“Where, Highness?”
“I need someone dependable to keep an eye on Duko. You seem to get along well enough with him, and I need someone down there who will keep him in line.”
Jimmy bowed his head. “Highness.”
“I’ve sent a message to my father, Jimmy. Assume he’ll accept my recommendation that you succeed your father as Earl of Vencar. It’s a lovely little estate and your father would want you to have it.”
Jimmy bowed his head in thanks. “Thank you, Your Highness.” Vencar was where they had been raised. Like many of the estates on the original island Kingdom of Rillanon, it was tiny by mainland standards. A hundred acres of land, with a creek, meadows, and pastures. The tenant farmers had ceased to work the land centuries before as Rillanon had expanded its reach onto the mainland. But for its modest size, it was among the most beautiful estates in the Kingdom. Their grandfather had arranged for it to go to Arutha when the old Earl of Vencar had died without heirs. Jimmy had been born in the palace, as had his sister, but they had moved there when he was a baby. Dash had been born there. It was home.
“So unless my father writes back telling me I’m an idiot, from now forward, you are Earl James.”
Jimmy said, “I thank His Highness.”
Patrick said, “I have a special job for you, Dash.”
“Highness.”
“We have a problem here in Krondor. The army is in the North, and Duko’s swords are down South. I’ve got the palace guard, and that’s all. The city is returning to life and it’s being overrun by thugs and ruffians, cutthroats and thieves. I need someone to bring order. I think of all those I have around here, you have the most affinity for the city streets. I am appointing you Sheriff of Krondor. Until we can create a true City Watch and Office of Constables, you are the law in the city. Recruit who you can, but keep this city under control until the wars are over.”
Dash said, “Sheriff?”
Patrick said, “You object?”
“Ah . . . no, Highness. I’m just a little surprised.”
“Life is full of surprises,” said Patrick. He indicated some parchments on his desk. “Reports from both fronts. The Keshians retreat before Duko at Land’s End, but are raiding along the eastern front near Shamata. They won’t get too close, for fear of the magicians at Stardock, I think, but they’re harassing our patrols, which are thin to start with. In the North Greylock has consolidated in Sarth and is pushing northward.” Patrick got a concerned look on his face. “Something is not right. The defense along the coast is weak. We know that Fadawah offered up Duko because he was fearful of Duko’s loyalty.
“Now it appears he gave up Nordan in the same way, but by all reports Nordan was his oldest and most trusted ally.”
“Perhaps his hold over his men is less secure than we thought,” observed Jimmy.
Brian of Silden said, “All the reports indicate a difficult winter for the invaders, with many dying of injuries and starvation. But we also have word from our agents that they’re trading with Queg and the Free Cities, food is plentiful, and they’re established in Ylith.”
Patrick ran his hand over his face. “Any word from Yabon?”
“None,” said Duke Brian. “We’ve had nothing since the battle of Sarth. No ships can get past Queg’s pirates to reach the Free Cities. All our ships from the Far Coast were used to support the raid. If word is coming, it is coming by runner, and the chances of a courier getting through the enemy to reach us is thin. Perhaps when we get closer to Ylith, we may hear of Yabon, but for now we must pray the young Duke is able to keep LaMut and Yabon intact.”
Looking at Jimmy and Dash, Patrick said, “Dine with me tonight, both of you, and we’ll discuss your duties. In your case, Jimmy, before you leave tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” said Dash. “Patrick. . . Highness, I thought we would accompany our father to Rillanon for his funeral.”
“No time, sorry to say. You’ll have to say your own good-byes after supper tonight. Perhaps we’ll hold a little wake after supper. . . yes, that would be fitting. But the requirements of this war don’t permit any of us the luxury for our personal grief or joys. I had to lie to many nobles of the Kingdom about a state wedding, and my intended is not as happy about being married in the ashes of Krondor as she was at the thought of the King’s palace. So we all make sacrifices.”
“At supper, then,” said Dash.
“You are dismissed,” said the Prince.
The brothers bowed and left the Prince’s office.
“Do you believe that?” said Jimmy.
“What?” said Dash.
“That business about ‘we all make sacrifices.’ “
Dash shrugged. “It’s just Patrick. He never knows when he’s ahead and when he should just shut up.”
Jimmy laughed as they turned the corner toward their rooms. “You’ve got that right. Probably why he was always such a bad card player.”