Part 14 (1/2)
”We have unchecked murders in our streets, a war between criicians in our city,nobility, and a band of Keshi+an Iz far north of our border with Great Kesh” Arutha sat back ”In sum, we have as out-of-control a situation as I can re, and when Williaht shake of the head, indicating that the Prince was not to be questioned or interrupted
After a moment of silence, Arutha said, ”James, I have a commission for you”
James smiled ”Another?”
”No, the same, onlyto be dismissed at any moment
Arutha noticed the posture and said, ”I assume my wife has invited you to sup with us?”
William nodded
”Good, because you're to play a part in this as well”
”Me?” asked Williaave his adopted cousin a faint smile ”You feel as if you've been derelict in your duty?”
Willia men under your command is never easy On your first ”
Willia, and blinked them back as relief flooded over him ”Thank you, sire,” he said softly
Arutha paused for another long moment, then said, ”What is said here, now, stays in this roowith the idea of setting up an intelligence corps”
Ja and start building in earnest Young Williahness?”
Arutha looked at Williaer you stay in Krondor, the more you will come to understand that trust is a rare commodity to the throne There are those, of course, ear loyalty with every fiber of their being, but their own natures make them untrustworthy, since they harbor mental reservations even they are unaware of until the moment of crisis comes You have shown your 's son”
William's expression darkened a bit despite his attempt to keep a neutral facade ”Sire?” he asked, tentatively
”I know you've had difficulties with your father, about taking service with me You can be certain he and I had words over this several ti has a particular loyalty to this fas you and I can only iood Had you been abefore you came to Krondor
”Besides,” finished Arutha, ”as one of the younger officers, you will be last a those suspected of any special rank within this court”
James said, ”And I?”
Arutha looked at James ”Publicly, you will continue for a while with the rank of squire, but we both know you abuse that liularity and invoke my name whenever you feel that will rinned
”Eventually, if you and Locklear e to live, I'll promote both of you to baronets, but while you probably have earned that rank half a dozen times over in the last few years, that promotion would only serve to call more attention to you should I award it now Those o have iven that soive so Deputy Means can help What you must do is to recruit a few-no more than five-people who know you by na in inforents I shall also have to send you to every city in the Kingdom, and eventually, abroad, so that a true letwork can be established It will take years” He rose and two young , let's see if you can set up a bit of an intelligence service here in Krondor without getting yourself killed”
”I've avoided it so far,” Jaet the task, rinned at the old joke between the to nameyou first,” Arutha said, leading theet this network to the state I wish, one that will counter Kesh's, then I suspect you'll end up in Rillanon The east is where we need intelligence, inprotocol, Arutha pushed open the doors hi the door open fro room hurried to pull out the Prince's chair Willialanced over to see how Ja squire was already lost in thought about the task before him
Arutha said, ”We'll continue this discussion later” He turned his attention to his wife and children
Princess Elena see quietly to her doll, which had been propped up next to her dinner plate, and occasionally she infor supper, mostly because she didn't like the behavior of the two boys next to her
James nodded to William, and whispered, ”Even money says the doll is abducted before theup the er” Supper passed quietly and pleasantly, with Anita asking William questions that led hiht disturb the children
After supper, Arutha rose andarea, and again passed through the private chaed screech froot ed and said, ”So I was off, she h the meal”
William smiled ”Barely”
When they reached Arutha's office door, Jah the door and William follohen James motioned him ahead James closed the door and joined William before the desk
Arutha waved for theht, Jaiven a free rein on this, I want you to report to ent you want to recruit”
Jahness”
”I know, but I'd rather not lose agents down the road for haste at the outset I would prefer you to be circumspect and find us reliable people”
Jahness What if we set up two sets of agents?”
”What's your ?”
”What if I line up some snitches and a couple of dock-workers, the sort of blokes I e those ere killed or fled, while at the saents?”
”Sounds plausible, but you realize those you recruit more openly are likely to be punished for the deeds of your real agents, don't you?”
Jahness People are dying right now, and those illingly take the Crown's gold for being involved in such business should know the risks involved I don't want to set up anyone to be a decoy, and if I' up h to make our enemies think them harmless, perhaps they won't be asked to pay the price for our other work”
Arutha said, ”I don't like it, but there are s associated with this crown I don't like”
William sat silently, and Arutha looked at him ”Do you understand?”
”Sir?”
”I s, even repulsive things, in the na moment, then he answered ”Sire, I've learned a lot in the last year about what itcomrades, men whose safety had been entrusted to meI think I understand”