Reflections on the Past, Part 9:
	It is said that you cannot gauge a man's worth until you have seen
them in a life-or-death situation.  I have had the opportunity to see each
of my companions in such situations more than once, and I know their worth.
Unfortunately, about half fail to measure up to my standards. A dangerous
thing, for they all knew too much for me to let them leave.
	The Trumps available to us proved less useful than I had hoped.
Fortunately, one of Rex's companions, Engela, was able to weave a Glamour
that concealed Sean and Ariadne.  Together, they made their way to the High
King, and secured us a ship.  Allyna was able to use a hastily-drawn sketch
to transport us to Ariadne, and we were off.
	Andra had agreed to go with us, so the ship could have an easy way
back to Thule.  Had I known what was in store for us, I would have left her
behind.
	Time passed swiftly, as I instructed Ariadne in the workings of the
Broken Pattern.  Surprisingly, Jeanette was able to guide the ship towards
Kashfa with little aid.  For the first time, she had proven to be of some
small use.  She immediately assumed that she was now a worthy asset in my
eyes...a mistake on her part.
	As we arrived in Kashfa's harbor, we were beset by several warships
from Amber.  I resolved to break through the blockade - at that time, I
assumed the throne was still in Rinaldo's hands, and suspected that a
scion of Amber was on at least one of the ships.  I feel that my choice
was correct given my information...but it was nevertheless a perilous
course to take.
	Sunfall's runic magic proved invaluable in holding the ship together
during our rapid approach, and I managed to hold the other ships at bay
long enough for us to skirt the blockade and reach land.  Unfortunately,
several of the others misread the situation, or otherwise weren't willing
to risk themselves against the approaching soldiers.  Sean, Ariadne, and I
managed to clear a path, but Andra (already wounded during the approach)
was captured.
	As for the others...Jeanette, Allyna, and Reed hid, rather than
assist us against armed men.  Sunfall assisted in the fighting, but didn't
follow us into the city.  Rex and his entire entourage were nowhere to be
found, having disappeared about the time we hit land.
	Sean, Ariadne, and I managed to reach Kaisarah's shop without
incident, at which point I had the distinct displeasure of being Trumped
by Allyna.  She and Jeanette were brought through to the shop, whereupon I
went to speak to Kaisarah.  I managed to talk to him with a minimum of
interruptions, and was shocked to find that Caine had killed both Rinaldo
and the Heart of Death.
	Though Allyna's interruptions were an irritant, she did contribute
one valuable piece of advice.  She said that Caine could use descriptions
garnered from Andra to make Trumps of each of us, at least in theory.  I
reasoned that I would have to either rescue her or kill her - either being
a difficult undertaking.
	My course of action was decided.  One way or another, the coming of
the dawn would bring one of two things...Andra's rescue, or her death.
	What did our arrival at Kashfa tell me of my companions?  Sean was a
godsend for the cause...we would not have survived without his skills.
Sunfall was useful, and could act without guidance...though she was more
effective when given instructions.  My daughter could hold her own, which
was a blessing.  However, Allyna's usefulness was concentrated in one
specialized skill, as was Reed's.  Jeanette was more of a liability than
an asset...the risk of her capture far outweighed her usefulness.
Finally, Rex and his companions were like a roll of the dice...nothing to
be counted on.
	I resolved that Rex would not recieve further attention from me.  If
he proved useful, well and good, but I could not afford the energy to
either placate or kill him - his powers are an unknown factor.  As for
Jeanette...I was just waiting for the time when her death would be most
useful to the cause...
	After all, Jeanette failed to measure up to my standards, and prided
herself on learning secrets while giving away none of her own.  It was
nearing the time when I would have her pay the price for those secrets,
for they were too valuable to let fall into the wrong hands.