17.   Scarlett.

 

Jasra seemed rather disappointed in my decision to wait until morning, and say good-bye to Rinaldo, which I felt our stations required, but in spite of the gravity of the situation, I stuck to my plan.  I promised Jasra that I’d deliver the message to mother, and would convince her to accompany me forthwith to a meeting with her at the Keep of the Four Worlds.  The thought of murdering Cousin Ele as the only way to thwart the impending disaster was not at all pleasant for me, and I hoped mother would have other options to consider.  After a fitful, sleepless, night, the partings with Cousin Rinaldo were pleasant and we kissed each other’s cheeks.  Dalt was also there to give me his best wishes on a safe journey.  The back of my neck itched unpleasantly when he kissed the back of my hand.  As I hugged Jasra, she quietly whispered, “Hurry please!”  I nodded and departed immediately to make up the time by Hellriding through Shadow at the highest pace I could manage.

 

Terror fills the eyes of both horses as I pick my way through Shadow at a rate few Amberites have ever attempted.  I don’t want to madden the poor beasts, to lose such well-trained Shadow mounts would be a terrible shame, but I dare not dally.  Soon, however, I see Mount Kolvir in the distance and the changing of the land ceases.  The horses relax.  We have survived the Hellride!  Full gallop is maintained, however, until we’re through the gates of the Castle and outside the Royal Stables.  I tell the stable boy to treat the mounts well and quickly, that they will likely be needed again this day, perhaps even this very hour.  He looks at the sweat-drenched animals and starts to protest, then he stops, looking strangely at me.  I suddenly realize that I must be appearing equally overtaxed!  Still, no time to tarry.  I run headlong through the grounds of the Castle, ignoring the questioning stares.  I nearly knock King Random to the floor as I bump into him on the main staircase racing on towards my mother’s rooms.  His surprised ‘oooof'  and half-asked inquiry fade quickly in the distance behind me.  Without knocking, I plunge abruptly into her private chambers to find her getting ready for bed.

 

Mother turns and smiles and says serenely, “Why, Scarlett?  What took you so long, dear?  I expected you back days ago.”

 

“I chose not to follow Ambrose through the broken Pattern to Amber, or to use Trumps,” I reply breathlessly, and then ask, “How long has he been here?”

 

Mother laughs softly and answers, “Oh, he never came back at all.  I suppose he went back to his Shadow Earth after his successful negotiation of the broken Pattern.  I expected him to do so when he got the piece of his heritage he was after.  But we shall keep an eye on him.  How went your meeting with your Cousin, Rinaldo?”

 

I’m stunned.  Does she have spies everywhere?  I answer, “With Rinaldo, things went as well as possible.  It’s Jasra I wish to talk to you about, and when I’m done we must be off to the Keep of the Four Worlds.  You see... Amber’s in great danger... and... and... I think we may have to murder Cousin Ele to save the One True World!”

 

She shakes her head.  “That witch!  I don’t put anything past Jasra!”  Then she suddenly becomes very thoughtful quietly staring into something only she can see, and I can hardly hear her voice, almost a whisper. “ As for murdering, yes it was done before for what was deemed a good purpose at the time.  Perhaps one day the Blood of Amber must be spilled again, but not by my daughter.  For times change and the purpose may change… but not what one’s done… that always remains…”  She brushes her hair off her cheek, and I’d swear I’ve just seen my always calm and reserved mother wiping a tear off the corner of her eye.  But she already continues in her normal tone, “Besides, things may not be all that bad, so no reason for haste.”

 

With widened eyes I blurt out, “But Ele may be the Pattern’s pawn to destroy or absorb Corwin’s pattern... as well as absorb the broken Patterns, and the Logrus... well it won’t permit the balance of power to be tipped in the Pattern’s favor.  We must stop this...this...this...”

 

Fiona’s eyes flash with green fire.  “Silence daughter!  You’re getting a bit carried away.  Go to your rooms and get cleaned up, and get some rest too.”

 

“Mother, you should change to riding clothes and we should leave now.  I sense great urgency, though I know not why!” I protest shaking in exhaustion as well as excitement.

 

“There’s an urgency true, but there’s also time.  Now do as I told you!  Shoooo!!!” she replies somewhat nonchalantly.  “And on your way out, send the word that your poor, abused mounts will not be needed again this day, after all.”

 

Again I’m amazed.  Mother seems to know everything!  “You mean there is a Trump of the Keep?”  I ask hurriedly.

 

“I mean that you’re to go get cleaned up and have a good nights rest.  You sure look like you need it.  Now do as you’re told!” she says with the growing irritation obvious in her voice, avoiding my question.

 

I do as I’m told.  It feels good to be clean.  Now the adventure seems a little less fun... for with failure comes the end of Amber.  However, not even the weight of the One True World heavy on my mind can prevent sweet blackness from sweeping over me.  The sleep is good.

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