Juliette's Diary

Chapter 7 (13th April 2001 CE *)


Chapter 7 (13th April 2001 CE *) At the head of the gathered armies Juliette talks with Torrez and Carsen. Father comes across to confirm that all is ready. Suddenly he screams aloud. The boys do not interfere, but I push my horse forward to Father's side. He holds up a hand to forestall me. I ask what is the matter; he says, "Moth ... my sister, Moira.... has vanished. Has died." I ask who has killed her - he says he doesn't know. He recovers himself, and carries on, riding back to his troops and Malroux.
Torrez comments that we should do it now (free my beloved) now before the invasion starts. I agree. He brings a Vendo to lead us. We travel through the cracks and interstices, through a hellish place, through a mist-covered rockface to a deep rocky chamber. I see my beloved chained to the rock face, a raven at one shoulder. It has plucked out one of his eyes. I try frying it's little brain with my mind, but it doesn't seem to work. Outraged at what the creature has done, desecrated my lover, I charge, wielding my battleaxe. I break Loki free of his bonds. He says he needs to get two things before we leave. I accede, and he leads me along a path upwards, along a track to a steading. He goes inside a building while I stand watch - he throws me a garment to hold. A woman comes in the door as Loki is still searching for something inside. Before she raises an alarm I knock her out. Loki comes out as I punch her again as she starts to come around. Loki sees her, crosses to her and cradles her in his arms. He talks to her imploringly - why did she let father treat him this way? Why didn't she stop him? He cuts her throat. We leave and return to the cavern, rejoining my brothers. Loki wants me to go somewhere else first before returning to the battle, but I say no. We return to the gathered armies. There is a new arrival there, resplendent in battle gear. It is apparently the great Erwin, come to lead our armies to victory. I am to watch the Cyberpapacy. I see lines of power that flash on Malroux and Utharian - the power surrounds them and spreads out around them. The power is similar to that of Broken Pattern and is antithetical to Pattern (which I have felt before).

There is a power growing - Broken Pattern. I go with Father (Armand) to talk to Helgrimm - there's been a warning (says Helgrimm) that Oberon has manipulated the invasion, and is allowing the invasion of Helgrimm's realm (which we are ploughing through on route to Amber, our main target). Helgrimm gets angry at Father as Father is refusing to listen to Helgrimm's 'warning'. Our forces can't move in across the 'border', we are 'walled out'. Armand tries to convince Helgrimm to make an alliance with us against Oberon, as Oberon appears to be just playing them off against each other for his own ends. Helgrimm seems affronted at this suggestion, and refuses vehemently. We leave.

Battle is joined. Our forces have the upper hand, and things look grim for Helgrimm's world. Suddenly the tide turns - The other side seems to be winning, and reinforcements for Helgrimm arrive (seem to be some of Helgrimm's brothers). Broken Pattern becomes inert.

We have failed in our invasion and are now refugees. We feel the destruction of CrystalHome, and the death of Father's child. Father receives a Trump contact. He becomes very upset, asking who has killed his little girls ? Who has done this to him ??? We continue on through the cracks in Shadow. We come upon a plain - an icy waste, desert/volcanic, and in the middle is a Keep under siege on two sides. One army has Possibility raider type power, and more techno metal balls. The other side is using more conventional sorcery. The Keep itself is chock full of power .....

* Note: CE = Chronology of Earth

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