He and Erik had fled their lifelong home in Ravensburg after killing Eriks half brother, Stefan, then Baron of Dark-moor. Had they stayed and faced trial, they might have convinced a judge it was self-defense, but their flight counted heavily against them and they had been sentenced to die.
They reached the steps that led up toward the yard where the gallows stood, but this time they passed them by. De Loungville, the man who had held their lives in his hand from the moment they had fallen to the hard wooden floor of the gallows until they had departed ship the day before, said, Youre a scruffy bunch, so I think we should clean you up a bit before your audience.
Audience? asked Erik, still showing signs of damage from the night before. One of the strongest men Roo had ever known uncontestedly the strongest boy in Ravens-burg Erik had pitched a guardsman through a window just before another broke a wine jar over his head. Roo couldnt tell if he had taken more damage from the blow or from the large amounts of wine he had been drinking before the fight started; Erik had never been much of a drinker.
Some important men would like a word with you. It wouldnt do to have you in court looking as you do. Now, he said, pushing open a door, strip off!
Hot tubs of soapy water waited and the men did as they were bidden. Two years of following de Loungvilles orders without question had formed a habit too hard to break, and soon the five men were sitting in tubs, letting palace pages sponge them down.
Pitchers of cold water were provided and the men all drank their fill. Between the very hot bath and the large amounts of cold water he drank, Roo began to feel again that life might be worth living.
When clean, they discovered their clothing had been removed. De Loungville pointed to two black tunics with a familiar mark upon the breast. Erik picked one up and said, The Crimson Eagle.
De Loungville said, Nicholas thought it fitting and Calis didnt object. Its the banner of our new army, Erik. You and Jadow are my first two corporals, so put those on. To the others he said, Theres some clean clothing over there.
Nakor and Sho Pi both looked odd in the clean tunic and trousers instead of the usual robes they affected, but Roo found his own appearance improved dramatically. The tunic might be a little large for his diminutive frame, but it was certainly the finest weave he had ever worn, and the trousers fit perfectly. He was still barefoot, but months at sea had toughened his feet to the point he didnt think twice about it.
Erik retained his worn boots, but Jadow, like the others, went barefoot.
After they dressed, the men followed de Loungville into a familiar hall; here the men of Caliss desperate company had stood trial before the Prince of Krondor at the time, Nicholas. The hall hadnt changed much, Roo thought, but he realized that his mind had been so numb from terror the last time he had been there he had barely noticed his surroundings.
Ancient banners hung from every ceiling beam, casting the hall into shadow as they cut the light from windows high in the vaulted ceiling. Torches burned in sconces along the wall to provide illumination, for despite the large windows in the far wall, the hall was immense enough the light did not reach far enough. Roo considered he would have the banners removed, were he the Prince.
Along the walls stood courtiers and pages ready to do the royal bidding at a moments notice, and a formally attired Master of Ceremony struck the floor with an iron-shod staff of office, announcing Robert de Loungville, Baron of the Court and Special Agent of the Prince. Roo shook his head slightly in amusement, for de Loungville was the companys sergeant, and to think of him as a court baron was too alien a task.
Members of the court watched as the squad came to stand before the throne. Roo calculated as best he could the worth of the gold used to decorate the candle holders along the near wall, and decided the Prince could better use his wealth by replacing them with brass highly decorative, but far less costly, freeing up wealth to invest in the proper enterprise. Then he wondered if he might be allowed to speak to the Prince on just such a subject.
Thinking of the Prince returned Roos attention to the man who had once pronounced the death sentence upon him. Nicholas, now his nephews Admiral of the Western Fleet, stood to one side of the throne beside his successor, Prince Patrick. To the other side stood Calis and the man Roo knew to be James, Duke of Krondor, speaking to the man they had seen on the docks, Patricks uncle Prince Erland. And sitting upon the throne was his twin. Roo suddenly flushed when he realized they were being presented to the King!
Your Majesty, Highnesses, said de Loungville with a courtly bow, I have the honor to present five men who acquitted themselves with bravery and honor.
Only five survived? asked King Borric. He and his brother were both large men, but there was an edge to the King, a toughness beyond his brothers own powerful appearance. Roo couldnt rightly judge the why of such things, but he instinctively considered the King a more dangerous opponent than Prince Erland.
There are others, said de Loungville. Some will be presented this afternoon at court soldiers from your various garrisons. But these are the only ones to survive from among the condemned.
Nakor said, That we know of.
De Loungville turned with a look of irritation on his face at the breach of protocol, but Borric only grinned. Nakor, is that you in that getup?
Returning the Kings smile, Nakor moved forward. Its me, Majesty. I went, too, and came back. Greylock is with the other ship, and any others who survived and made their way to the City of the Serpent River will be with him.
De Loungville bit back anything he was going to say to Nakor. It was obvious that he and the King knew each other. Nakor nodded toward Erland, who also smiled at the sight of the little Isalani.
To the four prisoners the King said, You are all pardoned, your crimes and your sentences are vacated. Glancing at Erik and Jadow, he said, We see youve taken service.
Erik merely nodded, while Jadow stammered, Ye-yes, Majesty.
Looking at Sho Pi and Roo, the King said, You have not.
Sho Pi bowed his head. I will follow my master, Majesty.
Nakor said, Stop calling me master! He turned toward the King. The boy thinks me some sort of sage and insists upon traipsing around after me.
Prince Erland said, I wonder why. It wouldnt be because he saw you pulling your mystic sage scam, would it, Nakor?
Or is it the wandering priest dodge? asked the King.
Nakor grinned as he rubbed his chin. Actually, I havent tried those in a while. Then his expression darkened. And I never should have told you two about them when we rode back from Kesh.
The King said, Well, take him along with you, then. You could probably do with an extra set of hands on the road.
Nakor said, On the road? Im returning to Sorcerers Isle.
The King said, Not for a while. We need you to go to Stardock on the Crowns behalf, to speak with the leaders of the Academy.
Nakors expression darkened. You know Im quits with Stardock, Borric, and you have a good idea why, I have no doubt.
If the King objected to being addressed so informally, he didnt show it as he said, We know, but you also have seen firsthand what were up against, and youve been to Novindus twice. We need you to persuade the magicians at Stardock what stands against us. We will need their help.
Nakors expression darkened. You know Im quits with Stardock, Borric, and you have a good idea why, I have no doubt.
If the King objected to being addressed so informally, he didnt show it as he said, We know, but you also have seen firsthand what were up against, and youve been to Novindus twice. We need you to persuade the magicians at Stardock what stands against us. We will need their help.
Find Pug. Theyll listen to him, said Nakor.
If we could find him, we would, said the King. He leaned back in the deep well of the throne and sighed. Hes been leaving messages here and there, but weve not managed to get him to come speak with us in person.
Try harder, answered Nakor.
Borric smiled. You, friend, are the best weve got. So, unless you want us to let every gambling hall in the Kingdom get word about how you can handle cards and dice, youll do this one little favor for an old friend.
Nakor made a disgusted expression and waved his hand as if dismissing the Kings remark. Bah! I liked you better when you were just the Madman. He held his sour look for a moment while Borric and Erland exchanged amused glances.
Turning his attention to Roo, the King said, And what of you, Rupert Avery? Can we not enlist your aid as well?
The Kings direct address caused Roo to forget momentarily how to speak; then he swallowed hard and said, Sorry, Majesty. I promised myself if I lived long enough, Id come back and get rich. Thats what I propose to do. Im going to be a man of commerce, and I cant do that in the army.
The King nodded. Commerce? We suppose its a better trade than many you could choose. He avoided any further remarks about Roos past. Still, youve seen what few men outside our service have seen. We count upon your discretion, and if our meaning isnt clear, we expect your discretion.
Roo smiled. I understand, Majesty. And I will promise this much when the time comes, Ill help in whatever way I can. If those snakes come here, Ill fight. Then with a twinkle and a smile he added, Besides, the day may come when I can be of more use to you than just another sword.
Perhaps, Rupert Avery, said King Borric. You certainly do not lack for ambition. He waved over Lord James and said, If it doesnt compromise our dignity, see if we can be of a little help in getting Mr Averys career under way. Perhaps a letter of introduction or some such. He then waved over a squire who carried five bags, which were distributed one to each of the men. A thank-you from your King.
Roo hefted the bag and knew inside there was gold and could even estimate the worth from the weight. He quickly calculated he was already a year ahead of schedule in his plan to become wealthy. Then he noticed the others were bowing and moving away, so he quickly made an awkward bow to the King and hurried after the others.
Outside the hall, de Loungville said, Well then, now youre free men again. To Jadow and Erik he said, Stay out of trouble and be back here on the first day of next month. To Nakor and Sho Pi he said, The Kings messages will be ready tomorrow. See Duke Jamess secretary, and hell give you travel warrants and money.
He turned to Roo and said, Youre a rodent, Avery, but Ive come to love that pinched-off little face of yours. If you change your mind, I can use another experienced soldier.
Roo shook his head. Thanks, Sergeant, but Ive got to find a merchant with a homely daughter and start making my fortune.
To the assembled men, de Loungville said, If you must enjoy the pleasures of the flesh before returning home, go to the Sign of the White Wing, over near the Merchants Gate. Its a brothel of high standard, so dont track mud inside. Tell the lady who meets you that I sent you. She may never forgive me, but she owes me a favor. See you dont cause a riot there, because I cant bail you out two nights running. Looking from face to face, he said, All things considered, you did well, lads.
No one spoke until Erik said, Thank you, Sergeant.
To Jadow and Erik, de Loungville said, Stop by the Knight-Marshals office on your way out and get your warrants. Youre the Princes men, and from this day forward you answer only to Patrick, Calis, and me.
Erik said, Where?
Down this hall and turn right, second door on the left. Now get out of here, said de Loungville, before I change my mind and have you arrested again for being such a bunch of ruffians. He sent Roo down the hall with a playful slap to the side of the head, then turned and set out on his own affairs.
The five men walked down the hall and Nakor said, Im hungry.
Youre always hungry, man, said Jadow with a laugh. My head is still reminding me that I was not wise last night. My stomach hasnt forgiven me either. Then he paused, and added, But I might do with a bite to eat, after all that.
Erik laughed. Im hungry, too.
Then let us find an inn said Nakor.
A quiet inn, Roo interjected.
a quiet inn, continued Nakor, and eat.
Then what, Master? asked Sho Pi.
Nakor grimaced, but said only, Then we go to the Sign of the White Wing, boy. He shook his head. Pointing to Sho Pi, he said to the others, This one has much to learn.
The Sign of the White Wing was nothing like what Roo expected. Then he considered he really hadnt known what to expect. He had trafficked with whores before, but that had been on the line of march, with camp followers who would tumble a man beside to his comrades and be off to the next as soon as he could count out her pay.
But this was a different world. The five slightly inebriated men had had to ask several times to find their way. After a few failed attempts, they finally discovered a modest building near the edge of the Merchants Quarter. The sign out front had been almost impossible to make out, being little more than a simple metal wing painted white, unlike the more boldly painted large ones marking more traditional trades.
The door had been opened by a servant who admitted the five without a word, indicating they should wait in a tiny anteroom, without furnishing of any sort, only decorated by some nondescript tapestries that hung on the two side walls. Opposite the entrance stood another door, of simple painted wood. When it opened, a well-dressed if somewhat matronly woman had stepped through.
Yes? she had asked.
The men glanced at one another, and it was Nakor who had at last answered. We were told to come here.
By whom? she then asked, looking somewhat unconvinced.
Robert de Loungville, said Erik softly, as if afraid to raise his voice.
Instantly the womans features had transformed themselves from dubious to joyful. Bobby de Loungville! By the gods, if youre friends of Bobbys, youre welcome here.
She then clapped her hands once and the door she had slipped through opened wide, revealing a short entryway occupied by two large armed guards. As they stepped aside, Roo thought it clear they had been standing by to ensure the safety of the woman.
Im Jamila, your hostess, and here, she said, reaching another door, which she pulled wide, we enter the House of the White Wing.
The five men gaped. Even Nakor, who had seen riches in the court of the Empress of Great Kesh, stood in stunned awe. The room wasnt that opulent; far from it. In fact it was the lack of gaudy displays of wealth that made the setting so impressive. Everything about the room was subtle and tasteful, though Roo would have been hard put to say what made it seem so. Chairs and divans were placed around the room so that those inside would be within sight of one another, yet there was a clear sense of each area being apart from the others. This was made abundantly clear by the fact of a wealthy-looking man sprawling upon one divan, sipping wine from a goblet while two lovely young women attended him. One sat upon the floor, allowing him to caress her shoulders and neck, while the other hovered over him, offering him sweetmeats from a gilded tray.