Asmark’s Diary part 17: The Prodigal Returns

In The Doom that Came to Amber

Moonday 4^th Snake – evening

I spent most of the day between Great Tullyport and the castle. There was very little I need do but there is the continuous risk of my being urgently required in either place so it is not safe to stay in one for too long.

I remembered to pass on to Algar Jomes’ message that “Sam Sheppard has called off the engagement”. This clearly means something to Algar but he seems ambivalent about it so it may not be important. I certainly have more important things to worry about than my friends’ private problems.

I also managed to trump Jomes. He has, very sensibly, evacuated himself to the family estate. I asked him if Master Whateley wanting access to the library crypt meant anything to him. We briefly discussed Sir Nairesh Khan, now Lord Miskatone. Sir Nairesh’s succession to the title was news to Jomes so he clearly is out of touch as well as out of town. He is, however, very keen to help out and he may be useful in the near future. (If I need a confidential assistant for any of the impending negotiations, he will be my first choice.)

Supper, there was an excellent turn out: Random, Julian, Gerard, Flora, Llewella, Terisa, Aylwin, Morwaith and myself. Flora seemed annoyed with Llewella or Terisa, or both, for some reason. I was particularly relieved to see Morwaith with the shoes that it is hoped to shoe the Unicorn with. He explained what he considers that we need:

-- The shoes, which Morwaith now has;

-- A suitably skilled farrier, but Morwaith believes that he is up to the task himself;

-- The Eye of the Serpent;

-- “Adam” or someone similar; at supper, Morwaith said he was necessary to wield the Eye, but it also seems that his knowledge of the ritual is necessary.

-- A blood sacrifice, preferably someone of the Blood.

Unsurprisingly the last of these requirements was not generally welcomed by the company. Although I don’t think he was mentioned by name a few at table seem to consider cousin Alaric to be the ideal candidate. Random has decided that we must attempt to open negotiations with the Mirans and wishes me to handle them.

Terisa is arranging sending grain in bulk using her mirrors. I really must find out more about this form of magic at some time, when both of us have the leisure. However now does not seem the moment, even to learn more about the lady herself.

Morwaith, with Aylwin’s help, is to arrange shoeing the Unicorn. The most immediate problem is finding the Eye of the Serpent. According to ‘Oberon’s ghost’, both in his discussions with Morwaith and on the occasion I saw him, the Eye is in the castle. It seems that there are no means of divination to find it. It will have to be a physical search.

There was some discussion of where to start. It was speculated that it is most likely in one of the unused private rooms. The rooms of Eric, Caine and Brand were offered to me as vacant. (I took Brand’s as having the best light for painting.) Presumably Eric’s, Caine’s and Deirdre’s were vacant, but I would guess Terisa now has one of these. However there could be any number of unknown cubby holes.

After dinner I collected the letter to the Caliph concerning Khitan and took it to Random. I had to wait for about ten minutes for an audience as he was in council with Julian and Gerard. It was clear when the princes emerged that both Julian and especially Gerard were not happy with the decisions taken.

The King signed the letter without further inspection and instructed that it should be sent by normal diplomatic channels rather than expedited by trump. I think this is wise. The matter must be raised but it would be better if the current crisis was over before it is. It also provides a few weeks during which it can be countermanded. I can get holding instructions to the ambassador in Cordoba extremely quickly should it be necessary. Indeed I will instruct the herald that the message should be sent by normal diplomatic post and not to use any faster channel even if the opportunity arises.

Having an audience I raised the immediate Golden Circle issues. Firstly, I asked for confirmation of the Regent’s policy on King Rinaldo of Kashfa, in light of his confession with respect to Prince Caine, that “I could negotiate on behalf of the state, but could make no guarantees about private vengeance”. The King confirmed this and added confidentially that he had no intention of carrying out that revenge himself. An interesting comment, why did he make it, especially ‘confidentially’? I take this as encouragement to hint that the King is so minded but forbidding me, as it would be a breach of confidence, to ever state it out-right.

I take it that the King currently has no intentions in that direction, wishes King Rinaldo to understand that but reserves the right to change his mind and then declare that any understanding to contrary had been my mistake. All very wise and very much as I would wish things to be. Indeed I think my instructions are currently ideal, better even than being given a completely free hand.

I also raise the problems on the Jasper/Chalcedony border. On this it is clear that the Regent has not passed on the intelligence available. I explained what I have learnt from Raymond’s (mis)adventures. It is only on my taking Khitan that the King questions my judgement. Under the circumstances I have to admit it was not ideal but can only plead that I had no option but to go immediately and only Khitan was immediately available.

My advice is that, whatever past disagreements Jasper and Chalcedony have had, neither side should imagine that this is the other’s doing. If possible they should unite to meet it. I am heartily relieved that the King will continue to handle this personally.

On the subject of the negotiations with the Mirans, I am instructed that I must avoid direct communication with Mira herself. This would have been my intention, however I fear that unless I avoid all use of Trump the Trump-Goddess will be quite capable of making direct contact with me should she decide to.

On leaving the audience I found that Gerard was waiting apparently for me. He asked me to fetch some of his chattels from his old room and then to drop by on his new room.

I got the impression that he is depressed and wants some company for the evening. I had no intention of attempting to match him in drinking, but it would have been imprudent, impolite and disrespectful to rebuff such overture. I took his key and went straight to his old room.

The room had clearly been regularly cleaned but there was a tension in the air that I did not understand. While I looked out the items that Gerard required, I tried to determine the source. Then it occurred to me; Gerard has not been in this room since Beltane and is unlikely to return to it for years but it will NOT be reallocated to another, or be disturbed by anyone. I realised that this makes it a near ideal hiding place, and that this tension might be my proximity to the Eye.

At once I wrote to Morwaith telling him that the room should be searched as soon as Gerard’s permission is obtained. I then took the chattels down to Gerard. As I set up his chess set I mentioned what I had noticed and asked his leave to have the room searched. His reaction was “go for it”, so I did.

Outside the door I met Morwaith, who has sent Aylwin and his attendant guards up to the room already. I confirmed we had permission and we immediately followed.

On arrival on the landing we saw that there is a struggle going on. Aylwin was wrestling with Alaric and the guards were moving in on them. I ran towards the fracas while Morwaith called for the guard. I heard Aylwin shout "Don’t kill him".

By the time I arrived the guards had grabbed Alaric. I made sure that they had a firm hold on him. Aylwin however was hurt. His injured foot was further damaged in the struggle and he was in agony. I unlocked the door and Morwaith carried Aylwin to Gerard’s couch.

By now the alarm was being responded to. More guards had arrived, and Flora. Alaric’s friend, Paulo, who I met in the Hung Bear, was unconscious on the floor. I had a few guards take him to the dungeon. Julian turned up, reduced the guards holding Alaric to two, then went in to check on Aylwin. By this point Morwaith had Aylwin’s bandage off and what had been revealed was appalling. His ankle had grown tentacles!

Julian told Morwaith to summon Fiona. He then stepped outside and struck Alaric so hard that he was torn from the grip of the guards still holding him and flung against the opposite wall. Julian made dire threats as to what he would do if “his son” died; this was evidently a reference to Aylwin. I don’t know if he meant this literally or metaphorically. However, if it was literal it would explain Clarissa’s comment about ‘tainted blood’.

Morwaith’s attempt to trump Fiona was not immediately successful so he asked me to try. I was expecting some reluctance and had no prospect of forcing contact, so I sat down and prepared to try for a very long time. In fact it only took about thirty seconds.

Fiona was on a beach in a bikini at what looked like a very exclusive holiday resort. I told her that it was Julian’s summons, to aid Aylwin, and the problem seemed to be beyond the competence of anyone present, and finally persuaded her to come through.

By this time the King had turned up, which prevented Julian beating up Alaric any more. Julian was instructed to take Alaric to the dungeons. I was a little surprised to hear a Prince of the realm being given such a menial task but Julian, far from being insulted, seemed to relish it. He seems to be taking it very, very personally.

The King ordered Morwaith and myself back to the Royal apartments where Morwaith revealed, in the confusion over Aylwin and Alaric, that he had found the Eye of the Serpent in Gerard’s bedroom. It had been hidden among Gerard’s socks. (Makes sense; it will be a long time before he wears socks again.)

We now have everything we need except Adam. Everyone seems to assume Alaric will be the sacrifice – Julian has already volunteered to be the executioner, heedless of the Blood Curse.

I remark that returning their ‘Prophet’ might be one of the conditions the Mirans might demand. (I am careful not to mention that this could be an argument for pre-empting the negotiations by killing him.)

It seems one of the things that we might want from the Mirans is information about the ritual to shoe the Unicorn. It is assumed that Dworkin is in with the Mirans and would know about it. However it also seems that he probably has other plans and is reputedly certifiably insane so it is far from clear if he would be willing or able to assist.

The King intends to take charge of looking for Adam personally, involving leaving Amber again. Julian will again serve as regent.

Smithday 5th Snake

I did not sleep well. The night was marred by portents of doom and recurring dreams of tentacles. On the way to breakfast I received a note from Caine’s chaplain. It was from Jasper, dated midnight last night. (Clearly the chaplain has some very rapid communications with Jasper, probably part of Caine’s network of contacts. I must have words with this man in due course.)

It seems that “unspeakable horrors” have “crossed the border from Chalcedony”, which I understand really means that even more of them have broken through into the border region. I shall have to inform the King, though I don’t think either of us will have time to attend to it in the foreseeable future. However, as the foreseeable future doesn’t really extend beyond breakfast, that isn’t really saying anything.

This morning I must attempt to open negotiations with the Mirans. Firstly I must check what my rules of engagement are:

-- I need to confirm that I am engaged in exploratory talks to seek proposals but with no authority to conclude an agreement.

-- Is there anything non-obvious that must be ruled out? (I assume offering the throne or the life of any family member of good standing is ruled out.)

-- Is there anything in particular we want? (Should I be asking for help with the Unicorn shoeing ritual at this stage, for example?)

-- Is there anything in particular to be offered? (It is difficult to imagine an agreement that does not involve relaxing the anathema. Returning/sparing Alaric may well be demanded.)

-- Is there any problem with my consulting Alaric? (I realise that he may be in contact with Mira, even if he cannot trump away, so I would have to be circumspect. I would prefer not to use him as an intermediary.)

Assuming that the King says nothing to upset my plans (and that includes if I cannot consult him for any reason), then I will ask Florimel for assistance in contacting her son, and open negotiations through Rupert. From there on, I am going to have to wing it.