The boy didn’t know where Haverford on the River Welandel was, but land meant income, and immediately he brightened. As he stepped away, he studied Arutha, who was obviously preoccupied. Chance had twice thrown them together, and twice Arutha had proved the only person who hadn’t wanted anything from him. Even his few friends among the Mockers had tried to gain advantage over the boy at least once until he had shown that to be a difficult task. Jimmy found his relationship with Arutha a novel one. As Arutha read some papers silently, Jimmy decided that if fate was again taking a hand, he d just as soon stay with the Prince and his lively bunch as go anywhere else he could think of. Besides, he would have income and comfort as long as Arutha lived, though this, he thought somberly, might prove a bit of a problem.
While Jimmy glanced at his patent, Arutha in turn studied him. He was a street boy: tough, resilient, resourceful, and occasionally ruthless. Arutha smiled to himself. He’d get along just fine in court.
Jimmy rolled up the paper as Arutha said, “Your former master works with alacrity.” To the entire group he said, “Here I have his word that he has nearly uncovered the nest of the Nighthawks. He states he will send a message at any moment, and he regrets he must withhold any direct aid in stamping them out. Jimmy, what do you think of this?”
Jimmy grinned. “The Upright Man knows how to play. Should you destroy the Nighthawks, business returns to normal. Should you fail, there is no suspicion he took a hand in your attempt. He cannot lose.” In more serious tones he added, “He also worries about additional infiltration of the Mockers. Should that be the case, any Mocker participation places the raid in jeopardy.”
Arutha took the boy’s meaning. “It is come to that serious a pass?”
“Most likely, Highness. There are no more than three or four men with access to the Upright Man himself. These are the only ones he can fully trust. I would guess he has a few agents of his own outside the guild, unknown to any but his most trusted aides, perhaps not even to them. He must be using these to ferret out the Nighthawks. There are over two hundred Mockers and twice that number of beggars and urchins, any of whom could be eyes and ears for the Guild of Death “
Arutha smiled his crooked smile. Volney said, “You have wits, Squire James. You should prove a boon to His Highness’s court.”
Jimmy looked as if something tasted bad as he muttered, “Squire James?”
Arutha seemed unaware of Jimmy’s sour tone. “We could all do with some rest. Until we hear from the Upright Man, the best we can do is recover from the rigors of the last few days.” He rose. “I bid you all good night.”
Arutha quickly left the chamber and Volney gathered up the papers from the conference table and hurried along on his own errands Laurie said to Jimmy, “Well, I’d better take you in tow, youngster. Someone should teach you a thing or two about quality folk.”
Gardan came over to them. “Then the boy is as good as damned forever to be an embarrassment to the Prince.”
Laurie sighed. “It just shows you,” he rejoined to Jimmy, “you can put a badge of rank on the man, but once a barracks sweeper, always a barracks sweeper.”
“Barracks sweeper!” snapped Gardan, mock outrage on his dark face. “Singer, I’ll have you know I come from a long line of heroes . . .”
Jimmy sighed in resignation as he followed the two bickering men from the hall. On the whole, life had been simpler a week ago. He tried to put on a brighter expression, but at best he resembled a cat who had fallen into a barrel of cream, unsure of whether to lap it up or swim for his life.
FIVE - Obliteration
Arutha studied the old thief.
The Upright Man’s messenger had waited while the Prince read the missive. Now the Prince’s eyes were upon him. “Know you the contents of this?”
“To the specifics, no He who gave it to me was explicit in instructions. The old thief, now robbed of his ability by age, rubbed absently at his bald pate as he stood before Arutha. “He said to tell you the boy could bring you easily to the place named within, Your Highness. He also said to tell you that word has been passed regarding the boy, and the Mockers consider the matter at a close.” The man cast a brief glance at Jimmy and winked. Jimmy, who was standing off to one side, breathed a silent sigh of relief at hearing that. The wink told him that while Jimmy would never be a Mocker again, he at least was not denied the streets of the city and that old Alvarny the Quick was still a friend. Arutha said, “Tell your master I am pleased with this swift resolution. Tell him we shall have an end to this matter tonight. He will understand.”
Arutha waved for a guard to escort Alvarny from the hall and turned to Gardan. “Select a company of your most trusted men and any Pathfinders still in the garrison. Any who are new to our service shall be passed over. By word of mouth, tell each to muster at the postern gate, beginning at sundown. By ones and twos I want them sent into the city, using varied routes and with sharp eyes for signs they are being followed. Let them wander and dine, as if they were off duty, though any drinking should be only sham. By midnight they are all to gather at the Rainbow Parrot.” Gardan saluted and left.
When Arutha and the boy were alone, the Prince said, “You must think I’ve dealt harshly with you.”