Anita herded the children away, and Arutha motioned to James and Locklear. No rest for the wicked, boys. Looking over at the palace guard, he added, Young William looks as if hes going to pop with news to share, so go find out whats on his mind. Im sure Ill be hearing a different version of the same tale from my officers in council. If something warrants some snooping around in the city, do it, and be back no later than the end of the evening meal. Then he looked James in the eyes and said, You know what you must do.
James nodded. As he led Locklear away, Locklear said, What does that mean?
What?
You know what you must do?
Just something Arutha and I have been working on since you were sent north to Tyr-Sog for
I know why I was banished to Tyr-Sog, Locklear said in a tired voice. Too well, he added, considering his imminent return to that cold and lonely town on the northern frontier.
James signalled to the guardsman in charge of the trainees, who stood to attention as he shouted, Members of the court!
The cadets were already at attention, but they seemed to stiffen a bit more as the two squires approached.
James nodded greeting to Swordmaster McWirth. How are the cadets this afternoon, swordmaster?
A worthless lot, squire, but one or two of them may survive to actually be allowed to serve as an officer in my army!
James smiled wryly at the pointed remark, given that he and the swordmaster had little affection for one another. As a member of Aruthas court, the young man was not technically part of the army, and trained with weapons with the Prince; in fact, James was Aruthas favourite duelling partner as he was one of the few in the city as fast as Arutha with a blade. As a squire, he also carried some rank, which meant that often he was put in charge of soldiers who had trained under the swordmaster, and it galled the old soldier.
Still, thought James, McWirth was thorough in his job and the officers he turned out, especially those who were chosen for the élite Royal Household Guards, were fine soldiers, to a man. In his travels, James had seen the worst of the army as well as the best, and he had no doubt these were the among the best in the Western Realm.
I need to speak to the Princes cousin when youre done with him, swordmaster.
The dour old soldier fixed James with a baleful gaze for an instant, and one more time James was thankful he never had to endure the swordmasters supervision. McWirth turned and shouted, Dismissed! Cadet William, over here!
William came to stand before the swordmaster, while the other cadets headed back towards their quarters, and said, Sir!
Member of the court desires your company, it seems. He smiled at James and Locklear and said, Good day to you, squires.
The other cadets hurried off to their duties and McWirth said, And when youre done, I expect you to catch up with the rest of the cadets, else youll be tending your equipment during mess, is that clear?
Sir! replied William with a salute. The old swordmaster stalked off and William approached Locklear and James.
James asked, Whats the news?
Lots, said William. He was a short man, though taller than his father, with dark brown hair and eyes. The boyish cast to his features had faded in the months since he had come to serve in the Princes army and his shoulders had broadened. He was lethally effective with the two-handed sword, a difficult weapon for most soldiers to master, and his horsemanship was considered exceptional. Im to be commissioned next week!
Congratulations, said Locklear. Im to be exiled.
Williams eyes narrowed. Again?
James laughed. Still. Arutha appreciated his reasons for returning without leave, but decided it didnt warrant an early reprieve from the icy north.
Frowning, Locklear said, I depart for Tyr-Sog again, tomorrow.
James said, Somethings funny in the city. What do you hear, Willie?
Only Aruthas family, James, and Locklear called William by that nickname, a familiarity he allowed no one else. William said, Odd things. They keep us cadets busy and we dont get to mix much with the others in the garrison when were not training, but you do hear this and that. Seems like an unusually high number of people in the city have been turning up dead this last week.
James nodded. That would explain the sheriff waiting for the Prince.
Locklear said, He doesnt usually do that sort of thing, now that you mention it.
James was lost in thought a moment. He had crossed paths with Sheriff Wilfred Means on more than one occasion when James had plied his trade as a thief. A few times he had come close to being the sheriffs guest in the Old Town Jail. The sheriff acknowledged James as the Princes squire and treated him with the respect due his office; their relationship was a cold one at best. James suddenly was visited with the image of a younger Wilfred Means glaring up at James as he bolted over the rooftops of the city, the then constables ginger-coloured moustache almost quivering with rage at the boys escape.
But the sheriff was stalwart in his duty, and tried to keep crime in Krondor as much under control as possible. The city was an orderly one by most any measure James could imagine, and unlike others who held the office before him, Wilfred Means was not a man to take a bribe or barter a favour.
For him to be waiting in person to speak to Arutha as soon as he returned meant something grave had occurred, something the sheriff judged required the Princes immediate attention.
You get back to your duties, said James absently to William. Locky and I had better catch up with Arutha.
William said, Well, Locky, I will bid you farewell, again, if youre off for the north in the morning.
Locklear rolled his eyes theatrically, but took the proffered hand and shook it. Take care of this rascal, William. I would hate to see him get killed when I wasnt around to watch.
Sorry youre going to miss the commissioning, said William.
James grinned. Dont worry, Willie. Ill find you a celebration, and even without this knaves vaunted reputation as a lodestone for the girls, well find us some pretty faces to look upon you in awe as you sport your new badge of rank.
William couldnt help blushing at that. Take care, Locky, he said.
Locklear bid him farewell, and as William ran off to his duties Locklear said, Did you see that blush? I warrant the lads never been with a woman.
James elbowed his friend in the side. Not everyone is as precocious as you were, Locky.
But hes nearly twenty! said Locklear in mock astonishment.
Hes a bright lad and fair to look at. I suspect things will have changed by the time you return, said James.
You think?
Certainly, said James as they entered the palace. Im sure I can find him an agreeable girl to bed him in the next five years.
Locklears grin vanished. Five years! With wide eyes he said, You dont think Aruthas going to keep me up there for five years, do you?
James laughed at his friends distress. As the two young men hurried along to their Princes chambers, Locklear threw an elbow at James which James adroitly dodged and for an instant they were boys again.
You think?
Certainly, said James as they entered the palace. Im sure I can find him an agreeable girl to bed him in the next five years.
Locklears grin vanished. Five years! With wide eyes he said, You dont think Aruthas going to keep me up there for five years, do you?
James laughed at his friends distress. As the two young men hurried along to their Princes chambers, Locklear threw an elbow at James which James adroitly dodged and for an instant they were boys again.
James and Locklear reached Aruthas private council room just as the Prince was approaching after his brief visit with his wife and children. He moved purposefully down the small hallway that connected his familys private apartments with the council chamber and the formal court. James hurried to fall in behind his liege lord, with Locklear one step after. A pair of court pages flanked the council chamber door, and one quickly opened it so that Arutha might enter.
Arutha arrived to greetings from Master of Ceremonies Brian de Lacy. Standing at his right hand was his assistant, Housecarl Jerome. Jerome and his supervisor bowed as one to the Prince; the housecarl gave a fleeting nod of greeting to the two squires. Jerome had been a member of the company of squires with James and Locklear as boys, and James had been the first one to stand up to the older boy, who had been the resident bully. Now Jerome was studying to succeed de Lacy as the man in charge of the daily business of the court, and serving as the chief administrator of the palace while doing so, and James was forced to admit his fussy attention to detail made him ideally suited for the job.
Arutha said, I am very tired and would like to join my family for an early supper; lets save as much as we may for formal court tomorrow. What cant wait?
De Lacy nodded and then looked up. He noticed who was in the room and said, Shall we wait for the Knight-Marshal?
Just then Gardan entered. Apologies, Highness. I wanted to make sure the men were taking care of their mounts and weapons before I joined you.
Aruthas brow furrowed and his mouth turned up in a familiar half-smile. Youre not a sergeant any more, Gardan. Youre the Knight-Marshal of Krondor. You have others to ensure that the men and animals are properly billeted.
Gardan nodded in reply, then said, Thats something I wish to discuss with you. He glanced at the nobles in the Princes private offices and added, But it will wait until after this evenings business. Highness? Arutha indicated his agreement.
De Lacy said, Two communiqués from Great Kesh via courier arrived during your absence, Highness, informing the crown of matters of small urgency, yet they do require a formal response.
Arutha waved them over to James. Leave them. Ill read them tonight and compose a reply first thing in the morning.
De Lacy handed them to James who tucked them under his arm without looking at them.
The Master of Ceremonies looked at the sheriff, who stepped forward and bowed. Highness, I fear I must report a rash of black murders have been done in your city during the time youve been away.
The Prince was silent for a moment as he considered these words, then he said, You speak then of something warranting my personal attention? Murder is not uncommon in our city.
I do, Highness. Several men of prominence have been slain in their beds at night, throats cut while their wives slept undisturbed beside them.
Arutha glanced at James and nodded slightly. James knew what the Prince was thinking: Nighthawks.
For nearly ten years the city had been untroubled by the Guild of Death. The assassins who had been employed by Murmandamuss agents had vanished at the end of the Riftwar. A few months ago rumours about their return had begun to circulate. Then they had suddenly reappeared in the Kingdom. James himself had killed their current leader, but was under no illusion that the Nighthawks would just go away. If there was another cell of them here in Krondor, they already knew of the death of one called Navon du Sandau, an erstwhile merchant from Kenting Rush. Exposing his true identity had almost got James killed in a duel, and it was only by dint of hours spent practising the sword with Arutha that James had prevailed.
Looking troubled, Arutha asked the sheriff, What have your men uncovered?
Nothing, Highness. Of some of the victims, what youd expect: men with enemies due to their prominence in their trade. But others were men of little significance except to their families. There is nothing of sense about these murders. They seem random.
Arutha sat back and weighed what he had been told. His mind turned furiously as he considered, then discarded options. Finally he said, Random? It may be we simply do not understand what is behind the selection of victims. Have your men return in the morning and question the families of the victims, those who worked with them, their neighbours and anyone who may have seen them prior to their deaths. There may be some vital bit of information we are not seeing because we do not know it is important. Send a scribe with your men to record the conversations. In all of this we may discover some connection between those murdered. He sighed, fatigue evident in his features. Return to your post, sheriff. Join me after morning court tomorrow and well discuss this business at length. Ill want your mens reports by tomorrow evening. The sheriff bowed and withdrew.
Arutha turned to de Lacy. What else?
Nothing that cannot wait, Highness.
Arutha rose. Court is dismissed until the tenth hour of the day tomorrow. De Lacy and Jerome left the chamber, and Arutha turned to Gardan and the squires. Now, Gardan, what is it you wished to speak with me about?
Highness, Ive served your house since I was a boy. Ive been a soldier and sergeant to your father, and a captain and marshal to you. Its time I returned home to Crydee. I wish to retire.
Arutha nodded. I see. Can we speak of this over supper?
The Knight-Marshal said, If you wish.
I do. Turning to the squires, Arutha said, Locklear, youd best be getting ready for your journey tomorrow morning. Ill have travel warrants and orders sent to your quarters. Leave with the dawn patrol to Sarth. If I fail to see you before then, have a safe journey to Tyr-Sog.
Locklear tried to keep his expression neutral as he answered, Thank you, Your Highness.
Arutha turned to James and said again, You know what to do.
Arutha and Gardan turned towards the royal apartments as the two squires moved in the other direction. When they were out of hearing distance, Locklear mimicked the Prince: You know what to do. All right: what is this all about?
James sighed and said, It means I dont get any sleep tonight.
Locklear said, Is this your way of telling me its none of my business?
Yes, James answered. He said nothing more as they moved to the wing of the palace which housed their quarters. Reaching the door to Locklears room, James said, I probably wont see you before you leave, also, so take care not to get yourself killed.
Locklear shook hands, then embraced his best friend. Ill try not to.
James grinned. Good, then with luck well see you at Midsummers Festival, assuming you dont do anything to cause Arutha to keep you up there longer than that.