The Diaries of Cordelia Chan

Amber 22 ^nd Marvich PPF 5

It must have been about 10 when I was woken by a maid. I had the choice of eating in the Far Isle dining room with the rest of the family or she could organize breakfast for me in my room. If I wanted to bathe then a bath and hot water would be brought to my room, otherwise there was a jug and basin on the stand. My immediate concern was for a change of clothes for all I had with me was the dress I had arrived in last night, fully expecting to return to my hotel in the early hours of the morning. She enquired as to what style of clothing I was after, and seemed reasonably familiar with Earth styles. I chose to eat and bathe in my room. She excused herself and went to organize my requests.
Now, the balcony of my condo in Sacramento is sufficiently secluded, that I had taken to breakfasting on it in the nude. The problem with the guest rooms in Castle Amber is that the same seclusion doesn't exist. Forgetting where I was, I made my way across the room, which appeared to be a reproduction of an Edwardian room to the last detail so you'd have thought I would have twigged, and onto the balcony. The view out across the valley and down to the forest, several thousand feet below, was breath taking, and it took me several minutes to realize that several pairs of eyes were watching me intently. There was a light cough from behind me and a female voice said " would Madam like a robe?"
I doubted there was any point, and turned, to re-enter the room. There was a second or two delay before the two young men who had brought the bath in averted their eyes, and were then hastily driven from the room by the half dozen maids, each carrying steaming jugs of water, who had accompanied them.

I was still in the bath, and on my third cup of coffee, when there was a knock at the door, and the small man with touselled hair entered.
"Don't bother to get up, I don't mind in the least, not that I wouldn't mind, but if word every reached Vialle I'd be in trouble, and you probably don't know who I am, even if I did it wouldn't matter, you've already caused a rumpus this morning. Its usually Flora who has all the tongues waging, although I don't think she's ever pulled a stunt like that. I'm Random, by the way. Technically King, but unless I'm at court, Random will do, can't stand all that bowing and scraping."
He'd only stopped talking to take a slug from the mug of coffee he'd poured. "I'll do all the introductions this afternoon, but I need to know where your talents lie, although by the accounts of your display this morning I think I can guess. Damn shame I missed it, you wouldn't would you? No guess not. Anyway if your going to make a habit of it we'll have to find you quarters higher up where you're not over looked. So what can you do?"
I got out of the bath and he nearly choked on the mouthful of coffee he'd just taken from the mug. I slipped on the bath robe and asked if he was ok.

Our conversation lasted for nearly and hour. After he left I dressed in the jeans, t-shirt, jacket, and boots that had been provided and went exploring. Castle Amber is a huge place, but gossip spreads like wildfire and I kept getting surrupticous looks from servants, staff, and guests who'd obviously heard about or witnessed my morning sojourn.

When I got to the library that afternoon Random, Vialle, Benedict, Gerard, Flora, Fiona, Isla, and Archibald were already there. Gerard greeted me as I came in "Ah even with clothes on, from the description you must be Cordelia. Your first day and you've even managed to out do Flora." She shot him a venomous look. "Take a seat. Clothing optional."
I smiled at him. "You'll never be that lucky."
Flora giggled, Random collapsed in a heap, Benedict smiled, and even Fiona's face twitched from its bland expression.
"Here, Come sit by me child, so I can determine if what my husband says is true"
Random stopped laughing, and said "better do as she says Cordelia"
As I sat I realized Vialle was blind. I waited whilst she felt the contours of my face and then my upper torso and legs. "Random Barrimen. I'll have words with you later! And as for you my dear, welcome to the family.".
More family drifted in, Bleys, Julian, Rinaldo, Delwin, and finally Llewella. With Llewella's arrival Random began introductions, and assignments for turning Isla, Archibald, and myself into useful members of the family. The object of the exercise being that we might take some of the work load off himself, Vialle, Benedict, and Fiona, especially with some of the recent happenings regarding Merlin and the Courts, upon which he failed to elaborate in any way shape or form.

First priority apparently was getting us out of the guest quarters and into our own, then walking the pattern, then training in how to use Trumps, and then the creation of Trumps of the three of us for the rest of the family. Getting us our own Trump deck, what ever they were, would take a little longer.

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