As his broad-shouldered friend walked back to his wife, Jim thought: plotting indeed.
Jim Dasher crouched atop the roof of Lady Franciezka Sorbozs townhouse, feeling the cold ocean night air in his knees. He was definitely getting too old to be out in the field, or at least playing Jimmy the Hand meets a Nighthawk.
That story was family lore and it reminded Jim that there were certain feats attributed to his ancestor he found somehow incredible. The falling off the roof and catching himself without dislocating his shoulders while the Nighthawk overbalanced and fell to his death Jim glanced down. Dislocated shoulders certainly, then falling all the way to the cobbles, to die in agony. Then again, when Jimmy had accomplished that legendary feat he was but a lad of thirteen or fourteen years no one was quite sure at what age he had come to Prince Aruthas attention and everyone knew boys had incredible flexibility in their joints.
He would give half his fortune for the flexibility and resilience he had possessed at twenty-four years, let alone fourteen. Sitting and sliding to the eaves overhanging the balcony to Franciezkas bedroom was far less dashing, but as no one was watching, Jim really didnt care. He was tired and cold, his joints creaky and stiff. While he welcomed Franciezkas company for either pleasure or business, he still thought getting to see her unobserved was perhaps more trouble than it was worth.
He lowered himself down off the eaves and dropped lightly to the balcony. As he had expected, the door inside had been left unlatched. He entered the bedroom.
Franciezka sat at a writing table, wearing a comfortable-looking lounging robe. On time, as always, she said with a smile.
Youre not trying to kill me this time, then? He sat on the bed opposite her.
She turned and handed him a large document. Not this time. For better or worse it seems were allies again.
He read the two pages and then re-read them. She remained silent while he did so. When he had finished, he said, Is he certain?
Does he sound uncertain?
No, said Jim. He let out a long sigh, half relief, half aggravation.
Are any of your agents reporting anything like that?
None of my agents are reporting anything. All my agents south of the Girdle have gone silent.
Not good, she said, looking distressed at the news. Hallon is my only agent whos managed to get anything out of that region.
He tapped the document which named the author.
Everyone else has gone silent, too.
Hazara-Khan.
Yes, she nodded at the name of the man who was almost certainly the head of the Keshian Intelligence Corps.
I like him a great deal, personally, but he can be a murderous bastard when he wants.
She stretched. As can we all.
If hes killing our agents, war is certain, said Jim, suddenly feeling older than his age.
Her sigh matched his mood and for the briefest instant he felt a slight twinge inside and shut it out as quickly as he could. It was one of the gods little jokes that the perfect woman in his life was the one he could never have.
His shoulders sagged as he returned the document he had just read to her. Six hundred ships?
Thats Hallons best estimate, and hes one of my best. Franciezka rose, crossed to sit next to him, and put her hand over his. And if what he heard at the docks was correct, three hundred of them have already left Hansulé and are sailing past the Forest of the Lost. This isnt another minor prince of Kesh deciding to make a name for himself grabbing land in the Vale of Dreams, Jim.
No, he said, falling back on to the bed. Staring at the canopy overhead he let out another long sigh. This has all the earmarks of an invasion.
But why the West? she asked. Kesh has shown no interest in reclaiming Queg, the Free Cities, or the Far Coast since it abandoned them.
I do not know, said Jim, looking up at her. You know, you have an incredible face, he added, sitting up. Would you consider for just a moment grabbing all the gold youve squirreled away over the years while I do the same, then running away with me to some tiny island miles from here where we can settle down with trusted servants and have some children?
Ive been considering it since the moment I met you, Lord James Jamison, agent of the King, Jim Dasher, thief of Krondor and leader of the Mockers. But we both know that can never happen. A moment of sadness passed across her face, then she brightened. Besides, can you imagine what a murderous little crew our children would turn out to be?
For a brief instant, he appeared to want to say something, then he smiled. He kissed her on the cheek and said, Good night.
She feigned a pout. And I thought you were going to stay.
So did I, he admitted with honest regret. When youre not trying to kill me, theres no one Id rather spend my time with. Flatterer, she said, theatrically batting her lashes. Im pleased that were going to be on the same side when the bloodletting begins.
Apparently its already begun. Ill instruct key agents to ensure you get copies of all the information we get; as Hazara-Khan is shredding our networks, we need to share intelligence. You know where to send me copies of what you find.
Of course I do. What are you planning?
If my agents are dead, Ive got to get down there and see for myself what is happening.
She removed her ring and tossed it to him and he caught it in midair.
Look for Hallon. Youll find him at your usual haunts, the seedier dockside taverns in Hansulé. Rough-looking fellow, dark hair, facial scars
Youve just described half the men in that city.
Tattoo of a dagger on his left forearm. Hell recognize that signet and help if he can.
Thank you, Lady Franciezka Sorboz, lady-in-waiting to the Princess, also Frankie the Razor, Madam Francis He stopped naming her aliases. I really do thank you, Franciezka, he said in earnest.
Were allies now, she replied in a serious tone. The half of the fleet that didnt leave Hansulé is almost certainly heading this way. The combined fleets of Roldem and the Isles should be able to deal with the Keshians, but at no small cost. And if theyre also marching an army this way She let the thought go unfinished.
Jim nodded. He tossed the signet into the air, then let it fall into the palm of his hand. Without another word he was out the door and over the balcony.
And dont get yourself killed, Jim, Franciezka said after him. Lying back on the bed, she stared up at the canopy and repeated, Dont get yourself killed.
Supper was far more pleasant than Jim had anticipated. Jommy, Tad and Zane were the closest thing to friends he had. As Jim Dasher, thief and confidence trickster from Krondor, he had served with them when they were young soldiers training under Kaspar of Olasko for special service. They were still in special services, to the Conclave of Shadows, though they all three currently enjoyed court rank in Roldem, as a result of that special service. All had gained the rank of Court Knight, and each had secured small estates in Olasko, though they all maintained apartments on Roldem Island.
Jommy was married to the Kings niece, which gave him an additional entrée to the court. His brother-in-law, Servan, was Franciezkas most important agent at court, though almost no one knew this; indeed, Jim had only chanced upon that information by dint of luck and being very good at his job. Jim wondered absently if Jommy had any idea who his brother-in-law really was, and if he might benefit from Jim telling him.
Jommy was married to the Kings niece, which gave him an additional entrée to the court. His brother-in-law, Servan, was Franciezkas most important agent at court, though almost no one knew this; indeed, Jim had only chanced upon that information by dint of luck and being very good at his job. Jim wondered absently if Jommy had any idea who his brother-in-law really was, and if he might benefit from Jim telling him.
Tad and Zane had been rough-and-tumble village boys who had been raised by Pugs youngest son, Caleb. As such they stood in a unique position, for they were his foster-grandchildren. Jommy was in a fashion as well, though there were no ties of birth or marriage.
Both were still unwed, but for entirely different reasons. Tad fell in love with every woman of quality he met, to the detriment of his winning a heart. He was too easy. Zane on the other hand was a womanizer with a bad reputation in most social circles; this had the double effect of keeping serious women away while making him even more attractive to young women who seemed not to know better. Not a handsome pair, Tad was showing early grey, as sandy-haired people often do and Zane had an intense darkness about him with a merry glint in his eyes. While not particularly striking, he had learned how to talk women into all manner of things against their own personal best interest.
Talwin Hawkins was another matter. He was an occasional ally of the Conclave, and a former servant, but by dint of his earlier service he had been cast free of any obligation to the Conclave by Pug. Jim had occasionally wondered how wise that had been, but reminded himself that as much as he would have loved to have had the River House restaurants in both Roldem and Olasko as listening posts for intelligence, willing servants were far more reliable than those pressed to duty. And in a crisis, he believed he could count on Tal to stand alongside the Conclave. It was not in his nature to stand aside or serve evil.
That left the boys: Ty knew a little of his fathers role in destroying those who had nearly obliterated his people, the Orosini of the Mountains, a tribal people who were slowly reclaiming their heritage. Many like Tal and his wife, Teal, had spent too many years in cities, years which had blunted their interest and ability to live the old life. It was a life of which Ty knew nothing.
Jim turned to see Henry smiling at a joke Tad had made and thought: theres a prince without a principality. He had grown up with conDoin kings, as had every other citizen of the Kingdom of the Isles. They were the founding dynasty; they had united the tribes on the Island of Rillanon and spread their banner to the mainland, eventually conquering enough territory to create a nation to rival Great Kesh on this continent.
But it was a dynasty at its end, Jim feared. The vigour was gone, the energy and drive that had given the line a rebirth after the short unhappy reign of Rodric IV. His successor, Henrys great-great-uncle, Lyam I, had been a great king, a charismatic leader who had inspired love and loyalty in his people after twelve brutal years of war with the invading Tsurani.
Tragedy had kept Lyam from having a son, so the crown went to Borric II, his nephew, who proved as apt and able a ruler as his uncle. Borrics twin brother, Prince Erland, had been as able in his role as his brother and between the two of them the Kingdom of the Isles had been well served.
But Borrics son Patrick had been the last of the able rulers and Patricks son Gregory had no heir, For the third time since the conDoins took the crown of the Isles, there had been a chance for multiple claimants to the throne. The last time civil war had been stemmed by Henrys ancestor Martin renouncing the crown for himself and his heirs. But the time before that a great deal of blood had been shed before Borric I took the head of Jon the Pretender.
And the last thing Jim wished to contemplate was a kingdom divided on the eve of what he was certain was going to be a major war with Great Kesh.
Lost in thought? asked Tal.
Jim smiled. Yes. He glanced around the table then said, Tal, could we have the room?
Tal nodded. The other dinner guests had left an hour before and with a quick word to the serving staff, who hurried to the kitchen, the room was empty save for Jim and his guests.
Not to belabour the point, but Im certain war is coming, said Jim. He held up his hand before questions could be asked. I will sum up. There are factions within the Imperial Keshian Army, specifically within the Inner Legion, who are calling for expansion.
Tad interrupted. The Vale of Dreams?
Traditionally thats always been their first target. The Vale is the lushest farmland on Triagia and because of the constant warfare, sparsely populated. A colony of Keshian or Kingdom farmers there could double the regions output of farm goods within two years, tenfold in five.
Henry was silent, but he knew he had suddenly been propelled into something far more important than a pleasant social evening.
But this is something massive. On a far greater scale, perhaps, than weve ever seen. A fleet of perhaps as many as three hundred ships departed Hansulé recently, sailing south.
Jommy looked confused. South? Are they sailing to Novindus?
My best guess is around the southern coast between the Lost Forest and the Island of Snakes and then up to Injune or Elarial. From there ? He shrugged.
If they mean to take the Vale, said Tad, they could be supported out of Durbin. Theyd need a fleet that big to keep the Quegans from getting involved as well as keeping the Kingdoms Western Fleet in Port Vykor busy.
They could go anywhere. He looked at Henry and said, Including the Far Coast. The Prince of Krondor has called the Western Muster.
Henry, Tal, and Ty knew this from two nights before, but Tad, Zane, and Jommy all looked surprised. War footing on the Far Coast? asked Jommy. Is it that dire?
I think so. Jim pushed himself back from the table. And I need to travel, so to the end of this night, let me add this. He looked at Tal. While Im gone, I would appreciate it if you would agree to aid these other three in their charge. Both men knew Jim wasnt speaking of any political loyalties, but rather Tad, Zane, and Jommys responsibility to the Conclave of Shadows. I know your relationship to our mutual friends is complicated, but I trust you implicitly.
Ill do what I can, said Hawkins, and Jim knew that was as good as a promise.
Gentlemen, he said to the three foster-brothers, I leave this to you. Youve never failed me or the crowns of Isles or Roldem, and I expect you wont now.
Henry looked confused. Im not sure I understand. Im not even sure why you asked me here.
Jim moved around the table and put his hand on Henrys shoulder. These four men and young Ty there are going to take my place while Im gone. In my absence youre to consider them your protectors.
We will do whatever is needed, said Zane.
Yes, agreed Tad.
I dont understand. What is whatever is needed? asked Henry.
It was young Ty who answered. Too much wine? Youre a little slow today, Hal. Theyre going to keep you alive when Kesh sends assassins to kill you.
CHAPTER SIX
Muster