I thought I should finish the warning I began last night. Never trust a cousin -- or a sibling, an aunt, an uncle, or even your own father. There are good reasons, the least of which is that any person related to you is going to use you, without your knowledge whenever possible and against your will if necessary.

     You've already been used. Bellona and Malachi were testing me to see how thoroughly I believed in their cause. I failed, rather spectacularly, and I've been given the choice of either submitting to a "spell practice session" (a thinly disguised punishment that will end with me as a vegetable -- or worse), or running for my life to either the Inconnu or the Palace.

     Neither choice appeals, but running is the better one. I'm not sure yet to which; all depends on my reception. Thorne is picking me up at his home port on the way to Amber (thanks for leading me to his inn, by the way), and I shall see how Barda and Tavin treat me.

     Fare thee well on your journey, and I shall see you again in Bios.

Beatrice