Graves said, You want to leave Krondor?
The boy said, If youll take me. Theres a war on, for truth, and Im the last of my band alive. If the Upright Man is dead, all bets are off. You know the rules. If the Upright Man isnt here, its every man for himself and make what deal you can.
Graves nodded. I know the rules. His voice lacked the rough, commanding edge Limm had come to know as a boy in the Mockers, when Graves was first among the bashers. Still, Graves had saved Limm several times, from freebooting thugs and the Princes men alike. Limm would do whatever Graves said.
After a moment of reflection, Graves spoke. You stay here, boy. No one in the Guild knows youve helped Kat and me, and the truth is, Im fond of you. You were always a good lad, as far as that goes. Too full of yourself, but what boy isnt at times? He shook his head in regret. Out there itll be every hand against us Mockers, Princes men, or the Crawlers. Ive got a few friends left, but if the blood is running in the sewers, who knows how long I can count on them?
But everyone else thinks youve escaped! objected Limm. Just me and Jackie knew, cause you told us so we could fetch you food. Those notes you sent out, to the Temple, and some of your friends, to that magician you travelled with He waved his hand as if trying to recall the name.
Owyn, Graves supplied.
Owyn, repeated Limm. Word spread through the city youd fled to Kesh. I know at least a dozen bashers were sent outside the walls to track you down.
Graves nodded. And an equal number of monks from the Temple, too, I warrant. He sighed. That was the plan. Lie low here while they looked for us out there.
Kat, who had remained silent throughout, said, It was a good plan, Graves.
Limm nodded.
Graves said, I figured another week or ten days, and theyd come back, each thinking some other had just missed sight of us, then wed walk down to the docks one night, get on a ship, and sail off to Durbin, just another merchant and his daughter.
Wife! said Kat, angrily.
Limm grinned.
Graves shrugged and spread his hands in a sign of surrender. Young wife, he said.
She put her arms around his neck and said, Wife, softly.
Limm said, Well, you play the parts well enough, but right now getting to the docks is no small order. He glanced around the cellar. What about just going out the door, up there? He pointed to the ceiling.
Graves said, Sealed off. Thats why I built this place as a hideout. The building upstairs is abandoned, roof beams collapsed. The man who owned it died, so it belongs to the Prince for back taxes. Fixing up old buildings is not very high on the Princes list of things to do, it seems.
Limm nodded in approval of the scheme. Well, how long do you think we should stay?
You, said Graves, rising, are staying in the Kingdom. Youre young enough to make something of yourself, boy. Get off the dodgy path and find a master. Apprentice in a craft or become a serving man.
Honest work? said Limm, as he jumped to his feet. When did a Mocker seek honest work?
Graves pointed a finger at him. Jimmy did.
Jimmy the Hand, agreed Kat. He found honest work.
He saved the Princes life! objected Limm. He was made a member of the court. And theres a death mark on his head! He couldnt return to the Mockers if he begged.
Graves said, If the Upright Man is dead, that mark is erased.
Softly Limm asked, What should I do?
Graves said, Lie low for a while, until things get quiet, then leave the city. Theres a man named Tuscobar, once a trader from Rodez. He has a shop in a town called Biscart, two days fast walk up the coast. He owes me a favour. He also has no sons, so there is no one to apprentice for him. Go there and ask him to take you to service. If he objects, just tell him Graves clears all debts if you do this. Hell understand what it means.
What does he do? asked Limm.
He sells cloth. He makes a good living, as he sells to nobles for their daughters.
Limms expression showed he was less than taken with the notion. Id rather go to Durbin and take my chances with you. What are you going to do there?
Turn honest, said Graves. I have some gold. Kat and I are going to open an inn.
An inn, said Limm, his eyes alight. I like inns. He got down on his knees in an overly dramatic pleading. Let me come! Please! I can do many things in an inn. I can tend fires, and show customers to their rooms. I can haul water and I can mark the best purses for cutting.
An honest inn, said Graves.
Some of the enthusiasm left Limms expression. In Durbin? Well, if you say so.
Kat said, Were going to have a baby. We want him to grow up honest.
Limm was speechless. He sat in wide-eyed astonishment. Finally, he said, A baby? Are you daft?
Graves exhibited a wry smile and Kats brown eyes narrowed as she said, Whats daft about a baby?
Limm said, Nothing, I guess, if youre a farmer or a baker or someone who can expect a fair chance at living to old age. But for a Mocker He let the thought go unfinished.
Graves said, Whats the clock? Weve been cut off from sunlight so long I have no sense of it.
Its nearly midnight, said Limm. Why?
With the Upright Man dead, or even just the rumour of it, things will be happening. Ships that would otherwise have stayed in Krondor will be leaving the docks before the morning tide.
Limm fixed Graves with a questioning look. You know something?
Graves stood up from the small chair and said, I know lots of things, boy.
Limm jumped to his feet. Please take me with you. Youre the only friends Ive got, and if the Upright Mans dead, who knows wholl come to rule in his place. If its that Crawler, most of us are dead anyway, and even if its one of our own, whos to say what my life is worth?
Graves and Kat understood. The peace within the Mockers was imposed from the top down, and it would never be mistaken for friendship. Old grudges would surface and old scores would be settled. More than one Mocker would die not knowing for which past transgression he was paying the ultimate penalty. Graves sighed in resignation. Very well. Not much for you here, Ill grant, and another pair of eyes and nimble fingers might prove worthwhile. He glanced at Kat, who nodded silently.
Whats the plan?
We need to be at the docks before the dawn. Theres a ship there, a Quegan trader, the Stella Maris. The captain is an old business acquaintance of mine. He was lying low, claiming a refit was needed, against the time when we could smuggle ourselves out of here. Hell sail for Durbin as soon as we board.
Kat said, Lots of ships will be leaving on the morning tide, so another wont cause too much notice.
Limm look excited. When do we head to the docks?
An hour before dawn. Itll still be dark enough for us to stay in shadows, but enough of the town will be awake and about so we wont attract much attention.
Kat smiled. Well be a family.
Limms narrow young face took on a sour expression. Mother?
An hour before dawn. Itll still be dark enough for us to stay in shadows, but enough of the town will be awake and about so we wont attract much attention.
Kat smiled. Well be a family.
Limms narrow young face took on a sour expression. Mother?
Kat was barely ten years older than Limm, so she said, Big sister.
Limm said, We have one problem, though.
Graves nodded. Getting to the street.
Limm sat back, for he knew that there could be no plan, ruse, or providential miracle that would get them safely to the docks. They would simply have to leave this hideout and risk a short walk through a dark tunnel which might house a dozen murderers or sewer rats. And they wouldnt know which until they left. Limm was suddenly tired and said, I think Ill sleep for a bit.
Good idea, agreed Graves. Theres a pallet over there you can use. Well wake you when its time to go.
Limm moved to the indicated corner and lay down. Kat whispered, What are the odds?
Bad, admitted her lover. Weve got to get the boy some clothing. Dirty boys are nothing unusual at the dock. But not that dirty. Trying to muster some optimism, he said, Still, if the Upright Man is dead, there may be enough chaos in the city that we can slip out without attracting notice.
Any other choice?
Only one, admitted Graves, but I wont use it unless were caught.
What is it?
Graves looked at the young girl for whom he had thrown away everything and said, I have one friend left, who gains nothing from my fall. If I must, Ill send Limm to him begging for help.
Who? whispered Kat.
Graves closed his eyes as if admitting he might seek help was hard for one as self-reliant as himself. The only thief who can beg the Prince of Krondor for my life.
Jimmy?
Graves nodded. Jimmy the Hand.
CHAPTER TWO
Krondor
THE COLUMN RODE TOWARDS THE CITY.
Krondor was backlit by a late afternoon sun, dark towers rising against a lemon-yellow sky. In the east, distant clouds turned rose and orange against a blue that seemed to shimmer. The column behind the Princes vanguard tightened up as they entered the southernmost city gate, the one closest to the palace and barracks. Traffic in the area was normal for this time of day: a few traders drove wagons into the city, while farmers whod visited the city for the day were leaving, starting their homeward journey.
James pointed. Not much of a welcome, is it?
Locklear saw that a few curious onlookers were turning to watch the approaching company that was escorting Arutha through the palace district. Otherwise they were ignored by the citizenry, as they had been since entering the outer reaches of Krondor. I guess Arutha didnt send word we would arrive today.
No, theres something else, said James, his days of fatigue washing away as curiosity took hold of him.
Locklear looked at the faces of those on the street who stood aside to let the Princes company ride past, and saw anxiety. Youre right, James.
The capital city of the Western Realm of the Kingdom of the Isles was never silent. Even at the darkest hours before sunrise, sounds could be heard from all quarters. There was a pulse to any city, and Krondor had one that was as well known to James as his own heartbeat. He could listen to its rhythm and understand what it was saying: Somethings wrong. It was less than an hour before sundown, yet the city was far more subdued than it should be.
Locklear listened and knew what it was James was hearing, a muted quality, as if everyone was speaking a little more softly than usual. A shout from a teamster to his mules was cut slightly short, lest it hang too long in the air and attract notice. A mothers command for a child to come home was short and sharp, followed by a low threatening warning rather than a top-of-the-voice shriek.
What do you think is going on? asked Locklear.
Just ahead, Arutha spoke quietly to the two squires without looking back. We should find out in a moment.
The young men looked past their ruler and saw a committee waiting for them at the palace gate. In the forefront was Princess Anita, her smile edged with relief at seeing her husband unharmed before her. Still youthful despite ten years of marriage and motherhood, her red hair was gathered up under a wide white hat, looking more like a sailing ship set atop her head, thought James, than anything else. But it was the current fashion, and one did not make jests at the expense of the Princess, especially not when her second smile was directed at you.
James returned the Princesss welcoming smile and basked for a moment in its warmth. His boyhood infatuation with Anita had matured into a deep, abiding affection, and while she was too young to be viewed as his surrogate mother, she served as surrogate older sister with ease and humour. And it was clear to all who knew them that she viewed James as the younger brother she never had. It went so far as the Princesss children calling James Uncle Jimmy.
At Anitas right stood twin boys, the Princes Borric and Erland, jostling with one another, as if it were impossible for the two nine-year-olds to remain at rest even for a moment. The red-headed lads were intelligent, James knew, and undisciplined. Some day they would number among the most powerful nobles in the Kingdom, but at present they were simply fractious boys bored with having to act the part of Princes and anxious to be off about whatever mischief they could find. Directly before her mother stood the Princess Elena, four years younger than the boys. Her features were as fine as her mothers, but her colouring was her fathers, dark and intense. She beamed at the sight of her father riding at the head of his Household Guard. Succumbing to impulse, she pointed and said, Theres Daddy!
Arutha held up his hand and ordered a halt. Without waiting for official greetings from the Master of Ceremonies, he jumped from his mount and hurried to his family. Embracing his wife, he then turned his attention to his sons and daughter.
James motioned with this chin towards the welcoming guards and whispered to Locklear, Willies on duty.
William, Pugs son, was a cadet, a young soon-to-be officer who presently was learning his trade. He exchanged glances with James, giving the squire a tiny nod.
The order was given for the company to fall out, and James and Locklear dismounted. Grooms hurried over and took away the tired mounts.
Their duty required the squires to wait upon their Princes need, so they moved to stand at Aruthas right hand.
Anita gifted the young men with a warm greeting, then turned her attention to Arutha. I know I shouldnt worry. I know youll always come back to me.
Aruthas smile was both happy and tired. Always.
A small knot of court officials stood silently behind the royal family, and Arutha nodded greetings. He saw by their expressions that he would be needed in council before he would be permitted the pleasure of a long visit with his family. He noticed the Sheriff of Krondor in attendance, and sighed. That could only mean grave problems in Krondor, for the sheriff, while an important officer in the city, wasnt properly a member of Aruthas court. Glancing at Gardan, he said, Marshal, see what the sheriff and the others want, and meet me in my private council chamber in a half hour. I will have this road-dirt off before I sit down to another meeting. He smiled at Anita. And Ill steal a few minutes to speak with my wife and children. He leaned over and kissed Anita on the cheek and said, Take the children to our apartment. Ill be along in a minute, dearest.