He circled around the table and stood next to Naglek. “You were one of my better students. You were even leader of the Blue Riders for a while. What happened to you?”
The man blushed, his fair skin coloring up to his reddish brown eyebrows. “Things change. I’m older now, Nakor. The Blue Riders have been—”
“Their activities have been curtailed,” said Chalmes. “Your more . . . unconventional views caused friction among the students.”
Nakor made a waving motion with his hand and Naglek stepped away. Nakor sat down and motioned for Sho Pi to come stand next to him. “Now, what are we going to do about this?” he asked.
Chalmes said, “Captain Calis, we are certainly alarmed at some of the things you’ve reported regarding your voyages across the ocean. We agree that should this Emerald Queen you spoke of attempt to cross the seas and invade the Kingdom, the situation would become most difficult. I think that should these events come to pass, you can tell His Majesty we will give the most serious consideration to his requests.”
Calis was silent a minute. Then he looked at Nakor.
“I told you this would happen,” Nakor said.
Calis nodded. “I thought we should give them the benefit of the doubt.”
Nakor shrugged. “We’ve wasted nearly a month here.”
Calis nodded. “You’re right.” To the other magicians in the room he said, “I am leaving Nakor here as the Crown’s duly appointed representative. He will act as a ducal regent in my absence.”
“You can’t be serious,” said Kalied.
“Most serious,” said Nakor.
“You don’t have such authority,” said a magician named Salind.
Nakor grinned. “He’s the Eagle of Krondor. He’s the King’s personal agent. He holds the rank of Duke of the King’s Court in addition to being a Knight-Captain in the Armies of the West. He can have you all hung for treason.”
“I’m returning to Krondor,” said Calis, “to report to the Prince and to get further instruction as to what we are to do with you until such time as Pug returns.”
“Returns?” said Chalmes. “It’s been nearly twenty years since we last saw Pug. What makes you think he will return?”
Nakor shook his head. “Because he will need to. Are you still so narrow of vision—” He stopped himself. “Stupid question. Pug will be back. Until then, I think I shall have to see what needs to be changed around here.”
Nakor had been snooping, as was his habit, since the day they arrived, so everyone in the room knew instantly he already had a long list of things he would change. The magicians glanced at one another; then Chalmes and the others rose. “Very well,” said Chalmes to Calis. “If you expect such behavior will bring the results you wish, you are wrong, I fear, but we shall not actively oppose you. But if you’re leaving this . . . gambler in charge, then let him be in charge.” With that, he led the other four magicians from the chamber.
Calis watched them depart, then turned to Nakor and Sho Pi. “Will you two be all right?”
“I will protect my master,” said Sho Pi.
Nakor made a dismissive gesture. “Bah. I need no protecting from that group of old ladies.” He stood up. “When do you leave?” he asked Calis.
“As soon as I can get my horse saddled in town and get started back to Shamata. There’s still a half day ahead.”
Nakor said, “I knew I was hungry. Let’s get something to eat.”
The three of them walked down a long hall, past the now totally confused door guard, and at the end of the hallway they stopped. Calis would head outside to gather the soldiers he had brought with him to the island and take the ferry to town. Nakor and Sho Pi would head in the other direction, toward the common kitchen.
“You take care,” said Calis. “They gave up too easily.”
Nakor smiled. “Oh, they’re all up in Chalmes’s room this moment, plotting away, no doubt” He shrugged. “I’ve lived far longer than any of them and not because I was careless. I’ll keep an eye out for surprises.” Then his mood turned serious. “I’ve had enough time to look around to know this much: tell the Prince that there are only a few here who have the talent and the temperament to be of any help to us. The rest might be useful in some minor ways, moving messages and the like, but there are only a few real talents here.” He sighed. “I thought after twenty years they might have developed dozens of students around here, but I suspect those with genuine ability leave as soon as they can.”
“Well, we need someone.”
“We need Pug,” said Nakor.
“Can we find him?” asked Calis.
“He’ll find us.” He glanced up and down the hall. “And he’ll find us here, I think.”
“How will he know we need his help?” said Calis. “The Prince tried using the charm Pug gave Nicholas, and Pug didn’t answer.”
“Pug will know,” said Nakor. Glancing around again, he added. “He may already know.”
Calis stood silent a moment, nodded, turned, and without another word walked down the hallway.
Nakor took Sho Pi’s arm in his hand. “Let’s get something to eat.”