Let me tell you about Hell Hounds and Hatchets:

Returning from the field trip to Elysium I go straight to my Onyx Chamber. "Zou Yan... Hi Honey, I'm home.”

I strip off the excess accoutrements I wore to Elysium and pack them away: My leather jacket, boots and dirk.

To the house AI, “Please give me a fifteen minute notification for dinner. Oh, and please have the first two Roger Zelazny novels returned to the Library."

I feel a slight pang of discomfort at having servants and I haven’t got a clue as to what to do about having a Personal Assistant, so I’ve created an artificial friendship with the Artificial Intelligence that appears to run the household.

My personal assistant, Kassidy, comes to my room to fetch the first two books, "Thank You, Kassidy. Please put these two books back in the Library for me. But, don't shelve them. Leave them somewhere prominent, like beside the refreshments, so that my cousins will be able to find them easily. Thanks."

It’s a job I could have done myself; and probably should have. Then again, the guy is getting paid to do this and not just sit around all day.

I settle down on my bed and continue reading the Roger Zelazny books. Hopefully finishing the third one by dinner.

At just after seven pee-em I finish reading the third Zelazny book and call, "Thank you, Zou Yan, you can dismiss the seven fifteen alarm I requested. I'm ready for dinner. Talk to you later..."

As the gaggle of us sight-seers traipsed back and forth across the Elysium bailey and Cordelia gathered us up to return here to Carnelian, I thought I heard her say something to Madison about coming to dinner. I figure that I should spruce myself up a bit if there’s going to be extra company at dinner so I freshen up and put on a green crisp buttoned cotton short sleeve shirt. Tighten up my braid and put on my Ghillie Brogues.

I head to the Library to return the third Zelazny book next to the refreshments and scan the libations for Drambuie to make a Rusty Nail. With no Drambuie, I settle for straight Rye, neat. Because of the debilitating pain due to my sensitivity to the ‘Trump Power’ I have missed a day of fraternizing with my new family so I decide to stay next to the refreshments so I can bartend and have a chance to get to know them better.

Akio comes in and says with a grin, "Nice weather on Elysium, wasn't it?"

"It was a fine day at the beach, Akio.”

Cordelia arrives wearing a pale blue Cheongsam style Chinese silk Dress with a chrysanthemum motif, and matching blue and white silk slippers. I nod and smile at her as I pour her some of that sickly sweet liquor she appears to enjoy.

Jason enters the Library and says something to Cordelia in Chinese. She smiles and nods to him and then he turns to me and asks me for, “a Jack and Coke.”

"Jason, if you don't mind me asking: What the heck kind of cannon were you hauling around this afternoon? According to what I've been reading, normal Earth gunpowder doesn't work on other Shadows. I guess that's why everyone seems to carry a sword or something else."

Jason grins. "I did not bring a sword. I have that replica of a gun that was in a movie. Aliens, if you have seen it: An Em-forty-one-eh-one Pulse rifle. I was Hoping for intimidation after finding out that it wouldn't work there! I spent the afternoon shopping for something I could substitute. I may have to buy a rubber mallet from the hardware shop!" he responds. Shaking his head, "I sincerely hope we don't NEED any weapons. I will have to go find a real sword when we can."

"A movie prop? For intimidation." I laugh, "I shouldn't laugh. My dirk is a deadly weapon, in the right hands: On me it's just decoration. I haven't made any swords larger than my dirk and a few hurlbats; but if I could get to a forge I could probably hook you up with something serviceable in a couple of days. A bit longer if you want it loaded up with Trump Juice like Cordelia's blade.”

Akio, "The idea of just making a sword and carrying it is a little odd to me. In Japan one needs a license to own a blade longer than twenty centimeters. I had to take a course on sword safety and secure storage, two fifth-dan iaido sensei had to endorse my application to own a katana and wakizashi, and the government officer gave me a long lecture about the importance of being a responsible person. Japan is a rather strange Shadow."

"Japan sounds perfectly reasonable to me, Akio. In Canada I can carry small four to six inch blade knives hidden. Larger ones have to be openly displayed. As a white man, no one would be concerned unless I drew a blade and started waving it around. It's all part of our colonial history. Sadly, people who are not white may likely be harnessed, or worse. My pen knife and multi-tool are utilitarian and frequently used. The dirk and sgian-dubh are decorative and ceremonial items that go with wearing a Kilt. Part of the Scottish costume… Guns are another matter altogether."

Cordelia matter of factly, "Carrying a weapon will become second nature once you start travelling Shadow. Not carrying one will likely shorten dramatically your ability to do so. The preference for swords is simply that they are easy to carry and function everywhere, which is not the case for other forms of weaponry. Obtaining a sword is in reality very easy, you just need to request one from the Quartermaster at the castle."

Jo, "I don't know what good a sword would do for me without knowing how to use it effectively. I'm just not a violent guy."

Dinner is called so I pour myself a beer and tip the remains of my rye into it. We file across the corridor and take our seats at the large dining table. Cordelia indicates that Alarna and I would be more comfortable at the opposite end from her due to the ‘Trump Power’ emanating from her person.

Jason, Zou Yan and Cordelia all help to translate our dinner requests to the wait staff as Edward sashays into the room.

I order up the Sweet potato soup and Game Paté to start, the Chili potato with the rib-eye steak: Blue rare. For dessert I ask for the Apple Sponge with loads of custard: Please and Thank You!

Akio, “Jo, I could show you the basics of iaido, if you ever have an interest. The first thing to know is that fighting with swords is not like in the movies. Usually it is over after one or two strokes by each opponent. And the best target is... no, I won't raise unpleasant images at dinner. I'm sorry.” Changing the subject he turns to the hostess, “Ms. Cordelia, please compliment the chef on his preparation of the fish. And may I ask, what was the iceberg-like thing in Elysium?”

Cordelia, "It's the intrusion of the Abyss into this reality. Jo, there is a significant difference between being violent and being able to defend oneself. Shadow, as in nature, is not a cute and cuddly place filled with care bears. More often than not it is a place filled with entities who want their slice of your cake, mostly on their say so."

With a grin "I guess running away into the wilderness and becoming a hermit isn't an option at the moment. Thank you, Akio. Learning some self defense would be much appreciated. Speaking of the Abyss: Cordelia, did I overhear that Queen Madison, your Daughter Charlotte and perhaps some others are coming to grace our dining table this evening? I'm curious about the Abyss, but I'm also interested in getting to know some others of our extended family."

"Completely misheard.. Charlie is at school and will likely be back for the Expo, and everyone who can will likely be attending the Expo Balls, which are in 12 days time."

"My mistake. Probably just as well... It's a school night and we've got a big exam tomorrow. Since we were just talking about swords. I assume that yours isn't a standard Quartermaster issue."

"Correct. It once belonged to a Chaosite Lord, who had a run-in with my father. I found it in his attic a few years after he disappeared. It's been modified a little since I first acquired it."

"Tres, Cool! So, you don't have to front load the magic into a sword when you forge it? You can add and modify the magic as you go along?"

"If you're the Serpent then you don't.. for us mere mortals if you want some sort of permanency then yes you do. It took me a month working with a Japanese Sword master to make my daughter's sword. It's not something you do lightly given you have to literally live in each other's pocket for the entire time."

Fatima nervously speaks, "I feel this might be obvious, but will say it anyway. What if we don't have the propensity for dealing mortal wounds, even in defense? I've never thought of harming others, and the wildest thing I've seen in my life is a street cat. I don't even know how to hold a sword. Will there be time enough for me to learn before I'm faced with my own death? You all talk so casually about it, but I was not raised in violence. And my religious teachings have only spoken of peace and forgiveness. Additionally, my country may espouse equality, but individuals are not enforced to train women in fighting, even if they pay for the service. And my mother never approved, saying my schooling was more important."

Cordelia, "As Akio and Natsuki will attest there is far more to Martial Arts than just being able to hit somebody. Most traditional forms place as much or significantly greater emphasis on tranquillity, spiritual contemplation, and physical well being as they do on the ability to defend yourself. When I was first allowed to join a school it was to impose discipline I lacked and provide a means of channelling my excess energy. I was the only girl in my first school for 10 years. Whilst it is now much more common for girls to be allowed to participate it is still frowned upon especially in more traditional areas, and there are some masters that still won't teach girls or allow them in their schools. It is very difficult therefore for me to give you any advice other than not to venture into Shadow without an escort, at least until you can spend several months learning to protect yourself."

Meekly, I add, "I've gotten by with just brute force. Anyone who ever needs to be sorted out, I just pick up, give a shake and toss like a bad puppy. I think I'd be comfortable learning Judo. If I stick with the whole Scottish shtick I'd take a Claymore but I think an axe would be better."

Cordelia, "Both weapons suffer with problems and limitations. The Claymore is a good intimidation weapon like the Broad Axe or Battle Axe, but all three require good skill and a lot of space to use properly, and are slow weapons. Single handed axes are good killing weapons, but have a tendency to get stuck in what you hit and are really bad as parrying weapons, due to all the weight being in the head. Having no guard of any description you also need good hand protection to avoid losing your fingers. Whilst faster than two handed weapons they are still slower than a broad sword or Sabre. Being able to use different weapons, dependent on the circumstance, is useful, as is being able to defend yourself if unarmed. The use of force also very much depends on the circumstance, and who, or what you encounter, sometimes retreat, if possible is actually the better move."

Akio authoritatively adds, “Yes, and I would add that axes can't be used for thrusting, if one is in a tight space. But a katana isn't much better, it's a swinging weapon, not a cutting weapon. Fatima, what Ms. Cordelia said about the Asian martial arts is correct. The hope of the... enlightened martial artist is to never have to use her skills at violence on another living being. A quick story: Funakoshi Gichin, the founder of Shotokan karate, was a master martial artist. One time in the mountains of Okinawa a violent thug confronted him and was about to assault him. Funakoshi-sama could have easily physically defeated the bully. A lesser martial artist would have taken the opportunity to test his skills and do just that. To be honest, every martial artist dreams of such an opportunity. To put thousands of hours of hard training into practice. But instead, Funakoshi-sama just stamped his foot on the earth and yelled ‘KIAI!’" Akio yelled ‘kiai' in earnest. This was followed by a crash and clatter as a server dropped a tray. He looked around at his fellow diners. "I'm sorry. It was meant as a practical demonstration, in case it may be of use. To continue... The force of Funakoshi's will and the ki unleashed showed the man that he could never win. He was facing a superior mind, heart, will and soul. He fled. So martial arts training is not so much about fighting and killing. It's about training one's mind and will, disciplining them and trying to strengthen and perfect them. When one does that, she prevails in any encounter. She is calm and without fear, and she has confidence that she will prevail, with or without violence. So violence may avoid her. It is training in war, but in the end it may result in peace. The fight may be won without violence or physical injury. I suppose that may not apply with all creatures of Amber, Chaos and Shadow. But the training of the mind and spirit is a start."

Cordelia appeared amused as she smiled and winked at Akio, "An interesting demonstration Akio. However such things generally only work on intelligent entities, or at least those intelligent enough to realize they're out-gunned, if you pardon the expression. You're more likely to encounter problems with groups of individuals who think they have the upper hand, or with wild animals in situations where you're forced to camp in the wilderness, as opposed to being able to locate a suitable establishment to stop for the night. The likelihood of you being attacked at home for any reason is remote to say the least, unless you happened to have pissed Xavier off, but he's more likely to kick you around the room for an hour or so as punishment, than want to kill you."

I’m not sure who Xavier is but I comment, "Duly noted. I'd rather retreat if there's an opening, unless I need to protect someone else. I'm already somewhat proficient in throwing axes and knives for sport, so that would be something I could build upon. I'm built for strength, not speed and being ambidextrous would give me some advantage with a pair of hammers or axes. If I were ever attacked in my workshop, I may not have a sword handy, but I'll be surrounded by a multitude of hammers and tools. Plus many other things that could become projectiles. When I'm in the wilderness, I carry an axe and hatchet. These are the tools I'm already familiar with and can swing all day long. The addition of a steel haft and pommel would balance the weapon, plus the head can be hollowed like on tactical tomahawks and hatchets. I take your point about wanting a hand guard. Although it's not common, there are hatchets and hammers that do have them. Historically, axes and hammers often proved more effective against armour. My ancestors on my mother's side used hurlbats in combat. Seen on their coat of arms. Thrown and retrieved with tethers, hurlbats can pierce armour. The axe head also acts as a hook for pulling an opponent into close quarters or tripping. It is a weapon of all points, Akio, and can be thrusted as well. I know what's possible, I just have to learn FU - YUE - CH'I - CH'IANG so I can do it."

To Cordelia I say, "Oh, Cordelia… Changing the subject: Did you say the other night that you have fusion reactors? That's something my Shadow doesn't have yet."

“I didn't, what I said was, ‘Container sized two-hundred-sisty megawatt fusion reactors are not difficult to come by.’ However, for the avoidance of pedantry, yes we do have several fusion reactors."

"Well, if one of the objectives is to expand trade across Shadow, that's one item that will sell although I'm not sure what my Shadow has to offer in return... Also assuming that the tech works across both Shadows. I'd also be interested in how scalable that tech is, 'cause it would be amazing to put one in my truck."

"In terms of scale that's pretty much as small as you can get them, there are other forms of ‘nuclear’ engine that are suitable for smaller sized vehicles, but there are significant issues in introducing that level of technology into Shadows that haven't evolved to that level of technology themselves, and that is without paying for and moving the source items in the first place. Your US/Canadian Dollar, Euro, or Yen is completely useless and valueless in this sort of trade. It's also a significantly more limited market compared to that engendered by medieval through to industrial revolution shadows which are significantly more common."

"Oh, well... My Shadow has Fission on various scales and we're on the verge of Fusion. In maybe a decade. I figured that until other trade is established, currency exchange wouldn't be viable. That's why I wondered out loud what commodity my Shadow might have that would be worth trading through barter in exchange for the Fusion. The collateral damage from the Rodian War was devastating, but the climate changes have left us with bumper crops and food surpluses. I'm sure that has some value across Shadows..."

"It would do in the right shadow, but there are lots of issues you have to contend with when trading with a ‘cashless’ society as all ‘modern’ Shadow Earth societies are. Once you establish banking regulations and regulations on the trade of high value commodities, such as gold, silver, gems, and metals such as Platinum, and Palladium, then life gets very complicated very fast, especially when you need to fake all the certification for said materials. You also have to beware of overloading the target economy such that the value of the commodity you're transporting doesn't degrade to the point you lose your market. That market also has to have to have some commodities that you can then trade elsewhere, until you can create a circular market and return to your original source with something they want or need, and of course you also need to add value at each stage such that you can pay for the transport, or rather the crew and the vessels. That is another issue with shadow, physics, chemistry, and to a degree biology are very variable, so you can suddenly find your mid to high tech transport stops working. That's why cross shadow trade predominantly relies on sail and sea transport, which of course means you need ships and ports, and are potentially subject to ‘losses at sea’, although that can be alleviated by upgrading your sailing fleet to the best technologies available in terms of materials whilst still maintaining the ability of the crew to repair them at the technological level at which they are used to functioning"

"Well, I'm not a bean counter and you've mostly lost me… We're supposed to be the trail blazers. The ones that open up the trade routes. Perhaps if we put a field office of bean counters (on/in) a Shadow in order to assess the market there. If it's viable, we go for it. If not, we move the field office of bean counters to another Shadow."

"As I've said previously you all need to learn to walk before you even attempt to run, and I've barely scratched the surface in relation to cross shadow trade or macro economics. Finding the markets, if you know what you're doing is the easy part.. Establishing the shadow paths that enable those without natural shadow traversal capability to cross shadow on those paths is where all the hard graft comes in. And establishing those paths requires being able to traverse shadow, which requires being able to manifest the Pattern in the right way, which requires a Pattern Imprint to work from.. The last part of which is tomorrow's objective.."

"Well, sure… But: For the sake of conversation and to take some of our minds off the subject of walking that tightrope tomorrow and to suppress the idea that we may face murderous assailants on a semi-regular basis… You also mentioned something about super capacitors? If those have the right power density they could replace the battery bank in my truck and reduce the overall weight by up to a third. Not to mention: I could use them to make you a motorcycle that would make your sphincter pucker."

"I did, but the main use for them has been as power packs for weapons, and in the circumstances where they're prevalent in this regard, they're not used as energy sources for vehicles, which would suggest they don't have a sufficient energy density to provide the requisite capacity/duration balance. As to use on a motorcycle, the Fireblade already has significant issues putting it's full power through the back wheel, and it's generally more productive to keep both of it's wheels in contact with the ground, than to try and balance on the back one. It's the ability to accelerate once already at a significant speed and it's top speed that is it's useful asset. Within narrow bounds it can significantly shorten travel times, say London to California in an hour.”

Jason looks flat out impressed, "That's like 5 thousand miles in an hour... hope nothing gets in the way!"

I’m impressed too, "Not to mention crossing the Atlantic Ocean on a motorcycle. Unless she's talking about London, Ontario... Then, it's only half the distance and she doesn't have to get her feet wet."

Jason queries innocently, "There is a London in Canada?"

Laughing I pedant, "Jason, just about every city and town in Canada is named after a city or town in the UK and Europe. There's even a Paris in Ontario. With just a few Aboriginal names tossed in. Colonialism even named most of the rivers and lakes after ones in the UK and Europe."

Cordelia, "Yes I do mean London, England… Well actually a little way South of London, the Hindhead Tunnel makes a good starting point, although both the Blackwall, and Dartmouth Tunnels will also do.."

"You must feel like a particle in the Hadron Collider, whipping through a tunnel like that. Kinda bummed about the Super Capacitors but… That's a helluva Hell Ride!" I look around the dining table, "Guys, you gotta read those Zelazny books so you'd have a better idea of what's going on… Anyway, there's no way the bike is breaking the speed of sound. So you can shift in and out of the same Shadows to warp space. That's wicked awesome! But, where are you at with hydrogen power cells?" And laughingly… "And remind me to never play poker with you. You didn't blink an eye at my sphincter comment."

Cordelia, "I've not had time to study the availability, application, and manufacture of every particular form of advanced technology that could exist. In the notionally technologically advanced shadows that I have spent some time in I'm aware of certain aspects of technology and its applications, and a couple of specific elements in particular. As I've said we've had and still have bigger problems to deal with, so what elements of advanced tech we use we do so for particular reasons and we buy it ‘off-the-shelf’ the same as every else would in those shadows. And shifting in and out of adjacent shadows to warp space is a somewhat trivial application but one which does take a little practice to accomplish. There are other forms of travel that use a similar technique but these tend to only work over shorter distances, usually line-of-sight, and most people would refer to this as magic, although enlightened martial artists have been able to do this for centuries.”

After we finish dinner, we move back across the corridor to the Library for coffee and after dinner drinks.

While the other cousins drink coffee and or Jack Daniels, I sample some of the other single malt whiskeys. I just don’t understand the appeal of sugary drinks. "Jack Daniels. All us kids in middle school started drinking with Jack Daniels. Then we graduated to Bacardi White Rum. After you drink yourself sick on that sweet stuff you can't stomach it anymore."

I’m guessing that Alarna is still having a hard time dealing with the pain from the ‘Trump Power’ and excuses herself, “If ye don't mind, I'd like to get some fresh air,"

Watching her go I say, "Alarna didn't look very happy at dinner… Edward, she seems to like you. Did you tell her about our afternoon field trip? Maybe you should go talk to her." I turn to the other girls and ask, "How are you doing Fatima? Natsuki?"

Natsuki, "I am alright Catlin san, thank you for asking.. I have followed most of the conversation so far. The only thing I don't really understand is what are these ‘Zelazny books’ you refer to?"

The books are still sitting next to the libations in the Library and I point them out. "They tell a version of the Pattern Fall War story which will give you some concept of what the Pattern is and what Shadows are. As well as Trumps and other things that Cordelia and Aunt Agnetha are telling us. I plan to finish reading the other two books in the series this evening before we essay the Pattern tomorrow."



Natsuki tells me, "I have some understanding of some things already.. To me they are just ‘other lands’ that Choki and I visit on occasion. He has been naughty sometimes and stranded officers of the Law in some of them. I had to force him to take me to fetch them. They gave up trying to catch him after a while."

"Wow! So Choki can travel through Shadow and take you with him? That's amazing!"

"It was very scary at first, but I'm used to it now. Anybody who's actually following him will be drawn through Shadow, it's very odd to call it that isn't it, as long as they can keep him in sight. It's how he took the Law Officers with him and then left them there. He's quite good at not being followed when he wants to be."

"So, I wonder: Did Choki lead you to Cordelia? Or lead Cordelia to you?"

"Sorry. I don't understand your question. He didn't bark when Ms Chan delivered the Invitation. He usually barks at people who come to the Ryokan who he doesn't know."

"I remember a story that said that Chickens are better security than dogs. Chickens will always cluck and squawk if an intruder comes; but a dog may remain silent if they are familiar with the intruder."

"But he hadn't met her until that day.. He was 8 weeks old when my father gave him to me. He was very frightened that day. It was all strange and unknown. He was so alone."

"Oh, that's sad. For a puppy who has just barely finished weaning to be torn from its Mother. Of course that's frightening. A reputable breeder would introduce you to the puppy and mother a couple of times before they are weaned so that when you take the puppy you are familiar. It also gives the breeder an opportunity to assess the person taking the animal to make sure that they are suitable. A breeder can deny the sale if they deem the person unsuitable. Or insist on them receiving proper training. Even that is traumatic but gentler than suddenly being torn from your mother's teat. Old school breeders tend to treat their animals more like a commodity without regard for the emotional and psychological health of the creature. Backyard breeders and puppy mills are usually even worse. Selling puppies that aren't fully weaned and with breeding defects. But, now I'm running on a tangent… In the books, Prince Julian is the Warden of Arden Forest in the wilderness around Amber. He bred himself a giant and mighty War Horse named Morgenstern, along with a large pack of 'hell-hounds' from Shadow to patrol and protect the area. The dogs are incredibly strong and fast. If Cordelia got past Choki, then Choki must have recognized her or could tell that she wasn't a threat. Choki appears to get along with Mikato, so that may be a connection too. We've also seen that Cordelia can magically conjure things, so it's quite possible that she didn't need to physically deliver the invitation. She could have done it with magic. Or, maybe Cordelia has an Owl to deliver all of her correspondence, like the Wizards in the Harry Potter books."

"No, I looked at his memory after we found the invitation. Ms Chan walked up the path from the street and entered the house. After she deposited the invitation, she left by a portal. I've no idea if she could have done it with Magic."

"You looked at Choki's memory?" I’m stunned by this revelation, "Like, where do you plug in the cable?"

"You make a joke? Correct? I just have to concentrate and I see where he is, and what he is doing."

"Joke? Maybe… Maybe Choki is a robot. You have a telepathic connection with Choki? That sounds awesome! Is that an Arden Hound thing, or can you do that with other animals yourself?"

Cordelia interjects, "It's an Arden hound thing. How do you think Julian, from the books, knew where his quarry was?"

I don’t know, "By the baying of the hounds? The books say they're fast and ferocious, but don't mention telepathy. So, what did you 'say' to Choki so that he didn't tear you apart?"

"I didn't 'say' anything to him.."

"Well, I guess I'm asking the wrong people… If I want to know why Choki let you pass, I'll have to ask Choki.”

Standing by and attentively listening, Akio asks, "Arden? Jo, could you let me know what Zelazny says about Arden? My mother mentioned it once," he confides.

"As I said Akio, In the books Prince Julian is the Warden of Arden Forest in the wilderness around Amber. I believe that it is much like the geography in Belgium called The Ardennes. Very rough foothills leading to the Alpine Mountains. Or, in this case, the foothills around Mount Kolvir which holds our beloved Amber."

Cordelia, "Arden is actually a Shadow in its own right, it's just so closely linked to the forested foothills to the East of Kolvir that people think the whole of the forest is in Amber. It's geography and flora is probably more akin to the Bavarian Forests and Austrian foothills of the Alps than the Ardennes, although it's non-native fauna was what you had to watch out for. And whilst the character in the book is called Julian, it was Orsen's realm in reality.”

Since Cordelia knows more than what the books contain, I say, "Well, yes Cordelia. There's a difference between what it is like and what it actually is. The nature of Arden as a Shadow raises a boat load of metaphysical questions. Like, if you are in Amber and unable to traverse Shadow and you journey outward… Do you eventually just vanish into mist? Do you fall off the edge like a flat-earther? Or. Do you circumnavigate the planet Amber? Is Amber a tiny island casting infinite Shadows? Maybe that will be revealed in the next two books… Oh, and… Many of the names of characters in the books have been changed too. But don't spoil it for me. I'd like to try and figure some of this out for myself."

"The answer to the question depends on the route you take. Use one of the main routes and you cross shadow, tramp through the under-brush and you remain in Amber. It's how ninety-nine percent of all Amber's trade worked. How many of those shadow paths still exist is one of the unanswered questions. And I'm not spoiling anything since the books are neither fact nor fiction, but variably somewhere in between, and I've already outlined what happens.”

"No, the spoilers I'm talking about are trying to match the Pseudonyms with the actual people. With Arden it sounds like there's some blurred lines there. That Arden is both the foothills around Kolvir and also the first Shadow out from Kolvir. It would be easy to get lost or hide in a place like that..." Grinning, "Or a fun place to bush-whack. I imagine there'd be some fast water and some pretty lakes to explore..."

Jason, also hanging on to the edge of the conversation asks, "Background reading? Definitely interested, though there is no way all of us can read them before tomorrow." He looks at the books, "Can you recommend a chapter or passage that we can all read about the walk itself?"

"Well, let's see... Our hero, Corwin, first walks a reflection of the Pattern in an undersea city called Rebma. Which is a little corny, being Amber spelled backwards. I think that was about halfway through the first book. That cures his amnesia and brings back all his Shadow walking abilities. Then he walks the real Pattern in a cavern deep under Castle Amber. There's also a third, sort of ghost Pattern that appears in the sky above Amber on the full moon..." I thumb through a book and find the passage about walking the Amber Pattern and read it out loud.

Jason and the others listen as I read the passage aloud.

After a bit Jason takes his leave. "I will see you all in the morning, I have some prep for tomorrow to do."

Sensing the time, I finished my drink and excused myself from the Library as well, “Ladies and Gentlemen, I bid you all a good night."

I head back to my room and continue reading...

I finish the fourth book by eleven and have Kassidy return it to the Library for me as I start to read the fifth and final book of the Chronicles...