Book 10 of the Chronicles of Amber. Merlin is called home to the Courts of Chaos for a funeral, only to discover his life and free will may be forfeit to the forces of the universe. It will take more than one child of Amber to stand in opposition to the eternal struggle of Order and Chaos: a sorcerer, a salesman, a hero, a demon, and others unite to defy the machinations of the supernatural and restore the balance of the universe... in an attempt to give Merlin the freedom to choose his future path, and protect all he holds dear.