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The court was at its lavish best, with every guest adorned in the height of Krondorian fashion. James found these annual shifts in taste odd and occasionally ridiculous, but bore up under them stoically. This year the guards’ uniforms had been changed, at the Princess’s request, as the old grey tabards were now considered too dull.
The honour guard along the walls wore light brown tunics – somewhere between copper and gold – marked with a black eagle soaring over the peak of a mountain. James wasn’t sure he liked the break with tradition, but noticed the Prince’s scarlet mantle of office still bore the old crest.
Another group of guests arrived and filtered into the ballroom. Leaning towards Jerome, James quietly asked, ‘The usual guests?’
Jerome nodded. ‘Local nobles, rich merchants, a few soldiers of rank who have earned our Prince’s favour.’
‘Any Keshians?’ asked James.
‘A few,’ said Jerome. ‘Traders.’ He glanced over at James and asked, ‘Or did you have some particular Keshians in mind?’
James shook his head a little as the dance came to a close. ‘No, but I wish I did.’
If Jerome was curious about the remark, he didn’t show it. James had come to admire his reticence, as a great deal of a Master of Ceremony’s time was spent dealing with idiots, many of them powerful and rich. The ability not to hear things convincingly was a skill James felt he lacked and needed to cultivate.
A bit of a bustle at the far end of the hall began as the first dance ended. Arutha bowed to Anita and offered his hand, which she took, to escort her back to the dais.
From the opposite end of the hall came the booming crack of de Lacy’s staff of office striking the floor heralding the arrival of someone of note. De Lacy’s old, but still strong, voice carried the hall, as he intoned, ‘Your Highnesses, Lord Radswil, Duke of Olasko!’
James said, ‘Radswil of Olasko?’
Jerome whispered, ‘Pronounced Rads-vil, you ignoramus. One of the Eastern Kingdoms – a duchy, actually.’ Looking with mock disdain at James he said, ‘Study the map, my friend. The man’s the younger brother of the Grand Duke Vaclav, and uncle to the Prince of Aranor.’ Dropping his voice even lower, Jerome said, ‘Which means he’s a cousin to the King of Roldem.’
A stir spread through the room as those who had occupied the dance floor parted to allow a large man and his retinue to cross to where Arutha and Anita were just sitting down. James studied the man and didn’t like what he saw.
The duke was a bruiser, James could tell, despite his fine raiment. A large velvet hat of dark maroon, looking like an oversized beret, dropped off to one shoulder, a large silver brooch with a long white feather sweeping back from it. His black jacket was tailored to fit snugly, and James could see the massive shoulders were not padded, but merely reinforced his impression that Lord Radswil could easily hold his own in the rougher inns of the city. Black leggings and stockings finished the ensemble, all of the finest make. The sword at his side was a rapier, much like the one Arutha wore, often used and a serious weapon. The only difference was that Radswil’s had a silver-and-gold-decorated bellguard.
At his left hand walked a young girl, perhaps fifteen or sixteen, wearing a dress to rival the Princess’s, though cut as daringly low as modesty permitted. James studied her face. She was pretty in a predatory way, with the eyes of a hunter. For a brief moment he gave thanks that Locklear was gone from the court. Since they were boys, James had joked that girls would get Locklear killed some day, and this one looked about as dangerous as any James had seen, despite her youth.
Then James felt eyes upon him and glanced across. At Radswil’s right hand walked two young men, about James’s own age from what he could tell. The one closest to the duke looked like a younger version of Radswil, heavy set, powerful of stature and full of confidence. The one farthest from the duke bore enough of a resemblance to be a younger brother, but he was leaner and his eyes had a menacing cast as he fixed them upon James. He was studying James as James had been studying the party, and intuitively James knew what that young man was doing; he was picking out potential enemies in court. James felt a chill run down his back as the duke bowed before Arutha.
Jerome, now acting the part of his office as assistant to the Master of Ceremonies, stepped forward and said, ‘Your Highnesses, may I present Radswil, Lord Steznichia, Duke of Olasko.’
Arutha said, ‘Welcome to our court, my lord. Your arrival catches us somewhat unprepared. We thought you would arrive later in the week.’
The duke bowed. ‘Apologies, Your Highness,’ he said in a deep voice, his speech only slightly accented. ‘We caught favourable winds from Opardum and arrived in Salador a week before we were scheduled. Rather than linger, we pressed on. I trust we have caused Your Highnesses no undue inconvenience?’
Arutha shook his head. ‘Not at all. We just lack a fitting welcome, that is all.’
The duke smiled and James felt no warmth from that expression. The man was polished and his education was obvious, but at heart there was that brawler James had recognized at once. ‘I’m sorry, Highness, I assumed the gala tonight was to welcome us.’
Anita’s face froze for a moment, then the duke turned to her and said, ‘Highness, I jest. The matter is one of scant importance. We call only out of courtesy to your office and your husband’s. We are bound for the Keshian port of Durbin. From there we will venture into the Trollhome Mountains, where we understand the hunting is both plentiful and exotic. Any small gesture of hospitality on your part is a boon beyond our expectation.’
James saw Jerome go slightly rigid. The fussy ex-squire was a stickler for protocol and the duke had managed to brush aside an apology from Arutha and return an insult, without making it obvious. This man obviously felt no timorousness being in the presence of a Prince.
Anita had been court bred and knew the intricacies of court manners. She knew that anything she said in response to the slight would only worsen her situation socially. She merely inclined her head and said, ‘I suspect the subtleties of the east are lost upon us here in the west. Would you present your companions?’
The duke bowed and turned to the younger of the two men. ‘Your Highness, may I present my nephew, His Highness, Vladic, son of my brother the Archduke, heir to the throne and Crown Prince of Olasko, Prince of the House of Roldem by blood.’ On cue the young man stepped forward and bowed in greeting to the Prince and Princess of Krondor. Then the duke said, ‘And this is Kazamir, my son and heir to my house, also Prince of the House of Roldem by blood.’ The other son bowed effortlessly, with exactly the proper deference for one of his rank before Prince Arutha. Smoothly, the duke turned and said, ‘And this is my daughter, Paulina, Princess of the House of Roldem by blood.’
Arutha nodded greeting. ‘You are all welcome in Krondor.’ He made a small gesture to Jerome, who hurried off to ready guest apartments for the duke and his entourage. James was again forced to concede that Jerome was good at what he did. He had no doubt the rooms would be aired, with wine and other refreshments on hand, and a squad of pages ready to do the duke’s bidding.
Arutha said, ‘We are celebrating a safe return from troubles to the north. You are most welcome to remain for the gala.’
The duke smiled. ‘My thanks. From the reports and gossip we heard along the way from Salador to Krondor, I suspect the troubles were not trivial. A gala is most appropriate to celebrate a Prince’s safe return.
‘I am tired from the journey, however, and will beg your forgiveness and retire. The children, perhaps, might enjoy some music and revelry after our long journey.’
James realized this was not an option, but an instruction. The two youngsters turned to their father and bowed, while the Crown Prince merely looked on for a moment, then inclined his head. Radswil bowed to the Prince and withdrew before Arutha had time to do more than wave agreement. Master de Lacy intercepted the duke and his retainers at the door and escorted them to the guest quarters.
Arutha turned to James and said, ‘Squire James, would you please see that our guests are refreshed?’
James bowed and stepped down the dais and presented himself to the duke’s children with a courtly bow. Keenly aware the introduction of the three youngsters revealed the Olaskans’ formality in matters of rank, James said, ‘Prince Vladic, Princess, Prince, may I offer you refreshments?’
Vladic studied James a moment, his dark eyes narrowing slightly, then he nodded.
With as deft a movement as James had seen, he found himself with the Princess Paulina’s arm through his, before he had even had the chance to offer his hand, a far more courteous gesture. The familiarity almost caught him off guard. ‘Tell me, squire,’ said Paulina, as they moved towards the large table where refreshments were offered, ‘how do you come to serve the Prince, personally?’
James was struck by two things at once. There was something about her, a scent, perhaps an exotic perfume, that caused his blood to race. He suddenly experienced a fierce desire. And that in turn caused what James had long called his ‘bump of trouble’ to start bothering him. Paulina was a pretty enough girl – many would even say beautiful – and easily one of the most attractive at the gala, but James was long used to the wiles of women and she was not so extraordinarily attractive that he should find himself being so irresistibly drawn to her.
He glared at the two young men, saw what he took to be a slight sense of amusement in Kazamir’s expression, and a mask of neutrality in Vladic.
Forcing his attention back to her question, he replied, ‘I was granted my office for service to the crown.’
Ever so slightly she drew away. ‘Oh?’ she said. If a single word could convey volumes of meaning, hers did.
James smiled his most charming smile and said, ‘Yes. You wouldn’t know, of course, being from so distant a land. Before coming to the Prince’s service, I was a thief.’
It took a massive application of will power on the Princess’s part not to push herself away from James. Her frozen smile looked almost painful as she said, ‘Really?’ while behind her, Kazamir suppressed a laugh. Even Vladic betrayed a slight upturn of his mouth, the hint of a smile.
Just then James spied William, who had been stationed by the table of refreshments, and said, ‘Allow me to introduce someone to you, Highnesses.’ He signalled for the young cadet to approach and when William did, James said, ‘Highnesses, I have the honour of presenting William conDoin, son of the duke of Stardock and cousin to our Prince. He’s about to be commissioned Knight-Lieutenant in the Prince’s army.’ He quickly named his companions in order of rank.
Instantly the Princess’s manner changed once more and again she was the vivacious charmer. William’s colour rose and now James was convinced there was something more to this Princess than her more obvious physical gifts. ‘Perhaps the cadet could show me some of the palace, while you entertain my brother and cousin, Squire James?’
James glanced at Swordmaster McWirth, who stood near the dais and with a nod of his head communicated the need for William to act as host to the visiting nobility. The old swordmaster’s expression turned slightly sour, but he nodded and James said, ‘William, I’m sure the Princess would love to see the tapestry gallery and Princess Anita’s gardens.’
As smoothly as an eel slipping through water, the Princess disengaged herself from James’s arm and attached herself to William. ‘And what shall I call you, young knight?’ asked the Princess.
‘Will, Your Highness. My friends call me Will.’
As William led the Princess off towards the tapestry hall, James indicated the food and wine to Prince Vladic, then Prince Kazamir. The Crown Prince took a goblet of wine and sipped it. ‘Very good,’ he said. ‘Darkmoor?’
James nodded. ‘I believe so. Most of our best wines come from there.’
‘You’re not having any?’
James smiled. ‘I’m on duty.’
Kazamir nodded. ‘I understand. By the way, you handled that very deftly. Not many young men would give up my sister’s company so easily.’
‘I can well believe it,’ said James. ‘There’s something about her …’
Vladic studied James a moment, again appraising him, and James could not help but feel again that he was being sized up as a possible opponent. Vladic said, ‘You’re perceptive, squire. My cousin has a need to be admired by a great many men. She employs additional supplements to augment her natural appeal.’
‘Ah,’ said James. ‘Magic. A charm or a potion?’
‘Her left hand. A ring purchased from a woman who dabbles in such trinkets in our homeland. I fear this need for male attention that drives Paulina will eventually create difficulties for her future husband.’
‘Then she should either marry a man with great skills as a swordsman, or one with great patience.’
Vladic nodded, as he slipped his wine. He then took a small slice of melon from a platter and nibbled at it, his expression every so slightly indicating satisfaction with the fruit. ‘The court here in the west is a refreshing change from some of the environments we’ve discovered east of Salador.’
James nodded. ‘I have no doubt. West of Malac’s Cross things are very different. I’ve not spent much time in the east, but it is …’
‘More civilized?’ provided Kazamir.
James smiled. ‘I was about to say older, but if you prefer civilized, I’ll concede the point.’
Vladic smiled, and for the first time since they met James sensed the young man was letting his guard down a tiny bit. ‘Well, it’s a function of perspective, I warrant. Our nations are very old, while this Western Realm is relatively young. In Olasko, we haven’t seen an elf or goblin in centuries. There are six other states of some size between the far northern lands and Olasko.’
‘Elves are interesting,’ replied James. ‘And I’ve seen enough goblins to last me a lifetime.’
‘I hear they’re not terribly bright, but that they make good hunting,’ ventured Kazamir.
‘Well, if you’re interested in hunting something that carries a sword or bow, I guess.’ James shrugged. ‘I’m city bred and have little experience with hunting. I don’t understand the appeal of the sport.’
‘It livens up an otherwise dull life,’ said Vladic.
James grinned. ‘I’ve never found life to be dull, so I suppose that’s why.’
‘You’re a lucky man, then,’ said Kazamir. ‘We have our wars, often enough, but other than that, there’s little to occupy a man who craves excitement.’
Vladic said, ‘My cousin is like most of our nobles, and seeks glory in overt fashion. But the skills of arms, the sword and bow, the challenge of the hunt, those are secondary in importance to that.’ He pointed to where Arutha was listening to something being whispered into his ear by one of the local nobles. ‘He seeks office, or a suitable husband for a daughter or an ally against an enemy, or something from your monarch. Intrigue is a way of life in my father’s court.’
James laughed. ‘That’s Squire Randolph of Silverstown. I think he’s trying to convince the Prince to get one of his pesky neighbours to move his cattle off Silverstown’s meadows.’
Kazamir barked a rough sounding laugh. ‘A very small intrigue, then, cousin.’
Vladic looked slightly nettled to be mocked so, but said nothing.
‘Are you staying long in Krondor?’ asked James.
Kazamir shrugged. ‘Father has planned this as a tour of the west, so I expect we’ll stay a few days before moving on. He wishes to hunt the Trollhomes, where it is rumoured great boars reside, as well as wild trolls and even, if true, dragons.’
James could barely contain his amusement. ‘Having spied a dragon myself, may I suggest that only a madman would go looking for one?’
Kazamir’s expression darkened. ‘A madman?’
James quickly spread his hands in an apologetic gesture. ‘A jest, and obviously a poor one. It is just that dragons are everything you’ve heard of and more. If you hunt one, take an army with you.’
Kazamir’s expression softened slightly, but James couldn’t be certain the offence had been mitigated. He continued, ‘Even trolls are to be avoided unless you absolutely must face one. The lowland trolls may be barely more than wild animals, but they are more dangerous than any lion or bear you might hunt, for they are more cunning, and they hunt in groups of two or more. Their mountain kin have language and use weapons. You go hunting them, be assured they’ll be hunting you right back.’
‘Interesting,’ was all that Vladic said. Then he added, ‘How is the hunting in this region?’
‘Yes,’ said Kazamir with sudden interest. ‘Lions, perhaps?’
James shrugged. ‘If you go north, up into the foothills of the Calastius Mountains, you’ll find a good population of game. Closer to the King’s Highway it’s scarce, but once you get high into the hills there’s ample deer, elk, bear, and big leopards. Occasionally a wyvern comes down from the northern mountains and that’s as much dragon as I’d be willing to face.’
‘If we stay for more than a few days, would you be able to arrange a trip into those mountains?’ asked Vladic.
James nodded. ‘I’ll speak to the housecarl; he can arrange with the huntmaster and swordmaster to provide guides and men-at-arms. You could travel out for a day and reach some very rough terrain, where game is still plentiful.’
Vladic looked pleased, as did his cousin. ‘Good. I will speak with my uncle tomorrow and, depending on his plans, perhaps I will prevail upon him to depart the day after on such a journey.’
Kazamir’s smile broadened a bit. ‘I suspect, however, you’d better also contrive some distraction for my sister while we’re gone.’
James’s frown brought forth a laugh from Kazamir. The squire said, ‘I think I will prevail upon Princess Anita to fashion that distraction. I suspect most of the young men in the court might be faced with some difficulties given the duty to attend your sister.’
‘Yet you felt no difficulty in turning her over to that young cadet,’ observed Kazamir in a guarded tone.
James leaned over and lowered his voice in a conspiratorial fashion. ‘Young Will lacks … experience. No matter how attractive your sister, she would have to initiate anything … beyond an awkward flirtation, I think. And if I’m any judge of such things, I doubt she will.’
Kazamir slapped James on the shoulder and laughed. ‘You may be rural, James, but your grasp of certain subtleties is not. Yes, my sister is out seeking a well-connected husband. She will not lessen her chances of such by any idle dalliance. Her husband will expect her unsullied on their wedding night, and she will be. But she will make some young men very unhappy until that time comes.’
Given James’s background, his view of such issues was far less critical; he had known too many women while a boy, and as a man who enjoyed the pleasures of the bed, to think much of the notion that men had different standards from women. Still, he had met enough men, noble and common, who felt differently that he appreciated the prevalence of that attitude.
‘Given her use of … enhancements to her charms, doesn’t this make things difficult back home?’
‘Most men in Olasko are terrified of her father,’ said Vladic, putting down his now empty goblet of wine and refusing a refill by one of the servants. ‘In my homeland few would dare his wrath.’
James shrugged and nodded his head in agreement. ‘Seems a wise course were I a citizen of your nation; the duke appears a most formidable man.’
Kazamir’s smile vanished. ‘As all would do well to note, James.’ James was certain that remark was more directed at Vladic than at himself. Then Kazamir’s smile returned. ‘Still, it is tempting for men of my nation to pursue a prize like my sister.’
James blinked in confusion. ‘Prize?’
‘As I’ve mentioned, we are adventuresome, in Olasko. Hunting women ranks as high as hunting cave bears.’
‘An interesting way to put it,’ said James as neutrally as possible. ‘I think my friend Locklear would fit right in.’
‘He pursues women?’
‘Incessantly,’ said James.
‘Then I would suggest he be a well-practised swordsman,’ offered Vladic.
‘That he is, but why?’
Kazamir answered. ‘Because in my homeland a young man is expected to have as many women as he might, while it is also his duty to defend the honour of his sister with his blade should another man offend her.’
James grinned. ‘So you have a lot of duels in Olasko.’
Vladic returned the grin with a nod. ‘Constantly.’
James said, ‘Fortunately, my friend Locklear is on his way north to serve along the border for quite some time. We will be spared the spectacle of you having to skewer him early one chilly morning. I prefer to sleep in, given the chance.’
‘As do I,’ said the Crown Prince. ‘Given the length of the journey—’ he glanced around the room ‘—and the unlikelihood that I have time until the end of the gala to meet a receptive woman of rank, I think I shall retire.’
Kazamir glanced around the room, and then said, ‘I concur. I think a warm bed is more welcome than drink and dalliance tonight.’
Instantly James motioned for a page and when the youth approached, he instructed him to escort Princes Vladic and Kazamir to the guest apartments. He bid them both good night and then returned to the dais.
The musicians played on. As soon as he was again at Arutha’s side, James heard the Prince’s voice under the music. ‘What do you think about this visit?’
James spoke in tones just loud enough for the Prince to hear. ‘I think it’s odd. On the surface, it appears that the duke is looking for a suitable marriage of state for his daughter while indulging himself in some local hunting.’
‘On the surface,’ repeated Arutha, his gaze still on the dancers.
‘As there are few sons of suitable rank in this part of the Kingdom – well, none over the age of ten, anyway – that reason barely holds up under scrutiny.’
‘What other reason do you imagine?’
‘Well, the son says they want to hunt dragons and trolls out in the Trollhome, but I find that a bit difficult to fathom. We fought trolls near Romney just a few weeks ago, and I’m sure we left enough of them behind to entertain the duke and his companions for a lifetime. As for hunting dragons, even the dwarves don’t go looking for them. They wait until they show up, then turn the entire community out to fight them. No, the duke may be crazy enough to really want to hunt dragons and trolls, but that’s not his reason for coming west. I suspect the real reason for this journey will be found in Durbin.’
‘What could he want in Durbin? There are twenty major Keshian ports he could reach in the east.’
James shrugged. ‘If we knew what it was he was seeking in Durbin, we would know why he’s lying.’
Arutha glanced over at James. ‘You suspect something.’ He turned his attention back towards the dance floor.
James nodded. ‘But nothing I can give voice to. Just a vague sense that this all ties together, these murders, the disappearance of citizens, the arrival of this outland noble.’
‘If you discover the whole of the parts, let me know.’
James said, ‘You’ll be the first.’
‘Did you sleep?’
‘Earlier? Yes,’ said James, knowing what was coming next.
Arutha said, ‘Good, then you know what to do.’
James nodded, bowed to the Prince, crossed to bow to the Princess, then removed himself from the hall. As he left, he signalled for a page to follow. The young man fell into step behind him.
James hurried towards the tapestry room and found it empty. He quickly moved on to the Princess’s garden and found a very flushed William standing next to the Princess Paulina, obviously reduced to little more than a near babbling fool as the girl held tightly to his arm, chatting about the flowers.