--Wendell Johnson
Handed to Zariya by a maid who rushes to her worried.
Girl,
You are to report to Dame Margot at 5 am tomorrow morning in the Dining Room. Please dress in court clothes.
Oberon
When you arrive to the Dinner at Oberon's direct order, you notice that the dining room is decorated in finery since the reign of Queen Jasra.
There are fine linen, crystal, ornate china. Not in the Anglo European Thelbane style but more in a style that is different and while high and formal, it is of a different style from that of the Chaos tradition.
Dame Margot, a crusty old woman her age uncertain though she wears her white hair under a veil. Her colours are white and gold trim. She has a Hogwarts style of no nonsense authority in her step.
Gerard is sitting crestfallen at one of the front tables. He is wearing a fine blue tunic and chain of office with a fine darker blue cloak at his back. He sighs when people walk in seeing him.
"I am glad Corwin is here too. He is a real pig." Caine says across from the table. "I heard the Head Cook bitch to Dad about him raiding the kitchen. He ate the entire breakfast for the whole castle last week and Oberon had to pay Droppa to have the Pit make breakfast for the castle. Cost Dad (oberon) a pretty penny. He sent the bill to the Parys Embassy. It is embarrassing for them to hear their King was a pig and created a minor incident. I am sure the great ladies and lordlings of Chaos will be laughing up their sleeves. Dara will probably do a little jig."
Julian is FURIOUS. He is sitting across from Gerard and is fuming. His fingers tap the table impatiently. He keeps gripping a thick wine goblet that is empty.
Corwin is there looking bored. He keeps looking up to see if you are the waiter or waitress bringing him breakfast and coffee....
Caine is there too. He is sitting in unusual finery though he keeps taking out his dagger and playing with it menacingly whenever the Dame Margot is not watching. When she spots him, she goes over and chastises him sternly.
Everyone is sitting at an assigned table with room for 5 people to be seated class room style. Think of a classroom format with a dining table ahead of you.
There are places with many types of cutlery on each side and in front of the gold trimmed white china at your seat.
There is a linen napkin of green and white set aside for each as well.
Servants in fine royal livery stand at her beck and call.
Caine has one table as does Corwin. Gerard and Julian share a table.
Shows in the gown she wore at Oberon's court, though it shows some changes in trim and such to make it 'not the same gown' as it was. Empire with square cut neckline, that has had some lace inserted to make it softer; the full sleeves shortened to more of a tea length; white gloves to elbow. Ice blue with darker blue design, and the fullness of the skirts has been narrowed to make it less ball and more tea.... Hair has been gathered under a silver net. No diamonds or pearls, a simple y necklace with drop in blue and silver, and a pair of small earrings. Alexis looks tired and in great need of a few cups of strong coffee....
Upon entering, Alexis takes skirts and does a polite light curtsey, as would be keeping with a 19th century noble's event, the curtsey is offered towards Dame Margot. She then carefully and slowly walks up to sit at a table, with grace and dignity.
Margot examines her curtsey critically,"That is too stiff. More for Thelbane. We want something more Tudor in nature. More relaxed and less dip...."
She curtsies in this manner to her,"Also Your Highness outranks me so I should curtsey to you first. If I do not because I am churl or because it is informal then you should under no circumstances curtsey to such an impolite personage."
Alexis nods politely. "You will excuse me, my lady. I am sometimes momentarily forgetful, of my present rank."
Dame Margot nods,"I accept Your Highness's explanation. I am aware of all your files and I do know that I am here to help you make your transition comfortably and as seemlessly possible."
Alexis smiles slightly at that. "You are kind." she says politely. "Thank you."
"Welcome to Dame Margot's School for Princes of the Universe,'The Dame says,"I am your teacher, Dame Margot. And you will be seated at Caine's table."
She indicates Caine.
"Pray be seated." she bids Alexis.
Alexis has kept eyes downcast, and slightly curtseys to Dame Margot and moves to the indicated place.
Uncle Caine rates a slight curtsey as well when Alexis gets there.
Caine stumbles up when Dame Margot glares at him and gets up and offers to hold Alexis' chair for her.
Who smiles slightly and politely and gracefully accepts the help to sit. "Uncle." she says demurely in acknowledgement. After Caine has sat once again, Alexis quietly works off her gloves and puts them where cultured ladies do, out of sight, she sits and demurely waits.
Caine lets her sit in the chair and under Margot's watchful eye he helps her into his chair.
"Do I have to do it for Rory too?" asks Caine rudely "It would be fun."
Dame Margot glares at Caine,"What would Prince Mandor think if he saw this class and how shocking your manners are, Your Highness?"
"It would be harder for him to get away with poisoning everyone." Caine says unblinking.
"Why me?" Dame Margot mutters to herself looking at Caine annoyed.
Rory shows up promptly in response to the summons to meet with Dame Margot. He has had a new wardrobe made from lighter weight cotton and linen in Ardor, and wears that instead of the suffocatingly heavy, smelly layers of wool. You can see your reflection in his boots. His clothes are ironed and starched to the point where they almost crackle. The creases in his gray trousers are razor-sharp, his black jacket has not a speck of lint upon it, and his gold sash fairly gleams. It would appear that his faithful valet has somehow scared up some decent tailors and an excellent cleaning service.
Dame Margot sees Rory enter the room and she sighs almost inaudibly.
She goes over to him,"How do you do, Your Highness."
"I'll allow as I've been better in the past," he answers.
"I see. One hopes Your Highness will be able to learn and bring honour upon his family today." Dame Margot says with an oblique hint.
"Honor is such a slippery and subjective term," Rory answers. "I'd prefer to bring profit and prosperity. And power. Those lovely 'P' words."
"While a gentleman should pay his bills, we will not worry about grasping and profiteering. I think Lord Suhuy is more qualified or his disciple, the King Tiberius of Kapella:" Dame Margot sniffs.
"Will you please go and sit with Caine and Alexis." she bids.
"That depends. Do I actually have a choice in the matter?" he asks. "Because I'd really rather eat toe cheese."
Margot glares at him sternly as only a thin old woman who was a teacher could. "I am not serving the latter for breakfast Your Highness, be that as it may, I could arrange Your Highness to have it for lunch."
"Pray do join Prince Caine and Alexis at their table, post haste, Your Highness."
Rory sighs loudly. "If there's not a choice, why do you ask?" he asks rhetorically. He walks over to the table, flashes his most undisguisedly fake grin, and sits.
"As it is polite to recommend strongly so as to no give orders, Your Highness." She says unshaken
"Golly gee, fancy meeting all of you here."
Julian smirks at Caine and Gerard sighs openly.
Caine grins. Evilly.
"Hello Red." he says as he picks up his knife and starts to play with it twirling the pointed tip on the top of his index finger.
"Hello, uncle," Rory says, smirking back. "I see you've managed to evade Suhuy's courts and spice mines. Good luck."
"Thank you. Your blond brothers are getting frisky and are being pests. I think I should consider a summer vacation inside Fortress Rowanburgh. I look forward to visiting the place with a few friends." he smiles and passes Rory a small coin.
"That's nice," Rory says. "I'm told that Kirk has some outstanding prison cells. No doubt a stay would do you good." He looks at the coin curiously.
"I would think that I would enjoy the throne room more. Those horrible white sun on blue flags are so tacky. Methinks a nice seagull on green would be better.:"
"If you say so. You'll have to take care of Kirk first, and do a better job of putting him away than you did with dad," Rory says.
"That bitch Deirdre helped him survive in the Abyss." Caine says as Dame Margot gives him a stern look.
"One does not refer to Princesses as the blood as female hounds." she says stiffly to Caine.
"Caine!" Dame Margot yells at him sternly,"If you do not put your toys away in class, I will confiscate it and make you tell me why I should let you have it. Generations of Mecklenberg boys will thank me for it."
Zariya will appear to Dame Margot at the prescribed time, in the prescribed place. She is wearing a rather subdued dress, being of a dark forest green, with much gold embroidery. The cut of the dress is modest. She is wearing a bit of jewelry, earrings and a bracelet, just enough to accentuate the dress without being overbearing. Her hair is in a braid, with tiny golden ornaments braided into it, jingling very softly whenever she turns her head.
Dame Margot greets her with a polite nod of her head.
"How do you do Your Highness?"
Zariya inclines her head slightly to Dame Margot, "Very well, thank you."
She then indicates that she should join Rory, Alexis, Caine at their table.
Without further ado, Zariya moves over to the table. She inclines her head to Alexis, ignores Rory, and gives her father a small curtsey. "Greetings, my father," she says. "You look very handsome this day."
Alexis offers a polite nod in return as way of greeting.
Caine gets up and gives her a chaste embrace trying to ignore Dame Margot. "My dear daughter, how are you today?"
"I am well, thank you for the asking," she replies, returning the embrace briefly. She steps back, and then waits for Caine to move out her chair for her.
Caine gets up and will do so quickly. Dame Margot nods under her unflinching allseeing eye.
"It is a pleasure, my daughter." Caine says politely.
Zariya sits down gracefully.
Dame Margot smiles and nods approvingly.
"I dressed up to make Father happened. He woke up discovering that his little Rory did not know how to eat without use of a trough and he did not want Mandor to sneer at us any further than normal and for Brandites to set up a Save the Rory Fund." he says without cracking into a smile.
"Money and energy wasted," Zariya replies dryly. "There is nothing worth saving, from what I have seen so far."
"Especially Rory." Caine says,"I am sure we could sell him to the Abyss and see what gold we can get for him."
"Gold?" she replies, smiling a bit, "Copper maybe. He is a red-head, after all."
Caine smirks evilly,"Now how many copper pennies for this fine redheaded brute? I wonder since he sails if he knows how to swim?
Her smile widens slightly, "'Brute' is too kind a word. 'Simpleton' maybe. Ja-hosh," she says, giving a accented flair, "for a certainty."
Gerard smirks but then stops,"Your Highness, Zariya,....What is a Ja-hosh?"
Caine guesses,"I suspected it is a big eared stupid looking redheaded cuss who smells of dead fish and pretends to be a pirate because he grew up watching bozos like Rinaldo and Kelric's HBC lionize a terrorist pirate against Amber like Dread Pirate Giles."
"Close enough," Zariya replies.
Dunstree sighs. "If thre were money to me made selling Rory, he'd have sold himself long ago. Perhaps he already has."
Rory rolls his eyes. He reaches under the table, and pulls up a serving spoon that he had tucked in his boot. He looks to make sure Dame Margot's attention is elsewhere, then bends the neck at a right angle and stuffs the handle down the stiff collar of his tunic.
"Wake me if something worth my attention happens," he says. He smirks at Caine. "See, uncle, there's value in carrying about other sorts of cutlery."
Dunstree lets the grin on his face briefly, then returns to a grim expression suitable for Dame Margot.
He rests his chin on the bowl of the spoon, closes his eyes, and appears to doze off. The spoon prevents his head from bobbing and alerting Dame MArgot.
"Funny, no one at this table has ever condemned Rory for lacking ingenuity," Dunstree says holding his straight face.
Caine waves his hand for a moment, sending a small cantrip to knock the spoon over.
Dame Margot's eyes cat like swish around.
"PRINCE RORY," She calls out. "Do you usually enjoy sleeping at breakfast or is it what pirates do?"
"Yes," Rory responds, replacing the spoon and closing his eyes again.
"Please struggle to remain conscious. It will be greatly appreciate if Your Highness is with us in body and spirit."
"I would have brought a raincoat because of you know who (Rory) being near us but Dame Margot said it clashed with my hose." Caine says lightly.
Zariya gives her father a tight smile and a slight shrug in reponse.
Caine grins naughtily.
After that, Zariya turns towards Alexis, "Cousin, it is pleasant to see you again also. Tell me, what have you been doing lately?"
Alexis smiles politely when spoken to. "Cousin." she begins in pleasant tones. "Working on getting the city utilities up to a civilized level...and financing the same. Would you care to hear the spiel?" and a corner of her mouth quirks. "I give warning first in polite company...and I can always talk to you later about that."
Zariya returns the smile, inclining her head, "Consider it an appointment, then. I shall be glad to listen to your 'spiel' about it."
Alexis nods. "My quote shall soon be, 'buy bonds'." and she nods back. "I have an office in the temporary city offices block, on the university grounds. I shall tell Paula to work you in when you arrive."
"Very well," Zariya flashes a quick smile, "My thanks for your time--I know it is valuable."
Dame Margot assigned Dunstree to sit with Caine, Rory, Alexis and Zariya
"I'm surprised Corwin's not here. This would seem to be the table for hard cases."
"He's over at a table by himself. No one wants to eat with him," chuckles Caine.
"Um. To hear people talk, being near Corwin while he eats would put one at risk for losing a limb."
"They need to drag him in from shore when he is sucking on soup." Caine chuckles.
"Hello, Father," Dunstree says. "May I ask what the occasion is?"
"Father said I ate like Kelric at a buffet table but without Jasra to teach him." Gerard says hurt,"He heard me belch at supper when he and I ate last night and he ordered me to go and hang out with the kiddies."
"In some cultures, belching is considered a spontaneous compliment to the chef...applause from the heart, or at least from the stomach," says Dunstree.
"That is very nice Your Highness." corrects Dame Margot,"But that is there. And you are in Amber right now. And our culture says that belching while dining with King Oberon is rude and for most people bad for one's health."
"Yes, people around King Oberon seem to eat as if it may be the last meal they get," Dunstree observes deadpan.
"Considering the quality of the food here," Caine says sarcastically,"I know why."
Laszlo attends punctually, attired in classy court wear with his dress sword and spurs.
Maybe he's used to getting up early - he looks bright as a button.
Dame Margot looks at this walking maypole and shakes her head. She inspects the way his scabbard is on his side for effect.
Then she decides to not say anything, but "Your Highness, pray be seated beside Gerard and Julian. I am sure you can colour up their drab morning."
Julian groans. Audibly.
Laszlo doesn't look over the moon about it either, but does as he is bid.
Julian sees him and takes a drink from that empty wine goblet and mutters under his breath, "Accursed Serpent's Tail... No wine....."
Gerard is pleasant and moves his hulking frame a bit away for Laszlo to have some room to sit.
She watches as Laszlo sits down to make sure he does not get tangled up in his sword as Merlin is prone to doing so often.
Laszlo sits down carefully, as much to prevent making a lot of noise as to avoid getting tangled. He manages a small smile and scans the room, looking at the range of emotions on display.
Jessa arrives, ten minutes early. Wearing a dark green court dress.
Dame Margot favours the young princess with a slight smile,"Good Morning, Your Highness."
"And how is Your Highness this morning?"
Jessa returns the smile. "I have been looking forward to the honor of meeting you Dame Margot."
"thank you, Your Highness," Dame Margot gives her an exquisite curtsey,"I savoured the same pleasure to meet Your Highness," she says beaming with a warm smile.
She indicates the seat beside Laszlo at Gerard and Julian's table. Gerard gets up and offers to help her sit.
Jessa smiles at Gerard for his help.
Gerard smiles to her back in a kindly manner.
Julian grunts and waits.
Dame Margot clears her throat at Julian and he growls and stands up.
Laszlo springs to his feet with a clatter and makes way. He grins sheepishly
[Jessa] does favor [Laszlo] with a broad smile.
Bishop is dressed all in white - white slacks, white shirt, white jacket, white socks, and white shoes. All white except for his red handkerchief on his left jacket pocket. Bishop strides in scanning the Dinning Room.
Dame Margot looks at Bishop.
"Your Highness should be wearing Court Dress, this is neither Haven nor Thelbane Palace. One would suggest that white tie and tails are inappropriate. One may suggest that a more traditional form of dress is appropriate.
"Pray Your Highness, Prince Bishop, that you may go back to your chamber and clad thyself in more comely apparel. White tie and tails are definitely under dressed."
"The man from Glad." Caine says to Gerard who snickers.
Corwin laughs.
Dame Margot wheels on both of them,"Does Your Highness have anything to comment?"
Caine shakes his head and says nothing.
She turns to Bishop saying, I thought not."
"Now Your Highness, we will see you in Court Dress. The colour of course is entirely up to you."
George shows up in a nice business suit blue in color, with a walking stick. His blonde hair is cut short, and has a gold pocket watch in his pocket.
Dame Margot sees this and sighs,"Your Highness is not dressed for the manner and custom of this dinner. We are eating in High Amber style. Pray go back and dress for dinner, not for Show and Tell on your last trip to Chaos."
"And one does not bring their walking stick into the dining room. That is the sign of a pretentious boor." she tells Alexis and the four elder Princes.
Caine snickers.
"Does Your Highness have anything to add?" Dame Margot's voice cracks out like a whip at Caine.
George just turns and pivots and walks out.
A few minutes later, he arrives back in a nice linen shirt, and pants
"Much better, Your Highness." Dame Margot nods to him,"Now Your Highness, you may go and sit with Gerard, Julian, Laszlo, and Jessa."
"Hey where is dad? " George asks
"His Highness has sufficient table manners." Dame Margot tells George.
"bummer" george says.
She points to the second table for George to be seated at.
George will go sit down humming slight "George of the jungle theme."
"Your Highness," Dame Margot confronts him sharply,"Why are you humming to a formal occasion. We have an orchestra handy for musical accompaniment handy."
"we are suppose to be learning how to be proper and i do better in school when I hum." George says.
"I can only urge Your Highness to learn quietly." Dame Margot advises him. "I think I would do better herding cats."
"their is good money in that I heard, Mrrr especially." George offers and sits down.
Stephen arrives punctually. He is dressed in turn of 20th century formal morning attire, almost entirely in black. The exceptions are his cufflinks (silver, with black opal), his gloves (white), and his ascot (deep crimson).
He gazes briefly about the room, noting all there, and nodding slightly to each table. He sketches a slight bow to Dame Margot. "I am honored that you recieve me, most esteemed Lady."
Rubrick will show up a minute or two early wearing a dark, dark green crushed velvet suit in a subdued Victorian style, white shirt with ruffled cuffs, holding his walking stick.
She looks at him and sighs,"Why does everyone think this is Thelbane Palace or Haven Race Days at the Ascot."
"Would your Highness please change into something more befitting medieval Amber." (ca1510)
Stephen gives her a bit of a nod. "Of course. Unobservant of me." He leaves.
She looks to Caine,"Your Highness is more accurate when you maintain that the Chaos ones are smarter. I think His Majesty and Lord Xanthus have their work cut out for them."
Jared reports to the dining room at precisely 5 am wearing an obviously newly purchased outfit that conforms to the prevailing trends at court, as demonstrated over the past few weeks anyway. His midnight-blue tunic is offset with tasteful, unobtrusive pieces of silver jewelry, including the insignia of the various offices that he has been granted.
Dame Margot sees Jared and says,"Good morning, Your Highness. Pray be seated with The Prince, Corwin."
Corwin gives him a merry wave.
Jared crosses the room, nodding politely to all assembled. As he approaches the indicated table, he bows, "It is a pleasure, Prince Corwin. How are you this morning?"
"Tired and I could use a lot of coffee." he says ,"However Dame Margot assures me that if I do it right I may not need her services for two hundred years."
"Or unless they bar the kitchen doors with a couple of Blake's cerebus and a good portcullis," jokes Julian sneering at Corwin from another table.
Corwin waves his hands as if chains are from them and says,"Rattle rattle rattle. oh terrible gaoler."
Julian looks away in disgust.
Ryan sets to the task of getting dressed in his court clothes. It includes many, many layers of cloth layered over cloth. He has on Silks and fine cloth that are layered over his torso to resemble his house crest. For his this consists of layers of white silk, emerald colored, thin, and very soft leathers, and gold embroidered sashes that are layered one after the other across him until his crest is visible in the center of his outfit. He then puts on a light vest that is made of some flexible material that appears to be Ivory, but moves like soft leathers. He then clasps on his long cloak with his house symbol in the back. The clasp has a very large emerald. He has on satin and silk trousers that move easily with him, and soft white boots. His cape flows out behind him as he walks.
He then reports to Dame Margot at the appropriate time.
Dame Margot sees Ryan and says,"Good morning, Your Highness. Pray be seated with The Prince, Corwin and the Prince Jared."
Corwin nods to him politely.
Ryan will walk over to where Corwin and Jared are sitting and take a seat. "Good morning uncle Corwin. It is a pleasure to see you."
Corwin nods to him,"Hello, boy. Are you one of mine?" he says curiously.
Caine and Julian look at each other and snicker.
"No, I am not." Ryan states plainly. "But it is still a pleasure to meet an uncle of mine." Ryan says more cheerfully. "I have heard a great many stories about you, and if haft of them are true then I would count myself lucky to be related to one such as yourself."
Julian and Caine look at each other and burst out laughing.
Dame Margot stares at them intently.
"Why thank you, young man." Corwin says warming up to Ryan. "I have not heart all the stories but I am glad they are positive. I hope though they got my name spelled right."
(To Jared.) "I'm sorry, I don't believe I've had the pleasure." He holds out his hand. "My name is Ryan Westlock"
Jared rises and shakes hands with Ryan before he sits. "I am Prince Jared, it is a pleasure to meet you." Jared looks at Dame Margot out of the corner of his eye, though not for approval as much as verification it would seem. "Did I see you at the ceremony His Majesty organized to welcome many of the new arrivals to Amber or have you arrived e'en more recently?"
Ryan smiles at Jared. "I was at the ceremony, but due to a mix up I ended up late. The party had already broken down into smaller groups that were having heated debates or casual discussions. I thought perhaps that it was not proper to interrupt personal conversations in order to introduce myself." He takes a seat and tries to get comfortable. "If there is time before we start perhaps you could tell me a little about yourself."
[Alvin’s] black hair [is] pulled back in a tail, dressed semi formal with brown robes trimed in blue and gold. He looks thin, yet healthy. His face clean shaven, with spider lines at his eyes. His eyes dart around the room. He looks for Dame Margot...
Dame Margot sees Alvin and says,"Good morning, Your Highness. Pray be seated with The Prince, Corwin."
Corwin gives him a merry wave,"There's room for two more."
Alvin glances over to the table, looks back at Dame Margot and says "Good morn to you as well" he pauses and continues with "So tell me, why have I been asked to come here, Dame Margot?" this looking like he expects a good answer. A glance around the room as he awaits her reply...
"You are here to learn to eat properly. I have had a request from His Majesty that your generation needs the first steps in proper ettiquette and as such I will begin classes whenever His Majesty deems necessary."
"For now, we are having a breakfast."
Caine hisses,"The real reason is that Dad saw Rory's table manners and to quote my daughter, 'Rory eats like a pig.;'"
Alvin out right laughs and says "Good then I'm hungry"
Shortly therefter Stephen returns in garb, that though entirely black, would look quite at home in an early Tudor court- a tunic of black silk, doublet of black velvet with black fur trim, black silk trousers, low black boots (or high shoes), and limp black velvet hat/cap. This is all relieved with an occasional bit of silver, and his court sword. He also wears a half cape draped over one shoulder, lined in black silk, with owl feathers covering the outer surface. This he hands to a servant as he re-enters and presents himself for approval or further correction.
Dame Margot appraises him and then nods,"Your Highness. That is much better."
"Pray join Princes Corwin, Alvin, Ryan and Jared. Your table is complete."
He nods again, and approaches the final seat. Sigh. Late. Oh well. "Uncles, cousins, hello. I don't think we have had the leisure to meet until now. I am Stephen."
Corwin is pleasant,"Nope, you aren't late Nephew. Just not as early as some but earlier than others."
By the way - DID you bring coffee?"
"I would have had I known the need, Uncle, but as things stand, I fear not. I have an excellent blend at my rooms if you would care to sample some afterwards", Stephen replies.
"That won't do any good." sighs Corwin. "She,"indicating Dame Margot" does not even let us out for calls of nature."
Stephen nods understandingly. Not having heard earlier remarks, he says:"Your reputtion certainly precedes you, Uncle."
Corwin beams and says thank you to Stephen.
Stephen nods acknowledgement to Corwin.
Julian says,"It is like your breath Corwin. Both are like an open grave."
This gets a raised eyebrow from Stephen, but no more. "Tales of your deeds have also spread far and wide, Uncle Julian. Well met, sir." He has yet to manifest other than a neutral expression, neither smiling nor otherwise.
As his cousins arrange themselves at Corwin's table and take their turns greeting/sucking-up-to their uncle, Jared politely greets each, watching everything that passes quietly with a bemused smile. After Corwin and Julian exchange barbs, Jared turns to Corwin and asks, "I wonder, uncle, if you would be so kind as to regale those of us who are new here with a tale of what life was like growing up here in Amber. I particularly wonder what breakfasts were like back then and if they bore any resemblance whatsoever to this affair."
Caine goes,"Oh Poor Unicorn spare us!" he makes a minor religious sign of submission behind Dame Margot's back.
Zariya turns to Caine with a frown, "Father, that is unkind. And blasphemy." She leans over to him, and says in a low whisper, "And the longer you keep that up, the longer we will all be detained here." She then leans back in her chair, and turns attentively and politely towards Corwin, to listen.
Alvin looks over at Zariya, and says "Damn to bad we're related. You 're cute" this with a raised eye and wide grin...
Corwin sighs,"It always seems so much bigger." he begins softly. "Amber was a castle of infinite size and beauty where you could discover a new corridor or passage or crawlspace every day. It was where the princes would be taught by tutors, attendants would wake us up and schedule our days but Deirdre and I would sneak off and go find a secret door."
"I was very popular with visiting nobles and royals when I showed them the way to the secret tunnel to the kitchen. The cook threatned to tell father until I revealed how he was selling sweetmeats to the Duke of Aligohni."
"Trust Corwin to do something slimy at that age,"Julian remarks blandly.
Jared listens politely to Corwin's eloquent tale of breakfasts past with his fingertips templed before his nose. "A most fascinating story, Lord Corwin. I can certainly see where you acquire your reputation." Jared has a maddening way of speaking that makes it impossible to tell if he is sincere or sarcastic.
"I had picked up the stories while doing some research on my familly origins." Ryan explains. "And it seems that all of my uncles have been either hero's or villians at some time or another. It all comes down to who you hear the stories from. But the majority of the stories I have heard conserning yourself have been positive." Ryan sits back a little and continues. "You will have to tell me about some of your more exciting adventures when we have more time."
Corwin is flattered,"Well there was the time when I saved Amber through my decisive - er?"
Gerard donated a plate of steaming bacon and eggs in front of him and Corwin involuntarily takes a spoon and begins to shovel it down in rapid succession.
Dame Margot is over there, and says to Corwin,"Corwin! Breakfast is not ready and you have done fifteen vviolations of ettiquette!"
Corwin mumbles with a full mouth something and a strip of bacon falls partly out his mouth.
Corwin shovels it in like a starving man devouring his last meal. Margot waves her hands and says "Absolvo ad Tartaro," and the plate disappears with the steaming contents.
As Gerard sets the food before Corwin and Corwin proceeds to shovel it in, Jared raises an eyebrow and glances over toward his father Julian and the rest seated around Caine's table. He ever so slightly scoots back from the table, bringing to mind in that simple discrete motion the image of a master stepping away after setting a bowl before a prized hound, lest he be coated in the spray of food sure to follow.
Alvin sees this and gos in to a muffled giggle fit. "that sucks!"
Margot rounds on Alvin and turns to him with sharp blue eyes flashing,"Did you have anything to contribute to the rest of the class, Your Highness, Prince Alvin?"
"Yeah, that sucks, ya have to admit" with a grin " he looked like he was into his plate eh? Like taken candy from a babe..." Alvin remarks then " I sure you could at least see that?" he asks unmoved with her manner. "Thats my contribution Dame" as he turn his attention away looking over at the other table
Dame Margot says,"You may leave this instance." She says,"I will ask a couple of palace guardsmen to take you to the King's Office where you may explain your uncouth ways to Balaam and to His Majesty."
Zariya looks over to Caine saying, "It shames me to say it, but I am actually glad that Rory is sitting at our table."
"Ouch" is Alvins only reply in mock hurt
Caine chuckles merrily,"I think Balaam is going to have a terrible day. And knowing Balaam, he will make that Alvin chap throw himself out of the neared window."
"Thank the gods. Next time you may wish to work on your organizational skills, and when you request me to come, send some read along material with the rules. I did nothing wrong." this in a dismissive tone from Alvin.
Margot stares at him without comment her thin lips pursing.
She indicates a couple of guardsmen who come up to Alvin,"Your Highness," they tell him,"We must go now." The guardsmen are definitely unhappy with their task.
"Don't worry, I know you got the shit task." Alvin looks at the guards, and gathers his things, then stands looks to the assembled, and says "Good day to you, it is a pleasure" this with dignity. To Dame Margot "Except you"
Dame Margot turns her back to him.
Princess Flora looks away and sighs lightly to herself.
Caine and Gerard look at each other and fall silent. Gerard sighs. Julian pouts quietly and glares at Margot behind her back.
Alvin turns to the guards and says " As soon as you are ready?" and follows then out.
The guards will not reply but quietly escort Alvin out. A runner goes ahead to inform Balaam that he has an assistant for the duration of the week.
Stephen glances around the room with a slightly raised eyebrow and a small sigh.
The food is brought out. It is a standard breakfast fare.... Many servants bring it out at once.
There are scrambled eggs, pancakes, bacon, toast, hashbrowns
There are condiments of maple syrup, corn syrup, jam, jelly, peanut butter and butter.
There is tea, juice (no coffee) with milk and sugar. There is no cream.
Dame Margot says,"Today's lesson will be over breakfast. I will be addressing you by your familiar names and not refering to your titles during the lesson. You must use correct titles on the other handwhen you speak to anyone."
"There is no fruit or vegetables with this meal as this meal was planned by His Majesty." she explains.
"Now there are four pieces of cutlery. The knife is for eating and for using. It must be in your right hand. Do not shame us by having Jasra mock us for eating with our forks in our right hand. The fork is to be used in your left hand at all times while eating. The spoon is for mixing with your tea."
"You notice the butter knife. Only use it for butter. Do not mix it with jam."
Use the knives or spoons for condiments and do not mix them up. They are for everyone at the table so it is bad manners to lick them."
"Corwin! Get your spoon out of the jelly." she interrupts the guilty faced Corwin.
"There is no alcohol at breakfast. Therefore no toasts." Margot continues her lecture." There are three glasses. One is for water. One is a tiny glass for juice. Juice is very valuable and should only be drunk from a tiny glass. If you want milk, that would require its own glass. There is a cup for tea. If you wish tea, put your tea spoon into the cup. If not, place the cup upside down on its plate. You should speak as little as possible to the servants as they are not there but to serve."
"Tea is nice but not compulsary. Do not mix cream with it. That is barbaric. Honey is acceptable."
"Bacon may be eaten with fingers but one should be mindful of the grease. Do not be a Kelric of Haven and make a game of your eggs. He plays with his eggs and mops them up with toast."
"Any questions thus far?"
Rory turns his teacup upside-down, crosses his arms, and leans back in his chair.
"Rory!" Dame Margot's voice cracks out,"One does not flop at a dining chair. Also crossing one's arms is rude to your fellow table companions by suggesting you are cross and anti social. Please adopt a more pleasing air."
Caine says with a smirk,"Rory is being just a chip off the old block. Do you recall when Brand was so melocholic that he all but tried to drown himself in his winegoblet."
Gerard says,"I had to get the wine out of his lungs, he says grunting in his complaints.
Alexis waits patiently until given the word to proceed. She puts the tea spoon into the cup, and waits to be served. After the others at her table have theirs, she then proceeds to unfold napkin, and most properly approaches her breakfast. She uses please and thank you for stuff to be passed, and otherwise decoriously eats with brit style handling of the cutlery (fork in left and so on). Other than the first thing she has is a whole cup of tea, black, no lumps, and two more with her meal....
Stephen pays quiet attention. Placing the spoon in his teacup (he drinks his plain), he proceeds with draping the opened napkin upon his lap. As he is used to using knife/fork 'european' style (fork always in left hand), this is no difficulty. After acquiring a serving of eggs, he examines the condiments briefly. Pausing, he looks up to Dame Margot:"Excuse me, Dame Margot, is there a rule against salt and/or pepper?".
She regards him carefully,"No, but if you prefer to have salt or pepper in your tea, others may feel your tastes are rather odd."
She comments,"It is most polite to respectfully ask those near you to pass you the condiments. If they are in the centre and you need to reach for them, it is best to excuse oneself. However it is best that you do this rarely if at all."
"In a state affair, it is best to suffer through the bad cooking and do neither."
Dame Margot after breakfast has a flip chart brought over and it is labelled TITLES AND NOBILITY
"You are all royals and as such you have precedence over the whole Nobility." she begins."However you should be respectful of them and not be crass and common while dealing with them."
"First is the King. His Majesty rules all." she says emphatically,"Democracy or ideals related to that nonsense will make him mirthful."
She writes with a marker KING on the chart
"You will address him as His Majesty or His Royal Majesty. While other Great Powers name themselves Emperor of their Shadow Regions, Oberon is simply Overlord or High King. He does not use the spurrious title of Emperor of the Golden Circle as the usurper Finndo and the successors of his do."
"After the King is technically the Crown Prince however the Crown Prince Act blocks the Crown Prince from the succession. Finndo holds the title Crown Prince and cannot be removed due to Treaty thousands of years ago with the Imperial Court of Thelbane and under Cornelian Law."
"Therefore there is no succession and His Majesty will not designate succession laws. Many interpretations have been made at this erroneously,"Dame Margot looks at Eric then Bleys disapprovingly.
Princes for the purpose of protocol is due to the Proclamation naming them as Princes of the Blood. Benedict is the premier Prince followed by Eric. Osric and Finndo have a special status that will be determined if they come to Court as Princes of Amber and obedient sons of His Majesty." She says with a look implying ice on the lava of hell.
"The order is therefore: Benedict, Eric, Corwin, Brand, Bleys, Caine, Julian, Gerard, Random, Delwin, Dalt, and Cedric."
"Amber follows salic law forbidding female succession but like France, Oberon recognizes heirs of the female line."
"Princesses do follow the Princes in precedence: Deirdre, the Princess Royal, Fiona, Llewella, Florimel, Sand."
"Grandchildren's precedence has been announced today by His Majesty by alphabetical order unless they are Monarchs of Great Powers or Paolo of Patternlands. These do take precedent over other Monarchs, though it is not expected any will be arriving to Amber. This is an accord that was signed with Prince Mandor of House Sawall on behalf of the Thelbane Heraldic Office and the Royal Office of Protocol."
"The same rule applies to Great Grandchildren of Oberon and their heirs. Except that all descendants after Grandson will be equal as just a Prince of Blood. For example Reinhard of Trinity is a grandson of Oberon. His son Art would be similar rank to a great great great grandson but unless his name is Alan, Art will have alphabetical precedence."
"All blooded and recognized Princes of the Blood including legitimate or legitimized scions of Great Powers with blood of Oberon in them, will be Princes of the Blood and all sons and so defined descendants of Oberon will be addressed as Your Highness. Sons or daughters Grandsons granddaughters of Oberon will be titled as Your Royal Highness.
"Heads of Thelbane Houses and their families that are more than 4 generations from a ruling King of Thelbane or Linchester will be lesser Princes and will be titled as Your Serene Highness. This is why Merlin is a Royal Highness at present while Mandor is a Serene Highness while his children Myth and Josiah by Fiona are Royal Highnesses."
"Coats of Arms are another matter. Amber nor Thelbane use cadency anymore because of the implications of succession. Exceptions are for the sons of Cymnea who use cadency for themselves and their heirs. This is part of the divorce accords after the first Amber Chaos war."
"All Princes of the Blood have the Unicorn Crest denoting their relationship to King Oberon. They may quarter it with Elven or Kolvirii or Cornelian Arms if appropriate. Personal emblems are used but need to be registered with the Heraldic office."
"One exception is that of the House of Finndo which uses the wolf in a similar way that the Lion was used by the House of Sawall and the House of Suhuy. House Finndo uses the primal cadency of the Unicorn but that is only at their convenience as the main arms are that of the grey wolf with the sons of Finndo enjoy changing the colour of the wolf. They use the Swayvillist Heraldic rules and quarter their arms to suit dynastic aims."
"Any question before we go to the subject of the nobility?"
Dame Margot in her class has a long stick with a metal sharp point at the end. She taps his pointer on the table.
"Now," she says exposing a flipchart,"Here is a listing of Amber and Foreign Nobility."
"There are non Royal Princes. They are usually nobles who get promoted from Duke. They are not royal. They do not receive the title Serene Highness but are just Your Grace in Amber though in Thelbane they are sometimes called Highness if there is some royal blood. There are no non Royal Princes in Amber. The last was a Karm brother of Faeilla's who was made a Prince but met a terrible fate involving a pike in the position of Prince Osric." Dame Margot notes soberly.,
Eric glares at the memory of his maternal uncle's death.
"In Thelbane and Linchester the title of Prince is the same. Haven does not have that rank and neither does Great Britain on Earth Prime. Parys has provision for it but Corwin here never got around to bestowing it and Withnail was too busy at his many... diversions." she says reading out of four big tomes.
"The next highest rank and in Haven and the UK, the highest rank of non royal nobility, that is Duke. Now do not confuse this with Archduke, Royal Duke or Grand Duke. They are titles for Princes."
"The courtesy title Prince with the address of Your Highness or Your Royal Highness is one that is a courtesy title. There are no lands or entitlements attached to that. Most of your are either Royal Dukes as well or Royal Earls."
"That title gives you the land, the status and entitlements. In Thelbane and Linchester the title of Archduke is used as is the case for members of the Royal Family representing up to the grandchild of a reigning or formerly reigning Monarch. Kirk of Rolandae....."
Julian scowls and kicks his heels angrily at the mention. Caine hisses softly. Gerard Groans.
Dame Margot ignores this," was known for years as the last Archduke as he was the only surviving legitimate not morganastic grandson of King Swayville through the Princess Royal Swayvanna. The sons of the King were both princes and Archdukes. I understand that Blake of Linchester who's wife is Kirk's half sister, Swayvanilla....
Caine laughs,"How inbred, Kirk's maternal half sister married Kirk's paternal half brother Blake. No wonder why the Royal House of Linchester is filled with calibans like Aven and Charles."
Gerard says mildly,"Blake does use truth in advertising. His personal standard is the three headed black cerebus."
Margot sighs and continues,".... she has continued to apply the title of Archduke to Blake and her children. In Thelbane, King Kenneth is unmarried and has no issue. His predecessor Merlin did not have any legitimate children when he was on the throne and no Archdukes were named. Both Linchester and Thelbane have refused to name morganastic or other children of Swayville to the title of Archduke or Archduchess, though Queen Sarah of Trinity, a morganatic at best daughter of Dara and Swayville, claims the title and also has made claims to the thones of both realms. However this claim is viewed as spurious by the Kings of Linchester and Thelbane not to mention Imperial Amerika and the Queen of Kapella."
"The Title of Grand Duke is used by Brand for his sons however none of them use it as they are God Creators or at least Kings for the most part. I suspect that Jasra considers the title too Russian sounding and opts to not have it mentioned."
"In Chaos kingdoms and Amber as well as others, the title Princess Royal is given to the eldest daughter of a reigning monarch."
"A non Royal Duke in Amber is addressed as Your Grace. In Parys, they are called Duc, in Linchester and Thelbane, They are Dukes or Herzogs. Women are Duchesses or Herzogin. Their territory is a Duchy."
"Below Duke is Margrave or Marquess in Amber. They are also addressed as Your Grace." Margot explains pointing to her chart. "In Thelbane they are Margraves, in Linchester, Margraf, in Parys, Marquis. Their territory is a margravate, marcher land, or the Marches. Women are Margravin, Marchioness, or Marquise."
"Middle nobility begins with Count or Earl. In Amber and Haven, they are all Earls, In Thelbane or Linchester they can be Counts, Earls, or Graf. In Parys, Comte. Their territory is a County or Shire. Women are Countesses or Grafin."
"Viscounts are also Landgrafs in Thelbane and Linchester and in Parys, Viscomte. Women are Landgrafin or Viscountesses. They can also be called Thanes."
"Barons are known as Barone as well. Women are baronesses. In some parts of Linchester they can be called Freiritters."
"Earls, Viscounts and Barons are addressed as Your Lordship or My Lord." Dame Margot says.
"We have the lowest grade of hereditary nobility called Baronette. They are addressed as sir."
"Knights are addressed depending on their order which I will not go into today. Mainly they are Sir but can be addressed as Herr Ritter, Sieur or Chevalier." she explains.
"Sons of Living Nobles are addressed by various courtesy titles,"Sons of Dukes and Marquesses are addressed as Lord John or Lady Mary. Sons of Barons, Earls and Viscounts are called The Honourable John or the Honourable Mary. Sons of Knights and Baronettes are just gentlemen and ladies.
"Gentlemen or lady by Thelbane and Amber convention means anyone knighted or who has an ancestor with a coat of arms by any recognized Heraldic King of Arms from a Great Power."
"Any questions?"
"One here," says Dunstree. "Given that these titles are a tremendous responsibility requiring careful maintenance, is there any time at which we may lay them down temporarily? That is to say, when am I permitted to say to a new acquaintance 'Hello, I'm Dunstree, would you care to join me for lunch?' or something just as simple and friendly?"
"No." Dame Margot says simply."They are there for life should you use them or not. The only known case of resigning a title occurred because a British peer was a flake and renounced it because he was a republican and was a socialist. The other case was another peer who wanted to be Prime Minister of the UK and wanted to sit in the House of Lords."
"In Amber you may not give up your titles barring death or degrading by Oberon. In the old parliament a bill of attainder could work to strip a title." She notes,"However there is nothing why you could not say your first name and then ask a person to sup with you."
"Which is a great relief to me, thank you."
Caine chortles,"Rory has to pay people to have lunch with him not just ask them." he says to Julian who smiles.
"You forgot to mention that he sticks them with the bill," says Dunstree.
[Note here: Technically, it's impossible for Breyd to be here at this time. She was not even in Amber yet when this thread was started. However, she brings up a good point about the clergy, so I am leaving it how it was received in the list.]
A small white hand goes up at the end of the table. Breyd, who had her head against the table, hiding her face behind a wealth of rioting copper, sits up straighter and waits until the Dame notices her.
"What about pontiffs or members of the Churches? Some of them get rather high, socially speaking. What is the proper address for them?"
"The Church is a rather undecided matter." Dame Margot says"His Majesty has not seen fit to recognize any Church or sect thereof."
"Historically, the Church of Amber was formed on the Atlantean religion that worshipped the Kings and their Royal Families. However after the fall of Atlantis, the main focus of religion changed to the dead kings. Thelbane worshipped Cornelius the Great last king of Atlantis then Swayville as the Dragon or Wyrm or Serpent of Chaos. The Church of Thelbane and Linchester is headed by Bances Amblerash, a pretender to the Kolvirii throne and married to Swayvanna the Princess Royal of Chaos. Bances known to be rather windy, had a younger brother who let himself grow grey haired, named Theobald. When Amber City was built after the Kolvirii succession passed the Crown to Oberon son of Maud the Unicorn, daughter of the last Kolvirii king, the Church was organized with Theobald Amblerash. Dworkin and Suhuy outmaneuvered Bances out of his claim inf avour of His Majesty though Amber was still named Amber a short form of Amblerash."
"Theobald was Archpatriarch and head of the Church of the Unicorn formed to honour the divinity of Oberon's mother, Maud."
"When Cymnea, half sister to Suhuy and Swayville was divorced by Oberon in favour of an out of favour Chaos noble family called Karm, Theobalt refused the divorce as did the University and Parliament. All were suppressed."
"A more fundamentalist religion was formed over time called the Unicorn Chapel movement and later the Unicorn Faith, founded by a former nun of the Unicorn named Rilga, who had Kolvirii cadet blood through the House of Garnath. She married Oberon and became the de facto Chairman of the Pastors. The Pastors destroyed much of the old faith, burned bishops and hanged priests, smashed cathedrals, broke stained glass until the Karm Children of Oberon, the Clarissa Children of Oberon and Benedict formed armies and broke her power in Amber City. His Majesty chose to do nothing in either case."
(needless to say MANY dirty looks crossed the room as many of the aforementioned are present)
"When the uruspation by Prince Finndo occurred, Theobalt was reinstated and named also as Archbishop of Amber to block his brother Bances from being Bishop of Amber. The King was officially named as Head of the Church. This is something His Majesty said he is keeping for himself.:"
"There are also other faiths. Mostly national churches worshipping the spirit or genius of the local God Creator. In Brandenberg there are two faiths, very similar. The Church of Brand split into the Rolandae National Church known to follow the state while the ultra brandites are Brandenberg fundamentalists who are radical and hate many things we observe. Not that the Rolandae faith loves us as they are almost Swayvillist in their Brand worship."
"If Theobald was in place legally, he prefers to be called Lord Theobald or Father. But his proper title would be Your Holiness as is Lord Bances Amblerash for Thelbane. This is in place by international treaty to protect Amber independence in the past. Rilga was known as Sister Rilga or Chairman Rilga."
"Pastors of her Church are Pastor John and women are called Sister."
"The C of A are Priests and Deacons and are Reverend or Father."
This text is copyright © the GM and players of Equinox; "Amber" is copyright © Roger Zelazny; "Amber" the diceless RPG is copyright © Phage Press. No copyright infringement is intended.
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