Part 15 (1/2)
Williaht I'd train and then head off to sohed ”You're the Prince's cousin, even if only by adoption You didn't iine they'd let any hcastle or Iron Pass, did you?”
”Well, I just never thought ofon that island out in the e lake, I can see why you wouldn't”
William yawned ”Well, even if I don't have to report in, I could use so his arm around William's shoulder ”We have some business to conduct”
”Business? Now?”
”Yes,” said James ”And besides, I want to hear all about you and this Jazhara”
Willia, but he rolled his eyes heavenward and silently said, Why me? Why me?
James opened the door into the noisy inn Willia hiician summoned from the island
”So, you see, it was really a silly boy thing, and she was very kind about it, but it was very e to say the least I'll hardly knohat to say when she arrives”
”How old were you?”
”Sixteen”
Jalanced around the inn ”I think I understand You'll appreciate e I was veryfaood and bad sense of'familiar'” He motioned across the room ”There's a table”
Williaroups ofthe wall, and between larger round dining tables Food could be seen here and there, butale, or the occasional goblet of wine
As the two of them sat down, William said, ”Why are we here?”
James waved his hand around ”Partially, to see e can see” Willia about ”And partially, sitting in your tiny roo lieutenant”
”Gordon,” supplied Willia to keep you fro of the ood, no matter how you feel And lastly”Ja you back here”
”You what-” he started to say, as Talia reached them
”James, William, how lovely to see you What is your pleasure?”
”Two ales, please,” said Jaave William an extra little smile as she left to fetch their drinks
”See,” said James
”See what?”
”She likes you”
Williah the press of bodies in the room ”You think?”
”I know” Jaave William's arm a brotherly squeeze, then sat back 'Trust me She thinks you're a Prince”
”What?” said William, now confused ”You told her I was a Prince?”
Jahed ”No, you stone-crowned idiot A 'Prince of a fellow' A nice youngback Then he looked at James ”So you really think she likes me?”
James could barely contain hi theirl for a brief instant, then looked away as she said to hi lanced at her and saw that she was s, and he returned the smile ”No, I was just on amission for the Prince”
”That's fine,” she said cheerfully, scooping up the coins Ja away
Willialanced at James Before William could speak, James said, ”She likes you”
”Oh,” Willia his attention back to the ale
James chuckled They sat in silence for a fewthe crowd absently, but Willia fro for so in those faces
At last, James said, ”We need to leave Drink up”
”Why?”
James drained his ale and stood ”Now”
Williaed through the crowd, Talia saw theers!”
Williah the door
Outside the inn, James held up his hand and said, ”Wait”