Katherine

Why, let the stricken deer go weep,
The hart ungalled play;
For some must watch, while some must sleep:
So runs the world away.
--Shakespeare, Hamlet

One fair daughter and no more,
The which he loved passing well.
--Ibid.

Related Links

• Journals
• Konrad, her father
• Nicholas, her father
• Talia, her grandmother
• Quotes on the Family

General Description

Born of Konrad and Nicholas and later prematurely aged by the King in Yellow. Katherine has never really had an opportunity for a normal life, but she has inherited from Konrad a belief that normal or not, any life can be enjoyable and filled with wonder. She tends to be quiet, and enjoys painting, hunting, and horseback riding. Though she isn't terribly fond of grand social affairs, she nevertheless enjoys being the center of attention, and tends to surprise those around by knowing more than she ought to, and by having connections that none had guessed.

History

Born in the Channard Institute, Katherine spent her first eight years enjoying a rather normal life. She was raised by Nicholas and Konrad, and spent a great deal of time with Cassilda as well. A few months after her eighth birthday, she and Konrad moved to Europe, where they would await Nicholas. Unfortunately, Nicholas had incurred the wrath of Corwin and Random, who captured and imprisoned him with Talia's help. Soon thereafter Talia came to see Katherine and Konrad in Europe, and her birth was made known to much of Amber.

A few days after her meeting with Talia, Katherine journeyed into shadow with Cassilda to attend the recognition ceremony of Jove, Bleys' newborn son. There she met Corwin for the first time, and met in person Xavier and Iris, with whom she had long been corresponding. After the ceremony she returned by boat to Castle Amber, contrary to her father's original intentions, but before she could reach Amber, she was kidnapped by the King in Yellow and taken to the Labyrinth.

No one knows what happened to her there, save that by the time she was rescued, she had been aged to some ten years physically. Her mind, however, was still that of a little girl.

Early Life...

Raised by Konrad, Katherine was always taught the true nature of her surroundings, and from an early age he told her about her family, about its history, and about the various roles she might assume should she decide to go to Amber. At the same time, though, he taught her that true happiness isn't a matter of prestige, power, or location; it comes from being happy with who you are. She was raised in a strange home, but it was never a house of secrets.

She attended a private girls' school, where she was taught the traditional curriculum, as well as weaving, sewing, singing, archery, horseback riding, painting, ballet, fencing, and martial arts. In general she is a busy little girl, with a host of activities that interested her, and little patience for time-wasting activies like shopping, television, and cleaning up her room. She understood well the extent of her difference from other children, and yet for the most part she led a perfectly normal existence, enjoying her life in shadow.

She was always aware, however, of the conflict between her fathers. Konrad wanted her to be happy...and to respect the same desires in others. Nicholas, on the other hand, tried to teach her to be ruthless and amibitious, much as Talia taught him. And though Nicholas tried to foster a loving relationship with her, or at least the appearance of one, she was always aware of the distance between them.

Physical Description

Katherine appears to be a slender young woman around eighteen years of age, with a rather serious and thoughtful demeanor. She has dark green eyes and auburn hair, which she wears long and loose, often arranging her hair to conceal her ears, which grow to a slight point, an aspect of her elvish parentage. Her complexion is fair but smooth, and she tends to long-sleeve mens' shirts and leggings, very simple in cut and style. She only dresses in female clothing for formal affairs, and in such cases tends to favor blues. The only jewellry she ever wears is the topaz ring Konrad gave her shortly before his death and a necklace with a locket; inside the locket are pictures of Konrad and Nicholas.

Trump Description

Checkered Deck [Nicholas]- One trump of Katherine has been done in Nicholas' hand, and this was created before her journey to the Labyrinth. It shows her standing in front of an iron railing, behind which can be seen a foggy park. In her hands she holds a top hat, and in the top hat sits a white rabbit, its strangely human paws balanced on the lip of the hat. Her expression is very serious, and something about the lighting of the picture makes her look a touch sinister.

Rose Deck [Katherine]- Katherine's trump portrait of herself is non-functioning, as she hasn't yet mastered the basics of trump artistry. This trump was done while she was still a child. Katherine is off to the side in the trump, wearing a burgundy cloak. Her expression seems rather serious, almost cool. A scattering of roses is worked into the blue and white background and a ghostly pocketwatch is prominent in the upper left-hand corner of the trump.

Corrupted Deck [Cassilda]- The only known trump to exist of Katherine after her transformation is done in the hand of Cassilda. She stands with right arm crossed over her chest, and her posture is of someone retreating from the outside world. At the same time her expression is intent as she looks outward. In the background, trees festooned with yellow flowers can be seen. (This is the trump shown above.)

Colors

Blue and white

Personal Symbol

A pocketwatch

Aliases

Though the name 'Katherine' gives itself to many nicknames, she has shown a dislike for diminutives. The only person who calls her any other name is her father Nicholas, who tends to call her Kat. Her grandmother Talia tends to call her Katherinea, but she has not chosen to correct her on this, feeling it would be rude.

Birthplace

The Channard Institute

Residences

Katherine has been residing in Castle Amber with Talia since the death of Konrad and her rescue from the Labyrinth. She is technically the hereditary ruler of Shadow Europe, but she has not yet shown any interest in returning there, other than to retrieve some of her belongings.

Quotes about Katherine

"Such tremendous potential to be born of Amber and to lack its pettiness, but perhaps she will grow into such foolishness. Which is harder, then? To live for the one you love or to die for her? I know in my heart that I have little choice, that in living I must shadow her with my own darkness. No...I will die, and she be free." --Konrad (January 1998)

"Although she is no longer a child, she still has some of the mannerisms of one. I'm not sure which is more disturbing, that, or her parentage. I knew Konrad was sick, but I had no idea he would go so far. Poor thing, to be raised with no female influence in her life. No wonder she seems a bit odd." --Lorian (March 1, 1998)

"Such a serious child...so very much like Nicholas. Konrad altered her appearance, stripping away the gentle Álfarian traits that none might know his secret...a pity, though she remains a delicate and beautiful child." --Talia (January 1998)

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