Asmark’s Diary part 1: An Orphan on his Uppers

In The Doom that Came to Amber

Asmark’s mum dies. Her lawyer advises him that she has not left a will, and claims that mum failed to make one in spite of several reminders. This did not correspond with what his mother had told him. Initially he tried to see if he could find a suitable position via his Malmsey school friends. However, they all seemed suddenly disinclined to help. Asmark returned to the lawyer for suggestions and got an introduction to Odo Gulman in the Office of the Golden Circle.

Asmark attended his appointment. ‘Mr. Gulman’ did not see him on time, and he was still waiting when Lady Bathsheba arrived to take over as Steward. When Lady Bathsheba ordered Gulman to take on more staff, Asmark was immediately engaged on unspecified terms. Shortly after this, ‘Mr. Gulman’ and the receptionist (the only other member of the Office staff) left for lunch and did not return.

Asmark was minding the office alone when a lady claiming to be Caine’s widow (commonly known as Caine’s mistress) arrived to collect some of Caine’s belongings she claimed he had willed her. Asmark checked in Caine’s office and found the corpse of Odo Gulman. Asmark called the guard out and was arrested for the murder. Bathsheba demanded that he was released into her custody (which formally he is probably still in).

Asmark helped the investigation by doing a trump-sketch of the corpse in situ. The resulting Trump seemed to be a link to the moment of the murder, and gave some clues to the identity of the murderer.

Asmark had been allocated some servant’s quarters by Bathsheba, but Lord Alaric (having noticed Asmark’s artistic ability) insisted on his being allocated a guest room and invited him to dinner. The Queen expressed an interest in examining some of Asmark’s portfolio. She also discussed the problems in Eregnor and instructed Bathsheba to handle it in person.

At breakfast, Asmark met Bill Roth, a lawyer who mentioned the oddities of Amber inheritance law as it affected unacknowledged offspring like Asmark and Alaric. When Asmark explained his problem, Bill undertook to enquire as to whether Asmark’s mother’s will is registered.

Bathsheba, Alaric and Asmark embarked on ship for Kashfa. They found that they were in the company of Lord Nathan, who was travelling the same way but was not forthcoming as to why. Bathsheba embarked on teaching Asmark fencing. On arrival in Kashfa, they travelled overland to the Lyon Abbey, a fortified monastery of the Unicorn. It was decided to hold tripartite talks between Begma, Kashfa & Sapphire with Amber presiding to attempt to solve the dispute. Alaric undertook to invite Begma and Kashfa. Bathsheba (with Asmark in tow) went to Sapphire.