You look fit, said Nathan. You like the army?
Erik said, Theres much about it I dont like, but yes, I think I like the order, the sense of knowing what is expected of you.
Nathan motioned with his head for Gunther to find some task to attend to, leaving them alone. And the killing?
Erik shrugged. Not much. There are times when its like hacking wood for the fire. Something you must do. Other times Im too scared to think. But mostly its I dont know ugly.
Nathan nodded. Ive worked with a lot of soldiers in my day, Erik. Be cautious of those who enjoy the butchery. They serve when the fightings hard, but theyre like guard dogs; better to keep them on a short leash most of the time.
Erik looked at Nathan and their eyes locked. Then Erik smiled. I promise Ill never get to liking it.
Then youll do, said Nathan, returning Eriks grin. Though youd have been a fine smith, no doubt.
Smithing is something I still enjoy. Maybe youll let me turn a hand to some
Roo approached. Nathan! Erik!
Erik said, How is this mysterious business deal of yours going?
Just about finished, answered Roo with a grin. A couple of things more and Ill be ready to go. He made a face. Besides, there are soldiers wandering around town looking for you.
The sound of riders entering the inns courtyard cut short Eriks reply. They left the forge and rounded the barn, entering the courtyard just as the Barons five guardsmen were getting ready to dismount.
Erik recognized the leader, the corporal they had encountered two days before. You, he said, pointing to Roo and Erik. The Baron wants a word with you two.
Roo rolled his eyes heavenward, patting his tunic pocket to ensure he still carried his royal pardon. Cant this wait?
No! But Ill give you a choice: ride your own horse or Ill be happy to drag you behind him.
Roo said, Ill get my horse.
A few minutes later, Roo and Erik were mounted and rode past the squad. The corporal said, Wait a minute! Where do you think youre going?
They slowed to let the corporal overtake them, then Erik said, You came cantering in, yet your horses are barely winded and none of them are sweating. So you rode less than a mile to fetch us. Manfreds camped in the old sheep meadow at the edge of town.
The corporal looked astonished, but before he could speak, Erik put heels to his horses barrel and was off at a canter, Roo a second behind. The squad followed suit, and soon the seven of them were hurrying through the town.
A few minutes later they passed through the buildings at the east edge of town, and as Erik had predicted, they found Manfreds field tent erected in the old sheep meadow where the Kings Highway intersected the road south.
Erik dismounted and tossed the reins to a guardian standing near the entrance of the tent. As the five riders came up alongside, Erik regarded the corporal. Whats your name? asked Erik.
Alfred, said the corporal. Why?
Erik smiled. I just wanted to know. Watch the horse. Roo and Erik moved to the tent and one of the soldiers there drew aside the flap.
Sitting inside was Eriks half brother Manfred. I must confess, I never thought Id see you two again, said the Baron, indicating they should sit, considering the circumstances of our last meeting.
At the time, I thought the same, answered Erik.
Roo studied the half brothers. Manfred looked nothing like Erik. Erik was the mocking likeness of their father, the very fact of which had driven Manfreds mother to demand Eriks death over the murder of Stefan, her elder son. Manfred was his mothers son. He was dark, intense, and handsome in a nervous way. He wore a neatly trimmed beard, a new affectation, and Roo thought it a little silly, though he kept that opinion to himself.
My lord the Duke of Salador, who as you may know is the Kings cousin, has ordered me to send a squad of men to Krondor, for special duty. No details of why or for how long are forthcoming. Do you know something about this?
Erik nodded. Something.
Will you tell me?
I cannot.
Cannot or will not?
Both, said Erik. I am the Princes man and obey his injunctions against speaking before Im bidden.
Well, if you have no objections, Id like them to return to Krondor with you and your friend.
Erik sat back. An escort?
Manfred smiled, and in that one expression there was a hint of the man who sired them both. In a manner of speaking. As you are the Princes man in this, Ill place them under your command. Being the dutiful soldier you are, I have no doubt youll hurry to bring them safely to our most noble Prince as quickly as possible.
Erik leaned forward. If I could tell you, Manfred, I would. You will never know how much it meant to me for you to come see me in jail as you did; it was very kind of you. It made a difference. But when you finally do know why the Prince is commanding this levy, youll understand why I may not speak it now, and that it is of the utmost importance.
Manfred sighed. Well, very good. I trust youll not be lingering in Ravensburg, either of you?
Erik raised an eyebrow. Im bound to be back at Krondor within the month, but Roo is a free man and may choose to stay.
Manfred smiled. He may choose what he wishes, but if your friend is wise, hell quickly leave. He looked at Roo. My mother has not forgiven either of you, and while I will not seek to do either of you injury, I cannot protect you from her agents. If you wish to live to an old age, you better do it elsewhere. He leaned over toward Erik, lowering his voice, and lost his smile. You gain a significant protection by wearing that new tunic, Erik. Even here in sleepy Dark-moor we know of the Eagle of Krondor; youre the Princes Mans man. But your friend Rupert has no patronage and few friends. Its better for everyone if you take him with you.
Im getting a cargo together and will be leaving in a couple of days with my cousin, said Roo.
Manfred rose. See that you do. It would be well for you both not to be in town when my mother learns you are alive and back within her reach. Glancing at the two men, he said, Even in Krondor, watch your backs.
What about the child? asked Erik.
Manfred said, Mother still doesnt know of his existence, and I would like to see it kept that way for as long as possible. He looked troubled. Its a bit of a different story here than it was with you, Erik. The boy is Stefans baby, not her philandering husbands; its her own grandson. But hes a bastard, and as I have yet to wed
Understood.
Your presence in Ravensburg might push her to side against the child: have you considered that?
Erik shrugged. Not in that fashion. Truth to tell, Manfred, Ive not been much of a thinker the last two years. Too much to do. Not enough time to ponder.
Manfred shook his head and said, Youve changed. You were the town lad when we met, and now youre a harder man, Erik.
Erik studied his brothers face. I think we both are.
Manfred rose and said, Im out hunting, so Id better have something to show Mother when I return this evening to the castle. Be about your business and expect the levy to appear tomorrow at that inn you called home.
Erik studied his brothers face. I think we both are.
Manfred rose and said, Im out hunting, so Id better have something to show Mother when I return this evening to the castle. Be about your business and expect the levy to appear tomorrow at that inn you called home.
Erik followed the Baron outside. One of these days I hope we can meet under more favorable circumstances.
Manfred laughed and again the resemblance showed itself. I doubt it. Our fortunes and fates are very different, brother. As long as you live and I have no children, Mother sees you as a threat to her line. Its that simple.
Dryly Roo said, Then get married and have some.
Manfred said, Would that it were that simple. I serve at the Kings pleasure and my Duke of Saladors whim. They have yet to indicate to me which noble daughter would prove suitable wife material. He sighed slightly, but Erik noticed. And, truth to tell, I havent pressed them to decide. I find the company of women difficult.
Is there someone? said Erik, suddenly sensing that his half brother, mostly a stranger to him, barely held some sorrow in check.
Manfreds manner turned neutral. Nothing of which I choose to speak.
Erik had nothing more to say and his brother didnt offer his hand. Erik saluted and started back to where his horse waited. Roo headed toward the tent flap. With a quick move, Erik turned back toward his brother. That corporal, Alfred.
What of him?
Send him with the levy.
Manfred shook his head and smiled slightly. You have an account with him?
Of sorts, said Erik.
Manfred shrugged. Theres not much to recommend the man. Hes a brawler. Hell never make sergeant because of it.
You have a need for brawlers, said Erik. Once theyre broken of brawling, theyre the kind of men we need.
You can have him. Turning back into the tent, Manfred vanished.
Roo and Erik returned to their horses and mounted. Erik looked down at Alfred and said, Fare you well, Corporal.
Well meet again, bastard, said Alfred with a baleful stare.
Oh, count on it. Erik returned the dark look.
Roo added, with an evil smile, Sooner than you think.
With heels to their mounts, Roo and Erik left the soldiers behind and returned to Ravensburg.
And Im telling you that if you put any more on that wagon, youre going to break an axle! shouted Tom Avery.
Roo stood nose to nose with his father, who was only slightly taller than his son, and after a moment said, Youre right.
Tom blinked, then nodded once, curtly, saying, Of course Im right.
The two wagons sat in the yard behind Gastons shop, loaded with small barrels of wine. Duncan inspected each tie-down carefully, for the third or fourth time, and looked dubious about the prospect of so many barrels of wine remaining secure.
Roo had spent the day conducting business, spending every coin he had as well as what Erik had given him in purchasing a modest-quality wine that, he hoped, would realize him a significant profit once it reached Krondor.
While not an expert on wine, Roo was a child of Ravens-burg and knew more about it than most merchants in Krondor. He knew that the high cost of wine in the Princes city was due to the cost of shipping it bottled. Only the most common bulk wine came otherwise, shipped in large barrels. But the smaller barrels of modest-quality wine, used in the taprooms in the area, were never shipped much farther away than a neighboring village, because the wine commanded little profit in an area where high-quality wine was taken for granted. While still not as fine as the great wines served to the nobility, this wine would stand out in Krondors common inns. Roo had shrewdly purchased wines he knew to be a cut or two above the quality of what he had drunk in the Princes city. Roo calculated that if he could get the inns and taverns frequented by the businessmen of the Merchants Quarter to buy his wine, he could realize as much as a threefold profit on this venture, including the cost of wagons and horses.
Duncan said, You sure you know how to drive this thing?
Tom wheeled to face his nephew and said, Roos a first-rate teamster, as youd have been had you not run off after that girl
Duncan smiled in remembrance. Alice, he supplied. That didnt last long. Besides he put his hand upon the pommel of his sword this is how I earned my living for the last fifteen years.
Well, well need it, said Tom, rubbing his chin. It was the spot Roo had hit him when the old man had come awake and started to bully his son. Three times he had tried to lay hands on the boy and three times had found himself in the dust, looking up at his son. The last time Roo had punctuated his lack of patience for this conflict with a stiff right jab to the old mans face. After that, Tom Avery looked on his son with a newfound respect. Turning to Roo, he said, You sure you know your way along this road you told me of?
Roo nodded. It was a backcountry road, little more than a trail in places, where he and Erik had encountered Helmut Grindle, a trader from Krondor. Roo had learned there was a way from Ravensburg to Krondor that was passable without having to pay toll on the Kings Highway. Erik had papers from the Prince, which had saved them any charges on the way to Ravensburg, but Erik and his company of levies from Darkmoor had left that morning for Krondor, and they would be in the Princes city a week before the slow-moving wagons would arrive.
Roo knew that the wagons were loaded to capacity, and that any trouble would leave half his cargo stuck in the backwoods between Darkmoor and the coast. But if his plan worked, hed have enough capital for something more audacious, and he was sure he could make enough on this one journey to get his career fairly launched.
Well, said Roo, no reason to linger. The sooner started, the sooner finished. He said nothing of Manfreds warning about his mothers vengeance. He didnt trust Duncan enough to count on his staying close by should he learn that a noble might be sending agents after Roo. His father, he knew, could be trusted to drive his wagon: say what you might about Tom Avery, he was steadfast in his work when sober. But in a fight he would be useless, no matter what bluster and boasting he indulged himself in when drunk. Ride with me, Roo said to Duncan. Ill reacquaint you with driving a team.
Duncan rolled his eyes heavenward but climbed aboard. He had sold his horse for a small price, which earned him a share in Roos venture, and now was a minority owner of one wagon, four horses, and a great deal of wine. Roos father had insisted only on his usual fees, not a coin more or less, which silently pleased Roo. He enjoyed his fathers treating him as he would any other trader.
Gaston waved farewell as they rolled through the gate out of his yard and turned down the cobbles of Ravensburg. The wagons creaked and groaned under the weight and the horses snorted at being asked to work, but they were under way, and Roo felt a keen sense of anticipation.
Try not to get yourself killed, called out Gaston as the gate shut.
Roo ducked behind the wagon as another arrow sped through the space he had just occupied; the first had struck inches from his head. He yelled a warning to his father and Duncan as he scrambled under the wagon, drawing his sword and trying to ascertain from where the arrow had come. A third shaft emerged from the evening gloom and he marked where he judged it had originated. He signaled to Duncan that he was going to back between the wagons and move in a circle around the ambushers. Duncan signaled he understood and motioned around the campsite, indicating he should be wary of other attackers.