Jim moved among the crowd making his way slowly towards the throne. He could expect to be presented to the King in about an hour, some time just before the Champion of the Masters Court was presented.
He studied young Ty Hawkins, involved in an animated conversation with Henry conDoin. The King of the Isles distant cousin listened with a smile as his opponent of the previous day told a tale.
It was on young men such as these that the fate of the Kingdom of the Isles, and perhaps all of Triagia, would turn, Jim knew. Capable young men who were free of the corruption of politics and greed.
Ty was problematic, because his father was a Kingdom noble in name only. That fiction had been created by the Conclave to employ Tal as a weapon for the Conclaves service, and it gave him entrance to certain venues in the Kingdom of the Isles, just as his rank as past Champion of the Masters Court gave it to him here in Roldem, but Talwin Hawkins was a grudging servant of the Conclave at best and no servant at all at worst. Still, keeping him at least as an ally would serve, if the son could be captured, thought Jim. And if the need arose, Jim had the power to make that false patent of nobility a real one. Not that Tal needed it, as he was becoming rich beyond the dreams of the mountain boy he had once been, but it might prove useful to turn his son into a Kingdom noble some day. In Roldem they would both have status as Champions of the Masters Court, but neither would achieve rank. And as Jim knew rank, as well as privilege, had its uses.
Now it was Henrys turn to tell a tale. Jim had no doubt both stories were being inflated to bolster the young mens standing; they stood like two young roosters with their chests puffed out, seeing who could crow loudest at daybreak. One day theyd be bitter rivals or like brothers, and only fate would determine which it would be.
Jim looked away from the throne and felt his heart sink. Making a beeline for him was the Kingdom of the Isles ambassador to Roldem, his excellency Lord John Ravenscar; and on his arm was none other than the Lady Franciezka Sorboz.
My lord, said the ambassador, fixing Jim with a sceptical look. I was unaware you were in Roldem, he said. It was customary for Kingdom nobles to make themselves known to the ambassador upon arriving on the island.
Apologies, your excellency, said Jim. The press of business caused me to be remiss in my duty.
You know the Lady Franciezka, I believe, said the ambassador. The sight of the portly bureaucrat, resplendent in a maroon silk surcoat, white ruffled suit, and white leggings made Jim wish even more fervently for the return of mens trousers to this court, for he looked like nothing more than a fat-bellied, spindly-legged turkey in those hose.
Franciezka, on the other hand, looked magnificent in whatever she wore, Jim knew from experience. She also looked magnificent wearing nothing at all, which Jim also knew from experience. They had been lovers on several occasions, and she had tried to kill him twice, for purely professional reasons. She was one of the King of Roldems deadliest agents and ran the equivalent of Jims intelligence service, the Secret Police of Roldem.
She had the face of a girl ten years younger, a fact that had enabled her to disguise herself as a child when needed; she could look the part of a girl of fifteen or less or a crone of eighty years. She had a slender body bordering on the boyish, except for a round backside which Jim had always had a weakness for, but he knew her body to be as strong as a rapiers blade, deadly despite being slight.
Pale blonde hair which was almost white in the days sunlight framed delicate features. Large blue eyes turned upon him as she said, Why, Lord James, Im almost as aggrieved as the ambassador at your not letting me know you were in the city.
She wore a brilliant yellow gown with green silk trim set with pearls of white and black, and a series of gold-threaded tassels hung at the hem, sweeping the floor as she moved. Like the other ladies gowns this evening, her décolletage was cut low, the bodice was lifted, and the waist cinched. Jim wondered how women breathed in these outfits. The skirt flared out slightly to the sides and behind, with a daring slit up the front to knee height.
Jim felt some pleasure in noting that the colour of their clothing was complementary.
With a smile, Jim said, I find that surprising, my lady. I would have assumed someone you knew might have mentioned I was in town.
Oh, you underestimate how hard you can be to find, at times, my lord, she said, batting her long fair lashes in an almost theatrical way that seemed to captivate Lord Ravenscar and annoy Jim in equal measure.
Jim found himself wondering what Franciezka was after. She was not one given to idle banter or social small talk unless it was part of a ploy. She was an important figure at the royal court of Roldem, but few knew her real role. She was a minor lady-in-waiting to the Princess Stephané, a tutor-cum-surrogate elder sister. Certainly, Queen Gertrude couldnt have found a better instructor to show the younger woman how to spot men of bad intent from across the room. But this was the sort of event Franciezka was usually more than content to avoid.
That gave Jim pause for a moment to glance towards the thrones. Three sons and a daughter and all ripe for state marriage. The two older princes, Constantine and Albér, were in attendance, both wearing the uniforms of the Roldem navy, Constantine an admiral and his younger brother a captain. Grandprey wore the dress uniform of an army general, and it was considered by most that he was the most able commander among the three. Some day his brother would be king and Grandy, as he was known, would be his Lord Marshall, while Albér would command the fleet as Grand Admiral.
Constantine was the prize, for his wife would some day be queen, but after him came Stephané. As the Kings youngest and only daughter, she commanded a special place in her fathers heart, and he would wed her carefully as much for her happiness as his kingdoms security. No lesser prince of Kesh or an Eastern Kingdom minor noble would take her leagues away from her parents. She would probably end up married to a noble of Roldem, possibly a Kingdom noble, but one who would live here, close to the palace, for that was the Kings pleasure.
Those two boys dont have a clue, do they? asked Franciezka.
My lady? asked Lord Ravenscar.
Jim smiled, knowing exactly what she meant. No, but its their night particularly Tys, though Henry having been forced to withdraw due to injury makes it his night as well. Let them dream of a beautiful princess for one night.
And Jim was forced to admit the Princess had become a true beauty, which surprised many. Her mother had been judged a handsome woman in her youth, but never a head-turner. She had been the Grand Duchess of Maladon to the north. The Duchy of Maladon and Semrick had strong ties to the Isles, but her father had wished for strong ties to Roldem. So the marriage had been arranged. The King and Queen had come to care deeply for one another, and were temperamentally well suited as a couple.
Roldems position in the Sea of Kingdoms made it a unique power. Its navy wasnt as large as Keshs or that of the Kingdom of the Isles, but it was the best, ship for ship. The royal court of Roldem had seen to that, employing the finest and most innovative shipwrights and ship-fitters in the world. Like the navy, the army of Roldem was a crack outfit, man for man the equal of any, though far smaller than either of its more powerful neighbours.
Roldems position in the Sea of Kingdoms made it a unique power. Its navy wasnt as large as Keshs or that of the Kingdom of the Isles, but it was the best, ship for ship. The royal court of Roldem had seen to that, employing the finest and most innovative shipwrights and ship-fitters in the world. Like the navy, the army of Roldem was a crack outfit, man for man the equal of any, though far smaller than either of its more powerful neighbours.
Roldems power derived from its history: it was the first of the truly great courts on the continent of Triagia, exporting a great deal of its culture to the Kingdom of the Isles and the Eastern Kingdoms. Even Great Kesh, while an older nation, didnt reach the heights of art and science that Roldem had for years after consolidating its far-flung empire.
And Roldems position had been enhanced when it moved in a combined assault on the Duchy of Olasko to thwart the evil plans of the mad necromancer, Leso Varen, resulting in the overthrow of Kaspar, Duke of Olasko. The installation of Duke Varen Rodoski, a cousin of Roldems king, brought Olasko into Roldem as its biggest duchy. While the Kingdom of the Isles muttered about this, Jim knew it was the only outcome that could have kept peace in the region. Besides, it made Roldem a better ally for the Isles in the fight that was surely coming.
Franciezka laughed. I suppose theres no harm in dreaming, is there, my lord?
Lord Ravenscar looked completely lost as to exactly what they were talking about. I ah, of course, he agreed.
Come, Excellency, said Franciezka, let us have a cup of wine and you can tell me the court gossip from Rillanon.
Obviously glad to have her to himself, Lord Ravenscar bowed slightly to Lord James, than began to lead the lovely woman away. Franciezka let a green silken handkerchief slip out of her hand. It fluttered to the ground at Jims feet. At a carefully-judged moment, she turned and said, Oh, dear. A moment, your excellency. She turned back before the ambassador could see what was happening to retrieve the handkerchief which Jim had just picked up. Smiling, she said softly, My townhouse. Midnight. Come alone and dont be seen.
Jim handed over the dropped kerchief without a word. As he watched her retreat from him, he wondered whether this would be a social or a political call. Either way, he conceded, it would prove interesting.
Jim reached the thrones just as the two combatants were bowing and backing away. He had misjudged his status and had been presented after the two finalists in the Masters Court, not before them, and arrived just as the herald was announcing, Earl Murroy, Envoy Plenipotentiary without portfolio from His Majesty, the King of the Isles, Lord James Jamison, Baron of the Princes Court.
The last title was the reason Ravenscar and others who served as resident ambassadors disliked Jim so much; he had the Kings authority really, his grandfather, the Duke of Rillanons to do pretty much as he saw fit when it came to any political situation on the Sea of Kingdoms. It tended to eclipse their sun just a bit.
Jim moved forward, bowed before the entire royal family and muttered his wishes for their good health and long life. He nodded with a smile as the King muttered something pleasant in return, then departed.
As he did so, he noticed some familiar figures also approaching: four young men, two escorting young women. The two who escorted the women were as unalike as two men could be. One was slender, with dark hair and eyes and the quick moves of an athletic fencer. The other was red-headed, broad of shoulder and looked like a brawler. He grinned widely at the sight of Jim Dasher. Jim! We didnt know you were here.
Jim made his greetings, first to the ladies who returned his genuine smile. Of all the people in Roldem he genuinely enjoyed spending time with, he now was in the presence of the majority. A moment, said the red-headed man. Matters of court protocol.
The herald announced, Your majesties, the Earl Servan and the Countess Lauretta. The dark-haired man bowed. Uncle, Aunt, to your good health.
The King smiled. It is good to have you in court, as always, Nephew.
As they moved away, the herald sang out, Sir Jonathan Killaroo and the Lady Adella. They were greeted and moved on. The two single men were introduced as Sir Tad, and Sir Zane, and after they had made their obeisances the group continued with Jim in tow to a large buffet where food was being portioned out to the guests.
Sir Jonathan spoke softly in his wifes ear, then kissed her cheek and moved off to speak to Jim in relative privacy. Any word? asked Jim.
Nothing, said Jommy, which was the name by which the one-time street tough from the distant continent of Novindus was known to his friends. The Conclaves agents are just as silent as your own.
The relationship between Jim Dasher and the Conclave of Shadows had been a long but strained one, and often it was the bond of friendship these two men shared which kept it from fraying any further. The four young men had served with Jim in a struggle against a demon cult known as the Black Caps, and the shedding of blood together had left them close.
Glancing around, Jim noticed Servans gaze had wandered to where the two of them spoke. How are you getting along with Servan these days?
Jommy laughed. Hes got a good heart, and in another life wed be brothers, but I dont think hell ever forgive me for marrying his sister.
She seems happy enough.
She should. Shes expecting our third.
Jim clapped Jommy on the shoulder. Congratulations!
Servan heard the word and saw the two men smiling and turned away with a rueful smile of his own, shaking his head as if asking silently by what cruel fate the gods had decided his sister should fall in love with such a lout.
Jommy said, We need to get those two married off. He indicated with a nod Tad and Zane.
I thought Zane wasnt he betrothed?
Almost. But he has a wandering eye, that one.
And Tads too mindful of his duty. A moment of sadness passed over his face. You three are as close to family He let the thought go unfinished.
Jommys eyes scanned the room, never for an instant forgetting they might be overheard if he wasnt cautious. I know. Have you spoken with Pug recently?
Not in a while, Jim kept his voice down despite the chatter of voices filling the hall. Hes out chasing demons and seems almost obsessed with it.
Neither man needed to remind the other it was a demon that had killed Pugs wife, Miranda. And it was the servant of the Demon King Dahun who had destroyed the home in which Pugs youngest son and his wife had died.
Jim said, Well, lets turn to happier thoughts. Why dont we conspire to meet: you, me, Tad and Zane, at the River House tomorrow? If your wife doesnt object, just us boys?
Id like that, said Jommy. She wont mind. Its why I married her: who else would put up with a fool like me? His face openly showed a profound gratitude for her existence. He glanced over to where she was in conversation with a knot of ladies, and as if she felt his gaze she turned and looked right at her husband. She smiled and with a slight inclination of her head asked silently how long he would be.
Jommy shook his head slightly then nodded. He turned back to Jim. Shes feeling neglected. With a grin he added, Id best be back to her before she thinks were plotting over here.