The Complete Krondor’s Sons 2-Book Collection: Prince of the Blood, The King’s Buccaneer. Raymond E. Feist

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СКАЧАТЬ chanced another glimpse of the camp, then hunkered down next to his wife. Her eyes were closed and her face was set in an expression of concentration as she sought out Borric among the prisoners in the camp. Finally she opened her eyes and her mind’s voice came to James. There is no thought I recognize as Borric’s in the camp.

      Are you certain? he asked.

      Sadly, she said. If he were in that camp, as close as we are, I would find him. Even were he sleeping, I could sense his presence were he in that camp. She silently sighed and he caught the echoes of sorrow in her mind. There can be no explanation for it save he lay buried beneath the rubble back where we found the boot. There was a moment of silence, then she said. He is dead.

      James was motionless for an instant, then he motioned to the scout. By sign he gave the order to return the way they had come. The search was over.

      ‘No!’ Erland’s face was harsh as he refused to accept Gamina’s pronouncement. ‘You can’t know for certain.’

      James recounted his observations for the third time since returning to where Erland and the balance of the company waited. A campfire had been started and the men were busy preparing an evening meal. James dismounted and gave the reins of his horse to a solider, who led the animal away. ‘We saw another bandit wearing the robe, so we can assume that it’s possible they took the boots from him as well, I grant that. But there was no sign of him in the camp.’ To the Keshian scout he said, ‘Is there any chance the bandits who raided us were not part of this slaver caravan?’

      The scout shrugged, as if to say anything was possible. ‘Probably not, my lord. By carrying off some of your men it is unlikely it was but a coincidence you were raided. Any of your men who remain alive are for certain in that camp.’

      James nodded. ‘If he had been alive, Erland, Gamina would have been able to speak to him.’

      ‘How can you be so certain?’

      So that all in the camp could hear her, Gamina said, I have control over my talents, Erland. I can choose how many or few I wish to speak to, and once I touch a mind I can recognize its thoughts. Borric’s thoughts were not among those in the camp.

      ‘Perhaps he was unconscious.’

      Gamina shook her head sadly. ‘I would have sensed his presence, even if he were unconscious. There was an … absence of him. I can’t explain it better than that. He was not among them.’

      The scout said, ‘My lord, if I may remain with you this night, I shall have to move on to find my Sergeant. He will wish to know of these Durbinites. The Governor of Durbin is little better than a pirate and renegade himself, and sooner or later, word of this outrage will reach the Court of Light. When the Empress, blessings be upon her, at last decides to act, retribution shall be forthcoming, and it shall be terrible indeed. I know it can not ease your burden, but to assault the person of a royal family en route to her Jubilee is beyond insult. The Empress, blessings upon her name, will no doubt take it as a personal affront to the Empire’s honour and act to revenge your family.’

      Erland’s anger was not soothed in the least. ‘What? The Governor of Durbin reprimanded? Then a formal letter of apology, I suppose.’

      ‘More likely she will order the city surrounded and burned to the ground with all the citizens within, sire. Or if she is feeling merciful, perhaps she will only send the Governor of Durbin, with his family and retainers of course, to your King for punishment, sparing the city. It will depend upon her mood at the time she decides.’

      Erland was overwhelmed. The shock of Borric’s apparent death at last setting over him and the blasé attitude of the guard as he recounted such power on the part of one woman, conspired to render him without wit. He just nodded dumbly.

      James, seeking to turn talk away from the terrible diplomatic situation that would arise out of Borric’s death, said, ‘We shall ask you to bear letters to be forwarded back to the Prince of Krondor, so that we may mitigate any difficulties between our two nations.’

      The scout nodded. ‘As one who serves along the border, I would do so gladly, m’lord.’

      James said, ‘See to your mount and picket her with our own; the boys in the luggage will feed and water her. Then get some food and find a place to sleep.’

      The scout saluted, and left to see to his horse. James nodded at Locklear, who in turn motioned with his head toward Erland. Both young nobles moved away to speak in private.

      As the fading light of day fled over the western hills, Locklear knelt on the other side of the fire and said, ‘This is a fine mess.’

      James also sat, trying to relax. He saw Gamina move to Erland’s side, as if to comfort him. ‘Well, we have faced difficulties in the past. This is what we were trained for, to make choices.’

      Locklear said, ‘I think we should consider returning to Krondor.’

      James said, ‘If we do, and Arutha orders Erland back to the Jubilee, we risk insulting the Empress by arriving late.’

      ‘The festival will last more than two months,’ Locklear pointed out. ‘We would be there before it’s over.’

      ‘I still would rather have us there at the beginning.’ He glanced around at the black night. ‘Out there something’s going on. I can’t help feeling that.’ He put a finger on Locklear’s chest. ‘It’s just too much a coincidence that we were the ones raided.’

      ‘Perhaps,’ agreed Locky in part, ‘but if we were the target for a raid, then those behind it were those who attempted to assassinate Borric in Krondor.’

      ‘Whoever they are.’ James was silent for a long moment, then said, ‘It makes no apparent sense. Why would they wish to kill the boy?’

      ‘To start a war between our Kingdom and the Empire.’

      ‘No, that’s obvious. I mean why would anyone wish war?’ The question was rhetorical.

      Locklear shrugged, choosing to answer it anyway. ‘Why does anyone ever wish to start one? We must discover who within the Empire will profit most from a destabilized northern border, and that is our likely culprit.’

      James nodded. He stared out into the gloom, away from the firelight, and said softly, ‘We will not be able to do that in Krondor.’

      Locklear agreed. ‘Yes, and doing insult to the Empress coupled with Borric’s disappearance may have the desired effect. Arutha has the coolest head on his shoulders that I’ve ever encountered, but he’s also a man whose lost a son – and more, the Heir to the throne of the Isles – and if ever his judgment gets cloudy, it’s when the lives of those he loves are at risk.’

      James nodded, remembering how he behaved when on the quest for Silverthorn, when Princess Anita lay at death’s threshold. ‘Still, he’s a lot older now than then, and—’ James didn’t finish.

      Gamina’s thoughts came to him. I can give him no comfort husband. Do what you can for him.

      Turning to find Erland alone, facing out into the desert night, as Gamina returned to the campfire, James motioned to Locklear to give the two of them some privacy. He stood and crossed to stand beside him. In quiet tones he said, ‘You СКАЧАТЬ