Well, we have met the enemy now and he is, to say the least, rather alarming. We were never in true danger, what with that entire shadow being set up in our favour. But still. Alarming. The aftermath of the battle, too.
That the DarkWalkers are mostly immune to flame was something I had been told. Even so, seeing that this was actually so was rather discouraging. Still, my Swarm of Butterflies spell was effective, as were my Suttars. Acid, mental and geology-warping spells from various of the others also proved rather useful. Let alone Khelladon's 'Nova-burst' and Singularity spells! Simple physical attacks also seemed to be effective, though less so at mass destruction. The most surprising result, though, was Venus' fiery phoenix spell.
Although, as far as I could tell, just fire, it seemed to kill the DarkWalkers by fright alone, some effect related to its being a phoenix, not its being fire. The precise reasons for this remain unclear. It was suggested that perhaps the phoenix (another ancient primal beast like the Unicorn) was the enemy of the DarkWalkers, or alternatively their (to them) terrifying leader. Regardless, I must see about modifying a spell to provide the same effect!
I was surprised when Rinaldo gave me, as the oldest of his children, Brand's Pattern sword to dispose of. I am not at all surprised that, had the situation been reversed, I would have given up such a weapon! But still, I have it, and so far have not used it - I much prefer the idea of engaging the DarkWalkers at range! Perhaps in future I should let Rinaldo, or perhaps Master Tarn, use it.
One of the alarming things about the DarkWalkers was the power of their - anti-Pattern? - initiates. The one we encountered would seem to be as powerful as an Amberite Pattern initiate, though in different ways. Still, he found it hard to resist so many of us and is now Khelladon's prisoner. As such he will, with luck, yield us some useful information...
All in all, I am quite pleased with myself over how I comported myself during the battle. Not that I was in the front lines but still, I was close to it. And I was calm. Collected. How reassuring for the battles which undoubtedly lie in the future...
I was not terribly impressed with events after we left the site of our 'test battle'. The DarkWalkers used their 'anti-Trump' power on one of Amber's troops (not a family member), tearing him apart with it an opening a gate through which to attack us in the process.
Not that this lasted long, but still, alarming.
It was also rather alarming that only I seemed to react to the DarkWalker human popping through their gate for a quick peruse of Amber before popping back again! Come on Amber! If I had a chance to get a psychic impression of the man surely you could have done something Prince Benedict! Excuses are simply not enough!
It was quite brave of Damien and Cinhil to hold the gate while powers were summoned to close it. Not necessarily the best option given that, perhaps, a magical barrier would have done a better job. But still, rather courageous. It is really only their rudeness at not even responding to my offer of magical healing which irritates me...
Still, I now have a Trump of that man, which will hopefully prove useful...
Cerebaton should really be more careful. Although it is nice to be able to spy on Lord Hades, I cannot help but feel that his doing so is rather a large risk to be taking under present circumstances for a rather small return.
I also wonder what else - whether, even - Fiona put into my head - all our heads - along with her super Pattern-enhanced escape Trump? The Pattern itself certainly seemed able to talk to me via it (using which opportunity I passed along the greetings of Lord Anubis). Time may, perhaps, tell, though to be honest I hope it does not. We shall, no doubt see...
As I have no intentions against Amber in any case, one may at least hope that all will be well.
And now I think that I understand Lord Anubis' warning, too. The Unicorn may cry tears of blood ... if someone were to bleed on the Unicorn design on the back of the throne of Amber. Most likely the King himself, which is, I admit, not a terribly comforting through, and something most sincerely to be hoped will not happen.
Again, time will, perhaps, tell...
And now what? We struck at the DarkWalkers. They struck back at us. We both learn, and plan the next attack.
Who are these humans the DarkWalkers have working for (or with?) them? Are they people like Blue, or something else? Traitors? Or some kind of slave race?
I do dislike the DarkWalkers 'anti-Trump' power. It is so ... antithetical ... to the true power of Trump. Let alone so obscure in its workings. How does it attack using the differences between one's Ideal and one's current state (which is, of course, usually somewhat at variance to that Ideal)?
And, at least as importantly, how does one defend against it? From what I have observed, normal Trump defence will certainly help, but I think more may be truly necessary. I have put some ideas to Cerebaton, and we shall see what develops.
Perhaps we may learn more from our DarkWalker prisoner. He may even have some DarkWalker Trumps on his person that we can study. Again, we shall see.
Still, overall, what an extremely unpleasant power. But, I must admit, even if only to myself, an interesting one, too...
It is quite ... surprising ... or perhaps alarming ... how much Rinaldo seems to know of me. I suppose I should at least be grateful that the properties of Ensilarum prevent my being spied upon while at home, as whatever he has done to his home does for him.
Still, I cannot really blame him as I do, after all, do much the same in return.
He also seems to know more than I regarding father's various plots, schemes and plans. Perhaps he has simply spent more time seeking out such things - I know that I did not, But regardless, he does know more. Including about Master Tarn, which information both he and I are interested in seeing!
I quite liked his wife and child, too. Codie was rather rude to speak in front of me in a tongue I, her hostess, did not understand. I admit that I initially though, from her words, that Lady Racilind was the traditional sort of stuff-shirt noble, standing on ceremony and such at every turn. I was surprised - and pleased - to discover that this was not so, and indeed that part of her duties as Rinaldo's wife is to keep him from succumbing to such urges!
Well, let us hope that they will be safe and sound in Ensilarum (as they should be!) and that based o such Rinaldo will eventually deign to reveal to me his oh-so-secret plans.
The depth of his relationship to Vialle also came as something of a surprise to me. I admit I did not really have much to say to her, so simply mouthed polite flowery nothings. He, on the other hand, said much more.
Even if I have no great feelings for the Queen of Amber, cultivating one who does, and in whom those feelings seem to be reciprocated, would appear to be a most sensible course of action...