Peter’s Diary part 9: The Fae Summit

In The Doom that Came to Amber

The 23^rd Day of Bull in the Amber calendar

I rise early and test my powers with a familiar source. The sweet delights of Faerie flow through me and bend to my will, shaping the air around me as I command. I breath a sigh of relief, not realising ‘til that point how much I had feared that the power of Amber would have stopped me reaching other realms, just as the Sun, gazed on too covetously, sends searing jealousy into the eyes, preventing them gazing on beauty elsewhere.

The day passes. Lord Aylwin arrives, and we discuss the power that lies beneath the Castle. He tells me that they call it the Pattern, and that only those of the Blood of Amber may touch it, for it is death to those who are not kin. How it knows, he does not know, but he speaks of a trial, and guards. And a dog, which died to prove a point.

He seems pleased with the encampment, though in truth his servants have done much of the hard work, silently and competently. We drink tea again, a ceremony to match those of Faerie if they wish to entrap us into rudeness and thus gain the advantage, and we speak at length of stories, and art and music. I do not tell him my new story though.

At Twilight, the turning time, the Faerie appear; an advance party to see that the path is as it should be. I introduce Lord Aylwin and Princess Bathsheba to Fritillary, the Sprite who acts as herald, but she is much perturbed. “Where is the Envoy’s sisters-son? Where is the Envoy’s brothers-son? Where is the Eldest? They should be here.”

I calm her with honey and sweetness, pointing out that there is still time, and that they are not here because of their tasks in Amber. She acquiesces, and speaks of those who will speak for Faerie. The Puck will be here, to speak for the Queen and cause trouble, and Earl Fandoral will have the King’s voice. I thank Fritillary, and as she departs, tell my Lord and Princess what import this has. The Puck is the centre of all mischief, and his coming bodes ill for the demeanour of Faerie. However, Earl Fandoral, the essence of Dignity, being present, balances it. His presence means that the Courts of Faerie wish some good to come out of this meeting.

We speak then of the three who are missing. It is obvious to Lord Aylwin and Princess Bathsheba that the sisters-son referred to is Lord Alaric, the son of Princess Fiona. And the Eldest is Morwaith, who has been lost for many years but is now returned. But neither can think who the brothers-son is. The Brother is Prince Brand, a rebellious son who rose up against Amber and was cast into the Abyss as punishment. Neither Lord nor Princess could think who his children were. Lord Aylwin returned to Amber to seek out those we knew of and bring them here. Those who the Faerie summon are in for an interesting night.