“Naughty, naughty, naughty …”
“Motherrrr!”
“The things you never tell me, my darling boy.”
“I learned my lessons well, mother. Is this a social call?”
“Not at all, my dear. I was hoping to trade a little family news.”
“Really? Is there news to trade? Exciting things happening in your court?”
“Not so many as in Amber, I suppose. But I do get my fair share of visitors.”
“Visitors, Mother? Anyone I know?”
“My sweet, you’ve been holding out on your poor mother.”
“Have I? Who are your visitors, mother? You wouldn’t have called if you didn’t mean to tell me.”
“Actually, I was hoping to speak with your sister, but she doesn’t seem to be answering just now.”
“She’s had a trying day.”
“I can only imagine, dear. Fortunately, I have news that will ease her mind.”
“Do you really think so? Do tell.”
“Her own daughter, the one you and she neglected to mention to me, is coming to visit.”
“I’m sure the reunion will be emotional on all sides. I’d heard the girl was travelling.”
“I’m sure you had, Bleys. How are things in Amber these days? Any excitement of late? How is your dear father’s youngest doing with the throne? Any exciting conspiracies to remove it, and his head, yet?”
“The Duchess Borel was at his coronation, flying off the handle as usual. Had a handsome chap in tow who seems to have fallen into bad company.”
“Ah, ah, ah, Bleys. I’ve given you one already. It’s your turn to update the family genealogy.”
“I assumed that my brother would have told you long ago about my daughter. Didn’t he? Shocking lapse on his part, wasn’t it? And dear Paige his best student…”
“Is that who that girl he was keeping in Vastmark was? And here I thought … well, never mind. And you and your sister, my boy, show a shocking lack of filial piety in failing to mention these things to your mother.”
“We put you through so much, Mother, it’s true. And you bear our lapses with such grace and tolerance. It always amazes me that you are related to Dara at all. She seems to have inherited so many negative qualities from her father.”
“Yes, such a shame about Borel, isn’t it?”
“Indubitably.”
“The new Duchess has so many crosses to bear. Her father, her son, your brother Corwin, the cad … so many troubles for such a slight young thing.”
“And don’t forget her personality and temperament, either. Those can’t be easy burdens. You said you knew who she brought to Amber?”
“I said no such thing, my dear boy, but you may well surmise so.”
“Well, Mother, it’s been a pleasant chat, but it’s late here and if you have no wish to tell me what you called to tell me, perhaps you will excuse me?”
“Don’t be petty, Bleys, it doesn’t suit. If you must, though, I’ll tell you the news: your other nephew is bringing your niece to visit.”
“Is he? The one who looks to be Brennan’s brother? Did you know that Brennan doesn’t even know his name?”
“How terrible! Do put me in touch with my eldest grandson and I’ll remedy that at once!”
“I think he has other plans.”
“Poor dear Tayanna misses him so.”
“Mother, you hate her. You hate her more than Fiona hates her. You’ve always hated her. I’m surprised you haven’t had her fed to her own Gods.”
“Nonsense, dear, you’re misremembering again. Were you hit on the head in that dreadful battle? Next time I shall certainly have to send the Bronze Legions to protect my children. And grandchildren, of course.”
“Did I mention that the unpromising-looking lad from Chaos that Dara and my nephew brought with them spent some time eating the help? The family considers it a serious faux pas.”
“Eating the help is always bad form for visitors. I’ll have to tell Dara to keep a leash on her brother next time.”
“A muzzle might be more to the point, Mother. Now I’m sure that your granddaughter will want to be reunited with her own mother. How do you suppose we can arrange for that to happen?”
“I suppose she could always come and visit me, and bring more of my grandchildren to visit. You could come too, and we could have a family reunion! What a capital idea! When shall I expect you all, Bleys?”
“Certainly not before Fiona wakes up, and after she cools back below the boiling point. I do have more news, Mother, and I am not certain if I should save the surprise until we come to your Court or if I should share it now. What were those two chaps’ names again?”
“Oh, you know how I hate surprises, dear. Your father never did learn that. Dear Ambrose, he’s so clever, he always tells me whatever I want to know right up front. A model of respect for his elders, that boy.”
“I’m sure that telling you what you want to hear is a survival trait for the lad. Great-Grandchildren, Mother. Who is Dara’s brother?”
“Great-grandchildren? I can hardly imagine the pleasure this reunion will bring. You, me, Fiona, Brennan, Ambrose, Brita, Paige, and— I suppose Dara and Cleph are right off the invitation list.”
“I’m sure we can have a picnic under a majestic tree somewhere. I’d not be sorry to see Uncle Madoc.”
“Great-grandchildren, Bleys. “
“None yet, Mother, but Merlin predicts twins. They run in the father’s family.”
“Merlin! Do feel free to bring the boy along if he wishes to come. We won’t hold his parents against him.”
“I’ll be sure to extend the invitation, Mother. Do you have any more surprises for us?”
“Not tonight, dear. You can contact me through the usual channels to arrange for your visit.”
“I suppose it is enough for one night. Pleasant Dreams, Mother.”
“You too, my boy. And give Fiona a kiss for her mother.”
“I shall be sure to do so.”
