24 September 2000

I have some time before bed and have decided to bring you up to date again. Explaining these things to you seems to help me get them clear in my head as well, you continue to serve as guide to me, even from Her embrace.

I suppose the most monumental, certainly the most shocking, was the discovery of the Lord Consort in the closet of a recent acquaintance of mine, the Lady Sophia. More on her later. He is a particular man Father; I can only imagine what it must have been like in your day when he spent more time with his children. He seemed a little confused, but with the trials he has seen I suppose this is to be expected. I have no idea why he has chosen to return to us, much less to my friend's broom closet. The only comment he made regarding his purpose involved "seeing if we were still alive".

While I am honored that he would think to check, the pleasure is somewhat mitigated by the fact that he apparently had reason to believe that we may not be.

While life has been busy recently, I've encountered nothing to imply a significant personal threat, either to my female companion or me. But vigilance has served me well in the past and I sleep with my blade nearby these days. It is possible his interest may lie more with her than I, as she seems to have manifested some peculiar abilities outside of anything I've ever encountered. Again, more on this in due course.

I should bring you up to date. Remember the Sea Witches I mentioned in my last letter? Well, it appears they discovered the art of compromise when confronted with a Church investigation. They sent a representative to a Hearing of Inquiry the Church convened, A Lady Serenity, apparently the daughter of Lady Llewella herself. The woman, while visibly nervous, proved equal to her name and was able to answer at least the most pressing of the Inquest's questions. The witches seem a harmless group of women for the most part, hedge mages, but with a tendency to be used on occasion by some other Power as a sort of warning system for those the Power has chosen to act for. While the Power and it's motivations I believe need to be investigated, I am inclined to believe the Lady Serenity when she stated that the Witches really know no more than that. I see no reason why they shouldn't be left to their own devices while more capable hands manage the investigation. I have stated as much in my report to the Board of Inquest and I believe that while Bishop Gregory may still harbor reservations they will most likely follow that course of action.

Of more immediate interest was Lady Sophia's claim amid the Inquiry that she believe the Power in question to be a beneficial one, not because of any action on it's part, but because of an innate ability on her part to sense the "Goodness" of a thing. Once we realized she truly was speaking of a power of some sort, and not some over-confidence in her own character judgement, it quickly created a small uproar. Such abilities are generally considered the Domain of the Unicorn and if she has truly been blessed in this way, it might qualify as a Miracle.

I requested that she demonstrate this ability and she was able to do so, and in such a way that I could share the experience. It was a convincing demonstration, and while it is my nature to maintain skepticism, I must at least realize the possibility that her abilities may be real and this a Miracle situation. I have no doubt that you have already seem the myriad of feathers this has ruffled. While I am a faithful servant of the Church, I am in no mean naove to the fact that while the Church is pure of heart, not every element with her may be quite so chaste. If Lady Sophia's talent is true, and can be verified as a Miracle, then there are a number of dark corners that may not appreciate the resulting illumination.

It took me some time to bring the Lady to the realization of the snake pit she may have so casually tipped over. I have decided that until I know for certain the truth of the matter I must consider this a Defense of the Faith issue and am seeing to her protection personally.

Other than that Father, only one issue of significance disturbs me. Apparently some farmer found a buried journal in one of his fields and it was sent off to Lord Malachi for identification. Normally only a matter of historical interest, it has since turned out that this journal may in fact have been one of Lord Dworkin's early works and could contain notes on his fashioning of the Icon of Order under the Blessing of the Unicorn. While this would be a significant find in and of itself, it is of personal interest to me in that it may point to a way that the pattern of the Usurper might be eradicated and that affront to the Unicorn finally put to rest. A pastime I'm sure you would whole-heartedly support.

However, the Serpent was quick on this one and the Journal was stolen, which is the point at which I was brought in. The security around the Journal was significant and it would take a sorcerer and Chaos wielder of some note to surmount it. At least the eft with no doubt as to the identity of the thief.

I, of course, immediately went to the King so appropriate measure could be taken but he was not in residence and I was forced to deal with Lord Bleys acting as regent. Not my first choice, his soft spot for the Serpent being well documented, still better him than Lady Fiona. His reaction was not what I might have hoped for, but at least he is also investigating the theft and once he is forced to confront that his Chaosian friends have yet again thrust their slime drenched tentacles into the affair of Amber he will be force to take strong action. We give the Serpent far too much leniency, would that your reign could have continued Father, I have no doubt we would have seen true victory, not this ridiculous detaunt.

Ah, it becomes late and I must to bed. I will right again Father, I thank you for listening, in whatever capacity She grants. filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler