Sign of chaos

«Yep. She had a disagreement with a sorcerer named Mask,» I explained. «Guess who won?»

Nayda raised her left hand and moved it in a slow pattern-behind Jasra's neck and down her back, across her chest, then downward again. I did not recognize any of the movements she was performing.

«Don't tell me that you're a sorceress, too,» I said. «It seems that everyone I run into these days has had some training in the Art.»

«I am not a sorceress,» she answered, «and I've had no such training. I have only one trick and it is not sorcery, but I use it for everything.»

«And what is that trick?» I asked.

She ignored the question, then said, «My, she's certainly tightly bound. The key lies somewhere in the region of her solar plexus. Did you know that?»

«Yes,» I replied. «I understand the spell fully.»

«Why is she here?»

«Partly because I promised her son Rinaldo I'd rescue her from Mask, and partly as an assurance against his good behavior.»

I pushed the door shut and secured it. When I turned back, she was facing me.

«Have you seen him recently?» she said in a conversational tone.

«Yes. Why?»

«Oh, no special reason.»

«I thought we were trying to help each other,» I said.

«I thought we were looking for my sister.»

«It can wait another minute if you know something special about Rinaldo.»

«I was just curious where he might be right now.»

I turned away and moved to the chest where I keep art supplies. I removed the necessary items and took them to my drawing board. While I was about it, I said, «I don't know where he is.»

I set up the piece of pasteboard, seated myself and closed my eyes, summoning a mental image of Coral, preliminary to beginning her sketch. Again, I half wondered whether the picture in my mind, along with the appropriate magical endorsement, would be sufficient for contact. But now was not the time to mess around being experimental. I opened my eyes and began to draw. I used the techniques I'd learned in the Courts, which are different yet similar to those employed in Amber. I was qualified to execute them in either fashion, but I'm faster with the style I learned first.

Nayda came over and stood near, watching, not asking whether I minded. As it was, I did not.

«When did you see him last?» she asked.

«Who?»

«Luke.»

«This evening,» I answered.

«Where?»

«He was here earlier.»

«Is he here now?».

«No.»

«Where did you last see him?»

«In the forest of Arden. Why?»

«It seams a strange place to part.»

I was working on Coral's eyebrows.

«We parted under strange circumstances,» I said.

A little more work about the eyes, a bit on the her…

«Strange? In what way?» she asked.

More color to the cheeks…

«Never mind,» I told her.

«All right,» she said. «It's probably not that important.»

I decided against rising to that bait, because I was suddenly getting something. As had occasionally happened in the past, my concentration on the Trump as I put the final touches to it was sufficiently intense to reach through and…

«Coral!» I said, as the features moved, perspectives shifted.

«Merlin…?» she answered. «I… I'm in trouble.»

Oddly, there was no background whatever. Just blackness. I felt Nayda's hand upon my shoulder.

«Are you all right?» I asked.

«Yes… It's dark here,» she said. «Very dark.»

Of course. One cannot manipulate Shadow in the absence of light. Or even see to use a Trump.

«That's where the Pattern sent you?» I asked.

«No,» she answered.

«Take my hand,» I said. «You can tell me about it afterward.».

I extended my hand and she reached toward it.

«They-» she began.

And with a stinging flash the contact was broken. I felt Nayda stiffen beside me.

«What happened?» she asked.

«I don't know. We were suddenly blocked. I can't tell what forces were involved.»

«What are you going to do?»

«Try again in a little bit,» I said. «If it were a reaction thing, resistance will probably be high just now, and it may ease up later. At least she says she's all right.»

I withdrew the packet of Trumps I normally carry, shufflied out Luke's. Now seemed as good a time as any to see how he was faring. Nayda glanced at the card and smiled.

«I thought you just saw him a little while ago,» she said.

«A lot can happen in a little while.»

«I'm certain a lot has happened.»

«You think you know something about what's going on with him?» I asked.

«Yes. I do.»

I raised the Trump. «What?» I said.

«I'd be willing to wager, you won't get through to him.»

«We'll see.»

I concentrated and I reached. I reached again. A minute or so later I wiped my brow.

«How'd you know?» I asked.

«Luke's blocking you. I would, too… under the circumstances.»

«What circumstances?»

She gave me a quirked smile, crossed to a chair, and sat down.

«Now I have something to trade with you again,» she said.

«Again?»

I studied her. Something jiggled and fell into place. «You've been calling him `Luke' rather than `Rinaldo,' «I said.

«So I have.»

«I'd been wondering when you'd show up again.»

She continued to smile.