Krondor, he said. To the guild office for another apprenticeship.
So its west, then?
Yes. The Far Coast or the Sunset Islands.
Nathan said, Theyve found gems and gold in the mountains near Jonril, so the rush is on. The trading houses from the Free Cities, as well as every adventurer, thief, and swindler, have descended there. But it also means a good opportunity, because the Duke of Crydee has asked for additional smiths, as well as other Craftmasters, to be sent there.
Owen nodded. This place changes little, and most of us are born into our lives with small chance of making them different. Out there, with some ambition, some thought, and a touch of luck, a common man can rise to riches or even to the nobility.
Erik said, Riches, with luck, I guess. But a commoner become a noble?
Owen smiled his crooked smile. Its not common knowledge, but the Kings adviser, the Duke of Rillanon, was common-born.
Truth? said Nathan.
He did some favor or another for the late Prince of Krondor, and was given a squires rank when he was but a lad. His wit and service to the Kingdom earned him a rapid rise, and now he is second only to royalty in power. He lowered his voice to a near whisper. There are those who claim he was not only a common boy, but a thief as well.
Erik said, That is impossible.
Owen shrugged. Nothing is truly impossible, I think.
Erik said, Well, maybe when he was a boy, but that was fifty years ago.
Owen nodded. Things change. Once, centuries ago, this was the frontier, Erik.
Eriks brow furrowed as if he didnt understand.
Nathan said, I grew up on the Far Coast, Erik. I think what friend Greylock means is that youll find a different stripe out there, men who are concerned more with what you know and can do than with who you are, or who your father was. Too many things going on to worry about rank; youve got to depend upon your neighbors. Goblins, dark elves, bandits, and other problems constantly coming at you those make a man glad for help close by. You dont have time to worry about a lot of the things that make life here in the Kingdom the way it is.
Greylock nodded. Erik said nothing for a moment, thinking about the possibility things might turn out right after all, when the front door of the inn opened, and Roo hurried in.
He saw Erik from across the room and quickly came through the crowded commons to where his friend sat. Nodding with as much deference as he could muster to the Barons Swordmaster, he said, Master Greylock, they need you over at the Peacock, sir.
Owen threw a quick glance at Erik. His expression betrayed his worry. It couldnt be good news. He stood, said a quick good-bye, and left. Roo took his place. Nathan said, You a squire these days, Roo?
Roo made a face as if that remark put a bad taste in his mouth. I was hanging around the fountain by the Growers and Vintners Hall and a soldier came out and told all of us to spread out and look for the Swordmaster and fetch him to the Peacocks Tail. So I told the other lads Id come here.
Erik smiled. I was hoping youd come by tonight.
I would have been here sooner, but Gwen was at the fountain and
Erik shook his head. So youre back in her favor once again?
Trying to be, said Roo.
Nathan said, Howd you like to apprentice at the forge, Roo?
It was a joke, and they all knew it, but Roo still said, What, me get all dirty and grimy? You get your hands callused, and the horses step on your feet! Not on your life. I have plans.
Erik smiled, but Nathan said, Really? What sort of plans?
Roo glanced around the room, as if fearing to be overheard. There are ways to make a living that have nothing to do with guilds and apprenticeships, friend smith.
Nathans brow furrowed. Youre going to end up in jail, Roo.
Roo put up his hands as if protesting innocence. No, nothing dodgy, I swear. Its just my father has been hauling enough from Krondor up to here that Im getting pretty good at nosing out what the markets are for different things. Ive saved a little money, and Im going to invest it in a cargo one of these days.
Nathan appeared impressed. A shipping concern?
There are syndicates in Krondor and Salador that routinely underwrite the cost of freight hauls from one city to another, or cargoes for ships bound to distant ports. They have subscribers and return nice profits on their investments.
Nathan nodded. True, but theres risk as well. If a cargo isnt delivered on time, your profit can vanish. Worse, if bandits take the caravan, or the ship sinks, you lose everything.
Roo looked as if this would never happen. I plan on starting small and building up my capital for a few years.
What do you plan on doing to eat and put a roof over your head while you invest in these ventures? asked Nathan.
Roo said, Well, I havent quite worked that out, but
How much capital have you, Roo? interrupted Nathan.
On to thirty golden sovereigns, he said proudly.
Nathan was impressed. Quite a beginning. I think Ill forbear asking how youve managed to amass such a young fortune, and he turned to Erik I suggest you get back to the forge and keep out of sight. When the coach comes in the morning is time enough for your good-byes. If Master Greylock needs another word with you, Ill send him to you.
Erik nodded and rose. Roo followed him. The two youngsters passed from the crowded common room to the kitchen, where Rosalyn was hurrying to carry a large platter of steaming greens out to the soldiers. Freida worked feverishly over her stew as if it were just another busy night at the inn and not her last in the home of her birth.
Erik walked outside with Roo, and as he passed the corral, the horses there wandered over to investigate the two boys. Erik inspected their legs out of habit. Milo will need to order up hay tomorrow, he muttered to Roo as he slowly walked along the fence. This lot will have eaten the entire contents of the loft by the time theyve gone.
Roo turned and faced Erik while they were walking. He seemed to half skip, half dance to keep from tripping while walking backwards. Erik, let me come with you.
Erik said, Why would you want to come with me?
Look, youre the only real friend Ive got here, and Ive got no trade. I wasnt joking about joining a syndicate. I can get a job in Krondor and invest my money until Im rich. Once you get to Krondor, youll see there are better things to do than return to apprenticeship.
Erik laughed, and stopped, so Roo wouldnt have to continue his backward walk. What about your father?
Hed just as soon be rid of me as not, Roo said with bitterness. The bastard hasnt had a kind word for me since Mum died. Suddenly, as if by magic, a dagger appeared in Roos hand, then equally suddenly he returned it to inside his loose shirt. I can take care of myself if I need to. Now, let me come along.
Erik said, Ill talk to Mother. Shes not likely to offer any encouragement.
Youll talk her into it.
Well, assume I do, you need to get your things together and have some copper to pay the coach.
Everything I have is in a bundle at my fathers. Ill run and get it.
Erik shook his head and watched Roo run off into the night. He glanced around, suddenly feeling melancholy. This would be his last night under the barn roof. It was a poor lodging by any measure; occasionally leaky, drafty, and offering too little protection from winters cold and summers heat, but it was home. And hed miss Milo and Rosalyn.
As he returned to his place in the loft, Erik thought of Rosalyn, pretty, but not teasing as Gwen and some of the other girls were. His feelings for her were often tempered by his sense of family. She was the sister of his heart, if not by blood, and while he was as interested in girls as any boy his age, something about Rosalyn made him uneasy. In many ways hed miss her most of all.
Tired from the long days work and from worry, Erik quickly dozed off, only to be startled awake by a sudden feeling of panic. He sat up and looked around the dark barn loft. Unseen enemies were hovering nearby. The sound of men talking carried from the inn, and the horses in the corral and barn snorted. Erik rolled over on his side, head on his arm, thinking about the strange feeling of danger that had suddenly come upon him.
He closed his eyes and again saw Rosalyns face. He would miss her, and Milo, and Nathan. Soon he was dozing again. Before he lapsed into a deep sleep, he dreamed he heard Rosalyn gently calling his name.
Erik!
Erik came awake with a start as a hand shook his shoulder. He had been hard asleep, in a deep numbing slumber of emotional exhaustion, and he couldnt quite get his bearings.
Erik! Roos voice cut through the gloom, and Erik looked up into his friends face. Roo was dressed as he had been earlier, but he wore a travel bundle tied around one shoulder, slung over his back.
What is it?
Youd better come quick. Down by the fountain. Rosalyn.
Erik half leaped down the ladder, Roo scampering down after him as fast as he could. Erik sprinted past the corral of horses and, as he approached the inn, could hear the voices from within. What time is it?
Nine of the clock was the last call. Half past that, I think.
Erik knew that with this many soldiers in town, some of the town girls would be down at the fountain. But Rosalyn was certainly not likely to be one of them.
What happened?
I dont know, answered Roo. Gwen can tell you.
Erik ran through the streets until he came to the fountain, where a group of three young off-duty soldiers were attempting to impress the local girls with tales of their heroics. But the expression on Gwens face as he saw it in the lantern light showed that all thoughts of harmless flirtation were gone. She looked very worried.
What is it? demanded Erik.
Rosalyn came here, looking for you.
I was in the loft, said Erik.
Gwen said, She said she called for you there, but you didnt answer.
Erik cursed his sound sleep and said, Where is she now?
Roo said, They say she went off with Stefan.
What? Erik turned at his half brothers name and gripped Gwen by the arm. Tell me what happened.
Gwen motioned for Erik to follow her, out of hearing of the soldiers. She was going back to the inn when the Barons sons came. Stefan started saying sweet things to her, but there was something about his manner she didnt like. She tried to leave, but didnt know how to say no to someone of his rank, and when he took her by the arm, she went along. But he didnt lead her back to the inn; they went off toward the old orchard. She pointed off in the general direction. He was more dragging her along than escorting her, Erik.
Erik had taken one step after them when Gwen held his arm. Erik, Ive been with Stefan. The last time he was here I went to his rooms at the Peacock Her voice lowered as if she was ashamed to speak. He left marks on me, Erik. He likes to hit while hes having you, and when I cried, it made him laugh.
Roo had been standing beside Erik. As Erik turned away toward the apple grove, Roo saw an expression on Eriks face that caused him to hesitate an instant. While Erik moved away with purposeful steps, Roo grabbed Gwen by the arm. Go to the Pintail and find Nathan. Tell him what happened and to come to the orchard!
Roo hurried over to where the three soldiers watched Erik disappear into the night. One looked at Roo with an open expression of curiosity on his face, and Roo said, If you dont want bloodshed, run and find Owen Greylock and tell him to come to the old orchard.
Roo then ran as fast as he could after the rapidly receding figure of Erik. The slender boy was one of the fastest runners in town, but Erik had already moved out of the lantern light of the square and had vanished down the street leading to the old apple orchard at the edge of town.
Roo hurried through the streets, his footfalls slapping the stones with a sound that seemed to evoke the anger and outrage in the night. Each step sounded like a hand striking a face, and with the sound, Roo felt his blood rise. Quick to anger, slow to release a grudge, Roo knew a fight was coming and was composing himself to help his friend. He didnt like Stefan, anyway, from what he had seen of him, but as each stride took him closer to confrontation, it was turning into a serious hatred. As he left the last buildings behind, he caught a glimpse of Erik at the far edge of his vision, before he faded into the darkness.
Roo hurried after, but Erik was possessed with an outrage that lent his feet wings. Roo had never seen Erik run so swiftly.
Roo crossed the low pasture and jumped the fence that brought him to the edge of the old orchard, a favored meeting place for young lovers on warm nights. Reaching the edge of the trees, cloaked in threatening darkness after the brightly lit town square and lantern-dressed streets, Roo was forced to slow to a walk. He moved between the dark boles, then suddenly was upon Erik, who turned at his approach. Erik made a motion for silence, then whispered, Over there, I think, as he tried to catch his breath.
Roo listened and was about to say he heard nothing over the pounding of his own heart when a faint movement, as if someone shifted his weight, could be heard, the softest rustle of cloth upon cloth. It was in the general direction Erik indicated. Roo nodded.
Erik moved like a hunter stalking prey. There was something very wrong in all of this. Rosalyn would never have come away with any boy to the orchard, for there was only one reason to be here. Rosalyn was still a virgin, of that Erik was certain, still too young to have a lover. Some girls, like Gwen, matured early and enjoyed the company of older boys, while others were shy. Rosalyn was not only shy; once outside her fathers inn she was intimidated by the company of any boys besides Erik and Roo. Even the most innocent compliment would bring a blush to her cheeks, and when the other girls started talking about the town boys, she would excuse herself in embarrassment. Erik knew in his heart she was in danger, and the silence of the orchard frightened him. If another couple had been making love anywhere within this grove, sounds would carry this quiet night.
Abruptly, both boys heard a sound that made their hair stand on end. A girls cry split the night, followed by the sound of a fist striking flesh, then silence. Erik leaped toward the sound. Roo hesitated an instant, then followed.
Erik ran without thought toward where the sound had come from. Then he saw Rosalyn, and his world froze for an instant. The girl lay back against the bole of a tree, her face bruised and her dress in tatters. Her blouse was torn from her, exposing her breasts, and her skirt was ripped away, with only a tattered rag around her waist. Erik could see blood running from her nose and she was without motion. Erik felt something hot and blinding rise up within him.