INTRODUCTION

    Lance stood at the head of the great table, perhaps for the last time.  He felt old, older than his two score years and ten.  Before him sat his comrades-in-arms, the Avalon Knights.  Fewer in number than in years past, their deeds less storied than their predecessors, but still the last defenders of an ancient tradition.

    "Tomorrow, at this time," he began, "the Great Assembly will meet to choose our new King.  It will be ten years, to the day, since our noble King left us, and left me to serve in his place as his regent.  I have tried my best to rule in King Corwin's place as well as I could, and now my stewardship comes to an end.  What will come of tomorrow's Assembly I cannot say, but for the sake of our land, fair Avalon, pledge to be true to your new King and serve him as you did our great King Corwin."

    The old knight scanned the faces of the men before him.  Once, he was sure, they all would have leaped to their feet, drawn their swords, and shouted their undying promise to defend the crown and kingdom.  But that fire was long gone, and these knights only nodded grimly, and silently calculated their chances for increased power in the new order of things.

    A power vacuum.  That was what existed in Avalon now, and all that was keeping the mad grab for power from breaking out already was a tired old man who no longer wanted the responsibility.  Tomorrow he would step aside, and he was sure that all hell would break loose once he did.

    Corwin, he thought to himself, what have you done to us?