“Are you sure?”
“Certain. There’s a couple of boys who stand around, playing at net mending, but they do no real work. They watched closely as I rowed out and back.”
“Who do you think they are?”
“I can’t begin to guess. They could be Guy’s men, or men still loyal to Erland. They could be agents of Great Kesh, smugglers, even Mockers.”
“Mockers?” asked Martin.
“The Guild of Thieves,” said Arutha. “Little goes on in Krondor without notice by their leader, the Upright Man.”
Amos said, “That mysterious personage runs the Mockers with tighter control than a captain has over his crew. There are places in the city where even the Prince cannot reach, but no place in Krondor is beyond the Upright Man. If he’s taken an interest in us, for whatever reason, we have much to fear.”
The conversation was interrupted by the serving boy’s return. He set down a chilled pewter pitcher of wine and three cups. Amos said, “Fetch yourself to the nearest incense vendor, boy. This place stinks. Buy something sweet to toss upon the fire.”
The boy regarded them a little warily, then shrugged as Amos tossed him another coin. He ran from the room, and Amos said, “He’ll be back soon, and I’ve run out of reasons to send him away. In any event this place will soon be thick with merchants taking an afternoon steam.
“When the boy comes back, sip some wine, try to relax, and don’t leave too soon. Now, in all this bleak mess, there is one small glimmer of light.”
“Then I would hear what it is,” said Arutha.
“Guy will soon be gone from the city.”
Arutha’s eyes narrowed. “Still, his men will be left in charge. But what you say does have some aspect of comfort. There are few in Krondor likely to mark me by sight, for it’s nearly nine years since I was last here, and most of those have likely disappeared with the Prince. Also, there is a plan I’ve been considering. With Guy out of Krondor, I would have an even better chance of success.”
“What plan?” asked Amos.
“I’ll tell you when I’ve had more time to dwell upon it. Where could we safely meet?”
Amos considered. “Brothels, drug houses, and gambling halls are all as bad as inns. Either the Mockers control them and note everyone coming and going, or there are others about looking for information to sell. If someone overheard you speaking the wrong phrase, the Mockers or the city guards could be down on you in minutes.” He was quiet for a moment. Then he smiled. “I have the very place! When the town watch rings the hour bell, two hours after sunset, meet me at the east end of Temple Square.”
The boy returned and tossed a small bundle of incense upon the fire, cutting off conversation. Arutha settled back and drank the chilled wine, rapidly warming in the heat of the steam room. He closed his eyes, but was not relaxing, as he considered the situation. After a while he began to feel his plan might work if he could reach Dulanic. Running out of patience, he was the first to rise, rinse off, dress, and leave.
Arutha waited as Martin and Amos approached from different parts of the city, crossing Temple Square. On all sides the temples of the greater and lesser gods rose up. Several were busy with pilgrims and worshipers entering and leaving, while others were nearly deserted.
Reaching the Prince, Amos said, “How fared you this afternoon?”
Arutha spoke softly. “I occupied my time in a tavern, keeping to myself. I did overhear some conversation about Erland, but when I tried to get closer, the speakers moved off. Otherwise I considered the plan I spoke of.”
Martin glanced about, then said, “An ill-omened place you picked, Amos. Gathered at this end of the square are all the gods and goddesses of darkness and chaos.”
Amos shrugged. “Which means few travelers nearby after night fall. And a clear view of anyone approaching.” To Arutha he said, “Now, what is this plan?”
Quietly and quickly, Arutha said, “I noticed two things this morning: Erland’s personal guards still patrol the palace grounds, so there must be limits to Guy’s control. Second, several of Erland’s courtiers entered and left freely enough, so some large portion of the daily business of governing the Western Realm must remain unchanged.”
Amos stroked his chin, thinking “That would seem logical Guy brought his army with him, not his administrators. They’re still back running Bas-Tyra.”
“Which means Lord Dulanic and others not entirely sympathetic to Guy might still be able to aid us. If Dulanic will help, I can still succeed with my mission.”
“How?” asked Amos.