The Trouble with Brand

LordDiomedes

PrincessFiona

In the late afternoon, Diomedes starts to feel that tell-tale tingle along his spine. Someone is knocking on the door to his mind using a trump.

Diomedes takes the call.

Aunt Fiona's voice comes through to him. "Diomedes..."

Then her image forms in front of his mind's eye. She is dressed in lavender, seated at a desk, in a place not to disimilar to Amber. Stacks of books on wooden bookshelves can be seen in the background. She has the look that tells him she's gone several rounds with his Father in an argument - and lost.

The red-heads often have discussions as Fiona likes to call them. Brand calls them arguments, Bleys usually laughs and agrees with Brand much to Fiona's dismay. She likes to keep a united front. These arguments very rarely get out of hand, but Diomedes (and probably Rosalind) have witnessed at least a couple in recent history.

Brand and Fiona have never unleashed sorcery at each other, but it's been close a at least once. In less heated debates, that all three enjoy, Brand and Fiona are usually the most vocal. Bleys speaks less, but when he does, it's usually a strike which goes right to the heart of the matter and wins the argument. Bleys is also often a peacemaker when Brand and Fiona get out of hand and end up saying things they later regret.

Fiona's expression and a little bit of emotional seepage over the trump call, tell Diomedes that this has been one of those 'discussions' that got ugly. It's unclear whether Brand's bad moods trigger the argument or the argument triggers a bad mood, but one usually follows hot on the heel of the other.

"Yes," she says, "we had an argument." She doesn't even bother to insist on using her own word for it, an indicator to Diomedes that this was probably a bad argument. "Has your Father been in touch with you at all?"

Diomedes carefully tries to school his reactions as much as possible through a trump call, knowing all the while the futility of doing so, especially with Fiona on the other end of the call. Slight wariness, relief that one of the pair has contacted him, and curiosity about the fight are easily discernable to Fiona through the call.

"No, Aunt Fiona." Diomedes replies, a calm look on his face counterpoint to the emotions beneath.

"That's too bad," she replies, disappointed. "I would have liked to have talked to him some more."

"I was planning on calling one or the other of you with the results of today's big family meeting. You've beaten me to the punch."

She smiles in response to his banter.

Diomedes carefully pauses here, to gauge Fiona's reaction, and her knowledge of the event itself.

Fiona nods. She does not seem surprised by this news. "Yes," she says, "Bleys told me before he left that he was returning to Amber for this meeting; to be a part of this grand quest for your Grandfather. "I myself couldn't care less about how they want to chase their tails in Amber, I've been busy out in Shadow. "But," she adds, "I am concerned about you. After all, you are part of our immediate family. If you find yourself missing your Father's counsel, I'd like you to feel comfortable accepting guidance from your Uncle Bleys. At least while your Father elects to absent himself from our company." Fiona makes no mention of the search for Corwin.

"He's broken completely from the two of you then?" Diomedes asks. "Was the breach that serious?" He pauses, knowing he is not likely to get an answer and so he continues.

"I'm all right for the moment and I do miss your counsel, and Father's. While it might be fruitless to ask the obvious question." Diomedes grins. "I will instead ask you how you and Bleys want me to play this."

"Is Rosalind being briefed similarly by her father?"

Fiona smiles then and it warms her whole face. "I suspect it's the other way around. Your cousin Rosalind reminds me a lot of myself at that age, which doubtless causes Bleys a great deal of chagrin. Just as you remind me a lot of your own Father." Diomedes senses genuine affection in her eyes and tone of voice.

Diomedes gives a brief smile.

"Speaking of your Father, he'll be back," she says. "He always comes back eventually after he's moped around a bit by himself. I don't even begrudge him, it's just the timing of it. He's so...so..." Fiona searches for a word and gives up. "Well, he's my brother and your Father and we both know what he can be like."

Diomedes nods seriously.

"In his absence, Bleys and I want you to go along with whatever they're doing in Amber for now. The search for Oberon won't get anywhere, which is why I don't really have time for it. It's all for show. A sham. There's no substance there," she screws up her nose in distaste. "That's part of my whole problem with Amber for all that place is real most everyone in it is a sham, thanks to Dad." "So play along. It'll be easy because you're not expected to do anything." She pauses. "Unless, of course..." a calculating light comes into his Aunt's gaze, "you wanted to know a little more about what we're doing. You could always step in for your Father until he returns. Not that you could ever replace him, but like the three of us, you have valuable talents of your own, Diomedes..."

Diomedes smiles and nods.

"I admit that I seem to be the only admitted sorcerer of my generation. Even if I have never specialized in it as much as you and Father want me to."

"Here is the question, though, before I'd accept such an offer." Diomedes continues, smiling. "With this search for Oberon and Corwin, its pretty much expected that us children are all going to go looking for the latter, even if its probably a wild goose chase. Probably."

Fiona's eyes widen in surprise at his mention of Corwin's name. She quickly stifles it but not before Diomedes has caught it.

Diomedes does not react to the slight slip of Fiona's mask.

"Non participation is going to be...conspicuous, Theia*. And possibly tipping the hand prematurely." Diomedes points out. "Would it possible to participate in your project, and still maintain a presence on the play-along? Besides, I might be younger than all of them except deadly little Miho, but my talents might find an outlet all the same, if the reports of this shadow Corwin was last seen in is any judge."

"Yes, that would be conspicuous," she agrees. "If you were to join our little enterprise then it would certainly work to your advantage to follow through on this other obligation, and keep me informed as to your progress. "But, Diomedes, I want you to do me favor...as I said earlier, if you should happen to speak to your Father let him know that I would like to speak to him. "And Diomedes, under no circumstances mention this search for Corwin to your Father. Under no circumstances at all," she reiterates to make her point.

"Under no circumstances." Diomedes agrees. "will I mention Corwin to Father, but I shall tell him that you do wish to speak to him. And I will keep you updated on our progress."

He pauses and offers a slow smile. "When I do speak to him, should I directly tell him that I've joined the Enterprise, or would you prefer that news be left to you?"

Fiona pauses. "Leave that to me," she finally answers.

Diomedes cocks his head. "And, how will I be able to divine that Rosalind has or has not made the same choice as I? Or is she, being older, already long since involved?"

"No, not yet. At least, not on this level. She is, of course, involved by virtue of who she is, as my student and Bleys' daughter. Much as you have been. "With things as they currently stand, it might be that's changing. You'd have to speak to Bleys about it. If Rosalind asks you first, then tell her you're working with us and tell her what you know of your Father. It's not as if you can reveal specifics yet. When you've played along enough with this search for Corwin for everyone's taste, then call me."

Diomedes considers this for a moment or two and then nods.

"Of course, if we should actually discover something worthwhile on the front, you'd like to be informed as soon as possible, of course, Aunt Fiona."

"I shouldn't prejudice myself or our chances, after all. The unexpected is not only possible, but under the right circumstances, routine. You and Father have taught me that." Diomedes smiles.

Her smile is a little strained, as Diomedes' choice of words is very reminiscent of something his Father would say. "Now there's a thought..." Fiona muses, "the search for Corwin actually turning up something worthwhile. I'm not sure Corwin fits into that category." She becomes serious again. "Yes, please do inform me if that should happen, though if you should find Corwin, you may very well find yourself extremely busy. Otherwise, I'll expect you to call me when it's finished."

Diomedes nods, returning to a business like mien. "Yes, Aunt Fiona. Until I have the pleasure of speaking with you again."

He then closes the contact.

• Theia is Aunt in Greek, affectionately intended.