"Thanks," he said, "but I've no intention of fighting my uncle. Someonemust be able to lift this thing."

"The tools themselves have drawn you into this," she said. "They willforce you to fight. They are stronger than mortal sorcery."

"Thanks for the advice," he said. "Some of it may come in handy," andhe winked at her. She blushed, hardly a response I'd have anticipated, thenshe was gone.

"I don't like the tenor this has acquired," I said.

"Me neither. Can't we just turn around and go back?"

I shook my head.

"It sucks you in," I told him. "Just get everything you can out ofit--that's the best advice I ever got on the thing."

We walked on for perhaps ten feet, past some absolutely lovely examplesof mirror making as well as some battered old looking glasses.

A yellow-lacquered one on Luke's side, embossed with Chinese charactersand chipped here and there, froze us in our tracks as the booming voice ofmy late brother Eric rang out:

"I see your fates," he said with a rumbling laugh. "And I can see thekilling ground where you are destined to enact them. It will be interesting,brother. If you hear laughter as you lie dying, it will be mine."

"Oh, you always were a great kidder," I said. "By the way, rest inpeace. You're a hero, you know."

He studied my face.

"Crazy brother," he said, and he turned his head away and was gone.

"That was Eric, who reigned briefly as king here?" Luke asked.

I nodded. "Crazy brother," I said.

We moved forward and a slim hand emerged from a steel-framed mirrorpatterned with roses of rust.

I halted, then turned quickly, somehow knowing even before I saw herwho I would behold.

"Deirdre..." I said.

"Corwin," she replied softly.

"Do you know what's been going on as we walked along?"