Magician

by Raymond E. Feist

  Kasumi was speechless. He slowly reached out and took the King’s hand, as he had seen the other nobles do, and kissed the signet. To the King he said, “My lord King, my life and my honor do I pledge.”

  Lyam said, “My lord Vandros, do you accept Earl Kasumi as your vassal?”

  Vandros grinned. “Happily, Sire.”

  Kasumi rejoined Vandros, his eyes illuminated by pride. Brucal administered another hearty slap on the back.

  Several more offices were given, for there were vacancies from the intrigues of Rodric’s court and from deaths in the war. When it seemed all business was over, Lyam said, “Let Squire Pug of Crydee approach the throne.”

  Pug looked at Katala and Kulgan, surprised at being called “What . . . ?”

  Kulgan pushed him forward “Go and find out.”

  Pug came before Lyam and bowed. The King said, “What has been done was a private matter, between our father and this man. Now it is our wish all in our realm know that this man, once called Pug, the orphan of Crydee, has had his name inscribed upon the rolls of our family.” He held out his hand, and Pug knelt before him. Lyam presented his signet and then took Pug by the shoulders and bade him rise. “As it was our father’s wish, so it is ours. From this day let all in our Kingdom know this man is Pug conDoin, member of the King’s family.”

  Many in the hall were surprised by Pug’s adoption and elevation, but those who knew of his exploits cheered lustily as Lyam said, “Behold our cousin Pug, Prince of the Realm.”

  Katala ignored all propriety and ran forward to embrace her husband. Several of the eastern lords frowned, but Lyam laughed and kissed her upon the cheek.

  “Come!” Lyam cried. “It is now time for celebration. Let the dancers, musicians, and tumblers come forth. Let tables be brought and food and wine be placed upon them. Let merriment reign!”

  The festivities continued. Celebration had run unchecked throughout the afternoon. A herald next to the King’s table read messages to the King from those unable to attend, many nobles and the King of Queg, as well as monarchs of the small kingdoms of the eastern shores. Important merchants and Guildmasters from the Free Cities also sent congratulations. There were also messages from Aglaranna and Tomas, and from the dwarves of the West at Stone Mountain and the Grey Towers Old King Halfdan, ruler of the dwarves of the East in Dorgin, sent his best wishes, and even Great Kesh had sent greetings, with a request for more meetings to settle peacefully the issue of the Vale of Dreams. The message was personally signed by the Empress.

  Hearing the last message, Lyam said to Arutha, “For Kesh to have sent us a personal message in so short a time, the Empress must boast the most gifted spies in Midkemia. You’ll have to keep your wits about you in Krondor.”

  Arutha sighed, not happy at that prospect. Pug, Laurie, Meecham, Gardan, Kulgan, Fannon, and Kasumi all sat at the royal table. Lyam had insisted they join the royal family. The new Earl of LaMut still seemed in shock at his office, but his happiness was clearly showing, and even in this noisy hall the sound of his warriors outside singing Tsurani songs of celebration could be faintly heard. Pug mused over the discomfort that must be causing the royal porters and pages.

  Katala joined her husband, reporting their son napping, and Fantus as well, exhausted from play. Katala said to Kulgan, “I hope your pet will be able to withstand such constant aggravation.”

  Kulgan laughed. “Fantus thrives on the attention.”

  Pug said, “With all those rewards being passed out, Kulgan, I’m surprised there was no mention of you. You’ve given faithful service to the King’s family as long as anyone save Tully and Fannon.”

  Kulgan snorted. “Tully, Fannon, and I all met with Lyam yesterday, before we knew he was going to acknowledge Martin and throw the court into turmoil. He began to mumble something or another about offices and rewards and such, but we all begged off. When he began to protest, I told him I didn’t care what he did for Tully and Fannon, but if he tried to haul me up before all those people, I’d straightway turn him into a toad.”

  Anita, overhearing the exchange, laughed. “So it is true!”

  Pug, remembering the conversation he had with Anita in Krondor, so many years ago, joined in the merriment. He looked back on all that had occurred to him in the years since he had first chanced to come to Kulgan’s cottage in the forests, and reflected for a moment. After much risk and many conflicts he was safe with family and friends, with a great adventure, the building of the academy, yet to come. He wished that a few others—Hochopepa, Shimone, Kamatsu, Hokanu, as well as Almorella and Netoha—could share in his happiness. And he wished Ichindar and the Lords of the High Council could know the true reason for the betrayal on the day of peace. And most of all, he wished Tomas could have joined them.

  “So thoughtful, husband?”

  Pug snapped out of his mood and smiled “Beloved, I was thinking that in all things I am a most fortunate man.”

  His wife placed her hand upon his and returned his smile. Tully leaned across the table and inclined his head toward the other end, where Laurie sat enraptured by Carline, who was laughing at some witticism he had made. It was obvious she found him as charming as Pug had promised; in fact, she looked captivated. Pug said, “I think I recognize that expression on Carline’s face. I think Laurie may be in for some trouble.”

  Kasumi said, “Knowing friend Laurie, it is a trouble he will welcome.”

  Tully looked thoughtful. “There is a duchy at Bas-Tyra now in need of a duke, and he does seem a competent enough young man Hmmm.”

  Kulgan barked, “Enough! Haven’t you had your fill of pomp? Must you go marrying the poor lad off to the King’s sister so you can officiate in the palace again? Gods! They just met today!”

  Tully and Kulgan seemed about to launch into another of their famous debates when Martin cut them both off “Let us change the subject. My head is awhirl, and we don’t need your bickering.”

  Tully and Kulgan exchanged startled looks, then both smiled. As one they said, “Yes, my lord.”

  Martin groaned while those close by joined in the laughter. Martin shook his head. “This seems so strange, after so much fear and worry such a short time back. Why, I nearly chose to go with Amos—” He looked up. “Where is Amos?”

  Upon hearing the seaman’s name, Arutha also looked up from his conversation with Anita. “Where is that pirate?”

  Martin answered. “He said something about arranging for a ship. I thought he was only making light, but I haven’t seen him since the coronation.”

  Arutha said, “Arranging for a ship! The gods weep!” He stood and said, “With Your Majesty’s permission.”

  Lyam said, “Go and fetch him back. From all you have told me, he warrants some reward.”

  Martin stood and said, “I’ll ride with you.”

  Arutha smiled. “Gladly.”

  The two brothers hurried from the hall, making quick time to the courtyard. Porters and pages held horses for guests departing early. Arutha and Martin grabbed the first two in line, unceremoniously leaving two minor nobles without mounts. The two noblemen stood with mouths open, caught halfway between anger and amazement. “Your pardon, my lords,” shouted Arutha as he galloped his horse toward the gate.

  As they rode through the gates of the palace, across the arched bridge over the river Rillanon, Martin said, “He said he would sail at sundown!”

  “That gives us scant time!” shouted Arutha. Down winding streets they flew to the harbor.

  The city was thick with celebrants, and several times they had to slow to avoid harming those who crowded the streets. They reached the harborside and pulled up their mounts.

  A single guard sat as if sleeping before the entrance to the royal docks. Arutha jumped down from his horse and jostled the man. The guard’s helm fell from his head as he toppled over, slumping to the ground. Arutha checked him and said, “He’s alive, but he’ll have a head on him tomorrow.”

  Arutha remounted and they h
urried along Rillanon’s long dockside to the last wharf. Shouts from men in the rigging of a ship greeted them as they turned their horses toward the end of a long pier.

  A beautiful vessel was slowly moving away from the docks, and as they pulled up, Martin and Arutha could see Amos Trask standing upon the quarterdeck. He waved high above his head, still close enough so they could see his grinning face. “Ha! It seems all ends well!”

  Arutha and Martin dismounted as the distance between ship and pier slowly lengthened. “Amos!” shouted Arutha.

  Amos pointed at a distant building. “The boys who stood watch here are all in that warehouse. They’re a little bruised, but they’re alive.”

  “Amos! That’s the King’s ship!” yelled Arutha, waving for the ship to put back.

  Amos Trask laughed. “I thought the Royal Swallow a grand name. Well, tell your brother I’ll return it someday.”

  Martin began to laugh. Then Arutha joined in. “You pirate!” shouted the youngest brother. “I’ll have him give it to you.”

  With a deep cry of despair, Amos said, “Ah, Arutha, you take all the fun out of life!”