Session Eleven
Though embittered by my recent betrayal by my sister and my former fiancee, I resolved to do something productive with my time. If I could skin my wretched little sister for her gall, I could at least do my part to be the fly in Eric's ointment.
Limiting Eric's power proved to be quite a burdensome task. Though I was able to keep tabs on him through the Lens and my allies in the Castle and Amber City, it aided me little in my attempts to slow his progress. Nevertheless, I did what I could to form my alliances to prepare for that day when Nicholas would depart for Chaos.
One of my first tasks was to meet with Leto, the Countess of Duhr, Eric's wife. Unfortunately, Leto is too consumed by her hatred for Amberites to work with me in any real fashion, and though she was amused to hear of Vixen's fate, she did not seem suitable for any real alliance. I tested the strength of her mind and found her to be quite weak, and thus of little use to me. The meeting did have its benefits, however. By the time I left, the poor woman was near apoplexy, I had so infuriated her. I arranged for my servants to fan those flames over the next few weeks, ensuring that she would see Eric regularly and hear of his exploits. Having further angered her towards the family of Amber, it seemed only fitting to then thrust Eric into her path and then wait for the inevitable results. Unfortunately, she proved to be too cautious and cowardly to actually make a move on him. More's the pity.
The closing of the Chasm wrought unforeseen difficulties, namely the incapacitation of every living trump artist in Amber. It began for me with a rather nasty headache. I was on my way to see Ariana when the pain struck me, though it was not too intense. Upon reaching her rooms, I learned that Vincent had taken violently ill. Naturally, I attempted to trump mother to gain her advice, and thus I learned the truth of the situation. I fear I nearly hemorrhaged, but thanks to my little bauble, I was able to recover quicly. I went to mother immediately to find that she was having seizures, and with the aid of her serving maids, we were able to keep her from injuring herself. I used what magics I could, but here was nothing I could do to help her. I could merely wait to see if Fiona would live or die.
I don't know how to describe what I felt at that point, watching as mother moaned and convulsed...as she was lost in her own pain. Having just lost so much that mattered to me, having lost Jack and Alexandra, I then faced the possibility of losing mother as well. In all honesty, it did not upset me much, for I had already moved past the point where I could be buffeted by the winds of fate.
Alexandra arrived with her usual flair, and poutily announced that father had become the Avatar of the Logrus. Seeing her in good health I immediately found myself wishing that mother had been a little more insistent upon teaching her the art of making trumps when she was younger. Poor nursing killed many a patient, and it is a sad shame that I didn't have the opportunity to show Alexandra the tenderest of my mercies.
She spent much of the next few hours annoying me and getting in the way, but I was not to be distracted by her nonsense. My first act was to remove mother's spikard and track down Teresa. Her advice gave me enough information to use the ring, and I feared that with all resistance gone, Eric would have an easier time taking the throne. Using the lens, I was able to track down those aunts and uncles who were in a state similar to that of my mother, and I made arrangements to have them removed to places of safety. Mother was taken to Avalon, with Alexandra's dubious assistance, while the others were placed in Llewella's care. I understand that Eric was none too happy to find that he was given no opportunity to take advantage of the situation.
I met with a group of men and women loyal to Nicholas, and informed them of the situation. Bartholomew agreed to do his part to extoll the virtues of King Nicholas, which resulted in his being imprisoned within two days. The others were a little more subtle. Important messages failed to reach Eric, and he found himself deluged with minor grievances from the city. I could do nothing to balk him politically, but through a hundred minor annoyances, I was able to ensure that the efficacy of his allies was greatly reduced.
It was a gruelling week. Constantly spying, meeting, and watching over the shadow I had collected to take my mother's place. By the end of the week, my mother had recovered and stepped in to deal with Eric. At that point, my worries were alleviated, and quite naturally, Nicholas returned triumphant.
The parade in Amber City announced his arrival, and from the castle I trumped to Ariana, who was in the city. I had no opportunity for joy, however, for when Ishmael came into view, I saw that he bore Thorn's headstone, which I had asked him to retrieve. Taking it from him, I used the spikard to return to the castle, arriving on the ramparts next to my mother. We talked for a time and I gave her the ring. We went to the family tomb, where I placed his headstone, and then mother teleported us back to her rooms.
I felt calm as I walked back to my quarters...that part of my life had reached some measure of closure. Thorn was back with me, and so my life in Chaos was cleanly erased. Ishmael jogged past me in the hall, bellowing the news that his young wife Maddy was pregnant. At the time, I must admit that it didn't do much to move me.
The next few hours went uneventfully, but what peace I had in my life was dispelled with the arrival of dear Ishmael, for he wished to apologize for his insensitivity...a first, no doubt. He then proceeded to tell me about what had transpired. Zane was revealed to be Ariana's father; the four Eyes combined to form the Orb, whose touch was deadly to any not of the blood of the Unicorn and the Serpent (meaning only Nicholas and Ariana, as I understand it). And then he mentioned Edwin...a warrior of Jesby who aided them.
Almost as he said the name, he fell silent. He looked to the portrait on my wall, and a very visible flash of recognition passed over his features. Thus I learned that my dear late husband is very much alive in the Courts of Chaos.
In a temper, I trumped Nicholas and explained my intent to declare vendetta upon Edwin, but Nicholas was reluctant, for Edwin had proved himself to be a just and noble ally. If only he could prove himself as fair a husband.... When I explained my motive, Nicholas conceded the justness of my cause, though he made it clear that he wanted no part of it. I was never asking for his aid, really...just that he not stand in my way.
Returning again to my rooms, I felt calm again. Truth be told, I'm at my best when I'm plotting to destroy someone, and with Eric no longer in the running, Edwin would prove a suitable focus.
Mother contacted me that evening, to announce that she was going away for a while. The loss of her husband pains her, and for a moment I saw a hint of the pain in her. I embraced her, gave what comfort I could though it is a foreign concept to me...and she left.
Elaine was very solicitous of me, and arranged for my supper in my quarters. And after an hour's contemplation on the balcony, I realized what I must do. At my orders, Elaine packed up those belongings I would need, and arranged to have a horse ready for me in the morning. Sitting at my desk, I wrote the following letter.
Thus tomorrow I leave for Chaos.