James had fought multiple opponents before, and knew there were certain advantages. The most important thing he had found was that if his opponents hadnt practised as a unit they tended to get in one anothers way.
He lunged and took the centre assailant under his guard, running him through. As he withdrew his blade, he leapt to his right and as he had hoped, the man on Jamess left stumbled into the dying man in the middle.
Yusufs sword suddenly slashed the air near Jamess head. He had recovered from the magic Jazhara had thrown at him and was now on Jamess right, his scimitar expertly slicing the air.
Great, James muttered. The spy has to be a master swordsman.
The two remaining thugs had regained their feet and were a danger, but Yusuf was the true threat. Jazhara! Keep those two off me, if you please.
Jazhara advanced and another burst of energy shot across the room, this time a red blast of lightning that caused the air to crackle as it struck the floor between James and the two guards. They quickly retreated as smoke began to rise from the wooden floor.
James didnt have time to appreciate the display, for Yusuf was proving a formidable opponent. It looked as if there would be almost no chance of keeping the Keshian spy alive, unless he got lucky. And given a choice, hed rather keep himself alive than spare Yusuf and die in the process.
James used every trick he knew, a lethal inventory of combinations and feints. Twice he came close to cutting the Keshian, but twice in turn Yusuf came close to ending the struggle, too.
James circled and the turn brought Jazhara and the other two thugs into view. One had left the magician and was coming to help his master finish off James, while the other approached the magician warily, as Jazhara stood ready with her iron-shod staff before her.
James didnt hesitate. He feigned a blow to Yusufs right hand, and as the Keshian moved to block, James spun to his own right, taking him away from the Keshian spy. Before Yusuf could recover, James was standing at his exposed left side, and all the merchant could manage was to fall away, avoiding a killing blow. This brought James right into the reach of the approaching guard, who lashed out high with his sword, a blow designed to decapitate the squire.
James ducked and thrust, running the man through. He then leapt to his right, knowing full well that Yusuf would be coming hard on his blind side. James hit the floor and rolled, feeling the scimitar slice the air above him. As he had hoped, Yusuf was momentarily slowed as he tried to avoid tripping over the falling corpse of his guard, and that afforded James enough time to regain his feet.
Off to one side, James could make out Jazhara and the other guard locked in combat. She wheeled the staff like an expert, taking his sword blows on hardened oak and lashing back with the iron tips. One good crack to the skull and the fight would be over, and both James and Jazharas opponent knew that.
Yusuf came in with his sword point low, circling to his right. James glimpsed bales of cloth and display racks to his own right and moved to counter Yusuf. The spy wanted Jamess back to possible obstructions, so he might cause the squire to trip.
James knew it was now just a matter of who made the first mistake. He had been in struggles like this before, and knew fear and fatigue were the enemies most to be avoided. Yusufs face was a study in concentration: he was probably thinking the same thoughts.
James paused as if weighing which way to move, inviting Yusuf into committing himself to an attack. Yusuf declined. He waited. Both men were breathing heavily.
James resisted the urge to glance to where Jazhara struggled to finish off her opponent, knowing that to do so would invite an attack. The two men stood poised, each ready for an opening, each waiting for the other to commit.
Then James had an inspiration. He intentionally glanced to the left, at Jazhara, seeing her block a blow from the guard; she took the tip of the staff inside the mans guard, and James saw her deliver a punching blow with the iron end of the staff to the mans middle. He heard the mans breath explode out of his lungs, but didnt see it, for at that precise moment, James spun blindly away to his left.
As he had expected, Yusuf had acted the moment Jamess eyes wandered, and as he had also suspected, the attack came off a combination of blade movements. A feint to the heart, which should have caused Jamess sword to lash up and out, to block the scimitar, followed by a looping drop of the tip of the scimitar to a low, inside stab, designed to impale James in the lower belly.
But James wasnt there. Rather than parry, he had spun to the left, and again found himself on Yusufs right hand. And rather than dance away, James closed. Yusuf hesitated for an instant, recognizing he was over-extended and needed to come back into a defensive posture. That was all James needed.
His rapier struck out and the point took Yusuf in the right side of his neck. With a sickening gurgling sound, the spy stiffened. Then his eyes rolled up and his knees gave way and he fell to the floor.
James pulled out his sword and turned to see Jazhara break the skull of the last guard.
The man went down and Jazhara retreated, glancing around to see if any threats remained. Seeing only James standing upright, she rested on her staff as she tried to catch her breath.
James walked to her and said, You all right?
She nodded. Im fine.
James then looked around the room. Bolts of cloth were overturned and had been sent every which way, and many were now stained with crimson.
Letting out a long breath, James said, What a mess.
CHAPTER TWO
Schemes
JAMES SHEATHED HIS SWORD.
Where did the children go?
Jazhara looked around, then glanced up the stairs. Ill look up there. You see if they are hiding in that office, she instructed, and pointed to the door at the rear of the shop.
James nodded, with a half-smile. No point in making an issue out of who was in charge, he thought, turning to comply with her instructions. She was, after all, a princess by birth. Then as he reached the door he wondered, does a court magician outrank a squire?
He opened the door, sword at the ready, in case someone else lurked within. He entered a small office at the centre of which stood a writing table. Two burning lamps lighted the room, and a large chest stood against the far wall. The chest was apparently unlocked, its hasp hanging open, but James had received too many harsh lessons about trusting appearances, and so he approached the chest with caution. He glanced first at the papers spread across the writing table and saw several in a Keshian script he recognized. Most of these were orders for dyed cloth. Other letters in the Kings Tongue were also business-related. Then he spied two documents in a script he did not know.
He was examining the chest for traps when Jazhara appeared in the doorway. Through clenched teeth she said, The dog had the children caged.
James turned and looked through the door and saw a dozen frightened children, ranging in age from five to ten, standing mute behind the magician. They were dressed in filthy rags, their faces streaked with grime. James let out a slow sigh. Poor children in Krondor were nothing unusual; he had been an urchin himself before becoming a thief. But systematic abuse of children was not part of normal Kingdom practices. What do we do with them?
James turned and looked through the door and saw a dozen frightened children, ranging in age from five to ten, standing mute behind the magician. They were dressed in filthy rags, their faces streaked with grime. James let out a slow sigh. Poor children in Krondor were nothing unusual; he had been an urchin himself before becoming a thief. But systematic abuse of children was not part of normal Kingdom practices. What do we do with them?
What was that place you spoke of earlier?
The Sign of the Yellow Shield. Its an orphanage established by the Princess and the Order of Dala.
One of the children drew back at mention of the place, and James remembered Nitas reaction. James called into the main room, You, boy, why does that frighten you?
The lad just shook his head, fear written across his face.
Jazhara put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. Its all right. No one will hurt you. Why are you frightened?
A girl behind the boy said, These men said they were from the Yellow Shield and if we came here theyd feed us.
James rose, left the office, pushed past Jazhara to where the nearest thug lay in a pool of blood. To an older boy he said, Run outside and find a city watchman. You should find one two streets over by the Inn of the Five Stars. Tell him Squire James requires two men here as soon as possible. Can you remember that?
The boy nodded and ran off, leaving the street door open behind him. James glanced after him and said, Well, if he doesnt head straight for a hideout somewhere, help should be here in a few minutes.
Jazhara watched as James turned the dead Keshian over and looted his purse. What are you looking for? she asked.
James held up a ring. This. He rose and handed it to her to examine.
She turned the ring over in her hand. It was a simple iron ring with a small painted yellow iron shield fastened to it. Those who serve the Order of Dala wear a ring similar to this. I suspect these men showed this to the children to lure them here, claiming they were taking them to the orphanage.
Jazhara glanced towards the children, several of whom nodded. That would explain why Nita was so adamant about not going there, she said.
James returned to the office and looked again at the closed chest. He hesitated, then opened it. Inside were more documents. He removed a few and asked, Jazhara, can you read these? They appear to be in a form of Keshian I dont understand.
Jazhara took the proffered documents and glanced at the topmost. I can read them, but its a desert script, from the area around Durbin, and not from the interior of Kesh.
James nodded. He could only read formal court Keshian. Jazharas eyes widened. Filthy traitor! Yusuf has been using my great-uncle and his resources, setting Kesh against your Prince, and your Prince against Kesh!
James looked perplexed. Finding out that Yusuf was a Keshian agent was hardly a shock. Discovering he was also betraying his master was. Why?
Jazhara held out a single page. To serve someone named the Crawler.
James rolled his eyes heavenward, but stayed silent. The Crawler had been a thorn in the side of both the Prince and the Mockers for months now and James was no closer to establishing his identity than he had been the day he had first heard his name. Hoping for some clue, he asked, What else does it say?
Jazhara finished reading the document, then looked at the next. This Crawler is someone of note, someone who rewarded Yusuf handsomely for his betrayal. There are references to payments already made of large amounts of gold and other considerations.
She hurried through several other documents, then came to one that caused her to stop and go pale. This cannot be she whispered.
What? asked James.
It is a warrant for my death should I choose not to serve Yusuf. It bears my great-uncles signature and seal.
She held it out with a shaking hand and James took it. He examined the paper closely then said, It isnt.
Isnt? she asked softly.
You said it cannot be and Im saying youre right. It isnt real. Its a forgery.
How can you be certain? she asked. Ive seen my great-uncles script and seal many times and this appears to be from his hand and ring.
James grinned. Its too flawless. I doubt that even your great-uncle could order the death of his favourite niece without some noticeable trembling in his hand. The letters are too perfect. I cant read the words, but I can see the handwriting and its a clever forgery. Besides, even if the handwriting displayed that slight agitation Id expect, there are two other reasons.
Which are? she asked as the sound of approaching footsteps reached them.
Your great-uncle would never be stupid enough to sign his own name to a death warrant on any Keshian noble, especially one in his own family. More to the point, weve seen a fair number of documents bearing his seal in the palace over the years and theres a tiny imperfection in his signet. James pointed. Look here. Where the long point of the star touches the bottom of the seal there should be a fine crack, as if the ring has a tiny fracture. This seal doesnt have it. The ring wasnt his.
Then why? asked Jazhara. As she spoke, a small company of the city watch appeared outside the door.
Because, said James, striding towards the door, if the new court mage in Krondor dies and someone in the Imperial Court starts casting around for someone to blame, who better than the head of the Keshian Intelligence Corps? Someone in the Empresss Palace might wish to see him removed and replaced with his own man.
The Crawler? asked Jazhara.
James turned and nodded.
Then he is someone of importance, she said. To threaten my great-uncle is to risk much. Only a man with his own power base within Kesh would dare this.
At the door, a guard of the watch said, One of these children came to us and we hurried here as quickly as we could, Squire. What can we do to help?
James replied, There are some bodies inside that need to be removed, but otherwise everythings under control. He glanced at the children who hovered around them in a circle, as if ready to bolt should the alarm go up. Youd better take charge of this lot before they scatter.
Where shall we take them?
James said, To the Shield of Dala Orphanage the Princess helped found, over by the Sea Gate. Last I heard they had plenty of beds and hot food.
Several children started to inch away, as if getting ready to flee. Jazhara crouched and reached out as if to gather the fearful children to her. She said, They are not like the men who have hurt you. There you will truly find food and warm beds.
Confronted otherwise with the prospect of a cold night with only stones to sleep upon and an empty belly, the children remained. The guard looked around. Well, then, if youre all right getting back to the palace without a guard, Squire, well get this bunch moving. Come along, children, he said, trying not to sound too gruff.
The children left with two of the guards while the remaining pair peered into the building. Well have these bodies gone by morning. What about the building? one of them asked.
James replied, Itll be looted five minutes after you leave, so Im going to poke around a little more and take anything important to the prince. Once were gone, get rid of the bodies and let whoever wanders by take what he wants. If the previous owner has any heirs, I would welcome them coming to the palace to complain.