zelazny, roger - the second chronicles of amber 05 - prince of chaos

8/10/2019 Zelazny, Roger - The Second Chronicles of Amber 05 - Prince of Chaos

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ROGER ZELAZNY

T HE A MB ER S ER IE S - B OO K T EN

PR IN CE O F C HA OS

I

S e e o ne c or on at io n a nd y ou 'v e s ee n t hem al l. S ou nd s c yn ic al a nd

p ro ba bl y i s, e sp ec ia ll y w he n t he p ri nc ip al is y ou r b e st f ri en d a nd his

q ue en ' s y ou r i na dv er te nt l ov er . B ut t he re 's g en er al ly a p ro ce ss io n, w it h a

lot of slow music, and uncomfortable, colorful garb, incense, speeches,

p r ay er s , t he ringing of b el ls . T he y a r e t ed io us , g ene ral ly h ot , a nd

requiring of one an insincere attention, as at weddings, commencements, and

secret initiations.

An d s o Lu ke a nd C or al b ec am e t he s ov er ei gn s o f K as hf a, i n t he s am e

church where we'd fought almostbut, unfortunately, not quite-to the death

with my ma d b ro th er J ur t b ut a f ew h ou rs b ef or e. A s A mb er 's only

representative at the event-albeit of, technically, unofficial status-I was

a cc or de d a r in gs id e s ta nd in gp la ce , a nd e ye s w er e o ft en d ri ft in g m y w ay . S o I

h ad t o k e e p a le rt a nd m ou th a pp ro pr ia te r es po ns es . W hi le R an do m w ou ld n ot

p er mi t f or mal s ta tus t o my p re se nc e a t t he c er em ony , I k ne w h e' d b e

i rr it at ed i f h e h ea rd t ha t m y b eh av io r w as l es s t ha n d ip lo ma ti ca ll y s ou nd .

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S o I w ou nd u p w it h h ur ti ng f ee t, a s ti ff n ec k, a nd c ol or fu l g ar me nt s

s oa ke d w it h s we at . T ha t' s s ho w b iz . S ti ll , I w ou ld n' t h av e h ad i t a ny o th er

w ay . L uk e a nd I g o b ac k t hr ou gh s om e o f t he d am ne de st t im es , a nd I c ou ld n' t

h el p b ut t hi nk o f t he m- fr om s wo rd 's p oi nt t o t ra ck m ee ts , f ro m a rt g al le ri es

a nd i nt o S ha do w- as I s to od t he re s we lt er i ng a nd w on de ri ng w ha t w ou ld b ec om e

of him n ow h e w or e a c ro wn . S uc h a n o cc ur re nc e h ad c ha ng ed m y u nc le R an do m

f ro m a h ap py -g o- lu ck y m us ic ia n, f oo tl oo se a nd d eg en er at e, i nt o a s ag e a nd

responsible monarch-though I've only my relatives' reports when it comes to

k no wi ng a bo ut t he f ir st . I f ou nd m ys el f h op in g i t w ou ld n' t m el lo w L uk e o ut

a ll t ha t m uc h. S ti ll -a ga in -L uk e w as a v er y d if fe re nt p er so n t ha n R an do m, n ot

t o m en ti on a ge s y ou ng er . A ma zi ng w ha t y ea rs c an d o, t ho ug h- or i s i t j us t t he

n at ur e of e ve nt s? I r ea li ze d m ys el f t o b e a l ot d if fe ren t t ha n I h ad b ee n

not so ver y long ago, fr om al l t hat had h ap pe ned t o me r ecentl y. A lot

d if fe re nt t ha n I 'd b ee n y es te rd ay , c om e t o t hi nk o f i t.

D ur in g t he r ec es si on al C or al m an ag ed t o p as s m e a n ot e, s ay in g t ha t s he

h ad t o s ee m e, giving a t im e a nd a pl ace , ev en i ncl udi ng a s mal l m ap . I t

p ro ve d a n a pa rt me nt t o t he r ea r o f t he p al ac e. W e m et t he re t ha t e ve ni ng a nd

w ou nd u p s pe nd in g t he n ig ht . S he a nd L uk e h ad b ee n m ar ri ed a s k id s, b y

p ro xy , I l ea rn ed t he n, p ar t o f t he d ip lo ma ti c a rr an ge me nt b et we en J as ra a nd

th e B eg ma ns . I t d id n' t w or k o ut , t ho ug h- th e d ip lo ma ti c p ar t, t ha t i s- an d t he

r es t k in d o f f el l b y t he w ay si de . T he p ri nc ip al s h ad s or t o f f or go tt en a bo ut

t he m ar ri ag e, t oo , t il l r eÖ en t e ve nt s s er ve d a s a r em in de r. N ei th er h ad s ee n

th e o the r i n y ea rs . S ti ll , t he r ec or d s ho we d t ha t t he p ri nce h ad b ee n

m a rr ie d. Whil e it w as a n a nn ul la bl e t hi ng , s he c ou ld a ls o b e c ro wn ed w it h

h im . I f t he re w er e a ny th in g i n i t f or K as hf a.

A nd t he re w as : E re gn or . A B eg ma n q ue en o n t he K as hf an t hr on e m ig ht h el p





s mo ot h o ve r t ha t p ar ti cu la r r ea l e st at e g ab . A t l ea st , t ha t h ad b ee n J as ra 's

t hi nk in g, C or al t ol d m e. A nd L uk e h ad b ee n s wa ye d b y t hi s, p ar ti cu la rl y in

th e a bs en ce o f t he g ua ra nt ee s f ro m A mb er a nd t he n ow -d ef un ct G ol de n C ir cl e

Treaty.

I hel d h er . S he w as n ot well, d es pi te wh at s ee me d an amazing

po st op er at iv e r ec ov er y. S he w or e a b la ck p at ch o ve r h er r ig ht e ye a nd w as

m o re t ha n a l it tl e r ea ct iv e s ho ul d m y h an d s tr ay n ea r i t- or e ve n i f I l oo ke d

a t i t f or t oo l on g. W ha t m ig ht h av e l ed D wo rk in t o r ep la ce t he d am ag ed e ye

w it h t he J ew el of J ud gm en t, I c ou ld n ot e ve n g ue ss . U nl es s h e s om eh ow

c on si de re d h er p ro of a ga in st t he f or ce s o f t he P at te rn a nd t he Lo gr us in

t hei r a tt em pt s t o r ec ov er i t. M y e xp er ti se in t hi s a re a, t ho ug h, w as

nonexistent. Having finally met the diminutive mage, I had become convinced

o f his s ani tyt houg h t hi s feeling in n o w ay s er v ed t o p en et r at e t h os e

enigmatic qualities that ancient wise men tend to possess.

" Ho w do es i t f eel ?" I as ked her .

" Ve ry s tr an ge ," s he r ep li ed . " Na t p ai n- ex ac tl y. M or e l ike t he w ay a

T ru mp c on ta ct f ee ls. Only i t' s with m e al l t he t im e, an d I 'm not g oi ng

a ny wh er e o r t al ki ng t o a ny on e. I t' s a s i f I 'm standing in s om e s or t of

g at ew ay . F ar ce s a re m ov in g a bo ut m e, t hr ou gh m e. "

In an inst ant I was at t he cent er that was the gay r ing wi th i ts wheel

o f m an y- sp ok ed r ed di sh m et al . F ro m t he i ns id e, h er e, i t w as like a g re at

w eb . A br ight st rand pul sed f or my att ent ion. Y es, i t was a li ne t o a ver y

p ot en t f or ce i n d ist ant S ha do w, o ne t ha t might b e u se d f or p ro bi ng .

Car ef ul ly, I e xt en de d it t ow ar d t he c ov er ed j ew el s he w or e i n h er e ye

socket.





Th er e w as n o i mm ed iat e r es is ta nc e. In f ac t, I felt nothing a s I

e xt en de d t he line of p ow er . An i ma ge ca me t o m e of a c ur ta in of f lam e,

however. Pushing through the fiery veil, I felt my extension of inquiry

sl owing, s lo wi ng , h al te d. A nd t he re I h ov er ed , a s I t w er e, a t t he e dg e o f a

vo id . T hi s was not t he way o f at tunemen t, as I u nd er st ood it, an d I w as

loat h t o invoke t he P at te rn , wh ic h I un de rs to od t o be a pa rt of i t, w he n

e mp lo yi ng o th er f or ce s. I p us he d f or wa rd a nd fel t a t er ri bl e c ol dn es s,

d ra in in g t he e ne rg ie s I h ad c al le d u po n.

S ti ll , it w as n ot d ra in in g t he e ne rg y d ir ec tl y f ro m m e, o nl y f ro m o ne

o f t he f or ce s I c om ma nd ed . I p us he d i t f ar th er , a nd I b eh el d a faint p at ch

o f l ig ht l ik e s om e d is ta nt n eb ul a. I t h un g a ga in st a b ac kg ro un d t he d ee p r ed

o f p or t w in e. C lo se r s ti ll , a nd i t r es ol ve d i ts el f i nt o a f or m- a c om pl ex ,

three dimensional construct, half familiar-which must be the pathway one

t a ke s in att uni ng o ne se lf t o t he J ew el , f ro m m y f at he r' s d es cr ip ti on . A ll

ri gh t, I w as i ns id e t he J ew el . S ho ul d I e ss ay t he i ni ti at io n?

" Go n o f ur th er ," c am e a n u nf am il ia r v oi ce , t ho ug h I r ea li ze d i t t o b e

C or al wh o w as m ak in g t he s ou nd s. S he s ee me d t o h av e s li pp ed i nt o a t ra nc e

state. "You are denied the higher initiation."

I d re w b ac k o n m y p ro be , n ot e ag er f or a ny d em on st ra ti on s t ha t might

c om e m y w ay a lo ng i t. M y L og ru s s ig ht , w hi ch h ad r em ai ne d w it h m e c on st an tl y

s in ce r ec en t e ve nt s i n A mb er , g av e m e a v is io n o f C or al n ow f ul ly e nf ol de d

a nd p en et ra te d b y t he h ig he r v er si on o f t he P at te rn .

" Wh y?" I a sk ed i t.

B ut I w as r io t v ou ch sa fe d a r ep ly . C or al g ave a little j er k, s ho ok

h e rs el f, a nd s ta re d a t m e.

"What happened?" she asked.





"Y ou d oz ed o ff ," I r ep li ed . " No w on de r. W ha te ve r D wo rk in d id , p lu s t he

d ay's stress . . ."

S he y aw ne d a nd c ol la ps ed b ac k o n t he b ed .

" Ye s, " s he b re at he d, a nd t he n s he w as r ea ll y a sl ee p. I pull ed off my

b oo ts a nd d is ca rd ed m y h ea vi er g ar me nt s. I s tr et ch ed o ut b es id e h er a nd d re w

a q ui lt o ve r u s. I w as t ir ed , t oo, a nd I j us t w ant ed so meo ne t o h ol d.

Ho w long I sl ept I d o not know . I w as t roubl ed by da rk, swi rl ing

dreams. Faces-human, animal, demonic, moved about me, none of them bearing

particularly cheerful expressions. Forests fell and burst into flame, the

g ro un d s ho ok a nd s pl it , t he w at er s o f t he s ea r os e in gigantic w av es a nd

a ss ai le d t he l an d, t he m oo n d ri pp ed b lo od a nd t he re c am e u p a g re at w ai li ng .

So me thi ng c al le d m y n am e. . . .

A g re at w in d r at tl ed t he s hu tt er s t il l t he y b ur st i nw ar d, d ap pi ng a nd

b an gi ng . I n m y d re am , a c re at ur e e nt er ed t he n a nd c am e t o c ro uc h a t t he f oo t

of t he bed, cal li ng sof tly t o me, over and ov er . The r oom se em ed t o b e

s ha ki ng , a nd m y m in d w en t b ac k t o C al if or ni a. I t s ee me d t ha t a n e ar th qu ak e

wa s i n pr ogr ess . T he wi nd r os e f ro m a shr iek t o a r oa r, a nd I he ar d c ra shi ng

s ou nd s f ro m w it ho ut , a s o f t re es f al li ng , t ow er s t op pl in g. . . .

" Me rl in , P ri nc e o f t he H ou se o f S aw al l, P ri nc e o f C ha os , r is e up," it

s ee me d t o s ay . T he n i t g na sh ed i ts f an gs a nd b eg an a ga in .

At t he four th o r fifth r ep et it io n i t s tr uc k m e t ha t I m ig ht no t b e

d re am in g. T he re w er e s cr ea ms f ro m s om ew he re o ut si de , a nd s te ad y p ul se s o f

lightning came and went against almost musical rolls of thunder.

I r ai se d a p ro te ct iv e s he ll b ef or e I m ov ed , b ef or e I o pe ne d m y e ye s.

T he s ou nd s w er e r eal , a s w as t he b ro ke n s hu tt er . S o w as t he cr ea tu re a t the





fo ot o f t he b ed .

"M er li n, M er li n. R is e u p, M er li n," it s ai d t o m e- it bei ng a

long-snouted, pointed-eared individual, wellfanged and clawed, of a

greenish-silver cast of complexion, eyes large and shining, damp leathery

w in gs f ol de d a ga in st i ts l ea n s id es . F ro m i ts e xp re ss io n, I c ou ld n' t tel l

w he th er i t w as s mi li ng o r i n p ai n. " Aw ak en , L or d o f C ha os ."

"Gryll," I said, naming an old family servant from the Courts.

" Ay e, L or d, " i t r ep li ed . " Th e s am e a s t au gh t y ou t he b on ed an ce g am e. "

"I'll be damned."

" Bu si ness b ef or e p le as ur e, L or d. I ' ve f ol l ow ed t he b la ck t hr ea d a l on g

a nd h or ri d w ay t o c om e c al li ng ."

" Th e t hr ea ds d id n' t r ea ch t hi s f ar ," I s ai d, " wi th ou t

a n a wf ul l ot o f p us h. M ay be e ve n n ot t he n. D o t he y n ow ?"

" It 's e as ie r n ow ," h e r ep li ed .

"How so?"

"His Majesty Swayvill, King of Chaos, sleeps this night with the

an ce st or s o f d ar kn es s. I w as s en t t o f et ch y ou b ac k f or t he c er em on ie s. "

" No w? " " No w. " " Ye ah . W el l, o k ay . S ur e . J us t l et m e g et m y s tu ff

together. How'd it happen, anyhow?"

I p ul le d o n m y b oo ts , d on ne d t he r es t o f m y ga rm en ts, b uc kl ed on my

blade.

"I a m n ot p ri vy t o a ny d et ai ls. O f c ou rs e, i t i s c om mo n k no wl ed ge t ha t

h i s h ea lt h w as p oo r. "





" I w ant t o l eave a no te, " I sai d.

H e n o dd e d.

" A b ri ef o ne, I t ru st ."

"Yes."

I s cr aw le d o n a p ie ce o f pa rc hm ent from t he writing t ab le , C or al ,

C al le d a wa y o n f am il y b usi nes s. I 'l l b e i n t ou ch , a nd I l ai d i t b esi de h er

hand.

" A ll r ig ht ," I sa id . " Ho w do we do t hi s?"

" I w il l b ea r y ou u po n m y ba ck , P ri nce M er li n, a s I d id l on g ag o. "

I n od de d a s a f lo od o f c hi ld ho od m em or ie s r et ur ne d t o m e. Gryll w as

immensely s tr on g, a s a re m os t d em on s. But I r ec al le d o ur g am es , a t

Pi t 's - ed g e a nd o ut o ve r t he d a rk ne ss , in b ur ia l c ha mb er s, c av es ,

still-smoking battlefields, ruined temples, chambers of dead sorcerers,

p r iv at e h el ls . I a lw ay s s ee me d t o h av e m or e f un playing wi th d em on s t ha n

with m y m ot he r' s r el at iv es b y b lo od o r m ar ri ag e. I e ve n b as ed m y m ai n C ha os

f or m up on o ne o f t he ir k in d.

H e a bs or be d a c ha ir f ro m t he r oo m' s c or ne r f or e xt ra m as s, changing

s h ap e t o a cc om mo da te m y a du lt s iz e. A s I c li mb ed u po n h is e lo ng at ed t or so ,

c at ch in g a f ir m h ol d, h e e xc la im ed , " Ah , M er li n! W ha t ma gi cs d o y ou b e ar

these days?"

" I' ve t he ir c on tr ol , b ut n ot full k no wl ed ge o f t he ir e ss en ce ," I

a ns we re d. " Th ey 'r e a v er y r ec en t a cq ui si ti on . W ha t i s i t t ha t y ou f ee l? "

"Heat, cold, strange music," he replied. "From all directions. You have

changed."

" Ev er yo ne c ha ng es ," I s ai d a s h e m ov ed t o wa r d t he w in do w. " Th at 's





life."

A da rk t hr ead l ay up on t he w id e si ll . He r each ed ou t and t ouc hed i t a s

he launched himself.

T he re ca me a g rea t r us hi ng o f w in d a s w e f el l d ow nw ar d, m ove d f or wa rd ,

r o se . T ow er s f la sh ed p as t, w av er i ng . T he s ta rs w er e b ri gh t, a q ua rt er m oo n

ju st r is en , i ll um in at in g t he b el li es o f a l ow l in e o f c lo ud s. W e s oa re d, t he

ca st le a nd t he t ow n d wi nd li ng i n a n e ye bl in k. T he s ta r s d an c ed , b ec am e

s t re ak s o f light. A b an d o f s he er , r i pp li ng b la ck ne ss s pr ea d a bo ut u s,

w i de ni ng . T he B la ck R oa d, I s ud de nl y t ho ug ht . I t i s l ik e a t em po ra ry v er si on

of t he Black Road, in t he sky. I glanced back. I t was not there. It was a s

i f it wer e somehow r eel ing in as we r ode. Or was i t reel ing us i n?

T he c ou nt ry si de p as se d b en ea th u s l ik e a f il m p la ye d a t t r ip le s pe ed .

F or es t, h il l, a nd m ou nt ai n p ea k f le d b y. O ur b la ck w ay w as a g re at r ib bo n

he avi ng b ef or e u s, p at ch es o f l ig ht a nd d ar k l ik e d ay ti me c lo ud s ha do ws

s li di ng p as t. A nd t he n t he t em po i nc re as ed , s ta cc at o. I n ot ed of a s ud de n

t ha t t he re w as n o l on ge r a ny w in d. A br up tl y, t he m oo n w as h ig h o ve rh ea d, a nd

a c r o ok e d mountai n r an ge s na ke d b en ea th u s. T he s ti ll ne ss h ad a d re am li ke

qu al it y t o i t, an d i n a n i nst an t t he m oon h ad f al le n l ow er . A l ine of light

c ra ck ed the wor ld t o my right a nd s ta rs b ega n t o g o ou t. T he re w as no

f ee li ng o f e xe rt io n i n G ry ll 's b od y a s w e p lu ng ed a lo ng t ha t b la ck w ay ; a nd

t he m oo n v an ish ed a nd light g re w b ut te ry y el lo w a lo ng a l in e o f c lo ud s,

ac qu ir in g a p in k c as t e ve n a s I w at ch ed .

" Th e p ow er o f C ha os r is es ," I r em ar ke d.

"The energy of disorder," he replied.

"T he re i s m or e t o t hi s t ha n y ou 'v e t ol d m e, " I s ai d.

" I a m b ut a s er va nt ," G ry ll r es po nd ed , " an d n ot p ri vy t o t he c ou nci ls





of the mighty."

The wor ld continued t o b ri gh ten , a nd f or as f ar ah ead as I co ul d se e

o ur b la ck r ib bo n r ip pl ed . W e w er e p as si ng h ig h o ve r m ou nt ai no us t er ra in . A nd

cl oud s b le w ap ar t a nd n ew o ne s f or med a t a r api d r at e. W e h ad obviously

b eg un o ur p as sa ge t hr ou gh S ha do w. A ft er a t im e, t he m ou nt ai ns w or e d ow n a nd

r ol li ng pl ai ns s li d by . Su dde nl y t he sun w as i n t he mi ddl e o f t he s ky . W e

s ee me d t o b e p as si ng j us t a bo ve o ur b la ck w ay , G ry ll 's t oe s b ar el y g ra zi ng

i t as w e m ove d. A t t im es h is w in gs h ar dl y f lut te red b ef or e m e, a t o th er

times they thrummed like those of a hummingbird, into invisibility.

The sun gr ew c he rr y- re d f ar t o m y l ef t. A p in k d es er t s pr ea d b en ea th

u s . . . .

T he n i t w as d ar k a ga in a nd t he s ta rs t ur ne d l ik e a g re at w he el .

Then we wer e l ow, barely passi ng above t he tops of t he t rees. . . .

W e b ur st i nt o t he a ir o ve r a b us y d ow nt ow n s tr ee t, l ig ht s o n p ol es a nd

t he f ro nt s o f v eh ic le s, n eo n i n w in do ws . T he w ar m, s tu ff y, d us ty , g as sy

s me ll o f c it y r os e u p a bo ut u s. A f ew p ed es tr ia ns g lan ce d u pw ar d, ba re ly

se em in g t o n ot e o ur p as sa ge .

E ve n a s w e f la sh ed a cr os s a r iv er , c re st in g t he h ou se t op s o f s ub ur bi a,

t h e p ro sp ec t w av er ed a nd w e p as se d o ve r a p ri mo rd ia l l an ds ca pe o f r oc k,

lava, avalanche, and shuddering ground, two active volcanoes-one near, one

far-spewing smoke against a blue-green sky.

"T hi s, I t ake i t, i s a shor tcut ?" I sai d.

" It i s t he s ho rt es t c ut ," G ry ll r ep li ed .

W e e nt er ed a l ong ni ght , an d a t so me poi nt i t seem ed t hat our wa y t ook

u s b en ea th d ee p w at er s, b ri gh t s ea c re at ur es h ov er i ng a nd d ar ti ng b ot h n ea r





a t ha nd a nd in t he middle d is ta nc e. Dr y a nd u nc ru sh ed , t he b la ck w ay

protected us.

" It i s a s m aj or a n u ph ea va l a s t he d ea th o f O be ro n, " G ry ll v ol un te er ed .

"Its effects are rippling across Shadow."

" Bu t O be ro n' s d ea th c oi nc id ed w it h t he r e- cr ea ti on o f t he P at te rn ," I

s ai d. "There w as more t o it than t he d eat h of a mon ar ch of one of t he

extremes."

" Tr ue ," G ry ll r ep li ed , " bu t n ow i s a t ime o f i mb al an ce am ong t he

f or ce s. T hi s a dd s t o i t. I t w il l b e e ve n m or e s ev er e. "

W e pl unged i nto an opening i n a d ar k m ass o f st on e. L in es o f l ig ht

s t re ak ed p as t u s. I rr re gu la ri ti es w er e l im ne d in a p al e b lu e. L at er - ho w

long, I d o not kn ow- we we re i n a p ur pl e s ky, w it h no t ra nsi ti on t hat I can

r ec al l f ro m t he d ar k s ea b ot to m. A s in gl e s ta r g le am ed f ar a he ad . W e s pe d

t o wa r d i t .

" W hy s" I a sk ed .

" Be ca us e t he P at te rn h as g ro wn s tr on ge r t ha n t he L og ru s, " h e r ep li ed .

"How did that happen?"

" Pr inc e C or wi n d re w a s ec on d P at te rn a t t he t im e o f t he c on fr on ta ti on

b et we en t he C ou rt s a nd A mb er ." " Ye s, h e t ol d m e a bo ut i t. I 'v e e ve n s ee n i t.

H e f ea re d O be ro n m ig ht n ot b e a bl e t o r ep ai r t he o ri gi na l. "

"Bu t he d id, and s o no w t her e a re t wo. "

"Yes?"

" Yo ur f at he r' s P at te rn i s a ls o a n a rt if ac t o f o rd er . I t s er ve d t o ti p





t he a nc ie nt b al an ce i n t he f av or o f A mb er ."

"How is it you a re aw ar e of t his, Gr yl l, w hen no one b ack i n Amber

s eems t o kno w i t or saw f it t o t el l m e?" "Y our br ot her P ri nce M andor and t he

Princess Fiona suspected this and sought evidence. They presented their

f i nd in gs t o y ou r u nc le , L or d S uh uy . H e m ad e s ev er al j ou rn ey s i nt o S ha do w a nd

b ec am e p er s ua de d t ha t t hi s i s t he c as e. H e w as p re pa ri ng h is f in di ng s f or

presentation to the king when Swayvill suffered his final illness. I know

t he se t hi ng s b ec au se i t w as S uh uy w ho s en t m e f or y ou , a nd h e c ha rg ed m e t o

t el l t he m t o y ou ."

"I j us t a ss um ed i t w as m y m ot he r w ho 'd s en t f or m e. "

" Su hu y w as c er ta in s he w ou ld -w hi ch i s w hy h e w an te d t o r ea ch y ou f ir st .

W ha t I h av e t ol d y ou c on ce rn in g y ou r f at he r' s P at te rn is n ot ye t common

knowledge."

" Wha t am I s up po sed t o d o a bo ut i t? "

"He did not entrust me with that information."

T he s ta r g re w b ri gh te r. T he s ky w as f il le d w it h s pl as he s o f o ra ng e a nd

p in k. S ho rt ly , l in es o f g re en l ig ht j oi ne d t he m, a nd t he y s wi rl ed l ike

s tr ea me rs a bo ut u s.

W e r a ce d o n, a nd t he c on fi gu ra ti on s c am e t o d om in at e t he s ky f ul ly ,

l ik e a p sy ch ed el ic p ar as ol r ot at in g s lo wl y. T he l an ds ca pe b ec am e a t ot al

blur. I felt as if a part of me dozed, though I am certain I did not lose

c on sc io us ne ss . T im e s ee me d t o b e p la yi ng g am es w it h m y m et ab ol is m. I g re w

enormously hungry and my eyes ached.

T he s t ar b ri gh te ne d. Gr yl l' s wi ngs t oo k o n a p ri sm at ic s hi mm er . W e

s ee me d t o b e m ov in g a t a n i nc re di bl e p ac e n ow .





O ur s tr an d c ur ve d u pw ar d a t i ts o ut er e dg es . T he p ro ce ss cont inued a s

w e a dv an ce d until it s ee me d w e w er e movi ng in a t rough. Then t hey m et

o ve rh ea d, a nd i t w as as if w e s pe d dow n a gun ba rr el , aimed a t the

blue-white star.

"Anything else you're supposed to tell me?"

"Not so f ar as I know."

I r u bb ed my l ef t w ri st , f eeling a s i f s om et hi ng s ho ul d h av e b ee n

p ul si ng t he re . O h, y es . F ra ki r . W he re w as F ra ki r, a ny wa y? Th en I r ec al le d

l ea vi ng h er b eh in d i n B ra nd 's a pa rt me nt . W hy h ad I d on e t ha t? I -m y m in d f el t

cloudy, the memory dreamlike.

This w as t he first time s ince t he e ven t t ha t I h ad e xa mi ne d t ha t

m em or y. H ad I l oo ke d e ar li er I w ou ld h av e k no wn s oo ne r w ha t i t m ea nt . I t w as

t he cl ou di ng e ff ec t o f g la mo r. I h ad w al ke d i nt o a spel l b ac k in B ra nd 's

a pa rt me nt . I ' d n o w ay of knowing w he th er i t h ad b ee n s pe ci fi c t o m e o r

me re ly s om et hi ng I 'd a ct iv at ed i n p ok in g a bo ut . I t c ou ld , I s u pp o se d , e ve n

have been something more general, enlivened by the disaster-possibly even an

unintentional side effect of something that had been disturbed. Somehow I

d ou bt ed t h e l at t er , h ow ev er .

F or t ha t m at te r, I d ou bt ed a ny g en er al it y a bo ut t he b usi nes s. I t w as

j us t t oo r ig ht t o h av e b ee n a b oo by -t ra p B ra nd h ad l ef t l yi ng a bo ut . I t h ad

c o nf ou nd ed a t ra in ed s or ce re r, m e. P er ha ps i t w as o nl y m y p re se nt d is ta nc in g

f ro m t he vi ci ni ty of i ts oc cur re nce t ha t ha d he lpe d t o c le ar m y m in d. A s I

r ev ie we d my a ct io ns f ro m t he t im e o f e xp os ur e I c ou ld s ee t ha t I h ad b ee n

m ov in g i n s om et hi ng o f a h aze s in ce t hen . A nd t he m or e I r ev iew ed t he m or e I

f el t t he s pe ll t o h av e b ee n spec if ical ly t ai lo re d t o e nf ol d m e. N o t

u nd er st an di ng i t, I c ou ld n ot c on si de r m ys el f f re e o f i t w it h t hi s k no wl ed ge





either.

W ha te ve r it w a s, i t h ad c au se d m e t o a ba nd on F ra ki r w it ho ut t hi nk in g

t w ic e a bo ut i t, a nd i t h ad c au se d m e t o f ee l- we ll -s tr an ge . I c ou ld n ot tell

exactly how it might have influenced, might still be influencing, my

t ho ug ht s a nd m y f ee li ng s, t he u su al p ro bl em w he n o ne i s c au gh t u p i nsi de a

s pel l. But I d id n' t s ee ho w i t c ou ld p os si bl y h av e b ee n t he l at e B ra nd

h im se lf w ho h ad s et t he t hi ng u p a ga in st s uc h a n u np re di ct ab le o cc ur re nc e a s

m y h av ing r oom s n ext t o h is ol d o ne s ye ar s a ft er h is d ea th , from which I

w ou ld b e p ro mp te d t o e nt er h is q ua rt er s i n t he d is as tr ou s a ft er ma th o f a n

i mp ro ba bl e c on fr on ta ti on b et we en t he L og ru s a nd t he P at te rn i n a n u pp er h al l

of A mb er C as tl e. No , i t se em ed t hat so meo ne el se ha d t o b e b eh in d i t. Jur t?

Jul ia? I t d id n' t s ee m t oo l ik el y t ha t t he y' d b e a bl e t o o pe ra te u nd et ec te d

i n t he h ea rt o f A mb er C as tl e. W ho t he n? A nd c ou ld i t h av e h ad a ny th in g t o d o

wi th t hat epi sode i n t he H al l of M ir ror s? I d rew bl anks . We re I b ac k t her e

n ow I might be able to come up with a spell of my own to ferret out the one

r e sp on si bl e. B ut I w as n' t, a nd a ny i nv es ti ga ti on a t t ha t e nd o f t hi ng s w ou ld

h av e t o w ai t.

The light ahead flashed more brightly now, winking from heavenly blue

t o b al ef ul r ed .

" Gr yl l, " I s ai d. " Do yo u de tec t a s pe ll u po n m e?"

"Aye, m'Iord," he replied.

"Why didn't you mention it?"

"I t ho ug ht i t o ne o f y ou r o wn -f or d ef en se , p er ha ps ."

" Ca n yo u l if t i t? I 'm a t a d isa dv an ta ge , h er e o n t he i ns id e. "

" 'T is t oo t an gl ed i n y ou r p er so n. I w ou ld n' t k no w w he re t o b eg in ."





"Can you tell me anything about it?"

"Only t hat i t' s t he re , m 'l or d. D oe s s ee m r at he r h ea vy a bo ut t he h ea d,

though."

" Co ul d b e c ol or in g m y t ho ug ht s a c er ta in w ay , t he n? "

" Ay e, a p al e b lu e. "

" I w as n' t r ef er ri ng t o y ou r m an ne r o f p er ce iv in g i t.

Only to the possibility that it could be influencing my thinking."

H is w in gs f la sh ed b lu e, t he n r ed . O ur t un ne l e xp an de d s ud de nl y a nd t he

s ky gr ew bright with t he c ra zy c ol or s o f C ha os . T he s ta r w e f ol lo we d n ow

took on the proportions of a small light-magically enhanced, of

c ou rs e- wi th in a h ig h t ow er o f a s ep ul ch ra l c as tl e, a ll g ra y a nd o li ve , a to p

a m ou nt ai n t he b ot to m an d m id dl e o f w hi ch h ad b ee n r em ov ed The isl and of

s to ne f lo at ed a bo v e a p et ri fi ed f or es t. T he t r ee s b ur ne d wi th o pa l

fires-orange, purple, green.

"I'd imagine it could be disentangled," Gryll observed. "But its

unraveling be a bafflement to this poor demon."

I g ru nt ed . I w at ch ed t he s tr ea ki ng s ce ne ry f or a f ew m om en ts . l fi en ,

"Sp eak ing o f d em on s . . . " I s ai d.

"Yes?"

" Wh at can y ou t el l m e abo ut t he so rt kno wn a s a t y' i ga? " I as ked .

" The y dw el l f ar o ut be yon d t he Rim," h e r ep li ed , " and may b e t he

c lo se st of all c re at ur es t o t he p ri ma l C ha os . I d o n ot b el ie ve t he y e ve n

p os se ss t ru e b od ie s o f t he m at er ia l s or t. T he y h av e l it tl e t o d o w it h o th er

demons, let alone anyone else."

"Ever know any of them-uh-personally?"

" I h av e e nc ou nt er ed a f ew -n ow a nd t he n, " h e r ep li ed .





W e r os e h ig her . T he ca st le h ad b ee n d oi ng t he s am e. A f al l o f m et eo rs

burned its way, brightly, silently, behind it.

" Th ey c an i nh ab it a h um an b od y, t ak e i t o ve r. "

"That doesn't surprise me."

" I k now of o ne w ho ha s d one t hi s t hi ng , s ev er al t im es. B ut an unusual

p ro bl em h as c om e u p. I t a pp ar en tl y t o ok c on tr ol o f o ne o n t he h um an 's

d ea th be d. T he p as si ng o f t he h um an s ee me d t o l oc k t he t y' i ga i n p la ce . I t

c an no t v ac at e t he b od y n ow . D o y ou k no w o f a ny w ay i t m ig ht e sc ap e? "

Gryll chuckled.

" Ju mp o ff a c li ff , I s up pos e. O r f al l o n a s wo rd ."

"But w ha t if i t' s t ie d t o i ts h os t s o c lo se ly n ow t ha t t hi s d oe sn 't

free it?"

He chuckled again.

" Th at 's t he b re ak s o f t he g am e, i n t he b od y- st ea li ng b us in es s. "

" I o we t hi s o ne s om et hi ng ," I s ai d. " I' d l ik e t o he lp he r- it ."

H e w as s il en t f or a t im e, t he n r ep li ed , " An o ld er , w is er t y' ig a might

k no w s om et hi ng a bo ut t he se m at te rs . A nd y ou k no w w he re t he y a re ."

"Yeah."

" So rr y I c an 't b e m or e h el p. T hey 'r e an o ld br ee d, t y i ga .

An d n ow w e b or e d ow n u po n t ha t t ow er . O ur r oa dw ay u nd er t he s hi ft in g

k al ei do sc op e t ha t w as t he s ky d wi nd le d b ef or e us t o b ut t he tiniest of

s tr ea ks . G ry ll b ea t h is w ay t ow ar d t he l ig ht i n t he w in do w a nd I p ee re d p as t





him.

I g la nc ed d ow nw ar d. T he p ro sp ec t w as d iz zy in g. F ro m s om e d is ta nt p la ce

a g ro wl in g s ou nd c am e u p, a s i f p or ti on s o f t he e ar th itself w er e moving

slowly against each other-a common enough occurrence in this vicinity. The

w in ds b ea t a t m y g ar me nt s. A s tr an d o f t an ge ri ne c lo ud s b ea de d t he s ky t o m y

l ef t. I c ou ld m ak e o ut d et ai l w or k i n t he ca st le w al ls . I c au gh t s ig ht of a

figure within the room of the light.

Then w e w er e ver y n ea r, a nd t he n t hr oug h t he w in dow a nd i ns id e. A

l ar ge , s to op ed , g ra y a nd r ed d em on ic f or m, h or ne d a nd h al f- sc al ed , r eg ar d ed

m e w it h e ll ip ti ca ll y p up il ed y el lo w e ye s. I ts f an gs w er e b ar ed i n a s mi le .

"Uncle!" I cried as I dismounted. "Greetings!"

Gryll s tr et ch ed a nd s ho ok h im se lf a s S uh uy r us he d f or wa rd a nd e mb ra ce d

me-carefully.

" Me rl in ," h e s ai d a t l as t, " we lc om e h om e. I r eg re t t he o cc as io n b ut

r ej oi ce i n y ou r p re se nc e. G ry ll h as t ol d y ou .. .? "

" Of t he p as si ng o f H is H ig hn es s? Y es . I 'm s or ry ."

H e r el ea se d m e a nd s te pp ed b ac k a p ac e.

"It is n ot a s i f i t w er e u na nt ic ip at ed ," h e s ai d. " Ju st t he o pp os it e.

T oo much so, i n f act . Yet t her e i s no pr ope r t ime f or such an ev ent ."

" Tr ue ," I r ep li ed , m assa gi ng a c er ta in st if fne ss o ut of my lef t

s ho ul de r a nd g ro pi ng i n m y h ip p oc ke t a ft er a c om b.

"And he ha d b ee n ai li ng for so l ong t hat I had grown used t o it ," I

s ai d. " It w as a lm os t a s i f h e' d c om e t o t er ms w it h t he w ea kn es s. "

S uh uy n od de d. T he n, " Ar e y ou g oi ng t o t ra ns fo rm ?" h e a sk ed .

"I t' s been a r ough day," I t ol d hi m. "I 'd a s so on s ave my ener gy,

u nl es s t he re 's s om e d em an d o f p ro to co l. "





" No ne a t a ll , j us t n ow ," h e r ep li ed . " Ha ve y ou e at en ?"

"Not recently."

"Come then," he said. "Let's find you some nourishment."

H e t ur ne d a nd w al ke d t ow ar d t he f ar w al l. I f ol lo we d h im . T he re w er e n o

d oo rs in the r oom , an d he h ad t o k no w a ll t he l ocal Sh ado w s tr ess p oi nt s,

t he C ou rt s b ei ng o pp os it e t o A mb er i n t hi s r eg ar d. W hi le i t' s awfully h ar d

t o p as s t hr ou gh S ha do w i n A mb er , t he s ha do ws a re l ik e f ra ye d c ur ta in s i n t he

Courts-often, you can look right through into another reality without even

trying. And, sometimes, something in the other reality may be looking at

y ou. C ar e must b e t ak en , t oo , n ot t o s te p t hr oug h i nt o a p lac e w he re y ou

w il l f ind y ou rs el f i n t he m id dl e o f t he ai r, un der wa te r, o r i n t he pa th of a

r ag in g t or re nt . T he C ou rt s w er e n ev er b ig o n t ou ri sm .

F or tu na te ly , t he s tu ff o f S ha do w i s s o d oc il e a t t hi s e nd of realit y

t ha t i t c an b e e as il y m an ip ul at ed b y a s ha do wm as te r- wh o c an s ti tc h t og et he r

t he ir f ab ri cs t o c re at e a w ay . S ha do wm as te rs a r e t ec hn ic ia ns o f l ocall y

p o te nt s ki ll , w ho se a bi li ty d er iv es f ro m t he L og ru s, t ho ug h t he y n ee d n ot b e

initiates. Very few are, although all initiates are automatically members of

the Shadowmaster Guild. They're like plumbers or electricians about the

C ou rt s, a nd t he ir s ki ll s v ar y a s m uc h a s t he ir c ou nt er pa rt s o n t he S ha do w

E ar th -a c om bi na ti on o f a pt it ud e a nd e xp er ie nc e. W hi le I 'm a g ui ld m em be r I 'd

m uc h r at he r f ol lo w s om eo ne w ho k no ws t he w ay s t ha n f ee l t he m o ut f or m ys el f.

I s up po se I s ho ul d s ay m or e a bo ut t hi s m at te r. M ay be I w il l s om et im e.

When w e r eac he d t he wa ll , of cou rs e, i t w asn 't t he re. I t j ust s or t of

g re w m is ty a nd f ad ed a wa y; a nd w e p as se d t hr ou gh t he s pa ce w he re it h ad

b ee n- or , r at he r, a dif f er en t a na lo go us s pa ce -a nd w e w er e p as si ng d ow n a





g re en s ta ir wa y. W el l, i t w asn 't e xa ct ly a st ai rw ay . I t w as a s er ie s of

unconnected green discs, descending in spiral fashion, proper riser and

t re ad d is ta nc e a pa rt , s or t o f f lo at in g t he re i n t he n ig ht a ir . Th ey p a ss e d

a b ou t t he e xt er io r o f t he c as tl e, f in al ly s to pp in g b ef or e a b la nk w al l.

B ef o re w e r ea ch ed t ha t w al l w e p as se d t hr oug h s ev er al m om en ts of br igh t

dayl ight , a br ief flurry of b lu e sn ow , a nd t he a ps e o f s om et hi ng l ik e a

c at he dr al w it ho ut a n a lt ar , s ke le to ns o cc up yi ng p ew s a t e it he r h an d. W he n w e

f in al ly c am e t o t he w al l w e p as se d t hr ou gh i t, e me rg in g i n a l ar ge k it ch en .

Suhuy l ed m e t o t he l ar de r a nd i nd ic at ed I sh ou ld h el p m ys el f. I f ou nd s om e

c ol d m ea t a nd b re ad a nd m ad e m ys el f a s an dw ic h, w as hi ng i t d ow n with t ep id

b ee r. He ni bbl ed at a pi ece of br ead hi msel f and si pped at a f lagon of t he

s am e b re w. A b i rd a p pe a re d o ve rh ea d in full flight, c aw in g r au co us ly ,

va ni sh in g a ga in b ef or e i t h ad p as se d t he e nt ir e l en gt h o f t he r oo m.

" Wh en a re t he s er vi ce s? " I a sk ed .

" Re ds ky n ex t, a lm os t a w ho le t ur ni ng o ff ," h e r ep li ed . " So y ou 'v e a

chance to sleep and collect yourself before then-perhaps."

" Wh at d o y ou m ea n, ` pe rh ap s' ?"

" As o ne o f t he t hr ee , y ou 'r e u nd er b la ck w at ch . T ha t' s w hy I summoned

yo u h er e, t o o ne o f m y p la ce s o f s ol it ud e. " H e t ur ne d a nd w al ke d t hr ou gh t he

w al l. I f ol lo we d him, still b ea ri ng m y f la go n, a nd w e s ea te d o ur se lv es

b es id e a s ti ll , g re en p oo l b en ea th a r oc ky o ve rh an g, u mb er s ky a bo ve . His

c as tl e c on ta in ed p la ce s f ro m a ll o ve r C ha os a nd S ha do w, s ti t ch ed t og et he r

i nt o a c ra zy -q ui lt p at te rn o f w ay s w it hi n w ay s. " And s in ce y ou w ea r t he

s pi ka rd y ou 'v e a dd ed r e so ur ce s f or s af et y ," h e o bs er ve d.

H e r ea ch ed o ut a nd t ou ch ed t he m an y- spo ke d w he el o f m y r in g. A f ai nt

tingling followed in my finger, hand, and arm.





" Un cl e, y ou w er e o ft en g iv en t o c ry pt ic u tt er an ce s w hen y ou w er e my

te ac he r, " I s ai d. "But I 'v e g ra du at ed n ow , a nd I g ue ss t ha t g iv es m e t he

r ig ht t o s ay I d on 't k no w w ha t t he h el l y ou' re t al ki ng a bo ut ."

H e c hu ck le d a nd s ip pe d h is b ee r.

" On r ef le ct io n, i t a lw ay s b ec am e c le ar ," h e s ai d.

" Re fl ec ti on . . . " I s ai d, a nd I l oo ke d i nt o t he p oo l. I ma ge s s wa m a mi d

the black ribbons beneath its surface-Swayvill lying in state, yellow and

black robes muffling his shrunken form, my mother, my father, demonic forms,

a ll p as si ng a nd f adi ng , J ur t, m ys el f, J as ra a nd J ul ia , R an do m a nd F io na ,

Mandor and Dworkin, Bill Roth and many faces I did not know . . . .

I s ho ok m y h ead .

"Reflection does riot clarify," I said.

" It i s n ot t he f un ct io n o f a n i ns ta nt ," h e r ep li ed .

S o I r et ur ne d m y a tt en ti on t o t he c ha os of f ac es a nd f or ms. J ur t

r et ur ne d a nd r em ai ne d f or a l on g t im e. H e w as d re ss in g h im se lf , i n v er y g oo d

t a st e , a nd h e a pp ea re d t o b e r el at iv el y i nt ac t. W he n h e f in al ly f ad ed t he re

r et ur ned on e of t he hal f fam ili ar faces I had seen earl ier . I knew he was a

no bl e of t he C our ts, an d I s ear ch ed m y m emo ry . O f c ou rse . I t ha d be en a l ong

whil e, b ut n ow I r ec og ni ze d h im . I t w as T me r, o f t he H ou se o f J es by , e ld es t

s on o f t he l at e P ri nc e R ol ov ia ns , a nd n ow l or d himself of t he W ay s of

J e sb y - sp a de b e ar d , h ea vy b ro w, s tu rd il y b ui lt , n ot u nh an ds om e, i n a r ug ge d

s or t o f w ay ; b y a ll r ep or t a b ra ve a nd p os si bl y e ve n s en si ti ve f el lo w.

T he n t he re w as P ri nc e T ub bI e o f t he W ay s o f C ha ni cu t, p ha si ng b ac k a nd

forth between human and swirling demonic forms. Placid, heavy, subtle;

c en tu ri es o ld a nd v er y s hr ew d; h e w or e a f ri ng ed b ea rd , h ad w id e, i nno cent ,





p al e e ye s, w as m as te r o f m an y g am es .

I waited, and Tmer followed Jurt followed Tubble into vanishment amid

t he c oi li ng r ib bo ns . I w ai te d l on ge r, a nd n ot hi ng n ew o cc ur re d.

" En d o f r ef le ct io n, " I a nn ou nc ed a t l as t. " Bu t I s ti ll d on 't k no w w ha t

it means."

" Wh at d id y ou s ee ?"

"My b ro th er J ur t, " I r ep li ed , " an d P ri nc e T me r o f J es by . A nd T ub bl e o f

Chanicut, among other attractions."

"Most appropriate," he responded. "Entirely appropriate."

"And so?"

" Li ke y ou , T me r a nd T ub bl e a re b ot h u nd er b la ck w at ch . I u nd er st an d

T mer is a t J es by , t ho ug h I b el ie ve J ur t h as g on e t o e ar th s om ew he re o th er

than Dalgarry."

"Jurt's come back?"

H e n o dd e d.

" H e c ou ld b e a t m y m ot he r' s F or tr es s G an tu ," I m us ed . " Or , Sawa ll d id

h av e a s ec on d s te ad -t he W ay s o f A nc h, a t t he v er y R im ."

Suhuy shrugged.

" I d o no t k now ," h e sai d.

" Bu t w hy t he b la ck w at ch -f or a ny o f u s? "

" Yo u w en t o ff i nt o S ha do w t o a f in e u ni ve rs it y, " h e s ai d, " an d y ou h av e

d we ll ed in t he C ou r t o f A mb er , whi ch I w ou ld d ee m h ig hl y e du ca ti on al .

T he re fo re , I b id y ou t ak e t ho ug ht . S ur el y, a m in d s o w el l h on ed -"

" I r eal ize t he bl ack wa tch m ea ns w e f ace s om e sor t o f dan ger . . . . "

"Of course."

". . . But its nature eludes me. Unless . . . "





"Yes."

" It h as t o do w it h Sw ayv il l' s de at h. So i t m us t i nvo lv e so me s or t of

p ol it ic al s et tl em en t. B ut I 'v e b ee n a wa y. I d on 't k no w_ w ha t m at te rs a re h ot

just now."

H e s ho we d m e r ow u po n r ow o f w or n b ut s ti ll n as ty f an gs .

"T ry t he m at te r o f t he s uc ce ss io n, " h e s ai d.

" Ok ay . S ay t he W ay s o f S aw al l a re s up po rt i ng o ne p os si bl e s uc ce ss or ,

Je sb y t he o th er , C ha ni cu t t he o th er . S ay w e' re a t e ac h o th er 's t hr oa ts o ve r

t he m at te r. S ay I 'v e c om e b ac k i nt o t he m id dl e o f a v en de tt a. S o w ho ev er 's

g iv in g t he o rde rs r ig ht n ow h as d ecl ar ed u s un de r w at ch a s a m at te r of

keeping things from getting messy. I appreciate it."

" Cl os e, " h e s ai d, " bu t i t' s a lr ea dy g on e f ur th er t ha n t ha t. "


"I g iv e u p," I sa id .

Fr om s om ew he re t he re c am e u p a w ai li ng s ou nd . " Th in k a bo ut i t, " h e

replied, "while I welcome a guest."

He rose and stepped into the pool, vanishing immediately.

I f in is he d m y b ee r.

II

I t s ee me d b ut m om en ts l at er t ha t a r o ck t o my left shi mmer ed a nd

emitted a bell-like tone. Without conscious intent my attention gathered





it se lf a t m y r in g, w hi ch S uh uy h ad r ef er re d t o a s a s pi kar d. I r eal ized in

t ha t i nst an t t ha t I w as p re pa ri ng t o u se i t t o d ef en d m ys el f. I nt er es ti ng ,

ho w f am il iar I f el t wi th it now, how adapt ed I seemed t o have become t o it

in s o shor t a t ime. I was on m y f eet , f aci ng t he st one, l eft hand ext ended

i n i ts d ir ec ti on w he n S uh uy s te pp ed t hr ou gh t he shining p l ac e, a t al le r,

d a rk e r fi gure a t his r e ar . A m om en t l at er a nd t ha t f ig ur e f ol lo we d h im ,

emerging into substantiality and shifting from an octopal ape form to that

o f m y b ro th er M an do r, h um an iz ed , w ea ri ng b lac k as w he n l as t I h ad s ee n h im ,

t ho ug h t he g ar me nt s w er e f re sh a nd o f a s li gh tl y d if fe re nt c ut , hi s wh it e

ha ir l es s t ou sl ed . H e q ui ck ly s ca nn ed t he a re a a bo ut u s a nd g av e m e a s mi le .

" I s ee t ha t al l i s w el l, " he s ta te d.

I c hu ck le d a s I n od de d t ow ar d h is a rm i n i ts s li ng .

"A s wel l a s might b e e xp ec te d, " I r ep li ed . " Wh at h ap pe ne d i n A mb er

a f te r I l ef t? "

" No f re sh d is as te rs ," h e a ns we re d. " I s ta ye d o nl y l on g en oug h t o s e e

w he th er t he re w as a ny th in g I c ou ld d o t o b e o f a ss is ta nc e. T hi s a mo un te d t o

a l it tl e m ag ic al c le ar in g o f t he v ic in it y a nd t he s um mo ni ng o f a f ew p la nk s

t o lay o ve r h ol es . T he n I b eg ge d l ea ve o f R an do m t o d ep ar t, h e g ra nt ed i t,

a nd I c am e h om e. "

" A d is as te r? A t A mb er ?" S uh uy a sk ed .

I n od de d.

" Th er e w as a c on fr on ta ti on b et we en t he U ni co rn a nd t he S er pe nt in t he

halls of Amber Palace, resulting in considerable damage."

" Wh at c ou ld h av e o cc as io ne d t he S er pe nt 's v en tu ri ng t ha t f ar i nt o t he

r e al m o f O rd er ?"

" It i nv ol ve d w ha t A mb er r ef er s t o a s t he J ew el o f J ud gm en t, whi ch t he





Serpent considers its missing eye."

" I m us t h ea r t he e nt ir e t al e. "

I p r o ce e de d t o t el l h im o f t he c om pl ic at ed e nc ou nt er , l ea vi ng o ut m y

o wn l at er e xp er ie nc es i n t he C or ri do r o f M ir ro rs a nd B ra nd 's a pa rt me nt s.

Whi le I s po ke , M an do r' s g az e d ri ft ed t o t he s pi ka rd , t o S uh uy , a nd b ac k.

W hen he saw t hat I not ed t hi s he sm ile d.

" So D wo rk in i s h im se lf o nc e m or e . . . ? " S uh uy s ai d.

" I d id n' t k no w h im b ef or e, " I r ep li ed . " Bu t h e s ee me d t o k no w w ha t he

was about."

" . . . An d t he Q ue en of K ash fa see s wi th t he E ye o f t he S er pe nt ."

"I d on 't kn ow t ha t s he s ees w it h i t, " I sa id . " Sh e' s st il l r ec ov er in g

f ro m t he o pe ra ti on . B ut t ha t' s a n i nt er es ti ng t ho ug ht . I f s he c ou ld s ee w it h

it, what might she behold?"

" Th e c le ar , c ol d l in es o f e te rn it y, I d ar es ay . B en ea th a ll S h ad ow . N o

m or tal coul d bear i t f or t oo l ong. " "S he i s of t he bl ood of A mber ," I sai d.

"Really? Oberon's?"

I n od de d.

" You r l at e l ie ge w as a v er y a ct iv e m an ," h e o bs er ve d. " St il l, i t w ou ld

b e q ui te a b ur de n o f s ee in g, though I s pe ak only from g ue ss wo rk -a nd a

c er ta in k no wl ed ge of p ri nc ip le s. I 'v e n o i de a w ha t m ay c om e o f t hi s. O nl y

Dw or ki n co ul d sa y. B e he s an e, t her e i s a r eas on f or i t. I acknow ledge his

m as te ry , t ho ug h I 'v e n ev er b ee n a bl e t o a nt ic ip at e h im ."

"You know him, personally?" I asked.





"I k ne w him," he s ai d, " lo ng a go , b ef or e h is t ro ub le s. A nd I d o n ot

k no w w he th er t o r ej oi ce o r d es pa ir i n t hi s. R ec ov er ed ; h e m ay b e w or ki ng f or

t he g re at er g oo d. T he n a ga in , h is i nt er es ts m ay b e t ot al ly p ar ti sa n. "

" S or ry I c an 't e nl ig ht en y ou ," I s ai d. " I find hi s a ct io ns c ry pt ic ,

too."

" I' m b af fl ed a ls o, " M an do r s ai d, " by t he d is po si ti on o f t he E ye . B ut i t

still sounds pretty much a local matter, involving Amber's relations with

K as hf a a nd B eg ma . I d on 't s ee t ha t t he re i s a ny th in g t o b e gai ned a t this

p oi nt b y s pe cu la ti on . I t ' s b et te r k ee pi ng m os t o f o ur a tt en ti on f or m or e

pressing local matters."

I felt myself sigh.

" S u ch a s t he s uc ce ss io n? " I s ug ge st ed . M an do r q ui rk ed a n e ye br ow .

" Oh , L or d S uh uy h as b ri ef ed y ou a lr ea dy ?"

" No, " I r epl ied . " No , bu t I h ea rd s o much from my father of the

s uc ce ss io n in A mb er , wit h a ll i ts c ab al s, i nt ri gu es , a nd d ou bl e c ro ss es ,

t ha t I a lm os t f eel a n a ut ho ri ty o n t he s ub jec t. I i mag in e i t c ou ld b e t hat

w ay h er e, t oo , a mo ng t he H ou se s o f S wa yv il l' s d es ce nd an ts , t he re b ei ng m an y

more generations involved."

" Yo u h av e t he r ig ht i de a, " h e s ai d, " th ou gh I t hi nk t he p ic tu re might

be a bi t m or e or der ly h er e t han i t was t her e."

" Th at 's s om et hi ng, a ny wa y, " I s ai d. " Fo r m e, I i nt en d t o p ay m y

r es pe ct s a nd g et t he h el l o ut . S en d m e a p os tc ar d t el li ng me h ow it g et s

settled."

H e l au gh ed . H e s el do m l au gh s. I f el t m y w ri st p ri ck le w he re F ra ki r

usually rides.

" He r ea ll y d oe sn 't k no w, " h e s ai d, g la nc in g a t S uh uy .





"H e' s j us t a rr iv ed ," S uh uy a ns we re d. " I h ad n' t t he t ime t o t el l him

anything."

I g ro pe d i n m y p oc ke t, l oc at ed a c oi n, w it hd re w i t, a nd f li pp ed i t.

" He ad s, " I a nn ou nc ed , o n i ns pe ct io n. " Yo u t el l m e, M an do r. W ha t' s g oi ng

on?"

"Y ou' re n ot ne xt i n l ine f or t he t hr on e, " h e s ai d. I t b ei ng m y t ur n t o

l au gh , I d id .

" I a lr ea dy k ne w t ha t, " I s ai d. " Yo u t ol d m e n ot t hat long a go , o ve r

d in ne r, h ow l on g t he l in e w as b ef or e m e- if s om eo ne o f m y m ix ed b lo od c ou ld

b e c on si de re d a t a ll ."

" Tw o, " h e s ai d. " Tw o s ta nd b ef or e y ou ."

" I d on 't u nd er st an d, " I s ai d. " Wh at h ap pe ne d t o a ll t he o th er s? "

"Dead," he replied.

" Ba d y ea r f or t he f lu ?"

He g ave m e a na st y s mi le .

" Th er e h as b ee n a n u np re ce de nt ed n um be r o f f at al d ue ls a nd po li ti cal

assassinations recently."

"Which sort dominated the field?"

"The assassinations."

"Fascinating."

". . . A nd so y ou t hr ee a re un der b la ck w at ch p rot ec ti on o f t he C row n,

an d w er e g iv en i nt o t he c ar e o f y ou r r es pe ct iv e H ou se s' s ec ur it y. "

"You're serious."

"Indeed."

" Wa s t hi s s ud de n t hi nn in g o f t he r an ks a m at te r o f





many people simultaneously seeking advancement? Or was it a smaller

number, removing roadblocks?"

"The Crown is uncertain."

" Whe n y ou s ay ` th e C ro wn ,' w ho , e xa ct ly , a re y ou r ef er ri ng t o, r ig ht

now? Who's making decisions in the interim?"

" Lo rd B an ce s o f A mb le ra sh ," h e r ep li ed , "a d is ta nt r el at iv e a nd

longtime friend of our late monarch."

"I s or t o f r ec al l h im . C ou ld h e h ave a n e ye o n t he t hr on e h im sel f, a nd

b e b eh in d a ny o f t he -r em ov al s? " " Th e m an 's a p ri es t o f t he S er p en t . Th ei r

v ow s b ar

them from reigning anywhere."

"There are usually ways around vows."

"True, but the man seems genuinely uninterested in such a thing."

"That needn't preclude his having a favorite, and maybe helping him

a lo ng a b it . I s a ny bo dy n ea r t he t hr on e p ar ti cu la rl y f on d o f h is O rd er ?"

"To my knowledge, no."

"Which doesn't mean someone mightn't have cut a deal."

" No , t ho ug h B an ce s i sn 't t he s or t o f m an o ne w ou ld a pp ro ac h e as il y w it h

a proposition."

" In o th er w or ds , y ou b el ie ve h e' s a bo ve w ha te ve r' s g oi ng o n? "

" In t he a bs en ce o f e vi de nc e t o t he c on tr ar y. " " Wh o i s n ex t i n l in e? "

"Tubble of Chanicut."

"Who's second?"

"Tmer of Jesby."





" To p o f t he l in e, y ou r p oo l, " I sa id t o S uhu y.

He showe d m e hi s t eet h again. They s ee me d t o r ot at e. "Are we at

v en de tt a w it h e it he r C ha ni cu t o r J es by ?" I a sk ed .

"Not really."

" We 'r e a ll j us t t ak in g c ar e t he n, h uh ?"

"Yes."

"How di d it all com e t o this? I m ean , t her e w er e a l ot o f p eo pl e

i nvo lv ed , a s I r ec al l. W as i t a n igh t o f t he l on g k ni ve s, o r w ha t?"

"N o, t h e d ea th s h av e b ee n o cc ur ri ng s te ad il y f or s om e t im e. T he re

w as n' t a s ud de n b lo od ba th w he n S wa yv il l t oo k h is t ur n f or t he w or se -t ho ug h a

f ew d id o cc ur j us t r ec en tl y. "

"W el l, t he re m us t h av e b ee n s om e i nv es ti ga ti on . D o w e h av e a ny o f t he

perps in custody?"

" No , t he y e it he r e sc ap ed o r w er e k il le d. "

"What of those who were killed? Their identities might indicate their

political affiliations."

" No t r ea ll y. S ev er al w er e p ro fe ss io na ls . A c ou pl e o f o th er s w er e

general malcontents, arguably among the mentally ill."

" Yo u' re sa yi ng t he re a re n o cl ues a s t o w ho m ig ht b e be hi nd i t a ll ?"

"That's right."

"What about suspicions then?"

" Tu bb le h im se lf i s o f co ur se su sp ec t, t ho ug h i t i s n ot a g oo d i de a t o

say i t al ou d. He s to od t o be nef it t he m os t, a nd n ow he 's i n a po si ti on t o d o

s o . A ls o, t he re is much in his c ar e er o f p ol it ica l c on ni va nc e,

d ou bl e- de al in g, a ss as si na ti on . B ut t ha t w as l on g a go . E ve ry on e h as a f ew





s ke le to ns in t he c el la r. H e h as b ee n a q ui et a nd c on se rv at iv e m an f ox m an y

years."

"Tmer, then-He's close enough to generate suspicion. Is there anything

to connect him with the bloody business?"

" No t r ea ll y. H is a ff ai rs a re h ar dl y o pe n. H e' s a v er y p ri va te m an . B ut

h e w as n ev er a ss oc ia te d w it h s uc h e xt re me s i n t he p as t. I d o n ot k no w him

all t ha t w el l, b ut h e h as a lw ay s s tr uc k m e a s a s im pl er , m or e d ir ec t p er so n

t ha n T ub bl e. H e s ee ms t he s or t w ho 'd s im pl y a tt em pt a c ou p i f h e w an te d t he

throne badly enough, rather than spend a lot of time intriguing."

" Th er e c ou ld , o f c ou rs e, b e a n um be r o f p eo pl e i nv ol ve d, e ac h a ct in g i n

his own interest-"

" An d n ow t ha t t he m at te r i s i mm in en t t he y' ll h av e t o s ur fa ce s oo n? "

" I t w ou ld s ee m s o, w ou ld n' t i t? "

A s mi le . A s hr ug .

" No r ea son f or a cor onat io n t o end i t al l, " h e s ai d.

" A c ro wn d oe s n ot a ut om at ic al ly m ak e a p er so n d ag ge rp ro of ."

" Bu t t he s uc ce ss or w ou ld c om e t o p ow er w it h a l ot o f b ad b ag ga ge ."

"It w oul dn' t b e t he f ir st t im e i n hi st or y. A nd i f y ou st op t o t hi nk

a bo ut i t, s om e v er y g oo d m on ar ch s h av e c om e t o p ow er u nd er s uc h a c lo ud . By

t he w ay , h as i t o ccu rr ed t o yo u t ha t t he ot he rs m ig ht b e s pe cu la ti ng a lo ng

these lines about you?"

" Ye s, a nd i t m ak es m e u nc om fo rt ab le . M y f at he r w an te d t he t hr on e o f

A mb er f or a l on g t im e, an d i t r eal ly m es se d up h is l if e. H e w as on ly h ap py

wh en he s ai d t he h el l wi th i t. I f I l ea rne d an yt hi ng f rom hi s st or y, t ha t' s

it . I h av e n o s uc h a mb it io n. "

But for a moment, I w onder ed . What wou ld i t f eel l ik e t o cont ro l a





m as si ve s ta te ? E ve ry t im e I c om pl ai ne d a bo ut p ol it ic s, h er e, i n A mb er , b a c k

in t he S ta te s o n t he S ha do w E ar th , t he re w as t he a ut om at ic c or ol la ry o f

c on si de ri ng t he w ay I 'd m an ag e s it ua ti on s i f I w er e i n c ha rg e.

" I w on de r? " M an do r r e pe at ed .

I glanced downward.

" Pe rh ap s t he o th er s a re l oo ki ng i nt o t he ir o wn s ay in g p oo ls j us t n ow ,"

I s ai d, " ho pi ng f or c lu es ." " Do ub tl es s, " h e r es po nd ed . " Wh at i f T ub bl e a nd

Tm er d id m ee t untimely e nd s? W ha t w ou ld y ou d o? " " Do n' t e ve n t hi nk

a bo ut i t, " I s ai d. " It w on 't h ap pe n.

"Suppose."

" I d on 't k no w. "

" Yo u r ea ll y s ho ul d m ak e so me s or t o f d ec is io n, j us t t o h av e i t ou t of

t he w ay. Y ou' re neve r at a l oss f or w or ds whe n y ou know yo ur o wn mi nd."

"Thanks. I'll remember that."

" Tel l m e m or e o f y ou r s to ry , si nc e l ast w e m et ."

An d s o I di d, Pa tt er n g ho st s and al l.

S om ew he re n ea r t he e nd t he wailing s ou nd b eg an a ga in . S uh uy m ov ed

t o wa rd t he r oc k.

" Ex cu se m e, " h e s ai d, a nd t he r oc k p ar te d a nd h e p as se d w it hi n.

I mm ed ia te ly , I f el t M an do r' s g az e h ea vy u po n m e. " We p ro ba bl y o nl y h av e

a m om en t, " h e s ai d. " No t e no ug h t im e, r ea ll y, t o g o i nt o e ve ry th in g I w an te d

to c ov er w it h y ou ."

"Very private, huh?"

" Ye s. S o y ou m us t a rr an ge t o d in e w it h m e b ef or e t he funer al. S ay , a

quarter-turning hence, bluesky." "All right. Your place, or the Ways of





S aw al l? " " Co me t o m e a t M an do rw ay s. "

T he r oc k p ha se d a ga in a s I n od de d, a nd a l it he d em on ic f ig ur e e nt er ed ,

shimmering bl uel y within a v ei l o f c lo ud . I w as o n m y f ee t i n a n i ns ta nt ,

t he n b ow in g t o k is s t he h an d s he e xt en de d.

"Mother," I said. "I hadn't anticipated the pleasure-this soon."

S he s mi led , a nd t he n i t w ent aw ay i n a sw ir l. The s ca le s f ad ed , t he

c o nt ou rs of h er f ac e a nd form f low ed . T he b lu e w ent a way i nt o a n or mal

t ho ug h p al e f le sh c ol or . H er h ip s a nd s ho ul de rs w id en ed a s s he l os t

something of height, though still remained tall. Her brown eyes grew more

a tt ra ct i ve a s t he h ea vy b ro w r id ge s r ec ed ed . A f ew f r ec kl es b ec am e vi si bl e

a c ro s s h er n ow hu ma n, s li gh tl y u pt ur ne d n os e. H er b ro wn h ai r w as l on ge r t ha n

w he n l as t I h ad se en he r i n t hi s f or m. A nd s he w as s ti ll smiling. H er r ed

t un ic b ec am e h er , s im pl y b el te d; a r ap ie r h un g a t h er l ef t h ip .

"My d ea r Merlin," s he s ai d, t aki ng my h ea d b et we en h er h an ds a nd

k is si ng m e up on t he l ip s. " I a m pl ea se d t o se e y ou l oo ki ng so w el l. I t h as

b ee n q ui te a w hi le s in ce l as t y ou v is it ed ."

" I' ve h ad a v er y a ct iv e e xi st en ce o f l at e. "

"To b e s ur e, " sh e s ai d. " I' ve h ea rd s om e r ep or t o f y ou r v ar io us

misadventures."

" I' d i ma gi ne y ou w ou ld h av e. I t' s n ot e ve ry on e h as a t y' ig a fol lowing

him about, periodically seducing him in various forms, and making life, in

general, very complicated with unwanted efforts at protection."

" It s ho ws t ha t I c ar e, d ea r. "





" It a ls o s ho ws t hat y ou h av e n o r es pe ct f or m y p ri va cy n or t ru st i n my

judgment."

M an do r c le ar ed h is t hr oa t.

" He ll o, D ar a, " h e s ai d t he n.

"I s up po se it must s ee m t ha t w ay t o y ou ," s he s ta te d. T he n, " He ll o,

M an do r, " s he w en t o n. " Wh at h ap pe ne d t o y ou r a rm ?"

"A misunderstanding involving some architecture," he replied. "You've

b ee n o ut o f s ig ht , t ho ug h h ar dl y o ut o f m in d, f or s om e t im e. "

"Thank yo u, if t ha t' s a compliment," sh e s ai d. " Ye s, I g o a b it

r ec lu si ve e ve ry n ow a nd t he n, w he n t he we ig ht of s oc ie ty b ec om es

troublesome. Though you're hardly the one to talk, sir, vanishing far long

s tr et ch es a s y ou d o i n t he l ab yr in th s o f M an do rw ay s- if t ha t b e i nd ee d w he re

you take yourself."

H e b ow ed .

" As y ou s ay , l ad y, we ap pea r t o b e c re at ur es of a k in d. "

H er e ye s n ar ro we d, though he r v oi ce w as u nc ha ng ed , a s s he s ai d, " I

w a nd er . Y es , I c an s om et im es s ee u s a s k in dr ed s pi ri ts , p er ha ps ev en m or e

t ha n i n o ur s im pl es t c yc le s o f a ct iv it y. W e' ve b ot h b ee n o ut a nd a bo ut a l ot

of late, though, haven't we?"

"But I've bin careless," said Mandor, indicating his injured arm. "You,

obviously, have not."

"I never argue with architecture," she said. "Or other imponderables?"

h e a sk ed .

" I t ry t o w or k w it h w hat i s i n pl ac e, " sh e t ol d h im . " Ge ne ra ll y, I d o ,

too."





" An d i f y ou c an no t? " s he a sk ed . H e s hr ug ge d.

"Sometimes there are collisions."

" Yo u' ve s ur vi ve d m an y i n y ou r t im e, h av en 't y ou ?" " I c an 't d en y i t, b ut

t hen i t h as b ee n a long while. Y ou see m m ad e of ve ry su rvi vab le st uf f

yourself."

" So f ar ," s he r es po nd ed . " We r ea ll y m us t c om pa re n ot es o n i mp on de ra bl es

a nd c ol li si on s o ne d ay . W ou ld n' t i t b e s tr an ge i f w e w er e similar in all

respects?"

" I s ho ul d b e v er y m uc h s ur pr is ed ," h e a ns we re d.

I was fascinated and slightly frightened by the exchange, though I

c ou ld g o o nl y b y f ee li ng a nd h ad n o n ot io n o f s pe ci fi cs . T he y w er e s om eh ow

similar, and I'd never heard generalities delivered with quite that

p re ci si on a nd e mp ha si s o ut si de o f A mb er , w he re t he y o ft en m ak e a g am e o f

talking that way.

" Fo rg iv e m e, " M an do r s ai d t he n, t o t he c om pa ny i n g en er al , " bu t I m us t

absent myself to recuperation. Thank you for your hospitality, sir." He

b o w ed t o S uh uy . " An d f or t he p le as ur e o f c ro ss in g- pa th s w it h y ou "- th is t o

Dara.

"You've barely arrived," Suhuy said, "and you've taken no refreshment.

You m ak e m e a p oor ho st ."

" R es t a ss ur ed , o ld f ri en d, t he re i s n on e c ou ld p er fo rm

such a t ra ns fo rm at io n, " h e s ta te d. H e l oo ke d a t m e a s h e b ac ke d t ow ar d

t he o pe ni ng w ay . " Ti ll l at er ," h e s ai d, a nd I n od de d.

H e p as se d i nt o t he w ay , a nd t he r oc k s ol id if ie d w it h h is v an is hm en t.





" Don' t t ry t o c ha ng e t he s ub je ct . T hi nk h ow e mb ar ra ss in g t ha t i s f or a

grown man-his mother sending demons to look after him."

" 1' he s in gu la r. I t w as j us t o ne d em on , d ea r. "

" Wh o c ar es ? T he p ri nc ip le 's t he s am e. W he re d o y ou g et off with this

protective business? I resent-"

"The t y' ig a p ro ba bl y s av ed y ou r life o n m or e t ha n o ne o cc as io n,

Merlin."

"Well, yes. But-"

" Yo u' d r at he r b e d ea d t ha n p ro te ct ed ? J us t b ec au se i t w as coming from

me?"

"That's not the point!"

"Then what is the point?"

" It s ee ms y ou j us t a ss um ed I c ou ld n' t t ak e c ar e o f m ys el f, a nd -"

"Well, you couldn't."

"But y ou h ad n o w ay o f k no wi ng t ha t. I r es en te d y ou r s ta rt in g w it h t he

a ss um pt io n t ha t I n ee de d c ha pe ro ni ng i n S ha do w, t ha t I w as n ai ve , gull ibl e,

careless-"

"I s upp ose i t w ou ld h ur t y our f li ng s i f I sa id t ha t y ou w er e, go in g t o

a p la ce a s d if fe re nt f ro m t he C ou rt s a s t ha t S ha do w i s. "

" Ye s, I c an t ak e c ar e o f m ys el f! "

" Yo u w er en 't d oi ng t ha t g re at a j ob o f i t. B ut y ou a re m ak in g a number

of unwarranted assumptions yourself. What makes you think that the reasons

y ou g av e a re t he o nl y p os si bl e o nes f or m y t ak in g su ch a n a ct io n? "

"Okay. Tel l me that you knew that Luke was goi ng t o try t o kill me

e ve ry Ap ri l t hi rt ie th. A nd i f t he a ns we r i s y es , w hy d id n' t y ou j us t t el l

me?"





"I di d not kn ow t hat L uke was goi ng t o t ry t o kill you every April

thirtieth."

I t ur ne d aw ay . I c le nc hed m y f is ts an d r el ax ed t he m. " So y ou j ust d id

i t f or t he hel l of i t?"

" Me rl in , w hy d o y ou f in d i t s o d if fi cu lt t o a dm it t ha t o th er p eo pl e

might sometimes know things you don't?" "Start with their . unwillingness to

tell me these things."

S he w as s il en t a l on g m om en t. T he n, " I' m a fr ai d t he re i s s om et hi ng t o

w ha t y ou s ay ," s he r ep li ed . " Bu t t he re w er e s tr on g r ea so ns f or n ot t al ki ng

of such matters."

"Then s t ar t w it h t he i na bi li ty t o t el l m e. T el l m e n ow w hy y ou d id n' t

trust me then."

" It w as n' t a m at te r o f t ru st ."

" Is i t o ka y t o t el l m e no w w ha t it w as? " A no th er , longer sil ence

followed.

"No," she finally said "Not yet."

I t ur ne d t ow ar d h er , k ee pi ng m y f ea tu re s c om po se d a nd m y v oi ce l ev el .

"Then nothing h as c ha ng ed ," I s ai d, " no r e ve r s ha ll . Y ou s ti ll d o n ot

trust me."

" Th at i s n ot t ru e, " s he a ns we re d, g la nc in g a t S uh uy . " It i s j us t t ha t

t hi s i s no t t he pr op er t im e or t he pr ope r pl ac e t o g o i nt o t he se m at te rs. "

"Might I f et ch you a dr in k o r s om et hi ng t o e at , D ar a? " S uh uy sa id

immediately.

" Th an k y ou n o, " s he r ep li ed . " I c an no t s ta y m uc h l on ge r. "

" Mo th er , t el l m e, t he n, s om et hi ng a bo ut t he t y' ig a. " " Wh at d o y ou wish





to know?"

" Yo u c on ju re d i t f ro m s om ep la ce b ey on d t he R im ." " Th at i s c or ne ct ."

" Su ch b ei ng s a r e b od il es s t he ms el ve s, b ut c ap ab le o f t ak in g o ve r a

living host for their own purposes."

"Yes."

"Su ppo si ng s uc h a b ei ng t oo k o ve r t he b od y o f a p er son at o r nea r t he

moment of death, making it the sole animating spirit and controlling

intelligence?"

"Interesting. Is this a hypothetical question?"

" No . I t' s r ea ll y h ap pe ne d w it h t he o ne y ou s en t a ft er m e. I t d oe sn 't

s ee m a bl e t o q ui t t ha t b od y n ow . W hy n ot ?"

"I a m n ot r ea ll y c er ta in ," s he s ai d.

"It is t r ap pe d now," Suhuy o ff er ed . "It c an o nl y c om e a nd g o b y

reacting with a resident intelligence."

" Th e b od y, w it h t he t y' i ga i n c on tr ol , r ec ov er ed f ro m t he i ll ne ss t ha t

k il le d i ts c on sc io us ne ss ," I s ai d. " Yo u m ea n i t' s s tu ck t he re n ow f or l if e? "

"Yes. So far as I know."

" Th en t el l me t hi s: W il l i t be r el eas ed w he n t hat b od y di es, or w il l i t

die with it?"

" It c ou ld g o e it he r w ay ," h e r ep li ed . " Bu t t he l on ge r i t r em ai ns i n t he

b od y, t he m or e l ik el y i t i s t ha t i t w il l p er is h a lo ng w it h i t. "

I l oo ked b ac k at m y m ot he r.

" Th er e y ou h av e t he e nd o f i ts s to ry ," I s ta te d. S he s hr ug ge d.

"I 'v e d on e w it h t hi s o ne a nd r el ea se d it," s he s ai d, " and o ne c an

always conjure another should the need arise."





"D on' t do i t," I t ol d her .

"I s ha n' t, " s he s ai d. " Th er e i s no n ee d t o, n ow ." " Bu t i f y ou t hou gh t

t he re w er e, y ou w ou ld ?"

"A m ot he r t en ds t o v al ue h er s on 's s af et y, w he th er t he s on l ik es i t o r

not."

I r ai se d my l ef t h an d, e xt en di ng t he f or ef in ge r i n a n a ng ry g es tu re ,

w hen I no ti ce d t ha t I w as wear ing a br ight b ra ce le t- it s ee me d an

a lm os t- ho lo gr am at ic r ep re se nt at io n o f a w ov en c or d. I l ow er ed m y h an d, b it

b ac k m y f ir st r es po ns e, a nd s ai d, " Yo u k no w m y f ee li ng s n ow ."

" I knew t hem a l ong t ime ago, " she said. " Let us di ne at t he W ays of

Sawall, half a turning hence, purplesky. Agreed?"

"Agreed," I said.

"Till then. Good turning, Suhuy." "Good turning, Dara."

S he t o ok t hr ee p ac es a nd w as g on e, a s e ti qu et te p re sc ri be d, o ut t he

s am e w ay b y w hi ch s he h ad e nt er ed .

I t ur ned an d s tr od e t o t he p oo l' s e dg e, s tar ed i nt o its d ep th s, felt

t he m usc les i n m y s ho ul de rs s lo wl y u nk no t. J as ra a nd J ul ia w er e d ow n t he re

no w, b ac k i n t he c it ad el o f t he K ee p, d oi ng s om et hi ng a rc an e i n t he l ab . A nd

t he n t he s tr an ds w er e f lo wi ng o ve r t he m, s om e c ru el t ru th b ey on d all o r de r

and beauty, beginning to form themselves into a mask of fascinating,

frightening proportion.

I f el t a hand on m y shoulder .

"Family," Suhuy said, "intrigues and maddens. You are feeling the

t yr an ny o f a ff ec ti on a t t he m om en t, a re y ou n ot ?"

I n od de d.





" Som ethi ng M ar k T wa in s ai d a bo ut b ei ng a bl e t o c ho os e y ou r f r ie nd s b ut

n ot y ou r r el at iv es ," I a ns we re d. " I d o n ot k no w w ha t t he y a re u p t o, though

I hav e

m y s usp ic io ns ," h e s ai d. " Th er e i s n ot hi ng t o d o n ow b ut r es t a nd w ai t.

I woul d l ike t o hear mo re of yo ur st or y. "

"Thanks, Uncle. Yeah," I said. "Why not?"

S o I g av e h im a ll t he r es t o f m y t al e. P ar tw ay t hr ou gh i t, w e a dj ou rn ed

t o t he k it ch en f or f ur th er s us te na nc e, t he n t oo k a no th er w ay t o a f lo at in g

b al co ny a bo ve a l i me -c ol or ed o ce an b re ak in g u po n p in k r o ck s a nd b ea c he s

u nd er a t wi li t o r o th er wi se i nd ig o s ky w it ho ut s ta rs . T he re , I f in is he d m y

telling.

" T hi s i s m or e t ha n a l it tl e i nt er es ti ng ," h e s ai d, a t l as t.

"O h? Do you see som et hi ng in i t al l t hat I don' t?" I asked.

" Yo u' ve g iv en m e t oo m uc h t o c on si de r f or me t o give you a ha st y

j ud gm en t, " h e s ai d. " Let u s l ea ve i t at t ha t f or n ow ."

"Very well."

I l ean ed on t he r ai l, l ook ed do wn a t t he w at er s.

"Y ou n ee d r es t, " h e s ai d a ft er a t im e.

" I guess I do."

" Co me , I 'l l s ho w y ou t o y ou r r oo m. "

He e xt end ed a h an d an d I t ook h ol d of i t. T og et her , we s an k t hr ou gh t he

floor.

An d s o I s le pt , s ur ro un de d by t ap es tr ie s a nd h ea vy d ra pe s, i n a

doo rl ess chamber i n th e Ways of Suhuy . I t m ight have been i n a t ow er , a s I

co ul d h ea r t he w in ds p as si ng b ey on d t he w al ls . S le ep in g, I d re am t. . . .

I w as b ac k in t he c as tl e A mb er , wa lk in g t he sp ar kl in g l eng th of t he





C or r id or o f M ir r or s. T ap er s f li ck er ed i n t al l h ol de rs . M y f oo ts te ps m ad e n o

s ou nd . The m ir ror s c am e i n al l m an ner o f s hap es . T he y c ove re d t he w al ls at

e it he r h an d, b ig o ne s, l it tl e o ne s. I p as se d myself within t he ir d ep th s,

r e f le ct e d, d is t or t ed , s om et i me s r e- r ef l ec te d. . . .

I w as h al te d b ef or e a t al l, c ra ck ed m ir ro r t o m y l ef t, f ra med i n t in .

Even as I t urned toward it I knew that it would not be me whom I r egar ded

this time.

Nor wa s I m ist aken . Co ral w as l ook ing at me f rom o ut o f t he m ir ror . She

h ad o n a p ea ch -c ol or ed b lo us e a nd w as n ot w ea ri ng h er e ye pa tc h. T he c ra ck i n

t he m ir ro r di vi ded h er f ac e d ow n t he m id dl e. H er l ef t e ye w as t he g re en I

r em em be re d, h er r ig ht w as t he J ew el o f J ud gm en t. B ot h s ee me d t o b e f oc us ed

u po n m e.

"Merl in," s he s ai d. " Hel p m e. T hi s i s t oo s tr an ge . G iv e m e b ac k m y

eye."

"I d on 't k no w h ow ," I s ai d. " I d on 't u nd er st an d w ha t w as d on e. "

"M y eye," she went on, as i f she had not h ea rd . "The wor ld is all

s wa rm in g f or ce s in t he E ye o f J ud gm en t, c ol d- so c ol d! -a nd n ot a f ri en dl y

place. Help me!"

" I 'l l f in d a w ay, " I sa id.

" My eye . . ." sh e cont inue d.

I h ur ri ed b y.

F ro m a r ec ta ng ul ar m ir ro r i n a w oo de n f ra me c ar ve d a t i ts b as e in t he

f or m of a p ho en ix , L uk e r eg ar de d m e. " He y, o ld b ud dy ," h e s ai d, l oo ki ng

slightly forlorn,

" I' d su re l ik e t o h av e m y d ad' s s wo rd b ac k. Yo u h av en 't c om e a cr oss it





a ga in , h av e y ou ?" " ' Fr ai d n ot ," I m ut te re d.

"I t' s a shame t o g et t o ho ld y ou r pr ese nt f or s uc h a s ho rt pe ri od o f

t im e. W at ch f or i t, w il l y ou ? I 'v e a f ee li ng i t m ig ht c om e i n h an dy ."

" I' ll do t ha t, " I s ai d.

" Af ter al l, y ou 'r e k in d o f r es po ns ib le f or w ha t h ap pe ne d, " h e

continued.

"Right," I agreed.

". . . And I'd sure like to have it back."

"Yeah," I said, moving away.

A n as ty c hu ck le e me rg ed fr om a m ar oo n- fr am ed e ll ip se t o m y r ig ht .

T ur ni ng , I b eh el d t he f ac e o f V ic to r M el ma n, t he s ha do w E ar th s or ce re r I h ad

confronted back when my troubles were beginning.

" So n o f p er di ti on !" h e h is se d. " ' Ti s g oo d t o s ee y ou w an de r l ost in

L i mb o. M ay m y b lo od l ie b ur ni ng o n y ou r h an ds ."

" Yo ur b lo od i s o n y ou r o wn h an ds ," I s ai d. " I c ou nt y ou a s a s ui ci de ."

" No t s o! " h e s na pp ed b ac k. " Yo u s le w m e m os t u nf ai rl y. "

"Bullshit," I a ns we re d. " I m ay b e g ui lt y o f a l ot o f t hi ng s, b ut y ou r

d ea th i s n ot o ne o f t he m. "

I b eg an t o w al k a wa y, a nd h is h an d e me rg ed f ro m t he m ir ro r a nd c lu tc he d

a t m y s ho ul de r.

"Murderer!" he cried.

I b ru sh ed h is h an d a wa y.

" Bu gge r of f! " I s ai d, an d I ke pt g oi ng .

T he n, f ro m a w id e, g re en -f ra me d m ir ro r w it h a g ree ni sh h az e t o t he

g la ss , R an do m h ai le d m e f ro m m y l ef t, s ha ki ng h is h ea d.

" Me rl in ! M er li n! W ha t a re y ou u p t o, a ny wa y? " h e a sk ed . " I' ve k no wn f or





s om e t im e t ha t y ou h av en 't b ee n k ee pi ng m e a br ea st o f e ve ry th in g t ha t' s

afoot."

"Well," I replied, regarding him in an orange T-shirt and Levi's;

" th at 's t ru e, s ir . S om e t hi ng s I j us t h av en 't h ad t im e t o g o i nt o. "

"Things that involve the safety of the realm-and you haven't had time?"

"Well, I guess there's something of a judgmental factor involved."

" If i t i nvo lve s o ur s af et y, I am t he on e t o d o t he j ud gi ng. "

" Ye s, s ir . I r ea li ze t ha t- "

" We h ave t o h av e a t al k, M er li n. I s i t t hat y our p er so nal l if e i s m ix ed

w i th t hi s i n s om e w ay ?"

" I g ue ss t ha t' s t ru e- "

" I t d oe sn 't m at te r. T he k in gd om i s m or e i mp or ta nt . W e m us t t al k. "

" Yes, si r. W e wi ll as s oon as- "

" ` As s oo n a s, ' h el l! N ow ! S to p s cr ew in g a ro un d a t w ha te ve r y ou 'r e u p

t o and get your ass back her e! We have to t al k!"

"I w il l, a s so on a s- "

" Do n' t g iv e m e t ha t! I t v er ge s o n t he t ra it or ou s i f y ou 'r e withhol ding

i mp or ta nt i nf or ma ti on ! I n ee d t o s ee y ou n ow ! C om e h om e! "

"I will," I s ai d, a nd I h ur ri ed a wa y, h is v oi ce j oi ni ng a c on ti nu in g

c h or us o f t he o th er s, r ep ea ti ng t he ir d em an ds , t he ir p l ea s, t he ir

accusations.

O ut o f t he n ex t o ne -c ir cu la r, w it h a b lu e b ra id ed f ra me -J ul ia r eg ar de d

me.

" An d t he re y ou g o, " s he s ai d, a lm os t w is tf ul ly . " Yo u k ne w I l ov ed y ou ."

" I l ov ed y ou , t oo ," I a dm it te d. " It t oo k m e a l on g t im e t o r ea li ze i t.





I g ue ss I m es se d u p, t ho ug h. "

"You d id n' t l ov e m e e no ug h, " s he s ai d. " No t e no ug h t o t ru st m e. A nd s o

y o u l os t m y t ru st ."

I l oo ke d a wa y.

"I 'm s or ry ," I s ai d.

" No t g oo d e no ug h, " s he r es po nd ed . " Th us , w e a re b ec om e e ne mi es ."

" It d oe sn 't h av e t o b e t ha t w ay ." " To o l at e, " s he s ai d. " To o l at e. "

" I' m s or ry ," I r ep ea te d, a nd I h ur ri ed a wa y.

T hu s, I c am e t o J as ra , i n a r ed , d ia mo nd f ra me . H er b ri gh t- na il ed han d

r ea ch ed o ut a nd c ar es se d m y c he ek . " Go in g s om ew he re , d ea r b oy ?" s he a sk ed .

"I h op e so ," I sa id .

Sh e s mi le d c ro ok ed ly a nd p ur se d h er l ip s.

"I 've d ec id ed yo u w er e a b ad i nf lu en ce o n m y s on ," sh e s ai d. " He l os t

h is e dg e w he n h e b ec am e f ri en ds w it h y ou ."

" So ny a bo ut t ha t, " I s ai d.

" . . . Whi ch m ay mak e h im unf it t o r ul e. "

"Unfit or unwilling?" I asked.

"Whichever, it will be your fault."

" He 's a b ig b oy n ow , J as ra . H e m ak es h is o wn d ec is io ns ."

" I f ea r y ou 'v e t au gh t h im t o m ak e t he w ro ng o ne s. "

" He' s hi s o wn m an , l ad y. D on 't bl am e m e i f h e d oe s things you d on 't

like."

"And if Kashfa crumbles because you've softened him?"

"I d ec li ne t he n om in at io n, " I s ai d, t ak in g a s te p f or wa rd . I t w as g oo d





th at I w as m ovi ng , f or h er h an d s ho t o ut , n ai ls r ak in g a t my f ac e, b ar el y

m issi ng. S he t hr ew e xp le ti ve s a ft er m e a s I w al ke d a wa y. F or tu na te ly , t he y

we re d ro wn ed a mi d t he c ri es o f t he o th er s.

"Merlin?"

T ur ni ng t o m y r ig ht a ga in I b eh el d t he f ac e o f N ay da within a si lver

m ir ro r, i ts s ur fa ce a nd c ur le d f ra me o f a s in gl e p ie ce .

" Na yd a! W ha t a re y ou d ow n o n m e f or ?"

"Nothing," the ty'iga lady replied. "I'm just passing through, and I

need directions."

"You don't hate me? How refreshing!"

" Ha te y ou ? D on 't b e s il ly . I c ou ld n ev er d o t ha t. "

"Everyone else in this gallery seems irritated with me.

" It 's o nl y a d re am , M er li n. Y ou 'r e r ea l, I 'm r ea l, a nd I d on 't k no w

about the others."

"I'm s or ry m y m ot he r p ut y ou u nd er t ha t s pe ll t o p ro te ct m e- al l t ho se

yea rs ag o. A re y ou r eal ly f ree of i t n ow ? I f yo u' re not , pe rha ps I can -"

"I 'm f re e o f i t. "

"I'm sorry you had so much trouble fulfilling its terms-not knowing

w he th er i t w as L uk e o r m e y ou w er e s up po se d t o b e g ua rd in g. W ho 'd h av e k no wn

t he re 'd b e t wo A mb er it es i n t he s am e n ei gh bo rh oo d i n B er ke le y? "

"I'm not sorry."

" W ha t d o y ou m ea n? "

"I came f or di rect ions. I want t o know how I can f ind Luke. "

"Why, in K as hf a. H e w as j us t c ro wn ed k in g t he o th er d ay . W ha t d o y ou

need him for?"





"Hadn't you guessed?"

"No."

" I' m i n l ov e w it h hi m. A lw ay s w as. N ow t hat I 'm f re e o f t he g ea s a nd

have a body of my own, I want him to know that I was Gail-and how I feel.

Thanks, Merlin. Good-bye."

"Wait! "

"Yes?"

" I n ev er s ai d t ha nk s f or y ou r p ro te ct in g m e a ll t ho se

year s- even i f it was onl y a compul si on for you, even i f i t got t o be a

b ig b ot he r f or m e. T ha nk s, a nd g oo d l uc k. "

Sh e s mi le d a nd f ad ed a wa y. I r ea ch ed o ut a nd t ou ch ed t he m ir ro r.

" Lu ck ," I t ho ug ht I h ea rd h er s ay .

S tr an ge . I t w as a d re am . S ti ll -I c ou ld n' t a wa ke n, a nd : i t f el t r ea l. I

"You m ad e it b ac k t o t he C ou rt s in t ime f or a ll t he schemi ng, I

s ee "- t hi s f r om a m ir r or t hr ee p ac es a he ad , b la ck -b ou nd a nd n ar r ow .

I mo ve d t o i t. M y br ot her Ju rt g lar ed ou t at m e.

" Wh at d o y ou w an t? " I a sk ed .

Hi s f ace was an an gr y par od y of my own.

"I w an t y ou n eve r t o h ave b een ," h e s ai d. " Fa il in g t ha t, I ' d like t o

s e e y ou d ea d. "

" W ha t' s y ou r t hi r d c ho ic e? " I a sk ed .

"Your confinement to a private hell, I guess."

"Why?"





" Yo u s ta nd b et we en m e a nd e ve ry th in g I w an t. "

"I 'l l b e g la d t o s tep a si de . T el l m e h ow ."

"T he re 's no w ay y ou ca n o r w il l, o n y ou r o wn. "

"S o y ou h at e m e? "

"Yes."

"I thought your bath in the Fountain destroyed your emotions."

" I d id n' t g et t he f ul l t re at me nt , a nd i t o nl y m ad e t he m s tr on ge r. "

"Any wa y w e c an f or ge t t he whol e thing a nd s ta rt o ve r a ga in , b e

friends?"

"Never."

"Didn't think so."

"S he a lw ay s c ar ed m or e a bo ut y ou t ha n m e, a nd n ow y ou 'r e g oi ng t o ha ve

the throne."

" Do n' t b e r id ic ul ou s. I d on 't w an t i t. "

" Y ou r d es ir es h av e n ot hi ng t o d o w it h t he m at te r. "

" I w on 't h av e i t: "

"Yes, you will-unless I kill you first."

" Do n' t b e s tu pi d. I t' s n ot w or th t hi s. "

"One day soo n, w hen you least expect i t, you wi ll t ur n and see me. I t

w il l b e t oo l at e. "

The mirror grew entirely black.

"Jurt!"

N o th in g. A gg ra va ti ng , h av in g t o p ut u p w it h h im i n d re am a s well a s

waking.





I t ur ne d m y h ea d t ow ar d a f ir e- fr am ed m in or s ev er al p ac es a he ad a nd t o

m y l ef t, k no wi ng -s om eh ow -i t w as n ex t o n m y r ou te . I m ov ed t ow ar d i t.

She was smiling.

" An d t he re y ou h av e i t, " s he s ai d.

"Aunty, what's going on?"

"I t s ee ms t o b e t he s or t of confl ict general ly r ef er re d t o a s

`irreducible,' " Fiona replied.

" Th at 's n ot t he s or t o f a ns we r I n ee d. "

" To o m uc h i s a fo ot t o g iv e y ou a b et te r o ne ."

" An d y ou 'r e a p ar t o f i t? "

"A ver y smal l one. No t one w ho can do yo u mu ch good j ust now ."

" What am I to do?"

" Le ar n y ou r o pt i on s a nd c ho os e t he b es t o ne ."

"B es t f or w ho m? B es t f or w ha t? "

"Only you can say."

"C an y ou g iv e m e a h in t? "

" Co ul d y ou h av e w al ke d C or wi n' s P at te rn t ha t d ay I t oo k y ou t o i t? "

``Yes."

"I t ho ug ht s o. I t w as d ra wn u nd er u nu su al c ir cu ms ta nc es . I t c an n ev er

b e d up li ca te d. O ur P at te rn w ou ld n ev er h av e p er mi tt ed i ts c on st ru ct io n h ad

i t n ot b ee n d am ag ed i ts el f a nd t oo w ea k t o p re ven t i ts c om in g i nt o b ei ng ."

"So?"

" Ou r P at te rn i s t ry in g t o a bs or b i t, i nc or po ra te i t. I f i t s uc ce ed s, i t

wi ll be a s d is as tr ou s a s it woul d hav e b ee n w er e t he P at te rn o f A mb er

d es tr oy ed a t t he t im e o f t he w ar . T he b al an ce w it h C ha os will b e t ot all y

upset."





" Is n' t C h ao s s tr on g e nou gh t o p re ve nt t hi s? I 'd t ho ug ht t he y w er e

equally potent."

" Th ey w er e u nt il y ou r ep ai re d t he S ha do w P at te rn a nd A mb er 's w as a bl e

t o a bs or b i t. T hi s i nc re as ed i ts s tr en gt h b ey on d t ha t o f C ha os . N ow i t i s

a bl e t o r ea ch f or y ou r f at he r' s a ga in st t he p ow er o f t he L og ru s. "

" I d on 't u nd er st an d w ha t i s t o b e d on e. "

" Nei ther d o I , ye t. B ut I char ge yo u t o r em em ber w hat I hav e sai d. W hen

t he t im e c om es y ou m us t m ak e a d ec is io n. I 've n o i dea w ha t i t w il l involve,

b ut i t w il l b e v er y i mp or ta nt ."

" Sh e' s ri ght," c am e a v oi ce f ro m b eh in d m y b ac k. T ur ni ng , I s aw m y

f at he r w it hi n a sh in ing b la ck f ra me , a s il ve r r os e s et a t i ts t op .

"C or wi n! " I h ea rd F io na s ay . " Wh er e a re y ou ?"

"I n a p la ce w her e t he re i s n o l ig ht ," he s ai d.

" I t ho ug ht y ou s om eh ow i n A mb er , F at he r, w it h D ei rd re ," I s ai d.

" Th e g ho st s p la y a t b ei ng g ho st s, " h e a ns we re d. " I h av e n ot m uc h t im e,

for m y st ren gt h i s l ow . I c an t el l y ou o nl y t hi s: T ru st n ot t he P at te rn , n or

t he L og ru s e it he r, n or a ny o f t he ir s pa wn , t il l t hi s m at te r b e s et tl ed :"

H e be ga n t o f ad e.

" Ho w can I h el p yo u?" I ask ed.

The w or ds ". . . i n t he Cou rt s" cam e t o m e b ef or e h e van ishe d.

I turned again.

" Fi , w hat di d he me an by t hat ?" I asked h er .





She was frowning.

"I g et t he i mp re ss io n t ha t t he a ns we r l ie s s om ew he re i n t he C ou rt s, "

she replied slowly.

" Wh er e? W he re s ho ul d I l oo k? "

S he sh ook h er h ea d a nd b ega n t o t ur n a way .

" Wh o w ou ld k no w b es t? " s he s ai d.

Th en s he , t oo , w as g on e.

V oi ce s w er e s ti ll c al li ng t o m e, f ro m b eh in d, f rom a he ad . T he re w a s

w ee pi ng a nd l au gh te r, a nd m y n am e b ei ng r ep ea te d. I r us he d a he ad .

" Wh at ev er h ap pe ns ," Bill R ot h s ai d, " if y ou n ee d a g oo d l aw ye r, I 'l l

handle it-even in Chaos."

A nd t he n t he re w as D wo rk in , s qu in ti ng a t m e f ro m ou t o f a tiny mi rror

w i th a t wi st ed f ra me .

" Not hi ng t o b e a la rm ed a bo ut ," h e r em a rk ed , " but all s or t s o f

imponderables are hovering about you."

"What am I to do?" I cried.

"You must become something greater than yourself."

"I don't understand."

" Es ca pe t he c ag e t ha t i s y ou r l if e. "

"What cage?"

He w as g on e.

I r an , a nd t he ir w or ds r an g a ro un d m e.

N ear t he end of t he hal l wa s a mi rr or like a p ie ce of yellow silk

s tr et ch ed u po n a f ra me . T he C he sh ir e C at g ri nn ed a t m e f ro m w it hi n.

" It 's n ot w or th it . The h el l w it h t hem al l," he s ai d. " Com e t o t he





cabaret,

o ld c hum . W e' ll t ip a f ew b re ws a nd w at ch t he m an p ai nt ."

" No r" I c ri ed . " No !"

A nd t he n t he re w as o nl y a g ri n. T hi s t im e I f ad ed , t oo . M er ci fu l, b la ck

o bl iv io n a nd t he s ou nd o f t he w in d, s om ew he re , p as si ng .

III

Ho w l ong I s lep t, I d o no t k no w. I wa s aw ake ne d by S uh uy' s r ep ea ti ng my

name.

" Me rl in , M er li n, " h e s ai d. " Th e s ky i s w hi te ." " An d I 'v e a b us y d ay ," I

a ns we re d. " I k no w. I 'd a b us y n ig ht , t oo ."

"It reached you, then."

"What?"

" A s mal l s pe ll I s ent , t o o pen y our m ind t o s om e e nl ig ht enm en t. I h ope d

t o l ea d y ou t o a ns we rs f ro m w it hi n, r at he r t ha n b ur de n y ou w it h m y g ue ss wo rk

and suspicions."

" I w as b ac k i n t he C or ri do r o f M ir ro rs ."

" I kn ew n ot w hat f or m i t mi gh t t ak e. "

"Was it real?"

" A s s uc h t hi ng s g o, i t s ho ul d h av e b ee n. "

"Well, thanks-I guess. It reminds me that Gryll said something about

y ou r w ant in g t o se e m e b ef or e m y m ot he r d id ."





"I w ant ed t o se e ho w m uch y ou kn ew b ef or e yo u f ace d he r. I wa nt ed t o

p ro te ct y ou r f re ed om o f c ho ic e. "

"What are you saying?"

" I' m sur e s he w ant s t o se e you o n t he t hr one. " I sat u p and r ub be d my

eyes.

" I s up po se t ha t' s p os si bl e, " I s ai d

"I d on 't know how far she' s w il li ng t o go to eff ect t hi s. I w anted to

g iv e y ou a c ha nc e t o k no w y ou r o wn m in d b ef or e y ou 'r e e xp os ed t o h er pl ans:

Would you care for a cup of t ea?"

"Yes, thanks."

I a cc ep te d a m ug he pr of fered and r aised it to my l ips. " What ar e you

s ay in g a bo ut h er b ey on d a g ue ss a t h er w is he s? " I a sk ed .

He s ho ok h is h ea d.

" I d on 't k no w h ow a ct iv e h er p ro gr am m ig ht b e, " h e s ai d, "if t ha t is

w ha t you m ea n. A nd w he th er s he w as c on ne ct ed w it h i t o r a no th er , t he s pe ll

y ou c am e w ea ri ng h as f ad ed n ow ."

"Your doing?"

H e n o dd e d.

I t oo k a no th er s wa ll ow .

" I n ev er r ea li ze d h ow c lo se I 'd g ot te n t o t he h ea d of t he line," I

a dd ed . " Ju rt i s n um be r f ou r o r f iv e i n t he s uc ce ss io n, i sn 't h e? "

H e n o dd e d.

"I 've a f eel ing i t' s goi ng t o be a very busy day," I sai d.

" F in is h y ou r t ea ," h e t ol d m e, " an d f ol lo w m e w he n y ou w ou ld ."

H e w al ke d a wa y t hr ou gh a d ra go n t ap es tr y o n t he f ar w al l.

A s I r ai se d t he m ug ag ai n, t he b ri gh t b rac el et o n m y l ef t w ri st c am e





f re e a nd d ri ft ed b ef or e m e, l os in g i ts b ra id ed o ut li ne , b ec om in g a c ir cl e o f

p ur e l ig ht . I t h ov er ed a bo ve t he s te am in g b re w, a s i f e nj oy in g i ts c in na mo ny

aroma.

" Hi , G ho st ," I s ai d. " Wh y' d y ou w ea ve yo ur se lf a bo ut my w ri st t ha t

way?"

"To l oo k l ik e t ha t p ie ce o f r op e y ou u su al ly w ea r, " c am e t he r ep ly . " I

t ho ug ht y ou m us t b e f on d o f t he e ff ec t. "

" I m ea n, w ha t w er e y ou u p t o t he w ho le ti me?" " Jus t li st eni ng, D a d.

S ee in g h ow I m ig ht b e o f h el p. T he se p eo pl e a re a ll y ou r r el at iv es , t oo ?"

"T he o ne s w e' ve m et s o f ar , y es ."

" Is i t ne cessar y t o g o b ack t o Am ber t o spea k i ll of t he m?"

" No , i t w or ks h er e i n t he C ou rt s, t oo. " I t ook an ot her s ip o f t ea. " An y

s pe ci al i ll y ou h av e i n m in d? O r w as t ha t a g en er al q ue st io n? "

"I d on 't t ru st y ou r m ot he r o r y ou r b ro th er M an do r, e ve n i f t he y a re m y

grandmother and uncle. I think they're setting you up for something."

" Ma nd or 's a lw ay s b ee n g oo d t o m e. "

" . . A nd y ou r u nc le S uh uy -h e s ee ms e mi ne nt ly s ta bl e, b ut h e r em in ds m e

a l ot o f Dw or ki n. M ig ht h e b e si tt ing on a ll s or ts o f i nt er na l t ur mo il s a nd

ready to flip out anytime?"

"I h op e n ot ," I s ai d. " He n ev er h as ."

" Oh -o h, i t' s b ee n b ui ld in g, a nd t hi s i s a t im e o f s tr es s. "

"Where are you getting all this pop psychology, anyway?'





" I' ve b ee n s tu dy in g t he g re at p sy ch ol og is ts o f t he S ha do w E ar th . I t' s

p a rt o f m y o ng oi ng a tt em pt t o u nd er st an d t he h um an c on di ti on . I r ea li ze d it

w as t im e I l ea rn ed m or e a bo ut t he i rr at io na l p ar ts ."

"What brought all this on?"

"The hi gher o r de r e di ti on o f t he P at te rn I e nc ou nt er ed i n t he J ew el ,

a ct ua ll y. T he re w er e a sp ec ts o f i t I s im pl y c ou ld n ot u nd er st an d. This l ed

t o c on si de ra ti on s o f c ha os t he or y, t he n t o M en ni ng er a nd a ll t he o th er s f or

its manifestations in consciousness."

"Any conclusions?"

"I am wiser therefor."

"I mean, concerning the Pattern."

"Yes. Either it possesses an element of irrationality itself, like

living thi ngs, o r i t i s a n i nt el li gen ce o f s uch an o rd er t ha t s om e of i ts

processes only seem irrational to lesser beings. Either explanation amounts

t o t he s am e t hi ng f ro m a p ra ct ic al s ta nd po in t. "

"I n ev er h ad t he o pp or tu ni ty t o a pp ly s om e o f t he t es ts I 'd d es ig ne d,

bu t c an y ou s ay f ro m s el f- kn ow le dg e w he th er y ou f al l i nt o s uc h a c at eg or y

yourself?"

"M e? I rr at io nal ? The n ot io n n ev er o cc ur re d t o m e. I c an 't s ee h ow i t

could be."

I fi nished my t ea and swung my l egs over t he si de of the bed.

" To o b ad ," I s ai d. " I t hi nk s om e m eas ur e o f i t i s w ha t m ak es us truly

human-that, and recognizing it in ourselves, of course."

"Really?"

I r os e a nd b eg an d re ss in g m ys el f.

"Yes, and controlling it within oneself may have something to do with





intelligence and creativity."

" I' m g oi ng t o h av e t o s tu dy t hi s v er y c lo sel y. " " Do t ha t, " I s ai d,

p ul li ng o n m y b oo ts , " an d l et m e k no w y ou r f in di ng s. "

A s I c on ti nu ed d re ss in g, h e a sk ed , " Wh en t he s ky t ur ns b lu e y ou w il l

breakfast with your brother Mandor?"

" Ye s, " I s ai d.

"And later you will take lunch with your mother?"

"That's right."

"Later still, you will attend the late monarch's funeral?"

"I will."

" Wi ll y ou n ee d m e t o p ro te ct y ou ?"

" I' ll b e s af e w it h m y r el at iv es , G ho st . E ve n i f y ou d on 't t ru st t he m. "

"The last funeral you attended got bombed."

"T hat 's t rue. But i t was Luke, and he' s sw or n of f. I 'l l b e o ka y. You

w an t t o s ig ht se e, g o a he ad ."

" Al l r ig ht ," h e s ai d. " I d o. "

I r os e a nd c ro ss ed t he ch am be r, t o s ta nd b ef or e t he d ra go n.

"C an y ou t el l m e t he w ay t o t he L og ru s? " G ho st a sk ed .

"Are you joking?"

" No, " h e s ta te d. " I' ve s ee n t he P at te rn , b ut I 'v e n ev er s ee n t he p la ce

o f t he L og ru s. W he re d o t he y k ee p i t? "

" I t ho ug ht I g av e y ou b et te r m em or y f un ct io ns t ha n t ha t. I n y ou r l as t





en co un te r w it h t he t hi ng , y ou p is se d i t o ff i n t he m ax ."

" I s up po se I d id . D o y ou t hi nk i t w ou ld h ol d a g ru dg e? "

"Offhand, yes. Upon consideration, yes. Stay away from it."

"Y ou j us t a dv is ed m e t o s tu dy t he c ha os f ac to r, t he i rr at io na l. "

" I d id n' t a dv ise y ou t o c om mi t s ui ci de . I p ut a l ot o f w or k i nt o y ou ."

"I v al ue mysel f, t oo . A nd y ou k no w I h av e a s ur vi va l i mp er at iv e, t he

same as organic beings."

" It 's yo ur j udgment I w on de r a bo ut ." "You k no w a l ot a bo ut my

abilities."

" It 's t ru e y ou 'r e g oo d at g et ti ng t he h el l o ut o f p la ce s. "

" An d y ou o we m e a d ec en t e du ca ti on ."

" L et m e t hi nk a bo ut i t. "

" Th at 's j us t s ta ll in g. I s up po se I c an f in d i t m ys el f. "

"Fine. Go ahead."

" It 's t ha t h ar d t o l oc at e? "

"You gave up on omniscience, remember?"

"Dad, I t hink I need t o see it."

" I h av en 't t he t im e t o t ak e y ou t he re ."

" Ju st s ho w m e t he w ay . I 'm g oo d a t c on ce al in g m ys el f. "

"I'll g iv e y ou t ha t. A ll r ig ht . S uh uy i s K ee pe r o f t he L og ru s. I t l ie s

i n a c av er n- so me wh er e. T he o nl y w ay I k no w t o i t b eg in s i n t hi s p la ce ."

"Where?"

"There are something like nine turnings involved. I'll lay a seeing

u po n y ou , t o l ea d y ou ."

" I d on 't k no w w he th er y ou r s pe ll s w ou ld w or k o n s om et hi ng l ik e m e- "

I r ea ch ed o ut t hr ou gh t he r in g- pa rd on m e, s pi ka rd su pe ri mp os ed a s er ie s





o f bl ack ast er isks upon a map of t he wa ys he mu st f ol low , hung it in the

s pa ce of my L og rus v is io n b ef or e h im , a nd I s ai d, " I d esi gn ed y ou , a nd I

designed this spell."

" Uh , y es ," G ho st r ep li ed . " I f ee l a s i f I s ud de nl y p os se ss d at a t ha t I

can't access."

"I t will b e p re se nt ed t o y ou a t t he a pp ro pr ia te t im es . F or m y ou rs el f

i nt o t he l ik en es s o f a r in g u po n m y l ef t i nd ex f in ge r. W e will q ui t t hi s

r oo m i n a m om en t an d pa ss t hr oug h ot her s. W hen w e a re ne ar t he pr op er w ay I

w il l i nd ic at e i t b y p oi nt in g. P ro ce ed i n t ha t d ir ec ti on a nd y ou will p a ss

through something along your route which will conduct you into another

p la ce . S om ew he re i n t ha t v ic in it y y ou w il l f in d a b la ck s ta r i nd ic at in g t he

ne xt di re ct io n you m us t t ak e- to a no th er p la ce a nd a no th er s ta r a nd s o o n.

E ve nt ua ll y, y ou w il l e me rg e i n a c av er n t ha t h ou se s t he L og ru s. C on ce al

y ou rs el f a s c om pl et el y a s y ou c an a nd m ak e y ou r o bs er va ti on s. W he n y ou w is h

t o r e tr e at , r e ve r se t h e p r oc es s. "

H e s hr an k h im se lf a nd f le w t o m y f in ge r.

" Lo ok m e u p l at er a nd l et m e k no w y ou r e xp er ie nc es ."

" I w as p lan ni ng t o, " cam e h is t iny voi ce . " I w ou ld n ot w is h t o a d d t o

your probable present paranoia."

" Kee p i t up, " I s ai d.

I c ro ss ed t he r oo m a nd e nt er ed t he d ra go n.

I e me rg ed in a small sit ti ng r oo m, o ne w in do w l oo ki ng o ut o ve r





m ou nt ai ns ; t he ot he r, a d es er t. T he re wa s n o o ne ab out , a nd I s te pp ed out

i nt o a l on g h al lw ay . Y es , j us t a s I r ec al le d.

I moved along it, passi ng a nu mber of ot her r ooms, t il l I cam e t o a

d oo r o n m y l ef t, w hi ch I o pe ne d t o d is co ve r a c ol le ct io n of m op s, b ro om s,

b uc ke ts , b ru sh es , a h ea p o f c le an in g c lo th s, a b as in . Y es , a s I r em em be re d.

I p oi nt ed t o t he s he lv es o n m y r ig ht .

" F in d t he b la ck s ta r, " I s ai d.

"You're serious?" came the small voice.

"G o a nd s ee ."

A s tr ea k o f l ig ht p ro ce ed ed f ro m m y i nd ex f in ge r, g re w d ist or te d a s it

n ea re d t he sh el ves , f ol de d itself into a l in e s o t hi n i t w as n o l ong er

present.

" G oo d l uc k, " I b re at he d, a nd t he n I t ur ne d a wa y.

I c lo se d t he d oo r, w on de ri ng wh et her I h ad d on e t he right thing,

consoling myself with the thought that he would have gone looking and

d ou bt le ss l oc at ed t he L o

g ru s e ve nt ua ll y, a ny wa y. W ha te ve r w as t o b e o n t hi s f ro nt , w ou ld b e .

A nd I was cur iou s as t o w hat he mi ght l ear n.

I t ur ne d a nd t o ok myself b ack u p t he ha ll way t o t he l it tl e si tt ing

r oom. I t might be my l ast opport uni ty at being al one f or a t ime, and I w as

d et er mi ne d t o t ak e a dva nt ag e o f i t. I s ea te d m ys el f o n a p il e o f c ush io ns

a nd w it hd re w m y T ru mp s. A q ui ck r un t hr ou gh t he d ec k t ur ne d u p t he o ne I h ad

h as ti ly s ke tc he d o f C or al o n t ha t r ec en t h ec ti c d ay b ac k i n A mb er . I s tu di ed

h er f ea tu re s t il l t he c ar d g re w c ol d.

Th e i ma ge b ec am e t hr ee -d im en si on al , a nd t he n s he s li pp ed a wa y a nd I s aw

m ys el f, w al ki ng t he s tr ee ts o f A mb er o n a b ri gh t a ft er no on , h ol di ng h er h an d





as I l ed her a rou nd a k not o f me rch an ts. T he n we w er e des cen di ng t he f ac e of

K ol vi r, s ea b ri gh t b ef or e u s, g ul ls p as si ng . T he n b ac k i n t he c af e, t ab le

flying against the wall....

I c ov er ed the c ar d with m y ha nd . Sh e w as a sl ee p, dr ea mi ng. O dd, t o

e nt er a no t he r' s d r ea ms t ha t w ay . O dd er , t o find myself t he re -u nl es s, o f

c o ur s e, t he t ou ch o f m y m in d h ad p ro mp te d u nc on sc io us r em in is ce nc e. . . .

O ne o f l if e' s s ma ll er p uz zl es . N o n ee d t o a wa ke n t he p oo r l ad y, j us t t o a sk

her how she w as f eel ing. I su pposed I coul d call Luke and ask hi m how she

w as d oi ng . I b eg an s ea rc hi ng f or h is c ar d, t he n h es it at ed . H e m us t b e p re tt y

busy , hi s f ir st f ew day s o n t he j ob as mo nar ch . And I al rea dy knew she w as

r es ti ng . A s I t oy ed w it h L uk e' s c ar d, t ho ug h, f in al ly p us hi ng i t a si de , t he

o ne b en ea th i t w as r ev ea le d.

G ray an d s il ver an d b lac k. . . . H is f ac e w as an ol de r, so mew ha t h ar de r

ve rs io n o f m y o wn . C or wi n, m y f at he r, l oo ke d b ac k a t m e. H ow m an y t im es h ad

I s wea te d ov er t ha t c ar d, t ry in g t o r eac h h im, t il l m y m in d t ie d i ts el f i nt o

aching k no ts , w it h n o r es ul t? T he o th er s h ad t ol d m e t ha t i t c ou ld m ea n h e

w as d ea d, o r t ha t h e w as b lo ck in g t he c on ta ct . A nd t he n a f un ny f ee li ng c am e

ov er m e. I r ec al le d h is o wn s to ry , i n p ar ti cu la r w he n h e' d s po ke n of t he

t im es t he y h ad t ri ed t o r ea ch B ra nd t hr ou gh h is T ru mp , b ei ng a t f ir st u na bl e

to b ec au se he h ad b ee n i mpr isoned in suc h a di st ant s ha do w. T he n I

r em em be re d h is o wn a tt em pt s t o r ea ch through t o t he C ou rt s, a nd t he

difficulty imposed by the great distance. Supposing that, rather than being

d ea d o r b lo ck in g m e, h e w as g re at ly r em ov ed f ro m t he p la ce s I h ad b ee n when

I h ad m ad e t he e ff or ts ?

But t hen , w ho w as i t h ad c om e t o m y a id t ha t ni gh t i n S ha do w, b ea ri ng





m e t o t ha t p ec ul i ar p la ce b et we en s ha do ws a nd t he b iz ar re a dv en tu re s t ha t

b ef el l m e t he re ?' A nd t hou gh I w as t ot al ly u nce rt ai n a s t o t he n at ur e o f h is

a pp ea ra nc e t o me in t he C or ri do r of M ir ro rs , I h ad l at er e nc ou nt er ed

i nd ic at io ns o f h is p re se nc e i n A mb er C as tl e i ts el f. I f h e' d b ee n i n an y o f

t ho se p la ce s, it w oul d s ee m h e h ad n' t r ea ll y b ee n t oo f ar o ff . A nd t ha t

w ou ld m ea n h e' d s im pl y b ee n b lo ck in g m e, a nd a no th er a tt em pt t o r ea ch him

w ou ld p ro ba bl y p ro ve e qu al ly f ru it le ss . S ti ll , w ha t i f t he re w er e s om e o th er

e xp la na ti on f or a ll t he se o cc ur re nc es a nd . . .

The c ar d s ee med t o gr ow col d be neat h my t ouch. W as it just my

i ma gi na ti on , o r w as t he s tr en gt h o f m y r eg ar d b eg in ni ng t o a ct iv at e i t? I

m ov ed f or wa rd i n m y m in d, f oc us in g. I t s ee me d t o g ro w e ve n c ol de r a s I d id

so.

"Dad?" I said. "Corwin?"

Colder still, and a tingling feeling in my fingertips that touched it.

I t s ee me d t he beginning o f a T ru mp c on ta ct . I t c ou ld b e t ha t h e w as m uc h

n ear er t o t he C ou rt s t ha n t o A mb er , w it hi n a m or e r eac ha bl e r ang e no w. . . .

"Corwin," I repeated. "It's me, Merlin. Hello."

H is i ma ge s hi ft ed , s ee me d t o m ov e. A nd t he n t he c a rd w en t t ot al ly

black.

Y et , i t r em ai ne d c ol d, a nd a s en sa ti on l ik e a s il en t v er si on o f c on ta ct

w a s p re se nt , l ik e a t el ep ho ne c on ne ct io n d ur in g a l on g p au se .

" D ad ? A re y ou t he re ?"

The b la ck nes s o f t he c ar d t oo k on t he a spe ct of de pt h. An d de ep w it hi n

it, something seemed to be stirring.

" Me rl in? " Th e w or d w as f ai nt , ye t I w as ce rt ai n i t

was his voice, speaking my name. "Merlin?"





The movement within the depth was real. Something was rushing toward

me.

It e ru pt ed f ro m t he c ar d i nt o m y f ac e, w it h a b ea ti ng o f bl ac k w in gs ,

c aw in g, c ro w o r r av en , b la ck , b la ck . " Fo rb id de n! " i t c ri ed . " Fo rb id de n! G o

back! Withdraw!"

I t f la pp ed a bo ut m y h ea d a s t he c ar ds s pi ll ed f ro m m y h an d.

"Stay away!" it screeched, circling the room. "Forbidden place!"

I t pa ss ed o ut t he d oor way an d I p ur su ed i t. I t se em ed t o ha ve v an is hed ,

t hou gh , i n t he m om en ts i t w as l ost t o m y s igh t.

" Bi rd !" I c ri ed . " Co me b ac k! "

But t he re w as n o r ep ly , n o f ur th er s ou nd s o f b ea ti ng w in gs . I p ee re d

i nt o t he ot her r ooms and t her e was no si gn of t he cr eat ur e i n any of t hem .

" B i r d . . . ? "

"Merlin! What's the matter?"-this from high overhead.

I l oo ke d u p t o b eh ol d Suhuy, d es ce nd ing a c rys ta l st ai r b ehi nd a

qu ive ri ng v ei l o f l ig ht , a s ky f ul l o f st ar s a t hi s bac k.

"J us t l oo ki ng f or a b ir d, " I r ep li ed .

"Oh," he said, reaching the landing and stepping through the veil which

t he n s ho ok it sel f o ut of e xi st en ce , t ak in g t he s ta ir a lo ng w it h i t. " An y

particular bird?"

" A b ig b la ck o ne ," I s ai d. " Of t he t al ki ng s or t. " H e s ho ok h is h ea d.

" I ca n s end f or on e," he sai d.

" Th is w as a s pe ci al b ir d, " I s ai d.

" So rr y y ou l os t i t. "

We w al ked ou t i nt o t he ha ll way and I t ur ne d l ef t a nd he ade d back t o t he





sitting room.

"Trumps all over the place," my uncle remarked.

" I was att em pt ing t o use o ne and i t went bl ack an d t he bi rd f lew out of

i t, s ho ut in g, ` Fo rb id de n' ! I d ro pp ed t he m a t t ha t p oi nt ."

" So un ds a s i f y ou r c or re sp on de nt i s a p ra ct ic al j ok er ," h e s ai d, "or

under a spell."

We kne lt an d h e h el ped m e t o gat her t hem.

"The l at te r s ee ms m or e l ik el y, " I s ai d. " It w as m y f at he r' s c ar d, I 'v e

bee n t ry ing t o l oc at e hi m f or a l on g' w hi le n ow , a nd t hi s w as t he c lo se st

I ' ve c om e. I a ct ua ll y h ea rd h is v oi ce , w it hi n t he b la ck ou t, b ef or e t he b ir d

i nt er ru pt ed a nd c ut u s o ff ."

" So un ds a s i f h e i s c on fi ne d t o a d ar k p la ce , p er ha ps m ag ic al ly g ua rd ed

as well."

" Of co ur se! " I sai d, squar ing up t he edges of m y deck and r ecasi ng i t.

O ne c an not s hi ft t he st uf f o f S ha do w i n a p la ce o f a bs ol ut e d ar kn es s.

I t is as e ff ec ti ve a s b li nd ne ss i n s to pp in g o ne o f o ur b lo od f ro m es ca pi ng

confinement. It added an element of rationality to my recent experience.

S om eo ne w ant ing C or wi n o ut o f c om mi ss io n w ou ld h av e t o k ee p h im i n a v er y

d ar k p l ac e .

" Di d y ou e ve r m ee t m y f at he r? " I a sk ed .

"N o, " S uh uy r ep li ed . "I u nd er st an d t ha t h e d id visit t he C ou r ts

b ri ef ly , a t t he e nd o f t he w ar . B ut I n ev er h ad t he p le as ur e. "

"Did you hear anything of his doings here?"

"I believe he attended a meeting with Swayvill and his counselors,

a lo ng w it h R an do m a nd t he o th er A mb er it es , p re li mi na ry t o t he p ea ce t r ea ty .

A ft er t ha t, I u nd er st an d h e w en t h is o wn w ay s, a nd I n ev er h ea rd w he re t he y





might have led him."

" I' d h ea rd a s m uc h i n A mb er ," I s ai d. " I w on de r. . . H e' d killed a

n ob l e- a L or d B or el - ne ar t he e nd o f t he f in al b at tl e. A ny c ha nc e B or el 's

relatives might have gone after him?"

He c li ck ed h is f an gs t wi ce , t he n p ur se d h is l ip s.

"T he H ou se o f H en dr ak e . , . " h e m us ed . " I t hi nk n ot . Y ou r gr an dm ot he r

was Hend rake. . . . "

"I know," I sai d. "But I di dn' t have m uch t o do wi th t hem. Some

d is ag re em en t w it h H el gr am . . . ," " He nd ra ke W ay s is v er y much of t he

military sort,"

h e w en t o n. " Gl or y o f b at tl e. M ar ti al h on or , y ou k no w.

I c an 't s ee them a s holding a p ea ce ti me gr udg e f or a war time

happening."

R ec al li ng m y f at he r' s s to ry , I s ai d, "Even if t hey c on si de re d t he

killing less than honorable?"

"I d on 't kn ow ," he s ai d t o t ha t. " It 's h ar d t o g ue ss a tt it ud es o n

specific questions."

" Wh o i s h ea d o f t he H ou se o f H en dr a ke n ow ?" "The D uc he ss B el is sa

Minobee."

" Th e d uk e, h er h us ba nd -L ar su s. . . . W ha t h ap pe ne d t o h im ?"

" He d ie d a t P at te rn fa ll . I b el ie ve P ri nc e J ul ia n o f A mb er s le w h im ."

" An d B or el w as t he ir s on ?" " Ye s. "

" Ou ch . T wo o f t he m. I d id n' t r ea li ze ."

" Bo re l h ad t wo b ro th er s, a h al f b ro th er a nd a h al f s is te r, m an y u nc le s,

a un ts , c ous in s. Y es , i t' s a b ig H ou se . A nd t he w om en o f H en dr ak e a re a s





d ou gh ty a s t he m en ."

" Ye s, o f c ou rse . T he re a re so ng s, s uc h a s ` Nev er W ed a H en dr ak e L as s. '

An y w ay o f f in di ng o ut w he th er C or wi n h ad a ny d oi ng s w it h H en dr ak e w hi le h e

was here?"

" On e c ou ld a sk a bo ut a b it , t ho ug h i t' s b ee n a long while. M em or ie s

f ad e, t ra il s g ro w c ol d. N ot e as y. "


"How long till bluesky?" I asked him.

"Fairly soon," he said.

" I' d b et te r b e h ea di ng f or M an do rw ay s t he n. I p ro mi se d m y b ro th er I 'd

breakfast with him."

" I' ll s ee y ou l at er ," h e s ai d. " At t he f un er al , i f n ot b ef or e. "

" Ye s, " I s ai d. " I g ue ss I 'd b et te r c le an u p a nd c ha ng e c lo th es ."

I h ead ed ba ck t hr oug h t he w ay t o m y r oo m, wh er e I sum mon ed a basin of

w a te r , s o a p, t oo th br us h, r az or ; a ls o, g ra y t r ou se r s, b la ck b oo ts a nd b el t ,

p ur pl e s hi rt a nd g lo ve s, c ha rc oa l c lo ak , f r es h b la de a nd s c ab b ar d . W he n I

h ad m ad e myself p re se nt ab le , I t oo k a w ay t hr ou gh a f or es te d g la de t o t he

r ec ei vi ng r oo m. F ro m t he re , I e xi te d o nt o a t hr uwa y. A q ua rt er mile of

mo un tai n t ra il l at er , endi ng a br up tl y a t a c ha sm , I s um mo ne d a f il my a nd

c ro ss ed u po n i t. T he n I b or e r ig ht t o M an do rw ay s, traveling a blue b ea ch

b en ea th a d ou bl e s un f or p er ha ps a h un dr ed y ar ds . I t ur ne d r ig ht , p as si ng

t hr ou gh a r em em be re d a rc hw ay o f s to ne , m ov in g b ri ef ly p as t a b ubbl ing l av a

f ie ld a nd t hr ou gh a b la ck o bs id ia n w al l, w hi ch t oo k m e t o a p le as an t c av er n,

o ve r a s ma ll b ri dg e, t hr ou gh a c or ne r o f a g ra ve ya rd , a f ew s te ps a lo ng t he

R im a nd i nt o t he r ec ei vi ng ar ea o f h is W ay s.

T he e nt ir e w al l t o m y l ef t w as c om po se d of sl ow flame; t ha t t o my





right, a non-returnable way, save for light, giving sight of some sea-bottom

t re nc h w he re br igh t things m ov ed a bo ut a nd a te o ne a no t he r. M an do r w as

s ea te d h um an fo rm ed b ef or e a b o ok c as e d ir ec tl y a he a d, w ea ri ng b la ck a nd

whi te, f eet p ro pp ed on a b la ck o tt om an , a c op y o f R ob er t H as s' s P rai se ,

w hi ch I h ad g iv en h im , i n h is h an d.

He s mi led a s he l ook ed u p.

" ` De at h' s h ou nd s f ea re d m e, ' " h e s ai d. " Ni ce l in e, t ha t. H ow a re you

this cycle?"

"Rested, finally," I said. "Yourself?"

H e p la ce d t he b oo k u po n a s ma ll , l eg le ss t ab le t ha t f lo at ed n ea r j us t

t he n, a nd r os e t o h is f ee t. T he f ac t t ha t h e h ad o bv io us ly b ee n r eadi ng it

b ec au se I w as c om in g i n n o w ay d et ra ct ed f ro m t he c om pl im en t. H e ha d a lw ay s

b e en t ha t w ay .

" Qu it e w el l, t ha nk y ou ," h e r ep li ed . " Co me , l et m e f ee d y ou ."

He to ok m y ar m an d st eer ed me t owar d t he wal l of f ir e. I t f el l aw ay a s

w e d re w n ea r a nd o ur f oo ts te ps s ou nd ed i n a p la ce o f m om en ta ry d ar kn es s,

succeeded almost immediately by a small lane, sunlight filtered through

a rc hi ng b ra nc he s o ve rh ea d, v io le ts b lo om in g a t e it he r h an d. T he l an e t oo k u s

t o a f la gg ed p at io , a g re en a nd w hi te g az eb o a t i ts f ar th er e nd . W e m ou nt ed

a f ew s ta ir s t o a w el l- se t t ab le within, f ro st ed p it ch er s of j uice a nd

b as ke ts o f w ar m r ol ls n ea r a t h an d. H e g es tu re d a nd I s ea te d m ys el f. A t h is

g es tu re a c ar af e o f c of f ee a pp ea re d b es id e m y s et t in g.

" I s ee y ou r ec al l m y m or ni ng p re de li ct io n, " I s ai d, "from t he S ha do w

Earth. Thank you."

H e smi led faintly a s h e n o dd e d, s ea ti ng himself a cr os s f ro m m e.





B ir ds on gs I c ou ld n ot i de nt if y s ou nd ed f rom t he t r ee s . A g en tl e b re ez e

c a us ed l ea ve s t o r us tl e.

"What a re you up t o these days?" I asked him as I poured a cup of

c of fe e a nd b ro ke a r ol l.

"Observing the scene, mainly," he replied.

"Political scene?"

" As a lw ay s. T ho ug h m y r ec en t e xp er ie nc e i n A mb er h as l ed m e t o r eg ar d

i t a s p ar t o f a n e ve n l ar ge r p ic tu re ."

I n od de d.

"And your investigations with Fiona?"

" Th os e, t oo ," h e a ns we re d. " Th es e a re s ha pi ng u p i nt o v er y u nu su al

times."

"I've noticed."

"It seems almost as if the Pattern-Logrus conflict were making itself

m an if es t i n m un da ne a ff ai rs , a s w el l a s o n t he c os mi c s ca le ."

"I f eel t hat w ay, t oo. But t hen I 'm p rej udi ced. I g ot caug ht up i n t he

co sm ic p ar t e ar ly , a nd w it ho ut a s co re ca rd . I 'v e b ee n r un a ll o ve r t he p la ce

a nd m an ip ul at ed e ve ry w hi ch w ay r ec en tl y- to t he p oi nt w he re all o f my

af fai rs seem ed par t of th eir bi gger pi ct ur e. I don' t l ike it a bi t, and i f I

had s om e w ay t o m ak e t he m ba ck o ff I 'd u se i t. "

"Hm," he s ai d. "And w ha t if y our whole life w er e a s tud y in

manipulation?"

" I w ou ld n' t f ee l g oo d a bo ut i t, " I s ai d. " I g ue ss I 'd f ee l j us t t he w ay

I d o n ow , o nl y p er ha ps m or e i nt en se ly ."

H e g es tu re d a nd a n a ma zi ng o me le t a pp ea re d b ef or e m e, f ol lo we d, m om en ts

l at er , b y a s id e d is h o f f ri ed p ot at oe s, m ix ed with w hat a pp ea re d t o b e





green chilies and onions.

" Al l o f t hi s i s h yp ot he ti ca l, " I s ai d a s I b eg an e at in g, " is n' t i t? "

T he re f ol lo we d a l ong p au se a s h e t oo k h is f ir st m ou th fu l, t he n, " I

t h in k n ot ," h e s ai d.

" I t hi nk t he P ow er s h av e b ee n m ov in g m ad ly f or a l on g while n ow ," h e

went on, "and we're finally nearing endgame."

" Wh at m ak es y ou p ri vy t o t he se m at te rs ?"

"I t b eg an wi th a c ar ef ul c on si de ra ti on o f e ve nt s, " h e s ai d. " Th en

followed the formulation and testing of hypotheses."

" Sp ar e m e a l ec tu re o n t he u se o f t he s ci en ti fi c m et ho d i n t he ol og y an d

human politics," I said.

"You asked."

"True. Go ahead."

" Do y ou n ot f ee l i t s om ew ha t o dd t ha t S wa yv il l e xp ir ed j us t w hen h e

did, when so many things are coming to fruition simultaneously, after having

h un g o n f or s o l on g? "

"He h ad t o g o s om et im e, " I s ai d, " an d a ll t he r ec en t s tr es se s p ro ba bl y

proved too much."

"Timing," Mandor said. "Strategic placement. Timing."

"For what?"

" To p la ce y ou o n t he t hr on e o f C ha os , o f c ou rs e, " h e r ep li ed .

IV

S om et im es y ou h ea r a n u nl ik el y t hi ng a nd t ha t' s a ll i t i s. O th er t im es ,





y ou h ea r s om et hi ng i mp ro ba bl e a nd i t s tr ik es a n e ch o. T he re i s a n i mm ed iat e

f eel ing o f h av in g k no wn i t, o r k no wn s om et hi ng v er y l ik e i t, a ll a lo ng , a nd

j u st n ot h av in g b ot he red t o p ick i t u p an d e xa mi ne i t. B y r ig ht s, I shoul d

h av e c ho k ed a t M a nd o r' s p ro no un ce me nt , t hen s no r te d s om et hi ng s uc h a s

"Preposterous!" Yet, I'd a peculiar feeling about this businesswhether his

c on cl us io n w as ri ght o r w ro ng -a s if t he re w er e som et hi ng m or e t ha n

É on je ct ur e i nv ol ve d, a s i f t he re j us t m ig ht b e s om e o ve ra ll p la n moving me

t ow ar d t he c ir cl e o f p ow er i n t he C ou rt s.

I t oo k a l on g, s lo w d ri nk of co ff ee . T he n, " Re al ly? " I s ai d.

I f el t m ys el f s mi li ng a s h e s ou gh t m y e ye s, s tu di ed m y f ac e.

"Are you consciously party to the effort?"

I r ai se d m y co ff ee c up a ga in . I h ad bee n a bo ut t o sa y,

" No , o f c ou rs e n ot . T hi s i s t he f ir st I 'v e h ea rd o f t he n ot io n. " T he n I

r ec al le d m y f at he r' s t el li ng m e h ow h e h ad d up ed A un t F lo ra i nt o g iv in g h im

v it al i nf or ma ti on h is a mn es ia h ad w as he d a wa y. I t w as n ot t he c le ve rn es s

wi th whi ch he had done i t t hat had im pr essed m e so much as t he f act t hat hi s

mistrust of relatives transcended consciousness, existed as a pure

existential reflex. Not having been through all the family rivalries Corwin

h a d, I l ac ke d r es po ns es of su ch i nt en si ty . A nd M an do r a nd I h ad a lw ay s

g ot te n a lo ng p ar ti cu la rl y w el l, e ve n t ho ug h h e w as a f ew c en tu ri es o ld er a nd

h ad v er y d if fe re nt t as te s i n s om e a re as . B ut , s ud de nl y, di sc uss in g s uc h a

h ig h- st ak es m at ter a s w e w er e, t ha t s ma ll v oi ce C or wi n r ef er re d t o a s h is

w or se -i f- wi se r s el f s ug ge st ed , " Wh y n ot ? Y ou c ou ld u se t he p ra ct i ce , k id ,"

and as I l owered the cup again I decided to try it out, just t o see how i t

fe lt , f or a f ew m in ut es .

" I d on 't k no w w he th er w e b ot h h av e t he s am e t hi ng in mind," I s ai d.





" Wh y d on 't y ou t el l m e a bo ut t he m id dl e g am e- or p er ha ps e ve n t he o pe ni ng -f or

what you see rushing to conclusion now."

" Bot h t he P at t er n a nd t he L og ru s a re s en ti en t, " h e s ai d. " We 'v e b ot h

s ee n e vi de nc e o f t ha t. W he th er t he y a re m an if es ta ti on s o f t he U ni co rn a nd

t h e S er pe nt o r t he o th er w ay a ro un d m ak es n o r ea l d if fe re nc e. E it he r w ay , w e

are talking about a pair of greater-than-human intelligences with vast

p ow er s a t t he ir d is po sa l. W hi ch ev er c am e f ir st i s a ls o o ne o f t ho se u se le ss

theological points. We need only concern ourselves with the present

situation, as it affects us."

I n od de d.

"A fair assessment," I agreed.

" Th e f or ce s t he y r ep re se nt h av e b ee n o pp os ed b ut f ai rl y e ve nl y m at ch ed

f or a ge s, " h e w en t o n, " an d t hu s a k in d o f b al an ce h as b ee n m ai nt ai ne d. T he y

have constantly sought small victories over each other, each attempting to

add to it s own domain at the expense of the other . It ap pea rs t o b e a

ze ro -s um g am e. B ot h O be ro n a nd S wa yv il l w er e t he ir a ge nt s f or a l on g w hi le ,

with Dworkin and Suhuy as their intermediaries with the powers themselves."

"So?" I said as he took a si p of juice.

" I b el ie ve t ha t D wo rk in h ad t ou ch ed t he P at t er n t o o cl ose ly, " h e

continued, "and so became subject to ma-, nipulation. He was sufficiently

sophisticated, however, that he realized this and resisted. This resulted in

h is m ad ne ss , w it h a r ec ip ro ca l d am ag in g e ff ec t o n t he P at te m i ts el f b ec au se

o f t hei r c lo se c on ne ct io n. T hi s, i n t ur n, c au se d t he P at te rn t o l ea ve h im

a lo ne , r at he r t ha n r is k f ur th er t ra um a. T he d am ag e w as d on e, t ho ug h, a nd t he

L og ru s ga in ed a s mal l ed ge . T hi s al low ed i t t o ac t i n t he real m of o rd er





when Prince Brand began his experiments to increase his personal abilities.

I b el ie ve h e l ai d h im se lf o pe n t o c on tr ol a nd b ec am e a n u nw it ti ng a ge nt o f

the Logrus."

" Th at 's a l ot o f s up po si ti on ," I s ai d.

" Co ns id er ," h e r e sp o nd e d, " th at h is a im s s ee mi ng ly b ec am e t ho se o f a

m ad ma n. T he y m ak e m uc h m or e s en se w he n s ee n a s t he g oa l o f s om et hi ng w an ti ng

t o d es tr oy a ll o rd er , t o r es to re t he u ni ve rs e t o c ha os ."

"Continue," I said.

"At s om e p oi nt , t he P at t er n d i sc o ve r ed - or p er h ap s p o ss e ss e d all

along-the ability to create `ghosts,' shortlived simulacra of those who had

ne go ti at ed i t. · F as ci na ti ng c on ce pt , t ha t. I w as v er y i nt er es te d t o l ea rn o f

i t. I t p ro vi de d a m aj or m ec ha ni sm , s up po rt in g m y t he si s o f t he P at te rn 's a nd

possibly the Logrus's, direct action in the promotion of physical events.

M ig ht t he y h av e f ig ut ed i n t he s et ti ng u p o f y ou r f at he r a s t he P at te rn 's

champion against Brand? I wonder."

" I d on 't f ol lo w, " I s ai d. " Se tt in g h im u p, y ou s ay ?"

" I' ve a f ee li ng h e w as r ea ll y t he P at te rn 's c ho ice a s t he n ex t K ing of

A mb er , e as y t o p ro mo te , t oo , a s i t s ee me d t o c oi nc id e w it h h is o wn w is he s.

I 'v e w on de re d a bo ut h is s ud de n r ec ov er y i n t ha t S ha do w E ar th cl ini c, a nd

particularly about the circumstances surrounding the accident that put him

t he re , w he n e ve n w it h d if fe ri ng t im e s tr ea ms i t s ee me d p os si bl e t ha t B ra nd

might h ave h ad t o b e i n t wo p la ce s a t t he s am e t im e- im pr is on ed a nd l oo ki ng

d o wn t he s ig ht s o f a r if le . O f c ou rs e, B ra nd is no longer avai labl e t o

clarify the matter."

"More supposition," I said, finishing my omelet. "But not

uninteresting. Please continue."





" You r f at he r h ad s ec on d t ho ug ht s a bo ut t he t hr on e, h ow ev er . S ti ll , h e

w as A mb er 's c ha mp io n. A mb er d id w in t he w ar .T he P at te rn w as r ep ai r ed . T he

b al an ce w as r es to re d. Ra nd om w as t he s ec on d c hoi ce a s m on ar ch a g oo d

m ai nt ai ne r o f t he s ta tu s q uo -a nd t ha t c ho ic e w as m ad e b y t he U ni co rn , n ot b y

the Amberites following any of their versions of the Rules of Succession."

"I never l ooked at it all t hat way," I said .

"And your father-inadvertently, I believe-provided a bonus. Afraid that

t he P at te rn h ad n ot b ee n r ep ai re d, he d re w a no th er . O nl y, it h ad b ee n

r e pa i re d. T hu s, t he re w er e t wo a rt if ac ts o f o rd er , r at he r t ha n o ne . T ho ug h,

a s a s ep ar at e e nt it y; i t p ro ba bl y d id n ot a dd t o t he P at te rn 's s tr en gt h, it

a dd ed t o o r de r, a s s uch , d imi ni sh ing t he ef fe ct s o f t he Lo gr us. S o you r

f at he r s et t he b al an ce r ig ht , t he n p ro ce ed ed t o t ip i t again- in t he o th er

direction."

"This is your conclusion from the investigations you and Fiona made of

the new Pattern?"

He no dd ed s lo wl y, t ook a si p of j ui ce .

" He nc e, m or e S ha do w s to rm s t ha n u su al , a s a m un da ne e ff ec t, " h e s ai d,

"br inging u s u p t o p re se nt t im es ." " Ye s, p re se nt t im es ," I s ai d, p ou ri ng

more coffee.

"We've noted they've grown interesting."

" In de ed . Y ou r s to ry o f t he g ir l C or al , a sk in g t he P at te rn t o s en d h er

t o a n a pp ro pr ia te p la ce , i s a c as e i n p oi nt . W ha t d id i t i mm ed ia te ly d o? I t

s ent her t o a Sh adow Pa tt er n and t ur ned ou t t he l ig ht s. Th en i t sen t yo u t o

r es cu e h er , repair ing t ha t e di ti on o f i ts el f i n t he p ro ce ss . O nc e i t w as

r ep ai re d i t w as n o l on ge r a S ha do w P at te rn , b ut a no th er ver si on of itself





t hat i t w as t he n a bl e t o a bs or b. I t p ro ba bl y a bs or be d t ha t e nt ir e sh ad ow a s

w el l, a dd in g c on si de ra bl y t o i ts o wn e ne rg ie s. I t s e dg e o ve r t he L og ru s

i nc re as ed e ve n m or e. T he L og ru s w ou ld n ee d a b ig g ai n t o r es to re t he b al an ce

a ft er t ha t. S o it r i sk ed a n i nc ur si on i nt o t he P at te rn 's d om ai n, i n a

de sp er at e e ff or t t o o bt ai n t he E ye o f C ha os . T hat e nd ed in a s ta le ma te ,

though, because of the intervention of that bizarre entity you call

G ho st wh ee l. S o t he b al an ce r em ai ns t i pp ed in t he P at t er n 's f av or , a n

unhealthy state of affairs."

"For the Logrus."

" Fo r e ve ry bo dy , I ' d s ay . T he P ow er s w il l b e a t o dd s, t he s ha do ws i n

turmoil and disorder in both realms till things have been righted."

" So s om et hi ng sh ou ld b e d on e t o b en ef it t he L og ru s .

"You already know that."

" I su ppo se I do ."

"It communicated with you directly, didn't it?"

I r eca ll ed m y n ig ht i n t he c ha pe l i n t he p la ce b et we en s ha do ws, w he re I

h ad b ee n f ac ed w it h a c ho ic e b et we en t he S er pe nt a nd t he U ni co rn , t he L og ru s

a nd t he P at te rn . R es en ti ng t he b ul ly in g i n s uc h a f or ce d f or ma t, I h ad

r e f us ed t o c ho os e e it he r.

" Ye s, i t d id ," I a ns we re d.

" I t w an te d y ou f or i ts c ha mp io n, d id n' t i t? "

" I s up po se i t d id ," I s ai d.

" A n d . . . ? "

". . . And her e we ar e," I repl ied.

"Did it indicate anything that might support my thesis?"

I thought about that trek through the Undershadow, mixing menace with





g ho st s- Pa tt er n, L og ru s, o r b ot h. " I s up po se i t d id ," I r ep ea te d.

B ut , u lt im at el y, i t h ad b in t he P at te rn I h ad s er ve d a t t he e nd o f t ha t

journey, albeit unwittingly.

" Yo u a re p re pa re d t o e xe cu te i ts d es ig n f or t he g oo d o f t he C ou rt s? "

" I' m p re pa re d t o s ee k r es ol ut io n o f t hi s m at t er , F or e ve ry bo dy 's p e ac e

of mind."

He smiled.

"Is that a qualification or an agreement?"

" It 's a s ta te me nt o f i nt en t, " I s ai d.

" If t he L og ru s h as c ho se n y ou , i t h as i ts r ea so ns ."

"I daresay."

"I t a lm os t g oe s w it ho ut sayi ng t ha t h av in g y ou o n t he t hr on e w ou ld

strengthen the House of Sawall immensely."

" Th e t ho ug ht h ad o cc ur re d t o m e, n ow y ou m en ti on i t.

" Fo r o ne w it h y ou r b ac kg ro un d, o f c ou rs e, i t w ou ld b ec om e n ec es sa ry t o

determine where your ultimate loyalty lies-with Amber or with the Courts."

" Do y ou f or es ee a no th er w ar ?"

" No , o f c ou rs e n ot . B ut a ny th in g y ou d o t o s tr en gt he n t he L og ru s w il l

a ro us e t he P at te rn a nd p ro vo ke s om e r es po ns e f ro m A mb er . H ar dl y t o t he p oi nt

of w ar , b ut p os si bl y t o t ha t o f r et al ia ti on ."

" Co ul d yo u b e m or e s pec if ic a s t o w hat y ou h av e i n m ind ?"

"I'm only dealing in generalities at the moment, to give you

opportunity to assess your reactions."

I n od de d.

"Since we're talking generalities I'll just repeat my statement: I'm





p r ep ar e d t o s ee k a r e so lu t io n- "

" Al l r ig ht ," h e s ai d. " We u nd er st an d e ac h o th er t o t hi s e xt en t. I n t he

eve nt you make it t o t he t hr one, you w ant t he sam e t hi ng we do- "

" ` We '? " I i nt er ru pt ed .

"The H ou se o f S aw al l, o f c ou rs e. - Bu t y ou d on 't w an t a ny on e d ic ta ti ng

specifics to you."

"That says it nicely," I replied.

" Bu t o f c ou rs e w e' re s pe ak in g h yp ot he ti ca ll y, t he re b ei ng a c ou pl e o f

others about with stronger claims."

"So why argue contingencies?"

" If t he H ou se w er e a bl e t o s ee y ou c ro wn ed , h ow ev er , d o y ou a ck no wl ed ge

you would owe consideration for this?"

"B rot her ," I s ai d, "you a re t he H ou se , f or a ll m aj or p ur po se s. I f

y ou 'r e a sk in g f or a c om mi tm en t b ef or e t ak in g o ut T me r a nd T ub bl e, f or ge t i t,

I' m n ot al l t hat eag er t o si t on a t hr one. "

" Yo ur w is he s a re n ot p ar am ou nt i n t hi s, " h e s ai d. " Th er e i s n o r ea so n

f or s qu ea mi sh ne ss w he n y ou c on si de r t ha t w e' ve l on g b ee n a t o dd s w it h J es by ,

and Chanicut's always been a troublemaker."

" Sq ue am is hn es s h as nothi ng t o d o w it h i t, " I s ai d. " I n ev er s ai d I

w an te d t he t hr on e. A nd , f ran kl y, I t hi nk e it he r T me r o r T ub bl e w ou ld

p ro ba bl y d o a b et te r j ob ."

" Th ey a re n ot d es ig na te s o f t he L og ru s. "

" An d i f I am , I s hou ld m ak e i t wi tho ut an y he lp. "

" Br ot he r, t he re i s a b ig g ap b et we en i ts w or ld o f p ri nc ip le s a nd o ur s

o f f le sh , s to ne , a nd s te el ."

" An d s up po si ng I h av e m y o wn ag en da a nd i t d oe s n ot i nc lud e y our p lan ?"





"What is it, then?"

"We're speaking hypothetically, remember?"

" Me rl in , y ou 'r e b ei ng o bs ti na te . Y ou 'v e a d ut y i n t hi s, t o t he H ou se a s

w el l a s t o t he C ou rt s a nd t he L og ru s. "

" I c an a ss es s m y o wn d ut ie s, M an do r, a nd I h av es o f ar ."

" If y ou 'v e a p la n t o s et t hi ng s r ig ht , a nd i t' s a g oo d o ne , w e' ll hel p

y ou t o e ff ec tu at e i t. W ha t h av e y ou i n m in d? "

"I d o n ot r eq ui re h el p a t t hi s p oi nt ," I s ai d, " bu t I 'l l r em em be r

that."

" Wh at d o y ou r eq ui re r ig ht n ow ?"

"Information," I said.

"A sk me. I have a l ot ."

" Al l r ig ht . W ha t c an y ou t el l m e a bo ut m y m ot he r' s m at er na l s id e, t he

House of Hendrake?"

He p ur se d h is l ip s.

"They're into soldiering, professionally," he said.

"Y ou k no w t he y' re a lw ay s o ff f ig ht in g i n S ha do w w ar s. T he y l ov e i t.

B el is sa M in ob ee 's b ee n i n c ha rg e s in ce G en er al L ar su s' s d ea th . Hm." H e

p a us e d. T he n, " Do y ou a sk b ec au se o f t he ir r at he r o dd f ix at io n i nv ol vi ng

Amber?"

"A mb er ?" I s ai d. " Wh at d o y ou m ea n? "

" I r ec al l a s oc ia l v is it t o t he W ay s o f H en dr ak e o ne time," h e s ai d,

" whe n I w an de re d i nt o a sm al l, ch ap el li ke r oo m. I n a ni ch e i n o ne w al l t he re

hung a p or tr ai t o f G en er al B en ed ic t, i n f ul l b at tl e r eg al ia . T he re w as a n

a lt ar li ke s he lf b el ow i t b ea ri ng s ev er al w ea po ns , a nd u po n w hi ch a n um be r o f





informal audience."

"Y ou know, t hat may be t he w ay t o go," I t ol d hi m.

" Pr ob ab ly t he o nl y w ay . Y es , d o t ha t, p le as e. "

"Very well."

H e c le ar ed t he t ab le w it h a g es tu re , f il le d i t w it h a no th er . T hi s t im e,

p ap er -t hi n c r ep e s wit h a v ar ie ty o f f il li ng s a nd t op pi ng s a pp ea re d b ef or e

us ; a nd f re sh r ol ls, va ri ou sl y s pi ce d. W e a te f or a time in si len ce,

a pp re ci at i ng t he b al mi ne ss a nd t he b ir ds , t he b re ez es .

"I wi sh I c ou ld h av e s ee n s om et hi ng o f A mb er ," h e s ai d a t l en gt h,

"under less restricted circumstances."

" I' m s ur e t ha t c an b e a rr an ge d, " I r ep li ed . " I' d l ik e

t o s ho w y ou a ro un d. I k no w a g re at r es ta ur an t i n D ea th A ll ey ."

"That wouldn't be Bloody Eddies, would it?"

"It would, though the name gets changed periodically."

" I' ve h ea rd o f i t, a nd l on g b ee n c ur io us ."

" We 'l l d o t ha t o ne d ay ."

"Excellent."

H e c la pp ed h is h an ds a nd b ow ls o f fruit a pp ea r ed . I ' ` f re sh en ed my

c of fe e a nd s wi rl ed a K ad ot a f ig i n a b ow l o f w hi pp ed c re am .

" I' ll b e d in in g w it h m y m ot he r l at er ," I r em ar ke d.

"Yes. I overheard."

" Ha ve y ou s ee n m uc h o f h er r ec en tl y? H ow 's s he . r b ee n? "

"As she said, rather reclusive," he replied.





" Do y ou t hi nk s he 's u p t o s om et hi ng ?"

" Pr ob ab ly ," h e s ai d. " I c an 't r ec al l a t im e w he n s he h as n' t b ee n. "

"Any idea what?"

"Why should I guess when she'll probably tell you outright?"

"You really think she will?"

"Y ou h av e a n a dv an ta ge o ve r e ve ry on e e ls e, i n b ei ng h er s on ."

" Al so a d ra wb ac k, f or t he s am e r ea so n. "

"Sti ll, s he ' s m or e likely t o t el l y ou t hi ng s t ha n s he w ou ld a ny on e

else."

" E xc ep t, p er ha ps , J ur t. " " Wh y d o y ou s ay t ha t? "

"She always liked him better."

" F un ny , I 'v e h ea rd h im s ay t he s am e t hi ng a bo ut y ou ."

"You see him often?"

"Often? No."

" Wh en w as t he l as t t im e? "

"About two cycles ago."

"Where is he?"

" He re , i n t he C ou rt s. "

"A t S aw al l? " I h ad v is io ns o f h im j oi ni ng u s f or l un ch . I w ou ld n' t p ut

something like that past Dara either.

" On e of i ts b yw ay s, I t hi nk . H e 's r at he r r et ic en t c on ce rn in g h is

comings and goings-and stayings."

T he re b ei ng s om et hi ng l ik e e ig ht b yw ay r es id en ce s t o S aw al l t ha t I k ne w

o f, i t w ou ld b e d if fi cu lt t o r un h im d ow n t hr ou gh b yw ay s t ha t c ou ld l ea d

we ll i nt o S ha do w. N ot t hat I 'd an y d esi re t o, a t t he mo men t.

" Wh at b ri ng s h im h om e? " I a sk ed .





" The s am e t hi ng a s y ou rs el f, t he f un er al ," h e s ai d, " an d a ll t ha t g oe s

with it."

Al l t hat goes wi th i t, i ndeed! I f t her e were a genui ne pl ot t o put me

on the throne, I could never forget thatwilling or unwilling, successful or

u ns uc ce ss fu l- Ju rt w ou ld b e a s te p o r t wo b eh in d m e a ll t he w ay .

" I m ay ha ve t o k il l h im ," I sa id . " I do n' t w an t t o. B ut h e' s n ot g iv in g

me a w ho le l ot of c hoi ce. S oo ner o r l at er , he 's go ing t o f or ce us into a

po si ti on w he re i t h as t o b e on e or t he ot her ."

"W hy d o y ou t el l m e t hi s? "

" So y ou 'l l k no w h ow I f ee l ab ou t i t, a nd s o t hat y ou m ig ht u se w ha te ver

i nf lu en ce y ou m ay s ti ll h av e t o p er su ad e h im t o f in d a d if fe re nt h ob by ."


" J un m ov ed b ey on d m y i nf lu en ce a l on g t im e a go ," h e s ai d. " Da ra 's a bo ut

th e o nl y o ne h e' ll l is te n t ot ho ug h I s us pe ct h e' s s ti ll a fr ai d o f S uh uy . Y ou

m ig ht s pe ak t o h er c on ce rn in g t hi s m at te r, s oo n. "

" It 's t he o ne t hi ng n ei th er o f u s c an d is cu ss w it h h er -t he o th er ."

"Why not?"

" It 's j us t t he w ay i t i s. S he a lw ay s m is un de rs ta nd s. "

"I 'm c er ta in s he 's n ot g oi ng t o w an t h er s on s k il li ng e ac h o th er ."

" Of co ur se n ot , b ut I do n' t kn ow ho w t o p ut t he m at te r t o he r. "

"I su ggest y ou m ak e an e ff or t t o f in d a w ay . I n t he m ean ti me , I w oul d

c on tr iv e n ot t o b e a lo ne w it h J ur t s ho ul d y ou r p at hs c ro ss . A nd i f it w er e





m e, i n t he p re s- e nc e o f w it ne ss es , I w ou ld m ak e c er ta in t ha t t he f ir st b lo w

was not mine."

" W el l t ak en , M an do r, " I s ai d.

W e s at f or a t im e i n s il en ce . T he n, " Yo u w il l t hi nk a bo ut m y p ro po sa l, "

h e s ai d.

"A s I u nd er st an d i t, " I r ep li ed .

He frowned.

" If y ou h av e a ny q ue st io ns. . . . "

"No. I'll be thinking."

He r ose . I go t t o m y f eet , a ls o. W it h a ge st ur e, he c le ar ed t he t abl e.

T he n h e t ur ne d a wa y a nd I f ol lo we d h im o ut o f t he g az eb o a nd a cr os s i ts y ar d

t o t he t ra il .

W e e me rg ed a ft er a s tr ol l i n h is e xt er na l s tu dy c um r ec ei vi ng r oo m. H e

s qu ee ze d m y s ho ul de r a s w e h ea de d f or t he e xi t.

" I' ll s ee y ou a t t he f un er al t he n, " h e r em ar ke d.

" Ye s, " I s ai d. " Th an ks f or t he b re ak fa st ."

" By t he w ay , h ow w el l d o y ou l ik e t ha t l ad y, C or al ?" h e a sk ed .

" Oh , p re tt y w el l, " I s ai d. " Sh e' s q ui te -n ic e.

Why?"

He shrugged.

"Just cu ri ous . I w as c on ce rn ed a bo ut h er , h av in g b ee n p re se nt a t t he

t im e o f h er m is ad ve nt ur e, a nd I w on de re d h ow m uc h s he m ea nt t o y ou ."

" En ou gh t ha t i t b ot he rs m e a l ot ," I sa id .

"I se e. W el l, gi ve h er m y g ood w ish es i f y ou sh ou ld t al k t o he r. "

"Thanks, I will."

"We'll talk again later."





"Yes."

I s tr od e i nt o t he w ay , m ak in g n o h as te . I s ti ll h ad c on si de ra bl e time

be fo re I w as d ue by t he W ays of Sa wal l.

I p au se d w he n I c am e t o a g ib be t- sh ap ed t re e. A m om en t' s r ef le ct io n a nd

I t ur ne d l ef t, f ol lo wi ng a n a sc en di ng t ra il a mo ng d ar k r oc ks . N ea r i ts t op ,

I w al ke d d ir ec tl y i nt o a m os sy b ou ld er , e me rg in g f rom a s an db an k i nt o a

light r ai n. I r an a cr os s t he f iel d b ef or e m e, t il l I cam e t o t he f ai ry

ci rc le b en ea th t he a nc ie nt t re e. I s te pp ed t o i ts m id dl e, m ad e u p a c ou pl et

with m y n am e f or t he r hy me , a nd s an k i nt o t he g ro un d. W he n I w as h al te d a nd

t he m om en t' s d ar kn es s w en t a wa y, I f ou nd m ys el f b es id e a d am p s to ne w al l,

l o ok in g d ow nh il l a cr os s a p ro sp ec t o f h ea ds to ne s a nd m on um en ts . T he s ky w as

f ul ly o ve rca st a nd a c oo l br eez e w an der ed b y. I t f el t t o be o ne o f t he en ds

o f a d ay , bu t wh et he r mo rn in g or t wi li ght l ay n ea r, I c ou ld n ot t el l. T he

p la ce l oo ke d e xa ct ly a s I r em em be re d i t- cr ac ke d m au so le um s hung with ivy,

f al li ng s to ne f en ce s, w an de ri ng p at hs b en ea th h ig h, d ar k t re es . I m ov ed d ow n

familiar trails.

A s a ch il d, t hi s h ad b ee n a f av or ed p lay gr ou nd of m in e, f or a t im e. I

m et h er e a lm os t d ai ly , f or d oz en s o f c yc le s, w it h a l it tl e s ha do w g ir l n am ed

R ha nd a. K ic ki ng t hr ou gh b on eh ea ps , b ru sh in g b y d am p s hr ub be ry , I c am e a t

l e ng th t o t he d am ag ed m au so le um w he re w e h ad p la ye d h ou se . P us hi ng a si de t he

s ag gi ng g at e, I e nt er ed .

N ot hi ng h ad c ha ng ed , a nd I f ou nd m ys el f c hu ck li ng . T he c ra ck ed c up s a nd

saucers, tarnished utensils, were still stacked in the corner, heavy with

du st , s ta in ed w it h s ee pa ge . I b ru sh ed o ff t he c at af al que w e' d u se d a s a

t ab le , s ea te d m ys el f u po n i t. O ne d ay R ha nd a h ad s im pl y s to pp ed c or ni ng , a nd





af ter a time I ha d, t oo . I 'd of ten w on der ed w hat s ar i o f wo ma n she h ad

b ec om e. I 'd l ef t h er a n ot e i n o ur hiding p la ce , b en ea th a l oo se f loor

s to ne , I r ec al le d. I w on de re d w he th er s he 'd e ve r f ou nd i t.

I r ai se d t he s t on e. M y f il th y e nv el op e s ti ll l ay t he re , u ns ea le d. I

t oo k i t o ut , s ho ok i t o ff , s li d o ut m y f ol de d s he et .

I u nf ol de d i t, r ea d m y f ad ed c hi ld is h s cr aw l: W ha t h ap pe ne d R ha nd a? 1

w ai te d a nd y ou d id n' t c om e. B en ea th i t, i n a f ar n ea te r h an d, w as w ri tt en : I

c an 't come anymore b ecau se m y f ol ks say yo u ar e a de mo n or a vam pi re. I 'm

so rr y b ec au se y ou a re t he n ic es t d em on o r v am pi re I k no w. I 'd n ev er thought

of that possibility. Amazing, the ways one can be misunderstood.

I s at t her e f or a t im e, r em em be ri ng g ro wi ng up . I 'd t au gh t R ha nda t he

b on ed an ce g am e i n h er e. I s na pp ed m y f in ge rs t he n, a nd o ur o ld e ns or ce ll ed

h ea p o f t he m a cr os s t he w ay m ad e a s ou nd l ik e s ti rr in g l ea ve s. M y j uv en il e

s pe ll w as s ti ll i n p la ce ; t he b on es r ol le d f or wa rd , a rr an ge d t he ms el ve s i nt o

a p ai r o f m an ik in s, b eg an t he ir s ma ll , a wk w ar d d an ce . Th ey c ir cl ed e ac h

other, barely holding their shapes, pieces flaking away, cobwebs trailing;

l oo se o ne s- sp ar es -b eg an t o b ou nc e a bo ut t he m. T he y m ad e t in y c li ck in g s ou nd s

a s t he y t ou ch ed . I m ov ed t he m f as te r.

A s ha do w c ro ss ed t he d oo rw ay , a nd I h ea rd a c hu ck le . " I' ll b e d am ne d!

A ll y ou n ee d' s a t in r oo f. S o t hi s i s h ow t he y s pe nd t he ir t im e i n C ha os ."

"Luke!" I exclaimed as he stepped inside, my manikins collapsing as my

attention left them, into little gray, sticklike heaps. "What are you doing

here?"

" Co ul d s ay I w as s el li ng c em et er y l ot s, " h e o bs er ve d. " Yo u i nt er es te d

in one?"

He ha d o n a r ed s hi rt an d b ro wn k ha ki s t uc ke d into his b row n s ue de





b oo ts . A t an c lo ak h un g a bo ut h is s ho ul de rs . H e w as g ri nn in g.

"Why aren't you off ruling?"

H is s mi le w en t a wa y, t o b e r ep la ce d b y a m om en t o f p uz zl em en t, r et ur ne d

almost instantly.

" Oh, felt I n ee de d a b re ak . W ha t a bo ut y ou ? T he re 's a f un er al s oo n,

isn't there?"

I n od de d.

" La ter o n, " I s ai d. " I' m j us t t ak in g a b r ea k myself. H ow 'd you g et

here, anyway?"

"Followed my nose," he said. "Needed some intelligent conversation."

"Be s er io us . N ob od y k ne w I w as c om in g h er e. I d id n' t e ve n k no w i t t il l

t h e l as t m in ut e. I -"

I g ro pe d a bo ut i n m y p oc ke ts .

" Yo u d id n' t p la nt a no th er o f t ho se b lu e s to ne s o n m e, d id y ou ?"

" No; no thi ng t ha t si mp le ," he r epl ie d. " I s ee m t o hav e so me s or t of

message for you."

I g ot t o m y f ee t, a pp ro ac he d h im , st ud yi ng h is f ac e.

" Ar e y ou o ka y, L uk e? "

" Su re. As o ka y as I ev er am , t hat i s. "

" It 's n o mean st un t, finding your w ay this n ea r t o t he C ou rt s.

E sp ec ia ll y i f y ou 'v e n ev er b ee n h er e b ef or e. H ow 'd y ou m an ag e i t? "

" Wel l, t he Co ur ts an d I go bac k a l ong w ay s, ol d bu ddy . Y ou might say

it's in my-blood."

H e m ov ed a si de from t he d oo rw ay a nd I s te pp ed o ut si de . Almost





automatically, we began walking.

" I d on 't u nd er st an d w ha t y ou 'r e s ay in g, " I t ol d h im .

" We ll , m y d ad s pe nt s om e t im e h er e, b ac k in his plott ing d ays ," h e

s ai d. " It 's w he re h e m et m y m ot he r. "

" I d id n' t k no w t ha t. "

" It n ev er c am e u p. W e n ev er t al ke d f am il y, r em em be r? "

" Yeah," I sa id , "and n o o ne I a sk ed s ee me d t o k no w w he re J asr a ca me

f rom . St il l, t he C our ts. . . . S he' s a l ong way f rom home ."

"Actually, she was recruited from a nearby shadow," he explained, "like

this one."

"Recruited?"

" Yes, s he w or ke d a s a s er van t f or a n umb er o f y ea rs -I think she w as

f ai rl y y ou ng w he n s he s ta rt ed at t he W ay s o f H el gr am ."

"Helgram? That's my mother's House!"

"Right. S he w as a m ai d- co mp an io n t o t he l ad y D ar a. T ha t' s w he re s he

learned the Arts."

" Ja sr a g ot h er i ns tr uc ti on i n s or ce ry f ro m m y m ot he r? A nd s he m et B ra nd

a t H el gr am ? T ha t w ou ld m ak e i t s ee m H el gr am h ad s om et hi ng t o d o w it h B ra nd 's

pl ot , t he B la ck R oa d, t he w ar -"

" -a nd t he L ad y D ar a g oi ng l oo ki ng f or y ou r f at her ? I g ue ss s o. "

" Be cau se sh e wa nt ed t o be a P at te rn i ni ti at e as well a s on e of the

Logrus?"

" Ma yb e, " h e s ai d. " I w as n' t p re se nt ."

We m ove d d ow n a gravelly t rai l, fumed a t a h ug e c lu st er o f d ar k

s hr ub be ry , p as si ng t hr ou gh a f or es t o f s to ne a nd o ve r a b ri dg e t ha t c ro ss ed

a s lo w b la ck s tr ea m t ha t r ef le ct ed h ig h b ra nc he s a nd s ky , m on oc hr om e. A f ew





l ea ve s r us tl ed i n a s tr ay b re ez e.

" Ho w c om e y ou n ev er m en ti on ed a ny o f t hi s l at er ?" I a sk ed .

" I i nt en de d t o, b ut i t n ev er s ee me d u rg en t, " h e s ai d, " wh er ea s a l ot o f

other things did."

" Tr ue ," I s ai d. " Th e p ac e d id s ee m t o k ee p p ic ki ng u p e ac h time o ur

t rai ls c ro ss ed . But n ow - A re y ou sa yi ng i t' s u rg ent n ow , t ha t I s udd en ly

n ee d t o k no w t hi s? "

"O h, no t ex act ly. " H e h al te d. H e r ea ch ed o ut a nd l ea ned u po n a

h ea ds to ne . Hi s h an d b eg an t o g ri p i t, g ro wi ng w hi te a bo ut t he k nu ck le s,

a cr os s t he b ac k. T he s to ne a t h is f in ge rt ip s w as g roun d t o p ow de r, fell

sn ow li ke t o t he e ar th . " No t e xa ct ly ," h e r ep ea te d. " Th at p ar t w as m y i de a,

j ust b ec au se I w ant ed y ou t o k no w. M ayb e i t' ll d o y ou so me g oo d, maybe it

won't. Information is like that. You never know." With a crunching, cracking

s ou nd , t he t op of t he h ea ds to ne s ud de nl y g av e w ay . L uk e h ar dl y s ee me d t o

no ti ce t hi s, a nd h is h an d k ep t o n s qu ee zi ng . Small p ie ce s fell f rom t he

l ar ge r o ne h e n ow h el d.

" So yo u c am e al l t hi s w ay t o t el l m e t ha t? "

"No," he an sw er ed, as w e t ur ne d a nd b eg an w al ki ng b ac k t he w ay we ha d

co me . " I w as s ent t o t el l yo u so me th in g e ls e, a nd i t' s b ee n p re tt y h ar d

holdi ng o ff . B ut I f ig ur ed i f I t al ked ab out t hi s f ir st , i t co ul dn' t l et m e

g o, w ou ld k ee p f ee di ng m e t il l I g ot a ro un d t o t he m es sa ge . "

Th er e c am e a h ug e c ru nc h, a nd t he s to ne he held t ur ned t o gr ave l,

f al li ng t o m ix w it h t ha t o n t he t ra il . " Le t m e s ee y ou r h an d. "

H e b ru sh ed i t o ff a nd h el d i t o ut . A t in y f la me f li ck er ed n ea r t he b as e

o f hi s i ndex f in ge r. H e r an h is t hu mb o ve r i t an d i t w en t o ut . I i nc re as ed





m y p ac e, a nd h e m at ch ed i t.

" Lu ke , y ou k no w w ha t y ou a re ?"

" So me th in g i n m e s ee ms t o, b ut I d on 't , m an . I j us t f ee l- I' m n ot r ig ht .

I 'd p ro ba bl y b et te r t el l y ou w ha t I f ee l I s ho ul d p re tt y q ui ck n ow ."

" No . H ol d o ff ," I s ai d, h ur ry in g e ve n m or e.

So me th in g d ar k p as se d o ve rh ea d, t oo q ui ck f or m e t o m ak e o ut i ts s ha pe ,

v an is hi ng a mo ng t he t re es . W e w er e b uf fe te d b y a su dd en g ust o f w in d.

" Yo u k no w w ha t' s g oi ng o n, M er le ?" h e a sk ed .

"I thi nk so," I sai d, " an d I want you t o do exact ly what I t el l you , no

m at te r h ow w ei rd i t m ig ht s ee m. O ka y? "

"Sur e t hi ng . I f I can' t t rust a Lo rd of Ch aos , wh o can I t rus t, eh ?"

W e h ur ri ed p as t t he c lu mp o f s hr ub s. M y m au so le um w as j us t u p a he ad .

" Yo u k no w, t he re r ea ll y i s s om et hi ng I f ee l o bl ig ed t o t el l yo u r ight

now, though," he said.

"Hold it. Please."

"It is important, though."

I r an on a hea d of hi m. H e beg an r unni ng, t oo , t o k eep up .

" It 's a bo ut y ou r b ei ng h er e a t t he C ou rt s, j us t n ow ."

I e xt en de d m y h an ds , u sed t he m t o b ra ke m ys el f w he n I c am e u p a ga in st

t he w al l o f t he s to ne b ui ld in g. I swun g myself t hr ou gh t he d oo rw ay a nd

i ns id e. T hr ee b ig s te ps , a nd I w as k ne el in g i n t he c or ne r, s na tc hi ng u p a n

o ld cup , u si ng t he cor ne r of m y cl oak t o wi pe i t o ut .

" M er le , w ha t t he h el l a re y ou d oi ng ?" L uk e a sk ed , e nt er in g b eh in d m e.





" Ju st a m in ut e a nd I 'l l s ho w y ou ," I t ol d h im , d ra wi ng m y d ag ge r.

P la ci ng t he c up u po n t he s to ne w he re I h ad b ee n s ea te d e ar li er , I hel d

m y hand abov e i t and used t he d agger t o c ut m y w ri st .

I ns te ad o f b lo od , f la me c am e f or th f ro m t he i nc is io n.

" N o! D am n i t! " I c ri ed .

An d I r ea ch ed i nt o t he s pi ka rd , l oc at ed t he p ro pe r l in e, a nd f ou nd t he

f lo wi ng c ha nn el o f a c oo li ng s pe ll t ha t I l ai d u po n t he w ou nd . I mm edi at el y,

t he flames d ie d a nd i t w as b lo od t ha t f lo we d f ro m m e. H ow ev er , a s i t f el l

i nt o t he c up i t b eg an t o s mo ke . C ur si ng , I e xt en de d t he s pe ll t o c on tr ol i ts

liquidity there, also.

" Y ea h, i t' s w ei rd , M er le . I 'l l g iv e y ou t ha t, " L uk e o bs er ve d.

I l ai d t he d ag ge r a si de a nd u se d m y r ig ht h an d t o s qu ee ze m y a rm a bo ve

t he w ou nd . T he b lo od f lo we d f as te r. T he s pi ka rd t hr ob be d. I g la nc ed a t L uk e.

T her e was a l ook of st rai n upon hi s f ace . I pu mped m y f is t. The cup wa s m or e

than half-full.

" Yo u s ai d y ou t ru st m e, " I s ta te d.

"Afraid so," he answered.

T hr ee -q ua rt er s. . . .

"Y ou 'v e g ot t o d ri nk t hi s, L uk e, " I s ai d. " I m ea n i t.

" Som eho w, I s us pe ct ed you w er e l ead ing u p t o t hi s, " h e sa id, " and ,

r eal ly, i t do esn' t sou nd l ike suc h a bad i dea. I 'v e a f eel ing I ne ed a lot

of h el p j us t n ow ."

He r ea ch ed o ut an d t ook t he c up, r ai sed i t t o hi s l ip s. I p re sse d t he

pa lm o f my h an d a ga in st t he w ou nd . O ut si de , t he w in ds w er e gusting

regularly.





" Whe n y ou 'v e f in ishe d, p ut it b ac k, " I s ai d. " Yo u' re g oi ng t o n ee d

more."

I c ou ld h ea r t he s ou nd s o f h is s wa ll ow in g.

" Be tt er t ha n a s lu g o f J am es on ," h e s ai d t he n.

"D on 't k no w w hy ." H e r ep la ce d t he c up o n t he s to ne .

"A little salty, though," he added.

I r em ov ed m y h an d f ro m t he i nc is io n, h el d t he w ri st a bo ve i t a ga in ,

pumped my fist.

"Hey, man. Y ou 'r e losing a l ot o f bl oo d t he re . I f ee l o kay n ow . W as

j us t a l it tl e d iz zy , t ha t' s al l. I d on 't ne ed a ny m or e. "

" Yes, you do, " I sai d. " Bel ieve me. I gave a l ot m or e t han this in a

b lo od dr ive o nc e an d r an i n a m eet t he ne xt d ay . I t' s o kay ."

The wi nd r ose t o a gal e, moan ing pa st us now.

"Mi nd telling me w ha t' s g oi ng o n? " h e a sk ed . " Lu ke , y ou 'r e a P at te rn

g ho st ," I t ol d h im .


" Th e P at te rn c an d up li ca te a ny bo dy w ho e ve r w al ke d i t. Y ou 'v e g ot all

th e s ig ns . I k no w t he m. "

"Hey, I f eel r eal . I di dn 't even do t he Pat ter n in Am ber . I di d i t i n

Tir-na Nog'th."

" Ap pa re nt ly , i t c on tr ol s t he t wo i ma ge s a s we ll , s in ce t he y' re t ru e

c op ie s. D o y ou r em em be r y ou r c or on at io n i n K as hf a? "

" Co ro na ti on ? H el l n o! Y ou m ea n I m ad e i t t o t he t hr on e? "

"Yep. Rinaldo the First."

" G od d am n! B et M om 's h ap py ."

"I'm sure."





" Th is i s k in d o f a wk wa rd t he n, t he re b ei ng t wo o f m e. Y ou s ee m f am il ia r

w i th t he p he no me no n. H ow d oe s t he P at te rn h an dl e i t? "

"You guys t end n ot t o l ast ver y l on g. I t s eem s t he cl ose r y ou ar e t o

t he Pat ter n i tse lf t he st ro nge r y ou ar e, t oo. I t m us t h ave t ak en a lot of

j ui ce t o p ro je ct y ou t hi s

far. Here, drink this." "Sure."

He t ossed o ff a hal f cu pf ul a nd ha nde d t he cu p bac k.

" So w ha t' s w it h t he p re ci ou s b od il y f lu id s? " h e a sk ed .

"The b lo od of A mb er s ee ms t o h ave a s us tai ni ng e f- fec t o n P at te rn

ghosts."

" Yo u m ea n I 'm s om e k in d o f v am pi re ?"

" I s up po se y ou c ou ld p ut i t t ha t w ay , i n a s or t o f t ec hn ic al se nse ."

" I' m n ot s ur e I l ik e t ha t- es pe ci al ly s uc h a s pe ci al iz ed o ne ."

" It d oe s s ee m t o h av e c er ta in d ra wb ac ks . B ut o ne t hi ng a t a t im e. L et 's

g et y ou s ta bi li ze d b ef or e w e s ta rt l oo ki ng f or a ng le s. "

"All right. You've got a captive audience."

T he re c am e a r at tl e, a s o f a r ol le d s to ne , f ro m o ut si de , f ol lo we d b y a

small clanking noise.

L u ke t ur ne d h is h ea d.

" I d on 't t hi nk t ha t' s j us t t he w in d, " h e s ta te d.

" Ta ke t he l as t s ip ," I s ai d, m ov in g a wa y f ro m t he c up an d g ro pi ng a ft er

my handkerchief. "It'll have to hold you."

He t oss ed i t o ff as I w rap ped m y w ri st . H e kn ot ted i t i n pl ace f or m e.

" Le t' s g et o ut o f h er e, " I s ai d. " Th e v ib es a re g et ti ng b ad ."

"Fine w it h m e, " h e r ep li ed a s a f ig ur e a pp ea re d a t t he d oo rw ay . I t w as





backlighted, its features lost in shadow.

"You're not going anywhere, Pattern ghost," came an almost-familiar

voice.

I wil led t he s pi ka r d t o a bo ut 1 50 w at ts i ll um in at io n. I t w as B or el ,

showing his teeth in an unfriendly fashion.

" Yo u a re a bo ut t o b ec om e a v er y l ar ge c an dl e, P at te rn er ," h e s ai d t o

Luke.

" Yo u' re w ro ng , B or el ," I s ai d, r ai si ng t he s pi ka rd .

S ud de nl y, t he S ig n o f t he L og ru s s wa m b et we en u s.

"Borel? T'he master swordsman?" Luke inquired. "The same," I answered.

"Oh, shit!" Luke said.

V

A s I p ro be d f or wa rd w it h t wo o f t he m or e l et ha l e ne rg ie s o f t he s pi ka rd

t he L og ru s i ma ge i nt er ce pt ed t he m a nd t ur ne d t he m o ff .

"I d id n' t s av e h im f or y ou t o t ak e hi m ou t t hi s ea si ly ," I s ai d, an d

j us t t he n s om et hi ng l ik e t he i ma ge o f t he P at te rn b ut n ot r ea ll y t he s am e

flashed into existence nearby.

T he Si gn of t he L og ru s sl id t o m y l ef t. T he n ew t hi ng -w ha te ve r i t

w as -k ep t p ac e w i th i t , b ot h o f t hem p as si ng sil ent ly t hr ou gh t he wa ll .

Almost immediately, there followed a thunderclap that shook the building.

Ev en B or el , w ho w as r ea ch in g f or h is b l ad e, p au se d in m id -g es tu re , t he n

mo ve d h is h an d t o c at ch h ol d o f t he d oo rw ay . A s h e d id t hi s, a no th er f ig ur e





a pp ea re d a t h is b ac k a nd a f am il i ar v oi ce a dd re ss ed h im : " Pl ea se e xc us e m e.

You're blocking my way."

"Corwin!" I cried. "Dad!"

B or el t ur ne d h is h ea d.

" Co rw in , P ri nc e o f A mb er ?" h e s ai d.

"I nd ee d, " c am e t he r ep ly , "though I 'm a fr ai d I h av en 't h ad t he

pleasure."

" I a m B or el , D uk e o f H en dr ak e, M as te r o f A rm s o f t he W ay s o f H en dr ak e. "

" You s peak w it h a l ot of cap it al s, s ir , an d I 'm pl eased t o make your

a cq ua in ta nc e, " C or wi n s ai d. " No w, i f y ou d on 't m in d, I 'd l ik e t o g et t hr ou gh

her e t o se e my s on. "

Bor el 's h and mo ved t o t he h il t o f hi s bl ad e as he t ur ned. I was al read y

moving f or wa rd by t he n, a nd s o w as L uk e. B ut t he re w as a m ov em en t b ey on d

B or el -a k ic k, i t s ee me d, l ow -c au si ng h im t o e xp el a l ot o f ai r a nd d ou bl e

f or wa rd . T he n a f is t d es ce nd ed u po n t he b ac k o f h is n ec k a nd h e f el l.

" Co me o n, " C or wi n c al le d, g es tu ri ng . " I t hi nk w e' d b et te r g et o ut o f

here."

Lu ke a nd I e me rg ed , s te pp in g o ve r t he f al le n M as te r o f A rm s o f t he W ay s

o f H en dr ak e. T he g ro un d o ff t o t he l ef t w as b la ck en ed , a s i f f ro m a r ec en t

b ru sh fi re , a nd a light r ai n h ad b eg un t o f al l. T he re w er e o th er h um an

f ig ur es i n t he d is ta nc e n ow , m ov in g t ow ar d u s.

" I do n' t k now wh et her t he f or ce t hat br oug ht m e her e can get me out

again," Corwin said, looking about. "It may be otherwise occupied." Several

m om en ts p as se d, t he n, " I g ue ss i t i s, " h e s ai d. " Ok ay , i t' s u p t o y ou . H ow

d o w e f le e? "





" Th is w ay ," I t ol d h im , t ur ni ng a nd b re ak in g i nt o a r un .

They f ol low ed me u p t he t ra il s t ha t h ad b ro ug ht m e t o t hi s p la ce . I

lo ok ed b ac k a nd s aw t ha t s ix d ar k f ig ur es p ur su ed u s.

I h ea de d u ph il l, p as t t he m ar ke rs a nd m on um en ts , c om in g a t l as t t o t he

p la ce b es id e t he o ld s to ne w al l. B y t he n, t he re w er e s ho ut s f ro m b eh in d u s.

I gno ri ng t he m, I d re w m y c om pa ni on s t o m e a nd c am e u p with an i mpr omptu

c o up le t t ha t d es cr i be d t he s it ua ti on a nd m y d es ir e i n s om ew ha t l es s t ha n

p er fe ct m et er . S ti ll , t he c ha rm h el d, a nd a h ur le d c ob bl e only m is se d m e

be ca us e w e w er e a lr ea dy s in ki ng i nt o t he e ar th .

W e e me rg ed f ro m t he f ai ry r in g, c om in g u p l ik e m us hr oo ms , a nd I l ed m y

c om pa ni on s a cr os s t he f ie ld , j og gi ng ; t o t he s an db an k. A s w e e nt er ed t he re I

h ea rd a no th er s ho ut . W e e xi te d t he b ou ld er a nd d es ce nd ed t he r oc ky t ra il t o

t he g ib be t t ree . T ur ni ng l ef t o n t he t ra il , I . b eg an t o r un .

" Ho ld u p! " C or wi n c al le d. " I f ee l i t a ro un d h er e s om ew he re . T he re !"

H e left t he t ra il t o t he r ig ht a nd b eg an r un ni ng t ow ar d t he b as e o f a

s ma ll h il l. L uk e a nd I f ol lo we d. F ro m b e- . h in d us c am e t he s ou nd s of o ur

pu rs ue rs ' e me rg en ce f ro m t he w ay a t t he b ou ld er .

A he ad , I s aw s om et hi ng f li ck er in g b et we en t wo t re es . W e s ee me d t o b e

h ea di ng t ow ar d i t. A s w e d re w n ea re r, i ts outline b ec am e c le ar er , a nd I

r ea li ze d t ha t it p o ss e ss e d t he c on to ur s o f t ha t P at te rn -l ik e i ma ge I h ad

beheld back in the mausoleum.

D ad d id n ot b re ak s tr id e a s h e a pp ro ac he d, b ut c ha rg ed r ig ht i nto t he

t hi ng . A nd v an is he d. A no th er c ry r os e u p b eh in d u s. L uk e w as n ex t t hr ou gh

t he s hi mm er in g s cr ee n, a nd I w as c lo se o n h is h ee ls .

We were running through a straight, glowing, pearly tunnel now, and

w hen I g lanced bac k I saw t hat i t se emed t o be cl osi ng i n behi nd m e.





"They can't follow," Corwin shouted. "That end's already closed."

"T he n w hy a re w e r un ni ng ?" I a sk ed .

"We're still not safe," he replied. "We're cutting through the Logrus's

do ma in . I f w e' re s po tt ed t he re c ou ld s ti ll b e t ro ub le ."

W e r a ce d o n t hr ou gh t ha t s tr an ge t un ne l, a nd , " We 'r e r un ni ng t hr ou gh

S h ad o w? " I a sk e d.

"Yes."

" Th en i t w ou ld s eem t ha t t he f ar th er w e g o, t he b et ter -"

Th e w ho le t hi ng s ho ok, an d I h ad t o p ut o ut a ha nd t o k ee p from being

thrown down.

"Oh-oh," Luke said.

" Ye s, " I a gr ee d a s t he t un ne l b eg an t o c om e a pa rt . B ig c hu nk s s ee me d t o

be t or n o ut o f t he w al ls , t he f lo or . T he re w as o nl y m ur k b eh in d t he se r en ts .

We kept going, leaping the openings. Then something struck again,

soundlessly, completely shattering the entire passagearound us, behind us,

b e fo re u s.

We fell.

W el l, we d id n' t e xa ct ly f al l. W e so rt o f d ri ft ed i n a t wi li t f og. T he re

d id n' t s ee m t o b e a ny th in g u nd er fo ot , o r i n a ny o th er d ir ec ti on e it he r. I t

was a free-fall sensation, with nothing to measure possible movement

against.

" Da mn !" I h ea rd C or wi n s ay .

W e h ov er ed , f el l, d ri ft ed -w ha te ve r- f or a t im e, a nd , " So c lo se ," I h ea rd

him mutter.





"Something that way," Luke suddenly announced, gesturing to his right.

A b ig s ha pe l oo me d g ra yl y. I m ov ed m y m in d i nt o t he s pi ka rd a nd p ro be d

i n t ha t d ir ec ti on . W ha te ve r i t w as , i t w as i na ni ma te , a nd I c om ma nd ed t he

spi ke t hat had t ouch ed i t t o gu ide us t o i t.

I d id n ot f eel myself m ov in g, b ut t he t hi ng l oo me d l ar ge r, t oo k o n

familiar outlines, began to show a reddish complexion. When the fins became

a pp ar en t, I k ne w f or c er ta in .

" Lo ok s l ik e t ha t P ol ly J ac ks on y ou h av e, " L uk e r em ar ke d. " Ev en h as t he

sn ow o n i t. "

Y es , i t w as m y r ed a nd w hi te ' 57 C he vy t ha t w e w er e a pp ro ac hi ng , t he re

in Limbo.

" It 's a co ns tr uct . I t' s b ee n p ul le d f rom m y m in d b ef or e, " I t ol d h im .

" Pr ob ab ly b ec au se i t' s v iv id , I 'v e s tu di ed i t s o o ft en . A ls o, i t s ee ms v er y

appropriate just now."

I r ea ch ed t ow ar d t he d oo r h an dl e. W e w er e c om in g u p o n t he d ri ve r' s

s id e. I c au gh t h ol d a nd p us he d t he b ut to n. I t w as , o f c ou rs e, u nl oc ke d. The

o th er s t ou ch ed t he v eh ic le i n v ar io us p la ce s a nd d re w t he ms el ve s a lo ng t o

t he o th er s id e. I o pe ne d t he d oo r, s li d i n b eh in d t he ' w he el , c lo se d t he

d o or . L uk e a nd C or wi n w er e e nt er ing b y t hen . T he k ey s w er e i n t he i gni ti on ,

as I ' d e xp ec te d

W he n e ve ry on e w as a b oa r d I t ri ed s ta rt in g i t. T he engi ne c au gh t

i mm ed ia tel y. I s t ar e d o ut a c ro s s t he b ri ght h oo d i nt o n ot hi ng ne ss . I

s wi tc he d o n t he h ea dl ig ht s a nd t ha t d id n' t h el p.

" Wh at n ow ?" L uk e a sk ed .

I s hi ft ed i nt o f ir st , r el ea se d t he e me rg en cy b ra ke , a nd l et ou t t he

c lu tc h. A s I g av e i t t he g as , i t se em ed t he w he el s w er e t ur ni ng . A ft er a f ew





m om en ts I s hi ft ed i nt o s ec on d. A b it l at er I p ut i t i nt o t hi rd .

W a s t he re t he t in ie st f ee li ng o f t rac ti on , o r w as i t o nl y t he p ow er o f

suggestion?

I f ed i t m or e g as . T he f og gy p ro sp ec t s ee me d t o b ri gh te n s li gh tl y, f ar

a he a d, t hou gh I s up po se d t hi s c ou ld s im pl y b e s om e e ff ec t o f m y s ta ri ng i n

that direction.

T he re w as n o p ar ti cu la r f ee db ac k f ro m t he s te er in g w he el . I p us he d

h ar de r o n t he a cc el e ra to r .

L uk e r ea ch ed o ut s ud de nl y a nd t ur ne d o n t he r ad io . " -h az ar do us d ri vi ng

c on di t io ns ," c am e a n a nn ou nc er 's v oi ce . " So k ee p y ou r s pe ed t o a minimum."

There immediately followed Wynton Marsalis playing "Caravan."

Ta ki ng i t a s a p er so na l m es sa ge , I ea se d u p o n t he g as . T hi s p ro du ce d a

d ef in it e f ee li ng o f l ig ht t ra ct io n, a s i f, p er ha ps , w e w er e g li di ng o n i ce .

A s en sa ti on o f f or wa rd m ov em en t f ol lo we d, a nd t he re d id s ee m a

b ri gh te ni ng i n t he d is ta nc e. A ls o, i t s ee me d a s if I h ad a cq ui re d s om e

w ei gh t, w as s et tl in g m or e d ee pl y i nt o t he s ea t. M om en ts l at er t he s en sa ti on

of a r ea l s ur fa ce b en ea th t he c ar b ec am e m or e p ro no un ce d. I w on de re d w ha t

wou ld h appe n i f I t ur ned t he whe el . I deci ded not t o t ry i t.

T he s ou nd fr om b en ea th t he t ir es b ec am e m or e g ri tt y. D im o ut li ne s

o cc ur re d a t e it he r h an d, i nc re as in g t he f ee li ng o f m ov em en t a nd d ir ec ti on a s

we p as se d t he m. F ar a he ad , t he w or ld w as i nd ee d b ri gh te r n ow .

I s lo we d e ve n m or e b ec au se i t b eg an f ee li ng a s i f I w er e n ego ti at ing a

real road, with very poor visibility. Shortly thereafter, the headlights did

s ee m t o b e o pe ra ti ng w it h s om e e ff ec t, a s t he y s tr uc k a f ew o f t he p as si ng

shapes, giving them the momentary appearance of trees and embankments, shrub





clusters, rocks. The rearview mirror continued to reflect nothingness,

however.

" Just like ol d t imes," Lu ke s ai d. "Goin' ou t f or p iz za o n a b ad

evening."

"Yeah," I agreed.

" I h op e t he o th er m e h as s om eo ne o pe n a p iz za p ar lo r i n K as hf a. C ou ld

u se o ne t he re , y ou k no w? "

"I 'l l come by and t ry i t, if he does."

" W he re d o y ou t hi nk t hi s w ho le b us in es s i s g oi ng t o l ea ve m e, a ny wa y? "

" I d on 't k no w, L uk e. "

"I m ea n, I c an 't k ee p d ri nk in g y ou r b lo od . A nd w ha t a bo ut t he o th er

me?"

"I t hink I can off er you a job t hat wil l t ake c ar e of the problem,"

Co rw in s ai d t o h im . " Fo r a w hi le , a ny wa y. "

T he t r ee s w er e def ini tel y t re es n ow , t he f og r ea l f og mo vi ng a bo ut a

b it . B ea ds o f m oi st ur e b eg an t o f or m o n t he w in ds hi el d.

" Wh at d o y ou m ea n? " L uk e a sk ed .

"In a minute."

Th er e w er e b re ak s i n t he f og n ow , r ea l l an ds ca pe v is ib le t hr ou gh t he m.

Abruptl y, I be ca me a wa re t hat i t w as n ot a r ea l r oad su rf ac e o n w hi ch I w as

d ri vi ng , b ut r at he r a f ai rl y l ev el p iec e o f g rou nd . I sl ow ed even m or e t o

accommodate this.

A big s ec ti on of h az e d is so lv ed o r b le w a wa y t he n r ev ea li ng t he

pr es enc e o f an en or mo us t re e. Al so , a sec - l ion of t he g ro un d s eem ed t o b e

g lo wi ng . T he re w as a f am il ia r f ee li ng t o t hi s p ar ti al t ab le au . . . .

" Thi s i s t he pl ace of y our Pat ter n, i sn' t i t?" I asked , a s ou r way gr ew





e ve n c le ar er . " Fi on a b ro ug ht m e h er e o nc e. "

"Yes;" came the reply.

"A nd i ts i ma ge -T ha t' s t he thing I s aw c on fr on ti ng t he S ig n o f t he

L og ru s b ac k i n t he g ra ve ya rd -t he s am e t hi ng t ha t l ed u s i nt o t he t un ne l. "

"Yes."

" Th en - I t' s s en ti en t, t oo . L ik e A mb er 's , l ik e t he L og ru s- "

" Tr ue . P ar k i t o ve r t her e, i n t hat c le ar ar ea b y t he t ree .

I t ur ne d t he w he el a nd h ea de d t ow ar d t he l ev el s po t h e h ad i nd ic at ed .

F og still hung a bo ut t he p la ce , b ut n ow he re n ea r a s heavy a nd

a ll -e nc om pa ss in g a s o n t he t ra il w e h ad t ak en . I t m ig ht h av e b ee n twili ght,

f ro m t he sh ad in g o f t he m is t, b ut t he g lo w f ro m t ha t e cc en tr ic P at te rn

br i gh te ne d o ur c up -s ha pe d w or l d b ey on d a d ay 's e nd d im ne ss .

As w e cl imb ed ou t Co rw in sai d t o L uke , ` ` Pat te rn gh ost s t end not t o

last long."

" So I u nd er st an d, " L uk e r ep li ed . " Yo u k no w a ny t ri ck s f or s om eo ne i n

this position?"

"I k now t hem a ll , si r. I t t ake s o ne t o kn ow , as t he y s ay. "

"Oh?"

"Dad . . .?" I said. "You mean . . ."

" Ye s, " h e r ep li ed . " I d o n ot k no w w he re t he first ve rsi on of myself

might be."

"You a re t he o ne I e nc ou nt er ed a w hi le b ac k? T he o ne w ho m ig ht h av e

b ee n p re se nt i n A mb er r ec en tl y, a ls o? "

"Yes."

" I - se e. Y et , y ou d on 't s ee m e xa ct l y l ik e o th er s I 'v e e nc ou nt er ed ."





H e r ea ch ed o ut a nd c la sp ed m y s ho ul de r.

" I' m n ot ," h e s ai d, a nd h e g la nc ed t ow ar d t he P at te rn . "I d re w t ha t

thing," he w en t o n, a l it tl e l at er , " an d I 'm t he o nl y p er so n e ve r t o h av e

w al ke d i t. C on se qu en tl y, I 'm t he o nl y g ho st i t c an s um mo n. A ls o, i t s ee ms t o

regard me with something other than utilitarian attention. We can

com mu ni ca te, in a w ay , a nd it s ee ms t o h av e b ee n w il li ng t o d ev ot e t he

e ne rg y n ee de d t o k ee p m e s ta bl e- fo r a l on g w hi le n ow . W e h av e o ur o wn p la ns ,

a nd o ur r el at io ns hi p s ee ms a lm os t s ym bi ot ic . I g at he r t ha t t ho se o f A mb er ' s

P at te rn a nd t ho se o f t he L og ru s a re m or e i n t he n at ur e o f e ph em er a. "

" Th at 's b ee n m y e xp er ie nc e, " I s ai d.

" -e xc ep t f or o ne , t o w ho m y ou m in is te re d, f or w hi ch I a m g ra te fu l. S he

i s un de r m y pr ot ec ti on n ow , f or s o l on g a s i t s ha ll l as t. "

He released my shoulder.

" I h av en 't b ee n p ro pe rl y i nt ro du ce d t o y ou r f ri en d y et ," h e s ai d t he n.

" Ex cu se m e. A b it o f e xt en ua ti on t her e, " I s ai d. " Lu ke , I 'd l ik e y ou t o

m ee t m y f at he r, C or wi n o f A mb er . S ir , L uk e i s p ro pe rl y k no wn a s R in al do , s on

o f y ou r b ro th er B ra nd ."

C or wi n' s e ye s w id en ed f or a n i ns ta nt , t he n n ar ro we d a s h e e xt en de d his

hand, studying Luke's face.

"G ood t o m eet a f ri end o f my son' s, as wel l as a r el at ive," he sai d.

" Gl ad t o k no w y ou , t oo , s ir ."

" I' d w on de re d w ha t i t w as t ha t s ee me d s o f am il ia r a bo ut y ou ."

"I t k in d o f s lo ws d ow n w it h a pp ea ra nc es , i f t ha t' s w ha t y ou 'r e g et ti ng





a t. M ay be e ve n s to ps t he re ."

Dad laughed.

"Where'd you two meet?"

"In school," Luke replied. "Berkeley."

" Wh er e e ls e m ig ht a p ai r o f u s c om e t og et he r? N ot i n A mb er , o f c ou rs e, "

h e s ai d, t ur ni ng a wa y t he n t o f ac e h is P at te rn f ul ly . " I' ll g et y ou r s to ry

y et . B ut c om e w it h m e n ow . I w an t t o do a n i nt ro duc ti on m ys el f. "

H e h ea de d off t ow ar d t he sh ini ng d es ig n an d w e f ol - l ow ed hi m, a f ew

w is ps o f f og d ri ft in g p as t u s. S av e f or o ur s ho rt f oo tf al ls , t he p la ce w as

silent.

When w e came up t o t he ed ge of hi s P at ter n w e h al te d an d s ta re d o ut

acr oss i t. I t w as a gr acef ul de si gn, t oo bi g t o t ak e i n at a g lan ce; a nd a

f ee li ng o f p ow er s ee me d t o p ul se o ut wa rd f ro m i t.

"Hi," he s ai d. "I w an t y ou t o m ee t m y s on an d m y ne ph ew , M er fi n an d

R in al do -t ho ug h I b el ie ve y ou m et M er li n o nc e b ef or e. R in al do h as a p ro bl em ."

T he re f ol lo we d a l on g s il en ce . T he n h e s ai d, " Ye s, t ha t' s r ig ht ," a nd a ft er

a t im e, " Yo u r ea ll y t hi nk s o? " a nd , " Ok ay . S ur e, I 'l l t el l t he m. "

H e s tr et ch ed a nd s ig he d a nd t oo k a f ew p ac es a wa y f ro m t he P at te rn 's

e dg e. T he n h e e xt en de d h is a rm s a nd p ut t he m a ro un d b ot h o ur s ho ul de rs .

" Me n, " h e s ai d t he n, " I' ve g ot a n a ns we r o f s or ts . B ut i t mean s w e' r e

a ll g oi ng t o h av e t o w al k t hi s P at te rn , f or d if fe re nt r ea so ns ."

" I' m g am e, " L uk e s ai d. " Bu t w ha t' s t he r ea so n? "

" It 's g oi ng t o a do pt y ou ," C or wi n s ai d, " an d s us ta in y ou a s i t d oe s m e.

T he re 's a p ri ce , t ho ugh . T he t im e' s ge tt in g ne ar er w hen i t w il l w an t t o b e

guarded full-time. We can spell each other."





" So un ds f in e, " L uk e s ai d. " Th is p la ce i s k in d o f p ea ce fu l. A nd I d id n' t

r ea ll y w an t t o g o b ac k t o K as hf a a nd t ry t o d ep os e m ys el f. "

" Okay . I 'l l l ead, and yo u h ol d on t o m y shou lder i n ca se t her e ar e any

funny v ib es t o d ea l w it h. M er li n, y ou c om e l as t a nd m ai nt ai n c on ta ct w it h

L uk e, f or t he s am e r ea so n. A ll r ig ht ?"

" Su re ," I s ai d. " Le t' s g o. "

H e r el ea se d u s a nd m ove d t o t he p la ce w he re the line of t he design

b eg an . W e f ol lo we d, a nd L uk e' s h an d w as o n h is s ho ul de r a s h e t oo k t he f ir st

s t ep . S o on w e w er e all o f u s o n t he P at te rn , s tr ug gl in g t he f am il ia r

s tr ug gl e. E ve n w he n t he s pa rk s b eg an t o r is e, t hough, this o ne s ee me d a

l it tl e e as ie r t ha n I r ec al le d fr om P at te rn w al ks i n t he p as t, p os si bl y

be ca us e s om eo ne e ls e w as l ea di ng t he w ay .

Images of avenues lined with ancient chestnut trees filled my mind as

w e t ru dg ed al ong a nd f oug ht ou r w ay t hr ou gh t he F ir st V ei l. B y t he n, t he

s pa rk s c am e h ig he r a bo ut u s a nd I f el t t he f or ce s of t he P at te rn beat ing

a bo ut m e, pen et ra ti ng m e, b od y a nd m ind . I r ec al le d m y d ay s i n sc hoo l,

remembered my greatest efforts on the athletic field. The resistance

c ont in ue d t o r is e, a nd w e l ea ne d i nt o i t. M ov in g m y f ee t be ca me a g re at

e ff or t, a nd I r ea li ze d t ha t- so me ho w- th e e ff or t w as m or e i mp or ta nt t ha n t he

mo ve me nt . I fel t my ha ir b eg in ni ng t o r is e a s a c ur re nt p as se d e nt ir el y

t hr ou gh m y b od y. S ti ll , t hi s h ad n ot t o i t t he m add en in g qu al it y o f t he

L og ru s t he t im e I h ad n eg ot ia te d i t, n or t he a dv er sa ri al f ee li ng I h ad f el t

u po n A mb er 's P at te rn . I t w as a lm os t a s i f I t ra ve rs ed t he int eri or of a

mi nd , o ne n ot unkindly d i sp os ed t o wa r d m e. T he re w as a f eel ing -o f

e nc ou ra ge me nt , a lm os ta s I s tr ug gl ed a lo ng a c ur ve , e xe cu te d a t ur n. T he





r esi st an ce w as a s s tr on g, t he sp ar ks ca me a s h ig h a s o n t he o th er at ab ou t

t hi s p oi nt , y et I s om eh ow k ne w t ha t t hi s P at te rn hel d me in a di ff er ent

f ashion. W e push ed our way along t he l in es . W e f um ed , w e bu rn ed . . . .

P en et ra ti ng t he S ec on d V ei l w as a s lo w- mo ti on e xe rc is e i n s ta mi na a nd will.

O ur wa y ea sed f or a t im e af te r t ha t, a nd i ma ges f ro m a ll ov er m y l if e ca me

t o f ri gh te n a nd c on so le m e.

Wal ki ng. One, t wo. . . . Thr ee. I felt that if I were able to take ten

m or e st ep s I w ou ld h av e a c ha nce t o

win t hr ough. F ou r. . . . I w as d re nc he d w it h p er sp ir at io n. F iv e. T he

r es is ta nc e w as a wf ul . I t t oo k a ll t he e ff or t o f running a h un dr ed m et er s

j us t t o i nc h m y f oo t a he ad .. M y l un gs w er e w or ki ng l ik e a be ll ow s. S ix . T he

sp ar ks r ea ch ed m y f ac e, p as se d m y e ye s, e nv el op ed m e c om p le te ly . I f el t a s

if I h ad b ee n t ra ns fo rm ed int o an i mmo rt al b lue f la me a nd t ha t I m us t,

s om eh ow , b ur n m y w ay t hr ou gh a b lo ck o f m ar bl e. I b ur ne d a nd I b ur ne d a nd

t he s to ne r em ai ne d u nc ha ng ed . I c ou ld s pe nd a ll o f e te rn it y t hi s w ay .

P e rh ap s I a lr ea dy h ad . S ev en . A nd t he i ma ge s w er e g on e. A ll of memory h ad

f le d. Even my i de nt it y w as o n v ac at io n. I w as s tr ip pe d t o a t hi ng o f p ur e

w ill . I w as an act , an act of st ri vi ng agai nst r esi stan ce. Ei gh t. . . . I no

l on ge r f el t m y b od y. T im e w as a n a li en c on ce pt . T he s tr iv in g w as n o l ong er

striving, but a form of elemental movement now, beside which glaciers

rushed. Nine. Now I was only movement-infinitesimal, a constant....

Ten.

Th er e c am e a n e as in g. I t w ou ld b ec om e d if fi cu lt ag ai n a t t he c en te r

e nd , b ut I k ne w t hat t he r est o f t he w al k w as a nt ic li ma x. S om et hi ng l ike a

sl ow , l ow m us ic b uo ye d m e a s I t ru dg ed a he ad , t ur ne d, t ru dg ed . I t w as with





m e through t he Final Veil, a nd a s I p as se d t he m id poi nt o f t hat f in al

stride, it became something like "Caravan."

W e s to od t he re a t t he c en te r, silent f or a long while, br eathi ng

d ee pl y. Ex ac tl y w ha t I h ad a ch ie ve d, I w as u nc er ta in . I d id f ee l, t ho ug h,

t hat , i n som e way , I kne w my f at her be tt er as a result. S tr an ds of mist

s ti ll d ri ft ed , a cr os s t he P at te rn , a cr os s t he v al le y.

"I feel-stronger," Luke announced later. "Yes, I'll help guard this

pl ac e. I t se em s a go od w ay t o sp en d s om e t im e. "

" By t he w ay , L uk e, w ha t w as y ou r m es sa ge f or m e? " I a sk ed .

" Oh , t o t el l y ou t o c le ar o ut o f t he C ou rt s, " h e r ep li ed , " th at things

were getting dangerous."

" I a lr ea dy k ne w t he d an ger p ar t, " I s ai d. " Bu t t he re a re s ti ll t hi ng s I

must do."

H e s hr ug ge d. " Wel l, t ha t' s t he m es sa ge ," h e s ai d. " No p la ce r ea ll y

s ee ms s af e j us t n ow ."

" Th er e w on 't b e a ny p ro bl em s h er e y et ," C or wi n s ai d. " Ne it he r P o we r

k now s exactly how t o ap pr oa ch t hi s p la ce o r w hat t o d o w it h i t. I t' s t oo

s tr on g f or A mb er 's P at te rn t o a bs or b, a nd t he L og ru s d oe sn 't k no w ho w t o

destroy it."

"Sounds pretty easy, then."

"T he re will p ro ba bl y c om e a t im e l at er , t ho ug h, w he n t he y w il l t ry t o

move against it."

" Un ti l t he n, w e w ai t a nd w at ch . O ka y. I f s om e things d o c om e, w ha t

might they be?"

"Probably ghosts-like ourselves-seeking to learn more about it, to

t es t. Y ou a ny g oo d w it h t ha t b la de ?"





" In a ll m od es ty , y es . I f t ha t' s n ot g oo d e no ug h, I 'v e s tu di ed t he A rt s,

as well."

"They'll fall to steel, though it's fire they'll bleednot blood. You

c an hav e t he P at ter n t ra ns po rt y ou o ut si de n ow , i f y ou w is h. I 'l l j oi n y ou

i n a f ew mom en ts t o s how y ou whe re t he wea pons ar e c ac he d, a nd the o ther

suppl ies. I 'd like t o t ak e a li tt le tr ip and leave you i n char ge for a

while."

"Sure thing," Luke said. "What about you, Merle?"

" I' ve g ot t o g et b ac k t o t he C ou rt s. I 'v e a l un ch eo n e ng ag em en t w it h m y

mother, and then Swayvill's funeral to attend."

"I t may no t be abl e t o send you al l t he way t o the Cou rt s," Cor wi n

said. "That's getting awfully near the Logrus. But you'll work something out

w it h i t, o r v ic e v er sa . H ow i s D ar a? "

"I t' s b een a long time since I 'v e se en her f or mor e than a f ew

m om en ts ," I a ns we re d. " Sh e is still p e - r em pt or y, a rr og an t, a nd

o ve r- so li ci to us w he n i t c om es t o m e. I g et t he i mp re ss io n, t oo , t ha t s he m ay

b e i nvol ved in l oc al p ol it ic al s ch em in g a s w el l a s a sp ec ts o f t he l ar ge r

relationship between the Courts and Amber."

L uk e c lo se d h is e ye s f or a m om en t a nd v an is he d. S ho rt ly a ft er w ar d, I

s aw him b es id e t he Polly J ac ks on c ar . H e o pe ne d t he d oo r, s li d o nt o t he

p as se ng er s ea t, l ea ne d a nd f id dl ed w it h s om et hi ng i ns id e. A l it tl e L at er I

c ou ld h ea r t he r ad io p la yi ng m us ic a cr os s t he d is ta nc e.

" It 's l ik el y, " C or wi n s ai d. " I n ev er u nd er st oo d h er , y ou k no w. S he c am e

t o m e out of nowh er e at a str ange ti me i n my l if e, she li ed to me, w e became

l ov er s, s he w al ke d t he P at te rn i n A mb er , a nd s he v an is he d. I t w as l ik e a





b iz ar re d re am . I t w as o bv io us t ha t s he u se d m e. F or y ea rs I t ho ug ht t ha t it

w as only t o ge t k no wl edg e o f t he P at te rn a nd a cc es s t o i t. B ut I 'v e h ad a

l ot o f t im e f or r ef le ct io n r ec en tl y, a nd I 'm n o l on ge r c er ta in t ha t t ha t w as

the case."

" Oh ?" I s ai d. " Wh at , t he n? "

" Yo u, " h e r ep li ed . " Mo re a nd m or e I 'm c om in g t o t hi nk , w ha t s he r ea ll y

w an ted w as t o b ear a s on o r d aug ht er o f A mb er ."

I felt myself gr ow c ol d. C ou ld t he r ea so n f or m y o wn e xi st en ce h av e

b ee n s uc h a c al cu la te d t hi ng ? H ad t he re b ee n n o a ff ec ti on t he re a t a ll ? H ad

I b ee n i nt en ti on al ly c on ce iv ed t o s er ve s om e s pe ci al p ur po se ? I d id n ot a t

a l l l ik e t he n ot io n. I t m ad e m e f ee l t he w ay G ho st wh ee l m us t; car ef ul ly

structured product of my imagination and intellect, built to test design

i de as o nl y a n A mb er it e c ou ld h av e c om e u p w it h. Y et h e c al le d m e " Dad." H e

a ct ua ll y s ee me d t o c ar e a bo ut m e. O dd ly , I h ad b eg un f ee li ng a n i rr at io na l

a ff ec ti on f or h im m ys el f. W as i t p ar tl y b ec au se w e w er e e ve n m or e a li ke t ha n

I had consciously realized?

"W hy?" I asked. "W hy woul d i t have been so i mpor tant t o her t hat I b e

born?"

"I c an only r em em be r h er final w or d s w he n s he h ad c om pl et ed t he

P at te rn , t ur ni ng i nt o a d em on i n t he p ro ce ss . ` Am be r, ' s he s ai d, `will b e

d e st r oy ed .' T he n s he w as g on e. "

I w as s ha ki ng n ow . T he i mp li ca ti on s w er e s o u ns et tl in g t ha t I w an te d t o

c ry , s le ep , o r g et d ru nk . A ny th in g, f or a m om en t' s r es pi te .

"You think t ha t m y e xi st enc e m ig ht b e p ar t of a l ong ter m pl an f or t he

d e st r uc ti on o f A mb er ?" I a sk ed .

" ` Mi ght ," ' he sai d. " I cou ld be wr ong, ki d. I coul d be ver y wr ong , a nd





i f t ha t' s t he c as e I a pol ogi ze f or t ro ubl ing y ou t hi s much. O n t he o th er

h an d, i t w oul d a ls o b e w ro ng o f m e n ot t o l et y ou k no w w hat t he p oss ib il it y

is."

I m as sa ge d m y t em pl es , m y b ro w, m y ey es .

" Wh at s ho ul d I d o? " I s ai d t he n. " I d on 't w an t t o h el p d es tr oy A mb er ."

He c las ped me t o hi s b re ast f or a m om en t and s ai d, " No m at ter w hat you

a re a nd no mat ter w hat 's b ee n d on e t o yo u, t her e w il l have t o be som e

e le me nt o f c ho ic e f or y ou , s oo ne r o r l at er . Y ou a re g re at er t ha n t he s um of

y ou r p ar ts , M er li n. N o m at te r w ha t w en t i nt o y ou r b ir th a nd y ou r l if e u p t o

n ow , y ou' ve g ot e ye s a nd a b ra in an d a s et of values. Don 't let anybody

bullshit yo u, n ot e ven m e. A nd w he n t he t im e c om es , i f i t c om es , m ak e d am n

s ur e t he c ho ic e i s y ou r o wn . N ot hi ng t ha t' s g on e b ef or e w il l m at te r t he n. "

Hi s w or ds, gen er al a s t he y had t o be, dr ew me b ack f rom t he p lace i n my

s pi r it w he re I h ad r et r ea te d. " Th an ks ," I s ai d.

H e n od de d. Then , "While your first impulse may b e t o f or ce a

c on fr on ta ti on o n t hi s m at te r, " h e s ai d, " I w ou ld a dv is e a ga in st i t. I t w ou ld

a ch ie ve n ot hi ng o th er t ha n m ak in g h er a wa re o f y ou r s us pi ci on s. I t w ou ld b e

p ru de nt t o p la y a m or e c ar ef ul g am e a nd s ee w ha t y ou c an l ea rn ."

I sighed.

"Y ou 'r e r ig ht , o f c ou rs e, " I s ai d. " Yo u c am e a ft er m e a s m uc h t o tell

m e t hi s a s t o h el p m e e sc ap e, d id n' t y ou ?"

He smiled.

"Only worry about important things," he said. "We'll meet again." And

th en h e w as g on e.

I s aw h im , s ud de nl y, o ve r n ea r t he c ar , t al ki ng t o L uk e. I w at ch ed a s





h e s ho we d h im w he re t he c ac he s

w er e l oca te d. I wo nd er ed w hat t im e i t w as b ack i n t he C ou rt s. A ft er a

w hi le , t he y b ot h w av ed t o m e. T he n C or w in s ho ok h an ds w it h L uk e a nd t ur ne d

a nd w al ke d o ff i nt o t he f og . I c ou ld h ea r t he r ad io p la yi ng " Li li M ar le ne ."

I f oc us ed my mind o n t he P at te rn 's t ra ns po rt in g m e t o t he W ay s o f

S aw al l. T he re w as a m om en ta ry s wi rl in g o f b la ck ne ss . W he n i t c le ar ed I w as

still st anding a t t he c en te r o f t he P at te rn . I t ri ed a ga in , t hi s t im e f or

S uh uy 's c as tl e. A ga in , i t r ef us ed t o p un ch m y t ic ke t.

" Ho w c lo se c an y ou s en d m e? " I f in al ly a sk ed .

T he re w as a no th er s wi rl in g, b ut t hi s o ne w as b ri gh t. I t d el iv er ed m e t o

a h ig h p ro mo nt or y o f w hi te s to ne b en ea th a b la ck s ky , b es id e a b la ck s ea .

Two semicircles of pale flame parenthesized my position. Okay, I could live

wi th t ha t. I w as a t Fi re G at e, a w ay -e xc ha ng e i n Sh ad ow ne ar t o t he C ou rt s.

I f ac ed t he s e a a nd c ou nt ed . W he n I 'd l oc at ed t he f ou rt ee nt h f li ck er in g

t ow er on m y l ef t, I wa lke d t ow ar d i t.

I e me rg ed b ef or e a f al le n t ow er b en ea th a p in k s ky . W al ki ng t ow ar d i t,

I w as t ra ns po rt ed t o a g la ss y c av er n t hr ou gh w hi ch a g re en r iv er f lo we d. I

p ac ed b es id e t he r iv er t il l I f ou nd t he s te pp in g- st on es t ha t t oo k me t o a

t rai l t hr ou gh a n a ut um n w oo d. I f ol lo we d t hi s f or a lm os t a m il e t il l I f el t

t he pr ese nc e o f a w ay n ea r t he ba se o f an ev er gr een. T hi s t oo k me t o t he

si de of a mountain, w he nce t hr ee m or e w ays a nd t wo f il mi es h ad m e o n t he

n ai l t o l un ch w it h m y m ot her . A cc or di ng t o t he s ky, I h ad no t im e t o cha nge

clothes.

I h al te d n ea r a c ro ss ro ad s t o d us t m ys el f o ff , s tr ai gh te n m y a pp ar el ,

c om b m y h ai r. I w on de re d, a s I w as a bo ut t he b us in es s, w ho m ig ht r ec ei ve my

call ing w er e I t o t ry t o r ea ch L uk e v ia h is T ru mp -L uk e h im se lf , h is g ho st ,





b ot h? C ou ld t he g ho st s r ec ei ve T ru mp c al ls ? I f ou nd mysel f w on de ri ng w ha t

w as going on back i n Amber , t oo. And I thought of Cor al , and Nayda. . . .

Hell.

I w an te d t o be s om ew he re e ls e. I w an te d t o b e f ar a way . The P at te rn 's

w ar ni ng, via L uk e, w as w el l t ak en. C or wi n ha d g iv en m e t oo m uc h t o t hi nk

abo ut , and I h ad n' t ha d t im e t o s or t i t t hr ou gh p rop er ly . I di d no t w an t t o

b e i nv ol ved i n w ha te ver w as g oi ng o n h er e i n t he Co ur ts . I d id n ot l ik e al l

of the implications involving my mother. I did not feel like attending a

funeral. I felt somehow, also, uninformed. You'd think that if somebody

wanted something from me-something very important-they'd at least take the

ti me t o expl ain t he situation a nd a sk f or m y c oo pe ra ti on . I f i t w er e a

re la ti ve , t he re w as a s tr on g p os si bi li ty I 'd g o a lo ng w it h i t. G et ti ng my

c oo pe ra t io n w ou ld s ee m a l ot l es s d ic ey t ha n a ny t ri ck er y i nt en de d t o

c on tr ol m y a ct io ns . I w an te d t o b e a wa y f ro m t ho se w ho w ou ld c on tr ol m e, a s

w el l a s t he g am es t he y w er e p la yi ng .

I co ul d t ur n a nd h ea d b ac k i nt o S ha do w, p ro ba bl y l os e m ys el f t he re . I

co ul d h ea d b ac k t o A mb er , t ell R an do m ev er yt hi ng I k ne w, eve ryt hi ng I

s us pe ct ed , a nd he w oul d p ro te ct m e a ga in st t he C ou rt s. I c oul d g o b ac k t o

t he S ha do w E ar th , c om e u p w it h a new identi ty, ge t b ac k into c om pu te r

design. . . .

T he n, o f c ou rs e, I w ou ld n ev er k no w w ha t w as g oi ng o n a nd w ha t h ad g on e

b ef or e. A s f or m y f at he r' s r ea l w he re ab ou ts -I 'd b ee n a bl e t o r ea ch h im f ro m





t he C ou rt s, n ev er f ro m a ny wh er e e ls e. I n t hi s s en se , he w as n ea rb y. A nd

th er e w as n o o ne e ls e a ro un d h er e l ik el y t o h el p h im .

I w al ke d a head and t ur ned r igh t. I m ad e m y way t ow ar d a pur pl ing sky . I

w ou ld b e o n t im e.

And s o I came, agai n, i nt o t he W ays of Sawal l. I had emer ged f rom t he

r ed a nd y el lo w s ta rb ur st d es ig n p ai nt ed h ig h u po n t he g at es id e w al l o f t he

f ro nt c ou rt ya rd , d es ce nd ed t he I nv is ib le S ta ir , a nd p ee re d f or l on g m om en ts

d ow n i nt o t he g re at c en tr al p it , w it h i ts v ie w o f b la ck t ur bu le nc e b ey on d

t he R im . A f al li ng s ta r b ur ne d i ts w ay d ow n t he p ur pl e s ky a s I t ur ne d a wa y,

h ea ded f or t he co pp er -c ha sed do or a nd t he l ow M aze o f A rt b ey on d i t.

Within, I r ecal led the many t imes I had been l ost i n t hat m aze as a

c hi ld . T he H ou se o f S aw al l h ad b ee n a s er io us c ol le ct or o f a rt f or a ge s, a nd

t he c ol le ct io n w as s o v as t t ha t t he re w er e s ev er al w ay s i nt o w hi ch o ne w as

cast within the maze itself, leading one through tunnels, a huge spiral, and

w ha t s ee me d a n o ld t ra in s ta ti on b ef or e b ei ng s hu nt ed b ac k t o m is s t he n ex t

t ur n. I h ad b ee n l os t i n i t f or d ay s o n o ne o cc as io n, an d w as f in al ly found

crying b ef or e an a ss em bl age o f b lu e s ho es n ai le d t o a b oa rd . I w al ke d i t

n ow , s lo wl y, l oo ki ng a t o ld m on st ro si ti es , a nd s om e n ew er o ne s. T he re w er e

a ls o s tr ik in gl y l ov el y p ie ce s m ix ed i n, s uc h a s t he h ug e v as e t ha t l oo ke d a s

i f it had be en car ved f rom a si ngl e f ir e opal , and a se t of odd en amel ed

t ab le ts f ro m a d is ta nt s ha do w w ho se m ea ni ng a nd funct ion n o o ne in t he

family could b e f oun d t o r ec al l. I h ad t o st op an d s ee bo th ag ai n, r at he r

than shortcutting the gallery, the tablets being a particular favorite of

mine.

I was humming an old tune Gryll had t aught me as I came up to t he fi er y

va se a nd r eg ar de d i t. I s ee me d t o h ea r a s ma ll c ha fi ng n oi se , b ut g la nc es u p





a nd d ow n t he c or r id or r ev ea le d n o o ne e ls e i n t he v ic in it y. T he a lm os t

s en su al c ur ve s o f t he v as e b eg ge d t o b e t ou ch ed . I c ou ld r em em be r a ll o f t he

t im es I h ad be en f or bi dd en t o do s o as a chi ld . I pu t m y l ef t hand f or wa rd

sl owl y, r es te d it up on i t. I t w as w ar me r t han I 'd t ho ug ht i t m ig ht b e. I

s li d m y ha nd a lo ng i ts si de . I t wa s l ik e a f ro ze n f la me .

" He ll o, " I m ut te re d, r em em be ri ng a n a dv en tu re w e' d s ha re d. " It 's b ee n a

l ong time. . . ."

"Merlin?" came a small voice.

I w it hd re w m y h and i mm ed iat el y. I t w as a s i f t he v as e " a h ad s po ke n.

" Y es ," I s ai d t he n. " Ye s. "

A ga in , t he c ha fi ng s ou nd , a nd a b it o f s ha do w s ti rr ed w it hi n t he c re am y

opening, above the fire.

" Ss ," s ai d t he s ha do w, r is in g. " Gl ai t? " I a sk ed .

"Yess."

" It c an 't b e. Y ou 'v e b ee n d ea d f or y ea rs ."

"Not dead. Ssleeping."

"I haven' t see n you since I w as a ki d. You w er e injured. You

disappeared. I thought you'd died."

"I s sl ee p. I s sl eep t o h eal . I ss le ep t o f or get . I ss lee p t o r en ew

mysself."

I e xt en de d m y a rm . T he s ha gg y s na ke h ea d r os e h ig he r, e xt en de d i tsel f,

fell upon my forearm, climbed, wrapped itself.

"You certainly chose elegant sleeping quarters."

"I kn ew th e j ug t o be a f avor it e of your ss. I f I wai ted l ong enough I

knew y ou wo ul d co me by ag ai n, s st op t o ad mi re i t. A nd I wo ul d kn ow and r ise





u p i n m y s sp le nd or t o g re et y ou . M y, y ou h av e g ro wn !"

" Yo u l oo k p re tt y m uc h t he s am e. A l it tl e t hi n, p er ha ps. . . . "

I s tr ok ed h er h ea d g en tl y.

"It is g oo d t o kn ow y ou ar e w it h u s st il l, l ik e som e h on or ed f am il y

s pi ri t. Y ou a nd G ry ll a nd K er gm a m ad e m y c hi ld ho od a b et te r thing than it

might have been."

S he r ai se d h er h ea d h ig h, s tr ok ed m y c he ek w it h h er n os e.

"It w ar ms s m y c ol d b lo od t o s se e y ou a ga in , d ea r b oy . Y ou 'v e t ra ve le d

far?"

"I have. Very."

" One ni gh t w e s hal l ea t m ice a nd l ie b es si de a f ir e. Y ou w il l wa rm m e a

s sa uc er o f m il k a nd t el l m e o f y ou r ad ve nt ur es s s si nc e y ou l ef t t he W ay ss o f

S sa wa ll . W e w il l f in d s so me m ar ro w b on es s f or G ry ll , i f h e b e s st il l a bo ut -"

" He s eem s t o s er ve m y u ncl e S uh uy t he se d ay s. W ha t o f K er gm a? "

"I do n ot k no w. I t h ass bee n ss o l ong ."

I hel d her c los e t o w ar m her .

" Th an k y ou f or w ai ti ng he re f or m e i n yo ur g re at d ro ws e, t o g re et m e- "

"Iss more than friendliess, helloss." "More? What then, Glait? What is

it?"

' " A t hi ng t o s ho w. W al k t ha t w ay ."

S he g es tu re d w it h h er h ea d. I m ov ed i n t he d ir ec ti on s he i nd ic at ed -t he

w a y I h ad b ee n h ea di ng a ny ho w, t o w he re t he c or ri do rs w id en ed . I c ou ld f eel

her vibrating against my arm with the barely audible purring sound she

sometimes made.





Suddenly, she stiffened and her head rose, swaying slightly.

"W ha t i s i t? " I a sk ed .

" Mi -i ce ," s he s ai d. " Mi -i ce n ea rb y. I m us st g o h unt in g- af te r I s ho w

y ou -t he t hi ng . B re ak fa ss t. . . . "

" If y ou w ou ld d in e f ir st , I w il l w ai t. "

" No , M er li n. Y ou m us st n ot b e l at e f or w ha te ve r b ro ug ht y ou h er e. T he re

is i mp or ta nc e i n t he a ir . L at er fe as st -v er mi n. . . . "

W e c am e i nt o a w id e, h ig h, s ky li gh te d s ec ti on o f t he g al le ry . F ou r

l ar ge p ie ce s o f m et al s ta tu ar y- br on ze a nd c o pp e r, m os tl y- st oo d in a n

asymmetrical arrangement about us.

"Onward," Glait said. "Not here."

I t ur ne d r ig ht a t t he n ex t c or ne r a nd p lu ng ed a he ad . S ho rt ly , w e c am e

to another display-this one resembling a metal forest.

"Sslow now. Sslow, dear demon child."

I h al te d a nd s tu di ed t he t r ee s, b ri gh t, d a r k, shi ny, dul l. I r on ,

aluminum, b ra ss , i t w as m os t i mp re ss iv e. I t w as a ls o a d is pl ay t ha t h ad n ot

b ee n p re se nt t he l as t t im e I h ad p as se d t hi s w ay , y ea rs b ef or e. N ot hi ng o dd

a bo ut t hat , of c ou rs e. There ha d a lso be en ch an ge s i n ot he r ar eas I ha d

passed through.

" No w. H er e. T ur n i n. G o b ac k. "

I m ov ed o n i nt o t he f or es t.

"Bear right. The tall one."

I h al ted whe n I cam e t o t he c ur ved t ru nk of t he tallest t re e t o my

right.

"This one?"





"Yess. Negotiate it-upward-pleasse."

"You mean climb it?"

"Yess."

"Right."

O ne n ic e t hi ng a bo ut a s ty li ze d t re e- or , a t l ea st , t hi s

st yl ized t r ee - wa s t ha t it s pi ra le d, s we ll ed , a nd t wi st ed i n s uc h a

f as hi on a s t o p ro vi de b et te r h an dh ol ds a nd f oo th ol ds t ha n a t f ir st s ee me d

a pp ar en t. I ca ug ht h ol d, d re w m ys el f u p, f ou nd a p lac e f or m y f oo t, p ul le d

again, pushed.

H ig he r. H ig he r, s ti ll . W he n I w as p er ha ps t en f ee t a bo ve t he f loor I

halted.

" Uh, what do I do now that I 'm her e?" I asked.

"Climb higher." `

"Why"

"Ssoon. Ssoon. You'll know."

I dr ew m ysel f about a f oot hi gher , and then I f elt i t.

It is not so much a ti ngl ing as i t i s a kind of pressur e.. only feel a

tingling, too, sometimes, if they lead someplace risky.

" Th er e' s a w ay u p t he re ," I s ai d.

"Yess. I w as s coiled a bo ut a bran ch of t he blue t re e when a

shadowmasster opened it. They sslew him afterwardss."

"It must lead to something very important."

" I s su pp os e. I a m n ot a g oo d j ud ge -o f p eo pl e t hi ng ss ."





"You have been through?"

"Yess."

"Then it is safe?"

"Yess."

"All right."

I c li mb ed h ig he r, r es is ti ng t he f or ce o f t he w ay u nt il I 'd b ro ug ht b ot h

f ee t t o t he sa me l ev el . Th en I r el ax ed i nt o t he t ug gi ng a nd l et i t t ak e m e

through.

I e xt en de d b ot h h an ds , t oo , i n c as e t he s ur fa ce w as

u ne ve n. B ut i t w as n' t. T he f lo or w as beaut if ul ly t il ed in b l ac k,

s il ver , g ra y, a nd w hi te . T o t he r ig ht w as a g eo me tr ic d es ig n, t o t he l ef t a

r ep re se nt at io n o f t he P it o f C ha os .

M y e ye s w er e d ir ec te d d ow nw ar d f or o nl y a f ew m om en ts , t ho ug h.

" Go od L or d! " I s ai d.

" Wa ss I r ig ht ? I t i ss i mp or ta nt ?" G la it s ai d.

"It is important," I replied.

VI

T he re w er e c an dl es a ll a bo ut t he c ha pe l, m an y o f t he m a s t al l a s I a m,

a nd near ly a s big a ro un d. S om e w er e s il ve r, s om e w er e g ra y; a f ew w er e

w hi te , a f ew b la ck . T he y s to od a t v ar io us h ei gh ts , i n a rt fu l d is po si

t io n, o n b an ks , l ed ge s, p at te rn p oi nt s on t he f loo r. They d id no t

provide the main illumination, however. This obtained from overhead, and I

f ir st a ss um ed i t t o p ro ce ed





' :f ro m a s ky li gh t. Wh en I g la nc ed u pw ar d t o g au ge t he hei ght o f t he

v au lt , t ho ug h, I s aw t ha t t he l ig ht e ma na te d f ro m a l ar ge b lu e- wh it e g lo be

c o nf in ed b eh in d a d ar k m et al g ra te .

I t oo k a s te p f or wa rd . T he n ea re st c an dl e f la me f li ck er ed .

I f ac ed a s to ne a lt ar t ha t f il le d a n ic he a cr os s t he w ay . B la ck c an dl es

b ur ne d a t e it he r h an d b ef or e i t, s ma ll er s il ve r o ne s u po n i t. F or a m om ent ,

I s im pl y r eg ar de d i t.

"Lookss like you," Glait remarked.

"I thought your eyes didn't register two-dimensional representations."

" I' ve lived a long time in a m us se um . W hy h id e yo ur p ict ur e up a

ssecret way?"

I m ov ed f or wa rd , m y g az e o n t he p ai nt in g.

" It 's n ot m e, " I s ai d. " It 's m y f at he r, C or wi n o f A mb er .

A s il ve r r os e s to od w it hi n a b ud v as e b ef or e t he p or tr ai t. W he th er it

was a real rose or t he pr oduct of art or magi c, I could not t el l.

An d G ra ys wan di r lay t he re b ef or e i t, d ra wn a f ew ` i nc hes f ro m t he

s ca bb ar d. I 'd a f ee li ng t hi s w as t he r ea l t hi ng , t ha t t he ver si on w or n by

t he P at te rn g ho st o f m y f at he r w as i ts el f a r ec on st ru ct io n.

I r ea ch ed f or wa rd , r ai se d i t, d re w i t.

Ther e w as a feeling of p ow er as I hel d i t, swung i t, st ruck an en

g ar de , l un ge d, a dv an ce d. T he s pi ka rd c am e a li ve , c en te r o f a w eb o f f or ce s.

I looked down, suddenly self-conscious.

" . A nd this is m f at he r' s b la de ," I s ai d, r et ur ni ng t o t he a lt ar ,





ce nt er , c ra ck li ng ; p ar ti cl es o f i ce c li ck ed a nd r at tl ed u po n t he s ta ir ; t he

b an is te r gr ew f ro st ed w he re s he p as se d. M y m ot he r. S he s ee me d t o s ee m e a t

abou t t he sam e t im e I sa w her , f or sh e h al ted . Th en she m ade t he turn on to

t he s ta ir a nd b eg an h er d es ce nt .

As she descended, she shifted smoothly, her appearance changing almost

f rom st ep t o st ep. As so on a s I r eal ized w ha t wa s occ ur ri ng I r el axe d m y ow n

e ff or ts a nd r ev er se d t he ir s ma ll e ff ec ts . I h ad c om me nc ed changing t he

m om en t I h ad s ee n h er , a nd p re su ma bl y s he h ad d on e t he s am e o n v ie wi ng m e. I

h ad n' t thought s he 'd g o t o t ha t e xt en t t o h um or m e, a s ec on d t im e, h er e o n

he r o wn t ur f.

T he s hi ft w as c om pl et ed j us t a s s he r ea ch ed t he b ot to mm os t s ta ir ,

b e co mi ng a l ov el y w om an i n b la ck t ro us er s a nd r ed s hi rt w it h f la re d s le ev es .

S he l oo ke d a t m e a ga in a nd s mi le d, m ov ed t ow ar d m e, e mb ra ce d m e.

I t woul d hav e b ee n g au che t o s ay t ha t I 'd i nt en ded s hi ft in g b ut h ad

f or go tt en . O r a ny o th er r em ar k o n t he m at te r.

S he p us he d m e o ut t o a rm 's d is ta nc e, l ow er ed h er g az e a nd r ai se d i t,

s h oo k h er h ea d.

" Do y ou s le ep i n y ou r c lo th es b ef or e o r a ft er v io le nt e xe rc is e? " s he

as ke d m e .

" Th at 's u nk in d, " I s ai d. " I s to pp ed t o s ig ht se e o n t he w ay o ve r a nd r an

i nt o a f ew p ro bl em s. " `

" Th at i s w hy y ou a re l at e? "

" No . I 'm l at e b ec au se I s to pp ed i n o ur g al le ry a nd t oo k l on ge r t ha n I 'd

i nt en de d. A nd I 'm n ot v er y l at e. " S he t oo k h ol d o f m y a rm a nd t ur ne d m e.





" I w il l f or gi ve y ou ," s he s ai d, s te er in g m e t ow ar d t he r os e a nd g re en

a nd g ol d- fl ec ke d p il la r o f w ay s, s et i n t he m ir ro re d a lc ov e a cr os s t he r oo m

to t he r ig ht .

I di dn' t f eel t ha t cal led f or a r esp ons e, s o I didn' t mak e o ne . I

w at ch ed with i nt er est a s w e e nt er ed t he a lc ov e, t o s ee w he th er s he w ou ld

c on du ct m e i n a c lo ck - w is e d ir ec ti on o r i ts o pp os it e a bo ut t he p il la r.

The opposite, it turned out. Interesting.

W e w er e r ef le ct ed a nd r e- re fl ec te d f ro m t he t hr ee s id es . S o w as t he

r oo m w e h ad q ui tt ed . A nd w it h e ac h c ir cu it w e m ad e o f t he p il la r i t b ec am e a

different room.

I w at ch ed i t c ha ng e, k al ei do sc op ic al ly , u nt il s he h al te d m e b ef or e t he

c ry st al g ro tt o b es id e t he u nd er gr ou nd s ea . " It 's b ee n a l on g time si nce I

thought of this place,"

I s ai d, s te pp in g f or th u po n t he p ur e w hi te s an d i nt o t he c ry st al -c as t

light, variously reminiscent of bonfires, solar reflections, candelabra, and

LED displays, functions of size and distancing perhaps, laying occasional

p ie ce s o f r ai nb ow u po n t he s ho re , t he w al ls , t he b la ck w at er .

Sh e t oo k my ha nd and l ed m e t ow ar d a r ai sed an d r ai led pl at for m s ome

sm al l d is ta nc e o ff t o t he ri ght. A t ab le s to od full s et u po n i t. A

c ol le ct io n o f c ov er ed t ra ys o cc up ie d a l ar ge r s er vi ng t ab le i nl an d o f i t. W e

mounted a sm al l st ai r, an d I s eat ed h er a nd mo ve d t o ch eck ou t t he go od ies

n e xt d oo r .

" Do s it d ow n, M er li n, " s he s ai d. " I' ll s er ve y ou ."

" Th at 's a ll r ig ht ," I a ns we re d, r ai si ng a l id . " I' m a lr ea dy h er e. I 'l l

do t he f ir st r ou nd ."





Sh e w as on h er f eet .

"Buffet style then," she said.

"Sure."

We f il le d o ur p la te s a nd m ov ed t o t he t ab le . S ec on ds

af te r w e h ad s ea te d o ur sel ves a b ri ll ian t f la sh of l ight cam e t o us

a cr os s t he w at er , i ll um in at in g t he a rc hi ng d om e o f t he c av er n v au lt l ik e t he

r i bb ed i nt er io r o f s om e m as si ve b ea st t ha t w as d ig es ti ng u s.

" Yo u n ee dn 't l oo k s o a pp re he ns iv e. Y ou k no w t he y c an 't c om e in t hi s

far."

" Wa it in g f or a t hu nd er cl ap p ut s m y a pp et it e o n h ol d, " I s ai d.

S he l au gh ed j us t a s a d is ta nt r ol l o f t hu nd er r ea ch ed u s.

"And that makes everything all right?" she asked.

"Yes," I replied, raising my fork.

"Strange, the relatives life gives us," she said.

I l oo ke d a t h er , t ri ed t o r ea d h er e xp re ss io n, c ou ld n' t.

So , " Ye s, " I s ai d.

Sh e s tu di ed m e f or a m om en t, b ut I w as n' t g iv in g a ny th in g a wa y e it he r.

S o, " Wh en y ou w er e a c hi ld y ou w en t m on os yl la bi c a s a sign o f p et ul an ce ,"

s h e s ai d.

" Ye s, " I s ai d.

W e b eg an e at in g. T he re w er e m or e f la sh es o ut o ve r t he s ti ll , d ar k s ea .

B y l ig ht of t he l ast on e I t hou ght I ca ugh t s ig ht of a d is ta nt s hi p, b la ck

sails full-rigged and bellied.

"You kept your engagement with Mandor earlier?"

"Yes."

" H ow i s h e? "





"Fine."

"Something bothering you, Merlin?"

"Many things."

"Tell Mother?"

"What i f she' s a par t of it ?"

"I w oul d b e di sa ppo in ted i f I w er e no t. S ti ll , h ow l on g w il l yo u ho ld

t he b usi ne ss of t he t y' i ga a ga in st m e? I d id w ha t I t ho ug ht w as right . I

still think it was."

I n od de d a nd c on ti nu ed c he wi ng . A ft er a t im e, " Yo u m ad e t ha t c le ar l at

c yc le ," I s ai d.

T he w at er s g av e a s ma ll s lo sh in g s ou nd . A s pe ct ru m d ri ft ed a c ro s s o ur

t ab l e, h er f ac e.

"Is there something else?" she asked.

" Wh y d on' t y ou t el l m e? " I s ai d.

I felt her gaze. I met it.

" I d on 't k no w w ha t y ou m ea n, " s he a ns we re d.

" Ar e y ou a wa re t ha t t he L og ru s i s s en ti en t? A nd t he : P at te rn ?" I s ai d.

" Di d M an do r t el l y ou t ha t? " s he a sk ed .

" Ye s. B ut I a lr ea dy k ne w i t b ef or e h e d id ."

"How?"

"We've been in touch."

"Y ou a nd t he P at te rn ? Y ou a nd t he L og ru s? " " Bo th ."

"To what end?"





" Man ip ul at io n, I 'd s ay . T he y' re e ng ag ed i n a p ow er s tr ug gl e. T he y w er e

a sk in g m e t o c ho os e s id es ." " Wh ic h d id y ou c ho os e? "

"Neither. Why?"

"You should have told me."

"Why?"

"For counsel. Possibly for assistance."

"A ga in st t he P ow er s o f t he u ni ve rs e? H ow wel l c on ne ct ed a r e y ou ,

Mother?"

She smiled.

"I t i s p os si bl e t ha t o ne s uc h a s m ys el f m ay p os se ss s pe ci al k no wl ed ge

of their workings."

" One su ch as your sel f. . . ?"

"A sorceress of my skills."

" Ju st h ow g oo d a re y ou , M ot he r? "

" I d on 't t hi nk t he y c om e m uc h b et te r, M er li n. "

" Fa mi ly i s a lw ay s t he l ast t o k no w, I gu es s. S o w hy d id n' t y ou t ra in m e

yourself, instead of sending me off to Suhuy?"

" I ' m n ot a g oo d t ea ch er . I d is li ke tr ai ni ng p eo pl e. " " You t ra in ed

Jasra."

S he t il te d h er h ea d t o t he r ig ht a nd n ar ro we d h er e ye s.

" Di d M an do r t el l y ou t ha t, a ls o? " s he a sk ed .

"No.

"Who, then?"

"What difference does it make?"

" Co ns id er ab le ," s he r ep li ed . " Be ca us e I d on 't b el ie ve y ou k ne w i t t he

l as t t im e w e m et ."





I r ec al le d su dd enl y t hat s he h ad s ai d s om et hi ng a bo ut J as ra b ac k a t

Suhuy's, something implying her familiarity with her, something to which I

w ou ld o rd in ar il y h ave r is en sa ve t ha t I w as d ri vi ng a l oad o f animus in a

different direction at the time and heading downhill in a thunderstorm with

t he b ra ke s m ak in g f un ny n oi se s. I w as a bo ut t o a sk h er w hy i t m at te re d when

I l ear ne d it , when I r eal ized t hat s he w as r ea ll y a sk in g f ro m w hom I 'd

l ea rn ed i t, b ec au se s he w as c on ce rn ed w it h w ho m I m ig ht h av e b ee n s pe ak in g

o n s uc h m at te rs s in ce l as t w e' d m et . M en ti on in g L uk e' s P at te rn g ho st d id n ot

s ee m p ol it ic , s o, " Ok ay , M an do r l et i t s li p, " I s ai d, " an d t he n a sk ed m e t o

forget it."

" In o th er w or ds, " sh e sa id , " he ex pe ct ed i t t o ge t ba ck t o me . W hy di d

h e d o i t j us t t ha t w ay ? I w on de r. T he m an i s d am na bl y s ub tl e. "

" May be h e d id j us t l et i t s li p. "

" Ma nd or l et s n ot hi ng s li p. N ev er m ak e h im a n e ne my , s on ."

" Ar e w e t al ki ng a bo ut t he s am e p er so n? "

S he s na pp ed h er f i ng er s.

"Of c ou rs e, " s he s ai d. " It w as on ly a s a c hi ld t ha t y ou kn ew h im . Y ou

went aw ay af ter t hat . You have seen hi m but a f ew t imes si nce. Y es , he is

subtle, insidious, dangerous."

"We've always gotten along well."

" Of c ou rs e. H e n ev er a nt ag on iz es w it ho ut a g oo d r ea s on ."

I s hr ug ge d a nd w en t o n e at in g.





A ft er a t im e s he s ai d, " I d ar es ay h e h as m ad e s im il ar ; : c om me nt s a bo ut

me."

" I a m u na bl e t o r eca ll a ny ," I a ns we re d.

"Has he been giving you lessons in circumspection, too?"

" No , though I 'v e f el t a n ee d t o t ea ch m ys el f, o f l at e. " ` `S ur el y, y ou

ob ta in ed a f ew i n A mb er ."

" If I d id , t he y w er e s o s ub tl e I d id n' t n ot ic e. "

"W el l, w el l. C an i t be I need despai r of y ou no mor e?"

" I d ou bt i t. "

" So , w ha t m ig ht t he P at te rn o r t he L og ru s w an t o f y ou ?"

" I a lr ea dy t ol d y ou -a c ho ic e o f s id es ."

" It i s t ha t d if fi cu lt t o d ec id e w hi ch y ou p re fe r? "

" It i s t ha t d if fi cu lt t o d ec id e w hi ch I d is li ke l es s. "

" Be ca us e t he y a re , a s y ou s ay , m an ip ul at iv e o f p eo pl e.

in their struggle for power?"

"Just so."

Sh e l au gh ed . T he n, " Wh il e i t s ho ws t he g od s a s n o b et te r t ha n t he r es t

o f u s, " s he s ai d, " at l ea st , i t sh ow s t he m a s no w or se. S ee h er e t he so ur ce s

o f hu ma n m or al it y. I t i s st il l b et ter t ha n n one a t a ll . I f t he se g ro und s be

insufficient for the choosing of sides, then let other considerations rule.

Y ou a re , a ft er al l, a so n o f C ha os ."

" An d A mb er ," I s ai d.

" Yo u gr ew u p i n t he C ou rt s. "

"And I hav e dw el led i n A mb er . M y r el at iv es a re a s n um er ou s t he re a s

t h ey a re h er e. "

" It i s r ea ll y t ha t c lo se , t he n? "





"If it were not, it might have simplified matters."

" In t ha t c as e, " s he s ai d, " yo u m us t t ur n i t a ro un d. "


"A sk not w hi ch appeal s t he m ost to you , but w hi ch can do t he most for

you,"

I s ip pe d a fine gr ee n t ea a s t he st or m r ol le d n ea rer . S om et hi ng

s pl as he d w it hi n t he w at er s o f o ur i nl et .

"All right," I said, "I'm asking."

S he l ea ne d f or wa rd a nd s mi le d a nd h er e ye s d ar ke ne d. S he h as a lw ay s h ad

p er fec t c on tr ol o f h er f ace a nd f or m, sh if ti ng t hem t o s ui t h er m oo ds . S he

i s obvi ously t he s am e p er so n, b ut a t t im es s he m ay c ho os e t o a pp ea r a s

l it tl e m or e t ha n a g ir l, a t o th er t imes b ec om in g a m at ur e a nd h an ds om e

w om an . G en er al ly , s he s ee ms s om ew he re in b et we en . B ut n ow , a c er t ai n

t im el es s q ua li ty c am e i nt o h er f ea tu re s- no t a ge s o m uc h a s t he e ss en ce o f

Ti meand I r ea li ze d s ud de nl y t ha t I h ad n ev er k no wn h er t ru e a ge . I w at ch ed

a s s om et hi ng l ik e a v ei l o f a nc ie nt p ow er c am e a cr os s i t.

"The Logrus," she said, "will lead you to greatness."

I c on ti nu ed t o s ta re .

" Wh at s or t o f g re at ne ss ?" I a sk ed .

" Wh at s or t d o y ou d es ir e? "

" I d on 't k no w t ha t I ev er wa nt ed g re at ne ss, o n i ts ow n. I t se em s r at her

l ik e w an ti ng t o b e a n e ng in ee r, r at he r t ha n w an ti ng t o d esi gn s om et hi ng -o r

want ing t o b e a w ri ter , r at he r than wanting t o w ri te . I t s ho ul d b e a

b y- pr od uc t, n ot a t hi ng i n i ts el f. O th er wi se , i t' s j us t a n e go t ri p. "

" Bu t i f y ou e ar n i t- if y ou d es er ve i t- sh ou ld n' t y ou h av e i t? "





" I s up po se . B ut s o f ar I 'v e d on e n ot hi ng "- my e ye s fell t o a bright

c ir cl e o f light b en ea th t he d a r k w at er s, m ov in g a s i f r un ni ng b ef or e a

s to rm -" ex ce pt p er ha ps f or a n o dd p ie ce o f e qu ip me nt , w hi ch m ig ht fall i nt o

that category."

" Yo u a re y ou ng, o f co ur se ," sh e s ai d, " an d t he t im es f or w hi ch y ou w er e

meant to be uniquely qualified have come sooner than I'd anticipated."

I f I wer e t o u se m agi c t o sum mo n a cup of c of fe, wou ld sh e r esen t t hat ?

Ye s, I believed. She woul d. So I deci ded on a glass of wine. As I pour ed i t

a nd t oo k a s ip , I s ai d, " I' m a fr ai d I d on 't u nd er st an d w ha t y ou 'r e talking

about."

S h e n o dd ed .

"It is hardly something you could learn from introspection," she said

s lo wl y, " an d n o o ne w ou ld b e so r as h a s t o m en ti on t he p os si bi li ty t o y ou ."

"What are you talking about, Mother?"

" Th e t hr on e. T o r ei gn i n t he C ou rt s o f C ha os ."

"M an do r h ad s or t o f s ug ge st ed I t hi nk a bo ut i t, " I s ai d.

" Al l r ig ht . N o o ne , e xc ep ti ng M an do r, w ou ld b e s o r as h a s t o mention

it."

"I g at he r m ot he rs g et a c er ta in k ic k o ut o f s ee in g t he ir s on s d o w el l,

b ut u nf or tu na te ly y ou 'v e n am ed a j ob f or which I l ac k n ot only ski ll ,

aptitude, and training but also any desire."

S he s te ep le d h er f in ge rs a nd r eg ar de d m e f r om j us t a bo ve t he m.

" Yo u a re b et te r q ua li fi ed t ha n y ou t hi nk , a nd y ou r d es ir es h av e n ot hi ng

t o d o w it h t he m at te r. "

" As a n i nt er es te d p ar ty , I m ust b eg t o d if fe r w it h y ou. "

"Even if it w er e t he o nl y w ay t o p ro te ct f ri en ds a nd r el at iv es b ot h





h er e a nd i n A mb er ?"

I t oo k ano the r si p o f w in e.

"Protect them? Against what?"

" Th e P at te rn i s a bo ut t o t ry r ed ef in in g t he m id dl e r eg io ns o f S ha do w i n

it s o wn i ma ge. I t i s p ro ba bl y s tr on g e no ug h t o d o i t n ow ."

" Yo u w er e t al ki ng o f A mb er a nd t he C ou rt s, n ot o f S ha do w. "

"The Logrus will have to resist this incursion. Since it would probably

l os e i n a d ir ec t co nf ron tat io n wi th i ts o pp os it e, it will b e f or ce d t o

employ agents strategically, in a strike against Amber. The most effective

a ge nt s w ou ld , o f c ou rs e, b e c ha mp io ns o f t he C ou rt s- "

" Th is i s m ad! " I s ai d. " Th er e m ust b e a be tt er w ay! "

"Possibly," she replied. "Accept the throne and you'll be giving the

orders."

"I don't know enough."

" Yo u w il l b e b ri ef ed , o f c ou rs e. "

"W ha t a bo ut t he p ro pe r o rd er o f s uc ce ss io n? "

"That's not your problem."

"I r at he r t hi nk I 'd h av e a n i nt er es t i n h ow i t' s a ch ie ve d- sa y, w he th er

I 'd o we y ou o r M an do r f or t he m aj or it y o f d ea th s. "

" In t ha t w e' re b ot h S aw al l, t he q ue st io n b ec om es a ca de mi c. "

"You mean you're cooperating on this?"

" We h ave o ur d if fe re nc es ," s he s ai d, "and I d ra w t he line a t any

discussion of methods."

I sighed a nd t o ok a no th er d ri nk . T he s to rm h ad g ro wn w or se o ve r t he

d ar k w at er s. I f t ha t s tr an ge l ig ht e ff ec t b en ea th t he ir s ur fa ce w er e i nd ee d





G ho st wh ee l, I w on de r ed w ha t h e w as u p t o. T he l ig hm in gs w er e b ec om in g a

steady backdrop, the thunder a continuing soundtrack.

" Wh at d id y ou m ean ," I s ai d, " wh en y ou s po ke o f t he t im es f or which I

was meant to be uniquely qualified?"

"The present and the immediate future," she said, "with the conflict

that will come."

" No ," I r es po nd ed . " I w as r ef er ri ng t o t he bu si nes s a bo ut my being

`meant to be uniquely qualified.' How so?"

I t m us t h av e b een t he l ig ht ni ng , f or I h ad n ev er s ee n h er b lu sh be fo re .

"You combine two great bloodlines," she said.

"Technically, your father was King of Amber briefly-between the reign

o f O be ro n a nd t ha t o f E ri c"

" Si nc e O be ron wa s s ti ll al ive a t t he time a nd h ad n ot a bd ic at ed ,

n ei th er r ei gn s ho ul d b e c on si de re d v al id ," I r es po nd ed . " Ra nd om i s O be ro n' s

proper successor."

" A c as e c an b e m ad e f or a n i mp li ed a bd ic at io n, " s he s ai d.

"You prefer that reading, don't you?"

"Of course."

I w at ch ed t he s to rm . I s wa ll ow ed s om e w in e.

" Th at i s w hy y ou w is he d t o b ea r C or wi n' s c hi ld ?" I a sk ed .

" Th e L og ru s a ss ur ed m e t ha t s uc h a c hi ld w ou ld b e u ni qu el y q ua li fi ed t o

reign here."

" Bu t D ad n ev er r ea ll y m ea nt t hat m uch t o y ou , d id he ?"

She l oo ked a ay, o ut t o wher e t he c ir cl e of l igh t w as now r ac ing t ow ar d

us, lightnings falling behind it. "You have no right to ask that question,"

s h e s ai d.





o n t he d ay o f t he c on fr on ta ti on a t A mb er C as tl e, " I d id n ot w is h t o d is tu rb

y ou r r ep as t, b ut t ha t t hi ng y ou h ar bo r m ak es i t n ec es sa ry ." A j ag ge d b ra nc h

o f t he i ma ge w as f li pp ed i n t he d ir ec ti on o f m y l ef t w ri st .

" It 's b lo ck in g m y a bi li ty t o s hi ft a wa y, " G ho st s ai d. " Gi ve i t t o m e! "

" W hy ?" I a sk ed .

" T' ha t thing h as t ra ve rs ed t he L og ru s, " c am e t he w or ds , d if fe ri ng a t

seeming random in pitch, volume, accent.

It occurr ed to m e t hat I m ight defy i t now if I wer e reall y as valuable

t o t he L og ru s a s D ar a h ad i nd ic at ed . S o, " It 's t heor et ical ly o pe n t o all

c om er s ," I r e sp on de d.

"I am my o wn l aw , M er li n, a nd y ou r G ho st wh ee l h as c ro ss ed m e b ef or e.

I 'l l h av e i t n ow ."

"N o, " I s ai d, moving my a wa re ne ss i nt o t he s pi ka r d, s ee ki ng a nd

l ocati ng a m eans o f i ns ta nt t ra ns po rt t o a n a re a w he re t he P at te rn r ul ed .

"I'll not surrender my creation so readily."

The brightness of the Sign increased.

A t t hi s, D ar a w as o n h er f ee t, m ov in g t o i nt er po se h er se lf b et we en it

and myself.

" St ay ," s he s ai d. " We 'v e m or e i mp or ta nt m at te rs t c d ea l w it h t ha n

v en ge an ce u po n a t oy . I h av e d is pa tc he d m y c ou si ns H en dr ak e f or t he b ri de o f

C ha os . I f y ou w is h t hi s p la n t o s ucc ee d, I s ug ge st y ou a ss is t t he m. "

" I r ec al l y ou r p la n f or P ri nc e B ra nd , s et ti ng t he l ady Ja sr a t o s na re

hi m. I t co ul d no t f ai l, yo u t ol d m e. "





"It br oug ht you c lo se r t ha n y ou e ve r c am e, o ld S er pe nt , t o t he p ow er

you desire."

"That is true," it acknowledged.

" An d t he b ea re r o f t he E ye i s a s im pl er b ei ng t ha n J as ra ."

T he S ig n s li d p as t h er , a t in y s un t ur ni ng i ts el f i nt o a s uc ce ss io n o f

ideograms.

" Me rl in , y ou w il l t ak e t he t hr on e a nd s er ve m e w he n t he t im e c om es ?"

"I will d o w hat is n ec es sa ry t o r ed re ss t he b al an ce o f p ow er ," I

replied.

"T hat i s not what I asked ! Wi ll you t ake t he th ron e under t he terms I

set?"

" If t hat i s w ha t i s n ee de d t o s et t hi ng s r ig ht ," I a ns we re d.

" Th is p le as es m e, " i t s ai d. " Ke ep y ou r t oy ."

D ar a m ov ed a si de , a nd i t p as se d n ea r t o h er b ef or e f ad in g.

" Ask h im o f L uk e a nd C or wi n an d t he ne w P at te rn ," i t s ai d, a nd t he n i t

w a s g on e.

Sh e t ur ne d t ow ar d m e a nd s ta re d.

"P ou r m e a g la ss o f w in e, " sh e s ai d.

I di d t hi s. S he r ai sed i t and t oo k a sw al low .

" So t el l m e o f L uk e a nd C or wi n a nd t he n ew P at te rn ," s he s ai d.

" Te ll m e o f J as ra a nd B ra nd ," I c ou nt er ed .

" No . Y ou w il l g o f ir st i n t hi s," sh e sai d.

" Ve ry w el l, " I s ai d. " It n eg le ct ed t o m en ti on t ha t t he y w er e P at t er n

gh ost s. L uke 's a pp ear ed t o m e o n t he w ay o ver h er e, s en t by t he P at ter n t o

p er su ad e m e t o d ep ar t t hi s r ea lm . T he L og ru s s en t L or d B or el 's t o d is po se o f





Luke."

" Lu ke b ei ng R in al do , t he s on o f J as ra a nd B ra nd , h us ba nd o f C or al a nd

King of Kashfa?"

"Very g oo d. N ow t el l m e o f al l t hat bu si ness a t t he e nd . Yo u se t Jas ra

t o snar e B ran d, t o g ui de h im do wn t he p at h he t ook?"

" He w ou ld h av e t ak en i t a ny ho w. H e c am e t o t he C ou rt s s ee ki ng p ow er t o

f ur th er h is e nd s. S he m er el y m ad e t hi ng s a l it tl e e as ie r f or h im ."

" That 's n ot h ow i t s ou nd ed t o m e. B ut d oe s t ha t m ea n m y f at he r' s c ur se

w as n ot r ea ll y a f ac to r? "

" No , i t h el pe d- in a m et ap hy si ca l w ay -m ak in g i t e as ie r t o e xt en d t he

B la ck R oa d t o A mb er . W hy i s i t yo u a re s ti ll h er e, w he n K in g R ina ld o b ad e

y ou d ep ar t? I s i t l oy al ty t o t he C ou rt s? "

"I had a dat e w it h you f or l unch, and i t' s been a w hi le. Ha ted t o miss

it."

S he s mi le d, v er y s li gh tl y, a nd t oo k a s ma ll s ip o f w in e.

"You chan ge t he s ub je ct w el l, " s he s ta te d. " Le t u s r et ur n t o i t n ow .

T he g ho st o f B or el d is pa tc he d t ha t o f R in al do , I t ak e i t? "

"Not exactly."


"My f at he r' s g ho st s ho we d u p a bo ut t hen a nd d ea lt wit h B or el ,

permitting us to depart."

" Ag ai n? C or wi n b es te d B or el a ga in ?" I n od de d.

"Neither remembered their first encounter, of course. Their memories

o nl y g o b ac k t o t he t im e o f t he ir r ec or di ng , a nd -"

"I u nd er st an d t he p ri nc ip le . Th en w ha t h ap pe ne d? " " We f le d," I

answered, "and I subsequently came here."





" Wh at d id t he L og ru s m ea n i n r ef er ri ng t o t he n P at te rn ?"

" My f at he r' s g ho st w as a pp ar en tl y g en er at ed t he m; r at he r t ha n b y t he

old one."

S he s at u pr ig ht , e ye s s ud de nl y w id e.

" Ho w d o y ou k no w t hi s? " s he d em an de d. " He t ol d m e, " I a ns we re d.

Sh e st ar ed p as t me t hen at t he no w- si le nt s ea. " So t he t hi rd p ow er is

actually taking a part in things," she mused. "This is fascinating, as well

as disconcerting. Damn the man for having drawn it!"

" Yo u r ea ll y h at e h im , d on 't y ou ?" I s ai d.

H er e ye s f oc us ed a ga in u po n m y o wn .

" Le t t ha t s ub je ct b e! " s he o rd er ed . " Sa ve f or this," s he a me nd ed a

m om en t l at er . "Di d h e give y ou a ny i nd ic at io n a s t o t he n ew P at te rn 's

a ll eg ia nc e- or i ts p la ns ? T he f ac t t ha t . it s en t h im t o p ro te ct L uk e m ig ht b e

s ee n a s a s ec on di ng o f t he o ld P at te rn 's a ct io n. O n t he o th er h an d- ei th er

b ec au se it w as cr eat ed b y y ou r f at her , o r be ca us e i t h as i ts o wn u ses f or

y ou -I c an s ee i t s im pl y a s a n e ff or t a t y ou r p ro te ct io n. W ha t d id h e s ay ?"

"T hat he want ed t o get m e away f rom wher e I was."

S h e n o dd ed .

" Wh ic h h e o bv io us ly d id ," s he s ai d. " Di d h e s ay anyt hing e ls e? D id

anything else happen that might be important?"

" He a sk ed a ft er y ou ."

"Really? And that was all?"

" He h ad n o s pe ci al m es sa ge , i f t ha t' s w ha t y ou m ea n. "





"I see."

S he l oo ke d a wa y, w as s il en t f or a t im e. T he n, " Th os e g ho st s d on 't l as t

v er y l on g, d o t he y? " s he s ai d.

" N o, " I r ep li ed .

"It's infuriating," she said at last, "to think that, despite

e ve ry th in g, h e i s s ti ll a bl e t o p la y a h an d i n t hi s. "

" He 's a li ve , i sn 't h e, M ot he r? " I s ai d. " An d y ou k no w w he re he i s. "

"I'm not his keeper, Merlin."

" I t hi nk y ou a re ."

"It is impertinent to contradict me this way."

"Yet I mu st ,' ' I r espo nded . " I s aw hi m o ff o n hi s way t o t he C our ts.

C er ta in ly , h e w an te d t o b e h er e w it h t he o th er s f or t he p ea ce se tt le men t.

E ven m or e, though, he must hav e w an te d t o s ee y ou . T he re w er e s o m an y

u na ns we re d q ue st io ns i n h is m in d- wh er e y ou c am e f ro m, w hy y ou c am e t o him,

w hy y ou p ar te d a s y ou d id -"

"Enough!" she cried. "Let it be!"

I i gn or ed h er .

"And I kn ow he wa s h er e i n t he C our ts. H e w as s ee n he re . H e m ust h av e

l oo ke d y ou u p. W ha t h ap pe ne d t he n? W ha t s or t o f a ns we rs d id y ou g iv e h im ?"

She r os e t o he r f eet , gl ar ing at me now .

"T ha t w il l b e a ll , M er li n, " s he s ai d. " It s ee ms i mp os si bl e t o c on du ct a

civilized conversation with you."

" Is h e y ou r p ri so ne r, M ot he r? D o y ou h av e h im

l oc ke d a wa y s om ew he re , s om ep la ce w he re h e c an 't b ot he r y ou , c an 't

interfere with your plans?"

She stepped quickly away from the table, almost stumbling.





" Wr et ch ed c hi ld !" s he s ai d. " Yo u' re j us t l ik e h im ! W hy d id y ou h av e t o

resemble him so?"

"You're afraid of him, aren't you?" I said, suddenly realizing this

c ou ld w el l b e t he c as e. " Yo u' re a fr ai d t o k il l a P ri nc e o f A mb er , e ve n w it h

t he L og ru s o n y ou r s id e. Y ou 'v e g ot h im l oc ke d a wa y s om ew he re , a nd y ou 'r e

a fr ai d h e' ll c om e l oo se a nd b lo w y ou r l at es t p la ns . Y ou 'v e b ee n s ca re d f or a

l ong t ime now becau se o f wh at yo u' ve had t o d o t o keep hi m ou t of act ion. "

" Pr ep os te ro us !" s he s ai d, b ac ki ng a wa y a s I r ou nd ed t he t ab le . T he re

w as a l oo k o f g en ui ne f ea r o n h er f ac e n ow . " Yo u' re j us t g ue ssi ng !" s he w en t

o n. " He 's d ea d, M er li n! G iv e u p! L ea ve m e a lo ne! N ev er m en ti on h is name in

m y p res en ce a ga in ! Y es , I h at e h im ! H e w ou ld h av e d est ro ye d u s a ll ! H e s ti ll

would, if he could!"

" He i s n ot d ea d, " I st at ed .

" Ho w c an y ou s ay t ha t? "

I b it d own o n t he d esi re t o t el l he r I 'd sp oke n w it h hi m, hel d i t ba ck.

" Onl y t he guilty p ro te st s o s tr on gl y, " I s ai d. " He 's a li ve . W he re i s

he?"

S he r ai se d h er h an ds , p al ms i nw ar d, a nd c ro ss ed t he m u po n he r b re as t,

e lb ow s l ow . The f ea r w as g on e, t he a ng er w as g on e. W he n s he s po ke a ga in ,

something like mockery seemed her main humor: "Then seek him, Merlin. By all

means, seek him."

"Where?" I demanded.

"L oo k f or hi m i n t he P it of Ch aos ."

A f la me a pp ea re d n ea r h er l ef t f oo t a nd b eg an o rb it in g h er b od y in a

counterclockwise direction, spiraling upward, leaving a line of fire to





bl aze r edl y behi nd i t. B y t he t im e i t r eached t he cr own of her head she w as

e nt ir el y c on ce al e d. I t w en t o ut w it h a f ai nt w ho os hi ng s ou nd t he n, t ak in g

h er a lo ng w it h i t.

I m ov ed f or wa rd a nd k ne lt , f ee li ng t he ar ea o n w hi ch s he 'd s t oo d. I t

w a s a l it tl e w ar m, t ha t' s a ll . N ic e s pe ll . N ob od y' d e ve r t au gh t m e t ha t o ne .

T hi nk in g ba ck on i t t he n, I r eal iz ed t ha t M om h ad a lw ay s h ad a f la ir w hen i t

c am e t o e nt r an ce s a nd e xi t s.

"Ghost?"

He d anced aw ay f rom my wr ist t o hover i n t he ai r bef or e m e.

"Yes?"

"Are you still barred from transporting yourself through Shadow?"

" No ," h e r ep li ed . "T hat w as l if ted w hen t he Sign o f t he L og ru s

d e pa rt ed . I c an t ra ve l- in o r o ut o f S ha do w. I c an p ro vi de t ra ns po rt at io n f or

y o u. W oul d y ou l ike m e t o? "

"Yes. Take me into the gallery upstairs."

" Ga ll er y? I p lu ng ed d ir ec tl y f ro m t he p la ce o f t he L og ru s i nt o t he d ar k

sea , D ad . I 'm no t qu it e s ur e a s t o t he l ay of t he l an d he re. "

"Never mind," I said. "I'll manage it myself."

I a ct iv at ed t he s pi ka rd . E ne rg ie s s pi ra le d fr om six o f i ts t in es ,

e nca gi ng G ho st a nd m ys el f, s wi rl in g u s u pw ar d t o t he p la ce o f m y d es ir e i n

the Maze of Art. I tri ed for a flash of fire as we went, but had no way of

knowi ng w het he r I 'd a ch ie ve d i t. M ak es y ou w on de r h ow t he r ea ll y g oo d o ne s

get their practice.





VII

I d el iv er ed u s i nt o t ha t e er ie h al l t hat h ad a lw ay s b ee n ol d S aw al l' s

c hi ef d el ig ht i n t he m az e. I t w as a s cu lp tu re g ar de n, w it h n o o ut si de l ig ht

s ou rc es a nd s ma ll b as e l ig ht in g only a bo ut t he huge p ie ce s, making it

several times darker than my favorite lounge. The floor was uneven-concave,

convex, stepped, ridged-with concavity being the dominant curve. It was

di ff icul t t o g ue ss a t i ts d im en si on s, f or i t s ee me d o f d if fe re nt s iz e a nd

c on to ur d ep en di ng u po n w he re o ne s to od . G ra mb le , L or d S aw al l , h ad c au se d it

t o b e c on st ru ct ed w it ho ut a ny p la ne s ur fa ce s- an d I b el ie ve t he j ob i nv ol ve d

some unique shadowmastery.

I s to od b es id e w ha t a pp ea re d t o b e a c om pl ic at ed r ig gi ng i n t he a bs en ce

o f i ts s hi p- th at , o r a n e la bo ra te m us ic al i ns tr um en t f it t o b e s tr um me d b y

Titans-and the light turned the lines to silver, running like life from

d ar kn es s t o d ar kn es s w it hi n s om e h al f s ee n f ra me . O th er p ie ce s j ut te d f rom

w al ls a nd h un g l ik e s ta la ct it es . A s I s tr ol le d, w ha t h ad s ee me d w al ls b ec am e

f lo or t o m e. T he p ie ce s t ha t h ad s ee me d f lo or ed n ow j ut te d o r d ep en de d.

Th e r oo m c ha ng ed s ha pe a s I w en t, a nd a b re ez e b le w t hr ou gh i t, c au si ng

sighs, hums, buzzes, chimes. Gramble, my stepfather, had taken a certain

d el ig ht i n t hi s h al l, w he re as f or m e i t h ad l on g r ep re se nt ed a n e xe rc is e in

i nt re pi di ty t o v en tu re b ey on d i ts t hr es ho ld . A s I g re w o ld er , h ow ev er , I ,

t oo , c am e t o e nj oy i t, p ar tl y f or t he oc ca si on al f risson it p ro vi de d my

a do le sc en ce . N o w, t ho ug h- No w I j us t w an te d t o w an de r i t a f ew m om en ts , f or

o ld t im es ' s ak e, a s I s or te d t hr ou gh m y t ho ug ht s. T he re w er e s o d am ne d many

o f t he m. T hi ng s t ha t h ad t an ta li ze d m e f or m uc h o f m y a du lt l if e s ee me d n ea r





t o e xp lan at io n n ow . I w as n ot h ap py w it h a ll o f t he p os si bi li ti es t ha t

t um bl ed t hr ou gh m y m in d. S ti ll , n o m at te r w hi ch o ne s c am e o ut o n t o p, it

would beat ignorance.

"Dad?"

"Yes?"

" Wh at i s t hi s p la ce , a ny wa y? " G ho st a sk ed .

"I t' s a par t of t he bi g ar t co ll ect ion her e at t he Way s of Sawal l, " I

e xp la in ed . " Pe op le c om e f ro m a ll o ve r t he C ou rt s a nd n ea rb y S ha do w t o s ee

i t. I t w as a pa ss io n w it h m y s te pf at he r. I sp en t a l ot o f t im e w an de ri ng

t he se h al ls w he n I w as a k id . T he re a re m an y h idd en w ay s i n t hi s p la ce ."

"And this particular room? There's something wrong with it."

"Y es and n o," I sai d. " I g uess i t depe nds o n w hat y ou m ean by ` wr ong. '

"

"My perceptions are strangely affected just now."

" That is b ec au se t he s pa ce i tse lf i s f ol ded i n h er e, l ik e so me o dd

o ri ga mi f ig ur e. T he h al l i s m uc h l ar ge r t han it s ee ms . Y ou c an w an de r

t hr ou gh many t im es a nd w it ne ss a d if fe re nt a rr ay o f d is pl ay s o n e ac h

o cc as io n. T he re m ay e ve n b e s om e i nt er na l m ov em en t i nv ol ved . I w as n ev er

s ur e. O nl y S aw al l k ne w f or c er ta in ."

"I was right. Something's wrong with it."

" I r at he r l ik e i t t hi s w ay ."

I s ea te d m ys el f o n a s il ve r s tu mp b es id e a s pr aw le d s il ve r t re e.

" I wan t t o see how i t f ol ds," h e sai d at l ast .





"Go ahead."

A s he d ri ft ed of f, I t hou gh t of m y r ecen t i nt er vi ew w it h my m ot he r. I

w as r em in de d o f e ve ry th in g M an do r h ad s ai d o r i mpl ied, o f t he c onf li ct

be tw ee n t he P at te rn a nd t he Lo gr us , o f m y f at he r as t he c ham pi on of t he

P at te rn a nd i nt en de d k in g i n A mb er . H ad s he k no wn t hi s, k no wn it a s f ac t

r at he r t ha n s pe cu la ti on ? I i ma gi ne d s he c ou ld h av e, f or s he s ee me d t o e nj oy

a s pe ci al r el at io ns hi p w it h t he L og ru s, a nd i t w ou ld s ur el y h av e b ee n a w ar e

o f i ts a dv er sa ry 's m or e p ro mi ne nt d ec is io ns . S he 'd a dm it te d t ha t s he d id n ot

l ov e t he m an . I t s ee me d

a s i f s he h ad s ou gh t h im f or w ha te ve r g en et ic m at er ia l h ad s o i mp re ss ed

t he P at te rn . H ad s he r ea ll y b ee n t ry in g t o b re ed a c ha mp io n f or t he L og ru s?

I c hu ck le d a s I c on si de re d t he r es ul t. S he h ad s ee n m e t ra in ed w el l i n

a rm s, b ut I w as n ow he re n ea r D ad 's l ea gue . I ' d p re fe rr ed s or ce ry , b ut

s o rc er er s w er e a d im e a d oz en i n t he C ou rt s. F in al ly , sh e' d sh ip pe d m e o ff

t o c ol le ge o n t ha t S ha do w E ar th t he Am ber it es f av or . But a d eg re e in

C om pu te r S ci en ce f ro m B er ke le y d id n' t m uc h q ua li fy m e t o u ph ol d t he b an ne r

of C ha os against the f or ces of O rd er eit her . I must have b een a

disappointment to her.

I thought b ac k t o m y c hi ld ho od , t o s om e o f t he s tr an ge a dv en tu re s f or

w hi ch t hi s p la ce h ad s er ve d a s a p oi nt o f d ep ar tu re . G ry ll a nd I w ou ld c om e

h e r e, G la it s li th er in g a t o ur f ee t, c oi le d a bo ut a l im b o r r id in g s om ew he re

am id m y g ar me nt s. I w ou ld g ive t ha t od d ul ul ant c ry I h ad l ea rn ed in a

d r ea m, a nd s om et im es K er gm a w ou ld j oi n u s, c om e s ki tt er in g d ow n t he . fo ld s

o f d ar kn es s, o ut s om e f ra ye d a re a o f t wi st ed s pa ce . I w as n ev er s ur e e xa ct ly

w ha t K er gm a w as , o r e ve n o f w ha t g en de r, f or K er gm a w as a sha pe sh if ter a nd





f le w, c ra wl ed , h op pe d, o r r an i n a s uc ce ss io n o f i nt er es ti ng f or ms .

O n a n i mpu lse , I v oi ce d t ha t a nc ie nt c al l. N ot hi ng , o f c ou rs e,

h appen ed, and I saw i t m om ent s l at er f or w hat i t w as: a cr y af ter a vani sh ed

c hi ld ho od , w he n I h ad a t l ea st f el t w an te d. N ow , n ow I w as n ot hi ng- ne it her

Amberite nor Chaosite, and certainly a disappointment to my relatives on

b ot h s id es . I w as a f ai le d e xp er im en t. I 'd n ev er b ee n w an te d f or m ys el f, b ut

a s s om et hi ng t ha t m ig ht co me t o p ass . S ud de nl y m y e ye s w er e moi st , a nd I

held b ac k a sob . A nd I 'l l n ever k now wha t s or t of m oo d I m ig ht hav e wor ked

m y se lf i nt o b ec au se I w as d is tr ac te d t he n.

There came a f lare of r ed li ght f rom a poi nt hi gh on the wall t o my

l ef t. I t w as i n t he f or m of a s mal l c ir cl e a bou t t he f ee t o f a hu ma n f ig ur e.

"Merl in! " c al le d a v oi ce f rom t ha t d ir ec ti on , a nd t he f la me s l ea pt

h ig he r. B y t he ir l ig ht , I s aw t ha t f am il ia r f ac e, r em in di ng m e a b it of my

o wn , a nd I w as p le as ed wi th t he m ea ni ng i t ha d j us t gi ve n t o m y l if e, e ve n

i f t ha t m ea ni ng w as d ea th .

I r ai se d m y l ef t h an d a bo ve m y he ad an d w il led a f la sh of blue light

f ro m t he s pi ka rd .

" Ov er h er e , J ur t! " I c al le d, r is in g t o m y f ee t. I b eg an f or mi ng t he

b al l o f l ig ht t hat w as t o b e h is d is tr ac ti on w hi le I r ead ie d t he s tr ik e t hat

w ou ld e le ct ro cu te h im . O n r ef le ct io n, i t h ad s ee me d t he s ur es t w ay o f t ak in g

h im o ut . I 'd l os t c ou nt o f t he n um ber o f a tt em pt s h e' d m ad e o n m y l if e, a nd

I ' d r es ol ve d t o t ak e t he i ni ti at iv e t he n ex t t im e h e c am e c al li ng . F ry in g

h is n er vo us s ys te m s ee me d t he s ur es t w ay t o i ce him, d es pi te w hat t he

F ou nt ai n h ad d on e f or h im . " Ov er h er e, J ur t! "

" M er li n! I w an t t o t al k! "

"I d on 't . I 'v e t ri ed i t t oo o ft en , a nd I 'v e n ot hi ng l ef t t o s ay . C om e





o n o ve r a nd l et 's g et t hi s d on e- we ap on s, h an ds , m ag ic . I d on 't c ar e. "

H e r ai se d b ot h h an ds , p al ms o ut w ar d.

" Tr uc e! " h e c ri ed . " It w ou ld n' t b e r igh t t o d o i t h er e i n S aw al l. "

" Do n' t g iv e m e t ha t s cr up le s s hi t, b ro th er ! " I c ri ed , b ut e ven a s I

s ai d i t I r eal iz ed t her e m ig ht b e so me th ing t o i t. I c oul d r em em be r ho w m uch

t he old man 's ap- pr oval ha d m ea nt t o hi m, an d I r eal ized t hat he' d h at e t o

do a ny th in g t o a nt ag on iz e D ar a h er e o n t he p re mi se s. " Wh at d o yo u w an t,

anyway?"

f "To talk. I mean it," he said. "What do I have to do?"

" Me et m e ov er t he re, " I s ai d, c ast ing m y b al l o f l ig ht t o s hi ne a bo ve a

familiar o bj ec t t hat l oo ke d l ik e a g ia nt h ou se o f c ar ds m ad e o f g la ss a nd

aluminum, bouncing light from hundreds of planes.

"All right," came the reply.

I b eg an w al ki ng i n t ha t d ir ec ti on . I s aw h im a pp ro ac hi ng f ro m h is , a nd

I a ng le d m y c ou rs e s o t ha t o ur p at hs w ou ld n ot i nt er se ct . A ls o, I i nc re as ed

my pace so as to ar rive ahead of him.

" No t ri ck s," he cal led o ut . " An d i f w e d o d eci de w e c an onl y t ak e i t t o

t he e nd , l et ' s g o o ut si de ."

"Okay."

I e nt er ed t he s tr uc tu re a t a p oi nt a ro un d t he c or ne r f ro m h is a pp ro ac h.

Immediately, I encountered six images of myself.

"W hy h er e? " c am e h is v oi ce f ro m s om ew he re n ea r a t h an d.





" I d on 't s up po se y ou e ve r s aw a m ov ie c al le d L ad y f ro m S ha ng ha i? "

No.

" It o cc ur re d t o m e t ha t w e c ou ld w an de r a ro un d i n

he re a nd t al k, a nd t he pl ac e wo ul d d o a l ot t o k ee p us from hurting

each other."

I tur ned a c or ne r. Ther e wer e mor e of me i n di ff erent pl aces. A f ew

m o me nt s l at er , I h ea rd a s ha rp i nt ak e o f b re at h f ro m s om ew he re n ea r a t h an d.

It was followed almost immediately by a chuckle.

" I b eg in t o u nd er st an d, " I h ea rd h im s ay .

T hr ee s te ps a nd a no th er t ur n. I h al te d. T he re w er e t wo o f h im a nd t wo

of me. H e was no t l oo ki ng at me , t hou gh. I r each ed out sl ow ly t owa rd o ne of

t he i mages. He t ur ned, h e saw m e. H is mou th ope ned as he s te pp ed b ac k an d

vanished.

" Wh at d id y ou w an t t o t al k a bo ut ?" I a sk ed , h al ti ng .

" It 's h ar d t o k no w w he re t o b eg in ."

"That's life."

"You upset Dara quite a bit. . . ."

"T hat w as q ui ck . I only left h er t en , f if te en m in ut es a go . Y ou 'r e

staying here at Sawall?"

"Y es . A nd I k new s he w as h av in g l un ch w it h y ou . I j ust s aw h er briefly

a little while ago."

" We ll , s he d id n' t m ak e m e f ee l t oo g oo d e it he r. "

I t ur ne d a no th er c or ne r a nd p as se d t hr ou gh a d oo rw ay i n t im e t o s ee h im

smile faintly.

" Sh e' s t hat w ay s om et im es . I k no w, " h e s ai d. " Sh e t el ls m e t he L og ru s

c am e b y f or d es se rt ."





"Yes."

" Sh e s ai d i t s ee ms t o h av e c ho se n y ou f or t he t hr on e. "

I ho ped he saw m y s hr ug.

" It s ee me d t ha t w ay . I d on 't w an t i t, t ho ug h. "

" Bu t yo u s ai d y ou 'd d o i t. "

" On ly i f t he re 's n o o th er w ay t o r es to re a c er ta in b al an ce of f or ce s.

I t' s a l ast r es or t sor t of t hi ng . I t wo n' t co me t o t ha t, I 'm su re ."

"But it chose you."

Another shrug.

" Tm er a nd T ub bl e p re ce de m e. "

" Th at d oe sn 't m at te r. I 'd w an te d i t, y ou k no w. "

" I k no w. S ee ms a p re tt y d um b c ar ee r c ho ic e. "

Suddenly, he surrounded me.

" It d oe s n ow ," h e a dm it te d. " It w as g et ti ng t ha t w ay s om e t im e, t ho ug h,

bef or e y ou g ot d esi gn at ed. I o ug ht I ha d t he edg e ea ch t ime w e m et , an d eac h

time'

a c am e a l it tl e c lo se r t o k il li ng m e. "

"It did keep getting messier."

"T hat l as t t im e- in t he c hu rc h- in K as hf a, I w as c er ta in I c ou ld f in al ly

t ak e y ou o ut . I ns te ad , y ou d am n n ea r d id m e i n. "

"S ay t ha t D ar a o r M an do r r em ov ed T me r a nd T ub bl e. Y ou k ne w y ou 'd hav e

t o t ak e c ar e o f m e y ou rs el f, b ut w ha t a bo ut D es pi l? "

" He 'd s te p a si de f or m e. "





"You asked him?"

" No . B ut I 'm s ur e. "

I mo ve d on .

"You always assumed too much, Jurt."

"Maybe you're right," he said, appearing and vanishing again. "Either

w ay , i t d oe sn 't m at t er ."

"Why not?"

" I q ui t. I 'm o ut o f t he r un ni ng . T he h el l w it h i t. "

"How come?"

"Even if the Logrus hadn't made its intentions clear,

I w as b eg in ni ng t o f ee l n er vo us. I t w as n ot j us t t hat I w as af rai d

y ou ' d kill m e e it he r. I g ot t o t hi nk in g a bo ut m ys el f, a nd t he s uc ce ss io n.

What if I made it to the throne? I'm not so sure as I once was that I'm

c o mp et en t t o h ol d i t. " I t ur ne d a ga in , c au gh t a g li mp se o f h im l ic ki ng h is

l ip s, b ro ws k no tt ed . " I c ou ld m es s u p t he real m sev er el y," he w en t o n,

" un le ss I h ad g oo d a dv ic e. A nd y ou k no w t ha t, u lt im at el y, i t w ou ld c om e f ro m

M an do r o r D ar a. I 'd w in d u p a pu pp et , w oul dn' t I ?"

"P ro ba bl y. B ut y ou 'v e g ot te n me v er y c ur io us . W he n d id y ou s ta rt

thinking this way? Might it coincide with your treatment in the Fountain?

W ha t i f m y i nt er ru pt io n m ad e y ou rs c lo se r t o t he c or re ct c ou rs e t he re ?"

" It 's p os si bl e t he re 's s om et hi ng t o t ha t, " h e s ai d.

"I'm glad no w I d id n' t go t he f ul l r out e. I s us pec t i t m ig ht h av e

d ri ven m e ma d, as i t di d Br and. B ut i t m ay n ot have been t hat at all. O r -I

don't know."

Th er e w as si len ce a s I s id le d a lo ng a p as sa ge wa y, m y p uz zl ed i ma ge s

k ee pi ng p ac e i n t he m ir ro rs a t e it he r h an d.





" Sh e d id n' t w an t m e t o k il l y ou ," h e f in al ly b lu rt ed f ro m s om ew he re o ff

t o m y r ig ht .

"Julia?"

"Yes."

"How is she?"

"Recovering. Pretty rapidly, actually."

" Is s he h er e a t S aw al l? "

"Yes."

"L oo k, I 'd l ike t o se e h er . B ut i f sh e d oes n' t w ant t o, I un der st an d. I

d id n' t k now i t w as h er wh en I st ab bed M ask , an d I 'm s or ry. "

" Sh e n ev er r ea ll y w an te d t o h ur t y ou . H er q ua rr el w as w it h J as ra . With

y ou, i t w as a n e la bo ra te g am e. S he w an te d t o pr ov e sh e w as as g oo d as -m ay be

b et te r t ha n- yo u. S he w an te d t o s ho w y ou w ha t y ou 'd t hr ow n a wa y. "

"Sorry," I muttered.

" Tel l me on e t hi ng, p le ase ," he sa id. " Di d yo u l ov e h er ? Di d you e ve r

really love her?"

I d id n' t a ns we r him i mm edi at el y. A ft er a ll , I 'd a sk ed m ys el f t ha t

q ue st io n m an y t im es , a nd I 'd h ad t o w ai t f or t he a ns we r, t oo .

" Ye s, " I f in al ly s ai d. " I d id n' t r ea li ze it till it w as t o o l at e,

though. Bad timing on my part."

A l it tl e l at er I a sk ed , " Wh at a bo ut y ou ?"

"I'm n ot going t o m ak e t he s am e m is ta ke y ou d id ," h e r ep li ed . " Sh e' s

w ha t g ot m e t o t hi nki ng ab ou t a ll t hes e t hi ngs . . . . "

"I under st and. If she w on' t s ee me, tell her that I said I' m

sorry-about everything."





T he re w as n o r ep ly . I s to od s ti ll f or a t im e, h op in g h e' d c at ch u p w it h

me , b ut h e d id n' t.

Then, " Ok ay ," I c al led o ut . "O ur d ue l' s e nd ed , s o f ar a s I 'm

concerned."

I began moving again. Af ter a t ime, I came t o an exit a nd I s te pp ed

through it.

He w as s ta nd in g o ut si de , l oo ki ng u p a t a m as si ve p or ce la in f ac e.

"Good," he said.

I d re w n ea r.

" Th er e' s m or e, " h e s ai d, s ti ll n ot l oo ki ng a t m e.

"Oh?"

"I t hi nk t he y' re s ta ck in g t he d ec k, " h e s ta te d.

" W ho ? H ow ? W ha t f or ?"

"Mom a nd t he L og ru s, " h e t ol d m e. " To p ut y ou o n t he t hr on e. W ho 's t he

br id e o f t he J ew el ?"

" I gu es s t hat w oul d be C or al . I t see ms I d id h ear Da ra u se t ha t t er m a t

some point. Why?"

" I o ve rh ea rd h er g iv in g o rd er s l as t c yc le , t o s om e o f h er H en dr ak e k in .

S he 's s en di ng a s pe ci al t ea m t o k id na p t hi s w om an a nd b ri ng h er h er e. I g ot

the impression she's intended as your queen."

" Th at 's r idi cul ou s, " I s ai d. " Sh e' s m ar ri ed t o m y f ri en d L uk e. S he 's

Q u ee n o f K as hf a- "

He shrugged.

" Ju st t el li ng y ou w ha t I h ear d, " h e s ai d. "It h ad t o d o with this





balancing of forces thing."

I n de ed . I h ad n' t t ho ug ht o f t ha t p os si bi li ty , b ut i t m ad e p er fe ct

s en se . W it h C or al , t he C ou r ts w ou ld a ut om at ical ly o bt ai n t he J ew el o f

Ju dg me nt , o r t he Eye of t he S er pe nt a s i t w as k no wn h er ea bo ut , a nd t ha t

b al an ce w ou ld c er ta in ly b e a ff ec te d. A l os s f or A mb er , a gain f or t he

C ou r ts . I t c ou ld b e s uf fi ci en t t o a ch ie ve w ha t I w an te d, t he h ar mo ny t ha t

might postpone catastrophe indefinitely.

To o ba d I c ou ldn 't l et i t o cc ur . Th e p oor gi rl ha d be en j er ke d ar ound

t oo m uc h, b ec au se s he h ap pe ne d t o b e i n A mb er a t t he w ro ng t im e, b ec au se s he

h ap pe ne d t o t ak e a l ik in g t o m e. I c an r ec al l o nc e f ee li ng p hi lo so ph ic al i n

t he a bs tr ac t a nd d ec id in g, y es , i t w ou ld b e o ka y t o s ac ri fi ce o ne i nnocent

f or t he go od of t he m any. T hat was back i n col le ge, and ha Ò s ome thi ng t o do

with principles. But Coral was my friend, my cousin, and technically my

l o ve r- th ou gh u nd er a s et o f c ir cu ms ta nc es t ha t s ho ul d h ar dl y c ou nt ; a nd a

q ui ck c he ck o f m y f ee li ng s, s o a s n ot t o b e c au gh t u p s ho rt a ga in , i nd ic at ed

t ha t I c ou ld f al l i n l ov e w it h h er . A ll o f w hi ch m ea nt t ha t p hi lo so ph y h ad

l os t y et a no th er r ou nd i n t he r ea l w or ld .

"How l on g a go d id s he s en d t he se p eo pl e o ff , J ur t? " " I d on 't k no w w he n

th ey l ef t- or e ve n i f t he y' ve l ef t y et ," h e r ep li ed . " And with t he time

d i ff er en ti al , t he y c ou ld b e g on e a nd b ac k a lr ea dy f or t ha t m at te r. "

"True," I said, and, "Shit!"

H e t ur ned a nd l ook ed a t m e.

" It 's i mp or ta nt i n a ll s or ts o f o th er w ay s, t oo , I s up po se ?" h e s ai d.

"It is to her , and she is to me," I answered.

His expression changed to one of puzzlement.





" In t hat c as e, " he s ai d, " wh y d on' t y ou j us t l et t hem b ri ng h er t o yo u?

I f yo u h av e t o t ake t he t hr one , i t w il l s we et en t hi ng s. I f y ou d on 't , y ou' ll

have her with you, anyhow."

" Fe el i ng s a re h ar d e no ug h t o k ee p s ec re t, e ve n a ro un d n on -s or ce re rs ," I

s ai d. " Sh e c ou ld b e u se d a s a h os ta ge a ga in st m y b eh av io r. "

"Oh. I hate to say this pl eases me. What I mean is . . . I'm pleased

y ou c ar e a bo ut s om eo ne e ls e. "

I l ow er ed m y he ad. I wa nt ed t o r eac h ou t and t ou ch h im , bu t I di dn' t.

J ur t m ad e a l it tl e h um mi ng n oi se , a s h e s om et im es h ad w hen p on de ri ng

t hi ng s as a k id. Th en, " We' ve g ot t o g et h er be for e t he y do , a nd m ov e he r t o

s om ep la ce s af e, " h e s ai d. " Or t ak e h er a wa y f ro m t he m i f t he y' ve a lr ea dy g ot

her."

" ` We '? "

H e s mi le d, a r ar e e ve nt .

"Y ou k no w w ha t I 'v e b ec om e. I 'm t ou gh ."

"I h op e so ," I s ai d. " Bu t y ou k no w w hat 'l l h ap pe n. ; i f t he re a re a ny

wi tn es se s t o s ay i t w as a c ou pl e o f t he S aw al l b ro th er s b ehi nd thi s? M os t

likely a vendetta with Hendrake."

" Ev en i f D ar a t al ke d t he m i nt o i t? "

" It 'l l l oo k l ik e s he s et t he m u p. "

"Okay," he said. "No witnesses."

I co ul d h ave s ai d t ha t a ve rt in g v en de tt a w ou ld s av e a l ot o f o th er

li ve s, b ut t ha t w ou ld h av e s ou nd ed h yp oc ri ti ca l e ve n i f I d id n' t m ean it

th at w ay . I ns te ad , " Th at p ow er y ou g ai ne d i n t he F ou nt ai n, " I s ai d, " gi ve s

y ou s om et hi ng I 'v e h ea rd r ef er re d t o a s a ` li vi ng T ru mp ' e ff ec t. S ee ms t o m e

y ou w er e a bl e t o t ran sp or t J ul ia a s w el l a s y ou rs el f w it h i t. "





H e n o dd e d.

"Can i t get us f rom her e t o Kashf a i n a hur ry?" The dist ant sound of an

e no rm ou s g on g f il le d t he a ir . " I c an d o a ny th in g t he c ar ds c an d o, " h e s ai d,

"and

I ca n t ak e s om eo ne a lo ng w it h m e. T he o nl y p ro bl em i s t ha t t he Trumps

themselves d on 't h av e t hat r ang e. I 'd ha ve t o t ake u s t her e i n a ser ies of

jumps."

The gong sounded again.

" Wh at 's g oi ng o n? " I a sk ed .

" Th e n oi se ?" h e s ai d. " Th at 's n ot ic e t ha t t he f uner al i s a bo ut t o

b eg in . I t c an b e h ea rd t hr ou gh ou t t he C ou rt s. "

"Bad timing."

"M ay be , m ay be n ot . I t' s g iv in g m e a n i de a. " " Te ll m e a bo ut i t. "

"I t' s o ur a li bi i f w e h av e t o t ak e o ut s om e H en dr ak es ."

"How so?"

" Th e t im e d if fe re nt ial . W e g o t o t he f un er al an d g et s een . W e s li p o ut ,

r un o ur e rr an d, c om e b ac k, a nd a tt en d t he r es t o f t he s er vi ce ."

"You think the flow will allow that?"

" I t hi nk t he re 's a g oo d c ha nc e, y es . I 'v e d on e a l ot o f j um pi ng a ro un d.

I 'm st ar ti ng t o g et a r eal f ee l f or f lo ws ."

"T he n w e' ll g iv e i t a t ry . T he m or e c on fu si on t he b et te r. "

Again, the gong.

R ed , t he c ol or of t he fire of life that f ills us, is the color of

m ou rn in g g ar men ts i n t he C ou rt s. I us ed t he s pi kar d r at her t ha n t he S ign of





t he L og ru s t o s um mo n s ui ta bl e c lo th in g f or m ys el f. I 'd a d es ir e t o a vo id a ny

c om me rc e, e ve n t he m os t m un da ne , w it h t ha t P ow er , f or n ow .

J ur t t he n t ru mp ed u s t o h is q ua rt er s, w he re h e h ad s ui ta bl e g ar me nt s o f

hi s ow n from t he l as t f un er al h e' d a tt en de d. I 'd a s ma ll d es ir e t o s ee m y

o ld r oo m, t oo . S om et im e, p er ha ps, w he n I w as n' t r ush ed . . . .

W e w as he d u p, c om be d, t ri mm ed , d re ss ed q ui ck ly . I t oo k o n a c han ged

f or m t he n, a s d id Ju rt , an d w e w en t t hr ou gh t he r it ual a gai n a t t hi s l eve l,

b ef or e g ar bi ng o ur se lv es f or t he o cc as io n. S hi r t, b re ec he s, j a ck et , c l oa k,

a nk l et s, b ra ce le ts , s ca rf , a nd b an da nn a- we l oo ke d i nc en di ar y. W ea po ns h ad t o

b e l ef t behi nd. We pl ann ed t o r et ur n f or t hem on t he way out .

" Re ad y? " J ur t a sk ed m e.

"Yes."

He caught hol d of my arm a nd w e w er e t ra ns po rt ed , a rr iv in g a t t he

i nw ar d e dge o f t he Pl aza at t he End o f t he W or ld, w he re a bl ue s ky d ar ke ne d

above a conflagration of mourners milling along the route the procession

wo ul d t ake . W e p ass ed a mon g t hem , i n ho pe of being s een by a s many a s

p os si bl e. I w as g re et ed b y a f ew o ld a cq ua in ta nc es . U nf or tu na te ly , m os t

w an te d t o s to p a nd t al k, n ot h av in g s ee n m e f or s om e t im e. J ur t h ad similar

p ro bl em s. M os t a ls o w on de re d why w e w er e h er e, r at he r t ha n b ac k a t t he

T he lb an e, t he m as si ve , g la ss y n ee dl e o f C ha os f ar t o o ur r ea r. P er io di ca ll y,

t he ai r wo ul d v ib rat e a s t he g on g c ont in ue d i ts s lo w so un di ng . I f el t i t in

t he ground, al so, as w e we re ve ry ne ar t o i ts ho me . W e m ade o ur w ay sl ow ly

a cr os s t he P la za , t ow ar d t he m as si ve p il e o f b la ck s to ne a t t he v er y e dg e o f

t he P it , i ts g at e a n a rc hw ay o f f ro ze n f la me , a s w as it s d ow nw ar d s ta ir ,

e ac h t r ea d a nd r is er t i me -b ar re d f ir e, e ac h r ai li ng t he s am e. T he r ou gh

amphitheater below us was also fire-furnished, self-illumed, facing the





b la ck b lo ck a t t he e nd of everythi ng, n o w al l b ehi nd i t, b ut t he o pe n

emptiness of the Pit and its singularity whence all things came.

No o ne w as en te ri ng i t y et , an d we st oo d ne ar t he gat es of fire and

l oo ke d b a ck along t he r ou te t he p ro ce ss io n w ou ld f ol lo w. W e n od de d t o

f ri en dl y d em on ic f ac es , q ui ve re d t o t he n ot e o f t he g on g, w at ch ed t he s ky

d a rk en a litt le f ur th er . S ud de nl y, my h ea d w as f il le d w it h a p ow er fu l

presence.

"Merlin!"

I i mm ed ia te ly h ad a n i ma ge o f M an do r i n a c ha ng ed f or m, l ook in g d ow n

his red-clothed arm, hand invisible, presumably regarding me through my

T ru mp , w ea ri ng t he c lo se st t hi ng I 'd s ee n i n a l on g w hi le t o a n i rr it at ed

expression.

" Ye s? " I s ai d.

Hi s g az e m ov ed p a st m e. Hi s e xp re ss io n s ud de nl y c ha ng ed , e ye br ow s

rising, lips parting.

" Th at 's J ur t y ou 'r e w it h? " h e a sk ed .

"That's right."

" I' d t ho ug ht y ou n ot o n t he b est o f t er ms ," he s ai d s lo wl y, " as o f o ur

last conversation."

" We a gr ee d t o p ut a si de o ur d if fe re nc es f or t he f un er al ."

"While it s ee ms v er y c iv il iz ed , I 'm n ot c er ta in h ow w is e i t i s, " h e

said.

I smiled.

" I k no w wh at I 'm d oi ng, " I t ol d h im .

" Re al ly ?" h e s ai d. " Th en w hy a re y ou a t t he c at he dr al r at he r t ha n h er e





at Thelbane?"

" No bo dy t ol d m e I w as s up po se d t o b e a t T he lb an e. " " Od d, " h e r es po nd ed .

" Your m ot he r w as s up po se d t o h av e i nf or me d b ot h y ou a nd J ur t t ha t y ou w er e

t o b e p ar t o f t he p ro ce ss io n. "

I sh oo k m y h ea d an d t ur ne d aw ay .

" Ju rt , d id yo u k now w e w er e t o be i n t he pr oc es si on ?" I as ke d.

" No ," he s ai d. " On t he o ne h an d, i t m ak es s ens e. On t he ot her , t he re' s

t he b la ck w at ch , whi ch might r ec om me nd w e m ai nt ai n a l ow p ro fi le . W ho 's

telling you this?"

" Ma nd or . H e s ay s D ar a w as s up po se d t o l et u s k no w. "

"She didn't tell me."

"Y ou c at ch t ha t? " I s ai d t o M an do r.

" Ye s. I t d oe sn 't m at te r n ow . C om e o n t hr ou gh , b ot h o f y ou ."

He e xt en de d h is o th er h an d.

" He w an ts u s n ow ," I s ai d t o J ur t. "Damn!" Ju rt mo ut hed , a nd c am e

forward.

I r ea ch ed o ut a nd cl asp ed M and or 's h and j us t a s J ur t c am e u p a nd c au ght

h ol d o f m y s ho ul de r. W e b ot h m ov ed f or wa rd t he n

-into the slick and gleaming interior of Thelbane's main hall at ground

l ev el , a s tu dy in b l ac k, g ra y, m os sy g re en , d ee p r ed , c ha nd el ie rs l ik e

stalactites, fire sculptures about the walls, scaly hides hung behind them,

drifting globes of water in the middle air, creatures swimming within them.

The place was filled with no-tiles, relatives, courtiers, stirring like a

field of flame ' ` ' a bo ut t he ca ta fa lq ue a t t he h al l' s c en te r. T he g on g

s ou nd ed a ga in j us t a s M an do r s ai d s om et hi ng t o u s.

H e w ai te d t il l t he v ib ra ti on s s ub si de d, t he n s po ke a ga in : " I s ai d D ar a





h as n' t ar ri ve d y et . G o p ay y ou r r es pe ct s, a nd l et B an ce s a ss ig n y ou p la ce s

in the procession."

G la nc in g t ow ar d t he c at af al qu e, I c au gh t s ig ht o f b ot h T me r a nd T ub bl e

i n t he v ic in it y. T me r w as t al ki ng t o B an ce s, T ub bl e t o s om eo ne w ho h ad h is

b ac k t ur ne d t hi s w ay . A h or ri bl e t ho ug ht s ud de nl y s tr uc k m e.

"What," I asked, "is the security situation for the procession?"

Mandor smiled.

" Th er e a re q ui te a f ew g ua rd sm en m ix ed i n with t he g ro up h er e, " h e

s ai d , " and m or e s po tt ed a lo ng t he w ay . S om eo ne w il l b e w at ch in g y ou e ve ry

second."

I g la nce d a t Ju rt t o s ee w he th er he 'd h ear d, t hat . H e n od ded .

"Thanks."

K ee pi ng m y l it an y o f o bs ce ni ti es s ub vo ca l, I m ov ed t ow ar d t he c a sk e t,

J ur t at m y bac k. Th e onl y wa y I co ul d t hi nk t o p rod uc e a dou bl e wo ul d b e t o

t al k t he P at ter n i nt o s en di ng i n a g ho st o f m ys el f t o t ak e m y p la ce. B ut t he

L og ru s w ou ld d et ec t t he r i ng er 's p ro je ct ed e ne rg ie s i n n o t im e. A nd if I

j us t left , no t only w oul d my a bs en ce b e n ot ic ed , b ut I 'd p ro ba bl y b e

t r ac ke d- po ss ib ly b y t he L og ru s i t se lf o nc e D ar a c al l ed a c on fe re nc e. T he n i t

w ou ld b e l ea rn ed t ha t I 'd g on e off t o t hw ar t t he L og ru s' s a tt em pt t o

r eb al an ce o r de r , a nd t he h ea dw at er s of Shi t C r ee k a re a cr uel a nd

t r ea ch er o us e xp an se . I w ou ld n ot m ak e t he m is ta ke o f fancyi ng myself

indispensable.

" Ho w ar e w e g oi ng t o d o t hi s, M er li n?" J ur t sa id s of tl y a s w e f ou nd o ur

w ay t o t he e nd o f t he s lo wm ov in g l in e.

The gong sounded again, causing the chandeliers to vibrate.





"I don' t see how we can," I answered. "I think t he best I can hope for

i s t o t ry g et ti ng a m es sa ge t hr ou gh a s I w al k a lo ng ."

" It c an 't b e d on e b y T ru mp f ro m h er e, " h e a ns we re d. " We ll , m ay be un der

perfect conditions," he amended, "but not with all these distractions."

I t ri ed t o t hi nk o f s om e sp el l, s om e s en di ng , s om e a ge nt t o s er ve m e i n

t hi s. G ho st w oul d h av e b ee n i de al . O f c ou rs e; h e' d d ri ft ed o ff t o e xp lo re

t he s pa ti al a sy mm et ri es o f t he S cu lp tu re H al l. T ha t c ou ld k ee p h im o cc up ie d

fo r a l on g w hi le .

"I c ou ld g et t he re p re tt y q ui ck ly ," J ur t v ol un te er ed , " an d w it h t he

time differential I might make it back before anyone noticed."

" An d y ou k no w e xa ct ly t wo p eo pl e i n K as hf a y ou might tell ," I s ai d.

" Luke a nd C or al . Th ey bo th me t y ou i n c hu rc h, w he n w e w er e t ryi ng t o k il l

e ac h o th er an d y ou s to le L uk e' s f at he r' s s wo rd . O ff ha nd , I 'd s ay h e' d t ry t o

k il l y ou o n s ig ht a nd s he 'd s cr ea m f or h el p. "

The line advanced somewhat.

` `S o I do n' t a sk f or he lp ," h e sa id.

"Un-uh," I t ol d him. "I k no w y ou 'r e t ou gh , b ut H en dr ak es a re p ro s.

A ls o, y ou 'd b e f ac ed w it h a v er y u nc oo pe ra ti ve r es cu ee i n C or al ."

" Yo u' re a s or ce re r, " J ur t s ai d. " If w e f in d o ut w ho t he g ua rd s a re ,

coul dn' t you lay a spell on them so that t hey t hi nk t hey see us f or t his

w ho le a ff ai r? T he n w e d is ap pe ar a nd n o o ne 's t he w is er ."

" I' ve a h un ch e it he r M om o r o ur b ig b ro th er h as l ai d p ro te ct iv e sp el ls

o n t he g ua rd s. At such an i deal t im e f or a n a ssa ss in at io n, I w ou ld . I

w ou ld n' t w an t a ny on e a bl e t o m es s w it h m y p eo pl e' s h ea ds i f I w er e running

security here."

W e shuf fled a li ttle f ar th er a lo ng . By leani ng t o o ne s id e a nd





s tr et ch in g m y n ec k I w as ab le t o g et a f ew g li mp se s o f t he w as te d demon ic

f oa m o f o ld S wa yv il l, r es pl en de nt ly g ar be d, s er pe nt o f r ed -g ol d l ai d u po n

his breast, there in the flame-formed coffin, Oberon's ancient nemesis,

go ing t o j oi n hi m at l ast .

As I moved n ear er , i t o ccu rr ed t o m e t ha t t her e wa s m or e t han on e a

r o ac h t o t h e p r ob l em . P er h ap s I ' d d we ll ed t o o long am on g t he magically

n ai ve . I ' d g ot te n o ut o f t he h ab it o f t hi nk in g o f m ag ic a ga in st m ag ic , o f

m ul ti pl e m ix ed s pe ll s. S o w ha t if t he g ua rd s w er e p r ot e ct e d f rom an y

f id dl in g w it h t he ir p er ce pt io ns ? L et i t b e. F in d a w ay t o w or k a ro un d i t.

T he g on g s ou nd ed a ga in . W he n t he e ch oe s d ie d, J ur t l ea ne d n ea r.

" T he re 's m or e t o i t t ha n e ve ry th in g I s ai d, " h e w hi sp er ed .

"W ha t d o y ou m ea n? " I a sk ed .

" An ot her r ea so n I c am e t o yo u b ac k at S aw al l w as b eca use I w as s ca re d, "

he replied.

"Of what?"

"A t l ea st o ne o f t he m- Ma nd or o r D ar a- wa nt s m or e t ha n a b al an ce , w an ts a

t ot al vi ct ory f or t he L og ru s, f or C ha os . I r ea ll y b el ie ve t ha t. I t' s n ot

j ust that I don' t want t o be patt y to i t. I don' t want it t o happen. N ow

that I can visit Shadow I don' t want t o see i t dest royed. I don' t w ant a

v i ct or y f or e it he r s id e. T ot al c on tr ol b y

' t he P at ter n w ou ld p rob abl y be j us t a s ba d. "

" Ho w c an y ou be s ur e o ne o f t he m r ea ll y w an ts t hi s?"

" Th ey t ri ed i t b ef or e w it h B ra nd , d id n' t t he y? H e w as o ut t o d es tr oy

all order."

" No, " I s ai d. "He p la nn ed t o d es tr oy t he o ld o rd er , t he n r ep la ce i t





w it h h is o wn . H e w as a r ev ol ut io na ry, n ot a n a nar ch is t. H e w as going t o

c r ea t e a n ew P at te rn w it hi n t he C ha os h e b ro ug ht f or th -h is o wn , b ut s ti ll

the real thing."

" He w as d up ed . H e c ou ld n' t h av e m an ag ed a t hi ng l ik e t ha t. "

" No w ay o f k now in g t il l h e t ri ed , a nd h e d id n' t g et t he c ha nc e. "

" E it he r w ay , I 'm a fr ai d s om eo ne 's g oi ng t o p ul l t he p lu g o n r ea li ty . I f

t hi s k id na pp in g t ak es p la ce , i t' ll b e a b ig s te p i n t ha t d ir ec ti on . If you

c an 't manage something t o c ov er o ur a bs en ce , I t hi nk w e s ho ul d j us t g o

a n yw ay a nd t ak e o ur c ha nc es ."

" No t y et ," I s ai d. " Ha ng o n. I 'm w or ki ng s ome thi ng o ut . H ow ' s t hi s

so un d? I d on 't l oc at e t he g ua rd s a nd h al lu ci na te t he m. I ns te ad , I d o a

t ra ns fo rm at io n. I c au se a c ou pl e o f o th er p eo pl e t o l oo k l ik e u s. Y ou t rump

u s o ut a s s oo n a s I d o. T ha t w on 't b e a h al lu ci na ti on f or a ny on e. E ve ry on e

wi ll see t hem as us ; we c an g o abo ut o ur bu si ness -an d ch eck b ack i f we have

to."

"You do it and I 'l l get us out of her e."

"Okay, I'll d o it t o the two guys in front of us. As soon as I' ve

finished I'll gesture like this," I said, lowering my left hand from

sh ou lde r- hei ght t o w ai st -l eve l, " and w e b ot h s to op a s i f o ne o f u s h ad

d ro pp ed s om et hi ng . T he n y ou t ak e u s a wa y. "

"I'll be ready."

T he s pi ka rd m ad e i t ea si er t ha n w or ki ng o ut a t ra ns fo rm s pe ll . I t w as

like a s pel l p ro ce ss or . I f ed i t t he t wo e nd pr odu ct s, a nd i t r an t hou sa nds

o f v ar ia ti on s i n a t ri ce a nd h an de d me t he finished p r od uc ts -a p ai r of

sp el ls it woul d hav e t ak en me a l ong w hi le t o w or k o ut al ong cl ass ic al

l in es. I r ai sed m y hand as I hu ng t hem and access ed o ne o f the many p ow er





s ou r ce s t he t hi ng c om ma nd ed o ff i n S ha do w. I f ed j ui ce i nt o t he c on st ru ct s,

w at ch ed t he c ha ng e c om me nc e, d ro pp ed m y h an d, a nd l ea ne d f or wa rd .

T he re f ol lo we d a m om en t' s v er ti go , a nd w he n I s tr ai gh te ne d w e w er e b ac k

i n J ur t' s a pa rt me nt . I l au gh ed a nd h e s la pp ed m y s ho ul de r.

I mm ed ia te ly t he n, w e w er e changing b a ck i nt o o ur human f or ms a nd

garment s. A s so on a s that w as done, he caught hol d of my arm again and

tr um pe d u s t o F ir e G at e. A m om en t l at er , a nd h e' d j um pe d u s a ga in , t hi s t im e

t o a m ou nt ai nt op o ve rl oo ki ng a b lu e v al le y b en ea th a g re en s ky . T he n a ga in ,

t o t he middle of a h ig h b ri dg e a bo ve a d ee p g or ge , t he s ky p ut ti ng a wa y

s ta rs o r t ak in g t he m o n.

" Ok ay, n ow ," he s ai d, a nd w e s to od at op a g ray st on e wall dam p with

d e w, p oss ib ly e ve n t he r em ai ns o f a v s to rm . C lou ds w er e t ak in g f ir e i n t he

e as t. T he re w as a l ig ht b re ez e o ut o f t he s ou th .

T hi s w as t he w al l t ha t s ur ro un de d t he i nn er mo st z on e o f J id ra sh , L uk e' s

capital in Kashfa. There were four huge buildings below us-including the

p al a ce a nd t he T em pl e o f t he U ni co rn d ir ec tl y a cr os s t he P la za f ro m i t- as

w el l a s a n um be r o f s ma ll er b ui ld in gs . D ia go na ll y a cr os s t he w ay f ro m w he re

w e s to od w as t he w in g o f t he p al ace f ro m w hi ch G ry ll h ad f et ch ed m e ( ho w

l on g a go ?) f ro m m y r en de zv ous w it h t he q uee n. I c ou ld e ven m ak e ou t t he

b ro ke n s hu tt er o f o ur w in do w a mi d a n e xp an se o f i vy .

" Ov er t he re ," I s ai d, g es tu ri ng . " Th at 's w he re I l as t s aw h er ."

An eyeblink later we stood within the chamber, its only inhabitants.





T h e p la ce h ad b ee n s tr ai gh te ne d, t he b ed m ad e u p. I w it hd re w m y Tr umps a nd

shu ff le d o ut C o ra l 's . S ta ri ng t he n t il l i t g re w c ol d, I f el t h er p re se nc e

an d r ea ch ed f or i t.

S he w as t he re y et s he w as n' t. I t w as t he d is jo in te d s en se of p re se nc e

o ne en co unt er s i n dr ea m or s tu po r. I pa sse d m y h an d ov er t he ca rd an d en ded

our tenuous contact.

"What happened?" Jurt asked.

" I t hi nk s he 's d ru gg ed ," I r ep li ed .

" Th en i t w ou ld s ee m t he y' ve a lr ea dy g ot h er ," h e s ai d. " An y w ay y ou c an

t ra ce h er i n t ha t s ta te ?"

" Sh e c ou ld a ls o b e i n t he n ex t b ui ld in g, o n m ed ic at io n, " I s ai d. " Sh e

w a sn 't w el l w he n I l ef t. "

"What now?"

"Either w ay , w e' ve g ot t o t al k t o L uk e, " I sa id , se ar ch in g f or h is

card.

I r ea ch ed h im i n a n i ns ta nt o n u nc ov er in g i t. " Me rl in ! W he re t he hell

ar e y ou ?" he as ke d. " If yo u' re i n t he pal ace , I 'm ne xt d oor ," I sa id.

He r ose t o his feet from what I now r eali zed to be the edge of a

b ed st ea d, a nd h e p ic ke d u p a l ong -sl eev ed g re en shi rt a nd d re w it o n,

c o ve ri ng his c ol le ct io n o f s ca rs . I t ho ug ht t ha t I g li mp se d s om eo ne i n t he

b ed b eh in d h im . H e m ut te re d s om et hi ng i n t ha t d ir ec ti on , b ut I c ou ld n ot

overhear it.

" We 'v e g ot t o t al k, " h e s ai d, r un ni ng h is h an d t hr ou gh h is r us ty h ai r.

"Bring me through."

" Ok ay ," I s ai d. " Bu t f ir st , y ou 'd b et te r k no w t ha t m y b ro th er J ur t is

here."





"H as h e g ot m y d ad 's s wo rd ?"

"Uh-No."

" Gu es s I w on 't k il l h im r ig ht n ow ," h e s ai d, t uc ki ng h is s hi rt i nt o h is

waistband.

Ab ru pt ly, h e e xt en de d h is h an d. I c la sp ed i t. H e s te pp ed f or wa rd a nd

joined us.

VIII

L uk e g ri nn ed a t m e, s co wl ed a t J ur t.

" Wh er e' ve y ou b ee n, a ny wa y? " h e a sk ed .

" Th e C ou rt s o f C ha os ," I r ep li ed . " I w as summoned from h er e a t t he

de at h o f S wa yv il l. T he f un er al 's i n p ro gr es s r ig ht n ow . W e s ne ak ed a wa y w he n

I l ea rn ed t ha t C or al w as i n d an ge r. "

" I k no w t ha t- no w, " L uk e s ai d. " Sh e' s g on e. K id na pp ed , I t hi nk ."

"When did it happen?"

" Ni gh t b ef or e l as t, I 'd j ud ge . W ha t d o y ou k no w o f i t? "

I glanced at Jurt. "Time differential," he said.

"She r ep re se nt ed a c ha nc e t o p ic k u p a f ew p oi nt s, " I e xp la in ed , " in

t he o ng oi ng g am e b et we en t he P at te rn a nd t he L og ru s. S o a ge nt s o f C ha os w er e

s en t f or h er . T he y w an te d h er i nt ac t, t ho ug h. S he s ho ul d b e o ka y. "

" W ha t d o t he y w an t h er f or ?"

" Se em s t he y f ee l s he 's s pe ci al ly s ui te d t o b e q ue en i n T he lb an e, w ha t





wi th t he J ew el of J ud gm en t as a p ie ce o f h er a na to my a nd a ll ."

" Wh o' s g oi ng t o b e t he ne w k in g?"

My f ace f el t w ar m of a su dden.

"Well, the p eop le who came for her had me in mi nd for the j ob," I

replied.

" He y, c on gr at ul at io ns !" h e s ai d. " No w I d on 't h av e t o b e t he only o ne

having all this fun."


" This king b us in es s a in 't w or th s hi t, m an . I w is h I 'd n ev er g ot te n

s uc ke d i nt o t he d ea l i n t he f ir st p la ce . E ve ry bo dy 's g ot a p ie ce of y our

t im e, a nd w he n t he y d on 't s om eo ne s ti ll h as t o k no w w he re y ou a re ."

" He ll , y ou w er e j us t c ro wn ed . G iv e i t a c ha nc e t o s ha ke d ow n. "

" ` Ju st '? I t' s b ee n o ve r a m on th !" " Ti me d if fe re nt ia l, " J ur t r ep ea te d.

" Co me o n. I 'l l b uy y ou a c up o f c of fe e, " L uk e s ai d.

"You've got coffee here?"

"I r equ ir e it , man. T hi s w ay ." H e l ed u s o ut t he d oo r, t ur ne d l ef t,

he ad ed d ow n a s ta ir .

" I h ad a funny t hou gh t, " h e s ai d, "while y ou w er e t al ki ng b a c k

t h er e -a bo u t y ou r eigni ng, a nd C or al a d es ir ab le q ue en . I c ou ld g et t he

ma rr ia ge a nn ul le d p re tt y d am n q ui ck , s in ce I 'm i n c ha rg e h er e. N ow , y ou w an t

h er f or y ou r q ue en a nd I w an t t ha t G ol de n C ir cl e T re at y w it h A mb er . I think

I s ee a w ay t o m ak e e ver yb od y h app y. "

" It 's a l ot m or e co mp li cat ed t han t hat , Lu ke . I d on 't w an t t he j ob, an d

it would be ver y b ad f or u s i f m y ki nsm en bac k i n t he Cour ts got cus to dy of

C or al . I 'v e l ea rn ed a l ot o f t hi ng s r ec en tl y. "

" Su ch a s? " L uk e s ai d, o pe ni ng a p os te rn t ha t l et u po n a w al kw ay t o t he





re ar o f t he p al ac e.

I g lan ce d b ac k a t Ju rt .

" He 's s ca re d, t oo ," I s ai d. " Th at 's w hy w e' re a l it tl e m or e c or di al

these days."

Jurt nodded.

" It 's p os si bl e B ra nd c ou ld h av e b ee n p ar tl y v ic ti m o f a p la n o ri gi na te d

i n t he C ou rt s, " h e s ai d, " pa rt of a n i de a t ha t' s s ti ll a li ve t he re ."

" We 'd b et t er g o f or t he w ho le b re ak fa st ," L uk e s ai d. " Le t' s swing

a ro un d b a ck a nd t ak e it i n t he k it ch en .' ' W e f ol lo wed h im do wn a g ar de n

path.

A nd s o w e a te a nd t al ke d a s t he d ay b ri gh te ne d a bo ut u s. L uk e i nsi st ed

I t ry C or al 's T ru mp a ga in , w hi ch I d id w it h t he s am e r es ul t. T he n h e c ur se d,

n od de d, a nd s ai d, ' " Yo ur t im in g' s a ct ua ll y p re tt y g oo d. T he g uy s w ho g ra bb ed

h er w er e r ep or te d t o h av e t ak en o ff a lo ng a b la ck t ra il i nt o t he w es t. "

"It figures," I said.

" I' ve r ea so n t o bel ieve t he y d id n' t m ak e i t b ac k t o t he C ou rt s w it h

her."

"Oh?"

" I u nd er st an d t he se b la ck t ho ro ug hf ar es y ou g uy s u se ' , a r e d an ge ro us

t o o ut si de rs ," h e o bs er ve d. " Bu t I c an s ho w y ou w ha t' s l ef t o f t hi s o ne -i t' s

a b la ck pat hway ; ` now, ac tual ly. I 'd l ike t o f ol low i t, but I do n' t k now

t hat I ca n, ge t aw ay f or l on g. Al so , i s t he re a w ay t o p ro tec t m e from the





trail itself?"

" Ju st b ei ng i n o ur c om pan y w ou ld k eep y ou f ro m h ar m a s we t ra ve le d i t, "

Jurt said.

I s to od . T he c oo k a nd t v o d is hw as he rs g la nc ed i n o ur d ir ec ti on .

" Th er e i s s om eb od y y ou h av e t o m ee t, L uk e, " I t ol d h im . " Ri gh t n ow ."

" Wh y n ot ?" h e s ai d, r is in g. " Wh er e i s h e? "

" Let 's t ake a w al k, " I s ai d.

"Sure."

W e g ot t o o ur f ee t, h ead ed ba ck t o t he s er va nt s' d oo r. " So , w he th er s he

w a s a willing a cc om pl ic e o r a m ag ic al t im e b om b, M om m ig ht h av e c on ne d D ad

i nt o h is e ff or ts t o t ak e o ve r in A mb er - an d, ult imatel y, t o c ha ng e t he

world," Luke said.

"Well, I g at he r he d id n' t ex ac tl y c om e t o h er w it h c le an ha nd s, " I

said.

" Tr ue , b ut I w on de r h ow e la bo ra te his p lans really w er e, t o begin

with," Luke mused. "This is the most cheerful thing I've heard all month."

W e e xi te d int o t he l it tl e c ov er ed w al kw ay t ha t r an al on g t he si de o f

t he p al ac e. L uk e h al t ed a nd l o ok ed a ro un d.

" W he re i s h e? " h e a sk ed .

" Not her e," I sa id. " I just n ee de d a point of d ep ar tu re with no

w it ne ss es t o s ay I 'd k id na pp ed t he k in g. "

" Wh er e a re w e - go in g, M er li n? " J ur t a sk ed , a s I

s wi rl ed a s pi ra l f ro m t he c en te r o f t he s pi ka rd , d ra wi ng u po n s ix te en

different power sources.

" Go od i de a. K id na p a wa y, " L uk e w as s ay in g a s h e w as caught up along

with Jurt.





I us ed it a s I h ad w hen I 'd t ran spo rt ed m ysel f f ro m A mb er t o K ash fa,

forming the target from memory rather than discovered vision. Only this time

ther e wer e three of us and a long, long way to go.

"Have I got a deal for you," I said.

I t w as l ik e s te pp in g i nt o a k al ei do sc op e, a nd p as si ng t hr ou gh a bo ut 1 20

degrees of cubist fragmentation and reassembly, before emerging on the other

s id e b ene at h a t ow er in g t re e, i ts t op l os t i n t he f og , i n t he v ici ni ty o f a

r ed a nd w hi te ' 57 C he vy , i ts r ad io p la yi ng R en bo ur n' s " Ni ne M ai de ns ."

L uk e' s g ho st e me rg ed f ro m t he f ro nt s ea t a nd s ta re d a t t he o ri gi na l.

L uk e s ta re d b ac k.

"H i, " I s ai d. " Me et e ac h o th er . Y ou h ar dl y n ee d a n i nt ro du ct io n,

t ho ug h. Y ou h av e s o m uc h i n c om mo n. " J ur t s ta re d a t t he P at te rn .

" Th at 's m y d ad 's e di ti on ," I s ai d.

"I c ou ld hav e g ue ss ed t hat ," J ur t t ol d m e. " Bu t w hat a re w e d oi ng

here?"

" An i de a I h ad . B ut I t ho ug ht C or wi n w ou ld b e h er e, a nd I m ig ht d isc us s

it with him."

"H e c am e b ac k, a nd h e l ef t a ga in ," s ai d t he r es id en t L uk e, o ve rh ea ri ng

me.

" Di d h e l ea ve a f or wa rd in g a dd re ss , o r s ay w he n h e m ig ht r et ur n? "

"Nope."

"Damn! L o ok , som et hi ng t ha t g ot s ai d j us t a l it tl e w hi le a go g av e m e





t he i de a t ha t y ou L uk es m ig ht w an t t o chan ge p la ce s f or a time-if this

P at t er n c ou ld b e p er s ua de d t o a pp ro ve s om e l ea ve ."

L uk e, w hom I d ec id ed t o c on ti nu e calling L uk e w he n h is g ho st w as

a ro un d, b ri gh te ne d s ud de nl y. I r es ol ve d t o t hi nk o f h is d ou bl e a s R in al do ,

t o k ee p t hi ng s s or te d.

" It 's a n e xp er ie nc e n o m an s ho ul d d o w it ho ut ," h e s ai d.

" Th en w hy a re y ou s o a nx io us t o g et a wa y f ro m i t? " R in al do r ep li ed .

" To h el p M er le f in d C or al ," L uk e s ai d. " Sh e' s b ee n k id na pp ed ."

"Really? By whom?"

"Agents of Chaos."

"Hm." R in al do b eg an t o p ac e. " Ok ay , y ou k no w m or e a bo ut i t t ha n I d o, "

h e f in al ly s ai d. " If C or wi n g et s b ac k s oo n a nd t he P at te rn e xc us es m e, I'll

hel p you any way I can. "

" Th e t ra il w il l b e g et ti ng c ol de r w hi le w e w ai t, " L uk e o bs er ve d.

" Yo u d on 't u nd er st an d, " R in al do s ai d. " I' ve g ot a j ob t o d o h er e, a nd I

ca n' t j us t t ak e of f- eve n i f i t' s t o go and be a k in g so mew he re. W hat I do i s

more important."

Lu ke g la nc ed a t m e.

"H e' s right," I s ai d. " He 's a g ua rd ia n o f t he P at te rn . O n t he o th er

hand, nobody' s about t o hur t Cor al . Why don't Jur t and I pop on back to the

C ou rt s f or a f ew m in ut es , t o c he ck o n t he p ro gr es s o f t he f un er al ? C or wi n

m ig ht s ho w u p w hi le w e' re a bo ut i t. I 'm s ur e y ou t wo w il l f in d s om et hi ng t o

talk about."

" Go a he ad ," L uk e t ol d m e.

"Y ea h, " s ai d R in al do . " I' d l ik e t o k no w w ha t w e' ve b ee n d oi ng ."

I l oo ke d a t J ur t, w ho n odd ed . I w en t an d s to od b es ide h im .





" Yo ur t ur n t o d ri ve ," I s ai d.

"B ac k s oo n, " I r em ar ke d a s w e f ad ed i nt o t he f ir st j um p.

. . . And so agai n to the Ways of Sawal l, and back into our ruddy garb

o v er d em on fo rm . I a ls o c ha ng ed o ur f aci al a p pe a ra n ce t o t he n on de sc ri pt

b ef o re J ur t r et ur ne d u s t o t he f un er al p ar ty , n ot w an ti ng a m at ch in g s et

marching along.

T he T he lb an e p ro ve d d es er t ed . A q ui ck c he ck o ut si d e, h ow ev er , s ho we d u s

t he p ro ce ss io n, p er ha ps a q ua rt er w ay a cr os s t he P la za , h al te Ò a nd in a

state of confusion.

" Uh -o h, " J ur t r em ar ke d. " Wh at s ho ul d I d o? "

" T ak e u s d ow n t he re ," I t ol d h im .

M om en ts l at er , w e w er e a t t he o ut er e dg e o f t he c ro wd . S wa yv il l' s

b la zi ng c as ke t h ad b ee n l ow er ed t o t he g ro un d, a g ua rd p os te d a bo ut i t. My

a tt en ti on w as i mm ed ia te ly a tt ra ct ed t o a k no t o f f ig ur es p er ha ps t we nt y f ee t

o ff t o t he r ig ht o f i t. T he re w as s om e s ho ut in g g oi ng o n, s om et hi ng l ay u po n

t h e g ro un d, a nd t wo d em on ic f or ms w er e b ei ng h el d t ig ht ly b y s ev er al o th er s.

M y stomach t ig ht ene d as I s aw t hat t he t wo w er e t he p ai r I h ad e nso rce ll ed

to resemble Jurt and myself. Both were protesting something.

A s I p us he d m y w ay f or wa rd , I w it hd re w m y s pe ll s, c au si ng t he t wo t o

r ev er t t o t hei r ow n a pp ea ra nc e. T he re w er e m or e s ho ut s a s t hi s o cc ur re d,

i nc lu di ng an " I t ol d yo u! " f rom t he n ea res t. T he r es po ns e t o this w as a

" Ye s, t hey a re !" from s om eo ne I s ud de nl y r ea li ze d t o b e M an do r. H e s to od

b et we en t he m a nd t he t hi ng o n t he g ro un d.

" It w as a t ri ck !" M an do r s ai d. " A d is tr ac ti on ! R el ea se t he m! "

I d ec id ed t he m om en t w as p ro pi ti ou s f or d ro pp in g t he s pe ll s t ha t m as ke d





J ur t a nd m ys el f. G lo ri ou s c on fus io n! M om en ts l at er , M an do r s aw m e a nd

signaled for me t o a pp roa ch . Ju rt , I sa w, o ff t o m y r ig ht , h ad s to ppe d t o

ta lk t o s om eo ne h e k ne w.

"M er li n! " he sai d as soon as I was n ear. " Wh at do you kno w of t hi s?"

" Not hi ng, " I sai d. " I wa s w ay t o t he r ear , wi th Ju rt . I don' t eve n k now

what happened."

" So me on e g av e t wo o f t he s ec ur it y g ua rd s y ou r a p pe ar a nc e a nd J ur t 's .

This was obviously intended to create confusion when the assassin struck.

They rushed forward insisting they were guards. Obviously, they weren't.

C le ve r- es pe ci al ly w it h y ou a nd J ur t o n t he ir b la ck w at ch l is t. "

"I s ee ," I a gr ee d, wonder ing w het he r I h ad h el pe d a n a ss as si n t o

e s ca pe . " Wh o g ot h it ?"

"Tmer, with a very professional dagger stroke," he explained, left

eyelid twitching. A faint wink? Meaning? "And he was gone in an instant."

F o u r m ou rn er s, having m ad e a s tr et ch er o f c lo ak s, r ai se d t he f al le n

body . Af te r t hey' d m oved on ly a f ew paces w it h i t, I s aw anot her kno t of

people beyond them.

Seeing my puzzled expression, Mandor glanced back.

"More security," he said. "They're surrounding Tubble. I think I'll

or der h im out o f he re f or no w. Y ou a nd J ur t, t oo. Y ou c an c om e t o t he t em pl e

l at er . I 'l l s ee t ha t s ec ur it y' s e ve n h ea vi er t he re ."

" Ok ay ," I s ai d. " Is D ar a h er e? " H e g la nc ed a bo ut .

" I h av en 't s ee n h er . D on 't n ow , e it he r. Y ou 'd b et te r g o.

I n od de d. A s I t ur ne d a wa y, I s aw a h al f- fa mi li ar f ac e o ff t o m y r ig ht .

Sh e w as t al l a nd d ar k- ey ed , s hi ft in g f ro m a s wi rl o f m ul ti co lo re d j ew el s t o

a s wa yi ng f lo we rl ik e f or m, a nd s he h ad be en s ta ri ng a t m e. I h ad b ee n t ry in g





t o r ecal l h er name ea rl ier , a nd h ad f ai le d. S ee in g h er b ro ug ht i t b ac k,

t h ou gh . I a pp ro ac he d h er .

"I have t o leave f or a t ime, " I sai d. "But I wa nt ed t o say hello,

Gilva."

" Yo u d o r em em be r. I w as w on de ri ng ."

" Of c ou rs e. " .

"How are you, Merlin?"

I sighed. She smiled her way into furry, half-human solidity.

" M e, t oo ," s he s ai d. " I' ll b e s o g lad w he n t hi s i s a ll s et tl ed ."

" Ye s. Li st en, I w an t t o s ee y ou ~f or s ev er al r ea so ns . W he n w ou ld b e a

good time?"

" Wh y, a ny ti me a ft er t he f un er al , I g ue ss . W ha t a bo ut ?"

" No t im e n ow . M an do r' s g iv in g m e a ng ry l oo ks . S ee y ou l at er ."

"Yes. Later, Merlin."

I h ur ri ed bac k t o Ju rt a nd caug ht h im by t he el bow. " We' re o rd er ed t o

l ea ve ," I s ai d. " Se cu ri ty r ea so ns ." " Al l r ig ht ." H e t ur ne d t o t he m an h e' d

b ee n t al ki ng w it h. " Th an ks . I 'l l s ee y ou l at er ," h e t ol d h im .

T he w or l d s li pp ed a wa y. A n ew o ne d aw ne d: J ur t' s a pa rt me nt , o ur c lo th es

s tr ew n a bo ut i t .

" Go od t im in g f or u s. B ad f or T me r, " h e r em ar ke d.

"True."

" Ho w' s i t f ee l t o b e n um be r t wo ?" h e a sk ed a s w e c ha ng ed a ga in -b ot h

clothing and form.

" It a dv an ce s y ou r c as e, t oo ," I s ai d.

" I' ve a f ee li ng h e d ie d o n y ou r a cc ou nt , b ro th er , n ot m in e. "





" I h ope no t," I s ai d.

He laughed.

" It 's b et we en T ub bl e a nd y ou ."

"If it w er e, I ' d b e d e ad al rea dy ," I s ai d. " If y ou 'r e r ig ht , i t' s

really between Sawall and Chanicut." "Wouldn't it be funny, Merlin, if I

were sticking with

you b eca us e i t' s t he s af es t p la ce t o be j ust n ow? " h e a sk ed . " I' m su re

o ur g ua rd s a nd a ss as si ns a re b et t er t ha n C ha ni cu t' s. S up po si ng I 'm j us t

waiting, saving my final effort till Tubble's out of the way? Then, trusting

m e a nd a ll , y ou t ur n y ou r b ac k- Co ro na ti on ! "

I l oo ked a t h im . H e w as s mi li ng , b ut h e a ls o s ee me d t o b e s tu dy in g m e.

I w as a bo ut t o s ay , " Yo u c an h av e i t, w it ho ut t he t ro ub le ," i n a j ok in g

w ay. But I w onder ed j ust t hen: Ev en i n j est , i f i t wer e a choi ce bet ween t he

two of us . . . It occurred to me t hat if we were t he only options, this was

a c ir cu ms ta nc e u nd er which I ' d a gr ee t o t ak e t he t hr on e. I 'd r es ol ve d t o

g i ve hi m t he b en ef it o f t he d ou bt , t o m ee t hi m m or e t han hal fway. But I

co ul dn 't h el p i t. F or a ll h is c on ci li at or y t al k a nd a pp ar en t c oo pe ra ti on , a

l if el on g h ab it i s a h ar d t hi ng t o b re ak . I c ou ld n' t b ri ng myself t o t ru st

hi m a ny mo re t ha n I ha d t o.

" Tel l i t t o t he Lo gr us, " I s ai d.

A l oo k of f ea r- th e widening of t he e ye s, t he sh if ti ng of t he ga ze

downward, a small forward tightening of the shoulders-then, "You really do

h av e a n u nd er st an di ng w it h i t, d on 't y ou ?" h e a sk ed .





"There s ee ms t o b e an u nd er st and in g, b ut i t o nl y w or ks o ne w ay, " I

said.


" I 'm n ot a bo ut t o h el p e it he r s id e w re ck o ur w or ld ."

" So un ds l i ke y ou 'r e p re pa re d t o d ou bl e- cr os s t he L og ru s. "

I r ai sed a fi nger to my l ips.

" It m us t b e y ou r A mb er b lo od ," h e s ai d t he n. " I' ve b ee n t ol d t he y' re

all a little crazy."

" M ay be s o, " I s ai d.

"Sounds like something your father would do."

" Wha t do y ou kn ow of h im ?"

" Yo u k no w, e ve ry bo dy h as a f av or it e A mb er s to ry ."

" No bo dy a ro un d h er e e ve r t ol d a ny t o m e. "

"Of course not-considering."

" Me b ei ng a h al f b re ed an d a ll ?" I s ai d.

He shrugged. Then, "Well, yes."

I pu ll ed on m y bo ot s.

" Wh at ev er y ou 'r e d oi ng w it h t ha t n ew P at te rn ," h e s ai d, " it p ro ba bl y

w on 't m ak e t he o ld o ne t oo h ap py ."

"Doubtless you're right," I agreed.

"So y ou w on 't be ab le t o r un t o i t f or pr ot ect io n if the Logrus is

after you."

"I guess not."

". . . And if they'r e bot h aft er you, the new one won't be able to

stand against them."





"You think they'd really get together on anything?"

" Ha rd t o s ay . Y ou 'r e p la yi ng a w il d g am e. I h op e y ou k no w wh at y ou 'r e

doing."

" Me , t oo ," I s ai d, r is in g. " My t ur n. "

I un wou nd t he s pi kar d at a l ev el I 'd n ev er a tt em pt ed b ef or e, an d I g ot

u s t her e i n a si ng le j um p.

L uk e a nd R in al do w er e s ti ll t al ki ng . I c ou ld t el l t he m a pa rt b y t hei r

g ar me nt s. C or wi n w as n ow he re i n s ig ht . B ot h w av ed a s w e m ad e o ur a pp ea ra nc e.

"How's everything in the Courts?" Luke asked.

" Ch ao ti c, " J ur t r ep li ed . " Ho w l on g h av e w e b ee n a wa y? "

"Six hours, I'd guess," Rinaldo replied.

" No s ig n o f C or wi n? " I a sk ed .

" No, " L uk e s ai d. "But i n t he m ea nt im e, w e' ve w or ke d o ut a d ea l w it h

e ac h o th er -a nd R in al do 's b ee n i n t ou ch wi th t he P at t er n h er e. I t will

r el ea se h im a nd c on ti nu e h is m ai nt en an ce a s s oo n a s C or wi n r et ur ns ."

" Re ga rd in g t ha t . . . " J ur t sa id .

" Yes ?" R in al do a s ke d . ` " " I' ll s ta y h er e a nd c ov er f or R in al do w hi le

yo u g o f ind t he l ady wi th t he gl ass ey e. "

"Why?" Rinaldo asked.

" Be ca us e y ou 'l l d o a b et te r j ob t og et he r a nd I 'l l f ee l a l ot s af er h er e

t ha n I w ou ld m os t o th er p la ce s. "

" I' d h av e t o s ee w he th er t ha t' s a cc ep ta bl e, " R in al do s ai d.

" Do i t, " s ai d J ur t.





H e m ov ed o ff t ow ar d t he P at te rn . I s ea rc he d t he f og i n a ll d ir ec ti on s,

hoping t o s ee my f at her r et urning. J ur t s tu di ed t he c ar , i ts r ad io n ow

playing a Bruce Dunlap 'number from "Los Animales."

" If y ou r f at he r c om es b ac k a nd r el ie ve s m e, " J ur t s ai d, " I' ll r et ur n t o

t he f un er al a nd m ak e e xc us es f or y ou i f y ou 'r e n ot t her e. I f you g et b a ck

a nd I 'm n ot t he re , y ou d o t he s am e. A ll r ig ht ?"

" Ye s, " I s ai d, w is ps of mist rising l ike s mo ke b et we en u s. " An d

w hi che ver of u s i s f re e f ir st an d h as so me th in g w or th sa yi ng . . . "

" Ye s, " h e a gr ee d. " I' ll c om e l oo ki ng i f y ou d on 't - , g et t o m e. "

" Di dn 't h ap pe n t o p ic k u p m y s wo rd w hi le y ou w er e b ac k i n t he C ou rt s,

di d y ou ?" L uk e a sk ed .

"Didn't have time," Jurt replied.

" Ne xt t im e y ou 'r e b ac k, I w is h y ou 'd m ak e t im e. "

" I w il l, I w il l, " J ur t s ai d.

R in al do m ov ed a wa y f ro m t he P at te rn , r et ur ne d t o u s. " Yo u' re h ir ed ," h e

sa id t o J ur t. " Co me w it h m e.

Ther e's a spring I want t o show you, and a st or e of food, som e

weapons."

L uk e t ur ne d a nd w at ch ed t hem m ov e o ff t o o ur l ef t.

" I' m s or ry ," h e s ai d s of tl y, " bu t I s ti ll d on 't t ru st h im .

" Do n' t b e s or ry . I d on 't e it he r. I 'v e k no wn h im t oo l on g. B ut w e hav e

b et te r r ea so ns f or t ru st in g e ac h o th er n ow t ha n w e' ve h ad f or a l on g t im e. "

"I 'm w on de ri ng w he th er i t w as w is e t o l et h im k no w w he re t hi s P at te rn

i s, a nd no w t o l ea ve h im a lon e w it h i t. "

"I 'm p re tt y s ur e t he P at te rn k no ws w ha t i t' s d oi ng , a nd t ha t it c an





t ak e c ar e o f i ts el f. "

H e r ai se d a p ai r o f c ro ss ed f in ge rs .

" I' d' ve a rg ue d a ga in st i t, " h e s ai d, " sa ve t ha t I n ee d m y d ou bl e. "

When they returned, a deejay's baritone suddenly rolled forth, saying,

" It a ll g oe s t o s ho w, t im in g i s e ve ry th in g. R oa d c on di ti on s a re f in e. I t i s

a g oo d d ay f or t ra ve l. " I mm ed ia te ly , t he re f ol lo we d a d ru m s ol o I 'd h av e

s wo rn w as s om et hi ng I o nc e h ea rd R an do m p la y.

"Y ou' re on dut y as of now ," Ri nal do sai d t o Jur t. To us, he n od de d.

"Anytime."

I c au gh t u s u p w it h t he s pi ka rd a nd s pu n u s b ac k t o K as hf a, b ri ng in g u s

in to J id ra sh n ea r twili ght, t o t he s am e w al lt op v an ta ge I h ad e nj oy ed

earlier with my brother.

" An d s o a t l as t, " R in al do s ai d, l oo ki ng o ut o ve r t he t ow n.

" Ye s, " L uk e r ep li ed . " It 's a ll y ou rs -f or a t im e. " T he n, " Me rl e, h ow 's

about jumping us to my apartment?"

I t ur ne d t o t he w es t w he re c lo ud s h ad g on e o ra ng e, g la nc ed u pw ar d t o

where several hung purple.

" Be fo re w e d o t ha t, L uk e, " I s ai d, " I' d l ik e t o u se w ha t dayli ght 's

l ef t f or a l oo k a t t ha t b la ck t ra il ."

H e n o dd e d.

" Go od i de a. O ka y, t ak e u s o ve r t he re ."

H is g es tu re i nd ic at ed a h il ly a re a t o t he s ou th we st . I c au gh t u s u p a nd

spi kar ded us t o i t, cr ea ti ng a v er b f or w hi ch I f el t a nee Ò i n t he s am e a ct .

S uch i s t he p ow er of C hao s.





A rr iv in g o n a s ma ll h il lt op , w e f ol lo we d L uk e d ow n i ts f ar s id e.

" Ov er t hi s w ay ," h e s ai d.

L on g s ha do ws l ay a ll a bo ut u s, b ut t he re i s a d if fe r- en ce b et we en t he ir

d im ne ss a nd t he b la ck ne ss o f a t ra ve l- t hr ea d f ro m t he C ou rt s.

"It w as r ig ht h er e, " L uk e f in al ly s ai d w he n w e c am e t o a p la ce b et wee n

a p ai r o f b ou ld er s.

I m ov ed f or wa rd i nt o t he a re a b ut I f el t n ot hi ng s pe ci al .

"Y ou s ur e t hi s i s t he p la ce ?" I a sk ed .

"Yes."

I a dv an ce d a no th er t en p ac es , t w en ty .

"I f t hi s i s r ea ll y w he re i t w as , i t' s g on e no w, " I t ol d h im . " Of co ur se

. . . I wonder how l ong we've been ' away?"

Luke snapped his fingers.

" Ti mi ng ," h e o bs er ve d. " Ta ke u s b ac k t o m y a pa rt me nt s. "

We ki ssed t he day good- bye as I sent for th a lead and o pen ed our way

thr ough t he w al l o f d ar k. W e s te pp ed .. t hr ou gh i nt o t he r oo m I h ad o cc up ie d

earlier with Coral.

" Cl os e e no ug h? " I a sk ed . " I' m n ot s ur e w he re y ou r r oo ms a re ."

"C ome on," he sai d, t aki ng us out , t o t he left a nd do wn the st ai r.

"Ti me t o c on su lt t he r es id en t e xp er t. M er le , d o s om et hi ng a bo ut t hi s g uy 's

a pp ea ra nc e. T oo m uc h o f a g oo d t hi ng m ig ht c au se c om me nt ."

I t was ea sy, a nd t he f ir st t im e I 'd mad e anyone l oo k like the big

p or tr ai t o f O be ro n b ac k h om e.

L uk e k no ck ed o n a d oo r b ef or e e nt er in g. S om ew he re b ey on d i t, a f am il ia r





v oi ce s po ke h is n am e.

" I h av e s om e f ri en ds w it h m e, " h e s ai d.

"Bring them in," came her reply.

H e open ed t he d oor and di d so.

" Bot h of yo u k no w N ay da ," L uk e a nn ou nc ed . " Na yd a, t hi s i s m y d ou bl e.

L et 's c al l hi m R in al do a nd m e L uk e w hi le w e' re t og et he r. H e' s g oi ng t o run

t hi ng s f or m e h er e w hi le M er le a nd I a re of f l oo ki ng f or y ou r si st er ."

I c ha ng ed R in al do b ac k t he n, i n r es po ns e t o h er p uz zl ed l oo k.

S he h ad o n b la ck t ro us er s a nd a n e me ra ld b lo us e, h er h ai r b ou nd b ac k b y

a mat chin g g re en s ca rf . S he s mi le d a s s he g re et ed u s, a nd w he n s he r eg ar de d

m e s he t ou ch ed h er l ip s l ig ht ly , a lm os t c as ua ll y, w it h a f in ge rt ip . I n od de d

immediately.

" I t ru st y ou a re r ec ov er ed f ro m a ny m is ad ve nt ur es i n A mb er ," I s ai d.

" You we re , o f co ur se , t he re a t a b ad t im e. "

" Of c ou rs e, " s he r es po nd ed . " Fu ll y r ec ov er ed , t ha nk y ou . K in d o f y ou t o

a sk . T ha nk s, t oo , f or the r ecen t di rec ti ons . I t w as y ou , I t ake i t, wh o

s pi ri t ed L uk e a wa y t he se t wo d ay s p as t? "

"I t' s r ea ll y b ee n t ha t l on g? " I s ai d.

" I t h as , s ir ."

"S or ry a bo ut t ha t, m y d ea r, " L uk e s ai d, s qu ee zi ng h er h an d a nd l oo ki ng

l on g i nt o h er e ye s.

" Th at e xp la in s w hy t he t ra il 's f ad ed ," I s ai d.

R in al do s ei ze d h er h an d a nd k is se d i t, w hi le e xe cu ti ng a n e la bo ra te

bow.

" Am az in g h ow m uc h y ou 'v e c ha ng ed f ro m t he g ir l I k ne w, " h e s ta te d.

"Oh?"





" I s ha re L uk e' s m em or ie s a s w el l a s h is a pp ea ra nc e, " h e e xp la in ed .

" I c ou ld t el l t he re w as s om et hi ng n ot q ui te human a bo ut you ," s he

r ema rked . " I se e y ou as a man w hose v er y bl oo d i s f ir e."

" An d h ow m ig ht y ou s ee t ha t? " h e i nq ui re d.

" Sh e h as h er m ea ns ," L uk e s ai d, " th ou gh I t ho ug ht i t o nl y a p sy ch ic

bond with her sister. Apparently it goes somewhat further."

S h e n o dd ed .

"Speaki ng of whi ch, I hope you can use i t t o hel p us t ra ck her," he

c on ti nue d. " Wi th t he t ra il g one a nd a d ru g or a sp el l b ar ri ng a T rum p c al l,

we'll be needing assisstance."

" Ye s, " s he a ns we re d, " th ou gh s he i s i n n o d an ge r a t t he m om en t. "

" Go od, " h e sai d. " In t hat case , I 'l l or der us all f oo d a nd s et t o

briefing this good-looking fellow on what's going on in Kashfa these days."

"Luke," I s ai d. " It sounds l ike an i deal t im e f or me t o h ead b ack t o

t h e C ou rt s f or t he r es t o f t he f un er al ."

"H ow l on g w ou ld y ou b e g on e, M er le ?"

" I d on 't k no w, " I r ep li ed .

"Back by morning, I trust?"

" Me , t oo . W hat i f I 'm n ot , t ho ug h?"

"I've a feeling I should go looking without you."

"Try reaching me first, though."

" S ur e. S ee y ou l at er ."

I d re w m y c lo ak o f s pa ce a bo ut m e, s hr ug gi ng K as hf a a wa y. W he n I o pe ne d

i t a ga in I w as b ac k i n J ur t' s q ua rt er s a t S aw al l.

. I s tr et ch ed , I y aw ne d. I d id a qui ck turn ab ou t the r oom , making





cer tai n I w as al one. I un fas te ned m y cl oak an d t oss ed i t up on t he b ed . I

p ac ed a s I u nb ut to ne d m y s hi rt .

H al t. W ha t w as i t? A ls o, w he re ?

I ret raced a few paces. I had never spent a gr eat deal of time in my

y ou ng er b ro th er 's r oo ms , b ut I w ou ld h av e r ec al le d w ha t I w as f ee li ng .

T her e w as a chair and t abl e i n t he cor ner f or med by th e wal l and an

a rm oi re o f d ar k, a lm os t b la ck w oo d. K ne el in g o n t he c ha ir a nd r ea ch in g o ve r

t he t ab le , I c ou ld f ee l i t- th e p re se nc e o f a w ay , n ot q ui te s tr on g e no ug h

f or t ra nsp or t, t hou gh. E rgo . . . .

I m oved of f t o m y r ight , ope ned t he a rmoi re. I t had t o b e inside, of

c o ur s e. I w on de r ed h ow r ec en tl y h e h ad i ns ta ll ed i t. I a ls o f el t s li gh tl y

f un ny a bou t p ok in g ab ou t i n h is q ua rt er s t hi s w ay. S ti ll , h e ow ed m e f or a

l ot o f m is er y a nd i nc on ve ni en ce . A f ew c on fi Òe nc es a nd a l it tl e c oo pe ra ti on

h ar dl y c le an ed t he s la te . I h ad n' t l ea rn ed t o t ru st him y et , a nd it w as

p os si bl e h e w as s et ti ng m e u p f or s om et hi ng . G oo d m an ne rs , I d ec id ed , w ou ld

h av e t o b e s ac ri fi ce d t o p ru de nc e.

I pu shed gar me nt s as ide, mak ing a w ay cl ear t o t he back of t he t hi ng. I

c ou ld f ee l i t s tr on gl y. A f in al s ho ve a t t he g ar me nt s, a q ui ck shuffle t o

the rear, and I was at the focus. I l et it take me away.

O nc e t he re w as a f or wa rd y ie ld in g, t he p re ssu re o f t he g ar me nt s a t m y

b ac k g av e m e a s ma ll p us h. T ha t, p lu s t he f ac t t ha t s om eo ne ( Ju rt , h im se lf ?)

had done a sloppy shadowmastering job resulting in mismatched floor levels,

sent me sprawling as I achieved destination.

A t l east , I d idn' t l and i n a pi t f ul l of sh ar pen ed st ak es or aci d. Or

t he l ai r o f s om e h al f- st ar ve d b ea st . N o, i t w as a g re en -t il ed f lo or , a nd I

c au gh t myself a s I fell. A nd f rom t he f li ck er in g l ig ht al l a bo ut m e I





g ue ss ed t he re w as a m es s o f c an dl es b ur ni ng .

Ev en be fo re I l oo ked u p I wa s s ur e t hey 'd al l be g re en .

N or w as I i nc or re ct . A bo ut t ha t o r a ny th in g e ls e. T he s et up w as s im il ar

t o t ha t o f m y f at he r, wit h a g ro in ed vaul t con tai ni ng a light s ou r ce

s up er io r t o t he c an dl es . O nl y t he re w as n o p ai nt in g a bo ve t hi s a lt ar . T hi s

o ne f ea tu re d a s ta in ed -g la ss w in do w, l ot s o f g re en i n i t, a nd a l it tl e r ed .

Its principal was Brand.

I r os e an d cr osse d t o i t. L yi ng up on i t, d raw n a f ew inches from it s

sheath, was Werewindle.

I r ea ch ed out and took hol d of i t, my f ir st i mpul se bei ng t o bear i t

a wa y w it h m e f or e ve nt ua l r es to ra ti on t o L uk e. T he n I h es it at ed . I t w as n' t

something I coul d w ear t o a f une ral . I f I t oo k i t now I 'd h ave t o hi de i t

s om ew he re , a nd i t w as a lr ea dy w el l- hi dd en r ig ht h er e. I '' l et m y h an d r es t

u po n i t, t ho ug h, a s I t ho ug ht . I t c on - t ai ne d a si mi lar f ee li ng o f po we r t o

t ha t w hi ch G ra ys - w an di r b or e, o nl y s om eh ow b ri gh te r, l es s t ra ge dy , t ou ch ed

a nd b ro od in g. I ro ni c. I t s ee me d a n i de al b la de f or a h er o.

I l ooked about . There was a book on a readi ng stand off t o my left, a

p en ta gr am u po n t he f lo or b eh in d m e, w or ke d i n d if fe re nt s ha de s o f g re en , a

s mel l- as of a . r ec en t w oo d f ir e- hu ng i n t he a ir . I dl y, I w on de re d w ha t I

m ig ht f ind i f I w er e t o k no ck a ho le i n t he w al l. W a: s t hi s c ha pel l oc at ed

upon a mountaintop? Beneath a lake? Underground? Was it drifting somewhere

in the heavens?

W ha t d id i t r ep re se nt ? I t l oo ke d t o b e religious in n at ur e. A nd

B en ed ic t, C or wi n, a nd B ra nd w er e t he t hr ee I k ne w a bo ut . W er e t he y a dm ir ed ,

r es pe ct ed -v en er at ed -b y c er ta in o f m y c ou nt r ym en a nd r el at iv es ? O r w er e t he se





hidden chapels somehow more sinister?

I r em ov ed m y h an d f ro m W er ew in dl e, s t ep p ed t o t he vicinity o f t he

pentagram.

My Logrus vision revealed nothing untoward, but an intense scan with

t he s pi ka rd d et ec te d t he r es id ue o f a l on g- re mo ve d magical o pe ra ti on . T he

t r ac e s w er e t oo f ai nt t o t el l m e a ny th in g o f i ts n at ur e, h ow ev er . W hi le i t

s ee me d p os si bl e I m ig ht p ro be f ur th er a ft er t hi s a nd c om e u p w it h a c le ar er

p ic tu re , I a ls o r ea li ze d I h ad n' t t he t im e s uc h a n o pe ra ti on w ou ld r eq ui re .

Re lu ct an tl y, I r et re at ed t o t he v ic in it y o f t he w ay . C ou ld t he se p la ce s

have been used to try to influence the individuals involved?

I s ho ok my h ea d. T hi s w as s om et hi ng I w ou ld h av e t o sa ve f or a no th er

d ay. I l ocat ed t he w ay and gav e m ysel f t o i t.

I s tu mb le d o n m y r et ur n, a ls o.

Ca tc hi ng ho ld o f t he f ra me wi th on e h an d, I s ei ze d a gar ment with

a no th er , k ep t m ys el f u pr ig ht , s tr ai gh te ne d, a nd s te pp ed o ut . T he n I s hi ft ed

t he c lo th in g b ac k i nt o p la ce a nd s hu t t he d oo rs .

I s tr ip pe d q ui ck ly , a lt er in g m y f or m a s I w as a bo ut i t, a nd I d on ne d m y

m ou rn in g g ar b o nc e a ga in . I f el t s om e act ivi ty in t he vicinity of t he

sp ik ar d, a nd f or t he f ir st t im e I ca ugh t i t d raw in g up on o ne o f t he ma ny

s ou rc es i t c om ma nd ed t o a lt er i ts s ha pe , a cc om mo da ti ng t he c ha ng in g s iz e of

my f in ge r. I t h ad o bv io us ly d on e t hi s s ev er al t im es b ef or e, t ho ug h t hi s w as

t he f ir st t im e I h ad n ot ed t he p ro ce ss . T hi s w as i nt er esti ng, in t ha t it

s ho we d t he d ev ic e c ap ab le o f a ct in g i nd ep en de nt o f m y w il l.

I d id n' t r ea ll y k no w w ha t t he t hi ng w as , w ha t i ts o ri gi n m ig ht h av e

b ee n. I k ep t i t b ec au se i t r ep re se nt ed a c on si de ra bl e s ou rc e of p ow er , an

a cc ep ta bl e s ub st it ut e f or t he u se o f t he L og ru s, w hi ch I n ow f ea re d. B ut a s





I w at ch ed i t c ha ng e s ha pe t o r emai n snug u po n my changing f in ger , I

w on de re d. W ha t if i t w er e s om eh ow b oo by tr ap pe d t o t ur n u po n m e a t e xa ct ly

the wrong moment?

I t ur ne d i t a c ou pl e o f t ime s up on m y f ing er . I m ov ed i nt o i t with my

mi nd, k now in g t hi s t o b e a n ex er ci se i n f ut il it y. I t w oul d t ak e a ges f or m e

t o r un d ow n e ac h l in e t o i ts s ou rc e, t o c he ck o ut h id de n spel ls along t he

w ay . I t w as like taki ng a t ri p t hr ou gh a S wi ss w at ch -c us to mm ad e. I w as

im pr es se d b ot h w it h t he b ea ut y o f i ts d es ig n, a nd w it h t he e no rm ou s am oun t

o f w or k t ha t h ad go ne i nt o i ts c re at io n. I t c ou ld e as il y p os se ss h id de n

i mp er at iv es t ha t w ou ld o nl y r es po nd t o s pe ci al s et s o f c ir cu ms ta nc es . Y et

I t h ad d on e n ot hi ng u nt ow ar d, y et . A nd t he a lt er na ti ve w as t he L og ru s.

I t s tr uc k me a s a ge nu ine i nst anc e of t he pr ef er ab il it y of t he d ev il o ne

didn't know.

G ro wl in g, I a dj us te d m y a pp ar el , f oc us ed m y a tt en ti on o n t he T em pl e o f

t he S er pe nt , a nd b a de t he s pi ka rd d e- li ve r me n ea r i ts e nt ra nc e. I t

per for med as smoo thl y and gent ly as i f I had n ev er doubt ed i t, as i f I had

n ot d is -c ov er ed i n i t y et a no th er c au se f or p ar an oi a.

k A nd f or a t im e, I s im pl y s to od ou ts ide t he d oo rs o f f roz en f la me ,

t he re at t he g rea t C at hed ra l o f t he S er pen t a t t he o ut er e dg e of the Plaza

a t the End of t he W or ld , si tua ted exact ly a t t he R im, open ed t o t he Pi t

i ts el f- w he re , o n a g oo d d ay , o ne c an v ie w t he c re at io n o f t he u ni ve rs e, o r

i ts e nd in g- an d I w at ch ed t he s t ar s s wa rm t hr ou gh s pa ce t ha t f ol de d a nd





u nf ol de d l ik e t he p et al s o f f lo we rs; a nd a s i f m y l if e w er e a bo ut t o ch an ge ,

my thoughts returned to California and school, of sailing the Sunburst with

Lu ke an d Ga il an d Ju li a, o f s it ti ng w it h my f at he r n ear t he e nd o f t he w ar ,

o f r id in g w it h Vi nt a Ba yl e t hr oug h t he w ine co unt ry t o t he ea st of Am be r, o f

a l on g, b ri sk a ft er no on s pe nt s ho wi ng C or al a bo ut t he t ow n, o f t he s tr an ge

e nc ou nt er s o f t ha t d ay ; a nd I t ur ne d. a nd r ai se d m y s ca ly h an d, s ta re d p as t

i t a t t he s pi re o f T he lb an e, a nd " th ey c ea se n ot f ig ht in g, e as t a nd w es t, o n

t he mar ches of m y br east ," I t hough t. H ow l on g, how l ong . . . ?- ir ony, a s

usual, a three-to-one favorite whenever sentimentality makes its move.

Turni ng agai n, I went i n t o see t he last of t he Ki ng, of Chaos.

IX

D ow n, d ow n into t he p il e, i nt o t he g re at s la g h ea p, w in do w o nt o t he

end s o f t im e a nd sp ace , wh er e no thi ng i s t o be se en a t t he e nd , I went ,

be tw ee n w al ls f or ev er a fi re , n ev er b ur nt d ow n, w al ki ng i n o ne o f m y b od ie s

t ow ar d t he s ou nd o f a v oi ce r ea di ng f ro m t he B oo k o f t he S er pe nt Hung u po n

t he T re e of M at te r, a nd a t l en gt h c am e i nt o t he g ro tt o t ha t b ac ke d u po n

blackness, widening semicircles of red-clad mourners facing the reader and

the grand catafalque beside which he stood, Swayvill clearly in view within

i t , h al f- co ve re d w it h r ed f lo we rs d ro pp ed b y m ou rn er s, r ed t ap er s f l ic ke ri ng

a ga in st t he P it , b ut a f ew p ac es b eh in d t he m; a cr os s t he r ea r o f t he c ha mb er

t he n, l is te ni ng t o B an ce s o f A mb le ra sh , H ig h P ri es t o f t he S er p en t , his

w or ds s ou nd in g a s i f s po ke n b es id e m e, f or t he a co us ti cs o f C ha os a re g oo d;

f in di ng a s ea t i n a n o th er wi se e mp ty a rc , w he re a ny on e l oo ki ng b ac k w ou ld b e

certain to notice me; seeking familiar faces, finding Dara, Tubble, and





d et ec t t he m ov em en t b el ow w he n t he c ha nt in g c ea se d.

The four figures stooped slightly, presumably taking hold of the

c a sk e t' s h an dl es . The y s tr ai gh te ne d t he n a nd m ov ed t ow ar d t he R im . A n

a ss is ta nt a dv an ce d a nd s to od b es id e t he c an dl e j us t a s t he y p as se d i t, r ea dy

t o s nu ff t he f in al f la me a s S wa yv il l' s r em ai ns w er e c on si gn ed t o C ha os .

A hal f dozen paces r emai ned. . . . Thr ee. Two. . . . Bances and Tubble

k ne lt a t t he v er ge , pos it ion ing t he c as ke t w it hi n a g ro ov e i n t he s to ne

f lo or , B an ce s i nt on in g a f in al b it o f r it ua l t he whi le, D ar a a nd M an do r

remaining standing.

The p ra ye r finished, I h ea rd a c ur se . M an do r s ee me d j er ke d f or wa rd .

D ar a st um bl ed a wa y t o t he si de . I h ea rd a cl ank as t he cas ke t h it t he f loo r.

T he a ss is ta nt 's h an d h ad a lr ea dy b ee n m ov in g, a nd t he c and le w ent o ut a t

t ha t m om en t. T he re f ol lo we d a s ki dd in g s ou nd a s t he c as ke t m ov ed f or wa rd ,

m or e c ur se s, a s ha do wy f ig ur e r et re at in g f ro m t he R im . . . .

T he n c am e a wail . A bul ky outline fell a nd w as g on e. The wail

diminished, diminished, diminished. . . .

I r ai sed my l ef t f ist , c ause d t he spi kar d t o c reat e a gl obe of w hi te

l ig ht as a b ubb le p ip e d oes a b ubb le. I t w as ab ou t t hr ee feet in diamet er

w he n I r el ea se d i t t o d ri ft o ve rh ea d. S ud de nl y, t he p la ce w as f il le d w it h

babbling. Others of sorcerous background having exercised their favorite

illumination s pe ll s a t a bo ut t he s am e t ime I h ad , t he t em pl e w as n ow

over-illuminated from dozens of point-sources.

S qu in ti ng , I s aw B an ce s, M an do r, a nd D ar a i n c on ve rs e n ea r t he Rim.

Tu bb le a nd t he r em ai ns o f S wa yv il l w er e n o l on ge r w it h u s.

M y fel low m ou rn er s w er e a lr ea dy m ov in g. I d id , t oo , r ea li zi ng t ha t m y

t im e h er e w as n ow e xt re me ly l im it ed . I s te pp ed d ow n o ve r t he empt y r ow ,





B ut now I have t wo, and t hi s pl ace f igur es i n one of t hem , i n a way, besi des

b ei ng f ai rl y d es er te d m os t o f t he t im e. "

"Ask," s he s ai d, moving t o f ac e m e. "I'll t ry t o h el p. I f i t' s

i mp or ta nt , t ho ug h, I m ay n ot b e t he b es t p er so n- "

" Ye s, i t' s i mp or ta nt . B ut I h av en 't t im e t o m ak e a n a pp oi nt me nt with

Belissa. It concerns my father, Corwin."

"Yes?"

" It w as h e w ho sl ew B or el o f H en dr ak e i n t he w ar a t P at te rn fa ll ."

" So I u nd er st an d, " s he s ai d.

"Af ter t he w ar , h e j oi ne d t he r oy al p ar ty t ha t c am e h er e t o t he C ou rt s

to w or k o ut t he T re at y. "

"Y es ," s he s ai d. " I k no w t ha t. "

" He d is ap pe ar ed s ho rt l y t he re af te r, a nd n o o ne

seeme d t o know w her e h e' d g ot ten o ff t o. Fo r a t ime, I t hought he mi ght

b e d ea d. L at er , h ow ev er , I r ec ei ve d i nd ic at io ns t ha t h e w as n ot , b ut r at he r

was imprisoned somewhere. Can you tell me anything about this?"

She turned away suddenly.

" I a m o ff en de d, " s he s ai d, " by w ha t I b el ie ve y ou i mp ly ."

" I' m sor ry," I sai d, " but I h ad t o a sk. "

" Ou rs i s a n h on or ab le H ou se ," s he s ai d. " We a cc ep t t he f or tu ne s o f w ar .

W he n t he f ig ht in g i s e nd ed , w e p ut i t a ll b eh in d u s. "

"I a po lo gi ze ," I s ai d. " We 'r e e ve n r el at ed , y ou k no w, o n m y m ot he r' s

side."

" Ye s, I k no w, " s he s ai d, tur ning a wa y. "Will t ha t b e al l, P ri nc e

Merlin?"

"Y es ," I a ns we re d. " Wh er e s ha ll I s en d y ou ?"





S he w as s il en t f or a m om en t, t he n, " Yo u s ai d t he re w er e t wo q ue st io ns ,"

s h e s t at e d.

" Fo rg et i t. I c ha ng ed m y m in d a bo ut t he se co nd o ne ."

Sh e t u rn ed b ac k.

"Why? Why should I forget it? Because I maintain my family's honor?"

" No , b ec au se I b el ie ve y ou ." " An d? "

"I'll trouble someone else for an opinion."

" Do y ou m ea n i t' s d an ge ro us , a nd y ou 'v e d ec id ed a ga in st a sk in g m e? "

" I d on 't u nd er st an d i t, s o i t c ou ld b e d an ge ro us ."

" Do y ou w an t t o o ff en d m e a ga in ?"

"Heaven forbid!"

"Ask me your question."

" I' ll h av e t o s ho w y ou ."

"Do it."

"Even if it means climbing a tree?" "Whatever it means."

"Follow me."

S o I l ed h er t o t he t re e an d c li mb ed i t, a n e nor mo usl y si mp le f ea t i n

m y p re se nt f or m. S he w as r ig ht b eh in d m e.

" Ther e' s a wa y u p h er e, " I s ai d. " I' m ab out t o l et i t t ake m e. Gi ve me

a f ew s ec on ds t o m ov e a si de ."

I m ov ed a l it tl e f ar th er u pw ar d a nd w as t ra ns po rt ed . S te pp in g a si de , I

surveyed the chapel quickly. Nothing seemed changed.

The n G il va w as a t m y si de. I h ear d a shar p i nt ake of br ea th.





"O h, m y! " s he s ai d.

"I know what I' m l ooki ng at ," I sa id , "but I d on 't know what I' m

seeing, if you follow me."

" It i s a s hr in e, " s he s ai d, " de di ca te d t o t he s pi ri t o f a m em ber o f t he

royal house of Amber."

" Ye s, i t' s my f at he r C or wi n, " I a gr ee d. " Th at 's w ha t I 'm l oo ki ng a t.

B ut w hat a m I s ee in g? W hy s ho ul d t her e b e su ch a t hi ng he re i n t he C ou rt s,

anyway?"

She moved forward slowly, studying Dad's altar.

"I might a s we ll t el l y ou, " I ad de d, " th at t hi s i s n ot t he o nl y s uc h

s hr in e I 'v e s ee n s in ce m y r et ur n. "

S he r ea ch ed o ut a nd t ou ch ed t he h il t o f G ra ys wa nd ir . S ea rc hi ng b en ea th

t he a lt ar , s he f ou nd a s up pl y o f c an dl es . R em ov in g a s il ve r o ne a nd s cr ew in g

it int o the socket of one of a numl xr of holder s, she l it i t f rom one of the

o th er s a nd p la ce d i t n ea r G ra ys wa nd ir . S he m ut te re d s om et hi ng w hi le s he w as

about i t, but I did not make out t he words.

W he n s he t ur ne d b ac k t o m e a ga in s he w as smiling. " We b ot h g rew up

her e," I sai d. "How is it that you seem t o know al l about t hi s when I

don't?"

" Th e a ns we r i s f ai rl y s im pl e, L or d, " s he t ol d m e. " Yo u d e pa r t ed ri ght

af ter the w ar , t o s ee k an educat ion in other l ands. This i s a si gn of

so me th in g t ha t c am e t o p as s i n y ou r a bs en ce ."

She r eached out, took hol d of my arm, led me to a bench.

" No bo dy t ho ug ht w e w ou ld a ct ua ll y l os e t ha t w ar ," s he s ai d, " th ou gh it

h ad l on g b ee n a rg ue d t ha t A mb er w ou ld b e a f or mi da bl e a dv er sa ry ." W e s ea te d

ourselves. "Afterward, there was considerable unrest," she continued, "over





t he pol ici es t ha t h ad l ed t o i t a nd t he t re at y t ha t f ol lo we d i t. N o s in gl e

h ou se o r g ro up in g c ou ld h op e f or a d ep os it io n a ga in st t he r oy al c oa li ti on ,

t ho ug h. Y ou k no w t he c on se rv at is m o f t he R im L or ds . I t w ou ld t ak e m uc h, m uc h

m or e t o u ni te a m aj or it y a ga in st t he C ro wn . I ns te ad , t he ir d is co nt en t t oo k

a no th er f or m. T he re g re w u p a b ri sk t ra de i n A mb er m em or ab il ia f ro m t he w ar .

People became fascinated by our conquerors. Biographical studies of Amber's

r oy al family s ol d v er y w el l. S om et hi ng l ik e a c ul t b eg an t o t ak e s ha pe .

P ri va te c ha pe ls s uc h a s t hi s b eg an t o a pp ea r , d ed ic at ed t o a p ar ti cu lar

Amberite whose virtues appealed to someone."

She paused, studying my face.

" It s ma ck ed t oo m uch o f a r el ig ion ," s he w en t o n w ' t he n, " an d f or t im e

o ut o f m in d t he W ay o f t he S er pe nt h ad b ee n t he o nl y s ig ni fi ca nt r el ig io n i n

t h e C ou r ts . S o Swayvil l o ut la we d t he A mb er c ul t a s h er et ic al , f or o bv io us

po li ti ca l r ea so ns . T ha t p ro ve d a m is ta ke . H ad h e d on e n ot hi ng i t m ig ht h av e

p a ss e d q ui ck ly . I d on 't r ea ll y k no w, o f c ou rs e. B ut o ut la wi ng i t d ro ve i t

u nd er gr ou nd , m ad e p eo pl e t ak e i t m or e s er io us ly a s a r eb el li ou s t hi ng . I ' ve

n o i de a ho w many cult c ha pe ls t he re a re a mo ng t he H ou se s, b ut t ha t' s

obviously what this is."

"Fascinating sociological phenomenon," I said, "and your cult figure is

Benedict."

She laughed.

" Th at w ou ld n' t h av e b ee n h ar d t o g ue ss ," s he s ai d.

"A ct ua ll y, I h ad t he c ha pe l d es cr ib ed t o m e b y m y b ro th er M an do r. H e

c la im ed t o h av e w an de re d i nt o i t a t a p ar ty a t H en dr ak e, n ot k no wi ng w ha t i t

was."





She chuckled.

" He mu st h av e b ee n t est in g y ou ," s he s ai d. " Th e p ra ct ic e h as b ee n

co mmo n k no wl ed ge f or a l on g w hi le : An d I h ap pe n t o k no w h e' s a cultist

himself."

" Re al ly ? H ow d o y ou k no w t hi s? "

"He m ade no s ec re t of it in the old d ay s, b ef or e the gener al

proscription."

" An d w ho m ig ht h is p er so na l p at ro n b e? " I s ai d.

"The Princess Fiona," she replied.

Cu ri ou se r a nd c ur io us er . . . .

" Yo u' ve a ct ua ll y s ee n h is c ha pe l t o h er ?" I a sk ed .

" Y es . B ef or e t he b an i t w as n ot u nc om mo n t o h av e y ou r f ri en ds o ve r f or

a service whenever you were feeling particularly disgruntled with royal

policy."

" A nd a ft er t he b an ?"

"Everyone claimed publicly that their shrines had been destroyed. Many

w er e s im pl y r el oc at ed , I t hi nk , u p h id de n w ay s. "

"And the business of having friends over for services?"

" I' d g ue ss i t w ou ld d ep en d o n h ow g oo d a f ri en d y ou 'r e t al ki ng a bo ut . I

d o n' t r ea ll y k no w h ow o rg an iz ed t he A mb er c ul t i s. " S he g es tu re d w id el y. " A

p la ce l ik e t hi s i s i ll eg al , t ho ug h. G oo d t hi ng I d on 't k no w w he re w e a re ."

" I g ue ss s o, " I s ai d. " Wh at a bo ut t he r el at ion sh ip b et w ee n t he cul t

f igure a nd t he r ea l thing? I 'd s ay t ha t M an do r r ea ll y d oe s h av e a t hi ng

a bo ut F ion a. H e' s m et h er , yo u k no w, a nd I 'v e b een p re se nt and s ee n it.





S om eo ne e ls e I k no w s to le s om et hi ng b el on gi ng t o h is -p at ro n? -a nd k ee ps i t i n

his sh ri ne. A nd t hat "- I r os e, c ro ss ed t he a lt ar , a nd p ic ke d u p C or wi n' s

s wo rd - ` i s t he r ea l t hi ng . I ' d s ee n G ra ys wa nd ir c lo se -u p, t ou ch ed i t , h el d

i t . This is i t. Bu t wh at I 'm ge tt in g at i s t hat m y f at her i s mi ssi ng, and

t he l ast t ime I saw him he was wear ing t hat bl ade. Woul d i t b e in keeping

w it h t he t en et s o f t hi s c ul t t o k ee p y ou r p at ro n p ri so ne r? "

"I never hear d of such a t hi ng," she sai d. "B ut I don' t see why not . I t

i s r eal ly t he spir it of t he p er so n t ha t i s b ei ng v en er at ed . T he re i s n o

r e as on t he p er so n c ou ld n ot b e i mp ri so ne d. "

"Or dead?"

" Or d ea d, " s he a gr ee d.

" Th en f as ci na ti ng a s a ll t hi s i s, " I s ai d, t ur ni ng a wa y f ro m t he a lt ar ,

" it d oe sn 't r ea ll y h el p m e t o f in d m y f at he r. "

I m ov ed b ac k t o h er , a cr os s w ha t m us t h av e b ee n a r ep re se nt at io n of

A mb er , stylized a s t he p at te rn o n a C au ca si an r ug , t he re i n t he d ar k a nd

l ig ht t il e, t he C ha ot ic on e f ar of f t o m y r igh t.

" Yo u w ou ld h av e t o a sk t he p er so n r es po ns ib le f or his b la de 's bei ng

there," she said, rising.

"I a lr ea dy a s ke d t he p er so n I b el i ev ed r es po ns ib le . T he r es po ns e w as

not satisfactory."

I t ook her ar m t o st eer her back t owar d t he way t o t he t ree , and she

was suddenly standing very close.

"I w oul d like t o s er ve o ur next k ing a ny wa y I mi ght ," she sa id.

" Th ou gh I m ay n ot n or ma ll y s pe ak f or o ur H ou se , I a m c er ta in H en dr ak e woul d

a gr ee t o h el p y ou b ri ng p re ss ur e u po n t he p er so n r es po ns ib le ."





" Thanks," I s ai d a s w e e mb ra ce d. H er s ca le s w er e c oo l. H er f an gs w ou ld

h ave s hr ed ded m y h um an ea r, b ut i t w as o nl y a n ib bl e i n d em on fo rm . "I will

t al k t o y ou a gai n i f I ne ed h el p al on g t ho se l ine s."

"Talk to me again, anyway."

It was good to hold and be held f or a time, and that is what we did,

t il l I s aw a s had ow m ov e i n t he v ic in it y o f t he w ay .

"Masster Merlin."

"Glait!"

" Ye ss . I s sa w y ou c om e t hi ss w ay . M an fo rm , d em on fo rm , g ro wn o r ss ma ll ,

I k no w y ou ."

"Merlin, what is it?" Gilva asked.

' 'A n o ld f ri en d, " I t ol d h er . " Gl ai t, m ee t G il va . A nd v ic e v er sa ."

" Pl ea ss ed . I c am e t o w ar n y ou t ha t s so me on e a pp ro ac he ss ."

"Who?"

"Princess Dara."

"Oh, dear!" Gilva remarked.

" Yo u s us pe ct w he re w e a re ," I s ai d t o h er . " Ke ep i t t o y ou rs el f. "

" I val ue m y hea d, L or d. W ha t d o we d o no w? "

" Gl ai t, t o m e, " I s ai d, k ne el in g a nd e xt en di ng a n a rm . S he f lo we d u p i t

a nd m ad e h er sel f c om fo rt ab le . I r o se a nd c au gh t h ol d o f G il va w it h t he

o t he r. I s en t m y w il l i nt o t he sp ik ar d.

Then I hesitated

I d id n' t k no w w he re t he h el l w e w er e- re al ly , p hy si ca ll y, in t er ms o f





g eo gr ap hy . A w ay c an d el iv er y ou n ex t d oo r, o r s om ew he re t ho us an ds o f m il es

distant from

i t s p oi nt o f o ri gi n, o r s om ew he re o ff i n S ha do w. I t w ou ld t ak e a while

t o hav e t he spi kar d f igur e w her e w e wer e a nd t hen wo rk out t he w ay b ack, i f

we we re g oi ng t o by pas s t he w ay. T oo l on g, I wa s ce rt ai n.

I c ou ld s im pl y us e i t t o r end er u s i nv is ib le. B ut I f ea re d m y m ot he r' s

s o rc er o us s en si ti vi ty w ou ld b e s uf f ic ie nt t o d et ec t o ur p re se nc e a t l ev el s

beyond the visual.

I f ace d t he n ear est w al l an d ext end ed m y sen ses p ast i t o n a line of

t he sp ik ar d' s f or ce. W e w er e no t u nd er wa te r or dr if ti ng o n a s ea o f l av a or

qu ic ks an d. W e s ee me d t o b e i n a w oo de d s po t.

So I w al ked t ow ar d t he w al l an d pas se d us t hr oug h i t w hen we g ot t her e.

Se ver al pa ce s l at er , i n t he mi dst of a s ha ded gl ad e, I l oo ke d b ack and

b eh el d a g ra ss y h il ls id e, w it h n o s in gi ng c om in g f ro m b en ea th i t. W e s to od

un de r a b lu e s ky ,

o ra ng e s un n ea ri ng i ts t op . T he re w er e b ir d a nd i ns ec t s ou nd s a bo ut u s.

"Marrow!" Glait exclaimed, unwound herself from my arm and vanished

i n t o t he g as se s.

"Don' t s ta y aw ay l on g! " I hi ss ed , t ry in g t o k ee p m y v oi ce l ow ; a nd I

l ed G il va a wa y f ro m t he h il l.

"Merlin," she said, "I'm frightened at what I've learned."

" I w on 't t el l a ny on e i f y ou w on 't ," I s ai d. " If y ou 'd l ik e, I c an eve n

r em ov e t he se m em or ie s b ef or e I s en d y ou b ac k t o t he f un er al ."

" No, l et me ke ep t hem . I can ev en wi sh t her e w er e mo re. "

" I' ll f ig ur e o ur l oc at io n a nd g et y ou b ac k b ef or e y ou 'r e m is se d. "





"I'll wait with you while your friend hunts."

I ha lf ex pect ed her t o cont in ue, " . . . i n c ase I nev er se e yo u a gai n, "

w ha t w it h t he n ea r s ka te bo ar di ng o f T me r a nd T ub bl e o ff t hi s e ve r- mo rt al

h el ix . B ut n o, s he w as a d em ur e a nd w el l- br ed b at tl e- ma id -w it h o ve r t hi rt y

n ot ch es o n t he haft o f h er b ro ad sw or d, I l at er l ea rn ed -a nd s he w as a bo ve

s ta ti ng t he d is ta st ef ul o bv io us i n t he p r es en ce o f h er p os si bl e f ut ur e

liege.

W he n G la it r et ur ne d a ft er a n a pp ro pr ia te t im e, I s ai d, " Th an ks , G il va .

I 'm goi ng t o send yo u b ack t o t he f un er al now. I f any one saw us t oget her an d

w ant s t o k now w he re I a m, t el l t hem I s ai d I w as go in g i nt o h idi ng. "

"If you do need a place to hide . . ."

"T al k t o you som et ime l at er per haps, " I sai d, and I sen t her b ac k t o

th e t em pl e a t t he e dg e o f e ve ry th in g.

"Good vermin," Glait remarked, as I commenced my shift humanward. (It's

a lw ay s e as ie r t ha t w ay f or m e t ha n t he d em on -s hi ft .)

" I 'd l ik e t o s en d y ou b ac k t o S aw al l' s s cu lp tu re g ar de n, " I s ai d.

"Why there, Masster Merlin?"

"To w ai t f or a t im e, t o s ee w he th er y ou b eh ol d a s en ti en t c ir cl e o f

l ight . And i f you do, t o addr ess i t as Ghost wheel and t el l it t o com e t o

me."

" W he re sh al l I t el l i t t o s se ek y ou ?"

"T hat I do not k now, but i t i s good at t hat so rt of t hi ng. "

"Then s se nd m e. A nd i f y ou a re n ot e at en b y s so me th in g b ig ge r, c om e





t el l m e y ou r s st or y o ne n ig ht ."

"I shall."

It was the wor k of but a moment to hang the serpent back i n her t ree .

I ' ve n ev er b ee n s ur e w he n s he 's j ok in g, r ep ti li an h um or b ei ng m or e t ha n a

little strange.

I s um mo ne d f re sh g ar me nt s a nd g ar be d m ys el f i n g ra y a nd p ur pl e. F et ch ed

m e b la de s l on g a nd s ho rt t he n, a ls o. I w on de re d w ha t m y m ot he r might h ave

been u p t o i n he r chap el , b ut de ci de d aga inst t ry ing t o s py on h er . I r ai sed

t he s pi ka rd a nd r eg ar de d it f or a moment , t he n l ow er ed i t. I t s ee me d

p os si bl y c ou nt er pr od uc ti ve t o t r an sp or t myself t o K as hf a w hen I w as

u nc er ta in h ow much time h ad p a ss e d a nd w he th er L uk e w as a ct ua ll y s ti ll

t he re . I t oo k o ut m y T ru mp s, w hi ch I h ad h ad al ong in my mourning g ar b,

uncased them.

I l oc at ed Lu ke' s, f oc used u pon i t. B ef or e t oo l on g i t wen t c ol d an d I

felt Luke's presence.

" Ye s? " h e s ai d. " Th at y ou , M er le ?" a t a bo ut t he s am e t im e a s h is image

s wa m a nd a lt er ed , ca us ing me t o s e e him m ou nt ed a nd r id in g t hr ou gh a

part-blasted, part-normal countryside.

" Ye ah ," I a ns we re d. " I g at he r y ou 'r e n o l on ge r i n K as hf a. "

"Right," he said. "Where're you?"

"Somewhere in Shadow. How's about yourself?"

" Da mn ed i f I k no w f or s ur e, " h e r es po nd ed . " We 'v e

b ee n f ol lo wi ng t hi s b la ck p at h f or d ay s- an d I c an o nl y s ay ` so me wh er e

i n S ha do w, ' t oo ."

"0h, you located it?"





" Na yd a d id . I d id n' t s ee a ny th in g, b ut s he j us t l ed m e o n. E ve nt ua ll y,

t he t rai l go t cl ear t o me. H el l of a t racker , t hat gal ."

"She's with you now?"

" Th at 's r ig ht . S he s ay s w e' re g ai ni ng o n t he m, t oo ."

"Better bring me through then."

"Come ahead."

H e e xt en de d a h and . I r ea ch ed f or wa rd , c las pe d it, t oo k a s te p,

r e le as ed h is h an d, b eg an w al ki ng b es id e h im , a p ac k h or se t o t he r ea r.

"Hi, N ayd a! " I call ed, t o w her e sh e r ode at hi s ot her si de. A gr im

fi gu re w as m ou nt ed u po n a b la ck h or se a he ad a nd t o h er r ig ht .

She smiled.

"Merlin," she said. "Hello."

" Ho w a bo ut M er le ?" I s ai d.

"If you wish."

T he f ig ur e o n t he d ar k h or se t ur ne d a nd r eg ar de d m e.

I hal ted a deat h s tr ike t hat r an f rom r ef lex t o t he s pi ka rd s o fast

t ha t it s ca re d m e. The ai r b et we en us w as sm udge d a nd f il led wi th a

s cr ee ch in g n ot e, a s o f a c ar g ra bb in g p av em en t t o a ve rt c ol li si on .

He w as a b ig, b lond -hai red son o f a bi tch, a nd he ha d o n a yel lo w shi rt

a nd b la ck t r ou se rs , b la ck b oo ts , l ot s o f c ut l er y. T he m ed al li on o f t he Lion

r endi ng t he Unicor n b ou nc ed u po n h is b ro ad c he st . E ve ry t im e I 'd s ee n o r

h ea rd o f t he m an , h e' d b ee n a bo ut s om et hi ng n as ty , d am n n ea r k il li ng L uk e o n

o ne o cc as io n. H e w as a m er ce na ry , a R ob in H oo d f ig ur e o ut o f E re gn or , a nd a

s wo rn e ne my o f A mb er -i ll eg it im at e s on o f h er l at e l ie ge O be ro n. I b el ie ve d

t he re w as a p ri ce o n h is h ea d w it hi n t he G ol de n C ir cl e. O n t he o th er h an d,

he an d Luke ha d b een bu dd ie s f or ye ar s, and Lu ke sw or e he wa sn 't a ll t hat





bad. He w as my u ncle Dal t, and I 'd a f eeli ng th at if he moved t oo quickly

the flexing of his muscles would shred his shirt.

" . . . A nd y ou r em em be r m y m il it ar y a dv is er , D al t, " L uk e s ai d.

" I r em em be r, " I s ta te d.

Dal t s ta re d a t t he b la ck lines in t he a ir t ha t f ad ed , s mo ke li ke ,

b et we en u s. H e a ct ua ll y s mi le d t he n, a l it tl e.

"M er li n, " h e s ai d, " so n o f A mb er , P ri nc e o f C ha os ,

t he m an w ho d ug m y g ra ve ."

"What's this?" Luke asked.

"A little conversational gambit," I replied. "You've a good memory,

Dalt-for faces."

He chuckled.

" Ha rd t o f or ge t s om et hi ng l ik e a g ra ve o pe ni ng i ts el f, " h e s ai d. " Bu t

I 'v e n o q ua rr el w it h y ou , M er li n. "

"N or I y ou -n ow ," I s ai d.

H e g ru nt ed t he n a nd I g ru nt ed b ac k a nd c on si de re d us i nt ro du ce d. I

t u rn ed b ac k t o wa r d L uk e.

" Is t he p at h i ts el f g iv in g y ou a ny t ro ub le ?" I a sk ed .

" No ," h e r ep li ed . " It 's n ot hi ng a t a ll l ik e t ho se s to ri es I 'd h ea rd

a bo ut t he B la ck R oa d. I t l oo ks a l it tl e b le ak a t t im es , b ut n ot hi ng 's r ea ll y

t hr ea te ne d u s. " H e g la nc ed d ow nw ar d a nd c hu ck le d. " Of c ou rs e i t' s o nl y a f ew

y ar ds w id e, " h e a dd ed , " an d t hi s i s t he b ro ad es t i t' s b ee n, s o f ar ."

"Still," I said, opening my senses and studying its emanations with my





Logrus sight, "I'd think something might have threatened."

" I g ue ss w e' ve b ee n l uc ky ," h e s ai d.

Again, N ay da l aughe d, a nd I f el t f oo li sh . T he pr es en ce o f a t y' i ga

w ou ld c ou nt a s s ur el y as m y o wn i n o ff set ti ng t he di re ef fe ct s of a C ha os

r oa dw ay i n t he r ea lm o f O rd er .

"G ue ss y ou h ad a l it tl e l uc k c om in g, " I s ai d.

" Yo u' re g oi ng t o n ee d a h or se , M er le ," h e s ai d t he n. " I s up po se y ou 'r e

right," I agreed.

I w as a fr ai d t o u se L og ru s m ag ic a nd c al l at te nt io n t o my l oca ti on .

Sti ll , I h ad a lr ead y l ea rn ed t ha t t he s pi ka rd c ou ld b e u se d i n a s im il ar

f as hi on , a nd I e nt er ed i t w it h m y w il l, e xt en de d, e xt en de d, m ad e c on t ac t,

su mm on ed. . . .

" It 'l l b e a lo ng a ny m in ut e, " I s ai d. " Di d y ou s ay s om et hi ng a bo ut o ur

gaining on them?"

" Th at 's w ha t N ay da t el ls m e, " h e e xp la in ed . " Sh e h as a n a ma zi ng r ap po rt

with her sister-not to mention a high sensitivity to this pathway itself.

" Kn ow s a l ot a bo ut d em on s, t oo ," h e a dd ed .

"O h, a re w e l ik el y t o e nc ou nt er a ny ?" I a sk ed h er .

" It w as d em on fo rm ed w ar r io rs f ro m t he C ou rt s w ho a bd uc te d C or al ," s he

s ai d. " Th ey s ee m h ea de d t ow ar d a t ow er u p a he ad ."

" Ho w f ar a he ad ?" I a sk ed .

" Ha rd t o s ay , s in ce w e' re c ut ti ng t hr ou gh S ha do w, " s he a ns we re d.

T 'h e t ra il , w hi ch c on si st ed o f b la ck en ed g ra ss es a nd w hi ch p ro du ce d t he

s am e e ff ect o n a ny t re e o r s hr ub t ha t s o m uc h a s o ve rh un g i t, w ou nd i ts w ay

t hr ough a hi ll y ar ea now ; an d a s I st eppe d o nt o and of f o f i t I no ted that

it s ee me d b ri ght er a nd w ar mer e ac h t im e I d ep ar te d. I t h ad r ea ch ed t hi s





point now after having been virtually undetectable in the vicinity of

K as hf a- an i nd ex o f h ow f ar w e w er e i nt o t he r ea lm o f t he L og ru s.

A l it tl e pa st t he ne xt b en di ng of t he t ra il , I h ea rd a w hi nny f ro m o ff

to t he r ig ht .

" Ex cu se m e, " I s ai d. " De li ve ry t im e, " a nd I d e pa r t ed t he t rai l a nd

e nt er ed a g r ov e o f o va l- l ea fe d t r ee s.

Snorting and stamping sounds reached me from

a he ad , a nd I f ol lo we d t he m d ow n s ha de d w ay s.

"Wait up!" Luke called. "We shouldn't separate."

Bu t t he w oo d w as f ai rl y d en se , n ot a t a ll e as y g oi ng

f or s om eo ne on h or se ba ck , s o I ho ll er ed b ac k, " Do n' t w or ry !" a nd

plunged ahead.

. . . And that , of course, was why he was t her e.

F ul ly s ad dl ed a nd b ri dl ed , h is r ei ns t an gl ed i n t he d en se f ol ia ge , h e

w as c ur si ng i n h or se -t al k, s ha ki ng h is h ea d f ro m s id e t o s id e, p aw in g a t t he

e ar th . I h al te d s ta re d.

I may ha ve g iv en t he i mp res si on t ha t I w ou ld r at he r p ul l on a p ai r o f

A di da s a nd j og t hr ou gh S had ow t ha n p lu nge t hr ou gh o n t he b ac k of a b ea st

dr iv en h al f- ma d b y t he c ha ng es g oi ng o n a bo ut i t. O r r id e a b ic yc le . O r h op

t hr ou gh o n a p og o s ti ck .

N or w ou ld t hi s i mp re ss io n b e i nc or re ct . I t i s n ot t ha t I d on 't k no w h ow

t o d ri ve t he t hi ng s. I t i s j us t t ha t I 'd n ev er b ee n part icul ar ly f ond of

them. Admitt ed, I n ev er ha d t he u se of o ne o f t ho se wo nde r h or se s, s uc h a s

Julian's Morgenstern, Dad's Star, or Benedict's Glemdenning, which stood to

m or ta l h or se s in t er ms o f life s pa n, s tr en gt h, a nd e nd ur an ce a s d id





A mb er it es t o t he i nh ab it an ts o f m os t s ha do ws .

I l oo ked al l a bo ut , b ut co ul d de te ct no i nj ur ed r ide r. . . .

" Mer li n! " I h ear d L uk e c al l, b ut m y a tt en ti on w as n ea re r a t h an d. I

advanced slowly, not wanting to upset him further. "Are you all right?"

I had si mp ly put i n an or der f or a hor se. Any o ld hay bur ner w oul d have

s er ve d, f or p ur po se s o f k ee pi ng u p w it h m y c om pa ni on s.

I found myself looking at an absolutely lovely animal-black and

o ra ng e- st ri pe d l ik e a t ig er . I n t hi s, h e r es em bl ed G le md en ni ng w it h h is r e d

a nd b la ck s tr ip in g. I n t ha t I d id n' t k no w w he re B en ed ic t' s m ou nt c am e f ro m

e it her , I was gl ad t o l et i t be t he p lace of magi c.

I advanced slowly.

"Merle! Anything wrong?"

I d id n' t w ant t o sh ou t b ack a r ep ly an d frighten t he p oo r b ea st . I

pl ac ed m y h an d g en tl y u po n h is n ec k.

" It 's o ka y, " I s ai d. " I l ik e y ou . I 'l l u nd o i t a nd w e' ll be f ri en ds,

all right?"

I t oo k m y t im e u nt an gl in g t he r ei ns , u si ng m y o th er h an d t o m as sa ge h is

neck and sh oul de rs. W hen he was f re e he di d n ot p ul l aw ay , but s ee med t o

study me.

" Co me o n, " I s ai d, t ak in g u p t he r ei ns , " th is w ay ."

I led hi m back the way I had come, t al king the w hil e. I r eal ized by the

r im e w e e me rg ed t ha t I a ct ua ll y l ik ed h im . I m et L uk e a bo ut t he n, a b la de i n

his hand.

" My Go d! " h e sa id. " No wo nd er i t t oo k yo u so l on g! Y ou s top pe d t o p ai nt

it!"

"You like, huh?"





" You ever wa nt t o get r id of t hat one, I 'l l m ake yo u a good of fer ."

" I d on 't t hi nk I 'l l be g et ti ng r id o f h im ," I sa id.

"What's his name?"

"Tiger," I said without premeditation, and then I mounted.

W e h ea de d b a ck t o t he tr ai l, w he re e ven D al t eyed my mount wi th

s om et hi ng l i ke p le as ur e. N ay da r ea ch ed o ut a nd s tr ok ed t he b la ck a nd o ra ng e

mane.

"Now we may be abl e to make it i n ti me," she said, i f we hur ry."

I m ou nt ed, a nd I gu id ed T ig er o ver o nt o t he t rai l. I a nt ic ip at ed a ll

m an ner o f r ea ct io ns t o t he t ra il , a s I r ec al le d f ro m m y f at he r' s s to ry t he

possibly intimidating effects of the thing upon animals. It didn't seem to

b ot he r h im , t ho ug h, a nd I r el ea se d t he b re at h I h ad n' t r eal ize d I w as

holding.

"In time f or w ha t? " I a sk ed a s w e f ou nd a f or ma ti on -L uk e i n t he l ea d,

Dal t behi nd him and t o t he ri ght, Nayda t o t he lef t of t he t rai l, r ea r, me

t o h er r ig ht a nd s om ew ha t b ac k.

"I c an no t t el l f or c er ta in ," s he s ai d, " be ca us e s he i s s ti ll s ed at ed .

H ow ev er , I do k now t ha t sh e i s no longer being moved; an d I have the

i mp re ss io n t ha t h er a bd uc t or s h av e t ak en r ef ug e i n t he t ow er , w he re t he

trail is much wider."

" Hm ," I s ai d. " Yo u w ou ld n' t h av e h ap pe ne d t o n ot ic e t he r at e o f cha nge

in w id th p er u ni t o f d is ta nc e t ra ve le d o n t hi s t ra il , w ou ld y ou ?"

"I was in liberal arts," she said, smiling. "Remember.

S he t ur ne d s ud de nl y t he n, g la nc in g i n L uk e' s d ir ec ti on . H e w as s ti ll a n

e nt ir e h or s e' s lengt h a he ad , e ye s f ro nt - th ou gh h e h ad l oo ke d b ac k m om en ts





before.

" Da mn y ou !" s he s ai d s of tl y. " Be in g w it h y ou b ot h t hi s w ay g et s me t o

t hi nk in g a bo ut s ch oo l. T he n I s ta rt t al ki ng t ha t w ay -"

"In English," I said.

"Did I say that in English?"

"Yes."

" Shi t! Hel p m e i f you cat ch m e at i t, w il l y ou?"

"Of c ou rs e, " I s ai d. "It s ee ms t o s ho w y ou 'd e nj oy ed i t s om ew ha t,

d es pi te i ts b ei ng a j ob D ar a' d l ai d o n y ou . A nd y ou 'r e p ro ba bl y t he o nl y t y'

i ga w it h a d eg re e f ro m B er ke le y. "

"Y es , I e nj oy ed i t- co nf us ed a s I w as o ve r w hi ch o f y ou w as w hi ch . T ho se

w er e t he h ap pi es t d ay s i n m y l if e, w it h y ou a nd L uk e, b ac k in s ch oo l. F or

y ea rs I t ri ed t o l ear n yo ur m ot her s' n am es s o I 'd kn ow w ho I w as s upp os ed t o

b e p ro te ct in g. Y ou w er e b ot h s o c ag ey , t ho ug h. "

" It 's in t he g en es , I g ue ss ," I o bs er ve d. " I e nj oy ed y ou r c om pa ny a s

Vinta Bayle-appreciated your protection as others, too."

" I s uf fe re d, " s he s ai d, " wh en L uk e b eg an h is y ea rl y a tt em pt s o n y ou r

l ife. If he w er e t he s on o f D ar a I w as s up po sed t o pr ot ect , i t s hou ldn 't

have m at ter ed. B ut i t di d. I w as al rea dy ver y f ond of bo th of you. All I

coul d tell w as that you w er e bot h of t he bl ood o f Am ber . I di dn' t w an t

e it he r o f y ou h ar me d. T he h ar de st t hi ng w as w he n y ou w en t a wa y, a nd I w as

s ur e Lu ke h ad l ur ed yo u i nt o t he m oun ta in s o f N ew M exi co t o k il l yo u. B y

t hen, I susp ect ed ver y st ro ngl y t hat you w er e the o ne, but I w as not

cer tai n. I w as i n l ove wi th L uke, I had t ak en over t he bo dy of D an M ar ti nez ,

a nd I w as c ar ry in g a p is to l. I f ol lo wed y ou e ve ry wh er e I co ul d, k no wi ng t hat

i f he t ri ed t o ha rm you t he g eas I was und er w oul d f or ce me t o sh oot t he m an





the first time."

" That 's silly," I s ai d. " I d on 't k no w w ha t r ea so ns h e g av e. H e n ev er

t ol d m e a bo ut i t. J us t s ai d t he re 'd b ee n a n a rg um en t. B ut I 'm s ur e t he y w er e

s pe ci ou s. I k no w h e l ik ed y ou . I 'm s ur e h e r ea ll y b ro ke u p w it h y ou b ec au se

h e w as a son of A mb er a bou t t o co me ho me on so me ve ry nast y b usi ness, a nd

t he re w as n o r oo m f or w ha t h e t ho ug ht w as a nor mal s ha do w girl in t he

pi ct ur e. Y ou 'd p la ye d y ou r p ar t t oo w el l. "

" I s t ha t w hy y ou b ro ke u p w it h J ul ia ?" sh e a sk ed .

" No ," I s ai d.

"Sorry."

I n ot ic ed t he b la ck t ra il h ad w id en ed a bo ut a f oo t s in ce w e' d b eg un

ta ll ci ng . I w as i n t he m ar ke t f or a m at he ma ti ca l p ro bl em j us t t he n.

X

An d s o w e r ode -s ix p ac es a lo ng a ci ty s tr eet , a mi d t he b lar e o f hor ns,

ou r b lac k w ay edg ed by s ki d m ar ks ; a qu ar ter m il e al on g a b la ck s an d be ac h,

b es id e a s of t g re en s ea , s ti rr in g p al ms t o o ur left; a cr os s a t ar ni she d

s no wf iel d; b en ea th a br idg e of s to ne , o ur w ay a d ea d a nd b la ck en ed

st r ea mb ed ; t h en t o p ra i ri e; b ac k t o w oo de d w ay -a nd Ti ger n ev er f li nc hed ,

e ve n when Dal t p ut a b oo t ed f oo t t hr ou gh a w in ds hi el d a nd b rok e o ff a n

antenna.

T he w ay c on ti nu ed t o w id en , t o p er ha ps t wi ce i ts w id th w he n I h ad f ir st





c om e u po n i t . S ta rk t re es w er e m or e c om mo n within it n ow , st and ing l ike

ph ot og ra ph ic n eg at iv es o f t he ir b ri gh t m at es b ut a f ew f ee t o ff t he t ra il .

W hi le t he l ea ve s a nd b ra nc he s o f t he se l at te r w er e r egul ar ly s ti rr ed , w e

f el t n o wi nd a t a ll . T he s ou nd so f o ur v oi ce s, o f o ur m ou nt s' h oo ve s- ca me

s o me ho w m ut ed n ow , a ls o. O ur e nt ir e c ou rs e h ad a c on st an t, w av er y twilight

a tm os ph er e t o i t, n o m at te r t ha t a f ew p ac es a wa y- wh ic h b ri ef e xc ur si on w e

essayed many timesit might be high noon or midnight. Dead-looking birds were

pe rc he d w it hi n t he b la ck en ed t r ee s, t ho ug h t he y s ee me d o n o cc as io n t o m ov e,

a nd t he r as py , c ro ak in g s ou nd s t ha t s om et im es ca me t o u s m ay w el l h av e b een

theirs.

At one t ime, a f ir e r ag ed t o our r ight ; at a not her , we se em ed t o b e

pa ssi ng n ea r t he f oo t o f a gl aci er o n t he l ef t. O ur t ra il c on ti nu ed t o

w id en -n ot hi ng l ik e t he g re at B la ck R oa d C or wi n h ad d es cr ib ed t o m e f ro m t he

days o f t he war , but bi g e nou gh now f or us al l t o r id e a br eas t.

" Lu ke ," I s ai d, a ft er a t im e.

" Yea h? " h e a ns we re d, f ro m m y l ef t. N ay da r od e t o m y r ig ht n ow , a nd D al t

to h er r ig ht . " Wh at 's u p? "

"I don' t w ant t o be ki ng. "

"Me neither," he said. "How hard they pushing you?"

"I'm afraid t hey' re going t o gr ab me an d cr own me i f I go b ack .

Ev er yb od y i n m y w ay d ie d s ud de nl y. Th ey r ea ll y pl an t o s ti ck me o n t he

th ro ne , t o m ar ry m e t o C or al -"

"U h- huh," h e s ai d, " an d I 'v e t wo q ue st io ns a bo ut i t. F ir st , w il l i t

work?"

" The L og rus se ems t o t hi nk i t w il l, a t l ea st f or a ti me-which is all





politics is about, anyhow."

" Se co nd ," h e s ai d, " if y ou f ee l a bo ut t he p la ce t he

way I feel about Kashf a, you' re not goi ng to l et i t go t o hel l i f you

c an h el p i t- ev en i f i t m ea ns s om e p er so na l m ise ry . Y ou d on 't wa nt t o t ak e

t he t hr on e, t ho ugh , s o y ou m us t h av e w or ke d o ut s om e a lt er na ti ve r em ed y.

Wh at i s i t? "

I n od de d a s t he t ra il t ur ne d s ha rp ly t o t he left a nd h ea de d uphill.

S om et hi ng s ma ll a nd d ar k s cu tt le d a cr os s o ur p at h.

" I' ve a n ot io n- no t e ven a f ul l i de a, " I s ai d, " wh ich I w an t t o di sc uss

with my father."

" Ta ll o rd er ," h e s ai d. " Yo u k no w f or s ur e t ha t h e' s e ve n a li ve ?"

" I t al ke d t o h im n ot a ll t ha t l ong a go- ver y b ri ef ly . H e' s a p ri so ne r,

s om ew he re . A ll I k no w f or su re i s t ha t i t' s so me whe re i n t he vi ci ni ty o f t he

C ou rt s- be ca us e I c an r ea ch h im b y T ru mp f ro m t he re , b ut n ow he re e ls e. "

"Tell me about this communication," he said.

And so I did, bl ack bird and all.

"S ou nd s l ike b us ti ng h im o ut 's g oi ng t o b e t ri ck y, " h e s ai d. " An d y ou

think your mom's behind it?"

"Yep."

" I t hou ght I w as t he o nl y on e w it h t he se mat ernal p ro bl em s. But it

figures, seeing as yours trained mine."

" Ho w c om e w e t ur ne d o ut s o n or ma l? " I s ai d.

H e j us t s ta re d a t m e f or s ev er al s ec on ds . T he n h e s ta rt ed t o l au gh .

" We ll , I f ee l n or ma l, " I s ai d.

" Of c ou rs e, " h e s ai d q ui ck ly t he n, " an d t ha t' s w ha t c ou nt s. T el l m e, i f





i t ca me t o an o ut -a nd -o ut c ro ss in g o f p ow er s, d o y ou t hi nk y ou c ou ld b ea t

Dara?"

" Ha rd t o s ay ," I t ol d hi m. " I' m s tr on ge r n ow t han I e ve r w as b ef or e,

b ec au se o f t he s pi ka rd . B ut I 'm b eg in ni ng t o b el ie ve s he 's v er y g oo d. "

" Wh at t he h el l' s a s pi ka rd ?" S o I t ol d h im t ha t s to ry , t oo .

" That 's why you w er e s o flashy b ac k in t he c hu rch w hen yo u w er e

fighting with Jurt?" he said.

"That's right."

" L et 's s ee i t. "

I t ri ed t o p ul l i t o ff , b ut i t w ou ld n' t p ass t he k nu ck le .

S o I s im pl y e xt en ded m y h an d. L uk e r ea ch ed f or i t. H is f in ge rs h al te d a

co up le o f i nc he s a bo ve i t.

"It's holding me off, Merle. Protective little devil."

" Hel l, " I sa id , " I' m n ot a s ha pe shi ft er f or n ot hi ng. " I t ook h ol d o f i t

then, slimmed my finger suddenly, and slid it off. "Here."

He h el d i t i n t he p al m o f h is l ef t ha nd a s w e b oun ce d a lo ng , r egar di ng

it through narrowed eyes. Suddenly, I felt dizzy. Withdrawal symptoms from

t he t hi ng ? I f or ce d m ys el f u pr ig ht , r ev er se d m y b re at hi ng , r ef us ed t o l et i t

show.

" He av y, " L uk e s ai d a t l as t. " I c an f ee l t he p ow er t he re . O th er t hings,

t oo . I t w on 't l et m e i n, t ho ug h. "

I r ea che d f or i t an d he d rew hi s han d aw ay .

"I c an f eel i t i n t he ai r a ll ar oun d us, " he sa id. " Mer le , t hi s t hi ng

l ay s a s pe ll o n a ny bo dy w ho w ea rs i t.

I shrugged.





" Ye s, " I s ai d. " A b en ign on e, t ho ug h. I t' s d on e n ot hi ng t o h ar m m e, a nd

i t' s h el pe d m e a n um be r o f t im es ."

" Bu t ca n y ou t rus t an yt hi ng t hat c am e t o yo u i n s uc h

a n o dd w ay -a lm os t b y t ri ck er y, c au se d y ou t o a ba nd on F ra ki r when s he

t ri ed t o w ar n y ou a bo ut i t, an d f or al l y ou k no w ha s b ee n i nf lue nc in g yo ur

b eh av io r e ve r s in ce y ou p ut i t o n? "

" I a dm it t o a k in d of d iso ri en tat io n a t f ir st ," I sa id , "but I think

t ha t w as j us t i n t he w ay o f a cc om mo da ti on t o t he l ev el s o f v ol ta ge i t d ra ws .

I 'v e b ee n b ac k t o n or ma l f or s om e t im e n ow ."

" Ho w c an y ou t el l f or s ur e? M ay be i t' s b ra in wa sh ed y ou ."

" Do I s ee m b ra in wa sh ed t o y ou ?"

" No . I w as j us t t ry in g t o s ay t ha t I w ou ld n' t c om pl et el y t ru st a ny th in g

with such questionable credentials."

"W el l t ak en ," I a gr ee d, h ol di ng f or th m y h an d. " Bu t s o f ar t he b en ef it s

h av e o ut we ig he d a ny h yp ot he ti ca l d an ge rs . C on si de r m e w ar ne d, a nd I 'l l t ak e

my chances."

H e h an de d i t b ac k.

" If I t hi nk i t' s ma ki ng y ou ac t we ir d I 'm g oi ng t o hit you o ve r t he

h ea d a nd p ul l i t o ff , t ho ug h. "

" Fai r e no ug h, " I s ai d, s li pp in g i t b ac k o n. I mm ed ia te ly , I f el t a r us h

o f e ne rg y t hr ou gh ou t m y s ys te m a s t he l in es o f c on tr ol w er e r ee st ab li sh ed .

" If y ou 'r e n ot s ur e y ou c an f or ce t he i nf or ma ti on o ut o f y ou r m ot he r, "

h e s ai d, " ho w d o y ou p ro po se f in di ng C or wi n a nd f re ei ng h im ?"

"Several things suggest themselves," I said. "The simplest way may be a

f oo t i n t he d oo r t ech ni qu e. T ha t i s, I 'd o pe n a ll o f t he c ha nn el s o n t he

sp ika rd an d go f or a not he r T rum p co nt act . As s oo n a s t her e' s any s or t of





o pe ni ng I 'd j us t p us h a he ad w it h f ul l f or ce , j am mi ng a ny s pe ll s t ha t t ry t o

s to p m e a nd b ur ni ng t he m o ut ."

"S ou nd s a s i f i t c ou ld b e d an ge ro us ."

" I c an 't t hi nk o f a ny w ay t o g o a bo ut t hi s t ha t w ou ld n' t b e. "

"Then why haven't you tried it?"

" I t o nl y o cc ur re d t o m e r ec en tl y, a nd I h av en 't h ad t he time s ince

then."

" Ho we ve r y ou g o a bo ut i t, y ou 'r e g oi ng t o n ee d s om e h el p, " h e s ai d. " So

count me in."

"Thanks, Luke. I-"

" No w, a bo ut t he k in g b us in es s, " h e s ai d. " Wh at h ap pe ns i f y ou s im pl y

r ef us e t o t ak e t he t hr on e? W ho 's n ex t i n l in e? "

" It 's a bi t t an gl ed w he n y ou c om e t o Sawal l," I s ai d. "By r ight s,

M a nd or s ho ul d b e f ir st i n l in e o f s uc ce ss io n f ro m o ur H ou se . H e' d r em ov ed

himself from the line years ago, though."

"Why?"

"I b el ie ve h e c la im ed h e w as u nf it t o r ul e. "

" No o ff en se , M er le . B ut h e se em s l ik e t he o nl y o ne o f y ou wh o is fit

f or t he j ob ."

" Oh, wi thout a d ou bt ," I r es po nd ed . " Mo st o f t he H ou se s h av e s om eo ne

l ik e h im , t ho ug h. T he re 's u su al ly a n om in al h ea d a nd a d e f ac to o ne , s om eo ne

f o r s ho w a nd s om eo ne f or s ch em in g. M an do r l ik es t he c li mat e b eh in d t he

scenes."

"S ou nd s a s i f y ou r H ou se h as t wo ," h e s ai d.





" I' m n ot r ea ll y c le ar o n i t, " I s ai d. " I d on 't k no w D ar a' s s ta tu s r ig ht

n ow i n h er f at he r' s H ou se -H el gr am -o r h er m ot he r' s- He nd ra ke . B ut i t m ig ht b e

w or th a p ow er s tr ug gl e w it hi n S aw al l i f t ha t' s w he re t he n ex t k in g i s c om in g

f ro m. S ti ll , t he m or e I l ea rn of M an do r t he m or e intimidating s uc h a

struggle would seem. I'd guess they're cooperating."

" I t ake i t yo u' re ne xt i n l in e, a nd t he n Ju rt ?"

" Act ual ly, o ur b ro th er D es pi l i s n ex t a ft er m e. J ur t s ai d t ha t D es pi l

w o ul d p ro ba bl y s te p a si de f or h im , b ut I t hi nk t ha t w as wishful t hi nking.

I 'm not a t all sur e he woul d. Anyhow, Jurt s ays now t hat he i sn' t

interested."

" Ha ! I t hi nk h e' s j us t t ak in g a d if fe re nt a pp ro ac h. Y ou w hi pp ed h im t oo

m an y t im es , a nd h e' s t ry in g t o g et i n g oo d w it h y ou . H op e t ha t s pi ka rd c an

p r o te ct y ou r b ac k. "

" I d on 't know," I sai d. " I' d l ike t o bel ieve hi m. He spent a l ot of

t im e m ak in g s ur e t ha t i t w ou ld n' t b e e as y, t ho ug h. "

"Supposing you all decline. Who's next?"

" I' m n ot c er ta in ," I s ai d, " bu t I t hi nk i t w ou ld g o t o H en dr ak e t he n. "

" Da mn ," L uk e s ai d. " It 's a s t wi st ed a p la ce a s A mb er , i sn 't i t? "

"Neither one's twisted, exactly. Just a little complicated, till you've

learned the ropes."

" Wh at s ay I j us t l is te n, a nd y ou f il l m e in o n ev er yt hi ng t ha t y ou

haven't so far?"

"Good idea."

S o I t al ke d f or a l on g w hi le , b re ak in g t o s um mo n f oo d a nd w at er . W e





" Goo d," Lu ke sai d. " Can you bo ost i t e ven mo re, s o w e can s ee what

we're up against?"

" I c an t ry ," I sa id , n ar ro wi ng m y e ye s a t h er i n i nq ui ry . S he r esp on de d

wi th a v er y s li gh t n od .

I wasn' t certain how t o go about it , so I j ust fed her energy in the

w ay of t hat j ol t I 'd g iv en m yse lf a w hi le b ack .

" Ye s, " s he s ai d a ft er a f ew m om ent s, " Co ral a nd h er c ap to rs -s ix of

t h em , I b el iev e- ha ve t ak en r ef uge in a t ow er n ea r h er e. T he y a re u nd er

attack."

" Ho w l ar ge i s t he p ar ty o f a tt ac ke rs ?" L uk e a sk ed .

" Sm al l, " s he s ai d. " Qu it e s ma ll . I c an 't g iv e y ou a n um be r. "

" Let 's g o a nd s ee ," L uk e s ai d, a nd h e l ed t he w ay ,: D al t b eh in d h im .

" Th re e o r f ou r, " N ay da w hi sp er ed t o m e, " bu t t he y' re P at t er n g ho st s.

T ha t' s p ro ba bl y a ll i t c an m ai nt ai n t hi s f ar f ro m h om e, o n a B la ck R oa d. "

"Ouch," I said. "This makes it tricky."

"How so?"

" It m ea ns I h av e r el at iv es o n b ot h s id es ."

"It a lso l oo ks a s i f A mb er 's g ho st s a nd t he C ou rt 's d em on s a re o nl y

a ge nt s, a nd t ha t i t' s r ea ll y a c on fr on ta ti on b et we en t he L og ru s a nd t he

Pattern."

"Damn! O f c ou rs e! " I s ai d. " It c ou ld e as il y e sc al at e i nt o a no th er o f

t ho se . I 'm g oi ng t o h av e t o w ar n L uk e w ha t w e' re r id in g i nt o. "

" Yo u c an 't ! N ot w it ho ut t el li ng h im w ha t I a m! "





" I' ll t el l h im I l ea rn ed i t m ys el f- th at I h ad a s ud de n i ns ig ht i nt o a

new spell."

" But what t hen ? W hi ch si de ar e you on? Wh at d o w e d o?"

" Ne it he r, " I s ai d. " We 'r e o n o ur o wn , a nd a ga in st b ot h o f t he m. "

" Yo u' re c ra zy ! T he re 's n o p la ce y ou c an h id e, M er l e! T he P ow er s d iv id e

the universe between them!"

" Lu ke ! " I c ri ed . " I j us t p ro be d a he ad , l ea rn ed t he

attackers are Pattern ghosts!"

" Yo u d on 't s ay ?" h e c al le d b ac k. " Th in k w e s ho ul d b e t ak in g t he ir s id e?

It 's p ro ba bl y b et te r f or t he P at te rn t o t ak e h er b ack t ha n f or t he C ou rt s t o

get her, wouldn't you think?"

"S he s ho ul dn 't b e u se d t ha t w ay ," I s ai d. " Le t' s t ak e h er a wa y from

b o th o f t he m. "

"I a gr ee with y our f ee li ng s, " h e st at ed . " Bu t w ha t i f w e s ucc ee d? I

d on 't r ea ll y c ar e t o b e st ru ck b y a m et eo r o r t ra ns po rt ed t o t he bot tom of

the nearest ocean."

"As n ear a s I ca n t el l, t he s pi kar d do esn 't d raw i ts p ow er f rom t he

P at t er n o r t he L og r us . I t s s ou rc es a r e s ca tt er ed t hr ou gh S ha do w. "

" So ? I 'm s ur e i t' s n ot a m at ch f or e it he r o ne , l et a lo ne b ot h. "

" No , b ut I c an u se i t t o s ta rt a n e va si on c ou rs e. T he y' ll b e g et ti ng i n

e ac h o th er 's w ay i f t he y d ec id e t o p ur su e u s. "

"But eventually they'd find us, wouldn't they?" "Maybe, maybe not," I

s ai d. " I h av e s om e i de as , b ut w e' re r un ni ng o ut o f t im e. "

" Da lt , d id y ou h ea r a ll t ha t? " L uk e a sk ed . " I d id ," D al t r ep li ed .

"I f y ou w an t o ut , n ow 's y ou r c ha nc e. "





" And miss a n o pp or tu ni ty t o t wi st t he U ni co rn 's t ai l? " h e s ai d. " Ke ep

riding!"

W e d id, a nd t he sh out s gr ew l oud er as w e r ac ed a he ad . Ther e w as a

certain timeless feeling to it, though-with the muffled sounds and the

d im ne ss -a s i f w e h aÒ a lw ay s b ee n r i di ng h er e a nd a lw ay s w ou ld b e. .. .

Then we r ounded a bend and I saw the t op of the t ower in the distance,

h ea rd m or e s ho ut s. W e s lo we d a s w e c am e t o t he n ex t t ur n, a dv an ci ng m or e

cautiously, working our way through a small stand of black saplings.

F in al ly , w e h al te d, d is mo un te d, w or ke d o ur w ay f or wa rd o n f oo t. W e

p us he d a si de t he f in al s cr ee ni ng b ra nc he s a nd l oo ke d d ow n a s li gh t s lo pe t o

a b la ck en ed , s an dy p la in b es id e a t hr ee -s to ry g ra y t ow er w it h sli t w in do ws

a nd a na rr ow en tr anceway . I t t ook a wh il e t o so rt o ut t he t abl eau a t i ts

base.

There were two demonformed individuals standing to either side of the

t o w e r' s e nt r an ce . Th ey w er e a rm ed a nd t he ir a tt en ti on s ee me d f oc us ed u po n

t he c on te st t ak in g p la ce o n t he s an ds b ef or e t he m. F am il ia r f ig ur es s to od a t

t he f ar e nd o f t hi s i mp ro mp tu a re na a nd a t e it he r s id e: B en ed ict s tr ok ed h is

chin, expressionless; Eric hunkered and smiled; Caine juggled, 'flipped,

palmed, and passed a dagger, reflexively, through some private routine, an

e xp re ss io n o f a mu se d f as ci na ti on o n his f ac e. F ro m t he t o we r 's t o p, I

s ud de nl y n ot ed , t wo h or ne d d em on s l ea ne d f or wa rd , t he ir g az es a s i nt en t a s

t h os e o f A mb er ' s P at te rn g ho st s.

A t t he c ir cl e' s c en te r G er ar d f ac ed a d em on fo rm ed s on o f H en dr ak e, of

h is o wn h ei gh t a nd g re at er g ir th . I t l oo ke d t o b e C hi na wa y h im se lf , w ho w as

sa id t o h av e a col lect ion of o ve r t wo hu nd re d skulls of t ho se h e' d

d i sp at ch ed . I p re f er r ed G e ra r d' s c ol le ct io n o f a t ho us an d o r s o m ug s,





s te in s, a nd d ri nk in g h or ns , b ut y ou r g ho st w il l w al k, y ou l ov er o f t re es , i n

an E ng li sh l ane , i f yo u kn ow w hat I me an .

B ot h w er e s tr ip pe d t o t he w ai st , a nd f ro m t he s cu ff ed up c on di ti on o f

t he s an ds a bo ut t he m I g ue ss ed t he y h ad b ee n a t i t f or s om e t im e. C hi na wa y

t ri ed t o t ri p Ge rar d j ust t he n, wh o caug ht h is ar m and h ead a s he s te pp ed

b eh in d him, a nd s en t h im c ar tw he el in g a wa y. T he d em on l or d c am e u p o n h is

feet, however, and immediately advanced once again, arms extended, hands

w eav ing a si nuo us p at t er n b ef or e him. G e ra r d s im pl y w ai te d i n a r ea dy

p os it i on . C hi na wa y s ta bb ed t al on ed f i ng er s t ow ar d G er ar d' s e ye s a nd h oo ke d a

b l ow a ga in st h is r ib c ag e. G er ar d c au gh t h ol d. of h is s ho ul de r, h ow ev er , a s

C hi na wa y d ro pp ed a nd c au gh t h im a bo ut t he t hi gh .

" Let 's wait ," Dalt sa id sof tly. " I w an t t o w at ch ." L uk e a nd I b ot h

n od de d a s G er ar d l oc ke d C hi na wa y' s h ea d a nd C hi na wa y w ra pp ed h is o th er a rm

about Gerard's waist. Then they simply stood there, muscles bulging beneath

t w o h id es , o ne p al e a nd s mo ot h, t he o th er r ed a nd s ca ly . T he ir l un gs w or ke d

like bellows.

"I assume the thing's been dragging out," Luke whispered, "and they

decided to settle it champion against champion."

" Lo ok s t ha t w ay ," I s ai d.

"Coral must be inside then, wouldn't you think?"

"Wait a minute."

I r an a q ui ck p ro be i nt o t he s tr uc tu re , l oc at in g t wo p eo pl e within. I

nodded then.

" He r a nd a s in gl e g ua rd , I 'd s ay ."

G er ar d a nd C hi na wa y s ti ll s to od l ik e s ta tu es .





" No w might b e t he b es t time t o g ra b C or al ," L uke sai d, "whil e

everybody's watching the fight."

" Yo u' re p ro ba bl y r ig ht ," I t ol d h im . " Let m e se e w het he r I c an m ak e

myself invisible. That might simplify matters."

" Ok ay ," h e s ai d a bo ut a q ua rt er m in ut e l at er . " Wh at ev er y ou d id j us t

t he n w or ke d. Y ou 'r e g on e. "

"I ndeed I am ," I said. " Back i n a bi t."

"H ow w il l y ou g et h er o ut ?"

" I' ll d ec id e a ft er I 'v e r ea ch ed h er . J us t b e r ea dy ."

I m ov ed s lo wl y, c ar ef ul n ot t o sc uf f t he s an d. I s ki rt ed t he ci rc le,

pa ssi ng behi nd C ai ne . I a pp ro ac he d t he d oo r t o t he t ow er , s ou nd le ss ,

c he ck in g a bo ut m e c on st an tl y. G er ar d a nd C hi na wa y still s t oo d e xa ct ly a s

t he y h ad b ee n, l oc ke d, a nd a pp ly in g e no rm ou s p re ss ur es t o e ac h o th er .

I p as se d b et we en t he g ua rd s, e nt er in g t he d im i nt er io r o f t he t ow er . I t

c on si st ed of a s in gl e r ou nd r oo m w it h a b ar e e ar th f lo or , s to ne p ed es ta ls

b en ea th e ac h s li t w in do w. A l ad de r l ed u p t o t he s ec on d f lo or t hr ou gh a h ol e

i n t he c ei li ng . C or al l ay u po n a b la nk et t o m y l ef t; t he i nd iv id ua l w ho w as

ostensibly guarding her stood upon a pedestal, watching the fight through

the nearest window.

I m ov ed n ea re r, k ne lt , c au gh t u p h er l ef t w ri st a nd f el t h er p ul se. I t

w a s s tr on g a nd s te ad y. I d ec i de d a ga in st t ry in g t o a wa ke n h er , t ho ug h.

I ns te ad , I w ra pp ed t he b la nk et a ro un d h er , r ai se d h er i n m y a rm s, a nd s to od .

I w as a bo ut t o t ry e xt en di ng t he i nv is ib il it y s pe ll t o i nc lu de h er w he n

t he w at ch er a t t he w in dow t ur ne d. I m ust h av e m ad e s om e n oi se i n m ov in g h er .

F or a m om en t, t he g ua rd s ta re d a t t he s ig ht o f his p ri so ner drifting

be lo w him. Th en h e o pe ne d h is m ou th , a s i f t o g iv e a la rm -l ea vi ng m e w it h





small choice but to shock his nervous system into insensibility with a

charge from my ring.

U nf or tu na te ly , t he re w as a r at tl e o f a rm s a s h e f el l f ro m h is p ed es ta l

t o t he f lo or . A lm os t i mm ed ia te ly , I h ea rd a c ry f ro m o ve rh ea d; f ol lo we d b y

sounds of rapid movement.

Turning, I h ur ri ed t o t he d oo r. I h ad t o s lo w a nd t ur n b ec au se of i ts

n ar r ow ne ss . I w as n' t c er t ai n w ha t t he g ua rd s o ut si de w ou ld thi nk w hen a

c o ma to se C or al d ri ft ed b y, b ut I d id n' t w an t t o b e t ra pp ed i ns id e. P ee ri ng

ah ea d, I s aw t ha t G er ar d a nd C hi na wa y s ee me d i n t he s am e p os it io n a s b ef or e.

S ec on ds l at er , h ow ev er , a s I t ur ne d m y b od y a nd t oo k m y f ir st s id li ng s te p,

there came a sudden, sharp twisting movement from Gerard, followed

i mm ed ia te ly b y a s ou nd l ik e t ha t o f a s na pp in g s ti ck .

G er ar d l et h is a rm s f al l a nd s to od e re ct . T he b od y o f C hi na wa y h it t he

g ro un d a t his s id e, n ec k a t a n u nn at ur al a ng le . E ri c a nd C ai ne a pp la ud ed .

T he t wo g ua rd s b es id e t he d oo r m ov ed f or wa rd . B eh in d m e, w it hi n, t he l ad de r

r at tl ed a t t he o th er si de of t he r oom . I he ar d a cr y f rom t ha t di re ct ion.

Tw o m or e s te ps a nd I t ur ne d, h ea de d l ef t. T he o ut si de g ua rd s w er e

r us hi ng t ow ar d t he ir f al le n c ha mp io n. A h al f d oz en p a ce s , a nd t he re w er e

m or e c ri es a t m y b ac k, a s m y p ur su er s e xi te d t he t ow er ; a nd t he re w er e h um an

cries as well, from the killing circle.

I k ne w t ha t I co ul dn 't o ut run a ny o f t hem , c ar ryi ng m y b ur de n; an d a ll

t ha t m ot or a ct iv it y i nt er fe re d w it h m y c on ce nt ra ti on t o t he p oi nt w he re I

was incapable of performing magical operations.

S o I d r op p ed t o my k ne es , l ow er in g C or al t o t he g ro un d b ef or e m e,

turned without even rising, and extended my left fist, plunging my mind deep





w it hi n t he r in g, c al li ng f or e xt re me m ea su re s t o h al t t he p ai r o f H en dr ak e

c om ma nd os w ho w er e o nl y a f ew p ac es a wa y n ow , e dg ed w ea po ns r ea dy t o p ie rc e

a nd t o s la sh .

. . . And t hen they were caught up i n the mi dst of f lames. I thi nk they

s cr ea me d, b ut t he re w as a l ot o f n oi se j us t t he n. T wo p ac es m or e, p er ha ps ,

a n d t he y f el l, b la ck en ed a nd t wi tc hi ng , b ef or e m e. M y h an d w as s ha ki ng , f ro m

i ts proximity t o t he p ow er s t ha t c au se d t hi s; a nd I h ad n' t t im e, e ve n, t o

t hi nk o r t o f eel as I s wu ng t ow ar d t he sa nd y pl ace o f t he r ece nt co nt est a nd

w ha te ve r m ig ht b e c om in g a t m e f ro m t ha t d ir ec ti on .

O ne o f t he t wo g ua rd s w ho h ad r us he d f or wa rd lay smolder ing on t he

g ro un d a t E ri c' s f ee t. A no th er -w ho h ad a pp ar en tl y a tt ac ke d C ai ne -c lu tc he d a t

t he k ni fe i n h is g ul le t, f ir es s pr ea di ng o ut wa rd , d ow nw ar d, u pw ar d, f ro m h is

t hr oa t, a s h e s an k s lo wl y, t he n t op pl ed t o t he r ea r.

I mm ed ia te ly, C ai ne , E ri c, a nd B en ed ic t t ur ne d t o s ta re a t m e. G er ar d,

h av in g j us t d ra wn o n a b lu e s hi rt , w as b uc kl in g h is s wo rd be lt i n p la ce . H e

t ur ne d, t oo , j us t a s C ai ne s ai d, " An d w ho , s ir , a re y ou ?"

"Merlin," I replied, "son of Corwin." Caine actually looked startled.

" Do es C or wi n h av e a s on ?" h e a sk ed t he o th er s. E ri c s hr ug ge d a nd G er ar d

s ai d, " I d on 't k no w. " B ut B en ed ic t s tu di ed m e.

" Th er e i s a r es em bl an ce ," h e s ai d.

" Tr ue, " C ai ne a gr e ed . " Al l r ig ht , b oy . E ve n i f y ou a re C or wi n' s s on ,

t hat w om an y ou 'r e m ak in g o ff w it h b el on gs t o u s. W e j us t w on h er fair a nd

square off these well-done Chaosites."

W it h t ha t, h e b eg an w al ki ng t ow ar d m e. A m om en t l at er , E ri c j oi ne d h im .

T he n G er ar d f el l i nt o s te p be hi nd t hem . I d idn 't w an t t o ha rm t he m, ev en i f

t hey w er e on ly gho st s, so I gest ur ed a nd a l ine w as dr awn i n t he s and b ef or e





them. Immediately, it caught fire.

They halted.

S ud de nl y, a h ug e f ig ur e a pp ea re d a t m y l ef t. I t w as D al t, a n ak ed b la de

i n h is h an d. A m om en t l at er , L uk e w as t he re . T he n N ay da . The f our of us

f ac ed t he f ou r o f t he m, a cr os s t he f ir e.

"S he 's o ur s n ow ," D al t s ai d, a nd h e t oo k a s in gl e s te p f or wa rd .

"Y ou a re m is ta ke n, " c am e t he r ep ly , a nd E ri c c ro ss ed t he l in e, d ra wi ng

his weapon.

D al t w as a c ou pl e o f i nc hes t al le r t ha n Er ic, a nd he h ad a l onger

r e ac h . H e m ov ed f or wa rd i mm ed ia te ly . I e xp ec te d s om e k in d o f c ut f ro m t ha t

b ig b la de h e c ar ri ed , b ut h e w en t i n f or a p oi nt -a tt ac k. E ri c, using a

l igh ter w ea po n, s i de s te p pe d a nd c am e i n u nd er h is a rm . D al t d ro pp ed t he

p oi nt o f h is b la de , m ov ed t o h is l ef t, a nd p ar ri ed i t. T he t wo w ea po ns w er e

s ui te d f or v er y d if fe re nt s ty le s- Er ic 's b ei ng a t t he h ea vi es t e nd o f t he

ra pi er c la ss , D al t' s a t t he l ig ht er e nd o f b ro ad sw or d. D al t' s c oul d b e a

s in gl e- ha nd ed w ea po n f or a b ig -e no ug h, s tr on g- en ou gh g uy . I 'd h av e h ad t o

u se i t t wo -h an de d m ys el f. D al t t ri ed a n u pw ar d c ut j us t t he n, o f t he s or t a

J ap an e se s wo rd sm an w ou ld r ef er t o a s k ir i ag e. E ri c s im pl y s te pp ed b ac k a nd

t ri ed f or a w ri st c ut a s i t p as sed h im . D al t s ud de nl y m ov ed h is l ef t h an d t o

t he h af t a nd e xe cu te d a b li nd in g t wo -h an de d c ut o f t he s or t k no wn a s naname

g ir i. E ri c c on ti nu ed t o c ir cl e, t ry in g f or t he w ri st y et a ga in .

Su dde nl y, Dal t o pe ne d his right h an d a nd l et i t d ri ft b ac k, a s h is

r ig ht f oo t p er fo rm ed a h ug e s em ic ir cu la r st ep t o h is r ea r a nd h is left ar m

moved forward, leaving him in a left-handed European en garde position, from

which that massive arm and matching blade immediately extended, performing





a n i ns id e b ea t u po n E ri c' s b la de f ol lo we d b y a l un ge. E ri c p ar ri ed a s his

right f oo t c ro ss ed be hi nd h is l ef t an d he s pr ang ba ck war d. E ve n s o, I s aw a

s pa rk a s h is g ua rd w as c re as ed . H e f ei nt ed i n s ix te , h ow ev er , d r op pe d his

p oi nt b en ea th t he p ar ry t ha t f ol lo we d, e xt en de d h is a rm i n q ua tr e; r ai se d

himself and his blade into something resembling a stop-thrust targeting the

l ef t s ho ul de r a s t he p ar r y c r o s se d , t ur ne d h is w ri st , a nd s la sh ed D al t

a cr os s t he l ef t f or ea rm .

C ai ne a pp la ud ed , b ut D al t simply b ro ug ht his h an ds t og et he r a nd

s e pa r at e d t hem a ga in , e xe cu ti ng a l it tl e h op st ep a s h e d id s o, l ea vi ng h im

i n a r ig ht en g ar de p os it io n. E ri c d rew c ir cl es i n t he ai r w it h t he po in t o f

his weapon and smiled.

" Cu te l it tl e d an ce r ou ti ne y ou h av e t he re ," h e s ai d.

T he n E ri c l un ge d, w as p ar ri ed , r et r ea te d, s id es te pp ed , t hr ew a f ro nt

k ic k a t D al t' s k ne e ca p, m is se d, t he n m ov ed w it h p er fe ct t im in g a s D al t

a tt em pt ed a h ea d c ut . S wi tc hi ng t o t he J ap an es e h im se lf , h e s pu n i n t o t he

l ar ge r m an 's r ig ht , a m an eu ve r I 'd s ee n i n a k um at ch i e xe rc is e, h is o wn

b la de r is in g a nd f al li ng a s D al t' s c ut s we pt p as t. D al t' s r ig ht f or ea rm w en t

su dde nl y w et , a t hi ng I di d n ot r ea ll y n ot ic e u nt il a ft er E ri c h ad r ot at ed

h is w e ap on , b la de p oi nt in g o ut wa rd a nd u pw ar d, a nd , t he g ua rd c ov er in g h is

k nu ck le s, h ad d ri ve n h is f is t a ga in st t he r ight s id e o f D al t' s j a w. H e

k i ck e d h im t he n b eh in d t he k ne e a nd s tr uc k h im w it h h is l ef t s ho ul de r. D al t

stumbled and fell. Eric immediately kicked him, kidney, elbow, thigh-the

l at te r only b ec au se h e m is se d t he k ne e- se t h is b oo t u po n D al t' s w ea po n a nd

sw ung hi s o wn a bo ut t o br in g i ts p oi nt i n l in e w it h t he m an 's he ar t.

I h ad b ee n h op in g a ll a lo ng , I s ud de nl y r ea li ze d, t ha t D al t w ou ld k ic k

E ri c' s a ss -n ot j us t b ec au se h e w as o n m y s id e a nd E ri c w as n' t, b ut b ec au se





an d E ri c' s e ye s m et m in e.

" I k no w y ou ," h e s ai d.

T he n t he y a ll c om pl et ed t he g es tu re , a nd f ad ed , f ad ed , t ur ne d t o s mo ke ,

an d b le w a wa y.

D al t b le d, m y a rm a ch ed , a nd I f ig ur ed o ut w ha t w as going o n j us t

m om en ts b ef or e L uk e g as pe d a nd s ai d, " Ov er t he re ."

My l ine of f ir e had gone out some t ime ago, but beyond the m ark it had

l ef t, w he re m y f ad ed k in sm en h ad j ust b ee n st andi ng, t he ai r b eg an t o

shimmer.

" Th at w il l b e t he P at te rn ," I s ai d t o L uk e, " co me c al li ng ."

A m om en t l at er t he S ig n o f t he P at te rn h ov er ed b ef or e u s.

"Merlin," it said, "you certainly move around a lot."

" My l if e h as b ec om e ve ry bu sy o f l at e, " I sa id .

" Yo u t oo k m y a dv ic e a nd l ef t t he C ou rt s. "

"Yes, that seemed prudent."

" Bu t I d o n ot u nd er st an d y ou r p ur po se s h er e. "

"What's to understand?"

" Yo u t oo k t he l ad y C or al aw ay f ro m t he a ge nt s o f t he L og ru s. "

"That's right."

" Bu t t hen y ou a tt em pt ed t o k ee p h er f ro m m y a ge nt s a s w el l. "

" T h at , t oo , i s c or re ct ."

" You must r ea li ze b y n ow t ha t s he b ea rs s om et hi ng t ha t c on tr ib ut es t o

ou r b al an ce o f p ow er ."

"Yes."

"S o one of us must h av e her . Y et you w ould deny us bot h."

" Ye s. " " Wh y? " " It 's h er w ho m I ca re a bo ut . S he h as r ig ht s a nd f ee l





i n gs . Y ou 'r e t re at in g h er l ik e a g am e p ie ce ."

"True. I recognize her personhood, but unfortunately she is become

both."

"Then I woul d de ny h er t o b ot h o f y ou . N ot hi ng w ou ld b e c ha ng ed , i n

t hat nei ther of you has her now, anyw ay. But I woul d t ake her out of t he

game."

"Merlin, y ou a re a m or e i mp or ta nt p ie ce t ha n s he i s, b ut y ou a re s ti ll

o nl y a p ie ce a nd y ou m ay n ot d ic ta te t o m e. D o y ou u nd er st an d? "

" I u nd er st an d m y va lu e t o y ou, " I sa id .

" I t hi nk n ot ," i t r es po nd ed .

I w as w on der in g j us t t hen h ow s tr on g i t r eal ly w as i n this p la ce . I t

s e em ed o bv io us t ha t i n t er ms o f e ne rg y e xp en di tu re , i t h ad b ee n n ec es sa ry

f or i t t o r el ea se i ts f ou r g ho st s t o b e a bl e t o m an if es t i ts el f h er e. D ar ed

I o pp o se it with ev er y c ha nn el o n t he s pi ka rd o pe ne d? I h ad n ev er t ri ed

accessing every Shadow source it controlled simultaneously. If I did .this,

a nd if I w er e t o m ove ver y qu ickl y, coul d I get u s al l ou t of h er e bef or e

t he P at te rn r ea ct ed ? I f I c ou ld n' t, c ou ld I p un ch t hr ou gh w ha te ve r i t r ai se d

u p t o s to p u s? A nd i f I s uc ce ed ed ei th er w ay -t o w ha t p la ce s ho ul d w e f le e?

Finally, how might this affect the Pattern's attitude toward me?

( . . . i f y ou ar e n ot eat en b y som et hi ng bi gger , co me tell me your

story one night.)

What the hell , I deci ded. It i s a good day to be l ist ed a l a cart e.

I o pe ne d a ll t he c ha nn el s.

I t fel t as i f I had been j oggi ng along at a good cl ip and a br ick w al l

h a d s ud de nl y a pp ea re d s ix i nc he s b ef or e m e.





I f el t t he sma sh and I w ent aw ay.

I l ay u po n a s mo ot h, c oo l s to ne s ur fa ce . T he re w as a t er ri bl e rushing

o f ene rgi es in my mind a nd b od y. I r ea ch ed i nt o t he ir s ou rc e a nd t oo k

c on tr ol o f t he m, d am pe ni ng t he m t o s om et hi ng t ha t d id n' t t hr ea te n t o t a ke

t he t op o f m y h ea d o ff . T he n I o pe ne d o ne e ye , s li gh tl y.

The sk y w as ver y bl ue. I sa w a pa ir of bo ot s, st and ing a f ew f ee t of f,

f ac ed a wa y f ro m m e. I r ec og ni ze d them a s N ay da 's , a nd turning my h ea d

slightly, I s aw t ha t s he w or e t he m. I a ls o s aw t he n t ha t D al t l ay s pr aw le d

s eve ra l y ar ds o ff t o m y l ef t.

N ay da w as b re at hi ng h ea vi ly , a nd m y L og ru s v is io n s ho we d a p al e r e d

light about her vibrating hands, menacing.

P ro pp ing myself up on m y l ef t e lb ow a nd p ee ri ng a bo ut h er , I s aw t ha t

sh e st ood b et we en m e an d t he Si gn o f t he Pa tt er n t hat h ov er ed in t he air

p er h ap s t en f ee t a wa y.

W he n i t s po ke a ga in i t w as t he f ir st t im e I 'd h ea rd i t ex pr es s a ny th in g

like amusement: "You would protect him, against me?"

"Yes," she replied.

"Why?"

"I di d it for s o l ong that it would be a shame to fai l him when he

really needs it."

" Cr ea tu re o f t he P it , d o y ou k no w w he re y ou s ta nd ?" i t a sk ed .

" No ," s he s ai d.

I l oo ke d b ey on d t he m b ot h a t a p er fe ct ly c le ar b lu e s ky . The su rf ace

u po n which I l ay w as a l ev el a re a o f r oc k, p er ha ps o va l i n s ha pe , o pe ni ng

o nt o n ot hi ng . A q ui ck t ur ni ng o f m y he ad s how ed t hat i t se em ed b it ten o ut o f

a m ou nt ai ns id e, h ow ev er , s ev er al d ar k r ec es se s t o t he r e ar indi cati ng t he





possi bil ity o f c av es . I s aw , t oo , t ha t C or al l ay b eh in d m e. O ur s to ny s he lf

w as s ev er al h un dr ed m et er s w id e. A nd t he re w as m ov em en t b ey on d N ay da a nd t he

S ig n o f t he P at te rn . L uk e h ad j us t h au le d himself u p i nt o a kneel ing

position.

I coul d have a nsw er ed t he questi on p ut t o N ay da , b ut t he re w as n o

p er ce nt ag e i n m y do in g s o. N ot w he n s he w as d oi ng s uch a f in e j ob o f h ol di ng

o ur c ap to r' s a tt en ti on a nd p ro vi di ng a c ru ci al r es pi te .

To m y l ef t, I s aw g ol d- pi nk sw ir ls w it hi n t he st on e, an d t hou gh I h ad

n ev er b ee n h er e I r ec al le d t he d es cr ip ti on f ro m m y f at he r' s s to ry a nd k ne w

t hi s t o b e t he p la ce o f t he p ri ma l P at te rn , t he d ee pe r l ev el o f r ea li ty t ha t

underlay Amber itself.

I r ol led o nt o a ll f our s t hen , a nd c ra wl ed a few s te ps , s ea wa rd ,

Patternward.

"You ar e at t he ot her end of t he u ni ver se, t y' i ga, i n t he pl ace of my

greatest power."

D al t g ro an ed a nd r ol le d o ve r, s at u p, m as sa ge d h is e ye s w it h t he pal ms

o f h is h an ds .

I c ou ld f ee l so met hi ng l ik e a v ib ra ti on j us t a t t he e dg e o f h ea ri ng

co mi ng f ro m N ay da n ow , a nd h er e nt ir e f or m h ad t ak en o n t ha t r ed di sh g lo w. I

k new t hat she wou ld d ie i f she at tacke d t he Si gn, an d I realized t hat I

wo ul d a tt ac k i t m ys el f i f i t k il le d h er .

I he ar d a m oan f rom Co ra l.

" Yo u w il l n ot h ur t m y f ri en ds ," N ay da s ai d.

I w on de re d t he n a t i ts s la pp in g m e d ow n b ef or e I c ou ld u se t he s pi ka rd ,

and transporting us immediately to its stronghold. Did this mean I might





a ct ua ll y h av e h ad a c ha nc e a ga in st i t, o ut t he re i n L og ru s t er ri to ry w he re

i t w as w ea ke ne d?

" Cr ea tu re o f t he P it ," i t t ol d h er , " su ch a d oo me d, p at he ti c g es tu re a s

y ou rs v er ge s o n t he h er oi c. I f ee l a c er ta in f on dn es s f or y ou . W ou ld t ha t I

ha d s uc h a f ri en d. N o, I w il l n ot h ar m y ou r c om pa ni on s. B ut I must d et ai n

C or al a nd M er li n h er e a s p ow er c ou nt er s, a nd t he r es t o f y ou f or p ol it ic al

reasons, until this dispute with my adversary is settled."

"Detain?" she said. "Here?"

" Th er e a re c om fo rt ab le q ua rt er s w it hi n t he r oc k, " i t s ai d.

I r ose ca re ful ly t o m y f eet , f umb li ng a t my be lt f or m y da gg er .

Lu ke g ot u p a nd w al ked o ve r t o Co ral , kn el t b esi de h er .

" Ar e y ou a wa ke ?" h e a sk ed .

" So rt o f, " s he a ns we re d.

"Can you stand?"

"Maybe."

" Le t m e h el p y ou ."

D al t r os e w hi le L uk e w as a ss is ti ng h er . I co nt in ued t o s id le t ow ar d t he

d es ig n. W he re w as D wo rk in w he n I r ea ll y n ee de d h im ?

" Yo u m ay e nt er t he c av es b eh in d y ou a nd i ns pe ct y ou r q ua rt er s, " t he

Sign said. "But first you must remove that ring, Merlin."

" No , n ow ' s h ar dl y a t im e t o b e u np ac ki ng a nd g et ti ng c om fo rt ab le ," I

an sw er ed , s la sh in g m y l ef t p al m w it h t he d ag ge r a nd t ak in g a f in al s te p. " We

won't be staying long."

A s ou nd l ik e a s ma ll t hu nd er cl ap e me rg ed f ro m t he S ig n o f t he P at t er n,

b ut t he re w as n o lightning, n or d id I t hi nk t he re w ou ld b e. N ot w he n i t

r ea li ze d w ha t I w as h ol di ng i n m y ha nd, a nd w her e I w as h ol di ng i t.





" A t hi ng I l ea rn ed f ro m L uk e' s f at he r, " I e xp la in ed . " Le t' s t al k. "

"Y es ," s ai d t he S ig n o f t he P at te rn , " li ke t he r ea so na bl e b ei ng s t ha t

w e a re . W ou ld y ou c ar e f or s om e c us hi on s? "

Immediately, three such objects appeared nearby.

"Thanks," I s ai d, dr awing u p a g re en o ne . " I c ou ld s ur e u se a n i ce d

tea."

" D o y ou t ak e s ug ar ?"

XI

Seat ed up on a cushi on, dagger at my si de, I hel d m y l ef t han d out ov er

t he P at t er n , c up p ed pa lm filled with m y b lo od . T he S ig n o f t he P at te rn

h ov er ed i n t he a ir b ef or e m e, s ee mi ng , o f a s ud de n, t o h av e f or go tt en C or al ,

N ay da , D al t, a nd L uk e. I s ip pe d f ro m t he f ro st ed g la ss i n m y r ig ht h an d, a

s pr ig o f f re sh m in t v is ib le a mi d t he i ce .

" Pr inc e Mer li n," i nqu ir ed t he S ig n, "tell m e w ha t i t i s t ha t y ou

d es ir e, a nd l et u s r es ol ve t hi s m at te r q ui ck ly . A re y ou s ur e I mi ght n't

f et ch y ou a na pk in t o pl ac e a t t he d an ge r p oi nt ? I t w ou ld n ot m in im iz e y ou r

bar ga ini ng ab il it y, i f you st op t o t hi nk of i t. But it woul d s er ve t o

prevent accidents."

"No, that's okay," I said, half-gesturing with the blood-filled hand,

s o t ha t i ts c on te nt s w er e s ti rr ed , a s ma ll line of r e d trickling up my

wrist. "Thanks, anyhow."

T he S ig n o f t he P at te rn v ib ra te d, g re w s ti ll .





" Pr in ce M er li n, yo u h av e m ad e y ou r p oi nt ," i t sa id . " Bu t I d o n ot t hi nk

y ou r ea li ze t he f ul l i mp li ca ti on s o f y ou r t hr ea t. A f ew d ro ps o f y ou r b lo od

upon my physical design could disturb the functioning of the universe."

I n od de d.

"I k no w, " I s ai d.

"Very well," it answered. "State your demands."

" Ou r f re ed om ," I s ai d. " Le t u s g o, a nd y ou r em ai n i nt ac t. "

" Yo u g iv e m e s ma ll c ho ic e, b ut t he s am e a pp li es t o y ou r f ri en ds ."


" Yo u m ay s en d D al t w he ne ve r y ou w is h, " i t s ai d. " As f or t he d em on l ad y,

I r el in qui sh h er w it h r egr et , a s I feel s he w oul d h ave p ro vi de d g oo d

company-"

L u k e r e ga r de d N ay d a.

" Wh at i s t hi s ` cr ea tu re o f t he P it ,' ` de mo n l ad y' b us in es s, a ny wa y? " h e

asked.

"Well, t her e a re a few things you d on' t k no w a bo ut m e . . . " sh e

responded.

" Is i t a l on g s to ry ?" h e a sk ed .

"Yes."

" Am I a n as si gnm ent ? Or d o y ou r ea ll y l ik e m e?"

" Yo u' re n ot a n a ss ig nm en t, a nd I r ea ll y l ik e y ou ."

" Th en w e' ll h ea r t he s to ry l at er ," h e s ai d.

"A s I sai d, send her ," i t wen t on. " And Dal t. A nd Luke. I wi ll be happy

t o sen d t he t hr ee of t he m wh er ev er you w ish . B ut doe s i t o ccu r t o you t hat

y ou a nd C or al a re p ro ba bl y s af er h er e t ha n a ny wh er e e ls e? "

" Ma yb e. M ay be n ot ," I a ns we re d. " Co ra l, h ow d o y ou f ee l a bo ut i t? "





" Ge t m e o ut o f h er e, " s he s ai d.

" So m uch f or t ha t n ot io n, " I t ol d i t. " Now -"

" Wa it . Y ou w an t t o b e f ai r t o y ou r f ri en ds , d on 't y ou ?"

" Su re I d o. "

"Then l et me poi nt s om e t hi ngs o ut t o t hem w hi ch t he y ma y not h ave

considered."

"Go ahead."

" L ad y, " i t sa id , " th ey wa nt yo ur ey e in t he C ou rt s of C ha os . Y ou r

f eel ing s o n t he m at te r a r e i mmat er ial . I f t hi s c an o nl y b e a ch ie ve d b y

m ak in g y ou a p ri so ne r, t he n i t w il l b e d on e. "

Coral laughed softly.

"The alternative being to remain your prisoner?" she asked.

" Th in k o f y ou rs el f a s a g ue st . I w il l p ro vi de f or y ou r e ve ry c om fo rt .

O f c ou rs e, t he re i s a po si ti ve g ai n f or m e i n t hi s st at e o f a ff ai rs -a pa rt

f ro m d en yi ng t he a dv er sa ry y ou r p re se nc e. I a ck no wl ed ge t hi s. B ut yo u must

c ho os e o ne o f u s, e ls e t he o th er w il l g ra b y ou o ff ."

I l oo ke d a t C or al , w ho s ho ok h er h ea d s li gh tl y.

" So w ha t' ll i t b e? " I a sk ed .

l C or al c am e o ve r a nd p la ce d h er h an d u po n m y s ho ul de r.

` " Get me out of her e, " she s ai d.

" Yo u h ea rd ' em ," I t ol d i t. " Ev er yb od y g oe s. "

" I c ra ve y ou r i nd ul ge nc e a m om en t m or e, " i t s ai d.





" F or w ha t? " I a sk ed .

"C on si de r. C ho os in g b et we en t he L og ru s a nd m ys el f i s n ot a m er e m at te r

o f p ol it ic s- of s el ec ti ng t hi s p er so n o r t ha t t o d o a p ar ti cu lar j o b. M y

a dv er sa ry a nd I r ep re se nt t wo f un da me nt al p ri nc ip le s b y m ea ns o f w hi ch t he

u ni ve rs e i s o rg an iz ed . Y ou m ay t ag u s w it h n ou ns a nd a dj ec ti ve s f rom m os t

l an gu ag es a nd d oz en s o f d is ci pl in es , b ut w e r ep re se nt , b as ic al ly , O rd er a nd

ChaosApollonian and Dionysiac, if you like; reason and feeling, if you

p re fe r; m ad ne ss a nd s an it y; l ig ht a nd d ar k; s ig na l a nd n oi se . A s m uc h a s

t hi s m ay se em t o i nd ic at e i t, h ow ev er , nei ther of us s ee ks t he o th er 's

e xt in ct io n. H ea t d ea th o r f ir eb al l, cl as si ci sm o r a na rc hy , e ac h o f u s

p ro ce ed s a lo ng a s in gl e t ra ck , a nd w it ho ut t he o th er i t w ou ld l ea d t o a d ea d

e nd . B ot h o f u s k no w t hi s, a nd t he g am e w e h av e p la ye d s in ce t he beginning

i s a f ar m or e s ub tl e t hi ng- ul ti mat el y, p e rh ap s, t o b e j ud ge d only

esthetically.

" N ow , I h av e g ai ne d a s ig ni fi ca nt e dg e o ve r m y a nc ie nt a dv er sa ry , f or

t he first time in a ge s. I a m i n a p os it io n n ow t o p ro du ce a h is to ri an 's

dream throughout Shadow-an age of high civilization and culture such as

shall n ev er b e f or go tt en . I f t he b al an ce w er e t ip pe d t he o th er w ay w e w ou ld

b e c on te mp la ti ng a p er io d o f u ph ea va l a t l ea st o n p ar w it h t ha t of an i ce

age. When I spoke of you as game pieces i t was not to mi ni mi ze your r ol es i n

t hi s. F or t hi s i s a t ime of g re at f lui di ty , w he n t he J ew el a nd t he m an w ho

w oul d b e ki ng w il l m ak e a d if fe ren ce . S ta y wi th m e, an d I w il l gu ar ant ee t he

Go lde n Ag e of w hi ch I spo ke, an d you a par t i n i t. Lea ve, and you will b e

s na tc he d a wa y b y t he o th er . D ar kn es s a nd d is or de r w il l f ol lo w. W hi ch w ou ld

you have?"

Luke smiled.






" Th e o ne s y ou o nc e r ef er re d t o a s t he T ru mp s o f D oo m. "

I r if fl ed t hr ou gh . T he y w er e m os tl y n ea r t he b ot t om . " Ye s, " I s ai d.

"Beautifully executed. I wouldn't have tossed them."

"You really think so?"

" Ye ah. G et t og et he r a b unc h of s tu ff t hi s g oo d, a nd I 'l l ge t yo u an

exhibit back in Amber."

" Yo u s er io us ? Y ou 'r e n ot j us t s ay in g t ha t b ec au se -"

T he S ig n o f t he P at te rn e mi tt ed a g ro wl in g s ou nd .

" Ev er yb od y' s a c ri ti c, " L uk e o bs er ve d. " Ok ay . P ul l a ll t he T ru mp s o f

Doom."

I d id t hi s.

"M ix ' em u p a l it tl e. K ee p ' em f ac e d ow n, p le as e. "

"All right."

"Fan 'em."

H e l ea ne d f or wa rd , t oo k a c ar d.

" Ok ay ," h e s ai d. " I' m i n b us in es s. W he ne ve r y ou 'r e r ea dy , t el l i t w he re

t o t ake y ou. St ay i n t ouc h. He y, P at ter n, I w ant a n i ce d t ea of m y ow n. "

A f ro st y gl as s a pp ea re d n ea r hi s r igh t f oo t. H e st oo ped a nd t ook i t up ,

s i pp ed f ro m i t.

"'Thanks."

" Lu ke ," N a yd a s ai d, "I d on ' t u nd er st an d w ha t' s g oi ng o n. W ha t w il l

h a pp en t o y ou ?"

" No th in g m uc h, " h e r ep li ed . " Do n' t c ry f or m e, d em on l ad y. I 'l l s ee y ou

later."





H e l oo ke d a t m e a nd q ui rke d a n ey eb ro w.

" Se nd u s t o J id ra sh ," I s ai d, " in K as hf a- to t he o pe n a re a b et we en t he

p al ac e a nd t he c hu rc h. "

I h el d L uke 's T ru mp i n m y m oi st l ef t h an d, n ear t o a h um mi ng sp ika rd . I

fe lt t he c ar d g ro w c ol d j us t a s L uk e s ai d, " Yo u h ea rd h im ."

A nd t he w or ld s wi rl ed a nd u ns wi rl ed , a nd i t w as a b ri sk , w in dy m or ni ng

i n J id ra sh . I r eg ar de d L uk e t hr ou gh hi s T ru mp . I o pe n ed c ha nne l a ft er

channel of the ring.

" Da lt , I m ig ht a s w el l l ea ve y ou h er e, " I sa id . " Yo u, t oo , N ay da ."

"N o, " t he b ig m an s ai d, j us t a s N ay da s ai d, " Ho ld o n a m in ut e. "

" Yo u' re b ot h o ut o f t he p ic tu re n ow ," I e xp la in ed . " Ne it he r s id e w an ts

y ou f or a ny th in g. B ut I 'v e g ot t o g et C or al s om ep la ce s af e. M e, t oo ."

" You 'r e a f ocus of t he ac ti on, " Nayd a sai d, " and I can help Luke by

helping you. Take me along."

"I feel t he same way about i t," Dal t sai d. "I st ill owe Luke a bi g

one."

" Ok ay ," I s ai d. " He y, L uk e! Y ou h ea r a ll t ha t? "

" Ye ah ," h e s ai d. " Be tt er b e a bo ut y ou r b us in es s t he n. S hi t! I sp il le d

it-"

H is T ru mp w en t b la ck .

I didn't wait for avenging angels, tongues of fire, lightning bolts, or

a n o pe ni ng o f t he ea rt h. I g ot u s o ut o f j ur is di ct io n r ea l q ui ck .

I s pr aw le d o n t he g re en g ra ss b en ea th t he b ig t re e. W is ps o f f og





d ri ft ed b y. D ad 's P at te rn s pa rk le d b el ow m e. J ur t w as s ea te d c ro ss -l eg ge d o n

t he ho od of t he c ar , b lad e a cr oss hi s kn ee s. He h it t he g ro un d w he n w e made

o u r a pp ea ra nc e. C or wi n w as n ow he re i n s ig ht .

" W ha t' s g oi ng o n? " J ur t a sk ed m e.

"I am b eat , b ush ed , an d wh ack ed -o ut . I a m go in g t o l ie h er e a nd st ar e

a t t he f og t il l m y m in d g oe s a wa y, " I s ai d. " Me et C or al , N ay da , a nd D al t.

Hear t hei r st or y and t el l t hem y our s, J ur t. D on' t wak e m e f or t he end of t he

w or ld u nl es s i t h as v er y g oo d s pe ci al e ff ec ts ."

I proceeded to do as I had promi sed, t o t he tune of a f ading guitar and

t he d is ta nt v oi ce of S ar a K . T he g ra ss w as w on dr ou s s of t. T he f og s wi rl ed

t hr ou gh m y b ra in . F ad e t o b la ck .

And then, and then. . . . And then, sir. . . .

Walking. I was walking, almost drifting, through a California shopping

mall I u se d t o f re qu en t. K no ts o f k id s, c ou pl es w it h i nf an ts , w om en w it h

p ar ce ls , p as se d, w or ds s mo th er ed b y s ou nd s from a music s to re s pe ak er .

Potted oases sheltered, deli smells drifted, sale signs promised.

W a lk in g. P as t t he d ru gs to re . P as t t he s ho e s to re . P as t t he c an dy s to re .

. . .

N ar ro w co rr id or t o t he l ef t. I 'd ne ver no ti ced i t. M ust t ur n. . . .

O d d t he re s ho ul d b e a c ar pe t- an d c an dl es i n h ig h h ol de rs , a nd s co nc es ,

an d c an de la br a a to p n ar ro w c he st s. T he w al ls g li tt er ed w it h t he ir r e

I t ur ne d b ac k.

T he re w as n o b ac k. T he m al l w as g on e. The c or ri do r e nd ed in t ha t

d ir ec ti on a t a w al l. A s ma ll t ap es tr y h un g u po n i t, d ep ic ti ng n in e f ig ur es

w ho l oo ke d b ac k a t m e. I s hr ug ge d a nd t ur ne d a ga in .

" St il l s om et hi ng l ef t t o y ou r s pe ll , U nc le ," I r e ma rk ed . " Le t' s b e





about it then."

W al ki ng . I n s il en ce n ow . A he ad . T o t he p la ce w he re t he m ir ro rs

g li tt er ed. I h ad s ee n this p la ce l ong a go , I r ec al le d, though i ts

disposition-I suddenly realizedwas not peculiar to Amber Castle. It was

r ig ht t he re , o n t he t ip o f m em or y- my y ou ng er sel f p as si ng t hi s w ay , n ot

u na cc om pa ni ed -b ut t he p ri ce o f t ha t r ec ol le ct io n w ou ld b e l os s o f c on tr ol

h er e, I k ne w. R el uc ta nt ly , I r el ea se d t he i ma ge a nd t ur ne d m y a tt en ti on t o

t he s ma ll o va l m ir ro r t o m y l ef t.

I smi led. So di d my i mage. I st uck out my t ongue and was so sal uted in

return.

I m ov ed o n. O nl y a ft er s ev er al p ac es d id I r ea li ze t ha t t he image h ad

b e en m y d em on fo rm ed s el f, w hi le m y p er so n h ad n ot .

A s of t t hr oa t- cl ea ri ng s ou nd o c cu rr e d t o m y r ig ht . T ur ni ng i n t hat

direction, I beheld my brother Mandor within a black-framed lozenge.

" De ar b oy ," h e s ta te d, " th e ki ng is d e a d. Lo ng live y ou r a ug ust

p er so nag e as s oo n as y ou h av e as sum ed t he t hr on e. Y ou h ad be st m ake h as te t o

r etur n f or a crow ni ng at t he End of t he Wor ld, wi th or wi thout t he br ide of

the Jewel."

" W e r an i nt o a f ew s mal l p ro bl em s, " I sa id .

"N ot hi ng w or th r es ol vi ng j us t n ow . Y ou r p re se nc e i n t he C ou rt s i s f ar

more important."

" N o, m y f ri en ds a re ," I s ai d.

A momentary smile touched his lips.

"Y ou will b e i n a n i de al p os it io n t o p ro te ct y ou r f ri en ds ," h e s ai d,

" an d t o d o a s yo u w ou ld w it h y ou r e ne mi es ."





" I w il l be ba ck, " I sa id, " so on. But n ot t o be cr owne d. "

" As y ou w ou ld , M er li n. I t i s y ou r p re se nc e t ha t i s d es ir ed ."

"I promise nothing," I said.

H e c hu ck le d, a nd t he m ir ro r w as e mp ti ed .

I t ur ne d aw ay. I w al ke d on .

M or e l au gh te r. F ro m t he l ef t. M y m ot he r' s.

Fr om w it hi n a r ed f ram e of car ved f low er s, sh e st ar ed at m e, a l ook of

v as t a mu se me nt u po n h er f ea tu re s. " Se ek h im i n t he P it !" s he s ai d. " Se ek h im

in the Pit! "

I p as se d, a nd h er l au gh te r c on ti nu ed a t m y b ac k f or a t im e.

"H ss t! " T o m y r ig ht , a l on g, n ar ro w m ir ro r b or de re d i n g re en . " Ma ss te r

Me rl in ," s he s ai d. " I h av e s so ug ht , b ut t he

ghosst-light bass not passsed my way." "Thanks, Glait. Keep looking,

please."

" Y es s. W e m us st s si t t og et he r i n a w ar m p lac e b y n ig ht o nce a gai n a nd

d r in k m il k a nd t al k o f t he o ld d ay ss ."

" Th at w ou ld b e n ic e. Y es , w e m us t. I f w e a re no t e at en b y something

bigger."

"S-s-s-s-s!"

C ou ld t ha t b e l au gh te r?

"Good hunting, Glait."

"Yess. S-s-s!"

. . . And on. Wal ki ng.





" So n o f A mb er . W ea re r o f t he s pi ka rd "- th is f ro m w it hi n a s ha do wy n ic he

t o m y l ef t.

I h al te d a nd s ta re d. T he f ra me w as w hi te , t he g la ss ` w as g ra y. Within

w as a man I had never met . Hi s shi rt

w as bl ac k an d o pe ne d at t he n ec k. H e w or e a b ro wn l ea th er ve st , hi s

ha ir d ar k b lo nd , e ye s p er ha ps g re en . " Ye s? "

"A s pi ka rd w as h id de n i n A mb er ," h e s ta te d, "for you t o find. I t

co nv ey s g re at p ow er s. I t a ls o b ea rs a s er ie s o f s pe ll s t ha t w il l c au se i ts

w ea re r t o a ct i n c er ta in w ay s u nd er c er ta in c ir cu ms ta nc es ."

" I susp ect ed t hi s," I sai d. "W hat i s i t set t o do ?"

" Fo rm er ly w or n b y S wa yv il l, K in g o f C ha os , i t will f or ce t he c ho se n

s uc ce ss or t o t ak e t he t hr on e, b eh av e i n a c er ta in f as hi on , a nd b e a me na bl e.

to the suggestions of certain persons."

"These being?"

" Th e w om an w ho l au gh ed a nd c ri ed , ` Se ek h im i n t he P it .' The man in

b la ck , w ho d es ir es y ou r r et ur n. "

" Dar a a nd M an do r. T he y l ai d t hes e s pe ll s u po n i t?" " Ju st s o. A nd t he

m an l ef t i t f or you t o f ind. "

" I h at e t o s ur re nd er t he t hi ng j us t n ow ," I s ai d, " wh en i t' s p ro vi ng s o

u sef ul . I s t he re a w ay t o l if t t hes e s pel ls? "

" Of c ou rs e. B ut i t s ho ul d n ot m at te r t o y ou ."

"Why not?"

"The r ing you wear i s not the one of whi ch I speak."

" I d o n ot u nd er st an d. "

"But you will. Never fear."





" Wh o a re y ou , s ir ?"

"My name is Delwin, and we may never actually meet-unless certain

ancient powers come loose."

He r ai sed his hand, and I saw that he, t oo, wore a spi kar d. He moved it

t o wa r d m e.

"Touch your ring t o m in e, " h e c om ma nd ed . " Th en i t c an b e o rd er ed t o

br in g y ou t o m e. "

I r ai se d m in e a nd m ov ed i t t ow ar d t he g la ss . A t t he m om en t t he y s ee me d

to t ou ch, t her e w as a f la sh o f l ig ht a nd D el wi n w as g on e.

I l et my ar m f al l. I w al ke d on. O n an i mpu lse, I st oppe d bef or e a c hest

a n d o pe ne d i ts d ra we r.

I st ar ed . T he re w as n o w ay t o o ne -u p t hi s p lac e, i t s eem ed . T he d ra wer

contained a miniature, scaled-down representation of my father's chapel-tiny

colored tiles, diminutive burning tapers, even a doll-sized Grayswandir upon

the altar.

" Th e a ns we r l ie s b ef or e y ou , d ea r f ri en d, " c am e a t hr oa ty v oi ce I k ne w

y et d id no t k no w.

I r ai se d m y g az e t o a l av en de r- bo rd er ed m ir ro r I h ad n ot r ea li ze d h un g

a bo ve t he c he st . T he l ad y w it hi n h ad l on g, c oa l- bl ac k h ai r a nd e ye s s o d ar k

I co ul d n ot tell w he re t he pupi ls left o ff a nd t he i ri se s b eg an . H er

c om pl ex io n w as v er y p al e, e mp ha si ze d p er ha ps b y h er p in k e ye s ha do w a nd lip

co lo ri ng . T ho se e ye s. . . . " Rh an da !" I s ai d.

" Yo u r em em be r! Y ou d o r em em be r m e! "

" . . . A nd t he da ys of o ur bo ne da nc e g am es ," I sa id .





and extending his hand. "Here."

I r ea ch ed i nt o t he m ir ro r a nd a cc ep te d i t. I t w as y et a no th er s pi ka rd ,

l ike t he o ne I w or e.

` I t i s t he on e o f w hi ch D el wi n s po ke ," h e s ai d. ` `Y ou m us t n ev er w ea r

it."

I s tu di ed i t f or s ev er al m om en ts .

" What am I to do with it?" I asked.

" Pu t i t i n y our p oc ke t. A u se m ay s ug ge st i ts el f at s om e p oi nt ."

"H ow d id y ou c om e b y i t? "

" I s wi tc he d i t a ft er M an do r l ef t i t, f or t he o ne y ou w ea r n ow ."

"How many are there, anyway?"

"Nine," he replied.

" I s up po se y ou k no w a ll a bo ut t he m. "

"More than most."

" Th at w ou ld n' t b e h ar d. I d on 't s up po se y ou k no w w he re m y f at he r i s? "

" No . B ut y ou d o. Y ou r l ad y f ri en d w it h t he s an gu in ar y t as te s t ol d y ou ."

"Riddles," I said.

" Al wa ys p re fe ra bl e t o n o a ns we r a t a ll ," h e r es po nd ed .

T he n h e w as g on e a nd I w al ke d a ga in . A ft er a w hi le , t hi s w as g on e, t oo .

Dr if ti ng . B la ck. G oo d. So g ood . . . .

A b it of l igh t f ou nd i ts w ay t hr oug h m y ey el ashe s. I shu t i t o ut ag ai n.

B ut t he t hun de r r ol le d, a nd af ter a t im e t he l ig ht l ea ke d i n o nc e a gai n.

D ar k l in es i n b ro wn , g re at h or ny r id ge s, f er ny f or es ts . . . .

A l it tl e l at er t he f ac ul ty t ha t e va lu at es p er ce pt io ns a wo ke a nd p oi nt ed





out t hat I was l yi ng o n m y si de st ar ing at t he cr ack ed e ar th bet we en a pa ir

of r oo ts f rom t he t ree, cl um ps of g ra ss d ot ted he re a nd t her e a cr os s the

prospect.

. . . And I conti nued t o st ar e, and there was a sudden bri ght ness as of

a lightning flash followed almost immediately by a crack of thunder. The

e ar th s ee me d t o s hu dd er w it h i t. I h ea rd t he p at te ri ng of d ro ps u po n t he

leaves of a t ree , t he hood of a car. I cont inued to st ar e at t he largest

c ra ck t ha t t r av er se d t he v al le y o f m y r eg ar d.

. . . And I realized that I knew.

I t w as t he n um b k no wl ed ge o f a wa ke ni ng . T he s ou rc es o f e mo ti on still

d oz ed In t he d is ta nc e, I c ou ld h ear f am il iar vo ice s i n so ft c onv er se. I

co ul d a ls o h ea r t he s ou nd s o f c ut le ry a ga in st c hi na . M y s to ma ch w ou ld a wa ke n

in a bi t, I knew, and I would join them. For now, it was so very pleasant to

l ie h er e w ra pp ed i n m y c lo ak , h ea ri ng t he g en tl e r ai n a nd k no wi ng . . . .

I r et ur ne d t o m y m ic ro -w or ld a nd i ts d ar k c an yo n. . . . The gr oun d

s ho o k a ga in , t hi s t im e w it ho ut b en ef it o f l ig ht ni ng o r t hu nd er . A nd i t k ep t

o n s ha ki ng . T hi s i rr it at ed m e, f or i t d is tu rb ed m y f ri en ds a nd r el at iv es ,

c au si ng t he m t o r ai se t he ir v oi ce s i n s om et hi ng l ik e a la rm . A ls o, i t s ti rr ed

a d or ma nt C al if or ni a r ef le x a t a t im e w he n I j us t w an te d t o l ol l a nd s av or

my fresh-acquired knowledge.

"Merlin, are you awake?"

" Yes, " , I sa id, si tt ing u p s ud de nl y, gi vi ng m y ey es a qu ic k r ub , a nd

running my hands through my hair.

I t w as t he g ho st o f m y f at he r t ha t k ne lt b es ide m e, ha vi ng j us t sh ak en

m y s ho ul de r. " We s ee m t o h av e a p ro bl em ," h e s ai d, "with r at he r e xt re me





ramifications."

J ur t, s ta nd in g b eh in d h im , n od de d s ev er al t im es . T he g ro un d s ho ok o nc e

a ga in , t wi gs a nd l ea ve s f el l a bo ut u s, p eb bl es b ou nc ed , d us t r os e, t he f og s

w er e a gi ta te d. I h ea rd a d is h b re ak i n t he vi ci ni ty o f t he h ea vy r ed an d

w hi t e c lo th a bo ut w hi ch L uk e, D al t, C or al , a nd N ay da s at e at in g.

I u nt an gl ed m y c lo ak a nd r os e t o m y f ee t, r ea li zi ng t he n t ha t s om eo ne

h ad r em ov ed m y b oo ts w hi le I s le pt . I d re w t he m b ac k o n. T he re c am e a no th er

t re mo r, a nd I l ea ne d a ga in st t he t re e f or s up po rt .

" Th is i s t he p ro bl em ?" I s ai d. " Or i s s om et hi ng b ig ger a bo ut t o e at

it?"

H e gav e me a p uz zl ed l oo k. T he n, " Ba ck w he n I d re w t he P at te rn ," h e

s ai d, " I' d n o w ay o f k no wi ng t ha t t hi s a re a w as f au lt ed , o r t hat something

l ike this w oul d o ne d ay o cc ur . I f t he se s ho ck s s ho ul d c ra ck t he P at te rn ,

w e' ve h ad i t- in m or e w ay s t ha n o ne . A s I u nd er st an d it , t hat s pi ka rd you

we ar c an d ra w u po n e no rm ou s s ou rc es o f e ne rg y. I s t he re s om e w ay y ou c ou ld

u se i t t o d ef us e t hi s t hi ng ?"

" I d on 't k no w, " I t ol d h im . " I n ev er t ri ed a ny th in g l ik e i t. "

" Fi nd o ut f as t, o ka y? " h e s ai d.

B ut I w as a lr ea dy s pi nn in g m y m in d a bo ut t he c ir cl e o f t in es , t ouc hi ng

e ac h one t o l if e. T hen I sei zed u pon t he o ne p ossesse d of t he most j ui ce,

d re w h ar d u po n i t, f il le d m ys el f, b od y a nd m in d, w it h i ts e ne rg y. I gni tion

c o mp le te d a nd eng ine i dl in g, w it h m e i n t he d ri ve r' s s ea t, I s hi ft ed i nt o

g ea r t he n, e xt en di ng a l in e o f f or ce f ro m t he s pi ka rd d ow n i nt o t he g ro un d.

I r ea ch ed f or a l on g while, see ki ng a co nver si on m et ap ho r t o t he

subjective for anything I might discover.





. . . W adi ng o ut from t he b ea ch i nt o t he oc ean wav es t ick li ng m y

s to ma ch , m y c he st -f ee li ng w it h m y t oe s t he r oc ks , t he s tr an ds o f s ea -w ee d. .

. . S om et im es a r oc k wo ul d t ur n, s li p, bum p aga ins t a not her , sl ide . . . .

I co ul dn 't se e t o t he bo tt om w it h m y eyes . But I sa w the r oc ks , the

w r a ck , in t he ir d is po si ti on a nd m ov em en t, j us t t he s am e, b eh el d t he m a s

clearly as if the bottom were fully illuminated.

F ee li ng , f ee li ng m y w ay n ow , d ow n t hr ou gh t he s tr at a, s in gl e t o e s of t

as a flashlight's beam running along rocky surfaces, testing the pressures

o f o ne u po n a no th er , i so st at ic k is se s o f m ount ai ns b en ea th t he e ar t h,

orogenic erogenies of slow movement, flesh caressing mineral in the darkest

of s ec re t p l ac es

S li p! T he r ock sl ides of f. My b ody f ol lows . . . .

I d iv e f or i t, f ol lo wi ng t he s li di ng p as sa ge . I r a ce a h ea d, p our in g

forth heat, cracking rock, splintering new pathways, outward, outward.... It

w a s coming this w ay . I b ro ke t hr ou gh a w al l o f s to ne , a no th er . A no th er . I

w as not cer tai n t hi s was t he wa y t o di ver t i t, b ut i t was the only on e I

kn ew t o t ry . G o t hat w ay ! Da mn i t! T hat w ay ! I ac ces sed t wo mo re c ha nne ls, a

t h ir d, a f ou rt h

T he re w as a slight v ib ra ti on within t he g ro un d. I o pe ne d a no th er

c ha nn el . W it hi n m y m et ap ho r t he r o ck s g re w s ta bl e b en ea th t he w a te r s.

Shortly thereafter, the ground ceased its vibration.

I r et ur ne d t o t he p la ce w he re I h ad f ir st f el t t he s li de b eg in , s ta bl e





n ow , y et s ti ll s tr es se d. F ee l i t, f ee l it c ar ef ul ly. D es cr ib e a v ec to r .

F ol lo w. Fo ll ow i t t o t he p oi nt o f or ig in al pr ess ur e. B ut n o. T hi s po int i s

b ut a c on fl ue nc e o f v ec to rs . T ra ce t he m.

Y et a ga in . M or e j un ct io ns . T ra ce t he m. A cc es s m or e c ha nn el s. T he e nt ir e

p re ss ur e s tr uc tu re , i nt r ic at e a s a n er vo us s ys te m, m us t b e d es cr i be d. I m us t

h ol d i ts t re e w it hi n m y m in d.

An ot he r l ay er . I t m ay n ot b e p os si bl e. I m ay l x c ou rt in g i nf in it y i n m y

topographic branchings. Freeze frame. Simplify the problem. Ignore

e ve ry th in g b ey on d t he t er ti ar y. T ra ce t o t he n ex t j un ct i on . T he re a re s om e

l o op s. G oo d. A nd a p la te i s n ow i nv ol ve d. B et te r.

Tr y a no th er j um p. N o g oo d. T oo big a p ic tu re t o co nt ai n. D is ca rd

tertiaries.

Yes.

Thus general lines sketched. Vectors of transmission simply drawn-back

t o p la te , a lm os t. P re ss ur e e xe rt ed l es s t ha n f ul l p r es su re e xt en de d. W hy ?

Additional point of input along second vector, redirecting shear forces this

valley.

"Merlin? Are you all right?"

" Le t m e b e, " I h ea r m y v oi ce r es po nd .

Extend then, input source, into, feeling, transmission signature. . . .

I s t hi s a L og ru s t hat I se e be fo re m e?

I o pe ne d t hr ee m or e c ha nn el s, f oc us ed o n t he a re a, b eg an h ea ti ng i t.

S oo n r o ck s w er e cr ac ki ng , b ut a l it tl e l at er t hey m el ted . M y ne wl y

c re at ed m ag ma f lo we d d ow n f au lt l in es . A h ol lo we d- ou t a re a o cc ur re d a t t he

point whence the precipitating force had originated.

Back.





I w it hd re w m y p ro be s, s hu t d ow n t he s pi ka rd .

" Wh at di d you do? " h e ask ed m e.

"I f ou nd t he p la ce w he re t he L og ru s w as m es si ng w it h u nd er gr ou nd

s tr es se s, " I s ai d, " an d I r em ov ed t he p la ce . T he re 's a small g ro tt o t he re

n ow . I f i t c ol la ps es i t m ay e as e t he p re ss ur e e ve n m or e. "

"So you've stabilized it?"

"At l ea st f or n ow . I d on 't k no w t he l im it s o f t he L og ru s, b ut i t' s

g oi ng t o h av e t o f ig ur e a n ew r ou te t o r ea ch t hi s p la ce . T he n i t' s g oi ng t o

have t o test i t out. And i f i t' s doi ng a l ot of Patt er n wat chi ng j ust now,

t ha t m ay s lo w i t. "

" So y ou 'v e b ou gh t s om e t im e, " h e s ai d. " Of c ou rs e, t he P at te rn m ay m ov e

against us next."

" It c ou ld ," I s ai d. " I' ve b ro ug ht e ve ry on e h er e b ec au s e I t ho ug ht

t he y' d b e s af e f ro m b ot h P ow er s. "

" Ap pa re nt ly y ou m ad e t he p ay of f w or th t he r is k. "

" Ok ay, " I sa id . " I g ue ss i t' s t im e t o g iv e t he m s om e

o th er t hi ng s t o w or ry a bo ut ."

"Such as?"

I l oo ked a t h im , P at te rn g ho st o f m y f at he r, g ua rd ia n o f t hi s p la ce .

"I k no w w he re y ou r f le sh -a nd -b lo od c ou nt er pa rt i s, " I s ai d, " an d I 'm

a bo ut t o s et h im f re e. "

T he re c am e a f la sh o f l ig ht ni ng . A s ud de n gu st of wi nd l of te d t he





fallen leaves, stirred the fogs.

" I m us t a cc om pa ny y ou ," h e s ai d.

"Why?

" I 'v e a p er so na l i nt er es t i n h im , o f c ou rs e. "

"All right."

Thunder c ra sh ed ab out us, an d the fogs w er e t om a pa rt by a f re sh

onslaught of wind.

Jur t ca me u p t o us t he n.

" I t hi nk i t' s b eg un ," h e s ai d.

" W ha t? " I a sk ed .

" Th e d ue l o f P ow er s, " h e s ai d. " Fo r a l on g time t he P at te rn h ad an

e dg e. B ut w he n L uk e d am ag ed i t a nd y ou s na tc he d a wa y t he b ri de o f t he J ew el ,

i t m us t h av e w ea k

e ne d it m or e, r el at iv e t o t he L og ru s, t ha n i t' s b ee n i n a ge s. S o t he

L og ru s d ec id ed t o a tt ac k, p au si ng o nl y f or a q ui ck a tt em pt t o d am ag e this

Pattern."

" Un less t he L og ru s w as j us t t es ti ng u s, " I s ai d, " an d t hi s i s s im pl y a

storm."

A l ig ht r ai n h ad b eg un w hi le h e w as s pe ak in g.

" I c am e h er e b ec au se I t ho ug ht i t w as t he o ne p la ce neit her of them

w ou ld t ouc h in t he e ve nt o f a c on te st ," h e w en t o n. " I' d a ss um ed n ei th er

wou ld car e t o d iver t en er gy f rom i ts o wn at tack or d ef ens e f or a swi pe in

this direction."

"That reasoning may still hold," I said.

" Ju st f or o nc e I 'd l ik e t o b e o n t he w in ni ng s id e, " h e s ta te d. " I' m n ot

su re I car e ab out r igh t o r w ron g.





T he y' re v er y a rg ua bl e q ua nt it ie s. I 'd j us t l ik e t o b e i n w it h t he g uy s

w ho wi n f or a chang e. What do you t hi nk, M er le? W hat ar e yo u g oi ng t o do ?"

" Co rwi n her e and I a re goi ng t o h ead f or t he C ou rt s, an d we' re go ing t o

f re e m y f at he r, " I s ai d. "Then w e 'r e goi ng t o r es ol ve w ha te ve r n ee ds

r e so lv in g a nd l iv e h ap pi ly e ve r a ft er . Y ou k no w h ow i t g oe s. "


" I c an n ev er d ec id e w he th er y ou 'r e a f oo l o r w he th er y ou r c on fi de nc e i s

wa rr an te d. Ever y time I d ec id ed y ou w er e a f oo l, t ho ug h, i t c os t m e. " H e

l oo ke d u p a t t he d ar k s ky , w ip ed r ai n f ro m h is b ro w. " I' m r ea ll y t or n, " h e

s ai d, " bu t y ou c oul d s ti ll be K in g o f C ha os ."

" No ," I s ai d.

" . . . A nd y ou e nj oy s om e s pe ci al r el at io ns hi p w it h t he P ow er s. "

" If I d o, I d on 't u nd er st an d i t m ys el f. "

" No mat ter ," h e s ai d. " I' m s ti ll w it h y ou ." I c ro ss ed t o t he o th er s,

hugged Coral.

" I m us t r et ur n t o t he C ou rt s, " I s ai d. " Gu ar d t he P at te rn . W e' ll b e

back."

The sky was illuminated by three brilliant flashes. The wind shook the

tree.

I t ur ne d aw ay and cr eat ed a d oo r i n t he m id dl e of the ai r. C or wi n' s

g ho st a nd I s te pp ed t hr ou gh i t.

XII





Thus d id I r et ur n t o t he C ou rt s o f C ha os , c om in g t hr ou gh i nt o S aw al l' s

space-warped sculpture garden.

" Wh er e a re w e? " m y g ho st -f at he r a sk ed .

" A m us eu m o f s or ts ," I r epl ie d, " in t he h ou se of m y s te pf at he r. I c ho se

i t b ec au se t he l ig ht in g i s t ri ck y a nd t he re a re m an y p la ce s t o h id e. "

H e s tu di ed s om e o f t he p ie ce s, a s w el l a s t he ir di sposi ti on up on t he

walls and ceiling.

" Th is w ou ld b e a h el l o f a p la ce t o f igh t a sk ir mi sh ," h e ob se rv ed .

" I s up po se i t w ou ld ."

"You grew up hereabout, huh?"

"Yes."

" Wh at w as i t l ik e? "

"Oh, I do n' t kn ow . I d on 't ha ve a ny th ing t o co mpa re i t t o. I had som e

go od t im es , a lo ne , a nd w it h f ri en ds an d a f ew b ad t im es . A ll a p ar t o f being

a k id ."

"This place . . . ?"

"The W ay s of S aw al l. I w is h I h ad t im e t o s ho w y ou t he w ho le t hi ng ,

t ak e y ou t hr ou gh a ll o f t he w ay s. "

"One day, perhaps."

"Yes."

I b eg an w al ki ng , h op in g f or t he G ho st wh ee l o r K er gm a t o a pp ea r. N ei th er

did, however.

W e f in al ly p as se d i nt o a c or ri do r t ha t t oo k u s t o a h al l o f t ap es tr ie s,

w hen ce t her e w as a w ay t o a r oo m t ha t I de si re d- fo r t he r oo m let upon the

ha ll way t ha t p a ss e d t he gal ler y o f m et al t r ee s. B ef or e w e c ou ld d ep ar t ,





h ow ev er , I h ea rd v oi ce s f ro m t ha t h al lw ay . S o w e w ai te d in t he r oo m- wh ic h

c on ta in ed t he s ke le to n o f a J ab be rw oc k p ai nt ed i n o ra ng e, b lu e, a nd y el lo w,

E ar l y P sy ch ed el ic -a s t he s pe ak er s a p pr o ac h ed . O ne o f t hem I r ec og ni ze d

i mme di at el y a s my b ro th er M an do r; t he o th er I c ou ld n ot i de nt if y b y v oi ce

al on e, bu t man agi ng a gl im pse a s t hey pa ssed , I saw i t t o b e Lor d B an ces of

A mb le ra sh , H ig h P ri es t o f t he S er pe nt W hi ch M an if es ts t he L og ru s ( to c it e a

f ul l t it le j us t o nc e) . I n a b ad ly p lo tt ed s to ry t he y' d h av e p au se d o ut si de

t he d oo r wa y, a nd I 'd h av e o ve rh ea rd a c on ve rs at io n t el li ng m e e ve ry th in g I

n ee de d t o k no w a bo ut a ny th in g.

T he y s lo we d a s t he y p as se d.

" Th at 's t he w ay i t w il l b e t he n? " B an ce s s ai d.

"Yes," Mandor replied. "Soon."

An d t hey we re by , an d I c oul dn 't ma ke o ut a not he r w or d. I listened t o

t h ei r r ec ed in g f oo ts te ps t il l t he y w er e g on e. T he n I w ai te d a l it tl e l on ge r.

I w ou ld h av e s wo rn I h ea rd a s ma ll v oi ce s ay in g, " Fo ll ow . F ol lo w. "

"Hear anything just then?" I whispered.

"Nope."

S o w e s t ep p ed o ut i nt o t he h al lw ay a nd t ur ne d r ig ht , m ov in g i n t he

o pp os it e d ir ec ti on f ro m t ha t w hi ch M an do r a nd B an ce s h ad t ak en . A s w e d id , I

f el t a s en sa ti on o f h eat at a p oi nt s om ew ha t b el ow m y l ef t h ip . .

" You t hi nk h e is s om ew he re n ea r h er e? " t he C or wi n g ho st a s ke d .

"Prisoner to Dara?"

"Y es a nd n o, " I s ai d. " Ow !"





o r w ha te ver b ec om es of s uc h t hi ng s w he n t he s to ry 's o ver . T he re ar e m an y

v er si on s, o f c ou rs e. T he re a lw ay s a re . B ut bringing t wo of them t o t he

C ou rt s c ou ld c on ce iv ab ly d ra w a l ot o f a tt en ti on t o y ou rs el f, n ot t o m en ti on

ad di ng t o t he gener al p ow er o f C ha os j us t b y v ir tu e o f t he ir p re se nc e a t

this pole of existence."

" Oh , m y, " I s ai d. " I' ll o rde r t he o ne I 'm w ea ri ng t o c on ce al itself,

also."

"I d on ' t thi nk t ha t' ll w or k, " h e s ai d, " th ou gh I 'm n ot c er ta in . I 'd

t hi nk t he y m us t m ai nt ai n a c on st an t f lu xp in w it h e ac h s ou rc e o f p o we r , a nd

t h at w ou ld give s om e i nd ica ti on o f t he t hi ng 's p re se nc e b ec au se o f i ts

broadcast nature."

" I' ll t el l i t t o t une i tsel f a s l ow as i t c an t hen ."

H e n o dd e d.

" It ca n' t h ur t t o m ak e i t s pe ci fi c, " h e s ai d, "though I ' d g ues s it

probably does that anyhow, automatically."

I p la ce d t he o th er r in g b ac k i n m y p oc ke t, d ep ar te d

th e n ic he , a nd h ur ri ed o n u p t he h al lw ay .

I sl ow ed when we ne ar ed w hat I t hou ght t o be t he a re a. B ut I s eem ed

m is ta ke n. T he m et al f or es t w as n ot t he re . W e p as se d t ha t s ec ti on . S ho rt ly ,

w e c am e t o a f am il ia r d is pl ay -t he o ne t ha t h ad p re ce de d t he m et al f or es t, o n

approaching it from that direction.

Even a s I tur ned b ac k, I kn ew . I k new w hat ha d ha ppe ned . W hen w e

r ea ch ed w ha t h ad b ee n t he a re a, I s to pp ed a nd s tu di ed i t.

" Wh at i s i t? " m y g ho st ly f at he r a sk ed .

" It s ee ms a d is pl ay o f e ve ry c on ce iv ab le v ar ie ty o f e dg ed w ea po n a nd





t oo l t ha t C ha os h as e ve r s pe we d f or th ," I s ai d, " al l o f t he m e xh ib it ed p oi nt

up, you'll note."

"S o? " h e a sk ed .

"This is t he p la ce, " I a ns we re d, " th e p la ce w he re w e w er e g oi ng t o

c li mb a m et al t re e. "

" Me rl e, " h e s ai d, " ma yb e t hi s p la ce d o es so met hi ng t o my t hou gh t

p r oc es se s, o r y ou r s. I j u st d on 't u nd er st a nd ."

" It 's u p n ea r t he cei ling," I e xp la in ed , ge st ur in g. " I k no w t he

a pp ro xi ma te a re a- I t hi nk . L oo ks a l it tl e d if fe re nt n ow . . . . "

"What's there, son?"

" A wa y- a t ra ns po rt a re a, l ike t he o ne w e p as se d t hr ou gh t o t he pl ac e o f

t he J ab be rw oc k s ke le to n. O nl y t hi s o ne w ou ld t ak e u s t o y ou r c ha pe l. "

" An d t ha t' s w he re w e' r e h ea de d? "

"Right."

He r ub be d h is c hi n.

" We ll , t he re w er e s om e f ai rl y t al l i te ms i n s om e o f t he d is pl ay s w e

p as se d, " h e o bs er ve d, "and n ot a ll o f t he m w er e m et al o r s to ne . W e c ou ld

w re st le o ve r t ha t t ot em p ol e o r w ha te ve r t he h el l i t i s, f ro m b ac k u p t he

hal l, c le ar a wa y s om e o f t he s ha rp d is pl ay s b el ow t ha t p la ce , s et t he t hi ng

up-"

" No ," I s ai d. " Da ra o bv io us ly c au gh t o n t o t he f ac t t hat s om eo ne h ad

v is it ed i t- pr ob ab ly t hi s l as t t im e a ro un d, w he n s he a lm os t s ur pr is ed m e. T he

d is pl ay w as c ha ng ed b ec au se o f t hi s. T he re a re o nl y t wo o bv io us w ay s t o g et

u p t he re -t ra ns po rt s om et hi ng u nw ie ld y, a s y ou s ug ge st , a nd c le ar a wa y a l ot

o f c ut le ry b ef or e w e c li mb . O r r ev u p t he s pi ka rd a nd l ev it at e o ur se lv es t o

th e s po t. T he f ir st w ou ld t ak e t oo l on g a nd p ro ba bl y g et u s d is co ve re d. The





s ec on d woul d empl oy s o much p ow er t ha t i t w ou ld d oub tl es s s et o ff an y

magical wards she's installed about the area."

He t ook ho ld of m y ar m and d rew m e on pa st t he d ispl ay.

" We 'v e g ot t o t al k, " h e s ai d, l ea di ng m e i nt o a n a lc ov e cont ai ni ng a

small bench.

H e s ea te d h im se lf a nd f ol de d h is a rm s.

" I' ve g ot t o k no w w ha t t he he ll 's go in g o n, " h e s ai d.

"I c an 't h el p p ro pe rl y un les s I 'm b ri ef ed . W ha t' s t he c on ne ct io n

be tw ee n t he m an a nd t he c ha pe l? "

" I f ig ur ed o ut s om et hi ng I t hi nk m y m ot he r r ea ll y m ea nt w he n s he t ol d

m e, ` Se ek him in t he P it ,' " I e xp la in ed . " Th e f lo or o f t he ch ap el b ea rs

s ty li ze d r ep re se nt at io ns o f t he C ou rt s a nd o f A mb er w or ke d o ut i n t il es . A t

t he ext rem e o f t he C ou rt s' en d i s a r epr es en tat io n of t he Pi t. I ne ve r se t

f oo t i n t hat ar ea w hen I vi si te d t he c hap el . I 'm w il li ng t o b et t he re 's a

w ay l oc at ed t he re , a nd a t t he o th er e nd i s t he p la ce o f h is i mp ri so nm en t. "

H e' d b eg un n od di ng a s I s po ke , t he n, " So y ou w er e g oi ng t o p as s t hr ou gh

a nd f re e h im ?" h e a sk ed .

"Right."

" Te ll m e, d o t he se w ay s h av e t o w or k b ot h w ay s? " h e s ai d.

" We ll , n o. . . . O h, I s ee wh at yo u' re g et ti ng at ."

" Gi ve m e a m or e c om pl et e d es cr ip ti on o f t he c ha pe l, " h e s ai d.

I pr oceeded to do so.

"T hat m ag ic c ir cl e o n t he f lo or i nt ri gu es m e, " h e s ai d. " It m ig ht b e a

means of communicating with him without risking the dangers of presence.

Some sort of image-exchange, perhaps."





"I might ha ve t o f oo l wi th i t a l on g wh il e t o f ig ur e i t ou t; " I sa id,

" un le ss I g ot l uc ky . W ha t I p ro po se d oi ng i s t o l ev it at e, e nt er , u se t he w ay

at the Pi t to r each hi m, f ree hi m, and get t he hel l out . N o subtl et y. N o

f in es se . I f a ny th in g f ai ls t o do w hat w e e xp ec t, w e f or ce o ur w ay t hr ou gh i t

w ith t he s pi ka rd . W e' ll h av e t o m ov e f as t b ec au se t he y' ll b e a ft er u s o nc e

w e s ta rt . "

H e s tar ed p as t m e f or a l on g w hi le, a s i f t hi nki ng ha rd. A t l en gt h, he

a sk ed , " Is t he re a ny w ay h er w ar ds m ig ht b e s et o ff a cc id en ta ll y? "

" Hm. The p as sa ge of a s tr ay magical c ur re nt f ro m t he r ea l P it , I

suppose. It sometimes spews them forth." "What would characterize its

passage?"

"A magical deposit or transformation," I said.

"Could you fake such a phenomenon?"

" I s up po se . B ut w ha t w ou ld b e t he p oi nt ? T he y' d s ti ll i nv es ti ga te , a nd

w it h C or wi n g on e t he y' d r ea li ze i t w as j us t a t ri ck . The ef for t w oul d b e

wasted."

He chuckled.

" Bu t h e w on 't b e m is si ng ," h e s ai d. " I' m g oi ng t o t ak e h is p la ce ."

" I c an 't l et y ou d o t ha t! "

" M y ch oi ce, " he s ai d. " Bu t he 's g oi ng t o n eed t he t im e i f h e' s go ing t o

h el p s to p D ar a a nd M an do r f ro m a dv an ci ng t he c on fl ic t b et we en t he P ow er s

beyond anything at Patternfall."

I sighed.

" It 's t he o nl y w ay ," h e s ai d.

"I guess you're right."

H e u nf ol de d h is a rm s, s tr et ch ed , a nd r os e t o h is f ee t.





" Let 's go do i t," he sai d.

I had t o w or k o ut a spel l, a t hi ng I h adn' t d one r ece nt ly- wel l, hal f of

a sp el l, t he ef fe ct s hal f, as I had t he spi kar d t o j ui ce i t. T hen I lay it

in a s wa th e a c ro s s t he d is pl ay , t ur ni ng p or ti on s o f b la de s i nt o f lo we rs ,

j oi ne d at t he m ol ecu la r l eve l. A s I d id , I f el t a t in gl in g I w as c er ta in w as

t he p sy ch ic a la rm t ak in g n ot e o f t he e nt er pr is e a nd r ep or ti ng i t t o c en tr al .

Then I summoned a l ot of j uice and lof ted us. I f el t t he t ug of t he way

as w e n ea rs i t. I ha d b een al mos t d ea d- on . I l et i t t ak e u s t hr oug h.

He whistled softly on regarding the chapel.

" En jo y, " I s ai d. " It 's t he t re at me nt a g od g et s. "

"Yeah. Prisoner in his own church."

H e s ta lk ed a cr os s t he r oo m, unbuckling his b el t a s he w en t. H e

s ub st it ut ed i t f or t he o ne u po n t he a lt ar .

" Go od c op y, " h e s ai d, "but no t e ven t he P at te rn c an du pl ica te

Grayswandir."

" I t ho ug ht a s ec ti on o f t he P at te rn w as r ep ro du ce d o n t he b la de ."

" Ma yb e i t' s t he o th er w ay a ro un d, " h e s ai d.


" As k t he o th er C or wi n s om et im e, " h e s ai d. " It h as t o d o w it h som et hi ng

we were talking about recently."

H e a pp ro ac he d a nd p as se d t he l et ha l p ac ka ge t o m ew ea po n, s he at h, b el t.

"Be ni ce if you take i t to hi m," he said.

I b uc kl ed i t an d h un g i t o ve r m y h ea d an d s ho ul der .

"O ka y, " I t ol d h im . " We 'd b et te r m ov e. "

I h ea de d t ow ar d the far co rn er o f t he ch ap el . A s I n ea re d t he a re a





w he re t he P it w as r ep re se nt ed I f el t t he u nm is ta ka bl e t ug o f a w ay .

"Eureka!" I said, activating channels on the spikard. "Follow me."

I st ep ped f or wa rd a nd i t t oo k m e a wa y.

W e a rr iv ed i n a c ha mb er o f p er ha ps f if te en f ee t s qu ar e. T he re w as a

w oo de n po st at i ts cen ter a nd t he f lo or wa s of st one w it h som e st raw s tr ew n

up on i t. S ev er al o f t he b ig c an dl es , a s f ro m t he c ha pe l, w er e s po tt ed a bo ut .

Th e w al ls we re o f s to ne o n t wo si de s, w oo d o n t he o th er s. Th e w oo de n walls

c on ta in ed u nl at ch ed w oo de n d o or s . O ne o f t he s to ne w al ls c on ta in ed a

w in do wl es s m et al d oo r, a k ey ho le a t i ts l ef t s id e. A k ey , w hi ch l oo ke d a bo ut

t he r igh t si ze, hun g f rom a nai l i n t he po st .

I t oo k do wn t he ke y an d c hec ked q ui ckl y b eyo nd t he w oo de n d oo r t o my

r ight , di scover ing a l ar ge b ar re l of w at er , a d ip pe r, a nd a v ar ie ty o f

d is he s, c up s, u te ns il s. B eh in d t he o th er d oo r w er e a f ew b la nk et s a nd s ta ck s

o f w ha t w er e p ro ba bl y t oi le t t is su es .

I cr os se d t o t he m et al d oor t he n a nd k no ck ed upon it with t he k ey .

T he re w as n o r es po ns e. I i ns er te d t he k ey i n t he l oc k a nd f el t m y c om pa ni on

t ake hol d of my ar m.

" Be tt er l et m e d o t hat ," h e s ai d. " I t hi nk l ik e hi m, a nd I think I'll

be safer."

I ha d t o agr ee w it h t he w isd om of t hi s, and I st epp ed asi de .

" Co rw in !" h e c al le d o ut . " We 'r e s pr in gi ng y ou ! I t' s y ou r s on M er li n a nd

m e, y ou r d ou bl e. D on 't j um p m e w he n I o pe n t he d oo r, o ka y? W e' ll s ta nd s ti ll

a nd y ou c an t ak e a l ook ."

" O pe n i t, " c am e a v oi ce f ro m w it hi n.





b een s uf fi ci ent f or h im t o h an dl e n ow . H e dr ew a way f ro m m e a nd c ro ss ed t o

the altar.

" We 'd b et te r g o, D ad ."

H e c hu ck le d a s h e r ea ch ed a cr os s t he a lt ar , r ai se d a b ur ni ng t ap er , a nd

u se d i t t o light o ne of t he o th er s t ha t h ad a pp ar en tl y g on e o ut i n s om e

draft.

" I' ve p is se d o n m y ow n gr ave," he a nn ou nc ed . " Ca n' t p as s u p t he

p le as ur e o f l ig ht in g a c an dl e t o m ys el f i n m y o wn c hu rc h. "

H e e xt en de d h is l ef t h an d i n m y d ir ec ti on w it ho ut l oo ki ng a t m e.

"Give me Grayswandir," he said.

I s li pp ed i t o ff a nd p as se d i t t o h im . H e u nf as te ne d i t a nd b uc kl ed i t

a bo ut h is w ai st , l oo se ne d i t i n i ts s he at h. " Al l r ig ht . W ha t n ow ?" h e a sk ed .

I t ho ug ht f as t. I f D an a w as a wa re t ha t I h ad e xi te d through t he wall

last time-a distinct possibility, considering-then the walls might well be

boo by -t ra ppe d i n so me f ashi on. On t he ot her h and , i f w e wen t out t he way I

h ad c om e in w e m ig ht e nc ou nt er s om eo ne r us hi ng t hi s w ay i n a ns we r t o t he

alarm.

Hell.

" Co me o n, " I s ai d, a ct iv at in g t he s pi ka rd , r ea dy t o w hi sk us a wa y a t

t he gli mpse o f a n i nt ru de r. " It 's g oi ng t o b e t ri ck y b ec au se i t i nv ol ve s

levitation on the way out."

I c aug ht ho ld of hi m aga in and w e app roa ched t he wa y. I w rapp ed us in

e ner gi es a s it t oo k us, a nd I l of te d us above t he f iel d of bl ad es and

f lo we rs a s w e d ep ar te d.

T he re w er e f oo tf al ls f ro m u p t he c or ri do r. I s wi rl ed u s a wa y t o a no th er

place.





I t oo k u s t o J ur t' s a pa rt me nt , w hi ch d id n' t s ee m a p la ce an yo ne w as

likely t o c om e l ook ing f or a m an w ho w as s ti ll i n h is c el l; a nd I k new t hat

Jur t had no nee d o f i t j ust t he n.

C or wi n s pr aw le d o n t he b ed a nd s qu in te d a t m e. " By t he w ay ," he s ai d,

"thanks."

"Anytime," I told him.

" Yo u k no w y ou r w ay a ro un d t hi s p la ce p re tt y w el l? " h e s ai d.

" It d oe sn' t s ee m t o h av e c ha ng ed t ha t m uc h, " I t ol d h im .

"Then h ow 's a bo ut raiding an i ce bo x f or me while I b or ro w y ou r

b ro th er 's s ci ss or s a nd r az or f or a q ui ck s ha ve a nd h ai rc ut ."

"What would you like?"

" Me at , b re ad , c he es e, w in e, m ay be a p ie ce o f p ie ," h e s ai d. "Just s o

i t' s f resh and t her e' s l ot s of it . The n you' re goi ng t o have a l ot of st or y

to t el l m e. "

"I guess I am," I sai d.

And so I made my way t o t he kit chen, down f ami li ar hal ls and ways I had

t ra ve rs ed a s a b oy . T he p la ce w as l it by just a few t ap er s, t he fires

b an ke d. N o o ne w as a bo ut .

I p ro ce ed ed t o r ai d t he l ar de r, h ea pi ng a t ra y w it h t he v ar io us v ia nd s

r eq ue st ed , a dd in g a f ew p ie ce s o f f ru it I c am e a cr os s. I a lm os t d ro pp ed t he

wine bot tl e when I h ea rd a s har p i nt ak e of b re at h n ea r t he d oo rw ay I h ad

entered.

It w as Jul ia, i n a bl ue si lk wrap.





"Merlin!"

I cr ossed t o he r.

" I o we y ou s ev er al a po lo gi es ," I s ai d. " I' m r ea dy t o m ak e t he m. "

" I' d h ea rd y ou w er e ba ck. I h ea rd y ou w er e t o b e k ing ."

" Fu nn y, I h ea rd t ha t, t oo ."

" Th en i t w ou ld b e u np at ri ot ic o f m e t o s ta y m ad , w ou ld n' t i t? "

" I n ev er m ea nt t o h ur t y ou ," I s ai d. " Ph ys ic al ly , o r a ny o th er w ay ."

S ud de nl y, w e w er e h ol di ng e ac h o th er . I t l as te d a l on g t im e b ef or e s he

t o l d m e, " Ju rt s ay s y ou 'r e f ri en ds n ow ."

" I g ues s w e sor t of ar e."

I k is se d h er .

"If w e g ot b ac k t og et he r a ga in ," s he s ai d, " he 'd p ro ba bl y t ry t o k il l

you again."

" I k no w. T hi s t im e t he c on se qu en ce s c ou ld r ea ll y b e c at ac ly sm ic , t oo ."

"Where are you going right now?"

"I 'm o n a n e rr an d, a nd i t' s g oi ng t o t ak e m e s ev er al h ou rs ."

" Wh y d on 't y ou s to p b y w he n y ou 'r e f in is he d? W e' ve g ot

a l ot t o t al k a bo ut . I 'm s ta yi ng i n a p la ce c al le d t he W ist er ia R oom

f or n ow . K no w w he re t ha t i s? "

" Ye s, " I s ai d. " Th is i s c ra zy ."

"See you later?"

"Maybe."

The next da y I t ravel ed t o t he Ri m, f or I 'd he ar d r ep or t t ha t t he

P it -d iv er s- t ho se w ho s ee k a ft er a rt if ac ts o f c re at io n b ey on d t he R im -h ad

s u s pe nd ed o pe ra ti on s f or t he f ir st t im e i n a g en er at io n. W he n I q ue st io ne d

them they told me of dangerous activities in the depths-whirlwinds, wings of





fire, blasts of new-minted matter.

S it ti ng i n a s ec lu de d p la ce a nd l oo ki ng d ow n, I u se d t he s pi ka rd I w or e

t o q ue st io n t he o ne I d id n' t. W he n I r em ov ed t he s hi el d i n w hi ch I 'd e nc as ed

it , i t c om me nc ed a st ea dy l it an y, " Go t o M an do r. G et c ro wn ed . S ee yo ur

b ro th er . S ee y ou r m ot he r. B eg in p re pa ra ti on s. " I w ra pp ed i t a ga in a nd p ut i t

a wa y. If I d id n' t d o something s oo n h e w as g oi ng t o s us pe ct t ha t I w as

b ey on d i ts c on tr ol . D id I c ar e?

I c ou ld j us t a bs en t m ys el f, p er ha ps g oi ng a wa y w it h m y f at he r, helping

him a t w ha te ve r s ho wd ow n m ig ht f in al ly d ev el op o ve r h is P at te rn . I c ou ld

e ve n d it ch b ot h s pi ka rd s t he re , e nh an ci ng t he f or ce s i n t ha t p la ce . I c ou ld

still r el y on m y ow n m ag ic i n a pi nc h. Bu t m y p ro bl em wa s r ig ht h er e. I h ad

b ee n b re d a nd c on di ti on ed t o b e a p er fe ct r oy al f lu nk y, u nd er t he c on tr ol o f

my m ot he r, a nd p os si bl y m y b ro th er M an do r. I l ov ed A mb er , b ut I l ove d t he

C ou r ts a s w el l. F le ei ng t o A mb er , w hi le a ss ur in g m y s af et y, w ou ld n o m or e

s ol ve m y p er so na l p ro bl em t ha n r un ni ng o ff w it h m y d ad -o r r et ur ni ng t o t he

S ha do w Ea rt h I a ls o c ar ed f or , w it h o r w it ho ut C or al . N o. T he p ro bl em w as

here-and inside me.

I summoned a filmy to bear me to an elevated way to t ake me b ac k t o

S awal l. As I t rave led, I t hought of what I m ust d o, and I r ea li zed t hat I

w as a fr ai d. I f t hi ng s g ot p us he d a s f ar a s t he y well might, t he re w as a

strong possibility that I would die. Alternatively, I might have to kill

s om eo ne I d id n' t r ea ll y w an t t o.

E it he r w ay , t ho ug h, t he re h ad t o b e s om e r es ol ut io n o r I 'd n ev er k no w

p e ac e a t t hi s p ol e o f m y e xi st en ce .

I w al ke d b es id e a pu rpl e s tr eam b en eat h a g re en s un at op a p ea rl y s ky .





I summon ed a pu rpl e and gr ay bi rd, w hi ch came and sat u pon m y wr ist . I h ad

thought t o d is pa tc h i t t o A mb er w it h a m es sa ge f or R and om . T ry a s I m ig ht ,

h ow ev er , I c ou ld p hr as e n o s im pl e n ot e. T oo m an y t hi ng s d ep en de d o n o th er

t hings. Laughing, I r el ea se d it a nd l ea pt f ro m t he b an k, w he re I s tr uc k

a no th er w ay a bo ve t he w at er .

R et ur ne d t o S aw al l, I m ad e m y w ay t o t he s cu lp tu re hall. By t hen , I

knew what I must try to do and how I must go about it. I stood where I had

stood-how long ago?-regarding massive structures, simple figures, intricate

ones.

"Ghost?" I said. "You in the neighborhood?"

T he re w as n o r es po ns e.

" Gh os t! " I r ep ea te d m or e l ou dl y. " Ca n y ou h ea r m e? "

Nothing.

I d ug o ut m y T ru mp s, l oc at ed t he o ne I h ad d on e f or G ho st wh ee l, b ri gh t

circle.

I r eg ar de d i t w it h s om e i nt en si ty , b ut i t w as s lo w t o g ro w c oo l. This

w as u nd er st an da bl e, c on si de ri ng s om e o f t he o dd a re as o f s pa ce t o w hi ch t hi s

h al l g av e a cc es s. A ls o, i t w as i rr it at in g.

I r ai se d t he s pi ka rd . U si ng i t h er e a t t he l ev el I i nt en de d w ou ld b e

like setting off a burglar alarm. Amen.

I t ouch ed t he Tar ot wi th a l ine of s ubt le f or ce, a t

tempting to enhance the instrument's sensitivity. I maintained my

concentration.

Again, nothing.

I b ac ke d i t w it h m or e f or ce . T he re f ol lo we d a p er ce pt ib le c oo li ng . B ut





t h er e w as n o c on ta ct .

" Gh os t, " I s ai d t hr ou gh c le nc he d t ee th . " Th is i s i mp or ta nt . C om e t o

me."

N o r ep ly. S o I s en t p ow er i nt o t he t hi ng . T he c ar d b eg an t o g lo w a nd

f ra st c ry st al s f or me d u po n i t. Smal l c rac kl in g s ou nd s o cc ur r ed in i ts

vicinity.

"Ghost," I repeated.

A w ea k s en se of h is p re se nc e o cc ur re d t he n, a nd I p ou re d m or e j ui ce

i nt o t he c ar d. I t shat ter ed i n my ha nd, and I caugh t i t i n a w eb of f or ces

a nd he ld all o f t he p ie ce s t og et he r, l oo ki ng l ik e a s ma ll s ta in ed -g la ss

w in do w. I c on ti nu ed t o r ea ch t hr ou gh i t.

" Da d! I 'm i n t ro ub le !" c am e t o m e t hen .

" W he re a re y ou ? W ha t' s t he m at te r? " I a sk ed .

"I followed this entity I met. Pursued her-it. Almost a mathematical

a bs tr ac ti on . C al le d K er gm a. G ot c au gh t h er e a t a n o dd -e ve n d im en si on al

i nt er fa ce , w he re I 'm s pi ra li ng . W as h av in g a g oo d t im e u p u nt il t he n- "

" I k no w K er gm a w el l. K er gm a i s a t ri ck st er . I c an feel your sp at ia l

s it ua ti on. I a m a bo ut t o s en d b ur st s o f e ne rg y t o c ou nt er t he r ot at io n. L et

m e k no w i f t he re a re p ro bl em s. A s s oo n a s y ou 'r e a bl e t o T ru mp t hr ou gh , t el l

m e a nd c om e a he ad ."

I p ul se d i t t hr ou gh t he s pi ka rd a nd t he b ra ki ng e ff ec t b eg an . M om en ts

l at er , h e i nf or me d m e, " I t hi nk I c an e sc ap e n ow ."





"Come on, then."

S ud de nl y, G ho st w as t he re , s pi nn in g a bo ut m e l ik e a m ag ic c ir cl e.

"T hanks , D ad . I really a pp re ci at e t hi s. L et m e k no w i f t he re 's e ve r

anything-"

" Th er e i s, " I s ai d.

"What?"

"Shrink yourself down and hide somewhere about my person."

"Wrist okay again?"

"Sure."

H e d id t ha t t hi ng . T he n, " Wh y? " h e a sk ed .

" I m ay n ee d a s ud de n a ll y, " I r ep li ed .

"Against what?"

"Anything," I said. "It's showdown time."

" I d on 't l ik e t he s ou nd o f t ha t. "

" Th en l ea ve m e n ow . I w on 't h ol d i t a ga in st y ou ."

" I c ou ld n' t d o t ha t. "

" Li st en , G ho st . T hi s t hi ng h as e sc al at ed , a nd a l in e m us t b e d ra wn n ow .

I-"

Th e ai r b ega n t o sh im mer , of f t o m y r ig ht . I kn ew w ha t i t m ean t.

"Later," I said. "Be still."

. . . And t her e was a door way, and it opened t o admit a t ower of green

light: eyes, ears, nose, mouth, limbs cycling about its sea-like range-one

o f t he m or e i ns pi re d d em on ic f or ms I 'd b eh el d o f l at e. A nd , of c ou rs e, I

knew the features.

"Merl in," h e s ai d. " I f el t y ou p ly t he s pi ka rd h er e. " " I t ho ug ht y ou

m ig ht ," I r ep li ed , " an d I a m a t y ou r s er vi ce , M an do r. "





"Really?"

"In all respects, brother."

"Including a certain matter of succession?"

"That in particular."

"Excellent! And what business were you about here?"

" I w as b ut s ee ki ng s om et hi ng I h ad l os t. "

" Th at c an w ai t u po n a no th er d ay , M er li n. W e h av e m uch t o d o j us t n ow ."

" Y es , t ha t i s t ru e. "

" So a ss um e a m or e p le as in g f or m a nd c om e w it h m e. W e m us t d is cu ss t he

m ea su re s you a re t o t ak e u po n a ss um in g t he t hr on e- wh ic h H ou se s a re t o b e

suppressed, who outlawed-"

"I must speak with Dara immediately."

" I w ou ld r at he r l ay s om e g ro un dw or k f ir st . C om e! S hi ft , a nd l et us b e

away!"

" Wo ul d y ou k no w w he re s he i s j us t n ow ?"

" Ga nt u, I b el ie ve . B ut w e w il l c on fe r w it h h er l at er ."

" Yo u w ou ld n' t h ap pe n t o h av e h er T ru mp h an dy , w ou ld y ou ?"

" I f ear not . I t hough t you car ri ed a deck of your own? "

"I d o . Bu t h er s w as i na dv er te nt ly d es t ro ye d o ne n ig ht w he n I w as

drinking."

" No m at te r, " h e s ai d. " We w il l s ee h er l at er , a s I e xp la in ed ."

I h ad be en op eni ng chan nel s o n t he sp ika rd as we sp oke . I cau ght hi m at

t he c en te r o f a whirl wind o f f or ce s. I c ou ld s e e t he t ra ns fo rm at io n

pr o ce du r e within h im , a nd i t w as a s im pl e m at te r t o r ev er se i t, c ol la ps in g





t he gr ee n an d sp in ni ng t ow er i nt o t he f or m o f a whi tehai red man c la d in

b la ck a nd w hi te a nd l oo ki ng v er y i rr it at ed .

"Merlin!" he cried. "Why have you changed me?"

"This t hi ng f as ci na te s m e, " I s ai d, w av in g t he s pi ka rd . " I j us t w an te d

to s ee w het her I c ou ld do i t. "

" No w y ou 'v e s ee n i t, " h e s ai d. " Ki nd ly r el ea se m e t o turn b a ck , a nd

find a more fitting form for yourself."

"A moment," I s ai d, a s h e a tt em pt ed t o m el t a nd f lo w. " I r eq ui re y ou

ju st a s y ou a re ."

I h el d hi m a ga in st h is e ff or t, a nd I d re w a f ie ry r ec ta ngl e i n t he ai r.

A s er ie s o f q ui ck m ov em en ts f il le d i t w it h a r ou gh l ik en es s o f m y m ot he r.

" Me rl in ! W ha t a re y ou d oi ng ?" h e c ri ed .

I s up pr es se d h is e ff or t t o e xt ri ca te h im se lf b y m ea ns of a t r an sp or t

spell.

"Conference time," I announced. "Bear with me."

I d id n' t j us t m ed it at e up on t he i mp ro mpt u T ru mp I h ad h ung i n t he ai r

b ef or e m e, b ut p ra ct ic al ly a tt ac ke d i t w it h a c ha rg e o f t he e ne rg ie s I w as

c yc li ng t hr ou gh m y b od y a nd t he s pa ce a bo ut m e.

S ud de nl y, D ar a s to od w it hi n t he f ra me I h ad c re at ed -t al l , c oa l- bl ac k,

e y es o f g re en f la me .

"Merlin! What's happening?" she cried.

I 'd never hear d of i t b ei ng don e qu it e t hi s w ay bef or e, b ut I hel d the

c on ta ct , willed h er p re se nc e, a nd b le w a wa y t he f ra me . S he s to od b ef or e m e

then, perhaps seven feet tall, pulsing with indignation.

"W ha t i s t he m ea ni ng o f t hi s? " s he a sk ed .

I ca ug ht h er as I ha d M an do r an d co ll aps ed h er d ow n t o hu ma n s cal e.





" De mo cr ac y, " I s ai d " Le t' s a ll l oo k a li ke f or a m in ut e. "

" Th is i s n ot a mu si ng ," s he r es po nd ed , a nd s he b eg an t o c ha ng e b ac k.

I c an ce le d h er e ff or t .

" No, i t i sn' t, " I a ns wer ed . " Bu t I c al le d t hi s m ee ti ng , an d i t w il l b e

r un o n m y t er ms ."

"Very well," she said, shrugging. "What has become so terribly urgent?"

"The succession."

" Th e m at te r i s s et tl ed . T he t hr on e i s y ou rs ."

" An d w ho se c re at ur e a m I t o b e? " I r ai se d m y l ef t h an d, h op in g t he y h ad

n o w ay of telling o ne s pi ka rd f rom a no th er . " Th is t hi ng c on fe rs g re at

p ow er s. I t a ls o c ha rg es f or t he ir us e. I t b or e a s pel l f or contr ol of its

wearer."

"It w as Swayvill's," M and or sa id. "I got i t t o yo u w hen I di d t o

ac cus to m y ou t o t he f or ce of i ts pr es enc e. An d y es, t her e i s a pr ic e. I ts

w ea rer m ust c om e t o t er ms w it h i t. "

"I h ave w re st led wi th i t, " I l ie d, " an d I am i ts m as te r. B ut t he m ai n

problems were not cosmic. They were compulsions of your own installation."

"I do not den y i t," he sai d. " But t her e w as a very g oo d r eas on f or

t hei r p re se nc e. Y ou w er e r el uc ta nt t o t ak e t he t hr on e. I f el t i t n ec es sa ry

t o a dd a n e le me nt o f c om pu ls io n. "


"N ot g ood enoug h," I sai d. " The re wa s m or e t o i t t han t ha t. I t w as a

t hi ng d es ig ne d t o m ak e m e s ub se rv ie nt t o y ou ."

" Ne ce ss ar y, " h e r e sp o nd e d. " Yo u' ve b ee n a wa y. Y ou l ac k i nt im at e

k no wl ed ge o f t he l oc al p ol it ic al s ce ne . W e c ou ld n ot s im pl y l et y ou t ak e t he





r ei ns a nd g o o ff i n y ou r o wn di re ct ion -no t i n times such a s t he se , when

b lu nd er s c ou ld b e v er y c os tl y. T he H ou se n ee de d s om e m ea ns t o c on tr ol y ou .

B ut t hi s w as o nl y t o b e u nt il y ou r e du ca ti on w as c om pl et e. "

" Pe rm it m e t o d ou bt y ou , b ro th er ," I s ai d.

H e g la nc ed a t D ar a, w ho n od de d s li gh tl y.

" He i s r ig ht ," s he s ai d, " an d I s ee n ot hi ng w ro ng w it h s uc h t em po ra ry

c on tr ol until you l ear n t he b us in es s. T oo much i s a t s ta ke t o p er mi t

otherwise."

" It w as a s la ve -s pe ll ," I s ai d. " It w ou ld f or ce m e t o t ak e t he t hr on e,

to follow orders."

Ma nd or l ic ke d h is l ip s. I t w as t he f ir st t im e I 'd ev er s een hi m be tr ay

a sign of nervousness. It instantly made me wary-though I realized moments

l at er t ha t i t m ay h av e b ee n a c al cu la te d d is tr ac ti on . I t c au se d m e t o g ua rd

a ga in st h im i mm ed ia te ly ; a nd , o f c ou rs e, t he a tt ac k c am e f ro m D ar a.

A w ave of heat s we pt ov er me. I shifted my attention a t o nc e,

at tem pt ing t o r ai se a b ar ri er . I t w as n ot a n a tt ac k a ga in st m y p er so n. I t

w as s om et hi ng s oo th in g, c oe rc iv e. I b ar ed m y t ee th a s I f ou gh t t o hol d it

off.

"Mother-" I growled.

" We m us t r es to re t he i mp er at iv es ," s he s ai d f la tl y, m or e t o M an do r t ha n

t o me.

" Wh y? " I a sk ed . " Yo u' re g et ti ng w ha t y ou w an t. "

"The t hr on e i s n ot e no ug h, " s he a nsw er ed . " I d o n ot t ru st y ou i n t hi s,

and reliance will be necessary."

" Yo u n ev er t ru st ed m e, " I s ai d, p us hi ng a wa y t he r em ai ns o f h er s pe ll .

" Th at i s n ot t ru e, " s he t ol d m e, " an d t hi s i s a t ech ni cal m at te r, n ot a





personal one."

"Whatever the matter," I said, "I'm not buying."

M an do r t os se d a p ar al ys is sp el l at m e, an d I p us hed i t a wa y, r ea dy for

anything n ow . A s I w as d oi ng t hi s, D ar a h it m e w it h a n e la bo ra te w or ki ng I

r ec og ni ze d a s a C on fu si on S to rm . I w as n ot a bo ut t o t ry m at ch in g t he m b ot h,

spe ll f or s pel l. A g oo d s or ce re r m ay h av e a h al f d oz en m aj or s pe ll s h un g.

Their judicious employment is generally enough for dealing with most

situations. In a sorcerous duel the strategy involved in their employment is

a m aj or p ar t o f t he g am e. I f b ot h p ar ti es a re s ti ll s tan di ng w he n t he sp el ls

h av e b ee n e xh au st ed , t he n t he y a re r ed uc ed t o f ig ht in g w it h r aw e ne rg ie s.

W ho ev er c on tr ol s a g re at er q ua nt it y u su al ly h as t he e dg e t he n.

I r ai se d a n u mb re ll a a ga in st t he C on fu si on S to rm , p ar ri ed M an d or ' s

Astral Club, held myself together through Mom's Spirit Split, maintained my

s en se s t hr ou gh M an do r' s W el l o f B la ck ne ss . M y m aj or s pe ll s h ad all g on e

st al e, and I had h ung no new ones si nce I 'd begun r el yi ng on t he sp ikar d. I

w as a lr ea dy r ed uc ed t o r el i an ce o n r aw p ow er . F or t un at el y, t he s pi ka rd g av e

me control of more of i t than I 'd ever held befor e. Al l I had t o do was

f or ce t he m t o u se u p t he ir s pe ll s, t he n a ll t ri ck in es s w ou ld b e r em ov ed f ro m

t he s it ua ti on . I w ou ld w ea r t he m d ow n, d ra in t he m.

M an do r s ne ak ed o ne p ar tw ay t hr ou gh , h ur ti ng m e in a b ru sh wit h a n

E le ct ri c P or cu pi ne . I b at te re d h im w it h a w al l o f f or ce , h ow ev er , s la mm in g

h im i nt o a s ys te m o f r ev ol vi ng d is cs t ha t f la sh ed off in all d ir ec ti on s.

Dara turned into a liquid flame, coiling, waving, flowing through circles

a nd f ig ur e- Bi gh ts , a s s he a dv an ce d a nd r e tr e at e d, t oss in g b ub bl es of

e up ho ri a a nd pai n t o o rb it m e. I t ri ed t o b lo w t he m a wa y, h ur ri ca ne -w is e,





shattering the great porcelain face, uprooting towers, family groups with

holes in them, glowing geometries. Mandor fumed to sand, which filtered

d ow nw ar d t hr ou gh t he s tr uc tu re u po n whi ch h e s pr aw le d, b ec am e a yel low

c a rp et , c re pt t ow ar d m e.

I i gn or ed t he e ff ec ts a nd c on ti nu ed t o b ea t a t t he m w it h e ne rg ie s. I

h ur le d t he c ar pe t t hr ou gh t he f la me a nd d um pe d a floati ng f ount ai n u po n

t he m. Br ushing o ut small f ir es in my clot hi ng a nd h ai r, I f or ce d m y

c on sc io us ne ss t hr ou gh n um be d a re as i n m y l ef t s ho ul de r a nd l eg . I f el l a pa rt

a nd d re w m ys el f b ac k t og et he r a ga in a s I m as te re d D ar a' s s pe ll o f U nw ea vi ng .

I s ha tt er ed M an do r' s D ia mo nd B ub bl e a nd d ig es te d t he C ha in s o f D el iv er an ce .

O n t hr ee o cc as io ns , I d ro pp ed m y h um an f or m f or t hi ng s m or e s ui ta bl e, b ut

a lw ay s I r et ur ne d t o i t. I h ad n' t h ad a w or ko ut l ik e this si nce my final

exams with Suhuy.

But the ultimate advantage was obviously mine. Their only real chance

h ad l ai n i n s ur pr is e, a nd t ha t w as g on e n ow . I o pe ne d a ll channels o n t he

spikard, a thing which might have intimidated even the Pattern-though, now I

t ho ug ht o n i t, i t h ad g ot te n m e k no ck ed s en se le ss . I c au gh t M an do r i n a c on e

o f f or ce t ha t st ri pp ed h im d ow n t o a s ke le to n a nd b ui lt h im b ac k u p ag ai n i n

an i nst ant . D ar a was har der to nai l, but when I blast ed her wi th al l of t he

c ha nn el s, s he h it m e w it h a D az zl em en t s pe ll s he 'd b ee n h ol di ng i n r es er v e,

t he only thing t ha t s av ed h er f ro m t ur ni ng i nt o a s ta tu e a s I 'd i nt en de d.

I ns te ad , i t l ef t h er i n m or ta l f or m a nd r es tr ic te d t o s lo w m ot io n.

I s ho ok m y h ea d a nd r ub be d m y e ye s. L ig ht s d an ce d b ef or e m e.

" Co ng ra tu la ti on s, " s he s ai d, o ve r a s pa n o f p er h ap s t en s ec o nd s .

"You're better than I'd thought."

" An d I 'm n ot e ve n f in is he d, " I r ep li ed , b re at hi ng d ee pl y. " It 's t im e t o





do unt o you as y ou' d h ave do ne un to me ."

I b eg an t o c ra ft t he w or ki ng w hi ch w ou ld p la ce t he m u nd er m y c on tr ol .

I t w as t hen t ha t I n ot ic ed h er s ma ll s low sm il e.

"I'd thought-we might-deal with-you-ourselves," she said as the air

b eg an t o s hi mm er b ef or e h er . " I w as -w ro ng ."

Th e S ig n o f t he L og ru s t oo k f or m b ef or e h er . I mm ed ia te ly , h er f ea tu re s

grew more animated.

Then I felt it s t er ri bl e r eg ar d. Wh en it a dd re ss ed m e, t ha t

pastiche-voice tore at my nervous system.

" I h av e b ee n s um mo ne d, " i t s ai d, " to d ea l w it h y ou r r ec al ci tr an ce , o h

ma n w ho w ou ld b e k in g. "

T her e c am e a cr as h f ro m d ow nh il l a s t he h ou se o f m ir ro rs c ol la ps ed . I

l o ok ed in t ha t d ir ec ti on . S o d id D an a. M an do r, j us t n ow s tr ug gl in g t o h is

fe et , d id a ls o.

T he r ef le ct iv e p an el s r os e i nt o t he a ir a nd d ri ft ed t o wa r d u s. Th ey

were quickly deployed all about us, reflecting and re-reflecting our

confrontation from countless angles. The prospect was bewildering, for space

i ts el f s ee me d s om eh ow b en t, t wi st ed n ow i n o ur v ic in it y. A nd i n e ac h i mage

w e w er e s ur ro un de d b y a ci rcl e of l ig ht , t ho ug h I co ul d n ot d et ect i ts

absolute source.

"I stand with Merlin," Ghost said, from somewhere.

"Construct!" the Logrus Sign stated. "You thwarted me in Amber!"

" An d a s ho rt t hw ar t f or t he P at te rn , t oo ," G ho st o bs er ve d. " It s or t of

balances out."

" Wh at a re y ou r w is he s n ow ?"





" Ha nd s off M er li n, " G ho st s ai d. " He 'l l r ul e h er e a s w el l a s r ei gn . N o

strings on him."

Ghost's lights began cycling.

I p ul se d t he s pi ka rd , o pe n o n a ll c ha nn el s, hoping t o l oc at e G ho st ,

g iv e h im a cc es s t o i ts e ne rg ie s. I c ou ld n' t s ee m t o m ak e c on ta ct , t ho ug h.

"I d on 't n ee d t ha t, D ad ," G ho st s ta te d. " I a cc es s s ou rc es i n S ha do w

myself."

" Wh at i s i t t ha t y ou w an t f or y ou rs el f, c on st ru ct ?" t he S ig n i nq ui re d.

" To p ro te ct o ne w ho c ar es f or m e. "

"I can offer you cosmic greatness."

" Yo u a lr ea dy d id . I t ur ne d y ou d ow n t he n, t oo . R em em be r? "

" I r em em be r. A nd I w il l r em em be r. " A j ag ge d t en ta cl e o f t he c on st an tl y

shift ing figur e m ov ed t o wa r d o ne of t he c ir cl es o f l ig ht . T he re w as a

blinding rush of flame when they met. When my vision cleared, however,

nothing had changed. "Very well," the Sign acknowledged. "You came prepared.

I t is no t y et t im e t o w ea ke n m ys el f i n y ou r d es tr uct io n. N ot w he n a no th er

w ai ts f or m e t o f al te r.

"L ad y o f C ha os ," i t s ta te d, " yo u m us t h on or M er li n' s w is he s. If his

r ei gn b e a f oo li sh t hi ng , h e w il l d es tr oy h im se lf b y h is o wn a ct io ns . I f i t

be prudent, you will have gained what you sought without interference."

T he e xp re ss io n o n h er f ac e w as o ne o f d is be li ef .

" Yo u w ou ld b ac k d ow n be fo re a s on o f A mb er a nd hi s t oy ?" s he a ske d.

" We m us t g ive h im w ha t he w an ts ," i t ac kn ow le dge d, " fo r n ow . F or n ow .

. . "

The air squealed about its vanishment. Mandor smiled the smallest of

smiles, reflected to infinity.





" I c an 't b el ie ve t hi s, " s he s ai d, b ec om in g a f lo we rf ac ed c at a nd t he n a

t re e o f g re en f la me .

" Be li ev e a s y ou w ou ld ," M an do r t ol d h er . " He 's w on ."

T he t re e f la re d t hr ou gh i ts a ut um n a nd w as g on e. M an do r n od de d t o m e.

" I j us t h op e y ou k no w w ha t y ou 'r e d oi ng ," h e s ai d. "I k no w wh at I 'm

doing."

" Tak e i t h owe ver y ou w oul d, " h e s ai d, " bu t i f y ou n eed a dv ice I 'l l t ry

t o h el p y ou ."

"Thanks."

" C ar e t o d is cu ss i t o ve r l un ch ?"

" N ot j us t n ow ."

H e s hr ug ge d a nd b ec am e a b lu e w hi rl wi nd .

" T il l l at er t he n, " c am e t he v oi ce o ut o f t he w hi rl wi nd , b ef or e i t b le w

away.

" Th an ks , G ho st ," I s ai d. " Yo ur t im in g' s g ot te n a l ot b et te r. "

" Ch ao s h as a w ea k l ef t, " h e r ep li ed .

I l oc at ed f re sh g ar me nt s o f s il ve r, b la ck , g ra y, a nd w hi te . I t oo k t he m

bac k t o Ju rt 's apa rt men ts wi th m e. I h ad a l ong st or y t o t el l.

W e w al ke d l it tl e- us ed w ay s, p as si ng t hr ou gh S ha do w, c om in g a t l en gt h t o

t he f ina l b at tl ef ie ld o f t he P at te rn fa ll W ar . T he p la ce h ad h ea le d i ts el f

o v er t he y ea rs , l ea vi ng n o i nd ic at io n o f all t ha t h ad t ra ns pi re d t he re .

C or wi n r eg ar de d i t f or a l on g w hi le i n s il en ce .

Then he t urned t o me an d sa id, "It'll t ak e some d oi ng t o sor t

ev er yt hi ng o ut , t o a ch ie ve a m or e p er ma ne nt b al an ce , t o a ss ur e i ts

stability."





"Yes."

" Yo u t hi nk y ou c an k ee p t hi ng s p ea ce fu l o n t hi s e nd f or a w hi le ?"

" Tha t' s t he i de a, " I sa id . " I' ll g iv e i t m y be st sh ot ."




zelazny, roger - the second chronicles of amber 05 - prince of chaos

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