The Unicorn Sighted—by a PC, not just some pesky NPC!

Gabriel worked in his rooms. Eventually, Betty awakened enough to stagger out and fall down the stairs. I hope she’s okay. Aedan arrived and ate lunch with Gabriel. While Gabriel was busy creating Trumps for us all to use, not just himself thank you, Aedan trumped Caine.

Caine appeared in a flurry of handcuffs and leg irons. He was so happy to be free that he didn’t say “Thank You.” Instead, he ate what was left of lunch and strolled off to see Martin and Corwin. Aedan tagged along, desperate for some hint of thanks from his ex-favorite uncle. In the hallway, the Unicorn trampled a poor servant and poked her horn into Caine’s head. He mumbled a few vague responses that wouldn’t help you figure out the game even if you heard them. The Unicorn left immediately after depositing the Jewel of Judgment at Aedan’s feet and bowing to him1. Caine was the first to swear fealty, although it sounded an awful lot like “Aedan, fetch Corwin to me.”

Aedan’s first royal promenade took him to the Royal Chambers. He stared down the various bootlickers and convinced Corwin to travel with him on his return trek to Caine. Corwin and Caine spoke for only a matter of seconds before Caine demanded Grayswandir. Thanks to Aedan’s, I mean His Majesticness’s, timely interference, Corwin did in fact hand his sword over to Caine. By the way, it is a big sword, longer than you think, and probably twice as cool now that Caine has it and we’ll never see it again.

Gregory had ridden off to Arden. He looked in on things at Julian’s private villa and found enough strange stuff to produce at least three “oh bugger” remarks. However, he didn’t actually speak any aloud. Perhaps this was due to the presence of the woman with the mountain sheep. Or maybe it was the big glamour. No, I think it was the horde of weird little men doing Julian-knows-what in the hall. I think I’ll let Gregory explain this one to you. Anyway, he escaped by trumping through to Gabriel. Barbara was “asleep” on the bed, but they didn’t let that stop them from discussing private family business.

Touring the Castle

Gabriel and Gregory left Gabriel’s rooms and went their separate ways. Gabriel spoke with Brand, who apparently is not quite God yet, but the clock is ticking. Gregory rounded up a servant to let him into Julian’s rooms. [Note to Magni: I think I now know how we can get into all those locked rooms. It’s a secret; I’ll tell ya later.]

Aedan spent time in the library. First he taught himself how to read and write. Then he wrote his name in all the “Kings of Amber” lists. Oh, and maybe he studied up on Chaos. Did you know that Helgram and Sawall both have valid claims to the Black Throne? Aedan resolved to go there and become King of that land as well.

Aedan and Gabriel spent some time before dinner schmoozing with the various Golden Circle guests. Hey, Flora’s bejeweled eyepatch wasn’t ready and somebody had to do it. Then they went to dinner with Gregory and Martin. Everyone told Martin a little story. Gregory revealed that General Fulke, once Benedict’s top dude in Arden, requested the loan of some rangers. This was news, because in the past, Fulke preferred to have only Benedict’s men get killed mysteriously in Arden. Of course, all of the Sidhe rangers got left behind in Chaos. Oops. Stall for time. Tell him we’re sending him a troop of rangers on the next boat out of the harbor. That oughtta confuse him.

Dinner without Flora is Like a Day without Sunshine, but not quite.

Martin was dressed in “his” colors: orange, emerald, and red in a garish display that would have blinded Flora if she saw it, if she could see it, if Martin was sitting on her right side. Gabriel said that he would change his colors to black and silver if Corwin would give him something cool like Grayswandir. Aedan didn’t mention that his colors already were black and silver (and purple) and Corwin was his mother’s full brother, so he must be in line ahead of Gabriel. It was so obvious, he didn’t even mention it.

Martin trumped Benedict, who spoke more than he had in a thousand years. He’s not coming back until things get really bad, which he implied was not too far into our future. So that’s something to look forward to. Martin mentioned that Oberon was rather unpopular in Faerie. Are you getting the impression that Amber once was a Fae realm and Oberon stole it? No? Just me?

Aedan spoke with Corwin about going to Chaos, then did spooky things in his room before changing into his silky pajamas (with footies) and going to sleep. Gregory looked for Julian’s missing trump deck. Gabriel untied Barbara and she left because he snores really loudly.