my family barely knows I exist, for I am a third cousin, once removed.’ He lowered his voice. ‘I only hold the title “Squire” by a deft manipulation of a local magistrate on my father’s part, truth to tell. And the lands that come with that title provide no income.’ Returning to a normal tone, he said, ‘To advance, I need two things: wealth and fame. I could either join the army – and truth to tell, I tried that for a little while, and thrashing goblins in the cold north is no route to either – or I could marry well. But to marry well, I need wealth and fame. A circle, don’t you see?’
‘I do.’
‘So I came east. Here is where politics and trade give a man opportunity, not out in the west. There it’s all duty and service, but here a man can find prospects. So, becoming Champion of the Masters’ Court gave me fame. And if I could rise financially with de Castle and his partners, then would I have wealth.’
‘I appreciate the general design, Squire, but aren’t there more direct routes?’
‘None that I can see. My best opportunity was Lady Gavorkin, but the Crown would never approve her marrying a poor country squire from the Isles.’
‘Especially now,’ said Kaspar with a chuckle.
‘Yes,’ agreed Tal with a pained smile. ‘But even had I restrained myself regarding the Prince, I think my future lies somewhere else. And now that it appears my prospects in Roldem have diminished …’ He shrugged.
‘You thought you would ride my coat-tails to greatness,’ finished Kaspar.
‘Yes, Your Grace.’
‘Not an unwise choice,’ said Kaspar. ‘I have a use for clever men – assuming you resist the temptation to humiliate princes in public in the future. There’s a captaincy for you in Opardum.’
‘Captaincy?’ Tal smiled. ‘As I said, I’ve tried the military life, Your Grace, and found it less than ideal for my talents.’
‘It’s a title. If you like, you may continue to call yourself “squire”, for no one will salute you and no one will have you marching around a parade ground. I have many captains in many capacities, and none of them wear a uniform.’
‘Ah,’ said Tal, as if he now understood. ‘You seek an agent.’
‘Agent is a good word. Factor is another. Or representative, depending on the need. Whatever the title, the function will be the same: to serve me with unswerving loyalty and vigour. The rewards will be quite in keeping with the effort.’
Tal finished his wine. ‘Should I pack?’
‘Soon,’ said Kaspar. ‘I linger here another week, then it’s off to Rillanon and a visit with the King of the Isles, then back to Opardum. You are not officially in my service until we reach Opardum. The reasons for this will be made clear to you then.
‘Until then, however, you will be under my protection. I will send a quiet word to Prince Matthew that I would take it as a personal affront should any ill befall you, and then reassure him that I’m getting you as far away from Roldem as possible.
‘Perhaps in three years’ time you might return to defend your championship. It will be awkward, but at least by then Matthew will have had a chance to reflect.’ He paused, then added brightly, ‘Or maybe by then someone else will have killed the posturing fool.’
Kaspar rose, signalling that the interview was over. ‘Return to your quarters and try to stay out of trouble, Squire.’
‘Yes, Your Grace,’ said Tal.
The Duke left through one door, and Tal departed through the other, finding Amafi waiting outside. He gestured for his new valet to fall in and they left the palace together, this time exiting through the main gate.
When they were safely outside the palace, Amafi asked, ‘Magnificence, what transpired?’
‘We are now in the service of Duke Kaspar of Olasko, Amafi.’
The former assassin grinned, for a moment looking positively lupine. Then he said, ‘So, now our rise to greatness begins!’
‘Yes,’ said Tal, though inside he felt as if it was a descent into darkness that lay before them.
The ship beat against the rolling combers as a stiff breeze hurried it towards the most magnificent city Tal had ever seen. No, he thought, more magnificent than he could have imagined.
Rillanon stood outlined against the hills, a stunning creation of coloured stone and graceful arches. The late-afternoon sun etched its form with brilliant highlights set against deep shadows. Tal had been told of its history, that the Mad King, Rodric the Fourth, had ordered the city rebuilt with every drab façade replaced by cut stone of brilliant hue. Kings Lyam, Patrick and now Ryan had continued with the project, and now nearly every building in the capital of the Kingdom of the Isles was a study in splendour. A thing of marble and granite, Rillanon glimmered white and pink, yellow and amber, with hints of purple, green, red and blue scattered across the scene. As they approached, details resolved and both Tal and Amafi stood in mute astonishment in the bow of Duke Kaspar’s ship, The Dolphin.
A voice from behind them said, ‘Is this your first visit, Squire?’
Tal turned to see the Duke and bowed before he answered. ‘Yes, Your Grace.’
Amafi stepped away discreetly, giving his master and the Duke the opportunity to speak in private.
‘I am second to no man in my pride in my homeland, Squire,’ said the Duke. ‘Opardum is a magnificent city in its own way, but I’ll concede that upon first viewing, no city matches Rillanon in beauty.’
‘I must agree, Your Grace. I have read histories …’ Tal forced himself to remember his place. ‘When a student, my father insisted I master the history of the Kingdom.’ He turned, and waved his hand. ‘But this … it’s beyond description.’
‘Yes, isn’t it?’ Duke Kaspar chuckled. ‘If one were to wage war upon the Kingdom of the Isles, it would be a tragedy to have to sack such a wonder. It would be far better to force them to surrender before having to storm those towers, don’t you agree?’
Tal nodded. ‘Though I would think not going to war with the Isles the wiser choice.’
‘There are other means of winning a struggle besides armed conflict,’ said the Duke. He spoke, as much to himself as to Tal. ‘There are those who will avow that war is the result of failed diplomacy, while others will tell you that war is but another tool of diplomacy; I’m not enough of a scholar to decide if there’s really any difference between those two positions.’ He turned and smiled at Tal. ‘Now, get to your cabin and change into your finery. We shall be dining in the King’s palace tonight.’ He glanced at the sails. ‘I judge us to be less than an hour out of the harbour, and we shall have clear sailing to the royal docks.’
Tal went below and did as instructed, and by the time he was ready for presentation in court, he heard a knock upon his door. Amafi opened it to find a cabin boy standing before the portal.
‘Yes?’
‘Duke’s compliments, Squire. You’re to join him on deck.’
‘I’ll
