Time Period
Oberon is King in Amber, there is no Queen. Paulette, the last, has been dead for many, many years.
Setting
It is a time of unrest in Amber. Rumors abound of poor economic prospects in the near future. Two of the Golden Circle kingdoms principle in agricultural trade have been beset by unseasonal drought and the beginning touches of famine. There are stories down on the docks of increased pirate activity on the trade routes, even one whispered to be manned by the walking dead. From distant ports come tales of horrible plagues, the worst of which is said to have wiped out an entire shadow as well as the crew of the last ship to put in to it's ports. Border skirmishes have troubled Amber's Northern edges, barbaric nomad tribes from a distant place of hot desert lands and fierce sandstorms. There is a growing dissatisfaction on the Merchant's Street with dropping prices and a lack of customers. The City Guard is stretched to it's limits keeping peace in the city, with problems from barroom brawls and back-alley murders. The general feeling is one of unease and distrust.
Amber Castle herself has not been immune to the growing discomfort. Servants whisper in the corriders of petty bickering among the Royal Family, and everyone is on edge.
In Castle Amber, there is a general feeling of unbalance. Events over the past year without have been reflected within. Oberon had returned from a long sojourn in Shadow. He arrived in high spirits, in the company of a strikingly beautiful young woman who seemed greatly taken with him. It was noted at the time that she seemed a bit heavy about the midsection. In the wake of their arrival came the expected rumors of yet another Royal Wedding, yet another Queen to ascend the throne. Then, like the rest of Amber City, things slid quickly downhill.
The woman, Kamilah, took suddenly ill little more than a month after her arrival. She went into seclusion in her rooms in the East Wing, tended only by Oberon himself, and occasional visits by Prince Gerard. Some swore that Princess Fiona was seen exiting those rooms on several occasions as well.
Kamilah never emerged again from those rooms. Months passed while her condition was rumored to worsen. Late one night, into the small hours of the morning, the Castle was rudely awakened by horrible screams eminating from the East Wing. Servant, staff and guards alike scrambled to alert, converging on the upper rooms only to be met by the deadly serious vision of Prince Caine standing in the archway blocking entrance into the Wing. In a quiet and calm voice he instructed them to return to their beds or their duties, as they liked. He answered no questions, accepted no aid, and gave no ground. Another bloodcurdling scream sounded behind him and one young serving girl actually fainted there in the hallway. Prince Bleys pushed his way through the crowd with only the briefest of glances at Caine, picked the girl up and carried her off. None of the staff has ever seen her again.
The more religious or faithful members of the staff fled to the nearby Chapels and Temples to spend the rest of the night in terror. Finally, as the sun began to paint the sky in rose and blood, there was one last soul-rending shriek from the wing...then all was quiet. The silence was complete and pervasive, and held the entire Castle in it's grip for hours. Most of the rest of the day found everyone subdued and unwilling to discuss the night.
There was no sign of Oberon or
During the last dessert course of the meal, Princess Florimel attempted to break the silence. She began speaking, very generally, of some of the necessities of new trade negotiations and the problems in the Golden Circle.
Oberon growled at her, picking up a nearly full goblet and hurling it across the table. Florimel gave a small shriek and threw herself to the floor to avoid being struck by it. Eric leaped to his feet, confronting his father in defense of Flora. The remaining servants in the room, staring wide-eyed and open-mouthed, fled the room in terror. Everyone could hear Oberon and Eric shouting at each other, until Oberon's voice thundered out accusations about Corwin's continued dissappearence. This was followed by a resounding thud, and a heavy groan, later identified as the sound of Eric being slammed into a wall and badly struck. This rumor was later borne as true by the evidence of Eric's swollen face and broken arm. The physical injuries were short-lived, though Eric's temper remained razor-edged for weeks.
As night fell, Oberon was seen leaving the Castle in a drunken rage, striking out at servants who inadvertantly got in his way, and whipping his horse mercilessly as he galloped out the Castle Gates. He has not yet returned again. It is now eight months since he as been seen about the Castle, though no one knows for sure if he may not have returned in secret. No one in the Royal Family has offered any explanations or information.
Problems with trade routes and rumors of plagues and difficulties are still expanding, and the unease in Amber continues to rise.