Tome X:
Heir to the Throne of Europe

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It was in the Channard Institute that Konrad first decided to begin planning a way to strike back at Karl. And so he drafted letters: one for King Random and over a dozen addressed to the various Golden Circle nobles whose friendship he had cultivated while working as a doctor in Amber City. He then returned to Amber and sent the following note to Lord Hendon:

Lord Hendon,

Let it be known that I am at last full ready to claim my most noble birthright, and assume my rightful position in the royal family of Amber, as the son of Prince Karl and Princess Kianne. I ask for no grand ceremony, lest the King wishes it, but I hope that you will all welcome me with open arms.

Konrad

Konrad then assumed his female guise and sought out one of Karl's spies, one of those tiresome soldiers who had been watching over him for years. Seducing him deftly, Konrad lured him to a private room with caresses and flattery...and there pushed himself into the man's mind and shaped his desires so as to be useful for the coming day.

The next morning Konrad sent out a great many letters to his friends in the Golden Circle, who text was as follows:

Dear Friend,

It is with great regret that I write to inform you that I am forced to close down my clinic and flee Amber City. It hurts me a great deal to leave so suddenly, as I have grown to love this great city and its people. More importantly, it pains me to leave when the need for skilled doctors is so great.

Unfortunately, I have somehow incurred the wrath of Prince Karl, and the harassment I have endured from his soldiers has become such that I cannot stay. I refused to serve in Karl's armies as a military doctor; I can have no part of the war efforts of the one who is known as the Mercenary Prince of Amber.

Were it merely the harassment of his soldiers, I could appeal to King Random, who has been very kind to me and appreciative of my work. However, Prince Karl's allies have also begun a rumor campaign...accusing me of sorcery...of corpse-meddling...of desecration and necromancy. Gossip is spreading through Amber City that my medical abilities are in fact little more than black magic...rumors no doubt encouraged by those witch-doctors whose business has been harmed by the presence of my free clinic. I am certain that I don't need to assure you that these claims pure deceit. My skill is with medicine and sugery...not witchcraft. Nevertheless, one of his cronies, a deluded fool by the name of Dillard, has even gone so far as to whisper that I am some how allied with the Princess Talia, whom he claims is also a witch. Needless to say, the Princess Talia is a fine young woman with whom I have had conversations at the opera, but that is the extent of our relationship, and I believe that this Dillard's rumors are little more than a part of Karl's campaign of lies.

I will be leaving Amber City for good within the space of week, if not sooner. His soldiers have begun bothering my patients, and some of my clientele has dropped off, no doubt due to the rumors of my 'dark powers'. I have given a year of my life to the people of Amber City, healing and helping where I could...asking for nothing more than room, board, and peace of mind. I would have given a lifetime to the city in such a fashion, but now I must flee under the cloud of rumor and suspicion, all because I refuse to serve a man who slaughtered so many in the capital of Sarbonne. I will not work for a killer, Prince or no, and for that I am forced to flee.

If you need to contact me, my friend Cassilda will know of my whereabouts and will pass any messages on to me. Know that I am not abandoning those for whom I care, such as yourself, but given how dangerous the city has become for me, I will have to be more secretive in my comings and goings. I wish you harmony and good health.

Sincerely,
Dr. Konrad Visceratus

That morning he had an appointment with a young lord whose leg he had set some months previous, and as they walked out into the bright Amber morning, a voice loudly accosted him. The soldier from the night previous drew his sword and shouted at the frightened doctor, declaring his presence to be a slight against all of Amber. Konrad drew his sword but was unprepared for the soldier's rage. His arm was sliced and blood flowed onto the muddy street. The nobleman tried to aid him but was knocked back. Konrad fell to his knees and only through sheer luck brought his sword up in time for Karl's spy to rush upon it. Konrad picked up his sword and cradled his arm carefully. "You see what he would have done to me. Not enough to harass my patients, to spread vile rumors about me. Prince Karl will not stop until I am dead." The soldier's companions retrieved his body, seeming confused about what had occurred. The crowd heard the doctor's small speech, and the nobleman quickly lead him away. There would be much talk of the actions of Karl's soldiers.

At his home, Konrad gathered his belongings and used his spell of invisibility. He then travelled a ways from Amber city, assumed his form as son of Karl, and then removed his spell. From there he travelled directly to Amber Castle. He was met at the gate by Lord Hendon, who did not recognize him. Konrad introduced himself as Prince Konrad, son of Karl, and asked to speak with the King. He was escorted to the Yellow Room to wait. Soon enough Random came, looking confused by the sight of him. Before he could even begin to ask, Konrad stood and bowed.

"Your majesty, I am afraid that things have become difficult for me in Amber City and I am forced to seek lodging in Amber Castle. In times past I have been tempted to ignore my illustrious birthright, but as my father has seen to express such an avid interest in my welfare, I feel that I must do my part as loyal son, and declare myself to him and all of Amber. I hope you will support me in this."

Random paused, quite surprised. They both recognized that such an action would only infuriate Karl...and they both realized that this was precisely why Konrad chose to do it. Random smiled a bit, and said "Fine." They talked briefly of having a dinner that evening to recognize him, and Random hurried off. Torrance and Quynn walked in, having just heard the conversation from the hallway, and Konrad merely smiled. Then Lord Hendon sent in a servant to show Konrad to his new quarters.

The rest of the day was fairly uneventful for Konrad. He spent his time unpacking, and preparing for his recognition dinner. When the dinner came, he was feeling well pleased with himself, and at the same time worried about Chadwick, for King Random had told him of the true meaning behind the kidnapping of Flora's son. Apparently, Ariel and Karl had joined forces, and had shapeshifted him into the form of Kianne, in an attempt to get him destroyed. Konrad was quite furious with this turn of events, but greater than his anger was his concern for Chadwick. As such, his behavior at dinner was subdued. He made a brief speech thanking the family members for recognizing him, but did not overdo it, as he understood that this was a recognition in name only.

Just as dessert was about to begin...Chadwick arrived, wearing Kianne's form. He immediately shielded his eyes and began screaming out some nonsense. Konrad immediately reacted by conjuring his amulet of protection to fall down over Chadwick's neck, to prevent anyone from killing him. Chadwick cried out that he must not see the King, that they might have planted in his minds some hidden purposes to accomplish the assassination of the King. Clarissa responded by suggesting they throw him in the dungeon if he was such a security risk. Chadwick responded by saying that he would be fine and could restore himself if he could just be taken to his quarters. Clarissa assented and escorted him to his chambers. Almost immediately a number of family members followed, Konrad accompanying Quynn. When the arrived at his rooms, however, Chadwick and Clarissa had already left. Quynn used his magic to follow, and soon Konrad was left alone again. Annoyed at being left out of the efforts, he returned to his rooms to finish unpacking.

Konrad had barely begun unpacking when there was a knock at his door. In the privacy of his form he had shifted back to his original form, and so he assumed his Karlson form again to answer the door. Opening it, he saw Nicholas, and allowed himself to re-assume his natural form. Stunned for a moment, Konrad invited him in.

This story continues in Tome XI: Orphan of Amber.