Mysteries abound in Castle Amber.
The Hall of Mirrors. The ghosts that can be heard in the hallways and rooms.
I have studied (without touching, I might add) the Siege Crystals on the
roof lines of the Castle. At each of the five towers, a crystal, or a
star-amethyst by appearance, sits dormant above a metal standard on a stone
pedestal. I understand these magical devices are very effective against besieging
tactics.
Look carefully in the background of the informal portrait below, one of the most startling things about the crystals is that they float above the metal mountings, actually spinning in the strongest winds that sweep the Castle.
Does this Prince look happy to you?? Well, I have it on good authority, that he does smile. But I can say that Corwin is not one of those people who really likes having their portrait done.
This view of the King's Tower shows some of the more recent fortification work. The dark grey stone is centuries old and is used throughout most of the exterior walls. The slate green stone, vaguely purple in daylight, of the newer overreach towers is less than 100 years old. The stone of the foundations and ways below the level of the moat is black and beautifully crystalline. The Castle is always subject to improvements, a tradition reaching back to the early years of King Oberon's reign. During Gerard's Regency, Princess Florimel took on the role of Royale Architect. Most of the work the Princess had completed was to the Castle plumbing. The skylight visible on the roof in this painting, was added at that time as well. It sits directly over the Grand Stair. The balconies are actually worked into older openings and are featured no where else except the King's own tower. The modification is from Oberon's reign.
For purists, or students of the military arts, please note that there is no such overview of the Castle as is shown in this painting. The artist used time tested methods, and personal measurements to recreate the vantage point seen here. No higher ground is within any of the acres immediately adjacent to Castle Amber.
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