Aylwin’s Diary part 14: The Battle of Vine Street

In The Doom that Came to Amber

2nd Snake 3658

My first act on waking is to require a gig to be prepared; the only one in Base Camp has a broken wheel. I can drive much longer than I can ride with my foot like this. The time that will be saved is worth the wait to bring it from a nearby manor.

As I tuck into breakfast Asmark arrives to congratulate me on my appointment, it seems that I am now Constable as well as acting Warden. I write my report for Julian, Asmark will take it; I will not be in Amber for nearly a day.

There are apparently huge riots in Amber. Asmark and Khitan return. Since I have no quicker way to get there I wait for the gig. I will take 150 rangers, all that can be found horses at short notice. Why is it when you need transport in a hurry there are always two extra patrols out!

Three hundred and fifty more rangers will follow on foot, I doubt they will get there in time but it can do no harm. There will be enough left to guard the depot.

3rd Snake 3658

The rangers and I ride through the night. I know the road well and the gig holds up to the harsh treatment. The sky is red with the dawn as we reach the gate of Amber. There is a Royal courier already waiting, we sound horns and demand entry in the King’s name. Convinced the gate is unmanned I am just discussing what rope we have to put a grapple on when a voice calls to us. “Do you worship the Image or the Horn?” Since the king’s name does not suffice I gamble on the reply ‘Horn’ and we are admitted.

We ride through the city: it is in chaos; two out of three windows are broken, there are signs everywhere of looting and fighting. We ride through, the people we see seem sullen and resentful but no one tries to hinder our passage. When we reach the bottom of Vine Street, bodies are piled all around; there has been a battle here and a bloody one.

Before the first turn is a barricade manned by Bathsheba and a couple of hundred Royal Guard. She gives me a briefing on the night’s events: they won but it was costly and Julian has fallen into a coma, apparently after using the Jewel of Judgement for too long. None of the family who are here were present at Eric’s death and saw how it seemed the Jewel was sapping his energy then. It also turns out that I have been made Constable, what a lovely moment to take on the post!

We ride up to castle. First I make sure that men are quartered, horses stabled and both fed, then I head to breakfast. I insist that unless attack is imminent the men need at least six hours rest. Bathsheba is at breakfast with Asmark and Khitan, the main topic of conversation is the Regent’s state of health. Since I have the most recent medical knowledge I will examine him as soon as I have eaten.

Khitan propounds a theory that the Unicorn is becoming more and more wild and has been for some time, probably since Oberon’s death. It needs to be brought back under control. I think that that was first done when the Pattern was made and I suspect that it was a function of the Jewel. The first step would be to attune the Jewel but who, next only Dworkin, would know! Khitan thinks that the Unicorn might have to be ridden (in what sense of the word!) but it seems a bit small for that.

Peter arrives, his face scarred from last night’s battle, we discuss his actions and I send a servant to the armoury to fetch a steel-lined felt hat in his colours. If he wants protection and discretion, it’s a good piece of kit.

After breakfast I go visiting the sick. They have set Julian up on a saline drip, which I change for glucose. His pulse is strong, his breathing even, both good signs, but he still seems impossible to wake. Since there is no one else to do the paperwork I head to the Regent’s office. As Constable my duty will be to deal with the trial of Deidre’s nobles but dealing with the riots must come first.

Two message hawks are awaiting Julian: nothing so simple as a message tied to their legs, I try to find out their message but they are wild and vicious, a little more blood spilt for Amber. They settle when they are taken to Julian but will not speak in any way that I understand.

I grab a few hours sleep and then check once more on Julian’s condition, unchanged, then set out for the Regent’s office. In the corridor it crosses my mind that a sleeping man is little protection for one of the most vital things in the castle, I return and collect the Jewel of Judgement.

In the office I set to on the paperwork, nothing much more urgent than riot and religion! I send messages as Constable to all the militia officers; despite the carnage, most will be in their homes without any orders. They will know how to contact their troops. I doubt that, despite the impression of total breakdown, if even 10% of the city has been involved on any side beyond defending their homes.

We must contact Bleys, Asmark’s job I think. We must rally the forces for Amber; even without King or Regent we must fight. I send a message to Bathsheba because she is going to be leading the fight and then start to sort the paperwork. Paperwork! It’s like moving Kolvir with a spoon!