Reflections of the Past (part 10):

As I led the way through the secret passage, I mulled over the recent past. I had travelled full circle - leaving Kashfa only to return to a completely changed realm. The capitol of Jidrash was completely under Amber's control, and I was certain the rest of Kashfa was suffering a similar fate. Had I failed in my duties? I was told not to interfere in the succession of Kashfa...and now that matter was resolved in a fashion certain to hinder my cause. For the first time in a long while, I had a moment of doubt about Ashlin's prophecy.

I quickly dismissed my moment of weakness, and recalled recent events. I had set Allyna upon the task of drawing her sketches before nightfall. A few hours later, the Kashfan military started a house-by-house search of the block. One I had verified that Allyna had finished a sketch of Kaisarah's abode, I led the others to a nearby home. I was able to make the owner bend to our wishes through the use of two classic tools - the carrot and the stick. Once the search had passed Kaisarah's residence, we used the sketch to transport ourselves back.

This convinced me that the journey to see Dalt was too risky to undertake with a large group. I set each of the others on their respective tasks, and left them to meet Kaisarah out of town. It was a hard ride to Dalt's camp, and I was more than a little tired when we arrived. Dalt was not pleased to see me, but a careful presentation of the facts convinced him of my plan. It was unfortunately that he only brought two others with him, but I expected to acquire guns from one of his two comrades somewhere along the line. After all, I was expecting us to take some losses, for such a risky venture. One does not casually kill a Prince of Amber.

Dalt offered to tell me Coral's location, in return for my aid. Getting that assistance would make the rescue nearly unnecessary. Kill Caine, and Kashfa's independent element would rise to reassert control over Kashfa. There would be consequences, of course, but there would be greater consequences if Caine was allowed to keep Kashfa in his iron grip.

Reflections of the Moment:

Enough. It was time to act. We entered the castle and proceeded toward the guard station. A few guards along the way were easily dispatched, but the guard station proved to be a greater challenge. Looking back, I wonder while Dalt was so rushed to open the door. The guards were taken down quickly and quietly. If he could have just waited a little longer...

The fight was quick and bloody. Varn went down quickly, which I considered to be a mixed blessing. His opponent was quite skilled, but my gloves and Dalt's gun forced him to surrender. Jeanette, to my surprise, actually proved to be somewhat useful. I had seen her spellcasting abilities earlier in the evening, and she was even able to hold off an armed foe for a time.

During the thick of things, a sorceror had managed to seal up the entrance to the dungeon with a spell. Jeanette offered to remove the obstruction, and I quickly realized that our best chance to take down Caine was with a small, gun- equipped force. Dalt, Raz, and I headed off to kill Caine, while the others stayed to break through the wall and recover the prisoners.

Now, I lead two others along secret passageways and halls that had fallen into disuse. With luck, we will get Caine in our gunsights, and make our first major counterstrike against Amber's aggression. Oddly enough, I am worried more about Chaos than Amber...when will the other edge of reality make its move against the Broken Patterns? Perhaps they are focusing on the other minor powers, gaining strength before they target the flawed images of what is anathema to them.