Session 4

Jasra asks where Miranda got that necklace. What necklace? When she checks, she realizes that she's wearing the snowflake necklace. She frowns, saying she'd left that in the East. She finds she doesn't want to talk about who gave it to her. This annoys her. She asks Jasra if, hypothetically, magic can be used to prevent a person from speaking about something. Yes, easily. Jasra checks her out but finds no sign of such a spell. She also checks the necklace for magic, but finds none. Miranda asks if they've ever heard of Pandemonium Keep. Both deny it, but she can tell that Brand is lying, mainly because he wasn't expecting that question from her, so he wasn't prepared to cover his reaction. She explains what happened at the bridge, and how she wound up in Pandemonium. She mentions that Trump didn't work there. Someone was blocking her? An object. Supposedly a piece of a god called Komnate. She asks if that could be another name for Comet. Possibly. She still can't bring herself to mention Solange, in fact, actively wants to avoid it. She finishes up her story, detailing the artifact that was blocking Trump. Brand asks if she encountered anyone there. No one important. She didn't speak to a man? No. That seems to relieve him. He asks her if it was cold there. Well, she got a snowflake necklace. He notes that wasn't what he asked, but opts not to pursue it. He tells her she isn't to draw any Trumps of that place. Why? He doesn't want to tell her, but eventually relents when he realizes that she isn't going to let it drop. Pandemonium is one of the Shadows he set up to bar the way to Corwin's Pattern. Ah. That explains the demons and gods. Brand notes that if Rinaldo's followed her trail there, he won't be able to use the Logrus. Still, he isn't concerned.

Miranda returns Jasra's dagger to her. She also asks Brand to place the necklace in the vault. If she wishes. She's says she's puzzled as to how it came to be with her, and this will be a good test. She can feel that part of her wants to keep it with her, though. She figures she should catch up on what's happened in the three weeks she's been gone. Brand suggests she rest first. Jasra presents her with a broach with a large red stone, and informs her that Maevyn of Succat left it for her on the day she disappeared. A small token. Miranda raises an eyebrow at this, since Serpent's Tears are very expensive. Of course, given that his house makes them, it probably wasn't all that costly for him. Jasra points out that he is available and his house is wealthy... Miranda notes that Succat is a Lesser House. True, but they were a Greater House until their crisis of fertility, and they seem to be overcoming that now. Miranda pleads fatigue and flees to her rooms, where she quickly falls asleep.

Miranda is woken up by someone entering her room. She grabs a dagger and sits up, then drops it when she sees Rinaldo. She gives him a big hug. It turns out he wasn't far behind her in Pandemonium. He grouses that while she was treated like an angel, he was beaten up. Why? They said he was a dwarf. Miranda can't help giggling at that. Rinaldo guilt-trips her over it. She says she is grateful he made it back, and that he was trying to rescue her. If it makes him feel any better, she nearly drowned at the beginning. She explains about the assassination attempt. Rinaldo says he obviously needs to talk to Mom and Dad. He's asked the tracker they hired to find her to come back as well. Rinaldo ran into him in Pandemonium. Miranda is surprised that he was able to track her through Shadow. He shouldn't be able to do that. Rinaldo knows, which is why he figures Mom and Dad will want to talk to him. He gives her another hug and then leaves.

Miranda still feels tired so she goes back to sleep. She dreams that she's sitting on a balcony having a tea with a handsome man in his late twenties. He's tall and clean-shaven, with blond hair and clear blue eyes. His face is just about perfect, in fact. He wears a slightly arrogant expression. They are looking out over Archangelsk. He suggests she get rid of that necklace. She already has. That won't keep it away for long. Then she'll destroy it. He doubts she can, and even then, she'd risk pissing off a god. Maybe she should just give it to somebody else. That would work. The man indicates the city and says he's never been there before. He asks for its name, which she tells him. Where is he from? Far to the west. It's terribly dreary there, no art, no music, nothing. Miranda can't imagine not having art. What will he do now? He's not sure yet. Rule the world, maybe. The Emperor might have some objections to that. Ah, he must be pretty powerful to hold so many in thrall. Oh yes. He asks if it's always this cold. It hasn't been warm in quite some time. He thanks her for getting him out of that place. He's been trapped there for a long time. She asks what his name is. He says he's been called many names. What name would she like? What do most people call him? They usually call him Lucifer. He's associated with fire. How did she help him escape? He substituted himself for her shadow. She looks and realizes that hers is missing. That enabled him to sneak out. She wants her shadow back. That shouldn't be a problem, since he's bought enough time now. He mentions that it's a pleasure seeing her again. She says they've never met before. Ah, she doesn't remember. He assures her that she will, in time. No, she's sure they haven't met. She's only 17, after all, and he said he was trapped for a very long time. They didn't meet in this life. When then? In a previous incarnation. Who was she? Lilith, the first woman who refused the first man. She fled Eden and ruled Hell. She was very beautiful and he's missed her. He covers her hand with his and kisses her. It's a good kiss. Then she wakes up.

Miranda starts writing down the dream, but she's interrupted by a servant bringing in breakfast and forgets most of it. All she remembers is something about Lilith fleeing out of Eden, and losing her shadow. The servant tells her she's slept clear through to the next morning. She goes to find Brand and asks him if it's possible to lose your shadow in Pandemonium. No, why? She dreamt that she lost hers. He points out that her shadow's right there. Then his eyes get wide and dart to the side. Miranda turns in time to see her shadow fleeing away. It's gone in an instant, leaving Miranda without a shadow. Completely at a loss, she doesn't quite know what to say, finally just pleading, "Daddy?" He gets Jasra and explains what happened, adding that Lucifer is loose. Is she sure she didn't bring a man out with her? She's positive. He thought Lucifer needed a willing participant to escape, but maybe not. Could he have made the deal with her shadow? Are they intelligent? Jasra shoots Brand a look and says she's not sure. Brand assures Miranda that he'll go with her to Pandemonium to get it back.

Miranda's Page | Miranda's Logs

Last modified on May 23, 2001 by Kris Fazzari.