Well, we have Simon back, but he still seems lacking in sense. Oh well.
Rayner - and presumably others among us - can Trump the dead?! It appears so, specifically Oberon, with Julian and Eric present too. I find that quite disturbing. Does this mean death is not permanent? That it is really some kind of two-way street? That under the right circumstances the dead can return to life?
Or is it only something Amberites can do?
I cannot help wondering if Sarashjur and Malintha are down there too. I thought they were gone, but what if I could get them back? I cannot help but think Rayner is correct when he says the dead are not to be disturbed lightly.
Simon really is being stupid now. Saying Rune is not fir to lead. Does he base that entirely on the word of dead Eric, as reported by Rayner? Or simply because Rune dares to disagree with him? Which would you have us believe, Simon? The second hand word of Rune's dead father, or the evidence of our own senses, which seem to be tell me, at least, that Rune is doing a good job so far. Or are you simply looking for an excuse to do away with Rune?
From where I am sitting, if Eric says Rune does not have the right temperament to rule, from what Llewella has told me of Eric's deeds that is a glowing recommendation of Rune!
Much as I did not particularly want to be agreeing with Willhelm, given his threats against Rayner, he was nonetheless entirely right in berating Simon for his words against Rune. Thus I had to agree with him.
And now it all goes to the hells in a hand-basket. Well done, Rayner, for bringing up Eric's objections to Rune's kingship. Well done, Simon, for taking Rayner's words and using them to beat Rune off the throne. Well done, Rune, for overreacting and changing everyone's opinion of you, and not for the better. At least that last I can completely understand.
What did Simon mean by the people of Amber being allowed here as a privilege, not a right? How can you have a city - a nation - without the people who live there, and if they are not really citizens, how will they be loyal?
As for his saying Amber exists to uphold the principles of the Unicorn and the Pattern - whatever they may be - and to make sure order always stands over Chaos... Does it? This is the first I have heard of any such reason, let alone this alleged responsibility to uphold such. And not the way I have come to see things at all. Damn principles. My survival, and that of my friends and comrades is what matters.
Rune's saying we are being Chaotic is true, but what does he expect? We are not underlings, none of us, and until we gain agreement, of course we will argue.
And now Rune has lost most of our support, it seems. Just when he was doing so well, too. But he is right when he says Simon sees him as too weak, Rayner as trying to be too strong, and that their timing really leaves something to be desired. He talks of the lawful government, but we are the law in this. What we say goes, despite Xandra's idealism on that topic, and only we, I think, can enforce it upon ourselves. Rayner, at least, seems to understand this...
Although I am sure the others would never agree to it, if we are as disorganised and outmatched as we appear to be, perhaps surrender would be our best option? Conditional surrender, of course, but surrender nonetheless. We would doubtless lose something - somethings - but is that so important? We would still have our lives, and surely they are the most important things. Unless, perhaps, my lack of ties to Amber as a place, rather than its Royal Family, my lack of things to lose, is biasing my opinion?
Perhaps. But also, perhaps not...
Another irrelevant thought. I wonder if Mandor wants me in Chaos to use me to exert pressure on my brother there? Perhaps House Robbios are opposing him in some way and my presence might, perhaps, make them stop. I really need to talk to Tamora again on this and other topics.
But regardless, I still know too little to not side with the majority, no matter how much more comfortable I might, for the present, find sitting on the fence to be. So, with Rayner it is, alas, despite his having precipitated this whole crisis.
I do not enjoy having to choose between two people towards both of whom I feel some liking and personal loyalty. But better to choose now than be left behind by events.
At least Rune took it like a man. No recriminations or threats, as I thought there might be. Just calm acceptance and, perhaps, nobilty in defeat. I wonder how well the rest of us might have done under similar circumstances?
And here I had thought we might all soon be swearing loyalty to Rune. How quickly things change...