“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 Deirdre 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.”