Whos behind it, Lucas? asked James.
Lucas looked around, as if afraid some invisible agency might overhear him. Softly he said, Someone calling himself the Crawler.
James sat back. Why am I not surprised? he muttered.
CHAPTER THREE
Reception
JAMES WAITED.
A court page knocked upon the door, his youthful expression neutral as befitted a lad of twelve stationed just outside the royal apartments. An answering voice bid James enter, and he waited as two pages pushed open the ornate wooden doors. Inside, the Prince took breakfast with his family, the fractious twins poking at one another while attempting to avoid parental notice. A scolding look from their mother indicated their failure and they went back to a pretence of model behaviour. The little Princess was happily singing a song of her own making while she purposefully put spoon to a bowl of hot breakfast mush.
Princess Anita smiled at James as he presented himself to the family and bowed. Our squire finally appears, said Arutha dryly. I trust were not inconveniencing you this morning?
James smiled back at the Princess as he straightened, then turned to the Prince and said, I was dressed in a quite inappropriate fashion for a meal with the royal family, Highness. I am sorry to be so tardy.
Arutha indicated for James to stand at his right hand, where he was expected to wait on his rulers pleasure unless out on some errand or another. James did so and took a moment to rest in the glow of the only thing in his life that felt like family to him.
The Prince of Krondor and his squire enjoyed a relationship that was eccentric and unique. At times they were comrades as much as master and servant, while at other times their bond was almost brotherly. Yet there was always this one thing between them: James never forgot that Arutha was his Prince and he was Aruthas loyal servant.
You look tired, observed the Prince.
Its been a long time since I enjoyed the comfort of a warm bed and a good nights sleep, sir, James replied. Last night included.
Well, was it worth it?
James said, In one way, very much. In another, no.
Glancing at his wife and children, Arutha looked at James and softly said, Do we need to speak in private?
James said, I judge it inappropriate table conversation, if thats the answer you seek, Highness.
Arutha said, Retire to my private office and wait. I will join you in a few minutes.
James did as he was told and walked the short distance to Aruthas private office. Inside he found it as it always was, ordered and clean. He eased his fatigued body into a chair near the Princes writing desk and sat back.
James lurched awake as Arutha entered a short while later. Sleeping? asked the Prince with amusement as James came to his feet.
It was a very long and tiring ride home, Highness, followed by another night without sleep.
Arutha waved James back into his chair and said, Relax a bit while you talk, but dont nod off again.
Sire, said James as he sat. Three of my informants have gone missing.
Arutha nodded. From what the good sheriff tells me, we have a rash of killings here in Krondor again, and this time it looks as if theres no pattern. But the disappearance of your informants tells us someone knows more about us than we do about him, and doesnt want us improving our knowledge.
James said, I dont see any pattern either.
Not yet, said the Prince. There was a knock at the door, and Arutha called out, A moment. To James he said, That would be Gardan with his retirement documents.
He is leaving, then? asked James.
Arutha nodded. Im sorry to see him go, but hes earned his rest. Hell go home to Crydee and spend his last years with his grandchildren, and I cant think of a better fate for any man. And I suspect hes correct in his accusation that I dont leave him much to do, really. He suggests I appoint someone with administrative talents to the post rather than a military man as long as I insist on personally supervising the army. And this conversation stays in this room.
James nodded silently.
Pointing to the door, Arutha said, Let Gardan in on your way out. Then go to your room and get some sleep. Youre excused from court duty this morning. You have a busy evening ahead of you.
More scouting the city? asked James.
Arutha said, No, my wifes arranged a homecoming ball, and you must attend.
James rolled his eyes heavenward. Couldnt I go crawl around in the sewers some more?
Arutha laughed. No. Youll stand and look interested as rich merchants impress you with tales of their fiscal heroics, and their vapid daughters try to entice you with their marginal charms. Thats a royal command. He fingered a document upon his desk. And we have word of an eastern noble headed our way for an unexpected visit. So we must be ready to entertain as well. And murder in the streets does so take the joy out of things, dont you agree? he added dryly.
Yes, Highness.
James opened the door and admitted Gardan, who nodded a greeting. After Gardan entered the room, James left, closing the door behind him.
The court was nearly empty. In a few moments, de Lacy and Jerome would admit nobles, merchants, and other petitioners to the great hall. With a nod of courtesy to the two men, James hurried out of another side door and started back towards his quarters. He might not look forward to another of Princess Anitas galas, but he did hear his bed singing a siren call to him right now. The last few weeks in the north, especially almost a week-long horseback ride abetted by mystical herbs to ward off fatigue, had taken its toll.
As he reached the corner of two halls, he found a page and instructed the youth to awaken him one hour before the supper bell rang. James reached his room, went inside, and within minutes was fast asleep.
The musicians struck up a tune and Arutha turned to his wife and bowed. Less formal than the royal court in Rillanon, the Princes court in Krondor was no less bound by traditions. One such was that no one began dancing before the Prince and Princess.
Arutha was an adept dancer. That didnt surprise James. No one could be as nimble when wheeling a sword as the Prince of Krondor and not have a superb sense of balance and exquisite timing. And the dances were simple. James had heard that the court dances in Rillanon were complex, very formal things, while here in the far more rustic west the court dances were similar to those performed by farmers and townspeople throughout the Western Realm, just executed with a bit more restraint and less noise.
James watched Arutha and Anita nod as one to the music master. He held up his bow and nodded to his musicians, a collection of stringed instruments, a pair of percussionists, and three men playing flutes of various sizes. A sprightly tune was struck up and Anita stepped away from Arutha, while holding his hand, and executed a twirling turn, which caused her ornate gown to flare out. She ducked skillfully under his arm, and James thought it was a good thing those silly large white hats the ladies wore this season were considered daywear only. He considered it improbable she could have got under Aruthas arm without knocking it off.