“You did what?”
Jimmy looked pleased with himself. “Even a town as small as Sarth has its underside if you know where to look. Using my reputation as a Mocker of Krondor, I made myself known and established my bona fides. Certain people who wish to remain anonymous were made to understand I knew who they were—and would be willing to neglect mentioning it to the local garrison in exchange for a service. As they thought I still enjoyed a favored position in the Mockers, they chose not to deposit me in the bay, especially when I sweetened the deal with a small pouch of gold I carried. I then mentioned there was not a single person in the Western Realm who would miss a certain merchant taking his ease at the inn. They took my meaning. The false merchant is most like on his way to Kesh via the Durbin slave route even as we speak, learning the finer points of menial labor.”
Laurie slowly shook his head. “The boy has a definite hard edge to him.”
Arutha heaved a resigned sigh. “It seems I am again in your debt, Jimmy.”
Jimmy said, “There’s a small caravan coming up the coast about an hour behind. If we ride slowly they may overtake us by nightfall. We could most likely hire on as additional guards and ride in with wagons and a few other mercenaries when Murmandamus is out looking for the three riders who left Sarth. “
Arutha laughed. “What am I to do with you?” Before Jimmy could answer, he said, “And don’t say anything about being Duke of Krondor.” As he turned his mount, he said, “And don’t tell me where you got that horse.”
Fate, or the efficacy of the Ishapian talisman, served Arutha and his three companions, for they encountered no trouble along the road to Ylith Jimmy’s prediction of a caravan’s overtaking them proved accurate. It was a poor thing, consisting of five wagons served by only two bravos hired as guards. Once the merchant in charge was satisfied they were not brigands, he welcomed them as traveling companions—for he gained four additional bodyguards for the price of a few meals.
For two weeks they traveled with little to disrupt the monotony of the journey. Peddlers, traders, and caravans of all sizes, with up to a score of mercenary guards, passed both ways along the coast between Questor’s View and Sarth. Arutha was satisfied that should some spy or agent discover him among the throng of bravos riding along the road, it would be by pure chance.
Finally, near sundown, they could see the lights of Ylith in the distance. Arutha rode point with Yanov the merchant’s two guards. He held back until the lead wagon was even with him and said, “Ylith ahead, Yanov.”
The lead wagon passed, and the stout merchant, a silk and fine-cloth peddler from Krondor, waved happily. Arutha had been relieved to discover Yanov an ebullient man, for he paid little attention to what others had to say and Arutha’s quickly contrived history had stood up to scrutiny. As far as the Prince could tell, Yanov had never seen him before.
Martin was the first to overtake Arutha, as the last wagon in the train moved past him. “Ylith,” said Arutha, kicking his mount into motion.
Jimmy and Laurie crossed the road from where they had ridden flank as Martin said, “Soon we’ll be shed of this train and can see to new mounts. These need a rest. “
Laurie said, “I’ll be pleased to be rid of Yanov. He cackles like a fishwife, without a halt.”
Jimmy shook his head in mock sympathy. “And he hardly ever lets anyone else tell a story around the campfire.”
Laurie glared. Arutha said, “Enough. We’ll be another band of travelers. If Baron Talanque discovers I’m here, it’s a state affair. We’ll have feasting, tourneys, hunting, receptions, and everyone between the Great Northern Mountains and Kesh will know I’m in Ylith. Talanque’s a fine fellow, but he does enjoy his revels.”
Jimmy laughed. “He’s not the only one.” With a whoop and a shout, he spurred his horse forward. Arutha, Laurie, and Martin sat amazed for a moment, then the relief of reaching Ylith struck and they were off after the boy.
As Arutha raced past the lead wagon, he shouted, “Good trading, Master Yanov!” The merchant looked after them as if they d become bereft of reason. Etiquette required he pay them a token for their stint at guard.