After the Fat Lady Sings

A personal prayer to the Unicorn from Constance, daughter of Julian, pt 8

Blessed Horned Lady, please keep my Father safe!

There. I have said it. I needed to say it. To remind myself of why my Lord Warden is so important to me. Princess Deirdre said Prince Julian must be rescued because he is a Prince of Amber. My emotions were controlled but internally I screamed that he must be rescued because he is my father. He’s more than just a Prince of Amber. He is MY Father. Without him Arden will be further endangered, Amber will be more at risk and I will be bereft without the only constant in my life. That is all Lady. Please keep my Father safe.

I awoke within a dream. I was initially unsure as to my exact state – there is a thin veil between the two states in this place. Indeed, is dream just another place, rather than a State? – or reached by way of a state? I woke because of the drumming. Iron hooves. Morgenstern. They cannot be mistaken. Quickly dressed, booted and armed I left immediately in search of my Father’s mount. I went to the Hall of Memories and then followed the sound onward, whistling as I went to let him know that I was coming.

I passed through darkness and found myself at the foot of House Karm. There is a cave here and I stepped through the darkened entrance to follow the source of the drumming iron hooves. It opened into a natural cave chamber steeped with multi-faceted gems that made best use of the small natural light available and that light was reflected marvellously around. It is breathtakingly beautiful. I turned at a familiar neigh and there he was, Morgenstern at last!

I awoke again. I pinched myself to check that I was awake. I had work to do this day. I followed my familiar morning rituals in this place. Ariel waited at breakfast for me for me, as always, and space was made so I might sit by him.

I asked him about the Opera: he cannot name the authors, although my suspicions are clear in this at least. The Opera House has been removed by the Orders of the High King and those involved in the production are either dead or have ceased to have ever existed.

Ariel moved others away so we might speak more privately. The Order of the Deniable Moth has been disbanded – again by the Order of the High King but doubtless at the instigation of one of Houses closest to him. Bo of Shang only joined the Order recently – and almost certainly to kill William. Well, he failed.

Ariel asked quietly if I would be interested in a small gathering of like-minded beings and I was pleased to say yes. We can meet under many names, none of them formal, and still achieve the former Order’s aims.

I talked about William – and asked why he should be held culpable for the death of the Moth when, according to the Opera, the High King and his current allies were the culpable party and William was their tool. Ariel thought on this and we must speak further on it. I talked through the process of taking a complaint about House Karm directly to Lord Mandor. Ariel didn’t really understand my argument regarding my Lord Warden not actually having been present at the Opera. “If it looks like a Dodo and sounds like a Dodo – then it is a Dodo.” I explained that it didn’t sound like a Dodo to my ear. And my ear is very familiar with the speech mannerisms and cadence of that particular Dodo – my Lord Warden, who is, I trust not a Dodo.

We talked for some time. We’ve never really discussed Pheon’s part in the War – and I would know more of the relationship within and between the Lesser Houses. Ariel has once referred to politics within House Pheon but I realise that I have been thinking and treating the Houses as though they are one entity – one voice. They are not – and neither is there one voice in the Houses (well maybe for some of the Rimlord Houses).

I then asked Ariel what he knew about Argent, Abbadon and Unseelie. Those three technological threats to Arden named by Margrath’s Order. Argent, Ariel named as a colour, a silvery white, and I knew that from lessons in Heraldry from my Lord Warden but my immediate thought was the silvery white colour of the airship in my nightmare. Unseelie and Abbadon he had little knowledge of and suggested I speak to House Zigo – who travel widely in the Far Realms.

We talked about how information works or is held within Chaos and Ariel suggested I speak with House Cyril or perhaps to Dworkin himself?

We talked of Brand and I asked if the late Prince had any particularly relationship with a Rimlord House. I was pleased that Karm was not mentioned.

Finally, we talked about demons. Demons are individuals and a compact is a binding. Some Demons cannot be negotiated with at all and compacts must be done by a Demon Lord. There is a great difference between a Demon Lord and a Lord of Hell. I do not want to pick deeply at this point. Ariel again confirmed that it takes time to summon demons.

I asked permission to meet with Lord Torc within Pheon’s Ways and Ariel agreed and said he would make arrangements. I thanked him sincerely for the kindness and hospitality of his house – though Ariel is the only member of the House I have really met with. I remember feeling wary around Caliban and determinedly not letting him get too close to me – there was little conversation from him. He seemed overawed and I was nervous. I did not pursue conversation and this was impolite, if self preserving.

I left with Podaga on the hunt for the finest horse I know. We went first to the stables and there was the evidence that he had got free. I looked sadly at my still and silent Morning Star and we pushed on for House Karm.

I failed to properly analyse my dream. Podaga was clearly conflicted. He was under orders to see that I was not harmed in any way and yet I was insisting that I get close enough where harm could bite me. There was a degree of risk. There always is, but I am Arden-trained and knew that my training and skills were more than enough to mitigate the risks despite the protestations of my poor Demon. Of course there was danger. It was testing and exhilarating at the same time. Another chance to use my skills and be certain of my ability – Constance of Arden. She who is a Ranger and the Ward of the Warden of Arden.

So I scouted a way through to the base of House Karm, through the graveyard, the soft ground, the mists and the stench of Undead. Karm’s sentinels were foul, but I bested them. I grinned a little to myself but – I also bested myself.

I got to where the cave had been in my dream and there was no cave. No entrance – and I checked for concealments and kept a wary eye on the half corpse that was sniffing after my trail. I knew I could not risk a spell to cover my scent. Most of all, there was no churned up ground. When I returned to greatly relieved Podaga and he patiently asked me where I had last seen Morgenstern? I described it and he said “Ah the Crystal Caves! They are this way.” I blinked and shook my head in disbelief at my stupidity.

They were as enchantingly beautiful as they had been in my dream. More beautiful was the distant sound of neighing. A lot of walking climbing and scrambling brought me to my trophy. I chirruped and he whickered in recognition. I believe we were both pleased to find each other. His pleasure did not go as far as letting me mount him. He skittered about and it occurred to me that I had only mounted him with my Lord Warden present and the time to push this matter was not now. I scratched him under his chin, spoke soothingly to him and, despite the presence of a Demon, we walked, climbed and scrambled our way back out. I noted that Morgenstern, unlike me, could sense the correct path to take in the Courts. Is this part of his intrinsic make up I wondered or something he had been imbued with during his creation.

We walked on to the Duomo to gift Darig some wine-like cheer. Podaga cannot enter the Duomo with me. Demons are not permitted here (unless of course you are the High Priest and conducting a ceremony that includes an awful lot of demons). I brought Morgenstern in with me. We are good company for each other and I did not want him to go off seeking my Lord Warden again unaccompanied.

There was a queue to see the exhibit in the Sanctuary but with Morgenstern at my side we quickly worked our way through it. Darig, consummate soldier, had made himself as comfortable as he could. I passed him a bottle of wine and expressed my hope that he will be soon be released. I also relieved him of an apple and offered it to Morgenstern who consumed it readily enough.

We left the Duomo and there was a meeting of cousins. I saw Margrath first and then William’s demon, DeLambre. William was delivering cushions to Darig. DeLambre congratulated me on my successful performance in the Opera and I was taken aback. Demons have personalities and again, should be viewed as compacted individuals rather than an amorphous mass. I thanked him, taken aback and slightly blushing at his compliment and I find myself again wondering about the compact with Demons. Some serve because they are bound. Others?

Margrath and I talked about my Lord – my Father’s captivity and the possibility that his spirit may be held separately from his person. I am hoping that he is only drugged. Where this place or state might be is conjecture. Margrath is very knowledgeable about spirit matters. If he says that there is a possibility of a pocket shadow of Dream here then I would be foolish not to consider his words.

William joined us. We briefly updated each other on activities and begin to talk about Karm when William received a Trump call from Havelock. He also accepted it. I wonder what the formal etiquette is for such an occurrence? He then brought Havelock through to us via Trump. Havelock was talking to William about card readings and why we shouldn’t commit to an all-out attack on House Karm. Well no. That would lead to far too many unnecessary deaths – and William has a lead to advise him further on this.

As a result of the Opera conclusion, our Elders are under some kind of a curfew – which leaves us (and them via Trump I suppose) free to pursue our interests in Chaos. There is also a realisation that if Mandor wants us to kill the High King then we have a bargaining point to gain his support for the Lord Warden’s release. I discuss Morgenstern and the Opera with Margrath as Havelock runs William through the family Trump deck. I wonder how different his interpretation of the family is from the one I received?

Whilst speaking with Margrath, a spirit creature appeared before him. A ‘sending’ I believe they are called. I drew my blade in a precautionary way but swiftly sheathed it when I realised its purpose.

We were to contact Princess Deirdre. Havelock did so and she invited all of us to join her and Sorashi for a meal in Cloud Nine. William and I walked there following our respective Demons and with Morgenstern walking alongside me. On arrival, he was much admired and I spent longer than was probably polite rubbing him down and seeing him fed and comfortable. The needs of your mount always come first.

Princess Deirdre had prepared the meal – which was enticing – by her own hands and I looked again at this Princess with the martial reputation. Like her sister, she too had found a skill with which she could occupy herself. There was no doubting her ability. She expressed dismay at the holding of her brother – much as she didn’t particularly like him, he was still a Prince of Amber.

We were told that Sorashi had been attacked – again. Outside the Alhambra that she inherited after she mercy-killed the last incumbent. Presumably the two matters are linked – but that is twice that she has been seriously attacked and cause for concern for her. She did not accept our invitation to join us on a visit to Mandor – perhaps she wishes to recover from her attack in the company of her Mother?

Havelock again raises the subject of his lack of a Trump for his female cousins. I demur to Sorashi. Havelock is all charm but I clearly remember Father’s cautions about trusting red heads. I do not want him in my head.

Havelock Trumped through to Mandor’s brother, Despil, and after passing Margrath through he too passed through the Trump to speak with Mandor. William and I, with our entourage, walked the longer route to Woodstock. I tied Morgenstern up outside Woodstock. He was much admired by Mandor but I am sure he would not be quite so admiring if he met Morgenstern in battle – unlikely though that would be!

Mandor told us at length how he prefers Magical Arts to a blade and I caught a look on Despil’s face that I couldn’t altogether read but it did suggest that he was acting for our benefit.

Mandor explained that he had been working all day to expedite Darig’s release from Sanctuary. He asked if we knew the authors of the Opera – we assured him that we do not but I am pretty certain that my guess would hit the mark.

I explained my behaviour in the box to him and he was prettily dismissive of any need for explanation and reminded me of how difficult I had made Karm’s position when I had left House Spectral. Regardless, I am sure that there is another tally on my favours owed board. He believes that Karm felt it best or most expedient to deal more directly with my Lord Father.

He gave us a run down on the noted Lords within that House. The principal Lord hates us all – but there are fractures within the house. I listened keenly. Although the Head of the House hates us for the insult and deaths of years and years ago, others hate us less keenly. Rikard is one of the names mentioned. So we are to look for and exploit the political fractures in the House and exploit them to our benefit. Is this Havelock’s diplomatic solution? Quite possibly.

Mandor then went on to point out that the downfall of the Senior members of House Karm could, potentially leave a political vacuum among the Rimlord Houses – and one that might be filled by a House even less well-favoured to our immediate and longer term interests. He is of course quite correct – I am sure that he doesn’t want to face the kind of change that might block or postpone his personal rise in influence.

We headed back to our respective houses: ranger, horse and demon. House Pheon is able to provide accommodation for Morgenstern and after I get him comfortable and haltered, and not wanting him to set off in on his own again, I settle myself down to spend the night in his stable. I drift off comforted by the scent of his coat and troubled by the lack of intelligence on my Father and of the questions and links between Argent, Abbadon and Unseelie.