Alaric’s Diary part 17: The Prodigal Returns

In The Doom that Came to Amber

4^th Snake 3658 – evening

My only real surprise is that my loving Uncle Julian didn’t order my eyes gouged out immediately. It’s a penchant of his, I seem to recall. He restrained himself to a back hander and the usual threats. Flora with a look.

I picked up Paolo and returned to Amber, trusting in my elder brother not to deliver me into the arms of our family. I can see why my sense of trust has gone awry. I injured Aylwin’s ankle in a bid to escape his embrace. It splintered messily but the exposure of the Hound’s bite to the air may benefit Aylwin in the longer run. I suppose I should be flattered by the number of guards sent to hold me.

The King has returned. I don’t feel like flag waving. Dark’s right, he is dominated by the women around him – or, in their absence, by Julian. I need to persuade him to listen to me, somehow. I don’t really see a difference between Dark and Unicorn. I just know that one has attempted to harm the King – but he probably hasn’t been told that yet.

Morwaith thinks he knows her – and what to do. I still do not know if she is the right course for Amber. Maybe Dworkin and Brand had the right idea? Maybe not? Either way, I will not be here to experience it. I don’t know how the Miran forces are doing in the City. Wouldn’t be such a bad thing if they and the Unicorn’s followers simply wiped each out.

I just do not know what is happening. I will try and have Asmark come and visit me. I really want to speak to the King. Perhaps he’d don his motley again for old time’s sake? It is a betrayal of course. Dark stands for Dark – not for Trump. Not for art or anything else that I cared about – the beauty that was missing from Amber. That’s what I cared about. How does Mira think she can control him?

Morwaith came and went; gave me the opportunity to repent. I can’t. It would be hypocrisy. I miss the freedom of Pattern but I love Trump more. The bauble has been located and I am of no further use to her. She no longer loves me alas and Dark will cause her to forget me. I am to be written out. Maybe the pictures will survive. I passed the usual messages on via Morwaith.

Khitan also came to visit me. He wants to help me escape. I regarded him narrowly by the light of my gently phosphorescing arm. It is not safe for him to be here. It is not safe for me to be with him after I leave this stinking, cold, dank hole. I have no awareness of time or space. I do have a feeling of doom upon me. It’s not just the dungeons – though they are worrying enough. It may be the last day – for all of us.