Roo held up his hand.
‘There are three things I need to discuss with you,’ he said.
Karli had given him permission to use her dining room to hold a meeting with Luis and Duncan. She even managed not to look disappointed when he asked her to leave them alone.
Luis glanced at Duncan, who shrugged, indicating he had no idea what was coming.
‘We’re here instead of at the warehouse because I wanted to be certain there was no chance of anyone overhearing us.’
‘You suspect one of our workmen of something?’ asked Luis.
Roo shook his head. ‘No, but the fewer of us who know what we plan, the less risk we have of our enemies finding out.’
‘Enemies?’ said Duncan. ‘Who are we at war with now?’
Roo lowered his voice to just more than a whisper. ‘There’s a piece of walking scum named Tim Jacoby who had Helmut killed.’
Luis said, ‘Jacoby?’
Duncan nodded. ‘Son of a trader named Frederick Jacoby. Jacoby and Sons.’
Luis shook his head. ‘I’ve not heard of them.’
Roo said, ‘Spend a few more months working in Krondor in the freight-hauling trade and you will. They are not our biggest rivals, but they are important.’ Roo leaned back and obvious frustration showed on his face. ‘Helmut told me it was the Jacobys who robbed his wagon.’
‘Can we go to the City Watch?’ said Luis.
‘With what?’ said Duncan. ‘We have no proof.’
‘We have a dying man’s declaration,’ said Luis.
Duncan shook his head. ‘That might do if Roo here was a noble or some such, but without someone important having heard it, a priest or city watchman at the least, it’s Roo’s word against this Jacoby.’
‘And his father is very well connected,’ said Roo. ‘They’re working with some of the bigger trading concerns in the Western Realm, and if I said anything to anyone they’d claim it false and say I was just trying to hurt their business.’
Luis shrugged. ‘It is always this way with the powerful; they can do what the rest of us cannot.’
Roo said, ‘I’ve half a mind to go pay Tim Jacoby a visit this night.’
Luis shrugged. ‘You can always do that, young Roo.’ He leaned forward, his deformed hand lying on the table before him, as he pointed with his left forefinger at Roo. ‘But ask yourself: what good would it do save to get you back to the gallows?’
‘I’ve got to do something.’
Luis nodded. ‘Time will bring an opportunity for revenge.’ He considered. ‘You said Jacoby and Sons, Duncan. Is there a brother?’
Duncan said, ‘Yes. Tim’s the elder. Randolph, the other, is a decent enough man, from what people say, but he’s fiercely loyal to his family.’
Luis said, ‘In Rodez, when a man wrongs another man, we fight a duel. But when a family wrongs another family, we wage war. It may be a quiet war, one that lasts for generations, but ultimately one family is destroyed.’
Roo said, ‘I’m going to have to struggle to keep this business alive, Luis. Waging war is costly.’
Luis shrugged. ‘The war has begun. It may not be stopped until you either win or are defeated, but no one says the next battle must be tonight. Bide your time. Build your strength. Reduce your enemy’s position. When you finally have the opportunity, then seize the moment.’ He made a crushing gesture with his good hand. ‘Often you’ll hear it said that revenge is a dish best served cold. This is a mistake; you must never lose the heat of rage that drives you to revenge.’ He studied Roo’s face. ‘Forgiveness is a virtue in some temples. But if you are not virtuous, then study your enemy.’ He tapped his head. ‘Think. Think about what drives him and what his strengths and weaknesses are. Keep the fires within banked, and plot coolly, but when everything is in place, unleash the fire and enjoy the hot flush of revenge.’
Roo blew air out of his mouth slowly, as if letting his anger escape. ‘Very well. We wait. But make it known to our men that any rumors concerning Jacoby and Sons should be shared with us.’
‘What’s the next thing?’ asked Duncan. ‘I’ve got a lady to visit …’ He grinned.
Roo smiled. ‘Helmut kept our books and records. I have some sense of it, but I’m no expert. Can either of you keep books?’
Luis shook his head and Duncan laughed. ‘I’ve never been one for sums. You know that.’
‘Then we need to hire someone.’
‘Who?’ asked Duncan.
Roo said, ‘I don’t know. Maybe Jason, over at Barret’s. He was good with figures when we worked together; McKeller had him doing inventories more often than anyone else. He could remember things … costs and numbers of sacks of coffee and details that I had no clear picture of. I’ll ask him. He’s ambitious. Maybe he’ll work for us.’
‘Can we pay him?’ Duncan asked with a laugh.
Roo said, ‘We have the contract with the palace. I’ll ask de Loungville to make sure we get paid on time, and we’ll get by.’
‘What’s the third thing?’ asked Luis.
Roo’s face underwent a change of expression, from anger and worry to self-consciousness. ‘I’m getting married.’
Luis said, ‘Congratulations.’ He held out his hand and Roo gripped it.
Duncan said, ‘Karli?’
‘Who else?’ said Roo.
Duncan shrugged. ‘When?’
‘Next Sixthday. Can you join us?’
‘Certainly,’ said Duncan, standing up. ‘If we’re done?’
‘You can leave,’ said Roo, feeling disappointed at his cousin’s lack of enthusiasm.
After Duncan left, Luis said, ‘This is a difficult responsibility to assume, Roo.’
‘What do you mean?’
Luis said, ‘It’s not my business. I’m sorry I spoke.’
Roo asked, ‘What’s on your mind?’
Luis said nothing for a moment, then said, ‘You seem to like the girl. But … are you marrying her because you feel someone must take care of her and you’re the only one?’
Roo started to deny it, then found he couldn’t. ‘I don’t know. I like her, and a wife … well, a wife is a wife, right? I need a wife, and some children.’
‘Why?’
Roo looked completely confused. ‘I … well, I just do. I mean, I plan on being a man of some importance in the city, and I need a wife and children.’
Luis studied the young man awhile. ‘As you say. I will return to the office and mention to the men there will be a wedding on Sixthday.’
Roo said, ‘I’ll tell Erik and Jadow tomorrow. Maybe the Captain will come if he’s still in the city.’
Luis nodded. As he passed behind Roo’s chair, he stopped and put his hand on the younger man’s shoulder. ‘I wish you happiness, my friend. I really do.’
‘Thank you,’ said Roo as Luis left.
A moment later, Karli entered the room. ‘I heard them leave.’
Roo nodded. ‘I told them we were getting married on Sixthday.’
Karli sat down in the chair Duncan had occupied. ‘Are you certain?’
Roo forced a smile. ‘Of course I am,’ he said, patting her hand, but inside he felt like nothing more than leaving this house and running for all he was worth. ‘Of course I am,’ he repeated.
He glanced out a curtained window as if he could see through the fabric, and in his mind’s eye he saw the pale face of Helmut as he lay on his deathbed. His skin was bone-white, the same color as the large bolt of silk Roo had stolen, and in his heart Roo knew that there was a thread leading from that bolt to Helmut and that Karli’s father’s death lay at his feet. Patting the girl’s hand, Roo knew that even if he hated the girl, he would marry her to make up for the wrong he had caused.
Calis pushed himself back from the table, stood up, and moved to a window. Staring out at the marshalling yard below, he said, ‘I’ve got a bad feeling about all of this.’
Prince Nicholas sat back in his chair, glanced at his nephew, then to Knight-Marshal William, who nodded agreement. ‘It’s a desperate gamble,’ said William.
Patrick, who sat at the head of the council table, said, ‘Uncle, you’ve seen this personally. You’ve traveled to that distant land more than once.’ He glanced around the room. ‘I’m prepared to admit that some of my reluctance comes from not having … first-hand experience, I should say, with these Pantathians.’
Nicholas said, ‘I’ve seen what they can do, Patrick, and I scarcely believe what we’re told.’ He waved at a pile of papers on the table before them. Dispatches had arrived by fast courier, as a relay of ships wended their way between Krondor, the Far Coast, the Sunset Islands, and the distant continent of Novindus. The reports that had arrived the morning before had been sent from Novindus less than a month after Greylock and Luis had departed. And the news was not good.
Duke James, who sat beside Knight-Marshal William, said, ‘We know that our guesses were overly optimistic. Destroying the shipyards at Maharta and the City of the Serpent River didn’t buy us as many years as we thought.’
‘Ten years,’ said Calis. ‘I remember thinking it would take them ten years to rebuild and refit and launch a fleet big enough to carry that host across the ocean.’
Patrick said, ‘What do you judge now, Captain?’
Calis sighed, the first outward display of emotion any in the room had seen from him since his return from Stardock. ‘Four more, maybe five.’
Nicholas said, ‘We didn’t count on an enemy who was willing to turn every resource at hand to rebuilding those yards and starting that fleet.’
‘We didn’t count on an enemy who doesn’t care if her population dies to the last man,’ said William. He pushed himself away from the table and stood, as if he, too, could no longer sit still. ‘We’re preparing to defend, and we’re making it obvious enough the Pantathians may think we’re done taking the fight across the ocean to them.’
He came to stand next to Calis. ‘But we have one advantage they are unaware of; they don’t know we know where their home is.’
Calis smiled a half-smile, lacking any humor. ‘I don’t think they care.’ He moved past William and stood opposite Nicholas, but addressed his remarks to Prince Patrick. ‘Highness, I am not certain this mission will win us anything.’
Patrick asked, ‘You think this wins us nothing?’
William said, ‘Our presumption is they will not expect this, slipping in behind them and destroying their nest.’
Calis held up a finger, like a schoolmaster, ‘That’s the word: presumption.’ He turned to look at William. ‘Everything we have ever seen from these creatures tells us they think like no others. They die as willingly as they kill. If we slaughter them to the last child when they’re seizing the Lifestone, they will not care. They believe they will return as demigods in the service of their “Lady,” and death holds no fear for them.’
Turning back toward Patrick, he said, ‘I will go, Patrick. I will go and kill for you and, if I must, die. But even if I get in and get back out, those left alive will come after us. I think we will never understand these creatures.’
‘Do you have a better idea?’ asked Nicholas.
William put his hand on Calis’s shoulder. ‘Old friend, our only other choice is to wait. If they come anyway, what have we lost by undertaking this raid?’
Calis’s voice was neutral. ‘Just the lives of more good men.’
William said, ‘It’s what soldiers do, Captain.’
‘It doesn’t mean I have to like it,’ he answered.
Despite the differences in rank, the two men were old friends and William showed no irritation at his friend’s tone or lack of deference. In this private council rank was put aside, and everyone had proven his worth to the Crown and his reliability many times before. Despite his youth, barely twenty-five years of age, Patrick had served three years on the northern border, fighting goblins and dark elves. Calis was roughly the same age as William, though William looked to be in his late fifties while Calis looked barely older than Prince Patrick.
‘What if it doesn’t work?’ asked Calis.
It was James who answered, ‘Then it doesn’t work.’
Calis studied the old man and laughed ruefully. Glancing at his old friend, he said, ‘I remember when you used to ask questions like that, Nicky.’
Nicholas said, ‘None of us is as young as he once was, Calis.’
Patrick said, ‘When will you go?’
Calis said, ‘We’re still months away from being ready. I’ve got only four men I can count on besides those of us here in this room: de Loungville, Greylock, Erik, and Jadow. All have seen what’s down there and know the risks. There are a couple of other veterans from the last two campaigns, but those four are leaders, though Erik and Jadow don’t know it yet. But the rest are men who just follow orders. Fine for soldiers, not enough for leaders.’
Patrick said, ‘How are you going to proceed?’
Calis smiled. ‘Come at them from behind.’ He crossed to a large map on the wall, one redrawn many times over the last twenty years as new information came from the continent on the other side of the world. ‘We’ll sail from the Sunset Islands, as usual, but here’ – he pointed to a seemingly empty place on the map four hundred miles south of the long island chain – ‘is an uncharted bit of land with a lovely harbor. We’ll meet there and transfer to another ship.’
‘Another ship?’ asked Patrick.
Nicholas answered. ‘By now our enemy has an inventory of every ship in the Western Navy. They can probably identify the outline on the horizon of each one from their rigging. And I have no doubt they know which of our “trading ships” are really royal warships in disguise.’
‘What have you got down there?’ asked Patrick. ‘A new ship?’
‘No, a very old one,’ said Calis. ‘We’re going to go as Brijaners.’
‘Brijaners? Keshian raiders?’ said William with a half-smile.
Nicholas said, ‘We have one of their dragon ships. The navy of Roldem captured one during a raid two years ago.’ Roldem was a small island kingdom to the east of the Kingdom of the Isles that was a longtime ally. ‘The King of Roldem has agreed to “lend” it to us. It was quietly sailed around lower Kesh.’ Nicholas smiled. ‘A couple of times, according to reports, other Brijaner dragon boats sailed within hailing distance. The Roldem captain waved and smiled and kept right on going, no questions asked or answered.’
William laughed. ‘The arrogant swine couldn’t imagine someone sailing in their waters who wasn’t one of them.’
Calis said, ‘I’m hoping we get the same reaction.’
‘What?’ asked Patrick.
‘I’m not sailing west to get to Novindus. I’m sailing east, under the Horn of Kesh, then across what is now known as the Green Sea, to a small village near the city of Ispar.’ He pointed at the map as he spoke. ‘We’ll be sailing in from their west. I hope if they’re looking for our ships, they’re looking in the other direction. We have always sailed out of the City of the Serpent River. If we’re intercepted, we’re Brijaner traders who were blown off course and are working our way around their landmass.’
Patrick said, ‘Do you think they will accept that?’ Calis shrugged. ‘It’s happened before, I’ve been told. There’s a fast-running current that moves eastward down near the ice floes, and if you catch it south of Kesh you can ride it across the Green Sea to a great mass of ice that points like a finger right at Port Grief. We won’t be the first party of Keshian sea raiders to show up there, but they won’t have been so common that locals will notice any differences.’
Patrick said, ‘Then what?’
Calis said, ‘We buy some horses, change clothing, and sneak out of the city one night, and head north.’ He pointed to the south end of the mountain range that ran down to the sea west of Ispar. ‘I can find the entrance we used to get out of those caverns on our last journey, without too much trouble.’
No one doubted him. His tracking skills were considered legendary. Calis’s heritage was unique and in no small measure supernatural.
Patrick said, ‘Very well. What then?’
Calis shrugged. ‘The destruction of the Pantathians.’
Patrick’s eyes widened. ‘How many men were you planning on taking?’
‘Ten squads. Sixty men.’
‘You plan on destroying a nation of these creatures, magic users from every report I’ve studied, with sixty men?’
Calis said, ‘I never said it would be easy.’
Patrick looked at Nicholas. ‘Uncle?’
Nicholas said, ‘I learned twenty years ago that if Calis says a thing can be done, it can be done.’ Looking at Calis, he asked, ‘What is your thinking?’
‘My thinking,’ said Calis, ‘is that the bulk of their forces will be with the armies of the Emerald Queen.’ He made a sweeping motion with his hand on the map between the city of Maharta and the City of the Serpent River. ‘We’ve never seen them in numbers. The squad I saw in the caverns was no more than twenty in one place, and that was the single largest concentration we’ve encountered. We’ve judged them by their ability to visit evil on us, but never have we questioned their strength of numbers.’ He let a distasteful expression cross his face. ‘When I caught sight of one of their crèches it was poorly guarded. A half-dozen adults, a dozen or more infants, and a score of eggs. I saw nothing of their females.’
Patrick said, ‘What does all this mean?’
Calis said, ‘Pug and Nakor both hold that these creatures aren’t natural.’ He returned to the table and sat. ‘They claim that these were created by an ancient Dragon Lord, Alma-Lodaka.’ Calis let his eyes drop a moment, and William and Nicholas both understood that this strange man, half-elf by birth, was revealing lore to non-elves that no full elf would volunteer. His half-human nature felt no such prohibition, and he knew that he served a greater good by being frank in all matters concerning the Serpent Men, but that still didn’t make it any easier for his elven half to accept. Those things were not taught; they were inbred. ‘If this is so, that may explain a low birth rate. Or perhaps they have never had a large population. They may even have some queens, as insects do, or there may be a special holding area for females. We don’t know. But if there is a crèche, the females can’t be far away.’
Patrick said, ‘I’m still unclear on one thing. If the majority of fighting men and magicians are with the army of the Emerald Queen, what do we gain by raiding those birthing caverns…?’ His words trailed off as his eyes widened. ‘You’re going to slaughter the young?’ he asked, almost gasping in shock.
Calis’s expression remained calm. ‘Yes.’
‘You’re talking about waging war against innocents!’ said Patrick, his voice taking on an angry tone. ‘Keshian Dog Soldiers may slaughter women and children in their rampages, but the last man caught at that during a Kingdom war was hanged before the assembled rank and file of the army.’
Nicholas glanced at Calis, who returned the look, then nodded.
Duke James said, ‘Patrick, you’re new here, and you don’t have all the information –’
‘My lord,’ interrupted the Prince, ‘I realize you’ve held high office since Grandfather’s youth and were my father’s chief adviser in Rillanon, but I am now the ruler of the Western Realm. If there is something you think I should know, why have I not been informed?’
Duke James looked at Prince Nicholas.
Nicholas sat back, recognizing his nephew’s mood. The new Prince of Krondor was revealing himself to be a young man of some temper, touchy disposition, moods, and not terribly secure in his position, so he tended to magnify every slight, real or imagined.
Knight-Marshal William took charge. ‘Your Highness,’ he began, formally emphasizing the young man’s title, ‘what I think Calis means is that we were all here during these events, which are only dry reports on paper before you.’ He paused, then went on, ‘We’ve seen the damage these creatures can do firsthand.’
It was Calis who said, ‘Would you not kill a poisonous snake because it was its nature to be a viper?’
Patrick looked at Calis. ‘Say on.’
Calis said, ‘You’ve cities within your borders that were once Keshian. But those who live there are Kingdom by birth, though their ancestors were loyal to the Emperor of Great Kesh. To them it makes no difference. They were raised within the Kingdom, they speak the King’s Tongue, and they think, as we all do, that this is their homeland.’
‘What has this to do with the matter under discussion?’ asked Prince Patrick.
‘It has everything to do with it,’ said Calis. He leaned forward, elbows on the table. ‘You may somehow think that these creatures are born innocent. That is not the case. Everything we know about them says they are born hating from the moment they hatch from their eggs. They are created to be the way they are. If we killed every adult and child, and took the eggs, and hatched them in this palace, raising those who were born here, they would come to consciousness hating us and seeking to reclaim this “lost goddess” they so mistakenly believe in. It is their nature to be this way, as it is the nature of a viper to bite and poison. They cannot help it any more than can the viper.’
Seeing that the Prince’s objections were wavering, Calis pressed on. ‘You may someday forge a treaty with the Brotherhood of the Dark Path, as you call the moredhel. You may see goblins obeying Kingdom law and visiting our town markets in some dimly imagined future. You may see open borders with Great Kesh and free travel between the two nations. But you will never know a moment’s peace in this world so long as a Pantathian draws breath. Because it is in his nature to scheme, kill, and do whatever needs to be done to seize the Lifestone in Sethanon and reclaim the “lost goddess” Alma-Lodaka, the Dragon Lord who created him.’
Patrick was silent a long moment, then said, ‘But you’re talking of genocide.’
Calis said, ‘I’m not leaving for at least six months, Highness. If you conceive of a better plan, I will be here to listen.’ He let his voice fall, the low tone making his next sentence that much more urgent. ‘But forbid me this, and I will go anyway. If not in a Kingdom ship, then in one from Queg or Kesh. If not this year, then the next, or the one after. Because if I do not, then sooner or later the serpent priests will gain the Lifestone, and then we shall all perish.’
Patrick sat motionless for a very long time. At last he said, ‘Very well. There seems no other course. But if any one of you learns anything that changes this matter, I wish to know of it at once.’ He stood up and said to William, ‘See that things stay calm, but begin preparations.’
The Prince departed. James turned to William. ‘There’s something else going on we need to discuss.’
William smiled and looked up at the slightly taller Duke. ‘What’s going on, Jimmy?’
James looked at Calis and Nicholas, then at William. ‘Helmut Grindle was killed last night outside the city gates.’
William said, ‘Grindle? He’s Roo Avery’s partner.’
Nicholas said, ‘Exactly, and a potential ally. We are going to need the support of merchants like him.’
William looked at James. ‘Any suspects?’
‘Our agents are almost certain Frederick Jacoby or one of his sons is behind the death of Grindle, and the Jacobys are presently allied with Jacob Esterbrook. Esterbook is a very influential man, both here and down in Kesh.’ James was silent for a second, then said, ‘For the time being, let’s hope Mr Avery doesn’t discover too much about who killed his partner.’
‘What if he already knows or has suspicions?’ asked Calis. ‘I know Roo Avery. He’s clever, and Grindle may have regained consciousness long enough to identify his killer.’
‘Perhaps, but as long as Mr Avery doesn’t cause any problems with Jacob Esterbrook and his friends, it won’t matter.’ He smiled. ‘We need merchants hard at work making profits for us to tax, not killing one another.’
William said, ‘With that in mind, will they cooperate when it comes time to put that wealth at risk for our benefit?’
James looked at his old friend. ‘You take care of the war, Willy, and I’ll see it’s paid for. The merchants of the Kingdom will come to heel once we make it clear they’re going to lose everything if they don’t help us.’ He glanced around the room. ‘I now have the Mockers where I want them; I have the throne where I want it; and soon I’ll have the wealth of the Kingdom to use as I need. And if I must bleed our people white to finance this war, I will. Remember, I am the only one in this room who was at Sethanon.’
No one else needed to hear any further explanation. Nicholas’s, William’s, and Calis’s fathers had been at Sethanon, and they had heard in detail over the years what had happened when the Pantathians had tried to seize the Lifestone for the first time, but James had been there.
William said, ‘I’m due in court soon, too. If you’ll excuse me, I’d like to see to some other matters before that. James?’
The Duke nodded. After William had left, James said to Calis, ‘Who are you taking with you on this suicide mission?’
Calis knew whom he spoke of. ‘Bobby, Greylock, and Erik. Of the two junior sergeants, he’s the smarter one.’
‘Then leave him here,’ said James. ‘If you’re going to kill off one of them, leave the smarter one alive to serve me here if you fail. Take Jadow with you instead.’
Calis nodded. ‘Done.’
‘And leave Bobby here.’
Calis said, ‘He’ll never stand for it.’
‘Order him.’
‘He’ll disobey.’
James said, ‘You serve a unique function here, my friend, but as much as I need the Eagle to return unharmed, I need your vicious Dog of Krondor.’ He glanced out the window. ‘I need a sergeant now more than I need a General’ – he glanced at Calis – ‘or a Captain.’
Calis smiled slightly. ‘He’s going to make your life living hell.’
James returned the smile. ‘What else is new? It’s not as if I have any choice.’
‘Very well,’ said Calis. ‘I’ll leave Bobby and Erik here and take Jadow and Grey lock.’
The three were starting toward the door when James said, ‘What about Nakor?’
Calis said, ‘He’d go back if I asked, I’m almost certain, but I think he’ll serve us better down in Stardock. Those magicians are far too full of themselves, and he’s just the man to sort them out and remind them they’re living on a Kingdom island in the middle of that lake of theirs.’
‘Very well, but you’re going to face some powerful magic, by everything you’ve said. What do you plan?’
Calis seemed almost embarrassed when he answered, ‘Miranda has agreed to come along.’
James studied Calis, then laughed. ‘For all your years, you do at times remind me of my son.’
Calis had the good grace to smile. ‘Speaking of whom, when is Arutha due?’
‘Any time now,’ answered James. ‘I think I may send him down to Stardock to run things awhile.’ His smile turned rueful. ‘And my grandsons are coming with him.’
Calis nodded. ‘Jimmy and Dash must be men now.’
‘So they think,’ said James. Turning to Nicholas, he said, ‘You have no idea what you’ve missed by never getting married.’
Nicholas said, ‘I’m not too old now. Amos married my grandmother when he was nearly seventy.’
‘Well, you’ll miss the joy of children if you wait that long,’ answered James as he moved toward the door. Then he made a sour face. ‘As I think of Jimmy and Dash, you might not.’
As they left the conference hall, James turned to Calis and said, ‘Like others before me, I’m not all that pleased that this magical lady friend of yours has so many secrets, but as she’s proven a worthy ally over the years, I’ll say nothing more than “Be careful."’
Calis nodded, lost in his own thoughts as James and Nicholas returned to speaking of families and children.
Roo looked around and Erik laughed. ‘You look as if you’re ready to run.’
In low tones, Roo said, ‘Truth to tell, I’ve felt that way since the minute I proposed.’
Erik tried to look understanding, but he couldn’t hide his amusement. Roo said, ‘You wait. One of these days you’ll propose to that whore –’
‘Wait a minute,’ began Erik, his good humor vanishing.
‘Wait, wait,’ said Roo. ‘I’m sorry, I’m just not sure this is such a good idea.’
Looking around the temple, where Karli and Roo were about to be married, Erik whispered, ‘It’s a little late for that.’
Karli was entering the temple from a side door, as brides were required to do by the followers of Sung the White. At her side was Katherine, the girl de Loungville had captured and turned to the Prince’s service. Karli had no friends to speak of, and it wouldn’t have been proper for Mary, the maid, to serve as her companion. So Erik, as Roo’s companion, had asked the serving girl to substitute. To his surprise, the girl had said she would.
‘Well, here we go,’ said Roo, and he turned to march down the center aisle, Erik at his side.
The only witnesses were Luis and some of the other workers from the office, and Jadow and those soldiers who had served with Roo in Calis’s company. They watched as the priest, obviously bored by the fifth or sixth such ceremony of the day, hurried through the rites.
Roo vowed to care for Karli and be true to her, and she the same, and suddenly the priest was saying that the White Goddess was pleased and they could now leave. Erik gave the priest the votive offering required for such a ceremony, and the wedding party was ushered outside by harried-looking acolytes.
Roo and Karli were escorted to a carriage hired for the occasion, while the others made their way on foot or horse-back to the Grindle house. As the carriage made its way through the streets, Roo turned to see Karli with eyes downcast, staring at her hands.
‘What’s wrong?’ asked Roo. ‘Aren’t you happy?’
Karli looked at him and her gaze struck him like a blow. Suddenly he knew there was anger and resentment behind the girl’s bland façade. But her voice was calm and her tone almost apologetic as she asked, ‘Are you?’
Roo forced a smile. ‘Of course, my love. Why wouldn’t I be?’
Karli looked out the window. ‘You looked positively terrified walking down the aisle.’
Roo tried to make light of it. ‘It’s the normal reaction.’ When she turned to look at him, he quickly added, ‘So I’ve been told. It’s the ceremony and the … rest.’
They traveled in silence as they made their way slowly through the city. Roo studied the passing cityscape, watching the changing buildings, the throng of citizens, traders, and travelers, as they moved through Krondor at a stately pace until they reached the Grindle house. Erik and the others were waiting as the carriage pulled up.
As Roo’s companion, Erik opened the door, and Katherine moved to help Karli from the carriage. The girl might be a stranger, but she took her part of bride’s companion seriously.
Inside, the cook had prepared a tremendous repast, and the best wine from the cellar had been uncorked. Roo awkwardly let Karli move through the entrance before him, despite the tradition that said a husband should lead his wife through the door. It was, after all, her home. When she was inside, she said, ‘I’ll see to the kitchen.’
Roo put a restraining hand upon her. ‘Let Mary. You will never serve again in this house.’
Karli studied his face a moment, then a faint smile appeared on her lips. Roo turned and said, ‘Mary!’
The maid appeared and Roo said, ‘You may begin serving.’
The guests fell to, and the food was both delicious and bountiful. After a more than satisfying meal, Erik stood. He looked around the room and saw Katherine smiling at his awkward stance. He loudly cleared his throat, and when conversation didn’t diminish, he said, ‘Listen!’
He had raised his voice louder than he had wished and the room fell silent, then erupted in laughter. Blushing furiously, Erik held up his hand. ‘I’m sorry,’ he said, grinning at his own embarrassment. ‘It’s my duty as the groom’s companion to offer a toast to the newlywed couple.’ He glanced at Luis. ‘Or so I have been informed.’
Luis nodded with a courtly smile and a wave of his hand.
Erik said, ‘I’m not one for words, but I do know this: Roo is my friend, more like a brother to me than any man living, and I only wish his happiness.’ Then he looked at Karli and said, ‘I hope that you love him as I do and that he loves you as you deserve.’ He raised his goblet of wine and said, ‘To the newly wed couple. May they live to an old age and never regret a moment of their lives together. May they know happiness every day of their lives.’
The company drank the toast and cheered, then Roo stood and said, ‘Thank you.’ He turned to Karli. ‘I know this has been a difficult time,’ he said, referring to her father’s murder, ‘but my earnest desire is to make the bad times fade into memory and to fill your days with happiness.’
Karli smiled and blushed and Roo held her hand awkwardly.
The dinner progressed and Roo was filled with good cheer and too much wine. He noticed that Erik spent a great deal of time talking to the girl Katherine, and that Karli kept her own counsel most of the day.
Soon the guests began to excuse themselves, and after night fell, Roo and Karli were bidding good evening to Erik, who was the last to leave. When the door closed, Roo turned to his wife and found her staring at him, an expression impossible to read on her face.
‘What is it?’ he asked, suddenly sobering with a stab of fear. Something about her manner caused him to feel the need to draw a weapon.
She came into his arms and put her head on his shoulder. ‘I’m sorry.’
Roo’s head swam and he felt his knees wobble, but he forced himself to be alert enough to ask, ‘What are you talking about?’
Over the sound of sobbing, he heard Karli say, ‘I wanted this to be a happy day.’
Roo said, ‘And it isn’t?’
Karli didn’t speak. Tears were her only answer.