Patrick was silent a long moment, then said, “But you’re talking of genocide.”
Calis said, “I’m not leaving for at least six months, Highness. If you conceive of a better plan, I will be here to listen.” He let his voice fall, the low tone making his next sentence that much more urgent. “But forbid me this, and I will go anyway. If not in a Kingdom ship, then in one from Queg or Kesh. If not this year, then the next, or the one after. Because if I do not, then sooner or later the serpent priests will gain the Lifestone, and then we shall all perish.”
Patrick sat motionless for a very long time. At last he said, “Very well. There seems no other course. But if any one of you learns anything that changes this matter, I wish to know of it at once.” He stood up and said to William, “See that things stay calm, but begin preparations.”
The Prince departed. James turned to William. “There’s something else going on we need to discuss.”
William smiled and looked up at the slightly taller Duke. “What’s going on, Jimmy?”
James looked at Calis and Nicholas, then at William. “Helmut Grindle was killed last night outside the city gates.”
William said, “Grindle? He’s Roo Avery’s partner.”
Nicholas said, “Exactly, and a potential ally. We are going to need the support of merchants like him.”
William looked at James. “Any suspects?”
“Our agents are almost certain Frederick Jacoby or one of his sons is behind the death of Grindle, and the Jacobys are presently allied with Jacob Estherbrook. Estherbrook is a very influential man, both here and down in Kesh.” James was silent for a second, then said, “For the time being, let’s hope Mr. Avery doesn’t discover too much about who killed his partner.”
“What if he already knows or has suspicions?” asked Calis. “I know Roo Avery. He’s clever, and Grindle may have regained consciousness long enough to identify his killer.”
“Perhaps, but as long as Mr. Avery doesn’t cause any problems with Jacob Esterbook and his friends, it won’t matter.” He smiled. “We need merchants hard at work making profits for us to tax, not killing one another.”
William said, “With that in mind, will they cooperate when it comes time to put that wealth at risk for our benefit?”
James looked at his old friend. “You take care of the war, Willy, and I’ll see it’s paid for. The merchants of the Kingdom will come to heel once we make it clear they’re going to lose everything if they don’t help us.” He glanced around the room. “I now have the Mockers where I want them; I have the throne where I want it; and soon I’ll have the wealth of the Kingdom to use as I need. And if I must bleed our people white to finance this war, I will. Remember, I am the only one in this room who was at Sethanon.”
No one else needed to hear any further explanation. Nicholas’s, William’s, and Calis’s fathers had been at Sethanon, and they had heard in detail over the years what had happened when the Pantathians had tried to seize the Lifestone for the first time, but James had been there.
William said, “I’m due in court soon, too. If you’ll excuse me, I’d like to see to some other matters before that James?”
The Duke nodded. After William had left, James said to Calis, “Who are you taking with you on this suicide mission?”
Calis knew whom he spoke of. “Bobby, Greylock, and Erik. Of the two junior sergeants, he’s the smarter one.”
“Then leave him here,” said James. “If you’re going to kill off one of them, leave the smarter one alive to serve me here if you fail. Take Jadow with you instead.”
Calis nodded. “Done.”
“And leave Bobby here.”
Calis said, “He’ll never stand for it”
“Order him.”
“He’ll disobey.”
James said, “You serve a unique function here, my friend, but as much as I need the Eagle to return unharmed, I need your vicious Dog of Krondor.” He glanced out the window. “I need a sergeant now more than I need a General”—he glanced at Calis—“or a Captain.”
Calis smiled slightly. “He’s going to make your life living hell.”
James returned the smile. “What else is new? It’s not as if I have any choice.”
“Very well,” said Calis. “I’ll leave Bobby and Erik here and take Jadow and Greylock.”
The three were starting toward the door when James said, “What about Nakor?”
Calis said, “He’d go back if I asked, I’m almost certain, but I think he’ll serve us better down in Stardock. Those magicians are far too full of themselves, and he’s just the man to sort them out and remind them they’re living on a Kingdom island in the middle of that lake of theirs.”
“Very well, but you’re going to face some powerful magic, by everything you’ve said. What do you plan?”
Calis seemed almost embarrassed when he answered, “Miranda has agreed to come along.”
James studied Calis, then laughed. “For all your years, you do at times remind me of my son.”