Trumps of doom

«You may give Mr. Roth the full tour, but I require Merlin's presence for a time.»

She pouted slightly for a moment, then released my arm. «Now you know what an absolute monarchy is,» she explained to Bill. «You can see how power corrupts.»

«I was corrupt before I had power,» Random said, «and rich is better. You have my leave to depart, sister.»

She sniffed and led Bill away.

«It's always quieter around here when she fords a boyfriend off somewhere in Shadow,» Random observed. «Unfortunately, she's been home for the better part of a year this time.»

I made a tsking sound.

He gestured toward a chair and I took it. He crossed to a cabinet then.

«Wine?» he asked.

«Don't mind if I do.»

He poured two glasses, brought me one, and seated himself in a chair to my left, a small table between us. «Someone also took a shot at Bleys,» he said, «this afternoon, in another shadow. Hit him, too, but not bad. Gunman got away Bleys was just on a diplomatic mission to a friendly kingdom.»

«Same person, you think?»

«Sure. We've never had rifle sniping in the neighborhood before. Then two, all of a sudden? It must be the same person. Or the same conspiracy.»

«Any clues?»

He shook his head and tasted the wine.

«I wanted to talk to you alone,» he said then, «before any of the others got to you. There are two things I'd like you to know.»

I sipped the wine and waited.

«The first is that this really scares me. With the attempt on Bleys it no longer appears to have been simply a personal thing directed at Caine. Somebody seems to have it in for us - or at least some of us. Now you say there's someone after you, too.»

«I don't know whether there's any connection -»

«Well, neither do I. But I don't like the possible pattern I see developing. My worst fear is that it may be one or more of us behind it.»

«Why?» He glowered into his goblet.

«For centuries the personal vendetta has been our way of settling disagreements, not necessarily proceeding inevitably to death - though that was always a possibility - but certainly characterized by intrigues, to the end of embarrassing, disadvantaging, maiming, or exiling the other and enhancing one's own position. This reached its latest peak in the scramble for the succession. I thought everything was pretty much settled, though, when I wound up with the job, which I certainly wasn't looking for. I had no real axes to grind, and I've tried to be fair. I know how touchy everyone here is. I don't think it's me, though, and I don't think it's the succession. I haven't had any bad vibes from any of the others. I'd gotten the impression they had decided I was the lesser of all possible evils and were actually cooperating to make it work. No, I don't believe any of the others is rash enough to want my crown. There was actually amity, goodwill, after the succession was settled. But what I'm wondering now is whether the old pattern might be recurring - that some of the others might have taken up the old game again to settle personal grievances. I really don't want to see that happen - all the suspicion, precautions, innuendoes, mistrust, double dealings. It weakens us, and there's always some possible threat ar other against which we should be strong. Now, I've spoken with everyone privately, and of course they all deny any knowledge of current cabals, intrigues, and vendettas, but I could see that they're getting suspicious of each other. It's become a habit of thought. And it wasn't at all difficult for them to dig up some of grudge each of the others might still have had against Caine despite the fact that he saved all our asses by taking out Brand. And the same with Bieys - everyone could fins motives for everyone else.»

«So you want the killer fast, because of what he's done to morals»

«Certainly. I don't need all this backbiting and grudgehunting. It's all still so close to the surface that we're likely to have real cabals, intrigues, and vendettas before long, if we don't already, and some little misunderstanding could lead to violence again.»

«Do you think it's one of the others?»

«Shit! I'm the same as they are. I get suspicious by reflex. It well may be, but I haven't really seen a bit of evidence.»

«Who else could it be?»

He uncrossed and recrossed his legs. He took another drink of wine.

«Hell! Our enemies are legion. But most of them wouldn't have the guts. They all know the kind of reprisal they could expect once we found them out.»

He clasped his hands behind his head and stared at the rows of books.

«I don't know how to say this,» he began after a time, «but I have to.»

I waited again. Then he said quickly, «There's talk it's Corwin, but I don't believe it.»

«No,» I said softly.

«I told you I don't believe it. Your father means a lot to me.»

«Why would anybody believe it?»

«There's a rumor he's gone crazy. You've heard it. What if he's reverted to some past state of mind, from the days when his relations with Came and Bleys were a lot less than cordial - or with any of us, for that matter? That's what they're saying.»