A Day at the Races

A personal report to Julian from his daughter, Constance

Whereupon Constance is decorative on the arm of the Player King and is off-stage bait or pawn in waiting. We have a day at the races and Darig receives a weapon in curious circumstances.

My dearest Warden

Mandor has arranged for my transfer to House Pheon, where he assures me I will be more comfortable. He tells me of Dara. That she was groomed from birth for Higher Office and intended to become the Queen of Amber and is now denied this as well as the abilities of her birthright – and that her tragedy is that she is no longer of sufficient importance to be wanted dead.

I cannot help but feel that she will improve her current position. My fault is that I allowed her assumption about me to override my civility. I am no paramour but she, by her own confession, certainly played the part of whore.

After inviting me to attend a Day at the Races, Mandor escorted me on a visit to the Council Chamber where he said something of interest to me would soon commence. On arrival, we took steps up to a public gallery and I was seated where I might observe. Mandor left me to take his part in the proceedings.

The party had already divided into two distinct groups. To the left there was: a tree growing out of the wall; a serpent man wearing clerical robes and a mitre; a spider-like creature; a woman in gilded plate who bore some resemblance to Larsa; an ethereal spirit wearing a crown; a man-sized crystal which was changing colour and a Praying Mantis type creature that later changed form into that of Mantissa, the Grand Vizier. On the right hand side there was: a frog-headed man wearing fish-scaled armour and odd jewellery; a metal pentagram with a central eye that could move; a man-high flame; a rotting lich and a yard wide floating eye with tentacles.

My cousins arrived together and joined me. Mandor strode out into the Chamber and joined the left hand group. He was chided by Mantissa for his lateness, however he quickly took control by laying two charges of treason for consideration: one relating to the physical assault on William and the other to the mental assault on me. The rotting lich protested and Mandor played them all for children. He had sufficient evidence and a neutral witness for the first and brought forward a bound Mudboy for questioning. I am not familiar with the body expressions of liches but this one was uncomfortable at best moreso as its companions shuffled away from him. Having witnessed Mandor's expressed anger at first hand, I think they were very sensible.

The spider creature collapsed and took the form of Belldame Ariadne. Grand Vizier Mantissa agreed there was a case to be answered and thus we recognised the left hand group as having an interest in the Royal Coalition and the party broke up. House Spectral is in disgrace as is House Karm.

Mandor rejoined us and accepted our joint refusal to kill the King with a lack of concern that suggests to me that we will end up doing his bidding at some point not of our choosing. He also introduced me to a flaming Salamander named Podaga who was to be my escort to Stormguard, the home of House Pheon.

Podaga told me that his ways would be a little warm for me and indeed we passed through many a lava field en route. The Head of House Pheon was the Archmage Prospero and although Pheon had suffered losses in the recent battle they still had a full coven and four Rim Lords. Stormguard was a Gothic style fortress constructed of iron surrounded by a moat of burning beauty. They worshipped the Great Wheel.

I was welcomed by Ariel who showed me to my quarters, pausing only to genuflect at the Great Wheel placed upon the wall. I paused and bowed my head in respect and Ariel offered to enlighten me as to the nature of their worship at a later time.

I went to the races. The Zoodrome was astonishing in its aspect in that it was completely dominated by the Abyss. My day at the races was spent on the arm of Lord Mandor and we greeted the guests as they arrived in order of precedence cousins, elders, ambassadors and guests from the Courts of Chaos.

We cousins were of course to circulate and garner support for our cause. Alvis, Lord Torc caught my eye almost immediately and Mandor indulged my desire to meet him. I dropped into the style of curtsey I had been taught so very long ago and by that act confirmed my identity to him. His companion, Devorgilla was dressed in a manner that left little to the imagination. Little is as it seems in Faerie. Lord Torc commented on my curtsey and said that he had some doggerel that I may be able to assist him with. I smiled, replying that I'd be pleased to offer assistance yet I could feel your stare upon me and knew that we must have a conversation on the subject of Verity in the near future.

I spoke passingly to Prince Benedict who addressed me as niece and warned me not to display weakness again in the Courts of Chaos and to be prepared to personally levy punishment against House Karm.

You pointed out how quickly I'd had thrown myself at a Faerie and reminded of my previous brush with them. Your charming companion from House Karm simply glared daggers at me.

I spoke fleetingly with Gabriel of Heaven, feeling a little dumbstruck in his presence and slightly awed as to the certainty of his faith – and those wings. Oh Warden. Those wings!

I saw a woman dressed as a hunter to whom I would speak (and to whom Darig did speak) and a woman in metal armour, a Valkarie I believe. But these were small conversations in and around the races as they took place.

The creatures were paraded: a python, triceratops, Ki-rin, manticore, flying fish, skeletal horse, giant wolf, spider and lizard, predatory bird, 4-tusked elephant, robot camel and mantis. The winners were difficult to predict and yet, as Mandor smilingly informed me, there were bets to be laid. So with my imperfect knowledge of these things I now owe Mandor horse riding lessons and a tour of my favourite place in all of Amber, the Forest of Arden. He owes me access to you, Lord Warden.

I spoke passingly with Princess Flora who alongside a dress that she now owes me decided that she would educate me in some small way as to the world of Courtly fashion but only so she had someone close to her brother.

The races were nearing their close and that is when I sensed a massive vibration within the air. I looked upward, outward and observed a bubble descending towards us. The hubbub that arose from those about us suggested that this was not a planned part of the day. The bubble burst and from it stepped a form looking like cousin William but a possibly younger and very much ‘ought-to-be-dead’ William. I glanced quickly at your companion Warden, and she seemed as surprised as we did.

Alternate William stepped towards Darig and accused him of the murder of his father. Mandor went to Darig to advise him on protocol as alternate William waited with a peculiar thinnish sword drawn. As the bout progressed it seemed that this weapon gave Alternate William some advantage as Darig, whom we know to be very competent with weapons, was barely able to hold his own – let alone gain advantage.

Three sharp claps from Devorgilla caused her servants to bring forward a long wrapped package with she unwrapped to reveal a spear. She threw the spear into the ground (and as I say do not judge a Faerie by their appearance) and Darig secured it to ho hand simply by calling its name – Gae Bolg.

So, Darig was finally able to meet Alternate William with equality and drove him back to the balustrade. With any further means of retreat gone Darig simply ran him through. I glanced back to my cousin William, concerned for his well being at this strange turn of affairs. Alternate William's blood and body began to float back towards the Abyss. Mandor stepped over to Darig again and removed Alternate William's weapon for later inspection.

The final of race of this event was run. The Slizzard defeated the King's steed which is doubtless an omen. The question is for whom?