A sea horse

Session 4


I chatted with Stefan again. I wanted to make sure Rebma was prepared, in case the surface tries to drag us into their war. We are, but it's obvious that Stefan doesn't like having to think about such possibilities. Well, neither do I, but burrowing into the sand doesn't make the danger go away. Stefan seems to fear that Aunt Llewella's desire for Rebman independence will cause us to suffer attacks from the surface. He said that he'd have more to tell me in the morning, which makes me curious as to what will happen tonight.

I knew Stefan was going to meet with Arthur. I just knew it! How did Arthur see me when I was eavesdropping, anyway? It doesn't really matter, since I wanted him to see me. That snippet of conversation I heard was too intriguing. "I don't think she'll go for it." Who? Aunt Llewella? Me? I would have guessed the former, but Arthur seemed to know who I was. He was pretty interested in what I knew of Torrence, too. Especially whether Torrence might be interested in ruling Rebma. Does Arthur want him to rule Rebma now? When Mom tried putting him on the throne before, Arthur opposed her. Why the change of heart? He claimed he wants someone to rule Rebma who is concerned for it, and it would be best to keep it in the family. Technically, Aunt Llewella fits both of these categories, but it's obvious he wants someone else in her position. This is definitely not good. Some murmuring among the populace is one thing. Amberites sticking their nose in is another thing entirely. I resent the implication that Amber has a say anymore in who rules us.

Arthur had to leave soon after this, which allowed Stefan and I to speak more freely. Stefan doesn't think Amber would accept Torrence as King of Rebma. No shit! I'm not sure Rebma would accept him as King, either. Admittedly, he grew up with a noble family, but he's been gone from Rebma for quite some time. Even if he weren't male, his lack of time here recently definitely works against him. He seems more Amberite than Rebman. I'm better off in that category, but I'm way too young for the job, even if I wanted it, which I don't. No way in hell! I lack the proper experience, and I don't want to be tied down like that. Stefan believes it would be better if someone not of the blood of Amber ruled in Rebma, since that theoretically would lessen the likelihood of their being distracted by the affairs of the surface. I refrained from pointing out that Rebma already had such a ruler in Mom, until Amber interfered. And now they want to interfere again. When do we say "enough"?

Maybe it's already too late. Stefan wants to institute a council in place of the absolute monarchy, a plan it seems that Arthur approves of. It sounds essentially like the method of rule that Grandma used, and Mom to a lesser extent, although they never went so far as to formalize the structure. It hasn't escaped me that this is a method of governing that Aunt Llewella doesn't use at all. Stefan proposed Torrence as the figurehead monarch, with five other members on the council: a male and female from the nobility, and three others from the general populace. Stefan would represent the male nobility, of course. Of the three citizen positions, one would be from the craftsmen, one from the serving class, and the last.... Ah, the last. Here is where Arthur's hand becomes evident. The last would be a surfacer! Can you imagine? The idea of giving someone not of Rebma a 1/6 share of the ruling power here is utterly repulsive to me. If Amber wants to send a liaison, fine. Let them keep us informed of the state of things above the waves. But give them power here? Never! Stefan seemed to imply that perhaps someone of Amber descent could fill the role, if one could be found who would be satisfied with a position on the council, rather than trying to rule alone. Good luck. There aren't many that fit that description. Except for me, of course, and I hate the idea of being on the council as a surfacer, rather than a Rebman. Still, it might be better than letting someone else fill the position. If we go from having a ruler who is Rebman, to a split power that is tied in part to the surface, we increase our ties to Amber, not decrease them. This isn't the direction we should be going.

Stefan and I drank and spoke of old times for a while, Stefan lamenting the fact that he is over 30 and without a mate or family yet. I begin to understand why he is trying so hard to keep Rebma free of involvement in Amber's affairs. He wants to settle down, and he can't if Amber and Rebma are fighting. I understand that, I suppose, even if I don't share that feeling. But he went too far in suggesting that Vialle be put on the throne of Rebma, especially if, as he said, it was Arthur's idea. It bothers me enough to be speaking of this council, when I know Aunt Llewella is unlikely to allow it. It's downright treasonous for him to suggest Torrence as a figurehead ruler while Llewella is still our Queen. But to suggest Vialle as her replacement? I'll die before I let that bitch exchange the throne of Amber for that of Rebma. I haven't forgotten her involvement in what was done to Mom. Now that her husband looks to be losing his throne, it figures that scheming opportunist would set her sights on another one for herself. Not to mention the precedent that would be set, by allowing Amber to dictate our choice of ruler. We can't allow that to happen. For Lyr's sake, she's married to the man who caused my sister's death! How could Stefan possibly think I would be receptive to the thought of her becoming my Queen? Never!

The storm that was gathering has finally broken. Random and Vialle are dead. I shed no tears for them. Their two children are also dead, though, and that does sadden me. I met Iris briefly when we were in Elysium, and she seemed a friendly enough child. I may not have cared for her parents...hell, I despised her father, but I never wished any ill on the children. Chadwick is also dead. It seems that in his insanity, Random killed one of his only allies. What a fool. I learned all of this from Martin, who seems to be teetering on the edge of a nervous breakdown. I suppose being chased by a freakish monster, then learning that your father was insane, then having him die, all in one day, would tend to throw you off balance. He didn't even know that Ariel was dead until Torrence told him today. Poor Martin.

This is why I find myself on the road to Amber, unfortunately. Personally, I'd be happy to just lie low in Rebma until the waters have calmed a bit in Amber. With Random dead, there will be a power vacuum until someone steps in to fill it, and I'd prefer not to get caught up in the undertow. But Martin insists that he must go there, to see his father buried, and I'm afraid to leave him alone right now. He takes after his mother in some ways that are unfortunate. He might kill himself in his time of pain, just as she did, and I refuse to let that bastard, Random, be the cause of any more deaths in my family.

Well, that certainly didn't take long. Arthur is the King, picked by Random as he lay dying. I can't say that I'm surprised. It was obvious last night that he was positioning himself for a run at the throne. Random just made it easy for him. Everything went pretty smoothly, at least on the surface. I wish I knew what Dad and Fiona were arguing about, though. Deirdre introduced me to her daughter, Dana, but I got the impression that she already knows quite a bit about me. I wish I knew more about her. Aunt Llewella thinks she's one of the ones that Amber chewed up and spat out, like Martin, but she didn't strike me as being much like him at all. Apparently she knows Jaysen, but she thinks that he's dead. Lyr, it was hard to keep from reacting to that one. Is she ever in for a surprise! The weirdest moment had to be when this guy walks in looking like a farmer. Turned out to be Dworkin, my mysterious great-grandfather. Now I know why everyone thinks he's nuts. He knew who I was, despite the fact that I've never laid eyes on him before. I'm getting tired of this.

Certainly the funniest moment of the whole mess was when Uncle Gérard announced Random's death, then said that the land would not be without a king. Dad was standing next to Gérard, and everyone looked at him! Boy, that couldn't have been much of an ego boost for Arthur. Then Arthur stepped forward, with Fiona practically glued to his side, and made a lovely speech about the starting of a new age, and how together we're strong, etc., and then Fiona handed him the Jewel. She also held the crown, although Dworkin's the one who actually put it on him. Fiona probably wrote his speech, too. I'd like to think that Arthur has a mind of his own, rather than just serving as a mouthpiece for his mother, but I haven't seen any evidence of it yet. I wonder if Fiona lets him out of her sight long enough for him to even piss?

Dad joined us as we walked down to the city, and we had what has to be one of the most awkward conversations I've had to endure in years. He even offered to take me fly fishing at one point. Not that I mind fishing, but I tend to do it underwater with a spear. Fortunately he spotted Dara soon afterwards, and took off like a dog hot on the scent. It's nice to know that even a change in power doesn't alter his priorities.

Aunt Llewella finally came surfaceside, but I haven't had a chance to talk to her in private. I need to warn her about Arthur's ideas for Rebma. He needs an excuse to change the rulership of Rebma again, so soon after Mom was removed. If we're careful, maybe we can avoid giving him one. At least for now.

Dad tracked me down again, looking for Talia. Guess a few hours was all he needed from Dara. I don't know why he thought I'd know where Talia was. It's not like we've met each other more than once, or anything. That seemed to surprise him. Wherever did he get the idea that we'd spent much time together?

I hate sleeping on land. The first night is always so damn uncomfortable. The stillness gets to you after a while. Jaysen finally got in touch with me this morning, by shoving a Trump under my door. It looks like a Trump of himself, but when I tried it I just appeared in his quarters. I didn't appreciate the unexpected trip. He was quite anxious to know how Arthur had received me, of course. I pointed out that I'm not officially an Amberite, so Arthur has no reason to react to me one way or the other. I saw no reason to mention my chance encounter with him in Rebma. Jaysen should be off the hook anyway, now that Random's dead. He's even considering becoming the mayor of Amber. He has Fiona's favor, and given that she controls Arthur, that's probably all he needs. He's already given Arthur his support. I haven't, but my position is a bit trickier than his. My primary obligation is to Rebma and her Queen, after all. Plus, like I said, I'm not technically an Amberite until Corwin acknowledges me, although since I've walked the Pattern, I could probably press the issue, if I wanted to. I'm not planning to, of course. If I'm not considered an Amberite when Arthur has the family swear fealty, maybe I can avoid the whole sticky question.

I did find out a little bit more about how Jaysen knows Dana. Apparently she was stashed by Deirdre in his home Shadow for a while, before he and his mother wound up in Chaos. I get the feeling that they were more than just friends, too. He'd better tell her that he's alive soon, because if she finds out from someone else, I doubt it will be pretty.

I really shouldn't have interrupted them. I could have managed to slip away without being seen. But the opportunity to fluster Dad was too good to pass up. Nothing cools the ardor like having your daughter walk up on you while you're kissing a woman. And I was curious to see if he would acknowledge that I'm his daughter. To his credit, he did, although he had to think about it for a second. Then he beat a hasty retreat. Dara engaged in some cursory conversation, but departed soon afterward. She seemed rather annoyed. I suppose I interrupted some great plan of hers. Well, if she's going to seduce him, she ought to find someplace more private than the garden.

Lyr, how many children does Dad have? On my way back from the gardens, I saw a woman sleeping in the rose garden who looks an awful lot like me, except that she has pointed ears like Talia. Is she another sibling, maybe a sister of Talia's? Aunt Llewella never mentioned another one, but who knows? Geez, Dad, try using a condom sometime.

Torrence looks a lot more like Eric now that he's grown a beard. I wonder if that was deliberate? It makes him look even less Rebman than before, though. I wonder what Stefan will think of the new look? Stefan's talking to him now, probably giving his spiel about the Rebman council. I really need to talk to Aunt Llewella.


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Last modified on April 23, 1998 by Kris Fazzari.