Jimmy chuckled. “A royal warrant, allowing the bearer to travel the King’s Highway.”
“Is it genuine?” asked the minstrel.
“My word. I nicked it myself from a trader from Ludland this morning. It’s valid for another month.”
“Done,” said Laurie, and the minstrel gave the boy another gem.
When the gems were safely in the thief’s pouch, he said, “Soon we’ll be hearing a brouhaha at the gate. A few of the boys will put on some mummery for the guards. When everything’s up in the wind, we’ll slip through.”
He returned to the door and looked out without further comment. While they waited, Kasumi whispered, “Can he be trusted?”
“No, but we have no choice. If the Upright Man could show a larger profit by turning us in, he might. But the Mockers have little love for the guards, and now less than usual, according to Lucas, so it is unlikely. Still, keep your wits about you.”
Time stretched on interminably, then suddenly shouts could be heard. Jimmy signaled with a sharp whistle, which was answered by another from outside. “It’s time,” he said, and was out the door.
Laurie and Kasumi led their horses out after him. “Follow closely and quickly,” their small guide said as he set off.
They rounded the corner of a building and could see the north gate. A group of men were involved in a brawl, many appearing to be sailors from the docks. The guards were doing their best to restore order, but each time one pushed a combatant away from the fray, another would appear from the shadows around the gate and join in. In a few minutes every guard was involved in breaking up the fight, and Jimmy said, “Now!”
He broke from the building, with the travelers close behind, and dashed to the wall next to the gatehouse. They edged their way along in the shadows, the horses’ clatter covered by the noise of the brawl. When they were near the gate, a single guard could be seen, on the other side, whom they hadn’t been able to see from their previous location.
Laurie gripped Jimmy’s shoulder “We’ll have to take him quickly.”
Jimmy said, “No. If weapons are drawn, the guards will leave that little bit of fun like a burning whorehouse. Leave him to me.”
Jimmy sprang forward and ran to the guard. As the guard brought his spear forward across his chest and shouted, “Halt!” Jimmy kicked him hard in the leg, above the boot. The man let out a howl, then looked at his small assailant with fury on his face “Why you little—”
Jimmy stuck out his tongue and started to run toward the docks. The guard set out in hot pursuit, and the two travelers slipped through the gate. Once outside the city, they mounted quickly and rode off. As they rode away from Krondor, they could hear the sounds of the brawl.
They rested a day at Darkmoor, in an inn in the town below the castle. They had been two days in the hills and needed to rest their mounts before journeying over the grasslands to Malac’s Cross. The town was quiet, and little of interest occurred until the inn door opened and a man in dirty brown robes entered. The man was old and bent with years, and thin to the point of gauntness. The innkeeper looked up from cleaning ale cups and said, “What do you wish?”
Softly the old man said, “Please, sir, a little food.”
“Can you pay?”
“I can fashion spells to rid your inn of vermin, should you be plagued by rats, sir. Perhaps—”
“Begone! I have no food for beggars or magicians. Get out! And if I find my milk clabbered, I’ll set my dogs upon you!”
The magician looked around. Laurie reached across the table and touched Kasumi upon the arm. His Tsurani heritage was betraying him, as he was showing open astonishment at what he saw. Before him stood a magician, being treated as shabbily as his clothes. Laurie’s touch caused him to regain his composure. The magician slowly turned and left the inn.
Laurie sprang up and crossed to the innkeeper. Slapping some coins on the table, he said, “Quick. A joint of cold meat, a loaf of bread, and a skin of wine.”
The innkeeper looked surprised, but the coins on the bar convinced him to do as ordered. When the items ordered were upon the bar, Laurie scooped them up. He paused a moment to grab a wedge of cheese off a platter and rushed out the door. Kasumi was as amazed as the innkeeper appeared to be.
Laurie looked down the road and saw the old man, his posture erect as he moved along with a staff in one hand, using it as a walking stick. He ran after the man and, when he had overtaken him, said, “Excuse me, but I was in the tavern a moment ago, and . . .” He held out the food and wineskin.
He saw pride diminish in the old man’s eyes. “Why are you doing this, minstrel?”