"I'll trade you a stuffed manticore for that."

Real date: 3 Feb 96
Run date: early fall in Amber

Torquil, Felicia, and Dalamar gather in shadow (near the barred shadow Cannell is in) to dicuss options and what (if anything) to do next, particularly about Cannell. Nikrowd joins them, having been delivered to Felicia in a box (courtesy of Bleys).

Concurrently with this, Katarina, Keverian and Mikele gather in another shadow (outside the one Martin is imprisoned in) and attempt to wear down the barrier. Keverian takes a break to have lunch with Mary and the others take the opportunity to run some errands of their own.

Occasional contact occurs between the two groups via trump. Felicia is called to the second group and a long discussion ensues about whether Felicia should help them by getting them past the barrier. Assurances are given and Felicia reluctantly agrees.

Felicia consults Torquil, retrieves the key, and rejoins them at the barrier. With Felicia's aid, the rescue goes off without a hitch. Arrangements are made to rendevous later and question Delwin and then everyone spilts up to talk privately, prepare, or deal with personal matters.

In the interim we learn that Bleys and his forces have fled Amber for points unknown and Random is now in the process of restoring himself to power.

Sometime later, Katarina, Dalamar, Felicia, Torquil, Nikrowd, Mikele & Martin all meet outside the shadow Katarina has Delwin in and she leads us all in. On the trip there is some small discussion of the format of the questioning (including a long private discussion on the matter between Katarina and Torquil which resolves nothing). Both Toquil and Nikrowd request to speak privately with Delwin, but nothing is settled.

Upon reaching our destination, Katarina wakes Delwin and asks his opinions on the matter. He requests to speak with Mikele and Martin. Slightly puzzled, they consent and speak to Delwin briefly. Nikrowd and Torquil then take their turns, and almost as an afterthought, Dalamar takes one too. Katarina then brings Delwin before the group as a whole and questions him about his actions (intentions) in Rebma and more recently in Amber. Delwin makes some claims to have needed to use a Pattern for a while in Remba for some "research." He also claims to have been working with Bleys to prevent Fiona from pursuing her own research into "Meta-Pattern" which he maintains is something best not meddled with. The arranged meeting between the three of them in Amber was, of course, a setup all around. He refuses to share any useful information on other topics and no one voices a serious desire to obtain it by force.

Katarina puts Delwin back into coldsleep and the group quickly decides to turn him over to Llewella in Rebma, though concerns are raised that we will be unable to effect the transfer withoutcoming into conflict with Delwin's allies.

On the return trip, Torquil states that he believes Delwin still possesses a one spikard and may escape as soon as he is removed from the shadow. People apply various methods of detecting hidden things and eventually Nikrowd and Dalamar together manage to remove the spikard, which Dalamar immediately pockets.

The still unconscious Delwin is delivered to Llewella and the entire group move to Rebma to discuss what to do with the ring, since no one wants to let anyone else walk off with it. Various methods of destroying it are discussed, as are other options, but the only thing most can agree on it to give the ring to Dworkin (on the theory that he's already so powerful it won't mattter). Felicia calls Dworkin and we discuss the idea with him. Everyone is reasonably convinced except Dalamar, who is currently in possession of the ring. After some arm twisting, even he reluctantly agrees. After some haggling between Dalamar and Dworkin over what Dalamar will get in exchange for the ring, the price is finally settled: one spikard in exchange for a stuffed manticore and whatever is on the top shelf of Dworkin's closet.

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