"Yeah."

"We can both take quite a beating and recover."

"True."

Our blades rattled on. Occasionally, one or the other of us received acheer.

"What say we injure each other," Luke said, "then throw ourselves downand wait for their judgment on whatever's been accomplished. If either ofthem come near enough, we take them out just for laughs."

"Okay," I said. "If you can expose your left shoulder a bit, I'mwilling to take a midline cut. Let's give them lots of gore before we flop,though. Head and forearm cuts. Anything easy."

"Okay. And 'simultaneity' is the word."

So we fought. I stood off a bit, going faster and faster. Why not? Itwas kind of a game.

Suddenly, my body executed a move I had not ordered it to. Luke's eyeswidened as the blood spurted and Grayswandir passed entirely through hisshoulder. Moments later, Werewindle pierced my vitals.

"Sorry," Luke said. "Listen, Corwin. If you live and I don't, you'dbetter know that there's too much crazy stuff involving mirrors going onaround the castle. The night before you came back, Flora and I fought acreature that came out of a mirror. And there's an odd sorcererinvolved--has a crush on Flora. Nobody knows his name. Has something to dowith Chaos, though, I'd judge. Could it be that for the first time Amber isstarting to reflect Shadow, rather than the other way around?"

"Hello," said a familiar voice. "The deed is done."

"Indeed," said another.

It was the two cowled figures who had spoken. One was Fiona, the otherMandor.

"However it be resolved, good night, sweet prince," said Fiona.

I tried to rise. So did Luke. Tried also to raise my blade. Could not.Again, the world grew dim, and this time I was leaking precious bodilyfluids.

"I'm going to live--and come after you," I said.