An informal discussion between Asmark, Lord Littoral of Amber, Overseer of the Golden Circle and His Excellency Khitan, Cordovan Ambassador to Amber, in Lord Asmark’s private chambers at midnight, 3^rd Snake 3658.

In The Doom that Came to Amber

Asmark began: “On further reflection, I think it would be very unwise to trump Alaric through to Amber for two reasons. Firstly Alaric has been declared traitor and trumping him to the castle would be treason. If discovered it is unlikely your diplomatic cover would be adequate to save you.

“Secondly I have sworn to Prince Bleys that I "will have nothing to do with any harm being done to Alaric". Bringing him to Amber will inevitably put him in appalling danger, especially if he has daft ideas like trying to purloin the Jewel of Judgment. So in Alaric’s best interests, I must ask you not to consider it.”

Khitan took a sip from his wine and replied: “Alaric is effectively trapped in a pocket universe. It seems that the only way in and out is by Trump and Mira has complete control of Alaric’s trumps. The only way I could get out was to agree to help Alaric into the castle, but I consider that I had no alternative.

“As Alaric is trapped it is quite likely that he will have to attempt to enter the castle on his own eventually, as Mira may not permit him any other exit from his pocket universe. I believe that Alaric has two trumps depicting locations within the castle. One in the gardens and one in his own chambers. He wanted to investigate Nathan’s chambers.”

Asmark: “Well I am rather surprised and very much heartened. A pocket universe which Alaric cannot get out of is pretty well the ideal location for Alaric at the moment. None of those likely to kill him on sight can murder him and he cannot cause any more trouble. I hope it is reasonably comfortable there, as he is, if I am having anything to do with it, going to be staying there until all of this has blown over.

“I realise that a promise is a promise, and I would never ask a man of honour to break his word. However I must ask, did your promise specify a time-scale? If the promise was made under duress, as this seems to have been, then I would have not problem at all with asking you to keep merely to the letter of it. If there was no time-scale, I would heartily beseech you to keep your promise in a couple of months’ time.

Khitan: “I believe that the agreement was ‘as soon as possible’. However it seems unlikely that Alaric would be too happy if I had trumped him through up to now as I have been under constant surveillance. I shall eventually apologise to Alaric for not assisting him in his scheme, but for now it’s probably best to let him wait a bit.”

Asmark: “You might consider speaking to Alaric and expressing the foolhardiness of attempting to enter the castle, and the incomparable advantages in taking a holiday. I could arrange for some of the Palace Guard to be in the background while you trump him so as to emphasis the point.

“Indeed if you are not willing to promise not to trump Alaric here until his death warrant has been rescinded, then I regret that I will have no option as a loyal servant of the crown but to have you escorted by guards at all times that you are in the castle. That is an inconvenience I would rather not inflict. However if it is the only way of inhibiting Alaric’s suicidal plans, then I will do so.”

Khitan: “I promise not to trump Alaric into Amber castle without your permission. How’s that?”

Asmark: “Thank you, that is entirely reasonable.”

Khitan: “It is not my intention to help Alaric as I believe his plan of destroying the Pattern and recreating it elsewhere would not work. Well, it might work, but I think it would probably destroy most of what we know. Also Mira seems to be an unpleasant egomaniac and whilst, I cannot fault her artistic instincts, I feel that that is not enough to define a spiritual wellspring, which is what she would have to be if she were to replace the Unicorn.”

“It is interesting what ‘Oberon’ (if it was he) said about Roger. Why would he think Roger’s writings so important? If I were you I would spend an hour at least later tonight examining his works. He seemed to be writing about us. Perhaps he is a seer of sorts, in which case it could be useful to see what he writes.

“It is also interesting that Roger spends so much time, so near to the Pattern. Perhaps his stories are reflected in the shadows..., but let me stop myself. I am rambling now. Make sure he has plenty of ink and paper.

“Another interesting point is that if Oberon has control of Zircon then he is responsible for Gerard losing his legs. Presumably he wanted to remove Paulette’s influence over Random by force. In which case I assume that Zircon’s forces can now be relied on as an ally of Amber?

“As for this night, I would like to do two things. Firstly I would like to inform Random of some information regarding the possible location of Corwin, but I fear that if I talk to him over Trump then Mira will know that I am not helping Alaric and the Mirans will then start to advance other schemes where currently they wait for my assistance to Alaric.

“It might be best if I write a description of all that I know regarding Corwin’s location and that you then hand the note to Random while I am out of the room.

“After that I think I shall have to try and accelerate the arrival of the Cordoban troops, by the use of magic.

“While I am away I think there are two things you should do before breakfast, if you don’t mind my making some suggestions? The first is to inform Bathsheba that Alaric says that a third force is to attack Amber.”

Asmark: “I can inform Bathsheba. However given the paucity of the detail and the low regard she has of Alaric as a source of intelligence, I very much doubt she will pay it the least of attention.”

Khitan: “You may be right. But it can’t hurt for Bathsheba to have all the military intelligence that’s going.

“The threat is corroborated by Oberon saying that a week would be too long for the Cordoban troops to arrive.”

Asmark: “I took this merely as meaning the crisis will be resolved, one way or another, by then; nothing more.”

Khitan: “Bathsheba needs to know as much as possible if she is to plan a defence of Amber. She will need to call up reserve troops etc. Also she needs to know that the Mirans (through Alaric) could trump troops into the castle.”

Asmark: “That is a threat she probably will take seriously.”

Khitan: “The other thing is to read Roger’s writing. We may soon be too busy to have an opportunity to read so time is not to be wasted.”

Asmark: “I will consider that in the morning.”

Khitan: “Sooner or later Mira will turn off all our trumps.”

Asmark: “Perhaps. However if she can do that then I am rather surprised that she has not already done so.”

Khitan: “Oh, yes – don’t forget to activate Oberon’s agents.”

Asmark: “Have you any idea what is meant by this? I don’t.”

Khitan: “I think he said Rael and Canaan. I don’t know what their missions might be, but I guess they do. Probably there are some nobles that are known to be allied to the forces opposing Oberon and Rael and Canaan will act against these.”

“Do you think it is possible to bring an elephant through a Trump? I was considering bringing the Cordoban troops through by trump and they have some highly trained elephants with them. Perhaps it would require some extra psychic power source to help.”

Asmark: “I suspect that it is possible, but would be very difficult. I wouldn’t try it on my own. If it is possible I think it would definitely have to be a team effort.”

Khitan gives Asmark his note for Random and leaves the room so that he is not present while Asmark trumps the King.

Note to Random: ‘The Knight of Swords from the Zephyra-Asperage tarot deck, probably intended to be Corwin: A man dressed in black and grey holds a sword in his right hand whilst testing its edge with his left. He seems thoughtful of expression. Upon his shoulder squats a raven. He stands under a facetted dome of opaque blue glass.

He is courageous, strong and skilled at arms. He needs adversity to show his true strength and may bring adversity, even war, just so he can shine. He seeks after omens and portents and then blithely ignores them if they do not suit his intentions but his judgement has grown during his years of privation and now some might call him wise. He fears imprisonment, physically or by duty, yet as fate would have it, he suffers both in full measure.

‘Good luck with your search. If you are having any difficulties or are making slow progress then let Asmark know and we will try to help. Your mission is vital, but it would help matters here if you could return briefly to make a rallying speech to the nobles. Perhaps some other member of the family could act as a marker wherever you are whilst you visit us here. Amber is about to come under heavy attack. If you can find Corwin then return with large forces.’