Interview with Islain

Islain: I've never really been a great admirer of forests, even one so obviously beautiful as Arden. My sojourn is one of purpose, not vacation. I suppose if there was one thing here I would miss when returning to Rebma it is the total straight-forward sureness of which side is right. All of Julian's men are certain of their loyalty. In Rebma this is quite another story.

Interviewer: You are a subtle and sober woman, but if push came to shove... how much are you willing to sacrifice for what you really believe in?

Islain: For the few things in which I truly believe, I would sacrifice everything. Even myself, and I have only ever loved another as I do myself once.

Interviewer: So... Julian. Are the rumors concerning your position under him true? (I'm sorry. I couldn't help it)

Islain: To which position do you refer?

Islain smiles crookedly, her pale eyes direct and not the least bit embarrassed.

Interviewer: Are the rumors of what you are doing with Julian true?

Islain: I don't pay much attention to rumors, having been plagued with them for my entire existence, it seems. But if you are asking about our personal business, I will have to say respectfully that it is none of yours.

And unless the etchings will help you wank yourself to sleep at night I don't see how it can possibly be relevant.

Interviewer: Most of the rumors about you center on your romantic life, rather than your political skill. Have you deliberately encouraged this, to draw attention away from your diplomatic abilities?

Islain: In no way that I am aware of. I have never been a woman particularly worried by rumor of any sort, but neither do I attempt to make others see me as fragile or helpless. If I had, perhaps the image presented of me presently would be different. It is, I think, an unfortunate commentary on my enemies' political skill that they focus on my sexual adventures when they might make more headway with a different style of smear campaign.

On the other hand, as I fear nothing they can dig up or fabricate, it is possible it would make no difference any way.

Interviewer: Mandor has made many improvements on the average Amberite's way of life. Would you maintain any of those improvements? If so, what?

Islain: I can see only a few improvements outside of the political whitewash of the Mandor Edict, and I seriously hope you are not so naive as to believe that piece of brilliant propaganda in its entirety. In point of fact I respect and admire Lord Mandor. He is an excellent administrator and politician. The simple fact is that he is Chaosian, not Amberite, and he does not belong in Amber and neither does Amber need his Edicts.

If you had lived for Oberon's rule, or Eric's, and seen them, as I have seen both, you would understand that life for the average Amberite has not changed significantly. It is not fundamentally better or worse under Merlin - or Mandor.

I will not paint Mandor as a tyrant. He is not one. What I will say is that he has no lawful basis to rule Amber, and the basis through which he claims the throne through his puppet Merlin is weak at best. He ought honestly to abdicate and let Amberites rule Amber.

But to return somewhat to your question: when I wrest Amber from Mandor I will retain some of his works: his University is quite interesting...

Interviewer: Why do you think so poorly of yourself as to need so many lovers?

Islain bursts out laughing.

Islain: Darling, what a strange assumption you make. It's rather adorable actually. I don't need lovers, and I don't think poorly of myself. I learned, rather young in fact, that most men are ruled not by their brains, but by that organ that operates below their hips. Sex is one of many ways of controlling and manipulating others. When it becomes something else, one is in desperate danger.

Interviewer: Despite the questionable advantages to screwing your uncle, why would a woman with your beauty and talents want to stay in a military camp? I mean, really? Aren't you better off in Rebma?

She is stilll smiling.

Islain: Fifteen years ago I might have had your tongue removed for the preface to that question. But now I am somewhat dissipated in state and shall bite my own tongue and answer. Rebma is a great state, and my mother is a great queen. I have done good work there, have more political connections, more comfort, more... of a lot of things. But I have never regretted my decision to leave Rebma for Arden. Julian was a good friend when we both served my father, and I owe him much. His resistance against Mandor and Merlin is one in which I sincerely believe and I will do all in my power to aid him.

Interviewer: What are your thoughts on the Occupation?

Islain: Is that truly up for debate? I wholeheartedly disapprove of Chaosians ruling Amber, I consider their interference unwarranted and unfair, their king incompetent and useless, their puppetmasters unnecessary and their improvements pretty glosses designed to hide a problem that did not exist to begin with, like the lipstick on an exceptionally beautiful whore.

I will not argue with the regime's choices, although secret police and such do seem the acts of a man afraid of how his populace view him, and none would be so fearful without reason.

What I do state, vigorously and again, is the lack of need. Amber has plenty of sons and daughters willing and capable of governing. Why should the task fall to Chaos?

Interviewer: Can you describe your relationship with your sister Larissa?

Islain: A very difficult question. I love Larissa and I will always love her, though our disagreements have become more and more monumental over time. A part of me will always wish to protect her from ugliness, as I have striven to do in the past. And another part will never forgive her for the side she took. Even to speak to her now would be a challenge, because at this point there is really nothing left unsaid, nothing we have not long outlasted the need for...