Magician (96 page)

“Your father has given us enough
to retire on for the rest of our days. I doubt if all the brokers in
Zun could raise the gold to pay for them. We will sell a few as we
travel; besides, they weigh less than gold.”

Finishing their meal, the two men paid
and left. Kasumi could only just refrain from staring at all the
metal he could see everywhere, a lifetime’s riches on Kelewan.
Just the cost of the meal in silver could support a Tsurani family
for a year.

They hurried along one of the city’s
business streets, heading to the south gate Near there, they had been
informed, a reputable trader in horses would sell them mounts and
tack for a fair price. They found the man, a thin, hawk-beaked fellow
by the name of Brin. Laurie spent the better part of an hour haggling
with the horse trader for two of his better mounts. They left him
expressing concern over their ability to sleep nights after cheating
an honest businessman out of the money he needed to feed his starving
children.

As they rode through the gate that put
them on the road to Ylith, Kasumi said, “Much of this land of
yours seems odd, but as you haggled with that merchant, I was
reminded of home. Our traders are much more polite and would never
think of raising their voices in such a manner, but it is still the
same thing. They all have starving children.”

Laurie laughed and spurred his mount
forward. Soon they were out of sight of the city.

South of Quester’s View they
passed more troops on the road, this time Kingdom regulars and
auxiliaries trudging along on foot while their officers rode Laurie
and Kasumi had stopped to untack and graze their horses while the
column moved past. The fighter watched the soldiers passing with an
expert’s eye. Red-uniformed soldiers marched in tight
formation, while the more ragged auxiliaries still managed a look of
organization. The baggage train moved in good order, experienced cart
drivers keeping the animals in proper intervals. When they passed,
Kasumi said, “Those soldiers are better than any I’ve
seen so far on your world, Laurie Those in red look like
professionals. They march well. And those others seem experienced,
despite their motley look.”

Laurie nodded. “I recognize the
standard. That’s the garrison of Shamata, in the Vale of
Dreams. They have had their fair share of fighting Kesh’s
dog-soldiers and are a veteran outfit. Those others are auxiliaries,
Valemen mercenaries; a less tender band of lads you’d be hard
pressed to find.” Laurie started to resaddle his horse.
“They’re as seasoned a force of men as your countrymen
will have faced, in truth.”

When the horses were tacked up, Laurie
and Kasumi remounted and rode on. Soon they could see the Bitter Sea,
as the road rounded the hills of Quester’s View.

Laurie pulled up his horse and stared
out to sea. “What is it?” asked Kasumi.

Laurie shaded his eyes. “Ships! A
whole fleet of them sailing north.” He sat for a moment
watching, and at last Kasumi could see dots of white upon the blue of
the sea.

“Where are they bound?”
Kasumi asked.

“Ylith is the only major point
north of here. They must be carrying supplies for the war.”

They resumed their ride. A sense of
urgency descended upon them both, as everything they saw pointed to
an intensification of the war, and the longer they tarried, the less
likely the success of their mission.

Fourteen days later, they reached the
northern gate of Krondor. As they rode through, they were regarded
suspiciously by several guards dressed in black and gold. Once beyond
earshot of the gate guards, Laurie said, “Those are not the
Prince’s tabards. The banner of Bas-Tyra flies over Krondor.”

They rode slowly for a minute, then
Kasumi said, “What does it mean?”

“I don’t know. But I think
I know a place we can find out.” They rode through a series of
streets bounded on each side by warehouses and commercial
enterprises. Sounds from the docks, several streets away, could be
heard. Otherwise the district was quiet. “Strange,”
remarked Laurie, as they rode on. “This part of the city is
usually busiest at this time of day.”

Kasumi looked around, not sure of what
he expected to see. The Midkemian cities, compared to those of the
Empire, seemed small and dirty. Still, there was something strange
about the lack of activity here. Both Zun and Ylith had been teeming
with soldiers, traders, and citizens at midday, even though they were
smaller cities than Krondor. As they rode, a feeling of disquiet
visited Kasumi.

They entered a section of the city even
more run-down than the warehouse district. Here the streets were
narrow, with four- and five-story buildings hugging closely to either
side Dark shadows abounded, even at noon. Those in the street, a few
traders and women going to market, moved quietly and with speed.
Everywhere the riders looked, they could see expressions of caution
and distrust.

Laurie led Kasumi to a gate, behind
which the upper part of a three-story building could be seen. Laurie
leaned over in the saddle and pulled on a bell rope. When there was
no answer after a few minutes, he pulled again.

A moment later a peek window in the
door slid aside, two eyes could be seen, and a voice said, “What’s
your business?”

Laurie’s tone was sharp. “Lucas,
is that you? What is happening when travelers can’t gain
entrance?”

The eyes widened, and the peek window
slid shut. The gate swung open with a creaking protest, and a man
stepped out to push it wide. “Laurie, you scoundrel!” he
said as he admitted the riders. “It’s been five—no,
six years.”

They rode in, and Laurie was shocked by
the condition of the inn. Off to one side was a dilapidated stable.
Opposite the gate a sign hung over the main entrance, depicting in
faded hues a parrot of many colors with wings spread. They could hear
the gate close behind them.

The man called Lucas, tall and gaunt,
with grey hair, said, “You’ll have to stable the animals
yourself. I am alone here and must return to the common room before
my guests steal everything there. I’ll see you and your friend
inside and we can talk.” He turned away, and the two riders
were left to tend to their mounts.

As they removed the saddles from the
horses, Laurie said, “There is a lot happening here that I
don’t understand. The Rainbow Parrot was never a showplace, but
it was always one of the better taverns in the Poor Quarter.”
He quietly rubbed down his animal. “If there is any place we
can find out what is truly going on in Krondor, this is it. And one
thing I have learned over my years of traveling through the Kingdom
is when gate guards are watching travelers closely, it is time to
stay somewhere they are not likely to visit. You can get your throat
cut quickly in the Poor Quarter, but you’ll rarely see a
guardsman about. And if they do come, the man who was trying to cut
your throat will more than likely hide you until they are gone.”

‘And then try to cut your
throat.”

Laurie laughed. “You learn
quickly.”

When the horses were cared for, the two
travelers carried their saddles and packs into the inn. Inside they
were greeted by the sight of a dimly lit common room, with a long bar
along the rear wall. On the left stood a large fireplace, and on the
right a stairway leading upward. There were a number of empty tables
in the room, and two with customers. The newcomers were given a quick
look by the guests, who then returned to their drinks and quiet
conversation.

Laurie and Kasumi crossed over to the
bar, where Lucas stood cleaning some wine cups with a less than clean
rag. They dropped their packs at their feet, and Laurie said, “Any
Keshian wine?”

Lucas said, “A little, but it is
expensive. There has been little trade with Kesh since the trouble
started.”

Laurie looked at Lucas, as if weighing
the cost “Then two ales.”

Lucas drew two large tankards of ale
and said, “It is good to see you, Laurie. I’ve missed
that tender voice of yours.”

Laurie said, “That’s not
what you said the last time. As I recall, you likened it to the
screeching of a cat looking for a fight.”

They chuckled over that, and Lucas
said, “With things so bleak, I have mellowed toward those who
were true friends. There are few of us left.” He threw a
pointed look at Kasumi.

Laurie said, “This is Kenneth, a
true friend of mine, Lucas.”

Lucas continued to regard the Tsurani
for a moment, then smiled “Laurie’s recommendation counts
heavily. Welcome.” He extended his hand, and Kasumi shook with
him, Kingdom fashion.

“I am pleased at your welcome.”

Lucas frowned at the sound of his
accent. “An outlander?”

“From the Vale of Dreams,”
said Kasumi.

“The Kingdom side,” added
Laurie.

Lucas studied the fighter. After a
moment he shrugged. “Whatever. It matters not a whit to me, but
be wary. These are suspicious times, and there is little love wasted
on strangers. Take care who you speak with, for there are rumors that
Kesh’s dog-soldiers are ready to move north again, and you are
not far from being Keshian.”

Before Kasumi could say anything,
Laurie said, “Is there to be trouble with Kesh, then?”

Lucas shook his head. “I can’t
say. The market has more rumors than a beggar has boils.” His
voice lowered. “Two weeks back, traders arrived with word the
Empire of Great Kesh was again fighting far to the south, seeking to
subdue their former vassals in the Confederacy once more. So things
should stay quiet for a while. They learned the folly of a two-front
war over a hundred years back when they managed to lose all of
Bosania and still not beat the Confederacy.”

Laurie said, “We have been
traveling for a very long time and have heard little news. Why is
Bas-Tyra’s banner over Krondor?”

Lucas quickly looked around the room.
The drinkers seemed oblivious to the conversation at the bar, but
Lucas motioned for silence. “I will show you a room,” he
said loudly. Both Laurie and Kasumi were a little surprised, but
picked up their belongings and followed Lucas upstairs without
comment.

He led them to a small room, with two
beds and a nightstand. When the door was closed behind, he said, “I
trust you, Laurie, so I’ll ask no questions, but know things
have changed greatly since last you were here. Even in the Poor
Quarter there are ears that belong to the Viceroy. Bas-Tyra has the
city under his boot-heel, and it is a foolish man who speaks without
seeing who is listening.”

Lucas sat down on one of the beds, and
Laurie and Kasumi sat across from him Lucas continued, “When
Bas-Tyra came to Krondor he carried the King’s warrant naming
him ruler of Krondor, with full viceregal powers. Prince Erland and
his family were locked up in the palace, though Guy calls it
‘protective custody.’ Then Guy came down hard on the
city. Press-gangs roamed the waterfront, and many a man now sails in
Lord Jessup’s fleet without his wife or children knowing what
became of their old pa. Since then, any who speak against the Viceroy
or King simply vanish, ‘cause Guy’s got a secret police
listening at every door in the city.

“Taxes increase each year to pay
for the war, and trade’s drying up, except for those selling to
the army for the war, and they’re getting paid in worthless
vouchers. These are hard times, and the Viceroy’s doing nothing
to make them easier. Food is scarce, and there is little money to pay
for what there is. Many farmers have lost their farms for taxes, and
now the land lies fallow for want of someone to till it. So the
farmers wander into the city, swelling the population. Most of the
young men have been drafted into the army or the fleet. Be careful
you aren’t picked up by the guards, for whatever reason, and be
wary of the press-gangs.

“Still,” Lucas said with a
chuckle, “things got lively around here for a time when Prince
Arutha came to Krondor.”

“Borric’s son? He’s
in the city?” asked Laurie.

A twinkle of pleasure showed in Lucas’s
eyes. “No longer.” He chuckled again. “Last winter,
as bold as bright brass, the Prince comes sailing into Krondor. He
must have taken the Straits of Darkness during the winter, or he
never would have reached the city when he did.” He quickly told
them of Arutha and Anita’s escape.

Laurie said, “Did they return to
Crydee?”

Lucas nodded. “A trader in from
Carse a week ago was full of news of this and that. One thing he
heard was some Tsurani were acting up around Jonril, and the Prince
of Crydee was ready to come down to help if needed. So Arutha must
have made it back.”

Laurie said, “Guy must have been
fit to burst at the news.”

Lucas’s smile vanished. “Well,
he was, Laurie. He’d tossed Prince Erland into the dungeon to
get his permission to marry Anita. He kept him there after he heard
of Anita’s escape. I guess he thought the girl would come back
rather than let her father stay in a damp cell, but he was wrong. Now
the word’s on the street the Prince is near death from the
chill. That’s why the city’s in such a state. No one
knows what will happen if Erland dies. He’s well liked, and
there might be trouble.” Laurie looked at Lucas with an
unspoken question. “Nothing like rebellion,” Lucas
answered. “We’re too dispirited. But a few of Guy’s
guards may turn up missing at muster, and there’ll be many
inconveniences getting supplies to the garrison and palace and the
like. And I wouldn’t wish to be the Viceroy’s taxman when
he’s next sent into the Poor Quarter.”

Laurie considered what he had heard “We
are headed east. What about conditions on the road?”

Lucas slowly shook his head. “There
is still some traveling done. Once past Darkmoor, you should have
scant trouble, I’m thinking. We hear that things in the East
are more as they used to be. Still, I’d move carefully.”