Cerridwen began the spell, and in due course, I joined in as well. As I cast, I got the strange feeling that Cerridwen was drawing upon the energies from the castle itself in some strange fashion, and I almost caught whispers of other voices casting alongside the two of us. It was a trifle disconcerting, to say the least, but I did not allow it to distract me. Eventually, the spell finished and we saw the woman begin to fade from stony gray to animate flesh. She was about 5'8" tall, with long reddish brown hair and deep blue eyes. She appeared to be wearing mostly blue and bronze at the time of her incarceration. She blinked suddenly, and looked rather bewildered, the scrap of cloth still clutched in her hand. Now that it was no longer stone, I could see that the cloth appeared to be a blanket of some sort.

"Who...where..." The woman's eyes traveled around the room and finally came to rest on the scrap of blanket for a moment, at which point she hoarsely whispered, "Bella...." Then she looked up again and her eyes, though shimmering with unshed tears, seemed to clear. She took a step towards Cerridwen and I and held out her hand. "I am Lady Anyssa Helgram, daughter of Prince Benedict of Amber and Lady Lintra of Hendrake, unfortunate wife to Lord Sebastian Helgram. I assume I should thank you for freeing me from the spell, though I must say, I truly hope you don't have a worse fate planned for me." There was a slight smile as she ended that did not quite reach her eyes.

As if we would have released her thusly if we intended further harm toward her. I found her whole reaction rather maudlin, to be perfectly honest. When I awoke, I calmly assessed my environment. She barely managed to keep from crying. This was a Hendrake? I had thought them made of sterner stuff than this. Still, emotional weakness did not mean physical weakness. From the look of her, she could probably slice both Cerridwen and I to pieces without releasing her grip on her blanket, should we be foolish enough to make ourselves so vulnerable to her. My mind went back to the blanket for a moment. What had she said while looking at it? Bella. I only knew of one Bella. Dara Helgram's mother. Quite powerful in her time, she was known for being one of the most dangerous, ruthless, subtle and manipulative woman in Chaos. Sarah had known her, but disliked her. It was through Bella's efforts that Swayvill achieved great prominence, and her later disappearance was a mystery. This woman could be referring to another Bella, of course, but given that she had just declared herself of the line of Benedict and Lintra, impossible though it might seem, I was probably looking at Dara's grandmother. Which made her potentially valuable. Setting aside my distaste for her tears for the moment, I summoned what I hoped was a sympathetic smile and stepped forward to take her hand. "I am Melanie, Lady of House Chanicut, Viscountess of Skeltland, and Marquessa of Corinth. Or at least I was, before my imprisonment. Like you, I passed some time imprisoned in stone and have only recently been released." There, let her think we were kindred spirits, if she wished.

Anyssa nodded. "I remember the chanting...and then..." She shuddered a bit. "Do you know how much time has gone by..." She looked around. "Where is this place? It doesn't seem familiar at all."

Cerridwen remained where she was and smiled ever so slightly. "I am Cerridwen...Queen of Tir-na Nog'th...the castle in which you now stand. You are welcome here, Anyssa, and quite safe from harm." She glanced at the shattered glass door before the balcony and frowned slightly. I wondered if she had spoken those same words to the first person she successfully freed, right before he leapt out the window. I also wondered why she had not at least had the door repaired. Perhaps it served as some sort of reminder for her...

I dragged my thoughts back to the present as Cerridwen continued, "Come...let us adjourn to more comfortable quarters...someplace with a fire. No doubt you could use something to drink, and I am anxious to hear of your history, and answer what questions I may." Cerridwen gestured towards the door and began to leave, with me following behind her. Anyssa calmly followed us into the hall, her hand still tightly holding the blanket scrap. "I think a drink is definitely in order."

I nodded. "It is a trifle disconcerting to wake up in a strange place, with no idea what has happened."

Anyssa nodded silently and continued to follow along. She was beginning to look a bit shell-shocked by this time. Cerridwen led us down another long curving hallway to a parlor with a fireplace, several plush chairs and a divan. The stone floor was covered with an elaborate woven rug, and there was wine and three crystal goblets sitting on a low cherry-wood table, along with a plate of biscuits and small sandwiches. Cerridwen took a seat and waited for the two of us to do likewise before opening the wine bottle and pouring herself a glass. She sipped a bit, then began to speak. "Let me state emphatically that I had nothing to do with your imprisonment, Anyssa, and that in fact I was probably born long after the event. I only recently came into possession of this castle, and discovered the statues in one of the upper rooms. So far, my attempts to restore the statues to life have only had three successes, Melanie, yourself, and one poor unfortunate who dived out of the window, believing me to be one of his captors." She poured wine for myself and Anyssa, then continued, "Timewise, it is right now some 40 years after conclusion of the Patternfall War in Amber's timeline. In Chaos, well over a hundred years...perhaps as much as 200 years...and a lot has changed. When were you so imprisoned?"

Anyssa looked confused at the comments about the Patternfall War. "Since I don't even recall a war, I would assume I was imprisoned long before such an occurrence. The Helgrams had me imprisoned because I didn't want to go along with their plans for raising my daughter. They wanted to use her for some breeding program." There was a tone of almost disgust mixed with hopelessness in her voice. "Just as they used me."

Cerridwen looked saddened by this and paused a moment. I feigned sympathy, but inwardly, I cringed. Of course they had used her! Everyone uses everyone else. That is just the way the world works. Those who fail to acknowledge that simply wind up on the losing end more often then not. It was not hard to guess what category Anyssa fell into.

Cerridwen began speaking again. "The Patternfall War was the greatest war between Amber and the Courts of Chaos...it resulted in the death of King Oberon...and soon after Swayvill died as well. I'm afraid I don't know anything about a girl named Bella...but she probably predated me."

I sipped at my wine and quietly added, "Bella Helgram was a prominent lady of the Courts shortly before my time." Glancing at Cerridwen, I resisted the urge to look smug as I added, "You might know her for her daughter, Dara."

Cerridwen raised one eyebrow and looked at Anyssa with a new interest. "Then you, milady, are grandmother to a good friend of mine. As I said, I know nothing of Bella, but perhaps Dara might be able to answer your questions...for I know that she would help you on this... She is the current head of House Helgram."

Anyssa bowed her head in sorrow. "My daughter has children...my granddaughter is now the Head of the same house that had me imprisoned..." When she looked up, there was such sadness in her eyes that I wanted to physically smack her. Yes, yes, you lost your child. How terribly sad for you. Get over it. I have lost my mother, and I assure you I had many more years to bond with her than you did some mewling infant. If you truly want a child so badly, simply find a man willing to do the necessaries and spread your legs. I have never found there to be a shortage of men willing to volunteer for that particular activity. You should be rejoicing in the fact that your descendants are men and women of status and power, not whining about the fact that one of them is in charge of the house that imprisoned you.

I said none of this to her, of course, I merely listened as she asked, "Tell me more of this Chaos that I will return to...and of my grandchild, does she have children?" The irritating sadness gave way but a small amount, as a glint of curiosity took its place. "What of my father...is he living or dead?"

Cerridwen smiled slightly at the former question. "Dara has many children, in fact. In order of birth, they are Merlin, Shaenan, Despil, Clitus, Jurt, and Ryan. Shaenan is the Keeper of the Logrus and Head of House Sawall, after his father Gramble, and Despil is the Emperor of Chaos. Clitus and Jurt are deceased, and Merlin dwells in Amber." She glanced at me then, an expression of discomfort on her face. "You might do well not to mention Merlin...his actions have been a source of much pain for Dara."

Indeed? That comment would bear further investigating at a later date. For the moment, however, I just nodded my assent, and Cerridwen went on with her recitation of Anyssa's descendants. "Dara also has a grandson named Stead, and a great-granddaughter named Nessarose. After the death of her husband, Dara remained with the Sawalls long enough to groom her sons for positions of power, but after Shaenan and Despil assumed their titles, she retired to be Head of House Helgram..."

Cerridwen paused at that point, as if unwilling to go on. I had seen this look on her face earlier, and I knew what was coming. "There's so much to tell," she said quietly. "I admit that the worst is still unspoken. Five years after Despil assumed the throne, Llateri, whose name is never spoken in Chaos, corrupted the Logrus with Abyss...slaying the Serpent and taking its place. Every living Logrus master was corrupted similarly by this and they became her Abyssal puppets. With her newfound power she lead a massive assault on Amber which came to be known as the Abyss War. She was destroyed...and her puppets died with her." She paused, noting the shock on Anyssa's face. I did my best to look taken aback as well, although I had heard all of this before. "In the explosion that marked her death, the connections between Shadows were severed...and so each Shadow existed isolated for a great many decades. Slowly, though, the connections were restored. Shaenan returned to Chaos and restored the Logrus...creating a new avatar of Chaos...the Spider. The Spider knitted the Shadows of the Courts together again, and Shaenan set about restoring the great houses of Chaos. For the most part, however, Chaos is but a pale shadow of what it once was. House Helgram needed guidance, and so Dara took over there." She paused again, clearly not wanting to say more. To state what Anyssa must already have expected. "Benedict was an initiate of the Logrus; he died during the Abyss War."

Throughout Cerridwen's words, Anyssa seemed to have hungrily devoured every reference to her much larger family. Once her father's death was made known to her, though, her eyes filled again with tears. "I had not seen him since I was but a child of six. I remember him fondly except for the last sight of him...as he stood over my mother, his blade through her heart, his own arm severed...my young mind couldn't grasp it at the moment, instinct took over and when I woke again, one of my mother's Hellmaids had found me...I never saw him again." She let the tears flow, unashamed of them. "He truly loved me...I wonder if he ever knew what became of me?" She thankfully ceased her tears and looked up again. "So many changes, and I know not whether any of my enemies still live."

Cerridwen looked surprised at Anyssa's tears...perhaps even uncomfortable. I felt only disgust, but managed to pretend considerably more empathy, offering Anyssa a handkerchief. I even went so far as to take Anyssa's hand in mine (gloved, naturally) and give it a reassuring squeeze. Cerridwen gave Anyssa a moment to recover before speaking. "I know not of your enemies Anyssa...but it is doubtful. There are very few of your peers left in the Courts nowadays. A mixed blessing...your enemies are most likely gone, but sadly...so are your friends. Like it or not, a fresh start awaits you in Chaos."

I looked over at Cerridwen and added, "As it does for me..."

Anyssa looked at both of us and stated plainly, "I had no friends, it was never allowed for me." There was no pain in that statement, thankfully, it was said almost purely without emotion. "Perhaps now I shall make some, though...I really do not want to return there unprepared as I was when I left, I couldn't defend myself, much less my daughter, against those who wanted to manipulate my bloodline. Considering my descendants have taken up several positions of power, I suppose there are those who would say that the manipulation was worth the cost." She gazed away and finally dropped her gaze to her lap.

Of course it was. Ungrateful cow. Were I to discover I had descendants in such positions of power, I certainly would not be bewailing that fact. Of course, I would have to have children first, an idea I had never been particularly fond of. They are too great a potential source of weakness, not to mention how one goes about acquiring one...

Cerridwen appeared to think differently, however, looking thoughtful for a moment before observing, "There are many who claim that such manipulations are worth the cost...on both sides of reality." She shrugged. "I do not know...nor care to dwell overlong on it...for such amorality on the part of 'well-meaning' individuals repulses me. At that time, Anyssa...you were the only one of the blood of Amber to be raised in Chaos...and so you were valued more than your individuality. That has changed, for now the blood of Amber is spread among nearly all the houses. They have no cause to attempt to use you in this way ever again...and as you said...your family is in power now...and so none would dare. Despil is a good man...and an honorable one. When he learns of your tale, he will take steps to ensure that you are not so mistreated again. Until you are ready for the Courts, however, both yourself and Melanie are welcome to stay here as long as you like. You are both welcome in my home, and should you desire it, I will be more than happy to extend invitations to Dara, Despil, Sarah Chanicut, or whomever you choose...that you can begin to ascertain your new place in the Courts." There was a touch of seriousness to her voice, and a firm sincerity.

Anyssa drew a breath and looked up. "I thank you for that. I should truly like to gain some insight into the current manners. I suppose it would be ill done of me to be rude in the Court of my great-grandson." She laughed softly. "But I must confess to feeling far too young to have this many descendants."

Cerridwen chuckled lightly. "Trust me on this, Anyssa, you don't look a day over three hundred." There was a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

Anyssa, her eyes now sparkling with mirth, gave a mock serious gasp. "Really..." She smiled. "I wouldn't have thought I was a day over 23." There was humor but a touch of seriousness. "What magic did you use to bring me back, if you don't find me rude for asking...I vaguely remember the chanting that the sorcerer used, but then everything went black."

I remained silent, leaving it to Cerridwen to respond. "You were turned to stone. I used a general dispelling taught to me by Sarah Chanicut, in combination with a health restorative spell, as the transformation back can be quite dangerous. Of the five I've attempted to restore so far, two died outright." Cerridwen's face grew pale a moment, and her expression turned introspective. "I suspect they turned you to stone on the off chance that they might need you again one day...much as they did with Melanie." I nodded my agreement, but continued to say nothing. It was not a topic I particularly wished to discuss in any great detail.

"I should say, though, that the very nature of magic has changed in your absence. An uncle of mine, Meridian by name, used the Jewel of Judgment to forge magic into a greater power, on par with the Logrus and the Pattern in Amber. I don't know if you were trained in the use of magic, but it may not work as it once did. Luckily, we have recourse to traverse this Magic Circle of his, and thus gain a greater level of potential in the use of magic."

Anyssa tilted her head slightly. "I wasn't allowed much when I lived in Chaos before, no friends, no teaching of anything that might make me dangerous to my keepers. Despite being a member of House Hendrake and my Amber bloodline, which they really wanted, they tried to keep me quite docile. I would like to learn the use of magic...it seems fitting in a strange sort of way. Would you teach me?"

Cerridwen answered, "I am not at all certain that I will be the teacher, Anyssa, as this Magic Circle will be new to me as well. But certainly I can share what I know...and we can learn together." I smiled coyly, and nodded as well. Whether I was agreeing with Cerridwen's statement, or Anyssa's request, I left open to debate. If she truly knew nothing of magic, I was not certain I wished to enlighten her. On the other hand, if she was determined to find instruction somewhere, it might be best if it was from me. At least then I could be certain just how much she knew, and how skilled she was.

Suddenly, the large grandfather clock in the corner chimed, thirteen times total. I noted a slight look of panic on Cerridwen's face. Anyssa said nothing, but the slight glint of her eyes indicated that she, too, had noted Cerridwen's reaction.

"But I do prattle on and on," Cerridwen remarked suddenly. "You and Melanie are bound to be tired after your ordeals, and we have no shortage of time. Both of you should get a good night's sleep, and we can speak further in the morning." She furrowed her brow in concentration for a moment, and two butterflies suddenly appeared above her outstretched palm. Both glowed faintly, and fluttered about towards the door. "They will lead you to your bedrooms... I'll see you both at breakfast."

Anyssa smiled and dropped a slight curtsy. "Thank you for the most gracious hospitality I've experienced, in some over 300 years." She moved to follow the butterflies. I curtsied as well, while thinking that this was probably the only hospitality Anyssa had experienced in 300 years, given that she had been a statue until a few hours ago. Cerridwen made no reply to Anyssa, but appeared to be lost in thought. I made a mental note to look into the significance of that clock at a later time. Thirteen chimes. What did it mean?

Outside the parlor, the butterflies immediately moved in opposite directions down the long hallway. A hallway that did not appear to be the same as when I entered the parlor originally. I would have to look into this phenomenon in the morning. Anyssa hesitated in confusion for a moment, obviously thrown by the change. Naturally, I pretended to know precisely where I was, coughing lightly and remarking, "I believe my room is down that way; I will see you in the morning." With a slight curtsy, I headed down the hallway to the right and retired for the evening.

Melanie's Page | Melanie's Journals

All text on this page is © 1998 by Kris Fazzari.

Last modified on October 4, 1998 by Kris Fazzari.