"Roger Zelazny - Amber 05 - The Courts of Chaos" - читать интересную книгу автора (Zelazny Roger)

that Chaos would be stronger than it now is - the striking of a new balance,
giving to us more of the shadowlands that lie between our realms. It was
realized long ago that the two kingdoms can never be merged, or one destroyed,
without also disrupting all the processes that lie in flux between us. Total
stasis or complete chaos would be the result. Yet, though it was seen what
Brand had in mind, our leaders came to terms with him. It was the best
opportunity to present itself in ages. It had to be seized. It was felt that
Brand could be dealt with, and finally replaced, when the time came."
"So you were also planning a double-cross," Random said.
"Not if he kept his word. But then, we knew that he would not. So we
provided for the move against him."
"How?"
"He would be allowed to accomplish his end and then be destroyed. He would
be succeeded by a member of the royal family of Amber who was also of the
first family of the Courts, one who had been raised among us and trained for
the position. Merlin even traces his connection with Amber on both sides,
through my forebear Benedict and directly from yourself - the two most favored
claimants to your throne."
"You are of the royal house of Chaos?"
She smiled.
I rose. Strode away. Stared at the ashes on the grate.
"I find it somewhat distressing to have been involved in a calculated
breeding project," I said, at length. "But be that as it may, and accepting
everything you have said as true - for the moment - why are you telling us all
of these things now?"
"Because," she said, "I fear that the lords of my realm would go as far
for their vision as Brand would for his. Farther, perhaps. That balance I
spoke of. Few seem to appreciate what a delicate thing it is. I have traveled
in the shadowlands near to Amber, and I have walked in Amber herself. I also
have known the shadows that lie by Chaos side. I have met many people and seen
many things. Then, when I encountered Martin and spoke with him, I began to
feel that the changes I had been told would be for the better would not simply
result in a revision of Amber more along the lines of my elders' liking. They
would, instead, turn Amber into a mere extension of the Courts, most of the
shadows would boil away to join with Chaos. Amber would become an island. Some
of my seniors who still smart at Dworkin's having created Amber in the first
place are really seeking a return to the days before this happened. Total
Chaos, from which all things arose. I see the present condition as superior
and I wish to preserve it. My desire is that neither side emerge victorious in
any conflict."
I turned in time to see Benedict shaking his head.
"Then you are on neither side," he stated.
"I like to think that I am on both."
"Martin," I said, "are you in this with her?"
He nodded.
Random laughed.
"The two of you? Against both Amber and the Courts of Chaos? What do you
hope to achieve? How do you plan to further this notion of balance?"
"We are not alone," she said, "and the plan is not ours."
Her fingers dipped into her pocket. Something glittered when she withdrew