In the King’s Tongue, James said, “I have a lot of dealings with Queg. It helps to speak the language.” He glanced at Amafi. “How did you come to have a Quegan manservant?”
“It’s a long story, Your Grace,” said Tal.
“Some other time, then,” said James. “You’re quite remarkable with that sword, young sir.”
“Thank you. It’s a gift, and I really take no more pride in it than a bird does in singing. It’s something I can do.”
“Modest?” The Duke raised his eyebrows. “Surprising. Most young men would be howling to the moon over their achievements. But then, you’re not like most young men, are you, Squire?”
“I don’t take your meaning, sir.”
In Quegan, James said to Amafi, “Go ahead and prepare your master’s bath. I shall see he comes to no harm.” The servant glanced at Tal, who nodded once; Amafi bowed and left them. By now the rest of the officers had departed, and they were alone in the armory. “Let’s have a talk, shall we?”
“I am at Your Grace’s service.”
“Not really, since you serve Duke Kaspar. Come, I’ll walk with you a ways.” They left the building, and as they crossed the yard, James asked, “How is it you have a Quegan assassin as a bodyguard, Tal?”
Tal tried not to look surprised. “Assassin?”
“Petro Amafi is not unknown to us. In fact, there’s a warrant out for him in Salador. Did you know that?”
“No,” said Tal honestly. Now Amafi’s desire to take service with Tal made a great deal more sense.
“I would have him arrested, but as part of Duke Kaspar’s company, he benefits from a certain diplomatic immunity. I trust you’re taking him with you when you depart?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Good. He’s not the only one who isn’t what he seems to be,” said the Duke as they walked across the empty parade ground.
“Your Grace?”
“Whoever you are, my young friend, your papers don’t bear scrutiny. I’ve seen your patent of nobility, and it’s perhaps the best forgery ever, but it’s still a forgery.”
Tal attempted to look shamefaced without looking guilty. “As I said to His Majesty, Your Grace, how my father got the patent accepted I don’t know. I have never traded upon the rank, and I’ve never attempted to collect rents from anyone on those estates.”
James laughed. “A good thing, as your ‘tenants’ consist of frogs, mosquitoes, blackflies, swamp pigs, some poisonous snakes, and a few smugglers. It is as you said, worthless swampland near Ylith.
“I don’t know who put those patents in the hall, your father or someone else. Either way, I now face something of a dilemma.”
“What would that be, Your Grace?”
James stopped as they reached the steps leading into the heart of the palace. “The King acknowledged your rank in front of witnesses; whatever the origin of those patents, they are now as valid as if his father had bestowed them upon your father.
“Moreover, you are something of a hero here in the Isles. You are the first Islesman to be Champion of the Masters’ Court.
“Lastly, if you were staying in Rillanon, I would ask Lord Vallen to keep a close watch on you, but you’re not. You’re leaving in two days for a very distant city.
“But I can’t help but thinking you may be a very dangerous man, Tal. My grandfather taught me to appreciate what he called his ‘bump of trouble,’ that itch on the back of his neck that told him something was wrong. And you, sir, make my neck itch.
“So, should you ever return to the Isles, expect to be watched very closely. And should you ever return to the Western Realm, expect that I’ll be watching you closely, Talwin Hawkins, Squire of Morgan River and Bellcastle, Baronet of Silverlake.
“Because there is one fact I can’t seem to get my mind around.”
“What would that be, Your Grace?”
“You’re reputed to have been a Bannerette Knight Lieutenant for the Duke of Yabon. But my old friend the Duke can’t find one man who remembers serving with you. Odd, isn’t it?”
Seeing no easy way out, Tal said, “Well, Your Grace, while the patent was my father’s invention, truth to tell, the claim of service was my…embellishment, if you will.”
The Duke said nothing for a long moment, merely looking at Tal. Then he said, “Good day, Squire.”
“Good day, Your Grace,” said Tal as Lord James walked away.
Tal exhaled slowly. He couldn’t help but feel that he had come very close to a disastrous encounter. But he didn’t find any comfort in having avoided it, for he now was under the scrutiny of Lord James of Krondor, and everything Tal had seen of the old noble convinced him the Duke was a very dangerous man.
Seven
Oath
The ship beat against the waves.