While all this discussion is rather interesting, and worrying, the elders of Amber do seem to be rather assuming that we shall all simply assist with this plan of Prince Benedict's with no explicit reward on the table for doing so. Unfortunately, however, they make a good point. I may not have walked the Pattern or have any particular loyalty to Amber itself, but I am rather fond of the universe as it stands, and thus I shall probably go along with plan, as long as it does not require me to commit suicide as part of it.
I wonder how many of the others are thinking of things in this manner? We shall have to see...
And now I have met my second god of death. Lord Hades himself. He seems to have a good deal of similarity, in personality if not in appearance, to Lord Anubis. Perhaps it is something related to being a god of death, or at least a god at all. Again, perhaps time will tell.
But regardless of its origin, I do find their ... attitude ... most unexpected. Refreshing even. Most unlike what one might imagine that of a deity to be. They speak more colloquially than I do, for pity's sake!
I admit to some surprise. People are actually acceding to my suggestion and revealing their capabilities that they might better be utilised in the fight to come.
Well, perhaps 'reveal' is an overstatement. People are not describing their abilities in anything more than the broadest terms, and I include my own revelations in that.
But still. Quite surprising.
However, to, I suspect, the surprise of absolutely no-one I do not, as yet, see any revelations coming from our elders. If they show no sign of so doing I may have to prompt them for some answers...
And at last, the entry of brother Rinaldo. The first time we have met, though I have, of course, been keeping an eye on my younger brother from a distance. And from his rather familiar nod, I suspect that the reverse may also be true, of which I cannot say I wholeheartedly approve. Not that I am in any position to complain about such!
The thought also occurs that if he has been spying on me without my knowledge, how many others may have been doing the same? A rather worrying thought. At least I am, as far as I am aware, safe from all such things (by outsiders at least) in Ensilarum...
Perhaps I need to develop magic to provide some form of anti-scrying, or perhaps better invisibility to scrying or other forms of observation...
It is strange. Now that I meet him in person for the first time I find myself rather at a loss for words to say to him. Rather shy even.
He certainly looks very ... relaxed ... for someone who is, as far as I am aware, fighting for his home and his shadow. But then, were I in his position, of walking from a beleaguered shadow into a room full of probable enemies, I would also do my best to appear cool, calm, collected and without a care in all the worlds...
Ah. Now we have some revelations from some of the elders. From all of the revelations so far I am surprised that so many people appear to know the power of Trump.
I really had to restrain a sarcastic comment to Brigitte. "I won't tell you anything because I'm back off to Chaos now." Pah! Who does she think she is?! Not to mention the fact that she, of course, had no objections to our describing our powers in front of her.
But such a comment would probably not have resulted in any useful outcome, and I would like to talk to civilly to her regarding Princess Havoc at some point. SO I held my tongue.
Or perhaps she is simply convinced that she will never meet or associate with any of us again, and so our knowing her powers would be pointless. Though, to be honest, I sincerely doubt this last. Not to mention the impoliteness of her stance...
It does not surprise me that Fiona is reluctant to discuss her powers in public. I wonder if she will tell the King of them later? I do find it hard to believe that she has so many powers it takes time to catalogue them all - that sounds more like an excuse to avoid listing them in front of all of us. Though no-one, of course, was willing to challenge her on this...
I do wonder who the mystery woman with Nest is, also. She says she wishes to remain anonymous, but after showing her face here, how long can that last, especially given the number of Trump artists present? I certainly intend to ask Cerebaton if he knows anything of her!
I cannot help but wonder at Venus' judgement, or rather, lack of same. Casting, for no apparent reason, a spell to make, Gabriel, a child of Fiona, fall over in the presence of Fiona?! What was she thinking?! Very little on the subject of scoring points with Fiona, I would wager. Nor, I suspect, with Damien, who did not appear entirely happy with this ... assault ... on his sister...