Martin: Behold the King my Father, Martin I of Amber, Pearl of Cities and one true realm. He has been our guide through perilous times. Why, just during the sequence of events since Quentin of Navarre began harrying our kingdom, he has: Nearly died of poison from an assassin's quarrel, necessitating that we fend for ourselves; Disappeared into shadow for more than a year, necessitating that we fend for ourselves; Been so badly overmatched by Caine and Corwin that he was reduced to a bestial, nigh-mindless existence in the mountains beyond Navarre until I nearly died rescuing him; Gone mad from damage to the Pattern caused by his favorite son, Dexter, necessitating that we fend for ourselves. Despite all that, though, we can surely agree that even without the beard his chin would not appear absurdly weak.

Caine: Happily this trump no longer functions, and not just because none of my trumps function. The sinister southpaw depicted here drove my father mad and used my weak-minded brother, Dexter, like a very watering can of royal blood. He even dominated the not-inconsiderable spirit of my cousin Alexandria. Happily we Cassandrites are made of sterner stuff, and I was finally able to trap him beside the Pattern of Hendrake. There I loosed the more savage among my siblings on him in a pack and brought him down. Tragic in a way, as I so admired the version of him in the books.

Corwin: You could almost convince yourself that that smirk is not wholly evil - or anyway, not the bad kind of evil. Do not go there. This black-hearted fratricide, parricide and infanticide rules the kingdom of Navarre. Perhaps he created its Pattern himself, and that much of his tissue of lies, called the Ley of Corwin, is true. The worse for his record if so, for, apart from an adequate supply of generally suitable women, Navarre is a pinched and septic place compared to our beloved Amber. To see this face is to see its flaws.

Princess Grace of Amber: The least one can say about my youngest sister, Grace, is that she is not so clueless about arcane matters as she has been aforetimes. No longer does she need Aunt Dierdre to bring the fleet back safely for her. Grace is also considerably more pleasant than certain other of my relations, those being all save Root and Gustav. I like her. We adventured together for six months one time, and she was a great help when I rescued Aunt Dierdre from the mages of Haven, but that is a story so well-known I needn't recount it here.

Prince Gustav of Amber: My older, full brother whom I love well. Gustav is a jolly fellow and not so indolent as he appears. He is inquisitive, an excellent cook and keeps a woman of striking beauty and talent, who probably gives him a discount because of his pleasant nature. That we can be certain he grew to be a disappointment to our mother must be no bar to a generally favorable judgment of his character; nor does his ineptness as Amber's foreign minister reflect poorly on him. We each of us have our talents, and if Gustav's are misused, he is the more admirable for his perseverance. I have managed to contain most of his messes regardless. Interestingly, his mistress, Natashia, calls him "Goosy Goosy!" Perhaps he would like you to do so as well!

The first Carton story, "Containers," is available Under the Bushel.

One of the inconvenient and perplexing things about being me is that people tend not to give me trumps of themselves. Who knows why? Regardless, I decided the only sensible thing to do was to start making trumps of my own. So far the project is coming along well! except for the actual supernatural part. Still, here are some people in my life.

A self-portrait! I like this one because of the rakish pose that conveys both my sheer charm and my undeniably off-center attitude. (It's also nice to be able to sit down!) Believe it or not, I already had the mirror necessary for this picture installed on my ceiling before I ever thought of taking up painting!

Princess Dierdre of Amber: Now known for certain (I suppose) to indeed be the true sister of my father, His Majesty King Martin I of Amber, Dierdre is renowned for her lore - and her aloofness. Here we see her in a contemplative moment. I am informed this pose inspired an album cover by a shadow of hers.

Princess Talia of Navarre: This striking woman is my good friend and companion through many trials. It is fair to say we share many opinions and, more than that, tastes. The Princess presently enjoys political asylum at Castle Amber before beginning her own reign over the kingdom of her soon-to-be-late father.

Prince Root of Amber: My younger, true brother and (I admit it!) my favorite among my siblings. Root is strong, cheerful, brave and, well, flighty. Claims that I have already foreseen Root's violent death and that this has impelled me on a quest for preemptive vengeance against the Realm of King Corwin are not to be credited. Certainly not when Root is in earshot.

Marshall Caitlin of Amber: My younger half-sister, Lady Defender of Amber and boss of the Shadow Guard - some fine, if aloof, young women! Oh well - the better for Talia I suppose. This picture shows my development as an artist, as we see the Lady Defender defending the Hospital Guild against their sworn foes in the Senate. If you look carefully, you can just make out some aircars above a neighboring building. Purists may object: Your sister Caitlin was paralyzed during the battle of the hospital and rode a conveyance! Foolish purists! It is my creative side on display here! However hobbled Caitlin may have momentarily been, she bestrode the fields of contention like a colossus.

And that's just her thighs.