General recovery and relaxation at the Amber Townhouse, much needed btw.

Got a Trump from Mom, Sam is curious about a Trump effect she noticed when she contacted Bleys. Go through and spend a bunch of time discussing possiblilites, wind up being sent to Brand. Mom suggests Archie as the contact, since Brand will answer his trump more likely.

We collect Archie, and he Trumps Brand... who is busy, call back shortly. Re-Trump after short wait, get pulled through. Sam begins explaining what she was doing when she decided to Trump Bleys..starts with Aunt Fi's death...almost as if she were Trying to hurt Uncle Brand. Didn't she realize Brand is Aunt Fi's full brother? Uncle Brand has to take a few after the account of Fi's death. Goes out on a balcony for a moment of silence or reflection. He comes back in after a bit and we tenatively move on to the description of Bley's Contact.

Brand decides that Bleys is using Trumps to block family members, sensitives from his Avernus worlds are blocking all family members that Brand knew of (he made them..interesting concept) except the Junior members arent represented, and of course Brand himself.

We decide to attempt a contact, with Brand as backup and so Brand can try to figure out what Bley's problem is, since he doesn't seem to recognize Sam. The attempt is sucessful, with Sam as point, Archie and I as defenders...(dang Bleys got a shot through on my arm, almost as if I werent even full defensive) and Brand as backup and Artillery. We weren't even close to being *even* till Brand got something through and stunned Bleys for a sec, out of pure habit we (Sam, Archie, and I) began to prepare for a snatch , and Uncle Brand grabbed the contact and shut it down, then lectured us on our stupidity.

Brand thinks Bleys is suffering something similar to Sam's amnesia about the contact with Fi in the belly of the Serpent. And thinks he is back in the *Bad* old days, and may be preparing to March on Amber, again. Brand also asks about Mirelle and Sand, Two names of family members which do not show up on Sam's list of attempted contacts and known whereabouts, after some discussion Uncle Brand Provides us with a Trump of Mirelle and one of Sand (for Delwin only).

Uncle Brand invites us all to dinner and we decide to accept, spend the Local evening with him, his wife Jasra (looking much better in her recovery with her new body), and his son Rinaldo (seriously glad to see us... 17 and crazy to be out from under his parents eyes). Over dinner we discuss our Trip to Chaos, and any tips and such Brand can give us. Things to watch for Etc..as well as bringing Rinaldo up to speed on the latest gossip from Amber. Rinaldo asks permission to go back to Amber with us, and winds up having to Write a formal request to the Queen asking permission, which we will carry to Amber. We take our leave, and trump back to Amber.

We Report back to the Queen, and the rest of the family on our findings, activities, and begin discussing the ramifications. After a few hours of this I get antsy and take Uncle Corwin off to the side to watch my back, in case I get thumped, and Trump-Spy on Aunt Mirelle (Uncle Random's full sister). Luckily she didnt notice me..she was performing in Shadow, in some Punk band. Loud, Rebellious, Anti-everyting type of environment..a hint maybe? I leave her to it and drop the contact.

A bit later I attempt a Trump to Margali Crane and it is blocked, I attempt a Spy and get through to watch her eating..and notice I'M being counter Spied..(hmm..), I continue to watch for a few, then Nod to the spier before severing contact, I do get a feeling of frustration at being noticed from whoever it is before ending.

The Queen shows interest in what i've been doing on the sidelines and I have to admit to what i've been up to...(with Uncle Corwin standing right there to bust me out if I dont fess up, dang it) I brief her on my spying attempts and their outcomes. (Mom rolls her eyes and whacks me for *admitting* to spying, as if I'd had a choice)

The discussion breaks up and final preparation begins for our departure to Chaos. I do take Eldre aside and question her about Deep Arden and the chance that I'd catch Grandmother there. She dissuades me, saying that Grandma likes her privacy..and the more someone looks for her the less chance she shows up. Best to wait till *I'm* contacted to bring up my concerns. We then move on to discussions of a more personal nature.

We depart for Chaos the next morning, Sailing in Archies ship, with a second ship with Captain Tangwin in attendence. We spend alot of time literally Making our way through shadow, creating the shadows as we pass, until we hit the Dancing Mountain equivalent at sea, severe storms that Archie doesnt want to attempt with the ships. Moving to land we prepare a foot crossing and push through the dancing mountains. Very difficult and hazardous journey, but we make it through with minimal loss of equipment and horses.

We are now in Chaos, but we are still making shadows as we move, indicating that this end of reality has been effected much as our own. Journeying on we finally cross into a shadow we havent created, and are halted by Chaosian forces. The Local House, backed by Chaos Lords, and House Bhariman, meet us and tell us we have been expected. The King of Chaos wishes us to accompany House Weaver as guests, until transport to the capitol can be arranged. We agree, (since we are trump blocked by at least 6 Bharimans) and we travel to the local House. We are provided guest-right by House Weaver, a minor house..but seemingly proud to be able to provide for us.

So we wait for the pleasure of the King, and try not to fidget at the continual trump block..the local house is bending over backward to accomodate us, but the other Lords and House Bhariman are less friendly...MUCH less so. Alot of Tension from that group as we settle in for however long this might be. I keep Eldre close to protect her, or she is staying close to protect me possibly, and we wait.