Disconnected images

A twisted web of pipes spraying hot steam from leaky valves and cracked joints
A broken Pattern looking at itself in a funhouse mirror to redraw itself on a Trump canvas
The neural pathways of a mind part Random, part Julia, and part Merlin
Cayt wondering lost in a labyrinth of halls in dark part of Castle Amber.

I wasn't sleeping very well when Connie came knocking on my door, drunk. A pain that wasn't really there, Random's pain, still ran along my spine from my tailbone to the base of my skull and within. Connie brought the bottle with him. He offered me a glass which I gladly accepted. He collapsed in my chair (I've never sat in my own chair) and began talking about the family - how we were all crazy in our own ways...
Or was that Locke? Now that I think about it that was Locke's theory. He told me about it on the training field after my battle with Deirdre.
What had Connie talked about? My daughter. Connie was mad at me for having a good looking daughter. Where was Cayt now? I had another drink. Connie Trumped Jessica into my room. They talked. Jessica wanted Connie to draw a Trump of her. I think I fell asleep twice while they talked. Jessica must have gotten the Trump drawn because she gave it to me the next day.

Locke's theory: We were all crazy in our own ways. His evidence began with Dworkin and Oberon, and went right on down through Brand, Luke, Caine, Random, etc. on down to us. Locke thought he himself was a little crazy. I'm not sure I bought it. My head was starting to hurt again.

Was it the dreamline? At breakfast I had a clear image of Martin knocking Locke out and stuffing him in some sort of a tube. Was I awake? Of course. It was breakfast the day after the battle. I'm sure I was awake. I'm sure of it.
I hellrode to Avalon. No sense in Trumping Sand from Castle Amber. Someone might find out. I told her all about Eric's Pattern, about the fight. Jade was still alive and so was Random. I hope she wasn't feeling the pain at the base of my skull through the Trump contact. I told her about my waking dreamline contact. Was that what it was? I wasn't sure. Oh, and there was a ball in our honor. I told her about it, thought I don't know why. It made her laugh. It was nice to see Sand laugh.

The ball... Jessica asked me to be her date for the ball. Jessica asked me to join her in training with Deirdre. Train with Deirdre and Jessica? Was I crazy? At least my head didn't hurt anymore. I fought defensively. I gave ground, and why not, the ground cost me nothing and kept the best sword in Amber (save Benedict and Bleys) away from me. I led Deirdre all over the yard. Sword fighting was a little like dancing. I looked forward to dancing with Jessica. She claimed to have no experience dancing, but she is so graceful and agile I just know she'd do well in the right hands. Deirdre had me backed up against a flower bed. I'd run out of ground to give, so I tossed my sword into the air. How could she have missed the grin that gave away my plan a moment before I tackled her around the waist. She was preoccupied by the sword. Soon she wrestled me effortlessly to the ground. Deirdre was so much stronger than me. What was I doing fighting her?
Locke arrived. He gave me a book on springs to read while he watched Jessica and Deirdre battle. A spring is a coiled pattern of metal. The further it gets from its original shape the more energy it stores until it either breaks or releases the energy naturally. Was it a metaphor?
Jessica and Deirdre fought to a draw. Locke challenged Jessica. I was interested to see who would win this match. I had a great deal of respect for both Locke's and Jessica's fighting skills. Time, however, was of the essence. Jessica pressed the attack to finish the fight quickly and it cost her. Locke was able to disarm and grapple her. Locke claimed the victory and we all returned to the castle to prepare for The Ball.