Erik laughed and said, “What of you?”
“I am the King’s servant. I’ll return with Patrick to Rillanon and His Majesty will tell me where I serve next. I suspect I’ll be back in Krondor quickly enough. With Rudolfo dead and Brian unable to walk since the poisoning, we’ll need a new Duke in Krondor quickly. Duke Carl survived up in Yabon, but between those two Duchies we have enough work to keep a score of nobles occupied for a century.
“I’ll probably be given a title, and too few resources for too much work. That’s usually the way it works.”
Erik smiled and patted Jimmy on the shoulder. “Well do I know that, Jimmy.”
Roo and Karli joined them and were warmly greeted by both men. Erik said, “When the Keshians were marching across your estate, how did you avoid being captured like the others in your area?”
Roo laughed. “We were sleeping in an outbuilding while we’re rebuilding the estate house. When the cavalry showed up, they went inside the big house, and we snuck off into the woods. I have a tidy little cave set up to lie low in. I stocked it first thing after I returned. Too many armies running around here in the West for my taste.”
Erik said, “We’re trying to solve that problem, Roo.” Karli hid her smile behind her hand.
Roo said, “I haven’t seen your brother around, Jimmy.”
“Dash is off somewhere. With everyone heading off to the wedding, he’s being left behind in charge for a while.”
“I’m sure he’s distressed at missing the wedding,” said Karli.
Jimmy smiled. “Probably not as much as he is at the work to be done putting this city back together again.”
Roo said, “I know. Someone broke into the basement at Barret’s and took every scrap of food and all the coffee! How can I open a coffeehouse without coffee?”
“I guess you’ll have to buy more,” said Erik. He playfully squeezed his friend’s shoulder. “You always manage to find a way to make a deal, my friend.”
Roo smiled. “I have to work a little harder since Jimmy’s grandfather is no longer around, but then I’m getting to keep the money I make rather than pay taxes.”
Jimmy said, “I could speak to the Prince about that if you’d like.”
Roo put up his hands in mock surrender, “No, that’s fine. I’ll pick my own time to bring up the matter of the crown’s debt to the Bitter Sea Company. Let’s get the West back in order before we start that long and boring wrangle.”
Karli said, “There’s your brother, Jimmy. Who’s that he’s talking to?”
Jimmy turned and saw Dash entering the room deep in conversation with another man. “He’s a court functionary, named Talwin. I’m still a bit vague on what he does for Patrick, but I’ve seen him around over the last few years. He’s being named Castle Reeve while everyone else is going to Rillanon for the wedding. I’m sure he and Dash have a great deal to discuss.”
“You can’t have it both ways, Dash,” said Talwin. “You’re either taking care of your duty or you’re not.”
Dash looked at the head of Royal Intelligence and said, “Look, we’re going to be stuck together for over a month while the wedding is going on, so why don’t we agree to work together. You take care of the business of the Principality and the castle itself, and I’ll take care of the city.”
“Because you’re unreliable,” said Talwin.
Dash’s face flushed in anger. “Explain yourself.”
“Twice in the last week I know you have arranged to get minor offenders released without trial.”
“They were hungry people!” said Dash, raising his voice enough that a few lingering members of the court turned to look. Dash lowered his voice. “We’ve got enough trouble dealing with the prisoners we have. I’m not going to throw a child who stole bread into a cell with murderers.” Then he laughed. “And I’m damn well not going to toss him in with those damned Jikanji cannibals we inherited from Fadawah.”
Talwin laughed. “Very well, I’ll concede there may be some sense to your decisions. But since the fighting’s stopped, I’ve noticed that a great deal of street crime is returning to Krondor, and you’re far less vigilant than before.”
“I’m tired,” said Dash. Then he said, “Yes, that’s exactly it.” He smiled. “You just made me see something important. Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For seeing something I’ve been ignoring for weeks.” He patted Talwin on the arm. “I’ll have my resignation on your desk tomorrow.”
“What?”
“I don’t want to be Sheriff of Krondor any longer,” said Dash. “Find someone else to do the job for you, Talwin.”
He turned and walked across the hall to where his brother stood with Erik, Roo, and Kadi. After he exchanged greetings, he said, “Roo, I could use employment.”
Jimmy said “What?”
“I’ve resigned as Sheriff.”
“Why?” Jimmy persisted.