Flight of the Nighthawks by Raymond E. Feist Page B

he could sit up. “I’m not sure I’d like that, Nakor. My body has betrayed me and, to put it bluntly, it vexes me to be so dependent on others. It’s hard not to be able to walk to the jakes and take a piss. Nothing humbles a man as much as waking in the morning, sopping wet like a baby. I think I’d rather die than have to spend more days in bed.”
    â€œWell, you don’t have to do either,” said Nakor with a grin. “The potion will make you stronger, too.”
    Erik’s gaze fixed upon Nakor. “I can see better; I’ve just realized.”
    â€œYes,” said Nakor. “It’s a pretty nice potion.”
    â€œIs that how you’ve remained unchanged over the last fifty to sixty years?”
    â€œNo. I know some other tricks.”
    â€œVery well, if you can get me out of this bed so I can protect the Kingdom a while longer, I’ll stay around, but what is your reason for this?”
    â€œWell, first of all, I like you.”
    â€œThank you, Nakor; I like you, too.”
    â€œYou are the last of the Desperate Men who went south with Calis and Bobby.”
    â€œI was there; I remember. Now, I appreciate nostalgia as much as the next man, Nakor, but what’s the real reason?”
    â€œWe need someone who is close to the Crown to listen and help when the time comes.”
    â€œWe?” asked the Duke. “You mean the Black Sorcerer?”
    â€œYes, Pug.”
    Erik sat back with a long exhalation of breath, shaking his head slightly. After the Serpentwar, Kesh had moved against and almost destroyed Krondor, seeking to advantage itself in its seemingly never-ending struggle with its northern neighbor. Pug, who was Duke of Stardock at that time, and vassal to the Crown of the Kingdom of the Isles, had refused to use his powerful magic to destroy the invaders, but rather had ordered the Keshians home, while at the same timepublicly humiliating Patrick, who was then the Prince of Krondor and later King of the Isles.
    Erik said, “Pug’s been persona non grata since he defied Prince Patrick, after the Serpentwar. Robbie may be related to Patrick in name only—he’s as thoughtful as Patrick was rash—but the collective royal memory is a long one. Pug pulled Stardock out of the Kingdom and set it up as an independent state; that looks like treason from the throne’s point of view.”
    â€œThat’s why we need you to persuade them otherwise. Something bad is coming, Erik.”
    â€œHow bad?”
    â€œVery bad,” said Nakor.
    â€œAs bad as the Emerald Queen?”
    â€œWorse,” said the short gambler.
    Erik sat motionless for a moment, then said, “Go over to that table, Nakor.” He pointed to a long table set against the wall. “Open that box.”
    Nakor did as requested and found the simple wooden box with a small brass hasp and ring latch. Inside it he found a black amulet. He pulled it out, letting it hang from the chain. “Nighthawks?”
    â€œWe received that from one of our agents in Great Kesh. I suspect you and your companions have as many agents down there as we do.”
    Nakor turned to regard the old duke. Erik’s blue eyes were now alight with energy and his voice was growing stronger by the moment. “Oh, I have no problem with your…what do you call it? Your Conclave?”
    Nakor said nothing, but smiled slightly.
    â€œBut you’re not the only ones out there paying for information, my old friend,” said the Duke. “I served with you and Calis long enough to have no doubt you only intend good, no matter what the Crown’s official position on your activities may be. Truth to tell, Patrick needed the public spanking that Pug gave him when the Keshian army was outside the city walls. Just as much as the Keshians needed to be sent home with their tails between their legs.
    â€œBut if it ever comes down to choosing between your vision