Dash said, “There’s Luis!” He hurried past Jimmy to the second wagon, where Luis de Savona sat next to a woman Dash didn’t recognize. Luis jumped down, and Dash said, “Luis! It’s good to see you again.”
Luis shook hands with Dash and said, “It’s good to see you again, young Mr. Jamison. I was grieved to learn of your grandparents’ death.” Luis had spent the winter in Salador, overseeing Roo’s holdings in the East while Roo had worked in Darkmoor.
Dash said, “I appreciate that.” He then noticed the woman as she climbed down off the wagon. “Mrs. Avery?” he said in wonder.
Karli Avery had been a plain-looking, pale and plump woman. The woman who was stepping before him was slender, tanned, and while still not pretty, had an alive, expressive face that commanded attention. “Dash!” she said, taking his hands and kissing his cheek. “How are you?”
“I’m just fine, Mrs. Avery, but you . . . you look so different!”
She laughed. “There’s been a great deal of work and not much food all winter. Loading and unloading wagons, learning to drive them, caring for the children. Spending days in the sun; it all changes a person.”
“Quite so,” observed Dash. Jimmy approached, and Dash said, “You remember my brother, don’t you?”
Both said hello to Jimmy, and Dash said, “What of the children, and Mrs. Jacoby?”
“All back in Salador, under Helen’s care,” said Karli, “only it’s no longer Mrs. Jacoby. She’s Mrs. de Savona now.”
Dash laughed and playfully struck Luis in the arm. “You got married!”
Roo walked over with Nakor at his side. “He most certainly did.”
Nakor congratulated his old companion, and said, “I hope you’re at last happy.”
Luis smiled. “As happy as I’m likely to be, you odd little man.”
“That will have to do,” said Nakor. To Roo he said, “Did you get my grain and my statue maker?”
Roo said, “I haven’t found the sculptor yet, but here’s your grain.”
“Did the wagon makers prove useful?” asked Nakor as he began inspecting the contents of the two wagons. Other wagons were arriving outside.
Roo said, “Very. I’m of a mind to be early into Krondor; there may be a very large number of skilled artisans and craftsmen among the invaders. If I can recruit them . . .”
Jimmy and Dash exchanged glances. Jimmy asked, “How do you know they’ll be free to work, considering there’s a war going on?”
Roo laughed. “I’m not without my sources, and I knew Patrick was going to cut a deal with Duko about an hour after you did.”
“Sources?”
“Your father,” said Roo, laughing. “He’s not quite as evil-minded as your grandfather, but your father is no slouch when it comes to making sure he has all his resources ready. Besides, I’m the largest single debt-holder on the Royal Treasury, so he has to keep me apprised of what’s going on.”
Jimmy said, “Well, then, I expect you’ll recover your losses before you’re through.”
Nakor said, “If he doesn’t get himself killed first.”
Roo threw Nakor a dark look. “I’m not volunteering for any more hare—brained missions, you can bet. From now on I’m a conservative family man, a businessman who will stay home and look after his holdings.”
From nearby another voice said, “After we take care of a little job.”
All eyes turned to see Erik von Darkmoor standing nearby. “I came looking for all of you; how convenient I find all of you together.” To Dash and Jimmy, he said, “Report to your father, now, gentlemen.”
The brothers didn’t hesitate, and started for the door. As Jimmy passed the young woman who gave him water, he said, “Thanks again.”
She nodded and smiled and said nothing.
Erik turned to Nakor. “Can you reach Brother Dominic?”
Nakor nodded. “He’s due back from Rillanon, soon. He’s supposed to be bringing me word as to the Temple of Ishap’s willingness to support our efforts here. I suspect he is either in Salador or on the road from Salador to here.”
“I’ll send a patrol eastward, looking for him. If he somehow gets here before they find him, please let Duke Arutha know.”
Nakor nodded. “Why, if I may ask?”
“You can ask,” said Erik. “I can’t answer. You’ll have to ask Duke Arutha.”
Nakor said, “I might.”
To Roo, Erik said, “I need to speak with you.” He glanced at Luis and Karli, saying, “Excuse me, please.”
He led Roo to a distant corner of the warehouse-turned-temple, and when they were alone, he said, “Who do you have still working for you in Sarth?”
Roo asked, “What makes you think I have anyone working for me in Sarth?”
Erik said, “Roo, it’s me you’re talking to. Now, who do you have still working for you in Sarth?”
Roo said, “John Vinci. He acts as an independent trader; he specializes in bringing in contraband from Queg. That’s why it’s not widely known he works for me.”
“Good. We need to visit with him.”