In the darkest hours of the night, before the sky to the east began to lighten, a single man hid in the shadows near the docks. He kept looking back, as if fearing he was being followed, and at last he ducked into a doorway, waiting to see if anyone was behind him.
Long minutes passed then he stepped out of the door, only to be slammed back against it with a dagger held to his throat. “Going somewhere, Reese?”
The thief’s eyes widened. “Sheriff! I wasn’t on the dodge, honest. I was just heading back to my hole to sleep the day.”
“I need information, and you’re going to give it to me,” said Dash.
“Sure, whatever you want.”
“Who’s the new Daymaster now that Trina’s dead?”
“If I told you, it would be my life,” said Reese.
“If you don’t, it will be your life. I don’t mean hauling you to New Market for a trumped-up trial and a hanging, I mean cutting your throat right now.”
“It doesn’t matter,” said Reese. “There isn’t one. There’s barely what you’d call the Mockers since the Upright Man and Trina died.”
“Who’s the Nightmaster?”
“He died during the war. There’s no leadership anymore. Even Mother’s ain’t safe no more. Someone’s setting up a new gang near Fishtown, for boosting goods unloaded off ships. And there’s some bashers setting themselves up down near the old docks. Times ain’t what they used to be, Dash.”
“Tell me where to find the gangs in Fishtown and down by the docks.”
Reese told him what he knew, then Dash said, “Here’s what you need to know. Things are changing in Krondor and we’re going to be the ones making the changes.”
“We?” asked Reese.
“You and me.”
“I get caught working for the Sheriff, I’m a dead man,” said Reese.
“Oh, before we’re done, you’ll wish it was that simple. You’re a bright one, Reese—you were smart enough to hook up with Talwin and me and get out of the work gang.”
“Well, I saw my chance and I took it.”
“Who’s another really smart lad or lass, someone who works well with the children?”
“Jenny’s got a level head and the beggars and pickpockets like her.”
“Good. I want you and Jenny to meet me by the old landing below the north wall reservoir, an hour after sundown tomorrow.” He let go of the man’s shirt and put away his dagger.
“What if I just don’t turn up?”
“Then I’ll find you and kill you,” said Dash. “An hour after sundown. Just the two of you.”
Reese said, “I’ll bring her.” He ran off into the dark.
Dash looked around to make sure he was unobserved, then went the other way.
Jimmy rose to depart, and Francine said, “Jimmy, may I have a word with you?”
Jimmy smiled. “Anytime, Francie.”
She came over and said, “If we still had a garden here, perhaps we could go for a walk.”
“A turn around the marshaling yard?”
She laughed. “That will have to do.”
She turned to her father and Patrick, and said, “We won’t be long.” They went down the long corridor from the Prince’s great hall to the balcony overlooking the marshaling yard. The evening air was warm and the air held a hint of blooms.
“When we return, I shall see the garden is restored as soon as possible.”
Jimmy said, “That will be nice.”
“Are you returning to Krondor in time for Midsummer’s Festival?” Francie asked.
“Probably not. I shall sail to Roldem to visit Mother. With Father dead, she’ll never return to the Kingdom.”
Francine sighed. “They never grew to love one another?”
Jimmy shook his head. “I think at best they enjoyed things about one another. She admired Father’s skills as a diplomat; Roldem’s a nation of courtiers. He was a very fine dancer, did you know?”
“I remember seeing him at a celebration in the King’s court. He cut a very dashing figure. I had a crush on him as a child.”
“He was a very fine father,” said Jimmy, suddenly missing him a great deal. “He always liked Mother’s ability to organize. If there was one guest for dinner or a hundred, she always had everything right by the time the event began. He used to joke that she’d have made a better Duke than he.”
“But they never grew close?”
“No,” said Jimmy sadly. “I know Mother had lovers, though she was always very discreet about it. I don’t know about Father. He always seemed so occupied with whatever Grandfather set him to. He probably was too busy to really care.”
“He cared about you and Dash.”
Jimmy nodded. “I know he did. He was always generous in his affections with us.”
She put her hand on his arm. “I don’t know what I’m going to do, Jimmy. I like Patrick well enough; the three of us have always been friends. I used to think I was going to marry you, back when we were children.”