replied Jazhara as the gates were opened.
James followed, and as the gates were closed behind them he said, ‘You’ll have to excuse them. They’re naturally wary of strangers.’
‘You mean, wary of Keshians. Think nothing of it. We would be equally suspicious of a Kingdom magician in the court of the Empress, She Who Is Kesh. When Master Pug entrusted me to this position, he was very clear that my appointment is not to be political.’
James grinned. Nothing in the court was not political, but he appreciated the sentiment. He regarded the young woman again. The more he knew her, the better he liked her. Mustering up his best courtier’s tone, he said, ‘A woman of your beauty and intelligence should have no trouble with that. I myself am already feeling a great sense of trust.’
She laughed. Fixing him with a sceptical expression, she said, ‘Your compliment is appreciated, Squire, but do not presume too much, too quickly. I’m sure your Prince would be upset were I forced to turn you into a toad.’
James returned the laugh. ‘Not half as upset as I’d be. Forgive my impertinence, Jazhara, and welcome to Krondor.’
They paused at the main entrance to the palace, where a page waited. ‘This boy will escort you to your quarters and see to whatever you need.’ Glancing at the sky, James added, ‘We have two hours until dawn, and I will attend the Prince an hour after he breaks fast with his family. I’ll have someone come fetch you to court for the presentation.’
‘Thank you, Squire,’ said Jazhara. She turned and mounted the steps to the palace doors. James watched her go, appreciating just how nice her retreating figure looked in her travel clothes. As he took off in the direction of his own quarters, he muttered to himself, ‘William’s got good taste in women, that’s for sure. Between Talia and this one, he’s got his hands full.’
By the time he reached a small gate near the palace wall, on the path leading to the rear servant’s entrance, his mind had already turned from exotic beauties from distant lands and was wrestling with mysteries more deadly, such as who this Crawler was and why was he trying so hard to plunge the Kingdom into war.
Arutha, Prince of Krondor and the Western Realm, second most powerful man in the Kingdom of the Isles, looked at his squire and said, ‘Well, what do you think of her?’
‘Even if Duke Pug hadn’t vouched for her, I’d be inclined to trust her, to take her oath of fealty as heartfelt and genuine.’
Arutha sat back in his chair, behind the desk he used when conducting the more mundane daily routines of ruling the Western Realm. It was his habit to take a few minutes there to ready himself for morning court, before the conduct of his office was taken out of his hands by de Lacy, his Master of Ceremonies.
After a moment of reflection, Arutha said, ‘You must be tired. If loyalty were even a remote issue, Jazhara would not be here. I mean, what do you think of her as a person?’
James sighed. ‘We had … an adventure, last night.’
Arutha pointed to the documents upon his desk. ‘Something to do with a dead cloth-dyer of Keshian ancestry who appears to be working for Lord Hazara-Khan, no doubt.’
James nodded. ‘Yes, sire. She’s … remarkable. As much as I’ve been around magic in the last ten years, I still know little about it. But she seems … I don’t know if powerful is the correct word … adept, perhaps. She acted without hesitation when the need arose and she seems capable of doing considerable damage should that be required.’
‘What else?’
James thought. ‘I think she’s able to be very analytical “at a full gallop” as they say. I can’t imagine her being rash or foolhardy.’
Arutha nodded for James to continue.
‘We can deduce she’s educated. Despite the accent, her command of the King’s Tongue is flawless. She reads more languages than I do, apparently, and being court-born will know all the protocols, ceremonies, and matters of rank.’
‘Nothing you’ve said is at variance with Pug’s message to me concerning this choice.’ Arutha indicated another piece of parchment on his desk. ‘You have a nose for smelling out things even a magician of Pug’s puissance might not recognize.’
‘In that, Highness, she’s what you require in an advisor on things magical, I would wager.’
‘Good.’ Arutha rose and said, ‘Let us go and meet her, then.’
James hurried to reach the door and open it for his prince. While no longer Senior Squire of the Court of Krondor, he was still Arutha’s personal squire and usually attended him when he wasn’t off on some mission or another for Arutha. James opened the door.
On the other side, Brion, the newly-appointed Senior Squire, awaited Arutha’s appearance. Brion was the son of the Baron of Hawk’s Hallow in the eastern mountains of the Duchy of Yabon. A tall, rangy, blond-headed lad, he was a hard-working, no-nonsense sort, the perfect choice for the tedious work of Senior Squire, work James had to admit he had never fully embraced with enthusiasm. Master of Ceremonies de Lacy and his assistant, Housecarl Jerome, were thrilled with the change in assignments, as they had both been forced to compensate for James’s absences when he was out and about on Arutha’s behalf. James glanced at Brion as he followed Arutha, leaving James with the other squires awaiting the duties of the day. When Arutha was seated, Brion nodded to Jerome, who moved to the large doors that would admit today’s court to the Prince’s presence. With a dignity James still found impressive, the old Master of Ceremonies moved to the middle of the entrance, so that as Jerome and a page opened the doors, those outside would first see de Lacy.
With a voice still powerful, the Master of Ceremonies said, ‘Come forth and attend! The Prince of Krondor is upon his throne and will hear his subjects!’
He turned and walked towards the dais, while pages led members of the court to their assigned places. Most of those in attendance were regular members of Arutha’s court and knew exactly where they should stand, but a few newcomers always needed a boy nearby to instruct them quietly in matters of court protocol. And Brian de Lacy was a stickler for protocol.
James saw several officers and nobles of Arutha’s staff enter and take their customary positions while petitioners who had convinced someone on the palace staff they needed to speak personally with the Prince followed. Jazhara was first among those, since she would soon make the transition from newcomer to member of the court.
James was impressed. Gone was the dusty, efficient travel garb, and now she wore the traditional formal raiment of her people. From head to foot she was dressed in a deep indigo silk, and James had to acknowledge that the colour suited her. She wore far less jewellery than was customary for a woman of her rank; but the pieces she did wear – a brooch which held her veil pinned to her shoulder, which in her homeland would be worn across her lower face in the presence of strangers; and a single large bracelet of gold embedded with emeralds – were of the highest quality. The former thief suppressed a smile as he considered what they’d fetch if sold to some of the less reputable gem dealers in Krondor.
Master de Lacy intoned, ‘Highness, the court is assembled.’
With a slight inclination of his head, Arutha signalled for court to commence.
James glanced around to see if William was present. As a junior officer of the Prince’s guard he had no particular
