KieranPatternwalkKieran's PatternwalkThere is an audible voice, clearly audible to all as Kieran's foot lands on the line of the Pattern. "Do so" Kieran had expected distractions and visions to occur at some point during his Patternwalk, granted not on his first step on the Pattern, but he marches on. And then his walk begins in earnest as he makes a second, third andsubsequent steps on the design... It is on the third step that Kieran hears a voice inside of his head, similar in tone and characteristics to the audible voice heard by all. “I am pleased that the lines of Faiella and Clarissa have joined in you” the voice says. Fortunately, the voice is not distracting enough to keep Kieran from moving forward, at least not at the moment. “As far as the matter of the Rebman, she sought communion with me, and I obliged. I find that I have more contention than conversation with those of your grandmothers generation.” "So am I;" Kieran 'replies' to voice. "So are Mom and Dad when it comes to that I expect." He listens as the voice continued on, never once letting his focus slip. "And while I would like to ask you more about both those subjects, I'm a little busy here as you can see. Perhaps later, afterwards? Though I have to ask, am I talking to Dworkin or Oberon? Or perhaps something of both?"
Kieran nods but does not say anything. He then devotes all his concentration and energies into walking the Pattern. And indeed it soon becomes clear that all of his attention is needed for the design, rather than conversations with a Primal Power. He feels the contact slip away, quickly, and the design of curves and processions and veils becomes Kieran's universe. Little what his grandmothers or parents told him has prepared him for the experience. It is one thing to be told of the order of things and what it is like to walk as the sparks fly upwards, it is another matter entirely to experience it. And the effort, the effort. The stories of Corwin being able to fight while walking the Pattern, or the other tales he has heard--perhaps they were exaggerations? By the time Kieran is halfway done, he realizes he is halfway to sucess--or failure. And the visions. Past, present and perhaps future collide in Kieran's head. Everything from the party to celebrate his sixth birth-day, to the Baroness, to his arrival in Amber and tea with his grandmother are amongst the collage of images. And then there are the images of what must be the future, or potential futures. Alien, twisted skies that suggest tales of the Courts of Chaos. A view out of large windows to see a face-on spiral galaxy rising above the horizon. And the war. The last vision, in the last steps, is of Kieran charging into battle, sword in hand, Dagny next to him, as they face an army, behind which stands a massive, tall bronze door. The swipe of his blade against the uniformed soldiers corresponds with the last three steps, and Kieran manages to, upright, stride into the center of the design, the Patternwalk complete. He has succeeded. Kieran let's the images of past, present, and future flow through him putting all his will into completing his walk. Once through and standing in the center, Kieran takes a number of deep, deep breaths. He then spends a few moments recalling the images displayed during his walk and stores them for future need.
Can you show me what the Baroness is doing now? And please keep on mind, I do not wish to be sent to where ever she is, I just want to know what she's doing.* The voice of the Pattern comes clear, clearer than ever, almost painfully bright and sharp, like the voice of one of the Tuatha Dé Danann "Nay, I cannot." the Pattern says. "Or, shall I say, this design cannot, not without taking you to where she resides. The copy of me that resides in the City of Dreams would more fruitfully show you what you wish. I might transport you there from here, but you would be bound in the city until next it manifests in Amber." "If you wish to see the Baroness, there is also a place in the Castle Amber you might fruitfully visit." The Pattern adds. "The Hall of Mirrors. It is a place in the Castle attuned toward visions of the past, presents and futures." Kieran considers this for a few moments. "Then I shall have to visit the Hall sometime and soon if possible;" he says to the Pattern. "Your answer leads to several more questions though; you refer to your reflections as copies. Are your copies just that, copies? Or do they have their own sentiences? Do your copies have different... power subsets, if you will, than you? If so, what are they? Could one of you transport me to the universe of the Omphalos, should I desire it?" "Your father and mother have not taught you properly, I fear." The Pattern replies. The tone is not chiding, it is more amused than anything. "My copies are reflections of this original template. And just as a reflection of you in glass, or in water, or in a metal mirror are all images of you, they are all different in composition and quality." Kieran chuckles and shakes his head. "Or they taught me all too well;" he replies. "The phrase 'Question everything' was oft used in my training. I am comparing what they taught me versus what you are telling me now and factoring in your sentience; which I am not sure they knew of to be honest." "Understood." The Pattern replies. It then continues "If you wish to be transported to another universe, only I possess the requisite strength to reliably do so. The reflection in Dreams generally only permits access to realms of that nature; the reflection in Rebma is connected only to realms of its vein. The reflection in the Castle has no counterparts." Kieran nods at the first parts, confirming what he'd been taught. He frowns in thought at the Pattern's last statement. "And why is that? Because the Castle copy generally allows more direct access to Shadow?" "Yes." the Pattern says, in a somewhat pleased tone of voice. Kieran moves on to other matters. "While I would like nothing more than to stay here and discuss the hows and whys of the Pattern's, of your, workings, I know you want Priya to walk you today as well. So there's one last thing I'd like to discuss and do before departing your center. I'm going to have you send me back over to my grandmothers, by the way. I want to witness Priya's walk. I'm hoping we can continue our talk when I'm over there." "Not while she walks it, however." the Pattern says, amused. "The connection does not fare well when someone is walking it and I wish to speak to another." "Good to know;" Kieran replies. "Anyroad;" he squares his shoulders. "By walking you and becoming an initiate, we have forged a mutual bond of sorts between us. Knowing now of your sentience, I would offer my services to you should you need them as a defender, as an agent to maintain and increase your presence, something along those lines. In Shadow, I have become a Jedi Knight and Master; Mind Magics with a philosophy and style all its own. I know not if you have ever had or needed the services of a... Pattern Knight, if you will, but that is what I offer if you have the need." He reaches down and unhooks his lightsaber from his belt. "My mother enhanced the main gem, the focusing crystal with as aspect yourself so that this will work just about anywhere." He presses the ignition switch. "I would dedicate this blade and it's master to your service, if you will have us." "I used to have a defender, a champion." The Pattern says. "I chose that champion poorly, however, and have withdrawn my favor. You, however, you come to me freely to do this?" There is a slight questioning tone in the last sentence. "Who was that?" Kieran asks curiously while thinking to himself that the answer might be his great uncle Corwin. "The daughter of Gerard" The Pattern replies dryly. Kieran considers the answer given for a moment or two, then shrugs his shoulders. "If you would do this, and replace her, kneel and place the enchanted sword on the ground, Kieran, son of Princess Brandeigh and Prince Percival." Kieran can only dimly hear the surprise from his grandmothers, and, perhaps, Priya. Kieran turns his head to gaze at the women for a moment and then he smiles. "You know of my, and Dagny's desires regarding the Omphalos, correct? And that I have enemies of my own?" Kieran asks. "And not to sell myself short here, but I realize I am young and relatively inexperienced as far as members of the royal family are concerned. But if you have the need for and will accept my services as your defender, I offer them freely and truly." "As I told Toireasa, I do have need of a Champion. The enemy may be these Omphalos more than the Logrus at present, but they are enemies nevertheless." comes the response. "Mind, this blade will cut through most anything;" Kieran says locking the activation switch in the 'on' position. "Be a shame to gain and lose a champion before he even departs your center;" he says with a slight chuckle. "The blade cauterizes as it cuts though, so you shouldn't have to worry about the blood;" he adds. He kneels down and places the base of the lightsaber in the exact center of the Pattern. "Is there an oath?" he asks in a serious tone. "Not previously." The Pattern says. "Toireasa saluted me, and acquiesced to the name of Champion. It does occur that perhaps a more formal promise may lead to more efficacious results." "Speak an Oath aloud that would bind you, and that would be sufficient to me." "Aye;" Kieran says while composing his thoughts. "I, Kieran Elharn Kerrigan Percival Barimen Webster Douglas, do of my own free will accept the title of Champion of the Pattern with all the rights and responsibilities that go with it for the duration of the conflict with the Omphalos, until my death, or until such a time as we both agree that I am no longer needed or able to carry out the duties of being your Champion." He pauses and then says; "I'll be your Champion in the war against the Omphalos. Once that's been satisfactorily concluded, we can revisit the need for a Champion, agreed?"
your grandmothers now?* Kieran retrieves his lightsaber and stands back up. He examines the hilt and blade in the off chance something has changed with his lightsaber, then shuts it down and reattaches it to his belt. "Sure;" he says and then awaits transport. And softly and silently Kieran vanishes away from the center of the Pattern. From his perspective, the world around him vanishes, to be suddenly replaced by the world from the perspective of where Fiona and Priya stand... Backlinks |
