Jimmy suddenly became aware he looked a poor sight to these men, used to the well-dressed and -groomed inhabitants of the palace. From his raggedly cut hair down to his dirty bare feet he looked every inch the beggar boy. Then Jimmy saw the humor in Gardan’s eyes.
“Don’t let his appearance mislead you, Gardan. He’s far more capable than his years indicate.” To Jimmy, Arutha said, “You throw some discredit upon Gardan’s guards by entering in this fashion. I expect you’ve reason to seek me out?”
“Yes, Highness. Business most serious and urgent.”
Arutha nodded. “Well then, what is this most serious and urgent business?”
“Someone has placed a price on your head.”
Gardan’s face registered shock. Laurie said, “What—how?”
“What leads you to think so?” asked Arutha.
“Because someone has already tried to collect.”
Besides Arutha, Laurie, and Gardan, two others listened to the boy’s story in the Prince’s council chambers. Earl Volney of Landreth had formerly been the assistant to the Principate Chancellor, Lord Dulanic, the Duke of Krondor who disappeared during the viceroyalty of Guy du Bas-Tyra. At Volney’s side sat Father Nathan, a priest of Sung the White, Goddess of the One Path, once one of Prince Erland’s chief advisers and there at Gardan’s request. Arutha did not know these two men, but during the months of his absence Gardan had come to trust their judgment, and that opinion counted for much with Arutha. Gardan had been virtually acting Knight-Marshal of Krondor, just as Volney had been acting Chancellor, while Arutha had been gone.
Both men were stocky, but while Volney seemed one who had never known labor, simply a man always stout, Nathan looked like a wrestler now going to fat. Under that soft appearance strength still waited. Neither spoke until Jimmy had finished recounting his two fights of the night before.
Volney studied the boy thief for a moment, looking at him from under carefully combed, bushy eyebrows. “Utterly fantastic. I simply don’t wish to believe such a plot can exist.”
Arutha had sat with his hands forming a tent before his face, the fingers restlessly flexing. “I’d not be the first prince targeted for an assassins blade, Earl Volney.” He said to Gardan, “Double the guard at once, but quietly, with no explanation given. I do not want rumors flying about the palace. Within two weeks we’ll have every noble in the Kingdom worth mention in these halls, as well as my brother.”
Volney said, “Perhaps you should warn His Majesty?”
“No,” said Arutha flatly. “Lyam will be traveling with a full company of his Royal Household Guard. Have a detachment of Krondorian lancers meet them at Malac’s Cross, but no word that it is other than a formal honor company. If a hundred soldiers can’t protect him while he rides, he can’t be protected.
“No, our problem lies here in Krondor. We have no choice in our options.”
“I’m not sure I follow, Highness,” said Father Nathan.
Laurie threw his eyes heavenward while Jimmy grinned. Arutha smiled grimly. “I think our two streetwise companions have a clear understanding of what must be done.” Turning to face Jimmy and Laurie, Arutha said, “We must catch a Nighthawk.”
Arutha sat quietly while Volney paced the dining hall. Laurie, who had seen years enough of hunger to take food when it was available, ate while the stout Earl of Landreth stalked the hall. After watching Volney make another circuit before the table, Arutha, in weary tones, said, “My lord Earl, must you pace so?”
The Earl, who was caught up in his own thoughts, stopped abruptly. He bowed toward Arutha slightly, but his expression was one of irritation. “Highness, I’m sorry to have disturbed you”—his tone showed he wasn’t in the least bit sorry, and Laurie smiled behind a joint of beef—”but to trust that thief is sheer idiocy.”
Arutha’s eyes widened and he looked at Laurie, who returned his amazed expression. Laurie said, “My dear Earl, you should cease being so circumspect. Come, just speak your mind to the Prince. Be direct, man!”
Volney flushed as he realized his gaffe. “I beg your pardon, I . . .” He seemed genuinely embarrassed.
Arutha smiled his crooked half-smile. “Pardon granted, Volney, but only for the rudeness.” He studied Volney for a quiet moment, then added, “I find the candor rather refreshing. Say on.”
“Highness,” Volney said firmly, “for all we know, this boy is but a part of some confidence game designed to capture you, or to destroy you, as he claims others intend.”
“And what would you have me do?”
Volney paused and shook his head slowly. “I don’t know, Highness, but sending the boy alone to gather intelligence is . . . I don’t know.”
Arutha said, “Laurie, tell my friend and counselor the Earl that all is well.”