The door to the outer hall opened and a Tsurani guard admitted Jimmy. He walked forward gingerly, for his legs had been strained and scraped badly. Lyam and the others watched as the boy thief came to stand before Arutha.
Jimmy tried to speak, but no words were forthcoming. Like Arutha, he had relived every moment of the attack over and over in his mind while an acolyte of Nathan’s order had bandaged his legs. His memory had constantly played tricks on him. as he would see Arutha’s face of days ago when he had told Jimmy his feelings of friendship, then suddenly he would see the Prince’s face as he had knelt holding Anita, uncomprehending shock on his features. Then Jimmy would remember Anita standing in the hall before going for a dress fitting. That image would fade and he would once more see Arutha slowly lower her to the floor as priests rushed to her side.
Jimmy again tried to speak as Arutha looked up. The Prince’s eyes focused upon the boy, and he said, “Why . . . Jimmy, I . . . didn’t see you there.”
Jimmy saw the grief and pain in those dark brown eyes and felt something break inside himself. Unbidden tears came to his eyes as the boy spoke softly. “I . . . I tried . . .” He swallowed hard, something seemed to be choking off his breath. Jimmy’s mouth worked, but no sound came. Finally he whispered, “I’m sorry.” Then suddenly he was on his knees before Arutha. “I’m sorry.”
Arutha looked on uncomprehendingly for a moment, then shook his head. He put his hand upon Jimmy’s shoulder and said, “It's all right. It wasn’t your fault.”
Jimmy knelt with his head cradled in his arms upon Arutha’s knees, sobbing loudly while Arutha awkwardly tried to comfort him. Laurie knelt beside him and said, “You couldn’t have done anything more.”
Jimmy raised his head and looked at Arutha. “But I should have.”
Carline leaned over and gently ran her hand down the side of his face, wiping away the tears. “You went to investigate, which no one else did. Who knows what would have happened if you hadn't.” She left unspoken the thought that Arutha might be lying dead had Jimmy not kicked at Laughing Jack when he fired.
Jimmy was disconsolate. He said, “I should have done more.”
Lyam crossed to where Laurie, Carline, and Arutha were clustered around Jimmy. He also knelt beside the boy as Laurie made room. “Son, I’ve seen men who would fight goblins go pale at the thought of climbing out where you did. Each of us has fears,” he said softly. “But when something terrible happens, each of us always thinks, I should have done more.” He placed his hand over Arutha’s, which still rested upon Jimmy’s shoulder. “I’ve just had to order the Tsurani guards responsible for searching the hall not to kill themselves. At least you don’t have that twisted a sense of honor.”
Seriously Jimmy said, “If I could trade places with the Princess, I would.”
Lyam spoke solemnly. “I know you would, son; I know you would.”
Arutha, as if slowly returning from some distant place, said, “Jimmy . . . just so you know . . . you did well. Thank you.” He tried to smile.
Jimmy, with tears still on his cheeks, hugged Arutha’s knees hard, then sat back, wiping at his face, returning Arutha’s smile. “I’ve not cried since the night I saw my mum murdered.” Carline’s hand went to her mouth and her face turned white.
The door to the antechamber opened and Nathan came through. He wore only his white knee-length undertunic, having stripped off his ceremonial robes to supervise the care of the Princess. He was wiping his hands upon a cloth and he looked haggard. Arutha slowly rose, Lyam holding his arm. Nathan looked grim as he said, “She lives. Though the wound is severe, the bolt struck at a glancing angle that saved her spine. Had the bolt hit full on, death would have been instantaneous. She is young and healthy, but . . .”
“But what?” asked Lyam.
“The bolt was poisoned, Your Majesty. And it is a poison fashioned with foul arts, a concoction using evil spells. We have been able to do nothing to counter it. Alchemy or magic, nothing works.”
Arutha blinked. Comprehension seemed to elude him.
Nathan looked at Arutha, his eyes reflecting his sorrow. “I’m sorry, Highness. She’s dying.”