Part 18 (1/2)

She patted his arm. ”I get that reaction.”

”I thought you were sent off to an abbey of a . . .”

”More feminine order?” she finished.

”Something like that.”

She said, ”Women serve the Seeker After Vengeance. And Father decided if I was to be raised outside the city, it would be by someone who could teach me to defend myself.” She reached out and touched his sword hilt with her right index finger. ”That's a bit big for my tastes, but I could probably do some serious harm with it.”

”No doubt,” he said. The orders of Kahooli were primarily dedicated to seeking out wrongdoers and visiting justice upon them. At their most benign, they acted as aides to local constables and sheriffs, locating malefactors and either capturing them or pointing out their whereabouts. At their more malignant, they were avengers who ignored local laws and the King's Justice, and hunted down and executed wrongdoers. And at their worst, they refused to consider any claims of innocence by their prey. An often-stated joke about those who served Kahooli had it that their credo was ”Kill them all and let Kahooli part the innocent from the guilty.” Often they created more problems than they solved.

Talia smiled. ”I know what you're thinking.”

William blushed. ”What?”

”Do I run now, or wait until her back is turned?”

He laughed. ”Nothing like that. Just. . .”

”Don't do me any wrong, William, and you'll have nothing to fear.”

Her smile was so open and bright he had to laugh. ”I won't. You have my vow.”

”Good,” she said, playfully hitting him in the arm. ”Then I won't have to hunt you down and hurt you.”

”You're joking, right?”

Now she laughed. ”I was educated educated by the Order of Kahooli, William. I never took any vows in his service.” by the Order of Kahooli, William. I never took any vows in his service.”

William realized she was joking, and laughed. ”You had me there for a moment.”

She slipped her arm back into his as they moved along, inspecting the other produce on display. ”I think I have you for more than a moment,” she said under her breath.

William chose not to hear the remark. Right now, he didn't know what to think. He enjoyed the warm, slightly apprehensive feeling he got when he looked at her. He admired her dark hair, fair skin, erect posture and youthful energy that seemed to impart itself to everything she touched. All he wanted to do was to keep her at his side from moment to moment, and not think about anything unpleasant ever again.

”Lieutenant!” came a familiar and about as unpleasant a voice as he could imagine.

He turned and saw Captain Treggar approaching with two guardsmen.

”Sir!” he said, coming to attention.

With a tone approaching a growl, Treggar said, ”I have been sent sent to fetch you, lieutenant, and Squire James.” His gaze was hostile and his manner combative, but he added, ”By His Highness,” and William could tell he kept some unspoken rage in check because of that admission. Glancing at Talia, Treggar said, ”I realize you're to fetch you, lieutenant, and Squire James.” His gaze was hostile and his manner combative, but he added, ”By His Highness,” and William could tell he kept some unspoken rage in check because of that admission. Glancing at Talia, Treggar said, ”I realize you're busy busy, and haven't had time to stand your watch in the officers' rotation at the palace, but His Highness felt it important enough to have you join him that he sent me personally to find you and the squire.”

William said, ”Ah . . . I believe Squire James is back at The Rainbow Parrot.”

”No, he's here,” came another voice.

William turned to discover James striding toward them. James said, ”What is it, captain?”

”Orders, squire. You and the lieutenant are to return with me to the palace at once.”

William glanced at James, who said, ”Very well.” He looked at Talia and said, ”Pardon us, but we must be going.”

To William, Talia said, ”I've enjoyed our time together, William. I hope you'll call again, soon.”

William said, ”Certainly.” Glancing at Treggar, he added, ”As soon as duty permits.”

Talia turned away and continued her perusal of the market's offerings, glancing over her shoulder to direct one last smile at William.

Treggar said, ”Squire, if you're ready?”

James nodded and led the way back to the palace.

William followed a step behind Treggar, followed in turn by the two soldiers. There was a growing tension between himself and the captain and he would soon have to deal with it, otherwise he would make an enemy for as long as he was in the army.

Arutha looked around the room. Captain Treggar and the two soldiers who had been sent to find James and William stood off to one side. Four Krondorian Pathfinders-a separate elite command, with trackers and trailbreakers responsible to their own captain-watched as the Prince said, ”Here.” He pointed to a spot on the map, indicating a location south of Shandon Bay. ”If our information is correct, that's where they are hiding.”

James stood next to the Prince, and his eyes followed the line from the faint scratching on the map that read, ”Valley of Lost Men” in tiny letters under an older inscription in a Kes.h.i.+an alphabet he couldn't read. ”That still looks like a fair amount of territory to explore, Highness.”

With a gesture, Arutha indicated the four Pathfinders. ”They leave within the hour.”

”We have committed the map to memory, Highness,” said one of them.

Arutha nodded. ”These men will follow you within a day. Look for them-” his finger stabbed at a point some miles to the east of the general search area ”-here. One of you should make contact each night.”

”Yes, Highness,” said the leader of the Pathfinders as he saluted. With a gesture he indicated to his companions they should leave.

After the four scouts had departed, Arutha said, ”Captain, draw up a battle plan. Tell everyone who will listen that we conduct maneuvers to the southwest and northeast. Then I want you to select two hundred of our best men, ignoring any man who has not been in service for at least five years.” James nodded agreement. There had been three Nighthawks posing as soldiers at the garrison at Northwarden. ”Make the selection seem random, but at the end of the first day I will lead those two hundred men south. Captain Leland will take the rest to the northeast, so come up with a plausible problem that explains the spurting of my command.”

Captain Treggar nodded. ”Sire. If I may ask . . . ?”

Arutha nodded.

”Wouldn't it serve better to have the Knight-Marshal draw up the problem?”

”Knight-Marshal Gardan is retiring, captain. We have a parade and farewell tomorrow at noon. He is then leaving on the evening tide to return home to Crydee.”

James grinned. ”A farewell party, tonight?”

Arutha looked at his squire. ”Yes, but you won't be attending.”

James sighed theatrically. ”I feel slighted, sire.”