Roo, sitting atop a fresh horse, said, ‘Get the wagons out of here!’
Fifteen wagons, carrying everything he could move, started out of the large yard into the street. Shouting people hurried past, some carrying their belongings on their back, while others just ran. Rumors were flying - that the Prince was dead, that the palace had been taken, that all the gates were closed and they were trapped - and Roo knew that eventually he would have to leave behind his wagons and remaining goods if he didn’t get out of the city by sundown.
He had hired the best private guards he could find, and there weren’t many left in Krondor. Just about any man capable of carrying a sword or pulling a bow was now in the King’s service. The squad of ten men he had hired were old men and boys, but the old men were veterans and the boys were strong and enthusiastic.
Whips cracked as the horses moved the heavily burdened wagons, which groaned under the weight. Roo was attempting to salvage everything of worth, inventory, tools, and furnishings. He had faith that eventually the Emerald Queen’s army would be defeated, and he was attempting to ensure that he had as much of a start as possible in rebuilding his wealth after the war was over.
Roo said to Jason, who was now sitting on the first wagon, ‘Where is Luis?’
Jason said, ‘He went looking for Duncan when he didn’t show up. I think he may have gone out of the city.’
‘Why?’
‘Because Duncan said something about going to your estates on an errand for you.’
Roo frowned. He had not seen Duncan for two days, which had put his cousin in the worst possible grace with Roo so far. He had excused a lot of Duncan’s lapses, but with the invaders so close Roo had needed every pair of hands possible, and Duncan’s preoccupation with his own pleasure was inexcusable this time. ‘I’m going on ahead to my estates. Meet me there.’
Roo was going to let his wagoners rest the night at his estates, then send them on to Ravensburg. There Roo had planned to gather his employees and servants together and if the enemy appeared, move on to Salador. He knew what few others knew: that if the invaders made it past Darkmoor, they’d turn toward Sethanon, for the fabled prize Calis had long ago told his men about, whatever it might be. Roo had no doubt that the Kingdom would be equal to the task; he had served with the invaders for a while when Calis had infiltrated their army, and while they had numbers, they lacked the Kingdom’s training.
Then he remembered the Saaur.
Roo said, ‘I’m going to change orders. Continue past my estates and keep going until sundown.’
‘Why?’ asked Jason.
‘Something I just thought of. Head to our inn in Chesterton and wait. If you don’t hear anything from me within a day that says otherwise, start the men toward Darkmoor. Refit there, change horses, whatever you need to do, then continue on to Malac’s Cross. Wait for me to send you word there.’
Jason seemed disturbed by the change of plans, but said nothing. He nodded and told the driver to keep moving.
Roo rode ahead and quickly became enmeshed in the crowd streaming for the eastern gates. He was on the verge of turning back, fearing a riot, when he saw Kingdom troops riding toward him from a street to his left. He saw a familiar figure at their head and shouted, ‘Erik!’
Erik reined in. ‘I thought you went out of the city yesterday.’
‘Too many last-minute things to see to,’ answered Roo. ‘I’ve got wagons coming this way, then we’re for the East.’
Erik nodded. ‘Wise choice. You can ride with us to the gate, but the wagons are on their own, I’m afraid.’
Roo pulled in next to his boyhood friend and asked, ‘When are they closing the gates?’
‘Sundown, or when the first enemy is seen to the east, whichever comes first.’
‘They’re that close?’ said Roo in surprise.
‘They hit the outer seawall an hour ago,’ answered Erik as he slowed his horse because of the press of people. The way was now lined with Kingdom soldiers, keeping the crowd moving in an orderly fashion. Those who heard horses coming from behind tried to move aside, but there was scant room and Erik and his squad were forced to slow to a walk.
Roo asked, ‘Where are you bound for?’
‘Just outside,’ said Erik. ‘When the gates close, I’m going to ride rear guard behind those who are through.’
‘Nasty job,’ said Roo.
‘Not as nasty as staying behindsaid Erik.
Roo said, ‘I hadn’t thought of it that way.’ He paused, then said, ‘What of Jadow and the others?’
Erik knew he meant the handful of men whom Erik and Roo had served with, across the sea with Captain Calis. They’re already gone, up in the mountains.’
Roo said, ‘What’s going on?’
‘I can’t tell you,’ said Erik.