A Cure for Melancholy

The personal diary of Darig, son of Lorraine, pt 15

My dreams are troubled, I move through a nightmare landscape, the features whirl and repeat. I may be travelling in circles or going nowhere. Dreams seldom trouble me but, for all its simplicity, it haunts me.

Breakfast and gossip: the new High King has cast Amblerash from the Rim and has abandoned the Serpent as the Royal cult. He has promoted Jensen to the Rim. There have been some attacks by the creatures called Hounds of Tindalos which have devastated the houses involved in the theft of the coffin. I discuss the standoff between Kalyvrita and Elektra with Demissa who thinks that the problems will resolve themselves once Rhodri has left.

Thence to the Opera House, which has of course always been there, for the duel between Margrath and Aelfric of Taud. The seconds discuss terms and Smendes of Nomon is the referee. Two circles are drawn on the stage and battle commences.

A dark shape forms in front of Margrath, a Ty'gia summoned by him, Fiona says. This is not my kind of a duel. The form moves steadily, threateningly, at Aelfric's circle and with no rush but great force overcomes first the circle and then merges into its victim. He falls to his knees, attempts a recovery and then collapses.

Margrath is declared victorious with all honour restored.

I am just discussing a portrait of Elektra with Havelock when a message is passed to us that we are invited by Melvyn (commanded, now he is High King, but he has not wholly changed) to Brứ-na-Bóinne. While travelling I get the chance to discuss family with Constance, she has the picture of Dethine and we talk of her Glamour. Torc will know the heredity but Caine is probably the best source of information.

At Brứ-na-Bóinne, now bright and shining, a welcome awaits. Tables groan under a buffet for many hungry Amberites. Melvyn asks about the Ixtramurini Houses, alas I have not made the study I would like, I would like to know what new skills and powers emerge but McCaber are straight forward warriors and Kunstkabinett have shown themselves useful.

We discuss allowing the Ixtramurini formal (but not easy) access to the Crown as that way they can be assessed but will also owe him favours.

Constance and I travel to see Caine at House Ascaris. The discussion is of Faerie and of our parentage: he suggests that Corwin rather than Julian might be her father. He seems able to embarrass her in the least possible number of words.

I am swiftly left alone with Caine. He at least knows the Green Dragon on Red; it is the House of Lorraine who he recruited, as he did with my (adoptive) Uncle Malkin, to pre-empt Corwin's search for potential allies so that the attack on Avalon would be so much more devastating.

Whilst he does not know he is fairly sure that my father must be Eric due to lack of other options at the time, confirmation would come from Tir-na-Nogth but I would need an Interlocutor, a device to speak to the spirits there.

We travel together to the Royal Chapel for Oberon's funeral. I am, as instructed, in my full colours, bright as fire, for once I let the glamour run through the armour and flame. Caine leaves me with my cousins as he is the priest at the ceremony. All the Amberites are there, all the ambassadors, all the Royal Coalition.

Valedictions are given, memories and some expressions of love. Dworkin just describing him as a 'Very naughty little boy' but his voice trembles.

In the aftermath I talk to Merlin, who for a moment I had thought might be my brother. We talk of the family and I introduce him to Havelock. When chatting to Mandor I discuss Lacey, he says he would not want her but their ability to find people and places should not be overlooked and they are spies and scouts as well as sexual predators. I have wasted time, I should have taught Lacey to fight! He knows that I have satyrs among my troops and that they can keep her entertained.

I circulate: I greet Artemis, the only one I knew before we came here, she greets me coldly but I expected that, I am male.

Alvis Lord Torc talks of Scaitha my foster mother with great respect, for all her mortal blood she is a famous warrior. He is impressed that she gave me her spear, and that is no small token. I would be welcome in the Lady's court at any time though he is not sure of the Unseelie.

Then we take our places for the procession, the coffin is lifted and Havelock takes up the Sword of State. Outside there is a crowd, including some of my troops, I can spot their red uniforms and Centaurs are hard to miss even in a Chaos crowd.

We walk to the Whispering Bridge, the three dragons we have seen before fly in formation above us. The coffin is placed on a plinth with Corwin and Ben watching over it whilst Caine reads the committal. Benedict and Corwin raise the top of the plinth so it slopes and Cymnea gently pushes it into the void.

The black dragon swoops down and catches the coffin, the Green and the Gold cry out 'Our father shall be with us from this day'. My family may be even more complicated than I thought!

I notice that Ludmilla's head is mounted in a niche nearby. Her eyes are open and she is weeping. I wipe her tears away, they are pure crystal. She tells me that she has been set there to witness for those who cannot be there.

From the funeral we go to the Colossus and watch as Havelock strikes it with the Sword of State. On this blow the statue burns slowly away to nothing.

We return to Brứ-na-Bóinne; this time the discussion is of a bride for Melvyn. With powers like Suhuy around I hope it is his choice, he will need someone who can help him to balance this old guard against the recent changes.

The main business now is to get William wed. I return to Stoneguard and dress in something a little less military and find the appropriate sash in William's colours. With Nico as my escort we attend the Duomo. The place is looking much brighter, the windows are filled with images of angels. It has a much better feel to it than last time I was here.

William arrives and an angel sweeps down from on high. An organ rises out of the floor with the organist, apparently in a space suit, playing the atonal music of chaos, though the most pleasing I have yet heard. More angels, this time Rachael and two supporters, all shiny white save that one has a black wing.

The ceremony is performed, the wine poured upon the bride and groom, though it seems too clear for even the lightest of whites and evaporates at once – raki!

Dancing commences, more formal than I am used to, very much in couples rather than lines. I dance with Nico, she says not to worry about Elektra, she will manage. I do notice that Elektra is dancing with Havelock and seems much calmer.

Gifts are presented: Benedict awards William the role of his ADC, not even a slightly subtle way of pointing out that I am: 1. Out of favour 2. Sacked.

Mandor presents horses for the journey, I present the gold chased saddles that I have had made. Presentations and toasts continue. I dance with Rachael: usual congratulations, she thanks me for the presents. I make a tasteful joke about honeymoons, not sure of the etiquette of angels. I like her, she will do him good and is practical enough to realise her ability to fly will make her a useful scout.

I dance with Elektra, she is much more cheerful now that Havelock has given her a Trump. She now thinks she will miss me and even her brother. Her next dance is with Melvyn as I dance with Zara of Moghul, uncomfortable as she spends her time glaring at Elektra who is of course dancing with the most eligible bachelor.

My next dance is with Cymnea, who assures me that Benedict will come around, I am less sure of this but hope she is right. I have grown to like her but I would still not think that she would try to sugar-coat her words.

The party becomes a little more lively: the Sirtaki is danced and sword dances, more what I expect at a wedding. Constance for some reason seems to have cut her ballgown to the length of a strophion, probably a sign that the festivities are going well.

I discover only later that William had not arranged a place for the wedding night until Sorashi came to the rescue. There was a missed opportunity to tease him.

The next day we meet again at Brứ-na-Bóinne to select the ambassador to Amber: Despil & Phaedra rejected in favour of Hector of Zigo. Our troops are now out of stasis so I check their readiness and leave Lacey with the satyrs, she seems delighted with this arrangement. I thank Demissa, Kalyvrita and especially Nico. Nico and Elektra are coming to see us off, the former I think to make sure my daughter does not hide in the baggage train.