Jimmy quickly exited the hall. After a few yards the boy called Locklear caught up and fell into step beside him. “That was something, Squire James,” said the other new boy. “Jerome’s been making it hard on all the new boys.”
Jimmy stopped, in no mood for this. “That’s because you let him, boy.” Locklear stepped away and began to stammer an apologetic reply. Jimmy held up his hand. “Wait a moment. I don’t mean to be short with you. I have things on my mind. Look, Locklear, isn’t it?”
“My friends call me Locky.”
Jimmy studied the boy. He was a small lad, still looking more the baby he was than the man he would be. His eyes were wide and blue in a face of deep tan, his brown hair shot through with sun-gold. Jimmy knew that no more than a few weeks ago he was playing in the sand with the common boys at the beach near his father’s rural castle. “Locky,” said Jimmy, “when that fool begins to trouble you, kick him where he lives. That’ll sort him out quick enough. Look, I can’t talk now. I’ve got to go meet the King.” Jimmy walked quickly away, leaving an astonished boy standing in the hall.
Jimmy fidgeted, hating the too tight collar of his new tunic. One thing Jerome had been good for was to show him he didn’t have to put up with poor tailoring. As soon as he could, he’d slip out of the palace for a few hours and visit the three caches he had around the city. He had enough gold secreted there to tailor himself a dozen new outfits. This business of being a noble had drawbacks he hadn’t imagined.
“What’s the matter with you, boy?”
Jimmy looked up and saw the narrow gaze of a tall old man with dark grey hair. He studied Jimmy with a practiced eye, and Jimmy recognized him as Swordmaster Fannon, one of Arutha’s old companions from Crydee. He’d arrived by ship on the evening tide the night before. “It’s this deuced collar, Swordmaster. And these new boots hurt my feet as well.”
Fannon nodded. “Well, one must keep up appearances, discomfort or no. Now, here comes the Prince.”
Arutha walked out of the great doors to the palace, to stand at the center of the throng assembled to meet the King. Broad steps led down to the parade ground. Beyond the ground, past the large iron gates, the great square of the city had been cleared of hawkers’ stalls. Krondorian soldiers formed long lines along the route through the city to the palace, and behind them stood the citizens eager to catch a glimpse of their King. Lyam’s column had been reported approaching the city only an hour before, but the citizens had been gathering since before dawn.
Wild cheering heralded the King’s approach and Lyam was the first to ride into view, sitting astride a large chestnut war-horse, Gardan, as city commander, riding at his side. Behind them rode Martin and the attending nobles from the Eastern Realm, a company of Lyam’s Royal Household Guard, and two richly appointed carriages. Arutha’s lancers followed, with the baggage train bringing up the rear.
As Lyam reined in his mount before the steps, trumpets sounded flourishes. Grooms rushed to take the Kings horse while Arutha hurried down the steps to meet his brother. Tradition held the Prince of Krondor to be second only to the King in rank, and therefore the least deferential noble in the Kingdom, but all protocol was forgotten as the two brothers embraced in greeting. The first to dismount after Lyam was Martin, and in a moment all three stood reunited.
Jimmy watched as Lyam introduced his riding companions while the two carriages rolled up to the steps. The doors to the first carriage opened and Jimmy craned his neck to see. A stunning young woman alighted and Jimmy gave a silent nod of approval. From the greeting she gave Arutha, Jimmy guessed her to be the Princess Carline. Jimmy stole a quick look to where Laurie stood and saw the singer waiting with open worship on his face. Jimmy nodded to himself: yes, that was Carline. Behind her came an old noble, who Jimmy expected would be Lord Caldric, Duke of Rillanon.
The second carriage’s door opened and an older woman descended. Immediately after her came a familiar figure and Jimmy smiled. He felt a slight flush at sight of Princess Anita, for he had once harbored a terrible infatuation for her. The older woman would be Princess Alicia, her mother. While they were greeted by Arutha, Jimmy thought back to when Anita, Arutha, and he had all hidden together and the boy grinned unselfconsciously.
“What’s gotten into you. Squire?”
Jimmy looked up at Swordmaster Fannon again. Covering his agitation, he said, “Boots, sir.”
Fannon said, “Well enough, boy, but you should learn to bear up under a little discomfort. I mean no disrespect to your teachers, but you re poorly prepared as squires go. “
Jimmy nodded, his eyes back on Anita. “New to the trade, sir. Last month I was a thief.”