We had lost.
I awoke in a dungeon far below Amber, sorry that I had made it that far.
The fact that I still lived meant that Eric had plans for me. I visualized racks and braces, flames and tongs. I foresaw my coming degradation as I lay there on the damp straw.
How long had I been unconscious? I did not know.
I searched my cell for a means of committing suicide. I found nothing that would serve this purpose.
All my wounds blazed like suns, and I was so very tired.
I lay me down and slept once more.
I awakened, and still no one came to me. There was none to buy, none to torture.
Also, there was nothing for me to eat.
I lay there, wrapped in my cloak, and I reviewed everything that had happened since I'd awakened in Greenwood and refused my hypo. Better, perhaps, if I hadn't.
I knew despair.
Soon Eric would be crowned king in Amber. This thing might already have occurred.
But sleep was so lovely a thing, and I so tired.
It was the first real chance I'd had to rest and forget my wounds.
The cell was so dark arid smelly and damp.
Chapter 8
How many times I awakened and returned to sleep, I do not know. Twice I found bread and meat and water on a tray by the door. Both times, I emptied the tray. My cell was almost pitch dark and very chilly. I waited there, and I waited.
Then they came for me.
The door swung open and a feeble light entered. I blinked at it as I was called forth.
The corridor without was filled to overflowing with armed men, so I wasn't about to try anything.
I rubbed at the stubble on my chin and went where they took me.
After a long walk, we came to the hall of the spiral stair and began to ascend. I asked no questions as we moved, and no one offered me any information.
When we reached the top, I was conducted further into the palace proper. They took me to a warm, clean room and ordered me to strip, which I did. Then I entered a steaming tub of water, and a servant came forth and scrubbed me and shaved me and trimmed my hair.
When I was dry again, I was given fresh garments, of black and of silver.
I donned them, and a black cloak was hung about my shoulders, its clasp a silver rose.
"You are ready," said the sergeant of the guard. "Come this way."
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.