Roger Zelazny - Sign of chaos

«I intend to penetrate the Keep and neutralize Mask and Jurt,» I said.

«'Neutralize'? That's one of those little euphemisms for `kill,' isn't it?»

«I suppose so,» I replied.

«Amber has never been noted for its squeamishness,» she said. «You have been exposed to too much American journalism. So, you are aware of my familiarity with the Keep, and you want my help in killing the two of them. Correct?»

I nodded.

«Rinaldo has told me that if we were to arrive too late and Jurt had already undergone the transformational ritual, you might know a way to use that same power against him,» I explained.

«He'd gotten further into those notes than I'd realized,» she said. «I am going to have to be frank with you then, since our lives may depend on it: Yes, there is such a technique. But no, it won't be of any help to us. Some preparations are required to turn the power to such an end. It is not something I could simply reach out and do at a moment's notice.»

Mandor cleared his throat.

«I'd rather not see Jurt dead,» he stated, «if there's a possibility I could take him back to the Courts as a prisoner. He could be disciplined. There might be a way of neutralizing him without really…neutralizing him, as you put it.»

«And if there isn't?» I asked.

«Then I'll help you to kill him,» he said. «I have no illusions about him, but I feel obliged to try something. I'm afraid that the news of his death could push our father over the edge.»

I looked away. He could be right, and even though old Sawall's death would mean his own succession to the title and control of considerable holdings, I was certain he was not anxious to acquire them at that price.»

«I understand,» I said. «I hadn't thought of that.»

«So give me a chance to subdue him. If I fail, I'll join you in whatever must be done.»

«Agreed,» I said, watching to see how Jasra was taking this.

She was studying us, a curious expression on her face.

«'Our father'?» she said.

«Yes,» I replied. «I wasn't going to mention that, but since it got out, Jurt's our younger brother.»

Her eyes were alight now, at the scent of connivance.

«This is a family power struggle, isn't it?» she asked.

«I suppose you could put it that way,» I said.

«Not really,» Mandor said.

«And yours is an important family in the Courts?»

Mandor shrugged. So did I. I'd a feeling she was trying to figure a way to cash in on that end of it, too, and I decided to stonewall her.

«We were discussing the task at hand,» I said. «I want to take us in there and accept Mask's challenge. We stop Jurt if he gets in the way and give him to Mandor. If it is impossible simply to subdue him, we go the rest of the way. Are you with us?»

«We have not yet discussed the price,» she said.

«All right,» I acknowledged. «I've talked about this with Rinaldo, and he told me to tell you that he's called the vendetta off. He feels things were settled with Amber when Caine died. He asked me to release you if you would go along with this, and he suggested that in return for your help against the new lord of the citadel we restore the Keep of the Four Worlds to your sovereignty. Bottom line, as he put it. What do you say?»

She picked up the goblet and took a long, slow sip. She'd stall, I knew, trying to figure a way to squeeze more out of this deal.

«You've spoken with Rinaldo very recently?» she said.

«Yes.»

«I am not clear as to why he is running about with Dalt; rather than being here with us, if he is so much in agreement with this plan.»

I sighed.

«Okay, I'll tell you the story,» I said. «But if you're with us, I do want to get moving soon.»

«Proceed,» she said.

So I recounted the evening's adventure in Arden, omitting only the fact that Vialle had placed Luke under her protection. Nayda seemed to grow progressively distressed as I told the tale, uttering small whimpering sounds at odd intervals.

When I was finished, Jasra placed her hand upon Mandor's arm and rose, brushing him lightly with her hip as she passed, and she went to stand before Nayda.

«Now tell me why the daughter of a high Begman official is restrained here,» she said.

«She is possessed of a demon that enjoys interfering in my affairs,» I explained.

«Really? I've often wondered what hobbies demons might pursue,» she observed. «But it seems this particular demon has been trying to say something in which I might be interested. If you would be so good as to free it for a moment's conversation I promise to consider your offer afterward.»

«Time is running,» I said.

«In that case my answer is no,» she told me. «Lock me up someplace and go to the Keep without me.»

I glanced at Mandor.

«In that I have not yet agreed to accept your offer,» Jasra continued, «Rinaldo would call this an entertainment expense.»

«I see no harm in it,» Mandor said.

«Then let her speak,» I told him.

«You may talk, ty'iga,» he said.

Her first words were not addressed to Jasra, however but to me:

«Merlin, you have to let me accompany you.»

I moved around to where I could see her face.

«No way,» I told her.

«Why not?» she asked.

«Because your penchant for protecting me will actually hinder me in a situation where I will probably have to take some chances.»

«That is my nature,» she responded.

«And my problem,» I said. «I mean you no ill. I'll be glad to talk to you when this is all over, but you're going to have to sit this one out.»

Jasra cleared her throat.

«Is that the entire message? Or is there something you wished to tell me, also?» Jasra asked.

There followed a long silence, then, «Will you be accompanying them or not?» Nayda inquired.

Jasra took just as long to respond, obviously weighing her words:

«This is a clandestine, personal operation,» she said. «I am not at all certain it would be countenanced by Merlin's seniors here in Amber. While it is true that I stand to gain if I cooperate, I will also undergo considerable risk. Of course, I want my freedom and the restoration of the Keep. It is almost a fair trade. But he also asks a quitclaim on the vendetta. What assurance have I that this means anything here, and that the hierarchy of Amber will not hunt me down as a troublemaker afterward? He cannot speak for the others when he operates on the sly this way.»

Somehow, it had become a question addressed to me, and since it was a very good question to which I did not really have an answer, I was glad that the ty'iga had something to say:

«I believe that I can persuade you that it would be in your best interest to agree to accompany them and to render every assistance you can,» she offered.

«Pray, begin,» Jasra told her.

«I would have to speak with you in private on this matter.»

Jasra smiled, out of her love for intrigue, I am certain.

«It is agreeable to me,» she said.

«Mandor, force her to say it now,» I said.

«Wait!» Jasra declared. «I will have this private conversation or you can forget about my help.»

I began wondering just how much help Jasra really represented if she couldn't call upon the Fount to dispose of Jurt, should that become our biggest problem. True, she knew the Keep. But I didn't even know for certain how accomplished a sorceress she might be.

On the other hand, I wanted this thing settled now, and one more adept could make the difference.

«Nayda,» I said, «are you planning something that could be damaging to Amber?»

«No,» she replied.

«Mandor, what do ty'iga swear by?» I inquired.

«They don't,» he said.

«What the hell,» I said. «How much time do you want?»