Knight of Shadows

«Oh. You did ask about her father,» she said. Then she paused, and I nodded. «So there's truth in that rumor,» she observed at last.

«You didn't really know?»

«There are so many rumors in the world, most of them impossible to check. How am I to know which of them hold truth? And why should I care?»

«You're right, of course,» I said. «Nevertheless…»

«Another of the old boy's by-blows,» she said. «Does anyone keep score? It's a wonder he had any time for affairs of state.»

«Anyone's guess,» I said.

«To be frank then, in addition to knowing the rumor I'd heard, there was indeed a family resemblance. I couldn't judge on that count, though, not being personally acquainted with most of the family. You're saying there's truth in it?»

«Yes.»

«Just because of the resemblance, or is there something more?»

«Something more.»

She smiled sweetly and retrieved her fork.

«I've always enjoyed that fairy-tale revelation which sees one rise in the world.»

«I also,» I said, and I resumed eating.

Mandor cleared his throat.

«It seems hardly fair,» he said, «to tell only part of a story.»

«You're right,» I agreed.

Jasra returned her gaze to me and sighed.

«All right,» she said, «I'll ask. How did you know for cer- Oh. Of course. The Pattern.»

I nodded.

«Well, well, well. Little Coral, Mistress of the Pattern. This was a fairly recent occurrence?»

«Yes.»

«I suppose she is off somewhere in Shadow now - celebrating.»

«I wish I knew.»

«What do you mean?»

«She's gone, but I don't know where. And it's the Pattern that did it to her.»

«How?»

«Good question. I don't know.»

Mandor cleared his throat.

«Merlin,» he said, «perhaps there are some matters» - he rotated his left hand - «that on reflection you may wish-»

«No,» I said. «Ordinarily discretion would rule - perhaps even with you, my brother, as a Lord of Chaos. And certainly in the case of Your Highness» - I nodded to Jasra - «save that you are acquainted and may even have a touch of affection for the lady.» I decided against laying it on too thick and quickly added, «Or at least no malice toward her.»

«As I said, I'm very fond of the girl,» Jasra stated, leaning forward.

«Good,» I replied, «for I feel at least partly responsible for what happened, even though I was duped in the matter. So I feel obliged to try to set things right. Only I don't know how.»

«What happened?» she asked.

«I was entertaining her when she expressed a desire to see the Pattern. So I obliged her. On the way she asked me questions about it. It seemed harmless conversation, and I satisfied her curiosity. I was not familiar with the rumors concerning her parentage, or I would have suspected something. As it was, when we got there, she set foot upon the Pattern and commenced walking it.»

Jasra sucked in her breath.

«It would destroy one not of the blood,» she said. «Correct?»

I nodded.

«Or even one of us,» I said then, «if any of a number of mistakes be made.»

Jasra chuckled.

«Supposing her mother'd really been carrying on with a footman or the cook?» she remarked.

«She's a wise daughter,» I said. «At any rate, once one begins the Pattern, one may not turn back. I was obliged to instruct her as she went along. That, or be a very poor host and doubtless damage Begman-Amber relations.»

«And spoil all sorts of delicate negotiations?» she asked, half seriously.

I'd a feeling just then that she'd welcome a digression concerning the exact nature of the Begman visit, but I wasn't biting.

«You might say that,» I said. «At any rate, she completed the Pattern, and then it took her away.»

«My late husband told me that from its center one can command the Pattern to deliver one anywhere.»

«True,» I said, «but it was the nature of her command that was a bit unusual. She told the Pattern to send her wherever it wanted.»

«I'm afraid I don't understand.»

«Neither do I, but she did, and it did.»

«You mean she just said, `Send me wherever you want to send me,' and she was instantly dispatched for points unknown?»

«You've got it.»

«That would seem to imply some sort of intelligence on the part of the Pattern.»

«Unless, of course, it was responding to an unconscious desire on her part to visit some particular locale.»

«True. I suppose there is that possibility. But have you no means of tracing her?»

«I'd a Trump I'd done of her. When I tried it, I reached her. She seemed pent in a dark place. Then we lost touch, and that's it.»

«How long ago was this?»

«A matter of hours by my subjective reckoning,» I said. «Is this place on anything near Amber time?»

«Close enough, I believe. Why didn't you try again?»

«I've been somewhat occupied ever since. Also, I've been casting about for some alternate way of approaching this.»

There came a clinking, rattling sound, and I smelled coffee.

«If you're asking whether I'll help you,» Jasra said, «the answer is yes. Only I don't really know how to go about it. Perhaps if you were to try her Trump again with me backing you - we might reach her.»

«All right,» I said, lowering my cup and fumbling forth the cards. «Let's give it a try.»