Laurie slipped through the door into Arutha’s suite while the guards in the hall were at the far end of their walking tour. In the dark he heard his name whispered. “Yes,” he replied.
Arutha unshuttered a lantern, lighting the room. The single light source made the antechamber of Arutha’s suite appear cavernous. Arutha said, “You’re late.” To Laurie he and Jimmy appeared alien figures as they stood lit from below by the yellow lantern glow. Arutha wore simple mercenary garb: knee-high cavalier boots, heavy woollen trousers, a heavy leather vest over a blue tunic, and his rapier belted at his side. Over all he Wore a heavy grey cloak, the deep hood thrown back over his shoulders, but what caused Laurie to stare for a moment was the light that seemed to come from Arutha’s eyes. About to embark upon the journey to Sarth at last, he was afire with impatience. “Lead the way.”
Jimmy showed them to a low hidden door in the wall, and they entered. Through the ancient tunnels of the palace Jimmy moved quickly, down to a level deeper than even the damp dungeon. Arutha and Laurie kept quiet, though the singer was given to an occasional silent oath when something he stepped on scampered away or squished. He was pleased at the lack of good light.
Suddenly they were moving up rough stone steps. At the top landing, Jimmy pushed upward against a protesting section of seeming blank stone ceiling. It moved slightly and Jimmy said, “It’s a tight squeeze.” He wiggled through and took their belongings as they passed them along. The base of an outer stone wall had been cleverly counterweighted to swing from one side, but age and disuse had made it stubborn. Arutha and Laurie managed to wiggle through. Arutha said, “Where are we?”
“Behind a hedge in the royal park. The postern gate to the palace is about a hundred and fifty yards off that way,” answered Jimmy. He indicated a direction. “Follow me.” He led them through thick shrubbery and into a stand of trees, in which three horses waited.
Arutha said, “I didn’t ask you to purchase three mounts.”
With an insolent grin, visible in the moonlit night, Jimmy said, “But you also didn’t tell me not to, Highness.”
Laurie decided it best not to get involved, so he busied himself tying his bundle to the nearest mount. Arutha said, “We move quickly, and I’ve no patience for this. You may not come, Jimmy.”
Jimmy moved toward one of the mounts and nimbly jumped up into the saddle. “I don’t take orders from nameless adventurers and unemployed bravos. I’m the Prince of Krondor’s Squire.” He patted his bundle behind the saddle and removed his rapier—the very one Arutha had given him. “I’m ready I’ve stolen enough horses to be a fair rider. Besides, things seem to happen wherever you are. It may get very dull around here without you.”
Arutha looked at Laurie, who said, “Better bring him along where we can watch him. He’ll only follow behind if we don’t.” Arutha seemed about to protest when Laurie said, “We can’t call the palace guards to have him arrested.”
Arutha mounted, obviously not pleased. Without further conversation, they turned their horses and rode away from the park. Down darkened alleys and narrow streets they moved, riding at a moderate pace so as not to attract undue attention. Jimmy said, “This way lies the eastern gate. I assumed we would leave by the north.”
Arutha said, “We’ll be heading north soon enough. Should anyone see me leave the city, I’d just as soon have word passed I’ve gone east. “
“Who’s going to see us?” said Jimmy lightly, knowing full well that anyone seen riding through the gate at this hour would be noticed.
At the eastern gate two soldiers watched from the gatehouse to see who passed, but as there was neither curfew in effect nor alarm being sounded they barely stirred to watch the three riders pass.
Beyond the walls they were in the outer city, erected when the ancient walls could no longer contain the population. Leaving the main eastern roadway, they moved between darkened buildings toward the north.
Then Arutha pulled up his horse and ordered Jimmy and Laurie to do likewise. Coming around the corner were four riders dressed in heavy black cloaks. Jimmy’s sword was out instantly, the chance of two groups of travelers innocently happening across one another on this minor street at this hour being very slight. Laurie began to draw his also, but Arutha simply said, “Put away your weapons “
When the riders closed, Jimmy and Laurie exchanged questioning looks. “Well met,” said Gardan as he turned his horse to come alongside Arutha. “All is ready.”
“Good,” said Arutha. Studying the riders with Gardan, he said, “Three?”
Gardan’s good-natured chuckle could be heard in the gloom. “As I hadn’t seen him about for some time, I thought Squire Jimmy might have decided to come along, with or without your permission, so I took precautions. Am I incorrect?”