which I, at least, bear for the man. If she can make Trumps, I have no idea how one might tell is she were doing so. Does one draw them in the same way as one draws a portrait, or is there more involved?
And of course, Legion's general openness and candour will no doubt help resolve this situation with a minimum of fuss. I do not think.
Legion making an effort to be polite?! And it so obviously is an effort for him. Now I have seen everything. Will wonders never cease?
However, I see he has not responded to the sally Tamora made upon her departure. I wonder how we should take that?
And now, off to find Rayner...