[OOC: This is a journal written in Gerard's hand, explained in summary mode.]

Gerard relates how he and Julian happened upon the large coast of a continent occupied by a humanoid native population. This continent was being fought over by three rival nations of humanoids from another continent seeking to colonize this one.

In their travels seeking Corwin, they believe they spotted him among one of the factions, only to lose him when the individual they surmised to be their brother caught a ship back to the other continent to respond to political issues in one of the colonizing nations. Apparently the 'Shadow Corwin's' nation was having difficulty with it's Monarch, queerly named the Fourteenth and his successor the Fifteenth. It was when the hunt led to the sea did the trail grow cold and he and Julian decided to check back in on Amber.

The war itself was called the War of Ann, in the languages of those they interviewed. It was counterpart to a struggle happening across the ocean where two of the involved nations (one of which belonged to the 'Shadow Corwin') were uniting to appoint a successor.

Prior to their departure, Gerard makes copious notes. Despite the limitations of language, he does the best job possible describing the political situation and the peoples themselves.

Then he goes into great detail about the physical attributes of the landscapes he visits in that Shadow. The list is by no means exhaustive; the color of the sun, the average weather patterns, the color of the sky (in relation to examples in the Golden Circle), the color and temperature of the seas, the types of trees and other foliage, animal and avian life, the texture of the sand along the coastal waters, the technology of the relevant peoples they encounter, the number of moons (one) and it's cycle, star patterns, relative gravity, and some landmark names.

There is also a recent note, obviously intended for the expedition tomorrow. To summarize, Gerard speculates that time will have advanced in this shadow, for it's been roughly a hundred years since he traveled through there. The expedition will have to extrapolate in their search that time has passed in this place, and much of the historical information are now only past events. Therefore in their Shadow Shifting they are to concentrate on the geographical details primarily, but bear the other data in mind.

[OOC: All this said, it begs the question do the PCs experienced with Pattern believe that this information is enough to find the place that Gerard describes? No, not really. It is rich in detail but after skimming it, they know that they could find a place where all of this criteria is met and have it still not be precisely the place that Gerard describes. That is because finding some place in shadow for a second time is a matter of perception and tied to memory. Text is not enough to convey the rich sensory stimuli that evokes enough memory for the Pattern to shape into the place you desire. For example: everyone has a subjective definition of blue when described in text. Working with Pattern is a creative and imaginative process and memories are the best tools in returning someplace. Although it bears repeating that with enough detail you could find a place that meets all of this criteria.]

Dina, in a black pantsuit that indicates she's been entertaining her city friends, starts moving as soon as it's certain the meeting is over. She strides toward the folder and her body language does not invite conversation along the way.

Drake moves to look at it as well, intending to read over her shoulder.

Miho stands next to her father, about to speak to him, when she spots Dina heading their way. At first, her expression opens in welcome, but her brow quickly furrows and she takes a step back, standing next to Gerard to meet her oncoming cousin(s).

Gerard looks up at Miho for an instant with a warm expression, the leather bound folder in his hand as if he might hand it off to her. His daughter's movement draws his attention quickly to Dina walking purposefully towards him, with Drake following in her wake. He doesn't rise from where he sits, but Dina's determined presence makes his usually merry expression sober instantly. He watches her, assessing the situation.

Dina's smile is full of the demand she doesn't want to have to make out loud.

Without a word he starts to relinquish it to Dina, but pulls it back from her and close to his chest just before she takes it. The gesture doesn't seem to be in response to her however as Gerard leans in his chair to one side, looking around the curve of Dina's hip and past Drake to some event across the room.

Dina rolls her eyes and turns to see what Gerard is looking at, giving Drake behind her a helpful, gentle hand on the side to guide him out of her line of vision.

Anyone looking behind them will notice that Eric still stands against the far wall near the doorway, watching expressionlessly. Dierdre puts a hand on his shoulder and leans up to whisper in his ear. Meanwhile Julian files past them; Caine is right behind him pausing only to look between Eric and Gerard. He smirks and then is gone as well.

Dina turns back looking even more unhappy than she did before.

Gerard straightens in his seat, looking back up at Dina. He hands the folder over to her without a word. He'll reach up to put a reassuring hand on Miho's arm.

Anyone looking back again will notice that Eric departs the room completely. Dierdre heads towards Obi and Diomedes.

[OOC: This post happens during Obi and Diomedes thread, and Deirdre moves from this thread to that one. Those three are within ear shot of this one. Eric, Julian, Caine, Bleys and Rosalind are now gone from the room. The contents of the folder will be put in it's own thread to reduce post length. Any of the three PCs may move to read it, provided Dina does not act to prevent it.]

Dina scans the contents pretty quickly. She flips the folder closed and hands it back to Drake.

Drake takes the folder and reads it, considering places in shadow that he has explored, especially places that are close to what is described.

Dina leans in toward Gerard and speaks quietly, but not so quietly her cousins can't hear. "If you want the bambini to leave, there are many ways you and Caine could have done that without invoking my father. When this turns out to be a fool's errand, you're going to have one very unhappy micetto on your hands, Uncle."

Miho's eyes flash, but she does not speak to defend her father's choice. He can better do that himself.

Drake listens for Gerard's answer as well. It's an option he's considered. He'll ask his father the same question later.

Gerard sits up and leans towards Dina as well, so that he is face to face with her. In such a pose one might realize how very much Gerard resembles Corwin, except that his face is broader and jaw heavier with a closely trimmed beard.

He looks her straight in the eye as he says in a voice every bit as quietly determined. "Tell me Corradina, are you more bothered by the fact that this could be a waste of time, or by the possibility it isn't? You're the one who could make the difference between success and failure."

If anyone close to Gerard notices, Deirdre turns slowly to regard Dina.

"Could I? I've never met the man - Obi has a better chance of finding him than I do. Honesty, honesty, honesty, let me bring a little into the room. Of course the idea that he's alive bothers me. It raises thousands of questions and disrupts my entire life. What bothers me more, though, is the idea that he could be alive, and you didn't bring me your information, such that it is," she adds scornfully, "all those years ago. What does that tell me? I don't think I'd care for whatever answer you might give me. Excuse me."

And with that Dina will turn and make for the exit.

Obi watches Dina's exit and then leans over to kiss his mother on the cheek and pass some words with her.

He rises and with first a nod to Diomedes, and then parting smiles for Miho, Drake and Gerard, follows Dina from the room.

Miho remains silent still by Gerard's side. she glances at Drake to see what he might add once he has looked through the folder.

He raises his eyebrows at the end of the exchange and pointedly ignores it. "Have you done any drawings, Uncle Gerard?"

Diomedes gives a glance to Deirdre, nods, and then heads over to Drake, Miho and Gerard, patiently waiting his turn to look at the folder himself.

Deirdre accompanies Diomedes.

Gerard watches Dina and Obi depart. Drake's question draws his attention back, and he sighs and sits back in is chair. "No, no I haven't. I never thought to do any. Julian had his doubts that this particular search was going anywhere, and it wasn't until later that I started to think that we actually were on the right track. I'm still irritated with myself that I didn't."

He looks over at Deirdre and then rises to his feet. He puts a hand on Miho's shoulder and gives her the lightest of squeezes, just to let her know that he has not forgotten his daughter, standing there by his side.

"That journal alone won't do the trick Drake. It will help, if he's stayed put." He rubs his beard. "It's a thin hope, but I thought it was better than just trying to walk to some place where he might be. You will have to try to find him, and you will need Obi and Dina to help if you're to have any real chance."

"A word with you Gerard..." Deirdre says.

Miho looks up at her father. "If you join me on Widow's Wave for dinner," she says quietly, "I would enjoy breaking bread with you before I leave." She slips her arms around him in a quiet affectionate hug, then steps away to let Deirdre gain his attention.

Gerard slips his arms around Miho in return and gives her a fatherly hug. "Of course, I'll see you tonight." He ends the hug with a light pat on her shoulder.

Gerard will then gesture to the exit and reply to Deirdre, "Shall we?" He crooks his arm for her to take his. In response Deirdre cocks one eyebrow in his direction, looking from his arm to his face. He gives her a conciliatory look. After a moment she slips her arm into his.

"Alright then," Deirdre answers Gerard's question, both spoken and unspoken. They make their farewells to the others still left in the room and then exit together.

Instead, Miho's own attention turns to Diomedes and Drake.

"May I?" Diomedes asks Miho and Drake, making the beginnings of a motion to view and inspect the folder's contents.

Drake hands the folder to Diomedes.

Diomedes begins looking through the information, flickering his eyes on frequent occasions to Drake and Miho both.

[ooc: at this point, Miho hasn't seen the folder, so she is now waiting her turn for that. *smiles*]

Miho glances at Drake while Diomedes looks through the folder, her gaze questioning whether he will remain and talk, or whether he, too, is leaving.

Drake says "Anyone want a drink? I'll be back in a moment."

"Please," Miho requests.

He heads that way and pours something for himself (and anyone else who is staying who asks).

Diomedes shakes his head. "Already have one, cousin." Thanks. Diomedes reads quickly, nodding at a couple of points to himself.

Perhaps catching something in her gaze, Diomedes closes it, and presents it to Miho, with a nod and a smile.

"My thanks." Miho gives a nod and then sits in the chair Gerard vacated, so she can open the folder across her lap while she sips at the drink held in her other hand. "What do you think, cousin?" she asks quietly, glancing up to include both Diomedes and Drake in the question.

"My experience in shifting shadow is only moderately greater than yours." Diomedes begins, with a slight bow to Miho. He finally sits down with the remainder of his drink and takes a sip of it before continuing.

"I think it will take those who are far more experienced with finding things in shadow." Diomedes at this point gives a nod of the head to Drake. "and those who have stronger ties to Corwin, and even memories of same, for us to have a chance of finding him."

"Personally, I think we two, and Rosalind, are the Patroclus to their Achilles." Diomedes says to Miho. He then looks at Drake.

"What do you think, our cousin famed for your adventures in Shadow far and wide, to both sandy beaches and mountains most high?"

[OOC: I think I need not to speculate in ways that Caine will answer for me in the next scene. smile ]

Drake looks at his cousins. "Have you ever returned to find a person you left in shadow? Not via shadow paths, but back via step-after-step patternwalking?

"How many right places could you have reached, that had that history? If you were a year out, how did you choose if your friend was still there, still married to the same man, still working for the same lord,

"You could walk to a shadow where your friend found a buried treasure cache and or had been stabbed in a brawl in a bar. Both are valid. But if you don't think about those details, you'll find her anyway.

"I think a lot of making this work will involve not thinking about it too much."

He tosses back his drink.

Miho has looked back down at the folder after her question, looking through it as she listens to the responses, and now she looks back up. "So you believe experience will only be detriment to our task," she muses. "We will carry with us familiarity, desire, and innocence. When we find him, how shall we prove it is him indeed, and not only that which we believe we seek?" She looks to Drake at this. "I only think aloud, cousin. I admit, I have never sought to return to a place or a person where I have been before, save when sailing aboard my father's ship. And then it was he who navigated."

"We try to kill him. If we fail, he's Corwin." Drake sips his drink and smiles. "Probably not the worst plan, but too much risk and effort. I think that may be a good question to ask of those who knew him better.

"The only idea I have is to check nearby shadows. While a real Corwin is immortal, a shadow of the real Corwin may not be. The one with the longest history is our target.

"On the other hand, a difference that is no difference is no difference. At a certain point, it's a duck, and if it's not, then we're close and we keep trying." "Obi, I think, will be a key." Diomedes says. "I am not enthused on the idea of trying to kill a shadow Corwin. "Obi, on the other hand, should be able to spot a real from a fake, since I understand he squired with him."

Miho nods thoughtfully at this.

"I wonder if magical tests might be useful." Diomedes muses. "Something to think about as we sail outward into shadow." He looks at Miho and smiles.

"We may get yet our chance to sail into shadow deep. And may our goal we all together successfully seek."

Miho smiles in return. "I would certainly prefer to be aboard ship as we travel, as I am certain, both of you might as well." She looks to Drake. "I see risks as well in any physical ways to prove that what we find is, indeed, Corwin. Yet i will admit that so far, more esoteric methods elude me. I will need to think on it."

She nods to both, almost a small bow, the folder still held in her arms. "I will see if my Father has any additional light to shed when I speak with him later. It will be best to go forth as fully armed as we may." She takes a step back, the nod and words clearly the beginnings of a farewell.

"In all senses." Diomedes agrees, replicating the bow like nod to Miho. "Until the morning, then, Miho."

Diomedes turns to Drake. "I suppose we two must also now need depart, to prepare ourselves as well."