ARUTHA LISTENED SILENTLY.
James finished the report, and Arutha was silent for a long moment, then said, ‘An ill thing, despite us putting an end to this Crawler business and the demon hoax behind it.’
William had stood motionless, his face a mask, while James had described the entire incident.
After killing the demon, they had waited until Jazhara’s kinsmen arrived. A cousin, one of Lord Hazara-Khan’s sons, installed himself as temporary Governor of Durbin until an appointment from the city of Great Kesh arrived. They had listened to the complete recounting of events and, upon seeing the governor and his wife’s bodies as well as that of Jazhara, and the dead would-be Nighthawks who had opposed the Izmalis and William, as well as hearing testimony from servants about the odd goings-on around the palace for the previous year or more, had reached the conclusion that things had occurred just as James had testified–his own beaten countenance had further persuaded them that the story was true.
It was a long and unhappy journey home from Durbin for James and William. Long hours of silence passed as they either stayed in their cabins or walked the decks of the ship hired to take them to Krondor. Killing the only woman he had truly loved hung heavy around William’s neck like a chain of iron, even though he knew it was the only choice he could have made. No matter how much James had tried to convince him that Jazhara had already been lost before he had arrived, he still could not rid himself of the memory of plunging his blade into her stomach.
At last Arutha said, ‘William, would you care to visit your family?’
William hesitated. ‘I’d prefer to return to duty as soon as possible, Highness.’
Arutha studied his face, then nodded once. ‘Dismissed. Report to Gardan.’
William saluted and departed.
When they were alone, Arutha pushed his chair away from his desk and said, ‘Do you think he’ll get over it?’
James shook his head. ‘No. Eventually, he would have let go of whatever guilt he felt about Talia–he was actually dealing with that well. But Jazhara …’ James let silence fall for a full minute, then added, ‘Had we not reached the Black Lake and found Silverthorn …’
Arutha said nothing, remembering when his wife Anita had hovered at the edge of death, her life sustained only by magic, as he and James and others had searched in the north for the plant that would provide the cure. He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, as if willing away the haunting fear that they might never find the antidote and the consequence of failure he had carried with him from the moment she had been struck by the assassin’s crossbow bolt until the moment she was saved. It had been the worst time he could remember. Finally, he took a deep breath and said, ‘He’ll carry this one the rest of his life.’
James said, ‘I’m Willy’s friend. What do I do?’
‘You just continue as his friend, Jimmy. In this he is alone.’
Arutha stood and walked around his desk to stand before the former street-boy who had become one of his most valuable associates, and a close friend. ‘Sometimes all we can do is carry a thing, Jimmy. Sometimes the best we can do is not let that thing slow us down or deter us, but there are burdens we never put down.’ The prince paused, looking James in the eyes. ‘As his friends, all we can do is to help keep him going. For if he lets this stop him, he’ll never start again. He will find his life and purpose, and one day even some happiness, but this is something that will always mark him.’
James could only nod, knowing he was right.
Arutha added, ‘I think it best if we keep our young knight-lieutenant busy for a while.’
James smiled. ‘He’ll never admit it, but as much as he enjoys being a soldier, there’s a little bit of a rogue inside Willie, too.’
Arutha returned the smile, ruefully. ‘Speaking of rogues, I’m going to recall Locklear.’
James laughed. ‘If anyone can cheer Willy up, Locky’s the lad.’
‘I’m thinking of keeping you three close by. Let’s just say I may have some difficult tasks ahead, and if you can keep Locky from causing too much trouble, I think he would be a useful addition to your … whatever you’re calling your merry band.’
‘No name, Sire,’ said James.
‘Are you building me a spy network, Jimmy?’
‘The best I can, Highness.’
Arutha’s expression revealed he was caught between amusement and worry. Finally he said, ‘If you get too sure of yourself, remember Jazhara.’
James’s expression turned sombre. ‘I will, Highness.’
‘The game you play often has a high price. I fear, too high at times.’
‘But we must play, mustn’t we, Highness?’
‘I fear we must.’ Arutha sighed. ‘Go, nose around the city and see what has happened while you’ve been away. I know you’re itching to, and you always seem to turn up something useful. I’m going to pen a message to Pug; even if he’s heard of Jazhara’s death from other sources, I need to tell him how sorry we are.’ With an almost pained expression, he added, ‘Then I must request he send us another magician.’
‘Whoever he sends, I’ll do my best to make sure this never happens again, Highness.’
Arutha nodded and gestured that Jimmy had his permission to withdraw.
James bowed slightly, and left the prince’s office. He walked briskly down the hall. William would do well under Gardan’s care for the time being. And within a few weeks Locklear would return and things would prove lively.
Despite his sadness at Jazhara’s death, he knew that he had uncovered one more piece of a very large and important puzzle. There was something out there that was a danger to them all, and James was determined to solve that puzzle.
He hurried through the palace, eager to return to the haunts and dives of the city he loved best.