2 August, 2001

A warped and biased history of Eric's Reign according to Lisle.

Lisle continues, "Did you know my father is twiced crowned King in Amber?"

Someone sips his brandy, and smiles, "Twice?"

Lisle says, "Yes. The first time was just before grandfather died. They thought my father died then, too. I don't know the whole story, but Corwin was trying to get the crown himself. In the end, Uncle Random was crowned King. But that's when all the fighting started."

Someone nods, listening.

Lisle pauses to sip her own brandy. "Anyway, eventually Amber came to my father again. I wasn't alive then, but I know this was an important and happy time for him because I've heard this story many times since. He loves Amber more than anything; maybe more than his immediately family. He has this idea that the whole family should be embraced, you see. Well, something happened and he was called away to shadow, leaving Aunt Deirdre as Regent."

Lisle says, "She did some very bad things. So many bad things happened to Amber while she was regent I cannot even count. The entire castle was decimated and had to be rebuilt. My father was horrified when he returned, and he'd been ill at that, to find what had been happening in his absence."

Lisle says, "When he saw the ruin, his heart broke. I was maybe twelve years old then. He changed so dramatically." She shakes her head, sad.

Someone nods.

Lisle says, "But then something worse happened."

Someone tilts his head, "What?"

Lisle's voice is velvet, but maybe it's the brandy. "He was betrayed by Benedict and Desdinova. They blamed him for Deirdre's incompetence. Benedict insisted he duel Desdinova for the crown. And Benedict is the only man alive who can best my father at sword play. He and Desdinova staged a blade-duel so that my father would either have to kill Desdinova or yield. And my father won't kill kin."

Lisle says, "My father was wroth. He tried to take Amber back, but by that time many people were fighting and no one would support one man. People who might surprise you, including Nathan, and Marat."

Someone says "Don't know much about either of them."

Lisle says, "Finally, Benedict picked his chosen candidate and set him on the throne, and Desdinova pardoned him for trying to take back his rightful throne if he'd bend the knee. And so he did, for Amber's sake."

Lisle says, "They are our cousins and just as ambitious and crafty as any of the elders."

Lisle says, "After that was done, my father brought me to Amber. That's when I noticed this severe personality change."

Lisle holds her hand out, about 4 feet high, "When I was a little girl, he'd lift me into the air and give me hugs so tight they hurt. He'd take me to fabulous places and look at every experiment I tried. Well, maybe not every, but many. Some."

Lisle says, "When I came here with him, though, I was blind, and I took care of his house, and we'd play chess long into the night." S

omeone says "Sound like what happened in Amber affect everything about him."

Lisle says, "But he seemed troubled, and pensive. No more hugs, but I just thought that was because I was getting older." Lise nods to Someone, and her eyes are not completely dry. "Yes, Amber is his heart, and it was broken by the very brothers and sisters he trusted. Now it's burried so deep only a few see it."

Lisle says, "But Desdinova did nothing for the city or her greatness."

Lisle says, "He sat in the newly rebuilt castle and did very little, while the city slept around him. Trade was lower. Why, I remember sitting out in front of the Muse's cup, seeing hardly a soul. And there was never any news from the crown."

Someone says "Quiet is sometimes good. But I know what you mean."

Lisle's fingers brush too-long blonde bangs from her eyes. "My father was so mad that Benedict should put Desdinova on Amber's throne and they should both do nothing. He loves the city." A pause, "Not quiet like that. Quiet as in, no more family in the castle, no more cousins together in the library, no more industry, empty shops."

Lisle pauses to take a sip of brandy.

Someone nods, slowly.

Lisle says, "It used to be all the family would come to the castle. Then I heard another idea, never from my father, but elsewhere."

Lisle clears her throat, "That Benedict was Finndo's man, that there'd been a war between De'alund and Amber, and Amber lost, and Desdinova was purposely trying to kill the city."

Someone squints.

Someone says "Where you hear that?"

Lisle says, "On the streets. Many people who love and live in Amber think it is so. But you won't hear it in the open streets. People are afraid of Desdinova."

Someone nods.

Lisle says, "So I know why my father wants the throne back. He wants to see the city live again, and the family back in the castle. Not just his own children, but most of us, or all who do not mean harm to Amber."

Lisle says, "She was his daughter, his lover, before anyone of us. And every day that passes he feels the betrayal of his brothers more deeply, worries that one day there will only be a pattern here, and nothing more."

Lisle looks into Someone's eyes, "So when he's unreasonable about me and my life, it's just that I'm one of the few things he loves that is unspoiled, and he wants only the best, and he wants me unharmed. There are parallels there between me,and Amber, and betrayal, and the hope of decimating things he loves."

Someone smiles, faintly.

Someone says "You are his best spokesperson. He shouldn't push you away."

Lisle says, "So now you see, while my father frustrates me, and while I fear him sometimes, I also know his heart. It's why I'll always love him no matter what he does for me, and if I could mend these things between brothers, if I could see he had a chance to mend Amber, I would." She smiles back at him, her trademark dimples showing.

Someone says "I understand."

Lisle looks away, and down, thoughtful and pensive.