Peter’s Diary part 9: The Fae Summit

In The Doom that Came to Amber

24^th Day of Bull in the Amber calendar

This day of revelations. I began as the child of Samuel Arneson the woodcutter and Martha the seamstress. I woke knowing who my parents were. I washed, and ate, and finalised details of the camp and the gifts, knowing who my parents were. I greeted the Lord Alaric, and the Lord Morwaith as they came to Emeraldheart, and I knew who my parents were.

But I sleep, not knowing.

The day passed without incident ‘til dusk, when the Circle became Faerie and Lord Fandoral and the Puck appeared. Fandoral was on a throne, high above the crowd of the Faerie who travelled with him, and they were treating him with all the respect due to such a paragon of Dignity, and a Lord of Faerie. The Puck skulked, as is his wont, hiding in the shadows and dripping the most beautifully crafted venom into the ears of whom ever would listen.

The Lords of Amber were somewhat taken aback by the protocols of Faerie, but they had listened and learned quickly, giving due respect to Lord Fandoral and harking not to the voice of the Puck. The feast went on for a while, and I remade the acquaintance of many who I had not seen in 6 months or more, swapping gossip of the Courts. And then Fandoral stood in front of me and in his hands an arrow and this he handed to me. And he said:

“You weave your tales of truth and lies,

Your own told not to you; but elf

This birth token opens eyes

To blood. Walk the path yourself.”

With that he strode off to talk to those other of Amber who were here, giving each a verse of prophecy and true telling. I marvelled at the weight of the arrow in my hands, and the perfection of its making. A full cloth yard long, with a head that would pierce the skies itself and feathers of the darkest green, cunningly attached to the straight shaft by artifice unknown. With such an arrow I could hunt the Unicorn of Glen Dubh, or slay the Hydra of the Pool of Yesterday’s Dreams. I marvelled at the arrow ‘til Fandoral spoke again:

“Children, the tree keeps the sapling

From the light; so are eclipsed your hearts.

Yet as the oak falls grows the sprig:

The whole is stronger than the parts.”

With that, his court left, promising friendship to Amber eternal, and aid to their friends. I was still reeling from his gift, and his words made little impact, but now that I think again, I question. Did he and the Puck promise aid to Amber, or did they claim that some of Amber were their friends, and that Faerie would aid them.

Will a new Domdaniel seek to bring war to the Gates of Amber?

And which side will I ride on?

Fandoral’s words resonated with truth. I am of the blood of Faerie, and of the blood of Amber. Where many paths stretched far in front of me, now there are two. But they go in the same direction for a while, so I will not choose yet.