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  ‘They pose a threat to my brother and myself.’

  Again there was a long silence. ‘Then they set their sights high. Still, royalty often needs killing as much as the commons, and a man must earn a living howsoever he may, even though he be an assassin.’

  ‘It should be apparent to you,’ said Arutha dryly, ‘that murdering Princes would be especially bad for business. The Mockers would find things a little cramped working in a city under martial law.’

  ‘This is true. Name your bargain.’

  ‘I ask no bargain. I demand cooperation. I need information. I wish to know where lies the heart of the Nighthawks.’

  ‘Altruism accrues little benefit to those lying cold in the gutter. The arm of the Guild of Death is long.’

  ‘No longer than mine,’ said Arutha in a voice devoid of humour. ‘I can see that the activities of the Mockers suffer greatly. You know as well as I what would happen to the Mockers should the Prince of Krondor declare war upon your guild.’

  ‘There is little profit in such contention between the guild and Your Highness.’

  Arutha leaned forward, his dark eyes gleaming from the brilliant lights. Slowly, biting off each word, he said, ‘I have no need of profit.’

  A moment of silence was followed by a deep sigh. ‘Yes, there is that,’ said the voice thoughtfully. Then it chuckled. ‘That is one of the advantages to inheriting one’s position. It would prove troublesome to govern a guild of starving thieves. Very well, Arutha of Krondor, but for this risk the guild needs indemnity. You’ve shown the stick, now what of the carrot?’

  ‘Name your price.’ Arutha sat back.

  ‘Understand this: the Upright Man is sympathetic to Your Highness regarding the problems posed by the Guild of Death. The Nighthawks are not to be endured. They must be eliminated root and branch. But many risks are involved, and great expense will be incurred; this will be a costly venture.’

  ‘Your price?’ Arutha repeated flatly.

  ‘For the risk involved to all should we fail, ten thousand golden sovereigns.’

  ‘That would put a large hole in the royal treasury.’

  ‘True, but consider the alternatives.’

  ‘We have a bargain.’

  ‘I shall provide the Upright Man’s instructions as to the means of payment later,’ the voice said with a hint of humour in it. ‘Now there is another matter.’

  ‘What is that?’ said Arutha.

  ‘Young Jimmy the Hand has broken oath with the Mockers and his life is forfeit. He shall die within the hour.’

  Without thinking, Arutha began to rise. Strong hands pushed him down from behind as a large thief stepped out of the darkness. He simply shook his head in the negative.

  ‘We would never think of returning you to the palace in less salubrious condition than that in which you arrived,’ said the voice behind the lights, ‘but draw a weapon in this room and you will be delivered to the palace gate in a box and we will deal then with the consequences.’

  ‘But Jimmy –’

  ‘Broke oath!’ interrupted the voice. ‘He was honour-bound to report the whereabouts of the Nighthawk when he saw him. As he was honour-bound to tell of Laughing Jack’s treachery. Yes, Highness, we know of these things. Jimmy betrayed the guild to carry word to you first. There are certain matters that can be forgiven because of age, but these actions cannot.’

  ‘I’ll not stand by and allow Jimmy to be murdered.’

  ‘Then listen, Prince of Krondor, for I have a story to tell. Once the Upright Man lay with a woman of the streets, as he had with hundreds of others, but this whore bore him a son. This is a certainty: Jimmy the Hand is the Upright Man’s son, though he is ignorant of his paternity. This presents the Upright Man with something of a quandary. If he is to obey the laws he has made, he must order the death of his own son. But should he not, he will lose credibility with those who serve him. An unpleasant choice. Already the Guild of Thieves is in turmoil from Jack’s being shown as an agent of the Nighthawks. Trust is a thin enough commodity at most times; it is nearly nonexistent now. Can you think of another way?’

  Arutha smiled, for he knew another way. ‘In times not far past, it was not unheard of to buy pardon. Name your price.’

  ‘For treason? No less than another ten thousand gold sovereigns.’

  Arutha shook his head. His treasury would be gutted. Still, Jimmy must have known the risks of betraying the Mockers to bring him warning, and that was worth much. ‘Done,’ said Arutha sourly.

  ‘Then you must keep the boy with you, Prince of Krondor, for he’ll never be one with the Mockers again, though we will not attempt to harm him … unless he again transgresses against us. Then we shall deal with him as we would any freebooter. Harshly.’

  Arutha rose. ‘Is our business then done?’

  ‘Except for one last thing.’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘Also in times not far past, it was not unheard of to buy a patent of nobility for a price in gold. What price would you ask of a father to have his son named Squire of the Prince’s court?’

  Arutha laughed, suddenly understanding the course of negotiations. ‘Twenty thousand golden sovereigns.’

  ‘Done! The Upright Man is fond of Jimmy; though he has other bastards around, Jimmy is special. The Upright Man wishes Jimmy to remain ignorant of the relationship, but he will be pleased to think his son shall have a brighter future for this night’s negotiations.’

  ‘He will be placed within my service, without knowing who his father is. Shall we meet again?’

  ‘I think not, Prince of Krondor. The Upright Man guards his identity jealously, and even to come close to one who speaks with his voice brings him dangers. But we will carry clear messages to you when we know where hide the Nighthawks. And we will welcome news of their obliteration.’

  Jimmy sat nervously. For over three hours Arutha had been closeted with Gardan, Volney, and Laurie, as well as other members of his privy staff. Jimmy had been invited to remain in a room set aside for his use. The presence of two guards at the door and two more below the balcony outside his window gave ample support to the notion that he was, for whatever reason, a prisoner. Jimmy had little doubt he could leave undetected during the night if he had been in fit condition, but after the events of the last few days he felt abused. Also, he was at something of a loss to understand being returned to the palace with the Prince. The boy thief was uneasy. Something in his life had changed and he wasn’t sure what, or why.

  The door to the room opened and a guard sergeant stuck his head in, waving to Jimmy to come. ‘His Highness wants you, boy.’ Jimmy quickly followed the soldier down the hall to the long passage to the council chambers.

  Arutha looked up from reading something. About the table sat Gardan, Laurie, and some other men Jimmy didn’t know, while Earl Volney stood near the door. ‘Jimmy, I have something for you here.’ Jimmy simply looked around the room, not knowing what to say. Arutha said, ‘This is a royal patent naming you Squire to the Prince’s court.’

  Jimmy was speechless, his eyes wide. Laurie chuckled at his reaction, while Gardan grinned. Finally Jimmy found his voice. ‘This is a jest, right?’ When Arutha shook his head, the boy said, ‘But … me, a squire?’

  Arutha replied, ‘You have saved my life and you are to be rewarded.’

  Jimmy said, ‘But, Highness, I … thank you, but … there’s the matter of my oath to the Mockers.’

  Arutha leaned forward. ‘That matter has been disposed of, Squire. You are no longer a member of the Guild of Thieves. The Upright Man has agreed. It is done.’

  Jimmy felt trapped. He had never taken much pleasure in being a thief, but he had taken great pleasure in being a very good thief. What appealed to him was the chance to prove himself at every turn, to show all that Jimmy the Hand was the best thief in the guild … or at least would be someday. But now he was to be bound to the Prince’s household, and with the office came duties. And if the Upright Man had agreed, Jimmy
was forever denied access to the society of the streets.

  Seeing the boy’s lack of enthusiasm, Laurie said, ‘May I, Highness?’

  Arutha permitted, and the singer came over to place a hand on the boy’s shoulder. ‘Jimmy, His Highness is simply keeping your head above water, literally. He had to bargain for your life. If he had not, you’d be floating in the harbour this hour. The Upright Man knew you’d broken oath with the guild.’

  Jimmy visibly sagged and Laurie squeezed his shoulder reassuringly. The boy had always thought himself somehow above the rules, free of the responsibilities that bound others. Jimmy had never known why he had been granted special consideration so many times, while others were forced to pay their way, but now he knew that he had stretched privilege too far once too often. There was no doubt in the boy’s mind that the singer told the truth, and conflicting emotions surged up within him as he considered how close to being murdered he had come.

  Laurie said, ‘Palace life isn’t so bad. The building’s warm, your clothing’ll be clean, and there’s ample food. Besides, there’ll be plenty to hold your interest.’ He looked at Arutha and added dryly, ‘Especially of late.’

  Jimmy nodded and Laurie led him around the table. Jimmy was instructed to kneel. The Earl quickly read the patent. ‘To all within our demesne: whereas the youth Jimmy, an orphan of the city of Krondor, has rendered worthy service in preventing injury to the royal person of the Prince of Krondor; and: Whereas the youth Jimmy is considered to hold us forever in his debt; It is my wish that he be known to all in the realm as our beloved and loyal servant, and it is furthermore wished that he be given a place in the court of Krondor, with the rank of Squire, with all rights and privileges pertaining thereunto. Furthermore let it be known that the title to the estate of Haverford on the River Welandel is conferred upon him and his progeny as long as they shall live, to have and to hold, with servants and properties thereupon. Title to this estate shall be held by the crown until the day of his majority. Set this day by my hand and seal, Arutha conDoin, Prince of Krondor; Knight-Marshal of the Western Realm and of the King’s Armies of the West; Heir Apparent to the throne of Rillanon.’ Volney looked at Jimmy. ‘Do you accept this charge?’

  Jimmy said, ‘Yes.’ Volney rolled up the parchment and handed it to the boy. That, apparently, was all that was needed to turn a thief into a squire.

  The boy didn’t know where Haverford on the River Welandel was, but land meant income, and immediately he brightened. As he stepped away, he studied Arutha, who was obviously preoccupied. Chance had twice thrown them together, and twice Arutha had proved the only person who hadn’t wanted anything from him. Even his few friends among the Mockers had tried to gain advantage over the boy at least once until he had shown that to be a difficult task. Jimmy found his relationship with Arutha a novel one. As Arutha read some papers silently, Jimmy decided that if fate was again taking a hand, he’d just as soon stay with the Prince and his lively bunch as go anywhere else he could think of. Besides, he would have income and comfort as long as Arutha lived, though this, he thought sombrely, might prove a bit of a problem.

  While Jimmy glanced at his patent, Arutha in turn studied him. He was a street boy: tough, resilient, resourceful, and occasionally ruthless. Arutha smiled to himself. He’d get along just fine in court.

  Jimmy rolled up the paper as Arutha said, ‘Your former master works with alacrity.’ To the entire group he said. ‘Here I have his word that he has nearly uncovered the nest of the Nighthawks. He states he will send a message at any moment, and he regrets he must withhold any direct aid in stamping them out. Jimmy, what do you think of this?’

  Jimmy grinned. ‘The Upright Man knows how to play. Should you destroy the Nighthawks, business returns to normal. Should you fail, there is no suspicion he took a hand in your attempt. He cannot lose.’ In more serious tones he added, ‘He also worries about additional infiltration of the Mockers. Should that be the case, any Mocker participation places the raid in jeopardy.’

  Arutha took the boy’s meaning. ‘It is come to that serious a pass?’

  ‘Most likely, Highness. There are no more than three or four men with access to the Upright Man himself. These are the only ones he can fully trust. I would guess he has a few agents of his own outside the guild, unknown to any but his most trusted aides, perhaps not even to them. He must be using these to ferret out the Nighthawks. There are over two hundred Mockers and twice that number of beggars and urchins, any of whom could be eyes and ears for the Guild of Death.’

  Arutha smiled his crooked smile. Volney said, ‘You have wits, Squire James. You should prove a boon to His Highness’s court.’

  Jimmy looked as if something tasted bad as he muttered, ‘Squire James?’

  Arutha seemed unaware of Jimmy’s sour tone. ‘We could all do with some rest. Until we hear from the Upright Man, the best we can do is recover from the rigours of the last few days.’ He rose. ‘I bid you all good night.’

  Arutha quickly left the chamber and Volney gathered up the papers from the conference table and hurried along on his own errands. Laurie said to Jimmy, ‘Well, I’d better take you in tow, youngster. Someone should teach you a thing or two about quality folk.’

  Gardan came over to them. ‘Then the boy is as good as damned forever to be an embarrassment to the Prince.’

  Laurie sighed, ‘It just shows you,’ he rejoined to Jimmy, ‘you can put a badge of rank on the man, but once a barracks sweeper, always a barracks sweeper.’

  ‘Barracks sweeper!’ snapped Gardan, mock outrage on his dark face. ‘Singer, I’ll have you know I come from a long line of heroes …’

  Jimmy sighed in resignation as he followed the two bickering men from the hall. On the whole, life had been simpler a week ago. He tried to put on a brighter expression, but at best he resembled a cat who had fallen into a barrel of cream, unsure of whether to lap it up or swim for his life.

  • Chapter Five •

  Obliteration

  Arutha studied the old thief.

  The Upright Man’s messenger had waited while the Prince read the missive. Now the Prince’s eyes were upon him. ‘Know you the contents of this?’

  ‘To the specifics, no. He who gave it to me was explicit in instructions.’ The old thief, now robbed of his agility by age, rubbed absently at his bald pate as he stood before Arutha. ‘He said to tell you the boy could bring you easily to the place named within, Your Highness. He also said to tell you that word has been passed regarding the boy, and the Mockers consider the matter at a close.’ The man cast a brief glance at Jimmy and winked. Jimmy, who was standing off to one side, breathed a silent sigh of relief at hearing that. The wink told him that while Jimmy would never be a Mocker again, he at least was not denied the streets of the city and that old Alvarny the Quick was still a friend. Arutha said, ‘Tell your master I am pleased with this swift resolution. Tell him we shall have an end to this matter tonight. He will understand.’

  Arutha waved for a guard to escort Alvarny from the hall and turned to Gardan. ‘Select a company of your most trusted men and any Pathfinders still in the garrison. Any who are new to our service shall be passed over. By word of mouth, tell each to muster at the postern gate, beginning at sundown. By ones and twos I want them sent into the city, using varied routes and with sharp eyes for signs they are being followed. Let them wander and dine, as if they were off duty, though any drinking should be only sham. By midnight they are all to gather at the Rainbow Parrot.’ Gardan saluted and left.

  When Arutha and the boy were alone, the Prince said, ‘You must think I’ve dealt harshly with you.’

  Jimmy’s face showed his surprise. ‘No, Highness. I thought it a bit strange, is all. If anything, I owe you my life.’

  ‘I worried you’d resent being taken from the only family you knew.’ Jimmy shrugged off the remark. ‘And as for owing a life …’ He leaned back, finger against his cheek as he smiled. ‘We are even, Squire James, for had you not acted
quickly the other night I’d be shorter by a head.’

  They both smiled at that. Jimmy said, if we’re even, why the office?’

  Arutha remembered his pledge to the Upright Man. ‘Count it a means of keeping an eye upon you. You are free to come and go, as long as you discharge your duties as a squire, but should I find the gold cups missing from the pantry, I’ll personally drag you down to the dungeon.’ Jimmy again laughed, but Arutha’s voice took on a more sombre tone. ‘Also, there’s the matter of someone’s foiling an assassin upon the roof of a certain fuller’s house earlier this week. And you’ve never said why you chose to come to me with news of that Nighthawk rather than report it as you were warranted to do.’

  Jimmy looked at Arutha, his gaze older by years than his boyish face. Finally he said, ‘The night you escaped from Krondor with the Princess, I got caught with a full company of Black Guy’s horsemen on the docks between me and freedom. You threw me your sword before you knew you’d be safely away. And when we were closeted in the safe house, you taught me swordplay. You were always as fairly spoken to me as you were to any other.’ He paused for a moment. ‘You treated me like a friend. I’ve … I’ve had few friends, Highness.’

  Arutha indicated understanding. ‘I also count few as true friends – my family, the magicians Pug and Kulgan, Father Tully, and Gardan.’ His expression turned wry. ‘Laurie has shown himself more than a simple courtier and I think he may prove a friend. I’ll even go so far as to name that pirate Amos Trask a true friend. Now, if Amos can be the friend of the Prince of Krondor, why not Jimmy the Hand?’