Rage of a Demon King (27 page)

William, as if an actor moving on a cue, said, “We’ll organize the defense of the area around Krondor, utilizing most of the soldiers under your command, my lords. Those of you in command of nearby garrisons will return to those the day after Banapis. Those of you who have been called in from distant garrisons can expect to have your troops seconded to the Prince’s Garrison, under my direct command. A few of you will be asked to volunteer for particularly dangerous duty. Now, again I caution you about speaking to anyone outside this room about anything that you are privy to in the next week. Our foe is cunning and has agents everywhere, perhaps in your own commands. Trust no one outside this room. Until we meet with each of you in private, you are given leave to depart.”

Erik watched as the lords of the Western Realm of Krondor departed, many still barely in control of their fury. When the room was empty of all but Patrick, James, William, Calis, Erik, and a handful of court officials, Patrick said, “Well, that went better than I expected.”

Erik’s expression was open amazement. Calis said to him, “He means we didn’t have open rebellion.”

William laughed. “We held off telling them they’d been relegated to a secondary role until the last possible minute, but we could hold off no longer.”

Erik said, “I don’t think I fully understand.”

Calis said, “That’s as it should be.” He asked his Prince, “Have I your leave to depart?”

“Yes, you’d better hurry,” said Patrick.

Erik glanced at William, who said, “A special mission.”

Erik had gotten used to Calis’s special missions since becoming his Sergeant Major. He put aside his curiosity and said, “Yes, sir.”

“I’ve got a lot for you to do, Sergeant Major,” said William. “But no need to start until I get through with those nobles who just left in such a foul mood. Take some time off this evening and relax. Starting at noon tomorrow, until Banapis, you’re going to be working from dawn to dusk.”

“Yes, sir,” said Erik. “Is there anything else?”

“Nothing right now, but start thinking about which of those last batch of trainees might serve in the mountains. Have a list of the fifty best on my desk by noon tomorrow.”

“Yes, sir.”

William said, “I’ve already ordered three hundred of your best out at dawn tomorrow, under Colwin and Jadow Shati. Most of your command is moving out in small groups this week. I’ll bring you up to date at noon tomorrow. Until then, your time’s your own.”

Erik saluted, bade the Prince, the Duke, and the others good day, and departed. He hurried to his own quarters and sat down, going over a list of men with whom he had just returned from the mountains.

For a moment he felt defeat. The names meant nothing to him; how would he pick fifty to give some slightly better chance of survival to? Then a name caught his eye, a man named Reardon. He remembered
him because of a particularly funny off-color remark he had made at a difficult moment, when lesser men would have been losing their tempers. The men around him had laughed, the tension had lessened, and the men had managed the task Erik had given them.

He saw the man’s face, and then began remembering the men who had been with that group, Reardon and his five teammates, and the other group. Within moments, Erik recalled a dozen names.

At the end of an hour, Erik had a list of fifty men he judged fit for the extraordinary duty required in the mountains. Feeling better for having that task out of the way, he visited the enlisted baths, finding several off-duty soldiers cleaning up. He overheard the barracks gossip and, by the time he was refreshed, was certain that the entire garrison was abuzz with some sense of impending conflict.

Erik changed into fresh clothing and, as fast as he could, found his way to the Inn of the Broken Shield. The inn was fairly crowded, but that didn’t stop Kitty from nearly jumping over the bar as she flew into his arms. Erik laughed, and as the slender girl kissed him, he said, “Slow down, woman. Do you want people to think you’ve no morals?”

Kitty said, “Who cares what people think?”

Several of the nearby patrons laughed at the remark. One of the whores employed by Duke James said, “I certainly don’t, dearie!”

Erik said, “How have you been?”

She pinched his cheek playfully and said, “Lonely. How long before you have to go back to the palace?”

Erik smiled. “I don’t have to be there until noon tomorrow.”

Kitty almost squealed in delight. “I opened today, so I get off in two hours. Have something to eat and don’t drink too much with your low-life barracks mates, because I have plans for you.”

Erik blushed, and several of those within hearing range laughed at Kitty’s remarks.

Erik crossed to the corner of the inn, where Sergeant Alfred sat with other men from Erik’s unit. Erik pulled up a chair, and one of the other serving girls came over with a pitcher of ale and a fresh mug for him. She topped off the other mugs and left the men to themselves.

“Why so somber?” asked Erik.

“Orders,” said Alfred.

Another soldier, a Rodezian corporal named Miguel, said, “We leave at sundown tomorrow.”

Erik took a long pull of his ale. “So.”

Alfred said, “It’s beginning.”

The other soldiers nodded.

Erik, the only man in the room who had served with Calis on his voyages to Novindus, said, “No, it began a long time ago.” He looked off into the distance, then at his companions, and said, “But now it’s here.”

Kitty snuggled into the crook of Erik’s shoulder. “I hate that you have to leave tomorrow.”

“I know,” said Erik.

“What’s wrong?”

“What makes you think anything is wrong?”

They lay in the relative solitude of her room. Erik could afford to take a room had he wished, but having
spent his childhood in a similar loft, he found the odor of hay and animals, leather and iron familiar and reassuring.

Kitty said, “I know you, Erik. You’re worried.”

Erik weighed his words. Finally he said, “Do you know a way out of the city?”

“You mean where the gate is?” she said in a joking fashion.

“No, I mean if the city was sealed, do you think you could find a way out?”

Kitty raised herself up and leaned on an elbow, looking down at her lover. “Why?”

“Just answer: could you?”

“Without running into the Mockers, probably not.”

Erik considered his next words, for what he was going to say bordered on treason, and at the very least was a direct circumvention of orders. “I have a favor to ask.”

“Anything.”

“When the festival winds down next week, just before sundown . . .”

“Yes?” she prompted.

“Find your way out of the city; leave with some farmers heading back to the nearby villages.”

“What?” she asked, her expression one of open surprise.

“I can’t tell you exactly why, but I don’t want you in Krondor after Banapis.”

“You mean you won’t tell me. What is this all about?”

“Duke James has agents at every gate of the city, without question, and besides looking for enemy agents, my guess is they also have orders to stop you,
or anyone else he’s forced to serve, from fleeing. Banapis is the best chance you have of getting out of the city without being stopped.”

“Why do I need to leave Krondor?” said Kitty.

“Because if you stay, I don’t know if you’ll survive. I can’t say more.”

“You’re frightening me,” she said. Erik had never heard Kitty admit to being afraid of anything, so the words carried weight.

“Good. You have to fear what I can’t talk about more than Duke James’s long reach. Get out of the city and make your way to Roo’s estate and hide there. I’ll make arrangements for him to get you out of the West. And say nothing to anyone.”

“Where are you going to be while I’m hiding in the East?”

“Fighting a war.”

Erik felt her melt into his arms, and her hot tears fell on his chest. “We’re not going to see each other again, are we?”

Holding her close, he stroked her hair and kissed her cheek. “I don’t know, but it won’t be for the lack of trying, my love.”

She kissed him back. “I want to forget what you said.”

“You can forget until Banapis,” said Erik.

“Until Banapis.”

Roo pointed.

“Nothing like that in Ravensburg, is there?” Erik said, “You’ve got the right of it.”

Below the palace, the courtyard was filled with visiting nobles, waiting for the traditional noon start of the Festival of Banapis, Midsummer’s Day. Erik glanced around and felt conflicting emotions; Banapis was traditionally the happiest day of the year, the day when everyone in the Kingdom was counted one year older, a day dedicated to drinking, gambling, making love, dancing, and anything else people could traditionally think of as pleasure. Servants were free to roam after noon and, once the tables were laid out for the nobles, were free to mingle with them or to head into the city to partake of the merriment there.

Back in Ravensburg, things were considerably less formal. The servants worked through the night
and morning to prepare the meals, then the town burghers, the members of the local guild, the Growers’ and Vintners’, would leave their hall to signal the beginning of festivities. Everything in Ravensburg was free that day, with those of great and lesser means sharing. Whatever could be was brought to the community table, and at noon the feasting began.

Here there were servants whose part in the festivities wouldn’t commence until the Prince and his family had retired for the night. Some of them would be permitted to leave early, then forced to return to take the place of others, for no matter what the tradition in other parts of the Kingdom, the royal family could never be without servants.

Erik knew from having been involved in the passing of orders that soldiers were warned to limit their imbibing and that any man returning to quarters obviously drunk would be called out for punishment duty the next day. Normally that would have been insufficient to deter some of the younger soldiers, but word had been passed that punishment would consist of a full day beside the convict labor building the new jetty in the harbor.

And that was the reason for the dark shadow that hung over Erik’s otherwise jovial mood. In the back of his mind he couldn’t forget the coming battle, and he fretted over Kitty’s planned escape from the city.

He wrestled with his conscience. He should have gone directly to Lord James and asked him to send Kitty away, but fear of the Duke saying no had led Erik to this implicit defiance of orders. He could claim that because James had not overtly forbidden Kitty to leave Krondor, no one was being treasonable,
but Erik knew it to be a petty legalism, and that he was violating the spirit of Kitty’s conditions of service to Lord James, if not the word.

Yet a part of him didn’t care. Her safety was paramount to him, matched only by his fear for his mother and Nathan, her husband. Kitty would carry a letter drafted by Erik to Ravensburg, after Roo gave her shelter. The letter would tell Nathan to take Freida to the East.

Erik understood that should the Kingdom fall, nowhere on Midkemia would prove safe, but he knew that the fighting would eventually reach Darkmoor, and even should the Kingdom prevail, Ravensburg was on the wrong side of the mountains. It would surely be overrun by the invaders.

Roo asked, “What’s the matter?”

Lowering his voice, Erik said, “Come with me a moment.”

Roo signaled to Karli that he would be with Erik, and she nodded. The children were freshly scrubbed and on their best behavior, as Roo and a score of the most important merchants mingled with the assembled nobles as guests of the Prince, at a private reception of his prior to the general festivities.

Duncan Avery was deep in conversation with Sylvia Esterbrook, and Erik absently wondered if Roo had intentionally inflicted his boorish cousin on the girl to keep Karli free of suspicion.

Roo asked, “What is it?”

“Ah,” Erik began, then he said, “I see you brought Helen Jacoby and her children.”

“Yes,” answered Roo. “They’re quickly becoming a fixture in my life.” He grinned. “Actually, Helen is a wonderful woman, and she and Karli hit it off. And the children get along like kittens in a litter.

“Now, tell me what’s really on your mind. You didn’t ask me over here to talk about Helen Jacoby, and you’ve got something stuck in your craw. I know you too well, Erik von Darkmoor; I’m your best friend, remember? You want a favor. You’ve
never
known how to ask for one, so just say it.”

“I want you to hide Kitty,” he said softly.

Roo’s eyes widened. Of those not members of the Prince’s court he knew more of what was going on in the Kingdom than any man. He had served with Calis’s forces and had seen the ravages of the Emerald Queen. He knew about the preparations for the coming war, as his various companies were doing more business with the Crown than any other like concerns. He could judge to a fairly accurate degree just what sort of defense was being mounted and where, because it was his wagons that were carrying arms and provisions throughout the Principality.

He also knew Kitty’s status and who she had been before being captured by Lord James, and he knew what it meant to run afoul of the Duke of Krondor. He hesitated an instant, then said, “Done.”

Erik’s relief was almost too much. Tears began to gather in his eyes. Getting his emotions under control, he whispered, “Thank you.”

“When do you plan to sneak her out of the city?”

Glancing around to see they weren’t being overheard, Erik said, “At sundown. I’ve gotten her some common clothing and a theatrical wig. She will mingle with farmers leaving to return to the nearby villages.

“I’ve left money and a horse for her at the Inn of the Silent Rooster near the village of Essford. The innkeeper thinks the daughter of a wealthy merchant
is eloping with me, and he’s been paid enough not to ask questions.”

Roo grinned. He had borrowed money from Erik to start his enterprises nearly two years earlier, and that relatively little bit of gold Roo had taken had come back to Erik a thousandfold. “So you’ve finally found a use for the money I’ve made you?”

Erik managed a faint smile. “Yes, finally.”

“Well, I hope you didn’t overpay him. That’s one of my inns, and you could have gotten the service for free.”

Erik laughed. “Is there anything in Krondor you don’t own?”

Roo glanced to where Sylvia was laughing at something Duncan had said, and replied, “Yes, I’m sorry to say there is.”

Erik ignored the reference. “When are you leaving for your estates?” he asked.

“Tomorrow. Kitty need only spend tonight at the inn. Tomorrow she can come to my home. I’ll put her to work in the kitchen and tell Karli and the rest of the staff I’m doing her a favor.” He thought about it, then added, “I’ll make up some story about her being from one of my other inns, I’ll decide which later, and some business about a squabble.” He lowered his voice. “Then I’ll tell Karli the truth, and she’ll gladly remain silent. She loves the notion of romance.”

Erik shook his head. “Whatever, Roo. And thanks.”

“Come on,” said the little man. “We better get back to the pleasures of the day and mix around. I take it you’re heading to the Sign of the Broken Shield?”

“As soon as it’s politic for me to go.” Erik smiled. “People would wonder if Kitty and I had a falling out if I didn’t go spend Banapis with her.”

Roo had an idea. He whispered into Erik’s ear, “Take her to the temple and marry her. If James discovers what’s afoot, he’ll think less ill of you for trying to save your wife from the coming carnage.”

Erik stood dumbstruck. “Marriage?” He looked at his friend. “I never thought of it.”

Roo’s gaze narrowed. “You’ve been a soldier too long, friend.”

They both laughed, and then Erik turned to find Karli approaching. He said, “Mrs. Avery, I return your husband to you.”

Karli smiled. “Thank you. The children are bored with all the adult talk and we’re taking them down to the courtyard to see the jugglers and jesters.”

Roo said, “Ware the mountebanks. Don’t buy anything! I’ll be along in a moment.”

Erik saw he was joking, and Karli pointedly ignored him. She and Helen took the children, bade good-bye to the Duke’s wife, and departed.

Suddenly both Erik and Roo felt a stab of panic as the Lady Gamina turned her gaze upon them. Both men were all too familiar with her talents in reading men’s minds, and both instantly knew she had sensed something in what they were doing.

She paused a moment, and a look of sadness mixed with resignation crossed her face; then she approached them. Both men bowed, and Erik said, “Duchess, it’s a pleasure.”

Lady Gamina said, “You’ll never make a convincing liar, Erik, so don’t try.” Glancing at Roo, she said, “Don’t attempt to teach him, either. Men as honest as
Erik are few and far between.” She studied Erik’s face. “I never willingly intrude on another’s thoughts, unless I’m bidden by my husband for the good of the state”—her eyes hinted at some regret at that—“but occasionally thoughts come to me unbidden, by those who don’t realize they are ‘shouting’ their concerns. Usually, it’s something to do with great emotion.” She smiled slightly. “So why did you suddenly shout ‘marriage,’ Erik?”

Erik blushed furiously. “It’s just . . . I’m going to marry Kitty.”

Gamina looked at him a moment, then smiled. “You do love her, then, don’t you?”

“I do.”

The old woman reached out and gently patted Erik’s hand.

“Then get married, young man. I don’t know how pointless it is to wish someone happiness in the days to come, but grab what you can.” Glancing over her shoulder to where her husband stood surrounded by other nobles, she said, “Enjoy your youth, and if all ends well, treasure her. I know how hard it is to be one who serves the King. And I know even more what it is to be married to one who serves the King.”

Saying nothing more, she moved away toward her husband.

Roo glanced at Erik and with a nod of his head indicated they should move out of the crowded reception chamber. In a hallway, relatively empty, Roo whispered, “Do you think she knows?”

Erik nodded. “She knows.”

“But she isn’t going to say anything?”

Erik shrugged. “I don’t think she’ll lie to her husband, not for you or me, but I think she’s not going
to volunteer anything either.” He was thoughtful a moment. “There is something very sad about her.”

Roo shrugged. “If you say so.” He glanced into the reception room. “I’d better see what Duncan is up to.”

“Right,” said Erik with a heavy dose of sarcasm. He knew full well it was Sylvia to whom Roo wished to attend. “I’ve got a few things to do around here before I can see Kitty.” He whispered in his friend’s ear, “Thank you. I’ll tell her to go to your estate tomorrow.”

Roo whispered back, “I’ll dress her up as a maid when we travel east, in a month’s time.”

“That’s cutting it close.”

“Any earlier and the Duke will find an excuse to arrest me, you can be certain.” He squeezed Erik’s arm and went back into the room.

Erik walked to his quarters, where he planned on changing out of his black tunic with the crimson eagle on it, preferring to wear common garb on Banapis. He reached his small quarters, and stripped off his tunic. As he folded it, he regarded the red bird sewn on the chest.

What was Calis doing this Banapis, he wondered.

*   *   *

Calis pointed. “There!”

Anthony closed his eyes and muttered a series of soft syllables under his breath, and the air before them shimmered. It seemed to bend and contract and suddenly a lens appeared before them, upon which they could clearly see the fleet of the Emerald Queen as it progressed through the Straits of Darkness.

The old magician gasped a bit for breath. “That is perhaps the most useful thing I have ever learned to
do. It bends the air into a spherical lens to magnify light. Very passive, and we should not be detected at this distance unless the Pantathians are being supremely suspicious.”

The two men stood high atop a peak overlooking the Straits, the southernmost spire of the Grey Towers. “Sit down,” said Calis. “You’re short of breath.”

“It’s the altitude,” said Anthony. As he sat, he added, “And the age.” He glanced at the morning sun. “And being forced out at such a foul hour to climb mountains. Transporting us here was more strain than I thought.”

Anthony was a slender man in his late fifties, his hair faded from pale yellow to grey-white, though his skin was still relatively unwrinkled. He let out a long breath and drew a deeper one. “I used to be able to climb around up here without passing out.”

Calis turned and smiled at his old friend. “Perhaps you exaggerate? The South Pass is a full three thousand feet lower than this spire. I doubt you’ve ever been close to any elevation greater than that.”

“Well, all right, so I exaggerate.” The brother-in-law of the Duke of Crydee lay back on the rocks, attempting to get as comfortable as conditions permitted. “I’m too tired to look. What do you see?”

“The vanguard is through the Straits and has fanned out in an attack formation. How do I turn this thing?”

Despite the season, the wind was chilled, for they sat atop a peak eight thousand feet in the air. Anthony said, “I have to turn it. Which way?”

“First to the right. I want to see what the bulk of her fleet’s deployment is.”

Anthony held up his hand until it was parallel to the air lens, then he slowly turned his hand in a half-arc. The lens moved in a similar arc.

The two men had been companions on Calis’s first trip to Novindus. Anthony had been the court magician to Duke Martin, and had been in love with Martin’s daughter, Margaret. He had voyaged with Nicholas, Calis, and others in an attempt to recover the kidnapped Margaret and other hostages, and they had sailed halfway around the world.

Anthony said, “Have I mentioned that whenever you show up, things seem to get very bad for me?”

“Coincidence,” said Calis with a smile. “I’m almost certain.” He glanced at the lens. “Hold it there a moment.” He studied the deployment of the fleet and said, “Damn.”

“What?” asked Anthony.

“They’re being very cautious.”

“How?”

“They’ve sent skirmishers farther up the coast than Nicky thought.”