• Chapter Twelve •
Expansion

The baby squirmed.

Erik smiled as he stood at Roo’s side, while the priest of Sung the White, Goddess of Purity, blessed the child on her naming day. At the appropriate moment, Roo quickly handed the child back to Karli.

The priest said, ‘Abigail Avery, in this, your pure and innocent time of life, know that you are blessed in the sight of the goddess. If you remain true and good, doing harm to no one, then shall you abide in her grace. Blessed be her name.’

‘Blessed be,’ Roo, Karli, and Erik repeated, completing the ritual of greeting.

The priest nodded and smiled and said, ‘She’s a beautiful girl.’

Roo forced a smile. He had so expected a son that when, a week before, Karli had begun her labor and produced a girl, he had been completely unprepared. They had argued for hours about the boy’s name, Roo wanting to call his son Rupert after himself, so that he could look upon himself as the founder of a dynasty, but Karli holding out for Helmut, after her father. Then, at the moment Karli had asked, ‘What shall we name her?’ Roo had stood dumb-founded, without an answer.

Karli had asked, ‘Might we name her Abigail after my mother?’ and Roo had nodded, not having words to express himself.

The priest left the bedchamber, and Karli put the child at her breast. Erik motioned for Roo to follow him and led his friend out of the room.

‘She’ll be a fine daughter,’ said Erik.

Roo shrugged as he walked down the stairs with Erik. ‘I guess. Truth to tell, I expected a boy. Maybe next time.’

Erik said, ‘Don’t be too disappointed. I think Karli would be very upset if you were disappointed.’

‘Do you?’ said Roo, glancing up the stairs. ‘Well, I’ll go back and fuss a little over the child and pretend I’m thrilled.’

Erik’s gaze narrowed, but he said nothing. He moved toward the door and retrieved his cloak and a broad-brimmed slouch hat. It was raining in Krondor, and he had gotten soaked coming to witness the ceremony. ‘I guess I might as well tell you now,’ he said as his hand rested on the door latch.

‘What?’

‘I probably won’t be seeing you for some time.’

‘Why?’ asked Roo, his face betraying something close to panic. Erik was one of the few people in the world he felt he could trust and rely upon.

‘I’m leaving. Soon. It was supposed to be Jadow, but he broke his leg last week.’ He lowered his voice. ‘I can’t tell you where, but I think you know.’

Roo’s expression revealed concern. ‘How long?’

‘I don’t know. We’ve got … some bloody work ahead of us, and well, it may be a very long time.’

Roo gripped his friend’s arm as if to hold him there. After a moment he squeezed Erik’s arm and said, ‘Stay alive.’

‘If I can I will.’

Then Roo had his arms around his friend, hugging him closely. ‘You’re the only damn brother I ever had, Erik von Darkmoor. I’ll be very angry if I learn you’re dead before you get a chance to see my son.’

Erik awkwardly returned the hug, then disengaged himself from Roo. ‘Keep an eye on Greylock. He was supposed to go, but de Loungville threw a fit at being left behind …’ Erik managed a wry smile. ‘It’s going to be an interesting trip. Sure you don’t want to come with us?’

Roo laughed a humorless laugh. ‘I can do without that sort of “interesting."’ He motioned toward the upstairs room. ‘I have people to take care of.’

‘So you do,’ said Erik with a smile. ‘Just see you do a good job or I’ll be back to haunt you.’

‘Just come back and you can do what you want,’ said Roo.

Erik nodded, opened the door, and was gone.

Roo stood motionless, feeling an absence more profound than any he had known in his life. He remained there for a while, and when he at last broke out of his reverie, he pulled his cloak off the peg and left for the shop. He forgot to go upstairs and make a fuss over the baby.

Jason signaled to Roo, who moved across the crowded warehouse. Business had been building steadily for the last six months, and now they had twenty-six full-time drivers and a score of apprentices.

‘What is it?’ asked Roo.

Jason held out a parchment without any seal on it. The only marking on the outside was Roo’s name. ‘This was just delivered. It came by royal post.’

Roo took it and opened it. It said: ‘A Quegan trader has put in at Sarth. John.’

Roo’s brow furrowed as he considered the importance of the message, then he said, ‘Tell Duncan we leave at once for Sarth.’

Jason nodded. Duncan came from the small apartment he and Luis still shared in the rear; Jason had taken Roo’s space in the tiny apartment, since Roo was now living with his family. ‘What is it?’ he asked, obviously having been wakened from a nap.

‘Remember John Vinci up at Sarth?’

Duncan yawned widely as he nodded. ‘What of him?’

‘He’s sent us a message.’

‘What’s it say?’ asked Duncan.

‘A Quegan trader has put in.’

Duncan looked uncertain a moment; then his face lit up with a smile. ‘A Quegan trader in Sarth can mean only one thing.’ He lowered his voice. ‘Contraband.’

Roo held up a finger indicating silence. ‘Something requiring discretion.’ To Jason he said, ‘After I’m gone, send word to Karli, telling her I’ll be gone for a week or so.’

As the newly serviced wagon was fitted, and food and waterskins loaded aboard, Roo speculated on what it was that Vinci wanted to sell him. He kept wondering as they rolled out of the yard into the city and started their way north.

The trip to Sarth had proven uneventful. Roo felt a strange discomfort listening to Duncan rattle on about this barmaid or that game of dice. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but he felt as if there was something back in Krondor left unattended, and that vague uneasiness was growing into full-blown worry by the time they reached Sarth.

They arrived at sundown and went straight to the shop of John Vinci. They pulled up in front and Roo jumped down. ‘Let me talk to him a moment,’ he said to Duncan, ‘then we’ll head for the inn.’

‘Very well,’ Duncan agreed.

Roo went inside, and Vinci said, ‘Ah, it’s you. I was just about to close. Would you like to dine with my family?’

Roo said, ‘Certainly. Now what is this mysterious note you sent me?’

Vinci went to the door and locked it. He motioned for Roo to follow him to the back room. ‘Two things. As I said in the note, a Quegan trader arrived here a little over a week ago. The Captain was … anxious to dispose of an item, and when I saw it I thought of you.’

He took down a large box and opened it. Inside, Roo saw a very elegant-looking set of rubies mounted in a display case, as if for presentation. He had never seen anything like it, but Helmut had mentioned such displays to him, and he didn’t need more than a moment to know what it meant. ‘Stolen.’

‘Well, the trader seemed ready to take whatever I agreed to give him before he returned to Queg.’

Roo thought a moment. ‘What did you pay for it?’

John looked at Roo askance a moment. ‘What matter is that to you? What is it worth?’

‘Your life, if the Quegan noble who ordered it to present to his mistress finds out you have it,’ answered Roo. ‘Look, I’m going to have to ship that to the Eastern Realm if I take it off your hands. No noble in the Western Realm is going to give those to his wife, have her wear them to a reception, and encounter some Quegan envoy who recognizes them for what they are.’

John looked uncertain. ‘How would they know?’

Roo pointed at the stones. ‘It’s a matched set, John. There are five brilliant matched stones, and a dozen smaller ones, but all are cut in identical fashion. The case is …’ He took it, closed it, and turned it over. ‘Look, here.’ He pointed to a line of symbols cut into the wood.

‘I don’t read Quegan,’ said John.

‘And I can fly,’ said Roo. ‘Don’t lie to a liar, John. Vinci is no Kingdom name. What is it, short for Vincinti?’

John grinned. ‘Vincintius. My grandfather was an escaped Quegan slave who kept his master’s surname.’ He glanced at the mark. ‘So this was made by commission from Lord Vasarius by Secaus Gracianus, master jeweler. Get a new box.’

Roo said, ‘Because that gem cutter will know these rubies like he knows his own children, he has certainly let it be known they are gone. If they show up anywhere west of Darkmoor, he will know within a month who has them, and who they were purchased from. The hunt will be on. The only way you’re going to keep your throat intact will be to stop pulling my finger and tell me what you paid.’

John didn’t look convinced. ‘Ten thousand sovereigns.’

Roo laughed. ‘Try again.’

John said, ‘Very well, five thousand.’

Roo said, ‘I’m sorry. I can’t hear you. What was it you said?’

John said, ‘I paid a thousand gold sovereigns.’

‘Where did you get a thousand sovereigns?’ asked Roo.

‘Some I had saved, and the rest in trade. He needed to refit.’

‘On his way to Kesh or the Free Cities, was he?’ said Roo.

‘In something of a hurry,’ said John. ‘He stole the box or had it stolen before he realized how difficult it would be to dispose of the booty.’ He shrugged. ‘His loss; our gain.’

Roo nodded. ‘Here’s what I’ll do. You can have either two thousand sovereigns gold, now, or I’ll give you … a third of what I can fetch in the East, but you’ll have to wait.’

John considered only a moment. ‘I’ll take the gold now.’

Roo said, ‘I thought you would.’ Reaching into his tunic, he pulled out a heavy purse. ‘I can give you a hundred now, and a letter of account. The gold is in Krondor.’

‘That’s not “gold now,” Roo.’

Roo shook his head. ‘All right, make it twenty-one hundred: a hundred now, and two thousand on a letter.’

‘Done. I’m heading to Krondor next month and I’ll present the letter then.’

‘Take it to my office and I’ll see you’re paid. Or you can have a line of credit.’

‘What, so you can have the merchants jack up the prices for a kickback and get your price discounted?’

Roo laughed. ‘John, why don’t you work for me?’

John said, ‘What do you mean?’

‘Let me buy this miserable shop of yours and close it up. Bring your family down to Krondor and run a shop for me. I’ll pay you more than you’ll ever make here. Your talents are wasted in Sarth.’

John said, ‘Krondor? Never thought much of living in a city. Let me think on it.’

‘You do that,’ said Roo. ‘I’m heading for the inn. I’ll come by your home later for supper. I have my cousin with me.’

‘Bring him along,’ said John. ‘And we can talk of that other matter I mentioned.’

‘Good,’ said Roo, letting himself out of the store. He felt good. It might take a couple of months, but those rubies would fetch him at least five thousand sovereigns’ profit.

As he climbed into the wagon, Duncan said, ‘That took you long enough.’

Taking the reins, Roo grinned. ‘It was worth it.’

John’s family was crowded into a small house a short distance behind his shop, separated from the shop by a small garden in which John’s wife grew vegetables. Roo and Duncan were admitted by John, who was now puffing on a long pipe. He offered them a mug each of a fair ale while Annie, his wife, prepared dinner in the kitchen, aided by several children. Roo found the noise nerve-racking as the younger three children half played, half scuffled underfoot while John sat ignoring them.

‘Don’t you find this a little much?’ asked Ron.

‘What?’ said John.

‘The noise.’

John laughed. ‘You get used to it. You obviously don’t have children.’

Roo blushed. ‘Actually, I do have … a baby.’

John shook his head. ‘Then get used to it.’

Duncan said, ‘Very nice ale.’

John said, ‘It’s nothing special, but I do enjoy a mug between closing the shop and supper.’

‘What’s this other matter you mentioned?’ asked Roo.

‘While he was talking, the Quegan trader whom I did business with mentioned something I thought you might find interesting.’

‘What is it?’

‘If you can turn this to a profit, what’s my cut?’

Roo glanced at Duncan. ‘It depends, John. Information is sometimes very useful to one person and worthless to another.’

‘I know about those trading consortiums down in Krondor and you’re the sort of man to be involved with them.’

Roo laughed. ‘Not yet, but I do know my way around the trading floor at Barret’s. If there’s something you know that I can trade for gold at Barret’s, I’ll give you two percent of what I make.’

John considered. ‘More. Take the two thousand gold sovereigns you owe me and invest it with your own gold.’ He leaned forward. ‘Make me a partner.’

Roo said, ‘Done, for this one transaction.’

‘Here’s what I know,’ began John. ‘The Quegan captain I talked to said that a friend of his had sailed a cargo to Margrave’s Port. While he was there, rumors were spreading through the city that there was some sort of pest infesting the wheat fields outside the city.’ He dropped his voice as if fearing somehow to be overheard in his own house. ‘Grasshoppers.’

Roo looked confused. ‘So? There are grasshoppers everywhere.’

John said, ‘Not like these. If the farmer is mentioning grasshoppers, what they’re talking about is a lot worse: locusts.’

Roo sat back, stunned. ‘If this is true …’ He calculated. ‘If that news hasn’t reached Krondor yet …’ He jumped to his feet. ‘Duncan, we’re leaving now. John, I will invest the gold I owe you. For if this rumor turns out to be false, I’ll be too poor to pay you what I owe you, anyway. But if it’s true … we’ll both be rich men.’

Duncan was out of his seat, looking confused, as Annie stuck her head through the kitchen door. ‘Supper’s ready.’

‘Aren’t we going to eat?’ said Duncan.

Roo saluted John’s wife. ‘Regrets, Annie. We must fly.’

He half pushed Duncan out of the door as Duncan complained. ‘I don’t follow. What’s going on?’

‘I’ll explain it to you on our way south. We’ll eat while we drive.’

Duncan made an aggravated sound as they hurried to the inn, where they would need to tack up a tired team of horses and get started on the hurried trip home.

Duncan said, ‘I see something ahead.’

Roo, who had been dozing a bit while his cousin took a turn driving the team, was instantly alert. It was an uneventful trip despite their hurrying to the horses’ limits. Usually between Sarth and Krondor this was the case, but even though they were still inside the well-patrolled Principality, outlaws and the occasional goblin raid were not unheard of.

As they moved up the road, another wagon could be seen. It was pulling over to the side of the road and the driver was waving. Roo pulled up and the driver said, ‘Can you help me?’

‘What’s the problem?’ asked Roo.

‘I’ve got a busted hub.’ He pointed to the rear wheel, looking nervous. ‘And my master will be furious if this cargo is late.’

Roo took a second look at the wagon. ‘Who’s your master?’

‘I’m a teamster for Jacoby and Sons,’ answered the driver.

Roo laughed. ‘I know your master. Yes, he’ll be upset if you’re delayed. What cargo?’

At that the driver looked very uncomfortable. ‘Just some trade goods … from Sarth.’

Roo glanced at Duncan, who nodded and jumped down. ‘My friend,’ said Duncan, ‘we’re in a position to be of service.’ He slowly drew his sword and pointed at the wagon. ‘First we’re going to unload your cargo and put it in our wagon, which, as you can see, is presently empty. Then we will replace our very tired horses with your rested and fresh animals.’

The driver looked as if he was going to bolt, but Roo had come around the other side of his horses and stood between the driver and freedom. The timid man said, ‘Please don’t hurt me.’

Duncan smiled. ‘My friend, that is the last thing we wish to do. Now, why don’t you get started on unloading while my companion inspects your bill of lading.’

The man’s eyes grew wide as he headed for the back of the wagon. Unfastening the last tie-down, he said, ‘The paperwork is … coming by messenger … later.’

Roo laughed. ‘And the guard at the city gate who Tim Jacoby has paid off will believe that nonsense, I’m certain.’

The driver nodded and sighed. ‘You know the routine, obviously.’ He lifted a large box out of the wagon and carried it over to Roo’s wagon. Duncan lowered the tailgate, and the man shoved the box in, pushing it deep into the wagon. ‘You realize you’re going to get me killed?’

‘I doubt it,’ said Roo. ‘You’ve got a busted wheel, and when you reach Krondor, you’ll have a wonderful tale to tell of the brave fight you put up against overwhelming odds.’

Duncan chimed in: ‘Your bravery is undoubted, and you risked your life against six bandits – no, seven bandits for your master’s cargo. Why, I’d buy you a drink in any inn in Krondor to hear that story again.’

‘What’s the cargo?’ asked Roo.

‘Might as well tell you,’ said the driver as he carried the second box over to Roo’s wagon. ‘Quegan luxuries. My master sent me up to Sarth to meet with a Quegan captain who made an unscheduled stop there. The Royal Customs house was closed, because the customs officer in Sarth is dead.’

‘When did that happen?’ asked Roo, suddenly very interested.

‘Over a year ago.’ The driver laughed bitterly. ‘For whatever reason, new Prince in the city, or some other thing, there’s been no replacement up there since. Makes it easy to pick up goods there and bring them down to the city. As you said, if you know the right city gate and which guard sergeant to talk to, getting into the city with any cargo is an easy task.’

Roo said, ‘Would you be willing to mention the time and gate?’

‘What’s in it for me?’ asked the driver, and suddenly Roo was laughing.

‘Your loyalty to the Jacobys is unmatched.’

The driver shrugged, then jumped into the wagon to grab the last box. ‘Do you know Tim?’

Roo nodded. ‘Well enough.’

‘Then you know he’s a swine. His father, Frederick, when he was in charge, well, he’s a tough old boot, but he was mostly fair. If you did something well, there was a little extra in it for you. Randolph’s a decent enough fellow.

‘But Tim,’ said the driver, carrying the box over to Roo’s wagon, ‘now there’s a piece of work. He’s the sort that if you do a perfect job, why, that’s what he’s paying you for, but if you make the tiniest mistake, you’re as likely to get a knife between your ribs as a pat on the back. He has these two bashers who are with him all the time. He’s a rough customer.’

Roo glanced at Duncan. ‘At least he thinks he is.’ He asked the driver, ‘What’s your name?’

‘Jeffrey,’ answered the driver.

‘Well, Jeffrey,’ said Roo, ‘you’ve been very helpful.’ He reached into his purse and pulled out a gold coin. ‘The gate and time?’

‘Just before you get to the city, turn off along the sea trail and come to the small gate that leads to the fishing harbor to the north of the city. That’s the gate. During the day watch. It’s a sergeant named Diggs. He’s taking Jacoby gold.’

‘Are you known to him?’

The driver nodded. ‘But Jacoby uses a lot of different teamsters to cover his tracks. He sometimes hires sailors or farmers if he thinks he might be caught smuggling.’ Roo nodded, remembering the drunken sailor who had run his wagon into Barret’s front door. ‘So when you see the gate guard, ask for Diggs by name. Tell him you’ve got netting from Sarth.’

‘Netting from Sarth?’

‘Anything else and he’ll be on you like lice on a beggar, but if you say, “Netting from Sarth,” he’ll wave you through. Don’t mention Jacoby or say anything else. Just say, “Netting from Sarth,” and you’re in.’

Roo took out another coin and flipped it to the driver, who suddenly seemed far less troubled by this hijacking. Jeffrey said, ‘You’d better mark me up some so Tim Jacoby doesn’t kill me.’

Roo nodded, and Duncan struck the man hard across the face with the back of his hand. Jeffrey spun around and fell to the ground, and Roo could see a red welt appearing on his cheek. Jeffrey shook his head and stood up. ‘Better close one of my eyes,’ he said as he tore his own tunic. Duncan glanced at Roo, who nodded again, and this time Duncan doubled up his fist, drew back, and drove it straight into the man’s left eye. He staggered backward and fell hard against the side of Jacoby’s wagon, striking the back of his head. He sat heavily on the ground, and for a moment Roo thought he might lose consciousness, but instead he fell over on his side and started rolling in the dirt. Then, with wobbling knees, he stood up. ‘One more ought to do it,’ he said in hoarse tones.

Roo raised his hand and Duncan held his blow. ‘When you’re discharged by Jacoby, come see me about a position.’

Squinting with his good eye, the driver said, ‘Who are you?’

‘Rupert Avery.’

The man laughed a strangled laugh. ‘Oh, this is rich. Just the mention of your name makes Tim crap in his trousers. No one knows what it was you done to him, but he’s got some major hate for you, Mr Avery.’

Roo said, ‘The feeling is mutual. He killed my partner.’

Jeffrey said, ‘Well, I’d heard rumors, but that was all. Now, if we could get this over with, I’ll be along after I lay low a bit, and then I’ll be talking to you about that job.’

Roo nodded and Duncan unleashed a heavy blow, striking Jeffrey hard enough to lift him off his heels. The man turned in the air as he fell again, this time not rising. Duncan leaned over and looked at the unconscious man. ‘He knows how to take it, that’s for certain. He’ll live.’

‘He’s tough enough,’ said Roo. ‘And even if I don’t hire him, I want to know as much as he does about how the Jacobys operate.’

Duncan said, ‘Well, we’d better be along before a patrol rides by. Might be difficult to explain all this.’

Roo nodded. Both men mounted up and Roo headed the wagon down the highway.

The return to Krondor went uneventfully. The only tense moment was when they reached the indicated gate and the soldier inquired about their cargo. Roo asked for Sergeant Diggs by name, and after Roo told him the cargo, the sergeant hesitated a moment before waving them through.

Roo had taken a circuitous route through the city in case they were being followed, and finally reached his own shop. Luis was overseeing the dispatch of four wagons that were to meet with a caravan outside the city and carry goods into the palace. Roo quickly unloaded the goods they had taken from Jacoby’s wagon and opened each box for inspection.

As he had suspected, the items involved were all high-tariff. A couple of small boxes contained what appeared to be drugs. Duncan said, ‘I’m no expert, but I think those are Dream and Joy. I’m not a user, but I’ve caught a whiff of them in some of the places I’ve visited.’

Dream was a drug that induced hallucinations and Joy caused euphoria. Both were dangerous, illegal, and highly profitable. ‘What do you think boxes like that would be worth?’ asked Roo.

Duncan replied, ‘As I said, I’m no expert, but I think our friend Jeffrey may end up floating in the harbor for letting us boost it from Jacoby. Maybe ten thousand gold. I don’t know. I don’t even know who you’d sell it to.’

Roo calculated. ‘Find out, will you. Start with that girl over at the Inn of the Broken Shield, Katherine. She’s a former Mocker and would know if there’s an apothecary in the city who would be a discreet buyer.’ The other boxes contained some jewelry, probably stolen, as the rubies were.

After Duncan departed, Roo called Jason over from his work desk. ‘How much gold can we get our hands on in a hurry?’

Jason said, ‘You want an exact figure or rough?’

‘Rough for now.’

‘Thirteen, fourteen thousand gold, plus whatever you can raise selling this stuff.’

Roo rubbed his chin as he thought. Prudence dictated he sell the jewelry as far from Queg as possible, lest he run the risk of finding some angry Quegan lord’s hired assassin in his bedchamber one night.

Luis came into the room from seeing the wagons leave for the caravanserai, and Roo asked, ‘Has Erik left yet?’

‘Saw him last night at the inn. Why?’

Roo said, ‘I’ll tell you when I get back.’ He hurried out of the office, running after Duncan.

Roo glanced around the room and saw that Erik was nowhere in sight. He and Duncan crossed to where the girl Katherine worked, and Roo said, ‘Has Erik left yet?’

The girl shrugged. ‘Saw him here last night. Why?’

‘I need to talk to him.’ To Duncan he said, ‘See if she can help us, and I’m off to the palace. I’ll come back here when I’m done.’

‘Good,’ said Duncan, slapping his hand on the bar and winking at the girl. ‘I’ve a throat full of road dust and haven’t seen a pretty face in weeks.’

Katherine threw him a withering look, but said, ‘What’ll you have to drink?’

‘Ale, my lovely,’ said Duncan as Roo hurried out of the inn.

It took a few minutes to convince the gate guard to send for Erik. The guard didn’t realize whom he was speaking to, as Roo always showed up on a wagon early in the morning, not on foot late in the day.

Erik arrived ten minutes later and said, ‘What is it?’

‘I need to talk to you a minute.’

Erik waved him through the gate and they walked to where they were out of earshot of the other soldiers. ‘How much gold do you have?’ asked Roo.

Erik blinked. ‘Gold? Why?’

‘I need a loan.’

Erik laughed. ‘For what?’

‘I’ve got this information,’ Roo said. ‘I don’t have a lot of time. I need twenty thousand gold pieces. I have maybe fourteen, and can raise another three or four. I just thought I’d see if you wanted to get in on this investment.’

Erik considered. ‘Well, it’s not like I’m going to need a lot of gold where I’m going.’

Roo blinked as realization came to him that he and Erik had already bidden each other good-bye. ‘When do you leave?’

Erik said, ‘We sail day after tomorrow, but that’s not to be shared with anyone.’

Roo said, ‘I’m sorry, Erik. I wasn’t thinking. You have a great deal on your mind and a lot to do.’

‘Things are pretty much under control, actually.’ He stared at Roo a moment. ‘Important?’

‘Very,’ said Roo. ‘I haven’t even been home yet.’

‘Well, come along.’

He led Roo through the palace to the office of the Chancellor. Duke James’s secretary said, ‘Sir?’

‘It occurs to me that I haven’t drawn my pay in a while. Could you tell me how much I have on accounts?’

The secretary said, ‘A moment, sir.’ He opened up a large leather-bound ledger and consulted it.

The inner door opened and Lord James exited his private office suite. ‘Von Darkmoor,’ he said with a nod, then he caught sight of Roo. ‘Avery? What brings you here? Thinking of enlisting again?’

Roo smiled, despite finding no humor in the remark. But the man was Duke of Krondor, after all. ‘My lord,’ he said in greeting. ‘No, I was asking my friend for a loan for a business investment.’

James stopped, and his eyes narrowed. ‘You’re seeking investors?’

‘Yes,’ answered Roo.

The old Duke studied Roo’s face a moment, then waved him to follow. ‘Come in, both of you.’

Once inside, James signaled to Erik to close the door and, when they were alone, sat down. Looking at Roo, he said, ‘What’s the scam?’

Roo blinked. ‘It’s no scam, m’lord. I’ve come into some information which may give me a position that will bring great profit.’

James sat back in his chair. ‘Care to share that information with me?’

‘With all due respect, no, m’lord.’

Duke James laughed. ‘You’re direct enough. Let me rephrase this: tell me.’

Roo looked first at James, then at Erik, and finally said, ‘Very well, but only if you promise not to interfere with my investments, m’lord.’

Erik looked scandalized at Roo’s affront to the Duke’s dignity, but the Duke only looked amused. ‘I make no promises, young Rupert, but trust me when I say that the kinds of sums of money you’re thinking about interest me very little. My concerns have more to do with the safety and well-being of the realm.’

‘Well then,’ said Roo, ‘it’s about the wheat crop in the Free Cities.’

‘What about them?’ asked James, now keenly interested.

‘Locusts.’

James sat, blinked, and then broke into laughter. ‘And where did you get this tidbit?’

Roo explained about the chain of news, without going into detail about what brought a Quegan trader to Sarth, and when he was finished, James said, ‘So what do you propose to do, buy up all the wheat in the West, then hold the Free Cities’ trading representatives hostage?’

Roo blushed. ‘Not quite. I mean to underwrite as many grain ships as I can. I mean to form a syndicate. That takes time, and I need to find someone at Barret’s who can vouch for me, and time is moving quickly.’

‘Now, that’s an ambitious plan,’ said James. He picked up a small bell and rang it. Within a heartbeat, the door opened and the Duke’s secretary said, ‘My lord?’

‘How much gold is young von Darkmoor owed by the Kingdom?’

‘He has nearly a thousand gold sovereigns in back pay coming, my lord.’

James rubbed his chin. ‘Pay him a thousand, and’ – he narrowed his gaze – ‘advance him another two thousand against what we’re going to be paying him over the next year.’

If the secretary was curious why, he said nothing, only bowing slightly and closing the door. Before it was completely shut, Duke James said, ‘And send for my grandson Dash.’

‘Yes, my lord,’ came the reply as the door shut.

The Duke stood and said, ‘My two grandsons have come from the court in Rillanon to serve with me. Their parents are still in the capital, as my son must tidy up a few things before joining us.’ He circled around his desk and said, ‘James, the eldest, has a strong appetite for the army, like his Great-Uncle William.’ James smiled. ‘But Dashel is … well, let’s say I’m looking for the proper undertaking to engage his … unusual talents.’

He put his hand on Roo’s shoulder. ‘Do you think you could use a clever lad in this soon-to-be-booming enterprise you’re building, Mr Avery?’

Roo wanted to hire a noble’s grandchild as much as he wanted a boil on his backside, but sensing the way this conversation was heading, he said, ‘My lord, I would be more than happy to have a bright and talented lad join my concern … as an apprentice, you understand. I can’t show favoritism because he’s of high station.’

James laughed at that. ‘Rupert, if you had any idea of my history – never mind. I think you’ll find the boy a quick study, and he’s getting a bit underfoot around here.’

A knock came from the door and James said, ‘Come in.’

The door opened and a young man stepped through. Roo glanced back and forth between the Duke and his grandson. The resemblance was striking. They were of equal height, though the boy might be a finger’s width taller. Save for the age, they could have been brothers, not grandfather and grandson. But where the Duke had a beard, the lad was clean-shaven, and where the Duke had nearly white hair, the youth had curly brown locks.

‘How would you like to try your hand at commerce?’ asked the Duke.

‘What do you have up your sleeve, Grandfather?’ responded the youngster.

‘Something that will keep you out of the gambling halls and taverns, Dash. Meet your new employer, Mr Avery.’

Roo nodded. The young man seemed wryly amused at the news that he was now an employee of Avery and Sons, but he merely nodded. ‘Sir,’ was all he said.

‘Now, go with Mr Avery, and when you get to Barret’s, ask to see Jerome Masterson. Introduce yourselves and say this, that I would count it a great personal favor if he could facilitate whatever Mr Avery needs done to establish his little syndicate.’

To Roo he said, ‘Good luck, and I hope you don’t go broke too quickly.’ To Erik he said, ‘I hope you can find a day when you can enjoy all this immense wealth Rupert is going to put aside for you until you return.’

Erik nodded, ‘I’ll say yea to that, sir.’

To Dash the Duke said, ‘Come by and visit us from time to time, you rogue.’

The young man said, ‘That means you’re throwing me out of the palace again?’

James laughed. ‘Something like that. You’re Mr Avery’s apprentice until he fires you, so you’ll be living wherever he puts you.’

Roo thought of the already cramped quarters shared by Luis, Duncan, and Jason, but said nothing. The three men left the Duke’s office, and Roo found he could hardly breathe, he was so excited by the prospects of the coming opportunity.

He barely heard Erik’s good-bye as he left the city gate, the grandson of the most powerful noble in the Kingdom at his side, his new apprentice.