Asmark’s Diary part 7: Abdication

In The Doom that Came to Amber

18th Bull 3658

Breakfast in Amber castle: There was a very good turn out, including most of the elders (excepting those indisposed) and quite a few brats. Julian took the head of the table with Bleys on his right and Benedict on his left. There was apparently considerable unity among Oberon’s surviving and healthy sons.

Julian announced that Bleys rather than Bathsheba would be taking over as Admiral of the Fleet. The duties to be assigned to Bathsheba would be decided shortly. Julian summoned Bleys, Aylwin and Asmark to discuss policy at 10am, telling Asmark to inform Aylwin. Bleys also requested a meeting with Asmark to discuss the Golden Circle.

Alaric raised the topic of the recent problems in Eregnor and seemed to annoy a very high proportion of the present company in doing so. He left conspicuously simultaneously with his mother. Asmark left after informing Bleys that he would be in the OoGC and could see Bleys at his convenience.

Asmark trumped Aylwin to inform him of the meeting with Julian. Aylwin said he would trump back presently to be brought through. Bleys arrived at the OoGC shortly before Aylwin trumped back.

After Aylwin had gone, Bleys asked some questions about the Golden Circle, but in fact seemed to already know more about the areas in question than was in the files. The real purpose of the meeting seemed to be to discuss Asmark’s paternity. Bleys suggested that Asmark (albeit he has black-hair) was one of the ‘redheads’ (i.e. Clarissa of Amethyst’s brood). He specifically denied being Asmark’s father himself, but also warned about parents lying to their children, in reply to Asmark dismissing Brand as a potential father on account of his father’s continued visits after Brand’s death.

A note from Bathsheba arrived saying she had arranged a meeting in the OoGC at twelve. Asmark informed the staff and instructed that Caine’s old office be made available.

Julian’s briefing: Julian, Bleys, Bathsheba, Aylwin and Asmark were present. Julian summarised as there being three main problem areas: 1) Sea of Sands (in need of direct intervention); 2) Ardent/Pearl (ominous developments around the time of the Patternfall War); 3) Faerie (whereas there are agreements, the Fae require continuous attention to be kept biddable).

Bathsheba, Aylwin and Asmark were to mount a diplomatic mission to Emeraldheart. Bathsheba and Asmark would then try to sort out Pearl. Bathsheba was provisionally assigned to deal with the Sea of Sands.

After the meeting, Bathsheba, Aylwin and Asmark all returned to the OoGC, Bathsheba for her meeting with Lord Grimm, Aylwin and Asmark to discuss Pearl and Ardent. About twenty minutes later they all get trump calls. Asmark’s call is from Random who demands he come immediately. Everyone (nearly all of the Elders and most of the brats) are in the Royal chambers.

Random is there and in good health. He announces that he intends to abdicate; he appoints Julian as his Regent for the interregnum. He has his own favourite of successor which he will personally attempt to find. (He does not state who but Corwin is the only person who really makes sense.) Should he fail, then there will be an election for a new King after a year and a day.

The main meeting breaks up and Random retains a smaller group to discuss other business. Random reports that Nathan was instrumental in his recovery and will be suitably rewarded.

Asmark returns to the OoGC to try to tidy things up before leaving. Here he receives a note to trump Benedict. Lacking Benedict’s trump, he visits Benedict in person. After explaining that he lacks a trump deck, Benedict remarks that this was “an oversight”, and gives Asmark his own remarking that he can get another.

Benedict tells Asmark that Queen Moiré of Rebma is dead. Martin will almost certainly succeed. Benedict considers Martin’s antagonism to the Amber royal family could cause difficulties, and that care should be taken not to annoy him. All of this was to be told to no one outside the family for the moment. Benedict instructed Asmark to inform Bathsheba. The first attempt to trump Bathsheba was resisted. A second attempt half an hour or so later got through and Bathsheba was given the message.

Later in the morning a couple of school chums (Algar Waterworth & Jomes Takatsuka) paid a visit. They seem to be making inquiries on someone’s behalf (some group of nobles). They were asking whether there was a regency and if the King was ill. Asmark confirmed there was regency, but denied the King was ill. They agreed to meet for lunch.