"I have long suspected something of this order," he stated, "from things that Dad and Dworkin let fall over the years. I had the impression there was a primal Pattern which they had either located or created, situating our Amber but a shadow away to draw upon its forces. I never obtained any notion as to how one might travel to that place, however." He turned back toward Gamath, gesturing with his chin. "And that, you tell me, corresponds to what was done there?"
"It seems to," Random replied.
"... Brought about by the shedding of Martin's blood?"
"I think so"
Benedict raised the Trump Random had passed him during his narration. At that time, Benedict had made no comment.
"Yes," he said now, "this is Martin. He came to me after he departed Rebma. He stayed with me a long while"
"Why did he go to you?" Random asked.
Benedict smiled faintly.
"He had to go somewhere, you know," he said. "He was sick of his position in Rebma, ambivalent toward Amber, young, free, and just come into his power through the Pattern. He wanted to get away, see new things, travel in Shadow-as we all did. I had taken him to Avalon once when he was a small boy, to let him walk on dry land of a summer, to teach him to ride a horse, to have him see a crop harvested. When he was suddenly in a position to go anywhere he would in an instant, his choices were still restricted to the few places of which he had knowledge. True, he might have dreamed up a place in that instant and gone there-creating it, as it were. But he was also aware that he still had many things to learn, to ensure his safety in Shadow. So he elected to come to me, to ask me to teach him. And I did. He spent the better part of a year at my place. I taught him to fight, taught him of the ways of the Trumps and of Shadow, instructed him in those things an Amberite must know if he is to survive."
"Why did you do all these things?" Random asked.
"Someone had to. It was me that he came to, so it was mine to do," Benedict replied. "It was not as if I were not very fond of the boy, though," he added. Random nodded.
"You say that he was with you for almost a year. What became of him after that?"
"That wanderlust you know as well as I. Once he had obtained some confidence in his abilities, he wanted to exercise them. In the course of instructing him, I had taken him on journeys in Shadow myself, had introduced him to people of my acquaintance at various places. But there came a time when he wanted to make his own way. One day then, he bade me good-by and fared forth."
"Have you seen him since?" Random asked.
"Yes. He returned periodically, staying with me for a time, to tell me of his adventures, his discoveries. It was always clear that it was just a visit. After a time, he would get restless and depart again."
"When was the last time you saw him?"
"Several years ago, Avalon time, under the usual circumstances. He showed up one morning, stayed for perhaps two weeks, told me of the things he had seen and done, talked of the many things he wanted to do. Later, he set off once more."
"And you never heard from him again?"
"On the contrary. There were messages left with mutual friends when he would pass their way. Occasionally, he would even contact me via my Trump-"
"He had a set of the Trumps?" I broke in.
"Yes, I made him a gift of one of my extra decks."
"Did you have a Trump for him?" He shook his head.
"I was not even aware that such a Trump existed, until I saw this one," he said, raising the card, glancing at it, and passing it back to Random. "I haven't the art to prepare one. Random, have you tried reaching him with this Trump?"
"Yes, any number of times since we came across it. Just a few minutes ago, as a matter of fact. Nothing."
"Of course that proves nothing. If everything occurred as you guessed and he did survive it, he may have resolved to block any future attempts at contact. He does know how to do that."
"Did it occur as I guessed? Do you know more about it?"
"I have an idea," Benedict said. "You see, he did show up injured at a friend's place-off in Shadow some years ago. It was a body wound, caused by the thrust of a blade. They said he came to them in very bad shape and did not go into details as to what had occurred. He remained for a few days-until he was able to get around again-and departed before he was really fully recovered. That was the last they heard of him. The last that I did, also."
"Weren't you curious?" Random asked. "Didn't you go looking for him?"
"Of course I was curious. I still am. But a man should have the right to lead his own life without the meddling of relatives, no matter how well-intentioned. He had pulled through the crisis and he did not attempt to contact me. He apparently knew what he wanted to do. He did leave a message for me with the Tecys, saying that when I learned of what had happened I was not to worry, that he knew what he was about."
"The Tecys?" I said.
"That's right. Friends of mine off in Shadow."
I refrained from saying the things that I might. I had thought them just another part of Dara's story, for she had so twisted the truth in other areas. She had mentioned the Tecys to me as if she knew them, as if she had stayed with them-all with Benedict's knowledge. The moment did not seem appropriate, however, to tell him of my previous night's vision in Tir-na Nog'th and the things it had indicated concerning his relationship to the girl. I had not yet had sufficient time to ponder the matter and all that it implied.
Random stood, paced, paused near the ledge, his back to us, fingers knotted behind him. After a moment, he turned and stalked back.
"How can we get in touch with the Tecys?" he asked Benedict.
"No way," said Benedict, "except to go and see them."
Random turned to me.
"Corwin, I need a horse. You say that Star's been through a number of hellrides..."
"He's had a busy morning."
"It wasn't that strenuous. It was mostly fright, and he seems okay now. May I borrow him?"
Before I could answer, he turned toward Benedict.
"You'll take me, won't you?" he said.
Benedict hesitated.
"I do not know what more there is to learn-" he began.
"Anything! Anything at all they might remember-possibly something that did not really seem important at the time but is now, knowing what we know."
Benedict looked to me. I nodded.
"He can ride Star, if you are willing to take him."
"All right," Benedict said, getting to his feet. "I'll fetch my mount."
He turned and headed off toward the place where the great striped beast was tethered.
"Thanks, Corwin," Random said.
"I'll let you do me a favor in return."
"What?"
"Let me borrow Martin's Trump."
"What for?"
"An idea just hit me. It is too complicated to get into if you want to get moving. No harm should come of it, though."
He chewed his lip.
"Okay. I want it back when you are done with it."
"Of course."
"Will it help find him?"
"Maybe."
He passed me the card.
"You heading back to the palace now?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Would you tell Vialle what has happened and where I have gone? She worries."
"Sure. I'll do that."
"I'll take good care of Star."
"I know that. Good luck."
"Thanks."
I rode Firedrake. Ganelon walked. He had insisted. We followed the route I had taken in pursuing Dara on the day of the battle. Along with recent developments, that is probably what made me think of her again. I dusted off my feelings and examined them carefully. I realized then that despite the games she had played with me, the killings she had doubtless been privy or party to, and her stated designs upon the realm, I was still attracted to her by something more than curiosity. I was not really surprised to discover this. Things had looked pretty much the same the last time I had pulled a surprise inspection in the emotional barracks. I wondered then how much of truth there might have been to my final vision of the previous night, wherein her possible line of descent from Benedict had been stated. There was indeed a physical resemblance, and I was more than half-convinced. In the ghost city, of course, the shade of Benedict had conceded as much, raising his new, strange arm in her defense...