Well, following magical healing from Crystal, Tobias has awoken, and seems, fortunately, none the worse. Gerard has not, as yet, been so fortunate. One assumes that he was more badly hurt by Dara than Tobias was by Hural and the Chaos Gem.
Tobias' tale of what occurred prior to his coming, injured, to Amber was not terribly encouraging. His having to fight Rune for the Eye of the Storm (he won, but by using magic rather than swordplay) was not a hopeful sign any future relations we may wish to have with Rune. As I said at the time, one hopes that Rune will see the sense in Tobias' actions in time, though I, at least, cannot help but be pessimistic on this point. Particularly as, from what Tobias said, he simply left Rune there in shadow, frozen in place by magic! Let us hope, at least, that nothing unpleasant happens to him while he remains trapped in that condition.
Does magic such as that wear off in time? Or will it require someone to actually free Rune before he escapes Tobias' magic? Perhaps I should ask someone.
However, regardless of the precise means by which he obtained it, it appears that Tobias began using the Pattern to return here, to Amber. And it was while en route that he was ambushed by this Hural (who seemingly did not to want to kill Tobias, despite his reported words to the contrary), soundly beaten, and barely escaped, stealing the Chaos Gem that caused so much trouble in the process. I cannot help but wonder why he did not simply Trump back to Amber with the Eye of the Storm, even accounting for the Trump-related problems we have been suffering under, but one assumes he knows what he is doing...
One cannot help but wonder what the 'set' of items 'long since split apart' which Hural apparently intends to collect, one of which being the Eye of the Storm, is intended for. If Tobias' report of what Hural said is accurate then I cannot help but think that 'taking over Amber' is that use.
Despite Hural's reported skill with weapons and the power he has displayed I cannot bring myself to be too concerned about him. Given the crowd of enemies that Amber seems to, currently, be in the midst of how great a significance does one more such enemy have?
When Tobias came round it became clear that Xandra cares more about him than had previously been apparent. Does that mean that she cares for all family members? Or simply some of them? And if so, I wonder into which category I fall?
Tobias appearing to care for his father came as less of a surprise. But I found myself feeling somewhat jealous of that relationship. Do I really wish that I had such a relationship with Llewella?
Apparently the Chaos Gem is now being kept by the Pattern, watched by those of us who do not have Chaos blood coursing through our veins. While this may be necessary I cannot help but wonder if we are, perhaps, expending too much effort on keeping it safe. Our doing so is, after all, tying down at least one of us at any one time, and perhaps putting that person in harm's way, should Hural enter Amber to reclaim his bauble.
Tobias said the Gem is 'pure Chaos', but with something struggling inside it. Does that mean that the Gem is, in some manner, alive? Or is something imprisoned inside it? And if so, what, and what would be the effect of releasing it - would we release a friend, or simply add another person (or creature, I suppose) to our crowd of enemies?
I was definitely not in favour of the suggestion that we give the Chaos Gem to Llewella for safekeeping. I have no faith whatsoever that she would abide by our wishes, and some concern that she would simply use it in her best interests and against our own. Or possibly even lose it. She did a Gods-awful job of looking after me; how much worse a job could she do with an inanimate object? Tobias seemed quite surprised when I expressed these sentiments, but I imagine his view of her is very different to my own.
Xandra's histrionics regarding everything she might miss, and other topics, when told she would be guarding the Chaos Gem some of the time were quite amusing. Nonetheless, I cannot say that I would relish having to spend so much time on the sidelines in this way either, even if, as I suggested, the alternative were being put into the line of fire.
And what is a cheerleader? Some sort of musical hall performer?
Hopefully those who are intending to research these matters in the Library will be able to locate more and useful information regarding the Chaos Gem, Hural, and the Eye of the Storm...
And I am glad that Tobias, at least, seems to consider my - our - idea for a magical 'shapeshifter-detector' to be a valid one. Now, I suppose, all that we require is the free time for such a device to be properly developed.
However, the manner in which Simon was able to detect that I am a shapeshifter appears to be another matter entirely, and a much less satisfactory one, at that.
Not only will he not explain how this ability, whatever it is, works - other than by saying it is not Magic - but he also claims that although he learnt it at some point in the past, it is impossible for it to be taught to anyone else, and it cannot be duplicated. He says that he would show us if he could. However, he has not provided any explanation whatsoever as to why all this might be so.
And to be perfectly honest, I find that rather irritating! If it is an ability that truly cannot be taught to anyone else, why object to explaining a little about it? It is not as if we are asking you to write a letter detailing everything regarding its operation and send copies of said letter to every one of our enemies, Simon! And it, whatever 'it' is, does seem to be the only reliable method for detecting shapeshifters that we currently possess. Especially as it seems to be undetectable by those upon whom it is used. Do you really want to keep secret that one thing which might, for the time being at least, be the linchpin of the defences of Amber, Simon?
Well, on your own head be it if you do. At the very least our security against infiltration by shapeshifters now largely falls upon your shoulders.
But when the time allows I believe I shall make the attempt, using the Pattern, to find the source of this mysterious power of yours and determine whether it is really as un-learnable by others as you claim. You said that 'in infinite shadow is infinite possibility'; does that mean that perhaps you think it can be duplicated if one only looks? We shall see.
Perhaps his tattoo is what allows him to detect shapeshifters, somehow, and its artist is now dead. Perhaps he is simply embarrassed by how he came to acquire the power. I do not know. But, sooner or later, I shall find out.
I hope!
And now it is time to sleep. Gods, I do not recall having required it as much as I do at present. And perhaps, if I can change as I feel that perhaps I can, become something new, I should start by sleeping in a bed tonight. This room Xandra has found for me seems to have one, and be secure enough...