Session 119

Entry 15:18 Next evening

Something happened, and I don't know anything about it, really. Hate when that happens. First noticed it at breakfast this morning, before I went to sleep, i.e. there was no one else of any importance there. Too tired to look into the matter at the time, figured it had to do with the alarm last night. Anyway, just tried to sleep first.

But then Ronan wakes me up a few hours later. He was suddenly curious about Maris and her little revolution in his name and mine (sort of, I hope). He was actually basically civil to me, for once, though he was suspicious of my sleepless state. He obviously wants to know about Maris badly if he's, comparatively speaking, sucking up to me. He even asked that I pass on anything I learn to him, after explaining I didn't know anything recent about her. To be honest, don't know if I'd have told him anything, even if I did know something. But on the other hand, if I learn something, definitely will be a bargaining chip with him. Must keep that in mind.

Spent the rest of the afternoon studying demonology and, perhaps more important, obtaining the various components necessary to cast the spells. Tried to figure out what parts of the spells did what. Want to know what everything does so I'll fully understand what's going on, and maybe eventually be able to write my own spells to accomplish other things.

Got a few hints of what's been going on after dinner, which was somber and very quiet. Based on the announcements after dinner, something really screwed Laughter and Foster, as they are going to walk the Pattern in the hopes that it'll cure them. Now there's a good reason to walk the damn thing. But since nothing's wrong with me, I still don't have any reason to walk it. Yet everyone still seems to want me to. It's still more risky than beneficial from my viewpoint.

The other great piece of news is Brand apparently escaped and is at large, as all the high muckety-mucks are still hunting him. What kind of light does this shed on the demon book he gave me? Did he offload it to me so it would be safe while he ran? Doubt it. Nobody said he was stupid, and he didn't try to stop me in any way from using the book, which means he wanted me to use it, which isn't very consistent with trying to leave it in safekeeping. So why did he give me access to demon summoning? Was he trying to bribe me to help him escape? And then just take off? No, unless an unexpected opportunity popped up and he no longer needed me. Which would mean he'll show up again out of nowhere and expect to collect on his "payment." Never agreed to anything so he'll have to talk fast if he wants anything from me. Just have to see.

Spent the rest of the evening studying the book more: still don't sense any traps (another possibility, after all). Nor have I cracked the "code" of the spells. Regardless, know them frontwards and backwards now, think I'll try a simple one to test them, tomorrow.

Entry 15:19 Next evening

It works. After failing to find any danger in the book Brand apparently gave me, and then finding no traps in the actual spells, I tested it this morning. Successfully raised, bound, commanded and banished a demon. A small demon. One used for divining information. It correctly directed me to where Amber keeps extra Trump sets. While the experiment was a success, however, must remember to bind the demons quickly. This one started digging his way out of his seals through the stone floor. I had to spend the rest of today making up some cement to fill the groove in my floor. Note to self: ward the ground, as well. Don't know when I'll try another summoning, but think I'd like to understand the purpose of certain repetitive elements which have thus far defied my understanding.

Entry 15:20 Next morning

After retired last night, everyone was summoned to the Great Hall. Brand had been caught and declared a traitor. We were treated to the spectacle of his punishment. Although Nimue, who represents the Pattern, prevents his death. Each member of the family wronged by Brand was allowed a 'free shot' at him. Many people were given the opportunity, though some declined. Get the feeling hadn't been here long enough, as it might've been only a matter of time. Suspicious of his 'gift.' Don't look a gift horse in the mouth might be polite, but I'd better look, now that he's gone. Ari had the most interesting, or perhaps the most telling, torture for Brand. She cut off his dick. The gleam in her eye suggests the punishment fit the crime in her case. I'd guess he raped her. Which is even worse, since he's her uncle. She clearly deserved to go first. While that was somewhat painful to watch, there was no escaping Fiona's final punishment. She fried his mind so hard I was in pain just being there, literally, not sympathetically. Must learn how she did that. They also ripped his Pattern from him, which didn't bother me, of course, but everyone else winced. Fair is fair, I suppose. They wince at loss of his Pattern, and I wince at Fiona's powerful mind fry. Clarissa took charge of him afterwards. To help him become a new man (or neuter, actually), now that everything that made him Brand is destroyed. Which likely means no one knows I have his book. His note has taken on an ominous meaning. "We are all, in our own minds, free."

Oh, and Nick warned against further traitors, good advice.

"Outrageous Fortune"
Gavin's Diaries
Other PC Diaries and Contributions

Last modified on November 18, 1998 by Kris Fazzari.