Prince of chaos

Luke and I emerged, stepping over the fallen Master of Arms of the Ways of Hendrake. The ground off to the left was blackened, as if from a recent brushfire, and a light rain had begun to fall. There were other human figures in the distance now, moving toward us.

«I don't know whether the force that brought me here can get me out again,» Corwin said, looking about. «It may be otherwise occupied.» Several moments passed, then, «I guess it is,» he said. «Okay, it's up to you. How do we flee?»

«This way,» I told him, turning and breaking into a run.

They followed me up the trails that had brought me to this place. I looked back and saw that six dark figures pursued us.

I headed uphill, past the markers and monuments, coming at last to the place beside the old stone wall. By then, there were shouts from behind us. Ignoring them, I drew my companions to me and came up with an impromptu couplet that described the situation and my desire in somewhat less than perfect meter. Still, the charm held, and a hurled cobble only missed me because we were already sinking into the earth.

We emerged from the fairy ring, coming up like mushrooms, and I led my companions across the field, jogging; to the sandbank. As we entered there I heard another shout. We exited the boulder and descended the rocky trail to the gibbet tree. Turning left on the trail, I. began to run.

«Hold up!» Corwin called. «I feel it around here somewhere. There!»

He left the trail to the right and began running toward the base of a small hill. Luke and I followed. From behind us came the sounds of our pursuers' emergence from the way at the boulder.

Ahead, I saw something flickering between two trees. We seemed to be heading toward it. As we drew nearer, its outline became clearer, and I realized that it possessed the contours of that Pattern - like image I had beheld back in the mausoleum.

Dad did not break stride as he approached, but charged right into the thing. And vanished. Another cry rose up behind us. Luke was next through the shimmering screen, and I was close on his heels.

We were running through a straight, glowing, pearly tunnel now, and when I glanced back I saw that it seemed to be closing in behind me.

«They can't follow,» Corwin shouted. «That end's already closed.»

«Then why are we running?» I asked.

«We're still not safe,» he replied. «We're cutting through the Logrus's domain. If we're spotted there could still be trouble.»

We raced on through that strange tunnel, and, «We're running through Shadow?» I asked.

«Yes.»

«Then it would seem that the farther we go, the better-»

The whole thing shook, and I had to put out a hand to keep from being thrown down.

«Oh-oh,» Luke said.

«Yes,» I agreed as the tunnel began to come apart. Big chunks seemed to be torn out of the walls, the floor. There was only murk behind these rents. We kept going, leaping the openings. Then something struck again, soundlessly, completely shattering the entire passage around us, behind us, before us.

We fell.

Well, we didn't exactly fall. We sort of drifted in a twilit fog. There didn't seem to be anything underfoot, or in any other direction either. It was a free-fall sensation, with nothing to measure possible movement against.

«Damn!» I heard Corwin say.

We hovered, fell, drifted - whatever - for a time, and, «So close,» I heard him mutter.

«Something that way,» Luke suddenly announced, gesturing to his right.

A big shape loomed grayly. I moved my mind into the spikard and probed in that direction. Whatever it was, it was inanimate, and I commanded the spike that had touched it to guide us to it.

I did not feel myself moving, but the thing loomed larger, took on familiar outlines, began to show a reddish complexion. When the fins became apparent, I knew for certain.

«Looks like that Polly Jackson you have,» Luke remarked. «Even has the snow on it.»

Yes, it was my red and white '57 Chevy that we were approaching, there in Limbo.

«It's a construct. It's been pulled from my mind before,» I told him. «Probably because it's vivid, I've studied it so often. Also, it seems very appropriate just now.»

I reached toward the door handle. We were coming up on the driver's side. I caught hold and pushed the button. It was, of course, unlocked. The others touched the vehicle in various places and drew themselves along to the other side. I opened the door, slid in behind the' wheel, closed the door. Luke and Corwin were entering by then. The keys were in the ignition, as I'd expected

When everyone was aboard I tried starting it. The engine caught immediately. I stared out across the bright hood into nothingness. I switched on the headlights and that didn't help.

«What now?» Luke asked.

I shifted into first, released the emergency brake, and let out the clutch. As I gave it the gas, it seemed the wheels were turning. After a few moments I shifted into second. A bit later I put it into third.

Was there the tiniest feeling of traction, or was it only the power of suggestion?