Larks and Trifles at the Palace

Home

The entrance to the Great Hall.

The great, the good and the entertaining all scrubbed up very well for the event of the season!

For some, the entire world of shadow was at the Palace the other week, all in Amber for the season. There was the yachting, of course, and the eventing in Arden, but the undoubted high point of the proceedings was His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Krest's bash to celebrate his forthcoming nuptuals.

Princess Katarina Valkarova was radiant in a chiffon gown that left her husband-to-be more than a little distracted. Many of the more established (but not old, dear me no) ladies of the Court turned a little green at the sight of just how much a spot of exercise can help tone those parts that wine and sun loungers just won't reach. You know who you are ladies!

While the party had the Valkarovas falling over themselves to rush to the bright lights, it is sad to note that the other noble families of the Courts (as opposed to the Court, do keep up darlings!) sent a begrudging one party apiece. Most of these were dyed-in-the-wool sad sacks, who left just soon enough to invite comment. Not a one of these stayed for the highpoint of the evening, the party games!

The Grand Hall just before the party. Spot the chandeliers, they became a highlight!

Prince Krest, or Krusty as he's known to his intimates, (No darlings, intimates, NOT inmates!) decided that the party would be a great deal more fun with a few little boisterous challenges. He called to the younger party set to liven up the night, and some few of them, not too far gone in their cups, were more than happy to accept the change to something more like a rugby club dinner.

Chief amongst the tykes were two young bucks from Elysium, both of whom have been noted before to be more than happy to drag an event downmarket. You've probably seen them around, especially if you are ever near the late night takeaway pits just off the south end of campus. Finn and Brynmor, chief architects of the famed "FinnBryn set" seemed to have found fresh blood in a pair of blond youths from shadows unknown. Two bodies in bright colours (one a garish green and gold, the other an indescribable pink patchwork arrangement) with but a single thought between them. Believe me, we're being kind to ascribe them even that one thought. Bors and Harlequin they were announced as, but some shenanigans were abroad, because when our reporter managed to catch a word with them as they were cracking open yet another bottle of the red, they claimed not to know each other!

The yachting in the harbour has been a riotous week of rum, the lash, and probably more than a little bit of Roger the cabin boy. Two of the captains had been invited, Tanith and Theobald. These two were responsible for turning the duelling, which Krusty has always enjoyed, into some sort of circus with the swinging chandeliers being the setting for some sort of food fight. Duelling was set aside, and banana skins and balloons were the order of the day.

[Chief Editor's Addendum]

The FinnBryn set announced, through a drunken giggle, that four of the revellers had "achieved firsts" in Amber alone knows what. They insisted that this "high academic achievement" be commited to posterity. So, with a heavy heart, it is my sad duty to announce that Brynmor, Harlequin, a poor innocent young thing called Alesandra, and a quiet girl called Enigma all achieved victory in, in, something.

The harbour as things got out of hand.

Like all things touched by too much grape, grain, and indulgence, it then went downhill fast. Krest retired for the night, and without his maturity to slow them, the more debauched young hooligans ran riot through the harbour, where the noise and destruction was so disturbing it awoke the Dragon of Rebma, with unsurprising results. Fully half the ships docked were destroyed, and the lighthouse will need to be rebuilt... again.

The saddest thing was only discovered after those responsible had ridden off into shadow to "have an adventure". The Eastern Rose Garden will take years to recover from the total obliteration of all vegetation by fire and oil, and the complete breakdown of poor old Winston's gardening faculties after he arrived the next morning to mow the lawn and prepare for the weekend's Valkarova Tea Party.

The sight that broke Winston's heart.

The tea party will now be held in the Western Rose Garden.

Prince Krest has been very quiet about the final bill for the party, but a delegation of ship owners was seen leaving the Palace yesterday. In a month, the new term starts in Elysium, I hope Amber can last that long.