Moira's Diary>

Chapter 14 (20th July 2001 CE*)

We are brought before the King of Chaos. A cowled figure on the throne greets us. He asks if we are returned home ? Armand quails a bit at this. The king asks Armand if he has any children. They talk back and forth, and Armand comes close to death with a thoughtless comment. Slorta says that he may return to his father, else remain as a Servant of the Crown, to him as the King of Chaos. Armand parries his offer, and 2, 4 ,6 and then 8 demon guards appear from the surrounding mists. Armand will not vouch for Michaela when Slorta asks, he says she can vouch for herself. At this point I move slightly to position myself away from Armand and closer towards Slorta. There is a standoff - Michaela is surrounded by blackness. Armand reaches a hand into the black globe - it is freezing cold. Slorta says that she has been taken (alive) to a cell. Armand in the end vouches for her.

Slorta wants Armand to serve the Crown, to remove the stain that is Oberon and Dworkin. Wants him to become First Warlord of the Courts - as such he would be free to do as he wishes (provided of course it doesn't compromise the safety of the Courts etc.). Armand asks if his family and his general (Michaela) would be kept as hostages - no, thought they would be killed if Armand betrayed the Courts.

Armand asks then what of House Barimen ? Apparently almost all fled with Oberon after his treason to the State and the Serpent. Those who remained were destroyed. There is a vendetta current against all of House Barimen - those who become a part of other Houses are exempted. eg. Armand, Moira, any issue of ours. If they betray, they are our responsibility to destroy. Armand says he doesn't want to accept the position of First Warlord without knowing what his children think as it effects them too. Juliette is allowed to go out into Shadow and find them and find out. Michaela is not allowed to go with her. Armand speaks aside with Juliette briefly before she leaves. The King eventually gets around to talking to me. I say that I offer my services if he'll accept them. He agrees. There is more to-ing and fro-ing with the King taking offence at any thing. He seems to succumb to ego-stroking so I use this to mollify him (lots of ego-stroking and abasing myself essentially). Eventually we're both accepted. Our task is to retrieve the Sword of Amber, which the Courts can then use against them. It is preferred it is returned in one piece but otherwise will do if needed. I sak if there may be someone to guide us in learning the ways of the Courts so we don't make any faux pas. He agrees and assigns Dylan. We are dismissed and return down the stairway. To Mother, back to her pillared hall where she provides dinner. The roast beast on the table talks, recommending parts of itself (the haunch). Armand whacks off the right haunch and tells it to recite Shakespeare instead of babbling on. It does. I spear some marinated vegetables for myself.

We're at the Courts for some decades. I use the time to practice my powers in private, learn of the Courts and its ways, cultivate friendship with Dylan and also with Mother. She relates how Oberon banished her and forbade her to contact anyone. She waited until we'd be old enough to travel through Shadow and look for her ourselves. We didn't turn up, and eventually she had to adapt to life in the Courts.

The King of Swords, our Uncle, refuses to see us. We're still poor political fodder at the moment. Armand's Juliette returns and says the children are happy to be aligned with the Courts, but would rather live out in Shadow. This is ok with King Slorta. The children of Armand will therefore be considered members of the House of Swords.

We spend most of our social and everyday life within the House of Swords. Some time in the House of Cups, less with Pentacles and Wands. I study whatever I can with those who have skills. Especially with Mother - she has Logrus, but is very skilled in Shapeshifting, beyond all others. I seek to learn at her knee, as I could not as a child growing up. Armand keeps being asked if he's had all the children he wants. He asks Mother why - apparently he's being groomed for the position of First Warlord, the 2nd highest power in the Courts after the King himself. The First Warlord bonds with a Demon who makes him indestructible (and by the sound of it also probably renders him sterile - or worse ...).

* Note: CE = Chronology of Earth

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