(From Part I)

The faithful Gaston proceeds to relate the events of the masquerade subsequent to the attack on Lucas, who listens attentively, and with growing disapprobation. At last he sighs deeply.

"Yes, well this will look very good go in the emergency room of Amber General won't it?"

"'Hello, Prince Benedict, and what brings you here today?' 'Oh, I was fighting the Moonriders - fifty of them, or thereabouts, fighting them single-handed, despatched them all, of course, but I picked up the veriest scratch - perhaps you could have a look at it.' 'Certainly, your Highness ... and what can we do for you, Prince Julian?' 'Oh, I got into a bit of a tussle with a manticore over Arden. Brought the brute down of course, slew him single-handed and chopped off his head, but his confounded tail caught me a bit of a blow, compressed my armour into my ribs. Grateful if you could take a look.' 'Of course, your Highness ... and here is Lord Lucas. What dangerous conflict have you been in, my Lord?'

"'I was hit on the head. By a playing card.'

"It lacks a certain something, don't you feel? Even when I hastily add that this was a playing card of doom, wielded by a harpy from hell ... "

Read more here ...

I: Lucas recovers: In which Lucas recovers from the attack at the Masquerade Ball

II: Letters to an invalid: In which Lucas recives communications from Olof, Paige and Vere

III: Receiving Vialle and Lilly: In which Vialle and Lilly visit Lucas

IV: Receiving Aisling: In which Aisling visits Lucas, who is still recovering from his injuries

V: Meeting Minds: Lucas receives Marius

VI: Missing Chaosians: In which Brennan, Ossian and Lucas discover that Aisling is missing

VII: Consuming thoughts: In which the family in Amber meet to dine and discuss Aisling's disappearance

VIII: After Dinner Drinks (and Considerations): In which Vialle, Lucas, Lilly and Marius discuss dreams - among other things

IX: Duties and Diversions: Lady Vesper breakfasts with Lucas and Solace

X: A Silken Encounter: In which Lucas feels sufficiently recovered to visit the Red Mill

XI: Encounter on the Rooftops: Lucas and Brennan meet on the rooftops of Castle Amber

XII: A Visit from Lady Hardwind: Lucas begins to try to unravel the mystery of the Hardwind legacy

XIII: Lucas meets a termagant: Lucas pursues an unexpected line of enquiry with Opal Hardwind
(nb) secret log

XIV: Seek and Ye Shall Find: Lucas continues his investigations into the Hardwind Legacy

XV: Catching up with the Gossip: Lucas visits his sources
(nb secret log)

XVI: A Dangerous Experiment: Lucas attempts to trump Solace
(nb secret log)

XVII: Attack Aftermath: Steps are taken for Solace's protection

XVIII: Another Dinner in Amber: Lucas informs the Family about the mysterious attack on Solace

XIX: Drinks at the Club: In which Lucas enjoys a drink with his Uncle Caine

XX: An encounter in the Library: Lucas meets Garrett

XXI: Breakfast with Maman: Lucas pays an unexpected morning call

XXII: Breakfast with the King: In which Random returns to Amber with important news

XXIII: A Visit to the Paresh: In which Lucas demonstrates an unexpected taste for religion

XXIV: A Visit from a Sorcerer and a Spymaster: In which Martin and Merlin pay a visit; sorcery and espionage result

XXV: A Visit from their Majesties: Random and Vialle come to call on Lucas, with harmonious results

XXVI: Another Dangerous Experiment: Lucas runs another dangerous experiment - with many unforeseen consequences

XXVII: Spirit Walking and Trump Reading: Lucas, Hannah and Ossian run some metaphysical tests

XVIII: Concerning the House of Sorrows: Lucas receives correspondence and plans a disappearance

XIX: Seeing things in Black and White: Lucas and Brennan have breakfast and discuss Brand and trumps

XXX: Planning with Paige: Lucas and Paige enjoy a cosy gossip (and trade insults)

XXXI: The Best Laid Plans: Lucas becomes embroiled in a crisis in the spyworld

XXXII: Tea and Talk of Thrift: Vere and Lucas meet and discuss the Paresh

XXXIII: The Children's Concert: Lucas and Solace host a Children's Concert, in aid of the orphans of Garnath

XXXIV: Fireworks in Amber: Lucas arranges a fitting finale to the concert

XXXV: Breakfast on a Balcony: Lucas and Solange take breakfast together and discuss the Hardwind accounts

XXXVI: Escape to Xanadu: In which Random takes various family members to visit Xanadu and an unexpected investment occurs

XXXVII: A Tour of the Castle: Random shows off his new castle in Xanadu to assembled relatives

XXXVIII: A Visit to Xanadu 'town': Martin and Lucas stroll down to Xanadu town and discuss espionage and other matters

XXXIX: Patternwalk in Xanadu: Lily walks the Pattern - and Lucas meets an Uncle

XL: Back in Amber: Lucas returns to Amber and makes an alarming discovery

XLI: We Must Go Down to the Sea: Lucas and Paige purchase a ship

XLII: Seeking Advice and Offering Help: Lucas visits Gerard - and ends up helping Brennan

XLIII: Catastrophe in Amber: News of Daeon's dramatic end reaches Xanadu

XLIV: Dash to Amber: Lucas makes demands - and makes a hasty return to Amber

XLV: Dealing with the Consequences: Lucas gains admittance to the Castle and prepares to face up to what he's done

XLVI: Facing up to Martin: Lucas faces Martin - and further consequences

XLVII: Making Arrangements for the Family: Lucas prepares to move his family to Paris - and fulfils a promise

XLVIII: Counting Cards: Lucas attempts to assist Cambina and Merlin

XLIX: Dealing with Business in Xanadu: Lucas returns to Xanadu and ties up loose ends

L: A Cousin's Funeral: The Family Attends Daeon's Funeral

LI: Silence in the Suite: Lucas sends his family to his mother

LII: Flirting in the Firelight: Lilly visits Lucas; a flirtation ensues and a proposal is made

LIII: Lucas receives another visitor: Robin comes to find Lilly

LIV: Planning a Voyage: Lucas and Solange meet to plan their trip to find the Paresh

LV: Another Female Visitor for Lucas: Lucas's popularity with his female cousins continues as Hannah pays a call

LVI: Setting things in Motion: Lucas sends word to Lilly - and completes a transaction

LVII: Setting Sail: Lucas, Solange and Lilly set off in search of the Paresh

LVIII: A Momentous Confession: Lucas reveals his secret to Solange

LIX: Secrets and Trumps: Lucas begins his trump of Solange

LX: The Soul of a Trump: Lucas delves deeper in creating his trump of Solange

LXI: Exploring the Wreck: Lucas and Solange reach the site of the shipwreck

LXII: Storm on the Island: Lucas and Solange encounter a storm on the mysterious island

LXIII: A Message from the Cards: In the middle of a storm at sea, Lucas gets a worrying message from the cards

LXIV: Swept Away ... to Aesir Island: Lucas and Solange find themselves shifted, perforce, to Aesir Island

LXV: Finding the Paresh: Lucas and Solange find the Paresh on Aesir Island

LXVI: Dining with the Paresh: Lucas and Solange dine with the Paresh, but remain unenlightened

LXVII: A Strange Encounter: Solange and Lucas meet a spirit and Lucas decides to climb a mountain

LXVIII: Encounter with the Oracle: Lucas meets the Oracle of Aesir and finds his own Enlightenment