«You're saying…?»
«I'm saying that if something happens to me and he comes up a winner in this game, I believe she knows some special way of destroying him.»
«Oh.»
«I'm also pretty sure that she'll have to be asked very nicely.»
«Somehow, I think I already knew that.»
He gave a humorless chuckle.
«So you tell her that I've ended the vendetta, that I'm satisfied, and then offer her the citadel in return for her help.»
«What if she says that's not enough?»
«Hell! Turn her back into a coatrack then! It's not as if the guy can't be killed. My dad still died with an arrow through his throat, despite his fancy powers. A deathstroke is still a deathstroke. It's just that delivering it to a guy like that is a lot harder.»
«You really think that'll be enough?» I said.
He halted and looked at me, frowning.
«She'll argue, but of course she'll agree,» he said. «It'll be a step up in the world. And she'll want revenge on Mask as much as that piece of her former holdings. But to answer your question, don't trust her. No matter what she promises, she'll never be happy with less than she had before. She'll be scheming. She'll be a good ally till the job's done. Then you've got to think about protecting yourself against her. Unless…»
«Unless what?»
«Unless I come up with something to sweeten the pot.»
«Like what?»
«I don't know yet. But don't lift that spell until things are definitely settled between Dalt and me. Okay?»
He resumed walking.
«Wait a minute,» I said «What are you planning?»
«Nothing special,» he answered. «Like I told the queen, I'm just goint go play things by ear.»
«I sometimes get the feeling you're as devious as you make her out to be,» I said.
«I hope so,» he replied. «But there's a difference. I'm honest.»
«I don't know that I'd buy a used car from you, Luke.»
«Every deal I make is special,» he said, «and for you it's always top of the line.»
I glanced at him, saw that he kept his expressioin under control.
«What else can I say?» he added, indicating the sitting room with a quick gesture.
«Nothing, now,» I answered, and we entered there.
Vialle turned her head in our direction as we came in, her expression as unreadable as Luke's.
«I take it you are properly attired now?» she asked.
«I am indeed,» he answered.
«Then let's be about this,» she said, raising her left hand, which I saw to contain a Trump. «Come over here, please.»
Luke approached her and I followed him. I could see then that it was Julian's Trump that she held.
«Place your hand upon mu shoulder,» she told him.
«All right.»
He did, and she reached, found Julian and began speaking to him. Shortly, Luke was party to the conversation, explaining what he intended to do. I overheard Vialle saying that the plan had her approval.
Moments later I saw Luke raise his free hand and extend it. I also saw the shadowy figure of Julian reaching forward, though I was not part of the Trump nexus. This was because I had summoned my Logrus Sight and had become sensitive to such things. I needed it for the timing, not wanting Luke whisked away before I could move.
I let my hand fall upon his shoulder and I moved forward as he did.
«Merlin! What are you doing?» I heard Vialle call.
«I'd like to see what happens,» I said. «I'll come right home when things are concluded,» and the rainbow gate closed behind me.
We stood within the flickering of oil lamps inside a large tent. From outside, I couild hear the wind and the sounds of stirring branches. Julian stood facing us. He let Luke's hand fall and regarded him without expression.
«So you are Caine's killer,» he said.
«I am,» Luke replied.
And I was remembering that Caine and Julian had always been particularly close. If Julian were to kill Luke and cry vendetta, I was certain that Random would merely nod and agree. Perhaps he'd even smile. Hard to say. If I were Random, I would greet Luke's removal with a sight of relief. In fact, that was one of the reasons I'd come along. Supposing this whole deal were a setup? I couild'n picture Vialle as a part of it, but she could easily have been deceived by Julian and Benedict. Supposing Dalt wasn't even out there?
Or suppose he were - and that what he'd really asked for was Luke's head? After all, he had tried to kill Luke fairly recently. I had to admit the possibility now, and I also had to admit that Julian was the most likely candidate to be a willing party to such a design. For the good of Amber.
Julian's gaze met mine, and I wore as affectless a mask as his own.
«Good evening, Merlin,» he said. «Do you have a special part in this plan?»
«I'm an observer,» I answered. «Anything else I may do will be dictated by circumstance.»
From somewhere outside I heard the growling of a hellhound.
«So long as you keep out of the,way,» Julian said.
I smiled.
«Sorcerers have special ways of avoiding notice, «I replied.
He studied me again, wondering, I am certain, whether that involved some sort of threat - to defend Luke or avenge him.
Then he shrugged and turned away to where a small table held an unrolled map, weighted in place with a rock and a dagger. He indicated that Luke should join him there, and I followed when he did.
It was a map of the western fringe of Arden, and he pointed out our position on it. Garnath lay to our sout- southwest, Amber to the southeast.
«Our troops are situated here» he said, with a movement of his finger. «And Dalt's are here.» He described another line, roughly paralleling our own.
«What about Benedict's force?» I inquired.
He glanced at me, showing the slightest of frowns.
«It is good for Luke to know that there is such a force,» he stated, «but not its size, location, or objective. That way, if Dalt were to capture and question him, he'd have a lot to worry about and nothing to act upon.»
Luke nodded. «Good idea,» he said.
Julian pointed again, to a spot midway between the lines. «This is the place where I met with him when we spoke earlier,» he explained. «It is a clear, level area, in view of both sides during daylight. I'd suggest we use it again, for your meeting.»
«All right,» Luke said, and I noticed that as he spoke, Julian's fingertips caressed the handle of the dagger that lay before him. Then I saw that Luke's right hand, in casual movement, had come to rest upon his belt, slightly to the left and near to his own dagger.
Simultaneously, then, Luke and Julian smiled at each other, and held it several seconds too long. Luke was bigger than Julian, and I knew he was fast and strong. But Julian had centuries of experience with weapons behind him. I wondered how I would intervene if either made a move toward the other, because I knew that I would try to stop them. But they let their hands fall to their sides then, as if by sudden agreement, and Julian said, «Let me offer you a glass of wine.»
«Don't mind if I do,» Luke replied, and I wondered whether my presence had kept them from fighting. Probably not. I'd the feeling that Julian had just wanted to make his feelings clear, and Luke had wanted to let him know he didn't give a damn. I really don't know which one I'd have bet on.
