I really need to learn more about the dynamics of the shadow worlds. Here I thought the destruction of a universe was all that we were faced with, but that turns out to be the smallest concern.
When Corwin started to walk his pattern backwards, Fiona and I trumped to Merlin. Merlin (poor boy) had been attuned to the Argent pattern even before the Amber pattern, thus he was having serious problems as his world was literally being destroyed. I made a link and acted as a psychic anchor while Fiona went to talk to Random and Dworkin about the possible ramifications of Corwin destroying his pattern. She suspects that the destruction of the pattern will not destroy the infestation, but spill it over into this universe.
Fiona picks Merlin and I up on the way to join Random and Dworkin. We join them in what looks like a hurricane, but is actually a reality storm. Random, using the Jewel of Judgment, Dworkin, Fiona and I make an attempt at containing the storm which is resulting form all the shadows in Argent being cut free. The attempt fails. Fiona brings in help in the form of Blaise, Llewella, and Gerard.
Instead of containing, Random and Dworkin decide to facilitate, inserting Argent shadows between Amber shadows. Random warns that this will take some time and asks that we take care of Vialle. Dworkin warns that the infestation will not all be caught and we need to take care of what slips through. They move in towards the center of the storm, while everyone else is forced outward. The elders, who have continued to appear, attempt to push forward, only to find time slows down as one moves inward. Fiona tries to push forward, only to be brought back 4 days later. Thus not only do Random and Dworkin have a Herculean task in front of them, they will be doing it in slow motion.
Pieces of the bugoids smaller than man-sized can no longer survive, however the larger ones can and have been spread about. The elders mount hunting parties to hunt them down. Fortunately they are easier to kill as they only need to be cut down to less than man-sized, upon which the self destruct.
The amount of time this takes is abit of a problem. The storms have roused the curiosity of the Chaosians. We need to hide the fact that Amber’s creator, King and Jewel of Judgment are gone for an unknown time period. It is decided that Andre will likely impersonate Random.
Another problem is the ambitions of some of the elders. Blaise was already talking about a regency (with him as regent of course). I went and offered my services to Vialle. I think she will need a lot of help to keep both family and enemies at bay, while acting like nothing is different than last week. I have decided to find a dog in shadow that matched Dworkin’s chosen form. While it is not unheard of for Dworkin to go missing for long periods of time, it will be more disconcerting for watchers to see the dog periodically.
No word/contact from Corwin. I’m kind of worried, even if he makes it through physically unscathed there is the mental and emotional problems that will result from this action, and the family is not pleased with him for going ahead and doing this without talking to people about possible ramifications first. (Do things without thinking them through first?! WHO would have thought him capable?! At least Merlin’s impulsive actions only netted us 4 dozen naked girls.)
