‘Highness, we have the honour to present to you Jazhara, newly come to Krondor from Stardock, recommended to your favour by Duke Pug.’
Arutha nodded for her to come close and Jazhara approached with the calm, effortless poise of one born to the court. James had seen more than one previously confident petitioner stumble while under the Prince’s gaze, but Jazhara reached the appropriate spot and bowed, a low, sweeping gesture, which she executed gracefully.
‘Welcome to Krondor, Jazhara,’ said Arutha. ‘Duke Pug commends you to our service. Are you willing to undertake such?’
‘With my heart and mind, Highness,’ answered the young desert woman.
De Lacy came to stand halfway between Jazhara and the Prince and began the oath of service. It was short and to the point, to James’s relief; there were far more tedious rites that he’d been forced to endure in his years of service to the crown.
Jazhara finished with, ‘And to this I pledge my life and honour, Highness.’
Father Belson, a priest of the Order of Prandur, and Arutha’s current advisor on issues concerning the various temples in the Kingdom, approached and intoned, ‘Prandur, Cleanser by Fire, Lord of the Flame, sanctifies this oath. As it is given, in fealty and service, so shall it be bound, in protection and succour. Let all know that this woman, Jazhara of the House of Hazara-Khan, is now Prince Arutha’s good and loyal servant.’
Belson conducted Jazhara to her appointed place in the court, next to his own, where both would be available should Arutha need their opinion on some issue concerning magic or faith. James glanced at the remaining company and realized court would be blessedly short this morning. There were only two petitioners and most of the regular court staff appeared anxious to be elsewhere. Arutha was a ruler who, to everyone’s relief except perhaps de Lacy’s, preferred efficiency to pomp. He left grand ceremony, such as the monthly galas and other festive occasions, to be overseen by his wife.
Jazhara caught James’s eye and gave him a slight smile, which he returned. Not for the first time, James wondered if there might be something more in this than merely a collegial gesture, and then he mentally kicked himself. James’s view of women was quite outside the norm for men his age in the Kingdom: he liked them and wasn’t afraid of them, though he had been from time to time confused by them. Still, while he enjoyed intimacy with a woman as much as the next man, he avoided complicating liaisons. And a relationship with one of the Prince’s advisors was only slightly less complicating than one with a member of his family; so he shunted aside such thoughts. With a slightly regretful inward sigh he told himself, it’s just that she’s exotic.
When court was over and the company dismissed, Arutha rose from his throne and turned to Jazhara. ‘Are you settled in?’
‘Yes, Highness,’ she answered. ‘My baggage was delivered to the palace this morning and all is well.’
‘Are your quarters adequate?’
She smiled. ‘Very, Highness. Master Kulgan told me what to expect, and I believe he was having some fun with me, as they are far more commodious than I had expected.’
Arutha smiled slightly. ‘Kulgan always possessed a dry sense of humour.’ Motioning for James, he said, ‘Squire James will conduct your tour of Krondor today, and should you need anything, he will ensure you get it.’
‘Thank you, Highness.’ With a grin, James said, ‘As you know, we had a bit of a tour last night, Highness.’
Arutha said, ‘I saw the documents this morning.’ To Jazhara and James he said, ‘But first, you two, in my office, please.’
Brion hurried to open the door and Arutha led Jazhara and James into his private office. As he was about to step through, Arutha said, ‘Squire Brion, see what Master de Lacy has for the squires this morning.’
‘Sire.’ Brion bowed and departed.
Arutha sat. ‘Jazhara, allow me to begin by saying that had I a moment’s concern regarding your loyalty to our court, you would not be standing here.’
Jazhara inclined her head and said, ‘Understood, Highness.’
‘James, as soon as possible, please familiarize our young magician with everything we know so far about the Crawler. That will require, I suspect, a fair amount of personal history, since his confrontation with the Mockers is significant in understanding his motives. Be frank. I have the impression this young lady doesn’t shock easily.’
Jazhara smiled.
Arutha fixed a solemn gaze on both of them. ‘This Crawler has had his hand in no small amount of mischief over the last year or so. He was indirectly involved in one of the more threatening attacks on our sovereignty and created a situation that put a great strain on our relationships with a neighbouring nation to the east. The more difficult he is to find, the more I worry about him.’ Addressing James he said, ‘Be thorough. You needn’t return to the palace, unless I send for you, until you feel Jazhara has seen all she needs to see.’
James bowed. ‘I will be thorough, Highness.’
Jazhara bowed as well and followed James out of the Prince’s office into a side corridor, where James asked, ‘Where to first, my lady?’
Jazhara said, ‘My quarters. I’m not traipsing around Krondor in this gown. And I feel only partially dressed if I don’t have my staff in my hand.’
James smiled. ‘Your quarters it is.’
As they walked through the palace, Jazhara said, ‘I haven’t seen William yet. Is he avoiding me?’
James looked at her. Frank, indeed, he thought. He said, ‘Probably not. While he’s a royal cousin, he’s also a junior officer and has many duties. If we don’t run into him during our travels, I know where we’ll be able to find him this evening.’
Jazhara said, ‘Good. We need to talk, and I’d rather that occurred sooner than later.’
James noticed she was no longer smiling.
THE WATCHMAN SALUTED.
James returned the acknowledgement, while Jazhara took in the sights of Krondor. She was wearing her travel garb once more. She carried her iron-shod staff, and her hair was tied back. She looked … businesslike. James found it interesting to contrast how she looked now, and how she had appeared at court earlier that morning. Two very different women …
They had begun early in the day, visiting the shops and markets of what people commonly referred to as the ‘Rich Quarter’ of the city, a place in which shops displayed items of great beauty and price to buyers of means. Jazhara had lingered at several shops, much to James’s chagrin, for he had never enjoyed the pastime of looking at goods he had no interest in buying. He had several times been assigned to the Princess’s shopping expeditions, mostly to keep Elena out from under her mother’s feet as much as to guard Arutha’s wife. It was perhaps the only time in his life when he hadn’t particularly enjoyed the Princess’s company.
James
