Lucas drew two large tankards of ale and said, “It is good to see you, Laurie. I’ve missed that tender voice of yours.”
Laurie said, “That’s not what you said the last time. As I recall, you likened it to the screeching of a cat looking for a fight.”
They chuckled over that, and Lucas said, “With things so bleak, I have mellowed toward those who were true friends. There are few of us left.” He threw a pointed look at Kasumi.
Laurie said, “This is Kenneth, a true friend of mine, Lucas.”
Lucas continued to regard the Tsurani for a moment, then smiled “Laurie’s recommendation counts heavily. Welcome.” He extended his hand, and Kasumi shook with him, Kingdom fashion.
“I am pleased at your welcome.”
Lucas frowned at the sound of his accent. “An outlander?”
“From the Vale of Dreams,” said Kasumi.
“The Kingdom side,” added Laurie.
Lucas studied the fighter. After a moment he shrugged. “Whatever. It matters not a whit to me, but be wary. These are suspicious times, and there is little love wasted on strangers. Take care who you speak with, for there are rumors that Kesh’s dog-soldiers are ready to move north again, and you are not far from being Keshian.”
Before Kasumi could say anything, Laurie said, “Is there to be trouble with Kesh, then?”
Lucas shook his head. “I can’t say. The market has more rumors than a beggar has boils.” His voice lowered. “Two weeks back, traders arrived with word the Empire of Great Kesh was again fighting far to the south, seeking to subdue their former vassals in the Confederacy once more. So things should stay quiet for a while. They learned the folly of a two-front war over a hundred years back when they managed to lose all of Bosania and still not beat the Confederacy.”
Laurie said, “We have been traveling for a very long time and have heard little news. Why is Bas-Tyra’s banner over Krondor?”
Lucas quickly looked around the room. The drinkers seemed oblivious to the conversation at the bar, but Lucas motioned for silence. “I will show you a room,” he said loudly. Both Laurie and Kasumi were a little surprised, but picked up their belongings and followed Lucas upstairs without comment.
He led them to a small room, with two beds and a nightstand. When the door was closed behind, he said, “I trust you, Laurie, so I’ll ask no questions, but know things have changed greatly since last you were here. Even in the Poor Quarter there are ears that belong to the Viceroy. Bas-Tyra has the city under his boot-heel, and it is a foolish man who speaks without seeing who is listening.”
Lucas sat down on one of the beds, and Laurie and Kasumi sat across from him Lucas continued, “When Bas-Tyra came to Krondor he carried the King’s warrant naming him ruler of Krondor, with full viceregal powers. Prince Erland and his family were locked up in the palace, though Guy calls it ‘protective custody.’ Then Guy came down hard on the city. Press-gangs roamed the waterfront, and many a man now sails in Lord Jessup’s fleet without his wife or children knowing what became of their old pa. Since then, any who speak against the Viceroy or King simply vanish, ‘cause Guy’s got a secret police listening at every door in the city.
“Taxes increase each year to pay for the war, and trade’s drying up, except for those selling to the army for the war, and they’re getting paid in worthless vouchers. These are hard times, and the Viceroy’s doing nothing to make them easier. Food is scarce, and there is little money to pay for what there is. Many farmers have lost their farms for taxes, and now the land lies fallow for want of someone to till it. So the farmers wander into the city, swelling the population. Most of the young men have been drafted into the army or the fleet. Be careful you aren’t picked up by the guards, for whatever reason, and be wary of the press-gangs.
“Still,” Lucas said with a chuckle, “things got lively around here for a time when Prince Arutha came to Krondor.”
“Borric’s son? He’s in the city?” asked Laurie.
A twinkle of pleasure showed in Lucas’s eyes. “No longer.” He chuckled again. “Last winter, as bold as bright brass, the Prince comes sailing into Krondor. He must have taken the Straits of Darkness during the winter, or he never would have reached the city when he did.” He quickly told them of Arutha and Anita’s escape.
Laurie said, “Did they return to Crydee?”
Lucas nodded. “A trader in from Carse a week ago was full of news of this and that. One thing he heard was some Tsurani were acting up around Jonril, and the Prince of Crydee was ready to come down to help if needed. So Arutha must have made it back.”