"Luke-Rinaldo," he said, "just what is your concern in this, and how did you come to learn of the matter?"
"While I am not of Amber," I replied, "my father was. I know it is soon to become a matter of concern in that place because of Merlin--son of Corwin--apparently being in direct line for the succession to the throne in the Courts of Chaos."
"I know who Merlin is," Delwin sated. "Who is your father?"
"Prince Brand."
"And your mother?"
"The Lady Jasra, formerly Queen of Kashfa. Now, might we talk about this matter a little?"
"No," Delwin said. "We may not."
He moved his hand as if to break the contact.
"Wait!" I said. "Do you have a microwave oven?"
He hesitated.
"A what?"
"It's a box-like device that can warm a meal in a matter of minutes. I've worked out a general spell to allow one to operate in most of Shadow. Wake up in the middle of the night with a taste for a steaming hot tuna casserole? Take one out of the freezer, unwrap it, and pop it in. What's a freezer? Glad you asked. It's another box, with eternal winter inside. Store meals in there, take one out and zap it in the mike whenever the fancy hits. And yes, I can supply the freezer, too. You don't want to talk spikards, let's talk business. I can give you a deal on these devices, in quantity, that will meet or beat the price of anyone else capable of supplying them--and I don't think it would be an easy thing to find another supplier. But that's not all I can do for you--"
"I'm sorry," said Delwin. "No solicitors either." His hand moved again.
"Wait!" I cried. "I'll make you an offer you can't refuse!"
He broke the connection.
"Come back," I willed after his image, but it went 2-dimensional and warmed