He and Erik had fled their lifelong home in Ravensburg after killing Eriks half brother, Stefan, then Baron of Dark-moor. Had they stayed and faced trial, they might have convinced a judge it was self-defense, but their flight counted heavily against them and they had been sentenced to die.
They reached the steps that led up toward the yard where the gallows stood, but this time they passed them by. De Loungville, the man who had held their lives in his hand from the moment they had fallen to the hard wooden floor of the gallows until they had departed ship the day before, said, Youre a scruffy bunch, so I think we should clean you up a bit before your audience.
Audience? asked Erik, still showing signs of damage from the night before. One of the strongest men Roo had ever known uncontestedly the strongest boy in Ravens-burg Erik had pitched a guardsman through a window just before another broke a wine jar over his head. Roo couldnt tell if he had taken more damage from the blow or from the large amounts of wine he had been drinking before the fight started; Erik had never been much of a drinker.
Some important men would like a word with you. It wouldnt do to have you in court looking as you do. Now, he said, pushing open a door, strip off!
Hot tubs of soapy water waited and the men did as they were bidden. Two years of following de Loungvilles orders without question had formed a habit too hard to break, and soon the five men were sitting in tubs, letting palace pages sponge them down.
Pitchers of cold water were provided and the men all drank their fill. Between the very hot bath and the large amounts of cold water he drank, Roo began to feel again that life might be worth living.
When clean, they discovered their clothing had been removed. De Loungville pointed to two black tunics with a familiar mark upon the breast. Erik picked one up and said, The Crimson Eagle.
De Loungville said, Nicholas thought it fitting and Calis didnt object. Its the banner of our new army, Erik. You and Jadow are my first two corporals, so put those on. To the others he said, Theres some clean clothing over there.
Nakor and Sho Pi both looked odd in the clean tunic and trousers instead of the usual robes they affected, but Roo found his own appearance improved dramatically. The tunic might be a little large for his diminutive frame, but it was certainly the finest weave he had ever worn, and the trousers fit perfectly. He was still barefoot, but months at sea had toughened his feet to the point he didnt think twice about it.
Erik retained his worn boots, but Jadow, like the others, went barefoot.
After they dressed, the men followed de Loungville into a familiar hall; here the men of Caliss desperate company had stood trial before the Prince of Krondor at the time, Nicholas. The hall hadnt changed much, Roo thought, but he realized that his mind had been so numb from terror the last time he had been there he had barely noticed his surroundings.
Ancient banners hung from every ceiling beam, casting the hall into shadow as they cut the light from windows high in the vaulted ceiling. Torches burned in sconces along the wall to provide illumination, for despite the large windows in the far wall, the hall was immense enough the light did not reach far enough. Roo considered he would have the banners removed, were he the Prince.
Along the walls stood courtiers and pages ready to do the royal bidding at a moments notice, and a formally attired Master of Ceremony struck the floor with an iron-shod staff of office, announcing Robert de Loungville, Baron of the Court and Special Agent of the Prince. Roo shook his head slightly in amusement, for de Loungville was the companys sergeant, and to think of him as a court baron was too alien a task.
Members of the court watched as the squad came to stand before the throne. Roo calculated as best he could the worth of the gold used to decorate the candle holders along the near wall, and decided the Prince could better use his wealth by replacing them with brass highly decorative, but far less costly, freeing up wealth to invest in the proper enterprise. Then he wondered if he might be allowed to speak to the Prince on just such a subject.
Thinking of the Prince returned Roos attention to the man who had once pronounced the death sentence upon him. Nicholas, now his nephews Admiral of the Western Fleet, stood to one side of the throne beside his successor, Prince Patrick. To the other side stood Calis and the man Roo knew to be James, Duke of Krondor, speaking to the man they had seen on the docks, Patricks uncle Prince Erland. And sitting upon the throne was his twin. Roo suddenly flushed when he realized they were being presented to the King!
Your Majesty, Highnesses, said de Loungville with a courtly bow, I have the honor to present five men who acquitted themselves with bravery and honor.
Only five survived? asked King Borric. He and his brother were both large men, but there was an edge to the King, a toughness beyond his brothers own powerful appearance. Roo couldnt rightly judge the why of such things, but he instinctively considered the King a more dangerous opponent than Prince Erland.
There are others, said de Loungville. Some will be presented this afternoon at court soldiers from your various garrisons. But these are the only ones to survive from among the condemned.
Nakor said, That we know of.
De Loungville turned with a look of irritation on his face at the breach of protocol, but Borric only grinned. Nakor, is that you in that getup?
Returning the Kings smile, Nakor moved forward. Its me, Majesty. I went, too, and came back. Greylock is with the other ship, and any others who survived and made their way to the City of the Serpent River will be with him.
De Loungville bit back anything he was going to say to Nakor. It was obvious that he and the King knew each other. Nakor nodded toward Erland, who also smiled at the sight of the little Isalani.
To the four prisoners the King said, You are all pardoned, your crimes and your sentences are vacated. Glancing at Erik and Jadow, he said, We see youve taken service.
Erik merely nodded, while Jadow stammered, Ye-yes, Majesty.
Looking at Sho Pi and Roo, the King said, You have not.
Sho Pi bowed his head. I will follow my master, Majesty.
Nakor said, Stop calling me master! He turned toward the King. The boy thinks me some sort of sage and insists upon traipsing around after me.
Prince Erland said, I wonder why. It wouldnt be because he saw you pulling your mystic sage scam, would it, Nakor?
Or is it the wandering priest dodge? asked the King.
Nakor grinned as he rubbed his chin. Actually, I havent tried those in a while. Then his expression darkened. And I never should have told you two about them when we rode back from Kesh.
The King said, Well, take him along with you, then. You could probably do with an extra set of hands on the road.
Nakor said, On the road? Im returning to Sorcerers Isle.
The King said, Not for a while. We need you to go to Stardock on the Crowns behalf, to speak with the leaders of the Academy.
Nakors expression darkened. You know Im quits with Stardock, Borric, and you have a good idea why, I have no doubt.
If the King objected to being addressed so informally, he didnt show it as he said, We know, but you also have seen firsthand what were up against, and youve been to Novindus twice. We need you to persuade the magicians at Stardock what stands against us. We will need their help.