Magician (119 page)

Hearing the last message, Lyam said to
Arutha, “For Kesh to have sent us a personal message in so
short a time, the Empress must boast the most gifted spies in
Midkemia. You’ll have to keep your wits about you in Krondor.”

Arutha sighed, not happy at that
prospect. Pug, Laurie, Meecham, Gardan, Kulgan, Fannon, and Kasumi
all sat at the royal table. Lyam had insisted they join the royal
family. The new Earl of LaMut still seemed in shock at his office,
but his happiness was clearly showing, and even in this noisy hall
the sound of his warriors outside singing Tsurani songs of
celebration could be faintly heard. Pug mused over the discomfort
that must be causing the royal porters and pages.

Katala joined her husband, reporting
their son napping, and Fantus as well, exhausted from play. Katala
said to Kulgan, “I hope your pet will be able to withstand such
constant aggravation.”

Kulgan laughed. “Fantus thrives
on the attention.”

Pug said, “With all those rewards
being passed out, Kulgan, I’m surprised there was no mention of
you. You’ve given faithful service to the King’s family
as long as anyone save Tully and Fannon.”

Kulgan snorted. “Tully, Fannon,
and I all met with Lyam yesterday, before we knew he was going to
acknowledge Martin and throw the court into turmoil. He began to
mumble something or another about offices and rewards and such, but
we all begged off. When he began to protest, I told him I didn’t
care what he did for Tully and Fannon, but if he tried to haul me up
before all those people, I’d straightway turn him into a toad.”

Anita, overhearing the exchange,
laughed. “So it is true!”

Pug, remembering the conversation he
had with Anita in Krondor, so many years ago, joined in the
merriment. He looked back on all that had occurred to him in the
years since he had first chanced to come to Kulgan’s cottage in
the forests, and reflected for a moment. After much risk and many
conflicts he was safe with family and friends, with a great
adventure, the building of the academy, yet to come. He wished that a
few others—Hochopepa, Shimone, Kamatsu, Hokanu, as well as
Almorella and Netoha—could share in his happiness. And he
wished Ichindar and the Lords of the High Council could know the true
reason for the betrayal on the day of peace. And most of all, he
wished Tomas could have joined them.

“So thoughtful, husband?”

Pug snapped out of his mood and smiled
“Beloved, I was thinking that in all things I am a most
fortunate man.”

His wife placed her hand upon his and
returned his smile. Tully leaned across the table and inclined his
head toward the other end, where Laurie sat enraptured by Carline,
who was laughing at some witticism he had made. It was obvious she
found him as charming as Pug had promised; in fact, she looked
captivated. Pug said, “I think I recognize that expression on
Carline’s face. I think Laurie may be in for some trouble.”

Kasumi said, “Knowing friend
Laurie, it is a trouble he will welcome.”

Tully looked thoughtful. “There
is a duchy at Bas-Tyra now in need of a duke, and he does seem a
competent enough young man Hmmm.”

Kulgan barked, “Enough! Haven’t
you had your fill of pomp? Must you go marrying the poor lad off to
the King’s sister so you can officiate in the palace again?
Gods! They just met today!”

Tully and Kulgan seemed about to launch
into another of their famous debates when Martin cut them both off
“Let us change the subject. My head is awhirl, and we don’t
need your bickering.”

Tully and Kulgan exchanged startled
looks, then both smiled. As one they said, “Yes, my lord.”

Martin groaned while those close by
joined in the laughter. Martin shook his head. “This seems so
strange, after so much fear and worry such a short time back. Why, I
nearly chose to go with Amos—” He looked up. “Where
is Amos?”

Upon hearing the seaman’s name,
Arutha also looked up from his conversation with Anita. “Where
is that pirate?”

Martin answered. “He said
something about arranging for a ship. I thought he was only making
light, but I haven’t seen him since the coronation.”

Arutha said, “Arranging for a
ship! The gods weep!” He stood and said, “With Your
Majesty’s permission.”

Lyam said, “Go and fetch him
back. From all you have told me, he warrants some reward.”

Martin stood and said, “I’ll
ride with you.”

Arutha smiled. “Gladly.”

The two brothers hurried from the hall,
making quick time to the courtyard. Porters and pages held horses for
guests departing early. Arutha and Martin grabbed the first two in
line, unceremoniously leaving two minor nobles without mounts. The
two noblemen stood with mouths open, caught halfway between anger and
amazement. “Your pardon, my lords,” shouted Arutha as he
galloped his horse toward the gate.

As they rode through the gates of the
palace, across the arched bridge over the river Rillanon, Martin
said, “He said he would sail at sundown!”

“That gives us scant time!”
shouted Arutha. Down winding streets they flew to the harbor.

The city was thick with celebrants, and
several times they had to slow to avoid harming those who crowded the
streets. They reached the harborside and pulled up their mounts.

A single guard sat as if sleeping
before the entrance to the royal docks. Arutha jumped down from his
horse and jostled the man. The guard’s helm fell from his head
as he toppled over, slumping to the ground. Arutha checked him and
said, “He’s alive, but he’ll have a head on him
tomorrow.”

Arutha remounted and they hurried along
Rillanon’s long dockside to the last wharf. Shouts from men in
the rigging of a ship greeted them as they turned their horses toward
the end of a long pier.

A beautiful vessel was slowly moving
away from the docks, and as they pulled up, Martin and Arutha could
see Amos Trask standing upon the quarterdeck. He waved high above his
head, still close enough so they could see his grinning face. “Ha!
It seems all ends well!”

Arutha and Martin dismounted as the
distance between ship and pier slowly lengthened. “Amos!”
shouted Arutha.

Amos pointed at a distant building.
“The boys who stood watch here are all in that warehouse.
They’re a little bruised, but they’re alive.”

“Amos! That’s the King’s
ship!” yelled Arutha, waving for the ship to put back.

Amos Trask laughed. “I thought
the
Royal Swallow
a grand name. Well, tell your brother I’ll
return it someday.”

Martin began to laugh. Then Arutha
joined in. “You pirate!” shouted the youngest brother.
“I’ll have him give it to you.”

With a deep cry of despair, Amos said,
“Ah, Arutha, you take all the fun out of life!”