Silverthorn. Raymond E. Feist

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СКАЧАТЬ for her,’ he said, facing the closed door, ‘but she will never again be able to guide us in our mistress’s service.’ He returned his attention to Arutha. ‘I have heard from the temple guards of what occurred last night, and I have just heard the High Priestess’s words. If the temple can help, we will.’

      Arutha considered the man’s words. It was usual for a priest of one of the orders to be numbered among the councillors of the nobility. There were too many matters of mystic importance to be faced for the nobility to be without spiritual guidance. That was why Arutha’s father had been the first to include a magician in his company of advisers. But active cooperation between temple and temporal authority, between ruling bodies themselves, was rare. Finally Arutha said, ‘My thanks, Julian. When we have a better sense of what we are dealing with, we shall seek out your wisdom. I have just come to understand that my view of the world is somewhat narrow. I expect you will provide valued assistance.’

      The priest bowed his head. As Arutha made to leave, he said, ‘Highness?’

      Arutha looked back to see a concerned expression on the priest’s face. ‘Yes?’

      ‘Find whatever this thing is, Highness. Seek it out, and destroy it utterly.’

      Arutha could only nod. He made his way back to his chamber. Entering, he sat quietly, lest he disturb Jimmy, who still lay sleeping upon the settee. Arutha noticed that a plate of fruit and cheese and a decanter of chilled wine had been placed upon the table for him. Realizing he had had nothing to eat all day, he poured himself a glass of wine and cut a wedge of cheese, then sat down again. He put his boots on the table and leaned back, letting his mind wander. The fatigue of two nights with little sleep washed over him, but his mind was too caught up in the events of the last two days to let sleep be considered for even a moment. Some supernatural agent was loose in his realm, some magic thing that threw fear into priests of two of the most powerful temples in the Kingdom. Lyam would arrive in less than a week. Nearly every noble in the Kingdom would be in Krondor for the wedding. In his city! And he could think of nothing he could do to guarantee their safety.

      Arutha sat for an hour, his mind miles away as he absently ate and drank. He was a man who often descended into dark brooding when left alone, but when given a problem he never ceased to work on it, to attack it from every possible side, to worry it, tossing it about, as a terrier does a rat. He conjured up dozens of possible approaches to the problem and constantly re-examined every shred of information he had. Finally, after discarding a dozen plans, he knew what he must do. He took his feet off the table and grabbed a ripe apple off the dish before him.

      ‘Jimmy!’ he shouted, and the boy thief was instantly awake, years of dangerous living having bred the habit of light sleeping. Arutha threw the apple at the boy and with astonishing speed he sat up and caught the fruit scant inches from his face. Arutha could understand how he had come to be known as ‘the Hand’.

      ‘What?’ inquired the boy as he bit into the fruit.

      ‘I need you to carry a message to your master.’ Jimmy stopped in mid-bite. ‘I need you to arrange a meeting between myself and the Upright Man.’ Jimmy’s eyes widened in utter disbelief.

      Again thick fog had rolled in off the Bitter Sea to blanket Krondor in a deep mantle of haze. Two figures moved quickly past the few taverns still open for business. Arutha followed as Jimmy led him through the city, passing out of the Merchants’ Quarter into rougher environs, until they were deep within the heart of the Poor Quarter. Then a quick turn down an alley and they stood before a dead end. Emerging from the shadows, three men appeared as if by magic. Arutha had his rapier out in an instant, but Jimmy only said, ‘We are pilgrims who seek guidance.’

      ‘Pilgrims, I am the guide,’ came the answer from the foremost man. ‘Now, tell your friend to put up his toad sticker or we’ll deliver him up in a sack.’

      If the men knew Arutha’s identity, they were giving no sign. Arutha slowly put away his sword. The other two men came forward, holding out blindfolds. Arutha said, ‘What business is this?’

      ‘This is the way you will travel,’ answered the spokesman. ‘If you refuse, you will go not one step farther.’

      Arutha fought down irritation and nodded, once. The men came forward and Arutha saw Jimmy blindfolded an instant before he was roughly denied light himself. Struggling against the urge to pull the blindfold away, Arutha heard the man speak. ‘You will both be led from here to another place, where others will come to guide you. You may be passed along through many hands before you reach your destination, so do not become alarmed should you hear unexpected voices in the dark. I do not know what your ultimate destination is, for I do not need to know. I also do not know who you are, man, but orders have come down from one most highly placed that you are to be led quickly and delivered unharmed. But be warned: remove your blindfold only at grave risk. You may not know where you are from this moment henceforth.’ Arutha felt a rope being tied around his waist and heard the speaker say, ‘Hold tightly to the rope and keep a sure foot; we travel at good pace.’

      Without further word, Arutha was jerked around and led off into the night.

      For more than an hour, or so it seemed to the Prince, he had been led about the streets of Krondor. He had twice stumbled and had bruises to show for the casual care given by his guides. At least three times he had changed guides, so he had no idea whom he would see when the blindfold was removed. But at last he climbed a flight of stairs. He heard several doors open and shut before strong hands forced him to sit. At last the blindfold was removed and Arutha blinked as he was dazzled by the light.

      Arrayed along a table was a series of lanterns, with a polished reflector behind each, all turned to face him. Each cast a brilliant illumination into the Prince’s eyes, preventing him from seeing anyone who stood behind that table.

      Arutha looked to his right and saw Jimmy sitting upon another stool. After a long moment a deep voice rumbled from behind the lights. ‘Greetings, Prince of Krondor.’

      Arutha squinted against the light, but could catch no glimpse of who spoke from behind the glare. ‘Am I speaking to the Upright Man?’

      A long pause preceded the answer. ‘Be satisfied that I am empowered to reach any understanding you may desire. I speak with his voice.’

      Arutha considered for a moment. ‘Very well. I seek an alliance.’

      From behind the glare came a deep chuckle. ‘What would the Prince of Krondor need of the Upright Man’s aid?’

      ‘I seek to learn the secrets of the Guild of Death.’

      A long silence followed on the heels of this statement. Arutha couldn’t decide if the speaker was consulting another person or simply thinking. Then the voice behind the lanterns said, ‘Remove the boy and hold him outside.’

      Two men appeared from out of the dark and roughly grabbed Jimmy, hauling him from the room. When he was gone, the voice said, ‘The Nighthawks are a source of concern for the Upright Man, Prince of Krondor. They trespass upon the Thieves’ Highway and their black murders stir up the populace, casting unwelcome light upon the Mockers’ many activities. In short, they are bad for business. It would serve us to see them ended, but what cause have you beyond that which normally occupies a ruler when his subjects are being wantonly murdered in their sleep?’

      ‘They pose a threat to my brother and myself.’

      Again there was a long silence. ‘Then they set their sights high. Still, royalty often needs killing as much as the commons, and a man must earn a living howsoever he may, even СКАЧАТЬ