Having had the priviledge of studying both the Pattern in the halls under Castle Amber and the coral-lined burrows under the palace of Rebma, I have discovered something of its design that while, undoubtedly having been discovered by some of my older siblings, is new to my understanding. While comparing sketches of the two symmetrical, inverted designs, I have found a symmetry within the seemingly meandering design itself. Overlaying the two inverted designs upon one another was what led to this discovery, and with the aid of Sir Etienne's borrowed geometry implements, I will attempt to reconstruct my findings on these pages.
The design of the Pattern [1] is primarily one moves in concentric arcs, making a line to the center with one detour, then halfway around the center circle, back in with a few arcs and around to the other side, back to the center to arc around the other half, then making a series of S-like curves in each quarter of the Pattern, moving closer to the outer rim with each section until finally you reach the circumference, right next to the beginning point. Then you go halfway around the circumference, then into the design again and back out, reaching the section known as the Grand Arc. If, by this point, you can still perservere, you start to move inwards towards the center, one more detour similar to the one in the beginning, and then to the center, completing your journey. An arduous task at best, given the resistance the Pattern offers against anyone who would assail it.
It seems that this series of arcs does carry some hidden design other than its circular meanderings would first suggest. There is a line just to the side of the Pattern's beginning, a space, going straight through to to center, in between the only four straight sections. If one unwraps the design -- that is to say, taking it apart at the gap and unbending it until it is a design of straighter lines instead of arcs [2 and 3] -- there is more easily seen a certain rhythm to the curves [4]. I have used three different colors of algae-ink to illustrate this more clearly.
I am certain that I am not the first of my family to notice this pattern within the Pattern. I have heard tales that the old man, Dworkin, that Father seemed afraid of at times, was the creator of the Patterns, so this would explain how the design seemed so planned. Then again, perhaps this trick in the design could be useful in learning how to use the power granted upon one who walked it; a hint of something to look for in using the power bestowed.