Asmark’s Diary part 8: A Funeral & a Duel

In The Doom that Came to Amber

19th Bull 3658

As agreed I went to lunch with Algar & Jomes. It seemed to me that they wished to discuss some matters in private. Accordingly I proposed a discreet establishment were we would be able to talk with reasonable confidence of not being overheard. It seemed however that they wanted to go to a more luxurious place, specifically The Hung Bear. It seems the place is rather exclusive, and they wished to take advantage of my presence to get in. I hadn’t actually been there before.

On arrival I found that Lord Alaric was there. He was wearing silver armour, so beautiful, and, untypically for him, no wig. Given that I thought a confidential chat was in order and I felt the same might be true for Alaric, I assumed that we would not be eating together. Accordingly I kept the introductions brief and informal. To my surprise, Alaric invited us to join them. Jomes made some rather fuller introductions and we all sat down.

Alaric was with an artist friend called Paulo. Jomes was clearly in two minds about this. He was clearly very keen on meeting any other family members that he could, but he equally well wanted to have a private word with me. I also got the impression that Paulo was not entirely pleased by the company, and may have been intending a tête-à-tête with Alaric. Paulo, it seems, is an artist and, he and Alaric are planning an art college.

Jomes and Algar gave me some news of the fencing team. Most of this was not new as I had had most of it from Raymond when he had visited at Beltane. However they did say that Falasia was moving to stay with her aunt in northern Amber for the social season. Jomes was angling for a job in diplomacy. Algar was looking for something military. Alaric suggested that Deirdre might have some openings and offered Algar an introduction.

Towards the end Algar came out with at least one of the private matters, and asked me if I would be his second in a duel. A little awkward as it is formally illegal and I really don’t know what the Regent’s attitude is. However the family has never been that much of sticklers for the rules, so I agreed, stressing the need for restraint.

After lunch I returned to the OoGC and found Princess Bathsheba waiting. She would like my assistance in generating a trump of Wolfmorland. This seemed entirely sensible, and I agreed with the caveat that more pressing duties might prevent me. I promised to warn Bathsheba immediately anything arises. However assuming there are no problems, the plan is that Bathsheba will ride to Wolfmorland and trump me through, to paint the trump.

Bathsheba also mentioned that Lord Nathan had been looking for me. I tried and failed to trump Nathan, so sent round a note to say that I would be in the office for the rest of the afternoon.

Nathan paid a visit to discuss the Sea of Sands, which he has been appointed to deal with. I think his title is Warden of the Sea of Sands. I showed him what we had on file. I also offered the use of the OoGC trump to get to Cordoba and to introduce him to my contact there Amed Na’tyr.