Wil began to speak, and Erik held up his hand. A faint noise came to him and he recognized it, then another, and a third. ‘Come along,’ he ordered his men.
After they were well away from the Pathfinders, Erik asked, ‘They jumped you from the trees?’
Mark said, ‘Yes, Sergeant Major.’
Erik sighed. He had almost been taken that way as well. ‘Well, look up more often.’
The men waited for an outburst, or some other form of recrimination for allowing themselves to be captured, but Erik’s mind was elsewhere.
He mused on the presence of Prince Patrick’s select guard along that distant ridge, working hand in glove with the Pathfinders and their odd Captain. More odd yet was the presence of many soldiers on a distant ridge where every map said there were no trails, and oddest of all were the faint sounds that had carried to Erik. The second had taken him longer to recognize, but he knew it had been the sound of axes felling trees. That and the sound of picks on rock had not come to him as quickly as the first sound, one he knew well from his childhood: the sound of hammers striking iron on an anvil.
As they cleared the ridge to where the remaining scout waited, Jenks made bold to ask, ‘What are those blokes doing over there. Sergeant Major?’
Without thought, Erik said, ‘They’re building a road.’
‘Over there?’ asked Wil. ‘Why?’
Erik said, ‘I don’t know, but I intend to find out.’
The problem was, Erik had a good idea why they were building a road along that distant ridge, and he didn’t like the answer.
THREE - Queg
Roo scowled.
Karli stood aside, obvious awe on her features, as the Duke of Krondor entered their home. She had met Lord James once before, at a gala Roo had thrown to mark the advent of his success with the founding of the Bitter Sea Company. Outside the door a carriage waited. Four mounted guards, one carrying a spear from which hung the ducal banner, stood holding their horses’ bridles.
‘Good evening, Mrs Avery,’ said the Duke. ‘I’m sorry for the unexpected intrusion, but I need to borrow your husband for a bit.’
Karli was nearly speechless, but she managed to say, ‘Borrow?’
Duke James smiled and took her hand, squeezing it slightly. Til return him to you undamaged. I promise.’
Roo said, ‘Shall we talk?’ He indicated his study.
The Duke said, ‘I think so.’
He removed his cape and handed it to the astonished serving girl who had come to see who was at the door, and swept past her and Karli.
In his study, Roo closed the door. ‘To what do I owe the pleasure?’ he asked.
James sat in a chair opposite Roo’s desk. ‘From the expression on your face when I appeared at the door, pleasure isn’t what I think you feel.’
Roo said, ‘Well, it’s not often we have the Duke of Krondor show up unannounced a few minutes before bedtime.’
‘I can do without the fuss of letting you know I’m coming and throwing your household into an uproar. I don’t need another large meal with all the neighbors invited,’ said James. ‘Truth to tell, I know most of those with estates near here, and you’re among the few with whom I can have an interesting discussion.’
Roo looked dubious. ‘Would you care to stay the night, m’lord?’
‘My thanks for the offer, but I must continue my journey. I’m heading to your homeland, to have word with the Dowager Baroness and her son. She sent assassins to kill Erik.’
‘I was warned,’ said Roo. ‘I was also told you took the assassin into custody.’
‘Yes,’ said the Duke. His features were drawn and he looked as if he had done without sleep for too many days recently, but his eyes were still alert and they studied Roo’s face for a moment. ‘He’s been . . . seen to. The other man, though, he’s still out and about, and if he’s merely Baroness Mathilda’s errand boy, he’ll be back to Darkmoor by now and she may be hatching another plot. I have plans for you and Erik, so I’m personally going to see she stops trying to kill you,’ he said lightly. Then, with complete seriousness, he added, ‘Neither of you is to die until I say so.’
Roo sat back. There was really nothing more for him to say until the Duke told him what was on his mind. Roo knew he owed James several serious favors for his intervention in Roo’s almost unheard of rise to power and wealth, and he was certain James was here to collect one of those favors. He wouldn’t stop by just to let Roo know he was personally seeing to Erik’s and his safety.
After a moment of silence, James said, ‘I could do with a drink.’
Roo had the good grace to blush. ‘Sorry,’ he said, rising from his chair. He retrieved two crystal goblets and some expensive brandy in a matching decanter from a cabinet built into the wall next to a window overlooking one of Karli’s many gardens. He poured two generous measures, then handed one to the Duke.
James sipped and nodded his approval.
When Roo had returned to his chair, the Duke spoke. ‘I have a favor to ask.’