She frowned, then forced herself to smile as she turned and said to William, ‘Thank you for being my guide. It is a pity things ended prematurely. Perhaps we’ll have time to continue later during our visit?’
‘M-m’lady,’ William stuttered.
James was seized by a rush of desire as the girl passed close to him while he bowed. As she retreated, the feeling faded.
James turned to find William blinking, obviously confused, and asked, ‘Are you all right, Willy?’
‘I don’t know,’ he replied, still blinking. ‘While we were together, I … I don’t know how to explain what I felt. But now that she’s gone …’
‘Magic,’ said James.
‘Magic?’
‘She employs magic, according to her brother,’ said James. ‘To heighten her charms.’
‘I find that difficult to believe,’ said William.
‘What an odd thing for someone raised on an island of magicians to say,’ observed James as William blushed. ‘Believe it.’ He put his hand on the young soldier’s arm. ‘I’ve got to take care of some business for Arutha, and you look like you could use a drink.’
‘I think I could,’ said William, ‘but I have to return to the Cadets’ Quarters.’
‘Not if you come with me,’ said James.
‘How does Arutha’s business involve me getting an ale?’
James grinned. ‘I have to poke around a few places, and the cover story of being out with a friend jumping from tavern to inn is just the thing.’
Sighing in resignation and trying hard not to imagine Swordmaster McWirth’s reaction to whatever plan James had in mind, William fell in beside his friend and they left the garden.
WILLIAM KEPT HIS EYES FORWARD.
He knew his every movement was being closely scrutinized by Swordmaster McWirth. The old soldier had always paid slightly more attention to William’s progress over the last year than with the other cadets, but with his commission set for the end of this week, it seemed lately that every single gesture and word was being evaluated.
William tried to attribute it to his having been an exceptional student, perhaps the best swordsman with the long two-handed sword in the garrison, as well as a proficient student of tactics and strategy. He also considered that his odd situation of being a royal cousin by adoption might have contributed to his being a ‘special project’ of the swordmaster’s. But no matter how he tried to please the old teacher these last few days, there was always something lacking in his efforts. Either a thrust was a hair’s breadth too low during sword practice, or his decision to reinforce a position in field training was a bit premature. William wondered briefly if the swordmaster had something against him personally, but then pushed aside the thought as McWirth came to stand before him. In a friendly tone, the old soldier said, ‘Late night, cadet?’
William still felt sand in his eyes from too little sleep, but he tried to will aside any shred of fatigue that clung to his bones. ‘Sir! Late enough, swordmaster!’ he said as briskly as he could.
‘Tired, cadet?’
‘No, swordmaster!’
‘Good,’ said McWirth, raising his voice so that the company of cadets could hear him, ‘because today we’re going on an exercise. Some very bad men have surrounded the village of Tratadon and we must ride very fast and rescue the daughters of Tratadon from the clutches of these evil men.’ Again, he looked at William and added, ‘Of course these particular bad men are garrison regulars who would love to embarrass a bunch of fuzzy-cheeked cadets, so just make sure they’re disappointed.’
As one, the cadets shouted, ‘Yes, swordmaster!’
‘Swords and saddles in fifteen minutes!’ cried the swordmaster.
William was off at a run with his companions and stole a quick glance up to the palace wing where he suspected his friend James was still sleeping. He was on the verge of a silent curse when he remembered that James hadn’t forced him to stay at the Rainbow Parrot, and that the girl, Talia, was very attractive. He really liked the way she smiled at him.
The thought was fleeting; for once he reached the armoury to collect his armour and weapons, he got too busy to think of anything but the coming exercise.
James glanced down at the courtyard where the cadets were scurrying towards the armoury to be fitted out for the day’s exercise. He had forced himself to remain awake while reading the day’s schedule and knew that William and the others had a gruelling day ahead of them. Tratadon was a ten-hour forced march and the squad sent out to play the part of bandits the night before would be well and firmly dug in. McWirth was making sure his lads knew exactly the sort of trouble they were most likely to encounter in their work.
‘Squire?’ came a soft voice, gently preventing James’s reverie from slipping into a fatigued doze.
‘Yes?’ James replied to the young page, forcing himself to wakefulness.
‘His Highness waits in his private office.’
James nodded, forcing aside the warm fatigue that made him feel like sleeping every time he stopped moving. As they reached the side door to Arutha’s office, another page opened the door so that James could march in without slowing his pace.
Arutha sat at his desk. He indicated two mugs and a large pot and said, ‘Please.’
James poured and was greeted by the aroma of dark, Keshian coffee. As he added a single spoonful of honey to the Prince’s mug, he said, ‘To think I couldn’t stand coffee a few years ago. Now I wonder how one gets through the morning without it.’
Arutha nodded as he took the offered mug. ‘Or chocha.’
James shrugged at mention of the Tsurani morning beverage. ‘Never developed a taste for it. Too bitter and spicy.’
Arutha waved James to a chair and said, ‘I’ve got court in fifteen minutes, but you’re not attending today. I need you to do two things, one trivial, one not so.’
James nodded but said nothing.
Arutha continued. ‘Duke Radswil and his family wish to hunt. You will instruct our huntmaster to ready a party to accompany the Prince of Olasko to the mountains for a day’s hunting the day after tomorrow.’
‘That’s the trivial,’ suggested James.
Arutha nodded. ‘Find your missing agents if possible, and see if you can discover the source of all this mayhem in our city. That will involve a rather delicate sort of diplomacy on your part, for you must first begin at the city jail with a social
