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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2020 2:08:51 GMT
Hammett, that's interesting. ...
I won't learn anything just sitting here. Llewella is probably the best lead. I finish my omelet quickly then fill my coffee cup and walk over to her table.
"I'm sorry for your bother, I can't wrap my head around the idea that however long I knew him, what ever relationship I had you had centuries more. I haven't been to the Memorial yet, I was about to pay my respects. You could join me if you wanted."
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Post by Admin on Jul 29, 2020 3:00:36 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/xqdCvzH/Llewella~jpg "Calvera," she says in warm greeting. "Sit with me.
"Yes, Random," she says with a little sad smile, "He was always the most frivolous of us until the Unicorn chose him. To this day none of us has been able to figure out why she chose him.
"Go to the memorial. Flora did a wonderful job of decorating it; be sure to tell her so. And don't forget to spend some time in Vialle's display. But I won't be joining you. I have already spent my time there and affairs of state will keep me occupied for the rest of my stay in Amber.
"It was good of you to come to honour the King and Queen; None of your cousins have bothered themselves with returning."
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2020 15:45:58 GMT
I join the princess at breakfast.
"I know my Father did not have a high opinion of Random from years past. It's a shame he never got to know him as the king. Looking back on Random now I can see he did his best with all his unwanted responsibilities. Even me."
I sip my coffee.
"Are none of my cousins back yet? What of your brothers and sisters? When is the Memorial?
Benedict has asked me to leave immediately and go look for Martin but no one knows were he is. I don't even know when he was last seen. It's good that Benedict has assumed command. Pity he won't take the Throne. That would be a smooth transition. With the question of succession settled I at least would feel a lot safer."
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Post by Admin on Aug 14, 2020 8:56:47 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/xqdCvzH/Llewella~jpg Llewella sighs. "It would be nice and politic for more of the family to return yet there are so few of us left. I would expect Martin to be here but if no one can reach him maybe he hasn't heard? I wouldn't like to be the one to break that news to him. Probably why Benedict sent you out to find him; Benny is a softie underneath that stoic exterior and wouldn't want to become emotional in front of his nephew.
"Merlin's busy, Luke probably won't dare to show his face now that Vialle is gone. Dorian's an odd omission as he was here the night Random and Vialle died so I wonder where he's gone off to?
"You're aunts and uncles will roll in when the time comes - most of them at least. Some to gloat others will be genuinely sad. And once respects are paid then the fight for the crown will begin." She sips her tea. "It is unfortunate that Benedict won't take the throne. You're right in that he is the best person for the job but he has always deflected any proposal in that direction. Too bad he didn't take control during the whole Corwin fiasco. No offence to your father but some of the family enjoyed defying him, with Benedict in charge most of them would have backed off or ended the feuding sooner."
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2020 19:07:11 GMT
"You say affairs of state are you handling things for Benedict? He is in a very dangerous position.
At least when Benedict was in exile he wasn't a target, with him running the city but refusing to take the throne he invites assassination and more chaos.
I'll go pay my respects. If you see Bleys tell him I would like to speak with him. We had an argument when last we spoke. With Random and Gerard dead I don't want to be estranged from any of my dwindling family.
Good day Aunt."
I rise and kiss her on the cheek.
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Post by Admin on Sept 5, 2020 10:08:51 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/xqdCvzH/Llewella~jpg Is that a hint of a blush on Llewella's cheek? A slight rising in the greenish tinge of her skin. "I will let Bleys know. I'm sure he would be willing to continue the argument if given the chance.
"Good bye, Calvera"
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2020 13:33:57 GMT
I take my leave and do as I said. Heading straight to the Memorial. Wondering what she meant about Bleys.
I don't want to continue the argument. Was she his hidden ally?
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Post by Admin on Sept 7, 2020 9:01:37 GMT
On his way out of the dining hall, he is passed by Lord Chantris coming it. The old man still stands tall and proud, once High General in Oberon's army during the founding wars of Amber and rumoured to now be the oldest person in Amber (as long as Dworkin is left out of the conversation).
It is surprising that he would be in the castle; he bears no love for Bleys and Corwin since his son was killed in their attack on the city. He also bore no love for Random and had vowed never to set foot in the castle while Random was king.
He tips his hat to Calvera then goes in and sits with Llewewlla. They immediately fall into a private discussion.
The shrine to the Unicorn takes up one of the newer wings of the castle. Once Unicorn worship wasn't something done by the royal family or in the city but a cult to the Unicorn began out in the Golden Circle a few centuries ago and quickly spread into Amber. A decision to build a religious area in the castle was done to appease the growing religous feelings and reinforce Oberon's relation to the Unicorn.
The shrine is large and silent except for the swish of the priest's and priestess; robes as they walkabout. Stained glass windows on all sides let in the dim light from the overcast skies. Hundreds of candles provide most of the light inside.
At the sides of the altar are a statue of Random on the left and one of Vialle on the right. A transept to the side contains a statue of Gerard. All are surrounded by wreaths and floral gifts. Unsurprising the kingdoms of Kashfa and Begma competed to see which could gift the grandest display of honour and piety with the end result being immense arrangements that veer into comedy rather than solemnity.
Aside from the clergy, there are a small number of others in the place, a few sit by themselves, others in twos or threes. A half dozen sailors read from the Book of the Seahorse at Gerard's memorial.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2020 21:55:35 GMT
I walk up to Vialles shrine and bow my head briefly. She was kind and generous and sweet everyone in the city loved her. But I never cared much for her. I resented her mothering, I already had a mother she at least still lives. Perhaps that was unfair, she seamed caring to everyone. And she responded to my coldness by giving me my space. She was a good woman of that there can be no dispute.
"You deserved better."
I turn to the bastard buried beside her. When I came to live in the Castle I had no father. Random never tried to take the place of Eric but he did provide structure and order. Law giver. I know now he was not by nature a responsible man, he seemed to approach all his duties as something that had to be done, I was just another of the duties. As much as I resented his law I know I needed it. I was so angry when my father died. And Still am I suppose. The waste of it. The whole lot of them selfish and spoiled not just Corwin and the Red heads who couldn't stand to see Eric crowned King but the whole lot. If Benedict had just taken the crown as the eldest the matter would have been settled. And he's pulling the same shit again. This time with out even hiding himself.
I realise I have the space in front of the Memorial to myself and one of the priests has abruptly veered off the Gerard's memorial instead of coming up to me. I wonder what my face must look like.
I compose my face and take a flower from his display pinning it to my lapel. "You also deserved better, ... But which of us get what we deserve."
I on my heel and stride out of the chapel. Pausing only briefly at Gerard's statue. "I'm sorry Uncle, I can only bear to morn 2 relatives to day."
I keep some control of my face, cold but not glaring, no point in scaring the servants but I don't want to talk to anyone.
I'll make a quick trip to the library to grab a bottle of scotch then out of the castle and climb the mountain. I never liked remembering father in his crypt. I prefer visiting him in the place he taught me to remember relatives long past. Corwin's tomb.
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Post by Admin on Sept 11, 2020 4:02:14 GMT
Calvera hikes up the mountain under a dismal sky. He finds that the tomb has not been maintained over the years and has become covered in a growth of vine and kudzu. Under the lee side wall there are the remains of a camp; the firepit is cold but looks to have been recently used. Whoever was using the place did a good job of removing any clues to their identity.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2020 16:04:02 GMT
I feel like I am back where I started, a lonely camp high on the mountain. Things are moving now and I still have no idea who my enemies are or what they intend. A demon crusade with an unstoppable power. Guided by Bleys and another sorcerer, and supported by the Unicorn herself it seems.
Ghosts and cousins in the dream city.
The King and Queen dead, Gerard as well. Martin missing. Benedict planting himself firmly in the way of anyone who wants the throne but not securing it for himself. Llewella securing her position.
I see the pieces moving but I can't see the pattern.
That's not why I came up here so I still my whirling thoughts and set about preparing to camp. I wasn't planning to spend the night when I came up so all I can do is gather some wood for a fire. I make short work of a few limbs and small trees with my hunting knife and quickly have a neat pile of wood for when I light the camp fire. I spend a bit of time just exploring the mountain then as the sun starts to set I light my fire. Once it is burning merrily I leave my camp and walk past the tomb. It takes me no time to find the spot even though its been years since we have been up here and the carving is completely covered with ivy.
I lay down on a grass ledge and push the vines a way from my fathers face. I pour 2 fingers of whiskey in the glass I also flinched from the library and set it on a flat stone. Then finally ready I place my hand on the touch stone and remember. My mother carved and enchanted this for us not long after father died. I'm not sure if the magic is in the stone or in me but as the sun goes down I can remember Eric telling stories of his brothers from younger days, Benedict holding the Moonriders in the high pass.
...
Then I watch the sun set over the bay. I realise I haven't touched the whiskey though I like the smell. I wrap up in my cloak and eat my apple, the only food I have brought. I fling the core off the ledge and watch the stars come out. Sinking slowly into to darkness.
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Post by Admin on Sept 16, 2020 2:08:36 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/t4864LS/a042bd0a834323f81a25e7c5e95577c4~jpg While hovering on the edge of sleep Calvera sees a figure emerge from the scrub and trees. Instantly recognizable dressed in his red and black so similar to Hammett but with black hair and beard, his blue eyes glint in the dim firelight. "I hadn't realized that my resting spot had become such a popular camping site," he says with a smile while kicking at the remains of the dead campfire. "Hello, son. What brings you out this way?"Eric crouches down across the fire from Calvera.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2020 2:39:13 GMT
I watch him walk out of the gloom as if in a trance. Bemused by his appearance and by my reaction. I find myself thinking that normally an imposter wearing my fathers face would send me in to a rage but to night it doesn't. So I consider his question and decide to answer it.
"I came up here to remember" I say. Putting my gloves on so I can place some tinder directly on the few coals left. "And I'm stalling, Benedict wants me to do something which I think is pointless so I'm putting it off. And I'm wait for someone. I wasn't sure they would show and I never thought he would be wearing your face."
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Post by Admin on Sept 20, 2020 2:28:31 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/t4864LS/a042bd0a834323f81a25e7c5e95577c4~jpg "Benedict will never change; if he tasks you to do something you'd best be doing it ASAP. The quicker it's done, the quicker you'll be free of it.
"And who did you think to meet all the way up here? Not a date, I hope. I'd hate to think you've turned my gravesite into a trysting spot. Although the mausoleum is quite roomy inside."He takes off his cloak and folds it up for a cushion to sit on. "Pour me some of that. I haven't had a drink in decades."
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Post by Deleted on Sept 20, 2020 12:43:56 GMT
"Benedict is not King. Unless he takes the throne his orders are just air."
I pass him the glass of whiskey I poured earlier and the bottle. I haven't touched a drop, which surprises me.
"Why are you hiding on this mountain above Amber? And why are you wearing that face?"
[I'm at Corwin's empty tomb, Eric isn't buried here. There is a private carving of Eric known only to my mother and me on a ledge past the tomb. Though others could have discovered it. And if I remember from the books the inside of the tomb is full of broken glass. Corwin and some other the other brothers kept coming to the tomb to drink when they were feeling maudlin. When they finished the bottle they would throw it into the open tomb because the liked the sound it made breaking. Not a comfortable bed, even for the kind of girl that goes in for the whole mausoleum thing.]
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