Kasumi said, “In truth, the gods have touched him. They must surely hate your nation.”
Laurie said, “I am afraid, friend Kasumi, that the gods have little to do with this. Right now I think we had best see to finding a way out of here. I have a feeling that His Royal Majesty is ill suited for the finer points of negotiating a peace. I think we had best make our way west and speak with Duke Borric.”
“Will he be able to stop the war, this Duke?”
Laurie crossed over to the chair upon which his clothing was draped. Picking up his tunic, he said, “I hope so. If the lords here can watch the King behave in such a manner and do nothing, then we will have civil war soon. Better to settle one war before beginning another.”
They dressed quickly Laurie said, “Let us hope we can find a ship putting out on the morning tide. If the King orders the port closed, we are trapped. It is a long swim.”
As they gathered up their belongings, the door opened and the Royal Chancellor entered. He stopped and saw them standing there, fully dressed. “Good,” he said, quickly closing the door. “You have as much sense as I had hoped you would. The King has ordered the spies put to death.”
Laurie was incredulous “He thinks us spies?”
Duke Caldric sat in one of the chairs by the table, fatigue clearly showing on his face. “Who knows what His Majesty is thinking, these days? There are a few of us who try to stay his more terrible impulses, but it becomes more and more difficult each day. There is a sickness in him that is terrible to watch. Years ago he was an impetuous man, it is true, but there was also a vision to his plans, a certain mad brilliance that could have made this the greatest nation in Midkemia.
“There are many in the court now who take advantage of him, using his fears to further their own designs. I am afraid that soon I will be branded traitor and join the others in death.”
Kasumi buckled on his sword. “Why stay, Your Grace? If this is true, why not come with us to Duke Borric?”
The Duke looked at the older son of the Shinzawai. “I am a noble of the Kingdom, and he is my King I must do whatever I can to keep him from harming the Kingdom, even if the price is my life, but I cannot raise arms against him, nor aid those who do. I don’t know how things are with your world, Tsurani, but here I must stay. He is my King.”
Kasumi nodded “I understand. In your place, I would do the same. You are a brave man, Duke Caldric.”
The Duke stood. “I am a tired man. The King has taken strong drink, from my hand. He will drink from no other, for he fears poison. I had the chirurgeon give him something for sleep. You should be out to sea when he awakens. I don’t know if he will remember your visit, but rest assured that someone will remind him within a day, or two at the outside So do not linger. Make straight for Lord Borric and tell him what has happened.”
Laurie said, “Is Prince Erland truly dead?”
“Yes. Word reached us a week ago His failing health could not withstand the cold dungeon. Borric is now heir to the throne. Rodric has never wed: his fear of others is too deep. The fate of the Kingdom rests with Borric Tell him so.”
They crossed to the door. Before the Duke opened it, he said, “Also tell him that it is likely I will be dead should he come to Rillanon. It will be a good thing, for I would have to stand against any who raised arms against the Royal Standard.”
Before Laurie or Kasumi could say anything, he opened the door. Two guards stood outside, and the Duke ordered them to escort Laurie and Kasumi to the docks. “The Royal Swallow is anchored in the harbour. Give this to the captain.” He held out a piece of paper to Laurie. “It is a royal warrant, commanding him to carry you to Salador.” He held out a second paper. “This is another, commanding any of the Armies of the Kingdom to aid your travel.”
They grasped each other by the hand, then the two emissaries followed the guards down the corridor. Laurie looked over his shoulder at Caldric as they left. The old Duke waited, stoop-shouldered and tired, his face lined by worry and sorrow, as well as fear. As they turned a corner, losing sight of the Duke, Laurie thought no price in the world would make him exchange places with that old man.
The horses were lathered. The riders whipped them up the hill. They were on the last leg of their journey to Lord Borric, begun over a month before, and the end was in sight. The Royal Swallow had sped them to Salador, where they had left at once for the West. They had slept little along the way, trading for fresh mounts or commandeering them, whenever possible, from horse patrols with the royal warrant given them by Caldric Laurie wasn’t sure, but he suspected they had covered the distance faster than it had ever been traveled before.