Roo frowned.
Jason continued to run down their losses which had resulted from the huge burden of debt they assumed to lend gold to the Crown. ‘And now he wants more,’ said Roo.
Jason said, ‘I don’t know how we can raise more gold to lend the Duke. We would have to sell off some of our more profitable concerns, and that would increase our problems with cash flow.’ He shook his head. ‘Can you find someone else to lend the gold to the Duke?’
Roo laughed. ‘Well, perhaps I can convince Jacob Esterbrook to join me.’ He knew it was futile. The few times he had dined with Jacob he had been carefully deflected from any discussion of Jacob’s aiding the Kingdom in the coming battle. Still, there were others, and Roo set about seeing what he could do. ‘I’m going to be out for the rest of the day,’ he told Jason. ‘Would you send a message to my wife saying I may be in the city a few more days.’
Jason jotted down a note.
‘Then see what Duncan is up to and have him meet me here at five of the clock. And I’d like Luis here, too.’
‘Where will you be until then?’
Roo smiled. ‘Getting the Duke some money. I’ll be at Barret’s by three of the clock, and afterward I’ll return here. Until then I’m out and about.’
Roo took a cloak, a light one for fashion, as the day was hot, and he wore a broad-brimmed hat with a stylish yellow plume and a very rich pair of riding boots. He carried his old sword at his belt.
He stepped into the busy streets of Krondor and turned to admire Avery and Son. He often paused to regard the huge warehouse he had converted to his business headquarters. He had purchased the land around the warehouse and had built office buildings attached to the warehouse, and now his wagons filled the great yard.
He turned and headed out to make his first call, on a banker who, while not a friend, at least owed him a favor.
‘I need the gold,’ said Duke James.
‘I know, m’lord,’ answered Roo, ‘but there’s no more gold to be had.’
‘There’s always more,’ said Duke James. Roo noticed he looked fatigued, with heavy circles under his eyes, as if he hadn’t been sleeping much lately. The tension in the city was mounting and rumors of war were circulating. The word of a great sea battle at Banapis off the Straits of Darkness had been carried into the city the day before, and now ships were overdue from the Free Cities and Far Coast.
Roo said, ‘If you raise taxes, perhaps you can squeeze a bit more from the tradesmen and farmers, but the business community is very nervous now. Much of the gold you’re talking about has been bleeding to the East for the last few months.’
‘No small part of it yours!’ said the Duke, slamming his hand on the table.
Roo’s eyes widened. ‘I’ve done nothing any man in my situation wouldn’t have done, m’lord!’ Roo’s words were hot and for an instant he almost forgot who he was talking to, but he had his anger in check, if barely. ‘I have given you every copper piece it is prudent for me to give. If I give you more, you’ll kill the cow for the milk.’
James looked at the small man. ‘Then we kill the cow. I need another month’s worth of stores and arms, and I need them yesterday.’
Roo sighed. ‘I’m going to dine with Jacob Esterbrook tonight, and I’ll see what I can squeeze out of him.’
James looked at Roo for a long, silent minute. ‘He’ll better you at this point.’
‘How do you mean?’
‘He’ll know you need to raise gold quickly and he’ll want something you don’t want to sell him.’
Roo considered that for a moment. ‘If this army isn’t defeated, nothing I have will be of importance. If I have to take a loss now, what does it matter?’ He stood up. ‘If I have your leave, I need to be back at Barret’s by three of the clock, and I still have two other stops to make. I must set a few things up.’
As Roo bowed and turned to the door, James said, ‘Rupert?’
‘What, m’lord?’ asked the little man, turning to regard the Duke.
‘Have you many holdings in Landreth and Shamata?’
‘Both, Your Grace.’
James measured his words. ‘You might do well to move whatever you have of worth to the north side of the Sea of Dreams.’
‘Why, my lord?’
‘Just a thought,’ said the Duke, returning his attention to the papers he had been reviewing when Roo had arrived.
Roo let himself out. In the outer office of James’s secretary hung a large wall map of the Western Realm. Roo glanced at it, at the area around the Sea of Dreams. The Vale of Dreams had been in Kingdom hands for almost a hundred years, but had long been an area of dispute between the Kingdom and Great Kesh. Roo touched the map, at Land’s End. There was the westernmost Kingdom outpost on the shore of the Bitter Sea. To the northeast of it lay a small inlet, called Shandon Bay. A small town, Dacadia, was the only population of size between Land’s End and the Sea of Dreams. He traced his finger along a line of hills that moved eastward from the coast, south of Land’s End, to a point where it met the river that linked the Bitter Sea and the Sea of Dreams. Then Roo looked at the surrounding countryside, from the Great Star Lake and Stardock, back up the river to the Sea of Dreams. To the east of the Great Star Lake, the mountains called the Grey Range rose up. Suddenly Roo’s eyes opened. ‘He wouldn’t!’
James’s personal secretary said, ‘What, sir?’
Roo laughed. ‘Never mind.’
As he left the office of the Duke of Krondor, Roo said, ‘By damn, I bet he did!’
With what was close to a dance step, Roo hurried down the stairs leading from the palace to the courtyard where a lackey was holding his horse. He took the reins, and as he turned his mount to the gate of the palace, he glanced around at the very busy marshalling yard and wondered where Erik was. He hadn’t seen him since Banapis, and he was starting to worry about his friend.
Then his mood darkened as he considered that it was only a few more weeks before this city was in the grip of war. Putting heels to his mount, Roo moved toward the gate and threw a lazy salute to the lieutenant who commanded there. The young soldier returned it, for Roo Avery was a common sight at the palace and was known to be a friend of the Duke. Which, along with his vast wealth, made him one of Krondor’s most important men.
Jacob Esterbrook said, ‘Have you given any thought to my offer?’
Roo smiled. ‘Considerable.’ He decided the best tack to take with his business rival was to tell him what he already knew, as if being frank. ‘I have lent considerable gold to the Crown, for this coming war, and as a result I find myself somewhat cash-poor.’
Sylvia smiled at Roo, as if everything he said was of vital importance. He returned her smile. ‘I’m not in a position to negotiate on behalf of the Bitter Sea Company without consulting my partners, but I think whatever I might agree to here would be agreeable to them after I explain the way things are.’ He paused to finish his last bite of dinner and dabbed at the corner of his mouth. ‘But I can certainly divest myself of any assets of Avery and Son, and there are several that might serve you as well as those we’ve discussed.’
Jacob smiled. ‘You have a counteroffer?’
‘In a word, yes,’ Roo said. ‘Since you seem to have a stranglehold on trade to Kesh, I’m considering abandoning my wagon yards in Shamata and my boat facility in Port Shamata. Both are fine facilities, but neither has realized me a coin of profit since I took them over, as you probably know.’ He said the last with a rueful laugh.
‘Well, I do keep abreast of business to the south. I have enjoyed a long and profitable relationship with several prominent Keshian business concerns.’ Jacob pushed his chair back from the table as a servant hurried over to help him up. ‘My knees are not doing well. This weather, I think. When the sky is clear and things are hot and dry, they’re almost as painful as when there’s rain coming.’
Roo nodded as he stood. ‘Would you be interested in those facilities?’ he asked.
‘I’m always interested, Rupert, in increasing my holdings. It is merely a matter of price.’
Roo smiled. ‘As it should be.’
Jacob said, ‘Let us retire to the garden for brandy and then I’ll leave you to my daughter after that; I can’t keep the late hours I used to.’
They moved outside, under a warm and star-filled night. The garden was fragrant with the blooms of summer, and the night birds and crickets sang.
Roo sniffed his brandy. He was beginning to develop a taste for the distilled wine, but he still couldn’t tell one from Kesh from one that was produced in Darkmoor, though he could tell quality like this one from the poor swill Lord Vasarius served. This one was pungent, tasted as much of wood as any he had tried so far, and gave him a pleasantly warm feeling inside, and the subtle taste of grape and wood lingered in his mouth for long minutes after he swallowed.
Sylvia sat next to Roo, absently letting her hand rest upon his leg, while her father said, ‘Why don’t you prepare a list of particulars and send it over tomorrow?’
‘I will do that,’ said Roo. ‘And as far as the properties here in Krondor you’ve inquired after, there are a few that I might be willing to part with, for the same reason I’m looking to get rid of those in Shamata.’
‘What about Landreth?’
Roo shrugged. ‘Well, I do manage a little trading from the north shore of the Sea of Dreams to Krondor, so they show a better profit. That, too, would depend on price.’
They talked for an hour about business, and then Jacob rose and said, ‘I must to bed. If you’d like, stay and have another brandy. Sylvia will entertain you until you leave. Good night, Rupert.’
The old man left the garden, and after they were alone, Sylvia ran her hand up Roo’s leg. ‘Shall I entertain you?’ she asked playfully.
Roo put down his brandy glass and kissed her. After a moment, he said, ‘Let’s go upstairs.’
‘No,’ she said, ‘I want to stay here.’
‘In the garden?’ he asked.
‘Why not?’ she said, unfastening her bodice. ‘It’s warm and I don’t want to wait.’
They made love under the stars, and when they were done, Sylvia lay upon the grass beside Roo, her head on his chest. ‘You’ve not been coming around enough, Roo.’
Roo was jolted out of his pleasant half-dream state and said, ‘Things are getting frantic.’
‘I hear there is war coming,’ said Sylvia.
‘A lot of people are saying that.’
‘Is it true?’
Roo considered what he should say next. At last he said, ‘It’s true, I think, though I don’t know if it’s any time soon. But you should consider going East if you hear of trouble in Krondor.’
‘Krondor?’ she said, playfully nipping his shoulder. ‘I thought Kesh was moving again.’
‘It is,’ said Roo, trying to tell her the truth; he loved her and wanted her safe, but he didn’t entirely trust her because of her loyalty to her father. ‘But this time I don’t think they’re going to move in the Vale.’ He considered what that would do to his negotiations with Jacob. He decided it wouldn’t hurt, so he decided to embellish.
‘You know Lord Vykor was called from Rillanon to Krondor.’
‘Who’s he?’ said Sylvia.
Roo wondered if she really didn’t know or just wanted to make him feel important. He ran his hand down her naked hip and decided it didn’t matter. ‘He’s the King’s Admiral of the Eastern Fleet. He’s lurking down in the Bay of Salts, with a huge flotilla, so that when Kesh sails out of Durbin, he can ambush it. Prince Nicholas took a large squadron to the west, out beyond the Straits, and will sail in behind the Keshians.’
Sylvia started playing with the hair on Roo’s chest. ‘I heard he was going out to meet a treasure fleet.’
Roo then realized she knew a great deal more than she had ever revealed. Finding his ardor dying, he said, ‘I must go home, I’m sorry to say.’
‘Oh.’ She pouted.
‘Sorry, but there is the matter of gathering the documents your father wants.’
He dressed while she lay nude upon the grass, looking beautiful in the light of the large moon. When he was finished, she stood and kissed him. ‘Well, if you must run off, you must. Will I see you tomorrow?’
Roo said, ‘Impossible, but perhaps the night after.’
‘Well, I’m going to bed and I’ll think of you as I lie in my sheets,’ she said, running her hand down his stomach.
‘You’re making this difficult,’ he groaned.
She laughed. ‘Well, you make my life difficult. How can I think of another man when I have you in my life?’ She kissed him and said, ‘My father wants to know why I don’t marry. He wants grandchildren.’
Roo said, ‘I know. It’s impossible.’
She said, ‘Perhaps the gods will be kind and someday we’ll be together.’
Roo said, ‘I must go.’
He left and she gathered up her gown. Rather than dressing, she carried her clothing through the house, and when she reached her room, she dumped it on the floor.
A soft moan from her bed caused her to smile and she crossed over in the dark, to find two figures entwined on the covers. She slapped the maid hard across her bare buttocks and the girl yelped in surprise.
Duncan Avery looked up at Sylvia in the pale light coming through the window and smiled. ‘Hello, my darling,’ he said with a rakish smile. ‘We got bored waiting for you.’
Sylvia pushed the maid to one side and told her, ‘Pick up my clothes and take them to the laundry.’
The girl regarded her mistress with an expressionless mask and slid out of bed. She picked up her own clothes and her mistress’s and hurried out of the room, closing the door behind her.
Sylvia reached down and stroked Duncan, saying, ‘Well, at least she got you ready.’
‘I’m always ready,’ he said, kissing her on the neck.
She pushed him back and straddled him, saying, ‘I need you to do me a service.’
‘Anything,’ he said as they gazed into each other’s eyes.
‘I know,’ she cooed as she leaned over and kissed him.
‘You smell like grass,’ he observed.
‘No doubt,’ she said. ‘I was entertaining your cousin on the lawn.’
Duncan laughed. ‘It would kill him to know you’ve gone from his arms to mine. He takes this sort of business far too seriously.’
Sylvia reached down and gripped his face, letting her fingernails dig into his cheeks a bit. ‘And you had better, as well, my aroused peacock! I’m going to make you wealthy beyond your dreams.’ She knew she needed a man to be the public head of her father’s and Roo’s companies, and Duncan was stupid enough for her to control for years. When she got bored with him, she could dispose of him with ease.
Ignoring the pain, Duncan said, ‘I like wealth.’
‘Now, about that service.’
‘What?’
‘I need you to kill your sister-in-law.’
Duncan was silent for a minute as his breathing became heavy. Finally he said, ‘When?’
‘Within the week.’
‘Why?’
‘So I can marry Roo, you fool!’ she said as her own pleasure was mounting.
‘How is your marrying my cousin going to make me rich?’ asked Duncan.
Suddenly Sylvia arched her back and shuddered, then collapsed on top of Duncan as he matched her passion. After a long silent moment, he said, ‘How is marrying –’
‘I heard you,’ she interrupted him. How like him, she thought. Not willing to wait even a moment to let her linger in her pleasure. Finally she rolled off him and said, ‘Because, after an appropriate period, we’ll make me Rupert’s widow. And then, after an appropriate period of mourning, you and I can wed.’
Duncan laughed and grabbed her hair roughly, pulling her head around without a hint of gentleness. ‘You are a woman to admire,’ he said, biting her on the lip playfully. ‘No soft romantic notions for you, my darling.’ He rolled her over and looked her in the eyes. ‘I like the notion of a marriage based on greed. That’s something I can understand.’
‘Good,’ said Sylvia, slapping him across the face, almost hard enough to hurt. ‘Just so we continue to understand each other.’
Sylvia lay back as Duncan began to arouse her again, and she thought his usefulness as a public head of the house, as well as his talents in bed, were equally balanced by his boorish behavior. Starting with the maid before she got here was unforgivable. She would punish the girl in the morning for not pointing that out to Duncan. She might not have a shred of jealousy in her makeup, but she insisted on obedience and she had not given the two of them permission.
She sighed and shivered as he began exploring her body, and thought, a year or two; she could put up with Duncan for a year or two before getting him out of the way. Then she would have to look for a young noble, perhaps that irritating grandson of the Duke who had been so resistant to her advances. He might be a welcome challenge. But whoever it was, she would have a title before she was done. She might even consent to have a brat or two for a baron or earl; it might prove necessary. She considered the price of losing her firm body to motherhood and wondered if there were potions or other magics that would keep her looking as she did now. Women had wondered that for years. Then she thought, why just an earl? Why not a duke? That Dashel who worked for Rupert had a brother, didn’t he? And eventually he would rise to rank, perhaps that of Duke. Then she wondered if he would be easier than his brother had been to charm, or if he would prove a challenge.
As Duncan kissed her stomach she thought, that’s what she needed. Another challenge. All the men presently in her life were so predictable. As she closed her eyes and arched her back, she thought, the Prince is still unwed!
Pug materialized near the shore, where a group of students were listening to Chalmes lecture on magic. The master magician stopped when he saw who the three men were, for Pug had brought along Nakor and Sho Pi. Pug’s outer appearance seemed different; he was thinner, and his hair and beard were short, as if just growing in. There was also a tired quality about his movement.
‘M’lord,’ said Chalmes to Pug, ‘this is as unexpected as your last appearance.’
Pug said, ‘There are matters of grave importance we must discuss. Gather the other leaders in the conference chamber. I will be along in a moment.’
If the magician who was now the leader of the community objected to being ordered this way, he hid it masterfully. He put his hand over his heart in a Keshian gesture and said, ‘It will be done, m’lord.’
Nakor looked at the students who sat with astonished wonder and said, ‘Shoo!’
They quickly departed, leaving the three men standing alone. They had transported into Krondor with Calin, whom Pug had left behind for a while, to oversee the coming defense of the city until such time as Pug came for him. Pug’s grandson Arutha had managed to indicate he desperately needed to speak to him, so Pug felt the need to return quickly to the Prince’s city. ‘You know what to do?’ asked Pug.
‘Certainly,’ said Nakor. ‘I don’t know if I like this, but I can see why it’s necessary.’
Pug shrugged. ‘If we survive these next few months, we’ll worry about what’s happening here. Unless you’ve got a better plan?’
Nakor rubbed his chin. ‘I don’t know. I might have something, but either way we must do this other thing first.’
‘Well, then, be off with you!’ said Pug with a laugh. ‘When this is over, get horses and head for Sethanon. I don’t think there’s anything you can do in Krondor. And if I’m not there, see what you can do to help Tomas.’
Nakor and Sho Pi hurried toward the ferry, which would take them to Stardock town, while Pug turned toward the great citadel of Stardock.
He hurried into the building and reached the central chamber where the senior magicians of the island were gathering. They rose to their feet when he entered, and he waved them to chairs as he moved to the seat traditionally occupied by the leader of the council.
‘Things move quickly,’ he said without preamble. ‘I have been content to let you play your games of independence from the Kingdom and Kesh while peace reigned, but things cannot be allowed to continue in this fashion.’
Chalmes said, ‘There are rumors of war. Do you wish the Academy to take the side of the Kingdom?’
‘Yes,’ said Pug.
‘Many here are of Keshian birth and feel no love for the Kingdom,’ said another magician.
‘You are Robert d’Lyes?’
‘Yes,’ said the young magician, inclining his head at the honor of being remembered.
‘You’re a Kingdom-born man.’
‘True. I merely point out the division of loyalties, after the loyalty we all feel to Stardock.’
Pug said, ‘Let me be direct: Stardock is mine. It was built with my money on land deeded to me by the King, and until I say otherwise, it will continue to be mine.’
‘That is as it should be,’ said d’Lyes, ‘but many will choose to depart, and I see that as being a defeat of the principles that brought us together.’
Pug smiled. ‘I understand, and I appreciate your Academy-born desire to sit here and debate the obvious until you’ve arrived at some profound philosophic insight, but given that the largest army in the history of the world sails to Krondor even as we speak, we cannot afford that luxury.’
At mention of the fleet, several of the magicians in the room frowned. ‘We thought the gathering of Keshian soldiers to the south was a prelude to a war, my lord,’ said Chalmes. ‘What is this business of a fleet?’
Pug said, ‘Let me be brief. A huge army from across the Endless Sea, serving a demon lord, is sailing toward Krondor. Once the city has been reduced to ashes, that army intends to sweep out and conquer everything between this island and Ylith, Krondor and Salador. There will be blood and fire like nothing you could imagine.’
The magicians spoke among themselves, and Pug let them for a minute. Then he held up his hand and the room fell silent. ‘But what is more critical is that their ultimate goal, without their own knowledge, is a prize which, if seized by them, could destroy all life on Midkemia.’
‘Is this possible?’ said d’Lyes.
‘Not only possible, probable,’ said Pug, ‘unless I get some help.’
The young magician said, ‘I will help.’
Pug smiled. ‘Youth is often underappreciated,’ he observed as the other, older magicians in the council remained silent.
Finally, Kalied, one of the senior magicians of Keshian ancestry, said, ‘So much of what we have labored for is at risk, if that is true; would it not be wiser for us to remain here to protect the library and the other facilities?’
Pug said, ‘I cannot order you to willingness. I can order you to leave, but what purpose would that serve?’ He stood. ‘I will retire to my tower for two hours. Call all the magicians capable of battle magic or protection or healing, and tell them what I have said. Those who will help I will take with me. The rest may stay here and defend Stardock, if they are able.’
Pug left while the other magicians started discussing what he had just said. He mounted the stairs to his study and entered by the mystic door that barred others from entering and before the door had shut fully he transported himself to Sorcerer’s Isle.
Gathis, the goblinlike creature who had served Macros and Pug as majordomo, was at his usual post in the central room of the house, the one he used as an office, overlooking the lovely garden Pug had created. ‘Master Pug,’ said Gathis, ‘am I correct in assuming that Master Macros is back?’
Pug smiled. Gathis had once told him there was a mystic bond between himself and Macros. ‘Yes, that’s true, though where he and Miranda are is not known to me.’
Gathis stood and said, ‘What service may I perform?’
‘I need a change of clothes, and bring me a hot meal while I bathe.’
One of the pure pleasures of the house on Sorcerer’s Isle, the one called Villa Beata, was the Keshian-style baths. Pug had ordered them restored to their former function, and when Gathis arrived carrying a tray with hot beef, cheese, bread, greens, and a chilled pitcher of white wine, Pug was sitting in a hot pool, relaxing.
Looking at the scars on Pug’s body and his very short hair and beard, Gathis said, ‘It appears you have been in some difficulty.’
Pug laughed. ‘I’ve always loved your knack of understatement, my friend.’ He took the goblet of wine the green-faced being handed him, and after a sip he said, ‘Did you know Miranda was Macros’s daughter?’
Gathis said, ‘I suspected as much, though I’ve really had very little opportunity to talk to the young woman on the brief occasions when she accompanied you here from Stardock. As there is something about her manner that puts me in mind of the Black One, the revelation is no surprise.’
‘It was to me. Did you know her mother was the Lady Clovis?’
‘Now, that is a surprise,’ said Gathis. ‘I met the Black One when he rescued me from my home-world, quite some time ago, but that was after he had left Miranda and her mother, as I piece things together.’
Pug said, ‘After I eat, I must return to Stardock. But before I go, I mean to see the defenses are in place. A very hostile fleet of great size is going to be sailing past here in a few days, and while their destination is Krondor, a few of them may be tempted to stop and investigate.’
Gathis said, ‘I will follow your instructions in this.’ Then he smiled his toothy smile. ‘However, if I am to judge such things correctly, several of your students here would be most able to discourage such a visit by marauding malefactors.’
Pug laughed. ‘I couldn’t have said it better myself.’
‘Will you be returning soon?’
Pug’s expression turned somber. ‘I don’t know. I would be less than truthful if I didn’t tell you that the fate of this planet is in the balance, so leave it that if we survive, I will return.’
‘And the Black One?’
Pug shrugged. ‘You know your former master far better than I, so you tell me.’
Gathis returned the shrug; there was nothing more to say. Pug finished his meal and his bath and dressed in clean robes. He then transported himself to his study, and walked down the stairs to where a large number of students were waiting. When Pug saw them, he said, ‘Everyone, outside!’
The students started to hurry toward the main door, but Pug grabbed one by the sleeve, turning him completely around, and said, ‘What’s your name?’
‘John, Master,’ said the youth, almost beside himself to have been singled out by the legendary Master of Stardock.
‘Go into the council hall and tell everyone there to join us outside.’
The student hurried off to the council chamber, and Pug pushed his way through the crowd, which quickly fell back when the students saw who was attempting to get through. Pug reached a point where a large rock rose, a short distance from where the road to the docks wound down the slope, and he mounted the rock.
After a few minutes had passed, Pug turned and looked across the lake. He adjusted his mystic sight to study the distant docks, and was pleased to see Nakor, Sho Pi, and two soldiers. They were boarding the barge that served as a ferry between the shore and the island.
Chalmes and the other members of the council pushed their way through the press of students, and Chalmes said, ‘Pug, what is this about?’
Pug sat upon the rock, affecting the best Nakor-like pose he could muster, and said, ‘We are waiting.’
‘Waiting for what?’
Pug smiled and felt a perverse sense of pleasure in their frustration as he replied, ‘I don’t want to spoil the surprise.’
That caused them to fall silent, and for a very uncomfortable half-hour they waited as the barge was poled across the lake. At last Nakor and the others came walking up the road, and Pug said, ‘I’m glad to see you.’
Nakor said, ‘This is Captain Sturgess of the Shamata Garrison.’ The students began to mutter at the sight of the second soldier, who wore the uniform of the Keshian border legion. ‘And this is General Rufi ibn Salamon.’
The General nodded. ‘My lord.’
Pug turned to the assembled magicians. To Chalmes he said, ‘I suppose in the two hours I gave you, you have managed to dither the time away and do nothing that I ordered.’
‘We were discussing the best way to disseminate the information you gave us –’ began the old magician.
Pug put up his hand, cutting them off. ‘Is Robert d’Lyes here?’
From the rear of the crowd, the young magician raised his hand. Pug pointed to him and said, ‘I believe he is the junior-most member of the council, is that right?’
The magicians nodded.
‘Good. That means you’re not totally without hope,’ said Pug.
D’Lyes looked confused at that remark. ‘Not totally,’ he said.
Pug laughed and stood up so all could see him. To the assembled magic users he said, ‘Even here I suspect you’ve heard rumors of war.’
Some magicians said yes, and others nodded.
‘The war is real, but it is not with our neighbors to the south.
‘A great fleet comes from across the sea and brings with it an army of terrible size, perhaps a quarter-million men under arms.’ At that, several of the magicians began talking among themselves. Pug held up his hands and the group fell silent. ‘The Kingdom makes ready to defend itself, and as you can imagine, we need a secure border with Kesh. Toward that end, some changes have been made.’
A hush fell over the crowd as they waited to hear what Pug said next.
‘Great Kesh and the Kingdom have contested for years over the rich farmlands surrounding the Sea of Dreams. To end this eternal dispute, the Kingdom has ceded certain lands to the Empire of Great Kesh.
‘To the southwest of Land’s End is a great rocky prominence, clearly visible from sea and land, called Morgan’s Ruin. Sailors know it well. From the tip of that great rock, straight east to the river Shamata, a new border has been drawn. The Empire of Great Kesh has been ceded all lands south of that line, along the southern banks of the river Shamata, the Sea of Dreams, and the Great Star Lake.’
The assembled group gasped and a few shouted in anger. One man, obviously from the Kingdom, shouted, ‘You betray us!’
Pug said, ‘No. Prince Erland has been negotiating with the Emperor of Great Kesh for a long time on this matter. In exchange for Kesh’s protecting our southern flank from the enemy, and for observing our current treaty while we are engaged with a mighty foe, the Kingdom chooses to grant several claims for territory Kesh has held for almost a hundred years. Those of you who are uncomfortable with this change in governance may leave.
‘As it stands now, Stardock is still Kingdom territory; still my duchy.’ Pug glanced from face to face. ‘Shamata is now being handed over to the Keshians. The Kingdom forces are withdrawing across the Great Star Lake to Landreth. Any of you who wish may travel with them.’
Several more protests were heard, but Pug ignored them.
General Salamon spoke. ‘We will honor the Kingdom’s claim to sovereignty for Stardock Island. Stardock Town will be Keshian. Until you have arranged for a portage or dock on the north shore, Kingdom citizens will be granted the right of free passage through Stardock town.’
Someone in the crowd shouted, ‘When are you taking over?’
The General said, ‘We have taken over. My men are now occupying the small fortress at Port Shamata and the garrison in the city, and we will leave a small force across the water to ensure the peace.’ Looking at Pug, he said, ‘If there is nothing more, I need to return to my men, my lord.’
Pug nodded and said, ‘Thank you for coming.’
The General and the Kingdom Captain left together, heading down the hill toward the dock. Pug said, ‘That is the end of it. Now on to another matter.
‘This invader I spoke of is an enemy of the most dangerous sort, and I need those of you willing to serve. We need those of you able to heal, able to act as conduits for intelligence, and those of you who may in some way stem the invaders’ magic.’ He paused and then added, ‘They are served by Pantathians.’
At mention of the hated serpent priests, several of those who had been quiet shouted, ‘I’ll help!’
Pug waited and said, ‘Those of you willing to travel to Krondor, see Robert d’Lyes. He is to be my aide in this matter.’
D’Lyes looked around, confusion on his face. ‘Aide?’ he said as young magicians started to talk to him.
Pug jumped down from the rock and Nakor said, ‘What do we do now?’
Pug said, ‘We? I’m going to Krondor with this band, to get them ready, then I travel to Sethanon. You wait here to make sure that this band of fools doesn’t start a war with Kesh in the next two weeks, then when you’re certain they won’t, I want you to get to Sethanon.’ He reached into his robe and pulled out a Tsurani transportation orb. ‘Don’t break it or lose it: it’s the last one I have. And it’s a long walk to Sethanon.’
Nakor didn’t look pleased. ‘Things are coming to a head, and you want me to stay here and wet-nurse this bunch?’
Pug grinned. ‘Who better?’
So saying, he moved through the milling magicians and went to talk to Robert d’Lyes.
Sho Pi said to Nakor, ‘Master?’
‘What?’
‘Have you given thought to what Pug said about thinking of a different plan for Stardock?’
Nakor was silent for a moment, then turned to his student with a wide grin. ‘Of course I have.’