> "In recent weeks, Mordred Osricson has undergone some sort of weird
> blood ritual treatment which has turned his eyes blue - subsequently,
> all his sins are forgiven and he is installed as Mosley's successor as
> Attourney General. Prior to his 'treatment' Mordred was a ferocious
> anti-Swavillist. What has happened to him to change this?"
>
> "One - Mordred is on a crusade to destroy any Thulist who does not back
> Osric. Two - he is now hunting down and investigating those nobles in
> the Thelbane government and parliament who supported Mandor, accusing
> them of outrageous crimes, the same way Oberon has been accused of
> crimes. Thus continues the historic blackwashing of enemies by the
> Swavillist elite cadres, even as some of the people are loyal supporters
> and allies of King Kenneth."

Mordred public response to this is immediate and swift.

"Eric, Eric, Eric," said Mordred to the press. "You had so much potential.
What happened to the man I spoke to at Flora's party? Ah, well."

"First of all, Eric," said Mordred. "If you're going to give me a last
name, I prefer Mordred Pendragon to Mordred Osricson. It's really a matter
of personal preference, and it'd be polite if you respected it. My reasons
are private and none of your business."

"Like most of his generation," continued Mordred. "Eric is so blinded by
politics that he can no longer see right from wrong. His recent battles
with the Thelbane government and Queen Jasra of Amber have made him attack
where he should not, and to say things in ignorance. I suppose I should
have expected this from the same political camp that had Diana kidnap me,
but I'm still disappointed."

"Let's start with Thulism. As Attorney General, I can only do so much
against Thulism. I will not step outside the legal auspices of the office.
I repeat: I will not step outside the legal auspices of the office. This
is NOT a political position. Switching hats, a Thulist of any stripe,
discovered by me in Parys, Firenze, or any of the Shadows I am connected
with, is going to quickly wish he had never been born. This has not
changed, and it never will. To assume otherwise is foolish in the
extreme."

"Let's move on to Mandor," said Mordred, after taking a sip of water.
"Mandor and his flunkies professed to many high ideals -- many of which
might be labeled as anti-Swayvillist by the Thelbane conservative -- that
I tend to agree with. My personal politics are not the issue here,
however.  Nothing can change the fact that Mandor's real goal was his own
personal power, and that his supposed ends, more propaganda than reality,
do not in any way justify his means. His crimes have been ignored for too
long."

Mordred ran his hand through his hair. "If you wish to provide my office
with evidence that Mandor was a nice guy, Eric, I welcome the input.
Certainly his men were not the only one who contributed to the powderkeg
that was the Thelbane Civil War -- in fact, if I recall correctly, you
were responsible for much of the false information I was fed that led to
the fiasco that was Firegate. Perhaps by providing me more information
about your own guilt you can prove the innocence of those of his cohorts
that survived Mandor's death. It is ironic you should mention Blood
Ritual, since you are an expert in the matter."

"Oh, but that was during the Kolvir implant period," said Mordred,
smiling. "I forgot. Silly me. Forget I said that."

Mordred stood up and his eyes blazed -- becoming pink again for a moment.
"Just as you consider yourself a patriot to Amber, Eric, I consider myself
a patriot to Thelbane, and, most of all, to Good King Kenneth. Everything
I did during the Thelbane Civil War was motivated by my loyalty to the
King, though my good intentions were tragically twisted by the false
information I had been fed. Therefore it should be obvious to anyone with
more cognative capacity than a monkey why I might desire to be in a
position like Attorney General, and it's not because I've become a
fascist, as your propaganda would imply. I love the Thelbane people, and I
want to make sure the broken promises of government are fulfilled. This is
not a political issue. Swayvillism, anti-Swayvillism, Rilgaism -- all of
it fades before the ethical and moral debt owed to the people of Creation.
My politics have long been based on this moral compass, but I've
compromised too much, and been manipulated and used by those of your
generation, Eric."

Mordred sat down, and smiled again. "I'm glad you've finally showed your
true colors, Eric. I was becoming worried that I might feel morally
obligated to support your bid for the Amber throne. Fortunately, that is
now no longer the case. Your recent speech, associating me with certain
extreme Swayvillist positions, has proven to me that you haven't a clue,
and that you concern is only for your own power and your petty little
propaganda war. A return to your rule would be a disaster for Amber, and I
am happy to say I oppose it. This is not my declaration as Attorney
General, but as a Prince of Amber."