Seeing the reaction. Sergeant Obregon said, Pardon, Highness, Id meant to strike the uninjured side.
Erlands voice was a bare whisper as he gasped, How very kind of you.
Borric shook his head to clear his thoughts, then quickly rolled backwards and came to his feet, ready to fight. So then, theres a point to this iteration on our familys lack of a Royal Prince?
Actually, so, agreed James. With no male issue, the Prince of Krondor still is Heir.
Erlands voice returned in a strangled gasp. The Prince of Krondor is always Royal Heir.
And your father is Prince of Krondor, interjected Locklear.
With a clever feint with his left, Borric drove his right into the jaw of Sergeant Palmer and momentarily staggered the older man. Another blow to the body and the boxer was retreating. Borric grew confident and stepped in to deliver a finishing blow, and abruptly the world turned upside down.
Borrics vision turned yellow then red for a long while, and while he hung in space, the floor came up to strike him in the back of the head. Then blackness crowded in at the edge of his vision and he saw a ring of faces looking down a deep well at him. They seemed friendly faces, and he thought he might know who they were, but he didnt feel any need to worry on it, as he was so very comfortable sinking into the cool, dark of the well. Staring past the faces, he absently wondered if any of them might know who the artists of the frescos above might be.
As his eyes rolled up into his head, William upended a small bucket over Borrics face. The elder twin came back to consciousness sputtering and spitting water.
Baron James was upon one knee and helped the Prince sit upright. Are you still with me?
Borric shook his head and his eyes focused. I think so, he managed to gasp.
Good. For if your father is still Heir to the throne, you royal infant, he slapped Borric on the back of the head to emphasize what came next, then you are still Heir Presumptive.
Borric turned to study Jamess face. The point of Jamess message was still lost on the young Prince. So?
So, ninny, as it is unlikely that our good King your uncle will father any sons at this stage in his life, given the Queens age, should Arutha survive him, he will become King. Reaching out to aid Borric to his feet, he added, And as the Goddess of Luck would have it, he slapped Borric playfully on the side of the face, you almost certainly will outlive your father, which means that someday, you shall be King.
May heaven forefend, interjected Locklear.
Borric looked around the room. The two Sergeants had stepped back, as the pretence of a boxing lesson was forgotten. King?
Yes, you stone-crowned dolt, said Locklear. If were still alive, well have to kneel before you and pretend you know what youre doing.
So, continued James, your father has decided that its time for you to stop behaving like the spoiled child of a rich cattle merchant and start acting like a future King of the Isles.
Erland came to stand beside his brother, leaning upon him slightly. So why not just simply he winced as he moved the wrong way, straining his re-injured side tell us whats going on?
James said, I convinced your father the lesson needed to be emphasized. He studied the two Princes. Youve been educated, taught by the best instructors your father could employ. You speak what six, seven languages? You can calculate like engineers at a siege. You can discourse on the teachings of the ancients. You have music and painting skills, and you know the etiquette of the court. You are skilled swordsmen and, he glanced at the two boxers, you are somewhat gifted students of fisticuffs. He stepped away. But during the nineteen years since your birth youve never given any indication that youre anything other than spoiled, self-indulgent children. Not Princes of the realm! His voice rose and his tone turned angry. And when were done with you, youll be performing the role of a Crown Prince instead of a spoiled child.
Borric stood crestfallen. Spoiled child?
Erland grinned at his brothers discomfort. Well, thats it, then, isnt it? Borric shall have to mend his ways, and you and Father will be happy.
Jamess wicked grin turned on Erland. As will you, my lovely! For if this child of a foolish and capricious nature should go and get his throat cut by the angry husband of a Keshian court lady, its you wholl wear the conDoin crown in Rillanon someday. And should he not, youll still be heir until the unlikely event of your brother becoming a father. Even then, youll most likely end up a duke somewhere. Letting his voice drop a bit, he said, So both of you must begin to learn your office.
Borric said, Yes, I know. First thing tomorrow. Come, lets get some rest. Borric looked down and discovered a restraining hand upon his chest.
Not so fast, said James. You havent finished your lesson.
Ah, Uncle Jimmy began Erland.
Youve made your point, said Borric, simmering anger in his voice.
I think not, answered the Baron. Youre still a pair of rude sods. Turning to the two Sergeants, he said, If you please, continue.
Baron James signalled for Locklear to accompany him as he quickly left the two young Princes readying themselves for a professionally administered beating. As the two nobles left the court, James motioned to Lieutenant William. When theyve had enough, get them to their quarters. Let them rest and see they eat, then ensure that they are up and ready to see His Highness by midafternoon.
William saluted and turned to watch as both Princes tumbled to the canvas mat again. He shook his head. This wasnt going to be a pretty sight.
CHAPTER TWO
Accusation
THE BOY CRIED OUT.
Borric and Erland watched from the window of their parents private chamber as Swordmaster Sheldon pressed his attack on young Prince Nicholas. The boy shouted again in eager excitement as he executed a clever parry and counterthrust. The Swordmaster retreated.
Borric scratched at his cheek as he observed, The boy can scamper about, for certain. The angry bruise from the mornings boxing practice was darkening.
Erland agreed. Hes inherited Fathers skills with a blade. And he manages to do right well despite his bad leg.
Borric and Erland both turned as the door opened and their mother entered. Anita waved her ladies in waiting to the far corner of the room, where they commenced to discuss quietly whichever current piece of gossip was judged most interesting. The Princess of Krondor came to stand between her sons and peered through the window as a joyous Nicholas was lured into an overbalanced extension and found himself suddenly disarmed.
No, Nicky! You should have seen it coming, shouted Erland, though the glass window prevented his words from reaching his younger brother.
Anita laughed. He tries so hard.
Borric shrugged as they turned away. Still, he does well enough for a boy. Not much worse than when we were his age.
No, Nicky! You should have seen it coming, shouted Erland, though the glass window prevented his words from reaching his younger brother.
Anita laughed. He tries so hard.
Borric shrugged as they turned away. Still, he does well enough for a boy. Not much worse than when we were his age.
Erland agreed. The monkey.
Suddenly his mother turned on him and slapped him hard across the face. Instantly, the women in the other corner of the room ceased their whispers and stared in wide-eyed amazement at their Princess. Borric looked at his brother whose astonishment matched his own. Not once in the nineteen years of their lives had their mother raised a hand to either boy. Erland was more stunned by the act than any pain from the slap. Anitas green eyes revealed a mixture of anger and regret. Never talk that way about your brother again. Her tone left no room for argument. You have mocked him and caused him more pain than all the unkind whispers among the nobles together. He is a good boy and he loves you, and all you have for him is ridicule and torment. Your first day back in the palace and within five minutes of speaking with you he was in tears again.
Arutha was right. Ive let you go unpunished for your trespasses too long. She turned as if to leave.
Borric, seeking to rescue his brother and himself from the embarrassment of the moment said, Ah, Mother. You did send for us? Was there something else you wanted to discuss?
Anita said, I didnt send for you.
I did.
The boys turned to see their father standing quietly at the small door that opened between his study and the family room, as Anita called his part of the royal apartment. The brothers glanced at one another and knew their father had been observing long enough to have witnessed the exchange between mother and sons.
After a long silence, Arutha said, If youll excuse us, I would have a private word with our sons.
Anita nodded and indicated to her ladies they should come with her. Quickly the room emptied, leaving Arutha with his sons. When the door was closed, Arutha said, Are you all right?
Erland made a display of stiff muscles and said, Well, enough, Father, given the instructions we received this morning. He indicated his tender side was not further injured.
Arutha frowned and shook his head slightly. I asked Jimmy not to tell me what he had in mind. He smiled a crooked smile. I just requested he somehow impress upon you that there are serious consequences to not doing what is required of you.
Erland nodded. Borric said, Well, it is not entirely unexpected. You did order us directly home and we did stop to play a bit before coming to the palace.
Play Arutha said, his eyes searching his eldest sons face. Im afraid there will be little time for play in the future.
He motioned for the boys to approach and they came to him. He turned back into his study and they followed as he moved past his large writing table. Behind it was a special alcove, hidden by a clever locked stone, which he opened. He withdrew a parchment bearing the royal family crest and handed it to Borric. Read the third paragraph.
Borric read and his eyes widened. This is sad news, indeed.
Erland said, What is it?
A message from Lyam, Arutha said.
Borric handed it to his brother. The royal chirurgeons and priests are certain the Queen will have no more children. There will not be a Royal Heir in Rillanon.
Arutha moved to a door at the back of the royal chambers and said, Come with me.
He opened the door and moved up a flight of stairs. His sons followed quickly after, and soon all three stood on the top of an old tower, near the centre of the royal palace, overlooking the city of Krondor. Arutha spoke without looking to see if his sons had followed.
When I was about your age, I used to stand upon the parapets of the barbican of my fathers castle. I would look down over the town of Crydee and the harbour beyond. Such a small place, but so large in my memory.
He glanced at Borric and Erland. Your grandfather did much the same when he was a boy, or so our old swordmaster, Fannon, once told me. Arutha spent a moment lost in memory. I was about your age when command of the garrison fell to me, boys. Both sons had heard tales of the Riftwar and their fathers part in it, but this wasnt the same sort of old story they had heard swapped by their father and their uncle, Laurie, or Admiral Trask over dinner.
Arutha turned and sat in one of the merlons and said, I never wanted to be Prince of Krondor, Borric. Erland moved to sit in the merlon next to his father, as he sensed that Aruthas words were more for his older brother than himself. They had both heard often enough that their father had no wish to rule. When I was a boy, Arutha continued, I had no larger desire than to serve as a soldier, perhaps with the border lords.
It wasnt until I met the old Baron Highcastle that I realized that boyhood dreams are often with us as adults. They are difficult to be shed of, and yet, to see things as they really are, we must lose that childs eye view of things.
He scanned the horizon. Their father had always been a direct man, given to direct speech and never at a loss for words to express himself. But he was obviously having difficulty saying what was on his mind. Borric, when you were much younger, what did you think your life would be like now?
Borric glanced over at Erland, then back at his father. A light breeze sprang up and his thick, ill-cut mane of reddish brown hair blew about his face. I never gave it much thought. Father.
Arutha sighed. I think I have made a terrible mistake in the manner in which you were raised. When you were both very tiny you were very mischievous and upon one occasion you really upset me. It was a little thing, a spilled inkwell, but a long parchment was ruined and a scribes work for a day was lost. I swatted you upon the bottom, Borric. The elder brother grinned at the image. Arutha did not return the grin. That day Anita made me promise that never again would I touch either one of you in anger. By doing so, I think I have coddled and ill-prepared you for the lives you are to lead.
Erland couldnt help feeling embarrassed. Theyd been scolded often enough over the years, but rarely punished and, before this morning, never physically.
Arutha nodded. You and I have little in common in the manner in which we were raised. Your uncle the King felt our fathers leather belt on more than one occasion when he was caught. I only took one beating as a boy. I quickly learned that when Father gave an order, he expected it to be obeyed without question. Arutha sighed, and in that sound both boys heard uncertainty from their father for the first time in their lives. We all assumed Prince Randolph would be King someday. When he drowned, we assumed Lyam would have another son. Even as daughters arrived and the prospects for a Royal Heir in Rillanon lessened with the passing years, we still never considered that someday you he put his finger on Borrics chest would be ruler of this nation.
He looked over at his other son and in an uncharacteristic gesture, reached out and placed his hand over Erlands. I am not given to speaking of strong feelings, but you are my sons and I love you both, though you try my patience to distraction.
Both sons were suddenly uncomfortable with this atypical revelation. They loved their father but, like him, were discomforted by any attempt to express such feelings openly. We understand, was all Borric could manage.