A coiled snake

    Return to Chaos


    We finally arrived in the Courts of Chaos the following morning, docking in Gwynedd, which apparently was still the Ways of Helgram. It was good to know that some things, at least, had not changed. We stood for a moment in the main hall and said our goodbyes to each other, Ryan affixed to Florimel as if he were glued to her side. I wondered if he intended to drag her around all of Chaos like that. Momus, surprisingly, seemed rather unsure of what to do, now that we had arrived. I felt a bit of sympathy for the man. At least I knew there were a few people alive that I could contact. In the short time that I had known him, I had actually grown to like the man, or at least to enjoy his company, so I invited him to accompany me, if he wished. He offered me his arm at that, and we made our way towards the stairs.

    Cerridwen put in an appearance to oversee our departure, accompanied by two redheaded women who had not been at dinner the previous evening. One was obviously some sort of warrior, the other most likely a scholar. Cerridwen made no move to introduce them, so I simply ignored them and continued towards the stairs. As they made no move to leave with the rest of us, it appeared they would be remaining in the Tir with Cerridwen. Chaosites in need of transport? Or perhaps Amberites? I would have to remember their faces for later.

    Ryan and Florimel descended first, followed by Momus and myself. There were three figures waiting at the bottom of the stairs, and as we drew closer, my heart lifted to see a familiar face among them. After seeing nothing but strangers ever since I had awakened, I cannot tell you how relieved I felt to finally see someone I knew. And even better, someone I actually liked. In some ways, Sarah Chanicut had been like a second mother to me. It was she who had defended me to Swayvill, and hers was the last face I saw, and the last words I heard, before my imprisonment. I recalled those words now, and it was all I could do to keep my face composed at the sight of her. I studied her face carefully, looking for some sign of change from the woman I had known, but she looked as confident as ever.

    I turned my attention to the other two women, one short and slender, almost tomboyish, the other tall, perhaps more than six feet, and slender, with a rather interesting style of dress. It was rather...witchy, for lack of a better description. A deliberate affectation, perhaps? The first woman I soon recognized as Dara Helgram, but the other remained a mystery, although there was something in her features that almost reminded me of my Aunt Deirdre.

    Ryan and Florimel headed straight for Dara, of course. Sarah and the mystery woman muttered something to Dara, smiled, then moved past Ryan and Florimel to greet Momus and myself. Sarah's expression was very pleased. "I knew it would take some time, but I am glad to you see back with us, Melanie."

    I smiled and made the proper gestures of respect toward my Head of House. "No gladder than I am, I assure you. It is good to be home." I indicated my escort. "Have the two of you met, or shall I make introductions?"

    "We have met in passing," Momus replied, kissing Sarah's proffered hand.

    "Ah, yes. I recall the circumstances of your disfavor with Swayvill...and here she is," Sarah replied, inclining her jaw ever-so-slightly in Florimel's direction. Interesting, that. No wonder Momus had such a dislike for the woman. Whatever had she done to bring Swayvill's wrath upon him?

    Turning towards me, Sarah smiled again. "Ah, Melanie...allow me to introduce you to Nessarose...she is Despil's granddaughter, and a member of our House. Nessarose, this fine young woman is Melanie, a loyal member of our House, and the gentleman is Momus of Jesby."

    Nessarose smiled slightly and curtseyed towards us. "Sarah has spoken of you often, Lady Melanie...it is good to have you back."

    Despil's granddaughter? Dara's great-granddaughter then. The time I had been absent caught up to me again with the force of a blow, but I still managed to curtsey politely and say, "Thank you."

    Sarah looked over at Dara, Ryan and Florimel, and then up at Cerridwen and Anyssa, who were still standing on the ramparts of the Tir. "Cerridwen will be joining us later in Skeltland...after she has dealt with a few minor issues here. Let us return home. Momus, you are welcome to stay with us in the Ways of Chanicut until such time as I can call upon Stead and arrange your reintroduction to House Jesby."

    Momus smiled thinly and replied, "Of course, milady."

    Sarah pulled out a Trump card and dropped it to the ground, where it darkened and spread, becoming a black road extending to the east. Stepping upon it, the scenery faded slightly, as if we had stepped slightly out of this reality and into another. Without even moving, I felt myself being pulled to Skeltland.

    "It will be good to see the Ways again," I commented as we moved along. "Have they changed a great deal since last I saw them?"

    "They have changed very little," Sarah replied. "Something in Chaos must remain stable...and so it will be me and my Ways...constant throughout the struggles. And no doubt, having something similar to the days of old should make it easier on the both of you," she continued, looking at Momus and myself.

    Nessarose chimed in, "Your old quarters are in the state you left them, Melanie. We saw to keeping them that way."

    I found that amusing for some reason, and could not help quirking an eyebrow. "Indeed. In that case, I imagine they are quite dusty by now."

    Nessarose chuckled lightly. "Surely there's a spell for such things, no?"

    Sarah's expression became serious. "And that is something else we must discuss, Melanie...what to do with the recent changes. Cerridwen has promised to take us sightseeing very soon...to look into the source of these changes. I admit that I am over curious."

    Momus spoke up then. "You are referring to the change in the state of magic, I assume. I had hoped it was an issue exclusive to the cloud castle. I take it I was mistaken in that hope?"

    "Unfortunately, yes. One of the Amberites saw fit to change the very fabric of magic, and now we are left to deal with his mistakes."

    "An unpleasant turn of events," he replied.

    "Yes, quite," I observed. "It is rather inconvenient, I must admit. But hopefully something that we can find a way to deal with. Leave it to an Amberite to cause such a problem."

    "And yet, it will most likely be an Amberite who will help us solve the issue," Nessarose replied.

    I nodded in acknowledgment of Nessarose's point, and said no more on the subject. It was rather ironic, I had to admit. Especially since the Amberite in question was Cerridwen. I confess, I had trouble remembering that she actually was an Amberite, at times. Her mindset was very Chaosian.

    The rest of the journey was relatively quiet, and upon arriving in Skeltland, I found that, indeed, little had changed. We parted ways in the main hall, and I was immediately shown to my quarters, which appeared to have been kept as spotless as I had been told. I found this rather pleasing. Tangible evidence, as it were, that Sarah had never given up on my eventual return. I walked from one room to the next, touching objects I had thought never to see again, and enjoying the feeling of at last being in familiar surroundings. Finally, at long last, I was home.


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

    Last modified on December 24, 1998 by Kris Fazzari.