154
Roger Zelazny. Signof chaos  Ro ge r Ze l a zn y TH E AMBE R CHRO NI CL ES - BOOK EI GHT SI GN OF CHAO S  CHAPTER 1  I felt va gue ly uneas y, th ou gh I co ul dn 't sa y wh y. It di d not see m a ll that unu su a l to be dr in ki ng wi th a Wh it e Ra bb it , a sh or t gu y wh o rese mb le d Bert ra nd Ru ss el l, a gr in ni ng Ca t, an d my ol d fr ie nd Lu ke Ra ynard, wh o wa s si ng in g Ir is h ba ll ad s wh il e a pe cu li ar la nd scap e shif te d fr om mu ra l to reality at hi s  ba ck. We ll, I wa s imp res sed by the hu ge blu e Caterpil lar smoki ng the ho ok ah atop the gia nt mu shroo m  bec aus e I kn ow how ha rd it is to ke ep a wa ter pip e lit. Sti ll, tha t was n't it. It wa s a con viv ial scene, and Lu ke was kn ow n to ke ep pr et ty st ra ng e co mp an y on oc ca si on . So wh y sh ou ld I fe el unea sy ?  Th e be er wa s go od an d there was ev en a fr ee lu nc h. Th e de mo ns to rmen ti ng th e re d- ha ir ed wo ma n t i ed t o t he st a ke had bee n so shi n y t h ey' d . hu r t t o l o ok at . Gone now , but t he wh ole t h i n g ha d, been  be au tif ul . Ev er yt hi ng wa s be au tif ul . Wh en Lu ke sa ng of Ga lwa y Bay it ha d be en so sp ar kl in g an d lo ve ly t h at I ' d wa nt ed t o di ve i n and l ose my se l f t here. Sad , t o o.  Some t hi ng t o do wi t h t h e f eel i ng. . . . Yes. Funn y t hought . When Luke sang a sad song I f e l t me la nc ho ly . Wh en it wa s a ha pp y on e I wa s gr ea tl y ch ee red. Th er e seem ed an unus ua l amount of  emp at hy i n t h e ai r . No mat t e r , I gues s. The l i ght . show wa s sup er b . . . .  I si p ped my dr i n k and wa t c he d Hu mp t y t e et er, t h er e at t h e end of t h e ba r . Fo r a mo me nt I t ri e d t o re me mb er wh en I' d co me in to th is pl ac e, but th at cy li nder wa sn 't hi ttin g. It would co me to me , ev en tual ly .  Nice party ....  I wa tc he d and li st en s an d ta st ed an d fe lt , an d it wa s al l gr ea t. An yt hi ng th at ca ug ht my at te nt io n wa s fa sc in at in g. Wa s there so me th in g I' d wa nt ed to ask Lu ke ? It se em ed there wa s, but he was bu sy si ng in g an d I c ou ldn't th in k of it no w, an yw ay .  Wh at ha d I be en do in g be fo re I' d come in to th is pl ac e? Tr yi ng to re ca ll ju st di dn 't seem wo rt h th e ef fo rt either. Not wh en ev er yt hi ng wa s so inte re sting ri gh t he re an d no w.  It seem ed th at it mi gh t ha ve be en so me th in g impo rt ant, th ou gh . Co ul d th at be wh y I fe lt uneasy? Mi ght it be ther e wa s bu si ne ss I ha d le ft un fi ni s he d an d should be ge tt in g ba ck to ?  I tu rn ed to as k th e Ca t bu t he wa s fa di ng ag ai n, st ill seemin g va st ly am us ed . It oc cu rr ed to me th en t h at I, too, coul d do that. Fade, I mean; and go someplace el s e. Was t h at how I had come her e and how I mi gh t de pa rt ? Po ss ib ly . I pu t do wn my dr in k an d ru bbed my ey es an d my te mp le s. Th in gs se em ed to  be sw immi ng in side my he ad , to o.  I sudd en l y r e ca l l ed a pi ct u r e of me . On a gi an t card. A Tr um p. Yes . Th at wa s how I 'd got t e n he r e . Thr o ugh the card. . . .  A ha nd f el l up on my sho ul der and I t u r n ed. I t bel o nge d t o Luk e, wh o gr i n ne d at me as he ed ged up t o t h e bar f or a r e f i ll . Generated b y ABC Amb er LIT Con v erter, http ://ww w .p rocesstext.com/ab clit.html

Zelazny, Roger - The Second Chronicles of Amber 03 - Sign of Chaos

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8/10/2019 Zelazny, Roger - The Second Chronicles of Amber 03 - Sign of Chaos

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Roger Zelazny. Sign of chaos

R og er Z el az ny T HE A MB ER C HR ON IC LE S - B OO K E IG HT S IG N O F C HA OS

  CHAPTER 1

  I f el t v agu el y u ne asy , t ho ug h I c ou ld n' t s ay w hy . I t d id n ot s eem al l t ha t un us ual t o be d ri nk ing w it h aW hi te R ab bi t, a s ho rt g uy w ho r es em bl ed B er tr an d R us se ll , a g ri nn in g C at , a nd m y o ld f ri en d L uk eR ay na rd , w ho w as s in gi ng I ri sh b al la ds w hi le a p ec ul ia r l an ds ca pe s hi ft ed f ro m m ur al t o r ea li ty a t h is back. Well, I was impressed by the huge blue Caterpillar smoking the hookah atop the giant mushroom because I know how hard it is to keep a water pipe lit. Still, that wasn't it. It was a convivial scene, andL uk e w as k no wn t o k ee p p re tt y s tr an ge c om pa ny o n o cc as io n. S o w hy s ho ul d I f ee l u ne as y?

  T he b ee r w as g oo d a nd t he re w as e ve n a f re e l un ch . T he d em on s t or me nt in g t he r ed -h ai re d w om ant ie d t o t he st ake ha d be en so s hi ny t hey' d. h ur t t o l oo k at . Go ne no w, bu t t he w ho le t hi ng h ad, bee n beautiful. Everything was beautiful. When Luke sang of Galway Bay it had been so sparkling and lovelyt hat I 'd w an ted t o di ve i n an d l ose m ys el f t he re. Sa d, t oo .

  Som et hi ng to do wi th t he f eel ing. . . . Yes. Fun ny t ho ught . When Luk e sang a sad song I f el tm el an ch ol y. W he n i t w as a h ap py o ne I w as g re at ly c he er ed . T he re s ee me d a n u nu su al a mo un t o f                  em pa thy i n t he ai r. N o ma tt er , I gue ss. The l ight . sh ow w as su per b. . . .

  I si ppe d m y d ri nk an d w at ch ed H um pt y t ee te r, t he re a t t he en d o f t he b ar . F or a m om en t I t ri ed t o

r em em be r w he n I 'd c om e i nt o t hi s p la ce , b ut t ha t c yl in de r w as n' t h it ti ng . I t w ou ld c om e t o m e, e ve nt ua ll y.  Nice party....

  I w at ch ed a nd l is te ns a nd t as te d a nd f el t, a nd i t w as a ll g re at . A ny th in g t ha t c au gh t m y a tt en ti on w asf as ci na ti ng . W as t he re s om et hi ng I 'd w an te d t o a sk L uk e? I t s ee me d t he re w as , b ut h e w as b us y s in gi nga nd I co ul dn 't t hi nk of i t n ow , a ny wa y.

  W ha t h ad I b ee n d oi ng b ef or e I 'd c om e i nt o t hi s p la ce ? T ry in g t o r ec al l j us t d id n' t s ee m w or th t hee ff or t e it he r. N ot w he n e ve ry th in g w as s o i nt er es ti ng r ig ht h er e a nd n ow .

  I t s ee me d t ha t i t m ig ht h av e b ee n s om et hi ng i mp or ta nt , t ho ug h. C ou ld t ha t b e w hy I f el t u ne as y?M ig ht i t b e t he re w as b us in es s I h ad l ef t u nf in ish ed a nd s ho ul d b e g et ti ng b ac k t o?

  I t ur ne d t o a sk t he C at b ut h e w as f ad in g a ga in , s ti ll s ee mi ng v as tl y a mu se d. I t o cc ur re d t o m e t he nt hat I, too, coul d do that. Fade, I mean; and go someplace el se. Was t hat how I had come her e and howI m ig ht d ep ar t? P os si bl y. I p ut d ow n m y d ri nk a nd r ub be d m y e ye s a nd m y t em pl es . T hi ng s s ee me d t o be swimming inside my head, too.

  I s ud de nl y r ec al led a p ict ur e o f m e. O n a g ia nt ca rd . A T ru mp . Ye s. T ha t w as ho w I 'd go tt en h er e.Thr ough the card. . . .

  A h and f el l u po n m y sh oul der and I t ur ned . I t bel ong ed t o Lu ke, w ho g ri nn ed at me as h e e dge d upt o t he bar f or a r efi ll .

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  " Gr ea t p ar ty , h uh ?" h e s ai d.

  " Ye ah , g re at . H ow 'd y ou f in d t hi s p la ce ?" I a sk ed h im .

  H e s hr ug ge d. " I f or ge t. W ho c ar es ?"

  H e f um ed a wa y, a b ri ef b li zz ar d o f . cr ys ta ls s wi rl in g b et we en u s. T he C at er pi ll ar e xh al ed a p ur pl ec lo ud . A b lu e m oo n w as r is in g.

  W ha t i s w ro ng w it h t hi s p ic tu re ? I a sk ed m ys el f.

  I h ad a s ud de n f ee li ng t ha t m y c ri ti ca l f ac ul ty h ad b ee n s ho t o ff i n t he w ar , b ec au se I c ou ld n' t f oc uson t he anomal ies I fel t must be pr esen t. I kn ew t hat I w as caught u p i n t he moment , but I coul dn' t see m yway clear.

  I was caught up. . .

  I was caught. . . .

  How?

  W el l. . . . I t ha d a ll s ta rt ed wh en I 'd s ha ken my ow n ha nd . No . W ro ng . Th at so un ds l ike Ze n a ndt ha t' s n ot h ow i t w as . T he h an d I s ho ok e me rg ed f ro m t he s pa ce o cc up ie d b y t he i ma ge o f m ys el f o n t hecard that went away. Yes, that was i t. . . . Aft er a f ashi on.

  I c le nc he d m y t ee th . T he m us ic b eg an a ga in . T he re c am e a s of t s cr ap in g s ou nd n ea r t o m y h an d o nt he b ar . W hen I l ook ed I sa w t ha t m y t an ka rd h ad be en r ef il led . M ay be I 'd ha d t oo m uch al rea dy .

M ay be t ha t' s w ha t k ep t g et ti ng i n t he w ay o f m y t hi nk in g. I f um ed a way . I l oo ke d o ff t o m y l ef t, p as t t he place where the mural on the wall became the real landscape. Did that make me a part of the mural? Iwondered suddenly.

  N o m at ter . I f I cou ldn 't t hi nk her e. . . . I beg an r unni ng . . . t o t he l ef t. S om et hi ng ab ou t t hi s pl acew as m es si ng w it h m y h ea d, a nd i t s ee me d i mp os si bl e t o c on si de r t he p ro ce ss w hi le I w as a p ar t o f i t. Ih ad t o g et a wa y i n o rd er t o t hi nk s tr ai gh t, t o d et er mi ne w ha t w as g oi ng o n.

  I w as ac ro ss t he b ar a nd i nt o t ha t i nt er fa ce a re a w her e t he p ai nt ed r ock s a nd t re es b ec am et hr ee -d im en si on al . I p um pe d m y a rm s a s I d ug i n. I h ea d t he w in d w it ho ut f ee li ng i t.

  N ot hi ng t ha t l ay b ef or e m e s ee me d a ny n ea re r. I w as m ov in g, b ut L uk e b eg an s in gi ng a ga in .

  I h al te d. I t ur ne d, s lo wl y, b ec au se i t s ou nd ed a s i f h e w er e s ta nd in g p ra ct ic al ly b es id e m e. H e w as . Iw as o nl y a f ew p ac es r em ov ed f ro m t he b ar . L uk e sm il ed a nd k ep t s in gi ng .

  "W ha t' s g oi ng o n? " I a sk ed t he C at er pi ll ar . " Yo u' re l oo pe d i n L uk e' s l oo p, " i t r ep li ed . " Co me a ga in ?"I s ai d.

  I t b le w a b lu e s mo ke r in g, s ig he d s of tl y, a nd s ai d, " Lu ke 's l oc ke d i n a l oo p a nd y ou 'r e l os t i n t helyrics. 'That's all."

  " Ho w' d i t h ap pe n? " I a sk ed .

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  "I h av e n o i de a, " i t r ep li ed .

  " Uh , h ow d oe s o ne g et u nl oo pe d? "

  "Couldn't tell you that either."

  I t ur ne d t o t he C at , w ho w as c oa le sc in g a bo ut h is g ri n o nc e a ga in .

  " I d on 't s up po se y ou 'd k no w- " I b eg an .

  "I saw hi m com e i n anD I saw you come i n l at er, " sai d t he Cat , sm ir ki ng. " And even f or t his pl acey ou r a rr iv al s w er e s om ew ha t . . . u nu su al -l ea di ng m e t o c on cl ud e t ha t a t l ea st o ne o f y ou i s a ss oc ia te dwith magic."

  I n od de d.

  " Yo ur o wn c om in gs a nd g oi ng s m ig ht g iv e o ne p au se ," I o bs er ve d.

  "I k ee p m y p aw s t o m ys el f, " h e r ep li ed . " Wh ic h i s m or e t ha n L uk e c an s ay ."

  " Wh at d o y ou m ea n? "

  " He 's c au gh t i n a c on ta gi ou s t ra p. "

  "H ow d oe s i t w or k? " I a sk ed .

  But he w as gon e agai n, an d t hi s t ime t he gr in went t oo.

  C on ta gi ou s t ra p? T ha t s ee me d t o i nd ic at e t ha t t he p ro bl em w as L uk e' s, a nd t ha t I h ad b ee n s uc ke di nt o i t i n s ome f as hi on . T hi s f el t r ig ht , t ho ugh i t st il l g ave m e n o i dea as t o w hat t he p ro bl em w as or w ha t Im ig ht d o a bo ut i t.

  I r eac hed f or m y t an kar d. I f I coul dn' t so lve m y pr ob lem , I mi ght as we ll enj oy i t. As I t ook a sl ows ip I b ec am e a wa re o f a s tr an ge p ai r o f p al e, b ur ni ng e ye s

  g az in g i nt o m y o wn . I h ad n' t n ot ic ed t he m b ef or e, a nd t he t hi ng t ha t m ad e t he m s tr an ge w as t ha t t he yo cc up ie d a s ha do wy c om er o f t he m ur al a cr os s t he r oo m f ro m m e

  t ha t, a nd t he f ac t t ha t t he y w er e , mo vi ng , d ri ft in g s lo wl y t o m y l ef t.

  I t w as k in d o f f as ci na ti ng, w he n I l os t s ig ht o f t he e yes b ut w as s ti ll a bl e t o f ol lo w w ha te ver i t w asf ro m t he s wa yi ng o f g ra ss es a s i t p as se d i nt o t he a re a t ow ar d w hi ch I h ad b ee n h ea de d e ar li er . A nd f ar ,f ar o ff t o m y r ig ht be yo nd L uk e- I n ow d et ec te d a s li m g en tl em an i n a d ar k j ac ke t, p al et te a nd b ru sh i nh an d, w ho w as s lo wl y e xt en di ng t he m ur al . I t oo k a no th er s ip a nd r et ur ne d m y a tt en ti on t o t he p ro gr es so f w ha te ve r i t w as t ha t h ad m ov ed f ro m f la t r ea li ty t o 3 -D . A g un me ta l s no ut p ro tr ud ed f ro m b et we en ar oc k a nd a s hr ub ; t he p al e e ye s b la ze d a bo ve i t; b lu e s al iv a d ri pp ed f ro m t he d ar k m uz zl e a nd s te am edu po n t he g ro un d. I t w as e it he r q ui te s ho rt o r v er y c ro uc he d, a nd I c ou ld n' t m ak e u p m y m in d w he th er i twas t he en ti re cr owd of us t hat i t was st udyi ng or m e i n p ar ti cul ar . I l eaned t o one si de an d caugh tHu mp ty by t he bel t or t he n eckt ie , wh ichev er i t w as, j ust as he was ab out t o sl um p t o t he si de ..

  " Ex cu se m e, " I s ai d. " Co ul d y ou t el l m e w ha t s or t o f c re at ur e t ha t i s? "

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  I pointed just as it emerged-many-legged, long-tailed, dark-scaled, undulating, and fast. Its clawsw er e r ed , an d i t r ai se d i ts t ai l a s i t r ac ed t ow ar d u s.

  H um pt y' s b le ar y e ye s m ov ed t ow ar d m y o wn , d ri ft ed p as t.

  " I a m n ot h er e, s ir ," h e b eg an , " to r em ed y y ou r z oo lo gi ca l i gn or - M y G od ! I t' s- "

  I t f la sh ed a cr os s t he d is ta nc e, a pp ro ac hi ng r ap id ly . W ou ld i t r ea ch a s po t s ho rt ly w he re i t s c un ni ngw ou ld b ec om e a t re ad mi ll o pe ra ti on -o r h ad t ha t e ff ec t o nl y a pp li eD t o m e o n t ry in g t o g et a wa y f ro m t hi s place?

  Th e s eg me nt s o f i ts b od y s li d f ro m s id e t o s id e, i t h is se d l ik e a l ea ky p re ss ur e c oo ke r, a nd s te am in gs la ve r m ar ke d i ts t ra il f ro m t he f ic ti on o f p ai nt . R at he r t ha n s lo wi ng , i ts s pe ed s ee me d t o i nc re as e.

  M y l ef t hand j er ked f or war d o f i ts o wn vo li ti on an d a s er ies of w or ds r os e u nbi dden t o m y l ips. I

s po ke t he m j us t a s t he c re at ur e c ro ss ed t he i nt er fa ce I h ad b ee n u na bl e t o p ie rc e e ar li er , r ea ri ng a s i tu ps et a v ac an t t ab le a nd b un ch in g i ts m em be rs a s i f a bo ut t o s pr in g.

  "A Bandersnatch!" someone cried.

  "A frumious Bandersnatch! " Humpty corrected.

  A s I s po ke t he f in al w or d a nd p er fo rm ed t he u lt im at e g es tu re , t he i ma ge o f t he L og ru s s wa m b ef or em y i nn er v is io n. T he d ar k c re at ur e, h av in g j us t e xt en de d i ts f or em os t t al on s, s ud de nl y d re w t he m b ac k,c lu tc he d w it h t he m a ga in st t he u pp er l ef t q ua dr an t o f i ts b re as t, r ol le d i ts e ye s, e mi tt ed a s of t m oa ni ngs ou nd , e xh al ed h ea vi ly , c ol la ps ed , f el l t o t he f lo or , a nd r ol le d o ve r o nt o i ts b ac k, i ts m an y f ee t e xt en de d

u pw ar d i nt o t he a ir .

  T he C at 's g ri n a pp ea re d a bo ve t he c re at ur e. T he m ou th m ov ed .

  "A dead frumious Bandersnatch," it stated.

  T he g ri n d ri ft ed t ow ar d m e, t he r es t o f t he C at o cc ur ri ng a bo ut i t l ik e a n a ft er th ou gh t.

  " Th at w as a c ar di ac a rr es t s pe ll , w as n' t i t? " i t i nq ui re d.

  "I guess so ," I sai d. " It w as sor t o f a r ef lex. Yeah , I r ememb er now. I di d st il l hav e t hat sp ell hangi ngaround. "

  " I t ho ug ht s o, " i t o bs er ve d. " I w as su re t ha t t he re w as m ag ic i nv ol ve d i n t hi s p ar ty ."

  T h e i ma ge o f t he L og ru s w hi ch h ad a pp ea re d t o m e d ur in g t he s pe ll 's o pe ra ti on h ad a ls o s er ve d t he purpose of switching on a small light in the musty attic of my mind. Sorcery. Of course.

  I -M er li n, s on o f C or wi n- am a s or ce re r, o f a v ar ie ty s el do m e nc ou nt er ed i n t he a re as I h av ef re qu en te d i n r ec en t y ea rs . L uc as R ay na rd -a ls o k no wn a s P ri nc e R in al do o f K as hf a- is h im se lf a s or ce re r,a lb ei t o f a s ty le d if fe re nt t ha n m y o wn . A nd t he C at , w ho s ee me d s om ew ha t s op hi st ic at ed i n t he sem at te rs , c ou ld w el l h av e b ee n c or re ct i n a ss es si ng o ur s it ua ti on a s t he i nt er io r o f a s pe ll . S uc h a l oc at io n i so ne o f t he f ew e nv ir on me nt s w he re m y s en si ti vi ty a nd t ra in in g w ou ld d o l it tl e t o i nf or m m e a s t o t he n at ur eo f m y p re di ca me nt . T hi s, b ec au se m y f ac ul ti es w ou ld a ls o b e c au gh t u p i n t he m an if es ta ti on a nd s ub je ct

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t o ' it s f or ce s, i f t he t hi ng w er e a t a ll se lf co ns is ten t. I t st ruc k m e a s so me th in g s im il ar t o c ol or b li nd nes s. Ic ou ld t hi nk o f n o w ay o f t el li ng f or c er ta in w ha t w as g oi ng o n, w it ho ut o ut si de h el p.

  As I m us ed o ve r t he se m at te rs , t he K in g' s h or se s a nd m en a rr iv ed b ey on d t he s wi ng in g d oo rs a t t hef ro nt o f t he p la ce . T he m en e nt er ed a nd f as te ne d l in es u po n t he c ar ca ss o f t he B an de rs na tc h. T he h or se sd ra gg ed t he t hi ng o ff . H um pt y h ad c li mb ed d ow n t o v is it t he r es t r oo m w hi le t hi s w as g oi ng o n. U po n h is

r et ur n h e d is co ve re d t ha t h e w as u na bl e t o a ch ie ve h is f or me r p os it io n a to p- t he b ar st oo l. H e s ho ut ed t ot he K in g' s m en t o g iv e h im a h an d, b ut t he y w er e b us y g ui di ng t he d ef un ct B an de rs na tc h a mo ng t ab le sand they ignored him.

  Luke strolled up, smiling.

  " So t ha t w as a B an de rs na tc h, " h e o bs er ve d. " I' d a lw ay s w on de re d w ha t t he y w er e l ik e. N ow , i f w ec ou ld j us t g et a J ab be rw oc k t o s to p b y- "

  " Sh !" c au ti on ed t he C at . " It m us t b e o ff ' in t he m ur al s om ew he re , a nd l ik el y i t' s b ee n l is te ni ng . D on 't

s ti r i t u p! I t m ay c om e w hi ff li ng t hr ou gh t he t ul ge y w oo d a ft er y ou r a ss . R em em be r t he j aw s t ha t b it e, t hec la ws t ha t c at ch ! D on 't g o l oo ki ng f or t ro ub -"

  T he C at c as t a q ui ck g la nc e t ow ar d t he w al l a nd p ha se d i nt o a nd o ut o f e xi st en ce s ev er al t im es i nquick succession. Ignoring this, Luke remarked, "I was just thinking of the Tenniel illustration."

  T he C at m at er ial iz ed at t he f ar en d o f t he b ar , d ow ned t he H at te r' s dr in k, an d s ai d, " I h ea r t he burbling, and eyes of flame are drifting to the left."

  I gl an ce d a t t he m ur al , a nd I , t oo, sa w t he f ie ry ey es a nd he ar d a p ec ul iar so un d.

  "I t c ou ld b e a ny o f a n um be r o f t hi ng s, " L uk e r em ar ke d.

  T he C at m ov ed t o a r ack be hi nd t he ba r a nd r ea ch ed hi gh u p o n t he w al l t o w her e a st ra ng e w eap onh un g, s hi mm er in g a nd s hi ft in g i n s ha do w. H e l ow er ed t he t hi ng a nd s li d i t a lo ng t he b ar ; i t c am e t o r es t before Luke.

  " Be tt er h av e t he V or pa l S wo rd i n h an d, t ha t' s a ll I c an s ay ."

  L uk e l au gh ed , b ut I s ta re d f as ci na te d a t t he d ev ic e w hi ch l oo ke d a s i f i t w er e m ad e o f m ot h w in gsand folded moonlight. .

  T he n I h ea rd t he b ur bl in g a ga in .

  "Don't just stand there in uffish thought!" said the Cat, draining Humpty's glass and vanishing again.

  S ti ll c hu ck li ng , L uk e h el d o ut h is t an ka rd f or a r ef il l. I s to od t he re i n u ff is h t ho ug ht : T he s pe ll I h adu se d t o d es tr oy t he B an de rs na tc h h ad a lt er ed m y t hi nk in g i n a p ec ul ia r f as hi on . I t s ee me d f or a s ma llm om en t i n i ts a ft er ma th t ha t t hi ng s w er e b eg in ni ng t o c om e c le ar i n m y h ea d. I a tt ri bu te d t hi s t o t he i ma geo f t he L og ru s w hi ch I h ad r eg ar ded b ri ef ly . A nd s o I s um mo ne d i t a ga in .

  Th e S ig n r ose be fo re m e, h ov er ed . I h el d i t t her e. I l ook ed u pon i t. I t s ee med a s i f a co ld wi nd began to blow G through my mind. Drifting bits of memory were drawn together, assembled themselvesi nt o a n e nt ir e f ab ri c, w er e i nf or me d w it h u nd er st an di ng . O f c ou rs e. . . .

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  T he b ur bl in g g re w l ou de r a nd I s aw t he s ha do w o f t he J ab be rw oc k g li di ng a mo ng d is ta nt t re es , e ye sl ik e l and ing l ig ht s, l ot s o f s har p e dge s f or bi ti ng a nd c at chi ng. . . .

  A nd i t d idn 't m at ter a b it . F or I r eal ized now wh at w as g oi ng on , w ho w as r esp on si bl e, ho w an dwhy.

  I b en t o ve r, l ea ni ng f ar f or wa rd , s o t ha t m y k nu ck le s j us t g ra ze d t he t oe o f m y r ig ht b oo t.

  " Lu ke ," I s ai d, " we 'v e g ot a p ro bl em ."

  H e t ur ned aw ay f rom t he ba r a nd gl an ced do wn a t m e.

  " W ha t' s t he m at t er ?" h e a sk ed .

  T ho se o f t he b lo od o f A mb er a re c ap ab le o f t er ri fi c e xe rt io ns . W e a re a ls o a bl e t o s us ta in s om e pretty awful beatings. So, among ourselves, these things tend to cancel out to some degree. Therefore,

one must go about such matters just right if one is to attend to them at all. . . .

  I br ought my f ist up off t he f loor wi th ever yt hing I had behi nd i t, and I caught Lake on t he si de of the       jaw with a blow that lifted him above the ground as it turned him and sent him sprawling across a table

which collapsed, to continue sliding backward the length of the entire serving area where he finally camet o a c ru mp le d h al t a t t he f ee t o f t he q ui et V ic to ri an -l oo ki ng g en tl em an -w ho h ad d ro pp ed h is p ai nt br us ha nd s te pp ed a wa y q ui ck ly w he n L uk e c am e s ki dd in g t ow ar d h im . I r ai se d m y t an ka rd w it h m y l ef t h an da nd p our ed i ts c on ten ts o ver m y r igh t f ist , w hi ch f el t as i f I h ad j ust d ri ven i t a ga ins t a m ou nt ai nsi de. A s Id id t hi s t he l igh ts g re w d im a nd t her e w as a m om en t o f ut te r si le nce .

  T he n I s la mm ed t he m ug b ac k o nt o t he b ar to p. T he e nt ir e p la ce c ho se t ha t m om en t i n w hi ch t o

s hu dd er , a s i f f ro m a n e ar th t re mo r. T wo b ot tl es f el l f ro m a s he lf ; a l am p sw ay ed , t he b ur bl in g g re wf ai nt er . I g la nc ed t o m y l ef t a nd s aw t ha t t he e er ie s ha do w o f t he J ab be rw oc k h ad r et re at ed s om ew ha tw it hi n t he t ul ge y w oo d. N ot o nl y t ha t, t he p ai nt ed s ec ti on o f t he p ro sp ec t n ow e xt en de d a g oo d d ea lf ar th er i nt o w ha t h ad s ee me d n or ma l s pa ce , a nd i t l oo ke d t o b e c on ti nu in g i ts a dv an ce i n t ha t d ir ec ti on ,f re ez in g t ha t c or ne r o f t he w or ld i nt o f la t i mm ob il it y. I t b ec am e a pp ar en t f ro m w hi ff le t o w hi ff le t ha t t heJ ab be rw oc k w as n ow m ov in g a wa y, t o t he l ef t, h ur ry in g a he ad o f t he f la tn es s. T we ed le du m,T we ed le de e, t he D od o, a nd t he F ro g b eg an p ac ki ng t he ir i ns tr um en ts .

  I s ta rt ed a cr os s t he b ar t ow ar d L uk e' s s pr aw le d f or m. T he C at er pi l Ia r w as d is as se mb li ng h ishoo kah, a nd I sa w t hat hi s mus hr oom was t il ted at an odd ang le. Th e W hi te Ra bbi t beat i t dow n a ho le

t o t he r ea r, an d I he ad H um pt y mu tt er in g c ur se s a s h e s wa yed at op t he b ar s to ol he ha d j us t s uc ce ed edin mounting.

  I s al ut ed t he g en tl em an w it h t he p al et te a s I a pp ro ac he d.

  "S or ry t o d is tu rb y ou ,' ' I s ai d. " Bu t b el ie ve m e, t hi s i s f or t he b et te r. "

  I r ai se d L uk e' s l im p f or m a nd s lu ng h im o ve r m y s ho ul de r. A f lo ck o f p la yi ng c ar ds f le w b y m e. Id ew a wa y f ro m t he m i n t he ir r ap id p as sa ge .

  " Go od ne ss ! I t' s f ri gh te ne d t he J ab be rw oc k! " t he m an r em ar ke d, l oo ki ng p as t m e.

  " Wh at h as ?" I a sk ed , n ot r ea ll y c er ta in t ha t I w is he d t o k no w.

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  " Th at ," h e a ns we re d, g es tu ri ng t ow ar d t he f ro nt o f t he b ar .

  I l oo ke d a nd I s ta gg er ed b ac k a nd I d id n' t b la me t he J ab be rw oc k a b it .

  I t w as a t we lv e- fo ot F ir e A ng el t ha t h ad j us t e nt er ed ru ss et -c ol or ed , w it h w in gs l ik e s ta in ed -g la sswindowsand, along with intimations of mortality, it brought me recollections of a praying mantis, with a

s pi ke d c ol la r a nd t ho rn li ke c la ws p ro tr ud in g t hr ou gh i ts s ho rt f ur a t e ve ry s ug ge st io n o f a n a ng le . O ne o f                  t he se , i n f ac t, c au gh t o n a nd u nh in ge d a s wi ng in g d oo r a s i t c am e i ns id e. I t w as a C ha os b ea st -r ar e,dea dl y, a nd , hi ghl y i nt el li gen t. I hadn 't seen on e i n y ear s, a nd I 'd no de si re t o see one no w; al so , I 'd nod ou bt t ha t I w as t he r ea so n i t w as h er e. F or a m om en t I r eg re tt ed h av in g w as te d m y c ar di ac a rr es t s pe llo n a m er e B an de rs na tc h- un ti l I r ec al le d t ha t F ir e A ng el s h av e t hr ee h ea rt s. I g la nc ed q ui ck ly a bo ut a s i ts pi ed m e, g av e v oi ce t o a b ri ef h un ti ng w ai l, a nd a dv an ce d.

  " I' d l ike t o hav e h ad som e t im e t o spea k w it h yo u, " I t ol d t he ar ti st . " I l ike yo ur wor k.Unfortunately-"

  "I understand."

  "So long."

  " Go od l uc k. "

  I s te ppe d d ow n i nt o t he r ab bi t ho le a nd r an , b en t f ar f or wa rd be cau se o f t he l ow o ver hea d. Lu kem ad e m y p as sa ge p ar ti Öu la rl y a wk wa rd , e sp ec ia ll y o n t he t ur ns . I h ea rd a s cr ab bl in g n oi se f at t o t her ea r, w it h a r ep et it io n o f t he h un ti ng w ai l. I w as c on so le d; h ow ev er , b y t he k no wl ed ge t ha t t he F ir e A ng elw ou ld . a ct ua ll y h av e t o e nl ar ge s ec ti on s o f t he t un ne l i n o rd er t o g et b y. T he b ad n ew s w as t ha t i t w asÖapable of doing it. The creatures are incredibly strong and virtually indestructible.

  I k ep t r un ni ng t il l t he f lo or d ip pe d b en ea th m y f ee t.

  Th en I b eg an f al li ng . I r ea ch ed o ut w it h m y f re e h an d t o Ö at ch m ys el f, b ut t he re w as n ot hi ng t oc at Öh h ol d o f. T he b ot to m h ad f al le n o ut . G oo d. T ha t w as t he w ay I 'd h op ed a nd h al f e xp ec te d i t w ou ld be. Luke uttered a single soft moan but did not stir.

  W e f el l. D own , d ow n, d ow n, l ike t he m an sa id . I t wa s a w el l, a nd ei the r i t w as v er y d eep or w ew er e f al li ng v er y s lo wl y. T he re w as t wi li gh t a ll a bo ut u s, a nd I c ou ld n ot d is ce rn d ie w al ls o f t he s ha ft . M yhe ad c lea red a b it f ur th er , an d I kn ew t hat i t wo ul d con ti nue t o do s o f or as l ong a s I ke pt co nt rol o f on e

v ar ia bl e: L uk e. H ig h i n t he a ir o ve rh ea d I h ea rd t he h un ti ng w ai l o nc e a ga in . I t w as f ol lo we d i mm ed ia te ly by a strange burbling sound. Frakir began pulsing softly upon my wrist again, not really telling me anythingI d id n' t a lr ea dy k no w. S o I s il en ce d h er a ga in .

  Clearer yet . I began to r emember . . . . My assaul t on t he Keep of the Four Wor lds and my recover yo f L uk e' s m ot he r, J as ra . T he a tt ac k o f t he w er eb ea st . M y o dd v is it w it h V in ta B ay le , w ho w as n' t r ea ll yw ha t s he s ee me d.

  . M y d in ne r i n D eat h A ll ey . . . . Th e D wel le r, Sa n F ra nci sco , t he c ry st al c av e. . . . C le ar er a ndclearer.

  . . . A nd l oud er and l ouder t he hunt in g ,w ai l of t he Fi re Angel above me. I t m ust hav e mad e i tt hr ou gh t he t un ne l a nd b e d es ce nd in g n ow . U nf or tu na te ly , i t p os se ss ed w in gs , w hi le a ll I c ou ld d o w asfall.

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  I g la nc ed u pw ar d. C ou ld n' t m ak e o ut i ts f or m, t ho ug h. T hi ng s s ee me d d ar ke r u p t ha t w ay t ha n d ow n below. I hoped this was a sign that we were approaching something in the nature of a light at the end of         t he t unn el, as I coul dn' t t hi nk of any ot her way out . It was t oo dar k t o vi ew a Tr ump or t o di st ingui she no ug h o f t he p as si ng s ce ne t o c om me nc e a s ha do w s hi ft .

  I f el t w e w er e d ri ft in g n ow , r at he r t ha n f al li ng , a t a r at e t hat m ig ht p er mi t u s t o l an d i nt act . S ho ul d i ts ee m o th er wi se w he n w e n ea re d t he b ot to m, t he n a p os si bl e m ea ns o f f ur th er s lo wi ng o ur d es ce nt c am et o m in d- an a da pt at io n o f o ne o f t he s pe ll s I s ti ll c ar ri ed w it h m e.

  H ow ev er , t he se c on si de ra ti on s w er e n ot w or th m uc h s ho ul d w e b e e at en o n t he w ay d ow n- ad is ti nc t p os si bi li ty , u nl es s o f c ou rs e o ur p ur su er w er e n ot a ll t ha t h un gr y, i n w hi ch c as e i t m ig ht o nl yd is me mb er u s. C on se qu en tl y, i t m ig ht b ec om e n ec es sa ry t o t ry s pe ed in g u p t o s ta y a he ad o f t he beast-which of course would cause us to smash when we hit.

  Decisions, decisions.

  L uk e s ti rr ed s li gh tl y u po n m y s ho ul de r. I h op ed h e w as n' t a bo ut t o c om e a ro un d, a s I d id n' t h av et im e t o m es s w it h a sl eep -sp el l a nd I w asn 't r ea ll y i n a g ood p osi ti on t o s lug h im a ga in. Th at pr et ty m uchleft Frakir.

  B ut i f h e w er e b or de rl in e, t he n c ho ki ng m ig ht s er ve t o r ou se h im r at he r t ha n s en d h im b ac k- an d I d idw an t h im i n d ec en t s ha pe . H e k ne w t oo m an y t hi ng s I d id n' t, t hi ng s I n ow n ee de d.

  W e p as se d t hr ou gh a s li gh tl y b ri gh te r a re a, a nd I w as a bl e t o d is ti ng ui sh t he w al ls o f t he s ha ft f or t hef ir st t im e a nd t o n ot e t ha t t he y w er e c ov er ed w it h g raf fi ti i n a l an gu ag e t ha t I d id no t u nd er st an d. I w asr em in de d o f a s tr an ge s ho rt s to ry b y J am ai ca K in ca id , b ut i t b or e m e n o

  clues for deliverance. Immediately following our passage through that band of illumination, Id is ti ng ui sh ed a s ma ll s po t o f l ig ht f ar b el ow . A t a lm os t t he s am e m om en t' I h ea rd t he w ai l o nc e a ga in , t hi stime very near.

  I l oo ke d u p i n t im e t o b eh ol d t he F ir e A ng el p as si ng t hr ou gh t he g lo w. B ut t he re w as a no th er s ha pecl os e b eh in d i t, an d i t w or e a v est a nd bu rb le d. T he Ja bb er woc k w as al so o n t he w ay do wn , an d i ts ee me d t o b e m ak in g t he b es t t im e o f a ny o f u s. T he q ue st io n o f i ts p ur po se w as i mm ed ia te ly p ro mi ne nt ;a s i t g ai ne d, t he c ir cl e o f l ig ht g re w a nd L uk e s ti rr ed a ga in . T hi s q ue st io n w as q ui ck ly a ns we re d;h ow ev er , a s i t c au gh t u p w it h t he F ir e A ng el a nd a tt ac ke d.

  The whiffling, the wailing, and the burbling suddenly echoed down the shaft, along with hissing,s cr ap in g, a nd o cc as io na l s na rl s. T he t wo b ea st s c am e t og et he r a nd t or e a t e ac h o th er , e ye s l i ke d yi ngs un s, c la ws l ik e b ay on et s, f or mi ng a h el li sh m an da la i n t he p al e l ig ht w hi ch n ow r ea ch ed t he m f ro m below. While this produced a round of activity too near at hand for me to feel entirely at ease, it did servet o s lo w t he m t o t he p oi nt w he re I f el t I n ee d n ot r is k a n i ll -s ui te d s pe ll a nd a n a wk wa rd m an eu ve r t oe me rg e f ro m t he t un ne l i n o ne p ie ce .

  "Argh!" Luke remarked, turning suddenly within my grasp.

  " I a gr ee ," I s ai d. " Bu t l ie s ti ll , w il l y ou ? W e' re a bo ut t o c ra sh -"

  " -a nd b ur n, " h e s ta te d, t wi st i ng h is h ea d u pw ar d t o r eg ar d t he c om ba ta nt m on st er s, t he n d ow nw ar dw he n h e r ea li ze d t ha t w e w er e f al li ng , t oo . " Wh at k in d o f t ri p i s t hi s? "

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  " A bad one ," I an swe red, an d t hen i t hi t me: Th at w as exac tl y wha t i t was .

  T he o pe ni ng w as e ve n l ar ge r n ow , a nd o ur v el oc it y s uf fi ci en t f or a b ea ra bl e l an di ng . O ur r ea ct io n t ot he s pe ll t ha t I c al le d t he G ia nt 's S la p w ou ld p ro ba bl y s lo w u s t o a s ta nd st il l o r e ve n p ro pe l u s b ac kw ar d.B et te r t o c ol le ct a f ew b ru is es t ha n b ec om e a t ra ff ic o bs tr uc ti on a t t hi s p oi nt .

  A ba d t ri p i nde ed. I w as t hi nki ng o f Ra nd om 's wo rd s as w e p ass ed t hr oug h t he op en in g at a c ra zya ng le , h it d ir t, a nd r ol le d.

  W e had com e t o r est w ith in a cave, near t o i ts mou th. Tunnel s r an of f t o t he r igh t and t he l ef t. T hec av e m ou th w as a t m y b ac k. A q ui ck g la nc e s ho we d i t a s o pe ni ng u po n a b ri gh t, p os si bl y l us h, a nd m or et ha n a l it tl e o ut of f oc us v al le y. L uk e w as s pr aw le d u nm ov in g b es id e m e. I g ot t o m y f ee t i mm ed ia te ly a ndc au gh t h ol d o f h im b en ea th t he a rm pi ts . I b eg an d ra gg in g h im b ac k a wa y f ro m t he d ar k o pe ni ng f ro mw hi ch w e h ad j us t e me rg ed . T he s ou nd s o f t he m on st ro us c on fl ic t w er e v er y n ea r n ow .

  G oo d t ha t L uk e s ee me d u nc on sc io us a ga in . H is c on di ti on w as b ad e no ug h f or a ny A mb er it e, i f m yg ue ss w er e c or re ct . B ut f or o ne o f s or ce ro us a bi li ty i t r ep re se nt ed a h ig hl y d an ge ro us w il d c ar d o f a s or tI 'd n ev er e nc ou nt er ed b ef or e. I w as n' t a t a ll c er ta in h ow I s ho ul d d ea l w it h i t.

  I d ra gg ed h im t ow ar d t he r ig ht ha nd t un ne l b ec au se i t w as t he s ma ll er o f t he t wo a nd w ou ldt he or et ic al ly b e a b it e as ie r t o d ef en d. W e h ad b ar el y a ch ie ve d i ts s he lt er w he n t he t wo b ea st s f el lt hr ou gh t he o pe ni ng , c lu tc hi ng a nd t ea ri ng a t e ac h o th er . T he y c om me nc ed r ol li ng a bo ut t he f lo or o f t hec av e, c la ws c li ck in g, u tt er in g h is se s a nd w hi st le s a s t he y t or e a t e ac h o th er . T he y s ee me d t o h av ef or go tt en u s e nt ir el y; a nd I c on ti nu ed o ur r et re at u nt il w e w er e w el l b ac k i n t he t un ne l.

  I c ou ld o nl y a ss um e R an do m' s g ue ss t o b e c or re ct . . A ft er a ll , h e w as a m us ic ia n a nd h e' d p la ye d a ll

o ve r S ha do w. A ls o, I c ou ld n' t c om e u p w it h a ny th in g b et te r.

  I sum moned t he Sign of the Logr us. W hen I had it cl ear and had meshed my hands wi th i t, I mi ghth av e u se d i t t o s tr ik e- a t t he f ig ht in g b ea st s. B ut t he y w er e p ay in g m e n o h ee d w ha ts oe ve r, a nd I 'd n od es ir e t o a tt ra ct t he ir a tt en ti on . A ls o, I 'd n o a ss ur an ce t ha t t he e qu iv al en t o f b ei ng h it b y a t wo -b y- fo ur  w ou ld h av e m uc h e ff ec t o n t he m. B es id es , m y o rd er w as r ea dy , a nd f il li ng i t t oo k p re ce de nc e.

  S o I r ea ch ed .

  I t t oo k a n i nt er mi na bl e t im e. T he re w as a n e xt re me ly w id e a re a o f S ha do w t o p as s t ho ug h b ef or e I

f ound what I w as l ooking f or. Then I had to do i t agai n. And again. Ther e wer e a num ber of t hin gs Iw an te d, a nd n on e o f t he m n ea r.

  I n t he m ea nt im e, t he c om ba ta nt s s ho we d n o s ig n o f s la ck en in g, a nd t he ir c la ws s tr uc k s pa rk s f ro mt he c av e' s w al ls . T he y h ad c ut e ac h o th er i n c ou nt le ss p la ce s a nd w er e n ow c ov er ed w it h d ar k g or e.L uk e h ad a wa ke ne d d ur in g a ll o f t hi s, p ro pp ed h im se lf , a nd w as s ta ri ng f as ci na te d a t t he c ol or fu l c on fl ic t.H ow l ong i t m ig ht h ol d hi s at te nt io n I c oul d n ot t el l. I t w ou ld be i mp or tan t f or m e t o h av e h im aw ake v er ys oo n n ow , a nd I w as p le as ed t ha t h e h ad n ot s ta rt ed t hi nk in g o f o th er m at te rs y et .

  I w as c hee ri ng , b y t he w ay , f or t he Ja bb er wo ck. I t w as j us t a n as ty b ea st a nd ne ed n ot h av e b ee nh om in g i n o n m e i n p ar ti cu la r w he n i t w as d is tr ac te d b y t he a rr iv al o f i ts e xo ti c n em es is . T he F ir e A ng elh ad b ee n p la yi ng a n e nt ir el y d if fe re nt g am e. T he re w as n o r ea so n f or a F ir e A ng el t o b e s ta lk in g ab ou tt hi s f ar f ro m C ha os u nl es s i t h ad b ee n s en t: T he y' re d ev il is h h ar d t o c ap tu re , h ar de r t o t ra in , a ndd an ge ro us t o h an dl e. S o t he y r ep re se nt a c on si de ra bl e e xp en se a nd h az ar d. O ne d oe s n ot i nv es t i n a F ir e

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A ng el l ig ht ly . T he ir m ai n p ur po se i n l if e i s k il li ng , a nd t o m y k no wl ed ge n o o ne o ut si de t he C ou rt s o f                  C ha os h as e ve r e mp lo ye d o ne : T he y' ve a v as t a rr ay o f s en se ss om e o f t he m, a pp ar en tl y, p ar an or ma l- an dt he y c an b e u se d a s S ha do w b lo od ho un ds . T he y d on 't w an de r t hr ou gh S ha do w o n t he ir o wn , t ha t Ik no w o f. B ut a S ha dow wal ke r ca n b e t ra ck ed , an d F ir e A ng el s s ee m t o b e a bl e t o f ol low a v er y c ol dt ra il o nc e t he y' ve b ee n i mp ri nt ed w it h t he v ic ti m' s i de nt it y. N ow , I h ad b ee n t ru mp ed t o t ha t c ra zy b ar ,a nd I d id n' t k no w t he y c ou ld f ol lo w a T ru mp j um p, b ut s ev er al o th er p os si bi li ti es o cc ur re d t o

me=including someone's locating me, transporting the thing to my vicinity, and turning it loose to do its business. Whatever the means, though, the attempt had the mark of the Courts upon it. Hence, my quick conversion to Jabberwock fandom.

  " Wh at 's g oi ng o n? " L uk e a sk ed m e s ud de nl y, a nd t he w al ls o f t he c av e f ad ed f or a m om en t a nd Ih ea rd a f ai nt s tr ai n o f m us ic .

  " It 's t ri ck y, " I s ai d. " Li st en , i t' s t im e f or y ou r m ed ic in e. "

  I d ump ed out a pal mf ul of t he vi tam in B1 2 t abs I h ad j ust br ou ght i n and un capp ed t he wat er bo tt le I

had also summoned.

  " Wh at m ed ic in e? " h e a sk ed a s I p as se d t he m t o h im . " Do ct or 's o rd er s, " I s ai d. " Ge t y ou b ac k o ny ou r f ee t f as te r. "

  "Well, okay."

  He t hr ew a ll o f t he m i nt o h is m ou th a nd d ow ne d t hem w it h a s in gl e b ig d ri nk .

  "Now these."

  I o pe ne d t he b ot tl e o f T ho ra zi ne . T he y w er e 2 00 m il li gr am s e ac h a nd I d id n' t k no w h ow m an y t og iv e h im , s o I d ec id ed o n t hr ee . I g av e h im s om e . tr yp to ph an , t oo , a nd s om e p he ny la la ni ne .

  He s ta re d a t t he p il ls . T he w al ls f ad ed a ga in , t he m us ic r et ur ne d. A c lo ud o f b lu e s mo ke d ri ft ed p as tu s. S ud de nl y t he b ar c am e i nt o v ie w, b ac k t o w ha te ve r p as se d f or n or ma l i n t ha t p la ce . T he u ps et t ab le sh ad b ee n r ig ht ed , H um pt y s ti ll t ee te re d, t he m ur al w en t o n.

  " He y, t he c lu b! " L uk e e xc la im ed . " We o ug ht t o h ea d b ac k. L oo ks l ik e t he p ar ty 's j us t g et ti ng g oi ng ."

  "First, you take your medicine."

  " Wh at 's i t f or ?"

  " Yo u g ot s om e b ad s hi t s om ew he re . T hi s i s t o l et y ou d ow n e as y. "

  " I d on' t f eel ba d. I n f act , I f ee l r ea l g ood -"

  "Take it!"

  "Okay! Okay!"

  H e t os se d o ff t he w ho le f is tf ul .

  T he J ab be rw oc k a nd t he F ir e A ng el s ee me d t o b e f ad in g n ow -a nd m y l at es t e xa sp er at ed g es tu re i n

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t he v ic in it y o f t he b ar to p h ad e nc ou nt er ed s om e r es is ta nc e, t ho ug h t he t hi ng w as n ot f ul ly s ol id t o m e y et .S ud de nl y, t he n, I n ot ic ed t he C at , w ho se g am es w it h s ub st an ti al it y s om eh ow a t t hi s p oi nt m ad e i t s ee mm or e r ea l t ha n a ny th in g e ls e i n t he p la ce .

  " Yo u c om in g o r g oi ng ?" i f a sk ed .

  L u ke b eg an t o r is e. T he l ig ht g re w b ri gh te r, t ho ug h m or e d if fu se .

  " Uh , L uk e, l oo k o ve r t he re ," I s ai d, p oi nt i ng

  " W he re ?" h e a sk ed , t ur ni ng h is h ea d.

  I s lu gg ed h im a ga in .

  As h e co ll ap se d, t he ba r b eg an t o f ad e. T he w al ls o f t he c ave p ha sed b ack i nt o f ocu s. I h ear d t heCa t' s v oi ce. " Goi ng . . . " i t sai d.

  T he n oi se s r et ur ne d f ul l b la st , o nl y t hi s t im e t he d om in an t s ou nd w as a b ag pi pe li ke s qu ea l. I t w asc om in g f ro m t he J ab be rw oc k, w ho w as p in ne d t o t he g ro un d a nd b ei ng s la sh ed a t. I d ec id ed t he n t o u set he F ou rt h o f J ul y s pe ll I h ad l ef t o ve r f ro m m y a ss au lt o n t he c it ad el . I r ai se d m y h an ds a nd s po ke t hewords. I moved i n fr ont of Luke to block his view as I did so, and I l ooked away and squeezed my eyess hu t as I s ai d t he m. E ve n t hr ou gh cl os ed e yes I co ul d t el l t he re f ol low ed a b ri ll ian t f las h of l ig ht . I he ar dL uk e s ay , ` `H ey !" b ut a ll o th er s ou nd s c ea se d a br up tl y. W he n I l oo ke d a ga in I s aw t ha t t he t woc re at ur es l ay a s i f s tu nn ed , u nm ov in g, t ow ar d t he f ar s id e o f t he s ma ll c av e.

  I gr abb ed hol d o f L uke' s h and an d d rew hi m up and ov er my sho ul de rs i n a f ir ema n' s car ry . Th en Ia dv an ce d q ui ck ly i nt o t he c av e, sl ip pi ng o nl y o nc e o n m on st er b lo od a s I e dg ed m y w ay al on g t he

n ea re st w al l, h ea di ng f or t he c av e m ou th . T he c re at ur es b eg an t o s ti r b ef or e I m ad e i t o ut , b ut t he ir  m ov em en ts w er e m or e r ef le xi ve t ha n d ir ec te d. I p au se d a t t he o pe ni ng w he re I b eh el d a n e no rm ou sf lo wer ga rde n i n f ul l b lo om . A ll of t he f low er s w er e at l ea st as t al l a s m ys el f, a nd a sh if ti ng br eez e b or eme an overpowering redolence.

  M om en ts l at er I h ea rd a m or e d ec is iv e m ov em en t a t m y b ac k a nd I t ur ne d. T he J ab be rw oc k w asd ra wi ng i ts el f t o i ts f ee t. T he F ir e A ng el w as s ti ll c ro uc he d a nd w as m ak in g s ma ll p ip in g n oi se s. T heJ ab be rw oc k s ta gg er ed b ac k, s pr ea di ng i t s w in gs , t he n s ud de nl y t ur ne d, b ea t t he a ir , a nd f le d b ac k u p t hehi gh h ol e i n t he c lef t at t he r ear o f t he c av e. N ot a b ad i dea , I de ci ded, as I h ur ri ed o ut i nt o t he gar den .

  H e re t he a ro ma s w er e e ve n s tr on ge r, t he f lo we rs , m os tl y i n b lo om , a f an ta st ic c an op y o f c ol or s a s In os he d a mo ng t he m. I f ou nd m ys el f p an ti ng a ft er a s ho rt w hi le , b ut I j og ge d o n n ev er th el es s. L uk e w ash ea vy , b ut I w an te d t o p ut a s m uc h d is ta nc e a s I c ou ld b et we en o ur se lv es a nd t he c av e. C on si de ri ngh ow f as t ou r p ur su er c ou ld m ov e, I w as n' t s ur e t he re w as su ff ici en t t im e t o f oo l w it h a T rum p y et .

  A s I h ur ri ed a lo ng I b eg an f ee li ng s om ew ha t w oo zy , a nd m y e xt re mi ti es s ee me d e xt re me ly d is ta nt . I to cc ur re d t o m e i mm ed ia tel y t ha t t he f lo we r s me ll s m ig ht b e a b it n ar co ti c. G re at . T ha t w as al l I n ee de d,t o ge t c au ght u p i n a d ru g h ig h w hi le t ryi ng t o br in g L uke ba ck f rom o ne . , I co ul d m ake ou t a si ll , s li gh tl ye le vat ed c le ar in g i n t he d is ta nc e, t ho ug h, a nd I h ea de d f or i t. H op ef ul ly , w e c ou ld r es t t he re f or a b it w hi leI r eg ai ne d m y m en ta l f oo ti ng a nd d ec id ed w ha t t o d o n ex t. S o f ar , I c ou ld d et ec t n o s ou nd s o f p ur su it .

  Rushing on, I could feel myself beginning to reel. My equilibrium was becoming impaired. I suddenlyf elt a f ear of f al li ng, al most aki n t o acr ophobi a. F or i t occur red t o me that i f I f el l I mi ght not be able t or is e a ga in , t ha t I m ig ht s uÖ cu mb t o a d ru gg ed s le ep a nd b e d is co ve re d a nd d is pa tc he d b y t he c re at ur e o f                  

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C ha os w hi le I d oz ed . O ve rh ea d, t he c ol or s o f t he f lo we rs r an t og et he r, f lo wi ng a nd t an gl in g l ik e a m as so f r ib bo ns i n a b ri gh t s tr ea m. I t ri ed t o c on tr ol m y b re at hi ng, t o t ak e i n a s l it tl e o f t he ef fl uv ia a s p os si bl e.B ut t hi s w as d if fi cu lt , a s w in de d a s I w as b ec om in g.

  B ut I d id n ot f al l, t ho ug h I c ol la ps ed b es id e L uk e a t t he c en te r o f t he c le ar in g a ft er I 'd l ow er ed h imt o t he g ro un d. H e r em ai ne d u nc on sc io us , a p ea ce fu l e xp re ss io n o n h is f ac e. A w in d s we pt o ur h il lo ck  

f ro m t he d ir ec ti on o f i ts f ar s id e, w he re n as ty -l oo ki ng , s pi ke d p la nt s o f a n on fl ow er in g v ar ie ty g re w. T hu s,I n o l on ge r s me ll ed t he s ed uc ti ve o do rs o f t he g ia nt f lo we r f ie ld, a nd a ft er a t im e m y h ea d b eg an t o c le ar .O n t he o th er h an d, I r ea li ze d t ha t t hi s m ea nt t ha t o ur o wn s ce nt s w er e b ei ng b or ne b ac k i n t he d ir ec ti ono f t he c av e. W he the r t he F ir e A ng el co ul d u nm as k t he m w it hi n t he h ea dy p er fu me s, I d id n ot k no w, b ut providing it with even that much of an opportunity made me feel uncomfortable.

  Y ea rs ag o, as a n u nd er gr ad uat e, I h ad t ri ed s om e L SD . I t h ad s ca re d m e s o b adl y t ha t I 'd n ev er  tried another hallucinogen since. It wasn't simply a bad trip. The stuff had affected my shadow-shiftinga bi li ty . I t i s k in d o f a t ru is m t ha t A mb er it es c an v is it a ny p la ce t he y c an i ma gi ne , f or e ve ry th in g i s o utt he re , s om ew he re ; i n S ha do w. B y c om bi ni ng o ur m in ds w it h m ot io n w e c an t un e f or t he s ha do w w e

d es ir e. U nf or tu na te ly , I c ou ld n ot c on tr ol w ha t I w as i ma gi ni ng . A ls o u nf or tu na te ly , I w as t ra ns po rt ed t ot ho se p la ce s. I p an ic ke d, a nd t ha t o nl y m ad e i t w or se . I c ou ld e as il y h av e b ee n d es tr oy ed , f or Iw an de re d t hr ou gh t he o bj ec ti fi ed j un gl es o f m y s ub co ns ci ou s a nd p as se d s om e t im e i n p la ce s w he re t he bad things dwell. After I came down I found my way back home, turned up whimpering on Julia'sd oo rst ep , an d w as a n er vou s w re ck f or d ays . L at er , w he n I t ol d R and om ab out i t, I l ea rn ed t ha t he ha dh ad s om e s im il ar e xp er ie nc es . H e h ad k ep t i t t o h im se lf a t f ir st a s a p os si bl e s ec re t w ea po n a ga in st t her es t o f t he f am il y; b ut l at er , a ft er t he y' d g ot te n b ac k o nt o d ec en t t er ms w it h e ac h o th er , h e h ad d ec id ed t os ha re t he i nf or ma ti on i n t he i nt er es t o f s ur vi va l. H e w as s ur pr is ed t o l ea rn t he n t ha t B en ed ic t, G er ar d,Fiona, and Bleys knew all about itthough their knowledge -had come from other hallucinogene and,strangely, only Fiona had ever considered its possibility as an in-family weapon. She'd shelved the notion,t ho ug h, b ec au se o f i ts u np re di ct ab il it y. T hi s h ad b ee n s om et im e b ac k, h ow ev er , a nd i n t he p re ss o f o th er  

 business in recent years it had slipped his mind; it simply had not occurred to him that a new, arrival suchas myself should perhaps be cautioned.

  Lu ke h ad t ol d m e t hat h is a tt em pt ed i nva si on o f t he K ee p of t he Fo ur W or ds, by m eans of ag li de r- bo rn e c om ma nd o t ea m, h ad b ee n s ma sh ed . S in ce I h ad s ee n t he b ro ke n g li de rs a t v ar i ou s p oi nt sw it hi n t he w al ls d ur in g m y ow n v is it t o t ha t p la ce , i t w as l og ic al t o a ss um e t ha t L uk e h ad b ee n c apt ur ed .T he re fo re , i t s ee me d a f ai r ly s tr on g a ss um pt i on t ha t t he s or ce re r M as k h ad d on e w ha te ve r h ad b ee nd on e t o hi m t o b ri ng h im t o t hi s st at e. I t w ou ld se em t hat t hi s s im pl y i nv ol ved i nt ro duc in g a d ose o f ahallucinogen_to his prison fare and turning him loose to wander and look at the-pretty lights. Fortunately,unlike myself, his mental travelings had involved nothing more threatening than the brighter aspects of         

L ew is C ar ro ll . M ay be h is h ea rt w as p ur er t ha n m in e. B ut t he d ea l w as w ei rd a ny w ay y ou l oo ke d a t i t.M as k m ig ht h av e k il le d h im o r k ep t h im i n p ri so n o r a dd ed h im t o t he c oa tr ac k c ol le ct io n. I ns te ad , w hi lew ha t h ad b ee n d on e w as n ot w it ho ut r is k, i t w as s om et hi ng w hi ch w ou ld w ea r o ff e ve nt ua ll y a nd l ea vehi m cha st ened but at l iber ty . I t was m or e a sl ap on t he w ri st t ha n a r eal p iece o f ven geance. T hi s, f or am em be r o f t he H ou se w hi ch h ad p re vi ou sl y h el d s wa y i n t he K ee p a nd w ou ld d ou bt le ss l ik e t o d o s oa ga in . W as M as k s up re me ly c on fi de nt ? O r d id h e n ot r ea ll y s ee L uk e a s m uc h o f a t hr ea t?

  A nd t he n t he re i s t he f ac t t ha t o ur s ha do w- sh if ti ng a bi li ti es a nd o ur s or ce ro us a bi li ti es c om e f ro ms im il ar r oo ts -t he P at te rn o r t he L og ms . I t h ad t o b e t ha t m es si ng w it h o ne a ls o m es se d w it h t he o th er .T ha t w ou ld e xp la in L uk e' s s tr an ge a bi li ty t o s um mo n m e t o h im a s b y a m as si ve T ru mp s en di ng , w he n i nactuality there was no Trump: His drug-enhanced abilities of visualization must have been so intense thatthe card's physical representation of me was unnecessary. And his skewed magical abilities woulda cc ou nt f or a ll o f t he p re li mi na ry b yp la y, a ll o f t he o dd , r ea li ty -d is to rt in g e xp er ie nc es I 'd h ad b ef or e h ea ct ua ll y a ch ie ve d c on ta ct . T hi s m ea nt t ha t e it he r o f u s c ou ld b ec om e v er y d an ge ro us i n c er ta in d ru gg ed

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st at es. I 'd h ave t o r em em ber t hat . I hop ed he wo ul dn 't wak e up ma d a t m e f or hi tt ing hi m, be for e I cou ldt al k t o h im a b it . O n t he o th er h an d; t he t ra nq ui li ze r w ou ld h op ef ul ly k ee p h im h ap py w hi le t he o th er s tu ff                  worked at detoxing him.

  I ma ssaged a sor e mu scl e i n m y l ef t l eg an d r ose t o m y f ee t. I cau ght hol d of Luke ben eat h t hea rm pi ts a nd d ra gg ed h im a bo ut t we nt y p ac es f ar th er a lo ng i nt o t he c le ar in g. T he n I s ig he d a nd r et ur ne d t o

t he s po t w he re I h ad r es te d. T he re w as n ot s uf fi ci en t t im e t o f le e f ar th er . A nd a s t he w ai li ng i nc re as ed i nv ol um e a nd t he g ia nt f lo we rs s wa ye d i n a l in e h ea di ng d ir ec tl y t ow ar d m eg li mp se s o f a d ar ke r f or m becoming visible amid the stalks-I knew that with the Jabberwock fled the Fire Angel was back on the

       job, and since this confrontation seemed inevitable, this clearing was as good a place to meet it as any,a nd b et t er t ha n m os t.

  CHAPTER 2

  I u nf as te ne d t he b ri gh t t hi ng a t m y b el t a nd b eg an t o u nf ol d i t. I t m ad e a s er ie s o f c li ck in g n oi se s a s Idi d s o. I w as hop ing t hat I was m aki ng t he b est ch oi ce av ai la bl e t o m e r at her t han , say , a bad m ist ake.

  T he c re at ur e t oo k l on ge r t ha n I 'd t ho ug ht t o p as s a mo ng t he f lo we rs . T hi s c ou ld m ea n i t w as h av in gt ro ub le f ol lo wi ng m y t ra il a mi d i ts e xo ti c s ur ro un di ng s. I w as h op in g, t ho ug h, t ha t i t m ea nt i t h ad b ee nsufficiently injured in its encounter with the Jabberwock that it had lost something of its strength andspeed.

  Whatever, the final stalks eventually swayed and were crushed. The angular creature lurchedf or wa rd a nd h al te d a t o s ta re a t m e w it h u nb li nk in g e ye s. F ra ki r p an ic ke d, a nd I c al me d h er . T hi s w as al it tl e o ut of h er l ea gue . I h ad a F ir e F oun ta in s pe ll l ef t, b ut I d id n' t e ven b ot her w it h i t: I k ne w i t w ou ld n' ts to p t he t hi ng , a nd i t m ig ht m ak e i t b eh av e u np re di ct ab ly .

  ` I c an s ho w y ou t he w ay b ac k t o C ha os ," I s ho ut ed , " if y ou 'r e g et ti ng h om es ic k! "

  I t w ai le d s of tl y a nd a dv an ce d. S o m uc h f or s en ti me nt al it y.

  I t c am e on s lo wl y, o oz in g f lu id s f ro m a d oze n w ou nd s. I w on de re d i f i t w er e s ti ll c apa bl e o f n os hi ngm e o r i f i ts p re se nt pa ce w er e t he b es t i t co ul d m an ag e. P ru de nc e di ct at ed I a ss um e t he w or st , so I t ri edt o s ta y l oo se a nd r ea dy t o m at ch a ny th in g i t a tt em pt ed .

  I t d id n' t r us h, t ho ug h. I t j us t k ep t c om in g, l ik e a s ma ll t an k w it h a pp en da ge s. I d id n' t k no w w he re i ts

v it al s po ts w er e l oc at ed . F ir e A ng el a na to my h ad n ot b ee n h ig h o n m y l is t o f i nt er es ts b ac k h om e. I g av em ys el f a c ra sh c ou rs e, h ow ev er , i n t he w ay o f g ro ss o bs er va ti on a s i t a pp ro ac he d. U nf or tu na te ly , t hi sg av e m e t o b el ie ve t ha t i t k ep t e ve ry th in g i mp or ta nt w el l p ro te ct ed . T oo b ad .

  I d id no t wan t t o at tack i n c ase i t w as t ryi ng t o suc ker m e i nt o som et hi ng . I w as no t a wa re of i tsco mba t t ri cks , and I di d n ot car e t o ex pos e m yse lf und ul y i n or der t o l ear n t hem . Be tt er t o st ay o n t hed ef en se a nd l et i t m ak e t he f ir st m ov e; I t ol d m ys el f. B ut i t j us t k ep t m ov in g n ea re r a nd n ea re r. I k ne wthat I' d be forced to do something soon, even i f it were only to ret reat . . . .

  O ne of t ho se l ong , f ol ded f ro nt ap pe nda ge s f las he d o ut t ow ar d m e, an d I sp un t o t he si de an d c ut .S ni ck er -s na ck ! T he l im b l ay o n t he g ro un d, s ti ll m ov in g. S o I k ep t m ov in g, a ls o. O ne -t wo , o ne -t wo !

Snicker-snack!

  The bea st t oppl ed sl owl y t o i ts l ef t, f or I h ad r emo ved al l of t he l imb s o n t hat s ide of i ts bo dy.

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  T he n, o ve rc on fi de nt , I p as se d t oo n ea r i n r ac in g t o r ou nd i ts h ea d t o r ea ch t he o th er s id e a nd r ep ea tt he p er fo rm an ce w hi le i t w as s ti ll t ra um at iz ed a nd c ol la ps in g. I ts o th er e xt en so r f la sh ed o ut . B ut I w as t oon ea r a nd i t w as s ti ll t op pl in g: I ns te ad o f c at ch in g m e w it h i ts c la we d e xt re mi ty , i t h it m e w it h t he e qu iv al en to f s hi n o r f or ea rm . Th e bl ow st ru ck m e a cr oss t he ch est an d I w as kn ock ed b ack wa rd .

  A s I sc ra mb led aw ay a nd dr ew m y f eet b en eat h m e t o r ise , I h ea rd L uk e sa y, gr ogg il y, " No w w ha t' sgoing on?"

  " La te r, " I c al le d, w it ho ut l oo ki ng b ac k.

  Th en , " He y! Y ou h it m e! " h e a dd ed .

  " Al l i n g oo d f un ," I a ns we re d. " Pa rt o f t he c ur e, " a nd I w as u p a nd m ov in g a ga in .

  " Oh ," I h ea rd h im s ay .

  T he t hi ng w as o n i ts si de n ow a nd t hat b ig l im b st ru ck w il dl y a t m e, s ev er al t im es . I a vo id ed i t a ndw as a bl e t o g au ge i ts r an ge a nd s tr ik in g a ng le .

  S ni ck er -s na ck . T he l im b f el l t o t he g ro un d a nd I m ov ed i n.

  I s wu ng t hr ee b lo ws w hi ch p as se d a ll t he w ay t hr ou gh i ts h ea d f ro m d if fe re nt a ng le s b ef or e I w asa bl e t o s ev er i t. I t k ep t m ak in g c li ck in g n oi se s, t ho ug h, a nd t he t or so k ep t p it ch in g a nd s cr ab bl in g a bo uton the remaining limbs.

  I d on 't k no w h ow m an y t im es I s tr uc k a ft er t ha t. I j us t k ep t a t i t u nt il t he c re at ur e w as l it er al ly d ic ed .

L uk e h ad b eg un s ho ut in g " Ol d! " e ac h t im e t ha t I s tr uc k. I w as p er sp ir in g so me wh at b y t he n, a nd In ot ic ed t ha t h ea t w av es or s om et hi ng s ee me d t o b e c au si ng m y v iew o f t he di st an t f lo we rs t o r ipp le i n ad is tu rb in g f as hi on . I f el t f or es ig ht ed a s a ll h el l, t ho ug h- th e V or pa l S wo rd I 'd a pp ro pr ia te d b ac k i n t he b ar  h ad p ro ve d a f in e w ea po n. I j , s wu ng i t t hr ou gh a h ig h a rc , w hi ch I 'd n ot ed s ee me d t o c le an se i t e nt ir el y,a nd t he n I b eg an f ol di ng i t b ack i nt o i ts o ri gi na l co mpa ct f or m. I t w as a s s of t a s f lo we r, pe ta ls , a nd i t s ti llgave off a faint dusty glow. . . .

  " Br av o! " s ai d a f am il ia r v oi ce , an d I f um ed u nt il I s aw t he s mi le f ol lo we d b y t he C at , w ho w astapping his paws lightly together. "Callooh! Callay!" he added. "Well done, beamish boy!"

  T he b ac kg ro un d w av er in g g re w s tr on ge r, a nd t he s ky d ar ke ne d. I h ea rd L uk e s ay " He y! " a nd w he nI g la nc ed b ac k I s aw h im g et ti ng t o h is f ee t, m ov in g f or wa rd . W he n I l oo ke d a ga in I c ou ld s ee t he b ar  f or mi ng at t he C at 's back, a nd I cau ght a gl impse of t he br ass r ai l. M y head began t o sw im.

  " Th er e' s n or ma ll y a d ep os it o n t he V or pa l S wo rd ," t he ' ' C at w as s ay in g. " Bu t s in ce y ou 'r e r et ur ni ngit intact-"

  L uk e w as b es id e m e. I c ou ld h ea r m us ic a ga in , a nd h e w as h um mi ng a lo ng w it h i t. N ow i t w as t heclearing, with its butchered Fire Angel, that seemed the superimposition, as the bar increased in solidity,t ak in g o n n ua nc es o f c ol or a nd s ha di ng .

  B ut t he p la ce s ee me d s om eh ow s ma ll er -t he t ab le s c lo se r t og et he r, t he m us ic s of te r, t he m ur al m or ec om pr es se d a nd i ts a rt is t o ut o f s ig ht . E ve n t he C at er pi ll ar a nd h is m us hr oo m h ad r et re at ed t o a s ha do wyn oo k, a nd b ot h s ee me d s hr un ke n, t he b lu e s mo ke l es s d en se . I t oo k t hi s a s a v ag ue ly g oo d s ig n, f or i f                  

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o ur p re se nc e t he re w er e a r es ul t o f L uk e' s s ta te o f m in d t he n p er ha ps t he f ix at io n w as l os in g i ts h ol d o nhim.

  "L uk e? " I s ai d.

  He moved up t o t he bar besi de me.

  "Yeah?" he answered.

  " Yo u k no w y ou' re on a t ri p, d on' t y ou ?"

  " I don' t. . . . I' m not sure what you mean," he sai d.

  ' Wh en M as k h ad y ou p ri so ne r I t hi nk h e s li pp ed y ou s om e a ci d, " I s ai d. " Is t ha t p os si bl e? "

  " Wh o' s M as k? " h e a sk ed m e.

  " Th e n ew h ea d h on ch o a t t he K ee p. "

  " Oh, y ou me an Shar u G ar rul ," he sai d. " I do r em em ber t hat he had on a bl ue m ask. "

  I s aw n o r eas on t o g o i nt o a n e xpl an at ion a s t o w hy M as k wa sn' t S har u. He 'd p rob abl y f or get ,a ny wa y. I j us t n od de d a nd s ai d, " Th e b os s. "

  " Wel l . . . yes, I guess he coul d have gi ven me som et hi ng," he r epli ed. " You m ean that al l t his . . . ?"H e g es tu re d t ow ar d t he r oo m a t l ar ge .

  I n od de d.

  " Su re , i t' s r ea l, " I s ai d. " Bu t w e c an t ra ns po rt o ur se lv es i nt o h al lu ci na ti on s. T he y' re a ll r ea lsomewhere. Acid'll do it."

  " I' ll b e d am ne d, " h e s ai d.

  " I g av e yo u so me st uf f t o b ri ng y ou d ow n, " I t ol d h im . " But i t m ay t ak e a w hi le ."

  H e l ic ke d h is l ip s a nd g la nc ed a bo ut .

  " We ll , t he re 's n o h ur ry ," h e s ai d. T he n h e s mi le d a s a d is ta nt s cr ea mi ng b eg an a nd t he d em on ss ta rt ed i n d oi ng n as ty t hi ng s t o t he b ur ni ng w om an o ff i n t he m ur al . " I k in d o f l ik e i t h er e. "

  I p la ce d t he f ol de d w eap on b ac k u po n t he b ar to p. L uke r ap pe d o n t he su rf ac e b esi de i t a nd c al le df or a no th er r ou nd o f b re ws . I b ac ke d a wa y, s ha ki ng m y h ea d.

  . " I' ve got t o go now, " I t ol d hi m. " So meo ne' s st il l af te r m e, and he j ust ca me cl ose. "

  "Animals don't count," Luke said.

  " Th e o ne I j us t c hop pe d u p d oe s, " I an sw er ed. " It w as s ent ."

  I l oo ke d a t t he b ro ke n d oo rs , w on de ri ng w ha t m ig ht c om e t hr ou gh t he m n ex t. F ir e A ng el s h av e

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 been known to hunt in pairs.

  "But I've got to talk to you . . . ," I continued.

  " No t n ow ," h e s ai d, t ur ni ng a wa y.

  "You know it's important."

  " I c an 't t hi nk r i gh t, " h e a ns we re d.

  I supposed that had to be t rue, and t her e was no sense tr yi ng t o drag him back to Amber or  an ywh er e el se. H e' d J j ust f ade a way a nd sho w up h er e ag ai n. Hi s he ad wo ul d h ave t o cl ear an d hi sfixation dissipate before we could discuss mutual problems.

  " Y ou r em em be r t ha t y ou r m ot he r i s a p ri so ne r i n A mb er ?" I a sk ed .

  "Yes."

  "C al l m e w he n y ou 'v e g ot y ou r h ea d t og et he r. W e h av e t o t al k. "

  "I will."

  " I t ur ned a way a nd w al ked ou t t he d oo rs a nd i nt o a b an k o f f og. I n t he di st an ce I h ea rd Lu ke beg ins in gi ng a ga in , s om e m ou rn fu l b al la d. F og i s a lm os t a s b ad a s c om pl et e d ar kn es s w he n i t c om es t os ha do w- sh if ti ng . I f y ou c an 't s ee a ny r ef er en ts w hi le y ou 'r e m ov in g, t he re i s n o w ay t o u se t he a bi li ty , t ha tal lo ws yo u t o s li p away . On t he o ther han d, I j ust w ant ed t o be al one f or a t ime t o t hi nk,

  Y no w my h ead wa s c lear . I f I co ul dn 't see any bod y i n t hi s st uf f, nob ody c oul d se e m e ei th er . A ndt he re w er e n o s ou nd s o th er t ha n m y o wn f oo tf al ls o n a c ob bl ed s ur fa ce .

  S o w ha t h ad I a ch ie ve d? W he n I w as a wa ke ne d f ro m a b ri ef n ap t o a tt en d L uk e' s u nu su al s en di ngt o A mb er , I ' d b ee n d ea d t ir ed f ol lo wi ng e xt ra or di na ry e xe rt io ns . I w as t ra ns po rt ed i nt o h is p re se nc e,l ea rn ed t ha t h e w as t ri pp ing , f ed h im s om et hi ng I h op ed w ou ld b ri ng h im o ff i t s oon er , h ack ed u p a F ir eA ng el , a nd l ef t L uk e b ac k w he re h e h ad s ta rt ed .

  I 'd g ot te n t wo t hi ng s o ut o f i t, I m us ed , a s I s tr ol le d t hr ou gh t he c ot to ny m is t: I 'd s ta le ma te d L uk e i na ny d es ig ns h e m ig ht s ti ll h av e u po n A mb er . H e w as n ow a wa re t ha t h is m ot he r w as o ur p ri so ne r, a nd I

couldn't see him bringing any direct action against us under the circumstances. Aside from the technical problems involved in transporting Luke and keeping him in one place, this was the reason I was willing tol ea ve h im as I j ust h ad . I 'm su re R and om w ou ld h ave p re fe rr ed h im u nco ns ci ou s i n a c el l i n t he b as em ent , but I was certain he would settle for a defanged Luke at large; especially so, when it was likely that Lukew ou ld b e g et ti ng i n t ou ch w it h u s s oo ne r or l at er r eg ar di ng J as ra . I w as w il li ng t o l et hi m c om e d ow n a ndc om e a ro un d i n h is o wn g oo d t im e. I h ad p rob le ms o f m y o wn i n t he w ai ti ng r oom , l ik e G ho st wh ee l,Mask, Vinta . . . and the new spect er whi ch had just t aken a number and a seat .

  M ay be i t h ad b ee n J as ra w ho h ad b ee n u si ng t he h om in g p ow er o f t he b lu e s to ne s t o s en d a ss as si nsaf ter m e. She had t he ab il it y as w el l as a m ot ive. I t cou ld a lso have bee n M ask, t houg h, wh o I 'd j udgeh ad t he a bi li ty an d w ho s ee me d t o h av e a m ot iv e, t ho ug h I d id n' t u nd er st an d i t. J as ra w as o ut o f t he w ayn ow , h ow ev er ; a nd w hi le I i nt en de d t o h av e t hi ng s o ut w it h M as k e ve nt ua ll y, I b el ie ve d t ha t I h ads uc ce ed ed i n d et un in g m ys el f f ro m t he b lu e s to ne s. I a ls o b el ie ve d t ha t I m ig ht h av e s ca re d M as k  s om ew ha t i n o ur r ec en t e nc ou nt er a t t he K ee p. W ha te ve r, i t w as e xt re me ly u nl ik el y t ha t M as k o r J as ra ,

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w ha te ve r t he ir p ow er s, w ou ld h av e h ad a cc es s t o a t ra in ed F ir e A ng el . N o, t he re 's o nl y o ne p la ce F ir eA ng el s c om e f ro m, a nd s ha do w- so rc er er s a re n' t o n t he c us to me r f is t.

  A p uf f o f w in d p ar te d t he f og f or a m om en t a nd I c au gh t s ig ht o f d ar k b ui ld in gs . G oo d. I s hi ft ed . T hefog moved again almost immediately, and they were not buildings but dark rock formations. Another  parting and a piece of dawn or evening sky came into view, a foam of bright stars spilled across it.

Be for e t oo l ong a w ind whi pp ed t he f og aw ay and I sa w t hat I wal ked i n a hi gh r ock y p lace, t he heav ensa b la ze o f s ta rr y l ig ht b ri gh t e no ug h t o r ea d b y. I f ol lo wed a d ar k t ra il l ea di ng o ff t o t he e dg e o f t he w or ld .. . .

  T he w ho le b us in es s w it h L uk e, J as ra , D al t , a nd M as k w as s om eh ow o f a p ie ce -c om pl et el yu nd er st an da bl e i n s om e p la ce s a nd c lo ud ed i n o th er s. G iv en s om e t im e a nd l eg wo rk i t w ou ld a ll h an gt og et he r. L uk e a nd J as ra s ee me d t o b e n ul li fi ed n ow . M as k, a n e ni gm a o f s or ts ; s ee me d t o h av e i t i n f or  m e p er so na ll y b ut d id n ot a pp ea r t o r ep re se nt a ny p ar ti cu la r t hr ea t t o A mb er . D al t, o n t he o th er h an d,d id , w it h h is f an cy n ew w ea po nr y- bu t R an do m w as a wa re o f t hi s s it ua ti on a nd B en ed ic t w as b ac k i nt ow n. S o I w as c on fi de nt t ha t e ve ry th in g p os si bl e w as b ei ng d on e t o d ea l w it h t hi s.

  I st oo d a t t he edge of t he w or ld an d l ook ed dow n i nt o a bot tom less r if t f ul l of st ar s. M y mo unt ai ndi d not se em t o g rac e t he su rf ac e of a pl anet . Ho wev er , t her e was a b ri dg e t o m y l ef t, l ead ing o ut war d t oa d ar k, s ta r- oc cl ud in g . s ha pe -a no th er f l oa ti ng m ou nt ai n, p er ha ps . I s tr ol le d o ve r a nd s te pp ed o ut o nt othe span. Problems involving atmosphere, gravitation, temperature, meant nothing here, where I could, ina sen se, m ake up r eal it y as I we nt al ong . I wal ked ou t o nt o t he br idge , and f or a m om ent t he an gl e wasr ig ht a nd I c au gh t a g li mp se o f a no th er b ri dg e o n t he f ar s id e o f t he d ar k m as s, l ea di ng o ff t o s om e o th er  darkness.

  I hal te d i n t he mi ddl e, a bl e t o see al ong i t f or a g reat di st ance i n ei ther di re ct ion . I t seem ed a saf e anda pp ro pr ia te s po t. I w it hd re w m y p ac ke t o f T ru mp s a nd r if fl ed t hr ou gh t he m u nt il I l oc at ed o ne I h ad n' t

us ed i n a l ong, l ong t ime .

  I h el d i t b ef or e m e a nd p ut t he o th er s a wa y, s tu dy in g t he b lu e e yes a nd t he y ou ng , h ar d, s li gh tl ysha rp f eat ur es ben eat h a ma ss of pur e w hi te hai r. He wa s d ress ed al l i n bl ack , sav e f or a b it o f w hi tec ol la r a nd s le ev e s ho wi ng b en ea th t he g lo ss y t ig ht -f it ti ng j ac ke t. H e h el d t hr ee d ar k s te el b al ls i n h isgloved hand.

  S om et im es i t' s h ar d t o r ea ch a ll t he w ay t o C ha os , s o I f oc us ed a nd e xt en de d, c ar ef ul ly , s tr on gl y.T he c on ta ct c am e a lm os t i mm ed ia te ly . H e w as s ea te d o n a b al co ny b en ea th a c ra zi ly s ti pp le d s ky , t heS hi ft in g M ou nt ai ns s li di ng t o h is l ef t. H is f ee t w er e p ro pp ed o n a s ma ll f lo at in g t ab le a nd h e w as r ea di ng a

 book. He lowered it and smiled faintly.

  " Me rl in ," h e s ai d s of tl y. " Yo u l oo k t ir ed ."

  I n od de d.

  "Y ou l oo k r es te d, " I s ai d.

  " Tr ue ," h e a ns we re d, a s h e c lo se d t he b oo k a nd s et i t o n t he t ab le . T he n, " Th er e i s t ro ub le ?" h easked.

  "There is trouble, Mandor."

  He r ose t o hi s f eet .

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  " Y ou w is h t o c om e t hr ou gh ?"

  I s ho ok m y h ea d. " If y ou h av e a ny T ru mp s h an dy f or g et ti ng b ac k, I 'd r at he r y ou c am e t o m e. "

  H e e xt en de d h is h an d.

  " Al l r ig ht ," h e s ai d.

  I r ea ch ed f or wa rd , o ur h an ds c la sp ed ; h e t oo k a s in gl e s te p a nd s to od b esi de m e o n t he b ri dge . W ee mb ra ce d f or a m om en t a nd t he n h e t ur ne d a nd l oo ke d o ut a nd d ow n i nt o t he r if t.

  " Th er e i s s om e d an ge r h er e? " h e a sk ed .

  " No . I c ho se t hi s p la ce b ec au se i t s ee ms v er y s af e. " " Sc en ic , t oo ," h e r ep li ed . " Wh at 's b ee nhappening to you?"

  " Fo r y ea rs I w as m er el y a s tu de nt , a nd t he n a d es ig ne r o f c er ta in s or ts o f s pe ci al iz ed m ac hi ne ry ," Itold him. "Things were pretty uneventful until fairly recently. Then all hell broke loose-but most of it Iu nd er st an d, a nd m uc h o f i t s ee ms u nd er c on tr ol . T ha t p ar t' s c om pl ic at ed a nd n ot r ea ll y w or th y ou r  concern."

  H e r es te d a h and o n t he b ri dg e' s si de -p iec e: " An d t he . ot he r p ar t? " he a sk ed .

  " My e ne mi es u p u nt il t hi s p oi nt h ad b ee n f ro m t he e nv ir on s o f A mb er . B ut s ud de nl y, w he n i t s ee me dt hat mo st of t hat busi ness w as on i ts w ay t o bei ng set tl ed, someon e put a F ire Angel on my tr ai l. Is uc ce ed ed i n d es tr oy in g i t j us t a l it tl e w hi le a go . I 'v e n o i de a w hy , a nd i t' s c er ta in ly n ot a n A mb er t ri ck ."

  H e m ad e a c li cki ng n oi se w it h hi s l ip s a s he t ur ned aw ay , p ac ed a f ew st eps , a nd t ur ned ba ck .

  " Yo u' re r ig ht , o f c ou rs e, " h e s ai d. " I' d n o i de a i t h ad c om e a ny wh er e n ea r t hi s, o r I 'd h av e s po ke nw it h y ou s om e t im e ag o. B ut l et m e d if fer w it h y ou a s t o o rd er s of i mpo rt an ce b ef or e I i ndu lg e i n ce rt ai ns pe cu la ti on s o n y ou r b eh al f. I w an t t o h ea r y ou r e nt ir e s to ry ."

  "Why?"

  " Be ca us e y ou a re s om et im es a pp al li ng ly n ai ve , l it tl e b ro th er , a nd I d o n ot y et t ru st y ou r j ud gm en t a s

to what is truly important."

  " I m ay s ta rv e t o d ea th b ef or e I f in is h, " I a ns we re d. S mi li ng c ro ok ed ly , m y s te p- br ot he r M an do r  r ai se d h is a rm s. W hi le J ur t a nd D es pi l a re m y h al f b ro th er s, b or ne b y m y m ot he r, D ar a, t o P ri nc e S aw al lt he R im L or d, M an do r w as S aw al l' s s on b y a n e ar li er m ar ri ag e. M an do r i s c on si de ra bl y o ld er t ha n I , a nda s a r es ul t h e r em in ds m e m uch of m y r el at iv es ba ck i n A mb er . I 'd a lw ay s f el t a b it o f a n o ut si der a mo ngt he c hi ld re n o f D ar a a nd S aw al l. I n t ha t M an do r w as -i n a m or e s ta bl e s en se -n ot p ar t o f t ha t p ar ti cu la r  grouping either, we'd had something in common. But whatever the impulse behind his early attentions,w e' d h it i t o ff an d b ec om e c lo se r, I s om et im es t hi nk , t han f ul l b lo od b ro th er s. H e h ad t au gh t m e a l ot o f                   practical things over the years, and we had had many good- times together.

  T he a ir w as d is to rt ed b et we en u s, a nd w he n M an do r l ow er ed h is a rm s a d in ne r t ab le c ov er ed w it he mb ro id er ed w hi te l in en c am e i nt o s ud de n v ie w b et we en u s, s ou nd le ss ly , f ol lo we d a m om en t l at er b y a pair of facing chairs. The table bore numerous covered dishes, fine china, crystal, silverware; there was

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e ve n a g le am in g i ce b uc ke t w it h a d ar k t wi st ed b ot tl e w it hi n i t.

  " I a m i mp re ss ed ," I s ta te d.

  " I' ve d ev ot ed c on si de ra bl e t i me t o g ou rm et m ag ic i n r ec en t y ea rs ," h e s ai d. " Pr ay , b e s ea te d. "

  W e m ad e o ur se lv es c om f or t ab le t he re o n t he b ri dg e b et w ee n t w o d ar kn es se s. I m ut t er eda pp re ci at iv el y a s I t as te d, a nd i t w as s om e m in ut es b ef or e I c ou ld b eg in a s um ma ry o f t he e ve nt s t ha t h ad brought me to this place of starlight and silence.

  M an do r l is te ne d t o m y e nt ir e t al e w it ho ut i nt er ru pt io n, a nd w he n I 'd f in is he d h e n od de d a nd s ai d," Wo ul d y ou c ar e f or a no th er s er vi ng o f d es se rt ?"

  " Ye s, " I a gr ee d. " It 's q ui te n ic e. "

  When I gl an ced up a f ew mom ent s l at er , I sa w t hat he w as smi li ng .

  " W ha t' s f un ny ?" I a sk ed .

  " You ," h e r ep li ed . " If yo u r ec al l, I t ol d y ou b ef or e y ou l ef t f or t ha t p lac e t o b e di sc ri mi na ti ng w he n i tcame to giving your trust."

  " Wel l? I t ol d n o o ne m y st or y. I f y ou 'r e go ing t o l ec tu re m e o n be ing f ri en dl y w it h L uk e w it ho utlearning his, I've already heard it."

  " A nd w ha t o f J ul ia ?"

  " Wh at do y ou m ean ? S he n eve r l ear ne d. . . . "

  " Ex ac tl y. A nd s he s ee ms l ik e o ne y ou c ou ld h av e t ru st ed . I ns te ad , y ou t ur ne d h er a ga in st y ou ."

  " Al l r ig ht ! M ay be I u se d b ad j ud gm en t t he re , t oo ."

  " Yo u d es ig ne d a r em ar ka bl e m ac hi ne , a nd i t n ev er o cc ur re d t o y ou i t m ig ht a ls o b ec om e a p ot en tw ea po n. R an do m s aw t ha t r ig ht a wa y. S o d id L uk e. Y ou m ig ht h av e b ee n s av ed f ro m d is as te r o n t ha tf ro nt o nl y b y t he f ac t t ha t i t b ec am e s en ti en t a nd d id n' t c ar e t o b e d ic ta te d t o.

  " Yo u' re r ig ht . I w as m or e c on ce rn ed w it h s ol vi ng t ec hn ic al p ro bl em s. I d id n' t t hi nk t hr ou gh a ll t heconsequences.

  H e s i gh ed .

  " Wh at a m I g oi ng t o d o w it h y ou , M er li n? Y ou t ak e r is ks w he n y ou d on 't e ve n k no w y ou 'r e t ak in grisks."

  " I d id n' t t ms t V in ta ," I v ol un te er ed .

  " I t hi nk y ou c ou ld h av e g ot te n m or e i nf or mat io n o ut o f h er ," h e s ai d; " if y ou h ad n' t b ee n s o q ui ck t os av e L uk e, w ho a lr ea dy a pp ea re d t o b e o ut o f d an ge r. S he s ee me d t o b e l oo se ni ng u p c on si de ra bl y a tt he e nd o f y ou r d ia lo gu e. "

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  " Pe rh ap s I s ho ul d h av e c al le d y ou ."

  " If y ou e nc ou nt er h er a ga in , d o i t, a nd I 'l l d ea l w it h h er ."

  I st ar ed. He seem ed t o m ean i t.

  " Yo u k no w w ha t s he i s? "

  " I' ll u nr id dl e h er ," h e s ai d, s wi rl in g t he b ri gh t o ra ng e b ev er ag e i n h is g la ss . " Bu t I 'v e a p ro po sa l f or  y ou , e le ga nt i n i ts s im pl ic it y. I 'v e a n ew c ou nt ry p la ce , q ui te ' s ec lu de d, w it h a ll t he a me ni ti es . W hy n otr et ur n t o t he C ou rt s w it h m e r at he r t ha n b ou nc in g a ro un d f ro m h az ar d t o h az ar d? L ie l ow f or a c ou pl e o f                  y ea rs , e nj oy t he g oo d l if e, c at ch u p o n y ou r r ea di ng . I 'l l s ee t ha t y ou 'r e w el l p ro te ct ed . L et e ve ry th in g blow over, then go about your business in a more peaceful climate."

  I t oo k a s mal l si p o f t he f ier y d ri nk .

  " No ," I s ai d. " Wh at h ap pe ne d t o t ho se t hi ng s y ou i nd ic at ed e ar li er t ha t y ou k ne w a nd I d id n' t? "

  " Ha rd ly i mp or ta nt , i f y ou a cc ep t m y o ff er . "

  " Ev en i f I w er e t o ac cep t, I 'd w an t t o k no w. "

  " Ba g o f w or ms ," h e s ai d.

  " Yo u l is te ne d t o m y s to ry . I 'l l l is te n t o y ou rs ."

  H e s hr ug ge d a nd l ea ne d b ac k i n h is c ha ir , l oo ke d u p a t s ta rs .

  "Swayvill is dying," he said.

  " He 's b ee n d oi ng t ha t f or y ea rs ."

  " Tr ue, but he 's go tt en m uch w or se. S om e t hi nk i t h as, t o d o wi th t he de at h cu rse of Er ic of Am be r.Whatever; I really believe he hasn't much longer."

  "I begin to see. . . ."

  " Ye s, t he s tr ug gl e f or t he s uc ce ss io n h as b ec om e m or e i nt en se . P eo pl e h av e b ee n f al li ng o ve r l ef tand rightpoison, duels, assassinations, peculiar accidents, dubious suicides. A great number have alsod ep ar te d f or p oi nt s u nk no wn . O r s o i t w ou ld s ee m. "

  "I u nd er st an d, b ut I d on 't s ee w he re i t c on ce rn s m e. " " On e t im e i t w ou ld n ot h av e. "

  " Bu t? " " Yo u a re n ot a wa re t ha t S aw al l a do pt ed y ou , f or ma ll y, a ft er y ou r d ep ar tu re ?"

  " Wh at ?" " Ye s. I w as n ev er c er ta in a s t o h is e xa ct m ot iv es . B ut y ou a re a l eg it im at e h ei r. Y ou f ol lo wm e b ut t ak e p re ce de nt e o ve r J ur t a nd D es pi l. "

  " Th at w ou ld s ti ll l ea ve me wa y i n hel l do wn on t he l is t. "

  " Tr ue, " h e s ai d sl ow ly. " Most of t he i nt er es t l ies at t he t op . . . ."

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  "Y ou s ay ` mo st .' "

  " Th er e a re al wa ys e xce pt io ns ," h e a ns we re d. " Yo u m us t r ea li ze t ha t a t im e s uc h a s t hi s i s a ls o a f in eo cc as io n f or t he p ay in g o ff o f o ld d eb ts . O ne d ea th m or e o r l es s h ar dl y r ou se s a n e ye br ow t he w ay i twould have in more placid. times. Even in relatively high places."

  I shook my head as I met his eyes.

  " It r ea ll y d oe sn 't m ak e s en se i n m y c as e, " I s ai d. H e c on ti nu ed t o s ta re u nt ll I f el t u nc om fo rt ab le ."Does it?" I finally asked.

  " We Il . . . " h e s ai d. " Gi ve i t s om e t ho ug ht ."

  I d id. An d j us t as t he n ot ion ca me t o me, M and or no dd ed as i f h e vi ew ed t he co nt ent s o f m y m ind ." Ju rt ," h e s ai d, " me t t he c ha ng in g t im es w it h a m ix tu re o f d el ig ht a nd f ea r. H e w as c on st an tl y t al ki ng o f t he

l at es t d ea th s a nd o f t he e le ga nc e a nd a pp ar en t e as e w it h w hi ch s om e o f t he m w er e a cc om pl is he d.H us he d t on es i nt er sp er se d w it h a f ew g ig gl es . H is f ea r a nd h is d es ir e t o i nc re as e h is o wn c ap ac it y f or  m is ch ie f f in al ly r ea ch ed a p oi nt w he re t he y b ec am e g re at er t ha n h is o th er f ea r- "

  " The Logrus. . . ."

  " Ye s. H e f in al ly t ri ed t he L og ru s, a nd h e m ad e i t t hr ou gh ."

  " He s ho ul d b e f ee li ng v er y g oo d a bo ut t ha t. P ro ud . I t w as s om et hi ng h e' ,d w an te d f or y ea rs ."

  " Oh , y es ," M an do r a ns we re d. " An d I 'm s ur e h e f el t a g re at n um be r o f o th er t hi ng s a s w el l. "

  " Fr ee do m, " I s ug ge st ed . " Po we r, " a nd a s I s tu di ed h is h al f a mu se d e xp re ss io n, I w as f or ce d t o a dd ,"and the ability to play the game himself."

  " Th er e m ay b e h op e f or y ou ," h e s ai d. " No w, w ou ld y ou c ar e t o c ar ry t ha t t hr ou gh t o i ts l og ic alconclusion?"

  " Ok ay ," I r es po nd ed , t hi nk in g o f J ur t' s l ef t e ar a s I f lo at ed a wa y f ol lo wi ng m y c ut , a s wa rm o f             blood-bead: spreading about it. "You think Jurt sent the Fire Angel.' "Most likely," he replied. "But wouldy ou c ar e t o p ur su e t ha t a l it tl e f ur th er ?"

  I t ho ug ht of t he br oke n br anc h pi er ci ng Ju rt 's eye bal l as w e wr est led i n t he gl ade . . . .

  " Al l r ig ht ," I s ai d. " He 's a ft er m e. I t c ou ld b e a p ar t o f t he s uc ce ss io n g am e, b ec au se I 'm s li gh tl ya he ad o f h im ; o n t ha t f ro nt , o r j us t p la in d is li ke a nd r ev en ge- or b ot h. "

  " It d oe sn 't r ea ll y m at te r w hi ch ," M an do r s ai d, " in t er ms o f r es ul ts . B ut I w as t hi nk in g o f t ha tc ro p- ea reD w ol f t ha t at tac ke d yo u. O nl y ha d o ne e ye , t oo , i t se em ed . . . . "

  "Y es ," I s ai d. " Wh at d oe s J ur t l oo k l ik e t he se d ay s? "

  " Oh , h e' s g ro wn a bo ut h al f t he e ar b ac k. I t 's p re tt y r ag ge d a nd u gl y- lo ok in g. G en er al ly , h is h ai r  c ov er s i t. T he e ye ba ll i s r eg en er at ed , b ut h e c an 't s ee o ut o f i t y et . H e u su al ly w ea rs a p at ch .' '

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  " Th at m ig ht e xp la in r ec en t d ev el op me nt s, " I s ai d. , " He ll o f a t im e f or i t, t ho ug h, w it h e ve ry th in g e ls ethat's been going on. Muddies the waters considerably."

  "I t' s o ne o f t he r ea so ns I s ug ge st y ou s im pl y d ro p o ut ; a nd l et e ve ry th in g c oo l d ow n. T oo b us y. W it ha s m an y a rr ow s a s t he re s ee m t o b e i n t he a ir , o ne m ay w el l f in d" y ou r h ear t. "

  " I c an t ak e c ar e o f m ys el f, M an do r. " " Yo u c ou ld h av e f oo le d m e. "

  I s hr ug ged , g ot u p, w al ke d o ve r t o t he r ai l, a nd l ook ed d ow n a t t he s ta rs .

  A ft er a l on g w hi le h e c al le d o ut t o m e, " Ha ve y ou g ot a ny b et te r i de as ?" b ut I d id n' t a ns we r h im because I was thinking about that very matter. I was considering what Mandor had said about my tunnel'v is io n a nd l ac k o f p re pa re dn es s a nd h ad j us t a bo ut c on cl ud ed t ha t h e w as r ig ht , t ha t i n n ea rl y e ve ry th in gt ha t h ad h ap pen ed t o m e: u p t o t hi s p oi nt -w it h t he e xce pt io n o f m y go in g a ft er J asr a- I h ad m ai nl y b ee nr es po nd in g t o c ir cu ms ta nc e. I h ad b ee n f ar m or e a ct ed u po n t ha n a ct in g. A dm it te dl y, i t h ad a ll h ap pe ne dv er y q ui ck ly . B ut s ti ll , I h ad n ot f or me d a ny r ea l p la ns f or c ov er in g m ys el f, l ea rn in g a bo ut m y e ne mi es o r  

st ri ki ng b ack. I t seem ed t hat t her e wer e som e t hi ngs I m ight be doi ng . . . .

  " If t he re i s t ha t m uc h t o w or ry a bo ut ," h e s ai d, " yo u a re p ro ba bl y b et te r o ff p la yi ng i t s af e. "

  H e w as p ro ba bl y r ig ht , f ro m t he s ta nd po in ts o f r ea so n, s af et y, c au ti on . B ut h e w as s tr ic tl y o f t heC ou rt s, w hi le I p os se ss ed a n a dd it io na l s et o f l oy al ti es i n w hi ch h e d id n ot p ar ti ci pa te . I t w as p os si bl e- if                  o nl y t hr ou gh m y c on ne ct io n w it h L uk e- th at I m ig ht b e a bl e t o c om e u p w it h s om e p er so na l c ou rs e o f                  a ct io n t ha t w ou ld f ur th er t he s ec ur it y o f A mb er . S o l on g a s s uc h a c ha nc e e xi st ed , I f el t o bl ig ed t o p ur su em at te rs . A nd b ey on d t hi s, f ro m a p ur el y p er so na l s ta nd po in t, m y c ur io si ty w as t oo s tr on g t o p er mi t m e t ow al k a wa y f ro m t he u na ns we re d q ue st io ns w hi ch a bo un de d w he n I c ou ld b e a ct iv el y s ee ki ng s om eanswers.

  A s I w as co nsi der in g how I . mi ght bes t p hr ase t hes e mat ter s i n m y r ep ly t o M ando r, I w as aga inact ed up on. I became awar e of a f ai nt f eel ing of i nqui ry, as of a cat scr at chi ng at t he door s of my m ind. I tg re w i n f or ce , t hr us ti ng a si de o th er c on si de ra ti on s, u nt il I k ne w i t a s a T ru mp s en di ng f ro m s om e v er yd is ta nt p la ce . I g ue ss ed t ha t i t m ig ht b e f ro m R an do m, a nx io us t o d is co ve r w ha t h ad t ra ns pi re d s in ce m ya bs en ce f ro m A mb er . S o I m ad e m ys el f r ec ep ti ve , i nv it in g t he c on ta ct .

  "M er li n, w ha t' s t he m at te r? " M an do r a sk ed , a nd I r ai se d m y h an d t o i nd ic at e I w as o cc up ie d. A tt ha t, I s aw h im p la ce h is n ap ki n u po n t he t ab le to p a nd r is e t o h is f ee t.

  M y v is io n c le ar ed s lo wl y a nd I b eh el d F io na , l oo ki ng s te rn , r oc ks a t h er b ac k, a p al e g re en s kya bo ve h er .

  " Me rl in ," s he s ai d. " Wh er e a re y ou ?"

  "F ar a wa y, " I a ns we re d. " It 's ' a l on g s to ry . W ha t' s g oi ng o n? W he re a re y ou ?"

  She smiled bleakly.

  " Fa r a wa y, " s he r ep li ed .

  "W e s ee m t o h av e c ho se n v er y s ce ni c s po ts ," I o bs er ve d. " Di d y ou p ic k t he s ky t o c om pl em en t y ou r  hair?"

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  " En ou gh ! " s he s ai d. " I d id n ot c al l y ou t o c om pa re t ra ve l n ot es ."

  A t t ha t m om en t M an do r c am e u p a si de m e a nd p la ce d . h is h an d u po n m y s ho ul de r, w hi ch w ash ar dl y i n k ee pi ng w it h h is ch ar act er ; a s i t i s c on si de re d a ga uc he t hi ng t o d o w hen a T ru mpcommunication is obviously in progress-on the order of intentionally picking up an extension phone and breaking in on someone's call. Nevertheless. . . .

  " My ! M y! " h e s ai d. " Wi ll y ou p le as e i nt ro du ce m e, M er li n? "

  " W ho ," F io na a sk ed , " is t ha t? "

  " Th is i s m y b ro th er M an do r, " I t ol d h er , " of t he H ou se o f S aw al l i n t he C ou rt s o f C ha os . M an do r;t hi s i s m y A un t F io na , P ri nc es s o f A mb er ."

  M a nd o r b o we d .

  "I h av e h ea rd o f y ou , P ri nc es s, " h e s ai d. " It i s i nd ee d a p le as ur e. "

  He r e ye s w id en ed f or a m om en t.

  " I k no w o f t he h ou se ," s he r ep li ed , " bu t I 'd n o i de a o f M er li n' s r el at io ns hi p w it h i t. I a m p le as ed t oknow you."

  " I t ak e i t t her e' s s om e p ro bl em , F i? " I a sk ed .

  " Ye s, " s he a ns we re d, g la nc in g a t M an do r.

  " I w il l r et ir e, " h e s ai d. " Ho no re d t o h av e m et y ou , P ri nc es s. I w is h y ou l iv ed a b it n ear er t he R im ."

  She smiled.

  " Wa it ," s he s ai d. " Th is d oe s n ot i nv ol ve a ny s ta te s ec re ts . Y ou a re a n i ni ti at e o f t he L og ru s? "

  " I am ," h e st at ed .

  ". . . And I take it you two di d not get together to fight a duel ?"

  "Hardly," I answered.

  " In t ha t c as e, I w ou ld w el co me h is v ie w o f t he p ro bl em , a ls o. A re y ou w il li ng t o c om e t o m e,M an do r? " H e b ow ed a ga in , w hi ch I t ho ug ht w as h am mi ng i t a b it .

  "Anyplace, Madam," he responded.

  S he s ai d, " Co me t he n, " a nd s he e xt en de d h er l ef t h an d a nd I c la sp ed i t. M an do r r ea ch ed o ut a ndt o uc he d h er w r is t. W e s t ep pe d f o rw ar d .

  W e s to od b ef or e h er i n t he r oc ky p la ce . I t w as b re ez y a nd a b it c hi ll t he re . F ro m s om ew he re d is ta ntt he re c am e a m ut ed r oa r, a s o f a m uf fl ed e ng in e.

  " Ha ve y ou b ee n i n t ou ch w it h a ny on e i n A mb er r ec en tl y? " I a sk ed h er .

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  " No ," s he s ta te d.

  " Y ou r d ep ar t ur e w as s om ew ha t a br up t. "

  "There were reasons."

  "Such as your recognizing Luke?"

  " Hi s i de nt it y i s k no wn t o y ou n ow ?"

  "Yes."

  " A nd t o t he o th er s? "

  " I t ol d R an do m, " I a ns we re d, " an d F lo ra ."

  " Th en e ve ry on e k no ws ," s he s ai d. " I d ep ar te d q ui ck ly a nd t oo k B le ys w it h m e b ec au se w e h ad t o be next on Luke's list. After all, I tried killing his father and almost succeeded. Bleys and I were Brand'sclosest relatives, and we'd turned against him."

  S he t ur ne d a p en et ra ti ng g az e u po n M an do r, w ho s mi le d.

  " I u nd er st an d, " h e s ta te d, ` t ha t r ig ht n ow L uk e d ri nk s w it h a C at , a D od o, a C at er pi ll ar , a nd aW hi te R ab bi t. I a ls o u nd er st an d t ha t w it h h is m ot he r a p ri so ne r i n A mb er h e i s p ow er le ss a ga in st y ou ."

  S he r eg ar de d m e a ga in .

  " Y ou h av e b ee n b us y, " s he s ai d. " I t ry ."

  " . . . S o t ha t i t i s pr ob abl y s af e f or yo u t o r et ur n, " M an do r co nt inu ed .

  Sh e s mi le d a t h im , t he n g la nc ed a t m e.

  "Your brother seems well informed," she observed.

  " He 's f am il y, t oo ," I s ai d, " an d w e' ve a l if el on g h ab it o f l oo ki ng o ut f or e ac h o th er ."

  " Hi s- l if e o r y ou rs ?" s he a sk ed .

  "M in e, " I r ep li ed . " He i s m y s en io r. "

  " W ha t a re a f ew c en tu ri es t hi s w ay o r t ha t? " M an do r o ff er ed .

  " I t ho ug ht I f el t a c er ta in m at ur it y o f s pi ri t, " s he n ot ed. " I' ve a m in d t o t ru st y ou f ur th er t ha n I 'dintended."

  " Th at 's v er y s po rt in g o f y ou ," h e r ep li ed , " an d I t re as ur e t he s en ti me nt . . . . "

  ". . . But you' d r at her I didn't overdo it ?"

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  "Precisely."

  " I' ve n o i nt en ti on o f t es ti ng y ou r l oy al ti es t o h om e a nd t hr on e, " s he s ai d, " on s uc h s ho rt a cq ua in ta nc e.I t d oe s c on ce rn b ot h A mb er a nd t he C ou rt s, b ut I s ee n o c on fl ic t i n t he m at te r. "

  " I d o n ot d ou bt y ou r p ru de nc e. I m er el y w an te d t o m ak e m y p os it io n c le ar ."

  S he t ur ne d b ac k t ow ar d m e.

  " Me rl in, " sh e sa id t hen , " I t hi nk y ou l ie d t o m e. "

  I f el t m ys el f f ro wn in g a s I t ri ed t o r ec al l an o cca si on w hen I m igh t h av e m is led h er a bo ut s om et hi ng . Is ho ok m y h ea d.

  " If I di d," I t ol d h er , " I do n' t r eme mb er ."

  " It w as s om e y ea rs a go ," s he s ai d, " wh en I a sk ed y ou t o t ry w al ki ng y ou r f at he r' s P at te rn ."

  " Oh ," I a ns we re d, f ee li ng m ys el f b lu sh a nd w on de ri ng w he th er i t w as a pp ar en t i n t hi s s tr an ge l ig ht .

  " Yo u t oo k a dv an ta ge o f w ha t I h ad t ol d y ou -a bo ut t he P at te rn 's r es is ta nc e, " s he c on ti nu ed . " Yo u pretended it was preventing you from setting your foot upon it. But there was no visible sign of ther es is ta nc e, s uc h a s t he re w as w he n I t ri ed s te pp in g o nt o i t. "

  S he l oo ke d a t m e, a s i f f or c on fi rm at io n. " So ?" I s ai d.

  " So ," s he r ep li ed , " it h as b ec om e m or e i mp or ta nt n ow t ha n i t w as t he n, a nd I h av e t o k no w: W er e

y ou f ak in g i t t ha t d ay ?"

  " Ye s, " I s ai d.

  " Wh y? " " On ce I t oo k o ne s te p u po n i t, " I e xp la in ed , " I' d h av e b ee n c om mi tt ed t o w al ki ng i t. W hok no ws wh er e i t m ig ht h av e l ed m e a nd w ha t s it uat io n m ig ht h av e f ol lo we d? I w as ne ar t he e nd o f m yh ol ida y an d i n a hu rr y t o g et b ac k t o s ch oo l: I d id n' t h av e t im e f or w ha t m igh t ha ve t ur ne d i nt o a l eng thyexpedition. Telling you there were difficulties seemed the most graceful way of begging off."

  " I t hi nk t he re 's m or e t o i t t ha n t ha t, " s he s ai d.

  " Wh at d o y ou m ea n? "

  " I t hi nk C or wi n t ol d you so met hi ng about i t t hat t he r es t of us do not know -or t hat he l ef t yo u am es sa ge . I b el ie ve y ou k no w m or e t ha n y ou l et o n c on ce rn in g t he t hi ng ."

  I shrugged.

  " So rr y, F io na . I h av e n o c on tr ol o ve r y ou r s us pi ci on s, " I s ai d: " Wi sh I c ou ld b e o f m or e h el p. "

  " Y ou c an ," s he r ep li ed .

  " T el l m e h ow ."

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  " Com e wi th m e t o t he p lace o f t he new Pat ter n. I w an t y ou t o w al k i t. "

  I shook my head .

  "I've got a lot more pressing business," I told her,"than satisfying your curiosity about something myd ad d id y ea rs , ag o. "

  "I t' s m or e t ha n j us t c ur io si ty ," s he s ai d. " I t ol d y ou ` o nc e b ef or e t ha t I t hi nk i t' s w ha t i s b eh in d t heincreased" incidence of shadow storms."

  " An d I g av e y ou a p er fe ct ly g oo d r ea so n f or s om et hi ng ; e ls e b ei ng t he c au se . I b el ie ve i t' s a na dj us tm en t t o t he y p ar ti al d es tr uc ti on a nd r ec re at io n o f t he o ld P at te rn . "

  " Wo ul d y ou c om e t hi s w ay ?" s he a sk ed , a nd s he t ur ne d f ro m m e a nd b eg an t o c li mb .

  I g la nc ed a t M an do r, s hr ug ge d, a nd f ol lo we d h er . H e c am e a lo ng .

  W e m ou nt ed t ow ar d a j ag ge d sc ree n o f r ock . S he r eac hed i t f ir st a nd m ad e h er w ay o nt o a l op si de dl ed ge w hi ch r an p ar tw ay a lo ng i t. S he t ra ve rs ed t hi s u nt il s he c am e t o a p la ce w he re t he r oc k w al l h ad broken down into a wide V-shaped gap. She stood there with her back' to us then, the light from theg re en s ky d oi ng s tr an ge t hi ng s t o h er h ai r.

  I cam e up b esi de h er and f ol low ed t he di rect ion o f h er g aze. On a di st ant p lai n, f ar bel ow u s an d t ot he l ef t, a l ar ge bl ack f unne l spu n l ike a t op. I t s eeme d t he so ur ce of t he r oar ing so und we had be enh ea ri ng . T he g ro un d; a pp ea re d t o b e c ra ck ed b en ea th i t. I s ta re d f or s ev er al m in ut es , b ut i t d id n otc ha ng e i n f or m o r p os it io n. F in al ly , I c le ar ed m y t hr oa t.

  " Lo ok s l ik e a b ig t or na do ," I s ai d, " no t g oi ng a ny pl ac e. "

  "T hat 's why I w ant you t o wal k t he new Pat ter n, " she' t ol d me. " I t hi nk i t' s goi ng t o get us unl ess w eget it first."

  CHAPTER 3

  I f y ou h ad a c ho ic e b et we en t he a bi li ty t o d et ec t f al se ho od a nd t he a bi li ty t o d is co ve r t ru th , w hi cho ne w ou ld y ou t ak e? T he re w as a t im e w hen I t ho ug ht t he y w er e d if fer en t w ay s o f s ay in g t he s am e t hi ng ,

 but I no longer believe that. Most of my relatives, for example, are almost as good at seeing throughs ub te rf ug e a s t he y a re a t p er pe tr at in g i t. I 'm n ot a t a ll s ur e, t ho ug h, t ha t t he y c ar e m uc h a bo ut t ru th : O nt he o th er h an d, I ' d a lw ay s f el t t he re w as s om et hi ng n ob le , s pe ci al , a nd h on or ab le a bo ut s ee ki ng t ru th -at hi ng I 'd a tt em pt ed w it h G ho st wh ee l. M an do r h ad m ad e m e w on de r, t ho ug h. H ad t hi s m ad e m e a s uc ke r  for truth's opposite?

  Of c our se, i t' s n ot as c ut an d dr ied as a ll t ha t. I k now t ha t i t i s no t a pu re . ei the r/ or s it uat io n wi th t hem id dl e e xc lu de d, b ut i s r at he r a s ta te me nt o f a tt it ud e. S ti ll , I w as s ud de nl y w il li ng t o c on ce de t ha t I m ig hth av e g on e t o a n e xt re me -t o t he p oi nt o f f oo lh ar di ne ss -a nd t ha t I h ad l et c er ta in o f m y c ri ti ca l f ac ul ti esd oz e f or f ar t oo l on g.

  So I w on de re d a bo ut F io na 's r eq ue st .

  " Wh at m ak es i t s uch a t hr eat ?" I a sk ed h er .

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  " It i s a s had ow s tor m i n t he f or m o f a t or nad o, " she s ai d.

  " Th er e h av e b ee n s uc h t hi ng s b ef or e, " I a ns we re d. " Tr ue ," s he r es po nd ed , " bu t t he y t en d t o m ov et hr ou gh S ha do w. T hi s o ne d oe s h av e e xt en si on t hr ou gh a n a re a o f S ha do w, b ut i t i s t ot al ly s ta ti on ar y. I tf ir st a pp ea re d s ev er al d ay s a go , a nd i t h as n ot a lt er ed i n a ny w ay s in ce t he n. ''

  " Wh at 's t ha t c om e t o i n A mb er -t im e? " I a sk ed .

  " Ha lf a d ay , p er ha ps . W hy ?"

  I s hr ug ge d. " I d on 't k no w. J us t c ur io us ," I s ai d. ` I s ti ll d on 't s ee w hy i t' s a t hr ea t. "

  " I t ol d y ou t ha t s uc h. s to rm s h ad p ro li fe ra te d s in ce ; C or wi n d re w t he e xt ra P at te rn . N ow t he y' rec ha ng in g i n. c ha ra ct er a s w el l a s f re qu en cy . T ha t P at t er n h as t o b e' u nd er st oo d s oo n. "

  A m om en t' s q ui ck r ef l ec ti on s ho we d m e t ha t w ho ev er g ai ne d c on tr ol o f D ad 's P at t er n c ou ld b ec om em as te r o f: s om e t er ri bl e f or ce s. O r m is tr es s.

  S o, " Su ppo si ng I w al k i t; " I sai d. " Th en wh at ? As I un der st and i t f ro m Da d' s st or y, I 'd j ust w ind upi n t he m id dl e, t he s am e a s w it h t he P at te rn b ac k h om e. W ha t' s; t o b e l ea rn ed f ro m t ha t? "

  I s tu di ed h er f ac e f or s om e d is pl ay o f e mo ti on , b ut m y' r el at iv es t en d t o h av e t oo m uc h c on tr ol f or  such simple self betrayal.

  " As I u nd er st an d i t, " s he s ai d, " Br an d w as a bl e t o t ru mp i n w he n C or wi n w as a t t he m id dl e. "

  " Th at 's t he w ay I u nd er st an d i t, t oo ."

  " . . . So, when you r each.t he center, I can come in" on a Trump."

  " I s up po se s o. T he n t he re w il l b e t wo o f u s s ta nd in g a t t he m id dl e o f t he P at te rn ."

  ` . . . An d f rom t he re we w il l be i n a p osi ti on t o g o so me pl ac e we co ul d n ot r ea ch f ro m an y ot her   point in existence."

  "T ha t b ei ng ?" I a sk ed .

  " Th e p ri ma l P at te rn w hi ch l ie s b eh in d i t. " " Yo u' re s ur e t he re i s o ne ?"

  " Ther e m us t be. I t i s i n t he na tur e o f s uch a co nst ruct t o b e s cr ib ed at a mo re ba si c l ev el of r ea li ty aswell as the mundane."

  " An d o ur p ur po se i n t ra ve li ng t o t ha t p la ce ?"

  " Th at i s w he re i ts s ec re ts d we ll ; w he re i ts d ee pe st m ag ic s m ig ht b e l ea rn ed ."

  " I s ee ," I t ol d h er . " Th en w ha t? "

  " Wh y, t he re w e m ig ht l ea rn h ow t o u nd o t he t ro ub le t he t hi ng i s c au si ng ," s he a ns we re d.

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  "That's all?"

  H e r e y es n a rr o we d .

  " We w il l l ea rn w ha te ve r w e c an , o f c ou rs e. P ow er i s p ow er , a nd r ep re se nt s a t hr ea t u nt il i t i sunderstood."

  I n od de d s lo wl y .

  " Bu t r ig ht n ow t he re a re a n um be r o f p ow er s t ha t a re m or e p re ss in g i n t he t hr ea t d ep ar tm en t, " I s ai d." Th at Pa tt er n i s g oi ng t o h av e t o wa it i ts t ur n. "

  " E ve n i f i t m ay r ep re se nt t he f or ce s y ou n ee d t o d ea l w it h y ou r o th er p ro bl em s? " s he a sk ed .

  " Ev en so ," I s ai d. " It m ig ht t ur n i nt o a l en gt hy en te rpr is e, a nd I do n' t b el ie ve I h ave t he t im e f or t ha t. "

  " Bu t y ou d on 't k no w t ha t . fo r c er ta in ."

  " Tr ue. Bu t onc e I set f oot o n i t, t he re' s no t ur ni ng b ack ."

  I di d n ot ad d t ha t I 'd no i nt ent ion of t aki ng her t o t he pr im al P at ter n, t hen l eavi ng her t her e on her  o wn . A ft er a ll , s he h ad t ri ed h er h an d a t k in g- ma ki ng o nc e. A nd i f B ra nd h ad m ad e i t t o t he t hr on e o f                  A mb er i n t ho se d ay s, s he w ou ld h av e b ee n s tan di ng r ig ht b eh in d h im , n o m at te r w ha t s he h ad t o s ayab out i t now . I t hi nk s he was ab out t o as k m e t o del iver her t o t he p ri ma l P at te rn t hen bu t r eal ize d t hat I 'da lr ea dy c on si de re d i t a nd r ej ec te d i t. N ot w an ti ng t o l os e f ac e b y a sk in g a nd b ei ng r ef us ed , s he r et ur ne dto her original argument.

  " I sugg est you make t ime now, " she sai d, " if you do n ot wi sh t o see wo rl ds t or n up a bout y ou."

  " I d id n' t b el ie ve y ou t he f ir st t im e y ou t ol d m e t ha t, " I a ns we re d, " an d I d on 't b el ie ve y ou n ow . I s ti llt hi nk t he i nc re as ed s ha do w- st or m a ct iv it y i s p ro ba bl y a n a dj us tm en t t o t he d am ag e a nd r ep ai r o f t heo ri gi na l P at te rn . I a ls o t hi nk t ha t i f w e m es s a ro un d w it h a n ew P at te rn w e d on 't k no w a ny th in g a bo ut , w es ta nd a c ha nc e o f m ak in g t hi ng s w or se , n ot b et te r- "

  " I don 't wan t t o m es s a roun d wi th i t," she sai d. " I wa nt t o st ud y- "

  T he S ig n o f t he L og ru s f la sh ed b et we en u s s ud de nl y. S he m us t h av e s ee n i t o r f el t i t s om eh ow , t oo ,

 because she drew back at the same instant I did.

  I t ur ned m y h ea d w it h su re kn ow le dg e a s t o wh at I wo ul d se e.

  Ma ndor had m oun ted t he bat tl em ent li ke wal l of st on e. He st ood as st il l as i f he w er e a pa rt o f i t, h isa rm , u pr ai se d. I s up pr es se d m y f ir st i mp ul se , w hi ch w as t o s ho ut t o h im t o s to p. H e k ne w w ha t h e w asd oi ng . A nd I w as c er ta in t ha t h e w ou ld n ot p ay m e t he s li gh te st h ee d, a ny wa y.

  I a dv an ce d t o t he n ot ch i n w hi ch h e h ad t ak en h is p os it io n, a nd I l oo ke d p as t h im a t t he s wi rl in gt hi ng o n t he c ra ck ed p lai n f ar b el ow . T hr oug h t he i ma ge o f t he Lo gr us, I f el t t he d ar k, aw fu l r us h of                   power that Suhuy had revealed to me in his final lesson. Mandor was calling upon it now and pouring iti nt o t he s ha do w- st or m. D id h e n ot r ea li ze t ha t t he f or ce o f C ha os h e w as u nl ea sh in g m us t s pr ea d u nt il i th ad r un a t er ri bl e c ou rs e? C ou ld h e n ot s ee t ha t i f t he s to rm w er e i nd ee d a m an if es ta ti on o f C ha os t he nh e w as t ur ni ng i t i nt o a t ru ly m on st ro us t hi ng ?

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  I t g re w l ar ge r. I ts r oa ri ng i nc re as ed i n v ol um e. I t b ec am e f ri gh te ni ng t o w at ch i t.

  F ro m b eh in d m e, I h ea rd F io na g as p.

  " I h op e y ou k no w w ha t y ou 'r e d oi ng ," I c al le d t o h im .

  " We 'l l k no w i n a bo ut a m in ut e, " h e r ep li ed , l ow er in g h is a rm s.

  T he S ig n o f t he L og ru s w in ke d o ut b ef or e m e.

  W e w at ch ed t he d am ne d t hi ng s pi n f or s om e t im e, b ig ge r a nd n oi si er .

  F in al ly , " Wh at h av e y ou p ro ve d? " I a sk ed h im .

  " Th at y ou h av e n o p at i en ce ," h e a ns we re d.

  There was nothing particularly instructive to the phenomenon, but I continued to watch it anyway:

  A br up tl y, t he s ou nd b ec am e a s tu tt er . T he d ar k a pp ar i ti on j er ke d a bo ut ' s ud de nl y, s ha ki ng o ff b it so f a cc um ul at ed d eb ri s a s i t c on tr ac te d. S oo n i t w as r es to re d t o i ts f or me r s iz e, a nd i t h it i ts e ar li er p it cha nd t he s ou nd g re w s te ad y o nc e m or e.

  "Ho w d id yo u d o t hat ?" I a sk ed h im .

  " I d id n' t, " h e s ai d. " It a dj us te d i ts el f. "

  " It s ho ul dn 't h av e, " F io na s ta te d.

  "Exactly," he replied.

  " Yo u' ve l os t m e, " I s ai d.

  " It s ho ul d h av e g on e r oa ri ng r ig ht o n, s tr on ge r t ha n e ve r, a ft er h e' d a ug me nt ed i t t ha t w ay ," F io nas ai d. " Bu t w ha te ve r i s c on tr ol li ng i t h ad o th er p la ns . S o i t w as r ea dj us te d. "

  " . . . And i t i s a Ch aos ph eno men on, " Man dor co nt in ued. " You c oul d se e t hat i n t he w ay i t dr ew

u po n C ha os w he n I p ro vi de d t he m ea ns . B ut t ha t p us he d i t p as t s om e l im it , a nd t he re w as a c or re ct io n.S om eo ne i s p la yi ng w it h t he p ri ma l f or ce s t he ms el ves o ut t her e. W ho o r w ha t o r w hy , I ca nn ot s ay . B ut It hi nk i t' s s tr on g t es ti mo ny t ha t t he P at te rn i sn 't i nv ol ve d. N ot w it h C ha os g am es . S o M er li n i s p ro ba bl yc or re ct . I t hi nk t ha t t hi s b us in es s h as i ts o ri gi n e ls ew he re ."

  " Al l r ig ht ," F io na c on ce de d. " Al l r ig ht . W ha t d oe s t ha t l ea ve u s w it h? "

  " A m ys te ry ," h e s ai d. " Bu t h ar dl y, I t hi nk , a n i mm in en t t hr ea t. "

  A f ai nt f ir ef ly of a n i de a f li tt ed t hr ou gh m y m in d. I t c ou ld ea si ly b e d ea d w ro ng , t ho ugh t hat w as n ott he r ea so n I d ec id ed a ga in st s ha ri ng i t. I t l ed i nt o a n a re a o f t ho ug ht I c ou ld n ot ex pl or e i n a n i ns ta nt , a ndI d on 't l ik e g iv in g a wa y p ie ce s o f t hi ng s l ik e t ha t.

  F io na w as g la ri ng a t m e n ow , b ut I m ai nt ai ne d a b la nd e xp re ss io n. A br up tl y t he n, s ee in g t ha t h er  

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c au se w as f ru it le ss , s he d ec id ed t o c ha ng e t he s ub je ct :

  " Y ou s ai d t ha t y ou l ef t L uk e u nd er s om ew ha t u nu su al c ir cu ms ta nc es . J us t w he re i s h e n ow ?"

  T he l ast t hi ng I w ant ed t o do wa s t o get her r eal ly m ad at m e. Bu t I coul dn' t see f umi ng h er l oose onL uk e i n hi s pr es en t co nd it io n. Fo r a ll I k ne w, s he m igh t ac tu al ly b e u p t o ki ll ing hi m, j ust as a f or m o f l if e

i ns ur anc e. A nd I d id n ot w an t L uk e de ad . I 'd a f eel in g he m ig ht be u nd er go ing s om et hi ng o f a c ha nge o f                  a tt it ud e, a nd I w an te d t o g iv e h im e ve ry b re ak I c ou ld . W e s ti ll o we d e ac h o th er a f ew , e ve n t ho ug h i tw as h ar d k ee pi ng s co re ; a nd t he re i s s om et hi ng t o b e s ai d f or o ld t im es ' s ak e C on si de ri ng w ha t I 'd

       judged his condition to be when I'd left him, it was going to be a while before he was in decent shapeagai n. A nd t hen I had a number of t hi ngs I want ed t o t al k t o hi m about.

  " So rr y, " I s ai d. " He 's m y p ro vi nc e a t t he m om en t. "

  " I b el ie ve I h av e s om e i nt er es t i n t he m at te r, " s he r ep li ed l ev el ly .

  " Of cour se," I sai d, " bu t I f eel t ha t m ine i s gr eat er and t hat we may get i n e ach o ther 's ways ."

  " I c an j ud ge t he se t hi ng s f or m ys el f, " s he s ai d.

  " Ok ay ," I t ol d h er . " He' s o n a n a ci d t ri p. A ny i nf or - o rm at io n y ou 'd g et o ut o f h im m ig ht b e c ol or fu l, but it would also be highly disappointing."

  " Ho w d id t hi s h ap pe n? " s he a sk ed .

  " A w iz ar d n am ed M as k a pp ar en tl y s li pp ed h im s om e c he mi ca ls w he n h e h ad h im p ri so ne r. "

  " Wh er e w as t hi s? I 'v e n ev er h ea rd o f M as k. "

  "A p la ce c al led t he K ee p of t he F ou r W or ld s, " I t ol d h er .

  " I t' s b ee n a l on g t im e s in ce I h ea rd t he K ee p m en ti on ed ," s he s ai d. " A s or ce re r n am ed S ha ru G ar ru lu se d t o h ol d i t. "

  " He 's a c oa tr ac k n ow ," I s ta te d. " Wh at ?"

  " Lo ng s to ry ; b ut M as k h as t he p la ce t he se d ay s. "

  She st ar ed at me , and I co ul d t el l s he wa s j ust r ea li zi ng t hat t her e wa s a l ot she di dn' t k now i n t hew ay o f r ec en t d ev el op me nt s. I 'd j ud ge s he w as d ec id in g w hi ch o f s ev er al o bv io us q ue st io ns t o a sk n ex tw he n I d ec id ed t o b ea t h er t o t he p un ch w hi le s he w as s ti ll o ff b al an ce .

  "S o h ow 's B le ys ?" I a sk ed .

  "He's much improved. I treated him myself and he's recovering quickly."

  I wa s a bo ut t o a sk h er w her e he wa s, w hi ch I k ne w s he wo ul d r ef use t o a ns we r, an d h op ef ul ly w ew ou ld b ot h s mi le w he n s he s aw w ha t I w as d ri vi ng a t: n o a dd re ss f or B le ys , n o a dd re ss f or L uk e; w ek ee p o ur s ec re ts a nd s ta y f ri en ds .

  " He ll o! " I h ea rd M an do r s ay , a nd w e b ot h t ur ne d i n t he d ir ec ti on h e w as f ac in g- ba ck o ut t hr ou gh t he

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notch.

  T he d ar k t or na do -f or m h ad c ol la ps ed t o h al f i ts f or me r s iz e, a nd e ve n a s w e w at ch ed , i t c on ti nu edt o d im in is h. I t f el l s te ad il y i n u po n i ts el f, s hr in ki ng a nd s hr in ki ng , a nd i n a bo ut a h al f m in ut e i t w as g on e,completely.

  I c ou ld n ot s up pr es s a s mi le , b ut F io na d id n ot e ve n n ot ic e. S he w as l oo ki ng a t M an do r.

  " Do you t hi nk i t w as b ecaus e o f w hat you di d? " she as ked hi m.

  "I h av e n o w ay o f k no wi ng ," h e r ep li ed , " bu t i t m ay w el l b e. "

  " Bu t d oe s i t t el l y ou a ny th in g? " s he s ai d.

  "Perhaps whoever was responsible did not like having me tinker with his experiment."

  "You really believe there's an intelligence behind it?"

  "Yes."

  "Someone from the Courts?"

  " It s ee ms m or e l ik el y t ha n s om eo ne f ro m y ou r e nd o f t he w or ld ."

  " I su ppo se s o . . . ," sh e a gr ee d. " Hav e y ou a ny gu ess es as t o t he p er so n' s i den ti ty ?"

  H e s mi l ed .

  " I u nd er st an d, " s he s ai d q ui ck ly . " Yo ur b us in es s i s y ou r b us in es s. B ut a g en er al t hr ea t i s e ve ry bo dy 's business. That's what I was really getting at."

  " Tr ue ," h e a ck no wl ed ge d. " Th is i s w hy I p ro po se i nv es ti ga ti ng i t. I 'm a t l oo se e nd s a t t he m om en t. I tmight be amusing."

  " It i s a wk wa rd a sk in g y ou t o c om mu ni cat e y ou r f in di ng s t o m e, " s he s ai d, " wh en I d o n ot k no w w hatinterests might be involved."

  " I a pp re ci at e y ou r p os it io n, " h e r ep li ed , " bu t t o t he b es t o f m y k no wl ed ge t he t re at y p ro vi si on s s ti llhol d and no on e i n t he C our ts i s pr om ot in g any speci al desig ns agai nst Am ber . I n f act. . . . I f you l ike, w em ig ht p ur su e t he m at te r t og et he r, a t l ea st p ar t o f t he w ay ."

  " I' ve g ot t he t im e, " s he s ai d.

  " I d on 't ," I i nj ec te d q ui ck ly . " I' ve s om e p re ss in g b us in es s t o a tt en d t o. "

  Ma nd or s hi f te d h is a tt en ti on t o m e.

  "About my offer . . . ," he said.

  " I can' t," I t ol d hi m.

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  "V er y w el l. O ur c on ve rs at io n i s n ot c on cl ud ed , h ow ev er . I 'l l b e i n t ou ch l at er ."

  "Okay."

  F io na l oo ke d m y w ay t he n, a ls o.

  " Yo u w il l k ee p m e p os te d o n L uk e' s r ec ov er y, a nd h is i nt en ti on s, " s he s ta te d.

  "Of course."

  " G oo d d ay , t he n. "

  Ma ndor ga ve me a smal l ha lf s al ut e and I r et ur ned . i t.

  I began wal ki ng t hen, and as s oon as I was out of si ght I began shi ft ing .

  I f oun d my w ay t o a r ock y sl op e, w he re I h al ted at wi thd rew m y Tr um p f or A mb er . I r ai se d i t,f oc us ed m y aw ar en es s, a nd t ra ns po rt ed m ys el f a s s oo n a s I f el t m y w ay t hr ou gh . I w as h op in g t he m ai nh al l w ou ld b e e mp ty , bu t a t t hi s p oi nt I d id n' t r ea ll y c ar e t ha t m uch .

  I c am e t hr ou gh n ea r J as ra , w ho w as h ol di ng a n e xt ra c lo ak o ve r h er o ut st re tc he d l ef t a rm . I d uc ke dout t he doo rway t o my l ef t i nt o an em pt y cor ri do r an d m ade my w ay t o t he ba ck s tai r. Sev er al t imes Ihe ar d v oi ces a nd I de to ur ed t o av oi d t he sp ea ke rs . I w as ab le t o m ak e i t t o m y r oom s w it ho ut b ei ngdiscovered.

  The on ly r est I ha d h ad i n w hat seem ed an age an d a hal f ha d b een a f if teen- mi nu te n ap bef or eL uk e' s s pa ce d- ou t s or ce ro us f ac ul ty h ad c au se d h im t o s um mo n m e t o t he L oo ki ng G la ss B ar v ia a

h al lu ci na to ry T ru mp . W he n? F or a ll I k ne w, i t c ou ld h av e b ee n y es te rd ay -w hi ch h ad b ee n a v er y f ul l d ay before that incident.

  I ba rr ed t he d oo r an d st ag ge re d t o t he b ed , f li ng in g m ys el f d ow n u po n i t w it ho ut e ve n r em ov in g m y boots. Sure, there were all sorts of things I should be doing, but I was in no condition for any of them. I'dr et ur ne d h om e b ec au se I s ti ll f el t s af es t i n A mb er ; d es pi te t he f ac t t ha t L uk e h ad r ea ch ed m e h er e o nc e.

  Someone with a high-powered subconscious might have had a brilliantly revelatory dream followinga s m uc h c ra p a s I 'd b ee n t hr ou gh r ec en tl y, a nd t he n h av e a wa ke ne d w it h a w on de rf ul s er ie s o f i ns ig ht sa nd a ns we rs d et ai li ng a pp ro pr ia te c ou rs es o f a ct io n. I d id n' t. I w ok e o nc e, i n a s ma ll p an ic , n ot k no wi ng

w he re I w as . B ut I o pe ne d m y e ye s a nd s at is fi ed m ys el f o n t ha t c ou nt , t he n w en t b ac k t o s le ep .L at er -m uc h l at er , i t s ee me d- I r et ur ne d b y d eg re es , l ik e s om e p ie ce o f f lo ts am b ei ng p us he d h ig he r a ndh ig her on to a be ach b y w ave f ol lo wi ng w av e, u nt il f in al ly I wa s t her e. I s aw n o r ea son f or go ing an yf ur th er un ti l I r ea li ze d t hat m y f eet hu rt . T he n I sa t u p a nd p ul le d m y bo ot s of f, w hi ch m ig ht h av e b ee n o neo f t he s ix g re at es t p le as ur es i n m y l if e. I r em ov ed m y s oc ks i n a h ur ry t he n an d t hr ew t he m i nt o t he c or ne r  of t he r oo m. Why d oesn' t anyone el se i n my l ine of wor k seem t o get sor e f eet ? I f il led t he basi n an ds oa ke d t he m f or a t im e, t he n r es ol ve d t o g o b ar ef oo t f or t he n ex t f ew h ou rs .

  F in al ly I r os e, s tr ip pe d, c le an ed u p, a nd p ut o n a p ai r o f L ev i' s a nd a p ur pl e f la nn el s hi rt o f w hi ch Ia m f on d. T he h el l w it h s wo rd s, d ag ge rs , a nd c lo ak s f or a t im e. I o pe ne d t he s hu tt er s a nd l oo ke d o ut si de .I t w as d ar k. B ec au se o f c lo ud s, I c ou ld n' t e ve n g ue ss f ro m t he s ta rs w he th er i t m ig ht b e e ar ly e ve ni ng ,late night, or almost morning.

  I t w as v er y qu iet i n t he h al l, a nd t her e we re n o so und s as I m ade m y w ay d ow n t he ba ck s tai r. T he

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  "H ow 'd h e d o t ha t? "

  " Ev er yo ne w it h a n i nt er es t i n t he m at te r w as e ve n m or e i nt er es te d i n s ee in g K as hf a a dm it te d t o t heGolden Circle of privileged trade status."

  " So R an do m b ou gh t t he m o ff t o s ee h is o wn m an i n c ha rg e, " I o bs er ve d. " Do n' t t he se G ol de n C ir cl et re at ie s u su al ly g iv e u s t he r ig ht t o m ov e t ro op s t hr ou gh a c li en t k in gd om 's t er ri to ry w it h v er y l it tl e i n t heway of preliminaries?"

  " Ye s, " s he s ai d .

  I s ud de nl y r ec al le d t ha t t ou gh -l oo ki ng e mi ss ar y o f t he C ro wn I 'd m et a t B lo od y B il l' s, w ho h ad p ai dhi s t ab i n K ashf an cur rency. I d eci ded I d id not r eal ly want to know how cl ose i n poi nt of t ime t hat wast o t he a ss as si na ti on t ha t h ad m ad e t hi s r ec en t a rr an ge me nt p os si bl e. W ha t s tr uc k m e w it h m or ei mm ed ia te f or ce w as t he p ic tu re t ha t n ow e me rg ed : I t l oo ke d a s i f R an do m h ad j us t b lo ck ed J as ra a nd

L uk e f ro m r ec ov er in g t he ir u su rp ed t hr on ew hi ch , t o b e f ai r, I g ue ss J as ra h ad u su rp ed h er se lf , y ea rs a go .W it h a ll t ha t u su rpi ng go ing o n, t he eq ui ti es o f t he t hi ng w er e m or e t ha n a l it tl e haz y t o m e. B ut i f                  R an do m' s e th ic s w er e n o b et te r t ha n t ho se w hi ch h ad g on e b ef or e, t he y w er e c er ta in ly n o w or se . I tl oo ke d n ow , t ho ug h, a s i f a ny a tt em pt o n t he p ar t o f L uk e t o r eg ai n h is m ot he r' s t hr on e w ou ld b e m et b ya m on ar ch w ho p os se ss ed a d ef en se a ll ia nc e w it h A mb er . I s ud de nl y f el t w il li ng t o b et t ha t t he t er ms o f                  the defense provisions of the alliance included Amber's assistance in internal troubles as well as helpagainst outside aggressors.

  F as ci na ti ng . I t s ou nd ed as i f R an do m w er e g oi ng t o a n a wf ul l ot o f t ro ub le t o i so la te L uk e f ro m h is power base and any semblance of legitimacy as a head of state. I supposed the next step could be to geth im o ut la we d a s a p re te nd er a nd a d an ge ro us r ev ol ut io na ry , a nd t o p ut a p ri ce o n h is h ea d. W as

Random overreacting? Luke didn't seem all that dangerous now, especially with his mother in our c us to dy . O n t he o th er h an d, I d id n' t r ea ll y k no w h ow f ar R an do m i nt en de d t o g o: W as h e j us t f or ec lo si nga ll o f t he t hr ea te ni ng o pt io ns , o r w as h e a ct ua ll y o ut t o g et L uk e? T he l at te r p os si bi li ty b ot he re d m e i n t ha tL uk e s ee me d o n h al fw ay g oo d b eh av io r a t t he m om en t a nd p os si bl y i n t he t hr oe s o f r ec on si de ri ng h is position. I did not want to see him needlessly thrown to the wolves as a result of overkill on Random's part.

  So, " I suppose t his has a l ot t o do with Luke," I said. t o Vialle.

  S he w as s il en t f or a m om en t, t he n r ep li ed , " It w as D al t t ha t h e s ee me d c on ce rn ed a bo ut ."

  I s hr ug ged m en ta ll y. I t se em ed t ha t i t w ou ld c om e d ow n t o t he s am e t hi ng i n R an do m' s m in d, s in cehe wo ul d see Dal t as t he m il it ar y f or ce L uke wou ld t ur n t o t o r eco ver t he t hr one . So I sai d, " Oh, " an dwent on eating.

  T he re w er e n o n ew f ac ts t o b e h ad b ey on d t hi s, a nd n ot hi ng t o c la ri fy R an do m' s t hi nk in g a ny f ur th er ,s o w e l ap se d i nt o s ma ll t al k w hi le I c on si de re d m y p osi ti on o nce a gai n. I t s ti ll ca me d ow n t o a f ee li ng t hatu rg en t a ct io n w as n ec es sa ry a nd u nc er ta in ty a s t o w ha t f or m i t s ho ul d t ak e. M y c ou rs e w as d et er mi ne d i nan unexpected fashion sometime during dessert.

  A c ou rt ie r n am ed R an de l- ta ll , t hi n, d ar k, a nd g en er - a ll y s mi li ng -c am e i nt o t he r oo m. I k ne ws om et hi ng w as u p b ec aus e he w as n ot s mi li ng an d h e w as m ov ing f as te r t han u su al . H e s wep t u s w it h hi sgaze, fixed upon Vialle, advanced quickly and cleared his throat.

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  "M 'l ady Majesty . . . ?" he began.

  Vialle turned her head slightly in his direction:

  " Ye s, R an de l? " s he s ai d. " Wh at i s i t? "

  "The delegation from Begma has just arrived," he answered, "and I find myself without instructions ast o t he n at ur e o f t he ir w el co me a nd a ny s pe ci al a rr an ge me nt s t ha t w ou ld b e s ui ta bl e. "

  " Oh d ea r' " V ia ll e s ai d; l ay in g a si de h er f or k. " Th ey w er en 't d ue u nt il t he d ay a ft er t om or ro w, w he nR an do m w il l b e b ac k. H e' s t he o ne t hey 'l l b e w an ti ng t o c om pl ai n t o. W ha t h av e y ou d on e w it h t hem ?"

  " I s ea te d t he m i n t he Y el lo w R oo m, " h e r ep li ed , " an d t ol d t he m I w ou ld g o a nd a nn ou nc e t he ir  arrival."

  S he n o dd e d.

  " H ow m an y o f t he m a re t he re ?"

  " Th e p ri me m in is te r, O rk uz ," h e s ai d, " hi s s ec re ta ry , N ay da -w ho i s a ls o h is d au gh te r- an d a no th er  d au gh te r, C or al . T he re a re a ls o f ou r s er va nt s- tw o m en a nd t wo w om en ."

  " Go a nd i nf or m t he h ou se ho ld s ta ff , a nd b e s ur e t ha t a pp ro pr ia te q ua rt er s a re m ad e r ea dy f or t he m, "s he d ir ec te d, " an d a le rt t he k it ch en . T he y m ay n ot h av e h ad l un ch ."

  " Ve ry g oo d, Y ou r H ig hn es s, " h e s ai d, b eg in ni ng t o b ac k a wa y.

  " . . . T hen r epo rt t o me i n t he Ye ll ow R oom , t o l et me k now i t' s b een don e, " she co nt in ued, " and I 'l lgive you additional instruictions at that time."

  " Co ns id er i t d on e, " h e r ep li ed , a nd h e h ur ri ed o ff .

  "Merlin, Llewella," Vialle said, beginning to rise, "come help me entertain them while arrangementsare being made."

  I gul ped my l ast bi te of desser t and got t o m y f eet : I di d not real ly f eel l ike t al ki ng t o a di pl omat andh is p ar ty , b ut I w as h and y a nd i t w as o ne o f l if e' s l it tl e d ut ie s.

  "Uh. . . . What are t hey here f or, anyway?" I asked.

  " So me s or t o f p ro te st o ve r w ha t w e' ve b ee n d oi ng i n K as hf a, " s he r ep li ed . " Th ey 'v e n ev er b ee nf ri en dl y w it h K as hf a, b ut I 'm n ot s ur e n ow w he th er t he y' re h er e t o p ro te st K as hf a' s p os si bl e a dm is si on t ot he G ol de n C ir cl e o r w he th er t he y' re u ps et a bo ut o ur i nt er fe ri ng i n K as hf a' s d om es ti c a ff ai rs . I t c ou ld b ethey're afraid they'll lose business with such a close neighbor suddenly enjoying the same preferred trades ta tu s t he y h av e. O r i t m ay b e t he y h ad d if fe re nt p la ns f or K as hf a' s t hr on e a nd w e j us t f or ec lo se d t he m.M ay be .b ot h. W ha te ve r. . . . W e c an 't t el l t he m a ny th in g w e d on 't k no w. "

  " I j us t w an te d t o k no w w ha t s ub je ct s t o a vo id ," I s ai d. " Al l o f t he a bo ve ,' ' s he a ns we re d.

  ` I w as w on de ri ng t he s am e t hi ng m ys el f, " L le we ll a s ai d. " I w as a ls o w on de ri ng , t ho ug h, w he th er  they might have any useful information on Dalt. Their intelligence service must keep a close eye on doings

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i n a nd a bo u K as hf a. "

  " Do n' t p ur su e t ha t t op ic ," V ia ll e s ai d, m ov in g t ow ar d t he d oo r. " If t he y l et s om et hi ng s li p o r w an t t og iv e s om et hi ng a wa y, f in e. B ri ng i t h om e. B ut d on 't s ho w t he m y ou 'd l ik e. t o k no w. "

  V ia ll e t oo k m y a rm a nd I g ui de d h er o ut , h ea di ng t ow ar d t he Y el lo w R oo m. L le we ll a p ro du ce d a

s ma ll m ir ro r f ro m s om ew he re a nd i ns pe ct ed h er f ea tu re s. O bv io us ly p le as ed , s he p ut i t a wa y, t he nr em ar ke d, " Lu ck y y ou s ho we d u p, M er li n. A n e xt ra s mi li ng f ac e i s a lw ay s u se fu l a t t im es l ik e t hi s. "

  " Wh y d on 't I f ee l l uc ky ?" I s ai d.

  W e m ad e o ur w ay t o t he r oo m w he re t he p ri me m in is te r a nd h is d au gh te rs w ai te d. T he ir s er va nt sh ad a lr ea dy r et ir ed t o t he k it ch en f or r ef re sh me nt s. T he o ff ic ia l p ar ty w as s ti ll h un gr y, w hi ch s ay ss om et hi ng a bo ut p ro to co l, e sp ec ia ll y s in ce i t s ee me d t o t ak e a l on g w hi le b ef or e s om e t ra ys o f p ro ve nd er  c ou ld b e a tt ra ct iv el y a ss em bl ed . O rk uz w as o f m ed iu m s ta tu re a nd s to ck y, h is b la ck h ai r t as te fu ll ys tr ea ke d, t he l in es o n h is b ro ad f ac e s ee mi ng t o i nd ic at e t ha t h e d id a l ot m or e f ro wn in g t ha n s mi li ng -a

 practice in which he indulged most of the while that afternoon. Nayda's was a more pleasingly sculptedv er si on o f h is f ac e, a nd t ho ug h s he s ho we d t he s am e t en de nc y t ow ar dl c or pu le nc e, i t w as h el d f ir ml y i nc he ck a t a n a tt ra ct iv e l ev el o f r ou nd ed ne ss . A ls o, s he s mi le d a l ot a nd s he h ad p re tt y t ee th . C or al , o n t heo th er h an d, w as t al le r t ha n e it he r h er f at he r o r s is te r, s le nd er , h er h ai r a r ed di sh b ro wn . W he n s he s mi le di t s ee me d l es s o ff ic ia l. A ls o, t he re w as s om et hi ng v ag ue ly f am il ia r a bo ut h er . I w on de re d w he th er I h adm et h er a t s om e b or in g r ec ep ti on y ea rs b ef or e. I f I h ad , t ho ug h, I f el t I m ig ht h av e r em em be re d.

  A ft er w e h ad b ee n i nt ro du ce d a nd w in e h ad b ee n p ou re d, O rk uz m ad e a b ri ef c om me nt t o V ia ll ea bo ut " re ce nt d is tr es si ng n ew s" c on ce rn in g K as hf a. L le we ll a a nd I q ui ck ly m ov ed t o h er s id e f or m or als up po rt , b ut s he s im pl y s ai d t ha t s uc h m at te rs w ou ld h av e t o b e d ea lt w it h f ul ly u po n R an do m' s r et ur n,a nd t ha t f or t he m om en t s he w is he d m er el y t o s ee t o t he ir c om fo rt . H e w as c om pl et el y a gr ee ab le t o t hi s,

e ve n t o t he p oi nt o f s mi li ng. I h ad t he i mp re ssi on h e j us t w an te d t he p ur po se o f h is v is it on t he r ec or Dimmediately. Llewella quickly fumed the conversation to the matter of his journey, and he graciouslyallowed the subject to be changed. Politicians are wonderfully programmed.

  I l ea rn ed l at er t ha t t he B eg ma n a mb as sa do r w as n' t e ve n a wa re o f h is a rr iv al , w hi ch w ou ld s ee m t oi nd ic at e t ha t O rk uz h ad c om e s o q ui ck ly h e h ad p re ce de d a ny n ot if ic at io n t o t he ir . e mb as sy . A nd h eh ad n' t e ve n b ot he re d d ro pp in g i n t he re , b ut h ad c om e s tr ai gh t t o t he p al ac e a nd h ad a m es sa ge s en t o ve r.I l ea nn ed t hi s a l it tl e l at er , w he n h e a sk ed t o h av e t he m es sa ge d el iv er ed . F ee li ng s om ew ha ts up er nu me ra ry t o L le we ll a' s a nd V ia ll e' s g ra ce fu l c as ca de s o f n eu tr al t al k, I d ro pp ed b ac k a p ac e t o p la nm y e sc ap e. I w as n ot a t a ll i nt er es te d i n w ha te ve r g am e w as b ei ng s et u p.

  C or al b ac ke d o ff a ls o a nd s ig he d. T he n s he g la nc ed a t m e a nd s mi le d, s ur ve ye d t he r oo m q ui ck lya nd c am e c lo se r.

  " I' ve a lw ay s w an te d t o v is it A mb er ," s he s ai d t he n.

  " Is i t t he w ay y ou i ma gi ne d i t? " I a sk ed .

  " Oh, yes. So f ar . Of course, I haven't seen that much of i t yet. . . .

  I n od de d, a nd w e , w it hd re w a l it tl e f ar th er f ro m t he o th er s.

  " Ha ve I m et y ou s om ew he re b ef or e? " I a sk ed .

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steered.

  T he n, " Ye s? " I s ai d. " Wh at ' s u p? "

  " Hm . . . , " sh e sai d. " Ki nd o f cut e, i sn 't sh e?" " I s upp os e so ," I r epl ied.

  " Yo u got t he ho ts f or h er ?"

  " Je ez , L le we ll a! I d on 't k no w: I j us t m et t he l ad y. "

  ". . . And made a date with her. "

  " Com e o n! I d ese rv e a b re ak t od ay . I e nj oy ed t al ki ng w it h h er . I 'd l ik e t o s ho w h er ar ou nd a b it . It hi nk w e' d h av e a g oo d t im e. W ha t' s w ro ng w is h t ha t? "

  " No th in g, " s he a ns we re d, " so l on g a s y ou k ee p t hi ng s i n p er sp ec ti ve ." ,

  " Wh at p er sp ec ti ve d id y ou h av e i n m in d? "

  " It s tr ik es m e a s f ai nt ly c ur io us ," s he s ai d, " th at O rk uz b ro ug ht a lo ng h is t wo g oo d- lo ok in gd au gh te rs ." " Na yd a i s h is s ec re ta ry ," I s ai d, " an d C or al 's w an te d t o s ee t he p la ce f or s om e t im e. "

  " Uh- huh , an d i t w oul d be a ver y g ood t hi ng f or Begm a i f o ne of t hem j ust ha ppened t o l at ch ont o amember of the family."

  " Ll ew el la , y ou ' t oo d am ne d s us pi ci ou s, " I s ai d. " It c om es o f h av in g l iv ed a l on g t im e. "

  " Wel l, I hope t o l ive a long t ime mysel f, and I hope i t doesn' t make me l ook f or an ul ter ior mot ive i nevery human act."

  S he s mi le d. " Of c ou rs e. F or ge t I s ai d a ny th in g, " s he t ol d m e, k no wi ng I w ou ld n' t. " Ha ve a g oo dt im e. " I g ro wl ed p ol it el y a nd h ea de d f or m y r oo m.

  CHAPTER 4

  A nd s o, i n t he m id st o f a ll m an ne r o f t hr ea ts , i nt ri gu es , m en ac es , a nd m ys te ri es , I d ec id ed t o c al l a

h ol id ay a nd s tr ol l a bo ut t ow n w it h a p re tt y l ad y. O f a ll p oss ib le ch oi ce s I m ig ht h av e m ad e, i t w asc er ta in ly t he m os t a tr ac ti ve . W ho ev er t he e ne my , w ha te ve r t he p ow er I f ac ed , t he b al l w as n ow i n i tscour t. I had no desi re t o hunt f or Ju rt , duel wi th Mask , or f ol low Luke abou t un ti l he cam e do wn and t ol dm e w he the r o r n ot h e s ti ll w an te d t he f am il y' s s ca lp s. D al t w as n ot m y p ro bl em , V int a w as m e,G ho st wh ee l w as s il en t, a nd t he m at te r o f m y f at he r' s P at te rn c ou ld a wa it m y l ei su re . T he s un w as s hi ni nga nd t he b re ez e w as , g en tl e, t ho ug h t he se c ou ld c ha ng e q ui ck ly a t t hi s s ea so n. I t w as a s ha me t o w as tew ha t c ou ld w el l b e t he y ea r' s l as t g oo d d ay o n a ny th in g l es s t ha n e nj oy me nt . I h um me d a s I r ep ai re dm ys el f, a nd I h ea de d d ow ns ta ir s e ar ly f or o ur m ee ti ng .

  Co ra l h ad m ov ed m or e q ui ck ly t ha n I 'd g ue ss ed , h ow ev er , a nd w as w ai ti ng f or m e. I a pp ro ve d o f        h er s en si bl e d ar k g re en b re ec he s, h ea vy c op pe ry s hi rt , a nd w ar m b ro wn c lo ak . H er b oo ts l oo ke d f in e

f or wa lki ng , an d sh e ha d on a d ar k hat t ha t c ov er ed m ost o f he r hai r. T he re w er e g lo ves a nd a d ag ger a th er b el t.

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  " Al l r ea dy ," s he s ai d w he n s he s aw m e.

  " Gr ea t, " I r ep li ed , s mi li ng , a nd I l ed h er o ut i nt o t he h al lw ay .

  S he st ar ted t o t ur n i n t he di rect ion of t he mai n do or wa y, but I l ed her of f t o t he r ight , t hen l at er t o t heleft.

  " Les s co nsp icu ous t o u se o ne o f t he si de d oor s," I s ai d.

  " Yo u p eo pl e a re c er t ai nl y s ec re ti ve ," s he s ai d.

  " Ha bi t, " I r ep li ed . " Th e l es s t ha t o ut si de rs k no w o f y ou r b us in es s t he b et te r. "

  " Wh at o ut si de rs ? W ha t a re y ou a fr ai d o f? "

  " Ju st n ow ? A g re at n um ber o f t hi ng s. B ut I d on 't r ea ll y w an t t o s pe nd a n ic e d ay l ik e t hi s m ak in g

lists."

  She shook her head in what I took t o be a mixtur e of awe and disgust.

  " It 's t ru e w ha t t he y s ay t he n? " s he a sk ed . " Th at y ou r a ff ai rs a re s o c om pl ex y ou a ll c ar ryscorecards?"

  " Hav en 't h ad t im e f or a ny a ff ai rs r ec en tl y, " I t ol d h er , " or e ve n a s im pl e s co re ." T he n, " So rr y, " Ia dd ed , w he n I s aw h er b lu sh . " Li fe h as b ee n a b it c om pl ica te d f or m e l at el y. "

  " Oh ," s he s ai d, g la nc in g a t m e, c le ar ly a sk in g f or e la bo ra ti on .

  " So me o th er t im e, " I s ai d, f or ci ng a l au gh , f li pp in g m y c lo ak , a nd g re et in g a g ua rd .

  She nodded and, diplomatically, changed the subject:

  " I gues s I cam e at t he wr ong t im e of year t o see yo ur f am ous ga rden s."

  " Ye ah , t he y' ve p re tt y m uc h h ad i t f or t he s ea so n, " I s ai d, " ex ce pt f or B en ed ic t' s J ap an es e g ar de nwhich

  ki nd of f ar out back. Perhaps we can go and have a cup of t ea t her e one day, but I thought we' d gointo town now."

  "Sounds fine," she agreed.

  I t ol d t he p os te rn g ua rd t o t el l H en de n, A mb er 's s te wa rd , t ha t w e w er e h ea di ng i nt o t ow n a ndw er en' t su re wh en we 'd b e b ac k. H e sa id t ha t he w oul d as so on a s h e go t o ff d ut y, wh ic h w ou ld b e pretty soon. My experience at Bloody Bill's had taught me the lesson of leaving such messages-not that Ithought we were in any danger; or that Llewella's knowing wouldn't be sufficient.

  Le av es cr un che d b ene at h o ur f eet as w e t oo k o ne o f t he wa lk s t owa rd a s id e ga te . W it h o nl y a f ews tr an ds o f c ir ru is h ig h o ve rh ea d, t he s un s ho ne b ri gh tl y. T o t he w es t, a f lo ck o f d ar k b ir ds f la pp ed i ts w ayt ow ar d t he o ce an , s ou th .

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  " So rc er er s c om e b y t he ir s ki ll s i n v ar io us w ay s, " I e xp la in ed . " Bu t y ou k no w t ha t, " a nd I s ud de nl yr ea li ze d t ha t s he w as s ma rt er t ha n t ha t s mi li ng , i nn oc en t e xp re ss io n i nd ic at ed . I 'd a s tr on g f ee li ng s he w ast ry in g t o s te er t hi s t ow ar d a n a ck no wl ed gm en t o f P at te rn m ag ic o n L uk e' s p ar t, w hi ch o f c ou rs e w ou ldsay interesting things about his paternity. "And his mother, Jasra, is something of a sorceress herself."

  " Re al ly ? I n ev er k ne w t ha t. " D am n! C om in g a nd g oi ng . . . . " We ll , s he 'd l ea rn ed i t s om ew he re :""What about his father"

  " I c an 't r ea ll y s ay ," I r ep li ed .

  "D id y ou e ve r m ee t h im ?"

  " On ly i n p as si ng ," I s ai d.

  A l ie co ul d m ake t he m at ter se em r eal ly i mpor tant i f she had even a sm al l i de a as t o t he t rut h. So I

di d t he on ly ot her t hi ng I co ul d t hi nk of . Ther e w as n o one seat ed a t t he t ab le b ehi nd h er , and t her e w asn ot hi ng b ey on d t he t ab le b ut a w al l. I w ast ed o ne o f m y s pel ls , w it h a n o ut of s ig ht g est ur e a nd a s in gl emutter.

  T he t ab le f li pp ed o ve r a s i t f le w b ac k a nd c ra sh ed a ga in st t he w al l. T he n oi se w as s pe ct ac ul ar .T he re w er e l ou d e xc la ma ti on s f ro m s ev er al o th er p at r on s, a nd I l ea pe d t o m y f ee t.

  " Is e ve ry on e a ll r ig ht ?" I s ai d, l oo ki ng a bo ut a s i f f or c as ua lt ie s.

  " W ha t h ap pe ne d? " s he a sk ed m e.

  " Fr ea k g us t o f w in d o r s om et hi ng ," I s ai d. " Ma yb e w e' d b et te r b e m ov in g o n. "

  " Al l r ig ht ," s he s ai d, r eg ar di ng t he d eb ri s. " I' m n ot l oo ki ng f or t ro ub le ."

  I t os se d s om e c oi ns o nt o o ur t ab le , r os e, a nd h ea de d b ac k o ut si de , t al ki ng t he w hi le o f a ny th in g Ic ou ld t hi nk o f t o p ut s om e d is ta nc e b et we en u s a nd t he s ub je ct . T hi s h ad t he d es ir ed e ff ec t, b ec au se s hed id n ot a tt em pt t o r et ri ev e t he q ue st io n.

  C on ti nu in g o ur s tr ol l, I h ea de d u s i n t he g en er al d ir ec ti on o f W es t V in e. W he n w e r ea ch ed i t Id eci de d t o h ea d d ow nh il l t o t he h ar bo r, r ec al li ng h er f on dn es s f or sa il in g. B ut s he pu t h er ha nd o n m y a rm

a nd h al te d m e.

  " Is n' t t he re a b ig s ta ir wa y u p t he f ac e o f K ol vi r? " s he a sk ed . " I b el ie ve y ou r f at he r o nc e t ri ed t os ne ak t ro op s u p i t a nd g ot c au gh t a nd h ad t o f ig ht h is w ay a lo ng ."

  I no dd ed. " Ye s, t ha t' s t ru e, " I s ai d. " Ol d t hi ng. I t go es w ay b ac k. I t' s no t u sed ve ry m uc h t hes e d ay s.B ut i t' s s ti ll i n d ec en t s ha pe ."

  " I' d l ik e t o s ee i t. " " Al l r ig ht . "

  I . t ur ne d t o t he r ig ht a nd w e h ea de d b ac k, u ph il l, t ow ar d t he M ai n C on co ur se . A p ai r o f k ni gh tsw ea ri ng L le we ll a' s l iv er y p as se d u s, h ea de d i n t he o th er d ir ec ti on , s al ut in g a s t he y w en t b y. I c ou ld n oth el p b ut w on de r w he th er t he y w er e o n a l eg it im at e e rr an d o r w er e f ol lo wi ng s om e s ta nd in g o rd er t o k ee pa n e ye o n m y m ov em en ts . T he t ho ug ht m us t h av e p as se d t hr ou gh C or al 's m in d, a ls o, b ec au se s he

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qu ir ked a n ey ebr ow at m e. I s hr ugg ed a nd k ep t goi ng . W he n I gl anc ed b ack a bi t l at er , t hey w er en ow he re t o b e s ee n.

  W e p asse d p eop le i n t he gar b of a doz en r egi ons as we st rol led , and t he a ir w as f il le d w it h t he sm el lso f co ok in g f ro m o pe n s ta ll s, t o s at is fy a m ul ti tu de o f t ast es . A t v ar io us p oi nt s i n o ur c ar ee r u p t he h il l, w es to pp ed f or m ea t p ie s, y og ur ts ; s we et s. T he s ti mu li w er e t oo o ve rp ow er in g f or a ny b ut t he m os t s at ed t o

ignore.

  I n ot ic ed t he l it he w ay s he m ov ed a bo ut o bs ta cl es . I t w as n' t j us t g ra ce fu ln es s. I t w as m or e a s ta te o f       beingpreparedness, I guess. Several times I noticed her glancing back in the direction from which we hadc om e. I l oo ke d m ys el f, b ut t he re w as n ot hi ng u nu su al t o s ee . O nc e, w he n a m an s te pp ed s ud de nl y f ro m ad oo rw ay w e w er e a pp ro ac hi ng , I s aw h er h an d f la sh t ow ar d t he d ag ge r a t h er b el t, t he n d ro p a wa y.

  " Ther e i s so much act ivi ty, so m uch goi ng on her e . . . , " she comm ent ed af ter a t ime.

  " Tr ue . B eg ma i s l es s b us y; I t ak e i t? "

  "Considerably."

  " Is i t a pr et ty s af e pl ace t o s tr ol l abo ut ?"

  " O h, y es ."

  " Do t he w om en a s w el l a s t he m en t ak e m il it ar y t ra in in g t he re ?"

  "Not ordinarily. Why?"

  "Just curious."

  "I 'v e h ad s om e t ra in in g i n a rm ed a nd u na rm ed c om ba t t ho ug h, " s he s ai d.

  " Wh y w as t ha t? " I a sk ed .

  " My f at he r s ug ge st ed i t. S ai d i t c ou ld c om e i n h an d f or a r el at iv e o f s om eo ne i n h is p os it io n. It ho ug ht h e m ig ht b e r ig ht . I t hi nk h e r ea ll y w an te d a s on ."

  " Di d y ou r s is te r d o i t, t oo ?"

  " No ; s he w as n' t i n te re st ed ."

  "You planning on a diplomatic career?"

  " No . Y ou 'r e t al ki ng t o t he w ro ng s is te r. "

  "A wealthy husband?"

  "Probably stodgy and boring."

  "What then?"

  " M ay be I 'l l t el l y ou l at er ."

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  " Al l r ig ht . I 'l l a sk i f y ou d on 't ."

  W e m ad e o ur w ay s ou th wa rd a lo ng t he C on co ur se , a nd t he b re ez es p ic ke d u p a s w e n ea re d L an d' sE nd . I t w as a w in te r o ce an t ha t c am e i nt o . vi ew a cr os s t he d is ta nc e; s la te -g ra y a nd . wh it e- ca pp ed . M an y birds wheeled far out over the waves, and one very sinuous dragon.

  W e p ass ed t hr ou gh t he G re at A rc h an d ca me at l ast t o t he l an di ng a nd l ook ed d ow nwa rd. I t w as av er ti gi no us p ro sp ec t, o ut a cr os s a b ri ef , b ro ad s ta ir -t he s te ep d ro p t o t he t an -a nd -b la ck b ea ch f ar b el ow .I r eg ar de d t he r ip pl es i n t he s an d l ef t b y t he r et re at in g t id e, w ri nk le s i n a n o ld m an 's b ro w. T he b re ez esw er e s tr on ge r h er e, a nd t he d am p, s al ty s me ll , w hi ch h ad b ee n i nc re as in g a s w e a pp ro ac he d, s ea so ne dt he a ir t o a n ew l ev el o f i nt en si ty . C or al d re w b ac k f or a m om en t, t he n a dv an ce d a ga in .

  " It l oo ks a l it tl e m or e d an ge ro us t ha n I 'd t ho ug ht ," . sh e s ai d, a ft er a t im e. " Pr ob ab ly s ee ms l es s s oo nc e y ou 'r e o n i t. "

  " I d on 't k no w, " I r ep li ed . " Yo u' ve n ev er c li mb ed i t? "

  " No pe ," I s ai d. " Ne ve r h ad a ny r ea so n t o. "

  " I' d t hi nk y ou 'd h av e w an te d t o, a ft er y ou r f at he r' s d oo me d b at tl e a lo ng i t. "

  I s hr ug ge d: " I g et s en ti me nt al i n d if fe re nt w ay s. " S he s mi le d. " Le t' s c li mb d ow n t o t he b ea ch . P le as e. "" Su re ," I s ai d, a nd w e m ov ed f or wa rd a nd s ta rt ed . T he b ro ad s ta ir t oo k u s d ow n f or p er ha ps t hi rt y f ee t,

  t he n t er mi na te d a br up tl y w he re a m uc h n ar ro we r v er si on t ur ne d o ff t o t he s id e. A t l ea st t he s te psw er en 't d am p a nd s li pp er y: S om ew he re f ar b el ow , I c ou ld s ee w he re t he s ta ir w id en ed a ga in , p er mi tt in g

a pa ir of pe op le t o go abr east . Fo r no w, t hou gh , w e mo ved s ing le f il e, a nd I w as i rr it at ed t ha t Co ral ha ds om eh ow g ot te n a he ad o f m e.

  "I f y ou 'l l s cr un ch o ve r, I 'l l g o p as t, " I t ol d h er .

  "W hy ?" s he a sk ed . .

  " So I can be ahead of you in case you sli p."

  " Th at 's a ll r ig ht ," s he r ep li ed . " I w on 't ."

  I d ec id ed i t w as n' t w or th a rg ui ng a nd l et h er l ea d:

  T he l an di ng s w he re t he s ta ir wa y s wi t ch ed b ac k w er e h ap ha za rd a ff ai rs , h ac ke d w he re ve r t hec on to ur s o f t he , r oc k p er mi t te d s uc h a t ur ni ng . C on se qu en tl y, s om e d es ce nd in g s tr et ch es w er e l on ge r  t ha n o th er s a nd o ur r ou te w an de re d a ll o ve r t he f ac e o f t he m ou nt ai n. T he w in ds w er e m uc h s tr on ge r  n ow t ha n t he y w er e a bo ve , a nd w e f ou nd o ur se lv es s ta yi ng a s c lo se t o t he m ou nt ai n' s s id e a s i ts c on to ur s permitted. Had there been no wind, we probably would have done the same. The absence of any sort of         g ua rd r ai li ng m ad e u s s hy b ac k f ro m t he e dg e. T he re w er e p la ce s w he re t he m ou nt ai n' s w al l o ve rh un g u sf or a c av el ik e e ff ec t; o th er p la ce s, w e f ol lo we d a b el ly in g o f t he r oc k a nd f el t v er y e xp os ed . M y c lo ak   blew up across my face several times and I cursed, recalling that natives seldom visit historical spots int he ir o wn n ei gh bo rh oo ds . I b eg an t o a pp re ci at e t he ir w is do m. C or al w as h ur ry in g o n a he ad , a nd Ii nc re as ed m y p ac e t o c at ch u p w it h h er . B ey on d h er , I c ou ld s ee t ha t t he re w as a l an di ng w hi ch s ig na le dt he f ir st t ur ni ng o f t he w ay . I w as h op in g s he 'd h al t t he re a nd t el l m e s he 'd r eco ns id er ed t he n ec es si ty f or  

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t hi s ex pe di ti on . H ut s he d id n' t. S he t ur ne d a nd k ept r ig ht o n g oi ng. T he w in d s to le m y s ig h a nd b or e i t t os om e s to ry bo ok c av e r es er ve d f or t he p la in ts o f t he i mp os ed -u po n.

  S ti ll , I c ou ldn 't h el p bu t l oo k d ow n u pon oc ca si on ; a nd w he nev er I d id I t ho ug ht of m y f at he r f ig ht in gh is w ay u p a lo ng t he se s te ps . I t w as n ot s om et hi ng I 'd c ar e t o t ry -a t l ea st , n ot u nt il I 'd e xh au st ed a ll o f t hem or e sn eaky a lt er nat iv es. I b egan t o w on der ho w f ar w e wer e b el ow t he l ev el of t he p al ac e i tsel f. . . .

  W hen w e f in al ly c am e t o t he l an di ng f ro m w hi ch t he st ai rw ay w id en ed , I h ur ri ed t o ca tch u p w it hC or al so t hat w e cou ld wa lk ab reas t. I n m y ha st e, I snag ge d my h eel an d st umb led as I r ound ed t he t ur n.I t w as no bi g deal . . I was abl e t o r each out and st ab il ize m ysel f agai nst t he cl if f s fa ce as I j ol ted f or war da nd s wa ye d. I w as a ma ze d, t ho ug h, a t C or al 's p er ce pt io n o f m y a lt er ed g ai t j us t o n t he b as is o f i ts s ou nd ,a nd b y h er r ea ct io n t o i t. S he c as t h er se lf b ac kw ar d s ud de nl y a nd t wi st ed h er b od y t o t he s id e. H er  hand s cam e i n cont act wi th my ar m as she di d t hi s, and she t hr ust m e t o t he si de , ag ai nst t he r ock.

  ".All right!" I said, from rapidly emptying lungs. "I'm okay."

  S he r os e a nd d us te d h er se lf o ff a s I r ec ov er ed .

  " I h ea rd -" s he b eg an .

  " I g at he r. B ut I j us t ca ug ht m y h ee l: T ha t' s a ll ."

  "I couldn't tell."

  "Everything's fine. Thanks."

  W e s ta rr ed d ow n t he s ta ir s id e b y s id e, b ut s om et hi ng w as c ha ng ed . I . no w h ar bo re d a s us pi ci on I

d id n ot l ik e b ut c ou ld n ot d is pe l. N ot y et , a ny wa y. W ha t I h ad i n m in d w as t oo d an ge ro us , i f I s ho ul d prove correct.

  S o i nst ead , " Th e r ai n i n S pa in s ta ys m ai nl y i n t he p la in, " I sa id.

  " Wh at ?" s he a sk ed . " I d id n' t u nd er st an d. . . . "

  " I sa id, ` It 's a f ine d ay t o be w al ki ng wi th a pr et ty l ady .' "

  She actually blushed.

  T hen, "W hat language di d you say i t in . . . t he fi rst t im e.

  "English," I replied.

  " I' ve n ev er s tu di ed i t. I t ol d y ou t ha t w he n w e w er e t al ki ng a bo ut A li ce ."

  " I k no w. J us t b ei ng w hi ms ic al ," I a ns we re d.

  T he b ea ch , n ea re r n ow , w as t ig er -s tr ip ed a nd s hi ny i n p la ce s. A f ro th o f f oa m r et re at ed a lo ng i tss lo pe s w hi le b ir ds c ri ed a nd d ip pe d t o e xa mi ne t he w av es ' l ea vi ng s. S ai ls b ob be d i n t he o ff in g, a nd as ma ll c ur ta in o f r ai n r ip pl ed i n t he s ou th ea st , f ar o ut a t s ea . T he w in ds h ad c ea se d t he ir n oi se -m ak in g,though they still came upon us with cloak-wrapping force.

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  W e c on ti nu ed i n s il en ce u nt il w e h ad r ea ch ed t he b ot to m. W e s te pp ed a wa y t he n, m ov in g a f ew paces onto the sand.

  " Th e h ar bo r' s i n t ha t d ir ec ti on ," I s ai d, g es tu ri ng t o m y r ig ht , w es tw ar d, " an d t he re 's a c hu rc h o ff t ha tw ay ," I a dd ed , i nd ic at in g t he d ar k b ui ld in g w he re C ai ne 's s er vi ce h ad b ee n h el d a nd w he re s ea me ns om et im es c am e t o p ra y f or s af e v oy ag es .

  S he l oo ke d i n b ot h d ir ec ti on s a nd a ls o g la nc ed b eh in d u s a nd u pw ar d.

  " M or e p eo pl e h ea de d d ow n, " s he r e ma r ke d.

  I l ooked b ack u p and sa w t hr ee f igu res ne ar t he t op o f t he st ai rwa y, b ut t hey w er e s tand ing st il l, as i f          t hey' d on ly co me d ow n a sh or t d ist ance t o t ry t he vi ew. No ne o f t hem wo re L lew ei la 's co lor s. . . .

  "Fellow sightseers," I said.

  S he w at ch ed t he m a m om en t l on ge r, t he n l oo ke d a wa y. " Ar en 't ` t he re c av es a lo ng h er esomewhere?" she asked.

  I no dd ed t o m y r ig ht .

  " Th at w ay ," I a ns we re d. " Th er e' s a w ho le s er i es . P eo pl e g et l os t i n t he m p er io di ca ll y. S om e a re pretty colorful. Others just wander through darkness. A few are simply shallow openings."

  " I' d l ik e t o s ee t hem ," sh e s ai d.

  " Su re , e as il y d on e. L et 's g o. " .

  I b eg an w al ki ng . T he p eo pl e o n t he s ta ir h ad n ot m ov ed . T he y s ti ll a pp ea re d t o b e l oo ki ng o ut t os ea . I d ou bt ed t he y w er e s mu gg le rs . I t d oe sn 't s ee m l ik e a d ay ti me o cc up at io n f or a p la ce w he re a ny on emight

  w an de r b y. S ti ll , I w as p le as ed t ha t m y f ac ul ty f or s us pi -c io n w as g ro wi ng . I t s ee me d a pp ro pr ia te i nl ig ht o f r ec en t e ve nt s: T he o bj ec t o f m y g re at es t s us pi ci on , o f c ou rs e, w as w al ki ng b es id e m e, t ur ni ngd ri ft wo od w it h t he t oe o f h er b oo t, s cu ff in g b ri gh t p eb bl es , l au gh in g- bu t t he re w as n ot hi ng I w as r ea dy t odo about it at the moment. Soon. . . .

  S he t oo k m y a rm s ud de nl y.

  "Thanks for bringing me," she said. "I'm enjoying this."

  " Oh , I am , t oo . Gl ad w e c am e. Y ou 'r e w el co me ."

  T hi s m ad e m e f eel sl ig ht ly g ui lt y, b ut i f my g ue ss w er e w ron g n o ha rm w oul d b e d one .

  " I t hi nk I w ou ld en jo y l iv in g i n A mb er ," s he r em ar ke d as w e w en t a lo ng .

  " Me , t oo ," I r ep li ed . " I' ve n ev er r ea ll y d on e i t f or a ny g re at l en gt h o f t im e. "

  "Oh?"

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  " I g ue ss I d id n' t r ea ll y e xp la in h ow l on g I 'd s pe nt o n t he s ha do w E ar th w he re I w en t t o s ch oo l,where I had t hat job I was telli ng you about . . . ," I began, and suddenly I was pouring out morea ut ob io gr ap hy t o h er a t hi ng I d on 't us ua ll y d o. I w as n' t ce rt ai n w hy I w as t el li ng i t a t f ir st , an d t he n Ir ea li ze d t ha t I j us t w an te d s om eo ne t o t al k t o. E ve n i f m y s tr an ge s us pi ci on w as c or re ct , i t d id n' t m at te r.A f ri en dl y- see mi ng l ist ene r m ad e m e f ee l b et te r t han I h ad i n a l on g w hi le . A nd b ef or e I r ea li ze d i t, I w ast el li ng h er a bo ut m y f at he r- ho w t hi s m an I b ar el y k ne w h ad r us he d t hr ou gh a m as si ve s to ry o f h is

s tr ug gl es , h is d il em ma s, h is d ec is io ns , a s i f h e w er e t ry in g t o j us ti fy h im se lf t o m e, a s i f t ha t w er e t he o nl yo pp or tu ni ty h e m ig ht h av e t o d o i t, a nd h ow I h ad l ist en ed , w on de ri ng w ha t h e w as ed it in g, w ha t ~ h eh ad f or go tt en , w ha t h e m ig ht b e g lo ss in g o ve r o r d re ss in g u p, w ha t h is f ee li ng s w er e t ow ar d m e. . . .

  " Th os e a re s om e o f t he c av es ," I t ol d h er , a s t he y i nt er ru pt ed m y n ow e mb ar ra ss in g i nd ul ge nc e i nm em or y. S he s ta rt ed t o s ay s om et hi ng a bo ut m y m on ol og ue , b ut I s im pl y c on ti nu ed ; " I' ve o nl y s ee n t he monce."

  S he ca ug ht m y m oo d a nd s im pl y s ai d " I' d l ik e t o g o i ns id e o ne ."

  I n od ded . Th ey s ee me d a go od p la ce f or wh at I ha d i n m in d.

  I chose the third one. Its mout h was l arger than the f irst two, and I could see back into it for a goodd is ta nc e. " Le t' s t ry t ha t o ne . I t l oo ks w el l l ig ht ed ," I e xp la in ed . W e w al ke d i nt o a s ha do w- hu ng c hi ll . T hed am p s an d f ol lo we d u s f or a w hi le , t hi nn ing o nl y s lo wl y t o be r ep la ce d b y a g ri tt y st on e f loo r. T he r oo f                  d ip pe d a nd r os e s ev er al t im es . A t ur n t o t he l ef t j oi ne d u s w it h t he p as sa ge o f a no th er o pe ni ng , f or  l oo ki ng b ac k a lo ng i t I c ou ld s ee m or e l ig ht . T he o th er d ir ec ti on l ed m or e d ee pl y i nt o t he m ou nt ai n. W ec ou ld s ti ll f ee l t he e ch oi ng p ul se o f t he s ea f ro m w her e w e s to od .

  " Th es e c av es c ou ld l ea d b ac k r ea ll y f ar , " s he o bs er ve d.

  " They d o," I r epl ied . " They t wi st and cr oss a nd wi nd. I wou ldn' t wa nt t o g o t oo f ar wi th out a m apa nd a l ig ht . T he y' ve n ev er b ee n f ul ly c ha rt ed , t ha t I k no w o f. "

  S he l oo ke d a bo ut , s tu dy in g a re as o f b la ck ne ss w it hi n t he d ar kn es s w he re s id e t un ne ls d eb ou ch edi nt o o ur o wn .

  "H ow f ar b ac k d o y ou t hi nk t he y g o? " s he i nq ui re d.

  " I j us t d on 't k no w. "

  "Under the palace?"

  " Pr ob ab ly ," I s ai d, r em em be ri ng t he s er ie s o f s id e t un ne ls I 'd p as se d o n m y w ay t o t he P at te rn . " Its ee ms p os si bl e t he y ' c ut i nt o t he b ig c av es b el ow i ts om ew he re ."

  " Wh at 's i t l ik e d ow n t he re ?" .

  " Und er t he pa la ce ? Ju st da rk a nd b ig . An ci ent . . . ."

  "I 'd l ik e t o s ee i t."

  "Whatever for?"

  " Th e P at te rn 's d ow n t he re . I t m us t b e p re tt y c ol or f ul ."

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h ad d es ig ne d t o e xp el a p os se ss in g e nt it y f ro m i ts h os t. I h es it at ed a m om en t, t ho ug h. M y f ee li ng s t ow ar dh er w er e a mbi va le nt . E ven i f s he we re t he en ti ty , I m ig ht b e w il li ng t o p ut up w it h he r i f I j us t kn ew h er  motive.

  S o, " Wh at i s i t t ha t y ou w ant ?" I as ked .

  " Ju st t o s ee i t . H on es tl y, " s he a ns we re d.

  " No , I m ea n t hat i f y ou a re w ha t I t hi nk y ou r ea ll y a re , I 'm a sk in g t he b ig q ue st io n: W hy ?"

  F ra ki r b eg an t o p ul se u po n m y w ri st .

  Co ra l w as s il en t f or t he s pa ce o f a n a ud ib le d ee p b re at h, t he n, " Ho w c ou ld y ou t el l? "

  " Yo u b et ra ye d y ou rs el f i n s ma ll w ay s d is ce rn ib le o nl y t o o ne w ho h as r ec en tl y b ec om e p ar an oi d, " Iresponded.

  " Ma gi c, " s he s ai d. " Is t ha t i t? "

  " It 's a bo ut t o b e, " I r ep li ed . " I c ou ld a lm os t m is s y ou , b ut I c an 't t ru st y ou ."

  I s po ke t he g ui de w or ds t o t he s pe ll , l et ti ng t he m d ra w m y h an ds s mo ot hl y t hr ou gh t he a pp ro pr ia teg es tu re s. T he re f ol lo we d t wo h or ri bl e s hr ie ks , a nd t he n a t hi rd .

  B ut t he y w er en 't h er s. T he y c am e f ro m a ro un d t he c or ne r i n t he p as sa ge wa y w e h ad r ec en tl yquitted.

  " W ha t- ?" s he b eg an .

  " -t he h el l! " I f in ishe d; and I r us hed pa st her and r ound ed t he co rner , dr aw ing m y bl ad e as I w ent .

  B ac kl ig ht ed b y t he d is ta nt c av em ou th I b eh el d t hr ee

  f i gu re s o n t he f lo or o f t he c av e. T wo o f t he m w er e s pr aw le d a nd u nm ov in g. T he t hi rd w as s ea te da nd b en t f or wa rd , , c ur si ng . I a dv an ce d s lo wl y, t he p oi nt o f m y w ea po n d ir ec te d t ow ar d t he s ea te d o ne .H is s ha do wy h ea d t ur ne d i n m y d ir ec ti on , a nd h e c li mb ed t o h is f ee t, s ti ll b en t f or wa rd . H e c lu tc he d h isl ef t h an d w it h h is r ig ht , a nd h e b ack ed a way u nt il h e c am e i nt o c ont act w it h t he w al l.

  H e h al te d t he re , m ut te ri ng s om et hi ng I c ou ld n ot q ui te h ea r. I c on ti nu ed m y c au ti ou s a dv an ce , a ll o f        m y s en se s a ler t. I c ou ld h ear C or al m ov in g a t m y b ac k, t he n I g li mp sed h er ac com pa ny in g m e o n m y l ef tw hen t he p ass age w id en ed. Sh e had dr awn h er da gg er , and she h el d i t l ow and nea r t o he r hi p. N o t im enow t o specul at e a s t o w hat m y sp el l mi ght have done t o he r.

  I halt ed as I came t o the fir st of the t wo fal len f or ms. I prodded it wit h the toe of my boot , ready tos tr ik e i ns ta nt ly s ho ul d i t s pr in g i nt o a n a tt ac k. N ot hi ng . I t f el t l im p, l if el es s. I u se d m y f oo t t o t ur n i t o ve r,a nd t he h ea d r ol le d b ack i n t he . di re ct io n o f t he c av em ou th . I n t he l ig ht t ha t t he n f el l u po n i t I b eh el d ah al f- de ca ye d h um an f ac e M y n os e h ad a lr ea dy b ee n i nf or mi ng m e t ha t t hi s s ta te w as n o m er e i ll us io n. Ia dv an ce d u po n t he o th er o ne a nd t ur ne d h im , a ls o. H e, t oo , b or e t he a pp ea ra nc e o f a d ec om po si ngc or ps e. W hi le t he f ir st o ne c lu tc he d a d ag ge r i n h is r ig ht h an d, t he s ec on d w as w ea po nl es s. T he n I n ot eda no th er d ag ge r- on t he f lo or , n ea r t he l iv e m an 's f ee t. I r ai se d m y e ye s t o h im . T hi s m ad e n o s en sew ha ts oe ve r. I 'd h av e j ud ge d t he t wo f ig ur es u po n t he f lo or t o h av e b ee n d ea d f or s ev er al d ay s, a t l ea st ,

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and I had no i dea as t o what t he standing man had been up to.

  " Uh . . . . M in d t el li ng m e w ha t' s g oi ng o n? ' I i nq ui re d.

  " Da mn y ou , M er li n! " h e s na rl ed , a nd I r ec og ni ze d t he v oi ce .

  I mo ved i n a sl ow ar c, st epp ing over t he f al len ones . Cor al st aye d n ear t o m y si de, mo vi ng i n as im il ar f as hi on . H e t ur ne d h is h ea d t o f ol lo w o ur p ro gr es s, a nd w he n t he

  l ig ht f ina ll y f el l u pon hi s f ace , I s aw t ha t J ur t w as gl ar in g a t m e o ut o f hi s o ne g oo d ey e- a p at chc ov er ed t he o th er -a nd I s aw , t oo , t ha t a bo ut h al f - of h is h ai r w as m is si ng , t he e xp os ed s ca lp c ov er edw it h w el ts o r s ca rs , h is h al f- re gr ow n e ar -s tu b p la in ly v is ib le . F ro m t hi s s id e I c ou ld a ls o s ee t ha t a bandana suitable for covering most Of this damage had slipped down around his neck. Blood wasdripping from his left hand, and I suddenly realized that his little finger was missing.

  "W ha t h ap pe ne d t o y ou ?" I a sk ed .

  " On e of t he zo mb ie s hi t m y h and w it h h is da gg er as h e f el l, " h e s ai d, " wh en y ou e xpe ll ed t he s pi ri tsthat animated them."

  M y sp el l- to ev ic t a pos ses si ng sp ir it . . . . T he y ha d be en w it hi n r ang e of i t. . . .

  " Co ra l, " I a sk ed , " ar e y ou a ll r ig ht ?"

  " Ye s, " s he r ep li ed . " Bu t I d on 't u nd er st an d. . . . "

  " La te r, " I t ol d h er .

  I d id n ot a sk h im a bo ut , h is h ea d, a s I r ec al le d m y s tr ug gl e w it h t he o ne -e ye d w er ew ol f i n t he w oo dt o t he ea st of A mb er -t he b ea st w hos e h ead I h ad f or ce d i nt o t he c am pf ir e. I h ad s us pect ed f or so me t im et ha t i t h ad b ee n J ur t i n a s ha pe -s hi ft ed f or m, e ve n b ef or e M an do r h ad o ff er ed s uf fi ci en t i nf or ma ti on t oconfirm it.

  " Ju rt ," I b eg an , " I h av e b een t he o cc as io n o f m any of y ou r i ll s, b ut y ou m ust r ea li ze t ha t y ou b ro ug htt he m o n y ou rs el f. I f y ou w ou ld n ot a tt ac k m e, I w ou ld h av e n o n ee d t o d ef en d m ys el f- "

  T he re c am e a c li ck in g, g ri nd in g s ou nd . I t t oo k m e s ev er al s ec on ds t o r ea li ze t ha t i t w as a g na sh in g o f        

t ee th . " Mi y a do pt io n b y yo ur f at he r m ea nt n ot hi ng t o m e, " I s ai d, " be yo nd t he f ac t t ha t h e h on or ed m e b yi t. I w as no t e ven a wa re u nt il r ec ent ly t ha t i t h ad o cc ur red ." " Yo u l ie !" h e h is sed . " Yo u t ri ck ed h im s om ew ay , t o g et a he ad o f u s i n t he s uc ce ss io n. "

  " Yo u' ve g ot t o b e k id di ng ," I s ai d. " We 'r e a ll s o f ar d ow n o n t he l is t t ha t i t d oe sn 't m at te r. "

  " No t f or t he C ro wn , y ou f oo l! F or t he H ou se ! O ur f at he r i sn 't a ll t ha t w el l! "

  " I' m s or ry t o hea r t hat ," I sai d. " Bu t I 'd n ever ev en t hou ght of i t t hat w ay. A nd M ando r' s ahe ad of al lo f u s, an yho w. "

  " A nd n ow y ou 'r e s ec on d. "

  " Not b y ch oi ce. Co me on! I 'l l n ev er se e t he t it le. Y ou kn ow t ha t! "

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  " Do es t ha t s or t o f t hi ng h ap pe n a ro un d h er e v er y o ft en ?"

  "You should come by on a bad day," I sai d.

  " If y ou d on 't m in d t el li ng m e, I 'd l ik e t o h ea r w hat i t w as a ll a bo ut ."

  "I g ue ss I o we y ou a n e xp la na ti on ," I a gr ee d, " be ca us e I w ro ng ed y ou b ac k t he re , w he th er y ouknow i t or not ."

  "You're serious."

  "Yep,"

  " G o o n. I 'm r ea ll y c ur io us ."

  "It's a long story . . . ," I began again.

  S he l oo ke d a he ad t o t he h ar bo r, t he n u p t o K ol vi r' s h ei gh ts .

  " . . . A long wal k, t oo," she sai d.

  " . . . A nd y ou 'r e a d au gh te r o f t he p ri me m in is te r o f a c ou nt ry w it h w hi ch w e h av e s om ew ha t t ou ch yrelations at the moment."

  " Wh at d o y ou m ea n? "

  "Some of the things that are happening may represent kind of sensitive information."

  Sh e pu t he r han d o n my sho ul der a nd h al ted. Sh e st ar ed i nt o m y ey es.

  " I c an k ee p a s ec re t, " s he t ol d m e. " Af te r a ll , y ou k no w m in e. "

  I congratulated myself on having finally learned my relatives' trick of controlling facial expressione ve n w he n p uz zl ed a s a ll h el l. S he h ad s ai d s om et hi ng b ac k i n t he c av e w he n I h ad a dd re ss ed h er a s i f                  s he w er e t he e nt it y, s om et hi ng t ha t s ou nd ed a s i f s he b el ie ve d I h ad . d is co ve re d a s ec re t c on ce rn in g h er .

  So I gave her a wry smi le and nodded.

  " Ju st s o, " I s ai d.

  "Y ou 'r e n ot p la nn in g o n r av ag in g o ur c ou nt ry o r a ny th in g l ik e t ha t, a re y ou ?" s he a sk ed .

  " To m y k no wl ed ge , n o. A nd I d on 't t hi nk i t l ik el y e it he r. "

  " We ll , t he n. Y ou c an o nl y s pe ak f ro m y ou r k no wl ed ge , c an 't y ou ?"

  " Tr u e, " I a gr ee d.

  " So l et 's h ea r t he s to ry ."

  "All right."

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  A s w e w al ke d al ong t he s tr an d an d I sp ok e, t o t he a cco mp an im en t o f t he w ave s' de ep no te s, Ic ou ld n ot h el p b ut r em em be r ag ai n m y f at he r' s l on g n ar ra ti ve. W as i t a f am il y t ra it , I w on de re d, t o g oa ut ob io gr ap hi ca l a t a t im e o f t ro ub le s i f t he r ig ht l is te ne r t ur ne d u p? F or I r ea li ze d I w as e la bo ra ti ng m yt el li ng b ey on d t he b ou nd s o f n ec es si ty . A nd w hy s ho ul d s he b e t he r ig ht l is te ne r, a ny ho w?

  W he n w e r ea ch ed t he p or t d is tr ic t, I r ea li ze d I w as h un gr y, a ny wa y, a nd I s ti ll h ad a l ot o f t el li ng t od o. I n t ha t i t w as s ti ll d ay li gh t a nd d ou bt le ss c on si de ra bl y s af er t ha n w he n I 'd m ad e m y n ig ht ti me v is it , If ou nd m y w ay o ve r t o H ar bo r R oa d- wh ic h w as e ve n d ir ti er i n s tr on g l ig ht -a nd , h av in g l ea rn ed t ha t C or alw as hu ngr y, t oo, I t ook u s on ar oun d t o t he r ear o f t he co ve, pau si ng f or a f ew mi nut es t o wa tch am an y- ro as te d v es se l w it h g ol de n s ai ls r ou nd t he s ea w al l a nd h ea d i n. T he n w e f ol lo we d t he c ur vi ng w ayt o t he w es te rn s ho re , a nd I w as a bl e t o l oc at e S ea br ee ze L an e w it ho ut a ny t ro ub le . I t w as s ti ll e ar lye no ug h. t ha t w e p as se d a f ew s ob er s ai lo rs . A t o ne p oi nt a h ea vy , b la ck -b ea rd ed m an w it h a n i nt er es ti ngs ca r on h is r ig ht c hee k b eg an t o a pp ro ac h us , b ut a s ma ll er m an c au gh t u p w it h h im f ir st a nd w hi sp er eds om et hi ng i n h is e ar . T he y b ot h f um ed a wa y.

  " He y, " I s ai d. " Wh at d id h e w an t? "

  " No th in ', " t he s ma ll er m an s ai d. " He d on 't w an t n ot hi n' ." H e s tu di ed m e f or a m om en t a nd n od de d.T he n, " I s aw y ou h er e t he o th er n ig ht ," h e a dd ed .

  " Oh ," I s ai d, a s t he y c on ti nu ed t o t he n ex t c or ne r, t ur ne d i t, a nd w er e g on e.

  " Wh at w as t ha t a ll a bo ut ?" C or al s ai d.

  " I d id n' t g et t o t hat pa rt o f t he s to ry y et ."

  B ut I r em em be re d i t v iv id ly w he n w e p as se d t he p la ce w he re i t h ad o cc ur re d. N o s ig ns o f t ha tconflict remained.

  I a lm os t p as se d w ha t h ad b ee n B lo od y B il l' s, t ho ug h, b ec au se a n ew s ig n h un g a bo ve t he d oo r. I tr ea d " Bl oo dy A nd y' s, " i n f re sh g re en l et te rs . T he p la ce w as j us t t he s am e i ns id e, h ow ev er , e xc ep t f or t hem an b eh in d t he c ou nt er , w ho w as t al le r a nd t hi nn er t ha n t he s ha gg y, c ra gf ac ed i nd iv id ua l w ho h ad s er ve dm e l ast t ime . H is n am e, I l ea rn ed, w as Ja k, an d he w as An dy 's b rot he r. H e s ol d us a b ot tl e o f Ba yl e' sP iss a nd p ut i n o ur o rd er f or t wo f is h d in ne rs t hr ou gh t he h ol e i n t he w al l. M y f or me r t abl e w as v ac an tand w e t ook i t. I l ai d m y s wor d be lt o n t he chai r t o my r ig ht , w it h t he bl ade pa rt ly dr aw n, as I had beentaught etiquette required here.

  " I l ik e t hi s p la ce ," s he s ai d. " It 's . . . d if fe re nt ."

  " Uh . . . y es ," I a gr ee d, g la nc in g a t t wo p as se d- ou t d ru nk s- on e t o t he f ro nt o f t he e st ab li sh me nt , o net o t he r ea r- an d t hr ee s hi ft y- ey ed i nd iv id ua ls c on ve rs in g i n l ow v oi ce s o ff i n o ne c or ne r. A f ew b ro ke n bottles and suspi- cious stains were upon the floor, and some not-too-subtle artwork of an amorousn at ur e h un g o n t he f ar w al l. " Th e f oo d' s q ui te g oo d, " I a dd ed .

  " I' ve n ev er b ee n i n a r es ta ur an t l ik e t hi s, " s he c on ti nu ed , w at ch in g a b la ck c at , w ho r ol le d i n f ro m ar ea r r oo m, w re st li ng w it h a n e no rm ou s r at .

  " It h as i ts d ev ot ee s, b ut i t' s a w el l- ke pt s ec re t a mo ng d is cr im in at in g d in er s. "

  I c on ti nu ed m y t al e t hr ou gh a m ea l e ve n b et te r t ha n t he o ne I r em em be re d. W he n t he d oo r o pe ne d

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much l at er to adm it a sm all m an wi th a bad li mp and a di rt y bandage about hi s head I noti ced t hatd ayl igh t w as be gi nn in g t o w an e. I h ad j us t f in is he d m y st or y a nd i t s eem ed a g oo d t im e t o- be l eav in g.

  I sai d as much, but she put her hand on mine.

  " You know I 'm not your ent it y," she sai d, " but i f you need any ki nd of help I can gi ve you, I' ll do i t."

  " Yo u' re a g oo d l is te ne r, " I s ai d. " Th an ks . W e' d b et te r b e g oi ng n ow ."

  W e p as se d o ut o f D ea th A ll ey w it ho ut , i nc id en t a nd m ad e o ur w ay a lo ng H ar bo r R oa d o ve r t oV in e. T he s un w as g et ti ng r ea dy t o s et a s w e h ea de d u pw ar d, a nd t he c ob bl es p as se d ' th ro ug h a v ar ie tyo f b ri gh t e ar th t on es a nd f ir e c ol or s. S tr ee t a nd p ed es tr ia n t ra ff ic w as l ig ht . C oo ki ng s me ll s d ri ft ed o n t hea ir ; l ea ve s. r at tl ed a lo ng t he r oa d; . a s ma ll y el lo w d ra go n r od e t he a ir c ur re nt s h ig h o ve rh ea d; c ur ta in s o f                  r ai nb ow l ig ht r ip pl ed h ig h i n t he n or th b ey on d t he p al ac e. I k ep t w ai ti ng , e xp ec ti ng m or e q ue st io ns f ro mC or al t han t he f ew sh e ha d ask ed . Th ey n eve r cam e. I f I 'd j us t hea rd m y st or y, I t hi nk I 'd hav e a l ot of                  q ue st io ns , u nl es s I w er e t ot al ly o ve rp ow er ed b y i t o r s om eh ow u nd er st oo d i t t ho ro ug hl y.

  "When we get back to the palace . . . ?" she said then.

  "Yes?"

  ". . . You wi ll t ake me t o see the Pat tern, won' t you?"

  I l a ug he d.

  . . . O r u nl es s s om et hi ng e ls e w er e o cc up yi ng m y m in d.

  " Ri gh t a wa y? F ir st t hi ng i n t he d oo r? " I a sk ed .

  "Yes.

  " S ur e, " I s ai d.

  T he n, t ha t o ff h er m in d, " Yo ur s to ry c ha ng es m y p ic tu re o f t he w or ld ," sh e s ai d, " an d I w ou ld n' t presume to advise you. . . ." ,

  "But-" I continued.

  " . . . I f s eem s t hat t he K eep o f t he F our W or lds, ho lds t he ans wer s you w an t. E ver yt hi ng el se ma yf al l i nt o p la ce w he n y ou l ea rn w ha t' s g oi ng o n t he re . B ut I d on 't u nd er st an d w hy y ou c an 't j us t d o a c ar df or i t and t rum p i n."

  " Go od q ue st io n. T her e a re pa rt s o f t he Co ur ts o f C ha os t o w hi ch n o o ne ca n t ru mp b ec aus e t he yc ha ng e c on st an tl y a nd c an no t b e r ep re se nt ed i n a p er ma ne nt f as hi on . T he s am e a pp li es t o t he p la cew he re I s it ua te d G ho st wh ee l. N ow , t he t er ra in a ro un d t he K ee p f lu ct ua te s q ui te a b it , b ut I 'm n ot p os it iv et ha t' s t he r ea so n f or t he b lo ck ag e. T he p la ce i s a p ow er c en te r, a nd I t hi nk i t p os si bl e t ha t s om eo ned iv er te d s om e o f t ha t p ow er i nt o a s hi el di ng s pe ll . A g oo d e no ug h m ag ic ia n m ig ht b e a bl e t o d ri ll t hr ou ghi t w it h a T ru mp , b ut I 'v e a f ee li ng t ha t t he f or ce r eq ui re d w ou ld p ro ba bl y s et o ff s om e p sy ch ic ; a la rm a nddestroy any element of surprise."

  " W ha t d oe s t he p la ce l oo k l ik e, a ny wa y? '' s he a sk ed .

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  "W el l . . . , " I be gan . " Her e. " I t ook m y n ot ebo ok a nd S cr ip to f rom m y sh ir t p oc ket a nd s ke tc hed ." See , a ll o f t hi s ar ea i s v ol ca ni c. " I s cr ib bl ed i n a f ew f um ar ol es a nd w is ps o f s mo ke . " An d t hi s pa rt i s I ceA ge ." M or e s cr ib bl es . " Oc ea n h er e, m ou nt ai ns h er e. . . . "

  " Th en i t s ou nd s a s i f y ou r b es t b et i s t o u se t he P at te rn a ga in ," s he s ai d, s tu dy in g t he d ra wi ng a nd

shaking her head.

  "Yes."

  " Do yo u t hi nk y ou 'l l b e d oi ng i t s oo n? "

  "Possibly."

  " H ow w il l y ou a tt ac k t he m? "

  " I' m s ti ll w or ki ng o n t ha t. "

  " If t her e' s any s or t of w ay t hat I can he lp yo u, I m ean t w ha t I s ai d. "

  "There isn't."

  "D on 't b e s o s ur e. I 'm w el l t ra in ed . I 'm r es ou rc ef ul . I e ve n k no w a f ew s pe ll s. "

  " Th an ks ," I s ai d. " Bu t n o. "

  "No discussion?"

  "Nope."

  "I f you chan ge your mi nd. . . . "

  " I w on ' t. "

  " . . . Let me know."

  W e r ea ch ed t he C on co ur se , m ov ed a lo ng i t. T he w in ds g re w m or e b lu st er y h er e a nd s om et hi ng c ol d

t ouch ed m y che ek. T he n aga in. . . .

  " Sn ow !" C or al a nn ou nc ed , j us t a s I r ea li ze d t ha t a f ew m id dl e- si ze d f la ke s w er e d ri ft in g p as t u s,vanishing immediately when they hit the ground.

  " I f y ou r p ar ty h ad a rr iv ed a t t he p ro pe r t im e, " I o bs er ve d, " yo u m ig ht n ot h av e h ad y ou r w al k. "

  "Sometimes I'm lucky," she said.

  I t w as s no wi ng f ai rl y h ar d b y t he t im e w e r ea ch ed t he p al ac e g ro un ds . W e u se d t he p os te rn g at ea ga in , p au si ng o n t he w al kw ay t o g az e b ac k d ow n o ve r t he l ig ht -d ot te d t ow n, h al f s cr ee ne d b y f al li ngf la ke s. I kn ew s he k ep t l ook ing l on ge r t han I d id , b ec au se I t ur ned t o g az e at he r. S he a pp ear ed -ha pp y, Ig ue ss -a s i f s he w er e p as ti ng t he s ce ne i n a m en ta l s cr ap bo ok . S o I l ea ne d o ve r a nd k is se d h er c he ek , because it seemed like a good idea.

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  A ft er a t im e, C or al c le ar ed h er t hr oa t, t he n, " Co ul d w e s to p f or a m in ut e? " s he a sk ed .

  " Su re ," I s ai d, h al ti ng . " Ou t o f b re at h? "

  " N o, " s he s ai d. " Ho w m uc h f ar th er ?"

  "I do n' t k now ," I r ep li ed. " It seem s a di ff er ent di st an ce e ach t ime I come t hi s w ay. I f you wa nt t o go back and have dinner, we can see it tomorrow. You've had a busy day."

  " No ," s he a ns we re d. " Bu t I w ou ld n' t m in d y ou r h ol di ng m e f or a m in ut e. "

  I t s ee me d a n a wk wa rd p la ce t o g et r om an ti c, s o I c le ve rl y d ed uc ed t ha t t he re w as a no th er r ea so n,said nothing, and obliged.

  I t t ook m e a l ong whi le t o r eal ize t hat she was cr yi ng.

  Sh e w as v er y g oo d a t c on ce al in g i t.

  " Wh at 's t he m at te r? " I f in al ly a sk ed .

  "Nothing," she replied. "Nervous reaction, maybe. Primitive reflex. Darkness. Claustrophobia. Likethat."

  " Le t' s g o b ac k. "

  "No"

  S o w e s ta rt ed d ow n a ga in .

  A bout a h al f m inut e l at er I saw so met hi ng w hi te near t he s ide o f a l ower st ep. I sl ow ed. The n Ir ea li ze d t ha t i t w as o nl y a h an dk er ch ie f. A l it tl e n ea re r, h ow ev er , a nd I s aw t ha t i t w as h el d i n p la ce b y ad ag ge r. A ls o, t he re w er e m ar ki ng s u po n i t. I h al te d, r ea ch ed o ut , f la tt en ed i t, a nd r ea d. " TH IS O NE ,D AM N I T! - GE RA RD ," I t s ai d.

  " Ca re fu l h er e, " I s ai d t o C or al .

  I pr epa red t o st ep o ver i t, b ut o n an i mp ul se I t es ted i t l ig ht ly w it h o ne f oot . N o sq uea ks . I sh if ted

m or e w ei gh t o nt o i t. N ot hi ng . I t f el t f in e. I st oo d o n i t. T he s am e. I s hr ug ge d.

  "Careful, anyway," I said.

  N ot hi ng h ap pe ne d w he n s he s te pp ed o n i t e it he r, a nd w e k ep t g oi ng . A l it tl e l at er , I s aw a f li ck er i nt he d is ta nc e b el ow . I t w as m ov in g, a nd I g ue ss ed s om eo ne w as d oi ng a p at ro l. W ha t f or ? I w on de re d.W er e t he re p ri so ne rs t o b e t en de d a nd w at Öh ed ? W er e c er ta in c av e m ou th s c on si de re d v ul ne ra bl e points? And what about the business of locking the chamber of the Pattern and hanging the key on thew al l n ea r t he d oo r? W as t he re s om e p os si bl e d an ge r f ro m t ha t q ua rt er ? H ow ? W hy ? I r ea li ze d t ha t Io ug ht t o p ur su e t he se q ue st io ns o ne o f t he se d ay s.

  W he n w e r ea ch ed t he b ot to m t he g ua rd w as n ow he re i n s ig ht , h ow ev er . T he t ab le , t he r ac ks , a nd afew foot lockers-which constituted the guard station-were illuminated by a number of lanterns, but thegu ar d wa s no t at hi s po st . To o ba d. I t wo ul d be i nt er est ing t o as k w hat t he o rde rs ca ll ed f or i n t he eve nt

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of an emergencyhopefully also specifying the possible natures of various emergencies. For the first time,t ho ug h, I n ot ic ed a r op e h an gi ng d ow n f ro m t he d ar kn es s i nt o t he d im ne ss b es id e a w ea po ns r ac k. Id re w u po n i t e ver s o g en tl y a nd i t y iel de d, t o b e f ol lo wed a m om en t l at er b y a f ai nt m et al li c s oun d f romsomewhere high overhead. Interesting. Obviously, this was the alarm.

  " Wh ic h . . . w ay? " C or al a sk ed .

  " Oh, c om e o n, " I sa id, t aki ng her ha nd, and I l ed h er of f t o t he r ight .

  I k ep t w ai ti ng f or e ch oe s a s w e m ov ed , b ut n on e c am e. P er io di ca ll y, I r ai se d t he l ig ht . T he d ar kn es sw ou ld r ece de a b it t he n, b ut n ot hi ng c am e i nt o v ie w b ey on d a n . a dd it io na l a re a o f f lo or .

  C or al se em ed t o be s low in g n ow , a nd I f el t a c er tai n t en si on i n h er a rm a s sh e hu ng b ac k. I p lo dd edo n a nd s he k ep t m ov in g, h ow ev er .

  F in al ly , " It s ho ul dn 't b e t oo m uc h l on ge r, " I s ai d, a s t he e ch oe s b eg an , v er y f ai nt ly .

  " Go od ," s he r ep li ed , b ut s he d id n ot i nc re as e h er p ac e. A t l as t t he g ra y w al l o f t he c av er n c am e i nt ov iew , an d f ar of f t o m y l ef t w as t he d ar k o pe ni ng o f t he t un ne l m ou th I s ou gh t: I c han ge d c our se a ndh ea de d t ow ar d i t. W he n w e f in al ly r ea ch ed i t a nd e nt er ed , I f el t h er f li nc h.

  " If I 'd k no wn i t w ou ld b ot he r y ou t hi s m uc h- " I b eg an .

  " I' m r ea ll y a ll r ig ht ," s he a ns we re d, " an d I d o w an t t o s ee i t. I j us t d id n' t r ea li ze t ha t g et ti ng t he rewoul d be t hi s . . . i nvolved. "

  "W el l, t he w or st o f i t i s o ve r. S oo n no w," I sa id .

  W e c am e t o t he f ir st s id e p as sa ge t o t he l ef t f ai rl y q ui ck ly a nd w en t o n b y. T he re w as a no th er s ho rt lyt he re af t er , a nd I s lo we d a nd e xt en de d t he l an te rn t ow ar d i t.

  " Wh o k no ws ?" I c om me nt ed .. " Th at c ou ld t ak e y ou t hr ou gh s om e s tr an ge r ou te b ac k t o t he b ea ch ."

  " I' d r at he r n ot c he ck i t o ut ."

  W e w al ke d f or s om e t ime be for e w e pa ss ed t he t hi rd o pe ni ng. I g av e i t a q ui ck g la nc e. Th er e wa s av ei n o f s om e b ri gh t m in er al p ar tw ay b ac k i n i t.

  I s pe ed ed u p a nd s he k ep t p ac e, o ur f oo ts te ps r in gi ng l ou dl y n ow . W e p as se d t he f ou rt h o pe ni ng .T he f if th . . . . F ro m s om ew he re , i t s ee me d I h ea rd f ai nt s tr ai ns o f m us ic .

  S he g la nc ed a t m e i nq ui ri ng ly w he n w e n ea re d t he s ix th p as sa ge wa y, b ut I j us t k ep t g oi ng . I t w as t hesev ent h t hat I wa nt ed , an d whe n we f in al ly c ame t o i t I t ur ned , t oo k a f ew p aces , hal ted, and r ai sed t hel an te rn . W e s to od b ef or e a b ig m et al -b ou nd d oo r.

  I to ok t he key down f rom t he h ook on th e wal l t o my r ight , i nser ting i t i n t he lo ck, t ur ned i t,w it hd re w i t, a nd r eh un g i t. T he n I p ut m y s ho ul de r a ga in st t he d oo r a nd p us he d h ar d. T he re f ol lo we d along moment of resistance, then slow movement accompanied shortly by a complaint from a tight hinge.F ra ki r t ig ht en ed u po n m y w ri st , b ut I k ep t p us hi ng t il l t he d oo r w as o pe ne d w id e. T he n I s to od t o t hes id e a nd h el d i t f or C or al .

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  Sh e mo ved a f ew s tep s p ast m e i nt o t ha t s tr ang e ch am be r a nd h al te d. I st ep ped aw ay an d l et t hed oo r s wi ng s hu t, t he n c am e u p b es id e h er .

  " So t ha t' s i t, " s he r em ar ke d.

  Roughly elliptical, the intricately wound oval form of the Pattern glowed blue-white within the floor. I

s et t he l an te rn a si de . I t w as n' t r ea ll y n ec es sa ry , t he g lo w f ro m t he P at te rn p ro vi di ng m or e t ha n s uf fi ci en ti ll um in at io n. I s tr ok ed F ra ki r, c al mi ng h er . A j et o f s pa rk s r os e a t t he f ar e nd o f t he g re at d es ig n,s ub si de d q ui ck ly , o cc ur re d a ga in n ea re r t o u s. T he c ha mb er s ee me d f il le d w it h a h al f f am il ia r p ul si ng Ihad never consciously noted before. On an impulse-to satisfy a long-held point of curiosity-I summonedt he S ig n o f t he L og ru s.

  T hi s w as a m is ta ke .

  I mm ed ia te ly t he i ma ge o f t he L og ru s f la re d b ef or e m e, s pa rk s e ru pt ed a lo ng t he e nt ir e l en gt h o f t heP at te rn , a nd a h ig h- pi tc he d b an sh ee w ai l r os e f ro m s om ew he re . F ra ki r w en t w il d, m y e ar s f el t a s i f i ci cl es

h ad b ee n d ri ve n i nt o t he m, a nd t he b ri gh tn es s o f t he w ri th in g S ig n h ur t m y e ye s. I b an is he d t he L og ru s i nt ha t i ns ta nt , a nd t he t ur mo il b eg an t o s ub si de .

  " Wh at ," s he a sk ed m e, " wa s t ha t? "

  I t ri ed t o s mi le , d id n' t q ui te m an ag e i t.

  " A l it tl e e xp er im en t I 'd a lw ay s m ea nt t o t ry ," I t ol d h er .

  "Did you learn anything from it?"

  " No t t o d o i t a gai n, p er ha ps ," I a ns wer ed .

  " Or a t l ea st n ot t il l t he c om pa ny 's l ef t, " s he s ai d. "T ha t h ur t. ''

  S h e m ov ed n ea re r t o t he e dg e o f t he P at te rn , w hi ch h ad c al me d i ts el f a ga in .

  " Ee ri e, " s he o bs er ve d. " Li ke a l ig ht i n a d re am . B ut i t' s g or ge ou s. A nd a ll o f y ou h av e t o w al k i t t ocome into your heritage?"

  " Ye s. " S he m ov ed s lo wl y t o t he r ig ht , f ol lo wi ng i ts p er im et er . I f ol lo we d h er a s s he s tr ol le d, h er g az e

r ov in g a cr os s t he b ri gh t e xp an se o f a rc s a nd t ur ns , s ho rt s tr ai gh t l in es , l on g s we ep in g c ur ve s.

  "I assume it is difficult?"

  " Ye s. T he t ri ck i s t o k ee p p us hi ng a nd n ot t o s to p t ry in g e ve n i f y ou s to p m ov in g, " I r ep li ed .

  W e w al ke d o n, t o t he r ig ht , c ir cl in g s lo wl y a ro un d t o t he r ea r. T he d es ig n s ee me d t o b e w it hi n t hef lo or r at he r t ha n u po n i t, s ee n a s t hr ou gh a l ay er o f g la ss . B ut n ow he re w as t he s ur fa ce s li pp er y.

  W e pa use d f or a m inut e or so w hi le sh e t oo k i ts m easu re f ro m a new ang le.

  " So h ow a re y ou r es po nd in g t o i t? " I f in al ly a sk ed .

  "Esthetically," she said.

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  "Anything else?"

  " Po we r, " s he s ai d. " It s ee ms t o r ad ia te s om et hi ng ."

  S he l ea ne d f or wa rd a nd w av ed h er h an d a bo ve t he n ea re st l in e. " It 's a lm os t a p hy si ca l p re ss ur e, " s he

added then.

  W e m ov ed f ar th er , p as si ng a lo ng t he b ac k l en gt h o f t he g ra nd d es ig n. I c ou ld s ee a cr os s t he P at te rn ,t o t he p la ce w he re t he l an te rn g lo we d o n t he f lo or n ea r t o t he e nt ra nc ew ay . I ts l ig ht w as n eg li gi bl e b es id ethe greater illumination we regarded now.

  S ho rt ly , C or al h al t ed a ga in . S he p oi nt ed .

  " Wh at i s t hi s s in gl e l in e, w hi ch s ee ms t o e nd r ig ht h er e? " s he a sk ed .

  " It 's n ot t he e nd ," I s ai d. " It 's t he b eg in ni ng . T ha t i s t he p la ce w he re o ne c om me nc es t he w al ki ng o f          the Pattern."

  S he m ov ed n ea re r, p as si ng h er h an d a bo ve i t a ls o.

  " Ye s, " s he s ai d a ft er a m om en t. " I c an f ee l t ha t i t s ta rt s h er e. "

  Fo r h ow l ong w e st ood t her e, I am un ce rt ai n. Th en sh e r eac he d o ut , t oo k ho ld of m y ha nd an dsqueezed it.

  "Thanks," she said, "for everything."

  I wa s ab ou t t o as k he r w hy t ha t ha d s uc h a f ina l so un d ab out i t, w hen s he mo ve d f or war d a nd s eth er f oo t u po n t he l in e.

  " No !" I c ri ed . " St op !"

  B ut i t w as t oo l at e. H er f oo t w as a lr ea dy i n p la ce , b ri gh tn es s o ut li ni ng t he s ol e o f h er b oo t.

  " Do n' t m ov e! " I s ai d. " Wh at ev er y ou d o, s ta y s ti ll !" S he d id a s I s ai d, h ol di ng h er p os it io n. I l ic ke dmy lips, which suddenly seemed very dry.

  " Now , t ry t o r ai se t he f oot yo u p la ce d u po n t he l in e an d d ra w i t b ack . Ca n y ou do i t?"

  " N o, " s he r ep li e d.

  I k ne lt b es id e h er a nd s tu di ed i t. T he or et ic al ly , o nc e y ou 'd s et f oo t u po n t he P at te rn t he re w as n ot ur ni ng b ac k. Y ou h ad n o c ho ic e b ut t o c on ti nu e a nd e it he r m ak e i t t hr ou gh o r b e d es tr oy ed s om ew he rea lo ng t he w ay . O n t he o th er h an d, s he s ho ul d a lr ea dy b e d ea d. T he or et ic al ly , a ga in , a ny on e n ot o f t he blood of Amber shouldn't be able to set foot upon it and live. So much for theory.

  "Hell of a time to ask," I said. "But why'd you do it?

  " Y ou i ndi cat ed t o me b ac k i n t he ca ve t hat m y g ues s wa s co rr ect . Yo u sa id t hat yo u k new wh at Iwas."

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  I r ec al le d w ha t I 'd s ai d, b ut t ha t w as w it h r ef er en ce t o m y g ue ss a t h er b ei ng t he b od y- sh af ti ngent it y. W hat cou ld she hav e t aken i t t o mea n t hat had t o do wi th t he Pat te rn? But ev en as I so ugh t af ter as pe ll t ha t m ig ht f re e h er f ro m t he P at te rn 's h ol d, t he o bv io us a ns we r t o t hi ng s d ri ft ed i nt o m y m in d.

  " Yo ur conn ect io n wi th t he H ou se . . . ?" I sa id sof tl y.

  " Ki ng O be ro n s up po se dl y h ad a n a ff ai r w it h m y m ot he r b ef or e I w as b or n, " s he s ai d. " Th e t im in gw ou ld h av e b ee n r ig ht . I t w as o nl y a r um or , t ho ug h. I c ou ld n' t g et a ny on e t o p ro vi de d et ai ls . S o I w asnev er ce rt ai n. B ut I dr ea med of i t b ei ng t rue. I wan ted i t t o be t rue. I hop ed t o f in d s ome t unn el t hatw ou ld b ri ng m e t o t hi s p la ce . I w an te d t o s ne ak i n a nd w al k t he P at te rn a nd h av e t he s ha do ws u nf ol d before me. But I was afraid, too, because I knew that if I were wrong I would die. Then, when you saidw ha t y ou s ai d, y ou a ns we re d m y d re am . B ut I d id n ot s to p b ei ng af ra id . I a m s ti ll a fr ai d. O nl y n ow I 'ma fr ai d t ha t I w on 't b e s tr on g e no ug h t o m ak e i t. "

  That sense of f ami li ar ity I had f el t w hen I f ir st met her . . - . . I suddenl y r eal ized t hat it was a gener al

f am il y r es em bl an ce t ha t h ad c au se d i t. H er n os e a nd b ro w r em in de d m e a b it o f F io na , h er c hi n a ndc he ek bo ne s s om et hi ng o f F lo ra . H er h ai r a nd e ye s a nd h ei gh t a nd b ui ld w er e h er o wn , t ho ug h. B ut s hecertainly did not resemble her nominal father or sister.

  I t ho ug ht a ga in o f a f ai nt ly l ee ri ng p or tr ai t o f m y g ra nd fa th er w hi ch I h ad o ft en s tu di ed , i n a n u ps ta ir sh al lw ay , t o t he w es t. T he l ec he ro us o ld b as ta rd r ea ll y g ot a ro un d. G iv in g h im h is d ue , t ho ug h, h e w as av er y g oo dl oo ki ng m an . . . .

  I s ig he d an d r ose t o m y f ee t. I l ai d a h and up on he r sh ou lde r.

  " Li st en , C or al ," I s ai d. " Al l o f u s w er e w el l b ri ef ed b ef or e w e t ri ed i t. I a m g oi ng t o t el l y ou a bo ut i t

 before you take another step, and while I speak you may feel energy flowing from me into you. I wantyo u t o be as s tr on g as po ssi bl e. W hen yo u t ake y our n ext st ep I do no t w an t y ou t o s top ag ai n u nt il y ouh av e r ea ch ed t he m id dl e. I m ay c al l o ut i ns tr uc ti on s t o y ou a s y ou m ov e a lo ng , a ls o. D o w ha te ve r I s ayimmediately, without thinking about it.

  " Fi rst I w il l t el l you about t he V ei ls, t he p laces o f r esi st an ce. . . ."

  For how long I spoke, I do not know.

  I w at ch ed a s s he a pp ro ac he d t he F ir st V ei l.

  " Ig no re t he c hi ll a nd t he s ho ck s, " I s ai d. " Th ey c an 't h ur t y ou . D on 't l et t he s pa rk s d is tr ac t y ou .Y ou 'r e a bo ut t o h it m aj or r es is ta nc e. D on 't s ta rt b re at hi ng r ap id ly ."

  I w at ch ed h er p us h h er w ay t hr ou gh .

  " Go od ," I s ai d, a s s he c am e o nt o a n e as ie r s tr et ch , d ec id in g a ga in st t el li ng h er t ha t t he n ex t V ei l w asf ar w or se . " By t he w ay , d on 't t hi nk t ha t y ou 'r e g oi ng c ra zy . S ho rt ly , i t w il l b eg in p la yi ng h ea d g am es w it hyou-"

  " It a lr ea dy h as ," s he r es po nd ed . " Wh at s ho ul d I d o? "

  " It 's p ro ba bl y m os tl y m em or ie s. J us t l et t he m f lo w, a nd k ee p y ou r a tt en ti on o n t he p at h. "

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  Sh e c on ti nu ed , a nd I t al ke d h er t hr ou gh t he S ec on d V ei l. T he s pa rk s r ea ch ed a lm os t t o h er  s ho ul de rs b ef or e s he w as o ut o f i t. I w at ch ed h er s tr ug gl e t hr ou gh a rc a ft er a rc , t he n t ri ck y c ur ve s a ndl on g, s we ep in g o ne s, t ur ns , r ev er sa ls . T he re w er e t im es w he n s he m ov ed q ui ck ly , t im es w he n s he w ass lo we d a lm os t t o a s ta nd st il l. B ut s he k ep t m ov in g. S he h ad t he i de a, a nd i t s ee me d s he h ad t he w il l. I d idn ot t hi nk t ha t s he r ea ll y n ee de d m e n ow . I w as c er ta in t ha t I h ad n ot hi ng l ef t t o o ff er , t ha t t he o ut co mew as e nt ir el y i n h er o wn h an ds .

  S o I s hu t u p a nd w at ch ed , i rr it at ed w it h b ut u na bl e t o p re ve nt m y o wn l ea ni ng a nd t ur ni ng , s hi ft in gand pressing, as if I were out there myself, anticipating, compensating.

  W he n s he c am e t o t he G ra nd C ur ve s he w as a l iv in g f la me : H er p ro gr es s w as v er y s lo w, b ut t he rew as a r el en tl es s q ua li ty t o i t. W ha te ve r t he o ut co me , I k ne w t ha t s he w as b ei ng c ha ng ed , h ad b ee nc ha ng ed a lr ea dy , t ha t t he P at te rn w as i ns cr ib in g i ts el f u po n h er , a nd t ha t s he w as v er y n ea r t o t he e nd o f                  i ts s tat eme nt . I a lm ost cr ied o ut as sh e see me d t o st op f or a m om en t, b ut t he wo rds di ed i n m y t hr oa t a ss he s hu dd er ed o nc e, t he n c on ti nu ed . I w ip ed m y b ro w o n m y s le ev e a s s he a pp ro ac he d t he F in al V ei l.W ha te ve r t he o ut co me , s he h ad p ro ve d h er s us pi ci on s. O nl y a c hi ld o f A mb er c ou ld h av e s ur vi ve d a s

s he h ad .

  I d o n ot k no w h ow l ong i t t ook h er t o pi er ce t he l ast V ei l. H er ef for t be cam e t im el ess , a nd I wa sc au gh t u p i n t ha t p ro tr ac te d m om en t. S he w as a b ur ni ng s tu dy i n e xt re me s lo w m ot io n, t he n im bu s t ha te ns hr ou de d h er l ig ht in g u p t he e nt ir e c ha mb er l ik e a g re at b lu e c an dl e.

  A nd t hen sh e w as t hr ough and ont o t hat f in al sh or t ar c, t he l ast t hr ee st eps of w hi ch may wel l be t hem os t d if fi cu lt p ar t o f t he e nt ir e P at te rn . S om e s or t o f p sy ch ic s ur fa ce t en si on s ee ms j oi ne d w it h t he physical inertia one encounters just before the point of emergence.

  A ga in , I t ho ug ht s he h ad s to pp pe d, b ut i t w as o nl y a n a pp ea ra nc e. I t w as l ik e w at ch in g s om eo ne

d oi ng t ai ch i, t he pa inf ul s low ne ss o f t ha t t ri o of p ace s. B ut s he c om pl et ed i t an d m ov ed a gai n. I f t he f in alst ep di dn 't ki ll h er , t hen sh e w as ho me f ree. T hen w e cou ld t al k. . . .

  T hat f in al mo me nt we nt on an d on and o n. T hen I sa w her f oot mo ve f or wa rd and d epar t t heP at te rn . S ho rt ly , t he o th er f oo t f ol lo we d a nd s he s to od p an ti ng a t t he c en te r. " Co ng ra tu la ti on s! " Ishouted.

  S he w av ed w ea kl y w it h h er r ig ht h an d w hi le s lo wl y r ai si ng h er l ef t t o c ov er h er e ye s. S he s to od t hu sf or t he a b et ter pa rt of a m in ut e, a nd on e w ho h as wal ked t he P at te rn und er st ands t he f eel in g. I di d n otc al l o ut a ga in , b ut l et h er r ec ov er , g iv in g h er t he s il en ce i n w hi ch t o e nj oy h er t ri um ph .

  T he P at te rn s ee me d t o b e g lo wi ng m or e b ri gh tl y j us t t he n, a s i t o ft en d oe s i mm ed ia te ly a ft er b ei ngt ra ve rs ed . T hi s g av e a f ai ry la nd q ua li ty t o t he g ro tt o- al l b lu e l ig ht a nd s ha do w- an d m ad e a m ir ro r o f t ha ts ma ll , st il l po ol i n t he f ar co rn er w he re bl in d f is h s wi m. I t ri ed t o t hi nk a he ad t o w ha t t hi s a ct m ig ht m ea n,for Coral, for Amber.... She straightened suddenly.

  " I' m g oi ng t o l iv e, " s he a nn ou nc ed .

  " Go od ," I r ep li ed . " Yo u h av e a c ho ic e n ow , y ou k no w. "

  "W ha t d o y ou m ea n? " s he a sk ed .

  " Yo u a re n ow i n a p os it io n t o c om ma nd t he P at te rn t o t ra ns po rt y ou a ny wh er e, " I e xp la in ed . " Soy ou c ou ld j us t h av e i t d ep os it y ou b ac k h er e a ga in , o r y ou c oul d s av e y ou rs el f a l on g w al k b y h av in g i t

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r et ur n y ou t o y ou r s ui te r ig ht n ow . A s m uc h a s I e nj oy y ou r c om pa ny , I 'd r ec om me nd t he l at te r s in cey ou 'r e p ro ba bl y p re tt y t ir ed . T he n y ou c an s oa k i n a n ic e w ar m b at h a nd t ak e y ou r t im e d re ss in g f or  d in ne r. I 'l l m ee t y ou i n t he d in in g r oo m. O ka y? "

  I sa w t ha t sh e w as sm il ing as sh e sh oo k h er h ea d.

  " I' m n ot g oi ng t o w as te a n o pp or tu ni ty l ik e t hi s, '' s he s ai d.

  " Li st en , I k no w t he f ee li ng ," I t ol d h er . " Bu t I t hi nk y ou s ho ul d r es tr ai n y ou rs el f. R us hi ng o ff              s om ep la ce w ei rd c ou ld b e d an ge ro us , a nd c om in g b ac k c ou ld b e t ri ck y w he n y ou h av en 't h ad a nytraining in shadow walking."

  " It 's j us t s or t o f a w il l an d e xp ec ta ti on t hi ng , i sn 't i t? " s he a sk ed . " Yo u k in d o f i mp os e i ma ges o n t heenvironment as you go along, don't you?"

  " It 's t ri ck ie r t ha n t ha t, " I s ai d. " Yo u h av e t o l ea rn t o c ap it al iz e o n c er ta in f ea tu re s a s p oi nt s o f              

d ep ar tu re . N or ma ll y, o ne i s a cc om pa ni ed o n o ne 's f ir st s ha do w w al k b y s om eo ne w it h e xp er i en ce -"

  " O kay , I g et t he i de a. "

  " No t e no ug h, " I s ai d. " Id ea s a re f in e, b ut t he re 's f ee db ac k, t oo . T he re 's a c er ta in f ee li ng y ou g etw he n i t b eg in s w or ki ng . T ha t c an 't b e t au gh t. I t h as t o b e e xp er ie nc ed -a nd u nt il y ou 'r e s ur e o f i t, y ous ho ul d h av e s om eo ne a lo ng f or a g ui de ."

  " Se em s l ik e t ri al a nd e rr or w ou ld d o. "

  " Ma yb e, " I a ns we re d. " Bu t s up po si ng y ou w ou nd u p i n d an ge r? T ha t' d b e a h el l o f a t im e t o s ta rt

learning. Kind of distracting-"

  " Al l r ig ht . Y ou m ad e y ou r p oi nt . F or tu na te ly , I 'm n ot p la nn in g o n a ny th in g t ha t w ou ld p ut m e i n s uc ha p os it io n. "

  "What are you planning?"

  She straightened and gestured widely.

  " Ev er s in ce I l ea rn ed a bo ut t he P at te rn , t he re 's b ee n s om et hi ng I w an te d t o t ry i f I g ot t hi s f ar ," s he

said.

  " W ha t m ig ht t ha t b e? "

  " I' m g oi ng t o ask i t t o sen d me wh er e I s houl d g o. "

  "I don't understand."

  " I' m g oi ng t o l ea ve t he c ho ic e u p t o t he P at te rn ."

  I shook my head .

  " It d oe sn 't w or k t ha t wa y, " I t ol d he r. " Yo u ha ve t o gi ve i t an o rde r t o t ran spo rt y ou ."

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  " Ho w d o y ou k no w t ha t? "

  " It 's j us t t he w ay i t w or ks ."

  " Ha ve y ou e ve r t ri ed w ha t I 'm s ay in g? "

  "No. Nothing would happen."

  "H as a ny on e y ou k no w o f e ve r t ri ed i t? "

  " It w ou ld b e a w as te o f t im e. L oo k, y ou 'r e t al ki ng a s i f t he P at te rn i s s om eh ow s en ti en t, i s c ap ab le o f      c om in g t o a d ec is io n o n i ts o wn a nd e xe cu ti ng i t. "

  " Ye s, " s he r ep li ed . " An d i t m ust k no w m e r ea l w el l af te r w ha t I 'v e j us t b ee n t hr ou gh w it h i t. S o I 'm       just going to ask its advice and-"

  " Wa it !" I s ai d.

  "Yes?"

  " On t he o ff c ha nc e t ha t s om et hi ng h ap pe ns , h ow d o y ou p la n o n g et ti ng b ac k? "

  " I' ll w al k, I g ue ss . S o y ou 'r e a dm it ti ng t ha t s om et hi ngcould     happen?"

  " Ye s, " I s ai d. " It 's c on ce iv ab le t ha t y ou h av e a n u nc on sc io us d es ir e t o v is it a p la ce , a nd t ha t i t w il lr ea d t ha t a nd t ak e y ou t he re i f y ou g iv e a t ra ns po rt o rd er . T ha t w on 't p ro ve t ha t t he P at te rn i s s en ti en t

       just that it's sensitive. Now, if it were me standing them, I'd be afraid to take a chance like that.

S up po si ng I h av e s ui ci da l t en de nc ie s I 'm n ot a wa re o f? O r- "

  "You're reaching," she answered. "You're really reaching."

  " I' m j us t co un se li ng yo u t o p lay i t s af e. Yo u h av e y ou r w ho le l if e t o g o e xp lo ri ng . I t w oul d b e s il ly t o- "

  " En ou gh !" s he s ai d. " My m in d' s m ad e u p, a nd t ha t' s i t. I t f ee ls r ig ht . S ee y ou l at er , M er li n. "

  " Wa it !" I c ri ed a ga in . " Al l r ig ht . D o i t i f y ou m us t. B ut l et m e g iv e y ou s om et hi ng f ir st ."

  "What?"

  "A means of get ti ng out of a ti ght spot i n a hur ry. H er e."

  I w it hd rew m y T ru mp s, s hu ff le d ou t m y o wn c ar d. T he n I u nf as ten ed m y d ag ge r a nd sh ea th f ro m m y belt. I wrapped my card around the haft and tied it there with my handkerchief.

  "Y ou h ave a n i de a h ow t o use a T rum p?"

  " Yo u j us t s ta re a nd t hi nk o f t he p er so n t il l t he re 's c on ta ct , d on 't y ou ?"

  " Th at 'l l d o, " I s ai d. " He re' s m in e: T ak e i t w it h y ou . C al l m e w he n y ou w an t t o c om e ho me , a nd I 'l l bring you back."

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  I t osse d i t out a cr os s t he P at te rn, u nde rha nd. Sh e c aug ht i t ea si ly an d hu ng i t on h er be lt on t he s ideo pp os it e h er o wn .

  " Th an ks ," s he s ai d, s tr ai gh te ni ng . " I g ue ss I 'l l g iv e i t a t ry n ow ."

  " Ju st i n c as e i t r ea ll y w or ks , d on 't s ta y l on g. O ka y? "

  " O ka y, " s he a ns we re d, a nd s he c lo se d h er e ye s.

  A n i ns ta nt l at er s he w as g on e. O h, m y.

  I mo ved t o t he edg e of t he Pat ter n and hel d my hand above i t unt il I coul d f eel t he f or ces st ir ri ngthere.

  "Y ou 'd b et te r k no w w ha t y ou 'r e d oi ng ," I s ai d. " I w an t h er b ac k. "

  A s pa rk s ho t u pw ar d a nd t ic kl ed m y p al m.

  " Yo u t ry in g t o t el l m e y ou 'r e r ea ll y s en ti en t? "

  E ve ry th in g s wi rl ed a bo ut m e. T he d iz zi ne ss p as se d i n a n i ns ta nt , a nd t he f ir st t hi ng I n ot ic ed t he n w ast ha t t he l an te rn w as b es id e m y r ig ht f oo t. W he n I l oo ke d a bo ut I r ea li ze d t ha t I w as s ta nd in g o n t he o th er  s id e o f t he P at te rn f rom w her e I ha d b een an d wa s n ow ne ar t he d oor .

  " I w as w it hi n y ou r f ie ld a nd I 'm a lr ea dy a tt un ed ," I s ai d. " It w as j us t m y u nc on sc io us d es ir e t o g etout."

  T he n I h ef te d t he l an te rn , l oc ke d t he d oo r b eh in d m e, `

  and hung t he key back on i ts hook. I st il l di dn' t t rust t he t hi ng. I f i t had r eal ly want ed t o be hel pf ul , i tw ou ld h av e s en t m e d ir ec tl y t o m y q ua rt er s a nd s av ed m e a ll t ho se s ta ir s.

  I h ur ri ed a lo ng t he t un ne l. I t w as b y f ar t he m os t i nt er es ti ng f ir st d at e I 'd e ve r h ad .

  CHAPTER 6

  A s I pas sed out of t he m ai n hal l and heade d al ong t he back hal lw ay whi ch wo ul d t ake me t o any of        a n um ber o f s ta ir s, a f el lo w i n b la ck l ea th er s a nd v ar io us p ie ces o f r us ty a nd sh in y ch ai n e mer ge d f ro m aco rr id or t o my r igh t, h al te d, and s tar ed at m e. Hi s hai r w as o f an o ran ge M oh aw k cut a nd t her e w er es ev er al s il ve r r in gs i n h is l ef t e ar n ea r w ha t l oo ke d l ik e a n e le ct ri ca l o ut le t o f s om e s or t.

  "Merlin?" he said. "You okay?"

  "F or t he m om en t, " I r ep li ed a s I d re w n ea re r, t ry in g t o p la ce h im , t he re i n t he d im ne ss .

  "M ar ti n! " I s ai d. " Yo u' re . . . c ha ng ed ."

  He chuckled.

  " I' m j us t b ac k f ro m a v er y i nt er es ti ng s ha do w, " h e s ai d. " Sp en t o ve r a y ea r t he re -o ne o f t ho se p la ce s

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where time runs like hell."

  "I'd judge-just guessing-that it was high-tech, urban...."

  "Right."

  " I t ho ug ht y ou w er e a c ou nt ry b oy ."

  " I got ov er i t. N ow I kno w wh y my da d l ikes ci ti es and n oi se ."

  " Yo u a m us ic ia n, t oo ?"

  " So me . D if fe re nt s ou nd s, t ho ug h. Y ou g oi ng t o b e a t d in ne r? "

  " I wa s pl an ni ng o n i t. A s soon a s I g et cl ea ned up a nd cha nge d. "

  " Se e y ou t he re, t hen . W e' ve a l ot , o f t hi ng s t o t al k a bo ut . "

  "Sure thing, Cousin."

  H e c la sp ed m y s ho ul de r a nd r el ea se d i t a s I p as se d. H is g ri p w as s ti ll s tr on g.

  I w al ked o n. B ef or e I 'd gon e ver y f ar , I f el t t he beg inn ing o f a Tr ump con tact . I hal ted a nd r each edq ui ck ly , f ig ur in g i t w as C or al w an ti ng t o r et ur n. I ns te ad , m y e ye s m et t ho se o f M an do r, w ho s mi le dfaintly.

  " Ah , v er y g oo d, " h e s ai d. " Yo u a re a lo ne a nd a pp ar en tl y s af e. "

  As t hi ng s c am e c le ar er I s aw t ha t F io na w as s ta nd in g b es id e h im , s ta nd in g v er y c lo se a s a m at te r o f        fact.

  " I' m o ka y, " I s ai d. " I' m b ac k i n A mb er . Y ou a ll r ig ht ?"

  " In ta ct ," h e s ai d, l oo ki ng p as t m e, t ho ug h t he re w as n ot m uc h t o s ee b ey on d w al l a nd a b it o f          t ap es tr y. " Wo ul d y ou c ar e t o c om e t hr ou gh ?" I a sk ed .

  " I 'd l ov e t o s ee A mb er ," h e r ep li ed . " Bu t t ha t p le as ur e w il l h av e t o a wa it a no th er o cc as io n. W e a re

somewhat occupied at the moment."

  " Yo u' v e d is co ve re d t he c au se o f t he d is tu r ba nc es ?" I a sk ed .

  He g la nc ed a t F io na , t he n b ac k a t m e.

  " Ye s a nd n o, " h e s ai d. " We 'v e s om e i nt er es ti ng l ea ds b ut n o c er ta in ty a t t he m om en t. "

  "Uh, what can I do f or you then?" I asked.

  F io na e xt en de d h er i nd ex f in ge r a nd s ud de nl y b ec am e m uc h c le ar er . I r ea li ze d t ha t s he m us t h av er ea ch ed o ut a nd t ou ch ed m y T ru mp f or b et te r c on ta ct .

  "We've had an encounter with a manifestation of that machine you built," she said. "Ghostwheel."

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  " Ye s? " I s ai d.

  " Yo u' re r ig ht , i t' s s en ti en t- so ci al A I a s w el l a s t ec hn ic al . "

  " I w as a lr ea dy c er ta in i t c ou ld p as s t he T ur in g t es t. "

  " Oh , n o d ou bt a bo ut t ha t, " s he r es po nd ed , " si nc e b y d ef in it io n t he T ur in g t es t r eq ui re s a m ac hi necapable of lying to people and misleading them."

  "W ha t a re y ou g et ti ng a t, F io na ?" I a sk ed .

  " It 's n ot j us t s oc ia l A I. I t' s d ow nr ig ht a nt is oc ia l, " s he r ep li ed . " I t hi nk y ou r m ac hi ne i s c ra zy ."

  " Wh at d id i t d o? " I a sk ed . " At ta ck y ou ?"

  " No , n ot hi ng p hy si ca l. I t' s w ac ky a nd m en da ci ou s a nd i ns ul ti ng , a nd w e' re t oo b us y t o g o i nt o d et ai lsr ig ht n ow . I 'm n ot s ay in g i t c ou ld n' t g et n as ty , t ho ug h. I d on 't k no w. W e j us t w an te d t o w ar n y ou n ot t otrust it."

  I s mi l ed .

  " T ha t' s i t? E nd o f m es sa ge ?" I s ai d.

  " Fo r n ow ," s he a ns we re d, l ow er in g h er f in ge r a nd g ro wi ng d im .

  I shi ft ed my ga ze t o Man dor an d w as abo ut t o expl ai n t hat I had bu il t a h ost of saf eguar ds i nt o t he

t hi ng , s o t ha t n ot j us t an yb od y c ou ld ac ce ss i t. M ai nl y, t ho ug h, I w an te d t o t el l h im a bo ut Ju rt . B ut o ur  communication was suddenly severed, as I felt another presence reaching toward me.

  I w as i nt r ig ue d b y t he s en sa ti on . I h ad o cc as io na ll y w on de re d w ha t w ou ld o cc ur i f s om eo ne t ri ed f or  a T ru mp c on tac t w he n I w as a lr ea dy i n t ou ch w it h s om eo ne el se v ia a T ru mp . W ou ld i t t ur n i nt o ac on fe re nc e c al l? W ou ld s om eo ne g et a b us y s ig na l? W ou ld i t p ut t he o th er p ar ty o n h ol d? I 'd d ou bt ed I 'de ve r f in d o ut , t ho ug h. I t j us t s ee me d s ta ti st ic al ly u nl ik el y. H ow ev er . . . .

  " Me rl i n, b ab y. I 'm o ka y. "

  "Luke!"

  M an do r a nd F io na w er e d ef in it el y g on e. " I' m r ea ll y o ka y n ow , M er le ."

  "You sure?"

  " Ye ah , as s oo n a s I st ar ted co mi ng do wn I s wi tch ed t o a f as t l ane . I n t hi s sh ad ow i t' s b een se ve ra ld ay s s in ce I 'v e s ee n y ou ."

  H e w as w ea ri ng s un gl as se s a nd g re en s wi m t ru nk s. H e w as s ea te d a t a s ma ll t ab le b es id e as wi mm in g po ol i n t he s ha de o f a g re at um br el la , t he r em ai ns of a l ar ge l un ch s pr ead be for e. h im . A l ad y i na b lue bi ki ni d iv ed i nt o t he po ol a nd p as se d f ro m m y l in e o f si gh t.

  " We ll , I 'm g la d t o h ea r a bo ut t ha t a nd -"

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  " So w ha t h ap pe ne d t o m e, a ny ho w? I r em em be r y ou s ai d s om et hi ng a bo ut s om eo ne s li pp in g m esome acid when I was a pr isoner back at t he Keep. Is that how it went?"

  "It seems very likely."

  " I g ue ss t ha t' s w ha t h ap pe ns w he n y ou d ri nk t he w at er ," h e m us ed . " Ok ay . W ha t' s b ee n g oi ng o nw hi le I 'v e b ee n o ut o f i t? "

  Kn ow ing h ow mu ch t o t el l hi m w as al way s a pr obl em . So , " Whe re do we st and ?" I ask ed .

  " O h. T ha t, " h e s ai d.

  "Yeah."

  " Wel l, I 'v e h ad a c ha nc e t o d o a l ot o f t hi nk in g, " h e r ep li ed , " an d I 'm g oi ng t o c al l i t q ui ts . H on or h as

 been satisfied. It's pointless to keep pushing this thing against everybody else. But I'm not about to putm ys el f i n R an do m' s h an ds f or a k an ga ro o t ri al . N ow i t' s y ou r t ur n: W he re d o I s ta nd s o f ar a s A mb er 'sc on ce rn ed ? S ho ul d I b e l oo ki ng o ve r m y s ho ul de r? "

  " No bod y' s s ai d a nyt hi ng yet , on e way or t he o the r. B ut R and om i s out o f t ow n no w and I j ust g ot back myself. '' I haven't really had a chance to learn what the others' feelings might be on this thing."

  H e r em ov ed h is s un gl as se s a nd s tu di ed m e. " Th e f ac t t ha t R an do m' s o ut o f t ow n. . . . "

  " No, I k no w h e' s n ot af ter yo u, " I s ai d, " bec au se h e' s i n K as h- " ` and I t ri ed t o s to p i t j ust a sy ll ab let o o l at e.

  "Kashfa?"

  " S o I u nd er st a nd ."

  " Wh at t he h el l' s h e d oi ng t he re ? A mb er w as n ev er i nt er es te d i n t he p la ce b ef or e. "

  " Th er e' s b ee n a . . . d ea th ," I e xp la in ed . " So me k in d o f s ha ke -u p g oi ng o n. "

  " Ha !" L uk e r em ar ke d. " Th at b as ta rd f in al ly b ou gh t i t. G oo d! B ut . . . . H ey ! W hy 's A mb er m ov in g i n

so suddenlike, huh?"

  " D on 't k no w, " I s ai d.

  H e c hu ck le d. " Rh et or i ca l q ue st i on ," h e s ai d. " I c an s ee w ha t' s g oi ng o n. I 'v e g ot t o a dm it R an do m' sgot st yl e. List en, when you fi nd out who he put s on t he t hr one let m e know , wi ll you? I li ke t o keepa br ea st o f d oi ng s i n t he o ld h om et ow n. "

  "Oh, sure," I said, trying unsuccessfully to determine whether such information could be harmful. Itw ou ld b ec om e p ub li c k no wl ed ge v er y s oo n, i f i t w as n' t a lr ea dy .

  " So w hat el se i s go ing o n? T hat ot her p er so n wh o wa s Vi nt a Ba yl e . . . ?"

  " Go ne ," I s ai d. " I d on 't k no w w he re ."

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  " Ve ry s tr an ge ," h e m us ed . " I d on 't t hi nk w e' ve s ee n t he l as t o f h er . S he w as G ai l, t oo . I 'm s ur e. L etm e kn ow i f s he c om es ba ck, w il l y ou? "

  ` `O ka y. Y ou w ant t o a sk h er o ut a ga in ?"

  H e s hr ug ge d, t he n s mi le d. " I c ou ld t hi nk o f w or se w ay s t o s pe nd s om e t im e. "

  " Yo u' re l uc ky s he d id n' t t ry t o t ak e y ou o ut , l it er al ly ."

  " I' m n ot s o s ur e s he w ou ld 'v e, " h e r ep li ed . " We a lw ay s g ot a lo ng p re tt y w el l. A ny ho w, n on e o f t hi s i sthe main reason I cal led. . . ."

  I n od de d, h av in g a lr ea dy g ue ss ed a s m uc h.

  " Ho w' s m y m ot he r d oi ng ?" h e a sk ed .

  " Ha sn 't s ti r re d, " I a ns we re d. " Sh e' s s af e. "

  " Th at 's s om et hi ng ," he s ai d. " Yo u k no w, i t' s k in d of u nd ig ni fi ed f or a q ue en t o b e i n t hat p os it io n. Ac oa tr a ck . J ee z! "

  " I a gr ee ," I a gr ee d. " Bu t w ha t' s t he a lt er na ti ve ?"

  "Well , I' d sor t of l ike to . . . get her f reed," he sai d.

  "What'll it take?"

  ` `Y ou r ai se a v er y t ho rn y i ss ue ," I s ta te d.

  " I s or t o f f ig ur ed t ha t. "

  " I' ve a s tr on g f ee li ng s he 's t he o ne b eh in d t hi s r ev en ge b us in es s, L uk e, t ha t s he 's t he o ne w ho p uty ou u p t o g oi ng a ft er e ver yb od y. L ik e w it h t ha t b om b. L ik e e nc ou ra gi ng y ou t o s et u p t ha t p ri va te a rm yw it h m od er n w ea po ns , t o u se a ga in st A mb er . L ik e t ry in g f or a h it o n m e e ve ry s pr in g. L ik e- "

  " Ok ay , o ka y. Y ou 'r e r ig ht . I d on 't d en y i t. B ut t hi ng s h av e c ha ng ed -"

  " Ye ah . H er p la ns f el l t hr ou gh a nd w e' ve g ot h er ."

  " Th at 's n ot w ha t I m ea nt . I 'm c ha ng ed . I u nd er st an d h er n ow , a nd I u nd er st an d m ys el f b et te r. S hec an 't p us h m e a ro un d t ha t w ay a ny mo re ."

  " Wh y i s t ha t? "

  "That tr ip I was on. . . . It shook loose my thinking quite a bit. About her and me. I've had severaldays now to mul l over w hat some of i t meant , and I don' t t hi nk she can pul l t he same cr ap on me t hat sheused to."

  I r ec al le d t he r ed -h ai re d w om an t ie d t o t he s ta ke , t or me nt ed b y d em on s. T he re w as a r es em bl an ce ,n ow I t ho ugh t o f i t.

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  " Bu t sh e' s s ti ll m y m ot he r, " h e w en t o n, " an d I d on 't l ike l eav in g he r i n t he po si ti on sh e' s i n. W ha tk in d o f d ea l; m ig ht b e p os si bl e f or t ur ni ng h er l oo se ?"

  " I d on 't k no w, L uk e. " I a ns we re d. " Th e m at te r h as n' t c om e u p y et ." .

  "Well, she's your prisoner, actually."

  " Bu t h er p la ns w er e d ir ec te d a ga in st a ll o f u s. "

  " Tr ue , b ut I w on 't b e h el pi ng h er w it h t he m a ny mo re .

  S he r ea ll y n ee ds s om eo ne l ik e m e f or c ar ry in g t he m o ut ."

  " Ri gh t. A nd i f s he d oe sn 't h av e y ou t o h el p, w ha t' s t o p re ve nt h er f ro m f in di ng s om eo ne l ik e y ou , a sy ou p ut i t? S he 'd s ti ll b e d an ger ou s i f w e l et h er g o. "

  " Bu t y ou k no w a bo ut h er n ow . T ha t w ou ld c ri mp h er s ty le q ui te a b it ."

  "I t m ig ht j us t m ak e h er m or e d ev io us ."

  H e s ig he d. " I s up po se t he re 's s om e t ru th i n t ha t, " h e a dm it te d. " Bu t s he 's a s v en al a s m os t p eo pl e.I t' s j us t a m at te r o f f in di ng t he r ig ht p ri ce ."

  " I c an 't s ee A mb er b uy in g s om eo ne o ff t ha t w ay ."

  " I c an ."

  " No t w he n t ha t p er so n i s a lr ea dy a p ri so ne r h er e. "

  "That does complicate matters a little," he acknowledged. "But I hardly think it's an insurmountable barrier. Not if she's more useful to you free than as a piece of furniture."

  " Yo u' ve l os t m e, " I s ai d. " Wh at a re y ou p ro po si ng ?"

  " No th in g y et . I 'm j us t s ou nd in g y ou o ut ."

  " Fa ir e no ug h. B ut o ff ha nd , I c an 't s ee a s it ua ti on s uc h a s y ou d es cr ib e a ri si ng . M or e v al ua bl e t o u sf re e t ha n a pr ison er . . . . I g ues s we 'd go wh er e t he val ue l ie s: Bu t t he se ar e j ust w or ds. "

  " Ju st t ry ing t o p lant a see d o r t wo w hi le I w or k on i t. Wh at i s you r gr ea test c oncer n r igh t no w?"

  " M e? P er so na ll y? Y ou r ea ll y w an t t o k no w? "

  " Y ou b et . "

  " Ok ay . M y m ad b ro th er J ur t h as a pp ar en tl y a ll ie d h im se lf w it h t he s or ce re r M as k b ac k a t t he K ee p.Th e t wo of t hem ar e out t o get m e. Jur t m ade an at te mp t j ust t hi s af ter noon , but I can see i t' s r eal ly ac ha ll en ge f ro m M as k. I 'm g oi ng t o t ak e t he m o n s oo n. "

  " He y, I d id n' t k now y ou ha d a br ot he r! "

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  " Ha lf br ot he r. I ha ve a co up le of o ther s, t oo. Bu t I c an g et al ong w it h t hem . Ju rt 's bee n af te r me f or along time."

  "That's really something. You never mentioned them."

  "We never talked family. Remember?"

  " Ye ah . B ut y ou 'v e g ot m e p uz zl ed n ow . W ho 's t hi s M as k? I s ee m t o r em em be r y ou r m en ti on in g h im before. It's really Sharu Garrul, isn't it?"

  I shook my head .

  " Wh en I b ro ug ht yo ur m ot he r ou t o f t he ci tad el sh e l ef t t he co mp an y of a s im il ar ly s tr ic ken o ld gu yw it h R IN AL DO c ar ved o n h is l eg . I w as t ra di ng s pe ll s w it h M ask a t t he t im e. "

  " Mo st s tr an ge ," L uk e s ai d. " 'T he n h e' s a u su rp er . A nd h e' s t he o ne s li pp ed m e t he a ci d? "

  "That seems most likely."

  " Then I hav e a sco re t o se tt le w it h hi m, t oo- apar t f rom w hat he di d t o my m ot he r. How t ough i sJurt?"

  " We ll , h e' s n as ty . B ut h e' s k in d o f c lu ms y, t oo . A t l ea st , h e' s s cr ew ed u p w he ne ve r w e' ve , f ou gh ta nd l ef t; a p ie ce o f h im se lf b eh in d. "

  "H e c ou ld a ls o b e l ea rn in g f ro m h is m is ta ke s, y ou k no w. "

  "T ha t' s t ru e. A nd h e s ai d s om et hi ng k in d o f c ry pt ic t od ay , n ow y ou m en ti on i t. H e t al ke d a s i f h ew er e a bo ut t o b ec om e v er y p ow er f ul ."

  " Uh- oh ," L uk e s ai d. " Sou nd s a s i f t hi s M ask i s us ing h im as a g ui ne a p ig. "

  "For what?"

  " Th e F ou nt o f P ow er , m an . T he re 's a s te ad y, p ul si ng s ou rc e o f p ur e e ne rg y i ns id e t he C it ad el , y ouknow. Inter-Shadow stuff. Comes from the four worlds jamming together there."

  " I k no w. I 'v e s ee n i t i n a ct io n. "

  " I' ve g ot a f ee li ng t ha t t hi s M ask i s s ti ll i n t he p ro ce ss o f g et ti ng a h an dl e o n i t. "

  "H e h ad a pr et ty go od gr ip w he n w e m et ."

  " Ye ah , b ut t he re 's m or e t o i t t ha n p lu gg in g i nt o a w al l o ut le t. T he re a re a ll s or ts o f s ub tl et ie s h e' s probably just becoming aware of and exploring."

  "Such as?"

  " Ba th in g a p er so n i n i t w il l, i f h e' s p ro pe rl y p ro te ct ed , d o w on de rs f or s tr en gt h, s ta mi na , a nd m ag ic ala bi li ti es . T ha t p ar t' s e as y f or a p er so n w it h s om e t ra in in g t o l ea rn . I 'v e b ee n t hr ou gh i t m ys el f. B ut o ld

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S ha ru 's n ot es w er e i n h is l ab , a nd t he re w as s om et hi ng m or e i n t he m - w ay o f r ep la ci ng p ar t o f t he b od yw it h e ne rg y, r ea ll y p ac ki ng i t i n. V er y d an ge ro us . E as il y f at al . B ut i f i t w or ks y ou g et s om et hi ng s pe ci al , ak in d o f s up er ma n, a s or t o f l iv in g T ru mp ."

  " I' ve h ea rd t ha t t er m b ef or e, L uke . . . . "

  " Pr ob ab ly ," h e r ep li ed . " My f at he r u nd er to ok t he p ro ce ss , w it h h im se lf a s t he s ub je ct -"

  " Th at 's i t! " I s ai d. " Co rw in c la im ed t ha t B ra nd h ad b ec om e s om e s or t o f l iv in g T ru mp . M ad e i talmost impossible to nail him."

  L uk e g ri t te d h is t ee th .

  " Sorr y," I sai d. "B ut t hat 's where I hear d about it . So that was t he secret of Br and' s power . . . . "

  L u k e n o dd e d.

  " I ge t t he i mpr ess io n t hi s M ask t hi nks he kno ws h ow i t was don e and i s g et ti ng r eady t o t ry i t onyour brother."

  " Sh it !" I o bs er ve d. " Th at 's a ll I n ee d. J ur t a s a m ag ic al b ei ng o r a n at ur al f or ce -o r w ha te ve r t he h el l.T hi s i s s er io us . H ow m uc h d o y ou k no w a bo ut t he p ro ce ss ?"

  " Oh, I k no w m os t o f i t, i n t heo ry . I w ou ld n' t m es s w it h i t, t ho ug h. I t hi nk i t t ak es a way s om et hi ng o f        y ou r h um an it y. Y ou d on 't m uc h g iv e a s hi t a bo ut o th er p eo pl e o r h um an v al ue s a ft er wa rd . I t hi nk t ha t' s part of what happened to my father."

  W ha t c ou ld I s ay ? M ay be t ha t p ar t w as t ru e an d m ay be i t w as n' t. I w as s ur e L uk e w an ted t o believe in some external cause for his father's treachery. I knew I'd never contradict him on it, even if Ilearned differently. And so I laughed.

  " Wi th J ur t, " I s ai d, " th er e' d b e n o w ay o f t el li ng t he d if fe re nc e. "

  L uk e s mi le d. T he n, " Yo u c ou ld g et d ea d g oi ng u p a ga in st a g uy l ik e t ha t, a lo ng w it h a s or ce re r, o ntheir own turf."

  " Wh at c ho ic e h av e I g ot ?" I a sk ed . " Th ey 'r e a ft er m e. B et te r t o m ov e n ow . J ur t h as n' t h ad t he

t re at me nt y et . D oe s i t t ak e l on g? "

  " We ll , t he re a re f ai rl y e la bo ra te p re li mi na ri es , b ut t he s ub je ct d oe sn 't h av e t o b e p re se nt f or s om e o f      t he m. I t a ll d ep en ds o n h ow f ar a lo ng M as k i s w it h t he w or k. "

  " I' d b et t er m ov e p re tt y f as t t he n. "

  " I w on' t hav e y ou goi ng i n t her e al one ," h e s ai d. " It cou ld b e s ui ci de . I k now t he pl ace. I al so hav e as ma ll f or ce o f m er cs b iv ou ac ke d i n S ha do w a nd r ea dy f or a ct io n o n s ho rt n ot ic e. I f w e c an g et t he m i n,t he y c an h ol d o ff t he g ua rd s, m ay be e ve n t ak e t he m o ut .' '

  " Wi ll t ha t f an cy a mm o w or k t he re ?"

  "N o. W e t ri ed i t w he n I pu ll ed t he g li der a tt ack . I t' ll h av e t o be h an d t o h an d. Bo dy ar mo r an d

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m ac he te s, m ay be . I 'l l h av e t o w or k i t o ut ."

  "W e c ou ld us e t he P at te rn t o g et i n, b ut t he t ro op ca n' t . . . a nd T rum ps ar en 't r el iab le f or t hat pl ace ."

  " I k no w. I 'l l h ave t o w or k o n t ha t, t oo. "

  " Then i t wo ul d be you and me agai nst J ur t and Mas k. I f I t el l any o f t he ot her s h er e, t hey' ll t ry t ost op m e t il l Rand om ge ts b ack, a nd t hat ma y b e t oo l at e" .

  H e s mi le d. " Yo u k no w, m y m ot he r w ou ld r eal ly b e us ef ul i n t he re ," h e s ai d. " Sh e k no ws m or e a bo utt he Fou nt t han I do ."

  "N o! " I s ai d. "S he t ri ed, t o k il l me . " .

  " Ea sy , m an . E as y, " h e s ai d. " He ar m e o ut ."

  " Be si de s, s he l os t t o M as k l as t t im e t he y m et . T ha t' s w hy s he 's a c oa tr ac k. "

  " Al l t he m or e r ea so n f or he r t o b e wa ry n ow . A ny way , i t h ad t o be t ri cke ry, no t sk il l. S he' s go od .M as k m us t h av e s ur pr is ed h er . S he 'd b e a r ea l a ss et , M er le ."

  "N o! S he w an ts al l o f u s d ea d! "

  " De ta il s, " h e e xp la in ed . " Af te r C ai ne , t he r es t o f y ou a re j us t s ym bo li c e ne mi es . M as k i s a r ea l o ne ,w ho t oo k s om et hi ng a wa y f ro m h er a nd s ti ll h as i t. G iv en t he c ho ic e, s he 'l l g o a ft er M as k. "

  " An d i f w e' re s uc ce ss fu l, s he 'l l t ur n o n A mb er a ft er wa rd ."

  " No t a t a ll ," h e s ai d. " Th at 's t he b ea ut y o f m y p la n. ''

  " I don' t want t o hear about it . "

  " Be ca us e y ou a lr ea dy k no w y ou 'l l a gr ee , r ig ht ? I j us t f ig ur ed a w ay t o s ol ve a ll y ou r p ro bl em s. G iv eh er t he K ee p a ft er i t' s l ib er at ed , a s a k in d o f p ea ce o ff er in g, t o f or ge t h er d if fe re nc es w it h y ou g uy s. "

  " J us t h an d h er t hi s t er ri bl e p ow er ?"

  "I f she w er e goi ng t o u se i t aga in st you, she' d have done i t a l ong t ime ago. She' s af ra id t o em pl oy i ti n t he e xt re me . W it h K as hf a d ow n t he t ub es , s he 'l l g ra b a t t he c ha nc e t o s al va ge s om et hi ng . T ha t' s w he rethe value lies."

  " Yo u r ea ll y t hi nk s o? "

  " Be tt er Q ue en o f t he K ee p t ha n a c oa tr ac k i n A mb er ."

  " D am n y ou , L uk e. Y ou a lw ay s m ak e t he s tu pi de st t hi ng s s ou nd s or t o f a tt ra ct iv e. "

  " It 's a n a rt ," h e r ep li ed . " Wh at d o y ou s ay ?"

  " I' ve g ot t o t hi nk ab ou t i t, " I sai d.

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  " Be tt er t hi nk f as t, t he n. J ur t m ay b e b at hi ng i n t ha t g lo w r ig ht n ow ."

  " Do n' t p re ss ur e m e, m an . I s ai d I 'l l t hi nk a bo ut i t. T hi s i s o nl y o ne o f m y p ro bl em s. I 'm g oi ng t o e atd in ne r n ow a nd m ul l t hi ng s o ve r. "

  " Wa nt t o t el l m e ab out y our o th er pr ob le ms, t oo? M ay be I c an w or k t hem i nt o t he p ac ka ge so me

way."

  " No, damn i t! I' ll cal l you back . . . soon. Okay?"

  " O ka y. B ut I 'd b et ter b e ar oun d wh en you sna p M om ou t of i t, t o ki nd of s mo ot h t hi ng s ov er . Yo uh av e f ig ur ed o ut h ow t o b re ak t he s pe ll , h av en 't y ou ?"

  "Yes."

  " Gl ad t o kn ow t hat . I wa sn' t su re how t o do i t, a nd I can st op wor ki ng o n i t n ow . I 'm g oi ng t o f ini sh

h er e a nd g o s ha pe u p t he t ro op s, " h e s ai d, e ye in g t he l ad y i n t he b ik in i w ho h ad j us t e me rg ed f ro m t he pool. "Call me."

  "O ka y, " I sa id , a nd h e w as g on e.

  D am n. A ma zi ng . N o w on de r L uk e k ep t w in ni ng t ho se s al es a wa rd s. I h ad t o a dm it i t w as a g oo d pitch, despite my feelings about Jasra. And Random had not ordered me to keep her a prisoner. Of         c ou rse , h e h ad n ot h ad m uc h o pp or tu ni ty t o t el l m e an yt hi ng t he l as t t im e w e h ad b ee n t og et he r. W ou lds he r ea ll y b eh av e a s L uk e s ai d, t ho ug h? I t m ad e a s or t o f s en se , b ut t he n p eo pl e s el do m k ee p c om pa nywith rationality at times when they should.

  I p as sed al ong t he ha ll wa y a nd d eci de d t o us e t he b ack st ai r. As I m ad e t he t ur n, I sa w t ha t t he rew as a f ig ur e st and ing n ear t he t op . I t w as a w om an, and s he w as l ooki ng t he ot her wa y. S he h ad on af ul l- le ng th r ed -a nd y el lo w g ow n. H er h ai r w as v er y d ar k a nd s he h ad l ov el y s ho ul de rs . . . .

  Sh e t ur ne d w hen s he h ea rd m y t re ad, a nd I sa w t hat i t w as N ay da. S he s tu di ed m y f ac e.

  " Lo rd M er li n, " s he s ai d, " ca n y ou t el l m e w he re m y s is te r i s? I u nd er st an d s he w en t o ff w it h y ouearlier."

  " Sh e w as a dm ir in g s om e a rt , a nd t he n s he h ad a l it tl e e rr an d s he w an te d t o r un a ft er wa rd ," I r ep li ed .

" I' m n ot s ur e e xa ct ly w he re s he w as g oi ng , b ut s he g av e t he i mp re ss io n s he 'd b e b ac k p re tt y s oo n. "

  " Al l r ig ht ," s he s ai d. " It 's j us t t ha t i t' s g et ti ng n ea r t o d in ne rt im e, a nd w e' d e xp ec te d h er t o b e j oi ni ngu s. D id s he e nj oy h er a ft er no on ?"

  " I b el ie ve s he d id ," I s ai d.

  " Sh e' s b ee n a b it m oo dy r ec en tl y. W e w er e h op in g t hi s t ri p w ou ld c he er h er u p. S he w as l oo ki ngf or wa rd t o i t q ui te a b it ."

  " Sh e s ee me d p re tt y c he er fu ll l w he n I l ef t h er ," I a dm it te d.

  " Oh , w he re w as t ha t? "

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  "N ea r h er e, " I s ai d.

  " Wh er e a ll d id y ou g o? "

  " We had a l ong w al k i n an d abo ut t ow n, " I ex pl ai ned . " I sho wed h er a bi t of t he p al ac e, al so. "

  " Th en s he 's i n t he p al ac e r ig ht n ow ?"

  "Sh e w as t he l ast t ime I saw h er . B ut she m ight ha ve st ep ped ou t. "

  " I se e," sh e sai d. " I' m so rr y I di dn' t r eal ly g et t o t al k t o yo u at any l engt h ear li er . I f ee l as i f I 'vek no wn y ou f or a l on g w hi le ."

  " Oh ?" I s ai d. " Wh y i s t ha t? "

  " I r ea d t hr ou gh y ou r f il e s ev er al t im es . I t' s k in d o f f as ci na ti ng ."

  "File?"

  " It 's n o se cr et t ha t we kee p f il es o n pe op le w e' re l ik el y t o e nco un ter i n ou r l in e o f wo rk. Th er e' s af il e o n e ve ry on e i n t he H ou se o f A mb er , o f c ou rs e, e ve n t ho se w ho d on 't h av e m uc h t o d o w it hdiplomacy."

  " I' d n ev er t ho ug ht a bo ut i t, " I s ai d, " bu t i t f ig ur es ."

  " Yo ur e ar ly d ay s a re g lo ss ed o ve r, o f c ou rs e, a nd y ou r r ec en t t ro ub le s a re v er y c on fu si ng ."

  " Th ey 'r e c on fu si ng t o m e, t oo ," I s ai d. " Yo u t ry in g t o u pd at e t he f il e? "

  " No , j us t c ur io us . I f y ou r p ro bl em s h av e r am if ic at io ns t ha t m ay i nv ol ve B eg ma , w e h av e a n i nt er es tin them."

  "How is i t t hat you know of t hem at al l?"

  "We have very good intelligence sources. Small kingdoms often do."

  I n od de d.

  " I w on 't p re ss y ou o n y ou r s ou rc es , b ut w e' re n ot h av in g a f ir e s al e o n c la ss if ie d d at a. "

  " Yo u m is un de rs ta nd m e, " s he s ai d. " I' m n ot t ry in g t o u pd at e t ha t f il e e it he r. I w as t ry in g t o d is co ve r  w he th er I m ig ht b e a bl e t o o ff er y ou a ss is ta nc e. "

  " Th an k y ou . I ap pr ec ia te t ha t, " I t ol d h er . " I c an 't r ea ll y t hi nk o f a ny w ay y ou c ou ld h el p m e, t ho ug h. "

  S he s mi le d, s ho wi ng w ha t s ee me d a s et o f p er fe ct t ee th .

  "I c an 't b e m or e p re ci se w it ho ut k no wi ng m or e, " s he s ai d. " Bu t i f y ou d ec id e t ha t y ou d o w an th el p- or i f y ou j us t w an t t o t al k- co me a nd s ee m e. "

  " We ll t ak en ," I s ai d. " I' ll s ee y ou a t d in ne r. "

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  "L at er , t oo , I h op e, " s he s ai d, a s I p as se d h er a nd t ur ne d do wn t he h al l.

  Wh at h ad s he m ea nt b y t ha t l as t b it ? I w on de re d. W as s he t al ki ng a ss ig na ti on ? I f s o, h er m ot iv ess ee me d a wf ul ly t ra ns pa re nt . O r w as s he m er el y e xp re ss in g h er d es ir e f or i nf or ma ti on ? I w as n ot c er ta in .

  A s I pa ss ed a lo ng t he h al lw ay i n t he d ir ec ti on o f m y r oo ms I n ot ed a n o dd l ig ht in g p he nom eno na he ad of m e: A br igh t w hi te b an d ab ou t s ix o r ei gh t i nch es i n w idt h r an u p bo th wa ll s, a cr os s t he c ei li ng ,a nd o ve r t he f lo or . I s lo we d a s I n ea re d i t, w on de ri ng w he th er s om eo ne h ad i nt ro du ce d a n ew m et ho d o f                  illuminating the place in my absence.

  A s I s te pp ed o ve r t he b an d o n t he f lo or , e ve ry th in g d is ap pe ar ed , e xc ep t f or t he l ig ht i ts el f, w hi chr es ol ve d i nt o a p er fec t c ir cl e, f li pp ed o nc e a bo ut m e a nd s et tl ed o n a l ev el w it h m y f ee t, m ys el f a t i tsc en te r. T he w or ld a pp ea re d b ey on d t he c ir cl e, s ud de nl y, a nd i t l oo ke d a s i f i t w er e m ad e o f g re en g la ssf or me d i nt o a d om e. T he s ur fa ce o n w hi ch I s to od w as r ed di sh , i rr egu la r a nd m oi st i n t he p al e l ig ht . I tw as n ot u nt il a l ar ge f is h s wa m b y t ha t I r ea li ze d I m igh t b e u nde rw at er , s tan di ng on a r id ge o f c or al .

  " Th is i s pr et ty a s a ll h el l, " I s ai d, " bu t I w as t ry in g t o ge t t o m y a par tm en t. "

  " Ju st s ho wi ng o ff a b it ," c am e a f am il ia r v oi ce w hi ch s ou nd ed e er il y a ll a bo ut m y m ag ic c ir cl e. " Am Ia g od ?"

  " Yo u c an c al l y ou rs el f w ha te ve r y ou w an t, " I s ai d. "N ob od y w il l d is ag re e w it h y ou ."

  " It m ig ht b e f un b ei ng a g od ."

  " The n w ha t d oes t ha t m ake m e?" I a sk ed .

  "That's a difficult theological question."

  " Th eo lo gi ca l, m y a ss . I 'm a c om pu te r e ng in ee r, a nd y ou k no w I b ui lt y ou , G ho st ."

  A s ou nd l ik e a s ig h f il le d m y s ub ma ri ne c el l.

  " It 's h ar d t o g et a wa y f rom o ne 's r oo ts. "

  " Wh y t ry ? W ha t' s w ro ng w it h r oo ts ? A ll o f t he b es t p la nt s h av e t he m. "

  "P re tt y b lo om a bo ve , m ir e a nd m uc k b el ow ."

  " In y ou r c as e i t' s m et al a nd a n i nt er es ti ng c ry og en ic s et up -a nd q ui te a f ew o th er t hi ng s- al l o f t he mv er y c le an . "

  " Ma yb e i t' s m ir e a nd m uc k t ha t I n ee d, t he n. "

  "You feeling all right, Ghost?"

  "I'm still trying to find myself."

  " Ev er yo ne g oe s t hr ou gh p ha se s l ik e t ha t. I t' ll p as s. "

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  "Really?"

  "Really."

  "When? How? Why?"

  " It w ou ld b e c he at in g t o t el l. B es id es , i t' s d if fe re nt f or e ve ry on e. "

  A w ho le s ch oo l o f f is h s wa m b y- l it tl e b la ck -a nd -r ed st r ip ed g uy s.

  " I c an 't q ui te s wi ng t he o mn is ci en ce b us in es s . . . " G ho st s ai d a ft er a t im e.

  " Th at 's o ka y. W ho n ee ds i t? " I s ai d.

  " . . . A nd I 'm s ti ll w or ki ng o n o mn ip ot en ce ."

  "T ha t o ne 's h ar d, t oo ," I a gr ee d.

  "You're very understanding, Dad."

  " I t r y. Y ou g ot a ny s pe ci al p ro bl em s? "

  "You mean, apart from the existential?"

  "Yeah."

  " No . I br ou ght yo u h er e t o w ar n y ou a bo ut a f el lo w n am ed M and or . H e' s- "

  " He 's m y b ro th er ," I s ai d. T he re w as s il en ce .

  T he n, " Th at w ou ld m ak e h im m y u nc le , w ou ld n' t i t? "

  " I g ue ss s o. "

  " Ho w a bo ut t he l ad y w it h h im ? S he -"

  "Fiona's my aunt."

  " M y g re at - au nt . O h, m y! "

  "What's wrong?"

  " I t' s b ad f or m t o s pe ak i ll o f r el at iv es , i sn 't i t? "

  " Not i n A mber ," I sai d. "I n A mber we do i t al l t he t ime."

  T he c ir cl e o f l ig ht f li pp ed a gai n. W e w er e b ac k i n t he h al lw ay .

  " No w t hat w e' re i n Am ber ," he sai d, " I w ant t o spea k i ll of t hem. I woul dn 't t rus t t hem i f I w er e yo u.I think they're a little crazy. Also insulting and mendacious."

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  I l au gh ed . " Yo u' re b ec om in g a t ru e A mb er it e. "

  " I a m? "

  " Ye s. T ha t' s t he w ay w e a re . N ot hi ng t o w or ry a bo ut . W ha t c am e d ow n b et we en y ou , a ny ho w? "

  " I' d r at her wo rk i t out on m y ow n, i f you don 't mi nd."

  " W ha te ve r y ou t hi nk i s b es t. "

  " I d on 't r ea ll y n ee d t o w ar n y ou a bo ut t he m? "

  "No."

  " Okay. T hat w as my m ai n con cer n. I guess I 'l l go and t ry t he mi re and muck bi t n ow- "

  "Wait."

  "What?"

  " Yo u s ee m p re tt y g oo d a t t ra ns po rt in g t hi ng s t hr ou gh S ha do w t he se d ay s. "

  " I s ee m t o b e i mp ro vi ng , y es ."

  " Wh at a bo ut a s ma ll b an d o f w ar ri or s a nd t he ir l ea de r? "

  " I t hi nk I c ou ld m an ag e t hat ."

  "And me."

  " Of c our se . W her e a re t he y an d w he re do y ou w ant go ?"

  I f is he d i n m y p oc ke t, f ou nd L uk e' s T ru mp , h el d i t b ef or e m e.

  " But . . . He's the one you warned me not t o t rust ", Ghost sai d.

  " It 's o ka y n ow ," I t ol d h im . " Ju st f or t hi s m at te r. N ot hi n e ls e t ho ug h. Th in gs h av e c ha ng ed a b it ."

  "I d on 't u nd er st an d. B ut i f y ou s ay s o. "

  "C an y ou r un h im d ow n a nd s et t hi ng s up ?"

  "I should be able to. Where do you want t o go?"

  " Do y ou kn ow t he K ee p o f t he F ou r W or ld s?"

  " Ye s. B ut t ha t' s a d an ge ro us p la ce , D ad . V er y t ri ck y c om in g a nd g oi ng . A nd t ha t' s w he re t her ed -h ai re d l ad y t ri ed t o l ay a p ow er l oc k o n m e. "

  " J as r a. "

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  " S or ry . N o r us h. I 'l l c he ck b ac k. "

  H e b ro ke t he c on ta ct a nd I r ea ch ed f or t he l at ch . I w on de re d w he th er i t w ou ld s ol ve e ve ry bo dy 's problems if I could turn Ghost into an answering service.

  CHAPTER 7  I h ung my cl oa k o n Ja sr a an d m y w ea po ns be lt on t he b ed po st . I cl ea ned my bo ot s, w ash ed m yh an ds a nd f ac e, h un te d u p a f an cy i vo ry s hi rt -a lI r uf fl ed , b ro ca de d, f ro gg ed -a nd p ut i t o n, a lo ng w it h a pair of gray trousers. Then I brushed off my deep purple jacket, the one on which I'd once laid a spell tom ak e t he w ea re r s ee m a l it tl e m or e c ha rm in g, w it ty , a nd t ru st wo rt hy t ha n i s a ct ua ll y t he c as e. I t s ee me d ag oo d o cc as io n f or g et ti ng s om e u se o ut o f i t.

  A s I w as b ru sh in g m y ha ir t her e ca me a kn oc k o n t he do or .

  "J us t a m in ut e, " I c al le d.

  I f in is he d u p- wh ic h l ef t m e r ea dy t o g o a nd a ls o, p ro ba bl y, r un ni ng l at e- th en w en t t o t he d oo r,u nb ar re d i t, a nd o pe ne d i t.

  B il l R ot h s to od t he re i n b ro wn s a nd r ed s, l oo ki ng l ik e a n a gi ng c on do tt ie re .

  " Bi ll !" I s ai d, cl asp in g h is h an d, ar m, a nd s hou ld er a nd l ea di ng h im i n. " Go od t o se e y ou . I 'm j us t back from some troubles and about to take off after more. I didn't know whether you were here in the palace now or what. I was going to look you up again as soon as things slowed a bit."

  He smiled and punched my shoulder lightly.

  " I' ll b e at d inn er ," h e r ep li ed, " an d H en do n sa id y ou' d b e t he re, t oo. I t ho ug ht I 'd c om e up an d wa lk  o ve r w it h y ou , t ho ug h, s in ce t ho se B eg ma n p eo pl e w il l b e t he re .

  " Oh ? Y ou g ot s om e n ew s? "

  " Y es . A ny f re sh w or d o n L uk e? "

  " I w as j us t t al ki ng t o h im . H e s ay s t he v en de tt a' s o ff ."

  "A ny c ha nc e o f h is w an ti ng t o j us ti fy h im se lf a t t ha t h ea ri ng y ou a sk ed m e a bo ut ?"

  " No t f ro m t he w ay h e s ou nd ed ."

  " To o ba d. I 've b ean d oi ng a l ot o f r es ear ch , a nd t her e a re s om e go od p re ce nd en ts f or t he v en de tt ad ef en se -l ik e, t he re w as y ou r u nc le O sr ic , w ho t oo k o n t he w ho le H ou se o f K ar en o ve r t he d ea th o f ar el at iv e o n h is m ot he r' s s id e. O be ro n w as p ar ti cu la rl y f ri en dl y w it h K ar en i n t ho se d ay s, t oo , a nd O sr ico ff ed t hr ee o f t he m. O be ro n a cq ui tt ed h im a t a h ea ri ng , t ho ug h, b as in g h is d ec is io n o n e ar li er c as es , a ndh e e ve n w en t f ur th er b y s ta ti ng a k in d o f g en er al r ul e- "

  " Ob er on a ls o s en t h im o ff t o t he f ro nt I in es i n a p ar ti cu la rl y n as ty w ar ," I i nt er ru pt ed , " fr om w hi ch h edid not return."

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  "But-"

  He t ur ned away . I 'd a f eel ing t he co nver sa ti on wa s ov er . I was sur e o f i t wh en he i gnor ed m y nexts ev er al q ue st io ns . I s hr ug ge d a nd t ur ne d b ac k t o B il l.

  " Le t' s g o e at ," I s ai d.

  A s w e w al ke d b ack u p t he h al l, B il l s ai d s of tl y, " An y; :: i de a w hat i t m ea ns? "

  " Da lt 's i n t he n ei gh bo rh oo d, " I t ol d h im .

  " Be ne di ct w as i n B eg ma w it h R an do m. D al t c ou ld b e c au si ng t ro ub le t he re ."

  " I 'v e a f ee li ng h e' s n ea re r. "

  "I f Dalt were to capt ur e Random. . . ."

  " Im po ss ib le ," I s ai d, f ee li ng a s li gh t c hi ll a t t he i de a.

  " Ra nd om c an t ru mp b ac k h er e a ny ti me h e w an ts . N o. W he n I t al ke d a bo ut d ef en di ng A mb er , a ndB en ed ic t s ai d, ` It w on 't c om e t o t ha t, ' I g ot t he i mp re ss io n h e w as t al ki ng a bo ut s om et hi ng c lo se a t h an d.Something he feels he can control."

  " I s ee w ha t y ou m ean ," h e ag re ed . " Bu t t he n h e t ol d y ou n ot t o b ot he r f or ti fy in g. "

  " If B en ed ic t f ee ls w e d on 't n ee d t o f or ti fy , t he n w e d on 't n ee d t o f or ti fy ."

  "Waltz and drink champagne while the cannons boom?"

  " If B en ed ic t s ay s i t' s o ka y. "

  " Yo u r ea ll y t ru st t ha t g uy . W ha t w ou ld y ou d o w it ho ut h im ?"

  " Be m or e n er vo us ," I s ai d.

  H e s ho ok h is h ea d. " Ex cu se m e, " h e s ai d. " I' m n ot u se d t o b ei ng a cq ua in te d w it h l eg en ds ."

  " Y o u d on 't b el ie ve m e? "

  " I s ho ul dn 't b el ie ve y ou , b ut I d o b el ie ve y ou . T ha t' s t he t ro ub le ." H e w as s il en t a s w e t ur ne d t hec or ne r a nd h ead ed b ac k t ow ar d t he s ta ir . T he n h e ad ded , " It w as t ha t w ay w he ne ver I w as a ro und y ou r  father, too."

  " Bi ll ," I s ai d, a s w e b eg an t o c li mb . " Yo u k ne w m y d ad b ac k b ef or e h e r eg ai ne d h is m em or y, w he nh e w as j us t p lai n o ld C ar l C or ey . M ay be I 'v e b ee n g oi ng a bo ut t hi s t hi ng w ro ng . I s t he re a ny thi ng y ouc an r ec al l a bo ut t ha t p ha se o f h is l if e w hi ch m ig ht e xp la in w he re h e i s n ow ?"

  He ha lt ed a m om en t a nd l ook ed a t m e.

  " Do n' t t hi nk I h av en 't t ho ug ht a bo ut t ha t a ng le , M er le . M an y a t im e I 'v e w on de re d w he th er h e m ig hth av e b ee n i nv ol ve d i n s om et hi ng a s C or ey t ha t h e' d h av e f el t o bl ig ed t o f ol lo w t hr ou gh o n o nc e h is

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 business here was finished. But he was a very secretive man, even in that incarnation. Paradoxical, too.H e' d d on e a l ot o f h it ch es i n a l ot o f d if fe re nt v ar ie ti es o f m il it ar y, w hi ch s ee ms l og ic al

  e no ug h. B ut h e s om et im es w ro te m us ic , w hi ch g oe s a ga in st t ha t h ar d- as s i ma ge ."

  "H e' d l iv ed a l on g t im e. H e' d l ea rn ed a l ot , f el t l ot ."

  " Ex ac tl y, a nd t ha t' s w ha t m ak es i t h ar d t o g ue ss w hy h e m ig ht h av e b een i nv ol ve d i n. O nc e o r t wi cew he n h e' d; h ad a f ew d ri nk s h e' d m en ti on p eo pl e i n t he a rt s a n s ci en ce s I 'd n ev er h av e g ue ss ed h im t o b ea cq ua in te d w it h. H e w as n ev er j us t p la in C ar l C or ey . H e h ad a f ew c en tu ri es w or th o f E ar th m em or yw he n I k ne w h im . T ha t m ak es f or a c ha ra ct er t oo c om pl ex t o b e e as il y p re di ct ab le . I j us t d on 't k no ww ha t h e m ig ht h av e g on e b ac k t o- if h e w en t b ac k. "

  W e c on ti nu ed o n u p t he s ta ir wa y. W hy d id I f ee l t ha t B il l k ne w m or e t ha n h e w as t el li ng m e?

  I he ar d m usi c a s we ne ar ed t he di ni ng r oom , an d whe n we en ter ed, L lew el la g ave m e a n ast y l ook . I

saw t hat f oo d w as be ing kep t w ar m a t a se rvi ng t abl e of f ag ai nst t he f ar w al l, and no o ne was se at ed ye t.P eo pl e s to od a bo ut t al ki ng , d ri nk s i n h an d, a nd m os t o f t he m g la nc ed i n o ur d ir ec ti on a s w e e nt er ed .T hr ee m us ic ia ns w er e p la yi ng , o ff t o m y r ig ht . T he d in in g t ab le w as t o m y l ef t, n ea r t he b ig w in do w i n t hes ou th w al l, p ro vi di ng a g lo ri ou s v ie w a cr os s t he t ow n b el ow . I t w as s ti ll s no wi ng l ig ht ly , c as ti ng a s pe ct ra lv ei l o ve r t he e nt ir e b ri gh t p ro sp ec t.

  Llewella approached quickly.

  "You've kept everybody waiting," she whispered. "Where's the girl?"

  "Coral?"

  "Who else?"

  " I' m n ot s ur e w he re s he 's g ot te n o ff t o, " I s ai d. " We p ar te d c om pa ny a c ou pl e o f h ou rs a go ."

  " We ll , i s s he c om in g o r i sn 't s he ?"

  "I ' m n ot s ur e. "

  " We c an 't k ee p t hi ng s w ai ti ng a ny l on ge r, " s he s ai d. " An d n ow t he s ea ti ng a rr an ge me nt 's s cr ew ed .

W ha t di d y ou d o, w ear he r ou t?"

  " Ll ew el la . . . . "

  S he m ut te re d s om et hi ng I d id n' t u nd er st an d i n s om e l is pi ng R eb ma n d ia le ct . J us t a s w el l, p ro ba bl y.S he f um ed a wa y t he n a nd m ov ed o ff t ow ar d V ia ll e.

  " Yo u i n a h ea p o f t ro ub le , b oy ," B il l c om me nt ed a t m y s id e. " Le t' s h it t he b ar w hi le s he 's r ea ss ig ni ng places."

  B ut t he w in e s te wa rd w as a lr ea dy a pp ro ac hi ng w it h a c ou pl e o f d ri nk s o n a t ra y.

  " Ba yl e' s B es t, " h e o bs er ve d a s w e t oo k t he m.

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  I si pp ed a nd sa w t ha t he w as r igh t, wh ic h h ear te ne d m e a b it .

  " I d on 't r ec og ni ze a ll o f t he se p eo pl e, " B il l s ai d. " Wh o' s t ha t f el lo w w it h t he r ed s as h, o ve r b yVialle?"

  "T ha t' s O rk uz , t he B eg ma n p ri me m in is te r, " I t ol d h im , " an d t he r at he r a tt ra ct iv e l ad y i n t he

y el lo w- an d- re d d re ss w ho 's t al ki ng t o M ar ti n i s h is d au gh te r N ay da . C or al -t he o ne I j us t g ot c he we d o uta bo ut - is h er s is te r. "

  " Uh -h uh . A nd w ho 's t he h us ky b lo nd l ad y b at t in g h er e ye s a t G er ar d? "

  " I d on' t kn ow, " I sai d. " An d I do n' t kno w t hat l ady an d t he guy ov er t o t he r ight of Or kuz ei the r."

  W e d ri ft ed i nw ar d, a nd G er ar d, l oo ki ng p er ha ps a t ri fl e u nc om fo rt ab le i n l ay er s o f r uf fl ed f in er y,i nt ro du ce d u s t o t he l ad y h e w as w it h a s D re th a G an ne ll , a ss is ta nt t o t he B eg ma n a mb as sa do r. T hea mb as sa do r, i t t ur ne d o ut , w as t he t al l l ad y s ta nd in g n ea r O rk uz -a nd h er n am e, I g at he re d, w as F er la

Q ui st . T he f el lo w w it h h er w as h er s ec re ta ry , w ho se n am e s ou nd ed s om et hi ng l ik e C ad e. W hi le w e w er el oo ki ng i n t ha t d ir ec ti on , G er ar d t ri ed s li pp in g o ff a nd l ea vi ng u s w it h F er la . B ut s he c au gh t h is s le ev e a nda sk ed h im s om et hi ng a bo ut t he f le et . I s mi le d a nd n od de d a nd m ov ed a wa y. B il l c am e a lo ng .

  "G oo dn es s! M ar ti n' s c ha ng ed !" h e a nn ou nc ed s ud de nl y. " He L oo ks l i ke a o ne -m an r oc k v id eo . Ialmost didn't recognize him. Just last week-"

  " It 's b ee n o ve r a y ea r, " I s ai d, " fo r h im . H e' s b ee n o ff f in di ng h im se lf o n s om e s tr ee t s ce ne ."

  " I w on de r i f h e' s f in is he d? "

  " Di dn 't g et a c ha nc e t o a sk h im t ha t; " I r ep li ed , b ut a p ec ul ia r t ho ug ht o cc ur re d t o m e. I s he lv ed i t.

  T he m us ic d ie d j us t t he n, a nd L le we ll a c le ar ed t he t hr oa t a nd i nd ic at ed H en do n, w ho a nn ou nc ed t hene w s ea ti ng ar ran ge me nt . I w as a t t he f oot o f t he t abl e, a nd - I l ea rn ed l at er t hat C or al w as t o ha ve b ee nseat ed t o m y l ef t an d C ade t o my r ight . I al so l ea rned l at er t hat Ll ew el la h ad t ri ed t o g et h ol d of F lor a att he l as t m in ut e t o s it i n C or al 's p la ce, b ut F lo ra w as n' t t ak in g a ny c al ls .

  As i t w as, Vi al le, at t he h ead , ha d Ll ewel la sea ted t o h er r ig ht an d Or kuz t o h er l ef t, w it h G er ar d,D re th a, a nd B il l b el ow L le we ll a, a nd F er la , M ar ti n, C ad e, a nd N ay da b el ow O rk uz . I f ou nd m ys el f                  e sc or ti ng N ay da t o t he t ab le a nd s ea ti ng h er t o m y r ig ht , w hi le B il l s et tl ed h im se lf a t m y l ef t.

  " Fu ss , f us s, f us s, " B il l m ut te re d s of tl y, a nd I n od de d; t he n i nt ro du ce d h im t o N ay da a s c ou ns el t o t heH ou se o f A mb er . S he l oo ke d i mp re ss ed a nd a sk ed h im a bo ut h is w or k. H e p ro ce ed ed t o c ha rm h er  w it h a s to ry a bo ut o nc e h av in g r ep re se nt ed t he i nt er es ts o f a d og i n a n e st at e, s et tl em en t, w hi ch h adno thi ng t o do w it h A mb er but w as a go od st or y. G ot he r t o l aug hi ng a bi t, and al so Ca de, w ho w aslistening in.

  T he f ir st c ou rs e w as s er ve d a nd t he m us ic ia ns b eg an p la yi ng a ga in , s of tl y, w hi ch s ho rt en ed t hed is ta nc e o ur v oi ce s c ar ri ed a nd r ed uc ed c on ve rs at io n t o a m or e i nt im at e l ev el . A t t hi s, B il l s ig na le d h eha d so me thi ng h e wa nt ed t o t el l m e, bu t N ay da h ad b eat en h im b y a se con d or t wo a nd I w as a lr eadylistening to her.

  " Ab ou t C or al ," s he s ai d s of tl y. " Ar e y ou s ur e s he 's a ll r ig ht ? S he w as n' t f ee li ng i ll w he n y ou p ar te d- of      anything like that-was she?"

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  " No ," I a ns we re d. " Sh e s ee me d h ea lt hy e no ug h. "

  " S tr an ge ," s he s ai d. " I h ad t he i mp re ss io n s he w ad l oo ki ng f or wa rd t o t hi ng s l ik e t hi s d in ne r. "

  " Sh e' s o bv io us ly t ak in g l on ge r t ha n s he 'd i nt en de d i n w ha te ve r s he 's a bo ut ," I o bs er ve d.

  " Wh at e xa ct ly w as s he a bo ut ?" N ay da a sk ed . " Wh er e d id y ou p ar t? "

  " He re i n t he p al ac e, " I r ep li ed . " I w as s ho wi ng h er a ro un d. S he w an te d t o s pe nd m or e t im e w it hc er ta in f eat ur es of t he p la ce t han I c ou ld s pa re . So I c am e on a he ad .

  " I d on 't t hi nk s he c ou ld h av e f or go tt en d in ne r. "

  " I t hi nk she got caug ht u p b y t he pow er o f an ar ti st ic p iece. "

  "So she's definitely on the premises?"

  " No w, t ha t' s h ar d t o s ay . A s I sa id b ef or e, a p er so n c an a lw ays st ep o ut ."

  " Yo u m ea n y ou 'r e n ot s ur e e xa ct ly w he re s he i s? " I n od de d.

  " I' m n ot c er ta in w he re s he i s a t t hi s m om en t, " I s ai d. " Sh e c ou ld w el l b e b ac k i n h er r oo m c ha ng in gher clothes."

  "I 'l l c he ck a ft er d in ne r, " s he s ai d, " if s he h as n' t s ho wn u p b y t he n. I f t ha t s ho ul d b e t he c as e, w il l y ouhelp me find her?"

  " I w as p la nn in g o n l oo ki ng f or h er a ny wa y, " I a ns we re d, " if s he d oe sn 't p ut i n a n a pp ea ra nc e s oo n. "

  Sh e n od de d a nd c on ti nu ed e at i ng . V er y a wk wa rd .

  B ey on d t he f ac t t ha t I d id n' t w an t t o d is tr es s h er , I c ou ld n' t v er y w el l t el l h er w ha t h ad h ap pe ne dw it ho ut i ts b ec om in g a pp ar en t t ha t h er s is te r w as i nd ee d a n i ll eg it im at e d au gh te r o f O be ro n. A t a t im es uc h a s t hi s, w he n I h ad b ee n c au ti on ed a bo ut s ay in g a ny th in g t ha t m ig ht s tr ai n r el at io ns b et we en A mb er  a nd B eg ma , I w as n ot a bo ut t o co nf ir m t o t he d au ght er o f t he B eg ma n p ri me m ini st er t he r um or t ha t h er  mo ther had had an af fai r wi th t he l at e ki ng of A mber . M aybe i t was an o pen sec ret back i n B egma and

n ob od y g av e a d am n. B ut m ay be i t w as n' t. I d id n' t w an t t o d is tu rb R an do m f or a dv ic e, p ar tl y b ec au se h em ig ht b e e xt re me ly o cc up ie d i n K as hf a j us t n ow ; b ut m ai nl y b ec au se h e m ig ht a ls o s ta rt a sk in g m e a bo utm y o wn i mm edi at e pl ans a nd p rob lem s, a nd I w ou ld n ot l ie t o hi m. T hat c ou ld g et m e i nt o t oo m uc ht ro ub le . S uc h a c on ve rs at io n m ig ht w el l a ls o r es ul t i n h is f or bi dd in g m y a tt ac k o n t he K ee p. T he o nl yot he r per so n I coul d t el l about Cor al and get som e sor t of of fi ci al r espons e f rom , as t o ho w f ar I mi ght goin informing her family, was Vialle. Unfortunately, Vialle was completely occupied as hostess at themoment.

  I s ig he d a nd r et ur ne d t o m y d in ne r.

  B il l c au gh t m y a tt en ti on a nd l ea ne d a l it tl e i n m y d ir ec ti on . I l ea ne d a l it tl e, t oo .

  " Ye s? " I s ai d.

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  " Th er e w er e s om e t hi ng s I w an te d t o t el l y ou ," h e b eg an . " I w as h op in g f or s om e l ei su re , s om e q ui et ,and some privacy, though."

  I c hu ck l ed .

  " Ex ac tl y, " h e c on ti nu ed . " I b el ie ve t hi s i s t he b es t w e' re g oi ng t o g et f or a t im e. F or tu na te ly , v oi ce s

d on 't s ee m t o b e c ar ry in g i f o ne k ee ps t he m d ow n. I c ou ld n' t m ak e o ut w ha t y ou a nd N ay da w er e t al ki nga bo ut . S o i t' s p ro ba bl y o ka y, s o l on g a s t he m us ic ia ns k ee p p la yi ng ."

  I nod ded, t ook a f ew m or e bi tes.

  " Th in g i s, t he B eg ma ns s ho ul dn 't h ea r a bo ut i t, o n t he o ne h an d. B ut o n t he o th er , I f ee l t ha t p er ha psy ou o ug ht t o k no w, b ec au se o f y ou r i nv ol ve me nt w it h L uk e a nd J as ra . S o w ha t' s y ou r s ch ed ul e? I 'dr at her t el l you l ater , but i f you' re goi ng t o be t ied up, I can give you the gi st of it now."

  I g la nc ed a t N ay da a nd C ad e. T he y s ee me d t ot al ly o cc up ie d w it h t he ir f oo d, a nd I d id n' t t hi nk t he y

could overhear us. Unfortunately, I didn't have any sort of sheltering spells hung.

  " Go a he ad ," I w hi sp er ed f ro m b eh in d m y w in e g la ss .

  " Fi rs t, " h e sai d, " Ran dom sen t me a w hol e sl ew of pa per s t o go o ver . Th ey' re t he d raf t o f ana gr ee me nt w he re by A mb er w il l g ra nt K as hf a p ri vi le ge d t ra de s ta tu s, t he s am e a s B eg ma . S o t he y' lldefinitely be coming into the Golden Circle."

  " I s ee ," I s ai d. " Th at do esn 't co me a s a co mp le te su rp ri se . B ut i t' s go od t o k no w f or s ur e w hat 'sgoing on."

  H e n od de d.

  " Th er e' s a l ot m or e t o i t, t ho ug h, " h e s ai d.

  J us t t he n t he m us ic ia ns s to pp ed p la yi ng a nd I c ou ld h ea r v oi ce s f ro m a ll a ro un d t he t ab le a ga in . Igl ance d of f t o t he r igh t and s aw t hat a s tew ar d h ad j us t t ake n t he pl aye rs a f ood t ray an d som e wi ne.T he y w er e s et ti ng t he ir i ns tr um en ts a si de a nd t ak in g a b re ak . T he y h ad p ro ba bl y b ee n p la yi ng f or s om et im e b ef or e I 'd a rr iv ed a nd w er e d ou bt le ss d ue a r es t.

  Bill chuckled. "Later," he said.

  " Ri gh t. " T he re f ol lo we d a f un ny l it tl e f ru it d is h w it h a n a ma zi ng s au ce . A s I s po on ed i t a wa y, N ay dac au gh t m y a tt en ti on w it h a g es tu re a nd I l ea ne d t ow ar d h er a ga in .

  " So w ha t a bo ut t on ig ht ?" s he w hi sp er ed .

  " Wh at d o y ou m ean ? I sa id I 'd l oo k f or he r i f s he do es n' t s ho w u p. "

  S he s ho ok h er h ea d. " I w as n' t r ef er ri ng t o t ha t, " s he s ai d. " I m ea nt l at er . W il l y ou h av e t im e t o s to p by and talk?"

  "About what?"

  " Ac co rd in g t o y ou r f il e y ou 'v e b ee n i n a b it o f t ro ub le r ec en tl y, w it h s om eo ne t ry in g t o g et y ou ."

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  I b eg an w on de ri ng a bo ut t ha t d am ne d f il e. B ut , " It 's o ut o f d at e, " I s ai d. " Wh at ev er 's i n t he re h asa lr ea dy b ee n c le ar ed u p. "

  " Re al ly ? T he n n ob od y' s a ft er y ou j us t n ow ?"

  " I w ou ld n' t s ay t ha t, " I r ep li ed . " Th e c as t o f c ha ra ct er s k ee ps c ha ng in g. "

  " So s om eb od y s ti l l h as y ou m ar ke d? "

  I s tu di ed h er f ac e.

  " You 'r e a n ic e l ady , N ayd a, " I s ai d, " but I 'v e g ot t o as k, W hat i s i t t o y ou ? E ve ry bo dy ha s p ro bl em s.I j us t ha ve m or e t ha n u su al a t t he m om en t. I 'l l w or k t he m o ut ."

  " Or d ie t ry in g? "

  " Ma yb e. I h op e n ot . B ut w ha t' s y ou r i nt er es t? "

  She g lan ced at C ad e, w ho se em ed bu sy w it h h is f oo d, . " It i s p oss ibl e t hat I cou ld he lp yo u. "

  "In what fashion?"

  She smiled.

  " A p ro ce ss o f e li mi na ti on ," s he s ta te d.

  " Oh ? T ha t r ef er s t o a p er so n o r p er so ns ?"

  "Indeed."

  " Yo u h av e s om e s pe ci al m ea ns o f g oi ng a bo ut t hi s s or t o f b us in es s? "

  S h e c on ti nu ed t o s mi le .

  " Ye s, i t' s g oo d f or r em ov in g p ro bl em s c au se d b y p eo pl e, " s he c on ti nu ed . " Al l I 'l l n ee d a re t he ir  names and locations."

  " So me s or t o f s ec re t w ea po n? "

  S he gl an ce d a t C ad e a ga in , s in ce I h ad r ai se d m y vo ic e a bi t.

  " Yo u m ig ht c al l i t t ha t, " s he a ns we re d.

  " An i nt er es ti ng p ro po sa l, " I s ai d. " Bu t y ou s ti ll , , h av en 't a ns we re d m y f ir st q ue st io n. "

  "Refresh my memory."

  W e w er e i nt er ru pt ed b y t he w in e s te wa rd , w ho c am e a ro un d t op pi ng o ff g ob le ts , a nd t he n b ya no th er t oa st . T he f ir st h ad b ee n t o V ia ll e, l ed b y L le we ll a. T hi s o ne w as p ro po se d b y O rk uz , t o " th ea nc ien t a ll ia nc e b et wee n A mb er a nd B eg ma ." I d ra nk t o t ha t, a nd I h ea rd B il l m ut te r; " It 's g oi ng t o g et a

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  " Wha t i f I w em t o s ay t hat y ou r go od w il l w ou ld b e s uf fi ci en t?"

  " Wh at i f I w er e t o s ay t hat m y g oo d w il l i sn' t w or th m uc h a t t he p ol ic y l ev el h er e? "

  S he s hr ug ge d. " Sm al l p ri ce f or a s ma ll r et ur n. I a lr ea dy k ne w t ha t. B ut y ou 'r e r el at ed t o e ve ry bo dy i nt hi s p la ce . N ot hi ng m ay e ve r h ap pe n, b ut i t' s c on ce iv ab le t ha t s om eo ne m ig ht a sk y ou r o pi ni on o f u s. I 'd

l ike y ou t o k no w y ou h av e f ri en ds i n B eg ma a nd t o f ee l k in dl y d isp os ed t ow ar d u s i f t ha t o cc ur re d. "

  I st ud ied h er v er y s er iou s ex pr essi on . T her e wa s m or e t o i t t han t hat , a nd w e bo th k ne w i t. O nl y Id id n' t k no w w ha t m ig ht b e o n t he h or iz on , a nd s he o bv io us ly d id .

  I r ea che d o ut an d s tr ok ed h er c he ek o nc e w it h t he ba ck o f m y h an d.

  "I a m e xp ec te d t o s ay s om et hi ng n ic e a bo ut y ou f ol ks i f s om eo ne s ho ul d a sk m e, t ha t' s a ll , a nd f or  t hi s y ou w il l g o o ut a nd k il l s om eo ne f or m e i f I j us t s up pl y t he p ar ti cu la rs . R ig ht ?"

  " In a w or d, y es ," s he r ep li ed .

  " It m ak es m e w on de r w hy y ou t hi nk y ou c an m an ag e a n a ss as si na ti on b et te r t ha n w e c ou ld . W e' reol d ha nds at i t.

  " We ha ve, as you p ut i t, a s ecr et we apon ," she sai d. "B ut I w as t hi nki ng t ha t t hi s i s a per sonal m at ter  f or y ou , n ot a s ta te m at te r- an d t ha t y ou m ig ht n ot w an t a ny o f t he o th er s i nv ol ve d. A ls o, I c an p ro vi de as er vi ce t ha t w il l n ot b e t ra ce ab le ."

  B ag o f w or ms t im e a ga in . W as s he i mp ly in g t ha t s he t ho ug ht I d id n ot t ru st a ll o f t he o th er s h er e- or  t ha t I s ho ul d n ot ? W ha t d id s he k no w t ha t I d id n' t? O r w as s he j us t, g ue ss in g, b as ed o n A mb er 's h is to ry

of intrigue within the family? Or was she intentionally trying to stir up a generational conflict? Would thats ui t B eg ma 's p ur po se i n s om e f as hi on ? O r. . . . W as s he g ue ss in g t ha t s uc h a s it ua ti on e xi st ed a ndo ff er in g t o r em ov e a f am il y m em be r f or m e? A nd i f s o, d id sh e t hi nk I 'd be s tu pi d e no ug h t o g et so me on ee ls e t o d o t he j ob ? O r e ve n t o d is cu ss s uc h a n ot io n a nd t he re by g iv e B eg ma a s ho t a t s uf fi ci en t e vi de nc eto have some kind of hold over me? Or. . . .

  I d re w b ac k f ro m t he v ie w. I t p le as ed m e t ha t m y t ho ug ht p ro ce ss es w er e f in al ly w or ki ng p ro pe rl yf or t he c om pa ny m y f am il y k ee ps . ( Bo th m y f am il ie s, a ct ua ll y. ) I t h ad t ak en m e a l on g w hi le t o g et t hehang of i t. I t f el t good.

  A s im pl e r ef us al w ou ld f or ec lo se a ll o f t he a bo ve . B ut , o n t he o th er h an d, i f I w er e t o s tr in g h er a lo nga bit, she might prove a tantalizing source of information.

  S o, " Wo ul d y ou g o a ft er a ny on e I w ou ld n am e? " I s ai d. " An yo ne ?"

  S he s tu di ed m y f ac e v er y c ar ef ul ly . T he n, " Ye s, " s he a ns we re d.

  " Yo u m us t ex cu se m e a ga in ," I r es po nde d, " but d oi ng i t f or s uch a n i nt an gi bl e as m y g oo d w il l c aus esm e t o w on de r a bo ut y ou r g oo d f ai th ."

  H er f ac e r ed de ne d. W he th er i t w as a si mpl e b lu sh o r a ng er I c ou ld n ot be ce rt ai n, b ec au se s hel oo ke d a wa y i mm ed ia te ly . T hi s d id n' t b ot he r m e, t ho ug h, b ec au se I w as c er ta in i t w as a b uy er 's m ar ke t.

  I r et ur ne d m y a tt en ti on t o m y f oo d a nd w as a bl e t o p ut a wa y s ev er al m ou th fu ls b ef or e s he w as b ac k  

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a ga in . " Do es t hi s m ea n y ou w on 't b e s to pp in g b y t on ig ht ?" s he a sk ed .

  " I c an 't ," I s ai d. " I a m g oi ng t o b e c om pl et el y o cc up ie d. "

  "I can bel ieve you ane ver y busy, " she sai d. " But does t hat mean we w il l not b e abl e to t al k at al l?"

  " It d ep en ds e nt ir el y o n h ow t hi ng s b re ak ," I s ai d. " I h av e a n a wf ul l ot g oi ng o n j us t n ow , a nd I m ay be leaving town soon."

  S he s ta rt ed s li gh tl y. I w as c er ta in s he c on si de re d a sk in g m e w he re I w as g oi ng , b ut t ho ug ht b et te r o f          it.

  T he n, " Th is i s a wk wa rd ," s he s ai d. " Ha ve y ou r ef us ed m y o ff er ?"

  "I s t he d ea l o nl y g oo d f or t hi s e ve ni ng ?" I a sk ed .

  " No , b ut i t w as m y u nd er st an di ng y ou w er e i n s om e p er il . T he s oo ne r y ou m ov e a ga in st y ou r e ne my ,the sooner your sleep is untroubled."

  " Yo u f ee l I am i n d an ge r h er e i n A mb er ?"

  S he h es it at ed a m om en t, t he n s ai d, " No o ne i s s af e, a ny wh er e, f ro m a n e ne my o f s uf fi ci en tdetermination and skill."

  " D o you f eel t he t hr eat t o b e a l ocal o ne?" I i nq ui re d.

  " I ask ed yo u t o na me t he pa rt y," s he st at ed . " Yo u a re i n t he be st p os it ion t o k no w. "

  I d re w b ac k i mm ed ia te ly . I t w as t oo s im pl e a n e nt ra pm en t, a nd o bv io us ly s he 'd a lr ea dy s me ll ed i t.

  " Yo u' ve g iv en m e m uc h t o t hi nk a bo ut ," I a ns we re d, a nd I r et ur ne d t o m y f oo d.

  Af ter a t ime, I saw t hat Bi ll was l ooki ng at me as if he want ed t o say somet hi ng. I gave hi m am in us cu le s ha ke o f m y h ea d, w hi ch h e s ee me d t o u nd er st an d.

  " Br ea kf as t, t he n? " I h ea rd h er s ay . " Th is t ri p y ou s po ke o f c ou ld m pr es en t a t im e o f v ul ne ra bi li ty . I tw ou ld b e g oo d t o s et tl e t hi s b ef or e y ou d ep ar t. "

  " Na yd a, " I s ai d, a s so on as I had sw al lo we d, " I w ou ld l ik e t o be c lea r o n t he m at ter o f m y benefactors. If I were to discuss this with your father-"

  " No !" s he i nt er ru pt ed . " He k no ws n ot hi ng a bo ut i t! "

  "T ha nk y ou . Y ou m us t a dm it m y c ur io si ty a s t o t he l ev el a t w hi ch t hi s p la n o ri gi na te s. "

  " Th er e i s n o n ee d t o l oo k an y f ur th er ," s he s ta te d. " It i s e nt ir el y m y i de a. "

  " Sa me o f y ou r e ar li er s ta te me nt s c au se m e t o i nf er t ha t y ou h av e s pe ci al c on ne ct io ns w it hi n t heBegman intelligence community."

  " No ," s he s ai d, " on ly t he o rd in ar y o ne s. T he o ff er i s m y o wn ."

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  " Bu t s om eo ne w ou ld h av e t o . . . e ff ec tu at e t hi s d es ig n. "

  " Th at i s t he p ro vi nc e o f t he s ec re t w ea po n. "

  " I wo ul d hav e t o kn ow mo re ab ou t i t. "

  " I' ve o ff er ed y ou a s er vi ce a nd I 'v e p ro mi se d y ou t ot al d is cr et io n. I w il l g o n o f ur th er a s t o m ea ns ."

  " If t hi s i dea i s w ho ll y y ou r o wn , i t w ou ld s ee m t hat y ou s ta nd t o be ne fi t f ro m i t p er so na ll y. H ow ?W ha t' s i n i t f or y ou ?"

  She l ooked away. She was si lent f or a l ong t ime. " Your f il e," she sai d at l ast . "I t was . . . f asci nat ingr ea di ng i t. Y ou 'r e o ne o f t he f ew p eo pl e h er e c lo se t o m y o wn a ge , a nd y ou 'v e l ed s uc h a n i nt er es ti ng l if e.Y ou c an 't i ma gi ne h ow d ul l m os t o f t he t hi ng s I h av e t o r ea d a re -a gr ic ul tu ra l r ep or ts , t ra de f ig ur es ,a pp ro pr ia ti on s s tu di es . I h av e n o s oc ia l l if e w ha ts oe ve r. I a m a lw ay s o n c al l. E ve ry p ar ty I a tt en d i s r ea ll y

a stat e function in one form or another. I read your fi le over and over and I wondered about you. I . . . Ihave som et hi ng of a cru sh on yo u. I k now i t soun ds si lly , but it 's tr ue. Wh en I saw some of t he r ecentr ep or ts a nd r ea li ze d t ha t y ou m ig ht b e i n g re at d an ge r, I d ec id ed I w ou ld h el p y ou i f I c ou ld . I h av ea cc es s t o a ll s or ts o f s ta te s ec re ts. O ne o f t he m w ou ld p ro vi de m e w it h t he m ea ns o f h el pi ng y ou . U si ng i tw ou ld b en ef it y ou w it ho ut d am ag in g B eg ma , b ut i t w ou ld b e d is lo ya l o f m e t o d is cu ss i t f ur th er . I 'v eal wa ys w ant ed t o meet you, an d I was ver y j eal ou s of my si st er when yo u t oo k h er ou t t oda y. And I s ti llw is h y ou 'd s to p b y l at er ."

  I s ta re d a t h er . T he n I r ai se d m y w in egl as s t o he r a nd t oo k a d ri nk .

  " You ar e . . . ama zi ng ," I sai d. I coul dn' t t hi nk of an yt hi ng el se t o s ay. I t w as ei th er an on -t he- spot

f ab ri cat io n o r i t w as t ru e. I f i t w er e t ru e, i t w as s om ew ha t p at het ic ; i f n ot , I t ho ug ht i t a r at he r cl ev er b it o f                  q ui ck t hi nk in g, c al cu la te d t o h it m e i n t ha t w on de rf ul ly v ul ne ra bl e p la ce , t he e go . S he d es er ve d e it he r m ys ym pa th y o r m y w ar ie st a dm ir at io n. S o I a dd ed , " I' d l ik e t o m ee t t he p er so n w ho w ro te t he r ep or ts .T he re m ay b e a g re at c re at iv e t al en t g oi ng t o w as te i n a g ov er nm en t o ff ic e. "

  Sh e s mi le d, r ai se d h er o wn g la ss a nd t ou ch ed i t t o m in e.

  "T hi nk a bo ut i t, " s he s ai d.

  " I can h one st ly sa y I w on 't f or ge t y ou ," I t ol d he r.

  W e b ot h r et ur ne d t o o ur f oo d, a nd I s pe nt t he n ex t f iv e m in ut es o r s o c at ch in g u p. B il l d ec en tl ya ll ow ed m e t o d o t hi s. A ls o, I t hi nk , h e w as w ai ti ng t o b e c er ta in t ha t m y c on ve rs at io n w it h N ay da w asfinally concluded.

  A t l ast he wi nked at me.

  " G ot a m in ut e? " h e a sk ed .

  " A fr ai d s o, " I s ai d.

  " I w on 't e ve n a sk w he th er i t w as b us in es s o r p le as ur e g oi ng o n o n t he o th er s id e. "

  " It w as a p le as ur e, " I s ai d, " bu t a s tr an ge b us in es s. D on 't a sk o r I 'l l m is s d es se rt ."

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  "I'll summarize," he said. "The coronation in Kashfa will take place tomorrow."

  " No t w as ti ng a ny t im e, a re w e? "

  " N o. T he g en tl em an w ho w il l b e t ak in g t he t hr on e i s A rk an s, D uk e o f S ha db ur ne . H e' s b ee n i n a nd

out of various Kashfan governments in fairly responsible positions any number of times over the years.H e a ct ua ll y k no ws h ow t hi ng s w or k, a nd h e' s d is ta nt ly r el at ed t o o ne o f t he e ar li er m on ar ch s. D id n' t g eta lo ng w el l w it h J as ra 's c ro wd a nd p re tt y m uc h s ta ye d a t h is c ou nt ry p lac e t he w ho le t im e s he w as i n power. He didn't bother her and she didn't bother him."

  "Sounds reasonable."

  " In f ac t, h e a ct ua ll y s ha re d h er s en ti me nt s o n t he E re gn or s it ua ti on , a s t he B eg ma ns a re w el l a wa re -"

  " Ju st w ha t, " I a sk ed , " is t he E re gn or s it ua ti on ?"

  " It 's t he ir A ls ac e- Lo rr ai ne ," h e s ai d, " a l ar ge , r i ch a re a b et we en K as hf a a nd B eg ma . I t h as c ha ng edh an ds b ac k a nd f or th s o m an y t im es o ve r t he c en tu ri es t ha t b ot h c ou nt ri es m ak e r ea so na bl e- so un di ngc la im s t o i t. E ven t he i nh abi ta nt s o f t he a re a a re n' t a ll t ha t f ir m on t he m at ter . T he y ha ve r el at ive s i n b ot hd ir ec ti on s. I 'm n ot e ve n s ur e t he y c ar e w hi ch s id e c la im s t he m, s o l on g a s t he ir t ax es d on 't g o u p. I t hi nk  B eg ma 's c la im m ig ht b e a l it tl e s tr on ge r, b ut I c ou ld a rg ue t he c as e e it he r w ay ,"

  " An d K as hf a h ol ds i t n ow ; a nd A rk an s s ay s t he y' ll d am n w el l k ee p i t. "

  " Ri gh t. W hi ch i s t he s am e t hi ng J as ra s ai d. T he i nt er im r ul er , h ow ev er -J as to n w as h is n am e, m il it ar yman-was actually willing to discuss its status with the Begmans, before his unfortunate fall from the

 balcony. I think he wanted to repair the treasury and was considering ceding the area in return for thes et tl em en t o f s om e a nc ie nt w ar d am ag e c la im s. T hi ng s w er e a ct ua ll y w el l a lo ng a nd h ea de d i n t ha tdirection."

  "And . . . ?" I said.

  "I n t he p ap er s I g ot f ro m R an do m, A mb er s pe ci fi ca ll y r ec og ni ze s K as hf a a s i nc lu di ng t he a re a o f          E re gn or . A rk an s h ad i ns is te d t ha t g o i nt o t he t re at y. U su al ly -f ro m e ve ry th in g I 'v e b ee n a bl e t o f in d i n t hearchives-Amber avoids getting involved in touchy situations like this between allies. Oberon seldom wentl oo ki ng f or t ro ub le . B ut R an do m s ee ms t o b e i n a h ur ry , a nd h e l et t hi s. g uy d ri ve a h ar d b ar ga in. "

  " He 's o ve rr ea ct in g, " I s ai d, " no t t ha t I b la me h im . H e r em em be rs B ra nd t oo w el l. "

  Bill nodded.

  "I 'm j us t t he h ir ed h el p, " h e s ai d. " I d on 't w an t t o h av e a n o pi ni on ."

  " We ll , a ny th in g e ls e I s ho ul d k no w a bo ut A rk an s? "

  " Oh , t he re a re l ot s o f o th er t hi ng s t he B eg ma ns d on 't l ik e a bo ut h im , b ut t ha t' s t he b ig o ne -r ig ht w he nt he y t ho ug ht t he y w er e m ak in g s om e h ea dw ay o n a n i ss ue t ha t' s b ee n a n at io na l p as ti me f or g en er at io ns .T he y' ve e ve n g on e t o w ar o ve r t he m at te r i n t he p as t. D on 't d ou bt t ha t t ha t' s w hy t he y c am e r us hi ng t otown. Govern yourself accordingly."

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  He r ai se d h is go bl et an Ò t oo k a d ri nk .

  A l it tl e l at er V ia ll e s ai d s om et hi ng t o L le we ll a, r os e t o h er f ee t, a nd a nn ou nc ed t ha t s he h ad t o s ee t os om et hi ng , t ha t s he 'd b e r ig ht b ac k. L le we ll a s ta rt ed t o g et u p a ls o b ut V ia ll e p ut a h an d o n h er s ho ul de r,whispered something, and departed.

  " Wo nd er w ha t t ha t c ou ld b e? " B il l s ai d.

  " Do n' t k no w, " I a ns we re d.

  H e s mi l ed .

  "Shall we speculate?"

  " My m in d' s o n c ru is e c on tr ol ," I t ol d h im .

  Na yd a g av e m e a l ong s ta re . I m et i t an d sh ru gg ed .

  A no th er l it tl e w hi le , a nd p la te s w er e c le ar ed a nd m or e w er e c om in g. W ha te ve r i t w as l oo ke d g oo d.B ef or e I c ou ld f in d o ut f or c er ta in , t ho ug h, a m em be r o f t he g en er al h ou se s ta ff e nt er ed a nd a pp ro ac he d.

  " Lo rd M er li n, " s he s ai d, " th e q ue en w ou ld l ik e t o s ee y ou ."

  I w as o n m y f ee t i mm edi at el y. " Wh er e i s sh e? "

  " I' ll t ak e y ou t o h er ."

  I e xc us ed m ys el f f ro m m y c om pa ni on s, b or ro wi ng t he l in e t ha t I 'd b e r ig ht b ac k, w on de ri ng i f i t w er et ru e. I f ol lo we d h er o ut a nd a ro un d t he co rn er t o a s ma ll s it ti ng r oo m, w he re s he l ef t m e w it h V ia ll e, w how as s ea te d i n a n u nc om fo rt ab le -l oo ki ng h ig h- ba ck ed c ha ir o f d ar k w oo d a nd l ea th er , h el d t og et he r w it hc as t i ro n s tu ds . I f s he 'd w an te d m us cl e, s he 'd h av e s en t f or G er ar d. I f s he 'd w an te d a m in d f ul l o f h is to rya nd p ol it ic al c on ni va nc e, L le we ll a w ou ld b e h er e. S o I w as g ue ss in g i t i nv ol ve d m ag ic , s in ce I w as t heauthority in residence.

  B ut I w as w rong.

  " I' d l ik e t o s peak t o yo u, " sh e s ai d, " conce rni ng a sm al l st at e o f w ar i n whi ch we, s eem ab out t o

 become engage.

  CHAPTER 8

  A ft er a p le as an t t im e w it h a p re tt y l ad y, a s er ie s o f s ti mu la ti ng h al lw ay c on ve rs at io ns , a nd a r el ax in gdinner with family and friends, it seemed almost fitting that it be time for something different anddi st ract in g. Th e i dea of a sm al l war see med , at l east , b et ter t han a bi g on e, t hou gh I d id not say t ha t t oV ia ll e. A m om en t' s c ar ef ul t ho ug ht , a nd I s ha pe d t he q ue ry :

  "What's going on?"

  " Da lt 's m en a re d ug i n n ear t he w es ter n e dg e o f A rd en ," s he s ai d. " Ju li an 's a re s tr un g o ut f ac in g t he m.B en ed ic t h as t ak en J ul ia n a dd it io na l m en a nd w ea po ns . H e s ay s h e c an e xe cu te a f la nk in g m ov em en t t ha t

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w il l t ak e D al t' s l ine a pa rt . B ut I t ol d h im n ot t o. "

  "I d on 't u nd er st an d. W hy n ot ?"

  " Me n w il l d ie ," s he s ai d.

  " T ha t' s t he w ay i t i s i n w ar . S om et im es y ou h av e n o c ho ic e. "

  " But w e d o ha ve a ch oi ce, o f s or ts, " s he s ai d, " one t ha t I d on 't un der st an d. A nd I d o wa nt t ou nd er st an d i t b ef or e I g iv e a n o rd er t ha t w il l r es ul t i n n um er ou s o f d ea th s. "

  " Wh at i s t he c ho ic e? " I a sk ed .

  " I c am e h er e t o r es po nd t o a T ru mp m es sa ge f ro m J ul ia n, " s he s ai d. " He h ad j us t s po ke n w it h D al tu nd er a f lag o f t ru ce . D al t t ol d h im t ha t h is o bj ec ti ve w as n ot , a t t hi s t im e, t he d es tr uc ti on o f A mb er . H e pointed out that he could conduct an expensive attack, though, in terms of our manpower and equipment.

H e s ai d h e' d r at he r s av e h im se lf a nd u s t he e xp en se , h ow ev er . W ha t h e r ea ll y w an ts i s f or u s t o t ur n t wo prisoners over to him-Rinaldo and Jasra."

  " Hu h? " I s ai d. " Ev en i f w e w an te d t o, w e c an 't g iv e h im L uk e. H e' s n ot h er e. "

  " Th at i s w ha t J ul ia n t ol d h im . H e s ee me d v er y s ur pr is ed . F or s om e r ea so n, h e b el ie ve d w e h adRinaldo in custody."

  " We ll , w e' re n ot o bl ig ed t o p ro vi de t he m an w it h a n e du ca ti on . I g at he r h e' s b ea n s om et hi ng o f a pain for years. I think Benedict has the right answer for him."

  " I di d not cal l you i n f or ad vi ce," she sai d.

  " So rr y, " I t ol d h er . " It 's j us t t ha t I d on 't l ik e s eei ng s om eo ne t ry in g t o p ul l a s tu nt l ik e t hi s a nd a ct ual ly believing he has a chance of success."

  " He ha s n o c ha nc e o f s uc ce ss, " V ia ll e s ta ted . " Bu t i f we k il l h im n ow , w e l ea rn n ot hi ng . I w ou ld l iket o f in d o ut w ha t i s b eh in d t hi s. "

  " Ha ve B en ed ic t b ri ng h im i n. I h av e s pe ll s t ha t w il l o pe n h im u p. "

  S h e s ho ok h er h ea d.

  " To o r is ky ," s he e xp la in ed . " On ce b ul le ts s ta rt f ly in g, t he re 's t he c ha nc e o ne m ig ht f in d h im . T he n w elose even though we win."

  " I d on 't u nd er st an d w ha t i t i s t ha t y ou w an t o f m e. "

  " He a sk ed J ul ia n t o g et i n t ou ch w it h u s a nd r el ay h is d em an d. H e' s p ro mi se d t o h ol d t he t ru ce u nt ilw e g iv e h im s om e s or t o f o ff ic ia l a ns we r. J ul ia n s ay s h e h as t he i mp re ss io n t ha t D al t w ou ld s et tl e f or  e it he r o ne o f t he m. "

  " I d on 't w an t t o g iv e h im J as ra e it he r. "

  "N ei ther do I . W hat I d o w ant v er y badl y i s t o kn ow what i s g oi ng on. T her e w oul d be sma ll po int i n

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r el ea si ng J as ra a nd a sk in g h er , s in ce t hi s i s a r ec en t d ev el op me nt . I w an t t o k no w w he th er y ou h av em ea ns o f g et ti ng i n t ou ch w it h R in al do . I w an t t o t al k t o h im ."

  "Well, uh . . . yes," I said. "I have a Trump for him."

  " U se i t. "

  I g ot i t o ut . I r eg ar de d i t. I m ov ed m y m in d i nt o t ha t s pe ci al a re a o f a le rt ne ss a nd c al li ng . T he p ic tu rech ang ed ca me a li ve . . . .

  I t w as t wi li gh t, a nd L uk e s to od n ea r a c am pf ir e. H h ad o n h is g re en o ut fi t, a l ig ht b ro wn c lo ak a bo uthis shoulders clasped with that Phoenix pin.

  " Mer le, " he s ai d. " I can m ove t he t roo ps p ret ty f ast .. Wh en d o y ou w an t t o h it t he pl ace a nd -"

  " Pu t i t o n h ol d, " I i nt er ru pt ed . " Th is i s s om et hi ng d if fe re nt . "

  "What?"

  " Da lt 's a t t he g at es; and Vi al le w an ts t o t al k t o y ou b ef or e we t ake h im a par t."

  "Dalt? There? Amber?"

  " Ye s, y es , a nd y es . H e s ay s h e' ll g o a nd p la y s om ep la ce e ls e i f w e g iv e h im t he t wo t hi ng s h e w an tsm os t i n t he w or ld : y ou a nd y ou r m ot he r. "

  "That's crazy."

  " Yeah . W e t hi nk s o, t oo. W il l y ou t al k t o t he qu een ab out i t? "

  " Su re . B ri ng m e t hr -" H e h es it at ed a nd l oo ke d i nt o m y e ye s.

  I s mi l ed .

  H e e xt en de d h is h an d. I r ea ch ed f or wa rd a nd t oo k i t. S ud de nl y, h e w as t he re . H e l oo ke d a bo ut ,s aw V ia ll e. I mm ed ia te ly , h e u nc la sp ed h is s wo rd b el t a nd p as se d i t t o m e. H e a pp ro ac he d h er , d ro pp edt o h is r ig ht k ne e, a nd l ow er ed h is h ea d.

  " Y ou r M aj es ty ," h e s ai d. " I 'v e c om e. "

  S he r e ac he d f or w ar d a nd t ou ch ed h im .

  " Ra is e y ou r h ea d, " s he s ai d.

  He d id , a nd h er s en si ti ve f in ge rs s li d o ve r t he p la ne a nd a rc he s o f h is f ac e.

  " St re ng th ," s he s ai d, " an d s or ro w. . . . S o y ou 'r e R in al do . Y ou 'v e b ro ug ht u s s om e g ri ef ."

  " It w or ks b ot h w ay s, Y ou r M aj es ty ."

  " Ye s, o f c ou rs e, " s he r ep li ed . " Wr on gs d on e a nd w ro ng s a ve ng ed h av e a w ay o f s pi ll in g o ve r o n t he

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i nn oc en t. H ow f ar w il l i t g o t hi s t im e? "

  " Th is t hi ng w it h D al t? " h e a sk ed .

  " No . T hi s t hi ng w it h y ou ."

  " Oh ," h e s ai d. " It 's o ve r. I 'v e d on e w it h i t. N o m or e b om bs o r a mb us he s. I 'v e a lr ea dy t ol d M er li nthat."

  " Yo u' ve k no wn h im f or s ev er al y ea rs ?"

  " Ye s. "

  "You've become friends?"

  " He 's o ne o f t he r ea so ns I 'm c al li ng i t o ff ."

  " Yo u m us t t ru st h im , t o c om e h er e. I r es pe ct t ha t, " s he s ai d. " Ta ke t hi s. "

  S he r em ov ed a r in g s he w or e u po n h er r ig ht f or ef in ge r. T he b an d w as o f g ol d, t he s to ne a m il kyg re en ; t he p ro ng s o f i ts s et ti ng c au gh t i t i n a f as hi on t o s ug ge st s om e m an ti c s pi de r g ua rd in g d re am la ndtreasures against the daybreak world.

  "Your M aj est y. . . ."

  " W ea r i t; " s he s ai d.

  "I w il l, " h e r ep li ed , s li pp in g i t u po n t he l it tl e f in ge r o f h is l ef t h an d. " Th an k y ou . "

  " Ri se . I w an t y ou t o k no w e xa ct ly w ha t h as o cc ur re d. "

  H e g ot t o h is f eet , an d sh e b eg an t el li ng h im w ha t s he h ad t ol d m e, c on ce rn in g D al t' s a rr iv al , h isf or ce s' d is po si ti on , h is d em an ds , w hi le I s to od s tu nn ed a t t he i mp li ca ti on s o f w ha t s he h ad d on e. S he h ad

       just placed Luke under her protection. Everyone in Amber knew that ring. I wondered what Randomw ou ld t hi nk . I r ea li ze d t he n t hat t her e w ou ld n ot be a h ear in g. P oo r B il l. I b el ie ve h e w as r ea ll y l oo ki ngf or wa rd t o a rg ui ng L uk e' s c as e.

  " Yes, I kn ow D al t," I h ear d hi m sa yi ng. " On ce w e sh ar ed . . . ce rt ai n go al s. B ut he 's c han ge d. H et ri ed t o ki ll me t he last ti me we m et. I 'm not sure why. At f ir st I t hought t he wi zar d of the Keep had t akencontrol of him."

  "And now?"

  " No w, I j ust d on' t un der st and . I 'v e a f eel in g he 's o n a l eas h, bu t I d on 't k no w w ho ho ld s i t. "

  " W hy n ot t he w iz ar d? "

  "It makes no sense to go to these lengths to claim me when he had me and let me go just a few daysa go . H e c ou ld s im pl y h av e l ef t m e i n m y c el l. "

  " Tr ue ," s he r ep li ed . " Wh at i s t hi s w iz ar d' s n am e? "

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  " Ma sk ," h e a ns we re d. " Me rl in k no ws m or e a bo ut h im t ha n I d o. "

  " Me rl in ," s he s ai d. " Wh o i s t hi s M as k? "

  " He 's t he w iz ar d w ho t oo k t he K ee p o f t he F ou r W or ld s a wa y f ro m J as ra ," I e xp la in ed , " wh o, i n

t ur n, ha d t aken i t aw ay f ro m S hah Ga nu l, w ho i s n ow a lso a co at rack . M as k w ear s a bl ue m as k an ds ee ms t o d ra w p ow er f ro m a s tr an ge f ou nt ai n i n t he c it ad el t he re. D oe sn 't s ee m t o l ik e m e m uc h e it he r.T hat 's ab ou t a ll I c an t el l y ou ."

  I 'd o mi tt ed m en ti on in g m y p la n t o h ea d t ha t w ay f or a s ho wd ow n s oo n, b ec au se o f J ur t' si nv ol ve me nt , f or t he s am e r ea so n I h ad n' t w an te d R an do m t o k no w a bo ut i t. I w as c er ta in L uk e h adt os se d m e t he q ue st io n b ec au se h e w as n' t s ur e h ow f ar I w an te d i t t ak en .

  " Th at d oe sn 't r ea ll y t el l u s m uc h, " s he d ec id ed , " as t o D al t' s i nv ol ve me nt ."

  " Th er e m ay n ot b e a c on ne ct io n, " I s ai d. " I g at he r D al t i s a m er ce na ry , a nd t he ir r el at io ns hi p c ou ldh av e b ee n a o ne -t im e t hi ng . H e c ou ld e it he r b e w or ki ng f or s om eo ne e ls e n ow o r p ul li ng s om et hi ng o n h isown."

  " I c an 't s ee w hy a ny bo dy w an ts u s b ad ly e no ug h t o g o t o s uc h d ra ma ti c l en gt hs ," L uk e s ai d. " Bu tI 'v e a s co re t o s et tl e w it h t hat g uy , a nd I 'm g oi ng t o c om bi ne b us in es s w it h p le as ur e. "

  "W ha t d o y ou m ea n? " s he a sk ed .

  " I as su me t her e' s a w ay t o g et do wn t he re i n a h ur ry, " he s ai d.

  " On e c ou ld a lw ay s t ru mp t hr ou gh t o J ul ia n, " I s ai d, b ut w hat h av e y ou g ot i n m in d, L uk e? "

  " I w an t t o t al k t o D al t. "

  " It 's t oo d an ge ro us ," s he s ai d, " si nc e y ou 'r e w ha t h e w an ts ."

  L uk e g ri nn ed . " It c ou ld b e a b it d an ge ro us f or D al t, t oo ," h e r ep li ed .

  " Wai t a m inu te, " I s ai d. " If y ou 'v e g ot m or e i n m in d t han j us t t al ki ng , y ou c ou ld b lo w t hi s t ruc e.Vialle's trying to avoid a conflict here."

  " Th er e w on 't b e a ny c on fl ic t, " L uk e s ai d. " Lo ok , I 'v e k no wn D al t s in ce w e w er e k id s, a nd I t hi nk  h e' s b lu ff in g. H e d oe s t ha t s om et im es . H e h as n' t g ot t he k in d o f f or ce t o r is k a no th er a tt ac k o n A mb er .Y our gu ys w ou ld sl au ght er h im . I f h e w ant s M om o r m e, I t hi nk h e' d be w il li ng t o t el l m e wh y, an d t hat 'sw hat w e w an t t o f ind o ut , i sn' t i t? "

  "W el l, y es ," I s ai d. " Bu t- "

  " Let me go," he sai d t o Vi al le, " and I 'l l f ind a way t o get him of f your back. I pr omi se."

  " Yo u t em pt m e, " sh e t ol d h im . " But I d on' t l ike y ou r t al k o f s et tl in g ac cou nt s w it h hi m at t hi s t im e. A sM er li n s ai d, I w an t t o a vo id t hi s c on fl ic t- fo r m or e t ha n o ne r ea so n. "

  " I pr omi se n ot t o l et i t go t hat f ar ," h e s tat ed . " I can r ea d t he di ce. I 'm goo d at pl ay ing t hi ngs by e ar .

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  "You, too?"

  " Th es e d ay s, y es . I t' s g ot te n t ha t w ay ."

  " Yo u k no w a ny th in g m or e a bo ut t hi s s it ua ti on t ha t I s ho ul d b e a wa re o f? "

  I sho ok my h ead . " Thi s i s v er y new , an d she gav e you t he w ho le st or y I kn ow. Wo ul d yo u, perchance, know something about it that we don't?"

  " No pe, " h e sa id . " It ca me a s a su rp ri se t o m e, t oo . B ut I 've g ot t o pu rs ue i t. "

  " I g ue ss s o. "

  W e w er e n ea ri ng m y s tr et ch o f c or ri do r n ow , a nd I f el t o bl ig ed t o p re pa re h im .

  " We' ll be t o m y r oom s i n a mi nut e, " I sa id, "an d I j ust w ant ed y ou t o know yo ur m ot her 's i n t her e.

S he 's s af e, b ut y ou w on 't f in d h er t oo t al ka ti ve ."

  " I' m f am il iar w it h t he r es ul ts o f t hat s pe ll ," h e s ai d. " I a lso r ec al l t ha t y ou sa id y ou k no w ho w t o l if t i t.S o. . T ha t l ead s i nt o t he n ex t t op ic. I 'v e b ee n t hi nki ng . T hi s i nt er lu de i s s lo wi ng u s do wn a b it i n o ur p lanf or g oi ng a ft er M as k a nd y ou r b ro th er ."

  " No t a ll t ha t m uc h, " I r es po nd ed .

  " We d on 't r ea ll y k no w h ow l on g t hi s i s g oi ng t o t ak e m e, t ho ug h, " h e w en t o n. " Su pp os in g i t d ra gso ut a b it ? O r s up po si ng s om et hi ng h ap pe ns t o r ea ll y s lo w m e d ow n? "

  I g ave hi m a qui ck g lance .

  "L ik e, w ha t h av e y ou g ot i n m in d? " I a sk ed .

  " I d on 't k now . I 'm j ust s up pos ing . O kay ? I l ik e t o p la n ah ead . S ay w e g et de lay ed o n t hi s a tt ack . . .."

  " Al l r ig ht . Sa y t ha t, " I s ai d, as w e ne ar ed m y do or .

  " Wh at I 'm g et ti ng a t, " h e c on ti nu ed , " is , w ha t i f w e g et t he re t oo l at e? S up po si ng w e a rr iv e a nd y ou r  

 brother has already undergone the ritual that turns him into hell on wheels?"

  I u nl oc ke d m y d oo r, o pe ne d i t, a nd h el d i t f or h im . I d id n ot l ik e e nt er ta in in g t he p os si bi li ty h e h ad       just described, because I recalled my father's stories of the times he'd encountered Brand and faced that

uncanny power.

  L uk e s te pp ed i ns id e. I sn ap pe d m y f in ge rs a nd a n um be r o f o il l am ps c am e t o l if e, t he ir f la me sdancing for a moment before settling to a glowing steadiness.

  J as ra w as t he re i n p la in si gh t b ef or e h im , h ol di ng a n um be r o f m y g ar men ts o n o ut st re tc he d a rm s. Iw as c on ce rn ed f or a m om en t a s t o w ha t h is r ea ct io n m ig ht b e.

  H e h al te d, s tu dy in g h er , t he n a dv an ce d, h is s pe cu la ti on s c on ce rn in g J ur t f or go tt en . H e r eg ar de d h er  f or p er ha ps t en s ec on ds , a nd I f ou nd m ys el f g ro wi ng u nc om fo rt ab le . T he n h e c hu ck le d.

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  " Sh e a lw ay s l id e b ei ng d ec or at iv e, " h e s ai d, " bu t t o c om bi ne i t w it h b ei ng u se fu l w as g en er al ly beyond her. You've got to hand it to Mask, even though she probably won't catch the moral of it."

  H e t ur ne d aw ay an d f ac ed m e.

  "N o, s he 'l l p ro ba bl y w ak e u p m ea n a s c at p is s a nd l oo ki ng f or t ro ub le , " h e r ef le ct ed . T he n, " Sh ed oe sn 't s ee m t o b e h ol di ng t ha t c lo ak y ou m en ti on ed ."

  " I' ll g et i t. "

  I moved to an ar moi re, opened i t, and fet ched out a dark fur one. As we t raded, he ran hi s hando ve r i t.

  "Manticore?" he asked.

  " Di re w ol f, " I s ai d.

  I h un g h is w it hi n an d c lo sed t he d or r w hi le h e d on ne d m in e.

  "A s I w as s ay in g w he n w e c am e i n h er e, " h e o ff er ed , " su pp os in g I d on 't c om e b ac k? "

  " Yo u w er en 't s ay in g t ha t, " I c or re ct ed .

  " No t i n s o m an u w or ds , " h e a dm it te d. " Bu t w het he r i t' s a s ma ll d el ay o r t he b ig o ne , w ha t d if fe re nc ed oe s i t m ak e? T he p oi nt i s, w ha t i f Ju rt g oe s t hr ou gh w it h t he r it ua l a nd su cc ee ds i n o bt ai ni ng t he p ow er sh e' s a ft er b ef or e w e c an d o a ny th in g a bo ut i t? A nd s up po si ng I 'm n ot a ro un d r ig ht t he n t o g iv e y ou a

hand?"

  " Th at 's a l ot o f s up po si ng ." I s ai d.

  " Th at ' s w ha t s ep ar at es u s f r om t he l os er s, m an . N i ce c lo ak ."

  H e m ov ed t ow ar d t he d oo r, g la nc ed b ac k a t m e, a t J as ra .

  " Ok ay, " I sa id. " You go do wn t he re, D al t cut s of f y our hea d and us es i t f or a f oot ba ll , t hen Jur ts ho ws u p t en f ee t t al l a nd f ar ti ng f ir e. I 'm s up po si ng . H ow d oe s t ha t s ep ar at e u s f ro m t he l os er s? "

  H e s te pp ed o ut i nt o t he h al l. I f ol lo we d h im , s na pp in g m y f in ge rs a ga in , l ea vi ng J as ra t o t hedarkness.

  " It 's a m at ter o f k no wi ng yo ur op ti on s, " h e t ol d me , a s I s ec ur ed t he do or .

  I f el l i nt o st ep bes ide h im a s he h ead ed b ack dow n t he ha ll .

  " A p er so n w ho a cq ui re s t ha t k in d o f p ow er a ls o p ic ks u p a v ul ne ra bi li ty , b y w ay o f i ts s ou rc e, " h esaid.

  "W ha t d ow s t ha t m ea n? " I a sk ed .

  " Sp ec if ic al ly , I d on 't k no w, " h e t ol d m e. " Bu t t he p ow er i n t he K ee p c an b e u se d a ga in st a p er so n

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w ho i s e mp ow er ed b y t he K ee p. I l ea rn ed t ha t m uc h i n S ha ru 's n ot es . B ut M om t oo k t he m a wa y b ef or eI r ead t he m al l, a nd I n eve r sa w t hem a gai n. Nev er t rust - t hat 's h er mo tt o. I t hi nk. "

  "You're saying...?"

  "I 'm s ay in g t ha t i f s om et hi ng h ap pe ns t o m e a nd he c om es u p a w in ne r i n t hi s g am e, I b el ie ve s he

knows some special way of destroying him."

  "Oh."

  " I' m a ls o p re tt y s ur e t ha t s he 'l l h av e t o b e a sk ed v er y n ic el y. "

  " So me ho w, I t hi nk I a lr ea dy k ne w t ha t. "

  He g av e a h um or l es s c hu ck le .

  " So y ou t el l h er t ha t I 'v e e nd ed t he v en de tt a, t ha t I 'm s at is fi ed , a nd t he n o ff er h er t he c it ad el i n r et ur nfor her help."

  " Wh at i f s he s ay s t ha t' s n ot e no ug h? "

  " Hel l! T ur n h er ba ck i nt o a coat ra ck t hen! I t' s no t as i f t he gu y ca n' t b e ki ll ed. My dad st il l di ed wi tha n a rr ow t hr ou gh h is t hr oa t, d es pi te h is f an cy p ow er s. A d ea th st ro ke i s s ti ll a d ea th st ro ke . I t' s j us t t ha td el ive ri ng i t t o a gu y l ik e t ha t i s a l ot h ar de r. "

  " Y ou r ea ll y t hi nk t ha t' ll b e e no ug h? " I s ai d.

  H e h al te d a nd l oo ke d a t m e, f ro wn in g.

  " Sh e' ll a rg ue , b ut o f c ou rs e s he 'l l a gr ee ," h e s ai d. " It 'l l b e a s te p u p i n t he w or ld . A nd s he 'l l w an tr ev en ge o n M as k a s m uc h a s t ha t p ie ce o f h er f or me r h ol di ng s. B ut t o a ns we r y ou r q ue st io n, d on 't t ru sth er . N o m at te r w ha t s he p ro mi se s, s he 'l l n ev er b e h ap py w it h l es s t ha n s he h ad b ef or e. S he 'l l b es ch em in g. S he 'l l b e a g oo d a ll y t il l t he j ob 's d on e. T he n y ou 'v e g ot t o t hi nk a bo ut p ro te ct in g y ou rs el f                  against her. Unless..."

  "Unless what?"

  " Un le ss I c om e u p w it h s om et hi ng t o s we et en t he p ot ."

  "Like what?"

  " I d on 't k no w y et . B ut d on 't l if t t ha t s pe ll u nt il t hi ng s a re d ef in it el y s et tl ed b et we en D al t a nd m e.Okay?"

  He resumed walking.

  " Wa it a m in ut e, " I s ai d " Wh at a re y ou p la nn in g? "

  " No th in g s pe ci al ," h e a ns we re d. " Li ke I t ol d t he q ue en , I 'm j us t g oi nt g o p la y t hi ng s b y e ar ."

  " I s ome ti me s g et t he f eel in g y ou' re as de vi ou s a s y ou mak e h er out t o be, " I sai d.

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  " I h op e s o, " h e r ep li ed . " Bu t t he re 's a d if fe re nc e. I 'm h on es t. "

  " I d on' t k now t ha t I 'd bu y a u se d ca r f ro m yo u, Lu ke. "

  " Ev er y d ea l I m ak e i s s pe ci al ," h e s ai d, " an d f or y ou i t' s a lw ay s t op o f t he l in e. "

  I g la nc ed a t h im , s aw t ha t h e k ep t h is e xp re ss io in u nd er c on tr ol .

  " Wh at e ls e c an I s ay ?" h e a dd ed , i nd ic at in g t he s it ti ng r oo m w it h a q ui ck g es tu re .

  " No th in g, n ow ," I a ns we re d, a nd w e e nt er ed t he re .

  V ia ll e t ur ne d h er h ea d i n o ur d ir ec ti on a s w e c am e i n, h r e xp re ss io n a s u nr ea da bl e a s L uk e' s.

  " I t ak e i t y ou a re p ro per ly a tt ir ed no w? " s he a sk ed .

  " I a m i nd ee d, " h e a ns we re d.

  " Th en l et 's b e a bo ut t hi s, " s he s ai d, r ai si ng h er l ef t h an d, w hi ch I s aw t o c on ta in a T ru mp . " Co meover here, please."

  L uk e a pp ro ac he d h er a nd I f ol lo we d h im . I c ou ld s ee t he n t ha t i t w as J ul ia n' s T ru mp t ha t s he h el d.

  " Pl ac e y ou r h an d u po n m u s ho ul de r, " s he t ol d h im .

  "All right."

  H e d id , a nd s he r ea ch ed , f ou nd J ul ia n a nd b eg an s pe ak in g t o h im . S ho rt ly , L uk e w as p ar ty t o t hec on ve rs at io n, e xp la in in g w ha t h e i nt en de d t o d o. I o ve rh ea rd V ia ll e s ay in g t ha t t he p la n h ad h er a pp ro va l.

  M om en ts l at er I s aw L uk e r ai se h is f re e h an d a nd e xt en d i t. I a ls o s aw t he s ha do wy f ig ur e o f J ul ia nr ea ch in g f or wa rd , t ho ug h I w as n ot p ar t o f t he T ru mp n ex us . T hi s w as b ec au se I h ad s um mo ne d m yL og ru s S ig ht a nd h ad b ec om e s en si ti ve t o s uc h t hi ng s. I n ee de d i t f or t he t im in g, n ot w an ti ng L uk ew hi sk ed a wa y b ef or e I c ou ld m ov e.

  I l et m y hand f al l upon hi s shoul der an d I mo ved f or war d as he di d.

  " Me rl in ! W ha t a re y ou d oi ng ?" I h ea rd V ia ll e c al l.

  " I' d l ik e t o s ee w ha t h ap pe ns ," I s ai d. " I' ll c om e r ig ht h om e w he n t hi ng s a re c on cl ud ed ," a nd t her ai nb ow g at e c lo se d b eh in d m e.

  W e st oo d w it hi n t he f li ck er in g o f o il l am ps i ns id e a l ar ge t en t. F ro m ou ts id e, I c ou il d h ea r t he w in da nd t he s ou nd s o f s ti rr in g b ra nc he s. J ul ia n s to od f ac in g u s. H e l et L uk e' s h an d f al l a nd r eg ar de d h imwithout expression.

  " S o y ou a re C ai ne 's k il le r, " h e s ai d.

  "I a m, " L uk e r ep li ed .

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  A nd I w as r em em be ri ng t ha t C ai ne a nd J ul ia n h ad a lw ay s b ee n p ar ti cu la rl y c lo se . I f J ul ia n w er e t ok il l L uk e a nd c ry v en de tt a, I w as c er ta in t ha t R an do m w ou ld m er el y n od a nd a gr ee . P er ha ps h e' d e ve ns mi le . H ar d t o s ay . I f I w er e R an do m, I w ou ld g re et L uk e' s r em ov al w it h a s ig ht o f r el ie f. I n f ac t, t ha tw as o ne o f t he r ea so ns I 'd c om e a lo ng . S up po si ng t hi s w ho le d ea l w er e a s et up ? I c ou il d' n p ic tu re V ia ll ea s a p ar t o f i t, b ut s he c ou ld e as il y h av e b ee n d ec ei ve d b y J ul ia n a nd B en ed ic t. S up po si ng D al t w as n' te ve n o ut t he re ?

  O r su pp ose h e w er e - a nd t ha t w hat h e' d r ea ll y a sk ed f or w as L uk e' s h ead ? A ft er a ll , h e h ad t ri ed t ok il l Lu ke f ai rl y r ece nt ly . I ha d t o a dm it t he p oss ibi li ty no w, a nd I a ls o h ad t o a dm it t hat J ul ian w as t hem os t l ik el y c an di da te t o b e a w il li ng p ar ty t o s uc h a d es ig n. F or t he g oo d o f A mb er .

  Ju li an' s g aze me t m ine , and I wo re as af fec tl ess a ma sk as hi s ow n.

  " Go od e ve ni ng , M er li n, " h e s ai d. " Do y ou h av e a s pe ci al p ar t i n t hi s p la n? "

  " I' m a n o bs er ve r, " I a ns we re d. " An yt hi ng e ls e I m ay d o w il l b e d ic ta te d b y c ir cu ms ta nc e. "

  Fr om s om ew he re o ut si de I h ea rd t he g ro wl in g o f a h el lh ou nd .

  ` `S o l on g a s y ou k ee p o ut o f t he ,w ay ," J ul ia n s ai d.

  I s mi l ed .

  " So rc er er s h av e s pe ci al w ay s o f a vo id in g n ot ic e, " I r ep li ed .

  H e s tu di ed m e a ga in , w on de ri ng , I a m c er ta in , w he th er t ha t i nv ol ve d s om e s or t o f t hr ea t- to d ef en dL uk e o r a ve ng e h im .

  T hen h e s hr ug ge d a nd t ur ne d a wa y t o w he re a s ma ll t ab le h el d a n u nr ol le d m ap , w ei gh te d i n p la cew it h a r oc k a nd a d ag ge r. H e i nd ic at ed t ha t L uk e s ho ul d j oi n h im t he re , a nd I f ol lo we d w he n h e d id .

  I t w as a m ap of t he wes ter n f ri ng e o f Ar den, and h e' po int ed out ou r pos it io n on i t. Gar nat h l ay t oo ur s ou t- so ut hw es t, A mb er t o t he s ou th ea st .

  " Ou r t ro op s a re s it ua te d h er e; " h e s ai d, w it h a m ov em en t o f h is f in ge r. " An d D al t' s a re h er e. " H edescribed another line, roughly paralleling our own.

  " Wh at a bo ut B en ed ic t' s f or ce ?" I i nq ui r ed .

  H e g la nc ed a t m e, s ho wi ng t he s li gh te st o f f ro wn s.

  " It i s g ood f or L uk e t o kn ow t hat t her e i s su ch a f or ce ," he s tat ed, " bu t n ot i ts si ze, l oca ti on , o r  o bj ec ti ve . T ha t w ay , i f D al t w er e t o c ap tu re a nd q ue st io n h im , i " h e' d h av e a l ot t o w or ry a bo ut a ndnothing to act upon."

  L u ke n od de d. " Go od i de a, " h e s ai d.

  J ul ia n p oi nt ed a ga in , t o a s po t m id wa y b et we en t he l in es. " Th is i s t he p la ce w he re I m et w it h h imw he n w e s po ke e ar li er ," h e e xpl ai ne d. " It i s a c le ar , l ev el a re a, i n v ie w o f b ot h s id es d ur in g d ay li gh t. I 'ds ug ge st w e u se i t a ga in , f or y ou r m ee ti ng ."

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  "None," Julian replied.

  L uke took a si p of hi s wine.

  " Di d h e s pe ci fy w he th er h e w an te d u s d ea d o r a li ve ?" h e a sk ed .

  " Ye s. H e w an ts y ou a li ve ," J ul ia n a ns we re d.

  "What are your impressions?"

  "I f I give you t o hi m, I' m r id of you," Jul ian sai d. " If I spi t i n hi s eye and take hi m on i n batt le, I 'm r id

  o f h im . E it he r w ay , I c om e o ut a he ad ."

  T hen hi s gaze moved to t he wi ne cup, whi ch Luke had pi cked up wi th hi s l ef t hand, and f or ani ns ta nt h is e ye s w id en ed . I r ea li ze d h e h ad j us t t he n n ot ic ed t ha t L uk e w as w ea ri ng V ia ll e' s r in g.

  " It l oo ks a s i f I g et t o k il l D al t, a ny wa y, " h e c on cl ud ed .

  " By i mp re ss io ns ," L uk e w en t o n, u np er tu rb ed . " I m ea nt , d o y ou b el ie ve h e w il l r ea ll y a tt ac k? D o y ouh av e a ny i de a w he re h e c am e f ro m? A ny i nd ic at io n w he re h e m ig ht be h ea de d w hen h e l eav es h er e- if heleaves?"

  Ju li an s wi rl ed h is w in e i n h is c up .

  " I h ave t o g o und er t he a ssum pt ion t hat he m ean s wh at he say s and p lan s t o at ta ck. W hen we f ir st became aware of his troop movements, he was advancing from the general direction of Begma and

K as hf a- pr ob ab ly E re gn or , s in ce h e h an gs o ut t he re a l ot . Y ou r g ue ss i s a s g oo d a s a ny on e' s a s t o w he rehe want s t o go if he l eaves her e."

  L uke t oo k a qu ick sw al low o f w in e a f ra ct io n o f a se con d t oo l at e f or i t t o co nc eal wh at a pp ear ed t o be a sudden smile. No, I realized right then, Luke's guess was not as good as anyone else's. It was probably a hell of a lot better. I took a quick drink myself, though I'm not sure what expression I mighthave been concealing.

  " Yo u c an sl ee p h er e, " J ul ia n s ai d. " If y ou 'r e h un gr y, I 'l l h av e so me f oo d b ro ug ht i n. W e' ll s et u p t hi sm ee ti ng f or y ou a t d ay br ea k. "

  L uk e s ho ok h is h ea d.

  " No w, " L uk e s ai d, w it h a no th er s ub tl e b ut o bv io us d is pl ay o f t he r in g. " We w an t i t s et u p r ig htaway."

  J ul ia n s tu di ed h im f or s ev er al p ul se be at s. T he n, " Yo u' ll n ot b e i n t he c le ar es t s ig ht o f e it he r s id e i n t hedark, especially with snow coming down," he said. "Some little misunderstanding could result in anattack, from either side."

  " If b ot h o f m y c om pa ni on s b or e l ar ge t or ch es -a nd i f b ot h o f h is d id t he s am e- " h e s ug ge st ed , " weo ug ht t o b e v is ib le t o b ot h s id es a t a f ew h un dr ed y ar ds ."

  " Po ss ib ly ," J ul ia n s ai d. " Al l r ig ht . I 'l l h av e t he m es sa ge s en t t o h is c am p, a nd I 'l l c ho os e t wo r et ai ne rs

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to accompany you."

  " I a lr ead y k no w w ho I w an t t o h av e w it h m e, " L uk e s ai d. " Yo ur se lf an d M er li n h er e. "

  " Yo u a re a c ur io us i nd iv id ua l, " J ul ia n o bs er ve d. " Bu t y es , I a gr ee . I w ou ld l ik e t o b e t he re w he nwhatever happens, happens."

  J ul ia n m ov ed t o t he f ro nt o f h is t en t, o pe ne d t he f la p, a nd s um mo ne d a n o ff ic er w it h w ho m h e s po kef or s ev er al m in ut es . I n t hi s s pa ce , I a sk ed , " Yo u k no w w ha t y ou 'r e d oi ng , L uk e? "

  "Certainly," he replied.

  " I' ve a f ee li ng t hi s i s a l it tl e m or e t han p la yi ng i t by e ar ," I s ai d. " An y r eas on w hy yo u ca n' t t el l m eyour plan?"

  H e app rai sed m e f or a m om ent , t hen s ai d, " I onl y r ece nt ly r eal iz ed t ha t I , t oo , am a son o f A mber .

W e' ve m et , a nd w e' ve s een t ha t w e' re t oo m uc h l ik e e ach o the r. O ka y. T hat 's g ood . I t m ea ns w e c an d o business, right?"

  I al low ed my sel f t o f row n. I wa sn' t sur e w hat he wa s t ryi ng t o sa y.

  He clasped my shoulder lightly.

  " Don' t w or ry," he sa id. " You ca n t rus t m e. N ot t hat you ha ve a gr eat deal of ch oi ce a t t hi s po int . B uty ou m ay a a b it l at er . I w an t y ou t o r em em be r t he n t ha t, w ha te ve r h ap pe ns , y ou m us t n ot i nt er fe re ."

  " W hat d o y ou t hi nk i s g oi ng t o h ap pe n? "

  " W e h av en 't t he t im e o r t he p ri va cy t o s pe cu la te ," h e s ai d. " So l et i t g o, a nd r em em be r e ve ry th in g Isaid this evening."

  " As y ou s ai d, I h av en 't m uc h c ho ic e a t t hi s p oi nt ."

  " I w an t y ou t o r em em be r i t l at er ," h e s ai d, a s J ul ia n l ow er ed t he f la p a nd t ur ne d t ow ar d u s.

  " I' ll t ak e y ou u p o n t ha t m ea l, " L uk e c al le d t o h im . " Ho w a bou t y ou , M er le ? H un gr y? "

  " Lo rd , n o! " I r ep li ed . " I j us t s at t hr ou gh a s ta te d in ne r. "

  " Oh ?" h e i nq ui re d a lm os t t oo c as ua ll y. " Wh at w as t he ; o ca si on ?"

  I began to laugh. It was too much for one day. I was about to tell him that we hadn' t the ti me or t her iv ac y. B ut J ul ia n h ad j us t r eo pe ne d t he t en t f la p a nd w as c al li ng f or a n o rd er ly , a nd I w an te d t o t hr ow af ew c ur ve b al ls t hr ou gh L uk e' s b ro ke n f ie ld j us t t o s ee w ha t t he y d id t o h is c om po su re .

  " Oh , i t w as f or t he B egm an p ri me m in is te r, O rku z, a nd so me o f h is s ta ff ," I e xp la in ed .

  H e w ai te d w hi le I p re te nd ed t o t ak e a l on g d ri nk o f w in e. T he n I l ow er ed i t a nd s ai d, " Th at 's a ll ."

  " C om e o n, M er li n. W ha t' s i t a bo ut ? I 'v e b ee n r el at iv el y s qu ar e w it h y ou r ec en tl y. "

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aren't you?"

  " Rig ht . . . uncl e. "

  J ul ia n s wi rl ed t he c on te nt s o f h is c up a ga in .

  "W el l, w el co me t o A mb er ," h e s ai d. " I h ea rd a b an sh ee l as t n ig ht . I w on de r i f t he re 's a nyconnection?"

  " Ch an ge ," L uk e s ai d. " Th ey m ea n t hi ng s a re c ha ng in g a nd t he y w ai l f or . wh at 's b ei ng l os t. "

  " D e at h. T he y m ea n d ea th , d on 't t he y? "

  " No t a lw ay s. S om et im es t he y j us t s ho w u p a t t ur ni ng p oi nt s f or d ra ma ti c e ff ec t. "

  " To o b ad ," J ul ia n s ai d. " Bu t o ne c an a lw ay s h op e. "

  I t ho ug ht L uk e w as g oi ng t o s ay s om et hi ng e ls e, b ut J ul ia n b eg an a ga in b ef or e h e c ou ld .

  " Ho w w el l d id y ou k no w y ou r f at he r? " h e a sk ed .

  L uk e s ti ff en ed s li gh tl y, b ut a ns we re d, " Ma yb e n ot w el l a s m os t. I d on 't k no w. H e w as l ik e asalesman. Always coming and going. Didn't usually stay with us long."

  Julian nodded.

  " Wh at w as h e l ik e, n ea r t he e nd ?" h e i ng ui re d.

  L uk e s tu di ed h is h an ds .

  " We ll , h e w as n' t e xa ct ly n or ma l, i f t ha t' s w ha t y ou m ea n, " h e f in al ly s ai d. " Li ke I w as t el li ng M er li ne ar li er , I t hi nk t he p ro ce ss h e u nd er to ok t o g ai n h is p ow er s m ig ht h av e u nb al an ce d h im s om e. "

  " I n ev er h ea rd t ha t s to ry ."

  Luke shrugged.

  " Th e d et ai ls a re n' t a ll t ha t i mp or ta nt j us t t he r es ul ts ."

  " Yo u' re s ay in g h e w as n' t a b ad f at he r b ef or e t ha t? "

  " He ll , I d on 't k no w. I n ev er h ad a no th er f at her t o a c om par e hi m t o. W hy d o y ou a sk ?"

  " Cu ri os it y. I t' s a p ar t o f h is l if e I k ne w n ot hi ng a bo ut ."

  " W el l, w ha t k in d o f b ro th er w as h e? "

  " Wi ld ," J ul ia n s ai d. " We d id n' t g et a lo ng a ll t ha t w el l. S o w e p re tt y m uc h s ta ye d o ut o f e ac h o th er 'sw ay s. H e w as s ma rt , t ho ug h. T al en te d, t oo . H ad a f la re f or t he a rt s. I w as j us t t ry in g t o f ig ur e h ow m uc hy ou m ig ht t ak e a ft er h im . "

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  " Oh ," h e s ai d, " I t hi nk I f ou nd a w ay o f s et tl in g t hi s w it ho ut a w ar ."

  " Gr ea t, " I s ai d. " Wh at d id y ou s el l h im ?"

  " I so ld hi m o n t he i de a o f f igh ti ng a d uel w it h m e t o de te rm in e ho w t hi s t hi ng go es, " h e e xp la in ed .

  " God d am n i t, Lu ke ! " I s ai d. " That g uy 's a p ro! A nd I 'm s ur e he' s go t our g en et ic p ac kag e f or  s tr en gt h. A nd h e' s b ee n l iv in g i n t he f ie ld a ll t hi s t im e. H e' s p ro ba bl y i n t op s ha pe . A nd h e o ut we ig hs y ouand outreaches you."

  Luke grinned.

  " So, I mi ght get l ucky, " he sai d. He l ooked at Ju li an. " Anyw ay, i f yo u can get a m essage back t o t hel ine s a nd t el l t he m n ot t o at ta ck w he n w e st ar t t hi s t hi ng , D al t' s si de w il l be ho ld ing st il l f or i t, t oo ."

  J ul ia n l oo ke d o ve r t o w he re o ne o f D al t' s t or ch be ar er s h ad s ta rt ed b ac k t ow ar d h is l in es . H e t ur ne d

t ow ar d h is o wn s id e t he n a nd e xe cu te d a n um be r o f h an d s ig na ls . S ho rt ly , a m an e me rg ed f ro m c ov er  a nd b eg an j og s t ow ar d u s.

  " Lu ke ;" I s ai d. ` `T hi s i s c ra zy . T he o nl y w ay y ou 'r e g oi ng t o w in i s t o g et B en ed ic t f or a s ec on d a ndt he n b re ak a l eg ."

  "M er le ," h e s ai d, " le t i t g o. T hi s i s b et we en D al t a nd m e. O ka y? "

  " I 'v e g ot a bu nch o f f ai rl y f re sh s pe ll s, " I s ai d. " We c an l et t hi s t hi ng st ar t, a nd t hen I 'l l hi t h im w it hone at the r ight ti me. I t' ll l ook as if you did i t."

  " No! " he s ai d. " Thi s r eal ly i s a m at ter of ho nor . So you' ve got t o st ay o ut of i t."

  "O ka y, " I s ai d, " if t ha t' s h ow y ou w an t i t. "

  " Be si de s, n ob od y' s g oi ng t o d ie ," h e e xp la in ed . " Ne it he r o f u s w an ts t ha t r ig ht n ow , a nd i t' s p ar t o f          t he d ea l. W e' re t oo v al ua bl e t o e ac h o th er a li ve . N o w ea po ns . S tr ic tl ymano a mono   . " .

  "Just what," Julian inquired, "isthe deal?"

  " If D al t w hi ps m y a ss ," L uk e r ep li ed , " I' m h is p ri so ne r. H e' ll w it hd ra w h is f or ce a nd I 'l l a cc om pa ny

him."

  "L uk e, y ou 'r e c ra zy !" I s ai d.

  J ul i an g la re d a t m e.

  "Continue," he said.

  "I f I w in , he 's my p ri sone r," h e w en t on. " He g oes b ack w it h m e t o A mb er , o r any wh er e el se I car et o t ra ns po rt h im , a nd h is o ff ic er s w it hd ra w h is t ro op s. "

  " Th e o nl y w ay o f as su ri ng su ch a w it hdr awa l, " J ul ia n sa id , " is t o l et t hem k no w t hat i f t he y do n' tthey're doomed."

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  " Of co ur se ," L uke s ai d. " Tha t' s w hy I t ol d h im t ha t B en edi ct i s w ai ti ng i n t he w in gs t o r ol l do wn o nh im . I 'm s ur e i t' s t he o nl y r ea so n h e' s a gr ee d t o d o t hi s. "

  " Mo st a st ut e, " J ul ia n o bs er ve d. " Ei th er w ay , A mb er w in s. W ha t a re y ou t ry in g t o b uy w it h t hi s,Rinaldo, for yourself?"

  Luke smiled.

  "T hi nk a bo ut i t, " h e s ai d.

  " Th er e i s m or e t o y ou t ha n I 'd t ho ug ht , N ep he w, " h e r ep li ed . " Mo ve o ve r t he re t o m y r ig ht , w ou ldyou?"

  "Why?"

  " To b lo ck h is v ie w o f m e, o f c ou rs e. I 'v e g ot t o l et B en ed ic t k no w w ha t' s g oi ng o n. "

  L uk e m ov ed w hi le J ul ia n l oc at ed h is T ru mp s a nd É s s hu ff le d o ut t he p ro pe r o ne . I n t he m ea nt im e t her un ne r f ro m o ur l in es h ad co me u p a nd s to od w ai ti ng . J ul ia n p ut aw ay a ll o f t he c ar ds b ut o ne t he n, a ndc om me nc ed h is c om mu ni ca ti on . I t l as te d f or a m in ut e o r s o, t he n J ul ia n p au se d t o s pe ak w it h t he r un ne r  a nd s en d h im b ac k. I mm ed ia te ly , h e c on ti nu ed t he c on ve rs at io n w it h t he c ar d. W he n h e f in al ly s to pp edt al ki ng o r s ee mi ng t o l is te n, h e d id n ot r es to re t he T ru mp t o t he i nn er p oc ke t w he re h e k ep t t he o th er s, but retained it in his hand out of sight. I realized then that the contact would not be broken, that he woulds ta y i n t ou ch w it h B en ed ic t u nt il t hi s b us in es s w as f in is he d, s o t ha t B en ed ic t w ou ld k no w i n a n i ns ta ntwh at i t was t hat he mus t do .

  L uk e u nf as te ne d t he c lo ak I 'd l en t h im , c am e o ve r, a nd h an de d i t t o m e.

  " Ho ld t hi s t il l I 'm d on e, w il l y ou ?" h e s ai d.

  " Ye s, " I a gr ee d, a cc ep ti ng i t. " Go od l uc k. "

  H e s mi le d b ri ef ly a nd t ur ne d a wa y. D al t w as a lr ea dy m ov in g t ow ar d t he c en te r o f t he s qu ar e.

  L uk e a dv an ce d, a ls o. H e a nd D al t b ot h h al te d, f ac in g e ac h o th er , w hi le t he re w er e s ti ll s ev er al p ac ess ep ar at in g t he m. D al t s ai d s om et hi ng I c ou ld n ot h ea r, a nd L uk e' s r ep ly w as l os t t o m e, a ls o.

  T he n t he y r ai se d t he ir a rm s. L uk e s tr uc k a b ox er 's s ta nc e, a nd D al t' s h an ds c am e u p i n a w re st le r' sd ef en se .L uk e t hr ew t he f ir st p un ch -o r m ay be i t w as j us t a f ei nt ; e it he r w ay , i t d id n' t l an d- to wa rd D al t' sf ac e. D al t b ru sh ed a t i t a nd s te pp ed b ac k, a nd L uk e m ov ed i n q ui ck ly a nd l an de d t wo b lo ws o n h ism id se ct io n. A no th er s ho t a t h is f ac e w as b lo ck ed , t ho ug h, a nd L uk e b eg an t o c ir cl e, j ab bi ng . D al t t ri edr us hi ng t wi ce t he n a nd g ot c li pp ed b ot h t im es , a l it tl e t ri ck le o f b lo od c om in g f ro m h is l ip a ft er t he s ec on do ne . O n h is t hi rd r us h, t ho ug h, h e s en t L uk e s pr aw li ng b ut w as u na bl e t o c ra sh d ow n o n t op o f h im , a sL uke w as a bl e t o t wi st p ar tl y a way a nd r ol l w he n h e h it . H e t ri ed k ic ki ng D al t i n t he r ig ht ki dne y, t ho ug h,a s s oo n a s h e' d s cr am bl ed t o h is f ee t, a nd D al t c au gh t h is a nk le a nd r os e, b ea ri ng h im o ve r b ac kw ar d.Lu ke l and ed a k ick on t he si de o f hi s k nee wi th h is o ther f oo t as he w ent dow n, b ut D al t kep t h ol d of t hef oo t, b ea ri ng d ow n a nd b eg in ni ng t o t wi st . L uk e b en t f or wa rd t he n, g ri ma ci ng , a nd m an ag ed t o c at chD al t' s r ig ht w ri st w it h b ot h h an ds a nd t ea r h is f oo t f re e o f t he l ar ge r m an 's g ri p. H e d ou bl ed a nd m ov edforward then, still holding the wrist, regaining his feet and straightening as he advanced, passing under D al t' s a rm o n h is r ig ht s id e, t ur ni ng , a nd d ra gg in g h im f ac e d ow nw ar d t o t he g ro un d. H e m ov ed q ui ck lyt he n, b en di ng t he a rm u p i nt o a h am me rl oc k, h ol di ng i t w it h h is r ig ht h an d a nd s ei zi ng a h an df ul o f D al t' s

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h ai r w it h h is l ef t. B ut a s h e d re w D al t' s h ea d b ac kw ar d- pr ep ar at or y, I w as c er ta in , t o s la mm in g i t a f ewt im es a ga in st t he g ro un d- I s aw t ha t i t w as n' t g oi ng t o w or k. D al t s ti ff en ed , a nd h is a rm s ta rt ed t o m ov ed ow nw ar d. H e w as s tr ai gh te ni ng i t a ga in st L uk e' s l oc k. L uk e t ri ed p us hi ng D al t' s h ea d f or wa rd s ev er alt im es t he n, w it ho ut e ff ec t. I t b ec am e a pp ar en t t ha t i f h e r el ea se d e it he r h an d h e w as i n t ro ub le , a nd h ew as n' t ab le t o m ai nt ai n t he h ol d. D al t w as j us t t oo d am ne d s tr on g. S ee in g t hi s, L uk e t hr ew a ll o f h isw ei gh t a ga in st D al t' s b ac k, p us he d, a nd s pr an g u p. H e w as n' t q ui te f as t e no ug h, h ow ev er , b ec au se D al t 's

f re ed a rm s wu ng a ro un d a nd c li pp ed h im ac ro ss t he l ef t c al f a s h e m ov ed a wa y. L uk e s tu mb le d. D al t w asu p a nd s wi ng in g i mm ed ia te ly . H e c au gh t L uk e w it h a w il d h ay ma ke r t ha t k no ck ed h im o ve r b ac kw ar d.T hi s t im e, w hen he t hr ew hi mse lf up on L uk e, L uke wa s u nab le t o r ol l f re e; h e o nl y m ana ge d t o t ur n h is body partly. Dalt landed with considerable force, twisting past a slow knee aimed toward his groin. Lukedi d not get hi s hands f ree i n t ime t o defend agai nst a punch that caught him on the l ef t side of t he j aw. Het ur ne d w it h i t a nd f el l c om pl et el y f la t. T he n h is r ig ht h an d s na pp ed u pw ar d, i ts h ee l s tr ik in g t he p oi nt o f                  D al t' s c hi n, f in ge rs h oo ki ng t ow ar d t he e ye s. D al t j er ke d h is h ea d b ac k a nd s la pp ed t he h an d a wa y. L uk et hr ew a h am me r b lo w t ow ar d h is t em pl e w it h t he o th er h an d, a nd t ho ug h i t c on ne ct ed , D al t w as a lr ea dym ovi ng hi s hea d t o t he s ide, and I c oul dn' t s ee t hat i t had a ny ef fect . Lu ke d rop ped b ot h e lbow s t o t heg ro un d a nd p us he d h im se lf u p a nd f or wa rd , b ow in g. H is f or eh ea d s tr uc k D al t' s f ac ew he re , I a m n ot

 precisely certain-before he fell back. Moments later, Dalt's nose began bleeding as he reached out withhi s l ef t han d t o gr asp Lu ke by t he nec k. H is r ig ht han d, o pen , sl appe d Luk e har d o n t he si de of t he h ead .I s aw L uk e' s t ee th j us t b ef or e i t l an de d, a s h e t ri ed b it in g a t t he i nc om in g h an d, b ut t he g ri p o n h is n ec k   prevented this. Dalt moved to repeat the blow, but this time Luke's left arm came up and blocked it,w hi le h is r ig ht h an d c au gh t h ol d o f D al t' s l ef t w ri st i n a n e ff or t t o p ul l i t a wa y f ro m h is n ec k. D al t' s r ig hth an d s na ke d i n p as t L uk e' s l ef t t he n, t o t ak e h ol d, c re at in g a t wo -h an de d g ri p o n L uk e' s n ec k, t hu mb smoving to depress the windpipe.

  I t hou gh t t ha t m ig ht w el l b e i t. B ut L uk e' s r igh t h an d s udd en ly m ov ed t o D al t' s l ef t e lb ow , h is l ef th an d c ro ss ed b ot h o f D al t' s a rm s t o s ei ze t he l ef t f or ea rm , a nd L uk e t wi st ed h is b od y a nd c ra nk ed t hee lb ow s ky wa rd . D al t w en t o ve r t o t he l ef t a nd L uk e r ol le d t o t he r ig ht a nd r eg ai ne d h is f oo ti ng , s ha ki ng

h is h ead a s h e d id so . T hi s t im e h e d id n ot t ry k ic ki ng D al t, w ho w as a lr ea dy r ec ov er in g. D al t a ga ine xt en de d h is a rm s, L uk e r ai se d h is f is ts , a nd t he y b eg an c ir cl in g o nc e m or e.

  T he s no w c on ti nu ed t o f al l, t he w in d t o s la ck en a nd s ur ge , s om et im es d ri vi ng t he i cy f la ke s h ar da ga in st f ac es , o th er t im es p er mi tt in g t he s no w t o d es ce nd l ik e a t ro ub le d c ur ta in . I t ho ug ht o f a ll t het ro op s ab ou t m e an d w on der ed f or a m om en t w he the r I w oul d f in d m ys el f i n t he m id dl e o f a b at tl ef ie ldw he n t hi s t hi ng w as f in al ly o ve r. T he f ac t t ha t B en ed ic t w as r ea dy t o s wo op d ow n f ro m s om ew he re a ndw re ak e xt ra h av oc d id n ot e xa ct ly c om fo rt m e, e ven t ho ug h i t m ea nt t ha t m y s id e w ou ld p ro ba bl y w in. Ir em em be re d t he n t ha t m y b ei ng t he re w as m y o wn c ho ic e.

  " Co me o n, L uk e! " I y el le d. " Fl at te n h im !"

  This produced a very odd effect. Immediately, Dalt's torchbearers began shouting encouragement toh im . O ur v oi ce s m us t h av e c ar ri ed t ho ug h t he w in d' s l ul ls , f or s ho rt ly t he re c am e w av es o f s ou nd , w hi ch Ia t f ir st t oo k t o b e s om e d is ta nt p ar t o f t he s to rm a nd o nl y l at er r ea li ze d t o b e s ho ut in g c om in g f ro m b ot hlines. Only Julian remained silent, inscrutable.

  L uk e c on ti nu ed t o c ir cl e D al t, t hr ow in g j ab s a nd t ry in g o cc as io na l c om bi na ti on s, a nd D al t k ep ts wa tt in g a wa y a t t he m a nd t ry in g t o c at ch a n a rm . B ot h o f t he m h ad b lo od o n t he ir f ac es a nd b ot hs ee me d a b it s lo we r t ha n t he y h ad b ee n e ar li er . I 'd a f ee li ng t he y' d b ot h b ee n h ur t, t ho ug h i t w asi mp os si bl e t o g ue ss t o w ha t e xt en t. L uk e h ad o pe ne d a s mal l c ut h ig h o n D al t' s l ef t c he ek . B ot h o f t he ir  faces were beginning to look puffy.

  L u ke c on ne ct ed w it h a no th er b od y c om bi na ti on , b ut i t w as h ar d t o s ay h ow m uc h f or ce t he re w as

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g ro un d e ru pt ed b ef or e h im , s ho we ri ng h im w it h d ir t a nd g ra ve l. H e s te pp ed b ac k a nd w ip ed h is f ac e,t he n l oo ke d d ow n i nt o t he r ou gh t re nc h t ha t h ad a pp ea re d.

  " Th at i s y ou r g ra ve ," I s ai d, " If L uk e' s d ea th c om es o f t hi s. "

  H e s tu di ed m e a ga in .

  " Ne xt t im e I 'l l r em em be r y ou ," h e s ai d, a nd h e t ur ne d a nd f ol lo we d t he m en w ho w er e c ar ry in g L uk e back to his lines.

  I l oo ke d o ve r at J ul ian , w ho wa s w at chi ng me . H e t ur ned aw ay a nd up ro ot ed h is t or ch. I di d t hesam e. I f ol lo wed hi m back t he w ay we had com e.

  L at er , i n h is t en t, J ul ia n o bs er ve d, " Th at s ol ve s o ne p ro bl em . P os si bl y t wo ."

  "M ay be ," I s ai d.

  " It t ak es c ar e o f D al t f or t he m om en t. "

  "I guess."

  " Be ne di ct t el ls m e t he m an i s a lr ea dy b re ak in g c am p. "

  " I d on 't t hi nk w e' ve s ee n t he l as t o f h im ."

  " If t ha t' s t he b es t h e c an m an ag e f or a n a rm y t he se d ay s, i t w on 't m at te r. "

  " Do n' t y ou g et t he i mp re ss io n t hi s w as a n i mp ro mp tu m is si on ?" I a sk ed . " I' d g ue ss h e p ul le d h is f or cet og et he r v er y f as t. I t m ak es m e t hi nk h e h ad a t ig ht s ch ed ul e. "

  " Yo u m ay b e r ig ht t he re . B ut h e r ea ll y g am bl ed ."

  " A nd h e w on ."

  " Ye s, h e d id . A nd y ou s ho ul dn 't h av e s ho wn h im y ou r p ow er , t he re a t t he e nd :"

  "Why not?"

  " Yo u' ll h av e a w ar y en em y i f y ou e ve r g o af te r hi m. "

  "He needed warning."

  " A m an l ik e t ha t l iv es w it h r is ks . H e c al cu la te s a nd h e a ct s. H ow ev er h e f ig ur es y ou , h e w on 't c ha ng eh is p la ns a t t hi s p oi nt . B es id es , y ou h av en 't s ee n t he l as t o f R in al do e it he r. H e' s t he s am e w ay . T ho se t wou nd er st an d e ac h o th er . "

  "Y ou m ay b e r ig ht ."

  " I a m. "

  " If t he f igh t had gone th e ot her way, do you t hi nk hi s ar my woul d have st ood f or i t?" I as ked.

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  " Wel l, t ry t o kee p her t ha t w ay. I w ant yo u t o go t o he r i mm edi at el y, t el l he r w hat ha ppe ned asd ip lo ma ti ca ll y a s p os si bl e, a nd t ry t o g et h er t o c ov er f or h er s is te r w hi le y ou s ea rc h f or h er . T he re i s, o f                  c our se , t he r is k t ha t sh e w il l n ot b el ie ve yo u a nd t ha t s he w il l g o d ir ect ly t o O rk uz . P er ha ps y ou m ig hte mp lo y a s pe ll t o p re ve nt t hi s. B ut w e h av e n o o th er c ho ic e t ha t I c an s ee . T el l m e w he th er I 'm w ro ng ."

  " Yo u' re n ot w ro ng ," I s ai d.

  " Th en I su gg est y ou b e abo ut i t . . . a nd r epo rt ba ck t o m e i mm ed iat el y i f t her e a re an y pr obl em s, o r  a ny p ro gr es s, n o m at te r w ha t t he h ou r. "

  "I 'm o n m y wa y," I sai d.

  I departed the r oom in a hum but shortl y came t o a halt. It occur red to me that while I knew theg en er al a re a o f t he p al ac e i n w hi ch t he B eg ma n p ar ty w as q ua rt er ed , I d id n ot r ea ll y k no w w he re

  Nayda's rooms were located. I did not want to go back and ask Vialle because it would make me look stupid for not having found out during dinner.

  I t t oo k me t he bet ter pa rt of t en m in ut es t o t ur n u p a m emb er of t he pal ace st af f ab le t o gi ve m edi rect ions - al ong w it h a sm ir k - and t hen t o f ol lo w t he m at a j og u nt il I st ood be for e N ayd a' s d oor .

  I r an my h and t hr ou gh m y hai r, br ush ed of f m y t ro use rs and j acke t, w iped m y bo ot s o n t he ba cks o f          m y p an ts l eg s, t oo k a d ee p b re at h, s mi le d, e xh al ed , a nd k no ck ed .

  T he d oo r o pe ne d a f ew m om en ts l at er . I t w as N ay da . S he r et ur ne d m y s mi le a nd s te pp ed a si de .

  "Co me i n " s he sa id.

  " I w as e xp ec ti ng t he m ai d, " I t ol d h er a s I e nt er ed . " Yo u s ur pr is ed m e. "

  " Si nc e I w as e xp ec ti ng y ou , I s en t h er o ff t o b ed e ar ly ," s he r ep li ed .

  She h ad ch ang ed i nt o an o ut fi t t hat l ook ed l ik e a gr ay s we at sui t w it h a b lac k sash . S he al so had o na p ai r of bl ack sl ip pe r, an d sh e h ad r emo ved m ost o f h er m ake up . He r ha ir wa s n ow dr aw n b ac k  s ev er el y a nd t ie d w it h a b la ck r ib bo n. S he g es tu re d t ow ar d a c ou ch , b ut I d id n ot m ov e t o s ea t m ys el f.

  I c la sp ed h er s ho ul de r l ig ht ly a nd s ta re d i nt o h er e ye s. S he m ov ed n ea re r.

  " Ho w a re y ou f ee li ng ?" I a sk ed .

  " Fi nd o ut ," s he s ai d s of tl y.

  I c ou ld n ot e ve n p er mi t m ys el f a s ig h. D ut y c al le d. I s li pp ed m y a rm s a ro un d h er , d re w h er t o m e,a nd k is se d h er . I h el d t he p os e f or s ev er al s ec on ds , t he n d re w a wa y, s mi le d a ga in , a nd s ai d, " Yo u f ee lf in e t o m e. Li st en , t her e a re s om e t hi ngs I d id n ot t el l yo u- "

  " Sh al l w e s it d ow n? " s he s ai d, t ak in g m y h an d a nd l ea di ng m e t ow ar d t he c ou ch .

  V ia ll e h ad t ol d m e t o b e d ip lo ma ti c, s o I f ol lo we d h er .

  I mm ed ia te ly , s he c on ti nu ed o ur e mb ra ce a nd b eg an t o a dd r ef in em en ts . D an m! A nd m e c on st ra in edt o r ush h er o ut t o c ov er f or C or al . I f s he w ou ld , I 'd b e ha ppy t o co ver h er a ft er war d. O r a ny o th er  

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i nt er es ti ng p os it io n B eg ma ns m ig ht g o i n f or . I 'd b et te r a sk q ui ck ly , t ho ug h, I d ec id ed . A c ou pl e o f                  m in ut es m or e a nd i t w ou ld b e v er y u nd ip lo ma ti c t o b eg in t al ki ng a bo ut h er s is ter . T od ay w as j us t a b add ay w he n i t c am e t o t im in g.

  " Bef or e w e g et t oo i nvo lve d her e," I sa id, " I' ve g ot t o ask a f avo r o f you ."

  " As k m e a ny th in g, " s he s ai d.

  " I t hi nk t he re 's g oi ng t o b e a d el ay i n t ur ni ng u p y ou r s is te r, " I e xp la in ed , " an d I 'd h at e t o w or ry y ou r  f at her . D o y ou kn ow wh et he r he 's se nt t o he r r oom s ye t, o r b ee n b y t hem , t o c he ck on h er ?"

  " I d on 't b el ie ve s o. H e s tr ol le d o ff w it h G er ar d a nd M r. R ot h a ft er d in ne r. I d on 't t hi nk h e' s r et ur ne dt o h is a par tm en t y et . "

  " Co ul d y ou p os si bl y f in d a w ay o f g iv in g h im t he i mp re ss io n t ha t s he h as n' t s tr ay ed ? B uy m e s om et im e t o f in d o ut w her e sh e' s o ff t o? "

  S he l o ok e d a m us e d.

  " And t ho se t hi ng s y ou haven 't t ol d me . . . ?"

  " I' ll g iv e y ou t he w hol e s to ry i f y ou 'l l d o t hi s f or me ."

  Sh e t ra ce d m y j aw li ne w it h h er i nd ex f in ge r.

  " Al l r ig ht ," s he s ai d t he n. " We h av e a d ea l. D on 't g o a wa y. "

  S he r ose, c ro ss ed t he r oom , a nd pa ss ed ou t i nt o t he h al l, l eav in g t he d oor a f ew i nc he s a jar . W hyh ad n' t I h ad a n ice n or ma l a ff ai r s in ce J ul ia ? T he l as t w om an I 'd m ad e l ov e t o h ad a ct ua ll y be en u nd er t hec on tr ol o f t ha t s tr an ge b od y- sh if ti ng e nt it y. N ow . . . N ow t he re w as t he f ai nt es t o f s ha do ws a cr os s t hec ou ch , a s I r ea li ze d t ha t I 'd r at he r b e h ol di ng C or al t ha n h er s is te r. T ha t w as r id ic ul ou s. I 'd o nl y k no wnher for half a day. . . .

  T he re h ad s im pl y b ee n t oo m uc h a ct iv it y s in ce m y r et ur n. I w as g et ti ng p un ch y. T ha t h ad t o b e i t.

  W he n s he r et ur ne d s he s ea te d h er se lf o n t he c ou ch a ga in , b ut t hi s t im e w it h a c ou pl e o f f ee ts ep ar at in g u s. S he s ee me d c he er fu l e no ug h, t ho ug h s he m ad e n o m ov e t o r es um e o ur e ar li er o cc up at io n.

  " It 's t ak en c ar e o f, " s he s ai d. " He w il l b e m is le d, i f h e a sk s. "

  " Th an ks ," I t ol d h er .

  " No w i t' s y ou r t ur n, " s he s ta te d. " Te ll m e t hi ng s. "

  " Al l r ig ht ," I b eg an , a nd I l au nc he d i nt o t he s to ry o f C or al a nd t he P at te rn .

  " No ," s he i nt er ru pt ed . " St ar t a t t he b eg in ni ng , w ou ld y ou ?"

  " Wh at d o y ou m ea n? "

  " Gi ve m e y ou r w ho le d ay , f ro m t he t im e y ou l ef t t he p al ac e t og et he t u nt il y ou p ar te d. "

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  "That's silly," I protested.

  " Hu mo r m e, " s he s ai d. " Yo u o we m e o ne , r em em be r? "

  " Ver y we ll ," I ag ree d, an d I st ar ted a gai n. I w as abl e t o ski p ove r t he b it abo ut bl ast in g t he t abl e i n

t he c af Ê, b ut w he n I g lo ss ed o ve r t he b us in es s i n t he s ea c av es b y s ay in g t ha t w e' d l oo ke d a ro un d i nt he m a nd f ou nd t he m p re tt y, s he i nt er ru pt ed m e.

  " St op ," s he s ai d. " Yo u' re l ea vi ng s om et hi ng o ut . W ha t o cc ur re d i n t he c av es ?"

  " Wh at m ak es y ou s ay t ha t? " I a sk ed .

  " Tha t i s a secr et I do no t car e t o sha re j us t n ow ." sh e exp lai ned . " Su ff ic e i t t o say I h ave a m ea ns of        spotchecking your veracity."

  " It 's n ot r el ev an t, " I s ai d. " It w il l j us t c on fu se t he i ss ue . T ha t' s w hy I o mi tt ed i t. "

  "Y ou s ai d y ou 'd g iv e m e t he w ho le a ft er no on ."

  " Al l r ig ht , l ad y, " I a gr ee d, a nd I d id .

  S he bi t h er l ip w hi le I t ol d her ab out Ju rt and t he zom bi es, a nd sh e l icke d i dl y a t t he bea ds of bl oodthat appeared thereafter.

  " W ha t a re y ou g oi ng t o d o a bo ut h im ?" s he a sk ed s ud de nl y.

  " Th at 's m y p ro bl em ," I s ai d t he n. " I p ro mi se d y ou t he a ft er no on , n ot m y m em oi rs a nd s ur vi va l p la ns ."

  " It 's j us t t hat . . . . Re mem ber , I of fe re d t o t ry t o h el p y ou ?"

  "W hat do you mean? Do yo u t hi nk you can nai l Jur t fo r me? I 've got news fo r you: H e' s pr act ical ly ac an di da te f or g od ho od a t t he m om en t. "

  "W ha t d o y ou m ea n b y ` go dh oo d' ?" s he a sk ed .

  I shook my head .

  "I t woul d tak e most of t he ni ght t o t ell you t his st or y pr op er ly , and we don' t hav e t he t im e, no t i f I 'mg oi ng t o s ta rt l oo ki ng f or C or al s oo n. J us t l et m e f in is h w it h t he b us in es s a bo ut t he P at te rn , w il l y ou ?"

  "Go ahead."

  I d id , a nd s he s ho we d n o s ur pr is e w ha ts oe ve r a t t he m at te r o f h er s is te r' s p at er ni ty . I w as g oi ng t oqu est ion her as t o h er l ack o f r eac ti on . Th en I sai d, t he he ll wi th i t. Sh e' s d one w hat I wa nt ed , an d I d idw ha t I p ro mi sed . S he ha sn 't ha d a h ear t at tac k. A nd no w i t' s t im e t o g o.

  " T ha t' s i t, " I s ai d, a nd I a dd ed , " Th an ks ."

  I b eg an t o r is e, a nd s he m ov ed q ui ck ly a nd w as h ug gi ng m e a ga in .

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  "Yes. Why?"

  " O h, n o s pe ci al r e as on ."

  " I t ho ught w e wer e t ry ing t o h el p each o ther , " I sai d.

  "I t ho ug ht w e w er e l ook in g f or m y s is te r. "

  " It c an w ai t a no th er m in ut e i f y ou k no w s om et hi ng s pe ci al a bo ut R in al do ."

  " I w as j us t cu ri ou s w he re h e m ig ht b e r ig ht n ow ."

  I t ur ne d a way an d m ov ed t o t he ch es t w her e I ke ep a rt su ppl ie s. I r em ov ed t he ne ce ss ar y i tem s an dt oo k t hem t o my d rawi ng bo ar d. W hi le I w as abo ut i t, I sa id, " I do n' t kn ow w her e he i s."

  I s et u p t he p ie ce o f p as te bo ar d, s ea te d m ys el f a nd c lo se d m y e ye s, s um mo ni ng a m en ta l i ma ge o f          Coral, preliminary to beginning her sketch. Again, I half wondered whether the picture in my mind, alongw it h t he a pp ro pr ia te m ag ic al e nd or se me nt , w ou ld b e s uf fi ci en t f or c on ta ct . B ut n ow w as n ot t he t im e t om es s a ro un d b ei ng e xp er im en ta l. I o pe ne d m y e ye s a nd b eg an t o d ra w. I u se d t he t ec hn iq ue s I 'd l ea rn edi n t he C ou rt s, w hi ch a re d if fe re nt y et s im il ar t o t ho se e mp lo ye d i n A mb er . I w as q ua li fi ed t o e xe cu te t he mi n e it he r f as hi on , b ut I 'm f as te r w it h t he s ty le I l ea rn ed f ir st .

  N ay da ca me o ve r a nd st oo d n ea r, w at ch in g, n ot a sk in g w het he r I m ind ed . As i t w as, I d id no t.

  "W he n d id y ou s ee h im l as t? " s he a sk ed .

  "Who?"

  "Luke."

  "This evening," I answered.

  "Where?"

  " He w as h er e e ar li er .' '

  "I s h e h er e n ow ?" .

  " No ."

  " W he re d id y ou l as t s ee h im ?"

  " In t he f or es t o f A rd en . W hy ?"

  " It s eam s a s tr ang e p la ce t o p ar t. "

  I w as w or ki ng o n C or al 's e ye br ow s.

  " We p ar t ed u nd er s tr an ge c ir cu ms ta nc es ," I s ai d.

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  A l it tl e m or e w or k ab ou t t he e ye s, a b it o n t he h er .. ..

  " St ra ng e? I n w ha t w ay ?" s he a sk ed .

  Mor e color t o the cheeks. . . .

  " Ne ve r m in d, " I t ol d h er .

  " Al l r ig ht ," s he s ai d. " It 's p ro ba bl y n ot t ha t i mp or ta nt ."

  I d ec id ed a ga in st r is in g t o t ha t b ai t, b ec au se I w as s ud de nl y g et ti ng s om et hi ng . A s h ad o cc as io na ll yh ap pe ne d i n t he p as t, m y c on ce nt ra ti on o n t he T ru mp a s I p ut t he f in al t ou ch es t o i t w as s uf fi ci en tl yi nt en se t o r ea ch t hr ou gh a nd .. ..

  " C or al ! " I s ai d, a s t he f ea tu re s m ov ed , p er sp ec ti ve s s hi f te d.

  "Mer lin . . . ?" she answered. "I . . . I 'm i n trouble."

  O dd ly , t he re w as n o b ac kg ro un d w ha te ve r. J us t b la ck ne ss . I f el t N ay da 's h an d u po n m y s ho ul de r.

  " Ar e y ou a ll r ig ht ?" I a sk ed .

  "Yes. . . . I t' s dar k her e," she said. "Ver y dar k."

  O f c ou rs e. O ne c an no t m an ip ul at e S ha do w i n t he a bs en ce o f l ig ht . O r e ve n s ee t o u se a T ru mp .

  " T ha t' s w he re t he P at te rn s en t y ou ?" I a sk ed .

  " N o, " s he a ns w er e d.

  " T ak e m y h an d, " I s ai d. " Yo u c an t el l m e a bo ut i t a ft er wa rd ." .

  I e xt en de d m y h an d a nd s he r ea ch ed t ow ar d i t.

  "They-" she began.

  A nd w it h a s ti ng in g f la sh t he c on ta ct w as b ro ke n. I f el t N ay da s ti ff en b es id e m e.

  " W h at h ap pe ne d? " s he a sk ed .

  " I d on 't k no w. W e w er e s ud de nl y b lo ck ed . I c an 't t el l w ha t f or ce s w er e i nv ol ve d. "

  " What a re yo u go in g t o do ?"

  " Tr y ag ai n i n a l it tl e bi t, " I sa id. " If i t w er e a r eac ti on t hi ng , r es ist anc e w il l p rob ab ly b e h ig h j ust n ow ,a nd i t m ay e as e u p l at er . A t l ea st s he s ay s s he 's a ll r ig ht ."

  I w it hd re w t he p ac ke t o f T ru mp s I n or ma ll y c ar ry , s hu ff li ed o ut L uk e' s. N ow s ee me d a s g oo d a t im eas a ny t o see how he w as f ar ing. N ayd a gl anc ed a t t he c ar d a nd s mi led .

  " I t ho ugh t yo u j us t s aw h im a l it tl e w hi le a go ," s he s ai d.

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  " If y ou 'l l t el l m e w ha t y ou h ave i n m in d, I 'l l t el l y ou w het her I c an b e o f a ny a ssi st anc e. "

  " Al l r ig ht ," I s ai d. " I' m g oi ng t o c ha ng e c lo th es w hi le I t al k, t ho ug h. I d on 't f ee l l ik e s to rm in g a c it ad eld re ss ed l ik e t hi s. M ay I l en d y ou s om et hi ng t ou gh er t ha n a s we at s ui t? "

  " I 'm f in e. S ta rt a t A rb or H ou se , o ka y? "

  " Okay, " I s ai d, and I p roceeded t o f il l h er i n wh il e I gar bed m ysel f i n t ougher f ar e. Sh e w as n ol ong er a p ret ty l ad y t o m e, b ut r at he r a n eb ul ou s en ti ty i n h um an f or m. S he s ea te d h er se lf w hi le I w ast al ki ng a nd s ta re d a t t he w al l, o r t hr ou gh i t, o ve r s te ep le d f in ge rs . W he n I w as f in is he d, s he k ep t s ta ri ng ,a nd I w en t o ve r t o m y d ra wi ng b oa rd , t oo k u p C or al 's T ru mp , t ri ed a ga in , b ut c ou ld n' t g et t hr ou gh . It ri ed L uk e' s c ar d, a ls o, w it h t he s am e r es ul t s.

  A s I w as a bou t t o r ep la ce L uk e' s T ru mp, s qua re t he d ec k, an d c as e i t, I g li mp se d t he ne xt l ow er  c ar d a nd a l ig ht ni ng c ha in o f r ec ol le ct io ns a nd s pe cu la ti on s f la sh ed t hr ou gh m y m in d. I r em ov ed t he c ar d

and focused on it. I reached. . . .

  " Ye s, M er li n? " h e s ai d m om en ts l at er , s ea te d a t a s ma ll t ab le o n a t er ra ce -e ve ni ng s ky li ne o f a c it y behind him-lowering what appeared to be a cup of espresso to a tiny white saucer.

  " Ri gh t n ow . H ur ry ," I s ai d. " Co me t o m e. "

  N ayd a ha d b egu n t o m ak e a l ow g ro wl in g s ou nd j us t a s t he co nt act oc cu rr ed , an d sh e w as o n h er  f ee t a nd m ov in g t ow ar d m e, h er e ye s f ix ed u po n t he T ru mp , j us t a s M an do r t oo k m y h an d a nd s te pp edt hr ou gh . S he h al t ed w he n t he t al l, b la ck -g ar be d f i gu re a pp ea re d b ef or e h er . T he y r eg ar de d e ac h o th er  w it ho ut e xp re ss io n f or a m om en t, a nd t he n s he t oo k a l on g s li di ng s te p t ow ar d h im , h er h an ds b eg in ni ng

t o r is e. I mm ed ia te ly , f ro m t he d ep th o f s om e i nn er c lo ak p oc ke t w he re h is r ig ht h an d w as t hr us t, t he recame a single, sharp, metallic click.

  N a y da f r oz e .

  " In ter es ti ng ," M an do r sa id , r ai si ng h is l ef t h an d a nd p ass in g i t i n f ro nt o f h er f ac e. H er e ye s d id n otf ol lo w i t. " Th is i s t he o ne y ou t ol d m e a bo ut e ar li er -V in ta ; I b el ie ve , y ou c al le d h er ?"

  " Y es , o nl y n ow s he ' s N ay da ."

  H e p ro du ce d a s ma ll , d ar k m et al b al l f ro m s om ew he re a nd h el d i t u po n t he p al m o f h is l ef t h an d,w hi ch h e e xt en de d b ef or e h er . S lo wl y, t he b al l b eg an t o m ov e, d es cr ib in g a c ou nt er cl oc kw is e c ir cl e.  Nayda emitted a single sound, something halfway between a cry and a gasp, and she dropped forward toh er h an ds a nd k ne es , h ea d l ow er ed . F ro m w he re I s to od I c ou ld s ee s al iv a d ri pp in g f ro m h er m ou th .

  H e s ai d so me th in g v er y f as t, i n a n a rc ha ic f or m o f T ha ri w hi ch I c ou ld n ot f ol lo w. S he r es po nd ed i nthe affirmative.

  " I b el ie ve I ' ve s ol ve d y ou r m ys te ry ," h e s ai d t he n. " Do y ou r ec al l y ou r l es so ns o n R es po nd an ce s a ndHigh Compellings?"

  " So rt o f, " I s ai d. " Ac ad em ic al l y. I w as n ev er e xa ct l y s we pt a wa y b y t he s ub je ct ."

  " Un fo rt un at e, " h e s ta te d. " Yo u s ho ul d r ep or t b ac k t o S uh uy f or a p os tg ra du at e c ou rs e s om et im e. "

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  " Are you trying to tell me . . . ?"

  " Th e c re at ur e y ou s ee b ef or e y ou , i nh ab it in g a n ot u na tt ra ct iv e h um an f or m, i s a t y' ig a, " h eexplained.

  I s ta re d. T he t y' ig a w er e a n or ni al ly b od il es s r ac e o f d em on s t ha t d we ll ed i n t he b la ck ne ss b ey on dt he R im . I r ec al le d b ei ng t ol d t ha t t he y w er e v er y p ow er fu l a nd v er y d if fi cu lt t o c on tr ol .

  " Uh . . , c an y ou ma ke t hi s on e s top sl obb er in g on my ca rpe t? " I sai d.

  " Of c ou rs e, " h e r ep li ed , a nd h e r el ea se d t he s ph er e, w hi ch f el l t o t he f lo or b ef or e h er . I t d id n ot bounce, but began immediately to roll, describing a rapid circuit about her.

  " S ta nd u p, " h e s ai d, " an d s to p r el ea si ng b od il y f lu id s u po n t he f lo or ."

  S he d id a s h e o rd er ed , c li mb in g t o h er f ee t, h er e xp re ss io n v ac an t.

  " Se at y ou rs el f i n t ha t c ha ir ," h e d ir ec te d, i nd ic at in g t he o ne s he h ad o cc up ie d b ut m in ut es e ar li er .

  S he c om pl ie d, a nd t he r ol li ng b al l a dj us te d i ts el f t o h er p ro gr es s a nd c on ti nu ed i ts c ir cl e, a bo ut t hechair now.

  " It c an no t v ac at e t ha t b od y, " h e s ai d t he n, " un le ss I r el ea se i t. A nd I c an c au se i t a ny a mo un t o f        t or me nt w it hi n m y s ph er e o f p ow er . I c an g et y ou y ou r a ns we rs n ow . T el l m e w ha t t he q ue st io ns a re ."

  "C an s he h ea r u s r ig ht n ow ?"

  " Ye s, b ut i t c an no t s pe ak u nl es s I p er mi t i t. "

  " We ll , t he re 's n o p oi nt t o c au si ng u nn ec es sa ry p ai n. T 'h e t hr ea t i ts el f m ay b e s uf fi ci en t. I w an t t oknow why she's been following me about."

  " V er y w el l, " h e s ai d. " Th at i s t he q ue st io n, t y' ig a. A ns we r i t! "

  " I f ol lo w h im t o p ro te ct h im ," sh e s ai d, h er v oi ce f lat .

  " I' ve a lr ea dy h ea rd t ha t o ne ," I s ai d. " I w an t t o k no w w hy ."

  "Why?" Mandor repeated.

  " I m us t, " s he a ns we re d.

  " Wh y m us t y ou ?" h e a sk ed .

  "I. . . ." Her teeth raked her l ower lip and t he blood began t o f low again.

  "Why?"

  He r f ac e g re w f lu sh ed a nd b ea ds o f p er sp ir at io n a pp ea re d u po n h er b ro w. H er e ye s w er e s ti llu nf oc us ed , b ut t he y b ri mm ed w it h t ea rs . A t hi n l in e o f b lo od t ri ck le d d ow n h er c hi n. M an do r e xt en de d a

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c le nc he d f is t a nd p en ed i t, r ev ea li ng a no th er m et al b al l. H e h el d t hi s o ne a bo ut t en i nc he s b ef or e h er   brow, then released it. It hung in the air.

  " Le t t he d oo rs o f p ai n b e o pen ed ," h e s ai d, a nd h e f li ck ed i t l ig ht ly w it h a f in ge rt ip .

  I mm ed ia te ly , t he s ma ll s ph er e b eg an t o m ov e. I t p as se d a bo ut h er h ea d i n a s lo w e ll ip se , c om in g

c lo se t o h er t em pl es o n e ac h o rb it . S he b eg an t o w ai l.

  "Silence!" he said. "Suffer in silence!"

  T he t ear s r an down her cheeks, t he blood r an down her chi n. . . .

  " S top i t! " I s ai d.

  " Ve ry w el l. " H e r ea ch ed o ve r a nd s qu ee ze d t he b al l f or a m om en t b et we en t he t hu mb a nd m id dl ef in ge r o f h is l ef t h an d. W he n h e r el ea se d i t, i t r em ai ne d s ta ti on ar y, a s ma ll d is ta nc e b ef or e h er r ig ht e ar .

" No w y ou m ay a ns we r t he q ue st io n, " h e s ai d. " Th at w as b ut t he s ma ll es t s am pl e o f w ha t I c an d o t o y ou .I c an p us h t hi s t o y ou r t ot al d es tr uc ti on ."

  Sh e o pe ne d h er m ou th b ut n o w or ds c am e f or th . O nl y a g ag gi ng s ou nd .

  " I t hi nk w e m ay b e g oi ng a bo ut t hi s w ro ng ," I s ai d. " Ca n y ou j us t h av e h er s pea k n or ma ll y, r at he r  than this question-and-answer business?"

  " Yo u h ea rd h im ," M an do r s ai d. " It i s m y w il l, a ls o. "

  S he g as ped , t he n sa id , " My h and s. . . . Pl eas e f re e t he m. "

  " Go a he ad ," I s ai d.

  "T he y a re f r ee d, " M an do r s t at e d.

  S h e f le xe d h er f in ge rs .

  " A h an dk er chi ef , a t ow el . . . , " sh e sai d so ft ly .

  I drew open a draw er i n a near by dr esser , took out a handker chi ef . As I moved t o pass i t t o her,

M ando r s ei zed m y w ri st and t ook i t f rom m e. He t ossed i t t o her and sh e ca ugh t i t.

  " Do n' t r ea ch w it hi n m y s ph er e, " h e t ol d m e.

  " I w ou ld n' t h ur t h im ," s he s ai d, a s s he w ip ed h er e ye s, h er c he ek s, h er c hi n. " I t ol d y ou , I m ea n o nl yt o p ro te ct h im . "

  " We r eq ui re m or e i nf or ma ti on t ha n t ha t, " M an do r s ai d, a s h e r ea ch ed f or t he s ph er e a ga in .

  " Wai t," I sai d. Then, t o her, " Can you at l east tel l m e why you can' t t el l me?"

  " No ," s he a ns we re d. " It w ou ld a mo un t t o t he s am e t hi ng ."

  S ud de nl y I s aw i t a s a s tr an ge s or t o f p ro gr am mi ng p ro bl em ; a nd I d ec id ed t o t ry a d if fe re nt t ac k.

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  "I t d oe sn 't m at te r, " I t ol d h er .

  " Ma nd or ," I s ai d, t ur ni ng t o h im , " yo u s ai d y ou c an k ee p h er f ro m v ac at in g t ha t b od y a nd f ol lo wi ngme?"

  " Ye s, " h e r ep li ed .

  " Okay, Nay da, " I sai d. " I am g oi ng so me whe re and I am g oi ng t o b e i n e xt rem e dan ger t her e. I amn ot g oi ng t o p er mi t y ou t o f ol lo w m e a nd c ar ry o ut yo ur o rd er s. "

  "Don't," she answered.

  " You gi ve m e no choi ce but to keep you pent w hi le I go ab out m y bu si ness."

  She sighed.

  "So you' ve found a way to get me to violate one order in or der t o get me to carr y out the other .Very clever."

  "T he n y ou 'l l t el l m e w ha t I w an t t o k no w? "

  S h e s ho ok h er h ea d.

  " I am physical ly unabl e t o t ell you," she sai d. "I t is not a m at ter of wil l. But . . . I t hi nk I 've f ound away around it."

  " Wh at i s t ha t? "

  " I b el ie ve I c ou ld c on fi de i n a t hi rd p ar ty w ho a ls tt d es ir es y ou r s af et y. "

  "You mean-"

  " If yo u w il l l ea ve t he r oo m f or a t im e, I w il l t ry t o t el l yo ur b rot her t ho se t hi ng s I m ay no t ex pl ai n t oyou."

  My ey es m et Ma ndor 's. Th en, " I' ll st ep ou t i n t he ha ll f or a bi t, " I sai d.

  An d I di d. A l ot of t hi ng s bot her ed m e as I st udi ed a t ap est ry on t he wa ll , n ot t he l ea st bei ng t hat Ih ad n ev er t ol d h er t ha t M an do r w as m y b ro th er .

  W he n m y d oo r o pe ne d a ft er a l on g w hi le , M an do r l oo ke d i n b ot h d ir ec ti on s. H e r ai se d h is h an dw he n I b eg an t o m ov e t ow ar d h im . I h al te d, a nd h e s te pp ed o ut si de a nd c am e t ow ar d m e. H e c on ti nu edt o g la nc e a bo ut a s h e a dv an ce d.

  " Th is i s A mb er p al ac e? " h e i nq ui re d.

  " Ye s. N ot t he m os t f as hi on ab le w in g, p er ha ps , b ut I c al l i t h om e. "

  " I' d l ik e t o s ee i t u nd er m or e r el ax ed c ir cu ms ta nc es ," h e s ai d.

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  I n odd ed . " It 's a d at e. S o t el l m e, w ha t ha pp en ed i n t he re? "

  H e l o ok ed a wa y, d is co ve re d t h e t ap es tr y , s tu di e d i t .

  " It 's v er y p ec ul ia r, " h e s ai d. " I c an 't ."

  " Wh at d o y ou m ea n? "

  "Y ou s ti ll t ru st m e, d on 't y ou ?"

  "Of course."

  " Th en t ru st m e i n t hi s. I 'v e a g oo d r ea so n f or n ot t el li ng y ou w ha t I l ea rn ed ."

  " Co me o n, M an do r! W ha t t he h el l' s g oi ng o n? "

  " Th e t y' ig a i s n ot a d an ge r t o y ou . I t r ea ll y d oe s c ar e a bo ut y ou r w el fa re ."

  "So what el se i s new? I want t o know why. "

  " Le av e i t, " h e s ai d, " fo r n ow . I t' s b et te r t ha t w ay ."

  I sh oo k m y hea d. I ma de a f ist a nd l ook ed a rou nd f or so met hi ng t o hi t.

  " I kn ow ho w yo u f eel , but I 'm aski ng yo u t o dr op i t," he sai d.

  " Yo u m ea n t he k no wl ed ge w ou ld h ur t m e i n s om e w ay ?"

  " I d id n' t s ay t ha t. "

  " Or do yo u mea n t hat you 'r e af rai d t o t el l m e?"

  "D ro p i t' " h e s ai d.

  I t ur ne d a wa y a nd g ot c on tr ol o f m ys el f.

  " Yo u m us t h av e a g oo d r ea so n, " I f in al ly d ec id ed .

  " I d o. "

  "I 'm no t g oi ng t o gi ve u p o n t hi s, " I t ol d h im . " But I h av en 't t he t im e t o p ur sue i t f ur the r a gai ns t t hi sk in d o f r es is ta nc e. O ka y, y ou h av e y ou r r ea so ns a nd I h av e p re ss in g b us in es s e ls ew he re ."

  "S he m en ti on ed J ur t a nd M as k a nd t he K ee p w he re B ra nd g ai ne d h is p ow er s, " h e s ai d.

  "Y es , t ha t' s w he re I ' ll b e h ea di ng ."

  " S he e xp ec ts t o a cc om pa ny y ou ."

  " S he i s w ro ng ."

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  "I ' m af rai d t o l et any of t hem know I ' m goi ng. I t coul d easil y r esul t in an order not t o, unt il Randomg et s b ac k. I h av en 't t he t im e t o w ai t a ro un d. "

  " I m ig ht s um mo n s om e r ei nf or ce me nt f ro m t he C ou rt s. "

  " Her e? T o A mber ? I 'd r eal ly b e u p s hi t cr eek i f Ran dom e ver got wi nd o f t hat . H e m ight st ar t

suspecting subversion."

  H e s mi l ed .

  " Th is p la ce r em in ds m e a b it o f h om e, " h e r em ar ke d, t ur ni ng b ac k t ow ar d m y d oo r.

  W he n w e e nt er ed, I sa w t hat N ay da wa s s ti ll se at ed , h er ha nd s up on h er kn ee s, s ta ri ng a t a m et al ball that hovered about a foot before her. The other continued its slow circuit down on the floor.

  S ee in g t he d ir ec ti on o f m y g az e, M an do r r em ar ke d, " Ve ry l ig ht t ra nc e s ta te . S he c an h ea r u s. Y ou

ca n r ou se h er i n an i ns tan t i f you wi sh. "

  I no dd ed a nd f um ed a wa y. N ow i t w as J as ra 's t ur n.

  I r emo ved a ll of t he g ar ment s I 'd hu ng up on he r a nd pl ace d t hem on a ch ai r acr oss t he r oom . T hen If et ch ed a c lo th a nd t he b as in a nd w as he d t he c lo wn m ak eu p o ff h er f ac e.

  "Am I forgetting anything?" I said, half to myself.

  " A g la ss o f w at er a nd a m ir ro r, " M an do r s ta te d.

  "What for?"

  " S he m ay b e t hi rs ty ," h e r ep li ed , " an d I ca n j ust t el l s he 'l l w an t t o l oo k a t h er se lf ."

  " You ma y have a po int t he re," I sai d, dr aw ing u p a s mal l t abl e. I p laced a pi tcher an d a g obl et uponi t; a ls o, a h an d m ir ro r.

  " I' d a ls o s ug ge st y ou s up po rt h er , i n c as e s he c ol la ps es w he n t he s pe ll i s r em ov ed ."

  "True."

  I p la ce d m y l ef t a rm a bo ut h er s ho ul de rs , t ho ug ht o f h er d ea dl y b it e, s te pp ed b ac k, a nd h el d h er a ta rm 's d is ta nc e w it h t he o ne h an d.

  " If sh e b it es m e, i t w il l kn oc k m e o ut a lm os t i nst ant ly, " I s ai d. " Be r ea dy t o d ef en d y our sel f q ui ck ly i f          this occurs."

  M an do r t os se d a no th er m et al b al l i nt o t he a ir . I t h un g t her e f or a n u nn at ur al ly l on g m om en t at t he t opo f i ts a rc, t he n d ro pp ed b ac k t o h is h an d.

  " Al l r ig ht ," I s ai d, a nd t he n I s po ke t he w or ds t ha t r ai se d t he s pe ll .

  N ot hi ng a s d ra ma ti c a s I 'd f ea re d e ns ue d. S he s lu mp ed a nd I s up po rt ed h er . " Yo u' re s af e, " I s ai d,a nd a dd ed , " Ri na ld o k no ws y ou 'r e h er e, " t o i nv ok e t he m os t f am il ia r. " He re 's a c ha ir . D o y ou w an t s om e

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water?"

  " Ye s, " s he r ep li ed , a nd I p ou re d so me a nd p as se d i t t o h er .

  H er e ye s w er e d ar t in g, t ak in g i n e ve ry th in g a s s he d ra nk . I w on de re d w he th er s he 'd r ec ov er edi ns ta nt ly a nd m ig ht n ot n ow b e s ta ll in g f or t im e a s s he s ip pe d, h er m in d r ac in g, s pe ll s d an ci ng a t h er  

f in ge rt ip s. H er e ye s r et ur ne d m or e t ha n o nc e t o M an do r, a pp ra is in g, t ho ug h s he g av e N ay da a l on g, h ar dstare.

  F in al ly , s he l ow er ed t he g ob le t a nd s mi le d.

  " I t ak e i t, M er li n, t ha t I a m y ou r p ri so ne r, " s he s ai d, c ho ki ng s li gh tl y. S he t oo k a no th er s ip .

  "Guest," I replied.

  " Oh ? H ow d id t hi s c om e a bo ut ? A cc ep ti ng t he i nv it at io n e sc ap es m y m in d. "

  " I b ro ug ht y ou h er e f re m t he c it ad el a t t he K ee p o f t he F ou r W or ld s i n a s om ew ha t c at al ep ti ccondition," I said.

  " An d w he re m ig ht ` he re ' b e? "

  "M y a pa rt me nt i n t he P al ac e o f A mb er . "

  "Prisoner, then," she stated.

  " G u es t ," I r e pe at ed .

  "I n t ha t c as e, I s ho ul d b e i nt ro du ce d, s ho ul d I n ot ?"

  " Ex cu se m e. M an do r, I i nt ro du ce H er H ig hn es s J as ra , Q ue en o f K as hf a. " ( I i nt en ti on al ly o mi tt ed t he" Mo st R oy al " p ar t .) " Yo ur M aj es ty , I r eq ue st l ea ve t o p re se nt m y b ro th er , L or d M an do r. "

  S he i nc li ne d h er h ea d, a nd M an do r a pp ro ac he d, d ro pp ed t o o ne k ne e, a nd r ai se d h er h an d t o h isl ip s. H e' s b et te r a t s uc h c ou rt ly g es tu re s t ha n I a m, n ot e ve n s ni ff in g t he b ac k o f h er h an d f or t he s ce nt o f                   bitter almonds. I could tell that she liked his manner-and she continued to study him afterward.

  " I w as n ot a wa re ," s he o bs er ve d, " th at t he r oy al h ou se h er e c on ta in ed a n i nd iv id ua l n am ed M an do r. "

  " Ma nd or i s h ei r t o t he d uk ed om o f S aw al l i n t he C ou rt s o f C ha os ," I r ep li ed . H er e ye s w id en ed .

  "A nd y ou s ay h e i s y ou r b ro th er ?"

  "Indeed."

  " Yo u' ve s uc ce ed ed i n s ur pr is in g m e, " s he s ta te d. " I h ad f or go tt en y ou r d ou bl e l in ea ge ."

  I s mi le d, n od de d, s te pp ed a si de a nd g es tu re d.

  " An d t hi s- " I b eg an .

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  " I a m a cq ua in te d w it h N ay da ," s he s ai d. " Wh y i s t he g ir l . . . p re oc cu pi ed ?"

  " Th at r ep re se nt s a m at te r o f g re at c om pl ex it y, " I s ai d, " an d t he re a re o th er t hi ng s I a m c er ta in y ouw il l f in d t o b e o f m uc h g re at er i nt er es t. "

  S he c oc ke d a n e ye br ow a t m e.

  " Ah ! T ha t f ra gi le , p er is ha bl e i te m- th e t ru th ," s he s ai d. " Wh en i t s ur fa ce s s o q ui ck ly t he re i s u su al ly ac la us tr op ho bi a o f c ir cu ms ta nc e. W ha t i s i t t ha t y ou w an t o f m e? "

  I h el d m y s mi le .

  " It i s g oo d t o a pp re ci at e c ir cu ms ta nc e, " I s ai d.

  " I a pp re ci at e t he f ac t t ha t I a m i n A mb er a nd a li ve a nd n ot o cc up yi ng a c el l, w it h t wo g en tl em en behaving in a conciliatory fashion. I also appreciate the fact that I am not in the straits my most recent

m em or ie s i nd ic at e I s ho ul d o cc up y. A nd I h av e y ou t o t ha nk f or m y d el iv er an ce ?"

  "Yes."

  " So me ho w I d ou bt i t w as a m at te r o f a lt ru is m o n y ou r p ar t. "

  " I di d i t f or Ri na ldo. He t ri ed get ti ng yo u ou t on ce an d g ot cl obber ed . Then I f ig ur ed a w ay t hatm ig ht w or k, a nd I t ri ed i t. I t d id ."

  H er f ac ia l m us cl es t ig ht en ed a t t he m en ti on o f h er s on 's n am e. I 'd d ec id ed s he 'd p re fe r h ea ri ng t heone she'd given him, rather than "Luke."

  " Is h e a ll r ig ht ?" s he a sk ed .

  " Ye s, " I s ai d, ho pi ng i t w er e so.

  " Th en w hy i s h e n ot p re se nt ?"

  " He 's o ff s om ew he re w it h D al t. I 'm n ot s ur e a s t o h is l oc at io n. B ut -"

  Na yda m ad e a sm al l n oi se j us t t he n, a nd w e gl ance d he r w ay . B ut sh e di d n ot s ti r. Ma ndo r ga ve m e

a n i nq ui ri ng l oo k, b ut I s ho ok m y h ea d s li gh tl y. I d id n ot w an t h er r ou se d j us t t hen .

  " Ba d i nf lu en ce , t ha t b ar ba ri an ," J as ra o bs er ve d, c ho ki ng a ga in a nd t ak in g a no th er d ri nk . " I' d s ow an te d R in al do t o a cq ui re m or e o f t he c ou rt ly g ra ce s, r at he r t ha n d oi ng r ud e t hi ng s o n h or se ba ck m uc ho f t he t im e, " s he c on ti nu ed , g la nc in g a t M an do r a nd g ra nt in g h im a s ma ll s mi le . " In t hi s, I w asdisappointed. Do you have s something stronger than water?"

  " Yes, " I r ep li ed , a nd I un co rk ed a bo tt le o f w in e an d p ou re d s om e i nt o a g ob le t f or he r. I g lan ce d a tM andor and at t he bo tt le t hen , but he sh ook hi s h ead. " But you hav e t o adm it he di d wel l i n t hat t rac k  m ee t a gai ns t U CL A, i n hi s s op ho mo re y ea r, " I s ai d, n ot t o l et h er pu t h im d ow n co mpl et el y. " A ce rt ai na mo un t o f t ha t c om es f ro m t he m or e v ig or ou s s id e o f l if e. "

  S he s mi le d a s s he a cc ep te d t he d ri nk .

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  " Ye s. H e b ro ke a w or ld r ec or d t ha t d ay . I c an s ti ll s ee h im p as si ng o ve r t he f in al h ur dl e. "

  " Y ou w er e t he re ?"

  " Oh , y es . I a tt end ed a ll o f yo ur m ee ts . I e ve n w at che d yo u r un, " s he s ai d. " No t ba d. "

  Sh e s ip pe d t he w in e. .

  " Wo ul d y ou l ik e me t o s end f or a me al f or y ou? " I as ked .

  " No , I 'm n ot r ea ll y h un gr y. W e w er e t al ki ng a bo ut t ru th a l it tl e w hi le a go . . . . "

  " So w e w er e. I g at he r t he re h ad b ee n s om e s or ce ro us e xch an ge b ac k a t t he K ee p, b et we en y oua nd M a sk - "

  " M as k? " s he s ai d .

  " Th e b lu e- ma sk ed s or ce re r w ho r ul es t he re n ow ."

  " O h, y es . Q ui t e. "

  " I do ha ve t he s to ry r igh t, do n' t I ?"

  " Ye s, b ut t he e nc ou nt er w as m or e t ha n a l it tl e t ra um at ic . F or gi ve m y h es it at io n. I w as s ur pr is ed a ndd id n ot g et m y d ef en se s up i n t im e. Th at w as r ea ll y al l t he re w as t o i t. I t w il l no t h ap pen a gai n. "

  " I' m s ur e. B ut - "

  " Di d y ou sp ir it m e a way ?" sh e i nt er ru pt ed . " Or d id y ou a ct ua ll y f ig ht w it h M as k t o g et m e f re e?"

  " We f ou gh t, " I s ai d.

  " In w ha t c on di ti on d id y ou l ea ve M as k? "

  " Bu ri ed u nd er a p il e o f m an ur e, " I s ai d.

  She chuckled.

  " Wo nd er fu l! I l ike a m an w it h a s en se o f h um or ."

  "I hav e t o go ba ck, " I a dded .

  " Oh ? W hy i s t ha t? "

  " Be ca us e M as k i s n ow a ll ie d w it h a n e ne my o f m in e - m an n am ed J ur t, w ho d es ir es m y d ea th ."

  She shrugged slightly.

  "I f M ask i s no m at ch f or y ou, I f ai l t o se e whe re M ask a nd t hi s ma n sho ul d r epr es ent a g reat problem." Mandor cleared his throat.

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  " Be gg in g y ou r l eav e, " h e s ai d. " Bu t J ur t i s a s ha pe s hi ft er a nd m in or s or ce re r f ro m t he C ou rt s. H ea ls o h as p ow er o ve r S ha do w. "

  " I s up po se t ha t w ou ld m ak e s om et hi ng o f a d if fe re nc e, " s he s ai d.

  " No t a s m uc h a s w ha t t he t wo o f t he m a pp ar en tl y p la n t o a cc om pl is h, " I t ol d h er . " I b el ie ve t ha t

Mask intends running Jurt through the same ritual your late husband undertook-something involving theF ou nt o f P ow er ."

  " No! " she cr ied , and she w as on her f eet , t he r est o f t he w ine mi xi ng wi th N ayda 's s pi tt le and a f ewo ld b lo od st ai ns o n t he T ab ri z I 'd p ur ch as ed f or i ts d el ic at el y d et ai le d p as to ra l s ce ne . " It m us t n ot h ap pe nagain!"

  A s to rm c am e a nd w en t b eh in d h er e ye s. T he n, f or t he f ir st t im e, s he l oo ke d v ul ne ra bl e.

  "I lost him because of that . . . ," she said.

  Th en t he m om en t w as g on e. T he h ar dn es s r et ur ne d.

  " I h ad n ot f in is he d m y w in e, " s he s ai d t he n, r es ea ti ng h er se lf .

  " I 'l l g et y ou a no th er g la ss ," I t ol d h er .

  " And i s t hat a mi rr or o n t he t ab le?"

  CHAPTER 11

  I w ai te d t il l s he w as f in is he d p ri mp in g, g la nc in g o ut o f t he w in do w a t t he s no w a nd s ur re pt it io us lyt ry in g a ga in t o r ea ch C or al o r L uk e w hi le m y b ac k w as t ur ne d t o h er .

  No l uck , t ho ug h. W he n s he p ut do wn t he co mb an d b ru sh sh e' d bo rr ow ed f ro m me an d l ai d t hem ir ro r b es id e t he m, I g at he re d s he 'd f in is he d o rg an iz in g h er t ho ug ht s a s w el l a s h er h ai r a nd w as r ea dy t ot al k a ga in . I t ur ne d b ac k s lo wl y a nd s tr ol le d o ve r.

  W e s tu di ed e ac h o th er w hi le p ra ct ic in g e xp re ss io nl es sn es s, t he n s he a sk ed , " Is a ny on e e ls e i nA mb er a wa re t ha t y ou h av e a wa ke ne d m e? "

  " No ," I r ep li ed .

  " G oo d. T ha t m ea ns I 'v e a c ha nc e o f l ea vi ng h er e a li ve . P re su ma bl y, y ou w an t m y a ss is ta nc e a ga in stM as k a nd t hi s J ur t? "

  " Ye s. "

  " Ex ac tl y w hat s or t of h el p do y ou de si re, an d w ha t ar e yo u p rep ar ed t o pa y f or i t?"

  " I i nt en d t o p en et ra te t he K ee p a nd n eu tr al iz e M as k a nd J ur t, " I s ai d.

  "'Neutralize'? That's one of those little euphemisms for `kill,' isn't it?"

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  "I s up po se s o, " I r ep li ed .

  " Am be r h as n ev er b ee n n ot ed f or i ts s qu ea mi sh ne ss ," s he s ai d. " Yo u h av e b ee n e xp os ed t o t oom uc h A me ri ca n j ou rn al is m. S o, y ou a re a wa re o f m y f am il ia ri ty w it h t he K ee p, a nd y ou w an t m y h el p i nkilling the two of them. Correct?"

  I n od de d.

  " Ri na ld o h as t ol d m e t ha t i f w e w er e t o a rr iv e t oo l at e a nd J ur t h ad a lr ea dy u nd er go ne t het ra ns fo rm at io na l r it ua l, y ou m ig ht k no w a w ay t o u se t ha t s am e p ow er a ga in st h im ," I e xp la in ed .

  " He 'd g ot te n f ur th er i nt o t ho se n ot es t ha n - I' d r ea li ze d, " s he s ai d. " I a m g oi ng t o h av e t o b e f ra nk  w it h y ou t he n, s in ce o ur l iv es m ay d ep en d o n i t: Y es, t he re i s s uc h a t ec hn iq ue . B ut n o, i t w on 't b e o f an yhe lp t o u s. S om e pr epa rat ion s ar e r equi red t o t ur n t he p ow er t o su ch a n end . I t i s not s om et hi ng I c oul ds im pl y r ea ch o ut a nd d o a t a m om en t' s n ot ic e. "

  M an do r c l ea r ed h is t h ro at .

  " I' d r at her n ot se e Ju rt d ea d, " h e st at ed , " if t her e' s a p os si bi li ty I co ul d t ak e hi m b ac k t o t he C ou rt sa s a p ri so ne r. H e c ou ld b e d is ci pl in ed . T he re m ig ht b e a w ay o f n eu tr al iz in g h im w it ho ut r ea ll y . ..neutralizing him, as you put it."

  " An d i f t he re i sn 't ?" I a sk ed .

  " The n I 'l l h el p y ou t o k il l hi m," h e s ai d. " I h av e n o i ll usi on s ab ou t h im , bu t I f eel ob li ged t o t rys om et hi ng. I 'm a fr ai d t ha t t he n ew s o f h is d ea th c ou ld p ush o ur f at he r o ve r t he e dg e. "

  I l oo ke d a wa y. H e c ou ld b e r ig ht , a nd e ve n t ho ug h o ld S aw al l' s d ea th w ou ld m ea n h is o wns uc ce ss io n t o t he t it le a nd c on tr ol o f c on si de ra bl e h ol di ng s, I w as c er ta in h e w as n ot a nx io us t o a cq ui ret he m a t t ha t p ri ce ."

  " I u nd er st an d, " I s ai d. " I h ad n' t t ho ug ht o f t ha t. "

  " So gi ve me a chance to subdue hi m. I f I f ail , I' ll j oin you in w hat ever must be done. "

  " Ag re ed ," I s ai d, w at ch in g t o s ee h ow J as ra w as t ak in g t hi s.

  S he w as s tu dy in g u s, a c ur io us e xp re ss io n o n h er f ac e.

  " ' Ou r f at he r' ?" s he s ai d.

  " Ye s, " I r ep li ed . " I w as n' t g oi ng t o m en ti on t ha t, b ut , si nc e i t g ot o ut , J ur t' s o ur y ou ng er b ro th er ."

  H er e ye s w er e a li gh t n ow , a t t he s ce nt o f c on ni va nc e.

  " Th is i s a f am il y p ow er s tr ug gl e, i sn 't i t? " s he a sk ed .

  " I s up po se y ou c ou ld p ut i t t ha t w ay, " I s ai d.

  " No t r ea ll y, " M an do r s ai d.

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  "P ra y, b eg in ," J as ra t ol d h er .

  "I w ou ld h av e t o s pe ak w it h y ou i n p ri va te o n t hi s m at te r. "

  J as ra s mi le d, o ut o f h er l ov e f or i nt ri gu e, I a m c er ta in .

  " It i s a gr ee ab le t o m e, " s he s ai d.

  "M and or , f or ce h er t o s ay i t no w, " I sa id .

  "W ai t! " J as ra d ec la re d. " I w il l h av e t hi s p ri va te c on ve rs at io n o r y ou c an f or ge t a bo ut m y h el p. "

  I b eg an w on de ri ng j us t h ow m uc h h el p J as ra r ea ll y r ep re se nt ed i f s he c ou ld n' t c al l u po n t he F ou nt t od is po se o f J ur t, s ho ul d t ha t b ec om e o ur b ig ge st p ro bl em . T ru e, s he k ne w t he K ee p. B ut I d id n' t e ve nk no w f or c er ta in h ow a cc om pl is he d a s or ce re ss s he m ig ht b e.

  O n t he o th er h an d, I w an te d t hi s t hi ng s et tl ed n ow , a nd o ne m or e a de pt c ou ld m ak e t he d if fe re nc e.

  " Na yd a, " I s ai d, " ar e y ou p la nn in g s om et hi ng t ha t c ou ld b e d am ag in g t o A mb er ?"

  ` ` No , " s he r e pl i ed .

  " Ma nd or , w ha t d o t y' ig a s we ar b y? " I i nq ui re d.

  "T he y d on 't ," h e s ai d.

  " W ha t t he h el l, " I sa id . " Ho w m uc h t im e d o y ou w an t? "

  " Gi ve u s t en m in ut es ," s he t ol d m e.

  " Le t' s t ak e a w al k, " I s ai d t o M an do r.

  " Su re ly ," h e a gr ee d, t os si ng a no th er m et al b al l t ow ar d N ay da . I t j oi ne d t he o th er s i n o rb it a bo ut h er ,a l it tl e a bo ve w ai st l ev el .

  I f et ch ed a k ey f ro m m y d esk d ra wer b ef or e d epa rt ing . A nd a s s oon a s w e w er e i n t he h al l I a sk ed

h im , " Is t he re a ny w ay J asr a c ou ld f re e h er ?"

  "N ot w it h t he a dd it io na l c ir cu it o f c on fi ne me nt I e st ab li sh ed o n t he w ay o ut ," h e r ep li ed . " No t m an yc ou ld f ig ur e a w ay p as t i t, a nd c er ta in ly n ot i n t en m in ut es ."

  " Sh e' s j us t f ul l o f s ec re ts , t ha t d am ne d t y' ig a, " I s ai d. " Ki nd o f m ak es m e w on de r w ho 's r ea ll y t he prisoner here."

  " Sh e' s o nl y t ra di ng s om e b it o f k no wl ed ge f or J as ra 's c oo pe ra ti on ," h e s ai d. " Sh e w an ts t he l ad y t oa cc om pa ny u s i f s he c an 't g o h er se lf , s in ce i t w il l m ea n e xt ra p ro te ct io n f or y ou ."

  " T he n w hy c an 't w e b e p re se nt ?"

  " Not hi ng t ha t I l ea rn ed f ro m h er sh ed s a ny t ig ht o n t hi s, " h e s ai d.

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  " Wel l, si nce I hav e a f ew m inut es, t her e i s a sm al l e rr and I w ant t o r un. W oul d you ke ep a n ey e o nt hi ng s h er e a nd t ak e c ha rg e i f s he c al ls u s i n b ef or e I g et b ac k? "

  H e s mi l ed .

  " If o ne o f y ou r r el at iv es s tr ol ls b y, s ho ul d I i nt ro du ce m yse lf a s a l or d o f C ha os ?"

  "I t ho ug ht y ou w er e a ls o a l or d o f d ec ep ti on ."

  " Of c ou rs e, " h e s ai d, a nd h e c la pp ed h is h an ds a nd v an is he d.

  " I' ll h ur ry ," I s ai d.

  "Cheerio," came his voice, from somewhere.

  I h ur ri ed o ff u p t he h al l. I t w as a l it tl e p il gr im ag e, I s up po se -o ne t ha t I h ad n ot m ad e i n a l on g w hi le .O n t he b ri nk o f a n e nt er pr is e s uc h a s t hi s, i t s ee me d s om eh ow a pp ro pr ia te .

  W he n I r ea ch ed t he d oo r, I s to od o ut si de i t f or a m om en t, m y e ye s c lo se d, v is ua li zi ng t he i nt er io r a sl as t I h ad s ee n i t. I t w as m y f at he r' s a pa rt me nt . I h ad w an de re d t hr ou gh i t o n m an y o cc as io ns , t ry in g t o

       judge from the furnishings, the layout, his bookshelves, and his curious collections something more than Ia lr ea dy k ne w a bo ut t he m an . T he re w as a lw ay s s om e l it tl e t hi ng t ha t c au gh t m y a tt en ti on , t ha t a ns we re d aq ue st io n o r r ai se d a n ew o ne -a n i ns cr ip ti on o n t he f ly le af o f a b oo k o r a n ot e i n a m ar gi n, a s il ve r  h ai rb ru sh b ea ri ng t he w ro ng s et o f i ni ti al s, a d ag ue rr eo ty pe o f a n a tt ra ct iv e b ru ne tt e s ig ne d " To C ar l,L ov e, C ar ol yn ," a s na ps ho t o f m y f at he r s ha ki ng h an ds w it h G en er al M ac Ar th ur . . . .

  I un lo ck ed t he d oo r a nd p us he d i t o pe n.

  I d id n ot m ov e f or s ev er al s ec on ds , h ow ev er , a s a l ig ht g lo we d i ns id e t he p la ce . F or m or e l on gm om en ts I l is te ne d, b ut t he re w er e n o s ou nd s f ro m w it hi n. S lo wl y t he n, I e nt er ed . A n um be r o f c an dl es burned upon the dresser set against the far wall. There was no one in sight.

  " He ll o? " I c al le d. ou t. " It 's m e. M er li n. " T he re c am e n o a ns we r.

  I d rew t he do or c lo sed b eh in d m e a nd m ov ed f or war d. A b ud va se st oo d up on t he d res ser a mi d t heca ndl es. I t co nt ai ne d a s in gl e r os e, an d i t ap pear ed t o be s il ve r i n co lo r. I d re w n ea re r. Ye s, i t wa s r ea l,

n ot a rt if ic ia l. A nd i t w as s il ve r. I n w ha t s ha do w d id s uc h f lo we rs g ro w?

  I p ic ked up on e o f t he c and le s b y i ts , h ol de r a nd m ov ed a wa y w it h i t, s hi el di ng i ts f la me w it h m yh an d. I c ro ss ed t o m y l ef t a nd e nt er ed t he n ex t r oo m. I mm ed ia te ly , o n o pe ni ng t he d oo r, I s aw t ha t t he rew as n o n ee d t o h av e b ro ug ht t he c an dl e. M or e o f t he m w er e b ur ni ng h er e.

  " He ll o ?" I r e pe at ed .

  A ga in, no a nsw er . N o so un ds o f a ny s or t.

  I s et t he ca nd le u pon a ne ar by t abl e an d c ro ss ed t o t he be d. I r ai se d a s le ev e a nd l et i t f al l. A s il ver ys hi rt w as l ai d o ut u po n t he c ou nt er pa ne b es id e a b la ck p ai r o f t ro us er s- my f at he r' s c ol or s. T he y h ad n ot been there when last I had visited.

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  I s ea te d m ys el f b es id e t he m a nd s ta re d a cr os s t he r oo m i nt o a s ha do wy c or ne r. W ha t w as g oi ng o n?S om e b iz ar re h ou se ho ld r it ua l? A h au nt in g? o r. . . .

  " C or wi n? " I s ai d.

  I n t ha t I 'd h ar dl y e xp ec te d a r ep ly , I w as n ot d is ap po in te d. W he n I r os e, h ow ev er , I b um pe d a ga in st

a h ea vy ob jec t h un g u po n t he n ea res t be dp ost . I r eac he d o ut a nd r ai se d i t f or a be tt er v ie w. A b el t w it h as he at he d w ea po n h un g u po n i t. T he se h ad n ot b ee n p re se nt l as t t im e e it he r. I g ri pp ed t he h af t a nd d re wt he b la de .

  A p or ti on o f t he P at te rn , c on ta in ed w it hi n t he g ra y m et al , d an ce d i n t he c an dl el ig ht . T hi s w asG ra ys wa nd ir , s wo rd o f m y f at he r. W ha t i t w as d oi ng b ac k h er e n ow , I h ad n o i de a.

  A nd I r eal ized wi th a pang t hat I coul d n ot st ic k ar ou nd t o see w hat m ight b e g oi ng o n. I ha d t o get back to my own problems. Yes, timing was definitely against me today.

  I resheathed Grayswandir.

  "Dad?" I said. "If you can hear me, I want t o get t ogether again. But I have to go now. Good luck onwhatever you're about."

  T he n I de pa rt ed t he r oo m, t ou ch ed t he s il ve r r os e a s I p as se d a nd l oc ke d t he d oo r b eh in d m e. A s It ur ne d a wa y, I r ea li ze d t ha t I w as s ha ki ng .

  I passed no on e on t he wal k back, and when I appr oached my ow n door I wonder ed w hether Is ho ul d e nt er , k no ck , o r w ai t. T he n s om et hi ng t ou ch ed m y s ho ul de r, a nd I t ur ne d a ro un d b ut n o o ne w ast he re . W he n I t ur ne d f or wa rd o nc e a ga in M an do r s to od b ef or e m e, h is b ro w s li gh tl y c re as ed .

  " Wh at ' s t he m at te r? " h e a sk ed . " Yo u a pp ea r m or e t ro ub le d t ha n w he n y ou l ef t. "

  "Something totally different," I told him, "I think. Any word from inside yet?"

  " I he ar d a sh ri ek f ro m J asr a w hi le y ou w er e g on e, " he sai d, " an d I b ur ne d t o t he do or a nd op en ed i t.B ut s he w as l au gh ing a nd s he a sk ed m e t o c lo se i t. "

  " Ei th er t y' ig as k no w s om e g oo d s to ri es o r t he n ew s i s f av or ab le ."

  " S o i t w ou ld s ee m. "

  A l it tl e l at er t he d oo r o pe ned an d Ja sr a n od de d t o u s.

  "Our conversation is concluded," she said.

  I st udi ed h er as I e nt er ed t he r oom . S he l oo ked a l ot m or e ch ee rf ul t ha n s he h ad se em ed w he n w e' dl ef t. Th er e w as a bi t mo re of a cr in kl in g abo ut t he o ut er ed ges o f h er eye s, an d she se eme d al most t o b ef ig ht in g t he c or ne rs o f h er m ou th d ow n i nt o p la ce .

  " I h op e i t w as a f ru it fu l i nt er vi ew ," I sa id .

  " Ye s. O n t he w ho le, I 'd s ay i t w as t ha t, " sh e an swe red .

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  A g la nc e a t N ay da s ho we d m e t ha t n ot hi ng h ad c ha ng ed i n t er ms o f h er p os it io n o r e xp re ss io n.

  " I' ll h av e t o b e a sk in g y ou f or a d ec is io n n ow ," I s ai d. " I c an 't a ff or d t o c ut t hi ng s m uc h c lo se r t ha nthis."

  " Wha t h ap pen s i f I sa y n o?" s he a sk ed .

  "I 'l l h av e y ou c on du ct s t o y ou r q ua rt er s a nd i nf or m t he o th er s t ha t y ou 'r e u p a nd a bo ut ," I s ai d.

  " As a g ue st ?"

  " As a v er y w el l -p ro te ct ed g ue st ."

  " I se e. W el l, I d o n ot r ea ll y ca re t o i nsp ect t ho se q uar te rs . I h av e d eci de d t o a cc om pa ny y ou an da ss is t y ou u nd er t he t er ms w e d is cu ss ed . " .

  I bowed t o her .

  "Merlin!" Nayda said.

  " No !" I a ns we re d, a nd I l oo ke d t o M an do r. H e a pp ro ac he d a nd s to od b ef or e N ay da .

  " It i s b es t t ha t y ou s le ep n ow ," h e t ol d h er , a nd h er e ye s c lo se d, h er s ho ul de rs s lu mp ed . " Wh er e i s ag oo d p la ce f or h er t o r es t d eep ly? " h e as ked m e.

  " Th ro ug h t he re ," I s ai d, i nd ic at in g t he d oo rw ay t o t he n ex t r oo m.

  He t ook he r by t he h an d and l ed he r a wa y. A ft er a t ime , I hea rd hi m sp eak ing so ft ly , an d t he n t he rew as o nl y s il en ce . H e e me rg ed a l it tl e l at er , a nd I w en t t o t he d oo r a nd g la nc ed i ns id e. S he w as s tr et ch edout on m y b ed. I di d not s ee any of h is me tal spher es i n t he nei gh bor hood .

  "S he 's ou t o f i t?" I s ai d.

  " F or a l on g t im e, " h e r ep li ed .

  I l oo ke d a t J as ra , w ho w as g la nc in g d ow n i nt o t he m ir ro r.

  "A re y ou r ea dy ?" I i nq ui re d.

  S h e r eg ar de d m e t hr ou gh l ow er ed l as he s.

  " Ho w d o y ou p ro po se t ra ns po rt in g u s? " s he a sk ed .

  " Do y ou h av e a n e sp ec ia ll y t ri ck y m ea ns o f g et ti ng u s i n? "

  " No t a t t he m om en t. "

  " Th en I w il l b e c al li ng u po n t he G ho st wh ee l t o t ak e u s t he re ."

  " Ar e yo u c er tai n i t i s saf e? I 'v e c onve rsed wi th t hat . . . dev ice. I am n ot sur e i t i s t rust wor thy ."

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  " It 's f in e; " I . s ai d. " An y s pe ll s y ou w an t t o p ri me f ir st ?"

  " No t n ec es sa ry . M y . . . r es ou rce s s ho ul d b e i n g oo d o rd er ."

  "Mandor?"

  I h ea rd a c li ck in g s ou nd f ro m s om ew he re w it hi n h is c lo ak .

  " R ea dy ," h e s ai d.

  I w it hd re w t he G ho st wh ee l T ru mp a nd s tu di ed i t. I b eg an m y m ed it at io n. T he n I r ea ch ed . N ot hi nghappened. I tried again, recalling, tuning, expanding. I reached again, calling, feeling. . . .

  "The door . . . ," Jasra said.

  I gl an ced at t he do or t o t he ha ll wa y, bu t t her e wa s n ot hi ng unu sua l ab out i t. T hen I l oo ked at he r a nd

r ea li ze d t he d ir ec ti on o f h er g az e.

  T he d oo rw ay t o t he n ex t r oo m, w he re N ay da s le pt , h ad b eg un t o g lo w. I t s ho ne w it h a y el lo w l ig ht ,a nd e ve n a s I w at ch ed , i t g re w i n i nt en si ty . A s po t o f g re at er b ri gh tn es s t he n o cc ur re d a t i ts c en te r.A br up tl y, t he s po t b eg an a s lo w u p- an d- do wn m ov em en t.

  T he n c am e m us ic , f ro m w he re I w as n ot c er ta in , a nd G ho st 's v oi ce a nn ou nc ed , " Fo ll ow t he bouncing ball."

  " St op i t! " I s ai d. " It 's d is tr ac ti ng !"

  T he m us ic w en t a wa y. T he c ir cl e o f l ig ht g re w s ti ll .

  " So rr y, " G ho st s ai d. " I t ho ug ht y ou 'd f in d a l it tl e c om ic r el ie f r el ax in g. "

  " Yo u g ue ss ed w ro ng, " I r epl ied . " I j ust w an t y ou t o t ake us t o t he c it ade l at t he Ke ep o f t he F ou r  Worlds."

  " Do y ou w an t t he t ro ops , a ls o? I ca n' t s ee m t o l oca te L uke ."

  " Ju st t he t hr ee o f u s, " I a ns we re d.

  " Wh at a bo ut t he o ne w ho s le ep s n ex t d oo r? I 'v e m et h er b ef or e. S he d oe sn 't s ca n r ig ht ."

  " I kn ow. S he 's n ot h uma n. L et h er s le ep . "

  " Ve ry w el l , t he n. P as s t hr ou gh t he d oo r. "

  " Co me o n, " I s ai d t o t he o th er s, p ic ki ng u p m y w ea po ns b el t a nd b uc kl in g i t o n, a dd in g m y s pa red ag ge r, g ra bb in g m y c lo ak o ff a c ha ir , a nd d ra wi ng i t o ve r m y s ho ul de rs .

  I w al ke d t ow ar d t he p or tal a nd M and or an d J asr a f ol lo we d. I st epp ed t hr ou gh , b ut t he r oo m w as n ol on ge r t he re . I ns te ad , t he re c am e a m om en t o f b lu rr in g, a nd w he n m y s en se s c le ar ed , I w as s ta ri ng d ow na nd o ut wa rd a cr os s a g re at d is ta nc e b en ea th a h ea vi ly o ve rc as t s ky , a c ol d w in d w hi pp in g a t m ygarments.

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  I h ea rd a n e xc la ma ti on f ro m M an do r a nd , a m om en t l at er , a no th er f ro m J as ra -b eh in d m e a nd t o t hel ef t. T he g re at i ce f ie ld l ay b on e- wh it e t o m y r ig ht , a nd i n t he o pp os it e d ir ec ti on a s la te -g ra y s ea t os se dw hi te ca ps l ik e s er pe nt s i n a b uc ke t o f m il k. F ar b el ow , b ef or e m e, t he d ar k g ro un d s im me re d a ndsteamed.

  " Gh os t! " I c ri ed . " Wh er e a re y ou ?"

  "H er e, " cam e a so ft r espons e, and I l ooke d d own t o beho ld a t in y r in g o f l ig ht n ear t he t oe of m y l ef t boot. Directly ahead and below, the Keep stood stark in the distance. There were no signs of life outsidei ts w al ls . I r eal iz ed t ha t I m us t b e i n t he m ou nt ai ns , s ta nd in g s om ew he re n ea r t he p lac e w he re I h ad h el dmy lengthy colloquy with the old hermit named Dave.

  " I w an te d y ou t o t ak e u s i nt o t he c it ad el w it hi n t he K ee p, " I e xp la in ed . " Wh y d id y ou b ri ng u s u phere?"

  " I t ol d y ou I d on 't l ik e t hat pl ace ," G ho st an sw er ed. " I wa nt ed t o g iv e yo u a ch anc e t o l ook i t ov er  a nd d ec id e e xa ct ly w he re y ou w is he d t o b e s en t w it hi n. T ha t w ay I c an m ov e v er y f as t o n t he d el iv er y,a nd n ot e xp os e m ys el f o ve rl on g t o f or ce s I f in d d is tr es si ng ."

  I c on ti nu ed t o s tu dy t he K ee p. A p ai r o f t wi st er s w er e a ga in c ir cl in g t he o ut er w al ls . I f t he re h ad n ot been a moat, they would probably have done a good job of creating one. They stayed almost exactly1 80 d eg re es a pa rt , a nd t he y t oo k t ur ns a t i ll um in at io n. T he n ea re st o ne g re w s pa rk -s ho t w it h b ol ts o f                  l ig ht ni ng , a cq ui ri ng a n e er ie i nc an de sc en ce ; t he n, a s i t b eg an t o f ad e, t he o th er b ri gh te ne d. T he y p as se dt hr ou gh t hi s c yc le s ev er al t im es a s I w at ch ed .

  J as ra m ad e a s ma ll n oi se , a nd I t ur ne d a nd a sk ed h er , " Wh at 's g oi ng o n? "

  "The ritual," she n'sponded. "Someone is playing with those forces right now."

  " Ca n y ou t el l h ow f ar a lo ng t he y m ig ht b e? " I a sk ed .

  " No t r ea ll y. T he y c oul d j us t b e s ta rt in g, o r t he y c ou ld b e f in is he d a lr ea dy . A ll t he p ol es o f f ir e t el l m eis that everything is in place."

  " Yo u c al l i t t he n, J as ra ," I t ol d h er . " Wh er e s ho ul d w e p ut i n o ur a pp ea ra nc e? "

  " Th er e a re t wo l on g ha ll wa ys l ead in g t o t he c ha mb er o f t he f ou nt ai n, " sh e sa id . " On e i s o n t he s am el ev el a nd t he o th er a f lo or a bo ve i t. T he c ha mb er i ts el f i s s ev er al s to ri es h ig h. "

  " I r ec al l t ha t, " I a ck no wl ed ge d.

  " If t he y a re w or ki ng d ir ec tl y w it h t he f or ce s a nd w e s im pl y a pp ea r w it hi n t he c ha mb er ," s hec on ti nu ed , " th e a dv an ta ge o f s ur pr is e w il l o nl y b e m om en ta ry . I c an 't s ay f or c er ta in w ha t t he y m ig ht h it u sw it h. B et te r t o a pp ro ac h a lo ng o ne o f t he t wo h al lw ay s a nd g iv e m e a c ha nc e t o a ss es s t he s it ua ti on .S in ce t he re i s a p os si bi li ty t ha t t he y c ou ld n ot e o ur a pp ro ac h a lo ng t he l ow er h al lw ay , t he u pp er o new ou ld b e b es t f or a ll o ur p ur po se s. "

  " Al l r ig ht ," I a gr ee d. " Gh os t, c an y ou p ut u s b ac k a d is ta nc e i n t ha t u pp er h al lw ay ?"

  T he c ir cl e s pr ea d, t il te d, r os e, s to od h ig h a bo ve u s f or a m om en t, t he n d ro pp ed .

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  " Yo u ar e . . . al re ad y . . . t he re, " Gh ost s ai d, as m y v isi on sw am and t he c ir cl e of l ig ht p ass ed ov er  u s, h ea d t o t oe . " Go od -b ye ."

  H e wa s r igh t. W e we re on t ar get t hi s t im e. W e st ood i n a l ong , di m cor ri do r, i ts w al ls o f d ar k, he wns ton e. I ts o ne e nd w as l os t i n d ar kn es s. I ts o th er l ed i nt o a n a rea o f i ll um in at ion . T he c ei li ng w as of r ou gh

t im be rs , t he h ea vy c ro ss -b ea ms s of te ne d b y c ur ta in s a nd p lu me s o f s pi de r- we bb in g. A f ew b lu e w iz ar dg lo be s f li ck er ed w it hi n w al l b ra ck et s, s he dd in g a p al e l ig ht t ha t i nd ic at ed t he y w er e n ea r t he e nd s o f t he ir  s pe ll s. O th er s h ad a lr ea dy g on e d ea d. N ea r t he b ri gh te r e nd o f t he h al lw ay s om e o f t he se h ad b ee nreplaced by lanterns. From overhead came the sounds of small things scurrying within the ceiling. The place smelled damp, musty. But the air had an electric quality to it, as though we were breathing ozone,with an edge-of event jitteriness permeating everything.

  I s hi ft ed t o L og ru s S ig ht , a nd i mm ed ia te ly t he re w as a c on si de ra bl e b ri gh te ni ng . L in es o f f or ce l ik eglowing yellow cables ran everywhere. They provided the additional illumination I now perceived. Andevery time my movements intersected one, it heightened the overall tingling effect I experienced. I could

s ee n ow t ha t J as ra w as s ta nd in g a t t he i nt er se ct io n o f s ev er al o f t he se a nd s ee me d t o b e d ra wi ng e ne rg yf ro m t he m i nt o h er b od y. S he w as a cq ui ri ng a g lo wi ng q ua li ty I w as n ot c er ta in m y n or ma l v is io n w ou ldh av e d et ec te d. W he n I g la nc ed a t M an do r I s aw t he S ig n o f t he L og ru s h ov er in g b ef or e h im a ls o, w hi chm ea nt t ha t h e w as a wa re o f e ve ry th in g I w as s ee in g.

  Ja sr a b eg an m ov in g s lo wl y a lo ng t he c or ri do r t ow ar d t he l ig ht ed e nd . I f el l i n b eh in d h er a nd s li gh tl yt o h er l ef t. M an do r f ol lo we d m e, m ov in g s o s il en tl y I h ad t o g la nc e b ac k o cc as io na ll y t o a ss ur e m ys el f h ew as s ti ll w it h u s. A s w e a dv an ce d I b ec am e a wa re o f a c er ta in t hr ob bi ng s en sa ti on , a s o f t he b ea ti ng o f av as t p ul se . W he th er t hi s w as b ei ng t ra ns mi tt ed t hr ou gh t he f lo or o r a lo ng t ho se v ib ra ti ng l in es w econtinually encountered, I could not say.

  I w on de re d w he th er o ur d is tu rb in g t hi s n et o f f or ce s w as b et ra yi ng o ur p re se nc e, a nd e ve n o ur   position, to the adept working with the stuff down at the Fount. Or was his concentration on the task athand sufficiently distracting to permit us to approach undetected?

  " It h as s ta rt ed ?" I w hi sp er ed t o J as ra .

  "Yes," she replied.

  "How far along?"

  " Th e m aj or p ha se c ou ld b e c om pl et ed . "

  A f ew p ac es m or e, a nd t he n s he a sk ed m e, " Wh at i s y ou r pl an ?"

  " If y ou 'r e r ig ht , w e a tt ac k i mm ed ia te ly . P er ha ps w e s ho ul d t ry t o t ak e o ut J ur t f ir st -a ll o f u s, Imean-if he's become that high-powered, that dangerous."

  S h e l ic ke d h er l ip s.

  " I' m p ro ba bl y b es t e qu ip pe d t o d ea l w it h h im , b ec au se o f m y c on ne ct io n w it h t he F ou nt ," s he s ai dt he n. " Bet te r y ou d on 't g et i n m y w ay . I 'd r at he r s ee y ou d eal in g w it h M as k w hi le I 'm a bo ut i t. I t m ig ht b e better to keep Mandor in reserve, to lend his aid to whichever of us might need it. "

  " I' ll g o a lo ng w it h y ou r j ud gm en t, " I s ai d. " Ma nd or , d id y ou h ea r a ll t ha t? "

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  " Ye s, " h e r ep li ed s of tl y. " I' ll d o a s s he s ay s. "

  T he n, " Wh at h ap pe ns i f I d es tr oy t he F ou nt i ts el f? " h e a sk ed J as ra .

  " I d on 't b el ie ve i t c an b e d on e, " s he a ns we re d.

  H e s no rt ed , a nd I c ou ld s ee t he d an ge ro us l in es a lo ng w hi ch h is t ho ug ht s w er e r un ni ng .

  " Hu mo r m e a nd s up po se ," h e s ai d.

  S he w as s il en t f or a t im e, t he n, " If y ou w er e ab le t o sh ut i t d ow n; e ve n f or a l it tl e w hi le ," s he o ff er ed ," th e ci ta de l w ou ld p ro ba bl y f al l. I 'v e b ee n u si ng i ts e man at io ns t o h el p h ol d t hi s p la ce u p. I t' s o ld , a nd In ev er g ot a ro un d t o b ut tr es si ng i t w he re i t n ee ds i t. T he a mo un t o f e ne rg y r eq ui re d t o a tt ac k t he F ou ntsuccessfully, though, would be much better invested elsewhere."

  "Thanks," he said.

  S he h al te d, e xt en di ng a h an d i nt o o ne o f t he l in es o f f or ce a nd c lo si ng h er e ye s a s i f s he w er e t ak in ga p ul se . " Ve ry s tr on g, " s he s ai d a l it tl e l at er . " So me on e i s t ap pi ng i t a t d ee p l ev el s n ow ."

  S he b eg an m ov in g a ga in . T he l ig ht a t t he e nd o f t he h al lw ay g re w b ri gh te r, t he n d im me r, b ri gh te r,d im me r. T he s ha do ws r et re at ed a nd f lo we d b ac k r ep ea te dl y a s t hi s o cc ur re d. I b ec am e a wa re o f asound something like the humming of high wires. There was also an intermittent crackling noise comingf ro m t ha t d ir ec ti on . I i nc re as ed m y p ac e a s J as ra b eg an t o h ur ry . A t a bo ut t ha t t im e t he re c am e a s ou ndo f l au gh te r f ro m u p a he ad . F ra ki r t ig ht en ed u po n m y w ri st . F la ke s o f f ir e f la sh ed p as t t he c or ri do r' smouth.

  " Da mn , d am n, d am n, " I h ea rd J as ra s ay in g.

  She r ai sed h er ha nd as w e cam e i nt o si gh t of t he l and ing w her e M ask ha d st oo d at t he t ime o f our  e nc ou nt er . I h al te d a s s he m ov ed v er y s lo wl y, a pp ro ac hi ng t he r ai li ng . T he re w er e s ta ir s b ot h t o t he r ig hta nd t he l ef t, l ea di ng d ow nw ar d t o o pp os it e s id es o f t he c ha mb er .

  S he l oo ke d d ow n f or o nl y a n i ns ta nt ; t he n s he t hr ew h er se lf b ac k a nd t o t he r ig ht , r ol li ng w he n s heh it t he f lo or . T ak in g o ut a pi ece o f r ai li ng , a ba ll o f or ang e f la me f led u pw ar d l ik e a s lo w c om et , p as si ngt hr ou gh t he a re a s he h ad j us t q ui tt ed . I r us he d t o h er s id e, s li pp ed a n a rm b en ea th h er s ho ul de rs , b eg an

t o r ai se h er .

  I f el t h er s ti ff en , a s h er h ea d j er ke d s li gh tl y t o t he l ef t. S om eh ow , I a lr ea dy k ne w w ha t I w ou ld s eew he n I t ur ne d t ha t w ay .

  J ur t s to od t he re , s ta rk n ak ed s av e f or h is e ye p at ch , g lo wi ng , s mi li ng , a p ul se a wa y f ro msubstantiality.

  " Goo d o f yo u t o d rop by , b ro th er ," h e s ai d. " So rr y yo u c an' t s ta y. "

  S pa rk s d an ce d a t h is f in ge rt ip s a s h e s wu ng h is a rm i p m y d ir ec ti on . I d ou bt ed t ha t s ha ki ng h an dswas foremost; in his mind.

  T he o nl y r es po ns e I c ou ld t hi nk o f w as , " Yo ur s ho el ac e i s u nt ie d, " w hi ch o f c ou rs e d id n' t s to p h im ,

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 but it actually had him looking puzzled for a second or two.

  CHAPTER 12

  Jur t h ad n eve r pl ay ed f oot bal l. I do n ot be li ev e he e xpe ct ed me t o com e up f ast an d r ush hi m; an d

w he n i t h ap pe ne d, I d on 't t hi nk h e a nt ic ip at ed m y c om in g i n a s l ow a s I d id .

  A nd as f or c li pp in g h im j us t a bo ve t he k ne es a nd k no ck in g h im b ack t hr ou gh t he op en in g i n t her ai li ng , I 'm s ur e h e w as s ur pr is ed . A t l ea st h e l oo ke d s ur pr is ed a s h e w en t o ve r b ac kw ar d a nd plummeted, sparks still dancing at his fingertips.

  I h ea rd J as ra c hu ck le , e ve n a s h e f ad ed i n m id -f al l a nd v an is he d b ef or e t he f lo or g ot t o s pr ea d h imar ound a bi t. Th en, f rom t he c or ne r o f m y eye , I s aw he r r ise.

  " I' ll d ea l w it h h im n ow ," s he s ai d, a nd , " No p ro bl em . H e' s c lu ms y, " e ve n a s h e a pp ea re d a t t he h ea dof t he st ai r t o he r r ig ht . " You t ake car e o f M ask !"

  M as k w as o n t he o pp os it e s id e o f t he b la ck s to ne f ou nt ai n, s ta ri ng u p a t m e t hr ou gh a n o ra ng e a ndr ed g ey se r o f f la me s. B el ow , i n t he b as in , t he f ir es r ip pl ed y el lo w a nd w hi te . W he n h e s co op ed u p ah an df ii l a nd w or ke d t he m t og et he r a s a c hi ld m ig ht s ha pe a s no wb al l, t he y b ec am e a n i nc an de sc en t b lu e.Then he thr ew i t at m e.

  I se nt i t pas t wi th a s im pl e par ry. Th is w as n ot A rt , i t w as bas ic en er gy w or k. Bu t i t se rv ed as ar em in de r, e ve n a s I s aw J as ra p er fo rm t he p re li mi na ry g es tu re s t o a d an ge ro us s pe ll p ur el y a s a f ei nt , bringing her near enough to Jurt to trip him, pushing him backward down the stair.

  N ot A rt . W ho ev er e nj oy ed t he l ux ur y o f l iv in g n ea r a nd u ti li zi ng a p ow er s ou rc e s uc h a s t hi s w ou ldd ou bt le ss g et v er y s lo pp y a s t im e w en t o n, o nl y u si ng t he b as ic f ra me s o f s pe ll s a s g ui de s, r un ni ng r iv er sof power through them. One untutored, or extremely lazy, might possibly even dispense with that mucha ft er a t im e a nd p la y d ir ec tl y w it h t he r aw f or ce s, a k in d o f s ha ma ni sm , a s o pp os ed t o t he H ig he r M ag ic 's purity-like that of a balanced equation-producing a maximum effect from a minimum of effort.

  J as ra k ne w t hi s. I c ou ld t el l s he 'd r ec ei ve d f or ma l t ra in in g s om ew he re a lo ng t he l in e. T ha t m uc h w ast o t he g ood an yw ay, I de ci ded a s I pa rr ied an ot her b al l of f ir e an d mo ved t o m y l ef t.

  I b eg an d es ce nd in g t he s ta ir -s id ew ay s- ne ve r t ak in g m y g az e o ff M as k. I w as r ea dy t o d ef en d o r t o

strike in an instant.

  Th e r ai li ng b eg an t o g lo w b ef or e m e, t he n i t b ur st i nt o f la me . I r et re at ed a p ac e a nd c on ti nu ed m yd es ce nt . H ar dl y w or th w as ti ng a s pe ll t o d ou se i t. I t w as o bv io us ly m ea nt f or s ho w r at he r t ha n d am ag e. ..

  Well. . . .

  T he re w as a no th er p os si bi li ty , I r ea li ze d t he n, a s I s aw t ha t M as k w as s im pl y w at ch in g m e, w asm ak in g n o m ov e t o t hr ow a ny th in g e ls e i n m y d ir ec ti on .

  I t c ou ld a ls o b e a t es t. M as k m ig ht s im pl y b e a tt em pt in g t o d is co ve r w he th er I w as l im it ed t ow ha te ve r s pe ll s I h ad b ro ug ht w it h m e- or w he th er I h ad l ea rn ed t o t ap t he p ow er s ou rc e h er e d ir ec tl ya nd w ou ld s ho rt ly b e s lu gg in g t hi ng s o ut w it h h im a s J ur t a nd J as ra w er e n ow o bv io us ly p re pa ri ng t o d o.

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  S ud de nl y M as k w en t s pi nn in g i nt o t he a ir , a s I h ea rd t he f lo or in g s ha tt er . T he F ou nt i ts el f d ie d d ow n,g re w w ea ke r, a s a f la mi ng t ow er t wi st ed c ei li ng wa rd , r is in g f ro m a n ew o pe ni ng i n t he f lo or , b ea ri ngM as k w it h i t o n t he c res t o f i ts go ld en p lu me .

  "And enemies," Jasra stated, moving nearer.

  M as k s pr ea d h is a rm s a nd l eg s a nd w he el ed s lo wl y t hr ou gh t he m id dl e a ir , s ud de nl y i n c on tr ol o f h ist raj ect or y. I go t t o m y f ee t an d b ac ked aw ay f ro m t he Fo un t. I 'm se ld om at m y b es t at c en te rs o f                  geological catastrophes.

  A r us hi ng , r um bl in g s ou nd n ow c am e f ro m t he d ou bl ed f ou nt ai n, a nd a h ig h- pi tc he d,s ou rc el es s- se em in g n ot e a cc om pa ni ed i t. A s ma ll w in d s ig he d a mo ng t he r af te rs . T he t ow er o f f ir e a to pw hi ch M as k r od e c on ti nu ed i ts s lo w s pi ra li ng , a nd t he s pr ay i n t he l ow er ed f ou nt ai n b eg an a s im il ar  movement. Jurt stirred, moaned, raised his right arm.

  "And enemies," Mask acknowledged, beginning a series of gestures I recognized immediately because I'd spent a lot of time figuring them out.

  " Ja sr a! " I c ri ed . " Wa tc h o ut f or S ha ru !"

  Ja sr a t oo k t hr ee q ui ck s te ps t o h er l ef t a nd s mi le d. S om et hi ng v er y m uc h l ik e l ig ht ni ng t he n f el l f ro mt he r af t er s, b la ck en in g t he a re a s he h ad j us t d ep ar t ed .

  "He always starts with a lightning stroke," she explained. "He's very predictable."

  S he s pu n o nc e a nd v an is he d r ed ly , w it h a s ou nd l ik e b re ak in g g la ss .

  I l oo ke d i mm ed ia te ly t o w he re t he o ld m an h ad s to od , R IN AL DO c ar ve d u po n h is r ig ht l eg . H e w asl ea ni ng a ga in st t he w al l n ow , o ne h an d t o h is f or eh ea d, t he o th er i mp le me nt in g a s im pl e b ut p ow er fu lshielding spell.

  I was about to scream f or Mandor t o t ake t he ol d boy out , when Mask hi t me wit h a Klaxon spellwhich tempo rarily deafened me while bursting blood vessels in my nose.

  D ri pp in g, I d ov e a nd r ol le d, i nt er po si ng t he n ow -r is in g J ur t b et we en m ys el f a nd t he s or ce re r i n t hea ir . J ur t a ct ua ll y a pp ea re d t o b e t hr ow in g o ff t he e ff ec ts o f J as ra 's b it e. S o I d ro ve m y f is t i nt o h is

s to ma ch a s I r os e a nd t ur ne d h im i nt o a n e ve n b et te r p os it io n t o s er ve a s m y s hi el d. A m is ta ke . I r ec ei ve da j ol t f ro m h is b od y, n ot u nl ike a n as ty e le ct ri ca l s ho ck , a nd h e e ve n m an ag ed a b ri ef l au gh a s I f el l.

  " He 's a ll y ou rs ," I h ea rd h im g as p t he n.

  F ro m t he c or ne r o f m y e ye , I s aw w he re J as ra a nd S ha ru G ar ru l s to od , e ac h o f t he m s ee mi ng lyh ol di ng on e en d of a g re at l on g p iec e o f m ac ra me w or k w ov en o f c ab le s. T he l in es w er e p ul si ng a ndc ha ng in g c ol or s, a nd I k ne w t he y r ep re se nt ed f or ce s r at he r t ha n m at er ia l o bj ec ts , v is ib le o nl y b y v ir tu e o f                  t he L og ru s S ig ht , u nd er w hi ch I c on ti nu ed t o o pe ra te . T he p ul se i nc re as ed i n t em po , a nd b ot h s an k  s lo wl y t o t he ir k ne es , a rm s s ti ll e xt en de d, f ac es g li st en in g. A q ui ck w or d, a g es tu re , a nd I c ou ld b re ak  t ha t b al an ce . U nf or tu na te ly , I h ad p ro bl em s o f m y o wn j us t t he n. M as k w as s wo op in g t ow ar d m e l ik esome huge insect-expressionless, shimmering, deadly. A succession of brittle snapping sounds occurredw it hi n t he f ro nt w al l o f t he K ee p, w he re a s er ie s o f j ag ge d c ra ck s r ac ed d ow nw ar d l ik e b la ck l ig ht ni ng . Iwas away of falling dust beyond the spiraling lights, of the growling and the whining sounds-faint now

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within my ringing ears-of the continuing vibration of the floor beneath my half-numbed legs. But that wasa ll r ig ht . I r ai se d m y l ef t h an d a s m y r ig ht s li d w it hi n m y c lo ak .

  A f ier y b la de a pp ea re d i n M ask 's r ig ht ha nd . I d id ao t s ti r, bu t w ai ted a s ec on d l ong er be fo res pe ak in g t he g ui de w or ds t o m y F an ta si a- f or -S ix -A ce ty le ne -T or ch es s pe ll a s I s na pp ed m y f or ea rm back to cover my eyes and rolled to the side.

  T he s tr ok e m is se d m e, p as si ng t hr ou gh b ro ke n s to ne . M as k' s l ef t a rm f el l a cr os s m y c he st , h ow ev er ,e lb ow c on ne ct in g w it h m y l ow er r ib s. I d id n ot s to p t o a ss es s d am ag es , t ho ug h, a s I h ea rd t he s wo rd o f                  f ir e c ra ck le a nd c om e f re e o f t he s to ne . A nd s o, t ur ni ng , I s tr uc k w it h m y o wn m or e m un da ne d ag ge r o f                  steel, driving its full length up into Mask's left kidney.

  T he re f ol lo we d a s cr ea m a s t he s or ce re r s ti ff en ed a nd s lu mp ed b es id e m e. A lm os t i mm ed ia te lyt he re af te r I w as k ic ke d w it h c on si de ra bl e f or ce b eh in d m y r ig ht h ip . I t wi st ed a wa y a nd a no th er b lo wl anded upon m y r ight sho ul der . I am sur e i t was ai med f or m y head. As I cover ed my n eck and tem pl esa nd m ll ed a wa y, I h ea rd J ur t' s v oi ce , c ur si ng .

  Dr aw ing m y l onger bl ad e, I r ose t o m y f eet , and my gaze met Jur t' s. He was r isi ng at t he sam e t im e,a nd h e h el d M as k c ra dl ed i n h is a rm s.

  " La te r, " h e s ai d t o m e, a nd h e v an is he d, b ea ri ng t he . b od y a wa y w it h h im . T he b lu e m as k r em ai ne don t he f lo or , nea r t o a l on g sm ear of b loo d.

  Jasra and Sharu were still facing each other from kneeling positions, panting, bodies completelydrenched, their life forces twisting about each other like mating serpents.

  T he n, l ik e a s ur fa ci ng f is h, J ur t a pp ea re d w it hi n t he t ow er o f f or ce s b ey on d t he F ou nt . E ve n a s

M an do r h ur le d t wo o f h is s ph er es -w hi ch s ee me d t o g ro w i n s iz e a s t he y f le d d ow n t he c ha mb er , t o c ra shi nt o t he F ou nt a nd r ed uc e i i t o r ub bl e- I s aw w ha t I b el ie ve d I w ou ld n ev er s ee a ga in .

  A s t he r ev er be ra ti on o f t he F ou nt 's c ol la ps e s pr ea d a nd t he g ro an in g a nd g ri nd in g w it hi n t he w al lsw as r ep la ce d b y a s na pp in g a nd s wa yi ng , a nd d us t, g ra ve l a nd t im be rs f el l ab ou t m e, I w as m ov in gforward, skirting the wreckage, sidestepping new geysers and rivulets of glowing forces, cloak raised to protect my face, black extended.

  J ur t c ur se d m e r ou nd ly a s I c am e o n. T he n, " Pl ea se d; b ro th er ? P le as ed ?" h e s ai d. " Ma y d ea th b e t heo nl y p ea ce b et we en u s. "

  Bu t I i gno red t he pr ed ict ab le se nt im en t, f or I ha d t o get a be tt er l ook a t w ha t I t hou gh t I ha d s eenm om en ts b ef or e. I l ea pe d o ve r a p ie ce o f b ro ke n m as on ry a nd b eh el d t he f al le n s or ce re r' s f ac e w it hi n t heflames, head cradled against his shoulder.

  " Ju li a! " I c ri ed .

  B ut t hey v ani she d ev en as I m oved f or wa rd, and I k ne w i t w as t im e f or m e t o d o t he sam e.

  T ur ni ng , I f le d t hr ou gh t he f ir e.

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