Cerridwen and I continued to talk as we walked towards the ramparts. Arriving there, I saw Sarah, Nessarose, Dara, Ryan and the others. Sarah looked up as the two of us approached. "Any news?" she asked.

"We have arrived unexpectedly early," Cerridwen replied. "My apologies...I forgot to take into account the drift."

I did my best to hide my amusement at Cerridwen's proffered excuse. Sarah simply smiled.

"Tell you guards to prepare, we can begin our descent immediately," Cerridwen added.

Sarah glanced at Nessarose, who nodded in return and headed over to Dara's group. "It will be done," Sarah replied.

I decided to remain close to Sarah for the moment, as I was still troubled by the beginning of the Circle. If it truly had elements of the Pattern in it...well, I did not wish to see my Head of House reduced to ash. But there might not be enough to be lethal. After all, anyone could walk a Broken Pattern. Would it prove fatal for Sarah to attempt to it? I could not be sure. I would simply have to ensure that Sarah was not the first person without Amber blood to try it, and for that I would need to be near her. I was suddenly thankful that I had already taken the Circle in private, even if it meant missing out on the additional knowledge that would be deposited by the rest of our group. I could always return later. Better that, than have my Amber connection revealed.

"We are arrived," Cerridwen called out lightly, and I directed my attention over the ramparts. The method of transport Cerridwen and I had used earlier had not allowed me much of a look at the city beyond the square. On the edge of the dark sea below I saw a coast approaching, and the beginning of the sunrise appearing over the far horizon. The skyline was beautiful, and at a point south by southeast I could barely discern the tall towers of the city, with the temple standing in the very center. The Tir approached quickly, however, and soon the details of the city were more apparent. It was not long before the Tir hovered over the city, casting a large shadow over the buildings below. I could see the commotion this caused below, and perhaps just hear the edges of screams and shouts. I saw Ryan look warily down below and then to Dara curiously, but he remained as silent as the rest of us. The stairs formed from the Tir and descended to the town square, scarcely a hundred yards from the temple itself. Cerridwen frowned, looking down at the people. "Be warned...this is the capital city of Aspeiron, and there are few here who are not practitioners of magic, minor though their enchantments be."

Sarah nodded in acknowledgment, and we began descending the stairs with our people. Dara also walked with us, Ryan firmly in tow. As the group descended, I noted a small gathering of white-robed people at the area near the foot of the stairs. None of them appeared armed, nor were they behaving in a hostile fashion. Of course, if they were sorcerers, as Cerridwen had warned, they would not need obvious weapons. I readied a defensive spell, but it turned out to be unnecessary. As we approached, the people knelt and bowed their heads, save for one older woman who approached and addressed us. "Your coming was foretold. The Way is open to you." She gestured to the temple behind her, and the white-robed ones moved aside for us.

I raised an eyebrow at that. Foretold, was it? By whom? Had the earlier arrival of Cerridwen and myself been foretold as well? If the woman was aware of our earlier visit, she gave no sign of it. I took a longer look the temple spires, which disappeared into the clouds. Clouds which seemed to be darkening with each passing moment. The wind picked up, and there was a rumble of thunder in the distance. Coincidence? Perhaps, but I doubted it. Her face grim, Cerridwen hurried to the temple doors, which were opened for her by the two large guards. We quickly followed her inside, where it was much the same as my first visit, quiet and somewhat dark. Except, of course, for the faint flickering glow of the Magic Circle. Cerridwen gave everyone a few moments to gawk, then looked at us and smiled. "I have seen how my father walked the Circle; I shall show you how it's done."

And with that, she stepped onto the beginning. As she walked a winding route to the center, I could see a slight smile on her face. Was she seeing visions of me teaching her, I wondered? Would the others? I hoped not, but it was probably too much to hope for.

Eventually, Cerridwen arrived at the center and was abruptly amongst us again. There was a brief moment of silence before Ryan spoke up. "Mother, do we follow her?" he asked Dara. "And where is Burke?"

Dara looked at him strangely, as did I, since Burke was standing right next to his leg. Burke growled softly, apparently annoyed at being overlooked. That got Ryan's attention. "You are so quiet," he said with a smile. "I was missing you."

"I believe I would choose to go next," Dara said loudly, doubtless hoping to distract everyone's attention from her unobservant son. Smiling at Ryan briefly, she moved towards the Circle and set foot on the beginning. She walked the Circle quickly, winding over a longer route than Cerridwen. Of course, Cerridwen had already taken a longer route earlier. Would Dara or the others be suspicious as to why she had not done so on what was supposedly her first walk? Or would they assume she simply had overlooked a better route? I would have to be careful in my own public walk, if it ever took place.

When Dara arrived near the center, I noted a startled look pass over her features, and then she was amongst us again. She smiled at Cerridwen. "That was most instructive." Ryan looked at her curiously, but said nothing. I did my best to fake a similar expression, although my own curiosity was limited to wondering who she had seen during her walk. Had I looked as startled at the end of my own walk? If so, at least only Cerridwen had witnessed it.

One of the lords of Chanicut stepped forward next, at Sarah's suggestion. Needless to say, I was quite relieved, since it obviated my task of subtly stopping Sarah if she wanted to go next. I hoped the man was not anyone vital. He appeared a touch nervous as he approached the Circle, so Cerridwen smiled and attempted to reassure him. "It's like re-reading an old book...a reaffirming of your knowledge...there's nothing to fear in it."

He nodded, and I held my breath as he moved towards the beginning. In a moment, I would know if my suspicions were unfounded. He glanced back at the rest of us one final time, then stepped forward onto the beginning of the Circle...and abruptly burst into flames. He succeeded in getting barely four steps from the Circle before falling to the ground. There was a flash of light, and then all that was left was ashes.

No one said anything for several moments, although Ryan shot an alarmed look at his mother and touched his cat for reassurance. Wondering, no doubt, if the same fate awaited him. Cerridwen looked stunned. So much so, that I was forced to suspect that she honestly had no idea that the opening portion of the Circle contained traces of Pattern. Surprising that she would overlook that. Was she so confident of her ability to master the Circle that she had not even bothered to study it before putting herself at its mercy? How uncharacteristically foolish of her.

I took a step back as if in shock, and shook my head, allowing my surprise at Cerridwen's reaction to show on my face. The others would interpret this as surprise over the Chanicut lord's fate, of course. Sometimes the best emotions to use are genuine ones. "It appears that the Circle is more dangerous for some to walk than for others," I commented, sounding appropriately subdued.

Sarah walked over to the ashes and knelt next to them for a moment. "This is the legacy that Meridian has left us."

Ryan stared blankly at Sarah's words and then tried to avert his eyes. Perhaps he found the sight of the ashes disquieting. Obviously, he had led quite a sheltered life in Shadow. Not the best preparation for a life in the Courts of Chaos. Why in the Serpent's name had Dara chosen to have him raised in such a manner?

My musing was interrupted as Sarah stood up abruptly and looked at Cerridwen. "He was the first to attempt it who was not of the blood of Amber, correct?"

Cerridwen's expression faded. "Yes. Meridian, Gawain, myself, and Dara have walked it thus far."

Sarah's voice was low as she continued. "Then your uncle's actions have forever denied me my magic, and those of my house. I do not hold you responsible for this, Cerridwen, nor your family, but Meridian will suffer for this," she vowed, gesturing to the ashes. Looking at the rest of us who were of Chanicut, she remarked, "Come, there is nothing for us here."

I nodded sadly and fell into step behind Sarah, thankful that Cerridwen had said nothing of my walk. And how long would it take her to realize that if I had survived, I must have Amber blood? Not long at all, I imagined. The question that remained was, what would she do with that knowledge?

As we made our exit from the temple, I slowed my steps somewhat, wanting to observe what would occur after our departure. Sarah noticed me hanging back a bit, but she merely smiled softly and said nothing. She knew my ways well enough to know what I was up to. I cast a scrying spell to show me the temple interior, smiling at the ease with which it came to me now. As the image came into focus, I saw that Dara was speaking to Ryan, assuring him, "You are of the blood of Amber, Ryan, and can walk the Circle in safety, but I leave the decision to you."

Ryan's answer was no real surprise. "I will walk it. What do I need to do besides staying on track?"

"Nothing," Dara replied quietly. "The longer paths convey more knowledge. Follow one path to the center, and you will be empowered. It's not difficult at all, really."

Ryan proceeded to carefully and methodically place one foot at the beginning of the Circle, and then walk it in the same fashion. Curiously, he walked quite a different route from I. A relatively short route, in fact. Rather odd, given what Dara had just told him about the longer paths providing more knowledge. Was he stupid, or just being contrary? I did not know enough about him to say. Whatever his reasons, I was inclined to be thankful for the result, since his route made it unlikely that he received any memories of my tutelage. A pity I could not say that about everyone.

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Last modified on January 10, 1999 by Kris Fazzari.