I followed him, and the guard followed me.
I was taken far to the back of the palace where a smith placed manacles about my wrists, fetters on my ankles, with chains upon them too heavy for me to break. Had I resisted, I knew I would have been beaten unconscious and the result would have been the same. I had no desire to be beaten unconscious again, so I complied.
Then the chains were taken up by several of the guards, and I was led back toward the front of the palace. I had no eyes for the magnificence that lay all about me. I was a prisoner. I would probably soon be dead or on the rack. There was nothing I could do right now. A glance out of the window showed me that it was early evening, and there was no place for nostalgia as I passed through rooms where we had played as children.
I was led up a long corridor and into the great dining room.
There were tables all over the place, and people seated all about them, many of whom I knew.
All the fine gowns and suits of Amber burned about me on the bodies of the nobles, and there was music beneath the torchlight and food already upon the tables, though no one was eating yet.
I saw faces that I recognized, like Flora’s, and some strange faces. There was the minstrel. Lord Rein — yes, he had been knighted, by me — whom I had not seen in centuries. He turned his eyes away when my gaze fell upon him.
I was taken to the foot of the huge center table and seated there.
The guards stayed and stood behind me. They fastened the ends of my chains to rings fresh-set in the floor. The seat at the head of my table was as yet unoccupied.
I did not recognize the woman to my right, but the man to my left was Julian. I ignored him and stared at the lady, a little wisp of a blonde.
“Good evening,” I said. “I don’t believe we’ve been introduced. My name is Corwin.”
She looked at the man at her right for support, a heavy, redheaded guy with lots of freckles. He looked away and suddenly became engaged in an animated conversation with the woman to his right.
“It’s all right to talk with me, honest,” I said. “It’s not contagious.”
She managed a weak smile and said, “I’m Carmel. How are you, Prince Corwin?”
“That’s a sweet name,” I replied, “and I’m just fine. What’s a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?”
She took a quick drink of water.
“Corwin,” said Julian, louder than necessary. “I think the lady finds you offensive and obnoxious.”
“What’s she said to you so far this evening?” and he didn’t blush. He whitened.
“That will be enough from you.”
I stretched then, and rattled my chains on purpose. Outside of the effect it produced, it also showed me how much slack I had. Not enough, of course. Eric had been careful.
“Come closer and whisper me your objections, brother,” I said.
But he didn’t.
I had been the last to be seated, so I knew the time was near at hand. And it was.
There came five trumpet notes from six trumpets and Eric entered the hall.
Everybody stood.
Except for me.
The guards had to drag me to my feet by means of the chains and hold me there.
Eric smiled and descended the stair to my right. I could barely see his own colors beneath the ermine robe that he wore.
He moved to the head of the table and stood before his chair. A servant came and stood behind him, and the wine stewards made their rounds, pouring.
When all the glasses were filled, he raised his.
“May you dwell forever in Amber,” he said, “which endureth forever,” and everyone raised his glass.
Except for me.
“Pick it up!” said Julian.
“Shove it up,” said I.
He didn’t, only glared. But I leaned forward quickly then and raised my glass.
There were a couple hundred people between us, but my voice carried. And Eric’s eyes were upon me all the while, as I said, “To Eric, who sits at the foot of the table!”
No one moved to touch me as Julian emptied his glass upon the floor. All the others did the same, but I managed to quaff most of mine, before it was struck from my hand.
Eric seated himself then and the nobles followed suit, and I was released to fall into my chair.
The serving began, and since I was hungry I ate as well as the rest of them, and better than most.
There was constant music and the meal lasted for over two hours. No one said a word to me during the whole time, and I said nothing more myself. But my presence was felt, and our table was quieter than the others.
Caine sat farther up along the table. At Eric’s right hand. I gathered that Julian was out of favor. Neither Random nor Dierdre was present. There were many other nobles whom I recognized, some of whom I had once counted as friends, but none of these would return my glances.
I gathered then that it only required a small formality for Eric to be king in Amber.
And this followed shortly.
After dinner, there were no speeches Eric simply stood.
There came another flash of trumpets and a raucous sound upon the air.
Then there was a procession, leading all the way to the throne room of Amber.
I knew what was coming next.
Eric stood before the throne and everybody bowed.
Except for me, that is, and I was forced to my knees anyway.
Today was the day of his coronation.
There was silence. Then Caine bore in the cushion which held the crown, the crown of Amber. He knelt and froze in that position, offering it.
Then I was jerked to my feet and dragged forward. I knew what was about to happen. It came upon me in a flash, and I fought. But I was beaten down and brought to my knees at the foot of the stair before the throne.
The music rose up softly — it was “Greensleeves" — and somewhere at my back Julian said, “Behold the crowning of a new king in Amber!” Then to me, in a whisper, “Take up the crown and hand it to Eric. He will crown himself.”
I stared at the crown of Amber upon the crimson cushion Caine held.
It was wrought of silver and had seven high points, each topped by a gem stone. It was studded with emeralds, and there were two huge rubies at either temple.
I didn’t move, thinking of the times I had seen the face of our father beneath it.
“No,” I said simply, and I felt a blow upon my left check.
“Take it and give it to Eric,” he repeated.
I tried to strike at him, but my chains were drawn tight. I was struck again.
I stared at the high sharp peaks.
“Very well,” I finally said, and reached for it.
I held it in both hands for a moment then quickly placed it on my own head and declared, “I crown me, Corwin, king of Amber!”
It was removed immediately and replaced upon the cushion. Several blows fell upon my back. There came a murmuring throughout the hall.
“Now pick it up and try it again,” said Julian. “Take it and hand it to Eric.”
Another blow fell.
“Okay,” I told him, feeling my shirt grow wet.
This time I hurled it, hoping to put out one of Eric’s eyes.
He caught it in his right hand and smiled down at me as I was beaten.
“Thank you,” he said. “Now hear me, all you present, and those of you who listen in Shadow. I assume the crown and throne this day. I take into my hand the scepter of the kingdom of Amber. I have won the throne fairly, and I take it and hold it by the right of my blood.”
“Liar!” I cried, and a hand was clapped over my mouth.
“I crown myself Eric the First, King of Amber.”
“Long live the King!” cried the nobles, three times.
Then he leaned forward and whispered to me, “Your eyes have looked upon the fairest sight they will ever hold… Guards! Take Corwin away to the smithy, and let his eyes be burnt from out his head! Let him remember the sights of this day as the last he might ever see! Then cast him into the darkness of the deepest dungeon beneath Amber, and let his name be forgotten!”