Krondor the Assassins (23 page)

James said, ‘‘Would it have anything to do with the occupation of a house across from the western gate of the palace?’’

Graves said nothing, but there was a slight flicker in his eyes.

‘‘Never mind,’’ said James. ‘‘Despite my years, I’ve seen enough of priests and oaths to last several lifetimes. I won’t press. But any insight you can provide about this murdering of magicians would be deeply appreciated.’’

‘‘By you?’’

James grinned. ‘‘By the Crown.’’

‘‘Enough to get us out of that cell and on our way to Great Kesh?’’

‘‘This very night if the Prince likes what he hears.’’

‘‘Then take me to the Prince,’’ said Graves.

James nodded. To Kat and Limm he said, ‘‘Wait here.’’ Then he opened the door and told the soldier outside to continue standing guard. He led Graves back to where Arutha and Wil-201

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liam were inspecting the four slain men, presented Graves and finished by saying, ‘‘He may have some pieces of this puzzle.’’

Arutha said, ‘‘And they would be?’’

‘‘Safe passage?’’ asked Graves of James.

‘‘Safe passage?’’ Arutha raised an eyebrow.

James said, ‘‘A minor matter of civil disorder which was scheduled to be resolved tomorrow morning.’’

‘‘This morning, you mean,’’ said Arutha. ‘‘The sun is but three hours away.’’ To Graves, Arutha said, ‘‘If you provide intelligence of suitable worth, I think we can overlook the matter of a minor brawl.’’

James said, ‘‘More like a small riot, but that’s neither here nor there.’’

Graves said, ‘‘Then know you, Highness, that I was the man once named Abbot of the Temple of Ishap at Malac’s Cross. I betrayed my oaths and I betrayed my brothers and now I am consigned to the punishment of the gods.’’

Arutha said, ‘‘The required value of your information just went up a great deal, Abbot Graves. I know that name, and by rights I should bind you over to the temple for its justice.’’

Graves said, ‘‘Here is what I may say: there are forces about the land, dark agencies which mean you harm in ways you cannot fathom, Highness. They move in shadows and employ those who may not even realize they are in the service of these powers.

‘‘A matter of great import will occur soon. I think you know what it is and why I may not speak more of it.’’

The Prince nodded. ‘‘Go on.’’

‘‘There are those who would benefit if things went awry with that matter. It is not important to those dark agencies that they succeed, only that the temples fail.’’

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‘‘Are you asking me to warn the temples?’’ asked Arutha.

Graves smiled. ‘‘Highness, nothing I have said to you is unknown to anyone of rank in the Temple of Ishap, or among the prelates of the other orders. I’m trying to illustrate a point: your enemies may appear to be acting in a random, even chaotic fashion, because they have no goal, other than to create difficulties for you.’’

Arutha said, ‘‘So far I’ve heard nothing new.’’

‘‘Then this is the part you don’t know. There is an organization overseen by a man you know as the Crawler. He is attempting to displace the Mockers in Krondor, as well as take over criminal activities in other cities. His goals seem simple: wealth and power. But to achieve these ends, he has allied himself with others: the Nighthawks.’’ Graves paused to gauge the Prince’s reaction.

‘‘Continue,’’ said Arutha.

‘‘It’s an uneasy alliance, for the Nighthawks appear to have their own agendas, including working for those dark agencies I spoke of before. The Crawler’s men were those driving the Mockers out of the city. The Nighthawks have been killing magicians.’’

‘‘Do you know anything of the assault upon the Duke of Olasko?’’

‘‘One hears rumors, even in your dungeon. It is the result of a plot by one or the other, the Crawler or the Nighthawks.

If it’s the Crawler, it is because the duke is seen as an impediment to his plans. If it is the Nighthawks, it is because the duke’s death serves those dark forces I speak of.’’

‘‘Do magicians work for the Nighthawks?’’ asked James.

‘‘Not that I’ve heard of, but then they do not work for the Crawler, either. Thieves have little trust of those who practice 203

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magic arts, as you know well, Jimmy the Hand,’’ answered Graves.

Arutha smiled at the mention of that name. ‘‘James also knows how to ask questions to ferret out the truth.

‘‘So if we were to tell you that those who attempted to take the duke’s life were magicians, and their target wasn’t truly the duke, but the Crown Prince, what say you then?’’

Graves said, ‘‘Then a third agency must be involved. Perhaps those dark forces are sending additional agents to insure their ends, regardless of what the Nighthawks and the Crawler achieve.’’

Arutha sighed in frustration. ‘‘Damn me, but at times like these I wish for an enemy in plain sight.’’

‘‘Highness,’’ said Graves, ‘‘I think I can give you at least one.’’

‘‘What?’’ asked Arutha.

Graves walked over to the nearest corpse. ‘‘A man in death doesn’t always resemble the man he was in life, but I know this one. His name, or at least how I knew him, was Jendi. He was a raider from the Jal-Pur, and a man with whom the Upright Man has done business in the past. He is a murderer, a slaver, and a robber.’’ He looked at the Prince. ‘‘How did he come here?’’

James answered. ‘‘He was trying to arrange a conversation with me, against my wishes.’’

Graves smiled. ‘‘Any chat he had in mind was you telling him everything you have ever known and him listening until he decided to kill you.’’

Arutha said, ‘‘So you know this man. Whom do you think he was working for?’’

‘‘It is rumored that while Jendi was a common thug, he 204

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worked from time to time with more dangerous people: like the Nighthawks.’’

‘‘How could that be?’’ asked Arutha. ‘‘I thought the Nighthawks 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. Someone has to negotiate on their behalf when it comes to killing for profit.’’

‘‘I thought 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 Keshians among the Nighthawks?’’

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 Keshian assassins in the same place as the Nighthawks.’’

‘‘Literally,’’ said Graves.

‘‘What does that mean?’’

‘‘It means you are almost certain to find your Nighthawks, both Kingdom and Keshian, at a place within a week’s ride of here.’’

‘‘Where?’’ asked Arutha. ‘‘Tell me and your crimes are par-doned and your safe passage guaranteed.’’

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 Keshian fortress. I only know of it because that man—’’ he pointed at the 205

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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 remains are the underground tunnels.’’

James said, ‘‘Sounds a lot like what they were using up at Cavell Keep.’’

Graves continued. ‘‘They have water there; an ancient spring, and they can trade for food at Land’s End or Shamata with anonymity. It’s close enough to Krondor to strike at will, and unless you know what you’re looking for, you could ride past it and never know you’d passed an enclave of murderers.’’

Arutha turned to William, who had been listening quietly, and said, ‘‘Hurry to my quarters. Take as many men as you need, but I want you to go through every ancient map we have and look for any hint of that Keshian fortress.’’

Graves said, ‘‘Can you read Keshian, boy?’’

William nodded. ‘‘I can.’’

Graves said, ‘‘Then look for a place called ‘Valley of Lost Men.’ From there trace your finger to the east. If that fortress is on the map, it might be called ‘The Tomb of the Hopeless.’ ’

‘‘I imagine 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 murderer called it. Said the garrison had been left to die defending it or some such legend. It’s said to be haunted by the spirits of soldiers, and blood drinkers and other such nonsense.’’

James said, ‘‘If you’d seen some of the things we have concerning the Nighthawks, Ethan, you’d change your tune. It’s very disconcerting to kill one and then have to kill him all over again a few minutes later.’’

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Graves made a sign. ‘‘I said you were confronting dark agencies, Highness, and I mean of the blackest sort.’’

Arutha said, ‘‘We’ll forgo your trial in the morning, Graves, but you’ll remain my guest a while longer. If this tale of yours turns out to have truth in it, we’ll get you on a ship 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 went well.’’

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 Limm and Kat and return to the dungeon 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, James thought to himself.

207

ELEVEN

STEALTH

m

T

HE Rainbow Parrot was empty.

At this hour of the morning, no one was drinking. James yelled out, ‘‘Lucas!’’

William glanced around and was rewarded a moment later when Talia entered from the kitchen. ‘‘William!’’ she said with obvious pleasure. ‘‘James,’’ she added, her smile fading only slightly. ‘‘Father is hauling refuse down to the river for dumping.

He’ll be back any moment if you’d like to wait.’’

William smiled and said, ‘‘Thank you.’’

James grabbed William’s elbow and stopped him from sitting. ‘‘If I don’t miss my guess, Talia needs to shop in the market this morning, don’t you, Talia?’’

Her smile brightened as she said, ‘‘Why, yes, as a matter of fact. I was going to 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?’’

William almost fell over a chair getting around James to offer his arm to Talia. ‘‘If you have no objection?’’ he asked.

She slipped her arm through his gracefully and said, ‘‘No, 210

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I’m pleased to have the company.’’ Looking at James, she said,

‘‘You don’t mind being 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, what with visiting nobles and all.’’

Her smile broadened. ‘‘Oh, yes. I heard an eastern noble was staying at the palace.’’ Turning her back on James as she gazed up at William, she said, ‘‘You must tell me all about it.’’

From behind Talia, James shook his head slightly, indicating that William most certainly should
not
tell her all about it. He said, ‘‘I’m sure William can remember what the ladies of the eastern courts were wearing, Talia.’’

William allowed himself to be led outside, and James sat down to wait for Lucas. He didn’t wait long, for as good as Talia’s promise, Lucas appeared a few minutes later, entering the inn from the rear door. ‘‘Talia!’’ he shouted; then he saw James sitting alone.

‘‘Where’s my girl?’’

‘‘She’s gone to market with William. I told her I’d watch the place until you returned.’’

Lucas fixed James with a baleful look, and said, ‘‘You’re up to something, Jimmy. I’ve known you too many years not to know that. What is it?’’

James rose and came to lean on the bar beside Lucas. ‘‘Something awkward, Lucas. I wish to ask you a question, but I can’t until I’ve sworn you to secrecy.’’

Lucas was silent for a moment, rubbing his chin as he considered his answer. ‘‘Can’t rightly do that, until I know what’s what. I’ve got obligations, as I’m sure you well know.’’

James knew well indeed. Lucas was one of few successful 211

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innkeepers in Krondor who didn’t have the patronage of a powerful noble, a guild, or the Mockers. Over the years he had managed to make several useful alliances, including friendships with several highly-placed nobles in the Kingdom. James he knew from his dealings with the Mockers, yet Lucas had somehow resisted becoming their tool, or coming under their domination. There was something very stubborn in the old man’s nature, and it was known without saying that as soon as anyone tried to control him, Lucas could call upon other resources.

Ultimately, it was easier to work with Lucas than to try to coerce him.

James had rehearsed his speech several times, and after taking a deep breath, he began. ‘‘We both know the Mockers are no longer a major force. And we both know that someone else—this Crawler—is trying to tie up all the dodges and capers in Krondor.’’

Lucas nodded.

‘‘We also know that, as far as anyone can judge, the Upright Man is dead.’’

Lucas smiled. ‘‘Don’t be so quick. He’s a cagey one. Maybe the Upright Man’s dead or maybe he’s just lying low.’’

James said, ‘‘Perhaps, but if he’s lying low he’s as good as dead, because he’s let the Mockers come to a messy end.’’