Read Online Jack Of Shadows by Roger Zelazny - Free Book Online Page A

somewhere near at hand.
    Then the Lord of Bats was beside him, and this time he was not smiling.
    "Jack," he began immediately, "you disappoint me. What were you attempting to establish?"
    "I beg your pardon?"
    "You just completed some sort of weak spell a few moments ago. Did you really think I would
    be unaware of a working of the Art here in High Dudgeon?"
    "Only if it succeeded," said Jack.
    "Which it obviously did not. You are still here."
    "Obviously."
    "You cannot shatter these walls, nor pass through them."
    "So I've learned."
    "Do you find time's weight increasing upon you?"
    "Somewhat."
    "Then perhaps it is time to introduce some additional element into your environment."
    "You did not tell me there was another Borshin."
    The other chuckled, and a bat emerged from somewhere, circled his head several times, suspended itself from the chain he wore.
    "No, that is not what I had in mind," he said. "I wonder how much longer your sense of humor will hold up?"
    Jack shrugged, rubbed idly at a smudge of soot on his right forefinger.
    "Let me know when you find out," he said.
    "I promise you will be among the first."
    Jack nodded.
    "I would appreciate it if you would refrain from further endeavors along magical lines," said the Lord of Bats. "In this highly charged atmosphere they could produce severe repercussions."
    "I'll bear that in mind," said Jack.
    "Capital. Sorry to have interrupted. I'll let you get back to your normal activities now Adieu."
    Jack did not reply, for he was alone.
    It was some time later that the additional element appeared within his environment.
    Realizing that he was not alone, Jack looked up suddenly. At the sight of her coppery hair and her half-smile he was, for a moment, almost startled into believing.
    Then he rose, moved toward her, moved to the side, studied her from several angles.
    Finally, "It is a very good job," he said. "Give my compliments to your creator. You are an exceedingly fine simulacrum of my Lady Evene, of the Fortress Holding."
    "I am neither a simulacrum nor am I your Lady," she said with a smile, curtseying.
    "Whatever, you have brought me brightness," he said. "May I offer you a seat?"
    "Thank you."
    Seating her, he drew up another chair and set it to her left. Leaning back in it, he regarded her obliquely.
    "Now will you riddle me your words?" he said. "If you are not my Evene nor a simulacrum
    composed by my enemy to trouble me, then what are you? Or-to be more delicate-who are you?"
    "I am Evene of the Fortress Holding, daughter of Loret and the Colonel Who Never Died," she said, still smiling; and it was only then he noticed that from the silver chain she wore depended the strange gemstone that was shaped in semblance of his chamber. "But I am not your Lady," she finished.
    "He did a very good job," said Jack. "Even the voice is perfect."
    "I can almost feel sorry for the vagabond Lord of nonexistent Shadow Guard," she said, "Jack of Liars. Being familiar with all forms of baseness, it has become difficult for you to recognize the truth."
    "There is a Shadow Guard!" he said.
    "Then there is no need for you to grow agitated at its mention, is there?"
    "He taught you well, creature. To mock my home is to mock me."
    "That was my intention. But I am not a creature of he whom you call the Lord of Bats. I am his woman. I know him by his secret name. He has shown me the world in a sphere. I have seen all places and things from the halls of High Dudgeon. I know that nowhere is there such a place as Shadow Guard."
    "No eyes but mine have ever looked upon it," he said, "for it is always hidden by shadows. It is a great, sprawling place, of high, torch-lit halls, underground labyrinths and many towers. On the one hand it faces some light, and on the other the darkness. It is furnished with many mementos of the greatest thefts ever committed. There are things of great beauty there, and things of incalculable worth. The shadows dance in its corridors, and the facets of countless