When court was over and the company dismissed, Arutha rose from his throne and turned to Jazhara. Are you settled in?
Yes, Highness, she answered. My baggage was delivered to the palace this morning and all is well.
Are your quarters adequate?
She smiled. Very, Highness. Master Kulgan told me what to expect, and I believe he was having some fun with me, as they are far more commodious than I had expected.
Arutha smiled slightly. Kulgan always possessed a dry sense of humour. Motioning for James, he said, Squire James will conduct your tour of Krondor today, and should you need anything, he will ensure you get it.
Thank you, Highness. With a grin, James said, As you know, we had a bit of a tour last night, Highness.
Arutha said, I saw the documents this morning. To Jazhara and James he said, But first, you two, in my office, please.
Brion hurried to open the door and Arutha led Jazhara and James into his private office. As he was about to step through, Arutha said, Squire Brion, see what Master de Lacy has for the squires this morning.
Sire. Brion bowed and departed.
Arutha sat. Jazhara, allow me to begin by saying that had I a moments concern regarding your loyalty to our court, you would not be standing here.
Jazhara inclined her head and said, Understood, Highness.
James, as soon as possible, please familiarize our young magician with everything we know so far about the Crawler. That will require, I suspect, a fair amount of personal history, since his confrontation with the Mockers is significant in understanding his motives. Be frank. I have the impression this young lady doesnt shock easily.
Jazhara smiled.
Arutha fixed a solemn gaze on both of them. This Crawler has had his hand in no small amount of mischief over the last year or so. He was indirectly involved in one of the more threatening attacks on our sovereignty and created a situation that put a great strain on our relationships with a neighbouring nation to the east. The more difficult he is to find, the more I worry about him. Addressing James he said, Be thorough. You neednt return to the palace, unless I send for you, until you feel Jazhara has seen all she needs to see.
James bowed. I will be thorough, Highness.
Jazhara bowed as well and followed James out of the Princes office into a side corridor, where James asked, Where to first, my lady?
Jazhara said, My quarters. Im not traipsing around Krondor in this gown. And I feel only partially dressed if I dont have my staff in my hand.
James smiled. Your quarters it is.
As they walked through the palace, Jazhara said, I havent seen William yet. Is he avoiding me?
James looked at her. Frank, indeed, he thought. He said, Probably not. While hes a royal cousin, hes also a junior officer and has many duties. If we dont run into him during our travels, I know where well be able to find him this evening.
Jazhara said, Good. We need to talk, and Id rather that occurred sooner than later.
James noticed she was no longer smiling.
CHAPTER THREE
Vow
THE WATCHMAN SALUTED.
James returned the acknowledgement, while Jazhara took in the sights of Krondor. She was wearing her travel garb once more. She carried her iron-shod staff, and her hair was tied back. She looked businesslike. James found it interesting to contrast how she looked now, and how she had appeared at court earlier that morning. Two very different women
They had begun early in the day, visiting the shops and markets of what people commonly referred to as the Rich Quarter of the city, a place in which shops displayed items of great beauty and price to buyers of means. Jazhara had lingered at several shops, much to Jamess chagrin, for he had never enjoyed the pastime of looking at goods he had no interest in buying. He had several times been assigned to the Princesss shopping expeditions, mostly to keep Elena out from under her mothers feet as much as to guard Aruthas wife. It was perhaps the only time in his life when he hadnt particularly enjoyed the Princesss company.
James had then taken Jazhara through the so-called Merchants Quarter, where the traders and captains of commerce had their places of business. The centre of this district was dominated by a coffeehouse. They had paused to enjoy a cup of the Keshian brew, which Jazhara pronounced as fine as any she had tasted at home. This had brought a smile from their server, a young man named Timothy Barret, the youngest son of the owner. Businessmen flocked to Barrets to conduct business, mainly the underwriting of cargo ships and caravans.
After leaving the Merchants Quarter, they had visited one working-class district after another. It was now past sundown and the evening watch was making its rounds. Perhaps we should return to the palace? James suggested.
Theres still a great deal of the city to be seen, yes?
James nodded. But Im not certain youd care to spend time there after dark.
The Poor Quarter?
Yes, and the docks and Fishtown. They can be pretty rough even during the day.
I think I have shown I am capable of taking care of myself, James.
Agreed, but I find it best to keep the opportunity for trouble to a minimum; it has a habit of finding me anyway.
She laughed. Perhaps more tomorrow, then. But what about William? You said he would likely be off-duty this evening.
James pointed to a side street. Lets cut down there. William is almost certainly at the Rainbow Parrot.
A soldiers tavern?
James shrugged. Not particularly, though many of Lucass patrons are old friends who served with him in the Riftwar. No, its just the place William prefers to frequent.
Jazhara glanced sidelong at James. A girl?
James felt himself flush and decided a simple, direct answer was appropriate. Yes. William has been seeing Talia, Lucass daughter, for several weeks now.
Good, said Jazhara. I feared he was still
As she paused, James supplied, In love with you?
Without looking at James she said, Infatuated, I think, is a better word. I made a mistake and
Look, its none of my business, James said. So if you dont want to talk about it, fine.
No, I want you to know something. She stopped and he turned to look at her. Because youre his friend, I think.
I am, said James. James had been something of a mentor to William since he had arrived at Krondor.
And I would like for us to be friends, as well.
James nodded. I would like that too.
So, you know, then, that William was a boy who followed me around for years once he was old enough to become interested in women. I was a few years older and to me he seemed an eager puppy, nothing more. She paused and stared down at the street, as if recalling something difficult to recount. James, too, stood still. I became involved with an older man, one of my teachers. It was not a wise thing to do. He was Keshian, as I was, and he shared many of the beliefs I do on magic and its uses. We drifted into a relationship without too much effort.
And I would like for us to be friends, as well.
James nodded. I would like that too.
So, you know, then, that William was a boy who followed me around for years once he was old enough to become interested in women. I was a few years older and to me he seemed an eager puppy, nothing more. She paused and stared down at the street, as if recalling something difficult to recount. James, too, stood still. I became involved with an older man, one of my teachers. It was not a wise thing to do. He was Keshian, as I was, and he shared many of the beliefs I do on magic and its uses. We drifted into a relationship without too much effort.
Our affair became awkward, for my family would not have approved of any such liaison, and rather than dictate to me, my great-uncle got word to my lover that he was to cease his involvement with me. She began to walk slowly again, as if it helped her form her thoughts. James accompanied her. He rejected me, and left Stardock, returning to the Empire.
And to a small reward, Im sure.
At the least. Perhaps it was nothing more than wanting to spare me a confrontation with my own father or perhaps he was afraid my great-uncles reach can be very long, even into a place such as Stardock.
And? James prompted.
William was there. I was hurt and frightened and alone and William was there. She looked at James. Hes a lovely young man, honourable and kind, strong and passionate, and I felt abandoned. He helped me. Her voice trailed off.
James shrugged. But what?
But after a while I realized it was as wrong for me to be his lover as it had been for my teacher to be mine. William was the son of the duke, and had another destiny before him and I was using him.
James suppressed the quip that almost sprang to his lips about it not being a bad way to be used, and said instead, Well, he wanted I mean
Yes, but I was older and should have seen the problems to come. So I broke off our affair. I fear I may have tipped the balance in his decision to leave Stardock and come to Krondor.
They turned into a street and headed towards an inn displaying a large parrot with rainbow-coloured feathers on a sign over the door. Well, Ive known Will for a bit now, and I think you can put aside that concern, James said at last. He was set on becoming a soldier, one way or another, all his life, from what hes told me.
Jazhara was about to reply, but before she knew it, James was drawing his sword and saying, Guard yourself!
She brought her staff to the ready and hurried after him. She saw that the door to the inn was partially open and that there was a dead soldier lying before it; and now she could hear the sound of fighting coming from within.
James kicked the door wide and leapt through, Jazhara behind him, staff at the ready. A scene of carnage greeted them. Two armed men lay dead on the ground, mercenaries judging by their dress. Several bar patrons also lay dead amidst the broken furniture. A young woman lay near the fireplace, blood pooling about her head.
In the corner William conDoin, cousin by adoption to the Royal House of Krondor and Lieutenant in the Princes Household Guard, stood ready with his large sword held two-handed before him. Three men advanced on him.
William, seeing the newcomers, James! Jazhara! Help me! Talias been hurt!
One of the men turned to engage the squire. The other two attacked William, who barely had room to deflect both strikes with his larger sword. A devastating weapon in the field, the hand-and-a-half or bastard sword was a liability at close quarters.
Jazhara lifted her hand and a nimbus of crimson light erupted around it. She cast it at the closest of Williams opponents and watched as the light harmlessly struck the ground near his feet. Damn, she muttered. She hefted her staff and stepped forward, levelling a jab with the iron base at the side of the mans head.
The intruder sensed or saw with his peripheral vision the attack and ducked aside. Whirling to face his new foe, he made a wicked slashing attack at Jazhara, causing her to fall back.
But she had freed William to concentrate on one foe only, and he quickly killed his man. James also dispatched his opponent, then used his sword hilt to strike Jazharas attacker at the base of the skull. Rather than stun the man, it served only to distract him, and he turned as Jazhara lashed out again with her staff. The sound of breaking bones was unmistakable as the iron heel of the staff crushed the back of the mans head.
James looked around the room and said, What black murder is this?
William had thrown down his sword and was kneeling beside Talia, cradling her head in his lap. The girls face was pale and her life flowed out by the second. Oh, William she whispered, Help me.
William looked down despairingly. He glanced at James, who shook his head slightly, regret clearly showing in his expression. William then looked at Jazhara and entreated, You were one of my fathers finest students. Can you perform a healing?
Jazhara knelt beside the young soldier and whispered, Im sorry, William. Her wounds are too severe. Even if we were to send for a priest it would be too late.
James knelt on the other side of the girl. Talia, who did this?
Talia looked up at James. They were after Father. I dont know who they were. The leader was a huge bear of a man. She coughed and blood trickled from her mouth, staining her lips. He hurt me, William. He really hurt me.
Tears streamed down Williams cheeks. Oh, Talia, Im sorry
Suddenly the girls distress seemed to ease. James had seen this before in those on the verge of death. For a moment their eyes brightened, as if the pain had vanished, as if the dying stood upon the threshold of entering Lims-Kragmas Hall. At this moment, they saw clearly in both worlds. Talia whispered, Dont worry, William. I swear by Kahooli, I will have my vengeance!
Then her head lolled to one side.
No Talia! William sobbed. For a moment he held her, and then slowly he placed her on the floor, and gently closed her eyes. At last, he rose and declared, They must pay for this, James. Im going after them.
James looked towards the doorway of the inn. If the intruders had been seeking Talias father Lucas, that was the way the old man would have bolted. He said, Wait, William. The Prince will have my head if I let you go off alone. Youll have your revenge and well be there beside you. Now, tell us what happened.
William hesitated a moment then said, Right. Martin and I had just ended our shift. We headed over here for a drink, just like always, and thats when we saw them run out of the building. Half a dozen of them, with that big bastard leading them. Martin tried to halt them, and they attacked us without so much as a word. If you hadnt come along, Id no doubt be lying alongside Martin. He gestured towards the dead soldier.
James inspected the carnage. In addition to Talia, they had slaughtered everyone else in the inn. The other barmaid, Susan de Bennet, lay sprawled on the floor in the corner, her head severed completely from her body with what looked to have been a single blow. Her red tresses fanned out around her head, which lay a foot away from her body, her blue eyes still wide in shocked amazement. The other patrons were likewise hacked to pieces.
Why? asked James. Why charge in and kill everyone in sight? He looked at William. Did the big man go after Lucas?