Chapter 24: Dissent

"Now we really seem to have a problem

And it won't just disappear

And all the friends we thought we could rely on

Just want to whisper in my ear

It's just a matter of opinions

You know you keep both in sight

Why should you bother with the other side

When you know yours is right?"

You know I'm right - David Gilmour

     "Okay," I sighed, "this is getting me nowhere. No more beating around the bush. There's something I have to do and I need your help." Algo looked at me inquisitively. "It's that Black Trump. I need to find out how it works, how I can control it. Since you use the same power that's in that thing when drawing your Trumps I thought you might know how to handle it."

     "But I've always thought that what I use for my cards is just some kind of Trump power," Algo said, "nothing special."

     "No," I replied, "I don't know how you do it, but your Trumps contain bits of a power that is commonly referred to as the Nexus. Or the Blue Macaroni. Whichever you prefer." I told him a little of what I knew about the Nexus. Not too much, though. Still, I could see that even this little bit had him fascinated.

     "I don't know anything about that Nexus business," he confessed. "I just draw a Trump and it works. It's a matter of getting the intensity right, that's all." I sighed and shook my head. He was using a power most of us knew nothing about, but he didn't have the faintest idea what he was doing. That in itself was rather peculiar. I mean, how can you use power without knowledge? It wasn't only peculiar, it was also rather dangerous. Despite my misgivings I handed Algo the Black Trump, so that he could take a closer look. There was just no one else I could ask to do it, and with his intuitive feel for the Macaroni he still might be able to learn something from it. As he made contact I lightly touched his shoulder to see what he was doing. I got the same sensation from the Trump as when I had used  it, but somehow Algo managed to keep a better grip on the thing. No, he somehow had a feel for it, anticipating the ways in which it would twist. I got the feeling that he would be able to use the Trump for the purpose I had in mind, if he really wanted to. If only his link with Diana were stronger, I wouldn't have to waste all this time trying to get a grip on the thing myself. After a while he stopped and gave me back the Trump.

     "It's strange," he said. "It was just like picking up a telephone, and you know there's a connection, but the only thing you hear is static. Weird, huh?"

     "Yeah," I said. "Look, do you think you could teach me how to use the thing, just by practicing a lot? I figure it is about my only chance of finding Diana again." He looked thoughtfully for a moment or so, and then nodded.

     "Alright," he said, "I'll see what I can do. But not now, that thing  has given me a splitting headache." I smiled and held back a suggestion that it might have been the wine that had splitted his head.

     We agreed that we would continue our studies the following day, so I decided to stay in Telgan. I felt too restless, though, to really do anything aside from pacing through the town for hours on end. I realized that I had to depend on Algo's help if I ever wanted to have a chance of finding Diana again, and I didn't like the feeling. If there was one thing I had learned, it was that you never should depend too heavily on your relatives, especially when you're an Amberite. Still, if I had to trust and even depend on anyone, then I guess Algo wasn't the worst choice. At least his loyalties and goals in life were relatively simple: he was first and foremost interested in himself. I wondered whether I should tell him of the vision I had had in Tir-na Nog'th that related to him. Better not, until I knew a little more about that business myself. How I would like a chance to sit down and talk things over with someone like Lisa. The things I could learn...

     The next day, early in the afternoon, I got a Trump call, and thinking it to be Algo I accepted without really thinking, only to be completely surprised when the image of Diana appeared before my eyes. Yes! She was safe! For a few moments I was speechless, then I immediately inquired after her story. And boy, did she have one for me! She told me that when Rhiane, Myrthe and herself had been hit by that blue whirlwind, they had somehow been transported to some other Vale of Garnath, without any Pink Golems or Amber soldiers. Their Trumps hadn't seemed to work anymore, but they had still been able to shift through Shadow. They had made their way back to Amber, or at least to the place where Amber was supposed to be. The Kolvir, or its counterpart, had been there, but the city hadn't and the castle had only been a ruin, overgrown with shrubs and weeds. The three of them had managed to clear the way to the stairs that led to the Pattern room, where they had come face to face with another Pattern, this one red and slightly different in shape from the one in our Amber, and with a funny, hunchbacked old man called Dworkin.

     Dworkin had transported the lot of them out of the Pattern room to one of his chambers where he had served them tea and had asked them to do something for him. It had appeared that he had lost a trinket, a red jewel on a chain, somewhere in the sea. Would the ladies be so kind as to go and search for it? They had reluctantly agreed and Dworkin had once again whisked them away, this time to the shores at the foot of Amber, where he had sent them down the stairs towards the ruins of Rebma. Figuring that all important things should turn up there sooner or later the ladies had gone to the Pattern room in the city under the sea. There they had met a sort of a cross between a sea-horse and a unicorn who had given them the jewel they were searching for (The Jewel?). It had felt as something very powerful, but none of them had known what they were dealing with.

     They had gone back to the mainland, only to find that their surroundings had once again changed. This time the whole top of the Kolvir had disappeared, ruin and everything. After yet another climb up the mountain, they had come to a plateau with that other Pattern lying in the open air. Dworkin had been waiting for them, along with a unicorn (The Unicorn?) who had seemed to be heavy with child. Dworkin had accepted his little trinket from the girls with a smile and a slight touch which had caused three doubles of the ladies to spring forth. The three doubles had turned to the unicorn and had helped with the delivery of a small, humanoid baby boy. During the birth the doubles had slowly started to change, Rhiane becoming younger and prettier, Myrthe somewhat older and more motherly, and  Diana a lot older, finally hiding her face under a wide hood. The doubles had presented the newborn child to Dworkin and had each pronounced some kind of blessing over the child. Diana had not been able to make out their exact words, but she had heard all three of the doubles address the child as Oberon! After that the three doubles had disappeared, as had the unicorn. When asked Dworkin had told them that he should have no trouble raising the little boy by himself, saying that if it had worked once it should work again. Then he had sent the three of them back to Amber, with only some small biscuits in their hands showing that it had all been more than a dream.

     I didn't know what to make of Diana's story, but I was too happy to see her again to really care. Later, when I told her what had happened to me and we compared stories, I remarked upon the fact that while it seemed that the ladies had been to another reality, they had experienced none of the ill effects that Martin and Deirdre had in the Black Unicorn reality or I had in the Overshadow. Strange... Perhaps it was in some way connected to the fact that it seemed that Dworkin had made that red Pattern as well as the Pattern in our Amber. Then again he might also have been shielding the three of them while they searched for his trinket. Who knows what Dworkin might be capable of. I decided to let it all rest until something else turned up that might in some way be connected to this little episode and shed some new light on it. I'd better not rack my brain with things that were as yet beyond my understanding, for there were still enough other things that needed my attention which I might be able to comprehend.

     Although Diana's return had robbed me of the reason I had given Algo for wanting to study the Black Trump I still decided to go along with that plan and learn as much as I could. There was as yet no sign from cousin Murlas, but I figured that he would turn up sooner or later, just like Algo had suggested, and when he did I would feel honour-bound to return the Trump to him... provided he first asked for it, of course. Until then, however, I figured I had to make the most of it.

     Algo was a real help in this, although in the few days we spent working on the thing he managed to forget about our appointments more than once. I couldn't really blame him for it, now that the real emergency was gone, but I got the feeling that he would have acted the same way if Diana and the others had still been missing. And yet, for all his faults it was better to be working with cousin Algo than with most of my other relatives, save a few very special individuals, and we actually seemed to make some progress of sorts, however small it may be. It would take a long time and a lot of work before I would be able to really do something useful with that thing.

     Since Diana was back in Amber I had decided to split my time between visiting Algo in Telgan and spending some time with her and some of the others back in Amber. Of course one of those others was Adrian who invited me over for a drink and a chat. That way I also got to see his new maid, Narshila, whom he had told me so much about. She was quite beautiful and I could see why he wanted to keep her with him, even though she came from the Courts and was therefore one of Them. Adrian and I talked about our recent adventures. He wasn't too happy about his collaboration with Caine. Adrian was certain that Caine knew the identity of the man who had led the forces around the portal to the pink golem command centre, a man who had worn a pitch black full plate battle armour. Caine, however, was being his usual self and kept on denying any kind of knowledge about that guy.

     This whole thing wasn't all that surprising to me; it sounded as a typical Caine thing to do. I was more upset, though, to hear that that guy in black had been accompanied by two of those flying fur coats, one of which we had met at the Myrone Corporation in Angel City. Caine had told Adrian that those things were called Sheen robots and that they combined technology with some magical capabilities. In other words, those things were mean, and the fact that Caine knew more about them made me feel rather uneasy.

     Adrian and I also wondered a little about my adventures in the Overshadow and Murlas's connected disappearance. Adrian was somewhat glad to be rid of him. He told me how he had asked Murlas to test the abilities of his new personal secretary, a task to which Murlas had agreed to. Later, though, Adrian had reconsidered; on second thoughts he didn't like the thought of someone like Murlas messing with his retainers, so he had informed Murlas that his services wouldn't be needed after all. As could be expected the news hadn't gone down well at all with dear cousin Murlas. He had warned Adrian in plain terms to think before ever asking something from him again and had added in an icy tone that he shouldn't attach to much value to the secretary in question. It was, therefore, no big surprise that Adrian preferred to see Murlas go, and it had better be for a long time. I couldn't say that I entirely agreed with him, but I could understand his sentiments.

     So that was how I spent my time for a few days: talking with Adrian or Diana or someone else, working with Algo, or visiting Uncle Jaro, who was recovering faster and faster, and my Mother, whose moment of reawakening kept coming closer and closer. I nearly accepted an offer from Algo to stay a few days with him in Telgan together with Diana had it not been for the strange tension I had started noticing in the palace. Something was afoot and I decided it was better to stick close in case something important might happen.

     Well, a day or two later something did happen. It was during one of our Family dinners when I noticed that Corwin and Fiona, around whom the aforementioned tension had seemed to gravitate, were arguing. All but a few relatives were there and all seemed very interested in the argument. It was as yet unclear what they were talking about, but it got more heated by the minute. Fiona made some kind of biting remark, Corwin cursed loudly and smashed his hand on the table, and the two of them went on bickering, until their voices finally reached a volume which could be heard all around the table.

     The cause of their fight was Corwin's Pattern. I noticed that some of the Elders didn't look surprised at this; apparently they had seen this coming for some time. Fiona was arguing that Corwin's Pattern was a menace that should be destroyed as soon as possible, while Corwin on the other hand accused Fi of having other motives for wanting his Pattern gone, which earned him more than one enraged look from her. Random, who was sitting between the two of them and who was definitely looking very unhappy with the way the argument was proceeding, tried to put the whole thing into perspective, but he got angry glances from both of them. Fiona appeared to urge him to make a decision (in her favour of couse), while Corwin seemed more inclined to trust upon the brotherly ties between him and Random. I knew that Random and Corwin had always been rather good friends, but Random also depended quite heavily on Fiona for advice on certain matters. The poor guy was almost literally caught between a rock and a hard place.

     When some of the others around the table started joining in in the argument Random called out: "Okay, okay already! Family Meeting! If everyone wants to voice his or her opinion we might as well make it official." He seemed a bit tired and weary and clearly at a loss how to deal with this case. Some servants quickly cleared the table and left us alone to discuss this affair, knowing that it was something they certainly didn't want to be caught up in.

     Fiona began by clarifying her point of view. She had done some research after all the things that had happened lately and she had come to the conclusion that of late there were more and more disturbances in Shadow, like for instance Shadowstorms. She had traced the cause of these disturbances back to the presence of Corwin's Pattern. The steady old balance between the Pattern and the Logrus had been turned into an uneasy triangle of power. The Pattern had tried its best to absorb the new Pattern and the Logrus had tried its best to destroy it, but both had failed.

     A quick look around the table told me that this was old news to most of the others. Old news or not, though, it was still news to most of the younger generation. Of course I knew about Corwin drawing his Pattern at the end of the Patternfall War, but I had never actually seen it and had not really bothered about it until now.

     Fiona continued her story by claiming that Corwin's Pattern had clearly upset the balance between the powers, thus leaving a hole so to speak, a gap that could be filled by anyone who would be daring enough to fill it. And something had come and filled it: the Nexus. Slowly but surely it was trying to get a foothold in this reality, a thing which according to Fi should be avoided at all cost. She argued that all the latest attacks on Amber had been meant to weaken the balance of power even further and increase the Nexus's chances of settling in. The only solution open to us was to go back to the old balance of power by obliterating Corwin's Pattern; in the old days there had never been room for any alien powers, meaning that the Nexus would be driven out quite easily.

      I thought it to be a quite rigorous and highly inelegant solution to this problem, but like most of the others I refrained from saying so out loud. First we wanted to hear what Corwin had to say.

     Corwin started off by agreeing with Fiona that both the Logrus and the Pattern weren't very happy with his Pattern. Yes, there had indeed been several attempts at either absorbing it or destroying it, but fortunately none had succeeded. It was also clear by now that the Pattern was sentient and in the habit of manipulating all of us like simple pawns on a chessboard. And the hold the Pattern had over us went quite far in the case of some among us, he added with a casual glance at Fiona. Corwin's own Pattern was also sentient, but it was a nice Pattern, not inclined to manipulate at all (yeah, sure). He stated that it had a right to exist, just like our Pattern here in Amber. Besides, both he, Merlin and Rinaldo had put quite a lot of energy in preserving his Pattern and he wasn't about to let it all go to waste. He said with more than a hint of warning in his voice that he wouldn't be able to ignore yet another attack. He simply didn't believe that a triangle of power was all that bad as Fiona made it out to be. If it hadn't been possible, he argued, he wouldn't have been able to draw his Pattern in the first place. Of course he too was worried about all our problems, but he wasn't all that convinced that they were all caused by the presence of his Pattern. Amber had a lot of enemies, he warned us, and we shouldn't forget that it was still only quite recently that we had fought and won a major war. There were enough people who resented us that victory, as his recent stay in Chaos had only helped to prove. If we wanted to find something that was causing our problems, we might well turn our eyes in the direction of the Courts.

      When he was finished Corwin sat down and a silence fell over the room. You could see everyone go over all this information in their head, but if anyone reached some kind of conclusion they didn't show it. Me, I couldn't say who was right, one way or the other. Fiona's analysis and solution seemed to be a little too cold and calculating, while Corwin seemed too emotionally attached to his Pattern to think logically. Well, maybe I'm exaggerating here, but I found both of their explanations to be just a bit too extreme for my taste; I had a strong feeling that neither of them was really right or wrong and that the truth was, as usual, somewhere in the middle.

      What to make of Corwin's announcement that both the Patterns were sentient, though? To most of the Elders it hadn't seemed to come as a surprise, so I guess it must be true. Hmmm... No, I didn't know what to do with it. Perhaps I should just try to talk to the Pattern sometime, if it did have something to say to me.

     Anyway, back to the matter at hand. Once again I glanced around the table. Nobody wanted to reveal what their thoughts on the matter really were, but there was a general feeling that some kind of decision had to be reached, for doing nothing would amount to choosing Corwin's side. Finally Rhiane broke the uneasy silence.

     "If this Nexus is such a menace as you say it is," she said to Fiona, "then why don't the Logrus and the two Patterns combine their forces against it?"

     "Because it's simply not in their nature to do so," Fiona said. "The Pattern and the Logrus are old opponents, older still than Amber itself. It is unthinkable that they should ever forget all their old differences and cooperate.

     "Now, Corwin's Pattern," she continued, "is an intruder. Since there are now two Patterns there is on the whole more order in our reality, which weakens the Logrus. However, our own Pattern has to share its power with the new one, which also weakens it. Therefore it is only logical that both should turn against the intruder."

     "Why don't we simply get rid of the Nexus?" Adrian asked. Rhiane nodded her agreement.

     "As it is," Fiona said, "no action of any kind can be taken against the Nexus. It is a full-fledged power, after all. The two Patterns and the Logrus are currently channeling all their power into maintaining the delicate balance between them, so neither of them have any left for any offensive actions against who or whatever."

     "I still don't see why the two Patterns can't at least cooperate," Rhiane muttered.

     "It's not that easy," Fiona said. "Our Pattern considers itself to be The Pattern, with Corwin's Pattern nothing more than an... an inferior. It feels that a second independent Pattern with its own agenda is not possible. All this aside, the relationship between the two Patterns has been thoroughly ruined by our Pattern's attempt at absorbing the other one." It sounded very logical, but I saw a problem loom up in the not so distant future.

     "Let's say," I began, "we go ahead and destroy Corwin's Pattern. What guarantee do we have that the Nexus will be forced out by the remaining two and won't move to take the spot formerly occupied by Corwin's Pattern?"

     "I have to admit that there are certain risks," Fiona conceded, "but consider this: both the Pattern and the Logrus are firmly rooted in this reality and therefore stronger than the Nexus, which is still trying to find a real foothold."

     "But it is quite powerful in its own right," Adrian interjected. "After all, it's able to work between realities and all."

     "Look," Fiona said sternly, "we can't have any more delays. The longer we wait, the more powerful the Nexus will become. We just have to take action."

     "Maybe we could look for a new little reality for Corwin's Pattern," Boadice remarked with a smile.

     "I don't know whether that's possible," Fiona said, "but it's certainly a more elegant solution." I could only agree with that and Boa's remark met with a lot of approval from the other Elders. I had the feeling that none of them, or at least few of them wanted to choose between taking Corwin's or Fiona's side. None of them were adding much to the discussion, probably afraid to show that they didn't know everything. A lot of people were glancing in Random's direction, though. He was the one who had to make the final decision and he didn't look too happy about it. Finally Random cleared his throat to get everybody's attention.

      "I've thought it over carefully," he said in the silence that followed, "and I've decided that at this time Fiona's solution is just too drastic. I agree with her up to a certain point, but I see some dangers as well. There are two things that I want to know before taking any action. One: we have to be certain that this isn't some kind of trick from the Courts. Two: the question of whether the Nexus would move to fill the void left after Corwin's Pattern's destruction should be answered. There is only one solution to this problem: we need to know more about this Nexus. Until we do, we don't take any kind of action, neither towards Corwin's Pattern, nor towards the Nexus."

     With that he glanced sternly to his left and right at Fiona and Corwin. Both of them were not looking very pleased with his decision, but his expression told them that there was to be no arguing about it. Fiona, however, looked indignant at Random's implication that she had not supplied all the necessary information, while Corwin regarded him accusingly as if Random had already given up on his Pattern. There was a good lesson here for all to see: try to find the middle way and you end up offending both parties. It might be a better idea to try and keep from having to choose sides, and from the expressions on my relatives' faces I'd say that they had also decided on maintaining a blissful neutrality, or at least some sort of facade of such a stance.

     All my good intentions came to nothing, however, when I tried to slip off to my room after finishing the dessert. Fiona skillfully intercepted me for some pleasant conversation. Afraid that my own straying thoughts might lead me into trouble I began running the first part of the Peer Gynt in the back of my mind, which earned me a reproachful look from Fi. Not long after that she started angling for my position in the conflict, as I had of course expected.

     "I think I rather agree with Random," I said hesitantly. "I would certainly want to learn some more about the Nexus."

     "I can understand and I applaud that," she said. "I have already been studying it and there is still much to learn. I can also see why you're reluctant to commit yourself. I am, however, afraid that now that the matter's out in the open Corwin will start to take steps to improve his Pattern's defenses by having his sons walk it, thus increasing its power." She didn't add anything to this, but it was clear that she was more or less asking me to help avoid this from happening.

     "Look," I said, trying to win some time, "I'm still unsure as to where I stand in this, but I can see your point of view."

     "I've noticed that you and Adrian are on rather good terms," she said. "Perhaps you could persuade him from taking any drastic actions. After all, that's what Random wants as well." Oh, great! So now I had to try to worm my way between Adrian and his father. Fat chance of that, if you'd ask me. Still, I told Fiona that I would talk to Adrian, so as not to seem too uncooperative. She smiled sweetly and went off on her way to convert more willing henchman. Congratulations Dorian, I told myself, you've just been drafted. Great work, keep it up!

     I continued on my way upstairs, only to be halted once more when Diana came after me. She too wanted to know where I stood, but at least she was more direct about it than Fiona. I told her more or less the same thing as I had told Fi: that I was still hadn't made up my mind. Diana herself felt more inclined to take Corwin's side. She appeared to like him a lot and she could understand how he felt about something like this. Besides that, I felt that she was not really inclined towards destruction and she was also a little afraid of Fiona, who seemed quite intense and fanatical to her. I reassured her that it would all work out before she headed back to the diningroom. Yeah, it would sure all work out, one way or the other...

     A couple of hours later there was a knock at my door. To my surprise it was cousin Murlas. I hadn't seen him before, although I had heard some faint rumours that he had returned from wherever it was that Dagger had taken him. I bid him to come in and poured him a glass of wine.

      "I see that you have managed to return in one piece," he said whilst raising his glass to me. I smiled and nodded. Same old Murlas...

     "Yes," I said, "fortunately everything went rather well. What about you?"

     "Oh, everything is quite alright, I assure you." He smiled that nasty, chilling smile of his as if to say that that wasn't why he had come to see me. Just as well, since talking about our adventures in the Overshadow would undoubtedly bring up the Black Trump and I wasn't ready to part with that little trinket yet. So...

     "Did you hear about the latest developments?" I asked him.

     "No, not in so many words," he said. "There seem to be some general difficulties, I believe."

     "You might say that. You might very well say that." I proceeded to tell him about our new problems and Random's decision in the matter. As he listened his expression turned graver.

     "It appears a rather awkward situation," he said. "Have there been any arrangements made for that research that Random wanted in regard to the Nexus?"

     "Not that I'm aware of, no."

     "I think it is of the highest importance," he said. "In my opinion we should do our best to get rid of the Nexus as quickly as possible. After all, we have seen what it can do. Do you not agree?"

     "Well, I think there might be some people who will oppose any such ideas."

     "Who do you have in mind?"

     "Like Galoran and Caine, to name but a few."

     "That is their problem, I think."

     "I guess you're right," I said, "but still..."

     "The Nexus is the real problem if I understand you correctly. Still, it is not clear what the best way would be to deal with it."

     "In a way it is strange," I mused. "The Nexus seems to be of a completely different nature than the two Patterns and the Logrus. I mean, it works on a completely different level. Why hasn't it cropped up before?"

     "There seems to be a general lack of information," Murlas said with a slight smile. I immediately caught his drift.

     "Maybe we're the right people to do something about that," I said. His smile widened and he nodded. "But where to start?" I added.

     "Well, first we go and see Random. After all, it is his idea. I think, however, that he will undoubtedly jump at our proposal for action." I poured us another glass of wine and something occured to me then. Yes, that might be a quite elegant solution.

     "Perhaps we can take some other people along as well," I said. "Like Adrian for instance..."

     "Adrian?" Murlas looked as if he had just found some kind of dead insect floating in his wine. I realized that I'd better tell him the truth of the matter, otherwise he would never agree to it.

     "Look, Adrian is one of Corwin's sons who hasn't yet walked his Pattern. Fiona has warned me to keep him from doing so, since anyone who walks it will make it stronger and hence more difficult to destroy, should the need for that finally arise."

     "So we have to play babysitter for him?" Murlas said sarcastically.

     "If you want to call it that, yes," I replied. "We just have to keep him from doing anything that all of us might come to regret later on."

     "Some muscle might always come in handy, I guess, and if there is one thing that Adrian is good for it is just that. Do you want to take any of the others along as well?"

     "Well, there's also Alexander to consider. The same goes for him as for his brother. However, I'm a bit reluctant at taking both of them on this mission."

     "No, I do not think that Alexander would be a good addition. Besides, he is far away."

     "We might want to include a few others so that Adrian doesn't get too suspicious," I said.

     "Some extra muscle, you mean?" Murlas looked thoughtful.

     "For instance. But I think we had better talk to Random and see if he has any ideas. First, though, I'm going to try to convince Adrian that we really need him." Murlas smirked.

     "I will see you at breakfast," he said. "Then you can tell me how it all went."

     After we had finished our wine I locked the door behind us and we both left, Murlas for his dark apartment in the dungeons and I for Adrian's chambers. Fortunately he was in, looking as pleased as ever at seeing me. It made me feel a bit guilty at what I was about to do, but I quickly pushed any feeling of guilt deeply away. Random had said that no action whatsoever was to be taken, so I felt somewhat reassured that I was really doing the right thing. After all, we didn't want Corwin's Pattern to become too powerful, now did we? Still, I had the sneaking feeling that Adrian just wouldn't see it that way. I hesitated a moment before accepting the wine he offered; I had already had quite a bit to drink today, but if I declined his offer it might somehow make him suspicious, so I took one of the glasses and just made sure not to empty it too fast.

     "I'll get right to the point," I began when we both were seated.

     "I already have a feeling what this is going to be about," he said with a half-smile.

     "Then you're probably feeling right: it's about our new problems. I have just had a little chat with Murlas and we both agree that it might be a good idea to go and take a closer look at the Nexus. See if we can find some more info on it."

     "Seems like a fine plan," Adrian said. He said it rather stiffly, though. Did he already know more about what this visit was really about? Perhaps he had already talked with his father. Corwin might easily have persuaded him to his point of view.

     "My question is whether you might want to come along and help us," I said.

     "Well, I would like to find out more about the Nexus," he replied. Again that stiffness. If he didn't know, then he suspected at least, I was sure of it! He wasn't going to come out and confront me, though, or he would have done it by now. Let's see how far we could take this game...

     "But what do you have in mind?" he asked me.

     "As yet it isn't clear where we will begin our investigation," I said smoothly, "but we seem to have enough leads, like the Black Trump and Algo for instance."

     "And what do you figure my role will be in all of this?" he asked.

     "The main plan is to work together as a group...," I began, but as soon as he heard that he immediately cut me short.

     "Then I'm not going to go," he said firmly. So there it was. I looked him in the eye, trying to make my expression one of innocent surprise.

     "I'll explain it to you," he continued. "I'm going to my father's Pattern, because I feel it's too soon to jump to any conclusions. I fear, however, that some other people might do just that and might take matters in their own hands. I will be there if they decide to try and destroy the Pattern without waiting for Random's approval." He was quite resolute in his conviction, I could see that, but I could also see that he didn't really distrust me. Or perhaps he didn't really want to. Anyway, he wasn't totally closed to what I was going to say, so I still had a chance to change his mind.

     "I agree with you that it's far too soon to jump to conclusions," I said, "but it seems we are stuck with a problem. Aside from the fact that you're physical skills are much better than Murlas's or mine and that as such you would make a good addition to our team, I foresee the following difficulties: let's say Murlas and I go investigating without you and we return with information confirming all of Fiona's theories. I'm afraid that in that case certain people will just plainly refuse to believe us. Murlas might be neutral in this conflict, but he is not really trusted by anyone, and quite rightly so of course. As for my own position, I fear that that has already been decided, against my will I must say. The fact that I've spent a lot of time studying with Fiona will convince a lot of people that I'm on her side in this conflict, regardless of my own beliefs. What it boils down to is that we need you, just to add credibility to our cause."

      Adrian was silent for a while. I could see that my words were not without their effect, but he seemed to have a difficult time finding the right thing to do. I felt a bit of pity for him, but immediately hardened myself against such feelings. This was serious business and I had to be firm.

     "Isn't there anyone else who can take my place?" he finally asked.

     "Like who?" I retorted. "Look, I know that your position has also been decided for you, in much the same way as mine has. That could work in our advantage here. A lot of the others are still left hanging. Look at all the people from our generation. You can forget about Algo, he's only interested in himself. Both Rhiane and Myrthe are too new and unfamiliar, with the additional complications of Rhiane's descent from Eric and Myrthe's ties with the Courts. There are too many mysteries surrounding Boadice, and I don't really relish the thought of having to break off in the middle of the investigation just to fight some vendetta guys. Then there is Diana who is of course also quite suspect because of her close relationship with me. Finally that leaves Alexander, who I think is more and more changing into a second Algo. Aside from that, I don't feel that Alexander and I would make good partners. As for the Elders, well..."

     "They're Elders," Adrian finished my sentence. "I can see your point of view," he added. "If I decide to accompany you, will there be any guarantees that I can always be reached?" He was still trying to find a compromise, I saw. I nearly had him, though.

     "I think so," I replied, "in so far that such guarantees can be given. Of course we have no way of knowing where our quest will take us, but Trumps will serve us in most places and should they fail then I can still do a lot with the Pattern."

     "I'm really concerned about an attack on Corwin's Pattern," he said. "I think the danger of such a thing happening is very great."

     "I understand," I said, smiling sympathetically.

     "I've already been considering some of the possibilities that might arise, some of the situations that might arise. Plainly speaking, my father's Pattern is another source of power for me. Should the Nexus grow in power then I'll still have two points to draw power from. I've already been thinking of walking it for quite some time now."

     "What it comes down to is loyalties," I sighed. "Where do you assign your priorities? Look, personally I find the idea of destroying a Pattern, no matter which one, to be totally repugnant. So I agree that your Father's Pattern has to be defended, but we might try to find some other candidates for that job, in consultation with Corwin and Random of course. I mean, Corwin will of course be in carge of any defenses, and Random said he didn't want any premature actions. The problem is that if someone decides to do something, be it for or against your father's Pattern, then it will only aggravate the basic conflict between Corwin and Fiona. Somebody might just seize this opportunity to sow some more discord in Amber. I think it's important to keep to the status quo just as Random said."

     "Yes, but is there one right now? Fiona doesn't seem to think so."

     "I do," I said firmly. "I also do not agree with Fiona that all our current problems spring from the one fact that your father drew a new Pattern. I find that too simple a solution."

     "You're rather close to Corwin yourself, aren't you?" he said.

     "Yes, I guess I am. That's why I feel a bit like I'm between the devil and the deep sea here. And you can decide for yourself who is what."

     "Perhaps if you explain the situation to him he will put his trust in you that you will conduct your investigation fairly. If he is willing to accept the outcome, no matter what it is, then surely the others will as well." Hmm, he had me there. That way he wouldn't have to come along after all.

     "I can always try to convince him, I guess," I said hesitantly, "but what if he is not willing to place his trust in me?"

     "I'll come and talk to him as well. He's bound to trust the two of us, isn't he?" He smiled at me. I nodded and smiled back at him, but my heart wasn't in it. Convincing Adrian was a picknick compared to talking Corwin into something...

     We left for his chambers immediately, but he wasn't in. Adrian decided to Trump him and a short conversation later he told me that Corwin was currently busy talking to Gerard and that he would see us in about half an hour. Good. That gave me a little time to plan my strategy.

      When we returned to his chambers later on he welcomed us with a smile.We sat down and made ourselves comfortable. Adrian looked at me for a moment, but I had decided that I had better let him do most of the talking.It would help if Corwin felt that his son was the one in control here.

     "We've already been talking," Adrian began.

     "Quite sensible," his father said, still smiling.

     "And we've come to the conclusion that it is very important that we investigate the Nexus. Dorian and Murlas are planning to start working on it and they want me to come along. I'm not sure what to do, since I don't just want to leave your Pattern undefended. What do you think?"

     "Well, it's your choice really," Corwin replied. "You know what's at stake here. I can see your problem, though. There's a lot that needs to be done on different fronts." He turned to me. "Do you have any concrete plans about what you're going to do?" he asked.

      "No, not yet," I conceded. "We want to talk Random first, but there are enough possible clues to look into."

     "Dorian is concerned that you won't believe him if he returns with information that might be disadvantageous to you," Adrian said. "That's why he wants me to come along." Corwin laughed out loud.

     "How far can one trust a relative?" he said, still laughing. "I must have told you the answer to that a hundred times: not at all."

     "Still, it would make a difference if I went along, wouldn't it?"  Adrian remarked.

      "I guess so," Corwin said. "The more people that tell the same story, the higher the chances that they will be believed, that much is true. What do you think of it yourself?"

     "I don't want your Pattern to be destroyed," Adrian said. "Only if  there is no other way..."

     "That's not what I meant," his father interjected. "What do you figure your role is in this all?"

     "I don't really know," Adrian said a trifle hesitantly. "I feel I have to stand with your Pattern, but then the Nexus is a great threat. We have to know more about it. I think it would be a good thing if we would manage to learn enough about it to eliminate it entirely. Then we wouldn't have to worry about defending your Pattern anymore."

     "And you think you need Adrian to help you with this?" Corwin asked me.

     "Adrian has got certain skills that Murlas and I lack," I replied,  "and there remains the matter of Murlas's and mine trustworthiness."

     Corwin thought for a minute, then he asked me: "Did you ever see my Pattern?"

     "No, I can't say that I have."

     "Perhaps it would be a good idea if you went there first when you start your investigation, so that you know from first hand what this is all about."

     "Well, I have to discuss this with Murlas, of course," I said, "but I must admit that the idea appeals to me."

     "I agree," Adrian said. "I also haven't had a chance to see it."

     "Then it's a deal," Corwin said. He walked to his desk and rummaged  in a drawer until he found Trump, which he gave to Adrian.

     "This is a spot situated near the place of my Pattern," he said. "Direct Trump contact at the spot of my Pattern is not always possible, so this is about the fastest way to get there. Once you Trump to this place you'll immediately feel which way you have to go. Just to be sure you get there, though..." He reached up to Adrian's head and made him close his eyes. They stood quite still for a minute or so, then Adrian opened his eyes again and thanked his father. Corwin started back to his chair, but suddenly he stopped in midstride, his eyes focused on some point off in the distance. Probably he was receiving a Trumpcontact. A moment later he sat down, a thoughtful expression on his face.

     "Interesting," he murmured.

     "A new flash of insight?" Adrian asked.

     "It seems there are certain new developments in progress," Corwin replied. "I think I'd better head downstairs again." He grinned broadly at the two of us. Time to leave, I guess. I decided to walk with Adrian for a moment. There was still something I wanted to say to him, preferably without his old man present.

     "Listen," I said when Corwin was out of earshot, "I want to discuss all of this with Murlas before we go off. If we go, then all three of us go together."

     "Then the three of us should also discuss it together," he replied smugly.

     "Alright," I said, "be there at breakfast tomorrow morning. We'll talk it all over." I bade him goodnight and headed to my own room. All in all I was not dissatisfied with the results of this night's conversations. If only everything could be as easily dealt with as Adrian...

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