Roo nodded. I figured out that much by myself. He stretched and stood up. I am interested in how you propose to deal with Kesh during the coming invasion.
Im working on several different contingencies, said James. But one of them is to ensure that enough Keshian soldiers are in the right place to encourage the Emerald Queens army to stay where we want them.
Roo nodded. No sweeps south of Krondor, up into the mountains from the Vale of Dreams.
Something like that. That sort of move would require that the Emerald Queen overrun the dwarves at Dorgin, which has never been done. James smiled ruefully. But even old King Halfdans army would be put to rout by this host, Im afraid.
Roo shrugged. He had heard stories of the dwarves fierceness in warfare, but had never met one of them.
As James turned to leave, Roo came around the desk. No need to see me to the door, said the Duke. I can find my own way.
As he reached the top of the stairs, he said, Oh, by the way, stop trying to squirrel away your wealth in the East and the Free Cities. Im going to need most of it for the war.
Roo didnt even attempt to look shocked or deny the truth; he had been taking small amounts of capital and moving it quietly out of Krondor. Very well, he said with honest resignation in his voice. Trying to outfox you is a waste of energy.
James nodded. Dont forget it.
He left and Roo stood alone, wondering again at his failed attempt to get a trade concession into Kesh. He had a theory, and he needed to put it to the test, but right now he had a more immediate concern: how to raise a huge amount of gold quickly without causing every moneylender in the city to double his interest rates.
He sighed as he thought about his planned visit to Sylvia. He would have to give Duncan a note to take to her, since he would be here until well past midnight. He sat down and started to write.
Once done, he called down to Dash. When Dashel was standing before him, Roo said, Give this to Duncan to take to the Esterbrook house. Hell know what to do. Roo stretched again. Then please send word to my wife that your grandfather is keeping me too busy to come home for the next few days. Actually, Roo had already told his wife he was staying in the city to work, but had planned on seeing Sylvia that night. Now he felt obliged to see Sylvia the next night, or the one after that, before returning home.
Roo glanced out the window at the sunset, and he heard the city noises outside as the day wound down and shops began to close. I need to take a break before I start doing your grandfathers bidding, said Roo, standing up. I think Ill pay a visit to Helen Jacoby and her children.
Dash nodded. After that?
Im going to Avery and Sons for an hour or so this evening, and with a sour face he added, Then its back here. Ill most likely be here all night.
Dash nodded. Anything else?
No, thats all. Come back here first thing in the morning. I expect Ill have a great deal for you to do. Have Jason come along, as well.
As Dash hurried toward the door, Roo walked down the stairway. He reached the entrance to Barrets and considered crossing the street to his town house, to saddle up a horse and ride over to Helens. Then he decided hed rather walk.
He wended his way through the busy streets. Roo never tired of the crowds and clamor of the city. A smalltown boy, he saw Krondor as a never-ending source of stimulation. Just by walking he could refresh himself and conceive of anything being possible. But today as he walked, the distant specter of the Emerald Queen and her approaching host intruded on his appreciation of the robust city.
On one level, he knew that eventually Krondor would be attacked, probably overrun. He had seen what happened when her conquering General Fadawah crushed a city: he had barely escaped the destruction of distant Maharta. He knew it was coming. He had a faint hope the Kingdom army, far better trained and more dedicated than anything encountered by the invaders, might keep them out of Krondor, but he recognized it was probably a vain hope.
On another level, the coming seemed an impossibility. He was rich beyond even his boyish dreams of avarice; he possessed the most beautiful woman in the world; and he had a son. Nothing remotely evil could be allowed to touch that perfection.
Roo stopped. He had been so intent on his imagining, he had neglected to turn on the street that led to Helen Jacobys home. He turned and thought he saw a figure duck out of sight. He quickened his steps and turned the corner, and glanced both ways.
Shopkeepers were closing for the day, and workers were hurrying along, either on their final errands for their masters, or to home or a friendly inn. But the figure he had glimpsed was nowhere to be seen.
Roo shook his head. It must be fatigue, he thought. But he couldnt shake off the feeling he had been followed. He glanced around, then set off toward the Jacoby house.
He thought it had to be the realization that the Emerald Queens fleet was getting ready to sail. He didnt have any direct intelligence, but he knew enough to understand it was a certainty.
Hed watched as her army had swept over the continent of Novindus, and had sat in council while plans were made to defend the Kingdom against her attack. He could read the signs. He provided as much transport as any firm in the Kingdom; he knew where the supplies were being stored; he knew where the shipments of arms and reserve horses were being readied. He knew the attack was coming soon.
It was early fall in Krondor, which meant it was spring on the other side of the world; soon the massive fleet would be loading, and would start its months-long voyage. Time and again Roo had heard Admiral Nicholas talk about the dangers of sailing through the Straits of Darkness. Difficult in the mildest of weather, it was nearly impossible in the winter. To bring so large a fleet through safely, the ideal time would be almost exactly upon Banapis, Midsummers Day. Tides and winds would make the narrow passage between the Endless Sea and the Bitter Sea clement enough for those inexperienced ship masters who must be in command of the bulk of the fleet. Given the wholesale carnage visited on Novindus by the Queen that Roo knew about, he couldnt imagine there were six hundred competent captains left alive down there. Besides the wholesale devastation her conquest had visited upon the populace, Novindus boasted no deep-water sailors; they were all coast huggers, captains who didnt suspect there was a land across the sea until Nicholas and his crew had visited there twenty years before.
Roo also suspected Nicholas had a surprise or two in store for the visitors when they attempted to clear the Straits, which was why Roo had made the journey to Queg. The only reason Duke James might require Quegan ships to act as escort for Kingdom merchants would be if the entire Royal Navy was busy elsewhere. No, Nicholas would have something waiting for the invaders as they pushed through the Straits.
He reached the Jacoby house and put the troubling thoughts of invaders behind him for a while. He knocked.
Helen Jacoby answered his knock, and Roo said, I hope you dont mind an unannounced visit?
She laughed and Roo was struck by how nice that sounded. Rupert, of course not. You are always welcome here.
From behind came the sound of her children calling his name, and Roo found himself struck by a refreshed feeling he seldom experienced elsewhere. Uncle Rupert! said Willem, the five-year-old. Did you bring me something?
From behind came the sound of her children calling his name, and Roo found himself struck by a refreshed feeling he seldom experienced elsewhere. Uncle Rupert! said Willem, the five-year-old. Did you bring me something?
Willem! said his mother. Thats no way to treat a guest.
Hes no guest, said Willem indignantly. Hes Uncle Rupert! Seven-year-old Nataly rushed forward and threw her arms around his waist in a welcoming hug.
Rupert smiled at the boys brashness and the girls affection as Helen moved to close the door behind him. As it latched, he realized something: if his calculations were accurate, the invaders would be in sight of Kingdom soil in seven months.
Acting Corporal Garret had looked dubious, but he accepted Eriks orders without comment. After questioning Duga and his men all the previous day, Erik had decided on a course of action. He ordered Garret to lead half the men requisitioned from the Border Barons on a slow march to Krondor, while Erik kept the remaining half with himself. They had turned in their tabards when they left their previous commands, but they still looked like soldiers.
Erik then had them swapping clothing with the captured mercenaries, and after a while judged the results sufficiently chaotic to give the illusion of this being a very large company of mercenaries.
Duga gave his approval: They look like my boys.
Erik had spent the previous evening talking with Duga. He had come to like the man, a simple no-nonsense captain with a company of eighty men who had come to realize they were in over their heads. It had taken all night, but Erik had at last convinced him that it was in his own best interest to give more than his parole; rather, he should switch sides. Several of his men seemed dubious, and Erik had marked those and sent them off with Garrets squad, while the rest stayed with Erik and Duga.
Later that same day, the second contingent of Kingdom soldiers had ridden past, and Erik instructed them to follow Garrets company. When Duga saw the third company of two hundred come past early the next morning, he commented that he and his men had been led to believe they were invading a country of weak, ill-prepared cities.
Erik had gone on at great length, patiently explaining how things were different here in the Kingdom, and while he downplayed the relative sizes of the two armies, he emphasized the training and equipment of the Kingdom soldiers. Fortunately for his case, he had been aided by the sight of six hundred of the toughest veterans in the Kings Army riding by.
Duga gladly accepted the rations carried by Eriks men, which they shared for breakfast. You know, he commented as he ate, theres not a lot keeping the Queens army together but fear.
Erik nodded. I saw that at Maharta.
Its gotten worse. He glanced around. Some of the captains tried to desert after that, when we got word we were turning east toward the City of the Serpent River.
I heard what happened, said Erik. Prince Patricks spies had reported about the captains being impaled along with some randomly selected soldiers.
Its as if were all guarding each other. No one wants to be there, but everyones afraid to say anything. He shook his head. No, if you say the wrong thing to the wrong man, youve got a stake pounded up your arse.
Erik considered his next question. Has anyone asked why youre sent halfway around the world?
Theres nothing left at home, he said. Not much plunder when a citys burned to the ground. He lowered his voice. I dont believe this, but those snakes that stay close to the Queen have been telling everyone whod listen that this is the richest place in the world, that theres this city called Sethanon he pronounced it Seeth-e-non where the streets are marble, the door handles and latches are all gold, and they use silk for curtains. He sighed. After what Ive seen for the last ten years, I can understand why men want to believe, but youve got to elect to be stupid to believe that nonsense. He lowered his voice even more. Some of the captains weve talked about trying to do something, but
But what?
But shes just got too much control.
Tell me about this, urged Erik.
He motioned with his chin that they should take a walk. When they were out of earshot of the men, Duga said, Ive probably got an agent or two of hers in my company now. You never know. This General Fadawah, hes a bloody genius with his tactics and knowing when to send the men and the like, but hes also a murderous dog. You heard what happened to General Gapi?
Erik nodded. Staked out naked over an anthill because he failed.
And most of the generals and captains had to watch. He hit himself in the chest with his thumb. I was one of them. It wasnt pretty, I can tell you that.
Duga looked frustrated as he tried to explain. Its the way theyve got us all, he said, closing his hand slowly to demonstrate. At first it was just another fight. Youd sign up at the rendezvous and go fight, loot, then spend your money. Then we started sacking cities. I remember Caliss Crimson Eagles were on the other side at where was it?