6. The Lost
Princess.
A dark-headed, rather handsome in his own way man was Charlie “Lucky” Luciano, the club’s owner, besides quite a few other things. Although Allysa and Akin did not know that, it was apparent that the man was important from the way he was treated by waiters. But it was not he, but a woman with him they stared at. She was rather tall, her eyes were blue and her dark hair hung long, and she was dressed all in black with a girdle of silver around her waist. Allysa gasped audibly, clutching Akin’s hand. While it was known that both Brand and Deirdre had survived the Abyss, no one had seen Deirdre for almost 50 years since the Patternfall War. Yet there she was, in this dump of a club in this dump of a Shadow…
She glanced at Allysa impassively, but then the blue eyes traveled on Akin and stayed there with a spark of painful recognition. His heart beating fast and his own eyes filled with tears, he slowly rose and made a first hesitant step followed by a few more resolute ones toward his father’s favorite sister. Both Deirdre and her companion looked at him with definite apprehension, though perhaps for different reasons, causing him to pause for a moment, only to find Allysa’s hand pushing him forward.
“My goodness! Aunt Deirdre! What a pleasant surprise!” He swept her right hand up and bowing down with respect kissed it. “You look as beautiful as always! May I introduce my traveling companion, Allysa? Allysa, this is my Aunt Deirdre.” He gave his most gallant smile, then looked from Deirdre to her companion with a raised eyebrow, not being impolite, but letting his aunt know that introductions all the way around were expected.
Deirdre seemed completely taken aback. Finally she managed a somewhat tense smile. “A surprise indeed… It’s been so long… Of course, I’m very happy to see you, Merlin... We didn’t get to talk at all the last time…” She shuddered, but quickly got hold of herself. “You look even more like your father than you did then. And I’m delighted to meet you, Allysa. But let me introduce my husband, Charles Luciano.” She turned to her companion. “Charlie, this is my nephew Merlin and his…ugh… friend Allysa.”
Husband? Akin smiled again, and with a little chuckle, replied. “Merlin? I’ll give him your greetings next time I see him, Aunt Deirdre. But, I’m Akin.”
The man’s face dissolved into a grimace, most probably intended as a smile. “Call me Lucky. Everyone else does.” Akin stuck out his hand. He wondered if he should call him Uncle Lucky, but decided not to.
Allysa ducked her head politely and added a warm smile, “Pleased to make your acquaintance Mr. Lu… um... Lucky.”
Deirdre’s eyes opened even wider in a total surprise. “Ak…ugh…Akin? You did seem somewhat taller than Merlin… but I‘d swear… You’re of the true world no doubt, I can sense… I didn’t know Corwin had another son… You’re Corwin’s son of course... just too much resemblance... Is he back in Amber? And who’s your mother? And how did you find me? And… hmm… perhaps more importantly, why? Did Corwin send you?”
Lucky was silent while his wife was bombarding Akin with questions, and it was not at all clear whether or not he had any idea of what she was talking about. Akin fidgeted and smiled and nodded with each of her questions. He explained that he was Corwin's youngest son, born and raised in the Shadow of Spirna, but he did not remember his mother. He remarked as well, that Corwin was not spending much time in Amber. As to finding her, it was completely by accident actually, and no one had sent them with this specific purpose.
Allysa gave Lucky a winning smile and slipped her arm into the crook of his. “They're family. They have lots to catch up on. Perhaps you would do me the pleasure of showing me about?”
He did not seem very pleased with the request, but obliged walking with Alyssa toward the bar. “Not much to see around here, doll. This joint seems to be it for now. Bugsy’s building a hotel down the street. Flamingo they call it. But so far the SOB just spends my dough and nothing’s completed…”
Akin wiggled his fingers to Allysa, and then sat down at the table with his aunt, engaging in a small talk with her, learning what he could about this place, and how she herself had came to be here. He also asked if she knew of any other Amberites in this realm, and what she knew of them. Deirdre’s eyes flashed, her face convulsing into a hateful grimace. “Amberites? What do I care about Amberites. Haven’t seen much good from them, have I? First Eric, then that traitorous murderer Brand… There’s none here, not as I missed them much… except perhaps for your father…”
It was hard to imagine that Deirdre’s shaking hand had once wielded a deadly battle-axe. It occurred to Akin that his aunt might not be well. “I have a life here and a family and don’t look back,” she continued coming down a little and somewhat lowering her voice. “Locked my trumps up and threw away the key. I do know that Random’s on the throne now… always thought it’d be your father… Believe it or not, Brand had the gall to send his two-bit sorceress lap bitch Jasra to make peace, as she put it,” Deirdre sneered contemptuously. “Well she went back as fast as she came in. That’s after I told her there’ll be peace after I come back to Amber to spit on Brand’s grave.” She paused as some new thought crossed her mind. “If your father didn’t send you… then what are you doing here? And who’s the girl?”
“Allysa? Oh, she’s just a traveling companion. As for who sent me...” Akin shrugged. “We’re here a bit by accident, actually. I’m supposed to be keeping an eye on a person for King Random. However, I do have my own plans, and doing his bidding allows me the officially sanctioned freedom to work towards a couple goals that I have. Yes, I’m the youngest child of Corwin. But, I want to make a name for myself, Aunt Deirdre. I want to be known for me, Akin. Not as the son of Corwin, or the brother of Merlin.” He glanced around the room to check where Allysa was before turning back to his aunt. “And if that means that I must step on a few toes or use a few people to do that... so be it!”
Allysa was walking with Lucky working her diplomatic charms on him. “It does looks very nice in here. I like the color scheme and stylish fanfare.”
Lucky grinned back. “The color scheme… right. Say, what’s that family’s racket’s all about? I figure it’s a lot like our Italian ones… Heard Dee’s brother put a contract on her or something. Only met one of them, but she was an in-law. Judith… no Jasmine… aahh... Jasra! That’s what her name was – Jasra. Tough bitch, didn’t stay long though… And what’s that crap with the true world? Dee’s shrink tells me to just ignore it, but I know there’s something to it… She does...ugh… make things happen, if yanno what I mean…”
Allysa shook her head, keeping her practiced smile as she digested that tidbit of information. Jasra… Who was Jasra? “Oh, I just sorta work for them. I’m a freelance artist and draw. Hmm… the true world is probably a reference to the old country. You know how people can be sentimental about home. I’m sure you regard the old country nostalgically with a few pet names yourself.” She paused before a painting to distract Lucky from his line of thoughts, “Who’s work is this? It’s an interesting piece.”
He glimpsed over the painting which seemed to be a genuine Renaissance with no interest or recognition whatsoever. “Ah, dunno. Dee brings them in. Don’t ask me where from, I figure as long as doesn’t cost me nothing, none of my business... As for the old country,” he chuckled, “never been to there. We all grew up in the City. New York City that is. Three of us – Bugsy, Meyer, and myself. Kinda stuck together since then. Bugsy’s been straying though lately, all because of that bitch of his... ah, a long story. But say, if ya a freelance I got a few things in the works that’s if ya… err… can do… things. I know Dee can, seen some, but kinda not our way to bring wives into business.”
“Oh?” Allysa cocked her head a little to one side, regarding him with some curiosity. “I’d be more than pleased if I could be of some service to you. What do you have in mind, Lucky?”
Deirdre nodded to Akin attentively. “I never had anything against Random. True, he always was pretty wild and footloose and nasty, musician type, you know, but your father always liked him somehow. After all, it was Random who brought your father back to Amber after him being lost on shadow Earth for centuries. Perhaps Corwin told you of it. Them saving me from Eric’s goons, us fighting our way to Rebma to restore Corwin memories, Random being punished by Queen Moire... Turned out not much of a punishment at all. I heard he’s been selected by the Unicorn, so there must’ve been more in him than we’d seen... Can’t blame you for serving him... But of course, a young man must make a name for himself.”
Akin felt much sympathy and affection in her gaze, though he was not exactly sure who it was she saw across the table, him or his father.
“And I don’t doubt you shall, as your father had before you,” she continued after a short pause. “As for my life, it’s rather uneventful and I hope to keep it this way. Charlie is a good husband and has a big heart, which is somewhat odd for a man of his occupation, but nevertheless it’s true. I don’t mess in his affairs, and he doesn’t ask many questions of mine...”
Akin could not help wondering what Lucky’s occupation might have been. Same as Bugsy’s, no doubt.
“But what is it that Random sent you to seek in this shadow? There’s nothing here the King of Amber might be concerned with. No one knows of me being here, that’s except for Brand and Jasra, but I can hardly imagine those two telling Random anything.” Apparently she was somewhat alarmed with Akin and Allysa turning up in her domain.
“Well, to tell the truth, Aunt Deirdre, we weren’t trumping here. But, for some unknown reason, this is where we ended up. It’s fortunate in a way, because the person I’m supposed to be following is also apparently in this Shadow.” Akin looked around before continuing. “I’m supposed to be following Scarlett and Elektra. Do you know of them?” He looked closely at his aunt to see if those names meant anything to her, even though he suspected that they would not, being that she had been away from Amber for so long. He paused glancing again at the people around him and then at himself. “I’m afraid that I’m sticking out here, and attracting undue and unwanted attention by my attire. I’m going to need to blend in more, and will need a change of clothes and a place to stay, since I have a feeling that I’ll be here for the time being. I don’t think I should trust trumping right now, since my last one didn’t work as well as it was supposed to.”
Lucky grinned as he slid his arm around Allysa’s waist bringing her close to him and whispering in her ear. “Nothing much, just a small favor. I want you to whack Bugsy for me.”
Allysa squirmed a little in discomfort of the unsolicited embrace. “Whack?” She asked in distracted puzzlement. “Can you please clarify whack... and remove your arm?”
He reluctantly retrieved his arm, but not before pulling Allysa into a dark corner. “We must be discreet, doll. Bugsy’s taking over. I don’t even know anymore which of my guys are mine and which are his. Of course, Meyer could always bring a few of his boys from Miami, but then I’d owe him… I’d rather owe you and keep it all in the family, yanno. So you whack…ugh… remove Bugsy…err permanently and when Dee whacks that Random fellow and is the boss, I’ll put a good word for you.”
Allysa shook her head determinedly. “I’m not an assassin, Lucky. I’m an artist as I’ve said. I don’t whack anyone.” She was getting a bad feeling about the situation in general and wanting very badly to get back to Akin and Deirdre. The pair likely had things to discuss though, so she steeled her resolve and prepared to weather out Lucky’s plottings.
Deirdre’s eyebrows slowly moved up. “Brand’s daughter? A hunchback witch born bearded and already aged – I always thought those were just sailors’ tales in the Death Alley taverns… So she does really exist? Hmm… serves him right! But, of course, not in this Shadow! I’m sure if such a horribly ugly creature appeared I’d be the first to hear about it.”
Akin frowned slightly. An ugly creature? Surely not the Elektra he had seen. It did strike him as odd that Deirdre seemed to be rather well informed in respect to the current rumors in Amber. Perhaps she was not as much out of touch as she wanted him to believe.
“As for a place to stay,” she continued, “of course, you both are most welcomed in my house. And I’m sure Charlie’s suits would fit you rather nicely.”
“If you’re sure he won’t mind, I’d be most grateful, Aunt Deirdre. And, if there’s anything I can do for you... please, don’t hesitate to ask.”
She raised her voice, “Charlie, bring Allysa back to the table. We really must go home now. I’m sure our guests would appreciate some rest.”
Lucky chuckled. “Sure you are, doll. Dee said she was an artist too when we first met. So I asked her out, and we were in that lil restaurant in Brooklyn when five of Dutch Schultz’s boys jumped us. There was that antique suit of armor hanging on the wall, so before you knew it she grabbed the halberd… Not much was left to put together for the funeral by the time she was through. Then I knew I was in love…”
Alyssa shook her head in disbelief. Whatever indigent retort she had ready, was swallowed by Deirdre's well-timed interrupting. Taking a moment to steady her voice she shook her head one more time. “Be assured that I’m an artist and such a thing is not in my resume. But I believe Lady Deirdre is beckoning for us to return.” She expertly eased herself sideways to slip by Lucky and backed towards Akin and his aunt. She could not get away from this repulsive Shadow quick enough to suit her. She started to sorely miss her easel and brushes, and her studio with the view of the gardens in the out-of-the-way part of the Castle. She caught herself suppressing a sigh.
Akin watched them approaching, seeing the look on Allysa’s face, and giving a subtle upwards motion of curiosity with his eyes. He could tell she was upset about something, and wondered what it was that Lucky had said or done.
