Part 17 (1/2)
”How could that be?” asked Arutha ”I thought the Night-hawks kept to themselves”
”Oh, they do, but they need contact with the outside world, and so they use those they bribe or terrorize to loyalty Sootiate on their behalf when it coht if you wanted an assassin's services, you just left the name of the victim somewhere and they contacted you and named a price,” said James
Graves said, ”Yes, but someone has to pick up that name and deliver the price They don't do it themselves”
Arutha said, ”Do you know if there are Keshi+ans ahthawks?”
Graves said, ”They are a brotherhood without nation, Highness Bands of assassins in the Kingdom count Izmali clans in the south as kin”
Arutha said, ”At least that puts the Keshi+an assassins in the sahthawks”
”Literally,” said Graves
”What does that hthawks, both Kingdom and Keshi+an, at a place within a week's ride of here”
”Where?” asked Arutha ”Tell uaranteed”
Graves said, ”To the south of Shandon Bay lies an old caravan trail, no longer used Further south of that trail lies a range of hills, upon which once rested an ancient Keshi+an fortress I only know of it because that man-” he pointed at the corpse ”-spoke of it once in a drunken ramble Some ancient map or another may have its location But know this, the upper breastworks and towers have long since fallen, and all that reround tunnels”
Ja up at Cavell Keep”
Graves continued ”They have water there; an ancient spring, and they can trade for food at Land's End or Shah to Krondor to strike at will, and unless you knohat you're looking for, you could ride past it and never know you'd passed an enclave of murderers”
Arutha turned to Willia quietly, and said, ”Hurry to o through every ancient map we have and look for any hint of that Keshi+an fortress”
Graves said, ”Can you read Keshi+an, boy?”
William nodded ”I can”
Graves said, ”Then look for a place called 'Valley of Lost Men' Froer to the east If that fortress is on the ht be called The Toine it wasn't considered a choice duty station,” James quipped
Graves said, ”I don't know about that, but I do know that's what that drunken arrison had been left to die defending it or soend It's said to be haunted by the spirits of soldiers, and blood drinkers and other such nonsense”
Ja the Nighthawks, Ethan, you'd change your tune
It's very disconcerting to kill one and then have to kill hin ”I said you were confronting dark agencies, Highness, and I o your trial in the er If this tale of yours turns out to have truth in it, we'll get you on a shi+p for Durbin or Queg or to wherever it is you wish to travel James, take him back to his cell”
James saluted ”Sire”
He led Graves out of the room and said, ”That ell”
Graves said, ”If you say so, Jimmy”
”He didn't turn you over to the Ishapians, and he didn't order you hung, did he?”
Graves smiled ”Well, there is that”
They walked back to James's quarters, where they would fetch Lieon below Far from comfortable, it was still one of the safest places in Krondor If any place in Krondor could be considered safe these days, Jaht to himself
ELEVEN - Stealth
The Rainbow Parrot was e Jalanced around and was rewarded a moment later when Talia entered from the kitchen ”William!” she said with obvious pleasure ”Jahtly ”Father is hauling refuse down to the river for du He'll be back any moment if you'd like to wait”
Williarabbed Williauess, Talia needs to shop in the htened as she said, ”Why, yes, as ato leave as soon as Father returns”
”Why don't you escort her to the market, William, as I have some private matters to discuss with her father?”
Willia around James to offer his arm to Talia ”If you have no objection?” he asked
She slipped her arracefully and said, ”No, I' at Ja left alone, squire?”
James said, ”No, a few minutes of peace will be welcome” Her expression turned quizzical and he added quickly, ”Things at the palace have been very frantic of late, ith visiting nobles and all”
Her smile broadened ”Oh, yes I heard an eastern noble was staying at the palace” Turning her back on Jaazed up at William, she said, ”You must tell me all about it”
Fro that William most certainly should not not tell her all about it He said, ”I'm sure William can re, Talia” tell her all about it He said, ”I'm sure William can re, Talia”
William allowed himself to be led outside, and Jaood as Talia's pro the inn from the rear door ”Talia!” he shouted; then he saw Jaone to market with William I told her I'd watch the place until you returned”
Lucas fixed Ja, Jimmy I've known you too many years not to know that What is it?”
Ja aard, Lucas I wish to ask you a question, but I can't until I've sworn you to secrecy”
Lucas was silent for ahis chin as he considered his answer ”Can't rightly do that, until I knohat's what I've got obligations, as I'm sure you well know”
James kneell indeed Lucas was one of few successful innkeepers in Krondor who didn't have the patronage of a powerful noble, a guild, or the Mockers Over the years he hadfriendshi+ps with several highly-placed nobles in the Kingdos with the Mockers, yet Lucas had so under their do very stubborn in the oldthat as soon as anyone tried to control him, Lucas could call upon other resources Ultimately, it was easier to ith Lucas than to try to coerce him