rz.signoftheunicorn-第12章

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at　the　lichen　that　grew　there。　Its　eyes；　when　it　raised　them　and　looked　in　our　direction；　were　a　bright；　emerald　green。　It　joined　us　in　immobility　for　a　pair　of　instants。　Then　it　made　a　quick；　nervous　gesture　with　its　front　feet；　pawing　the　air　and　striking　the　stone；　three　times。　And　then　it　blurred　and　vanished　like　a　snowflake；　silently；　perhaps　in　the　woods　to　our　right。
　I　rose　and　crossed　to　the　stone。　Gerard　followed　me。　There；　in　the　moss；　I　traced　its　tiny　hoofmarks。
　〃Then　we　really　did　see　it；〃　Gerard　said。
　I　nodded。
　〃We　saw　something。　Did　you　ever　see　it　before？〃
　〃No。　Did　you？〃
　I　shook　my　head。
　〃Julian　claims　he　once　saw　it；〃　he　said；　〃in　the　distance。　Says　his　hounds　refused　to　give　chase。〃
　〃It　was　beautiful。　That　long；　silky　tail；　those　shiny　hooves。。。〃
　〃Yes。　Dad　always　took　it　as　a　good　omen。〃
　〃I'd　like　to　myself。〃
　〃Strange　time　for　it　to　appear。。。　All　these　years。。。〃
　I　nodded　again。
　〃Is　there　a　special　observance？　It　being　our　patron　and　all。。。　is　there　something　we　should　do？〃
　〃If　there　is；　Dad　never　told　me　about　it；〃　I　said。　I　patted　the　rock　on　which　it　had　appeared。　〃If　you　herald　some　turn　in　our　fortunes；　if　you　bring　us　some　measure　of　grace　…　thanks；　unicorn；〃　I　said。　〃And　even　if　you　do　not；　thanks　for　the　brightness　of　your　pany　at　a　dark　time。〃
　We　went　and　drank　from　the　spring　then。　We　secured　our　grim　parcel　on　the　back　of　the　third　horse。　We　led　our　mounts　until　we　were　away　from　the　place；　where；　save　for　the　water；　things　had　bee　very　still。
　
　
　Chapter　6
　
　Life's　incessant　ceremonies　leap　everlasting；　humans　spring　eternal　on　hope's　breast；　and　frying　pans　without　fires　are　often　far　between：　the　sum　of　my　long　life's　wisdom　that　evening；　tendered　in　a　spirit　of　creative　anxiety；　answered　by　Random　with　a　nod　and　a　friendly　obscenity。
　We　were　in　the　library；　and　I　was　seated　on　the　edge　of　the　big　desk。　Random　occupied　a　chair　to　my　right。　Gerard　stood　at　the　other　end　of　the　room；　inspecting　some　weapons　that　hung　on　the　wall。　Or　maybe　it　was　Rein's　etching　of　the　unicorn　he　was　looking　at。　Whichever；　along　with　ourselves；　he　was　also　ignoring　Julian；　who　was　slouched　in　an　easy　chair　beside　the　display　cases；　right　center；　legs　extended　and　crossed　at　the　ankles；　arms　folded；　staring　down　at　his　scaley　boots。　Fiona　…　five…two；　perhaps；　in　height　…　green　eyes　fixed　on　Flora's　own　blue　as　they　spoke；　there　beside　the　fireplace；　hair　more　than　pensating　for　the　vacant　hearth；　smoldering；　reminded　me；　as　always；　of　something　from　which　the　artist　had　just　drawn　back；　setting　aside　his　tools；　questions　slowly　forming　behind　his　smile。　The　place　at　the　base　of　her　throat　where　his　thumb　had　notched　the　collarbone　always　drew　my　eyes　as　the　mark　of　a　master　craftsman；　especially　when　she　raised　her　head；　quizzical　or　imperious；　to　regard　us　taller　others。　She　smiled　faintly；　just　then；　doubtless　aware　of　my　gaze；　an　almost　clairvoyant　faculty　the　acceptance　of　which　has　never　deprived　of　its　ability　to　disconcert。　Llewella；　off　in　a　er；　pretending　to　study　a　book；　had　her　back　to　the　rest　of　us；　her　green　tresses　bobbed　a　couple　of　inches　above　her　dark　collar。　Whether　her　withdrawal　involved　animus；　self…conscious　in　her　alienation；　or　simple　caution；　I　could　never　be　certain。　Probably　something　of　all　these。　Hers　was　not　that　familiar　a　presence　in　Amber。
　。。。　And　the　fact　that　we　constituted　a　collection　of　individuals　rather　than　a　group；　a　family；　at　a　time　when　I　wanted　to　achieve　some　over…identity；　some　will　to　cooperate；　was　what　led　to　my　observations　and　Random's　acknowledgment。
　I　felt　a　familiar　presence；　heard　a　〃Hello；　Corwin〃　and　there　was　Deirdre；　reaching　toward　me。　I　extended　my　hand；　clasped　her　own；　raised　it。　She　took　a　step　forward；　as　if　to　the　first　strain　of　some　formal　dance；　and　moved　close；　facing　me。　For　an　instant　a　grilled　window　had　framed　her　head　and　shoulders　and　a　rich　tapestry　had　adorned　the　wall　to　her　left。　Planned　and　posed；　of　course。　Still；　effective。　She　held　my　Trump　in　her　left　hand。　She　smiled。　The　others　glanced　our　way　as　she　appeared　and　she　hit　them　all　with　that　smile；　like　the　Mona　Lisa　with　a　machine　gun；　turning　slowly。
　〃Corwin；〃　she　said；　kissing　me　briefly　and　withdrawing；　〃I　fear　I　am　early。〃
　〃Never；〃　I　replied；　turning　toward　Random；　who　had　just　risen　and　who　anticipated　me　by　seconds。
　〃May　I　fetch　you　a　drink；　sister？〃　he　asked；　taking　her　hand　and　nodding　toward　the　sideboard。
　〃Why；　yes。　Thank　you；〃　and　he　led　her　off　and　poured　her　some　wine；　avoiding　or　at　least　postponing；　I　suppose；　her　usual　clash　with　Flora。　At　least；　I　assumed　most　of　the　old　frictions　were　still　alive　as　I　remembered　them。　So　if　it　cost　me　her　pany　for　the　moment　it　also　maintained　the　domestic…tranquility　index；　which　was　important　to　me　just　then。　Random　can　be　good　at　such　things　when　he　wants　to。
　I　drummed　the　side　of　the　desk　with　my　fingertips；　I　rubbed　my　aching　shoulder；　I　uncrossed　and　recrossed　my　legs；　I　debated　lighting　a　cigarette。。。
　Suddenly　he　was　there。　At　the　far　end　of　the　room；　Gerard　had　turned　to　his　left；　said　something；　and　extended　his　hand。　An　instant　later；　he　was　clasping　the　left　and　only　hand　of　Benedict；　the　final　member　of　our　group。
　All　right。　The　fact　that　Benedict　had　chosen　to　e　in　on　Gerard's　Trump　rather　than　mine　was　his　way　of　expressing　his　feelings　toward　me。　Was　it　also　an　indication　of　an　alliance　to　keep　me　in　check？　It　was　at　least　calculated　to　make　me　wonder。　Could　it　have　been　Benedict　who　had　put　Gerard　up　to　our　morning's　exercise？　Probably。
　At　that　moment　Julian　rose　to　his　feet；　crossed　the　room；　gave　Benedict　a　word　and　a　handclasp。
　This　activity　attracted　Llewella。　She　turned；　closing　her　book　and　laying　it　aside。　Smiling　then；　she　advanced　and　greeted　Benedict；　nodded　to　Julian；　said　something　to　Gerard。　The　impromptu　conference　warmed；　grew　animated。　All　right　again；　and　again。
　Four　and　three。　And　two　in　the　middle。。。
　I　waited；　staring　at　the　group　across　the　room。　We　were　all　present；　and　I　could　have　asked　them　for　attention　and　proceeded　with　what　I　had　in　mind。　However。。。
　It　was　too　tempting。　All　of　us　could　feel　the　tension；　I　knew。　It　was　as　if　a　pair　of　magnetic　poles　had　suddenly　been　activated　within　the　room。　I　was　curious　to　see　how　all　the　filings　would　fall。
　Flora　gave　me　one　quick　glance。　I　doubted　that　she　had　changed　her　mind　overnight　…　unless；　of　course；　there　had　been　some　new　development。　No；　I　felt　confident　that　I　had　anticipated　the　next　move。
　Nor　was　I　incorrect。　I　overheard　her　mentioning　thirst　and　a　glass　of　wine。　She　turned　partway　and　made　a　move　in　my　direction；　as　if　expecting　Fiona　to　acpany　her。　She　hesitated　for　a　moment　when　this　did　not　occur；　suddenly　became　the　focus　of　the　entire　pany's　attention；　realized　this　fact；　made　a　quick　decision；　smiled；　and　moved　in　my　direction。
　〃Corwin；〃　she　said；　〃I　believe　I　would　like　a　glass　of　wine。〃
　Without　turning　my　head　or　removing　my　gaze　from　the　tableau　before　me；　I　called　back　over　my　shoulder；　〃Random；　pour　Flora　a　glass　of　wine；　would　you？〃
　〃But　of　course；〃　he　replied；　and　I　heard　the　necessary　sounds。
　Flora　nodded；　unsmiled；　and　passed　beyond　me　to　the　right。
　Four　and　four；　leaving　dear　Fiona　burning　brightly　in　the　middle　of　the　room。　Totally　self…conscious　and　enjoying　it；　she　immediately　turned　toward　the　oval　mirror　with　the　dark；　intricately　carved　frame；　hanging　in　the　space　between　the　two　nearest　tiers　of　shelves。　She　proceeded　to　adjust　a　stray　strand　of　hair　in　the　vicinity　of　her　left　temple。
　Her　movement　produced　a　flash　of　green　and　silver　among　the　red　and　gold　geometries　of　the　carpet；　near　to　the　place　where　her　left　foot　had　rested。
　I　had　simultaneous　desires　to　curse　and　to　smile。　The　arrant　bitch　was　playing　games　with　us　again。　Always　remarkable；　though。。。　Nothing　had　changed。　Neither　cursing　nor　smiling；　I　moved　forward；　as　she　had　known　I　would。
　But　Julian　too　approached；　and　a　trifle　more　quickly　than　I。　He　had　been　a　bit　nearer；　may　have　spotted　it　a　fraction　of　an　instant　sooner。
　He　scooped　it　up　and　dangled　it　gently。
　〃Your　bracelet；　sister；〃　he　said　pleasantly。　〃It　seems　to　have　forsaken　your　wrist；　foolish　thing。　Here　…　allow　me。〃
　She　extended　her　hand；　giving　him　one　of　those　lowered…eyelash　smiles　while　he　unfastened　her　chain　of　emeralds。　pleting　the　business；　he　folded　her　hand　within　both　of　his　own　and　began　to　turn　back　toward　his　corner；　from　whence　the　others　were　casting　sidelong　glances　while　attempting　to　seem　locally　occupied。
　〃I　believe　you　would　be　amused　by　a　witticism　we　are　about　to　share；〃　he　began。
　Her　smile　grew　even　more　delightful　as　she　disengaged　her　hand。
　〃Thank　you；　Julian；〃　she　replied。　〃I　am　certain　that　when　I　hear　it　I　will　laugh。　Last；　as　usual；　I　fear。〃　She　turned　and　took　my　arm。　〃I　find　that　I　feel　a　greater　desire；〃　she　said；　〃for　a　glass　of　wine。〃
　So　I　took　her　back　with　me　and　saw　her　refreshed。　Five　and　four。
　Julian；　who　dislikes　showing　strong　feelings；　reached　a　decision　a　few　moments　later　and　followed　us　over。　He　poured　himself　a　glass；　sipped　from　it；　studied　me　for　ten　or　fifteen　seconds；　then　said；　〃I　believe　we　are　all　present　now。　When　do　you　plan　to　proceed　with　whatever　you　have　in　mind？〃
　〃I　see　no　reason　for　further　delay；〃　I　said；　〃now　that　everyone　has　had　his　turn。〃　I　raised　my　voice　then　and　directed　it　across　the　room。　〃The　time　has　e。　Let　us　get　fortable。〃
　The　others　drifted　over。　Chairs　were　dragged　up　and　settled　into。　More　wine　was　poured。　A　minute　later　we　had　an　audience。
　〃Thank　you；〃　I　said　when　the　final　stirrings　had　subsided。
　〃I　have　a　number　of　things　I　would　like　to　say；　and　some　of　them　might　even　get　said。　The　course　of　it　all　will　depend　on　what　goes　before；　and　we　will　get　into　that　right　now。　Random；　tell　them　what　you　told　me　yesterday。〃
　〃All　right。〃
　I　withdrew　to　the　seat　behind　the　desk　and　Random　moved　to　occupy　the　edge　of　it。　I　leaned　back　and　listened　again　to　the　story　of　his　munication　with　Brand　and　his　attempt　to　rescue　him。　It　was　a　condensed　version；　bereft　of　the　speculations　which　had　not　really　strayed　from　my　consciousness　since　Random　had　put　them　there。　And　despite　their　omission；　a　tacit　awareness　of　the　implications　was　occurring　within　all　the　others。　I　knew　that。　It　was　the　main　reason　I　had　wanted　Random　to　speak　first。　Had　I　simply　e　out　with　an　attempt　to　make　a　case　for　my　suspicions；　I　would　almost　certainly　have　been　assumed　to　be　engaged　in　the　time…honored　practice　of　directing　attention　away　from　myself　…　an　act　to　be　followed　immediately　by　the　separate；　sharp；　metallic　clicks　of　minds　snapping　shut　against　me。　This　way；　despite　any　thoughts　that　Random　would　say　whatever　I　wanted　him　to　say；　they　would　hear　him　out；　wondering　the　while。　They　would　toy　with　the　ideas；　attempting　to　foresee　the　point　of　my　having　called　the　assembly　in　the　first　place。　They　would　allow　the　time　that　would　permit　the　premises　to　take　root　contingent　upon　later　corroboration。　And　they　would　be　wondering　whether　we　could　produce　the　evidence。　I　was　wondering　that　same　thing　myself。
　While　I　waited　and　wondered　I　watched　the　others；　a　fruitless　yet　inevitable　exerc