Erik had asked James if the girl did more than tend bar, but the Duke had simply replied he was pleased with the girls services since she had become one of his agents. Erik knew her primary job was to keep alert for any Mocker, a member of the Guild of Thieves of Krondor, attempting to enter the Broken Shield.
Whats new? asked Erik as he reached the bar.
Not much, said Kitty, retrieving a large jack from under the counter, then filling it at the ale tap. Just those two in from somewhere. With a motion of her chin she indicated two men sitting at a corner table.
Who are they? asked Erik, then took a long pull on the ale. Say what you will, he thought, about being told to frequent only this one inn: at least the Duke kept it serving only the finest ale and food.
Kitty shrugged. Didnt say. They sound like Easterners to me. Certainly not from around here. She picked up a bar rag and began wiping imaginary spills. One of them is quiet, the dark fellow in the corner, but the other talks enough for both of them.
Erik shrugged. While the inn was known to locals as being the hangout of garrison soldiers off duty, a few strangers wandered in from time to time, and although the staff was always on the lookout for spies and informers, most of those strangers had legitimate business in the area. Those few who didnt were either followed out by Duke Jamess agents or conducted to a basement room for interrogation, depending on the Dukes instructions.
Erik glanced around and noticed that none of the girls who serviced the soldiers was in view. He glanced at Kitty and found he preferred talking to her for the moment. The girls keeping out of sight?
Meggan and Heather are working tonight, said Kitty. They ducked out when the strangers arrived.
Erik nodded. The special girls?
Ones on the way, said Kitty. The special girls were agents of the Duke, and when a stranger stayed too long at the inn, one quickly appeared, ready to accompany the stranger and ferret out whatever information might prove useful.
Erik found himself wondering who had taken up the role of Spymaster, as Erik was certain that had been one of Bobby de Loungvilles many masks. Certainly it wasnt Captain Calis, and Erik knew it wasnt himself.
What are you thinking? asked Kitty.
Just wondering about our glancing at the two strangers, he changed what he was about to say landlords employees.
Kitty raised her eyebrows in question. What do you mean?
Erik shrugged. Its probably none of my business, anyway. A man can get too curious.
Kitty leaned forward, elbows on the bar, and said, Curiosity is what got me the death mark.
Erik raised his eyebrow. The Mockers?
Rumor reached me a few weeks ago. An old friend thought to warn me. The Upright Man has returned, or at least someone claiming to be the Upright Man, and Im being blamed for some troubles beyond the death of Sam Tannerson.
Tannerson had been a bully and thief who had killed Kittys sister as a warning to Roo not to do business in the Poor Quarter without paying bribes. It had been a bloody business and had resulted in both Roo and Kitty finding themselves in need of the Dukes protection.
What sort of troubles?
Something to do with the previous leader of the Mockers, the Sagacious Man, having to flee Krondor. She sighed. Anyway, if I venture out of this inn after dark, or into the Poor Quarter at any time, Im dead.
Erik said, Thats a heavy burden.
Kitty shrugged as if it werent important. Life is like that.
Erik sipped his ale. He studied the girl. When she had first been captured, she had stripped before Bobby and the men who had captured her, partly in defiance, partly in resignation. She was pretty a lithe body, long neck, and big blue eyes that any man would notice but hard. There was an element of toughness in her which took nothing away from her features but which underlined them, as if life had forged her in a hotter fire than most. Erik found it attractive in a way he couldnt articulate. She wasnt remotely provocative, like the girls he slept with at the Sign of the White Wing, or playful and mildly taunting, like the whores who worked this inn. She was guarded, thoughtful, and, Erik had decided, very smart.
What are you staring at? she asked.
Erik lowered his eyes. He hadnt realized he had been staring at her. You, I guess.
There are plenty of girls around here to scratch your itch, Erik. Or theres the White Wing if you want something special.
Erik blushed. Suddenly Kitty laughed. Youre a child, I swear.
Erik said, Im not in the mood for that. Just thought Id have a drink or two and talk.
Kitty raised an inquiring eyebrow, but said nothing for a moment. Finally she said, Talk?
Erik sighed. Im spending so much time shouting at men, watching them fall all over themselves trying to anticipate my next order, or in meetings with the Captain and the other court officers, I just wanted to talk about anything that doesnt have something to do with he almost found himself saying the invasion but caught himself being a soldier.
If Kitty noticed his slight hesitation, she said nothing. So, what do you want to talk about? she asked, putting away her bar rag.
How are you doing?
Me? she asked. Well, Im eating better than I ever have. Ive gotten used to not having to hold a dagger in my hand when I sleep I just keep it under my pillow. Thats another thing Im getting used to: sleeping in a real bed.
And not having lice and fleas is good.
Suddenly Erik laughed. Kitty joined in. Erik said, I know what you mean. The pests on the march can be as maddening as anything.
One of the two strangers approached. From your garb I take you for a soldier, he said.
Erik nodded. I am.
With a friendly manner the fellow spoke. Its kind of quiet here tonight. Ive been in a lot of inns, and this isnt exactly what Id call lively.
Erik shrugged. Sometimes it is. Depends on whats going on at the palace.
The man said, Really?
Erik glanced at Kitty, who nodded slightly, said, Got to check some inventory, and left through the rear door.
Weve got a big parade coming up soon, said Erik. Some embassy or another from Kesh is coming for one of those state visits. The Master of Ceremonies has the Captain of the Princes Household Guards half-crazy with all the nonsense the garrisons going to go through to get ready for this. Im in for a quick ale and a chat with my friend, then Ive got to head back.
The man glanced at his empty ale mug. I need another. He turned and shouted, Girl!
When Kitty didnt answer, he turned back to Erik. Think shed mind if I fill my own?
Erik shook his head. If you leave your coins on the bar, she wont.
Buy you one? asked the man as he moved behind the bar.
What about your friend? asked Erik, indicating the other man at the table, the darker stranger Kitty had referred to as the quieter of the pair.
Hell keep. Hes a business associate of mine. The man lowered his voice and in a conspiratorial tone said, Truth to tell, hes a terrible bore. All he talks about is trade and his children.
Erik shook his head. If you leave your coins on the bar, she wont.
Buy you one? asked the man as he moved behind the bar.
What about your friend? asked Erik, indicating the other man at the table, the darker stranger Kitty had referred to as the quieter of the pair.
Hell keep. Hes a business associate of mine. The man lowered his voice and in a conspiratorial tone said, Truth to tell, hes a terrible bore. All he talks about is trade and his children.
Erik nodded, as if agreeing with the man.
Im unmarried myself, said the stranger, coming around the bar, handing a foaming mug to Erik. Names Pierre Rubideaux. From Bas-Tyra.
Erik. He took the mug.
Your health, said Pierre, hoisting his own mug.
Erik took a drink. What brings you to Krondor?
Business. In particular, were looking to set up some trading with the Far Coast through the port.
Erik smiled. Youll be wanting to talk to a friend of mine, I think.
Whos that? asked Rubideaux.
Rupert Avery. Owns the Bitter Sea Company. You trade in Krondor, you do business with either Roo or Jacob Esterbrook. If youre talking about Kesh, thats Esterbrook. If youre talking the Far Coast, thats Roo. Erik took another long drink from his mug. Something slightly bitter lingered after the ale, and he frowned. He didnt remember his first mug being off.
As a matter of fact, I am looking for Rupert Avery, said the man.
The other man stood, nodding to Pierre. Its time, he said. We must leave.
Well, Erik von Darkmoor, its been more of a pleasure than you know.
Erik started to say good-bye, then frowned. I never told you my full name he began. Suddenly a pain ripped through his stomach, as if someone had plunged a fiery knife in his gut. He reached out and grabbed the stranger by his tunic front.
As if removing the grip of a baby, the man pulled Eriks hands away. Youve got only a few more minutes, Erik, but theyll be long ones; trust me.
Erik felt the strength drain from his legs as he attempted to step forward. The blood pounded in his temples and darkness began to close around his field of vision. He was dully aware of Kitty reentering the inn. Her voice sounded distant and he couldnt understand most of what she was saying, but he heard a man shout, Take them!
Then he was looking upward through a tunnel of light as darkness moved in from all sides. His body was afire with pain as if each joint were swelling inside him. Hot spikes of agony traveled up and down his arms and legs, and his heart pounded faster and faster as if trying to erupt from his chest. Perspiration ran from his face and drenched his body as Erik felt his muscles tighten, disobeying his command to let him stand. As Kittys face appeared at the end of the tunnel of his vision, he attempted to speak her name, but his tongue wouldnt work and the pain made it almost impossible to breathe.
The last thing he heard as darkness overtook him was a single word: Poison.
Hell live, said the voice, as Erik found himself regaining consciousness.
Pain exploded behind his eyes as he opened them, causing him to groan. The sound of his own voice caused the pain to redouble, and he bit back a second groan. His body ached and his joints were burning.
Erik? came a womans voice, and Erik attempted to find the source. Strange blurry shapes hovered at the edge of his vision, and he couldnt make his eyes obey his will, so he shut them.
Another voice, Roos, said, Can you hear me?
Yes, Erik managed to croak.
Someone put a damp cloth on his lips and Erik licked them. The moisture seemed to help, so he sucked on the cloth. Then someone held a cup of water to his lips, while someone else held his head so he could drink.
Just a sip, said the womans voice.
Erik sipped, and while his throat hurt worse than he ever remembered, he forced himself to swallow. In a few seconds the returning moisture to his mouth and throat eased the discomfort.
Erik blinked, as he realized he was in a bed. Hovering over him were Kitty, Duke James, Roo, and Calis. Another figure was barely visible at the periphery of his vision.
What happened? asked Erik, his voice still hoarse.
You were poisoned, said Roo.
Poisoned? he asked.
Nodding, Duke James said, Henri Dubois. Hes a poisoner from Bas-Tyra. Ive run afoul of his handiwork before in Rillanon. I didnt expect to see him this far west.
Glancing around, Erik assumed he was in a back room at the inn, a priest of an order he didnt recognize standing behind the others.
Why? asked Erik. Assuming no one in the room was ignorant of the coming invasion, he still didnt want to betray anything Lord James wanted kept secret.
Nothing to do with the coming troubles, said Calis. He glanced pointedly at the priest, which Erik took to mean the man was not fully trusted.
A personal matter, suggested Lord James.
Erik wasnt sure what he meant, for a moment, then realization struck. Mathilda, he whispered. He sank back into the bed. His fathers widow, mother to his murdered half-brother, who had vowed revenge on Erik and Roo, had sent someone to see the matter disposed of.
They were coming after Roo next, said Erik.
Thats logical, said James.
Who was the other man, the quiet one? asked Erik as James helped him to sit upright. Nausea struck him, his head rang, and his eyes watered, but he stayed conscious.
We dont know, answered Calis. He got out of the inn while we were subduing Dubois.
You captured him? asked Erik.
Yes, answered James. Last night. He indicated Kitty. When she left the inn to fetch some of my agents, then returned to find you on the floor, she surmised at once what was going on. She hurried down to the nearest temple and brought a priest to heal you.
Half dragged, you mean, said the nameless priest.
James smiled. My men took Dubois to the palace and we questioned him all night. Were certain the late Baron of Darkmoors widow sent him after you. James raised one eyebrow and motioned with his head toward the cleric.
Erik said nothing. He knew the Lady Gamina, Jamess wife, could read minds, which was why they were certain who had sent the assassin. No confession was needed.
The priest said, I think you should rest. The magic that cleansed your body of the poison didnt reverse the damage already done you. You will need at least a week of bed rest and a bland diet.
Thank you, Father ? began Erik.
Father Andrew, answered the priest. He nodded once to the Duke and left without further comment.
Erik said, Thats an odd priest. I dont recognize his regalia.
I would find it strange if you did, Erik, answered the Duke as he moved toward the door. Andrew is a priest of the order of Ban-ath. Their shrine is the closest to this inn.
The god of thieves was not one commonly worshiped by most citizens. There were two holidays where small votive offerings were made to protect the home, as an appeasement, but mostly those who frequented the temple were on the dodgy path, as it was called. It was rumored the Mockers Guild sent a tithe to the temple each year.
James said, Im going to leave you now. You stay here a couple of days, then youve got to get that happy little band of cutthroats weve recruited for you up into the mountains and teach them what they need to know.