12.   Concerned Parents.

The blue-bearded warrior was fast, but not fast enough. His hands grabbed emptiness, as both Akin and the girl collapsed into two-dimensional silhouettes and then disappeared all together. In total despair he looked at his master, but motionless Brand did not seem mad – rather amused. Only after the door closed behind the retainer, did he get up and cross the room to the sideboard, producing a bottle of fine cognac. He poured some into a crystal tumbler and returned to his chair. For quite a long while, he did not move, thoughtfully sipping fiery liquid and watching the flames in the fireplace.

For more than twenty years he had been living in this Shadow unmolested. Bringing up Ele, painting, writing his memoirs, studying connections between the Pattern and the Logrus, successfully resisting all attempts by Jasra to hurl him back into the Amber politics. And now, abruptly his peaceful life seemed to be coming to an end. He had no doubt that the unexpected adversary was sent by Random. A warning to keep Ele away from Amber? Most probably a provocation designed to test her strength, as she most definitely would not take an abduction of her lady-in-waiting lightly. But there they made a big mistake – it was his honor that was at stake, and if they thought that Brand could no longer defend his honor, someone was to pay very dearly for this little misconception.

He took a deck out of one of the desk drawers and shuffled the Trumps until holding in his hand that of a red haired woman with a complexion like mother of pearl, who looked a lot like his Ele, but had her eyes green, instead of gray. The image started gaining dimensions. She was already in bed, slowly lowering a paperback she had been holding in her delicate long-fingered hand, luscious red hair spread over the pillow.  He could not help to chuckle. Fiona’s passion for the cheap romances she imported in great quantities from Shadow Earth did not seem to weaken.

“Sorry to disturb you at this hour, Fi.”

“Oh, it’s fine, Brand, I wasn’t sleeping yet. Anything wrong?”

“They’ve told me Ele left for Amber this morning.”

“Yes, she’s been seen in the morning with Scarlett, but now no trace of either one of them. I suppose they went into Shadow.”

“And you’re in bed?”

“What do you want me to do, dear?” Fiona sighed very deeply. “They’re both of age, yanno. So sooner or later… We did the same, as you well remember, and now it’s their turn.”

“Those were different times, Fi. There’re too many skeletons in family closets now.”

“Brand, I can’t hide Scarlett behind my skirts forever. Neither can you keep Ele locked up in the library.”

“Any idea where they went?”

“Who knows… evidently they didn’t take a walk but trumped out instead. Scarlett is good with Trump Artists, guess she got some from them.”

“So you’re not gonna do anything, Fi?”

“Hmm... not much, except for going to sleep as soon as I finish the chapter,” Fiona smiled warmly. “And you should do the same, brother. They’re rather well equipped to handle Shadow – Scarlett with her sword and Ele with her magic. Much better than we were.”

“Perhaps you’re right. But I’m still concerned… It’s not the raw power what matters but one’s skill and experience in using it… By the way, Fi, what do you know about Akin Gu-Dakk?”

“Gu-Dakk? Hmm… Corwin’s shadow son. A great dancer, charming, handsome and fun – at least in the opinion of the court ladies,” Fiona giggled. “Random employs him on occasion for hmm… delicate missions. Why?”

“Oh… no specific reason, just heard the name lately from somewhere.”

Fiona smirked. “Just heard the name? Hmm… he’s not a bad marriage material at all, if that’s what you’re thinking…”

“Don’t be silly, Fi! Ele’s way too young to think of that stuff.”

“She’s almost 21. Actually that’d be not a bad political move. Son of Corwin and a girl from our bunch.”

“So marry your Scarlett out,” Brand grinned. “Talking about Faiella’s branch, have you heard from Deirdre lately?”

“Have you been drinking lately? No one’s heard from Deirdre since… hmm… well, yanno,” Fiona rolled her eyes.

“Well, never hurts to ask. I’m so far from all the news. But I’ve kept you away from your reading long enough. Let me know at once if you hear something of Ele and Scarlett ”

“Of course I shall, Brand! Don’t you think I worry too? But it’s time for them to try on their own.”

“Be well, Fi.”

He accurately put the Trumps back together and slipped the deck into his pocket. He had never been to Deirdre’s Shadow, so teleportation was out of question, but Jasra’s description should be quite adequate for a Hellride. There was time to reflect, but then there was time to act. It was the hand of old-times Brand, firm and steady, that rung the bell.  “My horse and my sword!”

BACK               HOME               TABLE OF CONTENTS               NEXT