Softly the old man said, “Please, sir, a little food.”
“Can you pay?”
“I can fashion spells to rid your inn of vermin, should you be plagued by rats, sir. Perhaps—”
“Begone! I have no food for beggars or magicians. Get out! And if I find my milk clabbered, I’ll set my dogs upon you!”
The magician looked around. Laurie reached across the table and touched Kasumi upon the arm. His Tsurani heritage was betraying him, as he was showing open astonishment at what he saw. Before him stood a magician, being treated as shabbily as his clothes. Laurie’s touch caused him to regain his composure. The magician slowly turned and left the inn.
Laurie sprang up and crossed to the innkeeper. Slapping some coins on the table, he said, “Quick. A joint of cold meat, a loaf of bread, and a skin of wine.”
The innkeeper looked surprised, but the coins on the bar convinced him to do as ordered. When the items ordered were upon the bar, Laurie scooped them up. He paused a moment to grab a wedge of cheese off a platter and rushed out the door. Kasumi was as amazed as the innkeeper appeared to be.
Laurie looked down the road and saw the old man, his posture erect as he moved along with a staff in one hand, using it as a walking stick. He ran after the man and, when he had overtaken him, said, “Excuse me, but I was in the tavern a moment ago, and . . .” He held out the food and wineskin.
He saw pride diminish in the old man’s eyes. “Why are you doing this, minstrel?”
Laurie said, “I have a friend who is a magician, a special friend. He did me a great kindness once, and I . . . it’s something of a repayment.”
The magician accepted this explanation and took the food. While he struggled with the burden, Laurie slipped a pair of gems into the magician’s empty belt pouch. There would be enough there to insure the magician never had to go hungry again if he lived modestly. “What is this magician’s name; perhaps I know him?”
“Milamber.”
The old man shook his head. “I have not heard of him. Where does he abide?”
Laurie looked to the west, where the sun set behind the hills. With strong emotions in his voice, he said, “Far from here, my friend. Very far from here.”
The ship beat against the waves, while the crew reefed the sails Laurie and Kasumi stood on deck watching the spires and towers of Rillanon as the ship put into harbor. “A fabulous city,” said the former Tsurani officer. “Not as large as the cities of home, but so different. All those tiny fingers of stone and the colors of the banners make it look like a city of legend.”
“Strange,” said Laurie, “Pug and I felt the same when we first saw Jamar. I suppose it is simply that they’re so different from each other.”
They stood on the open deck, cool in the breezes, but still able to feel the warmth of the sun. Both were dressed in the finest clothing they could buy in Salador, for they wished to be presentable at court and knew they had little chance of being admitted to see the King should they look like simple vagabonds.
The ship’s captain ordered the last sails taken in, and the ship slid into place alongside the docks a few moments later. Ropes were thrown, to men waiting on the quay, and the vessel was quickly made fast.
As soon as they were able, the two travelers were down the gangway and making their way through the city Rillanon, the fabled and ancient capital of the Kingdom of the Isles, stood bedecked in colors, flashing brightly in the sunlight, but there was an undercurrent of tension in the atmosphere of the streets and markets. Everywhere they passed, people spoke in hushed tones, as if they feared someone might overhear them, and even the hawkers in the street stalls seemed to offer their wares halfheartedly.
It was nearly the noon hour, and without seeking rooms, they headed straight for the palace. When they reached the main gate, an officer in the purple and gold of the Royal Household Guard inquired their business.
Laurie said, “We bring messages of the greatest importance to the King, regarding the war.”
The officer considered. They were dressed well enough and didn’t appear to be the usual madmen with predictions of doom, or prophets of some nameless truth, but they were not officials of the court or army either. He decided on the course of action followed most often in the armies of all nations in all times: passing them along to a higher authority.
A guard escorted them to the office of an assistant to the Royal Chancellor. Here they were made to wait for a half hour before the assistant would see them. They entered the man’s office and were confronted by the Steward of the Royal Household, a self-important little man with a potbelly and a chronic wheeze when he spoke. “What business do you gentlemen have?” he inquired, making it clear that his estimation of them was provisional.
“We carry word to the King regarding the war,” Laurie answered.
“Oh?” he sniffed, “and why aren’t these documents or messages or whatever they are being delivered by the proper military pouch?”
Kasumi, obviously frustrated with the wait now that they were in the palace, said, “Let us speak with someone who can take us to the King.”
The Steward of the Royal Household looked outraged. “I am Baron Gray. I am the one to whom you will speak, man! And I have a good mind to have the guards toss you into the street. His Majesty cannot be bothered with every charlatan who tries to seek an audience. I am the one you must satisfy, and you have not.”
Kasumi stepped forward and gripped the man by the front of his tunic. “And I am Kasumi of the Shinzawai. My father is Kamatsu, Lord of the Shinzawai, and Warchief of the Kanazawai Clan. I will see your King!”
Lord Gray paled visibly. He frantically pulled at Kasumi’s hand and tried to speak. His shock at what he had just heard and what he felt at being handled this way raced within him. It all proved to be too much for him to speak. He nodded frantically until Kasumi released him.
Brushing at his tunic front, the man said, “The Royal Chancellor will be informed—at once.”
He walked to a door, and Laurie watched him in case he called for guards, thinking them madmen. Whatever else the man thought, Kasumi’s manner convinced him he was something quite different from anything heretofore seen. A messenger was sent, and in a few minutes an elderly man entered the room.
He simply said, “What is it?”
“Your Grace,” said the Steward, “I think you had best talk to these men and consider if His Majesty should see them.”
The man turned to study the two other men in the office. “I am Duke Caldric, the Royal Chancellor. What reason do you have to see His Majesty?”
Kasumi said, “I bring a message from the Emperor of Tsuranuanni.”
The king sat in a pavilion on a balcony overlooking the harbour. Below, a mountain river passed directly before the palace, part of the original defense design though no longer needed as a moat. Graceful bridges could be seen arching above it, carrying people from one side of the river to the other.
King Rodric sat, seemingly attentive to what Kasumi was saying. He toyed absently with a golden ball in his right hand, while Kasumi outlined in detail the Emperor’s message of peace.
Rodric was silent for a while after Kasumi finished, as if weighing what he had heard. Kasumi handed a sheaf of documents to Duke Caldric, then waited for the King’s answer. After another moment of silence Kasumi added, “The Emperor’s proposals are outlined in these parchments in detail, Your Majesty, should you wish to study them at your leisure. I will wait upon your convenience to carry your reply.”
Still Rodric was silent, and the courtiers gathered nearby looked at one another nervously Kasumi was about to speak again when the King said, “I am always amused when watching my little subjects hurrying about the city, like so many ants. I often wonder what they think, living out their simple little lives.” He turned to look at the two emissaries. “You know, I could order any one of them put to death. Just pick one out, from this very balcony, should I choose I could just say to my guards, ‘See that
fellow in the blue cap? Go hack his head off,’ and they would, you know. That’s because I’m King.”
Laurie felt a chill run up his back. This was worse than anything he had imagined. The King seemed not to have heard a single word spoken Kasumi said very quietly in the Tsurani language, “If we should fail, one of us must carry word back to my father.”
At this, the King’s head snapped up His eyes grew wide, and he spoke with a tremble in his voice “What is this?” His voice rose in pitch “I will have no one whispering!” His face took on a feral appearance “You know they are always whispering about me, the disloyal ones. But I know who they are, and I will see them on their knees before me, yes I will. That traitor Kerus was on his knees before I had him hanged. I would have hanged his family had they not fled to Kesh.” He then studied Kasumi. “You think to trick me with your strange story and these so-called documents. Any fool could see through your guise. You are spies!”
Duke Caldric looked pained and tried to calm the King. Several guards stood nearby, shifting their weight from foot to foot, uncomfortable at what they were hearing.
The King pushed the solicitous Duke away. His voice took on a near-hysterical tone “You are agents of that traitor Borric. He and my uncle were plotting to take my throne. But I stopped that. My uncle Erland is dead . . .” He paused for a moment, as if confused. “No, I mean he is ill. That is why my loyal Duke Guy was sent from Bas-Tyra to rule Krondor until my beloved uncle was well . . .” His eyes seemed to clear for a moment, then he said, “I am not feeling well Please excuse me I will speak to you again tomorrow.” He rose from his chair. After he had taken a step, he turned back to look at Laurie and Kasumi “What was it you wanted to see me about? Oh yes, peace. Yes, that is good. This war is a terrible thing. We must end it so that I can go back to my building. We must begin the building again.”
A page took the King’s arm and led him away. The Royal Chancellor said, “Follow me, and say nothing.”
He hurried them through the palace and led them to a room with two guards before the door. One guard opened the door for them, and they entered Inside they found a bedroom with two large beds and a table with chairs in the corner. The Chancellor said, “Your arrival is poorly timed. Our King is, as you no doubt can see, a sick man, and I fear that he will not recover. I hope he will be better able to understand your message tomorrow. Please stay here until you are sent for. A meal will be brought to you.”
He crossed over to the door, and before he left said, “Until tomorrow.”
A shout awoke them in the night. Laurie rose quickly and went to the window Peering through the curtains, he could see a figure on the balcony below. In his nightshirt, King Rodric stood sword in hand, poking into the bushes. Laurie opened the window as Kasumi joined him. From below they could hear the King’s cries: “Assassins! They have come!” Guards ran out and searched the bushes, while court pages led the shrieking monarch back to his room.
Kasumi said, “In truth, the gods have touched him. They must surely hate your nation.”
Laurie said, “I am afraid, friend Kasumi, that the gods have little to do with this. Right now I think we had best see to finding a way out of here. I have a feeling that His Royal Majesty is ill suited for the finer points of negotiating a peace. I think we had best make our way west and speak with Duke Borric.”
“Will he be able to stop the war, this Duke?”
Laurie crossed over to the chair upon which his clothing was draped. Picking up his tunic, he said, “I hope so. If the lords here can watch the King behave in such a manner and do nothing, then we will have civil war soon. Better to settle one war before beginning another.”
They dressed quickly Laurie said, “Let us hope we can find a ship putting out on the morning tide. If the King orders the port closed, we are trapped. It is a long swim.”
As they gathered up their belongings, the door opened and the Royal Chancellor entered. He stopped and saw them standing there, fully dressed. “Good,” he said, quickly closing the door. “You have as much sense as I had hoped you would. The King has ordered the spies put to death.”
Laurie was incredulous “He thinks us spies?”
Duke Caldric sat in one of the chairs by the table, fatigue clearly showing on his face. “Who knows what His Majesty is thinking, these days? There are a few of us who try to stay his more terrible impulses, but it becomes more and more difficult each day. There is a sickness in him that is terrible to watch. Years ago he was an impetuous man, it is true, but there was also a vision to his plans, a certain mad brilliance that could have made this the greatest nation in Midkemia.
“There are many in the court now who take advantage of him, using his fears to further their own designs. I am afraid that soon I will be branded traitor and join the others in death.”
Kasumi buckled on his sword. “Why stay, Your Grace? If this is true, why not come with us to Duke Borric?”
The Duke looked at the older son of the Shinzawai. “I am a noble of the Kingdom, and he is my King I must do whatever I can to keep him from harming the Kingdom, even if the price is my life, but I cannot raise arms against him, nor aid those who do. I don’t know how things are with your world, Tsurani, but here I must stay. He is my King.”
Kasumi nodded “I understand. In your place, I would do the same. You are a brave man, Duke Caldric.”
The Duke stood. “I am a tired man. The King has taken strong drink, from my hand. He will drink from no other, for he fears poison. I had the chirurgeon give him something for sleep. You should be out to sea when he awakens. I don’t know if he will remember your visit, but rest assured that someone will remind him within a day, or two at the outside So do not linger. Make straight for Lord Borric and tell him what has happened.”
Laurie said, “Is Prince Erland truly dead?”
“Yes. Word reached us a week ago His failing health could not withstand the cold dungeon. Borric is now heir to the throne. Rodric has never wed: his fear of others is too deep. The fate of the Kingdom rests with Borric Tell him so.”
They crossed to the door. Before the Duke opened it, he said, “Also tell him that it is likely I will be dead should he come to Rillanon. It will be a good thing, for I would have to stand against any who raised arms against the Royal Standard.”
Before Laurie or Kasumi could say anything, he opened the door. Two guards stood outside, and the Duke ordered them to escort Laurie and Kasumi to the docks. “The Royal Swallow is anchored in the harbour. Give this to the captain.” He held out a piece of paper to Laurie. “It is a royal warrant, commanding him to carry you to Salador.” He held out a second paper. “This is another, commanding any of the Armies of the Kingdom to aid your travel.”
They grasped each other by the hand, then the two emissaries followed the guards down the corridor. Laurie looked over his shoulder at Caldric as they left. The old Duke waited, stoop-shouldered and tired, his face lined by worry and sorrow, as well as fear. As they turned a corner, losing sight of the Duke, Laurie thought no price in the world would make him exchange places with that old man.
The horses were lathered. The riders whipped them up the hill. They were on the last leg of their journey to Lord Borric, begun over a month before, and the end was in sight. The Royal Swallow had sped them to Salador, where they had left at once for the West. They had slept little along the way, trading for fresh mounts or commandeering them, whenever possible, from horse patrols with the royal warrant given them by Caldric Laurie wasn’t sure, but he suspected they had covered the distance faster than it had ever been traveled before.
Several times since leaving Zun, they had been challenged by soldiers. Each time they had presented the Chancellor’s warrant and were passed through. Now they approached the Duke’s camp.
The Tsurani Warlord had unleashed his major offensive. The Kingdom forces had held for a week, then collapsed, when ten thousand fresh Tsurani soldiers had come pouring through their lines, tipping the balance. The fighting had
been bitter then, a raging, running battle lasting three days, before the Kingdom army was finally routed. When it was over, a large portion of the front had fallen, and the Tsurani had thrown up a salient out of the North Pass.
Now the elves and dwarves, as well as the castles of the Far Coast, were cut off from the main force of the Kingdom army. There was no communication of any sort, for the pigeons used to carry messages had been destroyed when the old camp had been overrun. The fate of the other fronts was unknown.
The Armies of the West were regrouping, and it took Laurie and Kasumi some time to find the headquarters camp. As they rode up to the command pavilion, they saw signs of bitter defeat on every side. It was the worst setback of the war for the Kingdom. Everywhere they looked they saw wounded or sick men, and those who showed no wounds had the look of despair.
A guard sergeant inspected their warrant and sent a guard with them to show them where the Duke’s tent stood. They reached the large command tent, and a lackey took their mounts from them as the guard went inside. A moment later a tall young man, blond-bearded and wearing the tabard of Crydee, came out. Behind him appeared a stout man with a grey beard—a magician by his garb—and another man, large, with a ragged scar down his face. Laurie wondered if they might be old friends Pug had spoken of, but quickly focused his attention on the young officer, who stopped before him. “I bring a message to Lord Borric.”
The young man smiled a bitter smile, then said, “You may give me the message, sir. I am Lyam, his son.”
Laurie said, “I mean no disrespect, Highness, but I must speak with the Duke in person. So I was instructed by Duke Caldric.”
At mention of the Royal Chancellor’s name, Lyam exchanged glances with his companions, then held aside the tent flap. Laurie and Kasumi entered, the others following. Inside, there was a small brazier burning and a large table with maps upon it. Lyam led them to another section of the huge tent, curtained off from the rest. He pulled back the hanging, and they saw a man lying upon a sleeping pallet.
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