Monday

	Eric called a meeting over the missing Amberites.  So Brand is 
missing.  Big deal.  Dad's been dead or missing for years and no one's 
been too concerned.  Oberon's been gone for a while too.  Of course, 
Dad and Oberon were both people Eric would rather have out of the 
way, so he hasn't been trying too hard.  But now that Brand is 
missing, it's suddenly a crisis.  Eris is such a hypocrite.  I guess Julian 
felt the same, because he left almost immediately.

	Eric announced that he's going to crown himself soon.  Figures.  
I guess he's decided that Oberon's been gone so long that it's a safe 
bet he won't be coming back to spank Eric for being so impertinent.  
Flora was delighted.  She's so blind where Eric is concerned.  He's just 
using her.  No one else was too happy.  But no one except for Titus 
really objected, so I guess it'll happen.  Don't suppose it matters 
much to me.  Except...  From what I've heard, he and Dad didn't get 
along, and I'm afraid he'll transfer that enmity to me if he ever 
learns who my father was.  Course, that's why I've never told 
anyone.  Then again, Flora's such a blabbermouth that he probably 
knows anyway.

	Eric also mentioned some new guy named Gabriel of Dorienne, 
who's staying with us for a while.  He spoke pretty highly of the man.  
Wonder what Gabriel's got on him?

	Research turned up that Gabriel is rumored to be Julian's son.  
Of course, everyone who's ever said that to him died soon afterward.  
Not something I plan to try.  Not much else on him.  He is over 100, 
and had a wife and kid, but they're either dead or missing.  Sounds 
like a swell guy.

	God, I love Rasa.  Say the right words, and she goes right off.  
Wonder what his reaction will be?

	It turned out to be a most interesting conversation.  He's 
walked the Pattern.  Definitely family.  Rasa performed as expected.  
Gabriel claims that the rumors are false, at least according to Julian.  
It seems he came here looking for Brand.  Bad timing.  I suggested he 
start with Julian, and he looked like he'd rather swallow razor blades.  
But Julian's the last one who saw Brand.  I guess we'll find out how 
badly Gabriel wants to find him.

	Flora had to return home, so I'm stuck arranging things for the 
Eregnan delegation.  Which sucks.  I wish she was staying here and I 
was going home.  I still miss TV.  Oh well.  I hope she remembers my 
Grape Crush.

	Went drinking with a bunch of the younger Amberites.  Tried 
to get Rasa drunk, but failed.  Pity, it would have been fun to watch.  
I'm not sure why I was included.  Probably has something to do with 
Rasa asking Alistair for a Trump deck for me.  It would be nice to 
have a deck, but I'm not going to blow my cover to get one.  Met 
another new family member, one Farad by name.  Brand's kid.  Lots 
of people turning up looking for the guy now that he's gone.  Eric's 
officially recognizing Farad tomorrow.  Yet another task to organize.  
Farad must have done some ass-kissing job to get in with Eric that 
fast.

Tuesday

	Eric has seen fit to leave Amber, dumping his duties in the 
recognition ceremony on Alistair.  Who's never done the ceremony 
before.  Swell.  Just what I needed.  It will be a miracle if this doesn't 
get fucked up.

	Alistair did better than I thought.  Not that anyone cared, 
especially after Julian challenged Gabriel to a fight.  For no reason, as 
far as I can tell, but then again I was watching Alistair and praying 
he remembered his lines.  Julian was about to kill Gabriel when 
Alistair finally ordered an end to it.  Naturally Julian ignored him, 
but Benedict stopped them at this point.  I wonder if he would have 
interfered if Alistair had done nothing?  Julian actually wanted to 
take them both on.  The man is insane to take on Benedict and more 
than deserved the rap on the head that Benedict gave him.  So 
Gabriel is exiled from Amber, for nothing more than showing his face 
in Julian's presence.  I love this family.

	I suppose it was too much to hope that Julian would calm down 
once Gabriel was gone.  No such luck.  Instead he went and 
kidnapped Alistair.  I give up.  Gerard took the news well.  Not.  Hey, 
I'm just the messenger.  There was no way I was getting in Julian's 
way.  Alistair did before, and look what happened to him.  Besides, 
Benedict could have stopped the whole thing and he chose not to, so 
who am I to argue?  So now I've got to arrange for the mess they left 
in the antechamber to be cleaned up.  Hopefully before Eric gets 
back.  He's gonna have a fit when he learns what happened, and I 
don't want to be anywhere near him when he does.