Travels with Eric

Fondly do I recall my first visit to the shadow world of New West Odessa and Secundus. It was an unplanned excursion resulting from some simple mischief designed to irk Father. I had seen him entering the Grand Library, so I shadowed the hallway waiting for opportunity. Soon enough it came, in the form of Eric.

"Uncle Eric" I greeted him enthusiastically, but not too obviously loud, "I was just looking for you."

His smile was wary but amused, "And how can I help you?" he inquired evenly.

"I just hate going out by myself, and I can imagine no better company. Will you go riding with me? Please?" I asked sweetly.

To his credit, he glanced around surreptitiously, eyes searching for the object of my probably needling. At the soft intake of breath from the direction of the Library door, he relaxed, eyes twinkling merrily.

"I would be remiss if you were not provided with appropriate escort for your station" he smiled, offering his arm. "Shall we?"

As we turned to go down the corridor, I sighed. "Eric, you are my favorite Uncle. I only with I’d had you for a father! Such a shame we don’t get to choose."

I imagine Eric’s laughter was enough to make Father choke, something I sincerely wished for, but inwardly I winced at the bitter note I heard in it as well. I was sure Eric was aware nothing against him was meant, and it was awfully nice of him to help me bait Father on occasion. All of which made me feel sorry for the edge in his voice at my words.

My immediate goal attained, I had no idea where I wished to go and Eric filled in the gap too easily. I should have been suspicious, but I was too absorbed inwardly gloating over my latest coup d’etat. Eric led us down past Arden and out into Shadow, setting the horses a brisk pace. He seemed to have some goal in mind and I was content to follow along, away from my father and Amber. Brand was absent again, having left in a foul mood, and I had little else to do. I kept careful control of the conversation, steering Eric casually away from more dangerous subjects and chattering merrily about clothing, shopping and social affairs. I was unconcerned when we went from horseback to some sort of motorized bikes. Eric knew what he was doing. So busy was I monitoring the conversation that I hardly noticed the shadows stop changing, and our change of clothing. When he stopped, I was finally aware and looked around at where we’d arrived.

I stared around in wonder, not noticing Eric watching me carefully. We had just crested a hill, and below us was the most amazing Spaceport City. I saw small hover vehicles zipping through and around the street-ways, and there were people everywhere. Their clothing was fantastic, and I let out a little yelp of delight. I looked over to notice Eric grinning charmingly. He waved a hand at the cityscape below,

"Just here for a quick stop, this isn’t quite where I had in mind, but I hope you don’t mind if I take care of a little business on the way through."

He looked at me as if my opinion really mattered, and I got the distinct impression that if I protested, he would actually change his plans. I was overwhelmed, and told him of course I didn’t mind. To this day I wish I had insisted on seeing more of that place. He didn’t even tell me the name…

I did take note of the extraordinary and exotic variety of creatures moving about the streets. The concept of streets is almost a misnomer, as there seemed to be as much air as ground traffic, and ground was on several levels. It all formed a blur in my mind, and Eric took care of his business quickly and efficiently enough for me not to even note what went on. My impressions of the place are clear but jumbled, and I never have managed to get back there. Not for lack of trying though.

Eric finished up quickly, and then we were off and out again, this time using some form of shuttlecraft to shift though shadows of galaxies and space stations. My head swam, and I stared out the windows like a tourist, I’m afraid.

Finally, he arrived in orbit around a huge planet, and began chatting amiably with the powers that be for the spaceport below us. Clearance established we maneuvered in to land. Eric turned to smile at my wide-eyed, gaping stare, and patted me kindly on the hand.

"Thought maybe you’d enjoy this place, seeing as you don’t get out much" he drawled, and I winced at the unintended barb. I certainly never regretted balking my father’s plans, but refusing the Pattern to spite him was a major inconvenience when I wanted to get away from him. My travels with Eric that day taught me a few things. It was the first time I enjoyed being an Amberite, and enjoyed being able to see different worlds like no others could. Eric gave me back a little joy in my life. But most of all, it reinforced how much I hated my father. Not being able to find places like this was a promise he drove me into, and I blamed him entirely. But I’d sworn my vow before my mother’s grave, and to Brand, and it’s said the dead cannot forgive.

Eric took me to Secundus, where we secured shuttle transport to New West Odessa. To my surprise, Eric seemed to have proper and important identification here, and was treated with the utmost respect. I found myself wondering how often he visited this place. It was fascinating, with people of so many varied races and cultures my head swam. We went into the city’s main thoroughfare for an afternoon of shopping and sightseeing.

Eric took me on the grand tour of the cultural and entertainment levels, and I loved that place. We visited some sort of museum complex that had cultural and historical displays of 12 different worlds. There was a theatre group performing as well, and while I didn’t understand the language, the costumes (I think they were costumes) and music was quite haunting. We enjoyed a bizarre yet tasty meal, and I remember copying the entire menu. Over lunch, I took the time to sketch a few memorable things, and Eric merely watched in a non-committal manner. I confessed to him that some of the entertainment areas left me a bit queasy, and I didn’t think I liked it very much. Eric laughed slightly, his eyes hooded. He told me I shouldn’t judge until I’d tried it, and I found that somewhere inside I didn’t trust Eric very much. There was something to him that was not quite safe. Finally, when we were ready to set out for home, he turned to me with a very serious expression.

"Celeste, you must remember not to tell your father I’ve brought you here, or shown you this place. That’s very important, will you do that for me? It would annoy him a great deal."

Solemnly I promised him that I would not tell. Eric smiled a little smile to himself as we started the road back to Amber. Father was still seething when we got home, but restrained himself to asking if we’d had a nice time. I smiled pleasantly, and told him Eric was kind enough to take me shopping in Begma, then walked away.

As I turned the corner I glanced back, to see Father talking to Eric, who looked after me thoughtfully. I never did tell Father where Eric took me, I believe he was very surprised I didn’t use a weapon he said would annoy Father. How could he ever know that the only promises I don’t keep are the ones Father extracts? Why would I break a promise to Eric? This family of mine may never truly understand me.

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