There was another burst of applause at that which quickly died when Laughing Jack stepped off his makeshift stage. Jimmy looked up at Larry and jerked his head toward the door then moved off, knowing the younger boy would follow as he could.
Jimmy led the way out of the sewers and through a maze of back alleys, most sodden, some clean, until he came to a fence of cedar posts set in stone. He climbed it and stepped briefly onto a window ledge, then grasped a hole left by a crumbling brick and hoisted himself up to where he could step onto the windows ledge. Balancing, he reached up to grasp the eaves. He chinned himself up, his toes finding the space in the brickwork that allowed him to push himself upward until he could wriggle onto the tiled roof.
Then he silently moved over so that Larry could climb up beside him; neither of them was breathing hard, since the sky-routes were as familiar to them as a staircase to the attic would be to a householder.
They were on the roof of a noisy dockside tavern the tiles beneath them fairly vibrated, as sailors the worse for wine made an attempt at song but they still made as little noise as possible, moving into the dark shadow of a dormer window. Jimmy risked a quick glance in the window and found the room unoccupied. He lay down on his back looking up at the stars and listening for any sounds of pursuit. Larry sat quietly beside him, apparently doing the same.
I think, Larry whispered at last, sounding very unhappy, that the Upright Man will call del Garzas bluff.
Jimmy nodded, then realizing it was too dark to be seen grunted in agreement.
The only trouble is, the younger boy continued fiercely, he isnt bluffing. Why should he? Nobodys going to complain if he hangs a dozen Mockers. A hundred even!
Jimmy shushed him, for hed nearly shouted that last. Larry muttered an apology and Jimmy gave the boys arm a brief, sympathetic punch. But he agreed with Larrys sentiments. The acting governor would put the Upright Man in the worst position possible before he consented to negotiate, if he ever did.
In the history of the Thieves Guild, the Mockers and Crown had never sat down across a table, but over the decades since the Guild had been founded, the Mockers had reached accommodations with the Prince of Krondor on several occasions. A word dropped by a merchant with connections in court, a trader having business on both sides of the law carrying a message, and from time to time a difficult situation might be avoided. The Mockers gave up their own when caught dead to rights; that was understood by every thief, basher and beggar. But occasionally an overzealous constable had the wrong lad scheduled for the gallows, or a harmless working girl or beggar arrested for a more serious crime, and from time to time trades were arranged. More than one Mocker was tossed out of gaol suddenly after the Sheriff of Krondor got clear proof of innocence usually the location of the true malefactor, sometimes in hiding, at other times dead. On other occasions a gang without the Upright Mans sanction was turned over to the Sheriffs men, saving them the trouble of arresting them.
Larry said, The Upright Mans not going to do anything, is he?
Being in the position he was in, I dont think he can risk aggravating the situation further. I think weve got nothing to offer del Garza, said Jimmy. As I see it, the only thing that could make him happy would be to see Radburn return with the Princess in tow. And as shes halfway to Crydee with Prince Arutha by now, I dont imagine thats going to happen. So, if he hangs a lot of us, at least he can say he tried to do something when Black Guy comes back. And if Radburn gets himself killed along the way, then del Garza can put all the blame on him and make himself look like he was trying. Our lads and lasses are in a bad position, no doubt.
Jimmy fell silent for a moment: he knew it wasnt just a bad position, but a fatal one. Finally, he said, Its up to us.
He heard a stifled sob and saw the glitter of Larrys eyes as the boy turned toward him. They might kill us, he warned.
Jimmy chuckled. Del Garzas men will definitely kill us if we dont do something. As for the Upright Man He paused to watch a star shoot across the sky and to consider what the Upright Man might do. We wont be rewarded, thats certain, well probably have to take a beating for disobeying orders. But if we succeed in getting everybody out
Everybody! Larrys voice squeaked.
Well, yeah. Why not?
I just want to get my brother out.
No, thats not enough! Jimmy said, sitting up. You want to get your brother out; I understand that, but if we can get the others out safely, too, that would be great. Wouldnt it?
There was silence for a moment, then, Ye-ah?
And it would make us heroes to everyone in the Guild. Wed be too popular to have our throats cut.
Well, I guess.
Not the rousing confirmation Jimmy had been hoping for, but it would do. He stood up.
First, lets go and look over that place Noxious Neville showed us. Once we know what were dealing with we can make plans. Then well see. He started off, followed by a reluctant Larry the Ear.
See what? the boy asked.
See whether the Upright Man will kill us or not, Jimmy said cheerfully.
Jimmy wore a vinegar-soaked rag tied over his nose and mouth and was still fighting the urge to gag from the stench. Theyd removed a lot of the rubble from the blockage, but not all of it; the people they were to rescue were mostly small and certainly thinner than when theyd been arrested. The two boys laboured quietly and quickly, and then it was time for one of them to climb up the vertical shaft that Neville had told them about. Jimmy glanced at Larry, who was nervous, green, and on the verge of being sick, and didnt even think of suggesting the younger boy go. Jimmy took a deep breath through his mouth, as if he was about to plunge under water, and stuck his head into the opening. Then he pulled himself up.
It wasnt quite as tight as hed expected from the old mans description, but then maybe the old beggar had worn some meat on his bones when he was young. And the walls were an easy climb, seeming to be a natural cleft in the rock below the keep, with plenty of nooks and crannies for fingers and toes. Even the girls would be able to manage it.
So far the only problem was that it was very slimy with things best not thought about and stank enough to shrivel the hairs in his nostrils, even through the sharp vinegar smell. He kept promising an offering to the Goddess Ruthia, Mistress of Luck, if she would let him get through this without anyone pissing on him. The higher he climbed the more extravagant the offerings became.
He heard a voice above his head and froze, but whoever it was passed by. He thanked the Lady of Luck and glanced up. He wouldnt have been able to go any further anyway. Just above him they had mortared small stones to the side of the shaft for a depth of about four feet from the top, narrowing it to just the size of his head.
Jimmy climbed down rapidly, his heart sinking. Hed imagined chipping away the extra stones around the grate, and had worried about how theyd cover the sound. Hed never imagined them continuing for four feet! Maybe ol Neville hadnt known about it, maybe he didnt think it mattered, but it was certainly a big complication.
Jimmy imagined the wrath visited upon the gaoler when the escape of a prisoner maybe it was Noxious Neville back-in-the-day had been discovered. So either the heavily chastened gaoler or his newly-appointed successor had seen fit to ensure it didnt happen again. For a giddy moment he wondered how the current gaoler was going to tell del Garza and the Sheriff that dozens of Mockers had fled in one night. Then he put aside the amusing fantasy and returned to the problem at hand: how to get rid of a lot of brick and mortar in a hurry.
Larry was waiting down below the partially-collapsed tunnel.
Well? he asked in a whisper.
I need a bath, Jimmy said. It wasnt something he said very often and hed never said it so sincerely.
Me, too, Larry agreed. Then asked, So?
Theres a problem, Jimmy said. A collar of stonework that narrows the opening so you couldnt pass a cat through it. Its pretty deep, too. Let me think about it.
We cant go in here! Larry the Ear hissed in Jimmys ear. This place is too respectable!
It was; a two-storey building with more chimneys than a house, the sort of place where people respectable enough to want to wash regularly came, but who were not well-to-do enough to afford the equipment. It had a door warden; a thick-set man with a grey beard and a knotted club of vinestock beside it, who looked like a retired trooper.
Jimmy grabbed Larry and pulled him close so he couldnt be overheard. We need to get clean. Del Garzas men are out looking for sewer rats. Right now, we not only look like them, but we smell like them. We have to get clean, and it would help if we didnt look like Mockers for a little while. Thats why were here, instead of trying to get clean using someones rain barrel or washing off in the Old Square Fountain. He turned to look at the door warden. Just pretend youre someone and keep quiet.
Jimmy walked up to the man. The door wardens nose wrinkled Well, I cant blame him, thought Jimmy and his eyes narrowed; a thick-knuckled hand went to the vinewood club.
Wordlessly, Jimmy held up a silver coin the size of his thumbnail. Ive known this sort of thing to work, he thought, schooling his face to look embarrassed and supercilious at the same time. Ive just never been able to afford bathing in a proper bathhouse, before.
Hed never been much of one for bathing in general, either; but associating with lords and princesses, even for a short while, tended to alter your standards. He discovered that enduring a bucket of cold water and some soap every day or two earned him approval from the Princess Anita, and that had been worth it. He had also discovered he itched a lot less and felt better afterwards.
My good man, we need to bathe, he said, shaping the tones of an upper-class accent. And to buy fresh clothing.
Ye certainly need the bath, the man grumbled. Lousy too, no doubt.
Not in the least. Weve been out on a Jimmy let his expression grow sheepish. Well, wed rather our parents didnt find out, and He finished in a rush: You can have this yourself?
Suspicion gave way to contempt as Jimmy handed over the coin; which was fine with him.
We were attacked by street boys, Jimmy chattered on overexplaining made guilt look more plausible. They stole our clothes and pushed us in a sty. The maid at home gave us some coins to get cleaned up. Please, sir, my mother is very strict and shell be very, very angry if we go home in this condition. Jimmy had always been good at mimicry, and the time spent with Prince Arutha and Princess Anita had given him a wealth of new ways to speak when he needed. He sounded plausible in the role of the son of a minor noble or rich merchant. As long as Larry remembered to keep his mouth shut.
He and Larry had more than enough scrapes and bruises to make their story seem authentic. Knocking about in dark sewers and climbing walls and houses had added a good share of cuts as well.
Go on through, the door warden said. You can use the baths, but rinse off good first. Youll have to find your own clothes this isnt a tailors shop, lads.
They went through; the door warden spoke a few words in the ear of the woman who sat by bathers clothes so they wouldnt be lifted, and her scowl cleared a bit.
Ill not put those wipe-rags near honest folks clothing, she said.
Take them away and burn them, Jimmy instructed, as he and Larry stripped. That was in character; even rags were worth something, and the woman would undoubtedly get a few coppers for them. She nodded and smiled, and Jimmy knew that later that night she would be boiling them clean and selling them to a rag peddler by this time tomorrow.
You, boy, Jimmy said, beginning to enjoy himself. One of the attendants put down his broom and came over.
My brother and I will require new garments, Jimmy said loftily. He looked at the boy before him and estimated that he was just between his and Larrys size. I need you to buy us some new things. Trousers, shirts and linen, he instructed. Something just too large to fit you for me, and something just too small to fit you for my brother. Well have to do without shoes and stockings, I suppose. He glanced at Larry who nodded, a supercilious expression on his face. The colours should be muted, he went on, sighing at the confused expression on the boys face. Nothing red or orange or patterned, he explained.
He counted out five small silvers, more than enough for the items. You may keep the change, Jimmy said, ensuring that it would be. And if you hurry back, you shall have this. He held up two more silver coins.
Thank you, sir, the boy said, tugging his forelock, and rushed off.
Shall we enjoy the steam room while we wait?
Larry sniffed his arm and made a face. Yes! he said fervently.
Clean and dressed, the two of them headed for the Poor Quarter. They looked respectable enough, like apprentices, perhaps, except for their lack of shoes, so it was reasonable to think themselves fairly safe in the respectable parts of town. But under the circumstances they couldnt make themselves feel safe, a fact never far from their minds.
In the Poor Quarter their new clothes might raise a passing eyebrow, but it would be obvious from their attitude that they belonged and that the first glance wouldnt be followed by a second.
Ordinarily, that is. But then, under ordinary circumstances there would be street children and beggars everywhere, and not a few whores plying their trade. Now, as the two boys walked along they found the streets nearly deserted. The few people walking about were mostly grown men, their eyes constantly moving, and from them Jimmy and Larry received a great deal of attention. It felt as if they were surrounded by the secret police.
I cant take this, Larry said. I keep expectin someone to grab my neck. Im goin to the Rest.
Jimmy shook his head. Not me. Ive had enough of sewers for one day. Im for a drink.
The younger boy shook his head. Not tonight. He looked at Jimmy for a moment. Tomorrow, he said, and it was almost a question.
Jimmy nodded. Tomorrow. He made it sound like a promise.
They separated then, without so much as a backward glance; Larry disappearing into the gloom of an alleyway, Jimmy walking along the street.
As he walked, Jimmy thought.
The mortared collar needs to go, and weve got to do it some way that wont draw the guards. That was easier said than done. Drugs? he wondered. It would have to be something potent, to make them oblivious to the noise of stonework.
But there was no way to get to the guards without going to gaol, wherein getting at the guards was problematic at best.
Deep down an idea stirred. Too formless yet to grasp, Jimmy let it go and simply followed his feet, trying not to think at all. Hed found that sometimes ideas were like that, theyd flee if you pursued them, but they just might come to you if you just left them be.