Paradigm and Paradox

Cursed Ritual

[GM]

The circle of six appears in the Grove of the Unicorn, at the site of a powerful ritual that is going on!

In the center, there is Deirdre and Fiona, embracing. In a circle around them, there is Clarissa, Celia and Raven, holding hands. Clarissa holds a sword in one hand, and is hologram-like. In the circle beyond them, there is Madoc, Urda, Thalion, Jacob, and Andelia. [it doesn't matter what they look like at the moment; you're too busy coping with the stress of appearing in the middle of a terrific ritual.]

[Kal]

Kal looks up in obvious amazement, clearly glad to be out of the sterile environment of the tower.

[GM]

There are two silver mirror holograms at either side of the Grove. Around the grove are six columns of pure power:

A swirling silver cyclone.
A black beanstalk of writhing tendrils.
A column of glass.
A thread of nothingness.
A totem pole of mystic faces.
A tree of shifting bones.

Apparently, you are compelled to choose one of the above, though you have no clue why. You feel like you will likely perish under the stress if the choice isn't made.

[Kal]

Kal feels himself beginning to walk towards the totem pole of mystic faces, though for reasons he cannot understand nor fathom. Everything is happening so quickly...

[GM]

Madoc does a broadcast - <<I wasn't expecting the fourth circle! There has to be a fourth iteration, and I'm going to be too busy working out the math! If they break their circle, we're done for! Andelia, Thalion... warn them all!>>

[Andelia]

<<I'm on it.>>

Fire off the last of Andelia's Mind Touches, targeted on Kal and Laurel (I know who they are, the rest of these people I've no clue). If I get through, send the following:

<Sorry about this, but things are a little hectic here at the moment. You've just created a fourth iteration in the ritual, and Madoc's having to recalc for that. WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T BREAK THE CIRCLE YOU FORM, because if you do, we're all dead. Tell the rest of your circle!>

[Laurel]

"We have to keep this circle together" says Laurel. "Andelia has just told me that we'll all be killed by the disruption of the ritual if we break our circle. So stay linked, everyone".

Laurel holds firmly onto Brand on the one side, and Jen on the other.

[Kal

The mental touch is rather unexpected, but Kal simply nods and attempts to comply with Andelia's request. To the others of his circle, he will send the following message: "We've just been warned not to break our circle...remain in the 'circuit' of Brand's devising for now. We seem to be unexpected guests to this ritual..."

[Golan]

With the way the others were spread out, the circle would have broken had Golan not "filled the gaps" himself. And the only way he could maintain such a link was to be over and around them, putting his psychic center in between them all --links of his AIR form going to points between them and bridging the spaces as well as forming a shell around their linkup of his magic. Only his small cloth wrapped bundle maintained full solidity, and the cloth itself seemed to go clear, revealing a small --if ornate dagger engraved with chinese dragons twining around the hilt.

[Golan]

Instinctively, Golan reformed --nude-- and oriented on the silver cyclone of energy. It was power. It was strength and beauty. It was something he could understand. Without truly knowing it, he was moving toward it and changing... Spinning AIR coalesced around him and begin funneling around him, then his own body lost form --only a spinning dagger shape in the center showed he was still there.

Nearing the silver cyclone, the miniature whirlwind began to slowly move into an arc orbit that kept it within the grove and in front of the cyclone. Bathing in its glow, it took on a silvery blue sheen of its own. Feeling the dagger to be a hinderance, a last hold on reality barring it from the power, Golan drove the dagger into the ground --sheathed still-- cutting curving paths in the soil around it as his funnel base moved near. Five arcing strokes and the dagger was bound in a star of arcs, a mini ature pentagram of its own. The dragon face of the dagger hilt seemed to glower at those within... Golan's form beg an moving closer and closer to the cyclone. {Tony?}

PS Please note: Any of you clothed by conjurings of Golan are currently naked as the moment of birth. Without conscious thoughts, such things are fleeting as faerie gold.

[Laurel]

Fortunately, Laurel keeps herself in excellent physical condition. She feels no discomfort at her sudden nudity, except for the slight chill in the morning air.

[GM]

[Players, if you haven't sent in your choice yet, please do so immediately.]

After you are all forced to make some choice as to one of the six powers outside the Grove, the six columns of power abate, apparently satisfied with whatever choice you made. However, the feeling you are left with is unpleasant. Either you've made an immortal enemy or sold your soul to the devil by your decision. Only time will tell...

[Kal]

After the feeling subsides slightly, Kal will look around at the others present in the circle, questions obviously brimming at the man's lips. He recalls his place then, and lowers his eyes as is appropriate for a commoner. This, naturally, reveals his currents state of undress, prompting him to blush furiously and to begin looking about immediately for some sort of clothing or covering.

[GM]

The circles complete their iterations, and all of you, exhausted and cold, fall to the grass. The hologram of the mirrors disappear, and Clarissa and Kireyas appear in the clearing. Rosencrantz rushes over to Clarissa and helps her sit up.

It is uncertain how long you've been in the ritual - a day, more? - but it is now the break of dawn. Castle Amber stands on Kolvir, restored to its former glory; Arden surrounds and comforts all. Yet the City of Amber no longer graces the slopes...it is gone.

[Kal]

As Kal sees the absence of the city for the first time, he leaves off his embarassment, and takes a few stumbling steps towards the vacant area where the city of his birth should be. Those close to him might hear the large blacksmith simply whisper "Mother...Father..."

[GM]

Madoc rushes over to Brand and grabs him by the collar. "Do you realize that we were on the brink of extinction by your little trick? You could have upset the ritual entirely. You better have a damn good reason for your little group of intruders!"

Brand only laughs feebly. "Freedom," he says.

Deirdre no longer looks pregnant.

Celia only speaks in a soft tone, "The repercussions of that ritual and all involved may reverberate for a long time. We've all drawn attention to ourselves, for better or for worse.

Clarissa sighs. "There is going to be much explaining and restoration to do. Amber may be restored, but I suspect we did not survive that intact. The city is lost; the Third Wave is yet to come; a child is yet to be born. There is much to do, and questions and answers to find."

[Laurel]

For a brief moment, Laurel hesitates, torn between the cyclone and the glass. Then, as the pressure to choose becomes ever more intense, she decides on the cyclone.

[GM]

You feel a deep pain within you...as though a part of you has been ripped out, and your body is trying to cope with the abrupt change. Perhaps you should see a doctor about this. Bouts of dizziness, and perhaps there is internal bleeding?

[Thalion]

Thalion stands up and shivers a bit in the morning air, he goes over and helps his mother (Fiona) up, then checks on Jacob and Madoc. He looks around to make sure everyone else seems OK. Once he seems sure of that he looks off towards the ocean. "I see that castle Amber is back, but the city is gone. Does anyone know how Rebma faired?"

He turns and looks at his dad, "What where those pillars? How did they fit into the equation? What have we done?"

[Deirdre]

Deirdre opened her dark blue eyes and quietly surveyed the grove. She gently hugged the woman who held her, and spoke firmly, her sharply haggard and coppery face lifeless and remote within the dark waterfall of her midnight hair. "Contrary to what you may think, Madoc, I was neither whining or bitching, I was trying to help the best I could the only way I could see. Enough. Think what you like of me, I no longer care. Whatever your father thinks of me goes triple for him, and it will be a cold day in hell before I ever speak with him, the twisted old snake." She sighed softly, and brushed Fiona's richly red hair back, her hand gentle and very careful. The dark cotton of her dress rustled faintly.

Deirdre whispered something to her sister, and glanced sadly at her husband and daughter. "We are judged by what we choose to do, not by what lies buried within our darkest hearts... Anyone who is injured or hurt had best say so now, healing at least I can do.", she said softly, the darkly molten honey of her voice gentle and very sad.

[Laurel]

Slowly, Laurel approaches Deirdre. She gently hugs her mother, saying "Oh, Mom, I'm so glad to see you. Are you all right? Uncle Brand said that you'd not been well. I was worried about you".

[Deirdre]

Deirdre slowly turned her head, and carefully tried out a smile as she gently hugged her daughter back, as though she was fragile porcelain which might break in her arms. Silvery tears shimmered at the corners of her midnight blue eyes. "Laurel... you are safe.", she said waveringly.

[Laurel]

"I don't understand, Mom. You felt who die? Celia killed someone? "

[OOC: Not sure if Laurel should know who Celia is. If not she asks. If she should, could you enlighten me, please]

[Deirdre]

(OOC: Celia is Laurel's godmother, a kind and gentle blind woman who is one of Deirdre's most treasured friends. Not sure if the two characters would ever have met, though they might have if Celia ever visited Broceliande. So what do you think of your mother in action, eh? *grin*)

[Deirdre]

"No... I'm not alright. I'm never going to be alright again. I felt him die, as Celia took his soul... Said things I shouldn't have. Too numb to care. Too much pain." She stared at Andelia and Jacob, a sudden flash of inhuman anguish burning on her face, more agony than anything human should be able to stand and remain sane. "So be it."

[Laurel]

She shivers, and leans on Deirdre, as if for support. "Mom, I don't feel so good" she whispers.

[Deirdre]

"Perhaps you had better sit down then.", suggested Deirdre gently, supporting Laurel with her hug and guiding her to one of the logs beside Urda. A little colour came back into her remote face. "I... I... I'll try and heal you if you want.", she whispered waveringly. "Clothes first. Don't want to catch your death of cold." Dark fabric wove itself into being, a court gown of purest night-black velvet.

[Laurel]

"Only if you're well enough to try, Mom" replies Laurel, trying, without much success, to conceal her pain.

Gingerly, Laurel slips into the gown, with a grateful smile to her mother.

[Deirdre]

"Raven, has Thufir reached a decision? And... thankyou for trying, hon. Thankyou, everyone. Sorry for being so... strange about the procedure. I have absolutely no reason to trust Clarissa, and thousands of reasons to suspect her." She fell silent and waited patiently then, remote weariness descending on her worn, tired features like a shroud of ancient grief.

[GM]

Madoc drops Brand. "Twisted old snake? Without him you would have no husband, no children, no future. Watch what you say about my father...he cares more about strangers than you've ever cared about your family."

[Deirdre]

"Oh?", answered Deirdre softly, her face still utterly lifeless and remote. "Considering that after one stupid mistake, that of trusting my friend Celia, he excised me from his life as though I meant nothing, I do not really care." Silvery tears shimmered at the corners of her suddenly anguished eyes. "All my life I have tried to care for my family, as my mother taught me, and most of them kick me in the teeth, use me for their own plans. Enough. My mother was utterly wrong about trust and love, and that is probably why she died, slaughtered like a pig by those who lusted after my father. My father has the right of it... trust noone, love noone, remain within yourself where noone can ever truly hurt you or tear your heart apart. As you do to me now."

[Thalion]

Thalion looks like someone just stabbed him in the gut. He looks from Deirdre to his mother and back again. He watches as she walks over to her husband. " I hope you remember who your hurting and who's heart your tearing out when you say things like that. Mother loves you. Jacob and I love you. Kireyas loves you. Laurel loves you. All of us are family. Remeber your words when you hold him and kiss him. Some people can do more damage with a few words then I could do with an entire arsenal. I'm hoping that you used generalities but where referring to only a few. Otherwise you've cursed yourself worse then any one else could possibley do. It's going to be hard to spend the rest of your life alone."

[Deirdre]

Deirdre watched remotely, her face completely impassive. When she spoke, still with the same sad ancient tone, she sounded very bitter. "Oh, this is so rich. I stand condemned for exploding against the murderer of my mother, which I should have done years since." She raised her sad, ancient face towards the sky as Thalion reached her. "Once have I betrayed trust. Only once, and I knew not what I did, in my youthful stupidity. Taught me a very valuable lesson, and cost me my grandfather." She took a deep, sobbing breath, and hugged herself as Thalion spoke in anguish.

"Thalion, you, Jacob, Celia, Laurel, Kireyas, and now Raven are the only ones I love who have never yet hurt me. Perhaps I should not have lost my temper, but... Clarissa murdered my mother, and I will never forgive her, oh, I tried to, I tried to like her, I tried to welcome her into our family and help her feel happy. There is much about her I admire and even respect. But we are trapped by the past and the future both, and even my strength to forgive has limits, I cannot break the circle. Tell me, Thalion, if Celia lay murdered what would you do? Would you do what I have done these past fifteen decades and forgive?" She stared at Fiona remotely. "I regret that this had to be. Many things are becoming very clear to me now. When you face me in the Circle, Fiona, remember to draw my trump. Que sera, sera."

[Laurel]

Laurel hugs her mother desperately. "No, Mom, don't say that. You've always been the best of mothers. You've always been there for me when I needed you, without intruding when I needed to be alone" she says tearfully. "they don't come better than that, Mom."

[Deirdre]

Deirdre swallowed fiercely, her own eyes burning with unshed tears. "Laurel... I... I... I never meant you, or any of my friends. My friends aren't really family, they're friends. That's the only reason I can trust them. I never told you... even half the things which happened to me when I was young, half the dark secrets of my past. Wanted you to grow up your own way and make your own choices, untainted by the horror of what we are, free to be yourself, free from my sins and my mistakes." She smiled waveringly. "Love you, Lori. Did you really think I could ever stop? I'm just not perfect." She glanced across at Clarissa, and sighed. "I would offer my aid, but they would not accept it. Rightly so. Andelia will despise me now, for the blame is partly mine... so be it. Though she still does not know the full truth."

[Laurel]

"You are to me, Mom" whispers Laurel. "And no stupid curse is going to change that".

[Celia]

(OOC: Er... when I say "I" I am referring to Celia... but the body is Fiona... *laughter* It'll all become painfully clear someday...)

I grasp Thalion's hand firmly and stand, "Thank you." Then I turn to hug Deirdre warmly. "All is well. Go see your husband."

My eyes seek out my own husband, and I move quickly into his arms. "Thank you, love," I say softly. I turn in his arms so I may see everyone else. I gaze for a long time at the newcomers, as if memorizing their faces. Then I speak to Clarissa, one who appears to be Celia, and Raven, my body turning (not just my gaze) as I address each one. "Thank you, Clarissa, Fiona, Raven."

I take a deep breath. "I have to leave for some time, and bear my child." My hand rests upon my stomach. "Fiona, Deirdre, Madoc, Kireyas..." I smile slightly. "Perhaps we should speak before I go?"

[GM]

Fiona nods. "Yes, we should." Madoc and Kireyas consent as well.

[Raven]

"I was glad to help." Raven smiles weakly. "If it's alright, I'd like to speak to you briefly before you leave."

[Jacob]

Jacob will dazedly look up and stare around, blinking. Then he will rise as well, and stagger over to the body of Fiona, by Thalion and Madoc. "Well done Mom.." He'll kiss her on the cheek. Glancing at Thalion for a moment, he'll pat him on the shoulder.

Then he'll wander over to Raven, checking to see if she's alright. With a slender hand, he'll touch her shoulder gently for a moment.. "Are you okay?"

[Raven]

"Yes." She seems very grateful for Jacob's concern. "Jacob, thank you. Things may not have worked out as well as we could have hoped, but they would have been much worse if you had not stood by me when I challenged the original plan. Thank you," she says again, hesitates momentarily, then kisses him lightly on the cheek.

[Jacob]

He'll blink in surprise. Then rather unexpectedly, he'll hug her lightly, quickly.

[Deirdre]

She stared then at Kireyas, her face haunted with longing and fear. "Perhaps I should have trusted Clarissa, hoped that she had changed, given her another chance. Oh, I hoped so much when I was younger. When it came to it, though, I couldn't. Couldn't trust. Couldn't forgive. I have failed to be the person I wanted so hard to be, when I was little." Tears began to trickle down her face. "Shall I really choose a different path now? I don't know."

[Laurel]

"Mom, what's wrong? Why are you looking at Dad like that?" asks Laurel, not certain that she wants that question answered.

[GM]

Clarissa walks up to Deirdre, eyes intense with hatred, but kissing Deirdre on the cheek. She turns to all, letting her gaze focus on Laurel, then back to Deirdre. She speaks, in a voice strained by power.

"You dishonour me before my child, my grandchild, and family. You have brought shame onto your lineage. I curse your child...may she see naught but thy sins and evils, and hear naught but the same hatred as you would speak to me. By all my power, I bind the curse with my blood."

[Deirdre]

Deirdre did not even flinch, and she replied softly, her sad and very gentle eyes calm and serene. "Whyfor do you curse my children? My children are blameless, and deserve none of this, save only that I love them and so you may hurt me through them. But that was always your way, to abuse the children." She took a deep breath. "Speak not to me of shame, murderess, there is no shame here. Skuld spoke the truth to me, for always she does, regardless of how much her dark truths hurt. My mother you murdered with the help of my dead aunt, and I curse you with all my heart, to scream with the pain of acid running through your veins until the very end of days, never to know peace or rest, never to obtain your hearts desire, to be helpless, hopeless, unable to harm anyone else with your dark plots. Enough. Too many years have I hoped and forgiven, trusted and loved like a foolish child. Now I choose a different way. Though even now, I do not hate you. One does not hate the rabid wolf."

[Laurel]

Laurel glares at Clarissa. "You speak of my mother's evil while cursing one who never did you harm? Look to your own heart if it is evil you would find.".

[Kal]

Hearing words of power like this being invoked draw Kal's numb attention back from the plain vista where the city should lie. What has he stumbled into....

Turning to Deirdre, who may have the answer he seeks, Kal asks humbly "Milady...have you heard any news of what fate may have befallen your brother, Gerard?" Kal cannot bring himself to meet her eyes, his own vision blurred by the beginning traces of tears.

[Jacob]

He then looks up to watch all that transpires between Madoc and Deirdre, and finally Clairissa. He pales at the curse.

[Raven]

Raven's responses to the various statements are all spoken calmly, wearily, with a sense of futility, as if she feels she must speak but knows it will change nothing. She looks very pale and disheartened. Her tone is gentle, not angry. She is simply expressing her feelings, not challenging others, although occasionally a faint bitterness and anger can be heard in her tone of voice.

[Thalion]

Thalion turns and looks at his dad, "What where those pillars? How did they fit into the equation? What have we done?"

[Raven]

"Yes," says Raven, "could someone please explain about the pillars? I do not understand why it is that the fate of Amber seemed to rest in the purely arbitrary choice of one of those pillars."

[GM]

Fiona-in-Celia's-body says, "I have a suspicion, but it is not for all ears. Raven, please guide me back to Castle Amber when things are finished here. Bring Urda with you."

[Raven]

When F. says this, Raven moves to stand by her side, not looking particularly happy. When all hell breaks loose, Raven is near Fiona, and remains standing close by, without getting in the ways, as people crowd around Clarissa.

[Raven]

"Madoc, you were unfair to blame Deirdre like that. _I_ was the one holding us back, and I was the one doing most of the talking. Blame me, if you like. Certainly, you should not have spoken the way you did to Deirdre. It was cruel. And, while you may think there is some 'greater law' to which we must all submit, I think there is no 'greater law' than the right of the individual to choose their own fate. I object to your comments, and to your assuming control of the situation in such an offensive manner. You had no right."

[Andelia]

Andelia shakes her head, but doesn't add anything.

[GM]

Madoc apologizes to Raven. "Sorry, Raven. There's more to the story than you know. Deirdre betrayed my father's trust, and one of the most solemn of oaths is that the Mirrors of Lir are not to be used lightly, even for one loved. She is not even a Shroudling. As for what I did, I did for Amber and Rebma, taking control of a situation that could have escalated. Fault me if you will, and if any other fault me speak up now. If any of you condone my command of the situation, speak up as well, so that I know that I at least acted to the interest of others. Celia...will you stand by my decision? Sons?"

[Raven]

"Fair enough. And I daresay there is more to the story than I know; I just wish someone would tell me. Otherwise, I can only react to what I _do_ know. I am sorry if I have misjudged anyone."

[Andelia]

Andelia nods,

"I think you did what had to be done in that situation, sir. As I said before you did it, we were in count and on the clock, spending more time risked the very success we were striving for. I understand the complaint, but I agree with what you did."

[Thalion]

Thalion nods and sighs, "Someone had to do it. I would hate to see what would have happened if those things had arrived before the ritual had started.

[Jacob]

Jacob echoes Andelia sentiments (not listed here), "Yes, I support what you did. A few hard words are worth the price. And who else knows what it is to make a hard decision sometimes but *us*. When it comes right down to it, all you did is tell everybody to shut up. That's hardly a fatal wound, in my book.

"Plenty more was said in anger that means a whole lot more."

[Raven]

"You're welcome, Deirdre, and I would do the same again." Raven is still looking at Madoc as she says this, then turns to face Deirdre. "Thufir would rather pursue a different course of action. But we thank you, more than I can express here, for the offer."

[Deirdre]

Deirdre smiled sadly. "As you both wish, hon. Say hello to Thufir for me."

[Raven]

She turns back to face Madoc. "Deirdre too, is generous toward strangers. They probably deserve it more than her family, if this little exhibition is typical of your 'kindness' and 'sympathy' for each other."

[Andelia]

Andelia shakes her head sadly. "Hell of an end to this sort of a thing. We all worked to get this outcome, and now the best we can do is fight amongst ourselves. If it weren't for the fact that I know better, I'd disown any connection with us all."

Then she pushes herself to her feet and looks at Jacob. "I think we've got work to do...."

[Raven]

"I know the feeling," says Raven grimly. "Clarissa, if you would curse an innocent child, who has not even had the chance to earn your wrath, to punish the real cause of your anger, then you deserve every epithet Deirdre gives you. You are insane." She shakes her head in disgust.

[GM]

"I have more right than you think, little feather," says Clarissa.

"Andelia, I hope that you are not threatened by our vendettas and vengeances. Some of these passions run deep, as you will discover for yourself, soon enough. Good luck on your journey, and look me up when you are through."

[Andelia]

Andelia sounds resigned as she says,

"I think I'm all but enmeshed in them already. But I thank you for your good wishes, and I will look you up after. If there is an after."

[Raven]

She turns to Andelia. "Andelia, when I spoke to you before the ritual I did _not_ mean to antagonize you, and I apologize if I offended you. I was simply defending my beliefs, which you chose to challenge. Given the situation, you had every reason to challenge me, but I hope you understand that I had cause to defend my feelings. If you do not think so, then do what you wish. I will not fight you, in any way."

[Andelia]

Andelia shakes her head,

"No, I'm not offended. And I'm not looking for a fight with you. Let's just say that, when crunch time comes, we disagree on this. Good luck, and I'll step out of your life now. I never meant to tread upon your toes."

[Jacob]

He glances at Raven for a moment, "Take care of yourself, okay?"

[Raven]

"Yes, of course. You too. We'll have to get together again under more pleasant circumstances."

[Jacob]

He smiles.. and looks as if to say more, but after a moment's hesitation. "Yes.." is his only response.

[Jacob]

With that, he rises if he had to kneel by Raven, and looks at her with a nod. "Yeah, let's get the hell out of here." He'll gesture to the second large tent.

On the way there, he'll stop and turn around and face everyone. "If it didn't go perfectly, then you can blame the engineer. For those who don't know, this was not the original plan. The first was simpler, more elegant, and required a hell of a lot less work. It also meant aborting an infant, and killing Kireyas. Clarissa, Raven, Madoc and yes- even Fiona obviously, set aside their differences to take my ideas, and make them work. Dierdre cooperated, as much as a delicate and understandably emotional state of mind would allow. They worked, even when I didn't always make this easier by fighting with my twin. I'm glad that we can say that call this a limited success. "I don't call it a complete success, not because Amber still needs restoration.. But because I said this might be the one act that might bury some of these old feuds, and bring some understanding back to all of us. "I guess I still have a lot more to learn." With that he turns back towards the second tent.

[Andelia] "Be with you in just a moment, I need to say a couple words."

[Raven] "Jacob, you did everything you could to make things work to everyone's satisfaction. No one can expect more of you. Certainly, you did as much as anyone here to restore Amber, and you showed more concern for the lives of those involved than others did. Be proud of what you have achieved."

[Jacob] He muses for a heartbeat, "Yes, I guess I should. I just hoped for more.. to serve as the bridge between the two groups. I could still be the bridge, I wish more were willing to cross is all. Well, you and I are friends Raven.. that is a start.

[Deirdre]

Deirdre stood slowly, and spoke very gently. "For my husbands life I thank you, though. Almost does that come close to balancing the scales. Always supposing that actually is my husband, and that you have not harmed or destroyed him." she patted Clarissa gently on the cheek with one suddenly gloved hand, and turned in a swirl of shifting darkness. Black boots formed around her feet, white the shirt, dark the overcoat with whitegold dolphin buttons, dark trousers tucked neatly away, she strode towards Kireyas carefully, one foot placed in front of the other. She checked on Raven as she went, her face faintly concerned.

[Deirdre]

"Be proud of yourself, Jacob. Thankyou so much. Words simply are not good enough..." Tears shimmered anew at the corners of Deirdre's eyes, but she took another deep breath. "Only a temporary patch, since _she_ holds a key, but now we have something to work with. Thankyou, oh, thankyou. Do you need any help in what you are about to do?"

[Andelia]

At this, Andelia looks up, her green eyes hard.

"We may, but not from you."

[Jacob]

Jacob does not look severely at Deirdre, but with a calm distance. "Thank you, but she is correct, we must decline."

[Andelia]

Andelia turns from the tent where Jacob vanished, and walks over to where Fiona (still in Celia's body). She stops at an arms length, clearly not quite certain how to approach her, but determined to do so anyway. "Aunt Fiona, I'm Andelia. I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself earlier, but.... never mind. Thank you for helping." [If there's any sign of response, she waits, otherwise....]

Then she goes over to Clarissa, and sinks to one knee, looking up at her. "Great aunt, I would ask a boon of you. Though the words Deirdre spoke were uncalled-for, dishonorable, and, given the circumstances, despicable, I beg you to withdraw your curse upon the innocent. Laurel did nothing to merit this curse, and while it will hurt Deirdre as intended, it will also hurt those who did nothing to you. I do not blame you for your action, I only ask that you reconsider your target." Andelia bows her head and awaits Clarissa's response.

[GM]

"Andelia..." says Clarissa, "For any other boon, I would do for you. Ask me to move the Sun, and I would burn my hands to do so. The curse was not meant for Laurel, but for she who is destined to bear the terrible burden of my own curse. I cannot take it back. Will not. You once said you trusted me. Now bear that trust, for if I withdraw my curse, I cannot but suffer the consequences. You will understand in time. As will Deirdre. Our lives are but vicious circles."

[Jacob]

"Hmmm.." This prompts Jacob to furrow his brows, in thought..

[Andelia]

A tear drips from Andelia's face to the ground, then she nods and stands. "I know the consequences of curses, and their tendencies to rebound. I only hoped..... well, that you could do more, or better, than I."

[Thalion]

Thalion walks over and puts his hand on Andelia's shoulder, "Aunt........Please. You all explain that the passions run deep and feuds will always happen. Give our generation a chance to make the mistakes on our own. Let us learn our own lessons. You say that you are not like what others say. Prove them wrong and show mercy on someone innocent to this situation......." He looks like he has run out of things to say. He sighs, shrugs and waits.

[Andelia]

Andelia, having risen with Thalion's hand on her shoulder, looks at him and shakes her head. "Too late. And until we meet again.... good luck, frog-boy." The last is said with an affectionate note, a little teasing.

Andelia looks at Urda, smiles, then says, "Talk to you later, sometime."

Her gaze travels to Madoc and Celia/Fiona, and she shakes her head in seeming wonder. "Lady Celia, you are a braver woman than I. I don't envy you that, but I do respect you for it."

Then she looks at Laurel, and shakes her head. "I'm sorry. I tried, and I failed. I hope that everyone who needs to learn from this does, and fast. You deserved better."

And she turns on her heel, and walks away into the tent.

[Thalion]

Thalion smiles, "Goodbye Andelia, I'll see you later. Ribbit"

[Celia]

As vicious barbs were thrown about her, Celia (in Fiona's body) looked from Deirdre, to Madoc, and then to Clarissa as the last spoke her curse. Fiona's slight body crumpled to the ground at the words, curved protectively around the gentle swelling. She lies there, silent, as angry words swirl around her. Finally, she sits up, knees drawn up to her chest, arms around her legs holding them tightly to her. Her head is bowed against her knees, eyes closed, and tears welling down her cheeks.

She looks up, staring off into the distance, sighted eyes staring sightlessly at nothing.

"This child is mine," she says softly. "No matter what body I wear, nor who's soul conceived it. Clarissa has cursed it. Deirdre argues over it. I don't know what Fiona would do, but given the curse of her own mother..." Her voice trails off into the distance, and she swallows hard. "I will love this child. Born of three mothers, I claim it as my own." Her voice is firm, accepting no arguments. She stands slowly, stiffly, but not accepting help from anyone. She stands slightly apart from her husband, and tears begin again as she looks at him. "I love you, Madoc. Our love is true, and transcends time. But I also love my aunt, as if she were a treasured sister. I *cannot* abandon her."

Her hand reaches out, as if for Madoc, but lingers in the air, unsure. "I had hoped we might all put aside our differences and begin anew. Instead we drag ourselves deeper into the abyss." She shrugs, saying deprecatingly, "Even after a century, I still carry the idealism of Earth. Somehow, even now, I still have hope." One hand rests on her belly.

On unsteady feet she walks away, heading out of the Grove. "I'm leaving. If you want to talk to me, please join me off to the side. Then I'll be on my way."

She don't wait to see if the others go with her.

[GM]

Madoc hastens to Celia's side. "Celia..." He pauses. "I claim this child as my own as well. Though I have no power to revoke the curse, I have an inkling as to its significance, and there may be ways to cheat Fate."

He and Celia move to the side. Fiona joins her.

[Jacob]

Having listened to some more, and having said farewell to Raven already, Jacob makes his own farewells..

He calls to Thalion, grinning mischievously, "Stay out of mischief, and while you're at it, get a haircut and get a real job."

To Urda, he adds, "If I can, we'll have your private talk.."

Since she may not be able to see, he'll walk to Celia's body, which houses Fiona, and say her name before touching her shoulder. "It was a rare pleasure Princess, perhaps we'll work together another day."

A look of pity crosses his face, "Aunt Deirdre, I can't condemn or condone.. I can only wish you all the happiness you can find. I hope you understand, when I choose to remain non-partisan in this."

To his Father, a handshake, "Congratulations, Sir." He peers at the angry Celia, walking away, knowing it to be the wrong moment to be hurt that she didn't say farewell to him, considering all that's happening with his elders. "Give her my love, Dad.."

Lastly, he stops with Clairissa. "A true pleasure to meet you at last ma'am. You're not half as fearsome as I was lead to believe, and a good deal more beautiful. I hope that *I* may continue to maintain a state of goodwill with your family line, for I bear you no enmity. This may be arrogance, but I think, perhaps that I understand." He leans towards her to whisper something. He'll look at her questioningly afterwards, and in any case, bow respectfully, and without flirtation, kiss her hand.

[Andelia]

At the entrance to the tent, Andelia stops and turns, a curious expression on her face. Looking at Clarissa, she asks, "I know you cannot lift the curse. But is it possible to give it a new target? I will bear it, if it can be moved..."

[Jacob]

His goodbyes spoken, Jacob will wait with her for an answer..

[GM]

Clarissa looks to Andelia, and answers her plea. She shakes her head. "Andelia...you are a blessing, and I cannot curse you. Go with Jacob, and learn all you can from one who can teach you more, at the end of your journey. Perhaps then you will understand my reasons." She sighs.

Brand snickers. "Mother, you tease them to no end and make us seem villains." He casts his eyes towards Raven. "Like mother, like daughter," he comments. He cackles with glee.

[Andelia]

Andelia's shoulders slump, finally beaten. "I'd hoped... I'd hoped Mother's comments about her family were wrong, but they weren't. We'll see what I learn."

Andelia looks at Brand, not knowing who he is really. Then she looks at Clarissa, "That one's _yours_? I think someone spared the rod with him, far too much for his own good."

Then she turns and disappears into the tent.

[Urda]

Urda has remained staring at the ground through out the entire exchange. At the end of all the recriminations he speaks "And so this is how it begins again? All of this and still we speak so to each other? Who blood-cursed us all at the first beginning? Then blood it shall be." He walks over to Clarissa and stares up at her for a long, long moment. Suddenly, violently he bites his own thumb and smears blood across her face then across her lips with what appears to be a single movement. "With my blood, I so undo!" Turning away he squats down, back to Clarissa.

[GM]

Brand stops his laughter, listening to what Urda said. His face brightens, as though he was a cat that had just caught a sparrow. "Blood...so simple." He touches a ring and fades away, his smile being the last to go.

Meanwhile, Clarissa grabs Urda by the arm, panic on her face. "WHAT DID YOU DO, CHILD!" Her nails dig into Urda's arm. She staggers, the blood on her face mingling with the new blood from her lips. She stumbles, and drops Urda, clutching her face. "Fiona!"

[Golan]

From the moment the interplay with the silvery cyclone was over til the first utterance of a curse near the center of the gathering, Golan had been staring into space without moving. Unconsciously he had reformed his body into humanshape, clothed in karate gi, jeans and moccasins. His long black hair and pale complexion appear more alive than before, flushed. As he stumbled to his knees at the awareness of the wave of the curse passing over him --like the shadow realms reordering themselves to encompasse such a binding speech-- his hands came to rest near the dagger he'd grounded before going to the cyclone's embrace. Strangely the dragon heads wrapped about the thing seemed to be smiling smugly about something...

Golan gathered up the dagger and rose just to see the effects of the second curse begin to coalesce when he realized Celia was present. He wasn't sure how he knew, just that her presence was felt. --And that the voice that was triggering it came from a woman he didn't know (but thought he should).

People he knew, and people he didn't were coming and going. It was far too many for him to venture within them. Long isolation had made Golan extremely wary of gatherings greater than five. So he waited. He saw a curse transferred --not negated as some thought, but delayed.

[Jacob]

Jacob who had not totally gotten in the tent after Andelia, turns, his face suddenly lit by fear..

"NO, DON'T DO THAT!!!!!"

He begins to rush to the scene..

[Urda]

Urda glances back at her scared by her tone and words. "I only nullified your curse!" He wipes distractedly at the blood on his arm that her nails raised.

[GM]

Fiona looks startled, but being currently blind she cannot see Clarissa. "Mother? MOTHER!" She gropes wildly towards Clarissa's voice.

[Andelia]

"Hellfires....." comes from out of the tent, then Andelia's face reappears.

She looks over the scene, then runs towards Fiona/Celia. Reaching for her hand she says, "Here, hang on, I'll take you to her." Then she leads Fiona to Clarissa, glaring at Urda as she approaches them.

She puts Fiona's hand on Clarissa's arm, "Here's your mother, Fiona. Clarissa, Fiona's here."

THEN she turns on Urda, grabbing him up by the arms and glaring into his face as she shouts. "WHAT THE HELLFIRES DID YOU DO???"

[Jacob]

Jacob seems just as livid as Andelia.. instead of bumbing heads with her, he will round on Urda, backing him straight into Andelia's grasp.

"Didn't you take no for an answer?!!? If there was supposed to be another way, don't you think it would have been entertained!! DIDN'T YOU THINK CLAIRISSA KNEW THAT SHE'D BE CURSED BACK BY DEIRDRE, AND SHE HAD A MOTIVE ANYWAYS?!?"

He wipes at his mouth, having gotten furious.. "Urda, use your damn head! That's why we usually curse people when we die, so they can't curse us back.. She knew she'd get one back for her trouble, but she had another motive.. There is a lot more here than meets the eye.. And you just botched it!"

[Thalion]

Thalion steps between them, "No Jacob, you all botched it. Those who have the answers and think there better then the rest of us. Those who scheme and lie and keep secrets. If there was a reason, she should have told us. A curse like hers is an evil thing. If it was meant to be, you should have said so, not expected us to do nothing. If this whole ritual didn't prove that we strive to help our own, I don't know what will." He turns to Andelia, "Can we share this? I am ready. "

[Andelia]

"It sure didn't prove it to SOME people," Andelia casts a venomous glance in Deirdre's direction, "that's why everything exploded."

Then she sighs, "Thalion, I don't know if we can share it, or if we can even get it, whatever it is, off her and onto someone or several someones. If we can, fine, I'll be HAPPY to share it, we'll just have to see."

[Raven]

"Yes," says Raven firmly. "We can not be expected to stand by passively and watch evils be done. If there is more to the story than we know, then we should be told the whole story. We have been dragged in to this, and I for one will act as I see fit, based on what I do know. I will not stand aside and do nothing. Clarissa cannot expect to openly curse Deirdre's child, supposedly to get revenge upon Deirdre, and have us sit by and do nothing. None of you should have yelled at Urda. He was doing what he thought was right; had I the power to do so, I would have done the same. I strongly doubt there is any reason sufficient to justify the curse Clarissa uttered. Whatever remains hidden from us, the curse is an evil thing. I would condone Urda's actions a thousand times before I would condone Clarissa's curse. But I hope she does not die. I would like us to heal these wounds we have inflicted on each other, rather than twist the knives deeper into each other's hearts. Mother, what would you have me do?"

[Jacob]

Jacob shakes his head, "I am not about to get into another argument with you.. One, if I were to say something, I could have been wrong, or invalidated it.. Two, how was I supposed to know he could do something like that?

"And you're jumping to a conclusion that this is what's actually wrong. Maybe it is, and maybe it isn't.."

[Thalion]

He Shakes his head (very reminiscent of Jacob), "Do you have any better ideas? Besides, she is still bearing two curses. Something needs to be done. Fiona, do you believe the backlash from the curse is what is harming your mother?"

[GM]

Rosenkrantz, who is Clarissa's valet, looks on with horror, finally recovers, and draws his sword and points it at the boy Urda. "I don't know who you are, really, but if my mistress dies it will be your head!!!"

[Kal]

Kal looks away from Deirdre and towards Rosenkrantz. "Leave the boy be...he knew not what he did. His intentions were noble, if poorly carried out..."

[GM]

Madoc says, "Celia and I must go before things become even worse for the child. Sorry for being pushy again...but Jacob, I'll contact you. Thalion, Jacob, you two are in charge. Do your best. Those of you who cannot help should go to Oberon and the Castle. I expect you are needed."

He and Celia disappear into the tent, and through the mirror in the tent.

[Thalion]

Thalion calls over his shoulder, "Good luck! I love you both."

[Jacob]

"Dad! Wait a minute!" Jacob starts to follow, but is unable to move quickly.. BUT he does manage to grasp his father's hand for just a moment...

[Urda]

He cringes and tries to twist out of her hands, stops at the expression on her face. "I nullified her curse! That's all! I didn't curse *her*, or anyone else!"

[Andelia]

Her voice drops, becomes softer. "You _idiot_.... That's EXACTLY what you did: you caused it to rebound on her, and probably much more strongly than it would have effected anyone else..."

Then she drops him to the ground and looks at Fiona.

[Jacob]

Jacob, also composes himself a little.. "Not only that, she's-"

He bites his tounge abruptly, "She had a motive and a purpose that transcended the obvious. It seemed hard, but you're not looking past the moment, that's why I stayed out of it. As you should have."

[GM]

Fiona cradles her mother's head. "Oh Unicorn...you're all right, mother, I'm here. Raven's here. Don't die, please..." Clarissa coughs up some more blood, and she chokes for air. "You're so cold..." Fiona cries with Celia's tears. "Raven, RAVEN! Come help momma with grandma..." Those who know Fiona have never seen her (well, in any body) being so vulnerable and small. "Please...Bet, momma...I bet you all my love this time, so that you won't die."

[Raven]

Raven seems quite taken aback by this little performance by F., and she is already nearby, so she doesn't move any closer. She hovers watchfully nearby, but does not exactly 'help momma with grandma.' She seems more concerned when Urda goes catatonic, and kneels beside him to make sure he's okay.

[GM]

Madoc shakes his head. "Oh Lir...Oh Lir. Jacob. Celia. We must speak..." He holds Celia tight with one hand, and extends his hand to Jacob.

[Jacob]

Jacob takes the hand..

[Andelia]

Andelia's standing there, looking at Fiona and Clarissa. "Fiona, the offer I made earlier's still open, if you can get it off her. Or if I can help in any other way....."

[Urda]

Urda stays where he was dropped in whatever position he landed in, unmoving, face fixed in horror.

[Thalion]

Thalion looks from Madoc, to Celia, to Jacob. Confusion and ...........something else slowly spread accross his face. He sighs, runs his hand through his hair and heads over to Urda. He gently lifts him up, carrying him if he has to. "Urda, its all right. They'll fix it." He looks over to the group around Clarissa, "It would seem that the curse has increased in strength. Andelia, it would be an awful thing for one person to bear. My family is wound into this thing as well." He looks over at Deirdre, "I will share the burden with you. We can share the pain." He sits Urda near the fire and goes over to them.

[Jacob]

Jacob shakes his head, "It might be the curse, but it might be something else altogether, or BOTH.. Clairissa is a special person here.. I can't explain without risking more damage."

With that, he goes to Madoc and Celia...

[GM]

Fiona recovers slightly from her tears. "No...the blood curse was revoked by primal blood. Momma doesn't suffer from just backlash, though that has its effects too. There's more to it than just that."

[Jacob]

"Here", Jacob says, grabbing Thalion's wrist...

[Urda]

Urda has not reacted to anything said to him since Andelia dropped him. His face is now frozen flat and blank, eyes completely unfocased, muscles loose. He is slumped, head down before the fire, as Thalion left him.

[Deirdre]

Silent for a few moments, Deirdre finally sighed and got to her feet, having worked a spell of healing on her daughter. "One last try.", she said softly. "One last try to forgive, to make amends, to heal. This doesn't work... I go into silence and loneliness." She walked calmly towards where Fiona lay weeping beside her mothers body. "Put the full curse onto me, if you can. My words began this... my words should end it. Perhaps then I will know my true evil, which could only be for the better, don't you think?", she offered firmly, in ancient sadness.

"Told you once before, Andelia. Clarissa does not deserve this. But then, neither do I. We are always at the wrong place, the wrong time, the wrong words spoken... we have to keep trying, or things will never get any better." She stared down at the dying woman, her sad eyes gentle and completely unafraid. "Should I die, then so be it. My choice... my risk. So ironic." She reached out and lightly touched the blood from Clarissa's mouth, smearing it on her own. "That is what Urda did, yes?"

[Laurel]

Laurel looks on, at first uncomprehending, then with growing horror as she realises her mother's intent. "Nooooo" she wails, despairingly.

[Kal]

Kal then takes a quick steps towards Deirdre and says "Don't do it, milady...already, it is clear that you carry enough burdens for us all, past sins or no. If it be done..." The simple man looks again towards the city, or rather, where the city might have been. "Then let it be done to one who has nothing..."

[Jacob]

Jacob, will dart from where he was standing nearby with Thalion, and attempt to catch Dierdre by the wrist before she can touch the blood to her own mouth. Lowering down to a squat, or a huddle by Clarissa and the two other women, he watches Andelia to make a nervous reaction.. In a very low voice he says something for only the immediate few to hear..

[Andelia]

Andelia watches Deirdre, tense, her green eyes frozen chips in her pale set face. There's a feeling of a coiled spring about her, ready to erupt at a thought.

"Yes, that is what he did. But there's more than that moving, now. It's not just a curse lashing backwards, there's more to it than that. If that was all it was, I'd be wearing it now."

[Deirdre]

"Ah.", said Deirdre thoughtfully. "This is beginning to remind me of something I once did... on a beach. So be it." She gently reached down and placed the palms of her hands on the temples of the dying woman. "Take of me what you require to live.", she said gently. Whitegold light began to dance around her fingertips, and sweat began to trickle down her coppery face.

"Be warned that this process may kill me, and what you all see may disturb you. Did kill me, the last time I worked it, to save the life of my mother. Either we both live, or we both die. There is no middle ground for this." As she spoke so softly, her form wavered visibly, her muscles diminishing rapidly. Her features faded, twisted, reformed... and another Clarissa knelt there, dressed in the garments of Deirdre. She began to rapidly rejuvenate, returning to youth.

"Live.", she said softly, with the very voice of Clarissa. "We have too much to do yet, you and I. Let go of rage, let go of hate, remember the music of life. What is life without death? What is light without darkness, and who can tell the difference? The darkness and the light are both alike... Will you go away, and leave your daughter alone? My curse I withdraw from you with this my blessing. Someday you shall know love and happiness, though never peace. Someday all the curses shall be lifted, and perhaps then we will be able to speak to each other without always fearing treachery. We can hope. There is always that."

Her eyes glazed over as she stared into space.

[Kal]

Through gritted teeth, Kal takes another few steps towards her, and lays his hand on Deirdre's shoulder. "No..."

[Jacob]

Preventing the taste of blood, but perhaps not preventing this, Jacob looks very frustrated, but keeps his temper and his cool, and speaks again in a quiet voice..

[Golan]

Dierdre was at the center of the maelstrom. She was keeping Clarissa alive! Hated Clarissa, who'd tried to kill him from first knowing him...

But he also heard that it was the curses that bound her to those actions, that bound time together. So be it

[Jacob]

Jacob rises from where he was kneeling by Clarissa and Deidre..

He raises, his hands to get everyone's attention. "Listen up folks! Because I am cleared to explain it to you all now.. To warn you! Listen carefully, because most of us are a few moments away from oblivion, if not all of us."

He points to Deirdre, "Look, I know she has made mistakes, but this very moment, she is *all* most of you have in the whole world right now.. So I don't want any of you doing anything but support Deirdre right now.. She's holding the whole damn universe together right now.. She's keeping Clarissa alive for the moment, and that's the most important thing."

He looks around, looking at each face, including those he barely knows like Golan, and some he's only heard about like Laurel... He looks to Raven with a pang, and for a second to Andelia as if for support.. his voice clear and steady, but a betraying bit of moistness in his eyes. He continues..

"We are in a time loop, most all of us. What I was being mysterious is about, is the fact that this woman, Clarissa is not the Clarissa that most of you may be thinking of.. She is from a far future time period than this one. She is the only true time traveller amoung us at the moment. The circumstances of her birth, and her life, have been for the most part shrouded and mystery, not any more."

"What no one understood, and what only I had a hint of, is that the curses were necessary to keep our history whole. They happened, they were supposed to happen, they completed a vicious cycle..

[Andelia]

Andelia's eyes widen, then she nods. "So that's why she said that part about vicious circles...."

[Jacob]

"You see, Clarissa is Deirdre's daughter." He pauses for a second.

"She was trying to ensure that she was born and lived her life like she was intended to.. The name, Corleu, in feminine form, as the child Celia concieved was, is the name Corleussa. Corleussa becomes.. Clarissa. The curses shape the infants life to become the Queen of Amber, and the person she is. Deirdre was always meant to say her hard words, so that Clarissa could curse herself once, and then be cursed again by her own mother, Deirdre. No one was really to blame, not Clarissa, and not Deirdre.

"Now, good intentioned Urda has somehow removed the first curse. Then trying to make us no longer ashamed of her, when there never was any shame, Deirdre has removed the second. Those curses are virtual lynchpins holding the Universe together."

"If you don't see the immediate- then let me point it out, as soon as Clarissa dies, then Fiona, Bleys, Teridias, Brand, and.. and Raven, plus any of their children- ARE NO LONGER GOING TO BE BORN... Without them as part of Amber's history.. I think it's safe to say we can *all* kiss ourselves goodbye.. We just unmade the Universe."

"So, if you can help Deirdre keep Clarissa alive, then do so.. If you can't, and still want to help- then help my Father and I think of a way to patch this time loop back together again.. The baby must still fullfill it's life the way it always has in our past.."

[Andelia]

"I don't exactly know how I can help keep the two of them alive, but I'll try. On putting the universe back together, the obvious way, though I can't say as I like it, would be to have someone dupe them on the child. Though perhaps, given that she was calling out for him, maybe this Lir could suggest something...."

[Raven]

Raven, a look of determination on her face, moves closer to Clarissa and Deirdre as soon as Jacob finishes speaking, and kneels beside Deirdre, clasping one of Deirdre's hands between Raven's own hands.

"Clarissa will not die, Deirdre. Do you hear me? She is _not_ going to die. Open up to me, and let me support you."

Raven will try to lend psychic energy to Deirdre through a mindlink, hopefully to strengthen her in the attempt to keep Clarissa alive. Whether this succeeds or not would depend on Deirdre's receptivity ....

[Andelia]

"Bah, unclear: when I said `dupe them', I meant duplicate the curses on the child that will become Clarissa. We know what was said, and if we put them back on, that should clear up the time loop. Like I said, I don't much like it, but I'd think it would work as a last resort."

Andelia goes to the other side of where Clarissa is lying and reaches out to take her hand.

[Deirdre]

Deirdre turned her head slowly to look at Jacob, red hair shimmering gently in the early morning light, and her speech was laboured and incredibly slow. "Only just understood that a few moments ago myself, the nature of the unravelling Paradox. I am being so slow these days.", she whispered gently.

"My daughter. She was my daughter all along, the child that Celia carries. She has the most incredible DNA I have ever seen, recursive, fractal, and all I am doing is slowing things down. Don't need psychic energy... need mass, need to understand her DNA structure! Already used the remains, already used some twenty pounds of my own mass, burning energy at a huge rate, get me food please, mass to replace what I am losing, get me another shapeshifter! Can't talk, must concentrate, someone work out a plan _quickly_!" She bit her lower lip, blood trickling down her chin. She seemed to be about thirteen, and she was rapidly becoming even younger. "Urda! Someone wake Urda to learn to be a shapeshifter!"

[Raven]

Raven stands quickly. "Right." She moves hastily to crouch down by Urda, saying as she does so: "Can anyone conjure up some food for Deirdre? I'll try to wake Urda." Having said this, she cradles Urda's head in her hands and closes her eyes in concentration.

[Golan]

Golan moves closer among those too stunned to move and others moving far too fast for him to fully understand. So many unknown faces! But he steels himself to it and goes to Dierdre's side. "I am no true shapeshifter, but I have control of my form via AIR. I would give of my body that *you* may live through helping *her*.", Golan clasps his hand onto Dierdre's shoulder linking the two with his powers and giving her whatever strength of body he can through the link. As Golan takes his strength from the AIR and does so in measures he has not tried as yet, straining to slow and stops Dierdre's decline. His own form wavers and grows more translucent.

"Hell. For all I know, she might be my mother...", this spoken he fades more. As his body loses tangibility, the dagger clatters to the ground.

[Laurel]

Laurel looks despairingly at her mother, knowing that she is not able to help her directly. Turning to Jacob, she asks "Might a geas, or other compelling, be woven to replace the curses? If so, I may be able to help".

[Thalion]

I could help with this as well.

[Andelia]

Andelia looks up from where she's been trying to work on Clarissa,

"Maybe. Though you'd probably do better with a plain-out set of curses, we've got the words they were using."

"Worst part of all this is that we CAN'T use a good alternative, because if we do, we're too likely to unwind history. If we come up with something that dissolves in time, it's likely to have catastrophic consequences, sometime in the future or our past, and ripple right through us. If Clarissa had the courage to curse herself doubly, knowing what she did, to hold the future and our past together, can we do less?"

[GM]

Kireyas nods. "She's right. It has to be something lasting, something that has the same power as Clarissa's own power. Yet, she seems to be the only one who holds the key to her own dark magics, and who would be powerful enough to bring about the curse. I dare say that Clarissa's unique - perhaps a Power in herself or a powerful and crucial piece. She is a melange of so many powers. Yet...think. IF she is Carol, the Red Queen from Lookingglass-land, then there are pawns that can be promoted. Perhaps there might be someone who learned the arts from her, and is intended as a backup. Someone who too is born of Paradox." He looks at Deirdre and Andelia. "Darthene."

[Andelia]

Andelia looks back at Kireyas, as if REALLY seeing him for the first time. She doesn't look like she understands half of what he's talking about, but maybe she understands enough....

"Hellsfires.... So THATS the backup plan! Yes, Mother did learn some things from Clarissa, though I've no idea if they're enough, she never taught them to me, no time. But there may yet be a way, if we can just hold things steady here for for a bit..." She pushes herself to her feet.

"JACOB!! We've got to go, and NOW!"

[Thalion]

Thalion runs over and brings Deirdre the large pot of soup and all the deer meat, "Well I'm willing to do one, if it is neccassary. Though I'm not sure if I can. Jacob, could you at least work out an equation to help stabalize her for a little while? There is also the possibility that Lir could solve out the need for the curses."

[Jacob]

Jacob, after having made the announcement, began to refer back to the trump he had been holding, hoping the connection was still there..

[Andelia]

Andelia looks grim,

"If he can, he'd better get his tail in gear, we're running out of time AGAIN."

[GM]

Clarissa looks somewhat worse, even with Deirdre's help.

[Thalion]

Thalion looks up from Urda, the song dying on his lips. He turns a few shades paler. He turns to his brother, "Jacob, my trumps are gone. Do you think I might go and talk to Mom? It really is important. I think I have an answer, but I need to verify it with Mother. Please, everyone, give me just a bit more time. Help Deirdre - Wake up Urda."

[Jacob]

Jacob snaps his fingers.. "I got it!"

"Kireyas, that might be good for a long term solution, but we also need to by some time.. Kireyas, you're a shapeshifter, and made of a magical substance - Have you ever heard of a Dyson Sphere?"

[GM]

Kireyas nods.

[Thalion]

"Jacob! I need to talk to Mother." There is a snap in Thalion's voice reminiscent of Benedict. "Does anyone here have a trump that will contact my Mother? In whatever body she happens to be in?"

[GM]

Urda has a deck.

[Thalion]

Thalion goes over and takes a trump deck from Urda. He shuffles out a card and concentrates on it.

[Urda]

Urda suddenly spasms and uncurls gasping. He sits up carefully, his eyes slowly focasing, and shakes his head hard. He raises his head and, as if forcing himself to make eye contact, speaks in a soft voice tinged equally with anguish, fear, shame and dispair: "What did I do? And what now?"

[Raven]

"Urda," Raven speaks softly but insistently. "We need your help. I'm going to explain --QUICKLY-- what has happened. Please don't retreat into yourself again. Deirdre needs your help, as far as I understand."

She takes a deep breath, and speaks quickly and calmly.

"Clarissa is a time traveller from Amber in the future. I don't know the how or the why, but what is important is that _she_ is Deirdre's daughter. In effect, she was cursing herself, and when Deirdre cursed her in return Clarissa became doubly cursed. This was meant to be; it completed a cycle which fulfilled the temporal paradox and binds the two timelines together. Deirdre's child Corleu would be female, and given the femininized version of the name: Corleussa ... eventually, Clarissa.

"By undoing the curse, you have unknowingly unwritten history. If the curse never happens, then the future and past are no longer tied together as they once were. Events leading to the birth of Fiona, Brand, Teridias, myself, and others will not happen. We will cease to exist, unless the paradox is resolved soon. And if we cease to be, then the universe is undone. Fiona and Brand are too central to the history of Amber; without them, it falls apart.

"It appears we were wrong, and that Clarissa had the right to curse Deirdre's child, for it was herself. But we didn't know, and there's no point in regrets now. Deirdre is keeping Clarissa alive somehow, I don't know how, but when Clarissa dies, some of us, and maybe all of us, will also die. Deirdre asked us to wake you so that you could help her. That's all I know. Help Deirdre now," Raven squeezes Urda's hand reassuringly, then stands aside.

[Urda]

Urda nods and lurches to his feet. He walks calmly over to Deirdre. "Do with me what you will. But.... Is there a way to remove my self from the timeline? Then this would never've occurred. Better I were not born than this. There are other versions of me. Hump would have anticipated this possibility. You know my command list, will any of it help?"

[Andelia]

Andelia shakes her head,

"I don't know that that's an advantage, Urda. The one thing that's better about this is that WE know what's going on, and at least the far future Clarissa and Deirdre can bury their feud, even if the near-future Clarissa and she cannot. Besides, I don't think any of us have that kind of ability, and even if we did, we'd probably more likely use it to just edit out your action, not the whole of your existence..."

[Urda]

He staggers slightly, catching himself. Frowning he mutters "Hump. Anticipation. Why does this all feel so oddly, so *horribly* familiar? A lesson? In chaos? Over and over and over again? Hmmmm.... "He unself-conciously sing-songs a phrase: "Child of a traitor to treachery born! Doomed to be forever family-shorn!" He bites absently at his thumb. "Can't remember the rest."

[Andelia]

Andelia shakes her head, as if she can't quite see the connection.

[Deirdre]

Deirdre raised her midnight blue eyes from Clarissa, and spoke gently, her eyes sad and very remote. "My only knowledge of Paradox is that it can be changed by a willing sacrifice, a willing death. Once I changed the future so, rewrote what had been so that my mother lived to raise myself and my twin instead of dying on the beach above Rebma. Making things the way they were is no answer, continuing the horror is no answer." She paused, her breathing laboured, and her midnight hair shifted to shadow the food that had been brought for her. When her hair shifted again, nothing of the food remained, and the finely dark tendrils wove themselves into Clarissa's hair, dark midnight against fiery crimson. "We have to strive to do better. I must break the Circle. So be it."

[Andelia]

Andelia looks horrified at this, and cuts in:

"NO!!!! DON'T!! If you break the circle, you doom all of history, and we all unravel. She probably knew, or knows, more of Paradox than any of us here, and did this anyway. There's a reason she was sacrificing herself, it had to be done, it HAS been done. Time is crashing BECAUSE the circle was broken. We have to put it back, not shatter it further!"

"Don't compare this to your mother and my grandmother, this is far, far worse. She wasn't a time traveller, that's what's causing the crash! Clarissa IS a time-traveller, if you break this circle here, you cause everything that's happened in time since her earliest appearance to come apart. When you saved Faiella, that didn't affect anything that had already happened, it only affected the present and the future. The future's mutable, we've seen that here. So's the present. But the past isn't, not to any degree: if you break the circle, change Clarissa's young life for the better, she might never travel back in time. None of her children or grandchildren by Oberon or anyone else from her past exist, they ALL go poof. That puts us right here in a time crash again!"

"Deirdre, give others credit for once: accept that she knew what she was doing. She knew she was cursing herself, and she knew that she'd be cursed in return. She did it knowingly, because that was necessary to make her what she was. Not what she is NOW, this version Urda and I and Laurel and Fiona have met, that's her future self. But the person you and Celia warned me about, the Clarissa you knew."

[Kal]

Kal looks around at the others, smiling faintly at Laurel and Andelia. "If Death be the answer, then willing am I. The universe may or may not hinge on these words, but should a life be required, I would rather it be mine than one of yours. Each of you has a far greater destiny yet in store."

[Deirdre]

"Kireyas... Laurel... everyone... I am so sorry for everything. Forgive me my doubts and insecurities, forgive me my terrible mistakes. There will be no time to say any of the words I would want to say in private with each of you. Let this be my final blessing... let the hatred and the pain of the curses end here, with my death, and become a loving family. I have loved you all the best I could. Remember me kindly. Goodbye.", she finished quietly, silvery tears shimmering down her sharp coppery face.

Deirdre gently cradled Clarissa's head in her lap, whitegold streamers of light shimmering in dancing spirals down her arms and through Clarissa. "Now I know why I could never hate you, despite your murder of my mother. Some part of me must always have known you. They never told me anything important. Wronged you so badly.", she whispered miserably before she began to sing, dark and haunting notes of soft music weaving a melody of purest beauty. She slowly blurred into a creature of feathery wings and bright whitegold fire, pouring down into Clarissa like a cascading waterfall of serenely remote light.

[GM]

Teridias has rejoined the Grove, only to find the following people more or less cluttered around a dying Clarissa, and Deirdre trying to heal her:

Raven, Jen, Laurel, Celia (actually Fiona in Celia's body), Urda, Kireyas, Rosenkrantz, Thalion, Jacob, Andelia, Garat.

Teridias has a wheelbarrow and two bodies within them: his wife and child.

Kireyas protests. "Deirdre! Don't go through with this...we can hold off anything so drastic until we can find the right solution, not impulsively try anything we can! I think what Jacob suggests is that I form a Dysonian mirror sphere around you and Clarissa, so that the best possible insulation against the unravelling of history may buy us some time! Don't waste your life when there is still hope! And if you do this wrong, you'd be killing many people here."

He begins to enclose the entire Grove with his body, forming a perfect Sphere that extends beneath your feet. The surface of the inner sphere is mirrored. It's getting dark in here, and air has been cut off as well. Despite these inconveniences, Clarissa's situation begins to stabilize. He has intentionally enclosed everyone. In the isolation of the Dysonian mirror sphere, even gravity has been nullified: there is plenty of space to drift around in zero-grav.

Kireyas' voice resonates throughout the hollow sphere. "I don't know how much time we have, but this should slow things down. Thanks for the suggestion, Jacob. A completely spherical mirrored surface sets up a Paradox singularity, maintaining the best possible 'time loop', so to speak, and prevent Clarissa from suffering more. Careful with light sources...too many, and you might blind yourself. A single flame should keep the sphere lighted."

The sphere has the same diameter as the Grove.

[Kal]

Kal floats aimlessly off the ground, trying to re-orient himself after the sudden gravity failure.

[Andelia]

When the gravity falls, Andelia flails about for a few seconds, before she seems to come to an understanding of what's happening and drifts more stably. Her eyes are a little wild, and her breathing a little fast, but even those slow after a little while.

[GM]

Kireyas chimes in: "Listen to Andelia, love. I break some taboos saying what I say now, but if you don't listen it won't matter anyways, because I won't have been created.

"Being born of the Mirrors of Lir, I have seen the future that Clarissa came from. Clarissa was once Carol Lisa Dodgson, adopted daughter of Lewis Carroll and the Red Queen of Wonderland. We now know her true parents.

"She fell in love with Rinaldo, who was, unknown to her at the time, her own grandson. But he rejected her, and her love turned to hatred. Her hatred led her to become obsessed with changing the course of history, so that she might never have suffered the pain of loss. She raised her child by Rinaldo, Matthias, on her own. She learned the art of time travel through many trials, and perhaps Golan and others from that Time Frame may supply other details. In the end, she succeeded.

"She found herself back in time, and discovered that she had fallen in love with Oberon, and could not kill him. Yet she could not marry him, for a fellow time traveller - Ryan - had saved his mother's life. And thus, Faiella's fate was changed, and Deirdre grew up knowing Faiella. But Clarissa found herself to be the intended Clarissa of history, fated to marry Oberon, and to bear many children of the family of Amber. Including Brand, and from Brand will come Rinaldo, her first love.

"There are many parts of her tale that I do not know, but the fact remains: if she had not been doubly cursed to live the tragic life that she lived, then Rinaldo would not have rejected her...in fact, Rinaldo would never have been born. Living through a life where she is not cursed, she would never have had the urge to find a means of time travel. In fact, she could never have been born, because she is her own daughter's child.

"History would unravel, as Andelia said, and you would doom those who deserve their existence."

[Andelia]

"And now, knowing what she knows and went through, she STILL came here to curse herself and be accursed, because she had to, to keep all the rest of us, and possibly herself, alive. I don't know enough about these paradoxes some of you talk about to say on that, it's probably possible that she'd have survived since she couldn't have caused the ripple if she didn't exist and so on. She tried to sacrifice her younger self for us, and, with the best of intentions, we destroyed the sacrifice and, perhaps, ourselves."

"Yes, cursing her again IS a crummy way out. But I can't see another way that things will come out right in the end. If you can find one, great, but I'd better get started on her back-up plan."

"Jacob, let's roll." Then Andelia pauses, "Well, that is, if someone can show me how to move when we're like this.... all I do is spin."

[Jacob]

Jacob replies.. "Got it..

"Nice work Kireyas, this bubble show low time down enough to let us get something done.."

He bobs about thinking. He then conjures another simple item. A pole, with a clawed hook on the end. With this, he snags the ground, and uses it to manuever around, and to have something to push off with, or alternately pull himself towards something he can grab. Very gently, as not to over compensate, and with a natural grace, he'll push himself towards Andelia to say something quietly.

[Deirdre]

Deirdre revolved in glorious music, and shaped words into being through modulated winds. "Clarissa the child shall be cursed, for she must be. I renew my curse on her to the fullest extent, and bind it with my blood and my power until I choose to remove it, and furthermore I curse her with all my heart to know only evil of me until the curse be healed by me. Such curses could I fulfill easily. But this Clarissa, the Clarissa from the future, can hopefully be healed of the curses without harm, for I have misjudged her. Give me some credit, Andelia. We are drawing on the air for mass... you might start finding it difficult to breathe, now that the grove is isolated."

[Andelia]

"I think this Clarissa, the one from the future, already has been healed of the curses, by one means or another. No way to be certain, but I suspect she has been. My opinion is that you should just use your own curse, don't try to add another. The objective should be to duplicate what was done originally."

[Deirdre]

The furious pour of her bright fire into Clarissa continued, slowed by the dyson sphere and by Golan's assistance. Winds poured into being in a growing cyclone. "With Golan's help and Urda's, I can last longer within the dyson sphere, though the end will be the same. Find me another way and I shall listen. Kal... speak with Celia if you would know the fate of your father.

Greetings and farewell, nephew. My love... remember what my father taught me. Only on the edge of death do we ever find growth and hope. I am so tired. Urda, touch me with your mind. I will show you the heart of the shift." For a moment, her modulated voice shattered into terrible grief and purest agony, but still she continued to pour her life away to save Clarissa. Whitegold tendrils of power moved across the dying woman gently, woven through with winds.

[Kal]

Kal's eyes narrow slightly - no one should know of his blood tie with Gerard, save for the obvious physical similarities. Deirdre...of the being that once was Deirdre...explains that my father may only be found later...with Celia...

[Jacob]

Having said whatever it is he wished to say to Andelia, Jacob manages his way to the second tent, and enters.

Once within, he'll tie back the flaps of the tent, to let some light within. Then using conjuration, he'll summon some things to quickly bolt the mirror stand to the floor. Then he will wait for Andelia.

Actually he'll call, "Are we still taking Teridias?"

[Andelia]

Andelia looks faintly annoyed at being left floating in the air as Jacob worked his way to the second tent, then manages (via a lot floundering and swimming in the air, looks rather funny I suppose) to work her way to the tent.

"I wouldn't think so, I think he's got things closer to his heart right now to work on...."

[Jacob]

He puts on a mild surprised expression, and blinks at her, surpressing a smile. "Oh, I didn't know you needed a hand. I'm sorry."

He'll offer the non-hooked end of the pole to her to grab and pull her towards the tent.

"My pleasure," he says in a careful neutral tone.

"Okay then, I think we're all set."

[GM]

Jacob and Andelia disappear inside the tent and depart.

[Teridias]

Teridias looks at the scene with some bewilderment.

"Deirdre, Celia, someone, would you please tell me what is going on here. What is wrong with my mother?"

[GM]

Fiona wipes away some tears. "All right, that's enough of that. Clarissa needs all of us. Andelia and Jacob may not succeed in their mission, and we do need a backup plan or two.

"Kireyas, Deirdre, Jen and Golan will remain here with Clarissa.

"Raven, Urda, Kal and I will find Dworkin. Our best bet is starting at Dworkin's.

"Thalion, Laurel, Garat and Rosenkrantz will find Lir. Start with the Hall of Mirrors in Amber.

"We will rendezvous back here as soon as we do. Any last questions?"

[Kal]

Kal nods, finally managing a measure of control over his weightlessness.

[Thalion]

"Hmm? Oh, no, no questions. Umm, the only trump decks I know about are yours, Fiona, and Urda's." He holds up Urda's Trumps. "Can I borrow a set?"

[GM]

Fiona says "Pick some up at the Library if you need them."

[Deirdre]

Deirdre truly started to hit her stride, her dark song burning forth in symphony with the whitegold fury of her power. Clarissa herself began to shimmer faintly, whitegold fire singing beneath her pale skin as her clothes were torn apart and consumed. "Go. I will hold her alive as long as I can, and then I die. That should make some people very happy.", the soft winds whispered tiredly as Deirdre's feathers rustled through an intricate, endless dance of flickering whitegold spirals. She did not speak again, wrapped in the rising inferno of her music and her whitegold feathers.

[Laurel]

"Mom, you keep yourself alive, as well as Clarissa, you hear. I'm not ready to let you go yet. Neither's Dad. Or Meredith. You've so much to live for, Mom. Don't let it go." says Laurel.

[Urda]

Spinning slowly in free-fall Urda reaches his mind out to Deirdre. Eyes closed and feeling distant he speaks slowly and carefully as if speach was hard, concentration elsewhere. "OK, Fiona. Should I mind-call Dworkin instead? Thalion, I'll need my deck. My self-Trump has the studio in it. Give me a moment to finish up with Deirdre and stop spinning."

[Urda]

Finally Urda stops spinning. "Fiona, what did you mean about primal blood?" He begins making a slow cautious way over to Thalion. "Frogs, for future refferance, Dworkin calls me White. Teridias, I did this to Clarissa."

[GM]

"I assume you have Dworkin's blood in you." Fiona says.

[Teridias]

"What do you mean that you did this to Clarrissa. What is going on here? What is wrong with my mother."

[Urda]

Urda glances up into Teridias's face. "She death-cursed Deirdre's child unborn. I undid it. With blood and words. I ment to undo the curse, not her, not you!"

[Teridias]

"Undo me, what do you mean undo me?"

[Urda]

"I have erased Clarissa from time. A great many of the family will follow unless Dworkin knows how to prevent it. Others can tell you more. I need to go."

[Raven]

Raven is poised gracefully in mid-air, evidently at ease in zero-g conditions. "Some people will not be at all happy if you die, Deirdre. Remember that, and hold on as long as you can. Not just for the sake of others, but for yourself as well. Good luck, dear." There is a faint tremor in Raven's voice as she says those last words.

"Well, we can't hang around here all day." She smiles weakly. "I would like a set of Trumps, unless you can take us directly to Dworkin, Urda. If not, hold on to me, and I can bring us straight to the Library, and we can all get some Trumps." She extends her hands towards Fiona, Urda, and Kal, and waits for a decision about how the group intends to proceed.

[Thalion]

"Hey Raven, Would you mind if we tagged along to the library? We need to get to the castle and to get some trumps."

[Raven]

"No problem. Just grab hold of an arm or an ankle or something, and I'll take us there. That's if _we_ are indeed going to the library." Again, she looks inquiringly at Fiona, Kal, and Urda.

[GM]

"Very well. It's a start," says Fiona.

[Okay, I will assume that everyone except Deirdre, Jen, Clarissa and Golan are going to the Library. I also assume Raven uses a spell.]

[Teridias]

Teridias will also stay.

[Laurel]

"It might be quicker to go to the Hall of Mirrors directly from here" says Laurel. Then, after a moments thought, she adds "Oh. That would mean that we didn't have any Trumps, wouldn't it. I guess the Library is the best idea".

[Urda]

Urda holds up two fingers, a Trump between them. He flips it with a quick movement of his wrist and the card slides down into his hand. Face held carefully nuetral, jaw clenched, he stares down at his Trump of Dworkin. His face shifts slightly and relaxes, his eyes unfocus.

[Kal]

Kal comes in close to Raven, and extends a hand to Raven, apprently satisfied that following Fiona is the only way to reach his father.

[Deirdre]

Deirdre had completely lost her human form, and swirled over and through the body of Clarissa like a dancing cyclone of whitegold fire. Music still sang softly through the grove, low and very sweet, slowly fading away into silence. Words shaped themselves faintly to the music, gentle sadness in each one.

"So many centuries have come and gone
our love has deepened since our dawn
I saw your footsteps in the sand
you saw my smile so close at hand
yet all our days are faded away
all our nights are yesterday."
,

When the music finally finished, all that remained was the bright spirals of whitegold fire encasing Clarissa in a glowing cage of light. Silence fell, save for the faint crackle of the flames and the lightnings through Clarissa.

[Urda]

Urda suddenly stiffens and goes much paler. Something you wouldn't think an albino could do. He slides Dworkin's card back into his deck and turns back to the group. His face is twitching, his fists are clenched, his body stiff, his voice flat. "Come home with me. Someone. PLEASE!" His face twists and he visibly fights to regain control of himself. "He's going to dismantle me." Urda pulls another card out of his deck. It shows him crouched at the edge of the primal pattern, a small building off to 1 side.

Raven gets up and moves to stand beside Urda, laying a hand on his shoulder. "I'll come with you, Urda. And if I can stop him 'dismantling' you, I will. If you don't want to, you don't have to come. I can go on my own, or with Kal, or my mother. Whoever wants to come. But let us go now; we don't know how much time Deirdre and Clarissa have ..."

Raven is looking with some interest at the Trump in Urda's hand.

[GM]

Fiona takes a hold of Urda as well, her other hand on Kal. "We four will go." They disappear in a trump rainbow.

[GM]

The lot of you appear inside the Amber Library, which is deserted at the moment. Everything seems to be in order here. There are 20 decks of Trumps in the cabinet, and all seem to be virgin decks.


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