Magician (Riftware Sage Book 1)

Amos interrupted. “The Upright Man’s precious cargo?”

 

 

Hull nodded, and the Princess spoke Her pretty face clouded with emotion. “When the Duke of Bas-Tyra came with orders from the King, Father greeted him warmly and offered no resistance. At first Father did all he could to aid him in taking command of the army, but when he heard of the things Guy was doing with his secret police and press gangs, Father protested. Then when Lord Barry died and Guy put Lord Jessup in command of the fleet over Father’s objections, and Lord Dulanic disappeared so mysteriously, Father sent a letter to the King, demanding Guy’s recall. Guy intercepted the message and ordered us kept under guard in a wing of the palace. Then Guy came to my room one night.”

 

She shuddered Arutha nearly spat when he said, “You don’t have to speak of such things.” The sudden rage startled the girl.

 

“No,” she said, “it was nothing like that. He was very proper, nearly formal. He simply informed me we were to be wed, and that King Rodric was to name him heir to the throne of Krondor. If anything, he seemed irritated by the bother of having to take such a course.”

 

Arutha slammed his fist against the wall behind. “That tears it! Guy means to have Erland’s crown and Rodric’s after. He means to be King.”

 

Anita looked at Arutha shyly. “So it seems. Father’s not well and couldn’t resist, though he refused to sign the proclamation of betrothal. Guy had him taken to the dungeon until he would sign.” Her eyes teared as she said, “Father cannot live long in such cold and damp quarters. I fear he will die before agreeing to Guy’s wishes.” She continued to speak, her face a mask of control, though tears ran down her cheeks as she talked of her mother and father’s imprisonment. “Then one of my ladies told me a maid knew some people in the city who might be willing to help.”

 

Trevor Hull said, “With your permission, Highness. One of the girls in the palace is sister to a Mocker. With everything up in the wind, the Upright Man decided it might be to his advantage to take a hand. He arranged to smuggle the Princess out of the palace the night of Guy’s departure, and she’s been here since.”

 

Amos said, “Then the rumor we overheard before we fled the Sailor’s Ease about there being a hunt on for a ‘royal cousin’ was about Anita, not Arutha.”

 

Hull pointed at the Prince. “It may be Radburn and his boys still have no idea who you are. Most likely, they jumped on you in the hope you’d turn out to be party to the Princess’s escape. We’re almost certain the Viceroy has no idea she’s gone from the palace, for she fled after he rode out. I expect Radburn is desperate to get her back before his master returns from the war with Kesh.”

 

Arutha studied the Princess, feeling a strong desire to do something on her behalf, a desire beyond the consideration of foiling Guy. He shunted aside the strange tug of emotions. He asked Trevor Hull, “Why does the Upright Man wish to contend with Guy? Why isn’t he turning her in for a reward?”

 

Trevor Hull looked to Jimmy the Hand, who answered with a grin. “My master, a most perceptive man, saw at once his own interests were best served by aiding the Princess. Since Erland has been Prince of Krondor, the business of the city runs smoothly, an environment conducive to the success of my master’s many undertakings. Stability profits us all, you see. With Guy here, we’ve his secret police about, upsetting the normal commerce of our guild. And whatever else, we are most loyal subjects of His Highness the Prince of Krondor. If he does not wish his daughter to marry the Viceroy, we do not wish it as well.” With a laugh, Jimmy added, “Besides, the Princess has agreed to pay twenty-five thousand gold sovereigns to our master should the guild get her free of Krondor, to be delivered when her father returns to power, or some other fate places her upon the throne.”

 

Arutha took Anita’s hand and said, “Well, cousin, there is nothing else to be done. We must take you to Crydee at the first chance.”

 

Anita smiled, and Arutha found himself smiling back Trevor Hull said, “As I said before, we were waiting for the right opportunity to smuggle her from the city.” He turned to Amos. “You’re the man for this, Amos. There’s no better blockade runner on the Bitter Sea—excepting myself, of course, but I’ve other matters to take care of here.”