Guns Of Avalon

«Grandpa is coming back tomorrow,» she said. «Did your man Ganelon tell you?»

«Yes.»

«How does that affect whatever you are about?»

«I intend to be hell and gone out of here before he returns.»

«What will he do?»

«The first thing that he will do will be to get very angry with you for being here. Then he will want to know how you managed your return and how much you have told me about yourself.»

«What should I tell him?»

«Tell him the truth about how you got back. That will give him something to think about. As to your status, your woman's intuition cautioned you concerning my trustworthiness, and you took the same line with me as you did with Julian and Gerard. As to my whereabouts, Ganelon and I borrowed a wagon and headed into town, saying that we would not be back until quite late.»

«Where will you really be going?»

«Into town, briefly. But we will not be coming back. I want as much of a head start as possible because he can track me through Shadow, up to a point.»

«I will delay him as best I can for you. Were you not going to see me before you left?»

«I was going to have this talk with you in the morning. You got it ahead of time by being restless.»

«Then I am glad that I was restless. How are you going to conquer Amber?»

I shook my head. «No, dear Dara. All scheming princes must keep a few small secrets. That's one of mine.»

«I am surprised to learn there is so much distrust and plotting in Amber.»

«Why? The same conflicts exist everywhere, in various forms. They are all about you, always, for all places take their form from Amber.»

«It is difficult to understand…»

«One day you will. Leave it at that for now.»

«Then tell me another thing. Since I am able to negotiate shadows somewhat, even without having taken the Pattern, tell me more precisely how you go about it. I want to get better at it.»

«No!» I said. «I will not have you fooling with Shadow until you are ready. It is dangerous even after you have taken the Pattern. To do it before is foolhardy. You were lucky, but do not try it again. I'll even help, by not telling you anything more about it.»

«All right!» she said. «Sorry. I guess I can wait»

«I guess you can. No hard feelings?»

«No. Well-» She laughed. «They wouldn't do me any good, I guess. You must know what you are talking about. I am glad that you care what happens to me.»

I grunted, and she reached out and touched my cheek. At this, I turned my head again and her face was moving slowly toward my own, smile gone and lips parting, eyes almost closed. As we kissed, I felt her arms slide about my neck and shoulders and mine found their way into a similar position around her. My surprise was lost in the sweetness, gave way to warmth and a certain excitement.

If Benedict ever found out, he was going to be more than just irritated with me…

CHAPTER 7

The wagon creaked, monotonously, and the sun was already well into the west, though it still poured hot streams of daylight upon us. Back among the cases, Ganelon snored, and I envied him his noisy occupation. He had been sleeping for several hours, and this was my third day without rest.

We were perhaps fifteen miles out of the city, and heading into the northeast. Doyle had not had my order completely ready, but Ganelon and I had persuaded him to close up his shop and accelerate its production. This involved several additional hours' curse-worthy delay. I had been too keyed-up to sleep then and was unable to do so now, as I was edging my way through shadows.

I forced back the fatigue and the evening and found some clouds to shade me. We moved along a dry, deeply rutted, clay road. It was an ugly shade of yellow, and it cracked and crumbled as we went. Brown grasses hung limply on either side of the way, and the trees were short, twisted things, their barks thick and shaggy. We passed numerous outcrops of shale.

I had paid Doyle well for his compounds, and had also purchased a handsome bracelet to be delivered to Dara the following day. My diamonds were at my belt, Grayswandir near to my hand. Star and Firedrake walked steadily, strongly. I was on my way to having it made.

I wondered whether Benedict had returned home yet. I wondered how long he would remain deceived as to my whereabouts. I was by no means out of danger from him. He could follow a trail for a great distance through Shadow, and I was leaving him a good one. I had little choice in the matter, though. I needed the wagon, I was stuck with our present speed, and I was in no condition to manage another hellride. I handled the shifts slowly and carefully, very conscious of my dulled senses and growing weariness, counting on the gradual accumulation of change and distance to build up a barrier between Benedict and myself, hoping that it would soon become an impenetrable one.