Rise of a Merchant Prince. Raymond E. Feist

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СКАЧАТЬ Freida regained consciousness. She blinked and said, ‘Erik?’

      ‘Here, Mother.’

      She threw her arms around his neck and started to cry. ‘We were told you were tried and convicted.’

      ‘We were,’ said Erik softly. ‘But we gained our pardon and were set free.’

      ‘Why did you not send word?’ she asked, a slight note of reproach in her voice. She touched his face as if uncertain of his substance.

      ‘We couldn’t,’ said Erik. ‘We were in the Prince’s service and’ – he glanced around the room – ‘we were not permitted to let anyone know. But that’s all in the past.’

      She shook her head slightly in amazement. She touched his cheek, then kissed it. Resting her head on his shoulder she said, ‘My prayers are answered.’

      Nathan said, ‘She prayed, lad.’ He wiped away a tear. ‘We all prayed for you.’

      Roo saw that Erik’s own emotions were starting to rise, but Erik forced them down, never having been one to show his feelings openly. Roo took a deep breath, suddenly feeling self-conscious over the moisture gathering in his own eyes.

      Erik asked, ‘What of you? How are you?’

      Freida sat back and took Nathan’s hand. ‘There have been changes.’

      Erik glanced from his mother to the smith. ‘You two?’

      Nathan smiled, ‘We wed last summer.’ Then his expression darkened. ‘You’ve no objections, I take it?’

      Erik let out a whoop and leaned across the table and seized his stepfather in a bear hug, nearly knocking the wine over; only Roo’s quick reflexes saved it. ‘Objections! You’re the best man I know, Nathan, and if I could have named my father, it would have been you.’ Sitting back he looked at his mother with an unashamed tear rolling down his cheek, then he took her in another bear hug and said, ‘I am so happy for you, Mother.’

      Freida blushed like a bride. ‘He came to me and was so sweet when you fled. He saw to my hurt every day, Erik.’ She touched Nathan’s cheek with more tenderness than Erik could ever remember her showing anyone, including himself. ‘He made me care again.’

      Slapping his hand on the table, Erik said, ‘We celebrate!’ To Milo he said, ‘I want your best bottle and a meal tonight to embarrass the Empress of Kesh!’

      ‘Done!’ said Milo, his own eyes glistening with emotion. ‘And I’ll only charge you cost.’

      Roo laughed. ‘You haven’t changed, Master Innkeeper.’

      ‘Where’s Rosalyn?’ said Erik.

      Milo and Nathan exchanged glances and Nathan said, ‘She’s with her family, Erik.’

      Erik glanced around, not understanding. ‘Family? You’re her father –’

      Roo reached over and took his friend’s arm. ‘She’s with her husband, Erik.’ He looked at Milo. ‘Is that what Nathan’s saying, Milo?’

      Milo nodded. ‘Aye, and I’m a grandfather, too.’

      Erik sat back. His emotions were in turmoil. ‘She’s had a baby?’

      Milo looked at Erik. ‘That’s a fact.’

      Erik said, ‘Who’s the father?’

      Milo glanced around the room and said, ‘She married young Rudolph, the baker’s apprentice; you know him?’ Erik nodded. ‘He’s now a journeyman and will set up his own ovens soon. She’s living with his family, over by the square.’

      Erik rose. ‘I know the house. I want to see her.’

      Freida said, ‘Go slowly, son. She also thinks you’re dead.’

      Leaning over to kiss his mother again, he said, ‘I know. I’ll try not to scare her to death. I want her to come tonight.’ Then he added, ‘With Rudolph.’

      Roo said, ‘I’ll go with you.’

      Freida squeezed his hand. ‘Don’t be long, else I’ll think this all a dream.’

      Erik laughed. ‘Hardly. Roo’s cousin Duncan will charm you with tales wondrous and improbable.’

      The cousin smiled. Nathan looked at the handsome Duncan and said, ‘He’ll not be charming her too much, I’m thinking.’

      Erik laughed. ‘We’ll be back soon.’

      Roo and Erik hurried from the kitchen, through the empty common room of the inn, and out the front door. They hastened down the street that led to the town’s square and hardly noticed those few townspeople who stopped to stare in open amazement at the familiar figures of Rupert Avery and Erik von Darkmoor hurrying along. One man dropped a crock of wine as his eyes widened at the sight of the reputedly dead men striding past. One or two others tried to say something, but Roo and Erik were away before they could give voice to the greeting.

      Reaching the town square, they turned and made their way to the bakery where Rudolph worked and lived. At the front door Roo saw Erik hesitate. Roo knew Erik’s feelings for Rosalyn were never simple. She was like a sister to him, but at the same time there was something more. Roo and the others around town knew that Rosalyn was in love with Erik, even if he had been too thick to know. At least, he had been aware just before his departure from Ravens-burg that her feelings for him were more than sisterly. He had talked about it with Roo more than once. And Roo knew that Erik still didn’t really understand how he felt about her.

      Suddenly embarrassed by his own hesitation, Erik entered the bakery. Rudolph stood behind the counter, and when he looked up he said, ‘Can I help –’ His eyes widened as he said, ‘Erik? Roo?’

      Erik offered a friendly smile. ‘Hello, Rudolph.’ He extended his hand as he crossed the small space between door and counter. Roo followed.

      Rudolph had never been what either Roo or Erik would count a friend, though in a town as small as Ravens-burg all the children of similar age know one another. ‘I thought you dead,’ he half whispered, as if afraid to be overheard.

      ‘That seems to have been the general opinion,’ Roo said. ‘But we were freed by the King.’

      ‘By the King?’ asked Rudolph, clearly impressed, as he took Erik’s hand and gave it a perfunctory shake. Then he shook with Roo.

      ‘Yes,’ said Erik. ‘And I’m back.’ When Rudolph’s expression darkened, he quickly added, ‘For a few days. I’m the Prince of Krondor’s man now.’ He pointed to the crest on his tunic. ‘I must be back there before the end of the month.’

      Rudolph relaxed. ‘Well then, it’s good to see you.’ He looked Erik up and down. ‘I expect you’ve come to see Rosalyn?’

      ‘She was a sister to me,’ said Erik.

      Rudolph nodded. ‘In the back. Follow me.’

      Erik and Roo walked to the end of the counter, СКАЧАТЬ