Session 10

Miranda goes to Brand's study again and asks if he's sure Fiona can't break through the Trump ward he gave her. Why? She's heard Fiona managed to break the bindings that prevented her from using Trump when she escaped. He's heard that as well, but bindings are different from a ward. He's certain Fiona can't break through a Trump ward like Miranda's.

Later that day, Miranda is working out with Yut-Lung when she realizes she has an audience besides Kail. She's rather mortified by this, because Yut-Lung has persuaded her to train wearing loose pants, and she's embarrassed to be seen by anyone wearing them. Yut-Lung hands her a robe, which she gratefully puts on before turning to face the visitors, who are speaking to each other. One is Driscoll, the other Rinaldo. She runs and hugs Rinaldo, grateful that he's still alive. She notes that he's been gone a while. He was busy. He needs to talk to her and their parents. Miranda says she needs to change first. There isn't time for that. He grabs her by the arm and drags her off.

As they go down the hall, Miranda asks where he's been. He's now the Keeper of the Logrus. That news brings her to a screeching halt. Seriously? Yes. Why him? Aren't there older Logrus masters? He thinks for a moment. Yes. So why not one of them? He doesn't know. The Logrus just picked him. Oh. That means he can't be the heir to Barimen any longer, can he? No. Miranda realizes that this makes her the heir, and she's not quite sure what to think of that. She tells Rinaldo he should have produced an heir earlier. He didn't think there was any need to rush. He figures Jasra will have to have another child now. Neither one thinks she's going to pleased by this, but she'll do her duty. Rinaldo mentions that he can hear what all of the other Logrus masters are thinking, and he can cut them off from the Logrus if he wishes. Miranda wishes she could help him, but doubts there's anything she can do. Rinaldo asks if they can get going again. Sure.

Rinaldo asks Miranda why she's so concerned about her appearance. Because she's wearing pants, which isn't proper. Rinaldo pauses, then suddenly Miranda is wearing a dress, after the brief sensation of her clothes being removed. Rinaldo looks surprised and says that was harder than he thought. Miranda realizes that some of the buttons on the back of her dress are off by one. Rinaldo fixes that and they continue on. Miranda asks if he's in any danger due to his new position. No, why? Well, given that Suhuy was murdered.... Oh, Rinaldo knows who was responsible, and it was because Suhuy was stupid. The killer is no threat to Rinaldo. Miranda asks Rinaldo if he's been told that Fiona is free. No. She's after both of them. Rinaldo says he'll take care of her if she attacks.

Rinaldo and Miranda join their parents in Brand's study. Rinaldo tells Miranda that he wants her to announce his new position to the Greater Assembly. She nods. Brand also has an announcement for her to make. He hands her a scroll and tells her he wants her to announce that Barimen would like to end the tradition of not announcing the heir to a House, since recent events have made it obvious that this system doesn't work. Barimen thinks the heirs should be named, and penalties put in place for harming an heir equivalent to harming a Head of House. He expects some of the other houses may disagree, but it's time for Barimen to start making a few changes. Rinaldo warns he may have to be gone for a long time. Miranda looks unhappy about that. Naturally, Brand appears pleased with Rinaldo's new position.

After Rinaldo leaves, Miranda mentions that she warned him that Fiona was after him. Brand looks concerned and leaves to go after Rinaldo. Jasra looks displeased. Miranda, feeling a bit defensive, asks if she should have let him remain ignorant of the danger. No, but Jasra might not have told him who the specific threat was from. She hopes Miranda didn't have plans to get married any time soon. No, and she never intended to marry out of the house, anyway. Good.

Miranda receives an invitation to a ball being held by Lord Borel in the east. She seeks out Brand and asks if he still thinks she should go east, given the threat from Fiona. He thinks she should be OK. He's planning to talk to his sister and convince her to leave his family alone. Why would she agree? He'll offer to hold back Rinaldo. Which he wants to do anyway since he doesn't think Rinaldo can take Fiona? Precisely. Sand and Delwin are on their own, though. Miranda doesn't look happy about that. Brand says it's their own doing. He told them to kill Fiona, but he was ignored. Miranda asks if Yut-Lung can come with her to Lord Borel's ball. Brand thinks he'd make a good bodyguard. And that other one as well. Kail? Yes. Brand wants to know more about Yut-Lung. Miranda thinks he's Real. Yes, Brand does as well. He instructs Miranda to find out more about his background. Miranda knows that he was adopted. Who were his birth parents? She's not sure he knows. Brand notes she'll have the trip to find out.

Miranda asks Yut-Lung and Kail if they are willing to accompany her to Borel's ball. Both seem to think it will be fun.

Miranda realizes that she'll have to miss an Assembly meeting while she's out east. Not wanting to ask Sand to do it, given that Fiona is after her, she goes in search of Uncle Bleys. She finds him painting a picture of Fiona. Miranda studies it a bit, this being the closest look she's ever gotten at Fiona, and realizes that there is a strong resemblance to herself. She comments on this to Bleys, who says all of them look a lot like Clarissa. Miranda says she never met Clarissa. Bleys comments that she was a lot like Jasra. Miranda realizes this implies that her father married a woman who reminded him of his mother, and finds this a bit disturbing. Bleys asks what she wants from him. She explains that she needs him to fill in for her at an Assembly meeting. Why not send Sand? Miranda doesn't want to risk her. But she'll risk him? Fiona isn't after him. True. Bleys comments that Sand and Delwin should have killed Fiona. Why didn't they? Because Sand hated Fiona and wanted her to suffer. Delwin just went along, like he always does. Sand and Fiona have hated each other since they were children. That's why Sand left Amber. Bleys agrees to fill in for Miranda, which causes her to smile prettily and say thank you. He comments that she's a lot like her mother. He also notes that Sand really needs to go to ground for a while. Right, which is why she can't go to the Assembly. Yes, yes, he knows. She hugs him and thanks him again, and then leaves.

Miranda receives an invitation to tea with Maseera. Jasra says there shouldn't be any problem with her accepting, so long as she's still wearing the Trump ward. Yut-Lung accompanies her, to act as bodyguard. After the tea is served, Maseera explains that she has been away from Thelbane for a while, learning the family business, and she finds herself with few friends now that she's returned. They make small talk, discussing their interests. Maseera likes taking long walks, and says she did that in all of the places she visited, exploring all the nooks and crannies. Miranda thinks that must have been dangerous, but Maseera says she had bodyguards. Miranda paints, of course. Maseera does some painting, but not very well. She is a musician, though. Miranda only knows the harpsichord. They find they have a common love of music, though, and reading. They discuss the idea of restarting the salons that Duchess Manot used to hold when they return, but small at first. They also talk a bit about their families. Maseera's family is quite large, with seven siblings, many nieces and nephews, etc., while Miranda is easily the youngest person in her house. She's not sure what it would be like to have children around. Maseera asks if she received an invitation to Borel's ball. Yes, she did. Maseera did as well. When she learns that Miranda will be traveling alone, except for her bodyguards, she suggests Miranda travel with her, her brother and his wife. Miranda accepts the offer.

Miranda makes her announcements at the Greater Assembly. The news of Rinaldo's new position is greeted with silence. Those few who have taken the Logrus nod. The rest appear to want to confirm it independently. The proposal to change the system of handling heirs gets frowns from some, but nods from others, and she is even approached by a few people afterward who share their agreement.

Miranda travels east to the ball with Maseera, by way of the Black Road. Several stops are made along the way to shop, and much material is purchased for new dresses. After a week's journey, they arrive in Baylesport on the morning of the ball. There is a bit of confusion at the door when Miranda presents her invitation, since she isn't on the list, but then a Hendrake man greets her and says that of course she was invited, and it's all attributed to a scribe's error.

At the ball, Maseera and Miranda quickly notice that the deck is stacked. There are a lot of young women present, and most of the young men attending are married. The duo is pleased to spot Driscoll, whose expression goes from being cold and hard to being more normal when he sees them. They chat for a bit, until Borel approaches and asks Driscoll to introduce him to the young ladies. He's obviously interested in Maseera. Her brother and his wife go to dance. Driscoll then asks Miranda to dance as well. Driscoll looks almost apologetic about Rinaldo's new position. Miranda figures it must be because it puts her in the same situation as him. She suggests that perhaps with their common situation they could be friends. Driscoll would like that. He's never had any female friends before. Miranda hasn't had many male ones, either. They discuss the fact that both of them are considering marriage now. Miranda is still just looking over her prospects. Driscoll feels he'll have to move more quickly. Why? He's not sure how long he'll live. The Palatine claim his mother has been executed, but he has no proof, for one thing. Problem is, he's new at this courting thing. Miranda offers her help, if he wants it - women often know more about women than men. He says this will be an act of trust for him, but tells her that he has two women he likes so far: Maseera and Faith Chanicut. Miranda likes Maseera. Faith she isn't as well acquainted with, but she remembers her as being rather shy. Apparently that's changed. She suggests he dance with Maseera. He notes that Borel is dancing with her. True, but he's the host, so he can't dance with her all night.

The dance ends, and Driscoll asks Faith to dance next. Then he dances with Maseera. Then Faith asks Driscoll to dance again, while Maseera chats with another young man. During all of this, Miranda finds few other men to dance with, so she chats with Yut-Lung. Miranda talks about the differences between her and Maseera's family, and asks if Yut-Lung had a large family. Not really. His adopted family had an older brother who was off at school and a younger sister. And his birth parents? His mother was "at court."

Maseera and the young man she was talking to begin to make their way towards Miranda, who turns pale as she recognizes the man...he's someone who died at the ball. Yut-Lung asks her what's wrong. She explains, and Yut-Lung readies himself, just in case. Maseera introduces the young man to Miranda, asks her in a low voice to be nice to him, and then leaves. Miranda realizes that while his name is that of the dead man, his voice is different, which means he must be a shapeshifter. Imitating another person at a party is considered to be in poor taste, especially when the person is dead, so when Yut-Lung goes for punch, Miranda tells the man that she knows he's an impostor, and that he should leave now or she'll notify the lord of the house. Looking startled, he appears to lose control and his features change to look like those of a weary Maevyn...who also died at the ball. The loss of control appeared genuine, though, and is something that happens to inexperienced shapeshifters, so it seems likely that this actually is Maevyn. Miranda takes a step or two back, looking even paler, and says she thought was dead. No, he's in hiding from Shennayr. The former Duke of Succat? Yes, he's involved in some nasty plot. Why is Maevyn here then? He came after his sister, Lily, who he points out in the crowd. She's also in another form, but this one isn't that of a dead person, at least. Miranda offers to bring a note to her. Finn approaches at this point. More talking ensues, and Miranda learns that Maevyn met with Llewella, gave her something, and in return she granted him access to her Pattern. It's obvious that they don't know what the Pattern is, or who Llewella is, beyond the fact that she's Queen of Rebma. Miranda warns them that the Pattern is a dangerous thing to have. Why? Do they remember their history? Yes. Do they remember a war with the people who used to live here? Right, the Patternfall War.... Realization dawns on them and they leave quickly. Miranda passes the message along to "Iris" that Caldwell wants her to come home now. She also leaves, and the rest of the evening is uneventful.

Before going to bed, Miranda writes a note informing Brand that Llewella is still alive, and her Pattern seems to be intact, and passes it through a Trump to him. He seems to find the news very interesting.

Borel and Kail are missing from breakfast the next morning. Miranda asks Yut-Lung if he knows where Kail is. He believes he's out hunting with Borel and Perrin of Vizsla. After breakfast, Miranda has retired back to her rooms when a servant knocks urgently on her door. She's told that Benedict's army is approaching, and she must pack only what she needs and prepare to leave immediately. She Trumps Brand and gives him this news. He asks if she thinks she can escape via conventional means. She's going to try to. Good. If not, he suggests she use her broken Pattern before using Trump, since it will be easier to conceal in the confusion. He also tells her to be sure to bring Yut-Lung with her, as he's discovered something about him. She's planning on it. Since she won't be able to take her trunks with her when she flees, she pushes them through the contact, then goes to join the nobles.

Maseera, her family, Faith and Miranda decide to stick together when they flee. They are joined at the last minute by Maevyn, Lily and Finn, who have decided to go back and face their pursuers. Driscoll is staying to defend the city. He tells Miranda that if worse comes to worse, find him and he can get her out of there fast. She deduces from this that he must have the Logrus.

As they flee Baylesport and approach the Black Road, the group finds their way blocked by a small contingent of about 50 men. As they discuss their options, Miranda asks Yut-Lung if he has any ideas. He says he can make a distraction, but very sternly tells all of them that they can't breathe a word of this to anyone. Then he gets off his horse and concentrates. His skin turns blue, and his hair turns white, and a storm begins to grow and rain lighting down on the army. Then he turns back to normal and suggests they get moving. They are able to reach the Black Road unmolested and begin the journey west.

After riding for a bit, Maseera and Faith opt to go back to near Baylesport. Everyone else goes on. After three days of riding, the group finally arrives back in Thelbane. Maevyn and Lily retreat to an inn. Miranda returns to Barimen and briefs Brand. He says that the Rebman Pattern was believed to be broken. So either Llewella was lying, or maybe it isn't. Brand notes that the Palatine are looking for Maevyn, since they've been led to believe that he has information on Merlin. Miranda doubts that. True, but Shennayr might have told them that to get them to find Maevyn. Brand wants her to bring Maevyn to him. OK. She asks what he found out about Yut-Lung. He went to Yut-Lung's Shadow and learned that Yut-Lung's mother was the Emperor's sister and his father was the god of storms. That makes a lot of sense to Miranda, given what she witnessed.

Miranda finds the inn where Maevyn is staying and tells him to come with her. He and Lily do so, and Brand offers them political asylum.

Bleys tells Miranda that there was an assassination attempt made at the Assembly meeting she missed. The person next to him was shot, and then Fiona left in a rather obvious use of Trump. Fortunately, the common belief is that she used sorcery, with the rainbow shimmer being her own personal signature, a belief that Barimen is encouraging. Miranda feels badly for putting Bleys' life in danger. He isn't worried, since he knows that if Fiona had wanted to kill him, she would have. Is Sand in hiding now? Yes. She says thanks, by the way.

Miranda's Page | Miranda's Logs

All text on this page is © 2001 by Kris Fazzari.

Last modified on December 7, 2001 by Kris Fazzari.