When Cornelius and I went to check with Cerebaton on the state of events in shadow, following the receipt of Random's letter and my discussion with Cornelius regarding it, during which he reported trouble in various shadows with which Ensilarum has contact, I was not expecting to have my worst fears both concerned and elaborated upon.
Not simply that the attacks by ... things ... out of the various Broken Patterns radiating out from Amber are so serious that they are close to shattering the Golden Circle. But also that these attacks are simply the tip of the iceberg, the first outriders of the coming storm.
Of course, I only have the word of Anubis on this, but I think he was sincere. At least, given his presence and majesty when he delivered Master Tarn here, so much greater than when I met him in Ashkenthula, I did not feel inclined to doubt him.
He said that the warning he gave me on that last occasion was not simply a description of what is happening now, of the things which are attacking in the Golden Circle now, but a warning of events to come. Of shadow paths being broken, and whole shadows being moved by the resurgence of this ancient enemy. I cannot help but feel a sense that there is a sword of Damocles hanging over us all - Amber, Chaos, shadow, Anubis, everything - and that is soon may fall. May be dropping even now, these events in the Golden Circle the first signs of its fall.
And what else he spoke of. The Great Unicorn and the True Serpent, of which the similar creatures of Amber and Chaos are but ... offspring, or reflections. And the other, similar (or related?) entities. The Great Muse and so on. And Cthulu, and the Fey. So much about which I know so little, other than their reflections in shadow which I have encountered in my travels.
His talk of the structure of the universe was very interesting, too, if not terribly relevant. Three axes, not just the Order-Chaos (Amber-Chaos) axis, but a godly axis running from heaven to hell, and a fey axis running from unseelie to seelie too. All meeting at Ygg, at 'meta-right-angles' to each other and our multiverse, with the Abyss beyond all. Fascinating. Perhaps that is how Anubis moves so undetectably, along one of these other axes which we cannot sense. Perhaps Cerebaton can find the way in.
The card Anubis gave me was, in itself, rather ominous - Trump plus something else, some power unknown to me - Godly power, perhaps? That which enables Anubis to travel at 'meta-right-angles' to the shadows we know? To be used when the Unicorn cries tears of blood. Very ominous-sounding. Let us hope that it does not come to that. That it does not need to be used.
Now I feel even more desirous of attending this meeting in Amber. Of seeing what their King wants. Perhaps, by my actions, proving to them (idiots that they are if they believe it in the first place, though) that the line of Brand is not synonymous with madness and destruction.
And what Anubis said regarding the Pattern and the Logrus being constructs. Does this mean that they were once like Cerebaton? And that Cerebaton could, perhaps, one day become like them?
Also, meeting Master Tarn raises the question of how the likes of Cerebaton compare to ... artificial beings such as him? One assumes that there are similarities in their construction, even if they are very different in their fundamental nature. For example, I suspect there may only be one way to make a sentient mind.
But whatever his nature, Master Tarn is clearly extremely durable. Perhaps even unkillable. Initiated into powers I have never even heard of. Able to (rather alarmingly!) track me from place to place by my use to Trumps. Able to use some Pattern-like powers without having walked it, apparently due to the Pattern-based origin of his DNA (could I, perhaps, do that, I wonder?).
Oh yes, my father's child, indeed!
Yes, especially desirous of going to Amber now, given the extra information regarding my family history which Master Tarn (who is, it seems, a brother of sorts) has revealed. Assuming, of course, that it is truth, but again, he seems to be sincere. Along with the face and name of my mother and the shadow in which she lived and I was born, he has also given me a book, a missive, from her to me.
Although the details of my maternity were never of terrible concern to me before now, I find ... that I wish to read this book more than almost anything else. Despite the more ominous news we have recently received, still, I want to read it.
But now it seem even more likely that, despite his actions, his madness, my father was driven onto the disastrous course which led to his death as much by the actions of others as by his own will.
Master Tarn says that someone with Pattern caused an insurrection in shadow B'leth-Shine. Killed Ashanah. My mother. The true love of my father. Drove him into the arms of Chaos. The arms of madness. And as I speculated to Master Tarn, my list of suspects is, at present, a mere two names long. Fiona and Bleys. His full siblings. Who else could have had the strength and power to overcome him?
Although if they had not, my brother Rinaldo the Assassin, would not exist, for father would not have been driven into a political marriage with Jasra of Chaos. But still I quite understand Master Tarn's desire for revenge against them. I feel it myself, especially now.
But I also feel the seriousness of the events that are rushing towards us, in the resolution of which people of their power may be necessary. Regardless of what my personal feelings towards them may be. And so I hope that Master Tarn stands by what he said, and does nothing against them. At least for now.
And what of Cerebaton, if all of these things come to pass? If shadows separate and move? I know I built him to be as tough, clever, adaptable and powerful as I knew how, but was that - is he - tough, clever, adaptable and powerful enough? I hope so, I sincerely, do, but having him simulate the effects of these shadow disruptions and find ways to avoid them seems, still, a good idea. In addition to his working on ways to improve his robustness and survivability in the face of what may be to come.
Still, I forget, sometimes, that Cerebaton is still young. Still, in many ways, a child. His concern and worry at being unable to stop Anubis arriving here, and at being unable to detect where Anubis went when he left, were, however, reminders that he is, still, young. A child. But I think that I was able to comfort and reassure him sufficiently for him not to worry. Perhaps, even, he will be able to locate these other places at 'meta-right-angles' to our universe in which (among others) the gods live. We shall have to see. And, while seeing, be very careful...
I must wear my phoenix broach when I travel to Amber. After what I have learnt today, anything else would be an insult to the memory of my father. Of Brand. Even if I do not agree with all, or even most, of what he did, nonetheless...
Cornelius is quite right. We do need to bolster the defences of Ensilarum against the oncoming storm, and find out what we can, as much as we can, to, if nothing else, trade with Amber for other facts and necessities.