Sign of the Unicorn

«Why, I do not properly recall saying it,» Flora said. «But I suppose that I must have, if it made such an impression. You know the effect that I was referring to: that Amber seems to act as something of a magnet on adjacent shadows, drawing things across from them; the nearer you get to Amber the easier the road becomes, even for shadow-things. While there always seems to be some exchange of materials among adjacent shadows themselves, the effect is more forceful and also more of a one-way process when it comes to Amber. We have always been alert for peculiar things slipping through. Well, for several years prior to your recovery, more such things than usual seemed to be showing up in the vicinity of Amber. Dangerous things, almost invariably. Many were recognizable creatures from nearby realms. After a time, though, things kept coming in from farther and farther afield. Eventually, some which were totally unknown made it through. No reason could be found for this sudden transportation of menaces, although we sought fairly far for disturbances which might be driving them this way. In other words, highly improbable penetrations of Shadow were occurring.»

«This actually began while Dad was still around?»

«Oh yes. It started several years before your recovery - as I said.»

«I see. Did anyone consider the possibility of there being a connection between this state of affairs and Dad's departure?»

«Certainly,» Benedict replied. «I still feel that that was the reason for it. He went off to investigate, or to seek a remedy.»

«But that is purely conjecture,» Julian said. «You know how he was. He gave no reasons.»

Benedict shrugged.

«It is a reasonable inference, though,» he said. «I understand that he had spoken of his concern over the - monster migrations, if you like - on numerous occasions.»

I withdrew my cards from their case, having recently gotten into the habit of carrying a set of Trumps with me at all times. I raised Gerard's Trump and regarded it. The others were silent, watching me as I did this. Moments later, there was contact.

Gerard was still seated in his chair, his blade across his knees. He was still eating. He swallowed when he felt my presence and said, «Yes, Corwin? What do you want?»

«How is Brand?»

«Sleeping,» he said. «His pulse is a little stronger. His breathing is the same - regular. It's still too early-»

«I know,»l said. «I mainly wanted to check your recollection of something: near the end there, did you get the impression from anything he might have said or done that Dad's going away might have been connected with the increased number of Shadow beings that were slipping through into Amber?»

«That,» said Julian, «is what is known as a leading question.»

Gerard wiped his mouth.

«There could have been a connection, yes,» he said. «He seemed disturbed, preoccupied with something. And he did talk about the creatures. But he never really said that that was his main concern. - or whether it was something entirely different.»

«Like what?»

He shook his head.

«Anything. I - yes… yes, there is something you probably ought to know, for whatever it is worth. Some time after his disappearance, I did make an effort to find out one thing. That was, whether I was indeed the last person to see him before his departure. I am fairly certain that I was. I had been here in the palace all evening, and I was preparing to return to the flagship. Dad had retired about an hour earlier, but I had stayed on in the guard room, playing draughts with Captain Thoben. As we were sailing the following morning, I decided to take a book with me. So I came up here to the library. Dad was seated at the desk.» He gestured with his head. «He was going through some old books, and he had not yet changed his garments. He nodded to me when I entered, and I told him I had just come up for a book. He said, 'You've come to the right place,' and he kept on reading. While I was looking over the shelves, he said something to the effect that he could not sleep. I found a book, told him good night, he said, 'Good sailing,' and I left.»

He lowered his eyes again. «Now I am positive he was wearing the Jewel of Judgment that night, that I saw it on him then as plainly as I see it on you now. I am equally certain that he had not had it on earlier that evening. For a long while after, I thought that he had taken it along with him, wherever he went. There was no indication in his chambers that he had later changed his clothing. I never saw the stone again until you and Bleys were defeated in your assault on Amber. Then, Eric was wearing it. When I questioned him he claimed that he had found it in Dad's chambers. Lacking evidence to the contrary, I had to accept his story. But I was never happy with it. Your question - and seeing you wearing it - has brought it all back. So I thought you had better know about it.»