“True,” said Roo, returning the grin. “That’s why you’re doing so well.”
John opened the door to the front part of his store, and the stairs leading up to die living quarters above, and said, “Food will be here shortly. After you finish, head out that rear door to the shed on the other side of the yard and get some sleep.”
Erik turned to Roo as the door closed. “A builder?”
“Just pick up some loose wood, look at it, toss it aside, and grunt. Take along some parchment or paper and scribble on it. Look around a lot. If any of the soldiers start talking like they know something about carpentry, nod in agreement.”
Erik leaned his chair back, so that he balanced on two legs, resting his head against the wall. “Well, it’s a better plan than I have. I hope things back in Darkmoor are working out smoother than they are here.”
Jimmy shouted, “No!”
Arutha said, “There will be no argument!”
Dash stepped between his brother and father and said, “Calm down, both of you.”
Arutha said, “My orders are not subject to your approval, James!”
Jimmy said, “But you, leading a raid . . . it’s preposterous.”
Nakor and Father Dominic stood nearby, watching the exchange. Arutha said, “I am the only one here who remembers Father’s story about the secret entrance into the abbey at Sarth. I don’t remember all of it, but I stand the best chance of having things come back to me as I walk around the base of that mountain.”
Jimmy looked at Father Dominic. “Don’t you know the way?”
Dominic said, “I know where the door is, in the sub-basement of the abandoned library, that leads to the tunnel outside in the hills. I don’t know if I could find the entrance from the outside. It’s been twenty years since I’ve even been down to the base of the mountain.”
Jimmy was about to speak when Dash said, “What do you want us to do?”
Arutha said, “I need someone in Krondor overseeing the rotation of troops. When Von Darkmoor and A very get back from their scouting mission at Sarth, I want to be able to strike before Nordan sees die attack coming.”
“Which is why Greylock is already up at the forward lines getting ready,” said Jimmy.
“Yes,” replied Arutha. “I’ll give you details before you go, but by midday tomorrow I want you on the road west.”
Jimmy said, “I don’t like this one little bit.”
Nakor grinned. “You make that obvious.”
Dash said, “Come on. We have to get our kits together.”
As the boys reached the door out of Arutha’s office, Arutha said, “Jimmy, Dash.”
They stopped at the door. “Yes?” asked Dash.
“I love you both very much.”
Jimmy hesitated a moment, then returned to embrace his father. “Don’t do anything stupid and heroic,” he whispered to his father.
“Aren’t I supposed to be saying that to you?” asked Arutha.
Dash hugged his father and said, “You know it wouldn’t do any good.”
“Stay alive, both of you,” whispered Arutha.
“You, too,” said Jimmy.
The brothers left the room. Arutha turned to Dominic and said, “What does the Ishapian Temple have to say to us, Brother?”
Dominic, a man nearly eighty years of age, but appearing barely twenty-five due to the healing magic of the Lifestone, said, “Many things, my lord duke. May I sit?”
Arutha indicated they both should, and Dominic said, “It took some persuasion, but I am living proof of my claims. Besides, I was seniormost in rank in the West and my words carried some weight.”
“And your warning saved your library at Sarth.”
“To be frank, that was not entirely providential.”
“What do you mean?” asked Arutha.
“I don’t think it a breach of trust to reveal it was your grandfather who warned us to be ready to move the library when certain things occurred.”
“Really?” said Arutha.
Dominic got a perplexed expression on his face. “But what I find odd was when he arrived at Sarth to find me and take me to Seathanon, prior to our confrontation with the demon, he didn’t seem to remember he sent us the warning.”
“Maybe he didn’t,” said Nakor.
“Why?” asked Arutha.
“Because maybe he hasn’t sent the warning, yet.”
Dominic said, “Time travel?”
Nakor shrugged. “Possibly. He’s done it before.”
Arutha nodded. “That’s possible. I get the feeling there’s a great deal more to all this than Grandfather has told me, or than you’ve told me.”
Nakor said, “True. But that’s for your own good.”
Arutha laughed. “You sound like me, talking to my children.” To Dominic, “So, will the Ishapian Temple support Nakor’s efforts?”
“Yes,” said Dominic, “though they are somewhat dubious as to the net effect. Yet they understand the need.”
“I’m dubious, too,” said Nakor, “and I started the Temple of Arch-Indar.”
Arutha said, “You are the most amazing man. What is the exact purpose of your order, again?”