“Then if you lose I might never get to Amber!”
“I am only describing the situation as I see it. There are doubtless many factors of which I am unaware. I have been out of circulation for a long while.”
“You must win!” she said. Then, suddenly, “Would Grandpa support you?”
“I doubt it. But the situation would be quite different. I am aware of his existence, and of yours. I will not ask his support. So long as he does not oppose me, I will be satisfied. And if I am quick, efficient, and successful, he will not oppose me. He will not like my having found out about you, but when he sees that I mean you no harm all will be well on that count.”
“Why would you not use me? It seems the logical thing to do.”
“It is. But I’ve discovered I like you,” I said, “so that’s out of the question.” She laughed.
“I’ve charmed you!” she said. I chuckled.
“In your own delicate way, at sword’s point, yes.”
Abruptly, she sobered.
“Grandpa is coming back tomorrow,” she said. “Did your man Ganelon tell you?”
“Yes.”
“How does that affect whatever you are about?”
“I intend to be hell and gone out of here before he returns.”
“What will he do?”
“The first thing that he will do will be to get very angry with you for being here. Then he will want to know how you managed your return and how much you have told me about yourself.”
“What should I tell him?”
“Tell him the truth about how you got back. That will give him something to think about. As to your status, your woman’s intuition cautioned you concerning my trustworthiness, and you took the same line with me as you did with Julian and Gerard. As to my whereabouts, Ganelon and I borrowed a wagon and headed into town, saying that we would not be back until quite late.”
“Where will you really be going?”
“Into town, briefly. But we will not be coming back. I want as much of a head start as possible because he can track me through Shadow, up to a point.”
“I will delay him as best I can for you. Were you not going to see me before you left?”
“I was going to have this talk with you in the morning. You got it ahead of time by being restless.”
“Then I am glad that I was-restless. How are you going to conquer Amber?”
I shook my head. “No, dear Dara. All scheming princes must keep a few small secrets. That’s one of mine.”
“I am surprised to learn there is so much distrust and plotting in Amber.”
“Why? The same conflicts exist everywhere, in various forms. They are all about you, always, for all places take their form from Amber.”
“It is difficult to understand. . .”
“One day you will. Leave it at that for now.”
“Then tell me another thing. Since I am able to negotiate shadows somewhat, even without having taken the Pattern, tell me more precisely how you go about it. I want to get better at it.”
“No!” I said. “I will not have you fooling with Shadow until you are ready. It is dangerous even after you have taken the Pattern. To do it before is foolhardy. You were lucky, but do not try it again. I’ll even help, by not telling you anything more about it.”
“All right!” she said. “Sorry. I guess I can wait”
“I guess you can. No hard feelings?”
“No. Well-“ She laughed. “They wouldn’t do me any good, I guess. You must know what you are talking about. I am glad that you care what happens to me.”
I grunted, and she reached out and touched my cheek. At this, I turned my head again and her face was moving slowly toward my own, smile gone and lips parting, eyes almost closed. As we kissed, I felt her arms slide about my neck and shoulders and mine found their way into a similar position around her. My surprise was lost in the sweetness, gave way to warmth and a certain excitement.
If Benedict ever found out, he was going to be more than just irritated with me…