in.”
Erland grinned. “Rough treatment for a member of the Royal House of Kesh, wouldn’t you say?”
Arutha said, “Why?”
James moved to sit on the edge of Arutha’s desk, as the Prince over the years had come to conduct very informal sessions with close advisors and family. “He’s not officially a guest in the city. We aren’t supposed to know he’s here. No one is supposed to know. The only Keshians who will know he’s here are those who know why he’s here. And I doubt any of them will inquire as to his well-being. He’s now the forgotten man, unless we call attention to his whereabouts.”
Dryly, Borric added, “And his condition.”
“We can claim he tried to kill Borric,” James acknowledged, “but all we have is a Keshian corpse, a blowgun, and some poisoned darts.”
“And a dead merchant,” added Gardan.
“Dead merchants are a frequent enough commodity on any given day in the Western Realm, my lord Duke,” observed James. “I say we strip him of his ring and toss him into the bay. Let the Keshians who sent him wonder for a while. Should anyone inquire, we might gain an opportunity to learn more of who’s behind him. At worse, we can show considerable distress at his demise, insisting that had we but known he was in the city we would have made every effort to ensure his safety. But if bored royal visitors slip into the city incognito, and insist on frequenting the seedier parts …?” He shrugged dramatically.
Arutha said nothing for a while, then gave one affirmative nod. James indicated with a jerk of his head that Locklear should use Royal Guardsmen for the job, and the other young Baron slipped through the door. After a short conference with Lieutenant William outside, Locklear returned to his seat.
Arutha sighed. Looking at James, he said, “Kesh. What else?”
James shrugged. “Hints, rumors. Their new Ambassador is … an odd choice. He’s what they call a ‘trueblood,’ but not of the Royal House—the assassin would have been a more logical choice. The Ambassador is a purely political appointment. It’s rumored that he may actually have stronger influence in Kesh’s court than many with royal blood. I can’t find any obvious reason why he should be given such an honor—save as a compromise, to appease different factions in court.”
Arutha nodded. “While none of this makes apparent sense, still, we must play according to the rules of such games.” He was silent for a while, and no one spoke as thePrince gathered his thoughts. “Send word to our people in Kesh,” he instructed James. Years earlier, he had allowed James to begin creating a network of agents, starting inside the Principality and slowly spreading through the Western Realm. Now Prince Arutha had operatives in the Royal Courts of Kesh and Queg, and close to the most powerful men in the Free Cities. “I want our agents hard at work before my sons arrive. If someone seeks to suck us into war with Kesh, striking at the King’s nephews would be a logical choice. You will accompany the Princes to Kesh. There is no one I trust more to swim through these murky waters.”
Baron Locklear said, “Highness?”
Looking at the other young Baron, Arutha said, “You will accompany Baron James, as Master of Ceremonies, Chief of Protocol, and the rest of that idiocy. The Imperial Court is dominated by women. We will at last find a use for that infamous Locklear charm. Instruct Captain Valdis he will act in your place as Knight-Marshal. And have Cousin William take over the Household Guard as acting Captain.” Absently he added, “He’s overdue for promotion, anyway.” Arutha drummed his fingers on the table as he reflected for a moment. “I want you,” he said to James, “shed of any office and protocol on this journey. Your only title will be ‘tutor.’ You must be free to come and go as you need.” He stood and the others followed suit. He looked at the boys and said, “Supper
Erland grinned. “Rough treatment for a member of the Royal House of Kesh, wouldn’t you say?”
Arutha said, “Why?”
James moved to sit on the edge of Arutha’s desk, as the Prince over the years had come to conduct very informal sessions with close advisors and family. “He’s not officially a guest in the city. We aren’t supposed to know he’s here. No one is supposed to know. The only Keshians who will know he’s here are those who know why he’s here. And I doubt any of them will inquire as to his well-being. He’s now the forgotten man, unless we call attention to his whereabouts.”
Dryly, Borric added, “And his condition.”
“We can claim he tried to kill Borric,” James acknowledged, “but all we have is a Keshian corpse, a blowgun, and some poisoned darts.”
“And a dead merchant,” added Gardan.
“Dead merchants are a frequent enough commodity on any given day in the Western Realm, my lord Duke,” observed James. “I say we strip him of his ring and toss him into the bay. Let the Keshians who sent him wonder for a while. Should anyone inquire, we might gain an opportunity to learn more of who’s behind him. At worse, we can show considerable distress at his demise, insisting that had we but known he was in the city we would have made every effort to ensure his safety. But if bored royal visitors slip into the city incognito, and insist on frequenting the seedier parts …?” He shrugged dramatically.
Arutha said nothing for a while, then gave one affirmative nod. James indicated with a jerk of his head that Locklear should use Royal Guardsmen for the job, and the other young Baron slipped through the door. After a short conference with Lieutenant William outside, Locklear returned to his seat.
Arutha sighed. Looking at James, he said, “Kesh. What else?”
James shrugged. “Hints, rumors. Their new Ambassador is … an odd choice. He’s what they call a ‘trueblood,’ but not of the Royal House—the assassin would have been a more logical choice. The Ambassador is a purely political appointment. It’s rumored that he may actually have stronger influence in Kesh’s court than many with royal blood. I can’t find any obvious reason why he should be given such an honor—save as a compromise, to appease different factions in court.”
Arutha nodded. “While none of this makes apparent sense, still, we must play according to the rules of such games.” He was silent for a while, and no one spoke as thePrince gathered his thoughts. “Send word to our people in Kesh,” he instructed James. Years earlier, he had allowed James to begin creating a network of agents, starting inside the Principality and slowly spreading through the Western Realm. Now Prince Arutha had operatives in the Royal Courts of Kesh and Queg, and close to the most powerful men in the Free Cities. “I want our agents hard at work before my sons arrive. If someone seeks to suck us into war with Kesh, striking at the King’s nephews would be a logical choice. You will accompany the Princes to Kesh. There is no one I trust more to swim through these murky waters.”
Baron Locklear said, “Highness?”
Looking at the other young Baron, Arutha said, “You will accompany Baron James, as Master of Ceremonies, Chief of Protocol, and the rest of that idiocy. The Imperial Court is dominated by women. We will at last find a use for that infamous Locklear charm. Instruct Captain Valdis he will act in your place as Knight-Marshal. And have Cousin William take over the Household Guard as acting Captain.” Absently he added, “He’s overdue for promotion, anyway.” Arutha drummed his fingers on the table as he reflected for a moment. “I want you,” he said to James, “shed of any office and protocol on this journey. Your only title will be ‘tutor.’ You must be free to come and go as you need.” He stood and the others followed suit. He looked at the boys and said, “Supper
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