26.   Akin.

 

To say I’m stunned by the appearance of my great-grandfather here is rather an understatement.  I’ve heard several stories about him from my father, each one more amazing than the last.  It’s apparently true that he shows up in the most interesting places at the most interesting times.  I also know that nothing happens by accident, no matter how strange things may seem.  Or, probably more accurately, the stranger it seems, the more likely it is not an accident.

 

I don’t know how much time we have, so after checking to see if the coast is clear, I tell him everything that I can about myself and the situation I find myself in.  About the mission that King Random gave me, what I know about Elektra and Scarlett, about Aunt Deirdre, and of course, Uncle Brand.  I then ask what he’s doing here, and if there’s any way that he can help me out.  I’m sure there’s a way, of course, but figure it’d be better to ask.  Father told me that Dworkin could be a bit difficult at times.  I’m not too concerned about my own safety – once they take me out to the hanging tree, I could easily make good on my escape.  However, I’m in the middle of something much larger with Uncle Brand and Aunt Deirdre.  I’m not sure what it has to do with my original mission, but I’m not learning anything sitting here in this jail cell!

 

“Well… well…” Dworkin mutters seemingly to himself, “Brand goes to …hmm… rather fascinating places lately.  Thought it might be worthwhile to follow… but not this time… this is rather inconsequential…  As for the girl… much trouble’s brewing… the ways of the Logrus are subtle, indeed…”

 

I just shrug silently, not sure at all what to say or what to think.  Apparently my father was quite right; the old man doesn’t always make sense, to put it gently.  Go figure, who he’s talking about. Elektra?  Or maybe Scarlett?  Or perhaps he means Deirdre – of course, she’d be just ‘the girl’ to him…  And what does it all have to do with the Logrus?

 

“Gotta get outta here…  You got any trumps?”

 

Without a second thought, I draw my deck and instantly regret it as Dworkin snatches the trumps from my hand and simply disappears through one of them taking the whole deck with him.  Now what?

 

I sigh as I sit down on the thin straw mattress.  I figure that my options are rapidly dwindling.  I should’ve trumped out of this place when I had the chance, but where would I have gone?  Aunt Deirdre wasn’t that encouraging the last time I spoke to her.  I lay down and close my eyes.  Nothing really to do now but wait.  Tomorrow there will be my hanging.  Well, at least it’s when they’ll try it.  I won’t let them get that far, of course.  But, I’ll wait till I’m out of the cell to make my move.  Besides, maybe... just maybe... Dworkin will return.  Or, perhaps Viss, if Brand hasn’t got hold of her first.  But what does all that’s going on have to do with the Logrus?  I toss and turn that question about in my head as I toss and turn while trying to get some sleep.  I need to get out of here…  I need to get back my trumps…  I need to get back to my mission…

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