Session
10
Amber, year one, day 130 (Saturday, November 6, 2987)
Not much else of interest happened last night. Felix and Heather had
an argument over where to leave Ariadne. It was nice to see that I am not
the only one who finds her hard to take. We wound up leaving her in the
infirmary, with Battlestar and some guards to watch her.
I spent the day avoiding Flora and getting ready for the Ball. Kira
did her usual fine job with my hair. I did my best to look well for the
dance. Ahab looks wonderful in a toga. Unfortunately, his mater does not
agree. She obviously disapproved, especially when she learned that he
wore no underwear (really, I do not understand the preoccupation they both
have with that). Deirdre is not pleased with me at all. I believe she
thinks I am a poor influence for Ahab. She acts as though he is still a
small child. Ahab did not seem happy with the situation either. I think
Deirdre took offense at a comment I made about "you Amberites". Given
that I have spent little more than four months knowing my heritage, after
spending a lifetime in ignorance of it, I can hardly be blamed for not
being used to thinking of myself as an Amberite. Especially since I have
no family and no history here. The only way we even know I am an Amberite
is because I survived walking the Pattern. No one has acknowledged me, or
made any effort to let me know what being an Amberite means, outside of
Ahab (and to some extent, Mirelle). Is it any wonder that I still feel
like an outsider? Or speak like one? Damn this family anyway! I suspect
that were it not for my cousins, I would have left long ago.
Felix, Ahab and I had a pleasant conversation about sailing ships over
dinner. They have some marvelous ones here, with many masts and no
oarsmen! I hope I have the opportunity to see one soon. We also spent
some time discussing the climate of Amber. It is much more seasonal here
than back home. Ahab says they even get snow here, which I have not seen
since I returned from our exploratory journey many years ago. I will have
to start wearing warmer clothing as winter draws near, which I am sure
will make some of the Amberites very happy.
The food at the Ball was excellent. Whatever other faults they may
have, Amberites certainly do know how to eat. They had this wonderful
dessert called chocolate, which was absolutely marvelous. The dancing was
fun as well, once I learned the patterns. It is much slower and more
structured than what I am used to, but I am not really surprised by that.
At least that made it easy to pick up. Ahab helped teach me as we danced,
by sharing our minds so he could show me the steps. I rather enjoyed
dancing that way, it makes the experience more intimate somehow. I wonder
what it would be like to make love in that manner? I will have to ask
Ahab if he would be willing to try.
Ahab had a bad time of it this evening. Besides the early problems
with Deirdre, we learned from Martin that Corwin killed Ahab's pater in a
duel. Now Martin only knew of this as a rumor, but Ahab later confirmed
it with Corwin. He was extremely angry that this had been kept from him
by Deirdre. I cannot say that I blame him. He insulted her somewhat, by
dancing with Llewella, and she left. I hope they do not kill each other
over this. He asked to be left alone after talking with Corwin. (Another
forced Trump call. Corwin must be getting really sick of those.)
Felix noticed that Bleys was paying an unusual amount of attention to
me during dinner, which he told me about while we were dancing. To be
honest, I had not noticed. Felix seems to be much more observant than I
had originally given him credit for. I will have to remember that in the
future. It occurred to both of us that perhaps Bleys is my Amber parent.
Other than those hurried moments of planning after Oberon returned, this
was the first time we have even been in the same room together, so if he
was my pater it might explain his interest. I danced with him once, to
see what else I could determine. Now, most men look at me a certain way,
especially when I am dancing close to them. Bleys did not. He also
talked with me about my childhood. He could have just been making
conversation, but he is the first elder who has even cared enough to ask.
I wish I knew for certain. Then I could learn the answer to the questions
that I have been asking myself ever since I was old enough to know how I
was found: Why did my parents abandon me? Was it necessary? Were they in
some danger? Or did they just leave me there to die? I must talk to
Driscoll about this soon. After all, he was able to determine that he was
Random's son long before Random knew he was alive. Perhaps his methods
would be useful for me as well. I just want to finally know the truth.
Even if it means learning that I am more closely related to Heather than I
had thought.
We were introduced to three of the Golden Circle ambassadors at
dinner. Two of them were from Begman and Eregnor, the same countries
whose delegates were fighting last night. At least they made it through
dinner tonight before starting a brawl. One of them elbowed Caine's lady
in the nose. And Heather thinks I am rude! Felix was especially upset
about the whole thing. He started yelling at them, and at least Orkuz
(the Begman ambassador) had the good grace to look embarrassed. Dormel
had to be prompted to even apologize to the lady he struck. I suspect
there will be more trouble from him.
I do not think that Coral is truly Ambassador Orkuz's daughter. I
asked Ahab about this to see if it was common knowledge. It is not, but
Ahab agreed with my opinion on the matter. I also noticed that Brand left
sometime after dinner. It could simply be that he wanted to get away from
the rest of the Amberites, since he is still not very welcome. However,
since it is Brand, I remain suspicious.
"Outrageous Fortune"
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All text on this page is © 1993-1994 by Kris Fazzari.
Last modified on August 5, 1994 by Kris Fazzari.