Part 2 (2/2)
The column rode toward the city
Krondor was backlit by a late afternoon sun, dark towers rising against a lemon-yellow sky In the east, distant clouds turned rose and orange against a blue that seeuard tightened up as they entered the southernate, the one closest to the palace and barracks Traffic in the area was norons into the city, while far their homeward journey
James pointed ”Not much of a welcome, is it?”
Locklear saw that a few curious onlookers were turning to watch the approaching coh the palace district Otherwise they were ignored by the citizenry, as they had been since entering the outer reaches of Krondor ”I guess Arutha didn't send ould arrive today”
”No, there's so away as curiosity took hold of him
Locklear looked at the faces of those on the street who stood aside to let the Prince's coht, Jadom of the Isles was never silent Even at the darkest hours before sunrise, sounds could be heard from all quarters There was a pulse to any city, and Krondor had one that was as well known to James as his own heartbeat He could listen to its rhyth So It was less than an hour before sundown, yet the city was far more subdued than it should be It was less than an hour before sundown, yet the city was far more subdued than it should be
Locklear listened and knehat it was Ja a little more softly than usual A shout fro too long in the air and attract notice A mother's command for a child to co warning rather than a top-of-the-voice shriek
”What do you think is going on?” asked Locklear
Just ahead, Arutha spoke quietly to the two squires without looking back ”We should find out in afor theate In the forefront was Princess Anita, her s her husband unhare and athered up under a hite hat, looking ht Ja else But it was the current fashi+on, and one did not make jests at the expense of the Princess, especially not when her second smile was directed at you
Ja smile and basked for a moment in its warmth His boyhood infatuation with Anita hadaffection, and while she was too young to be viewed as his surrogate ate older sister with ease and humor And it was clear to all who knew theer brother she never had It went so far as the Princess's children calling Jaht stood twin boys, the Princes Borric and Erland, jostling with one another, as if it were impossible for the two nine-year-olds to remain at rest even for a ent, Ja the dom, but at present they were si to act the part of Princes and anxious to be off about whatever mischief they could find Directly before her er than the boys Her features were as fine as herwas her father's, dark and intense She bea at the head of his Household Guard Succu to impulse, she pointed and said, ”There's Daddy!”
Arutha held up his hand and ordered a halt Without waiting for official greetings from the Master of Ceremonies, he ju his wife, he then turned his attention to his sons and daughter
Jauards and whispered to Locklear, ”Willie's on duty”
Willia soon-to-be officer who presently was learning his trade He exchanged glances with Jaiven for the company to fall out, and James and Locklear dismounted Grooms hurried over and took away the tired mounts
Their duty required the squires to wait upon their Prince's need, so they ifted the young , then turned her attention to Arutha ”I know I shouldn't worry I know you'll always come back to me”
Arutha's smile was both happy and tired ”Always”
A small knot of court officials stood silently behind the royal fas He saw by their expressions that he would be needed in council before he would be per visit with his fahed That could only rave problems in Krondor, for the sheriff, while an important officer in the city, wasn't properly aat Gardan, he said, ”Marshal, see what the sheriff and the others want, and meet me in my private council chamber in a half hour I will have this road-dirt off before I sit down to another ” He smiled at Anita ”And I'll steal a few minutes to speak with my wife and children” He leaned over and kissed Anita on the cheek and said, ”Take the children to our apart in a minute, dearest”
Anita herded the children away, and Arutha motioned to Ja over at the palace guard, he added, ”Young Williao find out what's on hisa different version of the sa warrants so around in the city, do it, and be back no later than the end of the evening meal” Then he looked James in the eyes and said, You knohat you must do”
James nodded As he led Locklear away, Locklear said, ”What does that mean?”
”What?”
” 'You knohat youArutha and I have been working on since you were sent north to Tyr-Sog for”
”I knohy I was banished to Tyr-Sog,” Locklear said in a tired voice 'Too well,” he added, considering his imminent return to that cold and lonely town on the northern frontier
Jae of the trainees, who stood to attention as he shouted, ”Members of the court!”
The cadets were already at attention, but they seemed to stiffen a bit reeting to Swordmaster McWirth ”How are the cadets this afternoon, swordmaster?”
”A worthless lot, squire, but one or two of them may survive to actually be allowed to serve as an officer in my army! in iven that he and the swordmaster had little affection for one another As aman was not technically part of the army, and trained eapons with the Prince; in fact, Ja partner as he was one of the few in the city as fast as Arutha with a blade As a squire, he also carried soe of soldiers who had trained under the swordht Jah in his job and the officers he turned out, especially those ere chosen for the elite Royal Household Guards, were fine soldiers, to a man In his travels, James had seen the worst of the army as well as the best, and he had no doubt these were the a the best in the Western Realm
”I need to speak to the Prince's cousin when you're done with him, swordmaster”
The dour old soldier fixed Jaaze for an instant, and one more time James was thankful he never had to endure the swordmaster's supervision McWirth turned and shouted, ”Dismissed! Cadet William, over here!”
William came to stand before the swordmaster, while the other cadets headed back toward their quarters, and said, ”Sir!”
”Member of the court desires your company, it seems” He smiled at James and Locklear and said, ”Good day to you, squires”
The other cadets hurried off to their duties and McWirth said, ”And when you're done, I expect you to catch up with the rest of the cadets, else you'll be tending your equip mess, is that clear?”
”Sir!” replied William with a salute The old swordmaster stalked off and William approached Locklear and James
James asked, ”What's the news?”
”Lots,” said Williah taller than his father, with dark brown hair and eyes The boyish cast to his features had faded in the months since he had come to serve in the Prince's army and his shoulders had broadened He was lethally effective with the two-handed sword, a difficult weapon for most soldiers to master, and his horsemanshi+p was considered exceptional ”I'ratulations,” said Locklear ”I'ain?”
Jahed ”Still Arutha appreciated his reasons for returning without leave, but decided it didn't warrant an early reprieve fro, Locklear said, ”I depart for Tyr-Sog again, to's funny in the city What do you hear, Willie?”
Only Arutha's family, James, and Locklear called William by that nickname, a fas They keep us cadets busy and we don't get to arrison e're not training, but you do hear this and that Seeh nu up dead this last week”
Ja for the Prince”
Locklear said, ”He doesn't usually do that sort of thing, now that you ht a moment He had crossed paths with Sheriff Wilfred Means on more than one occasion when James had plied his trade as a thief A few tiuest in the Old Town Jail The sheriff acknowledged James as the Prince's squire and treated him with the respect due his office; their relationshi+p was a cold one at best Jaer Wilfred Means glaring up at James as he bolted over the rooftops of the city, the then constable's ginger-colored e at the boy's escape
But the sheriff was stalwart in his duty, and tried to keep crime in Krondor as much under control as possible The city was an orderly one by ine, and unlike others who held the office before him, Wilfred Means was not a man to take a bribe or barter a favor
For hi in person to speak to Arutha as soon as he returned ed required the Prince's iet back to your duties,” said James absently to William ”Locky and I had better catch up with Arutha”
Williaain, if you're off for the north in the ”