- Auricle and Dworkin discuss the waves of instability that happened after the Pattern was drawn. Dworkin believes this was because of Amber's kraken. The kraken under Kolvir was frozen and unable to grow while Dworkin's pattern was on it. The Neville pattern was drawn with the knowledge that time had passed, so the new Pattern has forced growth in the kraken. The growth in the kraken affects the Pattern, which affects the kraken... "Balance is not yet achieved," Dworkin states. - People gather for Coronation, which is being held in one of the castle ballrooms. (The Throne Room still has a poisoned throne.) The front has a raised platform with two chairs in back (one for Dworkin, one for Auricle) and a writing desk where the gray man is at. Benedict is standing just behind Deirdre and is holding the Sword of State for her, handing it to her as it is needed for the ceremony. There is a space opposite the desk that is reserved for the Unicorn. Politicing and jockeying is going on as people arrive. - Stage right, there is a balcony that has space set aside for visiting Chaos notables, particularly the Realms Lords, Guild Heads, House Heads. - House right, stage left there are seats in a balcony reserved for nobility of Pearl and whichever shau'um (well, not Gillian) who show up. - There are places (but not great places) for other people who think they are important - what passes for Golden Circle or Black Zone notables, or anyone from Shadow who can convince anyone to let them into that reserved area. - There is a large standing area for other people who want to see and possibly petition the King. - The front middle section has many comfy seats and is reserved for family, and off-center in an honored section is a platform with several Hamsterite seats on it (taking up two Amberoid spaces). - Notable folks present: Family: Local Benedict Misunderstood Benedict (who will swear loyalty to Deirdre) K'rin (or someone who looks like K'rin), at Raven's right hand Raven Johann (Sir Erik) but not his donkey Janus, looking well-dressed and very uncomfortable His younger Amberites in testing, all very well-dressed and sulkily trying not to make Janus any unhappier Tara The mermaid The Stargate guy Malcolm and the crew of the Serenity The chick with the net Other random amberites or quasi-amberites Nazir-din Al-Nazir Llewella (unconscious, under heavy guard, and far away from others) Flora Gerard (well-dressed, gloves, long sleeves, but his head is not spammy) Zack Random(s) dressed in Random's colors, the reverse of each other Martin, sans Patternblade and sitting next to Al-Nazir Gil, still blind Laetatio there is a magic scry gate between Connor and here Caelin (with the Cobalt folks) Natasha Kieron (in Natasha's lap) Velaria Talos Jackie Amaranth Jean (as the Steward) Duncan Shannon Beldan Roland Absalom (missing an arm) Hubert Mistress Janice (near Absalom, and not near Janus) Calla Samantha Henry Caralethien, somewhat mis-assembled Frodrich, somewhat damp and unhappy to be here Faythe Felice Brandt Fenrick the vampire Paul the skatepunk Alhaserus and his daughter Alice, with a tiny whagon on each shoulder Most of the Angry Children Tea All of Cobalt who can make it (as Deirdre has declared them all family, not just the ones descended from Benedict) Vialle is with the Cobalteans All the Hamsterites (save Caine) are present Chaos: Marial, Warlord Wyndham, the Warlord's Apprentice Suhuy, Logrus Master Ferethyn, Realms Mage Coral, apprentice to Time Lord Ilkandacian, Savior of Chaos (as a logrus projection) a gardner, representing Shiryu Most guild heads have shown up Rainbow, Guildmaster of Dancer's Cyndia, Guildmaster of Warrior's Snarsht, for Beastmaster's the guildmaster of Shifter's a representative for Crafter's Only house heads allied with Amber have shown up Mandor, for Sawall Jean, for Swayvill a lightly pickled Vlad, for Cara Norton, as Court Necromancer of Amber the Archivist, for Moonlight Mouseferatu, for his eponymous house Verra, seated with Rainbow Kintani Gentleman Suhuy * Orm Embar (taking up a lot of space) Pearl Gallery: Corwin Malachai Serena, next to Malachai Bucephalus (with his jewel) Bast is sitting next to Bucephalus three Shau'um (also taking up a lot of space) Other Important People Gallery: Titania Darkstar Random Notables Standing on the Floor: the Aughral People specifically not there: Princess Chandra, Pharaban - Ilk greets Corwin and Malachai and makes "glad you're alive" small talk with them. - Zack is moving about, being a somewhat good host and making sure things are well. Flora is augmenting his efforts and putting the occasional quiet word in his ear but not usurping his position. - Jean notices a very loud, very unalive presence - Auricle's gargoyle, on stage with her. He makes a note to talk to it later. - There is a seating sort order conflict in the family area that Hamster Dworkin helps resolve. - Max arrives near the end of the crowd and sits in the second gallery (Important People), somewhat near Titania. She is disturbed and delighted by this. Dworkin stands up and waves at Max, then sits back down. - The doors are shut, and the rangers quiet down the standing-room folks. Most of the other people come to order on their own accord. Deirdre greets the crowd and welcomes them to her coronation. (Corwin will be next in line, but will not share the throne.) She asks if someone thinks they are more fit than her to be King. Several people seem to stir (mostly in the family gallery), but no one speaks up. - The Unicorn coalesces in the spot left aside for it, with a crown in its teeth. (Ilk notes that the Unicorn came in from the Sea.) He walks over to Deirdre, who kneels before him. He crowns her. There is a solid silence, as if the Unicorn is communicating with Deirdre and doesn't want to be interrupted. The Unicorn then retires back to his spot. - Benedict, after some quiet pressure from Deirdre, accepts her as King without reservations. Dworkin acknowledges her as King, hopes that she do a better job than Oberon ever did, and says that he is there to be called upon as necessary and desired. Dworkin presents her with a very large card that shows Deidre in front of her audience, with the Sword of State across her back, before a throne that no one else has seen before. He bows and returns to his seat. Auricle comes forward and bows to Deirdre. There is some confusion in the family gallery, since not everyone is familiar with her. Her oath is almost exactly the same as Dworkin's, but also grants her the right to found and name a city at the base of Kolvir when she is ready, and that city will be recognized as the ruling place. Auricle also thanks Zack for hosting the event here. - In no particular order (except almost in seating order), the family troops up to give their oaths. Deirdre demands a particular formula for the oath, and some people take more than one hint to proffer the correct oath. The Hamsterites acknowledge Deidre as King and one who has the right to call upon her, just as she has the right to call upon other family members. Llewella is brought up and her oath is given for her by both Benedicts. Connor does not swear an oath. - After the family, Deidre announces she will entertain any other petitions to swear at this time. Someone who is obviously a king - but not generally - known approaches Deirdre. He announces that Oberon set his family on his throne and always supported him. Deidre announces that Oberon's expansionist policy is no longer in place, and that he is the king of his own people, "rule them well". She refuses to accept his oath. - There is a hubbub in the Amberite and Important Person gallery. Another king in the Important Person gallery calls out that Dierdre cannot hold the other kingdoms - she considers this an attack, and turns him over to Zack. Zack's rangers drag him off. - Deirdre announces that she is willing to accept oaths declared later, in private. She further announces she is looking forward to working with Chaosians, and that she is aware there is a current problem to be dealt with. Deirdre introduces Corwin and names him as her successor. - Deirdre closes the court, and Zack's after-coronation party in the gardens is started. She warns people not to disturb Connor's statue, for their own protection. The back doors open, and people start filing out. - In the Chaos gallery, Deirdre's voice is heard asking for a safe time and place to discuss the current problem, and placing herself at their disposal.