the Princess’s manner changed once more and again she was the vivacious charmer. William’s colour rose and now James was convinced there was something more to this Princess than her more obvious physical gifts. ‘Perhaps the cadet could show me some of the palace, while you entertain my brother and cousin, Squire James?’
James glanced at Swordmaster McWirth, who stood near the dais and with a nod of his head communicated the need for William to act as host to the visiting nobility. The old swordmaster’s expression turned slightly sour, but he nodded and James said, ‘William, I’m sure the Princess would love to see the tapestry gallery and Princess Anita’s gardens.’
As smoothly as an eel slipping through water, the Princess disengaged herself from James’s arm and attached herself to William. ‘And what shall I call you, young knight?’ asked the Princess.
‘Will, Your Highness. My friends call me Will.’
As William led the Princess off towards the tapestry hall, James indicated the food and wine to Prince Vladic, then Prince Kazamir. The Crown Prince took a goblet of wine and sipped it. ‘Very good,’ he said. ‘Darkmoor?’
James nodded. ‘I believe so. Most of our best wines come from there.’
‘You’re not having any?’
James smiled. ‘I’m on duty.’
Kazamir nodded. ‘I understand. By the way, you handled that very deftly. Not many young men would give up my sister’s company so easily.’
‘I can well believe it,’ said James. ‘There’s something about her …’
Vladic studied James a moment, again appraising him, and James could not help but feel again that he was being sized up as a possible opponent. Vladic said, ‘You’re perceptive, squire. My cousin has a need to be admired by a great many men. She employs additional supplements to augment her natural appeal.’
‘Ah,’ said James. ‘Magic. A charm or a potion?’
‘Her left hand. A ring purchased from a woman who dabbles in such trinkets in our homeland. I fear this need for male attention that drives Paulina will eventually create difficulties for her future husband.’
‘Then she should either marry a man with great skills as a swordsman, or one with great patience.’
Vladic nodded, as he slipped his wine. He then took a small slice of melon from a platter and nibbled at it, his expression every so slightly indicating satisfaction with the fruit. ‘The court here in the west is a refreshing change from some of the environments we’ve discovered east of Salador.’
James nodded. ‘I have no doubt. West of Malac’s Cross things are very different. I’ve not spent much time in the east, but it is …’
‘More civilized?’ provided Kazamir.
James smiled. ‘I was about to say older, but if you prefer civilized, I’ll concede the point.’
Vladic smiled, and for the first time since they met James sensed the young man was letting his guard down a tiny bit. ‘Well, it’s a function of perspective, I warrant. Our nations are very old, while this Western Realm is relatively young. In Olasko, we haven’t seen an elf or goblin in centuries. There are six other states of some size between the far northern lands and Olasko.’
‘Elves are interesting,’ replied James. ‘And I’ve seen enough goblins to last me a lifetime.’
‘I hear they’re not terribly bright, but that they make good hunting,’ ventured Kazamir.
‘Well, if you’re interested in hunting something that carries a sword or bow, I guess.’ James shrugged. ‘I’m city bred and have little experience with hunting. I don’t understand the appeal of the sport.’
‘It livens up an otherwise dull life,’ said Vladic.
James grinned. ‘I’ve never found life to be dull, so I suppose that’s why.’
‘You’re a lucky man, then,’ said Kazamir. ‘We have our wars, often enough, but other than that, there’s little to occupy a man who craves excitement.’
Vladic said, ‘My cousin is like most of our nobles, and seeks glory in overt fashion. But the skills of arms, the sword and bow, the challenge of the hunt, those are secondary in importance to that.’ He pointed to where Arutha was listening to something being whispered into his ear by one of the local nobles. ‘He seeks office, or a suitable husband for a daughter or an ally against an enemy, or something from your monarch. Intrigue is a way of life in my father’s court.’
James laughed. ‘That’s Squire Randolph of Silverstown. I think he’s trying to convince the Prince to get one of his pesky neighbours to move his cattle off Silverstown’s meadows.’
Kazamir barked a rough sounding laugh. ‘A very small intrigue, then, cousin.’
Vladic looked slightly nettled to be mocked so, but said nothing.
‘Are you staying long in Krondor?’ asked James.
Kazamir shrugged. ‘Father has planned this as a tour of the west, so I expect we’ll stay a few days before moving on. He wishes to hunt the Trollhomes, where it is rumoured great boars reside, as well as wild trolls and even, if true, dragons.’
James could barely contain his amusement. ‘Having spied a dragon myself, may I suggest that only a madman would go looking for one?’
Kazamir’s expression darkened. ‘A madman?’
James quickly spread his hands in an apologetic gesture. ‘A jest, and obviously a poor one. It is just that dragons are everything you’ve heard of and more. If you hunt one, take an army with you.’
Kazamir’s expression softened slightly, but James couldn’t be certain the offence had been mitigated. He continued, ‘Even trolls are to be avoided unless you absolutely must face one. The lowland trolls may be barely more than wild animals, but they are more dangerous than any lion or bear you might hunt, for they are more cunning, and they hunt in groups of two or more. Their mountain kin have language and use weapons. You go hunting them, be assured they’ll be hunting you right back.’
‘Interesting,’ was all that Vladic said. Then he added, ‘How is the hunting in this region?’
‘Yes,’ said Kazamir with sudden interest. ‘Lions, perhaps?’
James shrugged. ‘If you go north, up into the foothills of the Calastius Mountains, you’ll find a good population of game. Closer to the King’s Highway it’s scarce, but once you get high into the hills there’s ample deer, elk, bear, and big leopards. Occasionally a wyvern comes down from the northern mountains and that’s as much dragon as I’d be willing to face.’
‘If we stay for more than a few days, would you be able to arrange a trip into those mountains?’ asked Vladic.
James nodded. ‘I’ll speak to the housecarl; he can arrange with the huntmaster and swordmaster to provide guides and men-at-arms. You could travel out for a day and reach some very rough terrain, where game is still plentiful.’
Vladic
