“What do you mean?”
“I mean that if I were returned to Amber against my will, I would damn well create as much strife as I could to prevent a recurrence of my previous situation.”
The lines went out of his face and he slowly lowered his eyes.
“I did not mean to imply that I would betray you. Do you think that I am without feelings, Corwin? I would not see you imprisoned again, blinded—or worse. You are always welcome to visit here, and you may leave your fears along with your ambitions at the border.”
“Then I would still like to visit,” I said. “I have no army, nor did I come here to recruit one.”
“Then you know that you are most welcome.”
“Thank you, Benedict. While I did not expect to find you here, I am glad that I did.” He reddened faintly and nodded.
“It pleases me, also,” he said. “Am I the first of us you have seen—since your escape?” I nodded.
“Yes, and I am curious as to how everyone is faring. Any major reports?”
“No new deaths,” he said.
We both chuckled, and I knew that I would have to turn up the family gossip on my own. It had been worth the attempt, though.
“I am planning on remaining in the field for a time,” he said, “and continuing my patrols until I am satisfied that none of the invaders remain. It could be another week before we withdraw.”
“Oh? Then it was not a total victory?”
“I believe that it was, but I never take unnecessary chances. It is worth a little more time to be certain.”
“Prudent,” I said, nodding.
“. . . So unless you have a strong desire to remain here in camp, I see no reason why you should not proceed on toward town and get near the center of things. I maintain several residences about Avalon. I have in mind for your use a small manor house that I have found pleasant. It is not far from town.”
“I look forward to seeing it.”
“I will provide you with a map and a letter to my steward in the morning.”
“Thank you, Benedict.”
“I will join you there as soon as I have finished here,” he said, “and in the meantime, I have messengers passing that way daily. I will keep in touch with you through them.”
“Very good.”
“Then find yourselves a comfortable piece of ground,” he said. “You‘ll not miss the breakfast call, I‘m sure.”
“I seldom do,” I said. “Is it all right if we sleep at that spot where we left our gear?”
“Certainly,” he said, and we finished the wine.
As we left his tent, I seized the flap up high when I opened it and was able to squeeze it several inches to the side when I cast it before me. Benedict bade us good night and turned away as he let it fall, not noticing the gap of several inches that I had created along its one side.
I made my bed up a good distance to the right of our equipment, facing in the direction of Benedict‘s tent, and I moved the gear itself as I rummaged through it. Ganelon shot me a quizzical look, but I simply nodded and made a movement with my eyes toward the tent. He glanced that way, returned the nod, and proceeded to spread his own blankets farther to the right
I measured it with my eyes, walked over, and said, “You know, I‘d much rather sleep here. Would you mind switching with me?” I added a wink for emphasis.
“Makes no difference to me,” be said, shrugging.
The campfires had died or were dying, and most of the company had turned in. The guard only paid us heed a couple of times around. The camp was very quiet and there were no clouds to obscure the brilliance of the stars. I was tired, and the smells of the smoke and the damp earth came pleasantly to my nostrils, reminding me of other times and places such as this and the rest at the day‘s end.
Instead of closing my eyes, however, I fetched my pack and propped my back against it, filled my pipe again, and struck it to life.