Part 4 (1/2)
Ja a couple of the more likely fellon for a drink and let nature take its course”
”But not Locklear!” said Lucas ”You keep hihed ”No worries He's probably riding out the gate this very ”
Talia ca is ready, father”
”That's a good lass,” he replied ”Open the door, then, and let anyone in who's waiting for breakfast”
As she et yourself alirl and the boys in court What brings you here before sunrise?”
James's face lost any hint of humor ”There's a war underway in the sewers, Lucas And so on?”
Lucas sat back and nodded ”I knew you'd coht it would be sooner”
”I just got back into the city last night I was off with the Princedoing sos”
Lucas said, ”Well, Arutha would do well to look closer to home for trouble, for he has heaps of it here free for the asking I don't know the truth of it, but according to the ru the waterfront Citizens and Mockers alike are dying I hear of Keshi+ans setting up shops in buildings once owned by Kingdo the docks No one knohat's going on, save the Mockers who have gone to ground and are hiding out I've not seen one in a week Most ofto be home safe before dark”
”Who's behind it, Lucas?” asked Jaencyhimself the Crawler”
James sat back ”Why am I not surprised?” he muttered
THREE - Reception
Jae knocked upon the door, his youthful expression neutral as befitted a lad of twelve stationed just outside the royal apart voice bid Jaes pushed open the ornate wooden doors Inside, the Prince took breakfast with his fa at one another while atte look from their mother indicated their failure and they went back to a pretense ofof her ownwhile she purposefully put spoon to a bowl of hot breakfast mush
Princess Anita smiled at James as he presented himself to the family and bowed ”Our squire finally appears,” said Arutha dryly ”I trust we're not inconveniencing you this htened, then turned to the Prince and said, ”I was dressed in a quite inappropriate fashi+on for a hness I am sorry to be so tardy”
Arutha indicated for Jaht hand, where he was expected to wait on his ruler's pleasure unless out on some errand or another Jalow of the only thing in his life that felt like family to him
The Prince of Krondor and his squire enjoyed a relationshi+p that was eccentric and unique At times they were comrades as much as master and servant, while at other times their bond was al between theot that Arutha was his Prince and he was Arutha's loyal servant
”You look tired,” observed the Prince
”It's been a long tiht's sleep, sir,” Jaht included”
”Well, was it worth it?”
James said, ”In one way, veryat his wife and children, Arutha looked at James and softly said, ”Do we need to speak in private?”
Jae it inappropriate table conversation, if that's the answer you seek, Highness”
Arutha said, ”Retire to my private office and wait I will join you in a few minutes”
James did as he was told and walked the short distance to Arutha's private office Inside he found it as it alas, ordered and clean He eased his fatigued body into a chair near the Prince's writing desk and sat back
James lurched awake as Arutha entered a short while later ”Sleeping?” asked the Prince with amusement as Ja and tiring ride ho and tiring ride hoht without sleep”
Arutha waved James back into his chair and said, ”Relax a bit while you talk, but don't nod off again”
”Sire,” said Ja”
Arutha nodded ”Fros here in Krondor again, and this time it looks as if there's no pattern But the disappearance of your informants tells us someone knows more about us than we do about hie”
James said, ”I don't see any pattern either”
”Not yet,” said the Prince There was a knock at the door, and Arutha called out, ”A moment” To James he said, ”That would be Gardan with his retire, then?” asked Jao, but he's earned his rest He'll go horandchildren, and I can't think of a better fate for any man And I suspect he's correct in his accusation that I don't leave hiests I appoint someone with administrative talents to the post rather than athe army And this conversation stays in this roo to the door, Arutha said, ”Let Gardan in on your way out Then go to your rooet so You have a busy evening ahead of you”
”More scouting the city?” asked Ja ball, and you must attend”
Jao crawl around in the sewers sohed ”No You'll stand and look interested as rich merchants impress you with tales of their fiscal heroics, and their vapid daughters try to entice you with their ered a document upon his desk ”And we have word of an eastern noble headed our way for an unexpected visit So we must be ready to entertain as well And s, don't you agree?” he added dryly
”Yes, Highness”
Ja After Gardan entered the roo the door behind him
The court was nearly empty In a few moments, de Lacy and Jerome would adreat hall With a nod of courtesy to the two men, James hurried out of another side door and started back toward his quarters He alas, but he did hear his bed singing a siren call to hiht now The last feeeks in the north, especially al horseback ride abetted by ue, had taken its toll
As he reached the corner of two halls, he found a page and instructed the youth to awaken hi James reached his room, went inside, and within minutes was fast asleep
The musicians struck up a tune and Arutha turned to his wife and bowed Less formal than the royal court in Rillanon, the Prince's court in Krondor was no less bound by traditions